[Cow Chop] Imagines

Maroon Scarf [Anna]

This is a request I got on IG about fem!reader and Anna
Trigger Warning: Self-Harm
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You've been friends with Anna for about two months now, how you met wasn't really special. It was simple. Simple like a maroon scarf. It all started with that scarf.

You met at your work, you worked as a sales associate at a small boutique. The job was easy, but your boss wasn't. You were pretty much the only employee which caused you to work full weeks back to back. Your boss didn't feel bad for you, he'd always say you were the one who wanted the job. He was one of the many demons that plagued your mind. The demons that would cause such pain especially on your arms.

Red thin streaks decorated both arms, long sleeves always hid them from view. Lately, you've been covering your arms in small doodles of birds, cloud, and other little things. Your arms were basically one big story, a story you couldn't recite by voice.

The pen drew a black line over some faded red lines, swirling into another small doodle, this time it was an angel. A bell rang, the clang was soft, yet audible. "Hi, how can I help you?" You said, that phrase was automatic every time that bell rang.

"Hi, I'm looking for a maroon scarf."

You never forgot those words or that face. Not only because the girl who said this was pretty, but she was looking for a winter scarf in LA. Of course your store carried scarves, but they were kept in the back for obvious reasons.

"I'll check in the back, it won't take too long." You assured the customer, giving her a smile before walking into the back room. Various boxes scattered the gray concrete floor, you eyes scanned for a box that read "Winter Apparel". Your boss only ordered one shipment of winter clothes, so the chances of a maroon scarf was slim.

You emerged from the back room, with a small smile on your face in hopes it would lessen the disappointment. "I'm sorry we don't have any in stock and I'm not sure if my boss would order it since is pretty specific...." It was hard to be the bearer of bad news, it's sad to say that this happened often. Your boss never orders for a customer, he found it to be bad business.

"Oh that's alright, I'll just keep looking at other stores. Thank for your time." The woman said, smiling at you before turning towards the door. "Wait...." She stopped. "I know it's gonna be hard to find a scarf in LA let alone a maroon one. So... I can make you one." You did take up knitting late in your life, it started as simple stress relief to a small hobby.

"Really, you'd do that for a stranger?" She said, coming back towards the counter. "Yeah... I just like seeing people happy..." You smiled at her. It was a habit you had, you always put other's happiness in front of your own. You cared a lot about others, you sometimes thought too much, but you felt like it was already too late to fix something that was broken for years.

"Thank you so much, here I can give you my number. You can update me on the scarf or just... Talk to me." Her cheeks were a soft red, her smile became shy. The sight made you feel the same way. "Yeah.. That'd be great." The two of you exchanged numbers and found out each other's names.

"Nice to meet you, Anna."

"Nice to meet you too, Y/N."

You made that scarf in a week, hand delivering it to her apartment. She invited you inside and the both of you just ended up talking and getting to know each other. You found out why she needed a maroon scarf, it was a color she didn't own yet and it also was something to remind her of Colorado, her home.

After that, you became decent friends. You'd text with her daily, come over for movie nights, and sometimes little sleepovers. You told each other everything... Except you didn't share the tales about your demons. You didn't want to have her involved, it was just something you felt like you could do on your own. Getting someone wrapped up in your own problems was a fear of yours, mostly because when you did this in the past people would just say get help, or do it yourself. You didn't want to lose your only friend.

But eventually, Anna knew something was wrong. You were staying at her house for a sleepover, you two were close on the couch with a bowl of popcorn. The movie that was on was pretty much boring, it was just something to put on, basically background noise. Anna noticed how you'd always pull down your sleeves and sometimes flinch in pain when you did. "Y/N... Are you okay?" She asked, looking at you with concern.

"Yeah I'm fine... Don't worry." You grew nervous, the fear of her finding out began to clog your mind. Visions of her laughing or making funny of your small scars started to flash, you knew she wouldn't do that, but your mind started creating these false visions. You reached over to the bowl to grab some popcorn, hoping eating would distract your own mind.

A hand touched the top of yours when you went for the bowl. Your eyes met with Anna's, hers fulled with concern. "Y/N..... Please. I know something is wrong." She slowly turned your hand over, your palm was shaking. "Can I please look?" Her voice was soft, so gentle. You couldn't say no to her, your heart just wouldn't let you, but your mind would. You managed to give her a small nod, closing your eyes tightly, not wanting to cry.

Anna slowly pulled up your sleeve, her eyes looking at all the little faded marks and even red marks along your arm. Her thumb grazed over a red one, causing you to gasp in pain. "I'm sorry, shh, I'm sorry." She noticed your flinch and now tears rolling down your cheeks. Anna pulled you closer to herself, still gently holding your arm. "I'm not mad...." Her soft voice came through again. A hand moved up and down your back, later moving to your face, pushing your hair away. "Y/N... Look at me."

Your eyes slowly moved to look at hers, the same big eyes that looked at you with concern was now looking at you with care. "It's gonna be okay... You've been through a lot, and I might not know the extend of every single pain, but I want you to know now..... I'm here for you." She lifted up your arm. "I couldn't stop the pain from starting, but I can ease the pain now." She pressed her lips against a scar above your wrist. Her lips gave kisses to every single scar on your arm, when she finished, she did the same to your other arm.

"I'm here for you." Her words just echoed through your mind, all tension was relieved, your body finally became relaxed. "Anna..." Your voice was quiet, it was hard for you to fathom such kindness. Words in your head began to fumble, it was hard for you to speak. You hands trembled, but this time you felt a different type of nervous.

Your hands slowly came up to cup her face, you leaned over wanting to press a kiss on her forehead for thanks. But Anna stopped you, grabbing your hands from her cheeks and lowering them down, holding them with her own. She intertwined your fingers and she leaned into you, closing a gap.

Her lips touched yours, they were soft and very gentle. All feelings of nervousness began to fade, your pain seemed to melt away. Anna pulled away, pressing another kiss to your forehead. "...I love you." Her soft voice came through again. "I want to protect you. Please let me know if you're ever hurting, it won't bother me at all. I want to be there for you. I want to be your maroon scarf, I want to protect you for the cold."

Her words moved you like no other, it left you speechless. No one has ever shown you this much kindness before. Your eyes met with hers again, you parted your mouth, preparing to speak. "I... I love you too. I want you to know how grateful I am to have you... You've just done so much, I-I don't know how to repay you-" She cut you off with soft hushing. "It's okay, Y/N. Don't worry about it, I'll be okay. I just want to focus on you for now." Her thumb brushed your cheek, "it's all about you."

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I hope you guys enjoyed this, I know it's on a bit of a cliffhanger, but it was getting pretty lengthy and I like to establish a backstory with reader before jumping into anything. If requested I will make a part two~💖