Work Text:
Marrying the head of the Kamisato clan had quite a few pros and cons, and Thoma was no stranger to them. It came with the position, but it didn’t always make them warranted. One most people might guess was the status change; however, it wasn’t something the head retainer fully anticipated. Staff members bowing to him as he walked by, mandatory appearances at events and dinners, and different responsibilities in the estate. It was an adjustment, but nothing that he couldn’t handle. It was all worth it to him if he got to be with the one he loved. But that didn’t always mean it was easy, especially when dealing with outside opinions.
💖
It was a typical day inside the Kamisato residents. Ayato dealt with business, Ayaka trained, and Thoma, the ever-loving housekeeper, kept up with his duties. Just because he was married to the head of the house didn’t mean he would slack on his responsibilities. He had a reputation to uphold as the fixer of Inazuma. And sitting back because of status wasn’t going to do that. It was a sunny day, a happy day as many would call it, not many happened in Inazuma, and he was doing his business. Sweeping across the grounds of the house, whistling a random tune with a smile as he made his way to the front garden, a voice caught his attention.
“Ugh, that idiotic Thoma,” He quickly paused what he was doing to listen, pushing his back against the estate wall. He recognized it as the voice of one of the guards, Hirano; he believed his name was. “Whatever that whore of a housekeeper had to do to bed the commissioner is something I doubt most people would do in their life. Probably some elixir or enchantment he got from Mondstadt,” Thoma froze in place, utterly shocked at what he was hearing. “I swear he thinks this is a massive game. Lord Ayato is probably just some toy to him. Seduce him for his wealth and status, then throw him away when he has what he wants. I see through it, through all his lies and apparent love. It’s all just some sick joke for the slut.” A hand to his mouth stifled a sob as Thoma dropped the broom and swiftly ran to the back entrance of the estate. Footfalls sounded colossal under the blood rushing through his ears; everything else sounded muffled.
Once inside, as quickly as he could, he made his way to his and Ayato’s shared bedroom and slammed the shoji behind him. Knees buckling, he fell to the floor, a flood of tears making their way to his eyes. Thoma sat there quietly sobbing, cradling his knees to his chest. The retainer was utterly shocked that someone would think so lowly of him, even after all he had done to prove his loyalty to the clan. As well as the love he has professed to Ayato, his passion and one true soulmate. The sliding of a door and quiet footsteps alerted him to the presence of another. He quietly shuffled to the corner of the room, hoping not to be spotted. However, he would not be so lucky as the one here was none other than his love. A quick scan showed him Thoma’s location, and he was by his side in no time, “Thoma! My love, oh Archons, what happened?”
💖
Ayato’s day had been going as smoothly as it could so far; he had a meeting to attend this morning. Unfortunately, it was a more critical matter, so no guests were allowed. Which meant he sadly couldn’t bring his beloved Thoma. His only source of relief in these meetings and the only thing that kept his smile genuine while greeting and cooperating with others. But due to circumstances, he would have to survive by himself. He daydreamed of Thoma the whole time he was there. Their marriage was new enough that it made him giddy whenever he thought about it. However, it was starting to set in that they were married, staring down at the simple silver band on his ring finger.
“Thank all so much for coming on such short notice,” The announcement shook Ayato out of his thoughts, and he looked up to focus on the organizer’s following statement. “This meeting is being adjourned. I hope to see everyone back soon for the Tri-Commission’s annual dinner next month. Have a good night.” Ayato always waited to be the last to leave, so while everyone else stood to shuffle out quickly, Ayato quietly remained seated. He and his private guard the only people left in the room. The commissioner gracefully rose to stand and exit the room. The walk back to the Kamisato estate wasn’t long per se, but it was dreadfully dull. All Ayato wanted to do was sink into a warm bath and relax with his husband. The first order of business was finding him, his beloved housekeeper.
It didn’t take long to find him. However, he wasn’t expecting to see him curled up in the corner of their shared chambers, sobbing. “Thoma! My love, oh Archons, what happened?” He quickly rushed to his side and kneeled beside him. Enveloping him in a hug before he could even breathe in to talk. He gently shushed him when Thoma let out a quiet whimper. After a few moments, Ayato pulled his face back to look into his forest green irises and wipe his eyes. “Oh, Thoma, whatever could have happened for you to be here bawling your eyes out?” Thoma silently looked at the ground, refusing to meet Ayato’s eyes and internally debating whether or not he should tell him what happened. He didn’t want people fired over an ignorant comment they had made. “You know whatever it is, you can tell me, whatever happened could never be your fault, and you have no reason to feel guilty for whatever happens. They brought this on themselves.”
Thoma finally met his husband’s eyes and decided it would be better to explain than keep it hidden. So he took a deep, shaky breath and explained, “I-I was cleaning the outside of the estate, sweeping the front deck. When I heard one of the guards talking, H-Hirano, I believe his name is. A-and,” He took a breath to try and steady himself before continuing, “I heard him say my name, so I decided to eavesdrop a little to see what the conversation was about. I heard him say, ‘whatever that whore of a housekeeper did to bed the commissioner is something he doubted most people would never do in their life.’ Then he accused me of using some sort of enchantment or elixir from Mondstadt to seduce you. And then he said he saw through all my lies and that my love for you wasn’t real, and it was all a sick game to me. He stated that you were just a toy, and once I used you for status and wealth, I would discard you.” Thoma released a shuddering breath and placed his face against the other’s chest.
Thoma couldn’t see it, but Ayato visibly shook with silent rage. He could not believe the audacity of someone he thought he could trust. How could Hirano say these treacherous things about the commissioner's husband? The man that was now very much above him in status. Ayato tightened his hold on Thoma and made his decision. “Koharu!”
He heard the sound of rushed footsteps hurrying to the chamber’s entrance. The door was quickly slid open, and Koharu popped her head inside, “Is there something I could do for you, my Lord?”
Ayato quickly turned to her with a false smile. “Please inform Hirano that he is being dismissed, and his position will no longer be needed at the Kamisato Estate. I expect him to have gathered all his things and be moved out by mid-day tomorrow. Please tell him to leave his uniform with the cleaning staff. That is all.” Koharu’s eyes were wide as she stood immobile. She hurriedly bowed and shut the door behind her, rushing off as quickly as she came.
Thoma quietly sobbed into Ayato’s chest. Feeling incredibly guilty, this man had just lost his job because of him. “Hey hey hey,” Ayato quickly grabbed his face and left feather-light kisses against his cheeks, “It’s okay, my love; why are you crying? It’s not your fault in any way, okay? He decided, and now he must deal with the consequences.” He gently kissed his lips and cuddled him close to his chest. Letting Thoma place his legs around his waist, he stood and walked them over to their shared bed, placing him down. The commissioner quickly helped Thoma out of his outer jacket before starting on the complicated buckled system of his formal robes. Once done, he lay down and gathered Thoma into his arms. He placed a comforting hand on his back, slowly rubbing his spine.
Thoma let out a sniffle before looking up at his love. His amethyst eyes were observing his face before splitting into a grin after realizing he was watching him. “I’m sorry for causing so much trouble and chaos today. I hoped to let it pass and never worry about it again.” Thoma was embarrassed to admit he was planning to never tell his husband about this.
Ayato’s eyes widened, utterly shocked that his husband admitted to potentially keeping this whole ordeal a secret. He watched as Thoma avoided his gaze by hiding his face in Ayato’s collarbone. “Thoma, why would you ever think that? You didn’t cause anything; none of this was your doing. I can’t believe you wouldn’t have told me,” He placed his hands on the housekeeper's cheeks and attempted to look him in the eye. He pressed a gentle kiss to his nose before he continued, “ I never want you to feel like you cannot come and discuss matters with me. I love you with my whole being Thoma; you are the most breathtaking person I know. My equal in power and status, but you will always be number one in my heart. I need you to promise that from now on, you will come to me first for anything, okay?” Thoma looked close to tears again, but this time out of love before he gave a shaky nod. A small smile lit up Ayato’s face before he laid them back down again.
They stayed like that for a while, Thoma almost falling asleep. He felt so comfortable and safe and, above all else, so utterly loved. Gentle kisses on his face roused him from his half-asleep state, and Thoma opened his eyes to stare up at Ayato. A great smile and a quick laugh leave Ayato’s mouth as he stares down at him. “Hey there, lovebug, do you want to come and take a bath with me? It should help calm your mind and soothe your body.” Thoma nods, and Ayato quickly starts helping him sit up and stand to his feet. They make their way to the bathroom, where Thoma quickly reaches to start the preparations, but a hand stops him. “No, Thoma, I got it today; this is for you to relax; let me handle it.” Ayato quickly coaxes Thoma to sit as he grabs towels and starts preparing the bath, throwing in some lavender to help calm their minds. After that, he strips the rest of their clothes before stepping into the water. He offers the other a hand so he can join him, shifting so Thoma can sit between his legs, leaning against his chest. He quickly washed them down so they could sit peacefully, enjoying each other’s company.
After a while, the water was getting cold, and the lavender smelled stale. So Ayato quickly started getting them out of the water and dried off. Wrapping a fluffy towel around Thoma, he pressed a kiss to his head and went to grab their sleeping robes. By the time he returned to his love, he was already half asleep, drooping against the wall. He let out a quiet giggle before helping them both change. After they donned their robes, he helped Thoma back into their bedroom and laid him on the bed. He joined him and threw the sheets over the both of them, Thoma quickly nuzzling into his side like a sleepy cat. He kisses his forehead, then places another to his lips, holding him close. “Goodnight, my love. Sleep tight.” That was the last thing Ayato said before snuggling in and falling asleep.