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Otto had never seen you so upset.
You’d received some terrible news from home lately— something you’d rather not get into, and you didn’t— and that was all he knew. It was devastating to you, and you’d hardly left your bed in weeks. He didn’t push the issue, only offering kind words and gestures that would elicit a feeble smile from you occasionally.
Depression had overtaken your whole being. You hardly ate, slept most of the time, and neglected your personal hygiene. The worst part of it, for him, was hearing your poorly-stifled sobs in the dead of night when you couldn’t sleep. Each night, it broke his heart all over again. He wasn’t sure what to do. Depression was not uncommon for you— you’d been diagnosed with it since you’d started high school. You had your off days, of course, and he knew how to help (for the most part, that is, having experienced a deep depression, himself.)
However, he’d never seen you so… lifeless. You’d lost all interest in your hobbies, neglecting work, and barely spoke.
He felt selfish for thinking it, but he missed you . Your laughter and jokes, your smile, just the sight of it would cause him to beam. Your voice and your drive… He didn’t know what to do.
Otto felt helpless. He could only sit back and watch as you became a shell of yourself. He would always support you and help you, of course, but it was painful to see you so hollow.
You had helped Otto throughout the worst points in his life. After losing everything he held dear in a single day, he never thought he’d find his sun again. Then he’d met you. Your bright, unapologetic smile and kindness towards him left him feeling unworthy. You’d never once rejected him in any form, accepting and embracing him since the moment you’d met.
“Why do you show me such kindness,” he questioned, the concept having weighed on his mind. “I wouldn't doubt there's a plethora of souls who deserve it more than myself.”
You hummed for a moment, but flashed him that smile that always left him feeling warm and flustered.
“Because,” you began, chuckling, “I care about you, Otto. I wouldn’t be here if I didn’t.”
Otto shook his head, heaving a grave sigh.
“Taking care of me… it’s rotten work, you know.”
He still remembered your response, having treasured it more than anything.
“It’s not rotten to me— not if it’s you.”
Not once, since the accident had anyone shown him an ounce of kindness. Yet, there you were, staying in his zero-sum game just because you cared. The city painted him as cruel and merciless; yet, there you were, in spite of it all, treating him as nothing less than human. No one had done that in a long time.
And he wept in your arms.
He recalled the memory fondly. Otto wanted to provide you with all the kindness and understanding you had given him.
He knocked gently on your shared bedroom door, and upon hearing no response, peaked his head in.
The sight broke his heart once again.
You were quiet, back facing the door and gaze unfocused. The curtains, while not fully drawn, were only barely closed. A small stream of light peaked through the cracks, illuminating the dark room. Your hair was tangled and slick, a note of your slacking hygiene. While Otto helped clean up various things that you couldn’t bring yourself to, such as dirty clothing or various dishes and trash, the room was still in disarray, despite his best efforts.
“Love?” He called, eliciting no response. He frowns, sitting on the edge of the bed, facing your back.
You didn’t respond, only slightly jumping when he placed a hand on your shoulder.
“My dear, can you answer a question for me?”
Your ears perk up, turning slightly to meet Otto’s gaze.
He paused for a moment, wanting to phrase his question carefully.
“What do you think would make you feel better? Even for a moment, I’d like to do what I can,” he poses the idea, gently rubbing your shoulder.
You think for a moment and sit up. He smiles, seeming overjoyed to be able to help you.
Your eyes were reddened, the bags under them weighing heavily on Otto’s mind. Rubbing your eyes, he places his hand upon your shoulder, running his thumb over the area.
“I… I think I’d like to… clean up.” Your voice is hoarse and shaking, the first thing you’d said in days. The notion made him want to cry.
“Of course, my dear,” he responds, kissing your knuckles.
“Would you be opposed to helping me? I-I know it’s silly, but I’m not sure I could… ah…” You fidget with the sheets, feeling embarrassed and silly. He’d surely turn the offer down, you think.
Much to your surprise, he nods, bringing your fidgeting hand to kiss.
“Of course. What sort of partner would I be if I didn’t,” he asked, chuckling slightly.
The kindness he showed you made your lip quiver, you attempted to hold in a sob. This failed, however, and the tears you’d held in fell from your eyes, causing Otto to cup your cheek and thumb them away.
“I-I’m so-orry,” you sob, your breath hitching. He carefully wraps his arms around you, holding you close as you cling to him.
“Oh, sweetheart, you have nothing to apologize for,” he coos, stroking your hair, “It’s quite alright.”
You bury your face into his shoulder, wetting the fabric with your heavy sobs. He continues to soothe you, not minding that he’d need to change later.
Several minutes pass, and your sobs quiet to sniffles. He looks down at your face, asking, “Do you feel better?”
You nod.
“I’m sorry,” you start, avoiding his gaze, “I've been acting like a child, clinging to you and neglecting myself,” you take in a breath to continue, but he cuts you off.
“Nonsense,” he soothes, picking you up and leading you to the bathroom. “You’re doing the best you can and I don’t mind whatsoever.”
You gently grip his shirt, and he places you carefully on the edge of the tub, grabbing a hairbrush to untangle the knots in your hair. He hums a soft melody, distracting you from the occasional sharp pull. Each time you winced, he’d apologize softly, making you love him more.
Once your hair was untangled, he drew your bath, stepping out to allow you to undress out of courtesy, despite having seen you nude many times. You tossed the clothes into the hamper, Unbeknownst to you, he’d dressed the bath with salts and oils. It made you want to cry, but you held in your tears, not wanting to concern Otto any further.
Having sunk into the water, you sigh, perking up when you hear a knock at the door.
“Y/N, dear? May I come in?”
“Yes, come in,” you call, leaning your head against the rim of the linoleum.
He opens the door, averting his gaze, causing you to giggle.
“Otto, you’ve seen me naked countless times. There’s no need to do that,” flushed slightly.
“Regardless, I thought it’d be the courteous thing to do,” he responds, placing the clothes he’d picked out on the counter, alongside a towel. He turns to leave, pausing, causing you to quirk your eyebrow.
“Is something on your mind?”
“No, no, it’s nothing,” he responds, obviously fibbing. Despite being a genius, he was a horrible liar.
You sigh, chuckling, drying your hand to tug on his slacks.
“You’re a horrible liar, Otto. What is it?”
“I didn’t want to seem overbearing, that's all, but…” He trailed off, embarrassed, sparking your curiosity.
“But…?”
“This may seem a tad unusual, but can I wash your hair? It’s not strange to ask, is it? I know you’ve mentioned how much you like it, but I didn’t want to seem as though I was infantilizing you,” he explains, flustered, causing you to chuckle.
You reach a hand up to him, and he kneels. Your hand cups his cheek, thumbing it over. Otto’s large hand engulfs yours.
“I know that is not, and has never been your intention, so no need to panic. I’m surprised you remember that, considering I don’t think I've mentioned it all too much.”
He smiles warmly, placing a quick kiss on your forehead. You lean in, however, beginning to kiss him, but pulling away. He looks to you quizzically, feigning hurt.
“Ah, sorry. I just don’t think you’d want to kiss me before I brush my teeth, that’s it…”
He shakes his head and sighs, kissing you regardless. It’s a gentle kiss, showing you so much warmth and consideration. He tastes like coffee and cigars, something you’d grown to love. It reminded you of him.
“I don’t mind, Y/N. Now,” he starts, turning you around. You hear shuffling, before your head is engulfed in warmth. He’s careful to avoid your eyes, humming a soft tune that soothes you as you melt into his touch.
He’s methodical about it, gently scrubbing and massaging your scalp, cleaning it well. As he rinsed your hair, he was careful once more, leaving you feeling clean. The process repeated for the conditioner, and he left you to clean yourself. Though, he prepared the towels to engulf you.
Standing from the bath, you drained the water and stepped onto the bathmat. Otto smiled, quickly wrapping you in the towel and his arms, picking you up and smothering your face in kisses. You shriek in surprise, erupting into a wet mess of giggles.
He dips you and swings you around effortlessly, eventually placing you back on the floor. Otto gently rubs your hair to a damp state, leaving for a moment to allow you to dress yourself.
He’d left your favorite sweater, (which happened to be his, but he didn’t mind,) and a pair of sweatpants for maximum comfortability. You breathed in the sweater, the soft fabric comforting you and the smell of cigars, vanilla, and musk engulfing your senses. Tugging it on, the sweatpants follow, and you leave the towels in the hamper once again. You brush your teeth, apply deodorant, and open the door.
Exiting the bathroom, you look around, only to find Otto on the sofa. He looks up for a moment and, upon seeing you, smiles, patting the seat beside him. You comply, happily plopping down beside him. His glasses are on the tip of his nose, the book he held gently placed on the coffee table.
“You look so sophisticated— whenever you wear your glasses like that, I mean,” you state, only receiving a playful scoff.
“I look elderly, you mean,” he teased, causing you to roll your eyes.
“Take it how you will,” you shrug, smiling at him all the while.
A moment of stillness passes, and he rubs your biceps, and you melt into him.
“How do you feel now?” His question surprised you for a moment as you shifted, burying yourself into him.
“I’m a lot better. Thank you for taking care of me, Otto. I know it must’ve been… frustrating, I suppose, having to take over my responsibilities around our apartment and cleaning up after me. I’m sorry— for everything,” you feel yourself beginning to shake, having to fight off your tears.
Otto, perceptive as ever, consoles you and kisses your cheeks. “Nonsense, my love, nonsense. Y/N, I love you. I understand you have your days, and I won’t pry on what sparked this. I’ll be there for you, no matter the circumstance.”
You sniff, feeling your emotional volatility beginning to lessen. A beat of silence passed.
He kisses your head, knowing that nothing more needed to be said to convey what the two of you felt.
No matter how you felt, you knew you’d always have Otto in your corner— rotten or not.