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[averageallogene]

— like the faint moonlight of yesteryear

[averageallogene]

Serendipity ☆⊹˚ [Ch. 1]

noun, plural ser·en·dip·i·ties. the faculty or phenomenon of finding valuable or agreeable things not sought for.

✧˖°. Chapter 1 - Unlikely Encounter

oc story and lore; SPOILERS for character lore for Tartaglia / Childe. Pre-written before Skirk's release. (if she ever will be? I think so? Idk tho.)

4k words.

notes. This is definitely a shift from what I usually publish. I began working on this months ago and am mostly publishing for myself to keep it in a prettier format. I don't know if I'll regret sharing it or not but since I drew something to accompany this chapter I decided to just put it out there. Don't know if I'll update this or not but if by any chance anyone decides to support this in any way, thank you. :)

His boots hit the heavy ground as he walked, destination still unclear. The place where the boy found himself was difficult to navigate to say the least, but he’d already come used to it. The air felt cold, yet suffocating all the same. There were little sounds in the air, only the recurring howl of a beast breaking it as the stars shone down through the abyss. It no longer phased him, having been down there for a month already. Or was it two? It felt more like the latter. What had his master told him again? Time was convoluted in this place, was all he understood. The rest didn’t quite matter.

Well, that wasn’t totally true. How were his parents, Ajax wondered? His mother would’ve been worried sick by that point, that was certain. Much didn’t happen in their little seashore town, so with his disappearance, he could almost bet his hand on how everyone had already been mobilized to look for him. He almost felt guilty if he thought too much about it. He simply hoped his siblings were doing okay, especially Tonia and Anton. Teucer still was too young to understand, and the teenager trusted his family to keep him and his younger siblings out of the loop, for their own safety. 

He carried his wooden sword with him, already battered and no longer really useful against enemies. All it was good for was training by himself whenever he ran off from his master, for her training sessions didn’t satiate him fully. He still had room for improvement, and for someone as both ambitious and impatient, Ajax wanted results as quickly as his body could produce. Somehow he always found his way back, even when his surroundings warped before him. The abyss was mysterious and dangerous, yet it appeared to have taken a liking to him, simply throwing obstacles at him to test if he was still worthy to return to Skirk. Well, that’s what he thought of it, at least. 

Another howl, a heavy thud following suit as he still walked. It was the latter sound that peaked his interest however, his head tilting up as his dull ocean eyes stared forward. It wasn’t uncommon for the monsters within the abyss to fight for territory, heck, they would fight for both anything and nothing. It was the way silence fell however, without a fight or a sound of a struggle, that seemed out of place. The boy turned behind him, for a moment grounding himself. It couldn’t be his master, for he’d been far off, could it? Well, then again perhaps it could, Skirk had been in that realm for far longer than he was. Navigating it was something she knew with the back of her hand, however if she truly was there, she would’ve called for him already. She always knew when he was nearby, his name leaving her lips in a stern and cold matter as he called him forth. 

He approached, his surroundings gaining shape the closer he came. Like watery ink on a piece of paper, the shape of trees and ground would take shape, not necessarily gaining any color. The volume and mass of such things were there, yet in eternal warp the abyss negated much realism aside from that. The appearing scenery of a forest drew itself as he walked through, bumping into trees as he still got used to navigating around this temporary home of his. 

In close proximity his eyes landed on a rifthound, its body lying on the cold floor as it already began to dissipate. Its size was bigger than average, a vicious hunter that was more than difficult to become prey. Yet there it laid, its corpse partially hidden by the figure that maintained its back turned to him. Knelt to the ground was a person, hair dark as the night sky and tied to the right side of the head, adorned in a strange patterned dress. Ajax didn’t move, his calloused hand gripping his makeshift weapon as he simply stared. He didn’t blink, yet remained calm, analyzing the situation. Their clothing displayed a pattern of a flower he’d never seen, ripped and stained throughout many different areas. There didn’t seem to be any weapons on them, yet there was an air of calmness that he couldn’t dismiss. No unseasoned warrior could’ve befell a rifthound, especially someone as seemingly puny as them. 

“...So that is how you corrode one’s skin.” A soft echo ringed out, a fragile tone reaching his ears as he listened. His eyebrows raised lightly, surprised to hear a young girl’s voice. She shifted in her place, studying the fallen beast before it would fully disappear before her. Touching its fangs, looking at its claws, she mumbled for herself as if thoroughly enthused with the morbid lesson. “Dangerous. Thankfully nobody lives here.”

She wasn’t on guard. He could very easily ambush her, give himself an opportunity that was, in all honesty, quite hard to come by. Ajax hadn’t seen any other human in the abyss since his arrival, and Skirk hadn’t told of anyone she’d come across either. The weirdly dressed girl could easily become prey, but that wasn’t exactly what he craved. He didn’t want to slaughter mindlessly, what he wanted was a challenge, a way to sharpen his skills. It was a bit of a gamble in his mind as he thought it over - on one hand, she seemed fragile, no older than himself and unequipped with anything to fight back. On the other, a wolf of the rift laid before her feet, with her seemingly unscathed besides her clothes tattered and dirty. 

“Oh… Hi.” He felt his shoulders tense, blue eyes meeting hers as the girl now stared right at him. Despite the distance, Ajax could stare right through them, a strange pair of pale irises glancing at him with only mild surprise. “It seems I was wrong… There are people here.”

He swore he could’ve heard relief in her tone, yet Ajax was more preoccupied with how she’d noticed him so quickly. While he still stared her way, his opinion on the girl began to shift, his face scrunched ever so lightly. 

“How did you notice me?” He wondered aloud.

“You were breathing a little too loud.” She pointed out, bringing to the table a new thing to be utterly self conscious about. Her pale face watched as his warped in confusion, seemingly stopping the interrogation to test it himself. The two teenagers remained quiet for a moment, her letting him study if he did indeed blow air out of his nose too heavily. Feeling a twinge of guilt, she offered him an awkward smile before justifying herself. “Well, I lied… It’s not that you breathe loud - it’s just, uh, after being surrounded by silence for too long, you start hearing every little sound a little better.” 

At that point, he looked at her as if she was crazy. She only smiled at him however, clearly not taking it to heart. Then again, wasn’t he also a little out there? His master was quick to remind him of that every so often,  anyway.

"What are you doing here?" He broke the silence again, his eyes narrowing whilst remaining in the same place. 

"That's a bit difficult to answer, honestly." She simply stated, voice sheepish as she still looked his way. Then, raising her hand, she offered her open palm to him before awkwardly taking the lead. "If you want… You can get closer. I'm not going to hurt you."

She could've sworn she heard him snort under his breath. Yeah, she did. If the sound didn't give it away, the rather dirty grin across his pale face sure did. Ajax was both appalled and amused with her apparent confidence. She wouldn't hurt him? Now that was an amusing thought, so much so that apparently he couldn't help but voice.

"How do you know I won't be the one hurting you?" 

Her hand lowered slightly, lips closing and forming back into a straight line. For a few moments they remained like they were, only the howling of the wind being heard in the background. Was she studying him? With the way she intensively looked at him, he could've guessed so.

"If that's the case… Why haven't you already?" She countered, a sprinkle of tone amidst the otherwise innocent curiosity.

Well, she had a good question. Yet, after having spent a rather long time with Skirk, Ajax had picked up on the dry, borderline disturbing humor she would often spout. 

"Maybe I want to lure you in, giving you a false sense of trust before doing so." He grinned dangerously, though in all honesty it felt more like pure mischief. He could see the sudden surprise form on her face, eyelids widening ever so slightly before she lowered her arm completely. 

"...You've been here for a while, haven't you?" She commented, all the while dodging his previous antic. His face shifted again, the young girl noting how he was rather expressive.

"What's that supposed to mean?" He nearly retorted, his mind trying to make sense of what she could possibly mean with such a question. The girl only smiled, huffing with a twinge of humor before shaking her head.

"Nothing… Well, if you'd rather not approach then I guess I should get going." 

"Hey, wait!" Ajax was quick with that one, the girl only having time to turn her foot in the opposite direction of his. Taking a step forward, he still stared at her, now with curiosity and straightforwardness. "Where are you even going?"

"I don't know. Around here, I guess." She shrugged. He couldn't really understand, though.

"Do you know how vague 'around here' is?" He muttered, simply having taken one step towards her before abruptly stopping again. 

"Yeah, I'm aware… You ask a lot of questions, you know?" She said with a small grin, eyes gleaming with what he could only describe as amusement. 

"It's not everyday you find someone casually roaming the abyss." The young boy reasoned, kicking a small pebble that had morphed before him.

"Hence why I thought you might like to chat, before threatening me that is." She laughed it out, a small set of tired giggles escaping her lips before her hands played with the flowery fabric of her attire. 

Ajax's lips pursed, his hand still casually holding his wooden sword as he pondered his choices. He should be training, pursuing strength even whilst unaccompanied. Yet still, he wasn't even certain of how long he'd be in the abyss; surely one instance of idle chat with someone around his age couldn't hurt. All he had to do was remain on guard, and he'd be fine. Not only that, but the reality of this strange girl having been apparently able to down a rifthound without a weapon piqued his interest. Perhaps, if he played his cards right, she could teach him something new. 

"Alright… Maybe we just started on the wrong foot." The boy muttered, lowering his blunt weapon before finally taking steps forward. "Mind if we uh, start over?" He took another step forward, mimicking her previous gesture upon offering her his open hand. 

"Sure, fine by me." She smiled, unbeknownst to him the realest smile she'd given herself for the past consecutive weeks. 

She watched as he came closer, her curious eyes gazing at him all the while. Ajax's blue irises met violet ones, shining in silence as the small eye bags under them contrasted in a slightly unpleasant manner. Still, she smiled at him nonetheless, holding her hands together afront herself before he finally reached her side. Behind the shaggy black locks he noticed something peculiar, strange marks on her cheekbones of the same color of her hair. Seeming fuzzy in texture, he found it odd yet weirdly characteristic all the same, a strange fixation to wanting to poke them crossing his mind before stopping. She wore strange attire, nothing he'd ever seen before. A strange dark blue dress, patterned with a red flower that repeated itself all over, the fabric cut off around her torso with what he could only describe as a large, blocky belt with a ribbon behind. The wooden sandals on her feet were dirtied, much like the rest of her clothing, a few rips tattered throughout as a sign of how long she'd possibly been there.

All the while, the girl eyed him, noting the warm clothing he sported. The furs, the colors, the way his boots were up to nearly his knee… From the little she had learned with her mother, he was someone from the north no doubt, dealing with the frigid cold before stumbling into such a dark place. His brown jacket had a long gash on his left arm, his right sleeve straight up ripped below the elbow. The ginger boy had many small cuts peppered throughout his skin, even a few dirtied bandages on his leg from possibly a previous injury gained during his stay. 

"Well, I asked a lot of questions," he reasoned, attempting to break the ice as he finally reached her side. Up close, he had a better look at her face, eyes watching him attentively behind her long lashes. "So why don't you ask something in return?"

"Seems fair." She nodded her head, all the while quietly inviting him to follow her along as they calmly began walking. 

It felt odd, yet at the same time, refreshing. Ajax had been training for around two months, and while it was a short time span, it felt like it was far too long all the same. Depending on with which lens he looked at it, the abyss had either been an eternity or a flicker of a mere moment. And amidst all the chaos it had been, he currently took a break by walking with her, the strange company feeling nothing short of inoffensive, something he hadn't felt ever since he'd fallen down from his home country. 

"Well… I suppose I should ask what are you doing in such a place?" She began, her shoulders shrugging in indifference and uncertainty. She thought how odd it had been, she hadn't decided to ask for his name first, but then again neither did he. Maybe she only thought of throwing back the same questions he'd given her before beginning with some new ones. Yeah, that made sense.

"I'm going under training with my master." True to himself, Ajax answered without a single fault to his voice. The young girl glanced at him, studying the conviction in his voice before nodding her head. She didn't speak, as if coaxing him to elaborate if he wanted. And want, he did. "Been here for two months…. I think. It's difficult to tell time here. But it's been a journey, that's for sure. I've been getting stronger, but I'm still not nearly satisfied."

"You want to get stronger… Can I ask for what reason?" She seemed to be intrigued in his story, and Ajax wasn't one to not answer upon being questioned. 

With pride, he huffed. "I want to reach high, as high as I can. No, beyond what I can, I'll get whatever that I want." He looked up, eyes reflecting the stars of the abyss without any shine of its own. "And I want the world."

"The world, huh… That's dreaming big." She smiled at him, neither questioning nor judging. The girl before him seemed to only accept what he said, humming along as she basked in the temporary company. After all, how long had it been since she'd seen anyone?

"I'm not dreaming," he barked, head whipping in her direction. His eyes narrowed, freckled face staring right at her as his eyebrows lowered. "I'll make it reality, mark my words."

"Ohhh. Talking big!" She laughed breathlessly, before nodding her head as they kept on walking, neither exactly knowing where their destination lied. "I might just hold you onto that."

"And you can, you'll see." Confidence oozed from his being, her being unsure if it was either due to madness or something else entirely. Whilst she finished with her quick laugh, he decided to try his luck again, wanting answers for one of many questions. "What about you? How come you're in the abyss, and… Like that? I mean, no offense but…" Ajax's hand was turned to her, simply gesticulating at her dirty clothing that, frankly, wasn’t suited for such a place.

For a few moments, they just kept on walking through the apparent forest. The girl seemed to know her way around the realm as well, navigating herself without question as her temporary companion followed along. Only after a long enough silence did she answer, taking a deep breath in whilst looking from the skies back to the ground.

"I was… Running, from someone." She revealed, her voice softer than before. "I stumbled upon the abyss while fleeing, and decided to stay here for the meantime."

"You were running? From whom?" It was now his turn to be engrossed with her story, his face not leaving hers whilst he offered his ear to listen. 

"It's hard to explain, frankly. I'd take too long… And who knows how long we have?" She answered with a small smile, one that reeked of nervousness.

Something told Ajax that whoever this girl ran from spelled danger. And he, liking danger, was indeed intrigued. But even still, if that was the main focus of his sudden interest, he couldn't ignore the more than apparent anxiety of the girl. 

"Is someone following you? Need someone to take care of it?" He proposed with eagerness, catching her off guard. Smiling yet again, she answered.

"Woah, you're… Uh, rather nice. But… I don't think that's a good idea." In innocence, that’s what she thought. Someone being kind, and not scavenging for trouble. 

"It can't be anything I can't handle. Don't underestimate me! I've been here for two months, under training of one of the very best." Coming to a sudden halt, he turned her way fully, prompting her to do the same back to him. "Come on, who's bothering you? I'll take care of it."

There was another brief silence, the two teenagers sharing a glance. There was no light in Ajax's eyes, yet his words seemed to burn with fire. He meant what he said, which only further made the girl sigh with both thankfulness and pity. 

"Thanks, but I shouldn't accept. It'll only give you more trouble than what it's worth." She explained calmly, gaze breaking from his own as she glanced down with a heavy breath. "I'm afraid it's not something that can just go away."

Ajax's lips pursed in thought, clearly unhappy with the answer. His free hand found its way to his pocket, taking her answer and reflecting upon it. He almost felt offended, as if she didn't think he'd be strong enough to fend off whatever could be bothering her. The pout, apparently, was big enough for her to even notice, the girl offering him a glance and a smaller but more sincere smile. 

"Maybe with time… If we meet again, I'll explain it a little better to you." 

"You're really staying here?" He asked with a certain level of surprise in his voice. 

“Yeah. It’s not like I know how to get back anyway…”

“Oh.” 

By that point, Ajax took the lead and had a seat against one of the many trees around the area. He leaned his head against it, watching as the other teenager hesitated before sitting beside him. Both now sat against the woodbark, at least that’s what it felt like it was, both awkwardly trying to think about what to talk about. He could always invite her to get back with him to Skirk, couldn’t he? But then again, would she be able to handle the pressure she would put on her? His master didn’t seem like one that would simply take a strange, weak girl under her wing. A dead weight, as he calculated she’d describe her. 

“Where are you even from?” he finally managed to inquire, trying to fill the otherwise silent air while she played with her own fingers. 

“Inazuma.” She answered, melancholy filling her mind as she thought back on her family, her friends, those she cared about. How would everyone be doing? Her mother must’ve been worried sick. How long had she been down there, again? Her head felt fuzzy trying to think about it, jumping realms as she tried finding a way back home. 

“Oh. I heard of it,” Ajax’s tone was light, lighter than one would consider when talking about two young people stuck in a terrifying abyss. “But that’s the extent of it. Do you uh, all dress like that?”

He could hear her blow air out of her nose, a small smile forming on her face before disappearing. Unsure if he meant it in a genuine or mocking way, the girl decided to go with the first option before eventually answering him.

“No, not really. We just kind of wear these when there are festivals.” 

His lips opened, his body nearly rushing before his mind could accompany. So you were in a festival before you ended up here, was what he intended to say before he shut himself right up. That just felt heavy, more than likely making her slump on herself more than what she already was. His lips pursed, his head shifting slightly before a simple Oh left him.

“What about you? I’m assuming you’re from the colder north?” She mumbled, looking up at the abundant stars that lit the apparent sky of the realm. 

“Mhm.” He nodded his head, thinking back on the white snows of his motherland. It was strange whenever he thought of it, how the abyss was neither cold nor hot. His excessive layers to combat the freezing temperatures didn’t feel overwhelming, only further adding a layer of mystery to it. “Snezhnaya.” He further added, the name leaving his tongue with conviction. 

“Oh… Snez… Snezhnaya.” She attempted to repeat the name, rolling it out with a slight accent he couldn’t quite place. She nodded her head before continuing. “I’ve heard a little bit about it, but not much… It’s quite far, after all.”

“True. Kinda crazy, how we both ended up here at the same time.” He pointed it out, following her gaze and looking up at the lit sky as well. “Seems like the abyss took quite a liking to us, huh.”

The stars were immense, a few even flying through in a line of light before dissipating before their eyes. There seemed to be a moon in the realm as well, or perhaps it was merely an illusion of it. It provided a gentle light during the perpetual night, though its bigger surface seemed somewhat threatening when compared to the one they would gaze upon up in Teyvat. They simply remained there for a few minutes, relishing in the silence before Ajax grew impatient from remaining still for too long.

“I just realized something.”

“That you need to leave?” She smiled softly, half predicting what he thought. 

“Mhm, but before I do,” He was already standing up, offering his hand for her to take. Quietly she did, him pulling her up on her feet without much of a struggle. He watched as her expression widened in surprise, almost stumbling forward before catching herself. “I don’t even know your name!”

“O-Oh, that’s true. I don’t know yours, either.” She pointed out, the two sharing a glance before him shrugging and taking the initiative.  

“I’m Ajax.” He gave her a bright smile, contrasting with his eyes. Still, he offered her his hand for her to shake, something she did after a brief moment. 

“Pretty name, Ajax.” Smiling right back at him, she could feel his firm hand shaking hers with conviction. Calloused, borderline blistered. He’d definitely been giving his all. “I’m Hotaru.”

“Hotaru, huh.” He simply nodded, noting in his head in case he were to ever see her again. Part of him hoped, simply because she was still shrouded in mystery. Something in him told him there was more than meets the eye with her, and Ajax was one to trust his instincts. “Definitely different from what I usually hear…”

She simply shrugged, their handshake coming to an end. They remained still for a moment more, the boy leaning down to pick up his sword again. 

“I’ll see you around. Maybe.” Hotaru hummed, giving him space before watching him turn around. His head whipped in her direction, a grin on his freckled face. 

“Hey, I’m actually going out of my way to remember your name, so don’t go dying on me now! That’s no fun.” Ajax laughed, an ever slight twinge of madness underneath his otherwise jolly tone. 

She only nodded, unsure of what to even say. Instead, she only watched as the strange boy from the faraway land of Snezhnaya walked away, eventually disappearing in the abyssal distance. 

With him, silence reigned again. Hotaru was once more on her own, a heavy breath leaving her nose. She’d have to begin moving, lest she wanted to get caught by the one that perpetually followed her.

[averageallogene]

Took a break from writing x readers drabbles to actually work on something a little more personal. Who knows if I actually get the guts to upload it 乁⁠(⁠ ⁠.⁠ ⁠ര⁠ ⁠ʖ̯⁠ ⁠ര⁠ ⁠.⁠ ⁠)⁠ㄏ

[averageallogene]

"I feel so normal about him" well I dont. move

[averageallogene]

u think i am joking but this is genuinely how i look while writing: “god, you’re so fucking wet” and “such a good girl” for the hundreth time in my miserable existence

[averageallogene]

"i love love love you."

you‘re being encased by two strong arms holding you near while childe was slowly pulling in and out of you— he feels warm, wet and you shudder against his chest when his grip on you tightens.

with all the effort you could muster, you pinch your hips a little up to receive the toe curling blows of his long cock piercing so damn perfectly at your prickling skin.

to your credit, you took him so very well tonight, and childe just had to let you know it too, yet not before stretching you out to your limits and you suddenly felt fuller than you ever did before. "fuck— i love you so much."

he does it again, this time kissing your lips after praising you. he heaves, smiling almost impatiently for you to say it back and make his entire night all the more enchanting.

you brace yourself, "i— i love you too!" and your eyes go unfocused now, glancing over his lips and exposed, sweaty chest as you place your hands against his back to keep him in— and ajax looked down on you, his eyes glowing underneath his lashes, lips open wide as he places one of your legs on his shoulder, thrusting up faster and faster, needing to cum, vision bristling with hearts the moment he heard you say it back.

©2023 anantaru do not repost, copy, translate, modify

[averageallogene]

When the 'new follower' notification turns out to just be a bot

[averageallogene]

You might be bigger and stronger but I have a pretty pussy that you're obsessed with 🙄

[averageallogene]

I hope the fic you are working on right now finds a reader who will think about it constantly for years

[averageallogene]

GENSHIN MEN & NICKNAMES THEY PREFER FOR YOU .

characters. xiao zhongli diluc kaeya childe neuvillette x gn!reader genre. romantic fluff. an. this may not be accurate, most of these (except for mandarin) are from google!!! and please be gentle when giving feedback. | please reblog!! im getting back into writing and reblogs with tags and comments will make me want to write more :D

xiao

亲亲, which means dear one, in mandarin. the words are often softly spoken — so soft, you almost always miss it. the blush on his cheeks when he murmurs it aloud is a telltale sign, though.

zhongli

亲爱的, which means dearest, in mandarin. he loves peppering his words with this sweet nickname — the meaning extends to dear, dearest, darling, and sweetheart. when you first asked him what it meant, he just smiled.

diluc

mein herz, which means my heart, in german. the words are so soft yet so sweet on his tongue, and he can’t stop himself from repeating it in his mind every single minute you and him spend apart from one another.

kaeya

vögelchen, which means little bird, in german. this isn’t kaeya’s native language, but he picked it up after spending so many years living in mondstadt. he thinks you’re like a bird — carefree, peaceful, and a sweet reminder of hope.

childe

Солнце, which means the sun, in russian. the sun, because that’s what you remind childe of — the person who makes his days brighter and happier and the bringer of so, so many good things for him.

neuvillette

ma raison de vivre, which means my reason for living, in french. why? well, you’re his reason for living, simply put. you’re the reason he gets out of bed in the mornings to work, and to enjoy the things that fontaine has to offer. and he makes sure you know it.

taglist: @tiredsleep @loptido @raincxtter @chichikoi @ladyadii @soulsanta @sheiiths @genshinparty @eowinthetraveler @moonbyunniee @legitnoi @lemontum @manager-of-the-pudding-bank @starz222 @ilyuu @cherry-colored-petals @mondaymelon @tartaglia-apologist @soleillunne @m1shapanda @aimynx @smokipoki @adeptuscharm @diorlumx (send ask to be added to taglist)

reblogs w/ tags & comments help me lots !!! if you liked this, consider dropping me a follow as well :-)

[averageallogene]

under a moonless night

summary: in a written book, it tells the tales of three glorious adventurers, the two being lovers. together, they face the hurdles of what the world brings them, always coming out as victorious winners. yet in this tale, they fell as defeated, shattered diamonds.

content warning: major character death

pairing: aether x gn!reader lowercase intended + not proofread

extra: i recommend listening to isabella's lullaby while reading!

UNDER A MOONLESS NIGHT

... is where you can find two star-crossed lovers, bathing in the misty night at an abandoned castle. "promise to never leave me?" asked the lover whose eyes glistened in the dim hall where gold decorations faintly shined.

"you're well aware that i can never do that, mon soleil." said the boy with braided golden tresses as he gently swayed you, twirling you around as the long silky fabric that adorned your figure beautifully danced around the two of you, creating an illusion of a celestial dance that came from a fairy tale. from another's eyes, the two star-crossed lovers resembled a diamond carving of two dancers whose brilliance will always shine in the darkest corners of the world.

this world was not their home, and neither was the castle that had long been abandoned for centuries and centuries ago. yet in the premises of its grand structure, the world seemed timeless, as if it was only the two star-crossed lovers against the world.

UNDER A MOONLESS NIGHT

... you can find three adventurers who voyage world to world to find a home, but deep down, they know home isn't a place without the other as their souls had long been connected with a gentle thread that tethers them together.

the strings between the two star-crossed lovers were inevitably stronger, like two ties between two soulmates. the sister who watches the two was ecstatic, her brother was happy with the one he loves and she was grateful that his lover has a good heart, mutually seeing each other as siblings who care for one another like how a sister does to her younger sibling.

"come on now, you know this isn't fair!" came the boy with golden tresses, playfully whining at his lover and sister. in response, the two only laughed as they enjoyed the crêpes in their possessions. "this is what happens when you oversleep brother! come on, we're not leaving this world any time soon, we can get another one tomorrow!"

"she's right, ma lune. we have all the time in our hands! besides, crêpes are a universal food, we can always buy more in the next world." said the lover with a lovely smile as the sister grins, "unless they weren't made yet!"

the boy with golden tresses grumbled before playfully fighting with his sister, this elicited a laugh from three adventurers who voyage world to world. not to search for a new home, but rather, to experience the limitless possibilities with the ones they love together.

UNDER A MOONLESS NIGHT

... where you can find the soleil who settled in the fields of inteyvats, playing with the beautiful flowers of a godless kingdom. truly a sight for sore eyes, warmly thought the traveler as he took in the sight of his lover in the field of flowers as shooting stars flew in the sky.

the sky was bright, as if it wasn't night. truthfully, there was nothing more unearthly than the illogical upbringings of a newfound world, and those were the things that the three adventurers appreciated when traversing through different worlds.

some were common while some were unusual yet struck a cord of a heavenly sensation. they've seen far worse things than the ones they had recently encountered but endured it, hand to hand, with just the three of them against the world.

"why are you just standing there?" you called out with a light chuckle before gesturing the traveler, welcoming him in your quiet space, "come here...

aether!"

like a backlash, time flowed once again yet the clockwork seemed to move faster, resulting in the blur of time in the traveler's perception. aether wanted to move, he had to, yet why did it feel like he had been shackled down by his own torment?

in a written book, the previous chapters were all glorious tales of three adventurers, the two being star-crossed lovers. they travel from world to world where it is just the three of them against any mighty forces they encounter, and in the end, they have always stood victorious.

so why? what had made the author of Destinies so cruel to have the three glorious adventurers separated, stripped of their power, and defeated in the final battle?

aether knew he couldn't do anything, he watches you in frozen terror as your figure dissipates to thin air, leaving behind a trail blue particles, mouthing six words that had shattered his reality beyond repair.

"i'm sorry... i... broke our promise..."

the screams of his sister were silent in his world, he just couldn't grasp the notion of something so unreal, time stopped once more yet the feelings he felt wasn't one of love or happines.

it was of grief and sorrow.

the boy with golden tresses promised to never leave his star-crossed lover, yet the one who left at the end was the lover themselves. what an ironic promise.

— © wr.shannie created on 9.01.23 finished on 9.01.23

do NOT copy or plagiarize my work!!

[averageallogene]

"so love me. show me that you mean it."

"pardon?" lyney said, wide eyes speaking volumes of his bewilderment. you stood in front of him, remaining unfazed as the two of you spoke in the empty backstage of the opera epiclese, where no one would disturb the conversation you two held.

"you said you love me, didn't you?" purple clashes with yours, "yet you kept so many things from me... to think you'd be part of the fatui out of every organization...!" your voice trembled, so did your hands as your nails dug against your palms. lyney wanted to speak, his lips moved yet no voice could be heard.

"you promised to fix things between us... you promised to heal me, to gain back my trust! but after the events lately, i don't think it's possible to trust you again so easily." lyney's voice came, "i- i know... and i know that an apology wouldn't fix things so easily..."

tears adorned your eyes, threatening to fall yet you don't let yourself shed a tear. "so show me that you mean it. no more lies, no more deception... i don't want the lyney who had kept so much from me. i don't want the lyney who wasn't the actual lyney i knew to the point i questioned every aspect of our relationship if it was genuine or not."

"and i don't want us back if you don't trust me enough to tell me everything about you like i trusted you wholeheartedly with my life on the line..."

lyney stood frozen in front of you, a myriad of emotions ran wild to the point he wasn't able to identify the suffocating feeling he was experiencing. you were his rose, his beloved rose. but all roses have thorns, and your thorns have crushed his heart in your hold.

but you were right, to an extent that all lyney wished was to go back and make everything right, to show that he actually loves you. but time was irreversible, and he shouldn't be wishing to fix the broken past, as fixing the shattered pieces of diamond was nearly impossible.

he should be fixing the present, his and your relationship.

lyney remembered it like yesterday, the order he received from his "father" to watch you, observe you, and to deceive you.

he remembered nothing but the mission in mind, to him, you were nothing but a task, a job lyney had to finish.

the interactions, conversations, and moments you two shared slowly increased to something becoming more frequent. yet to lyney, all he had in mind was his "father's" mission.

and like the quick flow of time, like clockwork, your relationship became more than just prey and predator. to lyney, you began to be more than just a task, a mission.

a friend, a loved one.

and suddenly, like the quick turn of pages in a book, you two became so much more than a close friend. lips on lips, skin on skin. loving affirmations were exchanged and the cob had found its pen, two lovers resembling those of swans, genuine and beautiful.

but everything went too quick, the prophecy, the primordial sea, the serial disappearances of young women, and the trial. and lyney faces the broken string of his and your relationship, the very thing he feared and wished for it to become nothing but a fleeting thought, a fleeting nightmare.

"i promise i will, no matter what. to me, you are my rose, my beloved. i didn't want things to end up like this but as they say, the harsh truth will all come to light. i'm... i'm so sorry and i know i deserve this but i will do everything to fix us... i cannot bear the thought of us no longer being together but i promise... i promise that i will do it, to fix this mess. so, please... trust me like you've always had and i'll tell you everything, trust me and i'll show that i truly, truly love you."

lyney didn't even noticed the tears that cascaded down his cheeks, smudging the tear drop on his cheek as his shoulders trembled. archons, he just wished everything was normal, all lyney wished was to have everything back to how it was before. he would do anything, anything to have you back in his arms.

moments felt like hours, years even. but lyney gasped upon feeling your arms wrap around him, feeling your tears on his chest as you too, weep.

with hesitance, lyney pulled you into a tight embrace, having no intention of letting go soon as you two quietly cried in each other's arms.

tonight, after a stunning magic show was spent in the empty backstage where the dam had broken along with two lotuses emerging after, a symbol of two lovers getting back up, far stronger and beautiful than ever.

you can't separate two swans who had become each other's mates after all.

— © wr.shannie created on 9.03.23 finished on 9.03.23

( lowercase intended + not proofread )

do NOT copy or plagiarize my work!!

[averageallogene]

Genshin Characters Comparing Hands as an Excuse to Hold Your Hand

Pairing: Kaeya, Diluc, Itto, Thoma, Childe, Pantalone, Dottore, Arlecchino, Zhongli x Reader

Tags: fluff, established relationship, hand kisses, teasing, size difference

A/N: My hands are kinda small ngl, and baby smooth so that's nice at least.

Kaeya has pretty nice hands actually, he takes good care of them. His fingers are longer then yours and they're definitely a bit rougher when he holds yours. Always kisses your hand before intertwining fingers with yours but usually holds your hand the most when he's walking back after he came back from a mission.

Diluc wears gloves most of the time so the only time you get to feel his bare hands is when you're at home. His heart melts when you take them off and he immedietly presses his hand against yours before closing his hand around yours. What? He rarely gets to feel it, its a good feeling.

Itto fights a lot, it's not just the insides of his hands but his knuckles that are often bruised and wrapped in tape. Your hands are tiny, soft, gentle compared to his, he loves placing them over his face and letting his hands hover over yours. He always has the biggest smile when it happens.

Thoma works a whole lot and he is a bit self-concious about his hands, the tips of his fingers most of all. Kissing his hands makes his heart skip a beat and his face get the same color of his jacket. You lay on the bed when he puts his arm out, waiting for you to do the same to compare hand sizes before he takes your hand.

Childe always wants to hold your hand but he doesn't always know how to ask. He taps his hand against yours and pretends to notice how gentle it is compared to his. Not weird cause he fights more often then you, well more often then most people really. There's not many times he's not holding your hand in his after commenting on how nice they are.

Pantalone has gloves most of the time, but the one time he doesn't is in bed and before work. He asks you to put his gloves on him to feel your hand against his own for a bit. When his gloves are on he can still feel the heat of your hands when he pulls them towards his lips and kisses them to bid you goodbye.

Dottore doesn't have nice hands, even though they're covered in gloves they still get damaged by whatever chemicals and gadgets he's using. In comparison yours are unfairly smooth in his opinion. He appears to almost study them as an excuse to touch them and hold them in his at the lab.

Arlecchino is very aware that her hands might not feel the nicest, especially against yours but come to find out you love her hands. She's a dangerous woman but when she holds your hands, feeling the back of them with her thumb she doesn't feel nearly as vicious. Your hands are always covered in her lipstick by the time the hand-holding session is over.

Zhongli gasps when you ease his gloves off his hands, revealing the markings underneath. They're noticeable when you run your fingers across them, with little healed over scars as well but they don't feel bad. Your hand on his feels very good to him, it's almost a shame that he has to move it in order to be able to hold your hand.

[averageallogene]

THE BIG ARKHAM DATA LEAK OCTOBER 2023

TEXT FILES

DATED: weekdays on oct 23 SIZE: short fics, one character per prompt

APHRODISIACS alpha in a beta world

wriothesley [genshin impact]

KNOTTING i’m a mess

dan heng IL [honkai star rail]

PEGGING bow low for me

fushiguro megumi [jujutsu kaisen]

OVERSTIMULATION crying for you

neuvillette [genshin impact]

VIDEO FILES

DATED: sundays on oct 23 SIZE: fics & hcs, several characters

ORAL SEX ***

*** [***]

THREESOME ***

*** [***]

VIRGINITY LOSS ***

*** [***]

CORRUPTED DOCUMENTS

DATED: unknown, duration 1st - 31th oct 23 SIZE: unknown, still encrypting

DATA NOT FOUND. TRY AGAIN LATER!

please seek out the authorities for more information. feel free to send any kinky suggestions or ideas from 1st - 31th october. i will try to answer every ask i get and write a small extra to it!

TO ALL CITIZENS OF GOTHAM, THE AUTHORITIES ASK YOU TO OPEN THESE FILES WITH CAUTION!

PERSONAL NOTE: welcome welcome!! as a small thank you to the followers i gained and also to celebrate the milestone, i decided to participate in kinktober 2023! this post will be updated, so please read each warning before you proceed.

for this event and this event only, i accept requests. there is no guarantee that i will write your request, but i hope to add as many as i can to this masterlist.

CREDITS:

@/theme to the regular arkham breakouts the batfam has to go through

@/banner by me

@/divider by @cafekitsune

TAGLIST:

if you wish to get tagged by any kinktober posts, please comment on this post or send me an ask!

REBLOGS ARE APPRECIATED!!

ARKHAM MAID 2023

[averageallogene]

HI SORRY I NEED TO WRITE MORE AND I SHALL BUT I JUST WANTED TO SHARE MY PULLS OF YESTERDAY BECAUSE A GIRL HAS NEVER BEEN THIS LUCKY???

BACK TO BACK UGH THAT IS SO CUTE 😫💞 and ofc I had to go full on delulu with the coaxing of my friends to try and get that C1 and guess what 🤭

BEING DELULU IS THE WAY Y'ALL.

Anyway I feel blessed 🥹. Pookie came home.

[averageallogene]

Annoying bot blogs stop hitting the follow button challenge 😚

[averageallogene]

After the battle against Osial and urged on by Paimon, Lumine tracks Xiao down to confess her feelings, only to find him on a family outing with you, his wife and your son.

Xiao ♡⊹˚  Couldn’t have known [SFW]

fem. reader (3rd person) ; don't know whether to tag this as angst, or fluff, or both??? It just depends on the perspective I suppose. Xiao and reader are married. Cw. for unrequited feelings of a third party.

5k words.

notes. Poor Lulu, it's okay babygirl I'll try to do you justice on another drabble in the future <\3. But at the same time I got to give Xiao some semblance of peace with wholesome family time so I suppose I can take the heartbreak. Hope you enjoy ✧˖°.

The wounds within the nation were still fresh. The Harbor was on edge, its people doing the best they could to return to everyday life as part of the destroyed homes had already begun reconstruction. If before the battle with Osial the fatui were at the very least viewed as neutral, they were now deeply hated by every Liyue citizen, the organization being completely shut off from the outside as some people even resorted to physical violence as a response for their involvement with the tragedy. 

Suffice to say, Liyue was still shaky. Their God was gone as far as most knew, and the Qixing was the top of the food chain now. And despite having averted the crisis fairly well, most couldn't help but wonder, would they be able to protect them as well as Rex Lapis had? Some were hesitant, whilst others clung with the hope that it would be smooth sailing from there. After all, even if their God was gone, his adepti still remained, as well as the now hailed Hero of Liyue. They would be safe. 

Lumine hadn't quite gotten used to the flair of being hailed a hero still - after all, her primary reason for being there was to look for her brother, simply having stumbled upon more chaos that she was shoved into without her being fully aware. Even still, she knew better than to have turned her back on an entire nation on the verge of crisis, and so she had stayed and stuck around far longer than what she would've initially liked. It wasn't all for naught, though - she met new wonderful people, got to know more of the world of Teyvat and its customs and cultures. She got to hone her skills and become stronger, as well as, as her gut told her, take a step forward towards the truth. 

Among the many she had met, one had seemingly stuck around in her mind - Xiao, the lonesome Conqueror of Demons that would mostly stick around Wangshu Inn. Admittedly he'd been rather curt at first, yet it soon became obvious he carried more on his shoulders than what he would admit. And on that, as well as other things, Lumine found herself relating to him. It was slow progress, but Xiao had begun to open up as well, leaving her small cracks from which she could peek into. It was as though he was testing the waters, seeing if she would find him repulsive or unapproachable. He wasn't, not to her. 

He had been there for her, during the confrontation with Osial. It had been perhaps one of the only times thus far on her journey where Lumine had truly felt like she wouldn't make it, were it not for the aid of her allies. It had been a day filled with raw emotions, amplifying them beneath the surface and under the obvious threat from which they had lived through. And it was only after the fact, when she had taken some time to rest and ponder, that the emotions began to set, carving themselves into stone.

"I think it's quite obvious what needs to be done." Paimon had placed her hands on her hips, hovering close to her face as she gazed upon her with narrowed eyes.

"Oh? What are you talking about, Paimon?" Lumine feigned ignorance, an eyebrow being raised as she made a last ditch effort to avoid the topic.

"Don't play dumb with me, missy! I know you very well, you know?" The fair haired fairy pointed her finger to her, before shaking her head. "It's obvious you're head over heels over the lonesome adeptus Xiao. And the last thing I wanna see, is my companion regret not confessing her true feelings."

Well, she had to give it to Paimon. She could be simply and only driven by food, sure, but she had a more keen eye than what Lumine had really thought. 

The traveler huffed with a weak laugh, her head shaking. "No no, I don't think that's a good idea."

"Why not?!" She seemed utterly flabbergasted. "Wait, you're not even denying it-"

"What if I make him uncomfortable?" She thought aloud, eyebrows furrowing. "Or, let's say that I do manage to confess. What then? I can't expect him to leave Liyue behind."

"No one has to leave anything behind. We can always periodically return to Liyue Harbor while we travel!" Her flying companion suggested, her head nodding at her own proposal. 

She watched as Lumine seemed to consider that idea, a small sigh leaving her lips as she pondered over her options. As a seasoned adventurer, she had to, along her journey, learn to always consider the less favored outcomes an option. Were she to be rejected, she and Paimon would simply have to haste their move to their next nation… Yet, the idea of it not ending like that… It alone seemed to be enchanting enough for her to, in the end, decide to go forward with Paimon’s proposal.  

“It’ll go well, trust Paimon on this one!” She kicked her smaller feet in the air, her eyes sparkling with great hope for her companion. She helped Lumine pack before they were to head off to Wangshu Inn, the hailed Hero of Liyue feeling nervous for the first time in a little while. “There’s no way it won’t end well, Lumine! After all, you’re downright perfect!”

She couldn’t have known. Paimon couldn’t have known, either. It honestly was something even most adepti didn’t know of - it was something Xiao kept close to his chest, only a select few knowing about that side of him. He cared naught for finding a partner, never had in the eons he’d existed for. He saw no need. 

That was, until he had met [F/N]. A mere mortal, yet one he loved with his whole being.

It had been rough to come to terms with his emotions. It had been rocky, a steep climb for  [F/N] to be allowed in; yet somehow, she had managed to reach the peak, finding at the end of her journey a side Xiao would only reveal to her - it was always present, in the way he gazed upon her, his golden eyes reflecting the warm sunset that would bathe them each dusk that she visited him in Wangshu Inn. It was always present, in the way his gloved hand would hold her own, delicately, almost afraid to break her as if she were made of porcelain. He wasn’t one to outwardly express his emotions, yet the silence with him had felt comforting. It felt like a safe haven, Xiao finally finding a semblance of peace each time [F/N] would bless him with her presence. 

He was very well aware of the fleeting existence mortals led. It broke him each time he thought about it, yet, as [F/N] had asked him of, he’d always tried to think instead of the present. Even still, it was always something that had been at the back of his mind, ever since he’d finally accepted his emotions, and allowed her into his life. It gave him all the more reason to ensure she was safe, that only those who he could truly trust knew of her existence - for, when he couldn’t be there, they would ensure she wasn’t in danger. 

And this worry only doubled when [F/N] had confided in him that she, indeed, was carrying his child. Well, it had certainly been a surprise, and Xiao… He at first panicked. He had never thought about ever loving someone, let alone creating a little one alongside another. It took a lot of talking, a lot of gentle touches and hugging. But in the end, like everything else with his [F/N], Xiao knew it would be okay. 

On that lovely day, [F/N] and their youngling had waited for him by the Inn, their usual room ready and waiting for them. By that point, the boy was only two, yet he already showed so much life and personality that it never failed to knock the wind out of his father. As per usual, Smiley Yanxiao would, exclusively, allow [F/N] access to his kitchen so she could cook food for her little boy, as well as her husband who would be arriving later as he’d promised - why? Her almond tofu was simply the best, and whenever Xiao could, he’d rather eat hers than any other chef’s. And who was she to deny her diligent beloved, who worked tirelessly to defend their land? When compared to all the terrifying work and responsibilities Xiao held, a simple dish felt like child’s play. Yet he always, always cherished such an act so deeply, it felt like it was the other way around.  

[F/N] had already fed their son before Xiao had arrived, gently holding him in her arms as they walked calmly across the Inn’s upper balcony. Patting his back with rhythm, her eyes peered out into the distance, the wind blowing ever so gently across her face, eyes shimmering with the light of the sun as all was peaceful. She hadn’t even heard Xiao arrive, his figure simply appearing on the wooden rails near her, his body perfectly balanced on the small surface as his mask dissipated before either of them could see him. His face, previously scowling with the horrors he regularly faced, immediately softened upon landing on the two people he loved the most, spear neatly placed away as his feet finally touched the balcony.

“Qingxin…” He called out his beloved, watching as she turned around with the same amount of love and excitement she would always display whenever he arrived. It never failed to melt his heart.

“Xiao, you’re back!” [F/N] sighed in relief, eyes softening as she hastily made her way to him. Meeting halfway, he carefully embraced her, foreheads touching as he felt his weary body finally relax. “Welcome home, my love.”

“...Thank you.” He murmured, his lips brushing against the top of her head as his hand rested on her lower back. His words felt heavier than a simple sign of gratitude, one that ran deeper and meant far more. One that [F/N] understood far too well, but didn’t dwell on. Instead, she smiled his way, her arms still carrying their bundle of joy with care. 

“Papa!” Their young boy chirped out, his attention clearly gravitating towards his father. His little arms were already stretching out, yearning for Xiao to hold him after being apart for a long while. And while Xiao always showed hesitancy to, he never found the strength to deny his little son.

Carefully the adeptus picked his son up, the softest smile making its way to his pale face as his golden eyes gazed at his son’s. [F/N] had always stated how his son was a mirroring image of himself, and with each passing day, Xiao could deny that reality less and less. His hair color was the same deep dark green, streaks of a lighter tone along his tiny locks. His cheeks, chubby, hid away the smallest little pointed teeth that resembled his own. His eyebrows, never furrowed like his father’s, displayed the same shape and sharpness. The only thing he seemed to have picked from his mother had been the color of his eyes, the same beautiful shade Xiao could drown himself in - and even still, the eye shape had been taken from him, the same little diamond pupils staring back at him with the wonder and adoration of a pure child. His child. He still could hardly believe it. 

“It’s okay, love. Here, just like this…” [F/N] gently coaxed him, noticing how his arms trembled the slightest - mostly due to exhaustion, but always partially to anxiety. After all, what if he tainted his little boy? What of his karmic debt? Everyday he prayed such a thing would never happen, hoping he would develop some kind of resistance due to his bloodline; yet even still, it was always a possibility.

His little arms flailed around, practically leaping for Xiao’s embrace as he hugged his neck. Xiao couldn’t help but let out the quietest of laughs, holding him with more confidence under his wife’s guidance. His eyes landed on the vajra necklace he would always have around his neck, one of the many religious items he’d given the two of them in order to ward off evil when he himself wasn’t around. In truth, [F/N] did it more to ease her husband’s mind than anything, but that was something she’d take to the grave - she knew she was safe even when he didn’t stand next to them, but then again, she would never be one to go against his wishes; they were never many, anyway. 

“You must be tired. Here, come sit. I made you your favorite.” [F/N] smiled his way, signaling for him to sit at the table they would usually take. Without hesitation he followed suit, his eyes following his wife’s movements as she presented him his dish. 

“Thank you, qingxin.” Xiao murmured, his eyes softening at the sight as he could finally feel his heavy soul at ease. He took his seat, carefully shifting his son to sit on his lap whilst securing him with one arm around him - more of a precaution than anything, for the simple fact his little one did behave wonderfully most of the time.

“Are you sure you don’t want me to hold him while you eat?” [F/N] smiled, humored by the absolutely endearing sight of her husband holding their little one. The way his cheeks gained the faintest hint of color didn’t escape her gaze, yet she knew better than to embarrass her poor little adeptus. 

“No need, I can eat like this just fine.” He responded.

Or in other words, No thank you, I really want to hold our little boy like this. [F/N] already knew her lover very well despite his attempts at keeping himself at arms length for the longest time, so reading in between the lines wasn’t difficult. All she could do was nod her head, a delightful smile across her lips as she sat with them, pleasant conversation filling the air. How had their day been, where they had gone, who they’d been with… Xiao listened to it all, his leg bouncing gently, up and down, up and down, his child content with the rhythmic movement as his tiny hands rested against his arm. 

The sky was still painted in the loveliest strokes of oranges and blues upon the pair arriving at their final destination. The journey had been otherwise uneventful, only further filling Lumine with the slightest creeping anxiety as the tall Inn was seen in the distance. Surely, she had figured, Xiao would be there. It was the only place she knew he’d have any sort of roots in, and given the fact she dared not abuse her permission for calling upon him, she figured paying a visit was the next best option. 

“Come on, that’s the Wangshu Inn in the distance!” Paimon pointed, her smaller body flying across the air as her friend picked up the pace as well. Her stomach already rumbled after their trip, and truth be told, the little fairy already planned to grab herself a few plates whilst watching from the distance the scene unfold. 

“Hey, wait up Paimon!” The young woman sighed, her scarf blowing against the wind as they hastily came closer and closer to the structure. 

There were very few guests aside from the regulars, of which the owners could count with their fingers. Verr Goldet was finishing up taking care of a few details at the front desk before she heard a set of steps rushing up her stairs, her eyes gluing to the entrance of their Inn before she finally spotted a familiar figure. 

“Ah, Lumine, Paimon! What a surprise to see you once more.” She smiled kindly, her hands resting in front of her figure as the blonde woman caught her breath. “And what brings you to the Wangshu Inn tonight? Seeking to book a room?”

“Hi miss Verr-” Lumine smiled amidst the heavy breathing, both her and Verr being cut off with Paimon who happily interjected.

“Hi boss lady! Is Xiao back yet?”

“For the last time, I am not ‘boss lady’.” Verr shot her a look, to which Paimon silently apologized for. “And… May I inquire as to why you’d like to see him at such a time?”

Usually, Verr Goldet wouldn’t be one to deny them the knowledge of the Conqueror of Demons’ whereabouts; after all, they were friends and allies. However, given the company he currently had, the woman couldn’t help but wish to avert any unwanted visitors to their family time. Not to mention, she herself, as well as her husband, had gotten quite protective of [F/N] and their little one - as if, by some strange mortal bond Xiao couldn’t quite understand, they had considered them their extended family. 

“Oh… Are we intruding on something?” Paimon asked, her voice growing softer.

“Well, it’s just that, as you know, the Conqueror of Demons is a very busy adeptus.” That much wasn’t a lie. “He’s expressed his wish for visits to be limited for the time being, lest something be really urgent.” …That however, was something he himself hadn’t requested of her. 

“Oh, if that’s the case-” Lumine, being understanding as she was, attempted to avert the situation. After all, they could always ask for some of his time the following day.

“It kind of is.” Paimon however, once more, chimed in. “After all, we came all the way from Liyue Harbor for this!” She was now planting her hands on her hips once more. “Besides, we won’t take long.”

Verr Goldet’s expression didn’t falter, though she was rather ticked over how they seemed to not catch the hint. “Well, even still-”

“He’s probably upstairs, isn’t he? If not we can always call on his name. Come on Lumine, up we go!”

“Hey, I’m talking to you!” The owner was practically left to speak to the wall as they were already up the flight of stairs, her eyes widened as she sighed in frustration. Hopefully, she prayed, it wouldn’t be a big ruckus; not that [F/N] would mind, ever. More so from Xiao’s end. 

Being practically dragged up to the balcony by the suddenly overtly strong Paimon, Lumine nearly trampled on her own feet as she could feel her heart palpitate stronger and louder. The heat that rose to her face couldn’t be hidden for any longer, and all she could hope was that Xiao was there, and that all would go well. Why was she so… Nervous? She’d fought against many monsters, defeated abyss mages, aided in the saving of Dvalin and the defeat of Osial, yet how was a simple opening of her own heart causing such a ruckus within her?

The husky voice of Xiao was unmistakable as they finally reached the balcony, her head turning to her right as she took a deep breath. He seemed… To be calmer, at peace. His voice softer while still speaking in the usual tone she had grown used to. Paimon let go of her hand as she flew ahead, silent for long enough until the adventurer was able to pick up another voice - an unknown one, being a soft and female giggle. 

“Xiao! Xiao, you in here?” Paimon called out, rounding up the balcony in search of the adeptus.

In the table in which they stood, the Conqueror of Demons seemingly froze, his eyebrows immediately lowering as a smallest scowl reappeared on his face. He held his child a little tighter, his head turning to gaze to where the known voice had come from. [F/N] followed suit, her head turning before landing on her husband once more, curious over anything else whilst silently inquiring him who it could be - after all, he seemed to know who the voice belonged to. And in most other circumstances, he wouldn’t exactly mind to hear the talkative pixie nor her friend, yet when it came to such sacred time with his family… He couldn’t help but feel his mood grow sour. 

“Oh, there you are-!” Paimon chirped whilst Lumine came right behind her. However, she stopped in place, no longer approaching him. The voice died on her throat before she gazed around, her colorful eyes skipping through the two unknown people.

“...You two.” Xiao called out, his body having already turned in his chair while remaining sat still. His hands were holding his son in his lap, who too eyed them still, though his carefree expression deeply differed from the seemingly annoyance Xiao displayed. “What’s the matter? Is everything alright?”

“Ah, you’re… Accompanied…” The white haired guide seemed to have suddenly grown embarrassed, her eyebrows furrowing softly as she felt even smaller under the intense gaze the Conqueror of Demons sent their way. “...S-Sorry, we didn’t know-”

“Didn’t Verr Goldet tell you?” Xiao had let out without thinking much, his wife to his side softly muttering his name he cleared his throat. It was only then his face seemingly relaxed, gazing back at her for a mere moment.

“Are they your friends?” [F/N] smiled kindly, her hands extending briefly before taking their little boy into her arms once more. 

“...Yes.” Xiao nodded his head. The way his beloved’s face lit up was enough to melt him away, finding it outright adorable how she seemed to always… Be happy, whenever he spoke of others he held in high regard. To him it was strange, how she apparently thought it was such a big deal. 

“It’s alright, go and talk to them! We have the whole night ahead of us,” [F/N] warmly reassured him, while Xiao attempted to keep the pout from forming on his face. The last thing he wanted to do during his family time was have guests over, but since they probably had gone out of their way to get there… He didn’t want to cause a bad impression to [F/N], anyway. “We’ll stay here, since we don’t know if it’s something private. If not, just look our way and we’ll join you straight away!”

His boy seemed to agree with his mother’s statement, babbling on as they both watched Xiao hesitantly get up from his seat. The Adeptus calmly walked their way, his gaze somewhat sharper than what Lumine would’ve liked. Unlike Paimon, who was still somewhat oblivious, she had already begun to piece the puzzle together - the way he had glanced at that young woman, the way they had been sitting together, the way the little child looked so similar to him… It was difficult to think of any other possibilities. 

It was difficult to keep oneself from breaking down at the realization. 

“...Yes, Paimon, Lumine?” The traveler had been shaken out of her thoughts as his eyes bore into hers, patiently waiting for them to speak up.

“Hi Xiao,” Paimon took the lead upon Lumine taking longer to talk than what she would’ve guessed. “We didn’t know you had company, haha… So… Who are they?”

“...” It wasn’t as though Xiao himself was exactly bothered with Paimon’s general nosiness, more so he was annoyed they had been interrupted for seemingly meaningless banter. Here he was, thinking there was something wrong and his assistance was needed, actually getting up from the table where his family stood to greet them for nothing happening after the fact. 

His head turned around to gaze back at his wife, who bounced her leg up and down slightly to amuse their son as he would usually like. Their eyes met, and with the softening way in which he looked at her, [F/N] understood everything was alright. It relieved her to know so, taking the moment to get up and hold their son before approaching them with a kind and sunny smile. Paimon and Lumine watched as they approached, the little youngling’s eyes scanning them before landing on the adeptus once more, refusing to look anywhere else after the fact. Up close, it was even more undeniable who exactly the little boy was, his hair color and shape exactly the same as Xiao’s, as well as his little brows who sported a much more relaxed expression. 

“Hi! I’m [F/N]. Pleased to meet any friends of Xiao.” [F/N] spoke softly, introducing herself to the pair before her baby was wriggling in a vain attempt to jump out of her arms.

“Papa…” He shyly mumbled, his arms stretching in his direction as he seemingly didn’t give up in his pursuit of remaining in daddy’s arms. 

Lumine couldn’t help but smile weakly, even as her heart wilted. The image before her was… Adorable, she couldn’t deny that. The way Xiao’s face gained color, embarrassed by the display of affection to a crowd as his significant other attempted hushing their son from interrupting them. And despite the utter shock she felt from not only realizing Xiao had a lover but also had already formed a family, she couldn’t help but glance at them still.

“It’s alright love.” Xiao murmured, the last word barely above a whisper as his cheeks were by that point the same shade of the jueyun chili. “Here, let me hold him.”

“Ah… Sorry. He really wants daddy time, huh.” [F/N] laughed softly, carefully letting go of the boy before his arms were wrapped tightly around his father’s neck, his face nuzzling against him as he hid his gaze from the strangers. The young woman turned to the pair, who remained quiet, an apologetic smile on her face. “I apologize, he can get quite shy around new people.”

“No, don’t worry about it…” Paimon let out in struggle, the cogs inside her head nearly visible as she was rather late to the party when it came to figuring out what exactly the relation was here. 

“So,” Xiao broke the chit chat short, clearing his throat before attempting to be… More courteous. Not for himself, but for his wife. “Is there anything I can help you with? After all, you did call out my name.”

“Ah,” Suddenly Paimon remembered what the exact initial plan was, panicking inwardly as she floated rather awkwardly around Lumine. The adventurer, on the other hand, seemed outwardly calm, the forced smile on her face remaining. “Well, about that-”

“We just thought of passing by to bid our goodbyes,” Lumine finished it for her, leaving her companion quiet and Xiao somewhat surprised. “Since Liyue is stable now, we’re thinking of continuing our journey towards Inazuma.”

“...Oh, I see.” Xiao responded, tone quiet as he nodded his head gently. “Are you sure you’re ready to leave?”

“Yeah, it was… About time, anyway.” Lumine awkwardly laughed, her hand rubbing the back of her neck as she averted her gaze for a solid second. “We still have a lot of questions that need answering.”

[F/N]’s expression shifted to worry and sorrow, somewhat bummed that they wouldn’t join them for a little longer, or she wouldn’t exactly get to know personally those friends of her husband’s. More so, the concern on her face also extended further to Lumine, something in her gut telling her the young woman before her was hurting deeper than what appeared to be. Call it a woman's intuition. 

“I see. Inazuma… You’ll be far away.” Xiao thought aloud, his arms shifting gently to ensure the comfort of his son as he seemed to calm down in his embrace, lulled to sleep by his husky voice. “Still, if you ever return and need any help, you know how to seek me out.”

“Please be safe out there.” [F/N] added, a soft smile ever present on her face before her gaze jumped between them. “Still, it’s getting late for you to begin your journey back… Won’t it be best to stay the night and leave in the morning?”

“No, we’ll be fine.” Lumine shook her head, the bitterness in her tongue being swallowed as she smiled [F/N]’s way. She couldn’t hold anything against the woman in front of her - she was being nothing but kind to them. “If we get to the Harbor by dawn, all the better.”

“Ah… Alright…” [F/N] understood, still thinking of ways to help them however she could. “Would you like for me to pack you some food, though? It’s a long way back.”

Xiao couldn’t help but glance his wife’s way, his gaze softening as the smallest smile rose on his lips. He simply couldn’t have enough of her, not ever, especially when she displayed the same caring nature that had broken down his walls in the first place.

Lumine however, only wanted to leave as soon as possible. “No, it’s alright thank you. We’ll be going now, yes Paimon? Goodbye Xiao, [F/N]. Stay safe.”

And before the floating pixie could even have a word on the matter, they were already descending the stairs, the young woman’s legs sending her flying as her mind blurred to a shapeless stain. Before she even realized they were already far from the Inn, Paimon’s soft tone of voice attempting to call her back as she nervously tried to apologize, try to cheer her up, try to distract her…

It wasn’t Paimon’s fault. Neither of them could’ve known, really. She’d suggested their visit in high hopes after all, it was alright. She would be alright. After all… 

The way Xiao smiled so softly. The way he glanced at [F/N] in such a matter, the way he held the young boy with such care. He looked happy. He was happy. And even if it wasn’t with her… Lumine was sure one day, the sorrow would subside and substitute itself with happiness for him. 

He deserved it all and more.