#Dettlaff van der Eretein x You

[cosmos-coma]

Blood and Vengeance - Part 1

A/N: I've had this story saved in my drafts for a while now and i think about it every dang day so here it is! Finally!

Pairing: Dettlaff x Reader

Words: 1332

Summary: You answer an ad for a housekeeping job at the estate of the two new mysterious visitors in town, despite strange rumors circulating around town you know the pay makes it well worth it. However, when you arrive it seems to be part housekeeping and part "nanny" as you're tasked with getting the dark-brooding Dettlaff used to humans. surely this will go smoothly, right?

Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7| Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 (Final)

__________________

Your town had always been a sleepy place as far as you could remember. Small markets, rarely any visitors, and relatively little commotion as far as you were concerned; but maybe that's what attracted the two mysterious men to your tiny town. 

Word of their arrival spread quickly and quietly through the streets of the town, warping the way all rumors do. Some said they just seemed like two standard rich men. One was pleasant, always carrying a bag of herbs and odd-smelling concoctions, and the other didn’t seem to like anyone and was strangely intense for such a quiet man. However, in no time those rumors faded out, instead replaced by speculation of criminal pasts, and fake identities- some even went so far as to swear they had seen them turn into bats when the veil of night fell.

Either direction the rumors went you found yourself growing more and more curious the longer you stared at the posted ad on the noticeboard. 

It said they were looking for a few workers; mostly gardeners and people to help renovate- neither of which you knew how to do well enough, but you did think you could settle into the housekeeping role well. It looked like it paid nicely and you’d get to have a room at the manor as well. It was bound to be long hours and being on call at a moment's notice, but soon enough you should be able to save up a small fortune and live your life quietly on your own time. 

You nodded, determined in your decision, and went straight there to apply, despite the way your nerves grew with each step. 

As you walked up to the estate It’s multiple levels loomed over you and blocked out the low-hanging sun. You pushed open the iron-wrought gate which creaked with age as you closed it behind you and walked through the freshly tilled gardens. The home had been worn by decades of neglect and paint flecked off in patches here and there revealing an older color underneath. 

“I guess they must’ve already found gardeners” you commented as you made your way up to the door. A deep breath steadied your nerves long enough to lift the heavy door knocker, clacking it against the old wood twice. 

It was quiet for a short while before the sound of footsteps suddenly came from behind the door as it was pulled open with ease by an older-looking gentleman. His hair and sideburns were a sooty gray and his eyes held bags beneath them that betrayed the exhaustion his pleasant smile tried to hide. “Ah, you must be here to apply for one of the posted jobs?” He held his hand out for you to shake. “Emiel Regis, it’s a pleasure.” 

You put on your best smile, shaking his hand as you introduced yourself, “Yes, um- I was hoping the housekeeping position was still open..?”

An amusing thought seemed to cross him as he glanced you over once more, barely noticeable if you weren’t watching. He nodded and ushered you in right away, into the darkened entryway. “Of course. Come in, come in- I might as well show you around if you're going to be working here,” he said, leading the way.

Two large staircases curved their way out and upward and met at the next level. Rugs lined each step and the hallway before you, worn to a small degree but mostly dulled with dirt, dust, and age. The wood lining the walls could use a layer of polish, but you were surprised to see what decent shape the interior was in. 

Mostly the interior just showed aging, from the dimmed dirty windows to the cobwebs in the corners. “You’ll have to pardon the mess while we get everything put back to its former glory. The house Is big, but please don’t let it become daunting to you. I-” He paused his steps and his words to listen to the quiet house for a moment before he continued. 

“Well if I have to be frank. This job is in part a regular housekeeping job, I assure you. But it is also because I would like to have someone to keep an eye on my dear friend Dettlaff.” He said, glancing back at you before he continued giving you a tour of the house. “I-I promise it’s nothing strange. Ah- but that probably only made it sound stranger, didn’t it?” 

“Very much so..” you replied, laughing lightly, but still holding your satchel close as you went from room to room. A few of the rooms were more finished than the others- the bedrooms and the kitchens for example- others seemed to be more of storage for extra materials. 

“I apologize… I had no intention of making you feel uncomfortable. It’s just- Well, how do I put this… Dettlaff is not good with people. At all.” Regis huffed in mild annoyance. Because Dettlaff was such a good friend, Regis could only acknowledge his shortcomings for what they were. Dangerous liabilities. “He feels far too much, but I think small introductions could be good for him; someone who can pepper him with how people work socially” He further explained, waving a hand of his with nails that were just a bit longer than normal. 

This was all starting to get a little bit weird… but you still couldn't deny this kind of pay, plus room and board. “So you want me to be a sort of… glorified nanny for your friend?” You asked, increasing your pace to step side by side with the older man.

“Well, when you put it like that…” he began to mumble, but you quickly interjected. 

“I’ll do it. When can I start?” you stepped in front of him and held out your hand to shake on it, causing the older man to stop short and raise his eyebrows in surprise.

“My, my… you certainly seem like a rather tenacious creature, don’t you? Though I think that could prove you well in dealing with him…” He smiled that friendly smile again and shook your hand. “If you’re up to it you can start tomorrow. I’ll create a list of daily duties and It’ll be waiting for you in the room we’ve set aside for you. We can discuss your pay after your first day, does that arrangement work for you miss Y/n?” He asked, looking at you with nothing but an earnest expression and kind eyes. 

You smiled as you nodded, hefting your bag further up on your shoulder as you were led back to the front door and seen off by the older man. 

You were quiet on your walk home, quickly scampering through the streets before the sun fully fell and the more malicious folks came out for the evening. As soon as the door clicked closed you shouted in excitement and did a little dance. You weren’t even a hundred percent sure where all the confidence had come from, but you didn’t care! A huge grin spread across your face as you breathed a sigh of relief. 

“Oh, shit, I’ve got to get packing…” you thought aloud as you sprung yourself up and began pulling things together. For once you were thankful that you had only been renting in this little town. It felt like ages ago that you had walked away from your childhood home to try and make a life for yourself and for once it seemed to actually be working out. You didn’t have too much to pack up, mostly books, clothes, and a few little knickknacks you had picked up over the years, but each one held a small special place with you. 

A small smile painted on your expression as you put the last of your things away in a bag and gave the old place one last look around. 

Tomorrow would change the trajectory of the rest of your life for you, you could feel it. And you had never been more ready. 

_______________

Taglist: @writingmysanity @open--till--midnight (thought you might like to be tagged in this!)

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[silentmoonbutterfly]

[ineffable-omen]

😱❤️

Vamp sketches 🦇🦇

[adeliniel]

SFW alphabet | Dettlaff

Yes, I do write not only LOTR things, but some others as well.

Enjoy and have a nice day^^

A = Affection (How affectionate are they? How do they show affection?) 

Dettlaff feels everything deeper than we, humans, so it must be said that his affection is really strong. It grows slowly, cause he questions all of his feelings toward you.

It makes him feel completely vulnerable, seeing you watching him, and at first he ignores you a little rudely. Later he changed the way he interacted with you to something more warm and polite, and it became the point of no return.

B = Body (Their favorite body part of their partner, why? Do they like touch?) 

Shoulders line. Considering Beauclair's fashion on closed dresses, Dettlaff finds this part of your body very intimate to show. And it feels very precious to be able to touch you there, kiss soft skin on your sharp bones.

C = Courtship (What do they do to take your attention?) 

Doesn't really want to take your attention. He prefers to stay in the shadows and watch, waiting if you would notice him or not. Being sure that you like him back makes him more confident - he'll come to talk with you, share a meal or drink, escort you on a journey to the nearby city - having no other thoughts that make you feel comfortable around him.

D = Domestic (Are they the type to settle down with you? Are they willing to help with chores? What is your daily routine with them?) 

He doesn't have a real understanding of what home really is. Dettlaff thinks about it as a place where you can sleep or wait out the danger. At this point he doesn't care about having one special place to stay.  It'll take a lot of time for him to get used to what home really is, not without your help, of course.  

E = Espousal (Do they want to marry you eventually? Who proposes to who?) 

Believes you're his forever from the moment you became lovers. Doesn't really get the concept of marriage, because for him it changes nothing in his attitude - he loves you and only this makes sense. May agree to the ceremony, if you explain why this is so important to you, but definitely won't be that one who proposed.

F = Fragile (How protective are they of you? If they are, how do they show this?) 

Extremely protective, sometimes even too much. Rarely does it feel like he's making a bubble around you, so no one and nothing could hurt you. Vampires do not die in the usual sense, but live, knowing he couldn't protect you, seems much worse to him. Dettlaff does everything he could and even more for you to still be safe.

G = Gifts (What type of gifts do they give their s/o? Do they like receiving gifts?)

It could be both usual gifts, popular in the human world, and something crazy, that he finds suitable for the occasion. Has an explanation for why he chose this or that to give to you, but what really makes him happy is when you see right through and understand the meaning of the gift by yourself.

H = Hugs (Do they like hugs? How often do they do it? What are their hugs like?) 

He'd like to say that he is not a hug-lover, but the point is he's just not used to it. The more you hug him, the more he likes it. If it started as some awkward friend hugs, soon it'll evolve to more passionate and tight hugs. For now he could really spend an hour or two lying down and hugging you.

I = Intimacy (How romantic are they? Do they have problems with intimacy?)  

Intimacy and romance are hard things for Dettlaff. He has no need for such, and barely catches the right mood. But the closer you get, the more intimate he will become. Bare sex changes to making love, usual meetings in the town become something more like dates, his words and action appear more and more dedicated to you and express his real feelings. He opens his heart, and it is priceless.

J = Jealousy (How jealous do they get? What do they do when they’re jealous?)

He has a big feeling of possessiveness. Despite he considers you as a part of his pack, Dettlaff has no intentions of sharing you with anybody. He gets truly aggressive when jealous, but the most difficult thing is that his jealousy sometimes is indeed unfounded. He is not good at understanding people's ways of communication and it happens that he perceives someone's good manners for flirting.

K = Kisses (What are their kisses like? Where do they like to kiss you? Where do they like to be kissed?) 

Most of Dettlaff’s kisses are passionate and wild. It feels like you're walking on a knife blade. Sometimes he bites your lips to blood, unintentionally, and it feels dangerous and exciting at the same time. But on those rare (well, not really rare) occasions, when you kiss him first, he froses for a moment and then answers softly and gently, maintaining your path.

L = Love language (What’s their love language?) 

Attention and actions. If Dettlaff is in love - he is fully dedicated to his partner. All his thoughts and actions are aimed at his beloved one. He notices every change, every little detail, and he remembers all of them. Actions mean more than words, but before acting he wants to be sure he knows how to do it properly.

M = Morning (How are mornings spent with them?) 

Depends on whether he spends the night with you or not. If yes, he'd probably wait until you wake up, looking at your face, touching your hair or tracing his fingertips on your bare shoulders.

If not, he'll wait for you somewhere around the house, smirking at your sleepy look and gladly responding to your morning hugs.

N = Nicknames (What do they call you? What do you call them?)

Doesn't use them and simply call you by the name. And for very rare occasions may use "Love". Similarly isn't very fond of hearing different nicknames towards himself, but secretly loves that time, when you couldn't remember his name and used to call him "Mister Vampire".

O = Overture (How did everything start?) 

First he saw you some years after his Beauclair "adventure". He was living quietly, hiding in a small village near the mountains, when you came there to visit your friends. Dettlaff followed you back to Beauclair, attracted by curiosity he never expected to feel towards the human world again.

P = Pace (Are they fast-paced in a relationship? Or do they like to take things slow?) 

Unexpectedly, he really hurries into a relationship. Because Dettlaff feels everything very deeply, his feelings overwhelm him, and he just couldn't resist his urgent need to speed up the events. He barely touches your hand, but blood already rushes through his veins, making him want to grab you in his arms and never let go.

Q = Queen/King (Who takes the initiative in relationships?)

It could be said that you take the initiative equally. Sometimes it's him who leads, other times it's your turn to reveal your wishes and be the one who takes responsibility. Everything is fine while you listen to one another.

R = Remembrance (What is their favorite moment in your relationship?) 

That day when you first stayed for the night together somewhere in the little house in the mountains. Staring at the stars, drinking wine, talking about something funny and noncenless... That felt so surreal, so unbelievable, and yet that was so true.  

S = Salvage (What issues does this relationship help him to cope with?) 

From the very start your relationship helps him with his total distrust of people. Humans lied to him and betrayed him many times, so he didn't expect to give them any other chance. But here he is, trying to learn how to live with people around, trying to join your circle of friends.

T = Tiny (How are they around children?)

That fact that he voluntarily worked as a toy maker in Beauclair says that at least he is not against children. Is not a type who wants his own children but will not be against if one or two orphans would be around.

U = Ulterior (What’s their secret?) 

Dettlaff would never admit it, even under the threat of death, but he likes when you scratch his back. Especially when during this he could embrace you.

V = Vulnerable (How long until they can be vulnerable around their s/o? What are they like in this state?) 

He is quick enough with the relations, but it takes really a lot of time for him to be able to reveal what's on his mind. Most of the time he takes time for your problems and needs, neglecting his own. And it means so much when you sit next to him, take his pale cold palms to yours and make him speak, listen to everything he wants to whisper to you, either it's words of love or his biggest fear.

W = Wound (How do they feel about exposing their scars/injuries?) 

As a vampire Dettlaff has great regeneration skills, so he doesn't get scars or so. And all of the injuries heal really quick on him. Only the one time you saw him wounded - when some other vampire pierced him with his claws. You lost consciousness, being scared to death by that picture. He swore that never again he would let you see anything like that.

X = Xtra (A random headcanon about your relationship) 

He finds it cute when you get a little drunk. It's mostly impossible for a vampire to feel intoxicated, but humans do get drunk, and it seems funny for him. Seeing you smiling more than usual and how your cheeks become red, excites him a lot.

Y = Yearning (How well do they cope when their SO isn’t with them?) 

He panics. Your absence makes him so nervous that he can't concentrate on anything. Even if you let him know that you'd be gone for some time, he will hastily pacing around the room, waiting for your comeback. There were a couple of times when he tried to follow you, but when you asked for some time to be alone, Dettlaff tries his best to stay away and not bother you.

Z = Zzz (How are nights spent with them?) 

Vampires don't need to sleep, actually, so at first he just said "Good night" to you and left you alone, then wandering around the house till morning. Yet sometimes you fell asleep on his chest or laps and he could stay still all night just to let you sleep. Still strange to him, but he likes it when you say that it's too cold or too scary to sleep alone, and he can legally stay in your bed. 

Thank you for reading!

You can find more of my writings right here

[ms-mary-macky]

so there is a distinct lack of witcher blood & wine animatics so i made one. Dettlaff deserved better -- brought to you buy the F*kSyannaGang

youtube alternative

[omaano]

"His heart carries two more people in it now, right in the centre of it, and it's whole again."

Not to sound overly dramatic but so is mine, after recovering from the end of chapter 2, and finally colouring this sketch for chapter 3 of Fact and Fantasy by @wraithproblem Q^Q

[afroplatypus]

Je t’aimais, je t’aime, je t’aimerais.

I’ve gained a lot of appreciation for Syanna’s complexity as a character and what she could have had with Dettlaff recently. Unfortunately since it’s hard enough to photograph oil paintings already, the touches of silver paint don’t quite show.

Process vid:

[bloededhoine]

[wholelottatiffy]

I’ve been writing a ton so here’s the roster for my upcoming fic. My two OC’s, Saska and Lora, and the vampire boys.

[hellimagines]

Hellimagines Masterlist

*=smut x=romantic pairing &=platonic/family pairing

American Horror Story

Bowers Gang (IT 2017)

Outer Banks

Stranger Things

Teen Wolf

Celebrities

Dacre Montgomery

Drabbles

The View

--dacre montgomery x fem!reader ✦ summary: it’s the morning after a night spent with your boyfriend, and you can’t help but to admire the view. ✦ warnings: mentions of past sex, fluff ✦ word count: drabble, 900+

DC Universe

Jason Todd / Red Hood

Series

Sunbird | Part Two

--jason todd x joker’s daughter!reader ✦ summary: your father kills your love, robin, in front of you as revenge for your betrayal, only for you to run across him years later as the red hood. ✦ warnings: torture, death, violence, injuries, angst, hurt no comfort, bad parents, emo bruce wayne ✦ word count: 6,000+

Deadly Class

Billy Bennett

One Shots

Everything and More

--billy bennett x fem!reader ✦ summary: after sustaining an injury during combat class, you decide to express your feelings to billy. ✦ warnings: accidental injuries ✦ word count: 1,000+

Misfits

Nathan Young

One Shots

Please, Don’t Take it Back

--best friend!nathan young x fem!reader ✦ summary: after another altercation with your boyfriend, nathan discovers the truth. ✦ warnings: domestic abuse, injuries, fighting, angst, hurt&comfort ✦ word count: 2,000+

Motley Crue / The Dirt

Nikki Sixx

One Shots

Journey

--best friend!nikki sixx & fem!reader ✦ summary: you help nikki through  one of his hazy comedowns. ✦ warnings: drug use, angst, hurt&comfort ✦ word count: 1,000+

My Hero Academia

Dabi

One Shots

Burning Heart

--dabi x gn!reader ✦ summary: you tend to dabi’s wounds after a vicious battle against overhaul, and words are exchanged. ✦ warnings: injuries, burn scars, wounds, i haven’t taken a single med class in my life ✦ word count: 3,000+

Supernatural

Jack Kline

Headcanons

Being Bestfriends with Jack Kline

Witcher

Dettlaff van der Eretein

One Shots

Scared to Love You

--best friend!dettlaff x fem!reader ✦ summary: you and dettlaff have an argument about rhenawedd’s true identity, and dettlaff lashes out at you. ✦ warnings: fighting, arguments, angst, hurt&comfort, fluff ✦ word count: 1,000+

Olgierd von Everec

Drabbles

Eyes of a Cat

--olgierd x fem!reader ✦ summary: olgierd has discovered a love for poetry after regaining his soul, and during a moment of lost inspiration, he finds you. ✦ warnings: fluff ✦ word count: drabble, 800+

return to navi

[kinkyfortheyanderes]

To: The bitch who keeps disappearing-hint- Its me

Hey guys!!! Sorry about the absence(again), I have been busy doing work at my internship. Its almost done though so yay! I have spent most of my free time playing games, aka the witcher and let me just say. Also please forgive the dumpster fire that you are about to read.

WHY ISNT THERE MORE WITCHER X READER WORKS?!?!?! 

Every God damn guy in that game is a fucking hunk. I know this isn’t what y’all follow me for but I need to vent and also thank a gift from God-GaunterODimm. This person has made 52 chapters of smut, fluff and angst. Every single chapter has sex in it and if it weren’t for them there would be only 3 Dettlaff x reader stories on AO3. I thank this person so much. Also shout out to every fucking witcher x reader writer on this site, y’all keep my thirst at bay.

Now for the absolute must bang/marry list from the Witcher 3:

SPOILERS

Geralt of Rivia-

You can catch me every night thinking about this hotass man. Dude has got looks in spades, charisma of a wet dog and the sass of an elderly lady. Have I mentioned his voice? Because that is what gravel is made out of. My shit has been flipped 𓀡.

Dettlaff van der Eretein-

Fuck me, I have never felt sadder in my fucking LIFE than when I saw how little work there is on Dettlaff. This mofo is possessive, AS SHIT- example A, B & C, your honor. Also isn’t afraid to get his hands dirty. LITERALLY KILLED FOR HIS LOVE. FUCK ME. His voice- hot as all hell, his looks- hotter than hell, his personality- that of an angel. Did I mention he makes toys for kids? Because he does. He makes toys for kids. My ovaries can only handle so much Dettlaff, please I can’t take anymore 𓀿 𓀿 𓀿 .

Olgierd von Everec-

Yo, not only is this guy a red head but he is also a FUCKING ABSOLUTE UNIT. BUFF AS SHIT, TOUGH AS SHIT. Also loves the arts. Dude also got an amazing voice. Can and definitely do see myself marrying it. Honestly, if you haven’t/never will play the games at least look up the guys I am showing here. All class A voices. WAS ALSO WILLING TO DO ANYTHING FOR HIS LOVE. I need my smelling salts. I’m about to faint.

Eskel-

Okay Boo!!! I see you. With your fine ass just working that knife. I don’t know what it is about him but he just makes me wanna get all up in there. Also, he is a sucker when it comes to a women with horns. UGH YES PLEASE.

Emiel Regis Rohellec Terzieff-Godefroy- AKA Regis-

Okay-okay-OKAY! I know his hairline wack and his face ain’t the prettiest thing you have ever seen but this man. THIS MAN RIGHT HERE. Has a heart of gold. Isn’t that all that matters?(Uh Yes hunty) Also his voice is delightful and I’m never taking that back. 10/10 absolute sweetheart.

Emhyr var Emreis-

THIS MAN AND HIS GODDAM VOICE MELTS ME. AND I WILL STILL SAY PLEASE AND THANK YOU. Also hot damn does he know what he wants and he gets it. MHMMMM YES PLEASE!!!!!!

I don’t know what I am going to do tbh. I might make a witcher blog but I fear I won’t be able to write that well for them. Also I just had to get all this off my chest but you can thank me later for showing you all these perfect 100% all natural HUNKS.

[nifriel]

I posted 271 times in 2021

98 posts created (36%)

173 posts reblogged (64%)

For every post I created, I reblogged 1.8 posts.

I added 714 tags in 2021

#reblog - 130 posts

#nifriel - 108 posts

#deus ex - 80 posts

#dxhr - 68 posts

#adam jensen - 65 posts

#deus ex human revolution - 65 posts

#crunchy-shadow - 59 posts

#i never asked for this - 56 posts

#fanart - 43 posts

#shadowfanfic - 40 posts

Longest Tag: 66 characters

#scarlet dorn - "i love the way you say my name (feat. chris harms)

My Top Posts in 2021

#5

Today - Cullen! :3

77 notes • Posted 2021-08-07 18:06:30 GMT

#4

Today! Dettlaff van der Eretein. Gosh I did it! x) But I feel like I was sucked up by a vampire to the last drop. xD

79 notes • Posted 2021-08-10 18:26:23 GMT

#3

Inktober Day 14 - TICK-Tock

Kaidan Alenko on Virmire. I changed the armor for the one from ME3 because it fits better.

99 notes • Posted 2021-10-19 15:19:26 GMT

#2

Inktober Day 5 - Raven

139 notes • Posted 2021-10-05 23:59:16 GMT

#1

I doubt that I manage to finish Inktober, but it’s worth to try... Day 1 - Crystal.

190 notes • Posted 2021-10-01 21:43:14 GMT

Found it on tenebrare's blog and decided to check. Well as always those arts I consider trash are the most liked. x)

Get your Tumblr 2021 Year in Review →

[cosmos-coma]

Blood and Vengeance - Part 2

A/N: why is this like.... the most well written thing I’ve written?? Doesn’t matter, Dettlaff deserves it.

Pairing: Dettlaff x Reader

Words: 3,587

Warnings: Minor burns, Anger

Part 1 | Part 2| Part 3 | Part 4| Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 (Final)

____________________

Your stomach fluttered with butterflies as you made your way past the iron gate once more, Its creaking groans welcoming you as you passed onto the estate grounds. Two gardeners were clearing detritus from the garden beds and chatting here and there. They both watched as you slipped past the gate and waved a greeting to you, pulling a small smile and wave from yourself in return. 

You stepped up to the main doors, hand outstretched to knock when Regis swung open the door before you could even touch it, nearly scaring you to death. “Ah, hello again, miss Y/n. My apologies for startling you- I heard the gate creak as you came in. Come; let me lead you down to your room so you can settle.” he offered with a kind smile and took a bag from your hands to help.

“Thank you, I appreciate the… help…” You said, your words drifting off as you took in the figure standing at the top of the grand staircases. Quieter than death and still as a statue, you would never have noticed him if you hadn’t happened to glance that way

Your breath ran from your lungs as you took him in. He was truly unlike any man you had ever seen; the fairness of his skin was contrasted by his dark coat and even darker hair. Strands of silver streaked back from his temples, making him look all the more distinguished. His eyes, though far away, shone clearly to you; each iris holding their own storm of emotion that seemed to swirl and thunder perpetually. His expression was solemn and distant, even cold as he watched Regis lead you inside. 

“Ah Yes, that would be Dettlaff.” Regis glanced up at him with a knowing look as he waved for you to follow him away down the side stairwell. “You should have time to introduce yourselves shortly, just- please, don’t feel turned away by his expression.” Regis tried to assure you, but you didn’t feel turned away. No, in fact, you found yourself wanting to see those stormy eyes again, even if they came with an icy expression. 

Your footsteps tapped down the stairwell behind Regis and into a rather nice basement. The cold air of the season seemed to settle here in the depths, but your worries were brushed away as you took in the rest of the surroundings. The bed was just big enough for one person, laid over with a thick blanket to fight against the chill. You had your own little fireplace,  a stash of firewood, and even a bookshelf with some dusty leftover reads. 

“Wow… Thank you, Sir. It’s more than I could have asked for,” You set your bag on the bed and smiled a touch. 

“Oh, Goodness no… Please just call me Regis. Emiel if you’re really feeling irate with me, though I shall do my best to steer clear of that.” He let out a short laugh that shook his shoulders a bit. 

“I’ll leave you to it then…” He continued and turned to leave- when he paused for a moment to look back at you. “I do hope you’ll stick with us… but if you have any troubles, please let me know.” His plaintive tone hung in the air for another heartbeat before he nodded slowly and continued up the stairs. 

While you appreciate the sentiment- and you’re pretty sure Regis might be the kindest man on the planet- right now his parting words and tone of voice made the butterflies in your stomach grow twice as large. 

“Okay, it’s alright, just get through the day without dropping anything and it’ll be a success,” you assured yourself and began getting ready for your work day. You slipped on an old dress you didn't mind getting dirty and smoothed it out beneath your hands. 

You quieted your steps as you ascended the stairs, though you weren't completely sure why. Maybe you were just hoping that Dettlaff would still be there, watching you with those intense eyes. 

Your fists clenched around your skirt in anticipation as you got to the top of the stairwell and carefully peered out towards the grand staircase… but he was nowhere to be seen. A sigh escaped your lips, relieved for some reason that you wouldn’t have to face him quite yet.

You shook your head to get your senses in order again and started down the hall to get to work. In an excuse to better learn the layout of the house, you decided to start by wiping the grime off the windows and airing out the rooms. You did your best not to be nosy as you ventured into each room, finding curious knickknacks here and there. One space that sat on the ground floor beside Regis’s room was filled to the brim with laboratory equipment, herbs, and… little shrunken, shriveled-up men?

“Oh. Mandrake root,” you said to yourself, pulling your hands back from the fatal plant. “That seems…. Safe.” 

You tucked the window rag into your pocket for the time being and took another glance over the list Regis had given you. 

‘Dettlaff will need time to warm up, bringing him a cup of tea or other drink is a rather good and safe way to engage him little by little.’ 

Tea, huh? You can do that. You folded the list once again and tucked it safely away before you made your way over to the kitchen. Your heart nearly jumped out of your chest when you came across another person rattling around in there as they sifted through the utensil drawer. 

“OH! Hello, I- sorry, I-I wasn’t really expecting to find anyone else in the house…” you stumbled over your words, chest clutched in surprise as the stout firey-haired woman pulled her nose from the drawer to look up at you. 

“Oh! You must be the new housekeeper I heard about. I’m Amelia, the sole chef of this manor.” she said proudly and with a wide smile. 

“Yes, that's me, I’m Y/n. It’s nice to meet you, Amelia.” Your shoulders relaxed as you saw her lighthearted expression, “You’re the only cook here? Well, I guess with only two people living here…” you justified aloud. 

“Plus you and me, dear. The garden crew comes in for lunch once in a while, but otherwise, they seem to prefer the great outdoors to the marvels of inside.” she shrugged, unbothered, and continued searching around the drawer until she finally pulled out a utensil that you couldn’t even begin to guess what it would be used for. “There’s the little bugger… Now, what can I do you for?” she took a minute to turn to you, offering you her full attention while she was in between tasks.

You laughed a bit at her vivid expressions, but nodded, getting straight to the point, “I was going to bring some tea up to Dettlaff… would you mind showing me where the tea and kettle are kept?” 

“Oh…” she pursed her lips in thought as a shadow passed over her expression, but still she nodded slowly. “Of course, dear. Follow me…” she waved you over and began giving you a quick tour of the kitchen, pointing out everything you’d need to know from tea, kettles, and berries, to the liquor, knives, and cheeses. “So, have you had the opportunity to meet this Dettlaff character yet?” Amelia asked you, a mixture of curiosity and concern, her expression unafraid to show it. 

You shook your head, “Not really. I saw him on the stairs when I came in, but he seems…” you paused as you searched for the words, but Amelia seemed to have about 12 lined up and ready for exactly that moment. 

“Distant? Depressing? Intense? Perhaps a bit cold? Angry even?” she rattled off as she handed you a tray and began handing you the things you’d need. “Don’t let it dissuade you, dear. I don’t think he’s spoken a word to any of the workers since we arrived, Regis seems to be the only one he’ll talk to.” 

You nodded and piled your tray with a cup, sugar cubes, milk, and a teapot as she led you around the kitchen. “Thank you so much for your help, Amelia… and if you ever need help prepping please just feel free to ask. It’ll give me an opportunity to chat if nothing else”. You said with a smile as you poured the hot water into the teapot. 

“Oh, I’ll be holding you to that..!” she called in her kind and jovial voice as you ducked out of the room, carefully balancing everything on the silver tray. 

Making your way up to the second floor you ducked into each room, looking for the gloomy man. You struggled to find him immediately, though you did come across various rooms of interest as you searched; a craft room with broken toys littered about, another that seemed to be Dettlaff’s bedroom and even a study that looked surprisingly unused. 

Those blue-gray eyes seemed to elude you today. 

A short huff escaped your lips as you tried one last door. 

The library before you was expansive; shelves covered several walls floor to ceiling, holding books, curiosities, and other important trinkets. The corner was populated by several armchairs and one Dettlaff tucked way in the reading nook near the window. 

Open curtains let in the gentle afternoon light and made the dust in the library dance lazily around him. The same light poured itself over his shoulders and backlit him in a way that gave your skin a pleasant shiver. He had a book open on his lap as he sat comfortably in the large blue chair, bringing out the cerulean in his stormy eyes. 

You quickly tamped down the heartbeat in your throat and stepped inside, trying not to stare too much at the way his silver strands shimmered in the light. He had small piles of books at his feet- you couldn’t tell for what subject they were, but It seemed he was intent to park himself here for quite some time. 

He glanced up at you as you entered the room, his mouth remaining a flat line as his eyes followed your encroaching silhouette. 

“Um, good afternoon…. It’s nice to finally meet- Oh!” you yelped as you tripped on a snag in the rug, quickly catching yourself so you wouldn’t topple over, but unfortunately the jostling was enough to spill both the full tea cup and the milk directly onto his lap and book. 

“Oh, shit- I mean, Fuck. Dettlaff, I’m so sorry-” 

You vowed on your life that his face had changed as you looked up again; the creases of anger in his expression seemed to pull his nose flatter as his eyes grew light, almost to a pale gray as you watched. You swore you even saw his canines extend, growing sharper, as his already long nails seemed to grow a few inches in a matter of seconds. 

A frightened yelp leapt from your throat, as you stumbled backward and fell with an unceremonious thump. All would have been fine- nothing but embarrassment- if the teapot had not toppled over, sending scalding hot water to pour over your arms and chest. 

Yet another shout erupted from your throat as tears sprang to your eyes. Yet, you couldn’t even feel the full force of it as adrenaline reeled you away from the man before you and his twisted features. 

Spoons and saucers lay scattered on the floor as you raced away downstairs, the tray left abandoned there where you dropped. The hot damp cloth of your dress clung to your skin as you sprinted down the stairwell and into your room, slamming the door closed behind you. 

Your chest heaved as you tried desperately to draw even breaths, but your focus was broken once again as the adrenaline had finally worn off and the painful heat living in your skin grew unbearable. “Fuck, fuck…” you muttered to yourself as your frantic hands peeled the dress away from your skin. You fanned your inflamed skin as you ran toward your bathroom sink and began splashing yourself with cold water until you found it bearable to live in again.

A sigh escaped your lips as you leaned against the sink, staring into your reflection in the basin. ‘You couldn't have really seen a face change like that’ you thought as seeds of doubt began to grow. ‘No, people's faces just don’t do that. It must've been a trick of the light’. But even then you couldn't ignore what you thought you had seen. His cold expression twisted into something of active anger and his features turned into something that was almost unrecognizable. 

Almost. 

Though many things had changed the depths of his eyes did not. They turned from their rolling thunder of emotion to something more like that of a hurricane as he registered the mess you had accidentally poured on him. 

You looked up at your face in the mirror as you finally felt your racing heart return to normal and your breaths grow even as they came and went. 

“Shit”, you swore as you glanced at your chest in the reflection. Your skin was burned bright red where the hot water had scalded you. 

“It’s my first day and I’ve already fucked up and spilled on myself AND the mysterious stranger that owns the house.” you groaned out and just sat yourself down on the ground to give yourself a little time to recover. 

“Fuck”

----

“Dettlaff, Why did I just hear our new housekeeper shouting and running down to the basement?” Regis questioned as he appeared in a puff of smoke at the library's entrance. “Oh, dear…” he sighed as sidestepped the forgotten tray and moved to his friend. Dettlaff’s face was still pulled tight with its aggressive bat-like features when his old friend came upon him.

Without another word, Regis handed him his handkerchief and crossed his arms. 

“She spilled this shit all over me and my books,” He grumbled and took the offered handkerchief to clean himself up. 

Regis nodded quietly and began piling the fallen items onto the tray. “Did she do this on purpose? Enough to incur your temper?” Regis’s voice was calm and level as he engaged Dettlaff.

His pale eyes looked down to his lap as he wiped himself off, refusing to give the answer due voice. Slowly his eyes darkened again to their normal state and his features smoothed out once more. 

“I told you I didn’t want any housekeeper- that cook was more than enough…” He grumbled out and looked down at the soiled pages of his book, the page’s ink smeared beyond recognition. 

“And I believe I told you that a little human interaction would be good for you.” Regis came and took the handkerchief back when he was done, folding it in on itself. Regis held his hand out to stop him as his friend stood to leave, “I know it’s not an ideal first interaction, but I have no doubt that it wasn’t intentional”. A frown pulled at the higher vampire's features, as he dropped his hand. “I know you have done more for me than I could ever hope to repay, but I do ask you to at least consider. I think she could be good for you, Dettlaff, and I suggest you give her another chance”, The older vampire finished and fully stepped away. 

Dettlaff was silent once more as he stalked off, but Regis knew that he had gotten through at least for the moment- now he could only hope that it would last.

----

After your skin had cooled off and your mind had finally calmed down you got yourself back to work. You figured the least you could do was clean up the mess you’d made. So you pulled on a looser dress of yours, one you would never think of wearing for work because of its short sleeves and looser lines, however, right now you could not handle anything brushing against your burned skin. 

You snagged a bucket of cleaning supplies on your way up the stairs and ascended quietly, tip-toeing to the library to clean up- hopefully before anyone else had noticed. The tray had already been taken downstairs with the rest of the utensils, all that remained for you now was a damp spot on the carpet. 

Hiking up your skirt- you kneeled down and began getting to work cleaning up the wet sugary mess. 

Unbeknownst to you, ever-so-silent steps snuck up behind you, watching for a few moments with blue-grey eyes as you took the initiative to rectify your simple mistake. 

A husky voice came from behind you, startling you in part by its suddenness, yet its low rumblings also seemed to set your mind at ease. “You’re the housekeeper…?” the phrase was awkward and was followed by a clearing of the throat that sounded like someone who would rather be anywhere else.

Lifting your head, you turned to the voice and were shocked to find Dettlaff there, standing with a smooth expression as if nothing at all had happened. “Oh…! Uh, Dettlaff. Look, I’m terribly sorry about earlier…” you apologized, sitting back on your heels and dropping your rag back in the bucket. 

You were going to continue but your words became breathless movements as he kneeled down before you, those eyes of his dancing over your red skint as his hand reached out. 

“You got hurt…” He said quietly, so soft that you weren't sure you had heard him. He seemed distracted as he ran the back of his fingers against your heated skin, their cool touch a welcome but brief respite. 

Your heart pounded in your ears and your skin grew heated for a whole other reason. Such a forward action made your body still and your next breath catch in your throat. “Oh, I… I’ll be more than alright…. It should go away in a few days…” you managed to say through the heavy beats of your racing heart as his fingers caressed their way down your arm. 

Dettlaff was lost in his thoughts and barely took in your words. While he did get angry- admittedly unduly, looking back- he had never intended to cause you bodily harm. Perhaps Regis was correct in some way or another- though he’d never say it out loud.  Only the furious beating of your heart was enough to pull him from his thoughts, “Ah, My apologies, Miss…”

“Y/n”, you filled in for him as he pulled his hand back from you and breath filled your lungs once more.

“Y/n…” he seemed to test out the name in his mouth as he repeated it back, nodding a bit as he stood once again. “Let me take that away for you. That spot already looks better than the condition it came in…” he justified as he took the cleaning bucket for you and began bringing it downstairs to put away without another word. 

“Oh, uh- thank you..!” you called out after him as you watched him slip out of the room. 

Your head tilted in thought as you tried to understand the last few minutes you just lived through. Interacting with Dettlaff was like interacting with a puzzle; he was rather straightforward in his actions, that much you had learned, but he had also been incredibly silent so far. That mixed with his reserved expression had made him hard to read- though you're sure you just needed time if nothing else.

The rest of the day was thankfully uneventful and you were able to get everything done that you were hoping to. Your thoughts were of nothing but climbing under that thick blanket as you padded your way down the stairwell and into the basement. The basement was chilled by the seasonal cold seeping in, but was quickly turned into a comfortable heat as you got your small fireplace going. 

You stripped down to your underclothes, intent on getting some well-deserved sleep after such a long day. However, as you reached down to pull the blanket back you noticed a little jar on your nightstand along with a note. “What’s this..?” you asked to the empty air as you picked up the note. 

‘My apologies once again, Miss Y/n.’ It read, ‘You made no intention to harm me, and yet I have  brought harm to you. I hope this rectifies the situation to some degree and you are no longer bothered by your burns. - Dettlaff.’ 

A stupidly large smile spread across your face, one that you couldn’t control no matter how hard you tried. His note was written with a quick and elegant hand, exactly what you would have expected from him. Though you wonder if Regis helped him with his note, your heart still warmed at the sincere words.

You folded the note carefully and set it back on your side table before taking the small jar and opening it to see what was inside. Inside you found what you could only assume to be burn cream; it smelled faintly of jasmine as you spread it over your skin and left a cooling sensation that caused you to openly sigh in relief. 

The chill of your sheets mixed with the alleviation you got from Dettlaff’s gift was all you could attribute to the way your mind instantly drifted off to sleep that night. No dreams, no jostling- just rest.

_________________________

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[cosmos-coma]

Blood and Vengeance - Part 5

A/N: please enjoy part 5!! if you didn’t see my earlier post I might have carpal tunnel in one hand and I sprained my thumb on my other hand so.... Part 6 might take a little longer lmao.

Pairing: Dettlaff x Reader

Words: 1445

Warnings: blood, violence (canon level), graphic descriptions of violence, fatal injuries, breaking and entering, Let me know if I missed anything!

Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4| Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 (Final)

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The knocker clacked again impatiently, and multiple voices murmured from just outside the door. “I’m coming!” You shouted, hurrying to let the baker and his assistant in.

You pulled open the large door swiftly, your smile fading quickly as you saw no baker at your door. Instead, you saw seven large men with empty burlap sacks standing before you, all with malevolent smiles.

Bandits.

The closest one- the leader you assumed- pulled a small silver dagger from his hip holster, “Oh good, It’s only the help home today.” he rasped out as he waved the knife, directing his men past you and into the house.

“Hey, No, no- Hold on!” you exclaimed, nearly falling over as your shoulders were knocked into by the burly ruffians. You turned finally as the leader slipped past you and grabbed his arm roughly. “Hey now! I don’t know who the fuck you think you are-“ you yelled loudly.

“Now, why would you go and do that?” He said, his tone eerily calm with a tsk and a shake of his head. He grabbed your shoulder with bruising force and with one swift motion stabbed the knife into your stomach, filling you with instant sharp pain.

 “Why would you go and make this harder than it needs to be, Darlin’?” He seethed as he went to pull the knife out, only for the shitty dagger to break off at the hilt, the blade still stuck deep inside of you.

“Cheap piece of shit…” The bandit muttered, “doesn’t matter, there’s bound to be something better in here anyways” He finished and walked deeper into the house, leaving you for dead in the open doorway of the manor.

But you could barely hear any of what he said. Once the pain hit everything became completely glazed over with shock. Your knees gave out from under you and as if through slow motion you watched yourself fall backward onto the ground with a thud that shot another tsunami of pain through your body.

Was this It for you?

Tears slipped from your eyes as your fingers clenched as you held your stomach, feeling the warm viscous liquid seep and spill upon the steps where you lay. Pain radiated through your body with every breath, the blade sinking in deeper and deeper.

Is this truly where your story ends?

You tried to cry out for someone, anyone who could hear you, but it only got caught in your throat- adding insult to injury as your words choked you. Your movements slowed and your vision began to grow dim, the afternoon light surrounding you turning grayer and grayer….

Are you meant to die alone here? With not a word to say as you part with the world..?

You knew your mind was surely going as black and red smoke filled your sight. One slow, exhausted blink later and the flurry of smoke was replaced by Dettlaff’s panicked face.

“Dett…” you managed in a breathy voice as you reached up to touch his cheek, your hand shaking until it finally came to rest against his warm skin. A fleeting wave of comfort washed over you as his hand rested over your own, but quickly dissipated as another rip of pain tore through you.

“What happened, Y/n? Who did this to you?” He asked you desperately, only bits and pieces of which you could take in. Between the swarm of calling ravens above you, the shock, and the blood loss, just about every word that made it to your ears sounded like you were drowning underwater.

Your hand dropped from his cheek, but  all you could see was the vibrant smear of blood on his cheek.

“Y/n. Who. Did. This?” His face was beginning to change again, his nose growing flat and the wrinkles of anger deepening until they pulled his features tight into a bat-like face.

Your vision continued to darken and grow hazy as his nails grew into long claws and his canines extended far past his already bared teeth. Even the storms that once lived in his eyes had since turned into raging hurricanes. 

You lifted your arm once again to shakily point inside toward the bandits still roving the manor.

His attention immediately turned to the noise of footsteps moving throughout the house. Their repulsive smell stung his nose almost as bad as their voices grated his sensitive ears.

They hurt you- his little moth- with no cause, with no need, no hesitation.

“I’ll make them pay for what they’ve done… with their blood.” He snarled through his beastly features as he stood, glancing once again at you. “Hold on for me, Moth. Just one minute more…” was the last thing you heard him say before black and red smoke weaved its way into the house and out of your line of sight.

“Wait..!” you rasped out through a wince; your vision was nearly gone now, and you could feel yourself losing the grasp on your consciousness. You’re not sure you had another minute…

Screams and snarls echoed from the house as the last of your energy waned. You wouldn’t have another chance… 

 “I… love you…” You whispered, content with your final words as you focused on nothing but those stormy blue eyes as the black ink of unconsciousness smothered your light.

---

Dettlaff pulled his dangerously long claws from his first victim with a squelch that would be sickening to most, but to the rampaging vampire, it was the sweetest of melodies. The body thudded against the rug without care as the bandits gurgling protests quickly dissipated into silence. 

“I… love you…” he heard you whisper faintly as your heart beat continued to grow slower and slower. 

A new wave of rage swept over him as he darted towards the sound of the next bandit, yells and loud bangs coming from the kitchens. Ravens cawed angrily at the closed window, throwing them selves against it in an effort to help as Amelia swung her frying pan with reckless abandon. 

“Chew on iron you rotten bastard!”  she yelled as she finally knocked him square in the head, dropping him like a sack of flour. She held her pan in front of her once more as a growling huff came from the doorway. 

Fear rippled through her for a moment as she took in the fanged and clawed beast before her, but it dissipated just as quickly when she realized who it was. “Mister…. Dettlaff?? What the fuck happened to you?” she asked.

The Bandit groaned from his position at her feet, not quite gone yet. “Oh, You son of a-” She muttered angrily as her foot jut out to kick him harshly. 

“Front door.” Dettlaff said clearly to her, causing her to raise her head again. Those are the first words she’d ever heard him say. “Take care of her…” He finished before puffing off into smoke again to take care of the rest of his targets. 

“Front door..?” she said curiously before letting out a gasp, “ Y/n!” Quickly she scrambled toward your weakening body to keep you stable while a chorus of screams and unearthly growls continued bouncing around the house. 

“Hold on, Y/n…” Your friend urged, her voice tried to be calm but the state of you had absolutely shaken her to her core. 

The front steps were a morbid painting of red and you were the sole subject. So much of your blood dripped its way down the steps and stained the stones below. It took Amelia all she had not to retch at the sight of it, let alone the sickly metallic smell.

With shaking fingers she pulled the blade out, thankful that you were unconscious and wouldn’t feel it slice through your muscles. A gut-churning wave of blood oozed out as she pressed down on the wound just as the noises seeping from the house stopped as well. 

Dettlaff appeared out of no where by her side, eliciting a surprised yelp as his features smoothed out before her eyes. 

The vampire looked skyward, noticing Regis’s writhing black and grey smoke in the sky above the manor. “Amelia… Go clean up as much blood as you can.” He ordered, knowing that's what currently held Regis and his help at bay. 

Silence permeated the air as she hesitated. 

“NOW!” He roared, stirring her to action as she scrambled into the house. 

His voice softened as he scooped up your form and carried you inside. 

“Hold on there, Moth… stay here in the dark with me for just a little while…” he whispered to you, his grip unwilling to ever let go again.  “Don’t stray towards the light..”

________________

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[cosmos-coma]

Blood and Vengeance - Part 7

A/N: We are BACK BABY. Its been 3 weeks since I’ve seen the sun or a day that wasn’t raining but its finally sunny again and that means you all get a chapter!!!

Pairing: Dettlaff x Reader

Words: 1745

Warnings: sickness, symptoms of sickness, leading to NSFW (but everything is still SFW), very quickly edited lol

Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4| Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 (final)

__________________________________

The days were slow to start. 

Your body creaked and ached like an old temple as it attempted to heal, much of your energy being funneled directly into not dying as your wound began to superficially close. 

Yet you were never without support.

Dettlaff refused to let you out of his sight after that fateful evening, insisting that he be right there beside you in case anything were to happen. He asked repeatedly that you sleep in his room with him so he could keep you warm at night and that he should be right beside you as you went through your day. His cool, anxious touch was always on your skin, claiming it was all to keep an eye on your temperature and symptoms, but you knew it was just him being overprotective. 

And though you absolutely loved the comfort his rumbling voice and smooth touch gave you, you were starting to get annoyed. You had to just about shove him out of the bathroom for your bath days earlier and give him a long list of assurances to let you spend the afternoon alone with Amelia. 

However, you couldn’t be too mad; you knew he didn't mean to become so overbearing, but after such a close call- your life hanging on by only thin threads- you can’t say you wouldn’t have done the same. And though he still stays close often, you finally got him to work his way down to just being in the room with you and, if you were well enough, on the same floor. 

“My Moth?” Dettlaff said, getting your attention as he poked his head into your shared bedroom, “Your bath is ready… and we’ve just got more bandages in from town so let’s check your wound too,” His doting tone permeated through the air, wrapping your aching body in a verbal embrace. 

You nodded, a light smile on your lips as you pulled the blankets back from your body, your sweat-damp nightgown clinging to your skin and chilling you to the bone as the air hit you. “T-thank you, Dettlaff…” you replied as you pulled yourself out of bed, slow, but determined to push through the constant veil of fatigue you’ve been battling the last few days. At first, it was barely noticeable- figuring it was just your body dedicating itself to healing- but lately, it's just been getting harder and harder to push through, with you reverting back to bed multiple times a day to recover from your weariness. 

“Darling, your skin is flushed and you can barely get yourself up… Let me help you,” His voice was soft as he appeared next to you nearly instantaneously, wrapping a determined arm around your waist to support you as you rose to your feet. 

“I’m okay, I can do it…” you protested, betraying your words immediately as you leaned heavily on his shoulder. His soft lips brushed against the heated skin of your forehead, nearly wincing at the boiling heat that lay just below the surface. 

“You're burning up, Moth…” Concern laced his voice like tightly woven fabric as his embrace held you closer.

“Really..? I’m freezing…” you shuddered, holding your wounded side as you hobbled along beside the higher vampire. “Mmph, my side aches, Dett…”  you complained.

Dettlaff said nothing at first as his brain began racing through the worst outcomes, stumbling over whatever menial solutions he could come up with as your weakened body lean heavily against him. “We’ll look you over, okay? And we’ll find something.. I promise.” He vowed, “I promise…” 

You were thankful for his finger's cool touch as they undressed you, innocent intentions lingering and evaporating the longer their caress stayed. Long nails scratched faintly along your supple skin as his steady hands ran up your under your gown.

 If only your ears had been as sensitive as his, you would have heard the slightest tremble in his breath. He had seen you undressed before, a happenstance of everyone rushing to address your wound that night, but his hands had yet to touch your skin like this before. 

Even through the haze of your fatigue ripples of electricity crackled under your lover's touch, showering sparks from your heart down into your core below.

Until your bandage slipped away and his hands stilled in their place. 

“Mmm, why’d you stop?” you mumbled from your half-lidded position, leaning against the warm tub. 

“I… your wound…” Dettlaff was at a loss for words for the first time in decades, he knew humans were fragile creatures, subject to be hurt this way and that, but the marks, the twisting wound, it was more than he had seen in a long time. 

Your side was both tightly twisted and puffed red with fetid infection. He could barely see the lines of your stitches, hidden away behind the weeping wound before him. Angry red streaks extended from your angry side, reaching its red arms greedily across your torso.

Without words he pulled you towards the mirror for you to see for yourself, both unwanting to look at it any longer and unable to look away. 

“Oh, my days…. How did it get so infected…? We were so careful.” you gasped in disbelief, gently touching it and recoiling at the tenderness and heat. “Fuck… what do we do..?”

Dettlaff shook his head for a quiet moment before continuing to help you undress, “... let’s get you in the bath first… we’ll clean it out as best we can.” he directed, but you could tell there was more to it that he wasn’t saying. More that he wasn’t willing to bring to light. 

You nodded, holding his hand tightly as you stepped into the bath and eased back against the tub. The water, though only Luke-warm felt like a hot spring as it swirled around your movement. A cold washcloth eased its way onto your forehead by Dettlaff’s touch and pulled a contented sigh from your lips. 

Dettlaff was a wash with relieved when your eyes slid closed, no longer would he have to contort his face to hide his obvious worry. The arms of infection reaching out from your wound told him enough about its severity. You were wearing away before him and it was only going to get worse the longer you all waited. He cringed, almost snarling at the thought- but he knew he’d be lucky to see you to the end of the month at this rate.

“Dettlaff… I can sense you brooding…” you said with your eyes still closed, a tiny, but playful smile toying on your lips as you tried to lighten the room. You couldn’t stop the small chuckle that escaped your lips as you peeked one eye open, happy to see the faint hint of amusement cross his features. 

“I know it’s worrying, my love… but there’s nothing that can be done about it in the next 5 minutes, so will you please just keep me company..?” you beseeched, looking up at him with pleading eyes that you knew he’d never dream of refusing. 

‘But I can fix this in 5 minutes. I could. If only you knew if only I could-’

“Dettlaff,” you said with a flattened tone, gently thwapping his arm to pull him away from his spiraling thoughts. 

“My apologies, Moth…. My mind was somewhere else…” His low voice rumbled quietly. 

“I know…” your hand extended out, capturing his smooth jaw and pulling his storm-cloud eyes in your direction, “it always wanders when you’re upset,” you said, knowingly. You two may not have been together for years and years, but as Dettlaff began to drop his guard with you his inner workings became much more clear. 

“Tell me about the latest book you’re reading, hm? And will you help me wash through my hair?” you asked tenderly, handing him the small bar of hair wash. 

Your smile was so simple and easy that it made his heart weak. He had known love before, in a general sense at least, but the stirrings in his heart were something ancient and primal. A love that was so natural and pure that he was sure it transcended lifetimes. 

‘How on this earth did I ever manage to keep you?’ he thought to himself as his own expression began to mirror yours. “Okay…. This one is called ‘Pains of Glass’ and it starts in a Wraith-filled manor…” he began, loving hands doting over you as he regaled his book’s tale to you. 

----

As the intense midday sun waned across the sky and the warmth of the day hit its peak Dettlaff paced the halls of the second floor. A single pointed nail tapped against his temple, perturbing his thoughts like taps on an aquarium wall. His steps paused as he passed the large window facing the front gardens and the iron gate, a heavy lock now swinging from its rusted doors. 

You and Amelia were sitting in the garden- the light illuminating your hair and skin in an otherworldly glow that made Dettlaff’s heart fluttered with an unfamiliar lightness. You were laughing at some joke of Amelia’s that he was sure he wouldn’t understand, but the way you threw your head back in unadulterated laughter, your bliss and happiness radiating out from you like a blinding aura. 

Something else ached in his heart as he watched the cinematic scene from above. Such airy featheriness emanated from you voice, such love from your faintest touch, and such admiration from your brief gaze. 

He knew he didn’t deserve it- any of it- and yet greedily he still kept you to himself. Greedily he convinced himself that maybe he was worthy, maybe he had made up for past transgressions when he met you. But hiding his true self  from you, always keeping it just under the surface… that was not the act of an innocent man.

But now the corners were beginning to close in.

And the options have all but faded away. 

Save for one. 

One idea he could still try.

“Dettlaff?” Regis questioned his statue-still friend, the higher vampire’s brow drawn together in deep thought as he watched distantly out the window. “Dettlaff?” he repeated. 

“Regis-” He interrupted, the conviction in his tone rattling in the silence of the hall. A short sigh escaped the dark man as he turned to look at his dear friend, a sort of sadness pooling in the depths of his irises. 

“-I know what I have to do.”

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[cosmos-coma]

Blood and Vengeance - Part 3

A/N: Enjoy some fluff and simple slice of life stuff!

Pairing: Dettlaff x Reader

Words: 1874

Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 (final)

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Chattering voices and the call of vendors spread through the air as you made your way through the market with Amelia. You two were gathering groceries for the next week or so at the manor as well as doing a bit of personal shopping on the side. 

“Your arms are looking a lot better than they were a few days ago.  I was worried you’d look like a cherry for the rest of your life!” your companion exclaimed above the noise of the market's bustling patrons. 

“Oh Amelia, you always know exactly what to say, don’t you?” you teased and laughed as she handed you another bag of groceries to carry. “Fortunately, Dettlaff gave me a little something to help my burn or I’d still  be looking more cherry-like than ever.”

“He gave you a gift? I still have yet to hear a single peep out of him! Regis does all the talking with me- not that I mind, he’s plenty nice-” she said, turning to you with raised eyebrows. “But he must be taking quite a liking to you. Have you talked to him since?”

You smiled as you thought about it, and nodded, “A few times. Right after I got burned was a little awkward, but I rather like speaking to him. He’s more candid than I expected, but it’s kind of refreshing, you know?” Your eyes wandered idly as you thought back to those meetings. Since he had given you that jar of burn cream you’d been able to make a little conversation with him when you arrived to light his fireplace in the morning or to bring him a glass of wine. He never hid how he felt on a subject when you brought them up and always seemed keen on hearing your side as well, even when it was obvious you knew far less about it than he did. 

“Y/n? Y/n!” Amelia called you back to the present as she waved her hand in front of your face. “Getting a little lost in thought thinking about Mr. Tall, Dark, and Handsome?” she snickered playfully, “I guess he’s not the only one whose taken a liking…”

“Amelia!” Your cheeks flushed bright red as you bumped her shoulder with your own, “You stop that or I’m going to stop playing pack mule for you!” You held up the various bags of produce that kept your hands full.

“Hmm, I’m still not hearing a no..” she teased, laughter trailing away as she ran ahead to escape your friendly wrath.

The two of you meandered the rest of the market, picking up extra treats here and there when you found yourself stopping in front of a used bookshop. It seemed a little empty inside as you peered in the front window, a little dusty, and piled with countless books- just as any good bookshop should be. But what really caught your eye was the green book being showcased front and center.

It was pale green in color with various moths etched in gold leaf on the cover, the largest one reminding you of the pin that adorned Dettlaff’s coat. 

Moths of Nazair and The Surrounding Regions its title read, and you knew it would be perfect. 

You set the heaping bags of groceries down, taking a quick moment to duck inside the shop. A cough scratched at your lungs as ages of dust plumed up from your disturbance of the idle air. An old lady- looking a little dusty herself- eyed you as you came in, smiling in a way that emphasized her deep laugh lines.

After a nod of acknowledgment, you went straight to the bay window to scoop it up, taking a quick glance at the price inside the cover.

”Oh that's… more than I was hoping it would be.” You mumbled quietly to yourself. It would take a little over half of the money you had put away… but you knew it would be worth it when you gave it to him. After all, you could always save more later, right? 

“Is there a problem, Dear?” The old woman called, her voice too was worn with age, but her short steps shuffled over with a surprising pace to help you. 

“Oh, it's nothing.” you tried to assure her, “I was just… I thought this would be an excellent gift for a... a friend-yes, a friend of mine..” You smiled shyly, embarrassed at the way you paused as you decided what to call him.

Her eyes sparkled with a slightly mischievous sense of knowing as she nodded in response. “Say no more, Dearie. I understand exactly what you mean.” her tone was light and even a little teasing as she headed back to the front counter, waving at you to follow her.

“I’ll tell you what,” she started as she sat back on her stool with a huff of effort, “I’ll give you a good discount on the book, okay?” she said, “I know that look, Dear. Had it once myself even, so  I’ll be no fool and stand in the way of a young love like that…” she said, undoubtedly reminiscing in the romantic adventures of her own youth. 

Your cheeks darkened and felt as hot as the sun as she spoke, but even that couldn’t stop the grin from pulling at your lips as you brought the book up to pay and slipped it into your coat for safekeeping. “Thank you, It’s gonna be perfect

---

Dettlaff’s sensitive ears immediately picked up the sound of your familiar footsteps as they came  near and the front gate groaning out your welcoming. He had been listening closer as of late to when you came back from town. He assured himself (as well as Regis) that it was not because he was concerning himself with something as complicated as a human, nor was it because he found himself enjoying when you visited after getting back. It wasn’t even because he found that he missed the sound of your voice in your absence or the gentle thrumming of your heart beneath your skin. No, he would tell anyone that asked that he listened only to make sure you arrived back safely.

It was not uncommon for him or Regis to leave for a few hours or days at a time, they’d smoke away into the night, taking in the surroundings as they went. Regis had just arrived back with a message; There was a group of bandits beginning to move closer to the town; they seemed to only move by night right now, but there was no telling how bold they would be once they reached the town’s limits.

Dettlaff knew Regis only warned him so he’d be prepared and not lash out lest anything happen, but he only found himself worrying more and more the longer you had been out.

“Dettlaff? I have a surprise for you” you said, interrupting his thoughts as you nudged open the library door carefully.

“Y/n” He spoke your name with a faint breath of relief like a man in the desert whose finally seen rain. His brows furrowed downward when he registered your other words, “A surprise? You know I hate surprises.” 

“Yeah, I know,” you shrugged, with a small smile. You held one hand behind your back and led with a cup of blood-red wine in the other.

“And yet you still do it?” he asked. 

“Only because I know it’ll be a good one…” A shy but lovely smile crossed your lips as you set the wine before him slipping the book on the table beside it. You took a half step back and watched his face for a reaction as he lifted the book to inspect it.

“What’s this..? I know this isn’t from our library…” he commented as he looked it over, Moths of Nazair and the Surrounding Regions. He ran his fingers briefly over the golden moth the cover held and opened it to the inside cover where he found your simple inscription.

‘To Dettlaff,

 So no matter where you are, you’ll always have a piece of home.

-         From Y/n’

“I remembered you telling me in passing that you were from Nazair and since you wear that pin everywhere you go, I thought you might like seeing the moths you grew up with…” you trailed off as you explained. You wrung your fingers in your hand as you thought everything over again, ‘was this really a good idea? Maybe this is too bold of a move for what we are right now… wait- we aren’t even anything, why am I so worried?’

It hadn’t been terribly long since you had started working here, but you already found yourself  being pulled in by this stormy-eyed man. One of the things you loved most about him was… rather complicated to express actually. When you watched him go about life and when you two spoke especially- it was almost as if he spoke with ten lifetimes worth of experience. Lifetimes worth of grief, joy, and loss…. You had always considered yourself something of an old soul, but you’re certain that compared to Dettlaff your soul looked like an absolute infant.

But it wasn’t only that- It was that despite so much experience and existence being held inside one person he still felt so much. And though- as you had seen firsthand- there are some downsides to all that concentrated emotion, you wouldn't have it any other way.

The corner of his mouth quirked up slightly in confusion as he looked over the cover of the book once more. “You bought this for me… But why?” He asked, hoping to understand exactly what you were trying to get at. Did you want something in return the way all humans did? Or was this purely altruistic? Or perhaps you just softening him up for something terrible you were about to do?

He had begun growing rather attached to you since that first and fateful day and he was not about to be played like a fool for thinking better of you.

“Why?” you repeated as you blinked in surprise- no one ever really had this reaction to a gift before. “Well… it’s because I instantly thought of you when I saw it. The moth on the cover looked a little bit like your pin and I thought it might make you happy to have..” You answered honestly. your mind worried restlessly on whether your impression of him and you had been all wrong.

But instead of looking upset you watched his expression smooth out and even a small and subtle smile make its way onto his face. He couldn’t remember the last time he had been correct when assuming the best of someone, but then again you just keep surprising him, don’t you?

With another glance at your gift, the small smile still lingering on his lips he finally spoke. “Y/n, would you like to stay a while with me..?” he asked hopefully, “I can help you finish your tasks for today if it makes any difference…”

Your own expression morphed into a large dopey grin as you took a seat before him on his chair’s ottoman.

“I would love nothing more.”

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