Whumptober 2023

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...

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.

Whumptober 2023

Day 6: "I'll hate you till the day I die." "I'll hate you even in death." [x Lucky]

Waking up from a hazy dream, at least you hoped it was a dream, you panicked when you couldn't see Blitz. Your head was spinning like a top, throbbing hard with your heartbeat as you scanned the room. Coming to the slow realization of cold, hard steel keeping you on a cold, concrete slab.

Blood pressure rising, the hairs on the back of your neck stood on end. A distant, deep voice emerged from the shadows, no physical form to be seen... yet. Despite the pain in your head, you twisted and turned; seeking the source of the disembodied voice. But to no avail...

"Welcome back [Name]." It cooed, "Good to see you're hail and healthy. Here I thought you would have died long before now."

"WHO ARE YOU!?" You yelled into the darkness, "WHAT DO YOU WANT?"

A sickening thud caught your attention. A large, bloody mass in a very familiar trench coat...

Red, all you could see was red. Blood pressure rising far faster than when you were frightened, anger was a hell of a drug after all. It didn't take much for you to snap the chains, roaring in anguish as you cracked the concrete slab. Scrambling to where Blitz was laying, seeing the dazed half-awake look in his eyes.

Standing over him protectively, you stared into the darkness. Eyes adjusting as the temperamental power surge increased your... everything. Senses, strength, and even your control over your blood blade was heightened; the silhouette of the blood breed that tried turning you stood there in the shadows.

"You'll regret this." You snarled, "This WILL be the last fight you'll ever have."

A gleeful smirk crossed it's face, "Oh dear, sweet [Name]. You think you can harm--"

It was easy to dig your hand into its chest, ripping right through to the heart. Squeezing the only "living" part of the monster, crushing it slowly as your blood blades pierced into it on all sides.

"This is really how you'd treat me?" It spat, "You know I'll hate you with my dying breath... dear [Name]."

"Shame," You snarled, "I'll hate you even in death. You never deserved to call me that."

Breathing heavily, you didn't ease up. Even as the blood breed turned to ash in your palm, you could only breathe. Trying to avoid panicking over Blitz as you scooped him over your shoulders. This wasn't going to be taken very well. The first time Blitz was targeted directly by a blood breed...

And it was all your fault...

Flufftober 2023

Day 8: Reading a tender letter [x Zed]

This was really starting to bother Zed.

Zapp's idiotic prank was just too much. What even was the point of leaving a bottle in the top of his tank? Other than just blatantly aggravating the half-fish.

Letting out a deep sigh after getting dressed, Zed retrieved the bottle from within his tank. The only thing that gave him pause was what looked like your handwriting on the paper stuck inside. He had always just assumed it was Zapp...

But he was too hasty in trying to remove the page, nearly tearing it to shreds. Using Windweaver for this hadn't been his smartest move.

Though with him wandering mindlessly, a handwritten letter in hand, Zed fell down the stairs...

"Zed!" Leo rushed over, "Are you alright?"

Ignoring Zapp laughing his *ss off in the background, Zed dusted himself off.

"How did you f&^king miss the stairs Fishstick?" Zapp wheezed, "I didn't think you'd be the kind to f&^king fall for a dumb*ss trick like that!"

"You didn't even do anything to the stairs Zapp." Leo deadpanned, "Are you okay Zed?"

"Yes, I'm okay." He checked to make sure he still had your letter, "I was simply distracted."

"No sh*t."

"No one asked for your two cents."

"Oh yeah!"

Zed walked away from the budding fight, focusing once more on your letter. Marveling at how well-spoken you seemed to be. He hadn't truly thought much about you being this interested in him, though he did have an embarrassing crush on you. It was nice knowing it was mutual, even if it had to be disguised as one of Zapp's attempts to annoy him.

Knowing the nearly silent, cute, reliable coworker was just as interested in him was exhilarating. Especially once he spotted you in the office, shyly waving with the letter in hand. The only way he knew how to make sure you knew he got your message...

Flufftober 2023

Day 4: Teasing over a fake Wanted poster [x Zapp]

Scrolling Famebook on your phone, you stumbled onto a very cheesy-looking app. A picture "editing" one with the usual frames and stickers. And of course... Zapp had already tried making something to seem more macho than he really is. You couldn't help but shake your head.

Either he miss-clicked, or he really thought an old west-styled wanted poster was the best way to go. He couldn't even be bothered to use a good picture of himself for it. Such an awkward angle and pose, who even let him take this pic?

You simply couldn't miss the chance to comment, "Wanted for crimes against photography."

No sooner had you sent the dig than Zapp commented, "Come say that to my face! That pic is perfect and you know it!"

It was too easy, "I think you need glasses. No one wants to see the bottom of your shoe."

He kept digging his grave, ignoring the other commenta agreeing with you about the terrible angles.

"That's a peek pose!"

"For who? The person holding your ankles?"

You couldn't help giggling as you stashed your phone. This wasn't the last you'd hear about this, especially not with the consistent ding of people commenting. No doubt Zapp would do his best to make you take back what you said.

But he's the one using a weird picture to try and look cool. You could distinctly remember why and where that pic was taken to boot. Someone had challenged Zapp, tricking him into posing like an anime character. Christ that had been a fun night as you joined in, just an innocent excuse to have a hidden folder on your phone chock full of embarrassing photos.

It was the best insurance for keeping Zapp from getting that drunk again.

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.