So, figured I may as well do a fluffy sappy oneshot for Anna’s april event! I’ll crosspost it to my AO3 at some point when I find a good place to do so, but until then here’s a short little fluff piece for the reader and Anna. <3
At some point, you had made it a habit to visit Anna at least a couple times a week. Or what you figured was a couple times a week - the flow of time was something very difficult to understand in this realm, but you made do with what you could. She seemed to enjoy your visits, and she never seemed to be bothered by the amount of times you showed up. Part of you worried sometimes - the language barrier between the two of you made it a bit difficult to communicate properly. She at least seemed to understand you though - whether that was due to the Entity’s influence or just exposure to the other killers, you weren’t sure. It helped make things work though, even if there were a few hiccups from time to time.
On this day when you arrived, the Huntress was nowhere to be seen in her cabin. You knew she didn’t mind you waiting inside, but you still felt just a bit awkward. Even though the rules of this realm were far different from the rules you had grown up with outside, it still felt wrong to just waltz in. Even so, you knew she really didn’t like when you wandered alone without her. It made her antsy, it seemed.
One of the very few words she would speak to you. You hadn’t entirely understood why that would bother her. Ormond was rather cold too, and you always managed there just fine. Still, you weren’t one to argue with her - you understood she probably had her reasons even if you couldn’t quite understand them. Admittedly, you wished you could, you wanted to know about her past, especially. Maybe even just that would have helped you understand something.
You stepped into the old cabin and sat beside the fireplace, noticing the freshly chopped wood beside it. There was quite a bit, and you found yourself wondering how she managed to do so much alone. You never did question her strength - after all, you and all of the other survivors had been on the wrong side of it on more than one occasion. In a weird way you found yourself loving it. Sure, in trials it was terrifying, but outside of trials when you knew you were safe her arms and even presence often brought you a sense of comfort you hadn’t felt in quite some time.
You perked up as you heard a quiet creek of the wood outside. You held your breath instinctively, wondering at first if it was simply the old cabin settling. As the sound got closer though, you couldn’t help the small smile that twitched at the edge of your lips - she was home. Standing so that you could turn to face her, your smile only widened when you saw the familiar masked face. The tall woman set her bloodied hatchet to the side, and that’s when you noticed the bodies of a few smaller animals. The sight made your stomach churn only for a moment, but it disappeared quickly when you reminded yourself you were safe.
After having placed her catch upon the table, the woman took only a few strides to reach you, sweeping you with surprising ease into your arms. Her fingers slowly ghosted over the nape of your neck, and you felt a small blush cross your features despite how innocently gentle the touch was. You found yourself nuzzling against her ever so slightly, and a soft sigh escaping your lips.
This in itself had become something of a ritual for the two of you. Every time you visited, you always found yourself in her arms both in the beginning and on and off throughout. It was sweet, honestly - but there were times you felt almost bad for her. Was she touch starved? Or was she truly just affectionate? You wished you knew, but you worried even about asking. Instead, you just decided to allow it to happen. Her embrace was soothing for you too, after all.
“I’m glad you’re home, Anna,” You started, already feeling her mask graze you as she slowly nodded against your head, “I hope I didn’t choose a bad time, though-” Her nods stopped and you already knew what was going to happen as she lightly grabbed your shoulders, pushing you back just enough to look you in the eyes through her mask.
You smiled again, reaching up to gently touch the cheek of her mask. She had grown to trust you enough for that, at least. You were glad for that progress. Still, you wished she would let you see her face. She couldn’t always wear this mask, could she?
You didn’t notice you were frowning until her own hand moved to touch the edge of your lips, her calloused thumb rubbing small shapes against your skin. She must have known you were deep in thought as her head tilted slightly, as if to ask what was wrong. Your smile returned, but this time it was a bit sheepish.
“I’m just… thinking, Anna. About your mask.” You wanted to explain the whole truth, but you had to find the words first. Apparently your words sparked something in her though, and she instantly stood straight up again and held up a finger. One minute. Her indication was clear, and only after you nodded in understanding did she leave the room. You found yourself nibbling at your lower lip, not quite anxious but still a bit too curious.
Thankfully, Anna wasn’t one to leave you in suspense for long. She soon returned to you, holding out something for you. Looking down, you immediately understood. A mask. Unlike hers, this one looked like a fox. Your heart skipped a beat - a fox? She knew you loved foxes, and she had even stopped hunting them when she knew you would be showing up. Was… this really for you?
You looked up at her only to receive a nod, her free hand taking one of yours to rest the mask against your palm. Only when you held it securely in both hands though did she let go. With shaking hands you slipped the mask onto your head, almost shocked at how nicely it fit. Then again, Anna did seem to have a talent for making things with what she had.
“Thank… Thank you.” You shakily murmured, despite your intentions of keeping your voice level. Not wanting her to mistake it as sadness, you quickly added, “I love it. I love it so much. This is one of the sweetest things I’ve had happen in a long time.” This time, you initiated the hug, burying your face against her clothing. It was easy even in the mask, and you wondered just how much it made you look like some lost puppy.
Her hand returned to gently caressing your upper back and shoulders, her soft hums reaching your ears. You decided then that seeing her face could wait. Now that she had given you this, you felt oddly at peace. It was almost like the two of you matched, and that alone soothed your heart. You pulled back from the hug for just a moment, stretching on your tiptoes to press the best “kiss” you could to her own mask, the two animal noses touching. You couldn’t help but giggle as you realized that wasn’t enough for her, and she pressed her own kiss to your lips.
Maybe you would stay here, tonight.
