#Yao x reader

[minimujina]

in pursuit of truth and companionship

xiangli yao is a smart, smart man. he has done a lot of growing and maturing in the course of his life, but not so much at once as he did when he met one particular person. see, something he has parsed out for himself is that he need not sever his pursuit of truth from the companionship of others—though it took much more than just personal intuition to learn that lesson.

it started with the old friend of yao’s youth, who, though he is long gone, has left perhaps the deepest impact on the man’s heart. the rover, then, ignited a particular warmth in him which soothed the leftover ache—it was comforting, all-encompassing affection that opened his heart to the kind of companionship he longed for. it was pleasant. yao looked at himself and saw not just an academic, but a human amongst other humans; he felt his heart beating in sync with the rover’s, with mortefi’s, with baizhi’s, with zhezhi’s. he realized he did not want to live in neglect of the softness that he inevitably possessed; he believed there must be a way to both pursue the truth of the world—finding groundbreaking solutions and engineering new technologies to sustain civilization—and also leave room for other people in his heart. there had to be a way. without connection to humanity, scientists would risk losing sight of the real goal.

you offered yao an apple; he declined with a reserved smile. you shrugged and bit into the sweet fruit yourself, humming in delight, swaying your feet, resting your head on xiangli yao’s shoulder. it was quiet, it was good. despite it all—the lament, the imminent destruction of human civilization—somewhere, birds were singing and bugs were thriving; the grass was green under your picnic blanket, and you sat beneath a healthy tree next to someone with whom near anything could be enjoyed. meanwhile, xiangli yao tuned in to the crunch of the apple as you bit into it, and he visualized the waves in the air, visualized your humming and the shuffling rustling bustling of your clothes and the grass and the leaves. the world, in his eyes, seemed so much more alive in your presence.

you were no resonator, but yao liked to imagine you must emit some kind of special frequency. you were too good, too pure. he could see it in his imagination when he looked at you—like an angelic halo of light, enveloping your form with the delicate hand of some otherworldly, divine power. you may not resonate the same way he does, no, but yao was certain that your very existence harmonized with the ebb and flow of solaris iii’s vibrations.

with locked pinkies, yao and his muse sat in silence, savoring the peace and contentment derived from the presence of another soul so alike in nature. it was quiet love, unassuming, forgiving, patient; you were all small smiles and gentle touches, and he was all the same.

yao liked to tie your shoes for you, since you had a lazy streak; as it turns out, carelessly throwing shoestrings into a loose knot is not enough to make it through the day, but you could not be bothered. so it was becoming a challenge for him to tie them in such a way that your rowdiness could not undo the work. and, say, perhaps you had schemed the lazy shoe-tying, so that he would develop such an intimate and domestic habit—but ah, well, some secrets are best kept as they are.

you liked to bring him lunch—for xiangli yao, the man that he was, had a horrible habit of forgetting to eat. with a blindness to time, poor interoceptive awareness, and the pinpoint focus of a laser, he hardly noticed when he grew hungry in the midst of his work; it was like his body was completely incognizant of its own needs. so you took it upon yourself to check in at lunchtime, very forcefully “suggesting” that he eat. as a result, his coworkers had grown very fond of you in all the time you spent around them.

and truly, there were none so taken with xiangli yao as you—his other half, as he liked to call you. he possessed a certain charm, and anyone who met the man could attest to his humble smile and quiet strength, those qualities that drew people in much more than he realized. but none were so fortunate as you to wake up every day and melt over the man all over again. internally, you could not fathom his existence, could not process his love for you, could not cope with the fact that you belonged to each other. all you could do was trace the lines of his handsome face with your hands, studying each groove and blemish, burning the image of his smile into your retinas so you may never part from the warmth you felt upon seeing it. to be away from him felt almost painful at times, if only because his presence alone was soothing and regulating, and perhaps you’d gotten too used to the privilege. he enjoyed teasing you about that, too.

if anything, xiangli yao has found that deep human connection can only serve to further motivate him in his search for truth, certainly not to hold him back, as he previously feared.

with his abilities, he had felt a sense of duty from a young age to put himself to work, to be a leader among the brilliant minds at the forefront of science. he could not be distracted, he could not let anything hinder his progress. he felt he would somewhat fail humanity otherwise—much too big a burden for just one man to bear.

all this time, that fear has clashed with something deep inside of him that could not shake the desire for companionship. he practically tore himself into shreds, afraid it would disservice the progress of humanity for him to do anything other than put his brain to work. but at the same time, his heart was so soft, and he longed so inexplicably much for someone to just see him.

and then, just like that, yao’s innermost wish had been granted. the war waging in his mind, body, and soul finally came to a standstill—he made friends, and he felt wanted for something other than his abilities. he had not felt such a feeling since his youth.

further, he found that having dear companions boosted his mood and health, which in turn benefitted his research. he could no longer remember why he had always believed so adamantly that relationships were distractions, and something to be feared. perhaps it was an idea he gleaned from his father, whether intentional from the man or not.

as it turns out, some of the most profound truths can be found within the human soul. xiangli yao has discovered this to be true just knowing you; he has found it to be true in the crevices of your palm, in the wrinkles of your skin, in the color of your eyes. he has come to know so much more about the world since knowing you. and he finds himself all the more eager to search for answers, knowing he has someone so dear to love and protect in this world.

[sinful-lanterns]

TW: minor spoilers for Yao’s interrogation

This is just a fluffy, little drabble I had for Yao and I wanted to share with the class. Just Yao being silly and the adorable bird that she is 💕

Since Yao now roams Whitesands, hunting for the Tide of Ashes and other Apostles, imagine she stumbles upon you, a lone traveler trekking through Whitesands, and is absolutely smitten with you upon first sight.

Yao was perfectly fine on her own, yet when she sees a mere human wandering Whitesands alone, her eyes light up and her curiosity is immediately piqued. She flies to a nearby tree branch and perches there, watching you from afar without you noticing, as you set up camp and begin cooking a meal for yourself. You are completely unaware that you are being watched by an S-Class sinner of all people, yet Yao finds that amusing. She watches you for a couple more days before deciding she wants to make a move on you now.

Your first interaction definitely does not go well as you are fearful for your life when Yao plops down in front of you. But even when you are yelling at her and aimlessly swinging around a pathetic hatchet as a “weapon” Yao coos and decides she wants to “impress” you.

How? You may ask?

Yao does a bird mating dance.

You are so confused and so bamboozled by the sight of this bird woman hopping around on her feet and puffing up her feathers, that you drop your hatchet and just stare at her in disbelief. Yao finds this as a sign you’re “smitten” by her too, and takes her moment to rush up to you and snuggle you.

Well, you didn’t expect this. You’re half tempted to just push this random bird lady away, but her body is just so warm. All survival instinct goes out the window as you decide that this big bird woman was no real threat to you, and decide to keep her by your side as a “companion.”

Perhaps this companionship turns into something more? Who knows. Whether or not Yao was trying to impress you or flirt with you through her mating dance is something only Yao knows ❤️

[amarmoria]

Sempiternal 1

⊹ ⭑.ᐟ Yao x Reader ⊹ ࣪˖ᝰ.ᐟ

Synopsis: 10 days in some spa center with your family wouldn't be too bad right...?

Notes: no bcz why doesn't he have fanfics bombarding everywhere?

Next

Wc: 1k

"... right guys?"

Your thoughts were stolen away when your dad snaps his fingers, smiling expectantly between you and your sister.

"Yes, uh, I'm, I'm excited, dad" you try and smile, but it looked like you were pushing a big fat shit so you bit your tongue and focused outside the window. You've already been driving for hours without end, only stopping when you needed to go or when you were hungry, and your phone was no use since the signal was slowly fading away due to how far this thing was.

It sounded so absurd when you first heard about it, a retreat in the middle of nowhere? You would've pretended to be happy if only it were your parents who were gonna go, but they successfully convinced your sister, who also succeeded in convincing you.

So you're here awaiting the embarrassment to process in your brain, you haven't had the time to react because a few hours after you agreed to go, they already had your closet packed for the retreat. Your sister looks half as miserable as you, she told you she wanted to try, for Zach, she says he'd want you to be happy, to heal, but how can you when he just, pow, gone?

"Here we aree" Your dad exclaims, parking the car at the center of the covered driveway.

Your mouth forms a small o as you exit the car, the place was big, like it doesn't even look like a mental institution, but you guess it's what they make it so, so the patients wouldn't freak out about being sent to a crazies hospital, if this was any other circumstance you'd think it's a five star hotel.

The front, or whatever the parking box they have with receptions, was filled with homely looking staff— and homely looking plants, which you assume were fake. Your eyes drop to the woman in front of you, holding out her hand. You suppose she's already been talking to you, but you were too busy gawking at the place, the thought makes you red in embarrassment.

You frown and tilt your head, fiddling with the hem of your top.

"Hi, uh, what is..?"

"Your phone miss Marconi?"

"My, my phone? Uh, why would you guys need it?"

"It's a part of the protocols here little miss" She smiles warmly, the noon sun dancing around her curls. Fuck, the protocols, of course it is, you've read some of it from their website, ugh how can you forget, your purposefully embarassing yourself now.

"Oh okay, uh," you gulped and searched around your bag, it took a few seconds before you finally found it, the battery was already blinking red so what choice do you have.

You hesitantly placed the phone on her hand when she smiles, gesturing you to walk up to the steep road ahead.

"Don't get nervous now alrighty? We promise to do our best during your stay here."

"Thank you, uh.."

"Oh! It's Delilah"

"Thank you, Delilah"

🌻

Your dad strolled around the garden happily as usual when Delilah led your family uphill, the building was big, like big big, it looked like a vacation house, with the pool and the open 1st floor, you were grateful for the short moment of peace in admiring the place before they lock you in your cells, your no idiot, you know the whole honey vibe of the place was just a facade compared to the mucky, dark, and real building they'll throw you in when you get comfortable.

You can't help but worry for your parents who believed this was the real deal, what gruesome tortures would they have you do once you settle in, do they whip you for being naughty, or dunk your head in the water if you don't answer properly, and oh would they feed you disgusting year old porridge they probably spat on. You don't trust these kinds of organizations.

"Oh and there's a pool too girls! cool huh?"

You smile gently and nod, you didn't feel like saying anything negative today, you didn't want to upset your dad, he looks so happy about being here you wouldn't want to break it.

"The place is pretty big huh, I wonder what the real price was" Zoe says, casually stuffing her hand in her pockets. "Yeah.."

You were too busy gawking, again, when you bump into a wall wearing a... Beige top.

"Oh! I, uh, I'm really sorry, I didn't," you pause, saying you were openly gawking at the place instead of focusing what was in front of you sounded childish— it is what a child would do, you sheepishly bit the inside of your cheek, fiddling with the hem of your top once again.

"I, I wasn't paying attention, I'm sorry, really—" you stop when you hear a chuckle, the timbre of his voice shaking you, it was deeper than what your used to, I mean, you've always been around your dad who has a lighter voice, maybe it's from being a dad that he's used to using a friendlier tone with kids.

"Nervous are you?"

You visibly heat up, you thought you'd already bit you tongue off by the way your teeth were clenched.

"I, I'm not.."

"I'm joking with you" he chuckles. "I'm Yao, and I'll be one of the staff assisting you and your family during the experience."

"Hey," your mom waves to you direction, you catch the eye of the lady with sunglasses when she shoots you a smile, which you return, though your mom quickly grabs your hand pulls you slong with her inside the house.

"Heather's a mean bitch huh?" You could barely hear the lady when she whispers to the staff— Yao, if you could recall.

"Don't talk to strangers like that"

"What? I didn't, I was—"

"Just be careful hon, ok?"

"Yes mom," you scratch your head, turning your head behind you to see the lady and Yao conversing while she drinks her smoothie, you look down to your hand and frown when you notice your own drink in your palms, your holding it, since when did you have a drink? Were you too distracted you didn't even notice you had one?

[worldheadcanons]

Can you do Axis x reader x Allies? They are all fighting for reader's love.

☆ axis vs allies: fighting for your love!

starring. . . gender neutral reader and north italy, germany, japan, america, + china.

author notes; this was super fun, i imagined it to be a sort of otome game scenario with multiple routes. like the protagonist/reader goes on dates with everyone until they choose just one person to be with. i couldn’t fit all the main allies in here, sorry anon! lmk if you want a part two for them or any other characters.

feliciano vargas!

— he knows that his colleagues are also interested in you. he’s not particularly discouraged though because, really, who wouldn’t be? you were attractive, intelligent, thoughtful— the whole package. vargas knows he has his own unique charms, traits that the allies and even the another axis don’t have. feliciano is cute and he knows how to use that to his advantage. alfred is cute too, but in a different way. he doubts the boisterous american could sweep you off your feet like he could.

— in terms of competition he views francis and ludwig as his biggest enemies. feliciano is smart enough to not let anyone ruin his personal relationships, so he doesn’t hold any real ill will towards the two. in fact, it’s because he likes them so much, especially ludwig, that he even considers them to be rivals in the first place. francis is very obviously romantic. he was the one who taught vargas the ropes, after all. however his romance was rather.. mature.. meanwhile, the italian preferred to keep his romance light and playful. ludwig was cute in a stoic way. he couldn’t flirt to save his life, but that was part of his appeal. he would give you a small smile as he tried his best to be romantic and your heart couldn’t help but melt.. yea, those two would be trouble.

— he likes to keep dates vague at first, leaving you unsure of whether or not things are platonic or romantic. unlike francis or arthur he doesn’t come on strong. the first dates are still pretty high class though. dinners at expensive restaurants, trips to private beaches, live music shows— feliciano’s willing to spend every dime on you and he’s not afraid to show it. all the while he’s joking and laughing with you, looking you lovingly in the eyes with the cutest boyish smile you’ve ever seen. he’ll whine and complain sometimes, pouting anytime you tease him. he’s pretty childish but he knows when to pull back so that it’s not annoying. 

— when things get really romantic, you’ll know. he’ll take you to more public places. vargas has many family businesses that he’ll frequent with you. it’s his way of saying you’re closer than you were before. vargas will initiate a lot more pda too, holding your hand more often than not and reveling in the feeling of you leaning on his shoulder. he’s not opposed to cheek kisses either. occasionally he’ll ‘miss’ your cheek and nail a kiss close to your lips, hinting at what he could make happen in the future. what he hoped would happen in the future. 

— eventually things will escalate to a point where he’ll personally ask you if you want to be with him or not. not because feliciano views it as a waste of time if you don’t want to continue on, but because he truly wants to be with you. he can’t stand not knowing anymore and he especially can’t stand not having you all to himself. vargas will be respective of your answer no matter what.. but.. he has a feeling you’ll say yes. 

ludwig beilschmidt!

— he’s not particularly confident of himself in this area. romance was not ludwig’s strong suit. he knows that other countries are interested in you as well, which doesn’t help him feel any better. even feliciano was after you! despite it all, his older brother had encouraged him to try to win you over. so here he was. he would try his best. the german didn’t know it, but he had his own charms. he was stoic and sort of inexperienced but still a polite man. many ladies found this to be charming. in a way, his lack of romantic prowess was his power. 

— his biggest competitors, in his mind, are feliciano and alfred. both for reasons he considers obvious. they’re both rather ‘naturally cute’ men. they had this boyish charm while still being mature. alfred was really funny which only helped his case. feliciano was great at romancing others and while ludwig doesn't know much about alfred’s love life, he figured that it was likely the american was the same way. gah.. just thinking about it makes him frown. he’s been at disadvantages before though, so he’s able to convince himself that things will be fine no matter the outcome. his opinion on the two of them doesn’t change because of the situation. beilschmidt understands that no one can help the way they feel. it’s no one man’s fault that they’re all pursuing the same person. he just wishes he didn’t have to go against vargas, one of his closest friends.

— his first dates are.. regular. but not in a bad way. ludwig spends his days beforehand researching and reading up on things like date etiquette, best cafes to take someone out to, good meals to order, conversation tactics, and more. he doesn’t mind putting in the extra work to catch up with the people he’s up against. he’ll try his best to be romantic the whole time by holding doors and complimenting you whenever the opportunity presents itself. he asks a few questions about you, wanting to get to know you for who you really are. your other suitors may take you out to expensive places but they probably weren’t actively trying to learn about you— at least that’s what the german was betting on. 

— dates will slowly but surely become more tuned to your interests and personality. you like to paint? he’ll invite you out to a nice art bar where you two can create something together. you like to read? he’ll take you to a library-cafe. beilschmidt feels that these dates are the most personal. there’s more pda as he really gets comfortable. it’s mostly limited to hand holding. every so often at the end of dates he’ll ask for a kiss. if you oblige and give him one, you’ll get to see a small smile on his face as he admires you lovingly. he may even bite his lip, clearly whipped for you.

— of course, there’ll come a time where he decides to finally ask about your intentions. he asks a little bit later, not wanting to hold you down or force a decision onto you. with the guidance of his older brother, he’ll find the time to sit you down and ask if you want to date him… like, seriously date him. just him. no matter your answer, he’ll still want to be friends with you. he’s gotten to know you so well, he couldn’t just turn away from you. 

kiku honda!

— he’s whipped for you, though it took him a bit longer than everyone else to realize it. kiku mostly labeled what he was feeling as feelings of admiration. once he notices the the pain in chest as he sees francis trying to serenade you, he realizes that he’s in love. deeply in love. it’s a bit awkward when he comes to you later than the other axis and politely asks if he can take you out sometime. despite the awkwardness, you say yes, with a smile. smiles are good. he knows a thing or two about going out with people so he’s not completely stressed about that. anything he doesn’t know he just researches beforehand, similarly to ludwig.

— his biggest competitor for your love, in his opinion, is feliciano. he’s cute, he’s funny— if honda was in your position, he would have folded for the other immediately. he’s a little worried about everyone really because he’s ‘late to the game’, but overall vargas is his biggest threat. things will be okay though, kiku assures himself. he knows he’s cute in his own way. many of his colleagues have commented on the fact that his relaxed expression was a cute one. it was rare for them to see him relaxed as he mostly thought of work related things when he was in their company. for you, however, it wouldn’t be rare to see. honda would make sure of that. 

— the first dates, similarly to yao’s, are formal. they’re not uptight though, as he wants to seem cute to appeal to you as a boyfriend. there’s gift giving here and there, but he mostly focuses on doing things for you. just when you’re too lazy to cook for the night, kiku’s there to pick you up and take you to a luxurious restaurant. anytime you mention something that needs fixing, he’s on it. if he can’t fix it himself, he pays someone to do it in his stead. he insists that it’s normal and that you owe him nothing in return. he just wants to see you prosper, is all. pda is kept to a minimum, seeing as though it takes him a while to even work up the nerve to ask if he can kiss you. when he does finally kiss you, it’s immediately made clear that he’s experienced. nothing too passionate, of course. there’s a certain air of confidence and the kiss has just the right amount of chasteness to keep you wanting more. 

— as things go on the two of you only get closer. his dates shift from formal outings to extremely casual dates. sometimes it’s buying manga and books together, sometimes it’s watching your favorite movies at home. honda’s favorite ‘date’ consists of you two sitting quietly together in the same room doing completely different things. kiku finds this to be extremely romantic. you’re both doing different things but still enjoying each other’s presence. he’ll be doing paperwork and you’ll be sitting with a computer and neither of you are talking but both of you are happy. during times like this, he may even lean over and kiss you on the cheek, commenting on how much he enjoys your company. 

— he’s not afraid to ask you straight-out what you want for yourself and your future. honda doesn’t want to keep you from your version of happiness, even if that happiness is with another man. there’s no doubt that he wants what’s best for you. 

alfred f. jones!

— he’s a bit thrown off that other men are also trying to romance you. from the very beginning he decides that you’re the one who wants to go steady with. alfred is thrown off, but not enough to give up. he knows his worth. he’s a funny guy, people like that. he’s cute too, smart when he wants to be. jones would ask arthur for help but.. he’d be better off asking a math teacher for help in a history class. he didn’t think kirkland was any good with romantic endeavors. he’d just have to wing it and do his best. it’d be fine.. probably.

— the american doesn’t think of anyone as competition really, but he does hate the idea of you going out with francis. i mean, come on! he’s quite literally known for being a romantic! hopefully you’d find his flirting corny or off putting instead of endearing. alfred’s not completely inept when it comes to romance but he’s no hot shot. most of the time when a flirt of his fails, people laugh it off because he’s just so cute while trying to be a flirty guy. he’s a loser, but an attractive one. people also enjoy the fact that he’s a bit chubby. he knows this only because of past experiences. hmm.. he supposes that ivan could pose an issue too. he’s always an issue in some way or another. 

— his beginning dates are very fun! he’s more fond of going to carnivals, finding a drive in movie theater, stargazing, eating at diners, and dancing together than any modern date. lunch dates are fine and all but it’s just so boring to jones. it’s not that he needs a bunch of excitement but he wants these dates to be interesting. he hopes that after each date ends, he’s still on your mind. he doubts the others are taking you out to such cool places. he’s flirty on these dates, trying his hardest to impress you. he’ll hold your hand often on these dates, as physical contact is something he enjoys a lot. alfred doesn’t mind hugs or kisses this early either, especially if you’re dancing. if you’re not enjoying each other then why even go out? after each date he personally escorts you home. he also leaves you with a kiss to your hand, a sign that he still has some sense of politeness despite his eagerness. 

— as things continue you’ll start to notice that he’s taking you to more distinctive places. instead of finding a drive in movie theater in the middle of nowhere, the american will take you to a roller rink he comes to often. the people there will know him and they’ll know you when he brings you in. apparently he talks about you to whoever will listen. it’s flattering albeit embarrassing. a lot of the places you’ll go will be places he enjoys and wants to share with you. alfred’s much softer now and a bit goofier, backing away from the flirty persona he attempted to put on for the first few dates. you’ll often find yourself leaning onto his shoulder as you try to recollect yourself after breaking down from laughter. it’s in these moments that he’ll smile at you, soaking in your happy expression. it’s a gorgeous expression, one he’d like to see all the time. 

— one day jones realizes that he needs to be seriously dating you. he wanted to take you to an animal adoption center as a sort of surprise but he noticed that doing that was sort of a couple thing.. like a serious couple thing. alfred really thinks getting you a pet would be the best thing in the world. the two of you would make the best pet parents in his mind. it would make him a true hero. or close to one. so he swings by your place and directly asks you if you want to be his partner. he doesn’t stall once he realizes what he needs to do. jones believes that it’s best to just go for what you want. you only live once, after all. 

yao wang!

— it’s not his first time courting a lady. he’s experienced. he even believes that he could outdo francis somewhat. only somewhat though. yao’s been around for a long time so he knows what people like and don’t like. it’s not that he’s a super romantic but he’s passionate no matter what, which draws you in. he suspects you have a thing for older men, which he doesn’t mind playing into. he’s aged like fine wine and he’s not afraid to flaunt it. 

— there is no rivals or competition in wang’s mind. why think about the other guys when he can just focus his attention on you and him? if he had to choose, he’d say arthur, maybe. maybe. francis was too much of a try hard for your affections. kirkland was a mature man. he was polite. the british man seemed to know how to treat someone right. however, in the end, yao viewed himself as on top of it all. he refused to let himself get anxious over your other suitors. that’s how people lose. by worrying.

— he’s a calm and quiet pursuer, playing the long game. beginner dates are very formal. wang tries with all his might to impress you but he makes sure to do so in a way that seems effortless. like he could do this everyday. as if to say, ‘dating me will result in the best treatment for you everyday until death��. he could never say it outright, so he let his actions speak for him. he’s no sugar daddy and he never claims to be anything of the sort. he’s just giving you a taste of what your life could be like should you choose to spend it with him. yao also gives you lots of gifts, though he tries to keep them small so you’re not overwhelmed. he adores the face you make whenever you open up a present he’s gotten you. you’re always so happy to received them.. so graceful when you accept them.. he can’t help but want to spoil you. and that’s exactly what he’ll do, if you continue on.

— as you get closer, wang starts to feel younger. his few grey hairs seem to be jet black again. the dates become less formal and more casual for the both of you. often he’ll just invite you over to his house. he spends less time trying to impress you and more time just enjoying you and your company. you’ll start to hold hands, hug, and kiss a lot more now. he loves the feeling of your lips on his cheek. these dates are a lot more loose and fun, often ending with you two giggling as he holds you in his arms. yao likes to dance with you in his home, rocking back and forth with a smile on his face. he’s shown you what the two sides of your relationship would be like. the first side, what was seen by the public— expensive dinners, beautiful clothing for the both of you, and  lovely gifts— and now, the second side, what wasn’t seen by the public. kisses to the forehead, cooking for each other, reading together, and laughing over nothing in particular. 

— after a while wang will invite you over one day and pop the question. no, not marriage, though he does think you’d make a perfect partner.. he’ll ask if you want to start officially dating. he doesn’t know for sure if you’ll say yes, even though he’s used his tried-and-true method of dating on you. yao hopes for the best and prepares for the worst. he hopes for your love.. but he’s prepared to live life as just a friend of yours. boyfriend or otherwise, he’d like to be present in your life.

[apple---cider---vinegar]

Yao and Cooking

You're standing in the kitchen as he cooks.

His attention is divided between the simmering pots and the vegetables he's chopping, even as he talks to you.

He's venting about Hong Kong spending too much time on his phone and how ridiculous the neighbors are.

You pick up a coined carrot and eat it, much to Yao's surprise.

"If you were hungry, you could have said so" he says and starts chopping the cucumbers into little coins for you.

[thequietkid-moonie]

Autistic S/O cries when feeling overwhelmed

[ HEADCANONS ] [ Saki, Hotaru, Yao ]

[ A Condition Called Love / Hananoi-kun to Koi no Yamai ]

The past days I been so excited about diferent things that i almost cried a few times because of how excited I was hahaha

Writing for a condition called love is one of the things i been really excited for!! And is finally happening!!! Waaaahhhh

Saki Hananoi

Saki is someone who loves intensily and he has no need to hide it, everyone who watch him when interacting with you can tell how much he adores you, and, in all honestly something like a disability won't change his feeling in the slighest, for him is just who you are and is more to love about you (except for whenever you suffer from your autism, in those moments it hurts him that you have to go through that)

Saki is more than willing to just adapt to your needs and preferences, and he even does it with a smile in his face! is not a problem for him and he isn't bothered in the slighest and he always tell you that he does it because he loves you and wants to see you happy

Saki is so in love with you and is so observant that is just matter of time for Saki to learn how to read your body language and learn to identify whatever you are feeling, even if you are not good or too expressing (maybe you tend to do it more by stiming) he will know how are you feeling and is ready to offer you his help whenever you feel overwhelmed or stressed

Saki is way too worried about your comfort and well-being that the first time he notices that you are starting to feel overwhelmed he kinda panics, not that he doesn't know what he should do to help you (even if you don't talk much about it with him he already made a lot of research about it), is just that he doesn't want you to be in distress, and being overwhelmed means that you have being expoused to stressful stimulus for too long for your comfort, what probably lead him to feel guilt too

Depending in how overwhelmed you are and what you alow him to do to help he will focus on helping you imediatly, mainly dragging you away from anyone and anything to have some privacy and peace and just helping you focus on him, trying to help you take deep breaths, but the moment the tears start to just appear in the corner of your eyes is like if the world is cracking under him (specially the first time), he isn't bothered or find it pathetic but it breaks his heart seeing you cry, so it just make him panic a little more and try to help you in a more desperately way, he is trying really hard to stay calm but he can feel his own tears starting to form on his eyes

After that first time Saki will have some time where he is afraid of you feeling that overwhelmed again, so he will be stressing himself out by trying to make sure nothing around you will result on bothering you that much, it has to be you who talk to him to help him calm down (and if you do apologize for crying when feeling overwhelmed that will break his heart again because he thinks he has being the one making you feel guilt for it), with your reasurance and guidence to learn how he can actually help you in those moments (or just in general) is the only way he will finally calm down and feel at peace with himself again. Even with your help it will take him a while but at the end he will be able to offer you a proper help

There are chances that you can end up feeling overwhelmed by positive feelings, feeling so much happines or excitment that end up being overwhelmed in a not-so-bad way, and in that case if you end up crying too Saki will feel troubled and confused, in case like that he isn't sure of what he is supoused to do and seeing you in tears still makes his heart ache, even when seeing you also happy makes him feel more relief you'll need to reasure him that you are alright

Hotaru Hinase

Even when Hotaru has a lot of troubles understanding her own emotions and has problems when interacting with others she is really kind and want to try her best in the face of adversity, so when she knows that she loves you and actually wants to be in a relationship she will try her hardest to express it and be a good girlfriend

For Hotaru you having a disability such as the autism is not really a problem, that won't change her feeling for you, however it makes her a little bit anxious because she doesn't know how to act around you or how not upset you by accident, it will take her a while and will need some help from your part (and her friends too) to be able to fully understand your condition and how much help you need during the day (if you need it, thats it)

Hotaru is not the best to read others behavior or tell what others may think or feel, with some exception with the people she care for (not the best but she cares so much for her closest ones that she just pay a little more attention to them) and for wanting to be a good girlfriend will lead her to be able to tell whenever you are starting to feel bothered and even stress by whatever is passing around after some time in the relasionship, and in that moment she tries to help you calm down and just concentrate on her before you start to feel way too overwhelmed, if there is the chance she will lead you somewhere more quiet to let you have the time to be able to calm down, she has the desire to help you and wants to do what she can but she is quite nervous about doing anything, she thinks on take your hand but doesn't want to startled you, she wants to bring you some water or any comfort item you need but she doesn't want to leave you alone, she want to try and help you take some deep breaths and focus on her but she doesn't know if her voice will even help

She is so anxious and insecure the first time she sees you so overwhelmed that when you start to tear up Hotaru starts panicing, leaving aside her doubts in an instant and imediatly trying to help you, asking you whats wrong and if you need help, but there are high chances that she doesn't get an answer, so she up to just stay by your side and leave you cry all you need, trying her best to just shield you from the rest of the world so anyone else will bother you

Hotaru feels an inmense pain when seeing you like this, she doesn't like seeing the person she loves in so much distress and even scare her a little, she feels quite impotent and honestly she is just waiting for you to tell her what she can do for you

Hotaru really hopes it never happens again but she knows that there is still the posibility (as much as it hurt her), so she just opt to wait until you are more calm and relaxed to ask you what she can do to help you when you have a crisis, please she need to know all she can because she hates the feeling she gets when she sees you in so much distress but not being able to do anything, it will take her a while to get used to it but she will be ready to offer you proper help whenever you need it (she even feels quite confident on it even when it scares her the posibility of happening again)

If you even end up feeling overwhelmed because of an inmense happines or excitment to the point that you start crying in that case too Hotaru will feel troubled, she panics a little but since the context is diferent she waits a little before doing something, and when she realice that your tears are actually happy tears she will be incredibly relief, laughing a little and probably tearing up a little too

Sohei Yao

Yao is a really kind and cheerful person, as well as loving, once he finds someone to love he just wishes for that person to be happy and safe, and since those feeling are reciprocated then he feels like he must make sure you are safe and happy by his side

Yao have fallen in love with you for who you are, and for him it doesn't matter much if you have a disability or not, your condition won't chance what he feel for you or how he sees you in the slighlest, however he is really respectful and actively tries to learn more and more about your condition, wanting to be able to offer you proper help if you ever need it

Yao isn't the best to understand his own emotions or yours, honestly he has some troubles to be able to comprehend what are you feeling (specially by the stiming and indirect ways to express yourself) but, somehow, at the same time Yao is pretty good at telling if you are having a good time or a bad time, whenever you are feeling happy and just enjoying yourself (and probably just being influenced by your own happiness) or whenever you are feeling uncomfortable or upsed, imediatly trying to come up with an excuse to get away from whatever is bothering you and ready to comfort you

The first time Yao has to witness you so overwhelmed because something have become way too stressful for you Yao himself feels hurt and a little stress, the anxiety start to built inside of him, fearing that perhaps someone have done something to you. But, despite how is he feeling right now he knows that he should focus on you, so he imediatly tries to help you calm down and try to remember you that he is with you and nothing can hurt you, but the moment he sees the tears on the corner on your eyes he just panics a little, he doesn't want to see you cry so thats is when he decide to take you somewhere is just the two of you so you can cry all you need (even when it breaks his heart is better that you let go of all thats pain, still he feel quite flattered that you trust him enough to be able to show such vulnerable with him)

Yao is pretty good at comforting people, and even when he feels his chest tighten at the sight of your tears he does a good job offering you not only comforting words but also a good and reasuring company, letting you cry all you need until you can finally feel calm again (even when he feels the tears forming in his own eyes)

After managing to calm down Yao will apologize because he feels like he haven't done much to help you, and he feels quite frustrated with himself for it, but promise to be more to help in the future and even ask you to please teach him how to properly help you and what to do to make you feel safe and comfortable (and you can see Yao's determination for it wrote all over his face while asking, there is no doubt that he mean it)

Yao would prefer if it never happen again, but he knows that life isn't that simple and stressful situations won't stop, still he can't help but feel mad or even frustrated when he thinks on how it probably end up being even more difficult for you due your condition, and that lead him to try even more to help you have a comfortable life (not because of pity but because of love)

If the case is the contrary and you end up feeling overwhelmed by positive feelings to the point where you start crying it will take him a moment to fully process what its happening, his anxiety is there but he also can tell that it isn't exactly distress what are you feeling, so after realicing you are crying because you are happy he couldn't help but laugh at the situation before joining you in your happiness

[frickingnerd]

sohei yao with a reserved s/o who only opens up to him

pairing: sohei yao x gn!reader

tags: (implied) socially anxious!reader, wholesome fluff, established relationship, best boyfriend sohei

sohei was never aware that you were anything but loud and confident

after all, you had always seemed so open and extroverted towards him, that he never even once had any reason to believe that this wasn't the way you normally behave

sohei loved how open you were with him and how loud and excited you could get when telling him about something you loved

for the longest time, he was completely unaware that you were rather shy and quiet with everyone but him

but when he introduced you to a few colleagues of his from the book store, you suddenly went all quiet and he began to worry

were they making you uncomfortable? did he say the wrong thing? was this somehow his fault? 

sohei was quick to make up an excuse and pull you aside, wanting to make sure you weren't uncomfortable with the situation

it was then that you told him how you struggled to open up to others and how nervous you got around new people

knowing this, sohei felt bad for introducing you to new people so casually, wishing he had known sooner so you could've prepared yourself for it

but he also couldn't help but notice that you had never behaved this way towards him, which meant you weren't afraid to be yourself with him

sohei couldn't help but feel special, knowing that you felt so comfortable with him

yet he knew he'd have to help you open up to others as well, so that they too could realize what an amazing person you were…

[mirageyume]

Was it casual when he planned a date 1 year in advance even if he didn't know if he'd see you again

[kryannoy]

it slipped out, i'm sorry . . .

genre: fluff

character: xiangli yao

a/n: another fic about him because i am so in love with this man. i am fully aware he is sadly a fictional character 😀

Oh, how you love your boyfriend so much.

He has never raised his voice at you, never raised his hand at you, never even complained about you. He is just so . . . him! So perfect. The man any girl or woman would dreamt of. The man anyone wants as their partner because he treats you like royalty.

So, how? How does one get him to be your lover? And that person in question is you. How did you even hit the jackpot has always been a question you can never answer yourself. It has remained a mystery for as long as you can remember.

There has been a lot of time you look at him, stare at him, observe him and pinch him and yourself to see if this is real or not. And when you pinched him, guess what? He didn't get mad at you.

He flinched from the pain and immediately turned to you to see you pinching yourself as well. He raised his eyebrow and questioned you.

"Wha . . . What was that for?" His voice is gentle as the breeze, full of confusion yet patience.

"I don't think this is real. Yao, my love, can you pinch me so I know this isn't a dream?" You answered.

He chuckles at this. He doesn't need anyone else to keep him entertained after being buried in his research. You were enough. "No, princess. I don't want to hurt you."

You pout at him while playfully crossed your arms. "You saying that isn't helping, y'know?"

The look on his face isn't really worth seeing. You quite regret this action. Somehow, he seems to believe you. Or more likely, ready to apologize for saying something wrong—when clearly he wasn't.

"What is this all about? Is something troubling you? You can just tell me and I will help to the best of my ability."

He did it again! is what you want to say but you don't want to further upset your boyfriend. After all, why would you do that when he never does the same? He doesn't deserve it.

"It's just, I can't believe I have someone like you. No, wait. That sounded wrong. I meant, like, you're so perfect, how did I end up with you? And why did you choose me when there are other girls who are more fitting to be with you. You're so nice and I feel like I haven't done enough."

His heart bloomed. He feels suffocated but in a good way. An amazingly, romantically good way. He never gave a thought that you felt this way. He always thought that you were just as happy as him to be together.

He moves towards you and cups your face in his large hands. His prosthetic hand feels cold on your left cheek but somehow, you still feel the warmth resonating from his touch.

"My beautiful, lovely, sweet, gorgeous queen." He pecks your lips and even from that short kiss makes both of your skin hot, but still, he wasn't going to shy away now. "You are also perfect as is. So, we are perfect for each other. And I don't need anyone else. Got it?"

Oh, his eyes are shining. His smile is beaming. His touch is welcoming. But his distance is killing. He's so close!

At times like these are when you feel so shy around him no matter how many times you both have hugged, cuddled, kissed and such. You still feel butterflies in your stomach like having a school crush. You wonder if he feels the same way.

"And in another few years, we will be married, live together and have ki—"

He stops abruptly before he gets ahead of himself. Well, it's already slipped out anyways.

How else were you going to respond to that?! He just proves himself to be dreamier than before.

"Xiangli Yao . . ." You breath.

He notices you're so stiff and tense, not to mention, how red your face is right now. He better take a step back before you faint.

The proximity is now enough for you to take a breather. He scratches his cheek with his metal finger, looking flustered as you are. He must have felt the same way—the butterflies in his tummy, the blinking eyes, the awkward gesture.

He lightly clears his throat. "M—My apologies, I . . . uh, got ahead of myself. Forget what I said. I wasn't really thinking straight and it slipped out before I knew it."

It makes you much happier now after hearing his words and seeing you're not the only one who can get embarrassed. You're fully aware your boyfriend loves to make plans, even plans for next year, but you didn't know he made plans to be fully committed to you!

How'd you land a guy like him will always be the question.

You couldn't hide your smile anymore as you flung yourself into his arms as if he just put a ring on your finger. "I'll just say it now; I do!"

Xiangli Yao is so glad you couldn't see his face because if he does, he'll most likely malfunction like his robot one time. "I think you need to pinch me, princess. I feel like I'm dreaming."

[whisperiin]

You want to write for Xiangli Yao 🤝 I have a request

"Being on someone's mind so much that they shove their face into their pillow and scream"

YESSSSSSS!!!!! YEEEESSSSSSSS!!!!!! happy xiangli yao day i hope you all got your free boyfriend and also his weapon!!!! i was planning on starting and posting this sooner but i was busy staring at his pv and also at him ingame... but it's here !! and it's still the 7th in my timezone so i'm not late...

sorry for yappery. anyways. i feel like the intention was for reader to be like this but i like the idea of flustered xly so i.... did that.... either way, i hope you enjoy!

consuming their thoughts ft. xiangli yao

content warnings: none

When XIANGLI YAO falls asleep, he dreams of cool autumn nights at the tree overlooking Taoyuan Vale, of the stars humanity has been forced to abandon, and his arm outstretched towards both. Perhaps it’s greedy, to wish for so much — but the wind is so calm and the moon is so bright at this time of night, even with the fireworks being set off nearby… how could he possibly bring himself to choose either?

Tonight, Yao falls asleep and dreams of you.

It’s an odd feeling, one he’s unfamiliar with — a warmth in his cheeks and an uncharacteristic disorder in his thoughts. They divert and diverge until observation, hypothesis, and conclusion all lead back to you, to the golden ratio curvature of your smile. In his dreams, he reaches out his arm to pluck a stray petal from your shoulder, hooks his little finger with yours as you walk through the festival. In his dreams, he never has to look away from the sight of you bathed in moonlight, never has to question how easily his mouth shapes the words 'text me when you get home' and 'I’ll be waiting for you at the usual place' and 'I love you.'

Xiangli Yao rises with the dawn, a murmur of your name still sitting on his lips.

He buries his still-warm cheeks deeper into his pillow. A bashful smile tugs at his lips, and as he looks down at his hand, he swears he can still feel the warmth of yours against it.

Ah, he chastises himself, he shouldn’t linger here for too long — you were waiting for him, after all, and with how thoroughly you’ve trapped him in your orbit, the fact that he’ll always find a way back to you has always been a foregone conclusion.

[aventurineswife]

UNDER THE MISTLETOE WITH THE FOLLOWING

Aventurine, Kaveh, Dan Heng, Mortefi, Xiangli Yao, Aalto, Sunday, Boothill

(I say you break it into parts and add more characters you wanna write for for this one)

-Smooch Anon 💋

Under the Mistletoe

Tags: Aventurine x Reader, Dan Heng x Reader, Sunday x Reader, Boothill x Reader, Mortefi x Reader, Kaveh x Reader, Aalto x Reader, Xiangli x Reader, Romance, Holiday Season, Mistletoe kiss, Slow Burn, Gentle Intimacy, Slight Angst, Soft Kaveh, Mutual Feelings, Tender Moments, Heartwarming, Sweet Confessions, Comfort, Winter Special!

[Aven c.ai]

The warm glow of the holiday decorations illuminated the cozy room, the soft crackling of the fireplace adding to the festive ambiance. You and Aventurine found yourselves standing near the mistletoe, a playful glimmer in his eyes.

"Ah, it seems we’ve been caught under the mistletoe," he remarked with a smirk, one eyebrow arching. His voice was light, playful, but there was an unmistakable tenderness behind it. He tilted his head, brushing a strand of hair from his face. "What do you think we should do about that, hmm?"

You glanced up at the mistletoe, a light blush creeping up your cheeks. "Well, tradition says—"

Before you could finish, Aventurine stepped closer, his fingers gently tracing your jawline. His gaze softened, and he leaned down with a playful grin. "A kiss, then." he whispered, before capturing your lips in a gentle, teasing kiss.

The world around you seemed to fade as his warm embrace enveloped you. When he pulled away, his smile was one of both mischief and affection.

"You know," he murmured, eyes gleaming, "sometimes fate plays its hand quite well."

The dim glow of the holiday lights danced around you as the train moved through the vast expanse of space. You stood in the small common room of the Astral Express, your thoughts drifting in peaceful solitude.

That is, until Dan Heng entered, a quiet figure in the doorway. His gaze flickered to the mistletoe hanging in the corner, a faint blush coloring his cheeks as he caught sight of you standing there.

"I... didn't expect you to be here." Dan Heng said, his tone as reserved as ever, though you could detect the slight tension in his voice.

You smiled at him. "It seems the mistletoe has decided our fate for the evening," you teased gently, the warm holiday spirit making you bold.

Dan Heng’s usually calm demeanor faltered just slightly, his lips pressing together in a tight line. Slowly, he stepped closer, and the moment stretched out. “I... I don’t usually partake in such traditions,” he admitted, his gaze avoiding yours for a brief moment.

But then, almost as if drawn by some invisible force, he closed the distance between you, his fingers brushing the side of your hand before cupping your cheek. He leaned in, his lips brushing yours softly in a rare moment of vulnerability.

When he pulled away, his eyes met yours, and a small, almost imperceptible smile tugged at the corner of his lips. "I suppose it wasn’t so bad."

The cold wind of the galaxy’s outskirts ruffled Boothill’s white hair, and his sharp, shark-like teeth glinted as he scanned the space station’s holiday decorations. His mechanical limbs clicked with each step, a mix of metal and muscle, as he followed you through the crowded halls.

You couldn’t help but laugh at how out of place he seemed among the bright, colorful decorations. "Not exactly the place you'd expect to find a cowboy, huh?"

He shot you a smirk, his eyes glinting under the dim light. "I’m a man of many surprises," he replied gruffly.

As you rounded a corner, you found yourself standing beneath a hanging mistletoe. Boothill raised an eyebrow, clearly intrigued. “What now?” he asked, his voice laced with challenge and curiosity.

Before you could say a word, he stepped forward, his hand resting on your shoulder as he leaned in close, his mechanical arm gently grazing your back. "Guess it's tradition, darlin’," he muttered, his voice low as his lips met yours in a quick, fiery kiss.

You could feel the heat of his body against yours, the tension of the moment quickly evaporating as Boothill pulled away, offering a rare, roguish grin. "Wouldn’t want to break tradition, now would we?"

The soft glow of holiday lights twinkled through the windows, casting warm, golden reflections onto the floor. The chill of winter air had made its way into the room as you stood, adjusting the decorations hanging from the ceiling. As you reached for the last sprig of mistletoe, the sound of footsteps behind you made your heart skip a beat.

Turning, you were met with Sunday, his eyes glimmering with an unreadable emotion. He stood tall, his shoulder-length hair flowing like a cloud of silver-blue waves, and his long, dark coat perfectly tailored to his frame. His usual composed demeanor softened, just slightly, in the warmth of the moment.

“I see you’ve been busy.” Sunday remarked, his voice calm yet laced with a subtle amusement.

You smiled, positioning the mistletoe above the doorway with a sense of finality. “It’s almost perfect.” you replied, eyes meeting his.

The silence between you stretched for just a beat too long. Sunday’s eyes flickered to the mistletoe, then back to you, the flickering of his halo shimmering faintly in the soft light. His usual restraint was evident, but there was something different now—something almost inviting.

You couldn’t help but laugh nervously, realizing the unspoken rule. “You know what comes next.” you said, the words hanging in the air.

Sunday took a slow step closer, his presence commanding but gentle, his golden earrings catching the light. A soft smile tugged at his lips, though it was still tempered by his usual thoughtful composure.

“Under the mistletoe, is it?” he mused, almost too casually, his golden eyes locking with yours.

You nodded, unsure how this would unfold. There was a subtle tension in the air, the quiet warmth of the room at odds with the thoughts running through your head. His calm nature was always a grounding force, yet you felt something new simmering beneath the surface.

Without a word, Sunday’s gloved hand reached for yours, his fingers warm despite the chill in the air. “I suppose it would be improper to leave you standing here alone...” he said, his voice still quiet, but there was something deeper now, something vulnerable.

He leaned in, his face inches from yours, the soft scent of his coat mingling with the festive air. His lips were a whisper away from yours, the space between filled only with the steady rhythm of your heartbeats.

The moment hung in balance, his breath warm on your skin as he paused, waiting.

You had only a moment to decide. The choice felt monumental, though Sunday’s presence was enough to make you feel safe, even in the most uncertain of moments.

Finally, he closed the distance, the kiss slow and deliberate, carrying with it the weight of his quiet affection and complex thoughts. For a fleeting moment, the world outside faded, leaving only the two of you, wrapped in the warmth of your shared connection.

When you finally pulled away, Sunday’s gaze softened. “You are my dream...” he whispered, the words carrying more meaning than you expected. His voice, usually so detached, now seemed to hold an intimacy that stirred something deep inside you.

“Even if it’s a dream I’ll never wake from?” you teased softly.

His lips curled into a knowing smile, but his eyes held a certain sadness. “Perhaps,” he said, his voice low, “but some dreams are worth living forever.”

And in that moment, under the mistletoe, you understood. His world, with all its complexities, found a kind of softness in you. And for now, that was enough.

The cozy warmth of the holiday season had settled into the lively halls of Sumeru, and the air was filled with the scent of spices and pine. Lanterns glowed softly, their light dancing across the walls of the grand hall where you stood, adjusting the last few decorations on a towering tree. The sound of footsteps approached, and you turned, finding Kaveh leaning casually against the doorway.

His hair, slightly tousled as always, framed his face perfectly. The red hair clips and feather above his ear gave him a distinctly regal air, while the intricate design of his cape—flowed elegantly behind him. His eyes, sharp yet gentle, softened when they met yours.

“You’ve outdone yourself again,” Kaveh remarked, his voice full of admiration. He pushed off the doorframe, stepping closer. “I swear, I’ll never get used to how beautiful everything looks when you’re in charge.”

You couldn’t help but smile at the compliment, feeling a little warmth in your chest at the sincerity behind his words. Kaveh had always been generous with praise, but this time, it felt especially meaningful.

“Thank you, Kaveh,” you replied, adjusting a few stray branches. “I had to make sure everything looked perfect. You deserve something beautiful for all the hard work you’ve been putting in lately.”

Kaveh chuckled softly, shaking his head. “I’m not the one who deserves all the credit here. My work’s always been more about others than it is about me.” He paused, his eyes flickering to the mistletoe hanging above the doorframe. “Though, I suppose some things are meant to be.”

You followed his gaze, and with a small laugh, you realized the implication. The tradition of the mistletoe, hanging there like an invitation to something more intimate, stirred a sense of anticipation between you.

“Well,” you said, stepping closer, “it seems we’re supposed to follow the tradition, aren’t we?”

Kaveh looked at you for a long moment, his sharp eyes softening in a way that made your heart race. He had always been the kind of person to let his emotions show—open, passionate, sometimes even too much for his own good. It was part of what made him so endearing, but it also left him vulnerable in ways others might not understand.

His lips curled into a small, playful smile. “I suppose we are.”

Kaveh’s presence was calming, yet there was a tension in the air, as though both of you were aware of the quiet, unspoken connection between you. He took a step closer, the scent of his cologne mixing with the festive atmosphere of the room, and for a moment, it felt like time slowed.

His hand reached up, brushing a lock of hair behind your ear. The touch was gentle, as if he was savoring the moment, and it sent a pleasant shiver down your spine. His eyes locked with yours, and for a fleeting instant, it felt like everything else disappeared.

Then, without another word, he leaned in, his lips meeting yours in a soft, almost hesitant kiss. It was tender, careful, as though Kaveh feared pushing too far, but there was also a depth of feeling in it—an unspoken promise of understanding, of connection, of him offering a piece of himself that few ever saw.

When the kiss finally broke, Kaveh lingered, his forehead resting against yours, his breath warm and steady. “I’m not sure if I’ve ever been more relieved to follow a tradition,” he murmured, his voice low, the weight of his usual burdens momentarily forgotten in this shared moment.

You smiled softly, a gentle laugh escaping your lips. “I’m glad I could make it worthwhile.”

Kaveh’s hand rested against your cheek, his thumb lightly brushing over your skin. “I don’t think I’ve ever met anyone who makes me feel like this,” he confessed, his tone full of raw honesty. “I’ve spent so much of my life thinking I had to carry everything on my own. But when I’m with you…” He trailed off, his words faltering for a moment.

You pressed your palm gently against his, your smile tender. “You don’t have to carry it alone anymore, Kaveh.”

His smile, soft and genuine, reached his eyes. “Thank you,” he whispered. “For this, and for everything.”

Under the mistletoe, amidst the holiday lights, the world seemed to pause just long enough for Kaveh to let down his guard—just enough for both of you to share in something beyond the trials and struggles of everyday life. Something beautiful, something real.

The soft, rhythmic hum of classical music filled the air, mingling with the crisp winter air that crept through the open windows. Snowflakes gently settled on the windowsills of the academy, their icy beauty casting a delicate glow across the room.

You glanced around, taking in the sight of the holiday decorations carefully arranged for the occasion. Huaxu Academy had always maintained an air of strict order, but today, there was an unfamiliar warmth in the air, one that seemed to soften even the hardest edges of the most meticulous minds.

You weren't sure why you had accepted the invitation to the academy's annual winter gathering. But there you were, sipping tea in a corner, admiring the decorations, when a familiar presence made itself known. Mortefi. His crimson hair, combed neatly, caught your eye, glimmering like a flame against the backdrop of winter. He stood, as always, with an air of reserved elegance, his sharp eyes scanning the crowd with cool detachment.

You couldn't help but smile at the thought of how effortlessly he stood out—his pristine white robe, the Tacet Mark on his chest hidden beneath bandages, the fiery energy that he radiated despite his careful composure.

As you moved closer, your gaze caught the mistletoe hanging from an archway above, positioned perfectly in the center of the room. You blinked, realizing the perfect opportunity to finally have a moment with Mortefi.

Before you could even make your move, Mortefi seemed to sense something, turning his gaze in your direction. The slightest flicker of annoyance flashed in his eyes before he spoke, his voice sharp, though the tension in his posture was palpable.

"What is it now, [Name]? Are you planning to mock my scientific rigor with another one of your childish antics?" His words, laced with irritation, still held an edge of fondness underneath. It was how he spoke when he was trying to hide his softer side.

You smiled mischievously, stepping toward the archway, ensuring that both of you stood directly under the mistletoe. The moment was impossible to ignore. You had to admit, the suspense was delicious.

"Well, if you insist on being so… rigorous," you teased, the words coming easily. "I suppose this might be the only scientific way to test your… emotional control, Mortefi."

He blinked, his expression shifting to one of confusion, and for a moment, his ever-present pride flickered. His jaw tightened as he glanced up at the mistletoe, then back at you, realizing the game that was unfolding.

"You—" he began, but the words failed him as his usually composed demeanor faltered, just for an instant.

He sighed, his breath visible in the chill of the room. "You are insufferable," he muttered, but his eyes gleamed with something softer now, something closer to resignation—or perhaps curiosity.

The warmth in his gaze caught you off guard. Mortefi, for all his hubris and perfectionism, had a side to him that only a few had seen—and you, it seemed, had become one of those few. A slow smile curved at the corner of his lips, and though his posture remained stiff, there was a palpable change.

Without a word, Mortefi leaned in, his breath warm against your skin as he gently cupped your face with his gloved hand. The moment was brief, but the kiss was soft, almost hesitant, as if the fire that so often burned inside him had been temporarily quelled.

As he pulled away, his crimson eyes flickered with something unreadable. "Don’t think for a second that I’m taking this as a weakness," he warned, though the faint blush staining his cheeks told another story.

You laughed, the sound light and teasing as you stepped back, savoring the rare moment of vulnerability. "Of course not, Mortefi. Who would think that?"

His gaze lingered on you for a moment longer, the fire in his eyes momentarily dimmed, before he returned to his usual composure.

"Next time, I expect more… suitable behavior, [Name]." His tone was back to its usual sharpness, but the warmth in his voice couldn’t be ignored.

You simply smiled, your heart lighter than it had been before. "Of course, Mortefi. But for now, how about a dance?"

He raised an eyebrow, his expression unreadable for a moment before a smirk tugged at his lips.

"I suppose, if you insist."

Under the mistletoe, surrounded by the glow of the season, Mortefi was still the same brilliant, proud man. But for just a moment, you’d seen a different side—a side he would only let you glimpse.

And that, you realized, was enough.

The winter evening at Huaxu Academy was serene, the snow gently falling outside as lights twinkled from the windows, casting a soft glow on the polished floors inside. The academy, always a place of quiet intellectual pursuit, felt different tonight, alive with the hum of conversations and laughter as students and faculty mingled in celebration.

Xiangli Yao stood near the edge of the gathering, his deep-set eyes scanning the room with the same focused intensity that defined his approach to life. His prosthetic arm, a marvel of Automata Mechanics, gleamed in the ambient light, a stark contrast to his calm, collected demeanor. Despite the festive atmosphere, his mind was always racing, considering the boundaries of human knowledge and the complexities of his ongoing research.

You had noticed him standing alone, as he often did, caught between his devotion to academia and his reluctance to fully immerse in the chaos of social interaction. With a soft smile, you decided to approach, weaving through the crowd with a quiet grace.

"Xiangli," you greeted gently, your voice cutting through the murmurs of the event. His eyes flicked to you, his expression softening ever so slightly.

"[Name]," he replied, his tone polite but tinged with an emotion that was hard to place. "I was just—" He paused, glancing down at his prosthetic arm, his fingers flexing instinctively as if testing its strength. "I was just reflecting on my latest project. There are always new mysteries to solve."

You could see the familiar tension in his shoulders, the weight of his constant drive for discovery evident even in this moment of reprieve. You knew him well enough to recognize that his work often consumed him, and sometimes, a gentle reminder to experience the present was necessary.

"The mysteries of the season, perhaps?" you teased lightly, nodding to the mistletoe hanging above them, a playful invitation that had long been a part of the holiday tradition. Xiangli’s gaze followed your gesture, his brow furrowing slightly, as if the concept of a simple holiday tradition were as foreign to him as the mysteries of his latest inventions.

"You know I have little patience for such trivialities," he remarked, his voice betraying a hint of amusement despite the sharpness of his words. But there was something in his gaze, a glimmer of curiosity or perhaps something deeper, that made your heart skip a beat.

Without waiting for an answer, you stepped closer, positioning yourself beneath the mistletoe with a playful smile. "Perhaps," you mused, "this one mystery is worth solving?"

Xiangli stared at you for a moment, his usual calm demeanor wavering. His mind, as brilliant as it was, must have struggled to reconcile the present with the complexities of his thoughts. You watched as his fingers slowly relaxed, the tension in his form easing just a fraction.

“You’re impossible,” he muttered, though his lips quirked upward in a smile that was rare for him. It wasn’t often he allowed himself such moments of frivolity. His eyes held a tenderness that you hadn’t expected from the man whose life was so consumed by the pursuit of knowledge.

Before he could pull away, you reached up, resting a hand on his shoulder. "Just for tonight," you whispered, "leave the questions behind."

For a long moment, Xiangli was still, his gaze deep and contemplative. Then, almost imperceptibly, he leaned in, his breath warm against your cheek as he met you halfway under the mistletoe.

The kiss was soft, fleeting, yet it carried with it the weight of all the things left unsaid—his unspoken vulnerability, his struggle between intellect and emotion, and the quiet connection you shared that was anything but trivial.

When he pulled back, his gaze lingered on you, the light of contemplation still present in his eyes, but his usual analytical distance was gone, replaced by something warmer, more human.

"Perhaps," he began, his voice lower than usual, "some truths are better discovered when not in a laboratory."

You smiled, your heart lighter than it had been in a long while. "I agree," you said softly, taking a small step back. "And maybe some mysteries are better enjoyed, rather than solved."

Xiangli’s lips twitched, the faintest hint of a smile tugging at them. For once, his mind seemed quiet, his curiosity tempered by the warmth of the moment.

And for just a moment, Xiangli Yao—the brilliant, thoughtful, and complex man—was content to simply exist in the here and now, under the mistletoe, with you.

The glow of the city streets outside was softened by a light snowfall, the cold winter air making its way through the cracks in the windows. Inside the bustling café, the warm scent of spiced coffee and freshly baked goods mixed with the sound of laughter and soft music. It was a rare, quiet evening, the type where you could almost forget about the danger that often lurked around every corner in your line of work.

You were enjoying the calm, for once. At least until you felt that familiar presence before you. The air shifted, subtle yet unmistakable.

"Mind if I join you?" Aalto's voice slid through the space between the bustling crowd and your own thoughts, smooth as ever, with a hint of playfulness that never quite left him.

You looked up from your cup to find him standing there, his ever-present sunglasses perched on his face, a slight smile tugging at the corner of his lips. He was always dressed impeccably, his usual ensemble of dark, practical clothing reflecting his elusive, mysterious nature.

"Didn't expect you here today," you teased, motioning to the empty chair across from you. "I thought you'd be too busy making deals or causing trouble."

Aalto chuckled lightly, taking the seat with an almost exaggerated nonchalance. "The mist has a way of keeping me occupied... but tonight, I'm in the mood for something more... low-stakes."

His fingers tapped rhythmically against the surface of the table, and as always, you couldn't help but wonder if he was calculating his next move—or if he was simply enjoying the moment. Knowing him, it was probably both.

The conversation drifted between small talk and the occasional, cryptic remark only Aalto could make, leaving you with the sense that he was always hiding something just out of reach. As the evening wore on, the mood in the café began to shift, and soon enough, a soft laugh caught your attention.

Aalto looked up, his eyes twinkling behind those ever-present sunglasses. He raised an eyebrow as he motioned towards the small decoration hanging above you—an innocuous mistletoe, which had appeared seemingly out of nowhere.

"Looks like we're in a bit of a predicament," he said, his voice smooth as velvet, though there was an unmistakable challenge in his tone. "What are we going to do about that?"

You stared up at the mistletoe, the weight of its tradition suddenly hitting you. Aalto’s smirk grew, and you could see the mischievous glint in his eyes behind his glasses.

"Don’t tell me you're one of those who believes in the magic of mistletoe?" he teased, leaning closer. His breath was warm against your skin, the subtle scent of fog and something else, something uniquely him, filling your senses.

You rolled your eyes, but your heart couldn’t help but race. You knew exactly how unpredictable Aalto was, and in moments like these, when he was this close, there was a tension in the air you couldn't escape.

"You never miss an opportunity, do you?" you said, your voice quieter now, just loud enough to reach his ears.

He didn’t answer right away, and for a moment, the two of you just sat there, suspended in the space between the past and the present. He was the type of person who could read every situation like a book, but in this moment, you were the one who had the upper hand.

With a sigh that seemed almost theatrical, Aalto stood up. "I suppose if we’re bound by tradition..." He placed his hand on the top of your head, pulling you gently but decisively toward him.

Before you could react, he leaned down, his lips brushing against your cheek—light, playful, but carrying an underlying sincerity that made your heart skip a beat.

"Consider it a business transaction," he whispered in your ear, his tone laced with a subtle, playful promise. "A deal sealed under the mistletoe."

The moment was fleeting, as elusive as Aalto himself. But as he straightened, giving you one last, lingering look through the dark lenses of his sunglasses, you couldn’t shake the feeling that this was only the beginning of something even more unexpected than you'd ever imagined.

He turned to leave, his voice calling back to you softly, "And don't worry, your next piece of information will be on the house."

You smiled to yourself as he disappeared into the mist outside, the echoes of his laughter leaving behind a warmth that stayed with you long after he was gone.

[crepezinhos]

Out of Reach

POV: You’d never think a few small talks every now and then and effortless circus perfomances would spark such a passionate fan like him, especially when your differences segregated you two so much.

⚠️ WARNINGS:

— This is an angsty SFW Oneshot (not proofread)

— Reader is FEMALE and uses SHE/HER pronouns

— AU is: 1910s

— Vet!Character x Performer!Reader

— This is a multifandom work. Characters/Fandoms included are clarified down below and in tags too.

Imagine you and him, who work together in circus, the kind that resides in a train and perform from city to city. You’re a ballerina, a professional dancer, who performs with an elephant as a partner, and him, who’s been recently recruited as a vet to take care of it.

He isn’t even professional. He’s a poor man who attempted veterinary school but couldn’t handle the expenses, so he gave up and ran way from his urban life, but he still does a professional job just for you.

He doesn’t double check before you straddle the elephant, he triple-checks, quadruple-checks, and even more if it means you’ll be ok and that the elephant won’t ever have a panick attack. That’s also why he refuses to use physical punishment with it. He not only has a tremendous empathy for animals in the first place, but he also views that elephant as a sacred relic blessed by your talent and beauty. He will wake up in the middle of the night to make sure the elephant is sleeping well, he will brush every little corner of the elephant’s enormous body with multiple layers of soap, he’ll assure its little accessories and makeup are perfectly done… everything in the name of you.

How could those amused faces in the crowd not make a line for your autograph after your performances? He’d proudly be the first one on it.

He’s your secret biggest fan.

He watches every show of yours.

No matter if he has duties to do.

He’ll always find a way to sneak out or have a colleague cover for him, and watch you from a far, isolated corner in the crowd, hidden in the shadows. Even if he’s anxious and afraid you might fall or embarrassingly trip and twist an ankle when you’re standing on the elephant’s back, his eyes cannot stop admiring you.

The thrill… the beauty… the music… the costume… the dance… the art.

No matter how many times he’s watched that repeated set of actions, for him, you somehow always make something ‘new’ that make hai actions widen.

How could all the other performers only shower you with shallow compliments?

“You did really well!”

“Nice job!”

“Great performance today!”

You deserve more than just those words. You deserve someone kissing your feet, you deserve a group of maids massaging your back, you deserve a man waiting for you to get home so he can take care of your every need.

And that’s why he finally broke his own limits.

That’s why his feet were moving so quickly in your direction, breathing almost uncontrolled, for some reason fearing that you’d somehow disappear if he didn’t reach you in time, fearing that someone would say what he had to say to you first and make his words lose meaning.

You looked hypnotizing even when you were just sitting on top of a random crate. The moonlight making your jewelry and glossy eyes sparkle like a diamond and your dress accentuating your fine curves… he desperately desired to watch you from a close distance, but he knew that’d reasonably creep you out.

“Y/N.” His whole body shivered as he pronounced your name after so many days without saying it to you.

Your zoned-out face finally seemed to be brought back to reality with his figure standing some inches away from you, but as soon as you paid attention to him, your nose couldn’t help but detect the smell.

He works with your dear elephant, and that means he needs to clean the kilograms of rotting shit it eliminates of its body and carry it out of the train. The lack of access to showers makes the smell stick to his every cell of his body like a parasite, a fucking leech that always made your expressions of him be low for any situation that wasn’t veterinary. Especially considering his constant timid behavior, he looked like nothing but a random loser to you.

And he obviously couldn’t help but remember all the others reasons why you’d feel disgusted to him when he looked at a mirror. His calloused hands due to manual labour, the dirt under the tip of his nails, his oily and unwashed hair, the dust, feces and dirt spread around his body and his clothes, which probably had already became permanent stains at this point, his yellowish teeth, his tired eyes, and that stupid fly that has been annoyingly following him and hanging around his space for these last minutes.

No matter if he had a cute face behind all those layers of grubbiness and unsanitary life conditions.

That’s why you flinched away, and your hand immediately moved to pinch your nose and stop your nasals to absorb and taste his smell.

Oh.

How could he forget?

How could he forget that he has no chance with you? How could he allow himself to walk so confidently to you as if he was your closest friend? Or as if you cared about what he had to say?

Perhaps… was your performance tonight what made him feel this way? This delusional? Was that how much you inspired him? Well, he should just disappear now, shouldn’t he? He’s a bother, isn’t he?

You immediately gasped and put your hand on top of your mouth as soon as you realized your wrong and saw his excited face die in a blink and become embarrassed due to that.

“I-I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to—” You stood up, trying to make your apology seem more genuine and respectful, but he immediately fought you back.

“No, no. It’s ok.” No matter how genuine his smile looked, he couldn’t make eye contact with you anymore, and that made your heart ache in regret. “I understand.” He reached a hand to the back of his neck and begun scratching it as a way to control himself as he prepared to organize his confession.

He bit his inferior lip for a few seconds, and you made sure to wait if that meant he’d forgive your attitude.

“I just wanted to say that…” He had to pause again if he didn’t want to pass out. “Your performance was absolutely mesmerizing tonight.” The gentle tone and sway of his voice towards your ears made your heart ache even more for him.

He felt afraid of course, but every syllable pronounced was vital. How could he be 100% honest to you when that’s how you reacted to his presence? But he still somehow dearly hoped his determination would mean something to you. That your artistic mind could interpret his choice of words and perhaps remember that moment for the next years.

How could you treat your own vet like that?! After all the work he does for your elephant, that’s how you treat him as? After all those small talks you two shared throughout those months? And considering those small talks were centered around you, it made you even worse for him.

He’s not even ugly in the first place. His facial features and manly and sharp, his eyes are catchy, his hands and fingers are long, and his body is slim and healthily worked-out.

“I…” You couldn’t even react to it. You were truly taken aback and felt with those words. “Thank you… I-I’m sorry for—” He immediately started nodding his head side-to-side.

“No need to apologize.” He shrugged his shoulders and began to turn back, but those damn words in the tip of his tongue that were begging to come out couldn’t be held back anymore. “Have a good night, Ms. Y/N. I’ll make sure Ella is prepared for tomorrow.” No matter if his heart was too overwhelmed with anxiety and his stomach with butterflies, he was disappointed at himself for even bothering you in the first, so he immediately started walking away from you before you could say anything else.

And you pathetically decided to let him go, regretting that decision more and more with every step of his, but only silence could be heard between you two.

At least he was glad that you seemed touched by him.

He was glad he said the things he needed to say, even if you’d never look at him the same way he looks at you, according to his thoughts.

So he walked home with blood running roughly on his cheeks, and a smile that couldn’t find rest.

Diluc, Kazuha, Zhongli, Itto, Gorou, Xiao, AlHaitham, Kinich, Neuvillette, Kabukimono, Ororon, Cyno

Luocha, Kakavasha, Dan Heng, Blade, Gepard, Sunday

Jiyan, Calcharo, Xiangli Yao

Taglist: @amoyanderes @shyentsfoundherink @kindofshyent @the-stinky-winky @goofy-ego @bigmantiddys @alatusorrow @luminieee

[sinful-lanterns]

If we're still on the topic of Yao... Okay, so I haven't played her event yet, so this all might be OOC, but y'know how people say that birds are essentially just modern dinosaurs? How about we say that Yao would probably possess some primal tendencies? 😏

If Yao's roaming around the entirety of Whitesands to chase down the Tides of Ashes, then she's obviously quite powerful to protect such a vast territory on her own, which is a +1 for her. And if she finds you wandering into her territory, then this clearly must be a sign! You're so very different from her usual prey. Ah, but what bravery you show just by being out here!

Of course, Yao's smitten, so she's going to prove that she's the very BEST mate for you. She shows her power by effortlessly taking down any beasts that thinks they can have you. Foolish creatures... Only SHE can have you. 😤 She also proves she's a provider by bringing fresh food for you and the potential hatchlings she hopes to have with you! Then, she perplexedly changes her strategy when she finds the various organs (the best parts in her opinion!) probably freak you out/make you squeamish. 😂 Thinking like, "Hm. Potential mate does not like giant lizard. Must find other foods."

And whenever you rest for the night, she tries her best to build a comfortable nest around your tent/bedroll! She shoves giant branches and piles of leaves around you for better insulation against the cold desert nights. And I think she might get a little possessive. Her entire design suggests she's a powerful, ancient birb though, so maybe she might only gets a little jealous around other birb-coded sinners? In this case, it might just be Raven (another S-tier sinner no less!). 😂 I can imagine Yao wrapping her big wings around you and firmly placing her chin atop your head while glaring at the other birb. When she gives a little huff of discontent, small puffs of steam probably come out of her nose.

She's the absolute sweetest around her little mate though. 🥰

-🌙 anon

Yao who has the instinctual habit to build a nest around you whenever you lay down somewhere for too long. In her head, she thinks ‘Oh. My mate wants to build a nest here. Okay!’ even though you are just resting. While you are asleep, she will go out and forage for the cleanest sticks, the softest plants, heck, she even pulls out some of her feathers to build the perfect nest for you. By the time you wake up, you’re just surrounded by a huge nest of branches and a happy Yao waiting for you to wake up, seemingly proud of herself for what she did while you were asleep 🥺

Oh, and let’s not forget to mention her hunting skills when she wants to provide for you. Yao picks up on the fact you can’t really hunt that well since you’re a puny human, so she goes out of her way to hunt down all the best animals and plants for you to eat, even if some of them are a bit grotesque.

Reader: Yao…I can’t eat this. There’s still blood.

Yao: Is it too raw? Okay. I will cook it for you.

Yao: *proceeds to set the meat on fire*

She means well, don’t worry. Even if what she does can be a little jarring for you, it’s just her following her instincts as a bird. Especially when she wants to show off how possessive she is over her mate. I imagine she’s quite territorial over you and will spread her wings quite wide, just to scare off any other “predators” that may want to snatch you away from her.

…Sorry Raven, but since she is a bird, anytime she steps close to you, Yao would squawk and immediately wrap you in her wings, hissing at Raven as she walks by. She isn’t like this around other women, yet women who have bird like features (Raven, Langley, and Nightingale for example) will get hissed at by an angry Yao.

These poor women… 😅

[amarmoria]

Sempiternal 111

Yao x Reader

Synopsis: 10 days in some spa center with your family wouldn't be too bad right...?

Notes: to the person who gave me an idea for the 3rd part, i luv u sm, i didn't reply to your ask since i didn't want to spoil it, ill probs answer it after I post this🤭

Previous | Next

Ugh fuck.

Fuck you and your imagination. This is why you stopped watching documentaries. You can't face him like this, no way, you should just jump off the balcony and run away, you ran your mouth over something so, so childish— you sound like one, now he probably thinks you're weird, if he heard you that is, no.. he def did, he def did..

You groaned and clenched your fists as your family neared the circular, brown hut. The staff had reminded the guests earlier when they arrived to rendezvous to the meeting place to officially start this experience, and familiarize yourselves with the other occupants which your mom didn't appreciate very much.

Though on the other hand, you yourself were really happy to commune with other people aside from your family, it felt suffocating around your parents, they're always bickering, blaming, the tension was always there even if you didn't hear it, so the mention of other people makes your tummy flutter in a good way.

Meeting new people was good, your family's therapist says, it's another way to cope with everything lately. You trudged your way as you hear chatter from inside, your eyes immediately centering on a curly haired woman, she shoots you a smile in which you return, the chatter kinda died down when you went in, now the atmosphere was awkward because everyone was looking at you, the walk to your family's circles felt like ages, you were thankful to the lady who resumed talking to the person beside her, you remember her from earlier when you guys went in, the first guest you met, you wonder if you've seen her somewhere, she looked so familiar.

You didn't pay attention to the adult's conversation, talking about how long this was going to start, or if this was reverse psychology in making the guests commune with each other to familiarize themselves with their fellow patients, you heard your mom complain once again although you didn't care enough to answer, the sun was already starting to die down, light orange hues traverse the hut when the blonde haired woman entered. Everyone was already quiet, your eyes landed on the person you thought you could escape.

"Welcome to Tranquillum House." She pauses, scanning the faces of her new subjects. "Right now, you're at the foot of a mountain."

Her voice blurs in your ears when your focus centers on Yao, gosh, I wonder what would happen if he were to catch you looking. You gulp a big fat saliva and accidentally let out a cough, fuck, you let your eyes wander to the floor when the hut stills, out of anywhere you really had to cough in here, are they looking at you? No maybe it's something else, no, they are, they're looking at you.

You clear your throat, adjusting your crooked top that you kept fiddling with earlier.

"— as I was saying.."

You let out a deep breath, quietly this time, one more event and you're out of here, this place has brought out everything within you than ever in all the years you've been living.

Your eyes fluttered forward once again, regaining the little bit of confidence you tried to muster, that's when you realized Yao was already looking at you.

You stilled, your breath stuck in your throat.

Why is he smirking..

He tilted his head slightly, seemingly teasing you, your eyebrows furrowed as you reciprocated, you mouth a small 'what', although you didn't get to see his response when Masha suddenly blocked your vision from him.

"Isn't that right, my little bee?"

You shook your head and focused on Masha, she was right in front of you, you can see your mom on your far left trying to move close to you but your dad quickly stops her.

"Huh, wha, I," and your back to fiddling with your top, you heard Masha chuckle, gently placing her hand on your shoulder. "W-what, what was the question..?"

"Silly bee, I didn't ask a question"

"Then what is, I mean, you—"

"You're a nervous little thing are you?"

"I-I'm not, it's.."

"Don't worry, I'm not here to lecture you," her laugh is warm, honey, like the place, she looks like the place, maybe you're biased because she does own it.

"I was a little girl,"

"And I was riding my bicycle"

"Reconnecting with joy," she finally lets go of you after staring into your soul, your eyes flicker back to the man, but his eyes were somewhere else, good, you hope you won't ever talk or be near him after this. "and innocence—"

"Excuse me!" Your mom takes a step forward. "This is not appropriate"

"I decide what is appropriate"

"You know our story"

"Mom—" you try and stop her, but she raises a finger at you, immediately shutting you up. "Death will not be your story"

You felt your sister freeze beside you, you looked back at her worriedly, her eyes were full, brimming of tears.

"Zo.."

"I'm sorry."

You watch her bump your shoulder as she runs outside the tent, you were about to run after her when the woman your mother had an argument during your arrival gently held your shoulder and nodded at you, you let her, maybe it's better for her to take a break from your god forsaken family for once.

The dispute behind you was deaf to your ears, it hasn't even been a day and your mom had already fucked up the first impressions, so great for wanting to heal then.

You feel your throat closing in, ugh not again. You bit your tongue and hurriedly left the tent, your ears were alarmingly ringing too loud than before, you wonder what caused it to react like this, you hastily try to fish for something in your pockets, please please please, you search your body, even tapping your butt if it was there.

Fuck, where did you put it?

The longer you try to find it, the more blurred your eyes were, the ringing was already more than deafening, ear-splitting is the right word, you took a big left earlier to avoid Zoe seeing you like this, you didn't want her to worry, she just has to think about herself, so your surrounded by tall bamboo trees in the middle of nowhere, great, but you don't know that, because you're hear tryna breath, see, hear, everything, tryna make everything normal again.

That's when you hear a crunch of leaves behind you.

"Miss Marconi..?"

Ugh, not him..

"Y-you left this.."

You don't turn around, only hiding your face, he holds out a white container you knew too well. Your eyes widen and quickly grab it, he stays behind as you try to pry the annoying cap off, why was this twice as harder to open than it is?!

One of your nails accidentally breaks from the pressure, though it didn't hurt because it was the long one, you didn't pay attention to it, just busy trying to open the goddamn medicine.

A hand suddenly shoots out to grab the container. "Let me."

It wasn't a question, the words in your mouth die on your tongue as he easily broke off the lid, handing you a couple, you wonder how he knew how many pills you took, you didn't add them to your registration in fear of your parents, but that was the least of your concerns, your threw them in your mouth like your life depended on it, it did.

A few seconds pass and you let out a deep breath, and inhaled a bigger one too, the ringing of your ears stopped, and your eyesight was back to normal, you would've sported a little smile after that, patting yourself on the back like a crazy person if not for the warm body still next to you.

That's when you realize he's still there, Yao, had he not been there, your parents would have gotten two reasons for coming here.

You gulp and fix your hair, your face heats up at the thought of him seeing you run around like a mental patient, but you assume he's already seen this many times, maybe that's why he knew how much to give you.

"I—"

"Are you—"

You pause, biting your lip, gosh how many more embarrassing things should you check off your list?

No one spoke for the next few seconds, but you could feel him staring you down. Oh so now you're branded as crazy, weirdo who just had an episode in the middle of nowhere during a retreat, you scratch your head at the thought.

"Are you alright?"

"I'm, it's.. I'm sorry," you pinch your arm, your eyes focusing on the dirt than looking at him.

"Don't be sorry, Bee" you frown at the nickname, why do they even call you that. "It's, you didn't have to, to see that I—"

"If i wasn't there would you have even opened this? Or even find it in the first place?"

You shut your mouth, he's right, you owe him your life, but you don't tell him, he might use it as leverage somewhere.

"I'm sorry," he quickly mumbled, fiddling with the container, the cap was now abandoned on the floor, the half empty pills exposed to the world.

"Will.." you pause, biting the inside of your cheek. "Will you tell my family? About, about what happened?"

He furrowed his eyebrows, maybe trying to read you.

"Do you want me to?"

You thought for a moment, you didn't want to burden him, but you also didn't want this as blackmail, anything can happen, but when you look up, eyes catching his, it's not filled with malice, or anything.. of sorts.

"No, don't, don't tell them.. please"

You don't see the twitch on the corners of his eyes.

"Yes," You frown at the lack of noise, then you see him reaching over to his small beige cloth bag, he pulls out a smaller drawstring pouch, color beige obvi, he dumps your pills in it, throwing the hospital colored container and handing you the new one.

"Here, an apology for breaking the old one"

"You didn't have to—"

"We do, we have to take care of our guests like family, so you don't have to worry about it."

You held onto the pouch and looked up at him, and like before, he was already looking at you. "Thank you, Yao"

"Anything for the guest"

The more chapters i make, the longer every chapter gets. ANYWAYS, two chapters posted this weeknd?! Miracle😧

[worldheadcanons]

Could you do the allies confessing to their crush? Something super fluffy ｡◕‿◕｡

☆ the allies: confessing to their crush!

starring. . . gender neutral, country! reader and england, america, france, china, + russia. warning for brief mentions of gore + murder (horror movie stuff) under russia’s part.

author notes; i wrote some of this on a plane at 3 am and i’m sorry if it shows through. live laugh love country!reader concepts. I know it wasn’t apart of the original ask but it felt necessary (i wanted to add it).

arthur kirkland!

— when he first fell for you, he had tried to ignore his feelings. so what if his heart skipped a beat whenever you complimented his proposals? you were just coworkers. just two people who attended the same meetings, talked often after said meetings, made coffee for each other, smiled and laughed together... just two coworkers. that’s all you ever were and all you ever would be. at least, that’s what kirkland thought at first.

— obviously, the ‘ignore and forget’ method didn’t work out for him. after a week or so he woke up and smelled the roses, realizing that his feelings weren’t going anywhere. arthur started to try and flirt with you at the office, complimenting your outfits and holding every door he could for you. francis never failed to tease him over his attempts at wooing you.

— he went on for weeks, lightly flirting and pining over you. kirkland could be cowardly when it came to affairs of the heart. he was never a romantic man, even when he was an empire. he feared your rejection more than anything, refusing to take you out on a date even though he spoke of you all the time. during a meeting one day, francis glanced from the englishman to you and then back at him. when you were out of earshot the frenchman whispered to arthur that if he didn’t grow up and ask you out, bonnefoy would ask you out instead. he couldn’t be sure if it was a joke or not, but there was no way in hell he’d let francis ask you out. the mere possibility of it kicked kirkland into gear. after the meeting had been dismissed, he pulled you to the side. 

— he gently took your hands into his, as if he was about to say his vows. “y/n, i’ve been interested in you for quite some time,” arthur began, one hand going to the back of his neck as his gaze turned downwards. “i was wondering if we could meet up somewhere.. for a date, i mean.” it was awkward and slightly uncomfortable for him, but for you this was a dream come true. all this time he had scarcely noticed that you had been flirting back at him. you’d laugh a little too much at his stupid, sarcastic jokes. you'd find various excuses to talk to him directly during general meetings. you had picked up on his flirting early on and quickly reciprocated. every doubt about your feelings existed only in his mind.

— “i’d love that, arthur. how about some food from my country? i know this place that i think you’ll like,” you replied, smiling at the man in front of you. you brushed your thumbs across his knuckles. arthur grinned at your response, cheeks flushed pink. there you were, holding hands in the dim corner of an office corridor… and it felt like heaven, really. the two of you made plans to go out the same night, eager to spend time together outside of the office. 

— perhaps francis, being the country of love, had noticed the relationship issues you two were having. perhaps he had simply just wanted to bother the british man. either way, you made a note to yourself to thank him for his involvement in getting you two together.

alfred f. jones!

— classic case of ‘they fell first but he fell harder’. much harder. you had a huge crush on him previously. looking back, it wasn’t too foolish. you were a relatively smaller country and even though you weren’t new, you were still getting your bearings down. you were a beginner in many aspects and yet here he was, this grand country with lots of power and influence. you couldn’t help but fall for alfred. he was the american dream, literally. and the thing was, he was younger than you! 

— your crush was completely innocent, albeit a bit embarrassing. jones didn’t even notice it until matthew pointed out to him. at the time, he didn’t feel the same way. he wasn’t cruel, but he did let you know that he didn’t reciprocate those feelings. he didn’t want to lead you on, is all. your feelings didn’t die out but you decided not to act on them. things between the two of you evened our after that. months later, though, alfred started to look at you in a more.. romantic.. light. when you would talk to other powers like arthur or especially ivan, he’d feel.. oddly jealous. when you’d ask about his proposals his heart would beat faster while he answered. whenever he made you laugh, he’d feel like the luckiest man alive… yea, he had fallen flat on his face in love with you.

— once he realized he was in love, he began to flirt. jones wasn’t exactly the most subtle of flirts. the whole point of flirting was to catch attention, wasn’t it? so that’s what he did. he went out of his way to help you whenever he could, flashing you a charming grin as he did so. once he got an opportunity to show off his muscles, something he was happy about. he even ended up letting you touch them. alfred had no issue asking you out to lunch, sneakily taking your hand into his as he leads you to some cool, new lunch spot he’s been hearing about. 

— his only issue was the fact that he’d rejected you before.. he worried that you were no longer interested. jones knew that you liked him as a person, otherwise you wouldn’t have hung out with him like you have been for the past few weeks. he just couldn’t be sure. still, he really liked you. after a bit of internal debate, he decided to just ask you out. it couldn’t hurt, really. the worst you could say was no. no risk, no reward. alfred tried to keep those thoughts in mind as he ate with you on your now routine lunch break dates. well.. not real a date, but the idea was there.

— “so, y/n,” he began, eating some fries before continuing on, “what would you say.. if a certain hero, not naming names.. wanted to ask you out on a date sometime. if this hero asked you out for dinner and dancing on.. say saturday? would you say yes?” jones offered you a smile. it was slightly sheepish but mostly cute. his boyish charm worked to his advantage, making your heart melt. he was like a human puppy.

—  you chuckled before replying, “i would say yes. but he’s paying for the full thing.” he pouted at that but you were stubborn with your terms. it was the least he could do considering how long he had you pining after him!

francis bonnefoy!

— your country and his were in the middle of making major economic deals. you had lots of resources and bonnefoy seemed to want them. it was for that reason and that reason only that you had ever given the man your phone number. you were hoping to discuss things in detail over the phone. unfortunately, francis seemed to call you to talk about everything but proper terms to your proposed deal. he’d always ask about your day first before launching into his own day and giving you a play by play on every event he found significant. it was frustrating, however, since you were a smaller country you couldn’t exactly force him into thinking about work.

— you were well aware that on the other side of the line, bonnefoy would be laid in bed, twirling his hair and kicking his feet. his love for you was a love meant for youth. it was freeing, feeling this sort of love at his age. he felt giggly just hearing your voice, despite the fact that you mostly gave one word responses to him. he was, as alfred and matthew liked to put it, whipped. he was whipped for you. other countries started to pick up on this fact, realizing that he barely flirted with anyone anymore. francis only ever spoke of you, a lovesick smile on his face as he did so. you were aware of his feelings but no one was aware of yours. you had grown fond of the frenchman’s personality, occasionally finding yourself smiling and when you heard his voice on the phone.

— he had to ask you out and confess his undying love. he just had to. he couldn’t call himself the country of love if he didn’t. so he called you up in the morning one day, asking you to come over for dinner. at first, you refused to budge, claiming it to be a waste of time. however, once bonnefoy promised to read over your proposals, you sung a different tune. a free dinner couldn’t hurt. plus, it would be nice to taste the man’s cooking. you’d heard from your neighboring countries that he was a great chef. 

— so, that’s how you ended up in francis’ dining room that evening. you had brought a stack of legal papers to go through but they remained tucked away in your bag. you didn’t want any sort of mess to get on them. he set down a crisp white napkin over your lap before bringing the food. it smelled divine as he brought it out, something you didn’t neglect to comment on. once bonnefoy sat down you picked up your fork and eagerly began eating, humming in satisfaction at the taste. noticing your joy, he smiled. the frenchman commenced conversation with the same question he always asked. ‘how was your day?’. you answered with a short, ‘good’. then he sighed, rather dramatically in your opinion. 

— “i cannot hide it anymore, ma cheri*. i am in love with you! i love you as the tides love the moon and bees love honey. i need you more than i could ever want you and i already want you for all time! i spend my days yearning for your touch and—�� francis went on, proudly declaring his love to you. he probably would’ve kept going if you hadn’t cut him off with the sound of your laughter. you tried to keep yourself formal but you eventually ended up full on snort-laughing.

— “you were trying to hide it? bonnefoy, i could hear you giggling over the phone. it was never that much of a secret.” 

— he gasped. “i pour my heart out to you and this is how you respond?” he exclaimed, one hand going to his chest to cover his heart. “you’re so cruel!”

— “oh please. you like it,” you replied knowingly, taking another bite of your food. this was your way of reciprocating his feelings without actually saying you liked him. you were sure if you did say it outright he’d get a big head about it, something you didn’t want to deal with. 

— he chuckled a little, nodding his head in agreement. “i do.” he finished his meal and wiped his mouth before speaking. he then did something that made your heart flutter. he smiled at you and then said, “let‘s go over those proposals.” finally the work would get done. how romantic.

yao wang!

— the two of you were already close friends. it started a long while ago when you came to work completely dejected. when asked about it, you immediately spilled about your most recent breakup. instead of telling you his honest feelings about how tragically, humans and personifications could never truly be together, wang held you close and reassured you that your true love was her to be found. humans were plentiful. you were a capable person, smart too. you’d find someone to connect with. at the time you were a smaller country, so you were in awe that a power such as him would bother comforting you. 

— now though, you were a bigger country with more resources. you produced a lot of oil, so many other countries were interested in discussing things with you. you couldn’t even begin to count the amount of times you’ve had to reject invitations from countries like arthur or francis. the same countries that wouldn’t give you a second thought when you were younger. were now desperate to get on your good side. yao remained a good friend of yours, someone who was genuine with you. the two of you had both grown in many ways. one way you hadn’t grown, though, was in romance.

— you sighed dramatically as you plopped down onto wang’s couch. you had invited yourself over and as soon as he saw your face, he knew he was in for a long night. he idly handed you a small tub of your favorite ice cream and a spoon, humming as he flipped through the television channels to find something appropriate. yao kept a small supply of your favorite foods ever since he’d given you a key to his place. you took a huge scoop and stuck it in your mouth, stretching out so that your head was in his lap. 

— “i just don’t know what i’m doing wrong!” you exclaimed after eating the scoop. the relationship had lasted barely three months. “he said i was ‘nice’ but ‘emotionally absent’. bullshit! i gave him my heart, you know?” sure, you had avoided him a few times and maybe you weren’t the most.. there.. all the time.. it’s not like you liked someone else though! you were dating him!

— you had started to tear up and wang simply wiped away your tears. “you do deserve better,” he murmured. he let you sit for a while, gently comforting you as you cried and ate. after you had settled a bit, finishing your tub of ice cream, yao quietly asked you a question. “have you ever considered… dating another country?”

— ���nope,” you sighed out, “when i was younger it seemed unrealistic. no countries really paid attention to me. now if they talk to me they’re only after my oil.” you looked up at him from where you were in his lap, his honey brown eyes looking back at you with the same amount of interest.

— he nodded his head gently in understanding before curtly replying with a sly smile.. “not me.”

— “you’re right, not you.. but you’re not interested in me.”

— “but i am,” wang replied softly. one hand of his went to run through your hair. it was a familiar action but it had different connotations now. connotations you didn’t particularly dislike.. connotations you.. maybe were fond of. your heart swelled at the thoughts you were having. maybe you’d liked him the whole time and just didn’t think in it— it would surely explain why your ex said you weren’t emotionally engaged.

— “you are?” you asked just to confirm what you already knew. your face had turned slightly red by this point. 

— “i am,” he repeated, chuckling softly at your reaction. not the smoothest confession he’d given but really, he couldn’t bare to see you date another human, another person in general. he wanted to be your next and final boyfriend. it’s not a sudden feeling for yao. it’s one that silently had built up over the years.. a feeling that he was sharing with you now.

— “why didn’t you say so sooner? i could’ve avoided so many break ups!” you exclaimed out after a few moments of quiet. he shrugged playfully before leaning down to kiss your nose. “you owe me so much! you know how many shitty guys i’ve dated! how long have you liked me?” you questioned him and he only laughed, shaking his head. “ugh yao! you’re lucky you’re cute!”

ivan braginsky!

— you and mr. braginsky had never been truly close. he was your northern neighbor, sure, but you had barely spoken to the man up until a few months ago at a meeting. he had proposed some sort of idea and, though he was a power, barely anyone payed attention to it. however, once you, a medium sized country with valuable military resources, co-signed on the idea, people seemed to pay attention more. it wasn’t an immediate yes to his proposal but it was better than being ignored. you couldn’t be bothered now to remember the details but ever since then the two of you had grown into an odd pair of friends, even going as far as to meet up outside of work.

— it was obvious to everyone else that he liked you. somehow you never managed to catch on, despite his best efforts. others would hint at it to you but you never connected the dots. you were far too focused all the work that being a country naturally entailed— it was admirable but at the same time, unfortunate, considering you also harbored a crush on him. the two of you simply never spoke about it so it was unrequited in both of your minds. ivan decided that day that he’d take you out to a horror slasher movie late after work. it was a movie he had been wanting to see for a while. plus, according to the internet, blood and guts made people feel all.. kissey. he wasn’t sure if that was true or not though.

— though you found ghostface hot, you didn’t particularly enjoy the horror genre outside of that. still, you decided to say yes to his invitation and accompany him to the movies that night. braginsky picked you up from your house as he often did. when you arrived, he held your hand in his as you both walked in and purchased tickets. you were able to score good seats in the back, something that made you grin. you bought the popcorn and he bought the drinks, effectively splitting the bill.

— the movie began and, really, it wasn’t as bad as you thought it would be. it was worse. you jumped a lot, clinging onto ivan’s arm and shoving more popcorn into your mouth as the protagonist watched her friend get sawed in half. every time you squeezed his arm, you’d half-glance over at him and apologize under your breath. it was terrifying but you couldn’t look away!

— there was a part in the movie where the protaganist’s boyfriend got ruthlessly killed by a chainsaw. you held onto him closely during this part, shrinking into your chair. ivan kept his focus on the screen but gently patted your head, “if it was me and you, i’d never get killed. i’d be there for you.”

— “how romantic,” you said almost sarcastically, chuckling. your laughter had nervous undertones. “save that for your girlfriend.”

— “i don’t have a girlfriend,” he replied quietly. things went silent for a few moments, save for the sounds of the movie, before he spoke up again. “i’d like to have you, though. we’d make a great couple.”

— you turned your head away from the sceeen, completely missing the part where the protagonist found out the identity of the serial killer that was after her. instead of watching the movie, you looked up at ivan who looked down at you with a small, awkward smile. you asked him if he had just asked you out. he nodded in response. you asked him if he meant it. again, he nodded. you finally asked him if he wanted to kiss. he eagerly nodded on that.

— the two of you kissed in the back of the move theater, not minding the fact that both of you were missing the movie ending. the kisses weren’t passionate but rather childish, as if you were simply getting acquainted to each other’s lips. it was dark and you two were quiet for the most part, so you wouldn’t disturb anyone. every other couple was probably kissing anyways. ivan supposed it was true. something about blood and guts really did make people kissey.

[n0tamused]

Have you by any chance seen someone on Twitter posting a translated version of Xiangli Yao's daily schedule? How about writing something like what his schedule would be with the reader (already in a relationship) maybe on a day off? Something like: 8:00 AM - get up and start day 10:00-12:00 AM snuggled in bed with y/n as a result. Or - 4:00 PM - prosthetic maintenance. ambushed from behind. (Imagine nuzzling him from behind while he tinkers with his hand 🥺) Something like a bunch of small drabbles in 1 work? I guess finding someone to write for him awakened something in my brain, I'msorry.

A/n: I have heard of this schedule but tbh I didn't see it myself before I got this request lol, I really find the idea sweet so I hope I did it justice! And no need to apologize, I am happy to write for Xangli Yao

Contents: Xiangli Yao x GN!Reader, fluff, short drabbles, established relationship not proofread

Saturday:

08:30 - Wake up

It’s been many years since Xiangli Yao has practiced this continuous cycle of waking up at certain times, to the point he did not need an alarm clock anymore. It was 8:14 when he came to his senses, morning light sleeping through the blinds and softly caressing his eyelids to open. He turns away from them, shifting sluggishly underneath the blankets, knowing that work wasn’t waiting on him today. 

He is greeted by your sleeping face, relaxed and soft as the few spots of light from the blinds danced over your cheeks and lips. The light didn’t seem to disturb you, something he was thankful for as he shuffled closer and wrapped his good arm around you, bringing you closer to his warmth as he nuzzled his nose into the top of your head, breathing in your scent as your hair tickled his skin. He feels you mold into his shape, your sleep heavy arm going underneath his and over his side, the blanket keeping your shared warmth trapped, shielding you from the chilly morning.

09:30 - make breakfast with my beloved :) 

Well, it may have been 9:10 by the time you both willed yourself to leave the comforts of eachothers arms. It was hunger that pulled you both from bed, stumbling into the bathroom. Xiangli Yao was next to you as you washed your face while he brushed his teeth. He handed you your toothbrush after you blindly found the towel next to the sink and brushed your face dry. 

Although he had gotten used to being the one to prepare breakfast for both of you during workdays, the weekends did allow more time, and so Yao did try to listen to you more when you said you wanted to help or do more of the work since you don’t usually get the chance to do so. He did convince you some times before, letting you so simply sit aside and look pretty while he whips you up your favorite, but today wasn’t that day. You woke up with more energy and a craving for good quality time and to get your hands busy.

What ends up happening is a table full of food, a big but balanced breakfast of veggies and fruit and needed protein. While you were setting up the table, Xiangli Yao poured you both the juice you made the weekend. He may not think about it too often, but he always feels like the richest man in the world when he shares mornings like these with you.

13:00 - go to the market, restock groceries

His prosthetic arm is holding the basket while the fingers of his other hand are intertwined with yours. Xiangli Yao was yet to become truly used to these public displays of affection, but he never disliked them. The thing was that such little acts of affection flustered him so much at first and he’d rather not catch someone ogling him while his cheeks are red as the tomatoes you were looking at now. He was used to it, he tells himself as he slowly lets your fingers slip from his hold when you say you can use some of the tomatoes. He remembers you mentioning a recipe some time ago that required a good amount of tomatoes. He helps you pick out the best ones and he adds it to the basket after the purchase is done. Although today’s shopping trip ended with more bags than either of you expected, Xiangli Yao vehemently refused to  allow you to carry any of the bags.

You ended up stopping at the local dessert shop, purchasing a few sweet goods for home. You mentioned how the chocolate cake he got looked oddly similar to Xiang-LEE. Now he couldn’t unsee it..

16:00 - prosthetic maintenance(p.s. keep your back guarded!)

How oddly homely it felt to have your arms around him while he tinkered away on his mechanical arm..

Although at first you only observed him from the doorway, he chose to skillfully ignore you when you began to sneak closer, almost as if he couldn’t see you from the corner of his eye. 

You knew he knew too, but it's a game you both chose to play every evening when the sun began to lean in to kiss the mountains. 

You hum as you put your chin on top of his head, peering down at the assortment of open wires and metal plating scattered about on the table. There's a screwdriver in his good hand, and he's clearly doing something, but you're unsure what. Perhaps you'd ask one day, tell him to explain how his arm really works, but that is not today.

He feels you leaning in and kissing his cheek and then his temple.

“The meal is soon to be done. Don't keep me waiting all alone at the table, Xiangli Yao”

19:00 - Free activities 

Xiangli Yao can't help the chuckle that escapes him as he witnesses your scowl and furrowed brows, and all for the little board game with black and white pieces. You've won the round from last night and he deemed it appropriate to ask for a rematch, although he only wished to make you blow off the steam. You've been rather stressed this week, perhaps some back and forth of the game could allow a reprieve.

“You've been thinking about your next move for quite some time now, my love…” he tries, a smile plastered on his lips, both amused and sympathetic.

“...I got it…shh” you return, pushing your chin into the heel of your palm. He hums in response, and another few heartbeats of silence pass before he sees your face light up, as if a star had whispered the next act into your ear. Your fingers deftly move across the board and move your piece across the checkerboard.

“Checkmate!” 

He laughs, his chest shaking with joy as you beam at him. You beat him. Again.

22:30 - bedtime

Mornings are where Xiangli Yao thrives. He is a morning person to the last bone in his body and on work days it is not rare for him to rise before you and his alarm, but they don’t bring him nearly as much relief and joy as bedtime does. Your sleepy face as you go to brush your teeth and change into your bedwear always has his heart softening, his own movements slowing down as his entire body yawns for the comforts of the mattress and comfortable blankets.

He is sitting at the edge of the bed, tinkering with his prosthetic arm for the last time and setting it aside on the table right next to his side of the bed. His prosthetic is cold and rather uncomfortable to sleep with for both of you. From behind he hears you exiting the bathroom and the sound of your bare feet against the floor hurrying up has him turning around to see how you crash into the bed, your face buried into your pillow with a low groan, a breath of relief as weight is taken off your feet.

He shuffles, telling you to get under the blankets while he turns off the lights. Once he remembered you both joking about being afraid of the dark, and although it was all just a joke - Xiangli Yao has been the one to turn off the lights since then. 

He hums as he returns, sliding under the blankets and finding the warmth of your body with searching fingers, pulling himself closer until he was wrapped around you. He buries his nose into your hair, inhaling your scent before laying a lingering kiss to your cheek, bidding you goodnight. 

Ⓒ n0tamused. Do not repost, translate, edit, and/or copy any of my works. Likes, comments, and reblogs are appreciated.