#✦ ─ verse . v1 → ❛ the abyss gazes into you .

[tartagla-archived]

ㅤㅤwhy he was back in mondstadt so soon ? really he didn't know . at least this time it was more on official business than a vacation . he presses down against his shoulder, rolling it to stretch out as he looks around the empty meadow .

ㅤㅤat least dealing with a few slimes had taken the edge off .

ㅤㅤhe hated being on job , or at least on a job that didn't have anything fun going on ... but seemingly that was about to change . he senses him before seeing him .

ㅤㅤthe cavalry captain .

ㅤㅤhe could just leave , get back to the city and pretend he didn't see him . their last meeting wasn't exactly pleasant ... but unlike last time he isn't injured . so when the thought to lunge enters his mind there's no hesitation .

ㅤㅤhe steps forward before sprinting , lunging to tackle the captain back onto the ground .

@glacialswordsman , teehee

[tartagla2]

@venstm , liked for a starter !!

ㅤㅤ❛❛ aw come now , are you really going to kick me out ? and to think . i thought we would be able to get along master diluc . ❜❜ should they be playing games with someone who probably dislikes them ? probably not - but they had always been interested in paths that could lead to something interesting .

ㅤㅤ❛❛ i haven't even finished my drink , couldn't you at least allow that ? ❜❜

[tartagla-archived]

ㅤㅤ❛❛ maybe , next time i won't hesitate too . ❜❜

ㅤㅤnot that they're really planning a next time , but knowing the luck they have they'll probably run into him again eventually . they sigh and take a moment to breathe . they need to keep enough of a clear head to go and find lumine before letting that fog settle in .

ㅤㅤ❛❛ right , yeah thanks . ❜❜

ㅤㅤthey would in fact not be enjoying their stay and once they were able to they would be heading straight back to fontaine . they probably should have never left in the first place anyway . it was always going to be safter there for them then it was going to be anywhere else .

Pausing in his path, Kaeya quirked a brow and looked over his shoulder towards Childe as he began to speak up. He’d narrow his eye at the mention of them being a ‘bad guy,’ scoffing with a shake of his head. He’s fully aware, and is generally distrustful of the Fatui entirely. None of them are good people in his eye. Not to mention, Harbingers. But, only because of the Traveler placing her faith in him did he refrain from outing him to anyone, no less Jean. Ugh, what a headache.

The Captain merely hummed in acknowledgement when the ginger told him the ‘too-long-didn’t-read’ of his story. It led to more questions, but Kaeya knows when he will no longer be entertained anymore.

Though…when they brought up their desire to rip his throat out, he gave a sickly saccharine smile towards them. “I would have loved for you to try. Would've made things a lot more interesting,” he lilted before a huff left him. Bring a hand up, he gave a bored little wave.

“Enjoy your stay in Mondstadt.”

[tartagla-archived]

ㅤㅤ❛❛ if you leave me hanging … ? ❜❜ ajax trails off , head tilting to the side in thought . he know's how to play this game , its a very familiar one . a back and forth he enjoys . it reminds him of being back home , trying to get something he wants or having to try not to give in to tonia or teucer when they used their own puppy dog eyes on him .

ㅤㅤ❛❛ i'll be sad , and i'll pout at you . then you'll feel bad for making me sad and give in anyway . ❜❜

ㅤㅤand as if to prove his point he leans forward and pokes his bottom lip out , eyes turning downcast as he pouts at her . he even tilts his head again for the added dramatic effect .

continued from here . / @poswiecenia

[tartagla2]

anon asked : truth + kaeya

ㅤㅤ❛❛ kaeya ... very quickly became someone who's very important to me . not exactly sure how seeing as our first meeting wasn't exactly great . ❜❜ though maybe that was partially why . kaeya had learnt something about them that most didn't know - and even though he seemingly hated them at the time .. he never used it against them .

ㅤㅤ❛❛ but he's become someone very important to me, someone who i can't see myself living without anymore. which is probably stupid and dangerous - seeing as we're possibly on different sides of an eventual war ... but at least i can be in love with him for the time being , and that might just be enough . he's amazing , though you know ? strong , kind - even if he won't allow you to say that to him . not to mention my siblings adore him - which is super important . ❜❜

ㅤㅤthey could probably ramble for hours, if allowed .

ㅤㅤ❛❛ ah ... i'll shut up now though . i have to keep some secrets to myself . ❜❜

prompt

[tartagla-archived]

ㅤㅤ❛❛ or , here's a thought . you can let me finish my drink and then i'll think about leaving . though realistically i'll just go back to the goth hotel because it's to late to attempt to travel anywhere else .. ❜❜ they sigh , leaning forward to rest their elbow against the bar top before resting their head against the palm of their hand .

ㅤㅤ❛❛ unless you really , really want me out -- then you could always throw me out ... but i'm not sure if that would be the best idea seeing as i'm suppose to be keeping diplomatic relations and getting into a fight with you would only ruin that , no ? ❜❜

@poswiecenia , liked for a starter .

[tartagla-archived]

ㅤㅤas soon as they manage to shove diluc away , they scurry backwards to put even more space between their self and him . fingers dig into the gravel below them - taking a moment to ground themself .

ㅤㅤthey needed to run .

ㅤㅤit takes longer than they'd like to admit to force their arms and legs to move , standing only making them feel worse than they already did . their whole body aches from the earlier tackle , the pins and needles traveling up their arm from the burn only adding to the nausea they felt .

ㅤㅤthey didn't even know where to go at this point , mondstadt was out of the question - fontaine was to far to get to in their state of mind .

ㅤㅤ❛❛ don't know . ❜❜

ㅤㅤprobably because admitting you were in a relationship with a harbinger was a death wish on a good day , it's not like they were outwardly open with their own relationship with kaeya ... archons know the other harbingers would have a field day if word ever got out about that .

ㅤㅤ❛❛ yeah well , get in line . a ton of people hate me , what else is new ? -- besides , after this ? the feeling is mutual . ❜❜

"No - fucking - fight me! Prick!"

In that moment, his tough outer persona crumbles. The reality of it all hits Diluc like a punch to the gut, and his next 'strike' upon Childe only lands with a pathetic 'thwump' against their midriff.

Those walls fall as he looks down upon them, a fist raised defiant and threatening -- and the redhead's eyes soften.

Diluc is shoved away, landing flat on his arse, and his fingers grasp for purchase upon the dusty gravel. He feels utterly useless and impotent, trying to comprehend why there were still secrets between him and his brother.

"...Why didn't Kaeya tell me about you?"

It's not really a question aimed at them, per se. But it is voiced aloud, giving a hint at the turmoil that blew through his heart. Perhaps now would be the perfect time to slip away, while doubt and sentiment clouded his thoughts and made him less likely to retaliate.

A gloved hand moves to wipe an angry, hot tear from his cheek.

"I hate you."

[tartagla-archived]

ㅤㅤwhen they hear his voice , their heart squeezes - part of them had expected kaeya to put up a mask , they wouldn't blame him . it was something both of them had a habit of doing rather than showing how they actually felt so to hear him sounding so quiet , so fragile it only made ajax want to pull him into a hug all the more .

ㅤㅤbut he won't , not without permission .

ㅤㅤthey step inside the apartment when he motions for them to come inside , it's both comforting and anxiety inducing to be back here . a place they called home that they still thought of as home but being unsure if they're even welcomed anymore .

ㅤㅤ❛❛ oh , tea would be nice ? ❜❜ tea was calming , that was something they had quickly come to learn while staying in fontaine . maybe that would be helpful right now , knowing the conversation that's bound to happen . they may have prepared for a conversation but that didn't mean that they were ready to have it . they hated not knowing how it was going to turn out .

ㅤㅤ❛❛ i've .. missed you , you know ? i thought about writing but i wasn't ... sure if it was a good idea .. ? i didn't know if you'd want to hear from me or not , i did send a letter to my sister though , she's smart about things like this . said i was being stupid and .. if i wanted to fix this - which i do . i should talk to you before it got to late .. ❜❜

@glacialswordsman , [ continued from here ]

[tartagla-archived]

“   you  are  my  home .   ”

ㅤㅤit takes him off guard , four simple words that make him freeze -- anything he was about to say prior dying before he can even try to speak . he stares for a few seconds , letting his brain wrap around the words and allowing the warmth they bring surround him .

ㅤㅤdid they hear that right ?

ㅤㅤ❛❛ i'm ... i'm your home .. ? ❜❜ he almost doesn't want to believe it , laughing nervously as he reaches out to carefully place a hand against the others face . he tilts his head waiting for the punchline that never comes . it's not a joke ... this is real .

ㅤㅤ❛❛ you're my home to , starshine . you always will be . ❜❜

𝐇𝐔𝐑𝐓 / 𝐂𝐎𝐌𝐅𝐎𝐑𝐓   ♡   𝐒𝐄𝐍𝐓𝐄𝐍𝐂𝐄 𝐒𝐓𝐀𝐑𝐓𝐄𝐑𝐒

[tartagla-archived]

ㅤㅤ❛❛ so , if i'm not going to be arrested ... again . ❜❜ they begin to rock back and forth against the heels of their boots , nervous smile turning to a slightly feral grin . maybe their question would end up being a mistake , there's always a chance this could lead to them getting in some form of trouble .

ㅤㅤbut , that would be a problem to deal with at a later date .

ㅤㅤ❛❛ i've heard that you're , and exceptional fighter , would there possibly be a way to convince you to spar with me ? i never got to when i was locked down there ... something about me being to dangerous to the other inmates . ❜❜

ㅤㅤhis head tilts , truthfully he probably was a bit to dangerous for most of the other inmates . so he couldn't be too upset by that rule , but he would at least try to look like he was in the hopes that it would get him a yes in answer to his question .

@emissaryoftheguilty

[tartagla-archived]

ㅤㅤ❛❛ we all need space . . . so you go home , you be there for kaeya if he will allow you too , don't stress yourself to much if you can help it . i know that won't be easy but . . take care of yourself , for me -- please ? ❜❜

ㅤㅤhe had a sinking feeling , that . . things were not going to be okay for a while , if ever . but maybe that's just how it's suppose to be , he wasn't built for happy endings but maybe kaeya and lumine could have theirs if anything . he could be okay with that . .

ㅤㅤhe would be okay , he would be f i n e .

ㅤㅤhe survived before them , he could survive without them if he had to . he could put his focus back into work , into training , into the upcoming projects he was involved with . back to fake smiles and laughter along colleagues . .

ㅤㅤhe hoped it didn't come to that , but if it did .

ㅤㅤhe would be alright .

ㅤㅤ❛❛ i love you , just remember that . i'm not trying to push you away , hopefully space will do all of us some good . we'll see each other again in no time . ❜❜

( 🌙 ) IT TAKES HER a moment to pull thoughts together , especially when she found herself reeling a little from what had been said. she nods though , understanding that the situation had brought forth various feelings that had been buried for awhile. that had been soothed with tender care and love . . that the delusion that all would end smoothly regardless of the reality that stood straight in their faces was so strong.

IT DIDN'T MATTER then. and to her it didn't matter still -- but she'd lived through all manner of ups and downs yet still found herself even now in the midst of new feelings she didn't want within her chest.

❛ WORRIED THAT NOTHING will ever be as it was ? afraid. ❜ she certainly felt that way -- all stemming from one man that not only she but kaeya should have tried harder to keep childe away from. but it couldn't stay that way forever. the truth will out she supposed.

❛ I THINK . . WE all need space for awhile perhaps. get our heads together on our own and handle whatever . . whatever we need to handle. and eventually come back and have a talk. ❜ her hand came to rub at the back of her neck , tiredness beginning to catch up with her.

SHE HAD NOTHING to offer in the way of being sure that kaeya would want to see him. she couldn't refute it because she'd left on the behest of lilya's second hand request. lumine hadn't been home in what was . . two weeks ? two weeks above ground. the month spent in the chasm wasn't something she wanted to think about at length for very long.

AJAX BEING SLIGHTLY okay is something she can work with. she hasn't seen kaeya since she left ( even before that in truth ) but the sinking feeling in her gut told her that whatever had happened in her absence would be heavy to hear upon her return.

❛ ALRIGHT. YOU STAY here. i'm comfortable with that because I know you aren't alone or by yourself. me hovering over you won't do you much good either , ❜ she exhales with a tired smile 'fore leaning in to press a kiss to his forehead.

[tartagla-archived]

they whine in response at first , upset that they're unable to keep her close and just attempt to hide away . they get it though , she needs to know that they're somewhat coherent . so eventually they nod in response . they are dissociating . it's not bad ,,,

yet .

they can feel the fog trying to completely grab them however , making everything have almost a dreamy - hazy like quality to it . they sway and reach out to her again grabbing onto her wrist to steady themself .

a deep breath .

ㅤㅤ❛❛ mind ... hurts . ❜❜

they're unsure if that makes sense , but it's all they can bring themself to say .

continued from [x]

[tartagla-archived]

ㅤㅤhe hadn't meant to run into her && paimon . not now at least , not when he could barley keep standing without wanting to throw up from the pain . he tries to smile though , tries to act normal ; like everything is okay .

ㅤㅤ❛❛ hey lumine .. would stay to chat but i have ... work to be doing at the bank so .. ❜❜

ㅤㅤhe hates how his voice sounds , raspy from no use and shaky from the way it hurts to breathe . he knows she's going to notice .. he isn't lucky enough for her not to .

ㅤㅤ❛❛ so if you wouldn't mind .. stepping aside so i can - get past you ? ❜❜

@poswiecenia , we talked about this on discord :3

[tartagla-archived]

ㅤㅤ❛❛ aw , come on . don't you find me charming ? ❜❜ he's snickering , bouncing back out of arm length of the other . it's probably not the best idea to tease him , things could get violent fast but childe has never been one to think that far ahead .

and besides , scaramouche is so fun to mess with .

ㅤㅤ❛❛ what ? not happy to see me ? ❜❜

@amemoire , liked for a starter ( scara )

[tartagla-archived]

ㅤㅤgetting back to mondstadt was the easy part , getting past lilya and alina had been .. harder . they knew him to well , which is why he knew he needed to act fast . as soon as they were in their room with the door locked they began to shrug their jacket off , careful to pull his arm off to not irritate the burn more than it already was .

ㅤㅤthey take a minute to breathe , head shaking away the fog that was already threatening to build . they needed to focus at least long enough to bandage up the burn , long enough to leave mondstadt . they don't know exactly where they want to go just yet , fontaine seems the best choice ...

ㅤㅤbut explaining any of this to arlecchino ...

ㅤㅤit would be hard , but it was probably the better bet . any other place they could run off to would only cause whatever episode they had to be even worse . if they were left alone there would be no telling what damage they'd do to themself .

ㅤㅤas soon as they've got their arm bandaged up they begin to move around again . grabbing what few things they left within their hotel room - the rest being back at the apartment , but they didn't want to return there . - and putting it into a bag .

ㅤㅤthey should leave a note ... they should .

ㅤㅤthere's hesitance glancing back towards their desk before ultimately deciding that they don't want to be found anyway .

ㅤㅤwhat's the point .

ㅤㅤthey've tried to be good . they've tried so hard to be a good person and do the right thing && somehow it still comes back to bite them in the ass over and over and over again .

ㅤㅤmaybe they need to stop trying .

ㅤㅤwith a shake of their head they throw their bag out of the window, soon climbing out after it . they sway as they hit the ground, but pay no mind to it . instead grabbing their bag to swiftly get out of mondstadt and make their way back towards fontaine && the hearth .

[tartagla-archived]

ㅤㅤhe's on edge at first , trying to resist his flight or fight response . it has to be the abyss , right ? playing tricks on his mind again and causing him to see things that aren't real .

ㅤㅤbecause that can't be teucer , it looks like him - older of course , but he would always be able to tell .

ㅤㅤ❛❛ ... this better not be some abyssal trick , because you - he's at home . he's suppose to be at home . so this can't be real , unless i'm finally losing it .. which wouldn't be that much of a stretch ... ❜❜

@poswiecenia , liked for a starter .