🌸 @rosearcanum : 💏 (from thoma) / fifty ways to kiss someone meme
the days that followed the end of the vision hunt decree were not met without obstacles on every side ; though orchestrated by the fatui , the damage had been done and accountability and responsibility of both the wrongdoing of the shogunate and the negligence of the resistance were more than paramount . as for the yashiro commission , one might say they were fortunate to have never been an active supporter or either decrees to begin with , and thus , suffered the least blow to both morale and reputation when unfavourable truths came to light . that said , it is 𝙿𝚁𝙴𝚂𝚄𝙼𝙿𝚃𝚄𝙾𝚄𝚂 to consider 𝙽𝙾 𝙷𝙰𝚁𝙼 𝚆𝙰𝚂 𝙳𝙴𝙰𝙻𝚃 , for one cannot immediately forget the near-sacrifice of the ambition of the kamisato clan’s chief retainer . he of whom escaped judgment , gone into hiding , cleared of crime and freed from punishment … the visceral fact remains that desperate times provoked emotions that were long buried deep . be that as it may , when eventually the sakoku decree is abolished , the time to say farewell draws painfully near . it could not be ignored that the outlander who originally hailed from the city of freedom could return finally to his homeland , and though 𝐂𝐄𝐑𝐓𝐀𝐈𝐍 𝐒𝐄𝐍𝐓𝐈𝐌𝐄𝐍𝐓𝐒 had finally been unveiled when she tried to release him of his duty and he affirmed said duty was not entirely out of friendship and fealty , the shirasagi himegimi is determined to stay true to her word when she took him in regardless of personal feelings . even so , my brother and i give you permission to leave . not permanently , if that is your wish . think of it as a holiday . it has been too long since you’ve seen mondstadt . surely , thoma , even you … like other outlanders on ritou … long so see the place you once called home . then , once he has settled his affairs , if it is still his wish to return , then they would welcome him back , just as they had welcomed him when he had first arrived to these thunderous shores .
( yes , that is … the proper thing to do . )
at least , that is what ayaka told herself .
truthfully , she expected her attendant to put up more of a fight just as he had when she brought up the idea to him some time ago , but 𝐓𝐎 𝐇𝐄𝐑 𝐒𝐔𝐑𝐏𝐑𝐈𝐒𝐄 — and admittedly , 𝐍𝐎 𝐒𝐌𝐀𝐋𝐋 𝐃𝐄𝐆𝐑𝐄𝐄 𝐎𝐅 𝐃𝐈𝐒𝐀𝐏𝐏𝐎𝐈𝐍𝐓𝐌𝐄𝐍𝐓 — thoma had agreed . without struggle , without complaint , and with an endearing smile on his face . so kamisato ayaka had done what any other would do her position and predicament : she helped prepare for his departure . as lady of the kamisato clan , it was her duty . as ayaka … well , that was 𝙸𝚁𝚁𝙴𝙻𝙴𝚅𝙰𝙽𝚃 . surely , it was not simply just a homeland that the protector had yearned for . undoubtedly , someone as earnest and loyal as thoma had people waiting for him too . family , friends … loved ones —— perhaps it was foolish to believe that , to him , her existence was 𝐔𝐍𝐈𝐐𝐔𝐄 . though words were shared and affections were made plain , it was undeniable that there was an entirely other world that belonged only to thoma long before they met …
so when the fateful day finally arrives when partings must be had and farewells must be exchanged , ayaka 𝙵𝙾𝚁𝚃𝙸𝙵𝙸𝙴𝚂 𝙷𝙴𝚁𝚂𝙴𝙻𝙵 𝙵𝙾𝚁 𝚃𝙷𝙴 𝙸𝙽𝙴𝚅𝙸𝚃𝙰𝙱𝙻𝙴 . she must exhibit absolute support . no inelegant expression of emotions , no pleads for him to stay or tearstained cheeks . thoma is far from sorrowful as well ; throughout their passage to ritou island , he is not short of fond memories of home or abroad either , filling what time they have left with much pleasantry and story … how it both gladdens the lady and quite nearly breaks her heart to see him so eager and composed . time travels quickly , cruelly , yet ever as intended — they already preside at the docks . she asks him to write to her . she wants to hear everything : all of the places he ventures to , and all of the sights that behold his gaze . oh ! and all of the delicious delicacies that he shall partake in ! her voice grows softer still as there are more tender matters to address , but when thoma expresses that 𝐖𝐈𝐋𝐋 𝐍𝐎𝐓 𝐁𝐄 𝐀𝐁𝐋𝐄 𝐓𝐎 𝐀𝐁𝐈𝐃𝐄 𝐁𝐘 𝐇𝐄𝐑 𝐖𝐈𝐒𝐇𝐄𝐒 , her heart sinks and all too excruciating reality sets in . hastily does she apologise , face flushed with foolishness and stumbling ungracefully with her words in a feeble attempt to save face —— that is , until he confesses to one last test . for you see , it is quite a waste for the housekeeper to write to his young lady … when she would be accompanying him .
right on cue , servants of the kamisato clan reveal her packaged luggage , their friends and associates — depending on who had been privy on his little secret — either have 𝙺𝙽𝙾𝚆𝙸𝙽𝙶 𝚂𝙼𝙸𝙻𝙴𝚂 spreading on their faces or are just as 𝚂𝚄𝚁𝙿𝚁𝙸𝚂𝙴𝙳 as she is . and finally , in thoma’s hands are the documents necessary for their departure and return . she looks on in astonishment . her dutiful vassal , her first friend , the man to whom her heart belongs … prepared as always .
❝ wh … y-you , i … b-but … ! ❞
the chief retainer is frustratingly humble and calm as he explains that he had received the blessing of her brother and her duties to the commission would fall to madarame in her absence , that he made certain that all of her belongings that she would have preferred to take with her are all accounted for , and most importantly , that it is about time for the lady of the kamisato clan to have these new experiences herself instead of resigning to living vicariously through the fanciful tales of others . with a warm smile and the hint of a laugh , the ritou fixer reaffirms his promise to the princess from long ago . 𝐇𝐄 𝐖𝐎𝐔𝐋𝐃 𝐒𝐓𝐀𝐘 𝐁𝐘 𝐇𝐄𝐑 𝐒𝐈𝐃𝐄 . always . he had no desire for eternity —— unless it was with her .
❝ thoma … very well . then , i , too , wish to convey a promise of my own . ❞
the folds of her fan spread delicately as she beckons her retainer to bend down his head . he obliges , leaning in , as if to hear a secret , but her vow comes not from her voice but from her lips . decisive as the strike of steel as she comes to meet his , yet with the proper etiquette of using said folding fan to obscure the gentle intimacy 𝙱𝙴𝙻𝙾𝙽𝙶𝙸𝙽𝙶 𝚃𝙾 𝙾𝙽𝙻𝚈 𝚃𝚆𝙾 . parting from her protector , who is wide-eyed and slack jawed , kamisato ayaka smiles , satisfied .
❝ do keep in mind , thoma . you will not receive another one of my … promises if you choose to deceive me again . ❞
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