Flufftober 2023

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...

Whumptober 2023

Day 9: "Was that today?" [x Daniel]

Trudging into the small-ish shared apartment, Daniel yawned while kicking off his work shoes. shuffling around in socks and not noticing anything going on around him. The trail of slowly withering rose petals barely swirled under his feet, barely registering the foreign items.

Turning into the bedroom, Daniel was startled by the sight of you lying across the bed. The way you were stretched out suggested that he missed something. Upon actively looking around, small clues adding it up to what he was missing; Daniel groaned loudly.

You stirred sleepily, startled by the silhouette of your tired lover and throwing the nearest pillow at him in self-defense. Slightly knocking the air out of him as he staggered back.

"Danny!?" You sat up, only slightly annoyed about everything going on, "When did you get back? Why were you looming over me like a gargoyle?"

"I didn't mean to Pie." He sighed, "It was just a late night, tons of paperwork. I just got back and only just noticed the electric candles and rose petals. What did I...?"

Daniel stopped his question short as you began scowling at him.

"Our anniversary."

Daniel's eye twitched, "Was that today!? How the f*^k did I miss that!?"

You huffed, turning away from him. Yes; you knew he got swamped with work a lot, that he forgot things often no matter how many reminders he got, and that he would be beating himself up worse than you ever could. But none of that made a difference about how hurt you were over this. Something Daniel knew all too well, something he wished he could control at least a little bit.

"Pie, I'm sorry. Really I am." His hand was still pretty warm against your back, "I have all day tomorrow off if that helps? Maybe a lazy day? Just the two of us and nowhere to go..."

You leaned back, letting him rub your shoulders and whisper small promises of how he would try to make all this up tomorrow. He was only cut off by your light snoring, miscalculating how soothing his actions were to you when you weren't even fully awake. Not entirely at least, it was that much easier to lull you back to sleep.

But it wasn't difficult for Daniel to shift you up onto the bed before changing. He could shower in the morning, after he cuddled you for a few hours.

Flufftober 2023

Day 10: Arguing like an old married couple [x Lucky]

Klaus was calmly watering his plants, pausing only to listen to a very loud conversation approaching the main office. It was difficult to make out what kind of conversation this even was, but he could make out the voice of both Lucky and yourself. It made some sense, the two of you were rivals of sorts, but at the same time, you two bickered like you were one confession away from dating.

"I'm telling you, holy water does work on lower leveled blood breeds."

"It hasn't worked on any blood breeds for centuries!"

"Then explain the time I burned one with holy water."

"You got lucky once." Lucky huffed, "And there was no evidence that it was real holy water or a low-level blood breed. For all we know it still hurts them no matter what."

Stopping with your arms crossed, "Right, as if there aren't records of when, where, and why the human under the blood breed curse was turned."

Blitz turned around, staring at you like you splashed him with cold water on a snow day. The stare-down was intense, even Zapp was silently watching from the couch. Everyone was waiting to see how the tension would be resolved.

"That's irrelevant." Lucky marched off to the side, trying to ignore the eyes in the room, "You can't be certain about what made the holy water work. The whole situation was so quick."

Exhaling through your nose, "That doesn't mean anything at all Blitz. Neither of us are fighters and it's not like we've got weapons at all. Other than the old fang hunter tools that worked on the first strain of blood breed curse."

"Still doesn't mean they still work." He groaned, "You just got lucky."

You tried to hold back a snicker, "I work with you after all."

Klaus tried to hold in his own laughter while Blitz just gaped at you like a fish in a bowl.

"HOW THE F*&K-!?" Zapp blurted out, being stopped by Chain landing on his spine.

K.K. however couldn't help herself, "You two are so adorable."

Both you and Lucky turned to look at the blonde woman, tilting your heads at the same time.

"It seems to be a matter of time," Klaus interjected, "The way the two of you argue over your field."

"I don't follow you, my boy." Blitz blinked, "What does that have to with anything?"

"It's only a matter of time before one of you winds up confessing to each other." Steven walked through not caring to step around the conversation, "And [Name] is right about the old tools working on non-elder class blood breeds."

You couldn't even revel in being right due to how embarrassing it was to think about dating Blitz. The idea of being that close with one another was a bit awkward, if only because you two worked together. It would be weird... right?

Not even Lucky could say anything. He was hoping no one would pick up on his crush, he didn't want to say anything yet. This was not the time nor place for this...

Flufftober 2023

Day 3: Sharing a blanket [x Steven]

Why had Steven agreed to this? Why did Klaus suggest this? He should know about Steven's embarrassing crush on you by now. K.K.'s snide comments weren't only her opinion, but very well known by Steven. He half expected her to insist on Steven making this mission the one he finally gets a date.

A little surprising of a sentiment, if it weren't for how much softer Steven acted around you. How K.K. kept saying even a person with one eye could see it. And the only one who didn't was the person whom the affections were directed at out of respect and lack of an overinflated ego.

In all honesty, it was one of a long list of reasons Steven liked you in the first place. But acting like a couple in public wasn't the most productive thing!

Steven would greatly prefer to ask you out on a nice, soft, and romantic evening. Dinner, drinks, and dancing were his standard, but here he was jumping head-first into the shallow end of the pool. At least, that's what it felt like.

You were completely oblivious however, this was just another mission. Catch another criminal and go home. Nothing to it. Sure, you had feelings for Steven and this wasn't helping your nerves either. But you also didn't think acting like a couple for the sake of work was the best time to confess.

Maybe after this, considering the fact you two had to travel and share a honeymoon suite at a hotel. But certainly not before returning to Hellsalem's Lot. That would just be too much.

Regardless, you set your things off to one side, well away from where Steven was keeping his stuff. This specific room was uniquely set up to give the two of you plenty of space and privacy to conduct your mission and research. Which was more than necessary given it was one of the few cases of an external agency using the US's laws to bypass Alterworld treaty regulations and create a 'cure' to being a Beyondian.

The distribution of such a chemical would cause too much chaos. And you were more here as a cover story than actual assistance. Steven would be doing 98% of the leg work. Even as he set up three different laptops on a single large table, you didn't know what to help with due to how hyper-specific the sequence for booting up the programs were.

Some things were just beyond you and your forgetful nature.

But that didn't stop you from doing other useful things around the suite. Starting the coffee maker and prepping to cook something for supper being your focal point for the time being.

The sound of the coffee maker brewing had Steven swiveling in seconds. He hadn't even registered you slipping past him into the kitchen area. Though he did deeply appreciate your attempts at being helpful. That fact that you were brewing coffee alone had an array of complex emotions plaguing Steven.

On the one hand, you were being super sweet, thoughtful, caring, and just overall a phenomenal partner in every sense. On the other, you didn't have anything else to do and knew Steven would eventually need coffee and something to eat. You jumping the gun so to speak and doing this before being asked was much more likely an attempt to keep the peace and make yourself useful.

As much as Steven wanted to admire you for the positive side of your actions, he knew that if you didn't do this he'd be able to say you weren't doing your job. Sure, he would never dream of forcing you to do more than your fair share, but in this situation... this was considered your fair share. He was the one doing the actual mission, you were the one providing the cover story and background tasks.

It felt wildly imbalanced, but there wasn't anything Steven could do about it. Unless he wanted to teach you coding and tracing.

He wouldn't say no...

"Hey Steven, are you at a point you can let it run?"

"Hm?" Steven barely turned to your voice, "Not quite [Name], five more minutes."

"Alright, I'll put a plate in the microwave for you then." You portioned out a hearty serving or two onto a plate, "This way I can clean up."

Steven tore his eyes away for a quick second, just long enough to see what you made and the plate being put up for him. Even as he kept typing, Steven couldn't help melting a little. Acting like his partner to this degree behind closed doors...

He had to shake himself back to reality. This wasn't you acting like you were his. This was just you being polite and efficient. Steven really needed an actual vacation, he was going absolutely crazy over his wistful perceptions.

Or maybe he needed to ask you out...

You settled onto the couch. It might be a little late, but one movie before bed wouldn't kill you. Especially not with Steven still typing away, being a light sleeper had serious drawbacks. Turning the TV down enough to not disturb Steven, you just sat there under a blanket.

Sadly, the room had to be kept cold for the computers. It wasn't too bad until now because you had been moving around and cooking. Now that you were stationary, sedentary, the chill was getting to you. And you saw exactly why Steven wore three-piece suits all the time.

"What are you watching?"

You nearly jumped out of your skin, and almost hit Steven. He was too big to be this stealthy.

"Just an old movie from my childhood." You had to stop to breathe, why did it seem like Steven was a little too close? "I wasn't sure I could sleep with the keys clicking, light sleeper."

Steven straightened up a little, "Ah, I'm sorry. I won't need to do as much typing until morning though. If that's any help. You probably should at least try to get some sleep."

"Uh, yeah. I guess I can do this sometime tomorrow anyway." You moved to put away your DVD, "Thanks for the warning."

Watching as you moved, Steven lamented saying anything. He probably could have just asked to join you...

"On... on second thought [Name]," You paused just shy of putting the disk in its case, "Maybe we could watch it together? I mean, if you want to that is. I don't have to monitor the programs for a little while and I doubt reading will be as much of a break as I thought it would be... given that I've been reading the computer screens for hours now."

Looking between the case in your hands and the slightly awkward Steven you didn't know what to do. You've never seen him act this way before. Usually Steven was so direct and convicted that even a professional argument machine like Zapp couldn't fight back. But you'd be lying to yourself to even remotely hint that you didn't desperately want to spend time with Steven. Just a couple hours would be enough...

Just enough to fuel your teenage crush.

"Sure." You back tracked, "Though I don't know if you'd like this all that much."

"One way to find out for sure." Steven smiled a little sheepishly, "Just let me grab my coffee."

Nodding as you booted the TV back up, you couldn't help the overly giddy feeling rising in your chest. Shadowed by the extreme pressure of whether Steven would actually like the movie. It was one of your favorites after all. If he didn't like it, then what? You could never bring yourself to get rid of it, or ignore it sitting on the shelf, or just not watch it just because Steven didn't like it.

Meanwhile, Steven was nervous for a similar reason. This was one of your favorite movies. He couldn't very well lie about his opinions, and he didn't want something like that possibly hurting his chances with you. Surely you were a reasonable adult and wouldn't make such a big choice over an opinion of a movie... right?

Either way, the two of you sat on the small couch. You hadn't realized how small it was until you had to share it with Steven. Pressed up against each other, hip to hip, and painfully aware of the other's presence... and the chilly air.

Steeling his nerves, Steven tried his best to not be hesitant about tossing the covers across both your shoulders. Yes, the curtains were drawn, it had been one of the first things you'd done when entering the suite. But Steven still had this feeling of someone watching. Not even in a 'being spied on' sense, more in a 'the universe can't possibly line up more perfectly for you, idiot' type of way.

It was now or never...

Unable to take the startled, doe-eyed look you flashed at him, "Uh, it's just a little chilly in here. I didn't want to hog the covers."

"Oh, yeah..." You sounded so unsure and small and Steven's heart couldn't handle it, "Fair enough."

"Are you comfortable?" Steven didn't know how to go about being casual when his heart was behaving like a frantic rabbit, "We could always adjust a bit. Maybe you could sit in my lap?"

You paused, thinking it over, "O-Only if you'd like to! I don't want to force you, I'm just offering."

"I... I uh," You cleared your throat, "I don't want to make you uncomfortable either Steven. This is fine."

"I don't mind, you being in my lap that is."

You reconsidered, really trying to think of why it seemed that Steven wanted you in his lap.

"But only if you want to. I'm fine with this if you are."

"Steven?" He turned to you, hoping against hope that he wasn't visibly blushing, "Do you want me in your lap? Ho-"

"Yes."

It was your turn to hope you weren't blushing too hard. Steven didn't even let you finish what you were saying before blurting an answer. But you did have your answer... and several questions about how a simple, innocent mission had you sitting in your crush's lap watching one of your favorite movies. Even more questions popped up as Steven relaxed. Propping his head on your shoulder, wrapping his arms around you to draw the blanket closed over your laps. It felt like one of your dreams, just more grounded in reality.

This was just far too comfortable for Steven to not attempt to be extra cozy with you. Would make the ruse more believable... and confessing easier. Because Steven was determined to finally tell you how he felt.

Just not tonight...

Whumptober 2023

Day 7: "Don't you see I'm trying?" [x Zed]

It was difficult, running through the poorly lit hallways of an abandoned hideout. The area was currently undergoing a turf war and demon beasts had infested the place. You could barely tell your pre-made spells apart, desperately searching for one that would produce enough water for Zed's pods... and one that would at least temporarily patch the device.

"Hurry [Name]." He hissed, "Hurry!"

"I'm trying, I'm trying." You were on the verge of tears, "Don't you see that?"

"I can barely see two feet in front of me." Zed bit back, "And that circle of visibility is getting worse by the second."

The most Zed was able to do at the time was him trying to save as much of the water from leaking out with his Orb Weaver technique. But that wasn't the best option either. There was only so much water he could hold onto mid-combat.

That's where your proficiency with arcana was supposed to come in handy. But everything felt like it was closing in around you and Zed's sour mood wasn't helping. It was justified, but not very helpful.

"Hurry!" Zed snapped as you both ducked behind a low wall, "I can't hold out much longer like this [Name]!"

"Don't you see I'm f*^king trying!?" Tears started falling without your permission, "Yelling at me like that isn't f*^king helping me when I can't even f*^king help the man I love. So just lay off!"

Zed blinked, suddenly forced to see what you were going through as well. He was so used to you being the most reliable partner in the field that it never crossed his mind. The idea that he could be too demanding at times simply hadn't occurred to him at all.

But seeing you cry hurt. Despite not having the time to sit and comfort you at the moment, the least he could do is shut up and cover you. Trusting that you'd find the right spell as soon as you could... or carry him out of here to a safer location.

"You're right." He huffed a little, being yelled at by you of all people was never pleasant, "Stay hidden, I'll cover you so you can find what we need."

A sharp nod as you wiped your face off, turning back to the pouch of spells. It wouldn't take too much longer. It shouldn't at least...

Flufftober 2023

Day 2: "Just hold me" [x Dog]

The way you were shaking after having to fight a literal massive demon was concerning, to say the least. Swiveling as soon as someone touched your shoulder, ready to swing on whatever was behind you.

Dog caught your hand with ease, despite his usual boyish innocence he understood what happened without a word. Gently kissing your knuckles in an attempt to help you calm down. Taking a deep breath, you shuffled a little closer.

"It's okay honey bear." Dog hugged you gently, "What do you need me to do?"

"Just hold me." You whispered against his chest, "Please."

That was all it took for Dog to scoop you up, walking away from the battlefield without a second thought. He wasn't about to argue or worry about anyone else for a little while. Not when you needed him for comfort.

"[Name]," Dog mumbled into your ear, "Is there anything else you need me to do?"

Shaking your head slowly, "Just hold me. Please."

"I've got you sugar mouse." He rubbed your back in soothing circles, "Just relax with me."

You nodded slowly, nuzzling closer. It was cozy tucked in Dog's arms like this, despite having been shaken only a few minutes prior. He had no problems carrying you through the city, all the way back to your apartment. There was nothing that could stop him, not when he was focused on a personal mission.

"Here, let me unlock the door."

You shifted enough to work with the keys while Dog stood there, a soft smile on his face as he watched you. Neither of you wanted to do much else today, after the fight in the middle of the city it was cuddle time.