#pyretta

Acquaintance (I'm just another face in the crowd)

• This isn't a love-at-first-sight type of situation. Romance is so far from his mind in general, and as far as he's concerned, it's off the table, no matter who it is.

• If you're another sorcerer, you're just another colleague - his only concern is whether or not you're competent. If you're a non-sorcerer, you're just another stranger in the world trying to make your way however you can. Nothing more.

• He treats you no different than any other person, with painful indifference and total professionalism. Short responses - no longer than is required to get a point across.

• Any time you'd try to have some form of friendly chat or banter with him, you're met with little more than a 'hm' or an ' I see' before he would return to what he was doing.

• His responses would only be a little longer if it pertained to work or if it were absolutely necessary.

Friend (If you slip and fall off-track - I'll carry you on my back)

• It took a long while to get to even this point with him, but he's less guarded around you - only a little. It's not that he doesn't trust you; it's just how he is with people. The difference is that when he asks about your day, he genuinely wants to know - it's no longer an obligatory means of the bare-minimum 'polite conversation between strangers/colleagues' type of situation.

• You're one of the few people he'll ask out for drinks after work. He's a good drinking partner, and he always tends to buy the first round. This is around the time you realize just how well he can hold his liquor. The man can drink like a fish, and it takes him an insane amount before he seems to show any subtle signs of inebriation. That being said, he's a pretty quiet drunk; he'll sway a bit more when he stands, and his ears/cheeks will turn a little redder, but he tends to stop before he even gets to that point.

• He has genuine respect for you (even if you're also a Jujutsu Sorcerer).

• You get to see him crack a small smile on occasion. Even though he's not typically one for jokes, you're one of the few people who make him chuckle.

• He knows how you take your coffee and/or tea (or what you prefer if you don't drink coffee or tea). If you're a colleague, he'll sometimes bring you something from the coffee shop if he'd happened to stop by to pick up a coffee for himself.

• (If you're a sorcerer) He trusts you to be able to handle yourself, and doesn't feel the need to babysit you on missions. He knows your style pretty well, and is able to adapt his own to better compliment yours if needed. Still, he's always looking out for you in his typical 'Nanami' way.

• (If you're not a sorcerer) He keeps an eye out for you when he happens to be around; making sure you're not stuck dealing with some unknown minor curse. If you do happen to catch the attention of a curse, he'll go out of his way to deal with it for you - though you'd never know it; he doesn't want to bring you into his messy world by telling you things you don't need to know.

• All in all, Nanami is a fiercely loyal friend. He has your back through anything and everything, even if that means giving you a scolding for doing something foolish.

Crush (I've got my eye on you)

• Once you catch his eye, he almost seems to become a little less talkative around you than he was before. At first, you're worried that you did something wrong.

• If anything, he's kind of in shock. These feelings just came out of nowhere for him, and he's not really sure how to handle it.

• He specifically did NOT want to be romantically involved with anyone while he's in this field of work. In fact, he's fully intending to keep his feelings to himself and just hoping that they go away over time, even if you're also in the same business of fighting curses.

• Any signs of affection are extremely subtle - almost imperceptible - but they are there.

• When he brings you your coffee/tea/etc. he now always pairs it with some sort of sticky note message. Nothing cutesy - just a simple 'have a good day' or 'stay safe.'

• When you're around each other, he seems to stand a little closer than usual - especially if it's crowded, he takes the opportunity to stick almost shoulder-to-shoulder with you (but he always says a quick 'apologies' when he does).

• You have your own ringtone and vibration pattern, now - though he hasn't brought it to anyone's attention; not even yours. Your ringtone changes from his usual default to something different so he can hear if it's specifically you contacting him. Your vibration tone is a subtle 'bzt-bzt' that he noticed sounded like a heartbeat. Whenever he hears that tone or that vibration, he tends to stop what he's doing to check his inbox.

• You've never noticed, but if someone seems to be eyeing you, be it a creep or just some would-be troublemaker, he's able to subtly put on that scary-dog aire which never fails to deter them from coming anywhere near you. In fact, one time, he happened to notice some creep was following you home after work while he was driving by, so he pulled over to the curb beside you and got out of his car to greet you. 'It's not safe to be out alone in this area this late. Let me drive you home.'

Before you can say anything, he's gently leading you to the passenger's side door, opening it for you to let you in before carefully closing it behind you. As he's moving around the car to get into the driver's seat, he's sure to flash a death glare to the stalker (and no one - and I mean NO ONE - can death glare like Nanami).

Once he's arrived at your place, he suggests carpooling with him after work. Even if you decline, he requests that you text him when you get home. Either way, this starts a trend of you two either carpooling home or texting each other most nights.

• You have noticed that his usual habit of buying the first round of drinks has turned into him picking up the entire tab basically every time.

• You are the only person that has ever seen this stoic man flustered. The first time you saw him remove his glasses, you complimented the amber colour of his eyes. He cleared his throat and scratched the bridge if his nose, flushing with a 'thank you.' You heard from Gojo later that day that Nanami seemed to be in a better mood than usual for the rest of the day.

• He actually compliments you, now - and not just for work-related things. He keeps it simple, but one day he notices you'd changed something small - maybe the way you parted your hair, the way you did your makeup, maybe you shaved, or he noticed the perfume/cologne you were wearing, maybe a new accessory you bought - and he makes a point to say something (ie; 'Ah, you changed your hair part. It looks good.')

Dating (What would happen if we kissed? Would your tongue slip past my lips?)

• This was not what Nanami was intending to happen. You either had to make the first move, or once you noticed the hints he was unintentionally dropping, you practically had to pull it out of him. He was convinced, without the shadow of a doubt, that his feelings were completely one-sided.

• If by some chance he were the one to make the first move, however, he had originally decided to confess to you in hopes that his feelings would pass once you'd inevitably turned him down. You could imagine his surprise when you returned his feelings. He decided it would be best to take you out for lunch at a coffee shop you both liked to frequent. After you'd taken your seats, you noticed that he seemed nervous. That's when he tells you.

• Either way, once you both decide to start a relationship, he turns out to be a textbook-perfect boyfriend. He holds doors open, buys you gifts, plans great dates, gives great massages, and he's a shockingly good kisser. He's also unsurprisingly great at communication; he likes to talk things out, and is very solutions-oriented, so the two of you may disagree on occasion, but you rarely 'fight.'

• His only real failing as a boyfriend (at least early on in the relationship) has everything to do with his habit of being a workaholic. It can be hard to make time to spend time together outside of work, and when you do, he's often rather tired, though he tries not to show it.

• You two didn't share an official 'first kiss' until the end of the third date. You'd hugged, held hands, cuddled, and you'd both even come close to kissing a couple times, but neither of you wanted to make the other feel rushed or uncomfortable. He'd kissed your hand, fingers and forehead before, but at the end of your third date, as he was dropping you off at your place, he asked you to wait a moment before getting out of his car. He started to lean forward and gently slipped a hand on your jawline, holding intense eye contact for a moment before asking if it would be alright for him to kiss you. You basically just managed to get a 'yes' out and his lips were on yours in the blink of an eye - as if he'd been unable to think of anything else for his entire life. All too soon, he pulled away an inch, letting out a deep sigh of relief. He drifted his thumb gently over your bottom lip and smiled. 'You have no idea how long I've wanted to do that.'

• He seems to exhibit many forms of the love languages, but his most prominent are acts of service, gift giving, and physical touch.

Long-Term (Come with me, my love, to the sea - the sea of love)

• Nanami always enjoys his dates with you, regardless of what you're doing, but he specifically loves dates where the two of you get to learn something together. Taking classes, be they painting, cooking, dancing, learning a language, etc. he finds them to be the most interesting.

• Nanami asked you to move in with him about a year into your relationship. The first day you came 'home' after work, he'd made a point of being there first so he could set up a 'welcome home' banner and prepare a nice in-home date night for the two of you.

• Coming home to you is easily the highlight of most of his days. His favourite post-work ritual is to slide off his tie, unbuttoned the top few buttons of his shirt, and to fall into you to cuddle on the couch together.

• He loves when you read books out loud while he's curled up with you, feeling your fingers running through his hair. It never fails to put him at ease.

• After having taken many cooking classes together, the two of you can flawlessly work around each other in the kitchen - something many couples seem to struggle with.

• It was about 3 years into your relationship when you realized he has a shockingly nice singing voice that he rarely uses. One evening, the two of you were slow-dancing in the living room when he started humming a song in a low, smooth tone that took you by surprise.

• Nanami's always had pretty good fashion sense, but he enjoys coordinating his outfits with yours, and low-key revels in getting to show you off a little when you're out together.

• He never forgets anniversaries - ever. He remembers that during your first anniversary, you bought him a midnight blue silk tie with a simple wave pattern that he adores, and makes sure to wear every anniversary without fail.

Married (After all this time, I'm still into you)

• The two of you take at least a one week long vacation together every year; but for your 5th anniversary, he pulled out all the stops. We're talking a first-class flight to a private villa by the sea with a balcony and an ocean view that boasted some of the most incredible sunsets imaginable. After spending the week getting absolutely pampered with amazing meals, couples massages, and anything under the sun that the two of you wanted to do, he presented you with an envelope.

You opened it to see that he had purchased the ocean villa so the two of you could come back any time you wanted; but that's not all.

He had signed it under both his name, and under a 'Mrs. Nanami Kento.' You looked at him in shock as he rose to his feet and dropped down on one knee beside you to offer you a ring with your favourite stone.

• The wedding was, in a word, perfect. He had a blast planning it with you, and the entire event went off without a single hitch. It was small, beautiful, elegant, intimate, and perfect for both of you. You like to joke that the two of you had a future in event planning if Jujutsu Sorcery stopped being an option.

• It's not long before he (and you, if you were also a sorcerer) decide to retire from Jujutsu Sorcery to open your own business together - be it event planning, a restaurant, a bakery, etc. which goes on to be incredibly successful.

A = Affection (How affectionate are they? How do they show their affection?)

Anyone who's met Nanami - be it a passing stranger or a colleague - would tell you that he comes across as cold as ice.

However, those who are close to him know better; he is very distant, yes, but his watchful eyes are always looking out for the people around him. He cares about people far more than he lets on, and he takes the safety of others very seriously.

As for his 'affection' - it's hard-earned. He's not a touchy-feely guy in general, and while he comes to realize he appreciates physical touch with his partner more than he had ever expected, his natural love languages have always been acts of service and gift giving.

For you - his romantic partner, he can and will make the impossible happen if you wish it. You'd get very accustomed to hearing him say the words 'I'll handle it' - and you can trust that he really will, no questions asked.

He loves to feel your touch, of course, but he's especially fond of making sure your needs are met, and whenever he can take some weight off your shoulders, he'll do so without hesitation.

It may be surprising to others to see just how affectionate he can be when it comes to you. He's checking in on you constantly, opening every door, sliding out chairs, draping his jacket over your shoulders; some have even witnessed the rare sight of a smile on his lips as he whispers in your ear. He always maintains some form of physical contact with you when you're out and about; a firm hand on the small of your back, gentle fingers interlaced with yours and tucked into his pocket for warmth, a protective arm curled around your shoulders, or a strong hand on your thigh while you're en route to wherever you're going.

Honestly, if people are surprised to see how affectionate he can be with you in public, they'd be floored by how affectionate he can be when you're in private 👀

B = Best Friend (What would they be like as a best friend? How would the friendship start?)

He is the kind of best friend that everyone should have in their life - real ride-or-die type of friend. He's a good listener, he gives great advice, and he's not afraid of calling you out on your bullshit if you're in need of a reality check.

You never have to wonder if he's being real with you because frankly, that's just who he is. He won't mince words to save your feelings. That being said, he's not heartless. If he knows that his usual dose of brutal honesty may be more than you're prepared to hear at the moment, he knows how to choose his time properly.

C = Cuddles (Do they like to cuddle? How would they cuddle?)

He was just as surprised as anyone else when he realized he was a closet cuddle-bug. Even with his closest friends, he's not one for hugs and physical displays of affection. Before you two started seeing each other, the most he would manage is a firm handshake - maybe a pat on the back for a student who's done particularly well, but even that's a rare occurrence.

But with you?

Totally different beast. He manages to keep things relatively subtle in public so as to not make you or others uncomfortable, but when you're alone together, he's always pulling you into his chest for a hug, resting his head on your lap, slow dancing with you, etc. He especially loves to rest his chin on your head or shoulder to read along with whatever you're reading.

Hell, when you run your fingers through his hair, it's a surefire way to put him to sleep within minutes.

He realized he was in trouble the first time you two had gone on a work trip together. You were seated side-by-side, and while you two were very close, you weren't romantically involved, yet. The flight was much longer than what you were used to, and you wound up falling asleep, unintentionally resting your head on his shoulder.

His heart doesn't race often, but when he felt the weight of your head pressed on his arm and looked over to see you fast asleep - well, he knew he was hooked. Being careful so as not to wake you, he draped his jacket over your shoulders and ensured your rest was undisturbed until the plane was about to land.

D = Domestic (Do they want to settle down? How are they at cooking and cleaning?)

Nanami is a domestic man at heart, and while he could never allow himself to go fully domestic while he's a sorcerer, he would greatly love the domestic life with the right person.

He's neat and tidy by nature, and he's a fantastic cook. He's also open to different dynamics depending on where you find meaning. If you are a homebody, he's happy to be the sole income earner, but if you're a worker bee like himself, he's happy to support your career however he can.

As for kids, again, never while he's a sorcerer - but if not for that, he'd be so down.

E = Ending (If they had to break up with their partner, how would they do it?)

It would be unlikely that Nanami would ever choose to break up with you once you'd started dating, but if he did, it would be characteristicslly business-like. He'd sit you down, calmly explain his reasoning and leave no room for error or misunderstanding. He doesn't enjoy this, but if he has to break up with you, he wants to make it as quick and painless as possible. He's also one to cut ties afterward - if he's ended a relationship, there is no going back, and he has no intention of giving you reason to believe otherwise. After all, if he broke up with you, you can bet there was a damn good reason.

If you'd been married and for whatever reason got divorced, it would not have been Nanami's choice. If he marries, he's marrying with the intention of forever. As a divorced man, he has a hard time being around you. He tries to maintain a 'normal' exterior, but the moment you give him a sliver of hope to try to win you back, he's all in. He may not be married to you anymore by law, but in his heart? Always.

F = Fiancé (How do they feel about commitment? How quick would they want to get married?)

Nanami is a monogamy-or-nothing kind of guy. If he's with you, he's with you, and that's all there is to it.

Even when you first started dating, anyone who saw the way you two were with each other would have sworn that you were a long-married couple. Commitment looks good on you two.

When it came to marriage, Nanami was very conflicted. He was already going against his better judgememt when he started a relationship with you despite the fact that he was still a sorcerer ('This might be the most selfish thing I've ever done'). Getting married, though? He'd basically be signing a paper saying 'why yes; I'd love to make you a widow.'

But by the Gods, does he ever want to. He knew he wanted to marry you within the first year of your relationship. He'd decided that the day he asked for your hand in marriage would be the day he'd resign as a sorcerer. He carried a ring in his pocket for nearly three years before he finally asked you.

He'd ask you on your anniversary. You'd be at a lovely villa by the seaside on a couple's vacation, enjoying drinks by sunset. He'd then surprise you with ownership papers for the villa signed by himself on one line; on the other, he'd written your first name with his last name. You'd look at him wide-eyed as he'd get down on one knee beside you.

'I've spent my whole life chasing after some sense of meaning. I couldn't find it as a salary man, and I couldn't find it as a sorcerer. Then there was you. I found meaning in you. I found meaning in us. Now, it doesn't matter to me what I do for a paycheque - as long as I can enjoy a long life with you, I'll have no regrets. Will you do me the honour of marrying me?'

G = Gentle (How gentle are they, both physically and emotionally?)

Physically, Nanami is very mindful about how he treats you. He's very aware of his strength, and fortunately for you, he has meticulous control of that power. He tends to err on the side of gentle touches for the most part. Brushing his fingers over your cheek, parting a strand of your hair away from your face, lacing his fingers delicately between yours; even when things are getting a bit spicier, he's very adamant that you tell him verbally if you want 'more.'

Emotionally, gentleness is something that Nanami needed to work on a little bit; and even now, he'd incredibly blunt. He's always on your side, but in a way that means he will still call you out on your bullshit. The two of you have needed to establish a 'are you looking for support or solutions' disclaimer before certain conversations because simply agreeing with someone and telling them what they want to hear doesn't really come naturally to him.

That being said, even if he calls you out, he's never mean, callous or unfair. He maintains a certain matter-of-fact level of tact.

H = Hugs (Do they like hugs? How often do they do it and what is it like?)

Before you started dating, Nanami was not a hugger. Even for his closest, longest-standing and most-trusted friends, he really doesn't do hugs.

With you, on the other hand, he's become much more open to that physical affection. He's a bit more subtle in public, but when you snuggle into his chest, he can't help but wrap his arms around you and chuckle.

At first, his hugs were admittedly a little awkward. He wasn't used to showing (or being shown) that kind of affection, really - so it would take him a few seconds to decide what to do with his hands as he awkwardly tried to make sure he wasn't touching you somewhere that would make you uncomfortable. You also noticed he'd almost stop breathing as if he was concerned the rise and fall of his chest would disturb the moment.

Over time though, he became so used to them that his day didn't feel complete without holding you at least once. His hugs are now warm and all-encompassing, and nothing makes you feel safer than being wrapped up in his arms. He especially likes to rest his chin on the top of your head while you bury your face into his chest.

I = "I Love You" (How fast do they say the L-word?)

Nanami is a repressed hopeless romantic at heart; even he didn't realize how quickly he could fall for someone until you two started exploring your relationship together.

He knew he loved you within the first couple of months of your relationship, but even he felt that voicing that so early would be too soon. For the most part, he likes to take the lead on romantic gestures, but this is the one time he wanted to wait until you'd said it first.

When you finally told him you loved him, he was taken aback at how much he needed to hear those words from you. All he do in the moment was holding your face in his hands and say 'I've loved you for longer than I think you realize.'

J = Jealousy (How jealous do they get? What do they do when they get jealous?)

He's not a particularly jealous man - mainly because he has the utmost trust in you not to give him a reason to be envious.

On rare occasions, someone else (usually Gojo) will try to make him jealous by pretending to flirt with you, but he mostly just finds it amusing to watch his partner expertly shut that shit down.

Any 'jealousy' he harbours usually presents itself as pride; making sure it's very clear that you're with him when you're out. If someone seems to be eyeing you a little too much, he takes the opportunity to pull you closer to him and plant a sweet (sometimes spicy) kiss behind your ear while maintaining direct eye contact with whoever he's sending that message to. You didn't even realize he was doing it at first. One day, when you noticed this, you teasingly said 'Nanami, darling - are you...jealous?' He chuckles and says 'I'm just making sure they're very aware of who's taking you home this evening.'

If you have a different partner before the two of you start seeing each other, this is when he feels that envy really creep up on him. He can't deny that it's there, but he makes a point of ensuring it doesn't become a problem, mostly keeping it to himself save for feeling a little grumpy throughout the day after seeing you two being sweet together. He would never act on that jealousy, though.

K = Kisses (What are their kisses like? Where do they kiss you? Where do they like to be kissed?)

Nanami is a shockingly good kisser, and he loves kissing you whenever he can, and his kisses have range.

He loves to take his time with them, slowly raising his hand to cup your jaw to pull you closer while his other hand snakes around your waist to pull you in close, pressing his lips to yours and just sinking into the moment with you.

He loves heavy, passionate kisses after having been apart from you for too long, pressing his body against yours with carnal need, grabbing a fistful of hair in his hand and reveling in the feeling of your tongue on his.

Slow, soft trails of kisses across your neck and shoulders when he's standing behind you, his hands resting on your hips.

He's putty in your hands when you gently catch his tongue or bottom lip between your teeth - it never fails to get a low groan out of him.

He specifically loves when you trail kisses along his chest and back.

L = Little Ones (How are they around children?)

Children are initially intimidated by Nanami, thinking he looks mean or scary - but he's actually very nurturing by nature, and protective of children in general.

The patience he tends to lack when it comes to other adults, especially the incompetent ones, is seemingly reserved for kids, because he is incredibly patient with them.

While he's very open to the possibility of having kids someday, he is very adamant that this could only happen if he retired as a Jujutsu sorcerer - he refuses to bring a child into the world and all but condemn them to see their father meet an untimely (and likely violent) demise. If you were to get unexpectedly pregnant with his child however, he would resign as a sorcerer without a second thought.

He would be a fantastic father. He'd look out for and support his kids through everything and anything, he'd offer advice and guidance, he'd encourage them to be the best they could be, and he'd be willing and able to administer stern verbal discipline if needed. His approach on raising his children is simply 'communication is everything.' He ensures early on that his little ones see the value in talking to the both of you, no matter how difficult the conversation may be, and finding solutions together as a family.

If he had a son, he'd take it upon himself as his own personal responsibility to raise him to be a proper gentleman. If he had a daughter, he'd be the sweetest girl-dad you've ever seen (he'd be the type of girl-dad who would go out of his way to learn how to do her hair, and to read up on memstrual cycles, etc). If his child turned out to be non-binary, he would be supportive and protective of their well-being. Home would always be a safe space to freely express and find themselves.

M = Morning (How are mornings spent with them?)

He's a busy man - and you can be a busy couple - so most mornings don't allow for much dawdling. You both have a routine, though. The alarm goes off and he lets out a deep breath before turning it off, rolling back over to nuzzle his forehead against yours ('It's morning, love.')

All too soon, he's out of bed not long before you - you both get started on your usual morning getting-ready routines; whoever's ready first gets a pot of coffee brewing and gets started on breakfast (sometimes it's you, sometimes it's him). If you have to go you separate ways for work, he never leaves without a kiss and an 'I love you.'

If you work together or if he's able to drive you to youe work first, he always enjoys his morning drive with you.

On the rare occasion that the two of you get to enjoy a lazy morning, the routine is similar, but much slower. He lingers in bed with you for a while. If he's awake before you, he'll snuggle with you and watch you sleep for a few minutes before planting a soft kiss on your forehead and sliding out of bed to get breakfast going.

N = Night (How are nights spent with them?)

Nights with him are quiet and comfortable. He has an evening routine that quickly became your evening routine as well (hence the his-and-theirs sinks he had installed in his bathroom right before you'd started living together; he loves getting ready for the day with you, and he loves getting ready for bed with you). When the two of you settle into bed, you've grown accustomed to the sight of him sitting up against the headboard with his reading glasses, taking in a chapter of whatever he's reading; sometimes you'll even read together. If you haven't both accidentally fallen asleep already, he sinks under the blankets with you and pulls you in close to him by your waist, planting a soft kiss on your neck or your forehead before falling asleep. You never need to worry about being cold, either - the man is a furnace.

Some nights can be a little lonely, though - if he has to work late (which he makes a point of trying not to do now that he has you to come home to). He'll come home late to see you curled up on the couch, fast asleep after trying to wait up for him. With a frown, he lifts you carefully into his arms and carries you off to bed to tuck you in with a soft kiss on the forehead and a whisper ('I'll join you in a moment, love.') He wishes you'd stop waiting up for him like that; but he's touched that you do.

O = Open (When will they start revealing things about themselves? Do they say everything all at once or do they reveal little things slowly?)

The man is an enigma. On one hand, even as best friends, he seemed to be rather sparing with personal details about himself.

Once you start seeing each other though, this changes fast. Your first few dates were chalk full on conversation; learning about each other, talking about what you like, what you don't; your life goals, your fears - everything.

Once you two become an item, he isn't one to withold anything from you - if you want to know something about him, he's an open book to you and you alone. The way he sees it, he wouldn't be in a relationship with someone that he didn't trust completely - he knows you would never use this information against him in any way.

P = Patience (How easily are they angered?)

Nanami has self-discipline; but he's not a particularly patient man. He can be irritable sometimes, and some people just get under his skin more than others (*cough* Gojo *cough*).

He prefers to find the quickest and most efficient way to handle things, and can get frustrated when others don't do the same.

Q = Quizzes (How much would they remember about you? Do they remember every detail or forget the minor things?)

His mind is a steel trap. He remembers every detail to an eerie degree. He doesn't just know your favourite colour - he knows the damn hex code. He's memorized your favourite poem off by heart. He knows your mother's birthday, your ring size, your insecurities, your passions, and all the places you love to be kissed the most.

R = Remember (What is their favourite moment of your relationship?)

One of his favourite memories is the first morning you two spent together. You'd been in a relationship for about half a year when you stayed over at his place for the first time.

Unsurprisingly, he was awake before you were, but he vividly remembers opening his eyes to see your sleeping face beside him, the rays of the morning sun scattering around the room and painting you in a golden light that took his breath away. You were breathtaking; and he remembers thinking to himself:

'This is what I want to wake up to every morning for the rest of my life.'

S = Security (How protective are they? How would they protect you? How would they like to be protected?)

This man is fiercely protective of you. Fortunately, you never need to worry about anything while you're out and about with him - that comes with the scary dog privilege - but if anyone, and I mean anyone, were to so much as threaten a hair on your head, he'd be between you and that threat so fast your head would spin.

He's always got his eye out for you - 24/7.

Nanami himself is rarely (if ever) in need of protection, but he'd be lying if he said seeing how fiercely protective you are of him in return didn't give him butterflies.

T = Try (How much effort do they put into dates, anniversaries, gifts, everyday tasks?)

He makes it look effortless, but Nanami is one of the most thoughtful and considerate partners you could get. He plans dates and events down to the last detail and he always has a backup plan if things go sideways.

He never - n e v e r - forgets your birthday or your anniversary.

He also loves getting you gifts; even if there's no reason or occasion. He's always bringing you little treats he knows you like, and if he comes across something he knows you'd like, it's as good as yours. He loves to spoil you rotten whenever he can.

His thoughtfulness extends to the way he treats you at home, too. He's always happy to offer a massage, to run you a warm bath, to throw together your favourite meal, you name it.

U = Ugly (What would be some bad habits of theirs?)

This should come as a surprise to no one, but the man is a notorious workaholic. If there were one thing between you two that would lead to a possible breakup/divorce, this would be the reason.

To his credit, this is a conversation he had with you very early in the relationship. You knew from the get-go, that it can sometimes be difficult to find time to spend together. For him, it's a balancing act that sometimes has him spreading himself far too thin, and can sometimes lead to him being irritable and grumpy, or just far too tired to do much of anything.

V = Vanity (How concerned are they with their looks?)

Nanami's no slouch - he puts a fair amount of effort into his appearance and keeps himself well-kept. He actually rather enjoys fashion in general - this makes him a useful and fun partner to have around when you're shopping or putting an outfit together - he actually enjoys the whole process. He especially likes to coordinate his ourfit with yours when he can.

In his line of work, though, things can get a bit messy - he won't lose sleep over a hair being out of place or getting dirt or blood on his clothes.

He does prefer to shower after most shifts, though. He doesn't mind the sweat and grime of the day, but he prefers not to soak in it if it can be avoided.

W = Whole (Would they feel incomplete without you?)

Nanami is a pretty independent guy; he's been on his own in his personal life for a very long time, so he's used to managing on his own. Even after the two of you start seeing each other, he's not one to be rendered useless without you, but as he puts it:

'I can't think of a single situation that wouldn't be made better with your presence.'

That is to say he doesn't need a partner - he specifically wants you as his partner. To him, this is infinitely more important than blind dependence.

If he were ever to truly lose you, however - be it to a breakup or if you were to tragically pass away, he would be an absolute wreck. The poor guy would either spend his time fighting to win you back, or work himself into an early grave in an attempt to distract himself from the loss.

X = X-tra (A random head-canon for them)

He has a rigid dental hygiene regimine, and he is incapable of ending or starting his day properly without brushing and flossing.

Y = Yuck (What are some things they wouldn't like, either in general or in a partner?)

He is initially uninterested in having a romantic relationship with another sorcerer; but the heart wants what it wants, and what it wants is you - sorcerer or no.

He has a number of pet peeves though, too. This includes (but is not limited to:

- being rude to waiters/store clerks

- eating in bed (he'll tolerate it on occasion as long as you're not leaving crumbs or anything, but he'd reeeeeeeally rather you just didn't)

- being consistently late to things

- poor dental hygiene (he doesn't care if your teeth aren't straight or 'perfect' - but he will nag you to brush and floss if you don't already)

Z = Zzz (What are some sleeping habits of theirs?)

Nanami is an early bird, originally out of necessity, but now it's simply habit to wake up with the sun. On the rare occasion that he gets to sleep in, however, he will take the opportunity to snuggle with you in bed for a while.

Wach night, he specifically likes to throw on some reading glasses and read a chapter or two of a book - he likes it even more if it's a book the two of you are reading together. Having you curl up against his chest under the covers are you read together sometimes ends with one or both of you dozing off partway through a paragraph.

He's a very light sleeper, and while you'll occasionally hear a low mumble or two from him in his sleep, he's silent otherwise. He prefers to sleep on his side, especially if he can keep an arm draped over your waist throughout the night.

He usually wakes up feeling as though he got no rest at all because he often dreams about work, feeling as though he just worked an entire shift in his sleep.

He gets the cutest bedhead most mornings as well ♡

(Artwork by ChaChaChia0)

That's all, folks! Thanks for reading. You take it from here - see you next time ♡

A = Affection (How affectionate are they? How do they show their affection?)

Choso is highly affectionate, but at the beginning especially, he is also adorably awkward. He is very touchy-feely when it comes to you, and he'll take any chance he can get to be as close to you as possible.

Even before you'd started dating, he was always looking to find opportunities to be around you; asking if you'd be attending an event before deciding to go himself, offering to help you with anything that came up - no matter what the task was; anything to just be around you. The first time you gave him a friendly hug, he nearly melted. Even now, deep into the relationship, your touch still makes him melt. No matter what you do, he sees you as the most precious thing that must be protected and cherished at all costs, and he never lets you feel as though this isn't the case.

B = Best Friend (What would they be like as a best friend? How would the friendship start?)

Choso is, unsurprisingly, a fierce best friend who will have your back regardless of the situation.

A friendship with Choso tends to be fairly awkward in the beginning. He's quite blunt with what he says, and due to his natural tone and timbre, some people can be put off by him, thinking they're boring him, or getting the impression that he doesn't like them. However, those who see beyond the tone can easily realize he actually wears his heart on his sleeve, and he is very considerate.

Once the two of you are close enough to be considered best friends, you're never not on his mind in some capacity. He's always down to spend time with you, even if it's just to relax and do nothing, he's just happy to exist around you.

C = Cuddles (Do they like to cuddle? How would they cuddle?)

Seeing as how his primary love language is physical touch, Choso is the world's biggest cuddler. He loves nothing more than being completely wrapped up in you whenever possible, and his favourite place is nestled up with you with his nose tucked into the crook of your neck where he can hear your heartbeat, feel your breath, and take in the scent of your hair.

When he's not basically wrapped around you like a freakin' python, he loves leaning against you or slinging an arm around your shoulder or waist.

His cuddles are heavy - he puts his entire weight on you. It's like having a sweet, adorable and oddly-muscular weighted blanket with you at all times.

D = Domestic (Do they want to settle down? How are they at cooking and cleaning?)

Choso never even knew what 'settling down' meant before he met you, but even before the two of you had gotten involved with each other, he had no desire to pursue any kind of romance. Then, when the two of you 'happened,' he knew that was what he wanted his everyday to look like.

When it comes to his domestic skills, well - to be honest, they could use a little work. He never really bothered with cooking elaborate meals beyond what gave his body fuel before, so he's completely lost in a kitchen. He's willing to try and learn, but it's just never going to be a strong skill for him. Eventually, he'll have a dish or two that he can manage fairly well, but don't expect too much more than that. If you also don't really cook, it's fortunate for both of you that he is always happy with ordering in.

As for cleanliness, he's not a slob by any means, but he's not the tidiest guy. His biggest failing is that he doesn't really put things away when he's done with them; hair ties make their way into weird places, laundry finds itself on the floor beside the hamper, the bed is never really made - he just doesn't really think about these things. However, the moment he sees you start to clean up, he's on his feet and lending a hand without complaint.

E = Ending (If they had to break up with their partner, how would they do it?)

Breaking up with you is something Choso would likely never do - once he's bonded to you, it's for life. However, if he did, it would be the most awkward way of doing it. He would basically ghost you. Not in the sense that he would avoid you or run away from you, he would just stop seeking you out, and if you tried to seek him out, he would be unavailable or simply say 'no thank you.'

Mainly because he's still figuring out how to navigate those social norms.

If he saw you with someone else though, even after the relationship had ended, it would make him absolutely furious - regardless of the reason why the relationship ended in the first place.

F = Fiancé (How do they feel about commitment? How quick would they want to get married?)

If Choso is with you in a romantic capacity, he already sees you as end-game, and the institute of marriage was never something he was familiar with, being a curse and all. At first, he doesn't understand the concept. As far as he's concerned, being with you is as natural as breathing; there is no concept of 'future' where he is not bound to you, mind, body and soul. That being said, he's certainly not resistant to it, but he is curious about the whole concept. He learns more about it through watching movies and asking his new human friends about marriage, weddings, anniversaries, the works.

He spends months, maybe longer, working on putting together a proper proposal for you; agonizing over the details - how he'll do it, what kind of ring would look best on your finger, where he should take you - it takes him so long that you may even beat him to it.

As you'd pull out a ring and offer it to him, his eyes would widen, his cheeks flushed, and he'd let out a muffed groan as he'd hide his face in his hands. Your heart would sink at first, thinking he was about to say no when he'd pull the ring he'd been carrying for the past year or so out of his pocket, presenting to to you.

Both of you were adorably emotional in this moment, and he was even more so on the day of your actual wedding. He didn't think he could love you any more intensely than he had all this time, but he was truly overwhelmed with emotion that day.

G = Gentle (How gentle are they, both physically and emotionally?)

Choso is very gentle with you. He's perfectly aware of his strength, and if he did something to hurt you, even accidentally, he'd never forgive himself for it.

You sometimes need to remind him that you're not made of glass, but it's still very endearing nonetheless.

Emotionally, he tries to be tactful, but he's used to simply saying what he needs to say, and sometimes this can come out a little blunt, or sometimes noncommittal. If he realizes he may have said something wrong though, he's always quick to apologize and attempt to clarify.

H = Hugs (Do they like hugs? How often do they do it and what is it like?)

Choso has come to enjoy hugs in general; he's not shy about hugging his friends, either. He loves to cuddle and hug you at every possible opportunity, but he's particularly clingy when it comes to you. He's especially fond of hugging you from behind and resting his chin on your shoulder.

I = "I Love You" (How fast do they say the L-word?)

Choso said it days after you'd started a romantic relationship, not realizing this was against typical social norms. In his opinion, he thought that if he felt that he loved you, there was no reason not to let it be known.

Now, he says it even more than ever - sometimes out of nowhere when he just feels the need to remind you.

J = Jealousy (How jealous do they get? What do they do when they get jealous?)

Choso is pretty damn jealous, actually. Once he's bonded with you, he doesn't like spending too much time away from you, and he can get jealous when your attention is focused elsewhere. He likes to make sure others are very aware that the two of you 'belong to each other' and he's not above pulling you into a shamelessly passionate kiss if he notices someone eyeing you a little too intensely.

He's also known to leave little bites on your skin in places he knows will be fairly visible, 'for no reason' he says. You get the feeling it's his way of marking his territory.

K = Kisses (What are their kisses like? Where do they kiss you? Where do they like to be kissed?)

Choso's kisses were soft and uncertain at first - mainly because he didn't know what he was doing. Once he had enough....practice with you, though, they became bolder and more passionate. His hands are all over you, and he especially loves to lift you up off the ground with his strong hands, cradling your thighs to feel your legs wrap around him. It's his favourite way to kiss you.

As for how he likes to be kissed, he'll take you any way he can get you; but he loves when you wrap your arms around his neck and press your whole body against him as you kiss; he's also a big fan of tongue - maybe even a nibble or two on the lip.

Since Choso is a bit of a biter, he's a sucker for when you nibble on his ears, neck and chest - it drives him crazy in the best possible way, and it never fails to make him let out some...interesting, wonderful noises.

L = Little Ones (How are they around children?)

Choso has a knack with kids. They seem to adore him, and something about him puts them at ease. He's got a nurturing nature when it comes to kids, like the perfect 'big brother' figure.

You'll never forget the time you'd both gotten roped into babysitting your family friends' kids a day and walked into the room to find him fast asleep with a children's book still open on his lap, the kids curled up under each of his arms.

M = Morning (How are mornings spent with them?)

Warm and lazy, without a doubt. He sleeps in more than anyone you'd ever met, and he's a big morning cuddler. If you're a morning person and you're up and about before him, he'll come find you in a half-asleep state and carry you back to bed to wrap himself around you and doze off for another hour.

N = Night (How are nights spent with them?)

Nights with Choso are spent curled up together and doing something low-key; be it watching movies, playing video games, reading, or listening to music together. He tends to stay up late, so you usually fall asleep first. If you're not already in bed, he gently carries you there and snuggles up next to you, just holding you and appreciating the moment until he's finally ready to sleep himself.

O = Open (When will they start revealing things about themselves? Do they say everything all at once or do they reveal little things slowly?)

While Choso tends to be blunt when he speaks, he's not overly chatty - so when he says something, you know he means what he says.

At first, he was fairly quiet around you. He wasn't quite sure how to process what he didn't realize was attraction at the time. He just knew that whenever you were around, his cheeks flushed, his heart raced, and he would always feel saddened when you would leave. He would silently hang on your every word, even if you were just talking in his general vicinity, and in a crowded room, his eyes would always find you.

When he started to realize what was happening he didn't know what to do with himself. The first time the two of you spent one-on-one time together was when you had been intentionally set up by Yuji and Nobara (Megumi insists he had nothing to do with it, but he certainly didn't try to dissuade them, either). Choso realized then just how much he enjoyed spending time with you, and to his surprise, you were far easier to talk to than he had built up in his head.

After that point, he opened up fairly quickly. His usual stoicism was replaced by an easy smile when you were around, he would always seek you out when he wanted advice on something, and he was always curious about your feelings on every little thing.

P = Patience (How easily are they angered?)

That all depends on the subject. His patience with you? Limitless. His patience with kids? Phenomenal. His patience when it comes to waiting for something/someone? Damn near god-tier. However, his patience when it comes to someone who is mistreating you or his friends? Non-existent. It'll send him from zero to sixty faster than you can blink.

Q = Quizzes (How much would they remember about you? Do they remember every detail or forget the minor things?)

Choso can be a bit absent-minded and distracted. It's not that he doesn't care or doesn't listen - he does. However, sometimes he doesn't retain this super well.

The details about you, such as your favourite food, or you favourite movie - he has a hard time remembering. What he does remember are things like how you smell, or the feeling of your touch. He's found and memorized every scar, freckle and inch of your body, and he knows all the places to touch and kiss that make you melt. He notices the way the air changes around you when you're feeling an intense emotion, and he knows exactly what to do in those moments to support you and make you feel safe.

All in all, he may not know the kind of things that would be on a couple's quiz, but in many ways, he may know you better than you could ever realize. He's not necessarily a listener in the typical sense, but he's more of an 'emotional listener' and he's great at picking up on the things you don't say than the things you do,

R = Remember (What is their favourite moment of your relationship?)

His favourite moments are limitless, but one of his top favourites would be the first time he slept with you (not necessarily in that way - though I'm not saying it didn't happen, either). Curled up with you in his arms, snuggled in close to you against him, hearing your soft breathing (or perhaps snoring), and taking in your unmistakable scent, he could safely say he's never slept better.

And waking up beside you changed the way he looked at mornings. The rare occasions where the two of you don't spend the night with each other is nearly unbearable to him.

S = Security (How protective are they? How would they protect you? How would they like to be protected?)

This man would watch the world burn to ashes if it meant keeping you safe. Choso is incredibly protective of you, and if anyone even uttered something akin to a threat with your name on their breath, well - hell hath no fury like Choso.

He'd always position his body between you and any threat that arose, and this includes verbal threats as well. He won't tolerate anyone disrespecting you. As much as he can be a sweetheart, he can flip that switch to 'scary dog privilege' real quick.

T = Try (How much effort do they put into dates, anniversaries, gifts, everyday tasks?)

It takes a while for him to get things right - not from a lack of care or trying, but simply because he's only just started learning how to 'be human.' Many habits and customs between humans are fairly foreign to him, but once he gets the hang of things, he's incredibly thoughtful and he throws his whole heart into his efforts.

This man has so much try, and he's always looking for new ways to make you feel safe, cherished, and loved. He's determined to never, ever stop learning.

U = Ugly (What would be some bad habits of theirs?)

He can be needy and quite clingy, even possessive at times. He's not so bad as to be considered 'toxic' but he does require a fair amount of reassurance.

V = Vanity (How concerned are they with their looks?)

The man is an enigma in this department. On one hand, he tends to be very low-effort in how much he considers what he wears; he has a style or two that he likes, and he tends to keep to the two or three outfits he's comfortable in; that includes his hair.

On the other hand, he always makes sure his hair is clean (even if he'd going for a messier style), he's pretty proud of his body's physical condition, and he's not above throwing on some eyeliner or nail polish to get the vibe he's going for.

W = Whole (Would they feel incomplete without you?)

He felt bonded to you well before the two of you became romantically involved, and much like how he felt when he lost his brothers, if something were to happen to you, it would certainly shatter a part of him, too.

He was taken aback by this at first - he thought he could feel his brothers' presence leave the mortal plane because of their shared blood, but he distinctly recalls a time you'd had nearly died in a tragic incident, and he felt it like fire in his veins. The bond he'd built with you was powerful; he knew this - but he didn't realize until then just how deep it ran. He was in a frenzied state until he managed to find you, and he refused to leave your side until you managed to stabilize and return to him. He made a promise both to you and to himself that he would never allow you to be so near death again, under any circumstances; because the thought of a lifetime without you is equal parts infuriating and unbearable.

X = X-tra (A random head-canon for them)

He low-key has a fascination with piercings and tattoos, and in time, is very likely to get a few himself. As for where, well - use your imagination. That's all I'm gonna say 👀

And tattoos and piercings on his partner? Oof - that'll have him feeling some sort of way.

Y = Yuck (What are some things they wouldn't like, either in general or in a partner?)

You have to get along with his brothers. You don't all have to be besties, but family is such a core part of his heart that he couldn't tolerate someone who couldn't vibe with those he loves the most.

He also doesn't like people who are overly loud and boisterous. He has no issue with someone who's chatty or talks a lot, but if they're constantly flying off the handle, raising their voice and just generally being a loud-mouth, he'd rather keep his distance and his peace.

Z = Zzz (What are some sleeping habits of theirs?)

For a man who seems perpetually tired, you've noticed Choso looooooves his sleep. He's a bit of a night owl, but he always likes to sleep in until noon, and he loves taking naps throughout the day.

He's a heavy sleeper, yet he's never not at least a little aware of his surroundings, even in sleep. You remember one time, you'd tried to sneak on him when he was zonked out on the couch; when you got within arm's reach, he yanked you down onto the couch with him and snuggled his nose into the crook of your neck.

"Nice try..." He mumbled. Before you could answer, he had already fallen back asleep again.

He's also a very quiet sleeper. No snoring, no tossing or turning; just the soft sound of his deep breaths with the rise and fall of his chest. He's also a big bedtime snuggler, and if you'll let him hold you all throughout the night, he's happy as can be.

(Image Credit - Arekushisu_11)

That's all, folks! Thanks for reading. See you next time! ♡

A = Affection (How affectionate are they? How do they show their affection?)

Crow is... careful at first. Very careful. So careful, in fact, that you assumed he either greatly disliked you, or even feared you - even well after he'd realized he'd started to like you.

Considering how he'd been treated by other guardians regarding the whole 'Cayde' situation, he was understandably one of the most guarded people you'd ever met, and it's not that he didn't want your affection, he simply didn't feel as though he deserved it (even when he does start to show affection, and even when you have reminded him countless times how much you adore him. Deep down, he still doesn't feel worthy).

His affection works more like a dance; you lead, he follows the silent boundaries you set.

It started small.

It started with a friendly wave. As you happened to pass by him during an event at The Tower, he assumed he would be ignored by everyone (and that would have been the best case scenario as far as he was concerned); but still, you locked eyes and gave him a genuine smile and a friendly wave as you passed by - as if you were actually happy to see him. This was a tiny gesture that caused him to overthink the short interaction for the rest of the day. The next time he passed by you days later, he bucked up the courage to go as far as saying 'hello,' and the friendly greeting you gave him in return made him feel warm and fuzzy for the rest of the day.

This would set the pace for the rest of your relationship. You were the first to start complimenting him; so he started doing the same for you. You were the first to put your head on his shoulder; so he put his arm around you to pull you a little closer.

That being said, the one thing that he was the one to instigate was the first kiss - but we'll get into that later in this post.

Finally (and adorably), much like his name ironically suggests, he is always keeping his eye out for little trinkets he thinks you may like; interesting looking stones, pieces of wood he's whittled into unique animals or shapes, little tokens and tools from any marketplaces he's come across - he's always got a space for you on his mind.

B = Best Friend (What would they be like as a best friend? How would the friendship start?)

As was mentioned under 'Affection,' it really started with a simple wave and a smile. From there, you slowly became one of his only friends outside of Glint and Amanda.

Once he trusts you, he is a fiercely loyal friend, and he has your back no matter what. He's a fantastic listener, he's incredibly considerate, and despite his introverted disposition, you are one of the only people he can spend lengthy amounts of time with without feeling as though he needs to mentally recharge afterward.

C = Cuddles (Do they like to cuddle? How would they cuddle?)

The first hug shared between you two was not specifically romantic. He had told you about something that had happened to him that was, in a word, incredibly traumatizing. You didn't know what to say, so you just gave him a hug instead.

At first, he didn't know how to respond, and put his arms out as if he were afraid to touch you, but after a few seconds, he realized you weren't letting go. He remembers feeling your warmth and your heartbeat against his chest, and slowly, he wrapped his arms around you in return for a long hug that he so desperately needed.

Some time later, much farther into your friendship, he came to you with the intent of venting to you, or asking for advice, but as he tried and failed to find the words to describe what he had been going through, he gave up and just pulled you into his arms for another much-needed hug.

As he has gotten more and more comfortable with you, he has become more bold with you, and has gotten to the point where he always wants to be in some form of contact with you - be it holding hands, curling an arm around your waist, or his personal favourite, touching his forehead to yours.

Even if you're in a situation where you need to be more professional or reserved, you'll find that he's subtly standing shoulder-to-shoulder with you.

D = Domestic (Do they want to settle down? How are they at cooking and cleaning?)

As much as Crow enjoys wandering and exploring, seeing new things and having new experiences with you, he can also be quite the home-body.

You two start living together pretty early in your relationship. Not on purpose, mind you; you just found yourself spending time together, and having him stay with you that it just naturally happened on it's own. At first, it was an open invitation from you to raid your fridge (even though he would still always ask for permission), then it was a couple spare drawers in your dresser for a few of things. Then it was a keycode so he could allow himself in whenever he pleased - things just kind of happened from there.

Being together as often as you were just felt right; natural.

As for his 'domestic skills,' he's not particularly good at cooking, but he's not necessarily a 'bad cook' either. He has a handful of his favourite dishes that he's pretty good at preparing (and later on into your relationship, he went out of his way to learn a couple of your favourites, too).

That being said, he makes some of the best drinks that you've ever had; be it coffee, tea, hot chocolate, smoothies, cocktails, you name it - he could open his own little café for that reason alone (he is shockingly talented at latte art, and likes to top your drinks off with a little 'bird' symbol).

He is a very tidy housemate, however. He naturally just kind of picks up after himself. He's not one to keep everything 'spotless,' but things never look messy, either. The one thing you will find is little collectables and kitch that the two of you have picked up over time scattered all around your place.

Living with Crow is easy and in a word, effortless.

E = Ending (If they had to break up with their partner, how would they do it?)

If he were ever to end things with you (which is unlikely - but hypothetically), it truly would hurt him as much as (if not more) than it would hurt you. He wouldn't do so without a very good reason, but he is the type of partner who would always rather work things out with you than call it quits.

BUT. If he ever did, he would try to do so gently and privately, and would most likely go little-to-no-contact with you outside of obligations like missions and large events. Not because he wants nothing to do with you, but simply because being around you but not being with you is nearly unbearable to him now.

It will take him a very long time to move on, and even when he does he will always have a bit of a sore spot for you, regardless of how the two of you parted ways.

F = Fiancé (How do they feel about commitment? How quick would they want to get married?)

Commitment comes naturally to Crow. Once you two become an item, you are never not on his mind in some fashion.

As for marriage, this is a different story. It's certainly not that he doesn't want to get married. He sees his relationship with you as a 'forever' situation already, and after such a long period of time where he felt as though he didn't deserve a happy relationship, much less a happy marriage, well... it just hadn't crossed his mind.

After a few years, someone ends up asking him about it, and his response is:

"I'm not sure. I haven't really thought about it; our relationship just feels so natural as it is. Do you... do you think they'd say yes if I asked...?"

After that, it's in his head rent-free, and it's really only a matter of time before he asks you.

It's nothing flashy, but one day, he arranges a small, low-stakes mission with you at your favourite spot (be it The Dreaming City, Neomuna, Europa - some place where you personally like to spend time, or a place that is significant to the two of you).

You do your thing as you would during any other mission; an unstoppable duo - effective and efficient. That night, you both decide to set up camp.

As you're chatting and enjoying a quiet moment together by the fire, he seems to be fidgeting with his hands more than usual. You're about to ask about it when he abruptly says:

"Oh! I, uh... I downloaded a new projection for Glint. It reminded us of you, so I couldn't resist. Glint, would you be so kind?"

You turn your head to Glint who chatters and nods excitedly; above his shell, hovering in the air, is a light blue projection of what appears to be a diamond ring. At first, you're confused, but as you turn your eyes back to Crow, you see him crouched on one knee, and in his hands is a small wooden box that he'd carved himself.

He doesn't even have time to get the question out, much less even open the ring box before you've tackled him to the ground with a resounding 'yes' that brings him a wave of relief.

When he does show you the ring, it turns out to be made of obsidian, and set with a small cutting of your favourite stone.

The wedding itself is intimate - only your closest friends are permitted to attend; and it's perfect. He's a nervous wreck up until the moment he turns to see you walking down the aisle, and his heart melts; all he can see in that moment is you. Your vows have his eyes glistening with tears; and as for his...

Crow's Vows:

"My beloved. When we first met, I was empty; just jumping from one situation to the next, waiting for things to fall into place. It felt like every time I thought things may be getting better, the rug would be pulled from under my feet, and I'd feel as though I was right back where I started. Like I was in an endless black pit, trying to move toward any trace of light I could find.

Then there was you. You were warmth. You were pure sunlight. You were - are, everything. Even after all this time, there are days where I look at you and I find myself expecting to wake up to find that this has all been a beautiful dream. Yet still, here you are.

I'm watching you become stronger, wiser, better... I'm in awe of you every day, and when you look at me the way you do, I realize that I have become a better version of myself, too.

I was born a new man in an old vessel under the Traveler; and I have become a different man all over again just by being by your side. I can't wait to see who we become, and how we grow together in the vast eternity before us; and I can't believe how lucky I am to get to be the one who gets to go on this adventure with you. I love you - more than yesterday, less than tomorrow - forever."

G = Gentle (How gentle are they, both physically and emotionally?)

There are times you could swear Crow thinks you are made of glass. He is always checking in with you to make sure you're comfortable, and the very thought of ever hurting you is entirely foreign to him.

Emotionally, he's very in tune with the reactions of the people around him (due to his hyper-vigilance around others as a defense mechanism and trauma response), so with you, he can't really help it. Sometimes he may overdo it a little; he may ask if you're okay or if he did something wrong when he feels like you haven't spoken for a while, constantly worried that one day he'll mess this up. So obviously, he needs a fair amount of reassurance from you.

That being said, he can read you like a book the rest of the time. He notices the little things; the way you slightly part your lips when you're taken aback, the way your pupils dilate when you feel a twinge of fear, the way you shift your weight slightly to your other foot when you're anxious, the way your brows furrow when you're focusing, the way your eyes light up when you're excited - he notices it all.

H = Hugs (Do they like hugs? How often do they do it and what is it like?)

At first, Crow couldn't have cared less about hugs - until you gave him his first hug he could ever remember receiving, and he then realized just how touch-starved he was. It was like medicine for him - no matter how bad things were, a hug from you would never fail to bring him some much-needed comfort and security.

When he starts getting comfortable enough to be the one to initiate them, you realize he gives great hugs. He manages to hold you securely in his arms, but never too tightly so as to make you uncomfortable, and he always lets you decide when to stop; he's never the first to break a hug with you. He's especially fond of resting his chin on the top of your head when he's hugging you.

I = "I Love You" (How fast do they say the L-word?)

Crow knew that he loved you before the two of you even started a more romantic relationship; in fact Glint was the one to point it out to him one day, and the realization just clicked into place for him.

However, knowing this and actually telling you are two very different things. He kind of agonized over it for a while, worried that if he tried to say it too early, that it may either end in you pushing him away or feeling pressured to return the phrase if you didn't feel the same. He came close to saying it many times, but losing his nerve each time.

A few months into your relationship, and much to his surprise, you said it first.

You had been sent away on a long mission on Europa where the two of you were apart for months. You were able to use the comms to stay in touch for the first week or so, but as things got more and more intense, there were little to no opportunities to continue doing so. When you and your fireteam were successful and finally made it back, he was there to greet you at The Tower.

You dropped your pack and immediately rushed forward to throw yourself into his arms. You were so relieved to feel his warmth after months of bone-chilling temperatures, to feel his weight of his chin resting on your head, and to feel the reverberation of his soft chuckling in his chest at your reaction - it just kind of slipped out, muffled into the fabric of the mantel of his cloak.

You felt his entire body immediately tense for all of a second before he let out a sigh of relief and an:

"I love you, too."

He was riding the high of that moment for weeks after that, and frankly, so were you.

J = Jealousy (How jealous do they get? What do they do when they get jealous?)

Crow isn't one to get particularly jealous or petty, but he does like to make it relatively clear that you're with him, and he's with you. Nothing crazy, he's not one to be a meathead about it, but when you're out together, he like to keep in physical contact with you.

At first, he would keep quiet and distant out of fear that you would be judged harshly if others saw you two being too close and showing any kind of affection, but once he realized you were proud to be seen with him, he couldn't keep his hands off of you.

He trusts you implicitly, and he never feels the need to worry that you'll give him a reason to feel jealous.

K = Kisses (What are their kisses like? Where do they kiss you? Where do they like to be kissed?)

At first, Crow's kisses are delicate and uncertain. In the beginning, he spends the majority of the relationship waiting for you to decide you've changed your mind about him, and he almost seems as though he's trying not to scare you off by being 'too much,' as he puts it.

As he gets more comfortable, however, he kisses you with more certainty; still gentle, but he allows more of that heat and passion to come through. You can literally feel how much he adores you through every kiss - and it always leaves you a little light-headed.

His favourite place to kiss you really is your lips; he finds your mouth hypnotizing most of the time, but aside from that, he's especially fond of kissing your collarbone and neck area (and during spicier times, he especially likes to kiss your inner thigh, but that's a detail we can explore another day).

As for him, he takes any affection and kisses he can get from you, but he's discovered that he loves it when you raise his hand to your mouth to kiss the inside of his wrists and fingertips; something about it just puts him on cloud nine every time.

L = Little Ones (How are they around children?)

Crow feels as though he's awkward around children, and says he never knows how to respond or talk to them, but children (whose views on him have not already been tainted by their parents) are naturally drawn to him.

Something about him makes them curious; fascinated. They feel safe around him, and they enjoy being around him because he doesn't talk down to them, but rather, talks to them like he would any other person, just with even more patience and understanding.

You once happened across him at The Tower to see him giving a small group of children piggyback rides, each of them clamoring to be up next. You found yourself chuckling, and stopping to watch them for a while before continuing on your way. You're not sure whether or not he saw you, but you decided not to bring it up.

M = Morning (How are mornings spent with them?)

Mornings with Crow are warm and tender. When he's the first to wake up, he likes to watch you as you dream away beside him, drifting his fingers gently over your jawline, careful not to wake you right away. If you're the first to rise, whenever you've decided to wake him up, he always pulls you into a groggy hug with a huff and a sigh. It can be a challenge to get him to fully come to, mainly because he feels like he could just stay curled up in bed with you the whole day if he could.

After that, he's up making your favourite morning drink, whatever it may be (he has an affinity for it, after all), while you get started on breakfast. He loves to try to sneak in a few kisses during the process, though.

N = Night (How are nights spent with them?)

Nights with Crow range from warm and cuddly to passionate and spicy, depending on his emotional needs. Either way, he likes to take some time to ask about your day while he does something nice for you, be it rubbing your shoulders, or even just holding you. You two have been known to chat all hours into the night - but time means almost nothing when you're together.

Though he will never turn down a massage from you, he loves to give you massages every night - it's almost as much for his own enjoyment as it is yours; but you have to admit, he is fantastic with his hands (take that however you'd like).

O = Open (When will they start revealing things about themselves? Do they say everything all at once or do they reveal little things slowly?)

At the beginning, Crow is an island. Always quiet, always mysterious, always completely out reach; and he keeps it that way for quite some time before he starts noticing your kindness is a pattern not born of pity or habit, but simply because that's who you are.

After that, it's breadcrumbs; his process of opening up to you is painfully slow, but all the more rewarding as you continue to get to know him, and in turn, watch him learn to become more and more comfortable in his own skin.

P = Patience (How easily are they angered?)

Crow is seemingly more measured to the naked eye, but he's more hot-headed than people think, and despite his calm demeanor, he has quite a temper deep down.

You've learned to notice the signs; his chest rises and falls a slightly heavier than usual, his jaw tenses a little, his eyes seem to take on a brighter tinge of orange, and most of all, you can feel the heat off of him.

He is, however, very adept at managing his anger; he is terrified of ending up just like Uldren Sov, allowing his anger to turn him cruel and tyrannical, and he refuses to allow this to come to pass.

Q = Quizzes (How much would they remember about you? Do they remember every detail or forget the minor things?)

Sure, he forgets things on rare occasion; so does everyone. Still, he is a wonderful listener who genuinely wants to know everything about you. In fact, the only one who knows you better than Crow is your own Ghost.

He knows all the basics; your favourite colour, how you like your coffee (if you even like coffee in the first place), your favourite place to be alone, your favourite weapons... he could go on about you for hours to anyone who would listen.

Above all else, though, he knows your touch and scent in a room of hundreds. He could be blindfolded and know how your hands feel on his skin immediately.

R = Remember (What is their favourite moment of your relationship?)

Crow has many moments that could be considered 'favourites.' Your first two-person mission together, the first time you stood up for him against another guardian who saw him as nothing more than Uldren reborn, sharing a round drinks with you and Amanda as friends, the time you accidentally fell asleep and rested your head on his shoulder; there are endless examples.

Still to this day however, your first kiss takes the number one spot for him.

You were on one of many missions together, and the two of you hadn't started anything romantic yet (though you had both been dancing around the idea for a while at this point). You had been separated from the rest of your fireteam. On your way back to them, the two of you encountered one of the biggest squadrons of Vex you'd ever seen. It was going to be a long, difficult fight - but you both fought together as if you were born to do it.

It was almost as if it were a choreographed dance.

The fight ended with you and Crow - practically nose-to-nose, each letting out one final shot to two approaching Vex goblins from behind you.

Chests heaving, the two of you locked eyes in a breathless moment of silence - then his lips were on yours. He quickly started to pull away with an apology before you pulled him back in.

As a broken Vex goblin twitched on the ground beside you, he loosed a final shot from his handcannon into it before tucking it away and wrapping his arms around you; sharing a kiss with you that would put most movie romances to shame.

S = Security (How protective are they? How would they protect you? How would they like to be protected?)

Crow is highly protective of you. He's protective of all his friends, really, but he truly fears something happening to you. He wasn't particularly used to the idea of protecting or being protected himself when he was first resurrected. Working under Spider wasn't exactly the kind of employment that inspired selflessness.

However, not only were you instrumental in getting him away from Spider, he remembers the first time another guardian attempted to attack him during one of his earlier visits to The Tower, and he was left in awe when he watched you tear a strip off of them and lay them flat.

You protected him on many occasions, even when he told you not to worry about it - you simply wouldn't tolerate that disrespect under any circumstances.

At one point, the two of you were on a mission where you had been separated, with you having crash-landed your ship in a crater field on The Moon. There was no response from you on the comms, but you were stuck under a piece of the wreck, and badly injured. Even more concerningly, there was no response from your Ghost, either. Crow immediately started following the trail of smoke to your location on his own.

When he arrived, a group of Hive had started to advance on your location. You were completely unconscious and to his horror, he watched as a Hive knight wrapped their claws around your then-battered, and barely-responsive Ghost. The knight started to attempt to crush them before Crow severed the arm and retrieved your Ghost faster than the Hive could blink.

Your consciousness started to return just as Crow was in the midst of fighting them off. You had never seen Crow fight as ferociously as he had that day. You had seen him in the field before, and he was very impressive in his own right, but it was nothing like this. This was one of the only times you could recall seeing him enraged.

T = Try (How much effort do they put into dates, anniversaries, gifts, everyday tasks?)

This man has so much try. Every date, he's practically breaking his back to try to pamper you in every way he can (even though you tell him he can just relax and enjoy himself). He insists this is part of enjoying himself - taking care of you makes him exceedingly happy.

"I know we're together, now; but don't think that means I'll ever stop trying to win your heart all over again."

Anniversaries are special to him - it marks the day where your adventure together started when you took things to the next level, and he likes to reflect on how fortunate he feels to have made it another year with you. He prefers to plan anniversaries with you rather than surprise you; planning trips or escapes together with you brings him so much excitement. He does, however, but a great deal of effort into finding or creating something special for you, and he somehow manages to outdo himself again and again every year.

Gift-giving is one if his love languages; especially when it comes to things he finds or makes himself. Sure, he'll bring you things he's bought on occasion, but he especially likes to bring you interesting trinkets he's hunted down or created.

As for everyday tasks, he's subtle; when you two start living together, you both have your own little 'tasks' around the place that you do to keep the place tidy and liveable, but sometimes, you'll have gotten home feeling particularly exhausted, and he makes sure you're fed and comfortable before quietly finishing the task himself, insisting that you relax tonight.

"You'd do the same for me."

U = Ugly (What would be some bad habits of theirs?)

Crow, though he's consistently working on this, is painfully doubtful of his own worth both as a guardian and as a partner. This leads him to be habitually self-sacrificing even when there's no reason to be. He sees the value and strength in all others, but he's blind to his own, and though he does get a little better at it as he goes on, he has a hard time accepting compliments.

On a lighter note, he also can not hold his liquor; his tolerance is incredibly low.

V = Vanity (How concerned are they with their looks?)

He tries not to let it show, but he gets a little bit insecure about his appearance, and he does fret about his looks more than he cares to admit - especially now that he has you. He knows you would never judge him for his physical appearance, but he can't help but want to look good in front of you.

He's already an effective hunter in his own right, but if he's teamed up with you, he is a little flashier than usual in a subtle attempt to show off for you a little bit.

A comment had been made once about his haircut, and it wasn't long before he'd decided to change it. If you were to ask him why he made such a decision, his response would simply be:

"No reason - I just felt like I was ready for a change, that's all. Why? Do you... do you like it?"

W = Whole (Would they feel incomplete without you?)

Entirely. He had started to accept his solitude before he met you - before he met Amanda. There was a time he'd decided that some guardians weren't made for fireteams and comraderie- that some guardians were meant to accomplish far more on their own.

Once he started to realize that he was worthy of friendship, respect, understanding, compassion, and love, he realized that his connections with the people closest to him made him feel complete.

Of course, losing any of his friends and teammates would weigh heavily on him; but especially once you two grew closer, he knew that losing you would leave a deep wound in him that he would never be able to mend. It would, in a word, shatter him entirely.

He would do his best to move on, but it would be a very long time before he would feel like himself again.

You are his lifeline - and he is endlessly devoted to keeping you safe at all costs.

X = X-tra (A random head-canon for them)

Crow likes to collect things; little interesting trinkets and things he comes across during missions and excursions.

Being a relatively anxious person, he also tends to fidget - a lot. He feels like he always needs to be doing something with his hands. Sharping his dagger, doing little knife tricks, tinkering with something, writing in a notebook, whittling pieces of wood into interesting shapes; he's never completely still, even if he always seems outwardly calm.

He is also just very good with his hands in general, and as far as you're concerned, gives the world's best massages.

Y = Yuck (What are some things they wouldn't like, either in general or in a partner?)

Generally, there are a few things Crow doesn't like; unnecessary conflict, and he's not huge on eggs (for the texture, not the flavour, he says). Most of all, crowds - he does not like crowds. They make him feel unsafe and overwhelmed.

He is able to enjoy crowded events and celebrations to an extent, but he's usually one of the first to be ready to leave, and he will be in need of some quiet solitude to recharge.

As for partners, he has a few pet peeves; loud chewers would be one of his more minor ones, but he couldn't tolerate a partner with no compassion. He fully understands that sometimes difficult decisions need to be made for the greater good, but someone who can easily be callous and heartless for the sake of progress or personal gain is not a person he feels safe around.

"I know I've made some bad choices in my past - we all have. But at least I have the decency to feel some way about it when I do. It eats me up inside - and I think it should. I think it makes us less likely to take those decisions too lightly in the future."

Z = Zzz (What are some sleeping habits of theirs?)

Crow is a borderline insomniac and a very light sleeper. He's always been plagued by nightmares, but they'd gotten much worse after The Season of the Haunted. Despite finding a certain amount of closure by the end of the season, his nightmares remain an issue, and he's simply been learning to deal with them however he can - Glint would usually wake him up so he could get himself calm enough to try to sleep again.

Having you to cuddle up to at night has not made them any better, unfortunately, but waking up to feel you there beside him has made the process of finding his footing in reality much faster and far more pleasant. Despite his nightmares, he wakes up feeling far more rested than he ever did before; and he's eternally grateful to you for that.

(Image Credit - Wesley Gardner)

That's all, folks! Thanks for reading. See you next time, o guardian mine.