he's not home yet - but the instructions were clear that night: a request for thoma to occupy his bedroom regardless of how late he might arrive. not that it was outside the norm for him to do so, but ayato was explicit in his requests - so much so that he listed the time, the state of dress he'd prefer his lover (nothing), and a very, very detailed and verbose outline of... how to ready himself for whatever ayato might have had planned for when he did show back up.
despite his absence, three items rest upon his retainer's pillow (who brought them in is anyone's guess) when he does choose to arrive. the first: a red wrapped bouquet, windwheel asters (preserved with meticulous dendro energy) mixed with sprigs from the sakura tree that stood sentinel in ayato's private garden. the second, a small box of chocolates mixed with liquor from fontaine (untouched by ayato's devious hands), and the third...
carefully pillowed upon vestiges of deep blue velvet lay a simple dark collar and leash - soft leather unadorned by patterns apart from the kamisato emblem tooled near the buckle. cheeky of ayato, as always, to accentuate any sort of romance with his... sexual proclivities. but what was most curious was in the corner of same container rest a small divet... where a ring might of rested. and yet, that item seemed to be missing from the gift. but it mattered not - ayato's demands had been clear: put the collar on, undress. and wait.
luckily for thoma, the yashiro commissioner was intent on hurrying home that night.
ayato being away from the estate on business was not a new venture, nor would it stop any time soon, so thoma can't exactly be disappointed the man would be absent their first valentine's as an official couple. the "holiday" was mostly a mondstadt custom anyway, but other nations had adopted the symbolic day of love and friendship. thoma would never put personal needs above that of the clan, the commission, and he takes pride knowing when his lover does return, he will have ayato all to himself. thoma will give his gifts then, and they can celebrate in their own time. which is why he takes to his tasks for the day with an upbeat attitude, like always, and completes most of his chores before dusk has arrived.
after a shower and a light snack, he returns to their quarters to find items laid out for him on his side of the bed. impossible to miss, as they hadn't been there thirty minutes ago. eyes gravitate instantly to the fresh flowers, mind remembering how they smell before he even brings them to his nose. he inhales deep the scent of home, of a part of his youth he cherishes like gold, along with a hint of something familiar. something that smells like his home, now. sakura. the lengths ayato must have gone to to get not just one, but an entire fresh bouquet of windwheels was no small feat. thoma has to stop before continuing his investigation further to procure a vase from the connected bathroom, setting the windwheels and sakuras in the clear glass container to safely place them on the nearby nightstand.
chocolates, next. typical for the day, he thinks, but sweet (literally) nonetheless. and the kind were exquisite, also imported, and probably cost a pretty mora or two to bring to inazuma. their borders may be open now, but it hasn't been long, and trade is still trying to catch up. ayato wasted no expense to procure the indulgent treats for him, and it makes retainer feel a warmth that had nothing to do with his vision. the man could have given thoma socks for all he cared, any gift ayato put thought into to give to him was cherished. thoma feels a little sheepish when he considers the winter coat he purchased, and the yukata he'd sewn for ayato's own gifts. it didn't seem like enough in return…ah, but there was more still. gaze falls to the last item laid out for him, and the card along with it.
briefly, he wonders what poor sap had been wrangled to drop off these items in such a way, considering maybe an apology was in order...there was no way one could mistake the collar and leash as one for a common dog. the leather was immaculate, too well-made to be used on an animal, not to mention the neck looked large. and the most glaring fact of all - they didn't own a dog. as thoma reads the incredibly in-depth description of what ayato wants when he returns, a mixture of excitement and sheepishness wash over him. he was returning tonight, how long did thoma have to prepare? he's already showered…archons, that man. damn how well ayato knew him, for thoma's mind is already racing at the possibilities. fingers fondle the soft leather strap of the leash, feeling a heat settle in his gut like fresh tea. the excitement for what's to come almost overwhelmed him as he secured the collar around his neck, he had to take a moment to focus, before he began preparing for ayato's return.
thoma, of course, does exactly as he's told, ready to spend the long evening with his lord commissioner and their non-existent dog.
