hallos and how are yous :3 I hope ur day/night is doing great, if not then, I just rlly hope it gets better really quickly!!!!!
may I request argenti, boothill, sunday, serval, and (whoever of your own choice!!) with a nonchalant, indifferent reader who barely — if not, almost never — shares a blink of emotion. they aren't like grumpy or anything, but their resting face is comically a blank slate like 😐 that its almost hilarious if one stares too long 🙏😭
however, one moment, while reader hangs out with [character] and said character yaps about whatever (they could be talking about arson and reader wouldn't give a flying damn)/doing something they like doing, a soft smile is present on the reader's face as they listen to [character] yap or watch them do something [character] likes. and then [character] notices reader smiling so fondly at their direction and even the reader doesn't even realize it themselves; however doesn't deny it and straightforwardly admits it when [character] points their smile out :3
I'm sorry if this is too long or smth— please, take ur time fre!! :D
In Your Words, I Find My Smile
Tags: Argenti x Reader, Boothill x Reader, Sunday x Reader, Quiet Moments, Emotional Expression, Character Development, Soft Moments, Gentle Interaction, Lighthearted Conversations.
A/N: DW IT'S ALRIGHT, BESTIE!! 🤭💖
The evening sun bathed the landscape in a soft, golden hue. Argenti sat polishing his breastplate under a grand oak tree, its leaves rustling gently in the wind. You sat nearby on a patch of grass, leaning back against the tree with your characteristic expressionless demeanor. Arms crossed, gaze steady, you watched as Argenti spoke passionately about the latest village he had aided.
“And thus, with valor unyielding, I vanquished the fiend threatening the townsfolk,” Argenti proclaimed, his voice imbued with the flourish of a seasoned knight. His eyes sparkled as he gestured animatedly, his hair catching the sunlight. “T’was but my duty as a Knight of Beauty to uphold the sanctity of their humble lives!”
You nodded slightly, your expression unchanging. You weren’t indifferent to his words—you just didn’t express your emotions outwardly. Argenti didn’t seem to mind, though; he continued recounting his tale with fervor.
At some point, however, your gaze softened as you watched him. His dedication, his righteousness—it was admirable. The way he spoke with such passion, unyielding in his pursuit of beauty and justice, stirred something within you. Unknowingly, a small, tender smile crept onto your lips as you continued to observe him.
Argenti suddenly paused mid-sentence, his eyes widening slightly. “Hold, dear companion. Are mine eyes deceived, or doth a smile grace thine visage?”
Blinking, you touched your lips in surprise. Then, meeting his gaze, you said plainly, “Yeah. I guess I’m smiling.”
Argenti seemed taken aback for a moment before a wide, radiant grin spread across his face. “By the heavens, thy smile is a sight most wondrous! I am honored to have brought it forth.” He leaned forward slightly, his expression earnest. “Pray, what prompted such delight?”
You shrugged. “You just seem really happy talking about your work. It’s nice to see.”
For a moment, Argenti seemed stunned into silence. Then he rose dramatically, placing a hand over his heart. “To inspire such fondness in thee, I am most humbled! Know that thy kind smile is a treasure I shall carry in my heart as a beacon of encouragement!”
You raised an eyebrow, amused despite yourself. “You don’t have to make it a big deal.”
“Nonsense!” he declared, his voice ringing out. “To a knight, every smile is sacred.”
The two of you sat around a campfire on a desolate planet. The sky was an endless black, stars twinkling faintly above. Boothill leaned back against a boulder, his hat tipped forward slightly, and a smirk playing on his lips as he recounted another one of his escapades.
“So there I was, cornered in the ol’ warehouse with them IPC lackeys comin’ in hot,” he drawled, his southern accent rich and rough-edged. “And wouldn’t ya know it, the only thing between me an’ gettin’ out clean was a busted pistol and a whole lotta attitude. Naturally, I—”
He paused to snicker, glancing at you to see if you were listening. Your face remained blank as ever, staring at the fire with a neutral expression.
“—I went an’ lit their fuel tanks on fire,” he finished, letting out a raspy laugh. “Biggest bang I ever made, lemme tell ya. Sent ‘em runnin’ like chickens with their tails on fire!”
You nodded, your lips still unmoving. Boothill eyed you suspiciously, then waved a hand in front of your face. “You alive in there, partner?”
“Yeah,” you replied simply.
He laughed again, shaking his head as he returned to his story. You watched him closely, your eyes tracing the way his hair caught the flickering firelight, the smirk that tugged at his sharp features, and the glint of mischief in his eyes. He was rough around the edges, sure, but there was something captivating about his energy, his unapologetic zest for revenge and chaos.
Without realizing it, you found yourself smiling softly.
Boothill stopped mid-sentence, narrowing his eyes at you. “Well, I’ll be damned. Is that a smile on yer face, sugar?”
You blinked, your fingers brushing your lips in realization. “Guess it is.”
His grin widened, all teeth and smug satisfaction. “Ain’t that somethin’? I must be funnier than I thought. Or is it somethin’ else?”
You shrugged, unbothered. “I just like seeing you enjoy yourself.”
He tipped his hat back, his grin softening into something almost fond. “Y’know, partner, I think that’s the nicest thing anyone’s ever said to me.”
The soft hum of the Astral Express filled the lounge car as Sunday sat by one of the wide windows, his eyes tracing the swirling streaks of stars outside. You sat nearby, a book in hand, though you weren’t reading—it was mostly there to give you something to hold while you listened.
Sunday, as he often did, was talking.
“The Charmony Festival wasn’t just an event,” he murmured, his voice as gentle as the atmosphere around him. “It was a reflection of everything we hoped to preserve. Harmony, beauty, hope… even if it was fleeting.”
His hands rested on a cup of tea, untouched and cooling, as he leaned slightly forward. His feathered wings behind his ears twitched subtly, betraying the emotion behind his calm facade.
You sat across from him, your usual expressionless face giving nothing away as he continued. Even as he recounted stories of the festival—the shimmering lights, the release of doves, and the harmony it brought—you listened in silence.
But somewhere in his words, as he described the way the music had filled the air and brought strangers together, you felt a warmth stir within you. A soft smile unknowingly formed on your lips as you watched him speak. His passion and quiet yearning were undeniable, and it was… nice.
Sunday stopped mid-sentence, his eyes narrowing slightly as they focused on you. “Are you… smiling?”
You blinked, your hand brushing your lips in realization. “I guess I am.”
His wings fluttered, their movement betraying his surprise despite his otherwise composed demeanor. “Might I ask what inspired such a rare and remarkable expression?”
You tilted your head, meeting his gaze evenly. “You just seemed so lost in your memories. It’s nice to see you talk about something you love.”
Sunday was silent for a moment, the quiet hum of the train filling the space between you. Then, slowly, a faint, genuine smile graced his lips. “To bring joy to someone simply by speaking of the past… I had thought such a thing beyond me.”
“It’s not,” you said plainly, placing the book down. “You’re good at it.”
His eyes softened as he studied you, a quiet warmth filling his tone. “Thank you. I will endeavor to share more, should you wish it. Though rare, your smile is… comforting.”
You shrugged. “If you like.”
His smile lingered as he picked up his tea, finally taking a sip. “I do.”
Learning that “emotional repression” is different from “emotional repression around certain people.”
You should always be aware of and accept whatever you are feeling.
But who you express those feelings to is your own decision. There are going to be people in your life that do not understand you—who don’t know what kinds of advice or validation you need. If trying to express yourself to them only makes the problem worse, perhaps you need to reconsider opening up to them.
Find those people who do understand you and hold to them like lifelines. I guarantee there is someone out there on your exact wavelength. You’re never alone in how you feel. And it’s possible to express yourself.
Oh no, my reaction wasn't strong enough so now they know I'm forcing a reaction
I don't know how to react so I'm nervously telling jokes and laughing loud and now they think I'm not taking it seriously (bonus: it's also because I'm still deadpan in the voice because What Is Vocal Tone?)
I reacted too strongly by accident and now I look weird
I misjudged the Social Situation and used the wrong emote so now I look crazy
I'm dissociating so hard that I can't feel my toes so by default it looks like I don't care
I did it! I judged the situation correctly and reacted accordingly, but I either don't feel anything or can't tell what I'm feeling so I STILL feel like I'm being manipulative for doing all the right things so people don't hate me
