norton isn’t good with words nor affection. the acts of love or praise feel so distant to him that he’s unsure how to act upon his feelings. but undoubtedly, he’s good at showing his adoration for you through his actions. the phrase actions speak louder than words certainly suits him, as he’ll take any means to make your life a little less of a burden, and unintentionally show his care. listening to you ramble even if begrudgingly, offering to take on tasks you may struggle with, bringing you gifts or taking you out despite his stinginess, anything he wouldn’t do for just anyone.
florian brand — quality time, physical touch
florian, early on, could be seen as distant. like no matter how much you adored each other, even through the smiles and attachment he showed toward you, there was something unseen, keeping the two of you at arms length. once you’re able to push past that, he’s a piece of work. he’s the type to show his affection through spending time with you constantly, allowing the two of you to be yourselves, vulnerable within each others presence. staying by your side through the late nights as you worked, taking stand beside you while you conversed with others, inviting you out on little outings or fun activities together. any way to spend time with you, he’s likely thought of. a bonus is that when he’s alone in your presence, he’s rather clingy, or very touchy. hands wrapped around your waist eagerly as he disrupts what you’re doing, kissing you while you try to pull away and whine about how he’s a distraction.
mike morton — physical touch, words of affirmation
mike is clingy. very, very much so. this boy does not know how to be separate from you. his hand is constantly in yours, or touching you in some way, and he’s always sat as close to you as possible, tapping on your thighs with a rhythm. he’s constantly plastering kisses all over your face, muttering words of praise between breathes. he’s a silly little tease with the way he expresses his feelings toward you, but its so important to him that you know how much he loves you, thus why he reminds you as often as possible
richard sterling — acts of service
richard, in a way similar to norton, isn’t quite sure how to express love. his way of showing love feels different, and can come off as overwhelming. it’s strong, whether through the way he monitors you constantly, or the way he sweet talks you and allows himself to be in control of many aspects of your life. he means it lovingly, because his way of showing his value toward you is by keeping you by his side, allowing you to belong to him in a sense. he’ll do anything to make you rely on him, doing small tasks or things for you so you don’t have to go out of your way, so that you’ll praise him for working so hard in your stead.
luca balsa — gift giving, quality time
luca doesn’t seem like the type to be good with words or showing much effort. it’s hard for him to keep his attention on anything other than the inventions he distracts himself with. so, in a way, he shows his love by mixing the two things he enjoys. by keeping you by his side while he works, even if its in silence, fumbling with gadgets by your side as you do your own thing. he’s the type to make his own gifts for you, something cute that he’d think you’d like, which noticeably also has a bunch of features he likes because he can’t help himself. he’s always spending time with you, giving you small trinkets to show he’s thinking of you, even if he seems absorbed in his own world.
naib subedar — acts of service
naib grew used to harsh conditions, so its easy to assume he wouldn’t be very good with words. however, even with his lack of prominent affection, hes very considerate of you, a true gentleman you could say. while he isn’t direct, and it’s hard for him to properly understand how to act, he tries his hardest. he’ll remember every detail of anything you’ve ever told him, sending you letters detailing the things he’s done while he’s gone, attached with little gifts or souvenirs that he thinks you’d enjoy, or things you’d prior mentioned, no matter how long ago. you’re constantly on his mind, the feeling making his heart race, and its a feeling he cant shake off. regardless of the tough display he puts on, with you, he’s gentle beyond measure.
ganji gupta — physical touch, quality time
ganji, i can imagine, likes affection, but hes shy when it comes to romance. the concept of being seen without going out of his way for it seems foreign. he’s the type to work super hard, all so that you’ll take notice and praise him, ruffling a hand through his hair as you tell him you’re pleased with his hard work. he’s not as direct as someone like mike per se, because i can imagine he’s scared of rejection, and it stresses him out a ton. he’s constantly edging his fingers closer to yours until you get the hint he wants to hold your hand, or standing close to you until you place yourself in front of him so he can hold you.
hernando romero — gift giving, words of affirmation
hernando is a charismatic man, constantly aiming to charm you with his words and actions. he’s flamboyant, the type to present a rose to you in the midst of the ring without an ounce of embarrassment, or the type to show you off with words of praise. he’s a flirt, no doubt, which brings me to believe he’d be the type to give many gifts, whether symbols of romance or simple things that caught his eye. his biggest gift toward you however, is his praise and reassurance. he’s constantly in awe of what you distract yourself with, with the clothes you wear or the way you display yourself, and he can’t help but compliment and flirt with you at any given opportunity. while he’s coy with his words, he’s also a good listener, the type that’s able to clear any doubt from your mind with the way he speaks of and to you.
ithaqua — physical touch, acts of service
ithaqua seems as though he craves physical touch because he’s only had a single stable source of it. he doesn’t want to let go of you, feeling the need to keep you as close as possible so theres no chance he can lose you. that, and he doesn’t seem to mind taking care of you, or going out of his way to ensure your safety or comfort. to him, you’re his warmth, and even if hes unable to express that through words, it’s prevalent through his actions and attachment to you.
PAIRINGS: Norton Campbell, Luca Balsa, Victor Grantz & Melly Plinius x GN! Reader (separately)
WARNINGS: Mentions of Norton going through stuff in his lore, Luca’s “fun” time in prison... that's about it.
Send in requests and submissions, It gets boring during breaks in uni:,)
N. CAMPBELL
As seen from the breakfast scene with a rightfully baffled Journalist -- whole grain bread for him is a delicacy. Safe to assume Norton is not just a peasant, he is dirt poor. So poor in fact, he wouldn't be able to afford a popular at the time drink called "Saloop" not even with a tea bag found in the trash pile. That drink can be made even by street beggars, by the way.
Keeping that in mind there is no way he knows how to go about it and what to do. Cooking? That's a different topic. Norton had to take care of his sick family while breaking his back with exploitative labour in the mines. He's got the emergency level of skill for preparing a stew.
Despite the era-specific sexism, he wouldn't be the one for writing kitchen-related work off as "not a man's job". He may be insecure but Norton is not a jerk... at least not in that way. That said, baking is definitely something he sees as an activity for the privileged. Read as anyone with a spare penny in their pocket.
Don't overwhelm him with something fancy like a cheesecake or lord forbid a croquembouche. He wants to experience the rich lifestyle, for sure, but imagine introducing sugar so early on to his virgin taste buds... not a good outcome. Bread might be a good place to start.
Say, one day you approach Norton with a wonderful proposal to bake something together. "What a wonderful bonding experience for couples!" you might think, leading him by the hand into the manor's well equipped kitchen.
Wrong.
For some incomprehensible reason (trying to impress you and compensate for his inferiority complex) Norton all of a sudden decided he is Gordon Ramsay. With a whisk in hand (holding it upside down) and a determined look, he goes into battle. He doesn't need help, Norton never needs help. He is a provider, he's strong, what's a little baking to him?
Reassure this man for the mental health of all the kitchen staff to put the eggs down and to let you help out. He might scoff, argue, complain -- don't take it personally. Norton is a complicated guy though I am sure you know that by now. He does too. Emotional intelligence is not really in the cards here (try to develop some by breathing in coal dust since you were a kid) so he can’t put a finger why he is so upset.
He wants to be vulnerable with you, sure, but there is a blockage. Call it disorganised attachment, inability to regulate emotions, trust issues – whatever it is, it is there. Norton knows he is an inadequate partner and is set on the idea that you deserve better. You’ll need an immense amount of patience even with small tasks like these (hey, you chose this battle not me), however the reward is worth it. A glimpse into a playful man you fell in love with – who smears flour on your nose while you are distracted.
Now, Norton wholeheartedly believes he is someone for tough love. Kisses, hugs, cuddles – that’s all for the “sleazy gentlemen” not a seasoned miner like him. Don’t remind him of the way he curls up by your side like a cat with the mirthiest of grins the moment It’s lights-out in the manor. Norton’s got a reputation to uphold. He tries to convince himself of that by not really providing much closeness during your baking session, other than an occasional ruffle of your hair or a shoulder bump.
Oh how quickly things change If someone else walks in. Anyone is a rival in his eyes. Your friend wanted to greet you and give you a sweet hug? Excuse him, your man’s got a sudden velcro strap attached between you and him. One of the most jealous people on Earth because of his insecurities, so he feels the immediate need to establish his dominance here. How? Nasty glances in the intruder’s direction and pulling you into an impromptu make out session. That’s how he saw his coworkers treat their partners so he assumes this must be the way.
Maybe set some boundaries about that. Or not. I don’t know what you are into…
It might take longer than usual (your lips might be bruise as well) but the two of you will end up baking a nice, fluffy loaf of bread. He will claim that “Of course It’s great, I made it after all!” but somewhere deep inside his chest is squeezing with affection. Norton is not stupid, he can read between the lines and figure out that you know of his weaknesses. Usually, that thought would keep him up at night and gnaw at him until he pushed you far away. So far you would never see him the same way those “coworkers” did when beating the money out of his clenched fists.
However doing something so simple and new with you without judgement – It’s about the only kind of love he can stomach. Pun intended. He’ll eat like half of the bread with no bev, please make sure he doesn’t choke.
L. BALSA
My knowledge of him is minimal but I’ll take a crack at this.
Unlike Campbell, this one grew up in wealth. Fancy balls with those puffy gowns and tuxedos, golden leafed ice cream, all the lovely things that come from an obscene amount of pretty banknotes. You’d think your sweet Luca would surely know how to make some scones? Now why would you ever think that. Of course he doesn’t.
Three causes: he never lifted a finger to cook for himself, he is a man in the Renaissance period(I think) and he simply forgot how to. Memory loss does that. The triple knockout to your proposition. No, thank you, Balsa would rather stick to his inventions. After all, he is utterly and completely obsessed with the technology he builds.
At times like this, you start to think he doesn’t truly care for you at all. What’s the point of trying If some metal bits come before you? Stop, take a breath, and reconsider. Remember the times he would writhe on your shared bed in agony due to his traumatic brain injury. Recall the way Luca would grasp onto you in these vulnerable moments. Just think, would he show the weakest side of himself to you If there wasn’t a deep connection between the two of you?
Unfortunately, you cannot expect a “normal” relationship with this guy. But again, you did sign up for this. So, expect him not to even acknowledge you for the first time you ask to bake together. He is completely entranced with the wires in front of him, fixated on the electricity currents. Sure, Luca will be grumpy when you interrupt his “flow” to ask again but truthfully – It is hard for Balsa to stay mad at you. He will reject like I said beforehand, however here’s the twist.
This little genius will never reject the notion of spending time with you. His love language may be physical touch, words of affirmation, but quality time takes the cake. Pun intended. After spending so much time wrongfully (?) imprisoned, he craves human connection. Human connection that doesn’t involve him being tortured by either the guards or other inmates. Balsa is also terrified of betrayal so he wants to be beside you 24/7. Just in case.
Being at the manor is stressful and traumatic for all participants, so his coping mechanism is to drown in work. Forgive him for that, Luca loves you for all you do and your unwavering support. Therefore, he will propose a diplomatic compromise. You get to bake while he sits at the kitchen table and tinkers with some new device. Deal?
Go ahead and mix the ingridients with your leg propped over his, Luca will appreciate it wholeheartedly. Unfortunately no holding hands before marriage, or simply because it would get in the way of his and your working space. Sure, maybe you don’t get to cuddle by the stove like they do in romantic novellas. But isn’t this so much better, because it is uniquely your lover?
While the pastries bake take a moment to cradle the side of the “Prisoner’s” face in your flour-powered hand. Gently run your thumb over his cheekbone. He will subconsciously lean into your touch without missing a beat. That is just how much Luca Balsa trusts you – his partner. After everything he’s gone through It’s an indicator as bright as a red stop light of the depth of this inventor’s feelings. He doesn’t exactly state it out loud in favour of letting you know that “everyone wants a piece of this handsome genius”. However, It’s obvious to anyone else that you are his sole anchor and reason to live.
You remind him to eat, take a breather, bring him relaxing tea just the way he likes it. You ground him when Luca’s hands shake from the painful memories of the past, you hold him, you console him. In return? He will keep on working, playing this hellish game and at a whim will relocate all of his heavy equipment across the manor to the kitchen – If it means you are happy. Balsa is a dreamer, and he dreams of a future where you are together in your own house, baking in the kitchen with all the fancy equipment you might ever need. Made by him, of course.
Over freshly baked sweets and a cup of tea, your lover will share all of his ambitious ideas running through his mind. He will also take note of the taste in his mouth and urge you to write down the recipe on some paper for him. Why, you might ask? A reminder of the future he wants to build with you to keep in a diary, since it has proven to be much more reliable than his own mind. Luca is dedicated to you just as much as he is to scientific discoveries after all.
V. GRANTZ
Holy yap incoming! This one is my favourite man from the survivor faction.
Can Victor cook? Silly question. Having spent most of his adolescence without much parental support or much human contact – he is highly independent. The Postman is responsible to a T, capable of performing all the housework necessary for survival. Can your lover bake? That’s a different topic in Its entirety.
From his deduction letter It is known that he shares his meals with Wick. Therefore, Victor’s food must be something that a dog can digest. Carbs and starchy foods are not ideal for his little carnivorous friend which leads us to the conclusion that baking is not your partner’s forte.
Out of all characters in this post – he is the hardest to get through to. Come on, Victor is as talkative as a wooden plank. You thought Norton was avoidant? Think again, mister postman here will fight tooth and nail to keep people away from him. So, what happens when you through sheer patience and understanding manage to become his friend? And later on, Victor’s partner? He will never say no to you.
Bake together? For the love of everything, Victor would run into a burning building after you. That’s just who he is – utterly self sacrificing and endlessly brave. The point is, it doesn’t matter what Grantz was doing before you approached him with the wonderful proposition to bake. He will drop everything and promptly nod, following you with Wick at his heel to the kitchen.
Choose a recipe that is dog-friendly beforehand. It would make both of your boys happy. Did I mention that you became Wick’s co-parent the moment his human friend opened up his heart to you? Now you know.
Make sure to properly compliment your postman every time he does something well, like mixing the wet ingredients together at just the perfect speed. Watch as warmth blossoms across his face and your partner faintly nods, muttering a “thank you” with the brightest of smiles. His love language is without a doubt words of affirmation, considering how much linguistics matter to him.
With anyone else, he would take face-to-face conversations with a massive brick of salt. Victor doesn’t trust people not to conceal their intentions, only ever being truthful in letters. With you, It’s different. He knows your pattern of speech does not differ from your writing abilities. You wouldn’t lie to your love, would you? So Grantz has no reason to doubt your praises even If he feels undeserving of them.
Much more playful than others in the manor give him credit for. Victor is not “shy” he is simply reserved and prefers to keep to himself unless in trusted company. He literally voices his dog’s side of the “conversation” don’t be quick to assume your partner can’t have fun. Prepare for harmless tickles and nose flicks, this guy is sweeter than the pastries you two are preparing.
Unfortunately this vulnerability is only available for you to see. The moment someone else enters the kitchen, Victor is social distancing and keeping his eyes down on the baking tray. He’ll let you handle the talking part, occasionally sharing looks with Wick as If saying “Can you believe this?”. He’ll get a “woof” in response from his four-legged friend, which is up to interpretation.
Don’t let your gaze linger a beat too long on the person (without reassuring Victor afterwards) otherwise his train of thought is actively de-railing. It’s not that he doesn’t trust you, of course not, your sweet postman just… thinks you can do better than him. So many options out there for someone as wonderful as you, why stick around him? That’s it, time for Grantz to overthink.
In no way would he pull you away from the conversation, at least not the same way Norton would. As your lover, he respects your decisions and relationships. Just don’t mind the slow slide towards your side of the table and the hand lingering over your fingertips. Squeeze his hand back, and we’re all good, you can carry on.
Regardless of whether someone interrupts your baking session or not, It is an incredibly enjoyable experience. The recipe will be followed to a T, you can count on your partner to take on that responsibility. If you pay close attention, you’ll notice how Victor attempts to plate the “worst” ones for himself. The pastries with uneven edges or a burnt bottom cannot be offered to you in his good conscience.
Make sure those are evenly split between the two of you, feeding your protesting lover a perfectly done piece. The postman will be so flustered at the gesture of you feeding him in public, he’ll forget completely what he was protesting about in the first place.
M. PLINIUS
This one right here. She is the perfect choice for baking together. I don’t know how you managed to bag someone as incredible as Melly but props to you.
Having grown up in poverty and later on married into wealth, she knows how to do it all. Cooking, cleaning, reading, baking – you name it, Miss Melly can probably do it. She has a slight preference for sweets as well, considering her breakfast choices and the fact that she keeps bees. Entomology is quite rewarding when you get to snack on honey from your test subjects.
I imagine It’s quite easy to find your lover busying herself in the manor’s greenhouse, slouched over another specimen of… whatever she is studying. Your proposal brings an immediate quirk to her lips which curl upwards in sheer delight. Melly is quick to offer some freshly collected honey as a healthier alternative to sugar. Of course, your heath is her priority, but getting to show off the efforts of her bees is a nice bonus.
She doesn’t necessarily rush to the oven though, unlike a certain postman… no. Melly has to finish up her tasks and tidy her working space first. Offer some help to make the time go by faster! She’ll be appreciative of your thoughtfulness and follow you to the kitchen – elbows interlocked.
Record-fast preparation for your batch of goods. She’s efficient, adaptable and co-operates well with your actions. Out of everyone mentioned in this post, a relationship with her is the healthiest – and it shows. You two are in-sync with each other, practically gliding across the kitchen like two swans on a pond’s surface. You do know swans bond for life, right?
Miss Entomologist is the epitome of elegance in everything: from thoughtfully brushing your hair out of the way – to whisking the egg whites to reach a perfect fluffy consistency. It’s not hard to tell how much she adores you, her love, her little bug. While reserved, she does not shy away from showcasing affection towards you. Expect the unexpected wrap of her arms around your waist as she whispers compliments through her veil. Don’t spill the batter now!
Quality time and acts of service are her strong suit when it comes to loving, so baking is the perfect way to showcase affection. She is understandably disappointed If someone was to interrupt your bonding time and snatch you away for a chat. It’s hard to notice, but you know her – the slightest tug of her lips downwards. You can only guess the look in her eyes under that veil, that only you ever get to see. Those are the fruits of Melly’s trust you get to reap.
Don’t take it the wrong way, she isn’t jealous in the slightest of your interaction. No, this lady is secure in her attachment and her trust in her lover. Does she appreciate that you cannot decorate the scones along with her because someone was itching to talk? That’s a different question.
If this certain someone was taking way too long than appropriate, then, she would gracefully insert herself in the conversation and ask them to leave. Politely, of course. This woman has a way with words and it is attractive to no end.
Once the delicious treat is served, settle into the secluded garden chairs along with her and a cup of steaming tea. She would spot a butterfly on top of a chrysanthemum and erupt into a passionate rant about this specific one’s traits. The lifespan, the importance to the environment. Please, make sure you listen carefully to this monologue. In moments like these your lover’s soul is bare to the touch. Handle it well.
Melly conceals her face specifically because she wants to be perceived for her intelligence – not her (stunning) appearance. However here, in the manor’s garden along with her most precious beloved, a honeyed scone in hand… it is no grave matter If her veils is lifted by the wind. She won’t rush to pin it down. Instead, you will get to see a sight reserved only for you – Melly’s affectionate eyes. Crinkled at the corners in a sincere smile, a smile that should be appreciated with the earnest of kisses from you.
Not really proofread! If you spot mistakes… oh well.
will you write something cuddly. plsplspls i want to hug ithaqua. or matthias. or luca. or finsen. i just like them. heart eyes
As a certified cuddle lover:it'd feel wrong to do just one so i'll do them all,i'm not super confident on this one since i was lowkey kinda tired writting these so please forgive my grammar mistakes i might've missed,and if i mischaracterize anybody make sure to let me know,hope you like these,anon!
Ithaqua doesn't mind cuddles all that much considering his environment,it's only natural you'd want to do that isn't it? You're cold and he's warm,he used to do that all the time with his mother in particularly cold nights so why do you look so flustered and nervous....? You think he's gonna eat you or something? contrary to what you might've heard about him from the villagers he is not in fact,a monster that eats humans in the forest,he just kills them.
He's pretty clingy actually,he's very touch starved nowdays and considering he even let you get this close he's probably attached enough to you to start looking forward to physical contact such as this,usually holding you tightly against his chest and resting his chin against your head,his hair will probably tickle the sides of your head fairly often if the wind manages to blow through the windows or any holes in the walls.
Funnily enough,he is pretty warm,even though it doesn't fit his aesthetic very much i do like to imagine ithaqua has pretty high body heat and cuddling him feels like hugging a mini heater,his neck is especially warm.
He has a pretty noticeable coppery smell to him from all the dry blood from both animals and humans that gets splattered on his clothes,he washes it off here and there but the smell lingers,if you spend enough time around him you do eventually get used to it.
He doesn't see your cuddle session as a necessarily romantic thing,like i said before he probably sees it as appropriate considering the temperature but that doesn't mean he doesn't look forward to it,if you live with him or visit him often he sort of just expects that out of you,one of his favorite things to do is snuggle with you next to a fire while hearing the sounds of the forest in the background since he never really got to have that kind of intimacy in a long time,platonic or romantic.
Luca is not clingy per say,but he is eager! as in:if he knows you like cuddles he'll pretty much just walk up to you and let himself lazyly fall into your arms,he doesn't tell you but it is very comforting for him to just lie down in your arms and feel you wrap them around him,he's been through a lot and while he's still a somewhat silly guy he does appreciate the moments where he can just relax and not think about anything,trying to be stable and productive in his current state can be pretty stressful you know?
So very much expect him to just fall in place and audibly sigh in relief before not so subtly nuzzling your neck or your cheek.
He doesn't weight a ton so it's mostly fine for him to do it,even if you're smaller than him at most he feels like a weighted blanket over you,unlike ithaqua he's about as warm as you'd expect him to be,nothing crazy but it gets pretty cozy after a while.
There's a good chance he forgot to take off his gloves and they still have a bit of motor oil in them and you'll catch some of it on your clothes but how can you be mad at him when he's this cute?
Finsen would awkward,he's hardly if ever gotten this specific kind of physical contact,at most he'd ruffle a kid's hair on an average day but that's about it.
Not to mention how cold and damp he feels to touch overall,he can't help but wonder why you'd want to cuddle with him to begin with.
But despite all that he'd never pass up a chance to snuggle up with you,at first he'd just stand there and awkwardly let you cling onto his torso,usually giving you a nervous half smile if you look at his face before eventually beginning to ruffle your hair(if you're bald he's gonna rub your bald head for good luck /j).
He's also quite fond of giving you forehead kisses and whispering sweet nothings to you to make sure you're comfortable.
Temperature wise,his actual body isn't particularly cold or warm,it's like slightly above room temperature and it grows hotter the longer you share body heat with him until he starts feeling like a heated pillow,as for his bacteria it feels damp and really cold and unless he hardens it it feels like slime and sometimes it reaches out to touch you,but it's harmless,just picture a really cold slimy substance extending little thin pointy bits and touching your arm repeatedly.
Like i said in some of my previous Matthias requests i kinda see him as a big of cuddle enjoyer? While he's pretty shy he's pretty eager to hold hands with you and give goodbye hugs if you're open to them.
And if you two are alone at home one of his favorite things to do is relax on his bed or his couch under a warm blanket and snuggle while reading a book he's recently picked up.
His favorite position for this specific scenario is the shorter one of the two being the little spoon and holding the book and turning the pages while the taller one peeks at it from the back,Matthias doesn't mind being in either role,just let him know if you start getting tired,he doesn't mind reading the rest of the book for you as a bedtime story until you properly fall asleep.
Matthias himself isn't very warm,but he wears pretty insulated clothes on the colder seasons so he ends up deceptively hot when you eventually end up cuddling with him,combine that with his cuddling habits and it creates a pretty relaxing vibe you know?
He has a subtle smell of flowers,most perfumes are too strong for his tastes so he puts on a very small amount of it to the point you can only really smell it when you're really close,you know that one perfume that someone's grandma uses that kinda smells like those purple flowers the bloom in spring? yeah that one,in other words matthias smells like a fancy grandma.
hai haiiiii can i pls request any 2 idv men (whoever you want) with a reader who faints from fear during a match?
Heyo! First of all, tysm for the ask!! It’s my first time doing this so srry in advance if it’s not what you expected 😭 I’m so so anxious but I really hope it’s not too bad, enjoy! (Also choose Norton and Luca cuz I love them both but if you wanted someone else feel free to tell me ^-^)
Norton Campbell and Luca Balsa with a reader who faints from fear in matches.
⋅•⋅⊰∙∘☽N O R T O N ☾∘∙⊱⋅•⋅
Norton is not a gentle guy—that much everyone, including himself, knew. He was used to fighting for the bare minimum, struggling among men just as desperate as him. He was used to being wary of others, attentive and alert, like people could fool him at any moment if he wasn’t sharp enough. The incident at the mine sure didn’t help—it shortened his temper even more, turning him into a ticking time bomb, ready to explode at the bare minimum.
When he first met you, it was—expectedly—not easy. You’d been liked by everyone ever since you arrived at the manor, open and bright like the shiniest star; the complete opposite of his harsh, gloomy demeanor. But if anyone knew that opposites attract—it was him.
You’d taken a liking to the Prospector despite his hard exterior, convinced that you wanted to know him—the real him—beneath that façade. It took time—probably longer than you’d liked. At first, he was avoidant. But your persistence became...almost pleasant. A gentle routine he learned to look forward to.
He’s not one to show affection easily, and he’s mostly big on acts of service, which is why he’s always keeping an eye on you, noticing even the smallest details when you’re not looking. Keeping you safe. Keeping you treasured.
He takes note of what you like, dislike—what you fear. He remembers those flowers you said you liked. Suddenly, they’re growing in the greenhouse just behind the manor.
Spider in your room? He’ll burn the whole place down if it means you’ll sleep soundly.
Most of all, he knows about your fear of being chased—ironic and inconvenient, considering the situation you’re in.
He knows how you panic easily just hearing that all-too-familiar heartbeat speeding up. Knows how your hands start to shake, how your mind fogs over. How your legs weaken. How your vision blurs. You have this habit—of fainting when it all gets too overwhelming.
But don’t worry. He’s got you.
His hands are firm but careful as they cradle you. He hushes you in a low voice, tucking you behind a big rock or the shell of an abandoned car.
“I’m here. You’re safe.”
Your heart slowly begins to return to its normal rhythm.
Norton shields your body, caressing your forehead with his callous hand.
“If they want to get you, they’ll have to get through me first. I’ve already lost too much to lose you too”. He’s got you—and you have nothing to fear.
⋅•⋅⊰∙∘☽L U C A☾∘∙⊱⋅•⋅
Luca gets lost in his own inventions. Lost as in a deep-dive, full-on hyperfocused — the kind where the world fades away and only blueprints, wires, and flowing abstract concepts seem to count. He doesn’t mean to ignore things, nevertheless you. He adores you, truly. You’re one of the few people at the manor who listens — really listens to his endless ramblings about circuits and gears. You’ve even tested a few of his inventions yourself- a shocking experience in all senses.
He’s glad he met you. You see him for more than just the genius inventor. Not as the prisoner. Not the broken prodigy. Just Luca — quirks, flaws, messy hair, lazy eyes and all.
"Last machine..." he muttered, his sharp canine just barely peeking out from his lip — the usual sign he’s buried deep in thought.
Suddenly you can hear heavy footsteps coming from the distance. The usual loud heartbeat pounds in your ears like drums.
"..."
“Hey? Don’t stand there! We need to finish this cipher before—” he chirped, not noticing the way your hands trembled as they hovered over the console.
Your fingers grasped the edges of the machine, desperately trying to anchor yourself to reality as you could feel yourself slipping away. Vision blurring. Breath coming out short.
“Hey? Hey—are you—?” He reached for your hand— Then everything went dark.
“Darling? Oh god—” Luca knelt beside you, holding your body in between his surprisingly steady arms.
“I thought i almost electrocuted you,” he stammered. “When I saw you pass out like that, I panicked and i messed up the machine and it exploded, and—”
He trailed off, running a hand through his hair, sighing loudly.
“I’m sorry.”
“Hey, hey, it’s okay. Don’t say that—don’t blame yourself,” you murmured, your voice warm.
His gaze softened as he gently pressed his gloved hand on your cheek. “It’s my fault. You know how I get with this tech stuff — I hyperfocus and forget the rest of the world even exists. I knew you had that fear. I should’ve noticed—how could I not notice sooner—” he kept rambling, more to himself than you.
You leaned up just enough to press a light kiss to his temple. “Luca. Stop spiraling. I’m okay. Really.”
He let out yet another long breath, chuckling slightly. “‘Aight... but maybe next time just tap my shoulder or— I don’t know—pull me out the spiral, ok?”
Tag: Luca x f!reader, Ganji x f!reader
Warning: grammar & spelling, swearing
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Prisoner - Luca Balsa
The atmosphere was tense, Luca’s body pressed against the tree as he tried to stay as quiet as possible. The hunter was nearby, and every second counted.
Suddenly, Luca felt someone grab him from behind, pulling him. His breath hitched in surprise, and his body tensed. Before he could fully comprehend what was happening, a light brush of fingers against his neck sent a shock through him. Reflexively, his shock ability activated.
A zap of electricity shot out from him, hitting whoever had pulled him. You yelped, jerking back, but there was amusement in your eyes as you stared at him, a smirk already spreading on your lips. "Kinky~" You said, voice dripping with sarcasm as you rubbed your arm where the zap had hit.
Luca blinked, now fully aware of your presence. Face flushed, his eyes widened for a moment, clearly still processing the shock and the fact that he hadn’t seen you approaching.
"What?" He stammered, a little too caught off guard. He cleared his throat, trying to regain his composure. "What was that for?"
"Well hello to you too." You replied, acting entirely too innocent. "Just checking in on my favorite decoder. Didn’t think you’d shock me."
For a moment, you thought he was about to yell at you, but before he could say another word, you quickly covered his mouth with your hand. His breath caught in his throat as your body pressed even closer to him.
"Shh." You whispered, voice hushed but urgent. His heart started racing as the sound of footsteps echoed in the distance. The hunter was near. His pulse quickened, and the warmth of your body against his heightened senses.
Luca froze, his face turning even more red as his entire body stiffened under your touch. He could hear your steady breathing, feel your chest rise and fall against him, but all he could focus on was the proximity. His shock ability buzzed under his skin, but he couldn’t dare use it now, not with the hunter so close.
You kept your body low, careful not to make a sound. Every muscle in Luca’s body screamed to move, but he was paralyzed, knowing that a single wrong move could betray both of you. His hand, still hovering on the tree, twitched, but he held it still.
The sound of footsteps grew faint as the hunter passed by, and you stole a quick glance. Luca’s face was flushed, but his gaze remained locked on you, almost mesmerized by your proximity.
You pulled away slowly, grin never fading. "That was close, huh?" Your voice is light but still laced with playful mischief.
Luca cleared his throat, his face still flushed as he tried to hide the effect you had on him. "…too close." He muttered, still a little flustered, but the tension in his shoulders started to ease.
You chuckled, the mischievous glint in your eyes never fading. "Oh baby, not as close as I'm about to–"
Suddenly, the sound of another survivor hitting the ground echoed through the air. "Fuck," You hissed under your breath. You quickly bolted away, your full health makes you the only one who could rescue them now.
He didn't waste time, focusing on the cipher again, his fingers tapping lightly against the machine. But if you’re here, you could see the way his hand trembled just a bit. Maybe, the hunter's presence wasn’t the only thing that had his heart racing.
Batter - Ganji Gupta
Pain throbbed through your body as the hunter slung you over their shoulder like a sack of potatoes. You groaned, hanging there helplessly, dirt smudging your cheek as you muttered dryly. "Welp. Guess this is how I die. Tragic, really."
The hunter didn’t care, of course. They just tightened their grip and kept moving toward the nearest rocket chair. You let your head loll back, staring at the sky, already mentally preparing yourself for the worst.
Crack.
A sharp noise split the air. A blur whipped past your line of vision, fast and clean. The hunter staggered with a snarl, hit square by a cricket ball.
Your eyes blinked wide just in time to see him. Ganji. Calm. Steady. Absolutely not someone you expected to appear like some action hero.
The hunter reeled, momentarily stunned. And that was all the time Ganji needed. With quick, precise steps, he was at your side, bat raised and gaze sharp. "Hold on." He said, like it was the simplest thing in the world.
Before you could even respond, he caught your wrist and yanked you from the ground, setting you steady on your feet behind him. The electricity of adrenaline crackled through your skin, your heart hammering, stared at his back as he squared up to the hunter again, bat ready.
"Run!" He ordered firmly without looking back.
"Damn…." You whispered to yourself, breathless.
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The escape was messy, the hunter wasn’t happy about losing their first chase. But between Ganji’s precise hits and your very motivated running, you both made it to the exit gate, bruised but alive.
Ganji worked at the gate, his brows furrowed in quiet concentration, muscles tense as he forced the mechanism to budge. The distant sound of the hunter still lingered behind you both, but honestly? Your heart was racing for a whole other reason.
After all… he did just save your ass like it was nothing.
You leaned casually against the gate frame, nursing your wounds with a grin that refused to leave. "You know…" Your voice broke the silence, smooth and teasing "If you wanted to sweep me off my feet, Ganji, you could’ve just asked."
No response.
Figures.
Didn’t matter. You were already committed.
"I mean, really. Outta nowhere, bat swing, perfect timing, snatched me like I was worth a hundred points." You clicked your tongue in mock thought. "What even are we~?"
This time his hands did pause briefly on the gate handle. Ganji finally glanced your way briefly. His expression stayed neutral.
You couldn’t help but chuckle. "Aw, c’mon, I’m complimenting you here. Saving me and being all mysterious about it? Dangerous combo." You paused, glancing at him sideways.
Ganji cut his eyes back to the gate, unimpressed but undeniably listening. He muttered, rough. "You talk too much."
You grinned like you just scored a win. "And yet… you keep listening."
That earned you a low huff, could’ve been a laugh if he let it.
As the gate gave its final creak, Ganji stepped aside to let you through, silent as ever. But before walking past him, you leaned in just enough to murmur. "At least buy me dinner first~"
"Get out."
"Ouch." You said dramatically. "Wounding me deeper than the hunter ever could."
That earned you a sharp exhale through his nose. He definitely sped up his pace toward the exit like he was trying to outwalk your nonsense. But you didn’t miss the slight pink dusting his ears as he turned away.
Gosh, maybe you’d keep getting down on purpose if it meant getting saved like that again.
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Picture: from Identity V official (not me)
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Hello, I have to change the scenario cause it didn't fit in these two characters I wanna write. I hope you don't mind.
Hello, I am the man boob requester, I enjoyed it very much! You’ve reminded me the existence of bane, I forgot how much I loved him.
This time I would like to request something less on crack-ish; idv characters of your choice with a freakishly quiet reader who makes a small noise to announce their presence whenever they enter a room to not freak people out pls.
My cat does this and it’s the cutest thing ever..
🎨⚓📣⛓️📍🖋️🏈
🎨 Edgar - "Stop doing that." He finds it weird and unnecessary. A proper excuse me would suffice. As a result, you start skipping your greetings altogether, only to discover that Edgar is surprisingly easy to spook. A few poorly-stifled heart attacks later he demands you go back to announcing yourself.
⚓ Jose lifts an inquisitive brow. "What was that, love?" When you repeat the sound, he tests it on his own tongue, as if trying to recognize the language. Then he smiles at you, snapping as it dawns on him: "Aha! But of course—modern balderdash. A beautiful language, one all the more enchanting on your sweet lips."
📣 Lily totally hijacks it. Just from the few times you make that sound, she adopts it into her daily hello's. She's much more talkative than you are, so she's usually the one that comes trotting in to visit you rather than the other way around. Guess it's hers now! At least she only uses it with you.
⛓️ Luca tends to lose himself in his work, drowning out all other sounds. It's easy to sneak up on him. He tunes out your little greeting the first few times you use it, and even now he still misses it sometimes. He starts responding with a small noise of his own to let you know he's heard you.
📍 Matthias spends a long time trying to decipher the meaning behind it. Some days he wonders if it's a signal to someone else, that he's being tracked in some way. One day he finds himself in a position where he's not sure how to catch someone's attention, and suddenly your small voice floats up in his head. All of a sudden it clicks. You won't mind him borrowing it just this once, right?
🖋️ Orpheus won't comment on it directly, but he does notice. He picks up on every little thing you do. He returns your greetings as he would anyone else, maybe giving you a nickname based on the sound, like little mouse or dove. The sound is endearing but unusual enough that he thinks about it often... You'll never get to hear his thoughts about it though.
🏈 William takes to this super quickly. For him, your quiet chirp is not so much a warning but a very welcome greeting. Whether he's working on something or mid-conversation, his face lights up like clockwork the moment he hears it. He'll glance around with a smile tugging at his lips until he spots you, where it blooms into a huge grin.
Meowdy, Yoshi would like HCs where Reader returns from a match after being bled out and degraded by a cruel hunter and gets comforted by their survivor S/O!!!! (Specifically Luca, Frederick, and Victor).
hello yoshi :) and happy birthday, yay! 🎂 a special treat for you! some headcanons + a little extra smth to go with each one.
CW: mean hunters, perverted hunters, slight degredation, idv bleeding out
After a rough match against “Fool’s Gold”, who doesn't typically bleed out survivors but found you to be a special case when you are just so endearing trying to crawl away from him, Luca would try to lighten the mood, offer a little physical comfort, try to make you smile or laugh. He doesn't always know how to handle serious feelings and situations…
The last thing you remember before waking back up in the manor is the booming sound of footsteps, and “Fool’s Gold’s” cruel laughter as he looms over your prone form trying your best to crawl your way out of the gate.
You wince as you blink your eyes open, skull pounding. Waking up from bleeding out in a match was different from being sent back via rocket chair, always slower to wake, feeling stiff and cold and drained-
“Oh-! You’re finally awake!” You’re startled, not realizing you weren't alone in the room, but quickly relaxing when you recognize Luca’s voice, “It took you longer… one of those, huh?”
You force yourself to sit up, holding your head as you look at him, he’s offering you a smile as if trying to brighten your mood, but you can sense his worry.
“Mm… yeah, it was that “Fool’s Gold” guy… I swear he doesn't normally do stuff like that but…”
You hesitate, feeling a bit embarrassed, “He was totally weird about it.”
You mutter awkwardly, letting Luca sit next to you on the bed. You lean your head against his shoulder with a sigh, feeling the headache start to fade.
“Weird? Weird how?” Luca asks, antsy hands instantly pulling you into his lap, always itching for more contact.
“He was saying stuff like, ‘pathetic survivors like you are real cute, tryin’ to crawl away’.” You say, trying to mock the grovelly voice of the hunter, puppeting your hand at the same time.
Luca is quiet for a moment. Just when you’re about to fill the awkward silence, he speaks up,
“Well, you probably are all cute, helpless on the grou- ow!” Before he can finish his sentence, you reach your hand up and flick the side of his head, effectively cutting him off. Still though, you can't help the smile that spreads across your face…
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Violinist thinks lowly of most survivors, he doesn't like losing but he doesn't always put in the effort to win… that being said survivors get cocky, and given the opportunity he doesn't hesitate to humble them… after being bled out by Violinist, Frederick is understanding, he listens, letting you speak and get it all off your chest before offering any comfort if you so wish. His comfort is always gentle and heartfelt, nothing but genuine from him.
“It wasn’t even my fault! It would have been a win…” you groan, explaining to Fredrick why your match took so long.
“What kind of idiot goes to detention rescue? With no tide-turner either?” You pace, and Fredrick just nods along, letting you rant,
“They got downed by his string music, too! So he had a free hit on me once I was off chair! You should have seen it Fredrick, he was laughing and rambling the whole time I was bleeding out- mocking me as if I fumbled and made some huge mistake…”
Leaning against the wall, you let out a huff of air, combing back your hair back from your face with your fingers. You take a moment, bringing your gaze to look at where Fredrick sat on the edge of your bed, patiently listening to you. You let your gaze drop, feeling slightly embarrassed over your outburst,
“Darling, come here, won't you?” He offers, his beautiful voice mellow and calm, and you oblige, walking over and standing before him. He reaches up towards your face to turn your gaze to face him again, smiling softly when your gaze meets his, “You did what you could. What matters is you’re safe and here with me now.”
The way he speaks… you could melt on the spot, genuine care and affection in his voice. You can't help but lean into his palm, placing your hands over his where he cups your cheeks… You wish you could stay in this moment forever.
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Everyone else had made it out... except for you. It was a wound to Photographer's ego, so he threw a fit and bled you out, painfully and horribly just beside the dungeon, taunting how they all left you behind, so close to freedom but unable to reach it. Victor is very physically comforting, he doesn't always know what to say, but he can hold you, whisper to you that he is there and that he loves you and he won't let go until you’re ready.
You had been uncharacteristically quiet since awaking in the manor- your team had tried to apologize, guilty, awkward glances, but it couldn't change what happened. You;d never been bled out before, and to be bled out by one of the more sadistic hunters…
You could still hear the Photographer muttering how they left you without even looking back once. So lost in thought, you dont notice Victor approach until you feel someone's touch against your back. It makes you tense, but you quickly relax upon looking at his face. He’s worried but relieved to be next to you.
Without hesitation, you bury your face against him, hugging him tightly, and he curls himself around you, hugging you back, petting your hair, and burying his face against your neck. You both stay like that for a moment before Victor sits himself down, pulling you with him, and you cling to his coat.
Neither of you needs to say anything, so it's silent for a while, only tightly holding one another. Your body slowly relaxes, a shuddering breath escaping you as you’re enveloped by him.
“I was worried about you,” his words are hushed. He doesn't look at you as he speaks, but you don't need him to, his breath tickling your skin.
“I’m sorry…” you mutter, feeling guilty for scaring him, but he only chuckles, giving you a squeeze and shaking his head, there was no reason for you to be sorry… Its comfortable as you both fall into silence once more, soon enough you both find yourselves asleep in each other's arms, the only thing to wake you is Wick deciding to join in on the cuddles.
with a respectful dip of the head, she pulls her chair out, taking a seat in front of the individual. a participant in the infamous manor games — curiosity can’t help but lead her to chase answers, and here she is, trying to drain every last drop of information.
a rare opportunity at an interview like this needs to take as much as it can get, after all. nothing is left impossible, and so in her research, some questions draw unique reactions. these questions are noted down in her notebook.
“furthermore, (name), is it true you knew or engaged with y/n? what is, or was your relationship with them?
“ain’t got anythin’ to do with you,” norton huffed, demeanour shifting — the boy in front of her was already visibly grumpy, nothing unexpected from mr. campbell. however, at the mention of you, his eyes narrowed further, and he scoffed. “your attention is on me, yeah? so keep your head in your own damn business.” a defensive response which leaves no room to question further. she nods her head, clearing her throat and deciding to move on to a new topic. clearly, the mention of your name was a touchy subject on his part.
florians toothy grin widens at the mention of your name, a spark igniting in his almost bored expression, running a hand through his ashy blonde curls as he now audibly thinks with a ‘hummm’ sound. drawing out his prolonged thinking, probably to be annoying, he finally spoke after what felt like forever. “thats a surprising question! i definitely wasn’t expecting it,” a brief laugh escapes his lips, and she tenses up at his lack of response. still smiling, he places a hand on his chest, feigning hurt at the stern expression they show. “it wounds me that you think i wouldn’t give you an answer,” he tilted his head, leaning up against the table. “its true we got along, and who knows? maybe what you ask is true, maybe we were more than friends, maybe not. believe it or not, i’m not quite sure myself!” she sighs, nodding along to his .. confusingly discreet words. mr. brand was a relatively secretive guy regarding his personal life, so it was difficult to expect much in the first place.
“… what about them?” naibs body stiffens at the mention of you, but there is no change in the way he speaks. shifting in his seat, he furrows his eyebrows, body language reflecting one of strong emotion, even if his face remained blank. perhaps he noticed his body growing restless and obvious, because he cleared his throat to advert their attention to his words instead. “my relationship with other manor participants, or people in general, is … a concern only for myself.” he avoided naming you directly, however its clear he hoped to shift the topic back away from you. she complied with this unspoken request, moving on.
richard already had a growing disinterest in the interview, answers filled with indirect riddles and a hint of boredom, however at the mention of you, his expression shifted to one of amusement. “oh, them?” he chimes, arms crossed firmly as he leans back against the chair. it seemed he finally had some sort of interest reflected in his body language. “i’m their knight in shining armour of course, as i am for everyone else: but we’ve had more encounters, and perhaps the relationship i share with with my little princess does expand beyond the border of friendship. after all, i’m the light that saved them, it’d be impossible to not feel drawn toward that.” a much more tangible answer from the boy, which gives off the impression he wants to show off your dependence on him and his reliability as a quote on quote knight.
mike tilts his head, a curious look interrupting his wide grin as his mouth forms an o. within seconds, he regains his composure, and he smiles. “oh? hehe, wouldn’t you like to know, thats secret!” he teased, clasping his hands together as his normal smile returned. she responded to his joke with silence and a blank expression, which led him to speaking again. “not one for jokes? what a tragedy, but okaaay, okay! i won’t lie~ my feelings for them are overwhelming! like a bottle thats about to burst! they mean a lot to me, super-duper similar to how i feel about the hullabaloo, ya’know? i found a home with them,” he pauses, watching their attentive gaze shift to the notebook in front of them. the answer was direct, as expected from mr. morton, and got the point across. “how about that! happy with that answer, ms. interviewer?” she nods, which seems to satisfy the blonde boy, and with a smile leads to him swapping topics as quick as can be. noted.
luca had been fidgeting with a gadget for almost the entirety of the conversation, until at the mention of your name, his fingers stop, attention evidently attracted by the way he lifted his head in curiosity. “y/n…,” he echoed your name in a mutter, eyes flickering back to the device in hand. “i guess thats true.” he mumbled, shifting in his seat. she tilts her head in confusion at his answer, but the boy doesn’t seem to notice. “could you explain what you mean?” she asks politely, and the boy shakes his head. “i dun’no, they.. liked my work. so.. we talked a bit.” an answer that explained so little, and she sighed in response, nodding.
“my dearest!” emmas response is quick at the mention of your name, almost instinctive, clasping her hands together eagerly. she tilts her head at her unexpected enthusiasm. “are you close?” she takes the opportunity to ask, and emma nods in response. “well of course thats the case! we’d talk about many aspects of the beauty of nature, and eventually, our bond blossomed,” she hummed. “we put our heart and soul into caring for each other, so its only natural we’d be close.” she nods along to the gardeners words, listening as she politely goes on about you, not venturing into detail however not leaving room for uncertainty with her answers.
writing practice — concept inspiration taken from this post, however i got lazy so i’m posting it unfinished.
