#itto is still very young in oni years and they don’t realize it

[erikatsu]

im so sad over itto wtf

[monicahar]

HOW THEY FALL IN LOVE

characters; childe, xiao, zhongli, itto, thoma, kazuha, ayato, scaramouche

; gn! reader, fluff, mild cursing lol

— slowburn

CHILDE who only viewed you as a friend from his childhood—nothing more, nothing less. It's when he's in the pinnacle of uncertainty and distress does he realize that you're much more than what he thought. Your kind actions that he once thanked gratefully for now fluster him greatly, the smiles you send his way now make him rigid of shyness instead of making him smug...not only that, you surprisingly seem way more prettier than he had last remembered. Just what exactly changed? —is now his biggest question.

XIAO who had once actively avoided you, always declining your proposals of a half-assed marriage. He doesn't know when it started, but each time you asked him the same question over and over again, he found himself questioning if no, was his actual answer. This question had always annoyed him, and marriage with someone like him being with someone as kind as you would never end well, so of course it was a no. As expected, you had shot another opportunity today, asking him if he wants to marry you, not expecting the fact that he's right on the edge of finally saying yes after all these years.

ZHONGLI who was always beside you, whether it'd be fighting gods, or sipping tea in the bask of Liyue's atmosphere. Long term friends, is what you'd both call your relationship, although the adepti seem to disagree one way or another. You only realize that they're indeed right when Hu Tao asks a peculiar question during a peaceful morning, “What would you feel if Mr. Zhongli had a spouse?” When your stomach churns at the thought, you simply stop sipping your tea to process it. The girl in front of you holds a knowing look, cheekily smiling before running off to who knows where.

— love at first sight

ITTO who stumbles on his feet and words when he see you across a restaurant he and his gang were at. Awkwardly asking for your name while trying to look confident at the same time, a laugh escapes you; sounding like music to his ears. You curtly introduce yourself, and him, acting as confident as ever, says his punch-line as The one and oni...you don't have the heart to say that you still don't know who that is so you simply smile and ask him to sit down at your table. You don't know his name yet, but heck, he's cute.

THOMA who accidentally catches your gaze during his stroll, a blush coming to both of your faces before turning away and continue what you were both doing. Ayato, who walked just beside him, didn't get this unnoticed. The young lord doesn't openly mention anything about the small interaction, but be sure to not be surprised when he suddenly appoints a meeting with you and getting Thoma to attend in his stead as he is very “busy”, Thoma could only raise a brow at Ayato's strange behavior before attending the meeting, unknowing of his master's antics. The head commissioner knows what's up when Thoma returns to the estate with a face that could rival a tomato.

— you fell first, they fall harder

KAZUHA as the one you had always admired ever since he played his leaf flute to you during the time you moped in sadness in the middle of Inazuma's wilderness. He acknowledges your feelings, but doesn't return it, much to your dismay. It's fine, you say, whilst taking a good look at his beautifully framed face as you smile heartily, “Let's wait for the wind to decide in the end, shall we?” you mimic his usual line, making him blink before chuckling at your determination. Unbeknownst to you, he already hears it, actually—the ripples of his heart beating faster than usual along with the whispers of a prospering love in the wind.

SCARAMOUCHE who had met you when he was merely a wondering puppet; searching for his purpose. You had taken care of him, until he decided to finally leave on his own journey. It saddened you, but you knew he wasn't meant to be yours to keep. He only feels your importance to him when he nearly breaks down after hearing about your lonely death, heavily regretting just leaving you in the dust. But now, with you alive as a shrine maiden a few centuries years later, he promises to never repeat the same mistake twice as he slowly makes his way to you, about to introduce himself as not the eccentric wanderer, Kunikuzushi, but Scaramouche, The Balladeer.

AYATO is very well known as the ideal man. Many admired him, and that doesn't exclude you. But you had to keep your feelings down if you wanted to keep your job as his assistant, preferring to stay by his side without making him uncomfortable. But...everyone has their limits when it comes to bottling feelings. Even Ayato; he frowns in frustration as he does his work, obviously fatigued and exhausted but still insisting on finishing this one paper, so you had no choice but to finally act stern with him—your facade nearly falters when he looks up at you with an :o face, not expecting you to snap at his stubbornness. “...sir, I'm sure you understand that no one would enjoy seeing someone you love and cherish go on like this.” he'd normally tease you about this, but seeing your serious expression...he shuts up and listens for once; his composure slightly faltering as he lets a small blush creep up to his face at your bossy self.