Mono

mono

[ xiao x little adepti!reader ]

summary: xiao realizes that he wasn't really alone.

note: i miss little devil and xiao :'> | m.list

words: 1622 | warnings: mentions of perilous trails and kinda shitty narrative because it's 4 am and im sleepy | REPOST

Mono

"they've been staying at that exact spot for three days, mister zhongli," verr turns to the child sitting on a blanket at the balcony of the inn with a worried look on her face. in her hands is a tray with a plate of almond tofu and a glass of water. she was just about to deliver it herself, when she came upon zhongli, who was also making his way to the balcony.

"i think they're waiting for xiao to come home," the gentleman can only sigh in response, for he had already expected this before he made his way to dihua marsh.

"i see. thank you for letting me know. may i?" he gestured to the plate and cup, "i came to check upon them, so if you don't mind?"

"of course," she carefully hands him the tray, "thank you. now, if you'd excuse me," she gives him one last smile—albeit a little sad—before turning to walk back to the front desk.

zhongli nods at her, before continuing his ascent to the balcony with the tray in his hand. the sound of his footsteps on the wooden platform alarms the figure on the floor, little shoulders perking up and turning around to face him.

your eyes are not as bright as they were a few weeks ago, zhongli noted.

"baba," you smile at him—too timid and doesn't reach their ears, he thought— "is that almond tofu?"

"indeed," he placed the tray on a nearby table, taking the plate and the fork and kneeling beside you on the blanket, "would you like to eat it now while it's still freshly made?"

"yes please."

handing you the plate and fork, you start to feed yourself little by little.

zhongli watches you do so from the corner of his eyes, lips tugging downwards from how you seem so… in your own world. silence was not an unusual thing with you, but this kind of eerie silence is slowly eating him. you've always been a child full of wonder and curiosity. if he's not retelling thousands of his stories, then it's you theorizing about everything and anything.

"baba," zhongli snapped out from his thoughts, gold eyes meeting your somber ones, "were do you think gege xiao is?"

oh.

so this is what this is about, zhongli turned his head towards the direction of the harbor, as if searching for an answer. in some ways, he is. he didn't want to speak about the chasm or xiao's impending doom to you.

"xiao is… facing a big obstacle right now."

"will he be alright?"

in all honesty, even zhongli doesn't have a definite answer. he knows xiao, alatus, is strong and more than capable of protecting himself and others. if he wasn't, he would have been swallowed by his karmic debt long ago. he is most resilient and devoted to his cause. but he is also too destructive for the sake of others—self sacrifice and unshakeable from his own principles. too much that he disregards his own safety.

"his safety is not guaranteed—" zhongli grimaced at the way your lips wobbled, "—but i can guarantee that the strength he had when he first decided to face his predicament, will be with him throughout and will remain within him right to the end."

zhongli pats the top of your head, letting your body lean on his side with a relieved smile at the somewhat at peace expression on your face.

he may not have quelled the storm within you, but he hopes that his words had at least given you more hope and confidence in your brother.

"i miss gege," you whimpered.

"worry not, little one. he'll return to us soon."

he says this to you and to himself.

Mono

xiao can feel exhaustion eating away inside him.

when he said that escaping will take everything he has, he really did mean that in all ways. the method used in the end wasn't the same as he had first planned, but either way, both still required all of his power.

the only difference was that there's a chance of survival with the second option.

well, he wouldn't have survived without rex lapis' help, but he at least came very close to that chance.

"heroes, huh," he says to himself, looking down at the shrine below him. the words that the traveler and the cow—ushi, was it?—had told him just a few minutes ago echoed in his mind.

a lot had transpired in just a few days—days for him but it might have taken them more or less than a week though, he's not too sure about that—and even after the vigilant yaksha said that he'd take their advice, there's still a lot to mentally go through with the whole experience.

maybe it was because seeing bosacius—for the last time—brought a lot of ache in his heart or the fact that he had almost met his end in the deep and dark underground space. perhaps it's a combination of both. for the few seconds that was spent falling into the depths of the chasm, he had felt the loneliest that he has ever been.

it somewhat scared him. the crippling fear when you know that it's the end and no one is there to witness you do so—it seems that yakshas do have fears of their own. his just happens to be the fear of dying without ever leaving a dent in someone's mind.

maybe this fear manifested because he was never really alone at all.

"gege!"

that's right. i was never truly alone. i just didn't really acknowledge that someone was there for me.

"gege!"

in fact, someone was always there for me, holding onto me.

xiao ignores the cries of rest from his muscles, limbs trembling at the ache that seems to dig itself into his bones. but he persevered, like he always does, pushing himself to stand.

"gege xiao."

the call for his name was clear as the sky—back at the chasm, he realized that the muffled noise he kept hearing at the back of his head was his name being called numerous times, the sound being blocked by whatever lives in that underground space. this time, finally, he can hear it as if the voice was right next to his ear. it sounded weak, a plea for him to appear.

it sounded like they've been calling him for so long only to be in vain.

with one last surge of his power, he enveloped himself with a green mist, disappearing and reappearing as fast as the wind could take him. only this time, his feet meet the wooden platform of his home.

ah, home. this is the first time i ever called someplace home.

"gege?..."

his head lifts up to where the sound came from, amber eyes meeting puffy ones—evidence of the time you've spent crying.

he says nothing, nor can he really think of something to say in this kind of situation. instead, he drags his heavy feet to your flabbergasted form on the floor.

once close enough, his knees fell to the ground with a loud thud, arms immediately sweeping you close with a relieved sigh.

"it's me," he whispers, "i'm here. i came back—and i'm never leaving you again."

after a moment of silence—you were still processing his sudden appearance—he hears the start of your cries, soft whimpers and sniffles right next to his ear and your small arms barely wrapping around his neck, fisting the cloth on his shoulder.

xiao does not initiate any kind of affection. yet here he is, striding towards you across the floor of the balcony with an urgency that you've never seen him have before, embracing you himself in a tight hug. it spurred more tears from your already weary eyes, the familiar warmth of your dear brother and his reassuring voice giving you a sense of peace—the ugly voices in your head are no more.

"w-where have you been?" you sobbed against his shoulder, trying your hardest to sound a little mad to scold him.

he only scoffs with mirth, finding your attempt endearing.

"i… met with my older brother."

"you left without telling me!" your fist thumps on his shoulders.

"forgive me, baobei—" he pulls away from the hug, calloused hands wiping the tears away from your puffy cheeks, "—i did not expect the trip to last weeks."

nor did i really think i'd ever come out alive.

"but i am here now," a rare smile appears on his face, immediately stopping you from your feigned tantrums to stare at him.

gege never smiles.

you sniffled, pouting at how he seemed unaffected. it must be an adult thing, you concur. still, this doesn't stop you from shooting him questions later.

"how was," you hiccuped, "how was your brother?"

a hum was his only response. he smooths down the disheveled mop of hair on your head, looking anywhere but your eyes.

"he's somewhere far from here."

"far from home?"

“mhm, very far. but where he is doesn't matter now," xiao shakes his head of any negative thoughts, "he may be far from us, but his memory will be preserved within our minds."

"can you tell me a story about him?"

"if you wish to hear it."

"mhm!" your eyes sparkled from excitement. it was xiao's first time to tell you a story from the past and you are more than ready to listen to his voice, his voice that you haven't heard in weeks.

"what was his name?"

"his name is bosacius. hundreds of years ago, i was not alone in protecting the land of liyue."

i was never alone before, nor am i alone now.

"there were four others—"

and now i have you.

More Posts from Reticent-writer and Others

2 years ago
Three drawings of characters from Genshin Impact, all featuring Kaeya. Top-left, Kaeya is sitting in a red arm chair with his eyes closed, smiling, while he holds a sleeping Klee in his lap. She is bundled up in his fur cape and is not wearing her usual hat. Top-right, Kaeya is training with Bennet. Kaeya is looking at Bennet with a small smile, while the boy looks nervous as he tries to copy what Kaeya is doing. At the bottom, Kaeya is grinning while he ruffles an annoyed Amber's hair. She blushes with embarrassment, mouth open in protest, while holding a bow.
A drawing featuring Kaeya and Diluc. Kaeya is asleep at a bar, implied to be Angel's Share considering Diluc's presence. Kaeya is sleeping with his head resting on his arms, his face still visible. An unfinished glass of wine sits by his elbow. Diluc has his hair tied in a high ponytail and he is sighing in exasperation as he drapes his coat over Kaeya's shoulders.

kaeya being everybodys big brother :)! plus him with his own

3 years ago

And then there was one

Ekko x Parental figure reader

not requested

I thought of this after i finished the Silco one

you, benzo and vander are long time friends

Angst

And Then There Was One

To Ekko Benzo and you were all he had and he wanted it to stay that way till the end of time but death waits for no ones permission.

You saw Ekko walking in the alley. Looked like he was going to benzo's. You hide in the shadows as he walks pasts you.

"And where were you all day, little man." You said cheerfully wrapping an arm around around his neck.

"h-hey. Hey y/n hows it going." He pointed finger guns at you awkwardly. Standing straight up you walk a few steps in front of him.

"I hope you weren't following someone again." You looked back at him to see him look away the moment your eyes met.

"You did didn't you." You completely turned to him grasping his shoulders.

"I already told Vi and the others!" He yelled slipping through your grasp and running while laughing.

You ran after him. They were always getting into trouble most of the time vander would stop them but seeing as you just came back from the last drop you could see he had his hands full.

You got tired of running after him and decided to walk back to Benzo's shop.

On your way you heard about a building being blown up by what could be vanders kids. You shake your head in disappointment knowing the outcome of it.

Once you round the corner to benzo's you see claggor and ekko talking outside.

"Always getting into trouble eh, claggor." He looked away and chuckled as ekko did the same. You walked past them into the shop.

"Eh, they're growing up Vander. Looking to write their own stories. You can't protect them forever." They spared you a glance and a nod as you sat net to vander.

"Someone was following them." 

"Whole lot of someones, from what I heard."

"Not enforcers. Someone on our side."

"Who?" You and benzo said.

"There's worse things than enforcers out there. We all know that." Vander said making you think about Silco. He never like the idea of Piltover and the Undercity to be counted as one. He wanted a independent nation, Zaun. 

After a few moments two enforcers came in with masks to protect themselves from the pollution. One she recognized while the other was new and was more hostile than the other.

"Evening, friend" Benzo greeted as they took their masks off.

The more caution one leaned in between you and Vander while looking around. You paid him no mind at first.

"Something I can help you with." Benzo said with a pointed brow 

"Some trencher trash attacked one of the buildings in the Academy district. But you already knew that." He harshly stated while looking at Vander.

'Oh wow, first thing and he's already insulting us.' You thought and chuckled but he noticed and before he could say anything about it you hopped up and began to walk away.

"Yep I'm out." You got up and waved yourself off not caring to hear the rest of their conversation if that enforcer was gonna be there. 

Claggor and ekko were no longer standing outside. You didn't bother looking for them as you started your walk home.

Getting home you just jumped in bed falling asleep in a near instant

*time skip*

Your peaceful sleep didn't last long as you were shaken awake by tiny hands.

"Y/n you have to wake up. Benzo's in trouble." You open your eyes to see ekko panicking trying to pull you out if bed

Without saying anything you got up with ekko leading you to a small building. You pushed ekko behind you as you saw Silco in the distance.

Benzo was on the ground along with officer Grayson.

You were scared and rushed in thinking if you didn't Vander will die next.

"Y/N GET BACK." You heard Vander yell but before you could turn a large rough hand was wrapped around your throat pushing you against a nearby building.

Your neck was snapped as the thing dropped you.

Before your vision faded you managed to look up at ekko. Seeing him cry broke your heart but you could move you couldn't even mouth anything to him.

You heard Vander screaming out to you but you didn't look away from the crying boy.

Forcing yourself to give him a small smile as you died.

And then there was one.


Tags
2 years ago

Songs I think fit demon slayer characters

Based on their backstory and end

*Manga Spoilers*

-

Kamaboku squad: C'mon

-

Giyuu: Body Terror Song

-

Obani + kanjiro: A Wistful Waltz

Their death was so bitter sweet🥲

-

Sanemi + genya: Evelyn Evelyn and 4:00 A.M.

-

Akaza: Heat Waves

Doma: putting a spin on never ever getting rid of me and I can't decide

Enmu: The silent Tragic Trantrum

Kokushibo: Putting a spin on fly me to the moon


Tags
1 year ago

Hi How would Obanai, Sanemi and Shinobu react to knowing that Their Father figure is paying Too Much Attention To Giyu Tomioka and Coldly Ignoring Them For Treating Water Hashira Rudely. And Refusing to Stay in their presence until they Apologize to Giyuu and don't tease him anymore. it would be cool to see that happen

I'm so so so sorry for the wait I was looking through my drafts and found this unfinished.

An: for some fathers I go with their occupation from other fics.

Mitsuri's ff is a Baker. Giyuu and Rengoku's is a retired hashira. Shinobu's is a doctor. Obanai, muichirou, sanemi and tengen are people from their past.

demon slayer masterlist

Hi How Would Obanai, Sanemi And Shinobu React To Knowing That Their Father Figure Is Paying Too Much

✿✼:*゚:.。..。.:*・゚゚・**・゚゚・*:.。..。.:*゚:*:✼✿  

Sanemi

You'd treat sanemi the way he treats genya, just completely ignore him or send him a dirty looks

You told him that he had to apologize or you'd be disappointed

"I'm not made just disappointed"

That broke sanemi but for u he put his pride aside

Watching sanemi apologize was like watching a child, he couldn't hold eye contact, his face was glowing red, he stummbled on his words until he yelled out.

"I'M SORRY GIYUU"

Before the both of you could react Sanemi took you by the arm and dragged you home.

------------------

Obanai

This man genuinely hates Giyuu💀

You taking the water hashiras side make him hate him even more

He would refuse to apologize until you blackmailed him with sharing embarrassing stories to Mitsuri

he wrote a little note that you promised not to read and gave to giyuu

Dear Giyuu, I would like to apologize for what I said. I know that words can hurt and I shouldn't say everything that I'm thinking because of the impact that they have on others

from obanai

although it sounds a bit backhanded its the thought that counts and you threw in giyuu's favorite snack to help.

-----------------

Shinobu

Usually you'd let her sly comments go but one comment caught your attention

The 'joke' made Giyuu go home because "he was tired"

Since then you made 'jokes' about shinobu until she got the hint and stopped being so harsh

but that didn't stop you from treating Giyuu like your own child

"Look who's finally graced us with her presence. How was yet another all-nighter Shinobu?"

Giyuu looked between you and Shinobu. Shinobu looked like she wanted to ring your neck, you've been making little comments like that for a few days and she was sick of it.

"I see what you're doing. Stop it."

After that, she stopped with mean jokes towards Giyuu and instead targeted you causing her to be the butt of any joke

✿✼:*゚:.。..。.:*・゚゚・**・゚゚・*:.。..。.:*゚:*:✼✿


Tags
2 years ago

Don't Worry!

Rengoku Kyojuro x F!Hashira!Reader

Lighthearted banter with your husband Rengoku and his best friend Tengen after a mission.

warnings: mild suggestive content! mostly fluff

A/N: I saw a post awhile back of how Tengen would totally tease Rengoku about being a good lover and say something like "no kids yet? 😉" and Rengoku would respond with how Tengen has 3 wives and still none and I literally can't get it out of my head 😭😭 PLEASE if anyone knows who the author is/where the post is tag it 😖😖

I absolutely love the idea of Tengen (playfully) teasing Rengoku about his relationship with y/n and one of them just saying something completely out of pocket

You stepped onto the covered porch and shielded your eyes from the blinding sun. Even as it set its power never yielded. In the distance ahead you could see the forms of two men slowly making their way towards you. You heart fluttered in your chest to see your lover and close friend laughing softly as they approached.

By the time they reached you, you were delighted to see that they had minimal bruises and cuts and in rather good shape.

"Kyo! Tengen! I'm so glad to see you!"

Kyojuro opened his arms wide and swallowed you whole. The hug enveloped your entire body and he even lifted you off the ground.

"Hello, my love," he whispered in your ear.

"Well, aren't you two just adorable," Tengen said with a smirk.

"Hi Tengen, it is always so nice to see you."

"Likewise, y/n."

"Well, you two go wash up, dinner should be ready soon!"

You three sat around the array of food. After such a long mission, you knew the two would be starving for a good homecooked meal, so you made all of their favorites. The two munched away at the food as you ate your own portion, giggling to yourself every time Kyo yelled UMAI!

"Ugh," Tengen groaned, "y/n, this food is amazing."

"Thank you Tengen! I'm glad you like it!"

"Rengoku, you are blessed to have a wife that cooks so deliciously."

"I am forever grateful for everything y/n does for me! I only hope to return the favors one day."

"Mm... I guarantee if I brought her back home to my wives, we would be able to repay her appropriately... I guarantee it would be the right treatment she needs." Tengen winked as he said.

Kyojuro's mouth was hanging open as he listened to his friend. You laughed boisterously for the umpteenth time that night.

"Oh, Tengen you flatter me... Do not worry, though," you smiled, taking Kyo's hand. "No other lover could satisfy me the way Kyo does."

You took a bite of your food and smiled again. Kyojuro and Tengen's mouths were hanging wide open, before Kyojuro crossed his arms and turned to his friend and smiled teasingly. All three of you laughed and resumed eating.

"Although... The touch of three women would be an experience I would like to have..."

Kyo spit his food out as Tengen laughed.

1 year ago

Hello sorry if I'm bothering you but I wanted to share one of my ideas with you. So what if the reader washed up in Fontaine specifically in Poisson and Navia went to investigate with Silver and Melus going with her and they found an unconscious person who was not only confused when they awoke but they were also completely exhausted, hungry and they had strange markings on some parts of their body and when Navia got them examined by a doctor it was discovered that they had an extremely large amount of dendro energy within their body despite not having a vision. (This was inspired by the first episode of Aphmau Diaries rebirth, here's the link if you don't know what I'm talking about: https://youtu.be/1Vzq1QZVtuk?si=kyIxOyJTSnTjNaMG) (if you don't want to write this that's completely understandable and I wish you a good morning/afternoon or goodnight)

You don't have to apologize, your never a bother.

I used to LOVE Aphmau, especially the series that she had. Lawerence was my favorite

Hello Sorry If I'm Bothering You But I Wanted To Share One Of My Ideas With You. So What If The Reader

✿✼:*゚:.。..。.:*・゚゚・**・゚゚・*:.。..。.:*゚:*:✼✿  

You were in and out of consciousness when a random man came up to you.

"HEY! How did you get down here?!" His volume grabbed the attention of the people nearby. Navia heard it but you were to drained to respond, even if you could you wouldn't know what to say.

"Hello *snap snap* is anyone in there."

You huffed and tried to sit up but passed out due to exhaustion.

"What is going on over here." Navia's voice was heard over the small crowd that was forming. She easily pushed passed them with the help of Silver and Melus.

"Oh my goodness! Are they alright, why are they half-clothed?" Navia gasped while Melus took off his coat and covered you, Silver then picked you up and presented you to Navia.

"They need a doctor above all else, they are clearly not from around here." Without another word Navia, Silver and Melus quickly brought you to a doctor.

-----

"Can you tell us anything doctor?" Navia questioned from your bedside.

"There's not much to tell, unfortunately. They are a mystery to me, they are in stable condition, but from everything thing I have seen they are nothing normal, especially with those marks."

"What do you mean?" said Melus.

"They have a high reserve of dendro energy but don't have a vision."

"How is that possible? The only person I've seen capable of that is the traveler."

As you gained consciousness you also got the attention of everyone around you.

"You're awake. How are you feeling?" Navia tried to comfort you by rubbing your arm but you jerked away.

"We don't want to hurt, We want to help you." Navia tried again which you listened to.

"Do you know where you are?" Navia asked with a soft voice.

You shook your head, "No... I don't remember anything." Your voice was hoarse and dry, which Melus took notice of and got you a cup of water.

"Not even your name?"

"I.... Y/n."

Melus handed you the glass of water and you downed it.

"Maybe a walk outside will jog your memory," Melus commented as he took the empty cup from you.

"Yes lets." Navia smiled at you as she handed you clothes and ushered everyone out.

-----

Walking out of the room you met with Navia and her bodyguards. They took you all around Fontain but the city itself was to much for you so they took you to the open grass.

Navia decided it was time to take a break and sat you on the grass of a picnic.

When you sat down the grass around you gradually turned greener and started to sprout flowers.

All of you watched in awe and confusion as the flowers weren't even native to Fontaine.

✿✼:*゚:.。..。.:*・゚゚・**・゚゚・*:.。..。.:*゚:*:✼✿  


Tags
1 year ago

Update: sorry for the wait for request, they are coming. I've been working on a story on wattpad that's somewhat similar to the muzan's child series.

Update: Sorry For The Wait For Request, They Are Coming. I've Been Working On A Story On Wattpad That's

Tags
2 years ago

there's a pretty cursed comic,) don't ask how i saw it. I was looking for something else,) called 'the r*** of demon slayer' and its fucking disgusting. for the love of fuck do NOT view that shit. it is so much worse than it sounds

wtf

curiosity killed the cat

2 years ago
“your Nose Is Running Again.”

“your nose is running again.”

you shoot a glare at alhaitham’s reflection in your vanity, swiping at your nose and clearing your throat a few times before croaking, “it is not.”

“tch.” he has the audacity to look unimpressed with your lie, fiddling with the collar of the nice shirt you’d practically wrestled him into for tonight. “this happens every year, i don’t know why you keep trying to deny it.”

“there’s nothing to deny, because i’m a doctor and we don’t—” you pause, face scrunching when you feel a sneeze trying to fight its way out of your system. “— get sick.” 

so what if your throat was scratchy and your entire face felt hot with sinus pressure? one could claim it was allergies, not sickness. 

taking a seat to pull on his shoes, alhaitham only scoffs disbelievingly at you. he’s acting so smug, and maybe that’s because last week you’d ignored his warning about how cold nighttime in the desert got. or maybe because you refused to take the vitamin c tablets he put beside your coffee each morning because their texture was like that of chalk. 

before he can open his mouth and say these things, the sneeze you’d been fighting takes you by surprise. you immediately turn away and lift your elbow, sneezing into it not once, not twice, but five times in quick succession.

(okay, so maybe you were feeling a little under the weather.)

you turn away from the dresser with a sharp look in your eye, just daring him to let slip the i told you so that always seemed to be sitting on the tip of his tongue.

instead, you feel his fingers tugging at the laces of your dress and his lips pressing softly against your forehead. (too warm, you swear he murmurs.)

“we don’t have to go if you aren’t feeling well. nilou will understand. do you really want to be fighting a cold while you’re surrounded by a group of your friends—”

“our friends,” you correct with a sniffle.

he ignores you. “who are going to make you—”

“make us.” 

“—endure cake and small talk?”

you roll your eyes. for someone so fearsome, your husband really could be quite dramatic, brought to his knees by something as simple as cake and small talk. 

“we missed her performance last month because we were stuck with work, so we’re not missing her birthday.” you turn around to shove lightly at his shoulder. “and don’t think you can use my cold as an excuse to get out of this party.”

alhaitham pulls back to look down at you with an irritating combination of a scoff and a smirk on his lips. “ah, so you finally admit that you have a cold? maybe if you’d taken the vitamin c for your immunity like someone suggested...”

“those supplements taste like shit, haitham,” you cough, expression pinching as you recall the disgusting tablets that you’ve called ‘not as good as the real thing.’ “the only vitamin c i like is in those mondstadt imported sunsettias...”

“you’re like a child,” he scolds. “now get undressed and back in bed before—”

“undressed?” you question, swatting his hands away from your dress. “i’m going to the party.”

“no, you’re not.”

“what if i—”

“no.”

“but darling—”

“sorry, love, but you’re not going anywhere tonight,” he decides, ignoring your quiet grumbles of protest. “i know you don’t get sick often, but when you do it hits you pretty hard.”

he leaves the room briefly at that, returning with something sitting in his palm. 

you shake your head, holding your hands out to keep him back. “no. no! that stuff is worse than the vitamin c.”

“huh, if you’d taken that, then maybe you could have avoided this.” he hums, unscrewing the lid and letting that disgustingly sweet, syrupy scent flood the room. it was so potent that even you clogged sinuses could pick it up. “perhaps, doctor, one of these years you’ll learn to take your own advice. or perhaps listen to your husband’s…”

you lean backwards when he reaches for your chin. “haitham, if you make me drink that i will call the general mahamatra on you.”

“go ahead, he doesn’t scare me.”

he tries again, only for you to side-step his hand. “take your damn medicine!” 

“you’re not supposed to yell at a sick person!” 

“i’m not yelling. i’m simply insisting because you are being childish.”

maybe you were being childish, but that medicine was just so damn gross. “can i at least go down and say hi to everyone?” you try. “it’s been so long since i’ve seen them all.”

“fine, but only for ten minutes. and you have to take your medicine first.”

“but it always makes me sleepy,” you argue. “then you’ll be there enduring cake and small talk all by yourself.”

“it’s a birthday party, not a war. i think i’ll survive.”

you scowl at him, snatching the bottle and taking a gulp of the bitter liquid. “yeah, yeah. just wait until a drunk kaveh gets his hands on you and i’m not there to save you.”

the medicine starts taking effect almost instantly. you make it eleven minutes on your own feet before you’re clinging to alhaitham’s arm and leaning heavily into his side, nose still leaking and throat still tickling.

by then, all it takes is a single, ‘you don’t look too well’ from tighnari to convince alhaitham to drag you up into nilou’s spare room and into bed. 

too disoriented and drowsy to argue anymore, you thank him dazedly and reach out to pat his cheek before letting your eyes drift shut.

__________

you’re not too sure how long it’s been when you wakes, but when you pry your tired eyes open, there’s a tray of steaming food on your bedside table. the room is glowing and warm, the source being the flickering candle that alhaithm is reading his book under

he glances up when you shift in bed, closing his book. “feeling better?” 

“‘m not leaking anymore,” you shrugs, rubbing at the tip of your nose. “how long was i out for?”

“a little over two hours,” he answers, taking a seat at your bedside and pressing a hand to your forehead. “you’re not as warm as before. the medicine must be working.”

“yeah, well i still feel gross,” you mutter, not wanting to give that disgusting concoction too much credit.

“you look it, too.”

“the akademiya scribe,” you mutter, swinging your legs over the edge of the bed. “charming as ever.” 

he scoffs at that, scooping up the tray of food in one hand and offering you his other. “charming enough that the amurta darshan’s sage took my last name.”

“well, don’t let it get to your head,” you huff, taking his hand and letting him pull you to your feet. his thumb strokes your wedding band as he guides you to sit on a fur rug positioned in front of the fire. “pretty hard to say no to a guy that practically begs you to marry him.” 

“it was not begging—”

“haitham, dearest, that’s exactly what it was.”

you burst into a fit of giggles when he tells you to save it, his cheeks turning pink at the memory. your laughter quickly dissolves into a series of coughs, to which alhaitham pounds you on the back a little harder than necessary. 

“alright, you had your fun,” he murmurs, picking up a bowl of soup. “you need to eat something. i made your favourite,” he dips the spoon into the bowl. “i already picked out the cabbage,” he adds when you open your mouth to complain. 

unable to deny the slight rumble of your stomach, you reach for the spoon in his hand, pouting when he pulls it away. “i can feed myself,” you protest, voice hoarse from your coughing fit.

“the last time i let you feed yourself when you were sick, you sneezed and ended up throwing a spoonful of soup in my face,” he reminds you, the grim look on his face making it seem as if you’d stabbed him with the spoon instead. “open up.”

you narrow your eyes at the spoonful of soup. “it’s red,” you state. the original colour of recipe was a warm, almost translucent gold. 

“good to know your eyes are still working.”

“haitham,” you groan. “you know i don’t handle spice as well as you.”

“it’ll help clear up your sinuses,” he reasons, though there’s something teasing twitching at the corner of his lips. 

your body is wracked by another series of sneezes, each one stronger than the last, making him laugh.

“are you sure you’re done?” he teases, handing you a tissue.

“a good husband would just say, bless you,” you pout, blowing your nose and weakly tossing the soiled tissue at him. 

defeated by a clogged nose and a smug husband, you reluctantly open your mouth and let him spoon-feed you the eye-wateringly spicy soup. it slides down your throat like fire, and it…kind of does help with your sinuses and throat. 

you’d never admit that, though. it’s a new low you’ve discovered, a doctor taking medical advice from a semiotics major. 

the universe always finds ways to keep us humble.

when the bowl is half-empty and alhaitham is convinced you’ve eaten enough, he sets the bowl aside and wraps a blanket around your shoulders before he goes. your eyes are drooping again, the result of a warm blanket enveloping you and a satisfied stomach. 

he returns with a glass of water and a cool washcloth, gently pressing it to your forehead before situating himself behind you. “need anything else?”

letting yourself relax against his chest, you shake your head. his arms are warm around you, the steady sound of his heart and the soothing light of the candle slowly lulling you to sleep once more. 

“shouldn’t you get back to the party?” you murmur sleepily. but you’re already snuggling against him, hands curling greedily into the soft material of his shirt to keep him close.

“not particularly. i’ve already greeted nilou and done my share of…small talk,” he explains quietly. his small sigh is heavy, his posture deflating slightly. it wasn’t that he disliked your shared friends or their company, it was just that his social battery ran out faster than others, and without you there to keep him afloat? two hours was more than enough for him. 

“besides, i can’t exactly relax if i know that you’re up here positively suffering.” 

“you’re teasing me, but fine, i’ll let you stay.” 

no medicine or soup could do to you what a warm blanket and your annoying, teasing husband could for you, anyway.

  • astr3ah
    astr3ah liked this · 1 month ago
  • alq2504
    alq2504 liked this · 3 months ago
  • rainey-boot-princess
    rainey-boot-princess reblogged this · 3 months ago
  • rainey-boot-princess
    rainey-boot-princess reblogged this · 3 months ago
  • angyhomura02
    angyhomura02 reblogged this · 3 months ago
  • angyhomura02
    angyhomura02 liked this · 3 months ago
  • hitneo
    hitneo liked this · 3 months ago
  • deepcandylight
    deepcandylight liked this · 4 months ago
  • evie90759
    evie90759 liked this · 4 months ago
  • galaxyreader260
    galaxyreader260 liked this · 5 months ago
  • ririzu
    ririzu liked this · 5 months ago
  • idkbrosleepy
    idkbrosleepy liked this · 6 months ago
  • tgall99
    tgall99 liked this · 8 months ago
  • aloneintheworld56
    aloneintheworld56 liked this · 9 months ago
  • smagishere
    smagishere liked this · 9 months ago
  • rosiecupcake
    rosiecupcake liked this · 10 months ago
  • xuexia
    xuexia reblogged this · 11 months ago
  • xuexia
    xuexia liked this · 11 months ago
  • syodi
    syodi liked this · 1 year ago
  • tzubaki
    tzubaki liked this · 1 year ago
  • tain53
    tain53 liked this · 1 year ago
  • vi-libra-a
    vi-libra-a liked this · 1 year ago
  • loyal-mad-dog
    loyal-mad-dog liked this · 1 year ago
  • varvarina1
    varvarina1 liked this · 1 year ago
  • prisimatric
    prisimatric liked this · 1 year ago
  • nerrdydva
    nerrdydva liked this · 1 year ago
  • drdoofenshmirtz124
    drdoofenshmirtz124 liked this · 1 year ago
  • thetwinkims
    thetwinkims reblogged this · 1 year ago
  • i-know-what-we-want
    i-know-what-we-want liked this · 1 year ago
  • amaribelt
    amaribelt liked this · 1 year ago
  • batdarkdeath
    batdarkdeath liked this · 1 year ago
  • lunnenia
    lunnenia liked this · 1 year ago
  • pepperspark
    pepperspark liked this · 1 year ago
  • flopsies
    flopsies liked this · 1 year ago
  • windystarr
    windystarr liked this · 1 year ago
  • 11111112222222sblog
    11111112222222sblog liked this · 1 year ago
  • goswallowsomegrass
    goswallowsomegrass liked this · 1 year ago
  • oippang
    oippang liked this · 1 year ago
  • wut5000
    wut5000 liked this · 1 year ago
  • wanderingcloudrain
    wanderingcloudrain liked this · 1 year ago
  • theheavenlyarchive
    theheavenlyarchive liked this · 1 year ago
  • rainbowrain001
    rainbowrain001 liked this · 1 year ago
  • gh0stedshad0w
    gh0stedshad0w liked this · 1 year ago
  • abbylynch
    abbylynch liked this · 1 year ago
  • sakusakiyoomi11
    sakusakiyoomi11 liked this · 1 year ago
  • aldeeridgee
    aldeeridgee liked this · 1 year ago
  • asterileannaxx
    asterileannaxx liked this · 1 year ago
  • fanfichangover
    fanfichangover reblogged this · 1 year ago
  • take-a-second-glance
    take-a-second-glance liked this · 1 year ago
reticent-writer - Reticent Writes
Reticent Writes

- requests: OPEN - comments are appreciated

400 posts

Explore Tumblr Blog
Search Through Tumblr Tags