notes. just some thoughts about how a night routine (or general after-training situation) would look like with megs <3 // writing this while being unable to fall asleep. who wants to cuddle until slumber reaches me,,,
word count. 648
- after a long, noisy day dealing with yuji, nobara, satoru, or a demanding mission, megumi just finally wants some peace and quiet.
- he’d walk into his dorm room and immediately quietly exhale — at last relaxing when he sees you.
- changing into something more comfortable, often an oversized sweatshirt and sweatpants, he casually joins you, sitting near you and observing what you were doing. (as a side note, if you stole something from his closet while he was away — he loves seeing you wear his clothes, even if he pretends not to care.)
- if it was a fairly okay day, he’ll read or just sit with you in comfortable silence, holding your hand; after all, he doesn't need constant conversation to feel close.
- if he’s stressed about a mission, or something more major happened, he might spend time analyzing combat techniques, etc. as a form of anxiety under the guise of improvement and education. though, he’ll still prioritize listening to your day over his own worries (plus, it helps him get his mind off of his own problems).
- if you’ve been on a dangerous mission, he becomes intensely attentive, checking you over repeatedly and making sure you are comfortable (he doesn’t believe you when you say you’re “fine,” due to being too worried). he won’t get any rest until he’s completely certain that you are alright.
- he might invite you to share the shower with him — not for anything overly sexual, but for calm, intimate quality time. he will help wash your hair or back, taking care of you.
- if you wear a bonnet, or have any specific routine needed for hair or body care, you can be sure he’s silently learned it so that he can help you (and to better know you, which helps him find the best suited ways to show his affection, demonstrating his attentiveness); he often finishes by placing a faint, tender kiss on your forehead.
- while he does portray himself to be fairly stoic in public, he often pulls you into his lap — while the two of you are alone — when he’s sitting on the floor or bed, just to feel your presence close to him.
- in bed, you two fit together perfectly. he usually lies on his back with you tucked against his chest, his chin resting on the top of your head.
- while trying to fall asleep, he might end up gently tracing lines along your waist or arm; and even in his sleep, he often grips the back of your shirt in a way that is almost like he’s holding onto you — as if subconsciously ensuring you’re there and safe.
- megumi is usually painfully still when he sleeps, but when he is exhausted, he will let out faint snores, entirely relaxed
- he’d also shift around when sleeping; so, in the morning, the two of you would end up with your limbs and the blanket tangled. often, he ends up shifting onto his side, pulling you closer into his chest, while still asleep.
- he often talks in his sleep, usually mumbling about missions or subconsciously saying your name when he thinks you're gone.
- if you ever even try to move in the middle of the night (whether to get up for a glass of water, or simply in attempt to shift your position into a more comfortable one), he will immediately wake up enough to pull you back in, refusing to let you move too far away from him. in the case that he’s too exhausted for his body to wake him up at your shifting around, he still somehow subconsciously just knows, and pulls you back in while asleep. you’ll find yourself even closer to him than you were before, his grip will tighten, and the way out of his arms will get even more difficult.
- in short, a night with megumi is safe, calm, and filled with quiet devotion.
notes. what would dates with the astral express' guard look like? // been feeling nostalgic lately for the 'beginning of hsr' times so going back to the og ever... gosh with the third anni coming up it's really hit me - has it really been so long since the game was released? i could have sworn it was just a bit ago
word count. 827
- overall, it would be a quiet, thoughtful, and deeply respectful experience, characterized by dan heng’s specialties — comfortable silences, intellectual conversation, and subtle, understated affection.
- given that he is an introvert who treasures personal space and privacy, he would not be one for grand, flashy gestures; instead, he’d rather mostly show his affection through soft, intimate moments focused on connection — something that is especially visible in your outings with him.
- the date, above all else, would be peaceful; low pressure in its nature, and relaxing — think visiting a vast, quiet library on a new planet, stargazing on the astral express, or exploring a calm, scenic location to escape the hustle of your daily lives.
- he, as a general rule, always values quality over quantity, in everything he does. he’s fairly selective with his time, so if he is on a date with you in the first place, it means he deeply values your company.
- he might share some knowledge that is less known about history, or any of the data he has archived — essentially allowing you to ‘pick his brain’; another way that he subtly shows his affection.
- how much he cares is shown through thoughtful actions rather than bold words. this could mean something such as remembering a minor detail you had mentioned some time ago in a previous conversation, no matter how briefly it came up. after all, he listens intently to everything you say, and wants to show that he notices you through that remembrance of those things — he’ll learn your preferences, any life experiences you share with him, and all of the other stuff you tell him, by heart.
- of course, as the guard of the express, and just being the way he is, he is naturally protective; he’ll always end up (consciously or subconsciously) keeping a close eye on you in unfamiliar places — he simply wants to do everything he can, to ensure that you are safe at all times. if something happens that makes you require any sort of help, or safety from an enemy, he will spring into action quickly; and this sort of mindset rarely leaves him, even when the two of you are safe, enjoying a moment together. he’ll still be just as alert and protective, as a ‘just in case’ measure.
- though, there are moments where he truly is able to unwind — with you by his side, safe, and his mind having a brief pause from the usual torment of constant racing thoughts. in those moments, he is utterly himself, and at peace; not worrying about anything, other than enjoying the present.
- in general, he does not feel the need to fill the air with chatter; that being said, he would not mind it if you just wanted to talk — he’ll gladly listen to anything that you have to say, always interested in your thoughts, views, and anything else he can learn about you. you would likely share meaningful, quiet moments, comfortable just being side-by-side.
- while not naturally physically affectionate, it would only make those rare occasions of such gestures — like taking your hand in his (slowly, hesitantly, and gently) or brushing hair from your face (his touch like a soft feather gracing your skin) — feel all the more significant and intimate.
- he maintains a serious, calm, and composed demeanor (alongside a bit of dry humor every now and then), but everyone knows he is purely a softie at heart, especially when he finally lets his guard down.
- being naturally rather patient and thoughtful, he avoids unnecessary confrontations or arguments, and highly values personal space — both his own and yours. keeping that in mind, he will be very sensitive to your boundaries, making for a healthy, respectful dynamic overall, but especially during your outings with him.
- if pushed to flirt or express emotions directly, he might get flustered, embarrassed, and look away — an action which is fairly rare, but nonetheless endearing each time.
- when it comes to the location of the date itself, he’d much rather choose to stay inside; opting for a safe and more domestic time. however, if you wish to go somewhere, he will agree and accompany you all the same. most commonly, you’d go out to a nearby park, coffee shop, or library. though, realistically speaking, most of your ‘dates’ end up just being hanging out with each other in the archives, talking about various things (that doesn’t take away from the fact that those moments end up being some of the best time you’ve spent together, though). either way — ultimately, if he’s with you, he doesn’t mind where the two of you are; as long as you are happy as well, then he’s content anywhere.
- with dan heng, you can be sure of stability, deep conversation, and sincere, quiet affection; he is a person who cares incredibly deeply, once he lets you into his world (and he already has; so now, he can never let you go, or let anything happen to you).
notes. some thoughts regarding how 'the strongest' turns into a complete child when you don't keep your eyes on him 24/7 // urg i really need to reread the manga again for the millionth time sometime soon...but there's so many other things i need to do too...sigh such a dilemma
word count. 625
- let’s be real, satoru is always obnoxious — no matter the situation. why should that be any different when he’s jealous? in fact, he’s (somehow) even more so.
- this guy would not just wait patiently for you to finish your conversation; how could he, after all? he’s loud in everything he does, especially when it comes to the action of being jealous.
- he would likely appear out of seemingly nowhere (it’s like he has a sense for this sort of thing with you…), draping himself over you if you’re standing. Or, if you’re sitting with someone, he’d simply smoothly slide into the seat beside you, and force his way into the conversation, no matter what the topic is.
- he would treat it like a joke, smiling or laughing — trying to seem as playful as usual — but there’s no doubt that his eyes behind the blindfold are cold; the seemingly teasing nature not reaching them.
- using a bright, overly cheerful (even for him) voice to mask his annoyance, he’d make cutting or sarcastic remarks about the person you were speaking to; and you can be sure that even the grin on his face would look rather artificial for him if you looked close enough — a sign that he was practically fuming beneath the surface.
- he might even try to humiliate the other person (indirectly or directly), or make jokes about how you don't need them because you have him; there’s no doubt that he is known by everyone who knows the two of you that he can be rather clingy and territorial, almost (and sulky, if he doesn’t get enough of a dose of attention within a certain amount of time).
- above all else, he’d feel the need to immediately ‘prove himself’ and establish some sort of claim of you through physical touch. there’s various ways he’d go about this, depending on the situation, but all equally pathetically clingy — either pulling you by the waist into his lap or side, or in general relying on high pda, such as draping an arm around your shoulder while practically staring daggers at the other person.
- sometimes, he’d even have the audacity to pull you away from the conversation and person entirely — herding you over to a deserted place — only to scold you for talking to someone else (because apparently, that’s practically a crime, and you’re essentially ‘betraying’ him by doing so).
- on occasion, as well, he might be the type to show a sort of possessive grooming. while you're still talking with the other person, and he’s already positioned himself near you, he might start slightly fixing your hair or adjusting your collar with extreme focus. an action that seems rather sweet from the outside, but when it comes down to it, it’s essentially just a loud, non-verbal stake of claim — something akin to a sort of ‘don't touch, this belongs to me’.
- if for whatever reason he cannot confront you immediately (like he wants to), he will 1000% become incredibly clingy and whiny later, once the two of you are reunited again.
- this bastard will be out here demanding affection from you, to reassure himself that you are ‘still his’ (meanwhile, all that happened was that you stopped giving him attention for like…an hour or two tops. i swear, this guy).
- he might sulk for a while if he feels like you are ignoring him, though he won’t actually end up staying jealous for a long period of time — it’s far more important for him to continue pestering you.
- if anything, he’ll simply make some sort of remark regarding how he simply without a doubt knows (is convinced) that you’ll never leave him, because he’s already the best that there is — what more could you ever want?
notes. what happens when the one and oni gets his hand on a kamera? all that can be said is that you're in for one busy day—but it'll be worthwhile! // i kind of wrote this on a whim during my breaks between lessons after randomly getting this idea in class? but it was fun eheh
word count. 1872
It was a nice day; warm, calm, quiet. You were sitting on your bed at home, relaxing, using your free time to finally do what you wanted to do, instead of running around for someone else.
Key word: was. Past tense.
Just as you had fallen into a state of being fully immersed in the activity at hand, the peaceful atmosphere was broken; quite violently, too.
“THE ONE AND ONI RETURNS!”
You snapped out of your own thoughts as you heard a booming voice just outside of your house exclaim triumphantly, before the front door swung open — with a clear excess of energy. Barging in, he didn't bother with any formalities or greetings. Quickly making his way through the place, as he'd done numerous times before, he reached you. In one swift move, he pulled one of the nearby chairs closer to where you were — with the back of it facing you — and proceeded to sit down on it backwards.
“Guess what I just got!”
He spoke, practically vibrating with excitement, looking at you expectantly; as if he didn't just randomly burst in though your door without a word of explanation. Though, to be fair, this was a fairly common occurrence, at this point.
“…Uh, I don't kno–”
“Wrong!”
You'd barely strung together a few words, staring at him, still somewhat recovering from being caught off guard, before he interrupted, beaming. Clearly, he was too enthusiastic to tell you what he had, to actually let you think for a moment. But hey, that was Itto for you, you supposed; it was simply his nature.
He stood up from the chair, now instead putting one foot onto it, resting his arms on his knee, and leaning forward — as if trying to have some sort of great unveiling mixed with a whispered secret.
“Prepare to be blown away by the awesomeness! Behold — the finest Kamera Fontaine has ever produced! Won it fair and square in a…uh, high-stakes duel! Nobody could’ve ever taken this baby away from me!”
As he spoke, his voice got louder, and his chest puffed out, as if what he won was a truly grand object. Reaching behind him, he took out the Kamera in question, holding it up in his hand towards you, as if it were a long-lost treasure.
“Amazing, right? But that's not all! I have the offer of a lifetime for you!”
Once he started something, he really couldn't be stopped, could he? You didn't even have the time to try and get a word in between his exclamations — though, he probably didn't even notice your lack of replies, too pumped up about the whole thing. Striking a dramatic pose, he continued to unveil everything.
“I call it... The Arataki Photo-Shoot Extravaganza! And you, my friend, are the star. Don't worry about the poses—just try to look half as cool as I do, and the Kamera will do the rest!"
Finally, there was a brief moment of pause, as he waited for any sort of acknowledgement you'd give. When you simply watched him, he decided to clarify further.
“Come on, be the model for my "Art of the Arataki'" portrait collection — you'll be a natural, I just know it!”
“…you…want me to model for you?”
You asked cautiously, wondering what kind of antics the Oni was up to this time; this wouldn't be the first time he'd roped you into something that you weren't aware of. Though, he seemed entirely genuine in his nodding, and rather proud of his beetle battle winnings.
“Yeah! I gotta take this baby out for a test drive, to rest if it really is as good as they say — and you could help!”
A short bit later, he ended up dragging you out, no matter if you protested or not, leading you to various places around Inazuma. All the while, he held the Kamera in his hands, laughing and yelling out directions for what you should do. Needless to say, it attracted the attention of many of the people around you — though, some of the locals simply rolled their eyes or sighed under their breaths, and continued what they were doing; clearly, Itto's loudness was nothing new. And, if that wasn't enough, with all his moving around he very nearly dropped the device quite a few times; when you scolded him, he simply chuckled and shrugged it off, giving you another pose to fulfill.
Unfortunately, he didn’t accept any normal smiles or poses — you had tried to just do what you could to get out of his stunts, for the sake of the locals’ ears. Instead, he simply doubled down and talked about wanting things such as "intense warrior”, "looking away at the horizon majestically”, and something titled by him as a “beetle-battle pose", whatever those meant. You weren't even sure that he was taking the pictures right, given how he wasn't looking through the lens or anything like that — instead mostly focusing on looking at you directly.
That being said, he sure took a lot of them, based on how often you heard the shutter click. Often, he'd shake his head vigorously in frustration, since it wasn't quite what he was going for. Sometimes you didn’t look intense enough ("No, no, no! Less smiling! More...‘I’m gonna knock you down’! Yeah!"), sometimes you weren't moving around enough (“Pretend the Golden Wolflord is chasing you!”); but overall he definitely worked you, being more into it than you had initially expected. Sometimes, he took tens of pictures of a single pose, because “one of them will look better” when the two of you look at them later.
He boasted to everyone and anyone he could, passing by — both about his new Kamera, and about having you as a model.
“Yeah, that's right! It's the Arataki Gang! Taking pictures! Be jealous!"
As you both walked into the Chinju forest for a brief break, he suddenly ran off to chase a fast-moving Tanuki — with no apparent context, other than him shouting that it owed him a rematch.
Having a moment to yourself, you sat down on a nearby large rock on the road, and took the Kamera (which he had haphazardly thrown onto the path, before running off). Deciding to glance at the photos he'd taken so far, being curious, you looked through them — expecting most of them to be blurry, chaotic, accidental shots of unrelated objects, and overall exactly showcasing how he sounds on a daily basis. Surprisingly, though, that wasn't what you found. Most of the pictures you see are actually rather good — it seemed he could be a rather artistic photographer.
You went through the photos with a newfound awe, looking at the way the lighting was perfect, the way the composition of everything was remarkably well-done given how much the two of you were moving…practically every detail of most of them was perfect. Then, you stumbled upon a different type of picture — ones you didn’t even know he’d taken. They were candid shots, seemingly completely random, but they had a soft air about them. There was one capturing the moment of you laughing at one of his stupid jokes, not having realized he was pointing the Kamera at you. Next to it, there was another — of you walking ahead, framed by the sakura trees of Hanamizaka — and another; this time, getting a moment of you looking intently focused, as you tried to fix your hair. A strong gust of wind had blown over, and messed up your hairstyle, so you had quickly tried to fix it before Itto could get any more pictures in — not paying attention to how he was doing just that, in the moment. There were countless others; like a small collection of those gentle, more casual situations — all well-framed and of a gentle quality.
As you continued watching them with a quiet sense of flusteredness and soft delight, Itto came back, muttering something about the Tanuki being a “coward in front of the one and Oni” before moving closer to where you were. Wordlessly, you turned the Kamera towards him, questioningly; he simply straightens up, proudly.
“See? I told you they were good. Wait—”
He trails off as he realizes what you were looking at, and seemingly deflates a little. Staying silent for a longer while, he eventually simply rubs the back of his neck with his hand, his face lighting up with a faint hint of pink hue.
“Well—I mean…you were just…it was a good shot, okay? Don’t make a big deal out of it, or my reputation will be ruined!”
He turned around slightly, somewhat hiding himself from your immediate view, as he mumbled lowly.
“You look good in them, okay? Stop looking at me like that.”
You simply lightly chuckled, placing the Kamera down for a moment, standing up and walking closer towards him, so you could directly face the now-flustered Oni.
You stepped into his line of sight, forcing him to acknowledge the blush dusting his cheeks. Up close, the ‘Crimson Oni’ lived up to his name in a way you’d never seen before—his face was nearly as red as the markings on his skin.
"The Great Arataki Itto, master of beetle battles and... professional portrait photographer?" you teased softly, tilting your head. "I didn't know you saw me like that, Itto."
He let out a noise that was half-scoff, half-whimper, shifting his weight from one foot to the other. His usual bravado was failing him, and doing so fast.
"I just... the lighting was doing that thing! You know? The sparkly thing! And you weren't making those weird faces you do when I tell you to pose, so..."
He trailed off, finally meeting your eyes. The chaos in his expression softened into something uncharacteristically earnest. He reached out, his large, calloused hand hovering near your shoulder before he pulled it back to nervously adjust his coat.
"Look, I just wanted to remember it, alright?" he mumbled, his voice dropping an octave, losing its usual grating edge.
"The day. The win. Being out here with you. It’s not every day a guy gets to win a legendary Kamera and spend the afternoon with the prettiest person in Inazuma."
He crossed his arms, trying to regain some semblance of his "boss" persona, though his tail-like coat flickered behind him with his nervous energy.
"But don't you go telling Shinobu or the boys. If word gets out that I’m some kind of... of sentimental softie, I’ll never hear the end of it!"
You reached out, gently catching his hand to stop his fidgeting. "Your secret is safe with me, Itto. But," you gestured back to the Kamera on the rock, "I think I want a few more. Only if you’re the one taking them, though."
A grin—a real, genuine Itto grin—broke through his embarrassment, like the sun hit the nearby rocks. He snatched the Kamera up with a triumphant shout, the shyness vanishing as quickly as it had arrived.
"Ha! Well, why didn't you say so?! Stand back, compadre! You’re looking at the future best photographer in Teyvat! Now, walk towards that tree—yeah, just like that—and don't look at me, just look... legendary!"
notes. what would it be like, to come home to him after a particularly tiring and emotionally straining day? // school has me going a bit crazy recently with all the work and today took such a toll on me mentally and urgg. so likee who wants to invite me for some quiet time together to give me some calmness...
word count. 602
- childe is surprisingly observant, especially with those he cares about. he would likely know something is wrong immediately upon seeing you open the door to your shared place.
- he would quickly drop his typically more light and confident demeanor — and anything that he may have been previously working on — to focus entirely on you.
- the main way he’d try and give you comfort is mostly through physical touch, being a rather tactile person.
- he would pull you against his chest, rubbing your back to comfort you, and offering to handle whatever is making you feel bad. (of course, still respecting any personal boundaries, if you decide that you don’t want physical touch at the present moment.)
- he wouldn't minimize your feelings. knowing how intense the world can be from his own experience, he would empathize with your exhaustion, and ensure you know that your emotions and thoughts are all perfectly valid, and okay to get out.
- being a devoted person who definitely spoils his loved ones rotten, he would cook you a favorite meal, get some sweet treats for you, prepare a warm bath for you… anything at all, that you might need at the moment to unwind and get your mind off of everything.
- if you want it, he might even offer to give you a gentle massage to aid in relieving stress — insisting on you resting on his lap, while he gently strokes your hair.
- he would quietly take over any chores or daily tasks, encouraging you to just rest and forget about your worries; he’s got everything covered, so don’t worry (and don’t feel guilty — he’ll do all he can so that you know you shouldn’t feel even a smidgen of that, relentlessly trying to convince you, until you give in. don’t test him, he’s stubborn, and even more so when it comes to you and your well-being).
- if your stress was caused by any specific people (for example, a rude co-worker, or an annoying customer) then he would offer to deal with them (in his own, though fairly extreme, way). after all, he can feel his blood slowly start to boil at the thought of you being mistreated, and would not hesitate to do anything he needed to do (wouldn’t be the first time).
- in moments like these, you can see even more proof of his total devotion (as if you ever thought otherwise, with everything he always does to make that clear to you — so never have any doubt toward him). he would ensure you know that you are safe with him, promising to keep any ‘bastards’ far away from you.
- while he (obviously) loves excitement, he can be quite the patient listener — especially when the situation requires him to be a calming presence for you. he wouldn’t mind a more cozy, quiet evening, if it helps you get through everything.
- overall, anything he can think of, he’ll do, as a way to try and help lift your mood.
- if you are too exhausted (or simply not in the mood) to talk, he would fill the room with comfortable silence; he might even end up humming a lullaby from his youth, as a calming sound.
- later, when the two of you are done getting ready for bed, he would — even then — be more careful with you; making sure you’re comfortable, etc. and afterward, when you end up falling asleep, he’ll just end up watching over you as you lay together, to make sure you sleep well. after the tiring day, you need this rest more than ever — and he will do everything for you to get it.
notes. some short headcanons and general thoughts about the strongest and his approach to closeness/touch. spoiler alert he can never get enough #pathetic (affectionate) alert
word count. 646
- the thing about satoru is that he will always, without fail, do anything he can in order to keep some form of contact with you, no matter what the situation is. (both knowingly and subconsciously; it's just something that's ingrained into him)
- automatically sustained infinity be damned, he is definitely manually turning it off each time he’s near you — how else would he be able to pester you with his touch?
- and this type of behavior is present 24/7, seriously; walking somewhere? he’s holding your hand. standing and waiting around? he’s leaning against your side (sometimes more casually, sometimes fully draped against you—depending on the situation). trying to get something done? he’s got his chin on the top of your head, looking at what you’re doing. talking to someone? he’s got his arms wrapped around your waist, focusing on the way that your voice sounds (it’s essentially angelic, to him) rather than the actual words being spoken. no matter what, he’s always there, keeping the distance between you as small as possible — by any means possible. clingy cat
- and don’t think that his behavior changes at all depending on if it’s ‘socially acceptable’ to do so at a given place and time — he doesn’t care; he could be getting chewed out about god knows what again (probably something about disregarding the higher-ups) or being told about a destructive curse that needs to be taken care of, and he’d still seek out some form of touch from you just the same.
- if, for some reason, he can’t at the moment hold you in some way, then he will just have to settle for being as close as he can be.
- even though he isn’t directly, physically clinging to you, he’s somehow more annoying this way. he’ll get right up near you, and refuse to go anywhere else — he’s never more than a step away.
- so, for example, if you are trying to work on something in front of you, that’s sensitive and need to be very precise in the way you put something together, he’ll end up disturbing you more. he’s been told that he is not allowed to touch you, since you might end up ruining something because of the distraction his touch would incur — that’s fine! he’ll just hover directly behind you, his head floating above your shoulder, his breaths subtly brushing against your cheek, as he watches you attempt to focus.
- of course, it’s a lost cause, but it is true that technically, he wasn’t touching you. and he is, of course, overly smug while constantly bringing that fact up whenever you try to complain about him interrupting the task you were aiming to get done.
- though, despite how annoying and insistent he is sometimes, his touch is always meant to mean something, despite it all.
- it might seem casual, and like something done without much thought — but to him, it means the world. he finds comfort in knowing you’re nearby; that you’re close to him, and safe from everything.
- after all, one of his biggest fears is losing you, so, at the end of the day, he simply holds you as a measure to ensure your well-being. it gives him a chance to take his mind off of everything, and just enjoy the temporary respite he can get in your company.
- from those playful and teasing touches with the intention of annoying you (like poking your cheek repeatedly, just to get you to look at him and ‘finally give your attention’ as if he were a neglected child), to those tender touches late at night alone with you when he’s the most vulnerable version of himself (like slowly tracing along the length of your arm, almost hesitantly at times), touching is one of the most important ways satoru conveys his affection — and something that is never in short supply with him.
notes. just some thoughts about how going somewhere with the beloved wolf thiren would be <3 // been thinking about how going places with someone feels recently because i've been a bit lonely,,,sigh anyway.
word count. 602
- first off, he would always accompany you everywhere you go — that’s a given, for sure.
- lycaon cares about you far too much to let you go off somewhere alone. it’s not that he doesn’t think you can handle yourself (he knows perfectly well you can), but rather as an additional precaution. and, in a way, it’s for the good of his own heart and stress levels — he’d rather be absolutely sure that you’re just fine, instead of being left to constantly wonder.
- that, and he will always be a butler at heart, when it comes down to it, so he’ll always wish to ensure his master is doing fine. plus, he’s definitely not going to let you hold anything if he can help it — he’ll make sure to carry everything for you; after all, to him that courtesy is a must, being the ‘proper’ thing to do.
- similarly, he will keep you safe from everything, even if it’s not always necessary ('“just in case”), and generally do everything possible to guarantee your well-being while on the way to your destination.
- rude civilian on the street? he’s prepared to defend you and your honor. an object being thrown nearby? he’ll take care to shield you from it. a random insect is disturbing you? he gently yet efficiently shoos it away, being careful that nothing happens (to both you and the bug).
- all in all, he’s kind of like your own personal bodyguard (whether or not you want that; it’s just in his nature).
- he’d also be the type to enact the so-called ‘sidewalk rule’ so fluidly, that you wouldn’t even notice, until you gave it more thought.
- every time the two of you cross somewhere, leading to you being on the side closer to the street with nearby cars, etc. going by, his hand softly brushes up against your back — only barely, but enough — to guide you further towards your side, effectively switching your places.
- of course, he does this without thinking; it’s simply something that is natural to him, like instinct.
- that being said, there are brief moments when lycaon does hesitate. while still gingerly touching your back to herd you more to your right, there’s a brief moment of pause from him; it’s not enough to be clearly, visibly noticeable, but it’s there — after all, he’d much rather be able to see you easily, and that would mean having you stay on his left due to his eye. but at the same time, there’s the issue of the street, and your immediate safety. so, he goes through with the usual motion anyway, though there is a faint hint of well-concealed unease in his movements during that stretch of the path.
- nonetheless, he will always be alert and prepared for all possible situations — ready to spring into action if need be.
- also, he probably knows all sorts of other routes (in case of any issues), hidden paths, or potential shortcuts (if you’re running low on time) to take. of course, if you simply want to walk for the sake of walking, or take a more scenic route, then he won’t complain; you need only express such a desire, and he’ll go along with anything you want (in fact, he might even recommend a way with a better view, if you want).
- overall, lycaon is always one of the best companions to have with you when heading out somewhere; no matter the situation, regardless of any unpredictable circumstances that may happen, you can feel sure that you’ll reach your destination safely and efficiently — and you have him right by your side through everything.
notes. brief scenarios of how ice skating with him would go // today's one of coldest days that it has been in a few weeks over here, so i've been thinking about winter again
word count. 722
- childe will be childe, no matter the situation he finds himself in.
- if you are a bit clumsy, or new to skating, he will definitely be amused (and show that without qualms). he will relentlessly tease you about needing his help, however you can also be sure that he will still be an attentive mentor.
- when it comes to his own experience and manner of skating, you can expect him to glide effortlessly – performing quick turns, or perhaps even jumps, to show off his skills. show off.
- with the way he's skating like a pro (who wants to tease you), he will be leaving sharp (yet clean) cuts in the ice.
- though, despite all of the teasing, he does still care (obviously). he’ll do everything he can, to ensure that you don't fall; his teasing would not include harming you — especially if you make it clear to him that you're genuinely afriad. in that case, he'd immediately drop poking fun at you, and reassure you.
- he'd will grab your hands or waist, guiding you on the ice gently and slowly, to help you assimilate to the feel of skating. ("i've got you, always. i'm not going to let you fall.")
- some time later, when you’ve gotten more comfortable with him pulling you around (and the method of gliding around in general), he’ll speed up his skating — pulling you quickly across the rink; after all, he thrives on the speed and thrill (and wants you to have some fun with him, and learn to love the adrenaline-filled sensation too).
- if there are children around, or if you bring up his siblings, he will immediately pivot to being a kind, protective role model. he might talk about some past memories of ice skating with them, reminiscing. he'll always be careful of others around you on the rink, even while teasingly pulling you forward faster — but he's especially aware of any younger kids nearby (and always eager to help when they need it). one of them fell? he's immediately there, helping them get back up again with a smile and encouraging message to keep trying, before returning to you.
- that being said, he can still be quite greedy regarding your attention and time, wanting this activity to be a nice experience that's just between the two of you.
- once you get the hang of the basics, and aren't falling as much, he would encourage you to be brave and move faster (“trust me, you'll be just fine!”).
- he might even end up starting banter with you about who the better skater is in the end. (or, if you already know how to skate well, he'd continually do so.)
- if you're good at skating, he'd take the chance to show off even more — after all, he has to impress you somehow, no? you've given him a high bar to compete with.
- you can be sure that he will continuously try to compete with you, or rope you into games (that are not so subtly just the same as the competitions). he wants to prove that he's the better skater, so that you’re proud of him!
- win or lose, teasing the entire time is a given.
- in general, he moves with the precision of a trained warrior, even on ice. when he stops his teasing momentarily and really gives it his all, he holds himself with grace, which translates to a graceful (if not slightly arrogant) skating style.
- after you decide to finish up on the rink, and leave for the day, he’d likely suggest a hot drink to warm up from the cold. of course, this is mostly just an excuse to tease you about your red face and how he doesn't get cold due to being accustomed to lower temperatures for most of his life. cheeky bastard.
- but it's fine, he can still steal sips from your hot chocolate (he paid for it, so it's “basically his”)! when you ask why he didn't just get his own, he'd just make some remark about not wanting one (despite still actively stealing from yours?) or, if he's feeling more playful, he'd make a comment about how yours tastes better, somehow.
- he's just having fun with you, at the end of the day — and that time spent together, no matter what you two do, is precious to him.
