#ike eveland fluff

[brisquad-unit-4402]

Hello can I request Luxiem reacting to you taking off their engagement ring (assuming them and reader are engaged)? The situation can differ per member. Also if you’re not comfortable doing all members then at least Vox, Shu and Ike will be okay. Thank you!

oooo i saw “the situation can differ” and i took the fattest sip out of my coffee. i love drama. if you’re looking for something specifically fluff or angst with your oshi i hope the rng works in your favor

tags: gender neutral reader, established relationship, engagement and marriage, fluff, angst, breakups, arranged marriage, misunderstandings, unrequited love alternate universe, reader gets sold to one direction, i popped off a little too hard on some of these so sorry if you can detect a bias 😔

⚠️ forced marriage, implied dubcon (non-explicit), yandere(?) in vox’s entry

─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ───

🖋 Ike Eveland

Ike spent all the time in the world examining every last ring at the jeweler's with the eye of a detective, whittling down each choice until he found the perfect ring to propose to you with.

Now he looks back at the white gold and how it reflects his face as he holds it up close, glasses up on his forehead while his nearsighted eyes take it in. The diamond in the center divides his reflection up in facets that gleam even as his shadow covers the overhead light, while the two sapphires on either side make the blue in his eyes all the more prominent.

He thought he had it all planned out, and he wasn't so presumptuous that he knew everything would go like how his wildest dreams unfolded, but he thought he had done at least something right. The moment he got on one knee was the number-one proof there was magic in the world.

So why, then, isn't the engagement ring in its rightful place on your hand?

He turns it over, inspecting the band as if there would be a clue engraved on the metal. Nothing, and it makes the growing panic in his head all the louder. You've already left the home much earlier that day, and he hasn't gotten a single text from you since. That's not surprising—he's clingy but not so much that he needs updates from you 24/7—but it's gnawing at him. You were so happy when he proposed that you cried with him, and your eyes rarely left the band around your finger. You swore you'd never leave it behind with wet eyes and the biggest smile in the world.

The memory just makes Ike all the more confused. He found it in the bathroom, on the sink counter like just any old piece of jewelry, even though you always keep it on your nightstand in the same place every day. It's a ritual to slip it on every morning and take it off every night, and there's been more than a few times Ike placed it on your finger before anyone's left the bed, as if the magic of the proposal still lingers with every day he's your fiancé.

At least, he thought it did. Something about plans and not being presumptuous, and doing something right. Or God forbid, doing something wrong.

He clutches the ring closer in his hand as he kneels on the bathroom tile, the cool metal turning warm with how long he's been holding it, while he puts the last few days on replay. Did he ruin something without noticing? He dreads the thought, and when he can't think of any recent transgressions, he tries to recall every day since the proposal.

Anxiety dyes the memories over. He always treasured every moment, even the imperfect ones where he's made a fool of himself (because what else is he supposed to do when he's in love like nothing else), but now he's starting to realize that he could've done better. He should've done better.

He's so lost in his thoughts and the labyrinth of deceit they invite that he doesn't recognize the world around him, even as the home comes to life while he sits still. He ignores the latching of keys and doors opening and closing. The only thing that snaps him out if it is footfalls along the flooring, slowly growing in volume as they approach the bathroom, until they're interrupted by the door creaking open and—

"Holy—Ike! You scared me!" Your hands are raised, startled, but lower to your side. "I just got home, and I was wondering where you went and... Why are you on the floor?"

Count another moment of foolishness. Ike returns to the waking world, where he sits on his legs over the tile of the master bathroom of the house, hands cupped around the engagement ring and the one he cares for above all else behind him, and yet still he can barely muster the strength to raise his head, much less speak out loud.

"Reader," he says. "I, uh, I have a question."

The words end there, and too ashamed to look up, he brings his hands out instead. Diamond and sapphires shine through his palms.

He hears a sharp intake of air. A gasp. Of shock, certainly, but whatever fuels it is lost to him.

"No way, you found it! Thank you, thank you, thank you!" You plop down on the floor right next to your fiancé, leaning along his shoulder in disbelief. "It wasn't in any of my pockets, and I was just about to turn the house upside-down. Where was it?"

"I'm not sure how to approach this," Ike mumbles, before fixing his glasses and raising his quiet voice a bit louder. "It was in the bathroom."

"Ohh, that explains it. I probably took it off to wash my hands, then."

Ike falters. "Wh-what?"

"I usually take it off before getting my hands wet," you explain, as if it's the most mundane thing in the world. It is. "I know gold is waterproof, but I don't want it to lose its shine or anything."

"Right. The shine."

Ike Eveland, certified idiot, at your service.

The ring sits pretty in one hand while the other runs through his hair. Another foolish moment, but with your head up on his shoulder, his anxieties calm.

Fingertips rest along his palm, and when he looks at its source, you return the gaze. Your eyes sparkle nearly as bright as the gemstones, but your lids are lowered, trying to discern something. "Ike, you look like you have something on your mind."

"I do, don't I." At that, he muffles a laugh, fingers still tangled in his ashy hair. "No, I'm just glad that the ring reunited with its owner."

"Thanks again." You nod, the elated smile on your face fading into a dopey one. "Can you...?"

The exchange is wordless, and in his palm, warm. Ike takes the ring and turns it upright, while the hand it rested on takes yours instead.

Every morning when the both of you are too sleepy to even speak, he manages to treat your hands like fine crystal glass, and still he does now, with your palm resting under his grasp and fingers dangling out. The metal's temperature doesn't shock you at all. It's an extension of you, even when it was under Ike's watch.

Ike affixes the band with care, lashes and disheveled hair covering his eyes as he focuses, but you can discern the small, struck curve in his lips as he twists the band into place, certain it won't budge for the rest of the day.

You start to raise your hand, but before you do he gently tugs it back down, still focused on the way the engagement ring gleams. Then up at your knuckles, and higher on your arm until you can see a hint of green through the lashes. That green blinks back under his eyelashes as he lifts your knuckles to his lips.

.　 . • ☆ . ° .• °:. *₊ ° . ☆

🦁 Luca Kaneshiro

It's late. You haven't checked the time in hours, but it's dark, and the false daylight from the old floor lamp in your living room cuts through the night in the window.

You should be asleep by now. You haven't gotten a good rest in what feels like forever. You've always been too worried, and when worry eased it turned into hollowness, even when the other side of the bed sinks with added weight.

You sit along the couch in the corner you always occupy on late nights when Luca is out. Whenever he comes back, he always wraps his arms around you and kisses the top of your head. A metallic scent follows him.

The door opens. Warm arms envelop you. Squeeze. Lips against your hair.

You don't have it in you to smile.

He can tell. His grin falls as he peels back his gloves. They're tinted darker on the knuckles. "Reader. You've been so distant lately."

"I will be. It'll be better for me to stop seeing you. It's not safe." The dredges of all your past arguments curl into your throat.

It breaks your heart to see Luca so stunned. Months upon months cleaning and dressing his wounds, and you've never seen him so taken aback.

That's one of the reasons you can't go on like you used to.

"I've spent so much of my time telling you to watch yourself, and so much time just asking you to come home," you explain. "You know as well as I do you can take a break. But you don't.

"And I can't control you, but do you know how many times I've had to stay up just to know you'll be safe? To know I'll be safe?" Your fingers tense. "The gunfire outside, the spyware, I stopped ordering packages because ever since that threat last year I've been paranoid one of your enemies might actually leave a bomb at my doorstep. I don't know how you can do it, but I can't.

"And I've spent so much time alone."

Your eyes fall to the engagement ring on your hand. It's glamorous and gold, with tiny diamonds that line the band and frame the large diamond in the center like pawns to a king. Is that what you are to him?

You raise the back of your palm up, and the lamp makes the diamonds shimmer. "What does this even mean? You tell me you love me but you never give me your time anymore. You can't just do that, Luca. Not when I stay up night after night worrying what if you got shot, or stabbed, or kidnapped, and every night you don't come home or even send me a text I can't help myself from thinking that."

"I wouldn't." Luca's big purple eyes make contact with yours. The way his voice wavers and his face is set into a grimace, you know he's serious, and those purple eyes are honest. "I wouldn't get hurt and leave you by yourself like that."

"But you did! There are days in a row where I don't see a trace of you and consider calling in a missing persons case! Weeks, even, and so many times I have to patch you up after a fight!"

"I can take care of myself."

"And I want to take care of you! We're engaged, that means we're in it together, but I can't do this! I'm not some superhero mafioso like you. I'm just-"

Your throat tightens. You were doing such a good job at keeping yourself together, but the diamonds are your chain.

You rip the ring off yourself, and Luca watches in horror.

"I'm just normal."

The ring lands on the table, next to the water stains from the previous tenant. Your fiancé is motionless.

"I'll help you collect your things tomorrow when it's a decent hour," you snap, patience lost. "But you're not staying here. God knows you've found places to spend the night without me."

"We're not over," he says, utterly in disbelief.

"Yes, we are! You can't get it through your head that you're dangerous, and you can't even make up for it by being there when it matters. I'm not safe. How could I ever feel safe when the man that proposed to me is never around to actually protect me? You said you would when you got down on one knee, and ever since it's only been more danger! That's the opposite of what you promised me!"

You snatch the ring with one hand and his own in the other. He winces, and you can see a newly formed bruise where his own band glints up at you. Another late fight tonight, when he could've rested.

You push the engagement ring into his palm and force the fingers closed around it. He doesn't even protest. "Go home. Let me be alone like I know you're so good at doing."

"I'll be back for you. I'll make it right. I swear."

"You had your chance and you blew it. You're lucky I'm not changing the lock before you get your things." You leer, scorned and scarred. "We're done."

.　 . • ☆ . ° .• °:. *₊ ° . ☆

👟 Shu Yamino

Your hand shakes, and the engagement ring between your fingers glints in the lighting. The gold is stark against your skin even in the glow, with a pear-shaped stone in the center of the ring that catches the glow in little reflections off the surface of the fabric of your attire and your skin. They start purple, then gleam in subtle rainbows of fire.

It’s an elegant piece with slanted filigree wrapped all around like Shu's flames around your finger. The stone smiles, and when the light bounces off the facets, it giggles speckles of glitter against you.

Shu is so beautiful in white. His eyes are a brilliant royal purple just like the stone, especially as he blinks back tears, and even though his hair is braided back, a strand of hair strays by his right side. He spent the last twenty minutes blowing it out of his face nervously.

Your fingers graze over the gold. The fiery stone lets out a laugh as it slides off your finger.

Shu's hand meets yours. "Let me help you," he whispers, so quiet that no one could ever hear it but you. He shakes too, but he is together with you, and as you present him your right hand, the engagement ring finds its place on your right hand.

He produces another, one that the both of you picked out together. It, too, is gold, but simply bent upward in a point like a chevron. Two stones, one diamond and one deep purple, are placed on the side. One to represent each of you, set together in metal.

"I've been dreaming about this for so long," he admits. His voice is wet. You know your eyes are too, and even though you gingerly wipe them, you focus on how much care he puts into placing the band around your left ring finger, both hands trembling at the excitement.

It takes you time to find your words. Even as you bring out his ring, you're still speechless, and the weight of the gold is both air and boulder. "I love you," you say, because that's all you can think. His band matches the angle shape of yours, but the metal is thicker to fit his hands, and flat enough to reflect your ring alongside his. As you place it on his finger, you brush against his knuckles.

"Reader. Do you take Shu as your lawfully wedded husband, to live in matrimony, to have and to hold, in both sickness and in health, dedicated to him for as long as you live?"

"I love you, I do, I do, I do."

"Shu. Do you take Reader as your lawfully wedded spouse, to live in matrimony, to have and to hold, in both sickness and in health, dedicated to them for as long as you live?"

"I do. God, I love you." You don't retract your hand, and he wraps around yours. The gold weaves between your fingers. "I can't wait to spend the rest of my life with you."

"You have pledged before these witnesses to be joined in marriage, and you have now sealed this pledge by exchanging these wedding rings. By the power vested in me, I pronounce you officially married!"

You barely hear the officiator before Shu leans in. You meet him where your wedding ring presses against his skin and the engagement ring spreads royal freckles across his face.

You're set alight, gold on gold, lip against lip. You take his first kiss of many as a newly married man.

.　 . • ☆ . ° .• °:. *₊ ° . ☆

👹 Vox Akuma

The Lord Akuma may be self-assured, but he knows when his intuition is trying to signal something, and so he approaches you with what you can already tell is hesitation. "My love."

"Lord."

"It has come to my attention—"

"There's a first for everything," you mock.

You know your attitude more than justifies the trepidation. Good. You'll admit that talking back to a noble is a death sentence, and anyone that dared to disrespect Lord Akuma’s name would be strung up for their rudeness.

However, you are not simply ‘anyone.’ You are the royal heir to a kingdom of your own, and your death would bring upon a far worse fate to the Lord than any public execution.

Lord Akuma’s harsh red makeup squints together as he leers—then sighs and tries again, shoulders still square as if that would intimidate you. “It has come to my attention that you reject our engagement.”

Years of etiquette has taught you otherwise, but now, you understand the commonfolk’s urge to spit on the shoes of another. “Of course I reject it. I would never marry someone like you.”

“As you’ve made it abundantly clear. You have my apologies if your time in my castle has been lackluster. Please, if the accommodations have been subpar, or the staff neglectful, just say the word. It will be handled accordingly.”

“I don’t give a damn about your castle. I’m not marrying you!” You snap. “You’re a disgusting pig of a warlord. My kingdom will never accept this.”

“Is that truly what you think?”

You nod, hair in your face and teeth gnashed together. “They’ll come for me. They’ll stand up against the empire we’ve been at war with for the abduction of their royal heir.”

“I’m afraid that’s not how it works, my love.”

“And quit calling me that!”

“Look at me.”

In an instant Lord Akuma lifts your chin with a finger, forcing you to face him even as you try to turn away. “But that is who you are.” Vox’s eyes, a pallid yellow most days, turn darker than sunsets. “Despite your kingdom’s political climate, you are no ruler. A heir, yes, but no ruler. Making your own choice in marriage was never an option.”

He produces the ring, a gold band in a traditional style practiced in his empire alone. You’re no jeweler, but it’s clear it’s a heirloom passed down from blood to blood until it fell into Lord Akuma’s hands. You don’t need a artisan’s knowledge to know those rubies feel much heavier than they look, either.

“I was heartbroken to see you left this behind in your room,” Lord Akuma said, coolly and evenly, and certainly not heartbroken at all. Ice slides down your spine as you realize that hesitance wasn’t out of fear at all. No, you’ve underestimated him entirely. “Especially after the true rulers of your kingdom, your parents, accepted the terms and gave me their blessing.

“If you see me as simply a political figure, then I’m sure you can recognize you aren’t half of the politician you claim to be.” His grin grows wider. “Perhaps a bargaining chip is a better title.”

Your vision flares red, then white as you thrash. “You—“

“Hold still.”

Lord Akuma’s grip is startlingly strong. His nails dig into the sides of your cheeks as he shoves you against the wall.

As much as you try to slip away, the Lord Akuma is the general of his army as well as a noble, and has dealt with much more cunning minds than yours. He pins you down, hot weight pressing your arm away while he catches your left hand.

“It would be wise not to resist me,” he commands.

Still you writhe, even though Lord Akuma shifts his weight to disable you further. Your knuckles are turning white under his grip.

Your strength is on the verge of giving out, now that the adrenaline is wearing off, and Lord Akuma is no longer shocked. You grunt and force every last bit of energy into your fist, but his fingers weave around yours, pulling your fist apart until he wrests the ruby ring onto your finger.

“You bastard,” you hiss. You must be a wreck right now, in improper dress and sweltering under Lord Akuma, and with every last courtesy abandoned in your hatred. The exhaustion from the fight fuels both anger and humiliation, especially now that Lord Akuma is so close. “You’re sick, Lord Akuma.”

He looks down at you, and has the gall to look disappointed. “My love, your fiancé’s name is Vox.”

You growl. “I hate you, more than anything.”

Vox is barely an inch away, and grins as he closes the distance. His teeth point daggers. “Then kiss me like you hate me.”

.　 . • ☆ . ° .• °:. *₊ ° . ☆

✧. ┊ masterpost ✧. ┊ kofi

#luxiem x reader #ike eveland x reader #luca kaneshiro x reader #shu yamino x reader #vox akuma x reader #ike eveland #luca kaneshiro #shu yamino #vox akuma #nijisanji x reader #nijisanji en #luxiem #ike eveland fluff #luca kaneshiro angst #shu yamino fluff #vox akuma angst #4402 writes #listening to the gardens from little big planet while writing shv's entry #i'm also the loudest crier at his and reader's wedding these two things are correlated

[azulysiann]

If you need requests, how about Luxiem boys getting cuddles while they're playing games? Games they're playing can be up to you

✧✧ You ask and you shall receive ✧✧

Main pairing: Luxiem x reader (separately)

Au: none

Genre: Fluff

Characters: Vox Akuma, Ike Eveland, Shu Yamino, Mysta Rias, Luca Kaneshiro, Reader

Type: [HEADCANON], One shot, or Series

｡⁠*ﾟ⁠+｡⁠*ﾟ⁠+｡⁠*ﾟ⁠+｡⁠*ﾟ⁠+｡⁠*ﾟ⁠+｡⁠*ﾟ⁠+｡⁠*ﾟ⁠+｡⁠*ﾟ⁠+｡⁠*ﾟ⁠+｡⁠*ﾟ⁠+

Luxiem boys getting cuddles while playing video games

☆VOX AKUMA ☆

You just got home very tired because your boss has been quite an asshole to you and your coworkers, you took your shoes off and hanged your coat.

All you wanted to do is go to your demon lover and just cuddle with him and pass out, you walked to the living room seeing your lover playing a game there. You headed upstairs to change your clothes and maybe do to the demon to ask if you can cuddle him while his playing his game.

Vox hasn't noticed you went home yet as he was quite intrigued in the game to notice (maybe don't do that). He only managed to notice you as you walked down the stairs looking quite dead and drained.

"Hello darling, you looked like you've been through a lot."

"hmm.."

A very tired hum was the only you respond to him before plopping down on his lap and hugged him. Vox was quite surprised by this action in a good way of course, usually you'd ask to sit on his lap but looks like your too tired to even ask.

Vox wrapped one arm around you as his other hand is on the controller holding it. He rubbed your back as he saw the way your body relaxed after being tense for so long.

He then continued his game still letting you sit on his lap. No words were said (quite unusual for a voice demon) as comfortable silence engulfed them, only Vox's game can be heard and his occasional humming.

And thats what it only took to make you fell on deep slumber.

"Goodnight my dear, sleep well"

☆IKE EVELAND ☆

Going home may be the best thing to do, ofc you like hanging out with your friends but all that running around and carrying stuff might not be the most best thing with it.

You opened the door before closing it behind you and then you took your shoes and coat off and put them were they belong before heading to you and your lover's room to change.

Meanwhile Ike Eveland was streaming in his streaming room(idk if that exists but we Will just get along with it ig?) Currently he is on a break just got back from getting a drink (probably coke) when he noticed you going out your guys bedroom with more comfortable clothes on.

"älskling? How was your hang out with your friends?"

"hm..it was okay..'Yawn' "

Ike looked at your tired face as your eyes were about to close, Ike pulled you in the room before sitting down with you on top of him.

"rest now love, I'll be here till you wake up."

Was the last thing you hear as your eyes gave up and closed, and then you started to doze off. Meanwhile Ike resume with the stream with you on his lap sleeping.

Continuing on with his game and chatting with the Quilldren like it's normal as you slept with a small smile on you face.

"Shhhh chat someone is sleeping right now"

☆SHU YAMINO ☆

Coming back from your family's house can take alot of energy as they do live far away but that ofc didn't stop you from visiting them.(even if it cause you want to sleep for an eternity)

Coming back to your sorcerer lover and just jumping on his arm and laying down on his chest is the only thing you could wish now as your body aches from all the running walking and playing with you little cousins.

You entered your shared home and walked in. Kicking your shoes off before going straight to your bedroom, putting more comfortable clothes on and then walking out to go to your lover's room to see if his streaming.

Shu Yamino was in fact streaming, he was chatting with his chat and playing some valorant but muted and stopped when he heard his door open he looked up and saw you back from your family's house.

"eyyy babe, glad your back. How was your vacation?"

"it was fine..but my cousins really have alot of energy so running back and forth really got me tired..'yawn' "

You closer to him, before he can say anything you plopped on top of him hugging him tightly (not too tight tho) as you lay your head on his chest.

Shu comb your hair as you continue laying down, he then went back to stream and play while your on top of his lap (may or may not hugging him like a teddy bear)

"Rest up babe, you can tell me what you did with you family later"

☆MYSTA RIAS ☆

Maybe volunteering to help babysit your friend's siblings may not be the greatest idea when they are quite energetic even for you to handle.

But now here you are on your bed tired as hell as your sweet detective boyfriend was playing games in the other room.

You were quite bored out of your mind just randomly scrolling on Twitter, when an Idea came to your mind. You smiled mischievously before sitting up and walked to the room where your dear Mysta is.

'hehehe, he wouldn't know what's coming.

You opened the door slightly peeking through and saw him still playing his game not hearing the door open. You sneak in and closed the door behind you silently not wanting him to know that your here.

You tiptoe near him before-

"..AGHHH!!"

"hehahhah"

You were laughing as you continue to hug mysta behind while he screamed on the top of his lungs.

"what the- babe?! You scared the shit out of me!"

"hehe sorry I was bored"

You heard him sigh before continuing the game and just letting you do what you want. You hugged him like your a koala and both of you sat there and just enjoyed each others company.

☆LUCA KANESHIRO ☆

Scrolling down your phone as your mafia boss boyfriend played on the other side of the room. Boredom is what your feeling right now.

'sigh'

You tried to entertain yourself with some YouTube. 2 hours passed and you looked up at your boyfriend who was surprisingly still playing even after hours of playing.

You thought for a few minutes on what you can do to cure your insane boredom before you could commit arson.

A brilliant idea came to your mind. You stood up from where you were sitting and quietly walked to you boyfriend who was unaware of what is on your mind in the moment.

Luca Kaneshiro who is still playing not aware of anything that would happen, he paused his game to look for his girlfriend to see what his doing. When he looked he was surprised she wasn't where she was a few hours ago.

He looked around the room trying to look for his girlfriend, before he could stand up and look around the house. Someone jumped at him and strangle his waist.

He let out a surprise yelp and looked down to see his lover hugging him with her face on his (large) chest, she looked at him with a grin on her face as she continues to sit there.

Luca couldn't help but let a laugh out as he took hugged her. a few minutes of laughing and giggling he went back to his game with you still on his lap scrolling to you phone.

"The was so POG! I couldn't even hear where you were."

｡⁠*ﾟ⁠+｡⁠*ﾟ⁠+｡⁠*ﾟ⁠+｡⁠*ﾟ⁠+｡⁠*ﾟ⁠+｡⁠*ﾟ⁠+｡⁠*ﾟ⁠+｡⁠*ﾟ⁠+｡⁠*ﾟ⁠+｡⁠*ﾟ⁠+

A/n: another one down! Also I'm sorry if I may went out of topic in some, but I hope you like this. Enjoy<3

#ike eveland x reader #nijisanji x reader #nijisanji en x reader #luxiem #luxiem x reader #luca kaneshiro x reader #vox akuma x reader #shu x reader #mysta rias x reader #Vox Akuma fluff #Ike eveland fluff #shu yamino fluff #mysta Rias fluff #luca Kaneshiro fluff

[luvxiem]

the stars aligned for us

word count ! 【idk】idk【idk】 pairing ! luxiem x gn!reader (separately) genre ! fluff, mild angst on luca's part summary ! different soulmate au tropes w our faves bc i'm weak and love self indulgence 🤭 soulmate aus my beloved cw ! non-explicit violence/injuries on luca's part notes ! this was written on my phone so sorry for the uggy formatting and any typos 😭💔 btw tysm for 100 followers 🥺🫶 i appreciate y'all lots for enjoying my shit LMFAOOO it's just me projecting on here but i'm glad u guys enjoy it anyways when u wanna read a fanfic so bad but it doesn't exist yet so u gotta write it urself also kindred plz don't kill me for calling vox an asshole i meant it endearingly (insert "'i hate him' while putting up his picture" meme here)

.｡.:*☆ IKE EVELAND !

TROPE: SEEING COLORS

ike's world has been black and white for as long as he could remember

his friends have always told him how beautiful everything be came after they made eye contact with their soulmate for the first time

despite them trying their best to describe colors (what does a "warm" color even look like anyway?) it was hard for ike to really care

after all, how can you miss something you never experienced?

but more than seeing colors, the novelist just wanted to meet his soulmate

it wasn't that he was lonely; ike had his fair share of relationships in the past with others like him (those who haven't had the chance to meet their soulmate just yet, but wanted to date anyways)

however being a writer comes with a certain sense of romanticism and a lust for life, and ike was no exception

he's always loved the thought of meeting someone who was perfect for him in every way; a person who he could be his honest self around and love with all his heart

this is why when he suddenly started seeing colors he never could've imagined on a busy sidewalk, he immediately started scanning the crowd for you

he spotted you under the canopy of a nearby cafe. you were looking around with clear awe on your face, mouth slightly agape as you took in the new world around you, not even noticing the grumbles of passerby who narrowly avoided you.

you looked almost ethereal in your (now known as blue) button up, the sunshine leaving your skin in a warm glow. the gentle breeze ruffled your hair just right, and the novelist couldn't tear his gaze away.

as much as ike wanted to admire his new view too, he was more focused on making sure he didn't lose you. he's thought about it countless of times—dreamt of it, even—of somehow meeting his soulmate and losing them right away, never to be seen again. ike's lost enough sleep over it and he was determined to not make his nightmares a reality.

pushing past shoulders with rushed "sorry's" and "excuse me's," ike rushed to get to you as quick as possible; and soon enough, he was now standing face to face with you—the person who would become the love of his life.

your gaze fell onto him and an unspoken realization was met. you could feel it to; the ecstasy blooming in your very core at finally meeting your other half.

"hi," he breathed, a broad smile adorning his face. "i think i'm your soulmate."

.｡.:*☆ LUCA KANESHIRO !

TROPE: MUTUAL PAIN

woe is the soulmate of a certain blonde haired mafia boss

injuries came with the job, unfortunately, but the soft-hearted man couldn't help but feel sorry for his soulmate

luca knew some most of his injuries weren't normal. civilians don't get bullet wounds in their arm or knife slashes to the chest

did his soulmate worry for him? or were they wishing they weren't fated at all? as much as it hurt, luca couldn't find it in himself to blame them if they did

the small pricks he felt on his fingertips from presumably paper cuts can't compare to literally getting stabbed in the back

eventually it came to a point where luca tried to stop going outside altogether

he can't obtain any further injuries if he's always at the base, right?

but that fantasy couldn't last forever.

the one day he had to be escorted to a different location, him and his guards got ambushed

luca was the only one who got away, but not without sustaining a bullet wound to his shoulder

it wasn't as bad as it could've been but it still hurt like a bitch

stumbling into an alleyway, the blonde collapsed next to a dumpster, creating a loud thud that echoed into the night

luca was ready to rip off a piece of his shirt to wrap his shoulder when suddenly a bright light momentarily blinded him

standing a little bit away was you, pointing your phone flashlight on him while gripping your shoulder in your other hand

"so you're a med student?" luca asks, gritting his teeth when you dab at his bullet wound with rubbing alcohol. tossing the cotton ball, you reach into your first aid kit for gauze.

"yeah," you say quietly, starting to wrap his shoulder. the blonde frowns noticing how you refuse to meet his eyes. he opened his mouth to say something but you beat him to it.

"i chose this path because of you." at your words luca's eyebrow raises in question. you finished wrapping him up and now rest your hands in your lap, fiddling with your fingers. "you got so many injuries growing up and i didn't know what to do. i was worried you didn't have anyone to help you so i wanted to learn how," you explain quietly. at this the mafia boss's gaze softens.

"how'd you know? that i'm your soulmate, i mean," he asks. reaching up, you gently grazed the large scar on his abdomen with your fingers.

"i recognized your injuries," you said. luca shivered at your touch, raising his non-injured arm to cover your hand with his.

"i'm glad i ran into you then, soulmate."

.｡.:*☆ MYSTA RIAS !

TROPE: COUNTDOWN TIMER

mysta's known since he was five that he had a soulmate, just like every other five-year-old in his class

but there was one teeny little problem

ok actually it was a major problem

his timer seemed to be broken

instead of the few years or days or months like his friends had, his timer was set to decades

because of how long his timer was set for, mysta was teased mercilessly for "having a soulmate who doesn't even want to meet him"

this followed him for most of his youth until eventually he covered up his wrist and tried to forget about it alltogether

if he wasn't going to meet his soulmate until he was old and gray, why should he even care

that was until he fell through that damned portal and landed in 2022

he noticed it after he got out of the shower, spotting his wrist in the mirror while brushing back his hair

mysta's mouth dropped open in shock, dropping his arm to gently run his fingers over the numbers

the timer that was the bane of his younger self's existence was down to the hours

the detective was antsy, understandably.

a lifetime of thinking he wouldn't ever meet his soulmate suddenly turned into meeting his soulmate in twenty minutes. mysta wasn't sure what to do, how he should act. should he go outside? he should, right? how else would he meet you?

filled with a newfound sense of determination, mysta grabbed his keys and darted into the london night.

there was hardly anyone out this late; maybe his timer really was broken? what were you doing out at one in the morning, don't you know that's dangerous? who knows what kind of dangerous people were prowling outside right now.

mysta started walking briskly toward a more crowded area of the city. if he had to meet you, it would be somewhere safe.

settling on standing in front of a pub he's been to a few times with friends, the detective started counting down the minutes till he would meet you. he kept glancing at his wrist, watching the numbers go down one by one until there was only a minute left on the clock.

mysta tapped his foot impatiently as he glanced left and right down the street until suddenly, he felt the lightest tap on his shoulder. he spun on his heel and low and behold, there you were.

grinning, you spoke.

"nice to finally meet you, soulmate."

and mysta couldn't be happier.

.｡.:*☆ SHU YAMINO !

TROPE: SWITCHING BODIES

in all honesty, shu couldn't care less about having a soulmate

the idea of the universe choosing who he would fall in love with didn't sit right with him

not to mention how frustrating it would be sometimes when the two of you switched bodies at inconvenient times

like in the middle of one of his experiments

or when he's talking to one of his fellow sorcerers

or how about that time he was meditating in a lovely, perfectly quiet room for the first time in ages as a way to destress only to suddenly wake up in your body in the middle of a bustling city

yeah, shu wasn't all too happy about it, but what can he do?

so while all his friends were out actively searching for ways to meet their soulmate in person, shu was directing his energy toward mastering his powers instead

but the thing about having a soulmate is that you can't exactly reject them altogether

they're your soulmate for a reason, after all

so despite his resistance, the purple sorcerer found himself falling for you all the same

he grew antsy at particularly long periods without switching and eventually started leaving notes behind for you for when you would eventually switch

including a bright purple post-it with an address and a time and date

shu sat inside the cafe anxiously, bouncing his leg under the table while sipping his drink. he hoped that his note was obvious enough that you saw it the last time you guys swapped bodies, but how could he know for sure? you didn't leave a reply on his note, and the swap period was rather short that time too.

minutes passed the written time and the pounding in shu's chest grew louder and louder in his ears. he looked up at every tinkle of the bell above the door, hoping that it was you only to be disappointed when it wasn't. he kept glancing out the window rather obsessively, and soon enough his cup was empty too.

after 40 minutes had gone by, the sorcerer had just about given up. letting out a disappointed sigh, he rose from his chair to leave his tray and finished drink on the counter only to pause when the bell jingled one last time. shu looked up on instinct and his breath got caught in his throat.

in the doorway was you, slightly sweaty and definitely out of breath, looking frantically around the cafe before your eyes landed on him. shu was still holding the tray in his hands when you ran up to him, still in shock at seeing you in the flesh for the first time and not just through a mirror.

"h...hi..." you stutter, gripping the strap of your tote bag tightly in your fists. "i'm sorry i'm late. but i'm so glad i found you." shu broke out of his trance and smiled, setting the tray back down on the table.

"i'm glad you found me too."

.｡.:*☆ VOX AKUMA !

TROPE: FIRST WORDS

fitting for a voice demon that the first words his soulmate says to him is permanently printed onto his skin

"you're gonna have to try harder than that if you wanna impress me, pretty boy" decorated his ribs under his right pectoral

now vox knows he's hot

he's well aware of the power he holds fucking asshole and uses his charm and good looks to his advantage

the demon spent most of his early years dropping one liners and introducing himself with various pickup lines in an attempt to find his elusive soulmate

and many have tried to pretend they were his fated one but they never succeeded

after the death of his clan and being transported to the future, it took vox a long time to feel ready to find his soulmate again

slowly he started visiting pubs and parties in an attempt to socialize

it was at one of these parties that he met you

beer in hand, vox pushed past a group laughing with each other in the hallway to slip out onto the balcony. he was hoping to get a chance to breathe and get away from all the sweaty partygoers, but there was already another person out here with him. figuring it wouldn't hurt to say something, the demon let a familiar smirk slip onto his face as he approached you.

sensing his presence, you turned your head to look at him in curiosity, fiddling with the many rings on your fingers.

"why hello there; what's a gorgeous person like you doing out here all alone?" he drawls, sliding up next to you. a breathy laugh escaped your lips, dropping your head to your chest for a moment before you looked back up and meeting his gaze dead on.

"you're gonna have to try harder than that if you wanna impress me, pretty boy."

at your words vox faltered, the smirk falling from his face as his lips parted in surprise. the skin where his soulmate mark was seemed to tingle.

it seems like you figured it out too; your eyes widened and suddenly you were tugging your shirt up to show a matching tattoo on your ribs. you let the fabric fall back down and looked back up at him, a softer smile now gracing your features as vox reached over to intertwine his fingers with yours.

"would you look at that," you laughed happily. "guess you really did impress me, pretty boy."

WRITTEN ! 080222

#luvxiem.writing #luxiem x reader #luxiem fluff #ike eveland x reader #luca kaneshiro x reader #mysta rias x reader #shu yamino x reader #vox akuma x reader #ike eveland fluff #luca kaneshiro fluff #mysta rias fluff #shu yamino fluff #vox akuma fluff #ike.txt #luca.txt #mysta.txt #shu.txt #vox.txt #uhhhhh i didn't mean to make luca's that long 😭😭😭😭 #might elaborate on his part in another post tho #mafia boss luca and his innocent med student s/o #kinda cute methinks 😖💓 #ue ue ue

[shuchu]

Hi hi!!

If your requests are open may I please request period comfort with ikey?

If your not comfy with this please just ignore!!

Hope your doing well~

<3

hi anon!! thank you for sending this request in, my apologies for my tardiness ╥﹏╥ writer's block is really hitting me, but i hope you enjoy these headcanons for ikey ♡

note: afab! reader

you knew that your period was coming so you prepared in advance — putting on a pad/tampon before heading to bed.

the next morning, you were woken up by the familiar yet annoying feeling of your period cramps in your lower abdomen.

yep, it's here. right on time. and it hurts just as much as the last time if not more.

you sigh inwardly and turn to look at your boyfriend sleeping peacefully beside you. you were immobilised from the pain and you didn't want to wake him up, so you had no choice but to just stare at the ceiling, wishing that the pain would magically go away.

after what seemed like an hour, you hear ike start to rouse. he does a little stretch and his eyes slowly flutter open.

"good morning my love."

"good morning ikey." you muster a smile, trying not to let your face twist in pain from the intense cramps.

ike sees through your facade and moves closer to rub your back.

"it's that time of the month again huh?" ike's eyes are full of concern as he looks at you.

"yeah...i can't really move because it hurts so much." you respond with a strained voice, your face twisting in pain.

ike would know when your period is coming because he would note it down on his calendar in his phone

beforehand, he would prepare a bag full of things that you would need, like pads, tampons, snacks and a hot water bottle

he would then bring in that bag and set it on the bed, he calls it "the y/n care package"

if you wanted to go change your pad/tampon, he'd princess carry you to the bathroom and carry you back to the bed

seeing you in so much pain makes him feel sad

"i'm so sorry that you have to go through this every month. i wish you didn't have to."

he would then run off to go put hot water in the hot water bottle for you and also bring some painkillers if you wanted to take them

if you wanted any other snack or had any cravings for a particular food, he'd run to the store to go get it

you'd feel bad that he's spending all this time taking care of you when you know how much work he has waiting for him

but he always assures you that he would take care of you first, make sure you're okay before going off to do his work

if he really needed to get work done, he'd bring his laptop into the bedroom to work on the side while one of his hands is rubbing your back/lower abdomen

if you hadn't prepared beforehand and stained the bed ...

he would assure you that he's not bothered by it at all

"sweetheart, every person that has a uterus goes through this every month, it's normal. don't worry okay? i'm not grossed out by it at all."

he'd then run you a hot bath and princess carry you to the bathroom

while you're in the bath, he'd go put the sheets in the washing machine and put on some new ones

he'd then get some painkillers and place them on the bathroom counter if you wanted to take it

after you're done with your bath, he'd carry you back to bed and ask if you need him to go get anything from the store

after you give him a list of things to get, he'd run off to the store to grab everything

when he's back he'd lay everything out on the bed, putting some on the bedside table as well

then he'd grab his laptop and hop back into bed to cuddle you

"i'm so sorry my love, i hope you don't mind me doing some work on the side, i just have a lot i need to get done."

if he notices that you're getting sleepy, he'd read you a poem or sing to you till you fall asleep

he'd then kiss your forehead and continue doing his work, making sure to always be by your side

ike is 100% husband material, i don't make the rules the rest of the luxiem boys will be posted sometime soon, i'll put the link to that on here once i've posted it ♡

#hana replies ♡ #anon ♡ #ike eveland #ike eveland x reader #ike eveland fluff #luxiem #luxiem x reader

[musei-thoughts]

𝘔𝘳. 𝘌𝘷𝘦𝘭𝘢𝘯𝘥.

𝙥𝙖𝙞𝙧𝙞𝙣𝙜𝙨: 𝘐𝘬𝘦 𝘦𝘷𝘦𝘭𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘹 𝘧𝘦𝘮! 𝘊𝘳𝘪𝘮𝘪𝘯𝘢𝘭! 𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘥𝘦𝘳

𝙬𝙖𝙧𝙣𝙞𝙣𝙜𝙨: 𝘢 𝘣𝘪𝘵 𝘴𝘶𝘨𝘨𝘦𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘷𝘦.

𝘨𝘦𝘯𝘳𝘦: 𝘧𝘭𝘶𝘧𝘧.

𝙬𝙤𝙧𝙙 𝙘𝙤𝙪𝙣𝙩: 1492𝘸.

𝙖/𝙣: 𝘢𝘯𝘰𝘵𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘳𝘢𝘯𝘥𝘰𝘮 𝘴𝘤𝘦𝘯𝘢𝘳𝘪𝘰 :)

"What's your plan now, Mr. Eveland?" Ike glares at your figure hidden in the shadows. He was tied up to a chair inside a dark cellar.

You didn't even know how things turned out this way. You were just enjoying your evening cuddled up into your comforters while reading angsty fanfics on your phone, next thing you knew, your men informed you of a trespasser in your hideout.

When you saw the greyish blue or pink, or green, or- you know what, whatever his hair color is, when you saw him, you were rather….intrigued.

He was a pretty boi.

Ike kept his mouth shut as he tries to break free from the restraints. He's been trying to rub the ropes together in hopes of wearing it down but it was no use. Your amused chuckle interrupts him, "Oh, those ropes are pretty thick, it'll take you days to pry them off you." You stepped out of the dark, your red stilettos clacking against the cobble floor.

Ike avoided you gaze when he got to look at you. You were….dazzling. Entering the cellar with such an ominous aura and your high and mighty personality gave him the willies.

"This is what you get for trespassing into my lair, Mr. Eveland. You get tied up, get tortured, or worse…be killed." You taunt with an evil glint in your eyes.

He just looked up at you with a troubled face. Heh, you have him wrapped around your finger, all helpless and vulnerable. 'Oh you're so cool and evil, Y/n. With your awesomeness you'll definitely get Nicolas Cage's attention.'

"Oh no, I'm so afraid, whatever will I do." His sarcastic remark cuts you off your little narcissistic monologue. "Well, why don't we start with that "or worse…" that you mentioned. Let's see how bad will you really torture me."

'Cute but sassy? My, my, what an interesting boy we have here…' You thought with an irk mark on your forehead as you smiled at Ike, "Oh, I will….

with this period simulator." Ike's mood for sarcasm immediately disappeared when you brought the device out.

"Wait- oh god, please no! Not that thing!" He screeches, wriggling in his chair. No one, I mean no one looks down at Y/n.

The smirk on your face widens as you placed the patches on his abdomen, watching him struggle before you. "No can do Mr. Eveland, you DID dare me after all."

"I didn't expect you to actually go through with it!"

'Bullsh*t' you turned it on at level 3. "Ahhhhhnnn…"

"So you were looking down on me?" Your fingers played around the controls while Ike quivers on the chair. "Hngggghh…Y-you're insane!"

A fake gasp leaves your lips as you walked up to Ike, "I'M insane?! Who was the one who snuck in a criminal boss lady's hideout?? Pshhh, You're one to talk, Mr. Eveland." You roll your eyes at him.

"I don't have time for this- Gahhhhnnnn~" Ike leans over at the weird sensation being zapped through his body. You stared at him blankly, observing the poor novelist.

'How could he look like this in this situation?'

His flushed cheeks, his long eyelashes adorning his pretty lime eyes, and his disheveled look as he pants in pain. "….hot damn."

His cheeks redden as you admired him, this is so embarrassing; but then another shock was sent and he grunts in pain. "J-Just tell me where Vox is!!!" He yells.

The pain in his abdomen stopped when you turned the device off with a look of disbelief and confusion on your face.

You were like that "…what??" meme when you heard what he said.

"Just…give me Vox…and we'll leave…" He says through each pant.

He was met with silence as he looks up at your unamused face. You sigh, massaging your temples, "Mr. Eveland, If you're going to sneak in to an evil lair make sure you go to the right one."

His face goes pale at your words, "You're not…L/n?"

"I am, but there's two L/ns in the criminal world. I think you're looking for my brother. He's the one who has your monke friend." You showed Ike a cctv footage of Vox tied up in a room, listening to Barney's song.

You checked your wristwatch, "He's been there for five hours. It's impressive that he's not rocking back and forth or convulsing in insanity like the other hostages."

"WE NEED TO GET HIM NOW."

Ike knows Vox, he may not show physicals signs of insanity yet, but boy, when he gets out of there, he'd surely strip himself naked and skip around the park whilst flashing at anything that turns oxygen into carbon dioxide; a.k.a anything that breathes.

Ike looks at you in desperation. To you, you call it: puppy eyes. "What? You want me to help?" He nods cutely. Internally, Ike is cringing, but he needs to take drastic measures to get you on board.

"Fine." Mission accomplished. "I'm doing this just to get B/n back for selling my high school diary at an auction."

That diary was not meant to be read by anything that has a mind that can judge. You're brother majority doesn't use his brain so he has no use for it aside from pranking you by selling it to an auction.

Surprisingly, it sold for ¥69,000. That's like ¥69,000 worth of embarrassing secrets and confessions.

You just have to get him back for this…

"Go grab that cage over there and that sack. There's also some gear in that closet. Prepare yourself Mr. Eveland, we're gonna get your monke friend back."

Prank #1. You sneaked into your brother's bathroom while Ike watch you execute your plan. "Get the bottle in the sack." He hands it to you and you grabbed the shampoo bottle and replaced its contents with the one from your bottle.

"What's that?"

"Hair remover."

Prank #2 You and Ike carried the big cage into your brother's room. Ike felt the strong movement from inside the cage and asks, "Are we seriously going to release the creature inside this into your brother's room?"

"Yes. Don't worry, it's not venomous."

Prank #3 This one is pretty tame (at least to you). Ike watches in horror as you mercilessly pour a whole bottle of powdered laxatives into your brother's coffee grinds.

"I feel bad for that toilet bowl…"

Prank #4 This one is the worst. You took a photo of the collection room before posting it all on ebæ, "Ike, help me pack all these into the box." You snickered to yourself as you imagined your brother's reaction to seeing all his precious My little pony collection sold to an auction.

"Okay. Let's get monke man back."

Ike walks along side you, observing the silly smile on your face. You're actually not that bad. He thought that you were literally a criminal, but recalling all those 'crimes' that you did, they were not entirely harmful or illegal…well some of them may be...

But you never killed someone more or less did anything that threatened somebody's life.

You were just a prankster who got a so called 'criminal hideout' and some followers who probably sided with you about pranking the government.

Ike remembers the 'evil' smile on your face, it wasn't evil at all, it was cute. "I still think that cows work for the government more than birds-" Ike's chuckle cuts you off your rant, making you stop in your tracks.

"Are you laughing at me?"

"No, ma'am." He smiles, stifling his laughter.

"That's what I thought."

You were not evil at all, you're just a cute dork.

Once you got to the room, you kicked the doors open "VSF da!!! BAABBABABABA- eh?"

"I love you, you love me, let's go out and k*ll barney, with a bang, bang, bang, and a slash, slash, slash, no more purple dinosaur."

Vox stared at the purple dinosaur on the TV with killing intent, but continues to sing the wholesome song.

"Vox! Let's get out of here!"

"Give me a second, Michael, let me just finish my song- Hey!" Ike pulls him out of the room and immediately runs out of the house when you heard you brother's shriek.

"OMG GET IT OFF! GET IT OFF!!"

Ike pushed Vox in the car and quickly gets into the driver's seat and quickly drives off. You and Ike shared a look and both bursts out laughing, "He sounded like a valley girl on helium!!"

The three of you enjoyed the car ride back home, enjoying a good laugh and some tunes. Once you arrived at your hideout, he walks you out of his car, "Well, Mr. Eveland, I'll see you around." You saluted at him.

"Why do you always call me Mr. Eveland? Call me Ike."

"I just like the sound of your last name, it's unique."

"Oh…

If you love it that much, then I guess you won't mind being called Mrs. Eveland."

Bonus:

Ike was driving Vox home, a little worried about his companion who was silent the whole ride. Though he didn't question it.

Even if he should've.

Vox just sat there with a smile on his face. Singing a certain song in his mind...

"I love you, you love me, let's go out and k*ll barney, with a bang, bang, bang, and a slash, slash, slash, no more purple dinosaur."

← 𝘗𝘳𝘦𝘷𝘪𝘰𝘶𝘴 │ 𝘕𝘦𝘹𝘵 →

#shu yamino #ike eveland #vtubers #luca kaneshiro #mysta rias #nijisanji #vox akuma #ike eveland x reader #nijisanjien #ike x reader #ike eveland x you #nijisanji x reader #nijisanji en x reader #nijien #luxiem #luxiem fluff #nijisanji fluff #nijisanji x reader fluff #nijisanji en x reader fluff #ike eveland fluff #ike eveland x reader fluff #luxiem crack

[anonymous-rendezvous]

Ink & Affirmations

💙 Ike Eveland x GN!Reader

✦ — Written by Mod S 👿. Beta Read and Edited by Mod I ✨.

✧ — Contains: Established Relationship, fluff, & comfort

✦ — Word count: 2k | Ao3

After a rough day at work, coming home to your loving boyfriend is already a gift enough. But Ike still wants to find a way to lift your spirits from the hectic day you’ve had.

─── ⋆⋅☼⋅⋆ ───

It had been… a day. Finally, returning after a long exhausting day of work to your shared home with your boyfriend. And after glancing at the clock, you knew he would still be working in his office. A tired smile tugged at your lips. Even with the long hours of dealing with stubborn coworkers and demanding customers, it was nice to come home to the calming presence of your lover.

Stopping in the entry room, you tug off your work shoes, breathing out a fairly unenergetic ‘I’m home.’ Taking a deep breath before shrugging your coat off and hanging it on the rack nearby. As you move to place your keys on the counter, the sound of shuffling footsteps reaches your ears. You were turning your head in time to watch as your partner emerged from the hallway.

“Welcome back, sweetie.” Ike Eveland. The man’s words were as sweet as his voice is soft. His voice has a physical effect on you as the tension from your shoulders starts to dissipate. The novelist’s pace quickens upon noticing how exhausted you look. Once reaching your side, he places a gentle hand on your shoulder. “Oh jeez, you look like you’ve been through hell.”

Before you could stop yourself, you let out a dry laugh. Gesturing at your eyes and the apparent bags under them, you say, “What gave it away?” Ike huffed at you, hazel eyes narrowing at you. Quick to change the topic, you avoid his gaze. “I’ll be fine, Ike. How’s your novel coming along? I would love to read the new chapter.”

He eyes you for a second before updating you on any progress he made so far. He tells you about how he’s almost done with the current book. How he was proud of the sudden burst of inspiration that pushed him through a rough patch of a chapter he’d been stuck on. You smiled fondly as you listened to him speak; however, you could feel yourself slipping. Your body calling for much-needed rest.

“I’ll probably continue working on it a bit longer before bed, honestly, but I promise you I won’t be up too late. Honestly, I think you’ll need the cuddles I wanna give you right now.” He reached for one of your hands, clasping it gently while letting the other trace mindless patterns across the skin. A warmth grows in your chest at the gesture.

“Yes, please don’t strain yourself, babe. Both of us don’t need to be zombies.” Raising your free hand to rub your droopy eyes whilst squeezing the hand that was holding yours. “I think I’ll hit the hay early. I honestly feel like shit and if I stay up any longer, I know I’ll start overthinking today…” 

Ike’s eyes filled with worry. “Sweet-” 

“I’ll be fiiine, I promise. I don’t wanna inconvenience you, especially when you're so motivated.” You planted a soft kiss on his cheek. “Go work on your book. I’ll be in bed waiting when you're done.” You didn’t give him room to argue as you gave him a quick hug before trudging toward your shared room. You were more than ready to turn in and put this day behind you.

The concerned novelist wistfully looked down the hall after you. He very much wanted to call it a night so he could be with you and give you the love you need. Yet he also knew that if he did so, you’d feel guilty for ‘keeping him from his work’. Ike let out a heavy sigh and reluctantly headed back to his office. His book, however, was momentarily pushed to the back of his thoughts. Mind brewing with ideas on how to help you. His eyes lit up as it dawned on him. It’d have to be for tomorrow, but it excited him all the same. Smiling, and now filled with more determination, he got back to work.

The morning was going to be a special one.

─── ⋆⋅☼⋅⋆ ───

When the next day rolls in, you wake up feeling marginally better. Grateful for a good night's rest. Letting out a yawn as your body slowly wakes up, soaking in the peace, before fully opening your eyes. Turning over, you had expected to be greeted by your boyfriend's sleeping face. Except his spot was empty.

‘He woke up earlier than me? That’s a surprise… ’ Slowly you rose, sitting up from your sleeping position. Stretching, and letting out a groan as your bones cracked, looking around as you did so for any hints as to where Ike had gone. His glasses were gone from his nightstand, however, everything else seemed to be right where it had been left the night before. Unable to deduce where Ike had disappeared to, you pushed the blankets away from your body with a groan. “I guess I’ll just have to get up then…” Patting down your messy hair, you turn and heave yourself up from the comfy bed. “Better get ready for work… let’s hope it’s not hell today.” With no other choice than to start preparing for the day, you swiftly fall into your morning routine.

Ike, on the other hand, was in the kitchen preparing you a simple breakfast. He might not be a ‘master chef’ like his friend Vox, however, he could still prepare you a delicious plate of eggs and toast. Brewing you a mug of your favorite tea to accompany it. ‘Everything is in place.’ He thought, having a content smile on his face. ‘Now, for one last thing…’

It doesn’t take long for you to get ready, having repeated this routine for so long. Letting out a long yawn, you made your way to the kitchen. Thinking about just making some toast and then heading off early. I mean, the faster you do something, the faster it’s over. Right?

As you enter the kitchen and freeze in your tracks. First, your eyes lock onto the plate on the table before shifting to Ike, who was sitting on the other side. The novelist gives you a closed-mouth smile, his eyes closed as he enjoys his caviar toast. As soon as he swallows, he speaks, “Hey sweetie, I made you breakfast. No need to rush. Let’s enjoy our morning.”

Slowly placing your bags down on the counter, then take a seat across from him. You’re a bit confused, but who are you to turn down a nice breakfast? Spotting the mug, you happily pick it up, making a pleased noise as you take a long sip. Turning your attention back up to Ike and giving him an appreciative smile. “You brewed my favorite tea, and you made me breakfast. Thank you. But what’s going on? Did I miss something?”

Ike’s smile doesn’t falter, but grows as he explains himself. “You didn’t miss anything, hun. I just wanted to make you something nice cause you had a bad day yesterday. Plus, I have something else for you as well…” He laughs at the confused squint you give him, causing you to lean over to poke him.

“What are you planning?”

“It’s not anything teasing, I swear. Here–” He motions for you to give you his arm– “roll up your sleeve.”

You blink owlishly, the confusion just growing, but you do as he says. Pushing up your suit jacket sleeve and relinquish your arm to him. Ike gently grasps your wrist and gently turns your arm so the inner side is up-facing, his free hand rummaging in his pocket for something. After a moment, he pulls out a marker and you tilt your head. “Are you gonna write on me? I don’t need ink poisoning, dear”

“Shhh, don’t worry, it’s non-toxic darling.” He then turns a bit in his seat, opening the marker and writing who-knows-what on your arm. With his attention fully on his task, you take the moment to take him in. The morning sun illuminates his face and focused smile as the maker glides over your arm. A few moments pass before he pulls the marker away, releasing his grip on you as he does so. As he re-caps the marker, you twist your arm so you can see what he’d done. Instantaneously, you feel your heart swell from what’s written there.

‘I love you, and I know you’ll do great today.’ It might have seemed small, but that simple phrase almost caused you to start crying on the spot.

Ike felt the slight tension leave his body as you took in his words, a radiant smile gracing your lips. Every day you worked so hard, and he sincerely appreciated all the effort you put into everything you do. In his eyes, you are such a strong person. It was something he’d respected about you even before the two of you had started dating. And to see you struggling both physically and mentally? It absolutely breaks his heart. So if he can help you build yourself back up, even just a little, he’ll feel highly accomplished. Not just as your boyfriend, but as your friend, too. His admiring of you was cut short when you rose suddenly. Confused, he called out to you, “Sweetie, is there somethi–oof!”

Cutting off his sentence, you embraced him in the tightest hug you could. It didn’t matter that you were standing, and he was sitting. The brunette, of course, hugged you back, one of his hands petting your back whilst the other rested on the back of your head. The pair of you embraced each other in silence, save for him moving you to a more comfortable position. With you perching yourself on one of his legs. Loosening your hold on him, wanting to look him in the eyes, you finally spoke up. “Thank you, Ike. That… really made my whole day. I promise that of I start feeling shitty at all today, I’ll look at my arm and know you’re waiting for me here.”

Ike reaches up to caress your face, love evident in his hazel eyes as he looks at you. “I’m very happy to hear that, darling.”

“I think I should get a little payback though…” Snatching the marker up off the table and mimicking what the novelist had done to you, making him chuckle. Ike humored you; allowing you to write on him in retaliation. And once you were all done, you pushed his arm towards himself, a proud look on your face.

Glancing down at his arm, adjusting his glasses as he read the words you put on him. “You make me happy every day, my smart cookie.”

You giggle as you watch him grow a bit flustered, and when he looks back at you, your mouth can’t help but curl into a goofy smile. His flushed expression quickly shifts to a content smile as he watches you. Returning his hand to your back, he rubs it soothingly. He leans forward, planting a peck on your lips. “Thank you, sweetie. Now you should eat. You’re gonna be late for work.”

Your momentary bliss is gone once you remember that you still have to go to work. Removing yourself from his space, you quickly sit back in your own chair, the marker you had picked up landing harshly on the table. Paying it no mind as you quickly settled into your breakfast. Ike just chuckles. Even when you're in a rush, he still finds you incredibly adorable.

After finishing your food, you chug down your tea, much to your dismay. Giving Ike another kiss before you leave for work. “I shouldn’t be home as late as yesterday. Good luck with your book, hun!” You speak as you walk briskly towards the door, fixing yourself one last time, before waving goodbye to him.

You were immensely grateful to have such a caring person as Ike to watch after you. On the way to work, you couldn’t help but think how lucky you were to have someone like him to love you. And Ike mirrored that thought. Smile still on his face as he cleaned up before making his way to his office. In your separation, you both look at your arms again and think…

‘Today’s gonna be a good day…’

─── ⋆⋅☼⋅⋆ ───

Likes are nice and we do appreciate them. However, comments/feedback is what really motivates us to continue writing. Even just a keyboard smash or emojis are a joy to see!

We do not allow our stories to be translated or reposted/shared anywhere. The only places our stories should be found are on Ao3 or Tumblr. Nowhere else.

#ike eveland x reader #luxiem x reader #nijisanji x reader #ike eveland #ike eveland fluff #nijisanji ike #luxiem #nijisanji #nijisanji en #nijisanji luxiem #x reader #gender neutral reader #gn reader #Written by Mod S 👿

[chunyaowo]

A snowy winter Night with ike~

Pairing: Ike Eveland X G!N Reader

Genre: Fluff

Words: 693

Writer notes: I wrote this a little while ago and now decided to finally post it :3 I had a few drafts in mind and wanted to bring it on paper!! It's not one of my best works, but I hope you like it nonetheless :]

It was a snowy winter night. You could feel the cold air breeze against your neck. You had a walk around the park with Ike, chatting for a while like you always do. Both, you and ikes hair are covered with snowflakes. It was a very cold winter night, and due the coldness you started shivering a bit from time to time.

"Y/N is everything okay? You've been shivering a lot lately… do you might..  want to take my scarf? I don't know if it helps that much, but it's better than nothing." You could see in the eyes of ike that he was sincerely concerned about you. His gaze filled up with worry and lenient.

"Oh, no it's fine really! And even if, you would get cold instead."

"PFF- me? Cold? I'm a Swede. I'm used to cold like this. And I'll insist for you taking my scarf. Please"

"No Ike, I can't accept that!" You were still so stubborn, not wanting to accept his offer.

"Stubborn as always, huh? If you don't want to take on  my scarf by yourself, then…"

Suddenly you're feeling ikes hand on your shoulder, pulling you close to him as your shoulders were touching eatchother now. You could feel your  cheeks getting a slight tint of red as soon as Ike pulled you so close to him. Your gaze wandered up to ikes, where you could see him taking off his scarf, wrapping it around the both of you. Keeping eatchother warm and fuzzy.

"Now you can't complain of me getting cold, can you?" He let out a soft chuckle as he's  holding his hand before his mouth.

You didn't knew what to say, neither how to act. So you just decided to stay silent in defeat and embarassment.

Ikes lips curled up into a warm and gentle smile. He couldnt help, but giggle of the sight you being so embarrassed by it. After a while as he glanced off to your hands, you could see his smile fading, as he's furowing his eyes.

"Y/N, are your hands cold? They seem very red…" ikes voice softened now as he spoke in a more gentle tone. Looking you into the eyes with a warm gaze.

"Oh, yeah I forgot my gloves at home, but it's alright! It's not that cold." You let out a nervous chuckle after looking away, trying to hide that you're lying.

Ike raised an eyebrow, not believing you a single word. His mouth left a sigh as his gaze was now more serious and spoke up in a calm voice.

"I may not have any gloves by me, but.."

Ike stopped talking as out of the sudden he reached his hand out to you. Inviting to take your hand in his.

"Maybe taking my hand will help to maybe at least give you a bit more warmth."

You looked right into his eyes, his gaze was gentle and filled with so much love. You could even see his lips escaping a warm smile as he looked at you.

Now you really couldn't decline his offer after all of that, can you? Your lips formed into a small smile as you went closer with your hand as you finally intertwined your hand with his. As soon as you interlaced both of your hands, you could feel butterflies flying around your stomach and feeling your heart skip a beat. Ikes hand in yours just felt so… warm and big. It just feels so right, like his hand would belong into yours.

After you continued walking and chatting for a while, you could feel ike squeezing your hand from time to time. Sometimes he even slowly caress your fingers with his thumb in a gentle and tender way. It was a beautiful moment, just for the both of you.

"Ike, just a question, but… why are your hands so warm when it's so cold like this…?" You tilted your head to the side, waiting patiently for his response.

"Well…" ikes lips escaped a small smile once again before he spoke up again.

"I think my love for you not only warms up my heart."

#ike eveland fluff #ike eveland x you #ike eveland x reader #fanfiction #ike eveland #luxiem

[tartigglez]

Yo!!

May I ask for "❤️" fluff promt for ike?

Thanks!

"ten-twenty"

・❥・i doth bestoweth upon thee a gift (sorry)

・❥・ike eveland x gn!reader

・❥・0.6k

・❥・lil domestic chillin, reader is staying over at ike's, he's a little nerd but what's new, mention of reader drinking coffee at the end if that's important, not really any content warnings, just hugs and kisses and l-bombs, enjoy! (ps. i colour matched the banner to his eyes but it still doesn't look like it matches his theme send help)

ike x ❤️

you were absolutely enamoured with him. just the way his features looked in the light, black rimmed glasses sitting on the tip of his nose as he rested his pen on his lower lip. the shades on the window split the light from the sun up into rectangular specks that glowed over his face, shirt and across the floor of his bedroom. 

you were sat in his bed, watching him think, keen eyes watching his hand move to sweep a piece of grey hair out of his eye as he wrote down in his notebook. drafting a poem, you thought. 

“whatcha doin’, ikey?” you tilted your head to the side a little, having just woken up to see him sitting at the desk across the room.

“oh, good morning sweetie. i was just writing a couple of stanzas before breakfast” 

“stanzas before breakfast?” you mocked him jokingly. He was so geeky, it was actually quite cute, seeing how his mind worked.

“oh hush” he giggled as he spoke. light, bubbly, full of admiration. he adored you. 

“fine, my lips are sealed!” you smiled at him, not that he would’ve seen it, since his head was buried in his notebook. 

he just laughed, writing another line. little did you know, this poem would be part of a very elaborate gift for your birthday. it was about how he saw you, how he perceived your being, your very soul. it was just… you.

moments passed, you just watching him work, content under the duvet of his bed. the comforter smelled like his cologne, a light scent, but still noticeable. it was a tad musky, but had berry undertones. it was delightful. he was delightful. 

if you had to describe the way you felt about him, other than being absolutely in love with him, the word you would choose is fond. and not in a mean way, not in a manner of you trying to push him away, simply in a manner that you could never be fonder of anyone than you are of ike. he was as sweet as honey, as calming as the ocean, and as loving as the feeling of- 

“will you stop looking at me like that!” he chuckled. he hadn’t even lifted his head, but he could feel your eyes on him, your mind getting lost thinking about him. you wouldn't know to look at him, but his heart was beating a million miles a minute, he was so in love with you.

“huh- like what~” you snapped out of your trance, realising he was talking to you. 

“like… like… i don’t know” he blushed, catching your eyes in his emerald ones, moving his hand to cover his face out of shyness. 

“like what ike,” you got out of the bed, moving to the back of his chair, holding his shoulders as you lowered your head into the gap of his neck, placing your chin on one of his shoulders before moving your arms to hug around his front. “like i’m absolutely in love with you?”

“yes! it’s distracting!” he laughed, closing his notebook and grabbing one of your hands in his and moving it to his lips, placing a few kisses over your knuckles. “I do love you though”

“love you too ike, but right now i think i might love a coffee more”

“hey!”

“kidding~”

© tartigglez, 2023. do not copy, translate or repost

#tartigglez 100 follower event #ike #ike eveland #ike eveland x you #ike eveland fluff #niji #niji en #nijisanji en #ike x reader #ike eveland x reader #luxiem

[ayoharuko]

Valentine Oneshots with the Luxiem boys~! (Part 4)

Heyy, its officially the end of Valentines (where I am) and I hope you guys had a wonderful one :)

Reader is gender neutral~!

Btw I used some Swedish nicknames that I think he'll call you as, I'll tell you guys the meanings at the end of the oneshot :3

REMINDER: Please know that I'm only writing about their persona’s and not the people thats behind them! This is also a work of fiction so please try not and take this too seriously :)

A little suggestive but nothing too much~

''The next short novel I'm working on right now is...inspired by us''

~Ike Evevland~ (Novelist)

For you and your dear Novelist Boyfriend, Ike Evevland. How you both spend your Valentines is going out to a cat cafe, petting the cats and just chatting, and then going back home to just chill.

Basically quality time that you both don't get that much since you both were streamers.

''Ikeyyy is the popcorn ready?~'' You ask whining from how long he was taking.

''Its almost done Älskling...patience..'' Ike said while taking out 2 cokes from the fringe.

After a few more minutes Ike finally came out of the kitchen and set down the popcorn and 2 cokes, you smile happily and took the remote asking him what he wanted to watch.

''Anythings fine, Raring'' Ike responded opening his coke, you think for moment and then put on classic 'Your lie on April' because you feel like crying with Ike this Valentines.

Ike looked at you with wide eyes and just slip more of his coke...

- Minutes later -

''Ikeyyy...why does it hurt so much!?'' You cried out sniffing, snuggling onto Ike's arms. ''Käraste...you were the one who choose this..'' Ike said sighing while petting your hair.

''But...I-i thought you'd cry too...'' You said looking up at him, Ike just smiles gently, ''I've watched this movie almost a million times, I'm used to it by now'' Ike said just smiling.

You pout and Ike just kisses you, you kissed him back forgetting the thing he had just said earlier...

'This cheeky novelist' you thought.

Soon after, you both started a makeout session, completely forgetting about the movie that was playing in the background.

Ike carried you to your shared bedroom, laying you on the bed and looking at you with love in his eyes...

''I love you my Skatten..'' He said before leaning in to kiss you more..

You nod into the kiss and just folded your arms around him, letting him take full control.

This valentines was the best. I mean yea you couldn't walk the next day and was sore but Ike also surprised you with flowers, a poem nd a short novel he wrote...

Just for you~

Done! Hope you guys like this~, now the nicknames mean-

Raring: Darling, Älskling: Loved one & Skatten: Treasure.

Byeee~

Reblogs and Feedback/Comments are always appreciated! :3

#luxiem #luxiem x reader #luxiem x y/n #luxiem x you #ike eveland #ike eveland x reader #ike eveland x you #ike eveland x y/n #ike eveland fluff #see you guys on my next post! #reblogs are appreciated! #feedback is appreciated #nijisanji en

[grotesquefave]

Hii May I request for your 200+ followers event SFW prompt 1 “helping you wear your necklace and kissing your neck softly” for Ike?

𝐫𝐞𝐧𝐨𝐬 𝟐𝟎𝟎+ 𝐟𝐨𝐥𝐥𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫 𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐧𝐭

thank you for requesting! cw: ike eveland x reader, fluff, a petname is used once

You sat at your vanity staring at your reflection, trying to will your nervousness away. Today was your two-year anniversary and Ike had been teasing you with a surprise all week. Whenever you begged for him to just end the suspense and tell you already, he would just laugh and tell you to be patient. A part of you wondered if it was gonna be the big question, the one everyone dreams of when in a relationship with the one they love. Of course, you couldn't just ask him that. what if he wasn't going to propose? What if he thought you were being weird and made things awkward?

Your cellphone buzzed, snapping you out of your thoughts. It was a text from Ike, letting you know that he was outside of your apartment building, punctuated with a blue heart. You smiled a bit, the nervousness easing up a bit. Grabbing your bag, you went to meet him outside. You shivered a bit as you looked around, giving him a smile and waving at him once you saw his car. Opening the door and appreciating the warmth coming from his car, you sat down. "Hello sweetheart." Ike softly smiled at you, leaning in to give you a kiss. You reciprocated it, only pulling away once you needed air. "I have a little something for you!" Excitement was evident on his face.

Was this it? Your heart started beating an ungodly amount. Ike pulled a long black box from behind his back. You calmed down a bit, trying to not let the disappointment to show on your face. So he wasn't gonna propose tonight. You had gotten all worked up over nothing. He opened the box to reveal a golden necklace, a small quill charm hanging off the end of it. Your heart filled with warmth at the sight of it.

"Let me put it on you." You shifted in your seat, turning to face away from him. He moved your hair to the side, resting the necklace onto your neck and snapping it closed. He lands a quick peck onto your nape, startling you a bit. The warmth of Ike's breath on your neck as he chuckled made you squirm a bit. "Shall we get going?" You nodded. Ike rested his hands on the steering wheel, palms sweaty as all hell. He eyed the arm rest, hoping you wouldn't need to open it. If you saw the ring box, he think he'd die.

#renos 200+ follower event #ike eveland x reader #luxiem x reader #ike eveland fluff #luxiem fluff

[brisquad-unit-4402]

Hello it’s me again! It’s been a while, I hope you’ve been doing okay. I recently have been reading through a lot of angst to comfort and I have an idea for a request!

May I request an Ike fic where reader is a liver in NIJISANJI and has a crush on Ike but knows they have no chance with him. Then one day reader accidentally spills their feelings to Ike and Ike comforts them after hearing about readers feelings?

I hope you’re not tired of me requesting Ike fics (ily him to much) and I hope you have a good day/night! <3

-🖋️

stars above your skin

oh 🖋 we're really in it now

how long have i had this request in my inbox? early march? and now exactly one day after blue light dropped, i give you a ~19.5k word ike fic. much love and effort has gone into this one, only seconded by the massive amounts of brainrot.

so yeah, i'm not tired of ike requests. i'm literally a quilldren that writes fanfic. this is the opposite of a problem

in fact this might be one of my favorite things i've written... the second half is such a good bedtime story for me...!

this is going to get NASTY to read on tumblr—as in my site is lagging so hard just typing these a/n notes. so i'm going to remind you all that not only is liking/reblogging recommended to keep track of this fic, but also that i have an ao3 account (same name as url but without dashsince it's much more accessible than tumblr for long fic. i recommend reading on tumblr if you can because of some formatting but to each their own!

here’s a funny story about this fic. i was working on it while a bunch of people sat behind me, you see, and one of my greatest irrational fears is that people sitting behind me will be able to see my laptop screen and laugh at what i’m writing…! and with these requests i usually title them the fandom name and my name, and a short phrase about the request, and this one was “workplace romance”, and i just got so afraid right then and there i changed it to the first thing i could think of, based off a clip i saw of pomu, selen, aia and doppio…!! and that’s why the wip doc is titled “nijisanji 4402 - pliskin”, and why i will always refer to this fic as "pliskin" much more than the actual title

by the way here’s a cover of iris that was pretty fitting for this fic. you’ll know when to play it. enjoy

tags: hurt/comfort, reader is a niji vtuber, gender neutral reader, off-collab, mutual pining, misunderstandings, fluff, angst with a happy ending, friends to lovers, cuddling, everyone in niji is your wingman, implied uki/ren if you squint but it’s mostly because uki will flirt with 80% of the men in this company

cameos: aia amare, alban knox, mika melatika, nina kosaka, ren zotto, uki violeta, vox akuma, fulgur ovid (mentioned)

⚠️ drinking/alcohol (unspecified if reader drinks alcohol)

⚠️ horror/gore mentions (non-detailed), out of context outlast spoilers i guess?

author's commentary here (spoilers) ↣

─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ───

There are dozens of these videos on YouTube, and never have you come across the same one twice. You would know. You have a bad habit of clicking on them. 

After all, they’re labeled with your name on them, and right next to it, Ike Eveland. You are smart enough to recognize it’s not worth your time and just another compilation of the same moments and fans trying to make a mountain out of a molehill, but your heart says otherwise. To be fair, the compilations were a much more recent development than the one you hid under lock and key. 

When you first joined Nijisanji, some of your senpais sent you messages full of greetings and offers to help you get on your feet as a streamer. Ike was one of those senpais, and whenever you popped into voice calls just to hang out, he was easy to talk to, like an old friend. Naturally, a fast friendship formed, and when you debuted, he was one of the first people you collabed with- and the one with the best reception. Your new fans (‘Bookworms,’ they called themselves, after your name Reader) loved how well your humor bounced off each other, and when weeks passed and you announced another collab on your schedule with Ike, your Bookworms rejoiced. 

Even when you weren’t working, you would still talk to him. He told you about his homeland in the past and his novels, both released and unpublished. He was a storyteller even when he was talking about something as minute as making a sandwich, and whenever you brought up your past and interests, he was an excellent listener. You had your differences, but he always knew what questions to ask so he could understand you better, and you loved the opportunity to ramble. 

It had been nearly three months since you debuted, and four if you count the day you were officially hired and began to build yourself as a streamer. Whenever you look at the endlessly long text history between you and Ike, you have to wonder: is it normal to feel so connected to someone you’ve only known for three-maybe-four months? 

You’re not an idiot. You aren’t about to say Ike is the most important thing in the world to you, but he gets pretty damn close. That terrifies you. You shouldn’t be so attached to someone you barely know. 

But then again, you trust Ike. He’s opened up to you about things he would never say to others, and he keeps your secrets buried in the grave. You’ve lost count of how much advice he’s given you, but you’ve never forgotten a single one, and whenever you feel lost about something you know you can count on him to help you out. 

You grimace, sip out of your drinking glass, and press ‘play’ on the next compilation. 

A cute intro plays with the clipper’s name. Above it are the words Pen and Paper, surrounded by puffy pink hearts. 

That was the duo name between you and Ike, but "ship name" was more accurate among fanwork.

You weren’t exactly unaware about it. Weeks ago, you were surfing Twitter and the site’s algorithm granted you your introduction into Pen and Paper. This was shortly after your first collab with Ike, and after you established your shipping rules with your audience (“I’m fine with anything, as long as the other liver is okay with it!”, you proclaimed, totally oblivious to how soon that would blow up in your face). The fanartist posted a messy black-and-white sketch, but you could make out the pattern of Ike’s scarf wrapped around you and him at the same time, forcing your bodies into close proximity with averted eyes and dusty blushes. 

You appreciated the fanartist’s passion and skill, but the thought of you and Ike as an item sunk in your chest like you swallowed a rock. You swiped past. You went back to your scrolling, found some good thumbnails, and retweeted some cute solo fanart, but before the week ended, you made a private account with a fake name and staked out the tags for Pen and Paper to follow that fanartist.

Damn fanartist. You tried to deny it, and told yourself that you followed their art because you liked the style. But their account was full of ship art, and when Twitter gave you similar users that all worked under the hashtag, you had to face facts. If you wanted to look at it optimistically, at least you figured it out early on before anything had the chance to sour while you were still blissfully ignorant of yourself; even then, that doesn’t make it any harder than it already is.

Besides all the texts, the meetings, the schedules and events, and then including the streams and collabs and the art and the fandom… 

“Why?” You ask out loud in the silence of your room. “Why did I have to fall for my coworker?”

And with audiences of over hundreds of people watching you fall for him, nonetheless!

It’s irritating. You have a job that keeps you motivated to work hard. It’s given you a dedicated fanbase, rare opportunities, and coworkers you all recognize as your friends. Really, finding someone to care for because of it should be a blessing, but it’s such a headache. What if your fanbases get jealous, or even worse, outright hate it? Would you be able to keep up a relationship when you and Ike are dedicated to your careers and streams? Why are you even thinking like this? You scold yourself. There’s no way this would ever work out. It’s all fantasy and smoke and mirrors, because fandoms love love. Shipping is never a reflection of the streamers, just the characters you play. You’re delusional if you think your stupid crush could actually go anywhere.

But fandoms love love. The only comfort you have is being able to pretend something could happen. The ship art is a lie, and so are the fanfics, and the clippers that tag their videos as Pen and Paper are just here for a possibility that never could happen.

The compilation is full of little hints and teases, and if you were being honest with yourself, most of it was more like two friends getting along than actual flirting. But you didn’t trust yourself to see your clumsiness for what it is when Ike’s little laughs are like music to your ears. 

Damage control, you tell yourself. It’s like studying how you play your favorite games. You can pinpoint where you stumble and leave yourself open for attack in Apex, Smash, even Crab Game, and then amend those mistakes the next time you pick up the game. Real life should be no different. Just stop acting so dorky all the time by finding moments of dork in your VODs and avoid them next time you talk to Ike.

This clip was from your second collab with Ike. Captions floated along the bottom of the screen. Ike's captions were in his signature blue.

IKE: You know, there’s a lot of content about us two as a duo.

READER: They call us Pen and Paper, right?

IKE: Yeah, my art tag is flooded with art of the both of us. 

READER: Oh my God, look at the chat. Mine’s full of people saying they love us together. 

IKE: Aww, thanks, Quilldren! I’m happy I can play with Reader too. 

READER: Thank you, Bookworms; thank you, Quilldren. Hey, there’s a lot more overlap than I expected.

IKE: They’re like Bookdren.

READER: Or Quillworms.

IKE: Quillworms, that sounds way better. They’re like our children.

READER: www

IKE: www

Never fucking mind about acting so dorky all the time. You kick yourself for bringing up Pen and Paper, and your giggly laugh. You hate it. A neon sign above your head that says “SIMP” would be less obvious than that stupid schoolkid laugh.

But Ike’s laughter is music, back in the moment and now as you revisit it, and his model’s eyes squint with a wide smile.

He really is an amazing man. If you didn’t know him as well as you do, you’d think he’s perfect. But you’ve seen him in moments of vulnerability, the parts of himself that never shows through on stream and even rarer among his friends. Through it all he manages to keep going, and you admire him so much for sticking to his guns even when he’s expressed all his doubts about himself. The fact that he trusts you enough to let his guard down only adds to how honored you are to know him, and at the same time, the fact that there’s so much trust between you two just makes you feel worse for having a crush on him. You hate keeping secrets like this when you let Ike read you like an open book for everything else, and even just wishing you were something more to him feels like a betrayal of all that trust. You wish you could just be satisfied to know him.

The compilation continues. The next clip is a totsu Fall Guys collab hosted by Fulgur Ovid that you and Ike joined in on. Fuuchan got eliminated early in the match, and spectated on you while the other livers ran around Roll On with players tugging them this way and that. 

You moved around the rotating levels at the perfect sweet spot between two rings, and balanced at the top of the roll as the slime level slowly rose.

A longer wall approached, so you shuffled from one level to another, but another player grabbed your bean avatar and dragged you along to the wall even as you yelled out in panic on Discord. You smashed your keys to struggle, but they had an advantage, and it was clear the wall would push you down to the slime for an impending elimination.

That is, until a familiar Miku bean grabbed the other side of your avatar, and pulled the other way towards the ring that would save your life. Resigned, your attacker backed off and barely dodged out of the way while Ike’s Miku bean brought you back to safety.

The other two livers in the game were too noisy to notice you. Fuuchan was commentating every move you made, and when Ike saved you, he said, “Ike coming in clutch, let’s fucking go.”

Your recorded self didn’t hear him at all, though. You swooned, “Ike, my hero!”

Meanwhile in the present, you wanted to puke. You meant for that to sound like an over-the-top joke, but you crush is getting so serious that it sounds less like a bit and more like how you gush about him in private. 

At least Fuuchan’s audio was louder than everyone else, since he was the host, and the other two livers were preoccupied with their own game to notice your lovey-dovey tone and how Ike laughed music at you. It was bad enough clippers transcribed your words in captions, but you weren’t sure how you would handle it if those three picked up on you and your dumb crush. The less that know about your workplace romance, the better.

.　 . • ☆ . ° .• °:. *₊ ° . ☆

“Reader,” Aia coos. Even with audio only, you could tell her eyes were sparkling. “You didn’t tell me you had a workplace romance!”

Well, so much for that plan. You froze over. “Who told you that?”

Mika answers way too quickly. “It’s Alban’s fault.”

“Fuck off, Mika, you brought it up first!”

“You said it though!”

Man, you were already starting to regret joining VC today. You finished your offline work a lot faster than expected, so when you realized that three of your close friends in the company were all online in VC together while Alban privately streamed a rhythm game, you figured you would join the call while you prepared dinner. 

But if that was your greeting, you needed to mentally prepare for the wild interrogation you were about to experience. At least Aia, despite her love for drama, knew how to navigate these sorts of things delicately. And you don’t mean to call Mika and Alban bad friends—they were the exact opposite, in fact—but they were much nosier than Aia ever came across.

“Okay, but Reader just asked who leaked it, and didn’t deny it,” Aia says. “So that means it must be true!”

Scratch that. Aia is the worst out of all of them.

“I hate you guys. No hello or anything, just gossip about my love life,” you lament.

She gasps, and if her eyes were sparkling before, then roses bloomed around her as she spoke. “It’s love?”

Mika shrieks like a banshee. “Oh hell no, you’re in love and you didn’t tell us?!”

“It’s not love. It’s nothing!”

“Nah-uh, Reader, no running away from it, we know,” Alban says. “Better to just get it all out in the open than pretend like nothing’s up.”

“You’re just saying that because you want to snoop.”

“I’m being serious. Keeping stuff bottled up deteriorates you, especially when love’s involved.” He missed a note. “Shit. And yeah, okay, I want some gossip, but I have a point and you know it.”

“Fuck you.”

“Fuck you, I blew a full combo just to say that!”

“Can I add? In case you forgot, Reader, we’re all in the same company,” Mika says. “Sure, I might be in a different branch, but who knows? Maybe we can help.”

“And fuck you too.” You sigh in defeat. As vitriolic as your shared humor was, these three were still some of your best friends, and you know they don’t mean any harm. “Ugh, I hate this. This is confidential information. Like, CIA levels of confidential. If I tell you guys, you can’t tell a single soul about it. Understand?”

The three all chime in agreement. And unfortunately, you trust them. You take advantage of your coworkers swearing themselves to secrecy to hype yourself up and just rip off the band-aid. “It’s Ike.”

“We know.”

“What the hell do you mean, you know?!”

“It’s obvious,” Aia says. Your heart hammers in your chest. Then she sputters for a moment, like she realized she might’ve hit a soft spot. “Well, you have to focus on it to see it, but once you see it, it’s hard to ignore. You two go well together.”

Alban pitches in. “Agreed. I’m not even gonna be subtle about it, you and Ike have great chemistry. I’m happy for you two.”

“Okay, I guess.” Your eyes drift away from your prepared ingredients to the corner of your kitchen. “But I don’t know. Are you sure? Because I feel like I always act like an idiot whenever I’m around him. And I doubt he’d ever feel the same way.”

“Wait.” Aia pauses. “You’re… not dating?”

“No. Just a crush. Not love, not dating, nothing. And it’s never going to be anything more than that because it’s just a big stupid crush on my coworker, who doesn’t even live close enough to visit, and this is all a recipe for disaster.”

She doesn’t say anything about that. Actually, none of them do. Even Alban pressed pause on his game, and the Discord stream went motionless as your words sunk in. 

Mika is the one to break the silence. “You’re shitting me.”

“That’s the truth. Happy?”

“No, like, you’re shitting me, there’s no way.”

“Mikaaa.” Alban drags out her name as he scolds her. 

“Hey, I’m just saying, that’s crazy, especially since—“

“Don’t tell Reader that!”

“Tell me what?” 

“We thought you were already a thing. You know, dating, in a relationship, whatever,” Mika clarifies. It hits you like a punch to the gut. “Or at least that you had something going on, and kept it secret so it wouldn’t be awkward for everyone else to work with you two. Which, by the way, we’re all chill with, so if, hypothetically, you decided to hypothetically go for it, we would hypothetically cheer you on and set off hypothetical fireworks. I’d rent a food truck.”

Alban resumes his game. “Yeah, what she said. Go get that hypothetical novelist bussy.”

“Don’t hypothetically talk about my brother like that.”

“You’re sure this is okay?” You ask. “Mika, I know you and Ike are close. This isn’t going to make anything weird, is it?”

“You’re fine, Reader. If I had problems, I would’ve cornered you and threatened you over text ages ago when I figured it out.”

“That’s another thing. How did you guys know?”

Aia pipes up first. “I know I said it was obvious, but I think that’s just because we know each other since we’re good friends. You two just go together, you know? It’s hard to explain, but whenever Reader and Ike-senpai are in the same room you think, ‘those two would be cute,’ and then you realize they are cute, right there in the moment. And you talk a lot faster on stream whenever you’re both on the same page. Almost as fast as me.”

 “Plus, it’s really common to see both of you on VC at the same time, and you’re always happy whenever he shows up,” Mika affirms. “Alban says whenever one of you enters the call the other is soon to follow.” 

“It’s true. You talk fast whenever you talk to him on VC too, not just stream. And your laugh kind of changes?”

“Dammit, I knew my laugh was my tell. This sucks. This seriously sucks.”

“It might not be all that bad,” Mika says. “Who knows, maybe things might end up better than you expect. You should tell him.”

“No way,” you fire back. “There no way he’d actually reciprocate. And I know you guys are fine with me asking, but Ike himself is just going to reject me, and it’s going to be awkward, and literally everyone in the company who has ever talked to us will be able to tell something’s up.”

“They won’t be weird,” Aia insists. “We won’t, either, and Ike-senpai is a good guy. Even if it doesn’t work out, he wouldn’t leave you out to dry like that.”

“You don’t know. None of you have ever been in this situation.”

“That’s true, but there’s always a chance.”

“If you ask me, it sounds more like you’re afraid of what you think would happen instead of what rationally would,” Alban says. He’s still laser-focused on his game. “I dunno. If you’re really set on getting over it, then go ahead and ignore it, but that’s just going to eat at you for who knows how long before your crush starts to fade.”

“Well, I didn’t ask.”

“Fine. Forget I said anything.”

You regret the acidic tone in your voice the second you said it, but Alban was off in his own world of music. He’d tell you if he had a problem with how you spoke to him, but you still feel gross about your knee-jerk reaction. 

You’re just… defensive. Yep, that’s the word. Whenever you’re this interested in someone, you put your walls up and protect yourself from letting anyone worm through and hit a weak point. 

Aia hums like an analyst. “Just keep it in mind, Reader. Not everything is out to get you.”

You know your friends just wanted the best for you, but things just aren’t as simple as they’d like to imagine it. It’s none of their business, anyways. It was pure coincidence that they figured out your thoughts on Ike, and that means none of them have any real authority to advise you on your love life.

“I think we’re done talking about this,” you assert.

“Well, you heard ‘em. Pack it up, show’s over.” Mika changed the subject. “Hey, did you guys know if you try to break open a freshly boiled egg, it explodes?”

Alban slams his hands on his keyboard so loudly that you hear the switches over his noise suppression. The stream goes from a string of Awesome! notes to nothing but misses as he abandons the game. “YES. Yes, actually, I DO know.”

.　 . • ☆ . ° .• °:. *₊ ° . ☆

“MEAT! WANTS MEAT! WANTS MEAT! MEAT!”

“AAAAAAAAHHHH!”

The stream is to the birds. Fuck that noise. Godspeed to the Bookworms, they’ll need it, but not nearly as much as you. 

When you were settling on a schedule, the last undecided spot for the week was Friday’s stream. That simply wouldn’t do. Friday nights kick off the weekend, and the break from school and work is prime time for a wide audience, so pretty much everyone in Nijisanji reserves their juiciest streams for the weekend. You’re no exception.

…Except for the fact that you didn’t have a clue about what to do for Friday’s stream. One Twitter poll and conveniently timed Steam sale later, you published your schedule with a game your fans voted on: Outlast.

You walked in knowing it would be a horror game, and you figured it would be fine. After all, you’ve played games from Chilla’s Art before, and a few quirky indie psychological releases here and there. You wouldn’t call yourself a stone-faced horror lover that can keep a straight face at anything, but aside from a few creepy moments in those game, you’ve kept your cool relatively well. 

Outlast threw all that out the window. You realized almost immediately that you had no idea how to handle the primal fear of the chase. 

Footsteps pound against a metal floor. You plead for help in the emptiness of your home as you smash the controls, as if that would make your character move the cabinet over the door any faster. Screams resonate in tune between you and the chained man in the room with you, and all the while, the howling of your pursuer grows louder and louder as he gets closer.

You finally uncover the door and dash through. Tremors run though all your thoughts while your heart beats overtime. 

You still haven’t gotten used to all the jumpscares, even though you’re at the edge of your seat and ready to start running yourself. A fork in the road approaches, and when you start off one direction, you’re greeted by a bloodied man in the distance. “AAAHH!”

Faster than light, you slam the key to the other hall and book it. You spot a new storage container to shove in front of the door just in time for text to appear on the screen: Look for pushable objects to block doors.

“No shit, why wouldn’t you tell me that before, oh my God, aaaaah!” The screams—from both the voice actors and your own cries—grate against your eardrums while chase music thunders in-between the gasps for air. 

As you grab the container and start to push, you mash the pause button. When the menu appears, you lean back in your chair and run your hands over your face. Your model pouts cutely while the real you whimpers. The mic barely picks it up.

You take a breath before groaning in fear and pain. “Guys. I don’t think I can do this…” Another groan as you trail off. “This game is so much. Give me a second.”

As you raise yourself back from your chair, it’s with a slump forward. Your chat is full of headpat emotes and hearts in your color, along with some quick words of courage. A few are recommending you take a break. “Thanks, Bookworms. I’m so afraid, but I’m committed and I don’t want to just leave it here.”

Your eyes flutter closed as you take a sip of water to clear your head. The cold drink startles you out of the dingy asylum atmosphere, but the screaming still lingers between your ears. “You know what? Who else is online right now? Maybe I need someone in VC to hold me to this.”

The emojis in chat slowly patter out as your viewers go back to text. Looks like most of your Bookworms like the idea of calling someone else while you stream the game. Some of their messages catch your eye. 

gatamiizuus: you can call ike :ReaderHeadpat: 

messXed-up!: ike!!

lunasmortas: what about ike?

A few more chats mention Ike, and while usually you’d be irritated they mentioned another liver out of the blue, your shoulders still relax at the sight of his name. “Wait, Ike? Is Ike here?”

You scroll back in the chat history, and search for any mod messages. Sure enough, barely a minute ago while you were still being chased:

Ike Eveland 【NIJISANJI EN】 ✓ : GANBARE!

You cling onto that message like a lifeline. Ike is familiar. Ike is comforting. And most importantly, Ike would never call you a pussy.

Chat floods over with his name while you check the official Nijisanji Discord server. Almost everyone in Nijisanji sets their status to offline by default, and Ike is one of them, but you still scan through the member list anyways, praying a little green indicator will light up by his icon.

His status doesn’t change, but before you can even click on his profile, your Direct Messages tab gains a notification. He just messaged you.

Ike Eveland: Watching your stream right now

Ike Eveland: Are you okay?

You exhale. Ike is the most dependable guy you know, even when it’s pure coincidence he was watching your stream while you freaked out. 

With your heart still in your throat, you respond.

Me: uuuuuuugh i guess

Me: the game is really scary

Me: i don’t want to cancel the stream but i don’t think i can play it by myself 😭

Ike Eveland: 🫂    | 🫂 1 |

Ike Eveland: Would you feel better if I called you?

Me: i was just about to ask    | 👌 1 |

Me: you don’t have to if you don’t want to tho!! i don’t want to be a nuisance lol

Ike Eveland: Don’t worry I offered to!

Ike Eveland started a voice call.

“Ikeee!” The second the call starts, all your restraint goes forgotten. “Ike, I was so scared!”

You babble on about everything you’ve endured up to this point: the gore, the grime, and the patients in the asylum that hunt you like animals. 

 “I’m here, it’s alright now,” he assures you. “I’m here, okay? Take your time, you’re safe.”

“Yeah, I know. I’m relieved. But it was so scary.” You sink and bury yourself in the collar of your shirt. “You’ve streamed this before, and kept a cool head the entire time, right? How do you do it?”

“Well, it wasn’t my first time playing, for starters. Everyone gets freaked out at first. It’s a horror game, Reader, it’s okay to react to it. I remember the first time I played it, it scared me so bad I had to quit after half an hour.” He giggles a bit at himself. The sound is comforting. “That was a few years ago. I think I had nightmares about it, until I realized I needed to know the rest of the story. ”

Your voice is small. “That was really brave of you.”

“I avoided it for days. I doubt that’s brave.”

“It’s braver than calling someone just to get the guts to play the game.”

“Hey, don’t put my friend Reader down just to bring me up.” He keeps his tone light to let you know you’re allowed to smile. “Being able to face your fears is plenty on its own, and you shouldn’t be devaluing that. How long have you been at it?”

“A little over two hours?” You glance at the stream monitor, and ignore the chat as much as you can. You still register the hearts in your color and his signature blue. “I don’t know. I did a lot of pausing, too, so it’s probably less than that…”

“But you were still able to stream for that long. Remember, I could only play for thirty minutes during my first time! You’re stronger than you think you are.”

You avert your eyes from your stream setup. You feel painfully seen, but the chat is nothing to you. “Doesn’t feel like it.”

“Then I’ll be here to remind you. Is that okay?”

“I’d like that.” You return to the screen, and in the darkness of the blurred labyrinth, you see your reflection stare back. Your hair is disheveled from how you kept thrashing around in reaction to the game and your shoulders are high with tension, but only now did you realize how the corners of your lips rose after the call started. Ike really got to you. “Thank you, Ike, you’re so considerate. I appreciate you a lot. You’re a really good guy.”

He chuckles slowly, soft like a blanket. Your shoulders ease. Ike’s words are just as soft, and if you didn’t know any better, you’d think he’s nervous too. “Haha, um. Yeah. Thank you?” He doesn’t take compliments well, but they’re true, and you hope he knows it as well as you do. He clears his throat. “Ahem. Um, how are you feeling?”

“Not great, but better. I want to try again.”

“You’ve got this, Reader, you can do it.” Ike is still quiet, but enthusiastic. “You can do it!”

You go shaky. “Okay, okay, okay, okay, okay.”

But you still press Return To Game.

And when you scream barely five seconds later, Ike is still calm, and you hone in on his voice as you persevere.

.　 . • ☆ . ° .• °:. *₊ ° . ☆

Just as you go to bed, you realize that you basically just made a fool of yourself in front of your crush by getting scared at a game he’s already conquered. 

You slam a pillow over your face and groan.

.　 . • ☆ . ° .• °:. *₊ ° . ☆

Ike lands an all-out attack just in time to check the chat and the swarm of viewers that just joined. “Oh, Reader! Thank you for the raid, it’s good to see you! Welcome, everybody.”

Reader 【NIJISANJI EN】 ✓ : take care of my bookworms for me? i’m getting milk

“Of course. They’re our Quillworms, after all.” You go fuzzy. He remembered the fan name! “Have a good break, Reader! Rest well.”

Reader 【NIJISANJI EN】 ✓ : 👍

It was the end of the week, and the stream you just finished was the last on your schedule. You announced a few days ago that you would take a break for a little more than two weeks so you could catch up on offline work as well as rest, and the Bookworms sent you off with a lot of love. It’ll be hard for some of your diehard fans, but you’re sure they’ll manage. You have a feeling it’ll be easier than they expect. 

“Speaking of breaks, I haven’t finished my schedule yet. I think I’ll wait a day or two to post it.” The stream cracks in red and black as Ike’s party in Persona 5 Royal clobbers the enemy Shadows. Monsters bleed out behind the protagonist’s cocky smirk. “I’ll be offline for the next two days, so I’ll have some time to think about it.”

Ike mashes through the battle results, and sets back off into exploring the palace. His stream fades into background noise as you get back to the task at hand. 

You sent a few messages to some of your other coworkers regarding your break. Next was finishing some paperwork for management, and reaching out to others that needed access to the files. Sure, your time off was for offline work, but the work you had to get done would only take an afternoon at most. You wanted to meet even the far-off deadlines as soon as possible so you could be properly free for the rest of your vacation.

By the time you finished your paperwork, your coworkers were able to respond to you. A group chat full of other livers had a new response every minute about the next two weeks, and Aia sent you a QR code that would let you save some time and money on your flight. 

Ike ended yet another super-long P5R stream just a few minutes after you grabbed all your luggage, got to the airport, and made it to your terminal. You had some time to kill, but you were sick of the headphones over your ears.

Not to mention, you were waiting for the fans to catch up on the real reason why you were on break.

Curiously, you log into your private Twitter—you don’t plan to interact with anything but you’re always paranoid about your online presence—and start searching for the code words fans think Vtubers have no idea about. Symbols replace letters and names morph into sounds while emojis speak volumes.  

The Stargazers don’t mention it at all. That’s to be expected, after all. Their oshi goes on break often, so nothing seems too out of the ordinary. Besides, you wouldn’t put it past them to have even more intricate subtweets than what you’re looking for.

Only a few of Nina’s Honeybunnies put the pieces together at first, but then you check Quilldren subtweets. As it turns out, when Ike mentioned he’d be taking a few days off, a few of his fans noticed how Nina was going to be offline at the same time, and a smaller fraction of those compared how Mika had yet to release a schedule. 

Underneath your face mask, you smile. With the career being dependent on both anonymity and your voice, you wore a nondescript black mask through the entire airport in case someone recognized you, just as well as to hide the tiny giggle that always bubbles up whenever you watch your fans scramble around theorizing. They don’t have all the pieces, after all. None of the Aiadmirers nor the Renvaders even considered it.

They’ll figure it out in time nonetheless. Uki and Nina are close to landing, and Aia was the first to disembark her plane. The rest of your friends are set to arrive after you, and besides, Vox should be ending his last stream of the week right now. You’re sure the Kindred will start plotting in the next hour, provided their oshi didn’t give them too big of a hint about his plans for the next week as he’s known to do.

You board your plane and settle into your seat, ready to nap the flight away. You’ll need the rest, after all. It’s about time you join an off-collab.

.　 . • ☆ . ° .• °:. *₊ ° . ☆

Nina doesn’t even get the chance to look away from her phone before she gets a rush of replies on her first voice tweet.

She doesn’t bother to read them anyways. She’s too busy howling out the lyrics to “Wannabe.”

It’ll be hard to discern all the voices. Ike’s high range is always easy to pick out, but Vox blends in as a bass, and you can always hear Mika’s grin through her singing. Ren and Aia are the furthest from the phone, and as loud as they sing, they’re still drowned out along with you, Uki, and Nina herself.

Mika chooses the wrong time to look around the karaoke booth. While Aia sings passionately about what she wants (what she really, really wants), her body language crumples and rises like an electrocuted high school theater kid. The ghost has a hiccuping, sweeping laugh that overpowers half of the singers, and then Aia snorts at herself when Mika covers her mouth, which gets Vox to snort even louder, and before you know it, it’s just Uki and Nina doing their damndest not to break. Even then, Nina’s voice wavers along to the Spice Girls as she resists a laugh, and Uki’s eyes are squeezed shut smiling.

.　 . • ☆ . ° .• °:. *₊ ° . ☆

The bar stool slides out from the counter so quietly that you wonder if the Airbnb owner knew just how handy it would be for a house full of streamers on vacation. You lean forward while Mika tells a story about how she, Aia, Ren and you went out for a coffee run, and crossed paths with some teenagers with matching Iluna keychains on their backpacks. 

Speaking of Iluna, their represents sat together on the couch. Aia set her plate and fork on the coffee table, not a single pool of sauce left over from the pasta dinner Vox and Uki prepared together. Somehow Ren made enough room in his luggage to bring along a teal ukulele, and idly strums along. Uki sits between Ren and the armrest, swirling the last of his pasta between his fork.

Across from them, Vox and Nina took ownership of two plush chairs that could only fit one person each. Each chair was next to a corner table, and they stacked their plates on top of one another to make room for a jug of orange juice and two cocktail glasses. Ike took a bottle of rum and poured it into his soda, then slid it back to the corner table before pulling up the bar stool next to you. 

“It was like, one of them had a clear phone case and held it out to show the others a video,” Mika says. She perched on top of the counter itself, next to her travel microphone and the second-nastiest kitchen stream setup you’ve ever seen. She was no Scarle, but so many wires stretched across the island and along the way that it was just easier for her to climb onto the polished granite to keep an eye on the chat. “Smack-dab in the center was a PNG of Vox. And then a bunch of tinier Voxes around it. And here’s how you know it’s bad, you could see the color of the phone itself through the case because it’s clear, right? It was red. Red! That’s commitment!”

“I’m telling you, Mika, there’s no way they got a red phone just because of Vox,” Aia says. “That’s got to be a coincidence.”

Vox hums into his glass. “No, they absolutely did. You mean to tell me your fans don’t spoil you rotten and buy new phones just because they’re your color?”

“My color is white, Vox, like every phone ever is my color!”

“Still, I’ve never seen Aia go so quiet so fast.” Ren’s ukulele twangs as he grins. His fangs were just as prominent in real life. “It was awesome.”

“It was scary, but funny,” you say. “We saw the Vox case and the Iluna keychains, and all of us just went silent. And we all had masks, too, so it was like, one moment you could hear Ren’s fuckboy laugh, and the second we saw the case, we all put up our masks and went quieter than the grave.”

Ren palms the neck of the ukulele and mutes the chord in mock offense. “Hey! I’m not a fuckboy!”

“Didn’t say you were, but if you want to out yourself like that, be my guest. They’d chop off your horns and sell them like Kyo.”

“One of them had an Aster keychain.” Ren bitterly resumes playing. Uki sets his plate on the table and drapes himself over the alien’s shoulder as he opened up his phone to check the off-collab’s live tag. The stream was supposed to be a live Q&A, but was so easy to talk to everyone that the questions often turned into conversation before someone remembered the stream. “If Aia or I said anything, we’d be fucked.”

“Imagine how fucked we would’ve been if Vox woke up in time to go with us,” you say.

Ike snickers. “Is it bad that I would’ve paid money to see that?”

The two Luxiem members get into a playful argument over who would win in a fight: all the effort Nijisanji and its employees put into protecting their privacy, or one silly phone case. Ren’s riffing turns into a simple rendition of “Iris” and Nina hums along from across the living room. The ukulele is slow and unique enough to not be mistaken for the original, but you wonder if those two would be able to avoid copyright entirely.

Nonetheless, the vibe is comfortable. You’re miles away from home, but in a room with some of your closest friends in the world, it’s like you never left. Truthfully, it’s more like you’ve finally found your place. The music just feels right, like it was written for this moment, and Aia leans back into the couch while Nina sways in her seat to the jaunty little ukulele. Ren looks as cheery as his instrument sounds, especially with a peaceful Uki nuzzled up to him. 

While Ike and Vox go at it, Mika props her chin up with both hands and watches them like a reality TV show. There’s a glint in Vox’s eyes as Ike drums up a snide response, the only sane man to the demon’s goofiness. He brings his rum and coke to his lips like punctuation, a silent so, what? hidden in the boozy soda. 

Vox knows how to run his mouth, and he launches into one of his patented anecdotes. While all eyes are on the demon and the chat hones in on his voice, you focus on how Ike tilts his head up to drink. His neck stretches out from the collar of his black band tee, and with each sip, his Adam’s apple bobs. 

You’ve always thought he was good-looking on stream, but he’s gorgeous in person, all long lines and graceful features, and cameras can’t capture the tiny little freckles drizzled down the back of his neck. You didn’t even know he had freckles. It was only after you saw him for the first time that you noticed pale, reddish dots all over his nose and cheeks, fading out by his temples and the arch of his lips. Spending the day walking around in the sun from place to place revealed more whenever the wind flicked his jacket collar out right. They scatter at his nape, right below the blue tips of his hair, and meet one another further down his back, or so you’d presume. Without the jacket, you can catch marks spread out along his arms with distance between one another, and his shirt sleeve starts right where the freckles cluster together. You can only imagine how far down they go.

You avert your eyes. You can’t think about what’s under the shirt when you’re sitting right next to him, and certainly not while on stream, even if chat can’t see you check him out!

Unfortunately, the side opposite of Ike is the one with Ren and Uki. Those two are idyllic. Without a care in the world, it seems. You envy how easily Uki can act on what he wants, even if you know he doesn’t see Ren like how you see Ike. Ren doesn’t mind it at all, either. He literally lives by the rhythm of his own ukulele. 

Ike lowers his drink with his eyes closed, as if it would make the refreshing feeling last longer. His eyelashes are the same ashen color as his hair. Gold gleams between his ears and on the chain of his glasses.

Possessed by the music, and distracted by the rambling, you become one with the background and lean along Ike’s arm.

It’s an indulgent dip into the waters, but shallow compared to all you feel for him. Ever since you met Ike in person it’s been easier to control yourself around him, and if anything, you’re reminded that this is the man you’ve gotten the closest to in both career and friendship. The only barrier between your cheek and his body is his shirt sleeve, but your arm rests against his forearm, right where the freckles taper off. There’s no resistance at all as you make yourself comfortable in the crook of his arm. 

But you hold yourself back. Even though the off-collab made you feel gutsier than before, you think that you’d pass out if you tried anything else. Besides, you feel so at peace against his arm, but too afraid to look up and see his reaction. 

The blend of peace and fear churns in your heart as it dawns on you: you were wrong to call this a crush. It runs far deeper than you could’ve imagined.

Vox says something with finality. His voice snaps you out of your thoughts, but the words go unregistered. As he spoke, his eyes drifted around with his body language, but he snaps to look at Ike expectantly. You swear his smirk gets a little more mischievous as he does. 

The air stills, even though you know eyes aren’t on you, just the man you lean on. It stays frozen as Ike waits to respond. You still don’t have the heart to look up at him and break your selfish, unrequited fantasy.

You just want to stay here, unresisted.

Ike deadpans. “Anyways.”

Just like that, the moment is over, and Mika laughing at Vox striking out clears the air around you. But Vox’s eyes fall to you for just a split second as he moves in his seat. Frost settles down your back at the thought that he knows, but there’s a solid chance he hasn’t connected the dots. You pray he hasn’t.

Then you see Fox Mom herself right behind him, and she shoots you a shit-eating grin with a hand over her heart and a glass in the other. 

No doubt about it. You’re screwed. 

The frost turns to glaciers and burns into hot shame all at once. You love Nina, you really do, and you’d always consider her a good friend before coworker. However, she’s known for fishing around for any crumb of fanservice, and she gets straight to the point whenever she eggs it on, not to mention how she loves to tease her kids on just about anything. You are never going to hear the end of this if she can help it.

You really don’t know what you expected. It feels like everyone’s staring at you, even the chat. You can’t help but feel bitter. How come Uki can flirt with as many guys as he wants, you wonder, but I can’t even touch Ike without getting eyed up? 

You know the answer, but it doesn’t do anything to help the bitterness and the embarrassment, and how much you want to hide. On instinct, you take advantage of the warmth and nestle yourself deeper into Ike to hide your face, just in time as he curls his head above yours.

Nina makes a sound kind of like a fork stuck in the garbage disposal for the briefest of moments before smashing her lips together and bringing her glass to her mouth like a mute button. As if you didn’t feel seen enough. 

“Find any other questions, Uki-senpai?” Aia’s nose is buried in her phone, and God, you could kiss her for changing the subject. As much as she poked fun about you about Ike, she was still a total angel and a ride-or-die all at once. 

“Oh, I have questions,” Uki says. Luckily, he’s graceful enough to leave it at that. “Twitter wants to know first impressions for everyone that hasn’t off-collabed before.”

Ren speaks. “I think the only person I’ve done an off-collab with before is Nina, so is it cool if I go first?”

Aia gestures for him to go on. She’s still stuck on her phone as he continues.

Your phone vibrates in your pocket, but you ignore it. Then again and again and again, and when you finally check it, you understand why. When Aia, Mika and Alban first heard you spill your feelings for Ike, they made a group chat dedicated to wingmanning—or at least, that’s what they pitched it as. They tease you more than anything else, and as irritating as it gets… you have to admit, it’s nice to confide in them, and nice to know they wouldn’t hold it against you.

Anyways, Alban’s going apeshit. 

Group Chat: 💙 PENANDPAPER REAL 2K4EVER 💕 (4 Members)

Aia Amare: image.png    | 📌 2 |

Alban Knox: AKDHSLSJDKSHSA

Alban Knox: AASDFSDF

Alban Knox: AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA

Alban Knox: AAAAAAAAAA

Alban Knox: HAAAAAAA AAAAAAAAA AAAAAAA KYAAAAAAAA

Alban Knox: 💕💕💕💙💕💙💕💙💙💙💕💙💕💕💙

Alban Knox: 🥳🥳🥳🥳🥳

Alban Knox: HOW ARE YOU GUYSS NOT LOSING YUOR MINDSA BOUT THIS

Aia Amare: I AM

Me: omfg did you seriously get a picture of us 

Alban Knox: WHAT ARE YOU DOINGGGGGGG DONT CHDCK THIS GC    | 👆 1 |

Me: wtf did you expect you’re spamming 

Alban Knox: YOU AR ELITERALLY CUDDLNG GO FOCUS ON THAY JOT US

Me: we are not cuddling

Alban Knox: YOU ARE

Aia Amare: YOU ARE

Mika Melatika pinned a message.     | 🖕 1 |

Me: mika wth you too? 😭 

Mika Melatika: image.png

Me: did you srsly take a selfie with us in the background

Mika Melatika: YES this needs to be immortalized

Me: you people suck    | 🥰 3 |

Alban Knox: GET THAT NOVELIST BUSSY!!!!

Aia Amare: As if you aren’t about to save that picture yourself~

Alban Knox: NOVELUSSY!!!!!!!!!

Fuck, she got you there. You cast a pointed look at the angelic maiden herself, or at least as pointed as you can be with a man you’re scared to love wrapped around you. She looks as satisfied as a cat pushing a glass off a counter. 

You set your phone on ‘do not disturb’ and placed it behind you on the counter with a huff.

“Reader, honey, how about you?” Nina leans forward, half-lidded and as sultry as ever. She swirled her drink around in its glass. “It’s your first off-collab ever, right? I’d love to hear what you have to say.”

“Oh, well, um.” Your brain struggles to catch up. “First impressions, right…”

Aia slips you a thumbs up. You’re going to rip her a new one after this. Her, and Mika, and definitely Nina; this is the most subtle Nina’s ever been but you can tell she’s fishing for an answer here. You can take your friends figuring it out, embarrassing as it is, but you are not about to expose yourself to thousands of live viewers. 

“It’s kind of crazy actually meeting up with everyone,” you start. “I’ve known them for so long, but all online, and being able to match the voice to the face in real life, I don’t think I can actually describe it. It’s kind of surreal, but it feels so nice to just talk to them in person. Aia, Nina and Uki were the first people I met up with, and man, those three are a sight. I know everyone says it, but Uki is absolutely the most beautiful person I’ve ever seen. Nina and Aia are really pretty, too. Hey, Aiadmirers, did you know when your oshi laughs, she looks just as cute as she sounds?”

Aia yells. “Reader, shut up!”

“Then stop being so cute all the time, you dork!” 

“I’m not a dork! I’m cool!”

You resume, satisfied with your revenge. “Mika and Vox are both really chill. They’re kind of quiet, so if you’re just walking by, you’d think they’re two normal people just going about their days. But whenever we talk it’s always something insane. Vox sounds like a dignified gentleman and Mika is kind of like that cool girl that you want to be friends with, but if you actually pay attention, Mika’s showing Vox a picture of her insides during surgery while he’s reciting something about the Bite of ‘87. And Ren is probably one of the most straightforward people you’ll ever see. He’s so optimistic, and really expressive, too, even though most of the expressions are all different types of smiles.”

“What’s your impression of Ike?” Nina asks.

What does she expect you to say to that one, that screens can’t capture how the sun glitters through his glassy green eyes? Hearing him say your name in-person sends shockwaves through your body? How you want to kiss every little freckle he’s never mentioned before and keeps hidden under long sleeves, even though it’s the beautiful skin he lives in daily?

“Same old Ike. He’s exactly like how I expected,” you say. A total fib. 

She cocks her head. “Really? Even after all the time you’ve spent together?”

“I’m trying to hang out with everyone.”

“You haven’t answered my question.”

Cornered. Nina takes a long, slow drink from her glass as you scramble for a quick answer that won’t immediately out you. “Whenever I talk to Ike, he’s really emotive. You can tell what he’s thinking before he says anything. He also has a good sense of style, so he’s fun to go shopping with, and honestly, fun to do anything with. He’s someone you can always have a good time with, and always makes you feel so comfortable around him. Ike’s magnetic.”

Mika muffles a coo behind you. You’re going to kill her if you survive this stream.

“That’s very sweet, Reader,” Nina replies. “Hear that, Ike?”

“Yes, I did.” He sounds strained.

“Got any feelings about it?”

“Yes? I mean—er, thanks?” You feel Ike’s head rustle. “I, umm. What am I supposed to say about that?”

“I don’t know. I just think that about you, that’s all…”

“Aww, cute. I love that you love each other,” Nina muses. 

Ike spits out, “It’s not like that!” Just as you admit, “Yeah, I guess so.”

You process his words too late, though, and even as you sputter the ukulele music cuts out just in time with Nina and Mika’s unfiltered fangirl squeals. Ren’s palms mute the chord as his eyes go wide. Aia is already on her phone with her jaw to the floor and Uki throws a look at Nina while he mouths, did that just happen? 

“I-I mean!” Your throat goes dry and Ike lurches away from you when Vox gleefully shakes Nina like a rag doll. “I—wh—Ike, I mean, of course I love you—“ Mika screams again— “As a friend!”

When you turn to face Ike, he’s curled up into a ball on the barstool with his shirt collar over his face. Even as you feel the blood rush to your face, you keep shouting. That’s all you have left. You’re live. “Like, we’re best friends on and off stream and I love you!”

He mutters something, but you can’t tell what. Only his neck and the tips of his ears poke out from his shirt. Were they always that red?

You repeat yourself. “I said, we’re best friends and I love you, so much!”

“And I said, I know, thank you, I love you too, Reader!” Ike jerks out to face you as he cries. He looks like a tomato. 

Then he buries his face into his hands and squeaks like how he always does when something’s too cute to handle, or he’s got too many emotions he needs to let out. “You can’t see me, I’m too embarrassed. I’m hiding forever and I’m never coming out.”

You hope the ground swallows you up and you never have to confront this moment again. 

Uki hisses under his breath and muffles Ren's ukulele. You don't know what he said, but you realize all too late that the alien prince himself was laying down the first few notes of “Fly Me To The Moon.”

While you slump and fold your arms over your face on the counter in pure embarrassment, Aia stands up and commandeers the mic. She slaps a hand over Mika’s mouth to muffle the scream. “Man, bummer that Ike-senpai is gone from us forever, but you know what else might be gone forever if you don’t get it now? The sponsor for this stream, our current limited-edition Nijisanji voice packs!”

And as much as you could kiss her yet again for changing the subject, you can’t get over how everything blew up in the last five minutes, and groan into your arms instead. 

.　 . • ☆ . ° .• °:. *₊ ° . ☆

The stream passed, luckily, without a hitch after that. No one asked any questions, but it was pretty damn clear everyone in the room had an idea of what just happened, and the impending shitstorm. In fact, it was so clear that when you stalked off to your room to sulk, no one made a fuss, and when you realized ten minutes into your sulking session that you left your phone on the counter, you figured it wasn’t worth it to show your face again until after you finished your pity party. 

The entire time, you laid in your bed with a pillow over your face so you could pretend like you were being absorbed into the sweet embrace of death. Overdramatic, sure, but you figured you were justified. 

Without your phone, you had no way to check exactly how bad the fallout was on Twitter. The poor Pen and Paper tags were sure to be flooded with fans imagining a happy ending to that stint you’d never be able to experience yourself, like salt in the wound. Not to mention, it was a huge seven-person off-collab! It didn’t just end with the Pen and Paper fans. No, it would extend past the Bookworms and the Quilldren, and certainly to the rest of the fandoms with an oshi in this Airbnb. Maybe even the offshoot viewers who don’t regularly watch your content, but made an exception for the off-collab, or, you know, the ones who have no idea who you or Ike are but can’t get enough of the whole accidental-confession-live-on-stream thing. Forget Nina; the entire Vtuber community is never, ever, ever going to live this down. 

Ike sounded so distraught, too. You wanted to kick yourself for it. Not only did you make a fool of yourself, but he got caught in the crossfire just because you didn’t catch yourself slipping. Not like he’d reciprocate anyways. He’s always been bad at taking compliments, but you keep thinking about how embarrassed he was about you loving him. 

All your frustration and humiliation coursed through the darkness under your pillow, and you stew so bitterly that you don’t even dream when you fall asleep. 

You just wake up groggy and exhausted, but too restless to go back to sleep. You look out the window, and the stars have barely come out to play in the early night sky. 

As much as you’d hate to admit it, that impromptu nap made you tired of brooding. Besides, you can’t hide from your friends forever. Hopelessly in love or not, they’re still your friends, and even if you decided to stream during the trip, this off-collab was always about spending time with them instead of worrying over your online presence. 

It takes you half an hour to hype yourself up, but eventually, you open your door and step out into the hall. 

You can already hear voices further away in the Airbnb. You place one of them as Nina, and after her, a baritone that could only belong to Vox. 

“…Fuck Twitter, they’re going to forget about it in two weeks or less anyways.” You overhear as you walk down the hall of rooms and closer to the living room. You’ve heard Vox passionate before, but never this serious as well. “Besides, what exactly did they say?”

A mumble. You can’t place the words, but you bristle when you recognize the voice. That’s unmistakably Ike. 

“See? Again, I’m so sorry. I was out of line, and I forgot my place. I shouldn’t have interrogated them like that,” Nina says. “But you’re overthinking what they said.”

Another mumble. By now, you’re in the kitchen. You lift your phone from where you left it, and hold your fingers over the half of the screen where your notifications appear as you check the time. It’s barely 11 PM. 

The kitchen and living room are connected, with plenty of seating space all around. That was why Mika’s travel laptop was still on the counter and plugged into the wall from the stream earlier, but on the other side of the wall from the kitchen, you noticed an open window and silhouettes from it. Four people sat on the shallow roof overlooking the uneven ground plenty of feet under the building. A pair of fox ears twitch at the night wind as they watched the stars grow brighter in the sky. 

You look through the fridge. You’re peckish, but if you were to be honest with yourself, you’re trying to stay quiet for a reason. 

There’s a huff. “Oh my god, dude. Just tell Reader already.”

You stand up a little straighter. Mika was with them? Were they talking about you?

“There’s nothing to be said, Mika!” Ike huffs back. “I’m screwed anyways. Just drop it, okay? I don’t need this getting in the way of what was supposed to be just a normal trip.”

“You can’t keep running away forever. Just act like an adult and tell them. It’s going to be fine, I swear.”

“And how exactly do you know that?”

“Well…” Mika trails off. “I can’t say. I just know, okay?”

“Uh-huh. And I know I’m screwed.” The wind rustles outside. You stay motionless. “Just two weeks. Can I please just have two weeks where I don’t have to worry about this until the trip is over.”

It’s a question, but he says it with such exasperation that no one can consider any other answers. 

“Fine.” Nina relinquishes. “Have it your way. I’m just worried for you two.”

“It’s going to work out, Ike. But I’m tired.” Vox stifles a yawn. “Tomorrow is going to be better. Let it go for the night and come back to it once you’re in better shape, and just remember. It’s going to work out.”

“Thanks, Vox.”

“Now get in here.”

You hear shuffling fabric before the two men start yelling. Vox cackles while Ike cries through gritted teeth. “Dang it, Vox, I’m going to shove you off this roof!”

“Get ruffled, idiot! That’s your fault for trusting me!”

“I just wanted a hug!”

You snicker under your breath. Vox loves to ruffle Ike’s hair despite the latter’s protests, though he tends to accept it instead of shove him off like anyone else that would dare. Besides, as dreary as Ike sounded during that conversation, he nearly sounded like his old self as Vox and the others laughed.

“I think I’ll go too. Mommy needs her beauty sleep.”

“Mm, I’m still pretty awake. Wanna keep looking at the sky with me, Ike?”

“Sure. Here, Nina, let me move out of the way…”

Shuffling turns to footsteps, and brings you back to reality. You busy yourself looking through the paltry groceries.

The sound of footsteps gets louder and louder, until they become a hollow click on the hardwood floor. Nina crawls through the window, but stops in her tracks with a startled noise.

You turn around and nod as casually as possible. “Oh, hey, Nina.”

Vox is also halfway through the window, and his eyes go comically wide as he forgets how to move. “Oh. Hey. Reader. Fancy seeing you here.”

“Yeah! Um!” Nina coughs long enough to make you uncomfortable. “What are you doing here?”

“Took a nap. Got hungry.” It’s not a lie. You grope around in the fridge and breathe a sigh of relief when you see a stick of string cheese in your hands. “You guys just hanging out?”

Nina nods. “Yeah, we were on the roof. It’s getting late, though. You should get some rest for tomorrow—“

Vox elbows her. “But not after looking at the sky for a little bit. It’s beautiful. Very clear. Romantic, even. The architects did a wonderful job placing this house right at the perfect angle to watch the stars rise. Did I mention it was romantic?”

You act natural and take a big bite out of the string cheese. “Once or twice. Is it the seniors’ bedtime?”

“You got me,” Vox says. 

“I love going to sleep early and giving my kids private time before bed to reflect and hold deep conversations with one another about their feelings,” Nina says. “And also nighttime face masks.”

“Woo, skincare, what she said.” 

“Hey, by the way, Reader, honey, did you hear anything we talked about?”

“No,” you lie.

“Cool,” Vox says. You eat the rest of the string cheese in one bite. “Good for you. And goodnight, Reader.” He dusts himself off before casting his golden gaze down at you. “Be nice, will you?”

Shivers go down your back. You have a feeling he’s referring to something unspoken. “I will.”

“That’s my sweet thing,” he purrs. “Anyways, I’m going the fuck to beddy bye. Honk shoo, Reader, don’t stay up too late.”

Vox struts off with dark hair flowing behind him and the scent of his aftershave in the air. He leaves you to stand awkwardly next to Nina. 

Suddenly, she takes you by your shoulders and forces you in front of her. You blurt out an unflattering startled noise before she gets right up in your face and stares dead into your eyes.  

“Please be good,” she says darkly. Was that a threat? “Please be so, so good to my baby.”

“I will,” you say, more out of fear than anything else.

She blinks once, then she’s back to the doting mother you know and love. She squeezes your shoulders. “Thank you, honey! Sweet dreams!”

And just like the Voice Demon before her, Nina bounds off to her room. 

Huh. That was weird. Nonetheless, you’re alone in the living room, and you can see the outline of Ike and Mika sitting on the roof in silence. 

You lightly knock on the side of the window. They both perk up at the sound. “Cool if I join you?”

Mika responds quickly. “Sure! Watch your step, Reader. The roof isn’t that steep but it would be awkward if you ate shit.”

“Agreed.” You step onto the tiling, and shift your body to match the angle. You feel like a newborn deer learning to walk. Luckily, Nina and Vox leaving meant that there was more than enough space for you right next to the window. 

Ike sits between you and Mika. “It’s pretty, isn’t it?” 

“Yeah…” 

‘Pretty’ is putting it mildly. The stars are so clear tonight, and scatter across the sky like sequins. The Airbnb was located further away from the heart of the city, so the darkness only amplified how bright the stars shone against the stark night. A breeze drags through the air and fallen leaves rustle between the grass. 

“This is so nice.” Comfort settles into you like the breeze in your hair. “I love it.”

Ike sighs. “Right? It’s so peaceful.”

“And there’s so many more stars out here than there are in the city.”

“It makes you want to just zone out and cool down.”

“Yeah, totally.” Mika coughs. “Huh! Cool! Well, I’m tired now. Just keep staying out here and enjoy the sky, I’m going to bed. Enjoy yourselves.”

Mika inelegantly shuffles around your bodies and slips back inside before either of you can properly tell her goodnight. 

Ike cocks his head as he watches her stumble through the window. “She just said she would stay out…”

“Hm?”

“Ah, nothing. Just thinking to myself.”

With the extra space, Ike leans back and lays along the roof. The stars cast a dreamy glow over his soft smile as he continues. “It really is something that just makes you want to have a deep conversation, or just think, you know?”

You hum in agreement. You get what he means, but there’s only one topic you can imagine having a deep conversation about right now, and it’s the very one you brooded over earlier that day. 

But Ike is Ike. He’s rational and calm and kind, and laughs at your stupid jokes, and texts you first before any of your other mutual friends. The night turns the tips of his hair bluer than usual, and the stars remind you of the freckles hidden along his creamy skin. His glasses reflect the galaxy above.

Even though today’s stream was embarrassing, you know Ike trusts you enough to tell you if you’ve ever crossed a boundary. After all, it’s commonplace to discuss limits on and off stream as soon as possible, and your friendship was so strong that you’ve both opened up to one another. He’d let you know if the whole cuddling thing was too much. Besides, he didn’t resist. He even rested his head on yours. That has to account for something, right?

You snap out of your thoughts when you feel a gentle tug on the sleeve of your hoodie. It’s Ike. He asks, “Lay down with me?”

A wave of fondness washes over you like the tide. He’s cute when he’s earnest like this. You get as comfortable as you can on the tiling, and when you still, you hear something shift before your hand grows warm. Ike scooted closer to you, and placed his pinky finger over yours. 

This is bliss. A beautiful sight with a beautiful boy next to you. Your best friend. 

“I do love you,” you say. 

It just feels right to say. 

Ike is silent. He doesn’t make a single sound as you stare up at the stars and the blackened sky. The breeze rocks a tree, and as the leaves part, you see the moon for the first time: one thin, waning crescent that blends into the darkness. 

Ike’s head is turned away from you. You can’t tell what he’s thinking at all. 

“…I don’t know what you mean,” he admits. “You do? As a friend?”

“We’ve always been friends.”

“Just that?”

“I don’t know what you’re asking me, Ike.”

“N-never mind. I’m sorry, am I making it weird?”

“No, you could never make it weird.” The colors of the view gloss together. You feel like a balloon slowly deflating. “Feels like that’s all I’m doing lately, though.”

Neither of you say anything. 

This was a bad idea. 

You swear the rustling leaves mock you. 

“Wait.” Ike practically snatches your hand up. “Wait, Reader, are you saying you like me?”

“Yeah. I’m saying that I love you.”

Ike stares at you, and if you had to choose just one word to describe his expression, it’s stricken. His mouth is slightly parted, and his shocked eyes drive holes through your skin, leaving you exposed. The brief stutter that escapes him sounds like it was dredged out from frozen, murky waters. “I—”

He drops your hand and turns away. 

“I’m sorry,” he finally says, barely audible. “This is… this is a lot.”

“I’m sorry too, this was a stupid idea. What was I thinking?” You get on your feet, but the slope makes what could’ve been a fluid motion into a stumbling, slow rise, as if your legs weren’t jelly enough already. You inch to the window mortified. “I think I should go. Sorry to bother you.”

You don’t dare to glance at him before you step back inside, not even when he calls your name halfway through the window.

Once you’re back in the living room, you cover your face, then drag your hands through your hair. You can’t even begin to describe how exhausted you feel. This is heartbreak, isn’t it?

You blink furiously, and the outline of a figure by the fridge comes into view. 

“Reader?” Mika asks. She has a stick of string cheese in her hand, but walks to you. “Reader, what happened—”

You take her empty hand and pace to your room. You open the door. “Are you okay?”

The second it shuts, your breath hitches. Mika doesn’t hesitate to take you in her arms. She holds you as the first tear falls, and you begin to cry.

.　 . • ☆ . ° .• °:. *₊ ° . ☆

You wake up the next day sprawled in your bed, even though the blankets are tucked comfortably around you. On the floor is a pillow and another pile of blankets, and when you recognize the dark hair tied into a loose ponytail, the memories of last night come rushing back.

What an awful night. Awful decisions all day, really, and all of them ones you made. You really don’t know what you were thinking. You groan at the memory.

“Reader?” Mika perks up. Her phone is in her hands, but she sits up level to your face on the floor. “Good morning. How are you feeling?”

Another groan.

“Yeah, I figured,” she says. “Nina, Vox and Ike went out to do their own thing, and I think Ren and Uki are cafe-hopping. It’s just you, me and Aia in the house right now.”

You rub the sleepy out of your eyes. “That’s cool, I guess.” You cast a downward glance to Mika’s makeshift bed on the floor. “Sorry for being a nuisance.”

“You’re not a nuisance, Reader, don’t say that.” She nudges you. “We’re friends. It’s what friends do. Speaking of, do you want Aia to come by? And Alban’s online, so I can call him, too. If you want.”

“It’d be nice…”

Less than ten minutes pass before Aia shows up at your door with breakfast sandwiches and orange juice. All three of you sit on the blanketed floor while Mika voice calls Alban on her phone. A pot of coffee brews over speakerphone as you recount last night. 

“...And to make things worse, we just streamed yesterday,” you explain. “God, I should check Twitter. There’s got to be a million people with eyes on our ship tag, and ugh, I hate thinking about how many weirdos are going to push a ship that can’t work out IRL.”

“I can check it for you,” Aia offers. You hand her your phone. “You remember your Twitter password?”

“Yeah.”

“Cool. Sorry in advance.” She deletes the app off your home screen.

You begin to protest, but she turns off the phone and sets it aside, out of your reach. “You’re off the clock, Reader! Work troubles can wait until you’re back online, and that includes doomscrolling. You can redownload it when you’re in a better headspace.”

“I really hate admitting you’re right.”

“Shit, Reader,” Alban finally says. “He seriously dropped the ball. I’m sorry.”

“I know. I really thought he would get it, but it took him so long to piece it together, like he never thought about us like that before. I should’ve known it was just me. I’m so stupid.”

“You’re not stupid, you’re hurt,” Mika says. “It’s understandable, but that still doesn’t make it hurt any less.”

“Is it wrong that I feel like I deserve it? I mean, I knew day one that this wouldn’t work out. We work together online, and we have fans that ship us with each other and the rest of this company, for fuck’s sake. Getting heartbroken was inevitable and I still went for it. Either I’m a glutton for pain or I’m just plain clueless.”

Alban’s voice is distant from the phone as he messes with his coffee maker. You can’t properly hear him under his breath and over the pot, but if you could, you could’ve heard him mumble, Trust me, you’re not the only clueless one here.

But he returns back at the phone, and you’re totally oblivious. “You can’t choose who you fall for,” he says. “It was really that bad?”

“It took him like a minute to realize I was confessing. And then when he realized it, he apologized to me.”

Aia straightens. “Did he say no?”

“Not really, but why would he apologize if he reciprocated?”

Aia exchanges a look with Mika. Alban grumbles. “No fucking way.”

“Tell me exactly how he reacted,” Aia instructs. She plowed through her sandwich during the conversation, but she left the remaining half on her plate forgotten as she laced her fingers together and leaned forward like a calculated boss. 

“It was like he couldn’t comprehend what I was saying at first. He asked if I meant it as friends, until he asked me if I liked him. And when I told him I loved him in response, he was so shocked that he let go of my hand, so I left.”

“No fucking way,” Alban repeats, and groans as he drawls out his words. You can practically hear him drag his hands over his face. “No fucking way. Ikeeeee. He seriously dropped the ball.”

“I know. I can’t believe it.”

Aia takes both of your hands in her own. “Reader, I’m not even saying this to hurt you, but this is the clumsiest confession I’ve ever heard of.”

You squint. “Right, that makes me feel so much better.”

“I’m really not! You know what this sounds like? Miscommunication,” she declares. “You didn’t get a solid yes or no. So now it’s going to be awkward between you two until you get an actual answer to the confession, or at least some kind of resolution. You wanna know what I think? It sounds like he didn’t even believe what he was hearing before you left. Which, by the way, is a common response to not just confessions but other major news, so chances are you didn’t blow up your friendship as hard as you thought.”

“She has a point,” Alban says. “I believe you, Reader, but Ike isn’t the type of person to just crush other people’s feelings like that. You just woke up, right?”

“I haven’t even left my room yet. Mika says everyone else is out of the house. He’s with Vox and Nina, I think.”

“So then he hasn’t had a chance to talk to you since the confession,” he continues. “And those three are really close. I’m willing to bet they’re helping him manage it, ‘cause it sounds like he’s going through it just as confused as you are.”

You stare at the floor. Hope feels foreign, yet you can’t help but wonder. You struggle to remember the exact way Ike reacted last night, but you really can’t tell what facts were clouded over by the rejection. A rejection that possibly didn’t even happen, mind you. The confusion and regret blurs over everything like water on wet ink.

“You really think so?” You quietly ask.

Aia nods, and Alban agrees over the phone.

Mika pipes up, a glass of juice in her hands. “Here’s my take. We can theorize as much as we want, but none of us really know what Ike’s thinking about, least of all you. Especially since you didn’t actually resolve anything, and that tension is going to eat at you until you get an answer or it actually damages your friendship. You ask me, the next best thing you can do is bring it up.”

She takes a sip of her juice and leaves you to absorb her advice. 

You mull it over along with the memory of last night. “He called my name as I left.”

Alban chokes on his coffee. “He called your name?”

“Yeah, but I didn’t respond.”

“Oh my God. READER!” He shouts so loud that Mika turns the volume down. “I’m going to lose it. I’m actually freaking it right now. Reader!”

“What?”

“Fuck what Mika said earlier, you are stupid!”

“Hey!”

“I’m saying this in the nicest way possible, you are so stupid. He was trying to talk to you!”

Your face goes through a handful of emotions as you sputter. “Are you serious, Alban?”

“Yes! Mika, Aia, back me up.”

Aia crinkles her nose. “I did just say it sounded like a total miscommunication.”

Meanwhile, Mika twirls a lock of red-and-black hair between her finger, distracting herself. She hesitates, trying to figure out exactly how she wants to say her piece, before she simply shakes her head and stills. “Just talk to him.”

“Which is easier said than done.” Your shoulders roll back as you stare up at the ceiling, your hands supporting you as you lean. Even with your friends’ encouragement, the memory of how hard you blew it last night still haunts you. It’s even worse than starting at ground zero; you’ve already tasted failure once, and you’re hesitant to embarrass yourself again. 

That stricken look Ike gave you flashes across your sight every time you blink. What was he thinking when he stared at you like that? You can’t tell if the disgust is true or if your anxieties are getting the best of you.

The best solution to anxieties, however, is looking at the facts—or at least, what isn’t tainted by your bias. Your friends mentioned there was nothing wrong with a workplace romance, and as much as the stream made you want to cringe, no one seemed put off by it. Alban and Aia are set on getting you and Ike to talk, and so is Mika. In fact, Mika spoke with Ike as well as Vox and Nina last night before you entered, and even if you had no idea what those four were talking about, you still picked up your name and that apparently Ike had something to tell you.

Pieces start to fall into place when you consider the three around you, staging an intervention over a late breakfast. Aia always gets you in situations where you can be close to Ike and bails you out when it gets awkward, and as much as he won’t get off your back about it, Alban gave you great advice between all his teasing. Mika was nosy at first when she learned about your feelings, but now that you think about it, she’s been incredibly tactful ever since the off-collab began. 

You can’t help but snicker as you connect the dots. “Is this the first time you guys actually started wingmanning for me?”

Aia purses her lips. “Hey, not the first. Remember when we made that group chat? We’ve always been your wingmen.”

“I know. But you guys are seriously helping,” you say. “Thanks. Though I do wonder, Mika…”

She perks up as you say her name. “Be real with me. Do you know more than you’re letting on?”

She flinches. Alban’s fingers snap over the phone. “Busted.”

Mika holds her hands up like a criminal caught in the act, but there’s a loose, sly smile hanging on her face. “I don’t think it’s my place to say.”

“What do you mean, it’s not your place to say?”

“I’m sorry, Reader, but I made a promise not to spill, and I’ve been doing way too much behind the scenes to break the promise like that. Just do me a favor and talk to the guy, will you? That’s the best I can tell you.” Mika rests her head in a hand, and the smirk looks even more knowing. “And if you can’t figure it out after that, then you’re definitely stupid.”

You bluster. “I’m not stupid!” 

“Still remains to be seen.” Aia gently flicks your forehead. “But you do look a lot better. How are you feeling now?”

Aside from the fading pain on your forehead? You’re surprised at how much lighter you feel now that you unloaded all your worries with your friends. The rejection still stings, and you’re not exactly confident, but, well, you’re smiling. The clean, tangy taste of orange juice lingers between your tongue. Aia and Mika sitting on the pile of blankets reminds you that regardless of your love life, they’d stay by your side until the bitter end, and Alban’s voice keeps you connected with your friends no matter where in the world you are.

You snatch Aia’s half-eaten sandwich off her plate and sink your teeth into the bread. She cries out in protest. “Hey!”

“Better now.” You set the sandwich back where you found it. Even though your future with Ike looks cloudy, the smile doesn’t leave. “Don’t flick me.”

“Speaking of.” Mika picks up the phone and scrolls through her messages. “Nina just texted that she, Vox and Ike will come back in an hour or less. Reader, are you up for this?”

“What do you mean, ‘up for this?’”

“Just seeing Ike again. It was a weird night,” she says. “I stand by what I said, but if it’s going to be too much too soon, then Aia and I can cover for you until you feel better.”

“I don’t know.” That’s what gets your expression to sink from light to thoughtful. “I think I want to take your advice. I just don’t know if I’m ready to talk it out yet.”

“Still wanna hang out with us or take a moment to yourself?”

“I think I’d just go back to moping if I was alone,” you joke.

“Cool. Let me go grab some nail polish Nina gave me yesterday.” Mika rises and strides to the door. “You have a steadier hand than me. And Nina said the color suits me more than her.”

Aia’s face lights up. She happily cries ”Girls’ night!” even though it’s barely noon and Alban is decidedly not a girl, but then he croons something in a valley girl accent so strong you can’t even tell what he’s saying. Scratch that; he’s a girl by association.

When he drawls out one long “Yaaaaaas, bestie!” you can’t help but laugh. Your love life is in shambles, but at least your friendships are solid as hell. You’d give the world for these three.

Mika returns a moment later, travel-sized nail supplies in her arms and a totally unrelated topic on the mind. The sharp scent of the lacquer startles you out of your thoughts as you uncap the bottle and Mika splays her hands out, and Alban and Aia air their opinions on something entertainingly dumb. 

Nina was right: this color is stunning on Mika. You paint Aia’s nails too, and halfway through her second hand, you hear the front door open, the end of an intelligible conversation, and telltale footsteps, each diverting across the house. The girls’ eyes flicker to you. You know they’re trying to read your expression, but you concentrate on how the brushstrokes pool together into one smooth coat. Your thoughts are a storm and you can’t even pick out the emotion commanding it. 

So you keep joking along instead and focus on the nail polish, refusing to give the storm an opportunity to strike. Alban quips off of you, and the moment passes as Mika and Aia return to the conversation. 

That is, until half an hour later when you hear a knock on the door. Mika cocks her head, a silent question, and when you nod she stands. Her nails dried when you finished Aia’s, and dot the doorknob as she cracks it open. A tiny margin of light from the hallway shines into your room, and you realize she positioned herself square in front of the threshold, shielding you from the person on the other side. 

She talks evenly. “Hey, welcome back.”

“Thanks. Is Reader here?”

Your mind thunders as you register the voice. You can only see the leg of his jeans behind Mika, but you recognize Ike’s voice on the other side. 

Aia shuffles by as a second shield. “Need them for something?”

“Kind of,” Ike says. “Do you mind if I talk to them?”

“I don’t know, what’s it about—“

“Aia, you can lay off him.” You call from your corner of the room. “You too, Mika.”

“Whatever you say. Just let me just grab my stuff…”

Mika grabs the nail supplies and deafens on Discord, but doesn’t even think to pick up the blankets along the ground. Instead, she glides to you and whispers under her breath. “We’re rooting for you. Send us a text if you need anything, okay?”

You nod. Aia slips past the threshold, but not without shooting you a thumbs up and mouthing ‘good luck.’ Not even a second later, your phone buzzes, and you catch Alban’s contact sending you an encouraging message in all-caps. 

“See you later!” Aia chirps. “Play nice, you two.”

The scent of the lacquer follows them as they leave, and the sound of their footsteps fade in time. 

Still in the doorway, Ike raises a hand to fidget with the chain along his glasses. “Do you mind if I…?”

“Oh! Come in. Sit anywhere, I don’t mind.”

You stay planted on the floor like how you were with your friends, and Ike sits next to you. You face the wall in front while he gets comfortable.

No words are exchanged as Ike maneuvers around the blankets, and eventually settles down with his back on the floor and head resting on a pillow, staring up at the ceiling. The light is off, but the blinds filter in thin beams of sunlight that cross over the room and the edge of his collar like a grid. 

“Lay with me?” He asks. Then it strikes you like ringing metal; you sit next to each other in the same positions as that night on the roof. 

Suddenly Ike raises his hands like static. “Not that you have to! I just figured it would be good to get comfortable and all, you know?” Ike hastily explains, then clears his throat. “I wanted to talk. About last night, I mean.”

Your chest flutters at the mention of it, but you remember all your friends’ encouragement. Here he is, the novelist of your (heartbroken) dreams, already bringing up the topic you dread to mention. You need to take this chance to face it head-on, now or never. 

You glide down like the ceiling is full of stars. “Okay. What do you want to talk about?”

“A lot, honestly. I don’t know how to go about it, but first of all, I wanted to tell you that I’m sorry.”

You cross your arms. “You said that enough last night.”

“Not like that! I mean I’m sorry I acted the way I did. I think I made every wrong choice once you said that you… that.” He shovels a hand through his hair. “I’m making it weird again. I should apologize for that, too, it’s just kind of embarrassing saying out loud that you, um, you loved me. Not that you should be embarrassed. I mean, I get it if you are, but that took a lot of guts. You should be proud of that. I admire you for that.”

“Slow down. What are you even saying?”

“What I wish I said last night. More than anything else, I’m sorry I got caught off-guard. I must’ve been so standoffish, because my idiot brain just didn’t believe what I was hearing until it was too late and the damage was already done.” Hair the color of ash and ocean falls over his face. “Honestly, I can’t believe it now.”

“I get it. Bad idea from me. Can we move on from that yet?”

“I don’t think it was a bad idea at all. I just had no idea that you liked me.”

“Give me some time and I’ll get over it, eventually. I’m not going to let it get in the way of working with you, if that’s what you’re trying to get at.”

“No, that’s not it either! I—“

Ike’s eyes squeeze shut. His voice is so quiet, you can’t discern what he’s saying. “…Actually, I’m…”

“Repeat that?”

“I’m happy. Really happy,” Ike says. His pitch rises like a balloon floating up into space, struggling to stay composed. “I’m not good at saying it, but I meant it when I said… when I said it during the stream.”

You wave a hand in the air. “It was weird timing, and I know you mean it like a friend,” you reply. “I didn’t mean to pressure you into saying it, and just being friends is fine. Even though I’m a loser that messed up just about everything.”

The hand catches in midair. Doll-like fingers weave through your grasp, and turn your touch warm as Ike turns to look at you. “Not with me. Don’t say that about yourself, okay?” 

You stare at how easily he held your hand, and how his fingers cradle your heart between the palms. The corners of Ike’s eyes are narrowed, two beads of peridot stone that can see through every little line of text between your pages, but there’s gentleness under his glasses. Something uncertain and fluffy. Softened like a lamb even though he leaves you defenseless. 

You don’t know what to say. Ike is beautiful and kind and handsome and thoughtful when he’s earnest like this. He’s got you stupid in the head and wrapped around his pinky finger, and doesn’t have a single clue.

Peridot sparkles. “You’re so much more than that. You don’t mess things up, Reader. I’m in love with you.”

Your mouth goes dry and your tongue is still tied. Forget speechlessness; the man took your own damn thoughts away. Your hand remains frozen in air with Ike’s. If it weren’t for the light drag of one of his fingernails along your skin, then you would have figured he took your senses as well.

But the drag ends, and the fingers unlace themselves, and chilled air fills in the gaps Ike once held close. The tips of his fingers rest at the curve of your palm for just one second more before they drift away.

The glint in his eyes dulls. His hand falls to his chest, over his heart, just as slow as he parted. The uncertainty took over, and now it’s like staring at a cloud that doesn’t know if it should rain. Ike’s gaze lowers to his heart. There’s a stretch of silence and motionlessness as he stares at where your touch once was, and you’re paralyzed where you lay.

Ike's hand curls in on itself, too loose to make a fist, and his lashes sink over his eyes. His mouth is set into a flat line, but the cheeks are dusted in pinks and reds and peppered freckles in-between, demure and shy all the while.

He turns his face away soon after that. Another break of silence, and he shuffles again, with your vision on his back as if it were a hiding place.

It startles you out of your stupor. The gridded sunlight lets you analyze what you missed. After months of thinking your feelings would never be reciprocated, Ike thought of you just the same. He’s always been in your corner, and you would go to the ends of the earth for him, and everything is in its perfect position. But his back is still turned, and the memory of last night—your confession, and his inaction—it rushes to your head.

So you reach out instead.

Maybe it’s a little selfish. You’re tired of bumbling around and concealing your true feelings, and now that everything's out in the open, you aren’t about to let go without resolution.

But Ike is your best friend, and the man you fell in love with. There was no way you’d ever let go in the first place.

You wrap your arms around his back and hug Ike.

“I think I get why you were so taken aback last night,” you whisper. Even though you’re alone with Ike, you still say it like a secret. “I can barely believe it myself.”

Your warmth is inviting, and every second that passes is another defense downed. Your head perches right above his neck and along his shoulder. It’s not your first hug with Ike at all, but there’s only been so many since you first met him in person that it still feels special, and with your bodies flush to the floor, it’s intimate. His eyes are averted and one cheek lays down on the blankets, but the tips of his ears glow scarlet under his jewelry. 

“I’m glad you were patient with me. I really didn’t think I had a chance with you. You know, the long distance and the company, and you know, the standard pining fare. I’m really lucky.” A smile slips through your words. “I’ll stay with you, okay? So take all the time you need.”

Ike chuckles. Even his laughter is blushy-bashful. “I’m just so happy you feel the same, too. I don’t even know what to do with myself.”

His body curls as he lays, and your legs brush along his as you cuddle. Holding him makes it feel like he was made to fit in your arms. You sigh. “I love when you can’t contain it. It’s so cute.” 

Ike squeaks at that, and unwittingly proves your point. “It feels so good to say that out loud. I mean, you’re okay with it, right?” A nod. “And you’re okay with… I don’t know. Are we still friends?”

“Of course we are, no matter what. You said you loved me first, so let me say this one?” 

You have a feeling you know what’s coming next. You hug him even tighter.

“Reader, let’s go out. I don’t want this feeling to end,” he confesses, and your world turns into rose and blush. “Can we?”

Though you expected it, he still takes your breath away—until he taps you on the hand. “Come on, say something before my heart explodes!”

“Mine already did! I can’t even think straight, and—I’d love that. I really want this.”

Another squeal breaks out as Ike buries his head into a blanket, and your heart soars as he melts. He resembles a swaddled-up kitten, and the rays of sunlight line his silhouette. The fluffy blanket reminds you of an angel’s downy wings along his kitten features. You can’t even see his face between the blanket and his hair, but his squeal continues, muted through the blanket as he swoons. 

Somehow that only makes you feel even more flustered. “No, don’t hide! I want to see you!”

Maybe it would’ve been better for your heart if he stayed put, because when Ike rises—with disheveled hair and glitter in his eyes the color of seaglass, and jewelry that frames his red face, and that galaxy of freckles you hold so dear and shine like stars between his blush—you feel your heart stop. Again.

“When did you start having this effect on me?” You ask, mesmerized, and before you know it you thumb over one of his rosy cheeks. “Your freckles are so beautiful.”

He sheepishly grins. “They don’t really show up online. They’re pale.”

“Never noticed them until I met you in person. I love them. I love you.”

The grin gets a little wider. One of his fingers grazes along the corner of your ear. Has his hand always been along your jawline?

Ike’s eyes are shining under the grid of sunlight. The lashes flit just a bit lower from your gaze. “Reader, can we…?”

You close your eyes.

And when Ike’s lips graze your own, you smile on instinct before you remember to kiss back. 

Ike brings you near, searching for the taste of you as he continues. His touch lodges past your jawline and into your hair, and when one of the fingers grazes along your ear you’re reminded just how much you love Ike. All the yearning you hid for so long bleeds through as you sink down to his level with his head in your hand, gentle yet impassioned.

Then your face bumps against Ike’s glasses. The kiss breaks as you back away.

There’s a brief pause in the aftermath. Ike wordlessly adjusts his glasses, now knocked off-center. Despite finally getting on the same page on your relationship with Ike, you’re still as clumsy about your feelings as ever.

But the corners of your lips curve up as he inspects the lens you squished, then a barely-stifled giggle, and next thing you know, Ike’s laughing along with you, still underneath your body and with one hand in your hair while the other holds his glasses in place. He sounds as charming as he looks, and the fact that he joined you even when you chuckled out of the blue means that his mind is just as charming as well.

Not that it was breaking news. You know your best friend well, and now that you don’t need to deny your feelings any longer, you know you’ve got good taste if Ike’s under you with crinkled eyes and hearty laughter.

When you speak next, the giggles patter out between your words but the quiet delight hangs in your teeth. “Can we try that again?”

Then his lips are on yours again, and the laughter twists between the second kiss, and the third, and the fourth, all the way until you collapse on the blankets with arms around each other, staring up at the stars on the bland popcorn ceiling as adoration fills the space between you. 

─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ───

bonus.

─── ･ ｡ﾟ☆: *.☽ .* :☆ﾟ. ───

Starting soon…

.　 . • ☆ . ° .• °:. *₊ ° . ☆

The chat flickers alive as a four-pointed flower, a diamond, and a thorned heart give way to the stream and the novelist behind the stinger. 

Kaidororero: welcome back ike!

Min (Ikey’s Book): 💙 IKEY IS BACK 💙

A normal broom: HI IKE

lunasmortas: 💙💙💙

viperip: ike! :_heart: :_heart: :_heart:

Sun shines through a clear day in Ike’s room onscreen, but in reality, blackout curtains block out the day outside. A sweet smile graces both Ike’s face and his model as the Quilldren welcome him home. 

He greets them, and cracks open a can of soda as he quickly scans through the chat. Obviously, the off-collab is on everyone’s minds. 

juuuuuuuuuus: did you have fun?

Kaidororero: offcollab POOOG

lunasmortas: SO CUTE :_heart: :heart:

Johnclone: Hope you had a good time!

zZirasthingZz: PEN AND PAPER REAL

Hm. A mod will eventually bonk that message. But then again, it’s inevitable that the ship would come up in chat. 

Ike takes it in stride and ignores it like any other shipper, but his heart still skips a beat. Nonetheless, he doesn’t call any attention to it. “How about that off-collab, right? I met up with my friends! Where do I even begin?”

Ike recounts his trip from the beginning, and the Quilldren react to his stories with interest. He was one of the last to arrive, so Nina, Uki and Reader picked him up from the airport, and met up with Aia, Ren, and Mika at the Airbnb. Vox was the only one to arrive after him, hot off the heels of a flight delay, but the demon was a welcome party all his own despite his exhaustion. 

“We went to karaoke once Vox got situated,” Ike explains. “Nina put that song in first so we could all let loose, and so she would have a fun voice tweet for everyone. Might as well confirm everyone that showed up, right?

“But after that, we didn’t want to stress ourselves out to perform for voice tweets instead of just having fun, so that was the only song we recorded. I wish you could’ve heard Uki and Vox’s duet, though. And while we were singing, turns out Ren packed a ukulele with him! Sometimes he would learn how to play along by ear, like a jam session. Mika knows how to play ‘Somewhere Over The Rainbow’ too, so everyone joined in singing that while she played it. It was so much fun.”

Johnclone: Everyone sounded great!

sunblast99: uki’s voice >>>>>> everything else 💜💙

haabinae: :_tskr:

Festersk: WHAT I REALLY REALLY WANT 🗣🗣

A normal broom: what did you sing?

Ike leans back in his chair. He blows a lock of hair out of his sight as he tries to think. “I remember Vox sang something by George Strait, so then we all egged him on to sing ‘Country Roads.’ He only did it once I promised to queue up ‘Toxicity’ by System of a Down afterwards.”

lunasmortas: OMG 💙💙💙

gatamiizuus: ayo?

Y A M: YESSSSSSS :_tskr: :_tskr:

haabinae: I LOVE SOAD :_fanboy:

Thornmy: SO COOL 💙

“Thank you.” He says it out of obligation. If he thinks too hard about the compliments, he’ll get embarrassed. “What else was there? I think there was some Motionless in White, and Spiritbox. Oh, and My First Story. Can’t forget My First Story.”

K. K. Soda: ooooo

Alban Knox 【NIJISANJI EN】 ✓ : what about mcr

asper ch.: METAL SCREAM?

deeboorgur: HI ALBAN

Y A M: MCR YEAAAAA  :_glowstick_1: :_glowstick_2:

“I’m getting there, Alban!” 

Ike takes a sip while the Quilldren greet Alban. He’s not too surprised Alban seems to know more than the other viewers. He’s close with almost everyone that went on the trip, and was super active on Discord during the off-collab. The novelist lowers his soda as the chat floods in orange hearts. He wonders how Alban learned so much as an observer. He should ask. 

But that’s a question for after stream. Ike continues. “Thank Nina for that. She queued up ‘I’m Not Okay’ by My Chemical Romance, and then shoved two mics in my hands and Reader’s.”

And the chat explodes. 

Kaidororero: OMGGGGGG 💙💕

Y A M: PEN AND PAPER SO CUTE :_tskr:

zZirasthingZz: PEN AND PAPER DUET

asper ch.: AYOOOO MCR

gatamiizuus: I LOVE READER

ystariya: PEN AND PAPER MY BELOVED

“It’s a really fun song! It’s almost all clean vocals, but there’s this scream in the middle. Up until then, we sang together, but then I screamed, and Reader picked up the slack and sang the parts of the verse I couldn’t. They’re amazing.”

gatamiizuus: READER SIMPS COME GET Y’ALL’S JUICE

Thornmy: THAT SOUNDS SO GOOD

lunasmortas: 💙💕💙💕

ystariya: READER KARAOKE STREAM WHEN

Kaidororero: AWWWWWWW

The model on the screen doesn’t have the same glint in Ike’s eye when he talks about you. That first day of the trip was all about getting comfortable after long travel hours, and the stories went on as the days went by. Sightseeing with Aia and shopping with Uki by day, and spending the night shooting the shit with Ren until it turns into the littlest hours of the morning.

“Vox wanted to try a bunch of different restaurants with me, but you know me, ya boi is not good with most foods. So Nina usually came along in case I couldn’t finish something. She and Vox would share my leftovers.”

Something fond crosses over Ike’s face. His eyes cloud over in fog descending over a clear-sky day. “We would always talk over food about anything. I appreciate it a lot. They really get me.” The fog stills. “And over breakfast one morning, they gave me some excellent advice over something I’ve been meaning to do.”

ver*batim: ❤️💙❤️

K. K. Soda: MILORDDDDD

nroneo: :_heart:

A normal broom: upcoming project? 👀 

Johnclone: I love Nina Kosaka!

“Not a project, no. It was something I was really worried about, even when I was supposed to be taking a break with my friends,” he says. “But those two seriously helped me clear my head about it. Mika, too. Vox and Nina had a lot of nuanced advice, but Mika told it to me straight, and helped handle what I couldn’t. I’m really thankful to have them.”

His set jaw loosens. “Maybe I’ll talk about it one day.”

The model cocks to the side. Motion blurs the foggy sobriety away. With a lightness to his voice and a knowing gaze, Ike looks straight into the camera and smiles, sentimentality forgotten. The air clears. “But for now, it’s a secret~!

“Ah, now where was I? Spending time with my friends, right? Reader and I hung out often. Sometimes with others, but it ended up being the two of us more than not.”

Birds chirp outside Ike’s window in time with the hum of his PC. The backlit keyboard in front of the monitors glows the same color as the computer, a healthy blue light that tints the tips of his fingers. He usually sets it to a rainbow spectrum in his own time, but static blue is reserved for going live. It gets him in the right mindset for streaming, and makes his little apartment feel fantastical like the noble background that accompanies his model, even if it only reaches his fingertips. 

He’s sure the Ike on the screen has fingertips tinged with blue just like him, an extension of the man outside the screen but without the grittier details. Smooth, pristine hands under gloves where his are callused from guitar playing. Nothing under the model’s eyes but lashes and a line of red that brings out the pink in his eyes, very much unlike the heavy bags and sunken face from an awful delay on his flight back home. No freckles, either, but even cameras rarely pick them up on video call. Nina cooed over them the first time they met, as motherly as ever, but behind closed doors Reader was utterly fascinated with them. They mentioned something about watching blush travel around his face with the smattering of freckles in-between once or twice… maybe more? Doesn’t matter when he’s never heard that before and it repeats in his head when he catches himself daydreaming. It’s one of the best things he’s ever heard.

Vtuber Model Ike’s face doesn’t heat up like how Real Ike’s certainly is now. He clears his throat. “The weather was really nice during the entire trip, so we would always get into good conversations while walking back to where we were staying. And sometimes we didn’t want to end the conversation, so we’d just keep walking past our Airbnb until our feet hurt or it got dark, whichever came first. 

“Oh, here’s something funny. Uki really loves cafes, right? Usually he woke up early with Ren to go check out some cafes in the morning, way before the rest of us would even think of waking up. By the time everyone else woke up, they already finished their breakfast, and Uki would tell Reader about the ones to visit or skip. Whenever Uki recommended one, Reader always wanted to go themselves, so I went along to keep them company.” 

Even as his skin returns to its original shade, the sweetness sticks to his throat like the soda he’s barely touched at all. He’s wistful. He didn’t expect to miss Reader this much; after all, his relationship with them has bloomed so much ever since you first started working together, but two weeks together (including mutual close friends) changes things. It’s only been two days since he returned home, but he feels out of rhythm with them. 

He’s gotten too accustomed to them. Over the last few months, he thought he did a good job putting aside his feelings for Reader, even when Nina would tease him after every Pen and Paper collab and Vox and Mika would be right behind her, hyping him up to make a move. The fear of rejection was what motivated him to keep his close friendship with Reader without ever confessing to them.

“Reader…”

The world around him is nothing. Paused to buffer as he thinks. He can’t remember the last time he felt so happy. Just being in the same room as them makes him feel stupid, and surely he’s been acting like it. Everything he says sounds clumsy when he’s with them. After all, on that day when he owned up to the feelings he repressed for so long that he couldn’t properly react to Reader’s confession, he couldn’t say much more than how happy he was. Words fail to describe what Reader means to him, yet he’s a novelist, for crying out loud! How ironic!

“...Reader is so patient with me,” Ike says. “And they’re so considerate and dedicated. I wish I told them that earlier. It’s hard to say things out loud like this, but you only meet people like Reader once in a lifetime if you’re lucky, and even then, there’s no one quite like Reader.”

ystariya: i love reader

Kaidororero: pen and paper awwww

Y A M: PEN AND PAPER

acklmystafoot: ike is so sweet!!!

Reader 【NIJISANJI EN】 ✓ : 💙

“Aaah!”

Ike recoils like his keyboard is flaming lava. The model on the screen leans back and freezes in place while he nearly throws himself out of his chair. “R-Reader! What are you doing here?!”

Reader 【NIJISANJI EN】 ✓ : FKJLJJSLKFJDKS LMAOOOOOOOO

Johnclone: Hello Reader!

Y A M: OMG

Reader 【NIJISANJI EN】 ✓ : just wanted to say hi

Reader 【NIJISANJI EN】 ✓ : hi!

Festersk: LMAO

Ike sputters out nothing but empty air and nervous laughter. “Haha. Um. Hi! Welcome!”

Stupid! He wants to kick himself. He’s made improvement on verbalizing affection, and he’s comfortable with Reader, especially now that there aren’t any secrets left, but he’s still so unfamiliar with affection being returned that his heart is still doing kickflips in his chest. 

haabinae: :_blush: :_blush: :_blush:

juuuuuuuuuus: most normal pen and paper moment

Thornmy: AWWW

Reader 【NIJISANJI EN】 ✓ : check discord

A normal broom: Oh?

“Ah, okay! Give me a second.” Ike keeps his Discord on mute, and usually disables desktop notifications when he’s live, so he’s not surprised to open the window to unread messages and some non-urgent pings. Sure enough, Reader sent him something.

Reader: because you were talking about cafes

Reader: image.png (3)    | 💙 1 |

Me: Oh I recognize these from our first date!

It’s been over a week now, but just saying he went on a date with Reader has him squeezing his legs together so his feet wouldn’t start kicking in the air. 

Reader: ahh you remembered! 

Me: I should’ve figured you took more pictures than the ones you showed me

Reader: dw i have more i wanted to show you

Reader: image.png (8)    | 💙 1 |

Me: Seriously how are you so good at photography I don’t get it-

Me: You’re really pretty in this one!

Me: UGHHHH WHY DO I LOOK SO WEIRD    | ❌ 1 | 💕 1 |

Me: I DIDN’T EVEN NOTICE YOU TAKE THIS ONE

Reader: WTH YOU’RE NOT WEIRD

Reader: YOU’RE LITERALLY SO HANDSOME WHY DO YOU  T H I N K  I TOOK THAT PIC

Well, great, now he’s actually kicking in his seat. Ike is inclined to disagree, but when Reader says it, it’s a super-effective attack on his poor little novelist heart. 

Me: Akaslwdnja

Me: Thank you 😭

Reader: anyways i gotta go i stream in 20 min and i’ve barely eaten my food

Me: Go eat! Do you have enough water?

Reader: just refilled my bottle

Me: Good then don’t let me keep you! Have a good stream!

And before he can overthink it, in the moment—

Me: I love you!

His sights are set on his second monitor.

Reader is typing…

Reader doesn’t have to respond. Sometimes just saying it is enough. 

Reader: fdsjdfkl.

Ike’s been trying to relearn that lesson ever since he realized everything he repressed was reciprocated.

Reader: i love you too, ike

Words heard across the world, one of the people he holds most dear.

His heart beats loud in his ears, but he can feel it slow, somehow. Reader is exhilarating, but there’s security in them, too. The nerves kick in until he remembers they’re just as exposed as the other, and the vulnerability generate a sense of comfort. Reader makes him feel understood like no one else in the world does, and he trusts them more than anything.

He does. He does, he does, he does, even if he only has the strength to say it one at a time. Ike is in love.

Reader: i’ll let you know when i’m done streaming, we can watch a movie together after

Me: It’s a date!    | 💕 1 |

It takes him a moment to tear his gaze away from your messages. 

His streaming monitor reflects his movements. The chat moves along. Blue light spreads through his fingertips, just like how he imagines Vtuber Model Ike’s hands resting on his own keyboard, an extension of the man outside the screen, proof of the fantastical.

“They sent me something.” Ike’s laughter is gentle. “I really do love them.”

The chat zooms past, as expected. Surely that would get clipped alongside the off-collab Q&A, but he can’t seem to care. He doubts the fandom would really understand how deep the connection goes, and if they do? Some things are just meant to be private.

Besides, on the day Ike and Reader get comfortable enough in their relationship to go public, he knows the Quilldren have his back, just like Reader and their Bookworms. 

“Reader, if you’re still there, we need to meet up again,” Ike says. “I don’t know when, but one day.”

A flurry of messages, but only one truly matters.

Reader 【NIJISANJI EN】 ✓ : i wouldn’t miss it for the world

The model onscreen grins. It pales in comparison to Ike himself.

.　 . • ☆ . ° .• °:. *₊ ° . ☆

✧. ┊commentary ↣

✧. ┊ masterpost ✧. ┊ kofi

#ike eveland x reader #ike eveland #ike eveland fluff #ike eveland angst #luxiem #luxiem x reader #nijisanji x reader #nijisanji #4402 writes #🖋 anon #fanfic is unrealistic and i know this because clippers would NEVER use semicolons in their captions #eating string cheese wrong is symbolic. it represents eavesdropping and shitty lies that go unnoticed #i hope i never see a typo in this thing this fic is literally impossible to edit on mobile #update: there were typos. and i had to wait 3 minutes for the editor to load on my laptop before i could fix them. rip #pliskinverse

[azulysiann]

Hi hi! Can I request for Luxiem where they play horror games with the reader?

✧✧You ask and you shall receive ✧✧

Main pairing: Luxiem x Reader/you (separately)

Au: none

Genre: Fluff (slight crack)

Type: [HEADCANONS], One shot, or Series

Characters: Vox Akuma, Ike Eveland, Shu Yamino, Mysta Rias, Luca Kaneshiro, Reader

｡⁠*ﾟ⁠+｡⁠*ﾟ⁠+｡⁠*ﾟ⁠+｡⁠*ﾟ⁠+｡⁠*ﾟ⁠+｡⁠*ﾟ⁠+｡⁠*ﾟ⁠+｡⁠*ﾟ⁠+｡⁠*ﾟ⁠+｡⁠*ﾟ⁠+

Luxiem playing horror game with You.

✧VOX AKUMA ✧

The sweet voice demon. We know that vox like playing horror games, and he also likes spending time with you! So why not combined them together?

Vox LOVES spending time with you, either cooking, cuddling or just laying around.

You two were quite bored and had nothing to do, when vox suddenly got an idea.

"Dearest? I have a suggestion."

"oh? What is it Vox?"

"You said the other day that you wanted to learn how to play FNAF? Right?"

"ah yes, why is that?"

Why don't I teach you now? Since both have us have a lot of free time."

You agreed and so the (pain and suffering) game begun!

Both of you went to his set up and started laying the game, he was teaching you how to do play (such a gentleman) but ofc it's not Vox Akuma without the teasing.

So be prepared cause this man would tease you over the littlest thing. When a jumpscare suddenly happened and you screamed on the top of your lungs, hu just laughed at you while you were panicking.(ofc he still helped you by giving some hints.)

While yes he is a tease and you screaming your lungs out may not be the best, both of you still had great time. I'd say that's a great way to spend time with someone: 8/10

✧IKE EVELAND ✧

Ah the sweet novelist, Ike ofc is very familiar with horror games he plays them(ofc his a stream for fucks sake) you knew this.

Ike love spending with you, you also love that. So here you are trying out the new horror game that you suggested both of you play.

You were sitting on his lap as both of you try to clear a certain level. Let's see how this plays:

"WAIT! I SEE HIM I SEE HIM IKE!! MOVE!"

"ÄLSKLING IM TRYING BUT HIS TOO FAST!"

"HOW TF IS HE RUNNING SO FUCKING FAST!"

"I DONT KNOW??!!"

Well safe to say y'all have the time of your life(even tho your throats hurt in the end)

The neighbors almost called the cops because of how loud you two are, but you managed to tell them that no there is no murder in your house.

You both are loud but it was fun because both of you managed to spend some great and fun quality time together if I do say so myself:8.5/10

✧SHU YAMINO ✧

Ah the calm and collected sorcerer, Shu I'd say is a great partner for playing horror games!

He is a great shupport for you, and that's why you suggested both of you play this game together to spend time and maybe try to get shu to scream (you didn't heard that from me)

Anywho both of you were on you computer and started playing, but seems like the both of you don't have a clue how your throat will hurt after this huh:

"SHU! HELP MEEEEE!!"

"I'm upstairs babe!"

"HOW TF ARE YOU CALM??!"

"BABE! They are behind you!"

"AHHH-"

Quite chaotic I'd say..

But both of you managed to get all of the endings with the cost of 😱 screaming and almost losing you sanity because of the game.

After the game you couldn't sleep because still being haunted by the man that was chasing you for 5 mins.

So both of you just decided to have an all nighters to forget it eventually?: 9.5/10.

✧MYSTA RIAS ✧

I can already smell the chaos both of you will do-

Moving that a side *ahem" Mysta Rias would be the perfect panther if you have strong ears because screaming will be almost there every second-

Anyways both you and Mysta were figuring out what to play, when he suddenly brought the idea to play Vox suggested.

So now here both of you are screaming on the top of your lungs as you tried to escape the murder chasing mysta -

"BABE! HELP ME!! HIS CHASINGS ME! WAIT WHAT TF?!"

"IM SORRY MYSTA YOU HAVE TO WAIT A FEW MINUTES IM TRYING TO FIND THE DOOR!! AHH-!"

"NONONONO! HIS RIGHT BEHIND MEEEE!"

"YOU CAN HANDLE IT MYSTA-!"

Now that's chaos

It took guys about 5 and 1/2 hours to finally finish the game because both of you keep losing all of your life.

Super load but fun as you both rest in your bed chilling around like both of you were not screaming like your being murdered- :10/10 very beautiful chaos.

✧LUCA KANESHIRO ✧

Ah the pog boss, sweet sweet Luca.

Luca would be a fun partner in a horror game! He would cheer you on while both of you tried to finish the game(even when his dead-).

You both played multiple horror and non-horror games in the past, so both of you decide to try a new one testing if both of you are brave enough and to see who screamed first.

Lets just say both of you screamed almost the same time-

"LUCA I LOVE YOU BUT PLEASE DONT DIE I CANT FINISH THIS ONE ON MY OWN!"

"YOU CAN DO IT!!"

" LUCA PLEASE LOOK BEHIND YOU THEY ARE ALMOST THERE!!"

"OH SHOOT- WAITWAITWAIT PLEASE-"

Really interesting I'd say.

In the end you guys finished hald of the game since your throat was hurting and you didn't want to lose your voice.

And Luca too he was worried for you and your voice so both of you just sat down and played some Mario kart to pass time.

(And to see who's better at playing) Anyways overall very fun!: 8.3/10

｡⁠*ﾟ⁠+｡⁠*ﾟ⁠+｡⁠*ﾟ⁠+｡⁠*ﾟ⁠+｡⁠*ﾟ⁠+｡⁠*ﾟ⁠+｡⁠*ﾟ⁠+｡⁠*ﾟ⁠+｡⁠*ﾟ⁠+｡⁠*ﾟ⁠+

A/n: another request done! Hope you enjoy! This was fun to write. (Apologies it's short)

#luxiem #luxiem x reader #vox akuma #vox akuma x reader #ike eveland #ike eveland x reader #shu yamino #shu yamino x reader #mysta rias #mysta rias x reader #luca kaneshiro #luca kaneshiro x reader #luxiem fluff #Vox Akuma fluff #Ike eveland fluff #shu yamino fluff #mysta rias fluff #luca kaneshiro fluff

[luvxiem]

Hello:} for your new event can i ask ike with 3 softly rubbing your nose against theirs? It has been on my mind for a while, just imagine doing this in the morning with a super sleepy ikey;w; istg this man needs more content

+ "hihi!!! congrats on the 300 followers, you deserve it<3 can i request No. 28 "Hrmg, I'm not moving. Don't make me." with ikey? YALL CANT TELL ME THAT THIS MAN DOESNT LOVE TO CUDDLE YALL CANNNT" + "Sol congrats on the 300 followers!!<3 For the event, could i request ikey with No. 19 "babe. my love. song in my heart. are you purring?"? Have a nice day/night!♡"

morning glory

word count ! 550~ pairing ! ike eveland x gn!reader genre ! fluff summary ! you're supposed to meet a few friends for brunch but ike thinks you're very comfy

it's warm.

your eyelids blearily slipped open, vaguely recognizing the blurry shapes of your lover's bedroom and the sunlight peeking through the curtains. there’s a comforting weight over your stomach that you know is ike’s arm—a grounding element that keeps you from drifting off again.

taking care not to wake him up, you roll over to face your boyfriend, reaching a hand up to brush his bangs out of his eyes. your palm lingers on his cheek, thumb tenderly rubbing against soft skin as you admire how pretty he looks. ike’s brows furrow for a moment, soft mumbles coming out of his mouth before he adjusts to tuck his head under your chin, letting out a happy sigh against your neck as he tightens his grip on your waist.

you smile at your lover's antics, tilting your head down to leave a lingering kiss on his hair. he whines when he feels you shift, somehow clinging to you even tighter than he was before.

“stop moving…” he grumbles, hooking a leg over yours in an effort to prevent you from disrupting his happy cuddle bubble. giggling softly, you run your fingers through his hair in apology and ike leans into your hand, humming in content. you can feel the rumbling of his chest against yours and you can’t help but seize the chance to tease your lover.

“babe. my love. song in my heart,” you coo, a sly smile forming on your face. “are you purring?” instantly you feel ike freeze against you, muscles tense as he scrambles to come up with a reply and save any lingering shred of dignity.

he settles with a rather sad, "i don't know what you're talking about," and turns to face the other direction with a huff. the novelist is surely pouting, and although he's the one who flipped over he can't help but long for your skin on his once again. luckily for him, being together for so long means you're well acquainted with ike's many quirks—including the way he clicks his tongue whenever he's feeling particularly clingy—and you slip an arm around his waist as you rest your head on your elbow to lean over him.

ike turns his head to sneak a glance at you but opens his eyes wide in surprise seeing your face so close to his. the novelist flushes, opening his mouth to speak only to be interrupted when you bend down to rub your nose against his, a soft sigh escaping him. the corner of his mouth twitches upward against his will, and ike knows that this battle is lost.

“we need to get ready, darling,” you murmur, eyes darting from golden eyes to parted lips. ike frowns, leaning closer to hide his face in your chest. he can feel the rumble of your laughter and merely holds you tighter, especially when you start running your fingers through his hair, lightly scraping your nails against his scalp.

“hrmg,i’m not moving,” he grumbles, struggling not to shudder when you tug lightly on a few pale strands. “don’t make me.”

you hum, deliberating in your head if staying in was worth the earful you’re bound to get from a certain dark haired demon later. glancing down at your dozing boyfriend, it was easy to make a decision.

vox can wait.

WRITTEN ! 121722

#luvxiem.writing #ike.txt #ike eveland x reader #ike eveland fluff #luxiem x reader #luxiem fluff #nijisanji en x reader #nijisanji en fluff #luvxiem.300

[shuchu]

i want a kiss from ike so bad he probably gives the softest kisses and cuddles ever

his tired voice too i want him to read me a bedtime story in his tired voice ｡ﾟ(ﾟ´Д｀ﾟ)ﾟ｡

-🌸

omg that’s what i’m saying!!! 

ike just seems like the type that would give such gentle and soft kisses that makes you melt. when he looks at you with such adoration in his eyes, you fall even deeper in love with him. he’d run his fingers through your hair and give you back rubs while the both of you slowly drift off to sleep. he’d kiss the crown of your head and whisper, “good night sweetheart, i love you.” before falling asleep himself. he’d hold you hostage in bed the next morning, not letting you get up because he loves cuddling with you. “just a few more minutes älskling, i want to cuddle you for a bit longer.”

ike’s tired voice is so raspy and soothing. if he read me a bedtime story i’d be out in 5 minutes ＞▽＜ 

i adore ike so much. how can someone be so cute and hot at the same time i don���t get it

#hana replies ♡ #🌸 anon ♡ #ike eveland #ike eveland x reader #luxiem #luxiem x reader #ike eveland fluff

[soliloquiss]

Kinda want to put this brainrot here that I've had for the past few days.

Ike and Eki inhabit the same body, right? Imagine if Eki comes out whenever reader is in an uncomfortable situation. But not completely, no. Eki will manifest on Ike's eyes, turning it red momentarily while glaring at the person making you uncomfortable. You're blissfully unaware of this, and see it as him being protective and looking out for you, which you find really sweet.

there have been multiple instances where people who you newly-met oftentimes put you in a sticky situation, forcibly making you say stuff they can take out of context to further damage your reputation in the streaming world. but ike, he's always been there to the rescue fortunately <3 the moment his gut feeling tells him there's something wrong happening, he'd immediately run up to you. once he gets a full context of the scenario, you feel shivers rake your spine up and down from the way ike's crimson colored eyes send a striking gaze at the people forcing you into a corner. there they would feel the intimidating presence and would dip hurriedly, forgetting the business they were doing with you previously. the moment you look back at ike though, his eyes aren't of the same color anymore. you had your suspicions but it could be just your imagination . .

#luxiem x reader #nijisanji en #nijisanji #luxiem #nijisanji x reader #ike eveland #ike eveland x reader #luxiem headcanon #ike eveland fluff #luxiem fluff #nijisanji en x reader

[chunyaowo]

A lovely christmas with Ike

Pairing: Ike Eveland x G!N reader

Genre: Fluff

Words: 2288

Writers note: hello hello! I know Christmas was a bit ago and I actually wanted to publish this a whole lot earlier, but my motivation went to vacation... TwT I'm actually not really satisfied with the story and all, but I put too much time and effort for this to not to publish. I hope some of you will enjoy it nonetheless ^^

It was a very snowy day. It was winter, and Christmas was right up ahead too. It was your first Christmas well... with him. Your boyfriend. The person who you love by heart and admire so much. You were sitting at the kitchen table, resting your chin in your palm, while staring into the void.

"Sweetheart?"

A familiar voice broke your daydreaming, and it was no other person than him.

"Oh, sorry, I was just a little bit too much trapped into my thoughts, it's about nothing serious or anything!

Ike frowned his eyebrows, still quite worried about you.

"Are you sure? You know you can always come to me when you're worried about anything." He said softly, his voice being calm and soothing.

"Yeah, I know... Thank you. Im just a bit tired, thats all." You gave ike a small smile, trying not to worry him any further.

Suddenly, Ike stood up, standing right beside you, slowly ruffling his fingers through your hair as he smiled reassuringly.

"I'm glad then." Ike made a small pause as he spoke up again. "Maybe if you're too tired then, how about if I... spoil you a little bit? Do you... might want to cuddle up on the couch while watching a Christmas movie and having a hot chocolate to help you fall asleep..?"

You could see ikes cheeks starting to glow in a red hue as his gaze was sincere and honest. You couldn't help, but get off track in his eyes, which looked like a clear sky that got lost in an open sunflower field. You nodded after speaking up again. "Yeah... that would be nice."

Ike couldn't help, but chuckle as his lips curled up into a warm smile.

"Alright, hop on the coach. I will take care of the hot chocolate and everything, and then we can get ourselves comfy and all of that jazz~"

As a few minutes passed, Ike came finally back from the kitchen, holding two mugs of hot chocolate in his hands. You could see that on top of the whipped cream were small little marshmallows and sprinkles covered on it.

"I'm back!"

ike carefully handed you the mug with a cover of a little floof ball with a blue feather that's white tint is fading into a  blue tone. It was a special mug, well because the mug was a gift from him.

"Thank you!"

"My pleasure" ike smiled slightly as he grabbed the remote control and started playing the movie. As soon as the movie started, you both could hear the winter music playing that both of you are very fond of. You leaned yourself comfortably back against the couch while snuggling yourself up into your blanket. Despite the fact that you're being all comfy and cozy, something was still missing.

"Come here"

Ikes lips escaped a smile as he opened his arm as an invitation to wrap his arms around your shoulder.

Your eyes started to slowly widen at his offer. You didn't hesitate for too long and slowly found a place in his arms. After a while, he covered the both of you with a warm cozy blanket as he hold you tight in his presence. Your head then shifted gently onto Ike's shoulder.

"Are you comfortable?"

You nodded whilst you answered with  a simple "yeah"

"I'm glad that you are."

Both of you were in each other's arms, feeling the presence and warmth in each of your bodies. After time passed, ike came right up closer to you. You could feel his breath on your neck, sending you a wave of a red tint across your cheeks. Ike continued coming closer to your neck, placing gentle and warm kisses on your tender skin. Each kiss being placed on your neck was filled with care and affection.

Only for you.

Even though your face is filled with a hue of red, you felt so comfortable. Comfortable by being by his side. Never wanting this moment between the two of you to end.

After feeling so comfortable, you decided to rest your head on Ike's chest, causing your heart to skip for a beat. As soon as Ike noticed you being so comfortable around him, his lips formed into a smile, gently placing his head on top of yours. It was a very wholesome moment. It was just you and him, snuggling up close to each other on the coach, while the snow was covering the streets outside.

Ike couldn't stop smiling so much after you're acting so cute and cozy in his presence. Soon enough, he leaned himself forward and placed a gentle kiss on your forehead. You could feel his breath against your forehead as he pulled away, whispering softly to you.

" You're so cute.."

Ikes hand is coming closer to your head, starting to run his hand through your silky smooth hair.

Your eyes widened just as you could feel your cheeks heating up. You looked up to ike, your gaze was vulnerable, yet so much filled with love towards him. Ike let out a small giggle whilst he placed his hands on both of your cheeks, holding them softly while his gaze looked upon you with a genuine smile.

"I want nothing more, but always be with you like this. Holding you tight and showing you how much I love you. His voice was soft while he gently started to rub your cheeks with his thumbs, going up and down. His fingers were gentle and tender, brushing against your skin, making you feel like butterflies were flying all around your stomach. Ike leaned forward as he placed his forehead against yours. Your noses were now mere centimeters apart from each other. You felt ikes warm breath brushing against your face as you could feel your own breathing increasing.

Ike pulled his forehead back again, still holding your cheeks in his hands.

"Back then last year, when you confessed your love to me at the park while everything's being covered in snow, even ourselves, That day... I considered myself as the luckiest guy in the world. It was a cold wintertime like this. And I will cherish this memory forever in my heart.'

You could feel your own cheeks warming up when he told you all these things. Ike was really someone who was really good at words, and always knew how to express his feelings clearly into it.

Ike leaned his face slowly towards yours, placing his soft lips on your own. The kiss wasn't passionate, neither lustful. He just wanted to show how much he loved you. As soon as you could feel his lips being placed upon yours, you could feel your heartbeat increasing by any second. It was a wonderful and romantic moment that only the two of you shared.

After both of you pulled away, ike gently took your head and placed it on his chest again. Holding you tight in an embrace, nuzzling his head grntly onto your hair. Running through your hair gently once again.

You couldn't help, but deeply blush at the actions of ike. You're slowly closing your eyes, as at the Same time as you couldn't stop from smiling so much.

After a bit of time passed, you could feel ike slowly coming closer to your ear, whispering in a soft tone:

"Goodnight my love, sweet dreams."

The next day has arrived. For this day, you and Ike decided to visit the Christmas market together and spend some time alone.

After walking around for a bit at the Christmas market, Both of you decided to grab a crepe. You had just the regular one with chocolate. Ike on the other hand, had a crepe with strawberries and sugar. You just knew how much he likes strawberries, and just seeing him being so happy over something so simple just warms your heart, even at a cold winter evening.

"It looks so good!"

Ike said before taking a big bite into his crepe. His eyes started to widen after he took an actual bite into it. You could even see little stars forming into his greenish eyes.

"Wow, is it that good?"

"Yeah, the sugar and the strawberries are a good combination, it feels like my mouth is exploding with all these different kinds of taste!"

He paused for a bit, after speaking up once again. "Do you... want to take a bite?" He said in a soft, yet gentle voice. Reaching out the crepe to you.

"If that's okay with you, of course."

You nodded gently, coming closer to take a small bite.

"Okay, say aaa~"

You stopped moving your head further to his crepe, slightly feeling that your cheeks had suddenly flushed up.

Ike stopped as soon as he saw your face and started to let out a big laughter.

"Why are you suddenly starting to get so flustered all out of the sudden? Am I not allowed to feed my partner now?"

"..."

"I... don't want it anymore."

Ike couldn't help himself, but started laughing once again.

"I'm sorry, I'm sorry, but your reaction to my flirting is so cute."

Ike held a hand before his mouth, trying his best to keep in his laughter. After a little while, he calmed himself down again, looking at you with a warm smile.

"Come on, are you sure you don't want a taste, not even a little one?:

You paused for a moment. Hesitating for a second, before you actually slowly leaned forward and took a small bite from the crepe. Your eyes started to widen while you remained silent.

Ike started chuckling a bit to himself once again When he saw your expression filled on your face. He stopped chuckling just as he saw a bit of the whipped cream on your lips.

"Hey, you have something on your lips, wait let me get it for you" he said as he came closer to you, placing gently his thumb at the corner of your mouth and tenderly wiped the whiped cream on your lips away. Your eyes were glued with his, staring into his eyes filled with a gentle expression.

"There we go, much better."

A few days passed by as soon enough The day had finally arrived. It was Christmas. The clear night sky was about to be seen outside as you and Ike were sitting down under the Christmas tree while both of your heads were placed on each shoulder. Feeling content and delighted in eachothers near.

"Now... would you like to exchange each other's presents? I can't wait to see your expression when you get to open my gift."

You could see ikes lips shaping into a warm smile as he softly spoke these words. You nodded, bringing up a small present behind your back.

"Please open my gift first."

Ike let out a small chuckle, seeing How insisting to open yours first.

"Okay, if you really insist, then I would be happy to do that."

Ike opened the small present box. Carefully removing the blue bow which is attached to the box. Ike slowly opened the box and went immediately silent. His cheeks are starting to glow in a red hue, His eyes glued to the present as his gaze was softly looking at It. He gently took out what's in the box. It was a light blue writing pen. It had small little yellow moosaic pattern on it. As well as there was something engraved on it. It was the day you and Ike became a couple and started dating. As ikes gaze slowly trailled off, he could see there was something written inside the box as well.

"For the best novelist in the whole world"

Ikes eyes were attached to yours. His cheeks are getting redder as he tightly wrapped his arms around you. You couldn't help, but smile at ikes reaction.

After a while, when both of you pulled away from the embrace, Ike gently handed a box to you with a rather shy smile. "This is my present for you, it's... nothing really special, but I hope you will like it"

You knew Ike was always someone who was very modest, but you knew whatever it was, you would love it because it's from him.

You gently took ikes present, which he handed to you, unwrapping the small gift. On the inside, you could see over twenty papers in it. But they weren't any normal papers, they were self-written love letters. All of them written by hand and so much love.

Just for you.

"This isn't my only gift for you, you know?"

Ike went over to the Christmas tree, pulling a guitar out behind it and took a seat on the coach.

"I worked on a little song that I've written for you. I... really worked hard on this one, so I hope you will like it."

Ike took a deep breath before he started playing the first accords of the song. The song begins with a deep emotional melody, which shifts after a little while into a more soft, soothing sound. After a while, he even started to hum softly along with the song. His voice was gentle and calm. Even though there were no words in his humming, you could clearly hear all the feelings he wanted to portray with this song. It sounded so lovely, and he seemed so happy. He really had a big heart for music. You couldn't help, but be mesmerized by him and the song he had written for you.

as ike finished playing, he looked up at you again. His eyes shining bright, filled with sincerness, His lips escaping a genuine smile as he spoke up.

"Merry Christmas, my love"

#ike eveland x reader #ike eveland x you #fanfiction #ike eveland #ike eveland fluff #luxiem #self insert #fluff #x reader