Work Text:
It's a beautiful and warm spring day in Inazuma, the first of many more to come. Maybe it's also the first one in a long time, Thoma muses to himself as he digs up the earth and swipes an arm across his forehead to wipe away the sweat.
The Vision Hunt Decree is over. As is Inazuma's lock down.
Things are far from fine, but they're improving - trade finally picks up again, political relationships with other nations are being mended; slowly but surely, the people of Inazuma begin to live again without fear.
Thoma smiles down at the fresh earth. The cherry blossoms are budding already; soon they will bathe the streets in soft, pink petals and the time for festivals will come with their bloom. There is so much they can celebrate now.
Thoma picks up the shovel again to continue his work, but before he can drive it into the ground, footsteps approach him and he turns around.
Ayato stands behind him, dressed in a simple white kimono.
"What are you doing, Thoma?," his lord wants to know, curiosity in his violet eyes. "Is the housework not enough for you? We have gardeners who tend to the flowers, after all."
Thoma bows his head with a smile. Of course he knows that, and he knows Ayato knows he knows it. His lord is merely teasing him, but he wants to answer anyways.
Thoma reaches for his belt and pulls out something wrapped in cloth with Mondstadt's insignia printed on it. He carefully separates the fabric to reveal-
"Seeds?," Ayato asks, stepping closer to inspect them. Thoma has half the mind to tell him to not come too close, for he's sweaty and dirty and Ayato's kimono is the kind of pristine white that is a pain to wash clean.
"Dandelion seeds," Thoma clarifies. He knows his face must be reddening, for his cheeks suddenly feel warmer than before. "They're Mondstadt's national flower. I was… feeling a little homesick, so I asked Aether if he could bring me some. I'm not sure if dandelions will grow well in Inazuma's climate, but I wanted to try."
Ayato's eyes soften in a way they only do when no one else is around to witness it. The head of the Yashiro Commission, the leader of the Kamisato Clan, can't allow himself to be soft where others may see it and take it as weakness. But around Thoma, they're not weaknesses; they're simply what makes the man he loves.
Thoma closes his eyes when Ayato reaches out and runs a hand over his cheek - Ayato's fingers are cool despite the warm weather, and they feel so nice against Thoma's heated skin. He leans into the contact.
It's rare enough that they have moments like this.
"You're free to take a few days off to go back home, Thoma," Ayato tells him softly. Many years ago, he'd been telling Thoma something similar, only the words had been delivered cruelly, coldly.
Back then, they'd been a test of Thoma's loyalty.
Right now, they're an offer.
"My place is right here with you, Ayato," Thoma answers without missing a beat. He turns his head to press a kiss into the palm against his cheek, allowing himself this display of affection. Who knows when they will next get this chance.
"And besides, I doubt the Kamisato estate would survive my absence!"
That lightens the mood significantly, and Ayato's laugh rings in his ears. Thoma steps back, lets the seeds slip back into his pouch and grabs the shovel. "I'll finish this and go wash up. Should I bring you some tea once I'm done?"
Ayato, schooling himself back into Kamisato Ayato, nods once. "I'd appreciate that. I may not have meetings today, but the paperwork is just as exhausting. Some tea to lift my spirits would be nice."
He turns, just as Thoma bows and says yes, my lord and begins to walk away - only to come to a halt a mere steps away.
"Tell me, Thoma, what do you do with these dandelions?"
Thoma looks back up at Ayato and smiles.
"You wish on them."
~~~~~~~
Even without dandelions growing in Inazuma, Thoma has wished on them many times before.
He wished for Ayato's wellbeing and health whenever he saw his lord overworked and exhausted.
He wished for Ayato's safety whenever there were issues that called Ayato away from the estate, away from Thoma.
He wished, selfishly, for Ayato's love.
So far, it always worked.
Thoma thinks it's only fair if he now tries to get the real deal and care for the seeds until they're growing into flowers. It'll be some time until then, until the blossoms will wither and fall away to reveal new seeds that they can blow away - sending a new wish along with them.
He hums to himself as he plants the last seeds into the soil, carefully covering it up and watering it just a bit. Then he gets up to put the shovel away and clean himself.
About twenty minutes later, Thoma balances a tray of fresh tea and some of Ayato's favourite snacks in one hand and slides the shoji door open with his other.
"My lord?"
Ayato sits up straight at the sound of his voice and takes a deep breath, the only sign of exhaustion that he'll allow himself. Thoma watches as he rubs a hand over his face. Seated in this room, Ayato looks pale and tired and Thoma wants to whisk him away, out into the warmth of the spring and the healing light of the sun.
"I've brought your tea. And food. Don't you think it is time for a break?"
Ayato wordlessly waves him closer, eyes closed. Vulnerable . Another token of the trust he puts into Thoma.
Thoma places the tray down, pours a cup and hands it to Ayato. Their fingers brush together, a small contact that sends electricity through Thoma's veins and he wishes he could hold on a little longer.
"Stay with me," Ayato mutters into his cup, just when Thoma is about to leave as quietly as he came in. Huh. Maybe he doesn't need dandelions for his wishes to come true.
He obeys, of course, seating himself slightly behind Ayato. Slightly closer than necessary, or acceptable for a mere housekeeper, too. But Ayato leans back, as Thoma knew he would, until he's propped up against Thoma's chest.
"A break and a walk in the sun would do you good," Thoma muses and fails to resist the temptation that is Ayato's neck. He feels the shiver that he causes with his kiss to pale skin and smiles.
Ayato sighs, relaxing further into him. "You know I cannot leave this paperwork unfinished. It would only be added to whatever I will have to do tomorrow."
Thoma does know. Still, it never hurts to suggest it anyways.
They stay like that for a moment, Ayato near asleep against Thoma's chest and Thoma's arms warm and protective around him in return. While Thoma wants to let his lord sleep, (Celestia above, he could use it) the paperwork really can't wait. So before Ayato's breath evens out and he's fully taken by sleep, Thoma nudges him softly.
"Thank you for taking a break," Thoma whispers, moving away even though Ayato grumbles in protest. Then, louder, he adds: "I'll start with the dinner preparations soon. Anything in particular you want to eat?"
No answer, safe for some mutterings about how Thoma is a cruel man. The childish reaction makes him laugh. Another rare thing to see and hear, another sign that their relationship is different and important.
"Thoma," Ayato says just before Thoma reaches the door.
"Yes?"
"Kiss me."
Thoma's heart skips a beat and he's quick to return to Ayato's side, kneeling down to do as told. Ayato meets him halfway, head already tipped and while the kiss itself lasts only a moment, it still makes Thoma's heart race.
He kisses Ayato once more for good measure.
"A reward for all the hard work," he mutters into the space between their lips. Ayato kisses him back.
"A reward for everything that you're doing," he answers, and his words burn brighter than any fire Thoma could ever light.
~~~~~~~
In autumn, when the pink of the cherry blossoms has given way for the deep reds and orange hues of maple leaves, the dandelion seeds will be ready to travel with the wind.
And Thoma will whisper a wish to each and every single one of them before he sends it off.