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Cuilang x Subaru relationship questions

Formatting got fucked, read the google doc I did it on instead tbh PRE-RELATIONSHIP

How did they first meet? Already established in-game, haha.

What was their first impression of each other? This I could probably expand upon… I imagine Subaru was intrigued, since Cuilang seemed rather mysterious at first. I imagine Cuilang had no strong feelings at first, but Subaru’s curiosity soon brought out his own.

Did any of their friends or family want them to get together? No family for either of them, but I know for certain many of their friends would be rooting for them, including Takumi but most of all? Yachiyo. I just know she’s indulging Subaru and Cuilang at her izakaya and smiling to herself knowingly and giddily about it. Like, “Finally! Finally, Cuilang has found someone!”

Who felt romantic feelings first? This is pretty much canon if you choose to date Cuilang that Subaru has to make the first confession (for game mechanics), but in Cuilang’s case, I think both fall in love around the same time. Subaru just recognizes his feelings first.

Did either of them try to resist their feelings? Yes, also canon, but Cuilang absolutely did and makes an attempt to push Subaru away. “Have you lost your senses?” Then Cuilang talks about sealing away his feelings for the best. Subaru probably didn’t hesitate once he recognized his love, though. I don’t think he tried to push it down. He seems far too heartfelt and earnest for that.

If you had told one of them that the other would be their soulmate, what would they think? I mean, I’d say - given that they’re both from a video game where they can date each other - that it doesn’t sound wild to them. Before the confession, Cuilang would probably have errors at the very thought, and it probably is tricky once they start dating to fully accept it at first. Subaru, however, probably would’ve been surprised and intrigued at the same time if Cuilang had made such a statement, though I could never see it going that way.

What would their lives be like if they had never met? I mean, Cuilang is a part of the storyline. He’s one of the first people who gives the MC any kind of lore about Azuma. He also builds the mikoshi that goes up against Kurama’s. He’s a rather key role in the story, at least, but if they’d never gotten together, that’s not necessarily hard to imagine. There are other characters the MC can get with, after all… but also, while I have some criticisms about the story, I don’t think it would’ve worked out well if Cuilang hadn’t been there at all.

GENERAL

Who initiated the relationship, and how did it go? Subaru, and it was tricky at first to convince Cuilang that he’s still someone with a soul, still a person, even if not “human” (which is how I interpret that scene despite English using “human” rather than “person”). Cuilang’s confession scene is pretty dramatic in comparison to the others, given that he has trouble rebooting. Poor Subaru was definitely given a bit of a fright with that one, though I’m sure they laugh back on the moment with a mixture of fondness and relief.

Did they have an official first date? If so, what was it like? …So while that’s covered in the story, sort of, I feel like there aren’t enough dates in the game before you can get married. I know time is considered fast in these games, given that months are entire seasons for gameplay purposes, but I’ve actually given this a lot of consideration. I think Cuilang and Subaru would’ve dated a long time. There would be a lot of stargazing - sometimes with the addition of a heater - but also a lot of walks to different places. (I treat the activities you can do with people as dates. Some are platonic, others I think can be interpreted as dates, even if they’re ones you can do with non-romanceable characters.) I also imagine Subaru spending more and more time at Cuilang’s house, glancing appreciatively at his creations. He loves watching him work.

What was their first kiss like? So they definitely kissed before marriage. Subaru feared errors, but as Cuilang was working with Woolby on a solution, that didn’t actually happen. It still would’ve caused a bit of apprehension for them both, but it was also a very special moment. Cuilang would’ve felt things that he hadn’t before. That would be both delightful, but another assertion that he’s someone with feelings. It also would drive home how much Subaru cares for him. Enough to kiss him.

Were they each other’s first anything (kiss, relationship, etc.)? So I believe they were probably into their marriage a few weeks before Cuilang perfected that strap-on to use during sex, but they definitely were each other’s “first” with intercourse of any kind. I headcanon that Subaru is demisexual and has to make a deep connection with a person before being sexually attracted to them. Cuilang probably didn’t even think of sex as a possibility until he fell in love, either, but that’s tied a lot to him not thinking of himself as a person and therefore worthy of such affection. He hasn’t ever been aroused in any of the biological senses, at least, but I do think he imagined a lot of scenarios with Subaru as they grew closer in their relationship. Subaru is Cuilang’s first kiss, but I don’t think Cuilang is Subaru’s. I do believe - in a very innocent and childish way - Subaru probably kissed Kaguya a few times. They were betrothed and very close, and I can see them offering pecks on the cheek and maybe even the lips briefly as they grew up, imitating the adults. It was probably brief and did nothing for either of them besides make them both really embarrassed. They never did it after they started to mature into preteens/teens, when it became more obvious that it meant something beyond, “we should do that because married adults do it, and we’re gonna be married!” That said, Subaru doesn’t count Kaguya as his “first relationship” either, at least not in the romantic sense. To him, she has always been a dear friend, and in a way, he’s also her family. (This is not shade to anyone who ships them, I don’t roll like that. This is just my own interpretation as someone who ships Subaru and Cuilang. All ships and interpretations are valid.)

What’s their height difference? Age difference? So it does seem to me that Cuilang is probably just a little shorter than Subaru in-game, and I do generally like that difference and keep it. Cuilang probably weighs a lot more. Then there’s the age difference, which is significant! I don’t think anything states Cuilang’s official age (or Subaru’s*), but he has lived through some decades more, at the very least. *I’ve always suspected Rune Factory games intentionally don’t list ages for characters for the people who can best project their own age/personality onto the MCs! In fact, Subaru and Kaguya not only actually look like they’re over the age of 14-17, unlike many of the previous MCs of the series, but they actually look like they could be in their 20s.

What’s their relationship with each other’s families? Do they share a friend group? Unfortunately, neither of them have a family, but I do headcanon that Kaguya (whom I ship with Kai) is very close to Subaru, and the Autumn crew very much is Cuilang’s found family. They do share a friend group, but I’d like to think that the bonds strengthen as Subaru and Cuilang’s relationship does. Cuilang gets closer to Kaguya through Subaru, and Cuilang delights in hearing more about his husband’s antics as a child. (At least, when it comes to the more adorable moments. I feel like Cuilang would be pretty upset to hear about the more difficult parts of Subaru and Kaguya’s upbringing.) Yachiyo is that bestie who knew they’d get together early, kept her mouth shut, and did a pump-fist and mouthed “yes!” whenever they went on dates. She’s thrilled Subaru is getting closer to Cuilang. I do headcanon that the Autumn crew only pretend they don’t know Cuilang’s secret, and eventually, it does come out, and they’re like “we always kind of new this though” - none of them are so stupid they wouldn’t pick up on it. They just respected that he didn’t want to tell them and acted oblivious.

Who takes the lead in social situations? Depends on the situation, I suppose? I think Subaru would have to start with this, saying, “We’re doing this with our friends!” or whatever. Cuilang takes a while to adjust to knowing he can depend on others and take time to relax, rather than always trying to be helpful. (But that said, Cuilang and Subaru are both equally earnest about helping others, and jump in together, which can lead to being social after all is fixed and finished…!)

Who gets jealous easier? Subaru, even though I don’t think it’s intense or anything. It’s not just the thing with Woolby; I do think he’s fairly confident in himself, but he has some slight insecurities that I think come from being heavily criticized in his upbringing. A lot of that probably led to some perfectionism. I did write him being a little put out about his cock size in one of my fics, with him wishing he was a little more than average, but then he sees that’s kind of ridiculous and unnecessary. I have also been watching most of the romances, and Subaru definitely seems to be harder on himself and think Kaguya is better in comparison at things.

Who whispers inappropriate things in the other’s ear? This honestly doesn’t happen with them. They just. Don’t. Cuilang would never really consider it, especially when he’s so funny about saying “cool” and “vibe” in his battle conversations with Hina and Kotaro, but also? Subaru just doesn’t, either. I think if Subaru gets aroused, he just suggests it out loud, and Cuilang would be pretty blunt about wanting to have sex again too. The only time they might whisper these suggestions - and it would never be little sexy things so much as arranging a time for it later - is when they can’t let their eventual kids overhear.

LOVE

Who said “I love you” first? Subaru! I mean, some of this is canon, if you date Cuilang, so yeah, he said it first, and it was so sweet.

What are their primary love languages? I will never be over Cuilang giving Subaru the items he loves the most, even though Subaru doesn’t really like those things! It’s hilarious to me, and I still don’t know how or when Cuilang will find out Subaru’s accepting them despite not being a fan of things like cans and scrap metal. Imagine loving someone so much, you don’t have the heart to tell them you hate their gift. (But you regift it a few days later, right back to them.) Someday I’m going to write a fic that goes into Cuilang figuring it out and confronting Subaru. Maybe. Cuilang does love making Subaru his lunch for the day, though, and I do think Subaru just coming into Cuilang’s workspaces and watching him is his own way of saying, “I love everything about you, even when you’re doing something I don’t understand.” (Though Subaru would definitely pick up on the making of automatons based on his exposure to more and more of this.) I can just imagine how much Subaru will leave gifts of metal and cans and all sorts of things that can be recollected, and he leaves them in a crate in Cuilang’s workshop.

Who uses cheesy pick-up lines? …Okay, so I can kind of see Cuilang using them during early dates because someone recommended them. (He wouldn’t trust Kai for this, but he would definitely believe Yachiyo or Kotaro, haha.) Though he might question most of those suggestions, one or two might slip through. Subaru is earnest and passionate, and his cheesiness is there (not in pick-up lines tho), but… I think it would be very mean to point it out. He’s trying his best.

How often do they cuddle/engage in PDA? They cuddle every night before bed. Subaru would definitely come up behind Cuilang and wrap his arms around his middle to snuggle him in the mornings when he first wakes up, or even sometimes just out in public. They are very physically affectionate. I think Subaru experiences touch starvation quite easily (and was quite physically affectionate with Kaguya as a kid), I have a lot of thoughts about their childhood that apply to how Subaru acts when he’s older and why he is the way he is! He definitely wants to live a life that celebrates that closeness and affection with everyone, and I can see him being comfortable hugging a lot of his close friends frequently, and so him being super snuggly with Cuilang is quite tame, actually. Game might limit me, but my imagination won’t! Haha. It’s when he burrows into Cuilang’s neck and kisses it in front of everyone that it’s clear, this is the one he doesn’t just love, he’s in love with.

Who initiates kisses? Subaru typically does, not because Cuilang is not receptive, but because Subaru pretty much beats him to it.

Who’s the big and little spoon? They both switch on this pretty frequently. Spooning is one of Subaru’s favorite activities!

What are their favorite things to do together? With or without kids, these two love a good sunset walk through Autumn Village, though sometimes they like a change of scenery. I found out recently that Subaru hates going out to the snowfield, so I think that’s one he avoids. (Theories about Subaru growing up in what looks like a snowy town in 1, 2, 3…) After they have children, they love late night chats together once the kiddos are tucked in and asleep, although Subaru definitely requires a full eight hours, so he’s probably not up much later. Kids in bed at 8, Subaru in bed by 9 - that’s what I imagine. But that last hour between them… it’s theirs. Cuilang absolutely adores children, and even before they have their own, the two of them love to spend time with the kids in every village, playing with the new toy automatons Cuilang creates for them.

Who’s better at comforting the other? I think Cuilang would be good at this, because of his years of helpfulness and his understanding of watching people for so long. He has a reasoning and perspective that’s compassionate and honest. While I don’t think Subaru necessarily has PTSD from his childhood, I think there’s a lot to unpack there, and certain events might trigger memories Subaru would rather forget or bring some of his insecurities to the forefront of his mind. Cuilang would be so kind to Subaru here. He’d say he was just a child when he was forced to practice and be perfect. I think that also helps Cuilang, in a roundabout sort of way. Cuilang is always pushing himself, and in order to show Subaru he doesn’t have to, Cuilang has to also show he shouldn’t push himself either. They’re a team. This something that strengthens throughout the early progression of their relationship until it’s so established, it’s habit. Subaru is always an excellent comforter, though. Cuilang probably needs less of it, though, than Subaru does, to be fair.

Who’s more protective? Honestly, when it comes to each other, their friends, their family, both of these two are fierce. I cannot see one being more protective than the other, but I will say, their protectiveness is on HIGH.

Do they prefer verbal or physical affection? Both! Subaru is a frequent supplier of both, but he’s also someone who requires a lot of it, and Cuilang would happily supply them - especially as the relationship deepens and he becomes more and more comfortable with the things he hasn’t done regularly in the past, like kissing and spooning and saying, “I love you.”

What are some songs that apply to their relationship, in-universe or otherwise? I’m never any good at this, because sometimes a song makes me think of a character (usually one of my OCs) or ship, but oftentimes, it’s just sadly one thing I’ve never been very good at, though I wish I could be, haha.

What kind of nicknames do they call each other? Hahaha, I’m thinking a lot about the nicknames offered in the game! In my first playthrough, I kind of kept it simple - which is funny, because usually in other RF games, I stick with them calling each other by their default names - and went with Subaru calling Cuilang “Darling” and Cuilang calling him “Dear”... Hahaha. I like those a lot. They’re just so classic, and there’s something about this pair that feels genuine, as if the things I’ve always seen as kind of generic are suddenly authentic. (I don’t know if that makes sense…)

Who remembers the little things? Both of them, but especially Cuilang, because he has the most unfairly good memory of them all. It’s quite the advantage.

DOMESTIC LIFE

If they get married, who proposes? As per canon, Subaru…

What’s the wedding like? Who attends? Again, all covered in the game if you marry Cuilang. Hahaha. So I’ll skip over that.

How many kids do they have, if any? What are they like? Okay, so this is rough. The game only lets you have two children, and I’m absolutely in love with Hana as their oldest with Sora following about four years later. (I’m ignoring the whole “five years apart, and also none of the children age in this game” thing here. I’ve glanced at canon and decided I don’t like it.) I can live with them only having those two, but a part of me also thinks that they would have more if they could. I’ve been thinking three is a better number for them, the only issue is that I can’t decide which of the other children I’d give them! I do think Sayo or Riku would be the better choice, but I’m not sure which order the kids would be in. So I’ve - for now - stuck with just Hana and Sora. Maybe they were glad to have those two and didn’t want to push it by asking for more turnips. Maybe the gods are only so generous. Who knows? I will admit that I do imagine Umi as Kaguya and Kai’s, though, and as their only child.

Do they have any pets? Woolby is not a pet, he’s not a wooly… butt also, the kids are so fond of him and will see him as they see him. Which is their pet wooly AND pet dragon.

Who’s the stricter parent? I can’t say either of them would be strict in any sense, and they’re kind of a team on the parenting front. They have similar ideas about raising children. Not to be too grim, but I suspect Subaru takes some of the worst parts of childhood and uses them as guidelines for what not to do. I do think he can scold if he needs to, as can Cuilang (a good example is his interaction with Mauro, where he doesn’t even sound the least bit harsh, but he says, “You’re getting water everywhere. Please cease this disruptive behavior and put it away.”) and I can only imagine Subaru raising his voice if he was worried/a child was potentially putting themselves in danger. The kids keep them on their toes, and they definitely have to be firm, but they’re gentle parents. Cuilang indulges Kotaro’s antics and tells Subaru to do so, which makes me think he understands children very well. He’s also a problem-solver, so in cases like Sora, who seems like he gets sleepy during the day but then refuses to go to bed, I think he’d be looking for ways to help Sora wind down and sleep for the night. He’d eliminate any ideas that don’t work and note what does, stopping those bedtime tantrums during Sora’s earliest years. For Hana, Cuilang would come up with ways to give her energy safe outlets. There’s nothing wrong with her, but obviously there will be times she takes risks in play that worry her fathers, so Cuilang often thinks of ways he can inspire her to let out that energy before she ever tries anything too dangerous.

Who worries the most? Subaru, as a parent, is definitely a bit of a worrier. He can be very determined and relaxed about some things, but I do think he’s got some anxieties he pushes through bravely in regards to the main plot. But as a parent? He will need some reassurances, particularly when he has concerns about doing the right thing for his kids. Luckily, Cuilang is there to help him through a lot of that.

Who kills the bugs in the house? I’m baised because I’m looking into taking classes to pursue a career in conservation, specifically with an interest in insects and spiders and their role in conservation, but I also think this fits Cuilang and Subaru. They don’t kill bugs in the house. They don’t kill spiders. Cuilang will do most of the relocation of any medically significant creatures, because it’s safer for him than for Subaru and the children. (This makes me wonder a bit about his disliked items being the powders for status effects, because while I can see it being a thing where those can harm humans, I can’t see him really wanting bugs and spiders dead…)

How do they celebrate holidays? I feel a bit sad that we didn’t get more than the lantern and fireworks festivals, but they definitely participate in them. I bet they also make a big deal out of special dates related to in-game accomplishments, like when Subaru returns from the Forest of Endings. They also have other special occasions: birthdays, anniversaries, etc. If anything, I’d say, “together, as a family” is the most important piece for them.

Who’s more likely to convince the other to come back to sleep in the morning? Subaru, for sure, but even he doesn’t get to sleep in much due to his duties, and that’s before the kids. After them? Good luck, buddy.

Who’s the better cook? Cuilang manages to do things perfectly with measuring, timing, and all that, to the point that after a few trials, he never errors. So he’s annoyingly good at many recipes simply from repetition. But Subaru sometimes has that homemade alteration touch that can make his cooking really good too. Until Cuilang picks up on it and copies it to perfection. ;)

Who likes to dance? Subaru is canonically a dancer, and while he definitely was forced to do a lot of practicing (not just with dancing, but that too) while growing up, I think he does enjoy it. I actually started a fic where he’s teaching Hana at her request, and he’s more apprehensive about making sure he encourages her rather than critiques her. (And he requests Kaguya’s help too.) Someone bully me into finishing it.

#Subaru x Cuilang #Subalang #I sought out a questionnaire just to fill one out for them...#also copy/pasting from google docs it looks fine in editing mode but the formatting is FUCKED #I'm so sorry #not letting this be rebloggable