Readers' ability is percieved as more harm than good in other peoples' eyes.

ajax petropolus x mental manipulation!female reader D:

…

The leaves underneath you crunched loudly with every step you took, the midnight air giving you comfort. You always had a thing for quiet areas, or just peace in general. You never really liked loud-crowds, or anything that was too rowdy, considering it really wasn't your scene.

"How long have we been broken up? I know that gorgons are kind of slow, but I guess I just didn't believe it." I stopped in my tracks, 'Why is that voice so familiar..?'

As if on cue, Bruno walked ahead, never bothering to look back. Enid stayed behind, silently standing underneath Ajax's gaze.

"You're right, Ajax. I should have told you when school ended that my feelings had changed."

"Was it something that I did-?"

"No.. Just, over the summer, I realized I wasn't that insecure girl who thought she'd never fit in."

"But I like that girl."

"I know," she nodded her head. "And she wolfed out. And found herself." You flinched at her words, unlocking a new facial expression you never even knew you had. 'So corny.. but points to her finally figuring out who she was.'

"..You never gave me a heads-up."

Oh, now you recognized that voice. Ajax Petropolus. He was your friends' (Pugsley) RA for Caliban hall. You had helped the boy with his things silently as he talked about his sister, Wedneday. How she saved the school, how she actually semi-enjoyed Nevermore, and how her first-kiss was actually the monster who almost killed everyone. You never really realized up until now that he actually looks up to her more than anyone else.

You stood silently behind a tree, listening in on Ajax and Enid's conversation. Bruno was seen walking ahead in a hurry, not wanting to interrupt anything between them.

"Finally, he's come to the realization I'm the better fit. I can't stand Gorgons." Your face scrunched up in disgust at Brunos' thoughts, your eyes finding its way back towards the two.

To be completely honest, you didn't really like Enid. On the first day of school, she learned about.. your ability. Of course she would gossip on her blog, stating the fact you used your powers for your own benefit, rather than using it for good. Comments under her blog stated that you'd use your abilities to get into Nevermore, to make people like you, or to even just to get attention. None of that was true. You were silent, quick-witted, and a person who kept to yourself. You never had a thing for large crowds, or even had the time for friends. Studying is all you cared about, and you didn't really mind it when people thought of you less as human.

"I wish I could have just talked about it before you..moved on without me." The gorgon looked to the side, disappointed from the girl in front of her. He couldn't help but feel betrayal coming from the person he had pondered about all summer.

"I'm really sorry,"

You mentally scoffed in your head.

"I just didn't expect things with Bruno to heat up so fast."

He looked down at his feet for a few moments, before making eye contact once again with her. "You remember that day in Uriah's Heap?"

Ah yes, the day where you had walked in on the two kissing inside an antique store. It was gross, really. You were genuinely curious about the small vintage figurines, and the history behind every little thing. But walking in on the two kissing, and Enid stammering out of her ass? It was a horrible sight to look at.

"I guess squirrels and rats can't workout after all."

You lowkey kind of cringed at that line, but nevertheless waited until the coast was clear. You heard Ajax walking ahead of Enid, before hearing her footsteps walk past you. "I'm so sorry Ajax, I really am." Rolling your eyes at her thoughts, you silently find yourself walking in the direction of the gorgon. You caught sight of him, leaning against a tree, and hearing the thoughts raising through his mind.

'Why didn't she tell me?'

'Why did she have to avoid me?'

'Out of all people, why choose Bruno? There's nothing special about that guy. What does he have that I don't?'

'I definitely did something wrong.'

"You didn't do anything wrong." You emerged from the shadows, appearing behind the tree he was leaning on. Ajax jumped in surprise. "Holy fuck, Wednes-? Oh, it's you. That weird girl." You gave him an emotionless expression.

"I'm leaving."

"Nonono, I'm sorry. I just didn't expect you to appear out of nowhere.. please stay." He practically begged with his last sentence, hoping, no, praying that you'd keep him company. Having nothing better to do, you sat down on the leaves below him, patting the empty pile next to you.

"Don't make any snarky remarks about me and I'll stay."

"Deal."

…

Ajax had completely opened up to you about his relationship with Enid. From the beginning of last year, to his first kiss in Uriah's Heap, to the Rave'n dance, to when he comforted her after she wolfed out, all the way up until now, where he basically just got broken up with. By cheating. You comforted him, by lending him an ear. You weren't saying anything. You just listened, nodding your head at his frustrations, and you could feel his emotions. You could feel your heart aching just the way his was, too. When he had finished, you contemplated what to say. You didn't exactly know what the right words were (considering this was your first time comforting someone) so you opted for the most logical route.

You opened your mouth, closing it and opening it, thinking of what to say. You basically looked like a fish out of water, until it hit you. "..Sometimes you can't control others feelings towards you."

"But you can."

You looked at him with an emotionless gaze. "That's not my point, Ajax. Forget about my abilities for a second. What people feel for you, is real. They're real. They're genuine. However, those feelings? It can change. And yes, it'll suck to find out that their perspective of you just isn't the same anymore. And that's okay."

"You can feel hurt by it, or even hatred, but eventually, you're going to have to move on. Forgive and forgetting. I'm sure you know what that concept is." He nodded his head at your words, letting it sink in. He truly loved Enid. Loved her when she didn't fit in, loved her bright personality, her style choice, and even loved her when she wolfed out. He was there. There for it all. But Enid didn't let him love the new side of her. She didn't give him a chance. And that's what hurt him the most, that he didn't get the chance to meet the new her.

"Just don't dwell on her for too long. I know it's easier said than done, but you know what I mean." You stood up now, wiping the leaves that were stuck on you off. He quickly stood up as well, copying your gesture. He looked up, opening his mouth to say something, "Thank you-"

But you were already gone.

…

After that day in the woods, he never stopped bothering you. He'd always follow you around campus, sat with you during lunch, and even sat at the table you'd usually sit in in the library.

He felt like some leech you couldn't get rid of.

But you didn't despise his company.

Ajax never failed to strike a conversation with you. Although you were dry, he enjoyed the snarky-remarks or sarcasm you responded with. It made him feel at ease knowing that you enjoyed his presence.

He had caught you walking out of the Greenhouse, a place that was forgotten after Thornhill's disappearance. You, having a liking for plants, kept the small insects/herbs alive.

"Hey, you."

You stopped walking, "Are you following me."

He rolled his eyes at you, "Hey, what happened to the girl I met in the woods? Can I have her back? Y'know, the talkative, comforting one?"

"That was a one time thing."

"But I miss that girl."

"Drop it, Gorgon."

"Pfft, never." He loved teasing you, seeing your eyes twitch in genuine annoyance made him feel so happy, for some reason. You stared at him once more, before walking past him, adjusting the straps on your bookbag to fit around your shoulder more comfortably. "Here, let me get that-"

He had grabbed it, strapping it around one shoulder, not caring about the weight inside of it. "You do know that there are 2 pound textbooks in there, right?"

"And you do know that Gorgons, have like, superhuman strength right?"

That shut you up.

…