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wild-typo-turtle · 28 days ago

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Threads - Part 10

Explicit (slow burn, 18+ only) - Rings of Power - Gil-galad x OFC (Elf)

Includes S2E8 of Rings of Power - spoilers ahoy!

Gil-galad had only taken a handful of steps when his gaze passed over yet another collapsed building. From the looks of things, it had once been an open, airy shop that had faced directly into the plaza. The roof had caved in, creating dusty shadows, and even his keen eyes might have missed the slumped figure had he not heard the tiny whimper from the darkness.

Eregion has been destroyed; Sauron is gone. And yet, the sun still shines, as the ruined city holds the last thing that High King Gil-galad had ever expected to find.

Themes: #Idiots in love, #love at first sight, #soulmates, #smut with feelings, #fix-it, #everybody lives

Content Warnings: Explicit content eventually (slow burn), canon-typical violence; loss of parents; grief/mourning

Tag List: @morganas-pendragons, @stellar-solar-flare, @the141bandicoot; @inyx-writes44, @melmel-fandom, @hufflepufferine, @shadows-and-flowers, @xcrybaby555x, @bespectacledhuman

Dreamcasting: Keri Russell as Linnea

Part 1 (includes A/N and credits), Part 2, Part 3, Part 4, Part 5, Part 6, Part 7, Part 8, Part 9 (contains smut)

A/N: Hello lovely readers! Thank you all once again for all of your support for my story - I truly appreciate all of the likes, comments, and reblogs SO MUCH! A quick note - as I've mentioned before, this is an incredibly busy stretch for me at work, and the next chapter is also quite long, so it will likely be next week before I update again. But it will be THE WEDDING so I hope it's worth the wait :) -WTT

Part 10

Fire rages. He can feel the heat of it on his skin, heat even beyond the ability of the Eldar to endure.

A flock of brown sheep that he stands in the middle of. A light snow begins to fall, and the sheep look at him with calm, limpid eyes.

A frost creeps over his bracers, cooling him. He holds an icicle in his hands. The ring of a smith's hammer fills his ears.

An armored helm rising up in front of him…

“Meleth nín.”

Linnea's soft voice, pulling him from the vision. And a moment later, her arm, slipping around him from behind.

Gil-galad leaned back against her, sighing. The room was still dim, the sun not yet risen, and he had still been abed when Vilya had whispered to him. But he must have made some sound, to have woken Linnea.

“I can feel the tumult of your thoughts,” she murmured. “What troubles you?”

He smiled. He could feel her gentle warmth against his back, a marked contrast to both the scorching heat and the soothing cold from his vision. Her hand rested on his bare chest, and he caressed it, her scent of roses and lavender wafting around him.

His bed smelled of flowers now.

She came to him at night; she had come to him ever since that first night they had spent together, that night of pure wonder and love. And each of those nights had been filled with exploring one another, loving preludes for their wedding - and afterwards, she slept in his arms. And she rose to greet the dawn with him, standing and watching the sunrise.

He truly did not know which gift to treasure most. The joy he found in her embrace, in the pleasure she both accepted and gave so willingly? Companionship, her presence that had banished his eternal feeling of being alone, even when he had been in the midst of a crowd? That she was good, and kind, and strong; that she would be a great queen such as Middle Earth had never seen?

“Nothing,” he murmured. And there was a soft snort of disbelief behind him; he did not blame her, for he knew better than to think he could fool her. The osanwë grew stronger every day.

“You are not being truthful, aran vuin,” she said softly. “You have carried a share of my burdens. Allow me to do the same for yours.”

He turned, rolling over in the bed to face her. In the faint light of pre-dawn, her curls were still rumpled from sleep and her soft lips begged for a kiss. And he gladly did so, once again savoring her against his body, drawing her tightly into his arms beneath the blankets.

She smiled at him when the kiss ended, raising a brow. “Do you think to distract me?”

“If I did, I would not have stopped,” he murmured. “I had no intent but to enjoy the love of my queen.”

She didn't reply, just looked at him, and he sighed - but he smiled as he did it.

“The ring has been quiet since Eregion,” he finally murmured. “Until this moment.”

She understood him; both brows rose now, her eyes widening. “You saw something? Another glimpse of the future?”

He shook his head. “I know not. The vision after the siege was clear. This was a return to how it had been before - brief flashes alone.”

He paused, trying to sort through what he had seen and felt. Linnea remained in his embrace, simply being there with him, although she slid back a few inches to be able to look fully into his face.

“Fire,” he said quietly. “At first I could feel the heat of it scorching my very skin. And then it changed. I was standing in a field, amidst a herd of sheep. It began to snow. And it was cold; I could see the frost on the armor I wore. I held an icicle in my hands. And then…”

He paused.

“The helm,” he murmured. “The armor. Sauron. He was there, I recognized him from visions past. It was he that burned so fiercely. The heat of him, I could feel it even through my armor.”

Linnea’s brow furrowed. “You said snow began to fall. Perhaps it is a warning that he comes in the winter?”

Gil-galad considered it. Somehow it didn’t feel right - but then, who was he to say? If someone had told him that his previous visions were a warning of what lay in store at Eregion, would he have recognized it as the truth?

“Perhaps,” he said, but even he could hear the doubt in his voice. “But then what of the sheep? They were brown, I cannot recall ever seeing such…”

Linnea started, her eyes widening again. “Brown sheep? Brown coats, brown wool?”

“Yes,” he said slowly. “Melethel, what is it? What calls to you?”

She considered, thinking, and then offered him a small, shy smile. “I know not if it signifies. But I have a gift for you, meleth nín. To give to you at our wedding, in place of the jewel that is traditional. And the brown sheep minded me of it.”

His mind came alight, wondering what it was. Something of fabric, he was almost certain, both with the words she had spoken and simply knowing her. But what could it be? Was she weaving something new for him?

He would have to see to something for her. He had assumed they would simply ignore that part of the ceremony, since neither of their parents were living. But if she had planned something, there was no question but that he would have a gift. It was fortunate that this vision had come now; he thanked the Valar for it, that it had prompted her to tell him. He would have struggled to forgive himself, had he had nothing to give in return for whatever she had made.

There was a thought that had occurred to him, back when they had visited the Havens. When Círdan had named her, Linnea Calagûr. Was there time enough for it? He would need to send for a smith at once, that day - and the stones were uncommon, there was no guarantee there were any to be had. But one thing at a time.

He smiled at his beautiful queen, his cherished lady, his wedded wife in only a few more days.

“Thank you, rîn vuin,” he whispered. “I will receive it gladly, whatever it may be. For it comes from your hands.”

Linnea smiled back at him. She scooted back close to him, the length of her body coming flush with his. “I had hoped to surprise you,” she murmured. “But with what you saw, I thought it best to tell you. Even the smallest thing may be important in the fight against our enemy.”

He nodded soberly, tightening his arm around her. “The truth will reveal itself in time,” he said quietly. “And when it does, we shall be here to face it, you and I.”

And he felt that truth deep within him, as Linnea leaned against him, resting her head on his chest.

The glade was far from the palace, but Linnea hadn't minded the walk. The veiled maiden that led her did not speak, and neither did Landir or Hellathas as they walked behind her; the only sounds were the birds, and the wind rustling through the trees.

The very air felt holy, sacred. Which was appropriate, given where they were going.

She had protested at first when the Yavannildi had come to her. She was not queen yet, this could easily have waited until after the wedding. She had no desire to appear greedy and grasping, clutching at power that was not hers to take. But they had insisted.

The time is now, Your Grace, the leader of them had said. The Lady Galadriel wishes it, for you to take charge of the lembas.

And so she had agreed, and the day had been appointed.

The maiden in front of them stopped and turned, and she bowed her head.

“My apologies, Your Grace,” she murmured. “Your guards must remain here.”

Landir frowned, shaking his head. “We are charged with Her Grace’s safety.”

“The queen will be safe. This place is under the eye of Yavanna herself. Can you not sense it?”

It was true. The peace that had settled over them as they had walked had grown stronger and stronger. This close to their destination, it was almost tangible; even an army of uruk could not maintain their bloodlust here. The gaze of Yavanna, the Valar charged with all things that grew, was indeed close.

Landir was still frowning, but Linnea looked at him and nodded. “Do as she says, Landir. I will call if there is need.”

He still looked unhappy about it. But Hellathas nodded, and she swung around to stand next to the path, her position allowing her to see in both directions. After a moment, Landir did the same, standing opposite her on the other side.

The maiden bowed to Linnea, and then continued walking.

It was not much further. The path ended, but the maiden continued leading them without hesitation, winding their way through the forest in seemingly a random pattern. The sound of water grew stronger. And then, slipping between two great trees, they were there.

The clearing was of a good size, hidden deep within the forest. A small creek ran across it, and at the far end, there was a modest stone hut. The trees were packed thick around them, but there was an opening in the canopy here, and the sunlight reached all the way to the grassy floor. And in the center, gleaming like stalks of emerald set with topaz, was the corn.

It did not look real, so pure was its perfection. The brilliant gold of the ears peeked out from the husks, ripe and ready for the harvest. Baskets woven of pure white straw sat next to the field of corn, empty now, but soon to be filled.

And, also next to the field, the Yavannildi waited.

There were a full dozen of them, as was meet for such a great realm. The maidens of Yavanna, the only ones permitted to handle the corn from ear to bread, as it had been gifted to the Eldar by Oromë through Yavanna’s graces. They wore veils; many of them were also members of the order of Estë, and Linnea saw Pendes standing among them.

All wore veils, save one.

Their paths had not crossed often. Commander Galadriel had been in Imladris for most of the time that Linnea had been at court - but of course, she had come back for the wedding. She and Elrond had arrived together several days ago. And she was standing at the head of the Yavannildi, for it was she who had been the highest-ranked lady of Lindon and so the lembas had been her charge. Until now.

Galadriel was wearing a gold dress, whose every inch seemed to sparkle with beading, and a pale blue velvet surcoat. Linnea herself had chosen a rich green gown that day; it was a color that she hadn't seen much of in Lindon, but it reminded her of Eregion.

It had begun to be easier, just a little, to think of it as Eregion. Not home.

The Yavannildi stood behind Galadriel, waiting on her cue. And she gave it, stepping forward and bowing her head to Linnea.

“Ing tarí,” she murmured. “Elye cáva lissenen.”

High Queen. We receive you with grace.

It was the first time anyone had addressed her so. Gil-galad had oft referred to her as my queen or the queen, and the rest of the court had followed his lead, even though she was not crowned yet. But the formal title of High Queen had never been spoken.

She returned Galadriel’s bow with a deep nod. Not only was Galadriel the commander of the northern armies, but she had been born in the Blessed Lands. She had seen the light of the Trees, and even now, that light was still on her face. She was owed all the respect that Linnea could give.

“Massánië,” she murmured. “Lissenen ni cavina.”

Linnea had followed Galadriel's lead in using the Quenya. Eregion had its own complement of the Yavannildi, but their leader had preferred the Sindarin besain for the bread-giver, the lady whose charge was the making and keeping of the lembas.

Galadriel gave a small smile. “That title I pass to you today, ing’tarí,” she murmured. “Come. The Yavannildi will show you the work. And then I shall give to you the secrets of the making.”

The recipe. Closely guarded, known only to a few. And now she would know.

The Yavannildi moved gracefully, and Linnea watched closely as they did so. One of them remained where she stood and began a song, a soft melody of the harvest that added a slow rhythm to the work. There were no tools; the women carefully removed the ripe ears of corn from the stalks with their bare hands, placing them in the baskets that were at the ready. It was simple work, but each motion was carried out with reverence. Once a stalk was stripped clean, one of the women would uproot it from the ground equally as carefully as it had been harvested, and carry it to the side of the hut to stack it for drying.

“Go,” she heard, and Linnea started. Galadriel had come up beside her, and as she turned, the other Elf was smiling. “This is yours now,” she said again.

Galadriel might say it a hundred times, and Linnea would still struggle to believe. But she set herself and walked forward, stepping up close to the nearest of the Yavannildi. And after watching once more, she swallowed her nervousness, and reached out, and grasped one of the golden ears.

It was barely any work at all. The corn seemed to detach itself from the stalk and the husk, practically sliding into her hands. She placed the ear in the basket the Yavannilda next to her held, and then reached for another ear, and then another. It was swiftly done, now that she had gained confidence; more, it was easier to watch and then follow the next step, the uprooting of the stalk to dry it for later.

The song ended just as they finished clearing the field. Each basket was heaped with golden corn; the pile of green stalks, that would dry to the pure white of the baskets, stood tall.

Galadriel had not joined in the work, but had stood observing them - but there was a faint smile on her face as they finished, and she came to Linnea's side.

“My hands were ever more suited to the sword,” she said quietly. “Even when I was here, which was seldom enough. Yours match this task well, ing’tarí.”

It was a compliment, and Linnea bowed her head in gratitude.

“I am honored to receive this charge,” she replied. “And honored that you would give it into my keeping.”

Galadriel raised a brow at her, a hint of curiosity in her glance. “It is your right as queen to hold it.”

It was, that was true. And the Noldor - like all Elves - respected formality and tradition. But Linnea was young, so much younger than Galadriel; she felt half a child when standing next to her. Had anyone told her even a year ago that she would take this duty from one such, she would not have known whether to laugh at the idea or to stare in horror at the one who spoke so.

Perhaps that was why Galadriel had insisted on it being today. Passing the charge now, instead of after the coronation, emphasized that it was a willing transfer of power. It was a fit for the kind of queen Linnea wanted to be.

She nodded in acknowledgment, keeping her voice soft. “Having the right to it does not change the fact that it is an honor,” she said. “And so you have my gratitude.”

Galadriel looked at her for a moment, her face betraying nothing of her thoughts. Linnea wondered if she had said something wrong, it went on for so long, but at last, Galadriel nodded, as if she had both asked a question and answered it.

“The High King is fortunate that you survived Eregion,” she finally said. “As are all the Noldor.”

It was another honor, and one that Linnea had had no thought to expect. Enough of one where she had to suddenly blink tears from her eyes at the openness of the welcome.

“Thank you, Commander,” she murmured. “But I feel that I am the more fortunate by far.”

“That…remains to be seen.”

There was something in her voice that made Linnea look more closely - not just at Galadriel’s face, but her eyes flicked down to the ring on her hand. Vilya’s companion, one of the three Elven rings: Nenya, white and silver, cold and sparkling like fresh snow.

Snow. The vision Gil-galad had had that morning as they lay abed. Did that echo in her voice have the same origin? A hint of the future?

It made her smile for a fraction of an instant as she thought of it, remembering how he shared it. How they had lain in bed together, arms around each other, him speaking and her listening. Yet another honor, taking a share of his burdens, just as she'd said at the time.

But Galadriel’s eyes were closed. Whatever she had seen, she would not be sharing it.

“Come with me,” Galadriel said softly, and she turned to take a step towards the stone hut. “We will show you how the grain is dried and milled. And then I shall pass to you the way of the making, as it was given to me.”

The feet of the Elves left no trace upon the ground. Their steps were light, carrying them swiftly over sand or snow or solid rock.

Yet on this journey, Elrond Peredhel’s feet dragged.

He would not defy his king’s command. Yet had Gil-galad not ordered it, Elrond had no sense of how long it might have been before his eyes beheld the entrance of Khazad-dûm again. Another twenty years? It seemed a paltry span to soothe the ache in his heart, the bruise that had blossomed as his eyes had searched the hill crest to the north of Eregion.

Searching for aid that had been promised. And had not come, until the last possible moment.

Our dead might have been fewer in number, had Durin held to his word.

And now here he was. With a wedding invitation.

He could not fault Gil-galad's reasoning. They would indeed need every ally in the fight; Gil-galad had extended more hands than just this. The relationship between Lindon and the Greenwood had been civil enough in the matter of shared defense, but now he was opening discussion with Oropher for a stronger alliance.

And Oropher, too, would be at the wedding.

A small voice in the back of Elrond's head reminded him that Durin had forgiven him for those twenty years. With grumbling, true - and it had been legitimate grumbling - but he had forgiven.

Elrond owed it to him to try and do the same.

He took a deep breath, squared his shoulders, and picked up his pace.

The door of Khazad-dûm opened for him immediately; he was admitted with no issue. The guards’ demeanor was respectful as they escorted him inside, as they led him to the great lifts. They had sent word to Durin, and the reply had arrived almost at once.

Bring him in. Bring him to my hall.

Khazad-dûm sprawled around him, below him, above him as they made their way into the heart of the mountain. The sun shafts had been fully restored, and all around them was illuminated by the great mirrors that reflected the light from above. Crops grew green and plentiful in the terrace fields, and the bustle of marketplaces humming with commerce reached his ears. There was no evidence of political turmoil, and yet, Elrond could feel it rumbling beneath the surface.

The guards spoke no word as they escorted him, arriving at the doors he remembered so well. There were more soldiers outside it than the last time he had been here, a sign of both the unrest and also the potential of Durin's ascension to the throne.

The soldiers struck their axes on the floor, and then pushed the great doors open.

Elrond stepped in. Behind him, the doors swung shut, but he barely registered it.

Durin stood in the middle of the hall.

To his right, Disa sat at the table, her expression somber. The stone table that Durin had swindled from Gil-galad - and even now, Elrond was unsure of whether the High King had known all along. And further on to his right, the sun poured in, illuminating the young tree that grew there.

The echoes of the door closing faded.

For a long moment, no one spoke. But Durin's face had never been a secret to Elrond; the prince’s eyes were sad as they looked at one another, the guilt he felt over what had happened at Eregion filling them.

It was up to him to break the ice, and finally, Elrond inclined his head. “Prince Durin. Thank you for revoking the order to banish me.”

He couldn't entirely keep the chill from his tone, and Durin heard it. The prince breathed in, hooking his thumbs on his belt; he was trying to appear at ease, but tension hummed throughout the room, taut and shimmering.

“Seemed sensible,” he said. “Since it was m’father’s order. And I was curious as to what brought ye here.”

“I come on the High King's personal order, bearing an invitation.”

Durin winced, and Elrond had no doubt he was remembering the last time the Elves had sent an invitation. Gil-galad’s reminder rang in his head; the Dwarven rings cost them dearly.

Disa rose from the table, setting her hands upon the surface. “What kind of an invitation?”

In answer, Elrond uncapped the message tube, slid the scroll out into his hands, and passed it to Durin. The prince unrolled it, his eyes flicking over the parchment as Disa began moving toward him, and she had barely taken three steps before Durin looked back up at Elrond in shock.

“A wedding?”

Disa stopped momentarily, her face lighting up with a brilliant smile. “A wedding! Whose is it, then?” She turned the smile on Elrond, along with a coy glance. “Yours?”

Durin was back to staring at the scroll. “Gil-galad’s wedding. The High King of the Elves has supposedly invited us to his wedding.” He thrust the scroll into Disa’s hands and took a step towards Elrond. “Is this a joke? Are ye here to mock me, is that why you've come?”

Anger, and more guilt, rolling off him like waves. Elrond actually had to set his feet at the force of it, but he stood steadfast, and he kept his tone even.

“It is no mockery. The wedding is in five days’ time. If you choose to accept, you may return with me to Lindon. With your wife, of course.”

Disa was busy reading the parchment, nodding slowly. “Five days,” she murmured. “Ye haven't given us much time to prepare a gift, now have ye?”

“Gift?” Durin looked at her, stunned. “Ye can't think we're going to accept?”

“And why not?” she countered. “It's as plain as daybreak that it's an honor. Support for your claim to the throne. We can't say no.”

“We can, and we will,” he sputtered. “We're not going.”

“We are going.” Disa briskly began rolling up the scroll. “I'll ask my sister to watch the wee’uns, that’ll do for a few days.” She paused, thinking, and turned towards Elrond. “Or will the wedding last longer?”

“We're not going.”

Despite himself, Elrond felt a laugh bubbling up in his chest, watching their easy familiarity. He smiled at Disa, shaking his head.

“The wedding ceremony is brief,” he assured her. “It is celebrated at a feast, and the High King has kept the guest list small. Khazad-dûm will hardly notice your absence.”

“Easy for you to say,” Durin muttered. “A few days may not be much to an Elf, but my brother's been consolidating his support.” He glared at Elrond. “I could come back to find his scraggly arse on the throne and nothing to be done but kiss his ring.”

Disa winced at the word ring, and Durin saw it. His expression instantly grew contrite. “I'm sorry, Disa. But I canna leave now, you know it.”

She looked at him, not speaking.

Elrond sensed the moment, that it hung on the edge of a knife. He could nudge it one way or another, and part of him wanted to derail this whole endeavor. He could return to Lindon and report to the High King that the invitation had been declined. He had told himself to forgive Durin, but it was hard.

But, he reminded himself again, Durin had forgiven.

“Perhaps Princess Disa could attend in your stead?” he suggested. “She will be an honored guest. You need not fear for her safety, or her comfort. I will ensure it myself.”

Durin didn't appear to be fond of that idea either. He glowered, his eyes moving from Disa to Elrond - just as Elrond had expected. Durin loved his wife; he would not trust her to any hands but his own.

And then the prince heaved a sigh.

“The shaft's treacherous ahead no matter what,” he muttered. “We're in the mud if we do and the water if we don't. Might as well go and have a good meal out of it.”

Disa beamed, crossing her arms over her chest in satisfaction. “We'll leave first thing in the morning,” she pronounced. “And Elrond, in the meantime, I want to hear everything about this princess your King is marrying.” She winked at her husband.

Elrond shook his head. “No princess, my lady. A weaver who survived the siege at Eregion. The High King found her in the ruins and was…”

He, Elrond, had been there. He had been witness as Linnea had opened her eyes, as Gil-galad had seen her that first time. He had watched the High King fall in love in that one instant; he had never seen anything like it in all his years. Two souls meeting and finding each other, recognizing yes, it is you, in one single glance.

“... enraptured,” he finished quietly.

“Hm.” Disa slid her eyes sideways to Durin. “That’s a sight worth a trip to Lindon, isn’t it?”

“Seeing Gil-galad acting like a lovesick fool?” Durin raised a brow at Elrond. “Didn’t think you Elves were so romantic.”

“On the contrary,” Elrond said. “Our people love once, for all our lives. Once we wed, we are wed forevermore. Until Arda itself is remade. I can think of nothing more romantic.”

He couldn’t quite keep the wistful note from his voice. Although he had seen many friends find their own joy, it had never happened for him. Gil-galad himself was proof that it was perhaps not too late, that it could come even after so long - but so many of their people chose each other in childhood. Was there still someone out there for him, as Linnea had been for Gil-galad?

Thoughts for another time. Instead, he looked back at Durin.

“I missed your wedding, old friend,” he said softly. “To my everlasting regret. Do not repeat my mistakes. Come. Celebrate our King’s wedding, and share in our joy as our new Queen is crowned.”

Durin let out another of those heavy sighs, and turned his face up to the ceiling. “Aulë’s beard,” he muttered. “I said we’ll go. Don’t make me repeat m’self, it’s already turning my stomach. Narvi won’t sleep a wink till we’re back.”

Disa clapped her hands, letting out a soft squeal of delight. “I’ll go to the treasure rooms now and hunt down a wedding gift,” she announced. “There’s not time to make something new, it’ll have to be already forged. Is there anything traditional, Elrond? Perhaps a set of bracelets for the queen, or…likely no’ a crown, we might have a pair of torcs…oh, and there’s those jeweled platters…”

She trailed off as she walked away, still muttering to herself, and that laugh bubbled up in Elrond again at the pained expression on Durin’s face.

It was going to be all right.

“I am sure whatever you choose will be most appropriate,” Elrond said, calling after her. But he couldn't keep himself from glancing at Durin, and raising an eyebrow with a small smile.

“Although…I do believe the High King may be in need of a new dining table.”

Continue to Part 11 (warning, contains light smut)

#rings of power #gil galad #gil-galad #the rings of power #trop fanfiction #fanfic #gil-galad x ofc #fanfiction #fix it fic #fix it au

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lightweaver-chosen-if · 8 months ago

Text

DASHINGDON | FORUM

NEWEST UPDATE (01/04/24)

You stop short, catching a glimpse of yourself in the polished surface of the headmaster’s desk.

Eyes blown wide with rage, lips pulled into a snarl. Every part of your face is contorted with hate—contagious to the point that it sends shivers down your own spine.

You visibly deflate, head hanging low as your body curls into itself; the reflection flickering with doubt and self-loathing.

“I don’t know,” you whisper weakly, squeezing your eyes shut as they start burning with unshed tears. “I don’t know.”

Lightweaver: Chosen is an upcoming modern fantasy IF for 18+ players and older. Use of elemental powers is inspired by Avatar: The Legend of Aang/Korra.

A world where elemental deities share a fraction of their powers to their chosen, bringing upon the age of weavers; humans with the ability to manipulate the elements of their patron.

You have been chosen by a mysterious lightning deity—blessing you with the power to weave lightning. But with a brutal past haunting your every step, your new abilities present a double-edged sword.

The choices you make, the support you receive, and the inner strength you harness define your journey—one that promises a life outside Mother’s grasp.

Two divergent paths lay ahead.

Will you let yourself heal and grow, or will you fall deeper into the void?

Play as a touch-averse customizable MC with a troubled past, male or female.

Learn how to use your newfound lightning powers to its fullest potential. Anything’s possible if you’re smart enough!

Use your powers for good and be admired. Or use them to become a menace in society and be feared.

Participate in Launwyce’s many academy events and competitive tournaments. Show the weaving world what you’re made of.

A potential pet has also chosen you as its human; teach it a trick or two!

Shape your MC’s personality however you want. Certain choices also help shape the rest of your past.

How the MC deals with their trauma is entirely up to you.

Push away or make new relationships. Everyone has their own inner demons you can unveil.

Character-driven narrative and slow burn character development.

Eventually face the monster from your past, Mother.

3 different endings to branch into!

Luna/Leo Bancroft

| 18 | Fire Weaver | Freshman | A’s childhood friend

If MC is shorter than L, they’re shorter than all ROs

They were the first to notice you falling.

A warm and gentle soul. But there’s a certain air about them, the kind that makes them seem untouchable. It’s a type of muted cheer, one that carries the tension of maintaining a persona, but perhaps not a façade.

Despite their unusual aura, they’re attentive and smart, not to mention remarkably insightful.

Alice/Alec Langley

| 18 | Water Weaver | Freshman | L’s childhood friend

If MC is taller than A, they unlock height choices for J

They were the one who made sure you landed safely; and with flourish.

Behind their snark lies a certain vulnerability, hidden by a layer of frost and caution. You suspect that they wear the act like a mask; even if the flecks of passion flickering beneath the surface reveal a fiery heart.

They’re quick-witted and equally sharp-tongued. They never hesitate to speak their mind.

June/Juno Patel

| 19 | Earth Weaver | Sophomore

If MC is taller than J, they’re taller than all ROs

Ever present on their features is a stern expression; jaw set and eyes sharp. Even with little words uttered, they carry themself with confidence that demands respect.

Their intimidating presence often gives people pause, but those who dare meet them head-on will find a stubborn and proud spirit that refuses to yield.

Surprisingly, they’re easy to read, and it makes interacting with them oddly satisfying.

#repost #if wip #lightweaver: chosen #dashingdon #interactive fiction #choice of games #hosted games #if #interactive game #interactive novel #interactive story #choicescript #hog #cog

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life-is-unreal · 4 months ago

Text

Stranger Danger~ {Genshin Impact x reader} (Teyvat chapters 0 - 10) *VERY LONG

Author's note: I'm new to tumblr so srry if I fuck something up or do some stuff wrong :D Right now Wattpad is my main so tumblr and Quotev is just copy and paste. There will be updates at least twice a month ( Everything after this post will be updated like that) If ya'll want more chapters just comment (no promises) :D

Wattpad and Quotev: LifeIsUnreal

Teyvat Chapter 0 - Welcome to Teyvat

You were pushed to the window roughly. "What-" You gaped in disbelief as multiple blue streaks flew across the sky.

Yeleris frowned, "Yvonne, stop pushing her." You stared at the gaping hole in the middle of the sky. "This looks-"

Your words stopped as a beautiful gold streak cut through the sky, your vision slowly turning into black dots.

"Y/N?!"

"Y/N?!!?"

-..-..-

"Eugh." You groaned, flinging the wet slimy object off your face.

"Ye da?"

You sat up abruptly. "Ummmmm... Olah?" You inched backward, seeing a gigantic lawachurl in front of you. Although it made no move to attack you, you saw a few piles of bones resembling humans by its feet.

"Mi nye mosi ye."

The lawachurl grunted, offering you a sunsietta.

"Uh, thanks?" You noticed your grumbling stomach, hurriedly biting the sunsietta. It tasted like a mixture of apple and pear, with an orange tanginess and a sweet hint of honey.

You and the lawachurl remained in an awkward silence. "I need to leave." You stated. Dragonspine was a harsh place, looking at your surroundings, you should be in the middle of Dragonspine and you were going to freeze to death if you didn't leave soon. There were a few fire sources but it only slowed down the freezing.

The frost arm lawachurl stood up, towering over you. Incoherent mumbles could be heard, ".i.de..Dan-ge.r"

You shivered, "I know, but I need to get to Mondstadt." Mondstadt was the most peaceful region you could think of, and the start of the plotline. As the starter region, it has the weakest monsters and has a good geographical location, and it was close to Dragonspine.

The lawachurl froze, "Mi-" It paused, scooping you up. You struggled, voice muffled by its arm. You calmed down when it started walking, slowly falling asleep, the lawachurl's body heat being the only comforting thing in the icy terrain.

The next time you woke up, you were already on the snow-covered path. The lawachurl sat silently, meters away from you. You suddenly felt guilty for leaving this strange lawachurl. The lawachurl slowly stood up, gesturing you to get over.

You hesitantly approached him, getting lifted onto its shoulder as it stepped into the freezing stream, carrying you to the other side. It gently placed you on the ground, pointing to some boars, "Mita," it then pointed to you, "Kucha."

It ruffled your head, giving you a small bag, "Zido." It turned around, walking slowly towards the lonely terrain.

You sniffled lightly, the lawachurl's form slowly disappearing in the haziness. "Thank you..." you whispered, wiping away your tears.

You walked slowly, unaware of where you were going and where to go. You only knew that Mondstadt was relatively safe, but you were too afraid to go into the city, where they may that you are a spy for the fatui due to your odd clothes.

You hid yourself when you saw a few Knights of Favonius in the distance, they seemed to be looking for something.

"Did you see that light?" The shorter one nodded, "It fell into Dragonspine, in the middle perhaps. The grandmaster had already told the Chief Alchemist to look out for whatever was the golden light."

The brunette rolled his eyes, "I don't even know why we were sent here, it landed in Dragonspine, not here."

You snorted lightly, hurriedly covering up your mouth. "Halt! Who's there?!" The tallest of the four yanked you out from the tree you were hiding behind.

The five of you stared at each other confused. "Why is there a kid here?"

"..."

Your smile fell, "Excuse me?"

-.-.-.

You groaned, "I'm not fatui for god's sake." The dumb one snorted, "That's what they all say, and don't you scum dare insult Lord Barbatos's reputation."

You sighed, spotting a hilichurl camp nearby. A grin appeared on your face. You yanked your arms away, sprinting towards the nearest hilichurl.

"Hey!" The short one tried to grab you back, before noticing a mitachurl charging towards the brunette.

"You dumbass, you want to die?" The knights started dashing away, running into the city.

"Hey. What are you four doing? Leaving your patrol area without permission."

The brunette scratched his head, cold sweat dripping down his head. "Captain Kaeya- we- we-"

The dumb one pushed him away, "Captain Kaeya! We met a fatui wearing strange clothes spying on us so we wanted to bring her to be questioned but she ran into a hilichurl camp near Springvale and the hilichurls started to attack us."

Kaeya's fake smile fell, his eye glinting dangerously, "So, you decided not to kill all the hilichurls and bring the girl back? Are you not knights?"

"Captain Kaeya-"

"Report to Cyrus, he will deal with you four." he glanced at the dumbfounded knights. "What, you want me to personally deal with you four along with the girl?"

-.-.-.

On the other side, like the frost arm lawachurl, the hilichurls made no move to attack you. The mitachurl offered you some apples and the samachurl started dancing. The little bag that the lawachurl gave you wriggled, a small cryo slime popping out. You touched it hesitantly, yup, the cold slimy feeling on your face belonged to the slime.

You looked through the small bag, regretting leaving the kind lawachurl, inside the bag were some herbs, a small pouch of mora, some sunsiettas, and a cloak. You tried putting all of them into your inventory. Everything except the bag disappeared. You checked your phone and in the game inventory, everything was in the new category named Y/N. You tried to use your catalyst but nothing worked. "Makes sense, I don't have a vision." You sighed. A 5-star catalyst, wasted just because you didn't have a vision.

You groaned checking the time, it's been over 24 hours, you were officially stuck in Teyvat.

Every single time you've been in Teyvat had been less than 24 hours, it seemed to automatically transport you out once it reached that time. "Damn, I miss Yeleris and Yvonne..." A small poke interrupted your musings. "Mosi." The mitachurl handed you some raw fowl.

"Ummm, thanks." You thanked him, placing the meat into the pan. You read through the menus on your phone. The only thing you could cook was Sweet Madame, everything else needed more ingredients.

Surprisingly, the dish only took two minutes to cook, which was very surprising to you until you saw a pyro slime spewing fire on the sticks under the pan. ".Uh, thanks?" A horrifying thought materialized in your head. What do slimes eat? Do they eat their enemies? When people kill them do they have blood or do they just turn into slime condensates waiting to be collected? When characters ascend do they have to cut them into small pieces? How do characters even ascend?

You shuddered just at the thought of someone like Cyno downing a bunch of scarabs just to get stronger. Once again, you were interrupted from your thoughts by a large cry from the two mitachurls, the one with the shield immediately charging toward the entrance of the camp.

"Keuughh." The mitachurl's shield was burnt almost instantly and a sword impaled it, black blood gushing out. You stood agape as the hydro samachurl tried to heal it but got impaled with an arrow.

"Baron Bunny!" A very familiar brunette tossed a doll towards you. You stared at the doll, it staring back at you, "OH HELL NAWH-"

You grabbed your cryo slime and sprinted towards the blazing axe mitachurl. "Run! Ya'll are at level 20 at most or something-" You didn't know whether they understood what you were saying but the moment you started running, the entire camp started following you.

"Hey!" Amber gasped for air as she stared in disbelief at the horde of hilichurls that were just running alongside you. "Is doing some commissions for some mora this hard?" She sighed.

"Amber, quite surprising to see you here."

"Cavalry captain, aren't you supposed to be in Mondstadt city?" Amber's eyes narrowed at the dark-skinned man. Kaeya never gave her any good vibes.

"Some knights told me that there was a fatui spy in this area, did you see someone when you were clearing out the camps?" Kaeya ignored Amber's clear dislike, his eyes glinting with curiosity.

Amber frowned, "Um, I saw a girl but she ran away with the hilichurls?" She said unsurely, it sounded so weird that Amber herself would rather believe that she was just hallucinating from the sheer amount of work from being an outrider for the Knights of Favonius.

"In fact, she ran away when you killed that mitachurl over there." she nodded to her right. "You can try to use elemental sight if you plan on taking her back to do some interrogating, or you can bring her directly to Grandmaster Jean if you think she's a fatui spy. She...is wearing some weird clothes..."

Kaeya's smile brightened, "Thank you Amber, and if I may, I'll leave right now."

-.-..-.

"OH MY GAWDDDD." You groaned as you flopped onto the grass. The hilichurls stopped at another hilichurl camp, just like the others, they made no move to attack.

You rubbed your eyes tiredly, your stamina was a joke, "Do I have some kind of skill where monsters don't attack me or something? That's kinda cool, not gonna lie." You squished the small cryo slime roughly. "You're one hella cute slime, you're called Bob from now on, you hear me?"

The slime blinked, its cartoonish features making you laugh. "Can you even attack though?" You poked it, "Ow!" you hissed, a small icicle piercing your index finger. "Okay, okay, you aren't useless. Happy?" Bob made a huffing sound, spewing some cold air onto your face.

"You're like Paimon, but you don't yap nonstop and you are mine and not Lumine's or Aether's." You snickered, remembering how Paimon once pushed your lumine off a mountain because you got a little bit too close to the border when you were collecting material.

"Biaodomu, Kandala! (cursed enemy, fight)" Messy footsteps could be heard.

"Cool down!"

Your eyes widened, "Oh shit, it's Kaeya." You grabbed Bob and quickly climbed up a tree. Kaeya was a 4-star but nevertheless, he was the only strong person in the Mondstat starter pack, and in lore, he's a cavalry captain. The gameplay doesn't matter in Teyvat, the lore matters. Kaeya isn't the best in game, but it's only because you can only use one skill and one burst. In Teyvat, Kaeya probably could turn you into an ice statue or create icicles to kill you.

You peeked down the tree after a few minutes, surprised to see nothing except a bunch of dead hilichurls. "Damn, that was quick- Wait, where the hell did he go?" You held your breath, something in your head snapping together.

You slowly looked to your right, and there was Kaeya. Casually sitting next to you.

"..."

"OH FUCK!"

You pushed yourself out of the tree, Bob clinging onto your hair for dear life, "What the hell did I do?!" You screeched, running towards the previous hilichurl camp.

"Hmpf." You hissed, your body skidding to a halt.

"Fatui, you are coming back with me to the headquarters." Amber glowered down at you.

You turned back, only to slam into someone else. OH FUCK

Kaeya grinned as you lifted your head, "You'll stop running won't you?"

-.--.-.

Teyvat Chapter 1 - Sofiya, the most GenZ fatui

(Knights of Favonius headquarters)

Mhm. You were mistaken for a fatui. You looked down at your clothes, a hoodie, cargo pants and some boots. You had to admit that this was some weird clothing to the Teyvatians but Fatui??? Seriously?

"A mora for your thoughts?" Your eyes snapped up. OH DAMN. In front of you, in her glory, was Lisa. You gulped, she wasn't the best in-game just like Kaeya but...in lore, she's a genius that graduated from the Akademiya and managed to beat a hell load of people's asses.

Jean furrowed her brows, "Kaeya? Amber?"

Amber stepped forward, "Some knights reported her being a fatui spy to Kaeya, so he went out to catch her and I just happened to be doing my commissions nearby."

You scoffed, "Oh, you mean those cowards? They ran the moment the hilichurls started attacking them. Those snitches..." You huffed.

Kaeya snorted, "Indeed, however, the hilichurls seemed to not attack you. Don't you think that's quite suspicious?"

Your haughty expression wavered for a second before you grinned, "Well... I am quite a lucky ducky ain't I?" You snickered, rolling your eyes. "You reaaally should be less suspicious of people Mr Kaeya."

Lisa's eyes flashed with amusement, "Well sweetie, I, highly doubt that you are a fatui, your clothing, although weird, does not match with any fatui uniform."

Everyone looked at Jean for her final decision, "I agree with Lisa, she does not look like a fatui," I LOVE YOU JEAN "...but" BUT? WDYM BUT? "Just in case, I say that we put her with the rest for a few days and if there's nothing suspicious we can let her out as long as we keep a close watch."

Lisa raised her head from a book, "Your decision is the final, Jean. Amber, bring her to the dungeons for now, will you? And sweetie, if you're innocent, you'll be let out in no time, Jean will compensate you if you were wronged. But if you aren't..." Her lime green eyes darkened, "Well, we'll see won't we."

Her beautiful smile returned, waving you out.

A sudden bang interrupted your way out. "Hah...hah..." Albedo groaned as he charged into the room. "Jean-" he paused, straightening his back and returning to his cold expression after seeing a horde of people in the office.

"Grandmaster, did you see Klee anywhere? She ran out an hour ago, saying that she saw her friend somewhere."

You were too busy admiring his looks whilst he and Jean conversed, their talking drowned out by your thoughts. Hoyo did him so bad, he is gorgeous like- his hair is fluffy, his eyes are beautiful, and omg his long fingers-

"Ahem." Kaeya raised a brow at your starstruck expression. "The knights will escort you to the dungeons, and in case you're wondering it's the 'cowards' you speak of."

Your horror made Kaeya quite amused to say the least. "Wait, why can't you do it? They're stupid, defenseless lil sh-assholes." You were pretty sure that Kaeya was a way better option than the dumb, dumber, and dumbest trio.

Kaeya fake sighed, "Well, sadly, as the Cavalry Captain, I have work to do, and you seem pretty defenseless right now so there is no need for me to escort you. Hm?"

Jean gave Kaeya a look. "I'll be on my way Grandmaster Jean." He gave his signature flirtatious smile to you before dragging Amber out with him.

Oh hell no. You accepted your fate, the dumb, dumber, and dumbest trio pushing you towards a seemingly endless row of stairs leading down. Yup, never seen this in-game.

-.--.--.-

(Mondstadt Dungeons)

"Pssssst." The cicin mage had been bothering you for the past 10 minutes. Your eyes twitched, "What?" You hissed, annoyed. The mage's hair only had hints of green, so you assumed that she was in the dungeons for a long long time.

"Are you one of us or are you like one of them?" She nudged the man beside her.

"What is wrong with you, Sofiya?" The man hissed in pain, her long manicured nails digging into his skin. The brunette rolled her eyes, "Whatever, you don't seem like one of those filthy treasure hoarders." She scoffed, kicking the man until he curled up into a fetal position.

"Hmm, you don't seem like you're part of the fatui too..." she muttered. You edged back, seeing how strong she was, "Would you believe me if I said that I was innocent?"

She paused her muttering, "Probably, you're not a treasure hoarder or part of the fatui so I'm guessing that they're going to let you out in a few days." She shrugged, "You see, I'm one of the more...likable fatui. Nice to meet you, I'm Sofiya Petrov. Quite obviously, I'm a cicin mage."

Sofiya giggled, "That despicable guy on the floor is Niko, a treasure hoarder with Snezhnayan blood. Quite inappropriate of him to join the treasure hoarders instead of the fatui." Her eyes hardened, kicking the man again.

Niko made no move to defend, slowly nudging back into his corner. Sofiya rolled her eyes, banging her fist on the cell, "Keyar, there's a newbie! Introductions are needed." A small face popped up from the cell next to them. Keyar was definitely caught recently, her hair still a murky green. "Hiya, my name's Keyarye but you can call me Keyar. I'm a Cicin mage. This is my brother Yeray, he's a pyro agent." The young girl smiled at you.

Sofiya snorted at your stiff body, "You need to calm down, we can't, and won't kill you yet. After all, we are quite well-behaved and sensible compared to our colleagues. They are all below us," she pointed to a staircase leading further down. It was so hidden that you would've sworn that it wasn't there if she hadn't pointed it out. "I'm quite glad that they placed those scum separate from us. They are not only weak, but they are a bunch of bratty, arrogant little shits."

Your eyes widened in surprise, you always thought that mobs like fatui agents were all going to be bratty in real life and be very cooperative with each other and all be evil...But then, they weren't mobs, everyone you've met is real...At least to the people in Teyvat.

"Well... My name, Y/N, I was thrown in here because some cowards thought that I was a spy."

The cell stayed silent until Sofiya started laughing. "Pfft, are the knights absolute idiots? Wait, they are. You? A fatui? You would've been killed being spotted by non-fatui out of uniform. Oh, my archons..."

The dungeons echoed with laughter. Sofiya straightened her purple coat, the dungeons immediately silencing. The girl slowly stepped towards you, her cold blue eyes staring into your soul. "Everyone in here is either a Fatui or a treasure hoarder, so... if you turn out to be innocent, I trust that you won't tell anyone that we were being so un-Fatui like right?"

You smiled innocently, "Why would I? You'll be punis-"

The entrance slammed open. "Pretty sister?"

A familiar loli grinned at your confused face.

"I'm here to save you."

-.---.-

Klee did not expect you to meet you in the dungeons. It had been 2 years to her, whilst, to you, it had only been a few days. She missed the time when you went fish blasting with her. Although she was placed in solitary confinement, it was worth it to her. She loved her big brother Albedo but he didn't really approve of her fish blasting, he tolerated her but he didn't like her blasting up at random places.

So when she noticed a familiar figure in Mondstadt, in a hilichurl camp, she thought you were in danger and was about to pull out her Dodoco until she saw a familiar bluenette killing all of them whilst you climbed up a tree, Klee decided to find some apples to give to you as a gift.

But when she returned, you were gone. Then, she began searching for you again, where she saw you entering the headquarters when she reached the city. Klee was scared, she had just bombed a lake and ran away from Albedo when she met him near the city. Jean would scold her again.

So she secretly waited until the knights left and then she sneaked into the headquarters. Klee was confused when she saw Kaeya and Amber handing you to three knights and leading you to the dungeons. She saw Kaeya walking towards the entrance so she slipped into the library when someone entered.

Thankfully, Lisa was still in the office so she managed to sneak out of the library without being caught and now here she is, unlocking your cell door.

"Pretty sister, Klee spent sooo long trying to find you." Klee hugged your waist tightly.

"Well if it isn't the Spark Knight." Sofiya grinned at her. Klee stared at her confused. "Hello big sister."

Sofiya gave a tiny genuine smile at the blob of cuteness in front of her. "Y/N, you have a record time for only staying with us for less than an hour. Quite impressive ain't it girlie." She shook your hands, casually stepping out of the cell.

She fiddled with the locks with the other cell. "Aha."

Keyar stretched her arms, "Freedom, how nice."

Klee blinked, "Pretty sister, did Klee...let them out?" she turned to you, "Can I let them out?" her face wrinkled.

Keyar patted her head, "Don't worry lil child, we don't kill random people. We only got here because we're under Lady Signora." She approached a corner, tapping on some rocks to reveal a secret pathway, "Sofiya, our delusions are in there."

Sofiya nodded, locking the cell after she got out with you, ignoring the pleas from other cells and the treasure hoarders. "These people are all unimportant, they have no value. Basically, these people are either freeloaders or they actually deserve to be in here." she snickered, "No wonder their mommy and daddy left them." She threw an especially dirty look at Niko. "Son of a bitch should stay here 'till his entire team gets caught and killed."

She sneered, skipping towards the secret room. Returning just seconds later. "They still work, which is a relief." The three fatuus began conversing in Snezhnayan language before turning to you.

"Well, Y/N, considering that you've technically helped us leave this stupid place we won't avenge the knights or anything or kill you. But if you do see us around, don't talk to us unless you need something. The knights will notice that we're gone. As long as no attention is drawn, they won't even remember that they arrested us."

Yeray rolled his eyes, "The entirety of Knights of Favonius is basically useless except the little girl beside you, the Cavalry captain, that scary librarian, the outrider, the Chief Alchemist, the maid that should've become a knight ages ago, and the Cavalry captain's brother who sometimes helps out."

Klee tugged on your hand. "Pretty sister, Klee needs to leave. Big brother Albedo will be worried." Her expression turned serious, "Pretty sister, please don't get arrested, Klee is a Knight, Klee can't do things like this anymore. Klee will find you soon. Bye bye~" she checked her pocket watch before running up the staircase.

Sofiya cleared her throat. "If anyone talks about our escape I will come back and kill all of you." She scanned the entire room, the temperature dropping. Her lamp was in her hands again. Sofiya didn't look like a casual person like she was without her delusion. You noticed how her outfit was slightly more intricate than Keyar's probably because she's in a higher rank. She looked at you, "Quite obviously, we can't leave like the Spark Knight so hold on to me unless you want to stay here forever."

Teyvat Chapter 2 - Can't Escape The Plotline

"Emmmmmm." You stared at Bob then at the Blonde that was strangling it.

A few minutes ago Sofiya and her fatui colleagues thrown you to a statue of the seven and left immediately saying something about checking the fatui camps and killing some traitors. Sofiya leaving a small device in your hands saying that the fatui under her won't kill you if you don't lose it.

"Uhhhhh." A familiar fairy floated up to you. "Ehehehe. Sorry about that." She scratched her head, snatching Bob away from Aether's hands.

"..."

Aether was the first one to break the silence, "Um, sorry for... uh...strangling your- pet?" You cuddled Bob, hiding it from Aether.

"I suppose that I can forgive you." You stated flatly.

Paimon giggled nervously, "Do you want to go to Mondstadt City with us? Aether can get you some food as repayment for almost killing, uh, Bob."

You blinked, Paimon's a big foodie, nothing is more precious than food and maybe the traveler to her. I guess I'll forgive them since Aether is hot and Paimon's cute

"...Sure?"

Oh wait, Dvalin exists. Fuck. Your face slowly turned into horror as the two started to drag you towards the path. Oh hell no.

You dragged yourself lifelessly along with the duo, seeing Venti and Dvalin in the distance communicating.

You eyed a tree near you, and the moment Aether and Paimon interrupted their interaction, you leaped up.

"Who's there?!" Venti stiffened, Dvalin roared, taking off to the sky.

Venti's eyes flashed with a mix of emotions, anger, annoyance and nervousness. "Achoo!" Venti's eyes snapped towards a tree, the winds amplifying all sounds.

Your body temperature dropped when Venti's aqua eyes met with you. A bunch of rustling snapped both of your attention to the traveler. The god's eyes narrowed slightly, the blonde gave him a slight familiar sense, reminding him of an old friend whilst the e/c girl gave him a slightly more dangerous aura, familiar but a bit off.

"Hey!" Paimon shouted, trying to stop the god escaping.

Aether tugged her back, slightly frowning, "Let's go to Mondstadt first." He smiled tightly to you.

"Sorry-"

"HEY YOU! Stop right there! Wait- huh?" Amber's body almost tumbles to the ground, staring at you confused.

"..."

It took you two seconds before you started sprinting.

"NOT TODAY BISH!" You frantically ducked one of Amber's arrows, dashing towards the direction of Springvale.

"HEY!" Amber scowled, glaring at Aether, "Why would you stop me? She's a spy!" Her eyes narrowed. "You don't look like citizens of Mondstadt. Explain yourselves!"

Paimon waved her hands, "We're not looking for trouble!"

Amber crossed her arms, "That's what all the troublemakers say."

Aether stepped forward, shielding Paimon from Amber's hostile eyes, "I'm Aether."

Amber silently sized Aether up, "...Doesn't sound like a local name to me, and...this mascot, what's the deal with it?"

"We're friends." Aether's eyes flashed with impatience, "Yes, we've only traveled for two months."

"But we've already become the best of friends!" Paimon piped up, unaware of Amber's hostility.

Amber's eyes softened for a brief moment before turning hard, "To sum it up, you are travelling partners. As the outrider for the Knights of Favonius. There's a large dragon sighted around Mondstadt recently, I would advise you to get into the city as soon as possible...It's not far from here, I'll escort you there."

-.-.-

You panted furiously, your stamina stats were not kidding at all. You were pretty sure that a slime had better stamina than you.

The afternoon sun enveloped you in a warm haze, but the only thing you felt was hunger.

"I owe my frickin life to that lawachurl." you grumbled, stuffing yourself with several sunsettias. Aether has already met Paimon, so the defeat of Dvalin should be a matter of time. The main thing is, the time in Teyvat and the time in game is definitely unmatched. And the biggest problem you're facing right now is where will you live and how the fuck you're going to survive.

You ruffled through your bag, nothing was lost through your endless sprinting and jumping. Through all you interactions with the "characters" of Genshin Impact. You came to a dreadful conclusion. Although your stats weren't that low for a lvl 0 weakling, you are basically a mosquito in front of the vision holders. Yes, you had an unbelievably good weapon, but you weren't a vision holder so it's basically a fancy decoration.

Why did you compare yourself to a mosquito? Simple, mosquitos are easy to kill but they are annoying bitches that can leave a very unpleasant effect.

Just as you were contemplating your life, your phone suddenly dinged.

How is there data in Teyvat? You stared at the single block of mobile data. The fuck???? You noticed that for some reason, Yeleris and Moniqa haven't been messaging you.

Totallynotlazy

Guys?

Y3!3&13

Who are you?

Totallynotlazy

Wdym?

notmoniqa

Bish, who u?

Totallynotlazy

Tf, it's moi Y/N

Y3!3&13

...

notmoniqa

Bish, Y/N in fvcking coma righ now

Totallynotlazy

tf u mean I'm in coma

- notmoniqa has sent an image -

notmoniqa

hackerrrrr

- Totallynotlazy has started a video call -

-.-.-.-

"WHAT THE FUCK?!" Moniqa screeched.

You sighed, "Girl, as you can see, I'm clearly not in coma."

"But, but- if your body is here but then you're also wherever the fuck you are..."

Yeleris slapped a hand over her mouth. "Y/N, where the actual fuck are you? And if your phone is with you, what's this? And also, who's this?"

Her slim hands reached into 'your' pocket and pulled out your phone.

"..."

You froze for a second before calming yourself down. Being part of the student council had always made your demeanor calm until you've been transported here.

"I'm guessing that the person lying on my bed is also me, and that the phone you're holding is also-"

The sound of glass shattering interrupted the thick tension. Under the three of your confused and surprised gaze, your phone shattered in Yeleris' hands.

"It's...glitching." Moniqa whispered. Moniqa was sitting right next to Yeleris so she also managed to see the phone suddenly flash out and into existence multiple times before completely shattering.

"..." Yeleris' cool demeanor slightly wavered, her cold expression turning into one of shock.

"I have a conclusion." She stated out, her body trembling slightly. Both of you looking at her darkened eyes.

"I think, that the 'you' here with us is your physical body and the 'you' right now is your consciousness in another dimension. Of course, there are many other possibilities, like the 'you' with us being a fake imitation of you and the real you in whichever place you are. But then, the two 'you's might also be the exact same person, except you've somehow glitched into another world, just like your phone."

"..."

"But...why did her phone shatter?" Moniqa asked weakly, her eyes flashing with confusion.

"...Because, there cannot be two people under the same information and things in the same world. You notice how her phone only shattered after the video call and not whilst we were chatting right. In my reasoning, it only shattered because it was being used in another world, and the video call had been happening whilst Y/N's using her phone when this phone was shown to the camera, showing the other world the very same thing that is being used, so something, possibly space or time has destroyed the phone."

"I barely understand but ok..."

You frowned, "But, what about me? Will the me in school die?"

The only thing that replied to you was their silence.

"I..." Your legs felt like cotton, your body slowly drooping down into the grassy field.

"Where are you?" Yeleris asked softly.

Your scattered eyes once again focused onto her cold, heartless face.

"Say... would you believe me if I told you that... I'm in Genshin Impact?"

Surprisingly, Moniqa was the first one to nod her head.

"Girl, I've also played that game for some time, yes, I've only played for a month or two but I can associate your background to Mondstadt."

Her baby face scrunched up slightly, "However, since you're basically in a different world. Not to mention it's a game, we have no insurance of your safety you know."

"I'm assuming that the only things you have on you includes everything near your body before you went away. So that's basically just your phone, a pen, your headphones, a few pieces of candy, and a single hair tie." She stopped briefly, her eyes twitching, "can you access Genshin on your phone? And things in your inventory?"

You nodded. Moniqa stood up, striding towards your computer. "You know, the moment that I saw those meteors flying across the sky in broad daylight, especially how much they resembled the wishing screen you know."

Her sapphire blue eyes shined brightly, her sakura pink contacts no longer covering those gemstone like eyes.

"You know, I've been wondering, if you can go into Genshin in your account and be able to access things from your account. Can I... see you on screen?"

Your breathed heavily, a mixture of emotions muddling your head. Eyes fixated on the loading screen.

"Lookie lookie, seems like my idea was right."

You gaped at your figure on screen, unlike normal characters, your body was half transparent, just like a ghost.

"That genuinely freaks me out." You muttered.

Moniqa snorted, clicking into your character screen. "Jeez, you have dangerously low stamina and shit stats. Oh, and look, there's two character screens. Seems like one of them is your accounts and one of them is the characters in your world currently. Hell, there's even two quest pages. And damnnnn, the traveller didn't even open the Mondstadt Archon quest yet ." She said snickering.

The pinkette checked your inventory, noticing the brand new pages and the inventory bag that Skirk's given you.

"DAMN, YOU'VE GOT ONE HELLA CRACKED WEAPON!" She gaped at your tiny collection of random things.

"Wait, aren't you like, defenceless? I mean, you're definitely just like those NPCs that can't do a single thing against some normal hilichurls let alone mobs in Genshin." Yeleris suddenly said.

You scratched your head , "I meannnn, they don't attack me... probably because I'm not a Teyvatian. Like, Aether and Lumine are cracked so it does make sense that I, at least have some talent like everyone else so that I won't die from slimes and other stuff."

"Yeah but what if you meet fatui, treasure hoarders, eremites and other things that are humans or human made?"

You frowned, "I mean I can run?"

Yeleris rolled her eyes, "With that tiny stamina? I highly doubt so."

Moniqa raised her eyes, " Bob the cryo slime...what a unique name."

You sighed, "It's- I mean, he's my pet I guess."

Yeleris coughed lightly into her hand. "I think you should go to Mondstadt right now."

You stared at her confused, "Why?"

She smirked, a glimpse of amusement flashing across her face, "Why, to see the traveller and Dvalin have a teeny fight. After all, every thing we see in game is simplified. Like how Teyvat is shrunk from an entire world into a small area where someone can travel nation to nation in a matter of minutes. And from the distance that the traveller is positioned from Mondstadt, by the moment you get there, you should be able to see the cutscenes in real life. And of course, we will watch the true fight through your computer. So please, stand closer to whichever twin is in Mondstadt. Won't you?"

Teyvat Chapter 3 - We meet again

A freezing fog enveloped Mondstadt City as you approached. Fortunately, under the haziness, you managed to sneak in when the two guards were trying to adjust to the momentarily blindness.

Your eyes scanned across the empty streets, noticing Amber and Aether standing in the middle of the street. It's coming. Your eyes slowly brightened as a thin grey veil covered your eyes and the familiar blue dragon's shadow covered half of the city.

"The sky..." Aether's eyes flashed with uncertainty, the edge of his peripheral showing a silhouette. A few stray leaves interrupted his musings.

Above you, you gazed at Dvalin as he flew graciously across the air, your heart hurting as the dragon swooped down nearing Aether, just a flash, but you still noticed the pain in the dragon's face.

The very few people near the streets scrambled back home, most of them covering their heads or shielding their children from the flying rocks. Your body flinched as you saw a kid nearly get swept up into the sky, and another rock embedding into a girl's arm.

You hurriedly hid under a stall as tornadoes appeared near the Statue of Barbatos. Your hands coated in cold sweat. Lifting your wide eyes, your vision landed on the traveler. Closer... you ran towards Amber's direction, a tree crushing the fruit stall seconds after you've reached Amber.

Amber's orange eyes widened in shock as you stood besides her. "You-you...Ugh, I'll talk to you after Dvalin leaves."

Paying no heed to her endless rambling, your gaze once again landed on the traveler. "He'll be ok right?" Amber asked, she had just brought him here, from the journey, she could tell that Aether wasn't like the fatuis or treasure hoarders, she didn't want him to die yet.

You shrugged, "He's definitely going to survive." He didn't even die against Raiden Shogun, so he's definitely not going to die in this lil battle, he also had Venti's help, if he died, who would be the person that solves all the seven nation's problems? The abyss princess?

Above the clouds, Aether's vision landed on the howling Stormterror.

"Huh? How are you staying afloat like this with just a wing glider?" Paimon nudged his wing glider confusedly.

A young voice echoed through the loud wind, "I'm preventing your fall with the power of a thousand winds."

Far away from the city, under the large oak tree in Windrise sat Venti, or as how Teyvat calls him, Barbatos.

Being the current weakest Archon, he was far from his peak since the Archon war, less than ten percent at most. Although the war had greatly affected his powers, his lengthy sleep had at least slightly made him stronger.

The winds brought all information across to him, and being the Archon of Mondstadt, he was able to see everything happening in Mondstadt if he wanted to.

"Now, concentrate. See yourself grasping the wind. Harness its energy." He always knew that the blonde boy was an outlander, his clothes and looks reminded him of an old friend, not only that, their personalities were very similar.

On the other hand, the dark haired girl gave him a sense of familiarity, even though he was sure that he'd never ever seen her or even heard about her before. She had no vision, and was a powerless mortal just like the thousands of mortals living in Mondstadt. (In this story, Mondstadt will have around hundred thousand residents, Mondstadt city having around sixty thousand residents since Teyvat is going to be thousands of times bigger than in game Teyvat)

A loud gasp erupted from Amber. You groaned as the bunny girl hugged you even tighter, all of her hostility was gone, everything left was a cuddly mess. You rolled your eyes at the bubbly girl's dramatic antics, Aether's silhouette drifting throughout the entire sky as he shot anemo bullets at Stormterror.

Suddenly, a large gust of wind rolled you into a tornado and launched you into the sky. Bitch, I do not know how to fly, and I don't have a stupid wind glider. Your heart almost pumping out of your chest.

"Huh?" Your eyes met with Paimon's. You closed your eyes as your body rapidly neared the ground, Amber's faint screaming and Paimon's screeching blasting your eardrums.

"Try controlling the wind to lift yourself up."

Your eyes flew open. "How the fuck am I supposed to control it?" You hissed.

"...just say up in your head, I'll assist you."

"Up. Up? UP YOU FUCKING BITCH!!" You screamed as your body almost crashed against a rooftop.

Very "cliche"-ly, your body lifted up when you were centimeters away from dying.

"Go assist your friend, try using that weapon you have."

You scowled slightly, how did Venti know about your bow? You would probably never know.

You clumsily controlled the wind by screaming direction to it. Sneakily taking out your phone, you quickly tapped the glitched Genshin App that had appeared next to the original Genshin App after the video call you had with Yeleris and Yvonne.

It was an app that opens in less than a second and shows all the characters that you've met, the current progress in the plotline and your character screen and your friendship levels. You quickly found the catalyst you've gotten from Skirk.

"Wait, I don't know how to use a bloody catalyst." You face palmed, your eyes twitching as you scrolled across your tiny inventory. "Fuck it, Imma try to command it or something."

"Shoot."

"..."

"你他妈的," (The fuck)

You cussed in your mother's mother tongue (I'm using chinese as Mihoyo is a chinese company and for plot reasons)

"Holy shit." You gaped as a beam of anemo struck Dvalin.

A glitchy -300 flashed multiple times before glitching out of existence. "Did you see that?" You asked Paimon excitedly.

Paimon furiously nodded, "Yup, you managed to scare him away." You frowned, "No, I mean-" Paimon blinked, "Yes?"

You sighed, tugging Paimon as you and Aether slowly descended. "A-are you hurt?" Amber dashed towards the two of you, checking on the both of you.

Light clapping sounds attracted your vision as Kaeya calmly walked towards the three of you.

"You've actually got the power to go up against the dragon..." His periwinkle eye was clouded with amusement and interest. His eyes stopped briefly on you before focusing on Aether. "Are you a new ally or a new storm?"

Amber scowled, hiding the two of you behind her, "Stormterror...is attacking Mondstadt itself!" She glanced at you, "Kaeya, Aether, um... and you, you've come at the right time. We must..."

Kaeya grinned, "Hold on Amber, are you perhaps forgetting to introduce us?"

Her eyes flashed with a glimpse of annoyance and coldness, "Oh...right. This is Kaeya, our Cavalry Captain. These two are travelers from afar, Aether and Paimon... As for her, she's the, um, spy that we caught a few hours earlier."

You rolled your eyes at the awkward introduction, "I'm Y/N L/N. The non-existent 'spy' you guys speak of."

Kaeya snorted, his eyes furrowing, "Perhaps...From afar? Is that all we know of them?"

Amber scratched her head nervously, "Long story short..."

(Time skip)

"I see. Welcome to Mondstadt- though you haven't arrived at the best of times. I'm afraid."

Kaeya placed a hand over his chest, "I understand the anguish of being separated from family...but everyone has their secrets right?"

You close your eyes, listening to the familiar dialogues of the Stormterror scenario.

"Y/N?"

You opened your eyes, hiding your slight annoyance, "Hm?"

Aether slightly nodded towards Kaeya and Amber, "You coming?"

Teyvat Chapter 4 - Windborne travelers

(Y/S Tower 3 Dorm 109)

The wind rattled the windows, a cold red fog slowly covered the entire world.

Lorelei's eyes opened, turning around, her eyes fixating on her twin. "Lorelie..." The identical girl giggled slightly, placing a finger across her lips.

"Hey, this is just the start, the only thing we need to do is wait." Lorelie's strawberry blonde hair was tinted with red under the blood moon. She lifted her head, her eyes glinting under her uncut bangs. "The game's just started."

The girl stared at her for a moment, before lowering her head and fumbled for her phone.

"Ya'll ready? This world has 100% death rate and there's no guides at all. I'll try to meet you guys tomorrow ok?"

"...mhm."

(Y/S Tower 8 Dorm 182)

Yeleris gazed down on the silent streets of f/s. She raised her eyes to the blood moon, her eyes narrowing upon seeing the red fog.

"Go to sleep Yeleris." Moniqa pinched your cheeks, "Y/N looks like a dead person right now." she sighed. "We need energy for tomorrow."

"How long do you think it will take her to finish the plotline?" Yeleris asked softly. Moniqa's lowered her head and stared at your body. "I've asked the Association to calculate the time. But the time in Teyvat is very unstable. Sometimes a day in Teyvat could be a second here but sometimes it could be ten minutes or an hour. One thing I have tested is when we're viewing Y/N, the time in Teyvat flows simultaneously with Earth's."

"We have no idea how long it took the traveler to finish the plotline, not to say that the plotline hasn't even finished. We could only see how does Mihoyo warp the plotline. After all, the first Mihoyo company that created Genshin doesn't belong to this world. This world is just one of the many alternate universes."

Yeleris rubbed her forehead, "Hopefully the first wave of monsters are weak. This body and it's soul is nothing compared to my original body's." Moniqa scowled, "Excuse me? Mine's is even weaker? And I'm not even saying how this soul has been yapping in my mind all day?"

The dark haired girl scoffed, "You must admit that we've got transported to decent bodies, I remember that Luka's gotten transported into a beggar's body. And both of the souls aren't trying to force us out, they do have the main control. We only get to do whatever we want when they fall asleep."

Moniqa rolled her eyes, "Hopefully they manage to survive to the end. I don't want to have a single failure uglify my beautiful record, and anyways, I really wanna see how bad this RH-o1 disease is."

-.-.-.

(Knight's of Favonius HQ)

"Jean, I've brought them."

You frowned slightly at Jean's surprised expression, your annoyance from your last encounter a few hours ago still evident.

Lisa smiled flirtatiously at the two of you, your body slowly edging towards a plant behind you.

"...and once it was over, I brought them straight here." Kaeya crossed his arms.

Jean smiled apologetically at you, "Mondstadt welcomes you, windborne travelers." Her stone grey eyes only had coldness, her facial expressions not matching her internal thoughts. "I am Jean, Acting Grandmaster of the Knights of Favonius. This is Lisa, our resident Librarian."

The purple witch's smile grew bigger, "Oh! Are you sweeties here to help us out? You're both so adorable. Sadly, the timing is regrettable." a coy smile emerged from her face, her lime green eyes reflecting Aether's confused expression. "Stormterror has caused quite a ruckus in the region since its recent resurgence."

"Simply put, Mondstadt's elemental sphere and the ley lines are now akin to a yarn ball in the paws of a kitten. For a mage, it couldn't get much worse. My skin is one elemental particle away from a full-blown breakout."

Jean fixated her eyes on Aether, "If it weren't for this interference. The Knights of Favonius would have better ways to help you than just putting up missing person posters."

You laughed internally, knowing the plot, the only thing that Mondstadt gave Aether was his title and experience in fighting monsters.

"We simply ask that you response in Mondstadt while we seek out your sister."

Aether nodded, "Paimon will help out too!"

You snorted lightly, Paimon's main function was stating the obvious and being moral support. Her help was quite miniscule to say at least. But nevertheless, she was a good companion, at least she genuinely cared for the traveler.

Jean's gaze stopped on you for a few seconds, as if asking you. You stared into her eyes, an innocent smile was all you needed for her to turn her attention back to where she was supposed to.

"Good. In that case we need a plan." Kaeya stated flatly.

"With Stormterror now directly attacking Mondstadt, we may have an opportunity to cut the problem off at the source, Lisa has revealed the sources of Stormterror's power with her detection magic."

"Is that so?"

Lisa turned towards Kaeya, "They're located in the abandoned Four Winds Temple, Stormterror's ability to whip up these kinds of storms can be attributed to drawing power from the temples"

Jean flicked off some dust from her sleeve, "Our objective is to deal with three of the four temples. I trust everyone understands why we are only dealing with three."

Paimon scratched her head awkwardly, "Paimon doesn't."

You pulled the floating fairy closer to you, "Paimon, shush, we only need to listen."

The fairy blinked confused, "ok." she whispered.

Jean ignored the slight disruption, "Knights of Favonius, time is against us. The storm is rampant, there is no point in maintaining a defensive position. Alright we need to take initiative and act before the situation escalates."

You lazily lifted your eyelids as Aether began to walk out. "Welp, nice to meet you, Aether and Paimon. Me and Bob will leave you guys to do what ya'll are doing. Bye bye."

"Wait, you aren't coming with me and Amber?" Aether scratched his head confused. You blinked, "What do you mean? That's your job. I don't need to find a sister or anything."

"Y/N you're leaving us!!" Paimon screeched. "Paimon, we literally just met an hour ago. I'm only here at Mondstadt because you guys owe me a meal." You crossed your arms.

Amber gasped, "What? You weren't companions?" You stared at her weirdly.

"We can offer you a place in the inn and the same rewards if you do it with Aether." Lisa clasped her hands together.

You hesitated. "You do realize that you don't have to do everything with Aether right? You don't have to do everything that he does." Kaeya poked Bob who had jumped from your hood and into your arms.

You stared at him, "You do understand that unlike Aether, I'm a normal person that can't do anything right." You said bluntly.

"You used the power of anemo did you not?" Amber asked.

"...Ok, but if I end up no use, you guys can't blame me."

Paimon did a small flip in the air. "So you won't leave us right?"

"For now." You ruffled the little fairy's hair.

"Amber, bring them to Wagner for a weapon first." Amber saluted, "Yes, Grandmaster Jean."

(Mondstadt City)

You refused the offer of Amber buying you a weapon. "It's fine, I have a catalyst. I just um, don't really know how to use it."

Amber patted your shoulder, "Don't worry, it takes some time trying to master the catalyst. And anyways, you don't seem to have a vision, like the traveler."

"That's the whole point. I don't even know how I managed to use anemo." Amber frowned, "Wait, I'll buy you a sword just in case." She hurriedly ran back to Wagner.

"You're an...outlander?" Aether asked tentatively. You shrugged, "Secret."

"Here's a silver sword. If you really can't use the elements you can at least have something to defend yourself." Amber looked at her pocket watch, "You guys should be on your way now, I'll meet you guys soon." she nodded slightly at the three of you.

Aether stared at the little dot that was Amber in the distance. "Paimon, do you know where we're going?"

Paimon opened a gigantic map, spreading it on the bench. "There, let's go unlock the statue of seven nearby first thought. We can test whether Y/N would get anemo abilities like you too!"

Teyvat Chapter 5 - Temple of the Lion

You finally knew why everyone seemed to wear a coat or thick clothes in Mondstadt. The chilliness of Mondstadt nights was like a thousand needles penetrating your skin, of course, the traveler looked the same like always, but you didn't have a godly body like Aether, so every minute was like being in an ice bath.

You rubbed your sore legs tiredly, the travelling trio, well quartet if you count in the little cryo slime had finally reached the Statue of the Seven in Windrise.

"Come on Y/N! Paimon believes in you!" Paimon swooped down towards you, poking your face.

"P-Paimon, you can literally float. You know how, how bloody unfair this is?" Your voice literally trembled from the 3 hour trek from the city gates.

The sky had turned dark an hour ago, and you felt a bit guilty for being the main reason why it took so long. You gritted your teeth as you straightened up, your legs still fighting with each other.

"Quite frankly, how the actual fuck are you not sweating or anything." You hissed at Aether, hell, his hair was still fluffy and there was not a single ounce of sweat on him.

"It's a you problem Y/N. You just have relatively low stamina." Aether stated bluntly.

"Nuh-uh." Thanks Pai- "Paimon thinks relatively is too generous for Y/N, what's the word called? Abysmal? Yep! Y/N's stamina is abysmal, Paimon swears that even Timmie could run faster and walk longer than her." Take that back. TAKE THAT BACK. TIMMIE IS JUST A LIL SHIT THAT FEEDS PIGEONS

"Can we just- just do whatever Aether does with the Statue of the Sevens?" You raised a trembling hand, yanking Paimon out of the air.

The two of you ignored Paimon's cries and you watched in awe as the Statue slowly glowed a beautiful royal blue from Aether's touch.

"Try it, you might be able to control the power of Anemo." Aether nudged you towards the statue.

"..."

You poked the statue again. "Hey, that's mean, how come-"

The statue suddenly glitched in front of your eyes, heat emitting from it as the blue hue turned into a dazzling gold.

Although it looked absolutely beautiful to Aether and Paimon, even Bob, who had jumped out of your arms the moment the statue turned gold, it was a whole other situation for you.

"AH SHIT!" You were snarling as you yanked your hand away, the burning sensation still lingering on your fingers.

"This thing a bloody furnace." You glared at the stone Barbatos on top of the pedestal. "You disgusting little-"

Paimon squeezed the thin piece of skin on your elbow, "Y/N, you can't say that to an Archon. This is Mondstadt." she lowered her voice nearing the end.

"Did you not see it glitch?"

"What do you mean?"

"I-, never mind, I almost forgot that there are a bunch of people obsessed with barbie toes in Mond." you muttered quietly.

"Well, did you feel anything inside of you?"

"...the only thing I feel is hunger..."

Aether sighed exasperatedly, "I feel like you're another Paimon. Anyways, you remember how you managed to control yourself to fly when we were against Dvalin? Like, try to find that feeling?"

You scratched you head, "Not going to lie, the way I controlled the wind was, um, shouting at it."

"..."

"Paimon, Paimon- , EUGH! Paimon doesn't know what to say! Aether! You're on!" The fairy punched the blonde lightly.

"Um... I don't know, command them like you did last time?" The blonde smiled awkwardly, his eyes darting around.

You took a deep breath, "Wind? Carry me? Please? "

"..."

You frowned, reminiscing how the wind carried you up and down. Perhaps it had something to do with the Chinese cuss word you threw out? It was a possibility, Mihoyo being a Chinese company.

"风起?" (It's basically telling the wind to blow)

Just like you expected but also slightly outside of your expectations, the windless night slowly had large gusts of wind blowing towards you.

"Paimon knew that you could do it! Try to control it without speaking! Then you can actually fight monsters with us! Of course, not including Bob."

You blinked, trying the method in your head. This time, the wind was weaker but it was still a success.

A tiny smile appeared on your lips, "Seems like I'm not completely useless in this world..." you murmured, "By the way, aren't we supposed to meet Lisa?"

Paimon gasped dramatically, "Paimon almost forgot! Quick! We need to reach there before midnight! Y/N try to use anemo to increase your speed and if you can, float. Aether, you too!"

You glanced at Aether, "Just think the commands in your mind, although the way I control anemo is different, the same method should work."

Surprisingly, anemo sped up your journey to the designated location by a lot. And by a lot, it meant two hours. You suddenly understood why being a vision holder was so desired.

(Temple of the Lion）

"Hey cuties! So you're both going to help me out? How kind of you. Of course, as repayment, don't hesitate to come to me if you need anything." Lisa smiled upon your arrival.

You nodded slightly. "What kind of things does a librarian do?" Aether asked.

The woman's smile grew wider, "Basically, things other than that which require brawn...or brains."

"So what does that leave?" Paimon asked. Lisa responded with a mysterious smirk before hurrying towards the temple.

You observed her slight shock when the temple turned blue as Aether pushed the door open to reveal a starry night. You giggled as her shock turned into confusion when you stepped in and the temple flashed with gold before returning back to blue. The effects on the statues and domains were different but Lisa's facial expressions repaid it.

Stepping into the abyss, you found yourself standing in front of multiple doors, there seemed to be an invisible floor in the middle of the abyss. After Lisa came inside, the door you came in from slowly disappeared, leaving you with various smaller doors.

"Which door do we go into?" Paimon asked.

You froze, "You don't see them?" Paimon turned to you confused. "Never mind, it's that door." You pointed to the plainest door on the far left, floating on top of it, was "Deep within the Temple of the Lion". The other probably couldn't see the words, just like how Paimon didn't notice how the Statue of Barbatos was glitching.

Lisa raised a brow, "Indeed, follow me, I will guide you onwards."

-.-.-.

(Inside the Temple of the Lion)

The inside of the Temple was very unrealistic, far more unrealistic than the in game version. One step off the ledge would send you off to somewhere nobody would find you. Although you would probably be transported back on land before you die or out of the domain if that was an actual feature in Teyvat.

Lisa beckoned the three of you up the stairs, "I guess I could give this a go." She looked up, "I knew it. There is a strong elemental energy coming from deep within this temple. Paimon, are you able to float across?"

Paimon nodded, her eyes sparkling as she found several radishes in a barrel. "Let's ride this wind current, shall we?" Lisa pointed towards the strong gusts of wind.

"I'm aware that Y/N doesn't have a wind glider but the power of anemo should be able to lift you up if you combine it with the strong wind current."

The Door of Resurrection activated automatically upon entering the room. The three rushed towards the next room, you stayed in the room finding the common chest behind some wooden crates. A common chest in Genshin is barely anything to high AR players but to NPCs and people who's just gotten their visions, the things inside were absolute treasures, even if they don't need it, they could sell it for mora.

Throwing the items into your inventory, you quickly met up with Aether.

"Leave it to me."

Unlike how weak Lisa is in game, she killed the pyro slime in with a single strike of electro. The slime slowly turned into elemental particles, which flew towards Lisa and was absorbed.

The four of you placed your hands on the large door, the door unlocking upon touch.

"It's an electro monument." Lisa pointed towards the middle of the room. "No wonder, let me try to activate it with a bit of electro power. Stand back, sweeties. The two of you can share the chest later, I have enough of those trinkets."

She quickly used her elemental skill, four pyro slimes appearing from the elemental particles emitting from the monument.

"How annoying." Lisa raised her hand lazily, killing all of them, her catalyst floating besides her.

You narrowed your eyes at her catalyst, it was the Widsith, the best four star weapon for her.

Aether ran towards the chest offering you the mora inside. "Keep it for yourself, there's another one over there."

You shook your head, opening the chest hidden behind the chest. You seemed to have better luck than Aether, he had only gotten some mora, a few pieces of fowl that was surprisingly still edible, a wanderer's advice and a single sigil.

You on the other side, had gotten twice the amount of mora and an extra piece of sigil.

"There's some hilichurls in the next room, why don't you two show me some of your power?" Lisa smiled sweetly.

You gulped as she pushed you and Aether towards the water. Aether nodded to you slightly, his dull blade appearing in his hands.

You took a deep breath as the four hilichurls rushed towards the four of you.

A ball of anemo appeared in your hands, the catalyst gifted from Skirk appearing near you.

"They, they aren't attacking you?" Paimon's mouth opened widely, the hilichurls going around you to attack Aether.

Lisa's smile deepened, "How interesting." She murmured, it's been a long time since something has interested her since her time in the Akademiya. You and Aether unlocked that hidden curiosity deep inside her warped mind.

"Take the chest, I did nothing." You frowned at the bodies of the hilichurls. Different from the slimes, the hilichurls didn't turn into elemental particles right away, they stayed for a few minutes before turning into a black smoke.

Being low level mobs, they had no drops at all, and your focus was quickly moved to the second wind current.

"Oh, another wind current, let's ride it up from here." Lisa's wind glider unfolded from her back, appearing and disappearing just like her catalyst.

"Aether, there's a chest behind those barrels." You felt a bit guilty for taking so many chests without telling Aether who was supposed to take everything inside the domain.

You jumped down, landing on the platform below. Just like before, the mobs made no move to hurt you. And for a second, you almost felt a bit conflicted.

The hilichurls stared at you for a moment, and as if understanding why you're here, they suddenly disappeared, dragging the large hydro slime with them.

"You killed them already?" Aether jumped down, spotting you right away.

"I suppose so?" You opened the chest quickly.

"Hey Lisa, what's that purple gem?" Aether asked.

The four of you were standing on the moving platforms by now. "You're kidding...You're seriously asking? This is a vision. It's used by the chosen to draw on elemental powers. In terms of mysticism. I suppose you would call it a 'magical lightning rod'."

She turned towards Aether, "What...You've never seen a vision? Just where exactly are you from...? Are you a hilichurl with some level of reasonable intelligence?" she asked jokingly.

Upon entering the last room, a strong force of anemo whipped across the space.

"Break it and we can head home and relax."

You stood next to Lisa in silence as Aether collected everything inside the precious chest.

"Dragon of the East, Lion of the South, Wolf of the North, Falcon of the West...They are the Four Winds of Mondstadt, affiliated with Barbatos, the God of Anemo. The Dragon of the East, Stormterror -it's real name, is Dvalin."

She placed a hand over her heart, "Though most in Mondstadt seem to have forgotten that in all this 'Stormterror' business. So now you know why Dvalin is only able to channel three of the Four Winds' power, because it has been consuming itself from the beginning,"

"Why." Aether frowned, "Why would he go in such lengths?"

Lisa sighed softly, "Because of hatred I presume."

"Hatred...?" Paimon tapped her chin.

"Hatred for Mondstadt. Hatred drove it to become something more powerful than the wind itself - to become Stormterror."

"But why would one of The Four Winds...Hate the city it was supposed to protect?"

She shrugged, "As a child of Mondstadt, it's something that's really hard to say aloud. Here, take this. It's a very old story from more than a century ago."

And without another word, she stepped into the blue circle and was transported out of the domain.

"Lisa?" You called out.

"She probably left already. Come on, we need to meet with Amber." Aether tugged you towards the Teyvat map.

"Hold my hand and I'll teleport us back to Mondstadt."

Teyvat Chapter 6 - Katheryne

You, Aether, Paimon, and Bob had finally completed all three of the domains.

The conclusion was that all three of them including Lisa and Amber who's been called as some of the weakest and trashiest characters in game could kill you in a heartbeat.

Amber had really good archery skills, her baron bunny being a literal grenade, not to mention she can throw it very far unlike the game. Kaeya had really powerful elemental skill and burst and his reflexes were very good. In fact, you and Aether seemed to have done nothing, your only job being opening the chests and learning about Dvalin.

You've stopped Aether and Paimon when Kaeya waved you goodbye, and the four of you hid behind a pillar as a hydro abyss mage floated out and was instantly thrown to the ground by Diluc.

"Who's that?!" Paimon whisper-yelled.

"Diluc, the owner of the Dawn Winery. Shush." You pushed Paimon away from your ear.

"Is he looking at us?" Aether moved his head back , "We should leave."

You nodded.

(Mondstadt City)

When your little group arrived back into the city walls, the sky was no longer cloudy, Mondstadt's clear blue skies with it's shining sun no longer hidden beneath the thick veils of clouds and fog.

"Hey, Aether, Y/N. There's a lady over there waving to you."

Katheryne grinned, she seemed like a normal human, but you knew that she was just a robot. Teyvat's robotic technology was far more better than Earth's but you would say that Earth's technology included more factors and had a lot more things that Teyvat doesn't have.

"Welcome to the adventurers' Guild. Actually, I had my eye on you for a long time." Katheryne clasped her hands together, her eyes sparkling at the two of you.

"You've had your eye on Aether and Y/N? What, they've been causing some mischief?" Paimon, no

"Oh, that is not what I meant at all. Being on the lookout for great adventurers is part of my job."

The amount of dialogue. You crossed your arms in boredom.

"Y/N, are you listening, claim the Adventure Rank rewards!" Paimon poked you.

Katheryne handed you a thick parcel. "Right now, you're on AR7, these are your rewards."

"How do we check our Adventure Ranks?" Aether asked.

"We give a handbook to all of our adventurers, it isn't a normal handbook, it shows your AR, domains, enemies and many other things. It changes as you explore more and more places. I cannot tell you why it's able to do that however."

Katheryne handed you and Aether some papers, "Without further adio, please allow me to officially welcome you, our new avid adventurer, into the Guild!"

You scanned the paper quickly. Vision? none. Gender? Female. Birthplace? Why would I tell you. Address? Homeless.

"Here." You handed your papers back to Katheryne.

"..." Katheryne's eye twitched, "Um...well, on here it says that both of you have no place to live, I can point you to some hotels and inns, or if you wish to rent or buy a house, I can contact some people."

"..."

Aether exchanged a look with you, "Um... how much mora do you have?"

"I've got like 8000." over two million, but he doesn't need to know that.

"I've got, well 2300..." Aether frowned.

"Paimon has nothing."

They looked at Bob.

"?"

The cryo slime hesitated, spitting out a few pieces of mora.

"Katheryne, do you know the pricing of the rentable places?" You asked awkwardly, Aether was poor, Paimon was a leech, Bob is Bob and you couldn't exactly say that you were rich since you were with Aether most of the time.

"...Well, dear adventurers, the cheapest place is...10,000 a month. I can...show you it?" Katheryne smiled innocently.

"We're left with 327 mora if we rent it." Aether whispered to you.

"It's fine, we can accept some quests and commissions." You whispered back.

"Sure, are you able to show it to us now?" You straightened up, handing her 10,000 mora.

Katheryne led you to a decent house, it had two rooms, two toilets, a kitchen, a living room, a storage room and a small balcony.

"We'll take it." You and Aether said in unison.

"I'll leave it to you...four? To decorate your house, return back to me by the end of the month if you wish to continue renting this house. One more thing, if you find yourself stuck in a certain AR, you need to perform some impressive feats to gain further recognition from the guild. As your adventure rank increases, the enemies you face will also become more powerful, the weaker enemies will find weaker opponents than you. This will do for today. We have plenty of chances to meet again in the future." She waved and went back towards the guild.

"Welp, that's one thing off our list." You examined the rooms, it had everything you needed, there were even toiletries in one of the cupboards.

"Y/N, I think we should explore the city." You raised your brows.

"With what money? That money can only buy one single Teyvat fried egg."

"..."

You sighed, "How about we get some mora first and then explore the city? We can rest later."

-.-.-.-

"How much mora do we have now?" you wiped your forehead, killing the last hilichurl with a wind bullet.

"3192..."

You groaned, "We can't even buy lunch with that. Should we just try to do some Ley lines?"

"I..."

"We get like 12k mora."

"We're doing it."

-.-.-.-

The sun was at it's highest when you returned back into the city. After splitting the money and receiving an extra 3000 back for the 8000 in rent, you now had 21k mora.

Aether had left to Good Hunter's to fill Paimon's never ending stomach.

"Y/N!" Katheryne called out, "Remember to check your handbook, I can also contact you through it to alert you about quests, commissions and other things that you might be interested in."

You nodded slightly, opening the handbook. Right away, you spotted the quest about the wind glider test.

"...What? I don't even have a wind glider, why did I get this quest too?"

Nevertheless, you decided to grab Aether from Good Hunter's to go with you to the Cathedral.

"Hey Aether! Hi Y/N! I've been looking for you everywhere! How's that wind glider I gave you last time?" Amber waved you over.

"Pretty good."

You close your eyes, ignoring the dialogues.

"A gliding license? Hmm... What's that?" Here comes Paimon with her stupid questions...

"Isn't it obvious? You gotta have a gliding license to legally glide in Mondstadt!"

Here it comes... "Today, I'm here as an examiner, to oversee Vik's official gliding exam!"

Blah Blah Blah. "Y/N, I need to do the gliding exam now, you coming?" Aether offered.

"Naur, I have things to do. Ciao." You rubbed your temples, you were going to have a shopping spree.

"Bye!" Paimon yelled.

-.-.-.-

"Hello- Oh my, your clothes!" The woman gasped at your dirty hoodie.

You smiled awkwardly, "Um, can you recommend me some clothes?"

"Yes, of course, is there a particular price you're looking for or a particular style? Oh, my name is Belacha, welcome to my store."

Belacha was a lady in her 20s, she had wavy red hair, and her store was in the middle of the city. Mondstadt City was probably twenty times bigger than the in game version. There were a lot more stores, houses, plazas and streets.

"Do you have, like anything lower than 15k?" You had a lot of money in your inventory but did you want to use them? No,

"My shop has items from 8k to 50k, I suppose you can call my store a luxury store, but yes, I do have some suitable clothing items for you."

She handed you a knee length black dress with white puffy sleeves and white leather straps lying on the waist.

You tried it on and not going to lie, it was really comfortable, it was a tight fitting dress but you barely felt anything on you, and most of all, there were hidden pockets.

Belacha smiled at your slight shock. "This dress is also waterproof and heat resistant. I asked a cryo vision holder to help me infuse some power inside the fabric so that it would keep the wearer comfortable. The only downside of this dress is that you have to wear shorts and the pockets are only able to fit small items. Which is why there's a leather strap for you to tie things on it."

You turned your head towards her, "How much?"

The red head grinned, "The original price was 18k but I'll sell it for you for 15k considering that I've never seen you before and that the dress really suits you. In fact. I'll throw in some black shorts with hidden pockets if you promise me to show off this dress to people."

You smiled, "Sure, why not?" You handed her the 15k mora, carrying your old clothes in a small paper bag.

You took out a pocket watch Amber had given you as an apology for not getting you a wind glider.

"7:31..." Aether wasn't back yet, a perfect time to communicate with your friends back on Earth.

-.-.-.-

Totallynotlazy

Y3!3&13

How's Teyvat?

Totallynotlazy

I'm weak asf but I've got anemo

Y3!3&13

Like the traveler or vision?

Totallynotlazy

Traveler

notmoniqa

Dayum

Anyways girlie, I saw smth online, there's a bug in Katheryne apparently

Totallynotlazy

notmoniqa

Ask, "Are the skies of Teyvat real?"

If she says, "Why u askin?" u say, "Because I sense forbidden knowledge from u,"

If she keeps on asking "Why u askin?" keep on repeating until she says, "Welcome."

Totallynotlazy

...

notmoniqa

try it, apparently she gives u smth

Totallynotlazy

Don't make me regret it gurl ;/

-.-.-.-

You cleared your throat.

"Hey Katheryne."

The robot turned to you, smiling, "Ad astra abyssosque. How may I help you?"

"Are the skies of Teyvat real?" You asked, staring into her cold eyes.

"Why are you asking?" Something seemed to change in her eyes, a glint of red.

You took a deep breath, "Because I sense forbidden knowledge from you."

One of Katheryne's eyes turned red, she stood there, smiling at you.

"Sorry what were you asking?"

"Are the skies of Teyvat real?"

"Why are you asking?"

The process repeated three times until her eyes completely turned red.

"Are the skies of Teyvat-"

"Welcome." Katheryne glitched, her red eyes focusing on you, her smile turning wider.

She grabbed your hand, pulling you towards her until your body slammed on the desk.

"Welcome." She took out a quill. She quickly pulled out a needle, stabbing your palm.

"Katheryne!" You tried to pull your hand back, your stomach throbbing.

Her smile never changed, she dripped your blood on a piece of paper. She placed the quill on the paper, still staring at you as the feather sucked up all the blood.

As if moved by an invisible force, the quill started moving rapidly on the paper.

You were finally able to pull your hand out of her iron grip as the quill fell back onto the desk.

Katheryne was suddenly slammed backwards, a large thud, as she fell unconscious.

"What the actual fuck." You snatched the paper up from the desk, and you turned around, about to run.

"Huh? Why am I on the floor?" You swiveled around.

"Oh, hi Y/N, I seemed to have, fallen down?" You observed her face. Her pupils were back to normal, her smile wasn't like a Cheshire cat's anymore, she was back to the same old Katheryne.

"Mhm, bye bye Katheryne!" You ran away, the piece of paper crumpled in your pockets.

Teyvat Chapter 7 - Hello world

(short chapter alertttt)

Your second night in Teyvat has begun, the dreamy stars shined down on you, the moonlight bathing you in a dim glow.

Aether was still out, probably pulled into the capture of Raptor. You've broken contact with everyone on Earth now, all apps worked except for your messaging apps, the large crumpled paper Katheryne has given you laid quietly in front of your eyes.

You could barely interpret the information, the words being a jumbled between Chinese, French, Indian, Russian, Japanese, English and Spanish. It probably had something to do with the Seven nations, Liyue, Fontaine, Sumeru, Snezhnaya, Inazuma, Mondstadt and Natlan. Surprisingly instead of German, there was English but that was good news for you so you quickly forgot about that.

"Hello world,

If you've found this note, (unrecognizable words), (unrecognizable words) for information that would increase your chances of surviving this cursed game.

By the time this note was discovered I'm sure that I'm either dead or (unrecognizable words) You see, every time someone descends, the world changes a bit, people who fail to survive in the first (unrecognizable words) are forgotten and wiped out from everyone's memories, even the outlander's. (unrecognizable words)

So please, please remember these rules I've gathered from (unrecognizable words)

1. Do not trust (unrecognizable words)

2. (unrecognizable words) kill you

3. You can trust Katheryne when you're with the traveler or when it's 6:00am - 9:00pm

4. Rhinedottir and Alice (unrecognizable words) but be careful

5. The Tsaritsa is searching for you, she has visions due to (unrecognizable words)

6. Do not let the gnoses (unrecognizable words)

7. The heavenly principles has (unrecognizable words), (unrecognizable word) can't be trusted

8. DO NOT LET THEM KNOW ABOUT (unrecognizable words)

I will wish you the best of luck. If you ever see me, (unrecognizable words)

Signing off,

Larecia Von (unrecognizable word)"

"...I-" Your brows furrowed, for a moment you regretted not paying attention in language classes and sleeping in them.

You had a million questions. Is this person lying? How did Yeleris and Yvonne know this glitch when you've never even heard of it? Who's trying to kill you? Why did all descenders before you die? How is the Irmminsul involved?

A bad feeling sprouted inside you, Katheryne was basically the guide of all players in one point, so if she can't be fully trusted, could she tamper with quests and commisions?

The candle flickered twice before completely going out. You looked at the time, changing your clothes quickly.

"Katheryne!"You panted, approaching the emotionless robot.

"Ad astra abyssosque. Is there anything you need?" She smiled, she looked normal but after reading the note you just had this feeling of hundreds of spiders crawling on her back.

"Katheryne, do you know someone called Larecia?" You checked on the time again, 8:58, two minutes before Katheryne can't be trusted.

Her eyes flickered, her head tilted to the side. "Larecia?" She smiled politely, "Is it someone that you're finding? I can commission it for you."

You frowned, checking the time again, one more minute. "Who gave you the slip of paper?" Your heart started to beat as she continued smiling at you, tilting her head to the side.

A cold breeze slithered across your arm, making you shudder. Unknowingly, a thick fog has gathered, it smelt metallic, just like — blood.

Katheryne's eyes flickered one last time, a red hue enveloping her pupils. "I- "

"Y/N!" Aether hurried up towards you. "Aren't you going to rest?"

You glanced back to Katheryne, her eyes once again normal. "Ad astra abyssosque. Hello Aether and Y/N, anything you need?"

Your lips tightened, staring at the seemingly normal robot. "No, we were just dropping by to say hi." You said, smiling fakely.

She blinked, "I wish you farewell then."

You hurriedly pushed Aether back to the house, that ominous feeling from Katheryne disturbing your thoughts.

"Hey-hey, Y/N, are you ok?" The boy almost fell from a small rock on the road.

You slammed the door behind you, still feeling her red eyes looking at you through the mist. "Go to sleep. I'm fine." You ignored Paimon's confusion and her slightly parted lips.

The door separated the three of you, Bob staring at you blankly as you closed all the windows and shut the blinds. The two of you stared at each other in the darkness, the candle flickering besides the cryo slime. Your cradled your head, you felt confused, trapped and slightly- scared.

Your eyes flickered the your phone that lied on the small wooden table, since the glitch, all forms of your contact to your friends on Earth were cut off, all apps worked fine but you couldn't communicate with anyone, the time no longer ticked, it was as if someone pressed a stopwatch on your phone.

It made sense, how could someone communicate with another person in a place where time doesn't change? The only thing that was confusing was that time was flowing in Teyvat, for a few seconds, you wondered how will you go back to Earth.

However, with that note from the previous descender that is probably forcefully removed from the memory of the world, no one has managed to leave this place yet. Your eyes unfocused, holding the note near the candle light.

From Larecia's experience, it seems like the plot or Teyvat changes as every single descender fails to leave, the thing that's worrying you the most right now is just how many people have been here since your arrival? If it was just Larecia and a few others, you could still probably look for clues, but if there's hundreds or even thousands, perhaps you would become just another number in the deceased.

There was only one thing that you knew that you had to do, travel around the seven nations, no eight nations with Aether and try to maintain the plot just like the game. Perhaps it would take years, but your previous phone call gave you a very tight limit. You had to return before your body on Earth dissipates.

You blinked, if you couldn't find a way out, you'll sleep your way out, anything could happen in dreams after all.

-.-.-.-.-

Two bright eyes gazed silently in the quiet city of Mondstadt, sixty thousand residents, yet it's so quiet that even a needle could probably be heard from the distance. The pale red fog traversed through the city, something that had never happened before. The red hue was barely noticable, if she wasn't so far, she would've thought that it was normal fog, people close to it would've just thought that the fog at night was a lot thicker and a bit sudden.

The girl gazed towards the place where Celestia is, her eyes lowering down to write something on the little black notebook grasped in her pale delicate hands. Sighing softly, she stared blankly in the distance, "What's happening?"

If someone was besides her, they would've noticed that her notebook was full of anomalies in Teyvat, and on her page, marked out with a big circle was Mondstadt city, and the date 2520 March 21st to March 25th.

Teyvat Chapter 8 - The Baguette guy

Author's note : SORRY FOR THE SLOW ASF UPDATES BUT I'LL TRY TO DO AT LEAST 2 CHAPTERS EACH MONTH ( no promises thooo)

"Isn't that Jean?" Paimon pointed to the two talking in the distance. Jean's attire and the fatui diplomat's dark schemed coat making them pop out from the other citizens.

"Seem's she talking to someone... Let's let her finish, then go say hi?" Paimon observed your indifferent expression, she didn't really know what made you so jumpy yesterday, but as the guide of the little group, she doesn't want any conflicts happening, Paimon's just a little guide that eats a lot of food, not a therapist.

You didn't acknowledge the fairy, you were straining your ears to listen to the two's conversation, the fatui's expression was hidden by her mask but Jean's fury from her words were evitable.

"Oh Aether, you're back," Her eyes softened, the three of you making her tensed body relax. Bob was in your inventory, your phone inside one of the hidden pockets of your outfit.

"Thanks for your help, the elemental flow is finally stable. I see that you've found yourself a suitable attire." She gave you a tiny smile, "The aftermath of Stormterror's last attack is finally settled for the moment."

She crossed her arm, looking at the direction where the diplomat left, "However, the pressure from the delegation has become too big to be ignored..."

"Delegation? From Liyue Harbor or Inazuma City?" You rolled your eyes silently, Paimon probably only asked the question so that Aether would know their identities. Who would believe that a guide doesn't know what fatui agents look like?

"Snezhnaya. They choose to follow the God of Cryo. Their envoys go by a particular name. The Fatui. Heard of them?"

"Oh, them. They are super famous." No shit, I was thrown into prison because those stupid knights thought that I was a fatui spy.

"Wait, infamous is more the word..."

"I don't think killing Stormterror is the right course of action. The Cryo God's Fatui have always coveted the Anemo God's power."

You nodded slightly, "Yeah, they do."

Jean turned to you, "You talked with them Y/N?"

You were slapping yourself internally, but you gave her a sweet smile, "The fatuus told me in the prison you threw me in."

"Prison?!" Paimon hurriedly flew away from you.

Jean coughed, "Sorry for that, our knights have mistaken you for a fatui spy. I had Kaeya punish them. We will send some mora to your house as compensation."

Your smile turned genuine, "Why, thank you."

She smiled unnaturally, "Anyways, I don't believe they have Mondstadt's best interests at heart."

Aether frowned, "Speaking of power..."

"What is it?"

"There's something I need to show the Knights of Favonius."

The woman nodded, glancing at the orange sky, "Oh? Let us head back to headquaters then. We shouldn't discuss important matters...out in the open."

The three of you started walking to the HQ, not including Paimon who's floating of course.

You ignored the rest of the blabbering about Mondstadt and Snezhnaya's relationship, you were too busy trying to find the hidden chests in the city, your memory wasn't the best but you could still briefly remember the areas where they're hidden. You quickly decided that you would go around the city at night, you couldn't exactly just open a chest on someone's roof in broad daylight.

The feeling of someone staring at you became more evident as you continued walking with Jean. A brief flash of color appeared in the corner of your sight.

"Sorry Aether, I think I left something." You waved a goodbye before Aether's mind would start turning and dashed towards the direction the color appeared at.

The moment you entered an alleyway, you were slammed onto the brick walls, grunting, you saw a glint of silver heading straight towards your neck.

"HOLY, CALM DOWN GIRL." The hooded figure yanked the dagger backwards.

The cicin mage sighed, "Of course, it's you. Where's your lil buddy? Coming out alone is dangerous you know. You need to watch out, otherwise, someone like me can just..." she pointed her blade to her neck, "Slice your little neck in half and feed you to my cicins, they can eat human meat you know."

"Slightly disturbing, but ok." you shrugged your shoulders. "Why are you even here? I thought you went out the city walls."

Sofiya side eyed you, "Lady Signora was quite happy with my lil 'escape', she rewarded me with a bunch of mora and potions, the only thing she wasn't that satisfied with is that the Spark Knight and you were the people who helped us escape."

"So..."

"So now I'm here because she gave me a few weeks off because my body's quite damaged from the Knights of Favonius. They're pretty much all shit compare to us but some people are worth putting up a fight against us like the Cavalry captain and that outrider. The Knights are all pretty much trash with no brains, the only thing that actually restricted us from escaping the dungeons before you was the removal of our delusions and weapons. Sometimes, I feel like the Knights of Favonius would just crumble without the Grandmaster and that librarian's brain. Especially that librarian, she makes a little misconception of her being a weak little vision holder that's surviving off the Grandmaster, but she's actually a genius. Quite unfortunate for her to waste her potential just to become a librarian."

Sofiya leaned down slightly, "As someone that owes you quite a lot, I will give you a little tip. " she straightened her clothes, "Try not to go out, especially by places with lots of flowers and avoid the creatures from the Abyss. I'll mail you when the city's safe again." Her striking purple eyes stared down at you, "Proshchay, devochka." She winked, teleporting away.

You groaned, the fatui were doing their shenanigans again, and you were pretty damn sure this was not in the plot.

Ruffling your hair, you hurried towards the headquarters, Aether and Paimon should be done by the time you get there.

-.-.-.-

"There's something you didn't tell them," Paimon frowned slightly, "The dragon and the crystal weren't the only things we saw."

"I'd like to investigate it on my own first. Anyways, we don't even know whether we could fully trust the Knights of Favonius. We've just been helping each other for our own profit, they're more like commissioners to us than people who we can actually trust." Aether glanced back at the large doors of the headquarters.

"Paimon-, I, but you still remember that green guy right. He looked just like that guy down there, and- Wait, isn't that... Y/N?!"

You immediately noticed the Anemo Archon, shifting your sight, you were also able to see Aether and Paimon's dumbfounded expression.

"Y/N, that's the green guy right?"

You nodded, Paimon grinning happily, "See? See? Wait...hold on a minute...that...that's the same guy!"

You and Aether stared at the fairy with a complicated expression, you were feeling kind of worried for Paimon for having dementia whilst Aether just felt that Paimon was being kind of annoying for stating the obvious.

Upon reaching the second flight of stairs Paimon gasped dramatically, "That green guy disappeared!" You faceplamed a million times in your head. Yeah Paimon, thanks a lot, I totally lack the function to see.

"Use elemental sight to track him down."

After screaming elemental sight in your head multiple times, the entire world turned transparent, a trail of turquoise footprints could be seen leading towards one direction. You briefly recalled Venti's location and turned of elemental sight, it was quite useful but seeing the entire world half transparent slightly disturbed you, your body feeling strangely light.

You grabbed Aether by his hand, "Come with me." He gazed at you confusedly, "But the footprints-" You shushed him, running towards the Cathedral.

Venti's brows furrowed slightly, the wind telling him your location, and it was rapidly coming towards him. He was certain that any normal person would follow the footsteps first but the three of you, more specifically the girl called Y/N decided to lead everyone to his exact location.

You closed your eyes as Venti began his story telling, you were confused, you've saved up a lot of time by going to the cathedral directly to talk with Venti before he gets a crowd, but it seems like the plot is still in place, the time not changing anything. Perhaps Larecia was one of the only descenders before you, maybe the plot only changed a little bit. Maybe...

Venti caught your eye when you lifted your head up, the feeling of being watched had always been unpleasant to you, but Venti was Barbatos, he was an Archon, and most of all, he plays a key role in the Mondstadt plot. His eyes only made contact with yours for a few second, you did not know whether he was staring at you or at the entire crowd. But...something felt off to you, like an instinct telling you to -

A hand wrapped around your wrist, pulling you from your thoughts.

"Well, don't you look familiar." The bard grinned, a faint scent of dandelion wine matched his character, one of the only differences you could find in Teyvat that's associated with the plot is the dialogue, although most lines remain the same, some lines weren't spoken and some were changed, but still, the overall meaning was still conveyed.

"You're the ones that scared Dvalin away right?" Venti's braids swayed alongside the wind, his smile still evident. He was clearly more calm in reality than in game, no fake surprise, no confusion. It almost seemed like he knew that you and Aether would come here and meet him.

Of course, it's just the plot, the power of the plot managed to save Aether's ass every time he went up against the fatui harbingers and the Archons, so clearly the plot could make characters do things on autopilot.

"Dvalin? Who's that."

"That's Stormterror's real name." Aether frowned, pulling you back slightly. He couldn't find anything suspicious so far with the bard but a bard talking with a dragon was obviously not normal. Like, what kind of a person do you have to be to just stroll up to a dragon and go "Howdy?"

"Huh? Oh...right. Most people seem to call him 'Stormterror'. Why do you call him that...are you meant to be close or something?" Paimon asked her stupid questions again.

You and Aether rolled your eyes in sync. Why would a stranger go talk to a dragon? They would obviously have some form of relationship with each other? Sometimes there's just this urge to open Paimon's head and see how her brain works

"Oh...So close..." Yeah Paimon you dimwit, there's a big-ass statue of him right behind him and Dvalin's one of the four winds.

"Hey Aether, Y/N, Paimon thinks this guy has a screw loose..." Sweetie I think you have a screw loose.

Aether hurriedly slapped his hand over Paimon's mouth, he chuckled awkwardly, "Ah...hi."

Venti turned towards him, his smile larger than before, "Good day, outlander. Seems we meet again." His mood seemed to be quite good, soft breezes cooling down your bodies. "I'm Venti the bard, " You mean Barbatos the Archon of Anemo. "Three time winner of the "Most popular Bard of Mondstadt, to be precise." Flex alert. "So. What do you need from me."

"Given you recognize us, Paimon doesn't believe we need to explain any further. Of course it's about Stormterror."

Blah blah blah blab. You sighed softly, how nice would it be to have a skip button on useless dialogue?

*Title inspo: "HAHAHA TRAVELLEUR WOULDNT GLIDING BE FASTERRRR?!" The title is because he's French in the meme🫠

Chapter 8.5 - (slight spoiler!!!) Background info

Author's note: There's some spoilers in here and it may be a bit confusing :D (short chapter, skip if u want)

(Part 1) - There are many different dimensions and alternate universes and they are all sorted into categories of danger

- Most worlds have a plot line for every character, and there are main plot lines for certain characters (basically the main characters)

- When plot lines start changing drastically, people are randomly taken from their world and thrown into the problematic worlds to try and bring the plot line back in place or at least make the plot line similar to how it's supposed to go

- The people who are thrown into the world are mainly people who'd just die but there are some unfortunate ones who were still alive. They are called by many names such as "player", "the chosen from (whatever world they were)" and many others. Most worlds would have at least one player that's sent to some random place.

- Worlds that are changing from their original plot line are called "contaminated", there are different types of "contamination", they can be caused by knowledge that doesn't belong here, a main character's death, merge of different worlds and many others. The most common one is when worlds merge with one another allowing unknown species from other worlds in and potentially destroying the entire world. The most dangerous worlds to players are mainly worlds that have many different types of contamination or worlds that are on the brink of collapse.

- Players are given a choice to enter different worlds to solve their problems for points that could be used to exchange things like money, increase of lifespan, medicine, weapons and items that could help with their future worlds. However, there is a high death toll on most worlds and players have to go to worlds within a certain time length or they will die automatically. (Death in a world = Death in real life)

- To maintain worlds from collapsing, some high risk worlds allow multiple players to increase success rate. - Due to different categories of world, their risk are also increased if the world would collapse the moment one player fails or any others ( for example some worlds wouldn't collapse but their main characters might change people or their personalities would change and many other anomalies)

- The Teyvat Y/N is in (there are many different Teyvats ) falls into one of the special category as the plot changes every time a player fails (not spoiling how much it's changed), and it has a 100% death toll as only one player is allowed every time (worlds can have anomalies even after a player has went there and some worlds are designed for newbie players to reset every time so that they would have experience when they challenge high risk worlds)

- From some hints on the previous chapter, Y/N's roommates are obviously players, the original world of Y/N falls into the high risk category, the players forced to reside into bodies that aren't theirs (the original souls are still in main control for now) increasing the death risk. I've spoiled enough so I'm not going to spoil other things on Y/N's original world or Teyvat.

(Part 2) Additional info on the OCs

(Yeleris) Real name: Yeleris Player rank: SSS Success rate: 97% Worlds attempted: 39 SSS ranked - 2 (in progress) SS ranked - 1 S ranked - 14 A+ ranked - 3 A ranked - 18 Beginner - 1 System: N/A PlayerWeb: Yes

(Moniqa) Real name: Yvonne Player rank: SSS Success rate: 95% Worlds attempted: 40 SSS ranked - 1 (in progress) S ranked - 10 A+ ranked - 27 D ranked - 1 Beginner - 1 System: N/A PlayerWeb: Yes

(Lorelei) Real name : Lorelei Player rank: SS Success rate: 100% Worlds attempted: 20 SSS ranked - 1 (in progress) SS ranked - 1 S ranked - 3 A ranked - 12 B ranked - 2 Beginner - 1 System: Yes PlayerWeb: Yes

(Lorelie) Real name: Lorelie Player rank: SS Success rate: 100% Worlds attempted: 22 SSS ranked - 2 (in progress) SS ranked - 2 S ranked - 3 A ranked - 12 B ranked - 2 Beginner - 1 System: Yes PlayerWeb: Yes

(?) Real name: ? Player rank: SSS Success rate 93% Worlds attempted: 58 SSS ranked - 1 (in progress) SS ranked - 30 S ranked - 20 A+ ranked - 3 Beginner - 2 Unknown - 2 System: N/A PlayerWeb: N/A

(?) Real name: Luka Player rank: S+ Success rate: 87% Worlds attempted: 30 SSS ranked - 1 ( in progress) SS ranked - 3 S+ ranked - 5 S ranked - 6 A+ ranked - 5 A ranked - 3 B ranked - 5 Beginner - 1 Unknown - 1 System: N/A PlayerWeb: Yes

(?) Real name: Larecia Player rank: SSS+ Success rate: 100% Worlds attempted: 187 SSS+ ranked - 5 ( in progress) SSS ranked - 28 SS+ ranked - 75 SS ranked - 20 S+ ranked - 39 S ranked - 15 A+ ranked - 3 B ranked - 1 Beginner - 1 ( in progress)

(Part 3) glossary~ PlayerWeb: An internet for players to share experience and trade (basically the internet but just for players)

System: the systems you see in novels and mangas, each system is different, they can range from weapon systems to levelling systems.

Players: People that are randomly chosen to be sent to worlds to solve anomalies and are ranked by their experience, success rate and the amount of worlds attempted.

Points: Points are currency that could be used to exchange benefits and buy things from other players (or systems). They can be earned by exchanging items, doing quests, system quests, or attempting worlds (the higher the rank, the more points you get).

Contamination: A way of saying used by players to talk about the level of risk and change on worlds.

Teyvat Chapter 9 - The First Anamoly

*short chapter alert*

You and Bob casually sat with Klee by Cider lake, you sighed. "Klee, did you seriously...kill all the fish. AGAIN?" Bob spewed a cold gust of wind on the two of you, bouncing towards the dead fish piled next to Klee. He turned his eyes from the pile that was triple his height and size and then to Klee.

Klee waved her hands frantically, "No no no, big sister, Klee didn't do all this. Klee did go fish bombing, but not this much! Klee always leaves some fish to bomb later!"

If this was a cartoon, there would've been a bunch of black lines on your head.

The two of you crouched in front of the large heap. Klee kicked some fish to the side, she turned to you, her large eyes staring up at you innocently, "Klee counted the fish, Klee only killed twelve," she pointed at the larger pile, "Klee never kills over fifty."

She sniffed, wiping away her non-existent tears, "Someone's framing Klee," her eyes swelled with tears, "Big sister. Klee- Klee..." she sobbed, "Why would they frame Klee?!"

You waved your hands, "Wait- Klee, Klee, I believe you. I'll tell Jean, she won't make you go to-"

Bob's large eyes blinked, being a slime, he didn't have a brain, but he was pretty sure that Klee was sniggering as you cuddled her. Klee stuck her tongue out to Bob, her tears gone and a gigantic smile on her face.

-.-.- (Knight's of Favonius HQ)

Jean sighed, "Klee... I-"

"Grandmaster Jean, Klee definitely did not bomb Cider lake." You, Klee and Bob were standing in front of the four. Aether was out doing commissions, and Albedo just happened to be in.

"Grandmaster, I promise you that Klee would never do this. She would never bomb this many fish, she has a habit of only killing less than fifty fish and if you look at the dead fish, you would find some differences in their ways of death from their bodies."

Albedo lifted a black back bass from the cart, "Only some fish has traces of elemental energy and gun powder." He lifted another fish, "But the majority of the fish... doesn't have any traces of elemental energy or gun powder."

You barely managed to move your eyes away from Albedo's stunning face, looking back into Jean's eyes, "Grandmaster, I suggest to send some knights to check all water bodies around Mondstadt. I suspect that it has something to d with the water. So Klee is definitely not the culprit."

"Oh?" Jean leaned back to the window. Her cold eyes glinting, "If my information is correct, after you met up with Klee shortly, you've came to me immediately and you had never been around any water bodies before that." She ruffled Klee's hair, "Did you receive any information from others perhaps?"

Your mouth gaped open slightly, was Jean monitoring you? It makes sense since she's the grandmaster and you had been quite 'suspicious' in her eyes since your first arrival inside the city walls, but to stalk you...

"...I can't say who but a friend of mines did tell me to stay away from the water." Did Sophia count as a friend?

Lisa giggled softly, "I thought that you only had interactions with us, Aether and the clothing lady. Of course, there's also Paimon and Bob... but you could always make friends in the Mondstadt dungeons right?" She shrugged, "So I would assume that your friend is one of the fatuus that escaped."

Your eyes widened for a brief moment.

"Oh well, I suppose that I really have to send some knights to check it out." Kaeya tutted. "Do you want samples to send to Albedo?"

Jean nodded. "Y/N, I'll trust you with Klee. Kaeya, send some knights to gather samples from all across Mondstadt and check for similarities. Lisa and Albedo will investigate. I'll try to find info from the Fatui."

Klee grinned widely, "Yay! Klee's going to have sooo much fun with pretty big sister! I promise that I won't cause any trouble!"

The sun shone brightly down on your face as you stepped outside holding Klee's small hands. You were originally planning to go to the bar to be familiar with the route so that you could hide from the knights quickly after Aether steals from the Cathedral but you could always do that tomorrow. You weren't exactly going to bring a kid to the bar, especially a kid like Klee who could bomb the entire city into smithereens if she wanted to.

You crouched down to her height. "Klee, is there anything you want to do?"

The girl beamed at you, "Klee would go fish bombing but there's no fishies to bomb. Um... Klee had also dug up Dodoco a while ago with big brother Aether, so Klee will do whatever big sister Y/N wants to do!"

"..." Yeah...you were definitely not bringing a cinnamon roll like Klee to a bar where a bunch of drunkards would be.

"Klee, how 'bout we go see the views of Mondstadt, you can teach me how to make a flower crown."

"REALLY?! Klee will bring you to Starsnatch Cliff then! But... it would be a long walk...But it's ok since you have anemo powers right?!"

Your brows furrowed slightly, "Who told you about that?"

"Big sister Jean of course! She knows a loooottt of things. In fact, Klee's sure that she's watching us right now!"

"I- Does she do that usually?"

"Yeah! You don't need to worry for your safety when she's watching! Klee remembers the first time Klee went fish bombing and the Dodoco I made blasted Klee into the Cider lake and then Jean saved Klee in a big wooosh! Jean knows eeeverythingg, that's why Mondstadt is very safe as long as you're close to the city, and why there's very few monsters around."

You shuddered slightly, Jean could totally kill you with a few orders and no one would know. Everyone would think that it was just an accident.

"Klee, hold on tight ok, I'm going to fly us there." Hopefully none of the knights watching has an anemo vision.

-.-.-

"Big sister Y/N, Klee's going to tell you a little secret."

You laid sprawled on the green grass, enjoying the cool breeze with dandelion seeds dancing in the air.

"Yeah?"

"Klee... Klee might've contributed to the dead fish...in a bad way...and...Klee didn't tell big sister Jean..." Her voice dropped to a murmur.

You rolled to your back, "So? They accused you of something you didn't do."

Klee frowned, "A few days ago, some knights asked Klee for a map of Mondstadt. I asked them why wouldn't they just ask Miss Amber or Mr Kaeya but they said that they were being mean to them so they asked Klee. Klee...Klee had never ever seen them before, so I thought that they were new knights, but now..." Her head drooped down, her hands behind her back.

You sat up abruptly, "Klee, did one of them have faded green hair?"

The girl stared at you, confusion in her eyes, "Klee thinks so? I'm sorry but Klee doesn't remember clearly."

"Of course... Sofiya." You muttered quietly. "Klee, do you want to help the knights out?"

Teyvat Chapter 10 - Being Broke is shit

"Big sister Y/N, Jean wouldn't put both of us into solitary confinement right?" Klee whispered, pulling you behind a large boulder.

"Shhhhh." You hushed her, "Look." You pushed Bob down from the boulder, "Bob, don't move unless you want to be electrified by those cicin mages."

Klee leaned over to your ear, "Klee recognizes the fatui agent in the front but the rest are new to Klee."

Just like Klee the man in the middle and the girl next to him was familiar to you, it was Yeray and Keyarye, one of the fatuus that escaped.

"The cicin mage next to him also looks quite familiar to Klee... Where did Klee see her?"

You ruffled her hair, "Klee, all the cicin mages look the same, of course she looks familiar."

"Oh- ok... Look, they're leaving!" You hurriedly stopped her from saying anything else.

"Who's there?" Keyarye swiveled around, her bubbliness gone and her eyes sharp. She raised her lamp, firing a strong beam of electro to the boulder. Her purple eyes widened when she saw a flash of black (h/c). "Shit." She hissed, redirecting the beam to a nearby bush.

"Lieutenant, is there something wrong?"

She lowered her lamp, "It's just a birdy. The four of you report back to the Captain. I will return shortly. Yeray, go with them, I will not have a bunch of buffoons terrorizing every single person they find." She paused, "Do I need to repeat myself?"

"N-no Lieutenant!" Keyarye rolled her eyes, "A bunch of buffoons..."

She bent down scooping up some water in a bottle. "Y/N, Spark Knight. It's quite obvious that I know you're there, be a dear and come out 'kay?"

Bob happily bounced towards the cicin mage the moment he wiggled through your arms.

"If it isn't the cryo slime." She chuckled dryly.

"Does Klee know you?"

Keyarye glanced at you, "No. Perhaps you've mistaken me for someone. Us cicin mages are rarely seen without our hoods you know."

She continued to fill bottles with contaminated water, "Being someone who believes in fate and fortune, and being in a particularly good mood today, I'll be extra nice and give you guys a small advice. Don't eat any fish, who knows what will happen." The cicin mage opened her bag, casually throwing the samples inside.

"Don't tell anyone that I told ya'll that 'kay. I mean... who would believe that a cicin mage would tell people from the Knights of Favonius useful information? Y'all would be called traitors or spies." She slung the bag over her shoulder, winking at you. "Do svidaniya milashka."

She bowed dramatically, disappearing in a bright purple flash.

Klee blinked, "Was that... a nice fatui? Wait! Look, she left a bottle of the water!"

You crouched down, and surely, there laid a bottle of contaminated water, with a small piece of paper under it. You placed the paper in your inventory when Klee wasn't looking, and fell into a state of confusion.

Klee probably didn't notice it since she was focused on the bright purple sparkles but you clearly see that Keyarye had purposefully dropped the bottle whilst mouthing 'thank me later' before disappearing.

What made you confused was why would she purposefully drop the sample? She could clearly see that you and Klee were going to collect the water but she chose to collect it herself. There had to be something wrong. Wait... She was wearing gloves...

"Hey, Klee. Let's go back. Promise me that you won't say anything about this. It would be our little secret."

-.-.-

When you had returned back into the city walls, the sun had long set.

The mist tonight was a lot thinner, but it still made your spine shiver when Katheryne's red hued eyes met yours when you maneuvered to your little home. You could still feel the shivers when you had finally reached your cozy room.

Aether was in god knows where so it was a perfect time to check on your phone.

"Sample of Unknown Water... what the fuck is this description? A sample dropped by the fatui. It seems to have great importance...Aren't you lucky to have such a concentrated sample of this?"

If you were an animated character in a cartoon there would've been black lines on your head.

"I- whatever. The quests... huh. New quest? Bruh, the Archon quest isn't even finish- WHAT, IS THAT A FUCKING INSULT?"

You had to resist the urge to chuck your phone across the room. On the quest bar read: 'Find a Job.'

Now if it was just that you would've been perfectly fine, but the description... 'Bitch, you broke and you have zero mora that you can access unless you wanna be hunted down for unknown sources of money. Get working and don't be a lazy ass'

Rewards: 'One mora, an actual job, one point'

You sighed, you hate to admit it but you were broke, you had spent every single mora on you when you bought flowers with Klee, like why is Flora selling them for hundreds??? Like you knew that Teyvat's currency didn't have a lot of worth compared to some currencies in your world but as someone who had just made their first pot of gold from commissions and ley lines, you barely had any mora left just removing weekly expenses.

Feeling a bit fucked, you checked on your character, everything was pretty much the same, the only difference being that the background changed from grey to a soft turquoise and the you on screen was currently riding a wind current and being a literal fool.

Having a glance on your shitty stats you gazed down at the wanderer's and adventurer's experience in silence.

"Am I- Am I supposed to READ this SHit?"

Ok, thank god that the only thing you needed to do was to absorb them, not that you know how you did it ofc, but your level did go from level 0 to level 5.

"Hooray. Walla. I can defeat a slime without using my vision. Yay." You grumbled in monotone. Like, you had been running around gathering chests under the gazes of citizen staring at you like you're a two headed horse and you only managed to get yourself to level 5?!

"Yea bitch, not a chance against the vision holders, hell nawh." Yup, you were crying internally.

After levelling up your character and weapons, your talents still locked and the artifacts being more useless than Yeleris's toilet paper made of gold that she bought out of sheer boredom, you found yourself staring at the sky.

"Hoorayyy to me... third night guys, third night..."

-.-.-

"Yoooo Katheryneeee, any jobssss?"

You squeezed past a man, tapping on the front desk.

"Ad astra abyssosque Y/N, unfortunately the last job was taken away from the man right before you." The robot smiled apologetically to you.

"Ahhhh, shit."

"Out of curiosity, are you...perhaps out of mora?"

You sighed like an old man named Zhongli, "Yeah. The ley lines are acting unusual, the monsters are a lot more powerful than yesterday for no reason."

It was a mystery on how the lvl one monsters suddenly turned to lvl 20, if it was lvl 5 it would've made sense like the game but 20? It seemed like the quest closed all routes of getting mora so now you're here, your ass kicked by those hilichurls and forced to look for a job.

"I can alert you of jobs if you wish. I will send the info to you by the adventurer's handbook." Katheryne giggled softly at your dead expression.

"Thanks girlll." You groaned, hissing from the injuries.

"You may want to go to Good Hunter's to get some food that could heal you or you can go to the knights for help."

"Will do."

Another fail. You limped back to your place, "Fuck life. I don't even have enough mora for a fucking fried egg."

"You're that broke?"

"HOLY SHI- AETHER!"

"Sorry."

Aether scratched his head, "Got your ass kicked?"

"Don't mention it."

He flopped to the couch, cuddling Bob, "I've gotten more teleport waypoints unlocked if that's good news."

You looked him up and down, "You're soaking you know?"

He rolled his eyes, "Met up with the bard at Windrise, he asked where you were for some reason," He leaned backwards, "The sheer amount of monsters there, I had to fight abyss mages and some ruin guards."

"What's your level?"

"The what?"

"Nevermind." You rubbed your eyes, seemed like Teyvatians didn't have character screens. It made some sense considering that they couldn't even see the amount of damage dealt or the health bars. The only thing that sucks for you being that you couldn't see their screens meaning their strengths are all unknown.

"Oh and anyways, Me and Venti are going to get the Holy lyre tomorrow."

"And Paimon!" chimed the fairy.

"Can I tag along?"

"Sure! Venti was going to have me ask you anyways. Got to go now, I have some commissions to do. Good luck on getting mora. Can't help you right now because Paimon had finished my mora due to her and sticky honey roasts."

Paimon gasped, "They're stick honey roasts! They're divine!"

"Aaaaand they left." You got up slowly. "Let's go Bob. We need to be ready for tomorrow, and look for a fucking job too."

Locking the front door, you and Bob started on your way to the Cathedral.

"Laa la laaa, Oh! Hello, are you new believers?" A cheery voice greeted you when the two of you half crawled half climbed the stairs.

"Gaahh! A slime!" Barbara flinched, throwing a blob of water at Bob.

"Blub?" Bob blinked, freezing the blob right before it hit him.

"He's friendly, sorry about that." You squeezed a smile at the deaconess.

"No, no. I'm sorry. Let me introduce myself. I'm Barbara! The deaconess!" The girl stuck her hand out.

"I'm Y/N." You shook her hand.

"I've heard of you! You're one of the two that used anemo to force Stormterror away!"

You raised a brow, "How did you know that? Aren't you a deaconess?"

Barbara giggled, "I do things outside the church too you know! I sing and whenever I meet my fans they tell me lotsss of stuff happening around! Especially the ones that goes to the bar. Anyways! Are you going to go inside the Cathedral? I can tour you if you want!"

You backed up a bit, Barbara's bubbly energy being a bit too bright and happy for you.

"I'm sorry Barbara, but I'm pretty new here so I'm just going around the city to get familiar."

"Awww. It's fine. I can always tour you later! Bye bye then Y/N! I've got my duties!" She smiled sweetly at you. "Just saying! You're really pretty!"

You looked down at Bob, "Hey, she complimented me. Well, let's go to the bar." Barbara's little speech reminded of a key place. The bar. Drunk people say everything. And having nothing to do and no hope on a job, you could always listen to some gossip.

"But before that, we need some mora." You took a big breath. Eyeing the chests at the teleport waypoint near the cathedral.

"Time to fly Bob. And look like a mentally unstable person."

Author's note: I legit just wrote Chapter 10 today : D Pls feel free to comment and do other random stuff :D

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Teyvat Chapter 11:

https://www.tumblr.com/life-is-unreal/757828957175414784/stranger-danger-genshin-x-reader-teyvat-chapter?source=share

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thisblogisaboutabook · 11 months ago

Note

hi! i saw that you were writing acotar fics inspired by taylor’s songs (which i both love so this is amazing), do you think you can write a fic based on “ivy” ? it always makes me think about the acotar world for some reason. maybe with azriel if you’re okay with that ?

Am I okay with that?? I’m more than okay with that! Perhaps even elated! Azriel is my fav and I had the pleasure of seeing Taylor and Aaron perform Ivy together at the Eras Tour. Thank you so much for the incredible ask!

Ivy (covered in you)

An ACOTAR oneshot inspired by Taylor Swift

Azriel x Reader

Update: Find the bonus chapter here: Solstice Tree Farm (Christmas Tree Farm)

warnings: attempted SA, dub-con, suggestive, language

Warm lips pressed against my forehead as calloused fingertips deftly pushed aside the stray hairs that had slipped over my face.

We’d been wrapped up here for hours. An incandescent glow emanating from us that had nothing to do with the warm fire shrouding us in its flickering light. A plush blanket draped over our naked forms as my hands roamed freely underneath. His skin was warm, heavenly, every sacred inch of it bringing solace to my frigid heart. His own heart responsible for melting away the frost that covered it most of the time.

I leaned up to look at him, this male whom I loved with every ounce of my being. Looked into those golden-flecked hazel eyes that bore straight into my soul, seeing all of me, every cursed inch.

“You’re mine.” I whispered, pulling a large scarred hand over my breast, letting him feel the heart that beat so effortlessly in his presence. “Always mine, right in here.”

His hand lingered there, eyes filled with reverence as he absorbed each beat of my heart, every thought that filled my head, the entirety of my soul that was consumed with him - screamed that it loved him, desired him, belonged to him. Minutes passed like that. My fingers tracing soothing lines around those beautiful scars, scars derived from the ugliest of places. He was my reminder, my hope, that beauty could grow from the ugliest places. He survived the unspeakable horrors of his childhood and became this wonderful male before me. A beacon of hope rooted so deeply into my soul, filling it with rays of love that flooded out the darkness within me. The darkness that-

A hideous laugh cracked through the memory, like lightning jolting my thoughts back to this waste of a reality. My husband sharing some crass tale that he’d recycled with the audiences of various court functions over the years.

I threw back the glass of wine in my hand just in time to catch the attention of an attendant strolling by, placing the empty glass on his tray and snagging two more glasses off of it. I’d need them both to get through his pompous storytelling.

I resented the male with every fiber of my being. I wanted to hate him but told myself he wasn’t that bad. He didn’t hit or threaten violence against me. I had every physical item I could ask for. I even had blissful breaks from his presence, free to roam where I chose in his absence - so long as I didn’t leave Vallahan and maintained a modest, ladylike presence.

He didn’t have the brain to challenge any of the bigoted views instilled in him growing up: belief in the separation of “lesser-fae” and “high fae”, a wife’s place was to sit obediently by his side and look pretty, females didn’t have a place in court politics. I would have never married him, given the choice. But what is choice in a place like Vallahan? I wished Mor were here to suffer through the evening with me.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

My life changed the night I met Morrigan - an emissary from Prythian. We instantly hit it off. My husband dismissing her presence as she was merely a female, waving me off to “entertain” her. I led her to my library where we spoke for hours. I could not remember the last time I laughed like I did that night, had I ever?

From the start, I informed her that spending time with me was a futile effort. I had no sway in the court or even with my husband. I once had hope that he’d come around, see me as an equal who was worthy of his consideration. But that was a long time ago and I’d since given up - biding my time with wine, books, and spending his money.

I made a difference in the ways I could without getting cut off from the liberties of leaving the estate. I spent his money in less affluent areas of our city where I knew that it would make a difference. I tipped any server well and even tipped the shopkeepers and clerks, donated gifts my husband had given me that he’d since forgotten about, “accidentally” dropped gold marks as I walked past buskers and beggars in the street. Vallahan was incredibly wealthy. There was no excuse for the poverty that its royalty allowed to befall its “lesser” denizens.

Mor had simply waived off my efforts in sending her back out to network with the nobility and spent the duration of that event with me. We swapped tales of our lands, risqué jokes, of our families. Her family had been much worse than mine but elements were quite relatable. My family saw me as nothing more than a bargaining chip, marrying me off to the highest bidder, having nothing to do with me unless they needed an invitation to an event that could advance their social standing. I couldn’t relate, however, to her chosen family. I had nobody. She smiled, mentioning of a friend in her chosen family that I would love. She claimed we both held silent, observant statures in public settings, and let our true light shine when we were alone with friends. I didn’t have the heart to tell her that this was the first time in a century I’d truly let the light break through.

We began seeking eachother out at the functions she attended as emissary. Using my silent presence, I would garner information that could aid Mor in her peace treaty efforts. She never once asked such a thing of me. It was my choice to offer the information, a chance to make a difference. My idiot husband never once considering that her and I could be talking about anything other than classic literature and the latest fashions.

It was months later that I sat in our manor’s great room, quietly reading a book whilst sipping on a blend of spiced tea Mor had gifted me from Prythian. The sun shone through the windows, keeping the room illuminated enough while leaving shadowed corners perfect for going unnoticed and unbothered in.

Hushed voices interrupted my reading as my husband and a stern looking red-headed male entered the opposite end of the room, seating themselves in front of the fireplace - their chairs facing away from me. Without noticing my presence, they began speaking of communications between his court and the mortal queens. My ears perked at the mention of Koschei and something about an alliance. The males were interrupted by a house attendant informing them that their private lunch was prepared and awaiting them in the dining room.

The next time I spoke with Mor, her brows furrowed at the mention of the conversation, asking me to describe the male as best I could. I gave her the best description I could including his red hair, cold expression and baritone voice. Her jaw slackened, mouth forming an “Oh” before she muttered, “Fucking Beron.”

My eyes widened at the name. Beron Vanserra, the High Lord of Prythian’s Autumn Court.

From there, Mor asked if I remembered the friend she’d mentioned before, the observant one with quiet wit. As I nodded, she placed a gentle hand on my leg, quietly stating, “I need your help.”

We made a plan to meet up with her friend the following week as my husband traveled to Rask for meetings. I met Mor at the quarters she stayed at while on the continent. The room smelled of her and an intoxicating aroma of chilled mist and cedar. Mor hugged me before saying, “Y/N, meet Azriel. Spymaster of the Night Court.”

Any expectations I had of the “friend” Mor mentioned flew out the window. I never thought to question whether her friend was male or female, if they were high-fae, what they looked like… maybe I should have. I had to look like a fool as I gaped at the gorgeous male stepping out of the shadows and into the room’s light. Gold-flecked hazel eyes met mine as I marveled at the towering male before me. Raven-black hair, tan skin with tattoos peaking over the top of his black tunic, and the wings, oh they were incredible. The sun highlighting the subtle hues of red undertones throughout their massive form. An Illyrian. I’d read of the Illyrian warriors of Prythian in texts but I’d never seen one in person.

His jaw dropped for a moment as he looked to my feet where shadows were swirling. He apologized profusely as they ignored his command to return to him, stating that they had never done this before. I gave him a puzzled look before he continued, telling me that he was a Shadowsinger.

A Shadowsinger. I thought they were myths but here he was. This gorgeous, living, breathing male before me. As real as the palpitations I felt in my heart under his gaze.

Quickly I regained my composure as the three of us sat to discuss the information I’d gleaned from Beron and my husband. And from there, we worked together. The more information regarding a potential alliance we had, the more efficiently plans could be made to prevent it. Both Mor and Azriel respectfully ensured that I was comfortable with an increased spy presence as I worked with them. The risks of infiltrating were numerous but the risk of a potential alliance with Koschei outweighed any risk on our ends.

Azriel would sneak into court functions with Mor as she attended her standard emissary business - his shadows shrouding him from view, and I would meet with either Azriel or Mor anytime my husband was traveling on business to discuss the latest information from around the manor.

While my husband was completely oblivious, his family was dangerous. An elite family of nobility who dealt in bloodshed and blackmail. I was truly fortunate to not have been married off to one of his brothers - my husband being the least terrible of them all.

That night as I lay in bed, I found my heart racing. Not from fear but from…. Excitement. Azriel’s presence made me feel hopeful, giddy. He continued bringing up his concern for my safety during our meeting to which I insisted that I could handle myself. His persistence enough that by the end, I allowed him to send a shadow to accompany me for the time being.

I came to find the little shadow comforting. I knew from my studies that they were to be feared, yet I couldn’t help but enjoy its company. I began talking to it when nobody was around going as far as reading to the thing. Gods, had I really become so lonely that a shadow brought me joy?

The first time I met with Azriel alone, he gave me a mischevious grin. When asked what it was for, he just shook his head with a little blush rising to his cheeks. I shared my newest information while his eyes held a playful glint the entire time he listened. I finally elbowed him and insisted he tell me what he found so amusing.

Finally he spoke, “I enjoyed the smut you read to my shadow��

“WHAT!?” I asked, embarrassment rising to my face in an unflattering shade of red.

“My shadows… they tell me everything.” He quipped.

I looked at the shadow now cowering behind my ankles, “You traitorous little shit. I thought we were friends!”

Azriel laughed as the shadow wound up my body and nuzzled my face, a plea for forgiveness. I laughed knowing I should have expected it to relay the information to him.

I smirked, “I forgive you.”

The shadow danced joyfully in response.

Azriel leaned closer, “You seem to have made quite the friend out of that one.”

I nodded in agreement. Blushing at the closeness between our faces.

He smiled. “I’d like to be your friend too.”

Before I could give it a second thought, I closed the distance between us. I had just met this male, barely knew him, but something inside me tugged. Pulled me toward him. I couldn’t hold myself back. It was instinct. My lips needed to be on his, belonged there.

For a moment, he pulled back and looked at me. His eyes searching deep within mine, second guessing, searching for any doubt, seeking permission though I was the one to initiate the kiss.

It was wrong. I knew it was so wrong. I didn’t care. I never had a choice in my marriage but this, it was something I was choosing for myself. So long as Azriel wanted it too.

“Please” I whispered.

It was all he needed to hear before his lips were crashing into mine again.

That was the night the bond snapped into place and my soul became his entirely. Every fiber of my being belonged to him regardless of wherever my physical presence may be.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

As days and weeks flew by, I snuck out to him anytime I could, and when I wasn’t with him - a shadow always kept me company.

Azriel purchased a small cottage in the forest with a stone foundation, just large enough for the two of us. Ivy wound up the sides of the dated building and it’s shutters hung loosely. Most would look upon the home and turn their nose up to the state of it. But to me - to me it was everything.

We made love day and night, any time the coast was clear I sought him out. We shared our deepest secrets, held each other as we shared the heartbreaking traumas of our past. Mor met with me less and less, certainly Azriel’s own doing. Though she always sent her regards. I missed her but couldn’t resist the relief I felt at the increased opportunities to meet with Azriel.

This home felt so inviting. I never wanted to leave the cozy embrace of it, or Azriel. The places I had lived in my life were grand by any standards but they were not home, only large shells of loneliness with the sole purpose of containing bodies and furniture for those bodies.

But this, this small cottage, it was home. Azriel was home. Love and warmth encompassed me as soon as I’d walk through the doors and into his strong arms. Our scents intermingled, bodies intertwined, his love rooting itself like Ivy deeper and deeper within the cracks of my stone encompassed soul, tethering us together until I didn’t know where I ended and he began.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

Weeks turned to months and my resentment towards my husband only grew. I began sneaking off to my home even when my husband wasn’t traveling. The fact that he didn’t notice my frequent absence was both a relief and infuriating. He thought so little of me that he’d never once considered what I could be doing behind his back.

I hated the nights he sought me out. Azriel and I both knew it was inevitable and in order to prevent any suspicion I complied. The entire time I’d close my eyes and picture the corded muscles of Azriel’s arms pressing on either side of my head, warm breath heating my neck as he peppered kisses and nipped down it and across my collarbone, wings cocooning us until we were the only two people in the world.

The times my husband would reach for my hand were rare as it was and now his touch just felt invasive, wrong. I longed for the feeling of Azriel’s freezing hands holding mine as we walked in from the snowy wood, the way he’d place a hand on my cheek allowing me to rest my weary head as I cried over our circumstances. I wanted nothing more than to flee with him but if we were caught….. a gods damned blaze would ensue.

Bond or no bond, my husband’s father would never forgive such an injustice toward his son, deeming it an insult to his entire family. He had enough pull with Vallahan’s Leaders that peace treaty talks had the potential to fall apart under his guidance. I was just one female and not one that a war would be started over, however, it could be the final straw leading to an alliance between the mortal queens, Koschei, Vallahan, and Beron’s people. The alliance being what started a war.

This fire we started together, the fire he started when he came into my life, the one that I fueled with a single kiss, it could burn so much more than just us.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

I once again was brought from reflecting by my husband’s nails-on-a-chalkboard voice. Gods, I was tired. Tired in every sense. Azriel and I had argued the previous night. He had insisted that he would not sneak into tonight’s event, sensing an increased possibility of us being caught. I knew he was right but it was one of those nights where I selfishly wanted nothing more than to run away with him.

My husband’s family traveled to our estate for the weekend, his mother had passed long ago, so it was just his father and miserable brothers visiting. Their attendance escalating risks but also offering the potential of pertinent information being exchanged.

I longed to feel his presence but no sign of his scent filled the air, no sign of his shadows grazing the nape of my neck in greeting aside from my one constant companion. As the evening’s festivities died down I bid the remainder of the party goodnight. I joined my husband’s side to let him know that I was retiring to my chambers, pressing a hand to my forehead, citing a headache. He scoffed in return.

“You are drinking too much. It is a poor reflection on my status as head of this household if you cannot control your alcohol consumption.” I rolled my eyes, turning to retreat as he grabbed my arm firmly, yanking me back to him, “You are lucky we have an audience right now. You would be wise to show me respect.” He was always like this when his family was present. Another mark on the long list of qualities I despised about him.

I said nothing more and wound through the corridors toward my chambers when hushed tones caught my ear. The gravelly voices of my father and brothers-in-law carrying to me. I halted my steps, silently padding closer to the room they occupied.

His father spoke first, “We will approach the King when we return home, regarding the pressing nature of the alliance. Between that whore emissary nosing around and the overgrown bat, we can certainly allude to the benefits of an alliance with Koschei and the queens. Prythian nosing around in the affairs of our kingdom will only work to our advantage.”

The eldest brother chimed in, “Do you think Koschei will hold to his end of the bargain - that we will each receive a territory to overrule in Prythian once it’s been conquered?”

“Considering we have the key to freeing him from the lake he’s confined to, he’ll do anything for us, and when we capture the bat - it will only enhance the deal. Think of what could be achieved with the Shadowsinger under his control.” His father replied.

Shit

I needed to get to Azriel now. How did they even think they could capture him? The fools were so sure of themselves, fueled by pure male arrogance. Quietly I turned around taking a few silent steps away before quickening my pace. I left Azriel’s single shadow that still kept an eye on me to spy on the rest of the conversation.

Rounding a corner toward the cloakroom I crashed into a body. I looked up to find my husband staring at me. “Where are you going?” He murmured. Clearly drunk.

“I needed fresh air, my stomach is hurting.” I lied.

“That can wait. You’re coming with me.” He stated flatly. Lust clouding his eyes.

Shit!

I couldn’t turn him down without raising suspicion. Finding Azriel would have to wait until he was asleep.

I turned to stride down the hall alongside him. Silence filling the air, his scent gagging me.

We entered his chamber and he locked the door behind him before pushing me back toward the bed. Once the backs of my knees met the mattress he shoved me back onto it, not even bothering to remove my dress. He simply raised my skirts, fumbling with the laces of his own pants.

I felt sick. I hated contact with him, the resentment I felt burning like a living flame inside of me - forging itself into pure, solid hate.

“Look your husband in the eyes, wife. Is it not enough that I clothe you, feed you, give you a home only outdone by a castle?”

My brows furrowed as he continued, still fumbling with those laces.

And I was the one who couldn’t control my alcohol consumption

“You seek the company of a lesser fae? Allowing yourself be sullied by that beast?”

“What are you talking about?” I asked innocently. It was then that he backhanded me and spat “Don’t play dumb now, whore.” I cried out at the surprise of the lashing. “Since you’re going to act like a whore I’ll treat you like one.”

“It’s a shame that you couldn’t control yourself. You almost got away with it until you were spotted with that thing yesterday - spotted by my own brother.” Sneering, he continued, “Oh but they have plans for that brute and you are the key.”

With that he pulled out a knife, holding it just above my throat, his hand slightly shaking. Panic started to fill me as the realization sunk in that he was going to use me as a lure to capture Azriel. I swallowed that rising panic praying he hadn’t felt it through the bond.

I had to act now. Turning my head, nearly nicking the flesh of my neck on the blade, I gasped as if I saw something - someone - enter the room. The drunken idiot fell for the rouse. I grabbed his wrist, shoving the knife back and kneed him with all the force I could muster right in the balls.

He rolled off of me and I swiped the knife from his hand. Before he could call for help, I took the opportunity to press it to his neck. Azriel’s shadow returning to me just in time to bind his arms together.

”You thought you could assault me? You couldn’t even handle the laces of your pants, let alone a dagger.”

He looked at me, eyes wide, that lust in his eyes taken over by fear.

“I thought you to be better than your father and brothers but I see your true colors now.”

He opened his mouth to cry for help but I sliced the dagger across his neck before he could make a sound.

“Fool.” I muttered and walked away.

~~~~~~~~~~~~

The manor burned in flames behind me. My body clothed in spare garb kept in the staff supply room as to not attract any suspicious eyes in the streets. The staff had all returned to their own homes for the night with our essential staff returning to their on-ground quarters, separate from the manor. I stashed as many jewels and gold marks as I could into my clothing. I would find a way to distribute the wealth to displaced staff once I found a safe way to do so.

But now all I could think of was the path ahead. My husband was gone. His awful father and brothers too. Gone before they could ever share their suspicions of Az and Mor with the king. Gone before they could further influence the forming of an alliance. Their remaining ashes would be nothing but dust in the king’s ear by the time the fire burned out. Prying eyes would assume I had died in the blaze as well.

The realization hit me as I made my way through the streets: I was free. For the first time in my life, I had the choice to follow my own path and I knew exactly who that chosen path led to.

All that remained was to run away to him. I sent a gentle tug on our bond but a certain shadow had already went out ahead of me. And out of the dark cover of night, he emerged. His shadows shrouding us like the Ivy on our cottage. Home. He was my home.

~~~~~~~

EPILOGUE

The dining room filled with laughter. Mor sipped her glass of the expensive wine that she insisted she were entitled to after all of the chaos her family -our family- subjected her to. Azriel’s arm rested on the chair behind me as he sat in contented silence, those ever observant eyes taking in his family seated all together. It had been ten years today since we fled Vallahan. Nine years eleven months and thirty days since we’d accepted the bond, and the rest had been bliss. Of course there was always some challenge to arise but nothing that Azriel and I couldn’t take on as a team, as equals.

In the time that had passed, Beron’s son Eris took over his throne after the High Lord died from a mysterious illness with symptoms very similar to the effects of bloodbane.

After I left the room that fateful night in Vallahan, my favorite little shadow picked up very important information regarding the key to freeing Koschei that had been alluded to. It was now safely hidden away under extensive wards in the Night Court, far away from Koschei or the Mortal Queens.

For now, we were safe. We were free. We could conquer anything with this Court of Dreams.

“Where’d you go?” Az whispered, his beautiful voice bringing chills of the best kind to me as his lips brushed across my forehead. I gave him a smile sending waves of contentment and joy through the bond.

“Hey!” Mor said. “Where’s your wine? Az! How could you forget to pour a glass for your lady.” She threw a playful wink in my direction. “I swear, I’m going to steal her from you if you keep this up.”

I said nothing as I looked to Mor, resting a hand gently across the light swelling of my abdomen.

Azriel’s eyes sparkled and he quipped, “I’m taking a break from wine duty, Mor.”

“Chocolate duty would be great though.” I said, looking back to Az. He gave a nod and I dropped the shield that masked my scent from our family.

Cheers of happiness and laughter erupted around the room. Mor let out a high-pitched squeal like I’d never heard as she embraced me. I smiled, absorbing all of the love that filled the room.

This love. This life. It was home. Not a magnificent curse but the ivy roots of my dreamland covering me in love, in him.

#taylor swift #acotar #acotar oneshot #ivy #azriel x reader #azriel shadowsinger #sarah j maas #a court of silver flames #a court of thorns and roses #a court of frost and starlight #a court of mist and fury #a court of wings and ruin #azriel #morrigan #oneshot #acotar x taylor swift #x reader

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smoothsands · 1 year ago

Text

“

…How did I become this?

What made me

half girl half knife?

Holding my mothers grief in one hand and my fathers anger

in the other.

I wonder I wonder I wonder.

In dreams my house is on fire. myself standing in the flames.

Always burning.

Always the girl who can't escape.

Cruelty had made me

a monster

but all along I have wished to be tender.

Cruel hands birth nothing but cruel hands

and the cycle continues

….”

pov the most recent update jump scares you so bad that you immediately start working on the only finished piece of art you’ve made in the last few months lol

Characters belong to @fog-and-the-frost!! The story and lore you’re building with these guys is honestly so interesting and it’s only a matter of time until I made fanart lol

#warrior cats #fog-and-the-frost #my art #rfffanart #tw blood #is that how you tag that?? I’ve never had to tag a trigger warning before lol

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ivys-garden · 5 months ago

Text

Hivy, This is Ivy!

Throughout my time on Tumblr one of my favourite things to do has been to create hypothetical Minecraft updates, I've done this twice before with The Pigeon update and The Pond Update, but a few weeks ago I let you lot chose what geographic area I should turn into a hypothetical update

Yall chose Celtic Europe (and Oceania but that's for later) AKA, Ireland, Scotland, Whales and Cornwall. I was very glad with this outcome as I myself am Scottish and I had a lot of ideas for this…..too many ideas…. So many ideas that I had to cut an entire section and now some stuff feels barebones….whoops. (but hey now I can work on a full portion update later…yay.)

But, enough of that, let's move on to:

The Fae Update!

New Biomes + Structures

There are 6 new biomes in this hypothetical update, each referring a different local found in celtic europe these are: The White Cliffs,The Glacial Pass, The Wisteria Forrest The Heather Moorlands/Peat Bogs (take your pick), The Highland Forests, and… you'll see ;3

The White Cliffs

The White Cliffs are a new coastal biome, consisting of grass topped cliffs, sandy bays and rock structures jutting out of the water. Suspicious sand and gravel generates naturally here and loot from it follows the fishing loot table, though with an increased chance to find nautilus shells and a rare chance to find sniffer eggs

This biome is based on the White Cliffs of Dover and the Jurassic Coast

The White Cliffs has only three new features:

Puffins

A new passive abiant mob, they drop Feathers when killed. Instead of the normal birds nest (introduced in the pigeon update) puffins lay there eggs in “wall nests” grey nests that attach to walls, these can be used as a decorative block

Seagulls

A neutral mob who drops Feathers and fish when killed, they spawn both in the White Cliffs and on beaches and open Seas. Seagulls will attack the player if they are holding any food item in their hand, stealing it.

Seagulls serve no other purpose.

Chalk

Chalk is a new stone block. It has the blast resistance of wood and is exclusive to the white cliffs, making up the cliffs themselves.

Chalk can be dyed any of the dye colours in the game, creating a softer, more Pastel variant of that colour (queers rejoice). Chalk can be made into slabs, stairs and walls in the stone cutter.

The Glacial Pass

A cold mountainous biome, the Glacial past is mainly made of stone and deeplate, with ice and snow also being common. Dipstone spikes can be found here as well as gravel structures resembling Eskers and Terminal Moraines (yes my favourite subject is geography how can you tell?). Suspicious gravel can be found here as well as suspicious snow, which can also be found in the igloo. Strays, Polar Bears, Foxes and Rabbits Spawn in this environment

This biome is based on glaciated uplands

Seals

Seals can be found in all cold environments. Seals will follow the player when they swim, upon coming on to land Seals will bob in the afternoon expectantly.

Seals can be fed fish, clapping after this is done

Seals drop blubber when killed. Blubber can be crafted into blubber blocks, when lit on fire these blocks burn light yellow. Blubber can be used to make torches, lanterns and campfires.

Blubber can also be crafted into a chest plate, the blubber chest plate reduces projectile damage and prevents Frost damage in powdered snow, but it slows you down while on land

The Wisteria Forest

A replacement for the old flower Frocester, this is a rare forrest in which all natural flowers spawn

Purified water (a type of water introduced in the pond update that can cure harmful status effects and restore hunger permanently for a short time) would spawn here too, as well as unicorns and kelpies (introduced in the pond update, will be discussed later)

Other Mobs that Spawn here will be discussed later

Wisteria Trees

Wisteria trees are a new wood type. The wood itself is a pale green with a purplish grey bark. Wisteria leaves are pale lavender. Wisteria trees also have hanging leave variants, much like willow leaves (pond update) that grow in the same way as glow berries

Butterflies and Moths

Passive ambient mobs that spawn in all biomes, though moths are most common in dark oak forests and butterflies are most common here. Both come in many colours, much like tropical fish. These mobs are as large as the bees (traditional dictates that all Minecraft arthropods must be massive, also yes bane of arthropods works on these, but do you actually care?)

Butterflies and Moths drop their respective wings when killed, these can be grafted onto the elytra (using the dragonfly carapace, an mob drop from the dragon fly as introduced in the pond update, speaking of that, the Toad from that update will also eat Moths and Butterflies) grafting these wings on changes the electable texture to resemble the wings of these Mobs (Note: despite both having many textures the electric will always adopt The Lunar Moth and Monarch Butterfly texture respectively)

Crann Bethadh Sprout

The sprout of a legendary tree, this is a two tall plant with ever changing leaf colours, shifting throughout all the pastel colour variants

The player can take a cutting of this plant using shears

This plant can only be dug up by the sniffer

Flower Crowns

By combining any 4 flowers in a circular pattern in the crafting table players can make flower crowns. Flower crowns adopt the colours of whatever flowers were used to craft it. Flower crowns can be worn on the head and serve no purpose other than to make people look pretty ;3

Wisteria Grass

Wisteria grass is a new grass type block that is pale lavender. It behaves the same as grass. It is only found in the Wisteria forest

The Heather Moorlands

Heather Moorlands are made up of water, grass, mud and a new block. No trees and few other plants spawn here, but cattails, reeds (pond update), sea grass and lily pads would be common here.

Bogs would spawn here

Toads, Frogs and Dragonflies would spawn here

Heather Moorlands are based on….Heather Moorlands.

Peat

Peat is a new powered snow-like block. It is brown in colour and makes up most of the ground in the Heather moorlands. Any plant can be planted on it.

Falling through peat takes notably longer than it does for powdered snow, players cannot freeze in peat, only suffocate. Peat can be safely traversed with leather boots.

When broken, peat will break into Peat Logs, peat logs can be burned in the furnace as an effective fuel

When lit on fire, Peat burns Bright Red, peat logs can be used to make peat lanterns, campfires and torches.

Combining 4 peat logs together makes a peat block, smelting a peat block creates Hardened Peat. Harmed peat can be made into Smooth Peat, Chiselled Peat, Peat Bricks, Cut Peat, Peat Pillar and Peat Tiles

Gortach

The Gortach are a new Undead mob. They spawn in swamps and peat bogs and resemble Bog bodies. They hide in dirt, mud, sand, gravel and peat and jump out of the ground to attack.

Gortach inflicts poison with their attacks. Gortach can carry swords, axes, and spears

Gortach drop their weapon, peat logs or Rotten flesh when killed

Spears

Spears are crafted either with one iron ingot and two sticks in a diagonal pattern, or are dropped by the Gortach

Spears are weaker than the sword but have a better reach, can be thrown (though this isn't good for their durability) and completely bypass shields and armour, hitting the opponent as if they had nothing at all

Spears have all the same enchantments as the Sword + Loyalty

Heather

Heather is a new purple flower exclusive to the Heather Moorlands. It gives purple dye when ground up.

The Highland Forest

Made up of rolling hills and Birch trees, all normal passive Mobs can spawn here, but sheep, goats,bees and cows are most common. All normal hostile Mobs can spawn here

Loch Lurkers (a rare UnderWater horse-like mob from the pond update) also spawn in the lakes here

Birch Updates

Yep. This is a secret Birch forest update.

A new form of Birch tree “Silver Birch” that grows much taller and has yellow leaves can be found here. This form gets its own sapling

The Birch block would also get a minor update to make the black segments more like stripes and not ugly blobs

Leave Updates, Packed Leaves and Thatching

Players and Mobs can now walk and fall through leaves.

When breaking leaves with anything other than shears or silk touch leaf blocks will drop leaf items (except wisteria and Spruce, which drop Petals and Needles)

By placing 9 of these in the crafting bench the player can create packed leaves, a new solid version of the leaf block

Thatching is a new block of greyish colour that is crafted with 6 wheat on the top and bottom and 3 leaves of any type in the centre of the crafting bench. Thatching looks the same as a Hale Bale, only without the string holding it together.

Goosegrass, Nettles, and Thistle

Goosegrass is a plant that grows in any forest, but is most common in the Highlands. Walking through goosegrass results in it sticking to you, taking up one of your unoccupied armour slots and slowing you down. Walking through it at all also slows you down, much like cobwebs, making this plant dangerous when fighting mobs

Nettles can only spawn in Dark oak and Highland forests. Nettles stay low to the ground, if they are walked on by a player they are inflicted with Poison. Nettles can be collected and made into a healthy soup

Thistles are a new type of two high flowers. They can be ground into purple dye. They hurt the player if walker through

Deer

Deer are a new mob found in all forested environments, much like Wolf's they have different textures depending on the biome

When killed, Deers drop Venison, a new edible meat

Like Goats, Deers will try to charge the player. Also like Goats, after hitting a block deer will drop and antler

Fog

Fog is a new weather type, lowering the amount the player can see for a short time and allowing a few Mobs to spawn, particularly endermen

Shelf Fungus

A new decorative block that grows on trees

Wildcats

Wildcats are a new ambient Mob, they share a model with Ocelots and Cats and they drop string when killed

The Mushroom Grotto

Oh yes. A new forest of giant mushrooms and mycelium. This biome is very rare. The Mobs that Spawn here will be discussed later

Mushroom Wood

Much like the nether mushrooms, overworld mushrooms are now a woodtype. The mushroom stem can be stripped and converted into all wood blocks. Mushroom wood is white in colour.

New Mushrooms

Yep. There is now a mushroom for every colour of dye in the game. Mushrooms can also now be ground into dye

Here's what all those mushrooms could look like (minus brown and red of course):

(Note: this is based on design, not colour)

Before moving on, sniffers don't just get the Crann Bethadh Sprout. They get a new plant for every dye type in the game

Plus, they can dig up two new mushrooms exclusive to them, when ground these mushrooms become two new dye types… Well, not quite. They Become Rose Dye and Spring Green Dye, the two removed wool colours. This is the only way to get these mushrooms and these dyes. This would make the sniffer more worth the work put in to get one and create a lot of more strange decoration choices

Here's what they COULD look like (note: again, colours don't line up)

Mushroom bricks

Smelting the Mushroom blocks (not the stem, the block itself) creates mushroom bricks: multicoloured bricks taking on the patterning of the mushroom used to make them

Mushroom bricks can be made into stairs, slabs and walls

Puffball Mushrooms and Faerie Rings

Both exclusive to the mushroom forest.

Puffball mushrooms are brown in colour and are plants that stay on the ground, when walked over they release spores that inflict harmful status effects such as Poison, blindness, slowness, weakness, nausea, lethitatvia, and mining fatigue

Faerie Rings are Rings of mushrooms that take up one block on the ground (they also come in all colours)

If a player steps on one it is like they are walking through cobwebs, and upon getting out they will be inflicted with slowness.

If a mob steps in one they completely freeze and their AI is disabled until they are knocked out or the ring is broken.

This would help allow players to use Mobs as decoration without lagging there game

New Structures

Bothies

A bothy is a public structure found typically in the Highlands, there small houses for folks to take shelter in.

Bothines can spawn in any woodland biomes, they'll appear as a simple wooden house. Inside Bothies will have a chest with low level loot and a bed.

Occasionally, suspicious sand,mud, gravel or snow will spawn outside the bothy (depending on the biome), these typically have low level loot but items such as armour Trims or record disks can be dug up

Stone Works

Based on the numerous palaeolithic celtic stoneworks,these are small abiant structures spawning in the Dark Oak, Highland and Wisteria forests, as well as Heather Moorlands, Snowy Tundras, Wetlands and Mushroom Grottos

There would be many variants of these structures resembling stone circles, stone henges, standing stones, stone portals and cobbled walls.

All of these are made from base stone blocks, though sometimes other blocks can be found like chalk flooring or trees/water spawning in the centre of a stone circle

Sometimes, though rarely, these structures could spawn with a “Stone Holder” a new block that holds a tool or weapon (similar to the myth of the sword and the stone) these can be moved with silk touch. The player can remove the weapon, which will always be made of iron (that's important for later) and could have some low-level enchamtmants

Occasionally, these can also structures spawn with suspicious dirt, which can be dug up with the brush. Pottery sherds are more common in these structures, but apart from that, they exist only as set dressing ;)

Castle Ruins

A more substantial ruin, Castle Ruins can spawn basically anywhere, but are most common in Highland forests.

Castle Ruins are winding structures, they have a Dungeon below with Gortach or Bog spawners in the cells. The main ruin itself is made up of narrow passageways, imagine a smaller version of the bastion.

There would be numerous loot chests around, but upon opening one, a new mob would be summoned called a ■■■■■■

This mob will be discussed later :)

The Beast's Lair

An underground structure most common under the mountains or Highland forests

Made up of narrow passages leading to open rooms filled with gold blocks, loot chests containing riches and even some new vaults. There's also a shocking amount of skulls littered around

And of course the new boss here: The Wyvern

The Wyvern is a draconic boss mob spawning only hear, it has 4 legs and two wings and is bright red (Note: no. Wyvern never meant a dragon with only 4 limbs. That is a modern addition. Wyvern and dragons were different because of what they breathed)

The Wyvern is very powerful up close and can attack from far away with its poisonous breath

Upon its defeat the Wyvern will drop copious amounts of gold and emeralds that it ate, perhaps even some diamonds if your lucky

Faerie Mounds

Spawning exclusively in the Wisteria Forests, Highland Forests and Mushroom Grottos, these are small dirt hills with a spawner inside and a handful of loot chests

They are essentially fae Dungeons

The mobs that Spawn here will be: you guessed it, discussed later

Clochan + The Dubnos Tunnels

Clochans are typically just an abiant structures common in the Highlands, small cobblestone huts with nothing interesting about them.

But occasionally, they lead to something greater. Some of them spawn with holes leading to a second structure made up of 5 rooms, oriented in this pattern:

In the centre room are 5 stones, each baring a carving of one of the 5 element symbols (note: these are taken from the unused painting textures, with a new one added for wood), at the base of all these stones is a new kind of Vault “The Fae Vault” exclusive to this structure and the beast's lair

The carvings look like this:

The goal of this structure would be to go to each of the challenge rooms, each of with have there own stone with a carving, right click on said carving to indicate you have completed the room, and once all 4 rooms are complete return to the centre room to click on the craving that was not represented by one of the carvings in the other rooms. Getting this right results in the appearance of 5 Fae keys from the stones. These keys can be used on the fey vaults to claim the structures loot

Failure to complete the structure will be indicated by the carvings glowing Red and numerous waves of Mobs spawning

The challenge rooms each contain a challenge pertaining to their element: the fire room is filled with fire, the water room is flooded, the air room requires parkour, the earth room is a Maze and the plant room is filled with Sweet Berries, Goosegrass, Nettles, Thistles, Puffball mushrooms and Faerie Rings (yes I know mushrooms aren't plants, shush.)

On top of that, there are several spawners for the fae in this structure, with various types appearing to attack you. Though these spanners will be deactivated upon completing a room

(Note: carved stones can be moved with silk touch)

They fae Mobs that Spawn in these will be discussed later.

These structures would create unique challenges for the player and would bring more life to these biomes, encouraging exploration.

(Part 1/5)

#ivys hypothetical updates #hypothetical Minecraft updates #hypothetical mc updates #mc ideas #mc suggestions #minecraft ideas #minecraft suggestions #minecraft #part 1/5 #part 1

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writingsbychlo · 2 years ago

Text

UNDER THE MISTLETOE (day five)

summary; after getting caught up in a certain tradition, you and az face the outcome on the other side.

word count; 11,036

notes; kick your feet and giggle fluff. you've been warned.

You watched carefully as the wax before you melted, hands joined and propped under your chin, watching as glittery black beads slowly began to pale, swirls of silver sparkling throughout like the night sky. Sitting beside you, signing addresses onto all of the cards you’d spent the morning writing together.

The candle flickered, casting shadows across the room as the wax continued to soften, and Azriel pushed the final folded letter towards the pile you’d created.

“Staring at that wax awful hard, you got a lot on your mind?” You could only hum, turning to face him and watching the sparkle in his eyes as the flame flickered behind you. The truth was quite the opposite. There was nothing on your mind.

For what felt like the first time in a very, very long time, you were entirely at peace. No unmitigated anxieties or lingering problems, no stressful scenarios or job lists to be ticked off the following day. This morning, when you woke up once again tangled in Azriel’s arms, his face almost tucked into your neck, you were happy.

There had been a crumple from his pillow along his cheek that had lasted the entirety of your shared breakfast, his hair still messy even now, as a second hour passed and the unmade bedsheets had grown cold. You’d been waiting for an update on the storm situation, after dragging open the curtains only to find the glass entirely frosted over, stacked over halfway up with snow.

The fire had been burning steadily since, the logs crackling as the room was flooded with warmth.

“Wanna’ talk about it?” He raised a hand, brushing one knuckle over the back of your cheek, his brows dipping in confusion.

“There’s nothing to talk about, Az. I’m just happy.” A smile tugged at the edges of Azriel’s lips even if his brows dipped further. “I slept so well. I woke up, with no stress, no worries, just happy.”

“Shadowsinger, spymaster, dreamcatcher. It has quite a ring to it.” He murmured, your scoff breaking the quiet between you both, and it quickly descended into giggles.

“I was thinking it was more this vacation, thank you very much.” Turning back to inspect the wax, it was just short of two hot, your lips pursing to blow out a thin stream of air to extinguish the candle, as he let out a pained moan, clutching his heart.

“You mean it’s not my fantastic cuddling? I’m so offended.” Your eyes rolled, laying out a series of letters before yourself and scooping up the bowl, a small serving of molten wax dripping onto the paper before yourself. “Fine, since my services aren’t needed, I’ll sleep in my own bed tonight.”

“You do that. You snore anyway.” You passed the latter across to him, watching as he tugged free the ring from his thumb, a signet ring with his initial sitting firmly in the centre alongside the Night Court crest, a gift from Rhysand, so long ago. “Maybe now I’ll actually get some sleep.”

Stamping shut the first letter, he gasped, smothering his chuckle and accepting the second latter you sent his way, peeling the ring away carefully only to mark the next, a system forming between you both. “Oh, that’s how you want to play it?”

“I’m merely stating facts.” You both knew it was a lie, Azriel was as stealthy in his sleep as he was awake, snoozing so quietly beside you that you’d miss him in the dark, shrouded by his shadows for protection, if he wasn’t wrapped around you. He may be silent in his sleep, but he wasn’t still.

When he slept, you’d found Azriel would still hold you tight. If you moved, he moved, his body followed your own, seeking you out even subconsciously, keeping as much of you pressed to him as possible. Wandering hands, clinging touches, needy caresses.

Azriel, the feared shadowsinger, was a sleep cuddler.

“Alright. Well, maybe I’ll actually get some sleep, without all your twitching. Did you know you move around when you sleep, you’re a vivid dreamer.” He shot back, a smirk pulling at the edge of his lips.

“I know, I can’t help it, I have some pretty thrilling dreams about Cassian.” His jaw dropped, and you could see it out of the corner of your eye as you dripped wax onto the final letter, swirling it around into a perfect circle for him to stamp. As he took the letter, he snatched it with a huff, your victory only sitting stronger over him.

“Wait ‘til I tell Nesta.” His final comment was an unofficial surrender to the battle of wit, and he scowled at you as you glanced up, turning to face him in your chair.

“Who says Nesta’s not in those dreams too? Maybe I need two, I’m a lot to handle.”

“Don’t I know it.” His voice was low, so low you almost missed it, innuendo laced through his words that you didn't quite understand, but you weren’t given much time to contemplate it. A knock at the door broke you from your thoughts, the sound bouncing around the inside of the room, and excitement spiked within your chest.

The last knock had been merely to collect your breakfast dishes, a promise soon of an update on the weather conditions and your plans for the day, your feet flying cross the floor to receive it as Azriel followed closely behind. He all but crashed into your back as you paused at the door, swinging it open, to reveal Viv standing on the other side.

Pressing up behind you, Azriel’s heat flooded across your back, wings wrapping around you a little, and the woman glanced between you both, the smile on her lips only growing as she took you in. You felt underdressed somehow, even though she was in pyjamas just the same as your own, hair braided neatly over one shoulder, she still somehow managed to look regal, even in sweatpants.

“We’re snowed in.”

It was the exact news you’d been expecting, and yet as she truly confirmed it, your heart sank a little. The weather was always going to be unpredictable, at this time of year, in this Court especially, and yet with so little time here, you didn’t want to miss a single day. As if sensing your disappointment, Azriel ran his hand comfortingly down your spine, before settling it on your hip with a squeeze.

Vivianne wrung her hands together, but never dropped her smile, only letting it become more conspiratorial. “Kal and I were thinking it would be fun to have a game day. Very informal, we can stay in our pyjamas and make snacks. Most of the staff will be out of the palace helping to clear the roads and pathways to the town, the palace is quite low on the priority list for that. Are you feeling up to it?”

“Can we make hot chocolate?” Azriel’s deep voice echoed from above you, a chuckle spilling from Vivianne’s lips, and you turned to look at him, brows raising, and he only shrugged as he looked down at you. “Don’t act like you didn’t know I have a sweet tooth, sugar.”

A blush flared over your cheeks at the nickname, and you rolled your eyes to cover its effect, turning back to your friend instead. “You had me at snacks, and apparently, had Azriel at hot chocolate. We’re in.”

“Fantastic.” Her hands clapped together, excitement clear as day. “Shall we meet at the base of the stairs in a couple of minutes, then?”

You agreed, the door closing a second later, and as you backed away from it, your body pressed into Azriel’s, forcing him to back up with you. As your body came up to his own, the hand on your hip slipped all the way around your waist, tugging you in a spin as he turned towards the bed, your feet leaving the floor, and a giggle leaving your lips.

“Azriel! Put me down!”

Your toes nudged at the floor, scraping as you kicked, but he wasn’t letting go until he was throwing you down onto the bed, your body bouncing as he passed you by. You rolled across the still unmade sheets, scrabbling to get back at him, and he only grinned wickedly as he closed the door connecting your rooms in your face, holding the handle firmly against you on the other side.

“Hey! You brute!”

“That was for teasing me before Vivianne came to the door. You wanna’ talk about Cass, I’ll treat you like Cass would.” Your cheeks flushed with heat, palm slapping against the door, but there was no stopping the laughter that spilled from your lips. Cassian had never been shy about his manhandling, whether it be throwing you and Nesta around in training, lifting you out of his way in the Townhouse’s narrow corridors, or simply throwing you over his shoulder when you were too drunk to stumble home from Rita’s.

Backing away from the door and mumbling under your breath, his own muted laughter on the other side of the door faded away as you both prepared for the day. You straightened out your bedsheets from their crumpled positions, a hand smoothing across your oversized t-shirt on your way to the bathroom.

By the time you’d finished washing your face and combing your hair, you found Azriel lounging on your bed, lay across it on his stomach, tapping his fingers in boredom as he waited. He’d changed his pyjamas, a new pair of black sweatpants and a matching black t-shirt, which hugged his shoulders unfairly tightly and was almost strained around the thick biceps on display.

“I just made that bed.”

“Oh, because beds can never be remade. How much money you must be wasting buying new sheets every single day.” He mumbled, sliding down to the floor and tugging pathetically on one corner to smooth out the wrinkles, and you scoffed through a laugh as you made your way over to get a pair of fluffy socks from the drawer. You’d only brought a few pairs, not expecting to ever actually wear them outside of the bedroom, and you dug around for the best pair as Azriel shuffled over to join you. “Can I borrow a pair of those?”

You glanced down at his feet, noting the grey socks he already wore. “You’ve got socks on.”

“Yeah, but these look cosier.” He snatched out a pair of pale blue ones, with sparkly thread throughout, and you snatched them right back before he could get too attached. “Hey! Sharing is caring.”

“You’ll stretch them out with your big fuckin’ feet! You’re already ruining a perfectly good t-shirt with your shoulders.” He dropped a look down at himself, flexing his chest and arms unnecessarily.

“Thanks for noticing.”

“I was insulting you.” You spat back, tongue sticking out, and he only hummed.

“You have to be looking to have noticed anything to insult.” He tapped on the tip of your nose, and you turned away from him, hopping a little as you tugged each sock onto your feet, wiggling your toes and letting him balance you with a hand on each shoulder. When your feet were taken care of, you only had your arms to take care of now, not being gifted with the same resistance to the cold that Azriel was, and you swiped up a hoodie that was lying over the back of the couch.

It was in your hands for barely two full seconds, before he was pulling it away.

“That’s mine.”

“Wha- give it back! I’m cold.” He only shrugged, hanging it over his arm, and his eyes twinkled with unknown mischief as you spluttered. “You’re not even using it!”

“So? You’re not using the fluffy blue socks, and yet you won’t let me have those. If I must get frostbite, you get hypothermia.”

Your arms crossed over your chest, unwanting to give in, but you were stubborn. You’d set your heart on that jumper now, and when his cheeky smile grew, you were willing to give in just to stop it getting any wider. “Fine! You can wear the blue socks. I guess I’ll use them as a sleeping bag on my next mission away, when you’ve ruined them!”

He handed over the jumper with a beam, lifting it to your head and hanging it around your neck, before leaving you to do the arms as he retrieved the socks. After successfully shoving his feet into them and tucking them under the cuffs of his pants, he offered you his hand, wiggling his fingers at you and taking your palm.

Tugging you along and out of the room, Vivianne and Kallias were already gathered at the bottom of the steps when you reached them. Viv was chatting excitedly, while Kal simply watched his wife, tucking a stray strand of white hair behind her ear before cutting her rambling off with a sweet kiss.

Your heart clenched, and Azriel’s hand squeezed your own. Perhaps he felt the same way, the same happiness but sadness, the balance of adoration for your friends at finding one another, but longing for yourself. It would be nice to not feel so alone in those emotions.

Azriel rustled his wings, a subtle sound but loud enough to gain their attention, both of them pulling apart just to look up, smiling widely as they saw you. “Sorry, we got caught. Had to kiss, I’m afraid.”

Viv shrugged, and Kallias only chuckled, even as his pale cheeks grew pink, and you came to a stop before them, brows raising. “You got caught?”

“Under the mistletoe.” She said, like that cleared anything up, and she pointed over your heads, to the sparkly sprig of greenery hanging from the high archway.

“I hate to break it to you, but you have weeds growing in your house.” Azriel supplied, and you waved a hand idly in the direction of his body, a soft ‘oof’ leaving him as you smacked his solid stomach, and he nudged you with your linked arms in return. “That wasn’t there last night.”

“It’s magic mistletoe,” Kallias added, the confusion only growing more, and you gasped as you watched it disappear from over your heads, fading away in a puff of glittering white. “It moved around all over the palace, we have several set up. I’m surprised you haven’t seen any yet.”

“I warded their rooms,” Vivianne explained, taking her husband’s hand much the same way Azriel held your own, guiding you along halls you had yet to venture down, leaving you and your companion to follow after her in confusion.

“It's a tradition here in Winter.” Kal glanced over his shoulder, shrugging a little. “You hang mistletoe at Christmas, and if you get caught under it with someone, you have to kiss them.”

“But it’s just a poisonous plant?” Azriel spoke, and wanted to roll your eyes, swearing he wasn’t cut out for a life as a courtier, if it wasn’t for the pale-haired man’s laugh at his bluntness. Somehow, Azriel seemed to have won Kallias over, the two making for fast friends.

“I know.”

“So, why? What's the story there?” You pressed a little more, curiosity biting in deep, and as Vivianne threw open a set of double doors to an impressive, empty kitchen, she spun to you with a smile.

“How about I tell you all about it while we bake?”

She gathered pots and pans, various ingredients were produced which Kallias was quick to take from her hands, measuring the quantities himself and beginning to divide them up, as you gathered around the central island ready to hear the story.

“It all started with the goddess of love, and her favourite child. He was the god of light.”

“Doesn’t it always start with a god, or love, or both?” Azriel mused, brushing his lips over your hairline to hide his amusement, your cheeks flushing as Viv only watched him, a gentler smile pulling on her features as he left a kiss on your hair.

“She loved her son so much that she wanted to protect him against everything, so that he could never be harmed.” As Kallias handed her a bowl, and passed one to Azriel too, she began to tell you of the goddess, of the God of Sunlight’s adventures, his highs and lows that led him to need such protection.

She spun a fascinating tale, you were so caught up in it that you could barely stir your own mixture, tipping the chocolate chips into the batter when it was ready without ever taking your eyes from her.

“So, she spoke to every animal, and person, and plant. She made everything pledge to never harm him, to protect him at all costs, but she forgot pretty little mistletoe.” She tutted, your heart beating and hand stilling in the bowl as the true excitement of her folklore tale began. Azriel took the bowl, from you, pulling it closer to himself to keep the work going, and you only leaned closer to his side in silent thanks as you continued to listen.

“So mistletoe killed him because it was forgotten?”

“A trickster killed him.” She corrected, wagging a finger at you for your impatience. “One of the tricksters realised her mistake, and fashioned an arrow out of mistletoe. That arrow was shot straight into his heart, and he died.”

“But why did the trickster do it?”

“Why do tricksters do anything?” To cause chaos. The Night Court had much mythology of its own, regarding tricksters and demons and things that go ‘bump’ in the night, all revolving around making sure children behaved.

This story was shaping up to have a far more romantic notion.

She took a break there, leaving you to hang in suspense as the four of you worked to divide gather and shape up cookies, fling tray after tray in the oven until you had more snacks than you’d possibly be able to eat. She was loading pots into the sink for later, Kallias setting a timer on the ovens, and Azriel was leaning back against the counter.

Tugging you closer to him, his arms banded around your body as your back met his chest, his chin propping on the top of your head as he spoke; “So, how does any of that make a tradition about kissing?”

You let out a steady breath at his question, the cliffhanger you’d been left on finally coming to an end, and you settled your arms atop his as you leaned back into him, both eager to hear the rest of the story.

“The goddess was distraught, her favourite child had died. But she was a goddess of love, she did not seek revenge. Instead, she cried to the mistletoe, and her tears made white berries grow. When her son died, he took the sunlight with him, and so came the long days of Winter. He died at what you call Winter solstice, and what we call Christmas.”

Kallias joined the pair of you, slinging an arm around her waist. You felt like a child as she spoke of all the changes, of the way mistletoe began to grow, of the goddess seeking out every last shoot of it.

“She enchanted that too, to be the strongest love of all, that anybody caught underneath it should embrace one another in love, not anger or pain. Even enemies on the battlefield would put down their weapons and embrace, and call a truce for that day.”

“Cassian will be thrilled, we’ll buy him enough for a farm, and he can kiss all of our foes into submission.” Your joke brought laughter from them all, but the deep laughter by your ear was the one that left you breathless, a warm puff of air over your cheek. It terrified you, feeling so comfortable in his embrace, it made you want to run, and yet, it also made you want to stay. Hearing a tale of love, wrapped in his arms, leaving you breathless and your heart racing.

“After that, it became a symbol of love. New relationships would share their first kiss underneath it, for good luck. Married couples,” She gave a glance at her husband, who only placed his lips on her forehead in response, “kiss under it to maintain a happy marriage. Parents kiss their newborns to show them their love. It is tradition. You can never be angry under the mistletoe, and you must always show your love.”

“Perhaps we should take some home with us, let Elain grow it. It would make such a lovely addition to Solstice.”

Azriel only hummed in agreement, clearly contemplating it, and your reverie was broken by the first of the timers going off. The smell of sugar and baked goods filled the air as soon as the door was open, steam pouring out as Kallias’ gloved hand retrieved the first tray, perfectly baked cookies steaming on the metal sheet.

Together, the four of you worked, scooping up treats from trays to plates, icing and decorating as they cooled, hot chocolate being made, dishes washed, and the kitchen cleaned, until you were all ready to go for your game day.

You gathered the last of the gingerbread cookies, piling them up onto a plate with your poorly decorated chocolate chip cookies and some pastries, Kallias took the large platter from your hands. As you stared at it, it became more and more obvious why none of your career paths had veered towards baking. It was a sad attempt, but it was fun nonetheless, and as long as they were edible, you’d have fun.

Kallias led the way with the food, Viv following quickly after him as she attempted to snatch a cookie from the tray as he swept it out of her reach, the two bickering as they walked. Turning to your best friend, a laugh bubbled up in your throat when your gaze landed on him.

“What?”

“You’ve got icing on your face.”

He dipped his head, rubbing his cheek against his shoulder, utterly failing to get the smudge of blue icing from his skin. He rubbed again upon seeing your lips pinch to hide a smile, failing again, and your eyes rolled fondly.

Reaching up to him, your hand sat on his jaw, one thumb swiping over his skin to clear it away, the back of your pointer catching any last smears, and he smiled softly, letting you work. When you pulled your hand away, he had a tissue ready, wiping your finger clean and tossing the ball into the trash.

“Ready to kick some ass at board games?”

“Az, I was born for this.” Your serious look made him laugh, head tipping back, hand settling comfortably on your lower back as he began to guide you through the halls. The palace was huge, far too big for you to properly learn your way around after only five days, but this route was one you were beginning to know well. Following the joyous chatter of Kallias and Vivianne until the light of the sitting area was spilling out, you let their voices guide you, Azriel’s hand never leaving your back.

As you rounded the doorway, Vivianne held up her hands, eyes wide and arms extended, a yell on her lips that brought you crashing to a half, Azriel slamming into your back and both of you almost tumbling over.

“What?” You burst, eyes scanning the immediate area for danger, guard flying back up from where you’d let it slip over the last few days. When you found nothing, you looked back to her, but instead of finding fear, you saw the excitement on her face.

“Look up!” She beamed, your heart thudding nervously in your chest and your eyes slowly travelling up, head tipping back to examine the doorframe above you. Hanging there above your heads was a green sprig of mistletoe, one you know wasn’t there before, and both Kallias and Viv stared innocently with smiles on their faces. Viv’s was wider, Kallias’ was merely indulging, adoring of his wife, and you knew she was behind this.

Your heart gave another hard thud as you watched Azriel observe it from the corner of your eye. A soft laugh spilt from your lips as you turned to face him fully, his sweet smile setting a wave of reassurance spreading through your chest, and his brows raised a little. His shadows were beginning to swirl up a little higher, over his shoulders and around his head, a tell that he was nervous, and he gave a small shrug.

“S’okay. It’s just a tradition, right?” Your heart ached a little in your chest at the tone of his voice, something self-loathing and worried in there, just loud enough for you to make out, private from your audience. You refused to believe that after these nights of cuddling, these near-miss moments and the feeling of waking up in his arms, that Azriel didn’t know how you felt. The inkling of doubt in your chest was quickly quashed when you made your decision.

Stepping closer, close enough to throw your arms around his neck and pull yourself up to a more even height, Azriel’s hands steadied you at your waist as his eyes widened a fraction, lips parting in shock.

“It’s not just for the tradition, Az.” You whispered, before pressing your lips against his own, anxiety thrumming through your body like electric currents, fear taking over every nerve. His hands on your hips tightened, frozen still for just a second, before he was melting against you. Tugging you closer, his hands smoothed around to your lower back instead, a low sound leaving him, muffled between your mouths as he returned your fragile kiss.

His lips were soft, so much softer than you’d expected, giving and taking as his nose bumped clumsily against your own, learning something entirely new between yourselves. He caught on quickly, though, pulling back barely an inch to take a breath, before twisting his head to the side, and letting his lips find your own once again. Rocking you back to lean over you, your feet sunk to the floor comfortably.

As the nervousness died away, a smile formed on your lips, despite their current occupation with his own. Filled with burning love and utter devotion, your heart gave one final, steady beat, before something jolted, snapping like an anchor to the ocean floor or a rock through ice, grounding you to the moment with such force that you pulled back with a gasp.

Emotions that weren’t your own came flooding in, a mirror image of something else, and when your gaze fluttered up to Azriel’s, he only smiled, brushing his thumb over your face, and staring at you like you’d hung the very moon in the sky.

You knew what that feeling was, you’d waited all your life for it, and apparently, it was no shock to Azriel as he pushed another wave of affection down it towards you. Flicking a glance over to Viv and Kal, Azriel seemed to take the hint, the smile never leaving his face as he let you go. To be discussed later, when you were alone. This was not a moment for anyone else.

With a final kiss left on your cheek, he stepped back, your cheeks burned hot, shock and surprise now all you could feel, and everything else felt numb. Everything except for where Azriel laced his fingers with your own, much more competent and stable as he tugged you along and into the living room, to the set up of board games and snacks.

Sinking down onto the floor on one side of the large coffee table, cushions had been laid out, and Azriel took a seta net to you, wings comfortably spreading out across the floor behind him as Vivianne and Kal sat down opposite you. Pulling out the first board game, your hostess jumped into an explanation of it, but your mind was still spinning, utterly disconnected from the moment and in shock as you tried to put it aside.

Mate.

It was like the word was bouncing around the inside of your skull, every heartbeat sending another echo of it to follow. A bloom of amusement inside your chest, a follow emotion that felt like smoke you could wave your hand through, not tangible like your own, and you’d have to get used to the feeling of… him.

His hand reached out, settling over your thigh and squeezing in gentle comfort, never taking his eyes off of Vivianne as she laid out all the pieces and explained the rules. Staring down at the large, scarred limb sitting so comfortably on your leg, nothing about it felt wrong. Azriel had always been affectionate with you, but openly showing a new level of intimacy, you’d have expected at least some level of weirdness, a period of adjustment.

But nothing.

Reaching out carefully, you traced a finger over the back of his knuckles, before slipping the hand down and underneath his own, his fingers widening to link with yours. When your hands were laced together fully, he did turn to look at you, raising your hand to his face and pressing a kiss to the back of it, another one to your temple, before turning his attention back to the game.

It was so simple, so settled, so right.

Your mind, at last, went silent, because it was like the final puzzle piece had fallen into place, and at last, you could see the whole picture.

Azriel had opted to take a shower as you’d come back to the room, leaving you alone to your thoughts for the first time since your kiss, and they were drowning you. If you paced anymore, you were sure you were going to burn a hole right through the floor and fall throughout the palace.

There was obviously a conversation to be had, there was a bond sitting between your chests, one you were trying very hard not to let be tainted with your anxieties, and yet Azriel’s side was suspiciously quiet. You’d expected more from him, if he truly did already know about the bond between you both, and he was as happy as you believed him to be based on his actions, then why was it so silent?

Finally coming to a stop in front of the fireplace, you stared into the flames, listening to the logs crackle and pop as they burned, trying not to let your worries and insecurities build up once again. Time slipped away from you, the room around you melted into nothing, everything becoming a blur as you got lost in your head, only snapping back into focus at the soft clearing of a throat behind you for attention.

Leaning on the doorway connecting your two rooms was Azriel - your mate, it seemed - his arms crossed over his chest and eyes raised. His hair was still damp, curling a little at the tips that needed trimming, his shadows swirling despite his calm demeanour, mirroring the worry you felt inside visibly.

“Are you okay?”

You nodded far too quickly, a high-pitched hum leaving you, and instead of pacing, your hands now began to fidget in front of your body. He fixed you with a look, one that suggested he didn’t believe you even slightly, and he’d have been able to tell that even without the bond connecting you both. Holding out his hands at hip height and waving his fingers, he silently beckoned you forwards, as if to prompt you. ‘Come here and prove it’, the action said.

Like a magnet, you were drawn towards him, stumbling across the room until his hands were on you once again, a sigh slipping from your lips as he tugged you into his body. The shadows over his head began to clear, until only a couple remained, hanging in thin air near the doorframe in the shape of mistletoe branches and leaves, and despite all your raging emotions, a smile was pulled from you at the notion.

You were blasting all kinds of nerves, the bond between your bodies all but vibrating as you looked back to him, pink cheeks and a sweet smile, waiting for your response. A wave of comfort came to you, enveloping all that sickening fear and replacing it with adoring warmth, only confirming that he did know it was there, connecting both of your hearts.

A small, breathless laugh left you at the feeling. You’d have to get used to that. With the sound, he sent another pulse of love, one so deep and unending your knees almost went weak, almost letting you tumble to the ground. Perhaps this was why you’d felt nothing from him, why nothing felt any different.

This wasn’t new, you’d always felt a connection to Azriel that you couldn't explain, but never in your wildest dreams would you have thought you’d be lucky enough to be his mate. Instead of a sudden snap, or a surprise click, this had been a slow-forming thing, burning hot and bright within you both since the day you’d met, and building up one thread at a time. Unnoticeable as it grew, until it was too strong to ever be broken.

You’d always been able to read him so well, and he’d known you like he could read your mind. Turns out, it was your heart he could read instead.

Wrapping your arms around his neck once again, he hauled you up against him, supporting your weight as he lifted you onto the tips of your toes, and met you halfway to the kiss.

Just like before, it was shy and tentative, a new step in your relationship that had to be learnt, and you took it slow. Your mouth moved cautiously against his own, memorising every drag, every feeling of his soft sighs and the sweet sounds he made. It was intoxicating to be so close to him, to indulge in something you’d only ever dreamed of, and for it to feel so normal.

Like you were always meant to be right here, your lips moulded to Azriel’s and hearts beating as one. Nothing had ever compared to this, and nothing ever would.

Nervous kisses melted away into curiosity. What had once been delicate, his hands sitting steady on your waist, soft presses of his mouth to your own, smiles and bumps as you twisted and learned became smoother. His fingers danced up your spine now to cup the back of your head, your fingers lacing into his hair, and he held you where he wanted you, each kiss getting longer, deeper, lips parting further as you grew bolder.

Scratching your nails lightly over his scalp, Azriel gave a soft moan, the sound making your head spin and lips part. Given the chance, he sucked your lower lip gently, until you were so dizzy with the feeling that he was all that was holding you up. Twisting you around, your back pressed into the doorframe as he towered over you, one, ragged breath taken before his lips were crashing back down into your own, and it was your turn to moan.

His tongue slipped between your parted lips, stroking slowly over your own, sensual in a way that made you breathless, letting him suck the air from your very lungs as you tasted him for the first time. It was addictive, the feel of him on you, the taste of him in your mouth, something you never wanted to forget, and never wanted to let go.

His body was firm against your own, heart beginning to beat faster and faster once again in response to your own as something much fierier began to unfurl in your chest, flames burning hotter and higher together. Dragging his mouth from your own, you were left panting, his lips glistening and eyes dark as he pulled back to take you in, staring as though he’d never seen anything like you before.

You couldn't take it, the intensity of his love, of his passion, it was too much, and if you were going to have any self-control at all, you had to act. You pulled him back down, until your lips could brush across his lips again in a kiss only designed to be a peck. By the time he was reciprocating, you were moving on, a kiss to his cheek, to his jaw, to his chin, anywhere you could reach, until the heat died down, and a laugh left his lips when you blew air over the ticklish spot below his ear.

“So, that’s new.” You whisper, placing a kiss on that spot before sinking back down, letting him keep you crowded into the frame, but with your foreheads resting together, eyes closed.

“Only physically.” He mumbled back, hand sliding away from your hair and down your arm, to link your fingers together instead. “I’ve been kissing you in my dreams for a long time now.”

“That was so cheesy.”

“Get used to it.” His laughter was laced into his tone, and your eyes rolled behind closed lids, but the smile never faded. “You’re the best gift I could have ever asked for.”

At that, your eyes snapped open, the excited gasp on your lips making him follow suit, pulling back to stare curiously. “I got you some really good gifts under the tree. I mean, maybe not as good as a mating bond, but, pretty good.”

Your heart clenched in your chest at the look on his face, slipping out from under him and tugging him by your connected hands toward the couches, to which he happily followed. As you gathered the gifts, he winnowed out, returning minutes later with hot chocolates and a bag in hand, and making his way back over to your side. Sinking onto the carpet in front of the fireplace instead, you left him with a single, deep kiss in thanks, before retrieving the mug from his hands, and blowing carefully at the steam.

Marshmallows bobbed across the surface as he took a seat before you, tucked underneath one wing and pressing up to your side. Placing the bag into your lap, you found the remnants of today’s gingerbread cookies, the ones that had been your absolute favourite all day. Your head snapped up, lips parting to ask how he knew, before feeling the tug in your chest at the bond, and your lips closed once again, your answer found.

As he sipped at his hot chocolate, you paced your own to the side, taking his cheeks in your hands and pulling him close enough to leave a kiss on his lips, his eyes sparkling when you pulled back.

“What was that for?”

“Just for being you.” For being mine, you added mentally, and warmth rose to his cheeks, painting them a pretty pink in response. Dragging the two stockings across the carpet toward you first, you placed one into his lap, and he discarded his own hot chocolate to take it, watching you do the same. “Open the small ones first.”

He tipped it upside down, sending several small packages tumbling out across the floor, and he lined them up neatly, before picking up the smallest first. Slipping his thumb underneath the wrapping, you watched excitedly as he opened it up, a small box tumbling out. Picking it up, he turned to face you with a smirk, running his thumb over the velvet of it. “A ring box? Baby, it’s been hours since you gave me our first kiss, little soon, no?”

“Oh, shut up.” You blushed, slapping at his arm as he laughed. “I didn’t know when I bought this. Besides, wrong finger.”

Opening it up, sterling silver shone up and caught the light, showing off the engravings inside of snowflakes and Winter Court symbols, as well as the dates of your trip carved onto the inside. Lifting it out, he admired it for a second, before slipping it down onto an unoccupied pinkie, and holding it up to see. “How’d you get it so perfect on the sizing?”

“Sometimes I steal your pinkie ones to wear on my thumbs, so I knew one of mine would fit in reverse.” his gaze moved from his finger to you, lips rolling together to conceal a smile, and just before his mouth opened, the feeling racing down the bond warned you of the kind of comment that was coming.

“If you wanted me to give you a ring, you shoulda’ just asked.”

“Yes, every girl’s dream is to ask for a proposal.” You scoffed, leaning away from him only to be met with the resistance of his wing, snapping against your back to send you tumbling back into his side.

“Fine. When the time comes, I’ll surprise you with it, then. Catch you off-guard. But don’t complain now if your engagement memories are all of you in sweatpants or pyjamas. Or better yet, nothing at all.” Licking over his lower lip, he winked, and you groaned, burying your head in your hands, only to enhance his amusement. He reached across you, plucking up one of the gifts from inside your stocking, and balancing it on your knees, before tugging your hands away. “C’mon, you open this one.”

It was in different wrapping paper to all the rest as you scooped it up, and he scratched the back of his neck, smile dimming from amused to shy. “I got you this back home, I was planning to give it to you here anyway.”

You offered a silent oh. Turning back to the small package and tearing it open gently, and allowing a small, woven strand to fall out. About the length of your hand, woven together were blue, silver and black threads, a gem sitting in the middle that was awfully similar to one of Azriel’s siphons, a few silver charms laced throughout it. Tracing your thumb over them, you identified each one.

A dagger, a heart, a crescent moon, a star, and a wing.

“What is it?” You were breathless as you admired it, a perfect representation of Azriel, and he took it from your hands carefully.

“It's… a bracelet. Gwyn likes to make them. I saw her wearing one at training one day and she told me about them. I made it for you. You’re all I ever think about, so, maybe it was selfish, but I wanted you to have something that made you think of me. I wanted you to have something that would make me come to mind when you saw it. You don’t have to wear it, but-”

“What are you talking about?” Thrusting your arm out before him, a sense of relief filled you inside, and his face softened to match the emotion. “Put it on me right now, and when we get home, I’ll have it enchanted to last. I don’t want to take it off, ever.”

“Well, that’s just a little dramatic.” He teased, but did as you said, latching it carefully onto your wrist and tying it tight so it wouldn't slip off by mistake. “You really like it?”

“Like it? Azriel, I love it.” You traced your finger carefully over the woven strands, the silver one showing a little glitter as you examined it even closer, and your cheeks started to hurt from how much smiling you were doing. “For the record, though, you don’t need to give me any gifts or jewellery to be on my mind. You’re living there rent-free already.”

He didn’t reply, turning away to hide the look on his face by selecting another gift instead.

On and on you went, exchanging gifts and stealing kisses between them, moving through the piles as you opened everything you’d found for one another since arriving.

You gave him some mystery books, a couple of new notepads and pens, and some various creams and potions. Also on his pile were the enchanted gloves, designed to keep his hands warm, a new dagger sheath with his initials printed in, and a first-aid kit that could fold up small and fit into his bags for missions. Lastly, were a few fidget toys you’d found, his shadows being the true recipients for those, and they were already busily occupying themselves with their new toys, leaving their master to a little peace and quiet.

That particular gift has been such a hit that Azriel had practically dived atop you, his lips meeting your own as your back met the carpet, giggles swallowed by his mouth as he kissed you passionately enough to convey his thanks.

His gifts for you included some romance books that he said came highly recommended, accompanying the statement with a smirk. Also in your pile was a new, handmade scarf, with bright colours and soft fabric that you couldn't wait to wear. A bookmark, a couple of candles, and a pair of earrings designed to look like the falling petals of your favourite flower.

He’d received equally passionate kisses for each of those, time melting away around you each time you fell into him. By the time you were finished, you were surrounded by piles of gifts, and bundles of discarded wrapping paper. Empty mugs, an abandoned bag of crumbs as you’d finished the cookies between you, the fire dying down to embers, sorely in need of new logs but utterly neglected as you’d kept one another warm all evening instead.

“Should we tidy up a little?”

“‘Suppose so.” The words were mumbled into your hair as Azriel continued to nuzzle there, holding you curled against his chest as you laughed. Pushing yourself up onto legs that had gone numb long ago, he groaned, holding out his hands to you and letting you tug all that heavy Illyrian muscle to its feet, before stretching out and shaking his wings into action. “I’ll put the gifts away in our cases if you handle the other stuff?”

“Sounds like a deal.” You dropped down, scooping up the bundles of wrapping paper into your arms, crunching them tightly into balls as Azriel gathered up all of your gifts first, carrying them over to the bed and pulling out the case you’d stashed underneath. They took up half the space just as you watched him begin to stack things inside, a problem considering you had the rest of your belongings still to go back in there in a few days, but you’d have to figure it out. Maybe he had spare room in his.

You eyed the pile of gifts you’d given him. Probably no spare room there, either.

Tossing the bundles of paper into the fireplace, the flames rapidly began to grow back to life, and you poked in the ashes to revive a little more heat, adding a few more logs and some coals to make it through the night. Gathering his gifts, he took them away to his room, leaving to clear up the mugs and wrappers, and drag the coffee table back into place.

Just like that, the last few hours had all been cleared away, your room restored to its satisfying tidiness. You sensed Azriel before you saw him, every cell in your body reacting as he walked back into the room, making his way over to you, and letting you turn to face him just as he reached for you.

Falling into his touch felt like home, his arms banding around your body as you cupped his face, smiling up at him as you took him all in. “Wow,” Running your fingers over his cheekbones, you shook your head in disbelief. “Wow, you’re mine?”

Silver lined his wide eyes, and he sucked gently on his lower lip as he nodded. “And you’re mine, my love.”

Your heart skipped several beats at the new pet-name, and you hoped you never heard yourself be referred to anything else from him ever again, because Azriel’s love was all you ever wanted to be known as now.

It was agonisingly slow, the pull and take, the give of his lips as they moulded to your own, bodies pressing further and hands grabbing, until the place where you ended and he began became blurred. Your hands were in his hair, familiarising yourself with the softness of the stands, the way he’d hum against your lips when you tugged on the strands, the way his hands would tighten on your hips.

Teasing his tongue along the seam of your lips, you parted them, waiting for more, but he chose that moment to tease. Instead of diving further, he pulled back, lips grazing along your jaw as he dipped you backwards, head hanging on your shoulders as he kissed his way to your neck.

“Az…” The words were breathy on your lips, his answering groan reverberating along your skin, sucking some of the skin between his lips until it stung and you gasped, his tongue soothing over the patch a second later. “Azriel…”

“Don’t say my name like that, it’s driving me crazy.” Tugging your hips flush to his own, your whimper was barely contained by his mouth sealing back over your own. More urgent now, he took that opening, tongue plunging into your mouth and coaxing your own to play, hot and frenzied as he took control. Another moan slipped through, one that had his hips jerking against your own as he gave a soft grunt in response.

“You taste like peppermint, Az.”

“You taste like gingerbread.” He returned, biting lightly on your lower lip in response, and your mind swirled in response to the teasing nip. “I think it just became my new favourite treat.”

Sliding your hands down from his hair to his chest, you pressed lightly, pushing him backwards. He stumbled away, eyes snapping wide and hands leaving your body, fear of crossing a line, and you smirked at his misunderstanding. Backing him up, you followed his steps, until his legs were pressing to the edge of your bed, and he was falling back to sit. His confusion became a grin as you crawled into his lap, a leg caging either side of his hips, and his large, calloused hands slid up your thighs slowly.

Your lips slammed back into his own, Azriel’s moan in your mouth tasted like honey on your tongue as you reunited once again. It was preposterous, to think you’d known Azriel for so long and hadn't been doing this the whole time, to think that you hadn't spent every moment of every day kissing him. The bond between your bodies was pulling taut, shaking with glee and glowing so bright it could light up the night sky.

You could feel it within you, all but singing with anticipation, and you rocked your hips into his own. That one, small movement had you both falling apart, wanton spills of needy sounds leaving you as you repeated it, again and again, riding him through layers of clothes as your kisses grew messier. His hands took over, slipping over your hips to sit on your ass and squeeze roughly, rocking you down against him perfectly until your eyes were rolling in your head, the perfect friction pressing into you.

Your hands skated around his body, feeling the rapid rise and fall of his lungs under your hands, until your fingers were running down the seam of buttons under one wing on his back.

“Fuck, Az…” Your whimper only made him growl, picking up his intensity, biceps flexing through the sleeves of his t-shirt as he used you like a toy against his body. Your foreheads were pressed together, lips barely brushing with every pant for breath and your gaze moved down to watch the place that you were rocking together as your fingers fumbled with the catches.

Your panties were sodden now, likely dripping through, and you were sure that you were starting to spot a wet patch growing on his sweats from your movements as you undid the seals behind his back. As soon as they came loose, you were pulling back, motions stopping for a torturous moment as you tugged his t-shirt up and over his head now that they were free of his wings, having to raise on your knees to get it off his arms.

As soon as it was free, you were tossing it away, his hands returning to your body and he slammed you back down against his clothed erection, a cry spilling from your lips at the act.

“Oh, gods, you feel so good already.” His head fell forwards, forehead sitting on your shoulder, teeth grazing the skin as he bit down to hide his desperate sounds. Your fingers traced over his shoulders, tattoos you’d seen a thousand times before but you’d never had an excuse to touch. So many promises, so many bargains, you wondered how many of them belonged to you.

Over the centuries, Azriel had made many promises to you, and as if reading your mind, his head lifted. Taking your hand, he dragged your touch down from his shoulder to sit over his heart, various swirling patterns that would blend into the rest at a distance, and your fingertips twitched over his skin.

“Your promises sit right here, every mark you’ve ever left on me has been on my heart, inside and out.”

“Oh, Azriel.” His hand sealed over the top of yours, your rocking slowing to a stop as your other hand cupped his face, breaking through the heavy lust for a breath of fresh air. He leaned up, nose bumping your own, smiles that made it impossible to kiss as you shared the same breath. “I can’t believe it.”

“You never even suspected it?”

“I never considered myself your equal, it didn’t seem possible.” Your power was nothing compared to his, your skill and stealth the same, and he gave an empty laugh, stealing a kiss from your lips despite it.

“You’re worth so much more than I am.”

“That’s not what I meant.” You scoffed, peppering his cheeks with kisses to banish his self-deprecating thoughts, and you felt the stretch beneath your lips, a tell of a smile. Sitting back you tugged your shirt up and over your head, breasts spilling free before his eyes, and he licked his lips, fighting to keep his gaze on yours. “You can look, Az. I’m yours to look at.”

“If I look, I’m going to lose every last shred of self-control I have.”

“So lose control.” Your smirk was back, leaning in to brush your lips together and taking his hand from his own heart, bringing it to sit in the centre of your chest above your own. “Every beat is for you, Azriel. I never let myself think about it, because it would have crushed me to know I wasn’t yours. I was preparing myself for the eventuality that one day you’d find them. Someone incredible, someone who is your equal, in power and skill and every way that matters.”

“You may not be as strong as I am.” He mumbled, standing from the bed with you in his arms, like you weighed nothing at all as he kept your legs tight to his waist and twisted you to the bed. “But that is because you’re not Illyrian.”

He crawled up and over you, balancing his weight on his knees and palms as he caged you in. Reaching over his shoulders, you dragged one finger along the ridges of his wings, watching his face screw up and jaw drop open as you toyed with his most Illyrian trait.

“You may not have as much stealth as I do, but that is only because you don’t control the shadows to hide in.”

You never noticed the shadows snaking up your legs, the dark tendrils helping him to lift your hips, and he eased your leggings and panties down your legs, your thighs clamping shut with a sudden wave of anxiety as he dropped the material to the ground, leaving you bare before him, tracing his hands up your calves again.

“You may not have my power,” His hands closed over your knees, forcing your legs back apart for him to settle between, and a flush of heat left a blush over your body at his strength. “But that is because your skills lay elsewhere, my love.”

“Oh, yeah?” There wasn’t nearly as much sass as you intended, and he only nodded, dipping down to leave kisses on your inner thighs, groaning the closer he got to your dripping centre.

“Yes, darling.” Circling one finger at your entrance, your head fell back, a cry of his name as he sank that finger deep into you, biting down on the inside of your thigh as he slid into you easily. “Fuck, you’re so wet.”

“A result of another of your skills.” You huffed out, back arching as he crooked his finger, teasing you for your comment and pumping that lone digit.

“You are sweet, and friendly, and the best courtier I’ve ever seen.” He picked up speed, your fingers clenching in the sheets, dragging at them as you clawed for strength, for anything to hold onto. “I may have brute strength in a physical fight, but I have never seen anybody win an argument like you, to win a battle of wit.”

“So, I’m the best at being bitchy? Gee, tha- ahh! Azriel!” Your sarcasm was cut short by one finger becoming two, a slam into you as your eyes rolled back, and he chuckled at the pathetic serious of whimpers you let out when he began to stretch you out. “Fuck, fuck, fuck…”

“You’re also the best at winding me up, nobody gets under my skin quite like you do.” Your body was trembling, teetering on the brink of ecstasy as his fingers continued to seek out and abuse the spot inside of you that made you cry out. “But despite those shining qualities, they are not my favourites. Your heart is equal to mine; you love fiercely, you care deeply, you are loyal and kind and true. You are brave and strong of spirit, and you never give up.”

Slipping his thumb up to your clit, your back arched clean off the bed, a few sloppy circles had your mind shattering as you exploded into bliss. His voice soothing you through it, deep and raspy as he watched you unfold, a spike of arousal in your chest from him as he watched you crest.

“Most of all, my love,” He pulled his fingers out, your legs still shaking in the aftermath as he began to kiss up your body, letting your thighs tremble on either side of his hips as his lips found yours again. “Your power, is over me. I am entirely at your mercy.”

“Kiss me.” You begged, shaky hands coming up to grip his cheeks, and he nodded.

“With pleasure.” His lips worshipped yours the way his words had worshipped your mind, the way his hands worshipped your body, and your grip skated down to push at the last clothing on his body. Shoving at them, you whined at the effort, sitting up and letting your chest press to his own until you could get them down, his cock springing free, slapping between your wet folds and nudging your swollen clit. “Are you s-”

“Don’t ask me that. Don’t ask me if I'm sure, when thinking about this, thinking about you and me has been my guilty pleasure for decades.” Wrapping your fingers around him, he offered a shaky moan, hips rolling with your movements as you dragged his cock through your wetness, gathering your arousal onto his tip, before lining him up.

“Not just for the bond, then?” He questioned, laying back into the sheets, one hand at a time raising above your head as he pinned them there, stretching your chest out before his face. Shadows swirled at your wrists, holding them in place for himself, a couple more tugging your ankles apart, rendering you utterly at Azriel’s mercy.

“Not just for the bond, Az. For you.”

He nudged inside, sinking slowly into you, inch by inch until you felt like you were going crazy, needy for every inch of him to fill you up, for that bond to reach its strongest yet as your bodies connected wholly. When his hips finally sat snugly against your own, you were babbling his name senseless, and he was panting shallow breaths through his teeth to hold himself steady. “Gods, you feel like heaven.”

Azriel pulled back, a single thrust that had both of you calling out, your hands gripping him, legs tight around him, and he did it again. Building up steadily in pace, he rolled his hips into your one, hard and deep, your body firing in response like nothing you’d ever felt. With every slam of his hips into yours, every whisper of praise in your ear, you reached higher and higher, feeling like you were leaving your body behind.

His name was a whine on your lips, your hands struggling over your head, fighting against his bonds, and they gave little. His head dipped down, marking every spot on your skin with his kisses, until he was tugging one of your nipples between his teeth, and tears line your eyes at the spark along your spine that resulted.

This wasn’t just fucking, this wasn’t just making love. This was two souls bonding, finding one another and trying together so fully that you’d never be apart again.

“Please, please, Az. Let me touch you too.”

You found the strength to lift up, to meet his lips as his head raised to yours, a sloppy kiss slamming in the middle of you as his speed picked up. Every part of you honed in on the connection of your hips, the shudder that shot up your body each time, enough to send you flying up the bed if it wasn’t for his hold keeping you in place. You couldn't help the thought flickering through your mind, thanking the Mother and the Cauldron and everything else that the man you’d be tied to for the rest of your life was fucking phenomenal in bed.

“I want to hold my mate.”

He groaned out, body weakening at the word that fell from your tongue, and the shadows slipped away only a second later. As soon as you’d regained use of your hands, you were doing just that, surging out to hold onto him. One hand looped around his neck, holding him tight as your heads sat together, eyes held in an endless gaze, and he slowed his movements, bringing you back down to earth as your body wound up tighter. “I’ve dreamed about this moment for so long.”

“Is it everything you hoped it would be?” You teased, running a hand down his sweat-slicked arm, and he caught it, lacing your fingers together and pressing it back into the bed. The frantic swirling of his shadows began to calm, a frenzy becoming a sensual dance as his thrusts became nothing more than slow rocks into you, your hips working together in harmony.

“You’re so much more than I could have ever dreamed up.” Your chest filled with emotions, clashing between your hearts along that newly formed bond, and you squeezed at your connected hands.

Raising your other hand over his shoulder, you didn’t take it gently this time, swiping your palm along the inside of a flared wing, and he roared. A sound that wracked through your body, his hips growing fast once again, violent thrusts the longer your hand remained, his control fraying as you brushed the right spots. You’d touched his wings before, all the places that caused no sensitivity and arousal, this time aiming for every place you’d never dared reach for.

Moving inwards, toward the base of his wings, your touch grew firmer, rubbing your thumb along the place where his wings met his muscled back on the inside, and a broken sob left his lips as his arms gave way. The full weight of him collapsed down atop you, hips grinding, your own orgasm teetering on the edge. “Don’t stop, please, don’t stop…”

As your peak crashed into your full force, his name was a shout on your lips as you came undone, your palm pressed into the thick leather of his wings. Twitching fingertips, your nails scraped, and with a sound like you’d never heard him make before, Azriel followed you over the cliff.

His body shook, warmth erupting inside of you, leaking out around your connected bodies as you tried to rock up into him, meeting him thrust for weak thrust until the stimulation was all too much. He pulled his cock from you with a trembling breath, barely pulling away enough to release him before he was collapsing back down on top of you.

It hadn't been the wildest of sex, nor had it been the best it would be, you knew that by the feelings in your chest he sent across. No, this was different. This was needy and frantic and overwhelming because it was new. It was a boundary being crossed, it was lives being changed, it was the future finally falling into place.

Just one day ago, this time last night, he has nothing more than your best friend. As you’d curled into him to fall asleep one day ago, it had been with no idea what his lips tasted like, or what it felt like to connect to him so completely.

His arms banded around your waist, soft kisses to accompany the thoughts you must have been blasting out as clearly as screaming them aloud, and he settled his head on your chest after leaving a final kiss on your lips. You let your arms circle him too, a kiss on the top of his head that made him smile against your skin.

You both agreed, as you fell asleep once again tangled in each other’s arms, that nothing would ever be the same.

#under the mistletoe #UTMi #azriel x reader #azriel/reader #azriel x you #azriel/you #acotar x reader #acotar/reader #acotar x you #acotar/you #azriel shadowsinger #azriel #a court of thorns and roses #acotar

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