Narrating Our Love (The Host x Reader)

8//Assistance

The Host's POV.

"The Host enters his room, and closes-"

"Have her help you."

"The Host shakes his head as the door clicks. Even though Author wants him to get help, he does not need it."

"You're hesitating to put it on. Do I need to punish you for your actions, or will you listen to me?"

"... The Host sighs in defeat and opens the door. '(Y/N),' He calls out to her. 'I... would like some assistance...'"

"Coming!" She sounded so eager to help me. Why?

"She cares about you, now."

"The Host shoves off Author's comment, and greets her into his bedroom."

"Wow... I like your bedroom, it has an... antique nostalgic touch to it... I feel like I'm at my childhood home again."

"The Host blushed. 'Oh, thank you. I, uh... I'm glad you like it... heh.' He smiled at (Y/N)."

"Hehe, and (Y/N) smiles back. Now, where's the... ah." She bends down to pick up an unused bandage and examines it. "Host, these don't look like they'll do much. They're very thin."

"'Oh. I didn't realise that. No wonder I had to purchase more every other day...' The Host replied to her, a bit embarrassed."

"Hey, it's okay. We can go to the store and pick up some better ones." She walks up to me - God, I can feel my heartbeat speed up! - and holds my head in her hands carefully. Just for a moment, though.

"Okay, Host. I'm new to doing this, so let me know if I'm doing something wrong, okay?"

I nod and she removes her hands. I turn around for her and point at the loose knot on the bandage. I can't even narrate, she's making me lose my voice... God, she's so beautiful.

(Y/N) unties the knot and slips the soaked bandage down from my face. I feel a little exposed.

"Are you okay?"

I nod again and she continues, grabbing the soaked one and-

"Is there a trash in here?"

"The Host shakes his head. 'No, just in the bathroom. You can drop it on the floor.'"

"Oh, uh okay." She does so and grabs a brand new one- oh. Oh no! I cover my face.

"Host... I'm gonna need to see you."

"N-No! No, no you d-don't."

"Then I can't put these on..."

"L-Leave them off, I don't deserve them." I cower down.

"What? Host-"

"Go! G-Go, don't..."

"What are you doing?! She's trying to help you! Why are you pushing your only love away?"

I tremble. Go away! Go away!

"Host, sweetheart..." (Y/N) speaks so softly and calmly to me, and she puts a hand on my head, stroking my hair... Sweetheart... I... I've never been called that... I move my head into her hand more, kind of like a cat. This feels so nice...

"Hey, hey... you'll be okay. You'll be okay. I'm here to help you, Host. May I put the bandage on you?"

"The Host nods and sits upright for her. He crosses his legs, but his head was still down."

"I'm gonna have to see your face so I can put them on correctly." It's like a sirens' trance, except no ill intention to pull me under the water... okay, like a mermaid, then.

"The Host... hesitantly... lifts his head up... for (Y/N)."

She looks at me, but doesn't gasp, or anything. Just-

"You're so handsome."

... I couldn't believe my ears.

▪︎▪︎▪︎▪︎

Your POV.

"I'm... I'm so sorry, that was random and out of nowhere."

Where did this feeling come from? No way it was by looking at his face, it's practically covered in blood... shit, he needs to wash his face.

"I-I'm sorry, uh... if I'm gonna continue, you'll need to wash your face."

"'I haven't done that in the past, though. Is washing my face that necessary for you to re-apply the bandage?' The Host replies, still thinking about the compliment."

"Yes, Host. It keeps your face nice and clean, and you won't have people asking what happened. I uh... I assume you don't like talking about it."

"'You're correct. Alright...' The Host sighs. 'There's a washcloth in my bathroom. Just get it a little damp with water, that'll be good enough for me.'"

"Okay, give me a moment." I get up, fetch the cloth, dampen it, and return. Host was still sitting, legs crossed, and fiddling with his pants leg. He looks up at me... God. Even if he doesn't have any eyes, he is still so beautiful. Damnit, (Y/N), falling for a total stranger like always, ugh.

The Host chuckles, then quickly silenced himself. "'I'm sorry.' The Host sounded sincere. He really didn't mean to listen in on (Y/N)'s thoughts."

"It's okay." I give him a smile and sit in front of him. "This'll be a little warm. Let me know if I'm getting too close to your eyes, okay?"

"'Okay.' The Host straightens himself and looks forward."

I put a hand on the back of his head lightly and gently press the washcloth on his face. I felt his head twitch back, but he didn't move after that.

As I clean his face, I see a little more of his face; light stubble, a... few bruises? Scars... they were hidden behind the bandage, no wonder I didn't see anything... and they went to both eyes. I want to know what happend, but I won't ask. I just hope whoever did this to him suffered horribly.

"The Host reaches for (Y/N)'s arm. 'Stop, please.'"

I do. "Did I get to close?"

"'No. But, I just want to let you know, that person did suffer. Is still suffering...' He sighs. '(Y/N). That person was me. I did it to myself... well, Author, but still me. Did I confuse you?'"

"No, I understand that." I couldn't think of anything else to say. Why would, er... Author... do this to himself and make Host suffer?

"'Okay, good, good.' The Host holds (Y/N)'s hand. 'After I... sorry... after The Author... wrote his story, he ended it, and shortly after, himself. That's when he became The Host. Are you still following?'"

"Yes."

"'Let me know if anything gets confusing.' The Host smiled softly before continuing. 'The Author, unsuccessful with his newest story, the characters tormenting him, and leaving him with nothing, went insane. He couldn't handle it...' The Host paused... '... I'm sorry, (Y/N). I don't think I can finish right now.'"

I nod and hug Host almost immediately. "It's okay. I'm so sorry if I brought up bad memories."

"The Host gives (Y/N) a hug back, embracing her tightly. 'It's okay. You didn't, anyway. It is very... difficult... to...'"

Host gripped me tighter... a... a little too tightly, actually.

"Host, you're... hugging me a... little too tight." He doesn't let go. This is starting to hurt. "Host, please let go! This is hurting me!" I try and pull away from him, but he still doesn't budge. Maybe he's listening to my thoughts, I'll... ouch, ouch- Host, please let me go!

He does almost immediately after, and I breathe in heavily, then exhale.

"Host..." I heave out. "What happened just now? Why did you squeeze me so hard?"

He doesn't reply. What is he thinking...?

1225 words.