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

I Wanna Think As Long As It's With You (Ch. 17)

Your POV

Groaning, I flopped back down onto my bed. I stared at the ceiling, thoughts churning.

'Damn... Am I this touch starved? What if this is all a dream?... I feel warm and fuzzy because of a tall, pale, faceless being in a suit... Maybe I am touch-starved...'

I sighed and got up, careful with my foot. It doesn't hurt as much but wow is it sore. After grabbing a long, fluffy pair of socks to wear to hide the bandage, I wobbled over to the shower and began washing. Dirt and mud in hair? Not fun. All that and the slight smell of wet dog? Terrible. Once I finished, I walked downstairs to make breakfast. Waffles, bacon, and apple juice. The smell of food wafted around, filling the kitchen. I hummed a tune, looking out the window, waiting for mom's batch to finish.

'Is he going to come back? He still doesn't have his answer...'

I rubbed my temples, trying to stop thinking. I don't wanna spiral just cause I don't have a... Never mind, let's not go there.

"Honey? Up early again?" mom asked, yawning.

Smiling, I served my mother, "Yup. I... I slept really well last night."

"That's good, sweetie."

I enjoyed my meal, laughing with mom over silly things. Happiness. That's what this was. I like feeling this. We spent the rest of the day cleaning. Mom being mom, we have a biweekly cleaning day. Not that I mind. Decluttering and cleaning can be relaxing.

"So, sweetie. I've been meaning to ask you, how are you feeling? I know school's been tough and you gotta go back tomorrow," mom asked, handing me a duster.

"I don't know mom. I'm gonna email a counselor and ask for a class change. My friends make it worth it. That and I need an education and all that," I answered, dusting off pictures on the walls of out living room. I paused at a picture of my dad and I, grinning like a goofs, faces painted like cats. Halloween from when I was eight. Dad loved dressing up. We made I little pact that year to go trick-or-treating together for years and years, even when I was in high school. We kept our promise.

I stared at our smiles, "It's just... Been hard, y'now?. I'm graduating this year and dad isn't going to be there. I miss him."

"I miss him too," mom said, hugging me, "We're going to be okay. You're going to be okay. It's going to take time and effort, but you're going to be okay."

We finished cleaning up and mom kissed me goodbye before going to work. She works at a an office almost an hour away but she's been trying to work a bit extra for extra cash. For what exactly, who knows. She likes to surprise me. I waved goodbye and walked back in. A weight lifted itself off my shoulders, plopping myself on a chair, face in my hands.

"I gotta think about some stuff," I mumbled.

"Would you mind company while you do?"

I whipped around, jumping in my chair, "Jesus fucking Christ, you scared the shit outta me." I placed a hand over my heart, trying to chill. Slender Man had apparently teleported behind me.

"I'm sorry," he walked over, placing a hand on my back.

"It's fine. I just have to get used to it," I smiled, patting his shoulder, "What's up? What brings you here?"

"I merely felt like seeing you. I also thought you would like to know that he is in a ditch, being picked up by an ambulance."

"Oh..."

"Worry not, I merely placed him in there and led someone to his location."

"Led?"

Slender Man placed a finger on my forehead, "Not everyone is capable of withstanding my ability. With enough concentration, I can be very... Persuasive."

"Ah, gotcha."

"Now, what is on your mind?" he asked, sitting next to me.

"I just... I have some work to do. History. Kinda rough."

"Perhaps I can be of assistance. I have lived a rather long life," he offered, tilting his head.

"Sure," I smiled.