#mat chats

[volostogekiss]

do you miss Volo a lot? cause I sure do. seeing just his picture in Jubilife is so sad… but I’m glad it’s such a happy picture.

oh yeah anon we are ALWAYS missing volo

(though the fact that his photo is still there even after the post-game makes me think that you never tell the villagers or clans about what he did and that's... T T come back volo!!!)

[bedsyandco]

and look!!! 🥰🥰🥰

[theemporium]

btw still not over quinn saying “that’s my boy” about mat barzal

[that-foul-legacy-lover]

the people(me) want more of foul legacy embarrassing ajax!! ajax finding out about how embarrassingly cat-like his counterpart is and turning red!!!! silly boy!!!

yeah!!!!! i agree!!!!!

Ajax who blushes deeply when you tell him about how Foul Legacy rolls over in the sun, stretching out on the grass and closing his eye with a blissful purr- it's the perfect position for you to rub his tummy, and his purrs only increase in volume tenfold when you do. you sing praises about how Legacy would nuzzle against your palm, giving your hand tiny licks and nudges, and Ajax's cheeks only darken, turning the color of late sunset. he lets out an undignified squawk when your finger reaches out and pokes his freckles, tapping each of them in a constant, familiar pattern, and the Eleventh Harbinger stubbornly buries his face in your shoulder to hide his bright flush. you merely give him a mischievous grin and ruffle his soft ginger hair, already coming up with schemes to make Foul Legacy even more adorable

to say that you encourage Legacy's cat-like behavior would be an understatement- it helps that you love it either way, always laughing in delight whenever he snuggles up to you or flops over on the floor with an exhausted huff. you're on a walk together one day when a butterfly flits past, first landing on your finger before fluttering over and perching on a fascinated Legacy's horn, who lets out tiny chitters and coos of joy as to not scare the insect off. you smile and raise your kamera, snapping a quick photo, the colorful butterfly contrasting beautifully against your Abyssal monster's crimson mask before it eventually flies away and Legacy lets out his purrs at full volume, sparkling wings fluttering and flitting with uncontrolled delight. he bounds over and nuzzles against you, looking over your shoulder at the photo with a cheerful trill- you simply must get it developed and put it in your album!

Ajax, on the other hand, turns completely red when he sees that picture. you can almost see his ears glowing in embarrassment as he lets out a groan and buries his face into his hands, only stopping when you wrap your arms around his waist and give him a tight, firm squeeze

[adulthoodisokay]

Bluesky is fun actually because you can find out your former colleague who now is the editor in chief at MIT Technology Review follows you when they reply to an absolute shitpost like this

[hockeyboysimagines]

Somewhere only we know

A one shot

Something fun about Mat and Leighton. A lot of people seem to like reading about them so I put this together. I didn’t write about when she turned down his proposal, or any of the flashbacks in Ashes and Wine. All new material for you. Hope you enjoy🤍

Leighton tapped her pencil against her notebook and glanced at the clock. There was still 10 minutes of class left and her teacher had been droning on and on about algebra and she just didn’t care.

It was a rainy, windy Wednesday and she was ready for school to end so she could go home. She glanced out the window, and then turned when she felt a pair of eyes on her. The boy who sat three seats behind her in the next row was looking at her.

She’d never actually spoken to him but she knew vaguely who he was. He was extremely handsome, beautiful even she thought as she really looked at his face, and settled on his eyes. They were a warm shade of hazel, fringed in dark eyelashes. She stared at him for a second before she smiled and then turned back to her teacher.

She didn’t really know anything about him, not even his name, except that he wasn’t from Covington like everyone else. Kentwood was big, but not that big. The minute he’d arrived girls had been all over him, and it wasn’t hard to see why. He was storybook handsome, tall with a shock of dark hair, it was easy to see the appeal. Even she had been mildly interested but she wouldn’t fight the girls at school.

Now her best friend, Ginny might have and if she really wanted him the others would stand no chance. Ginny was the It girl, both at school and in town. Her long red hair, and her charm had broken many many hearts, and boys had literally fought over her a time or two. But to her knowledge Ginny never showed any interest in him.

Ginny herself was waiting for Leighton at her locker, long red hair pulled up in a ponytail. When she saw her she smiled.

“Hey? Do you wanna do homework tonight?”

“Sure.” Leighton turned to put her books in her locker and saw the boy from her Math class passing her. She locked eyes with him for a second before she turned to look at Ginny.

“Do you know him?” She said nodding in his direction as he made his way down the hall and turned the corner.

“Not really. He’s in my History class. I think his names Mat or Mike or something. Shannon always tries to flirt with him and he always ignores her.”

“Hmmm.”

“Why? Have a crush?” Ginny waggled her eyebrows and Leighton waved her off.

“No. Just curious is all. He sits behind me and I realized I don’t even know him. He’s cute though.”

Ginny nodded “He is. Anyways, meet me by my locker and we’ll walk out together. See you in an hour.” She called as the bell rang.

**********

“Hi.” Ginny said smiling as he sat down across from her in the library “I’m Ginny.”

“Yeah I know. Mat.” He pulled out his notebook and a pen and looked at her. He’d heard her name a thousand times since he’d started school. There wasn’t a single guy on his team who hadn’t asked her out at least once, and she hadn’t said yes to any of them. But what he did know about her, was she was friends with Leighton, the girl he’d been drooling over in Math. By fate they’d been paired together on a history project, which gave him an in to find out some more about what he thought was the most beautiful girl he’d ever seen. As they chit chatted about their history project, Mat found that she was extremely easy to talk to, and decided to approach the subject.

“So your friend, the blonde…she’s in my math class I think?” He tried to phrase it like a question, but as it came out of his mouth he realized how awkward he sounded.

Ginny stopped writing and her eyes moved slowly up, before a small smile spread across her face “Leighton?”

“Mhmmm.” Mat said not meeting her eye. He didn’t wanna give himself away so he continued to write in his notebook.

“And you’re telling me this for-?”

“No reason, I uh-just making, you know. Conversation.”

She was quiet before she started to laugh “Conversation? That’s the lamest line I’ve ever heard and I’ve heard a lot.”

She was smiling widely, large white teeth on full display before she pushed her hair over her shoulder “I’m assuming your interested in her?”

“I mean-I don’t-“

“Your cute.” Ginny said shaking her head “Getting all nervous and weird over a girl you haven’t even spoken to yet. She’s single you know.”

Mat bit his lip before he spoke “Does-does she even know who I am?”

Ginny nodded “Yeah she just mentioned you yesterday.”

Mat felt his face get hot and his mouth fell open, “She did not.”

“She did too. She asked me what your name was.”

“Great so she didn’t even know my name.” He grumbled. Talk about embarrassing.

“Leighton doesn’t get involved in all the girl gossip around here. Your groupies-“ she said nodding over his shoulder to the table of girl’s whispering behind him “Spend all their time worrying about boys. She’s not like them. Or me for that matter.”

“She really doesn’t have a boyfriend?”

“Hard to believe huh?” Ginny said, eyes flicking up to meet his. They were large and green, like a cat sizing him up. Though she was making conversation with him, he could tell she didn’t totally buy into his interest in her best friend.

“It is. Girls like her are usually spoken for.”

“Well she’s not. But before you go getting any crazy ideas, just know that if you hurt her in any way shape or form, I will slit your throat, and sit happily in a jail cell for the rest of my life. I’ll be in prison, you’ll be dead and Leighton will meet someone else and replace your stupid ass. Got it?”

He chuckled and shook his head “Got it.”

**********

“Do you know Mat Barzal?” Ginny asked while they did homework. Leighton glanced up and shook her head as she sharpened her pencil.

“I don’t think so?”

“Dark hair? Sits behind you in Math?”

“Oh yeah. The cute one. What about him?”

“He’s my history partner and he asked me about you.” Ginny was smiling as she pulled out a notebook and opened it.

“Really? What about me?”

“Maybe you should find out for yourself.” Ginny said airily, eyes twinkling.

“Are you trying to set me up?”

“Not at all. But you said yourself you thought he was cute. And now he’s asked me about you? Sounds like fate to me.”

Leighton rolled her eyes “Fate? In highschool? Give me a break.”

*********

“So tell me about yourself Mat Barzal.” Leighton said as they began their walk home. The weather was warm, but breezy and her hair was moving very gently with each step, sun shining off of it as it moved across her shoulders and down her back. Ginny had set up a meeting during lunch, and when he’d offered to walk her home, she’d accepted and here they were.

“There’s not much to know really. I’m from Canada, I play hockey and I suck at Math.”

She chuckled a little “I suck at Math too.”

“Liar. I saw that A you got on your last test.”

She glanced at him and smiled a little “Reading my grades over my shoulder? Sneaky.”

“Hey whatever it takes to pass. You sit too far in front of me to cheat.” She laughed and shook her head.

“Maybe we’ll have to change that…” she glanced over at him “For the sake of your grades.”

“Your too kind.”

“So what’s Canada like? I’ve never been.”

“Canada is…we’ll Canada is Canadian if you know what I mean.”

She shook her head and quirked and eyebrow “I don’t follow.”

He told her all about home, his family, and how he came to be in Seattle.

“I play for the thunderbirds. You should come sometime.” He glanced over, hoping he hadn’t noted her out of her skull but she was looking at him interestedly.

“I mean sure. I’d love to. I mean I don’t know anything about hockey but I’m down to learn.”

“Really? It’s a date then.” He froze and looked over at her, realizing he’d said the word “date” without meaning to.

She was blushing and hoisted her backpack over her shoulder “A date?”

“I mean-uh-“ he chuckled nervously “Not a date, I guess or I mean if you want it to be a date it can be, totally up to you, no pressure or anything I-“

“It can be a date.” She started to slow down and he realized they were standing in front of what he presumed was her house. It was huge, deep green with black shutters and plants covering the porch and front yard. A black picket fence with a gate was between the yard and sidewalk and she had one hand braced on it.

“This is me.” She nodded behind her.

He felt a little sad. What might have been the best walk of his life had ended and he had to say goodbye to her before he was ready.

“Well I guess I’ll see you tomorrow?” He said leaning forward smiling hopefully.

“You will.” She smiled sweetly and he leaned forward. She thought for a second he might kiss her, and wouldn’t have minded if he did but he hugged her instead, and made his way down the sidewalk.

She flew up to her bedroom like a tornado and propelled herself into her bed with a small scream, before pulling out her phone to text Ginny.

**********

“So you and Mat Barzal huh?” Shelly asked as they changed back into school clothing from gym class. Several of the girls within earshot turned and looked at her interestedly.

“What?” She glanced at Ginny who shrugged.

“Oh come on. It’s all over school.”

“Is it? Interesting.” Leighton avoided their eyes. She wasn’t embarrassed, but she was surprised that everyone knew about it so soon.

“How’d they find out?” She whispered to Ginny.

“I’m not sure. But I guess I’m not the only one who saw you guys kissing under the bleachers.”

Leighton didn’t really care, but she also wasn’t sure she wanted everyone to know about them making out under the bleachers. It was kind of personal. Though there had been lots of kissing on Katie’s porch at the party after the game, no one had seen it. So they thought they’d been indiscreet when they spent lunch hour together under the bleachers.

“It was bound to get out eventually.” Ginny said as she pulled her shirt over her head and sat to slide her sneakers on.

“I know but still. It hasn���t even been 4 hours.”

“I wouldn’t worry. By tomorrow everyone will have forgotten about it and they’ll be talking about how Maddie White gave Jessie Smith a handjob in the parking lot during 5th period.”

“Ew. Did that actually happen?”

“I don’t know, but for you I can start that rumor.”

Leighton laughed and shook her head “Nah. save it for another day.”

“Just tell me when.” Ginny wiggled a foot into her shoe and glanced up “I owe her for when she told everyone I had sex with Mike Phillips on the football team bus after school.”

“But Ginny you actually did that….”

“I know but the bitch could have kept it to herself.”

Leighton shook her head and grabbed her backpack, hoisting it over her shoulder. She could feel the others staring at her as she followed Ginny out of the bathroom. Once out of earshot Ginny turned to her.

“It wasn’t a secret right? You and Mat?”

“I don’t think so. Just not sure why it’s such interesting news.”

“You know why. You may not see it, but boys are just as interested in you as they are in me, but for different reasons.”

“I don’t know about all that.”

“I do. But Mat’s different. He likes you, not me. Not even a little bit actually. It’s kind of nice to be honest.”

“What do you mean?”

She shrugged and chose her words carefully “It’s been so long since I had a guy who was a real ‘friend’ and not just a friend for the sake of getting in my pants. It’s nice to talk to a guy not have him look at me like I’m a piece of meat is all.” She smiled a little and turned to Leighton “He’s a good guy Leighton. Trust me.”

They parted ways so Ginny could make her way to 4th period and Leighton could grab her stuff from her locker for study hall. She opened it, tossing her gym bag inside, and shuffling through books that she needed to work on homework when she felt a presence next to her.

“Hey.” Leighton turned to find Mat leaned against the locker next to hers, smiling. She felt her cheeks get red and smiled back at him.

“Hey.”

He glanced around at the others in the hallway. Everyone was staring at them, whispering and watching interestedly as they talked.

“So I guess everyone knows…” he trailed off eyes moving back to her.

“It would seem that way.”

“It would. Well since they already know-“ he took two steps forward and kissed her right there in front of her locker, during the busiest part of the school day. If there were rumors before, there definitely would be now. When they broke apart she could hear giggling from several people and she let her head fall into his shoulder.

“I figured I might as well confirm what everyone already knows.” He was smiling widely, hazel eyes twinkling with mischief. They spoke for a few more moments before he kissed her again and made his way to history, where he would be seated with Ginny, and Leighton headed off to do homework, knowing she would be getting nothing down with that kiss still on her mind.

*********

“Can a guy just kiss his girlfriend without it being a state occasion. Jesus.” Mat threw himself down next to Ginny and huffed.

“He could if his girlfriend was less hot and popular but you decided to date high class so it’s your own fault.”

“I guess I can live with it then.” He took out his book, and Ginny smiled at him.

“Don’t act like you aren’t enjoying this.”

“Enjoying what?”

“Enjoying all these fools envying you for having the hottest girl at school glued to your lips.”

“I mean….” He trailed off and though he tried, he couldn’t fight back his smile “A little I guess.”

“More like a lot.” She laughed and shook her head “It’s all over your face. Of course your enjoying it. Who doesn’t want to date the hottest girl at school?”

“I thought you were the hottest girl at school?”

“Depends on who you ask.” She shrugged “But it doesn’t change my statement. Look around you. Every guy in here would love nothing more than your demise so they can be next in line.”

“That’s dramatic. Next thing you’ll say is they wanna challenge me to a duel.”

“Better hope you have a hockey stick on you at all times.”

************

“Wait wait-“ Leighton pulled away from him gasping and pushed him back. He still had a hand on either side of her waist.

“What are you-“

She wiggled out of her shirt, tossing it aside as he leaned back down to kiss her. His own shirt went next and just as he was about to slide her leggings off, a car door from outside startled both of them.

“Fuck fuck fuck.” He whispered, hearing the voices of his billet family from the driveway. Leighton yanked her shirt on and fixed her leggings.

“What do we do?” she whispered grabbing her shoes.

“Uhm.” He glanced around “Closet. Closet.” She hurried inside and closed the door just as a knock sounded on his door. He took a deep breath and opened it.

“Hey.” He smiled at his billet mom who looked at him questioningly.

“What happened to you? You look a mess.”

“Oh I- uh I went for a run. Just a little out of breath.”

“Right. We’re watching a movie before we go to bed. Do you want to join us.”

“Oh no thanks. I’m gonna go to bed I think. I have practice early.”

“Okay. Well goodnight.”

He hated lying to them, as they were housing him when he really needed them to, but he couldn’t make Leighton stay in the closet while he watched a film with them. When he heard her footsteps descend the stairs and disappear, he locked the door and crept to the closet.

Leighton was holding a hand over her mouth “Now what? How am I going to get out of here?” She was smiling as she whispered. Mat pulled her from the closet and turned off the lamp leaving them in the darkness.

“You can sneak out when they go to bed. But for now. It’s just us.”

She could barely see him in the darkness, but she felt his hand on her hip, fingertips just brushing below the hem of her leggings.

“We’ll just have to be quiet.”

**********

“Okay now smile!” Leighton’s mom called, camera outstretched in front of her. Mat wrapped an arm around Leighton’s waist and leaned towards her smiling. Leighton’s parents backyard was packed with their friends and their friends parents, all posing for prom photos.

Mat’s parents had come all the way from Vancouver for this event, and had finally gotten to meet Leighton’s mom and dad.

She looked beautiful.

When she’d descended the stairs Mat had completely forgotten how to breathe, think or speak and had simply stared at her open mouthed until he managed a small “Wow.”

Though he seen her now in various stages of dressed and undressed, she’d really outdone herself this time. Her dress was long and black, straps hanging from each shoulder, a long slit up one leg. When she moved, the light caught tiny shimmers across the fabric.

“You look amazing.” He whispered in her ear. She turned to smiling.

“You said that already.”

“Did I? Well get used to it because I’m going to keep saying it.”

She blushed and turned eyes searching for Ginny. She was some feet away, smiling with Tyler, Mat’s teammate who looked contact high in photos. Ginny would let him down easy after prom, and he would be crushed but for tonight, he looked elated to be posing with Ginny in her short Emerald green prom dress.

“Guys having the time of his life.” Mat said with a chuckle. Ginny stuck a leg out, making him blush and glanced at Mat and Leighton, waggling her eyebrows.

He gripped her hand and raised it to his mouth, kissing it and together they walked to join their friends in the limo.

************

“I love you.” Leighton said quietly from in front of him. They were wrapped up in the bed of her dads truck, propped on a pillow. They’d been sitting in silence for a while, the only sound being the noises of nighttime animals. She’d been running her fingernails up and down his arm, listening to his heartbeat through his shirt.

For just a while it seemed like the rest of the world was gone, and only they were left. It was an incredible feeling and one he could never get enough of.

“When we’re old and grey, promise me we’ll come back to this spot.” She leaned sideways and looked up at him, smiling sweetly

“I’ll take you anywhere you want to go.”

[m1d-45]

Hello I'm back :)))

I had a rough exam season and took some time to rest so now I'm interacting with ppl again

Now pls let me know what you think of the Zhongli statue? I'm honestly going nuts over it

Fun fact: the gold bits on his hair and hand means ppl are frequently rubbing it, like those dog statues with golden snoots🥰🥰

I LOVED THE STATUE IT WAS SO GREAT SEEING THAT I COULD GET IT AFTER DOING THE WEB EVENT

side note the art kn the web event was so PRETTY MAN like !!! for what purpose. what need was there to make him look so nice. for what.

morax my beloved. zhongli is so SILLY as a character and i’m genuinely somewhat surprised they gave us a statue of an archon like that tbh. i will find some way some how to put it in my teapot though—reminds me i need to redecorate like half my layouts ough—and probably make a ridiculous shrine for it or something for the fun of it. most normal genshin impact player.

[matznothere]

heart eyes swooning heart thumping out of chest giggling kicking my feet man i love my bf sososo much

[chrollohearttags]

anybody got any requests or spare headcanons?

[kaoharu]

coughs up so much blood. hey guys

[3am-cheerios]

i hopped on palia to help sister with a quest. that was 4-5 hours ago. i got sidetracked with the nicest group of players in bahari bay. we all just roamed and called out so much palium and multiple proudhorned. i haven't seen the rare stuff spawn like that since closed beta! i got FORTY palium ore in 2 hours! no proudhorned antlers dropped tho

[volostogekiss]

hello… do you have any thoughts on adorably clingy Volo? Wanting so much attention and love he can’t get enough of it?

ohh that’s a good one! yes, i have some thoughts :3c

I think when you initially start showing him affection, even the smallest things, like just holding his hand or reaching up to brush some leaves out of his hair, that makes his heart warm in a way he can’t quite understand at first. I think it’s because he’s so touch-starved that he doesn’t realize how much he’d missed being comforted with the warmth of someone else’s love, so tangible and real, that he subconsciously latches onto it so so sincerely. It’s as if that will make up for all the years he’d spent alone. Oh, and I’m sure you can make up for all those years.

❥ When he’s more aware of how he feels about you, Volo eases himself into it. I think how quickly he begins truly enjoying your attention and little acts of love depends on how often you show him that affection, but once you start, he knows what it’s like, and he’ll slowly want more. It’s the small things with him at first, too: He takes your hand before you have a chance to grab his, or he straightens out the overcoat that’d bunched up near your shoulders, or he takes it upon himself to sweep away the dust on your pants. When you realize that he’s reciprocating because he wants you to give him that same attention, you really should, or the subtlest pout might show up on his lips. (And that pout becomes more obvious the longer you’re around him.)

❥ Once he’s very comfortable with your affection, he’ll just start asking you to indulge him, though. He’s kind of dramatic but only because he realizes how much you’re affecting him, and that he needs you. “My love, why don’t you kiss me? I’ve been dreadfully lonely.” Meaningful winks and wandering hands. If you tell him that you’ve literally been by his side all day, he’ll just ignore you and play silly. “Oh, it’s been so long since I’ve last hugged you!” Volo’s not asking anymore, he’ll just start doing. Sweeping you up into a hug, nuzzling into your neck, kissing your cheeks and then your lips in a surprise you won’t see coming until it happens. He really doesn’t want to let you go, and it’s a fight to get him to do anything else besides that. But who wants Volo to let them go?

❥ If you’re not paying him enough attention, and he just can’t get enough of you, Volo is certainly the type of man to not quite show or tell you directly that he’s impatient or fed up, minus the little hints you’ve probably picked up on—that slight pursing of his lips, huffing beneath his breath, or even a few mild complaints here and there. But he’ll definitely go and show you once he’s reached his limit, pressing you up somewhere and showering you in his affection. Preferably away from prying eyes, unless he’s trying to make someone jealous.

❥ Though Volo turns to mush when you treat him the same, and especially when you’re gentle with him. It’s when he least expects you to turn to him with such kindness and love that he always falls apart beneath your touch, even if he’s still standing. You know, however, the effect that you have on him. His eye is slightly glazed over, there’s that meaningful pink on his cheeks, and he’s silent for just a little too long. (It’s cute.) It happens often when you spend a quiet moment together, as if he can’t believe that you’re giving him your love. You might have to wake him up from his blissful disbelief with a reminder of how real you are—he’ll certainly appreciate that! Volo loves you a lot, and after all, he’s just terrible at letting you go.

[kniesys]

they are attached at the hip i swear

[theemporium]

controversial but I kinda dig buzzcut barzy in weird way

[that-foul-legacy-lover]

Congrats on getting Arlecchino! I'm still trying to hopefully get the update to fit onto my phone lololol. My life will be complete if I can get her, haha.

~ The anon who wanted Kaveh but didn't want Baizhu or Ganyu

thank you!!!! i'm surprised she came home so soon, i usually have to go to soft pity at least but Father really showed up after 20 pulls (it's because we are MARRIED and she WANTED TO /lh)

aaaaaa come on phone!!!!! make space for genshin, we need Arlecchino and we need her NOW

[aicsivas]

How's hockey season been treating you, my guy? Things have been getting pretty busy for us over here finally, so I haven't been the best at keeping up. Please tell me I won't be disappointed? / @mbarzy13