Vessel X OC/reader

Chapter 21

He takes me to his room, and I gently place my hands on his shoulders, and lean in to kiss him. He pulls away, last second, and sighs.

I'm pretty hurt, and he can definitely tell.

"Look, Gaia.. I didn't want to cause a fuss, but... you can't just hit everyone you disagree with. I spoke to Deus. His nose is broken. You missed that part out of the conversation."

"I did punch him. Yeah. Would you have punched him if you were there? He called me a gold digger, manipulative, vindictive."

"I would not have punched my brother, no. And you shouldn't have either."

I stare back at him, in complete disbelief.
"Vessel... I.."

"You need to grow up. You're not Eric. You've got a good head between your shoulders. Use it. When we have kids, I don't want them to see their mother solving every problem with physical force."

"You mean you don't want them to be like you?" I snap back at him, and his eyes glass over slightly.

"Sure. Exactly."

"My perspective has changed, Vessel. A good head between my shoulders, a good heart, and good intentions left me half dead with multiple organ failure."

"Don't use the poisoning as your excuse. You were violent long before that."

"Because you persecuted my family. I was protecting myself." I hiss at him, getting worked up, but trying not to strangle him.

"It's always someone else's fault, right?" He says, with a smile. "It's Deus' fault you punched him. It's your attacker's fault you're nihilistic and jaded. It's my fault you're aggressive."

"This isn't fair." I say, flatly.

He folds his arms, and I bite my lip.
"I hate you right now." I hiss, and he looks a little hurt.

"I just want-"

"I want you to leave."

"Come on, Gaia. This is my room. This is my house."

"It's our room. And it's our house. Married, right? Or do you only want the parts of marriage that you like? The kids, and me wrapped around your pinky?"

He takes a deep breath, and puts a hand on my shoulder.
"I can leave if you'd like. But Gaia... this is our wedding night. And you'll regret not being able to fix this moment."

I feel sick. My head is spinning, and I try and reason with myself. Nope, can't do it.
"Just go." I snap, and he nods, and gently kisses my forehead.

"Goodnight." He says, and spins on his heel. The second his hand touches the handle, I try not to sob.

"Wait. Wait, just stay. Fuck sake." I say, and frustrated frustratedly run my fingers through my hair.

He locks the door instead, and nods at me, beginning to get unchanged. He helps me with the lace on the back of my dress, and finds me a night dress. He does everything silently, and I feel pretty dreadful. I sit on the bed, feeling a little awkward, and not sure what to say. He lies on his back, and lifts up his arm, and nods for me to lie next to him. I do- and he tightly wraps his arm around me.

I burst into tears suddenly, and he says nothing, but holds me tighter, and lets me cry it out.
He plants a gentle kiss on my ear, and doesn't let go of me until I fall asleep.

I wake up in the morning, and he's still sound asleep. It's not often he sleeps more than me, so I leave him, get a shower, and get dressed.

I pass Mateo in the corridor as I leave, and smile at him. He smiles back, but I notice out a window, a car outside the front of the house.

'Mateo, do we have visitors?' I ask him, and he shakes his head.

"No ma'am. Vessel's family traveled quite a way, they're staying here a few days."

I feel a sinking feeling in my stomach, and he definitely picks up on it.

"In-laws can be difficult, huh?"

I nod.
"Damn right. Can you stay close? Please?"

He raises his eyebrow, but nods.
"Yeah.. I mean.. of course. But if something is bothering you-"

"Just stay close. I didn't ask you to gossip with me."

He smiles.
"Yes, Ma'am."

I make my breakfast quietly in the kitchen, hoping not to attract attention. Ideally, I live my life, his family leave soon, and I don't see Deus again. My puppy comes wandering in, with a maid following him.

I crouch, beside him, and pat his head. He gets excited, gently nips at my hand, and I pick him up and cuddle him close. He already meant everything to me.

"He still needs a name." The maid says, smiling.

I lift him up slightly, and look into his eyes.
"You look like.... an Archie. What do you think of Archie?" I ask him, and he wriggles to get closer and lick my face. I put him down, and get him some food.

Mateo laughs, but his face quickly drops as Vessel enters the kitchen.

Vessel has his half mask on, but, based on his mouth, doesn't look best pleased.
"Mateo. Out, please."

"Sir." Mateo says, and leaves. The maid follows, sensing that Vessel wanted to talk to me.

I lean against the kitchen counter and smile faintly at Vessel.
"Hi."

"Good morning." He says, almost sternly.

I look down at Archie, eating his food, and pat his head, avoiding eye contact with Vessel.

"One of my guards told me you took Mateo from his post to keep an eye on you."

I nod.
"Yeah. I don't feel safe right now."

"Why Mateo? There's 100 guards in this building."

I shrug.
"First person I saw. And only guard I know that doesn't think I'm a monster. What, you're jealous?"

He shakes his head.
"What, of him?"

"So, that's a yes."

He rolls his eyes at me, and pats Archie's head himself.

He turns to walk out, but suddenly stops, and looks back at me.
"Look at it from my perspective, for a moment. You ask a man that isn't me for protection."

I take a deep breath. There's no point in me saying that I don't feel safe around his family. Or at least, Deus.
"I'm sorry. It's just... it's not your job. I didn't want to bother you."

"Bother me you all you want. You're my wife." He replies, though he still sounds angry.

I feel like crying, but try and stay tough.

"Vessel, I don't feel safe anywhere, doing anything right now. I hate this. I'm trying to be brave about it, okay? I hate looking weak. You must know that. I don't want your family around. I don't trust your brother. I don't trust anyone. The only person that's shown me real kindness is Mateo. So can you do me a favour, and think about me for once? Not just you, your status, and your own fucking ego?"

I fail at trying not to cry. Quite expectedly.

He turns around to face me properly, and tilts his head, as if he doesn't understand.

"I always think about you."

I stare back at him in disbelief, but I don't need to speak. Even he knows what he's just said isn't entirely true.

"I have plans with my family today. I'll ask them to leave tomorrow morning, and I'll make an excuse that keeps the blame off of you. Take the time you need, and the guards you need today. But in future, come to me. Like you said, my ego is fragile." He spins on his heel and leaves.