#i can't write itto and not have it been a little amusing even tho its a different vibe

[seraphiism]

❀ ﾟ. ༄ ┊ 𝐇𝐎𝐋𝐘 𝐈𝐒 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐋𝐎𝐕𝐄 𝐓𝐇𝐀𝐓 𝐒𝐀𝐕𝐄𝐃 𝐌𝐄 ( 𝐩𝐭. 𝐢𝐯 ) ;

( HOW DELICATE LOVE IS, THIS EBB & FLOW OF SERENITY. )

characters : kazuha / zhongli / itto fandom : genshin impact quote cr : title from juniper vale - the expanse

↬ kazuha ࿐ ࿔

& just as the sea intertwines itself into the earth's existence, so do the storms that weave themselves into the crevices of a vagabond's heart. kazuha clings to the idea of peace and a love reborn and carried, knows this to be his truth and idea of survival in a world where chaos and tranquility go hand in hand. there is always an ache, a hiraeth ; how it flows just as the wind does, coming and going, embraced and felt nonetheless.

under the skies there is a kindness that is meant to be felt and shared ; from the heavens to the earth, to the flux and flow of the calm waves, and to the hilt of his sword, he knows that there is love in the fight for the greater good. he shares this love with you, understands it wholeheartedly, and how fortunate he is to experience such a beautiful thing, this wanderer with origins that have long faded into oblivion.

it is storming. the rain falls gently, graces your home with a semblance of white noise that calms the nerves. you lie with kazuha, palm against palm as he finds amusement in your fascination at the difference in the size of your hands. calloused are his fingers, worn from many battles won and lost, and somewhere there is affection that lingers in his touch.

"the sun was so beautiful earlier." you absentmindedly murmur, shifting your hand just the slightest bit so that you may lace your fingers with his, grinning when you squeeze his hand. "you've never really been one for storms, have you?"

"there is nostalgia in every raindrop that meets this earth." kazuha smiles, brings your hand to his lips before pressing a kiss to it. "the storms remind me of both the hardships and victories i've faced in my life."

there is a quiet pang in your chest that resonates in the gentle words spoken. you find yourself speechless, guilt pouring into your veins at the inability to comfort your lover. but the curve of his lips never falters, and he holds you closer to him, allows you to listen to his heartbeat.

"i will always be grateful for the rain. it brings you and i together, doesn't it?"

now, you are the one who smiles. you laugh, kissing him ever so gently in a goodnight, i love you.

"it does. i am grateful for it, too."

↬ zhongli ࿐ ࿔

to live as a mortal is a strange phenomenon-- one zhongli must learn to adapt to, even though years have passed since the fall of rex lapis. liyue flourishes in his absence, and somewhere he thinks there is a longing for what once was. but on the balcony of the home he once built, he looks to the sky for the comfort of new beginnings. this place blooms without him, the civilians starting anew and becoming even stronger in the absence of a god.

it is a precious thing, their resilience. humans are prideful beings, aren't they? to grieve and continue forth, to come out of the flames even brighter than ever before.

"do you miss it?"

zhongli senses your presence. you step forward, stand by his side. you inhale sharply, shoulders rising and falling with your breaths.

he does. but there is an end to all things, and no longer is he needed.

"it would be selfish to answer so honestly."

"you held the weight of their lives for countless of years, love. i think it's okay to be selfish now."

but is this not enough, his selfishness? to announce his goodbye in such a manner, to test the waters and see if survival ran in the bloodstream of his land? to rescind his godhood and live normally for once? to fall in love with you and live the rest of his days in peace?

is this not selfish enough?

zhongli smiles. it is bittersweet.

your hand rests on his shoulder, eyes meeting amber. you need not speak the words, but as silly as it may be, he certainly would find comfort in hearing them.

"you can live for yourself now. they continue to grow, even without your guidance. they're doing just fine, and surely they send their prayers to you in the hope that you are, too."

"it is never easy, is it?" zhongli muses wistfully. he knows you are right, but perhaps all the logic in the world would not allow his emotions to find reason.

you turn to face him, gesture him to do the same until you are looking at each other.

"things never are, but we can make it easier." you tell him, hands cupping his cheek. "we can start out this way : tell me what i can do for you."

zhongli blinks, takes a few moments to register the newfound determination on your features. he laughs, and suddenly, it is almost as if his exhaustion has dissipated.

"you have always amused me, my dearest." his hands cover yours. "may i ask that i always stay by your side?"

you laugh, press a kiss to his nose.

"what a foolish god you are, asking something you already know the answer to. i'll always be with you, whether near or far."

↬ itto ࿐ ࿔

the hardships of the oni are never forgotten. itto remembers his past with traces of bitterness and hardship, but in those memories, he remembers the warmth of family found. how time has passed and how things have changed so drastically. he recalls such times more often than he would like, and it is almost as if he relives them.

itto has a good heart, undoubtedly so. he is rambunctious, carefree, and in his blood there is the pride of his family. but personalities mean little when others judge on appearances, and so itto understands the fear and wariness people cast upon him for his mere existence. it doesn't mean anything, doesn't hurt-- is what he tells you, grinning as he brushes off your concern, but it builds and builds until he cannot ignore it.

it is a constant reminder, and as much as he would like to move on, as much as he knows that what others think doesn't matter, it hurts in the end, even if he doesn't want it to. but you are there-- you're always there to defend him, even when the words sting the most, even when he takes them to heart.

"don't worry about it! i don't wanna cause anymore trouble, so it's no big deal."

itto can practically feel the anger radiate from your body. it's an aura, an ungodly one, really, and he wonders if he's ever seen you seethe in such a way before ( yes, even when he released all the beetles in your house ). it's almost a routine by now; he's typically successful in getting you to calm down, but you don't even respond this time. you stay silent, your back towards him. he approaches you, thinks of more silly jokes to crack, thinks of anything that can ease the pain and anger that you feel on his behalf.

your shoulders tremble. you turn on your heel, meet gazes with him. there are tears in your eyes, and it burns.

"it is a big deal, itto! everything they say about you is never true. you're not scary, you're not frightening-- you're not going to hurt them and you never would. they should know that. just because--"

"whoa, whoa, whoa--" itto's mouth is running a mile a minute, and instinctively, he holds you in his arms. you're crying much harder now and you shouldn't be-- how silly that he is the one who suffers yet you are the one who laments. "don't cry— i'm fine! it doesn't matter what they say, 'cause it's not true. i only care about what you think. that's what happens when you're in love, right?"

your sobs stifle immediately at such an innocent question, the lump in your throat still very much there.

"you're too nice, itto."

itto wipes your tears away, grinning when he feels how warm your face is.

"and?"

"and i love you."

he hums, kisses you on the forehead.

"i love you, too. see? nothing to worry about, as long as it's you and me, okay?"