#i think i've posted ab this before but i can't find it so idc

[stpansy]

something i'm haunted by is patrick saying that church is the one song that properly conceptualizes mania as an album. patrick. patrick you can't say that to me

[icecoolcryodude]

humanistic value.

hey slay queens, kings, and other royalties this is not my first fic ever but this is my first cross-posted ao3 fic! read it here<3

I couldn't help but explore the dynamics between my team (esp Shenhe and Ayato!) and mixing that with the trend on tiktok ab ur genshin team sleeping together so... why not!

also fair warning, I impluse wrote this at 11pm and tried to make it as pretty and poetic as possible so pls dont judge too hard LMFAOOOO p.s.: the implied isnt rlly like a... thing. can b romantic or platonic idc.

A moonlit night shines upon the inside of the teapot, a wanderer and the face of a clan already asleep; they've kept each other close, sharing their bodies' warmth. A hand brushes over the blonde wanderers face, brushing back the strands of hair that cover their dozy eyes. The blonde shifts ever so slightly, closer to the other as the hand retracts, almost frightened about what it had done.

"Shenhe?"

A voice beconds from the doorway, the eyes of the commissioner locked onto the woman standing before the others as he continues forth. 

"...What are you doing?"

The hand of Shenhe clenches at their newly acquired "tee-shirt", her eyes stuck on the two slumbering bodies. "Merely observing." The words crumble from her lips, her muted words hitting the commissioner, Kamisato Ayato, easily. "I see." Is his only response. He soundlessly shuts the door, his eyes going from the two to Shenhe.

"Is there a particular reason for your observation?" Ayato asks, his eyes drawn to his sister, the face of his clan; and his friend, the wanderer. Shenhe shifts slightly, her hand shaky as they reach for the sheets. They tenderly pull it up over the other two, leaning in before they release the covering. "...I've never seen mortals sleep."

"Oh really?"

"...Yes. I… They look so... peaceful; maybe I should sleep on the floor…?"

Her words are poised like a factual question, but Ayato has seen this type of thing a thousand times. It wasn't fact, or logic, or anything of the sort. It was feeling. The blossom of expression that Ayato couldn't help but admire from this woman.

"No, don't." His words are effortless, but they pierce through Shenhe like her own polearm. They stand there silently, as if... nothing had been said at all. "...But my-" "Aren't you tired?" He'd soon find that her expression had intensified, her brows furrowed as she held the ropes around her wrists. She stayed silent, Ayato soon turning to tuck himself in before…

"I'm cursed, yet you don't care?"

Her words ring out to him, his eyes slowly dawning back to the taller woman as he comments, "No, should you?"

Her hands are trembling, the expression on her face unwavering as they stare down at their painted nails. They couldn't speak, they couldn't find the words to describe the emotions soaring through their head as Ayato slowly caressed her hand.

"You have nothing to fear, one night isn't going to hurt us."

Shenhe looks back to the commissioner, her mind surging with thoughts before muttering, "I warned you."

Their hand slips away from his, slowly lifting the abundant cotton covering and slipping under it next to the wanderer. Their back is turned to the hydro-vision man, staring at the other two as the wanderer sleepily brings Shenhe closer. Her hands feel frigid compared to the others, and they can't help but think about the calamity they'd bring to the others. That is until they feel the commissioners body press against their back, his arms wrapped around their waist as he rests his head on her shoulder.

"Isn't this a little close for your comfort, Ayato?"

The blue-haired man chuckles, smiling as he replies, "Maybe… but I don't mind." His breath tickles her neck, but they don't react at all. They try to just… relax. Almost as if meditating within the strange comfort of everyone's touch. But oddly enough… they feel the commissioners cheeks still pressed again their skin, grinning.

"Ayato?"

"Yes?"

"...Why are you smiling?"

The smile falters, the exorcist can sense it. But now… his eyes link to her again. His lips only slightly parted before he whispers, "...This is nice. I'm happy I've gotten to experience this with you."

The exorcists hands now rest upon his arms, eyes slowly shutting as they finally whisper back,

"...Me too. Thank you."