gentle reminders
request: n/a pairing: c!niki x reader genre: fluff word count: 883 warnings: self-deprecation pronouns: gender-neutral summary: you are talking shit about yourself while alone in your’s and niki’s bakery, and while you’re speaking out loud niki returns and hears you.
i used flowers and stars as things the character likes!! as i do see anyone can like that stuff(even if it is a stereotypical girl like), if you dont i do apologize but it was what i thought of at the time!! <3
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you leaned back in the chair behind the counter of the bakery. it was quiet outside, other than the water from the end of the river flowing by, creating some form of noise. the silence seemed loud, which should’ve been impossible by any measure, yet it seemed so real to you.
normally someone would’ve visited by now, wilbur, puffy, or tommy even. as much as the kid was loud at least he held a conversation with you. not even niki was nearby, out gathering materials for the bakery and home she had explained before leaving, hugging you while you stood in the kitchen.
but now that she was gone, leaving you to watch over the bakery, you were alone with your thoughts. for some people in this server this would be fine, but you had never vocalized your thoughts before. the doubts you had, the insecurities, or how you stared at your reflection for too long and critiqued yourself.
even at the thought of everything you could list about yourself that you hated made your eyes sting with tears. your eyes shimmered slightly, glossy from the forming tears. you were alone, surely it would be fine if you said it outloud, no one would hear, maybe it would be therapeutic. you’d heard tommy say things about himself out loud, though that was usually positive reinforcement to his growing ego.
your eyes remained on the ceiling, head back so the tears couldn’t fall, barely formed to begin with. “I’m so stupid,” you muttered, voice soft, memories of every embarrassing moment coming back like a tsunami, “blind, dense, fragile, sensitive.” the only thing you could think to do was keep going. as you spoke you leaned back up, head down and hands clasping behind your head, elbows propped up against the counter. “i don’t see what others see in me-” your voice cracked, hiccuping slightly as a few stray tears hit the counter, “maybe they see a facade, a lie. am i lying to them that i’m a good person? is it fake-”
suddenly you were forced to look up, a soft yelp of surprise leaving you when that happened. your previously clasped hands falling to the table while you looked upward. niki had silently come into the bakery, intending to surprise you with your favorite flowers before she had heard your self-deprecating rant. she had decided to step in almost as soon as she heard you, and had grabbed your chin and forced you to look at her.
just from looking at her, or the situation being obvious, you knew she had heard you. maybe it was the new fire-y look in her eyes or how she was frowning at you. though her frowning only reinforced your opinion that you were putting up a front.
before anything could be said she let go, walking around the counter and quickly bringing you into a hug. you were still in a small state of shock when she did so, subconsciously leaning your head into her shoulder for comfort. your body was still tense, even when niki began to speak. “everything you just said about yourself isn’t true. you are so kind to everybody, generous, and you are so strong against everything that has happened. you have been through everything with us, and have stood up for me countless times. been my voice when i can’t speak.” niki’s voice cracked slightly at the end, her grip around you tightening.
“please, you are so much better than you think you are.” she finished, leaning back to look you in the eyes. tears stained her shoulders, from you obviously, and when you finally looked her in the eyes you could see just how glossy they had become.
suddenly you broke out into a sob, pulling her back for a hug and weeping into her shoulder. she could only return the hug, rubbing comfortingly at your back. “i’m so tired, niki.” you murmured, your sobbing turning into sniffling after a few minutes.
“i know love.” niki hummed, leaning back from the hug again. “you’re tired of yourself and what we’ve been through,” she hit the head on the nail with that comment, “but you are so perfect to me.” as she spoke she leaned forward, pressing a gentle kiss between your brows. “i could go on about everything i love about you, from how you glow when you talk about the stars or flowers you love, or how you get this cute little grin when you’re in a conversation you enjoy.”
her words soothed you more than she knew, “a gentle reminder, everyone here appreciates you, you’re not lying to any of us.” niki had seen you at your worst before, so you knew she wasn’t lying. your heart swelled, able to hear the gentle bumping in your own ears. slowly you leaned back into a hug, sniffling quietly. “thank you niki.” you murmured, tightening your hold on her.
“of course, i’d do anything for you.” niki hummed in return. silence set between you both, comfortable silence. both of you were content with the silence, finding comfort in how the other was becoming your pillar. eventually you grew tired, crying was a draining hobby after all. finally, you fell asleep in her arms, comfortable and happy, feeling better than before.
