Jealousy didn't come to Rouge as easily as it did to other people. The first thing that usually popped into his head wasn't exactly jealousy but something more akin to worry or some form of insecurity that clawed on his gut, telling him that he might not be good enough to compete.
Rouge paused as he caught sight of your figure entering the tavern, his glass inches close to his lips—completely forgetting he was holding it in the first place when the barkeeper snapped him out of his daze. His eyes were shining in delight at the sight of you and his body was already moving before he knew it.
He wanted to tell you to come sit next to him by the counter, his mouth already halfway opened to calling out your name until he faltered when he saw you approaching someone else.
Oh, maybe next time then. Rouge told himself as he tried to shove away the bitter feeling welling up in his chest and the taste of alcohol did nothing but make it worse. It was a simple matter, it made no sense to get worked up over it—at least that's what Rouge tried to tell himself.
He was usually good at keeping up appearances so when the barkeeper called out to him, letting out a hearty laugh, he couldn't help but panic a little and wondered what kind of expression he made to warrant that kind of reaction.
"What's wrong? Is there something on my face?" Rouge hummed, tracing the rim of his glass with his finger and feigning ignorance.
"You talk as if I didn't witness that whole display! What do you take me for?" The barkeeper placed a hand on Rouge's shoulder and gave it an encouraging squeeze that he thought was a little bit too strong. "You should be more aggressive! Nothing's gonna happen if you're gonna sit down and watch."
"Eh~? What's that?" Rouge laughed, trying to avoid his gaze. He tried playing it off but he would be lying if he said that the barkeeper's words didn't linger inside his head after he left him a free drink out of pity.
He pondered to himself. He thought that he was already being straightforward with his approach but when it came down to it, a little bit of hesitance along with a pinch of jealousy was enough to throw him off track.
Be aggressive, huh?
He snuck a glance towards your way, trying to find some sort of sign telling him if he should do something or not. That was his first mistake—he saw you laughing and smiling with someone else, and he couldn't help but feel something tug at his heartstrings.
It was an unpleasant feeling. He didn't want to look any longer but his gaze can't help but find you over and over again.
He clicked his tongue, setting down his glass in irritation. He was never the type to openly express these sorts of emotions that plagued him but frustration forced him to spit it out even for a split second just so he could muster his usual chipper smile and demeanor.
He stood up and made his way to the table you were sitting in. He didn't have a plan, and he certainly didn't have a clear goal in mind. What was he trying to achieve by doing this? He figured that he just wanted some peace of mind. How will he get that? He planned on figuring it out as he goes.
"Oh, you're here! You should've said hi to me. I'm hurt, y'know?" He placed his hand on your shoulder, greeting you as he always did, before turning his gaze to your company. "Eh, is this your friend? I don't think I've seen them before."
"Yeah, we bumped into each other here by coincidence and they invited me for a drink."
"Sounds really nice. Mind if I join you guys?" His gaze was expectant as he pinned it on them. He could tell that they were feeling pressured by his question—clearly against the notion but can't bring themselves to reject him directly.
"... Sure, if you'd like." They conceded, sighing, "you'll pay for your own drinks though."
Rouge smiled before taking a seat next to you. He didn't have any idea of what comes next or if his approach was appropriate. All he knew was that he couldn't sit still and watch. He'll stick next to you for the rest of the time, trying to shake off that nagging feeling at the back of his head.
"Haha, got it!" He hummed again, "then, shall we start?"
The memory felt faint to him; the day Crow first held you inside his arms. the day he met you.
You gazed at him with those big and surprised eyes of yours, and just the thought of all of that makes him smile in indifference.
He felt at ease when your grip on his waist was tight, his heartbeat racing as the blowing wind attempts to ease his hot temperature. taking you on rides in his motorbike was a blast, but also an excuse, of some sort.
With the other four always occupying your presence, he barely felt your eyes on him. it's such a strange feeling, y'know? he resists the urge to chuckle dryly.
The way Gran cupped your face lovingly, how you gaped at Itsuki with fondness, how you laughed at Rouge's tackiness, or how you went on night strolls with Noah..
He wanted to erase all of it, and if he couldn't, he needed to cool his head off. he wondered what was wrong with him. it's not like.. he was disapproving your relationship with everyone. no, he didn't have the right to. You're not some precious treasure a guy like him could hog all to himself. you were free, free of your own will. it's your choice who you hang-out with, who you rely on.
He stops in his stances, your voice calling out to him with worry. He flashes a grin. He had no chance, it hurts, but he didn't feel that flaming confidence to make you happy like they all do.
ー 𝙸𝚝𝚜𝚞𝚔𝚒
Itsuki felt lightheaded, feeling his tail wiggle rapidly as you stroke his ears gently. he talked to you about.. this, other side of himself. and before he knew it, his head was already laying on your lap, eyes shut tight as he enjoyed your warmth.
It became a routine, he supposed. you'd ready books together, talk about the things you did in the past, your interests in moonroad..
He might as well feel like a pet, begging attention from its master. he liked this time of the day, with you.. no, that was a lie. he loved it. but, just the thought of getting caught by the others in this situation..
He wonders why you do this. why you're so kind and caring to him, while he has done nothing for you. all he did was accept your touches, your sweet yet sincere words.. it's like they say, 'give back what one has received'.
So maybe.. if he did the same thing to you, would you feel at ease, as well?
He'd like to stroke your hair until you fall asleep, if that's what you'd like. he wanted to make you feel safe with him than he is with you. is he.. allowed to do all of that for you?
Of course, as.. fellow comrades.
But neither did Crow, nor Gran, or Rouge and Noah did the things you do, even though they're also what he calls 'fellow comrades'.
Itsuki wanted to ask Navi. about what was different about you, and everyone else. yes.. that's a good idea. maybe, he might find clues about this.
ー 𝙶𝚛𝚊𝚗𝚍𝚏𝚕𝚊𝚒𝚛
Gran longed for smiling faces, flowers, and sunny days. it was his ideal, the best scenery in all of sceneries.
And the front seat to that unreachable landscape was right in front of him.
Your bright smile, rivaling that big round ball up on the sky, the flowers you were holding bloomed with vivid hues.
All he could do was gape at you. He.. wanted to paint this, so, so badly.
Was he perhaps reacting too dramatically? maybe. you were saying something to him, but he couldn't hear you. his chest was beating too fast he didn't know what kind of eerie face he might be making right now.
He wanted to see this terrain once again. but in order for that to happen, he needs to protect you.
All he needed to do was that. and if it fulfills.. would you give him the same joy and laughter someday?
ー 𝚁𝚘𝚞𝚐𝚎
Rouge knows he's hopeless. always asking Gran for money, drinking alcohol when he gets the chance.. and being that hopeless jerk gave him the best mates he could ever ask for.
The same thought kept on repeating on the back of his mind when you appear in front of him. I mean, what an angel. you weren't mean to him like Noah, and you laughed at his jokes genuinely. yet you also scolded him for being too reckless sometimes. and can he be honest here, right now? he finds that part of you absolutely endearing.
'Sometimes sweet, sometimes hard.'
He feels like god was favored of him. I mean, he's aware he has good-looks, a nice singing voice, though he probably wasn't getting a lover any time soon, with his personality and all.
He kinds of feel bad for the person who'd become his partner. I mean, he's a troublemaker. even mommy Gran can't keep him in check. his unreadable, always going where the wind calls him.. so, Rouge is already aware that no one can understand him, keep up with him.
Nobody can.
Until.. well, you came.
Waking up with a warm blanket covering him from coldness, the once dirty table filled with bottles of alcohol were gone, clean and sparkly. pain reliever, warm water were the only things in front of him. and beside that, was you, in a deep slumber.
Aha, he must've been a messy mess again. but, howcome you knew he was here? he didn't tell anyone about where he was going.
He brushes this off. oh well. he stands in front of you and wraps the blanket on you, leaning your head on his shoulders. what a cutie. you must've been worried about him.
Maybe he should try and be more mature and reliable sometimes.
Noah would definitely give him a deep scowl. just the thought of it makes him grin.
ー 𝙽𝚘𝚊𝚑
Korokuru sleeps under your touch, the small, fluffy one looking peaceful as ever.
Noah apologizes, and thanks you for looking after him. usually, his friend of his wouldn't be buddy-buddy with anyone besides him. which is why it confuses him as to why it's different when it's you.
Noah despises humans. well, this factor should be obvious since he spoke to you about this matter in the beginning. of course, everyone in Tsukiwatari are different but..
The same sense he felt in humans than you was also different. a mystery, really.
Just being with you made him feel like he had nothing to be worried of. the chirping birds came by and greeted you, and the night sky felt brighter than day time.
He sighs. you really were a mystery.
But that was also a conclusion.. but it's not like he's fully trusted you like he does with Korokuru. he admits that you're one of his important comrades, but.. it's nothing more than that..! ..okay?
Though.. he enjoys nights with you like this. you'd come by tomorrow too, right?
— note: there's use of "princess" nickname to refer to reader
Warm—it was warm. It was normal to feel warm at this time of morning where the sun's rays kissed your skin and made your eyes flutter awake, then grumble about how it's too early to be up.
Although, in all honesty, this sort of wake-up wasn't the normal you were used to. It was warm, yes, but it wasn't the sun's rays that kissed your skin. It felt soft and a little ticklish.
Soon, the sensation went to your eyelids, the same warmth kissing your skin. Your eyes slowly fluttered open, adjusting to the bright light, and heard a small hum along with a chuckle.
"Oh! The princess is finally awake!" He feigned disappointed when he realized you were awake. "I was supposed to give you a true love's kiss on the lips next... What a waste."
"It's too early for this." Your complaint fell on deaf ears when you felt his arms wrapped around your waist, his face leaning in closer again, and smiled.
"I'll just keep kissing you if you go back to sleep." He gasped, "Unless... That's what you want me to do after all!?"
If Rouge was being honest, he didn't know if dressing up as a prisoner for Halloween was the brightest idea considering the fact that he's knee-deep in debt. The black and white clothes earned him a few comments along the lines of: trying out your new outfit already?
To which he would respond with: "Does it look good on me?"
Still, he thought it was a convenient outfit that he threw together last minute—turning one of his collars into a chained one was easy enough with the help of a little magic. The other chains wrapped around his wrists, however, he decided to borrow from former drinking buddies.
"Sooo… What do you think?" He stuck out his tongue, contorting his expression to mimic a rough criminal. It didn't last long though, he quickly crumbled into a fit of laughter as he threw his hair over his shoulder while shooting you a wink. "Will you give me a treat or do you want me to trick you?"
You laughed at his playful demeanor and his unserious question. He was as carefree as ever, acting as fickle as the wind. You couldn't help but want to paint his expression with something else instead—criminals often have blood on their hands or faces, right?
You thought that red might suit him in this costume. So you took a piece of unwrapped candy, tugged on the chain attached to his collar to pull him down. He looked at you wide-eyed, about to speak as he opened his mouth but you quickly put the candy in his mouth before he could. Your finger lingering on his lips for longer than it should.
"A treat from me."
The blood that rushed to his face in that moment was enough to make you think that it completed his whole look.
— ADEL!
He can't fathom how he let himself get roped into an event completely unrelated to him and his work by Merryrose, no less. He always mentioned that most costumes he would see around this time were terrible attempts that they flaunted around. He told his guild that if he cared a little bit more, he'd make costumes that would outshine everything else.
Unfortunately for him, he didn't have the chance to say anything when he got dragged into the square dressed up like a wolf. Clad in orange and fur—he thought that it was absolutely ridiculous that he let himself wear something like this. The fact that he was wearing ears, too, made it worse.
"What? You're not gonna ask for a treat?" You tilted your head, fighting the urge to tease him endlessly. He threw his head back, sighing and looked at you with tired eyes. No words left his lips but you knew that he was annoyed with you. After all, you were the one who suggested the costume.
"Do you have any idea how ridiculous I look?" He complained, "If I had my way, I'd be looking much more regal than this. Actually, I wouldn't be here in the first place."
You placed your hands on his shoulders, donning a smile as you gave him a light squeeze as a way to soothe his irritable state. "Now, now. You're here so you should make the most out of it! I'd love it if you got into your role and acted like a big bad wolf."
Surely, you said that to tease him but he was feeling spiteful.
He grabbed your wrist—earning a gasp from you—and brought it closer to his mouth. It was fake but he bared his fangs and pressed it gently against your skin as he looked at you with narrowed eyes. It wasn't sharp, it didn't hurt, but it made your heart beat faster than ever.
"If I were to act like a big bad wolf, as you say, then should I gobble you up right here right now?"
He wasn't enjoying himself much but after seeing the expression you made after his little display, he thought to himself that maybe coming down here was worthwhile after all.
— MERRYROSE!
Knowing Merry, he wouldn't pass up the opportunity to go down to the square and extort free candy from the people in town just by dressing up as a wicked witch who loved to curse people who passed by. He got into the role too much with the way he was acting but he enjoyed himself, especially since he managed to get all the candy he wanted.
Finally, it was your turn to fall victim to his favorite question for the night. He cocked his head to the side, shooting you a wink and held up his wicker basket. "Trick or treat?"
"You clearly have enough candy for tonight as is." You shook your head, refusing to give him any candy after seeing how full his basket was. "You should leave more room for the others, you've had your fill."
He frowned, raising an eyebrow in question to your rejection. He was acting like a bratty witch who was denied of something he really wanted—he was getting too into the role when he asked you, "so you're fine with this witch giving you a little trick then?"
"A trick? You really want candy that badly?" You laughed at his question but Merryrose was already taking a few steps towards you with a small mischievous smile decorating his face. You took a few steps back for every step he took until he grabbed your wrist and pulled you closer to him.
"I'll place a curse on you." He leaned in to whisper to your ear, his lips ghosting over your ear. "A curse that'll make you hopelessly in love with me."
Out of embarrassment, you pushed him away and shook your head as you tried to hide your flustered expression. "Stop that! You already know that your curse doesn't work on me."
Merryrose broke character and let out a giggle, shooting you a wide grin before replying. "Yeah, and it should stay that way. I'll make you fall in love with me without the help of stupid curses."
— rouge x gn!reader, dedicated to @rosemaze-reveries
He's always thought of you as beautiful. He didn't think much of it at first – you were easy on the eyes as well as nice. He thought it wouldn't hurt if he dropped by every now and then in your workplace to sing a song or two; pouring out praises that can pass as flirting although he didn't have any real intention of seeking a relationship. He's as fickle as the wind. But what happens when the gentle breeze wants to stay in one place? The answer was a little difficult to figure out.
He didn't mean to catch feelings. He never thought that it would happen to him. But perhaps he had it coming, especially with his "playful" advances that ended up backfiring. It was he who started falling instead. At first, he thought little of it; these feelings will soon go away, he's just a little confused and lonely. Though the second and third times he became conscious of it, he was sure that he was just spiraling down the rabbit hole called "love".
"Rouge," he loved it when you called him by his name. It was warm – warmer than anything he's ever known and he's addicted. Your touch made him feel feverish and your voice was the most beautiful melody he's ever heard. "Are you listening to me?"
"Oh–? Right… you were saying?" He was far too distracted as his thoughts lingered a bit longer. He's yearning so badly yet he doesn't want to make the first move. What if he told you that he's fallen? He's afraid of your reaction. You saw him as a competent person who can do all sorts of things and that made him so, so afraid. He wasn't like that at all. He felt horrible for trying to deceive you like that and he'd rather keep his feelings bottled up inside if it meant staying by your side.
Even if you somehow liked him back and accepted his flaws, embracing him for who he truly is. He wasn't sure if he'd be able to stay; he never liked staying in one place for too long. He comes and goes like a gentle breeze passing by but it was the first time he's wanted something so badly to the point that it made him sick.
So he learned how to stay grounded. You were his anchor – whether it's some city he wants to flee to or somewhere you cannot reach, he'll stay as long as you're with him. He was too dependent on you but he doesn't mind, it really doesn't matter to him. You're the most important to him.
"..-ge! Rouge!" He snapped out of his small daze, his eyes quickly darting back to you. He let out a small laugh, trying to brush off the fact that he wasn't listening to a word you were saying because he was too preoccupied with his thoughts. You crossed your arms, "just what are you thinking about that it's got you spaced out?"
"Oh, well… It's nothing too important. More importantly, how do you like the cake I baked you?"
"I appreciate the sentiment but I have to ask – did you put alcohol here? It tastes kinda funny and I don't know what you put so that's my best guess."
"Ouch! I poured my whole heart into making that cake for you… I really didn't put anything suspicious, I swear. The only ingredient I used that wasn't listed in the recipe is all my love for you~!"
"Wow… So you're saying it's a skill issue?"
"Can't you be a little bit nicer to me? I thought that since it's your birthday you would be gentler."
"You'll let me get away with it, won't you?"
"I'll let you get away with anything as long as you ask me to." He sighed as he leaned in a little closer, his cheeks getting warmer as he got closer and closer. He placed a small kiss on your lips, "Happy Birthday. Here's to hoping I spend another year with you."
