Routine [Steven X Reader]

Routine [Steven x Reader]

Steven shuffled like a zombie into one of the cafés close to his apartment. It was late and he didn't need coffee, but this was more a habit than anything. He just wanted something warm to drink on the last leg of his walk.

Glancing up at the menu for no particular reason but to seem like he was half alive, he scanned for hot chocolate. That would be the best option. Maybe with a nice frothy milky foam to sweeten it a little.

There was something soft and warm by his hand. His instinct made him grab hold of it. Then he was fully awake at the realization that he was holding someone else's hand.

It did feel nice. Soft, warm, and gentle feeling.

But this was kinda wrong. Steven looked down at his hand still clasped over the foreign hand, then slowly followed the stranger's arm up to a steady, less tired gaze.

"Uh," Steven quickly dropped your hand, "Sorry about that. I didn't mean to, honestly."

You smiled a little, "Its alright. Its an honest mistake. I probably shouldn't have moved so close. I wasn't paying attention either."

Steven looked at the large spiral bound book you half waved. Were you some kind of writer?

"Still, I did grab your hand first." Steven grinned a little sheepishly, "Maybe let me make it up to you? Maybe I could buy your order too?"

You stepped back a half step, "Ah, no. That's nice of you but I don't wanna impose."

"Its no problem really." Steven waved as if to dismiss your worry, "I insist."

"Ah....I..." You didn't have much of an excuse for him, "Th-thank you."

Steven couldn't help but smile. This was probably his luckiest mistake yet.

Placebo Kiss [Raju x Reader]

This little fic was requested by anonymous 🩹

You had been washing the dishes when you noticed the water turning red with a stinging pain in your ring finger. You had sliced into fingertip while washing a serrated knife. The soapy water stung, but a quick rinse in colder water eased that immediately.

Raju had heard your hiss of pain and hopped into the kitchen just in time to see you rincing the wound. He was quick to grab some bandages and disinfectant to help tend to the minor injury.

While he hated that you got injured, but knew you weren't injured that badly. His time spent training Zapp especially was very informative to what humas thought were major wounds.

Raju was dabbing at your finger with the disinfectant, "You need to be more careful [Name]. This could have been avoided."

"I was being careful." You hissed lightly at the sting of the rubbing alcohol, "But after doing the dishes for so long, my fingers get a little numb and pruney. My finger slipped is all."

Raju clicked his tongue and reached for the bandages. Until you stopped him.

"You have to kiss it first. Make it feel better."

It was innocent enough, but....

"That isn't a medically proven procedure. By all means, it won't work. I've never seen a huma kiss a wound better."

You stopped for a second. You knew he was right, but it was the gesture that someone feel better. His students wouldn't have done it, trained professionals certainly don't. Yet....

"That's because it has to be done by someone who really cares about the injured person. Like a parent or lover."

You were trying to keep a straight face. While you couldn't even see his, let alone read it, you were certain he just raised an eyebrow at your claim.

Raju wasn't so sure this would work. Yes he cared about you, deeply and wanted you to heal quickly. But he also worried that his actions could also make it worse.

He decided it was worrh at least trying. If you were so set on it would work, then he would trust your judgement. Leaning over and pulling your hand up to meet his mouth, Raju planted a tiny kiss over the area before applying the bandaid.

Not Today....[Steven x Reader]

Steven woke up, immediately noticing your absence. Sitting bolt upright, glancing around the room until his eyes came to rest on a note laying on the night stand.

'Steven, I went to the store for charcoal. The box on the terrace looked a little low and I know how much you like to grill. Ms. Veded is already in the apartment helping clean up. I plan on getting a couple other things while I'm out. -[Name].'

Steven breathed a small sigh of relief, at least you were safe. He stretched before making his way downstairs, a little excitement over tonight's party starting to bubble to the surface.

While Steven did worry about plenty. Mostly everything that could go wrong tonight, he just wanted to be able to relax for a change. He might be a member of Libra, but you weren't. And knowing just how much you fretted over Steven's well being, it left him with a small guilty feeling.

He couldn't keep himself in one mood for too long, his nerves swerved all over the place as the day ticked on. Closer to the party.

Mounting higher while picking some last minute recipes to whip up. Dissipating as he watched you focused on making your specialty Buckeyes. Rising as he cleared the table to organize the dishes in an appealing manner. Falling as you descended the stairs wearing your casual-formal evening attire. Steven wasn't at all use to this powerful of a swill of emotions, and he didn't really like it much either.

But, the ringing doorbell signaled the point of no return as Steven set the mixing bowl down.

He couldn't stop himself from being suspicious. You were still here, if there was danger.... Steven wanted to be able to protect you. He decided to plant Esmerelda Needles in every guest that passed through the door. It wouldn't activate until needed, and after they left the building...Well, at that point Steven wouldn't want to risk you getting injured because he failed to act.

However, that did NOT stop him from proudly declaring that you were his partner. Even if it did mean enduring several jokes about someone being able to put up with him. Jokes you played right along with, much to Steven's dismay. He didn't need you adding to the embarrassment stemming from him acting like this in the first place.

He thought the evening was going well. He thought sending Veded home was just being polite. He thought there wasn't anything for him to worry about.

But he thought wrong.

The two people closest you had latched onto your wrists, forcing you forward. Forcing you closer to Steven, just outside his peripheral vision. You had no idea what was going on. Everyone here had just been friendly a few seconds ago. Why would they be doing this?

"Is this some kind of party game?" Steven sounded so calm.

"Sorry but the party is over." What was going on? Why was Ellen acting like this? "But you, Steven Alan Starphase, member of Libra. Are welcome to join us. Come quietly and we won't harm a hair on [Name]'s head. Refuse or make any sudden movements and....Well, our employer can make due with your corpse."

"Sudden movements? What like to attack you?" Somehow, you felt better knowing Steven was so calm. You knew you could trust him beyond the shadow of a doubt, "I took care of that before you walked through the door."

"Esmerelda Blood Freeze: Aguja del Cero Absoluto"

You felt the air around you freeze. No, it was the people holding onto that had ice...growing on them? Was this the dangerous ability that Steven had been telling you about? Their hands had gripped your wrists harder as the ice took over their bodies. The pain kept you from hearing a lot of what Steven was saying. He seemed to take his time getting around to you though.

Steven stood in front of you, glaring at both the people who dared to lay hands on you. He was careful in breaking their grips, trying to minimize the damage to you as much as possible. This had been his fault....his fault.

You held onto Steven as he slipped an arm around your waist, guiding you away from everyone else. You didn't care what was going on any more. You just wanted it to end. Steven didn't need this kind of stress. The party had been going so well. Steven deserved a break, not this.

Glancing over the back of Steven's shoulder had been a mistake. Several extremely tall figures emerged from the shadows of a closet that remained locked most of the time. They were much taller than Klaus, having to stoop just to avoid dragging their heads across the ceiling.

Your fear grounded you in reality as you became aware how loud Steven was. How commanding his voice was. Just how cold and calm he was in the face of danger.

You were increasingly aware just how close Steven was. The smell of his cologne calming you a little as you clung to him. His arm firmly tucked around your back, hand resting on your waist. The warmth of his body bleeding into you against the chill of the air around you.

"What is that?" Ellen's voice was higher than before, her terror at these...things clear, "Is it Libra?"

"Not even close. Our leader would never allow the unspeakable things you're about to endure."

Steven stopped just short of explaining his goon squad. He didn't need you to know much more. Just knowing he was in Libra increased the target on your back. Steven shouldn't have let this happen.

You let yourself be shielded from the room, taking comfort from Steven rubbing your side and back slowly. Almost as if he needed to calm his own nerves by keeping you close. Hiding from the ghastly noises going on....those raspy gasps for air.... as Steven lead you across the apartment. You just wanted this to be over with.

To wake up passed out on the couch with some bizarre, new-age crime drama and incriminating empty bottle of wine, tangled up while cuddling Steven. Why wasn't that happening?

"Sorry to put you through the trouble."

Steven was clearly talking to someone else. Was it one of those creatures? What would they sound like? Did they even speak?

"Not at all." It (he?) had a surprisingly soft and gentle voice, "That's what we're here for."

Your mind went in a thousand directions. What did it mean? How long had it (they?) been working with (for?) Steven? Were they reason Steven was dangerous? Where did they stay? Have they always been in that closet? What were they doing to those...?

Steven could feel you trembling as the two of you walked down the street. He knew you'd have questions. Fully prepared to let you go on your separate way. He should have known better than to think he could really have much of a normal life, given his occupation and all its hazards. But before anything, Steven needed to know you were okay. That you would be able to sleep tonight.

Even worse was the nagging guilt building in the pit of his stomach. This evening shouldn't have happened. You shouldn't have been dragged into this. He shouldn't have been so careless. So reckless. This was all his fault.

And he knew it.

Steven found a nice, well-lit yet still isolated spot to stop. You had seemed to calm down a tad, but...this had to be discussed.

"[Name]" "Steven"

Both of you stopped, looking directly at each other.

"You first." Steven bowed his head towards you, "I'm sure you have questions. I'll....I'll do my best to answer them. Though....I..I can't answer everything."

You took a deep breath, "What are those things? What were they doing in the apartment? Are they always there? Why were those people after you? What was going on? Is this why you said you were a dangerous person to be around?"

Steven blinked. You had so many questions, and he couldn't give you any of those answers.

"I--I'm sorry amor." Steven lowered his gaze in defeat, "I'm afraid I can only answer the last question...."

Your heart sank a little. You had been hoping for some answers, but Steven couldn't give you any.

Steven's heart squeezed as your face fell. You deserved the truth he couldn't give, but he knew the danger you'd be in, how little he could really help at that point. He could only grit his teeth and do the next best thing. Maybe you would believe him, trust him a little bit.

"Listen [Name]," Steven held onto both your shoulders, leaning down to be directly at your eye level, "I can't tell you much. Because you'd be in worse danger if I did. But please, believe me. Those creatures won't touch a hair on your head. They work for me. After...a complication on the job, I had them come to work for me. For dire emergencies only."

Steven took a deep breath, your face had become unreadable. He couldn't stop his rambling, "And yes, they are part of the reason I'm so dangerous to be around. But not because I would ever have them attack, not until I need them. That was the first time I've had to use them for months. And, I need you to promise. No matter what happens. You don't utter a word about Libra. Please, don't mention that word to anyone in association to me."

You stood there. Everything you thought you knew had been flipped on it head in the course of an hour. Everything except how you felt about Steven. You knew you could trust him. That he would always do what he could to protect you. The fading red marks on your wrists proved that much.

You swallowed the lump that got caught in your throat, "I won't. Just...promise I won't have to see those...things...people? wandering the house when I come home late. I don't think I'd have the mental strength to handle that sight."

It was Steven's turn to shake. Hearing you slowly build your own resolve back up, and saying you'd stay to boot. Steven pulled you into a tight hug, gently stroking your hair for a moment before remembering you two were out in public. A point only hammered home by the car driving by.

Secret Fighter [Raju x Reader]

This fun little fic was requested by anonymous 💫

Raju couldn't believe this city. So many threats, so many true monsters that needed to be put down. Who would ever choose to live in all this? And why did his huma lover do so?

He couldn't keep track of everything going on around himself, until he noticed you in the midst of battle. Cornered by a small demon beast. Before Raju could get close enough to help, you punted the creature into the side of a building.

Raju stopped a just close enough to see that the force of the kick had killed it on contact with the building. The limp body of an experimental beast for his proof.

When did you get to be strong enough to do that? Or have you always been this strong? How did he not notice? Maybe humas are just shy about their strength.

Regardless, Raju wouldn't be comfortable until he made sure you were fine. You were quite use to these check ups. Resigning to let your overprotective partner check for any kind of bump or bruise.

"Where did you learn to do that?" Raju insisted, "How long have you been that strong?"

"Um..." You looked at him, bewildered, "I just kicked it. I don't need a ton of strength to do that. Besides, humans' legs are usually stronger than their arms given how much we use our legs."

Raju floated still, he never knew that about humas. He still had much to learn.

Distraught [Steven x Reader]

Guys, it gets dicey under the cut. the only time I felt I needed a warning on these for anything other than suggestive. The only time I felt I needed an under the cut. DO NOT READ IF OPEN WOUNDS DO ANYTHING EXTREMLY NEGATIVE FOR YOUR MENTAL HEALTH. Tiny edit: I moved the cut to the whole fic.

This was bad. This was very bad.

Steven thought this would be a simple mission. In and out. Infiltrate the lair, stop the gas from leaking out into the city, be home with enough time to cook supper. He thought assigning you had been a formality. Nothing more than an over cautious back up plan.

They shouldn't need an artificer.

But the head of this attack to the city was a blood breed. This would take both of you fighting head on. Your other teammates couldn't do much.

Except call for back up and wait.

Both of you were quick on your feet and more than capable of dodging the relentless attacks. The tanks behind the blood breed being activated at the push of a button instead of a timer.

The only good news they'd ever had about wrong information.

Steven was being extremely careful not to hit you or otherwise get in your way. You were returning the favor, the two of you worked and fought together so well. Really to the point that there was a running office joke about how you two proved the old legends about the Gods splitting people in half for fear of what a whole being could do.

That joke always made you chuckle. It had been a thing before you and Steven started dating, only serving to increase the relentless teasing from Zapp.

You had barely dodged the blood breed's thrown daggers when a sharp sound from behind you caught your ear.

Steven...on the ground....a large cut in his thigh. And his chest. and his arms....

You snapped back to the blood breed, blinded by an unholy rage. Even if your spell work was weak, it was spurred on by emotion. And right now you were all emotion.

Steven stirred, his blood loss making his vision blurry. He could still fight, he wasn't down for the count just yet. [Name] needs back up. He can't let them face this alone.

The cold of his previous attacks made Steven sluggish, but his attention was keenly focused on you the second your throat let out the scream.

That absolutely gut-wrenching scream.

Steven stood up, staring. He was helpless. You hit the ground, coughing, sputtering, your heart laying some three feet outside your chest as the blood breed grinned.

The others that had been with you ran for cover as Steven's ice nearly exploded across the room. Large ice spikes impaling the blood breed, shredding the creature and freezing every last drop of it's blood into the sealing jar you carried with you for emergencies.

Steven's movements were slow. No, he had to be dreaming. He would wake up any minute now. You were fine. You were fine.

Dropping to his knees, Steven's whole body started shaking as he reached out to your body. He cradled you in his lap, trying to ignore the gaping hole in your chest. The way your clothes were ripped, scraps of fabric clinging to the internal wound.

The way you were shaking while clinging to life.

Your eyes found Steven's, one shaky arm rising slowly. Every ounce of your strength going into this one action. Just barely touching his cheek, not even able to wipe away a single tear. Steven's hand cupped yours, trying to convey what he couldn't say. He was simply too choked by the lump in his throat.

"........love......you...."

Steven wanted to tell you to save your strength. That help would be here soon. That you would be fine and you two would be going home.

But your hand slipped from his, the warmth not even faded. It simply was too heavy for him to hold. He couldn't believe this. You were just here, not even a second ago. But your eyes were.....

Steven woke up in a cold sweat. Looking around frantically. You had to be here. You had to be here.

But he search was futile. All he found was the scattered pages of funeral arrangements....

First Time in Years [Leo x Reader]

"Hey Leo! Watch this!"

Leo turned towards the tall tree you'd climbed. He really didn't want you to fall. But when you jumped right out of the tree, he panicked so much.

"[Name]! Don't!"

You giggled all the way down into the pond. Leo had raced forward on instinct and had to shield his face from the splash. You could be so reckless sometimes.

Leo sat up slowly. That was weird for sure. A good dream? And one that was such a cute childhood memory. Maybe it was some kind of omen. Leo sure hoped so, he needed some good luck in this crazy city.

Though, why would he dream of you? He hadn't seen you since 10th grade. You had to move for some reason that Leo never did get a straight answer on.

To say he wasn't immediately distracted by the realization he would be meeting that mystery operative and then the general chaos of the city would be untruthful. Especially since Leo just barely made it to the office in one piece.

Zapp had only just been smacked down by Klaus when the front door to the office opened. Leo turned on instinct, with the rest of the members currently in the building. Yet Leo couldn't believe his All-Seeing eyes on this one. An older, much more mature version of his childhood friend??

"Ah, [Name]." Klaus slightly adjusted his vest from being attacked, "The mission was a success I trust?"

"Yep." You looked more mature, but Leo could tell it was still you, just in a casual suit, "I think I did the paper work properly. Still printed a second copy to be safe."

Leo couldn't believe his luck. Everything flooded at once and he couldn't stop staring. It was almost like seeing a ghost, despite the obvious changes.

"Hm, before you get too comfy [Name]." Steven stepped into the main floor of the office to take and look over the file being held out, "There are a couple new faces for you to get mixed up for a month."

"Hey!" You crossed your arms sassily, "I'm not THAT bad at names. Mr. Starphase. Thank you very much."

Leo couldn't help but chuckle. Of course you'd be playful and sassy when called out. Though, when you turned he felt frozen to the couch. Where did this sudden shaking come from?

"Oh, allow me." Klaus began gesturing, "The man by the bookcase is Zed. Of course he is a heteromorph and trained in Shinatobe and Big Dipper Style."

You nodded respectfully at the admittedly tall half fish man, "Nice to meet you."

"Likewise." He half bowed back, "I've heard the stories of your skill and look forward to working with you to see if the rumors are true."

Leo's heart skipped a beat when you smiled. That little challenge accepted smile got to him. What was wrong with him? He hadn't felt this way before?? Right?

"And this young man." Klaus paused for a moment, "He might be around your age if memory serves correctly. Yet his name is--!"

"Leo!" You blurted, cutting Klaus off, "Sorry, Klaus. I actually already know him. And yeah, we are about the same age."

Leo felt like his tongue was wax, "[Name], I...what?"

"Uh...yeah." You scratched the back of your head, "It's a long story, though I guess a little catch up is needed. Like what are you doing here?"

Leo nodded, this would prove to be rather interesting.