heizou x reader [thunderstorm comfort]
——<3
A fluff comfort piece with overly characterization of reader and heizou based on my own perception. Not sure if this fanfiction will be enjoyed by anyone but myself but hey. I had to contribute to my fellow heizou enjoyers :) first fanfiction ive written in well, 5 years, so im sorry for any mistakes. Im just a lurker on here, so please, be a little kind to me ^^
its thundering outside. a heavy storm has been called upon the world after endless sunny summer days. Its nice. It feels like you can finally breathe again. Youve barely done any of your work due to the heat lately, which isnt exactly perfect assistant behaivour, but who cares? Its not like the person youre assisting is super strict on rules. No, exact opposite. Its better to just live your life as it feels. Isnt that the beauty of being alive?
pondering thoughts go through you as this lightning storm gives you a chance of tranquility, when you hear someone at the door. Sure, youve made plenty of friends now since your move to inazuma a year ago, but its still unexpected theyd show up during a storm like this. You kinda give off too much of an independent vibe for someone to be desperate enough to cling unto you. Anyone except this guy before you. Soaking wet, and quick to hide the feelings on his face. Youve known him long enough now to know hes playing it off casually. Its a habit. Hes a lot more sensitive emotionally than people give him credit for. For whatever reason hes rushed to you, hes trying to not be obvious about it.
“heizou? Please, save whatever you have to say and get inside” you rush him in. A tone of concern in your voice above anything else. its kinda cringe even how hes trying to appear unphased to you right now and like hes cheerful as always. When clearly, the clues speak for themselves.
“Im sorry to stumble here suddenly, but, yknow its a pretty intense storm! I was trying to make sure my dear partner wasnt in danger” his voice is short of breaths. He raced to get here. And you doubt its actually this reason. Hes protective, sure, but hes attentive. Hes clever. He knows how youd feel about thunder. You, on the other hand, are finding out right now how he feels. And for his sake, you decide to play along
“thank you, my dear hero” you softly smile at him. Knowingly. He returns the same expression. An unspoken feeling. He knows what youve observed already. But it feels good to not have to explain yourself all the time. God can he relate. How nice it feels to just be believed without words. Because someone cares enough to understand you in the smallest of clues.
he tries drying his hair with his hands, a little ashamed that he probably looks like a wet dog before his dearest assistant. “Oh, i have towels for you upstairs. Actually, i can even get you a change of clothes” theres a small surprise on his face at your generosity. Youre close, being coworkers and well, friends too, but still. This is someones home. Their safe haven. Its kinda intimate that youd offer to share all of this. In the sweetest way.
“i-if… *ahum* if youd want to. Itd be nice. …. Thank you” the small stumple in his sentence. Its kinda cute, since youve never seen it before. You brush your thoughts back. Most importantly, right now, is to care about the person before you. “Follow me then, detective” for a sense of normalcy, the title slips out. He lets out a small amused hum at it.
“Is it comfortable?” Hes changed into some pyjamas you offered. *your* pyjamas, no less. All he can do is nod. “Good. Your hairs still… could i?” You dont even think before you reach out your hand. Normally this level of touch isnt easily done for either of you. Heizou has this weird reputation of being charismatic and flirty. Hes good with people. Getting information is easier if you know how to undo someones guard. But physical touch is a different boundary. It means…. Actually wanting to reach out. And if hes really honest with you here, he cant say he gets the urge much before this moment. Its so sudden. The realization of how close this is. “No its…. Ah- nevermind. Id appreciate it” after a second of silence, he speaks up. “Good to know youd be so quick to work so hard on my wellbeing. I cant afford this much extra work yknow? However do i repay you?” he gives his signature smile, composing himself. Whew. Things almost got too vulnerable there. You grab the towel and dry his hair. Gently. Getting ever part he failed to get. You realize too how close it is. And play it off the same way. “Dont worry. This isnt on working hours. I wont see it as unpaid labor~” an attempt at a joke, to lighten the mood. He gives a small smile again, but mosrly, hes quiet. Observing you. “There. Thats better” you look at him. He looks a lot cozier now than how he first arrived at your door. You place aside the towel, when he speaks up.
“Maybe my dear assistant is just naturally good at getting into peoples hearts as i am. Youre taking after me” the tone would normally be fully playful, but theres a softer edge now. You quickly engage in your typical dynamic. “Oh of course! Ill be taking all of your skills and charms and far surpass you” you say with some hand gestures as if intimidating him. He laughs back at you. Its nice. Its like…. You two. But here. In your home. Its a lot more welcome than you ever expected.
“Well, honestly, i wouldnt say you win until you solve a case before i can. Consider it a challenge. Youre talking to THE shikanoin right before your very eyes”
“Hm yes. Solving a case….. cuz how come, THE shikanoin as you say, comes here at midnight unnanounced in a storm no less?! Me, number one detective in training, will answer this in ten minutes or less!” Heizou looks amused at your little show. Watching you as you think hard to come to your own conclusion. Though, you had a feeling from the start. Maybe his intuition is rubbing off on you.
“dont waste your time solving such an easy case. I just needed you. Thats all”
a moment of eye contact. Maybe,,, sometimes saying it outloud is nice too. Heizou expression changes. Like hes a little too closely caught on his heart. But yet, persist. As this connection is valuable enough to push past any embarrasement.
“and…. If its okay… i kinda need you for all of tonight. Not- not like that, of course. I just meant- yknow”
you nod. You sit next to him by the window. Seeing the raindrops fall in pretty patterns. He leans his head down by your shoulder. Small contacts like this. Small puddles in an ocean. A finger on the head, a brush against arms, just lightly touching or holding in a way thats just distant enough to be safe. To be friendly. And playful. But here. This puddle ripples differently. Hes leaning on you. With a soft sigh. Without thinking, you lean your head against his too.
His voice is a little raspy, and quiet, as he talks next.
“you… moved here after the implication of thunder changed for everyone of inazuma. I know times are different now, but… i feel uneasy. Its like, the memories swallow me whole. I didnt suffer nearly as much as others. I know that. But still. Seeing the world around me in such fear. The very fear i fight against everyday. I felt helpless. Like there was nothing i could do. And once it was all over, i wanted to pretend i never felt that way at all”
heizou looks over at you, then back at the window. Having checked your expression, he places a few fingers around your hand. Inviting.
“but… youve changed me. You may not think so, but you have. You make me confront the fact i dont want to be helpless. I dont want to feel like i cant protect anything and like im drowning. I want to be useful again. No one else thought i was. I do my work and use my brain to prove that i am, but to you. In the time ive known you… i dont think i have to prove to you that im useful. You said so before yourself. That everything flows together. Everythings swirling around. And reaching hearts when you dont think it does. So i guess… thank you. For… giving my existence in life more meaning than just being a detective. But being shikanoin heizou. Youre a wonderful person. And i wanted to trust you. To.. hide with you when im scared. Like right now”
at his confession, you hold his hand in return. Theres something special youve both shown each other since working together. A reason to believe, in the value of genuine closeness like this. Because no matter how scary the world is, and how you may be perceived, being able to be vulnerable and transparant is the strongest way to ground yourself. And trust yourself. To be okay with someone else.
“youre wonderful too, heizou. Thanks to you, i get to watch rain patterns in company. And… not feel so lost all the time too”
your words are so simple to what he just said, but its enough. Its enough… yeah… this feels nice. As you look at his face in the moonlight and comfort of your home. As hes in your clothes, with his hair messy and his eyes curious and warm to you. You could stare at him forever. With his lips slightly parted. Youre staring, you barely register when he talks again.
“you know, i could actually fall for you if you let me spend time with you like this more. Id be careful if i were you”
you look back at him. And laugh.
“sure. Do what you like. Ill be here when you need someone to hide into again. Just find me”
you look away with a dumb smile and closed eyes. Doing the exact thing he does all the time. Playing it cool. Being sincere but hiding it with tone and gesture. The way he looked at you….. theres no way youll forget it.
Meanwhile heizou has a small intake of breath at your response. Surprised of how… sweet your words actually were. No teasing or trying to brush off his heart. Just reassurance. Like you always are at the end of the day
“Im telling you, i really might”
“and im saying, sure. Do what you want. Its not like i can stop you!”
you say back as playfully as you can muster through the way your hearts starting to speed up. To fight off the tension, You grab his face and play with it. Messing up his cheeks to tease him a bit. Maybe youre a bit flustered, fine, and his face will be the victim of that!
“Oh what am i to do with this detective of mine… should i catch you when you do? Catch you like a criminal? Hm? Chase you until youre behind bars?”
He doesnt do anything to pull away. Sure. Play with his face all you like. If anything, hes happy youre so willing to be touchy right back like hes been building up to be.
“mhm do your best. Im sure youll manage to hunt down the greatest detective ever~”
“be careful now. I know all your tricks. Ill hunt you. Till youre all mine! …. To catch. Behind bars. Yeah.”
a loud thunder strikes, and all feeling dissapears. The startled heizou before you, moves his hands up in reflex.
“actually…. Maybe for now, can we sleep?”
as soon as youre both settled in your respective beds for the night, with your back faced to him, you place your hand over your heart.
maybe youre the one whose fallen for your coworker already.
DO NOT FEED MY WORK INTO AI OR COPY. PLEASE IM JUST A HEIZOU LOVER TT
ᡣ𐭩 •｡ꪆৎ ˚⋅goodnight
