#n since then ive just been slowly realizing exactly why I dislike it so much lol I feel healed

[cosmobrain00]

realized the depths of my hatred for fanon byler once again n it can always grow it seems

[husbandohunter]

Stardew Impact [Stardew Valley+Genshin Impact x Reader]

Part 2/3 Zhongli, Xiao

Synopsis: “A mysterious phenomenon brought you and your s/o to an unfamiliar world: Pelican Town! Without the power of Visions, the two of you begin to learn the life of what it takes to be...a farmer?”

(DOMESTIC FARM LIFE ROUND TWO)

Genre: Fluff

Others

Diluc and Kaeya

Albedo and Childe

(A/n): This was meant to be part 3 but I couldn't wait to write xiao. Plus Ive been writing Albedo for almost the whole month already Word count_2.6k

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Xiao

• Thrown in an unfamiliar environment puts Xiao on high alert. Instincts kick in and his hand subconciously grabs for his spear. Nothing. Not even his vision activated. Xiao's gaze darts all over before landing on your figure. He sighs in relief, you're safe, that much he can decipher as of now.

• Stripped of his power, left with only claws and teeth (if must) to protect you from any dangers, he was ansty with every little thing. 

• The villagers are so nice??? For what reason must they have to act so friendly to strangers (Xiao wonders). The Mayor even granted you two a vast farmland free of charge. 

• Shortly he realized he no longer had his karmaic debt. Xiao wasn't sure how to live his life in this state. He dedicated his entire existence to years of slaughter and suffering that it became the only thing he knew. He won't admit it of course, he'll just throw in scoffs and remarks about how mundane activities are a waste of time when in reality, he just has no clue on how to handle them.

• Thats why the first day was difficult as you both try to figure out how to plant parnsips. Deciding it was better to go with an experiment, you split the share of seeds in half and used what basic knowledge you had on farming to finish the job. Xiao on the other hand tried copying what you did….though the outcome wasn't so desirable it was a mess. (His trained hands have taught him to be on the rough side).

• He doesn't bother socializing with the townspeople even though he has no karmaic debt to worry about. Xiao thinks you're more than enough anyways so what's the point? 

• Robin is the only person who can tolerate him for obvious reasons (cough Sebastian cough) she knows exactly how to deal with his personality type. His glares don't faze her, she simply thinks its just a teenage phase of some sort. 

• Eventually they become mutuals, Xiao thinks Robin is similar to Verr Goldet in a way. Since he's the one who does the heavy labour of chopping down trees and mining stones for building upgrades, he gets a chance to visit her house quite often. He comes back with lots of recipes too.

• You find out that his adepti blood never left him. Xiao doesn't need sleep so you better believe it when he tells you the next morning that he spent the whole night watering all 300 of your crops (watering is the only process he's good at for farming). 

• Sometimes you catch him staring out of the window, wondering what he may be thinking. Life was so much more different, almost hard to recognize. Was this real? Is it okay for it to be real, just this once? Ever since he committed his duty to Morax, Xiao didn't dream of a time when everything would be peaceful. Yet here he is, no longer a weapon but on a journey to find out what it's like to live as a normal person. 

• Spring: Every morning you find him kneeling behind the cabin with the pet cat (yes, cats seem to suit Xiao very much). He just stares at them, hesitant if he wanted to pet their fur or rub their chin. So he continues to glare intensely, scaring your cat away :(

• Whenever you wanted to attend any of the town's festivities, Xiao wouldn't even hide his distastefulness but goes with you regardless. Why do mortals consider hiding eggs and finding them a fun activity? And what kind of a name is Flower Dance? Can't they just call it a dance?

• Though…he does like the sight of you wearing a flower crown. Xiao likes putting stuff in your hair.

Since setting foot upon this new world, time seemed to have slowed down to the point that almost everything felt like an eternity. And you didn't mind, with him by your side, you wouldn't mind if it did last forever.

The lull of the grass was the only sound Xiao could hear as he closed his eyes and rested his head on your lap. You maneuvered across his scalp in small, subtle motions, surprised with how warm he felt against the heat your palm. He stirs a little and lets out a soft breath before turning his face to lay on the side.

You were slightly intrigued by the yaksha's new demeanor. From far away, Xiao was an intimidating man, even during the first time you laid eyes him, his presence felt similar to a knife pointing at anyone who dares to come too close. But now, the face that usually held his signature annoyance melted into something you never thought you'd see as the sun rays brushed against the surface of his fair skin. You observed the way his dark eyebrows stayed in a relaxed arch. The red crescents lining right above his beautiful long lashes and the sound of soft snores through parted lips. It was hard to believe that this man was the same person who claimed to have ended a thousand lives through thousands of years.

Did he fall asleep already?

Gently moving away the strands away from his cheekbone, hovered your gaze above him and whispered, "I thought adepti don't need rest."

"Hmph," Xiao responds, though there was no harshness in his tone, "Quit trying to be difficult, I didn't tell you to stop."

The smug grin on your face only widens. You lean downward and said to his ear, "And what's the magic word~?"

Xiao sighs at your antics. You were truly pushing your luck today and he simply didn't have the patience to entertain you. Without a warning, he grabs your wrist and pulls you down, foreheads pressing until you were but a breath away. The adepti conquers, he does not plead.

• Summer: As expected, your parnsnips weren't able to grow as much. Thus, this season was going to be the one to make up for the lost profit. Xiao is very good at hunting, perhaps the best in the entire town. Though the way he catches fish is rather peculiar, said by the folks. He prefers to carve a spear made of wood and repeatedly stabs the lake until results show. Xiao dislikes the old fashioned way, he says its unproductive and it unecissarily takes too much time. 

• But as much as he scared the whole town, they were extremely grateful when he cleaned up the slime issues happening in the mines. You could say that he grew very popular since then and eventually mustered up the courage to greet him a hello whenever he passes by. 

• You nudge him to reply back. Xiao usually shoots you a glare but slowly, he learns the courtesy of acknowledging someone's prescence.

• Fall: You woke up to a burnt smell coming from the kitchen. Xiao just thought he would return the favour since you always worked so hard. (He was actually trying to figure out what a 'whisk' was. It was no wonder why there were eggshells in the dish!)

• You realized that Xiao was taking more initation compared to before. At night, when you thought the animals were actively jumping in the barns, the noise was actually from Xiao trying to adjust himself to the ways of tending the field. After learning what TV was, he would always switch to the channel "Livin off the land" to gain some insight. Truly, Xiao was greatful even though he knew he eventually had to return to his duties, he wanted to utilize the current days the best way he could. And what better way was it to just make you happy in return?

• Winter: This was the season to test the accumulation of Xiao's abilities: you caught a cold and he had to manage everything in his own. Xiao scolded you for not wearing enough and being too careless but at the same he considered that you must've been working too hard.

• Goes to Robin for help. She basically became his mom now. Prepares the food and leaves them in the fridge, she teaches Xiao how to use the phone in case he needed any help and also lets him know where all the essentials are. 

• Xiao stayed by your side the whole time even though you told him you'd be fine. But he refuses, he may no longer be a gaurdian but he was your gaurdian. That role never changed.

~~x~~

Zhongli

• You wake up on a soft bed with Zhongli sitting at a chair nearby. He hands you a cup of brewed water but you're still blatlantly confused. Seems like everything was taken care of by Zhongli, it ends up with him explaining everything to you. 

• The folks instantly assumes you both as a married couple. Who could blame them? He did carry your unconcious body all the way to town while asking for a local doctor. You can bet that the ladies wish they were you at that moment. Zhongli took care of everything, including with the contract with the new farm.

• It didn't take long for you both to adjust to the new lifestyle. Zhongli's accumulated knowledge was enough to last all four seasons. Days past by peacefully as you shared the tasks. He'd place down the stone paths towards the gate and you busied yourself with decorating the house. After that was done, Zhongli would rest upon the rocking chair outside your door (like the grandpa he is) and sometimes you'd join him in one reading session. His voice was soothing, you eventually dipped into a slumber as the evening grew colder. Just like always, your beloved brings his arm to encapsulate you from the wind, brushing his thumb against your skin subconciously while you snore softly into his shoulder.

• In a way, the townsfolk were right. You both do act like a married couple. It's basically domestic life with Zhongli in a nutshell.

• He gets connected with Gunther and lands a role in the Museum. Since he's there so often, Zhongli also manages to be acquainted with Elliot as well. Two men who have a common interest with books while speaking in poetic prose. Their conversation would last for hours to the point Gunther had to kick them out of the library!

• Veeeery good with the children, not in an entertaining way but its just the aura he reeks. Penny usually had trouble dealing with Vincent since he never seems to be able to focus but the minute Zhongli speaks, he's all ears. Not only that he was also very good with the elderly. He even recommended some herbs George could take to soothe his back issues.

• Problem is that he still forgets to bring his wallet and Childe isn't here to save him. So once you stepped foot into the Stardrop Saloon and Gus calls you over, he tells you about the cost he owed to his tab….

• But this tranquil life full of genuinity and deprived of sovereignty, he was overjoyed to be able to spend it with you. Because he knew you were unlike him, that all humans were born with an expiry date. He knew so well that after every new greeting, he would have to face the goodbyes over and over until the world eventually came to an end. He knew you were also going to be part of those many goodbyes while he would still be here.

• But as Zhongli walks amongst the fallen leaves, he remembered the beauty that carries within every new beginning. They brought him to you and he would never hesitate to trade his gnosis for it.

Spring: You shot up your bed when Zhongli blast the TV at full volume. He apologizes, saying that he was simply trying to change the channel. You figured it was best for him to go outside before he somehow glitches the screen until it couldn't repair itself (Robin charges for repairs).

• Every thursday you both go to Pierre's store to complete your grocery shopping. He offers to push the cart as you fill the basket with all the necessities (plus it saves you the trouble of having him tossing whatever he sees without looking at the price tag).

• Every afternoon you order a take out from the Saloon, sharing the meal while sitting at the fountain's edge near the community center. Every evening Zhongli would take you to explore the rest of the vast farmland, discovering places you weren't even aware of. It was no wonder why everyone thought you were a married couple. 

• Summer: Since the cabin was too small for a bathroom, you guys would have to travel up the mountains in order to get to the Spa house (cue sweatiness x10). 

• The concept of hotsprings was derived from Inazuma so it was no surprise that Liyue eventually took it after him. Zhongli had collected some incense from foraging items over the past few months, he knows whats up. But overall he gives the best bath sessions (hands down) and you were the one who insisted in joining him.  He was a gentle and sweet lover, always putting your needs before his. Ancient artifacts and old history books have always been precious to him, he treated you no differently.

The heartbeat of the oceans continues to rock back and forth until they brush up on the sandy shore, washing away the two pairs of footprints left behind by a man and a woman.

Gold against gold, his amber eyes reflected against the scenery. Millions of lights flashed among the sea when the sun began to climb down from the sky, it's rays hugged across the valley like an ethereal glow bestowed by the heavens as summer's wind brought even more warmth than what he had currently felt. You trance ahead of with the same light shaping around your form. 

"Oh hey there's another rainbow shell," you waved at him before running off, "I'll be back!"

How is it that you still continue to shine like gold in his memories?

Zhongli suddenly ponders at the chapters laying ahead of him. He spent so many years turning each page without ever reaching a conclusion, forever searching the fabled happy endings written in fairytale books, but he knew his immortality wouldn't grant him that wish.

Thus, the formal archon raised his pen and reweaves his own story. He envisions his future with you by his side, engraving every detail until it was immortalized in his memories.

Perhaps I shouldn't keep her waiting.

With a renewed resolve, Zhongli clutches the gemstone tightly in his palm, he seals the page with the final contract between your future and his.

• Fall: After getting your first house upgrade, it was time for the next event: the ceremony. Yes, Zhongli would only have a wedding if Liyue traditions were involved. Everyone was invited of course, they were quite intrigued with the flashy setup such as lanterns and fireworks (you were a little worried with where he got the budget for such items) and Zhongli even educated Gus about some recipes he can use for the Saloon.

• You found out that Zhongli was saving all his money for this day (it was no wonder that he couldn't pay for his tab!). Old habits die hard, it was a shame that he didn't have his powers to craft the right items, but at least he got to sea you in a traditional eastern dress (it's the part he was looming forward to the most).

• Fall is the best season. One you wouldn't forget.

• Winter: Ah he finally learns how to use  technology after three seasons. He only knows two channels from the TV which was 'Livin off the Land' and the weather channel. Zhongli oftens talks to himself as he tries to figure out more mechanics, he seems to be extremely absorbed in the most basic things.

• The miner of the house. But instead of using them to upgrade tools and donating them to the museum, Zhongli likes to keep some of them for collection. You could say your house also had a little museum in the other room.

• Romcom movies and soap operas. You can't change my mind that this is what you both spend your time watching as the snowstorm rages outside. 

[24hs]

Affirmation

summary: Once Yongsun realized Byulyi acted different around her, there was no way back to comforting ignorance.

pairing: moonsun

words: 1800+

also readable here

I.

Yongsun had been reaching for assurance her whole life. In kindergarten, she always clang to her friend’s coat-tails, in high school there never passed a break without her being surrounded by colleagues and admirers. Yongsun thought that this was how happiness felt like, even though the well-known anxiety of being alone, lonely, miserable kept attacking in her dreams.

The feeling only started flaking off when she was with her.

Born Moon Byulyi, 670 days younger than her, 165 centimeters tall, weighing 45 kilogram. Communication student. Aiming for a journalistic career. Enjoys diving and drawing, loves dancing. Likes: sound of a piano, spicy food and suits. Dislikes: heights, hogs and honey.

Getting close with Moon Byulyi was sort of magical. It meant climbing through a restroom’s window to get away with stealing champagne from a 24-hours store, and then drinking it straight from the bottle, giggling together. It meant watching the sun rise from a roof top with wind blowing through their hair.

It meant falling completely heels over head.

II.

Yongsun could barely remember a time they weren’t best friends. She remembered Wheein introducing her to Byulyi, and Hyejin telling her everything about Byulyi. Anything else was blurred, wiped out, too strong were the moments she shared with her, arms in arms, their legs tangled.

Yongsun could remember a time when she didn’t love her excellently.

Mainly because it was so much easier. There wasn’t lighting running through her chest when Byulyi smiled, laughed, grinned.

When Byulyi wasn’t with her the messy rain came and blurred the sun’s existence out.

She wondered if Byuyi felt the same about her.

III.

It didn’t happen instantly, or at least, Yongun didn’t notice at first.

Byulyi still behaved normally with Wheein and Hyejin. Brushed their bare arms and legs, but she didn’t bother touching Yongsun the same way anymore. Sat on their laps and played with their hair, but never even looked her in the eye when Yongsun tried to cross her warm fingers with her cold ones.

Laughed with Wheein and Hyejin and stayed silent with Yongsun

What was the worst about the whole thing was Byulyi calling her Yongsun in that hard, distant way. The names they used to call each other - Moonbyul and Solar, the moon and the sun - faded away and Yongsun asked herself if the memories of Byulyi whispering dear, honey, love to her ear at night were a bland lie to comfort herself.

“Want to meet up later?”

Byulyi looked at her hands. “Can’t, I’m meeting up with a friend.”

Yongsun expected this answer. She had been telling her this since what felt like years.

“Do I know them?” Yongsun glared at Byulyi’s slender hands.

"She’s called Heeyeon. You may have seen her sometimes, she and Wheein share the same class.” Yongsun tried to ignore the goose bumps that crawled on her skin. It always did when Byulyi talked this politely to her. As if they were merely acquaintances, yet friends.

“What is she like?” Byulyi didn’t answer as Hyejin entered and let her body fall on a near chair. “I’m so done”, she sighed and put her arm around Byulyi’s neck. “The seminar was literally like hell.” Byulyi turned her head to look at Hyejin. Yongsun couldn’t help noticing that she seemed relieved. “You went there?”

“No, but I’ve got my informants.” Hyejin grinned and Byulyi laughed. Yongsun stood up. “I’m going”, she muttered and hurried out of the door. “Hey, Yongsun!”, Hyejin called after her - she could hear the frown in her voice -, but she didn’t turn around.

Guilt about making Hyejin worry strangulated her but Yongsun took weird pride in being selfish for once. She decided tp stop bending over for others from this day on.

IV.

Staying with Byulyi got harder. She felt dirty for doing this to her - the trembling fingers of hers, her lips that got bloody from biting on it, her lowered gaze. Yongsun could tell Byulyi wanted to flee whenever she was near to her, but she was too stubborn to actually do it. Yongsun was too, so she stayed, in bitter agony.

Was it possible for the moon and the sun to burn each other out?

Yongsun wanted to know why. Why Byulyi kept building up walls in front of her, why she wouldn’t look at her the same way she used to, why they didn’t dance slowly together anymore.

“Have you noticed something about Moon- Byulyi recently?” Yongsun’s tongue still stumbled over the unused sound of her real name. “What should have I noticed?” Wheein was a better liar than Byulyi – her voice didn’t shake and she didn’t blink nervously -, but she wasn’t good enough to fool Yongsun. “Please.” She rested her head on her shoulder and closed her burning eyes. Wheein idly ran her hand through Yongsun’s hair, but her fingers were tensed. “You should talk to her yourself.” It was exactly what Hyejin told her before, just a bit softer and less quiet.

Why did everyone know but her? Yongsun felt like she was buried alive.

The sun loved the moon so much she died every night to let her breathe.

V.

Yongsun was very good at taking care of those being close to her. Yongsun was also great at working hard and holding promises. However, waiting had never been one of her strengths. Time was passing so slowly it drove her insane. She felt sick.

When she finally, finally heard the sound of a door getting unlocked, Yongsun already stood on her feet. Everything she planned to tell Byulyi was suddenly erased from her brain, every single thought she wanted to share was gone.

Her heart sprung as Byulyi stepped through her own front door, not seeing her. Yet. Yongsun had a full second of observing a face that had been frowning these past months whenever it saw her.

She froze.

Byulyi looked tired. Her eye shadow was smudged, her lilac eye rings badly covered, her cheeks sunken. What Yongsun didn’t noticed until now was her lost of weight. Byulyi’s wrists looked like they could cut stone.

“Moonbyul?”

It was almost grotesque what a mere whisper could do to her. Byulyi’s neck snapped back and her fingers knuckles turned white, clasping the doorknob. “What- You-” She ran her hand through her hair, restlessly, and bit on her lip. Yongsun could see her hand shaking when it let go of the handle and closed the door behind her. “What are you doing here, Yongsun?” Said bit her lips. Not only that the cold name made her cringe, all the courage that she had had vanished by now.

“What happened?”

Byulyi blinked. Not in confusion, Yongsun knew, rather in panic. Denial. “To..?” Her voice trailed off. Yongsun stared at her. It must seemed bold to her, but Yongsun knew she wouldn’t dare if Byulyi looked her in the eye and not on the floor.

“To us.”

Byulyi looked torn. It was a strange expression to see, her usual beautiful facial features contorted due to anxiety, dread- anger?

“Please leave now, Yong-”

“No!”

Yongsun’s yell clanged high pitched her own ears. Judging by Byulyi’s eyes, widened in shook, it sounded shrill to her, too. Yongsun breathed out. “I’m not leaving until- until I have an answer.”

She wasn’t ready to let her optimism go. She wouldn’t let go of her, Moonbyul, without a fight.

“Why do you hate me so much?”

Byulyi froze. Her once so beautiful eyes went blank. “Hate?” The word was a mere breath through gritted teeth. “We’ve changed, and I know it’s-”, Yongsun stopped because she didn’t want the tears to fall. They did anyway. “My fault, but I- need to know-” She choked on her own words. Pathetic. “Tell me”, she whispered, “please tell me and I will go and never come back.”

VI.

Yongsun never had been a fan of talking without thinking. She always thought that words should be picked with caution, but not be sugar coated.

Byulyi’s reaction made her almost rethink her steely rule. Her hands tensed and relaxed in a one second span. Her eyes shuttered and were widely opened again almost immediately. Seeing her once best friend like this hurt her heart. Painfully. When Byulyi started crying, her heart sprung into thousands of pieces. Yongsun was unable to move. She stared at her, her hands raised to comfort her, but she didn’t dare to lay her fingers on her.

She was afraid Byulyi would break under her touch.

She was afraid of Byulyi slapping her hands back.

“I’m”, she hesitated, unsure what to say. “I’m sorry, I will leave n-”

Byulyi grabbed her hand and pulled her into a hug.

VII.

Byulyi always had been bad at expressing her feelings. It seemed ironical to new people she met - an artist that’s not good at being in touch with themselves? -, but Yongsun never made fun of her. At least, not about that.

It was one of the many, many things about she admired. She cherished. She loved dearly.

VIII​​​​​​​.

Yongsun didn’t know what to do, so she just let herself go. Pulled Byulyi carefully closer to her and placed her hands on her hips, rested her head on her neck. Her view went blurry, thanks to the tears that now dropped from her cheeks as well.

IX​​​​​​​.

Byulyi didn’t know what to do, either. She trusted what her instincts told her - and everything in her screamed to hug, touch, kiss Yongsun. She had been denying her true heart for the past days, weeks, months, but now that she held her in her arms, everything just seemed to be awfully clear.

XI​​​​​​​.

Yongsun had never seen Byulyi this vulnerable in front of her, and she already was the person she trusted the most. Had trusted. Trusted again? Yongsun’s tears streamed down faster.

“Moonbyul”’ she whispered, “what are we?”

XII.

Happiness, luck, perfection. The personification of pure love, love that makes you greedy for more and more and more of that feeling. They were everything.

Moonbyul closed her eyes and didn’t dare to breath. “Solar, I love you.”

XIII.

Cozy nights spent at home when it’s storming outside. The sound of silence in winter. A sun that melts everything, a moon that shines on everything.

Solar sniffled. “I love you too, Moonbyul.”

XIV​​​​​​​.

It took Solar some time to fully forgive Moonbyul, but she tried her best to do so. The kisses they shared these past days detoxicated her mind. How couldn’t she see Moonbyul’s obvious way of coping with her feelings - running away, like she always did?

XV​​​​​​​.

Moonbyul didn’t want to run away anymore. She wanted to live now. With Solar.

XVI.

Solar wasn’t reaching for assurance anymore. She had found it already.