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yostresswritinggirl · 2 years

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That Loud House

pairings -> Alhaitham x Reader x Kaveh; poly

words -> 2,574 words

An architect, a scribe, and a prodigal drop out walked out of a house. Somehow they all fell in love, even tho they don't look like it when they're outside. (next)

As a local citizen in Sumeru City, you must have heard about that loud house in the higher levels.

Infamous for reasons already in the name, it had become a running gag, transcending the foundation of the structure to its well-known owners.

The loudness of that house wasn't anything new, but the occupants and its most recent addition made the legendary house ever so entertaining than annoying. Their names known far and wide, even touching the desert with gossip.

Out comes Alhaitham, the grand Scribe of the Akademiya holding himself to such high regard as both the lunatic and the savior of all of Sumeru.

Next leaves Kaveh with a bit more pep in his steps, so uncharacteristic of the Master Architect when he's frequently whining about his living conditions and roommate.

And last but never ever least exits you, gently closing and locking the door behind you unlike the first two to leave, rubbing at your eyes as you stumbled through the streets of the city with nothing but muscle memory guiding you.

No one knows how the relationship of that loud house came to be, only that one day, suddenly three people lived there. And those three people loved each other, expressed in some way that none of the Vahumana scholars can ever explain.

How you three came to be is a very... peculiar arrangement that people could only know if they asked. But out of your trio, only Kaveh is the approachable one, and even he didn't know the full story.

The true story of your relationship is privy to only you and Alhaitham, but the man would never entertain gossipers (for the sole reason of wanting them to overthink and hypothesize). And the two had made it very clear that they don't want you to be bothered by such trivial matters.

Foundation

No one would ever believe that Alhaitham started this complicated relationship, but he did. And no one but him and his clever brain would know how long he had planned for this.

"I see you're spacing out again," you pause in your walk as you silently watch the silver-haired Scribe make his way over. "Good morning."

"Good morning, Alhaitham." The scholar easily falls into step with you as you continued your leisurely walk, consciously adjusting your hair when you realized how well-kept next to your sleep-deprived self. "I'm fine, how about you?"

You've known the man even before he became a Scribe, even before he graduated and became your senior. How your closeness came to be is already a blur in your mind, but if there's one thing you're certain of, he at least enjoys your company.

You've bonded over collaborations for research before and after he graduated. Perhaps that's what draws him to you, he always liked and supported your ideas as much as he can even when no one does. Sadly, his work and your problems kept your interactions scarce.

"Wrong, it is actually already afternoon. Clearly, you are not fine and you can't deny it now." Oh my - you gently, slowly put your palm to your face, already so done with his antics for today.

It looks like you have a lot to catch up on since the last you talked. And Alhaitham, ever so smart, caught on with the impending long talk who proceeded to guide you to the tables outside Djafar Tavern.

When Eymen came over to take your orders, Alhaitham instead ordered for the two of you when you were about to refuse the service. Right, he's a rich guy now.

"How's your research been?" And at the sight of your sour face, he connected the dots almost immediately. "Same old?"

"Same old Akademiya. They won't fund anything that's not useful or groundbreaking, and I really liked this topic, too." And at his urging nods, you went on a tangent of the curiosities you've been hooked on for a while now, another idea he approves. "I don't understand why they are so heavily guarded with research regarding the history of the desert. I just want to learn more."

"Then leave the Akademiya." Stabbing into the Tandoori Roast Chicken a little too harshly, you looked at him with wide, incredulous eyes. "What? If the Akademiya is restricting you then you can continue your research without their laws applying to you."

Lunatic. That's just like him. Looking at you innocently with a raised brow as if he didn't just say something so out of pocket.

"You know I can't do that."

"Why not?" Bingo! That hesitant side glance confirmed his hypothesis easily, there's more than just the Akademiya that's putting circles under your eyes. Even as you occupied yourself with chewing the chicken, he kept his eyes on you like a hawk.

You sighed. "Research is my only income, unlike you, Scribe." He must be paid really well for his position, after all. "Rent in the City is also rising, I have to pay that next week, too. I'm so tired."

What is up with the people his close to and financial problems? He shakes his head. "Then drop out of the Akademiya and live with me." Unfortunately, this time he didn't care that you had chicken in your mouth. He continued while you're busy coughing your lungs out. "With my income, I'm more than glad to support your research. With this arrangement, you can focus on what you want and your health as we-"

HUH?! "Shu - fu - shut, shut up for a second." Eymen quickly came to your aid with a glass of water after seeing the commotion, but as he was about to pat your back, a stern look from your friend(?) made him think twice. "Do you even know what you're saying?"

"Yes. It's quite simple really," Alhaitham sat up straighter on his seat and uncrossed his arms. "I'll be your research support, I can even help you on them if need be, and living under my roof will remove you of financial burden.

"Deal." Eymen let out a loud 'huh?!' as he looks at you like you have a fungus head. "And I assume that you want something out of this, too?"

Nodding approvingly of your perceptive thinking, his next words both had you and Eymen reeling. "In exchange, date me and Kaveh."

... On second thought, it's not just you and Alhaitham that knows the true story.

But no one ever believes Eymen the bartender.

Surveying

Apparently, they were not in a relationship. Apparently, Kaveh doesn't even know about the terms and conditions of what transpired that day.

"Oh! Fancy meeting you here!" With the context, you awkwardly reciprocated the hug the architect greeted you with.

"You two know each other?" Alhaitham emerged from the guest room were your bags and items will be making home until this arrangement is over.

Kaveh, your Kshahrewar senior raised to the power of 2 was someone you had also collaborated with beforehand. Learning about the different periods Sumeru went through, as well as the civilizations of the other regions, the architect thought it was common sense to ask you for building inspirations.

The architecture was a part of your studies, right? Perhaps by seeing the different buildings all over Teyvat, he could infer his own design for his plates. You remember working on it for two days straight because you didn't want to disappoint him with a half-baked result, not when such a household name depended on you, a no name researcher.

"Well, that makes things easier then. They are staying with us from now on."

"They are?" The blond turns to you. "You are?!" You nod. "Oh, an angel descends from the skies to preserve my sanity in this house!"

You shake the hand offered to you, his smile brightening up more. "Let's get along, shall we?"

And get along you did. To be fair, it wasn't really that hard knowing Kaveh is Kaveh, and Alhaitham as his point of reference makes everyone look like saints.

However, being in the middle of these two also guarantees you to always be in the middle of their notorious arguing, even after you all settled into a genuine relationship.

"It's called a passion project, what is so hard to understand about that? Then again, knowing you, it wouldn't be too far fetched." Closing your eyes, the taste of the freshly cooked baklava became more apparent to your taste buds.

"It's not about whether this project is so important to you, it's the fact that it is missing a crucial factor: feasibility." Pulling the mug in your left hand, you washed down the sweetness of the pastry with slightly bitter coffee.

"What do you know about architecture to tell if it's feasible or not? You took one look at my plates and think you know better." Gulping your food, you let out a silent yawn as you tried to blink the sleepiness away.

"One look at it and I can see that you've put zero thought to the prices of the materials." What time is it? Maybe you can get some last minute nap before heading out.

"Why you -" Before you can register their morning argument subsiding, the feeling of hands on yours and your cheek jolted you awake.

"Why are you dozing off? Did you not sleep enough tonight?" As Alhaitham takes away the mug in your hand, Kaveh proceeds to wipe the pastry crumbs around your lips. Shaking your head, your blond lover moves to stand behind your chair.

"You told us you have an important errand today, you're gonna be late!" Then he starts to brush your hair back to style it as usual. Prying an eye open, you see a glimpse of Alhaitham cleaning up the table, as well as a hint of a subtle smile when his gaze caught sight of you and Kaveh.

Of course, if there's one thing that Kaveh and Alhaitham can agree on, it's their love for you. And that's honestly enough for them.

Structuring

Alhaitham viewed you as his responsibility in this symbiotic relationship, and when the time came that Kaveh settled into the arrangement, taking care of you became easier.

While it's not apparent, the Scribe hated seeing you stressed or down especially when you're susceptible to it than normal.

Things such as bills, needs, funding, rejected thesis can greatly affect your mental health greatly. And that in turn messes with the functionality of your brain, the same brain that he greatly adores. So with lesser jargon Alhaitham entrusted this information to Kaveh so that they both can look out for you when the other isn't there.

Unlike Alhaitham however, Kaveh's less used to your antics.

A shrill scream that can definitely be heard past the walls of the house made him jump and trip out of his bed, stumbling out of his room as he made a mad dash towards the room where the scream came from.

"(Y/N)?! What's wrong?!" Oh gosh, did you get hurt? Did someone break in?! Alhaitham is going to kill him for real this time!

Turning around from your spot in the middle of the living room, you pulled your hands out of your messy hair at the sight of your blond architect. "Kaveh? Oh shoot, I'm sorry did I wake you?" You thought you were alone in the house.

Shaking his head, his hands land on your shoulders to look for any signs of injuries. But no, based on the messiness of your hair, it seems more like an internal turmoil. "I heard your scream, tell me what's wrong, dear."

"Sorry, sorry, I was just really frustrated -" He needs to get you to clear your mind then, like what Alhaitham instructed- "Because of this stupid DIY miniature set."

"What?" Looking past you to the coffee table, there was the evidence of your frustrations. Cloth and wooden panels strewn about, and a mess of papers either discarded or needed littered the carpeted floor. "Why are you working on a DIY miniature house? Is that a house?"

"To destress." You raise your hands up in defense when Kaveh sent you a deadpan. "I think it's a Mondstadt style house."

"Why didn't you ask me to help then?" Forgetting his initial plan, he went on to seat on the floor and caught sight of the instructions page. Occupied with the interesting structure, you curiously sat next to him as he looked at the pieces. "I'm an architect, this is my forte!"

But... you're the one that's... trying to destress?

When Alhaitham came home, the house was suspiciously quiet despite having the lights open. Did one of you leave the main floor lights on by accident? Hanging his cape by the door, walking further into his shared home finally gave him the answer.

Cut up paper and trimmed fake plants scattered the area together with various small tools that he carefully picked up before anyone could step on it. There is a small model of what seems to be Mondstadt structure in the middle of the mess that could easily fit in his palm.

"This is what you two did the whole time?" But he expected the lack of response.

After all, as he turns towards the couch, there Kaveh laid stretched over the entire length of the long seat with his arm shielding his closed eyes. And there you lay on top, basically faceplanting the architect's chest.

Alhaitham could see the dried up clear glue on the tips of your fingertips.

His attention averts back to the miniature house. And that's when he sees it. Leaning down, the Scribe plucks up a copper wire with tiny bulbs jutting out here and there, with a switch at one end.

Oh. You two must have forgotten to add the wiring before assembling the piece and slept the frustration away.

Chuckling to himself, the man crossed his legs as he sat, picking up the discarded tweezer and glue. What would you two do without him really?

You were startled out of your shopping trip at the sound of someone screaming your name, followed by a person you've never met writing over to you. A mahamata personnel?

"We're sorry to bother you but Mr. Alhaitham and Kaveh -" Of course, it's about them.

It was a fallacy that everyone keeps committing at this point, believed in assumptions without evidence, but you followed the man to the destination to Treasures Street.

And when you stood in between the two quarreling scoundrels you call your lovers, the man who was hoping you'd stop the disturbance on peace looked confused. Of course he was.

After all, the arguments are part of the charm. Just because you came into the picture doesn't mean they'll stop in your presence, no, that's not your function in this relationship. However -

"I made progress."

"You did?! Thank goodness, I was worried you'll have to wait another day for dusk!" Kaveh flipped like a switch at the good news, eagerly suggesting to eat out for the occassion.

"Did you write it down? I wish to compare notes with my own hypothesis back home once we're done. When's the last time you hydrated?"

The public watched in confusion as the trio of lovers left the scene towards Lambad's Tavern, the argument turning into a conversation of jargons and lexicon that they can't follow.

It's always so eventful seeing the occupants of that loud house when they're together.

They just wish things were a little quieter.

Finally, the lesser organized poly series counterpart of CtM is here. Should have stuck to the headcanons format honestly but at least I know this isn't gonna be a one off thing lol

@ireallylikehamsters

#genshin x reader #genshin impact x reader #kaveh x reader #alhaitham x reader #al haitham x reader #genshin impact fluff #gender neutral #exile.flower #poly kavetham #sumeru arc

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genshin-animals · 4 months

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I made a post a while ago saying I found a draft on this blog saying "wrong, put them in a polycule" and that I didn't remember what it's about

I remember what it was about now

It's about the Chongyun x Gaming vs Chongyun x Xingqiu thing

#some people need to open up their eyes to the world of poly shipping #i don't even ship him with either of them but like why does there have to be fights about it. they can all be boyfriends #genshin #genshin impact #chongyun #xingqiu #gaming genshin #ga ming #xingyun #mingyun #what would their ship name be #xingming #maybe? i don't know lol

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scaredpigeons · 4 months

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More than you can chew. II: those damned flowers.

Previous // Next

Elirah (genshin impact OC) x 4ggravate (Alhaitham, Kaveh, Cyno & Tighnari)

Word count: 5.3k

WARNING: NSFW 18+ MDNI. This fic contains smut between literally all the characters, the only two who don’t really fuck is ‘Haitham and Cyno cuz they’re the only ones unaffected by the aphrodisiac lol. Dubcon only because of the aphrodisiac, but come on, they’d all fuck regardless, so it should be fiiine.

CW: aphrodisiacs, sex, oral sex, (m and f receiving) handjobs, pussyjob, Tighnari knots Elirah, creampies, talk of impregnating Eli, but it’s okay she’s on birth control cuz girl don’t play around like that, dirty talk, Alhaitham and Cyno banter (sexually charged banter) anal sex (Tighnari rec), haikaveh and Cynonari content, multiple orgasms, Tighnari bites Eli.

Authors Note: I figured I’d post this while y’all wait for the Neuvi smut. It’s coming along, but slowly. I had to take a break bc I run the risk of carpal tunnel at this point, so I gotta be careful lol. I know this isn’t x reader, but I’d really love it if y’all gave elirah some of your time, she means a lot to me. There’s plenty more where this came from, and im working on more smutty continuations of part 1 so keep an eye out! :)

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Hot. Everything was hot.

She gripped the edge of the reservoir, her vision darkening at the edges, fuzzy and strange.

A wave of pure, nauseating need pulsed through her. She groaned, doubling over herself.

“Eli!” Kaveh moved through the water towards her, resting a hand on the small of her back. “A-are you..?”

She moaned his name, the heat from his palm radiating through her clothes.

“Be careful, Kaveh,” Alhaitham said, still standing in the entrance, deathly still. “You might actually want to get out of the water, it affects women and Valuka Shuna more intensely than men.”

“I—“ Kaveh doubled over into himself a bit, clutching his abdomen while he instinctually moved closer to her. “All the more reason I shouldn’t leave them!”

Elirah turned, clutching to Kaveh’s front, pressing herself against him.

“Hot,” she whimpered into his chest. “It’s so hot.”

“H-how do you…” Kaveh groaned, holding her closer as she rubbed against him. “How do you know s-so much about… hah.”

Elirah couldn’t control herself, everything in her screamed Kaveh, Kaveh, Kaveh.

He was so warm, his skin felt so good. She ground her hips against him, seeking relief from the erection straining in his trousers.

“Coolielust lotus was an extremely popular aphrodisiac in ancient societies.” Alhaitham said, almost hesitant as he watched Elirah push herself into Kaveh further, eyeing the way his knee ran between her thighs as she ground herself down on it. “It came up within my studies quite often at the akademiya, and if you read some decent historical texts every once in a while I’m sure you’d know of it too…”

Kaveh’s hands found the plush of Elirah’s ass as he helped her grind into him, his eyes rolling back.

Cyno stepped forward as if he meant to reach out to Tighnari, who was still clutching the edge of the reservoir as if he would otherwise float away from it.

Alhaitham shot his arm out, blocking the smaller man from moving any closer.

“Don’t.” He said. “They’re not in their right minds, Cyno.”

“But…” the general Mahamatra looked back and forth between his lover and Alhaitham, eyes pleading.

Elirah whined, reaching out behind her at the forest watcher. “N-nari…”

Tighnari moved faster than he should’ve been able to in the water, his hands latching onto Elirah’s waist as he ground himself into her from behind, pushing her further into Kaveh and causing all three of them to let out the most obscene moans.

Tighnari’s teeth pulled at the high collar of Elirah’s bodysuit, and his mouth latched onto the soft skin on the side of her throat when it was exposed to him.

“N-Nari.” She moaned. “C-cure?” She was surprised she could push the words from her lips, let alone think them. All she wanted was for this aching heat to be over.

“Orgasms.” He growled into her skin. “So many fucking orgasms.”

She moaned again, throwing her head back onto his shoulder as he and Kaveh moved in tandem against her, grinding themselves desperately into her back and front.

Tighnari pushed her down further into Kavehs waiting thigh, moving her himself now as he ground against her ass.

“Ah!” Elirah squealed, a sudden and unexpected high falling over her senses. “I’m gonna—!”

“Cum.” Tighnari growled into her shoulder before licking his way up the side of her throat. “Cum all over him, ‘Lirah.”

And she did, it blossomed from her aching clit throughout her whole body, somehow soaking the crotch of her shorts even further, despite the sloshing water still surrounding them. Her legs buckled as she cried out, body going limp as both Kaveh and Tighnari pushed and pulled at her body for their own pleasures.

“This is…” Cyno shifted, hands coming to re-situate himself in the front of his shorts as his widened eyes watched his three friends writhe in the water below. “This is so wrong.”

Alhaitham wasn’t faring any better, but kept his mouth shut and his arms folded firmly across his chest. He was a grown man, a renowned scholar, and he prided himself on his impeccable self control.

Kaveh unzipped the front of Elirahs bodysuit, pulling her breasts free as he leaned down to pop a pert, rosy nipple into his mouth— moaning and clutching her further into him.

“Fuck…” Alhaitham groaned under his breath, feeling himself twitch against his thigh. It was unfortunate that the two people who tested his self control the most were two of the people in front of him, giving he and Cyno the show of a lifetime.

“Off.” Tighnari growled, pulling at Elirahs remaining clothes. “Off, now.”

Alhaitham watched with hesitant eyes as Tighnari and Kaveh worked to pull the back lacings of Elirahs corset before shucking it and her bodysuit down her body, throwing them on the bed of the water without a second thought.

Elirah pulled at her gloves, flinging them away as she pulled at Kaveh’s clothes.

“Need…” she gasped as Tighnari’s gloved hands pulled at her ribcage, growling posessively into the skin of her shoulder. “Need to touch.”

“Alhaitham…” Cyno said hesitantly. “I don’t know if Kaveh being in there with them is a good idea…”

Alhaitham struggled to pull his eyes away. “Why do you say that?”

“Tighnari… he can get possessive. I’ve only seen him act like this during his ruts… mating season can get… rough.”

Alhaithams brow furrowed as he watched Tighnari’s hands get rougher and more persistent, and the low growls in the back of the fox’s throat grew deeper and louder as Kaveh continued sucking and pulling on Elirahs breasts.

“Fuck.” Alhaitham cussed under his breath. “Fuck, fuck.”

He walked to the water's edge, holding his hand out to Kaveh.

“Come on, out you get,”

Kaveh whined, pulling himself closer to Eli with no regard for the way Tighnari growled, the way he glared at him.

“N-need,” Kaveh stuttered, pulling at the front of his pants.

“I’ll take care of you, Kaveh, but you need to get out before Tighnari ends up hurting you, or even Elirah.”

Alhaitham couldn’t tell if the prospect of him being the one to take care of Kaveh was what made the man so eager, or the possibility of he or Eli being hurt, but either way his eyes widened as he quickly slipped from Eli’s grasp and out of the water.

“He runs less of a risk of hurting her if there's no immediate threats to him, he should be…” Cyno trailed off as Alhaitham pulled a needy Kaveh from the water, who immediately jumped into the scribe's arms, locking himself to his lips and grinding incessantly where his legs wrapped around his waist.

His eyes fluttered back to the pool as Elirah whined, only to watch as Tighnari pushed her against the edge, bending her over before roughly pulling at the front of his shorts, pulling them down and entering her in one swift motion.

Alhaitham sat down, pulling Kaveh’s back to rest against his chest, facing the other two in the pool before them. He pulled at the architect's pants, freeing his leaking erection with firm hands.

Kaveh writhed in his grip, gasping, hands grabbing whatever part of Alhaitham he could.

“Shhh,” Alhaitham hushed him. “I’ll take care of you Kaveh, you’re fine.”

His moral compass was skewed now, watching Tighnari thrust roughly into Elirah, watching her face twist in pure relief and pleasure as she white knuckled the rocky waters edge.

Alhaitham kissed Kaveh’s neck, rough hand pulling at his cock as he brought his other hand to shove two fingers into Kavehs panting mouth.

“That’s good,” Alhaitham murmured in his ear. “Suck on my fingers, I’ve got you.”

Tighnari continued his rough pace, gloved hands gripping Elirahs pale skin as they both whined and cried out in the water.

Cyno pulled his eyes away from the two on the ground, creeping forward slowly towards the water.

Tighnari’s ears perked up, and he brought his teeth down onto the muscle connecting Elirahs neck and shoulder as he growled at Cyno.

She cried out, body shaking as another orgasm ripped through her, Tighnari’s pace never faltering.

“Nari, baby.” Cyno said, voice small and soothing. “I’m not gonna take her from you.”

“Mine.” Tighnari growled, hips rutting harder, deeper.

“Yours,” Cyno nodded. “Right Eli?”

Her eyes were glazed over, but she managed to grasp a hand around Tighnari’s where it rested on her hip, squeezing it reassuringly.

“Y-yours, Nari.” She moaned, eyes rolling back once more as the fox purred into her skin. “…’m all yours.”

Cyno cautiously moved and sat at the edge of the pool, his hand hesitantly reaching out before brushing along Tighnari’s ear, making the fox growl, then whine out as he realized who was touching him.

“Are you sure you wanna knot her, baby? You can always come out, I’ll take care of you.” Cyno said, slowly, without any pressure.

Tighnari shook his head aggressively, mouthing at the bite mark on Elirahs shoulder.

“No, no.” He whined low in his throat before it turned into a growl. “Gonna fill her up, give her my pups.”

Cyno turned to Alhaitham, who was mouthing at Kaveh’s earlobe, still stroking the blond's cock as he writhed against him.

Alhaitham must’ve been listening in over Kaveh’s whines. “She’s on birth control, it should be fine.” He murmured, eyes flitting between his hand stroking Kaveh and the scene before him.

Cyno nodded, and continued to brush his fingers along Tighnari’s ears.

“It’s gonna be a lot Elirah,” he said, though his eyes never left Tighnari, hoping to not spark up his possessive nature any more than it already was. “The first time taking a knot is… a lot. If you don’t think you can…”

“No, I want it!” She cried out, meeting Tighnari’s thrusts. “Want your pups ‘Nari, please!”

“Wet,” Tighnari breathed. “So wet, warm. Perfect to take my knot. Perfect for my pups. Perfect.”

Elirah had never felt so wet before, he was right. Slick seemed to pool from her in droves, coating his cock and dripping down their thighs as he pounded it into her, his thrusts losing rhythm.

“Baby, I’m gonna help her through it, okay?” Cyno asked cautiously.

“Take it,” Tighnari huffed, voice raising in pitch and hips stuttering. “Take it.”

Cyno cupped Elirahs face, thumbing the tears that started to form as Tighnari’s knot began to expand, and he pushed it through the tight ring of her entrance.

Elirah clamped down on him, cumming with him as the first spurts of his seed painted her warmth in white.

“Good, good girl.” Cyno cooed, wiping the saliva dribbling from her mouth. “Stay nice and still for him.”

Tighnari grinded himself against her, knot locking his cock and cum deep inside her, moaning and gasping at how her walls twitched and pulled at him with every slow spurt of cum shot within.

Kaveh keened, body vibrating as he watched with heavy lids.

“Look at him fill up our girl, Kaveh,” Alhaitham breathed. “Look at how pretty she looks while she cums.”

And he did, he watched her, and suddenly Alhaithams hands became too much, his body burned where it touched his, and the cord inside him snapped, cumming all over Alhaitham’s hand in pretty white ropes.

Alhaitham may have had some objections to getting involved in the recovery process before, but watching Cyno lean down to kiss Elirah sweetly on the lips before he pressed a kiss to Tighnari’s forehead only helped sway him in the opposite direction.

The quicker they can get this out of their systems, the better.

“More,” Kaveh whined in his grasp, cock still leaking and jumping in his hand. “Haitham… need more.”

Alhaitham looked to Cyno. “How long does that usually last?” He watched as Elirah continued to flinch, her body vibrating at Tighnari’s cock jumped with more spurts of cum every few moments.

“About 15 minutes, though sometimes longer.” Cyno eyed the pair in front of them. “It’s worse if he doesn’t relax.”

Alhaitham glared, suddenly feeling a spark of possession himself, wanting Elirah in his arms, wanting to be the one to take care of her. “Then make him relax.”

Cyno seemed like he wanted to protest, but saw the way Tighnari still rutted his hips, shoulders tense and mouth still latched onto Elirah’s shoulder.

He sighed, slipping into the water and moving behind Tighnari.

The fox growled as Cyno pushed his shorts further down his legs, reaching to rub soothing circles on his thighs.

Tighnari relaxed, but only enough to soothe the growl in the back of his throat.

Cyno dipped his fingers between Tighnari’s legs, coating them in the loose mixture of arousals soaking Tighnari’s pelvis and thighs.

He brought them back behind, circling a gentle finger on Tighnari’s rim, making the fox jump in pleasure.

“Shh, baby.” Cyno pressed himself closer. “Relax for me, I’ll take care of you.”

Elirah moaned shakily, the knot inside her deflating ever so slightly, only enough for a rush of cum to flow out the space created, but still not enough for it to come out completely.

“Won’t that just make it worse?” Alhaitham asked, attitude peaking through.

“Once his knot is formed, it automatically starts the come down process, and it takes a decent while to be able to pump back up, only able to do so after it’s completely come down.” Cyno said, though he was focused on his fingers tracing and prodding at Tighnari’s ass. “The more relaxed he is, the quicker it deflates, and he loves this, loves having his ass played with, don’t you, pup.”

Tighnari whines, squirming a bit but otherwise still holding tightly to Elirah.

“And he’s trained so well,” Cyno says, a bit condescending, not really speaking to Alhaitham anymore. “He knows to relax when I’m back here, otherwise I won’t be able to fit my cock in his pretty little hole.”

Tighnari’s knot loses more mass, and a large rush of thick, pearly cum comes flowing out of Elirah, before she clenches down, inadvertently pushing Tighnari the rest of the way out with a wince and a whine at the stretch.

His cock falls out, twitching and jumping as he watches his cum flow uncontrollably from Elirahs still clenching hole.

He whines, reaching to shove his cock back inside, to keep the rest of his seed from falling out, wasted in the water; but Cyno grabs his arms and pulls him back, flush against his chest.

“Nuh uh,” he tuts against Tighnari’s cheek. “You need to get out of this water, then we can keep going.”

Tighnari whined and thrashed, but otherwise let Cyno pull him back, his more submissive nature being pulled from him by the General.

“Alhaitham, come get her.” Cyno said, pulling Tighnari out of the water.

Elirah was still bent over the edge of the reservoir, the naturally smoothed stone rubbing deliciously against her aching nipples. She shook, feeling cum flow out of her still clenching hole, moaning at the warmth of it.

“Sit tight, beautiful,” Alhaitham whispered just low enough for Kaveh to hear. “I’ll be right back.”

Alhaitham waded into the water behind Elirah, soothing warm hands up her spine.

“How are you feeling?” He murmured, bringing a hand to cup some water before pouring it down the backs of her thighs, washing away the cum that had dripped down that far.

“H-hot,” she stuttered, shivering as his hands moved higher to wash her leaking core. “It’s a burning f-feeling… inside…” she cried out as his fingers prodded at her entrance, pulling at what was left of the fox’s cum from within her.

“Still?” He questioned. “Three wasn’t enough?”

She shook her head, pushing back into his fingers as he cleaned her out. “More,” she moaned.

Their attention snapped upwards as a low groan from Cyno rang throughout the cavern, and they watched as both Tighnari and Kaveh knelt at the general's feet, kissing and suckling at his jumping cock between them.

“I thought I told you to stay where you were, Kaveh?” Alhaitham huffed.

Cyno’s face burned a deep shade of red as he covered the lower half of it with his hands in shame.

“Tighnari just… a-and then he…” he groaned, watching the fox and the blond make out over the crown of him, their tongues swirling against one another while slurping up the obscene amount of pre leaking from the tip.

Alhaitham pulled Elirah from the water, laying his cloak out on the rock before putting her down on it.

“You seem to have that plenty under control, General,” Alhaitham quipped, a light smirk forming across his lips as he watched Cyno struggle to remain standing with the attention he was receiving. “I’ll be just a moment.”

He leaned down, pulling Elirah towards him by her hips before diving in between her legs to mouth at her core.

She cried out, pulling at his hair and writhing in his grasp as he licked and sucked at her clit, moaning slightly at the slick that was still pooling from her.

It didn’t particularly matter to him at the moment whether it was Tighnari’s, her own, or a mixture of both their fluids; all that really mattered to him in that moment was helping to ease the discomfort Elirah was feeling, and he knew the only way to do so was to fuck orgasm after orgasm out of her until the drug was out of her system.

“Haitham,” she breathed, chest heavy with the weight of her impending high. “H-how are you so… good…”

“I’m a quick learner, Elirah,” he murmured, slurping against her clit. “You knew this the other night when you let me crawl between your legs the first time.” His devious grin was infectious, and through the fog she threw her head back and smiled at the memory.

“And the second time,” he flicked his tongue against her in steady strokes now. “And the third.”

Her hands gripped his hair hard as she shattered in his mouth, back arching off the cloak covered stone as she came and came and came, seemingly never ending as he worked her through it.

“AH!” She squealed, kicking her feet where they rested on her shoulders. “T-too much!”

“Really?” He smirked, it was small and soaked in her juices. “Because to me, it’s never enough.” He whispered.

He continued to lick at her until the air pushed from her lungs in a dry squeal, and then he pulled away, admiring his handiwork.

Elirah’s exposed chest heaved with her breaths of recovery, still glistening with water, although he supposed it could be sweat as well, a common symptom of the drug was a rising body temperature.

He felt a pull in the pit of his stomach to lean down and lick it from the valley between her breasts, and almost succeeded in denying it, but she whined, staring at him through heavy lids as if she still wasn’t done.

“Fucking hells…” he cussed, leaning in to drag his tongue flat across her perspirating skin. She tasted sweet, delicate and floral, and he didn’t have the heart to think his way around why exactly she tasted so good. He just knew he enjoyed it, so Alhaitham allowed himself to give a couple more licks before he stopped.

“Fuck!” Cyno exclaimed, still dealing with Tighnari and Kaveh a few meters away.

Kaveh was pantsless now, pulling at his own cock while he mouthed at Tighnari’s jawline. The fox was jerking the General off like a madman, holding out his tongue, waiting and drooling for Cynos release.

The pair of them staring up at him like that must’ve been too much, because Cyno bit down on his knuckles and came hard, coating both Tighnari and Kaveh in long white ropes with every stutter of his hips.

Tighnari swallowed what he’d managed to catch in his mouth and leaned to lick the remaining mess from Kaveh’s face and chest. Kaveh keened, his hand stroking himself faster as Tighnari nibbled over his nipples, and Elirah shuddered beneath Alhaitham as they watched Tighnari bite over the marks already lingering there.

“You like watching him, don’t you?” Alhaitham whispered, sitting her up and putting her in his lap, just as he had with Kaveh moments earlier.

She whined, nodding and watching the blond shiver and pull at his own cock more aggressively.

“Cyno,” Kaveh begged. “Cyno, kiss me.”

The general smiled, a little more calm now that his orgasm had faded, and leaned down to do just that.

Kaveh moaned into his mouth, whining desperately as Tighnari continued to suck and nip at him, making more marks across his pretty chest.

Elirah shuddered again as she watched the moment where Cyno bit at Kaveh’s lower lip, and the blond cried out, his hips jumping as he spilled into his hand and along Tighnari’s lap, who purred lavishly at the feeling of it, his cock still hard and throbbing, knot fully deflated.

“Good boy, Kaveh.” Cyno petted his hair, running his fingers through it affectionately. “You did so good, but I think someone’s waiting for you.”

Cyno’s eyes trailed behind him, and Kaveh turned and watched as Alhaitham hoisted Elirahs knees up to her chest, exposing her glistening core to the cavern.

Kaveh nearly drooled as he scrambled over, brain foggy and cock still throbbing with need.

Cyno busied himself with ridding Tighnari of his clothes, bending him over in the pile to work his fingers back into his ass as he watched the scene unfolding in front of him.

Alhaitham hooked Elirah’s knees over his arms as he reached forward for Kaveh, grabbing his cock and dragging it through her folds, shivering at the way they both keened in his control.

“Please,” Kaveh pushed at her core, and Alhaitham let go of his cock in favor of grabbing his hips to still them.

“Do you think you deserve it?” Alhaitham teased, pushing and pulling at his hips, dragging his aching cock across Elirah, her juices only aiding in the slide.

“I didn’t take you for a sadist, Alhaitham.” Cyno grinned, thrusting a third finger into Tighnari and watching darkly as the fox shuddered and squealed.

“Really?” Alhaitham huffed, his own small grin forming once more. “Because I read you as a brat tamer from day one, yet yours seems to be rather spoiled.”

“What can I say?” Cyno sighed, pulling his fingers from Tighnari. The fox whined, and then mewled as the General pressed the blunt head of his cock against his well prepared entrance. “He behaves more when he’s kept well fed.”

Cyno pushes his cock into Tighnari in one stroke, and the fox cries out, eyes bulging in their sockets. The general sets a brutal pace right away, slamming into the forest watcher with reckless abandon.

Alhaithams eyes watch darkly for a moment before he returns to his torturing of the two in his lap. He pulls at Kaveh faster, effectively forcing what he’s heard called a ‘pussyjob’ onto the blond.

Elirah cries out in his hold, Kaveh’s blunt cockhead pressing against her clit, making it throb and building her next release with each stroke.

“You're gonna make her cum again, Kaveh. How kind of you,” Alhaitham breathed, teasing the both of them. He was sure Elirah could feel his erection straining against his pants, but he could honestly care less about it, watching the two of them writhe in his hold was gratifying enough for now.

Kaveh whined, and the slaps of skin and cries from Tighnari grew, pulling the blond’s attention away.

Alhaitham moved a hand to grab Kaveh’s chin, pulling his gaze back in front of him. “You’ll look at her when she cums, Kaveh. Don’t be rude,” he demanded.

“Ahh,” Kaveh groaned, watching the way his straining cock slid between her folds with sloppy, imprecise thrusts.

“I’m…” Elirah whined. “I’m gonna…!”

Alhaitham watched as she jerked in his hold, his grip on Kaveh’s hips getting tighter as he stroked the blond through Elirahs orgasm, watching as he shuddered and his cock twitched and swelled.

Just as Elirah’s hit her peak, bordering into overstimulation, he pulled Kaveh back and angled his hips just a bit lower, making him enter her in one fluid motion.

They both squealed, and Elirah shuddered with a dull internal orgasm, her body so sensitive from the external orgasm she just went through.

Alhaitham guided Kaveh’s hips to rock in and out of her, and the blond gasped as he too came upon entry, his straining cock jumping as he pumped her full of his seed.

“Good,” Alhaitham breathed. “Keep going.”

They both whined, long and strained, but Kaveh’s hips began to rock on their own, and Elirah’s whine turned into a groan as their shared juices frothed in a messy ring at the base of Kaveh’s cock.

Cyno continued battering poor Tighnari’s ass with powerful thrusts, and Alhaitham noticed the pool of cum on the pile of clothes beneath Tighnari’s knees, and his already deflating knot.

He mentally noted Cynos impressive stamina, though he didn’t really want to think more on why he did that.

Cyno pulled Tighnari upright by the hair, and pressed his chest to the foxes back as he continued his pace.

“I’ll make you cum so hard you won’t have a single drop of it left in your system, Nari.”

The general reached around and squeezed at the remaining knot from Tighnari’s second orgasm, making the archer cry out pitifully.

“I’ll milk you fucking dry and then carry you home when your legs refuse to carry you themselves.” Cyno growled.

Kaveh shuddered in Alhaithams hold once more, his hips picking up their pace.

“Oh?” Alhaitham gripped his hips harder, making the blond moan out. “You like hearing them, don’t you, Kaveh?”

Alhaitham grinned over the blond’s shoulder at Cyno, who smiled and nipped at Tighnari’s jawline from behind. “Hear that Nari? Our audience loves to hear how much of a slut you are for me.”

Elirah cried out as Kaveh’s cock jumped inside her, his hips stuttering as his pace grew more sloppy.

“Kaveh’s just weak for anyone who talks filthy in his presence.” Alhaitham teased. “Doesn’t even have to be directed at him and he’s weak in the knees, aren’t you, sweetheart?”

“Mhm,” Kaveh nodded frantically, “p-please— ‘haitham.”

“Oh?” Alhaitham hummed, teasing him more. “I thought it was Cyno’s words you were enjoying. Why don’t you beg him some more?”

Cyno laughed, picked up Tighnari and walked them to lay him down beside Elirah, who was still folded in half in Alhaithams lap, legs still draped over his arms as she took Kaveh’s thrusts with weak yet satisfied moans.

Cyno pulled out of Tighnari, flipping him and laying him on his back on the rock, entering him with a smooth thrust once more. Tighnari mewled once more, reaching out and grabbing at Alhaithams thigh before his hand found Elirahs, squeezing it tightly as Cyno returned to his relentless pace.

“C-Cyno…” Kaveh whined, looking embarrassed to even be speaking his name, even though he’d been sucking off the General but moments ago.

Cyno continued his thrusts, keeping one hand on Tighnari’s hip but reaching the other out to tuck a strand of hair behind Kaveh’s ear.

“You’re so fucking pretty like this Kaveh, you know that?” Cyno murmurs.

A shiver racks through the architect, and he keens, hips sputtering into Elirah once more.

Alhaitham grins wide now—a rare sight—watching it all with rapt attention, loving the way Kaveh melts into his grip, hips keeping in rhythm with his pushing and pulling.

Tighnari continued to moan and clutch at Elirah’s hand as if his life depended on it. Cyno kept fucking him with deep, powerful strokes as he murmured filthy nothings at Kaveh.

Kaveh cried out one final time, his hips stilling as he filled Eli once more, the feeling driving her towards another peak for herself.

She writhed in Alhaitham’s grasp, weak cries pulled pitifully from her chest as she gushed. The sight of both her and Kaveh must’ve set Tighnari off, because he too cried out, a particularly deep thrust of Cyno’s causing him to spray a weak splattering of cum all over his pale chest. His knot swelled half heartedly, and his eyes rolled back in his head as he seemed to lose consciousness for a moment.

Cyno groaned as he watched it all happen, and with a final deep thrust inside his partner he climaxed. He tried to bite back his sounds, but the deeply satisfied moans were still audible even through clenched teeth.

Kaveh collapsed onto Elirah, who weakly groaned as his softening cock slipped from her and their combined fluids rushed out of her and down her skin. Alhaitham released his hold on her, and watched affectionately as they both relaxed, the tension easing from their bodies as well as it could while they were still naked on his lap and the cold rock.

“Does Tighnari still have that really quick carrier bird?” Alhaitham said, releasing a breath he didn’t know he was holding.

Cyno looked at him inquisitively, but nodded nonetheless.

Alhaitham nodded in satisfaction. “Good. I need to send a message.”

—

The moon was just peeking over the horizon as Aether found the cave. The message on Tighnari’s carrier bird was hastily written and contained just enough information to get him concerned enough to come right away.

He’d elected to leave Paimon behind at the inn, the letter seemed like some discretion was needed, and Paimon wasn’t exactly known for her closed mouth.

He ducked his way into the cave, following the sound of soft voices and a dull pink light to guide him.

The scene in front of him was… a lot, to say the least.

Kaveh laid flat on his back with his arms spread wide, shirtless in seemingly damp pants, his hair completely disheveled and stuck up in odd places.

Tighnari was curled up in a ball in the General Mahamatra’s lap, his shorts and undershirt clinging to his damp body as he shivered, yet seemed a lot more relaxed than Kaveh.

What really surprised him though, was the sight of Elirah being held bridal style in Alhaitham’s lap, her corset, gloves and boots piled neatly beside them as he wrapped her in his cloak, petting her hair and speaking in low tones to her. Though her eyes were closed, she had a delicate smile on her face, and Aether thought she looked rather peaceful.

Alhaitham noticed his presence at the mouth of the cavern, and nodded him over. Aether was surprised that he didn’t shove Elirah away in order to maintain their seemingly tumultuous relationship status from outsider eyes, but he supposed that something must have changed since the last time he saw them.

“You have the ability to use those ancient teleport waypoints, correct?” Alhaitham asked softly, as if not to wake Elirah. Aether initially thought she was just relaxing, but the steady rise and fall of her chest and slow heart rate were clear indicators that she was out cold.

“Yes, of course.” The traveler nodded.

“Can you, with the utmost discretion, get us to where we need to be? I’ll compensate you fairly in the morning, we just really need to get these three back to my house.”

Aether looked at the group again, and it wasn’t just Elirah who was asleep. Kaveh looked as though his life force had been drained from him, and his eyes rolled around as he stared up at the ceiling. Tighnari was out cold like Eli, purring softly in Cyno’s arms even as he shivered every few moments.

“Can I… can I ask what happened?” Aether blinked in the pale glow of the flowers, looking to Alhaitham for an explanation.

“You see those flowers?” Alhaitham pointed to the soft, glowing plants behind them.

“Don’t ever touch them. Ever. If they happen to get you with their pollen, you find one of us, or someone else you’d trust with your life and dignity, yes?”

Aether scrunched his brow, but nodded.

Alhaitham sighed. “I’ll explain more when we get to my house, but for now, we should really move.”

“Alright.” Aether moved to hoist Kaveh up. “Let’s get moving then.”

196 notes · View notes

prosaic-dust-bunny · 2 years

Text

When does a fox bloom?

Pairing: Ayato x Kitsune Mc x Thoma

Novella

Genre: Fluff - Angst - Introspective - lore oriented

Author Note: At this point I had to finish this chapter or the chapter would have finished me. So. Much. Dialogues. It really made me doubt if I, myself, know what dialogues are. Also I had a fever a week ago and somehow I made some spicy lemon grade smut (Ayato x Male reader x Thoma) and I was wondering if it would be apropos to make it a stand alone more or less connecting to this fic. I wrote it using Y/N instead of using my OC Naoya and I'm unsure what yall would prefer between the two. You can tell me via direct messages, asks or the reaction bubble on this post - doing so will grant the VIP access and I might be more inclined to take recommandations (I'm half serious at this point, but don't be scare to reach out, constructive criticism are always welcome).

Trigger Warning: Angst.

Character Profile - Prologue - Chapter 1 - Chapter 2 - Chapter 3 - Chapter 4 - Chapter 5 (currently reading) - Chapter 6 - Chapter 7

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Chapter 5

6.9k words

Thoma and Naoya were on their way back after investigating an adventurer campsite at the very North West of Yashiori island - where the tip of Orobashi’s tail pointed out of the water. They found some trinkets and artifacts under the tent, but more importantly some ragged notes with plans depicting a lower level to the above-water ruins of Fort Mumei. This time, Naoya had clearly felt an ancient energy emanating from within the stone structures. Maybe there was more to the location than meets the eye.

«So yeah, looking at Fort Mumei still felt eerie, but I’m pretty sure there is something more than just that feeling. Combined with the fact that I fainted the first time we went there, it’s safe to assume we will need to go back and investigate the site more thoroughly.» Naoya commented.

«There is really something about that place.» Thoma agreed.

«After all, it’s not called Fort Mumei for nothing; if we take into account that its name translates to Fort of ignorance it almost taunts us. Anyway having you by my side this time around was really pleasant. All week I’ve been investigating that Jakotsu Mine so I’m glad we were able to visit a place where the sky is visible letting the sun rays reach our skin.» Naoya stated.

«Yes, it also felt good to spend time outside after being shut in for so long. I’m sorry I wasn’t able to come with you when you explored Jakotsu mine. By the way, do we know why Fort Mumei was built initially?

«Don’t apologize for the time you needed to recover from your illness, Thoma-chi. To answer your question, I read in the Narukami Shrines archives that long ago it was possible to cross all of Inazuma on foot. Something about the level of the water and a long distance highway that made for impressive infrastructures. The author of the documents posited that the ruins of Araumi and Fort Mumei are examples of such a nationwide network.»

«So it would have been possible to go on vacation to Watatsumi island by foot?» Thoma asked, seemingly excited at the possibilities it would entail.

«Hum, I don’t think it was possible since the roads must have predated the creation of the island of Watatsumi.» Naoya answered.

«So no vacation without taking a damn boat, uh.» Thoma summarized with a smidge of dejection as he looked at the maple leaves over him signaling that they would soon reach their base.

«No, but we can still go on vacation In Watatsumi with a bigger, safer boat! Didn’t you mention a crew that made it past the Thunderstorm barrier of the Sakoku Decree? We should ask them to take us. Well only if you want.»

«Captain Beidou and the fleet of the Crux are amazing! Maybe they are a good starting point. However we shouldn’t restrict ourselves to only Inazuma! They could bring us to Dornman port in Mondstadt and then I could show you around.» Thoma got more and more enthusiastic at the thought of visiting his home nation accompanied by the kitsune.

«I would like that…» Naoya mustered tentatively, embarrassed of how gushy he felt at the idea of some tacit long term plan he would share with the housekeeper.

However, the emotion was short-lived as their home base came into view. It wasn’t the building that made a glower appear on the kitsune’s face, it was the result of noticing a certain slender form right beside the old abandoned house.

Naoya swiftly changed his course and half shouted to Thoma: «I’m just going to freshen up by the river and I’ll meet you back at the house. It will take me 5 minutes, top.»

Thoma didn’t have an opportunity to answer anything before Naoya was out of earreach, long strides hastily bringing him in the opposite direction of the housekeeper’s position. Turning his back on the Kitsune, Thoma then noticed that Ayato was waiting for him. The housekeeper picked up some speed and followed the trail until he could greet him.

After exchanging formalities and enquiring about their respective last few days, Ayato stated he did come back, but only to end the expedition and bring everyone back to Narukami island. Although he understood where Ayato was coming from, Thoma felt the decision wasn’t made impartially.

«Ayato-san, I’m just telling you that it’s a bit unfair and that he probably won’t like you to come back here just to tell us the expedition is over. There is no reason for you to act that way without discussing the issue first.»

«Thoma, why are you taking his side? We already completed the ⅔ of this expedition and since you didn’t make any progress, we are cancelling the rest of the expedition. That’s all there is to it.»

«How about you cut some slack to Thoma and instead tell me why you made such an arbitrary decision?» Naoya’s voice was heard as soon as he opened the door, making a gust of wind rush inside. The kitsune knew storming in wasn’t his best course of action, but the tension that lingered after Ayato left for Narukami made it easy to overreact.

«Listening behind closed doors to get the right timing before making an entrance? No ‘Hello’ or ‘How have you been?’ you prefer jumping right into it. Always so dramatic Naoya.» Ayato sneered down at the kitsune.

«Sure that’s your point of view. Thoma you can tell him why we won’t be leaving if I'm too dramatic for Ayato’s taste.» Naoya smuggly taunted back, crossing his arms on his chest with an air of defiance.

Before Thoma was able to utter a single word, Ayato raised his voice with an unexpected vehemence. «Don’t bring him into that.»

«Why? Because you think he wouldn’t agree with you?» Naoya provoked some more.

«Stop trying to get in between him and me, you are just a hindrance to our work relationship.»

«Oh a ‘work relationship’, that is so ludicrous. You couldn’t even say friendship?» Naoya snapped back, rolling his eyes.

«Just say it. You tried to get close with Thoma only to get at me.»

«I think Thoma is a great companion and I would like to know him better. On the other hand, I'm not sure how I feel about you wanting to control his life and thinking people would only want to forge a bond with him to get at you, mister Head of the Kamisato clan. That is some bullshit right here.»

«You both know I'm just beside you, right?» Thoma tried to intervene, growing more and more exasperated with their shenanigans, especially since they didn’t mind using him to get at each other.

«Control his life? I'm just worried for him, you never spoke to him at any of the events you attended since you were back and I know you can be so insincere and deceiving when you want it. What if you suddenly decide that you don't want to talk with him for 3 years and act like strangers after that?»

«How dare you! Of course mister Kamisato, the oh so important Yashiro Commissioner, expects people to stay just as they are and keep their role in his pretty little life, because it is so much more important than anything else. What if you don't have your dose of charming personnel from Mondstat every day? Will you throw a hissy fit?»

«You have some nerves to patronize me like that. In opposition to your distasteful self-indulgent behaviours, I know Thoma would never leave without any last words. I can put my trust in him.»

«Stop putting so much pressure on him. That’s unbelievable. He is not there for your convenience. However, your figure of speech reveals a lot about your inner desires. Naughty Ayato thinks about "putting in" and "thrusting" when it comes to his personal staff. Why don't you say you just want to fuck him already.»

«You bastard.» Ayato grunted at half-voice, the sound escaping his throat resembling more the threatening sound of a torrent than his usual composed tone.

«Maybe I am a bastard; I was raised by the shrine maidens and never knew my parents. How does it make you feel that such a low born person is in your presence.»

«You are so deranged, all that meditation messed up your brain. You always find a way to cross the line when it comes to me.»

«ENOUGH. That's all you've done during this trip. Making things about me when in reality you are still two teenagers that aren't fucking able to communicate with each other or deal with their own emotions.»

Ayato turned around and looked in disbelief at Thoma. Even though the housekeeper doesn’t raise his voice often, he can project an incredible assertive aura.

«What is it, Ayato? You can't stand when something doesn't go like you planned? Close your gaping mouth and get over yourself.» Naoya nagged from behind Thoma, even pulling his tongue at Ayato adding another layer of pettiness.

«Oh and don't even start Naoya. Did you think you could have the milk, the butter in addition to fucking the milkman? You think you can act as you did just now and it will bear no consequences whatsoever? And back then, you left for Liyue and expected that everybody in Inazuma would hold their breath until you got back. Guess what? Ayato is the Head of the Yashiro Commission and he has a successful life because he is good at it and made many sacrifices along the way.» Thoma paused, catching his breath and glared down at the other two men as if he was their parent scolding them.

«The lack of respect you two just exhibited is not warranted. The way you objectified me isn’t something you do to someone you care about. I can't deal with your bad vibes anymore. Don’t wait for me, and focus on listening to each other.» Thoma exclaimed before storming off.

As the door slammed shut, Naoya just stood there, head lowered looking at the ground. The kitsune felt really small, he didn’t exactly know how to name the emotions he was feeling but shame had to be part of them. Did it really take Thoma for him to catch up on how he was acting, wasn’t he able to catch himself before going too far?

«Oh so now you're silent. I wish it happened sooner so it wouldn’t have come to this.» Ayato stated bitterly.

«Shut up. Stop blaming everything on me. We were both arguing if I remember correctly.» Naoya retorted in a more even tone than before.

«Tsk.» A simple click of tongue on Ayato’s part was enough to reignite the embers of the kitsune’s emotions.

Naoya abruptly turned around, closing the distance between them and grabbed Ayato’s collar. The kitsune raised his lowered head to meet with Ayato’s eyes. In the closeness of their position, Ayato was shocked to see some tears rolling down the kitsune’s cheek. Usually the latter would have hidden them at all cost; in spite of his pride he unveiled them, showcasing the vulnerability of the moment. «What do you want from me?» The glint in Naoya’s eyes let out more hurt than anger at this point.

Ayato moved back instinctively in an attempt to free himself from the kitsune’s hold. «Don’t touch me.»

«Just answer me. What do you want now? Do you want to have the last word or what? Be my guest, just say something.» At each sentence spilling out of Naoya’s mouth he shaked his former best friend back and forth like a child would shale a rag doll.

«Unhand me and control yourself.» Ayato spitted out before struggling against the Kitsune’s hold. As his previous attempts to free himself didn’t succeed, Ayato firmly pushed against Naoya’s chest which resulted in Naoya losing his balance and toggling backwards, while still bringing Ayato into his fall.

They heavily crashed on the wooden floor, Ayato hastily raised himself partly on his arm, Naoya trapped under him. They were close, Ayato could see many thoughts stir inside of the kitsune’s eyes.

«Let me go.» Naoya said without conviction.

«You asked me what I want from you. Just tell me how you feel and what you think, like before.» Ayato said as he maintained eye contact with the other. The fact he was resting against the kitsune also meant their bodies were the closest they had been in years, but nothing felt familiar at first. Ayato didn’t want to be this close, however it was an unexpected opportune way to pin his former best friend in place. It was uncomfortable, Naoya’s breathing was annoying, he didn’t know where to put his long limbs or where to land his stare other than looking at Naoya under him. Their position galled Ayato’s skin, but what irritated him the most was that he liked being able to touch the other after so much time. A proof the kitsune was tangible and not a figment of his imagination. The commissioner had replayed many of their last moments in his head in search of some details that would explain why his friend left like he did. They never said goodbye and neither did they exchange greetings when Naoya made it back to Narukami. So in a way, it was as if Naoya never stopped to be a quiet and acrimonious contemplation. And so it felt weird this was the first time their bodies were so close after all these years.

«I don’t want to. What’s the point if we haven’t reconnected thus far? It’s not like before.» Naoya answered while trying to look indiferent.

«You idiot, that’s the sunk cost fallacy. It’s still worth it. Just talk to me.» Ayato fired back.

Ayato had managed to earn a snicker out of Naoya. «Why though, didn’t I make you mad enough?»

«I might be mad, but I still care about you.»

Naoya looked up at Ayato and wondered if it was too late to make amends. «Are you sure? I think you prefer the version of me you have in your head. You were never satisfied with the real me.» Naoya attempted to jerk himself out of Ayato’s grasp but Ayato tightened his hold.

«Why are you so sure I can’t care about who you truly are.»

Naoya turned his head to look at the ceiling, remaining silent. The kitsune frowned and his ears flattened on his head. Ayato couldn’t tell what he was thinking but it seems his former best friend was reluctant to talk about their issues.

«How about I let you go before we have this conversation? But you can’t run away.» Ayato pleaded. Naoya nodded back, still looking somewhere slightly over the other. Ayato pushed himself to the side and freed the kitsune. Naoya raised himself on his elbows and retreated to the closest wall to put his back against the cold rugged surface.

«Nao-rin, tell me something, at least one. Stop trying to keep everything bottled up.»

Naoya twitched at the nickname and exhaled excessively. Ayato decided to remain seated a few meters away from the kitsune, regaining some patience after the heated argument. Naoya finally gave in and decided to try communicating his feelings. He had to be careful though, if he was going to do it, he needed to leave the pettiness behind.

«Let’s do this. I’m aware I have my own insecurities that I project onto you, but do I really have to be perfect all the time? I acknowledge them and work on them. Maybe now isn't the best moment to be worried about my self worth» Naoya began, unsure if he was petty or openning up.

«No. You don’t have to be perfect all the time, everyone has things they struggle with.»

«You know if we were better at communicating we wouldn’t have hurt Thoma in the crossfire.»

«I understand you want me to take part of the blame for not being able to communicate clearly. Correct?» Ayato questioned.

«No. Well, maybe. I just wanted to say it out loud.»

«I can’t object to this statement. However, let's deal with our problems and then we'll talk with Thoma.»

«I guess it’s now or never. If we don’t try to air our dirty laundry, I might not be able to sleep tonight anyway.» Naoya conceded.

Ayato smiled because of the mental gymnastics his former best friend was doing in order to be able to open up about his feelings. «I can start if it makes it easier. When it comes to you, I felt betrayed and I am resentful ever since you burned bridges with me. I don’t think I deserved this silent treatment. I was never able to figure out why you would leave like this without telling me. Did you do this to get back at me for hurting you in some way, or was our friendship meaningless to you.»

Naoya winced at the words, but instead of getting defensive, he accepted them and reflected on the feeling his former best friend tried to share with him. «During that time period I felt inadequate and lost. Inazuma wasn’t helping me understand what path I wanted to take.»

«But how does that relate to me? Why did I deserve for you to leave without saying anything.»

«I was trying to do what would be best for everyone.»

«Naoya I needed you. I lost you and then I lost my parents and everything was changing so fast. I didn’t know who my friends or enemies were.» Ayato explained, sorrow making his voice tremble a little. «People tried to destroy the Kamisato clan, my sister and I included and I had to hear from Toda (the shrine maiden acting as liaison between the Yashiro Commission and the Grand Narukami Shrine) that you had departed for Liyue.»

«I’m sorry for your loss. I guess I never took the opportunity to tell you, but I truly am. You shouldn’t have to live through that. Your parents were good people.» Naoya paused, wondering how to clearly explain how things were back then. «Aside from dealing with my inner struggle, I needed to understand our relationship better, I - I wanted to know if I was the person you described or if you just put a label on me so I could fit in your life.» Naoya searched for his words. «The timing wasn’t the best. At first I felt that I wasn’t enough to support you. I saw your righteous path before you and I got scared. Even with meditation I wasn’t able to be honest with myself, it seems like I was never thinking clearly. Were you asking too much of me? Were you taking advantage of me? I never had aspirations to gain influence, quite the opposite I wanted to work outside the system.» Naoya paused to breathe in. «Ayato, back then I didn’t have the answer, but now I can see I felt inadequate and at the same time you didn’t realize the expectations you had put on me. At some point I didn’t know if you were trying to change me and I know now it seemed so absurd. In a way I felt like some toy you had, not even my own person. And it hurt because I wanted to be seen and understood not just listened to.»

«But I didn't ask for you to be perfect, you didn’t have to be the answer to everything. I just wanted us to be there and stand together.»

Naoya sadly smiled. «I understand, but back then would you have wanted us to stand together even if it was in the dark? Were you ready to halt your projects for me? You never asked me to be perfect, but you never asked me to not be. With your actions, my inability to recognize I was putting tremendous pressure on myself, the shrine maidens that were giving me anxiety and the Bakufu and their flawed vision of inazuman people, I didn’t know who I was and if I was good enough. I felt like a liability and I was angry at you for it.»

Ayato took the words in. At first he was going to flatly negate everything, but thinking back about their past relationship he realized he could see what the kitsune meant. Ayato was sure of him and let the kitsune follow him behind. However, always following someone and trusting them could be difficult.

Naoya’s flow of words started once more and interrupted Ayato’s chain of thoughts. «Right now I feel guilty, and I feel so bad for not being able to be there at the time, but I also remember how hard it was for me to just do everyday tasks and having to trust the process. Maybe I should have stayed, maybe I made the right choice leaving, I honestly can’t tell.» The Kitsune let the words float in the air before concluding. «If i would do it again, I would take the time to tell you before leaving and actually send you the letters i wrote to you while abroad.» «Wait, you wrote me letters?» Ayato asked, skeptical. «What were they about?» Naoya smiled. «I did, the stack of letters was pretty impressive at some point. I wrote about me, how I felt, how I was striving for balance, how my master was such a good person, but oh so stern. She helped me in many ways and after a short while I was in a much better state. I wrote letters explaining myself and giving you cues on how to understand me. I also wrote about how I missed you.» The kitsune finished not bothering to hide those particular details. «I’m glad you were able to find someone who could bring you that kind of support. I wished you would have sent those letters… Earlier you said that you had to reevaluate our relationship. What was that about, why was your mind clouded when it came to me?» «Ayato, why are you such a good listener that you didn’t miss any details.» Naoya sighed. «Did you know you were the first kid my age I met? Of course we ended up making many friends when we met in the abandoned temple right in front of Mount Yougou. Before that, I was only with shrine maidens and Yae. They didn’t feel exactly like a family, but they were there for me. I didn’t get really close with Yae until I was older. They didn’t completely see me for who i was yet, they cared for me.»

Naoya was now lost in thoughts, but felt somewhat lighter after explaining everything so he kept going. «Regardless of what happened at the shrine, down the mountain a little adventurous and troublesome boy made me realize I missed the warmth of someone who looked forward to spending time with me. You were my best friend, my rival and an equal, someone who was able to follow me with my thoughts. You challenged me, showed me you cared for me, you talked, listened, felt, and even made plans about the future. It was scary, but it was also intoxicating to be with you. And then I had the thought it wasn’t real, it couldn’t be. I convinced myself you had an ulterior motive.» Naoya looked directly at Ayato and continued. «You represented so many things for me, but at some point it got confusing and I wanted to understand myself better first. And you know I meditate when I feel stuck.» The eldest Kamisato sibling let the kitsune articulate his thoughts, respectful yet eager. «Ayato, I-, I wanted to understand our relationship because my feelings got in the way of me thinking clearly. I hated that I didn’t know myself while you would be so whole and intact. Untouched and above the water while I was drowning in darkness. I don’t know, I’m sorry.» «Why are you apologizing?» Ayato asked. «I read once in old writings that laws regarding spiritual awakening stipulate one shouldn’t love someone in particular and regard humanity as all deserving of the same love, but in a way that love would also mean no earthly attachment-» Naoya stated in a monotone voice. «Naoya, you are stalling. I want to know what YOU think of me.» «Back then or now?» «Now.» «Those feelings don't scare me like they used to, but i think they are part of the reason I’m not able to properly interact with you. It got so complicated so fast and those feelings mostly hurt because I felt like I didn’t have the right to have them. Back then I missed the window opportunity to say my goodbyes and choose not to taint our memories. I guess writing those letters also helped me reach a certain closure.»

«That doesn’t answer my question, but maybe your letter will. May I read those letters when we get back?» Ayato asked with a sly smile.

«There is no chance of that happening.» Naoya blurted out with his ears quivering.

«Come on. You know I always liked your prose.»

«Stop it. Now it’s your turn to tell me how you feel.» Naoya asked, trying to get out of the tight spot he was in. He wasn’t about to confess a childhood crush after having a screaming match with the other person involved.

«I understand better now. The situation was complicated and we weren’t equipped to deal with it. I can see how my attitude made it seem like I was self absorbed, but truly it couldn’t be further from the truth. I would prefer if today was the last day of us not communicating properly and from tomorrow on, we won’t hide anything anymore. Is that something we can do?» Ayato established.

«That’s a given.» Naoya agreed.

«Great. Now tell me if those feelings of yours included love or not.» Ayato went in, taking no hostages.

Naoya jumped at the directness of the question and looked everywhere around them, fidgeting in place while his mind went blank. Of course Ayato would put him on the spot like that.

«Stop teasing me. We haven’t talked in years.» Naoya panicked.

«We are talking now. And you wrote me letters.»

«It’s not the same.»

«What kind of conversation would you like to hold?»

«It’s not that, I-. We were fighting minutes ago.»

«May I kiss you.» Ayato asked softly. The kitsune’s body stifled, but the man’s words still brought Naoya's attention back to Ayato’s face. For a long time Naoya studied Ayato’s facial expression. Was he serious? That had to be the most unexpected course of action possible, which he didn’t anticipate.

«No. You aren’t thinking clearly.» «But you still have feelings for me right? You talked like you still loved me. And I've loved you all this time, so what’s wrong? Never during the time we were apart did my negative thoughts outweigh the positive thoughts I harbored for you. I’ve wanted to do it for so long, and it was even harder during this expedition, but we weren’t able to understand each other. You can see this kiss as the promise of a new beginning without erasing what led us here.» Naoya couldn’t understand how he had not self combust yet. «Not like this and not now. If you still feel like kissing me in a week, then maybe we may consider it. You can’t just expect me to be ok with a 180 like that.» «Deal. Now allow me to give you a welcome back hug at least.» Ayato stood up and opened his arms.

«Welcome back from where? Your outing in Narukami?» «Hey, I had important things to do with the Shumatsuban. You were too distant for my taste. I felt like you never returned from liyue and I was still waiting for you to come back into my life.» Ayato explained. Naoya stood up as well and looked Ayato in the eyes before muttering a promise of his own. «I will work on what we have together and I won’t leave unless of some unforeseeable circumstances. If it was the case I commit myself to tell you 48 hours prior.»

«You better or it’s open season.» Ayato retorted, pulling Naoya against him tightly. Maybe this closeness was more familiar compared to the one of moments ago. Now they had explained themselves and there weren't any interferences left.

«I’m sorry for not being able to be here when you needed me and not coming to see you sooner.» Naoya apologized.

«I’m sorry that I wasn’t attentive to your needs and took you for granted.» Ayato answered.

After a moment of silence Naoya spoke again. «There is one last thing I need to tell you, but it can wait and I would prefer it if we waited for Thoma.»

****

The abandoned house was quiet. Ayato was crouched down over the table and had been asleep for some time now. Naoya was seated on the floor next to the door - pretty much where he was when he talked with Ayato, still thinking about the conversation they had. More importantly he was getting worried Thoma hadn’t come back yet. Maybe he should go see the amiable Kairagi next door to inquire if he had seen him.

Almost as if on cue, the kitsune heard regular footsteps in the distance getting closer and closer. Naoya straightened up and opened the door right away, his haste resulted in Ayato startling awake.

«Oh, you are awake.» Thoma commented plainly.

«I was getting worried, but wanted to give you some space.» Naoya explained, clasping his hands as he braced for Thoma’s possible anger. Ayato peaked from behind the kitsune’s shoulder.

«You didn’t have to worry I was with stray dogs from Higi Village and took them to the river. Did you sort things out?» Thoma asked, lassitude apparent in his tone.

«We-we did!» Naoya answered and turned around to look at Ayato who was nodding his head.

«Good.» Thoma said as he came face to face with Naoya. «Can you move from the doorway, I’d like to go to bed.»

Naoya didn’t know how to react, but complied and moved to the side to allow the venetian blonde to enter the abandoned house.

Thoma made a few steps before hearing a voice behind his back. «Thoma-chi, I’m so sorry. I apologize for what I said earlier. You didn’t deserve that.» Turning around he saw the kitsune kneeling down with his forehead touching the floor. Ayato took notice and was quick to bow in the same way. «We really appreciate you and we are sorry you had to be in the middle of us this whole time.» The commissioner added.

«Stand up. Both of you.» Thoma muttered.

Naoya and Ayato obliged, not knowing what to expect. Thoma menacingly walked toward them and stopped at arm length. He raised his hand and both men closed their eyes waiting for the impact. Thoma brought up his hand perpendicularly and proceeded to chop their heads with a light movement, nothing to hurt them.

«Seems like you did a lot of thinking. I’m glad to hear everything resolved itself.» Thoma said with a sweet smile only he could pull off. «Now let’s get to bed, shall we.»

****

In the early hours of morning, thunder and wind worked in concert to make sure that any sleep the three men could have wouldn’t be of top grade quality. After being woken up one two many times, the trio settled for an early breakfast prepared by Ayao and Naoya who still felt a little guilty for letting their quarrel get to Thoma. The latter enjoyed the act of kindness and was grateful to see his two boys working together for once. The menu consisted of some grilled lavender melons, omelette rice and some dango milk Ayato had brought back with him yesterday.

After most of their plates were emptied, Naoya decided to tackle the last thing on his list of things he wanted to resolve with the boys.

«So.» Naoya hesitated, breaking the silence. «There is one last thing we kinda need to talk about.»

«Yes Naoya, we can finish the expedition like you wished, but don’t be smug about it.» Ayato stated before taking a long sip of dango milk; it even seemed like he was looking for shelter into his cup at the idea of another confrontation.

«Well that’s great but I meant to talk about… err the reason why you left in a hurry, Ayato and that you worried a lot Thoma. Let’s say I want to talk about my condition.» Naoya cautiously explained.

«Is it about the reason why you fainted during our expeditions?» Thoma enquired.

«Yeah. Naoya let out breathily, further indicating he really didn’t know where to go with this conversation.

«Don’t worry Nao-rin, take your time. And in case you are worried, we won’t be mad. The last few weeks didn’t give you a lot of options to open up.» »Thoma stated, taking charge of the dialogue to help the other.

«Thank you. Hum. I don’t know where to start.» Naoya confessed.

«Start with the beginning.» Thoma answered, trying to lighten the mood.

«Or maybe you could tell a story like you used to do when we were younger.» Ayato offered. «Naoya always made up stories akin to light novels when he wanted to talk about something personal, while not knowing how to.» The light blue-haired man specified for Thoma.

«I can see Guuji Yae’s influence.» Thoma chuckled and smiled at the kitsune to encourage him.

«Right.» Naoya inhaled and the pieces of the story were coming to him. « Long ago there was a little fox that wanted to make his clan very proud of him. When the matriarch asked for him to better his spiritual connection to the Sacred Sakura, the fox obliged and started meditating under its leaves every day. His busy schedule could be overwhelming, but the moments he passed under the tree brought more balance to him. With time, the fox strengthened his connection and his power grew by leaps and bounds making him out to be a great asset for the shrine and his clan.» Naoya paused his memories playing in his head. Thoma reached out and lightly patted the kitsune’s forearm.

«Did the cute little fox happen to have a reddish cordovan fur?» Ayato teased.

«Who said the fox was cute?» Naoya stammered back.

«If I’m not mistaken, the cute fox isn’t so small anymore.» Thoma added.

«Stoooop.» Naoya pleaded, his ears fluttering from the teasing comments.

«I’m sorry, go on.» Ayato apologized.

«You don’t even seem sincere; I’m sure you would tease me again.» Naoya complained. «Anyway, the unknown fox - which you clearly never met, was once more in deep meditation in front of the tree, well it would be more accurate to say with the tree. As he was going deeper and deeper, the fox felt something calling out to him, asking him to follow the roots further into the earth. Naively, the fox continued his descent up until he was hanging from the lowest roots. The feeling was exhilarating, he could feel the whole of Inazuma from there, memories swirling around him. But with his guard lowered the wide-eyed fox was an easy target and he fell prey to the great darkness that lingered after the last calamity. As the fox drowned in the darkness he tried his best to struggle. It took time but after a great deal of effort, he was able to climb back up and ask for help. When the matriarch of the clan heard the plea, she rushed to her protégé's help. Although she would subdue the lingering darkness, she couldn’t make it go away completely.» As he reminisced, Naoya let tears escape down his face alerting the other two men of the kitsune’s ache, who moved closer to hold him. Ayato passed his arm behind the kitsune’s back and hooked his hand on the opposite side, while Thoma opted to cling to the arm he was previously petting.

«From then on, the fox needed to be permanently aware of the darkness that obscured a corner of his mind. After a month or so of recuperating, the fox decided to leave and learn new ways to focus his body and mind. One week later, the kitsune… I sailed the sea and reached liyue in the hope of being able to rebuild myself.»

Naoya chased away his tears and looked to Thoma and saw the worry in his eyes. «Don’t look at me like that, it’s ok.»

«Nao-rin.» Ayato whispered.

«I’m telling you it’s no big deal.» Naoya turned around to see a somber expression painted on his childhood best friend’s face.

«Nao-rin, is that why you felt so inadequate, why you thought you weren’t strong enough to follow me.» Ayato asked while staring at the space in front of him.

Naoya held back his tears which sent trembles through his bodies and nodded with his head affirmatively.

«I’m sorry.» Naoya mustered in between controlled sobs.

«It’s ok we talked about it yesterday. We weren’t equipped to properly talk about those things back then.» Ayato replied. «I’m glad you felt safe enough to tell us now.»

«I know I sounded dramatic, but if I ever spoke of a darkness troubling me, I was in fact referring to the filth and not using some figure of speech.Thank you both for listening.» Naoya acknowledged. «However, the filth isn’t something hard to control anymore, it only creeps up on me when I’m surprised by something like the tatarigami.»

«Are you saying this with the expedition in mind?» Ayato worried.

«Yes. I know it may seem reckless, but I know I can find the Primeval Sakura in Fort Mumei. Whatever that will be waiting for us there doesn’t stand a chance. If I come prepared, you won’t have to worry about me.»

«When do you think you can get ready?» Thoma asked.

«Are you sure you want to do this?» Ayato added.

«Yes, but all this talk about feelings and the lack of sleep got me a bit tired. Even though we woke up not long ago, I feel like napping. I think we all need some sleep actually. After that I give myself until 10 o'clock tomorrow to be standing on those ruines.»

«That can be arranged. Especially the napping part.» Thoma reassured.

As Thoma got up and held out his hand for Naoya to grab it and follow him, Ayato moved out to put their three futons together and gathered the light bedsheet and throw blankets they had with them. In the morning light, Naoya took place in the middle and pulled the cover over him and tossed around to sink in the soft materials already shutting his eyes. Thoma and Ayato suddenly looked like they were having second thoughts; was it really ok to nap together? Was it too soon after everything? Maybe the kitsune would prefer to be alone to rest.

«What are you waiting for? I’ll get cold if I’m napping alone.» Naoya stated, raising himself on his elbows to look up at the other two. His lower eyelids raised up instinctively, highlighting the fact he found their sudden burst of shyness futile.

The two men take place on each side of the kitsune; Thoma settled on his back while Ayato was on his side facing the kitsune's profile. As he felt the sleepiness seap in, Naoya turned on his side to be more comfortable. His change of position brought him closer to the housekeeper, so much so that it prompted Thoma to pull him closer against his side, so the kitsune would rest his head on the venetian blonde man’s chest and pass his arm on his stomach.

«Hum.» Naoya whispered.

«Are you uncomfortable? I thought you might be cold.» Thoma asked, his green eyes letting out a facetious glint, happy with the reaction he obtained from the kitsune.

«Is this really ok?» Naoya asked, while his fox ears cutely quivered back, which didn’t not escape the eye of the housekeeper.

«Of course it is. I felt it would be much more comfortable that way.» Thoma reassured.

«Thank you.» Naoya answered before nuzzling onto the man’s chest.

Before Ayato even had time to sulk, the kitsune searched for Ayato’s arm behind him and pulled it over him, befittingly making the other the bigger spoon. He maintained his hold on the commissioner's hand and went as far as intertwining their fingers together and resting them on Thoma’s stomach. Soon a third hand covered theirs, completing their embrace. Naoya knew that he would overheat sooner or later trapped like he was, but that concern faded away as he fell asleep in their arms.

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