#i still don't know how to tag my posts AGHIROG

[jessplaysgenshin]

please excuse my grammar i'm in a rush i don't want to skip my sleep but also don't want to miss the release--

Pairing: Itto x gn!reader

Summary: (y/n) had a very normal life until a wanted man literally took them away. Now, their number one priority is to survive. Whether it is to survive in general or survive the Arataki gang's antics.

Warnings: None

A/N: really rushed at the end i'm sorry i'm too tired for this it's 3am atm ngl i'm not at my peak performance~~

Itto was... A special case. Oh he was famous alright, sadly, not for the right reasons. Most times, there was a warrant for his arrest, which pretty much sets the tone. Though, a few people did take his defense for some reasons, saying that he was a hero, that he saved some people. It was hard to accept, especially knowing all the times he's been arrested. But, he never tried to escape when he was in jail. Rather, he seemed to patiently wait until someone bailed him out. Surely the Doushins would never accept the money if he was doing some major crimes, but it was still a bit frightening. The Arataki gang wasn't popular for their good deeds, nor for being delicate. And from what you've heard, you didn't want to end up between them and whoever they're having a fight with. It's said that their leader, Arataki Itto, is deathly allergic to beans. Rumors has it that if he's spotted near your home, you'll have to put a bag of beans at your door and he won't come back for a long time. It sounds like a bit of a stretch, but you couldn't possibly risk it. You've been living on your own for a while now, and nothing very interesting happened. You worked all day, every day just for the sake of it, income was needed and you couldn't turn a blind eye. No charity would help you.

You lived in a bundle of houses right outside Inazuma City. It was nice and cozy, everyone knew each other, so it was pretty calm most of the time. The most noises are usually kids screaming playfully, in delight of their youth. It was nice. On the other hand, you had to go up the city's stairs just to go to work. Some days you don't even have the strengths to do so, but you don't really have a choice. Thankfully you've been sometimes on babysitting duty for a few neighbor's. They keep on saying that you're the perfect fit for babysitting since you're still quite young and the children can see you as an older sibling. Knowing the little demons, they just want an excuse to run around places they aren't allowed with their parents.

Of course, it wasn't like you weren't enjoying it a little. It was actually fun when they weren't up to any mischiefs or chaotic games.

And then, there was that one time where one of the two kids you were keeping vanished. The siblings got in a fight and you had to tend to the youngest. Upon checking where the oldest went, your heart stopped working. He was nowhere to be found. You got the youngest to another neighbor and went on a full search for the missing boy. "Nao !" You yelled, running within the borders of the city. "Nao, this isn't funny, hurry home !" He wasn't anywhere in the city. Time was ticking and after 2 hours the worst case scenarios started making their presence known. Where could he have gone ? Kidnapped ? Murdered ? Lured away ? What if he fell down a cliff or drowned ? Attacked by hilichurls ? "I promise you're not in trouble ! just come ho-"

"HAHAHHAHAH !" A loud laugh coming from nowhere made you stop. It clearly wasn't the one you were looking for, however, the groan that followed was. "I win again !"

You rushed to the voices, and there he indeed was. "Nao !"

"Ah ! (y/n) ! What are you doing here !"

"I WAS SO WORRIED ! What are you doing here ! With a stranger nonetheless !"

"I-"

The man spoke. "Uh, exsqueeze me ?" He was tall and muscular. Anything but the kind of person a child should hangout with unless it's family. "I'm not a stranger. I am THE one and oni, Arataki Itto !"

Well that made it even worse. "N-Nao... Let's go home, alright ?" The boy looked slightly nervous and nodded after a quick gaze at the giant. He follow you, the whole trip home silent.

Arriving home, you had a small talk about stranger danger and didn't mention it to his parents once they got home. If they should be careful about their child meeting up with a stranger, you should also be careful to receive the small pay they're giving you. Plus, the kid looked comprehensive. You just hoped he wouldn't talk about it to his parents. Such a hassle for a beetle battle.

Putting that incident aside, there wasn't anything that really happened in a while. For the most part, you were living your regular life. As nothing happened, you were torn between complaining of a blank life, or be happy that nothing weird was going on and keep on going with whatever you had.

Unfortunately, that's exactly when something bad happened. Bad or not, it'd be your problem to find out.

"COMING THROUGH !" Was the yelling that you heard while you were just out to get groceries. What you hadn't expected was to get literally ran over by a tall large man who grabbed you in the process and forced you to go with him. He stopped a few feet later, taunted the Doushins and kept on running, not. letting. you. go. A few minutes later, you didn't where or what or why. The only thing you knew was who. And the answer to that was, of course, the Arataki gang. You were just standing there, wondering what else you could do. You were literally surrounded by criminals, what could you do ? If you did anything, would they hurt or kill you ? That was your biggest concern at the moment, and honestly, also the only. Eventually, the tall man approached you, a big smile on his face. "Ohh ! I recognize you !" So did you. It was hard not to. "Say, can you do me a favor and be our hostage for a bit ? Yeah ? Yeah. Alright. See ya soon, then !" Without waiting for an answer, he agreed for you and left.

What were you supposed to do ??? Are you actually an hostage ? Is that really what's happening here ? The man with the most abs you've seen in Inazuma casually shows up, takes you away and dubs you his hostage. What's coming next ? Are you going to be their servant or something. You groaned in annoyance and worry. Maybe going out today was a mistake. They don't manage to get Itto that often, and when they do it's for a short amount of time. How long are you going to be stuck ? Not like you were tied up, but... It still sucks.

Should you try to run away ?

What a question, of course you should, and you did. No one was there to stop you, you were left unattended and free of restraints. Of course, this doesn't change the fact that you had no idea where you were and how to get back home nor to safety, but at least it wasn't night. If only you had beans on you, that'd make part of the threat go away. At least it was still daytime. so far you didn't have to be terrified for the dangers of the night, but still, when nobushis and hilichurls were roaming everywhere, you found out that you weren't safe anywhere. Your only way to be safe would be to end up in a town or something, at least then you'd have some warmth and protection. Though you didn't make it very far until the white-haired oni caught up to you, getting you back to the gang's camp and even scold you. "Hey, no, we said you'd be a hostage, so sit still and don't go anywhere. Alright ? Alright."

"Boss..." A new voice rose. "We can't have hostages. We already struggle to be on good terms with the Tenryou commission, this will only make it worse." The female sounded as annoyed as she looked sassy. She proceeded to scold him instead and turned to you. "I'm sorry about this. Sadly, now that the Tenryou commission saw you leave the city with the boss, they'll most likely title you an accomplice and you'll only get arrested. So until then, I think that it'd be more advantageous if you act as an hostage. Of course, you can leave whenever you want." She didn't seem to be lying. She also had a very strong presence. It was smoothing and scary at the same time. "I'm Kuki Shinobu."

"(y-y/n)." You looked around. No matter how far you searched, you couldn't see Inazuma anywhere. The Narukami shrine didn't seem that far, yet the city was nowhere to be seen. Either you traveled to a whole island, which seemed unlikely since you've been trying to remember what path you took to end up wherever the hell you are now in case you could escape. Could you be around Konda Village ?

Lost in your thoughts, you almost didn't notice the large man getting closer. "Say just a question real quick." You flinched at the sudden voice. "Do you know where I can get the best Onikabutos around here ? I've been looking everywhere but uh, yeah no shot."

"Onikabutos...?" Ah, right, the beetle fight with Nao from the other day, your first encounter with the man. "N-no ?" The different scenarios began to make you nervous. Who knows what they'll do to you ? Shinobu did affirm that you'd be safe and implied that nothing would be done to you, but you wanted to get home. Sadly getting home will probably get you arrested unfairly. Playing the hostage would be the best card. You'd be brought home and you'll have nothing falsely held against you. Now the question was: how long will it take until they're found out ?

And then began your new lifestyle of being this group's mother. You didn't want to wait around all day, so you did your best to tidy the place as best as you could, dispise having Shinobu saying several time that you didn't have to do it, that they'll have to learn to take care of themselves. You mostly did it out of boredom, but some things sometimes made you smile. The way they do not know how to make a proper shelter, for once. The Arataki gang has been around for a while, but they apparently still don't know how to make a proper camp and that was a bit funny. Their dynamic was also as alluring as it was funny. Thankfully they had Shinobu around to keep them to get in big trouble. Funnily enough, every time one of the guys disappear for a few days, mostly Itto, they reappear while getting lectured by a very upset Shinobu. You learned a while later that it usually means that they got arrested. Although, there was something that you think you were the only one to see.

It's usually during raining nights. The rain is too loud for your liking so you'd get up to get some water, but then you'd notice him. "Itto ?" You approached the sitting figure, looking out to the rain, into nothingness, and not making a sound. Sometimes he'd just be sleeping in a sitting position, but sometimes, he would just be thinking, and your presence would make him snap out of it. "You should head to bed."

Normally he'd follow your instructions. "Do you want to leave ?" That question took you by surprise. You've been with them for a few months now, the Tenryou Commission never found you, so you just started living with them, but you haven't thought about it so much. "I dragged you into that weird mess, and now you're kinda one of us, y'know ?" Compared to his cheery self, his eyes were filled with different emotions that you couldn't quite read. "You're part of the gang." It was weird. As much as you felt happy, you also felt sad. His cheery self always rubbed off on you, but this ? It was strange and new. Has he been thinking about that for a while ? "So, I need to protect you too, y'know ? You're my family. I'd do anything for all of you."

Did something happen ? "Itto ? What happened today ?" Just like most days, the group went out to do their daily lives, while you stayed at the camp and did your daily tasks, these became quite the unspoken rule. They wouldn't do anything bad to you, even if Shinobu made it clear from the beginning that they wouldn't, and you'd do whatever there is to do at the camp. But the thing is, they never really talk about their day when they're on their own.

Itto blinked several times, and grinned. "Ah, nothing big ! Just some Commissioners saying some weird stuff." There it was. His huge grin that was so contagious.

You let a smirk creep on your face, but somehow, it didn't felt right. Something was missing. "What happened with them ?" He seemed hesitant to speak. "Itto. You're always protecting us, but you also need some protection. We're here for you as much as you're here for us. Please. Even if it's not to me, talk to them."

"No, no ! It's fine, nothing happened. He just wouldn't let me get some Onikabutos in peace." He was lying.

"Alright. Then I guess I won't feed your beetles the 'greater food'." The Greater Food was what he started calling what you fed his Onikabutos. It didn't really did anything, he's just been feeding them some junk and their performance during the tournament were lacking. Once you give them what they need, it's much better for everyone. Except your opponent.

"NO, FINE !" That was quick. "They've mentioned that you were in greater danger with us than at home." He avoided your gaze, stared back at the rain. "They're not wrong, but I don't think they're right, either."

You put a hand on his shoulder. "You're right. I'm not in danger. I'm loving it here, with all of you. Plus, it's much funnier than living alone at home. It gets lonely, it's... Kinda sad." You gave him a small smile, which seemed to put him in a better mood. "I'll stay for now. Shinobu can't look after all of you on her own, she'll get exhausted way too quickly, I have no idea how she managed to put up with all of you all this time on her own." You giggled at your statement, although the truth was a bit different than what you claimed it to be. You've grown quite fond of the demon, and truth be told, it was getting hard to contain by the day. Some times, you just want to jump in his arms and at this very moment, all you wanted was to cuddle and be the small spoon. He's a tall and strong man, of course you'd be drawn to all the cuddling material he represents by just existing.

Still, it wasn't something you could just spurt out. It was weird to see Itto having deep thoughts, but he did have his moments once in a while, thank goodness it wasn't too often. You loved him, but having him doubt stuff was so different for him you usually wake up thinking you dreamt some weird things.

Not that it was a bad thing, it was a great thing. He wasn't just a strong dumbass, he was a strong kind-hearted dumbass, one that cared for the people he loves.

In the morning, things shifted back to how they were. You didn't want to leave, at all, you mostly didn't want to leave Itto. Not because the others were awful people, far from that, but because you felt so safe and calm around him. Most worries fade away and all you can feel is the warmth of a newly found and loved home. Maybe that was a bit far fetched, but you did notice a few glances and whispers your way coming from him. He was clearly planning something, mostly since he was almost avoiding you, which was anything but sneaky. Still, you wondered if you were supposed to be concerned or laughing it off. Shinobu and the guys kept affirming that he was just being Itto, considering it as enough of an explanation, which was fair. Itto really is a peculiar one, thankfully not in a bad way.

One thing that you really liked about him, is how humble he can be at times. When it comes to silly matters, he'll be the complete opposite, however, when it comes to get serious, nothing will matter more than the safety of as many people as possible. You've been told about the time with the blue oni. No labels, reputation nor his life mattered. All that mattered at the moment for him was that everyone was alive and well, and this was the most wonderful thing. He's kind, heroic, considerate, funny, odd, a real lovable goofball. No matter how hard you'd try, you couldn't really find a good reason to leave your fun group.

Except that one time, several days after that exchange.

You were cleaning the lair, as you do every single day, and in one of the pile of mess, which you'd make sure to scold them about, was what looked like newspaper. No shot, it wasn't quite right, but it was an announcement. You've been reported as missing a while back, there wasn't a reward for bringing you back, but there were threats thrown to the Arataki gang. You've first been introduced as an accomplice of the group, after a few reports, been considered an hostage. At least heir plan was working. But knowing the Tenryou commission, bailing them out wouldn't be an option this time, not when they threaten to put a warrant on their heads.

You had to make a choice. You could either stay hidden, or you could leave to make sure nothing would have been done to them. Well, nothing drastic, at least.

Which is exactly what you chose. You left a small note, saying that you missed your normal and calm life, that you won't be mentioning where the lair was and thanked them for their company and kindness. You took on of the maps the guys had and followed it as best as you could, and you finally arrived home. Your first move was to get the the Tenryou commission and explain some poor excuses. How you fled from the Arataki gang but instantly got taken away by some treasure hoarders. It was stupid, but they seemed convinced enough, which was weird. Hopefully the detective Heizou won't look into it. If he did, you'd be in a terrible spot. Surely he'd understand your point of you if you explained it to him, right ?

That night, you returned home. To your house. A cold, empty and lone house. You went to sleep in a heartbeat, not wanting to keep on thinking to how everything ended. Hopefully, you'd meet again, when you wouldn't be the reason there are serious threats on your loved ones' heads. Of course, most of this was due to over thinking. Surely they wouldn't do anything rash without a proper reason. You were alive and well, after all. So well it was actually suspicious but they somehow did not pick up on it, not that you could or were complaining about it.

A few bland days passed by, as you went back to your regular lifestyle. Stuck between babysitting and trying to enjoy all the lone time you had on your hands.

Until, one evening, as you came back home...

"YOU !" A stoic figure jumped at you, making you effectively shriek. "Why'd you leave, huh ? You said you'd stay !" Surely enough, Itto was mad at your sudden disappearance. You tried to push him off, but surely, you didn't have the strength to fight back, not against him. "Why'd you do that ?!"

"I'll explain ! Just get off !"

"Don't try to run !"

That sounded more like a threat, and you didn't like that. Gosh, was he really that upset ? "A bit after we had that conversation, I found some papers saying that you'd all be in trouble if they couldn't find me, so I gave in. That's all there is to it." You explained briefly.

The man's eyes were as confused as they were starting to grow even more upset, somehow. "You found it ?"

You gave him a look of annoyance. "Well, if by "found it", you mean buried in a pile of mess that is my duty to clean, then yes, I found it." You've then had a small talk. You talked about how it was stupid to think they'd do their part, for one, but also that there was no use hiding it. It would have been so much easier to let you return to your home and get to visit them from that point on, but what you couldn't shake off was the hurt look he wore the whole time you were talking. He seemed so out of it, not broken, but rather betrayed, lost, confused. "I didn't mean to leave so suddenly. I was just... Scared, I guess."

"You said you felt safe."

"I did ! I do ! It's just- I wasn't scared for me but for you." A moment of silence followed. None of you seemed to have anything to add, that, or Itto was simply looking how to put his mind into words, or even trying to process the whole thing. But then the silence got unbearable. "I just... Really care about you. Of the whole gang, of course, but I feel different things with you. Nice things." He looked directly into your eyes, waiting to hear more. "I feel... Safe. Warm, at home... Loved."

"You are loved. We all love you. I love you." This time, you were the one wanting to hear more, your face turning slightly red. He didn't mean it like that, did he ? Surely it was just a clumsy way to put it. You cracked a snort, to which he immediately responded. "No I'm serious ! I love you !" The repetition made you stop. Did he actually. "Like- like a romantic context, like, wanting to have children and all that fancy business, right ? Does that makes sense ?" He really did. You collapsed. He really did. Was that for real ? Are you still dreaming from the day you got home ? Your eyes turned into a fountain, which gained even more worry from the male. "Wowow okay uh, don't do that ? Are you okay ? Need me to call Shinobu ?" You looked at his blurry figure. Gosh was he sweet. His touch was so gentle, a clear contrast to how strong he looks. All you did was wrap your arms around him and just stayed there, not moving, not daring or wanting to move.

The next day you were awoken by the guys' cheering upon seeing the both of you just cuddling in your sleep. They could cheer all they wanted. Right now, all you had on your mind was the strong man big a big spoon with big cuddles in his sleep, and it's all that mattered.

#arataki itto #itto x you #itto imagines #genshin itto #genshin impact itto #genshin impact #genshin x you #itto x gn reader #genshin x reader #genshin impact x reader #i still don't know how to tag my posts AGHIROG