̧ †hï§ £å†ê?| Pillarmen \ Reader [VERY SLOW UPDATES]

22.

A/N: Hello guys and Happy New year! I know I haven't been active like I wanted to be, but I've been going through a rough patch of loss and grief while also making the most of my final semester of college. Those who have been here since day one and newcomers who also wait patiently for updates...thank you.

   "Come now dear you're practically drooling for me." He teased, which made me huff in annoyance. "Well, your garments are quite mesmerizing, I couldn't help but be fixated on them." "Oho but not a glance for me per se, hm?"  I smirked as I placed my hand on my hip, relishing in this silent victory. He let out a jovial laugh and extended his hand. "I was wondering if you would care for a dance, little lamb?" His eyes sparkled with excitement in contrast to the suave look upon his face. I cringed slightly at this... I was never the best at dancing. Always looking like a prairie chicken flapping about in distress. " I-I never really was the best dancer..." I looked away in embarrassment. He smiled softly at this and walked up to me, tracing his large fingers up my forearms to land gently onto my tense shoulders. " No reason to be afraid, just follow my lead."

And with that, he swept me off of my feet quite literally and did a fantastic twirl with my lighter frame before landing on them once more. My distress was masked with an amused grin. "But we have no music~!" I say. "Just imagine it...the sound of tunkul drums beating wildly, timbals, a flighty tune of flutes and ocarinas, loud melodious chanting by a raging fire~." He exclaimed breathily getting down on one knee before springing up. The muscles in his arms and legs move erratically as he moves in a skip or trotting motion before spinning clockwise once, and again counterclockwise. I recognized those movements vaguely similar to a Yaocuauhtli Danza ( I recommend watching some, they're lovely) I saw for a cultural project once. I began twirling around him and he, me in tandem before making swift high kicks. We would do a variation of this dance, laughing at each other with how hard we were trying to impress the other by freestyling a bit. Gradually our movements were slower, and for the second time I ended up in Esidisi's arms after a misstep on my part as our laughter slowly died down. 

" You said that you are not a good dancer, but by the looks of it you seem to be surprisingly graceful for your first time, no?" He holds onto my arms firmly to support my upper body. Sneaking a glance from his toned chest, I raise my head to see he is in fact, staring directly at me. Gaze full of excitement and amusement, stealing what breathe I had left from me in an instant. I chuckle softly at this, " And you are quite the charmer when you're not being overly charismatic."  " Oh really?" In one swift move, I'm being lifted into the air again and twirled around until Esidisi carries me bridal style while striding across the stone floor. " What on Earth are you up to master?" He smiles but doesn't answer. Instead, he places me on top of the offering table. Subconsciously I'm freaking out, thinking that this is truly the end for me, only to be shocked as Esidisi caresses my cheeks gently with both calloused hands. Blue orbs boring into my soul. "Come now Y/N, is my presence truly unsettling to you...? I am aware of how guarded you become at the slightest touches and glances that I have 'graced' upon you." Clearly, he was trying to lighten the mood. I was slowly but surely easing into the comfortable silence.

I sigh and look just behind him timidly as I recall the times I had made the effort to excuse myself from the room when he would step in.  Even if he is charismatic when I see him, he is just as sensitive too. There were moments when I'd glimpse a flash of hurt.  I have to clear this up. " I...I am sorry that I have been avoiding you, and seem to have made you upset. I didn't mean for our courtship to turn sour..."  His hands retreated from my face as he gazed at me reassuringly. " No, no. This was a very memorable moment for me, and I understand why I may seem off-putting most days. I enjoyed tonight, really..." For a moment my cheeks felt hot and my body acted without a second thought. I reached for his right cheek, cupping it with smaller hand, feeling the extremely warm, defined face it belonged to. " I had fun tonight too, words cannot describe how happy I am to have shared my first dance with you." At this, he seemed in a daze, heart full of content knowing he had made this a worthwhile courting attempt. " I have something for you, whether you accept it or not is your choice..on my honor." He said this with confidence and barely hidden anxiety. In truth, I did not want to reject his gift after the moment we shared tonight. " For me? You shouldn't have." I smiled bashfully. "Close your eyes and hold up your hair for me." His tone was giddy, the gift would obviously be jewelry, but what I still wondered. I did as instructed and felt cold smooth beads circle around my neck as well as a hard lump of something that landed before the middle of my sternum. If that wasn't enough, warm, soft, and pillowy lips were placed on my forehead. This was all too much, I was beyond flustered.

"Open your eyes now, little lamb." Upon opening my eyes I look down and see a delicate beaded necklace of jade and traces of gold that accented the figurine near the middle.

"M-master~! It's gorgeous..." I trace over the beaded jewelry with newfound softness in my eyes. "But even in all of its opulent glory, it does not hold a candle to you. And please, you will no longer refer to me as your master...Esidisi will do just fine." His tone was jovial at the prospect of me truly enjoying his gift and the time we've spent together. I look at him and with newfound courage, I plant a kiss on his full and inviting lips. Eagerly he responds back with a soft but longing kiss of his own, and just like that we parted shortly after. " M-I mean...Esidisi...thank you..."  He smiles, caressing my chin with fondness. "I realize, that if you were to ask me for the universe itself, I would go to great lengths to retrieve it for you.." Shyly I fidgeted with the charm on my new pendant at his bold declaration. He speaks again. " I believe it is getting late, my little lamb. Be prepared for another day of scouting for Kars in the meantime. Now run along...and do not fantasize about me too much~!" Esidisi lifts me from the table as I try not to think about those incredibly warm palms digging softly into my waist in the process. A quiet meep noise is all I could muster before scampering off with heat rising to my cheeks. Curse you, you suave bastard...