## GETTING HANMA’S TATTOOS AFTER HE DIED

Follow @linzi-yay As fast as light ^^

“Tea Leaf”

Last sentence changed from  “ Am I supposed to give you a lick as thanks?”

No cz i rlly need to ramble my guts out to any1, but who?? 🙁

Reverse Streamer AU

ーOur favorite characters are streamers who play the game Genshin Impact and somehow fall in love with a particular character, you.

ーChilde x gender neutral reader

ーHeadcannons, Fluff

ーWarning: Childe content, cursing, usage of childe's real name

ーNote: AS USUAL @alberivh HELPED ME WITH EVERYTHING AND ALMOST HALF OF THIS ARE THEIR IDEAS TOO CHECK EM OUT

ーChilde

•Ah yes, Ajax (derogatory)

•His streamer name would be "Tartaglia"! He doesn't exactly remember where the name came from but it stuck and he doesn't really want to change it

•He's one of those people who everyone loves but makes fun of. #tartagliaslander is a commonly seen popular hashtag that comes up even few days

•Often is seen playing PvP games and is known for his fluid emotional state while playing games aka they love seeing his expressions and reactions because he's very.. expressive

•One time, they somehow convinced him to play a horror game and they were rewarded with comedy gold

•"HOLY FUCK *voice crack*"

•"NONONONONO WHY THE FUCK *voice crack* IS HER HEAD BACKWARDSー"

•"*insert high pitched scream* oh wait nevermind I thought it was Scaramouche"

•ehem, I shall skip over those details

•He ended up discovering genshin impact after someone in his stream compared him to a certain character

•"Oh really? I bet my mora that I'm better than this character you're talking about"

•He honestly speedruns the start of the game, he's really good at adapting to new games and learn how to play them

•And now! The moment he's been waiting for, he's finally in Liyue and he shall finally see for himself the person everyone has been talking aboutー

•"Hey sweety, hold still"

•Oh dear Ajax, you don't have a thought behind those eyes do you?

•His audience could practically see the gears turning in his head while he's watching you fight. He's usually very expressive but his face was all blank until the cut scene ended

•"...you guys win the betー" and it all went downhill from there

•Practically BEGS mihoyo for your banner daily after getting a few minutes of screen time of you

•"@Mihoyo when are we getting [name]'s banner" His wish gets granted.. a few months later

•“The unlucky whaler! Ajax” #PROUD

•He's one of those people who you can't help but wonder just how much money he has because he's always spending it for you almost like an investmentー

•Of course, there is a bad side. He has shit luck, he could spend a bunch of money for a character but lose the 50/50 to someone else. Though his bad luck only applies to characters, he had really good luck regarding artifacts

•He's unintentionally really good at building characters! He could casually just do 200k damage while putting random artifacts on a character

•But when it comes to you? Oh boy. 

•He has like 15 different tabs with many different builds regarding you comparing each and every one of them to see which one is the best because only the best for you my dear <3

•He's one of those players who have a slightly inappropriate signature

•"Twerks sadly in no c6 [name]"

•Probably steals resources from friends and only asks to get some after he's already taken them. He and Kaeya have a mutual agreement to take each other's resources without telling each other.

•“Kaeya can i get a—“ “Starconch? Sure”

•Giggles innocently after spending 3 weeks to save up all of your materials aka stealing his friend's resources

•He simped for your hand in your trailer next question. Him talking about how beautiful your hands would be if you had a ring thereー

•Him absolutely losing it in that one scene where u destroyed a bunch of ruin guards in like a few seconds 

•Everyone just sees him cover his mouth and he slowly sinks into his chair. He's usually very vocal when it comes to showing how down bad he is but he just gotta catch his breath for a second, somebody give him a cold glass of waterー

•Him reacting to your foul legacy form LIKE IT WAS A LIFE CHANGING EXPERIENCE

•"Oh fuck they could step on me, I mean they could step on me, oh wait no I mean they could step on meー"

•“oh my god…THEY LOOK HOTTER THAN BEFORE??? MOM THIS IS YOUR FUTURE KID IN LAW, DO YOU LIKE THEM????”

•He let out the highest, loudest, girliest scream when you finally came home, it doesn't matter if he lost the 50/50 like 5 different times, it was worth itー

•He literally got u at lvl 90 and 4.8k damage after a few mins of getting you and crowned you twice

•HE HAS YOUR NAME CARD AS SOON AS POSSIBLE AND EVERYTHING THAT WAS RELATED TO YOU

•Another one who collects all your ascension materials even thought he doesn't need them anymore

•“Guys…I can’t do this, /pulls for c6 [name]/“

•*Gets random other five star /slams head on desk/*

•“Mihoyo fuck you /pulls again/“

•/gets your weapon/ "I WANT THE CHARACTER NOT THE WEAPON"

•Then he goes to absolutely destroy the abyss with you

•Cries over your lore and then he goes like “YEAH LET'S THE ABYSS TOGETHER!”

•Probably named himself "Sweetheart" so that you would call him sweetheart in the game

•Childe would be this one dude who babysits Teucer and streams at the same time. So technically….he’s fighting over you while feeding teucer his food

•He's basically hypnotized teucer into loving you

•“do you like [name]”

•“Say yes or i’ll tell mom we’re eating vegetables tonight—“

•“Yes”

•He probably shows teucer pics of you on the TV and makes him wear a shirt that has y/n supremacy written on it

•He makes teucer watch ur trailer the way toddlers watch cocomelon

•“Teucer this is the new cocomelon”

•Sometimes when he's babysitting Teucer he just deadpans and goes

•"Look, I'd be a great dad so [name] if you're hearing thisー"

•You know how Childe is a boss right? You're a boss too. He wouldn't attack you the first time because he's dying inside because you're basically flirting with him while fighting oh my fucking god lord have mercyー

•“Surrender is a valid option, I promise I’ll be gentle—“

•“Kiss me”

•Fighting your boss is literally the highlight of his week

•"WEEK 13 OF FIGHTING [name]!!"

•I know he would get jealous if you're shipped with another character

•“This fucking bastardー“ *never plays their story quest

•Loses 50/50 cause of said character, equips them and makes them fall to their death multiple times

•HE’LL DO THAT DAILY AND TREAT THEM AS A PRISONER ON THEIR TEAPOT

•“No lunch for prisoners like you” aggressively attacks them

•He technically lives for you. So see him building his whole teapot for you and you only

•He has a part in his tea pot that looks like a wedding ceremony and puts you at the altar

•I know he be begging mihoyo for a new skin for you after seeing after seeing fanart of you in a suit, Mihoyo isn't surprised at this point

•He made a little prison for everyone who stole his pity and regularly attacks them or equips them to make them fall off a cliff

•He cried when the teapot voice lines were about you wanting to introduce him to your family cause we all know how much of a family man he is

•He would make a whole lake for you in his teapot

•Him collecting your fish at your teapot world and then says shit like “everything for you beloved”

•Insert that one meme "anything for you Beyonce"

•HE GOT SO SCARED BECAUSE YOU ALREADY HAVE DEATH FLAGS SINCE THE BEGINNING

•"HUH? They might die? What do you mean?? they're safe in my teapot" *aggressively makes you a safe bunker in his teapot*

•Watches sad animations of you and your sibling and hugs Teucer for emotional support

•“Hahahaha guys they d-don’t have death f-flags! Alright!!” 

•The first stage of grief: denial.

•Childe getting frustrated because your cooldown is a fucking menace to his irritation and he's terrible with archers

•“Why did I pull for them? Well….they’re hot”

•The comments: I thought you like archers

•“No?? I only pullled for them because they’re hot and have you ever saw me playing an archer aside from y/n though, I GUESS YOU HAVEN’T” cue him running away from the mitachurl as soon as ur ult ends

•HE ALSO LIKES TO SLANDER YOU BUT IN A LOVING WAY LIKE “HAPPY BIRTHDAY MY FAVORITE LITTLE SHIT!”

•"Aww, my favorite menace to society"

•I know he gets all pouty when he finds out you're rich cause he wants to spoil you

•he would also flirt with your character using stupid puns

•“Are you water cause I'm thirstyー”

•Childe seems to be the type to flame you for your damage in co-op but is always so understanding when you're not good at the game and carries you

•I know his room is filled with merchandise you cannot convince me otherwise

•he has a whole shelf of plushies and figurines of you, he even had a narwhal plushie custom made inspired by you

•He hugs your narwhal plushies and pretend as if it was you #touchstarved

•Your narwhal plushies is literally in every corner of his room

•All in all, Teucer needs a break from his big brother's shenanigans 

《Reverse Streamer AU Masterlist》 : 《General Masterlist》

Taglist: @urujiako , @simplyxsinned , @starglitterz , @alberivh , @noirkkat , @chichikoi , @oreoz-unfortunately , @bookuya , @shxnosuke , @abyssheart , @almond-adeptus , @masterofbrioches , @almondoufu , @thomaghosty , @tsu-simps-for-pretty-bois , @spottyspatula , @icecappa , @mayple

Send an ask if you want to be added!

Thank you for writing mc, idk why i simp for her <3 (i mean she's gorgeous tho)

relaтιonѕнιp нeadcanonѕ

More like I ramble about chars to get a feel for them before writing fics,, sorry this is so casual

Includes Marius, Vyn, Artem, Luke, and the MC!

мarιυѕ von нagen

I REALLY like that YES he has money and uses it but isn’t the down to earth rich person trope? He acknowledges his responsibility and power and uses it to his advantage, but doesn’t get lost in either side of himself. He’s still a good amount of trope tho

He’s pouty and playful while retaining a really nice balance (albeit somewhat hidden) between that and being able to make hard and fast decisions as a CEO.

He rly wants to just be an artist tho skkakdjsjrkkwt

He’s so mf annoying (affectionate) sometimes okay,,, if he’s in a mood and you’re working? Not anymore lol you’re in his lap his arms are around you and he’s pouting into your neck :(

LOVES your hands. Loves them. Unconditionally and forever. Any scars or blemishes? Incredible. Vitiligo? He’s kissing your fingers as often as possible. Lil moles or freckles? He memorizes where they are and traces over those spots on his own hand when he’s lonely at work

Don’t take him to your house he’ll invite himself to your shower and drag you in with him to wash your hair. Yes he brought you new hair care stuff, he researched your hair type and brought the best products

If you have trouble accepting money or gifts you’re in for it,,, if you flat out tell him no, he’ll stop! But if he can tell you’re not 100% about refusing his gifts they’ll become commonplace

His favorite gifts to give you are things he’s made or personalized. Gifts you paintings and sculptures often, but if he’s really busy with work he’ll have a stash of meaningful designs and have them engraved on something for you

Am I projecting a little with the gift giving and touch love languages? No I’m not bc it’s canon ANYWAYS

He’s pretty lowkey about his identity so some of your friends are absolutely wigged at finding out he’s the CEO of Pax

Refuses to call you by your code name smh Queen is not it bb

Tell him early on if you like or dislike PDA bc he’s really versatile with it. Amongst the NXX he’s always got a hand on you somehow but in public or with anyone else? It varies HUGELY. Sometimes he can’t let go of you and other times he keeps his shoulder to yours and nothing more. Is it sensory or just a mood thing? That’s up to you ≧◠‿◠≦

vyn rιcнтer

Never ever ever forgets a meaningful date wtf,,, those he writes down so it makes SOME sense but also! Every piece of personal info you give him is instantly stored and ready for use. It’s equal parts endearing and shady

Unless you ask him to stop, he’ll openly read you. The only difference you’ll make by voicing discomfort is that he just doesn’t say it aloud when he does it

Secretly loves you stealing his glasses

Don’t ask why he has both a wristwatch and a pocketwatch, 50/50 chance you’ll be endeared or put off

He DOES get jealous but he’d never pass into yandere territory

If you’re here for soft vyn get off my blog /hj he’s sweet and I love him but there’s deadass something wrong w him (but I’ll never write yandere nor do I think he’d be one)

He doesn’t get JEALOUS if someone he doesn’t know helps you he’ll pout (maybe seethe just a little), he just really wants to be someone dependable to you skjjjsjejfjejtjss mild puppy moment

You’re one of the only ppl he can take places pls say yes if he asks, maybe he’s so off bc he’s got no friends loser

Can fight a bitch but will not

Really likes power rushes

Takes you to back alley restaurants that are ABSOLUTELY fronts for all kinds of illegal activity, but their food is incredible so you’re not complaining

arтeм wιng

He doesn’t blush, but when he gets flustered he DOES make it obvious snqkdjwnjrjw his fist goes to his mouth and he cannot make eye contact, sometimes he’ll even force down a nervous smile

Such a good mf listener he’s so interested in every word you say

His kisses are either barely there or passionate asf there is no inbetween

Teaches you how to shoot TEACHES YOU HOW TO SHOOT both for the sport and self-defense

Rly likes holding your hand while he drives, if you can’t then his hand is v innocently on your thigh. He just wants to touch you lmfao and he can’t do it at work

Doesn’t hold your hand while walking, but! He holds it every other chance he gets. Coffee shop, stopping to take a photo, bookstore, etc

When jealous he’ll put a hand on your waist or smth but nothing extreme until he gets drunk lmaooo then he’s mad but very easy to placate and put to sleep

Please tuck him in when he’s drunk, he hates it <3

Dw tho he doesn’t drink often and being truly sloshed is rare

ARTEM. Artem I understand you’re a lawyer but you cannot be this upset when I pirate movies and expensive programs. Artem give the computer back

Artem having a sleep schedule does not mean it’s a GOOD one you need more than 6 hours

His love languages are more quality time, words of affirmation, and acts of service, but he does really enjoy touch. Only one he doesn’t rly do is gift giving

Wear his tie and he’ll go kinda insane bc it’s so cute and YES you’re his aaaa

lυĸe pearce

Sweet boy. He’s so mf sweet

Scrambles to hold doors open for you

First sign of danger he shifts into cool, protective mode, but otherwise all of his attention is trained on you when you’re with him. It’s less when he’s working, but even then he wants you to talk to him. He engages in more banter when he works, is it a confidence thing?

Not that he has an issue with confidence, but maybe he feels his work is impressive so he shifts into a playful but focused mindset

Gives you candy and all his clothes. All of them. He’s not even slick about it LUKE YOUR WHOLE CLOSET CANNOT FIT IN MINE

Wants clothes of yours too, better buy some oversized shirts

Touching you all the time if you’re comfy with it, juss let him hold you

PDA for him means quick kisses and hand holding but that’s kinda it, anything more is behind closed doors

He’s scared of spiders I’m sorry to break it to you

Calls you Watson more than your actual name

Some days, when he’s alone with you, he slows down a whole lot. Maybe he’s burnt out, maybe he just needs some lovin’, but he really just wants to cuddle on the couch and press slow kisses to your lips

мc

If you exaggeratedly roll the R when saying her codename she giggles it’s the cutest shit

Her pad is so much nicer than yours but she prefers going to your place, she feels so happy that u trust her there

Loves linking pinkies w you in public and might swing your arms a little

If her clothes fit you, she’s putting you in her formal work outfits and taking hella pics skansjjaew

Loves being on your arm but always leads when dancing

REALLY quick and calm to point out smth she doesn’t like and talks you through it very civilly without feeling patronizing, arguments with her are nonexistent

Her kisses are deep but quick snnwkejfnentjjs no matter the situation

Please mess with her hair she loves it

Wants to hear everything about your day, but would rather watch you work on something you’re passionate about. She really admires drive and something about seeing you get really into a project hits her hard

Take her outside the city she needs it

Always knows what you like and buys you smth every now and again, but isn’t an avid gifter

She’s more quality time and words of affirmation

She likes handmade gifts or thoughtful ones, but mostly prefers touch, time, and words :)

Somebody send request pwease

— tokyo rev characters and tropes

— content/tags. fluff, angst ropes in some, discussion of tropes n storylines, mentions of death

— a/n. it’s not proofread </3 enjoy <3 kinda cringe ngl, tumblr keeps fucking up my read mores so sorry besties 😭

TAKEMICHI HANAGAKI

childhood friends to lovers trope with him. a bittersweet story, sour in some parts, butterfly inducing in others. by the end of it, you’ll end up hand in hand with the man who you’ve known forever. the gap-toothed, rosy cheeked, pudgy boy is now the man who stands beside you today. the one who cries while reading out the vows he’s memorised off by heart.

MANJIRO ‘MIKEY’ SANO

enemies to lovers. you find him spoiled, childish and insufferable; while he on the other hand has never been bothered by you. this just rules you up more. the two of you begin to notice each other more and more, argue more and more— refuse to admit the obvious feelings you hold for each other. all until it boils over into a tearful confession and a heated kiss.

KEN ‘DRAKEN’ RYUGUJI

the forbidden lovers. a boy with a bad reputation, residing in a brothel? pft. you’d be crazy if you thought your family would accept him, let alone even let you be around him. secret meetings, sneaking out in early hours of the morning, kisses and intertwined fingers when no one’s looking your way. eventually, someone finds out, and it’s burnt out with you having to be torn away from his arms. maybe someday, in the future, you’ll meet.

MITSUYA TAKASHI

past life trope. no matter how many times you die, in your next life, you’ll always be bounded to him. it’s painful having to watch him die, or a life where you have to leave him- it’s all so horrible. but you always know you’ll meet him again. whether it be in the middle of an apocalypse, or a life where you’re reborn as a princess and him a prince- you know that he is bounded to you.

KAZUTORA HANEMIYA

exes to lovers. you’re still yearning for him after he’s left, he’s still waiting for you. you’re still the only one who can make him feel at ease. you’re each other’s solace, it was just right person, wrong time. stealing glimpses when you catch each other at the convenience store, fleeting glances across the table when you go out with the friends you still share. eventually growing and maturing, only to realise, he’s the only one you can ever love and winning him back.

KEISUKE BAJI

brother’s best friend. you’re off-limits, and while you crush on him majorly, he always tells you he still sees you as his own little sibling. only because he doesn’t wanna face your older brother’s wrath. he grows up alongside your brother, they go to college together and by the time he comes back; you’ve grown up so much and you’re beautiful. just like before. he might just have a chance with you.

CHIFUYU MATSUNO

friends to lovers. so sweet and mushy it causes a tooth ache. you’re each other’s best friend, you can confide in each other anytime. you ask him what it’s like to kiss, and he offers himself up to you. practicing a kiss on your best friend. things go wrong in the middle due to miscommunication, but by the end, you’re back on your feet and side by side with your best friend and partner for life. he’s a ride or die.

HAKKAI SHIBA

firsts. a sweet, slow, blossoming romance. you’re his first everything. taking baby steps together. exploring relationships with him at your side. kissing him for the first time, holding his hand for the first time. spending your first valentines together, gifting each other a small gift each. it’s all so sweet and sappy. watching him fumble and blush and struggle to make eye contact with you because he’s just so shy.

YUZUHA SHIBA

summer romance. holding hands with her on the pier is a distant memory. bouquets of wild flowers that die by the time it’s autumn. polaroids with curling corners of her hair blowing in the august breeze as she sits on the beach. torn love letters shoved to the bottom of your drawers and her floral skirt scrunched up in the back of your closet. summer is gone and bitter winter nips at your nose. you miss her warmth oh so much.

NAHOYA KAWATA + SOUYA KAWATA

love triangle (they both like u tho help). complete opposites, they appeal to you in different ways. nahoya is a wild ride, sneaking into your room at midnight and taking you on spontaneous trips. souya is gentle and kind, he holds your hand and cleans your scraped up knees from all the times you’ve fallen. caught in the middle of two wonderful men, and you just can’t make up your mind.

SHUJI HANMA

fwb. night after night, he leaves after taking what he wants. he’s quick and fleeting. there’s really no love in his actions, and no longing in his voice. he puts on a front, builds up his walls so high you can’t break through. it’s only when you put a stop to the arrangement does he realise how badly he’s messed up. pouring his heart out in a drunken phone call and regretting it the day after when he wakes up with a pounding headache, the bright side is a worried you tending to his every need.

IZANA KUROKAWA

arranged marriage. he’s cold and distant at first. not knowing how to feel about all of this. but after he warms up, after he gets to know you, after he stops being so mean; he falls hard and fast. so fast that it gives you whiplash. the tide changes. he’s happy and he wants to make you even happier. it takes a while to regain your trust, apologise for the many times he’s hurt you, but to see you smile; he would do anything.

SEISHU INUI

prince/servant. it’s a death sentence for you. to be creeping around in the royal gardens past hours, waiting for the young crown prince to appear with a rose in hand. you want to run away and so does he. he wants to get away from the hectic and pressures of royal life, wants to live a normal life with you. wants to grow old with you.

HAJIME KOKONOI

unrequited love. you’ll always be second best, you’ll never elicit that same smile on koko’s face as she once did. he’ll always pretend to love you. pretend your her. whisper goodnight to her when it’s you laying down in bed. and yet you stay, because you’re in love with a man who’ll never love you back fully.

RAN HAITANI

body swap. it’s the mutual hatred you hold for each other that causes it. he’s stuck at school, in your body, trying his hardest not to fail classes for you. while you’re out fighting on the streets of roppongi, got rindou wandering what happened to his strong older brother. you only switch back after confessing how you’ve grown to feel about each other. then life goes back to normal- with a little added romance.

RINDOU HAITANU

fake dating. he wants to prove to his brother that he can get any girl he wants. wants to prove to everyone that he’s just as suave, just as handsome as his brother is. and you? well you want to make his older brother jealous. everything blows over and comes out eventually, the two of you realise you’re simply meant for one another.

HARUCHIYO SANZU

soulmates. bounded by soul. his name is engraved in your heart. you can’t escape each other. he’s incredibly loyal, to the point of no return. no matter what hardships you face, he’ll always be there by your side. he feels your pain, hears your thoughts, shares your joy. sanzu is there for you every step of the way.

SENJU AKASHI

opposites attract. she’s loud and excitable, you can be a little stern and boring. you melt around her, she’s technically your foil, chalk and cheese; by you get along like the best of friends. you love each other to bits and you would never change anything about her, and senju would never change you either.

TAKEOMI AKASHI

best friends brother. it’s risky. he’s older too. always felt unattainable. you meet one day at senju’s twenty-first birthday party, he hasn’t seen you since you were a little tot; running around after his energetic sister. you’re so pretty. so grown up. lost the baby fat from your cheeks, filled in your clothes just right and your hair is a little longer now. it’s secret. passionate kisses where no one will find you; embraces behind closed doors. it’s so… dirty. yet you wouldn’t have it any other way.

HANMA X READER WHERE READER PLAYS WITH HIS HANDS HELLO

「 𝐡𝐚𝐧𝐝 𝐠𝐚𝐦𝐞 」

playing with your boyfriend’s hands.

𝐟𝐞𝐚𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐢𝐧𝐠... hanma shuuji x gn!reader

𝐖𝐀𝐑𝐍𝐈𝐍𝐆𝐒 - written in a rush, mentions of violence/gore, reader is in highschool

𝐍𝐎𝐓𝐄𝐒 - the handma fucker is back at it again... also i don’t have a hand kink but i have friends who do so let’s just say i learned this from them ! <3

𝐇𝐀𝐍𝐌𝐀 had some very nice hands. especially for all of the beating up he does for fun. not even because they did anything that was actually wrong, but because he thought they looked at him funny. violence is the only option for this man and you have no idea how you find it so attractive.

one day he came to your apartment with some messed up wounds. bleeding from everywhere, waiting to be infected. and burns? like cigarette burns, more specifically.

“what did you do this time,” you sigh and let him in.

“some small gang thought they would win against me but they played dirty.” he grimaced as he walked over and sat down in a chair, awaiting your care. jeez, did they do that much to him?

“and this is why i don’t like you fighting random people on the street, especially by yourself. shuu, you gotta be more careful than this.”

you reach into a cabinet almost out of your reach, but you were able to get it. maybe you should put it somewhere more accessible when he comes to you all beat up all the time.

“yeah, but where’s the fun in that?”

“where’s the fun in you being hurt and me taking care of you at 3 am every few days?”

“i get to see you ♡“ he laughed, then winced when you put some cleaning alcohol on one of his bigger cuts.

“i also like seeing you, but not when you’re all beat up. you know that you’re always welcome here even without injuries.” you reach into the first-aid kit to get some medical tape since you were not a heathcare professional, but it definitely felt like it sometimes.

“well you’re no fun,” he frowns. he’s leaning back onto the backrest, tempted to tip himself over.

“then you can take care of yourself. i don’t like being woken up in the middle of the night because of your dumbass.”

he doesn’t respond, leaving the two of you in a somewhat uncomfortable silence. after almost an hour of disinfecting and wrapping up his wounds, the cigarette burns were the only ones left. gnarly-looking too.

“here, put this on yourself. i’ll sleep on the couch, you can sleep in--”

“i need help with this.” you were so tired. you were a full-time student and you worked at a small store part-time for some extra cash, and now the caretaker of this boy who got into useless fights. sometimes you wondered why you continued to love this man.

“fine, but i’m teaching you how to do it and you better remember for the next time.”

that took a whole ‘nother hour. it was now almost 5 am and it was now wednesday morning. you’d rather skip school today, but your scholarship would be on the line if you just slept in. 

“just stay here, i’ll pay off your school debt at some point for ya.”

“i can’t do that, i don’t even pay for my apartment.” he sighs and picks you up into his arms and heads to your bedroom where he also frequently crashed.

“goodnight, (y/n),” he says, snuggling up into you. it was so warm... you just completely passed out. 

your alarm woke you up at 7 am, as it should, but you turned it off and tried to go back to sleep. though the problem is that you couldn’t go back to sleep. problem number two, hanma’s strong arms were wrapped around you and he was the big spoon. 

you didn’t wanna wake him up, but the only thing you could really do right at that moment was play with his hands.

you were gentle, since the wrapping was pretty bad. sometimes you considered going around with him when he got into fights. personal on-site medic.

while you were caught up in your thoughts, you continued to play with his hands. messed around with his individual fingers, feeling their callouses developed over years and years of fighting with his bare hands. 

at some point you must’ve woken your boyfriend up since he held you closer and broke you out of your many thoughts. you also happened to stop playing with his hands since he retracted them to hold you closer to his body.

“good morning to you too,” he grumbles, his morning voice raspy and low.

“sorry, did i wake you up?”

“no, your damn alarm did.” he pulls you even closer (somehow) and takes a deep breath into your shoulder. “let’s go back to sleep and,”

“you can keep playing with my hands, hun.”

Ong helo again, i want to req reverse streamer au w childe when the reader acc dies at the golden house where the traveller aka childe fight them amdjjsjsjs, i kinda wanna see how his reaction is. (Lets just say the liyue harbor osial attack was done by another hsrbinger)

Just this and if yoi dont write for angst or you dont wanna write this feel free to delete thsi req. (I got the request idea when j was reading your latest work, it was really good 🤸‍♂️)

Yeah give me that angst baybee im a sucker for sadness

I may be a bit bad at writing angst tho, its not my strongest in writing

Also i know you cant see in game bruises/scratches but lets just pretend they exist even out of cutscene

Lets pretend Y/n's little sibling in game is also named Teucer

-ˋˏ✄— Fallen Harbinger

˚₊· ͟͟͞͞➳ Tartaglia x Reader [ Reversed + Streamer AU ! ]

Pronouns: they/them

"Farewell, Fallen Harbinger."

CW: Angst! Death! Mentions of blood!

.navigation. // .genshin impact masterlist.

'Go to the Golden House,' the quest read.

It had just been another regular day for Childe. Wake up, do his morning chores, then do his regular, messily scheduled streaming.

And, as per usual, he had been streaming Genshin Impact, a well known game in the streaming community.

"The Golden House? Uh, okay then..."

He stole a glance at his chat, who were telling each other to shut up, while some only asked what would happen in confusion. Spoilers were probably deleted by his mods.

"Chat, you're scaring me, chat. What the hell is going to happen? No, no, don't tell me, I don't think I want to know yet."

Something in his head screamd at him, as a cutscene played. His chosen traveller looked around the Golden House before stepping closer to the Exurvia of the former Geo Archon.

And then, in stepped familiar h/c hair, their e/c eyes devoid of light despite the golden mora shining within the Golden House.

"Hey! The lil skrunkly!" He whispered, low enough to not desturb the cutscene.

They conversed for a bit, before the cutscene ended and a battle began.

"Surreder is a valid option, I promise I'll be gentle."

Childe swallowed his saliva, laughing quietly to himself.

"Oh I am going to have fun. Maybe."

─𖠄࿐

The fight ended, and Childe was shaking in his seat. He had barely finished phase 3, getting disracted many times.

Another cutscene played, revealing a tired, worn out traveller. But Y/n was no better, not even on his level.

Standing across the traveller, now out of their Foul Legacy form, was same old Y/n, shaking in their place as scratches and bruises littered their skin.

"Hah, you've bested me. How... intriguing. You truely are...as strong as they say."

Childe, having a chill run up his spine, stared intelty at his screen, deathly quiet.

"La Signora has even praised you for your strength, even if she had not faught you herself, yet. Hah, to get a Harbinger's attention and praise... You sure are a special one, huh?"

─𖠄࿐

Having none of their energy remaining, Y/n collapsed to the floor, on their knees. They could see the traveller hesitate to approach them, but they spoke before he could move.

"Well? What are you waiting for? I may have overused Foul Legacy, and it wont be too long."

They spared a glance at the traveller, and even in their weakest moment, a competetive and mischievous glint shone in their once dull eyes.

"Go on. Aren't you going to kill me?"

The traveller's breath hitched, before they chuckled once again.

"Haha, only joking... Unless you're up to it, of course. I'm not quite a fan of dying to Foul Legacy, but after a fight with the oh so great traveller? It was a fight worth dying for, I guess."

Coughing, blood trickled down their chin, and they wiped it off with the back of their hand.

"May I be able to hope to see you again? To have another battle? Perhaps in the far future, perhaps never again at all..."

Taking a step forward, the traveller ceased his motion as the Harbinger raised a hand.

"No need. Whatever healing you might try to do would not work. Foul Legacy takes my energy, decreasing my life span. Perhaps I wasn't meant to live long, perhaps my only purpose was to serve the Tsaritsa."

A chuckle, breathy and tired and solemn and...happy.

Happy to have someone to pass one last message for them.

"Before you leave," they spoke. "You'll probably be able to find one or two of the Harbingers here. One of them would be summoning a god banished to the depths below. You cannot stop them. Or maybe you can. But, before you leave."

They looked up, and despite the scratches and blood on their face, their half lidded eyes shined a thousand times brighter than all the mora in the Golden House.

"My siblings... My mother, my father... Everyone..."

They smiled, brighter than their eyes. It was soft and kind and solemn and genuine and sad.

A million words spoke through that smile. A million messages, a million apologies, a million grateful thank yous. Directed to their family, their parents, their siblings.

A million farewells. Directed to everyone.

Directed to the traveller. To Childe.

"Give them one last goodbye for me, will you? A hug, for everyone. A kiss on the cheek, for mum and dad."

A smile, solemn and bright. But never remorseful, never faux.

"Tell Teucer I'm sorry."

Falling to their side, they collapsed on the ground with a thud, and the Golden House was deathly quiet.

─𖠄࿐

Childe stared at the screen. Eyes wide, mouth agape. If you looked close enough, you could see his shaking form as the cutscene ended.

Another quest popped up.

'Bid Y/n L/n a final goodbye.'

And he wailed in his seat.

Tears streamed down his cheeks, and he made it seem more dramatic to make people assume he wasn't really badly affected by their death.

"I— what— NO! My skrunkly! My little meow meow!"

He moved his character to stand in front of Y/n, an interact button popping up.

'Bid your farewells.'

He did so, seeing his character change to the traveller, who kneeled down beside Y/n. Paimon floated down to the ground, placing a hand on their head.

"...We promise you, Y/n. Your family will be alright."

Taking a flower, a Cecilia from Mondstadt, the traveller gingerly placed it atop their head.

"...We'll be going now, Y/n." He said, and stood up.

Childe had been quiet the whole time, and he could see his chat going wild on the corner of his eyes, all screaming 'NO' or 'o7' or anything alike.

"What the fuck!?" He exclaimed, not touching the game. Rolling his chair backwards a bit, he turned his head to chat, hands intertwined in front of his face, covering his mouth.

He wiped his teary eyes and wet cheeks, trying to find his voice.

"That was too early! I thought I could ignore the death flags until further!!" He exclaimed, staring directly at his face cam. Running a hand through his hair, he dramatically slouched on his chair, groaning loudly.

"Nooo! I would have protected them!"

Suddenly springing up from his seat, he wailed even louder.

"THEIR FAMILY!! THEY'RE GOING TO BE FUCKING DEVASTATED! And— and— their siblings! TEUCER!" He exclaimed.

"I'm sueing Mihoyo Hoyoverse what the fuck."

─𖠄࿐

@Tartaglia Tweeted!

WHAT THE FUCK WHAT WHY I— NOOOO

@ScaryMouche Tweeted!

@Tartaglia do u know how loud u are wailing up there??

@Tartaglia Tweeted!

THEY KILLED THEM SCARA THEY KILLED Y/N

@ScaryMouche Tweeted!

WE KNOW YOUVE BEEN FUKIN CRYING ABOUT IT FOR THE PAST HOUR

@ScaryMouche Tweeted!

Honestly if u didnt pay most of the rent Dottore probably would have kicked u out before you lasted an hour in this house

@Tartaglia Tweeted!

Guys who wants to come with me lets make a personal shrine for Y/n in our backyard

@IlDottore Tweeted!

@Tartaglia Do that and I will burn you and the shrine.

—PATCHWRK !

[ 𝟏:𝟓𝟕 𝐀𝐌 ] — 𝐊𝐈𝐒𝐀𝐊𝐈 𝐓𝐄𝐓𝐓𝐀

it’s cold.

that’s the first thing kisaki thinks when he wakes up, eyebrows furrowing when the bed is empty and devoid of you and your usual warmth beside him. sitting up, he groans as he stretches his muscles out, hastily climbing out to find you. he tries to convince himself not to panic.

the bathroom lights are off—he notes all your things are thankfully still there—and so are the hallway lights, and so are the living room lights, but the kitchen seems to be lit. sighing, he walks in, watching from the entrance as you sit at the table, swirling a cup of tea around in your mug glumly.

“you should be in bed,” he says dryly. you don’t even blink, staring off ahead.

“what’s it to you?” you scowl. he grits his teeth, eyes narrowing as they stare down at you. it’s scrutinizing—everything seems to be when it comes to kisaki. he’s always got something to say, and it’s grown tiring for you.

“watch it,” he warns, making you roll your eyes. staring up at him, there’s a small pool of tears at the corner of your eyes, and his anger slowly ebbs away. for the first time, he takes in how hallow your eyes seem and how disappointed you are. and he feels himself fearing your withdrawal from him—the rejection seems unbearable if it comes from you.

“you go back to bed,” you wave off. “i’ll come in a bit.” you try to hide the shakiness of your voice, but he catches it immediately. and as scrutinizing as kisaki can be, as nit-picky to every detail as he can seem, as hard to please and even harder to decipher as he is, he’s always known exactly what you needed and exactly what to do.

“won’t be able to fall asleep,” he mutters quietly, sitting beside you at the table. he snatches your mug from your hand, taking a long sip of your tea.

“tetta, seriously?” you groan. his lips curl into a smirk, the mug meeting his lips again as he finishes the contents in one large gulp. you should kill him, you think, he’s gotten away with enough anyway.

but his smile is pretty, and the messy bed hair that frames his face is prettier. it makes you smile despite yourself.

“i see you grinning, dumbass,” he says cooly. “you’re not mad.” reaching over, you take the mug from him, giving his shoulder a good shove in the process. it’s halfhearted and it wouldn’t do anything, but he leans his body to the side anyway, his theatrics giving you the satisfaction of seeing him lose his balance slightly.

“i won’t forget the things you said to me,” you whisper. the words underneath are clear. they’ve left a scar. his heart cracks a little, and he wonders if you’ve realized you have the power to batter it until it’s weak. it wouldn’t be hard—one foot out the door and kisaki’s lost all that makes him a man, but he hopes it doesn’t come to that.

“they weren’t true,” he mumbles. “nothing i said was true.” his hair falls onto his eyes, and even though you’re mad, and hurt, and incredibly tired, you find it second nature to reach forward and brush the strands out of his face.

he immediately presses his own palm to the back of your hand, holding it in place and leaning his face into it. and it’s rare to see a small bit of vulnerability from kisaki, to see him so openly hint that he wants—that he needs an ounce of affection, but you know he craves it, and he’s lost without it on most days.

so, with a sigh, you brush your thumb over his cheek, shaking your head at how soft you are for him. loving him’s not easy, but perhaps that’s why you do it. the difficult tasks are always the most rewarding ones in the end.

“tetta—”

“baby,” he corrects. a small grin etches across your lips.

“how about gumdrop?”

“don’t push it,” he purses his lips, and you laugh. and it’s beautiful, he thinks, the soft glow of your face as the dimly lit kitchen illuminates your skin. your head thrown back in your laughing fit sends waves that crash over his heart. he’s casted away from everything else for a moment, all he can focus on being you. and he’s not mad, couldn’t ever be.

“okay, fine,” you agree. the smile on your face slowly falters, but his grip on your hand doesn’t. “baby, i’m just…i can’t deal with the things you say sometimes,” you whisper. “i’m not cut out for this,” you admit.

“you don’t have to be,” he soothes. “i’m working on it. i won’t say things like that anymore,” he promises. and it’s hard to tell if it’s the truth or not, but he sounds determined. and kisaki’s never given a reason not to believe him, he’s always gone great lengths to give you what he promises. so, with a shaky sigh, you lean into his embrace, hearing the beating of his heart in his chest. it’s the same heartbeat that soothes you to sleep each night and matches the rhythm of yours. he kisses the crown of your head, and nothing has ever made him feel as whole and seen and complete as the feel of your skin against his.

“promise?” you whisper.

“yeah, whatever. i promise,” he mumbles. pulling away, you cup his cheeks, taking in the sleep that’s still laced in his eyes, smiling gently at the sight. kissing his nose, then his cheeks, then finally, pressing a lingering kiss to his lips, you stroke your fingers through his hair as he leans into your palm.

“okay,” you nod. he glances at you expectantly. “what?”

“and…?”

“and…?” you tease.

“say it,” he glares. rolling your eyes, you hug his waist, feeling his hand rub over the small of your back.

“i love you,” you murmur. and with an equally as demanding tone, you add, “say it back.”

and it’s his turn to roll his eyes as he mumbles “i love you too.”

This is too good seriously too good holy shit....

put a ring on it.

premise. snippets of daily life between a humble servant and an increasingly clingy master.

word count. 5.2k

note. reader full of snark + dumbass in love ayato = gratuitous amount of banter. i have to say that ayato never goes out of line though, and you're not actually bothered by his advances; you're just a massive tsundere.

“With all due respect, I don't believe being your headrest is part of my duty, my lord.”

“Is that so?”

The noncommittal response pointedly marks the end of his acknowledgement as Ayato makes no effort to sit up, remaining slumped against your frame. His head rests upon your shoulder, a ticklish sensation blooming where the junction between your neck and chin meet. Pale blue hair trail prickling heat where it grazes your skin, an itch you can't quite scratch away.

Even so, the discomfort doesn't reflect on your face, frigid expression carefully layered with blankness. His sinking weight fails to impede your immaculate posture, refined poise a great disparity from his leisurely disposition. It paints an odd picture, the ordinarily faultless heir lacking decorum. Though granted the freedom to do as he wishes in the private confines of his room, it is a mystery why a servant such as you is... graciously permitted to bask in his exclusive company. In the private confines of his room. You feel the need to emphasize that detail.

In his hands lays a scroll concerning governmental affairs, urgent matters that demand his attention, so you can't begin to comprehend why he insists on using this time to harass reward a lowly servant with his valuable presence when there is business to attend to.

He leans more of his weight to your side, and he—you nearly sputter indignantly—mimics an action that can almost be described as nuzzling. “Mhm. This is convenient for me, since I've hardly found the time to rest today. Do you find it intolerable?”

Ignoring the last bit, you advise, “Perhaps it would be more effective if you were to rest in your chambers. I will come call when the Kanjou Commission asks for you.”

He pretends to consider it for a moment, the silence filled with the quiet jingle of wind chimes. Predictably, the corners of his mouth hook up to a smile. “I would prefer to stay, if you don't mind?”

Resigned to your fate, you can only say, “Of course not, my lord.”

For reasons you cannot fathom, the head of the Kamisato household harbors a strong attachment to you.

In normal circumstances, this fact would be taken as great news; presently, you are little more than puzzled and unfeeling. Rather than delight, dread stirs in your stomach whenever he calls your name in a volume louder than necessary—a conscious decision, you presume, since he seems to interact with other servants just fine. Curt and polite, keeping his words concise, preventing further delay from addressing his responsibilities.

Had you not known better, you wouldn't be able to identify him as the same man who indulges in trivialities when he invites you to share snacks, engaging in frivolous chatter over tea and pastries. With increasing frequency nonetheless, and with varying refreshments each time to boot, ranging from an assortment of wagashi. Strawberry daifuku on one tea break, mizu-yokan on the next, sakura mochi on the day after that... You've been serving him for a considerable amount of time, but he's never been much of a sweet tooth until as of late.

Ayato hums thoughtfully, savoring the sweet taste on his tongue. “The mild flavor is pleasant. I believe it might be to your liking.”

He offers you a cup, steam curling above the warm brew. The pink beverage glistens beneath the sunlight, rippling with movement when you take it into your hands. It doesn't require much thinking to conclude the tea leaves must've cost a fortune, but it leaves you plenty of questions just as well. Why would a benefactor give you a taste of luxury?

But you would be a fool not to appreciate it while it lasts, so you lift the cup for a sip.

The flavor of spring bursts in your mouth, fragrant and tasting of sweet nectar. Your frosty guise wavers under the bribery, bliss crossing your face before your lips quirk up to a small, almost imperceptible smile.

Deeming your elated reaction satisfactory, Ayato nudges the plate of confections towards your side of the table. “Eat. They pair well with the tea.”

Who are you to say no to your lord? Therefore, the correct choice must be to gratefully accept his gifts!

(Distracted by desserts, you fail to see his amusement in the way you stuff your cheeks full adorably like a chipmunk.

But he's aware it's not the right time yet, so he suppresses the urge to pinch your face.)

Kamisato Ayato is often praised for his intellect and cunning mind, but sometimes you wonder if he'd finally gone stupid after all that overthinking.

“My hand feels cold,” he laments, as if he hadn't chucked away his gloves ten seconds prior. “Can I hold yours for a moment?”

Ayaka, for her part, looks ashamed on her brother's behalf. With a graceful flick of her wrist, her fan snaps open and obscures the mortified expression on her face. Thoma's bottom lip quivers, valiantly repressing his bubbling laughter though he turns quite ugly in the process.

Sending a prayer to the heavens, you hope your face looks as unreadable as you think it to be. “...I'll fetch you a pair of gloves,” you say, side-stepping the pair he just abandoned on the floor.

“Mhm. That won't be necessary,” he counters, tugging on the edge of your sleeve. “You see, I heard those granted Pyro Visions have warmer body temperature...”

That is undoubtedly a lie he conjures up on the spot.

“...So I was hoping to sate my curiosity today,” he finishes, looking far too pleased with himself. Ayaka avoids your gaze when your eyes sweep past her (she absolutely knows it's an idiotic idea because going by that logic, she should have a colder temperature... but that is obviously not the case), and Thoma is blatantly ignoring your requests for assistance, whistling an awkward tune.

You have half a mind to shift the duty to another retainer similarly bearing a Pyro Vision, who is currently trying his hardest to stifle his pained grunts when you pinch his forearm admonishingly, but there's really no way out of this. Ayato would undoubtedly craft another bullshit reason to coax you anyway. (A part of you thinks it might be fun to keep up the charade just to hear what he'd say next.)

“Right.” You hold up your hand, and Ayato's eyes flicker with mischief. His slender fingers wrap around your wrist, brushing over the jut of your bone. He marvels at the size of it, dwarfed by his large hands, and he curls his fingers tighter.

...He doesn't seem to be assessing your temperature.

But you are mindful of his, a searing heat devouring your senses. His light touches settle heavily on your skin, a prominent warmth amidst the cold gale. Where his fingers rest leave imprints of fire, trails of scorched ash in his wake.

Experimentally, his thumb rubs circles on your palm, tracing over the lines. He rolls the soft flesh, staring at the small cuts and calluses with an attentive eye. Burning the image into his mind. Fiddling with the shape of your fingers. Then, following a brief hitch of his breath, he fits his own in the spaces between yours.

His hand is soft, you think to yourself. Without the presence of leather, it is fully bare, pale and dusted with pink. His knuckles are pronounced, palm surprisingly unscarred in spite of vigorous sword practice, but a writer's callus lay on his ring finger. It is easy to imagine his frame hunched over his desk, pen between his fingers, ink running dry from writing back to missives and signing endless contracts.

(And responding to engagement offers. You would know. They clutter his workspace, scented letters branded by wax seals of a distinguished family's emblem.

He barely throws a cursory glance at them before giving his never changing answer.)

When he gives your hand a squeeze, you finally ask, “Is it warm?”

“Yes.” He sounds somewhat strangled, there, less confident than he was before he took your hand. “Very warm.”

He reluctantly parts with it, stepping back to reduce your close proximity. Ayaka fans herself as she scrutinizes his reddening complexion, and Thoma—partial to the lord, you see, even though he wasn't very eager to lend you a hand before—makes some excuse about a meeting he has to attend to (some beetle fight with Itto, most likely) and if you'd kindly excuse their presence.

“...Please pardon my brother's strange behavior,” Ayaka murmurs when only the both of you remain in the room. “He could be quite straightforward when his curiosity is piqued. He doesn't have weird intentions, really.”

She doesn't appear to believe it herself, but you appreciate her attempts to clean up Ayato's mess.

“It's no trouble, milady.” You flash a placating smile for good measure, reaching down to collect the discarded gloves Thoma nearly tripped on in his way out. “But I'm afraid I'll have to take my leave now as well...”

“Yes, of course! You may go.”

Following her affirmation, you scramble to take a duster and retreat to clean the library.

Mercifully, she doesn't comment on your flushed cheeks and colored ears. (There's only so much composure you can exhaust within one day.)

For all that you (privately) complain about the extensive list of chores to tackle in the Kamisato Estate, you find tending to the garden fairly enjoyable. Alas, you can't exactly spend the whole day pruning the shrubbery; the smile on your face drops immediately when you're sent to go on a shopping trip. Worse still, with no one to assist you in carrying the groceries. Thoma had already promised to accompany Ayaka for a mission, and everyone else is busy preparing for the Kamisato head's upcoming business trip.

Said Kamisato head is apparently “free” and “has the spare time to help” despite being the one who should be busy holing himself up in his office.

Regardless of your protests, Ayato insisted on tagging along to the market. Which brings you to your current situation, your employer dutifully carrying bundles of cloth and a basket of radishes and carrots with an easygoing smile, while your hands remain empty. He is... considerate, if you were to speak in flowery words. He is stubborn, if you were to be blunt.

However, he is relatively obedient, save for the handful of times he rushes off to chase something that caught his eye. As a result, he keeps purchasing cheap trinkets he'll probably have no use for and his pocket is brimming of candy he sometimes stuffs your mouth with when you have something to scold him for. (To be fair, it's very effective for shutting you up.)

“Please don't interrupt me from speaking,” your words are partly muffled, mouth still chewing on the confection. Ayato smiles innocently, pressing another piece of sugar to your lips.

“Where are we headed next?” He questions, looking around the bustling streets as he tucks the jar of konpeito in his sleeve. “Do you still have vegetables you need to buy?”

You shake your head. “No, the cook said he's only missing radishes and carrots in particular. I've also gotten the materials needed to mend clothes Thoma asked for.”

He deflates at that, disappointment painting his expression. “I suppose we're returning, then?”

You purse your lips, considering your options. It wasn't like you were told to come back an appointed time, and you could always blame Ayato for your tardiness... “Does my lord wish to visit anywhere specifically?”

The river of stars in his eyes twinkle ever so slightly, flashing a thinly-veiled childish gleam. “Not anything I could think of at the top of my head. Do you have any recommendations in mind?”

“Recommendations?”

“Places you like to visit.”

During your free time, you usually look around to shop for clothing or accessories... but they're nowhere near the quality befitting of nobles. The yukata isn't tailored to your size, made from cheaper cloth of cotton, and aren't as decorative to what your lord is used to; it's what makes it affordable. Whereas Ayato is often dressed in luxurious silks, embellished with golden thread and customized to his liking.

“It's no harm to bring you there... I guess.” you scratch your cheek. “Though I can't guarantee you'll like it.”

“Nonsense.” He smiles amicably. He reaches for the basket before you can grab it, gesturing for you to start walking. “I'm sure I'll have a good time regardless where it is.”

And... he does. He marvels at the extravagant brocades displayed at boutiques, wondering how one could possibly wear so many heavy layers. Though he doesn't buy clothes for himself, he decides to buy a cute purse he thinks his sister would appreciate.

Ayato expresses interest in ornaments and cosmetics as well, to which the shop owner proceeds to happily introduce her entire catalogue for a man she knows has deep pockets. He doesn't disappoint.

“You don't want anything?” He asks when you only answer his questions pertaining to Ayaka's preferences, two steps behind, never taking the opportunity to roam and search for potential additions in your wardrobe.

It's not that you haven't seen anything you'd like to take home, per se. More like everything is too expensive for your pocket money in this high-end portion of town. “No,” you say instead, because it's easier to explain that way.

He tilts his head inquisitively, but doesn't push the topic. “Help me choose a hair pin then. You know what fits Ayaka best.”

He leads you to the display case housing rows of hair ornaments, each one more remarkable than the next. The last one, undoubtedly the most costly whose price would make you weep, teeters on the edge of gaudy. Adorned with silver butterflies, tear drop sapphires, gems delicately shaped like dewy petals and white pearls sitting atop carved gold, they almost blind your eyes.

“...She'd look beautiful in everything,” is the conclusion you come to, because you speak nothing but the truth. “But please don't buy everything. She will get mad at you.”

“I know,” he sighs. “That's why I needed your help picking one.”

You almost drill holes to the items with how hard you're staring at them, but you eventually point at the pin with pink blossoms. “This would contrast nicely with her hair.”

“Mhm. If you say so,” he hums approvingly, tracing the sculpted leaves.

“Then if that's all, I'll go pay...”

“Ah, which reminds me.” He spins on his heel to face you, lips shaped into an apologetic smile. “I'm nearly running out of parchment paper. Could you stop by the stationery store up front? I'll handle things from here and meet you by the entrance.”

“Of course, my lord.”

On your way outside, you resolutely do not allow your curious gaze to steer towards the tables of sparkling jewelry.

--

The trip back to the estate is uneventful, and the rest of the afternoon passes like any other.

Perhaps the only inconsistency in your repetitive days is the accidental nap you fall into, blanketed in warm rays of sunshine and caressed by the refreshing breeze slipping past ajar doors, your cheek resting on the surface of the table you were supposed to be cleaning. How uncouth of me, you think as you wipe your mouth to check for signs of drool. Your only respite is not having anyone witness you in such a state, otherwise you would've long been rudely awakened and received an earful of chastising.

...Is what you think, until you spot a foreign ring you definitely do not recall putting on.

It curls around your finger, dotted with crystals in a hue of blue you're all too familiar with. You see it everyday, gleaming in mischief, darkening with intrigue. Framed by long, long lashes, crinkling at the corners when filled with mirth. Crashing waves turned to frost at the slighest hint of displeasure, yet inexplicably gentle the moment it meets your eyes.

(You wonder if this is why he insisted on touching your hands so much, just to roughly measure your ring size.)

“I hope you fare well during my absence. Fear not, I will do my best not to prolong my leave.”

The way his words sound so self-assured and full of conviction doesn't sit well with you, and the genuine pity reflected in his irises almost makes your eyebrow twitch. You hadn't even spoken a word before he began his theatrics.

“Take as long as you need,” you reassure him. “My lord mustn't rush his work.”

He wilts, but he perks right back up, “No need to put up a front. I'll come back for you.”

Incorrigible.

“Then I await your safe return.” You bow deeply as you swallow back a sigh of defeat, the other servants lined up on either side of the street moving accordingly.

“Please be careful,” Ayaka bids when she walks in front of him. “I've heard of bandits intercepting carriages to steal... I don't mean to undermine your abilities, but you should still be vigilant of trouble.”

Ayato laughs at that. “You don't have to worry, Ayaka. They'll sooner surrender before they lay a single scratch on me.” Glancing at the luggage being loaded on his carriage, he grimaces. “I better get going. I'll see you all in three weeks.”

He climbs to the interior, giving you a final smile before closing the door. You stare at the carriage until it fully disappears, the trotting of horses out of earshot. When Thoma begins to walk back to the estate, you fall into step with him, matching his strides.

“The lord hasn't left for this long in a while,” he comments, to which you hum in agreement. “Think you'll miss him?”

“Three weeks is hardly a long time,” you retort back, complacent for the rare period of peace to follow the next month. “He'll return in no time, as if he'd never been gone in the first place.”

Thoma eyes you strangely at that, but says no more. “If you say so.”

--

The first day is bliss. No disruptions in your work, no unwanted conversation partner as a distraction, no midnight snacks needed to be prepared for the clan head a weird mix between workaholic and slacker.

The second day proves to be the same. No incessant chatter in your ear as you sweep the floor, no complaints for a stack of paperwork to be done within the day, no sudden requests of a shoulder massage for a job well done deserving of a reward.

The third day, you feel like your schedule is lacking, blank spots of free time sprinkled in between.

Ah, right. The tea breaks.

You tell yourself you only miss the fragrant tea, the selection of treats given to you by the young master's generosity. Not his thoughtful commentary for the taste, the chuckles spilling from his lips when you respond to his quips, the brief moments of eye contact before you resume your respective duties.

The fourth day, you're sent to hang the laundry. You tell yourself you don't miss a certain someone's abrupt appearance, poking a head through the sheets to startle you, huffing bright peals of laughter when he attains his desired reaction.

The fifth day, the cook requests your help to prep dinner. My lord doesn't like this dish, the sentence almost leaves your tongue as your eyes track down the recipe when you remember right, he's not here, and milady likes this dish, so it's one of the few chances she gets to eat it.

The sixth day, you clean his office. You organize the account books, restock his collection of pens and paper, and shuffle through his mail to sort them by category (definitely not noting down the number of letters asking for his hand in marriage). Your face flushes slightly when an unassuming bookmark falls out of a book you pick up from the floor, familiar flowers pressed thinly to fit between the pages. (You had only given those flowers on a whim, plucking fresh blossoms from plants you grew outside the Kamisato's garden. You didn't think he'd keep it around; they're not nearly as fancy as what his family owns.)

By the seventh day, you check the calendar and determine time is a social construct. There is no way it's only been seven days.

--

“How do I look?”

“Positively charming,” you say dryly.

“You're not looking.”

Your eyes flit to Thoma's attire. “I am.”

He shakes his head, taking off the robes he'd been trying on. “You're always daydreaming nowadays. What are you thinking about?”

Reminiscing the last time you visited this clothing store, which is when you brought the young master in your shopping trip. But he doesn't need to know that. “It's nothing. Are you buying it?”

“Since you kindly gave an approving opinion, sure.” His tone drips with sarcasm as he takes out his money pouch, paying for the clothes. “I think I don't need the answer from you, actually. I'm confident I have an accurate guess.”

Your eyebrows knit together. “What do you mean by that?”

“Who else would linger in your mind?” Thoma sighs in dramatic fashion, stepping out of the premises with you not far behind. “Distance makes the heart grow fonder, after all.”

Bristling, you vehemently refute, “I'm not thinking inappropriately of the lord, if that's what you're implying.”

“I didn't mention any names.”

“But you clearly meant him.”

He holds up his hands. “If that's what you want to believe, suit yourself.”

His gaze drops to the ring wrapped around your finger. The ring had been a topic of interest for the gossip mongers within the estate, wondering who you could've received it from; what other implications can wearing a ring have? Your cold exterior is no secret, your heart guarded with thorns, so who was able to sweep you off your feet in the end?

Thoma only needed one look at the shade of blue to make a correct guess.

“...I'm sure at this point, you know of his intentions,” Thoma says slowly. “And I have plenty of reasons to believe his affections aren't entirely unrequited.”

If they were, you would have brushed off Ayato already, just like you always do with the others. He may be persistent, but he knows how to back off. Yet the most you do is sigh and spoil him, albeit in (fond) exasperation.

“Even if they aren't...” you fidget with the hem of your shirt, averting your gaze from his blazing eyes, “...it doesn't mean we'll work. I'm certain he has better prospects for a spouse, anyway.”

“You mean those daughters from noble families?” He snorts. “He'd barely give them the time of day before running back to you. You should know that by now. Don't you remember when he faked being sick in that lunch meeting so you could take care of him?”

Of course you do. He had pretended to be in a dizzy spell, collapsing on your shoulder and making furtive hand signals asking for your help to get the lovesick maiden off his back. There really is no way to reject people like her without offending his business associate, so he tended to evade confrontations in roundabout ways.

You could excuse his clingy behavior out of necessity; it would be disgraceful to collapse on the floor, after all. The problem lies with the aftermath where you had already steered clear of the trouble but he insists on requiring treatment, body calculatively feeble as he gives you woeful pleas.

In another world, perhaps this would've been a heart-rending experience: a cold man who didn't share his burdens with others asking help from you specifically, because you were special and he trusted you the most.

In this world though, the act is only deserving of a derisive snort. He'd pulled off this plot for who knows how many times. How would holding your hand help with his throbbing headache anyway?

(You ignore the fact you indulge him each time regardless.)

“In any case, the lord is returning in a week. Not much time left for you to mope,” he laughs, even as you elbow his side.

A week.

(That is one week too long.)

--

When Ayato returns five days short of three weeks, you aren't there to greet him.

Instead, you are sick in bed, bundled in a pile of blankets, and suffering from a stuffy nose.

Ah, and delirious from fever. Very much so.

So when Ayato miraculously appears in your bedroom earlier than scheduled, you only sniffed in response and brushed him off as a hallucination.

But of course, your dismissive attitude isn't enough to discourage him from pestering you and running his mouth. He hovers by your bedside, noting with glee that you keep his ring on a nightstand closeby. “This is rare. I don't think I've ever seen you ill.”

But you've seen him plenty, frail and weak after days straight of sleepless nights. He doesn't look too pretty in such a mood, quick-tempered and sharp-tongued at the slightest annoyance. He only ever softens when your expression flits to dismay for a fraction of a second before offering him prescribed medicine from the family's physician.

“How are you this annoying even in my dreams...”

As it turns out, you're even more of a worse case than he is.

“Mhm. Your filter is completely shut down when you're sick, huh.” Ayato laughs, amused at the surprising revelation. He doesn't get to be the receiving end of your blunt words very often. “Alright. How bad do you feel right now?”

“Terrible, since it's the ass crack of dawn.”

It is not the ass crack of dawn, but you wouldn't know any better with the curtains drawn. “Do you have an appetite? I'll have a servant bring a meal.” Then, he slyly adds, “I can feed you, if you want me to.”

He doesn't know which part of that statement appeals to you the most but you sit up straight, attentive.

Interesting.

Though Ayato had meant it in jest, he has no complaints scooping spoonfuls of porridge to bring to your lips. He patiently coaxes you into drinking the bitter medicine after, quickly soothing you with bite-sized cut fruit to wash away the acrid taste.

“Good job,” he compliments, chuckling when you glow at the praise. Your lips are shiny with juice, trickling from the corner of your mouth.

Absent-mindedly, his hand lifts to caress your cheek, the pad of his thumb wiping it away. You jolt, a startled sound escaping you, and you hasten to clamp a hand over his mouth.

He blinks at you owlishly, dumbfounded.

“Don't,” you speak, your face decorated with a lovely pink. “You'll... you'll get sick.”

Ayato takes an embarrassing amount of time to process what that means. However, when he does, you can feel him grin beneath your fingers. He takes your hand, his huff of laughter tickling your palm.

“I thought we were in a dream? You don't get sick from kisses in dreams,” he teases, pressing a light kiss to your wrist. Your heart stutters in bewilderment but you make no move to pull away, only twitching when he kisses your fingertips.

“It's better to be careful...” your brows knit together, and he kisses the crease away too.

“Okay. Let's do it next time then, when you're truly awake.” He gently pushes you to your back, fluffing up the pillows for your comfort and tucking you in the blankets. Then, indulgently, he presses a final kiss to the crown of your head. “Rest well so I can get that kiss sooner, hm?”

“That's a stupid reason to recover...” you murmur defiantly, stubbornly blinking your drooping eyes open.

In the end, you fall asleep to the sound of his laughter, the fingers combing through your hair, and the rhythmic beat in his chest.

--

When you wake up, you admonish yourself for having such a shameless subconscious, but you acknowledge that you had a good dream.

Then your eyes land on a pair of discarded gloves on your nightstand, one that you remember Ayato putting away before he began to spoonfeed you your meal.

...Fuck.

“With all due respect, I don't believe being your headrest is part of my duty, my lord.”

A thoughtful hum answers you, preceded by a curious glance at your expression. Your legs are folded underneath you, back straight and eyes overlooking the garden instead of the weight resting on your lap. You can feel him shift, turning over where he faces against the porch, his robes wrinkling where it lay below.

“Are you suddenly becoming shy because a maidservant passed by?” He places down the novel in his hands on the wooden floorboards, watching your face burn in embarrassment. “I doubt this is the first time she's seen us, though.”

“My apologies. I'm not as thick-skinned as you are.”

“I'd prefer the term 'proud,'” he pokes the sash around your waist, smiling cheekily. “Who wouldn't want to show off their lover?”

He feels you stiffen, sees the flush of pink crawling outwards to the tips of your ears. “It's inappropriate. We're in a public setting.”

“That's only because you refuse to enter my chambers,” Ayato sighs and you look positively mortified. “I wouldn't ravage you, if that's what you're worried about?”

“My lord, please be reasonable. Whether you do or not, I will still be seen as your bed warmer. Did milady not advise us to be discreet? Inazuma would be in an uproar if they learned you were... you were...” you purse your lips, unable to spit the last word.

“Wedded.”

“I'm afraid we haven't gone that far, my lord,” you deadpan.

“So will you consider it?”

“My lord.”

“What?”

You give him a look, and he sighs in acquiescence. But he turns to face the opposite direction, expression hidden fron view. You can practically hear the pout in his voice, “I see. [Name] only sees me as a fling. My heart breaks to know this bliss is short-lived, but I will cherish our remaining time together.”

He's begun his theatrics again, you think tiredly, accustomed to his stunts. “In any case, we must be careful. We never know who has loose lips around here...”

He's still not facing you, resolutely looking away.

...Is he sulking for real? Was that a genuine marriage proposal?

“My lord?” You call out softly, in a lover's tender voice. He doesn't respond. Quieter, you whisper to his ear, “Ayato?” yet that doesn't earn a reaction either.

You start to panic, wondering if you were acting too indifferently. The change in your relationship had been a recent one, and you're still settling in a period of adjustment; even if you wanted to properly flirt with him like normal lovers do, bickering came more naturally to you.

You reach for his shoulder, hoping to turn him over and see his face. But then he catches your wrist, and you only have a second to catch a glimpse of his triumphant smirk before he captures your lips in a chaste kiss.

“Mhm, I see. So you're more considerate towards me when we're dating,” he cheerfully notes, tucking a stray lock of hair behind your ear as if he can't see the way your shocked gaze morphs into a cold glare. “I truly am privileged.”

“Incorrigible.” The word drips with poison, but he laughs and kisses you again, thumbing at the ring around your finger.

“Too bad you're stuck with me forever, huh?”