Whumptober 2023

Whumptober 2023

Day 3: Deep cut that needs stitching [x Leo]

This was not going well at all, running through a dark maze of alleys while holding your side. Just as you made it to the end of the alley, Leo pulled up on his little moped. You just barely managed to hold on while he sped off, leaving your attackers in the dust. The steady, visible dribble of blood from your side kept Leo worried.

He was all too familiar with these kinds of situations himself. And racking up more hospital bills wasn't an option at the moment... not right after you two moved in together. But he was seriously considering that, since you were losing blood quickly.

Not that you were giving him the option either, insisting that you weren't that badly injured. It was just a scratch, you were sure about that.

But you couldn't have been more wrong.

As much as Leo hated the sight of blood, he didn't know what else to do. Knowing you were a little squeamish about watching someone get stitched up, he grit his teeth and tried to ignore the fact that his hands were currently covered in your blood.

Sonic was doing his best to help without getting any blood in his fur, mostly just handing Leo things. You were walking him through the process with scary ease, if in a hissing voice. Trying to watch what he was doing and avoid passing out with everything going on.

"Yeah, pressure right here..." You guided his free hand, "Then this pad to help the stitching avoid contamination."

Leo could only nod as he held back his stomach. Following your instructions and wondering if he should have called Klaus or Steven for help. This was way too much blood for his taste, especially knowing it was your blood.

Flufftober 2023

Day 6: "Your bedhead is really cute" [x Raju]

Waking up in a house was still a new feeling for Raju, even if he knew where he was and what was going on. He was a little too used to waking up in caves or trees, being on his own was far more common given his life span. But there was something deeply appealing about how you looked with your hair spread out across the pillows.

Gently trying to brush it around, looking for your face and reveling in how soft your mane was; Raju sighed in contentment. This was so weird, in a good way.

But his musing was cut short as your eyes opened. He drew back slightly as you looked around, not wanting to admit that he was doing anything. All the soft moments were embarrassing to him. Raju didn't think being this soft, even with his partner, was a good look for a warrior like himself.

"Morning hon." You yawned, "How did you sleep?"

Raju only hummed in response, weary of saying too much, or the wrong thing.

"Anything specific you have to do today? Or are you going to hang out?"

"I haven't a clue yet." He mumbled, "But your bedhead is really cute."

You stopped, blinking. Raju saying weird things was normal, but random compliments were still strange to hear. Not that he ever insulted you... after the two of you started dating at least. But he still blindsided you with these kinds of statements.

"But... I... I haven't even brushed my hair yet." You tilted your head, "I... it's all puffy and tangled."

"Its still very adorable." Raju admitted shyly, "And soft..."

Looking around the room, you tried to find a reason Raju would say something like this. Sure it was nice and typically normal in other relationships... but this wasn't a normal relationship. That was one of the reasons you were with Raju.

However, his straightforward nature meant anything he said was not only exactly what he thought... but it was usually true to some degree. Which only meant there was no arguing with him when he said randomly sweet things like this.

Whumptober 2023

Day 10: "I trust you." "That was your first mistake" [x Aligula]

The kitchen was an absolute mess, you didn't know how Aligula managed to get pudding in the oven hood, but here you were. Covered head to toe in a batch of pudding and watching it drip from impossible places. You knew Aligula wasn't the best in the kitchen but how did she mess up stirring pudding?

"I trusted you, Lily." You moaned, "How did you manage to get pudding in all these places?"

"That was your first mistake." Aligula huffed, "I was trying a new little device for helping in the kitchen."

"Well now we need to clean everything."

"Including you." Aligula snickered, "That'll be fun."

"Don't act like you don't need a shower too Lily." You were trying so hard not to smile, "But we can manage with a cat bath so this doesn't have time to dry before we can get it out of the vents."

Aligula pouted, "But the house would smell like chocolate! We can't pass up that opportunity!"

"We can, we will, we shall." You sighed, "This is non-negotiable. Chocolate in the vents will attract rats and Femt ran out of traps last time you tried cooking."

"So why'd you let me cook again?"

"IT WAS PUDDING!" Aligula giggled at your frustration, "How you managed to blow up a bowl of pudding belongs in a fricken record book somewhere."

"We'll burn that bridge when we get there. One problem at a time."

Rolling your eyes, you started running the tap water. Maybe you should have a perma-ban against Aligula. Taking pictures to remind you of all the weird things she's done to get to this point. At least she hasn't set fire to milk... yet.

Whumptober 2023

Day 5: Overhearing a Caretaker mildly complaining [x Klaus]

Break a leg huh? Welp, you broke a leg alright, and Klaus was determined to take care of you to the best of his ability. But you knew it was putting too much on him, asking him to watch over you like this when he should be at work.

Even if he can just take care of the paperwork, it wasn't fair to ask him to take care of you. Not like this.

But he was stubborn. Your leg bone had broken, damn near splintered when you fell. Moving was difficult, Klaus wouldn't leave your side for a second, occasionally resigning to carrying you around because he could. It made you feel like a doll.

The worst of it was how damn careful you had to be about your frequent headaches. Laying back into direct, bright lights wasn't helping at all. And you only had a few ways you could lay without risking further injury. It was only a matter of time before Klaus got annoyed with it, you were certain.

"I'm unsure what to do Steven." Klaus's voice woke you from a fever nap, "It's been getting rather dark lately. Far too early. And [Name] can't handle the bright lights."

You laid still, pretending to still be fast asleep. The pause and sigh told you that Klaus was on the phone, and not at all happy.

"Of course we've tried nightlights. We've also tried flashlights." Klaus passed very close to the couch where you were laying, "But the way it throws shadow... I hate seeing [Name] frightened like that."

Klaus stopped suddenly, turning back to where you were. From his point of view, you were still asleep. While he listened to Steven suggest a variety of solutions, Klaus knelt by your side. Each possible outcome had its drawbacks, and while Klaus could appreciate the help, he didn't care for the accusatory tone Steven used.

This was his beloved [Name] after all, not some random person off the street.

"Steven, I'm well aware of how this must look from your point of view. And believe me, I do find it frustrating to be held back by so many inconveniences."

Your heart squeezed a little hearing that, knowing that Klaus was too much of a gentleman to say it to your face. Or even admit out loud that this was your fault. It hurt on so many levels.

"Even so, I will be back in the office soon." Klaus's hand rested gently across your back, "[Name]'s last doctor appointment went very well and they should be more than capable of caring for themselves soon. I believe Dr. Estevez mentioned crutches."

Finally hanging up, Klaus absently rubbed your back. He just wanted you to be okay. He knew you weren't trying to make things difficult, and the way you were bedridden was only natural after the accident. All he could do was hope for best situation, and that you weren't awake to hear him venting to Steven.

Klaus would die if you'd overheard. He was terrified what you might think of him. What your thought process might lead you to...

Late to the- [Klaus x Reader]

Requested by Anonymous ⏱️

The quiet of the house as Klaus finally got off work was uneasy. He knew all of this was his fault, working too late once again and leaving you alone with the children for far too long...

Settling into a chair as quietly as possible, a warmed-over plate of Bavarian pot roast sitting in front of himself. Wistfully thinking about how dinner must've gone earlier today, how he would've talked with the children. Warning them against talking with their mouths full, enjoying the day-to-day chatter, gently reminding the children to finish their vegetables, and meeting your eyes from across the table.

Blurry visions of what could have been... should have been, faded as he wiped at the sparse tears from under his glasses. Slowly getting up and cleaning away what little mess there was, Klaus was breathing a little heavily. The weight of his grief and guilt hitting him in full force.

Marching down the hall on tired feet, Klaus stopped just shy of your shared room, contemplating the risk of waking you up. Instead, he shuffled back to the living room. Sinking into the couch cushions, Klaus fell asleep to the ideas of the person he wanted to be... how badly he was failing at being a father and husband.

"Shhh!" "But!" "Shhh!!"

Klaus's eyes opened slowly, five children looking down at him. He knew how bad this must look to them, yet...

"Shatzchen, is there something you needed?" He sat up slowly, trying his best to make things seem normal, "What is going on?"

Before Damien could answer, Yvonne piped up, partially bouncing up, "Why aren't you sleeping in the bed with Mama?"

He was squirming at this, keeping this façade was going to be difficult, "I didn't want to wake Mama up last night. I came home far too late mein Shatzis, that's all it was."

The worried looks being exchanged between the children had Klaus squirming even more. This was his worst lie to date, and right to his children's faces at that... He could tell they weren't believing him this time. Until...

"You must've been extremely late Lieber." You stepped in from the hallway, "To be out here once again."

Now the children were just confused, looking back and forth like little meerkats. As much as Klaus appreciated your backup on the matter, he was also concerned about your willingness to lie to the children. Though he could very easily say that about himself at the moment.

"Quite late mein Herz." Klaus hung his head a little, "My apologies."

Klaus was tackled in tight hugs, several small arms wrapped around him as you walked into the kitchen. It was clear that you were just trying to keep the peace, but the conversation wasn't over with. Just delayed until the children were too busy to pay attention to the conversation.

It wasn't until after lunch that you were approached by Klaus. Shyly shuffling, struggling to find the words to start the conversation. As much as he wanted to-

"Klaus, I'd rather you woke me up." Your eyes didn't leave the book that weren't even reading, "I know how much this weighs on you. That you want to be here to spend time with us. But fact of the matter is that your job is very demanding, I've known that since we started dating and it hasn't changed throughout our marriage."

Klaus was barely able to make eye contact when you looked up at him. But the pain behind how strictly you were talking hit him like a ton of bricks. Kneeling down to your level, a gentle hand resting on your knee as he mirrored your deep seated pain.

"I know it all sounds harsh like this, but--"

"Liebling, please don't apologize." Klaus carefully squeezed your knee, "I shouldn't have put you in such a situation as to lie to our children, and I... I know it hurts you to be like this. It hurts me to be absent in my family's lives. I've only ever wanted to be here for all of you. And yet..."

The urge to smack Klaus with your book was strong, however...

"Honey, you're doing the best you can." You sighed a little, "The children and I know that, we understand-"

His head popped up, "I don't want you to understand. I'd prefer that you be upset, blame me for the broken promi--"

"Why should I blame you for the fact that there are terrible people in the world?" Your foot came down very close to his knee, "Because I know you wouldn't break a promise without a damn good reason and so do your kids."

Looking like a scolded child himself, Klaus laid his head on your lap in defeat. He knew you were right, he knew he couldn't continue arguing with you over this either. Deep down he knew this would blow over soon enough, that you weren't truly upset with him... just how he was going about inflicting his own punshiment.

At least he had today to make up for the time spent in the office.

Whumptober 2023

Day 4: "Stay, please" [x Raju]

Raju floated in the middle of the living room, taking in what you said while you panted heavily. This wasn't his idea to begin with, he had no clue why he was even here at the moment. Sure, Raju had lived with humas before...

But not one quite like you.

The thing was, he wasn't completely used to someone wanting his presence, concerned this deeply for his safety. All things considered, love wasn't something he contemplated. Especially not for himself.

But here you stood, breathing hard from yelling at him for how reckless he was in battle. Telling him off for being gone most of the year, despite promising to visit more often. Promising to show up for the holidays...

Raju didn't know how to feel, but one thing rang clear in the silence.

"Why do you keep coming back? Just leave!"

But Raju couldn't move. He wanted to stay, he truly did. There was just so much he needed to get used to, things he never thought about with his huma family. Things that never once crossed his mind.

The tears still streaming down your face made walking difficult but you made the attempt to march off anyways. After all the waiting around you did this past year and a half, you just needed a nap... with or without Raju's answer.

Before you could pass through the hallway...

"[Name], wait." Raju had a blood thread attached to your sleeve, tugging you back as carefully as possible, "Stay, please?"

"I'm going to bed." You grumbled, voice drained of emotions post-outburst, "That's all."

"I'll join you."

It wasn't exactly a command, there was a hint of plea in Raju's voice. But he probably could have asked instead of...

"Whatever."

You trudged into your bedroom, why should you care that he was following you anyway? Flopping onto the messy spread, you burrowed under a fluffy blanket and tried your best to ignore the floating half-man you were supposed to be dating.

Its not like you could tell anymore.

Raju didn't need sleep however. Instead opting to just hover there, watching over you. One slender hand, his only hand left after everything he'd been through in life, caressed your back slowly. He could at least help ease you to sleep.

That didn't stop him from mumbling under his breath though, "I'm sorry [Name]. I know I can't keep using the same excuses. You don't deserve to be left alone for months on end, not by someone like me. If you still want me gone, I won't fuss. I just want to know you're okay... I'm sorry I hurt you with all this..."

Even half asleep, you couldn't deny how badly you wanted to forgive him. But all you could manage was grabbing onto his cane before dozing off.