Soggy Day (TKDB oc x Reader)
Begining notes:
This technically isn't an x Reader since Yichén is greyromantic, but "x reader" is simpler than " Yichén + Reader except they have a queerplatonic relationship"
No warnings for this one! Just fluff <3
Content: A little forest stroll with Yichén, Reader calls Yichén "Yiyi", Poor baby needs lots of hugs, Jiro cameo!!
You patiently waited by a tree in the dense forest that surrounds Mortkranken, waiting for your partner to show. It wasn't unlike him to be late- but it was unlike him to not let you know he's being held up. You couldn't help but worry that your plans with him were canceled. The life of a Mortkranken ghoul is a busy one, after all.
As you leave your thoughts and gaze back out at the world, you notice Yichén nervously standing a few feet in front of you, a pathetically cute look of concern painting his expression. His face glows with tears stains- a sight that worries you as you examine him closer from afar. He notices you noticing him and smiles, albeit weakly.
"Y/N! Sorry- you seemed deep in thought... I-I didn't want to bother you o-or anything...."
Yichén steps closer, hanging his head ever-so slightly as he stands still with his head turned away from you. He's done this often enough for you to know this is his way of silently asking for a hug. You wrap your arms around his thin body, squeezing him and holding him close as he rests his head on your shoulder. His calming aroma of lavender is harshly contrasted by the pungent smell of tobacco- something his housemates must have surely noticed as well.
"I-I'm sorry I'm late.... Captain Isami was lecturing me on the cons of smoking a-and.... mmh...."
He sighs, cutting himself off as he basks in your warmth. Even as you loosen your grip on him to step away, he stays hooked onto you as he closes his puffy eyes- sore from crying.
"Yuri can be harsh with his words, can't he?"
You coo before rubbing Yichén's head. The feeling of his soft purple hair comforts you just as much as it does him. He inhales sharply, giving you a tight squeeze before letting go.
"I um... I made you s-some tea before I left! "
He announces in his meek voice, producing a small thermos from the messenger bag at his side. You gingerly take it from him and unscrew the lid, wafting the tea before tasting it. It smells.... divine.
"It's bacha with a hint of- A-ah! Be careful! It's s-still hot!"
But it's too late. The boiling liquid hits your tongue, burning it. Yichén quickly removes his blue latex gloves before grabbing your face with a look of guilt. He whimpers at the situation, and you laugh, amused by how concerned he is; though it's also a little obsequious.
"A-a-are you alright? Should w-we go back inside and get you checked out?"
You shake your head with a chuckle.
"I'm fine, Yiyi. It's just a little burn. Let's walk it off, hm?"
Reassuring him, you're also reminded of why the two of you were meeting in the first place. It had recently rained on this side of the campus and Yichen wanted to forage mushrooms with you while he had some time available.
"R-right!"
He nods hesitantly and laces his fingers with yours as you begin walking. Yichén's eyes stayed glued to the wet leaf-littered ground, watching for any critters that might be around your feet. You let out a lighthearted sigh at his antics.
"Yichén- nothing's going to jump out at us. Use those eyes of yours to look for mushrooms! It's not like I know what we're looking for."
"I-I am looking for mushrooms! I'm just... m-more focused on making sure w-w-we don't step on anything..."
"You're about to walk into a spiderweb..."
"What?! Really?!"
His head shoots up and he sporadically looks around, jumping backwards as he finds the spiderweb you warned of. Yichén clings onto you tightly, scared for his life. You rub his head before shuffling around the low-hanging branch, the ghoul with you begrudgingly relaxing his muscles once far enough away from the large web.
"Oh hey, is that a mushroom?"
You point over at a grouping of fan-shaped mushrooms climbing a mossy tree. They're light brown- a little yellow. Most of the 'safe' mushrooms Yichén has shown you are the same color... are these ones safe too?
Walking to the log with your partner by your side, you crouch down in front of the cluster. Yichén mumbles to himself as he pulls out a pair of disposable gloves for himself and you. You poke and prod at the mushrooms while the brainiac beside you thoroughly examines them like the veteran forager he is.
"It looks like... tsukiyotake..."
"Is it safe?"
Yichén shakes his head with a frown as his beautiful green eyes look towards the forest floor.
"No... they're toxic to humans... a-and ghouls too, of course..."
"What about these guys? Are they poisonous to them?"
You question, pointing at a string of ants running up and down the log. Yichén jumps and falls back at the small bugs - lip quivering. His fear of just about anything with a pulse really makes you wonder how he ever forages alone.
You carefully pick the frightened Yichén up by the shoulders, standing him up and wiping the dirt and mud off his backside. He lets out a sigh and burrows his face back in your chest where he feels safest.
"I-I'm sorry...."
"What for?"
Yichén whimpers in response, the tip of his shoe drawing patterns in the soggy dirt.
"I wanted to show you the better sides of me. T-the kind of stuff I'm g-good at....I'm not as talented as you but-"
You interrupt him with a scoff.
"But what? You don't give yourself enough credit. You're just as talented as any of the other eggheads in Mortkranken."
The boy in your arms looks up at you with his big teary green eyes sparkling like jades. He stays silent, swallowing hard before letting go of you.
"Can... can we go back? I'd like to stay inside and watch a movie... i-if that's okay with you! We can watch whatever you'd like! A-as long as it's not super gorey.... b-but even then, if you really wanted to watch it- A-anyways.... I could make you some tea as well- if y-you want."
Yichén plans non-confidently while wiping away his tears with the sleeves of his uniform blazer, looking back at you as he walks forward to check if you're following behind.
"Are you sure? You've been so excited about doing this with me...."
"I-It's fine! Really! W-we could always go out some other time!"
You weren't entirely convinced by his words but you didn't want to push it further. It hurts your heart- seeing him give up so easily... but you swallowed your differences with a swig of tea as you jogged your way back towards your little Yichén. He patiently stood in a clearing, Sun shining on his skin like light through glass as those jade eyes looked back at you.
The sweet boy was at your side the moment you were in range. He walked by you, your feet hardly an inch apart as he stared solemnly at the forest floor. His lavender aroma mixed with the pines of the forest made serenity spread throughout your body like a painkiller. Or maybe it was the dopamine that came with just being by your dear partner?
Just as quickly as you came into the forest, you and Yichén were already out and strolling towards the Mortkranken building. A little disappointing to be honest- but at least you still got to spend some time with him.... even if what you two were doing before was already perfectly fine.
"I-I'm sorry..."
You sighed at his meaningless apology, stopping and holding his dainty gloved hands. You opened your mouth to reassure Yichén once more but a figure behind the petite student caught your attention.
"Yichén. Yuri sent me to come find you. He wants your help with something."
The figure coldly and plainly stated, hand resting on his neck as his tired eyes gave you little acknowledgement.
"A-ah! Vice-Captain Kirisaki!"
Yichén jumped like a frightened animal and squeezed your hand tightly as he met eyes with his Vice Captain. You gave him a soft squeeze back and placed a hand on your hip, ready to vouch for him if need be. Yichén already was a rather small thing- but he looked microscopic with the monsterously tall Jiro Kirisaki standing beside him. Or well, in front of him....
"I-I'm sorry- I- I was.. I wanted to.... me and Y/N where going t-to...."
Jiro crossed his arms, waiting for Yichén to finish in a manner that read as impatient to you.
"I-I was going to watch a m-movie in my room with my p-partn-Um.... f-friend....."
"Okay."
You waited for Jiro to continue, to have a rebuttal or some other, but he just... stood there for a few moments before turning around and walking away. Yichén looked towards you with eyes watery that gave the impression he was about to start crying again. You quickly put a hand to his soft cheek and rub it soothingly.
"Is.... is he always like that?"
You asked in reference to the Mortkranken Vice-Captain. Yichén silently shrugged with quivering lips, taking little steps closer towards you until his head was resting on your chest again.
"I think he's alright with us spending more time together? I'd assume he'd be a little more pushy if he wasn't...."
You console your partner- or at least attempt to despite the confusion in your voice and your head. Yichén simply nods into you before stepping back and wiping his tears with the sleeves of his blazer once again.
Gently, you heard the Mortkranken first-year into the dormitory building and to his room, shielding him from the view of others like a mother bird protecting a fragile egg.
"You said you wanted to watch a movie, right? Which one were you thinking? Maybe we could finish that one old one we were watching last time?"
You attempt to converse, but Yichén only mumbles in response as he continues to weakly cling to you.
"I-I'm sorry this all went so h-horribly...."
Yichén sobbed, fumbling with his doorknob.
"It's fine, Yiyi. There's plenty of other things we would do together. More days we could try and go out."
The boy parts his two-toned lips to speak, but nothing comes out as he slowly opens the door. Yichén beelines for his bed with shakey breaths and grabs one of his pillows like a loved companion. He squeezes it tightly as he takes deep breaths on and out- one of his usual grounding techniques.
"I'll make us some tea..."
You announce with a voice just as soft as your partner's. He nods in acknowledgement and you flash him a smile before strolling to a little desk where Yichén usually keeps all of his herbs and teas. You were nowhere near as good as good at making unique and flavorful blends as he was, but you could still make a good cup of oolong.
It takes you a few minutes to actually find the oolong tea. Not because it was unorganized or anything of the sort- in fact, all of the teas seemed to be separated into groups of flavor. All labeled..... in Mandarin.
"Yiyi, how much sugar do you want?"
You call out and turn around towards where the room's owner was sitting only to find him now laid down with his eyes closed and a gentle grip around his satin pillow.
With an amused smile you put away all the supplies you took out and sit beside your beloved friend, stroking his lavender hair as you usually do. No response - he's fast asleep. With an affectionate sigh, you reach towards the antique bookshelf by the bed and grab one of Yichén's random botony textbooks. Looks interesting... enough.
This isn't exactly how you planned on spending time together today, but maybe a little break is what the busy Mortkranken ghoul needed more.