Anything for you (Ayato x Thoma)

Chapter 10

-Thoma! What do I do?! Ayaka panicked.
-Calm down, what's wrong?
-I, I think I'm in love with someone... She covered her face with her hands to hide her evident blush. Thoma had not expected that, he was surprised, to say the least. That's when he thought of a certain blonde with a bubbly personality.
- Is it Yoimiya? he wondered out loud, immediately putting his hands over his mouth. He hadn't meant to say it.
-What? How did you... I mean no... how could I? She stumbled on her words nervously.
-It is, isn't it, he stated with a smirk. He wasn't sure of it before, but he could see the embarrassed look on her face.
-Was it that obvious...? She hid behind her hands.
-Not really, but it makes sense I mean, you have taken quite a liking to her, and I've seen the way you look at her, that's not how someone looks at a friend.
-Does it bother you though? That I like a girl I mean...
- Ayaka, he sighed, I've had crushes on boys since I was six years old, why in Teyvat would I ever be bothered by your liking a girl?
- Oh..., she was taken aback by his sudden confession but felt relieved nonetheless.
-Are you surprised? Thoma asked.
-Not at all, I kind of expected it to be honest.
- Oh...
-Anyways, back to the problem at hand here. How do I know if Yoimiya likes me?
-Well, you don't. That's the game of love my dear, it's all about taking risks and whether or not they are worth it, he explained with a sigh.
-Now when did you get into philosophy?
Thoma faked hurt at Ayaka's statement.
-I'm serious though, if you wait too long you might miss your chance, but sometimes you also have to wait until the right moment. You know, get the other alone in a romantic environment perhaps, but that is all up to you, if you want her to confess first it might be better to give her hints like taking her to eat and spending time with her. Show her how you feel to give her the confidence she needs to tell you.
-You sound like you have experience in these sorts of things, she eyes him suspiciously.
-Well, it isn't anything to brag about really. It just means I've failed enough times to know where my mistakes were, he laughed awkwardly, oh, and one more piece of advice, don't let go, don't stop showing affection just because you're insecure about how she feels about you, trust me it's not a good idea.
-All right, I won't.
-Then let's get started.
That evening Ayaka was going to watch a meteor shower with Yoimiya and Thoma was determined to help her make things go well. He made desserts in case they got hungry and suggested she take the blonde out to dinner first. He helped her pick a dress which was a blue sundress that Thoma had made for her recently. It was nothing like a kimono and since Ayaka had begged him to make her a piece of foreign clothing he decided on gifting her a regular dress for the end of summer. It was pale blue, had a baby pink waistband, and reached above her ankles. It suited her well and she liked it a lot. He braided her hair, and she thanked him later for his assistance. He wished her good luck as he watched her leave the estate sword tied to her waistband. He had finished all his work and decided to spend the rest of the afternoon on Ritou where he happened to bump into a certain silver-haired, blue eyed man whom he was very delighted to see.
- Thoma! It's good to see you again, the man smiled.
-Albert! It's good to see you too.
The two went off and talked about their day and reminisced about their homeland together.
-You're a housekeeper for the Kamisato clan?! I thought I'd heard your name somewhere. There are a lot of rumors saying he has a special relationship with one of his servants, he smirked, do you know anything about that?
Thoma felt very uncomfortable with the topic of their conversation.
-No, I don't. I guess the rumors just don't reach the Kamisato estate, he said as he looked away, dejected.
-Maybe, I just feel bad for the commissioner you know, for his reputation to be ruined like that just because of some servant he probably doesn't care about, he glanced at Thoma whose insecurities were growing by the second.
- Well, I don't think it's that bad, rumours usually die out right?
-Yeah but there are always those who despise the Yashiro commissioner and information about his personal life doesn't get leaked often. It's the perfect opportunity to ruin him, he had a smug look on his face as he looked back at the blond who was hunched over, his arms crossed, but all this gossip could be avoided if the servant simply avoided contact with the commissioner.
-You think? Thoma asked.
-I know, he replied confidently.
Albert eventually changed the topic and asked the housekeeper if he wanted dinner which Thoma agreed to. The silver-haired man never mentioned any unpleasant rumors after that and only talked about good things which lightened the other's mood a little.