The Haunting of Bly Manor One Shot

Sometimes you wished you had chosen differently. Maybe you should have wished to not have come to Bly Manor, to not be amongst the dead that haunted the halls, but you didn't regret that. It wasn't how you anticipated your job at the manor going, but you loved the family you worked for, and you were certainly grateful for those who you worked with. Your biggest regret involved him. Owen had been the chef for nearly as long as you had been the housekeeper for the Wingrave family, and you instantly hit it off. You liked each other and it was obvious to everyone that saw you but neither of you wanted to make the first move, scared to ruin your professional and platonic relationship. Now, you wished you had let the nerves and worry dissolve and allow you to be happy but maybe you would never get a chance.

Rumours of hauntings had been around long before you started working at the manor, but you had always been sceptical, even if there were things that had made you question it. Part of you never believed in the lady in the lake, no matter what you hear of it, but when you felt an uncontrollable force grab hold of you and drag you towards the lake, there was no denying it anymore. Your only saving grace was Owen had stayed late and happened to see the attack.

Everything happened in a blur of fear and panic as you attempted to kick and hit at your invisible assailant. You were too busy focusing on your own mortality to see how he stopped you from being pulled under the water of the lake, leaving you only aware when you finally felt him tug you back onto the bank, successfully removing you from the grasp.

You clutched onto the man in front of you, not caring that you were covered in dirty lake water and a sludge of mud that coated you both as your bodyweight forced him into the bank.

"Are you okay?" He asked, pushing your wet hair from your face.

You panted, trying to get your breath back to normal but adrenaline still pumped through you, forcing the uneven breathing pattern.

"You saved me," you croaked. "You saved my life."

You peered up at your saviour, part of you questioning if it was true or some weird dream, but when you saw his smeared glasses and panicked smile, you knew it was him. With a mixture of panic and confidence from being in the face of death, you realised there wasn't anything to fear between you and let your instincts take hold. You leant up, pressing your lips firmly to his, taking you both by surprise.

When you pulled away, you couldn't help the smile that took hold of your lips.

"Was that for saving you or because you actually wanted to?" He questioned.

"I've wanted to do that for so long but almost dying gave me the courage to actually do it."

His smile mirrored yours, dopey, slightly confused but joyous. "I've wanted to do that for a long time too."

You didn't take a second thought before you kissed him once again.

~*~

Written by Charlotte.