christiwrites

[christiwrites]

"Thank you." - March x F!Reader

Mistria's brooding blacksmith thanks you. ♡

The wind casts an airy breeze over you, keeping you cool as you cut down the last tree needed for the bridge repair. You rush, swinging with as much force as you can without breaking the already worn-down axe.

Saturday is tomorrow, and you are desperate to have the bridge repaired in time for the highly anticipated market. Even though Adeline reassures you there is no rush—after all, it is only your first week in Mistria—you still want to do this for the town. The sole purpose of you even being in Mistria is to help repair as much of the town’s damage as possible. The bridge is just the start. Not to mention, everyone has been very kind to you so far... Well, almost everyone.

Watching the cider tree fall, your mind fills with thoughts of a certain brooding blacksmith.

March.

March absolutely hates your guts, but you have no idea why. It can’t be because you’re new in town—Ryis was new at some point, and from what he told you, March quickly became good friends with him. So what is it about you that makes March wish he could burn you on his forge?

The question stirs in your mind as you gather the stone and wood into your satchel, setting off east toward the forest.

—

March’s POV ~

As I finish the last batch of copper nails, I begin to cool down the forge. Merri sent out a special request for copper nails, specifically for a furniture set she wants to complete. Being the only blacksmith in town, she asked for me directly, and of course, I agreed. It puts me on a certain kind of high whenever someone needs me for a task. Being someone people rely on has always made me strive to be the best—to be at the top.

The bridge leading to the entryway of Mistria has been in ruins since the devastating earthquake, and for reasons unbeknownst to me, Adeline has tasked the new farmer with repairing it.

I can’t stand her.

Her dirt-stained overalls, her withered boots tracking mud all over my shop’s floor, and that stupid satchel, always overfilled with weeds. The thought pleases me—she will never be able to gather the materials needed. She’ll end up overwhelmed and go running back to the capital before her second week in Mistria even begins. But as much as the thought of her demise brings joy to my heart, I don’t want to let her take up more space in my mind than needed.

Feeling content, I swipe the nails into a small pouch when suddenly, a distant chatter arises from the other end of the path. Turning around, I see Adeline, Ryis, and… the farmer.

Ryis and Adeline’s arms are snug around her shoulders, and she has a stupid smile plastered on her face.

“You’re so reliable, [Y/N]! I can’t believe you were able to gather the materials so quickly!” Ryis marvels with joy, tightening his hold on her.

Huh? R-reliable…?

“Not only will the Saturday Market commence, but Balor won’t have to ship out supplies by himself anymore!” Adeline cheers with a certain enthusiasm she hasn’t had in a long while.

There’s no way.

“What? Oh—thanks, but all I did was chop wood and break a few pieces of stone. Ryis did all the work.”

The rest of their conversation turns into distant silence as my mind begins rambling with rampant thoughts. She did it. She fixed the bridge.

I can’t discern whether I’m more distraught at the fact that she actually repaired the bridge or how disgustingly humble she’s acting. And for some strange reason, I can’t take my eyes off her, finding myself analyzing her body language. She doesn’t have her arms around Ryis or Adeline, and she looks almost lost in thought. There isn’t even the slightest bit of boastful pride in her eyes after doing the whole town a huge favor.

Instinctively, I begin squeezing the pouch that holds the copper nails, reveling in the realization that I may have new competition and… 

that I was wrong.

—

Back to your POV ~

Adeline gives you one final squeeze before saying, “Ah! Reina told you about Friday Nights at the Inn, right?”

You pause for a second and recall the letter you got from Reina earlier this morning, explaining how every Friday, the whole town gets together at the Inn—even the children.

“Yeah, she did.”

Ryis excitedly beams, “Looks like we have something to celebrate tonight, too!” Hearing that makes you feel a little at ease, you successfully completed your first big task.

And even though their praise is nice to receive, you couldn’t help but think of someone else who you wish would congratulate you.

Oh no. Not again. Stop thinking about him!

Spontaneously, Adeline jumps to the next big thing on her mind. “Oh, Ryis—come with me! I want to discuss blueprints for the next project!” She grabs Ryis by his handkerchief and begins to trot off.

“S-sure!” Caught off guard, Ryis follows her lead, but not before waving goodbye to you.

“Bye, [Y/N]! Thank you again!” Adeline exclaims, continuing to drag Ryis away. You smile as you wave goodbye.

As soon as they’re out of sight, your mind stupidly shifts back to March for the third time today, and for some odd reason, you feel compelled to tell him that you fixed the bridge. But why did you want to tell him so badly? Wouldn’t he find out from someone else soon anyway?

As if on cue, the sound of some sort of metal hitting the pavement makes you turn your head.

Scouting the noise, your eyes instantly meet March’s gaze, and it almost seems as if he’d been staring at you.

“March…?” you utter, confused as ever. How did he appear right as you start thinking about him?

With a bewildered look on his face, March hurriedly averts his gaze, scrambling to the ground to pick up shiny copper nails, the probable source of the loud noise.

Cautiously, you slowly walk over to him and ask, “Need any help with that?”

He pauses for a moment but quickly brushes you off. “N-no! I don’t need your help!”

You back away a bit, and seconds later, he safely returns the copper nails into a small, leather-brown pouch. But he doesn’t look at you—only the side of his face is visible.

For a few seconds, there’s an awkward silence between the two of you until he says, “I wasn’t staring at you or anything.”

You raise a brow and chuckle a bit. “I didn’t say you were.”

He panics and his cheeks flush a soft pink before rudely responding, “Why are you still here?”

You didn’t know what to say to that, as this is the longest you and March have ever interacted. “I don’t know, um…”

Okay. Just tell him.

“I fixed the—”

“You fixed the bridge.” he quietly mumbles, and now he’s finally looking at you again.

Your eyes widen, and you sheepishly smile. “Yeah…”

March huffs, but he doesn’t scowl at you like he normally does.

“Look, I still don’t like you, nor do I believe you’re really here for the right reasons, but—”

He pauses, squeezing his fists as if mentally preparing himself for what he’s about to say next.

“Thank you.”

Woah.

Did March—someone who barely gives you the time of day—just thank you?

With a surprised expression, you respond quickly before he can take it back.

“You’re welcome.”

He releases his fists and folds his arms against his chest. “Don’t let this get to your head. You still have lots to prove, farmer.”

You can’t help but unleash a toothy grin. “I won’t let you down, blacksmith.”

He rolls his eyes and nods you off before swiftly turning around. But right before the side of his face disappeared, you could’ve sworn you saw him crack a tiny smile.

♡

Thank you for reading this March x f!reader oneshot! I'm a beginner writer, and I'm trying to improve my skills through cute moments with my favorite characters! Please leave critiques - nice ones, of course.

Also, if you liked this, suggest more ideas! :3