(A/N: Yep, another Epic story. XD What can I say? It's my favorite movie! I was inspired by StrawberryAngel143's "AndreBC", "ABeckC", "ABCat", and "HIJade" to write alphabet oneshots for Venus Woods, one of my two Epic OCs. Enjoy! I hope...)
A, for Abuse
Summary:When Venus is unable to shoo the memories of her abusive ex-boyfriend away, she has some bad nightmares.
-Start of Dream-
Venus tumbled to the floor after taking yet another hit. What did she do to deserve this horrible treatment? She let out a gasp when Scorpio's foot made harsh contact with her ribs, so she landed on her back. "Get up!" He commanded her. She struggled to push herself up, her arms shaking, but he got impatient, and kicked her again, sending her back down. "You'll do what I tell you when I tell you!"
"I..."
"Shut up, you little witch!" He slapped her in the face. "You disgust me!"
"The-then why...?"
"Why would I be into an ugly mushroom like you? It was all to get closer to your sister. But thanks to you, she refused to go out with me."
"It wasn't my...!" She tried to protest, but it was in vain.
"Shut up!" The last thing she saw was his foot flying to her face.
-End of Dream-
Venus snapped awake with a gasp. As she panted, she realized that she was in her bedroom. Oh wait, it wasn't hers; it was Finn's! "Venus, are you okay?" Speak of the devil. She looked up, and saw her handsome, loving boyfriend gazing down at her with concern in his beautiful, green eyes.
"Y-yeah, I'm fine," She began to recover, "I just had a bad dream."
"About your..." Finn hesitated, "Ex-boyfriend?"
She nodded. "Yeah. But... I'm fine."
"If you're really sure," Finn laid back down next to her, "But if you need me, I'm right here for you."
A shy smile grew on her face, as she blushed. "Thanks."
"My pleasure," He kissed her forehead, "Are you able to sleep right now? Because I can stay awake with you if you can't."
"No, I can," She assured him, snuggling in his chest, "But thanks."
"Anytime." He rubbed her back, "G'night, Ven."
"'Night, Finn." She then drifted off to sleep, her head more on him than on the pillow she was using.
Finn held her closer as she slept peacefully. After a couple days of learning what happened, he still couldn't believe that some guy had the nerve to hurt this sweet, adorable girl over something that was his own fault in the first place. He wished that Scorpio had survived the Boggan ambush at his love's childhood home, so he could hunt him down, and kill the man himself. Death by an ambush was not enough of a punishment for his abuse, in his opinion. He deserved worse than that.
He decided to worry about it tomorrow, and rest up for Leafmen training. He kissed her soft hair, cupped her head with one hand protectively, and drifted off to sleep.
l-l
The next day, the couple flew to the training grounds together. As she shot her archery target frequently, Venus had her usual happiness practically radiating from her tiny body, as if she never experienced any kind of trauma. That was one thing that Finn loved about her; she was such a joy to be around, no matter what. She always seemed to have her fears pushed aside all day.
At their lunch break, when he saw her sit next to her twin sister Mars, to whom she greeted casually, Finn had an idea. He sneaked up behind Venus, briefly noticing Mars' smirk thrown at him, and covered her eyes with both hands after bending down to her level. "Guess who?"
She giggled, with a blush on her cheeks. "I'm gonna go with my handsome, brave knight in green armor."
He sat next to her after moving his hands away. "Well, you're right," He chuckled, and pecked her lips, then turned to his future sister-in-law. "Hello Mars."
"Finn," She nodded casually, "How was your night?"
"Good," Venus replied. Finn was a little surprised at that, but then remembered: She was mentally fragile. Why would she talk about any traumatizing experiences, unless it was completely necessary? "So, you got any plans later today?" She asked the pale redhead. "With a certain guy, perhaps?" She grinned cheekily.
"Ven!" Mars giggled modestly. Recently, about a couple weeks earlier, she had finally gone on a date with Bomba Joyce after secretly crushing on him for over a year, and they had been a couple ever since. She had never felt this happy with any other guy, ever. Although she was still a little shy about the big change, and in general. "We're just going to hang out on our home tree perch later, after we're all dismissed for today. And I heard that Nod is taking MK to watch a bird race. Now, what about you two?"
"We're gonna be at our favorite spot in the forest," Venus replied.
"Ah," Mars nodded, "Well, I hope you lovebirds enjoy yourselves. But not too much! I don't want to be an aunt just yet," She teased them.
"Mars!" Venus' blush deepened. "We're not gonna do that!"
"Good," Her older twin snickered, "'Cause Finn, if you make the move too soon, I'll bludgeon you."
"Understood," He his his nervousness. Mars may be a shy girl who can't stand up for herself, but test her patience by messing with her loved ones, and you'll pay the price.
Finn watched as Venus ate her lunch in silence. She looked so innocent, scooping her cherries in her mouth with chopsticks, without a care in the world. Who could ever look at this girl, and have the idea of hurting her as their first thought? He couldn't comprehend it. After a minute, she noticed his gaze lingering on her, and felt a little self conscious. "What?" She smirked.
"Oh," He blinked a couple times, "N-nothing. Just thinking." She shrugged, and continued eating, as he smiled. Man, did he love her.
After everyone was dismissed, the couple flew to their favorite spot in the forest, which was where they had their first kiss all those years ago. "Hey, Venus?" She looked up at him. "I, I'm sorry about everything you went through with... you know who."
"Don't be sorry," She shook her head, "It's not your fault." She laid on his shoulder, and he held her closer. "And... it's all in the past. I'm just glad it's over, and that I'm with you now." She kissed his cheek.
"I am too," Finn laid his head on hers, as they admired the beautiful forest they called home. "You didn't deserve the abuse, Ven." They stayed quiet, as they enjoyed each other's company. No words were needed. The abuse may have still been traumatizing for Venus, but she always felt safe in Finn's strong, loving embrace. He was her protector, and vowed to remain just that for the rest of their lives.
l-l
That night, Venus changed into her pajamas, with Finn changing into his armor thermals. After she was in her green shorts and black tank top, she sat on his bed to wait for him. When she saw him facing away from her as he changed his pants, she smirked; an idea had just come. She leaned forward, grabbed his shirt, and swiped it away without him noticing, then put it on her own body. With him being much bigger than her, it fell off her shoulder, and covered her hands. She stifled giggles when he noticed that something was missing. "Venus, have you seen...?" He stopped and smirked when he saw her wearing his shirt, giggling into her hands. "Venus? Can I have that back, please?"
"Mmm, no," She teased him, "It's cozy," She hugged herself.
He sat next to her, and gave her the look. "Venus."
She stared at him for a second, then caved. "Fine." She pulled his shirt off over her head, and gave it back. "Party pooper," She teased with a giggle.
"Well, along with being second-in-command of the Leafmen, my occupation is pooping on parties," Finn smirked as he pulled his shirt over his head.
"You take after Ronin," She joked on the cuff.
Finn couldn't help but snort and laugh with her at that. "Y-yeah, I guess so." After a few seconds, they were able to calm down. "Okay um, why don't we get some sleep?"
"'Kay," She nodded, and laid on the bed with him, "G'night." She scooted into his embrace when he held his arms out in an offering.
"G'night, Ven," He kissed her forehead, then drifted off to sleep with her. He hoped that she wouldn't have anymore nightmares. But...
Venus started squirming, as a certain scenario built up in her subconscious.
-Start of Dream-
She was sent to the floor from a kick to her shoulder by... she didn't know. Maybe it was Scorpio again; she couldn't see his face, so it was a safe assumption. But little did she know... it was definitely not him. She finally looked up, and saw the last person she would ever expect to hurt her. The man she thought she knew: Finn! "Wha-wha...?" She squeaked in horror. "Why are you doing this?" She whimpered. "I thought you said you'd never hurt me, a-and that you love me."
"That was all a lie," He smiled evilly down at her, "Did you really think I loved you? Well, for all those years, you've been wrong. I never loved you. Only an idiot would think that."
"B-but..." Tears welled up in her eyes.
"I fooled everyone, especially you. No one's ever going to love you." He kicked her in the ribs, knocking the breath out of her for a moment. "You're just going to grow old, and die alone."
"But... wh-what changed?" She whimpered, as tears fell.
"I decided that I had enough of your annoying peppiness. You're a Leafwoman; you need to be more serious, and not so stupid and childish." He harshly smacked the back of her head with the palm of his hand, so her vision was blurred, and kicked the middle of her back. She tried to catch her breath as her head throbbed.
She just couldn't comprehend it; all these years, he'd been playing her for a fool? She felt her heart shatter into a million pieces, which was more painful than all her physical injuries put together. Her life was now meaningless. Without Finn, what was the point of going on? She laid limp, giving in as his fist headed for her face.
-End of Dream-
Venus shot awake with a sharp, harsh gasp as the gentle hold on her was released. As she panted, with tears welling up, she realized that she was in... oh no. "Venus? You okay?" Finn scooted closer in concern. "Another nightmare?"
She then did the last thing he expected her to do: Scramble away from him, with fear in her eyes. "Get away from me!" She cried out, her back now against the wall. "Get away!"
"Venus, what's the matter?" Finn was now completely and utterly confused. Why was she so scared of him all of a sudden? "I won't hurt you, sweetheart."
"Yes you will! Just like Scorpio did!"
"Of course I won't!" Finn reached forward to brush her hair from her face, but she tried to make herself smaller, and held her hands up in a pathetic attempt of defense as she whimpered shakily. He made a safe assumption that she dreamed of him abusing her, just as her ex did, and was clearly traumatized. More so than the night before. "Ven, I promise that I'm not going to hurt you. I love you; please believe me." He reached past her "shield", and brushed her cheek with his fingers, pushing her hair back as she froze at his gentle touch. "I love you so much, Venus. I would never, ever hurt you."
She shakily moved her hands down, as her fear started to diminish. Finn held his arms out in an offering, so she slowly crawled over, and relaxed in his arms as he hugged her tightly. "I... I'm sorry I reacted the way I did," She mumbled, her forehead laying just at his neck, with her hands on his shoulders, "It just felt so real."
Finn shook his head. "You have nothing to be sorry for, baby." He ran his hand down the back of her head over her soft hair in repeated motions, knowing it soothed her. "You couldn't have thought otherwise. Dreams can feel very real, no matter what they're about." He kissed the top of her head, his lips lingering for a moment and his small, orange beard mingling with her black and green locks, as she stayed quiet.
She sniffled a little bit, then leaned back. "Finn?"
"Hmm?" He smiled softly at her.
"I love you."
"I love you too," He rested his forehead against hers, and brushed away a tear that had fallen from her eye with his thumb. "Now, where's that smile I love so much?" She couldn't help but giggle, as a grin grew on her face. "There it is," He kissed her cheek after lowering his hand, and rubbed his nose on hers. "Why don't we get some sleep?"
"'Kay," She yawned with a cute little grunt, her large green eyes drooping with fatigue.
"And tell you what? You can wear my shirt tonight." Venus giggled some more, blushing as Finn pulled his shirt off over his head, then put it in her lap.
"Thanks." She slipped into his shirt, letting it fall off her shoulder, and let her hair flow down after shifting it out. He had to admit; she looked pretty adorable, not to mention tiny in it, as her hands were concealed. Her shorts were completely covered as well, but one of the straps on her tank was revealed. "Um, I'm not sure if I'll be able to sleep right away," She reluctantly confessed, her gaze shyly averted from his.
"That's fine," Finn laid on his back, so she made herself comfortable on his chest, "I'll stay awake with you." He rested his hands in her thick, hip-length hair.
"Thanks."
"Anytime."
She scooted up, and kissed his lips for a few seconds, with him happily reciprocating. "You're the best boyfriend ever," She smiled down at him after pulling away.
"Thanks Ven, and you're the best girlfriend ever," Finn kissed her forehead over her bangs, and she blushed timidly with a little "thanks", then laid back on his chest.
The couple stayed silent as Venus waited for sleepiness to take her over. She yawned again, and her eyes drooped when she felt Finn stroke her hair, and shivered a little when he ran his fingertips softly and soothingly along her back. She leaned her head up, and planted a quick little kiss on his chin, his beard tickling her nose, before she itched her nose with her knuckles, then was out like a light, her arms laying limp at their sides.
Finn let a smile of amusement grow, as he ran his hand up and down her back. As Venus slept soundly, letting out a little moan of fatigue, he brushed her bangs from her sweet, peaceful face. He really wanted to kill Scorpio, after realizing that he had traumatized her more than he thought. Who would have the gall to hurt Venus Woods? She wouldn't hurt a fly! Except boggans, but still. She didn't deserve any kind of pain, physical or otherwise, and he yearned to protect her from all of it, all the while knowing that it was a practically impossible task. He held her closer, and drifted off to sleep with the love of his life safe in his arms.
(A/N: Well, there's A! Poor Venus, huh? She, Mars, Scorpio belong to me, while Finn and all the familiar characters, who will soon appear, belong to Blue Sky Studios.)