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dear--mars · 3 months

Text

Do you think we’re soulmates in every universe?

── Synopsis: Soulmates. The concept sounded unreal, too good to be true. And it seemed it was. Nothing lasts forever and the thought of being together even in another world was just a dream.

── Characters: Wriothesley, Scaramouche, and Kaeya

── CW: Mentions of violence and alcoholism. Scara being a fucking weirdo.

── Notes: based on that tt trend :p. [angst/no comfort]

── Word count: 365 + 421 + 455 = 1241 words in total

Wriothesley ── Working in the Fortress of Meropide had its downsides. Situated deep underwater, the prison demanded constant overseeing. As the warden, Wriothesley's responsibilities included overseeing the fortress 98% of the time.

Yet, in the cold and darkness of this watery prison, there was a beacon of warmth and light – you. To Wriothesley, you were akin to the sun, providing a sense of comfort and solace in an otherwise desolate and forbidding environment.

Wriothesley loved you more than he thought could love. Your unwavering support had been a constant source of strength for him, but he was beginning to realize that even you had your limits.

It was cold, more so than usual. Wriothesley thought it a bit unusual to feel this chill even though you were right in front of him, Unsurprisingly, you had come to visit.

The recent visits you’ve made had been met with Wriothesley having to turn you away. due to a troublesome criminal who kept picking fights with the other inmates.

There were no words spoken, odd considering you heavily disliked silence. Wriothesley was never big on initiating conversation so you did it. It was always you who would talk and he would listen.

…

Okay. Wriothesley couldn’t keep pretending. He knew it was falling apart, your relationship, your love for him. It was fading away but he didn’t want to comment on it. Scared that if he pointed it out, everything would burn.

Yet he couldn’t stop his mouth from moving and uttered but one sentence. “Do you think we’re soulmates in every universe?” Wriothesley regretted asking immediately afterward but didn’t show it.

Your face glossed over in surprise and looked up from your teacup, gazing at him with unreadable eyes. “No.” Your answer was short but not sweet, more bitter if anything.

You paused as if contemplating adding to your answer. “Not even in this one.” You finished and Wriothesley could feel his heart shatter. He wasn’t an idiot, Wriothesley knew what you were implying with your last sentence yet he couldn’t find anything in himself to refute your words.

He wasn't made for love and if you, his sun, thought so as well. Who is he to think otherwise?

Scaramouche ── A puppet. That’s all Scaramouche thought of himself as. That’s all Scaramouche saw in himself. A worthless puppet that failed at its life’s purpose.

But with you, he felt like something more and he hated it. He felt something, felt the disgusting human emotions that no puppet should feel. He resented it. It was the reason behind his abandonment in the first place.

So why? Why did it feel so good? Why did you make him feel so good? Why did your hand caressing his hair feel so soothing? Why did your lips feel so soft on his? But most importantly, why did you make him feel whole?

Scaramouche was disgusted with himself. He was the 6th Fatui harbinger. A title that would spread fear in the hearts of people from all across Teyvat including yours but you didn’t know so what was the harm?

But it seems like the world hated Scaramouche just as much as Scaramouche hated it.

It seems that word got around that Scaramouche had a lover. Then one day, you got kidnapped by some Anti-Fatui organization.

Scaramouche flew into a rage and saved you before you had gotten injured but not fast enough to stop you from finding out who he truly was. You parted ways that day.

It wasn’t until 2 years later when he was in Sumeru, that he saw a whiff of your scent when walking around at Port Ormos. He whipped his head around and followed the scent.

He saw you, working at a flower shop stand. Finally, after years of being apart. He walked closer, hearing footsteps you looked up with a customer service smile. “Welcome-...” your voice trails off as your face hardens.

“What can I get for you?” You asked coldly, glaring at him. Scaramouche froze, you used to look at him with such gentle caring eyes but that wasn’t the case here.

Scaramouche’s mouth moved on its own, spewing out the stupidest question he could ever ask. “Do you think we’re soulmates in every universe?” It was dumb, even Scaramouche could admit he cringed Immediately after he finished his sentence.

“I didn’t even want you in this one.” You said emotionlessly and Scaramouche’s face was the one that hardened this time around. He grits his teeth.

Of course, you would say that. Scaramouche didn't know what he wanted you to say but he knew that that wasn’t it. Why would he have expected anything else? And why did it feel like his heart was taken away once again?

Kaeya ── Being with Kaeya was not for the weak of heart. He was a walking red flag. Kaeya was a raging alcoholic and was never afraid to show that nor did he bother to change.

But most importantly, secrets. He kept so many secrets. It wasn’t that bad at first, mostly because you tried to justify it on his behalf. ‘Everyone has secrets.’ was what you’d tell yourself.

And you were right. No matter know long you’ve been together, it seems that Kaeya never truly trusted you. Not once during your entire relationship did he ever confide in you or your help.

And just as everyone has secrets everyone has their limits and you had just hit yours.

It was late at night, almost 2 am yet Kaeya wasn’t home. You guess that he was in the tavern and after going there yourself, you guess right. There Kaeya was, slumped on the bar counter with an empty glass of wine in his hand.

Kaeya’s brother, Diluc, gave you a nod in acknowledgment as you went to your boyfriend’s side. You tapped his shoulder and Kaeya slowly looked up at you. A sly smile on his face when he saw you.

“Darling!” He hiccuped. “What are you doing here?” He asked, his words slurring together. It was a miracle you could still understand him.

“It’s almost 3 in the morning. I'm here to take you back home.” You said softly, rubbing his back soothingly, trying to persuade him.

“Aww.” He whined. “Don’t wanna go home yet…” He mumbled with a frown and you couldn't help but sigh. “But we have to. You have work tomorrow.” You reminded him.

Kaeya was staring off into space before you heard him mutter something out. You had to strain your ears but you caught on to what he asked. “Do you think we’re soulmates in every universe?”

Your breathing stilled as you looked at him with an unreadable expression. You answered without thinking of the consequences of your words. “Are we even soulmates in this one?” you whispered, your voice filled with pain and unsureness.

You immediately slapped your hand over your mouth and thankfully it seemed Kaeya didn’t hear it but you felt someone’s eyes bore into you in shock. You turn and see Diluc looking at you flabbergasted.

You turned away, ignoring his gaze before you focused on Kaeya. You slung his arm over your shoulder as you walked out of the tavern. Kaeya didn’t hear your answer but a part of you wish he did.

You're stuck with him for as long as he wants. He’s a red flag but can’t help loving him even if you know in the end you're the only one getting hurt.

- Navigation - - Prismarine -

#genshin impact #genshin angst #genshin imagines #genshin impact fics #genshin impact headcanons #genshin drabbles #genshin impact drabble #Wriothesley #wriothesley x reader #wriothesley angst #scaramouche #scaramouche x reader #scaramouche angst #Kaeya #kaeya x reader #kaeya angst #marsworks

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vriothesley · 9 months

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you, diluc, and the language of flowers in the city of mondstadt.

pairing | diluc / gn! reader genre | fluff, slice of life word count | 3.1k+ notes | also an old fic reposted from my old blog. i’ve only done minimal changes to this, and it’s basically my take (kind of?) of the mondstadt flowers’ language / meaning :)

You almost miss it—the hushed word that rolls off his tongue as you pass by Flora’s display of flowers.

“Beautiful,” he says to no one in particular. You wonder if he really intends to say it out loud, or at all, eyes bright and glancing over to each potted plant, lingering for a moment longer on the arrangement of Cecilias.

It is but a fleeting moment, and maybe it was just a trick your senses had chosen to play with you because before you could even begin to think about what he means, he takes a step forward and continues his walk; neither confident nor modest, not standing too proudly but not hunching either.

He walks as if he’s thinking of nothing else but the way the pavement beneath his feet carries him as he strides across the Mondstadt streets.

He exudes what you would expect Diluc Ragnvindr to exude: a presence that would make the second of awe he had of the flower blooms dancing with the wind seem like it was only a figment of your imagination.

Diluc stops in his tracks, slowly turns on the balls of his feet and raises his brows at you—not of authority but of just genuine curiosity.

“Are you okay?” he asks, and you only realize that you’ve been standing in the same spot for a time now. You feel the heat creep up your face.

“Yes,” you cough. It’s unsure, embarrassed. You hurriedly catch up to him, jogging a few steps before repeating, “yes.”

Diluc nods, and you try not to think about it again.

“Is this fine?” you ask, cautious and patient as you squat down and pat the grass at the edge of the lake. You watch Diluc as his steps stutter for a moment only before nodding and settling down beside you.

Diluc accompanies you to your travels after the little encounter at Floral Whisper, and he remains silent for most of the time. Unfortunately, you did think about it. His quiet whisper of beautiful and the even quieter wonder his eyes had shown. You did think about the possibility of seeing that Diluc once more, childlike and bright, for maybe a second longer next time.

Your gaze wanders across the lake, then to the small bed of rock where a waypoint stood, glimmering shyly in blue. There are frogs jumping around and lizards crawling everywhere.

“Are you afraid of them?” you wonder aloud before you could even bite your tongue.

Ah, you think, oh no.

After adventuring all morning to purge nearby hillichurl camps and jump around collecting crystalflies, Diluc had suggested finding a place to rest. A quick dip in cool water has always been pleasant, so you led him to Springvale. The chatter of the hunters in the town just behind you and the swishing waters of the waterfalls seem to be enough white noise between you and Diluc. You’re both tired as well, so of course Diluc wouldn’t interest himself in such idle chit-chats.

Diluc shakes off his boots and rolls his pant legs up, sits on the edge, and dips his feet in. It seems methodical but you wonder how much of this is his routine. He is a renowned adventurer, after all. He says not a single word and you don’t really mind. Maybe you could just pretend that you never asked the question at all, as embarrassing as that is. This is Diluc and you know him, not interested in small talks and whatnot.

But he hums, and it’s quiet, before he snorts, “No.” The small smile playing on his lips stupefies you and it is the second time that you doubt your senses—did he just laugh? Was that even a laugh? Or did he just find my attempt at a conversation pathetic and he thinks I’m ridiculous and– “I’m not afraid of them, but they are bothersome.”

It feels as if the weight has been released off your chest. So it was a laugh, huh. Who knew.

You soon follow suit, submerging your feet in the cold waters of the lake, watching as the surface ripples and distorts the reflection of his bright red glory. You lean back, not being able to stop the sigh of relief that escapes your mouth. The silence covers you like a blanket and it feels delightful. There is nothing but the waters washing away the soreness of your feet, and the fiery red man sitting beside you, and the beds of Calla Lily flowers behind you, and the boar across the lake.

(You wonder if Kaeya were here and would agree on making an ice bridge just to catch the boar and get a few pieces of raw meat because you assume that none of you would want to swim.)

(Oh, speaking of Kaeya.)

Your hand reaches to pluck a Calla Lily out of the grass and you bring it close to your face, fingers delicately twisting and eyes scanning the flower as if you’re trying to pry its secrets apart. You’re not, and the flower probably holds no secrets anyway. You’re just thinking about how the Calla Lily is actually more known as the chubby lotus of Mondstadt and you want to giggle even more because — “Isn’t the Calla Lily Kaeya’s favorite flower?”

Diluc stops swinging his feet to turn to you, and he snorts. It’s a laugh, and you’re sure this time.

“What a silly thing to ask me,” he says.

“I had a feeling you’d know what his favorite is.”

Diluc nods, and he props his arm against the grass bed to lean back, watch the afternoon clouds. You don’t know if the nod is an affirmation of the Calla Lilies being his brother’s favorite flower, or of the fact that he knows. Maybe both.

The blanket returns and the silence stretches until the sun starts to set. You wonder if you should ask Diluc to go back to the city now, or to wait for him to ask instead. You watch the side of his face and gauge the next words to say, but nothing comes.

Diluc notices this, probably, because he breaks the silence instead. “Do you like them?”

You furrow your brows instead of giving him a proper answer so he clarifies, with a shade of pink tinting his cheeks.

“The Calla Lilies, I mean.” Diluc clears his throat and looks away, the water splashing when he kicks and you wonder if this is another glimpse of the childlike Diluc you saw from befote, in front of the flower shop inside Mondstadt’s gates.

“They’re okay,” you answer meekly. “They’re pretty, but I don’t like the way they taste.”

You continue to describe how the taste of the chubby lotuses feels absolutely repulsive on your tongue and how you were forced to drink Calla Lily medicine when you were a kid, when you get sick. They work, but that doesn’t take away the fact that these cute, orange flowers are better off to be admired than to be consumed. Diluc listens intently and the sun is now nowhere to be seen. The night has fallen and the Calla Lilies around the lake of Springvale bow as if to nap, and the story-telling of how you have a love-hate relationship with the flower has come to an end.

“Yeah,” Diluc breathes, maybe as an affirmation to everything you’ve said; an assurance to say that he did listen to every word, so he repeats, “yeah. I think so too.”

Diluc had told you that he doesn’t get the appeal of Dandelions. They’re just bulbs of tiny seeds, he says, and he doesn’t think that they’re on par with the beauty of the rest of Mondstadt’s flowers.

Maybe he just doesn’t know how the Dandelion seeds spread their wings.

The moment you both had the opportunity to wander around, no commissions or duties whatsoever, you grab his wrist and pull him outside the city walls—Diluc’s well-kept and upheld image and presence be damned. The winds sing of freedom and the Dandelions sway to its tune.

“Dandelions,” you start, letting Diluc’s wrist go to allow you to crouch in front of a stem of one, “ride on the wind. Even without its feathered wings, it still holds the hope from afar within.”

You glance at Diluc, his presence still alluring as ever, and you wait for any sign of agreement or, at the very least, acknowledgment from him. He sways on the balls of his feet, brows knitted, before adding, “In a sense, the Dandelion represents the romantic spirit of love and freedom.” There is a hint of mischief in the corners of his mouth. “Right?”

Right. You could only roll your eyes at the red-haired man before turning your attention back to the Dandelion once again. You scoff at him—at the very obvious fact that of course he knows that. “Someone has the Mondstadt library archive entries memorized,” you tease.

Diluc imitates your position with his legs squatted and elbows rested on his thighs, except he’s an arms-length away from you and the Dandelion so you don’t really consider that as making a ton of progress.

You carefully pull the stem of the Dandelion and take a few steps toward where Diluc is, still crouching and all. He watches you move closer and there is evident confusion in his expression, but he does not dare to move.

“I learned about Dandelions because they’re used in winemaking,” he retorts to your earlier jab that, to be quite honest, you’ve already forgotten.

You raise the bulb of Dandelion to his face, between you and him. You sway it carefully, only letting a few of its seeds fly away. Diluc remains confused, and he does not even try to hide it.

“I used to make wishes on Dandelions,” you beam, voice just as bright. “I believe that they could carry my desires to Celestia when they fly with the wind.”

The presence that Diluc Ragnvindr carries falters for a second when it sinks in that your words are not a story, but a suggestion. You should try it, you mean to say. Make a wish.

A sudden gust of wind blows, and a number of dandelion seeds fly—to you, to your left, towards the water, to the bridge, and to–

Oh no.

The presence that Diluc Ragnvindr carries falters—completely now—when his nose crinkles and he sniffs and sniffs and he tries to rub away the itch in his nose but… well, he sneezes and it blows the rest of the seeds on the Dandelion bulb away.

With eyes wide, you watch as his cheeks and ears turn bright red. You would joke about how you almost don’t know where his fiery red hair starts and ends if you aren’t so shocked with it either.

“I…” he trails, then he sneezes again. “I made a wish before it all flew away.”

This time, your mouth drops. That’s… unexpected, isn’t it? I made a wish before it all flew away. Perhaps this is another glance at the childlike and bright Diluc you’ve been wanting to see again since.

Diluc smiles sheepishly. “I like Dandelions, but they make my nose itch.”

The laugh you’ve been trying to hold back now comes in full force. It starts with a chuckle, and then it turns into small chortles, then it’s now just good, good laughs. Diluc, without a hint of the authority he always embodies, laughs with you.

Visible winds are what the citizens of Mondstadt call the plant that adores the wind—the Windwheel Asters. In Stormterror’s Lair, its petals spin and spin and you remember that Vind once told you that Windwheel Asters cannot grow in places with no wind nor plagued by strong storms. The orange flowers find rhythm in winds of gentle and nourishing give.

“It’s unbelievable, almost,” you tell Diluc with the raise of your fingers, a gesture to exaggerate your disbelief. “These asters seem out of place in Stormterror’s Lair.”

“Yes,” he affirms, then bends down and picks a flower by his feet. Its petals still spin in all its beauty and the contrast of its vibrance against the backdrop of the ruins, dark and alone, emphasizes the very purpose of it. Visible winds.

Diluc walks forward to hand you the aster, then he trudges back to pluck himself another one. He continues, “But they only grow where there are tender winds. It only means that the lair is not as desolate as the citizens believe it to be.”

You know what Diluc means. That Stormterror is still Dvalin; that he is still one of the Four Winds, the entities that the Anemo Archon entrusted the safety of Mondstadt to.

You know what it means. You know– that there are still protectors of Mondstadt even if they are nowhere to be seen, impalpable but still ever-present, like–

Wind. This is, after all, the nation of wind.

Diluc probably does not mean refer to himself with his words at all, but...

You fiddle with the Windwheel Aster in your hand and you watch its petals make the presence of the gentle winds known. An invisible force that guides the city of Mondstadt. Then you recall the gloved hand that holds the heavy claymore, the red hair that slashes through the breeze. Each move in a battle, calculated and done with grace.

You remember the legend of the Darknight Hero and how Diluc doesn’t want the people to know his name. You remember Diluc and you believe that there are still protectors of Mondstadt even if they are nowhere to be seen.

At late noon, the surrounding areas of Wolvendom become clear of any threat of hillichurls and Ruin Guards.

Diluc looks as if he isn’t tired at all, the sweat trickling down the side of his face seeming like a mere ornament. The sun is starting to set and the oncoming night paints the road up the territory of the Wolf of the North. The fiery-haired man props his claymore on the ground, steadying before he leans against it. You’re spread out on the grass, not even bothering for shame and modesty anymore.

“Unfair,” you scoff, narrowing your eyes at Diluc. “How are you not exhausted after all that?”

Diluc gives you a small laugh, and he looks at the row of Small Lamp Grasses across. “It has become routine to me.”

You follow his trail of sight, propping your elbows against the ground to sit up slightly. The wildflowers sit in silence and you almost hear crickets deep in the woods of Wolvendom, empty in the slowly unfolding night.

“We don’t have anything else for today, right?” you ask, the question lingering on your tongue. Diluc hums. “Then…”

“Then?”

“Would it be alright if we stay here until nighttime? Just until the lamp grasses light up.” There is heat growing on your ears, so you supply almost immediately with, “It’s alright if you don’t want to! I just want–”

“It’s fine,” Diluc cuts you off. He settles his claymore down and sits at a safe distance beside you. “They don’t show their wonder until night, after all. I want to see them light up, too.”

Diluc walks as if he’s thinking of nothing else but the way the ground beneath his feet carries him as he strides across Mondstadt.

He exudes what you would expect Diluc Ragnvindr to exude: a presence that definitely would make the second of awe he had of the flower blooms dancing with the wind seem like it was only a figment of your imagination.

You know this. You’ve seen it for so many times and it still twists something in you. Something deep inside you. The thing is, though—the childlike and bright Diluc Ragnvindr is not a figment of your imagination, after all.

At the base of the Starsnatch Cliff, a lone Cecilia sways with the breeze. You think there is nothing special about it, for there are probably several more of the flowers on the way up. Diluc thinks otherwise.

Diluc asked you to come along with him somewhere. That somewhere, you find out now, is Starsnatch Cliff. The lone Cecilia comes into his view and he wastes no time to stride towards it. He crouches, removes his glove, then traces the petals of it with a nimble finger.

This is Diluc, still. You know this. You’ve seen it for so many times and it still twists something in you. This is not a figment of your imagination.

Mirth swirls in his fiery red eyes and somehow, he looks younger. Boyish, and unlike how he usually is. He turns to you and ushers you to come closer, so you do. This is the Diluc who stood in awe in front of Floral Whisper that day.

“Cecilias are my favorite,” he begins this time. “I don’t know why, but I’m just so drawn into them. They’re beautiful.”

Beautiful, the whisper and wonder of it all fit Diluc Ragnvindr in his entirety.

Maybe this is a mistake. Maybe you shouldn’t have done this. But it’s too late now, isn’t it? You’ve knocked on the large wooden door of the Dawn Winery manor and you’ve heard the footsteps of the young master growing louder at each second. Maybe–

The door opens and it reveals the embodiment of beautiful and you’re speechless. Maybe this is a mistake, but maybe you don’t mind making this mistake.

“Sorry,” you apologize as soon as you come to your senses. Diluc looks down at the bouquet in your hand, an arrangement of Mondstadt flowers with Cecilias at its center. The embarrassment washes into you now and words immediately escape your mouth, “Are these flowers okay? I’m sorry if it’s an overkill. You don’t have to accept it. I know Cecilias are your favorite so I asked Flora to make them like this. Ah, I should’ve asked if you wanted something like this at all. I’m sorry–”

Diluc propels to you, taking the bouquet from your hand and setting it aside. He pulls you closer, holds you by your shoulders then decides to hold your face between his warm hands instead. It sets your skin on fire but it doesn’t hurt, because Diluc protects and never intends to hurt anyone in any way.

This isn’t a mistake, because Diluc Ragnvindr will never be a mistake.

He puts his lips to use in the absence of words, planting a kiss against your forehead, childlike and bright; beauty and all.

#*vriothesley #genshin impact fics #genshin fics #genshin impact x reader #genshin x reader #diluc x reader #genshin impact imagines #genshin imagines #diluc imagines #genshin impact fluff #genshin fluff #diluc fluff

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written-with-blue-ink · 5 months

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Lyney and Kazuha separately (or just Lyney) with a reader who is beginning to get stretch marks and is deathly afraid that he will think she is ugly pls? Any pronouns are okay ofc ofc she/her is just preferred qwq I'm starting to get some and I'm feeling even more self conscious than I was before😭🙏🙏🙏 Stay safe and hydrated!💫💫💫

I just did Lyney if that's alright. I remember crying when I first got stretch marks so I completely get it. I hope this helps <3

Lyney X Fem! Reader Contains: Kitten as a nickname, Lyney is a cat-boy like Lynette, stretchmarks, undergarments, etc

Ivy on the Tower

Tonight was such a big night for Lyney and Lynette. The first time since Fontaine’s most recent flood that they got to perform once again at the Opera Epiclese. With this revelation, Lyney’s partner, (Y/N), offered their apartment for lunch and a space for the twins to get ready for the big night.

The day was going great, Lyney assumed. The sandwiches and snacks that were catered were soft and comforting and the conversations between his siblings and his lover seemed to be going well.

That was till they were getting ready. Freminet stayed in the living room while Lynette took the spare bedroom and Lyney took (Y/N)’s ensuite. Makeup was done and in the middle of tucking his shirt into his pants when he heard faint whimpering on the other side of the door.

Creaking it open, he saw his dear (Y/N) sitting on her bed in her undergarments, twisting and glancing at her skin and fingers running over it gently. Tears formed in her eyes as she couldn’t take her eyes off of her figure.

Feet silently tapped the floor as he crept closer but (Y/N) didn’t realize until he sat on the bed, scooching himself closer as he rested his head on her left shoulder. Their eyes met through the mirror’s reflection and the look of disgust and fear filled (Y/N)’s eyes along with tears.

“Kitten, what’s the matter,” he purred, curling his body closer and wrapping his arm around her body only for her to pull away. His tail wrapped around her hand and pulled her back, “Please tell me what’s wrong, (Y/N).”

His sharp eyes caught her cupping the sides of her body with her hands and he slowly moved his hands to hers. With effort, his fingers wrapped around hers and he was able to glimpse at what she was hiding.

Faint white and purple lines rested on her hips and thighs and that only made him raise a brow, “Kitten, do you hate your stretchmarks?”

Knowing the jig was up, she let go of her sides and nodded. Pulling away with tears falling down her face as she sobbed, “I-it’s ugly, it’s hideous but I just have to live with it… You don’t…”

His periwinkle eyes melted as he pulled her back, fingers interlocking. “I would never find you ugly or hideous or leave you for something as simple as something natural your body does because I love it all.”

Grazing his finger over the stripes, he drew little five-petal flowers as he said, “It’s like ivy on a tower. It doesn’t take beauty away, it only adds to it as the tower ages and changes over time.”

His eyes looked back up and saw the soft smile and tears appearing on (Y/N)’s face. She moved, kissing his hair between the fluffy cat ears. “You are the sweetest,” she mumbled into his sleek blonde locks.

The smirk he was known for grew back onto his face, “If it makes you feel any better, I have concealer in the bathroom if you really need to cover them up.”

Leaning into his arms, their backs hit the mattress and she curled into his chest for warmth and comfort. “No, your words were more than enough…”

#genshin headcanons #genshin imagines #genshin x reader #genshin impact x reader #lyney x reader #lyney #lyney headcanons #lyney x you #cat boy lyney #fontaine #fontaine men x reader #lyney fluff #lyney hurt/comfort #genshin fluff #genshin impact #genshin impact fics #lynette

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dourpeep · 1 year

Note

being so used to hardass mean roommate kunikuzushi that when u come home really late one night for whatever reason ur shocked to find him crying in his sleep. and then comforting hin bc ydk what else to do. im normal about him.

- mean xiao (hi lol)

omg! Welcome back mean xiao anon!! You have been missed nodnod--I hope that you were able to get the peep you were trying to get (I've forgotten who idhfoiseh but I remember you were rolling for someone last time you were hanging out around here ehe)

AND ALSO ALSO ALSO are you excited?? It's finally time-

Scaramouche is coming home and all Scara wanters are going to be Scara havers def not because most Scara wanters have been waiting for years now and have been saving up since his initial appearance. some people's resolve scares me

But YES

gimme a moment I got side tracked again- (also going back after writing, I honestly intended to put more comfort but as you know roommate Scara has a mind of his own, so we'll just say that he and reader aren't really close yet)

Honey Milk Tea

Summary: You're tired, it's late, and your usually pain-in-the-ass roommate...is crying? Contains: Modern au, roommates, roommate!Scaramouche, fluff, comfort (??), awkward roommate situations, maybe a little bit of underlying feelings whether platonic or romantic-

You had to stay later for work again today.

Something happened and, for reasons that you'd rather be unaware of, the night crew called out (again, for the second time within a week), so you were stuck until your coworker could come in nearly three hours after your shift should've ended. A heavy sigh heaves, following the familiar gesture of your key turning in the door's lock, and you finally relax the moment you step into your apartment.

Unsurprisingly, it's dark.

Scaramouche likely retired a while ago, you note, considering that the clock’s hands are pointed decidedly at a time that you’d rather be in bed yourself.

With a stretch, you shuck off your shoes and coat. They’re set besides the entrance, and you know that you’ll get an earful later about leaving your stuff laying around, but the effort required to put them up in the entryway closet seems just a little bit too much to handle. You’ll make sure to apologize in the form of a cup of coffee if you manage to get up before him.

Though...you look at it one more time before deciding that you’re satisfied with the halfheartedly folded article of clothing.

It’s another minute before you finally walk into the combined living area and kitchen, and then another before you decide against a midnight snack despite the tempting idea of a quick meal to make your way towards the small hallway leading to the rooms. The longer that you spend awake, the longer that you’ll have to wait until you’re comfortable and asleep in bed, after all. Or, at least that the logic that you decided on tonight.

And then, you hear the soft sound of breathing.

There, on the couch, cheek pressed into the armrest and legs dangling haphazardly off, is your roommate. In the dimness of the apartment, you easily could have mistaken him for a stray blanket. But the closer you get (careful to take as quiet steps as possible) the easier it is to squint and see his familiar features.

He shifts, and for a moment you’re worried that you woke him, until he settles. Bangs falling from where they sat tucked behind his ear, he mumbles.

Huh.

Who knew he talked in his sleep?

“...breathe...”

You hold your own breath, hesitating in your spot when his brows scrunch up and his arm drags to rest across his forehead.

“...should breathe.”

Scaramouche’s expression shifts, the corners of his lips tugging down and you wonder about what he’s dreaming of. He must be, since he shows no sign of acknowledging you, right? His frown deepens while you’re left in your thoughts and, if you didn’t know better, you’d ask him what’s wrong.

But the silence continues and he shifts until he’s properly laid across the couch (good for him, you muse).

You know. You should probably go ahead and go to sleep yourself. Change out of your work clothes, maybe do a few stretches to relieve the ache in your back, and close your eyes. Except...you can’t seem to tear yourself away. Not when Scaramouche suddenly whimpers.

It’s a soft sound, pained and almost resigned. Like an eon’s worth of waiting only to be disappointed, but still being vulnerable enough for it to hurt.

His features relax, if only a bit, but the frown stays.

“...you promised...”

Suddenly, he looks hurt.

He turns on his side and his arm falls from his head down in front of his chest, fingers twitching.

It’s then that he starts to cry.

A tear beads and slips down from the corner of his eye, just enough to catch whatever meager light rests in the darkness, and wets the worn fabric of the couch. Another follows, and another.

And then, Scaramouche awakens.

He sits up straight, furiously rubbing at his eyes with white-knuckled fists even though the tears don’t stop. They continue to slip past.

“Shit. Shit-”

Tearing away from his face, he hits the back of the couch, eyes shut tight and teeth worrying at a wobbling lip he’d really rather not have. You could only imagine why, all things considered.

And you only imagined for a little bit longer before you were met with a furious glare.

“Why are you here? Go the fuck to sleep already.”

You didn’t want to ask, not that you weren’t curious. So, instead you offer a hopefully reassuring smile.

“Late shift. I had to cover for Jamie because they called out. Same with Bryce.”

The silence that follows is uncomfortable.

It’s weird to see your roommate so vulnerable—a few tears still streaming down his flushed cheeks from red and puffy eyes despite the clearly inconvenienced expression. Maybe it was the late hour, or perhaps the extra three hours, but you found yourself doing something you didn’t expect.

“...are you alright?”

He prickles at that, visibly. But then the tears start up anew and his shoulders shake in silence and he turns away to try to rid himself of them.

“I know we don’t really talk much, but I’m always ready to listen if you need it. Really.”

Scaramouche shakes his head, pointedly keeping himself face away from you, but you see the way that his shoulders loosen.

The moment that his tears reduce to sniffles, he stands up.

It takes only about ten large strides for him to make his way across the living area to the kitchen sink. After a few splashes of cold water and a vigorous wiping with a handful of paper towels, he finally takes in a deep breath.

“There’s no need to waste words on something that’s in the past.”

The light turns on with a click and your apartment floods with light. Leaning against the counter with crossed arms, he still refuses to meet your eyes.

“It’s whatever. Do you want a cup, or not?”

Despite the underlying discomfort, Scaramouche forgoes your lack of an answer to fish two mugs from the cabinet, crossing over to fill the kettle with water and clicking the stovetop on. You watch as he grabs a box of chamomile from the side and sets a bag in each mug before tapping his fingers impatiently against the countertop.

The water comes to a boil much quicker than expected, and before you know it there’s a fresh, warm cup of honey milk tea pushed in front of you.

Nursing his own close to his face, Scaramouche watches you. He takes a sip.

“It tastes better when it’s still hot.”

“Oh--right, thank you.”

And it really does.

You take a deep drink, relishing in the light sweetness and comfort, missing the way that he seems to relax more at your acceptance, how he seems to not look away from you once. The drink is finished too soon for either of your liking.

When you thank him again, he shrugs it off, setting your cup besides his in the sink to deal with in the morning.

Soon enough, the lights flick back off and the two of you head down the hall to part ways.

It’s not until your door closes and he’s sure you’re occupied with getting ready for bed that he mutters a quiet thank you to the quiet hall. Tonight, he’s sure that his dreams will be sweeter.

Note: I like to think he's pretty bad at feelings so he goes about resolving things himself and by that I mean burying them in the form of making a cup of tea in hopes of calming his nerves

#I couldn't think of names for reader's coworkers because I ended up accidentally writing myself into that osdihfoieh so these are the first #that popped up in my head #scaramouche #roommate au #roommate scaramouche #modern au #scaramouche x reader #genshin impact scaramouche #genshin impact fics #genshin impact #genshin impact drabbles #genshin impact fluff #genshin impact x reader #there are definitely gears turning in that head of his ooo dang look at that mouchie considering letting others in??? Incredible #aw buns wait I forgot the anon tags #anon asks #mean xiao anon #ehe I hope this is close enough to the original idea dhfosieh

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keqism · 2 years

Text

rainy nights

⚘ pairing: heizou x gn!reader

⚘ genre: hurt/comfort

⚘ warnings: pet names, one swear word, crying

⚘ summary: shikanoin heizou is regarded as the tenryou commission’s #1 detective. but even the doushin has his bad days.

archons, do people really read this crap?

you huffed to yourself before slamming your book shut. you had picked up a legend of sword from the yae publishing house this morning for some light reading, but unfortunately, the best-selling novel was not your cup of tea.

you sighed, leaning back against the sofa and watching the summer storm rage outside. the drizzle of rain faintly tapped against the windows of your living room, reminding you of the crackling sound of the tempura you had fried earlier—tempura for your boyfriend, heizou.

speaking of which, your lover was running late today. his dinner sat untouched on the dining room table and its contents were surely cold by now. the house felt empty without his lively laughter and witty banter. maybe kujou sara was giving him a hard time again, you contemplated, chewing on your bottom lip.

deeply occupied with your thoughts, you failed to hear the front door quietly open and close.

"—babe i'm home," heizou called for you hoarsely. looking up at your lover, your eyes skimmed his disheveled appearance, noting the shadows under his eyes and his dripping clothes. his hair was drenched, the rainwater coloring the tawny strands almost black.

you briskly stood, tossing your book somewhere on the floor, and made your way to him. "hi," you whispered, hands reaching up to clasp his gaunt face. "rough day?"

heizou closed his eyes, kissing your palm before leaning into your warmth. "can we cuddle?" he mumbled, ignoring your previous question.

"of course." you brushed the wet strands of hair away from his face, pressing kisses against the moles under his eyes. they stood out against his pale complexion like two glittering fireflies dancing in a meadow. you swept your thumb over one. "but let's get you out of these clothes first."

after heizou silently changed into a clean, dry shirt, the two of you made your way back to the living room. you laid down on the sofa with heizou lying in between your legs, his ear pressed against your chest, listening to the steady rhythm of your heartbeat.

"i made your favorite tempura—fried the sweet potatoes twice too." your voice vibrated against his body, soothing his pounding headache.

"thank you babe," he replied faintly, his voice muffled. "i'll have a bite later."

you frowned at his response, eyebrows furrowing. your lover would have normally sprinted to the dining room at the offer of fried tempura. your worry deepened when you heard faint sniffles, feeling the fabric of your shirt dampen; heizou was not one to cry easily.

you slowly sat up, pushing heizou off of your chest to glance at him. "baby, what's wrong?" you whispered, cupping his face to wipe the tears rolling down his cheeks. his alluring green eyes were dull and clouded with conflict as he avoided looking at you, choosing instead to study the abandoned book on the floor.

his bottom lip trembled before more tears spilled out. heizou's voice quavered, small sobs escaping his shaking form. "the case i took on led to a dead end," he choked out. "i can't figure anything out and i-i'm so frustrated and madam kujou sara keeps pressuring me to take on more cases and—"

you gently hushed him, shifting closer to embrace your crying lover. he buried his face in the crook of your neck, chest heaving as he gasped for air. "let it out heizou," you consoled him. "fuck whatever kujou sara thinks and take your time, okay? some cases need more time and effort, and this just happens to be one of them."

shikanoin heizou was praised throughout inazuma for his quick wit and prowess, and the tenryou commission regarded him as one of their finest detectives. but behind his mask as the tenryou detective hid an insecure young man who was afraid that his intuition and logic would one day fail him. it's this fear that drives heizou to take on the commission's complicated cases, one after the other, despite the approaching exhaustion and mental strain that would lead to a day like today.

your lover’s sobs quieted down to small sniffles and hiccups. your hand smoothed down his damp locks before gently rubbing his back, hoping to ease some of his pain. "take it slow, heizou, the answer will come to you soon." you briefly pressed your lips to his before giving him a teasing smile. "besides, the doushin i know can solve cases that even the gods can't figure out."

a small smile lit up his puffy eyes and heizou let out a soft laugh at your comment. he drew you back into a hug, savoring the warmth of your body against his. "thank you babe," he sniffled, arms tightening around you.

"i love you," you cooed, hands combing through his hair. "now how about that tempura?"

"can you feed me?"

"what a bold request, shikanoin heizou. if it makes you smile, maybe i will."

a/n: 100% self indulgent because today has been a shitty day and heizou brainrot has been strong lately!! also apologies to xingqiu for slandering your book 🧎🏻‍♀️🧎🏻‍♀️

taglist (join here!): @frenchtoaf

#genshin impact fluff #heizou x reader #genshin impact heizou #shikanoin heizou #genshin heizou #heizou fluff #heizou angst #genshin x reader #genshin impact scenarios #genshin impact #genshin impact x reader #genshin impact fics #꒰ა a memory of forever ໒꒱

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kazenomegaminowanpisu · 2 years

Text

Genshin Boys when they wake up next to you

Warning:SFW, fluff, (first time on writing genshin impact)

Feat:Cyno, Zhongli, venti, thoma

A request from a friend

Cyno

—he will seizes the perfect opportunity to look at your beautiful face, remembering the time he first met you made his heart flattered. He will kiss your forehead while hugging you tight.

Zhongli

—He will smile brightly seeing the love of his life sleeping next to him. He will lean over your ear and start whispering some romantic words on you. Making you blush a lot.

Venti

—he will be kinda freaked out waking up with you. Clinging to him like he was like a real body pillow. But still he enjoys that. He will kiss your forehead and he will sleep again. Staying on your side.

Thoma

—He will be smiling looking at your beautiful face. Thinking that he is so lucky to have you on his side. He will press a kiss on your forehead. Waking you up. "good morning" he said giving you a tight hug.

#Genshin impact canons #genshin impact y/n #genshin impact s/o #genshin impact fics #cyno x reader #Zhongli x reader #venti x reader #thoma x reader #hannaemeraldwhitedragon #kazenomegaminowanpisu #writing #game

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lostsunlight · 27 days

Text

CHAPTER 13 - TRES AUTUEM FACIES PRAENUNTIUS

childe x reader, wc: 7.1k, masterlist, Ao3

cw: nsfw, violence, murder

The next morning came all too quickly. A ray of sunlight hit Childe directly in the eyes, he rolled over and pulled the blankets over his head to block out the world for a few sacred minutes.

You smiled and carded a hand through his hair, he tilted his head a little to the left. Childe could have sworn he was seeing an angel, soft sunlight illuminating your form, sheets pooling at your hips.

Childe rolled onto his back and you shuffled closer, the hand scratching his head trailed down to trace his jawline. You admired his freckles, the small nicks in his skin from battle. You moved your thumb over his lower lip and then down his chin and neck.

You leaned in and whispered against his neck “ Il n'y a pas de douceur comme ton péché ”

“тогда приходи и купайся в нем, дорогая ” He mumbled back, finger tracing down your spine.

You straddled him and slipped his shirt up over his stomach. Following every scar in an intricate pattern upwards. He gripped your hips to steady you. You traced up his abdomen to the dip in his clavicle. You were leaning over him, chest nearly touching his.

You traced the scar across his chest, the one he got when he first met you. He traced the scar across your upper thigh, from when you had made your escape.

You opened your lips, inevitably with a million questions. Childe cut you off before the first word. “I know there's a lot to talk about but can we forget the world outside exists? Even it its just while I’m in your arms”

You nodded “Okay” You closed the gap and sweetly kissed him. He held you close to him as you tasted him. He was tangy, with a hint of iron. You hadn’t intended on it being anything more than a kiss but you found your will to break away from him quickly fading.

In the end he was the one to break away, he looked at you with an expression you couldn't quite place. He used his thumb to pry up one side of your top lip, you opened your mouth ever so slightly and he traced your canine before pressing down on your tongue. You sucked and he made an unintelligible sound. He pulled it out and dragged it down your chin, leaving a trail of spit in its wake. He angled your jaw up to access your neck, kissing it in a way that made your core pulse.

He rucked your slip up so it bunched around your waist, you finished the job for him, pulling it off and throwing it somewhere on the floor. You removed his shirt in turn leaving the both of you in nothing but underwear. He traced the edge of your breast, you sucked in a breath.

He cupped them, swiping across your nipple, you let out a small whine. He grinned and repeated the action, causing you to grind down. You let out another whimper when you felt his hard length beneath you. He stopped for a second as pleasure shot through his body.

You ground down again, arching your back. He took your nipple in his mouth and gently sucked. You moaned as one hand supported your back and one pushed you down. He bucked his hips up. Your hands rested on his shoulders as your pussy fluttered, desperately trying to find leverage.

He stopped to get some air as one hand continued to explore your body, moving lower and lower. The other still circling your nipple. His thumb played with the edge of your panties, you lifted your hips up so he could slide them off.

You moved down and peeled his boxers, blushing at the sight of his cock. You wrapped your hand around it and gave it a few slow pumps. You looked up through your lashes to see him looking at you with an endearing intensity, his chest rising and falling with anticipation.

You gave it a few licks and he sucks in a sharp breath through his teeth. You move back up slowly, intent on teasing him. He lies back as you position yourself, teasing your pussy with the tip of his cock, wetness making it easy.

“Любовник, be gentle” He asks, still sore, he didn't know how much his body could take. He wished he was the one talking the lead.

“I’ll be as gentle as the breeze” you replied, sinking onto his cock. You let out a sound somewhere between a huff and a moan, it sounded like the holiest melody Childe had ever heard.

You bit your lip and rested your hands on his chest, trying to get used to the feeling of being so full, his cock hitting all the right spots inside of you. After a second you lift yourself up, relishing in the feeling.

You make tentative eye contact with Childe. You could melt in the sanctity of his gaze - a blush spread across his cheeks, his mouth slightly parted, small moans tumbling out. He skirts his palms up your thighs until he reaches the apex, right below your hip bones. You sink back down, riding him like you were made for it.

You placed your hands on top of his and then tugged trying to pull him up. He obliged, wrapping his arms around you and drawing you in for a kiss. He finds your clit and you gasp into his mouth at the feeling. Your cunt squeezed around him.

“I-I’m close” you whined, burying your head in the crook of his neck. He lay back down, knowing if he kept fucking you like that he would overexert himself, he would go too hard and as much as he wanted to see that he knew his body couldn’t handle it.

He kept rubbing your clit as you reached the edge. you sunk fully onto him, knowing you couldn’t fuck him through your orgasm. You moaned a little louder than usual letting the feeling envelop you. It was electric, making your mind go blank for a moment.

Your legs were getting sore but you were determined to take his orgasm from him. You picked up the pace ever so slightly. Childe lay beautifully underneath you, hands fisting the sheets, brows knitted in pleasure.

He moans deeply, flinging an arm across his face “C-Cumming”

Quickly you lifted yourself off him and gave him a few more pumps. He finished, white-hot ropes of cum splattering across your stomach. You kissed Childe again, lost in his being.

✧

After the two of you cleaned up, you went to the kitchen to make breakfast. Childe took the stove while you chopped some bacon

“That was surprisingly gentle compared to last time” You joked

“Don’t expect me to be so nice next time” he quipped back

“Next time?” Your raised a brow

Childe just smirked. “This morning was a nice surprise, but what were you doing in my bed?”

“You don't remember? you had a nightmare, woke up screaming. You asked me to stay when I came in. Something about a ‘Celestial Narwhal’ again” You frowned, moving over to place the bacon in the pan, it spat back at you

He frowned “No, I don't. I don't even remember a nightmare” He cracked an egg into a bowl and used a fork to break the yolk

“I still have questions about last night, you nearly electrocuted me you were so mad” He poured the egg mix into the pan with the bacon

Childe sighed deeply “Signoria got the gnosis, Zhongli is Rex Lapis and I was used by the both of them”

“So Rex Lapis lives in mortal form now? Why?” You asked, pulling two plates out from the cupboard and placed a piece of bread on each

“Retirement, He didn’t technically abandon Liyue, rather he’s leaving it in the hands of humanity” he snorted, dividing up the scrambled eggs

You leaned on the counter, trying to think. Wasn’t it his sworn duty to protect Liyue, man couldn’t defend against Celestia, at least not from what you’ve seen. Why not pass the torch to another god?

“And Signoria? Another Harbinger?” You picked up one of the plates and folded the bread in half, taking a bite.

“Yeah, the eighth, ‘Fair Lady’ is a dubious title at best. She’s the one who got Barbatos’ gnosis as well” he grumbled, if looks could kill this woman would be nothing but ashes.

You swallowed "So she's making you do her dirty work?”

“No, The Tsaritsa sent me for both assignments. She has her reasons, I’m sure the others have hundreds of years on me, of course she wouldn't expect me to pull this off on my own. I'm a warrior not a diplomat.”

“Then why make you a Harbinger?” You took another bite

“I don't have an answer for that, maybe because I’ll best serve as her weapon but the title of Harbinger requires me to act like a diplomat, I don't know. But next time, next time I'll deliver the gnosis straight to her feet myself.

You pick up his mask, “Then go out and prove yourself, Tartaglia. You may not be the most cunning, but when it comes down to the battlefield - you would leaving most of them dead”

He attached it to the side of his head “I will get stronger, just you wait”

✧

Baizhu had sent you outside the city to restock herbs, unfortunately for you most of the ones you needed seemed to be around ruins littered with Ruin Guards. You kept your catalyst drawn as you slowly made your way around the perimeter.

You had thought that you had made it away until you heard the mechanical rumbling of a ruin guard activating. Your entire body tensed as you whipped around. It was your turn to dance.

You drew water droplets from the air, forming a ring of daggers around your head and fired them at the Guard. Circling around the mechanical abomination , making sure to keep your distance to avoid its wide ranged strikes.

You repeated the same attack, just focusing on trying to survive. It stilled, bracing backwards, turrets perched on its body began to glow, aimed directly for you. Thinking fast you ran, forwards, sliding under the guard as the projectiles hit the ground with a sickening bang. You clenched your eyes shut at the sound. You stumbled up to face the back of the guard.

Drawing your power you created two streams of water twining around the Ruin Guard, briefly immobilising it. You pull in the pressure of the two streams of water and then release it. Causing it to stumble back a step.

It swung at you, knocking you to the side, you tumbled and skidded in the dirt, by some small miracle you landed upright. Clambering back to your feet you tried to regain your sense of surroundings. Your shoulder throbbed in pain.

You had to disable it somehow. How had Tartaglia done it? An arrow to the eye right?

Having nothing to lose you made another dagger and aimed for its eye, it flew past splashing on the stone behind it. You tried again, moving backwards as it advanced menacingly towards you. This time the hydro dagger hit its mark, it came tumbling down.

It was only a matter of time until it reactivated. Concentrating, you wove a hydro sword from droplets. Approaching it you gathered all your strength and struck it. Once. Twice. Thrice - the last strike plunging directly into its eye. It let out its last cry and it lay felled before you. Its body disintegrating into nothing more than black smoke flecked with red ashes.

You collapsed to the ground on one knee, hydro sword holding you up. You panted, trying to draw enough air to satisfy your burning lungs. The sword broke into droplets wetting the stone underneath you, causing you to fall further down. You felt no satisfaction from the fight, rather relief you made it out alive.

In the distance you could swear you heard the faint voice of a child. “Hey! Hey you! Come look at this!”

Slowly you drew yourself back up, you stuffed the herbs you had collected in the bag Baizhu had given you. Reforming another hydro dagger just in case you stalked over to one of the inactive Ruin Guards. Behind one of them you found a small child, no older than six clambering over its arms.

“Have you ever seen something so brilliant?!” he exclaimed with great enthusiasm.

Shielding your eyes from the sunlight you could see the boy was wearing foreign clothes, perhaps Snezhnayan. He had flaming red hair and large blue eyes sparking in the sun. He bore a striking resemblance to Childe.

“You should get down from there, you could hurt yourself boy. Ruin Guards are dangerous things” you exclaimed back

“Nuh-Uh, Mister Cyclops would never hurt me! And what kind of a stupid name is ‘Ruin Guard' anyway?” He sat on its shoulder rather precariously.

“Mister Cyclops?” You asked, that was a creature from old legend.

“That's what my brother called them!” He grinned widely, showing a gap-toothed smile “He’s the best toy seller in the world! He's working at the Institute for Toy Research in Liyue. That's where all Mister Cyclops’ come from”

“What's your name?” You ask, trying to get this kid back home to safety

“I’m Teucer! I came all the way from Snezhnaya on a boat to find my brother in Liyue. I can’t find him though…” He frowned

“You came all the way from Snezhnaya alone” You laughed a little in pure shock. This was Teucer, Childes' younger brother. One of the two who didn’t know what he actually was. ‘Toy seller’ must be the excuse he's using to disguise his true role as a Fatui Harbinger until they're ready to learn the truth.

“Uh-huh!” He slid down the Ruin Guards arm “This is the part where I give you this” He presents you with a huge bag of mora

“My brother said to find a nice person and give it to them so they’ll take good care of Teucer”

“He must make a lot of money selling toys then”

“You best believe it! He sends it home to help us as well! Alright now we've gotta make a pinkie promise”

“Why do we need to make a pinkie promise?” You ask

“You need to promise to keep me safe!” He extends his small pinkie and you wrap yours around his after a moment of hesitation

“You make a pinkie promise, you keep it all your life. You break a pinkie promise, I throw you on the ice. The cold will kill the pinkie that once betrayed your friend, the frost will freeze your tongue so you never lie again” He recited, his tone too jaunty for the rhyme he just spoke.

“I think I know where to start looking for your brother” You said, crouching down to face him eye to eye. He didn’t have a vision but so long as he held on tightly enough you would be ok.

✧

You waited at the top of the red lacquered stairs in front of Northland Bank waiting for Teucer to scramble up the remaining steps. As soon as he reaches the top step he sprints towards the open door, you follow languidly behind him. Childe is by the desk talking to what seems to be the receptionist in Snezhnayan. You recognised her as one of Childe’s informants.

He seemed to be doing a little better, or at least he's good at hiding how terrible he feels. If you look close enough you could still see small bags under his eyes.

“Ajax!” Teucer exclaimed, he snapped his head around you see Teucer barrelling towards him, he slams into Child's leg and hugs it

Ajax?

He switches to Common Tongue “I would know that voice anywhere! Teucer!” He laughs ruffling his hair, his tone significantly lighter than before. “I thought I would have to wait to go home to see you again. How are the others, Tonia? Anthon?”

Teacher unclasps himself from Child's leg “They all miss you alot! Мама and Tonia pray for you at dinner every night. Папа is still a little sick but he's getting better every day with the medicine you sent!”

Childe frowns “Wait a second Teucer, what are you doing in Liyue? How come I haven't heard anything about this”

Teucer looks at the ground guilty “I snuck onto a ship back home, they said they were shipping toys to Liyue.., a-and I really wanted to see you! When I got off I just kept walking and walking until I found a Mister Cyclops”

Childe sighs and holds his head in his hand, crouching down and places his hands on Teucer’s shoulders “What you did was extremely dangerous, I’m happy to see you, really I am. But just promise you won't ever do that again. Poor Мама must be worried sick”

He clasped his hands behind his back swaying from side to side “Are you mad at me?”

“I’m not mad at you, I care about your safety, that's all. Just promise to never do that again, OK? If this nice lady hadn’t found you things could have been a lot more dangerous for you. Did you say thank you to her?”

“I promise” The both of them look at you “And thank you Miss. Nice Lady!”

You shook your head “It’s really no bother, I just wanted to make sure he got back to his brother safely” You said, putting on your best performance you could, you were no actress but you had a feeling you were somehow pulling it off.

“I can't thank you enough Miss…?”

“Yulia” you supplied

“Could I trouble you to take care of him for a few more hours? I have some business I need to attend to” He asks

“As long as you’re alright with me taking him to Bubu Pharmacy, I guess I could show him some of Liyue”

“Thank you so much” The receptionist hands him a small pouch of mora, he walks up and hands it to you “Consider this as Teucer’s entertainment fund” He whispers the next bit “Thank you for not revealing anything, he's still too young”

He steps back and turns to the receptionist “Ekaterina, I’ll death with that outstanding debt collection right away”

“But Master Childe wouldn’t it be a little improper to ask you to deal with a debt collection?” Ekaterina asked tentatively

He shrugged “I made a bet with and agent and I lost, might as well get a littler exercise out of it”

He walks out, pausing just before he exits “If you need me I’ll be by Qingxu Pool”

You and Teucer took to the streets of Liyue, he flitted around fascinated by the city.

“Did you know that Anthon thinks the people in Liyue are made of stone. Ajax sent us a letter telling us they were boring old humans” He said, skipping ahead of you.

You made your way to Bubu Pharmacy to drop off the herbs. You left the package with the new Herbalist Gui

“Let Baizhu know I’ll be in tomorrow for my shift!” You said waving goodbye.

Teucer tugged your hem “I’m hungry!” he whined

“How about we head to Wamin Restaurant? The chef and his daughter are the best cooks in Liyue”

Teucer nodded enthusiastically and bolted down the stairs, you chased after him “Hey! Wait! You don't know where you're going!”

The boy didn’t seem to care, weaving through the crowds of Liyue without a care in Teyvat. You filled behind, trying to keep track of him. You caught back up to him and steered him across a bridge to another part of the city.

Teucer scrunched his nose as soon as he stopped “It smells… choking in here”

Chef Mao evidently overheard that was you winced

He took in stride as he gave a booming laugh “Choking smell? You must be referring to our signature jueyun chillies!”

“Chillies? But… I can’t easy spicy food”

“What do you like to eat, Teucer?” you asked calmly

“Hmmm, something with lots of sugar and extra virgin olive oil!”

You looked at Chef Mao and apologised “I’m sorry, well go find somewhere else that caters to Teucer's tastes”

Chef Mao waved his hand nonchalantly “We can do special requests no problem”

“Are you sure?” you asked slightly taken aback

“Easy work! Go find yourselves a seat”

“Thankyou” You and Teucer chirped

You and Teucer found a free table near the back corner of the restaurant, he scrambled up on the seat and swung his legs, he looked around, clearly fascinated by Liyuean culture.

“Are you the Yulia that Ajax told us all about in his letters?”

“S-sorry” you asked, trying not to choke on the sip of water you just had

“You have the same name and you look like the way Ajax described in his letters! Why didn't he know you at the bank?”

You were silent for a second, trying to come up with a good enough lie “Sometimes people in the toy industry have to pretend to not know each other, so when they announce a new toy everyone’s surprise”

A terrible lie but it would have to do but Teucer seemed to buy it judging by the way his eyes lit up.

You wouldn't believe Childe mentioned you in his letters home, and what was with ‘Ajax’, was that his true name?

“Really! You’re a toy maker too!”

Thankfully one of the waitresses came around with the food, Teucer gave it a suspicious look before taking a small bite with the fork given to him.

“Mmmm! Just how Tonia makes it” He ate the whole meal and licked the plate clean.

After paying Chef Mao with the money Childe gave you, you promptly left the restaurant.

Teucer already had a look on his face that suggested he knew what he wanted to do next. Out of the corner of your eye you spotted an older lady selling kites on the wharf.

“You wanna go check the kites out Teucer?” You asked

He gave a vigorous nod and bolted off. You were again left to catch up to him. By the time you approached the stall the old woman was giving a Teucer a through explanation of what kites even were

“Snezhnaya is too cold and windy for kites! They would just get stuck in the snow” He said inspecting every single kite “I don't see one of a Mr Cyclops..”

The woman looked confused and you leaned in to whisper “He means a Ruin Guard” She gave you a warm smile in thanks. “I do do custom builds but it’ll be extra and I’ll need a few days to complete it”

You nodded, Childe could always pick it up and send it Snezhnaya, he was paying for it anyway. After haggling for a few minutes you agreed on a price and Teucer looked satisfied knowing that he’ll get a kite soon.

You walked along the harbour marketplace “Do the people here ever freeze?”

“I don't think it snows in Liyue at all”

“Never?” He asked, confused

“Never” you chucked back, for all his rambunctiousness he was a cute kid. Teucer was distracted again by a fish merchant peddling his wares.

“Wow! The fish here are so small!”

The merchant looked like he just got slapped “Whose fish are you calling small! I’m trying to run a business”

Seemingly oblivious to the merchants offence he prattled on “The fish in Snezhnaya are double, no, triple the size of this”

You stood back, as much as you wanted to intervene you did find the merchant's annoyance amusing, especially towards a clueless child.

“Are you gonna buy a fish or not?” he seethed, glaring Teucer down

“In Morepesok there are legends of giant fish and it's supposed to be super yummy. I told my big brother about it and he went hunting. A few days later he returned with a giant fish slung over his shoulder. Anthon and me were so happy!” He yapped on

Morepesok, so that's where he's from

The merchant looked just about ready to punt Teucer, sliding in you bent down to Teucer's eye level “How about we go find your brother”

Teucer looked about ready to explode with excitement when you said that. Taking that as a yes, you whisked him away to Qingxu Pool.

✧

Approaching Qingxu pool you would see Childe conversing with a blond Fatui agent. A group of pissed off treasure hoarders lingered nearby.

Childe glazed over looking floored to see you and Teucer approaching, the Fatui agent raised a brow and ignored the two of you.

“As I was saying, after Signoria’s departure you are the only Harbinger in Liyue. You need to initiate the new recruits. They’re just south of Lingju Pool” He reported in a thick Snezhnayan accent

Childe turned to look down at Teucer “I’m really sorry but I have to work”

Teucer looked about ready to burst into tears “But.. But I just got here”

You placed a hand on his shoulder “Hey, it’s OK, we can go back to Liyue Harbour and look at more toys? Why doesn’t Yulia take you to Wangshu Inn?”

Teucer hung his head, looking utterly dejected “Fine”

As you started to walk back Teucer broke free of your grip, bolting after his brother. Rushing after him you barely caught up. You had no idea how he was able to run for so long as he weaved through the underbrush and through the ruins.

Finally catching up to the small child, you caught him peeking over a rock at his brother giving a speech

“You can't do that!” you forced out trying to catch your breath, ducking beneath the rock with him

“Shhh! I’m trying to hear Ajax speak!” he whispered to you, placing a finger to his lips to emphasise the point

“From this day onwards you will honour the oaths you have made to Her Majesty the Tsaritsa, and you will stop at nothing to bring victory to Snezhnaya. You shall sweep through the lands like the icy winds of the furthest north, as strong as the hoar frost of Zapolyarny Palace” He spoke to the newest recruits, inducting them into The Fatui, a smile of passion gracing his face

“Her Majesty expects of you loyalty, ruthlessness and precision. For the trials we face are harsh and our enemies are like..” Teucer popped his head over the rock and waved. Taraglia looked like lighting had struck him

“... Like kites and rattle drums. Who shall become reputable foes of Mr Cyclops in the marketplaces of Liyue.” He let out an unsure laugh as the recruits looked around in confusion.

Teucer nodded as if this was normal “Uh-huh kites are fun too”

“This is of course an analogy, as they say - the marketplace too, is a battlefield” He glanced back over to Teucer and you, you bit your lip trying not to let out a laugh with how absurd the situation was.

“So as your… Sales manager I demand you obey every order. A refusal shall be considered a betrayal and the price of betrayal is to be dishonourably discharged from the…Liyue Institute of Toy Research” He finished the speech with an awkward look on his face

The recruits still looked at each other and Tartaglia in confusion. Muttering among themselves.

“Forget it. Perhaps some hands-on training will suit us better. After all a strong body is proof of one’s capacity” He says jumping down

Some of the recruits chattered in excitement at the possibility of a Harbinger himself wanting to spar with them personally.

Thinking fast you covered Teucer’s eyes and whispered “Were going to play a game where you have to guess what's going on OK?”

Teucer, seeming delighted at the prospect of a game, eagerly nodded “Alright!”

Tartaglia, still weak from the abyss, took on each new recruit with ease, a master of battle with mere beginners.

Teucer hummed “He’s showing them how to make a Mr Cyclops isn't he?”

Before you could answer he pried your fingers apart to see what was actually happening.

He stared amazed, focused on Tartaglia’s movements as not a single blow landed on him. After all the recruits had had their turn Tartaglia dismissed them, they signalled off and left for the nearest camp to officially begin their training.

As soon as he dismissed the recruits he made a bee-line right towards Tartaglia “Ajax! You were amazing”

“Teucer, Yulia, what are you doing here? I thought Yulia had taken you to play at Wangshu Inn” He laughed but he looked at you for an answer.

“I wanted to see you so I ran away from Yulia” He said proudly

“He’s rather slippery you know, reminds me of someone I already know” You commented

Childe chucked and Teucer bounced up and down on his toes “I wanna learn to fight like you! I wanna look cool like you”

“Fighting isn't about looking cool, you know. If you want to get better you need to have a reason as to why you're fighting. I’ll teach you but you've got to know why you're doing it”

Teucer gave it a second to think “I want to learn to protect Tonia and Мама and Anthon!”

“That's a good answer, but now you need to go home, Tonia must be worried about you” He said, trying to coax Teucer home in any way possible

Teucer frowned “Only if you do one small thing for me” Cleary resistant to the idea of leaving his brother again

“And what would that be?” He cocked his head

“I wanna see The Liyue Institute of Toy Research” Childe’s jaw twitched

“Let’s see, yes, The Institute is just south-east of here isn't it?”

✧

The three of you stood outside the abandoned factory, leaned in and murmured to Childe “Are you sure this is a good idea?”

He murmured back “Dottore abandoned this place a few months ago when he lost interest, it’ll be fine” He said dismissively

You grabbed his arm forcing him to look at you “Do you even know what it’s like inside?”

“Well.. no, but you have me and it's my duty as a brother to protect Teucer.” He spoke to his brother “You ready?”

He pushed his way inside of the factory, Ruin Guards littered the floor. “Ajax, Yulia said that Mr Cyclopes are dangerous”

“Did she now?” He gave you a look and you raised your eyebrow. Your catalyst floated alongside you just in case. “What a silly thing to say. Maybe don’t go repeating that though, your far too young to think about such things” He added tentatively

“Yeah! Mr Cyclops is my friend and he’ll defeat the bad guys and protect the world” Teucer relied, skipping along the path in delight

“Right. With Mr Cyclops around the bad guys won’t ever hurt you” You said, stepping over a loose arm. Without even replying Teucer ran off to play. The grated door shut behind him.

“Teucer! Hey! Wait up!” You yelled, voice echoing against the walls

“C’mon there's another way up there” The two of you ran, Childe drew out his bow and activated the hydro monument flooding the empty pool in front of you. You ran and he skated over the short distance.

A few pyro slimes littered the way to the console, within a few seconds you hand Childe had vaporised them. He pressed the console and opened up the door to meet up with Teucer

“Oh, the door opened! Was that you?” He said, not even bother to look at Childe

“Yeah, Teucer give me a moment I need to make sure everything's -” Before he could finish his sentence Teucer had gone off into the next room.

He pulled a hand across his face “Maybe I shouldn't have spoiled him so much” he grumbled.

“Let's go, we've got no time to lose” You made your way carefully to the next room. Steam making it harder to see.

“These Ruin Guards have all been strung up, I wonder where they're being taken to?” You mumbled, looking at the countless mechanical weapons above you

“I don’t know - but if it's any chance where Teucer is we need to get there before things get ugly” He replied, voice getting tenser. You made it past the elemental slimes and through the metal labyrinth. You saw Teucer’s form through the iron bars.

Childe called out “Teucer! You see that stone cube over there? I'm going to count to three and were going to press it together. One, Two, Three” The gate ground open and Childe hugged Teucer.

“Are you hurt?” he mumbled into his hair.

“Hurt? No way this has been so fun!” He grinned

“Fun for you maybe, we've been scared to death” you said, crossing your arms over your chest.

“Wait… what's over there.” He takes a step forward “A giant room full of Mr Cyclopes! Is this where he takes his friends when they come to visit?”

Childe sighed, just about done with Teucer’s antics “It is. Impressive isn't it? Now, how about a game of hide and seek?”

“Uhh.. Now? But” Childe cut him off

“I have a surprise for you” Teucer brightened up “You can look for it later but now you need to close your eyes, turn around and count to sixty”

“But sixty is a really long time” he whined, obliging anyway.

You stood next to Childe, preparing yourself for the onslaught. The guards came down, and you drew your weapons. A ring of hydro daggers floated behind you while Childe drew his dual blades.

“There’s not much time, let's clear this place out” he said to you, you nodded in return

You didn't bother with the theatrics Childe put on as you aimed for the eye plunging through it with your hydro sword. Teucer’s countdown creating unhelpful background noise.

“Forty-eight, forty-seven forty-six, forty-five...”

You found yourself surrounded by a circle of Ruin Guards advancing towards you, Childe bursts through and takes a few of them down, one approaches him behind his back, you disable it, jumping off one of the disintegrating bodies to end it for good.

“Twenty-six, twenty-five, twenty-four...”

“Hey! You skipped a few numbers!” Childe exclaimed as he dodged an arm coming down towards him. The ground shook as it made impact. You tried to swallow your growing fear and keep quiet for Teucer’s sake.

A Ruin Guard nearly hit you, you retaliate, swinging your sword at it blindly. An arrow thrown by Childe hits it and you finish it off.

“Five, four, three, two…” You use the last second to throw your sword at the mechanical sentinel and rush over to Teucer to block his view. Childe stood alone surrounded by endless enemies.

“One! Are you ready” He asked, ready to play

“Just ten more seconds. Still hiding” he bit out as calmly as he could

“Hmph! Who’s the cheater now? Fine, ten seconds that's all you get” He replied indignantly

He laughed and turned as a guard was just about to punch him.

"Ten, nine, eight..."

A flash hydro turned to electro as he dashed towards the centre of the room, creating a shockwave that blasted the guards back. His Foul Legacy emerged, jumping up followed by a cape of stars he plunged down destroying everything in his wake.

“Four, Three..”

He landed and looked directly at you, a glint of light emerging from his eye. He dashed off into an unknown corner.

“Two, One! Coming ready or not!” Teucer turned around to see the corpses of the guards laying around in the steam, a few still sparking. He stood in awe before giggling and running to clamber over the guards

“This.. This is everything I ever dreamed of!” He yelled in pure excitement

“This is the surprise your brother prepared for you, what do you think?” You prompted, scrunching your nose at the faint traces of the abyss.

“I love it! I’m gonna go find my brother!” He sprints off looking behind the guards.

You approached the dark corner Childe was hiding in. You found him slumped against the wall, he peered up at you

“Thank the Tsaritsa you found me first” he coughed. “I don’t know what I would do if Teucer found me like this. It would just about shatter the dreams I’ve worked so hard to build for him”

“You need to get home now” you knelt down in front of him taking his pulse, his skin was cold and clammy and his heartbeat was slow. Using his Foul Legacy form so soon after the last time must have wiped him out.

“No, I can get myself back. J-just get Teucer to the bank. I’ll get one of my agents to take him from there” He coughs again, hacking up that signature black-flecked phlegm. He presses a small figurine into your hands “Give this to Teucer won't you?”

Reluctantly you stood “Get back safe alright?”

“I always do” He took a deep breath and stood up shakily.

“Pinkie promise me” you asked, he gave a small, soft smile and hooked his pinkie with yours. You started the first part of the rhyme “ You make a pinkie promise, you keep it all your life.”

“You break a pinkie promise, I throw you on the ice. The cold will kill the pinkie that once betrayed your friend, the frost will freeze your tongue so you never lie again. Teucer taught you that?”

“Yeah…” You glanced to the room seeing Teucer was nowhere near the two of you. He just gave a small laugh and limped back towards Liyue Harbour

You found Teucer still looking around the Ruin Guards mumbling to himself “I can’t find him anywhere.. Where did he go…”

“He already left” you said, walking up to him

“What? Without me?” he said, upset

“A huge number of people wanted to buy Mr Cyclopes. Here he gave me something to give to you” You handed him the small action figure of a Ruin Guard

“Wow! I didn’t know they came in this size. Ajax really is the best big brother ever!” He turned the figurine around in his small hands

You gave him a soft smile “C’mon, don’t you reckon it's time to head back to Snezhnaya?”

✧

As soon as you approached the bank a stern Fatuus spoke “Ma’am, young master Teucer, I've been waiting for you. The Lord Harbinger extends his gratitude to you miss. A boat has been arranged to take you back to Snezhnaya young master”

“But what about my brother?” He questioned, sadness lacing his voice

“The Lord Harbinger has instructed me to tell you that you will see him soon in Snezhnaya” He replied coldly, leaving no room for questions. Teucer looks up at you and you crouch down to give him a hug

“Stay safe OK? Let your brother know when you get home”

“I will! I can’t wait to tell everyone that I finally met you” He let go and stepped back, being led away by the Fatui Agent. You see Childe signal to you out of a shadowy corner. You went over to see him holding himself up with one arm on the wall.

“Why didn’t you say goodbye to him?” You place him arm over your shoulder

“Partings are special moments, I don't want his last memory of me to be of me like this. All haggard and weak. Still… I wish I could have seen him off” He gave a sad smile as he looked down at the red-lacquered wood of the bridge.

You began to escort him back to his apartment. He shook you off and walked a short distance ahead of you. Eventually he unlocked the door and collapsed onto the couch in exhaustion. Groaning as he finally let his body rest.

“You told your family about me” You comment, voice flat

“That I did” he mumbled, You felt the rage quell in you, rage that he put you and Teucer in danger like that, that he pushed himself so hard. You took a deep breath in, trying to calm down.

You spoke softly, sitting down on the couch. His head in your lap, you tangled your fingers in his hair gently. A lock of his hair was lighter than the rest, something new.

“Why?” You looked down at him, he looked tired and yet content

“I-I don’t know.” He admitted. He coughed violently.

“You. Childe, Tartaglia Ajax. Harbinger, Abyssiling, Boy. Are a man of inherent contradictions. You care so deeply about your family's safety and mine to the extent that you had me make contracts with you and yet, you put us in dangers way. You took Teucer and I to an abandoned factory of Dottore’s for what? Your brother's entertainment?”

You took a breath and continued “You told your family about me, what if those letters got intercepted?” You spoke evenly

You looked into his eyes, the purported windows of the soul only to find they were shut. letting nobody in. You realised that he not only contradicts everything you initially stood for, but everything he lived for. He didn’t want to release Osial but he did anyway. He hates the Fatui’s deception but deceives his own siblings. He acts so genuine and yet he wears a mask.

“You could have gotten yourself killed like that” You try not to scold him

“I nearly did, transforming that fast fucking hurts. But it's something I need to do to keep my family safe. The abyss taught me that wrath will always be the cost of protection” He fully relaxed into your lap

“What happened to Ajax, What happened in the Abyss?” You prodded further, no indication of anger in your voice

“Truths you wouldn't want to know, what Celestia did to Khaenri'ah, the roots for my loyalty to the Tsaritsa. Ajax died in the Abyss by my own hand”

“Then who are you if not a loyal dog to the Tsaritsa, Ajax?” There was a faint glint of light in his eyes as you spoke his true name.

“I am nothing but her vanguard, without her I am a soul lost in the snow. The boy who clambered out of the abyss and attempted to grasp the gods”

“Ajax isn’t dead is he? Buried somewhere in the snow he still lives and breathes” Your fingers twitch in his hair

“Don't try and crack this mask” He said, not even having the energy to try and be intimidating

“Watch me break it in two” You replied

Translations! Tres autuem Facies Praenuntius -> Three Faces of the Laughing Harbinger Il n'y a pas de douceur comme ton péché/тогда приходи и купайся в нем, дорогая -> There is no such sweetness as your sin/Then come and bathe in it darling Любовник -> lover

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