Burn
Dennis x fem!reader
Word Count: 1.8k
Warnings: hand burn, descriptions of pain, i obviously dont condone murder or anything dennis gets into this is fiction and should be treated as such. Also, DID is a completely real illness and should be handled with care. I have a mild form and now how complex it can be. I try to be as accurate as I can to what the movie showcases
Author’s Note: ‘people get exhausted trying to figure me out. And i just let them’ - a tik tok sound and also me never being consistent and writing whatever my little heart desires
Summary: You’re a friend of practically everyone in the system and come over often. You haven’t seen Dennis in a while though which concerns you.
I don’t own these characters. They belong to author/director/creator
(not my gif)
Dennis hadn't been around a lot lately. You had been seeing a lot of Barry, which was fine. You liked that he kept the system mostly level headed, even when one or two slipped through without notice. You had gotten used to the ever changing life of Kevin Wendell Crumb and the completely different personalities that lived inside of him. You had met almost all of them, save for The Beast. He was purposefully kept from you. You didn’t mind much though. If Dennis was slightly intimidated by him, you didn’t need to meet him.
You came around almost everyday to see how everyone was doing. Today you were bringing some groceries to make dinner together. You were hoping to squeeze Hedwig out to help you cook; he always liked to stir the pot.
You knocked on the door lightly, the brown paper bag in your arms. Your face was mostly covered with vegetables. The door opened and you peaked around the corner, noting Barry’s signature hat with a smile.
“You’ve brought plenty of gifts!” he exclaimed, clapping his hands together. “And another horrendous outfit. What are we going to do with you?” He moved aside to the roll of your eyes.
“If you want to change my style you could go shopping with me.”
“I am about to take you up on that offer. What are those? Distressed jeans from the 90s?” You put the bag down on the table, ignoring him. There were spots surrounding the sink from lack of cleaning. You tried not to let the disappointment manifest in your face. It meant Dennis still hadn’t been fronting since you had been here last.
“We could always get you some new clothes as well.”
“When I get a job I will be sure to let you know dear. What goodies did you bring?” He peaked in the bag but you swatted his hand away gently. He feigned hurt.
“I was thinking about making some sort of tacos.”
“You always try to please Hedwig,” Barry noted, rolling his eyes.
“Mm Hedwig’s nice to me.”
“I am nice to you,” he protested. You nodded, putting your hand gently on his back in solidarity.
“I’m sure you try,” you said sarcastically. Barry pursed his lips, shaking his head. You grabbed a rag and cleaned up the spots near the sink before they could bug you anymore. The dirtiness had never really been a problem for you until you started to see Dennis clean everything. You liked to keep his area clean now. Like someone was doing it for him in his absence.
“You couldn’t have favored Ian?” Barry asked quietly, his tone of voice completely changed. You looked up at him, sensing the playfulness had left the atmosphere of the room. You gently put down the rag and cleared your throat.
“It’s a habit,” you muttered quietly.
“He hasn’t been around on purpose you know.”
“I know.”
You started to grab things out of the bag. Barry had his eyes on you. You had always been a close friend of mostly everyone. You hadn’t had a problem with anyone so to speak, just people you didn’t see as often. But you and Dennis had always been the closest. He wasn’t the first to warm up to you but he surely was the first you spoke to consistently.
“I would like to cook if that’s okay,” you said, trying to break up the moment. Barry nodded, shaking his head tastefully at you. You had your back turned when he walked around the back of you and onto your otherside. By the time he got there you could feel the demeanor change. You were no longer talking to Barry.
“This is far too much green,” Hedwig said, picking up some cabbage. You smiled pleasantly.
“I wanted to make tacos.”
“Why did you bring tomatoes and lettuce et cetera?”
“Cause you can put that in tacos. I wasn’t sure who I would be dining with,” you said evenly. “You can stir it.”
“Awesome.”
-
He settled into an easy movement with you that ensued a lot of general laughs. Hedwig always kept you on your toes. You always enjoyed being around him. He showed you his CD player and you showed him some new CDs you bought, which he loved. He was busy stirring when you noticed a small fire forming at a previously unlit burner.
“Hedwig watch your sleeve,” you said gently.
“I’m fine.”
“Hedwig.” You swatted his hand away and he tried to grab it back which caused you to move forward onto the burner. You screeched, burning your palm. You stumbled back, holding it, the neurons firing in worry. Hedwig was talking but you didn’t hear him because the pain was blinding. Water? Milk? Ice? Something cold. You needed something cold right now.
Hedwig grabbed your hand and opened the ice box, shoving it inside. You felt immediate release, though the pain doesn't subside completely. You breathed evenly after a moment of panic and was able to look back up at your friend.
Hedwig’s eyebrows were knitted and his lips had formed a thin line. You knew the look immediately.
“Dennis?” you asked, voice slightly loopy. He didn’t look at you.
“That was stupid,” he said evenly. “You know better than to hang around an open flame like that. Both of you do.” You could hear the tinge of anger in his voice. Your mind was still clearing, the tears that were pricking your eyes were subsiding.
“I’m sorry,” you whispered. He shook his head harshly.
“I’ll get it fixed immediately. It’s faulty.” You could practically hear the shiver down his spine. “It’s a mess.” He stood up, letting your hand go. You nodded, clearing your throat. You grabbed a couple ice cubes and held them in your hands.
“We were making tacos. I was gonna clean up as we went but Hedwig was very quick moving.”
“Always is.” Dennis grabbed a towel and tossed it to you. “Put the ice around that. I’m going to clean this and then find the first aid.” You nodded sheepishly. You felt stupid. You did know better than to do something like this and you had paid the price. Though a part of you felt better now that Dennis was here. He was plating the tacos that were practically made.
He buttoned up the shirt and grabbed his glasses, putting them on smoothly. You quietly opened cabinets in search of some help but he had already found it. He placed the first aid on the counter and continued to clean.
You waited patiently for a couple minutes, ignoring the pain as best you could. Finally he turned to you and took your hand. His touch was chaste and never as gentle as you thought it was going to be but you didn’t mind.
“I’m sorry,” you repeated. He shook his head.
“It’s alright,” he finally settled on. He wrapped your hand and put the first aid away silently. You held your hand to your chest, proof that he was actually here.
“Are you okay? I know you haven’t been out lately.”
“I’m fine.”
“I missed seeing you. I see everyone else fairly regularly, even Patricia. I tried to clean for you but she said it was a lost cause. No one does it as spotless as you,” you said in a vain attempt to get him to just look at you. He placed the last napkin filled with loose shredded cheese in the trash and cleaned his hands under water.
Finally he turned around, arms crossed.
“Are you still in pain?”
“A bit, yeah.” You looked down at your hand. He cleared his throat harshly and adjusted his glasses.
“I’m sorry to hear that.” He looked at the finished tacos listlessly. “Hedwig can come back. You can eat your food.” “One dish of tacos without Hedwig won’t hurt him. He’ll understand.” Dennis was having a hard time keeping eye contact with you.
“I don’t know if I can stay long,” he admitted. “I jumped in at a crisis, to help Kevin.” You nodded.
“Of course. Just one taco?” He pursed his lips.
“Just one.”
You nodded pleasantly and grabbed your plate, trying to be as neat as possible but still not managing to be as neat as him. You sat down across from each other and you used a fork, something you wouldn't have bothered to do with Hedwig.
“I’ve missed you,” you admitted quietly again. He was quiet for a moment, contemplating words over chewing. He swallowed.
“I suppose I’ve missed you as well.”
You felt a rush in your heart but you tried to contain it.
“You know, you could come out every once in a while. Just so we could see each other,” you suggested. “I’m sure I could make that work with Barry. You have an excellent reading voice.” His lips twitched into an almost smile.
“If you would like to talk to him, I won’t argue.” You nodded once. That wasn’t a no.
“Okay. Wonderful.” You looked down at your still throbbing hand. “Thank you by the way. For this. I don’t think Hedwig would have known what to do.”
“He didn’t.” He reached across the table for it. He examined the wrap job with his thumb, holding his hand in yours. You breathed out evenly and glanced at his face. His eyes were intently staring at your hands. You gently wrapped your fingers around his and he tried not to let it startle him.
“Is that okay?” you whispered.
“Quite.”
