#inazuma fanfiction

[the-moons-tears]

Scaramouche x reader (Spiderman au)

GUYS GUYS SPIDER-MAN SCARA BRAINROT EIFJEJDCKKEFM gods i CANT

Hot emo spider boy grrr

Not very spicy (a bit at the end) this is pretty much just a plot that I enjoyed writing about

Preview:

"all you have to do is keep your pretty eyes open, and try not to fall behind."

Blues, greens, whites, and reds zoomed by the eye coverings on your mask. Noises from the city and its traffic flared up in your ears and ended as soon as they came. The sharp wind whipping your hair around, and the feeling of your suit moving with your body made you feel alive.

Your hands moved methodically in a pull up, release, and shoot cycle. The strong webbing that was naturally formed in your body shot out through a tiny slit in your wrist, and the cut in your suit fabric made it easy to shoot out of.

The ground seemed so far away every time you launched yourself up into the night air, but became almost touchable when you let gravity take you back down. Your lungs took in large amounts of air and released heavily through the mask fabric.

When you arrived at a certain large skyscraper, you began your ascent. The webbing that flew out hit the glass panels which you used to propel you upwards. The noises from the city below grew quieter as you neared the top roof with the internet tower sitting in the middle.

Your hand grasped the edge of the building and used your upward force to swing over the ledge onto the roof surface. Standing upright, the wind hit you and blew your hair away from your face showing you the view that you never got tired of. The city looked so small from there. Leaning over where you just came from, this was definitely the tallest building in your city.

Planes overhead made their presence known by the blinking lights that were flashing from their bodies. Above them lay the stars, although you couldn't see them because of the light pollution. The silence, even though so many things were happening, was always strange. It just showed how high up you were. The wind was your only company with its occasional howl coming from any direction.

Although, your solitude didn't last long. A cold sensation ran down your spine and an instinctual alert inside your mind told you something was coming. A figure, black as the night above came so fast at you, you didn't have time to react.

In a tangle of arms and at the speed of the impact, you and the figure crashed into the part of the roof that led to stairs to the floors below. A loud grunt came from the figure beside you when their head hit the wall.

Your own body had slammed into the stone pretty hard. Obviously it was much worse for you since the impact sent you into the wall first. A strangled gasp for air escaped your lungs after it had been knocked out and you fell to your side with your vision spinning. Rough hands turned you over, ripped off your mask from your face, and grabbed you over your mouth. The other hand held your shoulder to the ground.

Above you, the figure, who you figured was a male, was breathing hard. The hand over your mouth gripped hard, and your attempts to speak failed. In your panic, you shot webbing onto his face with your free hand and kicked him back once you got a leg up from underneath him.

Immediately once you had enough free space, you made a dash for the edge so you could jump off. Alarms went off in your mind again, making you duck in time to see a web shooting overhead at what would have been your neck. The next one, however, you couldn't dodge in time.

White webbing caught your ribs and pulled you to the man again. Before you could blink, you were wrapped in web that was holding you in all directions. You couldn't move, and your mask that protected your identity lay away from you on the ground. When you finally were still, you could see clearly who he was.

Short violet hair moved in the wind revealing a black mask with purple and blue iridescent web looking designs interlacing it. The body suit also had the same design. The person's mask ended at their hairline, letting the bangs that were there fall over it. Everyone had seen him, he was quite famous although no one knew his real identity. The savior of teyvat city, spiderman.

He ran a hand through his hair rubbing the spot that hit the wall and let out a long sigh. "I really wanted an easy night tonight..." the man ran his hands down his face and walked toward you. Without gentleness, he grabbed you face again and tilted it how he pleased.

"What the hell-do you always treat people this way?"

"Well most people I come across that have any sort of power aren't exactly wishing the city a merry Christmas."

Fair. From what you had seen, every time he made an appearance was when a supernatural threat was in the city, like that one battle with a giant lizard you saw on YouTube. You'd seen what he was capable of, and that he probably didn't have any intention other than protecting the city, so you decided to be compliant.

For a bit, he was silent. He brought a hand up that had your webbing that was on his face on it, and his silver eyes on his mask narrowed.

"I watched you swing up here from a distance before attacking you. You shot this from your wrist."

"Yeah, I'm guessing you want a backstory?"

"Normally I wouldn't care, but your web is the same make as mine. It's not coincidental." He then waved his hand for you to speak.

You simplified the story as needed in your head, and begin to tell about your spider experience.

...

You were in college enjoying your student life when it happened. With your university being so close to ILDOTTORE Inc., a lot of students came to study in the sciences, you being one of them.

In one of your leisurely afternoons at the campus park, you were sitting on a bench just looking at the wind blow through the trees when you felt a sharp pain on your hand. The pain continued to spike when you pulled your hand up and shook it. Looking at your palm, sitting there was an iridescent spider that had its fangs lodged in your skin.

It looked abnormal for sure. Its eyes were bigger and it's legs were longer. A strange symbol was marked on its back, almost like an experimental number you would put on test subjects. Without a thought you immediately slapped the spider.

When it didn't come off the first hit, you took off your shoe and pressed it to your hand, not caring about the dirt because the bite hurt. When you got the spider off your hand, you relaxed thinking you'd definitely killed it.

Feeling something moving on your thigh, you looked down and jumped from your sitting position with your hand swatting at your thigh. The spider, with one less leg now, was crawling up your leg until you swat it off.

"Oh hell no, die hoe." You took the shoe that was still off and put it quickly back on your foot. As the spider was speeding away, you chased it a couple of steps from the bench and stomped on it like you'd never put your foot on the ground before. After twisting your foot back and forth on the spider, you took your shoe off an examined if it was really dead.

It twitched only once even though it was completely crushed, but that was enough to smush it again until you were only looking at a black smudge on the concrete path.

Ever since that day, you had to stay in your apartment with a sick excuse because of the changes your body was undergoing. The pain was blaring. Your hands would stick to things randomly, and your vision would shift from regular to being able to see through walls. You felt feather light, could move faster, and jump higher.

The strangest parts were the fact that you could shoot webbing from openings in your wrists, and that you would get a strange feeling when something was about to happen. Your reaction time had heightened and your body molded itself into being fitter.

After days of change and determining that the spider gave you those powers, you found ways to control your new abilities. You even made yourself a suit from your webbing. After school days, you would practice in a remote alleyway what all you could do. Swinging around and climbing walls wasn't as hard as you thought. Watching videos of Spider-Man's fights also gave you some tips on how to move well. You were around one month into your new experience before this incident.

...

"So that's where it went...And you made sure 100% that you killed the spider?"

"The only thing left was a blot on the ground. Pretty sure it's dead."

"Great. My two problems have been cut to one."

You wondered if the problem he was referring to was you and the spider. You were correct.

"So can you let me out now?" You wiggled the only movable thing your body, which was your hands. Spider-Man laughed sarcastically and stepped backwards to sit onto the edge of the building. The wind picked up swaying his hair, and his eye pieces on his mask moved in a gleeful expression that you knew had a teasing glint in them.

"Nah, you can get out yourself. You're the same as me right?"

The same? You huffed and looked around you spotting the places his web connected to other structures that held you in place. Angling your hands in the direction of the connection, you shot a web and held on to the end. Your web connected to the place his was stuck on and you pulled with your hand as far away as you could.

His web snapped off, letting one arm loose. From there you broke yourself free from all the webbing. Walking with your back turned to him, you picked your mask up off the ground, moved your hair out of your face, and put it back on.

Suddenly, you felt a web come in contact with your back. Turning around, you saw that spiderman wasn't there anymore. A long web was quickly sliding down off the edge, and you noticed too late that the web was connected to you.

With a scream, you were yanked forward and launched off the building. Looking down, you spotted Spider-Man diving down with the web that held you in one of his hands. When his fall had reached around half of the buildings height, we shot a web from his free hand and began a swing.

"You better shoot a web, I'm gonna let go!" Although most of his words got lost in the wind, you got the message. As soon as you shot a string, the web on your back became loose. You quickly yanked it off your back and swung with your other hand to catch up to him.

You synced up your swing timing to match his, but as soon as you did he changed direction. you caught up to him stopping on a building top where he hung off the side waiting for you.

"You're slow." Indigo hair blew in the wind and his head tilted. His arm hung out in the wind beside him while he held onto the edge with his other.

"Well maybe I would have caught up faster if someone didn't pull me off the tallest building in the city. Secondly, I'm still knew to this whole thing." You landed a bit below him with a web holding you to the building. The man above you laughed and spoke in a haughty tone,

"all you have to do is keep your pretty eyes open, and try not to fall behind." His hand left the edge letting gravity take him. Diving after him, you followed him through narrow alleyways and under highways. It was hard to see him because his suit was so dark, but the iridescent colors on his chest guided you.

You didn't know why you were following him, or better yet why he was indirectly telling you to. Chasing him around in sporadic movements soon became easier. It almost felt like he was training you.

At one point, he disappeared from your vision. Coming to a stop in a dark street where no cars were coming, you looked around. A sharp zing went off in your head, making you turn around in time to see a web come in contact with your face. The mask attached came off and your hand shot up to cover your face.

"Hey! You don't know who's around here, and there may be cameras in this area!" You yelled out in the direction the web came from with your hands over your whole face.

"If you can't block a simple thing like that, and by the way that wasn't even an attack, you're not going to survive fights or the media." A sultry voice spoke near your left ear.

You turned pretending to not be surprised by his sudden closeness. "What are you even talking about-"

"You think you can go back to normal society with these powers? You're already all over the media from swinging around tonight with me."

Spider-Man shoved your mask on your hands that cover yourself and you quickly put the mask back on. When you remove your hands, the first thing you see is a phone screen reading,

Another spider joins Spider-Man? Two swinging figures seen around teyvat city tonight, watch the video footage!

With narrowed 'I'm-not-having-it' eyes, you looked at him behind the phone, "you did this on purpose didn't you."

"The point is, you're now obligated to protecting the city whether you want to or not. It would be better if I trained you so you don't end up wasting your abilities by dying early."

My gods. Everything was happening so fast. Your hand came up to rub your temple through the mask because of the headache that rose.

Your hands went out in a calm down motion. "Ok ok give me a minute. I'm in college and I do have a lot of time, but how am I going to balance these two things? And how on earth are we going to meet up, to quote you, train?"

"Well I make it work with my classes. We can set a schedule for you to meet me at the building we first came in contact."

You mean the place you nearly busted my head open you thought to yourself before you caught an important detail in his words.

"You're in college?" You pause and look at Spider-Man who has his arms crossed. Silence before he spoke,

"No-"

"Oh wow you're younger than everyone thinks. I thought you were like 30 or something."

"Do I sound anything like thirty?" He said aggravated as he shot another web in your face making you take a couple steps back and struggle to get it off.

From that spot, you both worked out a plan to meet up three times a week on the tallest building roof. The first few weeks were rough, and they made you realize how tasking his job was. His training was rigorous, but you caught on fairly well. There were a couple times you went to grab his mask in hand to hand combat, only for you to fail and for him to flick your forehead. You tried making conversation, to which he didn't necessarily ignore you, but he kept his answers short and vague.

"So what major are you in since you won't answer which college you're at?" You poked his shoulder from where you were both sitting on the edge of the building.

"I'm an art student..."

"Actually?" You leaned forward and peered into the eyes on his mask. He nodded and went on staring out at the city. "What kind of medium do you like to use?"

"Charcoal most of the time. Occasional graphite or spray paint."

"I'll have to see some of your work sometime when we're not training. I really enjoy art."

"hmm..."

Over the next few times you two met, Spider-Man would let himself be more carefree with you in your now frequent conversations after training on top of the building. On one of your more tiring training sessions, a thought came into your head. This is merely training, what about real fights. Getting beaten and bruised with the media filming all of it. Was it ever lonely or stressful all by himself?

When you both sat down on the edge, you asked the question.

"It is lonely, being the only one in this position? Saving the city all by yourself?"

"It...was lonely, but now I'm too preoccupied dealing with your annoying ass to be like that."

"Aww, did my 'annoying ass' fill the void in your heart?" You exaggerated the last bit and poked his shoulder.

"Pshh." He pushed your poking hand off of him and tried to shoot a web at you again, but you dodged it. When his hand shot the web, you took the opportunity to try to grab his mask again. It had honestly become a thing to tease him with.

This time however, was different. He just seemed to sit there and let your hand wrap around the edges of his mask, taking it off and exposing his face. His hair whipped around in the wind, the violet bangs brushing his forehead. Long eyelashes and eyes that blinked slowly, almost teasingly so. His irises, like the color on his suit, but with depth and a color you could only describe as mesmerizing. Skin soft and a rosy pair of lips that parted slightly as you took the mask away. You almost reached out to touch him.

"Your eye pieces are wide open, what's the matter~?" His hand extends a bit and closes your slightly open mouth. He doesn't even bother to take the mask back from you, and instead just leans back on the ledge and throws his head back. Adam's apple moving as he swallows slightly.

"Uh-" you cleared your throat and tried looking at him again to speak, but when you did his eyes were locked with yours making your lungs close up.

"Scaramouche."

His voice brought you back. "What? Like Bohemian rhapso-"

"My name dumbass. You can use that instead of Spider-Man. Of course, not in public..."

You took off your own mask and set it beside his that now lay between you both. The wind felt good on your face, you hadn't taken it off in a while up there. There was a silence that hung from that point. You both rested there in your seated positions, and scaramouche could have sworn he heard you try out his name on your tongue.

...

The next month was peaceful. Winter break had begun, so you were able to rest at your apartment and spend more time with scaramouche. He actually started letting you into his life. You learned where he went to college and got to see a lot of his art projects in his own living space, although he kept some of them hidden from you for reasons unknown to you. Of course, you couldn't leave him alone about them and would always be trying to search for them when he wasn't looking.

"Hey, what do you say to getting a drink at- what the hell do you have in your hand?"

You stood there at his sketching desk, with papers that made your eyes wide. On the parchment, were graphite sketches of...you. The way the details on your face were so accurate made you blush furiously. All those times he would just seem to stare at you when your mask was off, was he looking so intently so he could draw you? The answer was right in front of your face.

Gods you were in deep. Not only did you develop feelings for him when you started training, but seeing this made you realize it was probably not one-sided.

Quick footsteps came behind you and a hand reached out to take the papers from you. Turning to him, you were surprised to see scaramouche's face close to yours with glaring eyes and a red that reached his ears.

"Did I not say that you weren't allowed to see those?"

Nothing came out your mouth. Your lips only parted to try and give an apology, and you didn't miss the way his eyes flicked down to your parted mouth. His eyes said so much, but you could see there was a fear in them as well.

...

After that incident, not much was said between you. The very next day you met on the tallest building once more. It was the day that you two would spar, like every other time right?

Wrong. You were both distracted. Every grab on your arm shot electricity through your soul, more than before. The same could be said for him. The distraction caused an accidental blow to the face, which knocked your mask off.

"Ah shit, are you al-" his voice cut short. You were leaning back against the wall behind you that he first encountered you on. Your chest was heaving and visible breath from the temperature came from your mouth. You looked too good to him in that moment, so he let his desires take over.

"Yeah I'm good...it just knocked my mask off-" a strong grip pushed you against the wall.

"Hey what-" Looking up at him, you saw his hand reach up and rip off his mask, his violet hair messily flowing around. He threw it to the floor before grabbing your face and smashing his lips on yours.

Your hands instinctively grabbed his suit turtleneck collar and pulled him into you. He wasted no time pushing his tongue past your lips and putting his body flush against yours. Surprised sounds left you as you could barely breath. He was desperate, hungry, and could no longer hold himself back.

The drawings were his only cope to deal with the feelings. Gods he was scared, scared that you would want to end the whole partner thing if you knew. Now all those doubts dissipated when he felt you meld your lips back with his when he tried to part your mouths.

Hands ran down your ribs and to your waist. His fingers were gripping you with need, and his mouth kissed you with abandon. Scaramouche never wanted to take his lips of yours, not after he'd waited so long gazing at you, watching the way you tried to do what he did, and feeling your covered skin when you fought.

Neither of you needed to breathe. You believed you could be sustained solely by each other's lips.

Only after several minutes of pure bliss in each other's mouths did you break apart for much needed air. You gasped and panted, and scaramouche did the same. He rested his head on your shoulder in the aftermath, just feeling your warmth that enveloped him despite the cold winds.

"Want to head to my apartment? We can um...continue there if you also want to-"

"Yes.”

You blushed when his hands wrapped around you and his face turned to kiss your jaw.

"I wonder if the media would like to know that Spider-Man is a romantic."

"Shut up..." He gave a slight laugh and slowly drew away from you. His eyes were clearly glazed over with a need for more, but he'd save it for when you were both warmer in your home. After picking up your masks off the ground, you both quickly made your way to your home where you couldn't stop scaramouche from starting to kiss your nape and skin before you even got into your apartment room.

[a-998h]

Hey! 🍉-Anon here! I’ll just make a quick SAGAU request!

If (Reader)’s culture resembled one of the Seven Nations? How would everyone react? Like I would think that the people and characters would constantly be boasting about it, and always showing off

And it would be worse if (Reader) showed favoritism to that one Nation, or characters that come from there or dress/act/etc similar to their culture

I think (Reader) would constantly ramble on about their culture, and days later the whole place is decorated in items remade by the characters to resemble their culture and make (Reader) more comfortable

And (Reader) always visits that Nation, and the always spends time with the Archons and other characters

That’s all I’ll write, so have a good day!

- 🍉ANON

Thanks for the request 🍉 ANON, I love hearing from you!

so, for those new to Genshin or haven't been in the fandom for a long time there is some important context about the nation's that I need to share.

Mondstadt is based on Germany

Liyue is based on ancient China

Inazuma is based on ancient Japan

Sumeru is a mix of ancient Egypt, India, Persia, and Mesopotamia

Fontaine is based on France

Natlan is is a mix of Pre-Columbian Latin America, Sub-Saharan Africa, and Oceania

Snezhnaya is theorized to be based on Russia.

The historians of Teyvat always debated over which nation/element came first. So, you having a culture similar to any of the seven nations would settle that debate. But then there wod be debate as to why that particular element was created first, so your culture closes one door and kicks another one down. You will be asked questions by said nosy scholars and historians, because merds will get answers even if it kills them.

The characters if that region would feel great pride in knowing that their nation and its element was supposedly the first to be made by you. The archons would handle the news with great maturity, and I'm kidding. The archon of that region you share a culture with would kind of brag about to the others in however way they see fit.

In order from most to least mature we have, Tsarita, Raiden, Nahida, Zhongli, Mavuika, Furina, and Venti.

Now, as humans in both Genshin and reality, we are more drawn to people we have a connection with. You favoring characters from. The region that shares a culture with you would be something you do unconsciously, not even seeing it as favoritism, but instead as connecting with those culturaly similar to yourself.

When it come the shrines, the one in what they consider your "home" nation, who be decorated upto the nines with traditional furniture, rugs, etc. In the other shrines, there would still be the culture of which ever nation it's in, but also some elements of decoration from the nation they assume is your "home".

Your rambles about your culture back home is what the nerds like to hear. Everyone sees your real life culture as an ancient culture that was the founding blocks for the nation that closely resembles it. The characters will let you ramble on, some take notes, some ask questions, and some don't understand but listen along anyway because they know it makes you feel better.

Your hang out days in your "home" nation is a real treat for the characters as you and them can bond over clothing, custooms, food, etc. The characters outside your culture will be more than happy to listen and follow you as you drag them around the city to show them your culture.

Overall, it makes Reader a little less homesick, gives characters more understanding on how to make you happy, and gives at least on archon bragging rights.

[dizzyjaden]

❝ I heard a cry. ❞

Kaedehara Kazuha x gn! Reader

♤ Summary: The reader reflects on their losses from the vision hunt decree that is active in Inazuma and meets someone they did not expect.

♤ Warnings: Suicide, death of family members, maternal mortality, depression, isolation, Stab wound, burnt skin, overall disheartening tone, angst

♤ A/N: Take care of yourself today <3 Kazuha loves you

⋆｡°✩

⋆｡°✩

March 15th...

Days always blurred together living rurally off the land. Time passed slowly but life moved quick. There was a certain beauty in the black ink markings scrawled along your calendar. You mark off another day with a brush. Forever the beginning of your daily routine. Check off the previous day you pulled yourself through. Acknowledge that time is still passing, no matter how slow. Then, get your chores done. Everyday is the same.

You have to keep yourself alive. Therefore, you have to keep the animals on your farm alive. You can't help but feel envious of those who live without trying to live, those who are cared for. You debate each morning between rotting in your bed or feeding the chickens because honestly, rotting seems easier than most things as of late.

Trudging down the stairs, you glance over the railing at the dining table made of wood crafted by your father. He was usually stationed there in the mornings when you woke up, preparing breakfast for the two of you. Occasionally, he'd get to work earlier than you would if there was something that needed to be repaired or urgent tasks that needed to be hurried. No matter, he'd always ensure there was a plate of food on the table by the time you came down.

You haven't been greeted by those plates of food in many mornings, by now you feel you should be accustomed to it, but you simply can't help expecting him to be there, or that plated signal of his presence. Rather, You can't help but hope. Of course, neither are there and you are once again served with the reminder that he is not coming back.

Food, you need food.

When your father passed, he didn't go without previously teaching you how to take care of yourself. You didn't grow up spoiled by any means. He had you working the moment you could walk. It's what you attribute to your optimism. There is no way you can give up when he worked so hard to keep you alive.

So with that, you are cracking an egg over a pan heated by the stove in your kitchen. You really don't need much. You find yourself entranced in the feeling of heat that the stove radiates. Inazuma is cold and wet. It's easy to forget you are shivering. You close your eyes, focusing on it as it calms your body. You love the feeling of warmth. It makes you recall the first time you used your pyro vision.

It was an enthralling experience, and you found yourself shocked at how even though the flames emitted from your hands were unpredictable and violent, the heat felt no different than the heat of a sunny day. It was a typical sensation. It always unnerved you how natural the feeling of heat from open fire was, coming from a dangerous source, you expected it to be different. Now, you consider how if your house caught ablaze while you were asleep, it would only be a comfortable sensation until it was too late.

Sometimes, you did hope your house caught on fire. You hoped every single horrific event that happened within these walls became ashes and singed every painful memory from your head.

Catching the scent of smoke, you clench your fists. The ability to produce flames given to you by your vision, you practiced your elemental skills so often you can almost feel it in your palms, the fire, the heat, the smell of smoke, it's all so close to you.

Then when you open your eyes, you realize it isn't close at all. You simply got so lost in thought you burnt your egg. Your eyes widen at the sight of your ruined breakfast. Then, something completely unexpected happens.

Tears roll down your face, but no sob leaves your throat. You discard the egg as you silently cry, the reality of your situation always hurls itself upon you in moments where you almost feel comforted. It was simply too fast, everything happened too fast. And now you are left with an aching heart, and a wasted egg.

You wipe away the inconvenient tears on your cheeks and sigh. Crying does nothing to bring back your parents, or your vision. Sometimes, you wonder if this dread weighing on your back is due to the loss of your vision, or merely grief. Likely both. You wonder if there are people out there who relate, people out there who fought to keep what was bestowed upon them by Celestia. You know your father would have if he had any time to prepare. Instead of receiving word of the vision hunt decree as soon as possible like the city folk did, Shogunate soldiers appeared on your doorstep one day completely out of the blue.

After you and your father had your visions revoked... He changed. You both changed. Your father became depressed, anyone could see that. His ambition and livelihood disappeared. He became unmotivated, cold, and quiet. It was as if taking his vision took a piece of him out, and you suddenly couldn't focus on your own pain anymore, you had to take care of him. You had to make sure the two of you survived, there was just no other choice.

Your efforts made no difference. Eventually, his despair swallowed him and he just could not take it anymore. He gave up. That night, you buried your own father. You buried him right next to the spot on the ground where long ago he buried your mother, who was not strong enough to keep you both alive when she gave birth to you. Now you fight to hold yourself together, and it makes you angry. Everything about it makes you angry.

What you witnessed in your father made you lose hope. The loss of a vision is something he couldn't bounce back from, so why would you be able to? However, you are still here, trying. You know that's worth something.

You have spent too much time this morning reminiscing. You must pull yourself through this day too, just like all the others and all the ones to come. You give up on the idea of breakfast, your appetite is gone.

Back up the stairs to dress yourself, you throw together your outfit and pull on a haori that once belonged to your father. Larger, to bear the cold chill in the air while the season neared winter. Down the stairs once more, and you place the sugegasa you keep by the door upon your head, finally heading out to tend to your chores.

You walk down the steps your father built down the hill your humble home rests on. It is difficult to find joy atop your isolated little mound on the earth, but the birds still chirp and the breeze still blows. The leaves on the trees tightly encasing the pathway down the hill brush your arms. It is serene, and worth maintaining. First, you'll care for the animals, then tend to the agriculture, then you will-

Cough

You stop descending the hill in an instant, and all the muscles in your body stiffen. You slowly turn your head and peer into the trees to your right where the noise was sourced with a wide-eyed gaze. Your farm was a part of no village or community, it was in the middle of nowhere, built by your family. You had only seen maybe two different people who knew your father visit the farm in the last two decades.

The voice sounded male. You rack your brain for absolutely anything you have on hand to defend yourself with. The best choice seemed to be your shoe, but even then you'd have to pack powerful force behind that attack to do any real damage, force you weren't sure if you were capable of. You consider running back to the house.

Cough

He is not visible where you are standing, but he sounds close. You can pinpoint where he is. You're completely aware of which tree he is behind. The one with the widest trunk, hiding him completely from sight. Something holds you in place, keeping you from attacking or fleeing.

He sounds pained.

Quietly, you approach, hoping to catch a glimpse of him from an angle. You walk into the woods, focused on keeping your steps silent. Slowly, he comes into view, as you tip-toe around the tree he is propped against. He has pure white hair, that is what catches your eye first. The next thing is his sword. Lying dormant next to him on the ground. You pause.

He is armed. Even if he is injured you won't win in a fight with him using your shoe and it would be idiotic to attempt that. Caught in a debate with yourself, you remain under the belief he does not know you are there, until he speaks.

"H-Hello?" He murmurs, looking around as if he somehow sensed your presence. As his gaze finally locks on you, you freeze in fear, but you are quick to the realization that he is just as scared, if not more.

You were correct in your suspicions. He is injured. He clutches his side which you can only assume has been wounded. Unless of course, this is all some kind of act to draw you closer.

"I am... No threat." He forces out as if reading your mind. "I'm sorry for intruding. I had to stop running somewhere... Please allow me a few more moments to compose myself... I will be gone by evening, I promise."

You are at a loss for what to do. He's hurt, obviously hurt. There is no more doubt in your mind about it. The strain in his voice is something difficult to fake. Naturally, you wish to help him. However, he mentioned running just now. Running from what, you do not know. But whatever it is might still be chasing him, and that means trouble for you if he remains in the vicinity.

All the same, if he leaves there is absolutely no guarantee he'll survive. There's no telling how bad his wound is and civilization is far away from where you are now. The odds are against him. So, you need to make a decision on whether or not you care now.

You sigh shakily, still tense.

"Who are you running from?" You ask quietly. He appears nervous at your question which instantly raises your guard again as he restates what he already said.

"I will be gone by evening-"

"Who are you running from?!" You demand, cutting him off. He flinches.

"Shogunates." He speaks shakily. "But I swear to you I have done no wrong."

"Then what have you done?" You inquire. "Where are you even coming from? You must've run a long way."

He lowers his head and entrusts you with a sight that genuinely shocks you. He holds up a crudely bandaged hand, loosened around the wrist and practically falling off which allows you to see the deep burns in his skin. That isn't what takes you by surprise, what really leaves you speechless is the glowing anemo vision he holds in between his fingers. Just like that, you understand and sympathize with him in a single moment.

"They are difficult people to lose..." He sighs, dropping his arm back into his lap. "I'm not sure how long I've been running, honestly."

You cannot let the poor man bleed a moment longer, you finally allow your guard to drop and you approach him, he eyes you carefully as you do, still unsure of how you took that information he just gave you.

"I have bandages and disinfectant back in my house." You say, offering your hand when you are in front of him. He stares up at you quietly, then a grateful smile stretches across his cheeks. He pockets his vision, picks up his sword, then takes your hand before you help him off the ground, supporting his weight while you begin to help him up the hill.

"T-Thank you for this." He says, his voice growing more and more hoarse by the moment.

"Save your energy." You advise. "You're clearly exhausted. There is no need to thank me."

He is quiet for the rest of the time it takes the two of you to reach your house. Thankfully, you didn't get far down the steps before you noticed him. When you are inside, you bring him to the living area and help him onto the ground against the wall.

He cranes his head to watch you as you disappear into a different room, then offers you another grateful smile when you return moments later carrying in your arms a bottle of clear liquid, a cloth, and four rolls of bandages.

You kneel in front of him, laying out your supplies. You finally take a closer look at the wound on his side, which seems to be a stab wound from a sword. You sigh.

"So, you are... On the run? How long has that been going on?" You ask curiously, eyes wide as his extravagant upper body attire intimidates you. You decide to start by removing the black and red scarf adorning his neck.

"Well..." The white-haired boy begins. "Recently, actually. I do not make a show with my elemental abilities, so I likely could have flown under the radar when the vision hunt decree struck. However... I won't go into detail, but let's just say I was spotted with my vision. I fled. Ever since then, it's been constantly battling each and every day. I couldn't tell you exactly how many days it's been... They seem to... Blur together."

You gasp at his choice of words, staring at him in stunned silence for a few moments before you move on to unbuckle the strap around his torso.

"I... Completely understand." You nod. "It seems you are struggling to survive."

He shakes his head and wraps a tender hand around your wrist where you were fidgeting with his clothing.

"I am struggling to live..." He corrects you. "There is a difference between surviving and living. I'd rather die than just... Survive."

He removes his hand from your wrist and sighs sadly.

"Losing a vision changes a vision wielder. They lose their ambition and drive. It is... Terrifying."

You hum in agreement as you take off the armor on his shoulder, inspecting it curiously for a brief moment before setting it down. You pull the edges of his kimono out where they are tucked in at his waist and begin untying the knots keeping it nearly folded across his chest.

"I have seen it... And experienced it." You tell him. His eyes widen as he processes your words, while you narrow yours. "Do not feel sorry for me. I have not given up."

"What is your name...?" He asks in a hushed voice. "I'd like to remember it, if that's alright with you."

You are finally able to remove the cloth covering his upper body, you take care to fold it neatly and place it to the side. His entire torso is already covered in scars, some older, some newer. The wound in his side seems to have already stopped bleeding from how long he must have been clutching it, but it is still gruesome.

"(Name)." You supply, loading your solution onto the cloth you brought. "This might sting."

"(Name)..." He whispers. He sucks air in through his teeth when the solution makes contact with his injury.

"And you?" You ask, trying your hardest to be gentle as you brush the small towel over his punctured skin.

"Kaedehara Kazuha." He strains a smile. "Kazuha, If you please."

His name is a pleasant song on your ears, so surprisingly fitting for someone of his kind personality.

"Kazuha... The sound reminds me of autumn." You muse. "When leaves fall."

You begin to wrap bandages around his midsection, he appears to be growing more and more tired. His head tilts lazily to the side and his eyes fall half-lidded.

"When I'm done, you can rest." You tell him. "There's two bedrooms in this house, one is unoccupied. You should stay until you are recovered."

His eyes immediately widen in surprise again.

"No... You've already done so much." He shakes his head. "I will not overstep by taking up your space."

It has been a long time since you've spoken to another human being, you don't really want to voice it to him but you are lonely. Now that you've chosen to believe he is trustworthy, his presence is comforting. You almost want him to stay.

"That's how you will repay me for helping you." You say sharply. "It's not like I want to give you shelter, I just could use some help around the house and farm."

You tie the bandage you wrapped around him off and meet his eyes, he seems to be working your request through his head.

"I see... So you want me to help you, then." He contemplates. "Well... There is no way I can refuse. I shall stay as long as you need me to, then... Thank you."

You hum in satisfaction and then you take his horribly bandaged hand to hold it up on display in front of him.

"Did you do this yourself?" You ask humorously. He smiles bashfully.

"Suppose I'll have to indebt you further, then." You say with an air of confidence, unwrapping the bandages. "How did you get a burn like this?"

"Ah um... Perhaps that's a story for a later date..." He says regrettably. You worry you might have crossed a line with that question, but you shrug it off.

"Alright then... Sorry."

"No worries." He says quickly. "It is only natural to be curious about things like this. I am also curious about you."

You urge him on with a nod, he looks slightly saddened.

"Well... When I sat to rest by that tree you found me at... The wind carried such a tragic sound to my ears. I heard a cry."

You pause and stare at him in surprise.

"A cry? It couldn't have come from here." You say quietly.

He shakes his head.

"I did not actually hear someone crying... Nature has a way of communicating certain things to me that others will not pick up on." He explains. You are positively confused by his statement.

He smiles.

"Forget it. I suppose what I am really trying to ask is... Are you alright?" He asks sympathetically.

You bite your lip, which causes his smile to drop. You practically jump out of your skin when his free hand grazes the side of your face, then moves to brush your hair behind your ear.

"I'm sorry..." He whispers.

A subtle blush spreads across your cheeks at his affection, unused to the feeling of someone else's hand.

"It's um... It's not your fault." You say, turning away from the contact. "I'd rather not talk about it... Let's just get you fixed up."

To your relief, he seems completely okay with remaining quiet as you fix the bandages on his hand. His silence carries through you helping him up the stairs and into your father's abandoned bedroom.

"I feel... Useless right now." He expresses when you assist him down onto the futon. "I hope I am not burdening you. I will do whatever I can to help as soon as I'm capable."

You blink in surprise, having forgotten you made that demand.

"Oh... Yes, of course." You nod. "For now though... You should focus on resting."

He smiles and nods.

"Right... Goodnight then, (name)."

Something about the way your name sounds in someone else's voice never stops taking you by surprise, the idea that you could be perceived by others is so foreign, when you are mostly the only one who knows yourself.

You smile, the pitch black darkness of isolation that once kept you blinded felt more dim than dark now.

"Goodnight, Kazuha."

You believed that in your lonesome void with nothing for sound to bounce off of, any cry you let out would go unheard. But you aren't sure now as you think back to his previous claim. Someone might have been listening after all...

[starbunii]

I FINALLY PULLED GOROU SO CAN I GET HCS OF USING HIS EARS TO CALM HIM DOWN AFTER A NIGHTMARE OR WHEN HE'S REALLY ANGRY BY SCRATCHING AND PETTING THEM OK THANK YOU BYE /AFF

# . ears 𓂃 ♥︎

𝜗𝜚 ┈ gorou x reader ! ｡

notes: AHHHH CONGRATULATIONSSSS IM SO HAPPY FOR YOU!!!! I HOPE U LOVE LOVE LOOOVE PLAYING HIM, HES SO CUTE <3

oneshot ノ fluffノgn! reader ノcanon universe

second person pov !! please enjoy! ˶ᵔ ᵕ ᵔ˶

-- ♡ --

He couldn't fall back asleep. Not after the dream he just had. He was left all alone; you were nowhere in sight, neither were his men, or any of his friends. Even Miss Sangonomiya was missing. Normally, being by himself wouldn't be such a big deal to him. He was used to it, finding confidence in whatever solitude he was forced into. But this seclusion felt so much different. This time it felt...lonely. Cold. Everything around him was destroyed; a shell of the beautiful island it was mere moments ago. The sunshine turned into the remnant of a battlefield in seconds. Naturally, he woke with a start, immediately making sure you were still in bed beside him. Luckily, you were; resting peacefully, not knowing the fears lingering in his mind. His ear twitched as he curled up ever so slightly. He laid back down, but he obviously couldn't fall back asleep. It still felt so lonely, even if he was awake now. Gorou let out a small whimper, gently nudging your back with his head. He felt pathetic, groveling for your attention in this way.

But he couldn't help it. Something about that dream just..made him ill at ease. He couldn't understand why... Maybe it was how quiet everything was...the way the wind wooshed in his oh so delicate ears, wishing that it would be replaced with your voice; the sweet, soft sound that always helped him to relax. Instead of a desolate village that had been overrun with the violence of battle, he longed to see your face. The way your nose crinkled whenever you smiled, the lines on your face showing how much you enjoyed one of his ironic jokes...anything about you would've helped in this case. "Gorou...?" You were finally awake, turning to face him. He prayed to the archons that you didn't notice the tear tracks on his face, or the way his ears were pressed flat against his head. Of course you noticed. You just weren't gonna say anything. "...Bad dream." He nodded, trying so hard to ignore the way his voice cracked. "Mm...do you wanna talk about it..?" You carefully sat up, trying to shake off your grogginess. Once he shook his head, you nodded, hugging him close to your chest. "Just..." He sniffled. "I'm sorry...I don't want to put so much pressure on you..or force you to support me..." "Honey...I'm your partner. I want to support you.." You gently rubbed the inside of his ears, cooing softly to him. "I love you...you do the same for me, don't you? I like helping you.." "Mmhh..." He groaned softly, his tail beginning to thump against the bed. He loved this; the feeling of your hands gently tousling through his hair, rubbing his ears with such sweet, gentle tenderness. After such a long day followed by such a horrible dream, this is exactly what he needed. Exactly it. After a few moments, he was already laying back in bed, letting out loud whines and soft barks as you continued to pet him, tail wagging swiftly against the sheets. He was finally smiling, giggling and yipping like a newborn puppy. After a while, the cuteness aggression finally took over, causing him to pounce on you. He gently nipped you, taking in your scent with whimsical glee, adoring the pets you were still applying on his head. After letting out all that energy...he was finally back asleep in your arms, snoring peacefully.

starbunii 2024 — all rights reserved. do not redistribute or translate to any other platforms

[dishashazz]

guys guess who wrote a 24k word fic for kyoumasa day, went to publish it on ao3 only to find out you have to wait a week to register an account on it. that was. me. i did that. the fuck do i do now

[it-happened-one-fic]

Loneliness - Ayato

Author Notes: This is one of those things I have weirdly powerful feelings on. I've always felt like, no matter how busy he was, Ayato would never neglect his partner. I really can't say why I have such powerful feelings and thoughts on this matter, but they are most certainly the sole inspiration of this fic. As per usual, reader is gender-neutral. I hope you enjoy!

Type: Gender-neutral reader/ fluff/ does this count as pining/ established relationship/ light angst with comfort

Word count: 1107

I sighed, slipping into Ayato’s office and setting down off to the side. And I felt ridiculous. 

We’d both been going about our work for most of the day as we usually did, and yet I was suddenly struck with an intense pang of loneliness. It had already been the better part of the day, and I’d only really seen him at mealtimes.

And now here I was. Behaving like a child and slipping quietly into his office to be near him without actually having the courage to tell him what was wrong.

I eased myself into a seated position in the corner of the room, doing my best not to disturb him as I busied myself with the book I’d brought with me. But my mind wasn’t truly on the words that scrolled across the page, welcoming me to pay attention to them rather than the thoughts that swirled frustratingly through my mind. Reminding me of how ridiculous this really was. 

Because here I was, a grown person, yet seemingly unable to keep myself busy without falling prey to such powerful loneliness. 

It wasn’t like I was all alone after all. Ayato was in the house, and so were Ayaka and Thoma. It was just that we were each going about our own work, just like we always did.

So why on earth did I suddenly miss him so badly?

It was utterly childish to feel this way, and I felt myself frowning at my book. Trying in vain not to make my feelings obvious. Because then I would just be bothering him.

Ayato was busy and had important work to do. He was the Yashiro Commissioner after all. His actions directly affected the country of Inazuma, and he served as an example to everyone with even an ounce of power.

And on top of that, he was also the head of the Kamisato Clan, which only increased his duties and the importance of him being able to get his work done. Me being needy would just be one more thing for him to deal with. 

In the end, I really shouldn’t have even come into his office since I could easily bother him.

“And what seems to be the matter?” I looked up, all but peeking over my book at the young man who stood in front of me. Looking down at my kneeling person with a smile.

He’d spotted me in record time and had abandoned his work in favor of checking in on me with stealthiness that made me wonder if he’d been a ninja in a past life.

 But Ayato knew perfectly well that my coming in here while he was working was an obvious sign that something was up.

I shut my book carefully, letting it rest on my lap as I looked up at him, smiling calmly as if nothing were out of the ordinary, “Nothing.”

The lie slipped out immediately, even though iI really didn’t know why I felt the strange need to lie. It was just that somehow, and for some reason, I didn’t want to tell him why I was in here. And it was silly, because even if Ayato teased me, I knew he would listen and accept my words.

He knelt in front of me, his sleeves puddling on the ground, looking calmly at me as he tilted his head in an oddly knowing fashion, “I can’t help if you don’t talk to me.”

I faltered at his words, realizing far too late that I never should have tried to hide something from Ayato of all people. Being perceptive was practically his job.

I still shook my head though, my smile shrinking as I looked away from him, “It’s silly.” 

Wry amusement crept into my voice as I spoke, half-confessing to my own childishness.

Out of my peripheral vision, I could see him shake his head, somehow staying patient with me despite my behavior, even though I couldn’t find it in me to be patient with myself, “If it’s bothering you, then it isn’t silly.” 

I sighed at his words, finding myself surrendering a little bit too easily to him, “I just felt lonely all of a sudden, and I missed you, so I came in here. That’s all.”

My admission was soft as I looked back towards him, but his frown was almost immediate. It was a small expression, but a genuine one. 

Ayato’s poker face usually consisted of a polite smile unless he was dealing with a particularly weighty situation where a smile simply wouldn’t do.

He held my gaze, his light purple eyes focusing solely on me as he spoke, “And… Is this a common thing?”

I felt myself smile as I shook my head, reassuring him gently, even despite the atmosphere that had gradually turned more weighty, “No. If it were, I would’ve said something.”

He nodded, but the frown remained on his face, and I knew what was causing it. It was the reason why I’d immediately started scolding myself for coming in here.

 No matter how important his work was, Ayato would always put those dear to him first. And I knew, without a shadow of a doubt, that number included myself.

I was still smiling, though sadly, as I continued, “I’m sorry. I knew you were busy and I didn’t want to bother you, but-”

He shook his head immediately, his tone turning more firm, “You aren’t bothering me. Your needs could never be a bother.”

His frown deepened slightly as he looked down at where he’d now taken my hands, his voice dropping so that I had to lean forward to hear his next words, “I’m only sorry that you think that could be the case.”

His head slowly lifted so that he was gazing back at me once more, “You can always come to me when something’s bothering you. No matter how inconsequential it may seem to you and no matter what I am working on.”

His grip tightened slightly on my hands as he finished, affirming what I already knew, “You will always be more important than my work, Y/n.”

I nodded, my voice coming out small. Like I couldn’t get any volume with all the emotions swirling through me at his honest, kind words, “I know, Ayato. I know…”

I smiled almost feebly at him, and he nodded, a slight smile of his own appearing on his face before he pulled me towards him and into a hug. causing me to melt slightly as I leaned against him.

To think I could feel lonely when there was a man like this by my side.

[kiyamahirotoff]

So, with the final team poll posted let's get to the point, shall we?

yeah I know you know who Aphrodi is, but seeing his godly face is not that bad for you right?

[2baddiesfanfics]

Desperate Times Call for Desperate Measures

Pairing: Ei x Miko

Tags: Injury, Injury Recovery, Vaginal Fingering, Hurt/Comfort, Caretaking

Summary:

After Miko is injured in a hunting accident, Ei is enraged. Once the guuji manages to calm her down, she persuades her to take her back to Tenshukaku for the sake of her recovery. As a reward for her progress, she then convinces the Shogun to indulge in a different kind of "healing" activity.

Read on Ao3

The frigid air of the Inazuman winter bit into the Shogun’s face as she raced through the city. Minutes before, a messenger had broken past her guards and burst through the doors of her office in Tenshukaku. Normally, she would have had him arrested immediately, but the news he carried bought him forgiveness.

“Your Excellency! I’ve been sent by Doctor Shinzou to tell you Lady Guuji Yae Miko has been gravely injured. Please come quickly,” he had informed her.

As soon as the last word left his lips, she dashed out of the room faster than a bolt of lightning. Her imagination ran wild, concocting nightmarish images of what she might find as she wove through crowded streets to reach the physician’s office. Frightened nurses turned to look at her in shock as the doors to the building flew open.

“Where is she?”

“Your Excellency, please…be still. She’s alright, I assure you,” an older woman explained as she approached her. “There are other patients here that require a quiet environment and a doctor’s steady hand. I’ll take you to her immediately, but I must warn you…it was quite the accident. She may not be fully conscious at the moment.”

Hearing this nearly made Ei heave. Knowing she had to remain strong for both their sakes, she simply nodded and followed behind her. The nurse stopped at one of the sliding doors and opened it for her.

The Shogun audibly gasped at the sight before her. Her companion lay asleep, her fur-covered ear matted and bandaged. A deep purple bruise had bloomed at the base of her neck and disappeared under the surgical gown she wore. One of her arms was wrapped in a sling and bound tightly.

“She’s lucky to be alive, you know. I’ll leave it to her to fill you in on the details. For now, just…talk to her. Let her know you’re here,” the nurse instructed before giving them some privacy.

Ei stumbled over to the seat next to the bed and took Miko’s free hand in hers. When she heard the door shut, tears poured down her face as her whole body shook from the force of her sobs. It was then she felt the kitsune’s fingers twitch against hers.

“Mmm…E-ei? Is that you? Oh, Archons. I told them not to tell you.”

“Miko! Gods…what in the seven hells…what happened?”

“It wasn’t his fault…” The Shogun’s sorrow quickly bubbled into a quiet rage at the revelation of the fact this was no mere accident.

“Wasn’t whose fault, Miko? Who did this to you?”

“I’ll tell you, but you must promise me you won’t do anything rash before I finish explain-”

“I will murder him. I don’t care what the sorry excuse of an explanation is. I will make him suffer for eternity, and then as he begs for forgiveness, I’ll rip his throat out to silence him.”

Miko chuckled at her girlfriend’s overreaction. “Ei! Calm down. It was partially my own fault. You know how every now and then I get the urge to um…get in touch with my kitsune side? Well, I had transformed and was running through Chinju Forest when a hunter who was out with his dogs caught a glimpse. Thinking he could make a profit off such a gorgeous pelt - and I don’t blame him, I mean, look at me! - he fired off a few rounds and sent his hounds after me.”

The Shogun’s grip on her hand tightened as she told the story, causing her to wince. “Ah! I told you, it’s not his fault. I suppose any hunter worth his salt wouldn’t think twice to apprehend a fine specimen such as myself,” she said with a sly smile.

“It’s not funny, Miko! You could have been killed! You’ll reveal his identity to me at once. That’s an order.”

The guuji rolled her eyes, thinking on her feet for a way to distract the woman from decapitating a man who was just trying to make a living.

“Look, Ei. Sitting around in this hospital room is dreadfully boring. How about instead of seeking vengeance on my behalf, you use the power you hold over your subjects to bring me home with you? I could use a vacation from the shrine.”

Ei was not amused. Shaking her head, she responded, “I swear, Miko. Your blatant lack of regard for your own well-being weighs heavily on my heart. How am I supposed to rule a nation when you’re out scampering through the woods? Please…why can’t you be more careful?” She choked out.

Using her free hand, the kitsune cupped the other woman’s cheek. “I’m sorry. The wildness in me cannot be tamed, as you very well know,” she said in a mischievous tone. “Perhaps bringing me back to Tenshukaku with you will help me see the perks of restraining those urges, hmm?”

After much debate with the doctor, the Shogun was able to convince him to have Miko moved to the palace for the rest of her recovery. Since Ei often worked long, sleepless nights, the guuji had all the time she needed to rest as attendants waited on her hand and foot.

While she wasn’t about to complain about receiving the princess treatment, days passed without her getting much more than a “How are you feeling?” from her lover. If she was going to be stuck in bed for days on end, it was time to take advantage of the situation.

“Good evening, Miko. I just came by to say I hope you sleep well. I’ve still got some decrees that need signatures on them but wanted to check on you for the night.”

“Are you still working? Ei, you may be worried about me, but I’m worried about you. Look, my ear is almost completely healed, and you can barely see the bruise on my neck anymore. My arm’s still got a ways to go, but I’m fine, dear. Please…come to bed with me tonight.”

“…I don’t think that’s a good idea.”

“Oh for Archonsakes! I’m not made of paper, Ei! I’m grateful to your attendants for catering to my every whim, but what I need now is you. My body may be a bit worse for wear, but knowing you still want it will make me feel better.”

The pleading way she looked up at her softened Ei’s heart. She was right. Miko had been following the doctor’s orders religiously and really hadn’t made much of a fuss since she arrived. Since she had been on her best behavior, the Shogun figured it was time for a reward.

Gently sliding into bed next to her, she whispered, “You know what? You’re right. You’ve been a very good girl.” The kitsune’s injured ear must have been feeling better because it very noticeably twitched at the seductive purr of Ei’s voice.

“I’m glad you see it my way,” Miko whispered as she leaned in for a kiss.

Before the Shogun acquiesced to her unspoken request, she continued, “…but I’m going to be very careful with you. You’re still recovering and the last thing we need is for you to strain yourself. Do we have a deal?” Ei’s thumb lightly stroked her girlfriend’s bottom lip as she waited for her response.

Miko’s tongue darted out to lick the digit. “Sometimes slow can be nice. Let’s call it an exercise in self-control.” The Shogun was ready to put her own carnal needs aside, but the vixen was making it much more difficult than she thought it would be.

“Fair enough,” she responded as she gently positioned her to sit in her lap. The guuji turned her head, her lips seeking the warmth of Ei’s. The two mouths moved softly against each other as the archon’s arms encircled her waist. Carefully shifting her pink locks away from her neck, the Shogun kissed the now yellowing patch of skin there.

Miko let out a quiet sigh as she basked in the feeling of her lover’s hands now seeking access to her chest from behind. She rested her head on her shoulder, fully relaxing into her touch. The trust they shared only made the moment more intimate.

“Let me know if I’m hurting you,” she murmured against her flesh, her fingers gliding through the seam of her bedclothes to find her nipples already taut.

“Mmmm far from it, love…” The Shogun made sure she wasn’t moving too quickly as she didn’t want to disturb Miko’s arm in the sling. Her hands kneaded at a steady pace, causing her to mewl with pleasure. Ei felt a sudden twitch in her lap and noticed the kitsune’s tail had emerged - a sure sign she was enjoying this.

“Such a good little fox. You’ve been through a lot these last few weeks. I can tell you’re excited to feel my fingers inside of you again,” she whispered against her non-injured ear before giving it a delicate bite. The combination of her words and actions made her spread her legs wider, urging her girlfriend to take advantage of the position.

Ei laughed darkly. “My, so eager. You’re lucky I have to take it easy on you tonight. Had you not been injured, I would have drawn this out much longer,” she taunted while sliding one hand between the other woman’s thighs. Miko’s breath hitched at the feeling of the Shogun’s slender fingers slipping across her already-soaked folds.

“Ah! Please, Ei…”

“Shhh, shhh…I know, dearest…I’ll make this quick, I promise.” True to her word, she knew exactly what would drive her to the edge almost immediately. The soft pad of her fingertip rubbed soothing circles against her clit while her other hand pinched her nipple in short, firm pulses.

“Archons…Ei…fuck, fuck, fuckkkkkkk!” Her hips jerked as her orgasm overtook her and the Shogun held her firmly to ensure she was supported.

“Are you alright? I didn’t cause you any pain, did I?”

“Quite the opposite. I actually feel better than I have in days,” she said before kissing her on the cheek. “But now it’s my turn.”

Turning around, she carefully sat between Ei’s legs. The archon looked at her inquisitively as she sat propped up by the pillow.

“Miko…please. You don’t have to worry about me. I’m fine. This was supposed to be for you,” she protested.

“Oh shush!” The kitsune pressed her mouth to hers to keep her from arguing. Ei swallowed her words as the guuji slipped her hand between her thighs and gathered the wetness already collecting there.

“This doesn’t look like ‘I’m fine’ to me. Don’t be so selfless. It doesn’t suit you.” She easily inserted a finger and her girlfriend moaned deeply in response.

Kissing down her neck, the sly fox bared her fangs and nipped just hard enough to leave indentations on her tender skin. She slowly added a second finger and Ei bucked her hips, desperately seeking more.

Pumping in and out at a steady pace, Miko bit down on the Shogun’s shoulder before sliding her thumb across the sensitive bud nestled between her thighs. Fighting to keep her shaking legs from crushing her injured lover as she neared her release, Ei wrapped them around her waist.

“That’s it, dear, come for me,” Miko murmured, her words in combination with her strokes causing her girlfriend’s hips to rise off the bed as her orgasm overtook her. The Shogun slumped back against the pillow, a thin sheen of sweat coating her brow.

“See? That wasn’t too hard for me, now, was it?” Miko chastised before pressing a sweet kiss to her lips and snuggling back into her lap.

“You’re the only person I know who’d want to have sex while injured. It must be those kitsune genes. Just…do me a favor?”

“Anything for you, dearest.”

“The next time you get a ‘wild urge’ to take a jaunt through the forest…please don’t turn into your fox form.”

Miko huffed stubbornly. “You’d rather I run around stark naked?”

“If it means you’ll come back to me safely…desperate times call for desperate measures.”

[stellas-et-abyssum-vincite]

Accidental Proposal ~ *Arataki Itto*

Summary: He loves you. He loves you so much he wants to marry you someday. Of course, as the two of you stargazing, he can't help but let it slip. Please say he didn't ruin the surprise!

Pairing: Arataki Itto X G/N!Reader

Genre: Fluffy Oneshot

Word Count: 1035

Warning: Arataki might be OOC?

Masterlist

It was paradise. Life with you was nothing short of pure perfection. You were considerate, charming, and cute. The perfect significant other, if Arataki does say so himself, and he does, all the time. He wouldn’t trade what the two of you had for the world. And he knew you felt the exact same way.

Currently, you are cuddling together, watching the night sky overhead. His arm is over your shoulders and you’re practically buried into his side. A blanket is pulled up to your shoulders and you look so peaceful and cute. He can’t keep his eyes off of you. Have you always looked this perfect? Is he just now seeing your true beauty? Could he fall in love with you even more than he already had?

“I can’t wait to marry you.”

The world stopped for what felt like an eternity. Arataki felt you freeze after those words and he couldn’t stop the awkward smile from slipping onto his face. He shouldn’t have said it. He should have kept his mouth shut. The others told him that he should make his marriage proposal to you romantic, and this wasn’t very romantic.

You sat up and attempted to look in his eyes. But Arataki wouldn’t look at you. He couldn’t. He was frustrated. Did he ruin the surprise? How can he salvage this? He knew he made a mistake, but perhaps it could be fixed? Maybe? He wasn’t sure.

“What,” You breathed, catching his attention. “What did you say?”

“Nothing.” He answered quickly, hoping he could backtrack easily out of the mess he made with a charming smile. “Nothing at all. Don’t worry about it.”

“No.” Your voice was firm and it made his smile falter. “No, what did you say? Please tell me what you said again.”

“I…” He stuttered. Could he say it again? It was an accident the first time. And now, you were looking at him like that and he was getting all tongue-tied, which wasn’t unusual when he was around you. But this wasn’t romantic at all! He told his gang he would sweep you off your feet when he told you he loved you and wanted to marry you. How could he fix this and make it up to you?

Gently, you touched his cheek and he all but melted under your touch, one of his hands coming up to hold it. “Arataki, did you mean it? Did you really mean that you want to marry me?”

He couldn’t lie to you. He’s never been able to before and he wasn’t about to start now. So he nodded, finally looking into your watery eyes.

“Yes, I do want to marry you.”

A small sob escaped you and, unable to watch you cry, Arataki wrapped you in his arms. This wasn’t how he planned to do this in the slightest. He had a whole big plan in mind, taking you to all your favorite spots in Inazuma before proposing here at home with the stars in the sky. He even had a ring. He was just waiting for the perfect day.

And now he went and messed it all up. How could he be so reckless and ruin it all? Did you even want to marry him? He hoped he could win you over with his sweet and thoughtful, albeit over the top proposal. But he opened his big mouth and now he just had to hope for the best. Although, now that he was thinking about it, he did do the second half of the proposal. You were under the stars at home and he asked you to marry him. But he didn’t have the ring! So it wasn’t really complete-

“Okay.”

He froze, his thoughts locking up at your words.

“What?”

You looked up at him with shining eyes and a loving smile. “Okay. I will marry you. I would love to marry you.”

An awkward laugh spilled from his lips before he could stop it. Scratching the back of his neck, he shook his head. “Can you please not answer me right now? This isn’t how I wanted to propose to you. I had this whole plan in place and everything! I want to do it right! I mean, you deserve a perfect proposal, not an accidental slip of the tongue. So, um, please don’t say yes right now. I shouldn’t have said anything. I’m sorry.”

You shook your head, placing your hands on his. “Don’t apologize! I don’t care about some big fancy proposal. All I care about is that it’s you who wants to be with me forever. I’m just surprised you asked me out of the blue like this. Surprised, but happy. I’m very, very, very happy, my love.”

“Really?” His smile became more genuine. “You’re not just saying that? You really want to marry me?”

Pressing a long, loving kiss to his lips, he melted into it. You didn’t really need to answer him. He could feel the love you had for him. He could understand that with the way your lips moved against his, it was your way of saying yes, you would marry him. And he let his worry melt away as you kissed. 

This was a happiness he never thought he’d ever get to experience. Which divine Archon looked at him and granted his wishes for this life? How had he gotten so lucky to find you and be with you? Who did he have to thank for how perfect his life had become in this very moment?

As you pulled away and Arataki looked you in the eyes, now as your fiance, he knew the answer. He would not question the good in his life. His life now was enough and he didn’t want to change it for the world, no matter what.

You pressed your forehead against his and whispered, “Does that answer your question, my love?”

He nuzzled his nose against yours. “Yes, my treasure. I love you so much, you have no idea.”

“I love you too, so very much.”

“But I’m still going to propose to you properly. I told the guys I would.”

You laughed. “I’ll make sure to act surprised.”

“Thank you.”

[lumitoiile]

gorou : [night terrors.]

☆ — tw! + content: ptsd, war flashbacks. mentions of b!00d and d3.th, and while none of it is real, reader discretion is still advised to those who find this uncomfortable. reverse comfort. gn! reader (no pronouns.) 

gorou is strong.

even with the vision decree abolished, he works tirelessly every day to protect the people of watatsumi and command the resistance. their side has experienced considerable success thus far, and the troops are as vigorous as ever—especially gorou. he's determined. he's spirited. he's undaunted. 

but even the strongest people have to be weak sometimes.

the war in inazuma is finally over...but at what cost? the outcome was in watatsumi's favor, sure, and the stolen visions have all been returned. but after everything that has been taken from them, after all the lives that were lost, how can anyone continue to live their lives as they were before? 

how can gorou return to what was before? 

the night is quiet, with only the soft breeze and the gentle rustle of leaves outside. you're fast asleep beside your pointy-eared lover, your steady breaths mirroring the rise and fall of his chest. but his mind is far from at peace. instead, he's back on the battlefield, his vision obscured with smoke and dust. the air is thick with the metallic scent of blood, and the ground beneath him is uneven, riddled with the scars of war—filled with craters, broken weapons, remnants of armor strewn across the field, and, of course...bodies. the aftermath of the soldiers who fought and fell.  

shadows twist and writhe in the dust, shaping themselves into faces he recognizes—faces he knows he's seen before. a wave of dread crashes over him, because these are faces that he had to watch fade from life. 

lives he took with his own two hands. 

they begin to move slowly, eyes hollow and void of all feeling, of any sign of humanity. their limbs are broken and bent at unnatural angles, and there are weapons lodged in places they shouldn't be. a hand claws at the ground, followed by another as they reach desperately for him. 

the fingers against his skin are cold and skeletal, digging into his legs, fighting hard to pull him down and force him onto his knees. he tries to yell, scream, say anything, but the words die in his throat. all he can do is stare into the eyes of those who should no longer be here, mouths contorted into silent screams. 

"why did you survive?" a voice rasps, echoing through the field like a ghostly whisper. the sound sends a shiver down gorou's spine, and he has to swallow down what feels like bile building up in his throat. 

"you left us to rot," hisses another, face twisted and stained with blood. 

he stumbles back, heart pounding and pulse racing. the shadows close in on him from every side. cold, clammy hands pull him lower, dragging and pushing at him relentlessly. faces swirl in his vision, shifting in and out of focus—soldiers, villagers, innocents caught in the crossfire. some he fought for; others he fought against. none he could save. 

"you were supposed to protect us," someone accuses, voice sharp and cold as a knife. 

"coward," a shadow spits, words cutting deep into his heart. "you should have fallen too. you should have died with us!" 

he wants to protest, to apologize, but they close in tighter and grip his arms. his legs, his shoulders, the weight of them all is suffocating. he can't breathe. gods, he can't breathe. hands reach for his throat, their nails biting into his skin as they pull him into the cold, unforgiving earth. "no," he whimpers, tears in his eyes as he thrashes against their hold. he struggles to free himself, chest burning with panic as they drag him down, down, down...

he jolts awake with a strangled gasp, his scream cutting through the peaceful quiet. "NO!"

the sound jolts you awake, your eyes snapping open just in time to see his trembling figure beside you. his chest heaves with shallow, frantic breaths as he presses a hand to his forehead. cold sweat dampens his skin, and a faint shimmer of tears cling to the edges of his eyelids. in all his terror, he hasn't even realized he's woken you. 

you sit up abruptly, groggily rubbing the sleep from your eyes. "gorou...?" you reach for him on instinct, frowning at the way he shakes and quivers. he barely even spares you a glance, his hand cupped over his mouth like he's forbidden himself to speak. he looks terrible. 

it doesn't take long for you to realize what's happened. nightmares aren't a particularly regular occurrence for gorou, but they're not exactly that uncommon either. they used to be worse, back when the vision hunt had just ended. when the wound was still fresh. 

"hey," you say softly, gently grasping at his arm. he flinches at first. "gorou...it's me. you're at home, see? you're safe." 

he looks over, his gaze finally settling onto you—and it's like something in him breaks. he turns to you slowly, drawn by the steady calm in your voice as if seeking shelter from the storm still raging in his mind. he's crying. he hardly ever lets himself cry, especially in front of you. 

his ears flatten against his head as he presses a trembling hand to his chest, desperately trying to soothe his racing heartbeat. "i...im sorry," he manages, voice barely a whisper. "i-it was...they were—"

your arms are around him in an instant. 

"shhh," you murmur, drawing him close and holding him tightly. you rub soothing circles into his back with one hand, cradling the back of his head to your body protectively with the other. "you don't have to explain, not right now. just breathe with me."

he leans into you, forehead slumping against your shoulder as his tears soak through the fabric of your shirt. you're not sure how long you sit there together, but eventually, his breaths begin to sync with yours, chest rising and falling at an even pace. each shaky inhale slowly brings him back to the present, away from the horrors of his mind. his tail, usually soft and calmly fluffed, is now bristling and curled tightly around his leg. you reach down to gently run your fingers along its length, providing a comforting touch that helps him ease the tension, bit by bit. 

"i'm here," you whisper, letting your voice drown out the sound of his hushed sobs. "it was just a dream, love. you're here with me. we're together, and we're home. none of that can hurt you now..."

he lets out a weary, hoarse sigh. his hands unclench at his sides, finally wrapping his arms around you and letting himself fully lean into your warmth. he buries his face in the crook of your neck, breaths evening out as your touch grounds him back to reality. the feel of you, the scent of you... it's like a soothing balm to his troubled soul. 

"i thought they had me," he says, voice catching. "they—i killed them. they reached for me, grabbed me..." he nearly shudders. "it was so real."

the weight of his words is heavy, but you just hold him tighter, enveloping him in your warmth. "i know," you frown, giving him a small squeeze. "but they can't hurt you here. not with me around. i've got you...you're safe."

he doesn't try to stop the fresh wave of tears that spill over at your reassurance; he doesn't hide the way his fingers clutch at your shirt, desperate for something to hold onto. you stay there with him, unshaken by his wavering breaths and soft hiccups. you're here to carry his burdens tonight, to be his anchor. to help him feel secure and at ease. 

"i love you," he says, his voice muffled against your skin. it tickles your neck a little, and you smile, brushing your thumb along his cheek and gingerly pressing your lips to his temple. 

"i love you, too. you don't ever have to face these things alone," you murmur, delicately carding your fingers through his hair. "I'm always here for you, remember?"

he nods, lips curling into the faintest of smiles as he relaxes against you once more. this time, he finds himself drifting back to sleep, all tension fading from his body. you carefully lay him down beside you once you've realized he's dozed off, and it's not long before sleep claims you too. the night stretches on without out anymore nightmares, undisturbed by fear. 

for now, gorou is at peace. and you, his beloved, are here beside him, watching over him as he finally rests. 

[star-girl-247]

A practice piece with the sillies

[flyiing-giraffe]

Had so much fun working on the @opmetgalazine! This piece had artwork made for it by shojo-- please go check out her stuff, she's an incredible artist!

“Iva-chan, it’s a disaster,” Bon wails, with such drama as to make Ivankov proud. “Hardly,” Crocodile scoffs. “It’s a travesty! A tragedy in the making!” Bon continues, ignoring him entirely. “Zero-chan is trying to wear a black suit to the gala!”

[irisviel101]

Rating:

Teen And Up Audiences

Archive Warning:

No Archive Warnings Apply

Category:

Gen

Fandom:

Inazuma Eleven

Relationships:

Endou Mamoru & Gouenji Shuuya & Kidou Yuuto

Gouenji Shuuya & Someoka Ryuugo

Gouenji Shuuya & Everyone

Characters:

Gouenji Shuuya

Gouenji Yuuka

Gouenji Katsuya

Endou Mamoru

Someoka Ryuugo

Kidou Yuuto

Kazemaru Ichirouta

Raimon Natsumi

Mukata Tsutomu

Mukata Tomo

Mukata Masaru

Additional Tags:

Canon Compliant

Bullying

Backstory

suicide baiting

Stalking

Character Study

Language: English

Words: 11,873

Summary:

Being at Kidokawa after the Football Frontier finals with Teikoku is not exactly Gouenji’s favourite time to be alive.

At Raimon, well, trusting others is a difficult habit to rebuild.

[it-happened-one-fic]

Peaceful Moment - Arataki Itto

Author Notes: I have finally done it! I have finally written an Itto fic! In all seriousness though, it was suprisingly to write a fic with Itto that I actually ended up fairly pleased with. I was helped along through writing this fic by listening to the song "Breathe" by Faith Hill and it definitely influence how this fic came together. I'm pretty happy with the outcome of this fic though. As per usual, reader is gender-neutral. I hope you enjoy!

Type: Gender-neutral reader/ fluff/ morning cuddles/ sfw/ romantic

Word Count: 955

I exhaled softly as I rolled over, smiling to myself at the sight of Itto’s relaxed face. Eyes closed with morning sunlight dancing across his face and feigning sleep, even though he and I both knew that he always slept with his eyes wide open.

But I didn’t say anything, instead opting to snuggle a little closer and cuddle up to him again. Relaxing as I felt him exhale as I listened to the rhythmic pounding of his massive heart and let the whole world just slip away. Leaving me in this peaceful moment where it was just me and Itto.

His arms curled around me, pulling me impossibly closer to him and causing me to smile once more as he shifted so that his chin was just barely resting against the top of my head.

“Morning,” My voice was hardly even a whisper as I reveled in the warmth that was Itto’s presence.

There was something that was always so blissfully magical about mornings spent in his arms. I felt impossibly secure, and, if possible, I never wanted to leave these moments of perfect simplicity. 

Sadly, such a thing wasn’t possible, and I knew that. But that didn’t mean I couldn’t revel in this moment.

He let out another exhale before mumbling out a sleepy, “Morning,” in a gruff-voiced reply before pressing a kiss to the top of my head. One of his hands idly rubbing my back, before he shifted once more. 

He curled in on himself, further wrapping his body around me as he pressed his face into my shoulder, “Don’t wanna get up.” 

I laughed softly at his groggy voice, wrapping my arms around him as best I could and patting him affectionately, “Then don’t, we have time.” 

He let out a huff at my soft reply, relaxing into my arms and nuzzling his face against my shoulder, muffling his response, “Tha‘s good.” 

I let my fingers comb through his hair, smiling to myself as he somehow managed to relax even further. The fact that people used to view him with fear simply due to some horns was truly laughable in moments like this when he was more like a massive puppy than a fearsome oni.

It was true that Itto was impossibly strong, but right now he was just my partner, who truly adored his early morning cuddles just as much as I did. 

I felt him shift once more as he leaned back to look down at me with a smile and gentle gaze that was often reserved for peaceful moments such as these, “Hey.”

I smiled back up at him, half-amused by this secondary greeting, even as I returned it with a soft but questioning hum.

He leaned down, pressing a kiss on my shoulder, before speaking again in a coaxing voice, “Wanna just stay in bed all day?”

I shook my head affectionately, amused by his wheedling tone, “You know we can’t do that, Itto. We have to get up and do something, even if it is the weekend.”

Itto made a protesting sound as he leaned back towards me, pressing his forehead against mine while being careful not to  knock me with his horns, “Come oooon. We can. You said we had time.”

I chuckled slightly at his impressive pouting. Letting my hand continue to trail its way through his long hair, as I forced myself to be the voice of reason, “I did, and we do. But that doesn’t mean we can just laze around all day. What would your gang do without you?”

I could even hear the grin that was visibly creeping across his face as the arm he had wrapped around me tightened slightly, giving me an affectionate squeeze as he spoke, “Take the day off. The boys’ll be fine without me for a day, and Shinobu’ll definitely be fine.”

There were times, such as now, that Itto could truly be incorrigible. But as I smiled back at him, I knew there was no way that I’d ever change him. Because just as there were times when he was incorrigible, there were also a great many moments like right now. Where I could practically feel some sort of unspoken magic floating through the air that truly made me want to just stay in bed all day with Itto, just like he wished. Melting into his embrace and simply existing by his side.

 When it came right down to it, Itto really was the only one who could get me into this state and even tempt me to ignore all my other duties and day-to-day jobs in favor of staying here with him.

But even if I was oddly swept away in the peaceful love that currently surrounded me and filled Itto’s eyes, I knew we couldn’t just stay here all day. Even if I really did want to.

“We’ll stay for a while longer, but we’ll have to get up Itto.” He pouted at me again, but I merely smiled up at the young man who never failed to bring happiness into my day, no matter how busy or idle it may be.

My hand reached up and cupped his cheek affectionately, “Hey, don’t worry, big guy. There’ll be plenty more mornings after this one that we can spend just like this.”

His expression softened and his eyes closed as he leaned his head just a fraction closer so that our noses were just barely brushing one another, “Yeah, there’ll be loads more. I’ll make sure of it even when you insist on getting up.”

I laughed at his words but nodded, knowing perfectly well that would be a promise he would keep, “I know you will, Itto. I know you will.”

[kiyamahirotoff]

I have at least another one, but I think this torture is gonna end soon

Also, again kinda spoiler so...

so please, vote for the best brother for our lovely Hitomiko-san

Ryou: Lovely? Really?

What? I mean she's cute... And I have a thing for women with strong personalities so...

Zato: Just... shut it old man.

[2baddiesfanfics]

Not Me, Not You...Us

Pairing: Ei x Miko

Tags: Angst, Arguing, Oral Sex, Cunnilingus, Vaginal Fingering, Archons (Genshin Impact), Soul Bond, Angst with a Happy Ending, Angst and Hurt/Comfort

Summary:

When Miko defies Ei during a meeting in front of her retainers, the Shogun is furious. Upset by the slight, the kitsune takes it personally and demands an apology. How will her girlfriend prove that their bond is more than just that of archon and familiar?

Read on Ao3

“Lady Guuji, that’s enough. Do not make me repeat myself,” Ei said, a strong tone of warning underlying her words. The eyes of her attendants watched nervously as the conversation began to escalate quickly.

“Your Excellency, please. You must see reason. The shrine does not require the protection of the Tenryou Commission. Would you really trust Kujou Sara’s opinion over mine? Need I remind you who acted in your stead while you were off playing pretend in the Plane of Euthymia? I can handle any pending danger, I assure you.”

“Yae Miko!” The Shogun’s voice shook the room like thunder. “You will hold your tongue. While you may be head shrine maiden, you have no experience in military matters. You know full well there’s been a rise in the number of rogue bandits around Mt. Yougou. The Grand Narukami Shrine may not be under the jurisdiction of the Shogunate, but it is still under the authority of the Electro Archon. As my familiar, you are obligated to do as I command. Unless you feel your duties must come to an end over something so trifling as a petty argument?”

The kitsune could feel one of her fangs break the skin of the inside of her bottom lip as she struggled not to snap back at her with one of her trademark sarcastic retorts. It was one thing when they were alone - in front of members of the Shogunate was another entirely.

“Ahem. Forgive my insolence, Your Excellency,” Miko replied, the Shogun’s title dripping with disdain. “But I refuse to run away with my tails between my legs like a frightened little pup. If those rascals want to attempt something so foolish, I’d prefer to take care of them myself.”

The chair Ei was sitting in pulled back with a loud screech as she stood out of anger. “This isn’t a debate. You seem to be under the illusion you have a choice in this matter. Sara will station at least four members of the commission around the shrine to ensure you and the other maidens are adequately protected in the event of an attack. This is the word of your Archon. Obey, or lose your status as my familiar. Effective immediately.”

Miko was blinded by rage. Bowing her head in an effort to hide her emotions, she cleared her throat, bent at her waist, and firmly stated, “Understood.” She turned to exit the meeting room and swiftly wiped her face with the sleeves of her kimono.

Heading back to the room she secretly shared with the Shogun when she spent time at Tenshukaku, she crawled into her futon to let her tears drench the pillow.

—————————

Worn from the emotions that had overtaken her, the guuji woke a few hours later to what appeared to be an empty room.

What am I, stupid? Of course she never came after me. What message would that send to her advisors? She’s an Archon and I’m just her…

Once again, she felt her eyes start to water. What was she to Ei? Had she really been foolish enough to think the Shogun held her in such high regard? Or was she merely a tool for her to use when it was convenient?

She flopped back down onto the pillow, her ears twitching as she contemplated how she’d approach Ei when she returned. If she returned.

“Miko? Are you still here?” The kitsune heard the familiar voice and her heart immediately slammed in her chest. Damnit. Of course she still loved the woman.

She knew things would be difficult given her status and the need to maintain her reputation among the public. But that didn’t make being with her any easier. The guuji was a strong-willed person, but it didn’t mean she didn’t have feelings.

“That depends. Should I not be, oh great and mighty Archon? Should I have immediately gone back to the shrine and prayed for your forgiveness? Oh, wait, I better ask for permission before I even consider doing so. I am just a lowly familiar, after all.”

Now that it was just the two of them alone on neutral ground, the kitsune felt it safe to be her usual self. Ei was clearly not in the mood.

“Miko. How many times have I told you that – except under extreme circumstances - you cannot directly defy me in front of my subjects? I don’t know how much clearer I can be. I’m the ruler and god of this nation. I cannot appear weak.”

The guuji let out a laugh of disbelief. “So that’s how you see yourself? A ruler? What about us, Ei? What am I to you? Yes, you’re an Archon. But I’m your familiar. We’re a team. Or at least I thought we were. I suppose now I’m nothing but a warm body for you to take your stress out on. Like a common whore.”

The Shogun dropped to her knees beside her futon. “Would you please stop being so dramatic? This isn’t about us, Miko. You should know where we stand. This is about something bigger than us. This is about you. Don’t you fucking roll your eyes at me, kitsune! Why do you think I was so adamant about having those soldiers at the shrine? Do you think I take pleasure in fighting you? I want them there because I can’t always be there to protect you!”

The guuji grabbed the fabric of the Shogun’s kimono by her shoulders and shook her. “I don’t need your godsdamned protection, Ei! I survived just fine by myself for 500 fucking years! Do you think I’m so weak I can’t take on a few starving ronin? What’s the matter with you?”

Ei’s eyes glowed with the ferocity of bottled lightning. “What’s the matter with me? I love you, Miko! This is more than just a bond we share as Archon and familiar - I love you so much I’d rather take my own life than have to establish some artificial connection with anyone other than you. I am yours, and you are mine. For eternity.”

The two women sat staring at each other, both heaving from the intensity of the argument. Before the kitsune could hit her with a snide comeback, Ei seized her mouth in a searing kiss. The frustration Miko felt melted away with this single act. The Shogun’s lips moved against her own, a hunger evident in her ferocity.

As her familiar, the guuji knew part of an Archon’s power lay in the connection they shared. When one experienced a certain emotion, the other could sense it, too. Depending on the circumstance, this could heighten many things: the will to fight, for instance.

In this case, she could feel Ei’s desire to make things right and reestablish their connection in a physical way. To reverse their roles and praise her familiar in a different sense of the word. The kitsune wasn’t about to fight it. If she wanted to make things up to her, she’d gladly take the princess treatment.

“I hope you’re willing to work for my forgiveness, Ei. You’ll have to be very convincing,” she murmured against the tongue that had found its way into her mouth. The shogun paused and rested her forehead against hers.

“Miko, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to hurt you. When it comes to your safety, I know I can get…a little intense,” she said before tenderly kissing her cheek. “It’s just…I can’t imagine not being able to do this anymore.” The guuji yelped as she felt the other woman grip her by her hips and flip her onto her hands and knees.

“Ei! You’re not getting out of this that easily!”

“Oh, I don’t think this is going to be easy. Quite the contrary - I think you’ll be fighting for your life to stay quiet. You say you can handle yourself, but you submit so easily when it comes to my touch,” she taunted as her hand traveled beneath the kitsune’s kimono. Ei could feel her shiver at the feeling of the skin of her palm inching up her thigh.

“Ah…if this is meant to be an…oooo…apology, you better make me come so hard those pitiful advisors of yours hear me the next room…” the guuji sneered.

The Shogun hooked a single elegant finger in the elastic of her panties and slid them down her body at a glacial pace. Miko wriggled impatiently - teasing was her specialty, not Ei’s. To have the tables turned felt both frustrating and exciting at the same time.

“I thought you were mad at me. Your body tells me otherwise,” she said as she observed her wetness glistening in the low light of the candles burning in the room.

“Please. Don’t act so smug. Your ‘all-powerful Archon’ act is getting dull,” Miko said with a roll of her eyes. Secretly she hoped it would get her to move faster.

“I think someone holding power over you turns you on, fox. You may run things at the shrine, but we’re in my domain now.” The guuji felt the Shogun grip the back of her neck firmly. “Now be a good little familiar make some noise for me.”

The kitsune felt two fingers plunge into her from behind and her fangs ripped a hole in the pillow her face was now buried in. Ei twisted and turned her wrist, hitting the spot she knew would make her cry out.

“FUCK! Ei…” she whimpered.

“Oh, I know you can take this, Miko. Perhaps my tongue will be a bit gentler. I’ll have mercy - this time.” She shifted and positioned her mouth next to her opening, lapping up the juices that had seeped out. The kitsune visibly relaxed, her contented sigh muffled by the pillow.

“Mmmm…you taste divine.” Her tongue entered her, delving deeper to draw out louder moans.

“Well, I am…ahh…a shrine maiden…oh fuck…”

Ei chuckled darkly. “That you are. Don’t you worry, pet. You’ll have your chance to worship your Archon. It’s my duty to tend to you first.” The Shogun expertly worked her bud with the tip of her tongue, circling the sensitive bundle of nerves at just the right pressure.

“Ah…ah….ahhhhhh…” Miko huffed, her head swimming with pleasure preventing her from talking back. Ei’s nails sank into the flesh of her hips as she tried to control her bucking against her face.

“Come for your Archon, Miko,” she commanded, and the kitsune arched her back while letting out a yowl of pleasure as she hit her peak.

Ei snagged her by the waist and fell to the futon with her pulled close in a jumbled mess. “So…am I forgiven?”

The guuji hummed as she kissed her, the scent of her own desire still coating the Shogun’s lips. “I suppose that was sufficient for making a fool of me in front of your retinue.”

Ei sighed heavily. “Miko…don’t be like this. Please. What must I do to show you I didn’t mean anything by it? It’s just for appearances, I swear.”

 “I think it’s less about what you should do, and more about what only I can do.”

The other woman cocked an inquisitive eyebrow as she shifted to sit up. “And what exactly is that supposed to mean? Just because you’re a familiar it doesn’t mean you must speak in riddles.”

The kitsune moved to slyly straddle the Shogun’s lap. “My dearest Archon, I’m not speaking in riddles. I merely mean to say you’d never revoke my status as your familiar. Or rather…you couldn’t.”

Ei’s arms snaked around her waist, drawing her nearer. “I still don’t understand what you’re insinuating. I’m your Archon. My word is law.”

“Face the facts, Ei,” Miko whispered as she closed in on her ear. “No one can make you feel the way I do.” Her lips placed slow, gentle kisses across her cheek. “Make you moan the way I do.” The Shogun’s breath hitched in her throat as she felt the kitsune move her mouth down her neck. “Make you come the way I do.”

These were the last words she spoke before her lips pulled away from her teeth to reveal the sharp canines she knew drove Ei insane with lust. Their trysts always did have an animalistic air to them - they frequently battled for dominance, titles be damned. She bit down and pierced the tender flesh that had already grown hot with desire.

“Aghhhhh…Miko…” she ground out through clenched teeth. Pain swirled with pleasure as a trickle of blood dripped down her neck to stain her kimono.

“Oh hush,” she chastised as she licked the fresh wound to soothe it. “I know you like it rough. There aren’t many who’d be able to take you on the way I do and live to tell the tale. You wouldn’t dare give this up now, would you?”

“I can’t argue that,” she murmured before grabbing her face and pulling her in for another kiss. The sharp, acrid taste of iron pricked at her taste buds as she felt Miko’s nails dig into her back. The familiar sting reminded her that though she was an Archon, she was not invincible.

The kitsune knew she was Ei’s one and only weakness. Pushing her back down on the futon, she tore open the front of her kimono, the expensive silk ripping under the force. Palming her breasts, Miko smirked as the woman underneath her sunk into the pillow and heaved a sigh of elation. She could feel her nipples growing hard against the warmth of her fingertips as she toyed with them.

“Miko…stop stalling and get on with it…” the Shogun complained breathily.

“What, the Archon has no patience? Not a good way to set an example for your people…” the other woman taunted. One of her hands snaked down between them, and she could feel Ei swallow hard beneath her as she anticipated the familiar feel of what she knew was coming next.

They locked eyes, and the guuji could feel the rush of emotions she was the cause of. Although she was not a god, she felt as if she were the one with all the power. Ei’s cheeks were flushed and her hands gripped the kitsune’s hips as if she were afraid that if she let go, she’d disappear.

Finally, the Shogun’s hips jolted upward when Miko slipped her fingers inside of her. The other woman felt the Archon’s muscles ripple underneath her as she took her digits with ease.

“Fuck…” she whimpered.

“See, you may control this nation, but never forget…I have the power to control you, dearest.”

“Miko…” The way Ei moaned her name was so tender she almost felt bad for teasing her so. Almost. Her fingers curled as she pumped in and out.

“Submit to me. Tell me what I am to you.”

“You’re…my familiar…”

“Good. But I’m much more than that, now, aren’t I?” She applied pressure to her clit with the heel of her palm as she worked an answer out of her.

“Y-yes…advisor…lover…my everything…gods…please…Miko…”

Her heart warmed at the terms of endearment she rambled off, and she gave in.

“Whatever my Archon wants, I will see to it I provide. Come for me, Ei.” The Shogun jolted forward, her lips searing against the kitsune’s as the force of her orgasm caused her to groan into her mouth.

The fox collapsed on top of her, burying her face into the crux of her neck. The other woman held her in a tight embrace, the two clinging to each other in a wordless mutual surrender.

“…I love you, Miko. Everything I do, I do because I cannot do this alone. Whatever decisions I make, know it is because your life means more to me than my own,” she explained before kissing her temple.

The guuji looked up at her resolutely. “The only reason I fight so fiercely is so I don’t lose my edge. Someone has to keep you in check, Ei. If my shrine maidens can’t count on me for protection, how can I ever hope to live up to being your familiar? We fight as a team. If need be…we die as a team.”

The Shogun let out a heavy breath. “All of this talk of Archons and familiars is so heavy. Let’s speak about morbid subjects no longer,” she requested as she lifted her lover’s hand to her lips and kissed the back of it. “Tonight…let’s just be Miko and Ei.”