Work Text:
"Outlander"
"Why did the Kamisato Clan take him in, what's so interesting about him?"
"All I see is a brat from Mondstadt, tsk."
"He's so annoying!"
Thoma hears the usual gossip about him, he has been hearing it for years now. But for some reason, Thoma just wants to break-down in the middle of the Kamisato Estate this time, infront of everyone.
He resists the urge to burst out crying infront of everyone, and continues sweeping the floor at spaces he already has swept. Repeatedly.
Thoma can feel the stares at him, the other guards and staff looking at him like he's some idiot.
In the end, Thoma can't take it anymore and drops the broom. His eyes dart at the door leading indoors, as he quickly starts walking.
Walking? No. Sprinting, to be precise.
As he opens the door, he closes it carefully behind him in effort to not disturb the lady or the lord.
Sinking down in the corner next to him, he brings his knees up to his chest and grips his hair with both hands, curling up in a ball.
Hot tears steam down his face, the housekeeper's eyes look down at the wooden floor.
Sobbing.
Thoma listens to his quiet sobbing and buries his head deeper in his arms, as tight as can be. After a while of shedding tears, he hears a comforting familiar voice.
"Thoma?"
His young master sits down infront of him and lifts Thoma's hands from his blond hair. Thoma had been dragging on his hair for some time, so his hands are filled with blond hairstrands.
His eyes filled with tears stare at Ayato, the housekeeper feels like crying even more now.
"Shh, it's okay. I'm here now." Ayato can't bear seeing Thoma like this, and brings Thoma into a hug.
Thoma sobs into Ayato's neck. "I-i'm sorry, my lord. You...shouldn't see me like this." He tries hard to stop crying but those insults keep on playing in his head.
Ayato pulls out of the hug and wipes away a tear from Thoma's cheek. "There's nothing to be sorry about, my love. It's alright to cry, and afterall, I should be sorry for not coming earlier."
The lord gets up and reaches out a hand to Thoma, and the other takes hold of it and gets up.
Ayato picks Thoma up in bridal style, which makes the housekeeper blush under all those tears. He wraps his arms around Ayato's neck and whispers; "Thank you" in a shuddering voice.
The older man gives Thoma a gentle smile and starts humming an old Inazuman melody, one that the servant is quite fond of.
They make their way to Ayato's private room. Since Thoma looks like a mess, Ayato decides to help the blond bathe and change clothes.
Ayato helps Thoma into the bath and runs his hands through Thoma's beautiful locks with shampoo. The other giggles at the touch and the young master giggles back.
"I love you, Thoma."
...
"I love you too, Ayato."
After the bath which was executed in comforting silence, Ayato helps Thoma get into a robe.
Ayato lays him on the futon with a soft blanket. "I'll change, wait here."
Thoma waits patiently and stares at the roof, thinking about Mondstadt and the bustling city for what seems like an eternity before a voice finally disturbs the silence.
"Is my roof that interesting?" He's wearing a kimono lined with light silk, slightly exposing his chest. Thoma blushes at the sight.
"And my chest seems just as interesting." Ayato makes his way to Thoma, who is burning a beautiful scarlet.
He lies down beside Thoma, and lets him lean into his comfy embrace. Ayato's scent is like the calm ocean breeze. He breathes in the scent and exhales in a warm breath, stuffing his head in Ayato's collarbone.
With his arms wrapped around Thoma, and those warm exhales to his collarbone, he finally says goodnight.
"Goodnight, my serendipity."