ABANDON ALL HOPE

Her books occupied half the shelves in his study, his spare clothes had long since stopped being “spare” and remained at her place, and neither of them could remember the last week they had spent entirely apart since the crisis. What began as a conversation about their living arrangements and finding a larger space together eventually circled back to one revelation: if they were already idealising a home together, there is no reason to delay everything else.

“If we’re going to spend the rest of our lives together, do I really need to wait until we have a house to show it?”

Before she could answer, he reached for her hand and turned it gently in his. His thumb brushed over the bare ring finger before he lowered his head and pressed a kiss there.

(Is he asking what I think he’s asking?)

(I am asking what you think I’m asking.)

The delighted squeal that escaped her was so sudden and bright that it startled a few birds outside her window. Her eyes welled up with tears but she could not contain her excitement. She nearly threw herself on top of him in an embrace, clutching at his shoulders as another squeal slipped free, “Can we look soon—?”

“We can still look for the house,” he said, chuckling. “But I see no reason we can’t start looking for rings… today.”

That had been the original intention: simply to look. But somewhere between trying on rings, discussing dates, and realising wedding planning was a meticulous affair, the rest of the day snowballed into something else entirely.

By the afternoon, they were slipping matching rings onto each other’s fingers and selecting ornate fabrics that would become outfits befitting for their impromptu elopement, which was sealed in a handful of signatures and officiated by the lovely gentleman who did his utmost not to reveal that he had recognised the scribe. (Strange, he thought. Though, not altogether surprising. Alhaitham seemed like the type to elope).

Laughter escaped them both at the absurdity of how easy it was.

Afterwards, they submitted leave requests under the pretense of a much needed vacation. Being the former Acting Grand Sage had its perks, for their request got approved within the hour.

Just like that, there was nothing left standing between them and marriage, and later, they quietly disappeared from Sumeru City without much explanation. Their friends would discover the truth eventually, but for now they intended to travel to a place so far from the Akademiya, no one would think to look for them there.

Tucked in their little corner of no where, they spend their days napping under the golden sun, stealing kisses whenever they please, and growing accustomed to the new, wonderful sound of calling each other husband and wife.

The celebrations can wait until they return.

aaaaaaa i just wanted to say a quick but very sincere thank you to my beloved @/sylure for this beautiful gift. i was so lightheaded after crying over it ;-; the timing of the gift was just… divine LOL. i love you so much! and also honourable mention to my tulip girl rae @/sleepyqinfei for associating this song with ryuhaitham ⋆𐙚₊˚⊹♡🕊

the farmhouse glows warmly in the distance, the lights always kept on for the barn cats that come and go as they please.

he finds himself thinking of the chamomile tea tucked away in the cupboard. he’ll go home and sit in his favourite armchair in front of the fireplace with a warm cup of tea and the dog-eared novel he'd left on the coffee table last night. perhaps he could even indulge in the last slice of banana bread he had leftover, bought from the bakery the last time he'd gone into town. he’ll have to stock up again soon.

a rustle interrupts his thoughts.

the cat at his feet stills, head snapping towards the trees on high alert. diluc follows the cat's gaze toward the edge of the pasture.

“hello? anyone out there?”

no answer. the rustling continues.

he walks toward the sound until his lantern brings a figure on the ground into view.

a hiss tears out of you as soon as you see him. your hands scramble uselessly through the dirt, trying to drag yourself farther away, but your attempt at fleeing only ends in a broken cry that escapes before you can swallow it back.

you're filthy, clothes torn and covered in mud, a pair of feline ears flattened against your head, one leg covered in crimson.

“easy now.” his voice softens, akin to the tone he'd use with frightened animals. he doesn't take another step, his brows furrowing with concern. “i ain’t here to hurt you.”

you answer with another hiss, louder this time, teeth bared despite the tears that start to blur your vision and the trembles that wrack your body.

“i know.” he murmurs, warm and patient. “you're scared. i'd be frightened too.”

he sinks carefully onto one knee. age protests in his joints, but he ignores it.

his eyes drop to your leg, taking in the bloody wound. he frowns. “that leg’s in a sorry state, sweetheart… needs tendin’, and quick.”

instinctively, you tuck it closer to yourself, tail curling protectively around the wound. a warning growl rumbles in your throat.

“if all you can manage tonight is glarin’ at me, i'll consider that a good start. i've spent enough years around frightened creatures to know better than to rush one.”

something soft brushes against his hand.

the barn cat settles beside him, and diluc absently scratches beneath its chin without taking his eyes off you.

your attention flickers away from him, toward the cat. your eyes narrow with a hint of something like envy.

he smiles softly. “this fella wandered onto my farm years ago. hissed at me every day for nearly a month.”

the cat presses its head harder into diluc's palm. “now look at him. he’s really just a gentle thing, ain’t he?”

If you've been following me even just for a little while, you'll know how special this is to me! F1 holds my life together and always gives me something to look forward to. It means so much to get a comm combining my love of F1 with the other side of fandom I love so much (the self-inserting side)!

Ever since I saw Kell (corviida)'s style, I knew he'd be the perfect artist to make my vision come to life. He absolutely nailed the pose and details! It's been a dream come true to work with him!