hi peachy! i literally have no idea what i’m doing as this is my first request ever (yay!) but here goes. spooky season is my absolute favorite time of the year and you know i adore vern. so with that being said i’d love to request the haunted house dare with my beloved vern from your fall prompts. please take full reign and make it as fluffy as you want. okay love you bye! 💗
A/N: here you go lovely! I know its months late! But better late then never! Plus eveyday is spooky season! Hehe 🐈⬛🖤
Prompt: Haunted House Dare
Contains: Haunted house setting, Mild spooky elements (jumpscares, actors, dark rooms), Fluff, comfort, protective Vern, Reader gets scared, Vern is soft about it, Hand holding, cuddling, reassurance No real horror — just fun spooky vibes
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The line for the haunted house wrapped halfway around the block.
Orange lights flickered overhead, fake fog curled around people’s ankles, and somewhere inside the building, someone screamed loud enough to make half the crowd laugh nervously. It was everything she loved about fall—chaotic, spooky, a little thrilling.
Vern, however, looked like he was reconsidering every life choice that led him here.
“This was your idea,” he muttered, arms crossed as he eyed the entrance like it might actually swallow him whole.
She grinned, rocking on her heels. “You said you weren’t scared.”
“I’m not scared,” Vern shot back immediately. “I just don’t see the appeal of paying money to get chased by people in masks.”
“Uh-huh,” she teased. “Then prove it.”
He stared at her for a long moment, jaw tightening—then sighed through his nose, already giving in because it was her.
“Fine,” he muttered. “But if I get murdered in there, I’m haunting you.”
“You’d be a very cute ghost,” she smiled. His ears turned pink. “Don’t call me cute before I face death.”
By the time they reached the front of the line, Vern’s posture had shifted—less annoyed, more… alert. His gaze flicked to every shadow, every sudden movement, like his instincts had kicked in whether he wanted them to or not.
The door creaked open. “After you,” he said, gesturing for her to go in first. She hesitated. “Wait—what? I thought you weren’t scared?”
“I’m not,” he said. “I’m being strategic.”
“If something jumps out, it gets you first.”
She gasped. “VERN.” He cracked a small smile. “Relax. I’ll be right behind you.”
The moment they stepped inside, everything went dark—too dark. The kind of dark that swallowed sound and made every corner feel like it was watching you.
A loud BANG echoed from somewhere ahead. She flinched instantly, grabbing onto Vern’s arm.
He froze for half a second—then gently shifted, letting her hold onto him properly instead of just his sleeve. His hand hovered awkwardly before settling over hers.
“Hey,” he murmured. “It’s fake. Just people in costumes.”
“I know,” she whispered. “I just—don’t like not seeing things.”
“Then stay close,” he said softly. So she did.
They walked slowly, turning corners that led to narrow hallways, flickering lights, and actors that lunged out just enough to make her jump. Every time she startled, Vern’s grip tightened just a little—subtle, protective, grounding.
At one point, something dropped from the ceiling right in front of them. She yelped and buried her face into his shoulder without thinking.
Vern went rigid—then immediately relaxed, one arm wrapping around her without hesitation.
“Hey, hey,” he murmured, voice low and steady. “You’re okay. I got you.”
She stayed there for a second longer than she needed to. He didn’t move her away.
Instead, his hand rubbed gently up and down her back, slow and reassuring, like he forgot they were even in a haunted house.
“You’re not laughing,” she mumbled into his shirt.
“Why would I laugh?” he asked softly.
“Because I’m freaking out.”
Vern huffed quietly. “You’re not freaking out. You’re just… jumpy.”
She pulled back slightly to look at him. “That’s the same thing.”
“Not really.” His thumb brushed over her knuckles. “And even if it was… I’d still stay.”
Her chest warmed. The rest of the haunted house felt different after that.
She still jumped—but now she had his hand in hers the entire time, fingers laced tight. And Vern stayed just a half-step closer than necessary, eyes always scanning, always aware.
When they finally stepped out into the cool night air, she let out a breathless laugh.
Vern blinked at her like she’d lost her mind. “You and I have very different definitions of fun.” She nudged him. “You didn’t hate it.”
He hesitated… then shrugged. “Didn’t say that.” She smiled, squeezing his hand. “You were really sweet in there.”
Vern looked away, ears going pink again. “I was making sure you didn’t trip.”
“You literally held me the entire time.”
“Yeah, well—” he rubbed the back of his neck. “You were scared.”
“And you took care of me.”
He glanced at her, something soft flickering in his eyes. “…Course I did,” he said quietly. “That’s kinda my thing.”
Her smile softened, and before she could overthink it, she leaned up and pressed a quick kiss to his cheek.
Vern froze. Then, slowly, a small, shy smile tugged at his lips.“…You wanna do it again?” he asked. She lit up. “Really?”
He shrugged, trying to play it cool.
“Only if you need someone to protect you.”
She laughed, already pulling him back toward the line.
And this time, Vern didn’t complain at all.
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