"Please Stay" - Arcane Viktor x Reader

Chapter 43

A/N: This has been one of the most fun chapters to write, I honestly love it so much. Hope you guys enjoy it as well!

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You jumped away from the shelf, your heartbeat rising yet again at the unexpected voice. You turned towards it's source, the visitor's graceful figure looming in the door frame, her face barely iluminated. She carefully stepped closer, completely soundlessly, and for a second you thought she could've be a spirit, until the light enveloped her slim face, dark circles under her blue eyes piercing through her ghostly complexion.

,,I knew you'd come looking for anwsers but I was hoping we could do it together tomorrow..."

She looked over to the large clock placed in the corner of the study, it's big, beautifully carved, metal hands moving just as quietly as your mother.

,,Well... Today... If we consider that it's after midnight already..."

She said, while finally approaching the desk. She traced her finger on it's desktop, her eye's focused on nothing at all until she spotted the teacup. She sighed, her eyelids closing as she brought her hand up to her temple, massaging the spot.

,,I always get headaches during the full moon... It's a common thing in my side of the family, so you most likely had inherited it as well..."

,,I don't get headaches..."

You said quietly, unsure what to do in the situation at hand. Your mother clearly had a purpose coming here but so far she didn't tell you anything that would explain her presence. As if reading your mind, the woman spoke, the words making your heart skip beats in excitement.

,,I have the journal you are looking for... After your father's passing I took it in for safekeeping... If someone from the outside was to find it... Well... Let's just say there is no need to cause anymore damage to your father's legacy."

She said as she took out the book from under her arm. She covered it with her nightrobe, so you didn't notice it at first, but now you were staring at it's black, leather cover, debating just running over to her and grabbing it.

She extended the book out in your direction, her blue eyes emotionlessly staring at your grey ones. You walked up, analysing her face as you did so in hope, that if you step closer you'll notice cracks in her expression, something that could give away true motives behind her actions. You hesitantly grabbed the journal, letting it's weight linger in your hands as you examined it.

It looked just like the others, black cover with a silvery crest, the year on it's side reading '940'. You swallowed nervously, the first excitment suddenly stepping aside to hesitation and doubts. You shivered as a soft palm cupped over your own. You looked up to your mother, who's face was now warm and reasurring.

The type of expression you've missed your entire childhood, the one you had hoped to see when running over to her, scrappy invention in hand and a tooth missing. You remembered how much you wanted her to stroke your hair and say, that everything is going to be alright. That she's proud of you.

,,You don't need to do this now... It's your choice to make, and no matter what you'll decide I'll be here for you. You deserve to find out the truth on your own terms, in your own time..."

You smiled, feeling tears gather up in your eyes as you did so. Your mother's hand slowly fell to her side, letting you make the decision. You sighed as you opened the journal, the messy handwriting inside closely resembling that of your own. You sat down on the floor, back against the shelf, preparing yourself for a long night of deciphering your father's scribbles.

With a corner of your eye you caught your mother leaving the room, and you felt your heart sink similarly to the way it did all those years ago, when it felt like she left for the first time.