Day 8 [Zapp/ Raju/ Femt]

Day 8 [Zapp/ Raju/ Femt]

Prompt: "I can't believe I trust you"

Zapp

*Plink*

Zapp looked down at the empty shot glass, absently reaching for the bottle of hard liquor on the counter. Today couldn't have gone worse. Everything he did was leading to this inevitable moment. It was his fault his life went up in flames...

And he knew it.

Throwing his head back, the memories played over as if on some torturous nightmare loop. Seeing you caught in the crosshairs of his sham of a love life was bad enough. It was hell, but he deserved it when you slapped him in the face. He had promised to stop.

It had been an empty promise.

And that had been the final straw. You left without looking back. If only you hadn't run out into the street like that. You would at least be able to... You'd still be...

*CLANK*

Your last words hung over Zapp's head like a guillotine blade. Dropping at the very end of each loop, starting the cycle over again.

"I can't believe I trusted you!"

Pouring another shot that Zapp raised in a dark toast, "Yeah, I can't believe it either sexy..."

.

Raju

The whole room was spinning wildly, Raju thought he could see cartoon birds floating around his head. But you were just sitting there and laughing. Whatever it was you found "fun" about that little teacup thing was lost on Raju.

He had to hold onto your shoulder for support. But even that wasn't easing the feeling in his gut. You barely managed to guide him to a trash can and a bench in time for him to lose the lunch you warned would be too big to enjoy the rest of the fair.

You had little choice but to go find a vendor with water and maybe a jumbo pretzel. Leaving Raju to not-so-silently curse at the ride in his native tongue.

Seeing you return with something for his stomach brought up more bitter feelings than relief. Even though the pretzel did look tasty.

"I can't believe I trusted you!" He whined, "That was not fun at all!"

"Well then," You played into his anger, "I guess you don't need this pretzel. Throwing shade like that."

"No wait, please." Raju changed his tone, "At least let me have one bite."

.

Femt

"I CAN'T BELIEVE I TRUSTED YOU! FEMT!!!"

It was rather early for this level of yelling, Femt had to lean out from the kitchen to see what had upset you this time. His grand scheme wasn't supposed to start until at least lunch.

"You broke my hairbrush!"

"Not to split hairs here, Dearie." Femt looked at the ruined object in your hands, "But I don't have teeth that can chew things like that. It was clearly Snuffles."

You crossed your arms, looking up at Femt while you tapped your foot.

"And just who made Snuffles in the first place?"

"Well, I don't see how that's much of an argument point, Dearie. Once a creature has sentient life..."

"You still made him and refused to train him." You huffed, "My broken hairbrush is your fault."

"Be mad at all you want, Dearie." Femt slipped an arm around your shoulders, "You still love me."

"Love is a strong word."

"But it's truuuue~!"

You sighed, turning your head to avoid looking at him, "You still owe me a hairbrush. You know how unruly my hair gets."

"Oh, fine Dearie." Femt pressed his face against yours, "But you know I still won."

You flailed a single hand at him. Not trying to slap, just wave him away.

Day 9 [Klaus/ Zed/ Raju]

Prompt: "I've made better choices, I have to admit"

Klaus

Having woken with a splitting headache, Klaus was not the least bit surprised to find himself in the hospital. He was grateful to be waking up at all, though the pained faces he saw twisted his heart in knots. From his close friends and teammates, Klaus half expected their misconceptions of having caused Klaus's injuries. What he wasn't expecting was you standing there like a ghost.

For once, Klaus couldn't read your face at all. He was able to placate everyone else and convince them he would bounce back easily. Telling them what they already knew, what they wanted to hear. But you were the last person to move at all. Refusing Steven's offer to go home just yet.

While Klaus was overall delighted to have a few moments alone with you, part of him dreaded what might come next.

"[Name], Liebling." Klaus reached towards you as you sat, same glassy stare, "I've made better choices I must admit."

Klaus couldn't bring himself to chuckle, not even half-heartedly at his own poorly executed joke. But seeing you not even react to his touch was deeply concerning to Klaus.

"Please, what's wrong Shatzi?"

"This." That cold and distant tone didn't suit you at all, "Seeing you like this isn't right. People like you don't get hurt, not like this. All these tubes and wires and--"

Klaus gently covered your mouth with his thumb. He knew what you meant, he agreed with you on some level, and yet...

"Liebling, this is the unfortunate underside of my job." He tried to coax you into looking at him, "I may fall, but I know I've done everything in my power to protect the people I treasure most. I struggle towards the light no matter how badly it might break my body. No matter the hell I have to go through, the fact that I'm protecting you, ensuring that you can go on and live whatever dreams that you'd fancy. I--"

"Can you stop that?!"

Klaus blinked, confused. You were unable to keep everything from spilling out. Klaus was the one hurt, you should have been strong for his sake. But you just couldn't take how he was talking at the moment.

You finally met his steady gaze, "You're injured. But you're still trying to comfort me. Where is the limit of your... of your..."

"Liebling--"

"Why do you have to be so perfectly selfless?"

You finally snapped, unable to get a full sentence out due to your crying. Hiccuping incomplete thoughts and apologies, trying to hide from Klaus but not really. Klaus knew you didn't mean to lash out like that, he understood just how it hurt you to see him like this.

To see that he just didn't falter even after nearly breaking every bone in his body.

.

.

Zed

There was too much going on at the moment. Zed was trying to ignore the blood staining his tank top, the way your breathing was slowing down from over his shoulder, and the words coming out of your mouth as he carried you through the dense jungle.

"I've made better choices..." You were struggling with breathing, "I have to admit."

"[Name], save your strength. We're almost out."

"I don't regret what I did back there." You needed to get this out, you didn't know if you would make it out, "I did what I had to do. Because I love you... I'd do it again in a heartbeat."

"I love you too sweetheart." Zed huffed a little as he climbed over a large root, "But please save your energy. We're almost out of here."

"Zed..."

The panic Zed felt as your head dropped against his shoulder was paralyzing. Everything was spinning in his mind, even moving forward felt wrong somehow. But he had to get you to safety, to someone who could help you.

Raju

Floating just at the foot of your hospital bed was something Raju never wanted to see. He knew you were a fang hunter, injuries would happen. But this time it was just too far. All these machines hooked up to make sure you were okay. He couldn't stand seeing you like this.

You were so weak looking and he hated it.

Raju almost fell out of the air when you stirred. Floating so close to you he might as well be on top of you. His glowing eyes burrowing into your soul.

"I've made better choices I have to admit."

No response. Raju just hovered there, blinking and watching your every move. Every slight wince as you moved and breathed. You couldn't brush any of this under the rug, Raju was worried and pissed.

"What were you doing to end up like this?"

Raju's voice was practically knives as he spoke. You knew why he wanted this information.

"It was a demon beast, a natural one." You said slowly, "Klaus mentioned it was handled before I passed out from the pain killers."

Raju sighed in a strained way. Weighing his options, what did he really want at the moment?

You were pleasantly surprised when he settled carefully around your shoulder. Stroking your hair slowly and just breathing. There wasn't anything he could say in this moment, nothing he could really do. Just sit here and make sure you were safe.

Birthday Cheer [Klaus x Reader]

Requested by Anonymous 👟

Klaus woke from the same nightmare. Always the same thing, at least twice a week. Seeing you spinning away from him into the darkest of abysses. Forever just barely out of his reach. Klaus hated the feeling, he hated that he had to give up like this. He was still determined to find you, though no one knew where you'd been in the Great Collapse. For all they knew, all their contacts, no matter how hard they searched...

Klaus hated that this was his one defeat.

He hardly noticed the date on the calendar, only a cursory glance to confirm that this was the day his nightmare had been set in. The empty feeling in his stomach swirled with anger and longing. Klaus didn't feel like eating much, despite the wonderful spread of breakfast Gilbert had laid out. Something was missing, and it ate at Klaus to not be sharing today with you. Everything felt off.

~~~~~

"Happy Birthday Klausie!"

K.K. flung her arms around the tall man's neck, holding a small well-wrapped package addressed to him. And while Klaus did indeed return the hug, it was only half-heartedly. This feeling of loss followed him, especially today.

"Thank you K.K." Klaus was practically toneless, worrying everyone in the office, "I truly appreciate this."

K.K.'s face fell into a soft frown, "Klaus, you know [Name] wouldn't want you to be like this. They'd have your--"

"Ease up K.K." Steven interjected, setting a card on Klaus's desk, "It's only been a year since... Well, since everything happened. You can't hold it against Klaus until the sting wears off."

Klaus turned, slightly ashamed of how his terrible mood was affecting everyone. He couldn't help it, he wasn't sure if even he was strong enough to bear the burdens laid upon his shoulders. Not all of these things happening at once.

~~~~~

"This just in, a building thought to have been lost in the Great Collapse has just re-appeared. Police have the area sealed off, but it looks hopeful for the prospect of survivors to emerge any moment now."

Klaus turned his attention to the television simply out of curiosity. If buildings could reappear then there might be a chance that people could as well. But the idea of getting his hopes up hurt more than he cared to admit. Klaus wasn't used to this pessimistic attitude. He wanted very much to get rid of it as quickly as--

Klaus knocked his chair over with the force of standing up. Disbelief swirled with the newfound giddy rush of what he'd seen. There was no mistaking who it was on the TV, one of the first to exit the building had been...

There was no stopping Klaus, he hadn't the patience to even consider getting into a vehicle. No, he was nearly racing down the street toward large ambulances and police tape.

Naturally, this behavior was causing everyone around him to jump clean out of his way. And leaving Steven, Zapp, and K.K. tailing after him. Steven had caught what made Klaus act so out of character, only just able to explain as they raced out of the office after their red-haired boss.

Klaus stopped just shy of the barricade, panting slightly and hair all a mess. Eyes scanning the area for where you might have gone, which ambulance were you near...

"Klaus..."

The poor frazzled man nearly broke his ankles turning to that relieved sigh. Unable to stop himself from scooping you into a tight hug. Tiny tears were easing out of his shut eyes, face buried tightly against your neck, fangs very much pressed against your skin in a way that would threaten to break through if he tried to speak.

But Klaus had no intentions of that, he was far too overwhelmed with emotions to speak. He just needed to have you close, not even caring how many people were around to watch.

Yet that joy and relief were short-lived as the guilt started setting in. How easily he had given up on you returning. The moment's intensity was stripped away by how horrible he felt. As if he had abandoned you, left you for dead. As if his dreams had been more you calling out to him rather than a manifestation of his own fears.

Or had it merely changed as he lost hope?

Klaus backed away, sheepish and guilty, unwilling to let go of your hand yet feeling as if he wasn't worthy of holding on. He had given up after all. That had to be the single worst thing he's ever done, right?

You were blocked from sight by a wild K.K. flinging her arms around you. Klaus stood there as the guilt mounted, K.K. explaining how Klaus had been the last person to stop looking for you.

He couldn't take the way you beamed up at him. He didn't deserve the way you were looking at him.

Klaus wanted you to hate him for giving up at all. To hold him accountable for something, for leaving you alone like that. For not making sure you were safe, anything.

But that never came.

You were just relieved to be back, no longer lost amid the Alterworld. Glad that everyone was safe, and that Klaus was there to greet you and show you back to the office. To be able to spend a quiet evening with him and properly celebrate his birthday, even if it was a year late.

"Klaus," You had to hunt him down in his greenhouse, "I meant to give this to you last year, but..."

"[Name], I... I don't." Klaus looked you over, but things were still settling in his mind, "Your being back is more than enough of a gift."

You frowned a little, "You've been kinda cagey since... Well, it's hard to pinpoint the moment you started being cagey but... What's wrong?"

"Nothing." Klaus might think he's good at lying but his fidgeting and generally shifty behavior said otherwise, "I've merely been attempting to not be overbearing. I'd rather avoid making a nuisance of myself the day you return."

Klaus didn't like how you were staring him down, not in the slightest. His finger ticked at the handle of his watering can, feeling like he had been cornered. Instantly knowing you'd caught onto the fact that he was lying.

"L-Liebling. I..." Klaus finally gave in, sitting down at the nearby garden table, "In truth, I feel as if I've failed you. Regardless of how long it took, I still gave up looking for you. I had believed you to be dead. I can't help but feel terribly guilty about that."

Klaus was shaking, badly. His breathing became shallow as his tempo increased as if he had to get all of this off his chest before he exploded.

"I had lost hope, for the first time in my life I had turned my back on someone I deeply care about. That feeling of complete defeat had barely set in this morning before the news broadcast showing you were perfectly fine. In my haste, I hadn't registered how poorly I was behaving. I had simply been so swept up at the moment I didn't think about the full ramifications of my actions how..."

"Klaus!" You squeezed the large hands as they twisted together, "Look at me. Please."

Like a child in trouble, Klaus couldn't stop that sad puppy look across his face. The tears just barely contained behind those glasses.

"You're doing this all to yourself. I don't blame you for anything." You were trying to pry his hands apart, emphasis on trying, "I get it, I felt the same. Every day I gave up a little at a time. But this, now that we're together... now that everything is back to... well kind of back to normal. None of that matters."

You really had to stretch across the table to cup his cheek, "It kills me to see you beating yourself up so badly on your birthday of all days. I know how difficult it must be, given everything that happened. But that doesn't mean you... doesn't mean that we can't still make the best of this."

You stopped, not sure if you really should keep going or not. You knew where Klaus was coming from, how torn up he must feel to be this shaky and upset. But you couldn't stand the silence either.

"I mean," You chuckled under your breath, "We've fought blood breeds and ended up in matching hospital gowns. Bouncing back from hardships is kinda our strongest attribute."

Klaus broke, chuckling a little through tears streaming down his face. His hand enveloped yours as he leaned closer. It would take him time to fully forgive himself, but at least for today he could set aside his turmoil and simply enjoy your presence.

Maybe even forgive himself before the new year.

A Surprise to be Sure... [Klaus x Reader]

Requested by Anonymous 💍

Klaus couldn't help but feel a little too large for your bed. It was certainly a bit of a tight fit. Not uncomfortable, it was just difficult for Klaus to focus on the movie with you so very close to himself. He loved being this way however, able to snuggle with you like this.

Especially after the long research period that this latest case had him hunched over his computer for. Yet, during all that time, one particular event had clouded his mind's eye.

Just how was he going to propose to you?

He could be traditional, go out to a nice restaurant and ask over dinner. He could arrange a star gazing picnic and ask while the stars glittered in your beautiful eyes. He could ask you out to go dancing and ask just after the perfect song ends.

There were so many ways he could go about this, and he'd been thinking over every possible idea that floated across his mind. And yet, none of them seemed perfect enough for you. And Klaus wasn't about to go for anything less than perfect for the woman who made his life ever so.

Even now, as the two of sipped a light champagne, cuddling together on your bed and watching old comedies together... the prospect of proposing to you in the right way was his most prominent thought pattern. And then the, hopefully, eventual wedding... possible children...

Klaus couldn't honestly picture his life without you in it anymore.

In truth, he worried if some of his hesitation was born from the fact that you still had to wait out the lease on your apartment. After all, he had offered for you to stay with himself already. You had moved so much that wasn't basic essentials into his house. By all means, you had already made up your mind and were than prepared to move forward with building a life together.

So why was the perfect idea eluding him so vehemently?

You on the other hand were just enjoying a quiet evening half laying in top of Klaus and laughing at the dated humor playing out on screen. You knew Klaus had a rather restricted sense of humor, not that he wouldn't find it funny on occasion. But you were use to him being completely silent for long stretches of time no matter how many jokes were told.

Klaus didn't hesitate to break the silence when you got up to change the movie. Though it wasn't strong alcohol, you could tell it had much more effect on Klaus than one would think. Maybe it had something to do with how tired he was?

"[Name], Liebling. There's something I need to say."

Klaus's resolve only strengthened when you turned, tilting your head to indicate you were listening.

"I am so deeply in love with you. And I wouldn't know what to do if I hadn't been so lucky to have met you. I very much want to call you meine Frau."

You stood just at the corner of the bed, you didn't understand what Klaus just said. Maybe it was the champagne, maybe it was just late. It definitely had something to do with the fact that Klaus cut to German so quickly.

And yet, Klaus reached into the inner breast pocket of his loose vest. Pulling out a stunning little engagement ring and kneeling in front of you. That alone clued you into what he was really asking. It felt so very surreal, to the point that you stopped breathing for a second.

"Yes!"

Klaus hit the ground hard, catching you as you flung your arms around his neck. Settling into a better sitting position to slip the ring onto your finger, then to wrap you in a hug from which there wasn't escape. Nuzzling against your neck carefully and debating how to get back up on the bed. He couldn't have planned it better if he tried.

No doubt Klaus would kick himself come morning, but for now he was just elated to have you clinging to him.

Day 6 [Leo/ Zapp/ Dog]

Prompt: "You're lucky you didn't get someone killed!"

Leo

This could have gone so much better. Leo should have tried talking you out of that Hail Mary attack. This was just painful to see. The scene replayed in his mind as you lay there, unresponsive in your hospital bed. Who knew how long you'd be passed out like that.

"Run Leo!"

"Huh? Not without you [Name]!"

"Just trust me Leo!" That look in your eye spurred Leo on, "Go! Now!"

He should have argued a little longer. Setting off all that magic at once had drained you completely, and the spells mixed in the worst ways possible. And worst than that was how Steven could just so casually dismiss it.

"Honestly, they just got lucky Klaus." The older dark-haired man sighed, "I mean, [Name] could have gotten someone killed."

Leo could see Klaus nodding from the corner of his eye. Either you or himself could have died, but you didn't. That's all that mattered.

.

Zapp

You could only wish you had Zapp's energy in battle. Sure, you could keep up but he just had some kind of zeal about himself. Maybe it was the literal hot blood he used to fight with.

"Heads up!"

Zapp's voice rang out from maybe twenty yards away, but you could tell that he barely dented the large metal obstruction. Meaning it was just your turn to tear something up.

You smacked it with all your might, blood hammer style was no joke after all. The debris raining down was proof enough of that, though some of it was still too large to not continue to repair itself.

Both you and Zapp kept batting the metal problem around until the core was exposed. Though the damage done across the city was far from ideal. Leading to both of you being scolded like kids.

"You need to be more careful!" Steven was just shy of gritting his teeth, "You could have gotten someone killed! Honestly, we expect Zapp to be like this but [Name]. You're supposed to be the voice of reason for him. Reign him in from time to time, not just blindly go along with the destruction."

Klaus had to lead Steven away before he popped a vein. You really couldn't argue much, for all intents and purposes, Steven was right. Didn't mean you had to like it, or neglect hastily made plans to go get a drink afterwards.

.

Dog

"Exo-Crimson."

You didn't get any kind of warning when Dog landed next to you. A large crater formed under him, causing you to lose your footing and struggle to do anything except flail. But you heard a woman screaming, her baby's carriage had slipped from her grip.

Acting as fast as you could, and losing a shoe in the process, you managed to save the infant, just not the stroller. Though the basket could be replaced, and the mother thanked you as you handed the small swaddled baby back to her, you still couldn't shake the anger rising in the back of your throat.

"Whew. That was close [Name]." Dog picked up your dropped shoe, "Another second and you would've been swarmed."

You couldn't help it, you snapped out of pure stress, "YOU'RE LUCKY YOU DIDN'T GET SOMEONE KILLED!"

Dog held his hands up in surrender, your shoe dangling from his thumb.

"Sugar Pie, c'mon. It wasn't that bad." He stopped just shy of where you stood, "I know I messed up your fighting but that thing was almost on top of you."

"Not me, there was a mother and her baby close by." You gestured to the wreck of a stroller, "I barely saved the kid. Just, please, be more careful. Our job is literally to protect civilians."

Dog's face fell when he noticed the mangled stroller. He really hadn't meant to do that. Boy was he lucky you were right there this time.

Day 3 [Dog/ Raju/ Aligula]

Prompt: "Why'd you save me?"

Dog

Things weren't looking good in the slightest. This city could be relentless and Dog was only ever able to get out for instances that had the city practically under siege. He just wanted to go see you for a change, was that really too much to ask.

Though he was thoroughly shocked to see you in the middle of all the action, using a frying pan as a weapon and shield of all things. It was a bit mesmerizing to say the least, until you hurled the cook ware right at him.

Of course, Dog was more than capable of dodging it, but he didn't realize what you had really been aiming at. A large creature was knocked back with a frying pan in its face.

"Why did you save me?" Dog blurted out, "I'm suppose to be saving you!"

"Can't we discuss this later?" You nearly yelped as he scooped you over his shoulder, "Ya know, when there aren't a hundred-something monsters running around?"

"Right right, sorry."

.

Raju

The pain both of you were in, despite the razor-sharp fangs digging into your neck, draining your vitality, sinking in deeper for what felt like the 12th time already. Raju was frozen in disbelief, not wanting to believe his eyes, hoping desperately that this was all a terrible nightmare.

"You won't be able to move for a moment my dear," The tall figure behind you cooed, "Unfortunate side effects of becoming what your ex considers just a monster."

The hand gripping the cane was in serious danger of becoming pure white, even as the loud crack of splintered wood and bone rang through the silence. Raju didn't even begin to think of using flame and wind to destroy the blood breed in front of him. Thankfully this one wasn't Elder class, but that didn't make your transformation any less painful.

The shrieks that would haunt Raju's every waking moment as well as his nightmares. Unable to do more than watch, he refused to accept that you would change any. And you woke up safely tucked in bed. Unable to move due to Raju's limp form covering your body.

"Raju?" He stirred sleepily, head raising just enough that you were confident he could hear you, "Why did you save me? I'm a... a..."

"Shh." Raju petted your head, gently stroking your face, "You're better than that brute I put down. Far stronger a person than most."

.

Aligula

Everything seemed to be going just fine, all your calculations were sound and the vials on the counter were perfectly measured out. It was just a matter of the clingy, pink-haired girl on your arm. You couldn't ignore her forever.

"C'mon baaaaabe!" Aligula whined, "Can't this waaaait? I neeeeeeed you!"

You let out a long sigh, "You always neeeeed me. Just a few more minutes and I'll be done. I promise."

Aligula huffed and stormed off a little, pouting like a spoiled brat again. It wasn't like this would take forever, and what Aligula didn't know was that this was something for her specifically.

After pouring the final vial into the bowl, you stood back. This thing would be a slimy mess at first, nothing that a good shake wouldn't solve. And just before it could shake the gunk off its fur, the creature tried to lunge at you.

Of course, you'd forgotten the pacifier gene. You always seemed to do that.

But Aligula was quick to defend you, throwing an instant fire starter at the little monster. Leaving you only slightly dazed after tripping on your coattails.

You blinked slowly, "Why... why'd you save me?"

"So you can keep cuddling me!" Aligula stamped her foot, grabbing the collar of your coat and dragging you off, "And since I saved your life, you can't get out of it!"

"But I made that creature for you, it was just about to become a cute little fluff ball!"

"No excuses! Cuddles!"