The Descent - Affection Headcanons [Rewrite & Reader] [Platonic]
The progression of Rewrite's affections towards you is subtle... Up until it isn't. aka The Descent (into affection)
Type: Headcanons Genre: Fluff Content Warnings: None Stage: Late 1 Ring, 3 Ring
[Link to Rewrite & Reader Masterpost]
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[⭕]
* Rewrite's gestures of affection start off so subtle, you don't notice them at first. You could pass them off as coincidences, or Rewrite just being themself.
* They're really insistent about spending time with you and getting you to play games with them. If you ever reject them, they'll get melodramatic about it... or angry, depending on the circumstances. You could even say they're clingy about it. They want your attention and want to see what you do. It's easy to pass it off as them just toying with you, though.
* The very world around you changes for you, ever so slightly. -> It seems the world changes every time you go searching for a possible exit, almost getting more winding and maze-like every day, with new nooks and crannies. Rewrite does this because they believe this is fun for you. Because if it wasn't, why would you keep doing it? -> Once, you spent a long time longingly staring at a sunflower that reminded you of home. The next day, there are even more flowers. -> You offhandedly mention you like birds to Ekiduna. You think you notice far more birds around, but surely, that's just a coincidence. Rewrite wasn't even around to hear your conversation.
* If you ever start showing signs of sadness or just thinking too much, they'll immediately try to distract you. Usually with games, or chaotic shenanigans. They don't know how to comfort you, so this is the best they can do for now.
* Before they start getting more direct and obvious, the biggest tell of their affinity for you is the gift giving. They see it as them giving you a "blessing". It might seem small to you, but to them, it's a very big deal. -> They'll experiment with things to see what you like most. Gems, stuffed animals, money (even though you have nothing to spend it on, but they don't think about that), food/candy. They'll carefully scrutinize your reaction to figure out what kinds of gifts you like most. -> Your previous establishment of you liking flowers? They're giving them to you now. They would make you a flower crown if you liked them. -> They'll remember every detail they learn about you. Your favorite food, favorite animal, favorite flower, favorite anything. They'll give you something related to anything you tell them.
* They get more direct with their affinity for you as time goes on. "But I like you!", they'll directly say. Hard to deny what they mean at that point.
[⭕⭕⭕]
* Once Rewrite obtains their 3rd ring, their affectionate behavior absolutely SKYROCKETS. They lose all subtlety and begin directly complimenting you, telling you they love you, and become notably more touchy feely. Hugs are frequent. Praise is frequent. -> They'll mimic any kind of affection you give them. Lean against them once, they'll start doing that to you. Hold their hand once, they'll start going out of their way to hold your hand more often.
* Their gifts become grandiose now that they have full control over their game world. They'll give you whole statues, fountains, lakes, gardens, change the stars to make them prettier for you. Most of the time you don't even have to ask, they've just observed your behavior to figure out what you would like the most. But if there is anything in particular you do want, all you have to do is ask.
* Judging by their FNF performance you just know they'll serenade you if you've shown any interest in music. Particularly if you frequently hum or sing to yourself, that's all it takes for them to do it.
* Even if you don't speak Japanese and don't understand what they're saying, they will often say affectionate things in Japanese. They say your confusion is "cute". -> 「あなたは完璧です。」 -> 「あなたは俺にとってすべてだ。 」 -> 「絶対に離さないから。」 -> 「俺のこと、愛してるよね？」
* They're actually slightly better at comforting you at this stage. While they're not empathetic and can't offer comforting words, they'll happily hold or cuddle you until you feel better. -> If you ever get particularly homesick, they will create a replica of your home in the digital world, and offer to live in it together. How they know what it looks like is another question entirely.
* You better not talk poorly about yourself in front of them. They would be absolutely flabbergasted. You? The subject of their affection? But you're perfect! They'd only love someone as perfect as you!! The second you talk badly about yourself they are on a monologue about how great you are. -> This is probably the one thing they are good at when it comes to soothing/comforting you. They won't ignore a single negative comment about yourself and will vehemently defend you every time.
* If you enjoy physical affection, they're weirdly adamant on being the one to be in control. They must be the one to brush your hair, or hold you, or be the big spoon. They'll avoid being in a situation where you're the one doing it to them. It's a pride/ego thing. It would take some convincing for them to let you show them physical affection like that. -> You can give them verbal affection all you want though. They love flattery.
* They become pretty overbearing, and way more clingy in this stage. They'll follow you around and pretty much insist on being around you 24/7. If you're an introvert or just need time alone to rest, they wouldn't really understand, you'd have to directly tell them that you need space. -> If you ever tell them to tone it down, or, god forbid, tell them to leave you alone for a little bit, they would be genuinely offended/upset. They'll probably disappear for a while—from spite or genuine hurt, you wouldn't be able to tell—but, eventually... They'll come back and notably be less intense about it. They want you to like them, they want your praise and approval, so showing any sort of negativity towards their behavior will actually affect them at this stage.