pairing: teppei x gn traveler reader
req: yes? highly needed | wc: 610 | set after the archon quest
more teppei fic prompts
a/n: oh teppei <3
“Hey, Teppei! Help me out over here will you?”
Teppei, eager to help out his rival –he used to envy your fighting prowess, but now that he was captain of Herring I, he regarded you like his rival more than anything, though all he really did was banter and try to one-up you occasionally while bragging of his achievements– and find out why they so possibly need his help. After all, they’re captain of Swordfish II, they can handle themselves can’t they?
He waves off his curious soldiers’ interest –he was sparring with them, it was one of the last few days until they'd return to their families and their normal life so he wanted to make the best of it– and jogs over to you. “What’s up, (y/n)? Hey,” You stand with a cart in tow, “What are those?”
You smile brightly, “Uniforms! I know the war is over, but her excellence insisted we still get new uniforms. Like… a parting gift maybe?”
“That’s cool of her,” He seems to have a bounce in his step as he gets to the boxes. “Which one’s which?”
“Oh, no, I got ours.” You brandish the two out from behind you, seemingly out of thin air.
Both are blue, standing out amongst the usual magenta of a regular soldier’s. Teppei would surely be excited to stand out. Captain, along with the name of your respective units, are etched into the shirts. Your uniform is equipped with somewhat angular armor like a swordfish’s nose, and Teppei’s is somewhat lacking armor in comparison; but you suppose Herring I sneaks around, as his story for acquiring the title of captain had been that he’d ambushed a shogunate army. The clank of armor wouldn’t help that.
“Woah!” There’s a sparkle in his eye and he wears the widest grin you’ve ever seen. He pulls you into a quick hug and a little kiss on your cheek subconsciously, like it’s natural to him. “Ah, thank you!”
Teppei was the cutest person you’d met on your journey by far. “Forgetting about our rivalry, dear Herring Captain?” You snicker.
“Pfft,” He scoffs, waving you off. He totally had, but he wouldn’t dare admit it. “of course not, dear Swordfish Captain.”
“Ta-da!” Teppei pulls open the curtains separating your separate changing areas, doing jazz hands like a dork while showing off his clothes. “It feels lighter than the previous uniform. How’s it look?”
“It looks great.” You remark, brushing an arm down one of his sleeves.
He clears his throat to hopefully clear the flustered look on his face, “Same goes for you.” But as much as he tries, he can’t. Being with you… it makes him feel soft. He pulls you into another hug with an indeterminate duration, it seems.
“You good, Teppei?”
“Yeah,” His voice is muffled against your hair. “I’m fine, just… thank you.”
“Thanking your rival again?” Before he can retort, you speak up again, “What for, anyway?”
“Making me happy, cheering me on, I have many reasons.” He sighs dreamily into your embrace and your warmth and the fiddling of your fingers in his hair, “You may not think so, but you’ve even helped me become captain of Herring I. My pursuit of one-upping you has brought me here, and now I only want to be your equal.”
“Teppei.” He thinks he’s about to be embarrassed because you’re gonna tease him about what he just said but, “I heard half of what you said and the rest was plain gibberish.” apparently not.
“Honestly, I’m kind of glad.” He pecks you quickly. “I’ll tell you another day.”
“Can that day be today?”
“You’re pushing my generosity.”