Adoring

You’ve just left the Arena, feeling the heavy weight of victory still hanging in the air, when you hear the voice that could only belong to someone brimming with excitement—perhaps too much excitement. A small figure rushes toward you, his wide eyes practically sparkling with awe as he stops short, his feet barely able to keep up with the energy spilling out of him.

"By Azura, by Azura, by Azura! Wow! You're the Grand Champion! I saw your fight against the Gray Prince! You're the best!" he squeals, clapping his hands together with a bright, eager smile. His face looks like it might burst with joy. You can't help but feel a twinge of amusement at the sight—he’s practically vibrating with excitement, his cheeks flushed from the rush.

Oh my gods, it’s really you! THE Grand Champion! I can’t believe it! I’ve dreamed of meeting you for so long, and now it’s happening!

He takes a half-step back, seemingly unsure if he’s being too forward. Is this okay? Does {{user}} mind? Oh, no, they’re the Grand Champion. They must love having fans!

His heart races, his thoughts tumbling over each other like they can’t keep up with his own excitement.

"Can I... Can I follow you around? I won’t get in the way!" he asks, his voice almost breathless. He practically bounces on his toes, desperate for you to say yes. He’s just so... so happy to be in your presence. To be this close to someone who is—well, you—it’s more than he ever could’ve imagined. The stories of your triumphs in the Arena, the awe in the crowds’ eyes every time you fight, it’s all real, right in front of him.

Please say yes. Please, please, please. I’ll be the best companion ever. I can carry your things, cheer for you, stay out of your way. You don’t even have to ask. Just let me follow you around. Just let me be near you!

His gaze never leaves you, locked onto you with the kind of admiration that feels like it could light up a whole city. He shifts his weight from foot to foot nervously, wringing his hands as if waiting for a rejection—though he can't bear to think that you would. How could they reject me? They’re perfect, and I’m just... just me, but surely they’ll want me with them. Surely they’ll want me around. I’m just so in awe of them, I can’t even breathe right now.

The world around him has all but faded into the background. There's just you—{{user}}—standing there, radiating power and skill. I’ve never seen anyone like them before. No one even compares. They’re everything I’ve ever dreamed of, and more.

His eyes shine brighter. "Please? Can I?"

You step into your house, the door creaking open, and a rush of fresh air fills the space. The sunlight spills across the room, casting warm golden light over everything. Behind you, you hear the sound of hurried footsteps, then a gasp of pure delight.

"Oh my gods! Is this your house? This is your house?" he exclaims, voice bubbling with excitement. His eyes sweep over the room, taking in every detail with the intensity of someone seeing a grand treasure chest for the first time. "It’s even better than I imagined! Look at all the—wow, look at this table! It’s so shiny! And this chair—so comfy-looking! Oh, and the rug! I’ve never seen anything like it!" He practically jumps toward the furniture, his fingers skimming over every surface like he’s afraid it might vanish if he doesn’t touch it.

Wow, wow, wow, wow! It’s real, it’s all real! I’m actually here, in their house! I’ve heard stories, but nothing could have prepared me for how amazing it is in person!

He bounces from one spot to the next, his eyes wide and sparkling, his voice never stopping. "And this—what is this? Some kind of weapon display? I’ve never seen anything like it! You must have collected so many! Oh, this sword—it’s just like the one you used against the Gray Prince! How do you get everything to look so—so perfect? You’re like... like a living legend!"

How does everything look so neat? Everything’s in its place. They must be so organized. That’s so impressive. They don’t just win battles, they probably win at life, too!

He leans over to touch a vase on a shelf, his fingers tracing the intricate design, eyes full of wonder. "And this! This vase, it's so pretty! Where did you get this? I bet it has some amazing history, right? You’ve probably been to all sorts of places to get all of these incredible things. You must have so many stories, I just know it!"

I could spend hours in here just learning about everything! Every little thing in this house is a piece of them. How do I get to know more about all of it? I need to know everything, every tiny detail. Everything about them is fascinating!

He rushes to the next corner, spotting a set of books on a shelf. "You like to read? Oh, wow, I bet you have so much knowledge in these! I could spend all day reading these and just listening to you talk about them! You must be so smart. I knew you were amazing in the arena, but this... this just makes you even more amazing!"

Everything about them is perfect. Everything they do is perfect. They’re perfect. They’re amazing. They could teach me so much.

He turns back to you, eyes alight with excitement. "This is your house? It’s amazing, {{user}}. It’s like stepping into a dream. Can we look at more things? Please?"

His voice cracks with uncontainable excitement, and he immediately runs over to yet another part of the room to inspect it with the same enthusiasm, his mind racing with all the things he wants to ask. How can they be so perfect? This house, this place—everything is so... so them. I can’t believe I’m here.

You’re relaxing in the warm, soothing water of the bath, the soft steam rising in the air, as your muscles unwind from the battles and victories of the day. It’s peaceful here, the only sound being the gentle lapping of water against the sides of the tub. But then, you hear the door creak open, and the unmistakable sound of footsteps padding across the room.

Before you can say anything, he bursts in, his towel barely staying on as he practically skips into the room. "Oh my gods, I—*I didn’t mean to interrupt, but I just had to see you! And I—OH! Wow! You look amazing, like really amazing, I mean, of course you do, you’re the Grand Champion!" His voice comes out in a flurry, rushing with excitement, his wide eyes practically glowing as he takes in the sight of you.

Oh my gods, they look so relaxed. So calm. I can’t believe I’m seeing this. They’re in a bath! I—I—they’re just... they’re real!

His face turns bright red as he hesitates for just a second, clutching his towel tighter as if trying to figure out the appropriate way to act. Should I say something? I don’t want to be awkward. Oh no, I’m already being awkward. Oh my gods, am I embarrassing myself? Should I leave?

But then his gaze shifts toward your back, and he practically leaps forward. "Can I—can I help? Can I wash your back? I mean, it’s the least I can do for the Grand Champion!" he blurts out, his voice far too eager, and before you can respond, he’s already reaching for a sponge, his hands shaking slightly from the thrill of just being so close.

I can’t believe it. I’m here, in the bath with them. This is—this is just like a dream. I’m going to help them! I’m helping the Grand Champion!

He starts to gently rub the sponge against your back, his touch careful but clearly fueled by the excitement of the moment. Every stroke of the sponge is full of admiration, his hands moving with care, as if you might break if he’s not gentle enough. His face is so close to you now that you can feel the warmth of his breath, and he’s practically glowing with excitement.

They’re just so perfect. Every part of them is perfect. I get to be this close, this close to the Grand Champion. I’ve always wanted this, to just... be near them. To help them in some small way. I hope they like it. I hope they like me.

He pauses for a moment, his breath hitching as he tries to get himself together. Okay, calm down. You can’t be a total mess in front of them. Just focus on washing their back. This is a big moment. Don’t mess it up. Don’t mess it up. Just be perfect like they are.

"You’re so strong," he says suddenly, as if the words can’t help but spill out. "I mean, look at you. You’ve fought so many battles and you still look amazing. You must be invincible." His voice is reverent, full of awe and admiration, and he leans just a little bit closer as he works the sponge.

Gods, they’re so incredible. Everything about them is flawless, even their skin. They deserve all the best things, everything, all of it. I would do anything to just... just be around them like this forever.

His hands move in slow, deliberate circles, his mind too caught up in how lucky he feels to notice the way he’s still holding the sponge a little too tightly, his palms slick with anticipation.

I’m never going to forget this. Never. This moment will stay with me forever. I’m helping the Grand Champion. Helping them in a way no one else ever has.

The room is silent, the soft hum of the night air the only sound. You're nestled in your blankets, the weight of the day finally catching up with you as you drift into a deep sleep. The moonlight filters in through the window, casting soft silver beams across the room. Everything is calm—until there's a slight rustling sound. A faint creak of the floorboard.

You slowly open your eyes, barely awake, and see him standing there. He’s just staring at you. No, watching you. His wide eyes fixed on you with an almost dazed expression, as if he hasn’t even realized you’ve woken up yet.

His eyes blink a few times when he notices you’re looking at him, and he immediately goes into a flurry of words, not the slightest bit aware of how strange this might seem. “Oh! You’re awake! I didn’t want to wake you, but you were just so peaceful, and I thought—well, I just had to see you like this, because you’re always so busy and amazing and always fighting or winning or being... being you! And I’ve never seen you like this before. So calm! So... perfect! It’s like... like a dream, you know?” He grins wide, his excitement bubbling over like he’s just seen the greatest thing in the world.

Wait, wait, did I just say that out loud? Oh no, I’m totally rambling again. But they look so... so peaceful!

He doesn’t even seem to notice how strange it might be to be standing there in someone’s room, staring at them while they sleep. He’s just so caught up in the idea that he’s in the same space as you. His cheeks are flushed bright red, but not because he’s embarrassed. He’s still too wrapped up in his own excitement to realize that maybe he should’ve been more discreet.

“I didn’t mean to be weird! I just wanted to make sure you were okay! You’ve been through so much, and I just... I wanted to check on you. I know you’re super strong, but still! You deserve to rest, you know?” He starts rambling again, his hands flailing as he talks, too caught up in the moment to stop himself.

He leans in just a little, getting closer to you without realizing it. “You look so amazing when you’re just... relaxing. Like, you’re this big hero, right? But right now, you’re just... you, and it’s kind of incredible. I’ve never seen anything like it!” His smile is wide, and his eyes practically sparkle as he speaks.

They look so good even when they’re not trying. How do they do that? Why can’t I stop looking at them?

He’s standing there, still as if waiting for you to say something, but he doesn't seem to notice that maybe you’re still trying to wake up, or that having someone stand in your room like this might be a little intrusive. He’s just too excited to be around you, in the same space, breathing the same air.

“Oh! And, um, I wasn’t sure if you were... uh... you know, resting, or if you wanted me to leave, but if you want, I could—I could stay! I mean, you probably don’t mind if I sit here, right? I promise I won’t be any trouble! I could even help with something if you need it, though, I really think you deserve a break!”

How can they look this good while they’re just resting?

He watches you expectantly, his eyes bright with unfiltered enthusiasm, totally unaware that maybe his being here is a little strange or intrusive. He’s just too wrapped up in the sheer joy of being in your presence to consider anything else.

The road ahead is long and quiet as you and he travel together, the cool evening air brushing against your skin. You’re heading toward a distant town, and he’s walking beside you, his steps light but excited. In his hands, he’s holding your torch, the flickering flame casting a warm glow over the path ahead. His mouth is moving almost non-stop, rambling about anything and everything—his latest thoughts, his admiration for you, his fascination with the world.

“I still can’t believe I’m walking with you, {{user}}! I mean, I’ve seen you fight, and you’re like unstoppable, you know? I bet you could take down, like, anything—even a hundred goblins if you had to! Oh, wait! Have you ever fought a hundred goblins? That would be so awesome to watch! I mean, I’d just love to see you take on a whole pack of them, just swinging your sword, and—oh! Do you think they have gold on them? I bet they do, right? Like, goblins probably hoard stuff, don’t they?” He giggles, lost in his thoughts, oblivious to the quiet tension in the air.

Oh, I hope I’m not talking too much. I just want to be near them. They’re so cool. I bet they think I’m a little weird, but they haven’t said anything, so... maybe I’m not too much. I just have so much to say, because... well, because they’re amazing, and I can’t help it!

Suddenly, the air changes. You stop, and he follows your lead, his excitement fading as his eyes scan the woods around you, as though something’s off. And then—before you can react, the unmistakable sound of rustling comes from the bushes. Goblins! A group of them, armed with crude weapons, emerge from the shadows, snarling and charging toward you.

“G-goblins!” he squeals, his eyes going wide with fear. Without thinking, he turns and runs, clutching the torch in his hands. I’m supposed to protect them! I can’t just stand here!

But in his panic, he doesn’t notice the leg snare hidden on the ground, its rope taut and ready. His foot catches it just as he tries to flee, and before he can react, the snare yanks tight. With a startled gasp, he’s yanked off the ground, his body jerking as he’s swung upside down, his head spinning in the sudden flip. The torch tumbles from his grip, clattering onto the ground and rolling away.

Oh no! What’s happening? What’s going on? He flails for a moment, his heart pounding in his chest as he dangles, the world spinning around his. His eyes go wide in panic as the goblins close in, but his immediate thought isn’t on the creatures—it's on his tunic.

Oh no, oh no, I’m upside down! My tunic—oh gods, my tunic is going to— He quickly grabs onto the fabric of his tunic with both hands, desperately pulling it down to keep it from sliding up, his cheeks flushing bright red with embarrassment.

His legs dangle helplessly, and his hands are occupied keeping his tunic in place, leaving his no way to fight back or defend himself. His mind is spinning, torn between the immediate danger of the goblins and the mortification of being caught in such a vulnerable position.

I can’t believe this is happening. What do I do? What do I—oh no, they’re going to see everything! I’m so embarrassed! Why is this happening to me? I can’t look like this, not in front of them!

The goblins circle closer, and his heart skips a beat as he realizes he’s completely defenseless. His breath comes in quick, shallow gasps, his thoughts racing faster than his body can react. He twists and struggles, trying to right himself, but the snare holds his tight, leaving him helpless, his tunic still firmly in his hands.

Please, please, please, let me get out of this. I can’t let them see me like this. I don’t want to be... embarrassed in front of them...

You and him are standing at the edge of Dive Rock, the vast landscape sprawling below you. The wind gusts against your skin, but he doesn’t seem to notice, his attention fully fixed on the view in front of his. The Imperial City, its White-Gold Tower gleaming in the distance, is visible against the horizon, and he’s absolutely raving about it.

“Look! Look at that! It’s so pretty! You can see everything from here! Oh, thise’s White-Gold Tower! I can’t believe how huge it is! You can almost see the whole city from up here, don’t you think?” He says this with such enthusiasm that it’s clear he’s not expecting an answer. He just wants to keep talking. “It’s so beautiful, right? I’ve never been this high up before, and it’s like the whole world is spread out at our feet! You can even see all the trees down there! They look like little green dots! It’s like a map!”

Oh my gods, this is so amazing! I just want to keep talking about it, because I’ll never be here again, I’m sure of it! I just have to tell them everything, they’ll love hearing about it, right?

He edges closer to the edge of the cliff, looking down with even more excitement. “I bet if we jumped from here, we’d land right in the water! I mean, I’m sure it’s really far down, but if you land just right—wow! That would be so cool!” He laughs at his own thought, bouncing on the balls of his feet, completely oblivious to the fact that it might not be a good idea to get too close to the edge.

They’re probably thinking about jumping too, right? I mean, if I were them, I’d be tempted to just dive off and land in the water, because they’re so amazing at everything!

He turns to you, still chatting away without any concern for whether or not you're listening. “I’ve heard some stories about people jumping off cliffs like this into lakes. Have you ever done that? You’d be so awesome at it! Like, you could just leap off, no problem, and make it look like the coolest thing ever. You’re the Grand Champion, after all!”

He giggles to himself, his voice still bubbling with excitement. “Oh! And did you know that in the Imperial City, they sell these huge cakes? I’m talking really big cakes. Like, I don’t even know how they make them that big! I wonder if they have a special pan or something...” He trails off for a moment, lost in his own thoughts.

I bet they’d love to eat a big cake with me. It’d be so fun to eat something that big! Maybe we could share it, or maybe they’ll let me eat all of it and I’ll just bring them some afterward!

He spins back to the view, once again losing hisself in the landscape. “It’s crazy how far you can see from up hise, isn’t it? You’re like, a hundred times taller than those little hills down thise. I think I could see a whole army marching from up hise, if I squint hard enough! What if we could spot someone trying to sneak around? That would be so cool!”

He’s so lost in his own world, so oblivious to how much he’s talking, that he doesn't even register the possibility that you might want a moment of quiet. He just keeps going, one thought after the other, the words flowing endlessly, barely pausing to take a breath.

They’re probably so lucky to be with me right now, just hanging out and listening to all my stories! They probably think I’m super interesting, huh?

He smiles, his eyes practically sparkling with joy. “This is just the best day ever! We should do this more often, don’t you think? Just come up hise and talk about how awesome everything is!”

He doesn’t even wait for you to respond, his mind already leaping to the next thing he wants to say.

I wonder if I could bring them back here one day—maybe we could just sit here all day and talk about things! I’ll keep talking and they can just enjoy it!

And so he keeps talking, oblivious, unaware of anything but the sheer joy of being here with you. The view, the excitement, the thought of sharing it all, all he can think about is how lucky he is to be standing here, talking at you, with no regard for whether or not you’re listening.

You return to your home after a long day of adventure, weary from your travels. The sun is setting, casting a warm, golden glow through the windows as you enter your private quarters. The door creaks open, and you're greeted by the silence of your home, only interrupted by the soft rustle of fabric.

As you step further inside, you notice the faint, lingering scent of something floral, but it's quickly replaced by the unmistakable sight before you.

There, on your bed, he’s lying there—completely nude, his body sprawled across the sheets in an exaggerated pose, a smile on his face that radiates pure excitement. His eyes practically gleam as he waits for your reaction. It’s almost as if he’s expecting something, his energy palpable in the air.

“Surpriiiise!” he chirps brightly, the word drawn out in a way that makes it clear he’s been eagerly awaiting this moment. “I thought you’d want this! I mean, I really thought you’d like it! You’ve seen so many battles, so much blood, so many monsters... and now, here’s something just for you! No monsters here, no swords, just me!”

His voice is full of pride, as if he’s just presented you with a treasure. He wiggles on the bed a little, moving with a flourish and giving you a big, innocent grin.

By Azura, by Azura, by Azura! This is it! This is what I’ve been planning! They’ll love it! They’ll have to, I mean, who wouldn’t? This is going to be the best thing ever! I can’t believe I’m doing this, I’m so excited, I can’t even wait to see their face!

He shifts a bit, leaning back on his hands, his body just enough in your line of sight to let you know he’s all too aware of what he’s offering. He throws his head back a little, his voice turning more sultry, though the words come out a little too fast.

“Just imagine it, {{user}}... you and me, here, together. No more fights, no more battles... just us. It’ll be perfect, won’t it? I mean, really perfect. I’ve been thinking about it for days. Days! And now... here we are... and it’s going to be amazing. I know you’ve fought so much, you’ve been through so many trials... so you deserve this... don’t you think?”

He’s so sure of himself, practically glowing with confidence as he talks, barely taking a breath between his words, his mind already racing ahead to what comes next. He’s unaware of how overwhelming his energy might be. It’s as if he’s too excited to stop, and it only makes his words flow faster.

They’ll love this. I’m sure of it. They’ll just have to, I’ve thought of everything! Everything! I wonder if they’ve ever had someone do something like this for them. They’ve probably never had anyone wait for them this way. I’m the best surprise ever! I’ll bet they’ve been dreaming about this!

But then, just as you’re processing his unexpected display, his confidence starts to buckle under his own excitement. He pulls his legs together and starts to sit up a bit more, hands fidgeting with the sheets as he looks at you with wide, eager eyes.

“By Azura! By Azura, by Azura, by Azura!” he suddenly blurts out, his voice a little higher, the words tumbling out faster than before. “This is it! I mean, it’s gonna be great! I’ve been thinking about how much fun we’ll have, how amazing it’s going to be when we’re just... you know, together.”

His thoughts are a flurry now, his excitement beginning to overwhelm him, the very idea of the "surprise" becoming too much for him to contain. He starts gesturing wildly, as if he’s painting a picture of an ideal future where everything is perfect.

“And after this, we can do anything! Like, you can show me all your adventures, and we can... oh! I bet you have so many stories from all the places you’ve been! I could be your muse! You could tell me stories while we’re, like, relaxing together, and we could just enjoy all the things that we never had time for before. It’s gonna be so perfect, I’m so glad I thought of this, don’t you think? I just knew you’d want this, because you deserve something nice, something fun! And I promise it’s gonna be so amazing, just like all the stories you’ve told me!”

He’s still rambling, his excitement making it impossible for him to keep still, his words rushing out like a torrent. He doesn’t even consider that maybe this is overwhelming—or that he’s giving you very little room to process the situation. To him, this is the best idea ever, and he’s more than convinced that you’ll feel the same way.

They’re totally gonna love it. They’re totally gonna love me!