#and I figure if I'm going to fret over a man's soul I should at least know something about his career beyond like two films

[azulsluver]

hiya!!

saw reqs are open... may I request the housewardens with a reader who's comatose, then waking up, and the first thing they say is their name? jdlk I hope that's clear lol.

ty for considering!!

tw: yandere, implied imprisonment, hinted poisoning in Kalim's and Vil's part, use of UM in Malleus.

This was fun to experiment different types of [Name] personality and all.

Riddle

At first he was in denial, the book he was reading discarded on the floor. His fists clench the sheets beside you, capturing the moment your body stirred awake. With his hand placed to cup your cheek, your lips perfectly cared for parted to let out a mumble. He can feel his ears burning up in embarrassment, was he the first thing you thought of? Riddle calls out for you as you did for him, ushering you to open your eyes.

"Riddle?" Your voice is meek, he could barely hear you but it was enough.

"I'm right here, love." His sweet voice rings through your ear, your little gasps nurturing his worried soul.

Tears embedded the edge of your eyes, tugging and blabbering once you see him. All smiles and love, hands grabbing the side of your face to cease your struggles. With a weak body, your wrists felt numb with each pull, a sob wracking your chest as he laid your head on his.

Leona

Sleeping beside you. He was idly snoozing beside your still body, an arm around your shoulder as his head laid on your shoulder. The stillness of it all was interrupted, his body went tense in alert to the sudden movement that disrupted his sleep. His brain had to process your facial features creasing, every inch to your brows furrowing and eyelids fluttering.

"Leona...get off.." He almost busted out laughing, his lips reaching to his eyes as he contains a tearful relief.

Without thinking, Leona brought your body closer to his, you might think he was trying to mold himself within you. "You slept longer than I would."

With a sore throat you managed to scoff, glaring at the man who selfishly handled you with a sense of fear that you'd go back to sleep once again.

"I wish.."

Azul

Maybe he should have gotten you a lighter dose. You've been yapping nonstop lately it was driving him nuts. Azul thought he can handle a day with you not talking, you refused to sleep at some point so he took care of that. But it's starting to worry him the longer you slept, for days turned into weeks.

"Azul!" His fingers stopped moving, tense as he turns his chair around to face the bed. Hollowed, yet you sounded desperate. You called for him?

"Don't fret, I'm here." His tone is soft, getting up to soothe your frazzled mind. You can still taste the bitter potion on your tongue.

Azul can't stop the smile that stretches as he buries his face to your head, you seem to be more dependent on him. How hasn't he used this tactic sooner? He enjoys the way your trembling fingers grip at him, he won't be leaving any soon.

Kalim

Kalim lounges in the room you were settled in. Silk covers half of your body, rows of pillows supporting your weight so that way it was comfortable. The night was young, Kalim is idly sipping on sparkled wine, ever since your absence of life it got lonely. The sweet liquid would run down his throat, he's finding himself to drink more often than he should when hosting events.

"Kalim." It startled him, dropping the glass as it shatters. His eyes nearly widen at your serious expression.

"[Name]!" Yelling your name loudly, you slightly squint at his lightened face. His smile so wide as he runs to you with open arms, your half-awake body not responding as he smothers you.

"It was my fault! I should have had a taster try all the drinks, luckily you're alright.... Just.." He trails off, his breath wavering on the skin of your neck. Causing a near sneer and shiver erupt from you.

"Don't do it again, alright?"

Vil

He let the stories get the best of him. Vil finds himself leaning over your lifeless figure, brushing your bottom lip as he places a kiss in hope you'll awake. A silly yet comforting gesture, he'd rather die than be caught in the act. But something about it felt right. Shouldn't a true loves kiss awaken you? Such fairy tales he grew to love, fantasize that one day you'll wake up.

He came back late at night once again, closing the door behind him as he stood dead in his tracks. You're sprawled on the floor, clutching to the tiles and the blindfold neatly wrapped around your head.

"Vil? Where are you?" It irked him, the same tone when he shoved your medicine down your throat in a fit of rage, scared. The clicks of his heels made you jump now that you're gaining more consciousness.

Vil admitted it was wrong of him to act on his feelings, but he'll have to start all over again to gain your trust. He'll take the advantage of your fragile state so that way you'll learn to not set him off.

Idia

It's gotten worse, the bags under his eyes says it all. Even when Idia is reassured that you are well it was the longing to have you emotionally there tearing him apart. It messes with him every night as he stares at your sleeping figure. You're breathing well, but you won't respond to his rambles and chattering. He'd rather have you to tell him to shut up. Yell at him or anything, is you sleeping better than being with him!?

A pained groan made him scream and drop his console. Idia snaps his head to your moving limbs, hands rubbing at your face tiredly.

"Idia...my head fucking hurts." He trips over himself to be near you, calling Ortho while he's at it. Idia's sobbing as he holds you close, causing more of a headache for you as you numbly look at your robotic arms.

The procedure went well after all.

Malleus

He would've waited weeks, months and years for your return to reality. Every day and night he would come to visit you, care for your well being and make sure you slept nicely. Malleus, with you not responding, has his love for you grow day by day, not once did he felt the burden of loving someone till it wilts. It helps him express better, that once you've awaken you'll see he was the one standing by your side.

"Malleus." Was the first name you muttered, eyelashes blinding you from seeing the fae prince whose orbs shine brightly in the night.

He shushes you, a hand on your cheek as you blink the blurriness away. Fat tears roll down the warmth of your cheeks, teeth clenching as you embrace him. Malleus can only smile as you apologize to never disobey him again, promising better. You can't stand another slumber of nightmares, reliving until he felt was enough.

[calqlate]

RE: LOVE & LIFE | TWO

— YOUR SAVIOUR, YOUR SOULMATE, THE MAN ACCENTED IN GOLD

SERIES MASTERLIST | PREVIOUS CHAPTER | NEXT CHAPTER

PAIRING(S): zhongli x f! reader + diluc x f! wife! reader

SUMMARY: As the wife of the famous big shot in the wine industry, you have everything you could ever ask for — a beautiful mansion, endless wealth, servants at your beck and call... However, you lack the one thing you yearn for: love. With your beloved husband neglecting you and being stuck in a loveless marriage, you decide to end it all, only to be stopped by a man whom you have never met before, and who also coincidentally happens to be your soulmate. In addition, there just might seem to be more than what meets the eye in regards to your peculiar soulmate, and you just might have to find that out for yourself.

TAGLIST: @crescentmoonnn + @deeomi + @esthelily + @loving-august + @mshope16 + @needsleep3000 + @nerdiel-has-no-braincells + @saintbernardthethird + @thelonelyarchon

A/N: writer's block is a pain in the butt, hence the wait. it's also partially due to school because i've been real tired lately from preparing for a concert (just finished it earlier this week!) and had a bunch of different injuries as well :") n e ways, enjoy! :D

To say you were surprised was an understatement.

You had nearly fallen straight to your death (even though it was completely accidental) and were now in the embrace of a complete stranger whom you have never met before. Your face was inches away from your saviour's, an intimate proximity you have never shared with anyone before, not even your own husband. With the backdrop of the glittery sky and neon city lights in the background, anyone could have easily mistaken this as a scene straight out of a soap opera.

"Archons, I'm so sorry!" you pushed the man's chest and scrambled to your feet, your cheeks painted vermillion in embarrassment.

The man dusted his pants off and wiped his eyes before standing up. Now that he stood to his full height, he was pretty much towering over you. Your eyes darted up to find his face and was met by the gaze of his golden eyes, though slightly red-rimmed from his earlier emotional outburst. As you examined his face, you realised he had quite the handsome countenance: dark eyebrows set above his sharp amber eyes, a V-shaped jaw, a high nosebridge, and dark hair juxtaposed against skin so fair it could rival the petals of a Glaze Lilly.

"It's quite alright," he said, his voice deep and silky, reminding you of the richest Fontainian chocolate you had ever tasted, "I'm glad to see that you are unscathed."

"I'm terribly sorry you had to see that," you laughed awkwardly as you averted your gaze, rubbing your hands together nervously. Somehow, this man made you feel self-conscious of yourself, and you did not know why.

"There's no need to fret," he said, though his voice was now thick with an emotion you could not really place your finger on, "I consider myself fortunate for having saved a beautiful soul like yours from an early demise."

You looked up at him with a raised eyebrow and he chuckled, "Apologies, that was rather forward of me."

There was a little pause, as if the man was figuring out what he should say next. Before you could give an input of your own (and spare him from torture), he spoke, "I believe we have not met before."

"That's right," you nodded, and you stuck your hand out for a handshake, "I'm [Y/N] Ragnvindr, it's a pleasure to meet you."

"Ragnvindr," your husband's last name rolled off the man's tongue fluidly as if it were his own native tongue as a look of recollection settled in his eyes, then he stuck his own hand out to return your handshake, "By any chance, are you associated with Mr. Diluc Ragnvindr?"

"That's right," you nodded, bittersweetness laced in your voice as you gave a tight smile, "He's my husband."

A knowing look flitted across the man's face, "I'm deeply honoured to make your acquaintance, Mrs. Ragnvindr."

He let go of your hand and you chuckled, "Are you not going to give me your name, at the very least?"

He returned your smile with one of his own, "Pardon my lack of etiquette. Well then, allow me to introduce myself. I'm Zhongli, and…" — he winced as he rolled his sleeve up, exposing his pale wrist and most importantly, his own soulmate timer, which had a string of zeros etched onto his skin — "It seems that I am your soulmate."

You woke up the subsequent morning with less sleep than you had hoped for, along with dark circles below your eyes. Besides, how was anyone supposed to sleep properly after having found your soulmate after getting married?

A part of you was not disappointed: you loved Diluc dearly and he was the man you had wanted to marry ever since you were a child. However, now that fate had thrusted your soulmate into your life ever so abruptly, another part of you wondered if there was another parallel timeline whereby you had met Zhongli earlier and married him instead. Would you have been happier with him instead? Would you have been in a marriage where life was less heart-wrenching, one where your husband cared for you a little more?

You stared at your reflection in the mirror, and your disheveled reflection stared back with weariness in her eyes.

You closed your eyes. For some reason, you could picture yourself next to Zhongli, arms hooked together and strolling in a garden filled with flowers. A warm, reassuring feeling flooded your chest at this image, and it somehow felt right with you, as if it were the most natural thing to do in the world.

You snapped your eyes open and shook your head, What am I even thinking? I'm a married woman, and Zhongli is a respectable gentleman!

You sighed as you tugged at your shawl which was wrapped around you, There are no "what if"s. There is only the present.

And at present, there was a meeting for you to head to.

Seeing Zhongli standing next to Ajax was not what you thought could even occur as you headed to the hotel lobby.

Am I hallucinating right now? You squeezed your eyes shut and willed yourself to wake up. Perhaps you had fallen asleep by accident while in the bathroom and that your morning routine and everything that happened afterwards was simply a dream.

You opened your eyes and still saw Ajax and Zhongli standing a few feet away, comfortably conversing with one another, as though they were friends.

Sensing your presence, both men turned their heads towards you. Ajax visibly brightened and waved you over, gesturing you to join them and take part in whatever conversation they were having.

You slapped a businesslike smile on your face as you approached the pair, looking back and forth between the two men.

"I believe the both of you haven't met each other before," Ajax said with a grin, "This is—"

"You don't have to do the introductions, Mr. Tartaglia," Zhongli shook his head, "The lady and I have already made acquaintances with one another last night."

"Last night?" Ajax's eyebrows rose.

"I merely helped Mrs. Ragnvindr out and prevented an accident," Zhongli explained, "It's nothing you should be worried about."

Ajax hummed and let the matter slide, then turned to you, "Well, I was thinking that the three of us could go for breakfast together."

You raised your eyebrows. Breakfast with your business associate and your soulmate? That itself was two different genres thrown into the mix.

Zhongli's gaze was focused on you, "Mrs. Ragnvindr seems uncomfortable with the idea. Let me join you another day for a meal, Mr. Tartaglia."

"No, no! It's alright, really," you waved your hands in front of you to prove otherwise, "I must apologise if my expression implied otherwise."

A small smile settled on Zhongli's face as Ajax brightened, "Great! I know this really good place!"

You sighed. Seeing Ajax in a cheery mood after both of his acquaintances (honestly, could you be considered as such?) agreed to share a meal together, as well as Zhongli looking at you with such a serene expression, you found it hard for you to back out now.

"I'll take your word for it," you returned their grins with one of your own, "Well now, where's this place you've mentioned?"