Reminders [Part 3] (Zed X Reader)

Reminders [Part 3] (Zed x Reader)

Requested by Anonymous 🤯

Struggling against something you couldn't even see, you fell off the couch in Zed's room. Technically it was also your room, but Zed had been here longer and you were still looking for a half-decent apartment to move into. The loud thud of your body against the ground had alerted your fishy boyfriend however, leading him to practically leap out of his tank and rush over.

You looked up at his wavy face through his inverted fishbowl technique, accepting the slick, soaked hand as you rose.

"Well, now we have to dry the floor again." You sighed, "I'll be right ba--"

Zed blocked your path, with a soft threat of getting you wet, "Please stop trying this [Name], you and I both know you had a nightmare, and acting like it was anything else is getting old."

"But-!"

You nearly jumped out of your skin as he wrapped his arms around you. The chill of his body mixed with the water still pooling at his feet made for a very uncomfortable hug. Even if you knew this was just his attempts to make you listen to reason.

"I'll clean the floor myself while you change." He whispered in your ear, "But first I need you to tell me what that was all about. You sounded truly frightened and looked like you had been fighting for your life. Please, I just want to know you'll be okay."

A few shaky breaths and a change of clothes later, you and Zed sat on the small couch. His hand slowly rubbing your back as you recounted the dark swirl of memories. You'd long since become used to discerning memory from plain bad dreams, able to distinguish what was an internal struggle versus a physical conflict.

And whoever you'd been before was someone you weren't keen on remembering.

"It won't take long for this work, as long as I keep finding *zzzzt* to drain of blood."

You still didn't know what to make of this, the loud tool in your hands at the time perfectly interrupted your spoken thought pattern. Why you even needed a power-drill at the time was lost on you...

"I can't keep up with this on my own... I need an assistant."

Given the blurred images of highly questionable experiments on immortality, you worried for this possible other person's safety. As you were now, immortality seemed like the worst fate imaginable.

"You're defective... I can't believe you were really my creation..."

This haunted you. It sounded like your voice, but it didn't come from your body. It scared you, made you question if you had a choice in the immortality debate.

It had you questioning your sanity.

Even with reassurance from Zed that this wasn't the case. No matter how many tests or exams. You were starting to think that you weren't you.

.

The next morning, Zed recounted what you told him. All you had to do was trace what Leo could see in your mind. That wasn't too difficult.

But you hated the end result.

You needed space, air, anything to get your mind off the evidence that you were most likely a defective clone of this... [Name]. It made you want to cry, to scream, to tear something down if only for the catharsis of destroying something.

This wasn't fair at all...

Leaning against the back wall behind the office, you stared aimlessly at the sky. Deep breaths in and out, pushing the sparse mist around while dark thoughts swilled in your mind. You were just barely able to piece together the kind of person you were before you lost your mind. And you didn't like that person one bit.

Closing your eyes in a desperate attempt to escape the situation in some way. Zed approached slowly, watching you to make sure he wasn't about to startle you into an injury.

"[Name]?" He reached out for your shoulder, "Are you okay?"

Shaking your head, you couldn't fully explain what was really bothering you. The person you were supposed to be wasn't who you wanted to be...

But did you really have a choice?

"[Name]? Are you okay?" Zed shook you gently, "You look pale, as if you're going to hyperventilate."

Shaking your head, "I don't know, I just don't know. This... this is. I... I'm..."

"You aren't that person, you just share the same name." Zed insisted, "I know you aren't that person. You're gentle, sweet, and kind... not... not that monster who made you. Who injected these memories into your head. You're not them."

"But how-!"

"You're not them."

Falling back against the back wall, you stopped trying. You wanted to believe Zed, to think of yourself as a good person; but you weren't so sure.

"Maybe some lunch will help you?" Zed offered, "You haven't eaten anything at all."

Nodding slowly, you allowed Zed to guide you off. Trusting his judgment and just wanting to put this behind you.

But that wasn't how fate chose to act.

As you sat outside a nice café with Zed, you were approached by several vaguely familiar people. But you couldn't quite place where you'd seen them before... they had barely made it to your table side when they were barraging you with questions.

Even Zed had trouble keeping up with everything they were asking. Wanting to know about projects and grand ventures that you could only scarcely recall from your memories. They seemed to be proud of the person who made you. The person you were supposed to be...

It made you sick to your stomach, even as Zed called for backup. How could these people be excited and happy that you were just a clone...

It didn't make any sense...

Flufftober 2023

Day 23: "Does it make you nervous when I stare?" [x Zed]

The way this date, if Zed could even call it that, he didn't have the guts to tell you how he felt. But at least going out to lunch without any of his coworkers was something.

The day was almost perfect; light breeze, low mist, mostly sunny, and not a thing out of place.

"Zed?" You had to tap the table, "You still there?"

He popped up, unaware that he'd zoned out, "Oh, sorry."

Zed really hoped that you didn't think it was weird... that he was weird. But he had been so focused on your voice, more than what you were saying, quietly daydreaming about actually dating you. Staring at you so intensely that it would likely be so much worse...

"Are you okay?" You were more concerned that Zed wasn't responding, "You're a little more... quiet than normal. Is everything alright?"

"Oh, no. I mean yes!" Zed panicked, "I-I'm alright. I was just... I was thinking. I accidentally zoned out."

The way you were giggling made Zed flush, badly. He didn't know how to go about saying anything about why he zoned out in the first place. Maybe if he...

"[Name], does... does it make you nervous when I stare?" Zed finally managed, "I mean... Since I'm..."

Your face scrunched up from trying to contain your giggles, "Of course not. If it did, I wouldn't hang out with you. And the fact that you're not human never bothered me in the first place."

Zed felt like melting, suddenly reminded of why he was so enamored with you. If only he could admit his feelings so easily, then maybe these dates could turn into actual dates... romantic ones.

Flufftober 2023

Day 28: "You're the love of my life, of course I came" [x Aligula]

You didn't know the first thing about the group of people around you at the moment... except that they were extremely annoying. Despite telling them you weren't in danger, they insisted they were trying to help. But if they really wanted to help, they'd let you go back to your date instead of making you late for it.

Lily wouldn't be too pleased, but there seemed to be no end to how much they would ignore you.

"It's quite alright Mx." A large red-haired man gestured in an attempt to soothe any possible fears, "You're perfectly safe here."

"I was perfectly safe before you abducted me, sir." You shot, "If you'd let me leave, I might be able salvage my date."

Though the fanged man looked uncomfortable and apologetic, it was the dark-haired man slightly behind him that continued to argue.

"We have on good authority that Aligula, the Queen of Monomania, was headed in that direction. And moreover, that you were her main target."

You groaned, pinching your nose. These people couldn't be serious. You were hoping that Aligula would be coming for you. This was just plain frustrating to deal with.

"Mx., this is a matter of your safety." The scarred man kept going, "We know what she's capable of and are simply trying to keep you out of danger."

"I WASN'T IN DANGER UNTIL YOU SNATCHED ME OFF THE STREET YOU IDIOTS!"

Just before you could attempt to walk off, the ground shook. For the first time, you were actually excited to see what might be making that noise. Even as you nearly fell, though the tallest man had reached for you. It almost seemed like an instinct for him.

"[NAME]!" You'd recognize that adorably bratty voice anywhere, "[NAME]! Where are YOUUUUU~?"

Skirting around as many of the outstretched arms as you could, "I'm over here! Lily!"

A tall fish-man had caught your wrist, stopping you while everyone else looked on in shock. How did you have a cutesy pet name for someone that... evil?

Though it wasn't long before Aligula was peering in the window, scanning for you. There were several small bots forming a sort of cloud under her feet.

Waving happily between escape attempts, "Lily, you came for me!"

"Of course I did silly!" She smirked, her bots laser cutting the glass, metal, and wood, "You're the love of my life."

You could feel the shock and horror in the room, but you didn't care in the slightest. Finally able to break the fish's grip and scoop Aligula up in a tight hug. Nuzzling against her face as she tried covering yours in little kisses.

"You were so late for our date." She pouted, "What happened?"

"Sorry sweetie." You couldn't stop grinning, "I got caught up in something. But I don't have anything to do for the rest of the day, movies and snuggles?"

"Oh yes~" She grinned, "That'll absolutely make up for that."

You stepped out over the balcony, carrying Aligula, and knowing that her little bots would catch you. Ignoring the protests and squawking at you for everything you were doing.

Whumptober 2023

Day 31: "I know you used me" [x Steven]

Lying in bed, staring at the ceiling, listening to the soft snoring coming from your lover... you couldn't help but wonder if you really belonged here. Nothing about the situation seemed fair... not to you.

Not when Steven was...

But try as you might, you couldn't shake the feeling that you were just... here until Steven didn't need you anymore. Bump buddies was all well and good, until you started catching serious feelings. But you knew Steven wouldn't want to go beyond that...

Beyond just snuggle and...

It tore at you. Steven would never show you off. Public dates were too intimate for you two. It would mess with the arrangement. And Steven was far too handsome to ever be seen with someone like you hanging off his arm.

Instead, you got up. Opting to shower at your own home, you gathered your clothes. It didn't matter how late it was, you'd be able to catch a cab or just walk home. Fully dressed, with a note left on Steven's nightstand, you walked out. Careful to lock the apartment behind you.

What Steven would wake to was likely going to hurt... but not nearly as much as you'd been hurting yourself.

I got dressed and left at 2 in the morning.

It bothered you that you couldn't...

I'm sorry, but I can't keep going with what we discussed. Not when I feel differently about it.

You didn't fit into his life. He deserved better.

I know you've been using me, and for awhile I was okay with it. But I just can't keep this up anymore.

Loving him was far less rewarding when it was one-sided like this. No matter how good he was in bed, you chastised yourself for wanting... more.

I won't make you choose anything, I just need a break. It wouldn't be fair for me to demand a full relationship when we started as just friends. In a month I'll be able to continue but until then. This is goodbye.

Flufftober 2023

Day 26: "Where is it hurting?" [x Lucky]

Flumping on the couch, you were just glad today was over. Everything felt sore and you had no clue what you could have done differently. All you knew for sure was that you'd have to drag yourself into the shower soon and hope for the best.

Blitz wasn't so lucky however. Not getting back until far too late, he rubbed his eyes ready to curl up next to his sweetheart.

Before he could hit the bed however, your figure jolted up with a cry of pain. Hissing between your teeth, your hands tried to find the one spot that would ease all the tension... But that wasn't working very well.

Blitz however was already off grabbing a heating pad. As he sped back into the room, with all the grace of a roadrunner tripping over his own shoelaces, you felt the cold heating pad against your side. It hit a bundle of nerves that was a little too ready to go off like popcorn.

"[Name]," His head popped up over the side of the bed as he tried pulling himself up, "What happened today? Where is it hurting?"

Attempting to keep your voice under control, "My legs... the calves. And my side... I. I don't know what all happened. I'm just really sensitive right now."

Letting out a deep sigh, Lucky crawled up on the bed, "Alright, try to relax and let me see if I can work out your muscles a bit."

You tried laying back as he guided you to the covers, but that only seemed to make the pain worse. Trying to think, Blitz hooked up the heater, grabbed a bottle of muscle relaxer lotion, and did what he could to ignore your hissing. Both of you knew that the other didn't mean the primary things they were doing, it was all just the first thing that either of you would do in this situation.

"That's it, easy sweetie." Blitz mumbled, "It always burns a little at first."

It took every ounce of your being to not cuss him out. Twinges of pain shot through your muscles as he rubbed, digging his thumbs in to reach the pressure points. Though, it was working, slowly. And soon enough you could lay back... Blitz had to try and wash off the icy-hot gunk before he could curl up next to you, but that didn't take too long.

Whumptober 2023

Day 29: "Please open your eyes" [x Leo]

It was getting more and more difficult to tell reality from his ability to see the future. Leo couldn't count the number of times he'd had nightmares about very real feeling funerals and even he couldn't tell if it was just his eyes letting him glimpse the future based on his fears, or if he was just imagining what it would be like.

But the worst ones had to involve you... and Michella, but Leo was so much more worried about you as he sat up panting.

Not helping matters was that you were in a coma at the hospital. Despite Dr. Estevez telling him everything was perfectly okay, Leo still feared the worst. He worried you'd never wake up or be able to open your eyes again.

After the demon beast targeted your head, slashing around your eyes, things felt like that day all over again. Except this time, he had tried to stop what was happening and very likely made everything worse.

But Leo headed right to the hospital first thing the next morning. He needed to see you, to check up on you. Nothing about his day would feel right if he didn't. Especially with how much he seemed to be competing with Klaus to visit you. Though, that was just Klaus being an overconcerned boss more than anything, Leo knew he would show up for anyone in that situation.

Sitting next to your bed, this felt like the one morning Leo was completely alone. Dr. Estevez had removed some more bandages as your face healed. Leo could see the fading scar marks against what they used to be. The image of such deep, blood-red marks shimmered in his vision just over the smaller, lighter-than-skin-tone marks you'd carry around for the rest of your life.

"I love you [Name]." Leo couldn't stop himself from muttering at you, hoping you'd hear him, "I love you so much. Please, open your eyes. Please."

As much as Leo would have loved to continue, Klaus had arrived and sadly Leo had an early shift at Dogamo's. But he would return... once he was off, Leo would be back to try and help you wake up.