Anything for you (Ayato x Thoma)

Chapter VII

    Thoma was sweeping the floors as usual when a voice suddenly called out to him.
- Thoma! The blue-haired man yelled excitedly.
-Good morning my Lord.
-A good morning it is indeed Thoma, he smiled.
-Um, Thoma hesitated, shouldn't you be at work now?
-Well, since everything went smoothly at my meeting yesterday and everyone has agreed on everything, I can take a day off today.
-That's great news! Thoma felt happy for him.
-So, I was wondering if you would like to go to Hanamizaka with me.
-That would be nice, but what about Ayaka?
-Don't worry about her, she went to the Komore teahouse earlier today, Ayato reassured him.
-I see...
-Should we get going?
-Oh, sure, let me go grab my wallet really quick.
-All right.
On his way to his room, Thoma overheard some men from the Yashiro commission talking about him. It wasn't very pleasant to hear.
-You know that Thoma, right?
-Yeah.
-I heard he's Mondstadt born and bred, one man said, dejected.
-Really? That's probably the only reason the Lady hangs around him, he laughed.
-What about the Lord then?

-Iheard it's because he likes spending the night with him, they both looked disgusted and Thoma was shocked.Where did these rumors come from? He was scared Ayato would hate him if heheard them. What made things worse was that Thoma did in fact like men, but hehadn't told anyone in Inazuma yet. He didn't know how they would react.
-That's probably all he's good at, theylaughed again. Thoma felt heartbroken. Was this really how people saw him? Whatpeople thought about him? It hurt him deeply to know that's all people thoughthe was good for. He was still standing behind a wooden beam when, out ofnowhere, Ayato's voice called out,
-Thoma! Don't tell me you're just going to standthere. We wanted to go somewhere, didn't we?
It was obvious he was being loud so the men would hear him.
- Oh right. I almost forgot.
-Were you just going to keep me waiting if I hadn'tcome?
-Um, well, I...
- Oh Thoma you're so forgetful sometimes, it'sadorable, he said with a smirk.
- My Lord! The two men looked surprised and fearful.Ayato turned to look at them with disdain.
-If I catch you two gossiping again, I will haveyou fired.
-Yes, my Lord. Ourapologies, they left in a hurry.
-Did you hear all of that? Thoma asked.
-Yes... I did.
-Then why did you...?
-It's better to have them believe we're together,no? Then they won't have the courage to go against you.
-I guess, but still, it didn't stop them fromgossiping, and I don't want to tarnish your reputation, Thoma clenchedhis fists.
-Thoma, it doesn't matter, when you're in myposition there are plenty of rumors that start spreading but they always dieout eventually.
-Maybe...
-Unless it bothers you to have people think that,then I will do my best to quiet down the rumors, Ayato cupped his cheekand wiped away a tear that was about to fall.
-No it's all right..., Thoma replied, his faceturning red.
-Are you sure? Ayato asked concerned.
-Yes, I promise.
- All right then, about our trip...
They arrived at Hanamizaka, Thoma had been there before, it being on the way tothe market and all. But he never got the chance to truly take in the scenery.There was a large Sakura tree in the center of what seemed to be the plaza. Thehouses were definitely not the fanciest but nonetheless added a calming andserene ambiance to the area. The sun was at its highest point in the sky as itwas late noon and the two men started getting hungry.
-I know a place we can eat. Follow me, Ayatograbbed Thoma by the wrist and brought him to a small open-air restaurant thatonly had a bar counter as a table. Thoma found it quite cozy. The waitress wasrather surprised to see the Yashiro commissioner but was very nice to both ofthem. She and Thoma got along quite well as they both shared an interest incooking. She had asked him to give her some foreign recipes when she found outhe was from Mondstadt. The men finished their meal although Ayato hadn't spokenmuch, he seemed to have enjoyed it. Later on, they met a young girl with messyblond hair and a bubbly personality whom Ayato found quite similar to Thoma.Her name was Yoimiya, and she and her father ran a firework business.
-Ah yes, Nagonohara fireworks, I believe you supplythe fireworks that the Yashiro commission uses for festivals, Ayato saidbefore taking a sip of his milk tea which Thoma hadn't seen him buy.
-That's correct! Shereplied enthusiastically.
-Would it be possible for you to make some fortonight, or is that not enough time? Ayato asked.
- Oh it's doable, don'tworry. But I'd like to ask for any special requests like the color or shape...
-Anything should do just fine, surprise me.
-All right then I'll haveyour fireworks ready by tonight. Just make sure to come pick them up then,she reminded.
-Of course.
They left the workshop and continued their walk.
-Is there any special occasion you need fireworks for,my Lord?
-Well sort of, but it's nothing you need to worryabout, Ayato smiled.
-I see..., Thoma thought it was a little suspicious,but he quickly moved on. They continued their walk and somehow reached the footof mount Yougou.
-Would you like to visit the grand Narukami shrine?Ayato asked.
-Oh yes! I've heard so much about it! Do they worshipfoxes?
-Well not quite, the commissioner explainedwhile showing Thoma the way up the mountain, itmainly worships the Almighty Shogun, but foxes are a sacred creature on themountain as well as everywhere on Narukami island.
- Oh, I didn't know that...
-Well now you do.
They reached the top of mount Yougou and arrived in front of the Grand shrine.There were a lot of Sakura trees, and the buildings were all red with blackroofs. The frontmost house stood in the center of a large but shallow pond. Thewater looked like it was sparkling but that could have just been Thoma'simagination. At the back of the courtyard stood a huge Sakura tree that resembleda fox if you looked closely. They called it the sacred Sakura tree. Thoma wasfascinated by everything there, from the buildings to the fortune slips. Theytried their look at it and Ayato got good fortune while Thoma had gotten modestfortune.
-"You will come to a fork in your path if youchoose the right way you may find more happiness", the blond readout loud, huh, I wonder what will happen if Ichoose the other way?
-Don't say that, you'll jinx it, Ayatowarned.
- Oh, and what did you get my Lord?
-"Luck in your love life", he saidunfazed.
- Oh... I didn't know you had a lover my Lord..., Thomasaid his heart sank at the thought and he had yet to know why.
- Oh no, you misunderstand, I don't have a lover,nor have I ever had one, Ayato stated quickly. The blond felt somewhatrelieved.
-Then it must mean you'll get one soon, Thomatried to sound cheerful.
-Maybe...
They descended the mountains and returned to Hanamizaka where Ayato insisted onbuying his housekeeper a kimono. There were a variety of colors and patterns tochoose from, but one caught the commissioner's eye. It was crimson with whiteand dark red wavy stripes and if you squinted your eyes, you could see smalllighter red flowers which were basically unnoticeable as they were only meantas a background. Thoma was horrified by the price and refused to let Ayato buyit for him even if he thought the kimono was quite beautiful. However after hisLord had pleaded and begged him, he decided to give in.
-I think it will look great on you,proclaimed the commissioner.
-I don't doubt it but the price is quite high, and Iwould feel bad knowing you spent so much on me, Thoma tried to convincehim last time.
-Then think of it as a Thank you gift for being soloyal, Ayato smiled at him. The blond wanted to stop him, but he hadalready paid.
-I could've negotiated the price..., Thoma said.
-It's a gift, you have no choice but to accept it.
-All right, Thoma sighed.
It was already late afternoon and Ayato suggested watching the sunset on thebeach which was quite close by. So, the two men went to sit on the soft sandbut barely a few minutes later Ayato stood up to leave.
-Where are you going, my Lord?
-I just have to pick up a few things, I'll be rightback.
- All right.
So the poor housekeeper was left alone for almost half an hour. When thecommissioner returned, the sun had already started setting.
-Sorry, I didn't think it would take so long,Ayato apologized.
-It's all right don't worry about it, Thomareassured. The blue-haired man sat next to his housekeeper and pointed at asmall island to their right.
-That's Amakane island, the Yashiro commission usesit exclusively for little community events. Keep your eyes on it, thecommissioner suggested. Thoma was a little confused but did as he was told. Tohis surprise, a stream of colorful fireworks shot up into the sky. Thoma wasfascinated, he couldn't take his eyes off them. Ayato, however, wasn't lookingat the sky, but at the blond sitting next to him. A gentle smile on his face.The firework display ended and Thoma turned to his Lord to thank him but to hissurprise, he wasn't there anymore. He started worrying when he heard his namebeing called out. It was Ayato who was sitting on a picnic blanket. There werea bunch of plates with various dishes that all looked delicious. Ayato invitedThoma to sit next to him. They had a good time and Thoma got to more talk abouthis homeland.
-Did you have many friends there? thecommissioner asked.
-I did have quite a few but I had one really goodfriend named Diluc.
- Oh, you mean the Diluc that runs the wineindustry in Mondstadt? You've mentioned him before, he said looking away.
-That's the one. He's really nice, I've known him sinceI was a child. He's become really successful.
-And what does he look like?
-He's tall, has long red hair and red eyes, oh and hehas a Pyro vision.
-You two seemed quite close, Ayato saidlooking away from him.
-Yeah... he was the first person I told about... nevermind, forget I said anything, Thoma laughed awkwardly.
-No, tell me, what is it he knew before anyoneelse, Ayato didn't seem very happy. Thoma didn't like keeping secrets,but this was important, and it wasn't something everyone was all right with. Ifhe told Ayato, he liked men and he didn't like that Thoma would probably bekicked out and he would be disgusted.
-I..., Ayato's opinion was important to him, andit scared the blond to think he could possibly hate him. Tears fell from hiseyes at the thought.
-Oh no, I'm sorry. Please don't cry, you don't haveto tell me. I was being selfish...
-No, I want you to know but... just don't hateme...please.
-I won't, I promise, he said as he rested ahand on his shoulder, but Thoma pushed him away making Ayato think he didsomething wrong.
-I um, I don't...how do I put this? I'm gay,Thoma was looking at the ground. He didn't dare to look at Ayato.
-Thoma... I'm offended you think I'd hate you forthat, the commissioner said while yet again placing a hand on his housekeeper'sshoulder. The blond looked at him, he didn't believe his ears.
-Are you sure it's all right my Lord?
- Thoma, why wouldn't it be, it's not like you cando anything about it. You can't choose whom you like. I learned that the hardway.
-What do you mean?
-I am uninterested in women Thoma.
The blond looked at him in disbelief. They stayed silent for a moment simplylooking at each other.
-Still, I am very glad you could find the courageto tell me, Ayato smiled at him.
-Well I felt a little guilty about not saying anything,but I was afraid of your reaction. Your opinion is important to me...
-Thoma..., he wrapped his arms aroundhim. They didn't say anything, but they felt like a heavy weight had beenlifted off of their hearts.