crys-tal-fly

[crys-tal-fly]

Loosen Up, Won't You? (Wriothesley X Reader)

A fic by yours truly

“No offence, but that is one of the worst ideas I’ve ever heard.” You say bluntly, staring at Wriothesley with a murderous glint in your eye. “Now, why would you even suggest something so-”

“Don’t be so dramatic.” He smiles at you almost innocently as he casually spins a pair of handcuffs around his index finger. “Asking you to participate in the prisoners’ reforming program tomorrow isn’t a crime.”

“It should be. Why do you think I’ll accept in the first place?” “Credit coupons.”

“No way in hell.” You say stubbornly, jutting your chin out in defiance and crossing your arms. “Your Grace, I am a guard, not some petty criminal you can bribe-”

“How about a day off?”

You know it’s a trap, you see the gleaming satisfaction in his bright grey eyes because he knows you’ll succumb to his dangling bait like a dumb rabbit.

He’s right. You are pretty dumb. And predictable.

“Fine,” you sigh as you brush a lock of hair behind your ear. “What do I have to do?” “Just one or two quick lessons for the inmates on how to repair a meka.” He says, pocketing his handcuffs. “Shouldn’t be too difficult.”

“Have you upped the security this time?”

He frowns, recalling (like you are) the time a prisoner tried to assault a trainer. Wriothesley had to personally step in, as everyone else was too shocked to react properly. “I assigned more guards to the administrative area, if that’s what you’re asking.” Damn it, there goes your last excuse.

“I’ll be there.” You say grudgingly. “But don’t expect me to stick around after my lessons are done.” “Wouldn’t dream of it.” He grins, mock-saluting you as he turns to leave. “Oh, and don’t forget the promise you owed me!” He calls out as he walks away, jovially humming some tune to his heart’s content.

What a bastard. How are you supposed to forget that you have to do his paperwork for the day?

If only you hadn’t been caught sneaking to the overworld during your shift, you groan to yourself as you bury your face in your hands. And by Wriothesley nonetheless. Your luck has to be the worst in Fontaine, no doubt. You watch Wriothesley's retreating figure through your fingers with a hefty amount of annoyance and resignation. The man really knows how to push your buttons, doesn't he? You let out a frustrated sigh, realizing you've been backed into a corner once again. It's not like you have much of a choice, though. His offers are always too tempting to resist, even if they come with strings attached.

And he didn’t really punish you for your misdemeanour. Letting you off with some paperwork was nothing compared to the actual fate that awaits slackers.

“Everything alright?” You let out a small involuntary shriek at Clorinde’s sudden voice. “What was that for?” You demand, turning to face her as you rub off the goosebumps on your arm. “You couldn’t approach me from the front like a normal person?”

“I’m the most normal person you’ll find around here,” she smirks as she crosses her arms. “I don’t have much competition when you’re surrounded by criminals.”

“Whatever,” you grumble, silently agreeing with her statement. “How come you’re down here, though?”

“I had to deliver some tea to Wriothesley, but since I was here anyway I thought I’d look for you.”

"Tea delivery, huh?" you say, raising an eyebrow. "Seems like an odd task for someone of your... talents."

“I lost a bet.” She says brusquely. Ah, so it’s not just you that has to deal with the prison warden’s antics.

“My condolences,” you say, offering her a small smile. “ Anyway, you found me. What's up?”

“Same old. How’s your stint as a prison guard holding up?” “Terribly,” you admit, letting out a sigh. “His Grace has a tendency to make my life as miserable as possible. I might have to make an attempt on his life at this point.”

Clorinde lets out a light laugh at that, covering her mouth with her elegant gloved fingers. “Don’t take it personally,” she says after recovering a bit. “He doesn’t do it with malicious intent. I think.”

“You think.” You echo, still not convinced. “Since when have you been defending Wriothesley? Maybe I should end our friendship right now.”

“Ah, I’d be so heartbroken.” She grins, ruffling your hair up a little. “Don’t let him bother you too much. See you later, then.”

“See you. Take care, Clorinde.”

As you watch her leave the fortress via the elevator, you notice the envious and slighted awed glances of other people. They’re probably wondering how a nobody like you is even on friendly terms with the highest ranked champion duelist in Fontaine.

To be honest, you don’t really know either.

…

You manage to do the paperwork with incredible speed and efficiency, much to your surprise. Wriothesley isn’t there to watch you wrap it up, but Sigewinne does shoot you a quick look of sympathy as you get ready to leave.

“If you need anything, please tell me.” She says in that quiet, gentle voice of hers, but you wave off her concerns with a smile.

“It wasn’t a big deal, head nurse.” You say as you walk towards the exit, turning your head to reply to her. “Just tell Wriothesley to-”

“Tell me to what?”

As expected, someone’s blocking you from leaving. You look up at his smug face and defensively cross your arms as you take a step back. “To- to improve your handwriting.”

“Oh yeah?” He leans in a little closer and places his hands on either side of the doorframe to further cage you in, and your heart does not skip a beat. “Don’t bullshit me. We both know my handwriting is better than yours.”

“If you don’t mind, your Grace, can I get going?” You hiss through gritted teeth. “I need to attend to my shift.”

“Mm. Of course.” He abruptly lets go and walks past you without another glance, instead turning his attention to Sigewinne. “So, how are the patients doing?”

What is this man even playing at? You bite back another snappy remark and leave, trying your best not to give him another reason to antagonize you.

With a determined stride, you head towards the training grounds, where your next task awaits. The prisoners' reforming program may not be your idea of a good time, but you're nothing if not diligent in your duties. Maybe that’s what Clorinde likes about you? You make your way over to the nearest group of inmates, steeling yourself for the task at hand.

"Alright, listen up," you announce, trying to project an air of authority. "I'm here to teach you how to repair mekas. Pay attention, and we'll get through this together."

You're met with a mix of curiosity and apprehension. It's clear that they're not used to having a guard participate in their training sessions, but you're determined to prove to them (and Wriothesley) that you’re better than what may seem at surface level.

With that in mind, you roll up your sleeves and dive into the lesson, guiding the inmates through the intricacies of meka repair with some degree of patience and expertise. You used to be one of Fontaine’s famed underwater mechanics, and you’d graduated from The Akademiya with the highest degree in Kshahrewar, but here you are. Working as a guard in the Fortress of Meropide. Really humbles someone, you think to yourself as you teach a woman how to polish a rusted gear piece.

“You can use a little bit of oil or grease if you really need to,” you advise her as she goes at it with a scrap piece of cloth, but she barely registers your words. Eh. You’re not really paid enough to care, so you don’t bother repeating yourself.

“Does anyone need any help?” You call out, and you’re relieved to see everyone shaking their heads, more preoccupied with the very cute mini-mekas they have on their hands. Great. That means you can go. You clock in your shift with the nearby attendance meka and leave the training grounds, wondering what to do with the one hundred and fifty credit coupons you earned. Maybe something edible in the cafeteria to treat yourself- after all, they don’t really treat the guards here much better than the inmates.

Or you could hang out with Sigewinne in the infirmary and save the coupons for a rainy day. Maybe not the most exciting thing to do, but the head nurse is good company and helps you out with your mental state when you’re in a bad mood.

You’re not really in a bad mood right now, but she might help before it gets worse. You just hope Wriothesley isn’t there, or your plan will backfire horribly.

With another quick look through your options, you decide to head to the infirmary.

You're greeted by the soothing scent of antiseptic mixed with the faint aroma of herbal tea. Sigewinne looks up from her clipboard, an excited smile spreading across her face as she sees you enter.

"Hey there," she says softly, setting down her pen. "Is everything okay? Did you hurt yourself?"

You offer her a tired thumbs-up. "Don’t worry, I’m fine. Just thought I'd drop by for a chat. Maybe see if you're up for a game of TCG or something."

Her eyes sparkle with amusement. "TCG, huh? You know, you're lucky I'm terrible at bluffing."

"You’d be surprised," you reply with a chuckle. "Because my bad luck just might be the reason you win."

Sigewinne laughs, the sound like bells tinkling in the wind. Melusines are fascinating creatures for sure. She gestures for you to take a seat, and you settle into the chair opposite her. It's nice to have a moment of respite from the chaos of your duties, even if it's just for a little while.

"So, how was your day?" Sigewinne asks, her tone gentle.

“Alright.” You shrug, crossing your arms. “I’ve had worse-” like the time another fellow guard punched the daylights out of you “-and better, so it’s just another day in the cycle.”

The two of you fall into easy conversation, discussing everything from the recent events in Fontaine’s overworld to your plans for the upcoming weekend. They are nonexistent- but Sigewinne reassures you that it’s the same for almost everyone else.

“I might be visiting Neuvillette this weekend though,” she says offhandedly, which takes you by surprise. Sigewinne rarely goes anywhere on her own. “Do you want to come along? It might be a nice change from the usual grind.”

“Sounds good.” You say with an easygoing grin. You’re a little scared of the overworld to be honest, what with so many months spent in Meropide, but maybe some sunlight will do you good. “I can do some shopping while I’m at it.”

“Mhm. Do you need any Mora?”

You shake your head, laughing her question off. Mora? Why would you need-

Oh right.

That’s what they use in the rest of Teyvat.