Work Text:
Kamisato Ayato smiled softly as the Kamisato estate came into view. He had been away for more than a few months, longer than usual, for a business trip to Sumeru and Fontaine. He had longed to see his sweet sister along with his adorable housekeeper, if even for just a mere second. The night breeze swept across his face, brushing his hair into his face. Readjusting his gloves, he thanked the guards who accompanied him to the gate and nodded at them. They nodded back with respect and dutifully left, either reoccupying their places next to the gate or ending their shift.
He picked up his bag as he slowly walked in.
The estate was completely quiet, a peaceful, serene silence. The bonsai tree leaves swayed and the pond water stilled and swished with the swiftness of the wind. Ayato stepped on the decorative white pebbles; crunch, crunch, crunch.
In the warm, inviting living room, he slid off his leather shoes and sighed in contentment. It dawned on him- he was finally home. After months of torture, business trips, being away from his precious family members… Ayato smiled at the familiar sight of the spotless coffee table and comfortable couch as he placed his bag on the floor of his living room, yawning sleepily. There was one thing he had to do before anything else, however.
The hallways of the Estate were the same as he remembered. Open into the surrounding gardens, devoid of furniture besides some decorative plants (in courtesy of Ayaka, who insisted that they must have some furniture to brighten up the otherwise bland hallways).
Pausing at Ayaka’s room door, he slid the gold-lined wooden door open softly, smiling when he saw her sleeping in her sky blue blankets peacefully on the tatami mat. Knowing the messy and lazy self Ayaka was, it was a miracle that her crowded room was organized neatly, and not jammed with objects here and there.
Must be the work of Thoma, Ayato thought simply.
He walked down the hallway once again, feet leading him on before he saw himself outside Thoma’s room. His feet really knew him, didn’t they?
He chuckled to himself. Old habits never change, do they?
He remembered years ago, when he was a teenager. At night, he liked secretly checking on every one of his family members, including Thoma, and then resume to go to bed. It was nice to know that your loved ones were sleeping safe and sound, with no problems whatsoever currently occupying their minds. It made him feel at peace, which was why he had to harden himself, learn to conceal his emotions when his parents died and the Yashiro Commission fell apart.
Crying would do nothing to help the Kamisato Clan. He learned that the hard way.
Opening the simple Inazuman doorway (Thoma had insistently refused the extravagant offer of a luxurious suite within the Estate), Ayato looked around- he was surprised to see his letter to Thoma hung on the beige walls. A few months back, Ayato wrote letters to both Ayaka and Thoma- but truth be told, he had put in more effort to the letter towards Thoma than to the one towards his sister.
Ayaka would understand- she knew of the feelings Ayato felt towards Thoma, and she would constantly pester him to confess. He had dissuaded her by lecturing her on the importance of being the head of the Kamisato Clan and the Yashiro Commissioner. In his letter, however, he had hinted of his bias towards Thoma, but suspected that Thoma had been as oblivious as ever and didn’t sense anything in the letter.
Ayato admitted that his implications were a bit vague and subtle.
Dear Thoma,
It is unlike that of me to put all of my words in a letter to you, but I feel that it is necessary- I fear that I will not be back for another few months or so.
Here in Sumeru, the nation certainly is enjoyable. I see now why the nation is nicknamed ‘the Nation of Wisdom’ now. I was even able to meet up with the God of Wisdom, Lesser Lord Kusanali herself. Her company is delightful; though, assuredly not as much as yours. We had some afternoon tea together along with the prestigious Acting Grand Sage Alhaitham and General Mahamatra, Cyno. I have learnt many things from them- it was remarkable to see them chatter away on scholar-worthy subjects as a form of ‘small talk’. It is… acceptable this time- I’m learning new things from my fellow companions, after all. The Fatui in this area has been cleared out, as a favor to Lesser Lord Kusanali and as one of my tasks on the list- I could drone on and on about Sumeru. My time has been agreeable so far, what about yours, my dear Housekeeper?
I hope I will be back soon. I do miss you and Ayaka too much to describe. Oh, and how’s Taroumaru?
Wishing you all the best,
Kamisato Ayato
A smile reached his face and he felt warmness surrounding his face. Stepping inside carefully, Ayato felt his smile disappear and slide off his face as quick as a flash as he saw the state that Thoma was in.
Thoma’s messy bangs clung to his head, which was slick with sweat- his eyebrows were furrowed and he was biting his already cherry-red lips. He was clearly having a terrible nightmare.
Ayato went to the adjacent bathroom briskly and wet a nearby face-washing towel with warm water. Returning to Thoma’s side, he rubbed Thoma’s face softly, smiling as he saw his beloved retainer’s expression soften, and eventually relax. He placed the towel gently on Thoma’s forehead. Oh, how tranquil he looked- and oh, how Ayato so wanted to kiss him.
Ayato left Thoma’s room silently to avoid doing anything naive before pouring himself a cup of the tea left on the counter, his eyes twinkling as he realized it was his favorite tea that wasn’t milk tea- Jasmine green tea (He liked his milk tea to be made with Jasmine tea, however). Taking the set into his room, he closed his door quietly and, upon turning around, found a massive amount of paperwork piled innocently upon his desk. It was better than traveling from Inazuma to Fontaine, Ayato thought. He groaned softly. Ayato rearranged his table for room to place the tea, temporarily leaving the room to acquire his bag and place it below the clothes in his closet. He sat down on the cushion placed carefully on the tatami mat, starting to sign, write and stamp on documents carefully, every now and then pouring and taking a sip of his rejuvenating drink, barely noticing dusk turn into dawn outside his window.
Thoma opened his bright, emerald green eyes. He stood up and stretched, surprised as he felt a still-lukewarm towel fall off his face. Staring at it in confusion, he picked the white towel up carefully and set it down on the rack in his bathroom before opening the window in his room and letting the sun shine across his room.
Another day without Ayato, he thought.
Not pondering on the mystery of the White Towel for long, as he had more important things to do, the sounds of nature fully entered his room, birds chirping along with the water rushing from a waterfall nearby, and swishing leaves to complete it all. The chatter of the other servants brought a chuckle to his lips. He reminded himself to scold them for talking too loudly later.
Smiling softly, he walked towards the bathroom again. After brushing his teeth, washing his face and combing his hair throughly and putting on his proper attire, he looked at himself in the mirror in front of him, fixing any small mistakes on his outfit. Deeming himself decent enough, he passed though his room and looked back at it with a sigh.
The fluffy white bed was well made, his handiwork- the sunset orange artificial fur rug decorated the sides of his bed, a gift from the locals of Inazuma, an elegantly carved wooden beige lamp, with the shapes of a phoenix and a dragon sowed on it, a gift from Beidou. The desk under his window to the front of his bed was decorated with souvenirs he treasured from his friends, especially a long letter from Ayato in his neat handwriting a year ago, which he had hung on his wall.
Thoma looked back with a sigh, his eyes lingering on the letter, signed Ayato in Ayato’s perfect, loopy cursive handwriting. He walked through the hallway slowly. A testimony to how bleak his days felt without Ayato.
He paused outside Ayaka’s room, hesitating before knocking sharply on her door. He could hear her groans, and entered her room in an instant.
“It’s time to wake up, my lady, you have some commissions to do before you eat breakfast,” Thoma said, nudging her with his hands carefully.
Ayaka groaned again before sitting up and meeting his bright, green eyes with dazed dark periwinkle eyes. He helped her dress into formal attire before attacking her hair. Her light hair was an absolute mess, and required ten minutes of careful brushing before Thoma could get it into her usual high ponytail.
“Thanks, Thoma,” she mumbled before picking up her fan and stepping out of the room. Thoma smiled at her back as he cleaned up her room, making the bed and dusting her furniture quickly before leaving.
Ayato was getting tired of looking at the documents. His pile was getting lower, and he knew he had to persist if he wanted all those files done before sleeping. Pulling an all nighter wasn’t new to him, as most of his nights when he had the official title of the Yashiro Commissioner were spent signing documents and reading files. The sunshine streaked through his windows and onto the neatly trimmed Bonsai plant he kept on his table. Filling his teacup idly, he took a sip and put the teacup down, forcing his eyes to open as he looked over the last few documents. He barely registered the sound of his door opening and the sharp inhale before he was tackled to the ground.
“Brother! Why didn’t you tell us that you were coming home?” Ayato chuckled at his sister sleepily, hugging her back. Her cries of delight filled his room.
“I had some other missions, requiring me to come home immediately, and I didn’t have time to tell you.” He gently got up and stretched before signing his last document with a flourish. Ayaka waited patiently before dragging her brother out of his room and into the living room.
In the hallway, Ayaka giggled at Ayato.
“You won’t believe how dull it’s been without you! Thoma has been sulking around for days!” She barely registered her brother’s shocked (and the pink tint that spread across his face) expression before heading into the kitchen.
“Thoma! You won’t believe who’s back!” Ayaka giggled, hiding her face behind her fan as she saw the blonde’s eyes widen with shock before he fumbled into a bow, his cheeks tinted with blush.
“M-my lord, it’s wonderful to see you back.” Thoma stuttered, avoiding the deep abyss of understanding that was Ayato’s lavender eyes.
“It’s wonderful to see you again too, Thoma, and you don’t need to bow,” the light blue haired stated, smiling at Thoma. Thoma blushed, nodding before heading to the kitchen.
“I-I need to finish up making breakfast,” he said, avoiding Ayato’s eyes again, instead giving his mole a quick glance. Ayaka couldn’t help but burst into laughter. Seeing her oblivious brother look confused, she offered a mysterious smile and left the living room, giggling as she walked into the dining room.
“Those two idiots are so obliviously in love!”
Thoma busied himself making Sakura Mochi and Sakura Tempura, the Kamisato sibling’s favorite foods, for breakfast.
When did Ayato come back? Was the white towel related to him? He linked two and two and groaned, facepalming. Ayaka had known about his crush on Ayato for years- in fact, she often teased him about it when they were alone and to make a move on her oblivious brother. The fact that he had received a personal letter from Ayato asking him how he was. Frankly, a housekeeper’s relationship with the owner of the house shouldn’t even be that personal… right?
Thoma received a shock when he saw Ayato again- he had grown tremendously (how, in a mere few months?), and looked handsomer (was that even possible?) and absolutely beautiful. He had grown his periwinkle blue hair longer like Thoma suggested when they were children (Ayato couldn’t have remembered that fact, couldn’t he?) but he still held that malicious and mischievous look in his lavender eyes, sometimes dull, but always an abyss Thoma would willingly drown all day in.
Likewise, Thoma had turned finer and prettier- his sunshine blonde hair tucked into a lovely ponytail, emerald green eyes comforting. He was, quote on quote, an actual ‘sunshine’ boy. But, that was for Ayato to know and Thoma to (hopefully) find out.
He finished with the dishes, but the challenging part came next, which was to serve it to the siblings. Balancing the two platters in his hands, he hurriedly placed the food on the marble dining table in front of the siblings before backing out nervously, almost stumbling, earning himself a fit of laughter from Ayaka and a raised eyebrow from Ayato.
He groaned in despair after he was out of earshot. What would Ayato think of him now?
An hour had passed since he last saw the siblings, and he received a message to meet someone at Komore Teahouse. Thoma hurried out of the estate, heading directly for the tea house.
He greeted Taroumaru warmly, scratching his head and offering some of his favorite meat in his outstretched hand (seemingly out of nowhere). After Taroumaru licked his palm clean and Thoma had wiped his hand carefully with a box of tissues over the counter, he stepped lightly outside one of the private rooms and rapped the door sharply with his knuckles.
Opening the door slightly, the elegant figure inside beckoned him to the mat.
“Lady Ayaka? Why did you call me here?” And that person was no other than Kamisato Ayaka herself. Obviously.
Ayaka smiled at Thoma, half her face hidden beneath her signature cherry blossom fan.
Thoma noticed that it was a gift from Yoimiya long ago, the cheerful blonde having gifted her it on her birthday.
Gifts here and there…
Thoma wished he could be with Ayato, his love, his crush, his idol…
Thoma shook his head, shaking the thought out of his mind. Ayaka stared at him before adjusting her skirt and fidgeting, eyes indecisively focusing on the table and the hot pot.
“No need to call me Lady, Ayaka is fine. How many times do brother and I need to tell you that no formalities are needed? Ah- Never mind. I’d like some advice on how to become closer with Yoimiya, and I’ll help you with brother Ayato.”
Blinking, he looked curiously at Ayaka. Ayaka turned her gaze away from him, a faint blush dusting her cheeks from underneath her fan.
“Yoimiya? Of course, m’lady- I mean Ayaka. But aren’t you more suited for love ideas?”
Ayaka giggled.
“No, I already have my plan in mind. I just need some ideas and a person to initiate (or help with) the planning.”
Ayato decided to stroll around the city of Inazuma. Wandering alone, on the shores of Narukami Island, brought the subject of Thoma to his mind. Signing documents and reviewing files all day had made him sleepier then ever. The cool breeze helped him stay awake for an extended amount of time.
His work had piled up as he enjoyed his breakfast, and he felt exhausted, but that was normal. He was the Yashiro Commissioner, after all. Shaking those thoughts out, he thought of Thoma, and how he kept avoiding Ayato. He didn’t want to overthink, but… his insecurities got the best of him. It was no good compressing his emotions to the very bottom of his worries, as they were bound to emerge one day, even stronger than before, taking control of him. Again, he had to learn that the hard way.
Did Thoma… want to leave the Kamisato Estate?
No, That wouldn’t make sense, as Ayaka was laughing at him.
Did he… have an illness?
No, That wouldn’t make sense either.
Did he… purposely want to avoid him?
Maybe- That made more sense, but still not much sense.
Head spinning, Ayato felt confused, something he rarely felt, but there was nothing he could do, especially because of the enormous amount of work he had. It was rare that he got to take a break.
He loved his retainer, always protecting him from the slander of the guards.
At that exact moment, he felt a pair of eyes on him, gaze piercing with evil intent.
Oh shoot. I let my guard down, and this is what I get.
Signaling the Shuumatsuban following him, he ducked into a restaurant, politely indicating a seat for one. Still feeling the gaze on him, he whipped his head to look at the stranger, but instead meeting eyes with Erika, one of the girls that were constantly pestering him for his ‘friendship’. More like increasing the dislike Ayato already felt.
Ayato bowed curtly, leaving Erika behind, startled. Suddenly feeling drained of energy, he walked back to the mansion, barely regaining posture as he nodded at the guards protecting the gate. They nodded back politely, most of them looking at him with worry and concern.
It was long overdue- he had to keep on working.
Entering his room, he rubbed his eyes, relaxing them before looking at the even larger pile of paperwork, sighing with tiredness. It was no use- he was the one who chose to uphold the Kamisato Clan title.
Ayato started reading through the files, absentmindedly lighting the candle beside him before arranging a meeting with the Shuumatsuban members, aware of higher concentration levels upon him. He had to prepare for an attack.
Fatui eyes watched Kamisato Ayato’s every move. Cicin Mages giggled, Mirror Maidens laughed, Fatui Agents scoffed. Their goal was the same, to rid of the Kamisato Clan and bloodline. And the first step was to eliminate the Yashiro Commissioner.
Ayato walked along the shorelines of Narukami Island. Coming here had been a pastime of his recently, as the workload increased and his feelings were conflicted, and he felt at ease here, with the peaceful wind billowing in his face, but he knew that the Fatui were targeting him, and this was the perfect time to pretend and put on his mask of deception.
Feeling eyes watching him, he quietly signaled four of the Shuumatsuban that had been following him sneakily. He traced outlines in the sand with his slender gloved hands, knowing that the moment he had been waiting for was coming soon. Just as he reached to pick some sea ganoderma, he heard a rough voice shout.
“Now!”
Ayato turned his lavender eyes toward the speaker, his expression unwavering. Materializing his sword from the clear water his vision conjured, he turned to face the Fatui.
The fight was a long and brutal battle. After Ayato and his helpers had extinguished every one of their members, he felt absolutely exhausted, paired with the fact that he had deep wounds and he hadn’t slept for days.
His calculations had been correct, but he had absolutely underestimated the Fatui. Facing fifty members wasn’t part of his calculations. He supposed that the days of sleeplessness were finally catching up with him.
They just kept appearing and appearing… Five versus fifty… impeccable odds- for the Fatui, of course. He had to worry about his soldiers first.. Sayu was alright, her little frame giving her enemies difficulty in attacking her and an advantage in attacking with her claymore.
The other three soldiers weren’t so lucky. Sayu and Ayato had to carry them discreetly using Sayu’s ninja abilities to navigate to the local Inazuma hospital. Ayato helped the little girl carry the three men to the hospital safely before slipping away to the Kamisato Estate in Chinju Forest, ducking out of the guard’s sight and entering through the servant’s pathway.
As he pushed the dark tree branches aside, he felt dizzy, having tried to cover up the blood he trailed on the way to the estate. He was glad he wore a black outfit and hoodie, having passed many servants who gave him strange looks. He was thankful they didn’t say anything, and swore to give them a raise afterwards.
Thoma felt sick with worry. Ayato hadn’t come back for hours, and it was already midnight. Ayaka had already left for Yoimiya’s house, having scheduled a meeting with her. Ayato usually came home on time, regardless of however ignorant Thoma was being of Ayato. Maybe Lord Ayato had run into some trouble? No, that wouldn’t make sense, he’s the Yashiro Commissioner, fully capable of protecting himself. He decided to just wash the dishes, before spotting the Head of the Kamisato Clan himself, standing there, his outfit laced with blood.
Speak of the devil.
“My lord!” Thoma sprang up from the beige sofa immediately, face outlined with shock, worry and horror. Ayato grimaced.
“It’s alright.. Thoma… it’s not as bad as it looks… I just… need some… help.” Right after Ayato said that, he collapsed, staining the carpet with blood.
“Ayato!”
Ayato opened his eyes. He stared at the azure-sapphire chandelier, tinkling in the midnight breeze. He felt… relieved, all of the weight lifted off of his shoulders. Feeling bandages on himself, he turned to the right, where Thoma was watching him silently, his emerald green eyes flashing with relief.
“My lord.. you’re okay.” It was a statement, not a question, indicating Thoma had faith in Ayato. He smiled.
“No worries, Thoma, just call me Ayato.” He yawned, rubbing his eyes. Looking at Thoma, he sank back into the comfortable pillows.
Wait a second.
“My work-“ Ayato sat up quickly, alarming Thoma, who quickly rested a hand on Ayato’s back.
“My Lo- Ayato, you shouldn’t stress about work. You have three broken ribs, cuts, bruises and slashes all over your body and bags under your eyes, indicating you at least had three days without sleep. On top of that, you also have a fever! Ayato, you should be resting, and what even got you in this situation?” Thoma scolded, pushing Ayato gently back onto the pillows, his gentle hand resting on Ayato’s forehead.
Ayato groaned and chuckled slightly, raising his hand to cup Thoma’s cheek. His head hurt alarmingly, causing him to not notice Thoma’s bewildered expression and faint blush, but he ignored his headache, instead pulling the shocked Thoma from the chair onto the bed, hugging him tightly and nuzzling the crook of his neck, burying his face into Thoma’s soft and long blonde hair. Thoma squeaked.
“Ah… I’ve always wanted to do this with you, Thoma.”
“W-What?! W-what are y-you doing, My L- I mean A-ayato?” Thoma stammered, turning red.
“If you aren’t going to let me do my work, I require you to stay with me,” Ayato mumbled sleepily, tangling their legs together.
“And that’s an order, Thoma.” Ayato yawned as he snuggled even closer with Thoma.
Thoma squirmed, but eventually relaxed into Ayato’s embrace, twining their hands together. Comfortable silence enveloped them.
“Ayato?” Thoma asked quietly after a while, his head leaning into the fluffy pillows. Ayato hummed, squeezing Thoma’s hand softly with his slender fingers.
“I-i like you..” Thoma whispered, feeling a hot breath on his shoulder.
“I figured as well. Well, if you think the feelings aren’t returned, why do you think we are in such an intimate position?” Ayato smiled into his shoulder, tightening his hold on Thoma. The man in question turned impossibly red, earning a laugh from the Yashiro Commissioner. He kissed Thoma’s cheek softly, yawning.
“But, if you need a full answer, dearest Thoma, I love you too, and I will until the end of time.”
Extra:
“Yoimiyaaaa!” Ayaka trilled as she ran down the empty Kamisato estate and into the moonlit garden, pulling out her Kamera from a pocket hidden in her dress. She giggled, jumping up and down in front of her messy blonde-haired girlfriend, who shook her head and rolled her eyes, the butterfly necklace swaying along with her.
“What happened, Ayaka?” Yoimiya asked, sitting on a stone chair and motioning for Ayaka to take the chair on the other side of the stone table, which Ayaka did without hesitation, twining her hands together.
“You won’t believe it!” Ayaka whispered (due to Yoimiya’s disapproving look) excitedly, holding out the Kamera for Yoimiya to see. Yoimiya took the Kamera skeptically, raising her eyebrows. There were a few moments of silence, which was later broken by a huge shriek. Birds flew in the open night air, disgruntled.
“Oh my Almighty Shogun! When did those two lovebirds get together?” Yoimiya’s eyes twinkled happily, jumping up from the stone chair and running around, as hyper as Ayaka.
“I don’t know- but I have more pictures! Here, I printed you some, for blackmail and so so!”
Until starlight, the two girls were left happily jumping around.