𑁍ࠬܓ ͏ ͏IF YOU IGNORED THEIR "I LOVE YOU"
PREMISE . . . In which you decide to tease your lover by withholding your usual “I love you” before leaving to see how they'd react and what they would do if they noticed the sudden change. ꫂ᭪݁ ﹕ STARRING . . . varka, dottore, pantalone, neuvilette, flins, venti, lyney, lohen (in order)
⚠︎ WARNING . . . › sfw!!, established relationship, fluff, teasing, hugs, kisses, clinginess, misunderstanding, brief worrying, playful banter
note . was gonna add more genshin men but this is already quite long um,, hope you all enjoy this piece! <3
── ( 𝒗. ) Varka would notice the missing 'I love you' almost immediately, but instead of looking genuinely bothered, he'd first give you a knowing look as though he'd already figured out exactly what you were doing.
You'd give him your usual goodbye, perhaps gathering your things and stepping toward the door, only for him to call after you with a low laugh. "That's all I'm getting?" He'd watch you turn around with an innocent expression, clearly waiting for you to admit what you'd done, but you'd simply ask what he meant.
Varka would fold his arms across his chest and grin, shaking his head as though he couldn't believe you were actually going to commit to the act. "Oh, come on. Don't tell me you've suddenly forgotten our little routine." He'd probably imitate the way you usually say it back to him just to make his point, his amusement growing when you continued pretending you had no idea what he was talking about.
Rather than immediately demanding the words, he'd let you enjoy your little joke for a while, approaching you and leaning against the doorway and watching you with that patient, entertained expression of his. You'd get a few steps away before he'd eventually call you back again, his voice carrying that unmistakable teasing warmth.
"You're really going to make me spell it out, aren't you?" When you still refused, he'd finally push himself away from the doorway and stroll over, slipping an arm comfortably around your shoulders as though he'd decided that letting you leave was no longer an option. "You know, I could simply let you go, but then I'd spend the entire day wondering why my favorite farewell suddenly disappeared." He'd give your shoulder a gentle squeeze, clearly far more amused than offended, and when you finally laughed and admitted you were only teasing him, he'd shake his head with a deep chuckle. "Cruel. Absolutely cruel. I leave you alone for five minutes and suddenly you've decided to test me."
Even after you'd confessed that you were joking, Varka wouldn't let you off quite that easily. He'd keep you tucked against his side for another moment, looking down at you with an exaggeratedly wounded expression before the grin returned. "You know, I was beginning to think I'd somehow forgotten something important."
He'd probably laugh at himself for having 'fallen' for it, but the fact that he'd noticed immediately would make it obvious how deeply ingrained your little routine had become.
His affection would be easy and unselfconscious, the sort that showed itself through a hand resting warmly on your shoulder, an arm around your waist, or a quick kiss against your forehead before finally allowing you to go.
Still, just as you reached the door again, he'd stop you with one last amused reminder. "Now, before you go, there's something you're supposed to say." He'd raise his eyebrows expectantly, waiting with exaggerated patience while you tried to make him say it first. Varka would eventually laugh and shake his head. "I'm not doing all the work here."
Once you finally gave in and told him you loved him, his entire expression would immediately brighten into that broad, unmistakable grin. "There we go. Much better."
He'd give you one last affectionate squeeze before releasing you, perhaps watching you walk away with his arms folded and that satisfied look still on his face. And naturally, the moment you glanced back, he'd call after you one final time just to have the last word. "Love you too, troublemaker. Try not to forget next time."
── ( 𝒅. ) Dottore would notice immediately, though his reaction would be far more restrained than the others. You'd give him your usual goodbye, perhaps already halfway through gathering your things and turning toward the door, but when you failed to return his usual declaration, his eyes would follow you with quiet, deliberate attention.
He wouldn't say anything at first. He'd simply watch for a few seconds, almost as though he were waiting to see whether you'd realize your mistake yourself.
When you continued toward the door without a second thought, he'd finally call your name in that calm, measured tone of his. "You're forgetting something." You'd pause and look back at him with an innocent expression, asking what you could possibly have forgotten, and he'd give you the faintest, knowing smile. "Don't insult my intelligence, my dear."
There'd be no uncertainty in his expression, he'd already figured out exactly what you were doing. Rather than immediately approaching you, he'd remain where he was, watching you with an almost amused patience as you continued pretending that you had absolutely no idea what he meant.
He'd let the silence stretch for a moment, perhaps even returning to whatever he'd been doing as though he weren't particularly concerned, but his attention would remain fixed on you.
Eventually, he'd set aside whatever was in his hands and approach at an unhurried pace, stopping in front of you before you could actually leave. "You normally say it back." His tone would remain composed, almost clinical, but there'd be a subtle amusement underneath it, especially when he noticed the smile you were trying to hide. You'd insist that you hadn't forgotten anything, and he'd simply raise an eyebrow. "Is that so?" He'd study your expression for another second before adding, "Then I suppose this is merely a coincidence." The dry sarcasm would make it obvious that he wasn't buying your act for even a moment.
Once you finally admitted that you were deliberately teasing him, Dottore would let out a quiet laugh and shake his head, looking at you with the sort of patient disbelief reserved for someone who had knowingly created a completely unnecessary problem.
"How childish." He'd say it almost dismissively, but there would be no real irritation behind it. In fact, the amusement in his expression would give him away. He'd still make absolutely certain you didn't leave without finishing the little ritual you'd interrupted, though he wouldn't simply demand the words.
Instead, he'd stand there with his hands folded behind his back, looking entirely content to wait you out. The longer you refused, the more entertained he'd become, as though he'd decided the situation had transformed into a battle of patience and he had every intention of winning.
After a while, he might reach out and gently catch your hand before you could turn away again, his thumb brushing once over your knuckles as he looked at you. "You were rather enthusiastic about it yesterday. What has changed?" When you finally laughed and told him you loved him, the satisfaction on his face would be subtle but unmistakable.
His expression would soften into the smallest smile, and he'd give your hand a quiet squeeze before finally allowing you to go. "There. I knew you hadn't suddenly forgotten." You'd probably tease him afterward, pointing out that he'd clearly been waiting for you to say it and had been far more bothered by the missing words than he wanted to admit.
Dottore would simply give you an amused look, completely unwilling to surrender the point. "I merely dislike inconsistencies." He'd pause at the doorway, gaze lingering on you for another moment before adding with deliberate casualness, "Particularly when they concern me." Then he'd finally step aside and let you leave, wearing that faintly satisfied smile that made it painfully obvious he'd gotten exactly what he'd wanted.
── ( 𝒑. ) Pantalone would notice the missing words almost immediately, but he'd handle it with the kind of composed amusement that made it difficult to tell whether he'd been genuinely caught off guard at all.
You'd give him your usual goodbye, perhaps straightening your clothes and gathering whatever you needed before turning toward the door, only for him to pause behind you with a quiet, thoughtful hum.
"Hmm." He'd let the silence linger just long enough for you to wonder whether he'd actually noticed before adding, "That's an unusually incomplete farewell." You'd glance back at him with an innocent expression and pretend not to understand, and his lips would curl into a knowing smile. "Don't worry. I'll give you another opportunity."
Rather than immediately stopping you, he'd allow you to continue toward the door, watching you with that calm, entertained expression as though he'd already decided exactly how this little game would end.
You'd make it several steps before his voice followed you again, smooth and unhurried. "You seem to be forgetting something rather important." Still refusing to give in, you'd probably insist that you hadn't forgotten anything at all, prompting him to give a quiet laugh.
"Is that so?" He'd let you continue pretending for another moment, clearly enjoying how determined you were to maintain the act. Then, he'd approach you himself, not with any urgency but with the effortless confidence he carried in nearly everything he did.
Rather than confronting you directly, he'd casually straighten the collar of your clothing, adjust your coat, or smooth some small wrinkle from your sleeve as though his only concern were making sure you were properly prepared to leave.
His fingers would linger for just a moment before he looked at you with an amused glint. "You really are going to make me ask, aren't you?" The entire exchange would feel less like an argument and more like a private game between the two of you, with Pantalone perfectly content to let you keep teasing him until you finally gave yourself away.
Once you finally admitted that you were deliberately withholding the words just to tease him, Pantalone's expression would soften into a quiet, almost victorious smile. "Ah, so that's what you've been doing." Rather than insisting that you say it immediately, he'd simply shake his head and give you a look that said he'd already forgiven you.
He'd take your things from you, perhaps fixing the strap of your bag or making sure you'd remembered everything before you left, all while occasionally glancing back at you with unmistakable amusement. "You know, for someone in such a hurry to leave, you've certainly managed to delay yourself."
The teasing would continue naturally until the two of you were standing at the doorway, and only then would he lean against the frame and look at you expectantly. He wouldn't ask you to repeat the words because he needed reassurance, he'd simply enjoy watching you finally break character and admit defeat.
The moment you told him you loved him, his smile would widen, and he'd give a small, satisfied nod as though you'd finally reached the obvious conclusion of the game. "There you are." He'd brush a single strand of your hair behind your ear before pressing a brief kiss to your forehead, then step aside to let you pass.
"Now go. Before you decide to torment me again." As you walked away, he'd probably call after you with one final remark, his voice carrying that effortless amusement. "And for the record, you weren't nearly as convincing as you thought you were."
── ( 𝒏. ) Neuvilette would initially assume you had simply forgotten, because the change in your usual farewell would be so unexpected that he wouldn't immediately suspect you were deliberately teasing him.
You'd give him your customary goodbye, perhaps already turning toward the door and gathering your things, and he'd respond with the same calm warmth he always did. Only after a brief pause would he realize that something was missing.
His gaze would follow you for a moment, his expression becoming subtly thoughtful as he replayed the exchange in his mind. "You have forgotten something." You'd stop and look back at him, genuinely innocent as you asked what you could possibly have forgotten, and he'd give you a slightly puzzled look before gently reminding you of the words you normally exchanged before you left.
"You usually say it back." There would be no accusation in his voice, only quiet certainty. When you continued pretending that you had no idea what he meant, he'd study your expression a little longer, eventually noticing the faint amusement you were trying to hide. That would be when understanding finally dawned on him.
His expression would soften, and the smallest smile would appear. "I see. So that was intentional." Rather than becoming embarrassed or trying to force the words from you, he'd simply accept the situation with remarkable patience. He'd let you continue toward the door, perhaps watching you gather your things with an almost amused fondness, before calmly adding, "If you are attempting to tease me, I must admit that it has been rather effective." You'd probably laugh and insist that you hadn't done anything, only for him to raise an eyebrow slightly.
"Of course." The quiet skepticism in his voice would make it obvious that he knew perfectly well what you were doing. Even so, he wouldn't make a fuss. He'd simply remain nearby, allowing the playful silence to stretch while making no attempt to hide the fact that he was waiting for you to finish the little game you'd started.
When you were genuinely about to leave, Neuvillette would call your name once more. There would be something almost gently expectant in his voice now, though he still wouldn't sound demanding. "Before you go." He'd approach you with his usual composed grace, perhaps reaching for your hand and holding it between both of his for a moment.
His thumb would rest lightly against your knuckles while he looked at you with that patient expression, as though he were perfectly willing to stand there for as long as necessary.
The teasing would probably become difficult to maintain once you saw how quietly amused he was by the entire situation, and eventually you'd give in and tell him that you loved him. The faintest smile would immediately appear on his face, subtle but unmistakably genuine.
"Thank you. That is what I was waiting to hear." He'd give your hand a gentle squeeze before releasing it, perhaps leaning forward to press a brief kiss to your forehead before finally allowing you to leave.
Once you admitted that you'd only been teasing him, he'd give you a quietly amused look, the sort that carried far more affection than reproach. "Then I shall remember this the next time you are in a hurry to leave." There'd be no actual threat behind the words, only a rare hint of playful teasing from someone who was usually so formal.
── ( 𝐟. ) Flins would notice the missing words quickly, but his reaction would be much quieter and more understated than someone who would immediately call you back or make a dramatic fuss about it.
You'd give him your usual goodbye, already turning toward the door and gathering your things, and he'd remain still for a moment after you finished speaking, his eyes following you with a faintly puzzled expression. Something about the farewell would feel incomplete, and he'd quietly replay it in his head before finally looking at you.
"You're not saying it today?" You'd pause and turn around with an innocent expression, asking what he meant, and he'd give you a long, almost unreadable look. At first, he'd genuinely seem unsure whether you'd forgotten or simply changed your mind, but the faint amusement in your expression would eventually give you away.
His eyes would narrow just slightly before a small, knowing smile appeared. "So that's how it is." He'd understand immediately that you were deliberately withholding the words just to see what he'd do. Rather than rushing after you, he'd remain where he was for another moment, leaning casually against the nearest wall or piece of furniture while watching you prepare to leave.
"You know exactly what you're doing." His voice would remain calm, though there'd be a subtle teasing edge to it now. You'd probably continue pretending not to understand, and he'd simply shake his head with a quiet sigh, almost amused by how committed you were to the joke.
He'd let you take another few steps toward the door, watching with patient attention before eventually pushing himself away from the wall and following at an unhurried pace.
By the time you reached the doorway, he'd gently catch your hand, stopping you without force. "Wait." His fingers would settle comfortably around yours, and he'd look at you with that same restrained little smile. He wouldn't even have to say what he wanted anymore; the silence between you would make it obvious.
He'd hold your hand for a moment, his thumb moving once across your knuckles while he waited for you to finally break character. The longer you tried to maintain your innocent expression, the more amused he'd become, though he wouldn't tease you excessively about it.
Eventually, you'd laugh and admit that you were only messing with him, and Flins would give a quiet exhale that sounded almost like relief mixed with amusement. "I thought so." He'd look down at your joined hands for a moment before meeting your eyes again.
"You seem to really enjoy making things difficult for me." Even then, he wouldn't pressure you to say the words. He'd simply stay there, still holding your hand, until you finally told him that you loved him. The corners of his mouth would lift into a small, genuine smile.
"There it is." His grip would tighten briefly around your hand before he finally let you go, perhaps giving your fingers one last affectionate squeeze. He'd step aside to let you leave, but there'd be a quiet warmth lingering in his expression that made it obvious he'd enjoyed the entire exchange despite himself.
Just before you walked through the doorway, he'd add one last understated remark, his tone carrying the faintest hint of playful reproach. "Don't make a habit of leaving things unfinished." Then he'd watch you go, returning to whatever he'd been doing with the same composed demeanor as before, except for the small smile that would probably remain on his face for a while afterward.
── ( 𝐯. ) Venti would notice immediately and turn the whole thing into an exaggerated tragedy, because there was absolutely no chance he'd let such an obvious opportunity for theatrics pass him by.
You'd give him your usual goodbye, already halfway through the doorway, but without returning his familiar "I love you more," and he'd suddenly go completely still behind you. His eyes would widen as though you'd just delivered the most devastating news imaginable, one hand slowly rising to his chest.
"Oh? That's it?" He'd stare after you in exaggerated disbelief, looking genuinely wounded for precisely long enough to make you wonder whether he'd actually fallen for it. "My beloved has abandoned me without even saying those three little words?" You'd probably turn around laughing, insisting that you hadn't done anything, and Venti would immediately follow you with an increasingly dramatic string of complaints. "How cruel! How could you do this to poor little old me?" He'd trail after you as though he'd been personally betrayed, sighing dramatically and shaking his head while claiming that he'd clearly been forgotten after all this time.
The more you tried to suppress your laughter, the more ridiculous he'd become, perhaps clutching at his chest and announcing that he might never recover from such heartbreak.
When you finally tried to escape through the doorway again, he'd catch your hand and give you a playful twirl back toward him, grinning the moment you stumbled into him.
"Ah-ah, not so fast." He'd hold onto your hand for another moment, looking at you with a mischievous sparkle in his eyes. "You can't simply leave me with an unfinished farewell. That's terribly unfair!"
The moment you finally admitted that you were teasing him, Venti's entire wounded expression would vanish as though someone had flipped a switch, replaced by a delighted grin. "Ah, so that's what this is!" He'd laugh, shaking his head as though he'd just discovered the trick you'd been playing from the beginning.
Rather than being offended, he'd seem almost impressed that you'd managed to catch him off guard, though he'd immediately decide that meant you owed him compensation for the emotional devastation he'd supposedly endured.
"Then I'm afraid you'll have to make it up to me." He'd lean closer with a playful smile, looking up at you expectantly. You'd probably laugh and tell him that he was being ridiculous, only for him to insist that his suffering had been very real and very tragic.
"Do you have any idea how difficult it is to survive such heartbreak?" He'd sigh dramatically before breaking into another laugh. Eventually, you'd give in and finally tell him you loved him, and the satisfaction on his face would be immediate.
"There it is! My three favorite words from my favorite person!" He'd brighten as though he'd just won some grand victory, squeezing your hand before pulling you into a quick, warm hug. "Much better. Now I can let you go without spending the next hour composing a sad ballad about your betrayal."
He'd probably make a show of wiping away an imaginary tear before finally releasing you, only to call after you once more as you started walking away. "And don't think I didn't notice what you did!"
── ( 𝒍. ) Lyney would notice instantly and would never let you get away with deliberately skipping the part of your usual farewell he liked most. You'd say goodbye and start walking away without returning his familiar declaration, and he'd freeze dramatically behind you as though he'd just witnessed some terrible betrayal.
"Oh?" He'd place a hand over his heart, staring after you with exaggerated disbelief. "Was that really all you had to say before leaving me?" You'd probably turn around with an innocent expression and ask what he meant, only for him to follow you with that dramatically wounded look, his voice becoming increasingly theatrical as he insisted that something was clearly missing.
"I must have misunderstood. I could've sworn you normally say something very important right about now." He'd give you a suspicious little glance, already knowing perfectly well that you were teasing him, but he'd play along anyway. He might even sigh dramatically and shake his head as though trying to accept his tragic fate. "Perhaps I've simply become forgettable. How unfortunate." The more you tried to hide your laughter, the more exaggerated he'd become, following you toward the doorway while continuing his ridiculous complaints.
Eventually, he'd step neatly in front of the door before you could leave, wearing that playful smile that made it obvious he was having far too much fun with the situation. "Surely you wouldn't abandon your poor boyfriend without a proper farewell?"
He'd tilt his head, watching you expectantly, and when you continued refusing to give in, he'd let out an exaggerated sigh. "Very well. I'll simply wait." He'd cross his arms and stand there with remarkable patience, perfectly willing to turn your little joke into an entire game of who could hold out longer.
The moment you finally laughed and admitted that you were only teasing him, Lyney's wounded expression would immediately disappear, replaced by a bright, satisfied grin. He'd shake his head fondly, looking at you as though he'd just caught you red-handed. "You really do enjoy tormenting me, don't you?"
He'd step closer, but rather than immediately demanding the missing words, he'd simply look at you with an amused, expectant expression, giving you every opportunity to finally say them yourself.
You'd eventually give in and tell him you loved him, and his entire demeanor would brighten at once, the playful triumph in his smile making it obvious how much he'd been waiting for that little part of your routine.
"See, that wasn't so hard now was it?" He'd say it softly this time, without the theatrics, before leaning down to press a brief kiss to your forehead. Then he'd step aside with an exaggerated little bow, gesturing toward the door as though granting you permission to leave.
"Now you may go. I suppose I'll allow it." He'd probably hold the door open for you with a grin, only to add one final teasing remark as you passed. "Though next time, my dear, try not to forget the most important part."
── ( 𝒍. ) Lohen would notice the missing words almost immediately, but unlike someone who would simply tease you about it, he'd become visibly confused first.
You'd give him your usual goodbye, perhaps smiling as you gathered your things and turned toward the door, and he'd remain standing there for a second as though his brain had encountered some completely unexpected error in a routine he'd already memorized.
His eyebrows would knit together, his head tilting slightly as he watched you reach for the handle. "Wait, you forgot something." You'd innocently turn around and ask what, and he'd stare at you for another second before his expression slowly changed as realization finally dawned on him. "You're doing that on purpose, aren't you?" He'd let out a short laugh, shaking his head as he pointed at you with an incredulous smile. "No, because you definitely know what I'm talking about. We've literally done this the same way every time. You say you're leaving, I tell you I love you, you tell me you love me more, and then you go." He'd start rambling on, "That's the routine. That's how this works."
He'd probably pause, glance toward the door, then back at you as though genuinely trying to understand why you had suddenly decided to disrupt something so established. "So why are you changing the rules now? Because if there's a new rule where you're allowed to just walk away without saying it back, I feel like somebody should've told me."
You'd probably be struggling not to laugh by then, which would only make him more suspicious. "Oh, you're laughing. Okay, so you are doing this on purpose." He'd follow you when you turned toward the door again, continuing to talk almost entirely because he couldn't stand leaving the situation unresolved.
He'd eventually catch your hand before you could leave, his fingers closing around yours as he gave you a mildly exasperated look. Once he realized you were only teasing him, Lohen would visibly relax, letting out a breath that sounded suspiciously like he'd been holding it.
The moment you finally laughed and told him you loved him, his expression would immediately soften into a relieved smile. "See? Was that so hard?" He'd give your hand a little squeeze before pulling you into a quick hug, though he'd probably keep talking even while doing it.
"Alright, go. Before you decide to 'traumatize' me like that again." He'd open the door for you, still grinning, only to call after you once you'd started walking away. "And I love you more, by the way. That's still part of the routine!"
