Pairing: Congressman! Bucky Barnes x Female Reader
Tags: Fluff. Mutual Pining. Smut.
Summary: Bucky agrees to a discreet cleaning service to tend to his apartment while he’s away. He never expected the care of someone he’d never met to become the gentlest part of his daily life.
This fic was very sweet. It’s not a plot line I see very often. And one of my favorite scenes is where she is talking him through guided meditation. It might seem like a trivial or mundane scene bc it’s not erotic (maybe to some it is) and it’s not an “action” scene either. I have to compliment you on the way it was written. It was so intimate, vulnerable, and “healing” for Bucky in a way I have never read. It was exquisite and I was deeply emotionally moved by it. Thank you for including that scene.
The fabled, infamous buckled collar shirt… Opens.
He’s usually always wearing his cowl and vest so you can’t usually tell. He does love wearing shirts with open/low collars, which you can esp tell by the Daydream Hour outfits Kui designed for him, so makes sense. And yet… The buckle collar…
If u don’t think this is the same shirt btw he actually does up his collar when meeting the canaries. Just 1 scene difference before after, below. He likes to open up his collars when the setting is more casual but business or action happens and it’s back to being all proper and laced up
Btw idk if it’s a mistake but that screentone on Chilchuck’s chest in the second picture of the post… Is Kui telling us he has body hair. Idk is he dirty does he need a shower?? Kui doesn’t draw Senshi with much body hair in the manga for practicality reasons but she did draw in a Daydream Hour once how much she actually thinks he has, so it wouldn’t be crazy if this was the case for Chil too, and then in a final chapter in a close shot panel where she even details the seams of the shirt she can go all out more. Kui talks about peach fuzz and whatnot for elves so maybe they’re just finer or paler in his case. Please please please— Sigh ok it’s a screentone mistake
Anyways while I’m here, low collar comp. I need to find the one with the laced collar undone too it looks so funky
Synopsis; Xiao’s loyalty remains, even after centuries.
Themes; angst, established relationship, hurt/no comfort
He sees her in the butterflies.
When he lies on the grass, wind rustling through the leaves and sun shining down. He’s sheltered by a towering tree but doesn’t quite know how he got there or when he fell asleep.
He sees her as the paper thin wings flutter and the insect lands on a flower.
The color in their wings reminds him of her eyes. Her clothes, and the way she enjoyed mimicking their pattern in her own fabric. The end of her long sleeves would fade into color and black roots. She enjoyed how they’d flutter in the wind when she moved.
He sat up from the grass, but a sudden pounding in his head made him keel over. He’d been here before - why did he come back?
Xiao could in-vision it so clearly. When he glanced up, it was like he could see her. Standing a few yards away, briskly walking toward him with worry on her features.
She was saying, “You worried me. What are you doing all the way out here?”
He apologized to her. Her pace faltered and she stopped next to him. Instead of chastising him, she just sighed and crouched down. Xiao thought maybe she was going to sit next to him, but instead she let herself fall forward and crashed against him.
Startled, his hands reached to steady her, falling back into the grass with her weight on top of him. He would never grow used to her outward displays of affection. All the yakshas were kind and affectionate towards one another, but the dendro Yaksha always treated him on a different level. One he wouldn’t understand for many centuries.
“Take me next time you decide to run off,” she had said, chin resting on his chest, “If you run away, I want to come with.”
“You want to run away?” He questioned.
She hummed, “I would run away if it was with you.”
He watched her and she closed her eyes and embraced the gentle breeze and warm sun. He always considered himself rough and sharp. A weapon that anyone could cut themselves on if not careful enough. But she always acted like she was invincible. As if the blade would never dare break her skin, and she was right. If it was within his power, he’d let nothing hurt her.
“Let’s run away, someday.” She suddenly declared.
“Okay,” he agreed without even thinking. It made her smile and she leaned up closer to him, pressing a small kiss to the corner of his lips. Xiao closed his eyes at the feeling, like bliss in his world of hurt. He chased the feeling and she obliged, gifting him a gentle and more direct kiss. As soft as a butterfly.
He should’ve run away with her. He should’ve taken the chance. He should’ve grabbed her hand and done anything in his power to make her happy.
But when the yaksha began to drop like flies, she found it impossible to leave her suffering friends all alone. She would never doom them to a life of pain and loneliness, so she stayed with them and with Xiao.
He should’ve realized sooner what a toll it took on the both of them. Because before he knew it, she was gone. Her own sorrow made the very plants she loved to consume her and shelter her from the outside world.
Xiao opened his eyes, and she was gone. No longer pressing a kiss to his lips or settled in his arms. He sat up again. The pounding in his head was gone.
He used his spear as an aid to stand up, and glanced at the towering tree behind him. Settled in the large open plane. High up on one of the old geo spears that had now become a mountain. If he stared hard enough, he could still see her huddled form, long sleeves forming roots and a home for all butterflies that wished to accompany her.
Gently, he placed his palm against the tree trunk and then leaned forward, forehead resting on the bark just where the mark on his forehead was. She always liked pressing her forehead against his.
“I’m waiting for you,” he whispered, unknowing if she could hear it or not, “and then we’ll run away.”
A butterfly settled on one of the low branches of the grand tree. He would always see her in their wings.
Synopsis; Tighnari tends to neglect parts of his life due to how they differ from humans that don't have animal blood in their veins. But it eventually bites him back.
Approximately 86% of the time, Tighnari was content and proud to be a fennec fox hybrid.
It was something he'd lived with his entire life, so he found it more fruitful to accept his nature rather than be off set by the fascination of others. Mortals were curious creatures; it made sense that they'd be intrigued by him. Even if he disliked the ogling gazes and lingering eyes.
But there was that 14% where he felt a begrudging distaste towards his own instincts and desires. Where the fennec fox piece of him overtook what typical humans and mortals would do.
Such as at the current moment, he couldn't even stand being in the same room as them.
The sight of their smile, each word that danced off their tongue, and even the simple whiff of their soap he'd catch drove him mad. Not in the way that most assumed - it wasn't some uncontrollable hunger or whatever those romance readers always asked of him. It wasn't a sudden possessiveness or animalistic instinct- ...well, at least not to the same degree they assumed it to be.
No, because he didn't have a partner. Emotions such as that were directed towards an established partner that'd he chosen for life, and he had yet to meet someone of such caliber. Tighnari had yet to pursue someone that way. Unfortunately, the source of his ears and tail had been trying to make the decision for him.
It was infuriating. A disruption to his work and a hassle that he didn't feel like dealing with. It was annoying how his tail involuntarily flicked when they turned and called his name. It was causing issues how he was so easily distracted as soon as they wandered into a room, and his train of thought was thoroughly derailed for the next hour or so that they existed in that space. They could be doing something as simple as reading and his hazel eyes would be continuously flicking from his paper and up toward them. He was never actually reading. None of the words on his paper were comprehended anymore and his own pulse became apparent in his ears.
It was annoying. And frankly, he didn't think he could even handle being around them when he had work to be done. But he also felt he'd fall into despair if he said anything to them about it. Because if they denied him, he wasn't sure what he'd do.
But now, it seemed even when they weren't in the room, he was plagued with twitching ears and a tapping foot. He spun his pen in his hand, starting at the words with a furrowed brow but none of them were computing or making sense. All the notes taken weren't making any sense to him. There was a lingering his chest and it made him groan, letting his forehead fall against the table. Maybe he should take a few days off of work to recuperate...
"Tighnari?"
His head shot up. Of course, of all people - it felt like he was in some sick play. To make matters worse, he had to suppress a wince at how they said his name, despite the concerned look they held from the other side of the table.
Until recently, they seldom called Tighnari by his full name. They claimed that nicknames felt more intimate and they loved finding fun ones for people. Of course, they were respectful about it. They referred to him as Master Tighnari until their relationship became less professional and more lenient, causing them to consider each other friends rather then colleagues. And then, he became simple and plain 'Tigh'. It was always, "Hey Tigh, look at this," or "I read an interesting book recently, Tigh. I can lend it to you." They only used his full name if searching for them in the forest or if they were upset at his teasing.
But over the last week, he'd not heard his familiar nickname. Maybe it was just cause he'd been avoiding them, anyways. But he felt it was actually just cause they had caught on to his hesitation and conflicted mood.
Even now, they kept careful distance within the library, books piled in their arms. Each one labeled different subspecies of animals or specifics of a single kind. He specialized in botany and they focused on zoology. That was the reason they'd been introduced in the first place; a shared desire to preserve the forest.
Their brow furrowed at his silence and gently asked again, "Tighnari, is everything alright?"
He swallowed, "Yes, I'm fine. Just... exhausted."
They seemed... cautious. As if overthinking their next words and walking on eggshells. Tighnari hated it. He hated that he was inadvertently the one who caused such a demeanor. Eventually, they locked eyes with him again (he flexed his foot as an outlet of wanting to squirm) and said, "If you need someone to take some of your work burdens, I'm more than happy. It's been quiet in the sanctuary as of late."
It was insane how two sentences could instantly make his tail swish. No matter how hard he tried to subdue its effect, he still felt it in his chest and stomach. The feeling of insects, as people often describe it in fiction. He wasn't one for fiction reading, but they were and it'd caused him to delve into it a tad.
The first sentence was pure worry and care for his well-being. They must think his newfound attitude was a side effect of his work. Sometimes, it could be. But usually, he was still happy to be doing research despite the strenuous task it could prove to be. Tourists caused him stress as well, due to their naivety and desire to seemingly poison themselves at every corner, but he was careful to who he directed his frustrations. This is the first time they've experienced the blunt end of it. He felt a tightness in his chest knowing it was his fault.
The second sentence was words of their own passion. If you let them, they'd babble for days about the animal sanctuary and the state of its inhabitants. They cared for it day in and day out and he's had more than a few times where he'd wander past in the late hours, only to find them still there and taking their nightly medicine routines into their own hands. He'd never met someone more in tune with other beings. He himself preferred living beings that lacked as much consciousness, but they reveled in figuring out their needs and helping them back into the wild. The fact that they were willing to put aside their duties in their prized home spoke a thousand words.
"There's no need," He excused, voice involuntarily softer than expected, "Thank you, though. That's very kind."
They hummed, gently setting their tower of books on the table. It seemed they didn't intend to let this go gently. Though he knew they would never be pushy - just open and sometimes almost pleading to understand others. They always said humans were much more difficult to understand than animals. Humans have more difficult needs. Animals are wordless but have a simple list of what they require.
They lingered, pretending to flicker over the spines on a nearby bookcase. Tighnari could do nothing but watch them, far too distracted by their presence to continue his own work.
"I read a new book the other day," They brought up, gaze flickering back towards him, still standing.
Okay, this was fine. Normal conversations, like they usually had. He would never admit that he missed it. He linked his hands, setting his chin on them and elbows on the table, "Oh, really? Pray tell."
Without missing a beat they said, "It was about foxes."
He paused. They continued, "Different subspecies. Some are native to Sumeru, and some are from other regions. Apparently, their fur color often corresponds with where they are native to," They finally pulled out a chair and sat, continuing a gentle tone, "Some of it mentioned fennec foxes. Curious stuff, really."
Tighnari had frozen. His once slightly smug demeanor had taken a turn and he instead watched them with wide eyes. They paused their sentence, but the only thing he could mutter in reply was a small, "...Interesting."
"It really was," They mused, picking the top book from their pile and seamlessly flipping to a certain page. Even from his spot across the table, he could see diagrams of four-legged animals with big ears. His own twitched atop his head and he struggled not to let them show too much of his emotion.
Their finger dragged across the page as they explained nonchalantly, "The smallest of the foxes, and they eat a lot of meat or similar. Sometimes berries. Though, I assume based on their typical habitat in the desert, fruit, and berries are more so like a treat."
...Was this some newfound form of torture? Or was some game they were playing to mess with him? He was unsure, but the only solution he had was to listen. Even if their words grew more familiar with each sentence - like they were slowly drifting away from explaining the average fennec fox and heading towards explaining something else.
"They help control rodents, primarily. And yet we hunt them and they struggle in some parts of the world. But they're doing better, lately," They explained calmly, the same way they did any other information. They looked up from the book and back towards the man, "They have an extraordinary hearing as well. And their ears serve as protection from the sun. But would you like to know the most curious thing to me?"
Instead, he asked, "Why were you researching Fennec Foxes?"
He hoped maybe he'd get an admittance of some sort, but he should've known better. As they just smiled and said, "We just rescued some at the sanctuary. I got curious, I suppose. Anyways," And they returned to his torture, "We rescued two of them, and I got to looking at their mating habits. It's interesting to me, frankly."
Archons, save Tighnari now. Their gentle smile was anything but innocent, words laced with false naivety as they said, "It's a bit poetic, honestly. They mate for life, just with one another. Sounds like a big commitment."
They hummed, letting their head fall tilted into one of their hands, "If we humans had obligations like that - for our first partner to be our last - we'd have many different traditions. I think it'd end up being terrifying, for some surely. What a heavyweight, knowing the chance of picking the wrong person or them not reciprocating."
He swallowed, spinning a pen between his fingers just to move in any way and keep his ears from drooping at their words. Trying to keep any reaction from reaching him and making them aware of what they were doing. He cleared his throat, shifting in his seat. They just watched him, carefully calculated. The same way they read the body languages of creatures in the sanctuary. He didn't like being on the receiving end of that gaze, particularly.
They waited patiently for an answer so he ended up just spitting out the first thing he could think of, "It is terrifying."
Uh oh. He recognized that small smile of achievement and it made his brow furrow in annoyance. They leaned forward, chin on both hands now with a sly, "Are you implying it applies to you as well, Tighnari?"
So this is what they wanted. A twisted confession of sorts that he was affected by the more animal-ish parts of himself than he often cared to admit. It wasn't really any bodies business, but they were just too good at reading all creatures and prying it from him. And his expression just seemed to seal the deal for them, based on the pleased hum they gave.
"I knew it," They whispered, leaning even farther forward across the table and making him press against the back of his chair as they interrogated, "So who is it? Give me a name so I can give them a stamp of approval or run them away."
"It's nobody," He quickly growled in defense.
They frowned, "Well, I assume it's why I don't see you much anymore, so it's gotta be something."
"And what brought you to the conclusion that it was something to do with my love life?" He scoffed, not sure whether he was trying to fool himself or them. A small part of him also admittedly wanted to actually know how they were brought to this conclusion.
And to his delight, they leaned back and began to recount, "Well, you've been more agitated as of late. But you also seem happier in a weird way. Your tail has been wagging - which I've never witnessed from you before - and I even caught you purring once-"
"I don't purr!" He quickly deflected, placing his hands roughly on the surface of the table with heat rising to his face. They raised their hands in defense, giving a small laugh and waving for him to sit back again. He did, and tacked on, "That all could have to do with anything. Not necessarily some school crushes you think I may have."
They opened their mouth, but paused and gave a hum instead. Tighnari thought that perhaps he'd somehow convinced them, but they were too smart for that. They never would go into such an accusation without a plausible clause, so there was bound to be something else.
As expected, there was. Their mood seemed to simmer down into what it had been when they first arrived, hands fidgeting and gaze flickering. They said, "...Well, I spoke with Collei, and then Cyno. Collei gave her insight but was rather reserved. Cyno was blunt with his answer, however."
Tighnari couldn't help but ask, "Why do you care about this so much?"
Another pause, and then a tiny admittance, "It really seemed to be bothering you and I wanted to help. And I thought I might've done something wrong, admittedly."
...Right. That's why they'd been calling his name so formally. Why they seemed almost timid. But despite the way his shoulders sank just an inch, they gave a small carefree laugh to brush it aside and continued anyways, "Anyways, their responses led me to two hypotheses. One seemed more likely, so I began to pursue that one first."
"I assume it was the idea that I had romantic feelings for someone," He deduced and they nodded with a smile. Tighnari folded his arms over his chest and asked, "Then what was your second hypothesis?"
Their energy shrank again. This time, just that unassuming question seemed to flip the table and some color grew along their face. Tighnari's ear twitched against his will at the sight, tail threatening to shift. He suppressed the urge to let it move further.
They smiled nervously, "It doesn't really matter, it's unlikely."
There was no way he was just letting them get away with that, "I trust any ideas you may have, so please."
"It's self-centered and idiotic," They said this time, and he took note of a dislike at hearing them speak like that, but they tacked on, "Hence why it was a second hypothesis, but it really shouldn't have been counted."
"What's it based on?" Tighnari asked instead, trying to weave his way into its true nature.
They seemed awkward now. He admittedly enjoyed it. They explained, "Just based on the data given by Collei and Cyno."
"And that is?" He pushed further.
No answer came immediately. Instead, they picked at the pages of their open book, eyes flickering over the fox figure on its pages. They weren't currently wearing the usual uniform they did, and he hated how he took pleasure in seeing them outside of a work environment. A simple button-down and wide-legged pants. Always an odd mixture of styles from Mondstat - where they spent many years studying - and Sumeru, their current point of residence. But always comfortable. No matter what.
They didn't answer his question, but said instead, "I read another book. It was specifically about the fox-human race. I learned a lot, actually, that I wasn't aware of before."
He didn't interrupt, and instead opted to listen carefully as they continued, "Like why your fur is green, or the fact that your race typically lives in the desert - which I find ironic, based on how well you fair in hot weather. But it also showed that you share some practices with your animal counterparts."
"Which is why you looked into them," He finished, and they nodded.
"Yes, but..." They paused, putting their hands together again in a wringing and picking that he seldom saw in them. It took them a second to gather their words, but they eventually scoffed in fake amusement and said, "Well, a common factor seemed to be... me. Collei didn't say it, but I could tell, and Cyno was blunt. So I figured it could be one of two things. Either I did something you didn't like - but I know you're good about letting people know if they've done something of the sort, so I trust you - or..."
Oh. Oh, Archons. Tighnari was terrible at hiding things, wasn't he?
"...Maybe it was me," They finally finished, then gave another scoff like it was some joke, "But that's just me trying to shift things, no matter how well it all lined up."
Tighnari's throat felt like it was closing up. So close, yet so far. He couldn't help but say, "How does it all line up?"
They blinked, seeming almost confused about his further inquiry and lack of berating or being called a 'Lummox' like he often did. He was acting weird - and that made them grow a bit more nervous as well.
They acted poorly at being casual, leaning back and saying, "Well, they didn't really mention noticing a mood change around them, unless I was brought up or I came into a room. Collei didn't really say much about it, she tries not to spread your business, but she did say you snapped at her once when she offered to ask me for help. Cyno was blunter - he's the one who put the hypothesis in my mind."
Of course, he was, Tighnari bitterly thought, already planning the long-winded speech of annoyance he was going to give his friend. All he could think to do was give a small hum, but he regretted it immediately when a short silence ensued.
Eventually, they felt the need to fill it and said, "Yeah, that's why I said it was self-centered."
He wanted to laugh. 'Self-centered'- they just looked at the facts and data provided and gave the best solution. And they were dead on, as well. But he wouldn't say that to them - he couldn't say it to them. Because they were right about everything they said. About his newfound attitude only being around them, and also about how terrifying it was knowing the partners he chose were intended to be for life. Humans don't typically live like that.
Many are able to spend their years, shifting from partner to partner to learn about romance and explore the world, but he was just wired differently. And sure, he knew a small bit about their past romance life and the single, short-lived relationship they had. And the fact that they took such matters rather seriously and weren't one to dance around. Frankly, that conversation, laced with just a few drinks of wine, had been one of the first tipping points in his mind. The way they had laid their head on the table, and how quiet the night had been. It was so loud just an hour before, but now they were having a heartfelt conversation about expectations regarding relationships. He'd shared practically no details, but they never once pushed and instead opened up to him. He didn't deserve it. He didn't deserve them.
"You're right," He blurted out.
It took him a moment to realize the words had left his lips. Tighnari could hear his blood flow in his ears and felt impossibly stiff in his chair.
They blinked, "...Okay, I know I was saying it was self-centered, but it does hurt when you confirm it."
He tripped over his words, "What? No- That's not - I didn't mean that. I'm talking about-"
Oh, absolutely not. Tighnari would say a lot of things, typically in observation of others' wrongdoings, but he still was struggling to admit that they had figured him out. They'd read him and his actions like an open book, and while that alone was embarrassing, it was what they read that he couldn't bare to admit.
Their brow furrowed, watching him in confusion and wracking their brain, gears turning. Then, they blinked and cautiously asked, "...My second hypothesis?"
Tighnari didn't respond.
They mumbled, "...Oh."
Would it be wrong of Tighnari to grab his books and excuse himself? He supposes it would. But there was absolutely nothing else he wanted to do besides that. They would find him, he knew that, but he also knew that if he left right now, it'd just make it worse. It'd give him a momentary time of pure panic until they eventually confronted him. It's best to get whatever was going to happen over with now. Even if he was sure the speed of his heart was too fast to be healthy and his claws had dug deep into the seat of his chair. His hazel gaze had dropped down to his book, trying to seem almost nonchalant but it was impossible with how stiff his shoulders were.
There was at least a minute where they were both quiet, but it definitely felt like hours. Like an endless amount of time was passing and he truly began to consider picking up his books and leaving. He wouldn't get any work done, but maybe that was better than sitting here painfully.
And then, their chair squeaked. He flinched at the sharp sound and at first thought they must be leaving. Maybe that would be their rejection - and as much as he liked to think he was prepared for one, he knew how heart-wrenching it would be if he got one. That's why he preferred the awkward in-between of having a crush and not confessing. It would be better than if they rejected him.
From the corner of his eye, he saw them pick up their chair by the back of it, and then their padding footsteps came around the table. The chair landed beside him, and they came soon after. He felt impossibly warm like he was in the desert itself. He wouldn't even be surprised if they could feel it from their spot next to him.
They folded their arms on the table and laid their head on them, eyes looking straight up toward Tighnari. This was horrible. Even worse than how they tortured him before.
Their voice was delicately soft as they asked, "Are you scared 'cause of the implications of lifelong partners?"
He scoffed, tilting his head away to try and give his flushed face some privacy from their prying eyes, "That's the lightest way to put it."
"I'll spend my life with you."
Tighnari sat still. His heart still raced. But he managed to glance back at them, a serious expression on them still with their head down. He asked, "You'll what?"
They smiled, "I basically said I feel the same. And I'd be pretty content stuck with you for the rest of my life," They gave a thoughtful glance upwards in thought, "Y'know, I thought I made it pretty obvious how I felt. Did I not?"
This time, Tighnari's rise in heat in his face was due to annoyance and he barked, "No, you did not make anything obvious!"
They laughed pushing themselves to sit up but still gazing at him. For a few moments, he just took deep breaths and tried to come to terms with his impossible solution coming to fruition. He'd thought millions of times about what he'd do should they reject him, but hardly given any thought to the opposite happening. He didn't really know what to do now.
Thankfully, they had an answer, "Y'know, now would be a really cute and kinda romantic time to kiss."
In a very 'them' fashion, they added, "It'd be like a scene from those romance books I like to read. All tense and then cute and soft-"
He shut up their annoying ramble by just grabbing their face gently and complying with their request. They hummed in delight and replied quickly.
Tighnari was content and proud to be a fox hybrid. But it becomes easier with each person that takes time to know him and understand him.
get isekai’d into your gacha hell but every time you meet someone who has a soul-crushing heart-wrenching tear-inducing punch in the throat backstory you give them a non contextual hug (ft. 6reeze)
Synopsis; In which Xiao comes home from a long day and the pair share a much-needed moment of peace.
Themes; Comfort, Kiss, Established Relationship, Pure unbridled fluff
Every night, without fail, Xiao would appear at my home - our home, rather, as I liked to say, but he was still hesitant on regarding it as such. Even though I was an adeptus the same as him, he still struggled with the idea of continuity and stability. Ironic, considering he'd been living the same life of destroying demons for eons.
Either way, he would always appear, be it through the front door like an average person or knocking on the window for some reason I would never understand. Sometimes his presence would linger in the daytime as well, and follow into the night - others, I wouldn't see a speck of him until my eyelids were heavy, barely staying open if just to see him and know he was safe.
The state he would appear in was less certain then his eventual appearance. Sometimes, he seemed nearly chipper. Or as much as he could be, knowing he was Xiao.
Other days, he was drained enough to all but collapse into my arms. Today appeared to be one on similar esteem.
I hummed calmly to myself, a familiar tune from long ago as I poured hot water to steep tea. My little home was small but well loved from my many decades living within it. The forest was my home, and I took pride in protecting it thoroughly. Thus, I'd also been living within it's confines forever now.
Once I was done, I set the warm kettle onto a heat pad and wiped my hands on the apron around my waist. Xiao disliked human food, for the most part. I held an infactuation with it and enjoyed cooking - and while he would always give a taste of whatever I'd created, sometimes I would give him a treat of Almond Tofu.
Now, all that was left to do was wait. Though I didn't even do that for very long.
I heard the creaking of my front porch stairs before he appeared. My ears perked and I turned towards the wooden door, waiting patiently as the steps continued, until the door just barely creeked open. Always so cautious. So hesitant.
"I missed you," I said first, before anything else. I felt like I just needed to let that escape. And it cued him to come further, opening the door until he could slip in and closing it oh so gently behind him. As soon as I could see him, I knew.
There was a familiar weight on his shoulders. A tenseness in his back and languidy in his movements. The way he seemed to close the door and slump as soon as it had shut and he was certain of safety. The forest was always safe - I kept it so. And I prided myself in it being a place where he needn't worry.
He turned to glance at me, still wordless. Golden piercing eyes that I loved so. All I did was give a smile and open my arms.
The invitation was taking near instantly, with heavy footsteps approaching and his arms looping beneath mine and around my waist. Gentle but firm, leaning enough weight on me that I had to lean on my kitchen table. With a hum, I took him into my arms and put one gently stroking the space between his shoulder blades and the other hand brushing the hairs on the back of his neck.
Both movements helped him seep into me, and I slowly felt himself allowing me to take more of his weight as he dug into the base of my neck with his nose, hands against the small of my back and thumbs lazily shifting.
I was warm compared to him; I knew that. Our natures as adepti were apherently different, and such were our figures. He always seemed to be cold, as if he needed to sit by a fire for a bit or he'd dipped his hands into a pond. But I was the opposite. Always his personal heater that he reveled in, and I happily let him as I scratched at his scalp and dark hair.
"Long day?" I mumbled, keeping my voice soft to not alarm him. Xiao just nodded into my shoulder. I hummed and softly added, "We can go to bed. I made tea, and Almond Tofu but I can keep that for the morning. I'll make a cup of tea and we can go lay down..."
He shifted, so I trailed off and paused my minstrations to watch him. The adeptus lifted his head until his eyes opened and instantly flickered to mine. He seemed to tired, and yet relieved. I felt nothing but happiness that I could be his relief. Gently, Xiao raised a hand from my back and trailed it upward, fingers dragging until they rested on my face. His golden gaze flickered from all my features as if trying to memorize them - I found he did that often. I assumed it was a fear of when I could possibly disappear, but I had no plans on doing that.
Xiao leaned forward and I instinctively followed, flickering my eyes closed in time with his before the gentle press of his lips against mine. So soft and gentle, if not a little lazy from his tiredness. The first kiss was gentle and short, with a small moment where he pulled away, glanced at my smile, and then pulled me closer. His hands brushed along my torso as he stepped impossibly closer, as if trying to mold his body the same way our lips did. I gave a tilt of my head and he took it greedily, sighing softly with a small break and then kissing me all over again.
I brushed my fingers at the nape of his neck, running a hand from his shoulder and down his back, melting his tension away with a single touch. Each kiss I shared with Xiao would always be different then the last, but they all felt like comfort. Like sitting on my porch and watching the rain. A gentle calm that I could never get enough of, and I knew I would never be satisfied or tired of each shift against him and parting of lips.
There is no demand of wanting more from this kiss. He's satisfied with this current moment, and we simply relish in unbridled love unburdened by expectations of a partner, though also communicating desires. Xiao takes his time with each movement, trailing a hand from my side and towards my back until my apron is lose and he sets it on the table, hardly faltering against me. His chilly fingers test the cloth of my shirt, fiddling before tugging it from where it was tucked into my bottoms and letting his hand touch skin. He always said it was more reassuring to him. As if cloth got in the way of him truly knowing it was me, and that I was safe.
And I was happy to oblige with a sigh against him, humming softly as we parted for a mere moment, still so close and noses brushes before his forehead was against mine, golden eyes still closed as he rested from a tiring day.
I watched and reveled in the delightful flutter in my chest. A feeling I could never get tired of and would always relish. In all my thousands of years of being alive, only Alatus Xiao had been able to encite such a feeling. Like electricity in my system. A thousand bees buzzing in delight.
He sighed and mumbled, "I missed you, too."
I smiled, "I can tell," And he hummed at my soft humor.
Xiao sat quiet for another moment, golden eyes opening once to glance before settling closed again as his thumb ran circles on my skin and he breathed softly, as close as he could manage. I pressed my fingers gently against the base of his neck, trying to soften the tense muscle there to the best of my ability.
"Let's go to bed," I whispered, and his gaze flickered open tiredly, as if he'd been falling asleep there, head a million miles away.
"Your tea..." He reminded softly, as if it was that important to me.
I tilted my head and brushed the tip of my nose against his, "I can always make more."
Xiao hummed again, leaning forward to press a chaste kiss against the corner of my mouth, as if agreeing to my terms for sleep. He took his own weight back and I wasted no time in following, slipping my fingers to lock with his and gladly padding across the floor listening to his steps soon after before we entered our room (he'd call it my room, but that's besides the point).
We both dressed in what we preferred for the night - something he didn't do until I had insisted upon it, saying it made sleep more comfortable. He never understood why I slept like mortals - there was no need, but I enjoyed their sense of deserving rest after a long day. And if anybody deserved some rest, it was Xiao. If I could, I'd make him rest for a thousand years. Even that might not be enough to cure his soul.
I plopped onto the bed holding my arms open and making a grabbing motion with my hands. He slipped the beaded necklace from around him, placing it on a nightstand, before steping towards me and falling back to lay. I giggled at the movement, finding his limp demenour endearing, and smiling as he turned his head from sitting face down to glance towards me. The moonlight illuminated the shade of his eyes and practically made the dark teal undertones of his hair glow. So pretty in any lighting. I was convinced nothing could make him unappealing to me.
I held out my arms again, and he shifted, pushing himself from laying beside me into setting his head on my chest, beneath my jaw with hair tickling my cheek. Xiao slid his arms beneath me, pulling himself close and tangling his legs with mine, impossibly close.
I slid my arms around his nimble figure, coaxing circles on his back and through his hair. Trying to give him any sense of comfort I could with what little power I had. He always tried to stay awake until I was asleep, but I had my ways.
Xiao suddenly mumbled, "I love you. You know that, right?"
"Of course," I smiled, "I love you, too."
He still continued, "You're everything to me. I'd destroy worlds if it meant you were safe and happy."
I couldn't help but hum in amusement, bringing a hand up to run through the longer parts of his hair, gifting me a sigh against my collar bone. I mused, "Thankfully, I'm safe right here. No need to destroy worlds."
"...Right," He mumbled, shifting his face to bury it against my neck.
I also continued, "And the only thing that could make me happy right now is staying here with you. I suppose, also you getting the rest you deserve."
"I don't," He refuted, something he always did.
I hushed him with my hand scratching his scalp and felt him keen towards my hand like a cat, "Oh, stop. Just rest with me, please. So I can wake up beside you."
Xiao's voice came more mumbled, softer and laced with exhaustion, "Anything for you."
I shifted, bringing my arms around him more comfortably, and settled into his embrace. Mere moments later, we had both coaxed off to sleep. And when I woke, he was still dozing beside me.
~~~
A/N; First time posting on Tumblr, but I hope to have more!
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