Can We Learn To Love? (Slender Man x reader) [UPDATED]

Make Me Feel Safe (Ch. 16)

Your POV

We walked up to the gate which he opened with a tendril. I couldn't help but stare at it snake its way out of Slender Man's back. It uncurled from the gate, only to close it behind us. I wormed around, uncomfortable at the thought of the mess inside the house.

"It's alright. I... will help," I heard him speak, a low rumble in my head.

I nodded as he closed the door, previously swinging in the cold wind, and placed me in a kitchen chair. A quick pat on my head and Slender Man looked around.

"Do you have any bandages around?" he asked.

"We've got an extra first-aid with them in the cupboard over there," I pointed to the cupboard behind me.

He walked over to the doors and pulled them out. A tendril grabbed a towel near the sink before wetting it a bit. Kneeling down, he gingerly began wiping away dirt from my foot. After cleaning it up, he wrapped the bandaged it up, even more carefully, if possible. He brought up my leg to rest on a chair and I looked around. Broken bottles, alcohol dripping, empty bottles of beer. It looked like a downward spiral.

Without a word, Slender Man began cleaning up, tendrils grabbing bottles and shards, putting them in the trash, cleaning up the alcohol with a towel.

"You don't have to do that... you know that right?" I whispered.

"I am aware," Slender Man's voice hummed in my ears, "But I want to. It has been an eventful night. You deserve rest."

I pulled up my good leg, pulling off dead, wet leaves from my clothes. I couldn't help but stare at the scratches on my arms and hands. Rubbing my face, I winced. I guess I have more on my face.

"I'll finish cleaning you up in a moment," his voice hummed again. I watched him tie the trash bag, bottles bulging out at the top. Turning back to me, Slender Man grabbed the last towel, wet with warm water, and started to clean up any blood on my arms.

I couldn't help but ask Slender Man, "Why do you use your hands with me?"

"I do not want you to be more afraid than you already are. My tendrils are strong and are more often than not used for... violent actions," he answered, rubbing his thumb over a scratch on my palm.

"I don't feel scared with you," I mumbled, warmth spreading on my face and palm, "You helped me. You feel... Safe."

I heard him chuckle, "You need not lie. I am quite used to the fear that spreads throughout the bodies of those I encounter."

"I'm not lying..." I spoke up, "Why are you helping me? You can clearly cause damage. You clearly know you could snap my neck in a heartbeat. You don't owe me shit. So why? Why don't you?"

Silence.

"You confuse me," he answered, softly, "You didn't run away. You carry so much pain, most of it caused by those around you, yet you condemn violence. You..."

He looked up into my eyes, softly placing his hand on my cheek, "You don't flinch when I touch you. I want to know why."

I raised my hand, pressing his hand into my face, "I'll tell you when I find out."

After a few seconds passed, Slender Man cleared his throat and continued to clean the scratches on my face. Finally done, he placed a few bandages on my arms.

"You need new clothes and a shower," he held out his arms, "I'll carry you."

I lifted myself into his arms, "No shower for now. I'm really tired." Holding me close, Slender Man nodded and went upstairs.

Quietly closing the door, he placed me on my bed, "I'll get you something."

A tendril snaked about, grabbing a pair of sweats and a warm looking hoodie. I grabbed the sweats and looked back at my foot.

"Do you.. mind helping me change?" I asked, red in the face, "My foot's still really sore."

"Of course," he nodded, his hand slowly lifting my foot to make it easier.

I paused, hands on the hem of my pants. Without a word, Slender Man placed a tendril over his 'eyes'. Letting out a breath, I slowly moved my pants off. I carefully slid them over my foot and began putting on the clean ones. I pulled off my shirt and wormed into my hoodie, grateful it was warm.

"Thanks," I whispered, maneuvering into my blankets as Slender Man placed my foot on a pillow.

"Get your rest. Minimal movements. I suggest a real hospital if the pain worsens," he hummed in my head.

I looked over to the window, thoughts drifting to everything that happened.

Slender Man followed my gaze before turning back, "You will be safe. I... will take care of him."

"Please don't kill him. He's a shit stain but... I couldn't do that. Not really," I asked of him.

"I won't."

"... Do you... Do you think you could..." I trailed off.

Slender Man chuckled, "I can stay. Just until the sun rises."

I mumbled a 'thank you' before settling in. I could hear my chair scrape closer, a seat for Slender Man. I could hear him humming a soft, slow tune. The low rumble in my head was warm... Safe.

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

I felt a ray of warmth on my face and I twitched awake. I quickly closed my eyes, nearly blinding myself by looking into a ray of sun. Sitting up, I winced. 

'My foot hurts... Oh yeah...'

Last night's events flooded in, John's drinking and yelling, his gun. I could feel my anxiety slowly start filling inside me. Lighting, rain, falling, the cold, the tree... Slender Man... Check over me, holding me close, wrapping my leg, hand on my face. I held my self, remembering how the feeling of cold became warm. A safe warm. A smile formed, tears threatening to well up as I looked at the chair that sat next to my bed.

Damn it.

God fucking damn it.

I miss his warmth.

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A/N: Imagine if I ended the story here? I'm not going to, but imagine.