#daeho im

i have only now realized i did all these in 3 days

To celebrate the extended demo coming out, I made this silly little short for the CCR LIs! I feel like they'd be a great long-distance friend group, just trust me on this. Anyways, hopefully I can update some of the older sprite edits I made by the time I make another short, so yeah! Enjoy this silly little skit!

Hold up, let me just-

After a call with MC 💕

My first post here btw 🥳

The lights of candles flickered throughout the tavern like a warm starlight, welcoming weary travelers in from the chill of the night. It was an unusually quiet evening, the odd patron wandering in for a drink or two before hurriedly rushing home. The weather spoke of an oncoming storm and few were willing to risk their luck, or their cloaks against the anticipated downpour. One staple stood out among the rest, having been steadfastly sat at the same corner table for most of the day. This was no strange sight, it wasn’t uncommon to see those from the castle take refuge within the small tavern. Most came here to enjoy a comfortable evening with comrades, though some came to avoid the confining atmosphere of the court. Leaning their head casually on their rested elbow the tavernkeeper looked fondly at their favourite regular as he was once again soundly sleeping atop a pile of parchment. The rain that had only just begun to patter gently against the window was the only thing covering the quiet snores emanating from his corner of the room. Walking over they made sure to place a mug of tea next to him just loud enough to wake the sleeping patron.

MC: You’ve fallen asleep on your textbooks again.

Although it was said with an affectionate tone, it was enough to shock the man sleeping below them. He woke up with a start, a piece of parchment still clinging to his face. He quickly brushed it away but it did little to remove the imprint of medical terms that had transferred to his cheek while slumbering.

D: I’m awake! I promise... I’m awake.

The tavernkeeper couldn’t help but laugh as they reached out their had to carefully wipe away the words from his face, grazing their thumb along his cheek. Daeho blushed in confusion as he looked at them before realising what had happened and groaned inwardly.

MC: Maybe you should worry less about your studies, and more about if you’ll survive them at this rate.

Daeho slowly relaxed again after the shock of waking up at the edge of the tavern. He had been diligently studying at every hour for the past week in order to try and pass the series of tests the head physician had set for him in the coming days. Unused to studying it had once again gotten the best of him.

D: I just need to get through this examination and then I can rest. I’ll be fine for a little while longer. Don’t worry too much about me, you have enough on your plate.

Even as far back as when he had first step foot in the capital as a squire he had regularly encountered the tavernkeeper. Back then they had both been just beginning to learn their craft. It was no small comfort to know that no matter what there was always a safe space waiting for him beyond the castle walls. It had kept him going even when his dreams of knighthood had come crashing down around him. He had now made it a habit to hide from the world nestled away at his favourite table, within sight of his favourite tavernkeeper. That same tavernkeeper now moved to take a seat across the small table from him, absentmindedly tidying up some of the papers strewn across it.

MC: Says the one studying to become a court physician. Even an apprentice should know better than to fall asleep at a tavern table. If you do it again, I’ll have no choice but to force you to take one of the rooms.

It was a common threat. If anything only because it consistently used his own good nature against him. The tavernkeeper frowned with mock annoyance as they saw him rush to defend their livelihood yet again.

D: You can’t! Won’t the business suffer if you keep giving out free rooms.

They laughed at his response, the same every time. While it was true that it might have been bad business it was never so much that they wouldn’t gladly give it up for him. They took a moment to place the papers in their hands to the side before grabbing the mug they had brought for him and taking a sip themselves.

MC: It’s my tavern so I can do as I please. Besides think of it as an investment. Who would be foolish enough to turn down a handsome young physician.

At that Daeho’s face grew sullen. He wished he had as much faith in himself as they clearly held in his stead. He was more than capable, the court physician wouldn’t have accepted his apprenticeship otherwise, and yet it was a struggle. It felt like every day he faced a new trail, a new mistake to be learned from, a new text to memorise, a new patient to care for. It was fulfilling work, but at what cost. He looked sheepishly at the ocean of texts laid out in front of him.

D: If I make it through my apprenticeship...

It had never been his chosen path but it was one he hoped to which he could do justice. What was worse was whenever he had to cross paths with one of the knights. He couldn’t help but let his mind wander to what they might think of him. The former comrade who now bandaged their wounds with the same hands that had fought so effortlessly alongside them. Undeterred the tavernkeeper tried to shake him of his thoughts.

MC: It does you no good to think of everything that could have been. You were a fine squire but I know that you will be an even greater physician, if you allow it.

Their words seemed to have little effect on his mood, though they did cut to the heart of the matter. They had known him long enough to have an endless faith in him, despite his own misgivings.

D: What if I’ve come so far only to let people down?

They had had this conversation before. Even back when he was a squire he was always so eager to please. They had always worried that it would have gotten him hurt one day. Neither of them could have expected the injury that had set him on this path.

MC: Life is never what you thought it would be but, if anyone denies the heart you have but into each path you’ve taken, they’re a fool. You’ve already made it so far, further than many gave you credit for. Don’t forget that.

Their voice was once again filled with fondness. The rainy chill beyond the window slowly began to creep beyond the sill and Daeho shivered despite the tavern’s warmth fighting against it.

D: Maybe I should go back to my chambers. It’s been a long day.

The tavernkeeper huffed as they leaned back in their chair, reaching behind them to snatch a deck of cards off a nearby shelf. They started shuffling them before clearing space for them to play.

MC: I never said you had to leave, but if you plan on staying I insist that you stop haunting my tavern with that look, you’ll scare off the other patrons.

Daeho couldn’t help but laugh along with them as their antics began to cheer him from his gloom.

D: You know I’ve never managed to beat you at cards... but I suppose there’s no harm trying again.

With that settled, the two of them fell into a comfortable conversation and banter, each trying to outdo the other with their hand. It wasn’t long before a group of young knights burst in boisterously through the tavern doors, chatting endlessly and eager for some merriment. Daeho could hardly help but turn to look at them, the pang in his heart was almost visible. As he stared unblinkingly he suddenly felt a pair of sure and steady fingers along the edge of his chin, maneuvering them so he was forced to look back from where his eyes had wandered. As the tavernkeeper held him firmly in their grasp his whole attention was turned to their words.

MC: Eyes on me.

The tone was firm, but caring. It left little room for his turbulent thoughts to trouble him again. Amongst the now lively evening filled with patrons the noise of the tavern slowly slipped away until all that was left was the sound of their voice and the pelting rain as it fell across the window beside them.

D: Sorry... I got distracted.

The tavernkeeper allowed their hand to travel down his side until it rested over his hand that had been previously tensed against the table’s surface. For a moment there was a comfortable silence between them. They managed to hold it until the roar of the tavern behind them slowly came back into focus with one of the other keepers clearly calling out to his companion. Looking towards the chaos at the bar they sighed, their laugh betraying the ease in which this would be dealt with. As they got up to leave they took another moment to steal a glance back at him, as they pressed something into his hand.

MC: It’s a full house. Why don’t you take this and rest in my room for now, it would be a pity if my poor tavern was the reason such a fine young physician could not pass his apprenticeship. Get some rest, for me...please.

Before he could argue they had taken off toward the bar with a practiced smile, calming the storm around them. Daeho opened his hand to find a key with a pink rabbit charm dangling from it’s hilt. He smiled at himself over the small act of superstition. Gathering his things he bundled them as best he could under his arm and made his way back to the tavernkeeper’s quarters. While it was a small room it was well decorated. Moreover, for Daeho it smelled like home. He had never lived anywhere near the tavern before, but it always held a special place in his heart. He carefully placed his things on the open desk and begun getting ready for bed. Just as he was about to settle down on the floor by the window he heard the door unlatch. The silhouette of the tavernkeeper was illuminated by the soft glow of candlelight coming from the hall behind them. It seemed almost otherworldly as they stood haloed in warm light before plunging alongside him into the darkened room. They looked down at him as he sat on the floor and crossed their arms disapprovingly.

MC: What are you doing down there? You’ll catch your death, come up into the bed. It’s too cold tonight to deny the heat.

Daeho stared at them with mouth agape, a flush on his cheeks only barely hidden by the darkness. He hesitated a moment before climbing into the soft sheets of the bed and placing his arm out to welcome the tavernkeeper in beside him. Soon as they lay entwined with each other they slowly began to drift off to sleep, exhausted after a long day. Feeling his eyelids grow heavy Daeho took one last chance to catch a glimpse of the tavernkeeper sleeping soundly beside him. Leaning down he gently kissed the starlight from their eyelids and for once, wondered at his good fortune.

D: I promise I will try my hardest to never let you down.

I'll admit this one was harder to write than the others, but i hope i got the tone right.

still really enjoying the Cupid's Chatroom medieval au though.

I like to think I know what I'm doing with my art sometimes when I actually make some. Anyway, this is my Cupid's Chatroom selfship, or at least the one for my fem sona/self insert. I affectionately dub the selfship DaeHa (could I have chosen something that would make sense in Korean? Possibly).

Cut for a nicer doodle of Daeho, I have yet to make proper ship art but but I feel like this is the start of it. :)

I um.... Can't explain this one. I am my own target audience.