Confessions of an absolute train wreck with a crush

by NDN98

Summary:

Richter paced back and forth outside the training courtyard, muttering to himself as he worked up the nerve to approach Annette. He had fought countless monsters, stared down the minions of hell itself, and yet none of that compared to the sheer terror of talking to her. She had a way of disarming him without even trying.

 

“I just need to compliment her,” he told himself. “It’s simple. People do it all the time. Just say something nice and—oh, who am I kidding? I’ll mess it up. Again.”

 

OR

Richter boyfailure attempts to flirt with Annette. Maria has a ball. Annette is fondly confused

Notes:

So this story won the poll on my Twitter, have fun!

Richter paced back and forth outside the training courtyard, muttering to himself as he worked up the nerve to approach Annette. He had fought countless monsters, stared down the minions of hell itself, and yet none of that compared to the sheer terror of talking to her. She had a way of disarming him without even trying.

 

“I just need to compliment her,” he told himself. “It’s simple. People do it all the time. Just say something nice and—oh, who am I kidding? I’ll mess it up. Again.” He ran a hand through his hair and groaned. “Why is this so hard?”

 

Through the archway, he could see her practicing with her sword, the fluidity of her movements captivating him. She moved like water, her strikes deliberate and sharp, her concentration unbreakable. The sunlight caught in her hair, the golden glow giving her an almost ethereal look. She was a warrior, a force of nature, and Richter felt like an awkward boy standing in her presence.

 

Richter’s pacing in the courtyard had not gone unnoticed. Perched on the edge of the wall, legs dangling and a sly grin on her face, Maria watched him mutter to himself and run a hand through his hair for what had to be the fiftieth time. She leaned forward, resting her chin in her hands, entirely too entertained by his obvious distress.

 

“Are you planning to storm Dracula’s castle, or are you just trying to talk to Annette?” Maria’s voice cut through his thoughts like a whip.

 

Richter jumped, spinning around to see Maria grinning at him, her green eyes sparkling with mischief. “Maria! How long have you been sitting there?”

 

“Long enough to see you working yourself into a panic,” she replied, hopping down gracefully. “What’s the problem? Afraid she’s going to smite you if you say hello?”

 

Richter groaned, rubbing his face. “It’s not that simple, Maria.”

 

“Oh, no,” she said, mockingly clasping her hands to her chest. “Talking to a beautiful, smart woman who for some reason tolerates you? That must be so much harder than fighting a swarm of Night Creatures. Poor you, Richter Belmont.”

 

“Don’t you have something better to do?” he shot back, glaring at her.

 

Maria tapped her chin as if she were deep in thought. “Hmm, no. Watching you embarrass yourself is way more fun.”

 

Richter let out an exasperated sigh. “You’re not helping.”

 

“I’m not trying to help,” Maria said with a wicked grin. “I’m here for the show. So go on, big hero—march over there and tell her how amazing she is and how you want to stay by her side forever and have demigodlike super magical babies with her.”

 

Richter glared at her, but before he could fire back, Annette’s voice floated over from the far side of the courtyard.

 

“Richter? Maria? What’s going on over there?”

 

Richter’s blood ran cold as Annette walked toward them, her sword returning to the earth. She was slightly sweating from training, the sunlight catching in her hair and making her look even more radiant than usual. Richter felt his mouth go dry.

 

Maria immediately brightened, turning to Annette with a big, innocent smile. “Oh, nothing! Richter was just working up the nerve to come say hi to you. You know, since he’s been staring at you for the past ten minutes.”

 

Richter’s face went crimson. “Maria!” he hissed through gritted teeth.

 

Annette stopped a few paces away, her eyebrows raised in mild amusement. “Is that true, Richter?”

 

“No! I mean—yes! I mean—” Richter groaned, running a hand through his hair. “I wasn’t staring, okay? I was just… thinking. About… stuff.”

 

“Uh-huh,” Annette said, her lips twitching as if she were holding back a laugh.

 

Maria, meanwhile, was thoroughly enjoying herself. “It’s alright, Annette. He just wanted to tell you how amazing you are. Isn’t that right, Richter?”

 

Richter shot her a murderous glare. “You are the worst,” he muttered.

 

Annette chuckled, finally taking pity on him. “Relax, Richter. It’s fine. You don’t need to make it a big deal.”

 

“See?” Maria said, clapping him on the back. “She’s not scary. Well, except when she’s fighting. Or mad. Or—”

 

“Maria,” Annette interrupted, though there was a hint of a smile on her face. “You’re not exactly helping.”

 

Maria shrugged, utterly unbothered. “I think I’m helping plenty. He needs the push.”

 

Richter groaned again, burying his face in his hands. “I’m never going to live this down.”

 

Annette laughed, shaking her head. “You two are ridiculous.”

 

Maria leaned toward Annette, lowering her voice conspiratorially. “You should’ve seen him. He was pacing and muttering to himself like he was rehearsing a love confession. It was almost adorable.”

 

“Maria!” Richter practically yelled, his face now bright red.

 

Annette raised an eyebrow, looking between the two of them. “Is that so?” she asked, her tone light but curious.

 

“No!” Richter said quickly, throwing Maria an exasperated look. “She’s exaggerating. I wasn’t… I mean, it wasn’t like that.”

 

“Sure it wasn’t,” Maria said with a wink. “Anyway, I’ll leave you two alone. Good luck, Richter! Try not to embarrass yourself too much.” With that, she skipped off, leaving Richter alone with Annette.

 

For a moment, there was silence. Richter stared at the ground, wishing he could sink into it, while Annette watched him, her expression unreadable. Finally, she spoke.

 

“So,” she said, crossing her arms. “Were you really rehearsing a love confession?”

 

Richter’s head snapped up. “What? No! I wasn’t—I mean…” He groaned, rubbing the back of his neck. “It’s not like that, okay? I just… wanted to talk to you. That’s all.”

 

Annette tilted her head, her lips curving into a small, amused smile. “You don’t have to be so nervous, you know. I don’t bite.”

 

“I know,” Richter said quickly. “It’s just… you’re kind of… intimidating sometimes.”

 

Her eyebrows shot up. “Me? Intimidating?”

 

“Well, yeah,” he said, finally meeting her gaze. “You’re smart, and strong, and confident, and… well, amazing. It’s hard not to feel like an idiot around you.”

 

Annette blinked, clearly taken aback. For a moment, she didn’t say anything, and Richter braced himself for her to laugh or brush it off. But instead, she smiled—a soft, genuine smile that made his heart skip a beat.

 

“Thanks, Richter,” she said quietly. “That’s… really sweet of you.”

 

He stared at her, stunned. “It is?”

 

“Yes,” she said, her smile widening slightly. “And for the record, you’re not an idiot. Just… a little awkward. But in a good way.”

 

Richter let out a breath he hadn’t realized he’d been holding, a small smile tugging at his lips. “Well… thanks. I think.”

 

Annette chuckled, shaking her head. “You’re welcome. Now, are we actually going to have a conversation, or are you just going to keep turning a dangerous red and stammering?”

 

Richter laughed, the tension in his chest finally easing. “I’ll do my best. No promises, though.”

 

As they talked, Richter couldn’t help but glance in the direction Maria had gone, imagining her hiding somewhere, waiting to tease him later. But for now, he didn’t care. Annette was smiling, and for once, he didn’t feel like he was completely failing. Maybe, just maybe, he wasn’t as hopeless as Maria claimed.