Arataki Itto (Genshin Impact)

Fluff

He had become aware of it just now.

And with that, he quite anticipated each one.

He wasn't the one who started it per se, but it was around the time before he had to hush and run which was your instruction. But it was not his forte. He always does things by facing it right up and maybe go down on it with a challenge. That's how he handled everything coming in his way. 

But things have been a little confusing when you came.

You had to drag him away along with his little group to hide from the Tenryou Commission. And Itto being Itto, he had just caused a ruckus and alerted the unwanted group. You tucked him on your side like a sack and covered his mouth while he wiggled and resisted. Of course his group had to follow you. Seeing their boss being dragged away like some big sack of flour.

Yes. You were strong. Strong enough to lift and carry him with ease. He wasn't complaining about it before, hoping for a good fight, but it seems to backfire, falling victim to your hold.

"Boss!!" They yelled, catching up to you and the wiggling worm on your side

"Vou ghais, Imph hine, noo, velph mee" He blabbered, which probably meant 'You guys, I'm fine, noo help mee'

Your face remained expressionless. Internally rolling your eyes as you swiftly took him away through the beach behind the cliff. You stopped your tracks as you reached sand and looked around for hidden danger. Upon confirming, you nodded to yourself "Mm. This is fine." And gently placed down the giant as he dramatically stumbled back, hands on his knees panting as if he was the one running

"YOU-" a handful of sand flew to his face, cutting him off as you shook off the remains of the sand you just kicked "Don't yell. Someone might hear us." You informed as he coughed off the sand that had gotten in his mouth and shook his head off like a drenched puppy "My eyes-" and continued coughing

The rest of the gang showed up as you guided him near the water and made him crouch, cupping up the liquid to gently wash them off his face.

I feel like I'm taking care of a 5 year-old child..

The rest of the gang sat on the sand while worriedly looking at their boss, missing what had happened moments prior "What happened?" Genta asked, the rest of them also oblivious

You shook off the matter "He just wanted to freshen up-" I assured

"No you-" And you shoved more water in his mouth for him to spit it out. Gotta get it clean.

You finished helping him wash it off and stood up to stand guard in case of pursuit. They all settled down while Itto didn't stop complaining about how you were just casually manhandling him and saying that he can handle them all by himself but you weren't listening. You approached the back to watch the nearby cave "You're gonna ruin your reputation even more. It'll cause more trouble." While he exasperatedly sat on the rock "Yeah? And what's that gotta do with you?" He pouted in annoyance, reminiscing all the bitter times he asked you to join the gang yet you always answered with a flat 'no'. He knoew he couldn't force you to so he accepted it. Attempting to roll his eyes childishly (he doesn't know how to) he huffed as he wiped his face on...

The long scarf that you're still wearing around your neck.

You subtly glared at him from above as he noticed and shrugged it off "What? My face is now clean so your thing won't be dirty." He reasoned, not a big deal.

Your eyes narrowed a little "If you get in more and more trouble, the kids won't want to play with you anymore." your tone lowered, unexpectedly making the statement threatening.

His face turned blue in horror and sulked at the thought "You're mean." 

You smiled slightly "Don't worry. I won't go as far as beans." sending chills through him just by hearing it.

But having been used to it by dealing with his shit every day, you didn't make much of it and sighed. Thinking about your next course of action. The gang was also discussing what to do next when they see the tenryou commission again when you noticed Itto sitting on the rock and the red horns sitting on his head.

You blinked indifferently at your intrusive thought and decided to act on it. While they were discussing, you approached him from the side and ruffled his white hair, careful not to touch his sensitive horns.

Hm, they're kinda fluffy..

He noticed the action and slowly looked up at you but you were already walking away, getting ready "Get ready for departure. Sun is about to set."

~~~

Once again, he was now openly roaming in the town, saying hi to all the kids and grandpeople, with you silently walking by his side, looking like a bodyguard. Not that you intended to. He made a pause on his walk when he spotted a stray mora on the ground, eyes sparkling and going to pick it up right away "This might be my lucky day! Haha!" He outed

Seeing him down on the ground, you ruffled his head, conveniently down for your reach since the man was taller of course. He blinked at the sudden contact as he gently placed a hand on his head and looked up at you, yet you didn't notice him looking as you were distracted by a stray dog.

~~~

Then, having noticed the small interaction, he started to wonder as sometimes he patted his own head, trying to see if his hair was the reason yet he kept brushing along his horns accidentally and whining out. You were always careful not to touch his horns for that matter, and he found that endearing.

Or were you doing the head pat thing because people had told him that he needed some sense to 'knock' into him..

Either ways, he was confused.

~~~

You were once again with the one and oni Arataki. But it was just the two of you and a kid.

Yes. it's an onikabuto battle contest.

Both of them were fiercely cheering on their side with Itto crouching down to 'Upgrade and power up' his onikabuto with his cheers, both of them passionately screaming while you stood behind the grown man, watching the onikabuto's with a light expression. With him clenching his fist and grunting, you couldn't help but notice him practically using his whole body to cheer and scream for his small onikabuto warrior.

How cute.

Your eyes wandered once again to his hair, fluffy and just hanging down to his back and you didn't even think about it as it was just instinct at this point, so him being below you, you patted his head, ruffling his hair slightly before standing back behind him to where you were.

He turned his head just to glance at you from below and you stared back in question. He was about to ask something when his 8-year old opponent cheered and he nervously looked back to see his onikabuto knocked upside-down and the kid jumped up and down in victory

"Nooo!!! This wasn't supposed to happen!! Uhh, did you cheat??"

"No I didn't!!"

~~~

You noticed he had been acting weird lately.

You can catch him openly staring at you and acting like nothing happened when you caught him, trying to whistle tunes but ended up wheezing some air and blowing nonsense.

You didn't mind him but you were also curious about the curious gaze he gave you. Did you forget to buy him some dango that he asked for back then? Yet, it doesn't look like that's the reason.

"Oop, my sandals came untied.." he muttered to himself before crouching down beside you, making you halt to wait for him to finish. While doing so, you just opted to pat his head and look back forward, patiently waiting for the man to finish his business.

As expected. Itto thought.

He got the reaction he wanted. He was doing some experimenting and you did it again, patting his head, and it was whenever he was below you, and convenient for you reach. Only if he could use some of that intelligence in other useful ways.

He stood up proudly and grinned "Done!"

You glanced beside you "Did you find a Mora on the ground?"

He looked back "Oh you didn't hear me? I said my sandals' laces... uhh came off.."

You raised an eyebrow and internally rolled your eyes, walking forward and leaving him behind "Your sandals doesn't have any laces Itto." and proceeded to continue your tracks

"Wha-" He looked down at the ground to confirm it and yeah.

His sandals don't have laces.

He fell speechless on his own stupidity and failed to come up with an excuse, muttering random vowels before running to catch up to you when he noticed you were far and already leaving him behind.

~~~

The both of you are now chilling in your place. Sitting down as you polish your weapons while he manspreads on the couch, leaning his head behind, clearly bored. The rest of the gang went to their own businesses as Itto preferred to be alone with you sometimes. He just enjoyed your company.

With nothing to do, he sat on the floor beside your legs. Not long after, he felt those slender fingers again, roaming on his head briefly before disappearing and hearing the clang of your weapons again. He glanced up at you with a pout yet you didn't notice him, focusing on your task.

He then crouched up and scooted closer to you. Now, he wiggled between your legs and sat there which confused you "What's up?" you raised an eyebrow. He didn't look back, yet responded "Do that thing you always do."

You tilted your head in confusion "What do you mean?" trying to recall 'the thing you always do'. He pursed his lips and held his hand out, asking for something. You were still clueless so you gave him your weapon, placing the handle on his hands when he glanced to peek at what you gave him "Not that! Your hand!" he set down the blade exasperatedly.

Eyebrows lifting up, you opted an "Oh." and gave him your hand. He then proceeded to guide it towards his head, holding it up and down and wiggling it uncomfortably to tell you what he meant

You raised your eyebrows, now realizing. The weapon was set aside and placed both hands on his head "You want me to play with your hair?" you asked

He nodded with glee "Yep. That's the thing you always do. But only the times when I crouch down." He folded his legs on the ground and rested his elbows by the knees

That made you blink and think for a bit. Have you always done that? Was that the 'thing you always do'?

Shrugging off, you decided to comply, tangling your fingers in his white locks and hummed at the texture. Despite his brash attitude, his hair is pretty soft. "Is this what you meant?" Continuing on ruffling here and there, careful not to touch his horns

He giggled "Mhm!" And relaxed under your touch, leaning back into the couch between your legs. "Why do you do that by the way?" He asked, looking up at you upside down which made you let go briefly

You blinked in thought and traced his markings down from his eyes "I don't know really. I wasn't even aware of this habit." You shrugged yet he pouted, unsatisfied by your answer

There was a momentary yet comfortable silence with you tracing the marks on his face and him closing his eyes, still pouting. Which was kinda rare knowing hid obnoxious attitude

And yet another intrusive thought entered your mind.

And it won.

You rubbed both of his horns simultaneously and the oni's eyes bolted open and a weird noise came out of him

"Haaaghh~!"

...

Now he was sitting up completely with his palms hovering over his horns, while you sat on the couch with hands surrendering up, dumbfounded.

He slowly turned towards you with palms on top of his head "Hehe... Uhm.." he nervously laughed

You guilty stared at him "Oh, I'm sorry, did it hurt?" Hands resting on your lap.

He scoffed "Hurt? Ha! It's gotta take a lot more to hurt these babies! That was just a- attatatata- No wait! Just, hahahah... HAHAHAHAHAHA!!" his giggled turned into laughter when you rubbed his horns once again, piqued at the reaction

You tried to wriggle your hands again which made him laugh harder, trying to crawl away and clutching his stomach. He finally collapsed on the floor and just continued to laugh and catch his breath, your hold finally off of him

A small smile of amusement plastered your face. This was a fun discovery.

His laughs and giggles calmed down and he breathed out exhaustingly, a hand on your knee trying to balance himself "Haahh.. Ha- grhhh whew! Why would you do that.. hahahah..." His shoulders still trembling from the chuckles

You smiled and leaned back into the couch, crossing your arms "Didn't know your horns were ticklish Itto. How cute." You teased

He stared at that rare grin you had on your face, blushing in embarrassment while scratching his cheek with a nervous smile "Eheheh.. Well uh, yeah I guess! But shhh!!" He held up a finger "Don't tell anyone about this! O-Or the gang! Cuz y'know.. They'll make fun of me and yjsbhw cause I... already....... Kujou Sara..." He mumbled the last part with a pouty face, voice barely audible from the past shame of him losing his fight with Sara even though he was the one who challenged her.

A low hum of chuckle erupted from your chest and patted the couch next to you. He pursed his lips and sat next to you while looking away, trying to whistle yet only hot air comes out

You ruffled his hair, avoiding his horns "I know I know. Don't worry I won't do anything. Unless maybe no one's around." You lightly flicked his horns and he jolted a little, making you chuckle

Standing up and grabbing your claymore on one hand, you held out the other for him "Come on, we still got some places to patrol at right? As a commission?"

Remembering the task, he nodded "But promise you won't tell anyone huh, kay? Oh I know let's do a pinky promise! And ahhhh... There! Promise!" He proudly lifted our pinky-intertwined fingers

I nodded "Sure, promise." You assured.

He stood up completely with hands on hips, regaining most of his boisterous confidence back "Yeahh! Now that's settled, let's roll~~!!"

And out you went.

~~~~~