More Or Less | ayato & thoma

Chapter Ten

Chapter Ten

Thoma woke up exactly as he needed. He pulls his black shirt onto him and removes the futon that covered him, he runs his hand through his hair and snatches the red cord and silver dog tag on the table beside him. He puts the dog tag on his neck before he ties his hair in a ponytail.

He then washes up and when he is fully awake, he walks to the Estate — but he didn't miss the chance to care for the flower Ayato had given him, he made sure to water it before he left. When he reached the entrance of the Kamisato Estate, stun plastered across his face and he was taken aback to see Kamisato Ayato by the shed before the courtyard.

Ayato was holding a brush, carefully stroking it onto the paper that sat before him.

Thoma started walking slowly to the place, he tried not to make any noises that could disturb the young Master. He takes the duster and starts brushing away any dust he could see, he glances at Ayato who was deeply focused on his calligraphy.

He finishes dusting the outside of the building a few minutes later. Thoma moves on to the courtyard and begins to trim the overgrown plants, aware that Ayato had noticed him because the young Master was just behind him. He tries not to be cognizant of it, but after cutting another grass, he can't help but look back at Ayato, who is silently watching him with his chin resting on his knuckles and his other hand in the air holding the brush.

He turns around and averts Ayato's eyes, he licks his lips and pulls an unwanted grass. Thoma moves onto another part of the courtyard and he catches Ayato still staring at him, eventually, he looks away and goes back to his calligraphy.

Another time passes, and he backs away from the greenery to look if he's missed anything from his sight. He hears a clap and assuming it was Ayato, he glances at him.

"How marvelous." he grins at him. Ayato puts down the brush on a holder next to the paper, "Come here."

Thoma dusts off his hands before reluctantly following Ayato's order, he taps the space beside him and Thoma sits down.

"Can you perhaps tell me a story?" Ayato asks while staring intently at his face.

He finds it odd but nods, "Yes, what do you want me to talk about?"

"I would prefer hearing about yourself." The young Master picks up the brush again and takes a blank paper. He takes a quick glance at Thoma, "I'm listening."

Thoma ponders and crosses his arms, he tries to recall his memories in Mondstadt — something that would amuse Ayato. He clears his throat just before he starts, "When I was young, my Inazuman father would often buy the famed dandelion wine of the Dawn Winery." He saw Ayato nod his head while he was stroking his brush downwards to the paper. "He's from Inazuma and it's surprising how much he loved this wine. My father loved it more than my mother did, I wished I had his tolerance. I can't maintain my state from just two drinks of it, isn't that ironic?"