ofstardustanddreaming

[ofstardustanddreaming]

Did you get a request? It's preferences for Astarion, Gale, Wyll, and Halsin reacting to their gn s/o being touch starved. Thanks!

Yes I did, I'll start working on those soon :)

[ofstardustanddreaming]

I've decided I'm going to step into doing some SMAU's as well, but please be patient as I learn how to do them lol, I've yet to figure out the app 😞 I know JJK is a popular fandom to do them for, but I can also open the SMAU into other fandoms I write for as well, I'm thinking BG3 could be fun. But any fandom up on my list I'll do them for, so go ahead and start with requests for those if you like :) any other requests, such as preferences and oneshots, will still be open as well, my summer is finally here! So I have the free time lol. (I can't believe I've graduated now??)

I'm also thinking about putting a poll up soon, I have some different series brewing in my head, and I'd like to get an idea of what might be most appealing to start with first, so keep a look out for that!

#jjk #jjk imagine #jjk x reader #bg3 #bg3 imagine #bg3 x reader

[ofstardustanddreaming]

I'M FREE TO COMMENT!!! My touch starvation request is so good! I love it especially Dammon had no problem with their desire of having contact 👍, he touches them more of because it's a huge part of his love language so it's natural for him to be wrapping them so often 🤭, he just wants to be close to them & hold them all the time 😍, they never have to ask because it's second nature to him 👍, he's quite attentive to their needs that he knows when they would start to cling onto him 🤭, he would always hold them even at work ☺️, the fact he loves having them around to provide them comfort 🥹, Rolan is teasing them a bit 🤣, he would touch them fleetingly while enjoying how they lean into his touch 🤭, he nearly wants to take his touch for their own or for them to beg 😳, he can't say no to them & he can't even wait for them ask most of the times 🤭, he would pull them close while enjoying their small shudders 🤭, he doesn't want to admit he's a bit touch starved 😂, he loves it when they returns his touches since he enjoys it as much as they do 🤭, he enjoys hearing them squeal because they didn't expect his touches 😁, it feels his heart with warmth when they trust him enough to lean into his touch 🥹, Zevlor admits to himself that it took him awhile to realise they're touch starved 😅, he just couldn't remember what is the name of how they act 🤔, he did notice how they shake when he touched them & misunderstood that they didn't like it, he realised what it was when they begged him to continue 🥺, he would quickly obliged their request to hold them tighter & longer when he noticed they're shaking even more 👍, and he would always hold them when they're feeling more starved ☺️ Thank you so much for doing my request because I love it so much :)

I'm really glad you loved them! 🫶🫶

[ofstardustanddreaming]

touch starvation

preference summary: what they do when they find out you're touch starved

content warnings: mentions of insecurity

fandom: baldur's gate 3

characters: dammon, rolan, zevlor

gender neutral reader

anon request

Dammon: He has no issue bringing you in for any sort of contact at any time. He's not even really touching you because he notes that you're touch starved, it's just that touch is a big part of his love language. so it's second nature for him to just be wrapping you up all the time. All of him wants to be close to you all the time. He'll always be touching your face, holding your hand, he's always glad to give you affection through physical touch. You never have to ask him for touch to be loved, it's his second nature for him to provide that affection. He is attentive to your needs, he always knows when you need touch, where you start to get clingy to him. He'll always hold you, even if he's at work, he loves having you around to provide the comfort.

Rolan: He's a bit teasing with it. He'll be giving you fleeting touches, drinking in how you lean into them. He almost wants you to beg, or take his touch for your own. But in a lot of instances, he finds that he has a hard time saying no to your eyes, he can't even wait for you to ask. He'll pull you in, really close, relishing in your tiny shudders. He also doesn't want to admit he's a tiny bit touch starved himself, and he loves when you return his touches, wanting them as much as you do. He does love hearing you squeal under his touches when you least expect them, and it does create a warmth in heart to see you trust him to lean into his touches.

Zevlor: He takes some time to notice your touch starvation, he'll have to admit. He doesn't mean to take so long to notice your starvation, the way you act just not something that he could place a name on initially. He would note how you occasionally shake when he touches you, thinking that maybe instead you weren't fond of touch at certain times. It wasn't until you were begging him to continue his touch that he noticed your touch starvation for what it was. He'll then be quick to give into your request, holding you tighter and longer when he noticed when you were getting more shaky. He will always give you he hold you when you're feeling more starved.

#bg3 #bg3 imagine #bg3 preference #bg3 x reader #baldur's gate 3 #baldur's gate 3 preference #baldur's gate 3 x reader #baldur's gate 3 imagine #dammon #dammon imagine #dammon x reader #dammon preference #rolan #rolan imagine #rolan preference #rolan x reader #zevlor #zevlor imagine #zevlor x reader #zevlor preference

[ofstardustanddreaming]

late night talks

oneshot summary: insecurities are brought up one night, a much needed talk, because you both have a hard time talking to one another.

content warnings: mentions of insecurity

fandom: the punisher

character: frank castle x reader

gender neutral reader

It's a cold night, and it made you worry about what bitter cold Frank had felt when he was out there fighting crime as you patch him up. The rain pounding against the windowsill, the way that the thunder sounds similar to the tension you feel in your head. You dab at the various cuts that Frank has, him only slightly wincing, as the both of you sit in silence in your shared apartment. There is still some wet shine to his hair, even after he attempted drying it with some towels.

But his injuries were more serious than the wet drops on the couch as you made him sit down to help the patching up. You bite your lip, worried you wouldn't be able to do the stiches correctly. You wince when Frank winces, but he fleets his fingers over your wrist soothingly, letting you know that it's all good, and you feel bad. You were supposed to comfort him after his vigilante fights, and all of a sudden the self destructive thoughts were crowding your mind.

"There." You murmur, rubbing your hand over the ends of the stich, hoping it wouldn't come undone. You take the first aid kit back to the bathroom, and walk back to the living area, where you continue to fix up anything that was strewed. You throw yourself into the work to try and put the insecurities at bay, where you start to feel as if you're not worth his time, considering he was putting his energy into trying to better the world. You feel as if you were only holding yourself afloat, unable to put the same energy into the world.

"Thanks sweetheart, for the help." He gives you a soft look, head tilting to the side. He notes your cleaning as your worry response, wondering what was going through your mind. When you get close enough for him to grab your wrist, he does just that. He pulls you close to him, mindful of the stitching you just did, making sure you were comfortable against his side.

He rubs slow circles into the skin where your shirt had rode up, trying to quell the anxiety you were having. Sure, your relationship was fairly new, coming in at around 8 months, but he could pick up on a lot of your mannerisms. He just never quite knew how to address it. He was never quite in touch with his feelings as well, not so much after Maria, but when he met you, he realized he'd have to figure it out. Which he might be able to navigate tonight.

He just had to figure out the correct way to ask you how to help you. Until he's able to ask the question, you both sit in silence as he continues to rub sweet circles into your skin.

In the mean time, you still brew in your own feelings. You aren't sure where your feelings were coming from, but they've been ruminating for the past couple weeks. Insecurities are always bound to pop up, no rhyme or reason for when they show up. Never coming in at a good time either. The last thing you wanted was to have to break down in front of Frank, who arguably needed more comfort for his injuries.

You feel clouded in your mind, barely able to focus on Frank's touch on you. You stare outside at the down pour of rain, focusing on the meaningless insecurities flooding your mind. You aren't one to rely on others for emotional needs, having grown up in a house hold where it was frowned upon to express yourself in a way that was perceived as a nuisance. It made you learned to not rely on others for your emotional needs, to bottle it up. It doesn't mean that you don't want to talk to Frank, you just feel that you would be burdening to him with something he wouldn't want to hear in his time of hurting or to be bothered with your insecurities.

Worried that your feelings would be trivial to talk about, you choose to keep what insecurities inside, always choosing to bottle it up. The worry about not being good enough for Frank, for worrying you won't live up to his expectations of you, has been weighing on your mind a lot lately. What if he didn't think highly of you, what if you were just a stepping stone for the next aspect of his life and he would move on from you? What if he realizes that you simply aren't good enough for him?

It doesn't register to you that you're crying until Frank is wiping the tears from your face as best as he can. This provides him the opportunity to ask you what's wrong, although he feels his heart skip a beat at having waited until you were crying to ask you what was wrong. It's instances like these, he wishes he wasn't so rusty on emotional tending to skills.

"Hey there, what's with the water works, huh?" He asks, adjusting you both so you were now in between his legs, him lying on the arm rest and you still sitting up so he could look in your eyes. He wants to be able to see your face, to be able to see your emotions.

You were taking breath after shuddering breath, trying to get past the lump in your throat before you speak. You try to wipe away tears and you try to avoid Frank's heavy gaze. He stops that though, reaching forward a hand to resume wiping tears, pulling your face to look at him.

"I just can't be good enough for you. I don't know where it's coming from, I just don't feel like I can do enough for you or match where you're at." You go on to repeat a lot of your inner insecurities, feeling lighter with each vulnerable moment that passes. Frank listens in quietness, your ramblings about your insecurities being something he cares about deeply.

"You know, I also feel the same way. Not to overshadow, but I also feel like I'm not enough for you. You're the perfect person for me, and I don't want to ruin what we have, or to scare you away. I want you to know you're not alone in these feelings, but we can lean on each other until they go away." He says, giving you a sweet look. It makes you confused, because you think he's perfect for you. He's attentive for what your needs are, and does his best to meet you where you need him to be.

"You notice that feeling? The one where you want to tell me I'm wrong, that I shouldn't feel this way? That's how I feel when you say that you think you're not good enough for me. I think you are enough for me, and I know insecurities want you to believe otherwise, but they're not true."

He gently maneuvers you to lie on top of him, careful of the wounds he has, but he wraps his arms tightly around you, and you breath in his scent.

"I will always love you, and you will always be enough for me. I will always be enough for you." And that's enough words for the both of you to be taking in at the moment, knowing that the sentiments went both ways. It's all the both of you need.

#frank castle #frank castle oneshot #frank castle x reader #frank castle imagine #the punisher #the punisher oneshot #the punisher imagine #the punisher x reader

[ofstardustanddreaming]

Could I request preferences for Dammon, Rolan, and Zevlor reacting to their gn s/o being touch starved?

Your post is in the queue! I hope you enjoy :)

[ofstardustanddreaming]

Did you get a request? It's preferences for Dammon, Rolan, and Zevlor reacting to their gn s/o being touch starved. Thanks!

Yes I did, I'll work on them soon! :)

[ofstardustanddreaming]

Would you accept requests for Castlevania Dracula, Issac, Hector, Alucard, and Trevor & Castlevania : Nocturne Olrox and Richter? Thanks!

Yeah, I'll accept Castlevania requests for those characters, unfortunately I have not seen the Nocturne yet (I know, I know). But I'll be watching the show soon, so keep an eye out for when I open requests for that show as well! :)

#castlevania #castlevania imagine #castlevania requests

[ofstardustanddreaming]

I'M FREE TO COMMENT!!! My gathering your attention request is so good! I love it especially how clingy Gojo is 🤣, he would find any way to spend time with them 😁, he loves to hang out with them no matter what they're doing, he would try to get into their personal space whether it's paperwork or their hobby 😂, he would be beside them asking questions about what they're doing, he would drag them to do whatever he's doing if they're free XD because he wants to talk to them while he's doing his tasks 🤭, he loves to invade their personal space often in hopes that it helps them to realise that he wants to be more than friends, Choso would be nervous to say something to have their attention 🫦, he's worried about how to approach them as much as he wants to spend more them with them 🥺, he would look at them with lovesick eyes in hopes they would understand his signals 😍, he's slightly awkward at first but he improves slowly but surely 👍, he would ask them shyly more often if they like to hang out in the evenings 🤭, he would look away because he fears they would decline >///<, he's someone who needs to build up courage to initiate asking them to hang out, he wants to do anything if it means to have a bit of their attention 🥹, Nanami isn't as nervous but he doesn't want to drag them around either, he always give them a chance to decline so he'll be respectful to them 👍, he can't help but crave whatever attention they give him & he's grateful for the time they spent with him 🥹, he enjoys any physical touch he gets from them in their friendship 🤭, and he loves their ideas of where to hang out in the evenings, he wants to do what they want to do because he enjoys their presence the most ☺️ Thank you so much for doing my request because I love it so much :)

I'm so glad you enjoyed it! :)

[ofstardustanddreaming]

Could I request preferences for Gojo, Choso, and Nanami trying to find ways to spend more time with gn crush?

your request is up! i hope you like it :)

[ofstardustanddreaming]

gathering your attention

preference summary: they want to spend more time with you, their crush.

content warnings: none

fandom: jujutsu kaisen

characters: gojo, choso, nanami

gender neutral reader

gojo: gojo is so clingy, he'll find any way to spend time with you when he wants too. he loves to come up to you with whatever you're doing, to hang out at any chance. he will attempt to move into your personal space whenever you're doing something, whether it's paperwork or a hobby, he's right up next to you asking you questions about what activity you're doing. he'll also drag you into what he's doing if you're not doing anything in your spare time, wanting to talk to you while he's doing his mindless tasks. he's the type of person who loves to invade your space as often as he can, hoping that the actions he takes will one day make you realize he wants to be more than just friends.

choso: choso is much more nervous about saying something to grab your attention. he wants to hang out much more with you, but he can be worried about how to approach you. he'll look at you with love sick eyes, hoping that you'll pick up on his signals of wanting to hang out with you. he's a bit awkward initially when hanging out with you, but he gets better as time goes on. he may ask you more often if you want to hang out during the evenings, but he's always shy when he does so. he nervously looks away from your eyes, worried you'll say no. but overall, he's someone that has to build up to asking you to hanging around, wanting to be in your space. he wants to do anything, if it just means you're giving him some of your attention.

nanami: he's somewhere in the middle of gojo and choso's styles. he's not nervous around you, but he also doesn't drag you around. he asks you to hang out with him, wanting to be respectful of your space, giving you the option to back out of hanging out with him. but he craves whatever attention you give him, glad to have any moment of your time you deem to give him. every accidental brush of your arm against his is wonderful to him, he basks in any sort of physical touch he gets in your friendship. he's someone who loves your ideas of where to hang out for the evening, he wants to do whatever it is you want to do, because in the end, he feels like he's winning just being in your presence.

#jjk #jjk imagine #jjk oneshot #jjk preference #jujutsu kaisen #jujutsu kaisen imagine #jujutsu kaisen preference #jjk x reader #jujutsu kaisen x reader #gojo imagine #gojo #gojo x reader #gojo preference #gojo oneshot #choso #choso imagine #choso x reader #choso oneshot #choso preference #nanami #nanami x reader #nanami imagine #nanami preference #nanami oneshot

[ofstardustanddreaming]

oomf wanted a totoro x jjk crossover 🥹🌱

[ofstardustanddreaming]

AHHH!!! I saw that you write for my FAVORITE character ever which gale from bg3!

So if you haven't done this already could you please do some cuddle time with him? I need the fluff 🩷 thanks so much!

this is genius, i love Gale lol. cuddling with him would fix every issue i have. i also hope you don't mind if i took the request in a slightly different format! i wanted to do the 4 times character does x, and the 1 time you do x.

cuddle bug

oneshot summary: 4 times gale initiates cuddles with you, and the 1 time that you initiate cuddles with gale. (gale is a major cuddle bug and would love pulling you in at any point. not that you wouldn't pull him in for a cuddle, he just loves pulling you in more.)

content warnings: none

fandom: baldur's gate 3

character: gale dekarios x reader

gender neutral reader

one: The first time that Gale pulls you into a cuddle session is at camp, and you're both new to the relationship. It's a nerve wracking way to make contact, and it feels awkward. But it's warm. He wanted to cuddle and be close to you, and what better way than to do it awkwardly.

The night is warm and fireflies are flying around everywhere. The camp members are enjoying themselves for the first time in a couple months, where missions are completed and there's a little bit of down time to enjoy the night. You and Gale officiated your relationship last week, and now have the first night to enjoy the branching of your relationship.

You sit next to him at a more secluded area of the camp, ensuring a moment of silence for you both. Gale grabs your hand as you both talk the night away, the feeling of warmth causing you to shiver.

"It's a nice night. And you're a great leader to be able to pull this off tonight." He glances over at you, both of you smiling at one another. Then he does the unexpected, where he pulls you into his arms, holding you close. You lean into the warmth of his embrace, enjoying the body heat when you're both away from the fire.

He pulls you over to his bed roll to continue the cuddle session, where you both felt a bit odd about it. You could never figure out if you were applying too much pressure, or if you adjusted yourself if that would create an issue of moving too much. Sure, it was awkward. But it allowed you both to know what cuddling positions you'd love moving forward.

two: The second time Gale pulls you in for a cuddle is after an intense session of a battle. He was worried that you had died, and never wanted to let you leave his arms again.

The fight with Thorm nearly took you out, your health very low. Shadowheart barely managed to keep you alive with her healing, but advised you get strong rest before moving on to the next quest to be filled. Gale, the man that he is, was sick with worry throughout your entirety of healing.

He found himself sitting next to you while you rested, very hesitant to touch you within the first few days, not wanting to make any injuries you had worse. But when you show some signs of being on the mend, he wasted no time laying down next to you, pulling your head on his shoulder and wrapping his arms around you as delicately as possible. He didn't want to move you too much, knowing that it can worsen injuries. But it was a nice initial point for him to have.

"Gods, you had me worried deeply for a while there." He murmurs to you, who's barely conscious to hear him say that. He slowly runs one hand over your arm that had reached over to wrap around your chest.

He just wanted to see you safe, the worry he felt seeing you on the brink of death was enough to shake him. He vowed from then on to be as much of help as possible to you in fights.

three: The third time Gale pulls you in is when he senses you've had a bad day. He's never one to shy away from the thought that a good cuddle session can fix a bad mood.

He finds you kicking dirt around on the outside of camp. You have the list of quests in your hand, frustrated at how much needed to be completed. You truly want to be helpful to them, to help as many people as you can, but it was burning you out at both ends. Something that Gale could tell, and his heart hurt for you.

He approaches you where you are, grabbing you by the shoulders. It takes one gentle look from him for you to start choking on your cries, and he pulls you close. He knows you need the lightest cuddle session to help you feel better, with light bouts of praise from him. Which is exactly what he supplies.

He wrestles you over to his tent, the headache you have pounding away. The dusk of the night was coming upon you all, and you feel as if there would be no time to sleep if you had to get to these missions soon. But he pulls you down with him, ensuring you were comfortable.

"Oh, sweet love, you're doing so well. You have the weight of the world on your shoulders right now, but you're doing so well." He says, the way he was cuddling with you feels like a weighted blanket. It lulls you to a calm sleep that night, to wake in the morning with a fresh start.

four: The fourth time that Gale wants cuddles is after an argument. You both always need a breather after an intense argument, but you'll always find your way back to each other to talk things through, and then move into comfort of each other's arms.

Oh, the argument was massive. It took a toll on you both, where eventually the camp had to pull you guys away from each other to cool it down. They really felt worried when Gale's magic started sparking, not wanting the orb to go off, and you had your hand on your weapon, they didn't want you to pull it out to start swinging.

The camp had split off into teams to watch over the both of you, letting you both get what you needed to off your chests. Then they would all shove you towards each other to say those rants to one another in a calmer fashion. You both speak with a softness to one another now, trying to see the other's viewpoint.

"I'm so sorry love." Was how Gale responded to your responding of love, and he pulled you in close to him. He is usually the first to reach to you after an argument as well, wanting you in his arms as quick as he can.

You lean into the touch, craving the touch of the man you love. You're always there to accept it, glad he would be the one to offer, always nervous about the rejection if you offered it. You always tend to worry after an argument, if he would ever take you back. So it always makes you happy that he wants to cuddle you close after such an argument.

one: The one time that you pull Gale in for a cuddle session is when he's had a bad day. When he's had a day of insecurities, wondering if he's good enough for you, is when you know you have to pull him in. He'll be too nervous to seek you out. He finds solace in your arms at night, getting comfort from you when you hold him and say he's enough.

Mystra had really done a number on him. He felt he had to live up to imaginary expectations you had in order for you to still want him. It takes time to get over that sort of line of thinking, and you reassure him that you'd never leave him based on what he thought you would want from him.

"I don't expect you to be perfect, or to be a strong wizard in order for me to be with you, you know. I'm with you Gale, because you're the kindest, sweetest person who does kind things for me. Such as cuddling me when I'm feeling down. You brighten my days with your stories." You comfort him, pulling him into your chest, where he buries himself into your neck.

"I don't ever want to leave you." You whisper to him, letting him get every ounce of emotion out on you, as you run your hands through his hair. He sighs shakily, and you feel the tears on your neck. It's a quiet night, nothing more is needed as you continue to whisper praises into his ear as you both fall asleep.

#bg3 #bg3 imagine #bg3 oneshot #baldur's gate 3 #baldur's gate 3 imagine #baldur's gate 3 oneshot #gale #gale imagine #gale oneshot #gale x reader #gale dekarios #gale dekarios x reader #gale dekarios imagine #gale dekarios oneshot #bg3 x reader #baldur's gate 3 x reader

[ofstardustanddreaming]

♡₊˚☀️・₊✧ 𝗻𝗮𝗻𝗮𝗺𝗶'𝘀 𝘄𝗮𝗻𝘁𝗲𝗱 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝘀𝗼 𝗹𝗼𝗻𝗴 & 𝘆𝗼𝘂 𝗱𝗶𝗱𝗻'𝘁 𝗸𝗻𝗼𝘄 ♡₊˚☀️・₊✧

: ̗̀➛ tropes: fem! reader 𖥔 he's obsessed to the max 𖥔 ceo x baker 𖥔 grumpy x sunshine 𖥔 she talks a lot x he listens a lot 𖥔 spoils the literal shit out of you 𖥔 mention of parental death 𖥔 major fluff 𖥔 sexual content in vague details 𖥔 alternate universe 𖥔 super soft nanami 𖥔 close proximity 𖥔 he loves kissing the fuck out of you

: ̗̀➛ words: 7.7k

: ̗̀➛ notes: you guys are so sweet for supporting my toji fanfic which is why i wanted to write another and this time its about my husband, the father of our children, the man who deserves every beautiful thing in this world. if you enjoy my work, please leave a comment, like, and reblog! thank you & ily. enjoy!

Nanami Kento entered your bakery at exactly six o' clock.  

You carefully observed the moments he dedicated to perusing the array of pastries, the vibrant mountain of macaroons, and the freshly baked, warm casse-croûte that you unfailingly prepared for him when he clocked out. There was a tender quality to his countenance, noticeable in the slight release of tension between his brows as the soft, buttery flakes dissolved on his tongue in your presence. Without fail, he consistently left a generous tip in your travel jar, dedicated to a solo trip to Malaysia.

"Did you know they've got this thing about not wearing yellow in Malaysia?" you mentioned during your initial meeting, eyeing the distinctive black-dotted tie worn by the stoic salaryman. "Well, not that your tie would get you in trouble; it's not entirely yellow. In fact, I think it's perfect as it is, just like your hair, which also has a touch of yellow.” 

Please cut your tongue off. 

Anticipating a polite nod and perhaps a slightly regretful five-dollar tip left in the jar, you were taken aback when he queried, “Why is that?” 

“Oh, uh . . . a bunch of protesters wore the color during a demand for their prime minister to step down," you stumbled, feeling a twinge of embarrassment for veering off into an unintentional crash course. Dropping trivia about Malaysia wasn't exactly the same as flirting. "So, it's kind of become a symbolism for protest and, well, threat. I read it in a book once. I don't know if it's a legitimate law, though."

“Do you like reading?” he asked, still interested in conversing with you. “Most people would Google information.” 

“I like reading. It’s easier to retain information that way.” 

Nanami acknowledged your gesture with a nod of gratitude as he accepted the casse-croûte and exited your bakery. Anticipating that he might not return due to his reserved nature and your awkward attempts at compliment-flirting, you were surprised to find that he was, in fact, full of surprises.

Nanami became a regular visitor. Day after day, for the past year, he arrived at precisely six o' clock. He continued his routine, whether he purchased a box of pastries, a pair of bagged bread loaves, or simply a casse-croûte and a small cup of milk coffee. You always prepared his order five minutes ahead of time, just in case you were occupied with other customers.

"Enjoy!" you chirped, casting a warm smile at the customer you just served as the bakery slowly emptied, leaving only Nanami browsing the delightful array of small cakes. "Good evening, Mr. Nanami!"

Nanami raised his head in your direction. "Good evening." He finally settled on the black forest cake from the open freezer and brought it to the counter.

"Special occasion?" you inquired as you rang him out, sneakily not charging him for the casse-croûte and coffee. There was a special occasion of your own that you were eager to share, hanging from the tip of your tongue.

"An intern's birthday."

"Sounds fun!" You had been saving up for your birthday present since summer, and Nanami had played a significant role. "When's your birthday?"

"July third."

Your eyes widened with surprise. "No way! Mine is July sixth. We’re summer babies."

“Happy belated birthday,” he said, fishing for his wallet, gaze barely meeting yours. 

"Same to you." Offering the sandwich and coffee, you extended them towards him. "Consider it a belated birthday treat."

Nanami’s brows crinkled. “I cannot accept.” 

"Why not? It's a gift." You slid the items closer with a subtle nudge, leaving him little room to refuse. "And you've given me a priceless gift, Mr. Nanami." Your eyes hinted at the tip jar's location, which now lay empty. 

“Were you robbed?” he asked, concern evident in his voice. 

“What—? No! Oh my god. You’re so funny.” A chuckle escaped behind your fist, and he observed you momentarily before glancing away. "I'm heading to Malaysia next week!"

Nanami gave a subtle nod. Although his lack of a more animated response disappointed you, you understood that shortness was his nature. "Congratulations.”

"Thank you, Mr. Nanami. Your generous tips really made a difference. They covered half of our trip.”

“Our? It’s not a solo trip?”  

You let out a little nervous laugh. Should you really be telling Nanami about your crippling love life? Would he even be interested? Well, he seemed to listen carefully when you talk. Maybe he wouldn’t care, but you really needed someone to talk to about this. Unfortunately, all your friends were too busy with their marriages to care.

“Well?” Nanami prompted. 

"Right, sorry. It's just—I've actually been seeing someone. Funny enough, we met in a Facebook group for solo travelers. He lives in a nearby town.”

Unexpectedly, Nanami's first question caught you off guard. "Can you trust him?" His concern surfaced, causing you to pause. "I'm only asking because you met this man online. You can't trust strangers on the internet."

"Thank you, Mr. Nanami, but I’m capable enough to know about stranger danger," you said with a funny smile, dismissing his parental concern. "Besides, we’ve gone on a few dates over the past month."

Nanami's frown remained intact. "Correct me if I’m wrong, but are you paying for him, too?"

"Yes."

“Why?” Nanami asked, firmly placing his palms on the counter, making it clear he wasn't leaving until he was convinced you wouldn't get in trouble during your Malaysian adventure.

"What do you mean 'why'?"

His mouth opened but then closed into a thin line, his forehead lines deepening. "It’s not my place to tell you what’s right and what isn’t—"

"Yes, you’re right about that," you interrupted.

"—but this is bordering on recklessness. You cannot use your trip’s money to pay for a man you’ve known for a mere month. Why is he even in the traveler’s group if he cannot afford to pay for himself?"

"Mr. Nan—"

"You are being scammed." 

Your teeth clenched together. You rarely got impatient. Years in the hospitality industry and dealing with misogynistic tenants didn't break you. Even setting up your bakery and almost draining your savings didn't dim your optimism. 

But getting scolded by someone who barely spoke more than five sentences to you in a whole year of being a regular? That's pushing it.

He didn't know you or Toji, the guy you're seeing. He didn’t understand how much you appreciated him accompanying you. So what if you covered his share of the trip expenses? Toji promised to pay you back, and he's been paying the bills for your dates. They might not be fancy, but it's the gesture that matters.

Sure, Nanami chipped in some money, and you're thankful for that. But he has no right to question you. Other people also contributed to your travel fund; it's not like he single-handedly financed the whole trip. You appreciated his support, but he was not in a position to lecture you.

With a sigh, you managed to contain your frustration and said, "Have a great rest of your night, Mr. Nanami.”

Nanami's frustration was palpable as he stood firm, his gaze piercing through the windows of your soul. “I suggest you take my advice into serious consideration. It would greatly upset me if you had the chance to visit one of your favorite countries taken from you.” 

You didn't bother watching him go. Instead, your discovery awaited you at the counter—the money for the coffee and casse-croûte lay there, accompanied by a crumpled yellow note that had slipped to the floor. Moving around the counter, you picked it up and smoothed out its wrinkles.

What greeted you was your own name scrawled across the sticky note, repeated around fifty times, the letters overlapping in a chaotic dance. Some were hastily scratched out, while others were executed with perfect cursive precision. You didn’t know what to make of it.

During your confusion, a new customer walked in. Quickly, you pocketed the note, focused on carrying on with your day despite the lingering frustration that Nanami's cryptic message had left in its wake.

Toji never showed up.

You waited for him for two agonizing hours, extending the torture even more after your flight had taken off. It dawned on you that he likely didn't bother getting a ticket. He probably pocketed the money you sent him and vanished into thin air. Every attempt to reach him failed miserably—your calls were forwarded, and the fifth one hammered the heartbreaking truth that he had blocked your number. To compound your misery, you sent him a string of text messages that refused to deliver your pain. You didn't even know where he lived, as your encounters were always in the obscure locations of your budgeted dates.

The thought of reporting him to the police crossed your mind, accusing him of theft, but the lack of photographic evidence left you helpless. To make matters worse, he hated taking pictures, and you were uncertain if the name he provided was even real. All that remained was a flicker of hope that you might cross paths with the bastard and unleash your pent-up rage with a hard kick to his dick. 

With a heavy heart, you gathered your strength, brushed away the tears until not a single trace remained on your lashes, and lugged your suitcase and carry-on outside the airport, hoping to hail a cab.

The idea of facing the upcoming days at work felt agonizing, goading you to spend them in the isolation of your shabby apartment. You were engrossed in a depressing routine—microwaved dinners, aimless hours on the couch, and a marathon of old cable TV shows.

As hunger struck again, you contemplated your options. Baking seemed like a possibility, but motivation had abandoned you. Pasta could be an option, but the lack of noodles and tomato sauce made it impractical. So, you settled for the one thing that required no ingredients: crying.

At least that was free. 

Despite the inner turmoil, you mustered the strength to shoulder your overcoat, sporting your fleece pajamas printed with candy canes and well-worn second-hand boots. 

The short walk to the corner store felt longer than usual, the biting cold making you clutch your threadbare coat tighter. Your teeth chattered in protest as you entered, and the rush of warm air was a momentary relief against the chill. Fingers numb, you mindlessly reached for familiar comfort snacks—chips, chocolate milk, anything to dull the ache.

A hand much larger than yours beat you to the last packet of croissants.

“Ah, sorry.” You let it go. “All yours—” You choked as you looked up, and up, at Nanami staring at you wide-eyed, his hazel eyes flickering at a rapid speed as if he were hallucinating your presence. Your face flushed with embarrassment, and the weight of the past five days crammed upon you—his uncanny prediction, your own naivety, and the sting of being swindled. “Mr. Nanami . . . ”

“Aren’t you supposed to be in—”

“Good night.”

With a dismissive shake of your head, you left the basket on the counter, mumbled a quick apology, and retreated back into the biting cold. 

You’ve faced tons of humiliating moments—slipping in front of customers, your purse strap getting snagged in a door and dragging you back, and that one unforgettable instance when a little boy labeled your eyebrows as caterpillars in front of a line of onlookers. Yet, none of those incidents could hold a candle to the awkwardness of bumping into the very man who had warned you about the ill-fated choice of paying for a stranger's trip—stranger now—when it was supposed to be your trip. 

You felt a firm grip on your wrist, making your restless pacing suddenly stop.

Startled, you turned around to find a pair of expressionless hazel eyes and a slightly out-of-breath figure. Now is not the time to ogle Mr. Nanami��s broad shoulders, you idiot!

Releasing your wrist, he handed over a white, plastic bag. With a raised eyebrow, you peered inside to inspect its contents. It held everything from your shopping basket, including the last packet of croissants. Even more unexpected, he had paid for it all. 

“I’ll pay you back tomorrow,” you assured, your eyes already scanning for the nearest ATM, just in case you forgot. "But for now." You pulled out the packaged croissants and extended them toward him. Your body was shaking, not because of November but because of how you were scammed after being forewarned by Nanami. “Please. Take it.” 

He took your small hand in both of his, the warmth immediately melting the tension in your body. “So cold.” 

A soft giggle escaped you at the obvious observation, and you placed your free hand on top of his. "So warm." Sniffling, tears welled up in your eyes. "You know what else is warm? The sun. And it's yellow. It's so yellow."

“Factually speaking, it is white.” 

You wiped an arm across your nose. “What?” 

“The sun. It’s white. It’s only yellow in children's books.” 

You weren't about to argue with the guy who vindicated your slip-ups. Still, given the circumstances, you wished he'd soften the bluntness and let you bask in the illusion that the sun was a simple shade of yellow.

"I've always loved the color yellow," you mumbled. "Maybe getting scammed was a blessing. I'd probably get fined for wearing yellow otherwise. I couldn't afford to mess up on my trip. Besides, it all depends on the shade, right? Imagine how many fines I'd rack up just testing which shade of yellow suits me—"

Nanami tugged you close, capturing your lips with his.

A sharp intake of breath filled your lungs, eyes widening in surprise. Instinctively, your hands pushed him away, fingers grazing your tingling lips.

“I’m sorry,” he whispered. “Fuck. I’m so sorry.” 

“No, it’s okay. Don’t—Don’t worry. About it.” You tucked your lips in and tasted chocolate and mint—two of your favorite combinations. Nanami always seemed like the kind of man who would hate both flavors independently and dependently. “You’re okay. I mean—You’re okay in general. You’re not okay with kissing. You’re probably great, I’m sure.” Your tongue traced the curve of your lower lip, and Nanami’s eyes followed the motion. “Oh, God. I’m so sorry.” 

You walked up to him, grabbed the lapels of his coat, and tugged him down a notch, your lips colliding with his. 

Nanami's touch was calculated, his hand sailing onto your cheek, feeding warmth to your cold ear before vanishing into the labyrinth of your hair. Simultaneously, the other serpentined to the small of your back, his magnetic energy drawing you snugly against his chest. His warm tongue delicately swept across your lower lip, an unspoken cue that encouraged you to part your lips in response.

Nanami deepened the kiss, your tongues stroking against one another feverishly as if it were your last kiss. Who knows? Maybe it could’ve been. But the way he kissed with such desperation, releasing soft moans, not allowing you a moment to catch your breath, made you think that maybe this was just the start.

And you kissed him back just as needy.

If your hands slightly released their hold on his lapels, you'd gently cup the sides of his neck, rising on your tiptoes. And if your calves protested, you'd draw him down, wrapping your arms around his neck, your fingers entwining in his pale, golden locks. The taste of mint chocolate lingered on your lips, and a smile curved on your mouth as he stole a quick peck, pulling back just to gaze into your eyes for a moment before kissing you again.

You’re not sure how long you two stood and kissed there. Nanami was the one who always took the lead, savoring the taste of your pink, tender tongue, kissing your chilly cheeks and dewy eyes. The desire for each other made it hard to break away, yet the need for a breath of air was undeniable.

Finally, you decided to be the one to step back, signalling the end of your first kiss with him.

Your bottom lip tingled as you pulled it in, jaw aching from the infectious smile that had taken over your face. You couldn't help stealing glances at the tall man before you, who returned your gaze with a soft, almost imperceptible grin. Yet, in his eyes, under the gentle glow of the streetlight, you could see the excitement and joy of kissing you, twinkling brightly.

“I'm gonna—”

“I should—”

Both of you sighed; you with a soft chuckle, and him with a discreet throat-clearing.

“I've already missed quite a few workdays,” you said. “Gotta earn that dough if I want to make next month’s rent.” Nanami didn’t quite catch your bakery pun, but he nodded in agreement.

“Right,” you murmured, subtly veering to the side, putting on a little show as you started to walk away. You admitted it—you were a hopeless romantic. You secretly hoped for him to steal a kiss on your cheek and watch until you safely disappeared around the corner. “I’m off now.”

“Goodnight,” Nanami replied, subtly licking his lips for the sixteenth time. Yes, you were keeping count. 

“Night-night.” 

Nanami strolled down his end of the sidewalk. You followed suit, turning down your street. 

Luck had only sometimes been on your side when it came to men and their romantic gestures. Oh well. At least you experienced a passionate kiss from one of your favorite customers. Asking for more seemed a bit too much—

A hand gently pressed against your back, and as you turned, it gracefully curved around your waist, drawing you in. Nanami caught your gasp and kissed you with an urgency that doubled, holding onto you as if his life depended on it, lifting you off your toes. Three sweet pecks later, he released you, both of your faces flushed.

"Get home safely," he whispered, walking away without a second glance.

That night, you couldn't help but giggle into your mascara-stained pillow.

The morning after, you were a whirlwind of joy and light, twirling through the bakery with trays of freshly baked pastries, replenishing boxes and take-out essentials. You greeted customers with an extra dose of sweetness, and to top it off, you even handed out a tray of delectable chocolate jam cookies. And you wore a yellow bow in your hair. 

The oven beeped as the casse-croûtes finished baking, signaling their readiness for Nanami's arrival in just five minutes. You took special care in preparing his milk coffee, indulging in a quiet chuckle at your undeniable favoritism. Though the neighborhood bakery wasn't bustling with a large customer base, your attention was solely dedicated to him—your only regular as everyone else buzzed in the distant city an hour away.

With his coffee prepared and two casse-croûtes packed, you added a chocolate-mint cookie to the bag. Then, you decided to rearrange the shelves of gift baskets to pass the time. 

Setting up the ladder, you ascended the shaky steps until you were eye to eye with the fifth shelf. Heights were never your forte, which, in hindsight, was another reason why flying to Malaysia was out of the question. The more you thought about being scammed, the more your heart wrenched from your lost trip. You’d again brought out your tip jar and prayed the odds were in your favor. Hell, maybe you’d ask Nanami to join you if you decided to take your relationship to the next level. 

As you secured the bow on the basket, your gaze landed on the clock—6:30 p.m., and Nanami was a no-show. 

Anxiety surged through you in an instant.

Did he leave you hanging? Maybe that kiss was a turnoff, and he chose to disappear rather than be upfront about finding you too overwhelming. Did your breath smell bad? Were you a terrible kisser? Or, worse, did something happen to him?

A torrent of worries flooded your mind, breaking through like a burst dam. Each imagined scenario seemed more nightmarish than the last, causing your head to spin. Recent events, like Toji's betrayal, fueled this self-doubt, made you question your intuition. While Nanami was clearly wealthy, consistently tipping a twenty each day, you found yourself questioning whether he had plans to use you for something else. As if that weren't enough, doubts crept in about your appearance and your optimistic, extroverted personality.

It started to make sense, didn't it? Nanami led a tranquil life, sticking to a routine of work and home, while you were a whirlwind of spontaneity—constantly buzzing with new ideas and discussions, unable to sit still or resist laughter at the silliest jokes. Everything seemed to fascinate you, yet nothing appeared to faze him. How could you have been so naive to entertain the thought—

“Good evening.” 

“Ah!” you yelped at the sudden baritone intruding into your thoughts. Your foot, betrayed by the unexpected intrusion, lost its balance on the step. Your arms flailed in a desperate attempt to find stability as you teetered backward, the impending hazard of a severe concussion and potential spinal cord injury looming.

But just as you were prepared to shake hands with God, Nanami's powerful arms swooped in at the last possible moment. With a secure hold, he cradled you in a bridal style, and you clung to him like a shaking puppy, arms looped around his neck.

"Are you okay?" he asked, his breath slightly labored.

You gingerly peeled one eye open to peek at him. His expression was one of calm disorientation; eyebrows knit together while his lips maintained a straight, tight line.

"Yes," you whispered, soothed by his timely intervention.

Nanami steadied you back onto your feet but maintained a firm grip on your elbows. “Look at me.” As you did, he inspected each eye closely while keeping his hand steady on your left cheek. He checked below your jaw, down to your dusty palms, which he cleaned with his silk handkerchief. He also patted down your tousled hair. "Are you sure you're okay?"

“Mm-hmm.” You could cry from how gentle he was with you. “A-Are you okay?” 

“I am now.” He took a composed breath and effortlessly retrieved his suitcase from the floor, brushing off invisible dust. “I apologize for being late. My . . . car broke down.” 

"What? Oh my god! Do you need me to give you my mechanic's number? I promise he's not as bad as the Google reviews say. He's actually quite a sweet man. And he gives me a friends and family discount because my father was close with him." You beamed, and Nanami squinted his eyes as if the brightness of your smile momentarily blinded him, but he tried his best to reciprocate.

“Do your parents live here?” 

You shook your head. “They passed away a while ago.” 

“I apologize.” 

"Don't be." You quickly switched subjects by fluttering towards the counter to pick up his items. “Tell me how your coffee tastes.” You turned around, adding, “I switched to a new brand of milk—”

Nanami pressed his lips against yours, momentarily freezing you. His seamless transition afterward could have fooled an onlooker into thinking you'd been married for years. "Thank you.” He took a sip and nodded thoughtfully. “It’s great. Everything you make is great.” 

“Thanks,” you mumbled, sudden shyness enveloping you. From the kiss? The compliment? Him? You didn’t know at all. “Do you still need me to give you the mechanic’s number?” 

“It’s all right. I had it fixed. Minor battery issue, that’s all.” 

“Ah, okay. See, that’s why I prefer to walk.” 

Nanami glanced elsewhere, nodding. “Then, would you like to walk with me after you’ve closed?” 

“Oh.” A subtle flicker of surprise crossed your features. Nonchalantly, you brushed a strand of hair behind your ear before smiling warmly. “Of course, yes. I’d love to go on a walk with you. Where are we going? There are lots of cafés in a nearby shopping district. I know all the best places to take you to.” A grave thought struck you just then. “Oh, actually. Hmm.” 

Curious, he tilted his head down, meeting your worried gaze. "What is it?"

"Well," you began, your thoughts taking a cautious turn, "you probably have a set time to be home unless you live nearby. In that case, we could spend the entire evening strolling around. Only if you're interested, of course."

Nanami’s lips twitched. “I live nearby.” 

“Where?” You weren’t ashamed to have been so upfront. It was more of a precautionary measure. 

And he didn't seem bothered, quickly revealing the familiar neighborhood you instantly recognized. It was a fifteen-minute walk from your own place.

"May I step out momentarily to make a call?" Nanami asked, pulling out his phone. It was the latest model you noticed—one that came out last week and mocked your own that was five versions older. “It will be quick.” 

“By all means.” You had to fix your hair and make-up anyway. 

Nanami nodded and exited the shop, leaving you to flee behind the counter. As you crouched down to check yourself in the small mirror tucked away in the lower drawer, you couldn't help but feel a warmth on your face from the unexpected collapse, the sweet, brief kiss, and his impeccable navy blue suit decorated with yellow cufflinks. Maybe a café was too casual for him; a restaurant might have been a more suitable choice. An expensive choice. However, you were adamant about not letting Nanami cover the entire cost.

Upon his return, five minutes later, you both settled at one of the three round tables in your bakery (he even pulled out your chair for you). Sipping on your coffees and enjoying the casse-croûtes and chocolate pastries, the conversation seemed somewhat one-sided. Yet, Nanami's aloof demeanor never made you feel inferior for dominating the dialogue. He listened to every word and vowel with his undivided attention, nodding alongside and adding in short sentences when he could relate to your childhood shenanigans. 

"Wait," he interrupted, causing you to halt in your tracks. The sun cast a warm glow on his face, making his eyes narrow into slits, but God did he look handsome. He extended his hand and brushed a thumb near your lips, discovering a small chocolate smudge. Swiftly, he licked it clean and tidied up the area around your lips with a napkin. "Beautiful."

“What?” 

Nanami was a deer in headlights. He sunk his head, beating himself up from murmuring his thoughts aloud—at least, that’s what you concluded. "You look beautiful," he declared with more assurance, his gaze on your face. "You are beautiful, Y/N."

Oh, my. 

Your heart was going to claw itself out of your chest. You could cook an egg on your face from how heated it had gotten. In fact, you were burning hotter than the sun, which continuously made him squint and blink. “Thank you.” 

He nodded twice, finishing the remnants of his coffee. Rising, he disposed of the cups and wrappers in the garbage bin, then extended a hand to help you stand. "I'll wait outside while you close up."

At a lightning pace, you ensured that everything in the bakery was safely unplugged and shut off. Grabbing your purse, you gave yourself a quick once-over in the mirror, adjusting your face and hair. Stepping outside, you meticulously locked the door and gates.

Without a word, Nanami entwined his fingers with yours, causing you to smile like an idiot at him. He maintained a straight, vigilant gaze, seemingly unresponsive as you wrapped yourself around his arm. A subtle smirk tugged at your lips when you felt his muscles flex.

You walked for hours, café-hopping and trying pastries, baked goods, and sweet drinks. Every time Nanami attempted to cover the expenses with his cash, you scolded him, insisting that since you had suggested the place, you should be the one to pay. It was a rule you had read about online, and all your friends stuck to it religiously. The thought of Nanami spending his hard-earned money on your interests made you feel incredibly guilty.

As a matter of fact, you were feeling guilty about tons of things. He told you he worked at an investment firm, which meant it was a nine-to-five, likely sporting a migraine he kept hidden, and now he was being dragged around the shopping district by you, forced to listen to you because he was a man who didn’t complain, wouldn’t complain, and long, story short, you wanted to die. 

“Kento,” you muttered, removing your hand from his, goosebumps rippling on your skin. 

“Yes, darling?” 

Your chest felt like it was being clenched in a fist. “I'm . . . I’m sorry.” 

“For what?” 

“For making you do all this. For making you pay for everything. For dragging you around when you're probably on the verge of exhaustion." Avoiding his gaze, you fixed your eyes on the concrete beneath you. “I know I can be too much sometimes—well, all the time.” A self-deprecating chuckle escaped your lips. "Exes in my past relationships have made it clear. I get overly excited easily, crave attention like one needs oxygen, trust people too easily to the point of getting scammed, and, well, I don't bring anything particularly special to the table. I'm sorry, Kento. Maybe it's best if we just stay friends?”

Nanami’s soft fingers lifted your chin up. Your words absolutely shattered his face, leaving you to feel worse than before. His lips were parted into a frown, his brows were scrunched up, brown irises flickering like he couldn’t believe you said that. This was the most reaction he had given you in the year that you’ve known him. 

“No,” he said. 

You blinked the tears gathered at your waterline. “No?” 

“No.” Nanami took a calming breath, closing his eyes. His forehead gently pressed against yours. “Please, let me be selfish for this once. For you. I can’t let you go—I won’t let you go."

"Kento—"

"I want to do this, Y/N. I want to pay for everything. I want you to drag me around because I’ll never be too tired for you.” Nanami drew back and cradled your sobbing face in his large hands. “I know I fail to show it, darling, but I love your excitement. I love paying attention to every detail of you because you’ve become my oxygen source. You’re a good, kindhearted woman, and anyone would be lucky to be seen by you. And you don’t have to bring anything to the table because there isn’t one dividing us, keeping us lengths apart.” His lips brushed your forehead, imprinting his words into your mind. "I want us to be more than just friends. I want us to be best friends. Lovers. In this life and the ones that follow."

You could explode. 

Your arms instinctively wrapped around his neck, seeking support as if the ground beneath you was about to crumble. Yet, you knew he would catch you, just as before. He was so real, embracing you wholly, both of you breathing in each other's scents to confirm a human like this could exist. How grateful you were he stumbled into your bakery that one rainy night, and how grateful he was that you offered him free coffee and a casse-croûte while he was freezing and trembling. His presence brought life to your bakery, gave you something to look forward to when you were at your lowest, and you gave him . . . everything. You were his everything since the first day. 

As the shared silence lingered, Nanami's phone shattered the moment, its noisy ring cutting through the haze. You instinctively stepped back, but he clung to your hand as if afraid you might slip away.

Never, Nanami Kento. You’re stuck with me. 

When he took out his phone, you caught a glimpse of the contact name: Satoru (assistant). 

Before you could process the fact Nanami had an assistant, he swiped right. “Yeah?” 

The voice on the other end resonated with loud cheerfulness in the quiet alleyway. Nanami half-rolled his eyes, letting out an exasperated sigh. “Very well. Leave it there. I’ll be there when I want to.” 

The assistant chuckled and sang his goodbye, the cheerful tone abruptly cutting off as Nanami ended the call and slid his phone back into his pocket.

“Do all stockbrokers have assistants?” 

He tilted his head. “I’m not a stockbroker.” 

“Oh? I’m sorry. I assumed because you worked at an investment firm.” 

“Yes, I was a stockbroker.” He nodded, warming your hand in his, then casually added, “But I own a firm now.” 

Your brows hit your hairline. “That’s amazing!” 

“Thank you. We have several locations around the country. Kento Investments. Have you heard of it?” 

Heard of it? You were a client some time ago when you were starting your bakery. All you encountered were glowing reviews about their ethical practices, a refreshing leave from the scheming ways of most investment firms that had previously taken advantage of you. It stood out as the industry leader in your research, and the team was lovely in guiding you through the process, so much so that you even invited them to your grand opening.

"Ah, you have." Nanami grinned, gently tilting your chin upward and closing your gaping mouth. "Therefore, my darling, don't feel guilty about me covering the expenses. I'm quite secure in my position to support both of us for centuries."

All you could manage was a disbelieving chuckle as you rested your forehead against his chest. Taking it as an invitation, he embraced you, crowning you with kisses. 

Lifting your head, you said, "There's something I want to get for you."

"What is it?"

Hand-in-hand, you pulled him back toward the bustling district, the sound of his deep laughter echoing in the air. Your own laughter naturally joined in.

As you strolled past a vendor selling accessories, your attention was drawn to an item you had briefly noticed earlier in your walk. Although you planned to purchase it the following day and surprise him in the afternoon, tonight felt like the perfect moment.

Politely approaching the elderly vendor, you asked, "Could I please try those on?" He handed you a pair of round sunglasses with a green tint to the lenses. Standing on your toes, you carefully placed the glasses on Nanami's nose, adjusting them to sit perfectly on the bridge. The sides of the spectacles featured a stylish steampunk design that complemented his narrow, sharp features. "Handsome.”

"I'll take it.” Nanami reached for his wallet. However, you were one step ahead, swiftly bringing out the spare change you had set aside in your coat pocket. You had already calculated the price, ready to outsmart him in this little game of charity.

“Y/N.” 

“Thank you,” you said to the shop vendor, ignoring Nanami’s stare. 

“Y/N.” 

“Yes, darling?" You looped around his arm and began your stroll down the sidewalk. “Oh, come on. Let me be selfish and treat you once in a while.” You cut off his protests with a kiss. 

He surrendered instantly. 

Over the next four weeks, you didn’t realize how quickly you’d become comfortable with Nanami. Like clockwork, he would arrive at your bakery, patiently occupying a table until your duties with customers or decorating displays finished. Now resembling a vibrant florist shop, the bakery owed its transformation to Nanami's thoughtful gestures—bouquets of flowers in every shade of yellow, orange, and white became an amusing routine. As you arranged them in vases, you would burst into fits of giggles like a maniac. 

You and him were like a Venn diagram, overlapping in unexpected places. He enjoyed non-fiction, classics, and history books; you immersed yourself in the world of romance and mystery novels. TV nights were a compromise between his love for documentaries and your penchant for anything sappy on Netflix, occasionally spicing things up with a true-crime documentary. His fascination with astronomy met your fixation with astrology, and surprisingly, he didn't scoff when you read the lines on his palms. Instead, he appreciated it just as much as you cherished his nightly photos of the moon and his ability to name the stars above.

At least, you were both Team Cats.

Nanami introduced you to his friends, including his quirky assistant Gojo, who had a habit of shamelessly flirting with you, seemingly just to get under Nanami's skin. However, your boyfriend was secure enough not to let it bother him. Yet, a trace of possessiveness would emerge during sex—when the two of you were entwined in bed, bodies bared and bathed in the aftermath of shared sweat.

Exiting the restaurant after a delightful dinner date, Nanami turned to you and suggested, "I'd like to invite you to my home tonight."

Finally, you thought, resisting the urge to dip your toes into the topic of visiting his home, especially considering he had been a frequent guest at yours.

The fact that he lived nearby had always puzzled you; he mentioned it casually yet never extended an invitation for a simple coffee or a chat on his welcome mat. Weekends saw him working from your living room, staying overnight, but on weekdays, he'd only spend a brief hour or two with you before heading home, a practice that seemed counterintuitive given his closeness. Despite the confusion, you hesitated to jeopardize your relationship by fishing too deeply.

So far, Nanami hadn't given you any reason to doubt him.

"Are you sure?" you asked cautiously.

"Absolutely, darling.” Nanami took your hand and planted a small kiss on the back of it. "I apologize for the delay. I've been having it . . ." He casually flicked up his sunglasses that had slipped. ". . . renovated."

“Oh, I see. Well, in that case, I’d love to!” 

Nanami nodded and leaned down to kiss your cheek. “Thank you for being so patient. I know it was eating you alive. You're not exactly the master of hiding your emotions.” He gave you a small smile and kissed your cheek again. 

You responded with a smile that crinkled your nose. "Just a bit anxious, that's all."

"Understandable.” He guided you toward his neighbourhood, exchanging a warm smile as you nestled against his arm. Observing the goosebumps on your skin and the faint shivers, he realized you had forgotten your cardigan. Without hesitation, he removed his blazer and draped it around your shoulders, helping you slip your arms through the sleeves and buttoning it up.

You took a deep breath, inhaling the pleasant scent from the collars. "You always smell so good."

Nanami bent down, kissing the side of your neck right above your racing pulse. "As do you," he murmured against your skin. "Always."

“Gosh, you're so flirty,” you whispered, wrapping your arms around his midsection and burying your face in his chest.

“Come on now.” 

You walked for another ten minutes, taking a five-minute pit stop to pet a stray cat before stopping in front of a towering residence building. It was one of those extravagant ones boasting a fountain in the lobby and a vigilant security guard who greeted Nanami with a two-finger salute.

Hand on your back, Nanami guided you toward the elevator with mirrors on all sides.

He exuded an air of sophistication in his neatly rolled-up black dress shirt, complemented by beige pants. His pale, blond hair was slicked back, a Rolex clasped his wrist, and veins corded his well-defined forearms. The sunglasses you had given him rested atop his head. 

As Nanami caught your eyes on the reflective surfaces, a sudden blush warmed your cheeks. “What is it?” 

“Nothing,” you whispered, fingers idly playing with the golden butterfly bracelet he had given you on the night he asked you to be his girlfriend. “I was just . . . God, you’re so beautiful. Sometimes, I think I’m dreaming of you. And I don’t want to wake up from it.” 

Nanami released his grip on your hand, wrapping his arm around your waist. He tilted your chin upward and planted a lecherous kiss on your lips. As you stumbled backward, your back met the cool surface of a mirror, and you clung to his biceps. He continued kissing your jaw and nibbling at your neck.

“Ken—Wait, there’s a camera!” 

“I own the building.” 

Without allowing you to react, he kissed you fervently, his hands framing your face and his knee pressing between your legs. Your hips ground against the muscled surface, creating a heated friction that drew a moan from him.

The elevator dinged, signaling its arrival, but Nanami was undeterred. He refused to break the kiss. Lifting you effortlessly, he cradled you with a single forearm beneath your backside and your arms encircling his neck. Laughter echoed as you entered directly into the main corridor of his penthouse.

“Your front door is an elevator?” You marveled with an open jaw. 

“Yes, it seems so.”

Oh, how you loved his monotonous replies. 

Nanami gently placed you onto the expansive white surface of his couch, smoothly moving over your body to continue. 

“I knew you were a clean freak,” you said between his kisses, “but your penthouse looks like it was bought this morning.” 

“Two weeks ago.” He kisses down your neck, sideways toward your left shoulder. “That’s why I waited to invite you. Gojo was having the place decorated. I've installed a library for you, too. We can go book-shopping this weekend.” 

"Wait, what?" You pushed him back by his chest, incredulous. "Hold on, hold on, hold on. You mean to tell me you moved in just two weeks ago?"

"Yes," he answered, tilting his head slightly perplexedly. "When you asked about my residence, I panicked and couldn't come up with a proper answer, fearing you might decline my invitation for a walk. So, I bought this building from the previous owner on the spot. There are also commercial benefits. Quite a strategic move, if you ask me." With that, Nanami resumed his attention, focusing on kissing your collarbones and skillfully lowering your dress, exposing your chest to him.

But you were still stuck on the subject like a pesky fruit fly. “But you don’t live here?” 

“I don’t.” His mouth brushed over the mound of your left breast. “I live in Shibuya.” 

“Shibuya? Kento, that’s an hour and a half away!"

"Hmm." He glanced up, mouth sucking at your nipple.

"You've been faithfully coming to my city every single day, all the way from Shibuya, for a whole year? You've been burning all that gas just to be with me?"

He broke away to say, "Gojo drives me occasionally," and switched to your right breast.

"Nanami Kento, are you out of your mind?"

Finally, he released you and sighed. "I fail to see the issue here." He appeared so innocent, with his moist lips, tousled hair, and a crumpled dress shirt. 

You hurriedly sat up, readjusting your dress, which seemed to displease him. "I'm at a loss for words." Your gaze caught the weariness etched on his face, the bags under his eyes, the slow, heavy blinks signaling his desperate need for sleep. "You haven't actually been living here, have you?"

Upon hearing that, Nanami let out a weary sigh. "I do it when I'm too drained to make the drive back on weekdays."

As the details of his schedule fell into place, you flinched inwardly. He would rise at the crack of dawn, dedicate endless hours to handling clients at the office, and then endure a lengthy drive to your city, only to spend his evenings with you before leaving around midnight to return to Shibuya. The only time he would stay overnight at your place was on Saturdays, and he would depart early on Sundays for work. And all this time, you had believed he had an office in your city.

Oh, God. 

You loved him. 

You loved him so much.

Tears welled up in your eyes at the realization of just how much he loved you. The man had gone so far as to purchase an entire building in your city just to be closer to you. He showered you with affection at every opportunity, devoted his alone time to you with undivided attention and mind-blowing orgasms, and his bank transactions were probably dedicated to you. 

“I don’t deserve your kindness,” you whispered. 

“Neither did I the night when we met.” Nanami’s words always had a comforting effect on you. He gently pulled you onto his lap, and you curled up like a fetus, planting a kiss on his cheekbone. “I’ve loved you for a very long time, Y/N. I love . . . God, I love you so much. I didn't realize I was capable of feeling this much love for another human until I met you. It was all locked up inside me, and you held the key all along, darling." Leaning forward, he smoothly swept his blazer and delved into the pocket, revealing a small yellow box. With trembling hands, you accepted it and opened it to find a petite, golden key inside. “Our front door is an elevator.” 

Your breath hitched. “What?” 

“Move in with me.” 

“Kento—”

“I know. I know it's quite early to discuss this, and I want to give you the space and time to consider it. As you mentioned, your lease ends next month, and I'll officially be transitioning to remote work with a few business trips every other week. It would mean a lot to me if you decided to join me on those trips." He gently placed the key in your hand, kissing your fist. "I'm scheduled to travel to Malaysia next month."

Overpowered with emotion, you choked out a sob and immediately lunged at him with a hug, causing both of you to stumble backward as he wrapped his arms around your waist. He loved you. He wanted you to move in with him. He wanted to travel with you, starting with Malaysia. Suddenly, the tips he left in your jar took on a deeper significance, backing the idea that you weren't meant to journey alone, why you weren’t meant to go with that swindling bastard. As Nanami's gestures of kindness and service became increasingly evident, your tears welled up, choking him in a tight embrace that eventually had him laughing.

Last November, Nanami Kento had stepped into your small bakery, raindrops clinging to him, unknowingly marking his permanent presence in your life.

[ofstardustanddreaming]

Did you get a request? It's preferences for Gojo, Choso, and Nanami trying to find ways to spend more time with gn crush. Thanks!

Yes I did, I'll get to working on it soon :)

[ofstardustanddreaming]

I'M FREE TO COMMENT!!! My craving your time request is so good! I love it especially Astarion would glare at them across the camp wondering why are they spending time with him 🤣 (I would be so confused at why is he glaring at me (⁠☉⁠｡⁠☉⁠)⁠!), he thought it was obvious that he wants to spend time with them (Of course he would 😂), he thought he made it clear by sending them heart eyes 😍 (That explains TOO MUCH XD), he eventually realises he needs to initiate some sort of contact in order to spend time with them 👍, he prefers to spend time with them by sitting beside them next to their tent ⛺, he's always slightly flustered by how welcoming they are 😳, he tries to spend time with them as much as he can since he gets a chance to have positive energy around him 👍, he likes to worm his way through so he doesn't need to ask, it's because he won't be rejected 🥺, they're more than happy to have him sit next to them ☺️, Gale is definitely like a puppy 🐶, he would hang around them no matter what the situation is, they're always thrilled because he would fill in the silence 👍, they enjoy listening to what he has to say, his way of spending more time with them is by telling them his thoughts in hopes they would be interested enough to join in 🤭, he also wants to them to talk about topics they like, he likes them so much that he ends up rambling nervously 🫦, it works which he always flustered by their sweet smile as they enjoy his ramblings ☺️, he would stutter over his words while blushing but he accomplished his goal 😳, Wyll would ask them nicely if they want to join him in whatever he's doing 👍, he would try to spend more time with them by doing something together as a way to ask them questions about themselves, he does want to know them better but it's also a way to do it without him being nervous around them 🤭, it slowly changes to dancing as they talk & he would also compliment them whenever he can 👍, his heart beats faster from being so forward but he has to express his love for them in some way ❤️, he knows it worked when he sees them flustered 😳, his favourite way of spending time with them is to invite them to do something together 🤭, he finds quiet places to hang out so there won't be anyone to interrupt 👍, Halsin would be direct 👍, he's in tune with his emotions considering how long he has lived which makes sense 🤔, he also flirts with them a lot whenever he has a chance 😳, he loves to see them flustered while not caring whether there's an audience ⁄⁠(⁠⁄⁠ ⁠⁄⁠•⁠⁄⁠-⁠⁄⁠•⁠⁄⁠ ⁠⁄⁠)⁠⁄, he would step back if he realised it's too much 👍, he would be straightforward & he's more than happy to do whatever they want to do 🤭, he doesn't mind whatever the activity is as long as he gets to spend time with them although he would give suggestions ☺️, the group would help him by reassuring they're fine without their help when they noticed he wants to hang out with them but they're worried about the group 👍, the group would try to put both of them together as much as they can when they're in camp, and he would ask others for help especially on specific nights 👍 Thank you so much for doing my request because I love it so much :)

I'm so glad you enjoyed it! I appreciated the request :) And the ask box is still open for anyone who would like to request anything, if you would like to request more as well! I do have a Gale request I received a few hours ago, so I'll be working on that soon as well :)

[ofstardustanddreaming]

touch starved

preference summary: how the characters react to you being touch starved.

content warnings: none

fandom: jujutsu kaisen

characters: gojo, geto, nanami, choso, toji

gender neutral reader

Gojo: He's a clingy person himself, so he's a good person to go to for any needs you have when it comes to wanting contact. He'll be a bit teasing about it, but he loves when you hang off him.

"Hey baby, what's up?" He asks, your body slowly coming into his frame of view as you approach him on the couch. He was scrolling on his phone, one of his few days off. Normally he would want to cling to you, but today he was feeling a bit mean and wanted to see if you would ask for some of the touch you so dearly love.

"Not much. Just wanted to see what you were doing." He couldn't help but to cave and pull you into him though, both of you now lying down on the couch. He couldn't do it to you much longer, the sad look on your face was too much for him to handle. He wanted to be close to you, wanting to feel your warmth.

It makes you relax into his touch, glad you were able to get what you wanted. The light touches to your spine causing you to shiver, leaning into the weight of his touch when he slings his legs over yours. It feels like peace in the early mornings to receive touch from Gojo, finally being able to relax for once after a strenuous mission.

Geto: He more quiet about his clinginess, also a bit touch starved himself. He's appreciative whenever you take the initiative to touch him in some way, wanting to drown in your touch.

"Oh, sweet thing, what's on your mind, hm?" He asks when he feels your arms wrap around his waist from the back as he's finishing up his coffee, right next to the bay windows, staring into the backyard. Your voice is muffled though, from speaking into his back, and he has to twist around in your arms to be able to face you. He takes a finger to maneuver your face to speak in a way he could hear you.

"Repeat that, lovely." He says, laughing at your grumbling about how he was being unfair.

"Just wanted your touch." He hums, relishing in your touch as well, wrapping his arms around you. He loves taking a few moments before the work day to really get any last minute touch in, pressing his lips onto your face, breathing in the peaceful moments.

Nanami: He's an intuitive man, he knows that you're more touch starved. He doesn't make you beg for touch, he ghosts his hands over you teasingly, sure, but he always gives into touching you.

It was nearing bedtime, a time when you were feeling more clingy and wanting Nanami's touch. But you were too nervous to ask, not wanting to give off the vibes of actually being clingy. But, fortunately for you, Nanami knew you like the back of his hand. He clambers into bed, a long day of sorcerer work, and pulled you into his embrace.

"How'd you know?" You murmur into his chest, wrapping yourself into his embrace. His feather light touches causing goosebumps, causing you to lightly shiver.

"I always know you. We've been together for so long, I will always know you." He responds, now adding the touch that felt more grounded. He wraps you deeper into his embrace, feeling like a weighted blanket as you both drift off to sleep.

Choso: He would intertwine himself with you all day if he could, to remind you that you always had someone to lean on if you wanted it. He loves contact with you, and takes any chance to prove it to you.

"Hey love bug." He says, coming up to you in the bedroom, where you were trying to wake yourself up from the nap. You turn to him, holding your arms out for him to come into bed with you. He leaps at the chance, always loving your silent asks for touch. It makes him feel loved too.

He feels warm, some of the weight he has on you feeling like a blanket and you sigh. You thread your hands through his hair, and he leans into that touch. He strokes his hands up and down your sides, reveling in the soft sounds of laughter you create when he tickles you.

"Thank you for hopping in bed with me. Maybe I can be convinced into another nap." You laugh, feeling comfort at the touch that Choso gives you.

Toji: He's a bit more standoffish, a little more unaware of your touch starvation. It just means he doesn't register it when you lean into his touch, where you're glad that he's much more of a handsy person.

"You know, I really love when you're handsy." You blurt out one evening, the both of you cuddling into the late morning. He looks down at you, confused at the outburst of your declaration as his hand rubs up and down your arm slowly.

"Just because it feels nice and I never really receive it. I like it a lot." You try to back track and explain what you mean, missing Toji's wolfish grin at you. He pulls you on top of him, causing a squeak to come out of you at the unexpectedness of it.

"Yeah? Well, just know you'll never have to ask for it around me." He says, pulling you deep in for a kiss. His touch was always around you, and he kept true to his word. You never had to ask for any sort of touch again, his touchiness happening at any moment he could get his hands on you.

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