#fluff central

Swan and the clumsy duckling

How beautiful. You thought with a sleepy smile on your lips. Waking up before Izo was a rarity. You had rolled over expecting to find him already up and dressed but here he laid, his sleeping yukata hanging open at the top showing off his defined muscles, his hair loosely falling over his face. He’s like an angel. Daringly you moved to brush a strand of hair from his face. His ebony black hair could rival the finest silk with its softness and luxurious feel. He has such long eyelashes.. Ever since the day you laid your eyes on him, you were enamoured. 

He was so elegant, even during a fight swift as a coursing river, elegant as a swan, no movement was wasted, it was as if he were dancing. A dance you longed to be a part of. Unfortunately for you, you were blessed with two left feet and the social grace of a clam. Whenever the chance to converse with him across, you felt like the Alabasta desert had taken residence in your mouth. Once you had excused yourself in panic, only to run straight into Vista and knock yourself out. 

You cringed at that memory as it danced unabrastly at the forefront of your mind, guiding the next embarrassing memory to the stage. Oh..that happened didn’t it.. You were trying to show off a little to Izo. 

-

“I’d say my aim is pretty good.” you bolstered, like a peacock. You had adequate aim or so you thought. 

“Oh really. I’d like to see.” Izo said, taking your hand in his gloved one and setting one of his pistols down in it.

 He’s holding my hand?! Your brain was ringing the panic alarm so loudly, you didn’t hear any of Izo’s words or the laughter of the crew around you. Holding the gun in your hand you walked forward Okay. I got this.. Trigger is- resting your finger on the trigger you raised the gun up and steadied your stance, somehow standing on your own foot in the process. As you leant forward to look down, your finger pulled the trigger, a loud bang echoed across the deck and the gun launched back into your face, straight into your nose with a nasty crunch. You heard the clatter of the gun on the deck and you saw the beautiful blue sky as you fell backwards. 

“Hey! Are you okay?!” a set of sturdy hands caught your shoulders halting your descent. 

“Re-recoil…” you laughed nervously, in your mild concussion you got to see Izo up close: a little bit hazy mind you. “You’re so pretty.” you sighed. An amused smirk curled at the corners of his lips. 

“Perhaps those words would be better left said for when your nose isn’t rushing like a waterfall?” He teased, you could only laugh nervously in response, still very much dazed. Seeing as you made no effort to stand up, Izo dipped to carefully pick you up and carried you to the infirmary. “You are awfully clumsy.” he mused, as he carried you away with ease. 

“I’m no elegant swan like you..” you replied, taking in the scent of gunpowder that was masked behind the fragrance of wisteria. Izo blinked and chuckled deeply, letting it vibrate through your body. 

“That’s the first time I’ve been referred to as a swan.” Setting you down on one of the beds in the infirmary, he trailed a gloved hand slowly across your cheek “maybe you hit your head a little too hard, little duckling?” the tenderness in his eyes made your heart beat faster.

He really is like the wisteria..kind and beautiful.

-

Sighing, finally free from the dance of your awful memories. Your fingers were still playing with Izo’s hair. Why did he choose me? You thought somberly. He’s so wonderful. 

“Mm..you’re going to burn a whole in me like that.” Izo mumbled, cracking an eye open sleepily.

“You were awake!” you gasped loudly. That was another embarrassing moment to add to the files. Withdrawing your hair from his hair, Izo grabbed it and pressed his lips against it. 

“Mm. I think we can stay in bed a little longer.” Izo hummed, pulling you against him, turning the tables and lacing his hand lazily through your hair. “You look troubled.” he whispered, locking eyes with you hoping his eyes could search for the answer.

“Why did you choose me?” you asked quietly. Izo closed his eyes slowly, not saying a word and rose from the bed, stretching his arms above his head. “Izo?” your chest felt tight with anxiety, why did he choose you? Swinging your legs out of the bed placing them on the cold wooden floor.

He turned back to you and held out his hand to you. His hair still hanging over his shoulders and sleep was no longer present in his eyes, they looked at you with the same tenderness he always did. “Dance with me.” he asked, though it sounded more of an order than a request. Gingerly you reached to accept his strong hand and he pulled you gently onto your feet. Stumbling from the motion but he steadied you against his chest.

“There is...there's no music-” you mumbled nervously, you had never danced with Izo before. You certainly didn’t plan to dance with him in your bed clothes either. 

“The sound of our heartbeats as one is music enough, don’t you think?” he replied softly against your ear, making your whole body quiver from the warmth of this breath, cupping both of your hands bringing them to his lips as he guided you close to him. Keeping hold of one hand and placing the other on his shoulder as he rested his on your waist. That’s not fair..he’s so smooth!

He lead you around the room, spinning you every few steps and pulling you flush against him, nuzzling his face slowly against yours. The weight of his love passing through to you with every motion. It made your heart race and your body felt so light.

“Izo..you didn’t answer me.” you finally choked out. You needed to know.

“..Why? More like when..” Izo hummed, dipping you suddenly. Holding you in limbo and stared down at you with his powerful gaze “When I first met you. You were such a breath of fresh air.” he announced, pulling you back up into his embrace “Your sweet smile was an arrow straight through my heart. I was a bundle of nerves-”

“You were a bundle of nerves?! I humiliated myself-” you grimaced loudly “you were always so calm and collected.” you groaned.

“You were a little clumsy. It was endearing.” Izo laughed, “just made me strive to be a peacock even more. Fanning my feathers if you will.” a light hue tinged his ears as he admitted his flirting secret. 

“I guess we were both a couple of fools,” you chuckled, wrapping your arms around him resting your head against his chest listening to the gentle beat of his heart “just one of us hid it alot better.” you teased. Izo kissed the top of your head and squeezed you tighter. 

“You once referred to me as a swan..did you know swans mate for life?” he said, guiding your face to look at him “will you be with me forever?”

Childe is waiting excitedly at the entrance to the Golden House upon your arrive and when he spots you approaching he bounces away from the wall towards you

"How about something different this week my comrade? Like a date with just the two of us perhaps?"

A date? With Childe? Somehow you doubt he's telling the truth, but when you glance for Paimon's opinion she's already left you alone with him

"Oh? What am I planning, nothing bad comrade or at least not in my opinion hahaha."

He's pretty hurt at the suspicion no cap but Childe isn't surprised either considering his past interactions with you during the rite of parting

Once you reluctantly agree to his proposal thinking to stop any schemes the fatui could be plotting now Childe eagerly whisks you off and away from the Golden House and into Liyue Harbour

The first thing Childe does once the two of you arrive at the Harbour is direct you towards Wanmin restaurant with a mischievous smile

"Come on comrade! I know you can move faster than this haha, I thought you wanted to find out what I, Tartaglia, was up too?"

Yeah the dumbass taunts you forgetting it won't help with the suspicion you hold rip

You stop at Wanmin for like two minutes while Childe talks to Xiangling and exchanges mora for what looks like a,,, picnic basket???

Maybe he was dragging you out to one of the elemental bosses instead of sparring? It wouldn't be strange for Childe to want you to sit and eat while he shows off after all

But no. He just takes your hand in his and drags you off towards the gardens near Yujing Terrace a little smile on his face and a cheerful tune leaving his lips

You're unsure when it happened but at some point during your picnic you relaxed and started laughing at Childe's jokes and flushing when he'd flirt with you

Either way the food runs out and Childe jumps up offering you a hand making a quip that Xiangling would kill him if they lost her picnic basket and cutlery

"One last thing comrade, then you can tell me your answer about dating me okay?"

He hesitantly twines his fingers with yours, an awkward little grin dancing across his face as if you hadn't seen him bloody post spar before but the thought of denying him doesn't cross your mind and so you go

Childe is probably squealing with glee inside lol

The sky is slowly turning into a golden hue as the sun makes its way towards setting while Childe leads you back across the bridge and down towards the docks

But as the two of you stop at the end of a dock and go to sit down a sharp whistling catcall rings out towards you causing you to jump and tense with embarrassment

"I'll be right back my comrade, just wait for me okay?"

Childe doesn't wait for your response before he's stalking away with his face twisted into the unsettling grin of a monster toying with its prey

He's only gone for a few minutes but by the time it takes Childe to come back your hit with the realisation that

Oh. He was serious about this being a date, and that you'd gotten so comfortable any suspicions you'd had washed awY at some point during the pst few hours

"You, you really want to date me? I didn't realise you uh."

"Could feel things other than bloodlust and affection for my family?" Childe teases while flopping down on the dock next to you

Childe props his arm up on his knee, leaning his head on his hand and staring at you with a soft, vulnerable look on his face

"I really do like you comrade," the sun touches the water lighting Childe up in a golden halo and causing his eyes to shine bright like diamonds

"Battles aren't the only things I like you know? My family is another and..." He trails off, gently cupping your face with his hands.

Upon moving in with Mr. Graves (and thinking of just how quickly that happened makes Credence’s head spin), Credence quickly develops an unrepentant sweet tooth. Not by small measures either, but by bounding leaps, until Graves sternly tells Credence he can’t have sugary treats for every meal, as they’re precisely that, treats.

Nevertheless, Graves finds himself indulging his dear boy daily, somehow ends up walking home in order to stop at expensive French patisseries instead of apparating straight back. Visits a few wizarding sweet shops too if he can, as Credence had recently developed a particular love of liquorice snaps, and would munch on them happily in Graves’ study. Graves pretending to look over case files as he watched Credence’s delicate toes curl in pleasure.

When returning home, and upon opening the large door to his brownstone, Graves will give Credence his coat to hang, and then present him with whatever treat he’s been unable to resist buying today, and Credence blushes every time. Graves wonders if Credence’s inevitable cavities and tummy ache are worth it for the pleasure it gives him to see how prettily Credence flushes whenever he graciously receives his little gifts.

One evening Graves brings back cakes which turn Credence’s teeth gold from the icing, and Graves’ face red from laughing at the shock. Another evening, he finds British Chocolate Frogs which were a particular joy because Credence had to chase one around the living room, picking him up before he melted in front of the fire. Although Graves knows he had been the one to enforce the restriction of sweets, he is the one who buys them daily for his secret darling. His precious boy still hasn’t gotten over his aversion to the outside world, prefers to stay in unless he goes out on the arm of his Mr. Graves. It’s Graves who brings him Bertie Bott’s Every Flavour Beans and has to suffer through a sardine flavoured one, trying his best to remain dignified in the face of such vile circumstances. Finding his Credence’s favourites become less like a game and just a way to make the boy smile everyday, although his smiles are much easier to come by now.

On a Friday, Graves will bring home Chocolate Cauldrons from the wizarding bakery near work, telling Credence they now know him by name, isn’t that terrible? Is Credence not repentant for what he makes Graves do? Tweaking the boy’s ear when he apologises quietly at the same time as trying to snatch away the package from Graves. In the mornings, it’s Graves who always orders Effie the house elf to make up Credence’s hot chocolate and take it up to him. On evenings when Graves knows he’ll be late home, he sends word to let Credence know, tells him there’s some Sugar Quills and two Cauldron Cakes in the sweets cupboard, and he can have those if he wishes to wait up for him. The boy always does, and he’s often asleep on Graves’ return, chocolate crumbs on the side table. Graves might indulge himself too, in carrying the boy upstairs to tuck into bed instead of simply shaking him awake, he supposes that’s his vice that he’s learning to live with just as Credence is suffering from his addiction to sugar mice.

Now, one thing that his terrible, clever, sneaky, wonderful Credence had done in order to get around his awfully strict rule of sweets as treats (and with the way Credence acted, Graves almost felt guilty for giving the boy such a resriction), is Credence begins to bake. Asks Graves one Saturday how they make pain au chocolat like the ones Graves buys (tells him how they’re the best, how Graves always buys such delicious pastries for him, how lucky he is). Graves, always eager to please his Credence, always indulgent, buys Credence a cookery book, finds him the ingredients and tells Effie to keep an eye on him, to call if something catches on fire.

Several unexpected pleasures come about from this, firstly, as Graves isn’t partial (more like completely averse to) baking, the only apron in the house is from an older female relative. Credence doesn’t seem to mind and drifts around with his frilly apron on, bow tied neatly at his little waist and scalloped edges looping elegantly around his neck. Graves needs a moment to collect himself, and then announces he’s decided to work in the kitchen this evening, to keep an eye on Credence, when Effie pipes up to say that was her job, she thought, Graves quickly dismisses her. Tells Credence to take his time, bake as much as he might like. Another certain pleasure is a little flour gets on Credence’s elegant nose, and a little stripe down his cheek. Graves makes sure he’s the one to brush it off, after the appropriate amount of time has passed, just after a few hours of fawning over his adorable Credence who bustles about the kitchen in a feminine apron and oblivious to the flour on his face. After that, Graves tells Credence to come closer, brushes his thumb over Credence’s face slowly, softly, watches the flush of embarrassment spread as he brushes off the flour.

Credence’s baking goes from small individual disasters to very quickly the neatest and sweetest little delights in all of New York. However, Graves is well aware Credence usually aims to make a baker’s dozen, and he once comes home to find only eight such treats, as well as an unfinished dinner from Credence, who, with shifty eyes, tells Graves he isn’t too hungry, sheepishly murmurs that he has a little stomach ache. Graves goes to the kitchen to retrieve his Exhibit A - a half eaten custard tart, Credence squirming in his seat, Graves asks Credence if this was why he couldn’t finish his dinner, tells Credence he won’t have his dear boy lying to him. Credence’s eyelashes sticking to one another as fat tears spring forth, Credence very much ashamed of his behaviour to his darling Mr. Graves, who has only ever been kind to him, looked after him, and he lied like an ungrateful brat about such a silly thing! Asks Mr. Graves if he could possibly forgive him while held tightly to Graves’ chest, the older man bending to the will of Credence as soon as the first tear dropped, nodding frantically and trying to get his sweet boy to stop crying, mind quickly considering a slice of tiramisu in the cold pantry

Later on, once the two of them retire to Graves’ study, Credence having apologised and now intent on staying close to Graves, Graves having accepted his apology and very much regretting bringing the issue up, also intent on keeping his Credence close. The two (partially oblivious) star cross’d lovers settle into reading for the evening and growing steadily closer on the couch while pretending to ignore that such a thing is occurring, even with Credence’s feet on Graves’ lap, being slowly rubbed by the older man.

Resigned to his fate, Graves invests in some enchanted toothpaste and asks Credence to please consider Graves’ elderly heart when he wants to skip on eating all of his greens. Credence nods soberly and swears to be good for Mr. Graves, taking the enchanted toothpaste in one hand, while clutching a few squares of Turkish delight in the other.