Reth x Character Things Pt. 1
since I'll likely never write the fic I have in mind:
Character running their hand along the tattoo on his arm after learning what it is and telling him he isn't alone, that they're in it together from then on
Character saying "I love you" first and Reth's brain just short-circuiting and him going "haha yeah... but like as a friend tho... or maybe just a really good colleague." because he can't believe they love him
Additionally, when Character mentions marriage, Reth again goes "but like... platonically or...?" because he just cannot fathom someone loves him enough to want to be tied to him forever
Not only does Reth spend months and months cooking for Character and helping them find who they are and what they like, but Character helps him find himself, too, after he finally has the freedom to do so
Character realizing that Reth has extreme talent for cooking, he just needs proper rest and nutrition
Character feels so unaccepted and foreign for being Human, and Reth feels so unaccepted and foreign for not following his Path, and it brings them so close together and creates a very deep bond
Character wanting to usher Reth onto a better path but, like Ashura, being so afraid it would make Reth pull away, they instead try to help him in his criminal activity instead until the Ashura confrontation. Only then when Ashura tells them how highly Reth values Character do they fight really hard to improve his life and encourage him on a better path
Zeki is great, but I headcanon that Character fought tooth and nail to get the funds together to free Reth from his debt
Reth turning magenta constantly and unable to hide his blushing with every sweet word spoken and stuttering through his words
"Misery loves company" ushers in hours and hours spent laying on dirty old blankets crying together and holding each other
Those days he misses his parents and wants to hang until he feels better, if he's working, Character sits at the bar for hours or maybe even joins him in working and will give him small touches of reassurance on his shoulder or arm or back as they pass by each other. If not, then short breaks in the storeroom where he just cries into Character as they hold him and wipe his tears away