#ayato series

[thebomb-thebird-andtheburntbitch]

Wishing on Golden Stars [3]

Allow Me to Introduce...

genre: isekai, slow burn, fluff, hurt/comfort, humor(?)

chapter warning(s)!!!: feelings of internal frustration, dashes of impostor syndrome, self-internal isolation

chapter w.count: 4.2k

a/n: putting y/n through it uh-oh

“Thoma!” The relaxed body of the ginger haired housekeeper becomes strung with tension at the call of your voice at his back. He turns to see you stomping towards him, stopping nearly at his toes. “Where is he?!” You scold, pushing your finger into his chest as he rubs the back of his head with a guilty, forced laughter. 

“I wonder…” he trails off.  You feel your veins pulse before you let out a heavy, defeated sigh. Snatching a small parchment from your pock, it was revealed to be a note. Delivered to you via a different staff member and addressed from the Yashiro Commissioner himself. Scribbled in Ayato’s unbelievably neat handwriting was an inscribed message:

[I’ve left a sealed package for the Tenryou Commission Police Station at the entrance of the estate. Be sure to deliver it for me.]

You crumpled the note in your palm and had the intense urge to rip it into tiny little pieces. 

“He does this on purpose! That arrogant lord knows going to the Tenryou Commission makes me nervous, but he still does things like this!” You snarl. It was widely gossiped that the reason you dislike meandering around the Tenryou Commission’s property is because of your time spent incarcerated (of course, it was only the span of a day). Though, the real reason was because among the territory of the Kujou Clan was Tenshukaku… where the Raiden Shogun resided.  

You have now been in Teyvat under the employ of the Kamisatos’ for two years and it was about a year and a half ago when you finally came to remember that the Raiden Shogun existed. 

For the first six months of your employment, you were kept under pretty strict lock and key- always supervised and monitored. The people of the commission were always looking to see if they could ever catch even the most minor of infractions- of course they never did. The last thing you needed to do was fuck up bad enough you get kicked out. 

Then, when the day came where you had the smallest first dose of freedom, you were taken on an errand in Inazuma City. The Tenryou Commission territory was more intimidating than you remember now that you were pretty used to Inazuma and not so shell shocked by your situation, but you couldn’t shake the feeling that it looked like it was… missing something.

That something was the Statue of the Omnipresent God that was featured in gameplay. That realization sent you into a silent, invisible spiral. 

If the Raiden Shogun (and Ei respectfully), found out that you had basically just spawned in Teyvat, and further still in Inazuma, you were liable to get the Anti-Traveler Treatment.

Which boiled down to: if the Raiden Shogun finds out an Outworlder (in a sense) was in Inazuma and a threat to eternity just like the Traveler was, you were boned. Of course, the difference between you and the Traveler was that you had no elemental powers to combat her views, so you were significantly less threatening. Or so you hope.

So, of course, the moment Ayato heard that you were anxious any time you were around the Tenryou Commission? You errands outside the estate were always centered around there! It was the same treatment Thoma got when sent on errands to the Grand Narukami Shrine since Yae Miko makes him nervous- not that he’ll admit it openly, but he’s easy to read. 

“Thoma,” you say his name a second time for the morning. He gulps at the deep breath you took before making your tone innocent- too innocent. “You have errands today too, don’t you?” You direct a very distinct smile at him. 

“I- uh, something like that...” 

“Wonderful! In that case, since we’re both going off premises today, we can plan to travel together.” 

“W-wait, but her Ladyship-” 

“Lady Ayaka will easily allow it if I go seek permission.” It was true. Along your course of employment, you have become the person linked to Ayaka like Thoma is to Ayato. A retainer of the Kamisato Lady of sorts- although sometimes you end up swapping places with Thoma and work alongside Ayato for an undisclosed amount of time. Part of you think that arrangement was on purpose to keep an eye on you, but you have no proof to that claim. 

Thoma looks at your unwavering disposition before deflating and relenting. 

“I’ll inform you before I’m about to leave,” he almost whines. You clap once in victory before swiftly turning on your heel, and waltzing back to your room. You have no idea where on Narukami Island his day would take him, but you’ll be damned if you go out alone. He could drag you all the way up the shrine and you’d accept it as long as you didn’t have to walk to the Police Station by yourself. 

As (forcefully) promised, Thoma stops by your room before you both make your way to the gates of the estate. Thoma was speaking a few words to one of the guards while you wait with the Tenryou-cursed envelope filled with documents tucked under your arm. Behind you, you feel two quick taps to your shoulder; you turn to see Ayaka at whom you greet warmly. 

“Heading out?” She asks and you nod. 

“That’s right. Before your sadistic brother left for his long term business, he naturally had a last minute errand for me to run to the Tenryou Commission.” Akaya snickers at your huffing. You both had gotten quite comfortable with each other over the course of the last couple years.

When you were first assigned to her aide, you were anxious since you had no idea what being a personal aide for someone with the label ‘ladyship’ took.  Her easy-going attitude and gentle nature helped break you in; heck the first time you bad mouthed Ayato’s consistently increasing ‘errands’ she had to hide behind her fan or else her red face from holding back her laughter would give her away. 

Of course, it wasn’t always professional. You often would visit hot springs together and share all sorts of secrets or indulge in typical girl talk. She had even taught you how to dance a little, even if you were so bad at it. 

“I’m sure he does it because he knows you can handle it,” she tries to defend. 

“I seriously doubt it,” you sigh. “His lordship is a great man, but sometimes I’d like to give him a piece of my mind.” You fist comes to clench dramatically in front of you and Ayaka flicks open her fan to hide her smile behind it’s elegant artistry. She could practically see the frustrated fumes rolling off your head, not unlike a freshly steamed bun. 

“His behavior doesn’t seem to stop you from admiring him though.” Your previously steaming face has all too quickly gone frozen before looking at Ayaka. She had the same playful gleam in her eye that her brother has all too frequently. Her words process in your mind like a lagging phone connection before you were clearing your throat and using the envelope filled with papers as a fan to cool yourself with. 

“It sure is warm out this morning, huh?” Your attempts to slip away from the conversation’s direction of your illegal-feeling crush was stiff and awkward.

Thankfully, your reprieve came in the form of Thoma who was finally ready to go. He questioned if something happened seeing his Lady giggling to herself while you looked off in all sorts of directions in odd patterns. You quickly deny that anything happened at all and that you should really get going- okay, yeah- see you later, my lady!

“Yes, thank you. No..! No. There's no need for that, it’s my job. Yes, mmhmm, goodbye!” 

You've just handed over the documents that the Police Station had required from the estate when you make your escape. You always wondered if that the reason the Tenryou police force is so kind to you was because they had falsely imprisoned you years ago. You never confirm anything yourself regarding their behavior though. Every time you were there, they were kind to a fault! It was always so awkward how they would offer a snack or tea for the road, or even extra mora for compensation on a ‘job well done’. 

It wasn’t like you were going to stick around to explain your constant denials to them either. If they were willing to sit down and talk to you anywhere else away from Tenshukaku, you’d be happy to put their worries to rest! But, inside the commission grounds where the Shogun could just pop up out of nowhere? Thanks, but no thanks.

Even if the police station itself was more or less isolated from the rest of the commission thanks to the bridge leading towards the main buildings, you were not about to test your luck. 

When you finally leave the last inching grounds of the Tenryou Commission, you find Thoma obediently waiting for you. Feeling free of the burden of delivery, you meet up with him and put your hands on your hips while he hops back to his feet. 

“Alright,” you breathe, “where to now?” 

“Ritou!” He cheers and his sudden bubbly attitude- although technically normal- was a hop, skip and jump away from his push over attitude when you strongarmed him into coming to the city with you. Your eyebrow raises and you shift your weight onto one side. 

“Ritou? What, something else needs ‘Fixing’? Or are your ears just burning?” Thoma waves his hand dismissively and laughs as you both start walking off. 

“Oh, no. Nothing like that. Captain Beidou is coming back into port I hear,” he hums with a skip in his step that seems way too exciteful. “She’s got some interesting ‘cargo’ this time around- or so rumor says.” 

“When you talk like that- you sound nefarious, Thoma.” 

“What? Do I really?”

Leaving the city, you wonder just what cargo she’s brought with her. If it was a rumor, surely you should’ve heard it too- since you both run in the same circles more or less. Naturally, you know that Thoma's reach far extends yours, but still. In the back of your mind, you feel like you should know, but it never comes to you. 

You join Thoma at the docks, sitting himself comfortably atop some crates as he offers you a snack- which you accept. You look around the docks and feel a little bit nostalgic. This was where you somehow floated in from your world- from a different reality. Seeing it always made you feel a bit melancholic when you come by for one reason or another.

Soon, the ship Thoma had been anticipating appeared off in the distance on the water's horizon. The wooden dragon's head attached to the bow of the massive ship breaks through the clouds of the sea's horizon.

You still couldn’t get the nagging out of the back of your head that you should know what’s coming. It wasn’t until seeing the head of blond hair shining like stars and the floating white fairy that is their companion at the front of the Crux... the realization hits you like a truck. 

The Traveler has arrived in Inazuma..! 

While you were giddy at seeing their silhouette and excited on figuring out which twin it would be, on top of getting a pretty good idea on the timeline of events now, you also feel a pit forming in your stomach. Things were about to get pretty shaky in Inazuma and there was no way in hell you’d be able to steer anyone out of the way of the path. 

From the moment Thoma jumped up from the boxes he was sitting on while aimlessly flipping a coin in his hand, to jumping up and hoping down to greet Beidou- you feel like you have no place in the moment. It was the first time since getting used to Inazuma that you could recall parts of the game so vividly; seeing it play out in front of you like this made you feel isolated in a way that completely overshadowed your original giddiness. 

You weren't supposed to be here.

You were excited to possibly get to greet Beidou before she set sail back off the island since having Kazuha, a wanted figure in Inazuma, currently on the Crux didn’t make for a full-scale stay. The shackles of invisible misplacement bound to your ankles keep you in place as you soon see her turn her back on the three others. Returning back to her ship.

Thoma speaks momentarily to the new ‘honored guests’ afterward. “Now then, first things first, we need to get you registered at the border checkpoint.” 

“Um, Paimon thought we were supposed to be keeping this on the downlow… Are we just going to walk into the government's hands?” 

Thoma lightly laughs. "Don’t underestimate the reaches of the Sakoku Decree. You wouldn’t be able to avoid inspection even if you tried. So, we have to play by the rules… even if we’re kind of bending them.” 

Thoma wraps up his spiel before gesturing towards you, nearly completely hidden behind the crates that smell like sea salt-stained wood. The other two hadn’t even realized you were there. Paimon almost yelps at the sight of you peering around the crates Thoma has been lounging on all morning. Cupping one of his hands around his mouth, he shouts your name. 

“Come over here and say hello to our new guests!” His hand that is cupped to help his voice travel, moves over his head in an eager come here motioned arch. You swallow and it feels like there's a handful of sand in your throat. Clearing it helps none. 

You try and find your footing- both literally and figuratively- as you make a very conscious attempt not to slip down the few wooden steps to the trio. You place your hands behind your back so you could fiddle with your fingers anxiously on the downlow. Thoma gently gestures to you once you stand at his side with one arm, the other towards the Traveler and Paimon. 

“This lovely lady is y/n. She’s a dear friend and coworker of mine, so she’ll be sticking around for the remainder of this errand.”  

“Hi!” Greeted the so-called ‘voice’ of the Traveler. “It’s nice to meet you. Paimon’s, Paimon and he’s, Aether!” She points one of her small hands towards the male twin who offers you a friendly smile and head nod. You release one of your hands from behind your back and offer a small, friendly wave to the both of them. 

“I’m glad you managed to sail in safely,” you speak. Your voice is quieter than normal and judging by Thoma’s raised brow in your direction, he notices. “Of course, you were in good hands, I hear.” 

“Oh yeah!” Paimon agrees, proudly crossing her arms. “That storm was no match for Beidou!” 

You don't realize you're staring at Aether until his eyes met yours and you suck in a breath so abruptly, you begin coughing. Thoma, panicking at your sudden fit, rubs your back as you hunch over to brace yourself. Hands on your knees and face down towards the dock. You could see the water waving between the wooden planks, and you squeeze your eyes shut. ‘Get it together!’ you scream at yourself. 

Briefly apologizing and catching your breath, you reassure Thoma that you’re alright- 'just swallowed some sea air'- and that the whole process of bending the rules to get Aether into Inazuma and past the Decree wouldn’t wait forever. No better time than the present to get work done after all. 

Following beside Thoma, who was leading the way for Aether and Paimon, he gently nudges your arm before leaning down to whisper to you. Once more, he asks if you were really doing okay. And once again, you reassure him that you were perfectly fine… like a liar.

You again distance yourself from the Fixer and his newest mess that is the Traveler’s slip into the nation once he gets to Kageyama, the woman who would begin the long inspection process. Standing a way back behind the trio, you watched them converse far out of earshot as you lean against the side of the nearest small building on the dock. Switching between kicking at nothing with the toe of your shoes and grinding your heel in the wood, the Archon Quest from your memory was making you anxious. 

You had this bad habit back in reality that when the main quest took a turn from main, eventual playable characters, into NPC territory your memory would simply cease to work. Sure, you could remember some small details, but nothing major aside from the key parts of the quest. Closing your eyes, you do your best to recall what you can. 

Thoma getting the Traveler started which was happening in real time. Somehow getting roped into helping someone in Ritou with something since that was the only area we could be in thanks to game mechanics keeping us in Ritou. Playing letter delivery between some commission clans. 

Then there was a gap which makes you click your tongue. 

You know Thoma gets kidnapped, taken to the Statue of the Omnipresent God with his Vision being confiscated. You know the Traveler- in this case Aether- comes to his rescue. But before all that, you know he’s introduced to Ayaka and the Yashiro Commission. Then there's Komore Teahouse. And eventually Watatsumi Island. 

It was all jumbled in your head and you couldn’t recall what happens when or first. It was like a mental floating diagram with no linear connections. Your eyes open slightly as you glare down at the wooden pier. 

Although you had no plans on playing some sort of clairvoyant hero or anything, you think that maybe with enough information you could be at least some help.

Even if it seemed pointless.

You were just a normal person by Teyvat’s standards. You have no Vision and you were pretty certain that you would stay Visionless, since giving something like elemental power to a second Outworlder would be playing with fire. It wasn’t like you had been training as a warrior or had any some innate combat skills like Thoma or Ayaka did with their battle experience. 

It was frustrating. So frustrating. All you have to work with is an unreliable memory of events. 

You jump when Thoma places his hand on your shoulder. His look of concern made you even more frustrated. Still, you take a breath to calm down. There was no use getting irritated at anyone when it was no one’s fault but yours. 

“Thoma," you begin, "you’re taking them to the Outlanders Affair Agency, right?” The ginger nods, confirming what you had been through once before. It was a simple affair getting your identity sorted out two years ago- or rather forged- when Kamisato Ayato was involved. You were more or less familiar with the process.

Still, the added knowledge of the game, you know the whole ordeal could take a while.

“I’m… going back to the estate. I promised Lady Akaya I wouldn’t be long,” you lie. You just want to go off and clear your head. The walk back would be good for clearing your mind you hope. 

The pyro user seems hesitant on letting you go back alone. The nurturer in him wanted you to sit tight and he’d escort you back himself with Aether following later; however, the haunted glimmer in your eye and insistent gnawing on your lip told him that you want to leave. To Thoma who's been working with you the entire time you’ve been in Inazuma, he knows you’re trying to get away from something. He just wishes he knew what it is.

“I understand,” he nods. Trying to suggest anything to try and postpone or stop you would only worsen your condition. 

Placing his hand on your head, he ruffles your hair up to which you glare not so threatening up at him. “Please be careful. You know what to do if you run into any trouble along the way.” Thoma had once taught you some basic self-defense under the pretense of you being stronger than the average working woman- whatever that meant. Sure, you could toss around the samurai who patrol around the Yashiro Headquarters with little effort, but you never thought that to be all that impressive. Anyone could do that. It's Teyvat where extraordinary people can pop up anywhere.

“I do. I’ll see you back at the residence when you finish up your ‘test’. Don’t tease the Trav- Aether,” you correct, “too much.” With no promises to make the process easy on the blond, you were soon leaving Thoma behind in Ritou; feeling about as alone and frustrated as you did the first time you ever did two years ago. 

When you return to the residence, Ayaka quickly picks up on your foul mood. She asks about it briefly, wondering if you were still upset about Ayato’s decision to send you towards the police station before leaving. Reassuring her it was nothing of the sort did nothing but make her worry more. Still you were insistent that you were fine.

There wasn’t anything to say or do about feeling isolated in Teyvat. Thoma might understand since he’d experienced what longing for home feels like, being from Mondstadt and being relatively stuck in Inazuma. Still, you wouldn’t be able to be truthful with him in the long term, since your home wasn’t in Teyvat. 

When Thoma sends words of his actions in bringing Aether to the estate from Komore Teahouse, you help Ayaka ready herself and the screen she is to stand behind out of Aether's field of view. It was the proper thing to do when greeting someone not of the Kamisato circle as the Young Lady, much less a stranger. 

Thoma had already given his two-cents on the subject of Aether’s opinion on the current state of affairs in his message. With both your personal and in-game knowledge, you agree with Aether. It isn't his problem- and shouldn't have to be. “Don’t expect anything,” you tell your lady. 

When the three of them arrive, you take your place, sitting on the floor with your knees tucked neatly under you as Ayaka stood, facing the screen with her fan open and over the lower part of her face- an unconsciously useless action. You sit on pins and needles as she speaks to Aether. When he interrupts her, your eyes shut in expectancy. 'Here we go.'

“I’m just here to meet the Raiden Shogun. I did not come to start a rebellion,” he says. You hear Ayaka’s voice hitch in her throat before Thoma is sighing on the other side of the screen with Aether. 

“See, milady,” Thoma deflates, “it’s just as I said… this will take us nowhere…” 

“I’m going to leave now,” Aether declares. Turning his back to the screen, Paimon floating loyally at his side. Ayaka’s last ditch effort reaches out in the form of desperate pleas for him to wait. She explains that if he fulfills three wishes for her, she’ll concede and make an opportunity for him to meet with the Raiden Shogun. With no other options, Paimon and Aether agree. 

Aether and Paimon soon leave to find and check after the people who had fallen victim to the Vision Hunt Decree and had their Visions' confiscated. Ayaka brings your state of mind back to the present through her musings. You were stuck in an uncomfortable sort of in between. That consisting of the Kamisato Estate and the long-abandoned apartment in your previous reality. 

“What should I do if, even after all this, he still refuses to lend his aid?” Ayaka wasn’t asking you, but merely sorting her worries out loud. You lift yourself up to your feet and quietly dismiss yourself. When she speaks again, she is talking to you, or rather your back since you don't turn to face her. If she weren't your friend, she could consider the action-or lack thereof- to be highly rude. “Are you sure you’re alright? You seem so… absent since you got back from Ritou.” 

“With all due respect, milady,” you take a deep breath. Trying to shake this headache and heartache and frustration. You were becoming irritated with yourself and don't need to be taking it out on others. “Sending someone like him, who has nothing to do with our state of affairs, out on errands like this to try and gain his sympathy like this? As a fellow outsider who was dragged into Inazuma’s drama, it leaves a bad taste in my mouth.”  The space Ayaka occupies behind you is heavily silent. “Please, excuse me.” 

You head out the front door, passing by Thoma who is still present in the room once Aether cleared out. He looks at you for a brief moment before looking away, rubbing the back of his neck. You vaguely hear Ayaka shuffle around the screen divider before heading outside, not seeing the guilty look on her face or the worrying words she spills onto Thoma as you depart. 

a/n pt.2: our traveler is aether! believe it or not, i had pros/cons of using either aether or lumine as the traveler. and even tho lumine's had more i could have worked with, i still chose aether in the end lol. maybe its bc personally i prefer traveler!lumine, so in my mind i wanted to give aether a chance (⌒_⌒;)

hopefully, the more 'intense' feelings i tried inserting made yet another ayato-less chapter still entertaining to read (┻ ﹏ ┻)

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[versadies]

EPILOGUE || FOREVERMORE

SYNOPSIS (of chapter). in which it's been three months since your trip to mondstadt.

SYNOPSIS (of series). breaking up with your first love was heartbreaking, but not as heartbreaking as getting invited to his wedding after years of not seeing him. that is, until things seem to be easier when you encounter a certain guest, who could end up becoming more than just a blooming friend to you (or not).

CHARACTERS. diluc ragnvindr, kamisato ayato, and thoma (w/ gn!reader)

CONTENT. fluff/slight-angst, grammar errors (?), cheesy scenes, second-hand embarrassment (?), possible errors in general.

WORD COUNT. 3.5k words

LINKS. EVERMORE MASTERLIST \ MAIN MASTERLIST \ EVERMORE SURVEY

POST-SCRIPT. the end is finally here!! hopefully the ending is satisfying and fulfilling, i've done all i can to make sure it brings the entire series together and give reader the happiness they deserve. if you wish to know fun facts about the series, stay until the end!!

PREVIOUS

3 MONTHS LATER AFTER THE WEDDING.

DECEMBER 11, 2022

It’s been a while since you’ve last visited Mondstadt. 

You find yourself sitting on a bar stool with your drink in hand, wearing a formal outfit suited for an occasion that can happen to someone for once-in-a-lifetime: a wedding. 

True to both you and Diluc’s words, you kept in touch with one another as you two remained friends after your departure from Mondstadt. Though you’re both busy from your work schedules, the two of you make the most of your conversations through sending pictures of food, places, and even your friends – your particular favorite being a picture of his pet bird, Vanessa – in your messages. 

It’s safe to say things are well, and you’re more than happy with the couple’s wedding despite your heartbreak before. 

You mindlessly look around the reception venue with a smile on your face, paying no mind to the conversations between loud guests who are either talking about 1) the newly wedded couple, or 2) the recent buzz of the continent regarding a certain corrupted CEO.

Two months after the wedding of Ayato and Chisato, Shinsuke was suddenly arrested thanks to the newly-wedded couple, who exposed him with numerous charges that shocked the entire public and media.

“Did you hear? Hiiragi Shinsuke has been arrested for his crimes!”

“I know! It’s shocking to hear that it took him this long to be behind bars, and to think that it’s all thanks to his daughter and her husband...” 

“Didn’t they work with that young detective that’s been the buzz of Inazuma’s police force? What’s that detective’s name again?”

“I believe it’s Shikanoin. Apparently he’s been investigating Hiiragi for a long time now!” 

You muted out people’s chattering about Shinsuke, taking a sip of your drink. You’re honestly just glad that he’s finally behind bars now, and you won’t have to worry about him for a long, long tim–

“( Name )! How are you?” You flinch when you hear a particular voice that you haven’t heard for a few months now. When you turn around, you spot Venti coming towards you happily with a skip of his steps.

“Venti!” You greeted him happily, putting your glass down before standing up to come towards him, spreading your arms for a friendly hug. “I’ve been well, thank you. How about you? It’s been a while!” 

Venti giggles, wrapping his arms around you for a warm friendly hug. “I’m doing well, especially with free drinks and free food around!” He cheers. His flushed cheeks and drowsy look is enough for you to know that he’s as drunk as can be. Classic Venti…

“I can tell.” You respond with a laugh, before helping him sit on one of the bar stools that’s next to yours on the left. “You should take a break from all that drinking, your hangover will be the death of you tomorrow.” 

“You’re right.. I should be ready for later..!” Venti hiccups. “How’s Zhongli, by the way? Did he go with you as your plus one again?” 

You shake your head in response. “He’s okay, but no, he’s not with me for this trip.” You replied. “I didn’t bring anyone with me since it wasn’t mentioned in the wedding card.”

“Well then, I guess you’re stuck with me!” He giggles, before ordering the bartender another glass once again, much to both your dismay and the bartender’s. 

As Venti indulges himself with the free drinks while sharing interesting things about Mondstadt, you couldn’t help but glance at the direction of where Diluc and Jean are, who are both chatting quietly to one another as they eat their meals at their table.

It didn’t take long before Diluc felt your stare, and noticed your presence. 

You couldn’t help but smile at him with a wave, to which he responds with an acknowledged nod, slightly smiling towards you before his attention is taken by another guest who came to congratulate the newly-wedded couple.

Your attention is eventually taken as well by another person, who suddenly seated himself right next to you on your right. 

“Thoma!” You gasp in surprise, not expecting to see the blonde-haired man.

Thoma flashes you a smile as he chuckles. “Hello to you too as well, ( Name ). Guess you didn’t expect me to be here, huh?” 

“Of course not, you gave me a heart attack! I didn’t know you were invited!” You exclaim with a smile. You couldn’t help but take note of how neat he looks, wearing a tuxedo with his hair fixed instead of his usual messy hairdo that you’ve grown used to. 

“I didn’t think I’d be invited either until Ayato persuaded me to come to the wedding on his behalf. I’m sure you know how busy Inazuma has been since the… arrest.” He explains, scratching the back of his head with a cheeky grin. 

You nod in understanding, your smile becoming a little strained at the mention of the arrest of Shinsuke. “I’m very aware. Almost everyone’s talking about it here, surprisingly.” 

The blonde man takes note of your strained smile, and he decides to quickly change topics in a jiffy. “How’s your trip here? Did you bring anyone with you?” He asks curiously. 

You lean on the bar counter, though your drink (as well as Venti, who’s still busy with his drinks) is left forgotten. “My trip’s been amazing. I didn’t bring anyone with me though. How about you?” 

Thoma shrugs. “I didn’t bring anyone either. Though if I could, I would’ve brought Taroumaru.” 

“Aw, I miss Taroumaru!” You cooed. You immediately thought about Inazuma once again, becoming more homesick than you thought you’d be. “How’s the little guy? I heard he’s been the talk of the town. He’s getting really famous on the Internet, isn’t he?” 

Thoma chuckles in response, his cheeks turning slightly red. “Yeah.. I honestly didn’t think he’d get famous. There was an idol who came to visit the café and took a picture of him, which was how he got everyone’s love.” 

You nodded slowly, still smiling. “So I suppose business is booming then? I’m sure a lot of people must be wanting to meet Taroumaru.” 

“Oh if only you see how busy it’s been. If it weren’t for the staff my mom and I hired, I wouldn’t be able to come to the wedding in the first place!” He comments.

As you continue to listen to Thoma talking about people in Inazuma, you couldn’t help but miss Inazuma even more. You honestly couldn’t wait to come back. 

“How about you? How’s Liyue been lately after your trip?” Your friend suddenly asks, causing you to wake up from your thoughts. 

You cleared your throat. “Oh, same as always. Though,” You straighten your posture, clearing your throat, “I’ve thought about coming back to Inazuma after what happened.” 

Thoma was taken back by surprise from your words, his eyes brightened. “R-Really?” 

You hummed, your smile growing from his excitement. “Really.” 

The man before you didn’t know what to say, stunned from such good news. “This..." He couldn’t help but let out a laugh, obviously ecstatic from the news as his eyes brightens instantly. "This is amazing news! You have to let me know when your flight is then. I can pick you up from the airport and we can go wherever you want and–”

“Woah, woah, slow down!” You couldn’t help but laugh as well, finding his excitement infectious and amusing. “I haven’t even booked anything yet, let alone ask for a transfer in my job.”  

“O-Oh!” His cheeks turn red instantly in embarrassment. “R-Right.. My bad, I-I was getting too excited.” He stammers, clearing his throat as he fixes his suit tie. “When do you think you’ll come back?” 

You shrug in response. “I’m thinking of.. Maybe after New Year’s Day. It’ll take a while since well.. It’s hard to move to another country, you know?”

He nodded quickly. “Ah yes, of course. I totally understand! You should take your time.” He says in agreement. “Just… Let me know when you’re coming back. I missed you, you know?” 

You couldn’t help but feel your cheeks warming up from his words. Thoma was never the type to confess something so affectionate, but perhaps the drinks are getting the best of both of you…

The blonde man was quick to realize what he said though, as he instantly stiffens and starts stumbling on his words. “I-I mean, I-I’m not the only one who misses you– since everyone misses you, i-including me..!” 

“Y-Yeah, I get it. E-Especially since it’s been a long time since I’ve left Inazuma.” You stumbled as well, your cheeks warming even more from the awkward situation that the both of you brought yourself into. “I-If anything, I missed you guys too..!” 

Yeah, the drinks are definitely getting the best of both of you. 

The two of you couldn’t help but laugh once again from the embarrassment, causing the tense and awkward atmosphere to dissipate. 

“Well that was awkward.” He commented, smiling from ear-to-ear.

“No doubt.” You responded, still laughing as you held your stomach. 

As the both of you try to catch your breaths after laughing, Thoma decides to get himself a drink as well as another one for you. “Let’s drink to celebrate your upcoming return then. On me, of course.” 

You snorted. “Thoma, the drinks are free. We’re in a wedding, remember?” 

He blushes once again. “A-Ah.. Right.” 

–

As you walk out of the elevator, you head towards your hotel room with Thoma in tow. 

Long after the wedding finally ended, you decided to take your leave and hit the bed to sleep for the night, wanting nothing more than to lie down on the comfortable sheets of the bed as you snore away. 

To your surprise, Thoma decides to make sure you come back to your room in one piece and escort you back to your room given that the both of you are a little intoxicated.

“You know, you don’t have to come with me. I can go back to the room on my own.” You said reassuringly, noticing how close your hotel room is getting.

“We’re here anyway, so you’re stuck with me now.” He comments, insisting even more as he walks by your side. “Besides, I’m actually staying in the same hotel as you. Though, I’m three floors above.” 

You relax instantly from his words, no longer finding the energy to say otherwise. “Oh, that’s good then.” You stumble around and try to find your keycard, pulling it out from your pocket as the two of you arrive to your room.

“Thanks again, Thoma. I’m glad you had kept me company at the wedding– and for helping me taking care of Venti.” You chuckled, letting your door scan your keycard. 

He smiles, nodding in acknowledgement. “Of course. It’s the least I can do since you’ve given me a good time at the wedding.” 

You smiled in response, and turned around to enter your room that's now opened, but before you could enter, he stopped you for a moment. 

“Wait.” 

“Hm?” You turn to look at him in confusion and in curiosity. “Is something wrong?” 

He shakes his head. “N-No, of course not. It’s just…”

The two of you fell awkwardly silent. 

“...I won’t be here tomorrow, so you won’t see me until you return to Inazuma.” He confesses. “So… If you ever decide on whether you’d visit, move in, or whatever, I’m one call away. Just let me know when you come and visit.” So I can be the first to greet you.

You smiled cheekily. “So you really did miss me, huh?”

He blushes once again. “Can you blame me..?” There’s no one I love but you. 

You then pat his shoulder. “...I’ll call you as soon as I get the date. Just promise me you’ll be by the airport with some cardboard that has my name.” You teased. 

He nodded eagerly. “I’ll make sure it’ll have ‘Welcome back from the Asylum’ on it.” He says, teasing you back. 

“Oh I’d like to see you try!” You laugh, lightly slapping his shoulder as he grins.

“...See you next time, ( Name ).” 

“See you next time, Thoma.” 

You took a few steps to your room and finally closed the door, the last face you saw was Thoma’s flushed face. 

As soon as he’s alone in the quiet hallways of the hotel floor, he lets out a sigh. 

This time.. This time I’ll shoot my shot.

.

.

.

“What are you thinking about, Thoma?” 

The blonde-haired man blinks a few times as he finds himself back in the familiar surroundings of Komore Cafe. 

“Ah, sorry.. I-I was just thinking about something.” Thoma says with a cheeky grin, looking at your direction as you sit by the stools that’s by the counter. “How long have you been watching me?” He asks. 

You smiled cheekily. “Long enough for me to be reminded of how handsome you look.” You responded teasingly with a chuckle.

“Oh really? Am I really that dashing?” He asks, jokingly posing like a model as it causes you to laugh. 

“Very much, but not as much as my guy Taroumaru here.” You pet the Shiba Inu, who makes a “woof!” noise as he happily encourages your affection. 

Thoma dramatically puts a hand on his chest. “You wound me. I’d never thought my own spouse would choose Taroumaru over me! Where is the loyalty?” 

The two of you broke into laughter, amused by each other’s antics.

It’s been almost two years since the time when you two visited Diluc and Jean’s wedding. True to your word, you return to Inazuma a few months after your trip to Mondstadt, officially residing in your homeland instead of Liyue. Thoma has been with you since you returned, and he has been nothing but helpful to you as the two of you make up for the lost time.

It took a while before you eventually started gaining feelings for him, which then eventually led to the two of you in a committed and happy relationship for the past three months. It’s safe to say that you’ve never been happier than ever, and you’re grateful for someone like Thoma to be by your side for so long. 

And he’s grateful that his dream finally came true, happy that he has the honor of being yours, and you being his. He couldn’t imagine anything better than what he has now. 

Unfortunately, the sweet moment between you both ended abruptly when your watch started ringing, reminding you of the time. 

“Ah shoot, I gotta go. Miko’s going to kill me if I end up late.” You said, grabbing your bag and drink before kissing Thoma’s cheek and pet Taroumaru one last time. “Thanks for the drink, by the way.” 

“Anything for you. Stay safe!” Your boyfriend tells you, watching as you run out of the cafe like the wind, leaving him alone with Taroumaru.

As soon as you’re gone, he lets out a dreamy sigh. 

“Come, Taroumaru, it’s time to work.” He spoke to the Shiba Inu, petting his head before heading towards the sign of his café to flip it. 

There’s nothing more to life than spending the rest of his days with you, and he’s more than content with the life he has with you.

It’s safe to say that the same goes with you. 

PREVIOUS.

DAN'S NOTE.

Thank you guys so much for reading Evermore! I honestly have never thought I’d finished this from the very start, and yet here I am, and it’s all thanks to all of you who have spread your love and opinions on this series.

It was truly an honor to write this piece. It really makes me happy to see a lot of you guys commenting on each chapter, sending asks about how much you love Evermore and spit on Ayato as well as Shinsuke, and overall just you guys being interested in something I put my heart and soul to! 

As someone who never once experienced having a lover nor went through a breakup, it’s quite tough for me to write about it in this series since I want the experiences to feel somewhat real, or better yet, not too cliche than it already is. 

Of course, I also want this series to be somewhat a lesson to my dear readers, to those who need to let it all out, to those whose hearts are broken, to those who just need an escape from reality once in a while, and overall to everyone. I hope that whatever you guys are going through, you will get through it! If you can go through a breakup and deal with Shinsuke’s existence in this fic, then you can surely go through anything!

Since I’ve already expressed what I need to express in the previous chapter, I decided to drop some fun facts and trivia here!

This series was made out of spite because of how I lost the 50/50 to Keqing in Ayato’s first released banner on my first 10 pulls and wanted to make him suffer. Fortunately enough, writing this series seems enough to make him come home 80 pulls later b4 his banner ended! 

I also wanted to write a story that’s based on my number one favorite Taylor Swift song from one of my favorite albums of hers: right where you left me! This song is one of the most relatable songs I’ve ever listened to ever since I first heard it in 2021, and it’s been stuck with me to this day as of 2024 (can you believe it? It’s been almost 4 years!) 

And fun fact, I found out that the evermore album was released on my birthday (December 11), so it feels right that I made the series inspired by the album <3 !

The following are some fun facts from my drafts:

Diluc's arranged spouse was supposed to be Donna, but I unfortunately didn’t make that happen since the way Donna would treat the situation wouldn’t be the same way as what Jean would do. 

Thoma wasn’t actually supposed to be a male lead until I started planning for the no body no crime part. I don’t know what made me assign Thoma as the second male lead, but when I did, I didn’t like how my series will be another “second male lead who has no chance with the main lead” so I made him the person the reader actually ends up with in the epilogue soon after!

– below are things that i’ve scraped from this series ! –

Before I started planning each chapter, Diluc was originally supposed to be the reader's plus one. The plot involves how the reader asks Diluc, reader’s friend since college, to be their plus one since he lives in Mondstadt and he reluctantly agrees, and throughout the wedding trip, they slowly fall in love with each other. 

It was such a good plot too if you saw the details I wrote for it ! But I scrapped it off because the plot would’ve been really long, and I want the series to focus on the story of reader finally and properly moving on from their breakup with their first love, Ayato. I’m aware that I could’ve followed this plot while reader moves on with Ayato, but again, I feel like it just wasn't it for me. though who knows, i might make a one-shot fic of it ;)

Another fun fact is there was supposed to be a second part series after Evermore that’s called Folklore and it ends with you dating Kaeya. 

in this series, you first meet Kaeya during Diluc’s wedding and spend time with him. Sure enough, you hate that guy, but you had no choice but to spend time with him throughout your stay in Mondstadt since he’s such a great tour guide. 

You were glad that you’re finally back to Liyue and not be able to see that playboy anymore, so consider yourself shocked when you waltzed into your office and saw him. 

Turns out, the reason why he’s always spending time with you in Mondstadt is not because of how he wants to guide you around mondstadt, but because he wants to get to know the person he’ll be working with in Liyue! 

So yes, this is somewhat an enemies to lovers + office romance story, and unlike Diluc and Ayato, this guy has no chance in getting into arranged marriages and immediately shoots his shot with you ;> !

Extra note: Dainsleif was supposed to be in folklore series as the second male lead hehe 

I was really looking forward to writing this series until chapter thirteen happened. If I have to be real honest, I was disappointed with myself for what happened, and I was afraid that you guys will be even more disappointed with me if i make another series, so i immediately scrapped it off :(( 

But to clarify more, even if chapter thirteen went well, I would’ve still scrapped it off since – as you know, I have a health issue that caused my big hiatus – and I’m afraid that I wouldn’t be able to finish the second series at all, let alone start it.

Instead of that, I decided to just make it into one of the epilogues of what could’ve been! Feel free to check the folklore epilogue once it’s out! 

I think I can reveal more information with the Q&A from my evermore survey, so while I’m compiling your questions, feel free to ask more right away! 

That's all for this series. Once again, thank you so so so much for giving me the pleasure of writing this fic. I might not make a series soon, but if I ever have the luxury of time, I hope you guys will be there to read it.

Thank you!

Sincerely, your penpal, Dan xoxo

PENPALS. @scaraslover @saving-for-xiao @dawgimsohot @kazu-topia @chiruru @aqualesha @renamichii @mrkamisato @shenhesl0ver @serami00 @serenareiss @hiqhkey @emperatris-rinaka @bystander36 @irisxiel @ladycoleigh @034ven @dear-dairiess @owozi8 @hadesaedes @chiro-chiro-kun @hersscherofyatta @mariusvonhangme @yuzuricebun @hoshikistarlette @solaaresque @crowbird @lordbugs @flowersforayato @headintheclouddd @estelwrld @giyusimpsassemble @irethepotatosblog @moonlightaangel @alice0blog @shotosbrainrot @sniffoat @chihawari @mxsomn @kuni-kuzushii @jiminscarmex @mitsukii114 @nejibot @ylimeprive @sachispet @loreleis-world @sn-owo @stareforecasts @someonetookmynamelmao @ceylestia @lychme @ymikkos @reallysporadicarcade @melodyyamino @dudufodd @somberrock @yevenly @lemontum @nghing @elychee @astrxlis @denkineptune @franini @sophisticatedleslie @thedivinepriestress @smashsubs @httpmitsuya @bl6o6dy @cottonkendi (please visit this post if you'd like to be tagged!)

[afra-blueraz]

Honestly this new illustration gave me more inspiration for my diabolik lovers series. Because in my series Yui met diaboys in childhood and they became good friends until the day that Karlheinz will separate them and clear their memories from each other.

Now this is my new headcanons to write my diabolik lovers series with young diaboys and Yui.

Shu is the first person who meets Yui and asks her to play with him.

Shu takes Yui to his room and they have fun.

Reiji sneaks a look at them from behind the door and Yui sees him and smiles and asks him to join them.

Reiji shyly joins them and they have a good time together.

Shu gives Yui a heart necklace and asks her to keep it forever. (Yui will keep it even as an adult, although she doesn't remember who gave it to her)

Ayato plays with Yui in the mansion and Yui falls and injures her knee and Ayato caresses Yui's knee and kisses her cheek.

Kanato is very shy and Yui joins his tea party and Kanato sings for her.

Laito helps Yui find a suitable outfit for the party and combs her hair.

Subaru gives Yui a white rose.

Yui meets the Mukami brothers and the Tsukinami brothers at a party.

Ruki and Carla kneel before Yui and ask her for a dance.

Kou likes Yui's hair and keeps smelling her hair and kissing her.

Shu is Yuma's old friend and introduces Yui to him and they become friends.

Azusa is very shy and stays away from the guests the whole time until Yui joins him. She takes his hand and they go out of the ballroom and go to the balcony and watch the moon.

Shin joins them and the three of them continue watching the moon together.

Yui falls asleep with her head on Azusa's shoulder, and Ruki, as Azusa's older brother, follows him and sees Yui sleeping.

Ruki throws his coat over Yui to protect her from the cold.

Yuma comes to the balcony and hugs Yui and takes her to her room.

Carla visits Yui for the last time and kisses her forehead.

Shin does his older brother's move and kisses Yui's forehead and says goodbye to her while she is sleeping.

All Sakamaki and Mukami brothers do this in order and kiss Yui's forehead and leave her room.

These children were the best friends until...

(Please note that this headcanon is in their childhood and they had different and kinder personalities in their childhood.)

[i-mxrixna]

IS IT JS ME OR ARE THERE ONLY SCARA SMAU STORIES???

Like I love Smau stories sm. I've stumbled upon Ayato, Aether, Xiao, Kazuha and that's about it. 1 for each. Like there's so many scara ones but not mother characters??? If anyone finds please tag me or send me the creator's user please I'm desperate, it doesn't have to be exclusively genshin. Literally could be anything as long as it's good 🙏

[it-happened-one-fic]

Blood-Stained Camellias - Ayato (Part 1)

Author Notes: It's October, so it's time for the vaguely Halloween-themed fics! So here we are, a vampire!Ayato fic series! This series is going to be 4 chapters long. As per usual, Reader is gender-neutral. I hope you enjoy!

Type: Gender-Neutral Reader/ Vampire! AU/ Arranged Marriage/ pining/ romance/ some drama/ fluff with a touch of angst/ sfw

Word Count: 1535 Words

[Part One: You're Here!], [Part Two], [Part 3], [Part 4]

Trigger Warning: Vampires, Mentions of Blood

I shifted slightly where I sat across the table from Ayaka. Both of us idly listening to the sound of Thoma humming in the kitchen as he finished the snacks he’d been so determined to make while we all waited on Ayato. And though I hadn’t been engaged to the head of the Kamisato clan for all that long, I was finally getting used to this familial group. 

Even if this was a match made solely for political reasons.

The peaceful scene was interrupted though by the sound of a crash that had both me and Ayaka jumping in alarm as Thoma dropped something that fell with a bang in the kitchen. 

The sounds of yelling filled the air from all over the Kamisato estate, and for a brief moment I was frozen. My hands pressed against the table before I shoved myself to my feet. Ignoring the tea that spread across the already dark wood of the table from my knocked-over teacup.

I dashed out the door as another crash sounded, ignoring the panicked way Ayaka shouted my name as Thoma emerged from the kitchen area with an equally distressed expression on his face.

But I knew perfectly what was probably happening. After all, I had already prepared myself for this to at least a certain degree when I’d first been told that I would be marrying Ayato.

 Because Ayato was the head of the Kamisato clan, and even though Inazuma was no longer at war, assassination attempts were still far too common. And even if Ayaka, Thoma, and Ayato didn’t mention them to me, I still knew they occurred. 

How could they not? It didn’t exactly take a genius to figure out there were a fair number of people who held a grudge against the Kamisato family when they had managed to dodge most of the fallout from the ending of the war here in Inazuma and the reveal of the Fatui's involvement.

In fact, it could even be argued that, unlike the other noble houses associated with the tri-commission, they’d ended up benefiting from everything that had happened simply because they hadn’t associated with the Fatui and thereby remained in the people’s good graces.

People either wanted them gone or wanted to be connected to them in some sort of way.

As condemning as it was to say, even my own family had quickly shown interest in the power the Kamisato clan held when I’d first become a candidate for marriage to Ayato. It was the whole reason they’d leapt at the chance and had pushed for an introduction between me and him. And it was why I was here now.

My heart was pounding as I prayed that all was well, even as I burst through the doors of Ayato’s office. It was true that ours was just a political match, but that hardly mattered in the light of everything that was happening.

Because while he might be quite a shady piece of work, I most certainly didn’t want him dead and had even come to be fond of him. In fact, I was quite lucky with our match since it could’ve been far, far worse.

I felt myself grimace at the state of disarray that the usually clean room was in as I immediately spotted the doors to the patio.

It looked like someone had fallen or slammed their way through them in some way. Leaving the decorative paper shredded so that chilly night air gushed into the room, causing papers to flutter ominously on the largely wrecked desk.

I barely even hesitated before I was diving out of the room and into the night, my eyes darting around as I searched for any sign of the blue-haired clan leader.

Because while Ayato could most certainly handle himself and had plenty of people to defend him, I couldn’t help but panic a little.

Unlike him, his family, or his servants; I wasn’t as used to assassination attempts. My family had power, but nothing near the level of the Kamisato clan. Our power really only came from the age of existence as a more well-respected family in Inazuma.

As such, while we’d certainly received recompense for our status, it had never been anything like this at all.

Bluntly put, everyone had always been too busy with the state of Inazuma to bother with us in any real way.

My heart almost stopped as soon as I spotted the very man I’d been searching for, and I felt myself freeze as my eyes went wide in genuine horror.

Ayato’s usually pristine face and chin were smeared with a macabre red as he shoved a man far larger than himself off. Leaving the would-be assassin to fall in a limp heap to the ground without hardly making a single sound.

And then Ayato stood. His expression perfectly cold as he looked down at the crumpled body and wiped his mouth. Heedless, or perhaps uncaring, of the fact that the blood would most certainly stain his white suit. 

But far more concerning were his fangs that glinted condemningly, in a way that perfectly explained the marks on the would-be assassin’s neck.

Light purple eyes that would eternally remind me of a twilight sky raised until Ayato’s gaze finally met mine in a perfectly inevitable fashion as his gloved hand fell away from his mouth. 

I swallowed thickly, feeling as if I were rooted to the ground as surprise briefly flickered across his familiar but now haunting face before, almost as quickly as it had appeared, the shock was gone. Replaced by a careful mask that I’d often seen Ayato wear in numerous different situations. Including our initial marriage talks.

Distantly, I wondered if the blood that was splattered across the pure white camellias, that remained like a perfect backdrop to the head of the Kamisato clan, would stain them.

An odd thought to have, for sure, but one that lingered in my mind as I stared at Ayato, whose image was similarly marred by that brilliant red. And I couldn’t help but feel that perhaps my impression of him might be permanently stained in the same way those flowers might be.

I had never seen a vampire before though, and I’d certainly never expected one to appear before me with the face of my future husband. Because while I’d known for quite some time now that Ayato certainly had his secrets, this was one that I never could have expected.

A warm hand curled around my arm, bringing me back to reality and causing me to jolt, as I almost jerked myself away from the sudden touch. 

I spun with a gradually increasing pulse only to see Ayaka gripping my arm tightly. Her bright blue eyes filled with concern as she scanned me worriedly.

Behind her stood Thoma, who looked just as troubled as she did. A frown in the place of his usual smile as he looked towards where Ayato stood without the slightest bit of surprise. Only a bit of regret.

Questions swirled through my mind as I swallowed thickly. Unable to say any words to reassure Ayaka or question either of the young men as I slowly turned to look back at Ayato.

But what came next?

I’d most certainly learned something that they would definitely want to keep a secret. But surely they’d already been prepared to tell me about this? I was going to be marrying Ayato after all. Though the thought of unexpectedly becoming a vampire’s spouse, of all things, left me feeling cold. Far colder than I’d felt with the initial nerves that had come at the mere thought of marrying the head of the Kamisato clan and thus becoming one of the leaders of the Yashiro commission.

Ayato gazed at me with an unreadable expression as the silence between us grew gradually more weighty with a horrible mixture of unspoken questions and spiraling assumptions. 

My mind was already swirling with gradually worse possibilities that my future might hold. 

Surely they wouldn’t resort to silencing me?

I blinked with too-wet eyes as I realized, suddenly, that I no longer knew where I stood with these people, and I was left questioning my entire relationship with them.

Who else knew about this, or was it just the Kamisato family? Was Ayato the only vampire? What else did I not know about these people that, just a few moments ago, I’d felt fully prepared to call family? Was I expected to become a vampire as well if I went ahead with my wedding to Ayato? Did I even want to marry him now, and could I even back out if I wanted to?

But again and again, the same two questions popped into my head like a horrible recurring theme that I couldn't escape. What was Ayato going to do? And, perhaps more importantly, what was I going to do?

And through the virtual storm of questions, one simple truth emerged, as quiet as a whispered oath between two people who were eternally linked together, as I gaze at Ayato against the backdrop of blood-stained camellias.

Vampires were in Inazuma, and Ayato, my future husband, was one of them.

[pigeonpeach]

Kamisato Ayato vs Yae Miko

Fem reader this time! Suggestive themes!

Oh a delectable little thing you are. A delicate noble girl who is deciding to circumvent your fate as a marriage tool by becoming a shrine maiden. Your family was a bit annoyed but you have siblings so its not that big of a deal. Only now a certain lord has taken a interest? Kamisato Ayato. Brother of your friend Ayaka. You two are pretty close, you visit her frequently to keep her company since her parents died. According to her you’ve always felt like a older sister. You were certainly more older than her but still were you two close friends. Apparently all this time he had his eyes set on you. The idea of you becoming his wife being most appealing. He happened to time his proposal before you were going to finalize your decision to become a shrine maiden.

On one hand, you wanted to become a shrine maiden. But such involves intense and sometimes dangerous work with exorcisms and political conflicts. Alot happens there. But Ayato provides a blanket if security. You get to enjoy luxuries and comfortable living style all while living with a nice husband. According to Ayaka he won’t force you to do anything extreme or even be affectionate. He just “couldnt stand to see you throw your life away into the shrine.” Which isn’t too believable. Ayato is clearly a manipulator, he probably has something planned,

Oh but your other isn’t less manipulative. Yae Miko could be more dangerous. She has been visiting herself, making flirty remarks about how you dress and your beauty, even joking that she’ll make you be her personal assistant. Because she “loves to collect beautiful things.” Oh how trickey she is. She quite literally sneaks up on you when least expected. She catches you when Ayato and you were going to have a meeting to discuss matters further. You wonder if she’s doing this partly to spite him. But also her offer is quite nice. You’ll never have to become a mother, you can enjoy independence and she herself will see to it that you aren’t too overworked. If there’s one think Yae Miko isn’t its someone who breaks a promise.

Besides Miko is quite the stunning woman. Although you wouldn’t be allowed to date, apparently that doesn’t mean you wouldn’t be allowed to do other things, according to her the Shogun is completely fine with it. Consider she is quite close to said shogun that is believable. She has even implied that the Electro Archon herself may even like to see you. The implication being shared In between the two. And isn’t that just a temptation? Two beautiful women having their way with you..

Oh but your family now is pressuring you to pick Ayato! Your friend Ayaka too, she’s delighted at the idea of you joining the family. But… maybe you would prefer the life of a shrine maiden if it means getting in your knees for Ei and Yae miko more often….

Choices choices…

[greyhavensking]

Kaneki’s definition of beating Ayato half to death is as insane and hilarious as always

[harmonysanreads]

Retracing all my notable fictional hyperfixations and finding out that the most striking commonality among them is that... none of their parents are alive :l

[euthymiya]

ayato calls you my wife or wife as a pet name.

“good morning, my wife.”

“have you had dinner, wife?”

“does that feel good, my wife? tell your dear husband he’s making his wife feel good.”

I think I’m actually obsessed with him…

YEAH YEAH YOU GET IT!!!! I love making him call you “wife” when I write him he just sounds so…..so endeared and proud when you calls you that. His wife. He adds little terms of endearment in front of it too

“Ah, you spoil me, dear wife” when you kiss him as you visit him in his office with tea

“Why, hello my darling wife. You are looking exceedingly beautiful as always” when you’re all dressed up for a rare night out with him

“How lucky I am, to have my perfect wife take me so well. I have waited the whole day for you, my love” when his cock buries perfectly into you after a long, tiresome day

My god. MY GODDD I need him

[laugtherhyena]

Character inspo things, i thought about making these a lil while ago when the trend was going around but i could never think of enough characters to fill it all the way (i still can't, but eh fuck it)

[thebomb-thebird-andtheburntbitch]

Wishing on Golden Stars [4]

Home

genre: isekai, slow burn, fluff, hurt/comfort, humor(?)

chapter warning(s)!!!: feelings of internal frustration, dashes of impostor syndrome, self-internal isolation, inazuma archon quest lore/situations slightly altered, while being archon quest centered this can be classified as a pretty emotional chapter gang

chapter w.count: 4.5k

a/n: honestly? writing this part while trying to be as accurate to the archon quest as possible was p a i n f u l. but we ball

Through the duration of the tasks Ayaka sent Aether on, your mood had been sour. Sometimes, when you were eating or when Thoma would offer you a snack, you’d brighten up for a just moment, but it would never last.

Both the Kamisato Lady and the housekeeper were at a loss.

They didn’t know what was wrong, how to fix it, or how to get you to open up about it to even attempt to try. Worse still is that they weren't completely unaccustomed to this type of behavior from you.

Sometimes, this would happen; you’d get lost in thought and shut yourself down. but never to this extent. They could only ever assume it had something to do with your home, but they had no idea where you even hail from. The only one who had even the slightest notion of your origins was Ayato because he forced it out of you on your second week there- even then, you were still so vague. 

When word came back to the residence that Aether had completed the last of the three wishes tasked to him, you were quick to set up for his return to the estate. You stand with Ayaka when the blond had come inside. Thoma showing up behind him, offering a smile and a clap on the shoulder. You step into view of them, Ayaka following at your back as you lead her. She was finally seeing Aether face to face for the first time. 

Ayaka speaks confidently to Aether, hoping that seeing the state of those who had their Vision’s confiscated would change his view on helping them fight back. You already know the outcome, so when Aether agrees to join the rebellion and work alongside the Yashiro Commission, you just nod silently. With him and Paimon now becoming one of Ayaka’s friends, she explains that you and Thoma were also her friends before you were members of her family’s staff. The use of the screen between the five of you would no longer be a requirement in the future. 

The decision is made to move any further discussion to Komore Teahouse.

You and Thoma excuse yourselves from the room to keep watch, leaving the young lady and the Outworlder to speak in privacy. 

Time continues to pass and after Aether goes through yet more errands for Ayaka, meets Yoimiya and encounters Kujou Sara after sneaking their way into a prison, finally they all return. Coming back once again to the teahouse named Komore. 

“I see, so Kujou Sara stayed her hand. It appears she still has some honor to her.” Thoma muses, gazing out one of the windows in the private tearoom, a hand hovering just under his lips. 

The conversation of the Vision Hunt Decree within the safety of the teahouse only added to your foul mood. The mention of Kujou Sara enforcing the decree under the unmovable will of the Shogun made you shutter. That woman being more active with the upcoming ceremony at the Omnipresent God statue made you constantly look over your shoulder.

Anytime you were outside you feel eyes that don't exist prick your skin like waves of teeth. What if someone noticed something off about you? What if the Shogun sees you, picks you out of the crowd, and orders for your arrest or worse executes you on the spot? You know she’d do it without so much as a second thought. You sometimes wish you didn’t have second-hand knowledge of future events. Your shoulders are stiff and sore from constant tension you cannot find a way to disperse.

“Perhaps a state of rest is in order. Thoma, what would you suggest?” Hearing Ayaka suggest even a slight break has your head perking up. The thought of just being able to relax for just a single moment was a tempting one. You’ve been high-strung ever since Aether arrived, so maybe if you were able to just pretend everything was fine even for a brief window of time…

“I’d say a celebratory feast is in order. Might I suggest an evening of hotpot together!” His sudden enthusiasm from serious to playing a game makes you curl your lips back from laughing out loud. An action that didn’t go unnoticed by both your long-standing companions who happen to also be your superiors in more than one fashion. Unknown by you, the small smile you curlled away had their eyes glistening. Thoma crosses his arms playfully, Ayaka slaps open her fan to cover her smile, and Paimon looks at Aether quizzically because... what? 

“A hot pot game? What’s that? Well, as long as it has to do with eating…” Paimon muses, easily being swayed. 

Of course, you know what this game is all about and the eventual outcome. Joining everyone at the table, the game begins and soon all sorts of ingredients were being thrown around- even the ones you had gathered. Round after round you take a bite, guess wrong, and pass it off onto the next person. You laughed each time Thoma took a bite, guessed correctly and then subsequently had to take a new round of questionable tastes onto his taste buds. Seeing his face twist and his hand cover his mouth as the color drains from his face with each ‘success’ makes all those around him laugh. Ayaka is pleased to see your spirit lighten up again, even if it’s at Thoma’s expense. 

Yes, the Hot Pot Game was a fine idea, as long as you're willing to sacrifice your stomach for a round of laughter anyway.

Once the game concludes and Thoma declares himself the proud- and nauseous- winner of the Hot Pot Game, you all were given some leisure time until the next Yashiro+Rebelion secret convergence. It slips your mind until the day of, however, that Thoma would not be joining you. You feel foolish. So, so irreparably foolish.

“Just stay put, milady!” You hiss, trying to keep your composure in front of Ayaka. No matter how stressed you are, no matter the amount of so many invisible pins jabbing you all over your body feels, you shouldn't shout or snap at your employer’s younger sister who also happens to be a close friend. You start pacing, hands going over the sides of your head over and over again. Hair snags between your fingers and you feel the burning sensation of your fingernails against your scalp as they repeat their paths with each new pass through.

Ayaka has never seen you like this. with this behavior coupled with a missing Thoma, it was tying her stomach in knots. 

Komore Teahouse was the best place for her to hide, to stay safe and you know it. Any second now, Aether would be coming through the door. All you had to do was wait for him. That’s it. Just wait. Tarumaru whines at your stress levels that are through the roof and Ayaka looks at him, worrying over his discomfort about your discomfort. The sliding of the entrance door catches your hyperaware senses from the back room you had urgently- but politely- moved Ayaka to. Your neck nearly swivels all the way around at the sound.

You twist your body on your heel, racing out of the room and slam yourself around the corner. Grabbing on the edge of the front desk to help guide your frantic tumbling, you rush Aether. Nearly tripping over your own feet to get to him. He grabs your arms on instinct, holding you up as Paimon shrieks at your urgence and how you scared the life out of her. 

“You have to help…!” You gasp out. You twist your arms so that it’s no longer him holding onto you, but you gripping his biceps. Your grip was tight, desperate, and makes him wince. You had one hell of a grip. “It’s Thoma!” Ayaka rushes- as elegantly as her practice to stay the graceful Lady of Kamisato let her- and places her hand on the wall as she watched you panic. “It’s Thoma! There’s… there’s this ceremony the Shogun is preforming, and she needs 100 Visions confiscated under the Vision Hunt Decree. Thoma’s is the last one!” 

While Ayaka had heard quick rumor of that being the case, and suspected as much with Thoma’s strange absence, hearing it from you made her mouth dry. She's never doubted you before, and dispite your mania, she wouldn't be starting now. That's why her belief in the situation makes her stomach sink so deeply. For a moment, she curls her hand that rests on the wall and wishes that her big brother were here.

You can't think straight. This isn't fair of you at all. Unloading all of that to Aether’s face and grabbing onto him like this, begging for help when you could barely explain the situation, all while still not considering yourself to really be his friend. You want to be so badly, but you can't. Not yet.

The gap between the you who played the Hot Pot Game together and the you of reality who only know him as the Traveler was something you still hadn’t found a way to come to terms with. The line was blurry, sure, but the nagging in your head- the type of guilt that came with knowing you used to control the Traveler- was eating you alive. Everything was just exploding in his face and it was so, so unfair to him. You feel so horribly, disguisting guilty; for the past, for reality cursing you to remember everything, for throwing all this on him when you know better.

You hope Aether forgives you for all your transgressions.

Instead of throwing you off, getting out of your grip, and asking for a real explanation with a more than earned glare in your direction, Aether simply accepts you and all your fear. His arms come and cup under your elbows, a way to steady you. Pushing you to stand straighter, look him in the eyes, and take a deep, silently breath as a way to help ground yourself. You blink, breathe with him, and blink again. Paimon comes to your side too, a hand on your shoulder rubbing it in small, soft, gently touches.

It's warm.  

Slowly, gently, you unhook your fingers from around his biceps and wince at the crescent shapes left behind on his skin. Some appear red, like they were ready to break through his skin and bead out blood. Had you really been holding him that tightly? 

You take a small, shaky step away from him, lowering your gaze, mind reeling at everything that you just did and bring a hand up to your forehead. Your eyes were wider than usual, going dry from lack of blinking. Were you going crazy?

You feel Ayaka come to your side, one hand on your back, the other on your arm. She was standing so close to you, you could smell the scene of frost on her clothes, and it felt like a comforting, cool hug. Just the thing you needed to calm down your overheating mind. 

A deep breath, a shaky exhale. Another deep breath and a steadier exhale. 

“I… I’m sorry about that. I don’t know what came over me,” you apologize quietly. Aether shakes his head and Paimon looks at your worriedly. 

“You’re just scared,” the blond tells you. Scared? Yeah, you were. Or maybe that’s less than you feel. Mortified, overwhelmed? Burdened. That was more like it. And you couldn’t even say it. There is a heavy stone weight lodged in your throat. This sucks. 

“Yeah,” Paimon agrees. “It’s normal to be scared when something bad happens.” You nod and Ayaka, not moving from her grounding position at your side, starts explaining more thoroughly than you did about the circumstances. When Aether promises to bring Thoma back, you look up towards him. Your mind was clearer now, not fully, but clear enough.

“Let me come with you,” you insist. Ayaka’s grip on your arm twitches. You look at her, gaze steady now. “I promise, I’ll be okay. As long as you stay here where it's safe, I can promise that much.” She doesn't want to let you go. Thoma was captured, her brother was gone, and now you, her best friend, wanted to leave too. You place your hand on her hand. “Please, Ayaka.” It wasn’t often you called her solely by name. She relents, and with haste, you're running all the way to the Statue of the Omnipresent God side by side with Aether. 

When you arrive, a crowd is gathered and a choking sensation catches in your throat at the sight of Thoma, tied and restrained by two Tenryou soldiers. For the first time in two years since your arrivial in Teyvat, you're faced with the Almighty Shogun in all her overwhelming power. And she's standing in front of Thoma.

The moment the Almighty's arm raises, you grip Aether’s shoulder, pull him in front of you and the moment Thoma’s Vision clicks off his belt, you shove the blond. Getting the message, he takes action with a burst of electro energy. Snatching the Vision in his hand, he lands on the wooden planks and easily deals with the two guards that attempt to charge at him. 

The moment Aether is instead the target of the Shogun, you also jump into action. You know what’s happening. The moment she strikes at the Traveler and his body disappears among a cloud of purple, electrifying mist; he’s in the Plane of Euthymia. 

Shoving through the crowd, you race up to Thoma who has moved to try and slice his binds by one of the abandoned spears of the knocked down guards. He gasps at seeing you race up the wooden ramp. He has no idea what you were doing here too, but when you make it to him and grab the pole of the spear, he doesn’t scold you for putting yourself into danger like this. Instead, he’s thankful for the assist. 

It felt like mere moments before the mist from before cleared, revealing an unconscious Aether laying on his back with the Shogun striding over to him. Ready to cut his life short and to an abrupt end. You watch as Paimon flies to his side, pleading for him to wake up by shaking his shoulder with fear in her small body. It’s Thoma who saves him, so it’s now or never! 

Grinding your teeth enough to cramp your jaw, you tense as you yank the spear from the wooden ground and quickly use it to slice through Thoma’s restraints. 

“Here!” You practically shove the spear into the Vision holder’s hands and he wastes no time in hurling it at the Shogun. Soon enough, with Aether colliding into Thoma from the backlash of the Shogun’s power, you help them both stand. 

Your skin prickles when her eyes meet yours. There's a spark between you two, and not a good one. Her eyes narrow at you, and you choke shoving Thoma and Aether in front of you. 

“Go go go,” you whisper more to yourself than anything in that moment. Making the jump from the platform to the ground, you don’t miss the order issues for all your arrests. Somehow, you all make it back to Komore Teahouse where Thoma decides it would be best for him to stay and lay low until it’s all blown over or the arrest issue is somehow rescinded. 

You, on the other hand, have other plans. The moment Thoma expresses Aether’s next step to all of this would best be to go to Tatarasuna and rendezvous with the Resistant Group. The camp set up there that would eventually lead him towards Watatsumi and Kokomi’s allyship, you know you had to go with him. Staying in the capital city would be beyond stupid now that the Shogun had seen you. And if her glare was anything to go off of, she knew something about you was wrong.

Just like Aether. 

“What?” Thoma looks at you like you had grown a second head. You possess a shadow over your eyes, a type of fear encases you like a second skin. “You don’t need to go all the way to a different island to hide. Just stay here with Lady Kamisato and me and you’ll be-” 

“I really don’t know how to explain to you that I can’t afford that. I can’t risk exposing you. I can’t stay on Narukami.” You insist. “Look, I know how to get to Tatarasuma. I’ll be useful in guiding Aether there. I-I’ll be fine, just please..!” 

Thoma looks at you; shaking shoulders, clutched hands and desperate pleas. 

“Ayaka will worry,” he rarely speaks so softly, or chooses to ignore Ayaka’s position. “If you have to go, you need to leave right now, so you won’t even get to say goodbye.” It was a reach; one he was trying to use to guilt you into staying. A dirty trick, but you can't blame him. Regardless, you swallow the lump in your throat and shake your head. 

“I’ll take whatever punishment she has for me after all this is over,” you tell him. 

“You’ll come back,” he states. It's like he’s making you swear. You lift your head up to finally make eye contact with him one more time. 

“I’ll come back.” 

“That’s all well and good, but if you’re really coming along then Paimon thinks we should leave now!” Her voice was scared and rushed, and you understand her tone perfectly. You nod, and Aether does too. At least he didn’t protest against you coming along. Bidding a quick, guilty goodbye to Thoma, you race off with the blond boy and the white fairy. 

“Aether,” you gain his attention one night. You both make it back to Watatsumi somehow. As well as relatively unscathed considering the hoops, battles, and problems you had to barrel your way through to get here. It was a very unprompted bonding experience, even if you had no battle experience and could only really evade and run while Aether did all the fighting. You were basically a human Paimon. 

Sitting on one of the large, pink shells that stick out from the cliff side in front of the grand shrine of Watatsumi, your legs swing lazily as you lean back on your palms and look up at the stars. Aether beside you, has one of his legs propped up with the other hanging like yours. He was gazing out over the island, taking in the beauty of it. 

“Yes?” He answers. The trip here was filled with chatter between him, Paimon and you and you feel a little proud at the fact he was willing to talk to you at all. Being out of the eye of the Almighty Shogun also helps ease your shoulders just a bit. 

“You’re from a different world, right?” You ask, eyes staring straight up and not leaving the sky. You know that he doesn’t disclose a lot about himself to people. The Archons know- they can tell- but regular folks are a different story.

He keeps things he deems too important or risky to bring up to himself as much as he can. The Unknown God, the fact that pieces of his memories are missing, the reason for being stuck in Teyvat at all… it was all stuff he didn’t indulge to most. His silence was loud. You close your eyes, letting yourself lay back on the small tufts of grass behind you. “You don’t need to answer me if you don’t want to.” 

You hear him shuffle and soon feel his body laying on the ground with you. You reopen your eyes and look back up at the stars. You trace the constellations Ayato had taught you and feel a small twang in your chest.

You wonder how he is and if he’s staying healthy. He had a tendency to overwork to the point of jeopardizing his health. You wonder if he’s far enough away that all this nonsense of Thoma being captured and you fleeing won’t make it to him before he gets back. He would surely scold you both for being careless. 

“It’s complicated,” is the answer he graces you with. Not a yes, but not a no either. You weakly chuckle at him. That's exactly what you told Ayato all those years ago when he egged you on your home world. 

“You know, I’m not from Teyvat either.” Aether’s head turns on the ground to look at you. His earring brushes over his cheek, tickling his skin. You feel somehow embarrassed admitting it, so you keep your eyes upward. “I’m from a place super far from here, that’s why I had to run with you all the way out here. The Shogun could very well kill me if she finds out I’m an Outworlder and that’s terrifying to me.” Raising your hand towards the sky, you continue. “It’s a world so different from this one and I don’t know how I got here”- your hand drops defeatedly onto your stomach- “and I honestly don’t think I’ll ever make it back home.” 

“Are you lost then?” Aether asks. You shake your head, but it's not in denial. It’s in frustration; uncertainty. 

“Yes, but no. I miss home for a lot of reasons, and being in Teyvat is so confusing and overwhelming sometimes because I-” you almost admit that you know what’s going to happen, but you quickly cut yourself off. “I’m not from here,” you save. “But then, I realize that I don’t hate being here. Thoma and Ayaka are so kind and warm to me. The Kamisato residence is a place I can work comfortably and even if some of the samurai have attitude problems, I can handle it. And Ayato-” you swallow a choke at saying his name. “He’s wonderful.” 

You finally turn your head and look at the blond. He’s looking at you with such an understanding look that is causes you to tear up. You know Aether has developed so many bonds and friendships across Teyvat so far, and it’s only going to increase in number. You even have the perk of knowing that he himself probably has feelings for one of the several people he’s met, and it must be so conflicting for him. All he wants to do is find his sister, Lumine, and figure everything out. But, would he really be able to leave Teyvat behind? After all this is said and done, could he really take his sister's hand in his and just... leave?

“It’s tough, isn’t it?” You ask, a single tear running down the side of your face. He nods at you. His eyes are just as misty as yours, but you don't make a mention of it.

“Can… you tell me more about your world?” He requests. You don’t know why he does, but you relent easily to it nonetheless. You don’t tell him too much. Just about the cities and people and he accepts it all. You could’ve lied about everything for all he knew. 

He talks too, not about what he’s keeping hidden from everyone else, but just enough to ease some of his burden from his shoulders. You’re happy Paimon isn’t around because hearing him unload on you might make her feel a like she wasn’t doing enough even though you know she was like an anchor to him. Without Paimon, Aether would be truly alone, but he wasn’t, and he appreciates her so much. It was heartwarming. 

As you drift to sleep on the grass, under the stars with Aether beside you that night, you wonder if Ayato will be angry that you told Aether of your home before you ever spoke to him about it. Unless Aether blabs, you just won’t mention it to him and save yourself the headache. 

When the war finally ends and Aether finally manages to get through to Ei, you breathe a sigh of relief as word reaches you at Watatsumi. You feel a giddiness rise back into your chest at the thought of returning back to the estate. Ayaka might yell at you and Thoma might make you do extra chores, but it’ll be worth it. 

You were in the middle of working out your departure plans to return to Narukami when Aether comes running up to you without Paimon floating loyally behind him. With a smile, he takes your hands and explains that you don't have to worry about the Shogun hunting you down anymore. 

“It’s complicated,” oh you’ve heard that before, “but she no longer holds any ill will towards those of us who are… different.” His grip on your hands grows tighter. “Her views on eternity are changing, so you can go back without worry now. I also may have talked to Yae Miko a little bit, and she’ll pull some string to keep her off your back.” There is was. The ever suave Lady Miko. Well, if anyone could talk some sense into Ei or the Shogun, it would be the familiar of the Archon you guess. 

“I’m grateful,” you tell him. You squeak when he turns on his heel, not letting go of your hand and starts dragging you behind him. He’s rushing around so fast you don’t even get the chance to ask him where he’s taking you before you see an oncoming waypoint with Paimon waiting at it. She waves her small arms and when you’re all three at the teleport, the male twin wastes no time in using it. 

With a rush of wind, feeling like you were in the clouds, before regrounding on familiar soil, you recognize the entrance to the Kamisato residence. Teleporting felt a lot more underwhelming than you thought it would. Aether, once again, takes charge and with his still firm grip on your hand, drags you in through the gate and up to the door where he then hauls you inside. Inside where Thoma and Ayaka were waiting for you. 

Aether finally drops your hand as Ayaka, dismissing her status as well as her fan, rushes towards you. Throwing her arms around your neck, she sinks into your body as you stand there with your arms hovering over her sides. This was unexpected, but as soon as she tightened her grip, you easily hold her back with as much desperation. 

“I’m so angry at you,” she tells you weakly. You chuckle. Thoma makes his way over, placing a hand on your head. 

“I’m glad you made it back in one piece.” 

“Yeah,” you tell him. Strange, you think.

When Ayaka finally pulls away from you and you’re able to see both of your closest friends in front of you again, it’s like a weight was lifted from you. Tears that you didn’t even try and stop wash down your cheeks and you let them. With one hand, you hide your eyes under your palm and with the other, you grab onto your shirt for something to ground you. You were so relieved. After so long, it finally felt like you… 

“I’m home,” you choke. Ayaka just hugs you again, now just as teary eyed, as Thoma chuckles fondly towards you, moving the hand on your head back and forth like an older brother.  

After so long, it finally felt like you were home.

a/n pt.2: look- when i say slow burn, i mean in the first four chapters, Ayato is in one o(╥﹏╥)o (i promise he's in the rest of the series) ((totally would not blame the masses if they skipped this chapter ngl its so messsyyyyy hnnggh))

Prev. | INDEX | Next

[yutamayo]

[afra-blueraz]

// nothing very important but I just finished writing the first book of my diabolik lovers series and I'm just in love with my idea for this series. I wish the real diabolik lovers was like my idea 😭. I mean diabolik lovers already has a great potential but in some certain routes I feel that they missed this potential and didn't write a good story (lost eden). That's why I wanna rewrite all games in my own way with my own ideas and headcanons. I will keep all canon facts and personalities. But I wanna do it in a better way. Giving all characters more development with more stories. Because as you know its gonna have 15 seasons 😁. In other ways I wanna make my own diabolik lovers that is more ideal to me. My dear Yui is a queen and deserves better endings.

By no means I'm gonna change the real story. I just wanna rewrite it in a better way and I will keep most important canon things. Just wanna make a better series for myself.

Not sure about the release date yet. Because I want to publish Bloody Roses and 2 other Angel and Devil novels before that. My blog is very close to 1k followers. In any case, I prefer to start publishing this novel after I become 1000, so that more people can read this novel.

I just wanna inform you guys about my series. I'm so proud of this one.

[owlstar97]

‘THIS JULY will mark ten years since the first episode of the Tokyo Ghoul anime premiered’

‘MORE DETAILS on the Tokyo Ghoul anime 10th anniversary project is set to be ANNOUNCED at a LATER TIME’

- Crunchyroll News

Source:

[it-happened-one-fic]

Blood-Stained Camellias - Ayato (Part 4)

Author Notes: Part 4 and the finale of this short fic with Vampire!Ayato! This fic series is being edited while I listen to the song "Marry You" by Bruno Mars. I panicked and aborted a kiss scene so we get a hug scene instead. I'm just feeble to embarrassing myself mid-writing that way. Nonetheless, I'm fairly happy with the way this series turned out and I hope you enjoyed it! Happy early Halloween!! As per usual, Reader is gender-neutral. I hope you enjoy!

Type: Gender-Neutral Reader/ Vampire! AU/ Arranged Marriage/ pining/ romance/ some drama/ fluff with a touch of angst/ sfw

Word Count: 697

[Part One], [Part Two], [Part 3], [Part 4: You're Here!]

Trigger Warning: Vampires, Mentions of Blood

I exhaled smoothly as I walked up the winding path that led to the Kamisato estate, and a part of me wondered if I was rushing even as I was bracing myself and planning out what to say. 

It had only been yesterday that Ayato had proposed, but it was also true that I’d already come to my decision. And, perhaps embarrassingly, it hadn’t been a difficult decision to reach. In fact, it had come almost as naturally as breathing as soon as I’d recovered from my surprise.

If it hadn’t been so late, I probably would have just come last night. Ayato would’ve been awake after all.

But I’d relented to my maid’s reasoning and waited until now, when evening had just fallen. Bathing the entire area in the gentle light of the moon that never failed to make Chinju Forest look perfectly magical.

But even with the beautiful atmosphere and lengthy path, I was still a bundle of nerves as the estate itself came into view.

I was greeted at the door, as always, but this time both Ayaka and Thoma were there. And both of them looked at me with openly hopeful expressions as I smiled at them.

But all three of us knew they wouldn’t ask. When it came right down to it, the person who would learn what my decision was first was none other than the most important individual of all. Ayato.

Nonetheless, Ayaka hugged me warmly before stepping back with a slightly guilty look as she glanced over at Thoma, almost as if she were seeking support from the young man before she spoke, “I’m so sorry you had to find everything out the way you did, Y/n. We were going to tell you, but-”

I shook my head, smiling all the while since I knew exactly what they were talking about. How could I not when the revelation of Ayato’s vampirism had possibly been one of the most shocking moments of my entire life?

And even knowing that, I couldn't be upset with either of them, and my voice was soft as I spoke, “It’s alright. I don’t blame you for keeping Ayato’s condition a secret. I would’ve done the same.”

She exhaled in relief, her hand holding mine and squeezing it slightly before she let go and stepped to the side, letting Thoma take over as he smiled at me fondly, “Am I right in guessing that you’re here to see him?”

I nodded, doing my best not to look as nervous as I felt, and Thoma nodded. His perpetually relaxed demeanor was almost reassuring as he gestured deeper into the estate with a smile and slight laughter to his words, “Then right this way.”

I glanced one last time at the still smiling Ayaka before quietly following Thoma, my hands linking themselves together in front of me as I braced myself.

We passed by numerous people, all workers at the estate, who recognized me and bowed slightly before hurriedly whispering to one another. Making me wonder if they all knew why I was here. But before I could ask, Thoma spoke up. Explaining quietly as he continued to lead me through the estate, “Everyone’s been wondering where you’ve been since you haven’t visited since that night.”

I nodded, a quiet, “Oh,” escaping my lips that had him looking back at me with a slight grin, “I wouldn’t worry too much about it. They’ve just been worried that you were frightened by what happened.”

I lifted one shoulder in half shrug and bobbed my head with an awkward smile, “And they weren’t entirely wrong. I was… A little bit.”

Thoma nodded, humming his reply as his pace slowed so that he was only slightly ahead of me. And after a brief moment, I continued, reassuring him quietly, “But I’m fine now.”

He exhaled, his relief obvious, and I felt my smile spread as he came to a stop and gestured out towards the patio that was attached to Ayato’s office, “He’s out there.”

I nodded, hesitating slightly as Thoma’s face split into a grin and he leaned over, pitching his voice into an almost conspiratorial whisper, “Don’t worry, I’ll make sure you two have some privacy.”

I blinked at him in surprise before laughing softly as I realized what he meant. He, the other servants, and Ayaka. He’d make sure all of them stayed away for at least a short period of time.

I nodded gratefully, knowing exactly what a task giving me and Ayato privacy would actually be for Thoma. Though perhaps he would have most difficulty restraining himself.

“Thank you,” My words came out in a whisper, and he nodded, straightening with a smile before he inclined his head and walked away. Leaving me with only one thing to do.

To actually go out and talk to Ayato.

I inhaled, bracing myself before stepping out and making my way to where I could now see him standing.

And, perhaps amusingly enough, he was in front of the white camellia bushes. The exact same place he’d been when I’d discovered that he was a vampire.

The blooms on the bush were as pristine as ever. Wholly unstained despite the carnage they’d seen that night. Much the same way that my view of Ayato somehow remained unstained despite the fact I now knew he was no longer a mere mortal.

Because even now, as he turned to look at me with a smile that told me that he’d been expecting me, he remained Ayato. The man whom I’d become engaged to for political reasons and who’d then proposed to me for purely personal ones. Even if he’d been slightly sadistic about the way he’d done it just so he could watch me squirm.

I stayed silent until I was standing next to him. Looking at the flowers in front of us as I searched for the best way to answer his proposal.

I’d gone over it all in my head numerous times already and had come up with the perfect script for myself, but now that I was actually here, all of those plans abandoned me, and I glanced over at him. Smiling slightly as my gaze inevitably met his, “Thank you for the flowers.”

His eyes narrowed in slight amusement as he nodded, seemingly unsurprised by my failure to immediately broach the subject but also unbothered, “The pleasure was all mine.”

And all at once I realized that, just like how I couldn’t best him in stealthy political maneuvers, I would never be able to accomplish as smoothly as he’d managed not one, but two proposals.

I sighed slightly, turning to face him fully even as I smiled, doing my best to not shy away from eye contact as I spoke softly, “I would be honored to accept your proposal, Kamisato Ayato.”

I swallowed, pretending not to be distracted by the way he smiled down at me as I continued. My fingers unlacing and relacing themselves nervously, “So, suffice to say, yes. I will marry you.”

And then I braced myself. For what, I didn’t know, but I braced myself. Because it wasn’t like he was going to reject me. He was the one who’d proposed. If either of us should be nervous, it ought to be him.

And even with all of my mental preparations, I still wasn’t entirely prepared, as I found myself pulled up against his chest as a gentle kiss was pressed to the top of my head. Almost like he was letting me hide my face as I drowned slightly in my own embarrassment but wrapped my arms responsively around him.

Despite the fact that there was no steady heartbeat for me to focus on, I didn’t know if I’d ever felt more safe and secure. Which was a welcome relief after the stress, anxiety, and shocks of the past little bit.

Because despite the fact that I was going to marry a vampire, I was happy. Genuinely so, in a way I never could have expected at the start of all of this.

He let out a soft chuckle as I pressed my face into him, and then he spoke, fond humor thickly coating his voice, “You don’t have to be so nervous. Your pulse is almost out of control.”

If possible, I pressed my face into his chest even further, an action that only made him laugh even more as I spoke. My response muffled as I petulantly refused to meet his gaze, “I’m not nervous…. I’m happy.”

“Ah,” His response was soft, and I wondered if I could have even heard it if I weren’t quite so close to him. And then he chuckled again, “How long do you think we have until we have guests?”

I felt myself laugh in return, finally stepping back to look at him as I smiled, “Until Thoma gives up on holding them off and decides he wants to check in on us.”

Ayato sighed, his arm remaining wrapped around me as he smiled fondly at me even as he snorted at the thought of his curious aide, “So any moment now then….”

He paused, shifting so that his arm hooked itself through mine, and he inclined his head, his voice softening to a whisper that was filled with affectionate teasing as his gaze held mine with no small amount of amusement, “Are you ready for your debut then?”

I blinked at him, briefly confused, and his smile spread as he explained without me ever having to voice my question, “As my soon-to-be spouse, of course.”

I inhaled slightly at his words, my eyes widening slightly before I felt myself smile, and I nodded, leaning just a little bit closer to him until there was hardly even a fraction of distance between us, “Always, husband-to-be of mine.”

He smiled, the edges of his eyes crinkling slightly before we both looked up at the same time to see Ayaka and Thoma rounding the corner together. Both of them almost immediately smiled, as it was perfectly obvious at a single glance that now, ever more so than before, the two of us were happily engaged.