#[answered] questions for a yaksha

[yaksha-garden]

sorry abt this twink :/

Eden giggles. "It's okay Iago. I like you even if you have an allergic reaction to every chemical compound found in an average backyard and pass out halfway-or-sooner through every hiking trail. We'll get through it together."

[hiraya-rawr]

— oh and by the way im married (zhongli) .

synopsis !! zhongli neglects to inform his friends that he's married.

contains !! they/them reader but referred to as wife, comedic dialogue

Z H O N G L I

Perhaps it's the fact that you've been married for centuries that informing others didn't seem to be a priority for Zhongli.

It wasn't obvious either. He had his day job and you had yours. To regular couples, the amount of distance you two spend would be a little strange, but time is something you have in abundance so it didn't really matter when you spend a few days apart doing your day jobs.

It was Hutao who brought it up the on the evening's Lantern Rite dinner.

"Aiyaya, it seems like everybody alive and dead has a date for this year's lantern rite."

"Hahaha! And here we are celebrating a feast with new and old friends. It doesn't sound like much of a loss to me." Venti laugjs, pouring himself a drink that threatens to overflow from his hand.

"I'm not saying it's a loss, I'm simply wondering wouldn't some of you want to spend the night with a special someone?" She smirks, eyes scanning the group. Chongyun coughs into his cup as Xiao averts his gaze from the troublemaker.

"If you're asking for my opinion, I'd say everyone here is quite special to me," Lumine smiles warmly before glancing at the two archons and yaksha, "I'm sure there's still time for dating in the future. We're not that old."

"Well. . ." Hutao turns to Zhongli. He raises a brow, placing down his cup.

"May I ask why you're staring at me, Director Hu?"

"No reason~ It's just, as your boss, of course I'm a little bit concerned. Aren't you wasting your youth by not going out on dates, mister Zhongli? I'm sure there's a line of Liyuens who would love to–"

A burst of laughter comes from the green bard. "Oh, him? On a Lantern Rite date with someone else? (Name) would surely kill him."

"(Name)?" Everyone questions.

"Huh? He didn't tell you?" Venti tilts his head.

Zhongli coughs, "Ah. . . Please don't be concerned about my dating life, Director Hu. After all, I am already married."

Silence.

A cup drops.

Tea spills (literally).

Then,

"Married?!" The restaurant shakes as Hutao and Lumine jolt upright, hands slamming the table.

"Married." Zhongli confirms.

"What! For how long? When? What's their name? Why have you never–"

Zhongli hushes, trying to calm his boss from jumping over the table. His face dusts a light pink, perhaps embarrassed by the whole ordeal.

"For a few. . . years now. As you know, they're (Name). And as for why I never mentioned my wife. . ." He glances at the crowd, ". . . I simply forgot."

"You. . . forgot," Xingqiu slowly repeats.

"Yes, it seems I've forgotten to inform everyone. Then again, is it not obvious that I'm a married man?"

Chongyun covers his face in his hands, processing the whole ordeal, "Thinking back. . . mister Zhongli always had a domestic kind of aura. It seems so obvious now."

"Wait, wait, wait! How come I didn't know about this? We work together almost everyday! And why does Venti know! Didn't you two just met! Do you even have a ring?" Hutao interjects, flabbergasted as Zhongli and Venti freezes.

In truth, he does have a ring. One he carved himself made of only the most precious of jade and metal. It has rested under his glove for centuries—

Under his glove also hides his draconic arms, golden veins against dark brown, almost scale-like skin. Proof of a entity greater than human.

"Ehe. . . about that," Venti nervously looks away, "I've actually. . . met his wife before!" He covers up, voice laced with enthusiasm.

"Yes, yes, my wife is quite fond of Mondstadt's songs. They've frequently visited the nation before."

"And you don't come along?" Xiangling asks.

"I don't."

The group blinks.

"And what about the ring? I never see you wear a wedding ring." Hutao narrows her eyes.

"That's because I don't wear it." He answers bluntly.

". . . and you never introduced them to us because. . .?" Lumine questions.

"Because . . . I haven't had the time to?"

Hutao rests back on her chair, her eyes glazed in judgment, "No offense mister Zhongli, but you seem like a terrible husband. If you don't get your act straight, I'd say your marriage won't last."

His jaw drops. Venti laughs.

|| ko-fi support / character m.list ||

~ bonus ~

"Darling, am I a terrible husband?"

"No? What makes you think that?"

"No reason. Although I believe we should try dating publicly."

tumblr has been deleting my last paragraphs why

//for some reason tumblr has been deleting my last lines in drafts so i have to type this so my last sentences wont get deleted

"No reason. But perhaps it's about time I show you off to the public more."

ko-fi support | character m.list

[bedoballoons]

Hii~ I have a reqq ❤️❤️

Soo basically the reader asks them a random dirty question, for example ‘would you eat me out in public for a million dollars?’ in an attempt to make them embarrassed however the turns are tabled and the character ends up making the reader blush and get all flustered instead?

Fem/gn reader and with kazuha, albedo, lyney, and xiao? Tyy I love all ur works aaaa ❤️❤️❤️

When I tell you this request has me screaming and kicking my feet in excitement, omg thank you and I hope you enjoy!!

(also you're so sweet, have a cookie 🍪)

─⊰💕𝔾𝕖𝕟𝕤𝕙𝕚𝕟 ℍ𝕖𝕒𝕕𝕔𝕒𝕟𝕠𝕟𝕤💕⊰─

{༻~Would you?~༺}

Genre: Suggestive! MDNI! NSFW!

CW: GN! Afab Reader, dirty talk, teasing and everything takes place in public!

(Includes: Lyney, Albedo, Kazuha and Xiao!)

𑁍༄Lyney:

"Hey, Lyney...would you eat me out in public for a million dollars?"

You smiled slyly at him, waiting for his face to blush at how risky your question was. I mean you were in public, people sat all around you delighting in their food and you'd just asked him something so flustering.

"Oh ho ho, Mon amour, I'd eat you out in public for nothing at all, I mean everyone else is digging into their favourite treats...why can't I~" He leaned his head in his hand, smirking at you with this teasing look in his bright eyes while your cheeks flushed..was he licking his lips too..

𑁍༄Albedo:

"Hmm Albedo, what would you do if I asked you to throw me on this table and ruthlessly fuck me in front of all these people?"

You giggled at him mischievously, looking around the crowded area and wondering what his response was going to be. Would he hide his face in embarrassment? Blush like a tomato? Would he get turned on and need to excuse himself? The possibilities were endless.

"Are you asking? Because I'm now one short answer from throwing you on the table my love~" He looked at you amused, his smile knowing and his fingers tapping against the soft skin of your hand as you suddenly felt flustered. Would...would he really..

𑁍༄Kazuha:

"Kazu, what do you think everyone would do if I pulled down your pants and started riding you like I needed it more then anything else?"

You looked at him innocently, acting like you hadn't just asked a question that left you needing to push your thighs together. It wasn't really that bad, just a thought you'd had and wanted to share, maybe it wouldn't make him flustered to no end like you'd planned...but you doubted it.

"I will be honest with you my dear, I don't really care what everyone else would do. If you needed me, I'd be happy to oblige, no matter who was watching, with you on me there's only one thing on my mind~" He looked at you with a soft smile and despite the dirty meaning in his words, he didn't change tone once...he really would only be focused on you and your body after all..

𑁍༄Xiao:

"Xiao...if I asked nicely, would you lay on the park bench while I rode your face and screamed your name?"

You batted your eyes at him, watching his reaction closely as people hurried past the two of you and pretended not to hear what you asked. It was a pretty crowded park and it was definitely not out of earshot...so you were hoping it would be enough to fluster the mighty Yaksha.

"Do you promise that I can fuck you on it after?~" He turned to face you, his tongue sliding across his teeth as smirked at you. Your breath caught at the sight and he chuckled, "Well do you, hurry and answer, cause I'm hungry as is~"

ଘ(੭*ˊᵕˋ)੭* ੈ♡‧₊˚~Have a nice day!~*⁠.⁠✧

[ivy-elle]

Be Still My Beating Heart

“Your heart is beating too fast.”

You feel the bed shift as Xiao turns around to face you. “Nightmare?”

“No,” you whisper back, mirroring his position, one arm supporting your head. “No nightmare.”

“What are you thinking about?”

“That I can’t sleep.”

He nods. “I can see that.” Xiao watches you intently, as if trying to read your mind, your soul. To break through your nonchalant façade and solve your problems without your having to voice them aloud.

But alas, even for a yaksha, that is beyond his abilities.

“You’re overthinking again,” he says instead. Not a question. That he knows you well enough for.

You shake your head, placing it back on the pillow as you stare at the ceiling. “And you’re reading too much into this.”

Silence.

“What keeps you awake, though?” you ask, even though you already know the answer. It’s nighttime in Liyue. And thus, Xiao’s time to fulfill his duty as its protector.

“That I can’t sleep.”

The way he mirrors your words surprises you. His sense of humour is clearly evolving.

With a quiet smile, you turn your head back to him, lifting your hand to gently trace your fingers along his cheek. “Why are you still here though? Not that I’m complaining, quite the opposite. It’s nice to share a bed with you again.”

Xiao scoffs, a faint blush gracing his features as he glances towards the balcony, where the night stands in its moonless darkness. “You had a nightmare,” he states.

“I told you, I didn’t.”

He turns back, and your eyes lock, making you swallow as you suddenly feel very transparent under his gaze.

“You can’t lie to an adeptus. Especially not to me.”

You trace your finger along the skin just below his eye, and you practically can feel his breath halt. “No… I truly can’t, can I?”

Now there’s an almost soft, caring look that has taken hold of his features. Your eyes flutter just before you feel your lips brushing against his. Xiao follows immediately. His hand searches for yours as he shifts closer on the bed. You feel him inhale deeply, like he’s savouring your touch, your taste, your very being.

“Now, your heart is beating too fast,” you tease against his lips.

His grip on your hand tightens a tad. “You’re imagining things.”

[mondaymelon]

— " 𝐟𝐢𝐧𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐲, 𝐢'𝐦 𝐢𝐧 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐚𝐫𝐦𝐬 𝐚𝐠𝐚𝐢𝐧... "

art by @/kodokunoakashi on twitter, edited by me !! angst. an eensey weensey redemption at the end

xiao, zhongli, wanderer, neuvillette x gn!reader

[ centuries after their lover’s passing, they finally are able to rest in your ghostly touch. ₊˚ෆ ]

Perhaps the day he had found your lifeless body, eyes long fluttered closed and splatters of red decorating your throat was the day Xiao began falling apart.

He knew it from the start, that your death would be inevitable. You weren’t like him - a weary soul who had traversed these lands for thousands of years in search of a refuge that Teyvat had never provided for him. No, you were like the evening’s first star, brilliantly shining and setting the entire night sky ablaze. A warm glow that sparked flames wherever its light reached. He was one of many fortunate enough to be caught in your spiraling trap, those cursedly charming grins and a laugh with the innocence of a child. Your sweet warmth was addicting, and once he had a taste, he couldn’t get enough of it. Was that why the adeptus found himself leaving his corner of the inn more and more often, just to trail by your side? Maybe this was the reason he had found himself expressing something on his lips that he had never before?

Fragments split your face in his memory. Years, decades, centuries had passed. To the outside eye, all that could be observed was that the yaksha was particularly more elusive than before, only having briefly appeared once or twice before mortals. With ignorant and foggy minds, they’d declare that the Conqueror of Demons must feel despair over the sudden death of Rex Lapis, and they’d just leave it like that. An open question hanging in the air with no answer to pair it with.

Xiao didn’t know if he still had tears left to weep. 

His brethren that he had lost so many years ago had robbed them with their passing, and they were nothing left but an empty remnant of once had remained. A shapeless echo… yes, perhaps that was what he was now. All that knew him were certain that your passing had stolen a part of him that would never recover. The fragments of emotion that you had left with him had only dissipated with time, and he despised himself for it. Shards that danced in his vision as he hefted his spear, whirling it with precision and slaughtering all in its path. They had dared lay hands on you. They had taken whatever resolve he had left. Now, he was but a shell, hollow without your embrace.

It’s cold.

Sometimes, he heard your laugh on the wind, and he’d whip around, expecting to see you there, but only to be met with the terrible, terrible silence, and all the adeptus could do was laugh bitterly. Crystalline drops of tears would threaten to roll past the barriers of his carefully crafted facade, and he’d curse at himself, grasping at his chest with heavy breaths and blown eyes.

He didn’t deserve to cry. No, not after he had failed to protect you. Guilt, self-loathing, karma, all of it… it bound him down with red tendrils that burned against his skin. Pain bloomed throughout his body, a brilliant crimson that stained his clothing, an anguish that he ardently welcomed. His vision dimmed, and his honey eyes which had long since lost their light slowly shut, embracing the darkness that reached for him.

Darkness, so how come when he opened his drowsy lids, all he saw was light?

“Xiao?”

A familiar voice, one that had blurred with time, yet now rang clearly in his senses. Those excitement-filled eyes, that mischievous curve on your lips, and the warmth of your fingers with his. The grass prickled at his back, and the scent of blooming wildflowers filled the air with its spring sweetness.

A smile tugged at his lips. His sorrow spilled from his eyes. He almost could’ve laughed at your concerned gaze, and with a bandaged heart he pulled you closer in his arms. His wounded voice was barely a whisper. “Thank you… for waiting for me all this time, love.”

He still remembers it. It’s a sight that’s been burned into his eyes. The way his composed expression had collapsed, how his disgraced self had fallen to his raw knees. Zhongli had held you then, feeling the precious warmth leave your body, listening to the thrum of your heart slowly ebbing away.

He had been seconds too late to hear what you had spoken in that moment, and only saw the wordless utter on your moving lips, the raspy, labored breaths, until they ceased to nothing but silence. How could something void of sound be so unequivocally loud? The silence rings in his ears, like a horrible testament of his broken contract. That bright moment the two of you had shared seemed centuries ago, an abstract painting of something that couldn’t have possibly occurred. With a beaming face, you had held his larger, gloved hand with two of your smaller ones, grinning at his touch.

“Let’s always be together, okay? No one can keep us apart!” You laughed to yourself at how red the man had grown at your words, and then stared fondly at the silver band he had placed on your finger a day prior, when he had kissed your hands and uttered his words of confession. Red dusted your cheeks at the thought, and to the wide-eyed man, you looked simply ethereal, with the way your lashes fluttered with every blink and the way your cheeks were warm with a smile.

“Yes.” Zhongli had been starstruck by you, so utterly breathless at how speechless a mere mortal could make him. It was astounding, how your smile seemed to steal his words away. He wanted to do nothing but to freeze those seconds, to place them in a glass and cherish them and relive them in a loop that lasted eternity.

Oh, what’d he do to see the way your lips curved upwards into a cheeky grin that you’d display just for him, the snarky comments leaving your mouth, and the way you laughed at his subtle reactions.

It’s only been two hundred years. Should he say “already?” Time passes slow, then fast, fluctuating without any thought of the man in mind. At times, when the clock strikes midnight and moonlight spills into the courtyard like liquid silver, the seconds slow into minutes and the minutes slow into hours, and he’ll gaze out onto the grassy fields where the two of you used to stroll hand-in-hand, and he’ll allow himself a moment of reminiscence. In other times, the world speeds up around him, and the incompetent man is unable to keep up. Your funeral was one of those times. How could he simply walk away from your framed portrait and declare, “that’s that?” Liyue had suffered a terrible loss, yet only he seemed to register that. How come?

Some days, he’ll talk to himself, as if you’re beside him. His words meet empty air and he smiles vacantly, holding a hand that isn’t there and kissing the lips of someone who is long gone. Your shadow is everywhere. He can’t escape it, but that’s okay. He doesn’t want to. Zhongli allows those remnants of you to linger and dance in the wind with the reddening leaves. By the bridge, excitedly petting the stray dogs, calling each and every one of them the name that you’ve bestowed upon them. A sight Ganyu would have loved to see. Or in the branches of a particular tree, laughing down at him with a giggle like birdsong, taunting words. “Would you look at that? Up here, I’m even taller than you, Zhongli!”

And every time he hears your transparent, faded voice, he can’t help but smile, despite how hopeless he feels. You’re gone, and that’s the truth, so where’s the harm in bathing in your afterimage just a moment longer?

He knows it isn’t you. It can’t ever come close. As centuries blur and whirl past, and he finds himself departing to the more secluded spaces of Liyue’s wilderness, he decides it’s time. His nation no longer needs him. The reason he had for living is gone, and the heart that had once been so lively has dulled.

Would it be too foolish to hope that when he opens his eyes, you’ll be there, waiting for him?

“Xiansheng? Come on, come on sleepyhead, wake up already!” Pause. “Oh, will this do the trick?”

And then there’s warmth on his cheek, the feeling of your lips against his skin, and he feels alive, for the first time in those archon-forsaken years. He knows what he’ll see, when he opens his gilded eyes that are shimmering with dew. “Yes, love. I’m here.”

Betrayal. Those sickening words you had spoken to him, sweet beyond belief… Wanderer hissed through his teeth, holding his hands over his ears as his tears fell to the earth and soaked into the dark earth.

Yes, at that time he should’ve known. The truth you spoke to him was simply too good to be true - a fantasy that could never be attained. Yet he had been swayed by your smile and fell for your warmth, and since then had been willingly trapped in a void that was you, with no intention of escaping. It amazed him, almost, how he can smile in this moment, albeit however sour it is. What more proof did he need? To be unable to stay somber in the moments of your passing, did that not just prove how flawed he was? How undeserving? 

He detested it. No wonder why you had left this world. It was a pain to even be by his side. Words without “love” and a chest that did not thrum with flusteredness could never convince you to stay beside him. Once again, someone he yearns for has cleverly slipped through his fingers. From the beginning, he was a sinner. A worthless puppet incapable of feeling a shred of what you held for him.

Red dripped from his fingers as they clawed at the earth, as he bends into himself with ugly wails. Could you see him now, wherever you were? Tears flowed freely from his eyes, not heeding his mutters for all of it to cease. He wanted it to end, all of it, the suffering that he felt and the emptiness he could never fully elude. The fatui, his mother, they’d all laugh at him with pointed fingers if they saw him now, wouldn’t they? His flushed cheeks are stained with salt and his throat was raw from his shouts. The blood pooling around your body has already cooled, and your fingers that were intertwined with his had already grown cold to the touch. 

“Woah, Wanderer, your skin is really cold! Aren’t you hot at all? It’s summer!” You had stared at him with a childlike fascination, holding his hand in yours, poking it for extra effect, only growing more astonished.

“It’s nothing to be impressed over.” He cleared his throat into his fist, yet did not let go of your hold. “If anything…” At the time, his words had not completed themselves, yet his gaze had trailed to your own hands, and he had kissed the back of them with a cheeky half-smile. I like yours. They’re warm. There had been an inkling of naive hope, that your life could fill the void in his, and perhaps that was what allowed his plastic expression towards you to grow into true ones.

“H-Hey, c’mon…” His voice broke, unsteady like the legs of a newborn fawn. He took your blood-stained hand and pressed it to his cheek, only further wetting it with his tears. “This isn’t funny, you know, you can… you can stop now…”

Look how broken he’s become, stooping as low as to speak to a corpse.

That was only a decade ago. Every morning, the ache of its recollection brings a fresh dose of misery. Every evening he lulls himself to sleep by repeating the words you once said, imagining the stroke of your hands tangled in his hair, imagining your sunbeam-like smile as you gazed down at him fondly.

Really, what’s the point of living with you gone? Could he really call it “life?”

Those questions still remain sharp in his mind as he sputters out a cough, glancing down at the blade in his shattered chest, positioned right where his heart should have been. Cold, unforgiving steel, driving down and tearing apart. Wanderer blinks up at the cursed heavens above and heaves out blood that leaves a lingering red on his lips, and he can’t bring himself to cry anymore. He spits out a final damnation at Celestia before slipping away, eyes closing as he finally-

“Wanderer? Where’s your hat? You aren’t wearing it today?”

Your voice. It breathes life into his empty soul. Warmth. He wants to hold it, hold you, ever closer like he never had the courage to. His violet eyes spring open as he sits up with a start, his disheveled garments flinging about. “Y-You-!”

“What’s with you today? You’re acting strange, silly. Did you eat something you shouldn’t have?” You grin stupidly, an idiocy he finds all so lovable. The twinkle in your eye - you’re alive. You’re breathing and you’re existing before him. A final grace that he can’t thank whatever for enough.

There’s the sound of wind, and then you find yourself tightly wrapped in his embrace, your shoulder stained with his tears that spill despite how much he doesn’t want to show you this weakness. He buries his face into you, and you can feel the ghost of a smile against your skin. “I’ve missed you. So, so much. Please, please, don’t leave me again.”

Lifeless, your body lay, along the shores and lapped by waves stained crimson. That day, Fontaine realized what it was like to truly rain, not a few drops, or even spring showers. Water fell endlessly from the skies, a downpour that may never end, an all-swallowing sea from the heavens that swallowed all unfortunate enough to be caught in its path. Irony clouded the skies, and Neuvillette found himself broken into pieces he didn’t know how to put back together.

His efforts to understand the human population were in vain. A complete, utter failure. How could he possibly judge, knowing the world despised him? Knowing that the scales were upturned and that nothing could ever be just? Your death, it was unfair. Unfair to the world and unfair to he who held you ever so dear. But what else could he do but continue his oversight? Quitting his position wouldn’t bring you back. Nothing would. He could hear your cheery voice in his ear, and the hint of a pout, a chiding tone. “Neuvi, you can’t quit! Let’s all try our best, okay?”

The days where you were by his side were the happiest. Fontaine had become akin to Sumeru’s desert, the sun blazing overhead and the moon shining brightly at night. Yet, how come the people of Fontaine had seemed upset at the skies for his contentment? They begged for rain, begged for their dying crops, to the point where you were forced to distance yourself from the man for days at a time, just the unrelentless sun would cloud over and perhaps a drop or two of rain would be squeezed from the heavens.

If he had known you would leave so soon, he would have never permitted you to depart from his side. If he had known you would pass this world and traverse to the next, he would have held you with every ounce of his soul, he would have declared his love for you over and over, he would have placed the ring he had been saving in his pocket, the one he slipped on his finger whenever he was at a particularly difficult trial. 

So many “what if’s.” None of them would materialize. Once again, his efforts would fall short. Once again, he’d lose someone. 

The tea was hot. It burned his tongue, yet he couldn’t feel a thing. You, the clearest of springs and purest of waters, had set his own sea into a never-ending storm. Lightning struck and its own surface churned choppily with enough rage to devour a nation. The second tea cup that was on the other side of his office desk remained untouched, the contents slowly cooling into nothingness. A something that could never be.

“Hydro dragon, hydro dragon, don’t cry~” He could hear it when he shut his eyes for what he hoped to be the final time, your voice from the mist that shrouded his mind, and he wanted nothing more than to embrace the owner of it. How could he possibly heed your words, when he felt his tears slip past his eyes, flowing as unperturbed as a river? Your back is facing him, but you know he’s there. You glance back with a fond beam, extending your arms outwards. An invitation. One that he’d readily take, any time, every time.

He would never enable you to slip from his grasp again. He allows you to engulf him in your arms, he allows you to stroke your thumb on his face and wipe away his salty tears, he allows you to brush his hair behind his ear and press butterfly kisses into his closed eyelids. Your warmth floods his body, and with a smile he takes the ring he’s saved for you out of his pocket, and fulfills his regrets as he slips it onto your finger, a final tear rolling down his cheek. “There’ll be no more reason to cry, not anymore.”

(a/n) this further proved to me that writing angst is so fucking mind destroying but at the same time provides this sort of quiet sorrow that you aren't able to attain anywhere else and for some twisted reason this is literally one of my favorite things ive like. ever written. holy shiiiii

໒꒱ || ᴛᴀɢʟɪꜱᴛ (open! send an ask or a comment ♡) : @manager-of-the-pudding-bank, @iamdedinside, @ilyuu, @achlysis, @swivy123, @scara-is-my-wife

[bitter-me]

This is the same person who sent in a request about dan heng/ imbibitor lunae.  Sorry I wasn't specific enough.  

So I was thinking about twisted wonderland or genshin impact x dan heng/ imbibitor lunae reader where in some battle ( as dan Heng), they are fatally wounded.  Then the whole transformation to imbibitor lunae happens.  Basically, this: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qcrJxwiBpsQ

Later on, they would have to explain what the heck just happened.  Feel free to change some things if you need to.  As for the character they are with (platonically), either diasomnia if doing twisted wonderland, or xiao and/or zhongli (platonically) for genshin impact.

The High Elder

Xiao | M. Reader as Dan Heng . Imbibitor Lunae [Honkai Star Rail]

[PLATONIC]

----------

"A criminal... Forever banished.."

----------

The Yaksha has always been alone.

Never would he think that he'll be accompanied by someone else. A silent but deadly man. A human.

The two had more in common than they thought, both are quiet but could be deadly given the circumstances.

The man fought extremely well as if he had long experience with fighting. He could even keep up with the Yaksha. This confused him for a moment, how could a mere human be able to keep up with him? He then thought that maybe he's like the Traveler, after all the two of them were traveling together until he decided to stay with Xiao for a while saying that he has "unfinished business" with someone.

Xiao didn't ask and just let him be, he has his own secrets, it would be hypocritical of him to suddenly be demanding answers.

As the two fought alongside each other, Xiao couldn't help but feel as if he had seen those moves before. They look.. Familiar... Awfully familiar...

Even his appearance felt.. Familiar...

As if he had seen it before.. But who..?

Those questions plagued his mind... Until one day...

He finally got his answers.

----------

The Chasm is a scary and dark place...

Who knows what what could be hiding in those shadows? The group traveled far and wide through the Chasm, trying to find both Xiao and [Name].

Where are they? Where have they gone to? And why are they back at the same place once more? Is this a loop? What's going on?

After what felt like an endless search... they finally found Xiao... although injured he seems to be doing fine after a short rest. Now... they need to find [Name]. But wherever they go... they can't find him. It's like this place is trying to prevent them from finding him. But why? They managed to find Xiao but why can't they find [Name]?

But either way... Xiao has some unfinished business to do.

As they continue to search they start finding these... echos.. and they keep saying things like...

"....It's you."

"This surging power..."

"You've.... returned!!"

"It's you.... it's really you...!"

"High Elder!"

"I can't.... believe it....!"

"......High Elder.... you've... returned...!"

"I.... recognized..... this power..."

Who... Who are these echos talking about...? Who is this "High Elder"...? And these echoes of the past... somehow recognized their power..?

Many questions plagued them. But... it seems that they're heading to the right place as these echoes grow louder and louder... just as the voices of these echoes grow louder and louder... so does the sound of swords clashing and fighting.

Is that [Name]? Is he the one fighting? If so... who is he fighting..?

Soon enough their questions will be answered.

Although.... never would they think it would be like this.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

Just as they arrived at the scene of battle. They saw a dark shadow-like figure attack [Name]. "Quit hiding." it growled as it moved swiftly and struck its sword. [Name] blocked it as best as he could with his polearm but it proves to be futile as the shadow-like being attacks him ruthlessly. "Your true self... Reveal it!"

"Stop!"

Xiao steps in as he blocks the blade that was aimed towards [Name]. With Xiao taking over the fight, [Name] took the opportunity to recover only for the unthinkable to happen. . .

The phantom saw an opening and strike.

Throwing its sword towards [Name]. . .

. . . .And stabbed him through his chest.

Gasps were heard throughout the scene as they just witnessed what appears to be... a friend's end...

How could this be... wasn't he supposed to protect him? Wasn't he supposed to stay by his side? Wasn't he supposed to.. protect his friend? [Name]... the first human Xiao could ever call a friend... How could he be so... incompetent..? Because of—his friend—he—

The phantom chuckles as it sees [Name] falls to his knees as his mind tries to register the feeling of a blade that had stabbed him. "I have news for you..." It chuckles darkly.

"Behind you... is none other..."

[Name]'s body went limp as he dropped his weapon and..... the surrounding waters began to flow through the ground and towards [Name] as his body floated to the air...

"Than the traitor of Liyue.."

The waters surrounded him, engulfing him inside a sphere of water.

"A criminal, forever banished!"

A traitor..? A criminal..? Forever banished..?

Wha—what's going on... is that thing referring to... [Name]..? And he's... a traitor to Liyue..? No... No no no... that can't be... No... He refused to believe it! Answers.. he needed answers!

Suddenly a dragon made out of water burst through the sphere of water and then.... a bright light shines brightly, blinding their eyes.

"High Elder of the Vidyadhara.... Imbibitor Lunae.."

.

.

The light soon disappears revealing the sight of [Name] fully healed as he stands on a giant floating white flower, his back turned towards them, his hair grows in length as it now reaches his waist, his ears changed from the usually round human ears to those of an adepti; pointed, and light turquoise colored horns materialized from the waters.

His attire... changed to those of a Liyue's historical clothing, one that is worn as early as the Archon War... and is that... a small sphere floating on top of his hand..?

[Name] turned his head to the side and opened his eyes, revealing his [E. Color] eyes as he glared at those below him.

High Elder....

The title those echoes had been saying...

And... Imbibitor Lunae...

He knew that name... He knew that title...

Then... the phantom wasn't entirely lying when it said that [Name]... is the traitor of Liyue... A criminal forever banished...

.

.

With this new form...

[Name] took care of the fight with ease as if it's nothing but a walk in the park for him, easily overpowering the phantom. Before long, the fight is over... and the phantom found its peace..

Silence engulfed the field.

They still couldn't believe it... their friend... had hidden something from them... and now... the truth comes to light...

"I..." [Name] began slowly as he tries to find his words to explain everything.

"I'm not him.... I'm [Name]..."

"What my predecessor did... was unforgivable..."

"My... predecessor... He did the unthinkable to save a friend of his... and that ended up branding him as a traitor as he betrayed Rex Lapis by exploiting the contract he had agreed to and using a forbidden adepti art..."

"And...."

"No need to explain anything further." Xiao spoke up, crossing his arms he let out a sigh before continuing. "You're not him.... You're... different..."

It's true that his predecessor did something unforgivable and therefore... forced the man to go through hatching rebirth.. and [Name] seemed to pay the price of a crime... that was not his..

"You are you. Those crimes weren't committed by you."

"You are [Name]... my friend..."

[witch-hazels-musings]

I never liked dreaming

warning -> none, sfw, fluff <3 | happy birthday little, yaksha

xiao x gn reader | Anthology

I never liked dreaming

Xiao opened his eyes and the light shined in. through the breaks in the leaves and swaying branches, through the passing clouds, and in between the birds that soared without him. he watched as they went with their flock, haloed in gold.

he turned his head to the cliff edge, one leg dangling absently as his hand unfurled to catch a falling petal from a perilously clinging tree. its roots deep and mingled with the falling stone. the color reminded him of the gentle images that had slowly taken over the dark of his mind. the hue that, bit by bit, tore down his torment and replaced it with a warmth he'd left behind eons ago.

you called his name, and he fell to meet you.

Xiao reappeared on the other side of the fog and found you standing there, arms held out and holding a small box. It was tradition. Every year on the same day, the same day Morax first beckoned him into breath, you were there to offer him some mortal trinket. He stopped trying to convince you to let the day go by like any other before it, and all the ones after. You never backed down. Though he never cared much for the item you gave him, he had grown desperately attached to how you looked at him when he opened it.

your smile.

your laugh.

your eyes.

He had seen mortals fall so many times he lost count, each blurred into the next like ripples in a stream. But you floated, drifted, and flourished in his gaze. A testament to what was possible, what humanity could give.

a being haunted by a tainted soul shouldn't be allowed so close.

"What do you want to do next?" you asked him as if the world was in the palm of your hands and, if it were within his power, he'd put it there.

Xiao mulled over the question, pondered on an answer. It didn't matter as long as - he dropped his head and tried to speak clearly. "May I lay on your lap?"

He peered at you with sharp eyes and felt his chest ignite at your expression. Perhaps it was too much of a request - he shouldn't be touching you anyway, it wasn't safe.

You didn't reply with your voice, instead, you sat on the ground, legs bent, and held your hand to him. He breathed and moved to rest against you.

Your warmth seeped into his skin. The back of his neck burned at the contact. Swallowing, he adjusted until the grass below him lay flat until his fingers relaxed against his chest and - only slightly - dug into his clothes.

"Comfortable?" you asked as your fingers brushed his bangs. Gentle, slow strokes that lulled his eyes heavy. He nodded and you continued to trail featherlight fingers across his brow, through his hair. He turned into the familiar. into the safety of you.

His eyes closed and the colors bloomed so brightly the darkness receded until the shape of you remained.

I never liked dreaming.

"Happy birthday, Xiao."

until now,

until it was you

I kept seeing

[kaeddehara]

a cock worship drabble w/ xiao <3

“stop saying such…vulgar things”

you only smiled in response to him, thinking it was rather funny he considered your words more vulgar than your actions. you pretty fingers wrapped so carefully around his almost swollen looking cock.

“so pent up xiao…”

you cooed, looking down at the beating tip which only caused xiaos teeth to clench up and cheeks get redder. “why don’t you take it down your throat already?” he practically growled at you in a commanding and annoyed tone. you leaned in as if to answer his question and gave a deep kiss to his tip, now maintaining an unnerving eye contact which xiao had such a hard time keeping.

“sure thing”

and with that, you took his pretty tip into your mouth, sucking lightly and gently on it as if to just tease before getting to the real thing. xiaos eyebrows quickly furrowed and he was left with his legs spread and chest heaving as you gave him such a sensual blowjob. xiao couldn’t stop his gloved fingers from raking themselves through your luscious hair as a means to distract himself from the foreign pleasure you were giving him. all you could do is continue swirling your tongue around him and making him as messy as possible.

“you know, for someone who hasn’t had a close relationship in thousands of years, your lasting pretty long”

xiao practically scoffed at your comment, wanting to cross his arms to even further prove his reaction.

“my stamina has built itself up over these years that shouldn’t be a surprise even to a mortal”

you smiled at his confidence, thinking it to be so attractive even in the state he was in. knowing in a few moments, he’d be a whimpering, pathetic mess of a yaksha <3.

[fancyfeathers]

Rain and Dirt (Yandere Rex Lapis/Zhongli x Goddesses!Reader)

Chapter Four, Melancholy Memories

Sequel to The Moon Will Sing and Time Alone

Chapter One

Chapter Two Chapter Three

Summary: Stories are told of Rex Lapis the God of Contracts and his darling the Goddess of the Moonlight, but what people do not know is the truth of what their relationship really is. People think at Rex Lapis’s death that his wife would be the first to weep, but what if she is the first to smile.

You watch as the faces of Lumine and Paimon turn into pure shock. They look at each other, then to Moon Carver, then back to you. Their faces turn to shock then into pity, the one thing you did not want now.

“We’re so sorry…” Lumine started, but was not able to find the words. You shook your head, which caught the attention of Moon Carver.

“Sorry? Sorry for what?” The Adeptus questioned, stepping towards you. You knew that the Adepti would be shook to the core at the news of your husband’s death, you did not know what exactly their reactions would be besides extreme.

“It was at the Rite of Descension, I was assisting Lumine and her companion, Paimon, in finding the site of the ceremony.” You gesture over towards them, and your eyes drift down towards the ground, trying to make yourself at least seem mournful in front of the Adeptus. You took a shaky breath in as if to make it seem as if you were on the edge of tears. “Rex Lapis only descended as a corpse, he was assassinated, he’s dead. We have yet to find the culprit but they think it was Lumine but I was with her the entire time.”

“Preposterous…”

“Moon Carver-“

“PREPOSTEROUS!”

“Moon Carver!” You raised your voice at the deer and he fell silent. You sighed and fixed your gaze on the sky above. “Please stay calm, this is not the time to loose yourself in anger.”

“But how could one assassinate Rex Lapis during the Rite of Descension! And then place suspicion upon the attendees, ones with his wife no less!?” Moon Carver spoke out once again, his voice a little but softer than before but not by much. He glanced at you and then back to Lumine, almost to see if you had anything else to say. “Hm… of the unjust accusations placed upon you, one has become aware. The mind knows its answer. Though one must consult with one’s fellows, lest the mind be misguided. Go. Take your Sigil of Permission, carry with you a message.”

“B-but who should I look for?” Lumine questioned, looking at the deer and then back at you.

“Mountain Shaper and Cloud Retainer can be found here. Only fate will decide if you shall find them, or a word from my lady shall draw them forth.” You gave a nod at Moon Carver’s words, confirming this to be so. “There also exists a Conqueror of Demons, a Yaksha. Go to Wangshu Inn, there you shall seek him.”

—————————

You, Lumine, and Paimon left Moon Carver’s abode in silence, pure, awkward, tense, silence. You walked beside her, looking over the landscape of Jueyun Karst, remembering the days you spent here with your husband and the other Adepti, memories you wish to forget, even the fond ones. You felt your hands clench at the thought of all those thousands of years you spent imprisoned, one by chain and cage and then with a ring and vow. 

“Are you okay, Miss (Name)?” You heard Lumine question, her face fixated on your own. You made yourself look at her, and she looked worried for you.

“Yes, why would I not be?” You replied, questioning her in return which gave her and Paimon a flabbergasted expression. 

“…your husband was killed in front of you.”

“So? He is not my husband anymore, he’s dead.” Lumine still looked so perplexed at your explanation, but she simply did not know or understand what happened during all those years. “There are some things you cannot understand especially with the perceptive Liyue has of him, which is true but he was not just what they speak of. You asked me before what I felt of him and his death and the truth is I felt relieved when I saw his corpse.”

“You what!?” The high pitched voice of Paimon squealed in your ear when you said that. “You’re happy your husband is dead?”

“It sounds strange but if you know the story behind it, the true story, it is not so hard to understand. Those love stories that Childe mentioned, do not believe them, they are all lies. Remember history is formed by the victors, and I did not win.” You looked at Lumine and her confused expression. “I will explain at some point, but it is best you understand the present of the land before you try to understand the past of the land. I am sure your time in Liyue will bring light to that, once you return from the abode of the Adepti, come and find me.”

“Wait, you’re not coming with us?” You nodded your head at Lumine’s question, your eyes going to drift up at the mountains that hold the abodes of Mountain Shaper and Cloud Retainer.

“I cannot come with you, this place holds too many painful memories for me.” You forced a smile, but in your mind you could remember the cries of agony you wept after you broke your contract with Rex Lapis, those five hundred years of pain. “You will find Mountain Shaper on Mount Hulao, and then Cloud Retainer on Mount Aozang. You can tell them that Moon Carver sent you and if that does not work, tell them that I sent you and show them this…”

You slipped off your glove and you expected to see the mark your husband left you with after your act of disobedience, but it was not there, it was gone. You silently guessed that it vanished with his death, as death did you part. You shook away that thought for the time being and slipped off your wedding band, made of pure cor lapis, engraved with a long forgotten language of ancient Liyue. You took Lumine’s hand and placed the tin open her palm before your hand folded her fingers to curl around it.

“One last request, if you have the chance there is a cavern between Mt. Aozang and Qingyun Peak at the bottom of Huaguang Stone Forest. If you want a silver of the truth of who Rex Lapis really is you will find it there, but be warned that if you go there somethings are hard to unsee.” Lumine only nodded to your request, but did not say anything else and nor did you. You only gave a quick glance before you turned on your heel and began walking back, back to Liyue Harbor, a city that feels strange to you now.

—————————

You returned to Liyue Harbor, but you decided not to return to your home, you just could not make yourself return there now. You instead found yourself walking down to the docks, wanting to feel the comfort of the ocean again. You sat down at the edge of the dock, dangling your feet in the water that had an orange glow as the sun set over the harbor. You closed your eyes and remembered the time you and your siblings would converse by the water, not just you and your sister, but your whole family. The gods of Teyvat that are no Adepti, nor wind of Mondstadt, or subservient to any Archon of the land.

“Come little sister, you are the goddess of the rain, you have no reason to fear the water.” Your older brother told you, extending his hand to you as to help you wade into the water. Your brother had taken his human form as to be less intimidating to his younger siblings, namely you and your sister. “Come now, I will protect you for everything that swims knows my name as they will know yours.”

“But, it’s so deep.” You were hesitant to go any further than where the waves just hit your feet. “Who knows what’s down there.”

“I know the depths of the ocean, for it is my home and I promise nothing that dwells there is scarier than I and you don’t fear me, do you?” You shook your head no to his question and took a breath in before taking his hand. He guided you deeper into the water, but still making sure the water did not go over your head. “See, you are perfectly safe here, safer than anywhere because the ocean will always protect you.”

You hummed as you remembered the comfort the ocean had with your brother, and it still provided comfort but you could not see him anymore thanks to the one who calls himself your husband. You heard footsteps approach you, coming to stop behind you. At first you got a bad case of deja vu, remember the times your husband would drag you away from the water, saying how it was to protect you from the dangers of the deep. You could not get yourself to look behind you.

“Back so soon? I’m guessing Lumine is still off meeting with the Adepti.” A wave of relief washed over you as you heard the Fatui Harbinger’s voice. You looked over your shoulder to see the red haired man. 

“Yes, I figured she could navigate herself from where I left her.” You responded as Childe came to sit next to you on the dock, his legs not dangling over the edge as to avoid the water. “She’ll be alright.”

“Is that the entire truth?” His words were sudden and caught you off guard. You glanced at him, a confused look plastered on your face.

“What do you mean?”

“I mean, with all due respect, you’re a terrible liar.” His empty blue eyes looked over the vast ocean before you, his eyes landed on Guyun Stone Forest in the distance. “When most women's husbands die they are weeping at their side, so I suspect those stories are nothing but fiction.”

“That… is correct.” There was no point in lying, he already knew, probably figured it out when you were talking to him before. “What do you want, Childe? Need I remind you that I am no mere mortal, I’m still a god even if I am weaker than the others.”

“I mean no harm, I just want to make a deal, no contract necessary.” He reached out and gestured into the distance where he was looking, Guyun Stone Forest. You knew who lay under there, all of Liyue knew. “You miss him don’t you?

“Morax?”

“No, your brother.” Childe corrected you and your face dropped to be emotionless and your gaze fell onto the water that reflected you both.

“I miss all my siblings.”

There was a pungent moment of silence between the two of you, no glances or words exchanged. Your heart ached for your family, your sisters, your brothers, but they were all but gone now, some dead, some sealed away, and others unknown to you.

“Here is my deal, help me…” you could feel his eyes fix on you again, watching you for your reaction. Then when he said those words he got the reaction he wanted, eyes widened, mouth agape, and body frozen. “…and I’ll make sure your brother is freed.”

[odoraful]

𝑾𝒊𝒕𝒉 𝒕𝒉𝒊𝒔 𝒉𝒂𝒏𝒅, 𝑰 𝒘𝒊𝒍𝒍 𝒍𝒊𝒇𝒕 𝒚𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒔𝒐𝒓𝒓𝒐𝒘𝒔

being newly employed at wangshu inn has not been easy. when you're unable to conceal your emotions any longer, you call on xiao to comfort you in a time of need

content: xiao x gn!reader; hurt/comfort (but the ratio of hurt to comfort is like 60/40); established relationship; mentions of stress relating to work; xiao being very gentle; 2k

a/n: chat i miss him so much can someone call hoyoverse to get him back into the storyline :’( i wrote this in like one day because i was so overcome with emotion 🤧 so i apologise if there are any errors!

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It was no use. With each ragged inhale and exhale you took, your breathing just became shakier. What had Baizhu told you before? Breathe in for four seconds, hold for seven, and exhale for eight. Every gulp of air you took filled your lungs and burned your insides as you tried to hold it in. You coughed, expelling the air out, vision glazed by the tears welling in your eyes. Clutching your chest, you sank to the floor, using the bed to support your back. Fortunately, you made it to your room in Wangshu Inn, where the cumulative stress of the days and weeks that had formed cracks in your exterior had broken. Emotions finally flooded outwards like raging waters. 

The setting sun casted an orange glow in the room, basking the space in its warm light through the open door to the balcony. Though the heat on your skin provided some small measure of comfort, it wasn't nearly enough to dispel the numbness in your body.

You didn’t want to be here alone.

Your mind immediately drifted to one name. The one person who you could call, who had told you to call whenever you were in trouble. Night was quickly approaching. Perhaps he was already out on his patrol, or busy with other errands needed by the Yaksha. 

Selfish. That’s what your request felt like. But you needed him with you now. You would listen to his scolding about frivolous uses of his summons afterwards when your mind was less clouded. 

You uttered quietly. The word was spoken from just under your breath that you didn’t know if the name would even take hold in space. If the name would even reach his ears using whatever power the bond between the two of you had created. 

“Xiao.” 

In the instant the syllable left your lips, wisps of glowing green materialised at your side. In the millisecond following, Xiao appeared in the room, body poised for battle. Spear gripped in his palms, knuckles whitening, his head frantically whipped around the room in search of an answer to his question as he heard your call:

What man or creature had made the grave mistake of harming you? 

You looked up at him from where you were seated on the floor, his silhouette back lit by the sun. The tears that had filled your eyes rolled down your cheeks. Your mouth was parted, wanting to greet him but the words clogged up your throat. Instead, you offered a shaky smile. 

Not even bothering to disapparate his spear, it clattered to the ground as Xiao fell to his knees immediately, meeting at your level. 

His face was contorted with pain, as if he himself had been struck with a fatal blow. “Who did this to you?” He begged, holding your arm in desperation. 

Your heart twisted. You have never seen this expression on him, a mixture of fear and anger. Certainly not towards you, but towards your unseen assailant.

“I-I’m sorry,” you sniffed. It was all you could muster saying. 

Xiao shook his head. “Your apologies are unnecessary.” He said firmly, eyes trying to meet your shifting gaze. “Who hurt you?”

Gaining information was the utmost priority. He needed to know what had happened so he could protect you from whoever had threatened you. You wiped away the tears that stained your cheeks and at your nose which began to run.

“I’m not hurt physically.” Your pitch was too high as you spoke, a poor attempt at trying to keep the situation light. 

He blinked, confused. “But your voice…” His eyes darted around your body, looking for any visible signs of injury. 

You wrapped your arms around your knees, bowing your head. “I’m sorry for calling you.” 

Xiao leaned in closer to you, head tilted to try and meet your gaze. You buried your face into your knees.

“Your apologies are unnecessary,” he emphasised once again, tone softening. It was apparent there were no immediate signs of danger, but the situation was still unresolved. He decided to broaden his question: “What happened?”

You closed your eyes. Where should you begin? There wasn’t any specific event that caused this, but rather a build up of concealed feelings overtime. The fatigue caught up to you at this moment. Too tired to keep things together, to hold everything back.  

Slowly, you began to open up. Bits and pieces came out as you tried to recollect events in the past weeks. Things you have been holding back from your partner for a while now. You almost felt silly for telling him such trivial things. Mistakes that you continuously made at work, difficulties with customers, dealing with all the bureaucracy to reach the Liyue Qixing. Your voice cracked as you spoke, and you had to take some moments to even out your breathing and wipe away tears before you could continue. You didn’t look at Xiao, your eyes glued to the floorboards of the room.

He didn’t say anything, letting you speak freely wherever your thoughts led and listening closely.

Torturous. It was torturous for Xiao to see you like this and not be able to do anything. Worse than the weight of karmic debt he had shouldered for centuries. That same karmic debt had been lightened ever since you had gotten closer, and closer. Verr Goldet had been in charge of the introductions, seeing as you were the latest addition to the inn’s team, and Xiao was the inn’s long standing guest. He would never admit love at first sight, but your shy smile juxtaposed by your hearty laugh lingered in his head long after you had been dismissed to complete the day’s work. Overtime, your very presence soothed him. He questioned if he could do the same for you now. 

“You have been holding onto this for so long?” He asked, strain escaping in his voice. 

Every time you beamed at Xiao when he asked how your day was, it was all a cover-up. You didn’t want to put more of a burden on him on top of his responsibilities. 

You nodded, throat dried up from talking. 

Xiao moved to sit beside you. He rested his back on the bed, legs folded. Wielding weapons and fighting monsters was what he was undeniably skilled at, but he knew the subtleties of comforting someone were lost on him. He could not speak flowery words, or shower you with luxury like he’d seen some mortals do to their partner when they were feeling down. 

“I-Is there anything I can do to help?” 

If he couldn’t find his own way, he thought it best to ask you what you needed. You let out a choked sob hearing those words. Something so simple, yet so valuable.

Wordlessly, you grazed your finger against his hand, wanting to hold him. He turned his palm upwards in invitation. Your hand slipped into his, fitting perfectly in his grasp. Xiao was startled by how cold your touch was. 

“You’re freezing.” Concern laced his voice. “May I…” 

He turned his body around towards you, not crossing the space in-between just yet. He awaited your answer. You nodded frantically, needing him closer to you. Xiao released your hand before wrapping his arms around your waist and pulling you towards him. You automatically threw your own arms around his shoulders, burying your face in the crook of his neck. His body was warm, so warm. He had probably been outside in Dihua Marsh in the afternoon, soaking up the sun. The stiffness in your body melted away. You inhaled and exhaled as deeply as you could, the pressure against your chest lifting.  You held him tighter, feeling the rhythmic beating of his heart that grounded you to this moment. 

“I thought you were going to be mad at me for calling you over nothing life threatening…” you murmured in his neck. It was close enough to his ear that he could hear.

He winced at your words. Him getting angry at you? Was that even possible for him? The fact that you thought you couldn’t call on him for any kind of help rocked him to his core. All the hardships you experienced were not unimportant to him. He knew that a thousand apologies would not be enough. He’d have to make sure you trusted him. 

“I promised I would come if you called.” He consoled, rubbing small circles into your back. “I am not someone who breaks promises so easily. Especially for you.” Those last words came out in a whisper, sending shivers down your spine. 

Xiao noticed the slight tremble in your body and realised sitting on a hardwood floor would not do at all. He slowly pulled away, just enough so he could see you, hoping that you would look back at him. 

“You should rest in bed.”  

Finally gaining the courage to meet his eyes, you found a tenderness in his gaze that was reserved only for you. Humming affirmatively, Xiao lifted you off the ground, an arm around your back and behind your knees. As he carried you up, you realised just how lightheaded you were. 

“Need to take…” your voice trailed off as you fumbled with the buttons of your outer clothing. 

He sat you up on the bed. Gently, he unlaced your shoes and set them on the floor. He unclasped the buttons of your outer dress and helped to pull it over your arms and head, taking great care not to hurt you. Peeling off the layers, the constriction eased further. For someone who proclaimed to be unaware of the nuances of mortal affection, when Xiao wasn’t thinking about what was the right or wrong thing to do, he seemed natural at it. Even the smallest gestures proved to be the right ones. He drew the covers over you as you laid a tired head on your pillow. 

Hesitantly, he swept some hair off your forehead that got tousled in the process of removing your clothes. You nuzzled into his touch. He held his breath. Hand stilled millimetres from your face. He continued to comb a hand through your hair and you softly sighed with content. Xiao made a mental note to himself to remember that you enjoyed when he played with your hair. Relaxing deeper, you found you could finally breathe properly. 

“Do not be afraid to speak to me. I will listen to anything you have to say,” he comforted. 

“Thank you.” You croaked, voice becoming lost. “And I’m sor-”

He shook his head. “Do not apologise, please.” His eyes pleaded with you. “I should be the one to apologise, for making you feel like you could not talk to me.” 

You opened your mouth to object, wanting to say that he was the very last person that should be apologising, but he continued, cutting off your sentence. Knowing how stubborn you were, perhaps he knew what you were about to say and didn’t want you to speak falsehoods, absolving his own responsibility in this. 

“You should save your strength. I will speak to Verr Goldet about your absence tomorrow so you can rest.” 

The argument you had fizzled out as the ache in your body set in, pushing you to slumber. Under the lull of Xiao’s hand combing through your hair, your eyes unconsciously drooped closed. 

You trusted him to stay by your side for the night, and he did. After you had fallen asleep, he went to close the door to the balcony to keep the cold air out. Bringing a wooden chair bedside, he observed the steady rise and fall of the covers. Disappointment at his own lack of awareness at what you were going through twinged within him. Past Xiao might have cowered at this feeling. Using this as an excuse for him to fall into recluse. But as he watched your peaceful form, illuminated by what little light remained outside, he silently thanked every Archon that you were safe and here with him. Tomorrow was a new day, a chance for him to ease your burdens. 

If you had been awake at that moment and seen the anguish in Xiao’s face, you would have cupped his cheeks and kissed him on the forehead. Your touch would be cold, but your lips warm and soft. You would have told him:

I called, and you came to protect me, like you always promised.

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[yorutsuki]

「 ✦ Isekaied Reversed Pt. 2✦ 」

↳ Started with pulling some single pulls on Xiao's banner, however things hadn't gone as expected as he really did come home...literally. First impressions? Long gone.

Tags: @itztaki @wolfishartist13

{Hopefully I did that right}

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“Move, and I’ll purge you where you sit, Demon.”

You froze, feeling like you recognized that voice somewhere...Of coarse!

With your chest a little lighter, you obliged instructions. Either way you wished to not be cut into a bloody spray paint bottle. But also realizing the situation, beads of sweat rolled down your face as you tried leveling your breathing.

“H-hey now, w-we can talk about this-“ You eyes drew back to the deathly weapon, the one centimeters away from your carotid artery. “-right?..haha…ha…”

You felt the blade finally press to your skin firmly, instantly shutting you up, seeing as the yaksha bare no mood for jokes.

I guess that’s what happens when you see your whole family lose their sanity before slaughtering each other-

“How did you manage to conjure me here." He demanded, his hold on his spear never faltering as he glared towards you, waiting for an answer. You, on the other hand, your words couldn't even be conjured up. Why? Because you were thinking the same thing; How did he even get here?

Mere moments passed by as the adeptus was getting impatient by the second. With a sigh, you finally spoke, "Look..I—OH MY GOSH IS THAT REX LAPIS!" You shouted, pointing towards your room's window.

With his spear faltering slightly, you took this opportunity and ran—ran like the wind, like your life depended on it and truly, it did. At least after that stunt. But hey! On the bright side, in your afterlife you could proudly gloat about how you managed to not only summon the mighty vigilante yaksha, Xiao, but as well as juke him!

You were almost free as your fingers brushed against the doorknob—you could practically feel freedom in its wake..but unfortunately, it was cut short as you felt a hand grab your wrist before quickly slamming you against the door.

You honestly would've thought that it wasn't so bad. But only If the same threatening jade spear wasn't jabbed into the wood of the door only a few centimeters from your head.

"How idiotic must one be to pull a stunt such as that!" You heard the man snap. You chuckled with nervousness, "gotcha good eh?-" "I'll give you to the count of five. How did you manage to conjure me here."

"one."

"two."

"three."

"four-"

"I don't know! I don't know how you ended up here. When I heard a loud thud from behind me, you were suddenly there!"

The yaksha did not express anything, his motions still.

Is this the end of me? All I wanted to do was for Xiao to come home..BUT NOT LITERALLY!

The man sighed, "If you can conjure me here, you can send me back." Huh- "I have important matters back in my universe."

The pressure behind you disappeared as you felt a heavy weight lifting off your chest. You huffed out a sigh of relief..."Wait. Did you just say different universe?" You recapped. Surely your ears were playing tricks on you.

The yaksha stared blankly at you before nodding. You could feel a annoyed aura radiating from him. "But how did yo-" "I cannot disclose that to you, but if you'd look around the place, it looks nothing like what you've just witness, thus, you can figure it out on your own." He interrupted.

You mentally rolled your eyes. How could you forget; This guy was ruthless, blunt-depression itself; next to wanderer of coarse.

"Alright. Well then-" Xiao proceeded to ignore you as he opened your bedroom window, about to jump. "Uh, where are you going?" You questioned. The yaksha huffed, "I'm going to see if I can send myself back as it seems you haven't a clue whats happening. That will only slow me down on returning." He stated bluntly. Ouch..

Although you couldn't argue with the man about parts of his statement, you couldn't help but feel a bit sad—even a tad jealous but most importantly, irritated. He had threatened you multiple occasions, man handled you and even broke your door and now he has the audacity to make you pay for the damages? Scoff

"Xiao."

The adeptus turned his head with a shocked expression, his brows furrowed. "How do you kno-"

"I cannot disclose that to you." You smirked, but quickly cleared your throat. "The important thing here is for you to realize that going outside in a different universe in those clothings and a large-jade—which, in this world, is a hella rare mineral, is off putting. Yea, to add on, you don't have currency-" Xiao then rolled his eyes before going to take mora from his inventory. "-and no—mora doesn't work here. So technically you'd be homeless because honestly, nobody here is willing to give crap for free." You sighed, "Trust me, this world is a lot more diabolical than what it shows from the exterior." You mumbled mockingly.

The adeptus looked down in thought for a moment before sighing and ascending down from the window sill. You mentally high fived yourself at your bad-ass arguementive speaking skills.

A moment of silenced washed over the two of you as you awkwardly stared at eachother. With each second passing, it somehow kept getting quieter.

You cleared your throat, "uhm, sir."

Xiao looked towards you with a questioning look. You only pointed to your new splintered and broken door. "You. You caused that."

The adeptus only closed his eyes as he crossed his arms. What for? Maybe in thought? You didn't know. Your main focuses were to get the door fixed and to figure out what happens next as it seemed like the adeptus had Isekaied but reversed.

How long this day was becoming...

...

{This isn't proof-read, so in advanced i apologize if everything is all over the place as this is my first reversed isekaied story. If theres any suggestions for the next part please write them down! I love reading the comments ^^}

> Part 1

..........

[ Masterlist ]

[yaksha-garden]

iago dream iago dream ?

"Iago Darlington stands accused of mass poisoning, use of immoral magics including necromancy, mind-warping..."

Eden shoved themselves to the front of the crowd, bodies parting like waves for them to see the gallows. Iago's eyes were cast down, a rope dangling loose around their neck.

"Wait, wait!" Eden cried. "This is a mistake!"

The announcer continued, unmoved, listing off a long list of crimes. One row of accusations gave them pause.

"...conspiracy to obstruct justice... as an established member of the Cult of Bhaal..."

Wait, this wasn't right. Eden's protests started to wither in her throat.

"...and many, many counts of murder."

Still, Eden pushed forward, reaching towards the platform despite the crowd surging again with cheers and boos. Their nails dug into the wood as they tried to hoist themselves up, only partly able to gain purchase. Their eyes widened as the executioner reached for the lever, and their hand shot out with an indistinct shout.

A crescent-shaped arc of light cut across the stage, and sounds and sights faded into something deep, dark, and murky that still reverberated in their core, like witnessing a building collapse underwater.

They blinked, clearing the haze from their eyes, as they rumbling sound died down. In front of them, Iago fell to their knees, covering their mouth with their hand, a sickly tone to their cheeks. Instead of a gallows, they were in front of a great tree, ancient branches creaking above them.

A drop of blood fell from the canopy over Eden's eye, prompting her to look up. The executioner's feet dangled above her, the hooded figure hanging by a rope from the branch, blood dripping from a bloody stump that was once the hand on the lever. Another hung next to him -- another, and another. Everyone in the crowd, strung up by nooses from the boughs.

And then, everything went black.

[genshin-impact-unofficial]

A Heart Overflows

Genshin men reacting to your drunken confession.

FT. Xiao and Childe

Tags: PG, TW:Drinking, GN!Reader, Crushes, Confession, Pining, Fluff, No One Takes Advantage of Drunk!Reader, Humor and Blushing Note: I’m dipping my toes into writing again so enjoy this short fluff (Needless to say No Beta). This was real fun and I am open for requests if anyone wants a part 2. <3 (Repost)

Xiao - Denial

Xiao appeared moments after his name left your lips. He hadn’t expected you to be in a tavern and surrounded by so people. The room was bustling and he appeared enough distance away to go undetected. The yaksha let out an annoyed sigh, you probably said his name only in passing. Nonetheless, he did his due diligence and lingered for a moment to ensure nothing was amiss. He was lax, until you reached the bottom of your third drink far too quickly. Xiao’s eyes watched you like a hawk. He kept a respectful distance to let you enjoy your night, but after seeing glass after glass go down he made the executive decision to intervene. 

“You’re being reckless.” Xiao loomed over you in an instant. He offered no greeting to you or any of the guests at your table. Instead of pleasantries, the adeptus placed his hand over your drink and pushed it aside. You eyes slowly followed up his arm until finally focusing on the dazzling man standing next to you. A bright smile broke out across your features as you beamed up at him, completely and utterly disregarding the irritation he radiated.

“Xiao! Perfect yor here! I w's just talkin' about you.” You exclaimed, lacing your fingers into the hand he held over your drink. “Come drink with us! Please?” You pleaded, even nuzzling your face into his hand for good measure. Xiao stood frozen in place, his brain nearly short circuiting from the unexpected and unfamiliar show of affection. Why were you smiling up at him with such yearning? Why hold his worn and calloused hand so tenderly? And why is his chest hammering so hard that he could hear his heartbeat in his ears? The teasing from the other patrons present, snapped Xiao back to the present situation. Your safety, that’s all that mattered right now. 

“You’re clearly already drunk. I’m taking you home.” Xiao avoided your gaze while using your jointed hands to urge you to your feet. It didn’t seem up for debate, but you didn’t mind. 

“As lon' as I get t-go with you.” You slurred a little, clumsily rising up with the man's help. “I’ll go an'where for you.” The words rolled carelessly off your tongue while you held the adeptus’ arm as support. He was forced to turn towards you and steady your balance as you rambled on. “I only wa-to be where you are Xiao. I want t-be with you. Is that cool? Like c'n I be yours?” You ask the last question softer and sweetly, leaning your head on his shoulder to speak into his ear. The remaining guests at your table proceeded to whistle and cheer you on, hearing every word. 

“You’re talking nonsense. We’re leaving.” Xiao’s voice was notably an octave higher and face burned bright red all the way up to the tip of his ears. The two were gone instantly in a puff of smoke.

Xiao refused to answer any of your babbling or look you in the eye at all for the remainder of the night. No one was able to find the adeptus the next following days either. The night was foggy in your memory and you couldn't piece together why Xiao only approached you after a week of avoidance. Even when you asked, he wouldn’t budge and stated that he is never letting you drink that much again. He convinced himself you were out of your mind drunk and could never mean what you said. Even if your soft touches and alluring words do replay over and over in the yaksha’s mind.

Childe - Tease

You should have known it would be a slippery slope drinking with the Snezhnayan man. His smooth yet teasing remarks had you both knocking back drink after fiery drink. You could have sworn you had Childe on the ropes after that last round. How could he be grinning so impossibly wide if he wasn’t completely wasted? In reality Tartaglia knew he had won ages ago, you had been long since been swaying from side to side and retelling the beginning of your joke for about an hour now. The harbinger just couldn’t bare to pull himself from the entertaining show before him. Your attention was fully his and he would greedily take it for as long as you would offer. It wasn’t often you would be this unreserved with him, and he found himself lost in your carefree antics. 

“Did this bottle disappear?” You asked confused, eyeing the man suspiciously. “You didn’t finish this all yourself did you? Man you must be soooooo drunk!” You accused and burst into a fit of laughter. The laugh so infectious that it drew a chuckle from the redhead too.

“Oh definitely! But don’t worry I wouldn't dream of leaving a comrade’s cup empty.” Ajax winked and waved to the bartender for another bottle. Your eyes stayed fixed on the man’s blue eyes, your cheeks rosy and eyes partially lidded. “See something more you’d like?” Childe teased, noting your blatant staring. You blink, unaware you were even staring. A grin spreads across your lips, feeling bold enough to challenge him at his own game. 

“Sure, I’d like a kiss.” You teased back in the same tone. “Your lips always look so soft, I want to see if they taste good too.” The harbinger eyes widened and his mind stalled for just a moment, processing how serious the request was. It was surely tempting, but he knew that the prize he was after he would need to behave. The tipsy man was quick to regain his composure, clearing his throat and shooting a flirty smile back at you. 

“How about this?” Ajax stood, taking your hands in his to help you to your wobbly feet. “We get you home safe tonight and if you ask again just as sweetly tomorrow...” He paused, coming in close to speak softly into your ear. “I’ll let you taste as much as you want.”

True to his word, Tartaglia ensures you get home safely. You are so far gone the only thing you could really focus on is moving your feet, leading Childe to carrying you back in his arms. He’s positively charmed, quite happy with the outcome of the night. You wake up to a splitting headache and an ominous note on your bedside. 

I’ll be waiting ;)

<A/N: I reworked these so hard and even got rid of one lol. I wasn't 100% happy with any of them except Childe.

[xiaoaetherposts]

Xiao birthday 2024 ‼️

Xiao x Aether is so canon !! 💚💛

"I've never liked dreaming. No matter what I see, I can neither control it nor easily escape.

But recently... it's you that I keep seeing. All my dreams with you are of idle strolls and outings. Each time I awake, I can't help but wonder if I deserve to have such "sweet dreams" ...

Perhaps were I to see you in the waking world, I would find the answer?

If you are willing to meet me, just speak my name."

According to Genshin Impact CANON, Xiao has dreams about Aether!!

In his dreams he sees Aether and they are walking and hiking together!

While Aether thought of Xiao from "Sweet Dream", it's his special dish for Xiao, Xiao's sweet dream is Aether itself. And it was already mentioned in 2021 and in the Teyvat Food notes that Xiao and Aether often go for walks and trips together, and Xiao dreams about these moments.

At the Waterborne Poetry event, Aether said a poem with the association of the connection between Sweet Dream and Qingxin, because both things are connected to Xiao. The Qingxin flower is on both of Xiao's official birthday arts, both tied with a ribbon that Xiao gave to Aether.

One plus detail:

Aether in the Hidden Dreams in the Depths quest, when Xiao was sleeping, he wondered if he was dreaming and if a yaksha could dream. It's nice that 2 years later, Xiao answers Aether's question in his letter.

He dreams about Aether. 💚💛

Xiao's birthday messages are getting more and more romantic!! 🥺

Twitter(X): @xiaoaetherposts

[primalsouls]

spellbound

xiao x witch!gn!reader pt. 5

When I'm around slow dancing in the dark Don't follow me, you'll end up in my arms You have made up your mind I don't need no more signs Can you? Can you?

theme: fluff

warning: none, probably a slight ooc xiao

summary: the flashback comes to an end. paimon wanted more but aether needed to go back to verr goldet to report their findings on their friend's disappearance. finally alone, xiao and (name) spend their time together in peaceful silence.

notes: finally finished pt 5 of spellbound~! ngl i miss writing for gi lol i haven't play the game this month or last. i've been playing more hsr and fortnite lmao also work and school were on my ass. anyway! hope you enjoy this one! reblogs, comments, and other feedbacks are appreciated! ty <3

the walk back to the main path was relatively quiet. there were no more monsters around to attack them. (name) followed behind the dark teal-haired yaksha, the basket and their vision in their hands. their eyes looked over the anemo user with curiosity. tracing the tattoo he bared on his right arm. it looked beautiful. the color suited the yaksha. the witch heard about the yakshas from his father. how there were five but four of them were lost to time and the tragedies surrounding liyue. xiao was the last surviving one. (name) couldn’t imagine the pain he must have gone through all these years. they understood the feelings of losing a loved one dear to them. 

“watch where you’re going.” his sharp tone had the witch pausing right on their tracks, looking up at the yaksha with a blank expression. their eyes followed his gaze, looking down at the ground. there was a puddle of water on the path, the witch walked around it before meeting up again with the other vision user, this time walking by his side but keeping their distance. the two rounded a corner where the path split into two different routes on each end of the main path. (name) pointed out they must have come from the path that led to the ruins behind them. turning to the yaksha, the witch gave a small bow of their head before pointing ahead of them. 

“my home will be this way. thank you for guiding me back to the main path,” they said, a smile full of gratitude beamed at xiao. xiao only clicked his tongue and looked away. 

“just stop getting into trouble. next time i won’t be there to save you again.” xiao told them, but the witch laughed as they could see through his little lie. xiao turned his back on them and readied himself to disappear again but the voice of (name) froze him on the spot.

“i’ll come visit at the wangshu inn with a bowl of almond tofu! as a way to further my thanks to you.” before the yaksha could protest, (name) made their way farther into the path leading up to the broken bridge. xiao sighed as he watched from his spot before vanishing once they were out of sight. untrue to his words, he helped (name) stay out of trouble, letting them call him by his name in case they were in serious danger. 

“after that, he wouldn’t stop following me around~!” teased (name) after recounting their meeting with the last yaksha. xiao scoffed, a faint hue of pink decorating his cheeks. The scoff caused the trio to turn their heads over to the short man, startling them. paimon yelped at the sudden appearance of the yaksha.

“you just wouldn’t stop getting into trouble.” countered xiao, arms crossed over his chest as he stared down at the witch. paimon pointed at him with her narrowed eyes.

“hey! when did you get here!? weren’t you just out and about collecting materials for (name)?” questioned the flying little girl with a tilted of her head and her small hands behind her back, floating over to the demon slayer. xiao huffed. the traveler and the witch greeted the yaksha’s return. xiao placed the basket full of the requested materials on the nightstand beside (name)’s bed before standing by their side once more. 

“it was no difficult task. the materials were quick to find.” xiao answered, looking over at paimon and aether. “now, i might ask you to leave the residence. (name) still needs to get some more proper rest.” he added, hands moved to rest on his waist. paimon pouted, her own hands on her tiny waist. aether chuckled at her reaction before giving xiao a nod. 

“what!? but we just finished hearing the story of how you guys met! paimon still got loads of questions for (name)!” paimon argued, earning a small laugh from both aether and the witch. aether tugged on her scarf gently, urging her to move along with him. “ooh, fine! only because we got to go report back to verr goldet since she had been worried about her friend’s well-being, hmph! but once (name) gets better, paimon would demand to hear more about you guys!” with those words out, paimon grumpily followed the blonde traveler out the entrance of the cottage house, closing the door behind them and finally left the yaksha and his witch alone. 

(name) chuckled. they had never met anyone like them before. their (color) eyes followed the dark-tealed haired adeptus with the basket into the kitchen connected to their living room. the cottage wasn’t that spacious. the only separations in the house by walls was their bedroom and their bathroom. A soft hum left their lips. the witch was tired of being bedridden. their back was starting to ache from laying down all day. moving carefully over the edge of the bed, (name) slowly stood up. being sick sucked. their chest hurt from coughing so much, their nose was runny and stuffy, and they suffered headaches when the light was too bright or the noises were too loud. their body suffered the most, aching every second of the day and night. 

walking into the kitchen, their quiet movements didn’t manage to escape the adeptus’ keen senses.

“you shouldn’t get out of bed.” xiao stated without turning his attention to the witch. yet he didn’t make a move to get them back to the bed and confine them under their blanket. a small notebook was in one of his gloved hands. (name) pouted and recognized the notebook as being their spellbook. it seemed xiao was trying to make the elixir for their sickness. the thought warmed their heart. they walked up to the yaksha, standing by his side with curiosity. the witch didn’t make a move to help him out, wanting to see how he intended to make the recipe without knowing proper knowledge about the witchcraft. xiao shifted under their gaze, clearing his throat as he flipped to the page marked with the recipe for the elixir. “go back to bed and rest. i’ll wake you up when the potion is ready.” the yaksha said, finally looking over at (name). but his gaze wasn’t the usual cold, distant look he always had on to intimidate anyone trying to get close to him. no, he wore a soft expression, only reserved for the witch before him. 

(name) stared at him, staying quiet for a moment before a faint, tender smile crossed their features. “don’t blow up the house, kay?” they teased, laughing lightly at the deadpan look on their yaksha’s face while turning around to head back to their bedroom. of course, they weren’t worried about the adeptus getting their home destroyed for making a mistake in the small pot. (name) trusted xiao, and it was enough for the yaksha to start working on the recipe with no fear of doing any harm in the household and to his partner. there was no need for them to make conversations. they had silence bring peace and comfort into their home with the adeptus. it was all the witch needed and all what xiao preferred. even being in a separate room was enough for the two. hearing the cluttering outside the bedroom lulled the witch into a deep slumber, a well rested and needed sleep.

xiao checked on them after a little time had passed since he didn’t hear any more movements from their room. his eyes softened at the sight of their sleeping figure. walking over, he stared at their face. he didn’t have to devour their dreams to know they were having a good one, their tender expression alone said all of it. with the urges rising, xiao took off a glove and gently ran his hand through their hair, the sensation bringing out a relaxed sigh out of (name).

not sensing anyone around the perimeter of the house, xiao leaned down and placed a sweet kiss on their forehead, leaving behind a lingering feeling on them. a faint smile graced his looks before quickly vanishing the second it came. not wanting to leave the pot on alone any longer, xiao walked back to the kitchen and left his partner to sleep peacefully.

[sailorstar9]

As Fate Has It...

So, this is Part One of my answer to Anon's request: https://www.tumblr.com/sailorstar9/765585983822512128/idk-if-you-respond-to-this-but-ive-read-all-your

Warning: Anti-Guizhong, Anti-Rex Lapis (Morax) sort of, Implied One-sided Morax/Guizhong, Angst

It's been an universal fact in Teyvat that the Dragon and the Phoenix are the 'Destined Pair'.

So, what happens when the Dragon betrays the Phoenix for a false Phoenix?

Five thousand and five hundred years before the Traveller awoke from being sealed....

The Adepti Realm was split into different dwellings regions for the various Clans. Among them, the Fiery Jade Realm was one of the oldest and it was also where the legendary Phoenix Clan flourished.

On this particular day, the Clan Elders were all gathered in front of the Fiery Jade Realm's sacred bodhi tree where the Phoenix Queen would emerge from the nine-tiered cultivation pagoda.

Shortly afterwards, the Clan Elders sent out messengers to the other Adepti Realms to inform them of the celebratory banquet that would be hosted for the birth of the Phoenix Queen.

In Rex Lapis' dwelling....

The Lord of Geo reached to grab and read the incoming invitation that came flying towards him. His amber eyes glinted in excitement and he wasted no time in vanishing from his abode in a flash of gold.

“My Lord?” Guizhong whispered, arriving at Rex Lapis' abode gates and watched the burst of amber leave. “That direction...” she turned. “The Fiery Jade Realm? It couldn't be... could it...?”

Meanwhile, in the Fiery Jade Realm...

Rex Lapis materialized at the entrance of the Fiery Jade Realm, the fiery pulse of power emitting from the cultivation pagoda cradled within the branches of the sacred bodhi tree pricking his skin. His brows tightened when he picked up a demonic aura rushing towards the 'Sizzling Fire Barrier' that guarded the cultivation pagoda.

However, before he could react, Bosacius intervened, fending off the assassin with the other Yakshas in tow.

Unbeknownst to any of the Adepti present, Guizhong had also arrived earlier, using a dust cloak to mask her presence before the 'Sizzling Fire Barrier' was raised. She watched up close as, for some unknown reason, the 'Phoenix Fire Jade', the relic that proved the Phoenix's power, react to the presence of the Geo Lord. Her resolve hardened, she memorized the shape of the 'Phoenix Fire Jade' with every intention to replicate the divine relic in order to trick Rex Lapis in acknowledging her as his 'One True Love'.

“Morax is mine. I don't care what the God of Marriage decides.” Guizhong snarled, channelling her powers to the 'Phoenix Fire Jade' and disrupt the Phoenix Queen's ascension. “I will not let you be born.”

Decades later...

A powerful quake rocked the entire Fiery Jade Realm and the Clan Elders rushed to the sacred bodhi tree, the brimming seven-coloured haze aura surrounding cultivation pagoda indicating the revival of the Phoenix Queen.

“The Phoenix Queen is a demi-god at birth?” the Clan Elders whispered excitedly. “What a great honour.”

Amidst the Elders' whispers, the red-clad F/N emerged from the cultivation pagoda, her Phoenix form letting out a screech of victory.

“The Phoenix Clan Elders welcome the Phoenix Queen.” the Clan Elders knelt in revere of their leader.

Several months later...

“Rex Lapis' birthday banquet?” F/N questioned, reading the banquet invite.

“It's his 2700-year-old birthday.” the eldest Clan Elder explained. “Now that the Guili Assembly is been established, the God of Dust is determined to hold a grand birthday banquet to show the Adepti's respect for the Prime Adeptus. Each Adepti Realm has received the invitation.”

On the night of Morax's birthday banquet...

“We welcome the Prime Adeptus.” the gathered Adepti chorused as one.

“Rise.” Rex Lapis gestured.

“My Lord, it's about time.” Guizhong reminded.

As if on cue, the fiery form of the Phoenix Queen flew into the celebratory hall and turned into her human form upon landing with her two female attendants in tow.

“Who is she?” the Adepti started whispering. “It seems she is more powerful than Lady Guizhong.”

“This majestic aura...” Alatus breathed in clear awe. “It couldn't be...”

“Alatus?”Bosacius turned to their youngest member.

“The Phoenix Queen...” Alatus whispered in revere.

“How did you...” Menogias frowned. “I see... your true form is that of the Golden Peng and since the Phoenix Queen is the ruler of the bird Clans....”

“If she's the Phoenix Queen, then what about Lady Guizhong?” Bonanus wondered outloud.

“Feng Huan and Feng Yu from the Fiery Jade Realm.” the two attendants stepped forward. “We give all the Adepti our greetings.”

“She's the Phoenix Queen.” the other Adepti were in shock.

“Guards, arrest this imposter!” Guizhong demanded.

“Who dares?” F/N barked, throwing the gate guards who had rushed in on Guizhong's orders out with a swing of her arm. “Imposter?” she cast a disdainful look at the God of Dust. Reaching out a hand, she summoned Guizhong's 'Phoenix Fire Jade'. “You call this the 'Phoenix Fire Jade'?” she snorted in disbelief. Igniting the 'Pure Glazed Flame' in her palm, she incinerated the replica. “This inferior imitation? Did everyone not know Guizhong's true form is an ape? Answer me this, Rex Lapis.” she addressed the Prime Adeptus. “What is the penalty for a God who impersonates another God of higher stature?”

“No!” Guizhong was immediately on her knees before Morax. “My Lord, you don't mean to penalize me, right? I love you so much!”

“I...” Rex Lapis was in a loss for words.

“I see.” F/N noted sordidly. “So, this is how it is. You have really replaced me, haven't you, Morax? In that case, God of Marriage.” she called forth the God of Marriage.

“This lowly God bows to the Phoenix Queen.” the God of Marriage greeted F/N. “I await your instructions.”

“Remove the Red String of Fate that ties me to Rex Lapis.” F/N spoke determinedly. “And tie me to another.”

“It's been an universal fact that the Dragon and the Phoenix are the 'Destined Pair'.” the God of Marriage pointed out. “And the only other suitable match for the Phoenix Queen is... he has yet been reincarnated, My Lady.”

“It matters not.” F/N waved the God of Marriage's concerns aside. “I'm willing to wait. Feng Huan, Feng Yu, we're leaving.”

With the departure of the three phoenixes, the celebratory hall erupted into chaos.

“I'm wronged!” Guizhong insisted, putting on a pitiful face. “The Phoenix Queen framed me! She set me up!”

“How atrocious!” Rex Lapis snapped.

“Morax... my Lord...” Guizhong crawled towards Rex Lapis. “You have to uphold justice for me! They are all villains... everyone in the Fiery Jade Realm are all villains! You mustn't believe them. The Phoenix Queen must've conspired with her people to to frame me! She framed me!”

“Do you mean to say I'm also a villain who plays up to those in power?” the Earth God presiding over the Fiery Jade Realm inquired. “Lord Morax, this lowly God is the Earth God that guards the Fiery Jade Realm.” he introduced himself. “Several decades ago, Lady Guizhong shielded her form and used her powers to disrupt the Phoenix Queen's ascension.”

“That is a severe crime.” the God of Law, nodded, “It's an even more severe crime than her impersonating the Phoenix Queen.”

“No...” Guizhong whispered. “I.... I was just too flustered... so I panicked. Morax, my Lord, you can't slander me like they did. You just can't!” she pleaded.

“I'm the Prime Adeptus.” Morax reminded. “I'd never side with anyone. And if I were to side with anyone, shouldn't I side with the one who presided over the Guili Assembly with me?”

“No!” Guizhong wailed. “You never took my side! Never, not even once. You've always pushed me away, no matter how well I treated you. I love you so much, yet you never looked at me! Not even once!”

“It seems there is no need to continue with this trial.” Morax concluded. “With the Phoenix Queen's pristine character and Guizhong's criminal record, if we were to continue, I'm afraid even the Herblord's unilateral invite to the Fiery Jade Realm will be rescinded. Guizhong,” he looked down at the weeping God of Dust. “You've lied to me for decades, making me believe that I was tied to you. You've disappointed me. I am utterly disappointed in you. From this day forth, you shall be under house arrest until my say-so. Take her away.”

“No, my Lord Morax!” Guizhong broke down. “I refuse! I won't leave!”

Outside the Fengyin Hall days later...

Morax was silently standing outside the Phoenix Queen's residence ever since dawn broke.

Looking up from the reports she received early in the morning, F/N cast a glance at the Lord of Geo from behind the translucent screen that shielded her and gave the Clan Elder in front of her a slight nod.

“Lord Morax, you've been waiting for quite some time.” Feng Gang hurried to address Rex Lapis. “But waiting won't give you what you want; the Phoenix Queen has already made her intention very clear. Please go back.”

“Master, I can feel your spiritual power is starting to falter.” Alatus teleported before Morax in a puff of black-green smoke. “How about returning to your domain in the Guili Assembly to get some rest?”

“I spent thousands of years looking and waiting for her.” Morax related. “And one mistake... one misunderstanding was all it took for her to unbind herself from me. I just want to make everything clear to her; I refuse to believe she would be this heartless.”

Sometime later...

Thanks to Alatus, F/N decided to give Morax one single chance to talk things over.

“Allow me get this straight.” F/N picked up a piece of snowflake crisp from the dessert dish. “Are you telling me that just because she established the Guili Assembly with you, Guizhong is exempt from punishment?”

“Guizhong has been sentenced to house arrest...” Morax protested.

“If it were any other God, the severity of Guizhong's crimes will have amounted to the immediate destruction of of their immortal core!” F/N snapped. “Now I know where your priorities lay, Rex Lapis. This meeting is over. We are done; go back to your precious Guizhong.” she declared with finality. “Feng Gang, see our guest out.”

“Lord Morax, please.” Feng Gang gestured after F/N took her leave.

That one meeting will the last time Rex Lapis saw F/N.