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versadies · 2 years ago

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CHAPTER THIRTEEN || CLOSURE

SYPNOSIS (of chapter). in which you thought you were getting better.

SYPNOSIS (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 being more than just a blooming friend to you.

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

CONTENT. fluff/angst/no-comfort, swearing (dropped the f-bomb 3 times), mentions of violence (almost getting hit/slapped), sh1nsuke 🤢🤢🤢, mentions of yelling, mentions of threats, mentions of jeanluc, reader is an emotional person

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 @mitsukii14 @nejibot @ylimeprive @sachispet @loreleis-world @sn-owo @starforecasts @someonetookmynamelmao @ceylestia @lychme @ymikkos @reallysporadicarcade @elychee @astrxlis @denkineptune @franini @sophisticatedleslie @thedivinepriestress @smashsubs @httpmitsuya @bl6o6dy @cottonkendi (visit this post if you’d like to be tagged!)

WORD COUNT. 6.4k words

LINKS. EVERMORE MASTERLIST \ MAIN MASTERLIST \ EVERMORE SURVEY

POST-SCRIPT. AAAAA after 3-4 weeks, i finally updated !! super sorry for the delay, ill try and see if i can publish the next one next week during school (no promises tho) 🤦‍♀️🤦‍♀️🤦‍♀️

PREVIOUS || NEXT || VERSADIES’S VERSION (PROCEED THIS LINK FOR FLUFF LOVERS)

The next day after all has happened, Zhongli noticed how you seem to be… happier.

You really weren’t lying when you told him last night that you and Diluc have been getting along pretty well, because you surely never seem to take your eyes off of your phone as you type out responses to your newly found friend the whole time in the hotel room.

By the time you take your eyes off your phone is when you came out of the hotel room to do your activities for the day, such as eating breakfast, taking a stroll around the garden once more, visiting the convenience store once again, hanging out with a friend of yours by Good Hunter, and so on.

The thing is, all of these had one thing in common.

Besides a certain experience, you kept seeing a certain red-haired man to the point where it’s no longer a coincidence. Do you two just really have the same schedule or something?

As you lined up for the buffet with your plate in hand, you were tempted to grab your phone and check if you received any message from a certain man, still smiling from enjoying your last conversation with him on the phone.

It wasn’t until you hear someone clearing his throat behind you when you turn around from recognizing it, causing your eyes to brighten at the sight of the familiar man you’ve been talking to for the past hour earlier.

“Diluc!” You greeted happily.

“( Name ).” He greeted, also pleasantly surprised.

“I thought you were out for work already! Didn’t you mention you often go to Angel’s Share early?” You ask curiously.

He nodded in response. “I do. Just not today it seems, I have something important to do today.”

The two of you started picking your foods by the time the food is now displayed in front of you after taking a step forward, choosing what you want to eat for breakfast all the while chatting with Diluc – a major difference a few days ago when you and the man were suffering from the awkward silence between you two.

Turns out, Diluc supposedly had a plus one, but the person wasn’t able to make it due to not having time, hence how he finds himself being alone. Today, however, is the day when the plus one visits the hotel just to greet the wedding couple and wish them well, who will be leaving tomorrow for their honeymoon.

You’re curious to know who his plus one is, but you wouldn’t be surprised if it’s someone as important and highly regarded as him.

Once you two finished picking your meal at the same time, you started heading towards where Zhongli is, who’s waiting for you to come at last. You paid no mind how Diluc is following you, perhaps he’s heading towards his table as well that’s in the same direction as yours.

“You could sit with me and Zhongli if you want. You two seem to know each other back then before we visited your establishment.” You offered with a smile, carefully holding your plate in fear of dropping it.

He shakes his head. “Oh I’ll be alright. Mr. Zhongli has visited Mondstadt back then a few times and would come by for a nice tea and brunch. Though, he tends to have his chatty friend with him whenever he does.”

You can’t help but grin when he mentioned the chatty friend. “You mean Venti?”

Diluc nodded. “Yes. He usually comes around to drink a lot of alcohol. It’s a miracle he didn’t get any sickness from drinking so much.”

You visibly imagine Venti drinking lots of alcohol, causing you to laugh at the thought. “Well I’m not surprised to hear that. He seems the kind to do that.”

Before you knew it, you’re finally at your table, causing you to stop your tracks instantly and bid Diluc goodbye before sitting on your seat. If it weren’t for you noticing Zhongli waving at you as well as Diluc slowing down his walk, you would’ve not noticed the fact that you almost walked past your table thanks to you being distracted with your conversation.

“Let’s talk again next time. Enjoy your meal, Diluc.” You said as you watched Diluc giving you an acknowledged nod before walking away to where his table is.

By the time Diluc is long far away, Zhongli decides to speak up after taking a sip of his tea. “You know, I was starting to think you were too busy being indecisive on your food, but I suppose I was wrong.” He said with amusement.

You chuckled, picking up your eating utensils. “Consider yourself lucky that I wasn’t in the mood to eat seafood, lest I decide to tease you with it.”

You feel satisfied seeing the cringe look on his face, grinning to yourself as you take a bite of your food.

–

After eating breakfast, you and Zhongli went back to your hotel room and got ready for your first activity. While your friend is getting ready to go somewhere, you decided to go visit the convenience store to buy some snacks.

You wanted to try something new this time, so you decided to choose snacks that are from Mondstadt instead of Liyue or Inazuma. Of course, you wouldn’t forget the ones Zhongli wanted, particularly another certain drink.

“It’s a non-alcoholic drink called Fruits of the Festival.” He says as he zips his bag that contains the things he needed. “Venti recommended that we drink some now that there are a lot of them in stock for the celebration of the upcoming Weinlesefest festival.”

With that in mind, perhaps you should’ve taken into consideration that the drink would possibly be out of stock soon , because by the time you encounter the aisle that supposedly contains the Fruits of the Festival, there was only one bottle left.

Just as you’re about to take the bottle, you didn’t notice how someone else was reaching out to it as well, causing your hand to touch his.

Surprised, you look at the person who’s getting the same item as you, only to be even more surprised when you realize who it is.

“...Diluc?”

“( Name )?”

You can’t help but let out a laugh, not believing that you saw your friend again coincidentally. “Oh wow, I didn’t expect to see you here! Are you trying to get this one?” You asked, gesturing to the drink you’re still touching.

He hums in agreement. “Don’t worry, I could always get the other one.” He said, about to let go until you immediately let go of it.

“Ah no, no, no! It’s better if you take this one since it’s the last one. Consider it a payment for letting me have the grape juice last time.” You said with a laugh, gesturing to the man to take the drink.

He shakes his head, letting go of the drink. “It’s fine, you can take it. I wouldn’t want you to miss out tasting something such as the Fruits of the Festival.”

You refuse to get the drink. “Oh come on, it’s better if you’re the one who’ll get this.”

“No, no. It’s fine.”

“Just get it, Diluc.”

“I prefer you getting it.”

“No you–”

Suddenly, someone else takes the drink in front of the two of you, causing you to flinch in surprise.

“Brother Albedo! Is this blue drink the one you’re talking about?” A little girl with a red dress says before running towards where her brother is with the drink in hand, leaving you and Diluc stunned.

“...”

You can’t help but laugh. “Oh man, this reminds me of what happened back then.” You said, remembering the way you and Diluc fell into the same situation and kept insisting on who’s taking the drink.

His lips twitch upward. “Likewise. We really have come a long way after that.”

You nodded in agreement with a smile. “We have. Though it’s really a shame none of us got the drink. I’m sure they’ll restock soon.”

“We can visit tomorrow if you’d like.” Diluc offers. “I’m sure my plus one will be asking to go visit the store to buy some together, you can join us.”

You shake your head. “Ah, no need! I wouldn’t want to bother you catching up with whoever your plus one is. I’m sure I’ll eventually be able to try it when I hang out with my friend later.”

He nods in understanding. “Very well then. I hope you’ll enjoy the drink. If you somehow weren’t able to drink it, you could always visit Angel’s Share. It’ll be available today or tomorrow.”

Your eyes brighten, remembering the delightful establishment. Now that you think about it, you do miss their drinks there – so it wouldn’t exactly hurt to go there before you and Zhongli leave to the airport. “Alright, I’ll keep that in mind. Thanks again, Diluc.”

“See you next time, ( Name ).”

Then you two parted ways, unaware that next time is very much later.

–

After coming back to the hotel from the convenience store, you were itching to go visit the garden after passing by the entrance. Perhaps it wouldn’t hurt to wait there for your friend instead of here when it’s time for you two to hang out.

Which is what led you to immediately get ready for your hangout once you finished unpacking the things you bought from the store.

“How do I look?” You ask Zhongli as you come out from the bathroom, now fully dressed for your brunch. “Do I look alright?”

You watched as your friend looked away from his book, looking at your outfit carefully before nodding in confirmation with a smile. “Yes, you look great.”

You sigh in relief, grabbing your bag from your bed to start packing up your things. “That’s good. What will you be doing while I’m gone?”

Zhongli shrugs in response. “I don’t have any plans for today, but a walk around the garden would be nice later.”

“Alright. I’ll be back in a while.” You said, checking your phone for any messages (from a certain man) before putting it inside your bag.

“Have fun, ( Name ). Don’t forget to tell Diluc I said hi.” He said with a chuckle, remembering what you told him about the wine tycoon today.

Your mouth opens agape. “Wow– Alright, whatever. Have fun too, Zhongli.”

As you zip your bag closed after getting all the things you need, you immediately head towards the door. Maybe I should try taking pictures of some of the scenery, You thought to yourself.

Fortunately the trip to the garden didn’t take long, and by the time you entered the hotel’s beautiful garden, you delightfully inhaled the fresh air. Thank Celestia it’s a good day today, you thought, looking around your surroundings.

As you walk around the area trying to find a place to sit on, you bring out your phone to take a few pictures. You were so fascinated with how each flower looked amazing in the pictures you took – with the lightning and atmosphere bringing ethereal energy to your pictures.

While admiring the pictures you took, you didn’t notice a person walking towards the same direction as you, causing you to accidentally bump into them.

“Ah, so sorry!” You said with a yelp, maintaining your balance. “I didn’t mean to bump into you–” Your eyes widens when you realize who you bump into.

“The apologies are all mine, I should’ve watched where I was goin–” The red-haired man’s words slowly trail off when he hears your voice, now realizing who’s in front of him.

“..Diluc?”

“( Name )?”

You let out a laugh once more. “Oh wow, I can’t believe this! I’m starting to think this isn’t a coincidence now – since when have you started visiting the garden?”

“Just now. I wanted to see what it looks like during the daytime. What brings you here as well?”

“Ah, I wanted to take a stroll around the garden while waiting for my friend to come and pick me up so we can go have brunch. This place is really beautiful, isn’t it?” You replied, keeping your phone aside.

He hums in agreement. “It is.”

You then thought of something. “Wanna walk around the place together while I’m waiting for my friend?” You asked.

“I don’t mind.” He said with a nod.

And so, you two continued where you left off from last night in the garden, talking about Weinlesefest as you wait for your friend to come.

Throughout the stroll, Diluc explained to you all the things you needed to know about the upcoming festival. Apparently, the Weinlesefest festival is more about making new wine as they invite their Archon to drink with everyone. So it makes sense that someone like Diluc, whose entire business and establishment is famous for the amazing wine, is currently thinking of something that could make good wine.

He also explained about what you could do if you participate in the festival, particularly visit Springvale and explore around the place since it’s where the festival will be held. Ah, just hearing all the things you could do and eat made you want to consider extending your stay, but alas, you think one week in one of your favorite regions is enough for you. Besides, even if you decide to extend your stay, only Celestia knows what would happen to you once you’re back to work.

While you converse with your friend, you couldn’t help but notice the way he looks as though there’s something in his mind. You didn’t find the guts to ask him though, thinking you’re meddling into his business if you do so. Still, you’re a bit concerned that something bad happened and you want to at least help – it’s the least you can do for everything he did for you.

Before you could bring up and ask what’s on his mind, you hear someone calling out your name.

“ ( Name )! Over here!” Your eyes light up when you hear the familiar voice of your friend, causing you and Diluc to turn around and look at the person who’s calling you.

“Thoma, there you are!” You greeted, walking towards the blonde-haired man who’s also walking towards you. “And here I thought you weren’t gonna show up any time soon, what took you so long?”

Thoma spreads his arms wide as you give him a hug. “Aw man, I’m sorry for being late! I was busy helping Ayato out with preparing for his next trip, I didn’t notice that I was about to be late.” He explains. The two of you quickly separate each other from your hug.

He looks at where Diluc is, causing him to stand up straight and offer the tycoon his hand. “Hello! You must be the infamous Diluc Ragnvindr. A pleasure to meet you!” He says with a smile.

Diluc didn’t hesitate to shake Thoma’s hand, giving him an acknowledged nod. “Likewise. I would like to congratulate you for your efforts in this wedding, it’s truly amazing.”

The blonde-haired man lets out a bashful laugh. “Oh you’re too kind, Mr. Ragnvindr! I hope I wasn’t bothering you two, did I?”

You hesitantly look at Diluc, who remains the same expression as always, before looking back at your friend with a smile. “Ah not really. We were just talking about the Weinlesefest festival until we heard you.”

“That’s good to hear. I’m a bit disappointed that I won't be able to experience the festival though.” Thoma lets out a sigh. “Oh well, there’s nothing we can do about it. Mind if I take ( Name ) away, Mr. Ragnvindr?”

Diluc nodded in response. “Of course since that’s what they’re here for. I’ll see you next time once again, ( Name ).”

You gave the red-haired man a grateful smile. “See you next time, Diluc. It was fun talking to you!”

–

The purpose of your brunch with Thoma is simple. Catch up with one another, talk about the things you’ve missed in Inazuma while you talk about the things he missed in your trip.

So why, why do you feel so bothered?

Despite being able to listen to your dear friend and keep up with your conversation, your mind lingers on Diluc. You’re still worried about how he seems to be out of it back in the garden – is it perhaps because of how he needs to think of a new wine?

“You know, I’m glad you and Ayato had spoken to one another about what happened back then.” Thoma confesses, causing you to be taken back by surprise. “I hope you won’t be offended with what I have to say but.. You look happier than before.”

You raise your eyebrows from his words. Happier?

“I… I didn’t notice that.” You replied, letting out a small laugh. “Am I really that happy because of how me and Ayato have resolved?”

Thoma lets out a small laugh as well. “Well, that’s just my guess. Did something else happen that made you happier than that?” He asks.

You took a second to think about it. It’s true that ever since you and Ayato have made up, everything's been going a bit well for you, but then again, it’s sort of weird how you’re a lot happier about it than normal.

Is it… really just because of that?

Seeing how you hesitated, Thoma’s eyes slightly widened in surprise. “Wait, did something actually happen?”

You look away from Thoma, a bit flustered. “I-I really don’t know either!”

“Really?”

“Yeah!”

“Then… It’s not about someone, is it?”

You begin to scratch the back of your head. “Well… I did become friends with Diluc…? That’s the only thing that happened besides me and Ayato talking each other out about what happened.” You said, looking at your friend while you fiddled with your fingers. “He’s fun to talk to, I’ll admit. I had a lot of fun for the past few days thanks to him.”

The blonde haired man nods in agreement. “I can tell. Every time I look at you during the bachelor and reception, you look like you’re having fun talking to him,” He then lets out a laugh. “It honestly reminded me of back then when you and Ayato were still pining for each other.”

You look at him in confusion, still smiling. “Huh? What do you mean?”

“Well for starters, it’s the way you’re looking and talking to him. You always pay attention to him and everything he says that you don’t focus on eating your food or your surroundings much — I was able to see you while I was hosting the bachelor party.” He explains. “...Of course, I’m sure you don’t see Mr. Ragnvindr that way though, right?”

You slowly glance down at your food, processing his words carefully.

…Huh.

You didn’t notice how Thoma’s face slightly fell from how you didn’t answer his question. “...You don’t see him that way, right?” He repeats.

You want to answer yes, but something is holding you back. You don’t understand, you don’t really see Diluc that way right? You two are just friends – and yes, there were some moments between you two whereas your new friend made you feel… things – but that’s normal, right?

This feeling… Isn’t surely the same as what you felt towards Ayato back then, is it?

Then again… When was the last time you had fallen in love?

You wipe your now sweaty palms on your lap, starting to feel a bit conflicted from your thoughts and feelings. Even if you are in love with him, how could you even deal with it? How can you even face him knowing your feelings? What if you end up being heartbroken?

But if you aren’t in love with him, why does that make you feel.. Unsatisfied?

You can’t help but think about him, and you realize you’ve always been thinking about him for the past few days. He makes you happy obviously, there’s never a dull moment with him besides when you two first interacted with one another, and he’s understanding and gentle. The gentle look he gives you as he respectfully treats you well makes you feel… something.

He also treats you equally and always manage to get along with you despite your differences to one another. Not to mention how you always smile whenever you think of him, something that Zhongli had pointed out one time — and how you couldn’t help but always get excited at the thought of what’s to come for you and Diluc the next day—

Oh.

Meanwhile, Thoma tries to think of a way to change topics. “It’s alright if you’re unsure, ( Name ).”

“No, no, it’s fine.” You quickly reassured your friend. “I just.. Didn’t realize it until you pointed it out.”

“So.. you do love him, do you?”

You stayed silent for a few seconds, unsure how to break it to him. “...He makes me feel things no one has made me feel for a long time.”

“…Does he make you happy?”

You nodded in response. “He makes me the happiest I can be.” He made me realize there’s always a chance, a chance to love. You thought.

Thoma hums in understanding. “I see. Then I hope you get something good from rhat.”

You smile gratefully. “Thank you. Though, I feel bad our conversation went this way, we were just laughing a few minutes ago.”

He quickly lets out a small laugh. “Oh it’s no problem. At least you found something you didn’t know, right?”

You nodded. “Yeah, thanks again, Thoma.”

“Anything for you, ( Name ).”

You decided to try and change the topic, clearing your throat. “Uh, anyways, wanna share Good Hunter’s newest dessert together?”

Thoma nods with a smile. “Fine, but you better not finish everything in one go.”

“Hey!”

–

It took perhaps another hour before you and Thoma decided to get the bill and get out of the restaurant. Unfortunately, your friend won’t be able to join you in going back inside Goth Grand Hotel once he drops you off, telling you how he has some things to do for Ayato and Chisato before they go off to their honeymoon destination.

As you enter the hotel lobby, you can’t help but think back about what happened during your brunch with Thoma. What will happen between you and Diluc now? Will you still act the same as before, aware that your feelings for him are possibly more than platonic?

While thinking, you didn’t notice someone behind you heading towards you until you felt them harshly gripping onto one of your shoulders.

You turn around, wondering who on Earth would be so rude to do such a thing, only for your eyes to widen when you realize who it is.

“Good afternoon, Mx. ( Last Name ).” Shinsuke greeted you with a smile that’s obviously fake. “I apologize for bothering you on this fine day,” A lie, “but I must request you to come with me somewhere more private.”

You hesitated for a moment, knowing the risk if you said yes. But even so, who’s to say what could happen if you turn down his request?

You look around the area, trying to look for someone who can notice your troubled situation and help you, only to unfortunately find no one around. If only you could’ve convinced Thoma to escort you back to your hotel room…

“...I suppose I could spare some time for a chat.” You said, trying to act calm.

You suddenly feel an eerie presence looming behind you, causing you to glance at your back and see a few bodyguards standing behind you – as if to prevent you from running away. Unlike the ones who were stationed for the wedding events, these particular guards were foreign, with strange but somewhat familiar symbols on their brooches. You could tell they’re not like the bodyguards you’ve seen.

“Perfect.” Shinsuke comments, and you start to regret accepting his offer. “Come with me.”

Without letting you reply at all, the man turns and starts walking, causing the bodyguards behind you to shove you in order for you to follow, leaving you no choice but to oblige.

On your way, you hoped that you would at least encounter one of your friends, frantically glancing around the hotel lobby looking for a familiar face. Unfortunately, you finally arrived at what you assume is a private room.

You’re going to be alone with Shinsuke and these scary bodyguards.

“Before we can go in, I have one more thing to request of you.” Shinsuke spoke up before he could open the door. “Take your bag away and give it to one of the guards.”

Your eyes widens, hesitantly looking at the bodyguards behind you, who all remain unfazed and emotionless. Slowly, you take out your bag from your body and pass it to one of the guards.

“Don’t worry, they won’t open your bag and look through your things if that’s what you’re worried about. We just need to make sure you won't try to... record anything and break our privacy.” Shinsuke said in a nice tone, as if that’s enough to reassure you in this situation. “Let’s go inside now.”

You feel fear crawling up on your spine as you enter the room, unsure of what’s going to happen to you.

The room is a conference room, with multiple chairs surrounding one long table as one of them is situated by the end of it; you assume that chair is where he’ll be seated.

“Go sit down here.” He says, pulling back a seat that’s right in the middle. “We have a few things to talk about, it won’t be long, don’t worry.”

Swallowing down the lump in your throat, you carefully went to where the seat is, trying to contain your frantic breathing in order to hide your fear. The bodyguards that were following you both are situated outside.

By the time you sit down is when Shinsuke starts talking, not sitting down on a chair. “Now that we’re in a more private area, let’s start talking, shall we?”

You nodded slowly. “..Is there a problem, Mr. Hiiragi?” You ask carefully.

He laughs, starting to walk slowly around you. “Straight to the point, I like that.” He comments. “Yes, there is a problem, Mx. ( Last Name ). I'm sure you remember our conversation yesterday.”

Your breath hitches; he proceeds to explain more. “You see, this wedding is a very precious event to the Hiiragi Clan. Everyone thinks the lovely couple is perfect like straight out of a fairytale, so I like to keep it that way.” You watch as he brushes one of the chairs as he walks by. Did he find out about you and Ayato?

“So when someone reported to me that they caught sight of you walking back inside the bachelor party venue together with the bride – who didn’t bother hiding the fact that she was crying – I have to make sure all’s well.” He adds.

His eyes then narrow. “I hope you understand where I’m coming from, and I fear that you might take the opportunity to taint the Hiiragi name and accuse that Chisato is unhappily married to Kamisato Ayato.”

You shook your head frantically. “N-No, I wouldn’t dare to do such a thing to my friends.”

“How should I know if you’re telling the truth? And before I knew it, the media would talk about how Chisato had unwillingly married the CEO of the Yashiro Company because of you and your schemes!”

“I am telling the truth, Mr. Hiiragi! I wish nothing but happiness for the couple.”

“As if that’s enough to do so.” He lets out a “tsk”, glaring down at you. “I have no choice but to get rid of you. Who knows when you will eventually risk tearing down my reputation!”

You gasp aloud, immediately standing up from your seat. “Get rid of me?! But Mr. Hiiragi, that’s too much! I haven’t done anything ever since the bachelor party happened–”

“You dare to raise your voice on me!? Did you forget your place, or shall I remind you?!” He exclaims. You panic when he suddenly storms towards you, his hand slowly raises up to hit you.

Suddenly, the door opens, causing the man to stop himself from hitting you and look at the intruder.

“Was I interrupting something?”

Your eyes brighten when you recognize the person’s voice, and you look at the intruder who’s standing by the doorway.

“O-Oh, Mr. Ragnvindr!” Shinsuke spoke, his tone is now nice and kind unlike a few seconds ago. “What a lovely surprise. I was just having a special meeting with Mx. ( Last Name ) regarding the wedding–”

“I’m here to talk about your pesky bodyguards who aren’t doing their job right” Diluc spoke, his voice dark and cold – a big comparison to his gentle tone when he talks to you. “I was just passing by when they suddenly confronted me and dared to lay a hand on me for no reason.”

You saw the way Shinsuke’s eyes widened, his eyebrows furrowing. “What?! How unprofessional of them! Where are they now?”

Diluc opens the door wide. “Feel free to go check on them. I had to defend myself since they tried to fight me. Had this happened to someone else, I fear an innocent person would get hurt by their recklessness.” He scolded Shinsuke, who hesitated from his offer to check on the bodyguards.

The elder man glances at you, causing you to freeze up from his glare. “This isn’t over yet.” He mouths before looking back at the red-haired man. “I apologize sincerely on behalf of my bodyguards. I’ll make sure it won’t happen ever again.”

“Good. Now leave.”

Begrudgingly, Shinsuke heads out from the conference room. By the time the CEO is out of your sight, Diluc looks in your direction.

You feel your shoulders starting to relax. “Diluc.”

His eyes softened. “( Name ).” He then gestures to you to come with him. “Come with me. Let’s get you out of here.”

When you come out of the conference room with Diluc being by your side, you’re surprised to see the sight of Shinsuke standing over the bodyguards on the ground, some groaning out in pain while some were out cold. Just what did Diluc do to them?

You dare not to question it, you’re just grateful that he saved you from Shinsuke.

As soon as you two are somewhere where most people don’t come to in the lobby, you let out a breath you didn’t know you’re holding.

“Are you alright?” Diluc asks worryingly, giving you your bag you didn’t know he was holding. “What happened back there?”

You slowly grab your bag from him, avoiding his gaze. “I… I don’t know.. He just took me to that room and threatened me for something that happened in the bachelor party. I wouldn’t dare to do that to my friends.” You clench your teeth at the audacity the cruel CEO has. “I’m just grateful you were able to come by before something happened. How did you know I was there?”

“I saw one of the guards holding your bag.” He answers honestly. “I recognized it was the one you were carrying when we were taking a stroll around the garden, so I had to investigate. Did they hurt you?”

You shook your head. “Mr. Hiiragi was about to, but you made it in time before he could hurt me.”

Diluc’s eyes slightly widened, before quickly narrowing his eyes at the thought that someone would dare to hurt you. “How dare he.. I knew he wasn’t good news.”

“It’s fine… None of us could’ve predicted he would do something like this.” You mumbled. It was technically a lie, you knew someone like Shinsuke would do this, but you didn’t want your friend to be worried and angry. “Thank you for your help, Diluc. I owe you a lot.”

“Anything for you.” He replied. He suddenly puts a hand on your shoulder in an attempt to comfort you, causing your heart to start beating fast while your cheeks begin to warm up from his words and gestures. “You don’t owe me anything. Just… be more careful, I don’t want you to get hurt by someone as cruel and despicable as him.”

You nodded slowly, your mouth twitching upwards. “I’ll try.”

“Were you heading towards your room?” He asks, and you hum softly in response. “I could escort you back there if you’d like. Just in case Mr. Hiiragi dares to come to you again.”

You shook your head. “Oh I don’t want to bother you. I think I can go back on my own.”

“I insist. It would hurt me if something bad happens to you again when I could’ve helped you.” He insists. “Come.”

“...Thank you again, Diluc.” You spoke softly before the two of you started heading towards the elevator area that’s across the hotel lobby from where you are.

The two of you didn’t say a word to one another while you’re walking, but you didn’t mind. You were still shaken up by what happened. Who knows when Shinsuke will try to bother you again? What if he comes to Liyue and ruins your life?

“Will you be alright, ( Name )?” He suddenly asks, causing your worrisome thoughts to fade away from his voice.

Before you could say anything, someone suddenly called Diluc’s name.

“Diluc?”

You look around the area to look for the person who was calling your friend, spotting a woman standing not too far away from where you and Diluc are with her eyes brightening.

“There you are! I was looking around for you.” She spoke, walking towards you two with a smile on her face. “Did you just get out of the hotel room?”

You can’t help but admire the woman who’s now standing in front of you two. She’s quite beautiful, you admit. Is she perhaps a friend of Diluc? Or an acquaintance of his in the business world?

Or… Is she his plus one?

Diluc shakes his head. “No, I just happened to come across a friend of mine and got distracted. Did you wait for too long?”

The woman shakes her head as well, smiling reassuringly. “Ah no, don’t worry. I just entered the hotel.” She then looks at you. “Hello, what’s your name?” She asks you politely, causing your eyes to widen a bit in surprise.

“Oh uhm.. My name is ( Name ) ( Last Name ). It’s a pleasure to meet you, Ms…?”

“You can call me Jean. Thank you for keeping Diluc company while I was gone. I feel bad that I wasn’t able to attend the wedding.” Jean said.

Ah, so she is his plus one.

You try to ignore a strange feeling bubbling in your chest. “It’s no problem, I’m glad I’m friends with someone like Diluc. I had a lot of fun and learned a lot more about Mondstadt thanks to him.”

Jean giggles, a tune that’s so sweet in your ears. “I’m glad my fiancé made a friend. I hope I’ll get to know you more, ( Name ).”

You felt like your heart dropped when you heard what Jean called Diluc, your face almost fell.

…

Fiancé?

“...O-Oh, you guys are engaged?” You asked, stunned from your realization.

Jean instantly covers her mouth. “Oh, my bad.”

“It’s alright, Jean.” Diluc reassures her, you saw the way he looks at her. It’s different than the way he looks at you. “I was meaning to invite them to the wedding before they leave for Liyue.”

Jean sighs in relief, then looks at you with an apologetic smile. “I apologize for the shock. But yes, me and Diluc are set to be married in December. We haven’t announced our engagement to the public yet so we’d appreciate it if you could keep it a secret until it’s announced. I’ll make sure to give you an invitation tomorrow if that’s fine with you!”

You felt sick, swallowing the sour taste of heartbreak in your throat. “Of course! I’m honored I’m invited to your wedding. Congratulations on your engagement.”

You’re too caught up with the sudden news that you didn’t notice the way Diluc looks at you in concern.

Jean didn’t notice either, still smiling happily. “Great, I hope we’ll talk again next time. I’m afraid Diluc and I have to go now to meet Mr. and Mrs. Kamisato before they leave. I hope you’ll enjoy your stay in Mondstadt until you leave! Shall we, Diluc?”

The red-haired man hesitantly looks at you, and you remembered how he was supposed to escort you. You feel selfish for wanting him to go with you, but you knew your place.

“Go.” You mouth to Diluc with a reassuringly small smile, despite your heart wanting him to stay. “I’ll see you two next time. It’s nice to meet you as well, Jean.”

“...See you next time, ( Name ).” Diluc spoke up before walking towards Jean.

Without another word, you turn away and walk back to where you’re supposed to be going. Away from Shinsuke, from your heartbreak,

And away from Diluc. Your first love for the first time in 4 years.

You tried your best to hold onto your facade that everything’s normal and okay as you’re on your way back to the hotel room rushedly, your heart racing and lips shaking from what just happened.

You aren’t sure if you were overwhelmed by what happened between you and Shinsuke, or from the unrequited love between you and Diluc.

You should’ve known he wouldn’t be single. You should’ve known he was taken by someone as beautiful and amazing as Jean. You should’ve remained oblivious to your feelings towards him,

You should’ve known he would never see you that way.

By the time you enter the room and close the door behind you, you knelt down on the ground and let out a sob, dropping your bag as you cover your face with your hands.

Fuck, fuck, fuck!

Everything hurts. Everything is too much. You feel like you’re being burned inside as your heart aches deeply. You feel like you want to jump off a cliff and land in an ocean, never to be seen again. Why did you had to find out you’re in love when you found out your love is unrequited? Why is this happening to you? What did you do in your past life to deserve such cruelty?

You were so busy crying that you didn’t notice Zhongli walking towards you in concern. Words didn’t exchange between you two, but your friend knew what to do. He always comforts you whenever you cry about Ayato after drinking too much back then, reassuring you that you’ll eventually move on someday.

He kneels down beside you, wrapping an arm around your shoulder comfortingly. You didn’t hesitate to lean your head on his shoulder as a result, continuing to let out your wails and tears.

“I fell in love, but he… He belongs to another. Why does this always happen to me?” You sobbed.

Zhongli slowly pulls you closer to him. “I do not know.”

You let out another sob, closing your eyes shut. “It hurts.”

He closes his eyes as well, his heart aches at the sound of your cries. “I know.”

That day, you didn’t look at your phone anymore to see if he sent you a message. Spending the rest of your time engulfed in heartbreak as your dearest friend comforts you.

Just when you thought you were willing to fall in love, that chance was once again out of your reach.

It’s true he made you realize there’s always a chance, a chance to love.

Just not a chance to love him.

—

Somewhere by the hotel’s parking lot, someone is going through the same thing as you.

Thoma leans against the steering wheel of his car, exhaling deeply as he closes his eyes.

He knew he’d never have the chance to win your heart, yet it still hurts to think that you’re now in love with someone else. Don’t get him wrong, he’s truly happy for you — especially knowing that you have never bothered trying to give love a chance again and never had a date with anyone since the break up.

He just wished it was him you had fallen in love with, even though it sounds as impossible as going to outer space in this life.

But nevertheless, it wasn’t the fact that his love for you stayed strong and you still see him as just a friend—

It was the fact that you’re in love with a man who’s out of your reach.

Thoma didn’t know what to think when he learned you love Diluc. He wanted to be happy for you — he knows the man has a good heart after hearing so many good things about him — but he knew you’re going to be heartbroken when you learned about his secret engagement with one of the most powerful and well-respected women in Mondstadt.

There’s nothing he can do about it. He can only hope you’d get through the same pain you felt back then.

Thoma lets out a sigh, leaning back up from the steering wheel.

Even if he cannot provide it, the blonde-haired man just wished that someday, you’d love someone who loves you too, with nothing that can stop you both,

Unlike the men you fell in love with.

DAN’S NOTES

(1) diluc isn’t leading reader on nor was he flirting with them. chapter 14 will explain his side as well as his feelings towards reader. (see my response to this ask here for more details)

(2) i understand if you’re willing to drop the series, but it’s better if you keep it to yourself if you intend to insult this series or me. if you’re planning to send ask about the problem of this chapter, make sure to read my responses regarding asks about this situation because i dont really want to repeat myself again.

(3) i apologize for the disappointment if you expected reader to end up with diluc as well as for not adding it in the warnings about jeanluc being mentioned — i made another version of this storyline where they do end up together, which is versadies’s version ( look at the links ) to make it up to you guys :>>

PREVIOUS || NEXT || VERSADIES’S VERSION (PROCEED TO THIS LINK FOR FLUFF LOVERS)

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starglitterz · 3 years ago

Text

cynosure. (xv)

─── chapter 15 ! ~ cynosure.

summary; you and xiao are genmates under the famed streamer company genshin impact. the chemistry between the two of you is undeniable, and your fanbases absolutely love your collaborations. but when you both start meeting up offline more and more, your connection starts to deepen past just harmless flirting and playful banter. with these real feelings starting to affect both your job and reputation online, how will you two react when your relationship becomes the internet’s cynosure?

a/n: i hope you enjoy this chapter and that it provides a satisfying ending for this rollercoaster of a series :] thank u for all the support on cynosure, i love u guys and i'm so grateful to be part of such a sweet community <3

warnings; suggestive

previous.┃masterlist.

please reblog ! it helps a lot :)

biggest thank u to; @hurricanectar & @noctua-koi for always talking abt cynosure w me :) i became friends w both of you through this series and i'm so glad we've become so close!! i love u both sm <3

livestream !

y/n: hi everyone! sorry for the unscheduled stream, but thank you very much to all of you who decided to tune in!

xiao: yes, thank you. so as the title of this video suggests, the two of us have an important announcement to make.

COMMENTS ylovrr; omg what could it be siluc; i mean the two of them r tgt for it so im p sure we all alrdy k xiaoxiaoo; ahhh i hope it isn't anything bad :< kazu-topia; it should be fine (i think)

y/n: i think chat is going to murder us if we keep dragging it out, so, xiao, would you like to do the honours?

xiao: me?! didn't we agree it was going to be you?!

y/n: i changed my mind! *sticks out tongue*

xiao: ._.

COMMENTS auradragon199; THEY ARE SO CUTE!!!!!!!! venvens; what if them bantering was my final straw,,, it's too wholesome :sob: dendrobivms; i want to marry both of them atp LSKDJSK

xiao: fine. since y/n has very kindly thrown me under the bus, i'm just going to say it - the two of us are dating.

y/n: ?!?!?!

xiao: why do you sound so surprised?? you asked me to say it!

y/n: I KNOW!! it just sounds so cool when you say it out loud like that.

xiao: ...

COMMENTS hamayumis; AHHHHHHHHH XIAOYN REAL OFFICIAL noctua-koi; OFMWAKJDKJSA THIS IS NOT A DRILL EVERYONE I REPEAT THIS IS NOT A DRILL XIAOYN IS REAL !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! sprayio; aww xiao's blushing :>>> so cute !! hurricanectar; theyre perfect for each other :))) contentedbean; yes they deserve the world noirkkat; my scrunklies <3

y/n: holy archons, thank goodness you're all taking it well. not to exaggerate, but i was honestly terrified that most of you would hate us.

xiao: mhmm. but even if you did, that wouldn't change anything between y/n and i. i've been stupid enough to let hate comments affect me once, and it will never happen again. i love y/n, and since i'm lucky enough to call her my girlfriend, i'm not going to allow anything to ruin that.

y/n: aw, xiao! i always knew you were head over heels for me.

xiao: yeah, yeah, whatever. anyways, if you have any questions we'll be more than happy to answer them.

COMMENTS 120802; xiao won't meet y/n's eyes... looks like someone's down bad anon; will this affect your streaming?

y/n: nope, not at all! xiao and i are still very much our own people, so our schedules for streaming won't change at all.

xiao: except for maybe a few more off-collabs with just the two of us.

y/n: *pretends to whisper to chat* xiao's just saying that 'cause he wants me to stay over. *wink*

xiao: I AM NOT!

y/n: *laughter* next question!! 'have you heard that all of scaramouche's social medias have been deleted?'

xiao: ...no, i haven't. nevertheless, i wish him the best of luck in all his future endeavours. there is no bad blood between us and i genuinely hope he's happy.

y/n: exactly! also just a reminder, please make sure not to send any hate to anybody who was involved or a fan of scaramouche. we've moved on from that chapter of our lives, and we'd like to leave it in the past.

COMMENTS scaramew; theyre so mature omfg sohyuki; another day another slay as per usual alatusxiaoo; mwahhh i hope the pillow of whoever asked that qs is warm on both sides kdaehara; them. that's it that's the comment tofuthoma; screaming sobbing crying rn /pos normalisthenewnorm; hmm what else is there to even ask cynokine; i'm assuming scara had to either delete his socials or go to court and he picked the better option test-tube; soooo, any plans to play two-player games more in future?

y/n: great question! personally, i'm looking forward to human fall flat, or maybe fall guys!

xiao: or maybe stardew valley could be cool. or even phasmophobia.

y/n: isn't that a horror game?! xiao, not everyone has your ability to be utterly unafraid in the face of jumpscares.

xiao: hey! is that an insult or a compliment?

y/n: hehehe, i'll never tell!

COMMENTS afchicken; theyre so sweet im going to get diabetes istg yelansrightarmpit; AWKJDJAKSJDKAWKDJSAKD BARKS LOUDLY thomacrumbs; me when they <3_<3 goblefunk; xiaoyn the world xiaophobic; I LOVE THEM SO MUCH !!!!!!! c02z; so, how does it feel being the hottest streamer couple on the planet?

xiao: on the planet...? well it's mostly y/n.

y/n: xiao! don't say stuff like that!

xiao: it's just the truth!

y/n: *swats him* anyways, you're very kind for saying so. and personally i think it's thanks to xiao, and it hasn't been that long yet but so far dating him is very fun!

xiao: dating y/n is very fun too. she's an amazing person and i'm honoured to be hers.

y/n: how can you say such cute stuff with such a calm face?! i swear i'd kiss you right now if we weren't streaming.

xiao: then maybe we should end the stream here, because if i'm being honest i'd like to kiss you too.

y/n: archons, you're lucky i love you. we aren't ending the stream yet, we've still got more questions to answer!

xiao: hmph. *pouts* fine.

...

y/n: so anyways, i think we'll end the stream here! thank you so much to everyone who joined, i'm really glad to know that you all support our decision and we hope that you'll continue to watch our streams!

xiao: yes. thank you for the kind words, have a good day.

y/n: byebye!

COMMENTS nurserinnn; that was the best stream ever!! yanfeishere; brooo xiaoyn has my whole heart omg aijlin; if they don't get eternal happiness im rioting van-chii; them !!!!!!!!!!!!

*stream ends*

y/n: xiao, holy archons, my hands are shaking so much. aHHH i was so nervous!

xiao: you did great, dove. *holds y/n's hands* i'm so happy we did that.

y/n: me too! i must be the luckiest girl in the world; our fans will still enjoy our content, and i get to date the person i love.

xiao: *under his breath* you're so cute.

y/n: i'm right next to you, y'know. i can hear you.

xiao: ?!

y/n: haha, i'm just teasing! i think you're super duper mega awesomely cute too, xiao!

xiao: *ears turn red* it's getting late, we should go get ready for bed. you need to get enough rest, especially after your travelling.

y/n: okay then, boyfriend. i call dibs on using the shower first.

xiao: *swallows* go ahead... girlfriend.

y/n: AWWW YOU'RE LITERALLY SO ADORABLE!!!

xiao: STOP, JUST GO SHOWER ALREADY! tsk, no respect for the adepti.

irl !

"hey y/n, i used the other bathroom, so you can take your time and you don't have to worry about rushing so i can use this one," xiao hesitates slightly before knocking on the bathroom door to let you know. if he's being honest, he can't tell if he's awake right now because all this feels like the best kind of dream possible. sure, you've slept over at his house before, but this time the two of you are an official couple! "it's okay, i'm already done anyways," you reply cheerfully before opening the door and grinning at him. as xiao looks at you, he hopes that if this is all a dream, he gets to sleep a little longer.

"you look really pretty," xiao murmurs, swallowing the lump in his throat which miraculously forms whenever he's around you. he has always been soft-spoken and quiet, preferring to keep his thoughts to himself instead of voice them out loud, but when you're here, this quality is amplified tenfold. everything he wants to say to you is frozen on the tip of his tongue, and he can only gape at you like a goldfish and pray to any deity listening that somehow you'll understand what he's trying to convey. you twirl, allowing the fabric of his shirt to swoosh around your legs, "aww, thanks! this is the shirt you left out for me, right?" your boyfriend nods, and you swear he looks so adorable when he's too shy to make eye contact. little do you know he's thinking the exact same thing, except it's more so about how you're drowning in his shirt - he knew it was a good idea to buy the biggest size, too-large clothes are always the most comfortable, and if he gets to see you like this that's just an added benefit.

"actually, dove, can i kiss you?" the words slip out before xiao can stop himself, before he can filter them like he usually does. perhaps this is just the effect you have on him, reducing him to an incoherent mess who acts before he thinks. but as you smile, "of course," and move forward to kiss him, xiao thinks that maybe it isn't that bad. your hands travel upwards to tangle in his hair as you push his back against the bed, tugging on the jade strands as you deepen the kiss. xiao can barely think clearly at this point, his mind has been wiped to a clean slate, every thought replaced with the feeling of your lips as he does his best to memorise everything about you. hands gripping your waist tightly, his golden eyes flicker from yours to your lips, fixing every inch of your features into his mind. his thumb smooths across your cheek, admiring the way you lean into his touch, eyes fluttering shut as you nuzzle into his warmth.

the two of you have come so far, xiao thinks to himself as his fingers idly dance over your skin, unknowingly igniting a trail of fire in their wake. throughout everything you've both been through, xiao definitely knows that there were things he could have done better, ways he could have reacted better, but if varying the method won't lead to the scenario where he gets to kiss you like this right now, xiao thinks that he wouldn't change anything for the world. he's learned so much these past few months, from healing himself after his past and convincing himself to be brave enough to step into a new future, and it's all thanks to you. you, who coincidentally strolled into his life and captured his heart and attention without even trying, you, who gave him a second chance even when he thought he was unforgivable, you, who was willing to accept him for his flaws and love him nevertheless. it was always you.

as your mouth sears across his collarbone, xiao cups your face, tilting it up to look at him, "y/n, i love you so much." your expression relaxes into a smile, affection glimmering in your irises as you gaze at him with so much tenderness in your eyes, "i love you too, xiao." his hands slide down your torso to rest at your hips, but his stare is focused on yours still, "you know i'll always be there for you, right?" "mhmm," you mumble, pressing your lips to his once more, matching the heat building up between the two of you with an equally passionate kiss. xiao is helpless to do anything but melt into it, enjoying the feeling of your lips moulding together perfectly like pieces of a jigsaw puzzle slotting into place. you're making his head spin with just your lips - he's always been at your mercy, for you've got him wrapped around your little finger; all his attention, all his admiration, and all of him.

when you pull away, xiao leans his forehead against yours, amber irises shining with fondness, "after all, you're my cynosure."

a/n; so we're finally at the end, huh? it's been a pretty wild ride over these 8 months ever since i published the cynosure masterlist as a surprise on 18th july last year :') i never even dreamed it would gain this much popularity or that so many people would like reading a streamer au, but i'm really glad it did. i've met countless wonderful people through this story whom i'm proud and lucky to call my friends until now. i just want to say that i'm so so so thankful for all of you who gave cynosure a chance. ily, i quite literally wouldn't be anywhere on tumblr without you guys <3 also, all the fan accs in this chapter are people whom i love + people who i've recognised interact frequently w cynosure posts !! i hope it's okay that i used your urls without permission, tell me if you'd like me to remove it. do stay tuned for my future projects too mmkay? anyways, as per usual i'm still finishing cynosure chapters at stupidly late hours, so i'll be heading to bed now. goodnight everyone, take care of yourself, and please do lmk what you thought about this chapter / cynosure as a whole! i'd love to hear your thoughts on it :> mwahhh byebye !! <3

taglist; @noirkkat / @c02z / @hojichangel / @glazelilyy / @oreoz-unfortunately / @tiny-aroace / @xiaophobic / @test-tube / @120802 / @storytravelled / @mirikusashes / @ben6ett / @oliviasslut / @bluexiao / @lunachelly / @aelatus / @mimion / @akiiyukii / @angelhxneyy / @give-xiao-almond-tofu / @abyssheart / @xuanya / @normalisthenewnorm / @viagiraffe / @fuhuashandholder / @astersg4rden / @dilucbar / @nachotrash / @childe-support / @kinekyuu / @axerrri / @ventirain / @kait-is-always-late / @venvens / @celestair / @rim0na / @indecisivehusky / @nurserinnn / @ariesreii / @saving-for-xiao / @hellokittykuroo / @auradragon199 / @xiaoszn / @liarchive / @hurricanectar / @berryqueue / @noctua-koi / @yunaholics / @yoimimi / @http-mewchuu

usernames in bold cannot be tagged. pt 2 of the taglist will be tagged in an rb after i wake up :)

general masterlist.

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wispycecilia · 3 years ago

Note

diluc was like my first ever genshin crush so he's really important to me, that's why when i read that leak i was constantly screaming—to start im not even a diluc haver lol

nah mhy is really making us pay money for what a pixel? a drawing? and here i am falling for their trap

anyways, since you asked who i am gonna pull for, although i want all since well—they're all very pretty, i need to be reasonable and chose mister geo instead, idk but for me zhongli is essential—coming from someone who uses hu tao and can't dodge and control her hp for my dear life 👹

xiao is also tempting me to pull for him bc he is good and idk like i said pretty? (lmao pls)

then ganyu bc why not? she's pretty and deals alot of dmg

and shenhe is just beautiful

goodluck on pulling for ganyu! i kinda want her too since i just know she will carry me, however im moneyless and for my dear life once again i can't aim 😔

I TOTALLY UNDERSTAND UR DILEMMIA PLEASE the "mhy is really making us pay money for what a pixel" absolutely sent me 💀 here we are, falling for the company's obvious schemes... ignoring red flags left and right 😭

AND YES. I HAVE ZHONGLI C1 AND HIS C2 IS SO TEMPTING.. him w/ hu tao is an unstoppable duo. actually mr geo with any squishy character works HGANFNA ur making a good choice!!

but i need to stop thinking abt the other characters and just focus on boosting my ganyu 💔 i am LOYAL

#wispywhispers *;#ireneteractions *;#chats with kazu topia <3 #GL WITH UR PULLS #sending u my luck heLLLOOOO #sigh this next patch is the most frustrating one yet. with all the characters and all </3

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versadies · 2 years ago

Text

INTERLUDE || NO BODY NO CRIME

SYPNOSIS (of chapter). in which he wanted it to be you and no one else.

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

CONTENT. fluff/angst/comfort, modern!au, ooc (?), mentions of breakups, unrequited love

PENPALS. @scaraslover @dawgimsohot @kazu-topia @aqualesha @mrkamisato @serami00 @serenareiss @hiqhkey @emperatris-rinaka @bystander36 @irisxiel @coleluuviida @034ven @dear-dairiess @luv3rxcha @hadesaedes @chiro-chiro-kun @hersscherofyatta @mariusvonhangme @yuzuricebun @nejibot @hoshikistarlette @solaaresque @crowbird @lordbugs @estelwrld @reinvqx @chihawari @moonlightaangel @lonelysimpfor2dmen @sniffoat @mxsomn @jiminscarmex @alice0blog @ylimeprive @irethepotatosblog @irethepotato @elychee @rion-s @denkineptune @franini @sophisticatedleslie @thedivinepriestess @smashsubs @httpmitsuya @cottonkendi @uchihaeirin @abvolat @kokushiboswife @kyomihann @prplbunny @crowleysthings @axeybelle09 @chimsblogg @ys14a @leaunce @q-zrs @phoenixdrake88-blog @giyusimpsassemble @saving-for-xiao @jean-kirstiens-wife @strawberryuns @selfinsertintrovert @sachispet (come visit this post if you'd like to be tagged !)

WORD COUNT. 6.8k words

SPECIAL NOTE. we finally arrived at a special chapter of this series ! take note that this is a bit considered as a side-story since this is an interlude, however it is an important chapter as well so enjoy <3 !

LINKS. EVERMORE MASTERLIST \ MAIN MASTERLIST

PREVIOUS || NEXT

For the longest time, Thoma had always seen you as someone he wants to spend his future with.

As a foreigner who came to Inazuma, it was clear to Thoma that his classmates don’t like him because of how he’s different from the rest. Unfortunately, he slowly became a victim for bullies, who often bully him for not only not belonging to Inazuma, but also how he doesn’t have a father, who he couldn’t find when he and his mother traveled to Inazuma.

He felt scared, disappointed even. He misses his home so much, he wished his father didn’t have to disappear so suddenly, and he wished the kids at his age would’ve been nicer. If it weren’t for Ayato, his first ever friend, he would’ve felt so terribly lonely.

Of course, Ayato could’ve prevented the bullying with just a small chat with the bullies thanks to his background and family name, but Thoma was too kind-hearted and didn’t want to burden his best friend with such matters.

And then, you came to his life.

He’s heard of your name before thanks to his mother, who once mentioned how she knew a person who also studies in the same school as him and frequently visits her shop at lunch as well as how their mother is a close friend of hers. He didn’t think much of it since you’re not his classmate.

When he met you however, he fell for you hard.

He met you one day when he was on his way towards the school gate, only to be blocked by his bullies once again.

However, for the first time since he came here, someone stood up for Thoma.

“Hey! Leave him alone, you trolls!” His eyes widened when he saw someone standing in front of him with their back facing him as though they were on defense. What are they doing? He thought in confusion.

One of the bullies didn’t seem to feel threatened by you. “Or what? You don’t even have the guts to– OW!”

He gasps when he sees you grabbing a small pebble from the ground nearby and doesn't hesitate to throw it at one of the bullies, causing the bully to let out a yelp when the pebble manages to hit them by the head.

“What the hell?! Are you trying to kill us?”

“Killing’s a strong word,” You said with a huff before grabbing another pebble. “But I will do it again if I see you bullying him next time!”

“Are you alright?” You ask, turning around to see the blonde-haired man as the bullies ran off in embarrassment and in fear.

Wow.

He could feel his breath hitch when he saw you, staring at you in awe. “I-I’m alright,” He immediately replied in embarrassment, looking away from you when he realized he'd been staring. “Thank you for uh.. For uh…”

You paid no mind to how he didn’t finish his sentence, letting out a small laugh. “It’s no problem! You’re…. Thoma right?”

The child was even more surprised, not expecting you to know his name. “U-Uhm, yea! How do you know my name?”

“Your mom. Your family owns Komore Cafe, right?” You asked, eyes brightening.

He nodded, eyes brightening from you mentioning his mother’s cafe. “Oh uh.. Yeah! Are you a regular customer there?”

You nodded eagerly. “Yes, I’m obsessed with your drinks! Are you on your way there?”

“Yeah, actually. I just finished cleaning my classroom so–”

“Great, mind if we go there together?”

Thoma almost chokes on his words, his heart instantly races from your request. “Sorry, what did you say?” He asks, unsure if he heard you right.

“Is it okay if you and I walk there together?” You repeated. “I-It’s fine if you don’t want to! I was thinking it’d be great if we go to the same bus together, at least I have a buddy to come with since I was used to going to your cafe with one of my friends.”

Usually, Thoma preferred to walk towards the cafe on his own, but he found himself agreeing to your request, excusing it as a way for him to pay you back for saving him. “Sure, I don’t mind! I’m sure my mom would be delighted to hear that I got to see one of her regular customers and had someone who defended me from those bullies.”

You smile widely, immediately standing beside him. “Alright then, lead the way, Thoma!”

At that moment, Thoma finally found something, or someone rather, to think about in his own little world.

From then on, you and Thoma started going to the Komore Cafe together whenever you can.

Your conversations were surprisingly not that awkward despite Thoma being so flustered from his feelings towards you at first. He supposes it’s because of how you weren’t bothered with his flusteredness, which he’s glad of. For someone who’s supposedly great at socializing with anyone, he sure wouldn’t seem like one if people knew how he acted around you at first.

Not to mention the bus rides – oh the bus rides – his moments with you are always precious there. Besides the games you two played while waiting for the bus to stop by the cafe along with the conversations you had, there was especially one time when you fell asleep on his shoulder from exhaustion in your p.e. class. He wasn’t sure how long he was able to hold in the urge to scream until he was finally in his room alone.

When it comes to visiting Komore Cafe, you always go to one certain seat you’d sit in. Much to his delight, you’d also invite him to sit and chat with you about anything that comes to your mind. It’s those moments when he wished it could last forever.

In a blink of an eye, a few years had passed and the two of you became best friends in high school.

By the time Thoma was in high school, he started to help out more in the cafe as people eventually got used to the foreigner. To your delight, he even became more sociable with others! You felt like a proud mother whenever you’d see your schoolmates interacting with him happily.

You also order the same thing everyday to the point where Thoma can make your order in auto-pilot. If you feel like it, you’d even sometimes order other things, which is none other than his favorite order. If only you knew how it sets his heart ablaze the moment you told him you’d like to try it.

Sometimes, you’d even try to help in serving drinks in the cafe, to which Thoma insists you don’t need to do that until his mother told him you’ve helped her handle the cafe often whenever he’s busy with school activities that made him stay. Ah, it made him have all the more reasons to love you than he should.

By the time you and Thoma became second-year students, everything changed.

As much as Thoma didn’t want to admit, he was so sure Ayato was catching on to his secretive feelings. It honestly felt like the man could read him like an open book.

No amount of words could tell how shocked Thoma was when he encountered Ayato in the cafe, the blonde-haired man was staring at his dear friend like a deer caught in headlights as you stood beside him in confusion from why he stopped his tracks.

He thought this was it, this is when Ayato will tease me 24/7!

However, the dreadful moment Thoma has been waiting for did not come. Even when he introduced you to Ayato, even when he left you two off to chat so he could prepare his and your drinks, and even when you left early to do your homework in your home. It honestly made Thoma feel nervous the entire day. Just what is on Ayato’s mind? He wonders to himself as he continues to serve his customers in the cafe, eyeing towards the blue-haired man’s direction suspiciously.

It wasn’t until Thoma took a break and sat across to his best friend, who continued to drink his boba silently.

“...That person…” Ayato spoke up, staring at where you left.

The blonde-haired man chuckles nervously, dreading the teases. “You mean ( Name )? What about them?”

He finally looks at Thoma with an expression he had never seen before. “I… I’d like to get to know them more.”

Oh.

Thoma felt like time froze when he realized what was going on.

As someone who was in love for so long, Thoma knew what love looks like.

And it was all over Ayato's face.

At first, the blonde haired man thought nothing of it, telling himself that maybe he was just overthinking things. He’s sure Ayato is just interested in getting to know someone as interesting as you since he never heard of you around the school, in a way that one would become interested to have the other as their friend.

Then the blue-haired man started asking about you a lot whenever the two of them are in class. Be it your favorite hobbies, favorite subject, what club you’re in, and so on and so forth to the point where Thoma couldn’t deny the fact that Ayato is absolutely whipped for you.

He wasn’t sure if the same goes to you.

Unlike Thoma, Ayato doesn’t need to use the public bus since he has a driver who can come and pick him up to take him home. So when you and Thoma encountered the blue haired man by the school gate despite the fact that he should’ve been home an hour ago, it was safe to say the blonde-haired man was surprised.

“Oh, are you two on your way to the cafe?” Ayato asks with a smile on his face.

“Yep, are you going there too?” You responded, not noticing the hesitant look on Thoma’s face.

The blue-haired man nodded in response. “Yes, actually–”

“Great! Why not come with us? Me and Thoma are on our way to the bus stop.” You invited with a smile, your offer got both Thoma and Ayato look at you in surprise. Did you really just invite Kamisato Ayato to go ride a public bus?

However, before Thoma could tell you that Ayato has to do something else, the blue-haired man chuckles in amusement and beats him to it. “I suppose it won’t hurt to try. You may lead the way.”

As you eagerly agreed and walked towards the school gate with Ayato following, Thoma stood there, wondering what on earth just happened.

Ayato, who never takes detours and always urgently go to the car that’ll take him home just to study and deal matters with his family’s business, not to mention he only goes to places with said car, and only visits the cafe when he actually had time, accepted to go with you despite knowing that he has an exam to study tomorrow with Thoma – who he clearly remembers how Ayato wasn’t planning on going to the cafe to study with him this week – and even agreed with going there by bus?

The blonde-haired looks down at his bag, the bag that holds a note that he was planning to put inside your locker, for you to know the time and place for him to confess his undying feelings for you.

Thoma gulps a lump in his throat and slowly starts catching up with you and Ayato, forming a stiff smile on his face. Perhaps it’s for the best if I keep this to myself, he thought to himself. If no one knows, it didn’t happen.

“What took you so long, Thoma?” You ask with a worried look on your face once you see your best friend standing behind you as the three of you now wait for the bus to arrive. “Did you forget something again in the classroom?”

He lets out a small laugh in response, ignoring the way Ayato looks at you with different eyes. “Yeah, sorry about that.”

“It’s alright, you made me worry for a second.” You comment, your worries fade away. “Me and Ayato were talking about drinks that he should try in your cafe – I can’t believe he’s missing out your favorite one!”

The blue-haired man chuckles in response. “With how you explained it so enthusiastically, who am I to say no and not try it out?”

Suddenly, it all felt like Thoma is watching a romance movie, his eyes darting between you and then at Ayato as his stiff smile threatens to fall apart when he sees the way you start to become shy with his best friend.

He supposes he should be grateful for not putting the note in your locker and not getting rejected.

For the rest of the school year, it was clear to Thoma that you could never be with someone like him, not when you have someone like Ayato, who Thoma knows would be the better option. Ayato’s rich, powerful, dedicated, and could make you gush than anyone you ever fallen for – unlike Thoma, who’s just… himself.

So he stands by and watches you and Ayato become together, as though he’s just a background character in a romance movie with you two being the main characters.

Thoma even helped Ayato out in many ways he can to make him have progress with being connected with you more. Whether it’d be him backing out from your table with an excuse of working so it would just be you and Ayato, him lying that he doesn’t know a certain topic that he obviously knows just so Ayato could help you study himself during study sessions, and even help his best friend plan his promposal to you– all those moments in which Thoma tells himself that this is his way of repaying Ayato for being his dearest friend since childhood.

It hurts when you and Ayato officially become a couple.

It hurts to go to his bed, no longer giggling or flustered from his shared moments with you as he stares at the ceiling with an empty look on his face. It hurts to work in his beloved cafe, trying to ignore how you and Ayato love each other as some of his customers would gush about how you two look like the perfect couple. It hurts to walk around the school campus as he hears whispers and hushed voices in both envy and admiration about how you and Ayato are such high school sweethearts.

He was glad that he never told anyone about his closed feelings towards you, the pity people would give could make the feeling worse than now. If no one knows, then nothing happened.

As years go by, so did the pain.

Although Thoma had long accepted the fact that he’ll never get to be with you by the end of senior year, the pain didn’t go away that fast. How could one give up their feelings that they’ve felt for so many years just like that?

He couldn’t, and he hated himself for that.

He watched as your relationship with Ayato grew throughout high school and college – it was evident that the two of you would never break up at all from how much the both of you love each other, and he envied it. Yet he didn’t do anything with his envy and heartbreak, he only continued to pursue in supporting your relationship. As long as you’re happy, that’s all that matters to Thoma.

When it comes to you and Ayato fighting, you’d often come to Thoma for advice. He could’ve declined it, but he didn’t. He listened to you and comforted you in every way he could. He knows Ayato just as much as he knows you, so it wasn’t difficult to reassure you that yes, everything will be okay in the end.

So when he watched Ayato leaving you one day with you sitting on your favorite spot of the cafe dumbfounded, he knew everything was not okay.

When he saw you following Ayato and left your things, he felt worried. Did something bad happen between you and Ayato that made him leave?

Thoma continued to wait for what felt like an hour, when in reality it was only a few minutes before he saw you coming back.

His heart broke at the sight of the empty look on your face.

From spending so much time with you, Thoma knew you were holding your tears in. You’re someone who never wanted to cry in public, and you’d probably even won’t tell anybody about it in fear of being a burden to them.

But you’re never a burden to him.

He decided to slowly come up to you, watching you pack your stuff in a quick manner, as though you wanted to get out as soon as you can. Suddenly, you accidentally made one of your books fall, and he noticed how you flinched from the loud sound.

The blonde-haired man quickly looked around, and to his relief, none of the customers were bothered by the sudden sound.

Before you could try to get it, Thoma beat you to it and grabbed it for you.

“Here you go, ( Name ).” The blonde-haired man said with a sweet smile.

“...Thanks, Thoma.” You spoke in a soft tone, and it hurts Thoma to hear how devastated it sounded. What on earth did Ayato do to you?

Just when he was about to ask if you needed anything, you shut your bag when you shoved the book inside and turned around towards the exit. “See you next time, Thoma.”

Understanding that you needed space, he nodded slowly. “See.. you next time, ( Name ).” He said, watching you walk towards the door and leave the cafe.

As soon as you left and disappeared from his view, Thoma’s smile dropped.

If only he knew at that moment how this would be the last time he’d see you.

It didn’t take long before he quickly noticed how you and Ayato no longer meet each other the next day. It’s sometimes like this if your fights with Ayato were serious and led you to avoid the man, but this was different.

It was as though the two of you had finally broken up.

His concern further increases when he sees how you started to avoid people – specifically those who are also close friends with Ayato – as well as how you’re now found alone in school or with Ei and Miko if they aren’t busy from tasks as the student council officers. Although you still looked okay to others, Thoma knew you weren’t.

Despite the fact that you never talked to him since the incident, he didn’t come up to you either, thinking that it’s best that you need some space. The moment you call him, you can guarantee that he’ll instantly try to do everything he can to get to where you are.

As for Ayato, he acts as if you never existed, acting the same as always. Whenever Thoma tries to bring you up in his conversations, the blue-haired man instantly changes topic with an unexplainable look on his face. He isn’t sure if Ayato’s truly alright, but the blue-haired man has always lied that he’s okay whenever the blonde-haired man asks.

For the first time since elementary school, Thoma felt helpless.

He felt sick to his stomach whenever you and Ayato’s mutual friends expressed their concerns about the two of you since none of you had any longer met up with them in the cafeteria. He’s just as concerned as they are, but he couldn’t do anything about it.

It wasn’t until a few weeks had passed since his interaction with you in the cafe when Ei and Miko – the two people Thoma’s not the closest to – came up to him while he was on cleaning duty in class when he finally got the chance to talk to you.

“They’re not doing good..” Ei spoke softly, frowning at the thought of you. “Miko and I did everything we could to comfort them for the past weeks, but ( Name ) wants to talk to you.”

His eyes widened.

The pink-haired woman then added, “I know you haven’t talked to them for the past few weeks – but we can tell that they need you now. They kept asking us how you were and if you’re still safe from being bullied whenever we visited them.”

Thoma couldn’t help but feel touched. Even when you’re at your lowest, you still wonder about his well-being.

Ei gestures to the man to come with them towards your dorm. “I’ll ask someone to handle the classroom. We need you to go to them now.”

The student council president didn’t have to say it to him twice.

Thoma did everything he could to come to where you are as fast as his feet can take him, the only thing that runs in his mind is regret that he didn’t come to you sooner and ask if you’re alright. You must’ve thought he was avoiding you too.

How could I be so stupid? He thought to himself, running faster when he’s closer to your dorm.

By the time he arrived, it felt like he wasn’t in your dorm at all.

There was no liveliness that helped him feel welcomed, no music that you often listen to playing in the speaker, nor is there any furniture that isn’t dusty from being used.

He slowly took quiet steps towards your bedroom, taking note of how some pictures that had you and Ayato were missing as well as a few items that belonged to Ayato’s.

He tried not to crumble when he saw you in your bedroom, staring at the window with eyes that no longer sparks life. It’s almost like Thoma’s just staring at an empty shell of what you used to be.

When you noticed someone’s presence, you slowly turned away from the window to look at Thoma’s direction, only to lightly gasp when you found out who it was. He didn’t fail to notice how your eyes were swollen.

“...Hey ( Name ),” He spoke softly with a sad smile. “How have you been?”

The both of you fell silent, and you continued to stare at him in shock.

A few seconds was all you needed before you felt your tears forming again, your shoulders began to shake.

“He… He said he doesn’t love me anymore…” You sobbed, lifting your hands up to cover your face from your best friend, whose heart shattered at the sight of you. “He broke up with me and left me! A-And he keeps on ignoring me whenever I try to talk to him and I… I thought you didn’t want to hang out with me anymore and I don’t know how to face everyone else when Ayato and I are–”

You gasped once more when you felt his arms wrapped around you into a comforting hug. “I would never want to stop hanging out with you, ( Name ). You won’t lose me.” He said in a reassuring tone, rubbing your back. “It must’ve been rough for you to go through so much, I’m sorry for not coming up to you sooner.”

You slowly hug him back and close your eyes, sniffing as tears continue to come out. “I missed you, Thoma. I want to go to the cafe everyday like before but.. But I’m scared that I… I might see him again and breakdown and look like a fool in your cafe and–”

“Hey, hey, it’s alright, don’t worry,” He spoke softly, “I can visit here everyday with your favorites. I’ll make sure you won’t see him if that’s what you want. Plus, the cafe’s trying out delivery now and I can just deliver it to you.”

He feels your shoulders relaxing in response. “...Thank you, Thoma.” You whispered, still hugging him with no intentions of letting go just yet.

“Anything for you, ( Name ).” He mumbles, closing his eyes. At this moment, all of his loyalty towards Ayato was forgotten, the only thing he prioritizes the most right now is to make sure you’re happy.

“Anything for you.”

It was a long journey, Thoma admits. He couldn’t blame you for having a hard time moving on since you were with Ayato for so many years and because you still don’t know the proper explanation as to why he broke up with you in the first place.

Nevertheless, he was proud that you can face Ayato without crying anymore, and fully supported your decision in avoiding Ayato instead of continuing to try and talk to him.

When Thoma saw Ayato entering the cafe, he was ecstatic – only for his face to drop when he saw a woman hugging his arm with a loving smile.

It wasn’t until he overhears the conversation when Ayato asks the woman out on a date when he felt upset – rightfully so. How could he move on so fast and even find love with someone else? He was disappointed, really.

Fortunately, you didn’t go back to square one when Ayato announced his official relationship with Chisato. However, that didn’t mean you weren’t hurt from the news.

Thoma, alongside your dear friends who immediately visited you after finding out what happened, made sure to always be there by your side when you needed it. He respects everyone with how dedicated they are in cheering you up – especially Ei and Miko, who was by your side from the very beginning.

He watched the way the two women insulted Ayato for breaking your heart whilst soothing you with words, bringing you light novels that Miko got her hands on from her family’s business as well as foods that Ei bought on her way to your place, and so much more.

Thoma was relieved that there’s people out there who are by your side just as much as he is with you.

He still continued to hang out with Ayato of course– however, it felt as though the tension between them was a bit stiff since the incident.

Thoma was glad Ayato’s current girlfriend, Hiiragi Chisato, wasn’t someone that’s malicious and greedy. Not when she was kind, considerate, and hardworking just as much as Ayato. She’s definitely someone Ayato’s parents would be glad to have as their daughter-in-law with how successful and wealthy her family is, unlike you – who unfortunately got disapproved by Ayato’s parents as soon as they found out that you weren’t particularly as wealthy as they are and don’t have a successful family business when Ayato told them after your first visit.

Though, it’s safe to say that he felt bad whenever he and the others – Yoimiya, Itto, Sara, Kokomi, Gorou, and even Ayaka – avoid the topic whenever Chisato mentions you. It’s clear that they didn’t want her to know about you, knowing that she would want to try and meet you unaware about your past relationship with Ayato. She’s in a completely different department in the university, so it’s no surprise that she doesn’t know you are Ayato’s past lover.

Even when you’re trying to move on, you still miss and love Ayato. Thoma could understand, since he has been through it when he found out that you love Ayato back, so he always reassures you that you shouldn’t stress that you’re taking too long to move on.

It wasn’t until something happened in the after-finals party.

Thoma didn’t know what happened, but he did see you following Ayato outside and walked back in an hour later with an angry look on your face.

“Are you alright, ( Name )?” Thoma asks as you stand beside him by the kitchen with your eyes narrowed.

“I’m done with him.” You mumbled, glaring at where Thoma assumes Ayato is in. “I’m sick and tired of him.”

The blonde-haired was surprised, but then he grabs an alcoholic bottle before pouring it on a new cup, handing it over to you as an offer. “Care to drink with me and tell me about it then?”

Without hesitation, you grabbed the cup he poured and took a quick sip, unbothered by the burning sensation in your throat. “Gladly.”

Just as you said so, you stopped crying for Ayato ever since that night.

No one besides Thoma knew what happened between you and your ex in the party, but none dared to question it – even Miko herself. Nevertheless, what matters is that you’re moving on from Ayato, and they’re proud of you for that.

However, there was still one thing Thoma wondered.

His best friend’s side.

It just didn’t make sense, if he had to be honest. Why would Ayato, who’s always dedicated and committed to you and your relationship, suddenly fall out of love?

Ayaka wondered the same thing when Thoma reached out to her about Ayato, saying how her brother went home one night acting strange and out of his mind, only for him to reassure her that he’s alright and acted normal the next day, pretending that nothing happened.

Now that he thinks about it, how long has his dear friend continued to be like this?

Ever since you and Ayato separated, the blue-haired man grew busier, more silent, and more distant from everyone. It concerned Thoma, but what can he do when the blue-haired man always reassures him that he’s alright?

The same could go for everyone else – the ones who are friends with both you and Ayato – they’re deeply worried for Ayato just as much as they’re worried for you back when they didn’t know what was going on.

By the time Ayato started dating Chisato, Thoma didn’t bother asking anymore, thinking that he definitely fell out of love with you since he fell in love with someone so quickly.

You started to visit the cafe as soon as your last year of college began, with you ordering new things while playing with Taroumaru, who’s now grown up into a strong puppy who now entertains customers as they await for someone to serve their orders, and enjoyed your time in the place despite it being the place where your heart got broken by Ayato.

Sometimes you’d go alone, and Thoma would keep you company whenever the cafe was quiet, either by studying with you or just chatting with you – just like good times. Sometimes you’d go with someone else, be it a groupmate for a project, your friend, or even your pet so that they can play with Taroumaru. He adored that you still go to your favorite spot.

Then time flew by, with everyone getting jobs after graduating, with Ayato finally getting assigned as the CEO of his family’s business, with the cafe growing famous in Inazuma thanks to social media,

And with him still in love with you.

He honestly forgot about his feelings when he was by your side comforting you from your heartbreak. He only remembered as soon as Ayaka asked him if he had fallen in love with someone after gushing about the person she had a crush on one day while they were preparing for Ayato’s birthday.

Yes, he’s still in love, but he wouldn’t tell Ayaka that.

If no one knows, it didn't happen.

As for you, you found a job. Apparently someone reached out to you about a job that’s under the business that Ei’s family works in, so you’re ecstatic that you’re going to see Ei – who’s more than happy that you’re going to work for her. Thoma was glad that you found a good job that you love, so he was happy for you.

However, there was something about the job that conflicted you.

“Though… I’m sad,” You said with a sigh, your wide smile turned into a sad one as you looked down at your drink that Thoma prepared for you. “I… I’ll have to go to Liyue in two weeks later to start my job.”

The blonde-haired man froze, eyes slightly widening. Liyue was far from Inazuma, and it’s obvious that you’re trying to say that you’ll have to stay in the prosperous country for your job.

“...Oh,” He spoke. “...Did you accept the job?”

You shrugged. “I’m still thinking. I don’t want to leave this place – let alone leave you and the others. But then again, everything reminded me of him, and this job is my shot in–”

“Then do it.”

You stumbled on your words, looking up at the blonde-haired man in shock. “Wh-What?”

Thoma shoots you an encouraging look. “You should go for it if you want it. Don’t worry about me and the others, we can still be in touch even when you’re away.”

You blinked a few times. “Should I..?”

He nodded eagerly. “Follow what your heart wants. You still have Ei and Miko in there, and I’m sure you’d make friends with people who are just as good as everyone here.” He then places his hand on yours in a reassuring grip, something that became a habit of his as a way to comfort you back then. “You’ll never lose me. Call me whenever you’re free to chat, alright? We’re best friends, after all.”

You put your other hand on top of his as well, your smile no longer sad. “..Yeah, you’re right… Thanks, Thoma.”

A few days after that, you finally decided to accept the job, much to Thoma’s delight. He knew you needed to go away and get a fresh start, and your job is worth accepting for.

He soon helped you pack your things, whilst playing games and watching movies together afterwards. Those nights are when Thoma dreams that it’s just him helping you move into his place, causing him to sleep with a happy heart at the thought.

The day before you left, everyone decided to hang out in the cafe for your farewell party, giving you gifts to bring with you as well as speeches – with Itto beatboxing for you causing you to laugh – even Ayaka came by and gave you a gift, wishing you well and happy future.

It’s safe to say that the party was the reason why your worries about leaving your friends ended, you couldn’t help but tear up with how much everyone was proud and happy for your new job.

Thoma was happy that he’s the one who’ll take you to the airport, wanting to be the last person to give you a farewell before you officially leave the country and live in Liyue.

“I guess this is it.” You said as you stood by the terminal gate that’ll take you to your plane. “I’ll miss you and your cafe, Thoma. Please tell your mom that I’ll miss her too.”

Thoma nodded. “Of course. You better call me when you arrive at your apartment!”

“Only if you include Taroumaru in your video call!” You teased, the both of you laughing.

You then pulled him in for a hug. “I honestly don’t know if I’ll be able to chat with you often since Miko and Ei told me working under the Tenryou business will make me a busy person, but I’ll make sure to chat whenever I can.”

“It’s fine, ( Name ).” He reassures you, hugging you back with a soft sigh. “I’ll miss you as well.”

“I hope you’ll find someone that will make you happy, Thoma.” You spoke softly.

“Why would I when I found you?” The blonde-haired man wanted to punch himself for spilling those words from his mouth, until you giggled in response.

“That’s not what I meant Thoma,” You clarified, thinking that he didn’t understand your words. “I meant I hope you’ll be able to find someone who you’ll fall in love with and date. I’m sure you’ll make them as happy as how you made me happy.”

He stays silent, watching you let go of him and take your luggage from him. “I gotta go now, see you next time, Thoma.”

Thoma then waves, still frozen from what you said.

There’s no one who I love but you.

–

“So, they left huh?” Ayato asks, sipping his boba as Thoma sits across from his best friend with a shocked look on his face.

The blonde-haired man was entering the cafe from the airport when he immediately spotted his best friend inside the establishment for the first time since his visit with Chisato.

The blonde-haired gulps the lump in his throat, smiling stiffly. “Yeah…”

Ayato smiles at that response, and he looks as if he’s relieved. “I’m glad… They deserve to go there, that job will make them happier than I can.”

Thoma then realized what Ayato was doing. He’s finally opening up to the blonde-haired man about you.

“I do apologize for… being distant.” He spoke. “I know you must be disappointed in me for what I did with ( Name ). I’m disappointed in myself as well.”

The blonde-haired man frowns, not speaking up as he listens to what the man has to say intently.

“I never told… anyone about this, so you’re the first one.” Ayato confesses. “Yes, I had to push them away. I know they would fight for our relationship, and I love them for that, but I cannot let them do it.”

“Did you… really fall out of love with them?” Thoma wonders, his heart ponders in suspension.

The man pauses, and smiles in sadness. “I did not.”

He gasps in response. “Then.. Then why? Why did you do it?”

The two of them fell silent for at least a minute until Ayato gave in.

“...The thing I have between me and Chisato,”

He hesitates for a moment. “What we have is simply an arranged marriage.”

Thoma’s heart dropped.

Ayato looks out at one of the windows with a longing gaze. “I.. I couldn’t afford to let my sister go in an arranged marriage, I knew it would happen to her. So I decided to take one for her when Chisato’s father offered my parents an arranged marriage.” He explains. “I knew that ( Name ) would be disappointed in me and would try to make me stop it, so I.. I did what I had to do.”

He then looks back at Thoma. “It’s better this way, don’t you think?”

“Even if they hate you now?” Thoma asks.

Ayato nodded. “..I don’t mind. I just want them to be happier now, and that is enough for me. We both know I don’t deserve their love,” He then chuckles to himself, as if disappointed. “I even pushed their relationship with me aside for the sake of my family.”

Thoma didn’t reply to that, mentally agreeing that Ayato’s right. “What about Chisato?”

The blue-haired man sighs. “She’s aware of this being an arranged marriage. But she isn’t aware that I still long for someone else.” He inhales sharply. “Her father forced me to make sure to charm her before proposing to her so that she’d be more than willing to be in this arranged marriage, so I can’t do anything about it with the fact that she’s in love with me.”

Ayato then notices the familiar sight of his driver coming out from the car outside the cafe, gesturing Ayato to the time.

“.. I’ll apologize to ( Name ) someday. Then maybe we can be friends again – even if that will take years or even if they potentially won’t allow us to.” He then stands up, grabbing his cloak and his drink. “Thank you for taking care of ( Name ), Thoma. Never speak of this conversation with anyone, alright?”

If no one knows, it didn’t happen.

As Ayato leaves the cafe after giving both Thoma and his mother farewell, Thoma finds himself sitting in your favorite spot, only this time, he was alone.

–

You couldn’t help but feel amazed by Liyue’s airport as you head over towards the exit, looking around the place as if you’re in a whole new world–

You suddenly bumped into someone, muttering out an apology in embarrassment. Great, first day and you aren’t paying attention to your surroundings!

You paused when you realized the stranger, who also muttered an apology and left, dropped a pocket watch on the ground.

Quickly grabbing the pocket watch, you instantly rush over to the stranger who’s walking side by side with another man, memorizing what words to say in your head.

“Sir!” You called, and the stranger turned around in confusion.

“You dropped this,” You said, showing him the pocket watch. “Sorry again for bumping into you, by the way.”

The man’s eyes slightly widen, slowly grabbing the watch from you. “Thank you.”

You nodded with a smile. “It’s no problem.”

Without another word, you immediately ran off from the two men, not realizing how a few people, particularly the paparazzi, were staring at you with wide eyes.

“My, I’m surprised they didn’t know about us two, Diluc.” Kaeya spoke in amusement, watching you go away. “You’re lucky they gave you that pocket watch. I’m not sure what would happen to you if you lost your father's watch after he just died.”

Diluc, the man you came up to, glared at Kaeya. “Watch your mouth before I make sure you’re not going to my private plane on our way back to Mondstadt.”

The other laughed. “I’m rich too, Diluc.”

2K notes · View notes

versadies · 3 years ago

Text

CHAPTER FOUR // 'TIS THE DAMN SEASON

SYPNOSIS (of chapter). in which you experience embarrassing moments and an emotional breakdown with one person witnessing it all.

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

CONTENT. fluff/angst/comfort, modern!au, ooc (?), mentions of reader having a breakdown, second-hand embarrassment maybe ?, not proof-read properly, ayato sucks here <3

PENPALS. @scaraslover @dawgimsohot @kazu-topia @aqualesha @mrkamisato @serami00 @serenareiss @hiqhkey @emperatris-rinaka @bystander36 @irisxiel @coleluuviida @034ven @dear-dairiess @luv3rxcha @hadesaedes @chiro-chiro-kun @hersscherofyatta @mariusvonhangme @yuzuricebun @nejibot @hoshikistarlette @solaaresque @crowbird @lordbugs @estelwrld @giyusimpsassemble @irethepotatosblog @elychee @rion-s @denkineptune @franini @sophisticatedleslie @thedivinepriestess @smashsubs @httpmitsuya @cottonkendi @uchihaeirin @abvolat @kokushiboswife @kyomihann @jiyujinsstuff @durptwit @elegantcecile @mnemosyneechan @s-adidass @belovedxiao @deimmortales99 @veyu002 @crowleysthings @prplbunny @bananazzzen @axeybelle09 @chimsblogg @ys14a @leaunce @q-zrs @phoenixdrake88-blog (come visit this post if you'd like to be tagged !)

WORD COUNT. 4.2k words

NOTE. please make sure to check the end of the post for extra notes by the time you're done reading (just to clear some things up !!!)

SPECIAL NOTE. AAA i apologies for not updating anything last week but here it is !! i'll try to post the next chapter once i'm done with it as well. for now, enjoy the meal <333

LINKS. EVERMORE MASTERLIST \ MAIN MASTERLIST

PREVIOUS || NEXT

The next day after all that had happened, you thought that everything was surprisingly normal.

You ate breakfast with Zhongli, visited the convenience store nearby for you to have food in your room, chatted with Yae and Raiden by the lounge area, and so on.

Except, everything was not normal.

Besides one certain experience later on, it was the fact that you kept seeing his face everywhere that threw you off from thinking that your day is going to be normal.

You find yourself standing in front of Diluc with your meal in hand, and suddenly, the atmosphere grows awkward.

“...Mr. Ragnvindr.” You greeted him with a stiff smile.

“...Mx. ( Last Name ).” Diluc responded with a small acknowledged nod.

The both of you continued to stay silent, unsure which way to go to walk past the other. You aren’t sure which is more awkward, the fact that the two of you have been standing for quite a while or the fact that there are some people watching you with a strange look.

You then decided to take a step on the left, only to go back when Diluc took a step on his right.

That was embarrassing.

“Y-You know what.. Why don’t you go first?”

“You can go first.” The both of you spoke at the same time.

That was even more embarrassing.

You then decided to try and laugh it off. “Uhm, you know what, I’ll just go over there and you can go through here.” You said, not letting the man reply as you immediately turn to another direction and walk past other tables, feeling your cheeks warming from the embarrassing incident.

“Ah there you are, ( Name ).” Zhongli spoke as soon as you arrived at your table. “I was starting to get worried from how you’ve been taking a while to get your food–”

“Nothing happened!” You stammered.

Your friend pauses, giving you a confused look.

“...Alright…?”

–

After eating breakfast together, you decided to go out and buy some items in the convenience store nearby when you remembered how you don’t have food in the hotel room (at least, not free ones).

Luckily for you, most of the foods that you usually eat that are made in Liyue are found in the convenience store, so that’s what you grabbed (as well as foods that Zhongli wants you to buy for him). You also decided to buy a few foods that are made in Mondstadt, particularly their fine beverages.

So when you grabbed the only grape juice – something that Zhongli wanted – that remained in the stall, someone else also grabbed it.

And that someone else is none other than Diluc Ragnvindr.

“...Mr. Ragnvindr.” You greeted once more, still holding the grape juice.

“...Mx. ( Last Name ).” He responded once more, also holding the grape juice.

“I see you’re trying to get the grape juice,” You said, “I didn’t know you like them.” That was technically a lie, but also somewhat the truth. You never thought he’d seemed to be the type to like such a beverage until you spotted him drinking the grape juice that was available by the buffet when you and Zhongli were on your way out.

“Likewise.” He retorts.

The both of you then fell silent, your hands still holding the grape juice.

You then decided to let go of the drink, giving him a polite smile. “You can have the juice if you want it, take it as my gratitude for purchasing the champagne flutes.” You offered.

He shook his head in protest, letting go of the drink as well. “No, no. You were the first one to touch the drink, it’s more fair if you were the one who gets to have it. I insist.”

You raise an eyebrow. He’s really not gonna try and be nice here like you, is he? “Well, I insist. I was planning to buy other beverages so you can have that.”

“And I insist that you take it–”

From those words alone, you immediately grab the juice and place it down in your cart, leaving Diluc speechless from your sudden movement. “Well if you insist then, Mr. Ragnvindr.” You commented with a fake laugh. “I’ll surely pay you back someday for your generosity once more.”

The man stared at you as conflict ran through his face, and you decided to take your leave from him with an embarrassed look on your face. I apologize Mr. Ragnvindr, but you have to blame Zhongli for this! You thought to yourself, remembering how Zhongli threatened you that if you forgot to buy the grape juice he wants, he’ll give you every single seafood that Tartaglia will give him for the rest of the week.

As soon as you finished checking out all the foods and bought them, you immediately walked out from the convenience store in hopes of not encountering the man again.

By the time you came back to your hotel room after the long walk, your friend was sitting by the chair looking at you.

“Welcome back, did you get all the items?”

You nod with a nervous smile, placing the groceries on top of the table as you start pulling out the items you bought, causing Zhongli to stand up and help you unpack as well. “Uh, yeah. Surprisingly the convenience store has most of the items that are from Liyue.”

When you pulled out the grape juice, you instantly froze, remembering the incident that occurred earlier.

Zhongli instantly noticed. “Are you alright?”

You immediately placed the grape juice away in embarrassment.

“N-Nothing happened!”

You took a mental note to yourself to make Zhongli be the one to do the shopping instead.

–

“I’ll come back in an hour,” Zhongli said as he walked out from the bathroom in his gym outfit, “in case i’m not back until then and so, feel free to eat lunch without me.”

You hum in response, waving him goodbye. “Alright, take care, Zhongli.”

He smiles in response, grabbing some of his things before taking his leave, leaving you alone in the room for the next hour.

However, you couldn't help but feel as if there’s something that’s not right.

You thought deeply and wonder if you’re forgetting something you shouldn’t be forgetting, only to shrug to yourself and think it’s nothing.

Until you receive a message from Zhongli.

You immediately looked to check on Zhongli’s nightstand, spotting his hotel card and wallet.

Typical Zhongli, you thought to yourself with a mental facepalm before standing up from your bed to get his items. From how much you’ve spent time with the man, you’re no longer surprised by him forgetting his wallet often.

You grab your bag and place his items (as well as your own hotel card) inside while heading towards the door, making sure that there’s nothing else important that Zhongli needs before exiting the room.

By the time you stand in front of the elevator waiting for it to arrive on your floor, you start remembering the encounters you had with Diluc, causing you to inhale sharply and close your eyes shut from embarrassment.

Ding!

You open your eyes when you hear the elevator arrive and enter the platform, trying to forget the memories. Either way, you just hope you’ll never encounter the red-haired man again after all that happened.

Thankfully, the gym floor is only one floor away from where you and Zhongli are staying, so it won’t take a while to wait.

When the elevator stops on the floor that’s between your floor and the gym floor, you continued to space out, thinking of what to do next after lunch.

After waiting for a while, the machine slowly closes its doors since there was no one to enter the platfor—

Suddenly, an arm stops the elevator from closing, causing you to yelp in surprise.

“Sorry.” The stranger spoke, his voice made you freeze.

No way. You thought with wide eyes, seeing the familiar streaks of red hair as soon as the elevator opened. Why is he here?!

When Diluc realizes you’re here again, he freezes. The two of you stare at each other like deer caught in headlights.

“...Mr. Ragnvindr.” You greeted.

“...Mx. ( Last Name ).” He responded, clearing his throat before entering the elevator.

You look away from his direction, trying to look at something to stare at while waiting for the elevator to stop on your floor. You then decided to look at the buttons nearby, noticing how the gym floor’s the only one that’s lit up.

“...You’re going to the gym?” You ask, only to wince to yourself. Of course he’s going to the gym if he didn’t press any other buttons, idiot!

Diluc nodded. “I thought the gym was on the previous floor until a housekeeper told me I was on the wrong floor when I asked them.”

You nodded slowly with an “ah” sound, not wanting to ask anymore in fear of saying something embarrassing.

“Are you going to the gym as well?” He asks.

It took you a few seconds to process his question before you hum in response. “I’m just visiting there for my friend. He forgot to bring his items from our hotel room as always.” You let out a small laugh, trying to lighten up the awkward atmosphere.

Before any of you could speak more, the elevator lets out a “Ding!”, causing you to look up at the floor number and realize you’re now at the gym floor, causing you to let out a quiet sigh of relief.

You then looked at where Diluc was standing and shot him a polite but stiff smile. “See you uh, next time, Mr. Ragnvindr.” You said before walking out rushedly from the elevator, not letting him respond to your words.

When you entered the reception area of the gym, you immediately caught the sight of Zhongli standing not too far away waiting for your arrival, his eyes brightening up when he noticed your arrival.

“Thank you for bringing them, I was supposed to come up by myself but the reception didn’t let me–” He stops himself from talking when he notices your expression.

“...Nothing happened?” He asks, an amused smile grew on his face.

“Nothing happened.” You replied immediately.

–

After handing Zhongli’s items back to the man, you immediately return to your hotel room and watch TV for the rest of the time in hopes of forgetting about Diluc. When your friend came back and finished taking a bath, the two of you went to the second floor to eat lunch.

You then encountered Miko(1) and Ei, who then invited you to have a chat with them in the lounge area.

“Take care, ( Name ).” Miko spoke as you, her, and Ei stood up from your seats after having countless conversations with one another. You only realized just now that an hour had passed ever since you came across your friends. “We’ll see you at the joint bachelor and bachelorette party on September 28. You better attend!”

You nodded assuringly with a smile. “Of course, of course. I don’t want to miss out on the food.”

The three of you then went your separate ways, with you heading towards the elevator that’s the nearest to your room.

On your way down however, you couldn’t help but feel as if someone was watching you.

Your curiosity soon faded away when you noticed something – or someone rather – standing somewhere not too far away from where you are.

Now, you’d expect you’d see the red-haired man once more after everything that happened today. However, that was not the case.

Rather than Diluc Ragnvindr, you saw Kamisato Ayato–

And he is staring at you.

Your face dropped when you saw him, looking away from his direction and mentally begging that he won’t try to come up here to talk to you, knowing that you won’t be able to get out of the conversation unless someone interrupts you.

When you glance at Ayato once more, your heart drops at the sight of him walking towards you with an unexplainable expression. Out of all the things that could’ve happened today, you wished Ayato not interacting with you was one of them.

But today was not your day, it seems.

You tried to walk away and pretend you didn’t notice, only to accidentally bump into someone and almost stumble on your steps, only to be held back by someone behind you.

From just the way the stranger holds you alone, you knew who it is.

“...Mr. Kamisato.” You spoke, immediately taking a few steps away from the man without hesitation and looked away with a small frown.

“...Are you alright?” He asks, glancing behind him to see the person who bumped into you, only to find no one much to his dismay. They didn’t even give you an apology! “It’s a good thing I managed to catch up, it’d be a shame if my guest became injured during such a special occasion–”

“Thank you,” You interrupted, trying to make sure your voice doesn’t sound shaky. “I apologize for disturbing you with my recklessness, I’ll be going no–”

You held back a yelp when you felt his hand wrapped around your wrist in order to stop you. “Do you mind if…” He pauses for a second. “If you and I could talk for a while?”

You slightly furrowed your eyebrows, looking at the man.

“..Talk about… What?”

He looked as if he was taken back by surprise. “About… us back then. I would like to apologize for what I did to you.” He explains slowly, talking as if he’s reminding himself.

You frowned even more. Why now of all times? Did he think that just because it’s all in the past means that you’ll easily forgive him unlike before?

“...Why now….?” You spoke.

Ayato was taken back. “...Pardon?”

You move your hand away from his grip with a conflicted look on your face. It honestly felt like all the feelings that you have shut away back then have suddenly opened from just those words. Why? Why did it have to be like this? Why are you the one suffering while he isn’t?

It was evident that you have to face the fact that you still couldn’t move on from the heartbreak.

“Did… Did you expect me to easily forgive you, Mr. Kamisato?” You spoke shakily. You could no longer find yourself to have the courage to even look at him in the face and not remember what you went through.

You didn’t notice the way his face drops from your explanation, his mouth open agape as he tries to come up with words to say.

The moment was instantly over when someone suddenly intervened in the conversation.

“Ayato, my son! I have been looking all over for you!” Ayato’s father, Mr. Kamisato spoke lightheartedly as he came up to the blue-haired man, ignoring your presence along the way. “And who are you talking to that made you so distracted from not being able to hear me calling you?”

You felt your heart dropped when you heard Mr. Kamisato’s voice, and you felt absolutely even more suffocated than ever.

When the elder saw you, he changed to a completely different person.

“...Mx. ( Last Name ).” He greeted with a grim smile.

You bowed in response. “Good afternoon, Mr. Kamisato. I hope you’ve been doing well.”

“Oh I have. Today was a splendid day since I got to spend time with my son before he married his lovely fiancée.” He explains.

His grim smile then turns to a sympathetic one. “How about you? How have you been after so many years?”

Your smile turned stiff.

You aren’t sure which one you preferred, to have your first love’s parents despise you or to have your first love’s parents become sympathetic with you.

Either way, you couldn’t bear to bring yourself to hate them all.

“Thank you for deciding to spend the holiday with us, ( Name ).” Mrs. Kamisato spoke as you help her out in cooking meals whilst Ayato and Ayaka are busy arranging the table. “I know you might be wondering why we don’t have any maids in our household, but I thought it would be better if our family could at least experience Christmas without our staff. They deserve to spend it with their own families too, you know?”

You nodded in understanding, giving Ayato’s mother a grateful smile. “It’s alright, Mrs. Kamisato. I understand completely. I’m just honored that you invited me to celebrate with you and your family.”

The woman laughs in delight. “How flattering! If anything, I’m the one who’s honored. It’s been so long since I’ve seen my son being so happy until now.”

You felt taken back by surprise. “I-Is that so?”

She nods, glancing back to where Ayato and Ayaka are. “Yes.. Of course, Ayato is always happy with us, he loves his family after all. But we never saw his smile reaching his eyes often.” She proceeds to pour some seasonings on her cooking. “Maybe it’s because of the burdens he has to carry as the heir of the Yashiro business, or perhaps it’s because he was too exhausted from everything going on to him.”

The woman looks away to stir her cooking, smiling so fondly. “So when I first saw you walking in that door and heard you laughing with Ayato, I knew you’re the one for him.”

You looked at where Ayato is as well, your heart was absolutely soaring. Was Ayato really that happy to have you in his home and meet his parents?

“...I.. I didn’t know that.” You spoke softly.

She suddenly stops cooking for a moment, looking at you. “I don’t mind if you would become Ayato’s spouse.” She explained honestly. “I would be at peace knowing that my dearest son is happy with the person he’s in love with for the rest of his life.”

“So thank you, ( Name ),”

“Thank you for making him happier.”

You swallowed a lump in your throat, trying to smile with all you can. “I’ve been doing great, Mr. Kamisato.”

You could see the way Ayato tries to interrupt the both of you to talk, but it seems as if his father wouldn’t let him. “That’s good to know. I’m relieved that my son and my future daughter-in-law have chosen a good destination.”

You try to think of a way to get out of this conversation, glancing frantically around your surroundings as your hands start to fidget anxiously. “Indeed they did, I should uhm.. I should get along now, I forgot that I have an appointment that’s due.”

Before Mr. Kamisato could say a word, Ayato finally talked. “I can escort you if you’d like. I’m on my way towards the elevator as well.”

“Ah, let’s not bother Mx. ( Last Name ), son.” Mr. Kamisato spoke immediately, eyeing at your direction with a concerned look. “I’m sure Mx. ( Last Name ) can go to where they need to be without you. We wouldn’t want people to misunderstand the situation if they ever see you two together, right?”

You blinked a few times, looking down at the ground in dread. You absolutely cannot go with Ayato towards your hotel room as you thought of the scenarios of what would’ve happen. What if people will make rumors about how I’m trying to win his heart back? What if I suddenly break down in front of him and make him find out that I wasn’t able to move on at all? What if–

Suddenly, you felt a looming presence behind you.

“...Mx. ( Last Name ).”

Your breath hitches when you hear his voice.

“...Mr. Ragnvindr.” You breathe out, turning around to see the red-haired man with pleading eyes. Please get me out of here, you thought.

“Oh? It seems you know Mx. ( Last Name ), Mr. Ragnvindr.” Mr. Kamisato spoke up in genuine surprise, causing you to look back at him and Ayato — whose face turned inexpressible at the sight of Diluc.

You notice how his father’s shoulders relax from the sight of the tycoon. “How unexpected, if I may be so bold to comment.”

Diluc hums in response. “Indeed we have. We actually just met a few days ago outside the hotel. We’re planning on visiting the.. Hotel’s restaurant to get to know each other more.”

Ayato’s eyes slightly widened, and the red-haired man immediately clears his throat. “As friends, of course.” Diluc clarifies.

If you looked at him now, you would’ve noticed the red shade on the red-haired man’s ears.

You immediately laugh lightly. “Uhm, yes.. I was actually going upstairs to meet up with Mr. Ragnvindr there! B-But it seems I must’ve taken quite a while from how.. I was carried away with the conversation I had with you guys.” You explained, playing along to the lie that Diluc is trying to make.

Ayato remains stoic, a stiff smile etched on his face. “I see.. I shouldn’t take your time too long then,” He then gives Diluc an acknowledged nod. “I hope you two will have fun. Shall we take our leave now, father?”

Mr. Kamisato immediately nods, relieved that his son finally gave in to letting you go. “Of course. I had a pleasant time with you, Mx. ( Last Name ) and Mr. Ragnvindr.”

You nodded in response with a small smile. “I had a… pleasant time as well, Mr. Kamisato.”

You honestly could care less about the fact that you didn’t talk nor mention the groom at all.

Without another word, the four of you went away to the opposite directions.

It wasn’t until you and Diluc entered the elevator when the two of you finally spoke to each other.

“Are you.. Alright, Mx. ( Last Name )?” Diluc asks as the two of you stand across from one another inside the platform. “I apologize for not intervening sooner, I thought you can handle them on your own and I wasn’t sure if it’s right for me to meddle in.”

You nodded your head reassuringly. “It’s alright, thank you for what you did.. Mr. Ragnvindr.” A sad smile starts to form as you look down at the ground. “And… I’m alright.”

Your eyes start to blur as something drops on the floor.

“I’m… alright…”

The red-haired man’s eyes slightly widen at the sight of you suddenly crying, his body becoming stiff as he tries to think of what to do.

“I’m… not… alright..” You whisper as you wipe your eyes to try and stop the tears. “Why.. Why did he.. Why did he decide to try and fix things up now?”

At this point, you could no longer care about the fact that you’re having a breakdown in front of the very man who had witnessed all of your embarrassing moments that had transpired today. All you could think about was Ayato and his audacity to try and fix everything between the two of you after years of shunning you away.

“Why… Why does he get to be happy and I don’t?” You whimpered.

He suddenly walked towards you, his steps were careful and cautious. “I’m sorry that this is happening to you.” He spoke, his voice unsure if he’s using the right words or not.

A black handkerchief is suddenly in your still blurry vision. It dawns on you that Diluc is offering you his clean handkerchief to you in order to wipe your tears away.

You hesitantly grabbed the cloth from him and wiped all of your tears. “Thank you… Mr. Ragnvindr.” You whispered.

“It’s the least I can do.” He spoke softly. “There’s no need to thank me.”

“...I don’t know how to repay you.” You confessed, sniffing quietly as your tears finally stopped. “You’ve bought the wedding gift, you let me grab the last grape juice in that convenience store, a-and now you gave me your handkerchief even when I’m like.. this.”

“There’s nothing for you to be embarrassed about.” He reassures you with a small twitch upward on his mouth. “Anyone would do the same if they were in my place.”

Diluc then walks a few backwards, thinking you need some space. “And you don’t have to worry about paying me back. Take these as my apology for bumping into you back then.”

You processed what he said for a moment before letting a small laugh. “You’re.. You’re still not over with that?”

You watched as he freezes.

“Are you… not mad at me anymore?”

You laughed again. “Of course not. You paying for the champagne flutes was already enough.”

The man looked as if he found out one of the universe’s biggest secrets, an image you would’ve been amused at had it not been the fact that you’ve been crying.

“…But if you say so, then I’ll take them all as your apologies.”

Suddenly, the elevator lets out a “Ding!”, signaling the two of you that you have arrived on your floor.

To be quite frank, you honestly didn’t think Diluc would come and escort you back to your hotel room since you thought he'd go back to his own hotel room as well, but you didn’t bother stopping him since none of you talked again as you headed towards your hotel room.

It wasn’t until you saw how Diluc faced the room across from yours when you realized he wasn’t following you.

“...” The both of you stare at each other when you realize one new thing about the other.

“So,” You trailed off.

“...We’re neighbors.” Diluc finishes, unsure whether or not the universe is playing with the both of you.

“..Goodbye Mr. Ragnvindr.”

“Goodbye as well, Mx. ( Last Name ).”

You then place your hotel card in front of the lock, entering your door immediately once the door is opened.

When you entered the room, you found Zhongli looking in your direction with a knowing look on his face, acting like a mother catching her child sneaking off from their house in the middle of the night.

“Nothing happened?” He asks.

You hesitated for a moment, and your mouth twitched upward, the reason for your now puffed up eyes was slowly forgotten.

“Actually.. Something did happen. I just met our neighbor!”

DAN’S NOTES !

“ You then encountered Miko(1) ”

i have decided to refer yae miko with “miko” instead of “yae” to prevent people from misreading it as “you” and because it’s much easier for me to type miko instead of yae (since i sometimes accidentally wrote “you” instead of “yae”)

1K notes · View notes

versadies · 3 years ago

Note

hii congrats on ur 3k milestone!! :3

this is my first time requesting so i’m super excited here’s my order hehe

shunshine sprat + five pickled treasures + sakura mochi and pops teas + dango milk anddd mustard!

thanks so much :D

right where you left me. — albedo x gn!reader

‿୨♡୧‿︵ BON APETIT MY FELLOW CUSTOMER ! ︵‿୨♡୧‿

name of order. RIGHT WHERE YOU LEFT ME.

date. albedo ( w/ gn!hanahaki-disease!reader)

receipt. sunshine sprat (albedo kreideprinz) + five pickled treasures (hanahaki disease) + sakura mochi and pop’s teas (angst with comfort) + dango milk (normal) + mustard (drabbles) with extras of reader having the hanahaki disease

spices. angst/comfort, hanahaki disease, mentions of blood, mentions of fainting, ooc (?), mentions of death

ingredients. in which you suffer a rare disease and have to choice between your love or your life.

vip list. @scaraslover @saving-for-xiao @dawgimsohot @kazu-topia @chiruru @aqualesha @renamichii @hoshikistarlight @shenhesl0ver @serami00 @serenareiss @hiqhkey @emperatris-rinaka @bystander36 @irisxiel @coleluuviida @034ven @dear-dairiess @luv3rxcha @hadesaedes @chiro-chiro-kun @hersscherofyatta @mariusvonhangme @yuzuricebun @nejibot @hoshikistarlette @solaaresque

chef’s note. hope you like this, comrade !! im honored to be the first blog u requested to <333

3k milestone masterlist | main masterlist

you always liked flowers.

there was always something about them that pleased your eyes. maybe it’s the colors that make each flower stand out from the rest on display whenever you walk past floral whisper, the way it makes mondstadt beautiful during festivals where people use them as decorations, or how they remind you of someone.

they remind you of albedo.

he’s pretty, just like them. he stands out, just like them. he grows, just like them. he’s admired, just like them. instead of its aesthetic that you admired from flowers, it’s the fact that they all reminded you of the chief alchemist that won your heart, just like how they too won your heart.

you were grateful that there are a lot of commissions from the adventurers’ guild that can take you to dragonspine, the place where the alchemist often goes to for his personal laboratory. you honestly could care less about the fact that the region is also one of the most dangerous ones known around mondstadt, but you didn’t care. besides, you have your pyro vision with you to help you warm yourself up from the freezing temperatures.

on occasions when you’re doing the commissions in the mountain, you often mine starsilvers and pick resources that you think would be helpful to both albedo’s paintings and experiments, using that as an excuse to stop by and chat with him.

he’s quite a charmer, you thought. though, not in a way like the cavalry captain that could make most ladies around the city swoon from it, but in a way that made you all the more fall in love with albedo more.

even if he’s just talking about the ways of life, paintings, or even his experiments, when you asked him to indulge himself with that soft-spoken voice of his, it charmed you completely.

he’s undeniably nice as well if need be. whenever you come by, he’ll immediately offer you a chair nearby and let you sit by the fire, knowing that you’ll be staying with him for a while to keep yourself comfortable from the cold. he also sometimes cooks up food for you if the both of you stayed longer than intended in the laboratory, and you could instantly hear wedding bells as soon as you first tasted his foods. how could a man be so perfect?!

you didn’t mind if his feelings for you were unrequited, your crush was just a small one anyway so it wasn’t a big deal.

until it became one.

it was one morning when you found yourself instantly waking up from something that’s rising towards your throat before you rushed towards the bathroom and tried to puke it out, only for you to be horrified at the sight of blood-covered cecilias on the sink.

it can’t be, you thought to yourself, covering your mouth in disbelief. how is this possible? how did i get the disease – wasn’t this just a small crush?!

it wasn’t, unfortunately.

as gods and visions exist in this world, so does the rare disease called the hanahaki disease: the disease of unrequited love. it’s not a common case to get it, but it’s one of the most severe ones that can be easily gotten for someone who falls in love with someone so badly. it doesn’t happen unless the love that the victim has is that strong and if the victim is unsure if the person receiving such affection returns the feeling.

due to this, this led to many people trying not to think about being in an unrequited love in fear of getting the disease.

you feel like a fool for assuming that the disease won’t get to you.

after the discovery of your hanahaki disease, you decided to go for easy commissions from the guild to collect your thoughts.

you cringed to yourself when you felt the flowers inside of your body whenever you inhaled, the petals and leaves brushing your ribs and lungs. you couldn’t help but shudder when you thought of the possibility of getting those prickly flowers instead of cecilias.

more importantly, was your crush on the alchemist not as small as you thought?

you genuinely thought it was. though, you can’t blame yourself for it since you never had a long-lasting crush on anyone with intentions of confessing since you never had such affections for anyone else until now.

that’s why you can’t bring yourself to try and go to the cathedral to get rid of the cecilias that began to sprout in your body.

you’ve heard of the consequences if one were to choose the removal of the cecilias. you either die from the flowers, or get it treated with the price of losing your feelings forever. how cruel could this world be for such a tragic fate?

you can’t afford to lose your feelings that just made you the person that you are. wouldn’t this mean that you’ll never get to experience the happiness you feel from flowers and from albedo? how could you fall in love with someone else after this?

that’s why you have decided to confess to someone about your condition.

“...oh.” is the only thing that came out of kaeya’s mouth after you told him about the hanahaki disease.

you let out a sigh, leaning back to your seat as the both of you wait for your meals in good hunter. “yeah… i didn’t know who to talk about this with since i’m sure they’ll just be too worried about my health to not answer my question, so i want your honest opinion about my situation.” you explained.

“so, what should i do if i don’t want to lose the only thing that makes me feel human?” you asked.

the cavalry captain stays silent for a moment to think deeply, his face unreadable.

“i’m not one to fall in love so easily,” he spoke casually, placing an arm around his chair. “though if i were to be in your shoes, i’d confess to the person first to see if there’s hope for me to let my feelings stay.”

“..and if the person doesn’t reciprocate your feelings…?”

“then i’ll have the surgery,” he answered. “there’s nothing else left to do than to either die or lose, and i’d rather lose than to lose my own life from something like this.”

you nodded slowly in understanding, though his answer doesn’t satisfy you.

before you could let the words come out from your mouth, you suddenly felt a cecilia rising up your throat once more, causing you to immediately cover your mouth with wide eyes.

kaeya seems to be taken back from your reaction. “are you alright?”

you didn’t manage to reply, feeling yourself dropping to the concrete floor from your seat as you cough out more cecilias, not caring about the sounds of people around you gasping at such a gorey sight.

you suddenly felt a cold hand on your back as well as a large shadow looming in front of you, and you realized it was kaeya who was covering you from people who were watching, causing you to continue coughing out more bloodied flowers to the ground.

unnoticed by you, however, a certain man was watching the scene from afar with his mouth open agape.

as days flew by, your condition and worries started to grow.

the current gossip around mondstadt is how the hanahaki disease has now been reported after not hearing the case for more than twenty years. if it weren’t for the cavalry captain talking to every single person who had witnessed your embarrassing outbreak, your identity would’ve been leaked as the poor victim who’s in an unrequited love.

just like the first day of your disease, you continued to do easy commissions that didn't require you to do much physical combat, and you couldn’t find yourself to visit dragonspine for albedo. what if he sees the flowers and finds out that you like him? wouldn’t he just lie about how he liked you back out of pity?

of course not, you knew albedo too well to not do that. he’d probably try to find something that could help you tolerate the disease if he were to find out about it. but you’re honestly too scared to test it and confess, not when you could risk both your feelings and your friendship with the alchemist.

how could you live without being able to feel and without someone such as albedo to make you feel happy?

it didn’t help that kaeya’s answer started to haunt you when you lay down on your bed at night to slumber, your stomach sinking whenever you thought about it.

there’s nothing to lose when you’re about to lose everything, but it’s scary to take the leap.

when a week had long passed, you started puking out flowers more frequently than ever, tears started to form in your eyes from the pain of cecilias coming out from your mouth one by one until you could breathe properly again. it was starting to become more brutal and you hated it.

it led you to no longer be able to do commissions peacefully without puking out flowers. you couldn’t hold the petals in like back then, and you could not afford to let people see your crisis again, not when those pity and horrified gazes made your stomach feel sick.

you still haven’t visited dragonspine either.

you assumed albedo must’ve been relieved that you’re no longer visiting his laboratory to bother him, because now that you have nothing else to do much, you realized how a nuisance you must’ve been to the busy alchemist.

it hurts your heart to think about him.

“stop thinking about him,” you mumbled to yourself, placing your hands on your heart as you stared at the ceiling with an empty expression. “you’ll only continue to hurt yourself in the end.”

even when you tried your best to not think about him, you couldn’t escape even in your own dreams, a reality where you’re with albedo and not suffering from the disease that you despise. deep down, you dearly missed visiting the cold region and its quiet atmosphere. you missed the feeling of a welcoming cottage that’s in the middle of nowhere when you arrived at his laboratory, the sight of the light from the fire nearby that illuminates albedo so beautifully that made you smile, the random topics you could think of for you to talk about, you missed it all.

“you should tell him,” kaeya told you one day when he visited your home, the usual smirk plastered on his face was no longer there. “you’re getting sicker and sicker everyday, you have to do i–”

“i can’t.” you spoke, your voice cracked as you looked down at the ground in shame. “i… i can’t bring myself to tell him. he must’ve been happy i’m no longer bothering hi–”

“he recently came up to me yesterday,” he interrupted. “he was looking for you.”

your breath hitches, looking at the cavalry captain in surprise. “why? does he need me to look for some–”

“he said you haven’t seen him for weeks. he wanted to see you to check up on you.” you immediately noticed how the blue-haired man brought out a wrapped item from his pocket, gesturing you to take it. “you should open it. it’s a gift from him.”

your heart beats in anticipation, and you hesitantly took the gift away from his cold hands.

kaeya then faces sideways. “i’ll leave you alone to open it, but i suggest you to meet him and tell him the truth before it’s too late,”

“because for as long as i know that man, i had never seen him being so worried until that day.”

the gift is a brooch. a handmade one.

made with perhaps the finest ores of mondstadt, albedo managed to create a beautiful brooch that matches you a lot. you honestly felt teary-eyed when you first saw such a magnificent jewel displayed.

it was the final push that made you finally decide to talk to albedo.

it seemed as though celestia’s on your side, because when you went past good hunter on your way to dragonspine, you came across to albedo, who was chatting with timaeus by the alchemy stand nearby.

“y/n?” he called out, the words he was supposed to tell to the man across from the alchemist died in his throat when he saw you.

you try to smile. “can we talk privately?”

albedo nodded without hesitation. “of course, i apologize for the sudden excuse, timaeus.”

the brown-haired man smiled reassuringly, giving you both a thumbs-up. “it’s no problem for me, i’ll be waiting for you.”

the chief alchemist nods in gratitude before he gestured to you to take the lead.

hence how you find yourself sitting by good hunter once more across albedo, who’s been staring at you ever since the both of you sat down.

“...listen,” you spoke up softly. “i.. i’m sorry that i didn’t visit you for weeks. i’m going through something that i want to talk to you about.”

“it’s alright,” he replied with a gentle look on his face. “i’m just glad i get to see you again. you can tell me anything.”

you hesitated for a moment, staring down at your lap. there’s nothing to lose, you reminded yourself.

“...i love you, albedo.” you said, looking back at the blonde-haired man with a serious look on your face. “i realized it way too soon, and.. i-i understand if you don’t return the same feelings, i just want to continue this friendship if you allow it.”

you could hear your heartbeat beating so loudly, you thought albedo could hear it too. you just hope those stupid cecilias in your body won’t ruin the time right no–

“i’m sorry, y/n,” he said after moments of silence.

your breath hitches, feeling your heart dropped.

you knew it.

“i’m sorry but i– Y/N!” albedo immediately stood up from his seat as you felt light-headed, your vision fading to black as you found yourself slowly leaning to the side. ah, you must’ve been at your limit now.

i’m sorry albedo, you thought to yourself as your body hit the ground with a loud thud, feeling the flowers starting to creep up to your mouth once more. i’m sorry you had to see me like this.

i’m sorry i wasn’t brave enough to do this sooner and sacrifice my feelings.

you slowly regained consciousness after feeling like you’ve been in the sea for so long.

the first thing you saw was the light, then it was the white ceiling, to be followed by the light coming through the stained glass windows of what appears to be the cathedral.

how are you still alive–

“y/n?” you flinched when you heard the familiar voice of the man that you last saw before everything went black, causing you to look at the doorway and see the disbelief chief alchemist standing there.

“..albedo?” you called, wincing when your voice was hoarse. “what happened?”

“why didn’t you tell me you had the hanahaki disease?” he asked, walking towards you. “you should’ve told me sooner–”

“i didn’t want you to pity me like everyone else.” you said, your hands slowly rose to your throat when you realized you could no longer feel the flowers inside your chest. “did you–”

before you knew it, you felt his arms wrapped around your upper body, causing you to gasp in surprise.

“you shouldn’t have scared me like that.” he spoke in a tone you couldn’t recognize. “you had no idea how… how worried i was when you fell down before i could even finished what i said – i thought i was going to lose you when i didn’t had the chance to say i love you back.”

your eyes instantly widen from his words.

“...you…” you stumbled on your words, trying to process what he had just said. “you love me back?”

he nods without a question. “of course i do.. i didn’t realize it sooner until i found myself missing your presence when you didn’t come by for a week.”

you shut your eyes closed. “i thought i was bothering you…”

“never,” he said as sincere as he can. “you could never bother me. not when i always looked forward to your visits. i even learned many recipes just so i can cook any food you want.”

your heartbeats grew loud as you feel your cheeks warming, and you slowly wrap your arms around him as well with a relieved sigh. “...i’m sorry i scared you like that.”

you feel him hugging you tighter, but not enough to make you feel like you’re suffocating. “just don’t do that again.. i don’t want to lose you.”

and at that moment, you felt like you can finally breathe now.

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