Hmm~ Let's go with Zenless Zone Zero's two stoic and sleep girls Ellen joe and Piper wheel~ and give them a boyfriend or possibly husband in Pipers case who's Energetic and affectionate~ I'd like it to be that in Piper's we get to see how Pulchra reacts to finding out that the ball of energy she's been seeing everywhere is Piper's boyfriend/husband~
[A/N] apologies that this took so long but I hope you still enjoy
[Summary] them having a boyfriend / husband that is the definition of a golden retriever
[Genre] fluff / Crush to lovers / relationship
[Paring / Characters] Ellen x m! Reader / Piper x m! Reader (Pulchra)
Ellen didn’t really know how it happened. You were the popular guy at school, cheerful, energetic, always surrounded by people who adored your warm, lively nature. You lit up every room you walked into, a natural at making others smile. Yet, despite all the noise and attention, you chose her. Quiet, tired, and always lurking on the edges of the crowd. It didn’t make sense, not to her, at least. But somehow, your gravity pulled her in too. Maybe it was your warmth. Maybe it was how you never tried to change her. All she knew was… you stayed.
Her friends always teased her about it, Ruby, Lynn, and Monna throwing playful jabs about how she was clearly falling in love. Ellen always denied it, of course. Why would she be? You were loud, affectionate, always clinging to her like she was your personal pillow. It didn’t make sense. But sometimes, late at night, when she couldn’t sleep and the world was quiet, she’d think about you, your smile, your voice, the way you always waited for her. And in those moments, when no one else could hear her thoughts, she knew. Out of everyone she knew… it was you.
The rooftop was quiet, save for the hum of the city below and the distant screech of a train pulling into a station. The sky was dipped in orange, the last rays of sun stretching long shadows over the school building. Ellen sat with her legs stretched out and a half-melted lollipop tucked in the corner of her mouth, looking as calm and detached as ever.
You stood a few feet away, pacing slightly, hands shoved into your pockets..“Hey,” you said, breaking the silence. “Can I tell you something kinda dumb?” Ellen didn’t even look at you. “If it’s dumb, why say it?”
You smiled at that. Typical Ellen. Blunt, half-lidded, and somehow still the only person who made your heart race like this. You sat beside her, back resting against the wall, and took a deep breath. “Because it’s been stuck in my head for a while. And it’s only dumb if I keep pretending it doesn’t matter.” She glanced at you then, just a flicker of attention behind her tired eyes. “I like you,” you said quietly. “Like, actually like you. I know I’m loud, clingy, always throwing myself at you like some overexcited puppy but you’re the only one I feel like I can breathe around. Even when you’re just… sitting there, half-asleep with candy in your mouth.”
There was a long pause. Ellen pulled the lollipop out of her mouth and stared at it like it held the answer. “…You’re serious?” she muttered, not looking at you. “Yeah.” Your voice softened. “I don’t expect anything. I just… wanted you to know.” She was quiet for a moment, eyes fixed on the horizon. Then, almost reluctantly, she leaned her shoulder against yours, just barely. “…I like you too,” she said, voice low. “Didn’t think I did. Told myself I didn’t. But I couldn’t stop thinking about you, even when I didn’t want to.”
You grinned, warmth blooming in your chest as you tilted your head slightly to rest against hers..“Guess I’m not so dumb after all.” Ellen huffed a breath that was nearly a laugh. “Still kind of dumb. But… mine, I guess.” And in that quiet, golden moment, neither of you needed to say anything else.
Ruby, Lynn, and Monna never missed a chance to tease her. Whether it was a smug smirk from Ruby, a knowing nudge from Lynn, or Monna’s dramatic swooning, they all acted like Ellen was starring in her own rom-com. “He’s melting the ice queen,” they’d joke. Ellen always rolled her eyes, muttering something dry in return but she never walked away. And sometimes, when their teasing got especially bold, she’d catch herself smiling before hiding it behind a yawn or her lollipop.
Ellen never shared her candy. Not with her coworkers, not even with Monna on her birthday. But somehow, you were the exception. When she unwrapped a new lollipop and silently held it out toward you, it was never just about candy; it was trust. Her version of affection. If you asked, she’d grumble something about “already having too many,” but the soft flush on her cheeks always gave her away.
You’re always hanging off her, hugging her from behind, nuzzling into her shoulder, whispering dumb things just to get a reaction. Ellen rolls her eyes and grumbles, “You’re clingy. And loud.” But she never pulls away. Instead, she’ll shift slightly, leaning back into your arms like it’s the most natural place to be. If you kiss her cheek, she acts like it’s a hassle but her fingers always end up tracing yours, holding you in place. Deep down, she loves the attention… even if she pretends you’re just in the way
Sleeping beside you was something she never thought she’d like. But now, wrapped in your arms, her head tucked against your chest, it felt like the only place she could fully relax. Your warmth dulled the usual edge in her thoughts, your heartbeat steady enough to lull her faster than any nap alone. Even if she mumbled about needing space, her body always found its way back to you in the middle of the night, arms curled around you like instinct.
You were stretched out on the couch, half-asleep, when Ellen shuffled over and flopped down beside you, her head landing on your shoulder with the weight of someone who didn’t plan to move anytime soon.
You smiled, wrapping an arm around her. “Missed me already?” you teased. She didn’t answer right away, just popped a lollipop into her mouth and leaned in closer. “Don’t flatter yourself,” she mumbled, voice muffled. “You’re just warm.” You chuckled, fingers brushing gently through her hair. “Sure, sure. And I’m guessing it’s a total coincidence you keep ending up next to me every time you’re tired?” Ellen let the silence stretch before speaking again quieter this time, almost like it wasn’t meant to be heard. “You make it easier to rest.” Your heart stuttered at that. No sarcasm, no bite.
Just the quiet truth, spoken between candy clicks and steady breathing. You kissed the top of her head, she let herself stay there, curled into you like a habit she never planned to break.
Pulchra, still new to the gang, had started noticing it not long after she joined, how you were always just there when Piper was around. You were cheerful with everyone, sure, always laughing, teasing, full of bounce and sunshine. But with Piper? It was different. Softer. More focused. Whether Piper was heading out for a delivery or just kicking her feet up at the garage, you hovered close, always ready to tag along. And Piper always said yes, even if she looked half-asleep. Pulchra would tilt her head, scratching at the back of her neck, confused. Why Piper? Why the extra attention? But every time she caught that rare, quiet smile Piper gave you in return.
You carried things for her without being asked, always keeping one eye on her like it was second nature. If Piper started dozing off somewhere unsafe, half-curled on a crate or leaning against a wall near heavy machinery; you didn’t hesitate. You scooped her up gently, like she was something delicate, precious, never making a big deal out of it. Just calm, quiet care wrapped in warmth and playful smiles. Pulchra, watching from the sidelines, only grew more certain. It wasn’t just friendship. You were kind to everyone, sure but this? This was different. The way you looked at Piper, the way you stayed so close, always tuned into her… yeah. Pulchra finally nodded to herself one day. You had feelings for her. That had to be it.
One afternoon, while lounging around between jobs, Pulchra finally gave in to curiosity and leaned over to Piper, trying to sound casual. “So, uh… you and him. What’s the deal?” Piper blinked slowly, lips curling her lips in a fond smile, “Oh, we’re married.” Like she’d just said the weather was nice.
Pulchra nearly choked on her drink. “Wait—married?!” Piper just gave a slow blink and a tiny shrug, like it wasn’t a big deal. “Mhm. Been that way for a while.” Pulchra’s brain scrambled to catch up. All the signs had been there, the hand-holding, the sleepy cuddles in the back of the truck, the way you lit up when Piper walked into the room but still, the bluntness of it caught her off guard. Married. Just like that. Pulchra stared, baffled, and Piper just tilted her head with a lazy smile. “Didn’t think it was a secret.”
You were always buzzing with energy, hovering near her, talking too fast, finding excuses to touch her or lean against her. Piper never minded. In fact, when you wrapped your arms around her and rested your chin on her head, she’d tilt her head back slightly and mumble, “You’re clingy today, huh?” But the corners of her mouth always lifted. “I like it.” She’d stay there, pressed into you like a favorite blanket. Piper didn’t say much, but when she did, it was plain and sure. No teasing, no deflecting. Just her steady way of letting you know she was happy with you.
Before every delivery, you had some new thing to give her, a snack, a note, even a playlist once. Piper would take it, glance at it, then glance at you. “You’re real sweet to me, y’know that?” she’d say, tucking it into her pocket without missing a beat. “Lucky I like you so much.” It wasn’t dramatic, but it never needed to be. She didn’t hide her affection. You’d beam, and Piper, sleepy eyes and all would reach out to pat your cheek or tap her fingers against your arm. “Now don’t miss me too much, sugar. I’ll be back soon.”
You had a habit of fussing with her, tugging her sleeve straight, brushing her bangs back, doing her hair. Piper would watch you, eyes half-lidded, and say, “You really like takin’ care of me, huh?” Then she’d grin, small but sincere, and add, “Good. I like it when you do.” Sometimes, she’d reach up first, brushing your hair back in return, her fingers slow and warm. “There. Now we match.” You were all motion and affection; she was steady and simple. But in that balance, she made sure you knew how loved you were. Not loudly. Just truly.
Piper may act like she’s half-asleep most of the time, but she always knows when you’re nearby even with her eyes closed. More than once, she’s been dozing in the truck when you climb in beside her, and without a word, she just leans into you like it’s instinct. She doesn’t need some grand romantic gesture just your presence. One hum, a soft lean, maybe a slow murmur of “Knew you’d show up,” and that’s enough. It's her way of saying she feels safe with you, even when she's too tired to say it out loud. That’s Piper, quiet, but certain
It was your anniversary and you didn’t need a big night out to celebrate. Piper had made that clear the moment you mentioned it. “Why go somewhere when home’s already good?” she said, her voice low and slow, half-asleep in your hoodie. You smiled and nodded, knowing she meant it. So that’s what you did. The lights were dimmed low, an old movie playing softly more for background noise than anything else. Piper was curled up beside you, a worn blanket draped over her shoulders, head resting lazily against your chest.
You ran your fingers through her hair, the quiet comfort filling the room. “You sure you don’t want to order something fancy? Maybe celebrate a little?” you asked, voice playful.
She lifted her sleepy eyes and gave you a half-smile. “Fancy’s overrated. This is fine. This, this is real.” Her hand found yours and gave it a gentle squeeze. You grinned. “Real’s good. Real’s perfect.” A few minutes later, she shifted, looking up at you with those calm eyes. “Feels nice, don’t it?” she murmured.
You kissed the top of her head and replied, “Yea. Feels perfect.” She reached up then, pressing a soft kiss against your jaw. “You always make it feel like home, ye-know?” You chuckled softly. “Well, that’s the plan. Gotta keep you comfy.”
Piper snorted quietly. “Comfy’s my middle name, apparently.” You laughed, pulling her closer. The night drifted on slow and peaceful. No rush, no plans, just the two of you wrapped up in quiet warmth. She never needed grand gestures or loud declarations, just this steady, honest closeness. You leaned down, whispering, “Happy anniversary, Piper.”
She smiled against your chest and whispered back, “Happy anniversary to us.” And in that simple moment, it was everything you both ever wanted.
Zenless Zone Zero x reader tag-List: none
