I SHOULD'VE BOUGHT YOU FLOWERS ( All The Things I Should've Done, I Don't Want To Love You From Afar.

I SHOULD'VE BOUGHT YOU FLOWERS ( all the things i should've done, i don't want to love you from afar. ).

— genre : headcanons. angst to fluff. — cw : breakups, swearing, parties, alcohol. — characters : childe, kaeya, albedo, xiao, thoma.

childe ; the childhood friend that grew apart and drifted away.

you remember when you and childe were still neighbours and best friends and so clearly two youngsters crushing on each other. what a trope for a promising pair that ended up as strangers.

he used to approach you with that shit - eating smile, clearly hiding something behind his back ( he's terrible at surprises ), his voice quite literally two octaves higher as he shoves yet another gift in your face. rich boys, you guess. his mom would smile fondly in the background, waving at you from the doorway of his house. you'd jump into his arms and he'd catch you just in time, strong arms holding you up against his chest.

it's all just platonic, he'd tell everyone. we're just friends. oh how he regrets saying that so confidently now.

childe really likes you. did he ever tell you that? he likes how you always accepted him for who he was and not everything he had. not how rich his parents were, not how good he was at sports, not how many girls swooned over him at parties. you liked him because he was ... him, whatever that meant to you.

it meant a lot to you.

but now childe is different. he's popular, not to say you aren't, but he's POPULAR popular. he plays beer pong on friday nights and winks at girls in the hallways and always has tons of fans cheering for him at those swim meets and hockey games. and he doesn't pay attention to you. you're way out of his league and you got the hint a long time ago.

and you act like you don't know him at all, but he knows it's really his fault. his fault for acting like he was better than you all for the attention of others, acting like you weren't worth his time once he became popular, ditching you to hang out with the cool kids. you act like you can't tell when he's upset, blue eyes too easy to read after all these years. you act like his smile doesn't remind you of when you were still young.

he misses you. he misses how you'd come to his hockey games with his jersey on, always catching your eye in the crowd. he misses how you feel clinging to his back like a koala as he piggybacks you around the neighbourhood. he misses walking home with you every single day, conversation flowing so naturally, words that cannot be exchanged anymore.

so when he's arriving home at an ungodly hour of the morning still a little tipsy, and sees your sleep - deprived form in an oversized hoodie, he quickly jogs after you.

"hey." he breathes, the scent of alcohol on his breath and a forced smile on his face — and yours. "hey." you mumble back, pressing pause on the music blasting through your headphones. he hesitates before speaking again, softly. "you shouldn't go alone. it's dangerous."

you laugh incredulously and childe is taken aback by your disdain for his genuine concern. "i've been doing this for years since we stopped hanging out. i'm fine." you turn around to continue walking, and make no effort to tell him to stop, so he follows you down the street to the convenience store.

he opens the door before you can, buying you your favourite drink from the fridge before you can reach for it yourself. you widen your eyes at his memory. you assumed he'd forgotten all about you, after all. and as if he can sense your thoughts, childe gently holds your palms in his as you stand awkwardly outside in the parking lot.

"i didn't forget about you, you know." he smiles sheepishly. "even if i act like a dick sometimes."

you look up at him expectantly, eyebrow raised in response. maybe it's because he's still a little drunk or maybe it's because it's 3:30 in the morning, but he figures this is the right time to tell you how he's always felt, even with tears stinging the back of his eyes — and he doesn't know why. "i ... miss hanging out with you, i guess. and it's my fault that i let you go, haha. i'm sorry. i miss you. i'm —

ah, you still remember how to shut him up by squeezing his hands gently when he starts rambling. when he gets insecure. when he looks like he's about to cry, because no matter how much time you spend apart, you'd never want to see him break.

kaeya ; the ex who realises you're happier without him.

there's no denying kaeya alberich isn't the easiest person to get along with or get to know. but it's hard to resist getting tied up in all his fun and games when he's so goddamn attractive.

after your breakup, you realised how much you hated him. hated the way he would lie and pretend things were fine. hated the way he acted like he told you anything, just for you to find out from someone else yet another secret he had been keeping. hated the way it always felt like a game of push and pull, chasing after him even after you were already his. hated how you could never decipher that twinkle in his eyes when you asked him if he truly loved you.

but at the same time, being apart from him from even a day made you realise how much you missed his presence. even if he was so incredibly unbearable. you missed his silky voice, speaking up for you in that authoritative tone of his when you were about to get pushed over once again, because he knew how afraid you were to stand up for yourself. missed his hands that would touch you gingerly, knowing all the right places to land before finally swooping you into a perfect kiss. missed the way you knew him best, you knew just from the way he looked at you, despite all the secrets he refused to spill until the very end.

you think kaeya didn't miss you, not after the way he walked off without looking back that night, glittering eyes turned cold and dull, not even sparing well wishes. he hasn't texted you since, notifications empty since you've changed his contact name ( but for some reason you can't delete his number yet ). it's like he's disappeared from your life, and you think it's because he despises you so much he wants to get you out of his sight.

on the contrary, he removes himself from anything related to you so no one will have to see him break. he can't bear to hear your voice anymore, calling him by his name in a tone full of contempt when previously you would call out a cute pet name with a bright smile on your face. he can't bear to watch you laugh at someone else's jokes or make an exclusive handshake with some other guy, as stupid as it sounds. he hates knowing that you go out with someone else on friday nights now, that you have someone else to go to when you're upset, that someone else is getting to know you possibly better than he ever has, and that's his fault. and he thought it would be better to avoid you, because if he doesn't see all this happening with his own eyes, perhaps he can pretend it wasn't true.

mutual misguided impressions of wanting nothing to do with each other, and of course you tried to get on with life in every way possible. it's safe to say you went through the generic post - breakup glow up revival whatever they called it. you even started talking to someone else. a part of you was upset that kaeya never noticed, but why? was it because you wanted him to see that you were better off, wanted him to feel worse about himself — or was it because deep down inside, you hoped he'd get jealous and try to re - appear in your life once more?

it's at the party when he first sees you. he wasn't expecting to see you here, knowing that you two had gotten used to staying at home on saturdays for date nights instead of going out with other people. it appears things have changed, and he shouldn't really be surprised. he sees the way you giggle, the way you look so fucking good in that outfit ... not that you don't look good in anything, though. he sees how other people take an undeniable interest in you, and he just can't help himself but intervene.

because shit, you're so hard to get over it hurts.

"hey sweetheart, fancy meeting you here." kaeya cringes internally at his own words, knowing you're not some stranger he couldn't care less about. this is YOU, why would he say such a stupid thing, meeting you for the first time after the breakup?

"you know this guy?" the person next to you looks him up and down, but kaeya knows ( due to his big ego, of course ) that there's really nothing terrible that can be said about him — on the outside, at least. so he flashes his widest grin, swinging an arm around your shoulder. before you can speak, he interjects. "yeah. we know each other quite well, wouldn't you say so, darling?"

his overuse of pet names isn't a surprise to you, especially when you can practically smell the scent of alcohol on his breath. it's not uncharacteristic of him, but after months of not speaking or even seeing each other it would be a lie to say you weren't shocked. similarly, kaeya is pleasantly surprised when you nod and plaster on a smile, nodding in consent when he makes a motion to lead you towards the quieter balcony.

kaeya lets his hand trail over your cheekbones, touch so featherlight it makes your heart leap out of your chest. he knows all the ways to break you, so why is he doing everything right now that you aren't his anymore? "hi." he whispers, the expression on his face full of a raw longing. "missed you."

"you're drunk", you reply matter - of - factly. "don't say things you wouldn't say if you were sober." your voice quivers when you speak, and you don't know why ( actually, you do, but you just don't want to admit that you still have feelings for him after all this time ) .

albedo ; the brilliant student who had greater things to achieve.

oh, dear albedo. named after a scientific phenomenon and he follows in its footsteps too. as the two highest achieving students in your year, he's always been your ( friendly ) rival.

albedo may have a one - track mind, consistently focused on his academics and academics only, but he seems to still make time for others. albeit aloof and socially somewhat blunt and inadequate, he is a generous and gentle person — never turning down requests for help and always being able to handle it all whilst still doing incredibly well.

he's a gifted kid and yet he still has other things he's amazing at. painting, for example. everyone always talks of his oil paintings and charcoal sketches but one day you walk into the art room as he's painting watercolour on the balcony and you swear you've never seen something more beautiful. um, the artwork, of course. not albedo, that's for sure, haha. but there's no use denying that he's just breathtakingly gorgeous.

but what truly captivates you about him is how thoughtful he is. always has an extra pen for you, black gel ink in 0.5 thickness just the way you like it in case you lose one or forget it when coming to a lab. he remembers your favourite flower, pink camellias, and it just so happens he grows them on his balcony at home. whenever you have to work on a project together in the mornings ( because of course you're always only each other's partner ), there is always a coffee, ordered perfectly to your preferences sitting on the table along with a new pastry he insists you try.

despite all the good in him, he's so ... unreachable. there seems to be so much to albedo, yet it's impossible for anyone to figure out what exactly is beneath the surface. because he doesn't want to show anyone what that is, and you know that. you know it all too well from the way you've tried to do activities other than academic projects and he always refuses. from the way your text conversations always run dry when you try to change the subject. from the way you only ever see him when you're at school or studying for something important. "i have no time for that," he would say nonchalantly.

and all the while, albedo is yearning to tell you why he feels as if he has to push you away. he's always been told he's too ambitious to be around — he makes people feel bad because he achieves so much more than they do, his busy schedule is too much for them to handle, the lack of quality time he has to spare means getting to know him better isn't worth it at all. albedo wishes he didn't have to watch your face fall when he gives you a small smile instead of a smooth remark like the other boys do, or control himself from hugging you just a few seconds longer when you look upset. if what they say is true, and it seems to be because so many people have repeated the same thing to him his whole life, then he doesn't want to ever put someone as wonderful as you through the inconveniences of being close with someone like him.

you had since graduated high school, let the memory of the genius boy slip from the forefront of your mind. you definitely didn't expect to meet him again four years down the road, accidentally bumping into him on the street on a cool spring day.

oh, he's still as pretty as ever.

a gaze of diamond blue collides with yours and you can't help but get lost in his eyes, his curious, captivating, and yet cautious stare so familiar and foreign at the same time. blond hair falls in front of his face, framing his delicate features perfectly, rosy cheeks flushed from the breeze.

"long time no see." he grins lopsidedly, his smile almost flirtatious in the morning sun. "long time no see," you respond, unable to contain the joy that spreads across your face. "so what are you doing here?" albedo sighs a little, and that's when you notice the pad of watercolour paper under his arm. "oh, i don't know. just finding fulfilling ways to pass the time."

you're taken aback — not due to his attention to detail or inquisitive nature of all that he sees and experiences, but because for once, he's not rushing somewhere or on the way to someplace greater. you swear you see a nostalgic twinkle in his eyes when he finally asks you whether you'd like to join him for the rest of the day. where to? he's not too sure yet either. but it should go perfectly fine with good company, no?

xiao ; the quiet boy at the back of the class who's always had a crush on you.

didn't you realise xiao has always noticed you?

maybe it's because he sits at the back of the class, his eyes glued to the front of the room — not at the whiteboard, no, at the back of your head, most of the time. involuntarily.

xiao tries to focus in class but it's only when you're not at school ( unfortunately ) that he can actually get any decent notes down. he makes sure to send them to you at the end of the day. you always reply with that cute little smiling emoji. it reminds him of how happy you always are compared to him.

or maybe it's because he doesn't talk much, preferring to stay quiet when the rest of the boys are rowdy and talk back to the teacher. when the rest of them go out to parties and try to hook up with some random girls they don't know, he's at home on the couch playing wii or mario kart with his younger siblings. when the rest of them ask him who he likes, he answers with a simple "no one. i'm not interested in people here."

but he knows he's lying to himself, because xiao knows the way butterflies flutter around in his stomach when you flash him a smile from across the room. he knows the way words get stuck in his throat when he wants to ask you a question, and the way his hands shake when he wants to tap you on the shoulder to get your attention. he knows the way his heart races every time you brush against him or accidentally come crashing into his chest in the hallways ( because you're always rushing somewhere for some strange reason he doesn't understand ).

he thinks you never notice him despite all the space you take up in his mind. he's wrong, though — you've always noticed him too, lonely yet beautiful amber eyes that catch your stare every time, gentle touches to manoeuvre you back in the right direction so you won't be late for class, a soft, low voice that asks if you're alright, thoughtful texts updating you about what the teacher said when you're home for one reason or another.

you noticed how he thinks he's sly when he slides a bracelet made of daisies onto your desk, accompanied by a sticky note with a smiley face so uncharacteristic of his cold personality. how he never talks to you in person but can stay up texting you all night. how he pauses his valorant matches for you because you watch him stream and every so often when you respond to his messages, he would let himself die in - game to reply — you swear it isn't on purpose. how he stutters when you interact at school, unable to do anything except nod or shake his head.

god, he's so cute.

so one day you decide to ask him out on a date. in letter form, of course, because no one ever said you were any more bold than he was when it comes to things like love.

it's 7:45 in the morning when you rush into the math classroom, putting a brown paper envelope face down on xiao's desk, sealed with a little sticker shaped in a heart.

it's 8:02 in the morning when xiao walks into class late, drenched from the early rainstorm. someone snickers at the way he shivers and his hair plasters across his forehead. you pointedly give them one of your best death stares.

it's 8:10 in the morning when xiao finally opens the envelope, hiding it behind one of his books. he's thankful you sit in front of him, because heavens forbid you see the way he can't resist a stupid smile when he realises this is you're handwriting, YOU are asking him to meet tonight, it's you, it's always been you.

it's 3:10 in the afternoon when you feel a tap on your shoulder, and you spin around, finally meeting eyes with him for more than five seconds for once. he opens his mouth and then shuts it, fumbling with the envelope in his hand, clearly extremely flustered at the attempted interaction. "hi."

"hey. uh -" he holds up the letter awkwardly. "if this is real, then ... yes."

"it's real!" you proclaim excitedly, probably a little over - the - top due to the adrenaline coursing through your veins. "see you tonight then right?" you smile sweetly and he thinks he'll combust at how inexplicably adorable you look right now. a blush creeps across his cheeks and he hates how he grows even redder when you reach out to hold his trembling hands. "hey ... don't be nervous, okay?"

fuck, you're so thoughtful it makes his heart want to beat out of his chest. "okay." he breathes, secretly wishing he could keep holding your hands for a little longer. "see you tonight."

thoma ; the best friend that watched you fall for someone else.

your best friend has always been one of the prettiest, most gorgeous people you have ever met.

emerald eyes that glitter in the golden sunlight, strawberry blond hair tousled over his constantly - smiling face, cheeks flushed with the excitement of wherever you're going together this time ...

"you're like a brother to me", you've always told him, and he has always been okay with it for as long as he can remember. he doesn't know when it all changed — when he internally grimaced at your platonic words of reference, felt his heart sink whenever you introduced him as your best friend and nothing more. even with all the time you spend together, all the friends who ship you two together and all the precious moments you've shared, he knows that there is a boundary he won't ever dare to cross in fear of changing the wonderful thing you two have fostered.

thoma thinks it's unfair. unfair how you're falling in love with someone who doesn't even love you, someone who has the audacity to lie to your face about how much they care. he thinks it's unfair how you can believe in their pretty deceitful lies and all the sugarcoated bullshit used to lure you into their toxic embrace. he thinks it's unfair how he's been there for you all this time, been so genuine and pure and kind and considerate towards everything YOU. and yet you seem to pay no mind to his efforts and instead have your eyes fixed on someone else.

but at the same time, he can't blame you, because he knows how attractive those others are compared to him. they're good at everything, have lots of friends, go to parties instead of being homebodies, and in general just know how to get you on the edge of your seat — something that a soft, gentle, shy guy like him could never do. he could never fluster you with a one - liner or make you blush at first sight. he's not that kind of person, and he knows it. and when he was still the one you were closest to in life, when you still listened to him and cared about him, he didn't mind so much. but now he's been thrown aside, sometimes he wishes he was someone else.

you've had this conversation far too many times. thoma tells you he's just caring for you out of the goodness of his heart, and you angrily push back, saying you know what's best for you. but there's a little voice of conscience inside that nags at the back of your mind, a constant reminder that you tend to be too blind to see what's in front of you while it's still there. a reminder that you often don't think things through, that since the beginning of time thoma has been there to help you solve problems in a calm way, to get you out of sticky situations, so stand up for you no matter how much he gets shamed or bashed for it. and yet, you still are indignant that you know better.

"this isn't healthy ..." he's tired of receiving your late night calls, not because he doesn't want to hear your voice or talk to you but because it's always on the topic of you stupid ex, one who keeps playing you over and over like a game that's just for entertainment. he's tired of it, hearing your broken cries and begs for his comfort, feeling his own heart shatter at your sobs and wishing he could get to your house faster. even if being harsh with you would be more effective, he could never bring himself to do so, always dampening his own emotions and practicing his patience to simply be the good listening ear he's always been.

you shake your head, opening your mouth to protest. "but —" "but he's just no good for you!" thoma raises his voice to interject for the first time, eyes blurring with unshed tears as you angrily wipe away your own. "why can't you see that?"

"god, why can't you just GET OUT of my personal shit, thoma? do you hate me or something?" as soon as you speak, you realise your mistake. he would never hate you, and it hits you as soon as you lock eyes with the sadness that fills his. "do i make you feel like i hate you?" his voice is quiet and timid, like an animal retracting back into its shell. "i'm really sorry."

regret instantly rushes into every inch and crevice of your soul and it engulfs you whole, arms instinctively reaching out to pull him into a hesitant hug as he sobs silently into your shoulder. "no, i'm sorry," you whisper, running your hand through his hair. "i know you're right. you always have been."

understanding, forgiving eyes meet yours and you wonder why you've never seen your best friend in a different light before. why you've never considered the fact that you feel so safe, so comfortable, so happy and carefree around him — you feel so much better in your own skin. and you know that no matter what you do, he will always be there to catch you when you fall.

nicknames — genshin impact

summary: if any at all, what are the different nicknames genshin impact men would call you??

characters: ayato, zhongli (i love these two, geo gramps came home so <3), diluc and childe.

warnings: fluff, fluff, wholesome and nice fluff, some hints of possessiveness here and there, nicknames duh. also this was written before ayato’s release so beware of the ooc-ness!

author’s note: y'all drop nothing in my inbox for requests so here’s this. you’re welcome.

AYATO would definitely and absolutely go with a nickname that lowkey gets on your nerves. he somehow gets a kick out of the exasperated sigh that leaves your mouth whenever the irritating endearment is caught by your ears. things like “squirrel” and “sweetcakes” are definitely his favourites because whenever he’s stressed out from all his works as a clan head and the yashiro commisioner, he calls you out in these cringey af names as loud as he can, so loud that all the seven nations and celestia might hear. when you asked him how in the name of the archons did he come up with it, he just said that your cheeks looked like a squirrel’s when you were stuffing them with the cake he bought for you and boy when i say that you get the worst case of cringey secondhand embarrasment upon yourself whenever he says it, but you can’t blame him, your reaction is too adorable! other times, however, when you’re not in the best of moods or had had a very exhausting day or when the tiredness gets the very best of him, he’d put his own mischief aside and engulf you in a very soothing embrace, whispering all sorts of comfort to you in the most gentle possible voice whilst calling you “my darling” and never once did you leave his embrace with any spot of negativity in you.

“how do you do today, my fair squirrel? WAIT COME BACK I’LL STOP CALLING YOU THAT!!”

“hm…? ah… it’s you, darling. come, the night is still young… would you care for some tea? it seems that you have much to tell… pardon? a hug? you know that you never need ask, right?”

CHILDE would go ahead and use something that lets every person in a 5000 mile radius know that you’re taken. give or take, he’d be lowkey possessive and being honestly, it either ends up with you getting a stomach spasm with how you laughed or your cheeks feeling like every pyro vision had been pressed against them. say you’re out shopping with him (and you confirm that this happens more times than is legal) and some person looks at you any way that would be classified as “funny” or “inappropriate” in his mindest, or archons forbid, if they try and to get touchy feely with you and you yourself don’t like it, he would be behind or beside you faster than you’d seen paimon dashing for food. then, he’d casually wrap an arm around your waist or across your shoulders and look in the other direction while saying in the clearest possible voice, “doesn’t that shop make weapons? i was thinking of getting my arrows sharpened. c'mon, sweetheart, let’s check it out. and you were thinking of getting a sword, weren’t you? i think that shop has a good variety, babe.” or something like that. he’d always make sure to get at least three or five nicknames in. hey, don’t blame him. he knows you’re perfect, and he doesn’t want to be sharing that with anyone. he also likes to call you “partner” when you both are sparring (you cannot tell me that you don’t spar when being with this man right here istg). it makes him feel satisfied and complete. and besides, it’s most fitting for someone who is you! you’ve been with him and beside him through the hardest possible things, agreeing to do basically everything he pleads you to (not that you didn’t enjoy the shenanigans he got up to with you), that makes you both partners-in-crime and partners-for-life, doesn’t it?

“come on, partner, that all you got?! you’re making this too easy, wanna lose the bet and kiss me that bad, huh? oh yeah? put your money where your mouth is, let’s how long you’ll last, sweetie.”

DILUC . thinks that your name is the most beautiful and endearing thing that will ever leave his mouth, even if he’d never let kaeya poke into his opinions on you, who manages to capture the eye and heart of the stoic red haired man. more often than not at all, he’ll call you “love,” but that will be behind closed doors and when you’re both alone with each other. it’s not that he’s embarrased and ashamed is something he will never ever be when he’s with you. quite the opposite, actually. he cherishes you, he loves you, because the feeling of warmth, of home, of gentle and accepting love, he didn’t realise how much he needed it, how much he craved it until you came into his life. that’s exactly the reason why he doesn’t quite like a nickname, he just thinks that your name, the name of the person whom he could show his worst to and not have to have his true emotions sealed away behind that placid mask of gentlemanly indifference with, is the very perfect one for you, there’s no other title, or alias or reference that can match up to that. it’s a very beautiful name, and somehow rolls of his tongue just right. whenever he thinks of it, your bright grinning face over some dessert or your embarrased sputtering when he gifts you something that you’d consider off the charts expensive flashes through his mind, leaving the streets of mondstadt gawking at the sight of the diluc ragnvindr of dawn winery smiling, was the world to end tomorrow?

“hm..? what is it? your hands are cold… well, that’s what you get for not listening to me when i asked you to go bring a pair of gloves because it would be cold tonight, [name]. mine will be too big for you, well… would you like to hold my hand, then?”

ZHONGLI stands on the very pinnacle of being a gentleman and he makes sure to let you know how precious and irreplaceable you are to him, and so the a quite frequent yet heart-touching nickname he calls you is “beloved.” it became a very frequent word to leave his mouth, so much so that it had become instinct for him to refer to you as such. he completely and utterly adores your name, don’t get it wrong, he loves how aesthete it is and how easily it slips off of his tongue, but calling you his “beloved” seems so much more fitting to just show how much you meant to him, who had spent millenia and after millenia alone and constantly loosing dear people. more often than not, though, you might catch him calling you “dearest.” the sheer affection that the name comes laced in never fails to make your heart and brain go haywire. you didn’t know how simple words that meant very little when said by other people would become one of the best things you ever would look forward to hearing when it came from him. one of the particular moments he remembers that relate to his was when he had a purposeful slip of tongue while you both were travelling across the minlin region, just for a getaway from the busy life you both lived. you were just about to fall into slumber’s welcoming arms, when he leant over and unexpectedly whispered into your goddamn ear “sweet dreams to you, my fairest.” and zhongli himself didn’t know what he found more adorable, your aflamed visage or your 2 minute late reaction.

“good afternoon, beloved, should we head to xinyue kiosk for lunch? i’ve heard they’ve come out with a particularly interesting dish that has been inspired from inazuman cuisine. hm? oh… mora… it seems i… forgot to take that factor into account.”

“put those papers away, dearest. your work ethic will show no signs of improvement unless you get adequate rest. shall i brew you some tea?”

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fluffshelf

3 years ago

i. my youth is yours / eren jaeger ( attack on titan ).

The reason why Eren is the way he is right now is that you have always been part of his youth.

wc: 1,672

a/n: takes place in a modern setting of marley, where eren & the reader are both 22 years old and college students.

Eren has known you since he was ten years old.

It started in the fifth grade when he first saw you on the first day. Back then, he thought nothing special of you. You were around his age, a classmate of his, and just someone who sits at a desk that was arranged next to him. Someone as sweet and nice as you shouldn’t be friends with someone as fearsome and abrupt as him, but fate had other plans in store for him.

Keep reading

177 notes View Post

fluffshelf

3 years ago

ドキドキ (heart fluttering)

character(s) : bakugou katsuki, todoroki shouto, shinsou hitoshi, kaminari denki (bnha)

part two — tokrev ver.

legend : [Y/N = YOUR NAME] gender neutral, quirk’s not specific

headcanon type : fluff, crack-ish🤔(x reader)

note(s) : things you did that caused these characters to blush for the first time 💀 i had a hard time sticking with ideas for this one— either way, i’m sorry for the lack of posts 🧎‍♀️

bakugou katsuki

calling him by his full hero name

as we all know, his hero name has gone through several revisions. the reactions of his classmates and teachers after hearing about “king explosion murder” deemed them unacceptable, unworthy (for the time being) to hear of his official, on the paper hero name.

even then, “great explosion murder god dynamight” still has its mixed reviews— mostly questioning the blond’s naming process. they all sincerely wish he’s not in charge of naming whoever’s kid.

which is why, hearing you say his full hero name and in it’s correct order— mind you, nearly caused him to erupt into shades of red, which could rival his very own irises.

the self control he possesses sometimes

he thinks you’re mocking him at first, naturally. considering that, everyone either stuck to the name’s simplified version, “dynamight” or, they just completely avoided the mention of his hero name all together.

until he sees the sincerity in your eyes— confusion swirling in your irises at the lack of katsuki’s response.

he goes to correct you, until he remembers that the order’s absolutely correct. so then, he asks you to say it again, a hand cupping his ear, so he could hear the way the name rolls off your tongue, as you stare at him with anything but ill intent.

katsuki doesn’t realize he’s blushing, until kirishima innocently points it out, believing his blush was the work of the newly purchased hot sauce.

“was the hot sauce i bought really intense? if so— i’m really glad, y’know! i scavenged the aisles for that specific bottle”

“the hell are you talking about?”

“uh, you’re like.. really red, bro. that’s.. that’s what i mean.”

“… i’m not. you’re just fucking colorblind. are you sure the hair dye isn’t seeping into your brain?”

“…i’m sure that’s not how it works—”

“no.”

katsuki ends up not sleeping on time, and it’s all due to you. he concludes he might need professional, medical attention (no, katsuki. you just have a crush— and that’s perfectly fine 😭)

todoroki shouto

calling him his first name

his family only ever called him by his first name, which is a given. but, ever since he made it his official hero name, more and more people have been calling him by his first name.

is it something that he regrets occasionally? yeah, sometimes. did he choose that as his hero name, because he wanted to be recognized as him, and not the child of endeavor? yeah.

did he also make his hero name “shouto”, so he could erase the less than kind memories that associate with his name? maybe.

despite it all, he finds himself fighting the heat that threatens to spread along his cheeks, when you whisper his first name for the first time— addressing him as shouto in private.

not in a training set up, or in front of other classmates— but in each other’s company alone.

activating his right side, to regulate his temperature, he tilts his head to the side— prompting you to speak further.

“you weren’t responding, and i also never said your first name before so.. yeah. wanted to test that out.”

shouto holds down an uncharacteristic stammer. with shaky hands, he slowly (maybe even cautiously), approaches you.

“was that out of line—”

“no.” he starts, “it was quite— nice. yes, nice.” he nods with vigor. he likes the way you say his name, is what he wants to say. but, the words don’t come out as well.

“my first name. it’s free for you to use as you like.”

“oh— thanks, shouto!”

even when he says that, there’s undeniably some redness sprinkled across his cheeks. unsure of what just happened to him— he quickly turns around, hoping you don’t question the uncharacteristic action.

he only notices that he’s blushing, when midoriya takes one look at him, and offers him aloe vera gel

“aloe vera gel?”

“it’s for your..” midoriya gestures to the entirety of his face, “i don’t know what it is, but it looks like a rash?”

“why? what does my face look like?”

“really red, todoroki-kun.”

it dawns onto him on what it actually is, “oh.” not knowing how to reply to that, he accepts the gel.

it occurs to shouto, that there’s something he needs to figure out. whatever it is, it is causing him chest issues. he also believes that it’s detrimental to his ever so perfected temperature control. in reality, this was all because of his feelings towards you, but he’ll figure it out soon enough

shinsou hitoshi

oddly specific

for as long as he could remember, hitoshi has gotten used to paying attention to people, and their voices— because he needed to, if he wanted to pursue being a hero.

gradually, he just knew when to expect something, just by reading the conversation’s pattern, or maybe even their body language.

he thinks that people can be so predictable sometimes. so, when something else happens— it throws him off the loop.

like now, when you complimented him on his bone structure. something so oddly specific, and something he’s never been complimented on before.

to the point that heat flared up on his face— or a blush, he doesn’t know. either way, he just hopes it’s not obvious.

hitoshi knows a part of him would’ve been pretty amused at this compliment— then again, he’s never received such compliment before.

“bone structure, huh?” he questions, hand flying up to his nape, something he does as a fidget, or— when he finds himself shy.

the insomniac teen sincerely hopes this action does something to control whatever blush, or heat that’s about to emit off his face to no end.

“yeah. you have good bone structure. has no one told you that?”

“no, not really. but uh.. thank you?”

you smile, patting his back, “don’t sweat it.”

oh but, he will.

hitoshi only realizes he’s blushing, when aizawa points it out first (he wonders, why it had to be his mentor out of all the people.)

“shinsou, you good?”

“yes, sir. why?”

“you look like you’re burning up.”

“i am? ..huh.”

“don’t “huh” me, i don’t want to be unwell during training. it won’t benefit you, and it’ll only worsen your condition.”

“uh.. i don’t think..”

“—unless, i’m misreading this all, and it’s not what it appears.”

“…yeah.”

hitoshi wonders if he was blushing because he was given an unexpected, and oddly specific compliment. or— if it’s because you were giving him the praise. but knowing himself, it’s probably because of you. (he’s screwed, he thinks to himself)

kaminari denki

when you flirt back

kaminari denki can flirt, but he doesn’t actually expect any form of reciprocation.

he knows when to back off and all— he’s not a creep. regardless of the fact, whenever he does flirt with someone, they either shyly shrug it off, or they ignore it all together 💀

then there are those rare occasions, where he gets told off, but hey— at least he tried, and at least they were honest.

denki thought you were just being nice, when you only smiled at his borderline cheesy attempts at throwing flirtatious punchlines.

which is why he doesn’t know what to say, when you actually flirt back with him. it was totally unexpected on his end— especially since you’ve never mirrored him in like, ever.

“i think if we were a couple, you’d be the pretty one,” he says in an flirtatious attempt, and he opens his mouth to move onto the next topic, when you reply back with

“hm, i don’t know— you’re pretty good looking yourself. we’d really be one pretty couple.”

denki stares at you dumified, and the lack of words only cause the smile that was already on your lips to spread even wider.

what time is it? where is he? is the room spinning? is the world spinning? he knew, but it seems to be that he forgot about all concepts of time and location.

he believes he short circuited— the way his agape mouth closes and opens like a fish, and the way he stares at you dumbfounded is just enough to wrap a conclusion around his head

but he doesn’t see sparks of electricity, or an expression of worry on your face— which is something he catches a glimpse of, whenever he short circuits due his quirk

so maybe, it’s something else entirely.

denki only realizes that he’s blushing, when bakugou lands a slap on his back, straightening his posture.

“ow, bakugou! what was that for?”

“your expression, ‘s fucking haunting. the hell happened to you? got struck by lighting on the way or something?”

“huh??”

“your face, dimwit. look at your face— it’s red as shit!”

“what— oh. oh.”

“what?”

“i just realized something. i think i’m screwed.”

“sounds like a personal problem.”

in reality, it really was. in a span of few hours and a hamburger, denki came to realize this unlabelled fascination, is him actually developing a crush on you— the subject of his daily banter.

likes and reblogs are appreciated, thanks for reading!

i do not own bnha/mha and it’s characters. boku no hero academia/my hero academia belongs to horikoshi kohei, i only own the writing and i do not profit off of my hobby

do not plagiarize, reupload, translate, or use my works for audio readings without permission :))

TAGLIST (bold couldn’t be tagged 😔 lmk if you’ve changed your url ‼️) :

@baku6o @angelicsano @anactualfuckingnerd @kitsuji @tamewkii @astridismissing @sweethcnvy @why-couldnt-it-be @kioyoki @t0ra-kazu @givingeraserhead @uxavity @snowymaltese @escapenightmare @taurus852 @han-the-fanboy @crack-squirrels @keisukeist @vdoesthings @gravity-gacha @blxck-hxney @electricpainterwobblergoop @nopenotallie @mhasimp666 @shelteredheart @lovingshoto @lxislxis @luluwiie @avengs @princ3rae @solaxena

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fluffshelf

2 years ago

Male Minotaur/Female Reader SFW Wordcount: 2,004 Tags & Warnings: mentions of injuries Commissions | Ko-fi | Masterlist | Link to Request

When Dimitris is injured on the job, he has to stay home and heal. Luckily for him, he has a doting wife who is more than happy to care for him.

As you slowly opened your eyes, you found yourself waking up to another day, your seventh morning since Dimitris, your beloved husband, had been injured on the job. The sunlight filtering through the curtains painted a warm glow on the bedroom walls, casting a comforting light over Dimitris' massive form as he lay asleep beside you. You studied his serene face for a moment before leaning in to plant a tender kiss on his rough, furry cheek. He stirred ever so slightly but remained asleep, his breathing steady and deep.

Stretching your limbs, you sat up on the edge of the bed, rubbing the sleep from your eyes. As you stood up, you couldn't help but feel a pang of concern for Dimitris, who was still recovering from his injuries. You knew he was resilient, but the thought of him in pain made your heart ache. Determined to help, you made your way to the kitchen to prepare breakfast for the two of you.

The floorboards creaked softly under your feet as you shuffled to the kitchen, still half-asleep. As was your routine, you reached for the small speaker on the countertop and turned it on, allowing the soft, soothing melodies of your favourite playlist to fill the air. The familiar tunes brought a sense of comfort and relaxation, a perfect companion for your early morning routine.

You hummed along with the music as you opened the refrigerator, scanning the contents for the ingredients needed to make Dimitris' favourite breakfast. You decided on a hearty meal of scrambled eggs, bacon, and a heaping side of fruit.

You took a deep breath, inhaling the aroma of fresh coffee brewing in the background, as you cracked eggs into a bowl and whisked them together with a fork. The sizzle of bacon cooking in the pan was music to your ears, accompanied by the gentle strumming of the guitar from the song playing in the background. Your movements were methodical and graceful, a well-practiced dance that you had performed countless times before.

As the eggs cooked, you thought about the five years you had spent with Dimitris. From the moment you met him, you knew that he was your soulmate, and your love for him had only grown stronger since. Despite the differences in your backgrounds and the challenges that came with being married to a minotaur, you had built a life together that you were proud of.

You plated the food and poured two cups of coffee, taking extra care to ensure that everything was perfect. As you did so, you found yourself smiling at the thought of Dimitris enjoying the meal you had prepared for him. You knew that your support was essential to his recovery, and you were determined to provide him with everything he needed. He would have done the same for you.

With breakfast ready, you balanced the plates and cups in your hands, making your way back to the bedroom where Dimitris lay sleeping. The soft music continued to play in the background, filtering through to the quiet bedroom.

As you settled onto the bed, you saw that Dimitris had begun to stir. His piercing blue eyes fluttered open, and he greeted you with a warm, appreciative smile. Setting the tray of food down on the bedside table, you leaned in to kiss him again. The feel of his soft, warm mouth meeting yours was as exhilarating as it had been when you first fell in love.

"How are you feeling this morning, love?" you asked, concern lacing your voice as you brushed a stray lock of hair away from his eyes.

Dimitris let out a soft sigh, but his smile never faded. "I'm not going to lie. I'm not used to sitting around like this. It's been a while since I've felt so... helpless."

You reached for his large, calloused hand and gave it a gentle squeeze. "I know it's hard for you, Dimitris, but you need to rest and recover. You're strong, and you'll be back on your feet in no time."

He smiled at your reassuring words, his massive hand engulfing yours as he gave it a gentle squeeze in return. "Thanks. I know I can always count on you to keep me grounded."

You smiled back, your heart swelling with love for this incredible creature who had captured your heart so completely. "That's what I'm here for. Now, let's enjoy this breakfast I made for you."

Dimitris chuckled softly, the deep rumble of his laughter sending a pleasant shiver down your spine. "You always know how to spoil me, don't you?"

You grinned, lifting the tray onto his lap so that he could enjoy the meal you had prepared. As the two of you ate, you chatted about anything and everything that came to mind. Honestly, while you were upset that he was hurt, you enjoyed the chance to be with him. His work as a police officer always kept him so busy, it was a rare treat to spend mornings with him like this.

Eventually, talk turned to Dimitris’ recovery. You didn’t put off asking about it, exactly, but you knew it was a sensitive topic. Still, you liked staying updated.

"So, how has the physiotherapy been going?" you inquired gently, trying not to push too hard but wanting to ensure he was on top of his recovery.

He grimaced slightly, taking a moment to swallow a bite of his eggs. "It's not my favourite thing. It's uncomfortable and frustrating, but it’s necessary."

You nodded, offering him an understanding smile. "I know it's tough, but it’ll be worth it in the long run."

Dimitris looked into your eyes, his expression softening. "I know it can't be easy dealing with me being all mopey. You know how much I appreciate everything, don’t you?"

You chuckled and nodded, reaching out to touch his arm. "Dimitris, I'm just grateful that you're recovering. I'd do anything for you, you know that. We'll get through this together."

He smiled warmly, the affection in his gaze making your heart flutter. “I couldn't ask for a better partner in all of this."

As you finished your breakfast and cleared the dishes, Dimitris expressed his gratitude once again for your unwavering support. You offered him a bright grin and leaned down to ghost your lips across his.

“I love you,” you mumbled against the kiss.

“I love you too.”

Once breakfast was finished, you suggested that both of you spend some time on the balcony, enjoying the warm sunlight and the fresh air. Dimitris hesitated for a moment, then agreed, knowing that a change of scenery would do him good.

"It sounds good," he said with a smile. "I could use some fresh air."

You could see the determination in his eyes as he prepared to get up, even though it was evident that the process was challenging for him. His sprained ankle was far from the worst of it - he’d slipped a disc in his back too, and he was covered in dark, nasty bruises beneath his thick fur.

You stood by his side, ready to offer your support as he carefully shifted his massive frame to the edge of the bed. His size and weight made the task daunting, but you were determined to help him.

"Take it easy, Dimitris. I'm right here to help," you reassured him.

Placing one hand on his back and the other under his arm, you gently guided him as he pushed himself up, taking care not to put too much pressure on his strained ankle. Once Dimitris was on his feet, you encouraged him to stretch his leg a little before venturing to the balcony.

"Let's do some gentle stretches before we head outside," you suggested.

You held onto him as he slowly bent his knee and flexed his foot, wincing slightly at the discomfort but determined to push through it. You offered words of encouragement and praised his efforts, letting him know how proud you were of his progress.

"You're doing great, love. Just a few more stretches."

With the stretching exercises complete, you carefully assisted Dimitris in navigating the short distance to the balcony, your heart swelling with pride as you watched him take those slow, lumbering steps.

"Almost there, Dimitris. The sun feels amazing today."

Stepping onto the balcony, you both took a moment to bask in the glorious sunshine, its warm embrace enveloping you like a comforting hug. The sky was a brilliant blue, dotted with the occasional fluffy white cloud drifting lazily by. Birds flitted about, their cheerful songs creating a beautiful song.

You helped Dimitris settle into a comfortable chair, propping his injured ankle on a cushioned footstool to alleviate any strain. You then cuddled in beside him, your hands intertwined, as you both soaked in the peaceful atmosphere.

"It's so beautiful out here," you remarked, taking in the sights and sounds of nature.

Dimitris nodded in agreement. "It really is. I can’t wait for a real summer."

As you leaned closer to Dimitris, resting your head on his broad shoulder, feeling the rise and fall of his chest as he breathed, he wrapped an arm around you. He drew you nearer, and you were happy to lean into his embrace.

As you both sat there, listening to the birds singing their joyful melodies, you couldn't help but feel grateful for the opportunity to share this moment with Dimitris. The two of you cuddled together, enjoying each other's company in the gentle embrace of the morning sun.

You cosied into Dimitris' side, his thick black fur providing warmth and comfort that enveloped you like a soft blanket. The heat radiating from his body chased away any lingering chill from the morning air, and you felt safe and protected in his strong arms.

Dimitris seemed to enjoy the closeness as well, his chest rumbling with contentment as his large hand came to rest on your arm. His claws, though formidable and sharp, grazed gently across your skin, tracing delicate patterns that sent shivers of delight down your spine.

"You know, I could get used to mornings like this," he murmured, his warm breath tickling your ear.

You smiled, nestling even closer to him. "So could I, love."

The two of you continued to relax on the balcony, the sounds of the bustling world below fading into the background as you focused on the beauty of nature and the warmth of each other's presence. The sunlight cast a golden glow on your entwined forms, a testament to the love that had only grown stronger over the years.

Over the years, your love had only grown stronger, and in moments like these, it seemed as if nothing could ever come between you and Dimitris. The soothing sounds of nature and the warmth of your husband's presence began to lull you into a state of drowsiness. Your eyelids grew heavy, and you felt yourself starting to drift off once more.

As you nestled closer to Dimitris, seeking the reassuring comfort of his embrace, he seemed to sense your growing fatigue. With a gentle smile, he adjusted his hold on you, making sure you were securely cradled against his broad chest.

"Feeling sleepy, love?" he asked softly, his voice a tender rumble that only served to deepen your drowsiness.

"Mmm," you murmured, too drowsy to form a coherent response. "Just so cosy and warm here with you."

Dimitris chuckled softly, planting a tender kiss on the top of your head. "Sleep, love. I've got you."

With those comforting words, you allowed yourself to fully relax into Dimitris' embrace. The soft sounds of the birds and the gentle rustle of leaves in the breeze served as a soothing lullaby, while the warmth of Dimitris' fur enveloped you like a cocoon.

As you drifted off to sleep, held securely in Dimitris' loving arms, you knew that no matter what challenges life threw your way, you would always find solace and strength in each other's love.

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fluffshelf

3 years ago

Please, Muslim headcanons are an amusing read and truly warm my heart ♡♡♡.

levi as a muslim heacanons? you don’t have to do it if you don’t want to 😔 i’m just a strict muslim and seeing it would be fun

author note :: omg levi ramadan + muslim headcanons since it’s ramadan and the idea is super cute to me. me and my friends have always headcannoned him as muslim jokingly (tbh we do that with all anime characters) idk probably because i’m muslim and it makes me happy 😭 this is super short but i hope you like it anon !! +++ my requests are always open so feel free to drop by :-)

levi wakes everyone up for suhoor because he rarely ever sleeps so it makes sense for him to wake everyone up to eat

scolds anyone who hasn’t done wudhu correctly because prayer is nothing without cleanliness

tbh the hunger isn’t difficult for him he just finds it hard to let go of drinking tea as often

gets annoyed when sasha says “not even water.....???” and tells her she better be respectful

i do not have much else to add to be honest but he would definitely help clean up after suhoor, he isn’t lazy and won’t let one person clean up after everyone

feel like he would definitely be the type the drink lots of tea during suhoor so he can handle the day better

also have a feeling that he would constantly remind people to say bismillah before eating because,,, it’s very important to say bismillah :-)

makes fresh wudhu for all the prayers purely because he likes being clean

does not like how there are no official days off given for eid, but hey he’s humanities strongest he understands he can’t take a break even on eid

OKOK WAIT!!!!! big headcanon that me and a muslim friend have is that levi would be very good at doing mehndi/henna for eid celebrations

like he would be great at it totally yup, don’t argue with me it’s true!!!! he would do gabi’s henna

all in all, a very nice muslim :-)

i could add more but..... let me not go off on a tangent i could literally talk about this FOREVER

95 notes View Post

fluffshelf

3 years ago

Gimme all your rodytodobakudeku thoughts, yo. I'm here for the poly love.

@allyru Thank you so much for asking!!

Alrighty, buckle in my friends. This might get long. I've got a lot of feelings for these four. Lol.

💜 PART 1/2 💜

Bakugou:

Is at first super jealous and annoyed.

He's already gotta deal with Icy Hot.

Why this Blade-Haired Hobo Extra now as well???

It's not like he's attractive. (He totally finds him attractive. That's why he's so mad.)

Also, he's witty as fuck so he can't just talk over the dude like he does everyone else.

He hates that.

Also the kid never seems fazed when Bakugou is Bakugou.

Just shrugs and grins and says nothing. Sometimes whistles innocently. Yeah, stuff he knows is gonna annoy Bakugou.

It totally does.

Is shocked when Izuku admits to all three of them one day that he wants to date all three of them.

They all agree to dating Izuku but it's a rivalry between the three of who can be best boyfriend until all four of them start dating each other.

Who am I kidding? It's still a rivalry with these three much to Deku's chagrin.

Bakugou finds Pino very cute but hell will freeze over before he tells anyone. He calls the little soul bird "that damn feather duster" (affectionate).

Todoroki:

Is constantly taking Rody's sarcasm as serious.

Rody finds this hilarious.

Starts doing that thing that people do with little kids making them say bad words or random ridiculousness.

Izuku gets upset with Rody for this even if he is a little amused.

Bakugou is hella amused but isn't going to give Rody the pleasure of knowing that.

Once they become friends and then start dating tries to help Shouto learn the difference between face-value information, sarcasm, and joking, etc.

Still does the make him say stuff sometimes because it's fun and Shouto is a good sport.

Shouto finds Pino very sweet and often she sits on his shoulders and sleeps.

Is the one all three come to even quiet time is needed. No words need to be said either.

They each have their own tells when they need quiet Shouto time.

With Bakugou he just angrily throws himself onto the couch and glares until Shouto silently pats his lap at which time Bakugou lays his head in it and Shouto runs his fingers through Bakugou's hair. - "Only because you're taking up half the couch." "I know."

With Izuku he will just walk up to him then second guess himself and start walking off until Shouto stops him and takes his hand, lacing their fingers together. - "Let's take a walk around campus for awhile?" "... thank you~"

With Rody its a little harder what with the way his witicism and sarcasm kinda hide what he's really feeling but you know who can help with that... that's right! Pino! And boy does she! When Rody needs quiet time with Shouto she'll literally attempt to turn Shouto's head to look at Rody. He still doesn't really 'see' what she wants him to see. He's not really good with subtlety guys, give the boy a break. But he'll come to realize that when Pino is trying to get his attention where it comes to Rody, something's gotta be done and soon. Especially once they are dating. (Shouto is the best damn boyfriend no matter his partner(s) and you can fight me on this.) *after Pino has gotten his attention* "Hey, Rody?" "Hm?" "Want to get out of here? My sister invited me to dinner if you want to join me? I'm sure she'd love to see you again." "... yeah okay. Sounds good." *Rody tries to shrug it off but I've look at Pino let's Shouto know he done good. Sometimes she'll even give him a thumbs up.*

There you go!!! Here's Part 1 of 2!! Hope you all enjoy!!

:D Also tagging @lynlys, @beyblader04, and id tag the anon too if I could who sent an ask for some as well! (Part 2 will be on @lynlys's ask!)

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fluffshelf

3 years ago

secret admirer hcs

childe

not quite the standard type for a secret admirer, that guy.

he won't profess his feelings, but he wouldn't let you keep a distance from him, either.

he wouldn't take a step further to become your lover, yet he also won't settle for anything less than a close friend.

that's why he stuck to you like glue, popping up in the weirdest of timings, and brightly greeting you every time with a gleeful grin, nothing but amicable.

like he wasn't capable of sinking a knife down your back any time he wanted.

though admittedly, his presence was something you greatly appreciated, if you chose to feign ignorance towards his strange job. you did enjoy his company a lot, after all, even if you pretended to be irritated around him.

still, despite your deepening relationship, he intentionally put up a wall between you; one he'd sworn to never cross, nor would he allow you to.

let's do a quick recap, shall we?

he was part of the fatui—even worse, a harbinger—so he's aware he shouldn't get too involved with you.

in fact, he shouldn't be involved at all, but his self-control could only take so much, and he can barely manage to stop himself from reaching out to you at most.

he had attempted, once. giving up on you.

childe constantly reminded himself he had better things to do, more important matters to care about, but then the memory of your blinding smile would creep into his mind, keep himself awake at night, and cause his heart to race, no matter how much he tried to rationalize it.

he knew he shouldn't be swept up by minor feelings. it was purely one-sided, anyway; why was he clinging to it instead of throwing them all away?

he was tartaglia. a harbinger, a threat to the battlefield. his name alone terrified his enemies.

so why?

why did he feel so easily defeated whenever he sees you being happy with someone else?

he shouldn't. he knows he shouldn't. he knew better than that.

but he was in too deep, no longer capable of walking away from you.

he'd rather much keep you close than be out of his reach, even if he knew he couldn't come any more closer.

so he made a compromise.

within certain limitations, he'd allow himself to approach you. if he deemed himself calm enough, and he's sure he can keep his composure around you, he would put on a friendly mask and act the part of a normal friend who didn't harbor any romantic interest for you.

it was a tedious task. he shouldn't have made light of it. concealing his emotions around you was harder than he could've ever imagined.

but he had to. he wouldn't be able to stay with you anymore otherwise.

that's why he forced himself to act indifferent whenever he witnessed men courting you. he wouldn't let himself interfere, no matter how much it bothered him. he wouldn't question the pink dusting your cheeks when you received a thoughtful gift from a suitor. he would congratulate you, tease you for being popular, and fall into a disappointed silence when you fail to pinpoint the hurt in his tone.

he had to remind himself there was no reason to be disappointed. this was what he wanted.

but bits and pieces of the green-eyed monster would emerge in moments of vulnerability. he'd make a biting remark from a slip of the tongue, gaze hardening to a glare, and it'd be too late to take it all back.

yet, kindly so, you decided not to ask him about it.

because that's how you always were. so unselfish and accepting, even for someone like him. even if you tried to hide it with a poorly-veiled show of indifference for him.

(sometimes, he wonders if it was alright to be greedy. if it would be okay if he indulged himself for a short while and take you into his arms. if it would be fine to cup your cheeks and seal your lips into a kiss.)

(but the voice of reason would make its appearance into his head, and the daydream would disappear as quickly as it came.)

(you're so stupid, he'd murmur to himself bitterly.)

and yet he continued pondering over things he shouldn't have been thinking about.

out of curiosity, he wondered what it would take for you to accept a proposal for marriage. expensive jewelry? a handsome visage? an overwhelming amount of mora?

he'd seen numerous men with the following qualities. but why were you not interested in any of them? were your expectations really that high for a husband?

(or did your heart belong to someone already?)

the questions would flood into his head in the most random of times. whether he just laid awake at night, or he was in the middle of collecting debt. his mood would turn sour, and he'd try to shake all of his thoughts away.

how foolish, he'd tell himself once more.

but he could say the same for you. after all, you acted so careless with a fatui harbinger.

no one else would be caught dead chatting with him so casually, slipping in bantering insults without fear of offending him. you'd grasp his hands whenever you felt like it, ignoring the judging eyes of your peers. you would unabashedly pinch his cheeks and throw a fit.

and you were even able to sleep around him so normally, like you didn't know he could stab you in the back as easily as he breathed.

“this isn't the place to sleep, [name],” childe chuckled, surveying your surroundings. you were resting by an unpopular restaurant, exhausted after finishing a job. it was an odd time to eat a meal, so you were wonderfully all alone.

he stretched his arm to tap on your shoulder, making an effort to shake you awake. but he stopped mid-reach, instead opting to sigh and sit beside you, idly admiring your sleeping face.

you were too unguarded.

he dragged his gaze from your parted lips in favor of glancing to the side, fearing he'd do something he'll regret.

still, this was a golden opportunity.

slowly, he peeled off one of his gloves, staring at his bare palm briefly before he brought his fingers to clasp around yours, carefully tracing your skin.

he hummed at the unexpected softness, thumbing the curve of your fingers. cautiously, he locked them together with his own, appreciating how your hand fit perfectly against his.

and then he dropped his head, flushing idiotically. he hastily removed his treacherous hand, pinching himself as punishment. “what the hell am i doing...”

coincidentally, you were asking the same thing—wide awake since the moment he made contact with your body.

you forced yourself to stay silent, pursuing a muted scream. your heart pounded violently against your ribcage, threatening to burst, and you feared childe would hear your heartbeat from how loud it was.

w-what was that...?! you yelled inside your head, cheeks flaring up into a brilliant shade of crimson. as far as you knew, your affections were unrequited.

needless to say, he wasn't so much of a “secret” admirer anymore.

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fluffshelf

3 years ago

asking them / getting asked to watch the fireworks by them

inc. zhongli, ningguang, xiao, beidou

a/n. tfw lantern rite is so good it inspires you to write

Asking Them / Getting Asked To Watch The Fireworks By Them

zhongli

when zhongli turns around a corner in the wangsheng funeral parlor, he is delighted to see you. “hello, (y/n). i wasn’t expecting to see you here. i thought you’d be enjoying the festival.”

nervously, you twiddle your fingers. “yes, about that… i was just wondering if you’d like to watch the fireworks together…?” you suggest.

zhongli is quiet, eyes on the floor. you suddenly regret asking. “but, ah… if you’re too busy, or just don’t want to…” your voice slowly trails off as your face gets hot.

zhongli suddenly looks at you. “oh, no, it’s not that.” he clears his throat. “i’d love to watch the fireworks with you. i just was just trying to think of the most ideal location to watch them from.”

“oh,” you chuckle. “i mean, we have a nice few even from here. we don’t need to travel far.” you tell him.

zhongli shakes his head. “i appreciate the offer but uh… if we stay here, we’ll have an uninvited guest,” he nods towards hu tao, who has completely turned in her chair to watch you and zhongli.

you nod, grinning. “right. then what do you think about heyu tea house?” you ask. “that also has a nice view…”

zhongli smiles, stepping past you and opening the door to the funeral parlor. “that sounds wonderful.”

you step outside and into the commotion of the festival. you can hear people laughing and talking, children running around with liyue delicacies in their hands, and couples walking hand in hand.

zhongli lifts his arm slightly, and you intertwine your arm with his. he can’t help but smile. “alright, to heyu tea house we go.” he says.

ningguang

since you had been such a great help with restoring the jade chamber, you had recently been tasked with helping lady ningguang herself. it was truly an honor, and it also brought you closer to ningguang.

after a day of running around and meeting with people and overlooking the festivities, you finally returned to the jade chamber with ningguang. after helping her out with a few more things, you no longer had any reason to stay with her.

“well, lady ningguang, i believe that’s it for me…” you tell her.

the tianquan simply nods. “thank you for all of your help today. i don’t believe i would have returned to the jade chamber so early if it wasn’t for you.”

you smile. “thank you.” you turn to leave but suddenly stop, turning back to ningguang, who hasn’t moved from where she was standing. “um, lady ningguang, if you’d like to see the fireworks, i’ll be just outside, so…”

after a few moments, she smiles. “thank you for the invite.” and then she turns and walks away, quietly slipping into her room.

you rush out of the jade chamber, cringing at yourself in embarrassment. what gave you the courage to say that to ningguang? why would you even ask? you had only been working for her for a few weeks, so why—

you’re pulled out of your thoughts when you hear the familiar clicking of heels behind you. you turn to see ningguang, beautifully dressed in a navy blue evening gown. for a moment, you swear that she seems almost… shy?

“not to ask this so suddenly, but… what do you think of this gown?” ningguang asks.

you realize your jaw has dropped slightly at the sight of her. you quickly close it. “um… you look… beautiful, ningguang.”

she sighs in relief. “i’m glad. i wasn’t entirely sure if this fit me.” she smiles. “but i trust your judgement.”

“i thought you’d be too tired to join me for the fireworks, but i’m glad you’re here,” you tell her.

ningguang shakes her head slightly and she walks closer to you. “even if i was, i would never miss the fireworks of the festival for the world, especially if it’s with you,” she says, a playful smirk on her face.

xiao

you had spent the day with xiao, however you hadn’t

bothered to ask him to watch the fireworks with you. he wasn’t a fan of crowds, and you didn’t want him to feel obligated to join you. so once the sun began to set, you decided it was time to head back to liyue harbor.

“well, i should get going… it’ll be time for the fireworks by the time i get back to the harbor,” you tell xiao. “are you going back to wangshu inn? we can take the path that goes past there.”

“oh,” xiao says. “…yeah. we can do that.”

you two walk hand in hand in silence, listening to the surrounding nature and the distant commotion from liyue harbor. as you grew closer to wangshu inn, xiao suddenly stopped.

“hm? xiao, everything okay?”

xiao nods. “i was thinking…” he looks past you. “maybe we could watch the fireworks together.”

you stand still for a moment, before quickly nodding. “yes! that would be really nice, xiao.” you say softly.

xiao starts walking again and you quickly walk to catch up with him, grabbing hold of his hand again. “i swear i wanted to ask you,” you say. “but i know the festival isn’t exactly the most… inviting place for you.”

xiao shrugs. “i know. but i just really want to watch them with you…”

you smile. “thank you, xiao.”

beidou

you stand on the crux, resting your elbows on the ledge and looking out to the sea. you had been helping beidou with some things, and it ended up taking all day. you were still on the crux, and you surely wouldn’t make it back to the harbor in time to see the fireworks as you had planned.

“what’s up? you haven’t said a word in hours. catfish got your tongue?” you hear beidou’s voice growing closer. you feel her arm around your shoulders.

you sigh. “it’s nothing. i just wanted to see the fireworks… i made plans and everything but…”

“you’re here on the ship,” beidou speaks as if she can read your thoughts.

you nod. “yeah,” you say softly.

beidou laughs, patting your back. “well, you’re in luck! it may not be what you had planned, but little do you know, we have the best seats in liyue!” she says.

you give her an unsure look.

“hey, come on! think about it! we’re a pretty good distance away from the docks so we won’t miss a thing! no trees or buildings blocking our view!” she tells you, grabbing your shoulders and leading you to the other side of the crux.

you realize that she’s correct — you really do have the perfect view.

“hmm,” you say. “you’re right.”

“you know it! i’ve spent more time than anyone on this ship!” she retorts. “i know all the tricks.”

“then, will you stay and watch the fireworks with me?” you ask softly.

beidou looks flustered for a moment, but she quickly pulls herself together. “of course! who do you think i am?” she wraps her arm around your waist. “i would never let you watch the fireworks all alone.”

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