Shirtless Phainon truly is too powerful. Imagine him and Reader sleeping in bed together like they often do, but when Phainon starts sleeping without a shirt, Reader turns away from him. And Phainon is confused! And maybe a little hurt, too! His Dawnlight would always be in his arms and always face him while they slept! So why the change? Did he do something to offend them? Did he return home too late for their liking? This went one for a few nights before Phainon started to notice the tips of Reader’s ears would be red. He’d realize Reader was simply too flustered by his shirtlessness to face him! Which he found all too amusing and couldn’t help but nibble on the tip of Reader’s red ear to tease them 🤭
-🧋anon
Hi again 🧋 anon! :) I have to say this again: I really like your energy. :D And this ask in particular affected me personally. 😭
This has gotten long, so I’ll put my thoughts under the cut:
First of all, the way you described the whole thing is so fitting for Phainon.
I do think that eventually Reader would get somewhat used to seeing him shirtless. Then again… can you ever really get used to that view? Because I certainly wouldn’t. :D
But the first time? Oh no. Because suddenly all the usual cuddling feels different. Reader is trying very hard to be normal about it and failing miserably. Their thoughts are running wild.
They’re imagining what it would feel like to be wrapped up in those strong arms, or pressed against that very unfairly muscular chest, or being spooned by him while simultaneously trying not to think about any of those things.
Which, of course, only makes them think about those things more.
Meanwhile, Phainon is having a completely different crisis. Because he loves cuddling. We all know this. He has gotten used to falling asleep with Reader in his arms and now suddenly they’re turning away from him.
Phainon would absolutely overthink it. Did he say something wrong? Did he do something? Are they upset? Should he give them space?
And because he is Phainon, he would somehow manage to both analyze the situation and spiral about it at the same time. Mostly spiral.
But also, what absolutely took me out while reading this ask is that I immediately started thinking about the logistics of the whole thing. 😭
Because okay. We are talking about Reader being flustered. Fair enough. But what about the moment Phainon decides to sleep without a shirt in the first place??
How did we get here?
Because I can think of multiple possibilities.
Maybe he just got back from training and is tired. Maybe he bathed, his hair is still damp, and he simply decides that finding another shirt is too much effort. Maybe he is already half asleep and just goes: “Mm. I’ll put one on tomorrow.”
Or maybe Reader made the mistake of complimenting him. Something harmless.
Reader: “I think the training is paying off.”
And Phainon immediately lights up because he values their opinion.
“Really?”
And now he is proudly explaining things and showing Reader exactly what he means while Reader realizes they have made a terrible mistake.
Because Phainon is being completely genuine.
Meanwhile Reader is trying very hard not to look too closely.
And I don’t think Phainon would even realize what he’s doing at first.
He’d just be comfortable. Happy. Why wouldn’t he be? He’s at home. He’s with Reader.
The shirtlessness itself wouldn’t even occur to him as noteworthy. Which somehow makes it worse.
And what also affected me a lot is imagining Phainon before he realizes what’s actually going on.
Because Reader turning away wouldn’t just confuse him because of the cuddling itself. It would also confuse him because suddenly he can’t see them anymore.
Phainon absolutely strikes me as the type who would love those quiet moments before sleep. Looking at Reader. Talking softly. Seeing their expression when they’re getting sleepy. Maybe brushing their cheek. Just enjoying their presence before both of them drift off.
So when Reader suddenly starts facing the opposite direction every night, he’d notice immediately. The first night he would probably ask if they’re alright. And Reader would mumble something about being tired.
Which only makes Phainon more affectionate.
So now he’s rubbing slow circles against their back. Pressing little kisses to their shoulder. Maybe tucking the blanket around them because they seem sleepy. Meanwhile Reader is having feelings.
Then the second night happens. And now Phainon is confused. Because surely it wasn’t a coincidence.
So he starts thinking. Maybe they’re stressed. Maybe they’re tired. Maybe something happened. And because he cares, he keeps trying to comfort them.
He might rest a hand on their waist and nuzzle closer. He might talk quietly about his day and tell them something sweet before bed.
And Reader is just lying there thinking: “Oh no.”
Because now the shirtlessness is no longer the only problem. Now it’s shirtless Phainon being even more affectionate.
But then the turning point.
I had to laugh so much at his realization. I just love the contrasts in Phainon. He can be very humbled and all that in one moment (with the puppy eyes and all soft and eager, you get the idea), but he also has this confidence, you know? And once he has leverage…
Well. It would absolutely return.
And I mentioned many times that I am WEAK for teasing/cheeky Phainon. I would not be able to stay normal about this. 😭
His gaze alone. He would look at Reader, and Reader would literally see the realization happen.
And then he would be both amused and relieved. Maybe he’d chuckle softly. Maybe he’d just stare for a moment with that delighted look on his face.
Because oh. Oh! Everything is still fine, actually. There is nothing to worry about. Reader is just flustered by him.
And Phainon would be so ridiculously relieved. I think he would feel it in his whole body. All the tension from the last few days would finally leave him and all those emotions would come flooding back at once.
And then he becomes a menace. Because once he feels secure in a situation, that playful side of him comes right back out.
And unlike Reader, he can actually function while flustered (well in that scenario, at least… I have also scenarios in mind where he can‘t think properly anymore). :D
So he would start talking.
Something like:
“Oh, Dawnlight… if only I had known.”
Or:
“I would have made sure you got properly used to this.”
And then he’d have the audacity to say it in that sweet voice of his, as if he isn’t actively making the situation worse.
And then: “Oh, I see. So that’s how it is.”
Cue the soft chuckle. The delighted expression. The realization that he now has information. Dangerous information.
And if Reader gets even more flustered after that? Oh, he would thrive.
I can imagine him tilting his head and going: “Hm. I wonder if I can make the red wander elsewhere.” 🤭
Or something equally unfair.
And then the nibbling. Yeah. He would be very thorough about that.
And the fact that Reader would now be painfully aware of the shirtless upper body in question. Reader never stood a chance.
And after all of that? Phainon would absolutely decide that sleeping shirtless is an excellent idea and continue doing it FOREVER. :D
Thank you for this! It really cheered me up in the middle of a stressful period once again.
I will never get tired of Phainon thoughts, so please keep them coming.
Lily 💙
