𝑹𝒂𝒇𝒂𝒚𝒆𝒍

“What are you doing?”

Rafayel abruptly grabbed your wrist when you sneaked up to him from behind, holding a pair of antler-shaped hairpins - the reward that came after you successfully conquered the thirtieth floor of Deepspace Trial. You figured that after more than an hour of him looking at a blank canvas, he would appreciate a small break.

"What is this?" Rafayel enquired. He removed a clip from your grasp.

“Deer antlers.” You plopped down on the floor next to him and answered. After giving him the second one, you said, "For you."

“I know you've always had a thing for animals.” Rafayel's expression brightened to a smile. He pinned two deer antlers on his head, then turned to ask you: "How are they?" Do I look stunning?

You pulled a very serious expression. "Hmmm. They look very… Erm…”

Rafayel's expression changed from excitement to a pout. “Say no more. Judging from the look on your face, I already know how I look like.”

He stroked the two antlers on his head with his palms, got up, and strode over to the big mirror in the room's corner. Rafayel spent the next five minutes studying himself in the mirror, adjusting his hair and positioning his antlers more precisely.

"Come here."

He turned towards you, holding out a hand, signaling that he wanted you to come closer. You idly stood up and held his hand.

“Even when I'm a fish,” he said. “I must admit that I would make a magnificent deer. Don't you think so?”

You studied Rafayel's antlers carefully, then grabbed his chin to pull his face closer to you.

Rafayel opened his eyes wide in surprise, then grimaced. He also made a deer noise. “You use so much force. Are you aware that the deer you are holding is quite delicate?”

"I'm sorry. This deer is indeed fragile.”

Rafayel put his arms around your waist and positioned you between him and the mirror as you laughed. With his cheek resting on your head, he asked:

“Do you have another pair? I want us to wear them together. We're going to be the world's deerest couple!”

"Yes." You took out another pair of accessories from your pocket. Rafayel laid them delicately above your head. He stared at you two for a long time before pulling his phone out of his pocket to snap a picture of you two.

“If this goes up on your timeline, the stores that sell it will sell out!” You exclaimed.

"Obviously. I am really a trendsetter, as they put it." Rayafel smiled smugly in response. "Oh, now I see what I will sketch next. Thank you."

That being said, Rafayel lightly kissed your hair in the space between the antlers.

𝑿𝒂𝒗𝒊𝒆𝒓

“Xavier, will you come here for a moment? I have something to tell you.”

Xavier's face appeared right behind the door when you called out to him. You signaled him to come closer and he then leaned down really close.

"What's the matter?"

Standing on tiptoe and holding two prepared antler-shaped hairpins in each hand, you clipped them directly onto Xavier's head while suppressing your laughter. With a scowl, he reached out to touch them.

"What are these things?"

Instead of responding immediately away, you drew him over to the room's mirror. Confused, Xavier enquired, "Are we going to some festival?"

"Yeah, we are." You laughed at the look on Xavier's face. His head covered in deer antlers made him appear really cute.

"Are costumes required for this festival?"

You gave a nod. There was, in fact, no event at all. You had to beat the thirtieth level of the Deeepspace Trial to obtain them, and then all of a sudden you imagined Xavier's expression when he wore them.

“Hmmm. Dressing up as an animal?…”

Xavier whispered to himself while still looking in the mirror. You could not help but raise a hand to touch the two antlers on his head, then he pulled your hand away.

“Are you going to… touch my antlers?”

"May I?"

“That's not very respectful to the deer.”

Xavier put on a stern face. You laughed. If you knew he liked role-playing so much, you would have bought you a few more items.

“So, Mister Deer,” You played along. “Are you fluent in deer language?”

Xavier frowned. “I know what you're going to do. Don't even think about it. I won't make deer noises."

“What a pity!” You deliberately let out a deep sigh. “There will be an animal noise contest at the upcoming festival. The prize is that expensive toaster we have planned to buy.”

Even though Xavier's eyes brightened up a little, he persisted in trying. After a while, when you messed with him enough, you decided to leave for lunch. But as soon as you turned away, you heard a very faint gurgling sound accompanied by a snort. Almost like a deer.

You looked back at where Xavier was sitting. His face was buried in his hands, but you could see the scarlet flush on his cheeks from the reflection in the mirror. You smiled triumphantly. You grinned victoriously. But before you had a chance to enjoy it too much, you were pulled back.

Xavier's face had gone from crimson to a terrifying mask of menace, as if he were about to hunt down a poor Wanderer. Still, his eyes gazing at you were gentle.

“It's your turn to be the deer. Do you think you can get away just like that?"

𝒁𝒂𝒚𝒏𝒆

“Please, Zayneee? Pretty pleaseeeee?”

Despite your insistence, Zayne just ignored you and continued typing on his keyboard.

“Let's do it for the kids, will you?”

You held two small deer antlers and approached him. Zayne frowned. He turned his chair around to face you.

"No."

He gave a chilly response. You had not given up yet. "Please! The festival is something that the pediatric patients are excited about. All the doctors and hospital staff are wearing costumes too. Nobody will make fun of you.”

"No." Zayne said it once more.

"You previously informed me that attending to a patient's mental health needs is equally as important as attending to their medical needs."

You were running out of reasons to make Zayne wear these antlers. After giving it some thinking, he inquired: 

"You want me to wear this just for the kids to see?"

At first you did not really understand what he meant, but when you did, your face became red.

“O-Of course it's not just that… I… I also want to see Dr. Zayne try cute things…”

Zayne sighed, but you swore you caught a smile across his face.

"Alright. But this is the last time I'll let you put absurd things on me.”

Hearing that, you smiled triumphantly. This definitely would not be the last time, as he also mentioned that the last time you had him wear a set of glowing devil horns. You quickly bent down to place two deer antlers in Zayne's hair. While they did not completely melt away his icy demeanor, they at least made him a little more approachable.

"Alright. You should have a quick look in the mirror."

"No need." Zayne replied. “I trust you to be responsible to keep an eye and correct them in any case, as long as they are on my head.”

You blinked in surprise. Zayne stood up, held your hand and walked out. The festival for pediatric patients at Akso hospital began in the warm spring weather. You also had a pair of deer antlers on your head. Wherever you went with Zayne, the kids followed, referring to you as Mommy Deer and Zayne as Daddy Deer. He did not respond much to that, but when no one was looking, he grinned to himself. And you were thrilled.

By the end of the day, everyone was exhausted but extremely happy. You followed Zayne into his office. As soon as the door closed, he drew you into his arms, resting his head on your shoulder. The antler on his head curled into your hair.

“Zayne? Is there something wrong?"

"You've spent the entire day today concentrating on the kids." His voice was so soft it made your heart skip a beat. “Could you spare a little with your deer now?”