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Your trip to the mines was unsuccessful, to say the least. With the knocker breathing down your back and him standing by watching you kill mobs yourself despite him being able to help. Well, needless to say, you were annoyed, not just a little annoyed either, the kind that made you want to rip someone's head off.
Sometimes if you went to the mines alone, with him lurking around, of course. You'd bring him back a gift, placing it in the chest you made just for him. It was always expected, but this time, after you got home, you didn't even so much as glance at his chest and ignored him entirely.
Walking past the chest to place the 3 pieces of iron and 20 pieces of coal you were still grateful enough to find. Knocker watches through your window. You didn't need to look back to remember that he was the reason the hairs on the back of your neck stood up. It was always because of him. The only difference is he’s made his presence painfully aware.
The same goes for your relationship.
After his odd attempts to court you succeeded, you’ve been seeing a lot more of him. He was a part of your routine, your daily life. Despite your relationship, you weren't hesitant to swing your sword in his direction if he got a bit too playful.
Today was one of those days. Stripping off your armor that desperately needed to be repaired, then placing it onto the armor stand, a frustrated sigh escapes you.
Then the knocking at the door happened.
You didn't need to say anything for him to let himself in. He claimed your house as his own the moment he knew it was yours.
“Hello, Sunshine.” The knocker purred, closing the door behind him as if he couldn't feel the waves of annoyance emanating from you.
He comes closer, trying to wrap himself around your middle, searching for heat his body lacks. But you shrug him off, staying quiet to avoid saying something you’ll regret.
Knocker lets out a scoff, a little hurt you didn't reciprocate his affection, but you were known for being a bit feisty even after developing a bond with him. He took this as a challenge.
“Sunshine, come here.” His tone was firm, but you ignored him. As you move about your house, placing things where they need to be—iron in the smelter, cobblestone in chests—his eyes never leave your body. He notices the way you maneuver around him as if he weren't there, just a pillar getting in the way of your tasks.
“Let me help.”
He places a hand on yours. Slowly you turn your face to him. He could see the fury that was brewing in your eyes. The knocker wasn't afraid of anything, but seeing his beloved so angry—no, furious… Scared him just a tiny bit, even more so when you started to reach for your sword.
“Help?” Your voice starts off small, as if you were trying to find the proper words to put together so they wouldn’t flow out without thought.
“You want to help?” Too bad the words already started flowing out of you before you were able to stop it, your mouth moving faster than your brain, anger clouding your thoughts.
“You almost made me DIE trying to find iron. You watched me fighting for my life, pushing myself to exhaustion, yet now you’re talking about HELPING ME?!”
Your body reacted on its own, your sword coming down, tearing a hole in his jacket. Knocker stumbled back, his hand holding onto the wound you’ve given him. It wasn't the first time you'd clashed weapons. He just didn't expect you to actually land a real blow on him after so long. Sure, he's put you in predicaments that made you respawn. However, this was different.
This wasn't just a playful spar.
“You were doing just fine on your own. Besides, I did help.” Knocker retorts, his voice unwavering. You didn't want a discussion about whether he actually helped or not. You just wanted him gone.
“When I needed you, you sat there lollygagging in your own world. You know what…” You place the tip of your blade to his chest, forcing him to move backwards in an attempt to avoid being pierced, one of his worst fears now being realized.
His back now against the door, with your other hand you open the door then kick him in the stomach, making him stumble onto the ground in the dead of night.
“Leave me the fuck alone, knocker. You've pissed me off for the last time. I never want to see you or feel your stupid presence again. You’re no longer welcome in MY house.”
The nail in the coffin was you slamming the door in his face. The knocker lies there, confused at where he messed up. Wasn't that the dynamic of your relationship? Annoying each other? The stalking? The playful banter and spars? There's no way he messed up that badly he didn't even notice.
Were you really pissed at him? Well, the gash in his arm says otherwise. If you were lying, your eyes would’ve shown signs of betrayal, and in a matter of seconds you would’ve tended to his wounds, giving him some snide remarks along the way.
This was different.
Similar to when you two first met.
All that adrenaline, fear, and paranoia that eventually became something more that he clung onto desperately were so easily shattered in a matter of hours.
Still.
He knows his presence will be missed. He's seen the way you become when you leave your beloved dogs for days, how you spoil them, smother them with kisses and extra treats… He wondered if you’d feel the same about him.
Will you look around trying to find his face somewhere staring back at you in the distance? Will you turn around, ready to push him away if you think you feel him breathing down your neck? Will you shift in bed, trying to find his body to move him closer to you?
He's already missing you deeply.
Inside your house, you remain by the door. Part of you wants Knocker to return, but once you hear his footsteps growing distant, your shoulders slump. Out of habit, you look towards your windows, fully expecting him to stare back at you. There is no sign of him anywhere.
You told him to leave, and for once he actually listened…
You climb into your side of the bed. You were so used to him dipping his side of the bed that sleeping alone felt wrong. You wanted to be alone, and now you were.
Not a wink of sleep was had.
A few days go by, still no sign of Knocker anywhere, his presence unfelt, and the extra chest that became his remained untouched. Just like how things were before you met him.
You had your pets, the villagers, yet still felt lonely. In the village, you busy yourself with trading. As you're talking to the trader, you can feel eyes watching you in the distance. You glance past the trader, a part of you hoping to see The Knocker smiling at you in the distance.
The feeling vanished as quickly as it came. Your mind was playing tricks on you.
The sun was beginning to set. You decided to stay in the village for the night. You were too far from home and would be fighting your way to your door.
You begin to prepare yourself for bed in the spare little house the villagers allowed you to use. Until there was a knock on the door that made you perk up.
“Knocker?”
You rushed to the door faster than you liked, ready to be greeted by the annoying entity. But alas, it wasn't him. The iron golem stands infront of the door. He was too tall to see his face from where you stood. He gives you a poppy flower, carefully petting your head, then stomping away.
You hold the poppy flower in your hand. Somehow it reminded you of Knocker, how he used to watch as you decorated your small garden.
He thought it was trivial, making a small space look pretty when you’d barely visit it anyway. Every time you went back to your little garden, you noticed there were a few more flowers than when you left it.
No, no, you didn't miss him.
And now, with that thought still fresh in your mind, it made you irritable. Gently you place the poppy flower onto the bed and suit up. You needed to let off some steam, get your mind off of him.
The mines near the village were perfect for that.
He seemed to be better off anyway. He didn't care to stalk you. Maybe he's moved on already…
Something within you didn't like that thought.
You were in the mines for hours. Your trip was successful, even finding diamonds. You were content with your finds. You returned to the surface just as the sun was rising. Its golden rays are blinding you.
“I should head home now…” You yawn into your hand. Quickly you rush to the spare house, grab your belongings, say your goodbyes, and begin the long journey home. If you were lucky, you’d be there by sunset.
You thought of investing in a horse before. That would be so much easier.
On your walk home, you notice how peaceful it was—no creepers, no spiders, no zombies or skeletons hiding in the shade waiting to catch you unguarded. The forest was beautiful when you weren't in constant danger.
“Weird.” You muttered once you realized there wasn't any danger at all. It really was just you in the forest.
You took your time getting home, soaking in the scenery in a way you couldn't before. Slowing down cost you the whole day. Before you knew it, the moon was rising and you were still miles away from home.
Much to your dismay, you begin to hear the gurgling of zombies and rattling of skeletons heading your way.
The full moon was high and bright, yet it didn't illuminate the forest you were trapped in. Not only were you lost, but you also couldn't see where they were coming from. You swing your sword at sounds in the darkness, but they still manage to grab onto you, scratch you, and bite you. An arrow whizzed by your ear. You were lucky enough to be out of range for that, but you couldn't fight them all, and your body was beginning to fail you. You were pushing your body to the limits again.
“Knocker, help!”
The words escaped your lips. The pain became unbearable. You knew if you died, you’d just respawn in bed but risk losing everything.
“Knocker.” You use the last of your breath to call for him again. Your body stiffens and then goes limp.
There was a smell of freshly baked bread and something burnt in the air that made you stir under the covers. Your body aches awake. You didn't remember making it home, yet here you were, asleep in your bed, fireplace crackling, and in a fresh set of comfortable clothes. There was a sharp pain on your neck. Touching the tender area, you could feel something cloth-like. It was poorly wrapped.
“Bandages?”
You whispered.
Something wasn't right.
Pulling yourself out of bed, you wince in pain. The outside world was still dark. You could’ve slept the night away until you fully recovered, but your stubbornness forced you out of bed.
You poke your head out of the room, inspecting the main area of the house just to be safe.
Crouched near the furnace poking its fire with a stick was none other than the said 'something that didn't feel right,' The Knocker.
He was busy in his own world making something. Clearing your throat, he shoots up. For a second he hesitates. Unsure if you were still mad at him.
You felt a little guilty when you saw the hole in his jacket you so kindly left him. Your eyes fall onto your ground. You were remorseful, which made him feel secure in his decision to walk towards you.
You didn't want to look at him, but he loves when you do, even if there's tension. He brings a finger to your chin and moves your gaze to him. You couldn't help but give him a weak smile as you became flustered.
“I’m sorry.” “I made you soup.”
You both spoke at the same time.
Rolling your shoulders, you both stand there awkwardly unsure of what to even say in the moment. He turns to head back to the furnace, but you use what little strength you have to pull him back. Slowly you wrap yourself around him and nuzzle into his chest. He smelled like the forest, fresh pine and dirt.
“I’m sorry, Knocker. I shouldn’t have lashed out like that.” You say it again. Knocker strokes your head gently. He wishes he could pull you closer into his chest until you become one, keeping you safe where you belong, with him.
“I cleared out most of the horde that day. There was a spawner nearby, and I tried to protect you while you were busy. I thought you had the rest under control.”
“W-what?” You look at him, confused.
Knocker presses your cheek to his chest again, his fingers messing with your hair, getting lost in your strands. There was a faint grumble in his chest.
“The day in the mines, I wasn't sitting around. I was helping from the source, which failed miserably.” He sighs. Part of him felt stupid. He almost failed to protect you, but seeing you like this, so docile for him, so clingy. It drove him insane.
“I was always nearby, just not as close. I made sure your trip home was safe. That's how I was able to find you so quickly. Good thing I did.” He lifts your chin up to meet his gaze again, his cold lips gently falling onto yours.
“I’ll always find you no matter how much you try to push me away. You belong to me.” "Humans just say they're sorry, you know." You roll your eyes, playfully hitting his shoulder before pushing him away. You forgot how sore your body was. Your arms felt like they were about to fall off.
“Shit still hurts though.”
He says, pointing to the tear in his jacket, You caught a glimpse at the poorly bandaged wound in his arm. He wasn't so great at taking care of himself, yet still wanted to take care of you.
“Yeah, that was a bit much... I’m sorry. Sometimes you annoy the shit out of me though!”
Knocker hums, ignoring the rest of what you said.
“You have a nasty scratch on your neck. I took care of it. I made you mushroom stew.” He says, grinning. He was proud that he was able to cook for you for once.
“Where did you learn to cook?”
He went quiet for a minute before confessing.
“Village.”
“So… that day with the trader…”
“Me.”
You tried to stifle your laugh. It was honestly ridiculous how you still managed to cross paths unintentionally.
“So you mean to tell me you were at the village to learn how to cook for me? Not to stalk me?”
You laughed, and Knocker rolled his eyes, a faint blush on his pale face. He was easy to tease.
“Two things can be true at once.”
Your banter continues to the small table near the window. Knocker serves you the stew. You didn't expect it to be so flavorful in the best way possible. He watches you like a puppy, waiting to see your reaction to his dish.
“This is… decent.”
In other words, it was good, but his ego was already through the roof.
“I’ll make it for you whenever you want.” He places a soft kiss at your temple. You hum, leaning into him.
“What about the bread you made earlier?” you asked, making Knocker freeze, clearing his throat.
“I… think I should let you handle the bread making.”
“But it smelled good earlier. What do you mean?”
He was silent and just smiled at you like a man who knew he fucked up.
"There were... attempts." He admits.
“You didn't use up all my wheat, though, right?”
He looks to the side, then back at you. Still smiling.
“Knocker, you didn’t use up all my wheat, right?” You asked again firmly. Knocker puts a cold hand to your cheek, rubbing circles on your warm skin.
“Don't worry your pretty head, darling. You just rest up while your boyfriend spoils you.” He adored reminding you who he was to you. Not just the entity who lurks in this world, in your home, in your bed. No, he was your boyfriend. The same boyfriend who terrorizes innocent souls who so much as breathe in your direction.
“I’m not letting you leave my sight until you recover.”
“Don't change the subject, you idiot.”
“You wound me, literally.”
You couldn't be too mad. He was trying, still learning how to communicate with humans, something he's long forgotten. But he so desperately wanted to be what you needed. You honestly didn't care much about the wheat, you wanted to pull his leg.
He was going to spoil you and keep you all to himself for as long as possible. You were his warmth after all, the very reason he's driven himself mad with infatuation. He refuses to have his beloved leave him ever again.