Garrett / Reader - Part 6
You walked further in to the cottage and looked around curiously, somewhat shyly because you were secretly worried that you would break something but at the same time rendered speechless by the warmness and welcoming-ness of the place. It had been ages since the last time you had been somewhere so nice; the cottage was quite small but still spacious, there was an open kitchen with a dining table, a living room, a bathroom, a bedroom with a large, very comfortable-looking bed and beautiful curtains made of thick fabric and designed to keep the sunlight out. In the living room there was a big sofa in front of the fireplace, a thick, soft rug that would surely feel like heaven under bare feet, a bookshelf filled with books and a coffee table right next to the sofa. There were also long, heavy curtains made of luxurious fabric but they were now pulled aside giving you a view into the snowstorm.
- So this is the cottage. you spoke after the tour was over and you had returned to the entrance hall. Garrett helped the jacket off your shoulders and put it on a hanger and then took off his coat as well.
- Yes. Do you like it? he asked nervously. He had visited the cottage only a couple of times during past twenty five days because he had wanted to be there, right beside you, when you woke up. However early this morning Carlisle had told him to get some rest because it had been apparent that Garrett was getting exhausted and needed some rest.
- Yeah, it looks... you said, paused and added "...Cozy." You still felt quite out of place since the cottage belonged to people that you didn't even know and it was so much nicer than had dared to imagine. Besides you had mixed feelings about whether you actually deserved to live anywhere that nice or not, most likely not.
- We have electricity and running water, fireplace, a fully equipped kitchen and a modern bathroom as well. Garrett listed although you had already seen the kitchen, the bathroom as well as the fireplace yourself. He sounded quite excited, like he had been waiting for this day for years.
- And your friend calls this a cottage. you commented with a chuckle. The expression on Garrett's face changed from excited to slightly puzzled. "Seems to me more like a real..." you explained and then paused for a moment. "...Home" you added eventually with a shy smile. However your courage crumbled immediately when Garrett smiled back at you and as an involuntary reaction you turned to stare at the fireplace instead of the tall man standing next to you.
- I was kind of hoping you would think so. Garrett admitted with a relieved tone. He had gone through an emotional rollercoaster; every day he had wondered if this was the day you would wake up, always getting his high hopes crushed and now that you had, he was nervous if the life that he was offering you was to your liking. "Although at the moment we have no electricity, hence the candles" he commented as casually as possible. You chuckled a little and turned to look at him.
- Ah, so you weren't aiming at the romantic atmosphere. you spoke with a slightly flirtatious tone. The atmosphere was indeed very relaxing and just right to nurture fluffy feelings and expectations.
- Well, I admit that the blackout happened quite conveniently. Garrett stated, quite surprised that you had made a comment like that, although he didn't mind at all. "Perfect timing" he added and winked his eye at you.
- Almost too perfect. you commented and scanned the room for light switches. Could it be that Garrett was fooling you? Was this just part of some scheme? If so, then what was he trying to accomplish?
- You're thinking about flipping the switch, aren't you? Garrett laughed. "Don't you trust me?" he asked playfully. You walked to a light switch and put your finger on it while staring into Garrett's eyes intensely. Neither of you said anything for a moment but then you removed your hand from the switch and spoke with a equally playful tone
- Okay, I trust you.
- Come, you must be hungry. Garrett said, took your hand and led you into the dining area.
- Did you cook? you asked and leaned to the kitchen counter while he cut bread into slices and filled a carafe with cold water.
- For your luck, no. Garrett replied while going through the kitchen cupboards. "Salt and pepper" he mumbled to himself when he finally located the spices. "Aha!" he exclaimed and lifted two small spice mills to the kitchen counter. "Carlisle's wife dropped by early this morning" he said, paused for a moment and continued. "She had prepared the soup just in case you would finally wake up" he spoke with a warm, soft tone and then added "I only reheated it."
- Or you could have just said yes and take all the credit. you commented while drumming the wooden surface with your fingertips.
- Perhaps but then one day you would have asked me to cook something and the truth would have come out. Garrett stated and then added proudly "I am saving you from future disappointments."
- Very noble of you. you commented.
- Yes, always so noble. Garrett stated with a playfully serious tone.
- Like a proper British lord. you teased him.
- A British lord? Garrett scoffed. "Fucking Brits" he mumbled, took a plate out from the cupboard and turned to look at you while speaking "You know, I hated the first British invasion-"
- And you still haven't gotten over it. you stated, chuckled and added "I can see that!"
Garrett started to laugh and his laughter made you feel less shy and less nervous. It was strange to realize just how comfortable you were, that you actually started to feel like home and for the first time in ages you had no escape plan ready at hand and it didn't bother you. Usually you always had a list of backup plans just in case something went wrong but now... now you just enjoyed the moment and allowed yourself to relax. You were letting your guard down and ready as well as most willing to abandon the constant state of alertness.
- Please, sit down. Garrett said and helped you with the chair. When you had sat down, he swiftly walked to the fireplace and reached to grab a pot with a pair of oven mittens.
- Oh, you're reheating it on the fireplace. you commented and turned to look at what he was doing. "Fancy" you added and then gasped a little because your ribs had not yet fully healed and therefore twisting yourself like that was not a good idea.
- Yeah, well, like I said, the power is down. Garrett stated and continued "We're taking a trip to the time when I was young." He placed the pot on a trivet, took the lid off and got big serving spoon from the drawer. He stirred the soup with it and then filled a plate. "Here, I hope you like soup" he said when he placed the plate in front of you. He sat down opposite from you but then immediately got up because he remembered that you still needed a spoon and a glass.
- I do, soup is very nice during cold wintertime. you admitted and stirred the soup with the spoon that Garrett had handed to you. You breathed in the steam and enjoyed the soothing effect it had on your sore throat. You had not talked in days and now that you were suddenly talking quite a lot, your vocal chords were getting tired and sore.
- Yes, yes it is. Garrett admitted and followed you carefully; you were clearly interested in dissecting the soup, what was in it and finally, after waiting a little for the soup to cool down a bit, you tasted it.
- Aren't you going to eat? you asked suddenly. It was somewhat awkward to eat alone while Garrett was just curiously staring at you, making you feel like you were some kind of showpiece.
- I don't really have to eat. Garrett replied and poured some water into your glass.
- Could you eat? you asked and then continued "Or will your digestive system get all messed up?"
- No. I can eat normal food but I just usually choose not to. Garrett responded casually, leaned back in his chair and cleared his throat.
- Then take a plate and join me. It is not fun to eat alone. you stated and gestured him to do as you asked. "Well, go on" you chuckled and finally Garrett reluctantly got up, walked to the cupboard and took himself a plate, spoon and a glass. Then he returned to the table, sat down and filled the plate with the soup, only halfway though.
- Very well. he mumbled and asked with a smirk "Happy?"
- Ecstatic. you commented and continued eating.
You finished the plate quite fast and took some more because you were still hungry. You took some bread, dipped it in the soup and shared a lively conversation with Garrett who also seemed to enjoy the soup very much. You did not talk about anything of great importance, just flirted subtly and joked a little even about dark subjects which made you both laugh with tears in your eyes almost as if you had been tipsy. When you had finished the second plate, Garrett filled your glass with water and collected the plates away, put them in to the sink and returned to sit by the table. You rested your hand on the table and stared at the candle flame with a calm smile on your face. Garrett placed his hand on yours and brushed the back of your hand with his thumb. His hand was cold but you didn't mind because the moment, the atmosphere and the setting was making you feel uncommonly warm.
It was easy to talk with Garrett; he listened to you patiently, commented and asked questions which gave an impression that he really enjoyed your company. You asked him about his life and listened to his soft, dreamy voice with a fascinated expression on your face. Sometimes you were just silent and stared into each other's eyes without saying a word but the silence didn't feel awkward at all which was very surprising and also a relief. You had been pretty nervous about the idea of sharing a cottage with a stranger with whom you might not have anything in common and you wouldn't find any interesting topics to talk about but here you were, sitting in silence and just enjoying the moment.
- This is nice, isn't it. Garrett said after a long silent moment.
- Yes, major upgrade to the bunker. you commented with a smirk.
- True. Garrett said and then continued with a shy tone "But what I meant was... that without you this place would be just a... place." You shifted your gaze elsewhere for a moment because you felt like a teenager who was talking with her biggest crush. "A house" Garrett said and squeezed your hand gently to gain your attention again. You shifted your eyes back to him and smiled "However with you this house feels like..." he spoke and finally, after a small pause, sighed "...A home."
- Come on, anything with a fireplace and candlelight feels like home. you stated playfully. "Surely you do not need me to create the homey vibe" you spoke and rolled your eyes. You were not used to being flattered and it was a great flattery if someone said that you made them feel like home since you had always felt like an outsides, an outcast and a weirdo.
- The truth is, I have been drifting from one place to another for so long that I forgot what this feels like. Garrett spoke with a deep, soft tone and then added "To sit by a kitchen table and eat soup while having a conversation." You took the glass, emptied it and put it back to the table. The moment was so intense but in a good way that it made you strangely nervous and excited. "I like it. A lot" he stated.
- It is nice. you admitted and to escape the intensity you joked "It would be nicer if the man of the house had prepared the soup by himself but-"
- Hey! Garrett exclaimed, leaned back in his chair and let go your hand. When he did, you gasped as a reaction and scolded yourself silently for turning it into a joke. "When I was young, men did not cook!" he stated and then added "We had wives and maids for that."
- Ouch! you chuckled and leaned back in your chair. "I already forgot that you were literally born in the 1700's" you commented and then added "So old. Basically ancient." You smirked at Garrett and burst into laughter.
- Oh, you're pushing my buttons, woman. Garrett commented and started to laugh as well.
Garrett got up and walked to the large windows. He stared out for a moment and then closed the curtains because the strong stormy winds were constantly trying to find their way through the sealant and steal away the warmth generated by the fireplace. You moved to sit on the sofa and followed Garrett with keen eyes while he pulled the curtains and added few logs into the fire. Then he sat down on the sofa, keeping a safe distance to you. You shifted yourself to sit kind of sideways on the sofa so you were both comfortable and also capable of having eye contact with Garrett during silence and conversations.
- Are you in pain? Do you need a painkiller? Garrett asked with a tone that was gentle, subtly worried and... quite loving actually. "Carlisle told me to keep an eye on you and to make sure that you'll rest" he spoke while reading your expression and trying to figure out what you were thinking as well as feeling.
- I'm fine. Nothing hurts. I'm full, warm and comfortable. you listed and then added "I feel fairly safe."
- Just fairly? he asked, not really sure how he was supposed to take it; it meant that you felt safe with him but then again you did not feel completely safe, that was what "fairly" meant. On the other hand Garrett understood why you did not feel completely safe, he was a tall, strong man, a vampire on top of everything, but then again, he had never given you any reason to be afraid for your safety, which was very noble and abnormal in his opinion, considering that he was a vampire.
- Well, very safe, if I take the circumstances into consideration. you corrected yourself because you could feel the mood shift a little; Garrett had gotten slightly offended about your "fairly" and you felt guilty for upsetting him after everything he had done for you.
- Do you fear that I will pose a threat? Garrett asked, trying to sound as casual as possible.
- I think if you wanted to hurt me, you would have done it already. you reasoned with a thoughtful tone. "So in that sense I don't fear you" you summed in as friendly way as you possibly could. You had not wanted to ruin the mood because to be honest, you had enjoyed the flirting very much.
- But you do fear me. Garrett said with the emphasis on "do". He shifted himself to sit partially opposite from you and rested his arm on the back of the sofa.
- Not currently. you commented and just as you were about to apologize for speaking aloud without thinking about your words better, Garrett commented
- Fair enough.
- I mean... you said and sighed. "You have been nothing but kind and considerate towards me" you spoke and smiled as you reached to place your hand on Garrett's as a sign of truce. "As long as you don't see me as your next meal, we're good" you said and squeezed his hand.
- I wouldn't even dream of it. he stated instantly with a sincere tone. You smiled and let your fingertips trace the details of his hand, sometimes getting tangled with his fingers, almost like your fingers had been dancing with his and then returning to brush the cold, but surprisingly soft skin of the back of his hand.
- So how are you? you asked with soft, warm and considerate tone.
- Me? Garrett asked, clearly surprised for your question.
- Yeah, you Garrett. you spoke and then continued slightly hesitantly. "I am not the only one who..." you said and paused before adding "...Got badly injured."
- True. However my injuries have already healed. Garrett said and moved a little closer. He grabbed your hand gently and pressed it against the velvety fabric of the sofa. He draw circles on the palm of your hand while maintaining intense eye contact with you and then slid his fingertips along your bare arm higher until he reached the sleeve of your shirt.
- Completely? you asked, entirely mesmerized from the gorgeous, slightly melancholic gaze of the tall, charming man.
- Yep. he commented and slid his fingers slowly back to your palm.
- So fast? you asked. Suddenly he grabbed your wrist very tightly, and pulled you little closer, although he was constantly careful not to cause any discomfort.
- This might come as a shock, but yes. he said and released your wrist. He moved to massage your shoulder instead now that you were close enough for him to reach it properly. "You just have to believe me" he spoke with a charismatic and mysterious smile on his face. His eyes twinkled in the light of the fireplace, luring you closer like you had been a moth and he had been a flame.
- Oh, you are not going to throw away your shirt and convince me like you did at the apartment. you joked with a openly flirtatious smile and played with a lock of hair without even realizing it.
- Would you like me to throw away my shirt? Garrett asked, his voice deep and sultry like melted chocolate.
- No, but I demand to see proof. you stated in the most confident way possible but the truth was that you were being swept away by the dashingly, although somewhat ruggedly handsome man. He sharpened his gaze, tilted his head and said with a knowing smirk on his face " So you do want me to-" with the emphasis on "do".
- No. you gasped and then added nervously "I was only kidding." You could feel the butterflies flying around in your stomach, making you feel slightly nauseous and dizzy but also fluffy and unreal. You however wanted to stay on top of the situation and therefore your nervousness turned into an uncontrolled blabber. "You know the gym-dudes who like to throw away their shirts and show their perfectly formed chests" you spoke a bit too fast, forgetting to breathe and causing your thoughts get all tangled in your head.
- Is that a thing? Garrett asked and got a little bit closer.
- Yes, and they're like, oh it is Monday, let me take my shirt off. Oh, I am having a protein shake for lunch, let's take the shirt off. And-and then they're posing in front of the mirror all day, admiring their muscles and... you said and inhaled deeply when your body demanded for some air. "...Stuff" you added.
- Well, that's it. I cannot be one of those dudes. Garrett said and chuckled. "I do not have a reflection" he stated and then continued playfully "However if you want to make sure that my perfectly formed chest is alright-"
- No. you said instantly and cut him off.
- You're blushing. Garrett stated, his eyes still fixed on yours, although they sometimes shifted to map your full, rosy lips. You had noticed it and it made you bite your lip occasionally to which Garrett reacted by tilting his head and letting a soft "Oh" escape his lips.
- I'm not! you yelped and backed away when Garrett got a bit closer.
Garrett slid his hand from your shoulder behind your back and stopped your escape instantly. He raised himself a little, put some sofa pillows behind you and then lowered you to a semi-laying-semi-sitting -position, keeping himself above you, hovering close but not close enough to actually touch you. He was aware that your ribs were still healing so he couldn't put his weight on you, but he enjoyed feeling your warmth radiating from your body and surrounding him, drawing him in like you had been a flame and he had been just a helpless moth, flying around in the cold night.
- Yes you are and I can hear your heart beating faster. he stated mysteriously, shifting his gaze from your lips to your eyes again.
- You're bluffing. you whimpered, getting too excited and mesmerized to even breathe.
- No. he said and placed his hand on your neck softly as you lay comfortably against the pillows. "I can feel your heart beating fast" he spoke confidently. "Your breathing got shallower and your pupils have dilated" he described and pressed your hand against the pillow, right above your head and locked it there with a firm and possessive, yet gentle grip.
- Well, obviously my eyes are letting in more light because this room is rather dimly lit. you spoke, trying to outsmart him with wittiness and quirky comments. However you couldn't stop yourself from sinking deeper and deeper into the dark eyes of the handsome man and this moment, as it got prolonged and filled you with anticipation, turned into sweet torture as you just wanted him to lean close and capture your lips into a passionate kiss.
- Or perhaps, you're just attracted to me. Garrett stated mysteriously, staying so close that his hair almost touched your face as it hung freely, framing his handsome features. "I bet this raging storm outside and warm glow of the fireplace inside is getting you on the right mood-" he said softly.
- Mood for what? you gasped, not daring to move at all so you wouldn't break this perfect moment.
- On mood for some romance. he whispered and continued with a somewhat smug tone. "I think if I lean closer right now and kiss you, you will not push me away" he said victoriously.
- Are you some kind of mind reader? you mumbled and shifted your gaze from his eyes to his lips. He had such inviting lips and you couldn't help but stare at them when he spoke; the tiny smirk, the attractive curve of his upper lip and his lower lip that looked so kissable...
- Perhaps, or maybe you're just easy to read. he spoke, clearly in control of the situation and enjoying it. "Playing with your hair, keeping your eyes fixed on mine, tilting your head so invitingly" he listed all those things that you had been doing involuntarily. "Blushing..." he added and you felt your cheeks turning deep red. "Oh, there it is" he whispered.
- Why don't you kiss me and find out. you whispered and shifted your eyes from his lips to his eyes.
- Perhaps I should kiss your neck. Garrett said and buried his face in the crook of your neck. You felt his lips brushing the sensitive skin so softly that you couldn't be sure whether you were only imagining it or not. It tickled but it also felt heavenly, his lips felt just perfect. "Feel your heartbeat with my lips, taste your skin..." he whispered and explored the spot right below your ear slowly, not really kissing you, just brushing and sometimes pressing incredibly soft kisses on your skin. "...So warm, soft and alive..." he spoke with a sultry, deep voice into your ear, nibbled your earlobe twice and returned to hover on your neck as he whispered "...Just a small bite, it won't hurt-"
- Wait, what? you said and forced yourself out from the state that resembled light hypnosis. Garrett leaned back with a puzzled look on his face and stared at you with wide eyes. "Garrett, your eyes are different..." you said and then gasped "...They're black!"
You freed yourself from Garrett's grip and pushed him away, for your surprise as well as luck he did not stop you or resist you at all, not even a little. You walked immediately behind the sofa to gain some physical distance between you and the tall man and monitored Garrett's every move. He stared back at you, not really understanding what was happening and then stood up as well. "Stay there" you gasped when he moved. Garrett raised his hands as a sign that he was not going to do anything and turned to look at you once more.
- It is not safe for me to be around you now. you spoke with a tone that made it clear that you were shocked.
- Now? Garrett asked with a deeply puzzled tone. He had no idea what was happening and he was almost just as shocked as you were; just a brief moment ago you had been so close, so happy to have him there, basically begging him to kiss you and then suddenly... this.
- When you're thirsty. you stated and shifted your gaze away from him for a moment.
- Shit. Garrett sighed and put his hands into the pockets of his jeans.
You stared at each other silently for many minutes as you tried to figure out where were you standing now. You tried to decide whether you were in danger or not and Garrett tried to understand what had just happened. He had not meant to bite you but the truth was that during these past twenty five days he had been so concentrated on your well-being that he had not remembered to feed and because he had been so focused on you he had not noticed that he had gotten thirsty, so thirsty in fact that it was becoming too much to handle. You waited and waited however nothing happened; Garrett didn't jump over the sofa-barrier and attack you but his eyes did not change back into their normal ruby-state.
- I should go to sleep. you mumbled and rubbed your arms because you felt suddenly quite cold. "How many bedrooms there are?" you asked, trying to avoid sounding scared or upset but you shifted your gaze away from Garrett as an involuntary reaction.
- Just one. Garrett replied after a somewhat long silence. He sounded devastated and apologetic and therefore it was clear to you that he had not deliberately done anything and that he was just as confused due to the events as you were.
- I'll sleep on the sofa then. you mumbled after processing the information and nodding.
- No. Garrett stated firmly. "The doctor ordered you into bed rest" he spoke assertively and after a pause he continued "Besides there is a lock on the bedroom door." You shifted your gaze back to the tall man, speechless. "You can lock it if you it makes you feel safer" he spoke and nodded as a sign that there wasn't going to be anymore negotiations about it.
- Okay. you sighed and walked to the bedroom doorway.
- The sheets... Garrett said suddenly just as you were entering the bedroom. You stopped instantly and he continued "I slept on them. You might want to change-"
- It's okay. No need. you replied, feeling a bit guilty for ruining the wonderful night. However you had no intention or interest towards being turned into a vampire and therefore it was for the best if this was the end for tonight.
- I'll just... Garrett mumbled, walked to the entrance hall and put his shoes on. "...Go out for a walk" he added and put on his coat.
- To get something to eat? you asked cautiously.
- Yes. he replied.
- Something or someone? you asked although you didn't really want to hear an answer to that question.
- Don't you worry about that. Garrett said and turned to look at you. You encouraged your mind, walked a bit closer and took a quick glance at the storm from a window that had a view to the front terrace.
- Will you be okay? you asked, your voice communicating that you were deeply worried despite the fact that Garrett had wanted to bite you just a moment ago. "It is a terrible storm" you stated with a barely audible tone. You took another look at the surrounding forest and felt the shivers traveling along your spine just because the ice and snow were flying around and you were able to imagine how it would feel to stand in the middle of the storm, which was exactly where Garrett was heading.
- Yeah, don't worry. he replied. You rubbed your arms again and just as he was going to open the door and step out from the cottage, you said with a voice that carried an undertone of desperation.
- I'll sit by this window until you'll come back.
- Why? Garrett asked, not quite sure why you would do so. He felt terrible for what had happened and therefore he was surprised that you even cared.
- I'll keep watch. you sighed and smiled a little although your smile was just a shadow of a smile that Garrett had seen earlier during this very evening. You had a radiant, truly engaging smile and it had captured Garrett's mind and heart this evening. He had seen a glimpse of a person that you would have been if you had not met him when you had been a little girl. It made him feel even guiltier.
- You should get some rest. he stated and then added "You have been on your feet too long already."
- I'll just sit here. you replied, got a blanket that was hanging neatly from the arm of the sofa and wrapped it around you. Then you added few logs into the fire, walked to the window and sat up on the table in front of it.
- Why? Garrett asked with even more baffled tone.
- Because... you gasped and then continued "I'll have your back and you'll have mine, right?" as your gaze stayed glued to the hostile view.
- Right. he mumbled.
- I'll... I'll... you stammered, took a deep breath and then continued "...Keep this cottage alight so you'll find your way back. I'll shout your name into the wind-"
- I'll hear your heartbeat. he admitted without daring to look at you. "It's so loud..." he sighed, shifted his gaze to you and spoke assertively "You're right, it is not safe for you to be around me right now."
- You're coming back, right? you said, however Garrett didn't answer anything. He looked hesitant and there was an aura of deep sorrow surrounding him. "You must come back. I... can't do this on my own. I wouldn't even know where to start" you stated with a somewhat fragile and deeply desperate tone, but you still did not get an answer. "Garrett?" you asked, feeling a state of panic spreading from the dark corners of your mind and attacking you with full force. Garrett opened the door and freezing cold wind pushed into the cottage, blowing off all the candles and leaving you into the darkness. "Garrett" you gasped without a sound. Was he going to come back or was he just going to leave?