#Osial x reader

[nihilityuniverse]

𝟎𝐭𝐡 𝐇𝐚𝐫𝐛𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐫 | 𝐆𝐞𝐧𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐧 𝐈𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐭 𝐱 𝐅𝐄𝐌! 𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫

ᴡʜᴇɴ ʏᴏᴜ ᴀʀᴇ ᴛʜᴇ 𝗦𝗲𝗰𝗿𝗲𝘁 𝗖𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗼𝗿 ᴏꜰ ᴛᴇʏᴠᴀᴛ 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗙𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗕𝗼𝘀𝘀.

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MINORS DO NOT INTERACT

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Story inspired by Acheron's Lore, Power, and Personality...

ENG is not my First language

I do not own Genshin Impact or any of the pictures used.

Do NOT Repost

Story is also available on Wattpad: Chapter 0 | Chapter 1 | Chapter 2 | Chapter 3 | Chapter 4 | Chapter 5 | Chapter 6

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Chapter 0 | Chapter 1 | Chapter 2 | Chapter 3 | Chapter 5

𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝟒

𝐔𝐧𝐝𝐞𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐍𝐢𝐠𝐡𝐭'𝐬 𝐒𝐤𝐲

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You drift into sleep, and the chaos begins. Memories swirl around you, fragmented and hazy, flashing too quickly for you to grasp. 

Voices echo, overlapping and fading before you can understand them.

"...May the present life shine like gold."

"Further Killing is meaningless."

"...But their death must mean something."

"Death is not the end of life... We will redefine humanity itself."

"...But we all know this world is beyond saving."

"... Despite that, we must become heroes."

You try to focus, but the images shift and blur. Faces you should recognize merge into each other. You hear different voices, yet you are unable to concentrate while the flashing images cross your mind.

A memory flickers: a pink-haired elf in a white dress. This time it's a bit clearer.

You hold her in your arms, blood pouring out of her chest. Her eyes are sad, yet filled with an unspoken warmth. She caresses your cheek, her touch gentle despite her pain. She says something, her lips moving slowly, but the words are lost to you. Then the scene shifts abruptly, the memory distorting.

You find yourself facing a long blue-haired man with piercing blue eyes. He looks at you with intensity, his expression serious. "Y/N, promise me you never forget...-" The memory distorts again, the edges blurring, "...love you."

The images speed up, a kaleidoscope of moments you can't hold on to. They slip through your fingers like sand, leaving only the faintest impressions.

You jolted awake, sitting upright in bed, drenched in cold sweat. Your hand clutched your rapidly beating heart as you gasped for breath. An overwhelming sadness gripped you, manifesting in uncontrollable tears streaming down your face. You let the tears fall freely, unable to stem the tide of emotion.

Confusion clouded your thoughts as fragments of your memories resurfaced, each piece as elusive as mist. You climbed out of bed and paced the room, trying to shake the disorienting sensation. You halted in front of the mirror, compelled to confront your reflection.

Staring back at you were eyes that seemed hollow, devoid of any spark of life, like a puppet's vacant gaze. Your cheeks glistened with the remnants of dried tears, evidence of your inexplicable sorrow.

As you blinked, your reflection shifted.

The reflection showed you with white hair and golden horns. One horn was half-shattered, the broken end dissolving into a sparkling golden mist.

You reached out to touch the mirror, your fingers trembling as they met the cold glass. The reflection stared back with a haunting emptiness that mirrored the void you felt within.

"My MANTIS form? Is this an illusion?" you whispered, barely audible, to yourself.

In the mirror, your reflection stood differently. It wore a white kimono, stained with blood and dirt, its eyes glowing a piercing gold. The reflection seemed more alive than ever, staring back at you with an intensity that made your breath catch.

"Find me,"

The reflection's voice echoed, soft yet commanding, as it leaned closer to the glass.

"Your end... my origin."

Suddenly, the mirror's surface cracked, spiderwebbing outward from where your reflection's hand had pressed against the glass. Startled, you stepped back, eyes wide with disbelief. The reflection flickered and then returned to your current self, leaving only the shattered fragments of glass to catch and distort your image.

You stared at the broken mirror, your face reflected back in jagged pieces, each shard a fragment of a whole that felt lost to you. The encounter left you shaken, the echo of the reflection's voice lingering in your mind.

You draped your coat over your nightgown, pulling it tightly around yourself, and stepped out into the cold night.

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Your heels clicked rhythmically against the cobblestone streets, resonating through the stillness of the night. The air was crisp and biting, carrying the faint scent of the sea.

The moon cast a pale glow over the empty streets, its silver light the only illumination as the city slumbered. You wandered aimlessly, unable to shake the unsettling dream that had stirred your memories.

As you rounded a corner, lost in thought, you nearly collided with someone.

"Sorry!..." A blonde traveler exclaimed, trailing off as his eyes met yours. His expression shifted from apology to shock, and he instinctively took a step back.

You sighed, crossing your arms to ward off the chill. "I'm not going to eat you," you said with a hint of sarcasm. "Couldn't sleep either?"

Aether looked alarmed but quickly relaxed, sensing no threat from you. "I had a nightmare..." he admitted, leaving out the detail that the nightmare involved you.

"A nightmare, hm?" you mused, walking past him and stopping at his side. "The more that weighs on your mind, the more your fears turn into dreamscapes."

Aether glanced at you but remained silent. There was something about you that felt familiar, a sense that beneath your icy exterior lay untold stories. Perhaps, he thought, you had a complex history with Zhongli.

"And you?" he ventured.

You didn't answer directly. Instead, you offered, "Walk with me. Let's forget our problems for a while." You began to walk, your pace slow and deliberate.

Aether hesitated for a moment before falling into step beside you. The two of you strolled through the quiet streets of Liyue Harbor, the silence around you amplifying the noise in your minds. The city's usual bustle was absent, replaced by a serene, almost eerie stillness.

"What a quiet night..." you murmured, your voice soft in the tranquil air. "They say the quieter things are around you, the louder they are in your head. It's true, isn't it?"

You didn't look back at Aether, but you could feel his presence beside you, a silent companion in this nocturnal journey. He nodded in agreement, the sound barely audible.

You halted at the edge of the harbor, where the cold sea breeze caressed your face, carrying with it the scent of salt and the distant, rhythmic murmur of waves.

You clutched your coat tighter around your body, the thin nightgown beneath providing little warmth. The soft rustling of the ocean's surface reminded you of him, a memory as elusive as the shifting tides.

The traveler, Aether, watched you quietly. The moonlight reflecting off the water cast a gentle glow on your face, accentuating your mysterious allure.

To him, you were an enigma. His only encounter with you had been during that tense moment with Zhongli, where you had seemed intimidating. Yet now, in this peaceful setting, you appeared more contemplative and perhaps even kind. He realized he knew almost nothing about you, not even your name.

"Who are you?" he asked, his voice curious but respectful.

You turned to meet his gaze, but before you could respond, the sound of approaching footsteps interrupted the moment.

"Oh? Out for a midnight stroll, are we?"

Childe's voice cut through the night, dripping with suspicion. He approached, eyes narrowed at you.

"Up to no good, perhaps?" His tone was accusatory, a familiar annoyance that you felt in your bones.

You barely knew him, only having seen him briefly at the funeral, yet he seemed to harbor a baseless animosity towards you.

"We're just walking," you replied coolly, meeting his gaze with a calm, unyielding stare. "Neither of us could sleep. There's no need for your baseless accusations."

Aether turned to Childe, sensing the tension. "Childe? What are you doing here?"

Childe's expression shifted slightly as he acknowledged Aether. "Ah, the famous traveler," he remarked, his voice tinged with a mock cheerfulness. "I see you've found your way to her." He glanced back at you with a passive-aggressive look, a mix of irritation and something unreadable.

Aether glanced at you, seeking an explanation, then back at Childe, expecting answers.

"She hasn't told you?" Childe raised an eyebrow, a sly smile playing on his lips. "She's quite infamous among us, actually," he began, his tone laced with amusement.

"Us... Are you one of the Harbingers?" Aether's eyes widened, his body tensing.

The quiet harbor was momentarily disrupted by the rippling tension between you and Childe.

You crossed your arms, your gaze steely. "Childe," your voice was sharp, cutting through the crisp night air like a blade. "Her Royal Majesty sent a personal letter apologizing for your... behavior. I strongly advise you to keep your mouth shut."

Childe's smile widened, a spark of excitement dancing in his eyes. "Or what? You wanna to fight?" He stepped closer, eager for confrontation.

Aether glanced nervously between you and Childe, feeling the intensity of the moment.

Then, in an instant, a Hydro dagger materialized in Childe's hand. With a wild laugh, he lunged at you, his speed blurring as he closed the distance.

The blade aimed for your throat with lethal precision, but before it could touch you, your hand shot up, clamping around his wrist with an iron grip.

In the blink of an eye, you delivered a flurry of punches to his face, each strike landing with brutal efficiency. The world seemed to slow down as you pounded him with lightning-fast blows.

As he reeled from the onslaught, you released his wrist, spinning gracefully before delivering a powerful kick to his abdomen. The impact sent Childe flying, crashing through the air and landing hard against a row of trash cans with a thunderous clatter.

The entire sequence happened in a mere heartbeat. The force of your actions left Aether stunned, the air thick with the intensity of the moment.

He stood in stunned disbelief. One moment, Childe had lunged at you, and in the next, he was sprawled across a pile of trash cans, thoroughly beaten. Had it all happened in the blink of an eye? He turned his gaze to you, realizing with a shiver that you were capable of much more than he had imagined.

"Don't worry, he won't bother us anymore," you said calmly, turning towards Aether, completely composed.

"I doubt he will ever..." Aether muttered, noticing your unruffled demeanor. It was as if the scuffle hadn't even phased you; you weren't even out of breath.

"About your question from before," you continued, meeting his eyes, "I am part of the Fatui and one of the Harbingers. My code-name is Innamorati."

Strangely, Aether didn't feel the usual wariness that came with meeting a Harbinger. Instead, there was a peculiar sense of ease, a feeling that it was better to be on your good side.

"Innamorati... I've never heard that code name before," Aether said, curiosity piqued. "And what about your actual name?"

You sighed, crossing your arms. "You might forget it, so you can call me whatever you like. But my real name is Y/N."

Aether blinked, taken aback. "It's... a beautiful name." He blurted out, then blushed slightly. "I mean... you have the same name as the unknown lady in the story."

You tilted your head, puzzled. "Unknown lady? What story are you talking about?"

Aether suddenly realized his slip. The tale he referred to only mentioned Morax and his two lovers, Guizhong and an unnamed woman, without ever revealing her identity.

"Uh... it's a story about Morax, the Geo Archon, and his two lovers, Guizhong and... um, Y/N, the unknown lady. It also involves Osial being jealous," he explained quickly.

At the mention of Osial, your eyes widened as a memory surfaced, a fragment of a dream featuring a blue-haired man with striking blue eyes. You turned towards the ocean, a sad expression clouding your features.

"Are you alright?" Aether asked, concern evident in his voice.

"It's nothing. I just... have a bad memory. The name Osial... I knew him well... or used to," you murmured. "But I'd rather not talk about it right now."

Aether, both surprised and curious about you, realized it was time to part ways as the night was nearing its end. "If you'd like to hear more about the story, we can meet up tomorrow. And..., good night," he said, a shy smile accompanied by a faint blush on his cheeks.

You were momentarily taken aback, your expression softening. "Thank you."

Then, with a thoughtful pause, you looked him in the eye. "Before you go, may I make a request?" Your tone was serious.

"It may seem strange, perhaps even rude, but I must ask..."

"...Have we met somewhere before?"

The question hung in the air, and Aether's eyes widened in surprise.

After a moment's thought, Aether responded, "Perhaps we have."

A small, knowing chuckle escaped your lips. "My memories often fail me..." you murmured. Stepping closer, you leaned in to whisper in his ear, your breath warm against his skin, "Return safely whence you came... Because a particular Yaksha is following us." You glanced around subtly. "If you feel unsafe, you can follow me."

Aether's eyes widened further, immediately thinking of Xiao. "I'm okay, I know this Yaksha," he whispered back, attempting to reassure you. You gave a slight nod, acknowledging his words.

With a final exchange of goodbyes, you turned and headed back to the hotel Pantalone had reserved entirely for your stay. As you walked away, you remained vigilant, aware of the green-haired Yaksha's presence in the shadows, watching your every move.

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[musings-ofthe-unamused]

In the Depths of the Ocean (Genshin Impact

Pairing: Osial x GN!Reader

Wordcount: 4.2k

Warnings: NSFW, tentacles, boat sex

A/N: I wrote this years ago for some Genshin friends so... have it as a treat as I work up some other fanfics for y'all

The giveaway is ongoing until October 15th! All you have to do is like, and you'll be entered!

The ocean was dark and cruel. It was never your favorite, despite you living near the harbor. It was always a fear of yours to set off in a boat only to be swallowed whole by aegean waves. Funnily enough, you came from a family of fishermen. Well, your father was a fisherman and your mother was a merchant. As a child, you would sit on the edge of the dock waiting for your father to come back. Every day, without fail, he would appear on the horizon, waving his arm and shouting your name. Every single day.

Except for today.

“He won’t come back,” Your mother was despondent, sitting by the window and looking at the calming sunset. “He’s with the ocean now.”

“Of course mother. I made some dinner, so please eat, ok? I have to go out for a bit”

Your mother didn’t move. It had been like this for a week. It was her way of mourning her husband. But you didn’t want to mourn. You didn’t need to. Your father was out there and you were going to find him. It was a terrible plan, sailing out to sea when you haven’t done so before. But you refused to do anything else. It was time to get over your fear.

There wasn’t much to take with you. A bag haphazardly filled with food and a large jug of water was all you needed. There was some gut feeling inside of you leading you to believe that he wasn’t so far from Liyue. You kissed Mother’s head, reminding her once again of the dinner you made. The door was light as you swung it shut, your body heavy as you trudged towards the docks. Not many people were milling about, only the Millelth and three or four fisherman coming back from sea. The weather was clear, clearer than it had been for a whole week. The air was crisp. A nice strong breeze blew through your hair. 

As you made your way to the edge of the docks where the boats were stationed, you spotted a lone man checking the ropes on a small boat. You sighed slightly. If you were going to get another lecture, you’d rather ask someone else for help. But he was the only option at the moment. The only cheap option. You dropped the sack and jug into the boat, making it sway. The older man straightened, looking at you with unease as he held his hand out to you.

“If you could not haphazardly throw things about, that would be very kind of you.”

“You’re strong enough to keep yourself steady,” You grabbed his hand. “You are a Qixing after all, Uncle Tian.”

He laughed heartily as you stepped into the boat. His hand was strong and calloused. Like Father’s. Your brow furrowed as you took a deep breath, preparing yourself. Did you know how to work a boat? No. Did you know how to navigate? No. Were you hopeless when it came to directions and often got lost? Yes. None of this would stop you. If Rex Lapis was kind and if he cared about the people of Liyue as much as that was preached, then he would lead you to your father. No fear was strong enough to the fear of losing someone you loved.

“The stars are bright. You won’t have trouble losing your way since you’re good at that...right?” 

“Sure, sure.” You frowned and turned towards him, crossing your arms.

“What?”

Uncle Tian was a mentor to your father and eventually became an honorary part of the family. He wasn’t as heartbroken when your father disappeared. You couldn’t tell if it was due to losing people in his long lifetime, or the hardened heart of a businessman. It made you bitter, either way. You were just ready to leave.

“Ok, this old man can take a hint. Just… be careful.”

“I will, Uncle Tian.

“I’ll keep an eye on your mother,” He said as he got off the boat. 

“Thank you.”

Without another word, he pushed you off to sea. You sat down slowly, grasping the paddle in your hand. You couldn’t watch the harbor grow small behind you. It would be a sign that you were leaving forever. And you weren’t. You and your father would make it back safe and sound. The shaking in your hands stopped as you dipped the paddle into water. It moved languidly as you pushed through it, from side to side. Uncle Tian was right. The stars were awfully bright tonight. You sang a song quietly as you kept paddling. It was best to keep your mind distracted.

After a good thirty minutes, you stopped paddling to rest. Your breath was the only thing you could hear. You were far enough out from land where you couldn’t hear a single wave. The waters were calm and inviting. There was no light except for the stars glowing down onto you. It was peaceful. You leaned over the side of the boat. The waters were too dark to see. Although, you weren’t sure what you were looking for in the first place.

“Hmmm, what do we have here?” A voice so deep it made your body crumble to the ground disturbed the once calm waters.

Luminescent blue slowly flowed from the darkness. It was dull at first, growing brighter from the darkness. You’ve heard of bioluminescent creatures in the ocean, but these looked like giant tentacles. It grew so bright it was piercing your eyes as you shut them incredulously. You felt something underneath your chin, tilting it up. It was warm yet felt like air itself. Were you hallucinating?

“Open your eyes.” 

You did as you were told. It was…a man? No, it wasn’t. It looked human, but it transcended any conceived thought of what you knew humans to be. Their navy blue eyes stared into yours. Their hair was light blue, flowing behind them as if it had a life of its own. Their clothes were..your eyes grew wide as you realized they were barely wearing any clothes. Only a pair of plain looking shorts. 

“Who…who are you?” A small voice, your small voice spiked almost involuntarily. 

“Shouldn’t I be asking you that?” They leaned in close, their nose brushing yours. “You’re in my waters, after all.”

“Your...waters?”

“Ha!” Their laugh shook the boat. “Have they not taught you anything? Do you not recognize what is before you?”

“I..I don’t-”

The person melted into a puddle of water, seeping through unseen cracks in the boat. The blue light appeared again as the waters grew rough, rocking the boat. You clung desperately to the side. Then you saw it. Rising from the water were five heads connected to an unseen body in the waters. Your heart pounded as you realized just what you were looking at. A head slithered down, facing you directly. Fear shook your body but curiosity made you lean forward, caressing the head gently with your hand. 

“You’re...Osial?”

“So you have heard of me.” They spoke once again, seemingly inside your head.

“Of course I have but I was under the impression you were sealed away.”

Water crashed down on you as Osial once again changed forms. They were back into the human-like entity, your hand still on their head. Osial was smiling, nuzzling their head into your hand. You shivered realizing you were now soaking wet, in the middle of the ocean, with a supposedly sealed away god on your boat. 

“I am sealed away,” Osial spoke after a second, grabbing your hand off their head. “But I have just enough power to briefly appear in my hydra form. Or, appear in this human form for longer.”

“Humans don’t really have tentacles for hair.” You giggled.

“They don’t? I guess I’m special then.”

You jumped slightly as he wrapped his arms around you. Your eyes closed and you wrapped your arms around them. It wasn’t until they became scalding hot that you pushed yourself away in surprise. What were you doing? You were supposed to be looking for your father, cuddling up to an ancient and evil god.

“What are you doing?” You hissed, touching your now red skin. “That hurt!”

“You were cold and wet. So I tried warming you up.”

“Why would you-” You took a slow, deep, breath. “I don’t have time for this.”

“Are you looking for something?” Osial tilted their head. 

“Yes. My father.” You turned from the god. “He got lost at sea last week.”

“I can help you.”

“You can?!” You whirled around. 

“For a price.”

The corners of their lips curled up into an almost sinister smile. Another shiver was sent down your spine as you realized what you were up against. You didn’t know their plans or motives. Nor did you know if they would ensure your father’s safety if you were to find him. Then again, you were desperate enough to do anything. 

“Will you swear not to harm him and bring him home safe and sound?”

“I promise.”

“Then…I want to form a contract.” You nodded, sitting on the bench of the boat. 

“Ah, my least favorite word,” Osial sat next to you. “But we are in his land after all. What are your terms?”

“First of all, like I mentioned, no harm to my father. I also want you to not tell him who you are. He’s…quite the devoted follower of Rex Lapis.”

“Go on,” They sneered slightly at the mention of the God of Contracts.

“I also don’t want to die. As in…don’t take my soul or something in exchange for my father’s safe return. Finally, I want to forget this exchange after all is done.”

“Oh? And why is that?”

“I don’t think I can sleep soundly knowing an ancient evil god is still conscious is probably plotting the demise of the man who built my home. Haha…Anyway! Any objections?”

“It sounds perfect to me.” They grinned. 

“Then…what do you want me to do? And your terms?” You swallowed thickly. 

“I want you to lay with me.”

“Like…on the deck of the boat? It’s kinda shaky, but the rocking might be ni- oh. Oh.”

Your face flushed immensely as you realized the weight of their words. Osial wants you to lay with them. You pinched yourself, hard, hoping this was some sort of dream. It wasn’t. When you said you’d do anything for your father, you weren’t expecting this. At all. If anything, you were expecting him to give you the current whereabouts of Rex Lapis or at least find a way to break the seal that currently held him (mostly) captive. 

“I have needs. And being locked away for centuries upon centuries…” They paused, then leaned in and nipped at your ear. “I’m hungry.”

“I-I-”

Hungry. The word itself held a banal meaning for you, never once being a thing so serious. In that you were lucky, grateful. You were not dense enough to not realize the true meaning of the god’s words. It was the first time someone had spoken of you in this nature. If you were being quite honest, it flustered you. Romance was never a thing on your mind, and you were sure that this had absolutely nothing to do with romance in the first place...but it was always associated with it. You took a deep breath, pulling away from them.

“Listen, uh...?”

“Just Osial is fine.”

“Ok, Just Osial. Look, I'm not sure I can do this. I mean I’ve never done,” You motioned wildly with your hands. “Anything of that nature. Do you...do you even need to do this?”

“No,” They shrugged. “But I want to. Before that nuisance struck me down, life was all pleasure and power. And oh how I’ve missed the pleasure.”

“What about the power?”

“All in due time, my flower. Now, do you accept the contract? I promise I’ll be gentle. I’m sure you’ll be begging for more anyhow.”

They held out their hand, a smirk on their face. Of course this was a stupid idea. There was no working around that. Any doubt that you had consumed your stomach, twisting and turning it upside down filling you with nausea - it had to be pushed down and forgotten. It will be forgotten. This whole incident. It wouldn’t be as bad if you can’t remember? Right? You took their hand gingerly, shaking it once.

With a gentle pull, Osial’s lips found yours almost immediately. They truly wasted no time in rediscovering how it felt to touch a human body. When Osial said life was pleasure and power, they meant it. Practiced hands traveled all along your body, playfully biting at your bottom lip. They reveled in the way that a simple kiss on the soft skin of your neck had drawn out a quiet moan. Osial was skilled in everything they did. Proud with getting an immediate reaction, they bit down on your skin.

“Ah…” You sighed, tilting your neck to give them more room. “Slow…slow down.”

“Hmm? It seems you’re enjoying yourself,” They murmured. “Are you sure you want me to slow down?”

You said nothing and instead closed your eyes. There was something in the way they spoke, a fire igniting in your lower stomach as they left wet trails of kisses down your neck. Osial smirked, knowing exactly what was happening. Of course, as a god, they had full confidence that their skills were enough to get the job done and more. But what’s a little aphrodisiac to get you in the mood? Their hands gripped the edge of your shirt, pulling it over your head. The cool wind nipped at your skin and you involuntarily leaned towards Osial for warmth. They chuckled and kissed down your skin, making sure to leave no inch of you unmarked.

“Os...Osial,” You murmured, your hands weaving through their hair. “What did you do?”

“Oh? Figured it out already? Just wanted to make this a little more fun.”

You didn’t protest. You couldn’t. The aphrodisiac wasted no time, making your body overheat, every touch amplified. Osial's lips found purchase around your nipples, sucking and biting. You mewled softly, arching your back as you pulled him closer. Their hands wrapped around you and he gently laid you down on the deck of the boat. Osial straightened, staring down at your body with greed. Your cheeks were flushed, your eyes watery and glazed over as you squirmed at the sudden absence of touch. Glowing blue tentacles sprouted from Osial’s back. Your eyes widened. 

“Don’t look scared now, my flower,” They pulled down your pants and underwear. “I promise I’ll fulfill our contract in no time.”

Four tentacles wrapped themselves around both your arms and legs, spreading you out all for Osial. They leaned forward, kissing you with more passion than the first. It was a sort of distraction as another tentacle curled around your waist to hold you steady. A sticky essence dripped from every tentacle, covering your center in an aphrodisiac lube. Osial slowly thrust their hips forward, entering you slowly. The sensation made you throw your head back with blinding pleasure. Osial let out a low groan as they bottomed out.

“Ah...hahahaha, fuck-” Osial laughed, their voice melting into a moan. “It’s been so long.”

They started to slowly and deeply thrust into you. You could feel everything from their tentacles pulsing around you to the ribbed feeling pumping in and out of you. Osial stretched you out to your limits, moaning as their pace sped up. One of their hands traveled down your torso and you let out another moan as they added another level of pleasure.

“Do you wish to forget me now?” They murmured, their other hand gently caressing your face. 

“No, please I-“ Your whines were pathetic but oh so delicious to the god’s ears. “I need more.”

“Oh? But we wouldn’t want to break the contract. Then your beloved Rex Lapis will know. He’ll know that his loyal subject prefers getting violated, filled, pleasured by an enemy of Liyue. Do you want that?”

With every word, you felt the cooling slither of tentacles around your body. Every square inch was covered in Osial’s essence. If anyone had witnessed this, you would be called a heretic, a traitor to Liyue and its history. But fuck that. With every hard thrust inside of you, your body squirming to get closer and closer to them, your mind lost all sense of self. You wanted this. You wanted Osial. You wanted more. 

“No, no, I want you,” You whined. “Give me more Osial, please.”

Osial let out a loud and boisterous laugh. With one more thrust, a tentacle joined inside of you. Your mouth opened in a silent scream. You felt full. If it weren’t for the amount of aphrodisiacs flowing through your body, it would have been painful. Instead it felt dull and overwhelming. A knot formed in your stomach as Osial lost all control of their sanity. Being locked away for centuries did terrible wonders on the psyche. Osial wasn’t known for keeping their cool, but in this instance, they would do anything to chase a pleasure that has been taken from them. The two tentacles holding your legs open unwrapped from you. One wrapped around your neck, the other forcing its way into your mouth. You choked around it, your eyes rolling in the back of your head. Osial’s eyes glowed, loving the way you struggled to moan against the tentacle. They tightened their grip around your neck just enough to amplify the pleasure. Your body started to shake.

“Hmm? Are you getting close?” Osial grinned. “Ha...Hold out for just a little longer, dear.”

Your legs were propped up on their shoulders, allowing Osial to hit the very spot that drove you crazy. Their breath stuttered, their thrusts growing sloppy. It took everything in you to hold back the orgasm that was itching to be free. Osial took the tentacle from your mouth. Their hand gripped your face, moving it so you were staring directly at them. They wanted to see how much pleasure they gave you, how your mind was on them and only them.

“Come on then, darling,” They hissed. “Show me how much you love this.”

With a final thrust, both you and Osial reached your climax. You felt them release into both your mouth and down in your core. Osial groaned, pulling out of you and closing their eyes. You spit out all the extra essence and your body went limp. Osial’s tentacles wrapped around you again, pulling you to their chest. Everything was silent save from the panting coming from both of you. The tentacles retracted themselves and Osial held you in their own arms, nuzzling against you. 

As you rested, your body and mind were cleared of the fog. Every muscle felt weak and sore, not to mention your throat. Did you regret this? That remains to be seen. You haven’t felt that much pleasure ever. It was overwhelming. You glanced at Osial. They were hugging you tightly as if they didn’t want to let go.It could be written off as post coital bliss, but you actually wanted to stay with them a little longer. 

“So…” You sighed. “We did that.”

“We did.”

“Uhm…”

“Did you enjoy it?”

“I refuse to answer.” You pouted.

“Embarrassed, are we?” They bit at your neck. “How about we go one more round then? To make sure that you enjoyed it. I wouldn’t mind hearing my name fall from your lips like a prayer.”

“That’s enough,” You pushed them away and sat up. “Is our contract fulfilled?”

Osial said nothing. If you blinked, you would have missed the disappointment that flashed in their eyes. The waters around you rocked the boat gently, and you scooted closer to them. They must have felt lonely. Being locked away for so long without contact with anyone. If you were naive (more than you are now), you would have felt bad for the god. But you weren’t. And this was a contract, nothing more. Contracts were not meant to be broken. You were in Rex Lapis’s land after all. 

“Our contract is fulfilled.” Osial stood. “You should rest now. Taking memories takes a toll. Not as much as our activity just did.”

“Thank you for helping me find my father.”

“If you ever wish to keep me company, my waters are always open to you.”

“Of course, Osial.”

Your voice was sickeningly sweet. It was painful. They wanted to hear their name over and over, feel your body crave them. Fate was cruel, and Morax was even crueler. Had it not been for him, maybe Osial wouldn’t be feeling such pathetic emotions. Jealousy, wanting, possessiveness. It was just one night yet they underestimated how much they would enjoy it. With a wave of their hand, you slowly fell onto your side in a peaceful sleep. Osial dressed you all back up, making sure you were comfortable. Small blue particles that looked like fireflies surrounded your sleeping face. It was done. Osial was nothing more than a terrible tall tale.

•••

“Hey, kiddo, wake up!”

“What the fuck?” You quickly sat up looking around.

“Thank god!!”

You squinted, the bright light of the sun blinding you. Waves crashed against the sand as you took a look around. Sand. Sand? Your hands dug into it, the cool feeling of it slipping through your fingers waking you up. Weren’t you out at sea looking for your father? Father. You gasped and stood, shakily taking a step with your groggy body. You had to find him. You had to go back and find him.

“Woah, woah, hold up! Take a step back, kiddo.”

Kiddo. You finally looked at who was grabbing your shoulders. It was him. It was your father. You let out a sob and hugged him tightly, refusing to let go. He was here and he was alive. You would be damned if you let him out of your sight again. He chuckled softly, his voice cracking as he rubbed your back. You could tell he had gone through a rough journey by the way his hands shook. You pulled away slightly.

“I thought you’d never come back!”

“Here I am,” Father tilted his head. “It’s odd...I don’t really remember going out to sea. Nor do I remember crashing.”

“Really?”

“I found both of you here on the beach,” You turned to see Uncle Tian crossing his arms. “A bunch of trouble, the lot of ya.”

“Thank you, Uncle Tian.” You smiled.

“Thank you? I should’ve never let you go alone! This could have all been avoided.” He huffed. 

“Are you telling me my child, the one with the fear of the ocean, went out there all by themself?”

“Of course I did!’ You shook his shoulders. “You disappeared!! I had to find you! Do you know how despondent Mother is? Don’t ever do that again!”

You hugged him again. It was quite a tearful sight. Tian watched with loving eyes. There was nothing like a family being reunited. Something ate at him though. He wasn’t sure if he should bring it up, but curiosity killed the cat. With an awkward cough he stepped forward. You and your father both glanced at him. Tian’s face contorted slightly but then he finally spoke up.

“So, uhh...Do you remember anything? From after you sailed off?”

“Yeah! I remember going pretty far out. It was pretty cold but the water was quiet. Then I saw this...I saw...there was…” You trailed off. 

A piercing pain exploded in the middle of your head. You doubled over. How could you not remember? Everything was so clear in your mind up to the point of you stopping in the middle of the ocean. Father wrapped his arm around you. You slowly straightened, your brows furrowed. You had a nagging feeling that you should remember.

“Sorry I-...I must be dehydrated. Why do you ask?” 

“You were muttering in your sleep and you have odd bruises all over you. It also looks like you were bound.”

“Muttering?” Your father asked.

“Something about...a contract?” “Must’ve been a weird dream!” You suddenly spoke up, forcing out a laugh. “I do that sometimes...We should go get some rest now, right Father?”

“Right…” He shared a glance with Tian. “We should get going. Thank you for everything, Tian.”

“No problem. You all take care now.”

The two of you walked off, waving goodbye. Your father was relatively unscathed besides a few cuts here and there. You, however, were covered in dark red and purple bruises. Your wrists were red and you felt as if your throat was on fire. Something had happened out there. Flashes of blue painfully crossed through your mind whenever you tried to think about it. Whatever it was, you weren’t supposed to remember.

Father held onto your hand, forcing you out of your stupor. His smile brought you back to Teyvat. Maybe you didn’t have to remember. All that mattered now was that your father was here and alive. Your family was whole again. For now, you could ignore the voice in the back of your mind calling you back to the ocean. 

[elentari-celestaire]

✧unyielding pillar, fleeting mist✧

ii. blooming mist-flower amongst golden peaks and azure sea.

[ previous ll masterlist ll next ]

pairing: morax x f!reader, osial x f!reader

synopsis: a story of a human female from Earth, who was thrown into the world of Teyvat during one of its most dangerous era. despite being bestowed with a power far stronger than any Teyvat mortal could wield, y/n decided to use her gift of mist to hide away from the burning and bloodied war-filled world. but, what will she do when Morax, the warrior god, one of the seven victors of the archon war and future geo archon waltzed into her mist-concealed island, that she had hidden away from the inhabitants of Teyvat for decades?

author’s note: or u can call this the chapter y/n almost die from constantly being breathless. this is kinda rushed since I’ve been sick and busy the past week. tbh this chapter is mostly just y/n being on a roller coaster of emotions the whole time. also, i apologise that my writing isn’t as well written as other writers though i’m hoping with time and practice i’ll improve. i hope you’ll enjoy this. 

When those glowing molten ambers focused on her, y/n felt as if she had forgotten how to breathe. Fortunately for her, her brain remembered how to.

As her chest heaved to compensate the prior lack of oxygen, the unsettling feeling from before dug deeper within her. Those golden hues brought her back to the very first time she had laid eyes on them, many decades ago.

His history as the feared god of war was something she was well aware of. Yet, even knowing that, she could not help but feel intimidated — wanting to shrink and hide away like she had always done.

And so, ran away she did.

Taking in a deep breath, y/n turned to the young man next to her, breaking eye contact from those golden ambers.

“Hirotaka, tell Seiran to serve the two outsiders tea and to treat them with the utmost respect,” she spoke with the calmest voice she could muster.

The young man next to her, whose name was Hirotaka was surprised for a moment before hastily responding, “yes, my lady…” His eyes glancing towards the direction of Seiran and the two outsiders. “But, my lady, shouldn’t you -”

Not giving the male a chance to continue, the divine priestess exclaimed, “I just remembered that I have some urgent matters to attend to!! There is nothing on this island so, they will probably get bored soon and be on their wa-”

Y/n paused mid-sentence when she noticed Hirotaka, whose eyes were wide and his form trembling at a presence behind her.

“Taka?” her brows furrowed in worry, which then turned into a look of dread as a shadow loomed over her.

“Found you.”

E/c hues widened at the sound of the familiar baritone voice yet, the lack of gentleness that she was accustomed to made her heart ached.

Even after decades having not heard the future geo archon’s voice since she arrived in Teyvat, his voice never fails to make her weak — turning her legs into jelly. Speaking of jelly, she really could use one at that moment.

‘Think, Y/n! Think!’ snapping her thoughts away from the dessert, the divine priestess mentally screamed at herself, her body slightly shaking as she willed herself to find for the best course of action.

Her anxious thoughts were cut short when she felt her wrist being grabbed, eliciting a high-pitch squeal from her lips.

“Are you going to run away again, mist flower?”

“W-what?! No!! I wasn’t inten-”

As y/n’s worried mind was trying to comprehend whatever that had transpired, she unconsciously turned towards the owner of those hands — those very hands decorated with geo markings that she had only admired seen through images or the game.

“Did you just called me mist flow-”

The divine priestess inhaled sharply as her e/c eyes travelled upwards to meet golden ambers. He had removed his hood, exposing his umber locks, his low ponytail swinging in the chilly breeze.

Y/n let out a breath she had not realized she had been holding. He looked exactly the same as he had been that many decades ago — intimidating but still, breathtakingly beautiful.

The staring contest moment between the Lord of Geo and y/n was cut short when Seiran came running towards the divine priestess — worry etched on the younger priestess’ features, and trailing after her was the other outsider, his long azure tresses flowing behind him.

Y/n’s eyes widened as she moved her gaze from the god towering over her to the blue-haired male, who had just arrived at the scene — his bright cerulean hues assessing the situation — seemingly asking for an answer as to why the god of war was holding on to the divine priestess’ wrist.

“Morax. What are you doing?”

Slightly irked at being interrupted, the younger god in question grumbled, “I merely spoke to her…Osial.”

“Do you grab everyone's wrist when you speak to them…Morax?”

Morax glared at the older god, like a child caught red-handed, before letting go of the divine priestess' wrist. But, y/n was too distracted by a certain name that she had just heard to notice the lack of pressure on her wrist.

“What?!”

The sudden outburst from the divine priestess took everyone by surprise, even the two gods standing in front of her. “Osial?! Even the Lord of Vortex is here?!”

For a moment, y/n swore there was a deadly glint in those crystal blue eyes when they met hers. Slightly parted lips turned upwards into a faint smirk.

‘Why is he smirking?’ cue the start of another mental breakdown for y/n. She was aware of Morax’s personality based on what she had read. But, Osial? The only thing she knew about the Lord of Vortex was that he’s a huge hydra-looking sea creature that got speared by Morax and then, stoned by the jade chamber centuries later.

Never would she have thought that she would meet Osial. At least, not expecting to see him in human form — a very good-looking form at that. At first, it was the Lord of Geo, now with Osial as well. She just wanted to scream from how beautiful these two gods are, but she had to maintain her dignity in front of her people.

“Oh?” the azure-haired god hummed as he held his chin in his fingers — the smirk still plastered on his lips. ”It seems our host knows who i am?” he continued, his voice a mixture of curiosity and amusement as he side-glanced the younger god next to him before returning his gaze towards y/n.

Both of their attentions were then focused on y/n and solely on her — Osial’s expression was one of interest while Morax’s demanded answers.

“And yet, we know nothing of you or your island, divine priestess y/n.”

‘Heart, please stay strong,’ y/n pleaded internally, having long given up on praying to any gods.

[originalgenshinscenarios]

Greetings you little mashocist! Have some more pain

I humbly request headcanons of Orobashi, Zhongli and Osial. In where you, their human lover asks, what they'll do when you'll die?

You're mortal, so one day you will perish, leaving them alone.

Much love, ash anon <3

You just get me. That's the angst I fucking want!!

Also hope you like my version of Osial~

Orobashi, Zhongli and Osial reacting to their human asking what will they do when they die

Reader here is gender neutral

Orobashi

It wasn't like he wasn't prepared for this question to come up, but he was surprised by it regardless.

He didn't wanted to worry about it too soon, but at the same time you did deserve a proper answer.

"There isn't much I could do... I definitely would cherish everything we had and be there for you untill your last breath... But as for what would happen next... I'm not yet sure"

It would take him a long time to get used to you not being around. He could only imagine how many times he'd forget that you've died only to be brought back to harsh reality.

Because with time to him all of it will seem like a dream that ended with a nightmare.

Zhongli

Although he's hiding among the mortals and his days as Rex Lapis are over, he still had a long life ahead of him... One that would surely outlive you if he doesn't fall due to different circumstances than age.

It took him some time to confess to you that he isn't mortal. Mainly because he just doesn't talk about it left and right. But when you ask him the question he doesn't even hesitate to answer.

"I'll carry you in my heart and memories until the day that I die" he spoke bluntly but you could feel the determination within.

It was the truth after all. He would cherish every moment he has with you. He'd basically use the time he has with you the best way he can. After your passing he'd just remember the times he had. Perhaps often ask himself "what would happen if you were here" too.

Osial

He was prepared for the fact that your life is fragile and may end any day. Still just the idea of losing you was making him mad.

So when you asked him what would he do after your death he almost scolded you.

"Don't even bring up such a grim scenario. I'll deal with it once I will have to face it" to him situation was simple. He has you here and when something takes you away there will be hell to pay.

There just was no telling what he'd do as he griefs your death... Your death might end up being not only a catastrophe for him but be correlated to a different one...

~Mod Lisa

[kiatheinsomniac]

be fr how would it be received if i wrote an Osial fic? 👀👀

[squiddy-god]

A Lonely Night

(osial x reader pt1)

Re-upload from terminated account squid-god-supreme, this is another older one that I wrote when I first started playing engine, which was shortly after the game's release so here is an osial x reader

CW : osial, almost drowning, he's written more in a yandere-ish way, gn! Reader (I think it's been awhile) not proofread we die like men.

You often gazed at the sea, looking out at the crashing waves against liyue rocks, years of water making grooves in the stone. Even on days where no sailor set out from the harbor and the winds whipped with raging waters, when the sea's deep waters swirled and cried out in rage, you could be found on the sandy shores soaked in rain. 

Foolish and crazy they called you; You who sought peace in the abode of fallen gods, who traveled to the silence of Guyun stone forest, the slanted mountains not imposing and ominous as they should have been, but rather welcoming as your boat sailed between them. It was often that you spent time in the stone forest, the sounds of gentle waves the only company you needed while you scaled mountains and explored the shells of adepti long fallen. You only chuckled as you packed your bags once again, wicker basket empty and satchel packed with what you’d need for the day, your mothers face held worry as she once again watched you pack. One would think she wouldn't worry with how many trips you'd made to the mountains of the stone forest but still she worried every time. 

“Don't worry, i'll be back soon! The skies are clear and ill be careful mother” she shook her head, there was really no stopping you, already in the boat and setting out. “Alright dear, but please hurry home!” she called as you rowed away.

The towering mountains blocked the beating sun as you whent to your usual fishing spot. Around bends and under the stone arches. You always found it odd how birds don't nest in the crevices of warm stone, avoiding this place like the plague.but it was peaceful when eagles didn't caw and squawk at fish, scaring them away from your hook and real. You cast your line, the breeze rustling your clothes and carrying the smell of salt along the air. Once you felt a tug on your line you pulled back, silver scaled fish jumping from the watter and into your small boat.

This went on for some time, casting and pulling your line till your once empty basket was full of fish. The sun has risen to noon as it casts daunting shadows over the shifting sea. “Guess it's time to head back to shore for a bit” you mutter to yourself, deciding to spend a while longer at Guyun’s shores. Rowing back didn't take long, tugging your boat just far enough ontoshore to stay put while you rested. You hoped out of the boat and winced as your bare feet touched the hot sand, but none the less you made your way over to a small tree that grew from a crack in the mountain. You let out a small sigh as you leaned back in the shade, eyes darting across the sand as crabs scurried across it. 

The sound of waves lulled you to sleep, eyes sliping shut for a quick nap. That was a mistake, by the time you had awoken the sun had long set, night to pitch black and inky to safely return home. “I hope she doesn't worry too much,” you said, quickly running under the large stone overpass to stay the night. Despite your many trips this was the first time you had spent the night here, your mother always worried about you to let you stay. Lighting a match you kindled a small fire to keep warm and then once again drifted off to sleep. 

Your eyes closed and your mind drifted off, time passing you by before you felt a sharp pain. Your lungs burned with every breath and you felt the air change. The tensen thick as malice filled your being. Roars and screeches sounded in the air as you realized they were your own, you felt another sharp pain as your body lurched into the ocean, dragged down and pinned to the bottom by a heavy stone spear.  When you writhed and fought you felt another and another- 

You woke up coughing, your lungs on fire and you looked around with frantic eyes. They were blown wide as you tried to calm down, body sore from seemingly nothing. A strange noise grasped your attention, like a muffled voice with angered words drowned out by the sea. You stood up and trudge forward, following the sound of the noise out to the shore. A strange man sat in the sand, long hair sprawled against the sand. In the tired state you were in you didn't notice how moonlike seemed to filter threw his hair as if it were water. 

“Are you...alright?” you asked, a safe distance away when you saw him turn around; maybe it was a trick of the moon but you swore his eyes were glowing blue. He didn't say a word, and you walked closer, air changing as if storms were on their way. 

He was puzzled, too puzzled to speak. Such a foolish mortal to approach a god- but did you even know?  Had it really been so long that liuye has forgotten the raging tides and rapids that once plagued them? Ridiculous was the notion yet here you sat besides him, your unspoken presence not unwelcome after years of solitude. 

“It's nice out here, you can even see the stars in the water” he couldn't help but chuckle at your attempt at small talk, for a second almost forgetting his ancient grudge. “Yes, the ocean holds many wonders, the stars are no different” his voice was slightly coarse as he spoke. “Haha that reminds me of old legends,” you sigh “they say that deep beneath the rapid water, where no light shines, a glowing castle lays full of shells and pearls, but that's become no more than a legend” laughing you scratched your neck as if embarrassed by the childish tales. Of course he has heard of this before, how could he not when it was his legend? Yet something compelled him, “what else do they say of it?” he inquired. “Well- they say it's guarded by a monster!” you said raising your hands to look more threatening “a huge sea monster as old as rex lapis who makes the watters rage! The abode of osial” you laugh as you finish your dramatic tale. 

“And what if it's real?” you looked at him with wide eyes and looked back to the ocean. “I'd go there of course! Bygone gods slumber, the oceans no longer rage with the force of gods, if that was a real place then i'd find it one day” you said, a wistful look in your (e/c) eyes. 

As time passed and you talked with the odd man your eyes slipped shut, head lightly hitting the sand as you once again drifted off to sleep. Missing the sound of your voice he looked over and chuckled at your sleeping form, hooking an arm under your legs and back before standing. He laid you down in your boat before pushing it and letting the tide take it into the water. He walked besides your boat, guiding it along as you slept soundly to the rhythm of the waves. Pulling the boat onto the shore of liyue he grimaced. He'd long forgotten this place and the blood that was shed here.

The first being to keep him company in well over two thousand years, a shame he had to let you go so easily. “Although” he thought, looking over to you. “Perhaps I don't”

[water-to-drink]

If Only I Can Turn Back Time

(Pairing): Zhongli x gn!reader x Childe (separate)

(Synopsis): After taking the life of his lover thousands of years ago, Zhongli finds your current incarnation with another lover

(Tags/Warnings): Angst no comfort, blood, pet names (sunshine, darling, & babe), non consensual touching, not beta read (wrote this instead of sleeping), might feel rushed, (if I missed something lmk)

(Word Count): 1.1k

(A/n): It’s sad bitch hours folks

𓂃 𓈒𓏸𑁍𓂃 𓈒𓏸𑁍𓂃 𓈒𓏸𑁍𓂃 𓈒𓏸𑁍𓂃 𓈒𓏸𑁍𓂃 𓈒𓏸𑁍𓂃 𓈒𓏸𑁍

“Morax…? Why?” You gurgled due to your blood coming up to your mouth due to the gaping hole in your stomach

“I’m sorry it had to come to this, but I told you I would do anything for my people.” The god you used to call your lover replied coldly

You grit your teeth to say something to the stone god, but you decide against it instead opting to let tears run down your face as your vision gradually fades

The mystery of what you were originally planning on being your last words still plagues Morax to this day, in his new life stepping down from his role as archon and living the rest of his days as the mortal known as Zhongli. Were your final words going to declarations of love or hatred? He wouldn’t blame you if it was the latter, he would hate himself too

For years he tried to justify it by telling himself that it was the best for his people, but after the years of self reflection he realized it was only to protect himself. Truly thinking that if you died by his hands then it would save him from the heart break Osial’s betrayal caused him

Letting his paranoia get the best of him after Osial’s betrayal and Guizhong’s death he killed the last pillar holding up his life

“Hey! Are you listening?” The familiar voice of a ginger haired man brought Zhongli out of his bout of self-loathing

“Oh, I’m sorry. Please continue.”

“As I was saying my amazing wonderful beautiful finance is coming to Liyue!” Childe smiled and continued. “Their boat is arriving today and I’m so excited, I wish to have them in my arms and listen to talk!”

Zhongli sipped his tea as the young man continued to gust about you and how much he misses you. Reuniting with your lover is beautiful thing, he remembers the times where you would run into his loving embrace. Spinning you in his arms, hearing your melodic laughter, seeing your precious smiling face, feeling the softness of your lips. Sweet memories that will always be close to his heart

“Ah! Their boat is arriving now!” Childe looked at his watch and quickly ran down to the harbor, leaving his tea on the table. From his seat he spotted the distinctive mop of ginger running to the docks as a boat arrives to port

Though he is not a nosey person, Zhongli couldn’t help himself to hone his hearing onto Childe. Who is this person that captured the bloodthirsty man’s heart and made him giddy like a schoolboy? His curiosity was peaked

“Sunshine!”

“Gingersnap!” A familiar voice rings throughout the dragon’s ears

Hesitantly turning his head he sees a sight that he thought he would never see again. There you are, walking and talking like how you used to before the war. Even the smile he vividly remembers is still the same, only that it’s made for someone else

The Harbinger you’re currently hugging

Still in a state of shock Zhongli didn’t register that you and Childe were making your way up the stairs, until the both of you were right in front of him

“As I told you before, this is my fiancé (Y/N).” Childe introduced

Your name was different but still beautifully matched you, a name he wouldn’t dare shorten it to a nickname. A name that every syllable should be worthship whenever it rolls off his tongue

“Zhongli, pleasure to make your acquaintance.”

“Pleased to meet you, Tartaglia has told me a lot about you.”

As the days progressed he got to learn more about this current incarnation of you, there were many things that remained the same yet, some things different. Learning about your new likes felt like he was falling in love with you all over again

“You know Zhongli, it feels like I known you for a long time.” You mention offhandedly

Oh how much he wants to hold your hand and tell you it’s because the two of you were lovers in the past. To beg for forgiveness for what he did to you and promise that he would devote his entire existence to protecting you

Despite priding himself on his patience Zhongli feels it wearing thin with each pasting second. There’s a constant conflict going on inside of him, one side wanting to leave you alone and let you enjoy your new life and the other side wanting you to remember the time where the two of you were lovers. It feels like a kettle that’s about to explode

“Goodbye, Zhongli.” You said, heartbreakingly similar to the way you said your last goodbye to him

Against his better judgement he reaches towards you and wraps his arms around you in a tight embrace

“H-hey! Let go of me!” You said as you struggled against his grip

“Please. Please, remember.” He uncharacteristically pleaded as he began to use some Adeptal magic on you to share some of memories with you

Memories of your first time meeting, your conversations that would last til the sun sets, him confessing his feelings to you, your first time being intimate with each other. Every memory that he has involving you being shared, from the first moment to the last

Slowly you stopped struggling against him and he releases you from his grip. You pushed him away and turned to face him, your eyes had a glint of recollection yet confliction to them signaling that your old memories are flooding back into your mind

“Morax…”

“Darling.” Zhongli whispers as he opens his arms and slowly approaches you

Extending your arm out you stop the former archon from coming closer

He wanted to asked what was wrong but the look of betrayal on your face, the same expression you wore the day he used his spear to strike you down, told him everything that he needed to know

You don’t love him like you did before

Rapid footsteps alerted the two of you to the upcoming presence of another. A mop of orange hair pops up before the harbinger makes his way up the stairs and kisses you on the cheek

“Hey babe, is something the matter?” Childe asked, sensing the tension between the two of you

“Oh I was just saying goodbye to Mr. Zhongli.” You stated with a smile to your lover

Heartbroken he watched as the two of you walked down the stairs, your words getting out of ear shot

You turned to glance at your former lover one last time before returning your attention to the young man

[azen13]

The Lives and Losses of Lovers

Description: This is actually inspired by a post by @lum1nesc3nce, which you can find here! TLDR: Zhongli x God!Reader, where Zhongli kills his lover but they stay alive. This does have a bit more of a Yandere!Zhongli flavor, though, so be warned!

CW: Yandere Themes, Descriptions of Violence, Descriptions of Blood, Murder, Mild Gore,

⋆⁺₊⋆ ☾⋆⁺₊⋆

The patio is warm, blessed with the touch of the sun’s earliest rays. Already you and Zhongli sit in two comfortable chairs; he sips on tea, you on coffee. It is a scene that has played out a thousand times, yet one Zhongli never tires of. He never tires of seeing your face aglow, of feeling your body leaning against his, of knowing you are here, miraculously breathing life through your bones and skin.

“My dear, I was wondering,” Zhongli starts, his soft contemplative voice shattering the flimsy silence blanketing the porch. “Would you like to accompany me to Liyue Harbor to purchase some groceries?” It is a reward–he thinks as he revels in your surprised reaction–for how understanding you have been in these turbulent times. With the whole mess regarding the Fatui cleared up and a mundane mortal life ahead of him, Zhongli can afford to spend more moments with you in sweet, blissful love.

Perhaps one day it will make up for that vile scene years ago, the moment his heart became stone: your body splayed stunningly on the ground, looking like the most gilded, horrific masterpiece he had ever seen. Painted in sunlit hues, his spearhead sticking from your chest splattered with blood made of molten gold. 

Even nearly dying you looked breathtaking. 

He is still suffering from regret for the decision. At the time, the situation was looking grim; Guizhong and Azhdaha were both gone, leaving you his only close friend. He spent many moonlit nights sharing tea and hushed conversation, as well as tears and heartfelt confessions with you. Zhongli is not the god of words, but just the sight of your iridescent eyes made him want to tell you every trouble and every worry had. You were his most valuable treasure, his lover through and through. Your contract with him, to always stand by side, loyal to one another, made him so weak, so soft, so human.

But that was the issue. Everyone knew of his love, his tender affection; unbecoming of a god who wielded earth and stone as weapons. His life was plagued by phantoms day and night. When he dreamed he envisioned you being kidnapped by some evil god like Osial and being tortured. Killed. Doomed to a fate worse than death, even. In the day, every action you did reminded him of a delicate tree weathering a deluge. Your branches swayed in the intense winds and even the earth couldn’t anchor you.

So he pleaded. He begged you to stay tucked away in his private domain where no great evil could stalk after you, promising to love you for an eternity of eternities. He would love you until every mountain had become a valley. But you refused, saying you wanted to live every facet of life, turning the world like a kaleidoscope in your hands.

The mirrors shifted and the skies turned red.

Those prophecies he had dreamt, uttered to him by ghosts haunting his mind, came true. You were taken away by some pesky, lowly god, and confessed all that you knew. That was fine. Zhongli was made of stone and Cor Lapis, and even if this insignificant insect of a god knew his weaknesses–few as they were–Zhongli eviscerated them.

But the contract.

When the god was sealed away beneath the sea, Zhongli fell to his knees, mouth opened but unable to utter any words.

Zhongli is not the god of words.

It is horribly tragic, he mourns as he stares at your hollow expression, that you must face the wrath of the rock because of a ridiculous choice of words. “To always stand by his side.” You have technically betrayed him.

The earth shakes for weeks afterwards. The sudden freak earthquake is talked about for weeks on end before people move on, as life does. Zhongli does not. His memory of you remains petrified, his new specter. He will never truly love again for thousands of years. Every time he is reminded of you, a piece of his heart chips away

But then you came back. 

That day is amber, crystallized in his mind. Seeing you in the bustling streets of Liyue Harbor, so lost after centuries away from home. At that moment, Zhongli decides he will not make the same mistake twice. He would have preferred more time to draw you in carefully, but he is afraid now. Afraid that some hideous twist of fate will rip you from him again. So he whisks you away to his private domain, and drafts up a new contract, binding you to him in matrimony forever. 

Please forgive him, he begs after you sign the contract in gold, tears dripping down your cheeks. He only wishes to protect you; he has always wished to protect you. But the world is cruel to lovers, and not even the strong can uphold such a delicate thing. 

In Zhongli’s private domain, wicked things like time and fate are nonexistent. Zhongli is the only god that rules these lands. He is a benevolent god, if a little possessive. After being deprived of you for so long, he craves your presence, he claims. Day and night, he tries to spend every living moment with you. When he cannot, you are ever-present in his mind–a living, breathing thing instead of the dead spirits that once terrorized it for all those years.

Some days you seem despondent, craving room to spread your branches far and wide. But Zhongli simply chuckles and kisses the top of your head; he smells the gentle scent of your shampoo, knowing this is what is best for you. He whispers it quietly, lacing sweet nothings and honeyed words into his voice as he pulls you into his arms. You haven’t tried to fight him on this in years, either. It’s part of the reason why he has proposed going on a  little trip to Liyue Harbor. Perhaps if all goes well, he’ll allow more trips out of the private domain. All supervised by his watchful eye, of course. After a few moments of stunned surprise, you finally have the courage to speak. “I-I’d love to. Thank you, Zhongli,” you say quietly. Zhongli smiles, leaning to press a delicate kiss to your lips.

“You are very welcome, my treasure,” he whispers, a hand reaching to cup your face; his thumb reaches to brush your lips tenderly.

He can tell that you are still afraid of him, fearful that he will hurt you again. No matter. One day, Zhongli hopes, you will shed your fear like a caterpillar in chrysalis, and emerge into a glittering world full of Zhongli’s love for you. 

[selfaware-bungou-stray-dogs]

Truth of fallen god

Self-Aware! Chuuya Nakahara x GN! Reader

Description: Howard Philips Lovecraft is driving people mad. Francis Scott Key Fitzgerald is destroying economy. Chuuya Nakahara is talking with a dying god.

Warning: OOC. English is my second language. Mentions of cannibalism. Some swearing. Chuuya destroyed Chasm off screen. Chuuya cuddles in the end.

____________

"Teyvat are on a verge of crisis... Crisis of faith. Shouldn't you... Be more concerned? Bend rules for a bit?" Echo of Creator's powers stepped from one leg to another. The bleak copy of First One took few steps towards the edge of a platform, looking down at Teyvat. At The First One's Land. Echo turned their head towards Sustainer.

"I... I can pose as Legitimate Reincarnation. Remind people of Teyvat, who's laws they should follow. What they allowed to do and what lines not allowed to cross."

Echo were now standing before Sustainer. And from the darkness, dozens of Celestials observed. Sustainer's siblings and comrades. Most of them fight together with The First One, witnessing the birth of Teyvat. Echo looked Sustainer in the eyes.

"Pose as my familiars. Let me take The Ivory Throne."

The Silence of Celestial, home and cradle of The First One was shattered.

"Preposterous!"

"Never!"

"Impossible!"

"Sustainer, let us throw that worm from the edge!"

Sustainer raised her hand, silencing her siblings. She looked directly in Echo's eyes. They didn't flinch. They already act, like Legitimate Reincarnation.

There was something strange with that Echo. Sustainer could feel a sickly sweet scent, coming from Echo. Their movements were careful and calculated.

Were Echo sick? Were they trying to live, what remains of their lifespan the best, they can? Is that what mortals do?

The First One was the best among them in understanding mortals. But, Sustainer, while not the best, was still good at reading people.

Sustainer's voice flows. And Echo knew, that they have no right to interrupt her. If Echo dared to break The First One's protocol, they won't live for another moment.

"Why you came here only now, Echo? Why not came here earlier? Why you didn't stop Fontaine's Prophecy? Why you didn't release Dendro Archon? Why you didn't stop Electro Archon? Why didn't protect people of Liyue from Osial and Beisht? Why didn't calm Dvalin's pain?"

Sustainer's nose was almost pressed against Echo's.

"Why didn't you stop Cryo Archon?"

Echo's voice was firm.

"I only got here. And immediately came to you."

Sustainer raise her head, looking at Echo from above.

"Or, perhaps, you were too scared to do something dangerous. You did nothing to earn the right to be on the Ivory Throne."

Echo yelled.

"I am also a reincarnation of Creator! And I won't be the first Echo on the throne!"

Immediately, air was knocked down from them. Echo was laying on the marble floor of Celestia. Guardian, Sustainer's brother, was holding Echo down. Sustainer towered above Echo behind his back.

"They helped people during dark times, before asking for a throne! You just want praises, that came with The Ivory Throne. Leave Teyvat, mortal. Leave, and never return."

Echo's gaze darkened.

"So, that's what you choose..."

Guardian yelled.

And he fell.

A dagger with white handle was sticking from the middle of his chest.

Dirty, blasphemous power raised from Echo... From the Demon.

"It was a good thing, I didn't eat all the bones of Previous Ones I could find. Aren't the knife from their bones great for slaying gods?"

Demon raised from the ground. Black, sticky tendrils came from the tips of their fingers, curling around Celestia.

A bone dagger flew through crowd. Attacking, killing, destroying.

"I can fool them. Their prayers will come to me. But, I can't let your prayers came to The Second Reincarnation."

Demon showed their teeth.

"Can't wait for their arrival. I will finally get fresh meat."

Celestia shook.

The Cradle of The First One was sullen.

It crumbled.

And gods fell down, while demon stayed above.

___________

Chuuya Nakahara was quiet. The broken god sat before him.

He supposed to simply look around Sumeru, to explore some parts of the region, they weren't familiar with.

Instead, he found a dying god. Or, more likely, dying god has fond him.

She called him the new familiar of The First One. And told him a story. Story, that happened year ago.

Sustainer focused her eyes on Chuuya.

"I saw it. I can feel it. Last pure remains of The First One's power. They... True Reincarnation are safe, right? You are their new familiar, right?"

Sustainer coughed, a bloody drop appeared in the corner of her mouth. She swallowed the blood.

"Or a guardian?"

Chuuya finally found his voice.

"Their friend... [Y/N]'s friend."

Sustainer's dull eyes shined.

"[Y/N]... Their name? How perfect. It's perfect. Truly divine..."

Sustainer forgot about Chuuya and start repeating your name over and over again.

A child-like smile appeared on her face. Sustainer of Heavenly Principles was happy, because she likes the name of Real Reincarnation.

Chuuya interrupted her.

"What happened to you? After the Fall of Celestia?"

Sustainer coughed again.

"Demon got me. When I was falling. Was dying ever since."

She looked at Chuuya.

"Death of divine can take centuries. We will exist as long as memories and knowledge about us lives. And will slowly die as long as memories and knowledge about us lives."

Sustainer's body trembled.

"But I can go now. They are safe. New familiars are near them. Take it. Use all of it. Protect them. Protect them, because I can't."

Sustainer grabbed the golden ornament on her chest. Tendrils of her power flow into it.

Sustainer disappeared in a golden dust.

And a golden ornament with her power remains.

__________

Chuuya never used his ability to make something, so, it takes multiple attempts, before he can make a somewhat of an urn from a boulder.

Sustainer deserved to have a grave.

The golden ornament was safely tucked in his pocket.

And his rage was boiling in his soul.

Chuuya thought, that the Truth was next.

Crazy knock-off bitch wanted to kill you.

The real truth was much worse.

Crazy knock-off bitch wanted to eat you!

Earth crumbled beneath Chuuya's feet.

If only he could walk straight to that thing and made it a bloody splat on the Dragonspine...

But he needs to stay calm.

They can't drop too much attention to them.

Can't let people knew about the plan. About their unity.

Lovecraft can pass as another monster from ancient history, Jouno, after Mondstadt, was keeping low, Fitzgerald's attacks were only aimed at Ningguang and Pantalone, Mark's and John's bank robbery can be passed as treasure horders' doings, same with Blue Mackerel's and Ango's scum. And it's not like Anemiac Freak and Sigma force people to go to their casino.

But the assassination attempt on Creator will be impossible to pin on someone else.

In Teyvat's people's eyes, only an Imposter can wish to harm Creator.

His rage was still boiling.

But, for now, Chuuya Nakahara will hold his desire to kill that thing under control.

But he wanted to do something. Anything.

Piano Man's voice echoed in his mind.

"Start with the mines..."

Chuuya stopped. He and Flags hold a little discussion few days ago. About Archon's and their powers. Topic of Mora and fallen Celestia came up. Mora supposed to came from Celestial powers. But, with Celestia out...

"...metal for counterfeit money has to come from somewhere... No one would question, that new Mora looked different. It still be money, that came from Creator..."

Chuuya might take a little detour and visit The Chasm.

________

Chuuya ignored Fitzgerald's gaze, getting on the boat, sitting near the blonde man.

Lovecraft's tentacles hold the boat firmly on his back.

For an octopus-like creature, Lovecraft was extremely fast.

Lovecraft, swimming underwater, keeping a boat with Chuuya and Fitzgerald above, will reach the island with a porta in an hour.

Fitzgerald finally spoke.

"That earthquake..."

Chuuya didn't let him finish.

"Existence of a Chasm got on my nerves. I dealt with it."

_____________________

He left a stone urn with golden dust in their secret cave. When everything will be over, he will spread it over the remains of Celestia.

The knock on the door made you flinch. You liked your lips and answered.

_____________________

It was almost time to go to bed. You silently lay under the blanket. You were afraid of going to sleep. You didn't want to see another nightmare.

"Who is it?"

Door slightly open and a familiar redhead looked inside.

"Hey, Dear Symphony, want some company?"

You nodded slowly.

Chuuya walked into your room. And you finally saw his attire. A familiar red-toned pajamas.

He was holding his phone in one hand.

"Hey, [Y/N], do you want to cuddle tonight?"

You froze. You used to love cuddles.

But, after Teyvat...

The last "normal" cuddles you get were with Dazai and Fyodor. Few weeks ago.

You stopped cuddling, because of your nightmares. Because your screams already woke up others.

You didn't want to wake up a person, who will lie next to you.

BSD Cast respect your decision.

Despite your decision, you didn't want to be alone at night.

You didn't realize, that you were crying, until Chuuya brushed your tears from your cheeks. He smiled softly, looking at you.

"You need some 'me time', Dear Symphony. To recharge. Let me cuddle with you, while you're listening to music."

You didn't speak. You nodded, leaning to Chuuya's touch.

_________

Sounds of music filled the room.

Chuuya was laying behind you. With his arm around you, his chest was pressed against your back. Your bodies were pressed tightly against each other. Your head was laying on Chuuya's outstretched left arm. He was holding your hand in his left hand. His nose was right next to your ear. His breath tickled your hair. Chuuya felt the rise and fall of your chest grow steady with sleep.

Good. You seem calm.

Chuuya moved his head to plant a little kiss on your temple. You smiled in your sleep.

Chuuya blinked away happy tears. He put his head back, nuzzling your hair.

Tonight, only you and him exist. Tonight, only your comfort matters.

Tomorrow, he will say to others, what he has learned today. Tomorrow, fury and rage will boil.

And after that will come new plans, new actions.

And even more love and care for you.

____________

Tag list: @withered-blossoms , @myluckymoon @cocodrilofeliz @c4xcocoa @vvyeislazzy @whisperingwinters @nervousinfluencertidalwave @ayameshu

Chuuya in red-toned pajamas

[nihilityuniverse]

𝟎𝐭𝐡 𝐇𝐚𝐫𝐛𝐢𝐧𝐠𝐞𝐫 | 𝐆𝐞𝐧𝐬𝐡𝐢𝐧 𝐈𝐦𝐩𝐚𝐜𝐭 𝐱 𝐅𝐄𝐌! 𝐑𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐞𝐫

ᴡʜᴇɴ ʏᴏᴜ ᴀʀᴇ ᴛʜᴇ 𝗦𝗲𝗰𝗿𝗲𝘁 𝗖𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘁𝗼𝗿 ᴏꜰ ᴛᴇʏᴠᴀᴛ 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗙𝗶𝗻𝗮𝗹 𝗕𝗼𝘀𝘀.

━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━

Minors do not interact

━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━

Story inspired by Acheron's Lore, Power, and Personality...

ENG is not my First language

I do not own Genshin Impact or any of the pictures used.

Do not Repost

Story is also available at Wattpad

━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━

𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝟖

𝐋𝐞𝐭'𝐬 𝐠𝐨 𝐇𝐨𝐦𝐞, 𝐎𝐬𝐢𝐚𝐥

━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━

Guyun Stone Forest.

A place where the echoes of a forgotten era still linger, the jagged cliffs standing like silent tombstones for the old gods.

It was here, amidst these towering stones, that Morax, now known as Zhongli, once clashed with Osial, a god and sea monster of unimaginable power. The stone lances that pierce the islands are the remnants of that fierce battle, each one a testament to the violence and destruction that reshaped the land.

Now, bruised and battered, Zhongli stands beside you, having guided you here by your command. You stand at the edge of the highest cliff, your gaze fixed on the ocean where Osial lies sealed beneath the ruins of the Jade Chamber.

The waves crash below, quiet yet chaotic, as if they too remember the horrors buried in the deep. The sky above is shrouded in grey clouds, a fitting shroud for the sorrow that hangs in the air.

Your eyes, usually cold and unyielding, hold a deep sadness as you stare into the distance. This place, once filled with lively memories and the warmth of your first love, now only reminds you of loss and betrayal. The memories of joy that once flourished have long since faded, leaving only the harsh reality of mortality and the fragility of existence.

This is where it all ended — where your belief in the worth of mortals began to waver. The same place where your faith was shattered, and where the light of your love was extinguished, leaving only the lingering question of whether any of it was ever truly worth it.

You remember his eyes — those stark, marine blue eyes that gazed into yours with a gentleness you had never known. It was as if he saw you for what you truly were: something fragile, something that could shatter at any moment. In his gaze, there was a softness, a tenderness that made you feel different, something almost like hope.

Before him, your life had been nothing but a long, lonely journey through the cosmos. You wandered from planet to planet, from one universe to another, without a purpose, without a destination. You fought, you killed, you survived. That was all you knew. 

Those who crossed your path, who dared to stand against you, became nothing more than casualties in your relentless march. The stars themselves were silent witnesses to your existence — an existence without meaning, without a place to call home, without anyone waiting for you at the end of your journey.

You were lost, adrift in a sea of countless stars, each one a reminder of the infinite emptiness you felt inside. You had no roots, no ties, no love. All because you followed the path of Nihility, presided over by the Aeon IX. You were an Emanator, an anomaly that should not exist. The Emanator of Nihility. 

Your very presence was a harbinger of war, a force that could spark countless conflicts across the galaxy. And yet, despite all this, he looked at you with those soft, understanding eyes, as if you were not a harbinger of destruction, but a fragile being in need of care.

He could see the void within you, the emptiness that had consumed you long ago. He knew you had lost the will to live, that your existence had been reduced to nothing more than a series of battles and bloodshed. He understood that you had only known fighting, killing, and surviving. And yet, he looked at you as if you were something precious, something worth saving.

As you stand on the cliff, staring out at the ocean where Osial is sealed, those memories come rushing back. 

Will he still remember you? Will he recognize you? Will he still be alive, or has he become nothing more than a mindless beast, driven by a desire for destruction? 

You don't know. The past, as you know, always returns to Nihility. But even so, you find yourself unable to let go of him, of the memories you shared.

For so long, you have believed that all that is past is meaningless, destined to fade into nothingness. But here, now, you find yourself clinging to those memories, to the gentle gaze of the one who saw you not as a weapon, but as a person.

And you wonder, for the first time in a long time, if perhaps there is something in this vast, empty universe worth holding on to.

"Follow me." Your voice, cold and detached, broke the silence as you commanded Morax, your presence both calm and aloof, though tinged with an unspoken sadness. 

Without a second thought, you leapt from the cliff's edge, landing effortlessly on the sands below. The impact was insignificant, as if gravity itself dared not challenge you.

Zhongli followed suit, maintaining a respectful distance, his gaze occasionally drifting to the wound on your neck, where dried golden blood clung like tarnished gold.

You strode towards the ocean, your heels sinking slightly into the icy water. Without so much as a pause, you raised your right arm and, with a single, effortless motion, slashed through the air.

The ocean responded instantly, parting cleanly down the middle, as though nature itself bowed to your will. The walls of water stood tall on either side, held in place by your mere intent, defying every natural law. 

Zhongli's eyes widened in awe, a silent acknowledgment of the power you wielded. There was no doubt in his mind now — you were not just a force of nature; you were the Creator of Teyvat.

Without a second glance, you began to walk through the parted sea, your heels clicking against the exposed seabed, the sound echoing eerily between the towering walls of water.

Fishes swam alongside you, trapped within the suspended ocean, their movements graceful yet confined. From a distance, the sunken Jade Chamber came into view, its once-grand structure now a shadow of its former glory.

"We need to hurry," you said, your voice resolute, your pace quickening as your thoughts centered on one thing — Osial.

You finally stand before the sunken Jade Chamber, the remnants of its grandeur submerged beneath the ocean's surface. 

As you approach, you feel the unmistakable pulse of elemental energy radiating from beneath the water, a force both powerful and familiar.

This energy — Osial's energy — wraps around you like a long-lost embrace, filling you with a bittersweet comfort. 

Memories flood back, clear and vivid, of the times he would conjure a massive heart out of water, floating in the air, with the words 'I Love You!!!' written boldly beside it. 

He had always been so proud of his displays, a creature of immense power who wielded it not for destruction, but to create beauty and express his affection. 

Despite the stories that have twisted his image over the centuries, you know the truth — Osial never sought to harm the innocent, never reveled in chaos. He loved to fight, yes, but it was always with purpose, always with restraint.

You clenched your right fist, this time wearing your metallic finger guards before tilting your head to Zhongli, "Unseal Osial." You ordered, leaving no room for an argument.

Zhongli stepped forward, his expression serious as he channeled his elemental energy. His amber eyes began to glow with the power of Geo, and in response, the Jade Chamber shimmered with the same golden light. 

The structure cracked, the stone and debris crumbling away as it was consumed by his energy. Piece by piece, the Jade Chamber disintegrated into a cloud of dust, revealing the true source of its power — a sealed barrier, glowing faintly with an ancient light.

Inside the barrier, you saw him — Osial, the Overlord of the Vortex, his form massive and imposing, a five-headed hydra with a body of swirling water. His presence, even in slumber, was overwhelming. Your eyes widened as you took in the sight, your heart tightening with longing.

The barrier around Osial began to glow brighter, its light intensifying as Zhongli extended his hand, focusing his power on the seal that bound the creature. With a final surge of energy, he removed the seal, and in that moment, the barrier shattered into fragments of light, dissipating into the air.

Freed from his imprisonment, Osial roared with fury and liberation, the sound echoing across the ocean and shaking the very earth beneath your feet.

The ocean itself seemed to tremble in response, waves crashing violently against the remnants of the Jade Chamber. Osial's enormous form, now fully unleashed, surged forward, his roar reverberating through the air, a powerful and primal sound that signaled his return to the world.

You could feel Osial's elemental energy crackling in the air, a familiar yet overwhelming force that once brought you comfort.

Osial's five hydra heads thrashed wildly, each one a towering, serpentine figure made entirely of water, their eyes glowing with an intense, almost blinding light. The ocean rose to meet him, waves towering like mountains as he unleashed his wrath upon the world. His power was immense, a force of nature that few could ever hope to challenge, let alone survive.

But you weren't here to fight — at least, not to harm him. The thought of cutting down the one being who once showed you love, who once made you feel something beyond the void, weighed heavily on your heart. 

You could still remember his gentle voice, his playful nature, the way he would create hearts out of water just to make you smile. Yet, here he was, consumed by rage and destruction, no longer the Osial you once knew.

He struck first, all five heads lunging at you simultaneously, their jaws snapping with the intent to tear you apart. You moved with lightning speed, your body reacting instinctively as you dodged his attacks, your form a blur against the backdrop of the stormy sea. 

Each of his strikes was a testament to his power, each movement capable of leveling mountains and causing tsunamis. But you were faster, your movements precise, calculated. You dodged, twisted, and weaved through his onslaught, refusing to counter with lethal force.

"Osial, please... stop this," you whispered, though you knew he couldn't hear you, couldn't understand the pain in your voice.

He responded with another attack, a jet of water so forceful it cut through the ocean itself, aimed directly at you. You spun out of its path, the sheer speed of your movements causing the air around you to crackle with energy. 

But despite your evasions, Osial's attacks grew more relentless, his anger fueling his power. Each missed strike seemed to enrage him further, and you could feel the sorrow in your heart deepen with every blow you dodged.

His fury was palpable, a mix of betrayal and pain that resonated with the turmoil within you. He was no longer the gentle god you once knew; he was a creature of pure elemental fury, driven by a desire for vengeance that you couldn't quench. But even so, you couldn't bring yourself to strike him down — not yet.

Osial lunged at you again, and this time you countered, a swift and precise movement that sent a shockwave through the air, deflecting his attack just enough to send him reeling back. 

The force of your counter rippled through the ocean, parting the water beneath you as if cutting through the very fabric of reality itself. But still, you held back, refusing to unleash the full extent of your power against him.

"I don't want to hurt you, Osial," you said, your voice trembling with the weight of the words. 

"But I can't let you continue like this..."

Osial's response was another furious assault, his heads snapping and thrashing with unrelenting aggression. You continued to dodge, countering only when necessary, each strike a reminder of the bond you once shared, now shattered beyond repair. 

Your heart ached with every blow you deflected, knowing that each moment you held back, the more dangerous he became — not just to you, but to everything around him.

Then, in a moment of clarity, you knew what had to be done. It was the only way to stop him, the only way to save him from the madness that had consumed him.

"Please, forgive me..." you murmured, your voice trembling with emotion. "I promise we will be together... Please, have a bit more patience."

With a heavy heart, you unsheathed your Divine Key, Nihility. Its monstrous power combined with yours created a shockwave that rippled through the air, a testament to the immense strength you wielded, yet it was far from its true, awakened state.

As Osial lunged at you once more, you moved with a speed that defied comprehension, dodging his attack and positioning yourself above him. In one fluid motion, you slashed downward with your blade, the force of your strike so powerful that it seemed to tear through the very air, creating a shockwave that reverberated through the ocean. The first of Osial's heads was severed, the hydra's water-like form dissipating into mist as it fell away.

A roar of pain and fury erupted from Osial, but you didn't stop. With a heavy heart and tears in your eyes, you slashed again, cutting off the second head, then the third, and finally the fourth. 

Each strike shattered the air, each slash tearing at the fabric of the dimension itself. The ocean around you trembled as the power of your attacks broke through the barriers of reality, the very sky above you cracking like glass.

As the final head fell, Osial's massive form began to collapse, his once mighty power fading into nothingness. But instead of sinking into the ocean, his body was drawn into the cracks in the dimension, the force of your slashes creating a rift in the very fabric of space. The rift widened, pulling Osial into a dark, endless void, a dimension you had inadvertently created through your immense power.

Osial's remaining head, the last vestige of his consciousness, turned to look at you one final time, and for a brief moment, you saw a flicker of recognition in his eyes — a glimmer of the Osial you once knew. It was a fleeting moment, but it was enough to break your heart all over again.

"Please rest... my dear," you whispered, as the rift closed around him, sealing him away in a place where he could no longer cause harm, but also where he could no longer be harmed.

"You will return to normal soon... The Doctor will see to it..."

The ocean slowly returned to its normal state, the waves calming as if nothing had happened. But you knew better. 

You stood there, alone, your heart heavy with the weight of what you had just done. The sadness, the pain, the love — all of it mixed into a single, overwhelming emotion that threatened to consume you.

Would you ever see him again, as he once was? Would the warmth of his smile return, or was this truly the end of the Osial you had loved? You didn't know. But for now, you had done what you must, even if it meant carrying the burden of that sorrow alone.

You looked out at the horizon, the remnants of the rift barely visible, and allowed yourself to grieve, to mourn the loss of what once was, and to carry the burden of the decision you had made.

"...Let's go home, Osial," you whispered, your voice trembling with sorrow as you took one last, lingering look at the remnants of the rift where he had disappeared. 

━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━

Your heels sank into the wet earth with each step, leaving shallow imprints as you walked through the rain-soaked landscape of Sumeru, heading back to Snezhnaya.

The red paper umbrella you held aloft provided little protection against the downpour, but you didn’t mind.

Your crystal-embedded dress shimmered faintly beneath the large, heavy coat that shrouded your form, the hood pulled low over your head, concealing your sorrowful, emotionless face.

Do you still remember the story of the unknown lady?

In ages long past, she was spoken of in hushed tones, her beauty silent yet profound, a mortal with a presence akin to the gods. She captured the attention of Morax, the God of Contracts, and became his second lover.

His first love, Guizhong, wise and gentle, had already held a cherished place in his heart, creating what seemed to be a harmonious trio, bound by mutual respect and love.

But in the shadows, envy festered. Osial, the Overlord of the Vortex, was consumed with jealousy. He coveted what Morax had — especially the Unknown Lady. And so, a battle of life and death erupted between these deities, a clash that shook the earth and altered the course of history.

Rex Lapis emerged victorious, sealing Osial beneath the ocean’s depths, and Guizhong stood faithfully by his side until her death. The Unknown Lady, however, vanished, her fate lost to time.

So...

Do you still remember the story of the unknown lady?

It was all a lie.

Because...

The victor writes history.

And the victor can always twist the truth to their liking.

A long, long time ago, before the Archon War had even begun, there was a beautiful lady whose name was never known. She was a mortal, yet she moved among the gods. She was not Morax’s lover — no, she was the beloved of Osial, the Overlord of the Vortex.

Morax saw her, and despite having Guizhong, he was captivated by her beauty, falling deeply in love. Guizhong, however, harbored feelings for Osial, a secret love that turned bitter.

She whispered lies, spreading rumors that the Unknown Lady was unfaithful, that she was entangled with Morax. When these poisonous words reached Osial’s ears, his heart was filled with fury, and a cataclysmic battle erupted between him and Morax.

In the end, it was Osial who lost, sealed away at the bottom of the ocean, not because he was evil, but because of a lie — a cruel rumor that twisted love into hatred and set the world ablaze.

Osial was never the villain.

━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━

As you entered the dense forest of Sumeru, the steady rhythm of rain against the leaves was interrupted by a faint wailing.

At first, you dismissed it, assuming it to be some distant creature, but as the sound grew softer, almost desperate, a reluctant curiosity tugged at you, urging you to follow.

The ground beneath your heels was soft and muddy, your steps sinking into the earth as you moved through the underbrush, the cold rain seeping into your clothes.

The crying became clearer, more distinct, guiding you deeper into the heart of the forest. Pushing aside wet branches and overgrown foliage, you found yourself in front of a small, hollowed tree.

There, nestled within the hole, was a baby, hidden from sight and shielded from the rain by the natural curve of the trunk.

Your eyes widened in surprise at the sight of the infant, its cries now loud and clear in the stillness of the forest. You quickly scanned the area, searching for any sign of the baby’s parents, but there was nothing — no footprints, no trail, only the sound of the rain and the rustling leaves.

The child was alone, wrapped in a simple, thin cloth that did little to protect it from the cold. You noticed the baby's shivering, its tiny body trembling as the wind blew harshly through the trees.

With a moment’s hesitation, you reached out and lifted the baby from the hollow, unsure of how to properly hold such a delicate being.

The weight of the small life in your arms felt foreign, unsettling, yet something within you softened. You gently tucked the infant beneath your cloak, holding it close against your chest in an attempt to share your warmth. The baby’s cries quieted slightly as it nestled into your embrace.

"What a poor child..." you murmured, your voice barely above a whisper, devoid of the usual emotion, yet carrying a faint hint of something more — perhaps a trace of the sorrow you so often kept hidden.

Why would anyone abandon their own child? A baby is so weak, so defenseless — an easy target for monsters and wild animals alike.

The thought was incomprehensible to you, leaving a bitter taste in your mouth. You will never understand humans...

As you looked down at the small, fragile life now resting peacefully in your arms, a new question began to form in your mind:

What should you do with this little one, who has found safety in your reluctant embrace?

━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━━

Please Reblog if you like this story

[i-am-a-l0st-gh0st]

After the battle against Osial and urged on by Paimon, Lumine tracks Xiao down to confess her feelings, only to find him in a training session with his son, and you, his wife, sitting on the sidelines.

Meet me at our spot- Xiao x fem!reader

Baby, are you coming for the ride? T/w- Your married and have kid, fluff, angst Summary- As shown above

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Lumine pov 

After the battle with Osial everything in Liyue returned to normal. People went back to their daily lives almost unbothered that their city had almost been turned to ruins. Lumine, however, wandered the city only with her companion Paimon,

“Paimons saw the way he looked at you, Traveller!” Paimon squeaked. “You should tell Xiao how you feel!”

Lumine shot Paimon a death glance hoping people around them didn’t hear. “Paimon be quiet!”

“Paimons sorry.”

Lumine sighed accepting the apology, but maybe Paimon was right, maybe it was time to tell Xiao how she felt. When he saved her, the butterflies couldn’t be controlled, almost like would come out any second. His golden eyes stared into hers and he held his hand on her waist pulling her closer. That whole moment felt just like a dream.

Lumine’s blush seemed to get redder by the second and Paimon noticed this.

“Paimon thinks you should just tell him!”

This only caused her to blush more, how could she gather the courage to tell him? Sure Lumine had slain a dragon before but this was a different kind of courage. This courage could either strengthen or break a relationship. The worst he could say was no

Right?

Your pov

You sat on the sidelines lovingly watching your son and husband train together. Xiao had never cared for someone more, ever since you’d had this baby it was all he could talk about. It was time to pass down Xiao's fighting skills to your child so maybe one day he could win a fight against his dad.

“Go easy on him Love, he’s still a kid.”

Xiao huffed at your statement, sometimes he was the one who acted like a child. Well more so than yours anyway. Your son was a bit clumsy holding the spear, probably because it was double his size. Despite this, he still tried hard to be just like his dad. Xiao was someone who had been through a lot of stuff to get where he is today and you were determined to give your kid a good childhood. Unlike both yours and Xiaos.

“Dad maybe I need a smaller spear?” Your son whined

“Nonsense you’ll grow into it.”

“I don’t think he’ll grow much if you’re anything to go off.” You chuckled.

“Hey, I’m not that short!” Xiao shouted

“Sureee”

The family continued to train uninterrupted, going until the sun went down. Your son had fallen asleep and was lying in Xiao’s arms, he was gently snoring and tugging on his father's shirt. Xiao had his head on your shoulder, almost fallen asleep. For someone who ‘never got tired,’ he seemed awfully sleepy. You were happy with your family and never wanted it to change.

Lumine Pov

Lumine went to go see Xiao, tracking across the vast mountains and fields of Liyue. Only to find him with another woman. And a child. Her heart ached, he couldn’t be with Lumine. He was already with another person and had a child. Paimon stayed silent for the first time, feeling terrible she had played a part in her current state. She saw Xiao's smile, that pure smile. He was happy. and he was only going to be happy with you, his happiness was important. And if that meant letting him go, so be it.

“At least he’s happy. I just wish it was with me.”

Taglist

@pandragonsoul, @mxyarylla

[xiaosonlybeloved]

Of Flowers and Death~ -Hanahaki AU

fem! reader x Zhongli, Zhongli x Guizhong, implied Zhongli x Lumine

warnings:- angst, hurt/no comfort, major character death, graphic descriptions of blood and violence. (lemme know if i missed anything) length-2.8k words a/n:- Mmm yes my favorite oneshot till date. stay till the end for that juicy angst haha (i have been writing for over two hours everything hurts but its worth it) Likes comments and reblogs are greatly appreciated, and do check out my childe smau too!

Edit:- there is a sequel now- Regret, Guilt, Anguish

masterlist

“Oh..” you murmured in less than a whisper. You were hidden behind a few rocks; you had come to meet Morax, the god of Liyue, but your dearest friend, Guizhong, was already there with him, and it looked like they were having a moment. You couldn’t help but want to listen in, because after all it was Morax who you had loved for most of your life.

You were a foreigner to Liyue; you came from Inazuma. But you weren’t any ordinary Inazuman. You were the third and youngest of the Raiden sisters, who ruled over Inazuma itself. No one other than the archons knew about your existence, because Ei and Makoto kept you a secret, protected. Although not many knew, there had indeed been a few attempts on the lives of the Raiden sisters, and this was what they wanted to protect you from.

After you had a few centuries of battle experience and training under your bag, you were allowed to explore the world. You were not tied down with the duties of ruling Inazuma. Naturally, you attracted the attention of the gods, each one of them remarking on how you inherited all the characteristic features of the Raidens.

Only the heavens above knew how you managed to become the best friend of one of the major gods, and that too Morax. But he was the reason you chose to settle down in Liyue. As time passed, your feelings for Morax, also called Zhongli by his friends, also grew more than platonic.

Now see, you knew Morax was something of a blockhead when it came to feelings. So you didn’t think much when Morax kept sending you mixed signals. You both were immortal gods after all, you had all the time in the world. You continued to hopelessly fool yourself, thinking that just perhaps, there was a chance of him loving you back.

Then came the goddess of Dust, Guizhong. A minor goddess she was, but a wonderful one. It didn’t take her too long to make her way into everyone’s hearts, including yours and Zhongli’s. While you both quickly grew into fast friends, there was just one thing that constantly irked you. Just one. It was the way she quickly grew so incredibly close to Zhongli.’

You knew that Guizhong fancied Zhongli; she confessed it to you yourself. You were forced to merely plaster a fake smile upon your face and laugh her words off.

That brought you to this day: watching Guizhong confess to Zhongli. And the amount of heartbreaking anguish when Zhongli accepted with a smile, pulling her in close, after having remained oblivious to all your advances over the decades…. It was just… You couldn’t handle it. It was too much.

You quietly sneaked away as soon as possible. And then.. And then came the coughs and the bloodstained petals. Being from Inazuma, you knew all about it of course. Hanahaki. Needless to say, you were horrified. Since that day, you somewhat avoided the duo on the pretext of the ongoing Archon War. It was here that you showed your true battle prowess as a Raiden. You alone decimated entire armies of the enemies, leaving not even ashes.

The war went on for months. You lost many allies in fighting to ensure that Makoto and Morax got seats in the Seven. Till sundown you fought without relent, showing that even a beauty can be dangerous. At night, you gave your fallen comrades the proper, respectful  farewell they deserved. By now, only the last few contenders for the heavenly thrones were left. The last opponent for Morax was the ocean god, Osial, in Guyun Stone Forest, and his followers. Recognising the serious threat he posed, you did agree to team up with Morax to eliminate him. The path for Morax to become an archon would then become clear. Through experience, you both knew that you two together were a formidable force. 

The battle was a long and exhausting one. You both started at sunrise, and barely managed to subdue him by sundown, having understood that even with their combined power, they would not be able to kill Osial. You both went back to your makeshift camp, looking forward to just resting for the night. Thank the gods you had very few coughing fits during the battle.

And yet, the moment you stepped past the protected borders, you felt that familiar eerie chill that crept up your spine. The heavy silence that hung ominously, the one that meant something was dreadfully, terribly wrong. And you were right. You took in the scene. The five Yakshas of Liyue were present, and they seemed to be sealing some sort of hexagonal structure, which was suspended above a figure. And the figure…

Was Guizhong.

Any dislike you harboured towards the Goddess of Dust disappeared as you laid your eyes upon the figure that had been turned to stone. The first and utmost thought in your mind was that something was wrong with your second best friend. Evidently Morax had come to the same conclusion. He let out a strangled sound as you both ran towards what remained of Guizhong. As you both gingerly touched her as if she was made of glass instead of stone, you knew. It was clear- Guizhong was no more.

Despite your stormy emotions, it seemed you were capable of only letting out a few tears. Morax seemed to be physically incapable of crying, yet his emotions were plainly displayed on his face for all to see. 

That night, you stayed with Morax, doing your best to comfort him, despite needing comfort yourself. Neither of you had any more tears to shed. 

That night, Morax has emerged as one of the Seven with your help, but you both lost Guizhong along the way.

~◈~

2 millenia had passed since the Archon War, and it left its scars on everyone. However, you could be lying if you said that you didn’t feel relieved that Guizhong was out of the way. You also felt guilty for feeling like that. But it was rather funny, how you managed to survive with your hanahaki for 2000 years, while most died within a few months. You supposed the reason was that Morax, who now completely lived as the mortal Zhongli in the Harbor, was seriously the absolute master at giving out mixed signals. He often unknowingly did things that lovers did, giving you hope. Yet that hope gets squashed a few days later, and the cycle continues. In all honesty, the hanahaki wasn’t really a big problem, more like a chronic disease that you had come to accept as a part of your life.

You knew that while Zhongli had mostly recovered by now, he still irrationally blamed himself for Guizhong’s death. You often told him to move on, yet he never said anything. You could see how opposed he was to the idea though. That’s why it was a surprise when he invited you to his office in the funeral parlor right after you returned from Inazuma. You could see on his face that there was something that pleased him. He first enquired about your travels and stuff, then said, “[name], do you remember how you’ve always told me to move on?” “Oh yes. Have you been thinking about that?” “Indeed. Although Guizhong will always have a special place in my heart, I believe that I am now ready to mingle again. I realised recently… that I have feelings for someone new.” 

You couldn’t deny the flutter of excitement you felt on hearing those words.Was this finally it? “That’s great Zhongli! Who is it?” “Do you know the Traveler, Lumine? It’s her. I met her a while back, when you were out on your travels. I love her so much.” He proceeded to tell you all about Lumine. He was lovestruck and you could see that. With every word he spoke, you felt your heart drop more into your stomach. You were doomed. Utterly doomed.

All this time, you’d just been deluding yourself, lying to yourself. He had never loved you, and he never would. You were struggling to keep your easy smile glued to your face as yet again, you felt something rise up your throat. You politely managed to excuse yourself, your voice coming out all scratchy and raw. Once you walked out of his cabin, you sprinted towards the confines of your home. By the time you locked yourself in, some petals had already escaped and blood was smeared across your palm. 

You were hunched over the sink, which was already full of flowers and blood within a few minutes. It hurt. Everything did, both your body and your broken heart. You knew your impending death was near, because never had your hanahaki been this severe. You couldn’t undergo the surgery because Zhongli was a massive part of your life, and simply forgetting about him would raise a barrage of questions. Plus, you still loved Zhongli too much to forget about him, despite the fact that somewhere deep down, you always knew that he’d never love you back.

~◈~

Your time was very close. The past few days had been spent isolated into the confines of your home, claiming to be exhausted from your latest journey whenever someone came to visit. Funnily enough, today was the day when Zhongli’s former love, and your former best friend, Guizhong, had died. In short, her death anniversary. Seemed it would be yours too.

You usually avoided visiting Guizhong’s memorial and burial site, which was in an isolated cave near Liyue Harbour. However today you thought it was fitting for you to pay your respects to her for the last time. And so, you dragged yourself out in the early morning, before sunrise. You left before anyone could see you, before he could see you.

By the time you are at your destination, your condition has significantly worsened due to the physical strain. It’s all you can do to respectfully place the flowers beside her memorial and lean against the wall. You began to speak to no one in particular in a cracked voice. “Hey Gui…? I hope.. You are at.. Peace… Just know that… I’ve never… hated you.. You’ve always been my.. Best friend.”

“How lucky you were… to be loved by Zhongli.”

Your throat choked up, not because of emotion, but because of another bout of bloody flowers. Not wanting to die there because he would see you, you got yourself out and into another deserted cave just beside. Not the best, but you had no choice. You had merely left a few petals at the entrance of both caves and a faint trail of blood in between.

By now, you had fallen to the ground in searing agony as flower after bloodstained flower forced its way out of your raw throat. You were lying on a bed of the flowers you yourself had coughed out.

How long it had been, you did not know. Perhaps minutes, perhaps hours. You started coughing again, not a moment’s respite. Your life force was almost completely drained. Any moment now.. You would be free.

It was then that you heard a horrified voice ring through the silence. “[Name]!”

~◈~ 

Zhongli was up at sunrise. Despite his new love, his mood was somber- it was Guizhong’s death anniversary. He had every intention to continue visiting her memorial. As usual, he sought you out. There was a rare chance that if you were in the mood, you would accompany him to pay respects to Guizhong. Yet when he knocked at your door several times and received no response, he chose to leave you alone, despite being slightly worried. You usually did respond at the very least, but he was sure you were alright,

He stopped short in front of the cave which housed Guizhong’s memorial. There was a fresh bouquet of Glaze lilies. But who brought them here? Especially since this place was practically unheard of. He took a few quick steps forward and kneeled down to inspect the bouquet. His heart lurched.

Attached to the bouquet was a small note that said, ‘To my dearest best friend, Guizhong.’ There was no name, but he recognised the handwriting well enough. [name] had already been here. Without him? Was there a reason?

His eyes were drawn to something else too. Relatively new footprints in the soil. And blood.

Blood?

His heavy footsteps echoed in the cave as he quickly walked out, following the faint trail of footprints, blood and petals. They were leading him to a nearby cave. His heart rate accelerated as he heard heavy coughing.  And behold the sight that awaited him- an utterly pretty bed of flowers and petals stained in a blood red, and someone coughing while lying on it.

“[Name]!” He cried out, completely horrified.

You curled into yourself even more on hearing his voice. All you wanted was to die in peace, why did he have to make things more difficult? Why did he have to come here? The flowers started choking and constricting your throat on their way up, ever more unrelenting, fueled by the appearance of the one who caused them. It was so hard to breathe… Just a bit more…

You felt yourself being gently lifted into someone’s strong and warm embrace. You weakly met Zhongli’s eyes, which were full of panic. You’d only seen him lose his composure like this once before, his fear more than evident on his face. “[name]- I- What happened? Please, tell me! I- I can’t lose you too!” He exclaimed frantically, feeling your life ebb away second by second, with each cough that released blood and Glaze lilies.

Your throat constricted even more, making it excessively hard to breathe. You just wanted to rest, It was all you could do to force a few broken words from your raw throat.

“...Hana..haki…” That was all Zhongli needed to know to understand. His pupils dilated in fear even more. “Who.. Who is it who made you suffer this way?” Zhongli whispered, unable to take in your completely broken state. You didn’t respond for a few moments, feeling your eyelids shut. You forced them open, not wanting to leave him hanging. “Always.. Loved you.. Always will… Be happy.. For me.. Okay? That is my last wish.” You weakly tried to reach a hand towards Zhongli, who instantly grasped it tightly in hsi, and pressed it against his face, as the realisation hit him like a truck. “What..?” He whispered softly.

Your eyes started to droop again, and you gave in, feeling nothing but qa soft ringing in your ears as your senses dulled. “[name], no, please don’t leave me!” Zhongli cried out in panic, grief and anguish, seeing you slip away from him. You simply let a small smile rest on his face as you whispered, “Just.. sleeping.. Tired.” Unable to accept your fate, he whispered, “Sleep well then, my dearest.”

But you never lived to hear that.

Because then you moved no more.

Was fate trying to mock him with [name] dying in his arms, in front of him, on the same day as Guizhong’s death? You were always there for him, always there with him, until you weren’t. And never in his immortal life was Zhongli able to forgive himself for this, knowing that he was the reason you were dead.

mm yes now hows that huh? gonna disappear for a few days now haha tags and comments are very much appreciated!

[fancyfeathers]

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

Chapter Five, Not All That Glitters is Gold

Sequel to The Moon Will Sing and Time Alone

Chapter One

Chapter Two

Chapter Three

Chapter Four

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

When you were young, still a child in the standard of a god, you remember the feeling of the water going up to your ankles as your younger self reached into the waters to pick up shells, sand dollars, and sea glass. You help your skirt out to make a makeshift basket of the bits and bobs you found, but the sand that came with them would be a pain to clean up later. Your sister sat on the sand flying a kite and watching it soar up into the air, one of your older brothers at her side helping her guide it and keep it from flying off if she let go. The sun bore down on the island today, to mortals you suppose it would be far too hot but to you it was a perfect summer’s day.

You could hear the sound of your other older siblings chatting behind you, laughing and enjoying the day. It was rare the days you could see each other like this, most of your siblings had their own duties to tend to and even a few of them made their homes in other nations. You and your sister were still so young and you still had yet to figure out your places in the world, you were not like your siblings, not yet anyway.

“(Name), come here.” You heard the voice of your eldest brother call out to you from where he sat on the sand. You walked over and stood in front of your brother who was sitting by your other siblings. You felt him reach his hand up to brush some sand that you had gotten on your cheek. “Don’t want to get sand in your eyes, now do you?”

“No.” You shook your head and you felt his hand guide you to sit down in the sand, among your family. As you sat down your hand slipped from your skirt and all the hidden gems you found were laid out before you for all your siblings to see. You heard one of your older sisters laugh and grab you and picked you up and sat you on her lap, her hands coming to brush through your sandy hair with her delicate hands. 

“Oh dear, it seems like sand has ruined your hair as well and I spent so much time on it before we came out here.” You heard your older sister give a heavy sigh before it faded into a light laugh. “Well I suppose it can’t be helped.”

You heard your eldest brother hum in thought before he stood up, collecting all your treasures you collected from the sea in his arms. “Well, I think I know just the place to keep these safe and get that sand out of your hair so our dearest sister will stop throwing such a fit.”

“Osial!” She spoke with a gasp while the rest of your sibling laughed at his words and her reaction. Your brother held a hand down to you, his other arm cradling your treasures. You took his hand and he pulled you to your feet and he walked forward, guiding you to the ocean.

You dove down into the salty water of the sea, the refreshing wave of coolness hit your skin. It has been so long since you have roamed freely in Liyue Harbor, let alone the sea. Your husband always hated you stepping into open waters in “fear” that something would attack you or that you would drown, both were physically impossible for you but your husband somehow had the constant belief that you must have been made of glass. Or what you thought was really the case is that you would have attempted to run away. 

You swam to the depths of the sea, the wish coming to rub against your skin, almost like a cat seeking affection. You pushed away the seaweed and the algae that had grown here in your brother’s absence. You remember when your brother used to take you here, a temple hidden under the ocean’s surface. You and your sister used to use this place as your playground before you moved along to find your home, like baby birds leaving the nest, except you didn’t fly forever, your wings were clipped.

You pushed down that thought, he was dead now, he could not hold you down any longer. You swam into the ruins that were once a beautiful spectacle of art, now partially destroyed in your brother’s battle with your husband. You swam past rooms full of gems and gold of all sorts, your siblings’ treasures. Your childhood treasures took a different form, your little cove that your brother made for you was full of your seashells, sand dollars, and other precious little things you adored as a child. You dug through the piles of your treasures, looking for something, something you had left of your family that you had hidden away here as a child so as to not lose it, it was the last thing your father had given you before you and your sister came of age, and your parents disappeared. 

You felt your hand wrap around the hilt of a dagger, you pulled it out from the pile. In your hand was a beautiful dagger made of coral. It seems a silly thing to have, but if you knew what it could do, it was made by a god to kill other gods but you could remember your father’s voice telling you... 

“Be careful with this my dear, while this dagger is powerful it should only be a last resort for it can be used once. You must learn how to lean on your own power and learn how to hone it to protect yourself and others around you.”

It was something you wish you did not hide away because if you had it you might have avoided your fate. Having what you came for, you tucked the dagger away and began to swim back to the surface, trying to avoid looking at anything else, this was a graveyard of memories now, abandoned, forgotten. Some of them you heard stories about, being painted as villains in the history of Teyvat, but they were no such things. You knew who they really were, they were brother and sisters to you, husbands and wives to their spouses, sons and daughters to your parents, wherever they might be. They were your family, and because they did not win, they were painted as villains. That made you thin, you did not win, but Liyue adored you…

Wait…

You forgot…

History is written by the victors.

You returned to the harbor after changing out of your sopping wet dress, into a set of spare clothing you brought with. You heard Lumine and Paimon had returned from the abodes of the Adepti early yesterday but you have not seen them yet. After your encounter with Childe you discussed the terms of your deal with him, this dagger was the first of his requests but you had to remind him of the warning your father gave you, which he only nodded off. Under normal circumstances you would not have given such a thing to him but given recent events and Childe’s end of the deals, the risk was worth the rewards. 

You climbed the stairs of the builds of Liyue Harbor, heading towards the Northland Bank where Childe told you to meet you, but it was later than expected, the swim took far longer than you remembered but perhaps your memory has slipped you in these last few thousand years or perhaps the waters have changed with the appearance of Liyue Harbor and the ships that came with it, far different from your days when much of Teyvat was the wilds. 

As you approached the Northland Bank the attendant outside nodded and opened the door for you. The building of the interior of the back felt off putting as always, but this was something you could shrug off for the most part. You walked up to their counter and the woman behind it. “Excuse me, but is Childe here. I have an item he requested of me.”

“No, I’m afraid not but he did tell me to expect you, so I can give that to him upon his return.” The woman spoke to you politely, and based on her words it seems the Harbinger figured you may be late. “Unless you would like to give it to him personally in which case you may find him at Liuli Pavilion.”

“Oh no, that will not be necessary, just see to it that this gets delivered to him upon his return, and do be careful with it. Whatever you do, do not touch the blade.” You took out the dagger, the blade wrapped up in cloth and you handed it off to her which she seems to place in one of the compartments behind her with the most delicate movements. “Oh and do let Childe know when he wishes to speak with me again he may most likely find me at the docks, down by the water.”

“I will and do take care.” As you were about to give your farewell to her, you heard the door to the bank open and close. You glanced over your shoulder, just to catch a glimpse of who it was and you smiled when you saw who.

“Hello Lumine, Paimon.” You spoke to them so kindly but the moment they saw you, their smiles dropped. It took you a moment to piece together why but when you realized your smile faded as well. “I take it that you went to the place I spoke to you about?”

“…yes.” Lumine pressed her lips together, deep in thought of what to say to you next, and you could understand why. “…what was that place? Those chains?”

“Well…” you glanced over at the Fatui agent behind the counter and then back at Lumine. “Meet me at the docks when you are done with your business, I’ll explain everything to you there.”

“Alright.” Lumine gave you a nod and you turned to make your way outside, ready to spend the day to just relax. “Miss (Name)…”

“Hm?”

“Thank you.”

After what Lumine saw, it was the least she could say after seeing that…

—————————

Lumine and Paimon had just met with the two Adepti on Mount Hulao and Mount Aozang and were ready to head out to the Wangshu Inn to meet the last she was told about. She hiked through the tall grass of the karst. The grass tickled her legs as she traversed the landscape of Liyue. 

“The place Miss (Name) told us about should be around here somewhere.” Lumine’s floating companion spoke in her high pitched voice. Lumine ran her hand along the stone that formed the base of the mountain, feeling past the vines that hid the stone from their eyes. “It has to be- ahh! Lumine!”

Lumine’s hand that was tracing the stone found what they were looking for, her hand met no stone and she fell back, past the vines, finding the entrance of the cave. Lumine fell flat on her ass upon her surprise entry into the cave, her floating friend flying down to join her in the dark place. The cavern was completely deprived of natural sunlight, the only thing lighting the carver were the large crystals of cor lapis that lit up the place. Lumine led them deeper and deeper into the cave, looking around as she did so, being cautious of her surroundings.

“Paimon wonders why Miss (Name) would have us come here, seems creepy.” Paimon was holding onto Lumine’s scarf, almost scared to let go.

“I don’t know, but she wouldn’t send us here if it wasn’t important to see.” Lumine replied as they made their way down the tunnel. Soon they came to the main area of the cave, a massive empty chamber but unlike the rest of the cave there was no cor lapis to light the way, only the light in the distance from the tunnel. It also felt painfully dry in the cave, like all the moisture was being sucked away. The dryness and the dustiness of the cave nearly sent Lumine into a coughing fit, Paimon was a different story with the dust who could not stop coughing after breathing it in. “It’s so dry in here, are you alright Pai- huh what’s that?”

In the center of the cave Lumine spotted something glowing that was thrown on the ground in the center of the chamber. She got closer to it and soon began to make out what it was, chains…

“What is this?” Lumine spoke, looking down at them in confusion. She kneeled down to get a closer look, they were chains of cor lapis, made with shackles that were clearly intended for something or someone. She also noticed how the ends of the chains seemed to meld into the stone so that if someone was locked up in here escape would be impossible. When she reached down to touch them a large pulse of energy spread throughout her body, sending shockwaves that immediately knocked her back onto the ground, flat on her back. Lumine sat up, looking down at the chains with even more confusion, but then it clicked for her. “I think I’m going to be sick.”

You were kept here.

“Are you alright Miss Lumine?” Childe had set up this meeting at Liuili Pavilion with Lumine and “the one who could break this stalemate,” as Childe referred to him as. It was over food since that was apparently common for business meetings in Liyue. “You look quite pale, are you ill?”

“Hm?” Lumine was snapped out of her thoughts by the man’s question, she was thinking about what she saw in that cave. Was that truly for you? If so, what did you do to deserve it? You seemed so kind, so generous to her and Paimon. Was this what you were referring to when you said this place holds too many painful memories for you? Lumine picked up her tea cup, looking down at the hot liquid that reflected her face. “I’m alright, just lightheaded from my travels.”

“That is good, I am glad you have nothing serious.” The man took a sip of his drink, his golden eyes closing slightly as he blew over the sip he was about to take. 

“Yes I’m fine.” Lumine looked up at him and smiled before taking a sip of her own and setting the tea cup down on the table. “But thank you for asking, Mr. Zhongli.”

—————————

You sat at the docks once more, your feet dangling over the edge, your toes dipping into the water below. You hummed, folded your hands on your lap, and closed your eyes, enjoying the setting sunlight that hit your skin. You heard footsteps approaching you, but you recognized these. You opened your eyes and glanced over your shoulder at Lumine, she wore a smile but still looked frazzled probably after what she saw there. You patted the spot next to you, gesturing for her to sit. She sat down next to you but kept her legs pulled up so as to not get her shoes wet. 

“I am guessing you want to know the story of that place?” You asked, watching her expression and you saw her eyes narrow a bit on the waters before the two of you. She nodded but did not say a word, probably not knowing what to say. “Very well, our story begins in ancient Liyue. I had many siblings, but one twin sister and the two of us took to a village, becoming its protectors. We lived there for many years, taking care of it, and avoiding the other gods of Liyue by pure chance. We became forgotten gods but we were content with that. One night when I was looking over the village, I met a man and we talked and he told me that one day Liyue will know who I am even if I was a forgotten goddess. Then one day, my sister left to explore Teyvat and I did not go with her.”

“You told me about that before, so your sister was a goddess?” Lumine asked, politely cutting in.

“Yes, she was or rather is I hope, if she is still alive. I did not wish to leave but without my sister there was no way I could protect the village alone, so without thinking I prayed and asked the god of Liyue to help protect my people, without thinking on the consequences. Many days passed before that came into being, my home was attacked and when I was almost killed he appeared.”

“Rex Lapis?”

“Yes, he defended this village, making good on his side of the contract, then there was mine. He asked…” You paused on your words, asked was not the right word for what happened. “… he said it was my duty on my end of the contract, since I said I would do anything that night when I prayed, to enter a life long contract with him, marriage. I refused, but Rex Lapis once said ones who break their contracts shall suffer the Wrath of the Rock, and that is what happened to me.”

“So that cave…”

“I was there for hundreds of years, five hundred years alone, that was my punishment. I remember the pain of those chains everytime I moved, the pangs of hunger, I may be immortal but one of the downsides of taking a human form is that you can feel the pain you just cannot die from it, and then there was the dryness of the cave making a fitting prison for the goddess of rain and moonlight.” You looked at Lumine’s face to see it one of pure horror, she actually looked like she was going to be sick. “You asked me why I did not mourn him, and to that I say why would I? I will not play the grieving wife and lie saying that I miss him. People praise my marriage to him, saying how devoted w e are to one another, my devotion was out of fear. I did not sit at his side as his equal, I sat at his feet, the equivalent of a pet. The only difference is that I was called wife.” 

[ddarker-dreams]

Be Still My Bleeding Heart.

Yan Zhongli x God Reader.

[The First Contract index]

Warnings: Yandere themes, unhealthy relationships, power imbalance o'clock. Word count: 2k.

“I’ve heard you’ve been frequenting the Stone Gate.”

Zhongli’s way of speaking is best compared to a geode. Seemingly insignificant upon initial viewing, but once cracked open, you’ll find yourself enthralled by the contents within. There’s so much to dissect and digest. You’ve become fluent in his language throughout the centuries. It wasn’t always a necessary skill. He matured with each passing millennia, his mannerisms aging like a fine wine, though they became no easier to swallow.

Gone were the days of him using brute force to tackle his way through every challenge waiting before him. He’s patient with enough cunning to match.

You almost miss how simple it once was to get a read on your husband. It requires a great deal more effort now, a resource you’d prefer to expend anywhere else than on him.

“I have,” you don’t see the point in lying. “Do you take issue with the fact?”

“That remains to be seen.”

You’d sigh, but even that feels like you’d be giving him too much. You keep your lips pursed to rectify this. He could be so obstinate about the most trivial details. That element of himself has remained consistent since time immemorial. All you wanted was to take a pleasant stroll through Yuehai Pavilion before returning to your usual activities, yet it seems that’s asking for too much.

Zhongli was waiting when you ascended the steps, his hands folded behind his back, warm amber eyes rivaling the sunset in its intensity. They softened for a mere instant, whatever non-issue you were inevitably about to get reprimanded over temporarily slipping his mind. Sickeningly sweet affection poured forth like vaults of honey, suffocating you in thick layers. You weighed the merits of turning around and venturing elsewhere, then remembered this fabled ‘elsewhere’ doesn’t exist.

He might be testing mortal life, but that doesn’t make Liyue any less of his domain than it was when the Yakshas were greater in number and the adepti gathered for banquets at the Guili Assembly. He could follow you anywhere, you can’t control that. You can, however, control how bad of a mood he’ll be in when he finds you.

Presently, Zhongli places an unwelcome hand on your shoulder, the gesture that was meant to comfort you worse than the spears chaining Osial down to an abyssal depth.

“I hope this isn’t a consequence of us living amongst the people of the Harbor.”

In the same way you are attuned to him, Zhongli is an uncontested expert in all things concerning you. His fervor is born from ardor whereas yours stems from a place of self-preservation. There is no side of you he hasn’t seen, no angle he hasn’t committed to memory with the zeal of a religious fanatic. His seemingly infinite reservoir of knowledge frightens you. There are times when you wonder if he knows you better than you know yourself.

This is further evidence of the possibility.

“… What do you mean by that?”

Zhongli raises an eyebrow. “My heart, please, don’t play dense. We both know you’re anything but. Something’s been troubling you ever since we’ve taken up residence here. I knew it wouldn’t be an easy adjustment, but if this is proving too detrimental for your wellbeing, I’ll have to take appropriate measures.”

You place your hands on the railing in front of you, leaning forward ever so slightly. The wind catches in your hair, carrying the familiar scent of the ocean and dinner being cooked by households awaiting the return of their loved ones. The day draws to a close. You hear laughter, the sound of children playing; two boys struggling to keep up with a little girl who goads them on. This lively scene cannot be found atop Mt. Hulao or any other secluded area you’d be held prisoner in if he thinks it best.

“You take on everyone’s burdens,” Zhongli disregards the view in favor of examining your side profile. You know which one he finds more picturesque. “I adore and fear that trait of yours. I knew there’d be no avoiding it, as it’s embedded in your nature, but I didn’t anticipate you getting this attached.”

“You’re exaggerating the severity of things.”

“Am I?” There’s a slight challenge in his voice you can’t bring yourself to match. “I heard you requested Xiao’s assistance in finding a little girl’s lost doll. An expedition that took multiple days of our Conqueror of Demons’ time.”

“Children are Liyue’s future — I’m doing my part to ensure their happiness.”

“Last week, I found you lecturing a gentleman who voiced dislike of Xinyan’s music. It took you an hour for you to notice my presence. Another hour to let him leave.”

“It was a civil discussion, not a lecture. I left room for him to interject if he had anything worthwhile to say. It isn’t my fault he became tongue-tied when his brutish behavior was confronted.”

“You recently asked me to reshape a mountain range so that Qiqi would have easier passage on her herb-collecting journeys.”

“Are you not the one who once promised me you’d ‘shift the sun’s placement in the sky’ if I ever found it unsatisfactory?”

Zhongli coughs into his gloved hand to hide his embarrassment. “I… was young then. My prose reflects that.”

“2,500 hardly qualifies as young, old man.”

“It does for beings like us. Now,” he seems eager to move on from the subject, “The examples I listed are the mildest. You’re spreading yourself thin, concerning yourself with matters beyond your control. I’ve seen what it did to you in the past. As your husband, I must ensure that doesn’t happen again.”

There’s something else at play here, yet you’ll leave that detail to be uncovered later.

“If I’m understanding this correctly, you’re criticizing me for caring about the people who you spent centuries shedding blood — yours and others — over.”

You don’t bother hiding the bitterness on your tongue. He’s worse than a thorn in your side, he’s a knife, jabbed in so deep that pulling it out is no longer an option. You have to live with the blade’s intrusion and adjust accordingly to the pain. It’s obvious to you that he’s been stewing on this for a while, the trips to the Stone Gate must’ve been the final nail in the coffin. You’ll both argue circles around each other until the heart of the issue is addressed.

The specifics of the contract you signed many, many years ago stipulate you may not leave Liyue’s borders unless a particular list of requirements is met. It isn’t like Zhongli is actively looking to punish you — he said so many times himself — which is why he becomes extra stifling when he thinks you’re pushing your limits. Or his limits, to be precise. The God of Contracts takes these matters very seriously.

Eventually finding you can’t take the silence any longer, you come right out and say it. “It’s true that I can get a bit too… involved when it comes to helping mortals. I see the solution right in front of me and wish those involved could see it too. That’s why I was seeking out a fellow god who is better at handling these situations with the appropriate nuance.”

His face gives away nothing when he speaks. The same cannot be said for the low timbre his voice takes on.

“And what god other than myself might my dearest spouse be seeking the audience of?”

“Barbatos,” you reply without hesitation. Something cold runs through the air between you. “He’s lived amongst mortals for so long. I might have some issues with his carefree temperament, but he knows how to guide others in that human form of his. Perhaps ‘guide’ isn’t the right word. He offers just enough for them to reach the solutions themselves. I want to learn from him.”

In a split second, his diamond-shaped pupils thin into slits, reminiscent of his draconic form. It’s gone in the time it takes you to blink. He sighs, his gaze finally breaking off from you. You feel his hand settle on the small of your back in what can only be described as a possessive gesture. Zhongli rarely touched you in public for the sake of social decency. This revelation must’ve been enough for him to discard the propriety he associates himself with in the current era.

You can tell he’s thinking and you let him. While he chews on the truth, your eyelashes flutter shut, blocking out the sensory stimuli you normally adore. Memories come and go like the ocean’s waves brushing up against the shoreline of your beloved Yaoguang Shoal. Had things gone differently, you’re confident you would’ve learned the lessons you’re currently seeking out on your own. The centuries you were forced to spend separated from mortals, incapable of answering their many desperate prayers, built an intimidating wall.

You’d either need to scale it or tear it down in its entirety — you’re not going to let your husband add to its height.

“He’s a whimsical spirit, so our paths never managed to cross,” you look up at the stony countenance of Zhongli, who weighs your every word on an internal scale. Judgment could be in your future dependingly. “I’ll stop making my trips there. You have my word.”

“You can continue to do so as long as I am present,” his earrings catch the dimming sunray’s when he turns his head in your direction. “I’m not the unreasonable man you try to make me out to be, [First]. Let this be proof of that.”

No, he’s probably worse. Hiding his domineering tendencies beneath a thin veneer of amicability. You keep the thought to yourself. You’ve already pushed him far today by admitting what you did. Limits were meant to be teased, not breached. No one knows this like you do.

“I accept the terms of this contract.”

Seemingly content with this, he nods, his hand detaching from you while he does so. The vortex of tension surrounding you dissipates in an instant. You could relax your posture, but you don’t, a frown working its way onto your face. Encountering Venti by chance really would’ve been ideal, even if it was a long shot. Understanding the hearts of others was one thing, granting them the same vision is another.

“You’re doing it again, aren’t you?” Zhongli muses. It’s a tactic he loves utilizing. Giving vague statements or suggestions so you have no choice but to ask for him to elaborate. An intelligent tactic from a conniving god.

You take the bait, uncaring of how his hook will sink into your flesh.

“Hm?”

“Taking on everyone’s burdens,” he clarifies. “Whatever should I do with you?”

You make a face. He really could do anything he wanted to you — the gap in your divine power is that sizable. It’s by his mercy and self-proclaimed “love” alone that he puts up with your near-constant ambivalence. Not wanting to linger on this uncomfortable topic, you turn on your heels, preparing to descend the steps and return to Liyue Harbor’s heart. If you’re fortunate, maybe he’ll get distracted and start a conversation on architecture or preferably anything else.

This turned out to be a stroll you wish you didn’t take.

“Treat me to dinner, preferably. I made a balm for some burns Xiangling recently sustained. I’ll give it to her while we’re in the area.”

It doesn’t take much effort for him to catch up to you with those absurdly long legs of his.

“Ah. Well, it’s a date then.”

Zhongli observes with silent amusement how you scrunch your nose up yet don’t voice your dissent. You flutter around from person to person, inquiring after so and so’s health, or if a sibling safely made it to Inazuma, dutifully recording the knowledge for later use. Your husband knows how you dislike your association with The God of Love title the mortals mistakenly assigned to you many moons ago — still, he can’t help but find it fitting.

How could he not notice that you overflow with love for anyone who isn’t him?

[primoredial-jade]

heartbeat

“ my heart's on fire for your love. “

pairings: childe x gn!reader

cw: awkward / wholesome love confession confrontations, spoilers of liyue’s archon quest, reader is a medic, reader has hair long enough to put behind ear, reader resides in liyue, few mentions of light injuries and wariness of death, childe calls reader “doc’” 

a/n: i had finished this and left it in the drafts from over a year ago! this is an alternative story i wrote for a prompt didi ( @monocaelia ) sent me for a drabble i wrote called to be in love, and i guess i totally went a different route for that one. hope you enjoy this one as well!!!

“i don’t get paid nearly enough for this.” 

the harbinger has the audacity to chuckle under his breath, leaning further back into the examination table with one of his hands covering his eye. he keeps his voice light despite the apparent discomfort he’s in. 

“don’t worry, doc’. i could offer a little donation to show my gratitude, if that’s what you’re worried about.” 

you can’t help the exasperated, heaving sigh that escapes your mouth. you knew his pockets ran deep, but you weren’t being serious. had it been anyone else, you would have kept quiet to maintain your professionalism, but with childe, this all went out the window. 

being a disciple of baizhu and gui at the renowned bubu pharmacy of liyue, you were prone to getting oddball patients every now and then. having to resuscitate a boy from nearly dying eating jueyun chili’s here, selling medicinal herbs to a woman that ate them raw on the spot there.

but truly, no one was as odd as childe. 

as a medical professional, you couldn’t just turn away a patient if they needed your help. the first time he turned up to the pharmacy with cuts and bruises all over in search of painkillers, you had an inkling who he was aligned with based off of the colors of his outfit alone, never mind the fact that he was obviously a foreigner. 

at that time, liyue harbor had only just survived osial’s attack, and word had gotten around that the fatui had much to do with it. while you remained as concise with your words as possible when handing him the bottle of painkillers, you could not repress the urge to make the passive-aggressive question that, 

“it really is a shame that some renowned factions, despite their cunning in their quest for world domination, do not have professional resident medics on standby. don’t you think?” 

you probably should have been killed on the spot for making such a crass comment. as his eyes rose to slowly meet your own, you found a deep sea torrent of both interest and fascination instead of anger. it had taken you aback, but you kept your chin held high.

needless to say, childe’s interest was piqued. 

he had begun to make it a habit to visit at least once every two days. granted, he really was injured or needed medicine when he dropped by, and you were definitely not happy about it; not only because it was him, but because you didn’t necessarily like to have regulars in this type of job. seeing the same patients, even if it was childe, getting hurt over and over again didn’t do your heart any favors.

sometimes, you would seriously consider if he got himself injured on purpose just to see you.

he initiated small talk during your examinations, and while at first you were curt and to the point, he managed to weasel his way past your walls. little by little, you were falling prone to his undeniable charm.

his stupid grin and quirk of his brow when you made an offhand comment made your pulse quicken, his dumb jokes that you didn’t understand unless you were snezhnayan still made you crack a smile, and the fact that he was always honest with you– you were beginning to tolerate him. maybe, more than you had anticipated.

it wasn’t like you were dumb. you could feel the longing looks he gave while you tended to his shallow wounds, his methods of finding cheeky ways to retain your attention for longer, the way he openly talked about his family. fatui don’t reveal personal information like that to just anybody.

today, it seemed as if he had gotten hit in the face with a dirtbomb from treasure hoarders, judging by the dirtied spots on his clothes. some of it must have gotten in his eye.

“i’m not even specialized in optometry,” you mumble, but he shrugs his shoulders innocently, disregarding your comment entirely.

“so long as you can help me see again, it doesn’t matter to me,” he answers easily.

“let me, then,” you urge in a quiet hush, peeling his hand away from his eye.

he has it still scrunched up in discomfort, and you can see the defensive tears from that eye covering the expanse of his face. while you know he isn’t necessarily crying voluntarily, it still brings a pang to your chest.

with the knowledge that he’s a capable fighter with a pain tolerance that is unrivaled, yet even just a little dirt can incapacitate him– it shocks you. at the end of the day, he was human, just like you.

and if he wasn’t so lucky the next time, it could even get in both of his eyes. who knows what would transpire on the battlefield next. he could… lose.

you’re clearly shaken up by your thoughts, and childe waves his free hand over your face, amusement clear on his expression.

“i didn’t come to one of the best pharmacy’s in teyvat to get spaced out on,” his tone softens, sounding more serious, “i’m fine, trust me. nothing to worry about, see?”

he gives a charming half-smile, and you resist the urge to pinch his cheek in retaliation.

“i’m going to flush it out. don’t force yourself to open it, but if you feel the discomfort easing up, just do it slowly,” you instruct, taking a bowl of clean water to his side.

childe, usually one to make more joking complaints, is uncharacteristically compliant with your demands. the room is quiet as he lets you pour the cool water over his eye, and slowly but surely, he opens it up again.

it’s red-rimmed and has seen better days, but you let out a hushed sigh of relief knowing that it’s still functioning fine from what you can tell so far.

“does it still hurt?” you ask, taking a towel and gently wiping away the wetness of the water on his face. it feels… oddly domestic, somehow.

childe shakes his head no, but squints up at you. “not really, but it’s still a little blurry.”

you hum, sliding closer to his face to get a better look, assessing it for a final time just to make sure.

this close, you can feel his breath fanning across your face. it distracts you, but not nearly as much as the endless pools of blue that are staring right into your own. it should unnerve you, the way they don’t sparkle like anyone else’s would, but it doesn’t.

his eyes flicker all across your face, and you feel heat rising up your neck.

once you nod in affirmation and pull away, it’s only then do you realize the flustered state that you left him in. he’s fidgeting, hands clenched into loose fists and ears pinking. you give him a funny look, unable to suppress a smirk.

“it looks fine to me, childe. thankfully it does not look like there will be lasting damage, but you should really see a qualified optometrist, so–“

“i have to tell you something.” he interrupts, looking bashful. you’re immediately on high alert. childe is never bashful.

“childe, i’m still on the clock,” you remind, already having some idea of what he might have to say.

“then consider this a… a patient telling you about their life, or something,” he finishes lamely, chuckling nervously. you can only chew on your lip in anticipation, blood pounding in your ears.

“well, i...” he takes a breath, “i think... well. i’m in love with a nurse,” ajax admits, posture suddenly straightening, confident. “i have been in love with them for a while now, actually. so… if i were to confess, how do you think they would react?” he purses his lips in anticipation at your response.

despite his unwavering voice, his red ears indicate how he really feels in this moment. he’s cute, you think. you briefly hold eye contact, smirking when he is the one to break it. it brings you a sick sense of pride to see such a powerful man brought to his knees from something like this.

he looks definitively taken aback at the airy chuckle you give, responding, “ah, i see.”

now he is really confused. “i– what?” he sputters, eyes darting over your face to get a read on you. 

the quirk in your brow, the knowing smile you have on your face. really, looking at how beautiful you look in this moment only confirms his feelings. 

the cogs in his brain are turning every which way, until finally, it clicks. he brings up a hand to his forehead, letting out a low grumble of embarrassment. with zero shame, he pulls you toward him by your wrist and leans his head against your shoulder. allowing him this brief moment of reprieve, you bring up a hand to card through his hair.

“you knew?” he asks, clearly ashamed at his lack of finesse. you snort, pulling away slightly to meet his eyes.

“well, you haven’t exactly been discreet…” 

he can only bury his head into your shoulder again, completely flushed.

“okay, well,” his breath tickles your skin as you give another chuckle, “i’ll ask again. how do you think this nurse would react?”

pulling completely away from him, you point up at the clock. he huffs, unhappy with your consistency to uphold professionalism.

“maybe you should ask this nurse in another hour after their shift is over.”

childe rolls his eyes. “alright, alright. then i hope this nurse will be happy to meet me at wanmin’s restaurant with their answer– i will only be expecting good things.” 

he laughs the entire way you shoo him out, and only eases up to lean down and tuck a stray piece of hair behind your ear.

“i’ll see you soon, doc’.”

[averageallogene]

After the battle against Osial and urged on by Paimon, Lumine tracks Xiao down to confess her feelings, only to find him on a family outing with you, his wife and your son.

Xiao ♡⊹˚  Couldn’t have known [SFW]

fem. reader (3rd person) ; don't know whether to tag this as angst, or fluff, or both??? It just depends on the perspective I suppose. Xiao and reader are married. Cw. for unrequited feelings of a third party.

5k words.

notes. Poor Lulu, it's okay babygirl I'll try to do you justice on another drabble in the future <\3. But at the same time I got to give Xiao some semblance of peace with wholesome family time so I suppose I can take the heartbreak. Hope you enjoy ✧˖°.

The wounds within the nation were still fresh. The Harbor was on edge, its people doing the best they could to return to everyday life as part of the destroyed homes had already begun reconstruction. If before the battle with Osial the fatui were at the very least viewed as neutral, they were now deeply hated by every Liyue citizen, the organization being completely shut off from the outside as some people even resorted to physical violence as a response for their involvement with the tragedy. 

Suffice to say, Liyue was still shaky. Their God was gone as far as most knew, and the Qixing was the top of the food chain now. And despite having averted the crisis fairly well, most couldn't help but wonder, would they be able to protect them as well as Rex Lapis had? Some were hesitant, whilst others clung with the hope that it would be smooth sailing from there. After all, even if their God was gone, his adepti still remained, as well as the now hailed Hero of Liyue. They would be safe. 

Lumine hadn't quite gotten used to the flair of being hailed a hero still - after all, her primary reason for being there was to look for her brother, simply having stumbled upon more chaos that she was shoved into without her being fully aware. Even still, she knew better than to have turned her back on an entire nation on the verge of crisis, and so she had stayed and stuck around far longer than what she would've initially liked. It wasn't all for naught, though - she met new wonderful people, got to know more of the world of Teyvat and its customs and cultures. She got to hone her skills and become stronger, as well as, as her gut told her, take a step forward towards the truth. 

Among the many she had met, one had seemingly stuck around in her mind - Xiao, the lonesome Conqueror of Demons that would mostly stick around Wangshu Inn. Admittedly he'd been rather curt at first, yet it soon became obvious he carried more on his shoulders than what he would admit. And on that, as well as other things, Lumine found herself relating to him. It was slow progress, but Xiao had begun to open up as well, leaving her small cracks from which she could peek into. It was as though he was testing the waters, seeing if she would find him repulsive or unapproachable. He wasn't, not to her. 

He had been there for her, during the confrontation with Osial. It had been perhaps one of the only times thus far on her journey where Lumine had truly felt like she wouldn't make it, were it not for the aid of her allies. It had been a day filled with raw emotions, amplifying them beneath the surface and under the obvious threat from which they had lived through. And it was only after the fact, when she had taken some time to rest and ponder, that the emotions began to set, carving themselves into stone.

"I think it's quite obvious what needs to be done." Paimon had placed her hands on her hips, hovering close to her face as she gazed upon her with narrowed eyes.

"Oh? What are you talking about, Paimon?" Lumine feigned ignorance, an eyebrow being raised as she made a last ditch effort to avoid the topic.

"Don't play dumb with me, missy! I know you very well, you know?" The fair haired fairy pointed her finger to her, before shaking her head. "It's obvious you're head over heels over the lonesome adeptus Xiao. And the last thing I wanna see, is my companion regret not confessing her true feelings."

Well, she had to give it to Paimon. She could be simply and only driven by food, sure, but she had a more keen eye than what Lumine had really thought. 

The traveler huffed with a weak laugh, her head shaking. "No no, I don't think that's a good idea."

"Why not?!" She seemed utterly flabbergasted. "Wait, you're not even denying it-"

"What if I make him uncomfortable?" She thought aloud, eyebrows furrowing. "Or, let's say that I do manage to confess. What then? I can't expect him to leave Liyue behind."

"No one has to leave anything behind. We can always periodically return to Liyue Harbor while we travel!" Her flying companion suggested, her head nodding at her own proposal. 

She watched as Lumine seemed to consider that idea, a small sigh leaving her lips as she pondered over her options. As a seasoned adventurer, she had to, along her journey, learn to always consider the less favored outcomes an option. Were she to be rejected, she and Paimon would simply have to haste their move to their next nation… Yet, the idea of it not ending like that… It alone seemed to be enchanting enough for her to, in the end, decide to go forward with Paimon’s proposal.  

“It’ll go well, trust Paimon on this one!” She kicked her smaller feet in the air, her eyes sparkling with great hope for her companion. She helped Lumine pack before they were to head off to Wangshu Inn, the hailed Hero of Liyue feeling nervous for the first time in a little while. “There’s no way it won’t end well, Lumine! After all, you’re downright perfect!”

She couldn’t have known. Paimon couldn’t have known, either. It honestly was something even most adepti didn’t know of - it was something Xiao kept close to his chest, only a select few knowing about that side of him. He cared naught for finding a partner, never had in the eons he’d existed for. He saw no need. 

That was, until he had met [F/N]. A mere mortal, yet one he loved with his whole being.

It had been rough to come to terms with his emotions. It had been rocky, a steep climb for  [F/N] to be allowed in; yet somehow, she had managed to reach the peak, finding at the end of her journey a side Xiao would only reveal to her - it was always present, in the way he gazed upon her, his golden eyes reflecting the warm sunset that would bathe them each dusk that she visited him in Wangshu Inn. It was always present, in the way his gloved hand would hold her own, delicately, almost afraid to break her as if she were made of porcelain. He wasn’t one to outwardly express his emotions, yet the silence with him had felt comforting. It felt like a safe haven, Xiao finally finding a semblance of peace each time [F/N] would bless him with her presence. 

He was very well aware of the fleeting existence mortals led. It broke him each time he thought about it, yet, as [F/N] had asked him of, he’d always tried to think instead of the present. Even still, it was always something that had been at the back of his mind, ever since he’d finally accepted his emotions, and allowed her into his life. It gave him all the more reason to ensure she was safe, that only those who he could truly trust knew of her existence - for, when he couldn’t be there, they would ensure she wasn’t in danger. 

And this worry only doubled when [F/N] had confided in him that she, indeed, was carrying his child. Well, it had certainly been a surprise, and Xiao… He at first panicked. He had never thought about ever loving someone, let alone creating a little one alongside another. It took a lot of talking, a lot of gentle touches and hugging. But in the end, like everything else with his [F/N], Xiao knew it would be okay. 

On that lovely day, [F/N] and their youngling had waited for him by the Inn, their usual room ready and waiting for them. By that point, the boy was only two, yet he already showed so much life and personality that it never failed to knock the wind out of his father. As per usual, Smiley Yanxiao would, exclusively, allow [F/N] access to his kitchen so she could cook food for her little boy, as well as her husband who would be arriving later as he’d promised - why? Her almond tofu was simply the best, and whenever Xiao could, he’d rather eat hers than any other chef’s. And who was she to deny her diligent beloved, who worked tirelessly to defend their land? When compared to all the terrifying work and responsibilities Xiao held, a simple dish felt like child’s play. Yet he always, always cherished such an act so deeply, it felt like it was the other way around.  

[F/N] had already fed their son before Xiao had arrived, gently holding him in her arms as they walked calmly across the Inn’s upper balcony. Patting his back with rhythm, her eyes peered out into the distance, the wind blowing ever so gently across her face, eyes shimmering with the light of the sun as all was peaceful. She hadn’t even heard Xiao arrive, his figure simply appearing on the wooden rails near her, his body perfectly balanced on the small surface as his mask dissipated before either of them could see him. His face, previously scowling with the horrors he regularly faced, immediately softened upon landing on the two people he loved the most, spear neatly placed away as his feet finally touched the balcony.

“Qingxin…” He called out his beloved, watching as she turned around with the same amount of love and excitement she would always display whenever he arrived. It never failed to melt his heart.

“Xiao, you’re back!” [F/N] sighed in relief, eyes softening as she hastily made her way to him. Meeting halfway, he carefully embraced her, foreheads touching as he felt his weary body finally relax. “Welcome home, my love.”

“...Thank you.” He murmured, his lips brushing against the top of her head as his hand rested on her lower back. His words felt heavier than a simple sign of gratitude, one that ran deeper and meant far more. One that [F/N] understood far too well, but didn’t dwell on. Instead, she smiled his way, her arms still carrying their bundle of joy with care. 

“Papa!” Their young boy chirped out, his attention clearly gravitating towards his father. His little arms were already stretching out, yearning for Xiao to hold him after being apart for a long while. And while Xiao always showed hesitancy to, he never found the strength to deny his little son.

Carefully the adeptus picked his son up, the softest smile making its way to his pale face as his golden eyes gazed at his son’s. [F/N] had always stated how his son was a mirroring image of himself, and with each passing day, Xiao could deny that reality less and less. His hair color was the same deep dark green, streaks of a lighter tone along his tiny locks. His cheeks, chubby, hid away the smallest little pointed teeth that resembled his own. His eyebrows, never furrowed like his father’s, displayed the same shape and sharpness. The only thing he seemed to have picked from his mother had been the color of his eyes, the same beautiful shade Xiao could drown himself in - and even still, the eye shape had been taken from him, the same little diamond pupils staring back at him with the wonder and adoration of a pure child. His child. He still could hardly believe it. 

“It’s okay, love. Here, just like this…” [F/N] gently coaxed him, noticing how his arms trembled the slightest - mostly due to exhaustion, but always partially to anxiety. After all, what if he tainted his little boy? What of his karmic debt? Everyday he prayed such a thing would never happen, hoping he would develop some kind of resistance due to his bloodline; yet even still, it was always a possibility.

His little arms flailed around, practically leaping for Xiao’s embrace as he hugged his neck. Xiao couldn’t help but let out the quietest of laughs, holding him with more confidence under his wife’s guidance. His eyes landed on the vajra necklace he would always have around his neck, one of the many religious items he’d given the two of them in order to ward off evil when he himself wasn’t around. In truth, [F/N] did it more to ease her husband’s mind than anything, but that was something she’d take to the grave - she knew she was safe even when he didn’t stand next to them, but then again, she would never be one to go against his wishes; they were never many, anyway. 

“You must be tired. Here, come sit. I made you your favorite.” [F/N] smiled his way, signaling for him to sit at the table they would usually take. Without hesitation he followed suit, his eyes following his wife’s movements as she presented him his dish. 

“Thank you, qingxin.” Xiao murmured, his eyes softening at the sight as he could finally feel his heavy soul at ease. He took his seat, carefully shifting his son to sit on his lap whilst securing him with one arm around him - more of a precaution than anything, for the simple fact his little one did behave wonderfully most of the time.

“Are you sure you don’t want me to hold him while you eat?” [F/N] smiled, humored by the absolutely endearing sight of her husband holding their little one. The way his cheeks gained the faintest hint of color didn’t escape her gaze, yet she knew better than to embarrass her poor little adeptus. 

“No need, I can eat like this just fine.” He responded.

Or in other words, No thank you, I really want to hold our little boy like this. [F/N] already knew her lover very well despite his attempts at keeping himself at arms length for the longest time, so reading in between the lines wasn’t difficult. All she could do was nod her head, a delightful smile across her lips as she sat with them, pleasant conversation filling the air. How had their day been, where they had gone, who they’d been with… Xiao listened to it all, his leg bouncing gently, up and down, up and down, his child content with the rhythmic movement as his tiny hands rested against his arm. 

The sky was still painted in the loveliest strokes of oranges and blues upon the pair arriving at their final destination. The journey had been otherwise uneventful, only further filling Lumine with the slightest creeping anxiety as the tall Inn was seen in the distance. Surely, she had figured, Xiao would be there. It was the only place she knew he’d have any sort of roots in, and given the fact she dared not abuse her permission for calling upon him, she figured paying a visit was the next best option. 

“Come on, that’s the Wangshu Inn in the distance!” Paimon pointed, her smaller body flying across the air as her friend picked up the pace as well. Her stomach already rumbled after their trip, and truth be told, the little fairy already planned to grab herself a few plates whilst watching from the distance the scene unfold. 

“Hey, wait up Paimon!” The young woman sighed, her scarf blowing against the wind as they hastily came closer and closer to the structure. 

There were very few guests aside from the regulars, of which the owners could count with their fingers. Verr Goldet was finishing up taking care of a few details at the front desk before she heard a set of steps rushing up her stairs, her eyes gluing to the entrance of their Inn before she finally spotted a familiar figure. 

“Ah, Lumine, Paimon! What a surprise to see you once more.” She smiled kindly, her hands resting in front of her figure as the blonde woman caught her breath. “And what brings you to the Wangshu Inn tonight? Seeking to book a room?”

“Hi miss Verr-” Lumine smiled amidst the heavy breathing, both her and Verr being cut off with Paimon who happily interjected.

“Hi boss lady! Is Xiao back yet?”

“For the last time, I am not ‘boss lady’.” Verr shot her a look, to which Paimon silently apologized for. “And… May I inquire as to why you’d like to see him at such a time?”

Usually, Verr Goldet wouldn’t be one to deny them the knowledge of the Conqueror of Demons’ whereabouts; after all, they were friends and allies. However, given the company he currently had, the woman couldn’t help but wish to avert any unwanted visitors to their family time. Not to mention, she herself, as well as her husband, had gotten quite protective of [F/N] and their little one - as if, by some strange mortal bond Xiao couldn’t quite understand, they had considered them their extended family. 

“Oh… Are we intruding on something?” Paimon asked, her voice growing softer.

“Well, it’s just that, as you know, the Conqueror of Demons is a very busy adeptus.” That much wasn’t a lie. “He’s expressed his wish for visits to be limited for the time being, lest something be really urgent.” …That however, was something he himself hadn’t requested of her. 

“Oh, if that’s the case-” Lumine, being understanding as she was, attempted to avert the situation. After all, they could always ask for some of his time the following day.

“It kind of is.” Paimon however, once more, chimed in. “After all, we came all the way from Liyue Harbor for this!” She was now planting her hands on her hips once more. “Besides, we won’t take long.”

Verr Goldet’s expression didn’t falter, though she was rather ticked over how they seemed to not catch the hint. “Well, even still-”

“He’s probably upstairs, isn’t he? If not we can always call on his name. Come on Lumine, up we go!”

“Hey, I’m talking to you!” The owner was practically left to speak to the wall as they were already up the flight of stairs, her eyes widened as she sighed in frustration. Hopefully, she prayed, it wouldn’t be a big ruckus; not that [F/N] would mind, ever. More so from Xiao’s end. 

Being practically dragged up to the balcony by the suddenly overtly strong Paimon, Lumine nearly trampled on her own feet as she could feel her heart palpitate stronger and louder. The heat that rose to her face couldn’t be hidden for any longer, and all she could hope was that Xiao was there, and that all would go well. Why was she so… Nervous? She’d fought against many monsters, defeated abyss mages, aided in the saving of Dvalin and the defeat of Osial, yet how was a simple opening of her own heart causing such a ruckus within her?

The husky voice of Xiao was unmistakable as they finally reached the balcony, her head turning to her right as she took a deep breath. He seemed… To be calmer, at peace. His voice softer while still speaking in the usual tone she had grown used to. Paimon let go of her hand as she flew ahead, silent for long enough until the adventurer was able to pick up another voice - an unknown one, being a soft and female giggle. 

“Xiao! Xiao, you in here?” Paimon called out, rounding up the balcony in search of the adeptus.

In the table in which they stood, the Conqueror of Demons seemingly froze, his eyebrows immediately lowering as a smallest scowl reappeared on his face. He held his child a little tighter, his head turning to gaze to where the known voice had come from. [F/N] followed suit, her head turning before landing on her husband once more, curious over anything else whilst silently inquiring him who it could be - after all, he seemed to know who the voice belonged to. And in most other circumstances, he wouldn’t exactly mind to hear the talkative pixie nor her friend, yet when it came to such sacred time with his family… He couldn’t help but feel his mood grow sour. 

“Oh, there you are-!” Paimon chirped whilst Lumine came right behind her. However, she stopped in place, no longer approaching him. The voice died on her throat before she gazed around, her colorful eyes skipping through the two unknown people.

“...You two.” Xiao called out, his body having already turned in his chair while remaining sat still. His hands were holding his son in his lap, who too eyed them still, though his carefree expression deeply differed from the seemingly annoyance Xiao displayed. “What’s the matter? Is everything alright?”

“Ah, you’re… Accompanied…” The white haired guide seemed to have suddenly grown embarrassed, her eyebrows furrowing softly as she felt even smaller under the intense gaze the Conqueror of Demons sent their way. “...S-Sorry, we didn’t know-”

“Didn’t Verr Goldet tell you?” Xiao had let out without thinking much, his wife to his side softly muttering his name he cleared his throat. It was only then his face seemingly relaxed, gazing back at her for a mere moment.

“Are they your friends?” [F/N] smiled kindly, her hands extending briefly before taking their little boy into her arms once more. 

“...Yes.” Xiao nodded his head. The way his beloved’s face lit up was enough to melt him away, finding it outright adorable how she seemed to always… Be happy, whenever he spoke of others he held in high regard. To him it was strange, how she apparently thought it was such a big deal. 

“It’s alright, go and talk to them! We have the whole night ahead of us,” [F/N] warmly reassured him, while Xiao attempted to keep the pout from forming on his face. The last thing he wanted to do during his family time was have guests over, but since they probably had gone out of their way to get there… He didn’t want to cause a bad impression to [F/N], anyway. “We’ll stay here, since we don’t know if it’s something private. If not, just look our way and we’ll join you straight away!”

His boy seemed to agree with his mother’s statement, babbling on as they both watched Xiao hesitantly get up from his seat. The Adeptus calmly walked their way, his gaze somewhat sharper than what Lumine would’ve liked. Unlike Paimon, who was still somewhat oblivious, she had already begun to piece the puzzle together - the way he had glanced at that young woman, the way they had been sitting together, the way the little child looked so similar to him… It was difficult to think of any other possibilities. 

It was difficult to keep oneself from breaking down at the realization. 

“...Yes, Paimon, Lumine?” The traveler had been shaken out of her thoughts as his eyes bore into hers, patiently waiting for them to speak up.

“Hi Xiao,” Paimon took the lead upon Lumine taking longer to talk than what she would’ve guessed. “We didn’t know you had company, haha… So… Who are they?”

“...” It wasn’t as though Xiao himself was exactly bothered with Paimon’s general nosiness, more so he was annoyed they had been interrupted for seemingly meaningless banter. Here he was, thinking there was something wrong and his assistance was needed, actually getting up from the table where his family stood to greet them for nothing happening after the fact. 

His head turned around to gaze back at his wife, who bounced her leg up and down slightly to amuse their son as he would usually like. Their eyes met, and with the softening way in which he looked at her, [F/N] understood everything was alright. It relieved her to know so, taking the moment to get up and hold their son before approaching them with a kind and sunny smile. Paimon and Lumine watched as they approached, the little youngling’s eyes scanning them before landing on the adeptus once more, refusing to look anywhere else after the fact. Up close, it was even more undeniable who exactly the little boy was, his hair color and shape exactly the same as Xiao’s, as well as his little brows who sported a much more relaxed expression. 

“Hi! I’m [F/N]. Pleased to meet any friends of Xiao.” [F/N] spoke softly, introducing herself to the pair before her baby was wriggling in a vain attempt to jump out of her arms.

“Papa…” He shyly mumbled, his arms stretching in his direction as he seemingly didn’t give up in his pursuit of remaining in daddy’s arms. 

Lumine couldn’t help but smile weakly, even as her heart wilted. The image before her was… Adorable, she couldn’t deny that. The way Xiao’s face gained color, embarrassed by the display of affection to a crowd as his significant other attempted hushing their son from interrupting them. And despite the utter shock she felt from not only realizing Xiao had a lover but also had already formed a family, she couldn’t help but glance at them still.

“It’s alright love.” Xiao murmured, the last word barely above a whisper as his cheeks were by that point the same shade of the jueyun chili. “Here, let me hold him.”

“Ah… Sorry. He really wants daddy time, huh.” [F/N] laughed softly, carefully letting go of the boy before his arms were wrapped tightly around his father’s neck, his face nuzzling against him as he hid his gaze from the strangers. The young woman turned to the pair, who remained quiet, an apologetic smile on her face. “I apologize, he can get quite shy around new people.”

“No, don’t worry about it…” Paimon let out in struggle, the cogs inside her head nearly visible as she was rather late to the party when it came to figuring out what exactly the relation was here. 

“So,” Xiao broke the chit chat short, clearing his throat before attempting to be… More courteous. Not for himself, but for his wife. “Is there anything I can help you with? After all, you did call out my name.”

“Ah,” Suddenly Paimon remembered what the exact initial plan was, panicking inwardly as she floated rather awkwardly around Lumine. The adventurer, on the other hand, seemed outwardly calm, the forced smile on her face remaining. “Well, about that-”

“We just thought of passing by to bid our goodbyes,” Lumine finished it for her, leaving her companion quiet and Xiao somewhat surprised. “Since Liyue is stable now, we’re thinking of continuing our journey towards Inazuma.”

“...Oh, I see.” Xiao responded, tone quiet as he nodded his head gently. “Are you sure you’re ready to leave?”

“Yeah, it was… About time, anyway.” Lumine awkwardly laughed, her hand rubbing the back of her neck as she averted her gaze for a solid second. “We still have a lot of questions that need answering.”

[F/N]’s expression shifted to worry and sorrow, somewhat bummed that they wouldn’t join them for a little longer, or she wouldn’t exactly get to know personally those friends of her husband’s. More so, the concern on her face also extended further to Lumine, something in her gut telling her the young woman before her was hurting deeper than what appeared to be. Call it a woman's intuition. 

“I see. Inazuma… You’ll be far away.” Xiao thought aloud, his arms shifting gently to ensure the comfort of his son as he seemed to calm down in his embrace, lulled to sleep by his husky voice. “Still, if you ever return and need any help, you know how to seek me out.”

“Please be safe out there.” [F/N] added, a soft smile ever present on her face before her gaze jumped between them. “Still, it’s getting late for you to begin your journey back… Won’t it be best to stay the night and leave in the morning?”

“No, we’ll be fine.” Lumine shook her head, the bitterness in her tongue being swallowed as she smiled [F/N]’s way. She couldn’t hold anything against the woman in front of her - she was being nothing but kind to them. “If we get to the Harbor by dawn, all the better.”

“Ah… Alright…” [F/N] understood, still thinking of ways to help them however she could. “Would you like for me to pack you some food, though? It’s a long way back.”

Xiao couldn’t help but glance his wife’s way, his gaze softening as the smallest smile rose on his lips. He simply couldn’t have enough of her, not ever, especially when she displayed the same caring nature that had broken down his walls in the first place.

Lumine however, only wanted to leave as soon as possible. “No, it’s alright thank you. We’ll be going now, yes Paimon? Goodbye Xiao, [F/N]. Stay safe.”

And before the floating pixie could even have a word on the matter, they were already descending the stairs, the young woman’s legs sending her flying as her mind blurred to a shapeless stain. Before she even realized they were already far from the Inn, Paimon’s soft tone of voice attempting to call her back as she nervously tried to apologize, try to cheer her up, try to distract her…

It wasn’t Paimon’s fault. Neither of them could’ve known, really. She’d suggested their visit in high hopes after all, it was alright. She would be alright. After all… 

The way Xiao smiled so softly. The way he glanced at [F/N] in such a matter, the way he held the young boy with such care. He looked happy. He was happy. And even if it wasn’t with her… Lumine was sure one day, the sorrow would subside and substitute itself with happiness for him. 

He deserved it all and more.