Can We Learn To Love? (Slender Man x reader) [UPDATED]

Want (Ch. 19)

Slender Man's POV

(y/n) cried into my suit, arms around my neck. Her sobs racked her body, small breaths heard in between. With my arms around her, I did not dare move. She feels so small in my arms, so vulnerable. I want nothing more than to continue to hold her, to make her safe. I can not remember the last time someone wanted to be in my arms.

'Please stay like this.'

I can not help but think this way. I am not a good being. My hands have years of bloodshed staining them. Deep inside, I fear that this moment of peace is nothing more than a temporary facade that will end in more bloodshed.

Slowly, (y/n)'s crying came to a stop. She moved slightly away and my arms loosened, but I could not bear to unwrap them from around her. She took a deep breath and looked up at me.

"You give good hugs," she said with a smile, "Thanks for the comfort."

I stared down at her, "It was my pleasure."

My focus flickered over her face, much like on the night of storm when I was tending to her wounds. Her skin, beautiful; her eyes, mesmerizing; her lips... My, my, her lips. This is the second time that my focus honed in on them. I wish that the feelings that I get around her, when looking at her... I wish they would cease before I act upon them.

Her face grew slightly worried, "Slender?"

I leaned down, placing my forehead on hers, "You are a beautiful and complex human being. I hope that you embrace every part of it, whether it is flawed or not. You have so many facets, embrace them, love them. You deserve nothing but the best and you are worth so much."

Her face slowly reddened.

'What are you thinking?'

'Fuck, you're close, you're very close, don't move from there, wait, fuck, no, what, why, please, do something other than just stay still, maybe kis-'

I cleared my throat and moved away from her face, "My apologies. I simply wanted to ensure that you could be left on a positive thought."

"Ah, thank you," she said, slowly losing her redness.

"You should eat," I said, standing up and walking back to my seat. I never should have gone into her mind. Those words continue to float about in my head.

(y/n) fixed her posture, grabbing the fork and grabbing a bit of her food. She opened her mouth and ate the piece, eyes widening a bit.

"Holy--" she hovered a hand over her mouth, "This is really good!"

"Thank you," I said with a small bow of my head, trying to ignore the small flutter in my chest at her excitement.

"Where'd you learn to cook?"

I do not know how, or if to answer, without divulging too much information that must remain secret, "I... Well-"

"Wait," she thankfully interrupted, "You're not eating any?"

"Well, no. I made and left some for your mother and some enough for another second serving," I answered.

"Can I ask why you're not gonna eat? Ah, then again, you don't have a mouth, huh?"

With a steadying breath, I answered, "Correct, I don't have a mouth... Now."

Her eyes widened, "... Now?"

"I can... I have a mouth, in a way."

"I... Can I see?"

I stayed silent, unsure of what her reaction to it might be.