#daydreams: genshin

[izvmimi]

cw: repost. oral (fem giving), inexperienced!zhongli.

for someone who’s been alive for well over 6000 years and prides himself on knowing... well, everything, zhongli isn’t always well-experienced.

not in one particular domain, anyway.

there’s a lot you have had to teach him about life among mortals that fails to be captured by faraway observation or between the pages of a thick encyclopedia. 

but he learns quickly. always.

“t-too many!” you blurt out breathlessly, pulling your lips away from him to gently push his hand out of the way. you have been making out, your back against the wall by a bookcase in his living room, your arms around his neck, one leg hiked up and hooked around his waist to allow him access to your pussy. zhongli’s fingers look slender and delicate when compared to his large hand, but each finger is quite thick and he’s made it up to three in your hole while sticking his tongue down your throat. the stretch would be delightful if not for the fact that you haven’t been made ready yet.

he pulls out immediately, murmuring a word of apology. his cheeks are still flushed and the golden glow in his red-rimmed eyes hasn’t yet faded. mouth still slightly parted and wanting, he waits for your next step.

is it a hard stop you’re requesting? he doesn’t want to stop. his heart is pounding quickly and frankly he’d like to simply bury himself inside you at this point and lose his mind but he knows some restraint.

easing his internal distress you smile and kiss him on the cheek. 

“let’s do something different.”

something different is having him sit back at the chair where he had been catching up on some reading just before you’d gotten entangled. you turn him in the chair to face you; he takes a careful look at your expression, unable to discern whether or not you’re angry.

knowing fully well what he’s thinking, you decide to be forthright with your intentions. leaning over him in his chair, you ask,

“do you trust me?” there’s a mischievous glint in your eye that he should be a little wary of. his eyebrows knit together but he replies yes.

“stay still then,” you sing. zhongli is normally controlled to the point of being immovable, but now you can feel how tense he becomes gradually as you slowly unbutton his pants. 

zhongli’s erection is impressive in size, as you are well aware, with hardness fitting the literal god of rocks. his eyes lower as your hand circles the base, your touch light enough simply to cause him some nervous anticipation. you pause, appreciating the heat, and he fights the instinct to move against your palm.

“sweetheart...” he starts hesitantly, as you move painfully slowly to your knees. there’s a thickness to his voice that betrays his arousal. “what are you doing?”

his legs part to make room for you as you approach closer. from this angle, you realize you haven’t taken a very good look at his cock before. a lovely light brown, perfectly straight and thick all around with a prominent vein on the underside and a healthy blush at the head. he’s leaking from the slit, possibly more so because you’re staring at his package so intently. he might cum just from the sight.

you pump just once before wrapping your lips around the head and he deteriorates.

“shit.”

zhongli's speech has always been proper up until now. but at this very moment, as he feels the warmth and wetness of your mouth that is similar but also far different from the warmth of your walls, there’s no polite way to express the fact that he’s never had his head spin in exactly this way before. there’s only the deep moans that leave his throat as you hollow out your cheeks and take in as much of him as you can in your throat and tense grip in your hair that can express his excitement. his head falls back and he seems to wear away in his chair, then maybe he’s far too overwhelmed and trembles his hips jerk upwards, meeting your ministrations up and down his shaft.

his hands find their way around the back of your head as he fucks your face and gingerly, then with more force, he pushes himself even further into you, and tips over; you can feel hot cum hit the back of your throat and you breathe diligently through your nose, digging your hands around his hard thighs for steadiness.

zhongli has always looked at you with awe but now as you swallow every drop and pull back so you can breathe freely once again, giggling a little at his flustered/partially terrified face, he’s certain you’re a goddess.

“you must teach me how to do that for you.”

you straddle his lap and walk a few fingers onto his chest.

“now?” you tease.

“now.”

[rissaito]

“don’t cry, my child”

i was thinking about how venti canonically refers to the people of mondstadt as his “children” and how kaeya is included in that… then the brainrot took over and then i thought, what if when kaeya was a little kid and he felt lonely sometimes, venti would decide to shapeshift back into his little wind sprite form to comfort him…

[darling-renyuu]

feels like home ⋆˙⟡♡

imagine wrapping your arms around kuni’s waist while he washes the dishes. it’s quiet, safe; the only other sound you can hear is the running water and the delicate clink of porcelain and glass. the kitchen smells like scented candles and dishwashing liquid, like home.

you smile against his nape, softly kissing his tattoo. he softly protests, yet he leans into your touch. your lips trail around his neck, until you bury your face into it, breathing in the scent of linen and him.

your heart bursts with every good feeling, everything that makes you whole, warm, and loved. so you whisper, reverent against his skin like a prayer to forever.

“i love you.”

[retheagirl]

xiao! a quiet moment with the aloof adeptus.

"may I kiss you?" your abrupt question definitely caught the adeptus off guard, beautiful eyes blown wide and almost choking while xiao is finishing his almond tofu, cheeks slightly chubby and turning a light shade of red.

successfully swallowing the food in his mouth, xiao look at you flabbergasted (the most expressive he has been in the day) whilst you end up laughing at his reaction.

"it's rude to make jokes like that while someone is eating" he lectured with an unamused expression, your laugh dying down with it but a grin still evident on your face.

"But I'm not joking though" resting your chin on the palm of your hand you can see how his ears turns a darker shade of red this time. He look away from you, too embarrassed and taken aback from your boldness.

Silence filled the atmosphere as a soft breeze sway his hair and the sunlight cast his eyes just right that they seem to look like gold. Soulful, at peace, yet tired. He look your way and his eyes suddenly is filled with something else.

With a hesitant action he reach for you, his hand softly cupped your cheeks like he's touching fragile glass, eyes gazing at yours intimately like he always do. Without a word he leaned in, giving you a soft kiss on your lips. "Happy?" he asked right after he lean back a few inches.

"Very..."

[daydreaming-paradies]

Genshin Men and Their Flower Language(s)

ᡣ𐭩 Summary: Every flower has its own language. What flower language do these genshin men have?

ᡣ𐭩 characters: Zhongli(150), Childe(151), Diluc(182), Kaeya(141)

ᡣ𐭩 Warnings: Fluff, wholesome, a bit angst in Diluc and Kaeya's part

ᡣ𐭩 ~ Want to Continue?~ part 2

art belongs to @/eriimyon on X/Twitter

Zhongli

Baby's Breath-Everlasting Love

As a former archon, he has seen people come and go. He had learned to accept it years ago however when he first met you, he once thought that you were out of his league. But you proved him wrong, you took your time understanding him. You were there whenever he talks about his stories even if you do not like history, your attention is always on him. You make him feel loved no matter what he does on a daily basis. Yes in his eyes, you are his silly lover and his one and only. He knows that he will outlive you and he will miss you dearly so if he had any flower to give you daily is baby’s breath because for you, you are his everlasting love. Even if you pass on to the afterlife, you will be forever in his memories and his one true love.

Childe

Gardenia- You're lovely, Secret Love

You are the secret love of Childe. You know that he is a harbinger and you know he loves to battle but Childe for him, seeing you after he got home from a tiring mission had brightened his day. Childe knows that he brings danger and harm to you so he keeps you a secret from his enemies. His family loves you and his siblings love you to death. In Childe’s mind, you are one of the reasons he is still kicking, the reason for him to smile..the reason to come home in one piece. Every day when he comes home to you, he always gives you Gardenia flowers yet you do not know what it means. You bugged him about it until he revealed it. “Gardenia flowers means you are lovely or secret love, mia amata.” Childe says with a smile. “That means you are my lovely secret love.”

Diluc

White Rose-I am worthy of you

Diluc Ragnvidr is the man with few words, a private person, and a man with walls to protect himself from others. To stop himself from being hurt by another loved one's death but with you, all of that is out of the window. With you alone, he is very attentive despite his nightly duties. He always makes sure to put your needs before his own. You both made a routine to give each other flowers whenever you two see each other either in privacy or in private. Your flowers is always the red rose but Diluc’s rose is white roses. You later ask Lisa what the white rose means and you were surprised to say the least. White roses means innocence and purity, you’re heavenly, secrecy and silence and I am worthy of you. Diluc was in a surprise when you hugged him, killing him with your kisses and saying to him. “Thank you, my nightly Knight.” This makes the poor man tear up and embrace you in his arms. You are both worthy of each other. Never let each other go.

Kaeya

Orange Blossom-Eternal Love

Who says that even the broken can fall in love? For Kaeya, it is him. He has been hiding his pain with a sly smile and the flirtiness, hiding the turmoil in his heart. To Kaeya, he thought that he would be alone in this world where nobody loved him nor understand until you came into his life. Kaeya was wary of you at first but after some time, he realized that you did not have any ill motives towards him. You understand him, love him for who he really is despite what others said about him. You make his life worth something and if he had to pick a flower to describe you. It would be an orange blossom flower. Even in a different universe..even if you are gone from his life, his love for you will be eternal.

~Taglist: @areislol @purpleqilinwrites @amxto @yoghurtsan @ryuryuryuyurboat @windblume-wishes @thestarswhisper @the-guardian-kitsune @sanzach @asoulsreverie @inkybloom-luv @ainescribe @kitsuvil @dxmoness @kalims @mccnstruck @dailypenpen @husky-studies

[eating-figs-here]

Shoutout to the uh. Three other people who enjoy platonic Traveler/Wanderer. Anyways. This is an excuse to post low quality paper drawings that I did while procrastinating school work.

The power of not wanting to do work.. where was this motivation during the summer...

[sea-lanterns]

Since we are reviving the Lifeguard AU, I want to propose Surf Instructor! Furina, since it’s canon that she’s actually pretty good at surfing…

I think it’d be kinda cool if she were the city’s best surfer as a matter of fact (a rare W for Furina) so she’s all smug and cocky around you, showing you the proper ways to balance and position on a board, while subtly flirting with you because you’re one of the cutest surfing students she’s had the pleasure of teaching 💘

[loptido]

hi there, nothing much, just coming on to think about..

coming home late into the afternoon— it’s borderline evening, the setting sun already shining the world in an overlay of a calming orangey-yellow — to kazuha who welcomes your return with a soft smile and arms open wide, just waiting for you to come in between them so they can wrap you in a hug.

you close the door behind you as you lug yourself towards him, slumping into his open arms as soon as you get close enough. kazuha remains silent. usually he’s all chipper with a poem riddled in infatuation and utter admiration already spewing from his mouth, acting like the opening line to your conversation.

neither of you say a word. kazuha’s hands pat you gently, one buried in your hair giving you small rubs to ease away any headaches that lingered from today, and the other on your back, occasionally moving around to massage your stress away. he always does this; it’s relaxing, and it works well to ease away your tension, your stress, and you finally let the tears flow through.

the poet’s clothes get stained with tears, but he doesn’t care.

you stay like that for a little while longer, kazuha holding you tight as you let the stress from the morning leave your body through tears.

once they’ve dried, kazuha wipes your cheeks and presses a soft kiss to your forehead. “want some tea?” he asks, intwining your hands together as he softly leads you to the kitchen, “i’ll steep your favourite. it won’t take long, don’t worry. i’m not leaving your side, dove.”

[makethiscanon]

Aaannnddd Freminet has quickly shot up to Chongyun level of love from me. He's a precious soul who needs protecting 😭 I want a hangout with him immediately.

[izvmimi]

zhongli who has you in a full nelson, arms hooked behind your knees, hands locked behind your head, and is rutting into you fiercely, growling and biting at your ear in keeping with his dragon instincts because he promised to put a baby inside you and cannot stand the idea of another negative pregnancy test this month

he’s been at this for at least a good half hour and his grip is tight enough to be oppressive and you’ve never felt so full for so long until this very moment. he’s usually soft and gentle but today? today, he’s willing to risk breaking you down just a little bit if it means that he can fulfill his contract. truly just a little bit though, he’s made sure not to fully transform, even though he wonders if he could use the extra oomph for power behind his strokes… nevertheless, he wouldn’t want to risk his claws digging into your precious skin, skin that’s meant for his kisses

zhongli has to remind himself that you could crumble under too much pressure though, giving you a short break to breathe once he cums inside you, laying you on your back and putting your languid, dangling legs up so that you don’t waste any drop of him. it’s the least he can do before he gets back into it, round after round, doing what he does best:

steadily fulfilling his duty, to make you glow round and pretty with a little bit of him and a little bit of you. to create something to tether him to this earth furthermore.

[yandere-daydreams]

i know i've talked about it on here before but i just,,, stan the 'kaeya knows about khaenri'ah but doesn't care, he's just Like That naturally' theory so hard, if only because it'd be so much funnier if his big secret was literally anything else. he had a super embarrassing crush on the barbatos statue in front of the cathedral when he was ten and hasn't really gotten over it yet. he has a current and regularly updated barbara merch stash because he stans her unironically. sure, he might be from an ancient nation of sinners all twisted into monsters and abandoned by the gods, but he cheated at monopoly during family game night and gloated so fucking hard, which wouldn't be that bad if it hadn't been the night before The Incident and it's been weighing on him for like ten years. just literally anything else.

[wri0thesley]

don’t care that it’s not historically accurate bc that’s absolutely not the point of bridgerton costumes but i am so obsessed with pen’s wedding stays n undergarments and daydreaming about wearing them for my genshin favs

[hirundiiniv]

By helping Zuria heal from her son's death through the creation of Thelxie, I truly believe a big part of Freminet's soul was also healed as I'm sure he wished he could reassure his own mother before they tragically parted ways. He could see his own mother in Zuria, and himself in Lescot who dreamed of fairytales, sinking to the bottom of the ocean.

Within his inner machinations, he created a fantasy world that served as his anchor that guided him forward where those who have fallen ill to “loneliness syndrome” could not. Maybe he himself has, or nearly did, but he persisted in spite of his woes and horrors, just as Thelxie has in place of Lescot.

In the same light Zuria would sing a lullaby for her son, so would Freminet's mother as for him when they listened to their music box, too.

A beautiful melody jingled away between them, and seeing Freminet's innocent face light up with pure joy, a rare smile broke out on his mother's, too [...] and together they would listen to [the music box's] sweet lullaby as night fell.

And though profound on its own, Freminet's wish did apply to himself—he had managed to see his fantasies to fruition within reality by ensuring that his family were out of harm's reach, granting him his cryo vision.

With the a stubborn will to cling to hope, his love and courage prevailed for the ones he loved. To have the same closure that Zuria and Lescot had is surely what he must've wished for himself and his mother, reassuring each other that all will be alright. By witnessing that fantasy unfold into reality before him would, essentially, be a form of fairytale descending into the real world as he described.

It felt as though he was reminiscing the past, and in the following screenshots, not only is he responding to the sentiment that of Zuria overcoming her illness, but it also sounds like he's responding to himself with more clarity, with his head held high.

I hope that everyone who's found themselves in a dark place would be able to see something beautiful, and experience a miracle for themselves.

[daydreaming-paradies]

Genshin Men and Their Flower Language(s)

ᡣ𐭩 Summary:Every flower has its own language. What flower language do these genshin men have?

ᡣ𐭩 characters: Xiao(201), Aether(107), Venti(105) and Alhaitham(128)

ᡣ𐭩 Warnings: Fluff(Alhatiham + Aether), Hurt no comfort/angst(Xiao and Venti){Yes I am doing this bc i can :3}, Major character death{reader dies on Xiao and Venti's part} Alcoholism as a coping mechanism on Venti's part, mentions of blood and fighting in Xiao's part

ᡣ𐭩 ~ Want to Continue?~ Part 1

art belongs to @/eriimyon on X/Twitter

Alhaitham

Rosebud- A heart innocent of love

Why is your heart filled with innocent love? That is Alhaitham’s question every single day. Ever since he had met you, you always smile and greet him whenever you two see each other. The thing is..you still did even when you two were dating. Most people describe Alhaitham as a emotionless, blunt and heartless scribe but to you, he is your bookworm and unique lover and you will burn the world for him. Now you have caused him to blush and had to hide his face from others. If he can pick out a flower for you every day, it is rosebud. You are too innocent and lovely for his heart..stop it, you’re figuratively killing him with your love!! He is literally red in the face!!!

Aether

Lily-of-the-valley: You’ve made my life complete

Aether thinks that the archons have blessed him with a cutie pie because he can not fathom how you appeared in his life but what he does know is that he is not letting you go. Searching for his sister is tiring and he often felt lonely but with you, he finally started to see that life has its upsides and downs. Yes you may feel like the world is against you, you felt that you are lonely in this unfamiliar world but..Aether now has you in his arms, just smiling like a goofball. Lily-of-the-valley is Aether’s flower. Why? Well...you have made his life complete.

Venti

Dark Crimson Rose- Mourning

People come and go but for Venti, he did not want you to go. He had to watch your life drained from your eyes. He had to bury you near the tree in Windrise. He uses alcohol to cope with your passing. He was so lost without you..he can’t even live without you but he had too. Everyone who sends their condolences to him but it is not the same. You were haunting his mind as he grew drunk, wallowing in pain. Dark Crimson Rose is perfect for Venti since he will never let go of you. Your memories will always be his songs.

Xiao

Sweetpea- Departure, Goodbye

Where there is life, there is death. Xiao himself has been mortals who live their lives to the fullest to their peaceful demises. Xiao, standing in the Wangshu Inn , staring at the night sky filled with the stars. He thinks back to the memories in his mind. Memories of you and him, your smile, your happiness, how you make his world more lively. He thinks back to how you always give him almond tofu and gifts that remind you of him. Then memories of your death flashes in his mind. The sight of your blood tainted the green grass after a harsh battle. He visits your favorite place in Liyue, with a bouquet of flowers. He looked at the tombstone in front of him and placed the bouquet on the grave. “You are my sun and I am you are my moon. Life may continue forward but..you will never leave me in memories. My heart belongs to you and you alone. Rest in peace my love. May you smile in my presence. I will never forget you. Goodbye..{name}.” Sweetpea is a perfect flower for him. A flower for this moment. A flower to say goodbye to everyone you love.

~Taglist: @husky-studies @purpleqilinwrites @yoghurtsan @ryuryuryuyurboat @windblume-wishes @thestarswhisper @the-guardian-kitsune @sanzach @dailypenpen @asoulsreverie @ainescribe @amxto @kitsuvil @kalims @mccnstruck @rrxaiky / @rx-lounge @dxmoness @areislol

[augustdreams]

FREMINET FROM GENSHIN IMPACT HAS MADD [implied] <3333

[mochaintherain]

Accismus

Summary: You're a treasure hoarder who's stolen the most precious thing in Inazuma: the crown prince, Scaramouche. (GN! Reader)

Word Count: 2.4k

CW: VIOLENCE!!!!! Mutual violence, but like. there's undertones. idk. Reader isn't a good person, Criminal Reader, Antagonist reader, unestablished relationship, a little toxic (given the circumstances), blood, Royalty AU, (Scaramouche whoops your ass.)

A/N: Formatted on Mobile ♡. Sorry I've been away! This was originally meant to be for a larger story but my ass Did NOT finish it so I'm just going to post this lolz...plus, with Fontaine, there is so much potential ( ☆∀☆) BUT FINALLY SCARA FIC! posted at. 3 in the morning :')

Silver to gold.

The raven insignia colored like the brilliant sun would finally, finally, be yours to claim—tangible, indisputable proof of your convictions, ambitions, and desires. If the gods gifted conduits to those they considered worthy, then this coin was more than divine acknowledgment.

This insignia was your Vision, bestowed by fellow mortals.

Because today, you have captured a trophy.

Prince Scaramouche glowered in the chair he was untenderly pinioned to, indigo eyes never once breaking from your figure. He hadn't spoken once since his fateful acquisition, instead redirecting what would usually be a flurry of insults into a piercing gaze, sharp enough to cut flesh.

His yukata—the layers of purple and red silks, once draping his form in nobility, status, royalty—laid disheveled across the ground. The only things remaining before his abduction were the dark juban slipping over his body, along with the necklace made of black and red string, harboring a single, golden feather. The man in front of you, now a mere ghost of what he used to be.

You nodded to your men as they finished the last knots on his wrists, nodding to you, before departing the tent. He tugged at the restraints, grimacing.

"Wipe that damn smile off your lips," he sneered, red eyeliner melting in the crinkles of porcelain skin.

"Oh? So he finally speaks. Hello, your Highness—" you bowed lightly, though in no part due to deference—"how did you know? Was my excitement truly that obvious?"

"Tch. Not even that rag you call a mask can hide your ugly face."

"...wow." A soft laugh bubbled from your throat, and the corners of your lips twitched—up close, he couldn't escape scrutiny. The rumors were entirely true.

His infamous, hot-headed temperament juxtaposed his delicate features.

Even through anger, he was beautiful.

"Get away from me, worm," he jeered, narrowing his gaze.

"I suggest you mind your manners," you chastised, closing the distance between the two of you, much to his dismay, "you have no authority here, and your mother isn't here to protect you. So know your place, Prince." You spat the last syllable, honeyed in vitriol. The feather accessory almost crumbled in your grip as you jerked it forward, ripping a strangled gasp from the man.

"Here, you're as insignificant as the rest of us, got it? Your blood is just as red as mine when spilled."

With your thumb and forefinger, you pulled a little more, the strings protesting by digging themselves into the skin of his neck.

"Is that supposed to be a threat?" Scaramouche wheezed out, his head craning forward, coughs and laughs mixing into raspy drawls, "please. One blemish on me and your head will be on a pike."

"Hah." Your free hand trailed up the plush of his cheek, fingers resting on the crease of his eye.

"Get your filthy hands off—"

"If that were really the case, if you were so precious—" you smeared the pristine makeup onto his temple, and Scaramouche let out a guttural hiss, "—it wouldn't have been so easy to pluck you out Tenshukaku."

"You—!"

And the necklace snapped.

At that instant, his body tensed and his face contorted into a snarl, teeth ready to snap at your limbs. What little poise he managed to conjure for this ordeal dissipated in a matter of seconds.

How amusing.

"You have no idea what you've just done."

"Why so riled up? I'm sure your mother will get you a new one, you spoiled heir," you hummed, stepping away before his teeth could find your arms, "of course, unless the rumors are true?"

Infuriation overtook his indigo eyes, along with a flicker of hurt…or pain?

"Enough," he barked, "one more word and I'll rip your tongue out myself." The remark appeared almost funny, the way his shoulders shook like a petulant child.

If only you saw past the hilarity, and caught the screech of nail to cotton fiber.

"Tell me," you continued your taunt, waving the feather haphazardly in the air. At that moment, he was more hilichurlian than prince, "is it true you’re nothing more than a prince in name? How much of a brat are you, to be denied your birthright on the throne?"

"You'll regret that," Scaramouche seethed, "do you know who I am? Do you know who you're dealing with?" Every passing word accompanied another shake of his arms. "I'll have you beg for mercy."

"I think you're overestimating yourself," you said, rolling your eyes. "I don't think someone who fell victim to treasure hoarders, of all groups, has any—"

"You talk too much."

A small, misplaced half-smile spread across his countenance as the rope fell behind the chair with a soft thud.

The rope tethering him in place.

The rope with red-tinged ends, allowing him an opportunity to lunge.

You narrowly barreled out the way, too busy swallowing down shock.

“Give that back!” Scaramouche hissed, “that’s mine!”

You clenched the aureate pinion in your fist, ramming your elbow into his side.

“Tch!”

He staggered back, glaring you down. Moonlight peeked from the tent’s entrance, and illuminated his back in a way that made him seem almost holy.

But surely, no angel would be stupid enough to stay where their wings would be clipped. His aggression outweighed his rationality, you deduced, as instead of fleeing, weak sparks of electro spat from his bloodied fingertips.

“Huh. You sawed through your bindings using nothing but your bare hands and energy. That’s kind of impressive.”

“That’s mine,” he repeated, “that’s mine.”

“Is it now? I don’t see your name on it.”

Now on adjacent sides of the tent, the two of you locked into a waltz of frenzied attacks and defenses.

Despite not having a sword, the eventual successor of the Musou no Hitotachi fought as if he embodied the blade. Nimble fists like the wind, he slashed at your frame. He moved with deadly, facile, precision, adorning your skin in small, blooming bruises. Your only saving grace to avoid anything greater was your own adeptness to combat. Each swipe was blockaded by a feint on your end, each kick met with a parry, two adversaries encompassing the other in a cramped space, both sparring for purchase in a hopeless impasse. Static blanketed the air as the assault droned on.

This unnecessary long-winded fight could end the moment your men came to your aid. Is that why he guarded the entrance so fervently?

“You know, one scream from me and you’re done for,” you quipped.

“Hah. I’m not that weak.”

You bit your tongue to avoid spilling out the thought that, no, he wasn’t, and you respected his strength.

“There’s fifteen of us and one of you. Don’t be an idiot, now,” you said, laughing softly, taking a step forward, “we overpowered you once, and—oh, history has a habit of repeating itself.”

His brows furrowed, and he glared at you. “Do it then. I don’t care,” he sneered, a sardonic smile threatening to overtake his face, “I’m sure you’ll sound lovely.” The prince matched your footwork; he was hellbent on taking you down.

You knew that if he was afforded any advantage, you'd succumb.

So began the reprise.

Each hit on your forearms, each returned in equal fervor, each swerve you employed to avoid his kicks, your lungs heaved with short-lived air, the deadlock turning evermore in his favor.

As the dance raged on, your composure waned. Imbalance. Sloppiness. Exponentially labored breaths—in, out, in...in, in, in....

“Hehe. Surely you can do better than that, thief.”

This wasn't just a difference in ability. No, how could someone not grow weary after this long? Scaramouche maintained an imperious grin on his face, never once faltering. It was as if he was inhumane.

Maybe this was the effect of royal blood.

Another stumble meant another loss, another small victory awarded to your enemy...

"Why are you even here? Just give up," he spat, aiming a particularly strong punch to your ribs.

Was he getting faster, or were you slowing down?

You saw it coming. You watched how his painted nails—crimson, bloody—clenched together, how sadism bled into his smile, how it traversed through the air...

It was most certainly the latter.

Air knocked from your system, it was your turn to stagger.

"You're weaker than I thought. How pathetic," he said flatly, shaking his hand off, "how disappointing."

You couldn't breathe. Every attempt to reach for air ended in sharp pains and the dispelling of oxygen in your lungs. That damned rag. There was no point in trying to hide your identity at this point. Already too deep in, the crime too far gone…

You clawed the mask off your face, glaring at your opponent.

"You're the one that talks too much," you gasped out between shuddering breaths, your lips contorted into a twisted grimace.

Amidst your blurring vision and preoccupation with beating the man in front of you into submission, you weren't privy to the shift in his visage.

How his eyes widened, taking in every one of your features.

Disbelief casted onto his expression.

Awe.

That too, unfortunately, left him unguarded.

Scaramouche, for all his capabilities, likely lost the battle when your mask fell, and he caught a glimpse of your true face.

Your desperation drew an epiphany; you didn't want to kill him, but you had to fight back. But what if it killed him? What good was a sale if you had no product? Worthless. But what good was a ransom if no one could sell?

Fuck. It didn’t matter. You were a treasure hoarder. A thief. Bound to scrounge Teyvat for leftovers.

And this Prince, right in front of you?

His life was a prize, and you've always had a propensity for stealing.

That was your ambition. Your talent. Your worth.

You were not going to let that gold insignia slip from your grasp.

Not that easily.

Your fingers ghosted your sash. The miniscule glass buzzed with elemental energy.

“I’ll give you one chance, prince,” you murmured. “Stop this ceaseless fight or else.”

“No,” came his immediate response, eyes flickering from your face to your fist, “I’d be a fool to give up when I’m winning.”

“Then stop while you’re ahead,” you snapped sweetly.

With only another laugh escaping his lips, he suddenly burst forward once more. You squeezed your eyes shut, his form like a bullet in your path.

His skillful fighting captivated your senses, yet you had to resort to playing dirty.

As he drew closer, close enough to touch, he took you off your feet, and you grappled at his robes. The feather fell to the wayside, and the prince jerked his head to follow its descent.

Squeezing the pyro potion with your free hand, you could not keep down your thoughts this time.

“Sorry,” you whispered.

The bottle effortlessly smashed against the small of his hip, the unleashed fire focusing its fury on his defenseless muscles.

You winced, the crackle in the air running up your exposed skin in droves. Pyro and the Electro within him swirled and exploded in tandem.

Scaramouche gasped, breath hitching, shoving you away as he convulsed onto the dirt, sudden twitches of protesting muscles exacerbating his agony. His skin stained with sweat—waves of fire rolled over each pore—and shards embedded into his now bloodstained robes—all while folded on his knees--a pitiful display.

You rose on shaky legs, picking the gold ornament back into your palm. At the very least, you could sell this. His carcass would easily hide underneath the sands of Nazuchi beach.

…

…

…

No.

No, something was wrong.

“How…how are you still conscious?”

Although he was clearly affected, and you witnessed his body overloading, the way his head snapped in your direction, and managed an irate expression, devoid of obvious pain that was there mere seconds ago—fascination erupted inside your chest.

“That’s….that’s mine. Give it back!” The demand lacked the vitriol you expected. Instead, it was coated in a breathy plea. “Please! My...my heart...”

“I…” you were at a loss for words. “T-this?” You opened your hand, and his arm—like an instinct awakened within him—darted out to wrench it from your grasp. But, without the support, his body weight lost to gravity.

“Agh-!” He fell, wincing but his arm never went down. “Anything…anything, but that feather.”

Moonlight flooded in as you stared down at your handiwork. And your subordinates, who carried in the odor of sake, who finally noticed that you hadn’t joined in on their hasty celebrations, ran to pin Scaramouche, yanking his arms behind his back, with metal cuffs this time.

“Boss! Are you okay?”

You only hummed at their concern.

"I don't need attention. Our prize does."

Scaramouche, in his hazed state, did not register the moniker. His body forced into rigidness, exhaustion eating at his strength, he only groaned.

Ambling toward the crumpled man, you kneeled, ignoring how the dull ache of your ribs made itself known. Your men, perplexed, slowly backed away, giving you and him some space. He sighed softly as you pulled him into your lap, knees a pillow for his weary head. Taking his face in your hands, you inspected his pulse.

Nothing. Perhaps it was too weak, or too erratic, and yet he continued breathing; clearly alive. How? You wondered. Expected from someone who came from the Raiden herself. Brushing a stray hair sticking to his face, you smiled down at him. What a precious thing he was.

His pupils dilated at your touch, a shudder ravaging through his body. It ached.

"I'm glad you survived. It would have been a shame," you hummed, engulfing him in your gaze. “Out of everyone I’ve come across, you’re the most interesting.”

“You'll pay for this," he choked out, squeezing his eyes shut as he clenched his teeth. His words hardly stung. They held no edge.

"Perhaps," you whispered, parting his fist to place the feather into his grasp. "But for now, I win. I dont need this anymore, since I have you."

"You-"

"Hey, has anyone ever told you?"

"H-huh?" Scaramouche coughed again, too weak to do anything but softly huff.

You began to carefully unwrap his juban away.

"What do you think you're—" the Prince gasped, but was silenced with a finger to his lips.

The robe now discarded, you examined the blood painting over his complexion, the glass a mosaic on his figure.

"My Lord, you really do look beautiful in red."

You carefully started removing the shards out of his figure. His blood stained your skin. But he didn't squirm.

Instead, he whispered a promise under his breath, only for his ears.

"When I get my hands on you, and I win..." Scaramouche muttered, clutching his feather in his palm.

"I'm sure you will too."

.