ヴィ …⁠ᘛ⁠⁐̤⁠ᕐ⁠ᐷ

Leon Kennedy doesn't try to hide the fact that he loves you. He always looks at you with wonder and adoration in his eyes. He kisses every inch of you, trying to prove (mostly to himself) that he's real, that he's here, that you two are together and that he loves you.

And even though he's hesitant, he'd always get worried that he'll go too far and that you'll look at him with less affection in your eyes for being so clingy. Please take care of him, deep down he's a bit of an insecure man.

At night, he’ll curl up next to you and cling to you, terrified of waking up without the feeling of your body against his. He also writes down a lot of stuff about you in a small notebook where he usually keeps important notes.

"My love likes to help others; seeing them run back and forth to look after everyone brings something inside me to life"

"Also carries more responsibilities than they should; they're so kind, so attentive"

"My love likes to listen to me talk about whatever I have to say, and when they kiss me, those lips are so sweet I wish I didn't have to stop kissing them"

Leon Kennedy is obsessed with you, obsessed with how you feel when you’re in his arms, like the most precious thing he’s ever touched. To him, you taste like honey. You smell like the last time he remembers being happy; he loves you more than he’s ever loved anyone in his entire life.

"I will love you until you are ready to love. And then, I will love you more, and I will never stop loving you. As long as you live on in my memories, I will not be able to love anyone else. No one else. And if the day comes when you leave, take me with you, cause I cannot exist in a world without you"

"Leon? What's wrong?" You whisper in the silent room as Leon takes your hand in his and lifts it up, staring at it intently.

"Nothing." He says quickly, a light pink blush spreading across his cheeks and nose. "I was just comparing our hands. I like your hands."

You hum, watching his reaction as he turns your hand to one side, before turning his to the other side and gently holding yours; his tired eyes shine brightly as he whispers. "Look, we're holding hands." A smile as bright as his eyes he looks so peaceful like this.

You look down at your hands now intertwined. "You're so clingy when you're sleepy, you know?" He only whines at that.

You smile at the tenderness this brings you, and let your hands fall between the two of you. His grip remains gentle yet firm. He’ll never let you go, and he knows you wouldn’t let him go either, even when he feels insecure. It was a kind of silent pact, something only the two of you and your love could understand.

Thank you so much for reading, I hope you enjoyed it! Any suggestions or requests are welcome <3

I felt bad. It was an unbearable feeling. I wanted to run away. I just didn't have the energy to keep going, what was the purpose of all of this? Anyone else in the world could have this life; I wouldn't mind living a different one at all. I wanted to end it all, I kept spiraling in an endless void of dark thoughts over and over again. But I didn't do it, again, I managed to resist the urges of leaving this world by my own hands. Instead I went to the Wangshu Inn's balcony to calm myself down.

While I was there, I felt a strong urge to call Xiao. I wanted to see him, talk to him, have him by my side. However, I’ve never allowed myself to have that kind of selfish thing, I allowed myself to think about it but I never acted, I never did something about it.

Ever since I was little, I’d been told that it was wrong to bother others and be inconsiderate. I’d always had low self-esteem and felt like I was a burden to everyone, and this situation was no exception. So, just as I was about to call him, I changed my mind and decided instead to keep crying in silence without bothering anyone.

I was huddled in a corner, hugging myself and hiding my face in my legs. My arms went numb with the cold after a while, how long did I spend there? I almost feel asleep but then I realized there was someone else there when I heard footsteps. Startled, I looked up at whoever was approaching, only to find a pair of beautiful golden eyes staring intently at me. "Why didn’t you call me?" Xiao asked, crouching down in front of me.

Seeing him standing there in front of me made me burst into tears again. I’d been carrying so much for so long… but I couldn’t take it anymore. I didn’t have the strength to endure everything that was happening. I wanted it to end.

I wanted everything to end.

Even though Xiao didn’t really understand humans or even humanity, he had always tried his best to understand me, so I noticed a look of concern on his face when he saw me crying so inconsolably.

I buried my head in my legs again, but this time I felt his hand on my head; he began to stroke my hair slowly, even soothingly. I was so taken aback that I froze for just a moment. An occasional sob escaped my lips from time to time, and I was also shaking a little from crying, but he stayed there with me, stroking my head. "It’s okay, everything will be okay." He said after a while.

And I believed him, the way he said it was so unlike him but it was the thing I needed.

I lifted my head to look at him and was even more surprised when he began to gently wipe away my tears. I tried to say something several times, but my words caught in my throat, and all that came out of my mouth was his name, along with a few sobs and stammers. Even so, he gently stroked my cheeks. It was a strange sensation; he was wearing gloves, but I could almost feel the warmth of his skin beneath them.

"Come here," he said, standing up. He took my hand and helped me up, but I couldn't hold back any longer and clung to him.

"I-I'm sorry..."

Xiao shook his head after a few seconds; he must have been surprised. "It’s okay. Is... is there anything I can do for you?"

"Just stay like this."

"I suppose I can do that."

Xiao didn't really understand human emotions, but he tried so hard to understand me and I appreciated that. That day, I needed him more than anyone else in the world...

We stayed together a little longer, but then it got really late and it was freezing outside. Xiao walked me to my room and made sure I was cozy under my blankets.

"You should go. I’m sure you have things to do, and I’m wasting your time. I’m so sorry."

He walked closer to lay down beside me. "No, I’ll stay until you fall asleep. Otherwise, you won’t sleep at all, and you wouldn’t call me anyway, so I’d rather make sure."

I smiled and hugged him, leaning in a little to kiss his forehead. The moonlight let me see that he was surprised, and his cheeks turned slightly pink. He hugged me back and closed his eyes. He grunted. "Go to sleep before I regret this."

"I will... Thank you. Good night Xiao."

"Good night."

The palace had finally gone quiet. The last advisor had left hours ago, the petitions had been heard, and the endless stack of documents waiting for the Fire Lord's seal had been reduced to a decent and manageable pile. Even so, when Zuko stepped into your shared chambers, he just looked so exhausted.

You noticed it immediately, of course. That's what a kind marriage does, it makes you slowly learn how to perfectly read each other. And it wasn't like Zuko was good at hiding things from you. The stiffness in his shoulders. The slight furrow between his brows. The way he rolled his neck as though trying to shake off the weight of the entire fire nation.

"Long day?" you asked softly.

Zuko let out a tired huff that might have been a poor attempt at laughter. "You have no idea."

You crossed the room and reached for his hands. His fingers were warm, calloused from years of swordsmanship despite the apparently quiet royal life he now lived. "Then come with me."

His only dark eyebrow lifted. "You're planning something, love? Should I be worried?"

"Only if you've suddenly developed a fear of a bathtub filled with warm water, some incense and wine."

A genuine smile appeared then, small but real. "Impossible."

The bath had already been prepared, you knew it was gonna be a stressful day after all. Steam curled through the air, carrying the scent of jasmine and cedarwood. Golden lantern light danced across the water's surface.

For a moment, Zuko simply stared at it, then his shoulders visibly relaxed.

You helped him untie the elaborate layers of his Fire Lord robes. Piece by piece, the symbols of his office fell away until there was nothing left but the man beneath them. Your man, your husband. Not the Fire Lord, just Zuko.

He sank into the bath with an audible sigh. "Spirits," he muttered. "I needed this."

You sat beside the tub, dipping a cloth into the warm water. "Lean back for me, please."

A look of contentment crossed his face as you gently wiped away the dust and sweat from the day. The tension slowly melted from his muscles beneath your touch.

Neither of you spoke for a while, sometimes when you're with the right person no silence can feel uncomfortable, it's a peaceful sensation, a way of love that's not loud. The kind of silence that came from knowing someone completely.

Eventually, Zuko opened one eye. "You know," he said, "when I was younger, I used to think becoming the Fire Lord would solve everything."

You hummed thoughtfully. "And so?"

A dry laugh escaped him. "And it turns out ruling a nation is a lot of work. An awful lot."

You smiled. "No way. Who could have predicted that?"

"Not me." The corner of his mouth twitched upward.

You reached up and brushed some of the damp hair away from his face. Even after all these years, your heart softened whenever he looked at you like that. Like you were a deity and he were the most devoted follower. Like you were the cure for all the world's ills. Like you were home.

His golden eyes silently followed the movements of your hands as you worked. "What's wrong?" you asked.

"Nothing in particular."

"Zuko."

His smile deepened. "I was just thinking."

"Dangerous."

"Very dangerous indeed, love." You snorted, and he laughed quietly.

The sound warmed you more than the steam filling the room. After a moment, his expression softened, he smiled to himself. "I don't say it enough you know?"

You paused. "Say what exactly?"

His hand emerged from the water, reaching for yours. "Thank you. For always making sure I remember I'm more than just my title."

His thumb brushed over your knuckles before pressing a gentle kiss to them. "For taking care of me too. Thank you."

The sincerity in his voice made your chest ache. You squeezed his hand with a smile. "Oh come on. That's what partners do, you shouldn't thank me. I'm glad I get to be the one doing this."

For a minute, neither of you moved. Zuko seemed to admire your features quietly, seeing the way the reflection of the flames danced on your skin. Then he gently tugged your hand, encouraging you closer. When you leaned down, he pressed a kiss against your forehead.

"Thank you."

When he pulled back, there was no trace of the weary Fire Lord who had entered the room, it was your husband, looking lighter than he had all day.

And as the lanterns flickered around you and the world beyond your chambers faded away, you couldn't help thinking that this was your favorite version of him.

Was it your favorite because only you had the privilege of being able to see it? Probably, but also it was your favorite cause it gave you a feeling of peace you couldn't find anywhere else.

"So, are you going to get in the tub or do I have to put you in myself?"

"Zuko!"

He smirked mischievously. "I'm just saying I would love some company, wouldn't you be so kind to join me?"

Sol hummed softly, fingers brushing against the hard surface of the kitchen counter the only noise filling the otherwise silent home. The smell of coffee lingered in the air, a welcome comfort on the cold winter morning. His movements were kinda methodical, precise like a well-oiled machine and at the same time almost rhythmic, naturally elegant.

He prepared simple scrambled eggs with a little bit of cheese, some bacon on the stove and toasts popping up from the toaster with a funny click.

Coming from the hall, he heard the faint rustling of blankets being tossed aside, followed by a soft groggy voice "Sol?"

"Mhm, just a minute." He said back over his shoulder, cracking an egg with a practiced motion. Sol grinned as he heard the shuffle of footsteps, knowing that the other person was still half asleep and looking so cute.

A few moments later, they appeared in the kitchen doorway. Barefoot, hair still messy from sleep, wrapped in one of Sol’s oversized hoodies and a thick blanket. "Morning." They muttered, voice thick with sleep.

Sol offered them a plate with crispy bacon first. "Good morning pumpkin. Here you go, I made breakfast for us. Your favorite." He said, as if that alone would make everything better.

Their eyes fluttered open a little more, taking the plate, but not without a soft chuckle. "Oh? You always say it is..."

Sol shrugged with a smile. "You're right but it's always your favorite when I make it."

They sat at the small table by the window, the sunlight slanting through the curtains, casting a warm glow across the room. The air was still crisp outside, but in here, everything felt calm and safe. It was moments like this, when the world was still quiet and the noise of the day hadn’t begun to intrude, that Sol cherished so much.

He moved to set down the scrambled eggs, handing the plate over with a gentle smile. "You’re gonna want the eggs. Trust me."

They took the plate, but instead of immediately diving in, they simply stared at him for a moment, their expression unreadable. Sol didn’t ask what they were thinking. Sometimes it was enough just to be there, and why would he question them? Having their eyes on him was like a blessing, a dream that was finally coming true, it was the most precious gift that life could give him.

"Thanks," they finally said, breaking the silence. It was simple, but in this moment, it felt like everything.

"Of course, pumpkin." Sol settled in at the table across from them, his coffee in hand. He didn’t need to ask how their night had been, or what had been on their mind. The quiet moments spoke louder than words ever could and he didn't need to, he knew them like the back of his hand after all.

They both ate in silence for a while, the occasional clink of silverware and the distant hum of a passing car were the only occasional distractions. Outside, the world continued to move, but in this house, at this table, everything was still, a quiet moment captured in time. And even though they were so accustomed to routine, it was still fascinating for the young man who looked at his partner with such devotion.

Sol watched them for a moment, unable to suppress a smile. "We need to get a smaller table." He said, his tone casual but carrying an undercurrent of something more.

They looked up, blinking slowly. "Smaller? Why?"

"So I can be pressed right against your body, pumpkin." Sol teased with a cheeky smile, making their partner's cheeks turn red.

They sighed. "How can you act so shameless so early in the day?"

"Can't resist to tease you when you look so cute all flustered and shy."

"Shut it."

"Yes, my love."

Argue? No, they never argued. Pumpkin would tell Sol to shut up, and he would obediently do so, a puppy eager to follow any command his owner would give him, taking it without questioning or complaining.

They didn’t say anything for a long while. Instead, they just nodded, a soft understanding passing between them. And in that moment, as they ate breakfast together in the gentle morning light, Sol felt a sense of peace he was getting used to, one that could only come from these simple, domestic moments. The kind that filled the house with more warmth than any elaborate gesture ever could.

"Mr. Crawling please. I promise you it'll be fun! Fun? You like fun?"

Y/N's question was answered with a vigorous shake of the head. "No... Me no like. No like there. Not going."

"Please? Would you do it for me?" Of course they were gonna try to convince him that way, Mr. Crawling couldn't say no to that look after all.

It's been some days since they left that mysterious world. They went back to their usual activities like going to school and killing people, just the usual stuff for a human their age, right? They have been teaching Mr. Crawling about the human world and the routines that generally develop over time, a very important part of the daily routine is cleaning the body but Mr. Crawling was so hesitant to enter the tub, it was filled with warm water and soap, of course it looked comfy but then why was he acting that way?

Mr. Crawling stood firm in his decision. "Not going."

They sighed. "Would you enter if we did it together? Would you agree that way? You, me, together?"

He smiled and nodded, so he was throwing that whole tantrum so he could be with them. They weren't surprised really, he was a clingy being.

They took off their clothes with some hesitation, how would Mr. Crawling react? Would it be a good reaction? Now they were the one hesitating. And he noticed. "You okay?"

"I'm okay, it's just..." They shook their head. "Nothing."

Once the two were without clothes they shivered a little. "I already took a shower today, taking a bath is not necessary for me..." Y/N said to themselves as they stepped into the tub. "Your turn. Come here"

This time Mr. Crawling stepped into the tub without protest, a happy smile on his face. After feeling the temperature, he giggled, he looked happy. "Fun fun." He said, splashing a little of water.

"See? Told you it was fun... But you usually take a shower first, then get in the tub to relax, you know? The problem is that my shower is too small for someone so tall like you... I mean, this tub is also pretty small but I guess it works, not that bad hopefully. I hope you'll enjoy it." Indeed, it wasn't that big of a bathtub so they were pretty close, his cold back pressing against their chest.

He was happily listening to their yapping, not understanding a lot of course, but Mr. Crawling just liked the way they voice sounds when they're speaking to him, it was a sound that made him feel nice and warm inside.

"I'm gonna wash your hair, okay?" Y/N grabbed the bottle of shampoo, Mr. Crawling didn't understand what they meant with that but he was happy to let them take care of him. It made him feel special.

They started to gently massage his scalp, Mr. Crawling tried to eat the foam and bubbles that the shampoo produced but after they told him it wasn't food he felt somewhat disappointed, it smelled so good, how is it not something he cannot eat? "No food?"

"No, it's not food. It doesn't taste as good as it smells."

Mr. Crawling didn't get what Y/N said but he understood that he can't eat that and he was a well behaved boy so he didn't try to eat it again.

They spent a lot of time just washing his hair, making sure the tips and roots were clean, his hair got dirty when he crawled around and they wanted to take care of it for him. "Your hair is so pretty." They whisper softly.

He giggles. "Me pretty?"

"Your hair. Your hair pretty. But you're right Mr. Crawling, you pretty too."

He smiled and giggled, wanting to hug and headpat them but not being able cause of their position, Instead, he just rubbed his head happily against her neck. They took care of cleaning his body as much as possible while teaching him the basics of how to do it himself as well. He was very cheerful, as usual, always giggling and smiling, enjoying the experience, the attention he received and the gentle touches, the nice words and all the spoiling and pampering they gave him. They made him happy.

They started talking after starting to scrub his legs. "Next time I'll try to kill someone with money... Maybe we could put soft carpet on the floors or something... Your knees get bruised cause of your crawling and... I'm sure you don't feel it that much and you heal pretty fast... but I don't like seeing you like that." They gently kisses his temple, Mr. Crawling smiled and giggled happily.

Mr. Crawling He was having the best day of his life, the warmth of the water, Y/N's body heat, the pleasant aromas of the soaps and shampoo, listening to them humming while they took care of him... It was perfect.

But eventually the water turned cold and soon they got out of the tub, they wrapped a towel around their body to help Mr. Crawling dry himself with another towel. He liked that, it was soft and it smelled good. Everything in that room smelled good, it was different from what he was used to in his world.

"So? Did you liked it?" Y/N asked.

"Yes. Me like this." He nodded his head, smiled happily. "Me like you."

"Thank you. I like you too"

It was time for a new lesson; getting dressed. Mr. Crawling wasn't used to clothes and how humans dress, so they got him a new robe and some underwear. He protested a little at first, something so restrictive felt weird at first but once he got used to it he even liked it. His new robe looked a lot like the old one he had, that made him happy cause he really liked that robe.

"Me pretty, me pretty." He repeated over and over again when he saw himself in the mirror.

"Yes, you're pretty. Very very pretty."

He loved their praises, now that they were dressed and out of the tub he could hug them and give them the headpats he wanted. That made them happy too. He was so clingy. It was new to have someone so in awe of even the smallest detail about them, Mr. Crawling was a faithful devotee and Y/N a deity that he would worship for life.

"Let's dry your hair okay? We're done here."

They went back to the room, having Mr. Crawling sitting down on the edge of the bed, they were behind him, dryer in hand ready to take care of that beautiful and silky hair that Mr. Crawling had.

"This is a little loud but it's okay. It won't hurt." They wanted to make sure Mr. Crawling wouldn't freak out cause of the noise the air dryer made. He nodded and Y/N started doing their thing. The hot air felt nice, it took a good amount of time to dry all of his hair but they did it happily, Mr. Crawling felt excited and that was enough of a reason to do it.

"I'm done, what do you think?"

Mr. Crawling grabbed the air dryer and held it in front of his face, the air was moving his hair back, making him giggle. "Fun fun! Me like fun!"

"I know you like fun." They looked at him tenderly, Mr. Crawling was easy to impress, even the smallest detail could make him very excited, it was refreshing to have him by their side. "You know, I wanna braid your hair... Want me to show you something? You'll look pretty, I promise."

He tilted his head to the side but nodded gently, giving them the hair dryer back. They braided his hair gently, once it was done they made him look at the mirror.

They smiled, he was so excited. "You look pretty."

"Me pretty!" He looks at them with a big smile. "Me pretty... Thank you..."

They looked at the clock, it was almost midnight. "I should sleep now, it's getting late."

Mr. Crawling nodded, understanding their need of rest. They lay down together in bed after turning off the lights. He was hugging Y/N as if they were a delicate piece of art made of glass, something he had to protect. "You pretty... Thank you." He said against their neck.

"This could be a part of our routine... I like it, I wanna do it again."

"Again?" He asks happily.

"Yes. Not now! But tomorrow... Again"

He giggles. "Again! Again! Tomorrow again!"

They kiss his forehead. "It's time to sleep for now, okay? Goodnight Mr. Crawling."

"Night night... Pretty."

Y/N had once been a wanderer in a world that wasn't their own; a strange ghostly dimension. Time had little meaning there. It was a place of shadows, whispers, and spectral beings who spoke in a language as foreign as the world itself. Y/N couldn't understand them, and they never seemed to understand Y/N either.

Lost, adrift in a sea of incomprehensible murmurs, at least until Y/N met him. Mr. Crawling had appeared from the dark, like a sliver of the abyss, a scary crawling being but one extremely sweet and caring. He had long hair that cascaded like a waterfall of ink, and, when he wasn't crawling, a tall, lean form that loomed over them like a silent guardian. His voice was strange, in a good way, almost gentle, But there was something about her that they couldn't quite distinguish: it was different. He didn’t speak in words they understood, but his actions were clear, he was there to protect them.

In the beginning, Y/N had been frightened. They didn’t know who or what Mr. Crawling was, only that he moved with an unsettling grace, always following them like a puppy, never leaving their side. But soon, they realized that he wasn’t a threat. He had a need, an overwhelming desire to be close, to offer comfort in a place that was foreign and frightening to Y/N. He was clingy, too clingy at times, always hovering near them, offering small gestures of affection they didn’t understand at first. A headpat here, a gentle nuzzle there, an embrace that felt strangely warm despite his ethereal nature and cold body.

The more time they spent together, the more Y/N realized that Mr. Crawling was different from the other entities in the ghostly world. Where others were distant and cold, he was compassionate and strangely affectionate. He didn’t speak the language of this world, but neither did Y/N. Yet, somehow, they communicated. Through some little words. Through silence. Through touch. Through the small, tender moments they shared in their strange, shared isolation.

It was Mr. Crawling who helped them escape the ghostly world. They had been lost, and he had guided them with soft whispers and a metaphorical hand that never let go, pulling them out of the abyss and back to their world.

Now, the two of them lived in a modest house at the edge of a sleepy town, far from the shadows of the world he'd once known. The house was small but cozy, tucked away beneath the embrace of towering trees and the endless sky. The walls were lined with books, books that Y/N had bought, books that Mr. Crawling didn't quite understand yet, but was fascinated by nonetheless (he especially liked the ones with cute pictures). The furniture was simple, the windows large, letting in sunlight that warmed their new home.

Y/N had found a quiet life for them. They were still adjusting, still processing everything that had happened, but there was peace now. There was a routine. And with that routine, Mr. Crawling adapted too.

At first, Y/N wasn’t sure how to teach him the human language. He didn’t speak it, after all he never needed to, but his curiosity had grown. Sometimes he'd watch them speak, listened intently, and began to mimic the sounds they made. His voice was soft at first, a murmur that seemed foreign, but with every passing day, it grew more confident. Slowly, Y/N began to understand his language too, a delicate, melodic series of his words, his clicks and hums, like a song that had been lost to time.

They both had so much to teach each other.

There were nights when Y/N would sit with him, books open between them, and they would practice together. Y/N would point to objects around the room, saying their names, and Mr. Crawling would repeat them in his hauntingly beautiful tone, he was adorable when he was focused, lips curling slightly as if savoring each new word. His progress was slow, but his dedication was unwavering. And in return, Y/N learned to understand his quiet language, his words of affection, his quiet murmurs of concern when he thought they were upset, his soft sounds that resonated like the wind brushing through the trees.

But it wasn’t just the language they shared, it was the quiet companionship. Mr. Crawling, despite his ghostly form, was very much alive in the ways that mattered. He was there in the mornings, wrapping them in soft, clingy hugs that kept them grounded, pulling them close as if afraid they might slip away. His physical affection was constant, sometimes in a bit of a suffocating way, but in a way that made Y/N feel safe, loved, and never alone. His headpats were his way of saying "I'm here and I love you", his nuzzles a wordless declaration of devotion.

There were moments when Y/N would catch him staring at them, just watching, inspecting their features, his face full of something unreadable, almost sorrowful. But then he would smile and nudge them gently as if to remind himself that they were here, together.

Life with Mr. Crawling wasn’t perfect, but it was theirs. They made it work. On quiet afternoons, they would sit by the window, Y/N with a book in their lap, and Mr. Crawling curled up beside them, his head resting on their shoulder. He would often fall asleep that way, his dark hair cascading over their arm like a curtain of dark silk. Y/N had come to treasure these small moments, the way the light filtered through the trees, the way his presence felt like a constant comfort, the way his hands would sometimes gently clasp theirs as if he feared letting go, as if he feared losing them.

And when the days grew long, and the silence of night enveloped them, Y/N would speak in their language he was still learning, telling him little things he loved to hear and understood a little, praising him, loving him, just telling him stories about their life, little experiences and moments, memories. And he would listen, his expression softening, his touch a gentle reminder that he was there, always, beside them forever.

Mr. Crawling would share his own stories, stories of his world, of the ghostly land from which he came. He spoke in his own language, a soft hum that filled the space between them, and though Y/N couldn’t understand all of it, they could feel the weight of his memories, the depth of his existence. He had been a part of that world, a lingering echo in a place they could never return to. But now, he was with them. And he was happy.

They had created their own little world, away from the shadows, away from the haunting whispers. It wasn’t perfect, but it was theirs, full of quiet mornings, warm nights, and a love that transcended the space between words. Together, they had learned to speak a language of their own, one not of words, but of presence, of touch and of the quiet understanding that sometimes, the most important thing isn’t to speak, but to simply be together.

And with that, more was conveyed than all the words in the world could.

Since childhood, Y/N and Diluc had been inseparable. They grew up together in Mondstadt, sharing games, secrets and adventures in every corner of the city. Their friendship was as solid as iron, forged by years of laughter and loyalty, of promises and memories, of good and bad times together, little adventures and tons of love and care for each other.

As time went by, they both had to take separate ways, separating for a while, but even after so long their hearts were still connected, it was impossible to break a connection that had prevailed alive for so many years after all.

While Diluc, after years of being away from the nation, assumed his role as the owner of the Dawn Winery in the mornings and the enigmatic, mysterious and heroic Dark Knight Hero of Mondstadt in the evenings, Y/N found her own purpose after studying at the Akademiya of Sumeru, returning to Mondstadt to tend to a small garden that had been built in the heart of the city.

One day, while Y/N was in her garden arranging the flowers and making sure everything was in order, Diluc appeared unexpectedly. Although his face showed a serious expression, there was a soft intensity in his eyes that Y/N had not seen in a long time. "Y/N, I've been thinking about you." Diluc said, slowly approaching. "Can I stay with you for a moment?"

Y/N looked at him with curiosity and a slight smile on her lips. The garden had always been her place of peace, the place where everything seemed more pleasant, more simple and peaceful, Diluc's presence made it even more special. "Of course, Diluc. You're always welcome here."

He sat near her, on a small bench of the place, watching how she worked with delicacy and mastery on her plants, she already had a good time taking care of this place. A pleasant silence formed between them, interrupted only by the occasional birdsong and the soft rustling of the leaves as they moved in the wind.

"You know..." He began to say in a thoughtful tone. "Sometimes when I see the flowers here, they remind me of what we've shared since we were children, the days in my father's garden, the sunny days where we played hide and seek with Kaeya or Jean, or when we'd go looking for bugs and flowers with you... The times when as children, everything seemed simpler."

She looked up from the flowers, looking at him with a mixture of surprise and affection. They didn't usually talk about their feelings this way, but she felt there was something different about the way Diluc was acting.

"Kinda funny..." She said with a soft smile. "Maybe it's weird for me to say it like this but I've always thought that this garden is like a reflection of various connections I have with people, especially our friendship. I take great care of it cause it means a lot to me, as you do too, Diluc."

He was silent, but his eyes shone with an intensity that Y/N couldn't ignore. Finally, he leaned a little closer. "Y/N, there is something I need to tell you." He began, his voice filled with an unusual vulnerability. "How I've felt about you has changed over time. You're not only my friend, but someone I truly appreciate more than I could ever put into words. You are a beautiful girl, you are strong and honest, you are charismatic and kind, you are sweet and brave... I could spend all day talking about how I see you... but I'm scared, I don't wanna lose you because of the things I feel for you."

Her stomach flipped over, she felt her heart beating faster, her cheeks flushing as she listened to Diluc's heartfelt words. She wasn't sure how to respond, but the sincerity in his voice moved her deeply.

"Diluc, I've felt something special for you too, for a while now..." Admitted Y/N in a trembling voice. "But I- I didn't know how to tell you. I was afraid it might ruin our friendship."

Diluc smiled, a gleam of relief in his eyes. "You don't have to fear that, Y/N. What I feel for you has grown over time and I think it's something worth feeling together, if you'll allow me."

With a gesture full of tenderness Diluc took Y/N's hand, looking at her warm and comforting eyes with an expression that blended love and affection that became overwhelming to the young woman's melting heart.

"Let me show you how special you are to me, not only as a friend with whom I have spent countless moments together, adventures and good times, but as someone I wish to protect, care for and love as long as you and life will allow me to."

With her heart overwhelmed with emotion, she nodded slowly, looking into his eyes, nervous and excited by his words. Her trust in Diluc and the love she felt for him came together in a moment of pure connection. "I'd love to do the same, Diluc."

He ran a hand around her waist with a gentle smile and a soft shade of pink on his cheeks. He held her chin with his gloved hand and looked down at her. "May I?"

It was the happiest day for both of them. She felt like she would faint soon from so much emotion her heart was feeling, she nodded shyly and it was then that Diluc brought their lips together gently, a tender kiss full of the love and affection they felt for each other.

From that day on, the garden became an even more meaningful place for them, a place to spend time together and create many memories.

Each visit was a mixture of laughter and intimate moments, as Diluc strove to show his devotion and affection in every gesture and action. Through the seasons, through time and through life's changes, their new relationship blossomed so beautifully, just as the flowers did in Y/N's garden.

The Bubu Pharmacy was a quiet and pleasant place despite always being full of things to do, with the characteristic aroma of medicinal herbs wafting in the air, Baizhu, the owner of the place, was meticulously working on preparing the pills and ointments that his customers needed, with his faithful snake watching him from the table where he stood, however, his pallor and the occasional cough revealed that he was not in the best of health at the moment, and although he tried to hide it at all costs, the illness that afflicted him was evident to those who knew him well, knowing that his health was indeed fragile.

Y/N had recently come to Liyue, an adventurer who enjoyed moving between nations, with the nation of contracts as her final destination. She'd met Baizhu and had been moved by his dedication to helping others despite his own suffering, she decided to offer him her help, and he, though initially reluctant, accepted gratefully after some days of knowing her.

One day, while Baizhu was concentrating on mixing an ointment with the help of the herbalist Gui, Qiqi, walking behind Y/N, entering the pharmacy with a small basket full of fresh herbs. The little zombie who was also helping in the pharmacy, had worked diligently in collecting the plants, but she needed a little extra help as she sometimes got lost, forgot what she was doing or was simply of very small stature to reach some of the herbs and plants needed.

"Good morning, Baizhu, Changsheng, herbalist Gui." Greeted Y/N with a smile as she gently took the basket from Qiqi's hands to place it on the table. "We brought the herbs you needed, Qiqi couldn't find them all yesterday and I came across her while exploring so I helped her. How are you feeling today?"

Baizhu looked up from his preparations with a weary but grateful expression. "Hello, Y/N. Thank you so much for bringing the herbs and helping Qiqi. I'm feeling a little better, but I haven't fully recovered yet."

She approached him with concern. "You shouldn't exert yourself so much. Qiqi and I can handle this and other tasks you need, you know... You look tired, you should take some time to let your body rest."

He knew it was true, but sometimes his stubbornness wouldn't let him simply delegate the work to someone else while he did nothing. He smiled weakly at her, his eyes revealed the weight of his discomfort. "I appreciate your concern, but there are many more things that need to be taken care of and I wish to do it personally. I don't want the pharmacy to suffer for my condition." She decided to leave him alone for the time being, she knew it wasn't gonn be possible to convince him of anything else until he was done with the current task at hand.

As Baizhu continued to work, she turned to Qiqi who was organizing bottles and tubes in a corner of the store. "Hi little Qiqi, do you need help with anything?" She looked at her with a gentle smile.

Qiqi looked up with her usual sleepy expression. "Yes... There are herbs that need to be dried and sorted, can you help me with that, please?" The little zombie asked slowly.

Y/N nodded and started working alongside Qiqi, chatting a bit to make the job more pleasant to handle. The combination of keeping an eye on helping Qiqi and the conversation helped distract her from the growing worry she felt in her heart at seeing Baizhu so sick and stubborn about not leaving the pharmacy unattended.

As they worked, the girl took the opportunity to learn more about Qiqi and her duties at the pharmacy. Through the conversation, she realized how brave and determined Qiqi was, even with her trouble remembering and her own unique status as a living dead.

"Qiqi, how do you feel working here?" She asked, as they dried and organized the herbs.

Qiqi looked at Y/N with her big, sleepy pink eyes. "I feel useful. Even though I'm a zombie, I can help Baizhu and the people of Liyue. It's important to me to feel that way." Replied the little zombie in her slow, sleepy voice.

She smiled at her, admiring Qiqi's attitude. "You're doing very well little one. Baizhu must be very grateful to have you here." She gently patted his head. Qiqi was happy to hear that, she liked to feel useful and having someone acknowledge her effort was always nice.

After a while of chatting and working, Baizhu came over to check on Y/N and Qiqi's progress. Although he still looked tired, his expression softened as he saw the job well done. "Thank you both for your help. I feel less worried now that I see everything is under control."

She offered him a warm smile with some concern. "You should get some rest. I told you, we can handle the rest without a problem."

Baizhu nodded, his gaze full of gratitude. "I will. Thank you, Y/N. Your help means a lot to me. Thanks to you too my little Qiqi, you do a very good job, I'm very proud." The image was almost touching, he had a certain fatherly attitude when it came to the little zombie and it wasn't possible not to feel tenderness towards it.

As Baizhu retired to rest in his room, Y/N, Qiqi and now Gui too, continued with their tasks, working in harmony to keep the pharmacy running. With each task completed, Y/N felt a warm feeling in her chest, the satisfaction of knowing that she was contributing to easing Baizhu's heavy burden was very comforting.

For the girl, to be there helping was a way to make his work at least a little lighter, she knew how hard he worked day by day despite his health, having to smile for the patients, suffering in silence with Changsheng as his faithful companion, he didn't want to worry Qiqi or Gui, nor the regular customers who came to look for him to treat any of their ailments.

Eventually the afternoon turned into evening and when Baizhu returned from his nap, his face showed an expression of relief and gratitude. "Thanks again to you all for the effort. I can see how important it is for me to be able to count on people like you."

Y/N approached Baizhu with a slightly worried smile. "We're here to support you, Baizhu. The most important thing is that you take care of yourself and recover well.... Don't overexert yourself, okay? I'll be asking Changsheng if you're overworking yourself." She reached over and gently stroked the snake's head which had a happy expression cause of the attention received.

Baizhu offered her a sincere smile, a mixture of relief and affection in his reda eyes. "I will. Thank you all three for your care and support. This means more than you can imagine."

Herbalist Gui said goodbye and went home as it was late, Y/N helped Baizhu preparing some tea, enjoying the smooth taste of the herbs was a good way to cap off the day. The three of them were sitting together, Qiqi had a glass of milk and the two of them had tea. Baizhu seemed to enjoy these moments, he looked less pale and a little more rested than in the morning. The three of them looked at the stars together, without too much conversation in between, just enjoying the silence and the nice weather that night had.

Qiqi withdrew first to go to her room and soon the two of them had finished as well. The girl insisted on helping him wash the few dishes they had used and although he was stubborn, she could be stubborn too and much more persistent if it came to helping the man of frail health.

He went to his room to change clothes while she made sure everything was fine, when she finished she went to find him, knocking gently on the door. "Baizhu, may I come in?"

"Yes, come in Y/N."

She entered the room, Baizhu was changed into his pajamas, his hair was down, Changsheng was sleeping next to his pillow and the girl couldn't help but think the snake looked like a little puppy. "Ready to go to bed, right? You're not gonna stay up again reading books and doing your research, are you?" She asked, Baizhu let out an embarrassed chuckle at that.

"No. I promise I'll sleep as much as I can today, okay?"

"Yeah, you better." She replied with a fake angry attitude, Baizhu chuckled again.

"Thank you. Really. You're always helping me a lot with the Pharmacy, with Qiqi too. I appreciate it a lot. There's a lot of work to do but you help me feeling the burden is a little lighter."

"Well, it is what I wanna do. I wanna help you, I don't want you to feel like you have to carry the burden of all this alone. You know you can count on me, even though we haven't known each other for long, it was very easy to get attached to you and little Qiqi, Baizhu." She put her hand on his shoulder and gave it a gentle squeeze, he sighed wearily.

"I'm tired."

Her expression is filled with some concern. "I know that. You should rest, your body needs it."

"Thank you." His red eyes were soft and gentle, he was really thankful for all her help, she always tried to help in any way possible without asking for anything in return and he was grateful to had her.

"No worries, I'm glad I can help." She let his shoulder go and stood up to walk to the door. "Good night Baizhu."

"Good night, sweet Y/N."

Lycaon thinks you're the most beautiful person he has ever laid eyes upon. Whenever you're near, he finds it increasingly difficult to maintain his usual professional demeanor, as your mere presence makes his pulse quicken and his composure falter, his cheeks would turn pink when seeing yours up while you have the biggest and prettiest smile on your face. His tail moves from side to side excitedly, his ears always alert to everything you have to say, if you noticed that, it would be so easy to realize that he's madly in love with you.

Lycaon knows, with absolute certainty, that you're the one for him, there's no way he's wrong about it. You are the butterfly he has been chasing, its delicate wings so breathtakingly lovely that all who behold it are left in awe.

You're beautiful, but you're more beautiful when you smile at children who ask you questions based on pure curiosity, you're beautiful when you have your hair combed with a small flower, and even with all the movement you do when moving from one side to the other, it doesn't fall and remains still in your hair, just as he remains by your side even though life has shaken him away so many times.

He wants to tell you that you're beautiful, so beautiful that you make his heart race like never before, so beautiful that he loves you so much. He is in awe of you, of how you manage to be both strong and gentle, both hardworking and graceful. You're his sun, his moon, his everything, the very reason he pushes himself to work harder each and every day. To be able to witness your radiance, to bask in your light, is the greatest gift he could ever receive.

He knows that you're everything he has ever wanted in life, so perfect, yes, you are perfect, and he wouldn't get tired of thinking that, you're perfect, you are what keeps him working so hard day after day, Lycaon is happy to be there to see you. Whether it is the first golden rays of dawn caressing your face or the soft, ethereal glow of the moon enveloping you, he can tell you're a sight to behold.

You're the center of his universe, the one who makes his world spin. And he knows, with a certainty that fills his very soul, that he will never tire of marveling at your perfection, of cherishing your beauty, of loving you with every single fiber of his being.

The rest of Victoria Housekeeping Co. tell him that he fell madly in love, they noticed the way he looks at you, his love was obvious, but he inevitably feels that you are a star, so far out of his reach, you're the brightest person, the first he has completely fallen in love with...

He's like a moth attracted to fire, he's attracted to you with all his heart, soul, all his being, and yes, the fire burns, but he would bear the pain just to be near this fire that is you. This love is something he never thought he would feel, but there he is, thinking that you're the most brilliant and most beautiful human being who ever lived.

He's in love, so in love with you that even if the days are dark for him, you make it bright with just your smile. He's in love, very much in love, he has become a fool fallen into this dark hole and you're the one who brought him here, but he doesn't feel bad about it, after all he always wanted to be in that place if it was because of you

You're a dream, or at least that's what he thinks, but when he sees you in front of him, you're no longer a dream, you're a reality that he has to face, but he loves it cause his reality is you and it's beautiful because it's you.

Perfect, you're perfect, too perfect to be true...

Tired of working as hard as he usually did, he arrived home, where his beautiful wife was waiting for him with dinner ready. After the wedding they had moved to a more personal space, she had the help of the maids during the morning, but at night it was just the two of them, flowers, candles and all the love they had for each other.

He took out his keys to opened the front door, the aroma invited him to enter and he couldn't help but lightly smell the delicious aroma of her home-cooked food, he swallowed hard cause of the hunger he had and walked to the kitchen, he came up behind Y/N as he wrapped his arms around her waist. "I'm home, my love." He let go of the gentle words in that voice that made her melt, pressed a soft kiss to her temple and took off his gloves to wash his hands, his curious crimson eyes peered out the window.

"It's going to be the meteor shower tonight, right?" He asked, knowing how excited she was to see this beautiful event together, so, he had everything ready for after their dinner.

She nodded. "There's still some time left, I can't wait for it! It's gonna be so nice." She had on her lips that smile that he loved so much. He turned off the tap and turned around to hug her from behind again.

"You look so beautiful when you get excited about something like that, you know?" He whispered softly near the back of her neck, his thumbs tracing circles on her waist. He really knew how to make her heart race even after so much time together.

"I love you so much Diluc."

"I love you more."

The two had a chat about how each other's day was, there was nothing remarkable but that's how they liked it, quiet and somewhat routine days, without problems or complications. They both needed some peace after so many things they'd been through throughout their lives.

Once the food was served, Diluc pulled her chair out and she smiled sweetly, thinking about how those simple gestures of affection had always been shown by him, even before they fell in love. She kindly thanked him and he proceeded to sit down as well to enjoy dinner together.

★

He took charge of cleaning the kitchen after eating, insisting that she had done a wonderful job with dinner and that it was his turn to help with the housework like they usually did. She couldn't help but think how attractive her husband looked with his hair up high, doing something as simple as washing the dishes.

"Would you like to take a bath before we leave? There is still plenty of time left." She asked gently, always wanting to spoil him, Y/N knew he always worked so hard, he deserved all that treatment since she was also spoiled whenever he could.

Diluc looked at her with a smirk, a little hint of mischief in it. "Are you coming with me?"

Y/N chuckled and shook her head in amusement. "How could I say no?"

She went to prepare the bath and when she returned to the kitchen her husband's strong arms carried her back. Once there, he closed the door and gently undressed her between kisses, removing his own clothes too. They got into the marble tub, both of them comfortable with it, after all it wasn't the first time they had each other's naked bodies pressed against each other. Still, there was no intention of taking things to a more passionate and lustful level, it was just a nice moment between the two, enjoying the warm water hugging their bodies, the nice smell of the candles she lit and the company of the other.

Diluc dedicated himself to scrubbing her back and washing her hair, leaving caresses and sweet kisses on her soft skin. Y/N returned the attention and care he gave her, both of them were enjoying the moment, the beautiful connection they had built together over time.

Shortly after the bath, he dried and combed her hair while he had a towel tied around his waist. "You know I can deal with my own hair, right?"

"Well, that doesn't mean I don't want to take care of it for my gorgeous wife this time. I know you can do it, but I like to spoil you too, love." He gave her a peck on the tip of her nose, earning a tender giggle from her.

"I love you, silly husband."

"Your silly husband loves you too." He pecked the tip of her nose again.

Then two dressed with some warm pajamas, being somewhat aware of the time so as not to be late. When they finished they left the house, walking hand in hand, Diluc carrying a basket in his other hand, they walked to a place not far from their home, in the middle of the vast valley, no enemy in sight. He took out a blanket and put it on the ground, then wrapped the two of them in a soft, thick blanket, they were talking and laughing for a long time, enjoying some snacks he had brought, giving each other little kisses from time to time, holding hands and waiting for the meteor shower.

★

The show in the sky had begun, the two watched intently as the night sky looked even more beautiful than usual. Diluc looked at her, Y/N's expression of astonishment was so cute to see, he wanted to record that beautiful moment in his memory for the rest of his life. "So beautiful." He whispered, looking at his beloved's expression.

"I know right." She said looking at the stars.

He smiled to himself and moved his eyes to the sky as well. Maybe their lives had been hard in the past, but it was moments like these that made it all worth it.

Once the meteor shower ended, Diluc kissed her knuckles softly while looking at that light reflected in her eyes, this was noticeable every time she was happy and that always made him feel so lucky to have such a beautiful, kind, gentle and loving wife.

It felt right to see that sweet and happy light in his beloved's eyes. And he knows that if he needed to, he would go and move heaven and earth so that she was happy, all to make that glow last over time, so that nothing could be able to fade the smile and the light in her loving eyes.

One day Y/N was on her way to Frostheim. She needed to deliver a report cause there were some incorrect details in the previous one so, she kindly offered to take them to the Vice Captain. However, when looking for him, she couldn't find him anywhere. She had written a message that hadn't been read yet, Y/N assumed he would be busier than usual so she decided to head to the Captain's room.

The path was not complicated. She knew it well after having gone there so many times, fulfilling errands that Jin asked of her. At first all of them were really bossy, they felt like orders more than favors. She smiled at the thought of how the young man was now a little nicer to her.

The girl arrived at the room, knocked on the door and after hearing Jin's voice she entered. "I have some papers for you, there's a report that had data, it wasn't correct." She said gently. Jin looked at her, he had a cigarette in his hand and was lying on the luxurious couch of his room, a sight that was common to see.

"Ah... I see. Leave them there." Jin spoke looking at the desk. She nodded and put the papers on a free space on his desk. He looked at her hand, she had a bandage covering her palm. "Y/N, come here." He ordered, she walked towards him.

"Yes? Is there anything else you need?" Y/N didn't know what he had in mind.

"Sit."

"Okay okay, what's wrong? You're being weird-"

Her words were cut off as Jin gently held her hand, analyzing the bandage. He looked into Y/N's eyes, searching for an explanation. "Oh, that... it's nothing serious, just a slight cut I got while I was cleaning some pieces of glass."

Hearing what happened, he frowned, giving her palm a light caress. "What are you, a dumb kid? It's sharp and you shouldn't clean something like that with bare hands."

"I know I know, I was in a hurry but it's nothing, really. Jiro bandaged it for me." He kept frowning. "You look like an angry cat."

"Shut the fuck up."

Jin let her hand go, a little pissed off cause of her words, not as gently as he was holding it. She sighed, he could still be a bit rude from time to time. After a short silence he gently tapped the cigarette against the ashtray and looked at her. "There's going to be a dance tonight, are you planning to go?"

The girl chuckled at the question, earning a frown from the boy. "No, I'm definitely not going"

He raised an eyebrow and looking at her curiously. "And why is that?"

"Well you know, it's gonna be full of rich people, expensive outfits, they will be dancing..."

"Why would you care about what those bootlickers do, wear or think? You should go."

She smiled playfully. "Oh? What is it? Do you want me to go?"

"Yes. I want you to go."

That was unexpected, Y/N was joking but it was obvious he was being serious. Her cheeks felt a little warm after hearing what he'd said. "I don't have any clothes to wear to an event like that."

"Then I'll get you some. Will you go?" Those piercing ice-blue eyes looked at her with a certain sparkle, something she couldn't quite make out.

She sighed, it was a very kind gesture on his part and she was somewhat curious to see what one of these Frostheim activities was like. "Fine. I'll go. Thank you Jin, I appreciate it."

He had a slight, beautiful smile on his lips after hearing she was going. Soon after that he took care of getting the perfect outfit for her.

[ • • • ]

It was getting dark and Y/N was a little nervous, she didn't know how to dance at all and anyone could tell she had two left feet when dancing, it didn't really matter cause Jin wanted her there. Her heart was churning with a certain mixture of happiness and uncertainty at this, it was true that they were getting closer but, could that mean something more or was she just rushing to assume things that aren't true?

Her thoughts were interrupted by the sight of one of Darkwick's many cats at the window. She let the cat in and it meowed happily, letting the package on the floor for her to grab. Y/N crouched down and gave the small animal some gentle strokes, its tail was wagging from side to side. "Thank you, you're such a good worker aren't you?"

The cat purred happily and after some more affection it needed to go. The cat jumped out and left. The girl's hands carefully opened the pretty package and she smiled as she saw the contents, there was a beautiful dress, a coat and a pair of shoes, also some jewelry. The fabric of the clothes was so soft and pleasant to the touch. It was obvious the high quality of it, she hoped it wasn't too expensive, of course Jin could get something like that a hundred times and not be bothered by the price, but she didn't feel so good when someone spent money on her.

There was still some time left but Y/N decided to prepare herself as best she could to look good. She wanted to feel pretty and she did a good job with it. Seeing her reflection in the mirror felt good, the dress fit her body shape in such a natural way, Jin had made a perfect choice.

Arriving at the Frostheim house, there was a certain warmth that was not so usual. The place was full of people, all of them looked elegant, glamours, they were people with a lot of money and power. Y/N couldn't help but feel out of place. Luckily no one was watching at her, she was blending in well.

"Here you are." She heard a voice behind her, it was Tohma. He greeted her with a slight bow of his head. "Good evening Y/N, the Captain is looking for you. Follow me."

Her heart began to race, she followed Tohma without objection, some people watched them pass by but she wasn't thinking about it. Then she saw him, a drink on his hand and wearing the Frostheim uniform. There's no denying that Jin looked incredibly attractive in it. "Look at that, not bad." He smirked when she appeared in front of him.

"Thank you Jin. You look good too." She smiled with her cheeks a little rosy.

Some students around them began to murmur about them, Jin sighed heavily. "That's why I hate these things. Y/N, come on, let's dance." He grabbed the girl's waist and guided her to the dance floor.

"Jin wait, I don't know how to-"

"Shhh don't worry, I'll guide you. Just follow me." He whispered to her, she felt shivers down her spine but only nodded at his words.

Jin guided Y/N's hands to put them in the correct place, getting a little closer to her and holding her waist with one hand. They started dancing slowly, maybe it was the adrenaline but she didn't feel it was as difficult as it seemed before, it was actually quite nice to do. There were a lot of people looking but neither of them cared at all. It was just the two of them and the background music.

They danced for a while, Jin looked at her tenderly, his cold eyes had warmth in them, Y/N had managed to melt the young man's cold heart and wrap it in warmth.

The third song ended and he gently pulled her off the dance floor. "You must be a little tired, let's go."

He started walking towards the stairs. "Oh? Wasn't I supposed to be getting tired?" She asked raising an eyebrow. Jin turned around to look at her.

"You're right." Before Y/N could realize it he was carrying her bridal style, she instinctively clung to his body, letting out a surprised gasp. The boy smirked.

"There was no need to do that, Jin."

"You're shy now? How cute." He teased.

He walked up the stairs while carrying her in his arms, the music was becoming less and less loud, she looked at his face. He was so handsome, his pale skin, blue eyes, silver hair with that subtle blue blur on the tips.

He put her back on her feet, but his hand travels to her waist. "I wasn't ready to see you look so stunning tonight." He says sincerely, his expression is not much different from usual but there is a slight warm glint in his eyes.

"Jin I-" Her words were interrupted by his index finger, gently resting on her lips.

"I wanna say something first." She nodded, a little shocked by his actions. "I'm in love with you, Y/N." For just a second she wanted to ask him if if was a joke, but seeing the way his eyes looked at her she knew he was being honest.

Y/N felt like her heart was going to jump out of her chest to go into his arms instead. "I feel the same way for you."

Jin felt relieved, he wrapped his arms around her, pulling her into a hug. Her body pressed against his chest. She was surprised to notice that his heart was racing almost as fast as hers. "I love you."

"I love you too Jin." His grip on her loosened enough to look into her eyes again.

He moved one of his hands to gently hold her cheek. He brought his face closer to hers slowly, waiting to see what kind of reaction he was gonna get from her. Her cheeks got red, her eyes were closing, their faces came closer and that's when their lips touched softly, a delicate, gentle touch.

His thumb caressed her face, Jin didn't want to pull away, but they were running out of air after several seconds of kissing, he pulled away to let her breathe again, his forehead pressed against hers and a loving smile on his face.

"Y/N. Would you be my girlfriend?"

She couldn't believe what her ears were hearing, maybe this was a dream? "Of course! I want that... I wanna be your girlfriend."

He kissed her softly again, they kisses until they had a hard time breathing. Jin was fascinated with her, he couldn't stop it, his heart wanted to make her feel overwhelmed with love and feel the same in return too. It was definitely their perfect night.

In the eyes of others, Jin had regained some of his former charisma and warmth, all thanks to the fact that the king of Frostheim had found someone to give all of his love to.

His white fur is so soft, so silky and so warm that it is impossible not to want to run the fingers through it, as if it were a comfortable cotton blanket in which it's possible to get lost for hours, caressing it gently, enjoying it with enthusiasm, and it's also impossible not to want to admire it when he wears that soft smile and a calm expression.

Lycaon's head would be very comfortable in his Master's lap, with closed eyes he would lose himself in the comfort and after repeatedly assuring him that everything would be fine, he would allow himself to take a nap. In their hands, Lycaon's Master held some small wildflowers full of vibrant colors and soon all of them would be carefully planted in a different part of those silky white locks.

It was the perfect afternoon. The birds singing, the sound of running water, the faint rays of sunlight passing through the leaves of the trees gently swaying in the spring breeze, the pleasant smell of the air and the various little animals roaming around. All these elements made that little moment together so peaceful, tender and relaxing.

When Lycaon wakes up, he feels the little bristles on the flower stems lightly scratching his skull and he smiles with some confusion. "What are you decorating my fur for, Master?"

"Nothing special Lycaon, I just thought those little flowers would look good on you and I wasn't wrong.... You look pretty" Master replied as Lycaon slipped his arms under his Master's knees and back to press them against his toned chest to then press a gentle kiss against their forehead.

The soft white furred man was extremely happy about the many flowers his Master decorated him with, so much so that he'd even allow himself to lose a bit of composure and wag his tail from side to side in an obvious display of happiness. Lycaon would take pride in whatever his Master gave him, even if it took away that serious, professional and intimidating appearance he used to have due to his features and imposing presence.

Then he would put one of his favorite flowers on his Master's ear, excusing himself with a "It's to keep a part of me with you", that was the first thing he thought to justify it and if you think about it, it's a very good reason. Thanks to it he'd seen one of the nicest smiles on the Master's face while they thanked him before placing some kisses all over his face.

As the sunset starts to peek with all its pretty and vibrant colors, Lycaon walks past Rina, he had the pretty flowers in his hair and that's enough to make the maid look at him with a little smile that carries a mix of tenderness and playfulness.

She giggled a little, that sight was not something very common to see. "You look good Lycaon."

"Thank you." His tail would gently swish from side to side as he walked around the mansion, performing any of the many tasks that required his personal care.

Lycaon and his Master would spend several of the spring days like this, spending a lot of time together, enjoying each other's company, among flowers, smiles, and the gentle spring breeze.

In the icy Frostheim house the atmosphere always seemed to have a mixture of mystery and coldness, all while the interior was freezing cold. She sometimes wondered how the students could endure the cold temperatures without any complaints, they even seemed comfortable in such a cold environment. It was as if it was natural for them. The captain of the house, Jin Kamurai, was known from the rumors that spread around about him, for his aloof attitude and his imposing and strong presence and yet, few knew that within his heart a battle even colder than the house itself was raging.

She arrived at the Darkwick Academy without knowing what was hiding inside, of course she always thought it was one of the most elite academies in Japan, but that's all. She never imagined she was gonna get involved in all the mess with anomalies, demons and ghoul students. She just wanted to find the cure to her curse, that one that was gonna make her die if she didn't find the cure. Equipped with the ring of the sage, an artifact that apparently could help her enhance the stigmata of the ghoul students, she was ready to do missions with them since She was a powerful ally to the ghouls. Though most were resistant and difficult to deal with, not really accepting the girl, I mean, she wasn't even a ghoul, they thought she wasn't gonna be that useful for missions. But she was determined to be with them, to fight the anomalies together and find the cure to avoid her condemnation.

Although she was not part of any house, her ability had led her to inevitably interact with curious Darkwick students and powerful ghouls as well. Jin Kamurai was one of them, His role as house captain made it difficult for some students to interact normally with him, but she had encountered him on a few occasions.

One particularly cold afternoon, even for Frostheim, she found herself in front of the captain's room with a new mission that seemed a bit complicated. There was a rumor that an unknown anomaly was lurking around the city, there were townspeople who were mysteriously disappearing and Darkwick suspected that it was cause an anomaly.

She knocked on the door five times and after a moment of silence, the Captain's rough voice allowed her to enter.

Jin was lying on the couch, cigarette in hand and a soft melody playing in the background. He didn't bother to look at the girl, his expression was distant and cold as usual. "So? What's the problem now?" he asked, not looking at her.

"I'm here to talk about a mission. Darkwick suspects that an anomaly is behind the disappearance of people. This mission has been assigned to Frostheim". She offered him a form with all the details. He looked at her for a moment. Then he looked at the papers and took them after putting his cigarette in the ashtray.

"And why are you bothering me and not Tohma?" Jin's voice had a bit of annoyance in it as his ice blue eyes scanned the details.

"I was sent directly to you, Captain."

He rolled his eyes in annoyance. "Always so obedient huh. But what makes you think I'm gonna help you?"

"Cause I wanna think that despite your attitude, you still have a side that cares about what happens in Darkwick." She said with some boldness, Jin raised an eyebrow at her attitude "And because this anomaly could be related to the one that cursed me."

"I don't care about your curse."

"I know that."

Jin sighed annoyed. "The others are coming with us. And if we're gonna do this, we're gonna do it my way, understood?"

Y/N felt so relieved because of that, he didn't say no after all. "Understood."

The mission to end the anomaly was long, exhausting and full of tension, at least for her. Fortunately, the ghouls of Frostheim and Y/N made a good team. During the confrontations with the anomalies, Jin proved himself to be a capable leader. She could tell how he seemed to have a more understanding side when they were under the pressure of anomalies attacking them. Of course he was still demanding and dominant, but his attitude changed slightly as he got used to her presence and her situation.

Over the course of the missions, Jin also began to show interest in her beyond the call of duty. Although he tried to maintain his facade of coldness and distance, small gestures of care became evident before her eyes. He offered her some protection in moments of danger, and his glances sometimes revealed a concern he didn't show often.

[ • • • ]

She entered Jin's room after he allowed her in. "What do you want?" He asked with his usual rough and sharp voice.

"I came to give you the documents you asked for. Tohma is quite busy to come himself and since he was around here he asked me to bring them to you." She replied, ignoring his sharp tone. As she approached, her eyes noticed a vinyl record on an old record player, it looked expensive and luxurious, of course it was, it belonged to Jin after all. It was in the corner of the room, bringing the room a nice detail and good music. Soon the first notes of "The Blue Danube" filled the air, a soft smile appeared on her lips.

Jin frowned, but his eyes followed the movement of her eyes, the music seemed to soften his expression, and surprisingly, he let the ice on his exterior melt, if only for a moment.

"Do you like that music?" He asked, the interest was barely perceptible.

"I do like it. This one always makes me want to go to a Frostheim ball." She replied, sitting in one of the chairs in front of him. "But it also reminds me of simpler times. Why do you listen to it so much?"

His ice blue eyes met hers, and in a moment of vulnerability, he spoke of his past and his feelings towards his family, especially his father. "My father used to listen to this music. It also reminds me of simpler times, when everything seemed easier, better." He confessed, his voice softer than usual.

"We all have something that reminds us of our past." She said, trying to offer some comfort. "Maybe it will help you find a way to improve your current situation?"

Jin smiled in disbelief, a mocking smile. "My current situation?"

"You know what I mean, Jin"

"I... I know that"

[ • • • ]

A deeper bond began to form between the two. The mission to confront the anomalies became a shared struggle, and although the threat persisted, there were moments of calm and a genuine connection. Jin began to open up more, revealing his fears and aspirations, and she found in him an unexpected ally and invaluable support in her search for the cure of her curse.

Over time, Jin began to show himself outside of his chambers, and although he still maintained his rough character, he was no longer so distant. The cold of Frostheim was still noticeable, the aura of mystery and coldness was still present, but in Frostheim, but inside his heart he felt the warmth of an unexpected bond, reminding him that not everything in life had to be so cold and distant.

The renowned Darkwick Academy was a huge place, one day Y/N chose she had to start studying if she wanted to have an easy time with the exams. So she walked to the library, sitting at a long wooden table, her textbooks spread out before her. She was lost in her own thoughts, her pen moving gently over her notebook. She looked around after writing some things and that's when she noticed a tall figure hesitantly entering the library. It was Lyca, a ghoul student and also a werewolf, he had striking features and a somewhat rugged demeanor, he looked around with an expression that was both full of curiosity and unease. It was weird to see him without Subaru.

Y/N had met Lyca a few weeks ago in one of her missions with the Obscuary ghouls. At first, he seemed aloof and guarded, the rough exterior a stark contrast to the other ghoul students. But Y/N, with her patience and kindness, had noticed a little bit of vulnerability deep under his tough facade. She decided to reach out. "Hey, Lyca!" Y/N called out with a friendly wave, her smile gentle.

Lyca's eyes met hers, and he walked over hesitantly, his large frame, he didn't want to be there. "Hi" he said gruffly, sitting down at the table. His gaze darted around, clearly uncomfortable in the crowded environment, even if it was quiet and nice for other. To the young werewolf it was a challenge to be out like that, he'd feel so exposed, judged.

"So, Lyca. Are you studying for the next exams today?" Y/N asked, trying to strike up a conversation with him after noticing his discomfort.

Lyca nodded, pulling out his own textbooks. "I guess. I’m having a hard time with some of this stuff... Suba is busy and we can't study together right now" he said frowning and groaning annoyed. Lyca was really close to Subaru, feeling kinda insecure when he wasn't close. Subaru was one of the few students that didn't seem to feel disgusted with him. The others would grimace at him, as if he was a monster for all the rumors about him in the academy.

Y/N offered him a smile. "Well I’m here to help if you need it. I’ve been studying for this exam too. It's hard but we can study together... If you want to, of course."

He nodded "Please."

Her smile widened a bit, she nodded too and they started to study together.

As they studied , Y/N noticed that Lyca was struggling with more than the class stuff. His frustration with the human world was evident as well. He had difficulty understanding some of the social norms, behaviors and he was getting frustrated to feel so out of place because of it. She couldn't help but feel like she needed to help him, even if it was just a tiny bit, to get used to people and how the human world works.

A few days later, Y/N invited Lyca to join her for a coffee. Lyca hesitated at first, not sure if he wanted to go there without Subaru, but eventually he agreed, perhaps curious or desperate for a change of pace. The cafeteria was warm and inviting as always, with some soft music playing in the background. The boy didn't look so annoyed so it was a good sign for Y/N. "So... how’s everything going?" She asked, stirring her coffee gently.

Lyca grunted, taking a cautious sip of his own coffee after sniffing it, making sure it was fine. "It’s... different. Never feel like I fit in here."

Y/N’s eyes softened with understanding. "I know it can be tough, but you’re doing better than you think! You’re learning and adapting. Take your time Lyca... Little by little okay? You got this"

Lyca looked at her, his eyes reflecting a mix of appreciation and vulnerability, he was kinda surprised. "You... think so?"

"Yes of course! I do" Y/N replied warmly. "And I’m glad you let me help you" she hummed and he leaned a bit "It’s not about fitting in perfectly but instead, it's finding your own way to get used to it and fit, you know? I don't know if it makes sense to you tho..."

He tilted his head to the side, not really understanding it at first. She giggled, knowing he didn't get it for now.

[ • • • ]

And the days turned into weeks and the weeks turned into months, Y/N and Lyca’s study sessions became a part of their regular routine. She introduced him to more human customs and different habits, gently guiding him through social interactions and the student life, even if that last thing was kinda new for her too. That way and little by little, Lyca started to open up, showing a softer side that he rarely showed to other, a side that was easier to approach, calmer, gentler and also more affectionate.

One cold evening, as they walked through the campus, close to the Obscuary forest, Lyca stopped and looked at Y/N with a gentle expression.

"Lyca? Is everything okay? Do you wanna hunt?" She asked a little confused at his sudden stop.

He shook his head and looked at her, approaching a little "You’ve been really patient with me... You and Suba help me a lot and... I don’t understand everything yet, but I’m starting to feel less... lost." He looked away, feeling a little shy about telling her his feelings out loud.

Y/N smiled, her heart full with affection, it felt warm. It was good to see that her efforts were helping him so much. She felt like that was right to do. "I’m happy to hear that Lyca. It's been a long way but you're doing really good."

Lyca hesitated before taking her hand in his clumsily. "Thank you. I... I know I can be a bit rough... But you’ve helped me see that maybe, just maybe, there’s a place for me here."

Y/N squeezed his hand gently, her voice soft. "There’s definitely a place for you here Lyca and I’m happy to be here with you, learning and growing together."

[ • • • ]

As the seasons changed, Y/N and Lyca’s bond deepened. Their study sessions turned into regular outings, and their connection blossomed into something more meaningful. Lyca’s initial wariness gave way to trust, and he began to embrace the human world with Y/N by his side.

One evening, as they sat on a quiet bench under the stars, Lyca turned to Y/N with a tender gaze. "You’ve shown so much and I think... I think I’m- agh" he growled "I'm falling in love with you..."

Her heart skipped a beat and she gasped, gazing back at him with a confused look. She knew he wasn't kidding since his humor is not like that, but she can't help but wonder if he had to talk with Subaru about what loving someone means. "I’m falling too, Lyca."

As he leaned in for a hug, the night around them seemed to embrace their newfound love, even if he didn't understand humans completely, both of them had found not just a lover but a deep connection that bridged the gap between their worlds... And together they continued to learn, to grow, and cherish the journeys.

It was the Hanahaki Disease, that's why for a few days I was feeling so much chest pain, why was it happening to me right now? I also thought about who had caused it and it didn't take me long to realize that those golden eyes had captivated me greatly.

I panicked, "the only cure is… love is reciprocated", Xiao was an Adeptus and I was a mere human belonging to a cursed clan, I didn't even have a vision or anything special outside of my job making clothes, it was impossible to notice me, I don't have anything special.

That night I cried a lot, I didn't go out to the balcony for the next four days and instead I looked out the window while my condition worsened, every day the petals that came out of my mouth were more, sometimes it was difficult for me to breathe and with enough effort I could feel the roots in my chest and some were even marked under my skin. I wanted to see him cause now that I had realized my feelings, this was more painful. However, I was afraid of rejection, Xiao didn't seem interested in such things at all, I would only make things awkward.

"Xiao…"

I felt something behind me, when I turned around I was surprised to see him, what was he doing here? I panicked.

"Xiao... y-you came... why? What's happening?"

".... you called."

"What? Oh... I... I'm sorry, it won't happen again..."

He shook his head slowly and moved closer. "What's wrong? You've been acting strange lately."

"I-I'm fine."

"Don't lie to me.'

Awkward silence. I wanted to cry, I was about to say something but I felt such a sharp pain in my chest that it completely stopped me, Xiao worriedly approached me "Are you okay? What's happening? You're hurt?" although he had the same voice tone as always, this time I knew that he was very worried.

I was gonna say something to him, but I started coughing, the petals came out of my mouth and ended up on the ground, it would have been "normal" if it weren't for the fact that this time they were covered in a thick layer of red blood. Xiao understood what was happening, I explained it to him days ago after all.

He looked at me. "So you found your soulmate huh. You must tell them immediately, come, I will take you where you need, who is your soulmate?"

I shook my head terrified, he came a little closer to me but I backed up until I was cornered against the wall, the blood didn't stop coming out of my mouth, would I die here?

"Tell me" he demanded, I noticed that he was worried again, of course, the scene was not pleasant after all.

"N-no."

"Please."

I bit my lip in frustration, the taste of the blood was in my lips. "I-It's… you… it w-was always you… X-Xiao… I like y-you, a lot" I finally confessed with difficulty, my voice was breaking and tears starting to well up in my eyes.

Xiao stopped completely, I was afraid to look into his golden eyes and meet with a look of disgust, revulsion or rejection, the idea that it was like that made my chest ache more strongly, I felt like it was killing me.

"I like you too!" he declared alarmed "I like you... look, I don't understand human emotions, but I don't want you to die, you're special to me and I couldn't bear to lose you too... please... don't die."

I felt a great calm inside, but the pain did not go away from my chest, it was clear this was the last stage of Hanahaki and certain death awaited me, I wiped the blood from my mouth and Xiao helped me stand up again. "I'm sorry... Xiao..."

He took me by the cheeks, I could see that he was really scared and that broke my heart, he wiped my tears and with some fear he began to get closer slowly, then he kissed me, I noticed he was scared, he wasn't used to contact and it was difficult for him to show any emotion... but at that moment he didn't need much to make me understand his feelings.

The pain in my chest subsided even though I felt something twist in my ribcage, still, I felt like I was floating, it seemed like a dream, a story from a book. After a few moments, he separated from me and analyzed me with his beautiful eyes. "How you feel?"

"Like I'm dreaming" I whispered.

He gave me a slight smile, I was very surprised by that, that is, Xiao had smiled! I smiled too, but when we thought it was all over, the pain in my chest returned and everything went black.

The last thing I heard was Xiao calling me. It was the first time he had said my name.

[ • • • ]

"How is she?" I heard Verr asking, in other room.

"She must take some new medicines, she'll be better with it, fortunately the tree is already out of her body so it's just a matter of her wounds healing" now who was speaking was Baizhu.

I looked at the ceiling. "Thank you very much Baizhu, if she had died I don't know what I would do."

I thought Verr would be the first to see me, but instead Xiao appeared from the window.

"Xiao, what are you doing?"

"I'm coming for you. Let's go" he approached the bed where he was to carry me in his arms.

I blushed from his action "Wait wait! Xiao!" I chuckled.

The door opened and I could see Verr looking at us tenderly, she smiled and said goodbye to us, but not before asking Xiao to hold me carefully. A moment later we were in the mountains that I already knew, we had been here a while ago "What are we doing here?" I asked smiling.

"I like being with you in this place, on the balcony too, but I don't want anyone to bother us."

I took a flower and placed it in his hair. "Ah, I wish I had a daguerreotype with me, you look so cute like that, Xiao."

"Hey" he claimed, I noticed he was embarrassed so I laughed.

"Thank you for saving my life Xiao… it would have been horrible to die there."

"I had to do it. I won't let you die."

I lay down on the grass, soon Xiao did the same and we were there until nightfall, the stars seemed to be shining brighter tonight.

"I like looking at the stars with you" I admitted.

"We've already done it several times."

"It's true, but now it feels different…" I felt his hand intertwine with mine, so I looked at him "You good?"

"I just wanted to hold your hand, I've seen that human couples do it and… I... wanted to try."

I felt like I could melt with cuteness right there. He also looked at me and our gazes connected, his golden eyes seemed to be brighter, I could see the reflection of all the stars inside his eyes.

He moved a little closer, somewhat fearful like the first time he'd done it in my room.

"Can I kiss you?*

My cheeks turned red, I nodded nervously and then he joined his lips with mine again, I felt safe, I felt loved, I didn't care about many things in the world, however, I didn't want Xiao to be away, I wanted to make him happy and be happy by his side. After separating from me he left a kiss on my forehead. I smiled.

"I love you, Xiao."

"I love you too, Y/N."