Bedside // Edward Pierce x Reader // Call of Cthulhu

Temporary Tranquility

A creature. Deep under the sea. Born of tentacles. Unholy and not of this world. Said that just the mere mention of its name can cause a foolish man to drive into insanity.

That's what Edward Pierce has been seeing. Though He cannot accurately see its form, it still haunts him. Calling to him.

Being a veteran of the great war had its downfall. Something He could never forget. Not even his day-to-day methods of escape helped him. In the end, they were all not enough, and it had a heavy toll on the man.

But maybe something, or rather, someone, was enough for him.

In fact, it was more than enough.

Strong winds blew outside, causing light objects to tumble over and cause noise. But there was no storm nearby.

"No...No! Agh!" He cried, beads of sweat forming on his already damp face, hair a mess and eyes that were unsurprisingly on the verge to drop tears, suddenly splitting open as he rose from the bed, hyperventilating.

"Mhm... what's wrong, dear?" A groggy but soothing voice whispered beside him.

"Gah!" Edward was shocked at the sudden voice, struggling to take reach for his gun placed on the bedside table, with a lamp beside it.

Taking the time to use his senses and see what atrocity was there, He immediately calmed down and let loose of the gun he took hold, and was ready to fire. Turning his head to the laying figure.

"(Y/n)... I-I'm—"

You, now fully awaken from your interrupted slumber, rose up to face your husband.

"Hush now...it's okay." You soothingly whisper. "Will you get me the lamp, please?"

Edward did as you said, and shakily handed you the dim lamp. You on the other hand, adjusted the brightness of the lamp and shifted on the bed making sure your were in front of him with a small space in between to put the lamp. The eerie glow, shining between the both of you.

You face your husband, a gentle yet puzzled look on your face.

"(Y/n), I'm so sorry." Edward muttered, his head lowering, still shaken from what just happened.

You slightly tilt your head, your eyes full of sympathy "It's alright, dear," You place your hand on his face, him hesitatingly doing the same,

"Now tell me what happened."

You knew of Pierce's shenanigans with alcohol and sleeping pills. To keep the voices away from his head while he sleeps. Sometimes he would avoid sleep entirely.

People have even been avoiding him; It worried you dearly. Sometimes you'd let him be, but most of the time, you knew too well it was not working. His life was slowly going downhill.

"I-I saw it again...and it's voice...! Gah! Make it stop!" the broken man cried, eyes clenched. Recollections of the indescribable horror resurfacing in his brittle mind. Holding you tightly as if you were his last hold onto this mortal world

"Edward, I'm here. It's okay now. Go back to sleep." you stroke his cheek. "I'll be sure to fend you off from these...these ghouls!" you jokingly said. And Edward can't help but chuckle.

"Besides, that gun over there is for both of us to use." you said, pointing to the revolver, which made Edward crack a small smile

Edward took hold of the lamp, placed it on the bedside table, and shifted to lay down on the bed, you doing the same. Once comfortable, you look into each other.

"It w-was calling me..." Edward blurted out.

"What did it say?" you ask.

"Free me."

You can't help but feel unnerved by what he said. Maybe there really was something beyond of what you initially thought of. Edward took note of your uncertainty and comforted you, getting close to you and burying his face into your hair.

"But it's okay, I'm fine now." He reassured.

"I hope you are..." you ruffled the broken man's hair. Edward hesitantly parted from your hair and took you hand in his and gently kissed it.

"Come on, Edward, Let's go back to sleep."

He nodded as he placed the blanket on both of you.

"I love you (Y/n), so much..." you can't help but smile from his words. "I just want you to know that, in case that I—."

"I know," You cut him off. "And I love you too."

Edward then proceeded to wrap one arm around you, holding on to you as if for dear life.

Before drifting to sleep, Edward turned off the lamp, darkness and peace surrounding both of you.

The eerie chimes of the wind and the ticking of the clock were the only ones to be heard.

The Truthseeker may have finally found tranquility.

And he was given mercy,

for once,

and for now.

//~//~//~//~//~//~//~//~//~//~//~//~//~//

So how did it go? I hope you liked it!

Don't forget to leave a like! How 'bout checking out my other stories on the way?

My first actual oneshot, lez go!