SYPN: They wont admit that they're into you, even if they act like they're basically dating you. (Male reader, reader is implied to be co-worker/friend)
Includes: Diluc, Kaeya, Itto, Ayato, Childe, Hat Guy/Wanderer
DILUC RAGNVINDR
Romance wasn't a word that came to mind when thinking of the heir of the Ragnvindr family. The ex-knight was never one to have his conviction bruised. Strong. Stoic. That's what came to mind when most conjured up Diluc. You couldn't help but disagree. Diluc was sweet, in his own way. He's covered you far more times than you could count. He'd pay your tab, or show up right before you could get majorly hurt. The flame-wielder was your shadow, nearly at your beck and call.
The other regulars had noticed. Diluc's eyes often trailing over you as you idly nursed your drink, your tab suddenly being at an unfair discount, how where ever you went, Diluc was sure to follow. It was obvious, isn't it? The rumor slowly bled out from just the Angel's Share.
Yet when confronted, Diluc sternly denied it. "I treat all my patrons equally." He'd claim. Ignoring how Kaeya had seen Diluc watching you instead of cleaning glasses... or how Donna had seen his gaze linger at your favorite flowers... or how Lisa had seen him browsing the romance section in the favonius library... or how Charles' shift was changed so he was no longer on duty during your regular hours...
Because none of that proved anything, because it meant nothing. There was no way Diluc was in love. He was too busy with the city, and his own work. Was finally slipping into civilian habits so bad? Even if they were with the intention to watch over you and make sure you were in danger. Not love. Surely.
KAEYA ALBERICH
The charming cavalry captain was known for his 'flirtatious' ventures. Kaeya was sly like that, he knew how to talk his way through everything. It wasn't particularly weird for him to start chatting, it verged on odd when he only stuck his sights on you.
Slowly, Kaeya stopped chatting with the nameless locals that frequented he and Rosaria's bar trips. Suddenly, there was always a seat open for you, he'd buy you a drink. The charming cavalry captain suddenly honing in on one person? Now that was unprecedented. Then it grew to sparring frequently with you, and helping with your work load. A cavalry captain with no horses doesn't have much to do all day, was it really so odd he decided to help you? Even if he hadn't helped anyone else. only you.
Yet Kaeya acted like it was totally normal, like everyone else was crazy. You were just entertaining, a good drinking buddy. A good partner. It was nothing romantic, just being helpful. Just being helpful to you, and you alone.
ARATAKI ITTO
If Itto wasn't being wrangled by Kuki, he was at your hip. Even then, Itto was barely away from you in the first place. You were his beetle-battle partner, Ushi's babysitter, and his right-hand man! Itto had no qualms with being openly affectionate, if anything he liked showing off his gang! But even by those standards, he obviously favored you. What was his, was yours.
It was more odd to find the two of you not together. It was a silent understanding with most, was it not obvious with how you two acted? the oni was laways at your side. Itto had trouble sharing his rewards. Even if he'd cave at some point, he'd happily share half with you. not to mention the fact that his prized champion beetles were yours to use. All the other gang members acted like it was nothing to blink at. It all built up, you were most definitely together, right?
Truly, Itto was oblivious to his own feelings. The skip in his chest was just excitement, that what happens when you hang with your bestest buddy! It was mutual appreciation, it's not like you two went on dates, or kissed, or anything of the sort. Itto wouldn't mind if you did but- So it was totally platonic. Bros support bros, no matter what!
KAMISATO AYATO
With all the festivals and clan disputes, you'd assume Ayato was constantly drowning in paperwork. It wasn't a far cry, you'd seen first hand how large Ayato's work load is on a normal day- during busy season it was sure to be doubled. Yet for some reason, he always found some way to get back to you. Fresh tea on your desk in the morning, any purchases from Komore Teahouse were suddenly paid off before you had even finished eating- even Thoma was at your disposal if you so needed it! even if nobody attributed it to Ayato, you knew the calculating commissioner was behind it.
Ayato being so attentive to a lower servant hadn't gone unnoticed for long, especially considering how popular Ayato was. The young master was elusive as ever, nobody could catch him long enough to ask. So naturally, people started getting on you. Both curse and blessing honestly- sure you were being hounded by random women on the street, but Thoma or one of Ayato's other subordinates would come whisk you away before you could even reply. The heat eventually died down, but now people though you were untouchable because you were THE kamisato's favorite.
Thoma had nudged Ayato about your relationship. Ayato wasn't one to openly display his affections unless he had something to gain. Yet.. Ayato just brushed it off instead of answering. He wasn't doing it for his benefit, and no offense to you, but you really had nothing to offer in his realm. Ayato admittedly didn't know why he favored you so much. But it didn't hurt. Plus, your cute face is worth the overtime.
CHILDE
Childe was nothing if not persistent, maybe even downright ostentatious at times. The red head as unashamed loud, calling out to you in the halls just to ask for another spar. Truly, he never let up. Why he favored you over his much stronger, far more interesting co-workers was completely unbeknownst to you. Childe would be at your shoulder, yapping away casually. It was only natural that the other subordinates started talking. You even got special treatment from people of the same rank (and even higher!) because of Childe's near constant presence around you.
Childe's co-harbingers clocked it immediately. (Thankfully) They don't say anything. However, since they assumed you and Childe were an item, the other lower fatui started acting like that too. Suddenly, all your co-workers were offering to take a slice of your work, and your superiors were suddenly catering to you. And Childe watched on with pure amusement. He knew what he was doing!
Having such open vulnerabilities as a harbinger is basically painting a big red target on your back with a sign that says "kick me!". In other words, you're asking for trouble. Childe initially thought the little misunderstanding was a little funny, it's crazy how far people imaginations can go! Yet at the same time, if something were to happen to you, especially because of him... Maybe being your bodyguard won't be so bad. Fighting AND showing off in front of you? It might just be heaven.
HAT GUY / WANDERER
Hat Guy didn't play favorites. Everyone that came across him was perfectly entitled to a glare or a scoff just as much as the next person... except you. For reasons unknown to even you, Wanderer had taken a liking to you. Could you even call it that? Leniency maybe.
It's not like you got true special treatment, not really.. Sure, he was still sassy, and a little prickly, but he was just.. less so with you. He cared about you, obviously. Forgot to eat? Food is being thrown at your head. Staying late at the academia? Your pens are now three feet above your head. BUT he was still treated you mostly the same, ...right?
Apparently not, because everyone looked at you like you were an aranara, or a cat whisperer. Wander certainly didn't acknowledge it though. He pretended he acted the same with you as he did everyone else, if you dared to question it, he'd scoff like you were dumb.
Hat Guy doesn't fall in love. Betrayal has tainted his heart, there's no room for such frivolous human customs. Maybe you were the exeption? No. Surely not.
AN: cat with tounge out emoji! also yes i know i probably spelled stuff wrong im just too lazy to fix it. also yes I used feet hashtag america, eagle emoji
description: it is his birthday and you brought him cake, fluff
if you thought he'd be happy about celebrating his birthday you were dead wrong. he looks at the too-sweet cake in your hands and scoffs. „your memory is lacking recently. I didn't ask for this.“
you know he dislikes sweet foods, that is part of the surprise – you smile. „well, maybe later you could-„
„don't bother“ he cuts you off, and you fear for your actual surprise.
„Wanderer cmon- let me show you something“ you tug at his sleeve. you place the dark brown chocolate-looking cake on a table near you, cutting a piece of it and offering him. „just try it~“ when he looks away you press on even more „well you can either give it a taste, or surely Nahida will later on make you eat the whole piece“ you laugh softly and he rolls his eyes, taking the plate in his hands and taking a bite.
you remember quite well his little story about tea and its bitter flavor. how he drank it and thought of it as nothing special, later on, he tried different flavors of the world and came back to the bitter flavor. claiming the others are just there to hide the 'bland base'.
he said bitterness was his favorite flavor, hence you got him a coffee cake. a specific order, you had to make sure they don't make it chocolatey or anything similar.
his eyes slightly soften, and there's the smallest smile… as if a gray cloud went away from looming above his head when he tasted the cake.
it makes you smile brightly at him, looking at the short boy like he is the biggest world wonder when he takes another small bite. he lowers his hat avoiding your gaze, „perhaps you pay attention to the things I talk about.“
all you can do is smile and hold back the desire to hug him… a second later you hug him, causing him to gasp as if his arms didn't immediately return the embrace. „happy birthday, Wanderer“
wanderer x reader - lazy writing + incorrect grammar stuff, contains spoilers about the recent event
lithe fingers between yours, though seemingly weak from afar one should know that the owner of these hands is not to be messed with.
pressing band aids against the wounds on his hands sealing them with tender care to the point where it could turn into hello kitty bandaids rather than a hand of flesh and blood.
You could say that his fights had become less... frequent, as long as you don’t stand in his way that is.
But who is he exactly? His name given by him by Nahida, as a sort of “undercover name” was stupid yet Nahida pulled a ‘if it works it works ig’
To that you’d have to agree. It felt strange calling him Hat Guy, a single slip of a tongue could set things into chaos.
Left with your thoughts Scaramouche, Balladeer, Kunizushi, Kabukimono, Wanderer, Hat Guy or whatever his name is. watched amused as you ended up mindlessly sticking the bright pink bandaids wherever you saw a fit.
He’d tease you if it were any other moment but without your constant nagging and apparent concern when speaking to him about his reckless behaviour and people problems, the silence was a new found comfort. Silence with your lover and simple understanding by merely basking in ones presence is enough.
