warning(s): hints of abuse (nothing too in depth)
the reader uses she/they pronouns
this part happens directly after part 1
"What offer?" They asked in unison, making you grin.
"I'll tell you once Cass is calm and we can all be in the same room again."
Once Daniela and Bela had their fill of blood and made sure you were okay, you headed through the castle, walking around aimlessly and occasionally calling out for Cassandra. When you didn't get a response — and knowing she wasn't in her room nor the cellars — you tried to make your way to the atelier, only managing to get lost.
"Dammit," You grumbled while leaning against a wall. "How am I supposed to find Cass now?"
A quiet sniffle was heard through the wall behind you and you immediately pushed off of it, flinging the door next to you open. When your eyes landed on a mass under a blanket, you quietly entered the room and shut the door behind you, making your way to the bed.
"Cass?" You called out softly, watching the mass tense up.
You'd be lying if you said your heart didn't shatter there, a timid hand being placed on the lump. A mess of black hair poked out before her pale skin and gold eyes peeked out from the blanket, a stray tear falling from her right eye. You removed your shoes before getting in bed with her, pulling her against your body.
"Cass, I'm not afraid of you all. Nor am I disgusted. I know what you three are now and that means I can tend to your needs better." You stated, smiling when she nuzzled into your neck.
"I didn't want you to go after we told you that..." She murmured, clinging to your outfit desperately. "I wanted you to stay here, to live with us. Your family is horrible to you, why do you keep going back?"
Tears rolled down her cheeks again, soaking into your shirt as a choked sob left her. Your fingers combed through her hair as you held her against you, a sad smile tugging on the corners of your lips. She knew the most of what happened at home, usually being able to greet you before her sisters since she was almost always at her mother's side. On the rare occasions you'd actually show up with bruises or cuts, she'd be the one to tend to them immediately, letting you ramble about what happened.
"Well, once you're settled down, we can call your sisters in here. I have something to tell you three."
She tensed slightly, slowly pulling back from your body to look at you. You simply wiped away her tears, pressing a soft and sweet kiss to her lips — one of which she returned immediately. The kiss stayed that way until you had to pull away for air, resting your forehead against hers.
"Thank you for always being there for me," You hummed with a smile, pecking her lips. "I guess now it's my turn to be here for you."
"Forever?" She asked softly, her eyes holding many emotions that were becoming hard to read.
All you did was smile wider, confusion flashing in her eyes. You always answered her questions, even if it wasn't something she expected or wanted to hear.
"Ready to call your sisters in here?" You asked happily, slowly pulling away from her to sit up.
She frowned before calling for her sisters, sitting up and glaring at her lap in the process. You knew why she was doing it, but you wanted them all to be in here when you tell the story and answer Cassandra. The moment the two joined you both and the door shut, you moved back on the bed and gave them room to sit down, all eyes on you now.
"I have a story to tell you," You began, clearing your throat to continue. "This takes place on the same night you told me what you were. After dinner that night, when the three of you left to go clean up and get ready for bed, your mother escorted me to the door. She had asked me a question that I needed to ponder for a while before giving her my answer. The answer I gave her didn't make her happy, but she understood why I gave it to her."
The girls seemed to be confused and that made you giggle, ignoring their pouts so you could continue the story.
"The question she had asked me was this; 'Will you stay here, with us — with my daughters — forever?'. My original answer was that I couldn't, that my family would come here and demand I return with them. I didn't want them to get villagers involved and spill innocent blood, especially over me. So, I had to decline her offer — which hurt me a lot to do. I wanted nothing more than to agree and to stay here with you all, but I didn't want to risk anything. When I got home that night, I mulled over her question. She had told me that if I ever changed my mind, I'd be free to stay here, I'd just have to inform her."
The three nodded slowly, signaling that they were listening. Their expressions were hard to read for once, making you a bit nervous to continue but you did anyway — they deserved to know.
"That night, my father started drinking again. I was reminded of why I stayed outside, of why I went against his word and kept selling flowers to your mother. I remembered why I ended up in your lives and what it was like before I met all of you, before I fell in love and was finally treated like I was something special. Ever since that night, I regretted my answer. I couldn't wait to get back here and answer her question truthfully."
The three shared a look before moving closer to you, Daniela wiping away a stray tear. You didn't even realize you had been crying until she did that, shocking you slightly. The door opened and lady Dimitrescu ducked into the room, a smile on her face as she stared down at the four of you.
"So, to properly answer her question... Yes, I will gladly stay here." You stated, locking eyes with her.
Your gaze then traveled to Cassandra as you took her hand, pressing a gentle kiss to her cheek. "And to answer your question from earlier... Yes, forever, my love."