AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA THSI IS SO CUTE

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA THSI IS SO CUTE

✩ ˛˚ . NAGI SEISHIRO — furniture shopping for your new apartment is a lot harder than you expected it to be when your boyfriend insists on trying it out first.

ஜ ˖ ࣪࿐ྂ contents! fluff, pro-football player nagi, he is just the sleepiest! ♡ ˖ ࣪࿐ྂ note! oh how i have missed him :( my heart calls his name always <3

“sei! get up!” you hiss under your breathe as you watch your boyfriend nagi drop himself down onto another one of the display couches, letting his long legs stretch out infront of him as he relaxes into the cushions with a sigh.

“huh, why? i’m jus’ testing it out, gotta make sure it’s comfy.” his voice is a soft drawl already as he lets his eyes rest closed, snowy bangs falling over his features as you nudge at his feet with a pout.

“and is it? you’ve tested it now.” you grumble as you watch nagi tilt his head to the side slightly, shrugging his shoulders as he hums dreamily. it’s like he’s really considering his answer before his eyes peek open to cast you a sleepy glance.

“eh, yeah.. soooo comfy~ cmeer, try it out, angel.” he sighs as his arms reach for you, almost successfully grabbing at your hips before you step back out of his reach— causing the sleepy striker to send you a cute little frown before he falls back with a huff.

“but we still have so much to see seishiro.” you try to reason but you know nagi’s the hardest person to move when he gets comfy, casting a glance over your shoulder to make sure there’s not some employee on their way to kick you both out yet.

“ah, that sounds like such a pain, we can jus’ get this one.” he really was like a big baby, a 190cm pro-football player baby. his cheeks are puffed out as he pouts and he looks like he’s on the brink of falling asleep as he blinks up at you, reaching an arm out every few seconds to see if it’ll convince you to come closer.

“or i can just take u home if u don’t get up.” you hiss under your breath, opting for this route first over the actual cuddle route because you don’t wanna give into him too easily. just incase it really is that comfy.

“that’s even more bothersome. no fair, pretty thing.” nagi’s words are grumbled, a slight whine as he kicks one of his feet out and lets his hands shove into his pockets to pull out his phone. that’s when you know it just got real, watching him drop his phone into landscape and no doubt about to load up a video game— he really was getting comfortable.

“fine, sei! move over.” you finally give in, for your own sake— and the stores— because you really didn’t feel like being here all day.

“yay, you gotta cuddle me. wanna make sure we can nap here, see~” you let yourself rest down beside nagi as his arms wrap around you instinctively, pulling you easily against his chest while his head nuzzles into the crook of your neck.

it really was a comfy couch, you admit as you really let yourself melt into the cushions, surrounded by your boyfriends body heat as he wraps himself around you. you give it a few moments, feeling yourself sink into a blissful sort of comfort before you realise you’re still in a store, and your snowy haired boyfriend has grown a little too quiet.. and heavy next to you as you nudge him.

“hey! don’t fall asleep, sei! get up!”

© 2023 GAROUJO. please do not copy any of my layouts or writing and translate or repost onto any other sites.

Kilig

hi!! I've been a fan of your works for the longest time!! could i request an airheaded yuu who doesn't know what they're doing half the time but they can say something randomly philosophical once in a blue moon that keeps you up at night with Riddle, Ace and Deuce? gender-neutral reader please! i thought of this one while going to bed last night so apologies if it's incomprehensible skdjksdfjkfksd

thank you!

🍭anon

Omg this was so silly… thank you so much for your request, 🍭anon! I Hope you like this!!!

Riddle, Ace and Deuce with an air-headed s/o that keeps them up at night…. (With questions)

Riddle x reader, Ace x reader, Deuce x reader

Riddle

A pair of crimson eyes tend to linger on your every step , whenever you stroll by the Heartsabyul dorm. The careful, watchful eyes of your schoolmate, Riddle Rosehearts. He is no stranger to the antics you pull, no matter if they were intended or not.

Riddle finds his reaction time improving by leaps and bounds whenever he hears your surprise. Immediately rushing to your side, ready to extract you out of whatever trouble you saw fit to land yourself in this time.

Both of his hands have long mastered the art of sliding around your waist, yanking in one smooth, fluid motion. Sometimes, the momentum gets the better of both of you, and you end up tumbling straight into his arms.

Clutching onto his shoulders, you hold him tight. Standing there in each other’s embrace, you two strike the perfect image of star-crossed lovers.

Riddle can’t help the way his lips slip upwards. A smile as sweet as ruby-red strawberry tarts. Honestly, prefect. You do enjoy having him on the edge, don’t you?

He still fusses quite a bit, though. Don’t expect to escape without a lecture. However, for all the words that fall from his lips, yours seem to have the most impact.

Odd, queer questions that would have never crossed his mind. You seem to have a knack for thinking of things people wouldn’t normally. Sometimes, he finds himself up at night pondering your queries.

Always full of surprises, aren’t you, darling?

“Hey, Riddle. Why is it that people say they "slept like a baby" when babies wake up, like, every two hours?”

“I… honestly can’t say. Perhaps it would be the peacefulness and tranquility they sleep with… no matter how brief.”

Ace

You’ll soon grow used to a weight pressing onto your shoulders. Slinging an arm around you, Ace tends to lean into you quite a bit. He tags along wherever you go, that insufferable smirk never far from his lips.

Of course, it drops as quickly as it appears whenever he has to run to wherever you’ve wandered off this time. Ace has heard of air-minded people, but this is the first time he had to deal with one. There ain’t nothing but fluff and feathers up there, huh?

For all his teasing, Ace always is there to yank you out of whatever trouble you’ve stirred up. His arm stretching out, wrapping tightly around your torso. You could feel every pulse beating through his skin as Ace pulls you close. Out of harm’s reach.

Man, have you never heard? Curiosity killed the cat. You’re so lucky he was around to help you out. So how about a kiss, for all that effort?

Speaking of effort, you’ve made Ace burn more brainpower then the entire Night Raven curriculum has in an entire year. You had a weird fondness for weird questions that keep him tossing and turning in his sleep. Do you enjoy causing him sleepless nights?

There’s really no need for the questions, then.

He’s already thinking about you all the time.

“If money doesn't grow on trees, why do banks have branches?”

“You have no idea how bad I want to kiss you right now.”

Deuce

For most of his misguided youth, Deuce was always the one charging forth, headstrong. Never stopping to think about the consequences. He would have called it courage, back then.

Now watching you leap mindlessly into mess after mess, he’s changed his mind. Deuce trails after you like a lost puppy, following your every step. His curiosity often aligns with yours, although Deuce has to admire your… bravery for just going straight in. Whenever someone catches your interest, off you go! Without a care in the world.

Sometimes, that curiosity takes you too far. Then, Deuce springs into action. Honestly, he should start timing his sprinting towards you. Deuce swears he never runs this fast on the track.

He isn’t one for niceties whenever you’re under the slightest hint of danger. Arms stretched out, he’s tackling you straight out of the hit-zone. Mid-air, Deuce’s arms snake around your torso, clutching you in an tight embrace. His own back, your shield keeping you from all harm.

Both of you end up on the floor, a panting Deuce above of you. His hands pat your face frantically, words coming out in broken, jerky stammers. You have to assure him that you’re alright before his shoulders even think about starting to relax.

He’s just happy you’re ok.

Well, Deuce would be a bit lonely at night if you got hurt. He tends to call you from his dorm for homework help, although the conversations tend to drift elsewhere most of the time. Specifically, your odd questions.

Deuce’s drawing out entire diagrams, and both of you spend hours over the phone, discussing various fantastic theories. Each one more weirder then the last.

Deuce never thought he’ll have so much fun just talking.

You’re just special, aren’t you?

“Do married people live longer than single ones or does it only seem longer?”

“Hold up, I’m opening my laptop right now-“

"That's Certain!" m.reo

; in which you encourage your friend, reo, that he will win the world cup!

this is my first post here in Tumblr that’s about blue lock characters, i hope you guys enjoy this :]]

warning(s): grammatical errors might be present (english is not my first language), nothing much, maybe ooc reo for this one :]]

________________________________

“so, are you going to attend that special training thing?” reo picks up the envelope and glanced over you “you mean this? yeah, ‘was planning to join in with nagi. though, it looks kinda sketchy” he placed it back down on his drawer and turned his full attention towards you.

“ 'that so? i think it’ll be a great opportunity for you.. you like soccer right?” he hummed, eyeing every move you make as you were laying on his bed as if its yours “well, im going to test out me and nagi’s soccer in this training camp. don’t get me wrong, im already quite confident that we’re the best as what we currently are”

he walked over to where you’re at and sat on the side of the bed “my parents told me to give up on soccer.” he frowned “they want me to be the heir of their company and give up on my dreams." 

even though your back was facing reo, you can feel that he’s upset. it was sort of rare for him to actually work hard to get what he wants.

since you guys were little, reo gets whatever he wants with a snap of a finger. he has been always served on a silver plate, so when his parents denied his desire to win the world cup, it made him upset. with this information in mind, you hummed

"you haven’t answered me, reo” he glanced at his shoulders “huh?”

“you like soccer, right?” reo nodded, even though you can’t see him

“then that settles it, you go to that training camp and come back with the world cup trophy in your hands” you stretched your arms and laid on your stomach “who cares what everyone says? you liking soccer should be enough to ensure your victory of getting that trophy!” you shifted comfortably on the bed, getting sleepy because of how soft it is.

“you’ll win the world cup, That’s Certain!" 

the room fell silence. it wasn’t an uncomfortable silence, no. it was more of a calming silence if you put it that way. reo stared at the back of your head, eyes growing wide as he heard your little encouraging speech.

he grabbed on your shoulder and rolled you over until you were facing him

"reo?” you tiredly stared at his purple orbs, shoulder touching his hip as he looks at you.

“you really have an impact on me” he slowly smiled at you, placing a hand on your head to play with your hair. confused, you wondered why your body reacted weirdly because of this, you feel so warm and fuzzy under his oddly satisfying touch.

“ 'better stay adorable once i get back from this training, okay?” was the last thing you heard before dozing off

HEHEHEHEHEHEHHEHHEHEHEHEHEHHEHEHE

love tester! test our love ♡

synopsis: you put your love to the test. (read: you take a tiktok filter seriously.)

characters: rin, kunigami, sae, nagi, reo

warnings: none!

note/s: this was supposed to be a/n smau (i had the screenshots ready and everything) but decided on writing it instead because it seemed more fun (and it was!) i’m dedicating this to @kakujis because… :DD she knows why and @izanhuhhh for helping me with reo’s bit! i had a lot of fun writing this and i might write more characters if i feel up to it. i hope ya’ll enjoy! 

inspired by this tiktok trend

masterlist

rin:

rin was lying down beside you as you mindlessly scrolled through your tiktok feed, the video of the love tester appeared and you laughed at how the girl looked betrayed when their names let out a measly 26%, just friends. 

“do you wanna try this out, baby?” you asked rin who looked at you with indifference before he shook his head. 

“why not?” you jut your lower lip as you pouted at him. 

“those are dumb and have no scientific basis whatsoever.” rin huffed as he cuddled closer to you, but you paid him no mind as you put on the filter and typed in your names. from the reflection of the camera, you can see rin roll his eyes but look at the filter nonetheless, a bit curious about the results. 

the audio played and rin watched with a bated breath on how the numbers teasingly went up and down before the both of you froze once it stopped at 50% 

‘could be bffs!’ the filter read. before you could even say anything, rin took your phone and deleted the previous results and inputted different variations of your names. 

‘rin itoshi + y/n l/n’ ‘just friends!’

‘itoshi rin + l/n y/n’ could be something more!

you took your phone back before he could get even more heated before laughing at his response. 

“so… we’re not meant for each oth–” “i told you this was a dumb idea!” 

“rin… are you pouting?” “no.” 

kunigami: 

once the video appears on your feed, you stood up from the couch and ran towards your boyfriend who was in the middle of working out. 

“baby!” kunigami stops mid-push up as he sees you beam at him. “what’s up, darling?” you wave your phone in front of him, urging him to click the paused video. 

once kunigami finishes watching the video, he looks at you with a raised brow. “i’m assuming you want us to do that trend?” 

with the giddy nod you let out, he let out a chuckle before patting the ground next to him. “alright, darling.”

when you inputted your names, the both of you watched intently as the numbers increased and decreased. 

31%. ‘just friends!’ the filter read. 

you looked at kunigami who was staring at the filter in shock. 

“how rigged.” kunigami mutters as he glares at your device. you blinked, a teasing smile threatening to escape your lips. 

“so… besti–” “darling, don’t even start.” with the glare he directs to you, you couldn’t help but laugh and pat his sweaty frame. 

“it’s just a filter, bestie! don’t worry about it.” you hear kunigami bite back a sound of annoyance before closing his eyes and sighing. 

“okay, friend. whatever you say.” kunigami says, looking straight into your eyes, a neutral expression on his face, causing you to pout. 

“you didn’t like that, huh?” “...no. sorry, baby.”

“it’s fine, bestie.” “rensuke!!”  

sae:

the midfielder was frozen as he looked down on his phone. 

‘let’s break up.’ the text said. 

he didn’t know what happened. your conversations prior to the break up text were fairly normal and you even wished him good luck and told him that you loved him, so really. he doesn’t know where this was coming from. 

he had 15 minutes before the game and he tried calling you multiple times, only to be declined because the subscriber cannot be reached. 

his hands were slightly shaking as he stared at your last message. only to be filled with hope as he saw your text bubble appear. 

you: ‘we’re not soulmates :((’ 

huh? now sae was confused. however, his answer was soon revealed when the picture you sent has now loaded in his messages. 

it was a screenshot of the filter in tiktok with your names inputted. ‘just friends!’ it said, sae’s erratically beating heart seemed to have calmed down and he just wants to go home and flick you in the forehead for giving him such anxiety. 

sae: that’s stupid. 

you: you see, maybe this is why we aren’t soulmates >:(( you’re mean.

sae: i’m tempted to not go back to japan for scaring me like that. 

you: you’re scared to lose me??? 

sae: the game is starting, watch well. 

you: SAE

you: COME BACK AND GIVE ME CONFIRMATION !!

you: meanie >:(( i’m not gonna lose you too so i guess we’re stuck with each other.

sae smirked a bit before putting his phone on silent, preparing himself to walk out in the field as he recalled your messages. 

of course he was scared to lose you, he thinks as he rubbed the tattooed initial of your first name on the inside of his left ring finger. his only tattoo, and one that you have yet to know of. 

he couldn’t wait until he gets back to japan to show you and finally make you his, officially. 

nagi: 

you and nagi were scrolling through tiktok couple trends to recreate, well… you were, nagi couldn’t care less and decided to just go with whatever you wanted to do. 

or so he says. 

any video that you were interested in recreating, it was suddenly “too much.” “i’m not going to do that.” and of course, “that involves too much moving.” 

with a sigh, you turn towards your boyfriend who’s eyes were drooping shut, snow colored hair splayed out on the pillow, looking back at you innocently. 

“do you really wanna do a trend today.” nagi only nods, you sighed before lying down next to him and scrolling further down. 

the video of the love tester trend appeared and you showed it to your lazy boyfriend, “how about this?” you asked as nagi’s eyes intently watched the video. 

you scoffed once you heard him let out a sound of confirmation. “mm. seems doable.” 

“nagi, we’re just going to put in our names.” “put my name in for me too.” “you’re such a lazy baby.” “”mm.” 

once you opened the camera, the filter immediately shows and you typed in your names, nagi placed his chin by your shoulder, staring at the numbers as it stopped at a high mark of 98% ‘definitely soulmates!’

nagi let out a small smirk, the reaction caught by the camera as he presses a soft kiss to your neck, causing you to drop your phone at the ticklish feeling. 

“nagi!” “shh. don’t yell at your soulmate.” “you’re enjoying this a bit too much, seishiro.” nagi hums, a small smile on his face. 

having you as a soulmate didn’t sound like a hassle. 

reo:

you were reading your book peacefully, basking in the quiet night before reo opens the door and walks excitedly towards you. 

“lovie!” he beams as he stops in front of you. you look up from the book you were reading with a curious expression. 

"we should try this trend!" he said as he pulls out his phone and goes to his saved videos, the video of a couple doing the love meter makes its way on the screen. 

you let out a hum, giving him a small smile before patting the space on the couch beside you. reo does so, smiling as he cuddles up to your side and presses the filter. 

once he inputs your names, he remained close to you as the both of you watched in horror as the love meter went down to a pitiful 6%. 'yeaaaaaa.'

you bite back a giggle at the look on your boyfriend's face, his face resembles a kicked puppy before he glares at his phone and takes it away. standing up and walking to the kitchen, dialing a few numbers whilst doing so. 

you stared at his retreating form. surely, he couldn't be bothered by a tiktok filter, right? 

but before you could ponder more, he comes back and presses the filter once more. 

"reo–""just watch." he says in a cryptic tone, before letting out a big smile as your names equated to a 100%. 'definitely soulmates!'

your brows furrowed before it clicked in your head. 

"reo… did you pay to have this filter rigged?" "i have no idea what you're talking about, love." 

"reo!" 

The name Scaramouche, kunikuzushi and kabukimono has been forgotten in the world of teyvat, no one but the traveler knows him now...but what if there was someone other than the traveler who still remembers him? someone who wanderer cherished and loved...(I apologize for the small text used, it looked cute to use)

(apologizing if I mentioned she/her pronounces I'll fix it one day..I write in my perspective and I'm a female...so that's why there might be things indicating this for a female but I promise you all genders may read)

(first time writing genshin)

(mistakes will be fixed one soon)

You're no human that's for sure...or were you human?

You never considered yourself as human...maybe because you were cursed to live an external life. Ever since the downfall of what we know as the fallen nation, you were cursed with immortality. You were no one important but a citizen of inazuma but why is it were you cursed as well?

Could it be because you have never saw yourself as a human being? or was it because you never had a reason to live? You never knew.

Living for centuries and decades you were all alone till one day you met him. A puppet he told you. He told you he was a puppet created by his mother or in other words the electro archon but was then discarded by her. The puppet named himself kunikuzushi.

Your interaction with him was quite unexpected. He seemed so tense, like a closed book. But from that day onwards you vow to yourself to be his friends no matter how many times he had refused...

As time goes on in teyvat you succeeded. You stayed by his side no matter what. Even if those time he had changed to be a ruthless fatui member, you never failed to left him. Even when he joined the fatui you gladly stayed with him even after what he had done...and instead of being his friend the two of you became more of lovers instead.

But you never liked it how he joined the fatui. You had mixed feelings if it. You don't trust anyone in it including the cryo archon the tsaritsa. But the person you absolutely held suspicion on was the doctor also known as dottore.

Years adds on, one day you informed scaramouche that you'll be returning to inazuma to see how much the city changed after hearing a brave traveler had saved it. Scaramouche was hesitant to let you go but he did but what he didn't tell you was that he was headed to sumeru for something you would never had agreed on.

you enjoyed your time in inazuma and even made alot if acquaintances but something felt off. You never heard of Scaramouche, no letters at all. It didn't feel right. That's when you decided to ask a fatui guard. Lucky for you they didn't ambush you but when you asked...you were in disbelief when they said they don't know who this "balladeer" you were talking about.

You explained to them he was the 6th harbinger but they all assumed you were crazy and delusional. "I'm sorry ma'am but the 6th spot has remain empty for years...are you okay?" You heart broke. What in teyvat happen to your lover. "Ah..I'm sorry my head must be playing games on me..sorry to interrupt," you played along. You were in utter shock. It was as if your beloved was wiped from teyvat's existence.

To say the least you were devastated. It felt as if you were crumbling from teyvat's surface once more.

That was months ago. You decided to travel instead, well with the help of one if the friends you made. Without captain beidou and kazuha you might as well be...well hopeless. They helped you with your grief although they themselves know nothing of this person you grief of.

You then afterwards head of to explore a nation you absolutely adored from it's name, culture and it's wisdom. The land of wisdom, sumeru. The more you spent in sumeru the more attached you were to the land. You even somehow came across the hero of the 4 nations aether/lumine was his/her name along with the great archon of sumeru nahida.

One day as you were walking with nahida you caught a glimpse of someone you had missed so much. "Uhm miss nahida?" You called out for the archon. The archon looked at you and smiled. "Something the matter [name]?" You look at the direction of that familiar male. "Do you somehow know who that is?"

Nahida looked at the person you looked at and she simply answered you. "He's just a wanderer, why you ask?" You look at the male again and replied with an answer that shocked that archon. "He looks like the balladeer...well not like you know him,"

"oh..well I don't know who that might be but he seemed like someone you really care of," silence took over till you whispered "yeah...he was,"

It was midnight, you were never able to sleep or in other words you never usually sleep or needed it. So you decided to take a stroll outside and go to a cliff you'd usually go. Usually during this time, When Scaramouche was still with you, you'd usually sleep with him or sing a lullaby for him just so he'd calm down whenever he was stressed. Oh how you missed him.

The breeze of the wind on this hill and the view...it all looked so calm and relaxed. You closed you eyes enjoying the silence and the wind. Meanwhile you didn't had realised someone behind you. The male it was none other than the wanderer nahida said but as I said you haven't noticed him yet.

In the wanderer's perspective he looked shocked to see you because he knows you. You are no...you were the love of his life back when he was still known as Scaramouche who is know forgotten. You were the person that never left his side, his lover that promise him. You promised to never leave and you fulfill it but he was the one who broke it by leaving you all alone. But he had no choice. Part of him knows he can't have you back but part of him wanted you to remember him..

some people say that your love would be meant to be...just not the right time. What was it called, right person wrong time? He didn't care. He wanted you back, he craved for you touch, your voice but he can't have it back. He doesn't want to restart. No no no he doesn't because the thing you had with each other was something special. Something that cannot be restart with once more.

While Scaramouche or wanderer was lost in his head, he didn't know that certain someone had noticed his presence. "Lost in thought are you strange wanderer," your voice had snapped him from his thoughts. The voiced that he loved so much to listen. "What are you doing here? It's dangerous for a someone like you to be out at this time,"

"are you saying I'm weak? I can defend myself you know I'm not a little girl/boy," Scaramouche took in your appearance, you certainly had changed especially since you had a vision dangling down your waist. "Staring is rude you know?"

"bold of you assume I was, show some respect," he said. You laughed. "Hey wanna know a fun fact," you asked him. "Not that I'm interested but go on I'm listening," he looked you, the way you smiled as if you were recalling something so deep in your heart and memories. The soft gaze you had towards him, it clearly warmed his heart.

"you remind me so much of my lover...his name was Scaramouche, but I call him kunikuzushi.." those words caught him off guard. Did you just...you uttered the name that was forgotten. How...how were you able to remember. "I'm sorry if I offended you! It's just that you look so much like him. You hair, your eyes, your voice and the way you speak! Basically almost everything match up,"

"I really miss him...but it's as if he vanished from the world. At first I was assuming you were him but...nahida and so many others told me you were just a wanderer so...I guess I lost hope once again," a tear fell from your eyes...sadness really ingulf the atmosphere now.

" I miss him so much..I miss just talking or looking at him...ah sorry I'm being to emotional sorry for rambling"

he was speechless. He couldn't say anything. The way you rambled about him, the fact you remembered him. He wanted to say something but tears broke out before he could utter a word. His knees even gave up...was this what they called mixed feelings. he felt relief yet happy but then again sad.

"hey wait why are you crying!? I'm sorry I didn't mean to-" "you remembered me.." he muttered. "What? Come again?" "You never forgotten who I really am..."

You looked confused. "What do you mean...aren't you just coincidence? Everyone told me he doesn't exist what do you imply exactly?" Was it really him. Was this person you have been searching for, yearning for... The person you mourn and grief.

"[nickname]...you really do remember me," that nickname...no one used it before. No one dared called you that because the only person who did was none other that Scaramouche. Tears came running like a waterfall...you vision was blurry and you embraced him as if you never wanted to let him go again.

"I'm not dreaming or hallucinating am I...I am seeing the kunikuzushi I love right?" His hand held you cheek. The hand of his was reached you cheek and wiped the tears. His touch, you were sure it was him.

"I never forgot you my love...

Your head tells you it's not him but you're soul knows that it's him. "Now why would I lie to you my love..." This was him. You know it and you finally found him. "I don't know how you still remember me but I would like answers from you..." You look at him and thought of your answer...

And that's because...

my love for you is too strong for the world to make me forget you,"

hmm it seems like those two were perfect for each other weren't they? Cause even if the world tried to take them apart, fate will always bring them back together no matter how big the challenge make be.

This is the end...

of the story named..

MEMORABLE..

-sincerely

hasinah/Arxx

(29/4/2023) do not plagiarize my works, all rights reserved of @arxxqs-blog

veneration.

PAIRING: scaramouche x reader

GENRE: canon-compliant. belligerent romantic tension, flirting but not quite flirting, the trope of helping the other get ready for an important event.

TW/CW: slight spoilers for 3.2 archon quest (although it was literally revealed in the livestream so idk if it counts as spoilers).

A/N: boo, I'm alive (sort of.) I can't believe I'm writing for emo pinocchio, much less simping for him (yes, @x-zho and @byeol-ssi you read that correctly),,,, but HEY IF THIS DRABBLE GETS ME OUTTA BURNOUT DEPRESSION Y NAT COCONUT

"How fares your one follower, Lord Harbinger?"

The Balladeer pauses in the middle of what he's doing, a tangle of energy tubes falling around his ankles like an undignified noodle dish. Your voice is carefully, perfectly even, your eyes steadily fixed on your book as if nothing was the matter.

"Haypasia? Well, she's the first of many to come, so of course she is someone of great prestige in my eyes."

He enjoys the faint flicker in your eyes, choking back a taunting smile as your grip tightens on your book. To say that he held affection for you would be staunchly denied, but there was nothing Scaramouche delighted in more than to wear your nerves out.

"As she should be. Never forget the service she has done you, sir."

"And what of the service you owe me?" He retorts. "I don't recall summoning you here just so you could sit and recite pretty words to me while I do all the work."

An exasperated sigh and a slight rustle as you get up from your chair, followed by the echoing sound of your footsteps as you began climbing the stairs to the head of his soon-to-be divine vessel. "I had assumed that you wouldn't want my assistance until I was called for."

"I'm sure Haypasia would have willingly volunteered to assist me." Scaramouche remarks idly, tracing a finger along the polished metal. "When it comes to loyalty to me, I'm sure that that girl is second to none."

Silence, just as expected. Your face is pristinely neutral when you reach the top of the stairs and place the book on the floor, but he knows better; he knows how the blood surges in your veins in not-quite-jealousy, how the air catches in your throat at the thought of someone being better devoted to him.

Up until now, the Balladeer had had a hard time finding an edge over your nonchalant nature, with any sharp jabs left blithely ignored or rebutted, with no room for nonsense— for out of all the people who dared test their bravery by working with him, you were one of the few who had remained mostly unaffected by his short temper.

But with a certain researcher in the equation, it seems that he had a new — and most entertaining — way to push your buttons.

"You shouldn't have tangled up the tethers like this, sir." You kneel down to untangle the mess of cables at his already-tethered feet, your hair falling forward to conceal your face. "The Doctor would not be pleased if something were to malfunction tomorrow due to something as minor as this."

He stands stock-still as your hands trace along the length of his arm, searching for where to attach the cables to his wrists and shoulders, your fingertips brushing against his back as you check for any loosened tethers; to an outsider, it would seem that you were merely performing the duties of a faithful assistant. But every move and word was choreographed, designed to bring out your true intentions under the guise of professionalism.

"Tell me," The Balladeer asks, a taunting lilt to his voice. "What sort of book are you reading that distracts you from my glory?"

"Just something I picked up in the Grand Bazaar." You reply, and soft hands brush against the sides of his neck, reaching to safely tether him to his vessel. "A book of short essays and poetry, written by some obscure but well-read author."

"What sort of poetry?" Scaramouche keeps his gaze locked on yours, pretending to be unaffected by the way your arms enclosed the air around him, the close proximity between the two of you. The fun part of the game was to never reveal your hand of cards, after all.

"The usual; some about life, or loss. The seasons, and some about places the author had been to." Your eyes briefly flicker to meet his. "Love poems, too."

He cannot help but smirk, knowing full well at what you were playing at; the two of you had an unspoken agreement, a mutual push and pull as you aimed to tear each other's heartstrings out and have the other dancing in the palm of their hand. "Care to recite one, then? I'd like to see if you can actually spew pleasant words for once."

"If that is what the Lord Harbinger wishes," was your response, your gaze drifting away to focus on adjusting the tethers on his hands and wrists one last time. "There is one piece that I particularly enjoy; allow me to retrieve my book so that I may read that to you."

You were clever— he had to admit as much. This very well could have been your plan all along, to grab his attention with a book that you were certain would make an impression on him; he would not put it past you to have made such a bold plan.

But since the Balladeer was soon to achieve his lifelong goal, he was feeling generous tonight— he would indulge your little schemes for today, just this once.

"Ah, here it is." You straighten up, the pages rustling as you flip to the correct page. "This essay is rather long, but this particular excerpt is my favourite."

Scaramouche watches as you begin to pace back and forth aimlessly, your lips parting to take a deep breath in preparation... and he waits. He waits for the next move in the chess game, for his turn to come.

"Look up to the stars, and remember the light in my eyes." One finger traces idly along the page, your eyes following it intently as if to bore a hole through the paper. "Look to the east, the rosy dawn, and think of my lips, sweetened with the honey of memories with you."

"But furthermore, evermore, I beg of you, my darling..." Your feet shift to wander towards him, stepping closer and closer till you were only a few paces away from where he stood.

"...Look at me and only me forevermore." You recited, tilting his head upwards with the edge of your book, your warm breath fanning his cheeks as you leaned ever-closer. "Are these the sort of words you'd like to hear from me, Lord Harbinger?"

"Hah." A chuckle escapes his mouth before he can stop himself— really, truly, this was all too entertaining! "That all depends on what I am to you."

"What I am to you is the same as what you are to me." For the first time that evening you smiled, a mirror of the same smile he had now; the air of both challenge and taunt hidden behind the guise of a pleasant expression. "I wish you good luck on your promotion tomorrow, Lord Harbinger."