#cyno angst

[primofate]

Genshin Angst Headcanons - Why the two of you broke up

Note: Had an unexpected free day! I haven't written in a while, please excuse the mistakes, if any.

Disclaimer at the end of the post

Warning: Some are pretty predictable. Each of them have their own issues, lore wise, so some are lore heavy. You might not agree with some of them, but its how I see it, so to each their own. Let me know what you think! Some are quite angsty. Some scenes it's you breaking up with him and some are vice versa. Didn't feel like writing Razor, Venti and Xingqiu.

Characters: Aether, Albedo, Alhaitham, Ayato, Baizhu, Bennett, Chongyun, Cyno, Dainsleif, Diluc, Gorou, Heizou, Itto, Kaeya, Kaveh, Kazuha, Lyney, Neuvillette, Scaramouche, Tartaglia, Thoma, Tighnari, Xiao, Zhongli, gn!reader

Personal Favourites in this work: Lyney, Itto, Kazuha

Aether

Sister issues. Enough said.

He realized he didn't have enough time to spare romancing with someone.

Somewhere along the way he felt guilt that he was enjoying his time with you while his sister went through some sort of villain origin story that seemingly turned her bad.

Top off all the adventuring, searching, solving problems for other people that he did...Where did that leave you, exactly?

"...I'm sorry, Y/N... I just... I don't think this is the right time for me to be together with you,"

Albedo

Contrary to popular belief it wouldn't be his lack of time or extreme focus on his alchemical experiments that would break the two of you up. He knows how to manage his time.

It was the RESULTS of experiments and his research that would put him away from you.

The possibility that HE or his world, was way too dangerous for you.

How many "Albedos" did Rhinedottir really create? Was there more than three? Perhaps four, five? And what happens when you come face to face with another Albedo?

"I'm afraid...There are far too many dangers surrounding myself... There are answers that I can't find...and perhaps that's the reason why my answer is to part ways with you,"

Alhaitham

Too much of a nonchalant attitude.

He expressed some kind of interest in you...but it's like... once in a blue moon. 95% of the time you're not sure if he's really into you. It almost seems like he's more into that book he reads all the time.

Simply just not good at expressing himself. Like, at all. Hides behind a "whatever works" and "I don't care about what other people think of me" attitude, unfortunately that seems to include you.

Is so straightforward that sometimes it hurts, but he's really just telling the truth through logical analysis.

will act like the breakup didn't hurt nor affect him at all. In turn it hurts you instead.

"I see. So you've had enough of me... And you only spoke up now? Pointing it out earlier could've diverted us from this path...If that's how you feel already I suggest that we stop seeing each other,"

"That's it? You're not even going to try and work it out with me?"

"What's there to work out? You've made yourself clear. You're not satisfied with the way I treat you, and I'm afraid I'm not going to change the way I act just for your pleasure... It'd be more meaningful for you to find someone who fits your criterias,"

Ayato

entering a relationship with a noble was not as easy as one thought.

It's not just about being together forever and feeling lucky because Ayato is rich and your whole life is set, it's also the not fitting in, the etiquette, the whispers from townfolk that you were too ordinary for him, the work that you needed to do if you were to become his wife.

All that was not really a big problem for you, but Ayato seemed not to know of your struggles, he was extremely busy, and when he wasn't, he seemed to think that everything was well and fine, since you were getting all your basic needs met and even more.

"...So I'm sorry, Ayato. This is just... All too much for me. I'm sorry,"

"...I understand. Forgive me, it seems that I've overlooked a lot of things...Perhaps it is as you say, that it'd be better for us to grow apart rather than grow together,"

Baizhu

because he is a ticking time bomb, no matter which way he looked it's not going to end well for both of you.

He either dies early or lives forever. In both scenarios he anticipates that the two of you are just going to be in a world of hurt.

Besides, he didn't mean to get so attached to someone in the first place, he knew his quest for immortality was long and arduous. You didn't deserve to walk that difficult road too.

While breaking up, will conceal the fact that he's only thinking of you and will possibly hurt you in the process.

"I'm sorry, but it's for the best. I ask that you continue going forward without me, there's no space for you in my... ideal future,"

Bennett

We all know it...it's his bad luck. However, it wasn't YOU who had a problem with it, it was HIM.

You understood that his bad luck was just some extended part of him, plus it's not like it was always bad, there were a lot of good times too. Plenty!

But the guilt ate him up whenever the two of you were stuck in a seemingly impossible scenario and predicament, brought on by his luck. He just had enough of it one day.

"I...I can't keep doing this to you every day! It's not fair..."

will be on the brink of tears before he even starts.

"Maybe it's better if you find someone else to adventure with, Y/N, sorry...!"

runs away before you can even get a word in.

Chongyun

Thinks he's not good enough in every aspect. It's really, seriously not about you. He thinks he's lacking in everything. Strength, maturity, experience, confidence.

So badly wants to stay with you but feels like he's not good enough and thinks that you're better off with someone else.

"D-Don't misunderstand... It's not because I don't like you anymore... I just...Please find someone else!"

Cyno

his bad jokes and TCG addiction. just kidding, you're not that shallow.

A lot of people are intimidated by him being the General Mahamatra because he gives importance to justice. While you, who had seen a bit more of him than other people had, it seemed more of an obsession to uphold the Akademiya's law and integrity.

This was not a big problem to you, you liked how he was serious at work.

Until one day when you were accused of plagiarising one of your papers and Cyno was the one sent to give you a first offense warning. The Akademiya knew of your relationship, that's probably why they sent him, to make it harder on the two of you.

Cyno didn't listen to your explanations on how it was an honest mistake, he still gave you the warning that you "deserved"

From then on it had just been different between the two of you, so it was really a mutual breakup. Or so you thought.

"...After that, I just realized that maybe this isn't the right time for us... We're both working for the Akademiya, we both take our jobs seriously...Unfortunately that seems to just be getting in the way of us...I think it's best if we stop seeing each other,"

"...I see." he pauses for a minute, as if tossing your words in his mind. "I...agree. Parting ways would certainly make work easier for both of us...it's the professional thing to do,"

Dainsleif

Has not moved on from his past.

Sure, everyone has their own baggage to carry, their own history to live through...but Dainsleif has heavier things than that. He seemed to wake up every day thinking of Khaenri'ah and the days long past. Was it regret? Nostalgia? Loneliness? You didn't know. You just knew that he wasn't really completely THERE with you in the present. Part of him still lived in the past.

When you explained that you felt like the two of you were not moving forward together and that it seemed like he wanted to go back to the past instead, he got offended.

"...My past is something that I carry forever, you'd claimed that you understood that," he starts.

"I do! But carrying it with you and letting it drag you backwards are two different things!"

He falters for a moment, only to leave you with his last words before turning away from you forever: "You will never understand, the weight that I carry,"

Diluc

is too guarded. You'd been friends for a long, long, long, long time before he decided he could let you in enough and be more intimate with you.

Even then everything was going at a snail's pace, though you were extremely patient with him.

The biggest problem with Diluc was that the two of you would progress one day, take a step forward, and then the next day it was like the two of you took two steps back.

Example: The two of you went out for a simple stargazing excursion late one night, it was nice and he had been incredibly affectionate. The next day he had trouble even meeting your gaze, and disappeared to do his work. It was also a little awkward during dinnertime. This scenario had happened more than once.

Hint: the closer he got to you the more afraid he became, thinking that he would one day lose you too.

"I...I can't. I love you but I...I've waited far too long. I'm sorry. I'm tired of this endless chase for you!"

He couldn't even say a thing. He'd wanted to ask you to stay, to wait for him a little longer, but he already knew how incredibly selfish that would have been. Instead, he grimaced, and looked away from your gaze, trying to find something worthwhile to say. There was only silence for a few moments.

"Goodbye Diluc," that's when you turned away.

Gorou

worships Kokomi too much and your insecurities just kept circling around in your head.

You know its his job. You know he isn't like that but the problem was YOU and not him.

Simply said you let your insecurity eat up the relationship between the two of you.

You couldn't bring yourself to say that you were jealous of the way he admired Kokomi so you broke up with him with another reason in tow.

Unfortunately, you're not a very good liar face to face so you did a butthole move and actually broke up with him through a letter. You just couldn't face him and tell him why.

All you mentioned in the letter was that you needed time to think and be away from him, and told him not to worry because it was your problem, not his.

Poor Gorou reread that letter over and over, trying to understand what went wrong.

Heizou

is just a natural flirt. You're not sure if he's doing it on purpose or not and you're not sure if he's even aware he's like that.

Anyway you'd seen him getting overly friendly (just another word for flirting) with a few other people a couple of times. You didn't let it get to you the first, fourth or even eighth time but you realized that he KNOWS that you're watching him do that.

So you confront him about it, but he claims that it's just his way of gathering information from others. People like to hear good things and some people are more susceptible to flirtatious comments so he resorts to that for his investigation sometimes.

You didn't really completely buy it and even if you did, it's not like this was healthy for your relationship. You just couldn't make yourself comfortable with it.

*You just chalked it up to the two of you being incompatible.

"I'm just not comfortable with that...I don't think I have to say sorry for how I feel but...I'm sorry anyway because I know you're just doing your job... It's probably best if we part ways here..."

"Is there any way to change your mind?" he genuinely asks.

You only give a lopsided smile. "You're a detective, I think you already know the answer to that,"

Yet he didn't stop you from walking away.

Itto

Kept breaking promises because he was too airheaded or too occupied doing something "stupid" with the kids or with his gang.

Pretty soon it just felt like you were an afterthought while everyone else in his life took precedent.

Got a ramen date? Oops, sorry! Got caught up looking for a strong onikabuto in the forest!

Needed his help to move some things? Gah, he was vandalising the bulletin boards, so he's running a bit late!

What's more you didn't actually mind that carefree, airheaded side of him...but it really got to you when he couldn't even seem to make you a priority. Not once.

He only realized that when he came running, late again, and stood face to face with a crying you.

"Hey sorry Y/N, I was just--...Why are you crying?!" is completely dumbfounded and clueless, mostly because when he came late, you had always shrugged it off with a smile on your face, or so he thought. This time you had a completely different reaction.

"I hate you...*hic* I hate you, I hate you, I hate you!"

Shocked beyond belief. It wasn't like you to just blow up like that, but he couldn't do anything except watch you turn and run away from him after that exclamation.

Kaeya

Sometimes you're not sure if he takes you seriously.

Recently, he's not where he says he is, you don't know why he doesn't just tell you where he is.

He said he'd be working late, but then you find out he's at Angel's Share.

He said he'll be at Angel's Share, but then you catch word from Jean that he's out on a late mission.

He said he's escorting a caravan to Mondstadt but he's actually on assignment in Liyue.

It came to the point where you altogether just stopped looking for him cause half of the time you couldn't find him. It's like he's avoiding you or something, which, actually, seems just about right since he's been so busy with "work"

It reached a breaking point when, for a week, you were unable to bring him the lunch you prepared...because he was not where he said he was going to be. It was starting to get annoying.

"I don't understand why you're lying to me! Why do you have to tell me you'll be at Angel's Share this afternoon when you're not? Do you realize you make me walk all the way there only to come all the way back with nothing achieved?"

"I'm sorry snowflake, that wasn't my intention," though he still chuckles despite knowing full well that you were about to turn away.

"You know what, let me know when you're ready to stop making jokes. Until then, don't bother contacting me,"

He just didn't expect you to actually walk away from him.

Kaveh

Entertains everyone and anyone. Naturally kind at heart, will stop for anyone in trouble...even that flirtatious man/woman who is clearly just pining for his attention.

No he doesn't quite realize this.

The same person had asked for his help at least 4 times now and all 4 times he had been happy to offer a helping hand.

The last straw was when he was invited into the stranger's house, they had apparently needed someone to help them move and re-arrange furniture and he did, working till almost dinner time.

You'd caught him right by the person's door, because Kaveh was actually honest and told you he'd be helping them today, but the person was clearly eyeing Kaveh rather flirtatiously.

"Come again next time," you heard the person say rather happily. Kaveh only replies with "If I have nothing else to do, I suppose,"

"Kaveh, they're coming onto you and you keep letting it happen!"

"I'm not certain what you're talking about...They just needed some help around their house, nothing suspicious happened at all. Even if there was, I won't let anything happen between me and a stranger!"

"Then STOP helping them!"

"There isn't anything wrong with lending a hand...It was a quick move of things, that's all,"

"How would YOU feel if I just went into someone's house and kept helping them "move" things?"

"...I would think that's nice of you,"

You actually threw your hands up. "Oh, forget it! You know what, for someone who LOVES helping others, you're not doing such a great job of helping ME," then walked away and never came back. "Good riddance,"

Kazuha

He's a wandering samurai. You knew what you were getting into but you didn't expect dating him to be so hard.

He was gone for weeks on end, and you were not getting on that boat with him. In essence the two of you were just not ready to follow each other to the end's of the Earth, and that was fair. The two of you were young.

Kazuha kind of saw it coming, whenever he visited you, you seemed less spirited and he had an inkling as to why. The time apart was just too much for you.

It was a rather clean break actually. A real mutual breakup that the two of you agreed on.

"...You could say it's just not the right time for us," you even managed to laugh under your breath and he did the same, though it was barely audible.

"...Mm. There are matters that you need to attend to here...and there are things that I need to do out there," he slowly stood up from his sitting position next to you and still gazed at you rather lovingly. "...Perhaps, in another world, you and I are bound together,"

You gazed back forlornly, "...Just not in this one, it looks like,"

Lyney

because he will always choose his siblings over you. Always.

Though that's not a bad thing because you also think that family is important...somewhere along the way you realized that family is the ONLY thing he had and saw.

Example: Lynette and you had gotten ill at the same time one winter morning. Perhaps it was the cold that was passing around Fontaine. Lyney had been so worried about Lynette, that he seemed to have forgotten about you for the next few days. In fact, Lyney didn't even realize that you caught the cold too. You had only heard from Freminet, who you happened to cross paths with, that Lynette was also ill.

You thought that incident was the end of it, but really it seemed that whenever Lyney wanted to hang out with you, Lynette had to be there too. You tried to understand...after all there's still that mystery of disappearing women in Fontaine.

The breakup was induced when Lyney completely forgot about your birthday, because Freminet's was around the same time as yours. You helped Lyney prepare everything for Freminet, and said nothing about your own.

You realized that there was nothing wrong with choosing family over everything else...but the problem here was that Lyney didn't even have space for you in the first place.

So you left without saying anything. You figured he'd get over it quick. You had even gone so far as to move away from the main city of Fontaine and out into another island, because what would you say if he found you? That you were jealous of his siblings? You weren't going to ruin a family like that and it wasn't right to make him choose...so you just left without a word.

Neuvillette

Had a whole brainrot for this man:

Part 1

Part 2

Scaramouche

surprisingly it's not his anger issues.

It's the way he wouldn't acknowledge your relationship. You wonder how you even got into one with him.

There's no public show of affection, but even behind closed doors it rarely happened.

You knew that he was going to be like that, and so you didn't mind it all that much.

It was getting a bit much though when, out in public, he would walk further in front of you and refused to walk next to you. When he pretended like he didn't even know you. When he didn't stop to help you even when another man had shown interest in you, bordering on uncomfortable.

The more time passed the more you simply felt unloved...but for some reason you still blamed yourself.

"...I...don't know. Maybe you find me undesirable, or just...unappealing. Maybe you're embarrassed of me or...or..." maybe you just didn't care in the first place, you thought to yourself.

There was a long silence. Of you turning your gaze away, of him still piercing into yours. And then...

"Tsk...don't waste my time...Leave if you want to leave, door's open,"

Tartaglia

This one is simple. It's his obsession for fighting plus his complete disregard for himself. It's a constant heart attack for you. At some point the anxiety is just too much for you to handle.

Imagine living every day just wondering if he's safe at the same time knowing that he just loves to look for trouble.

The foul legacy that you know of, he uses it with disregard as well, despite knowing that it wasn't good for him.

And there are even days where you know he was heavily wounded but didn't go to you, in an attempt to shield you from worry.

It's a constant battle trying to stay sane and unworried, until one day it all just becomes too much.

"...Nothing I say will change anything, Tartaglia. This is who you are...This is who you need to be..." you whisper while bandaging his knuckles. He lets out a short hum.

It was silent all up until you finished with his hand, you squeeze it gently. "...I love you but...I can't keep doing this to myself, I'm tired...more so than I have ever been before,"

He lets your hand slip away from his knuckles, and that was the last he saw of you.

Thoma

This one is also simple. He was always taking care of others and running errands for others that he sometimes just couldn't catch a break.

Just a classic case of not enough time for you since he had a job to do for the Kamisato Clan.

He knows it, and feels awful about it. So he's the one who makes the move.

"It hurts that I can't give you what you deserve, Y/N. This isn't it... You deserve more than this but I can't give you that and I'm sorry. Please look for the love that you deserve,"

Tighnari

Remembers everything. Can be critical of things you've done, specially if he thinks there's a better way to do it.

Simply said you just feel stupid in front of him sometimes.

He doesn't mean to, but he sometimes forgets to appreciate or give praise to the things that you do well and even if he does, it tends to be short lived compared to his constructive criticisms.

Pretty soon you felt like he only looks at the bad things you do, and never the good. Though he was really only trying to teach and guide you as an equal.

He in fact feels that you are one of the few people who can keep up educational conversations with him.

The problem is he kind of forgets that you're his lover, and that you would enjoy his praise and affection from time to time.

"Do you... Do you ever have anything nice to say other than 'good work' or 'great observation'?" the words were out of your mouth before you could hold yourself back. Sometimes it was tiring to feel like you weren't good enough.

There's a flash of surprise that crosses Tighnari's expression for a split second, before he recovers. "...Had I not been praising your work enough lately? My apologies... It has a lot of merits, I just thought that you wanted my opinion on how to make it better,"

You opened your mouth to say something, but closed it again right after to ponder on his words. Somehow even that had managed to make you feel embarrassed. It was here you knew that the problem also lied within yourself.

"...Sorry, Tighnari...I think I'll need some time alone,"

He obliges quickly and asks. "That's reasonable. When would you like me to come back?"

"...Let me rephrase that... I need some time away. From us."

Xiao

Unfortunately there's a lot of things wrong here... his lack of affection. His aloof personality. His dedication to his yaksha duties. Despite that he does actually try to be gentlemanly or respectful of you.

The worst of it is that he didn't know how to be in a relationship, in other words he just wasn't ready for one, or perhaps he would never be ready for one.

He didn't understand that humans craved companionship and sometimes touch. He didn't understand that meant having to favour you over others, sometimes even putting you first over his yaksha duties.

Worst of it all was when he shut himself off from you, sometimes for days on end, when his karmic debt was too high. He only really did it to protect you, but never realized how isolated that made you feel.

When you confronted him about it, he felt attacked. Hiding away was the only way he knew how to cope...why couldn't you understand that?

"Let me help you, Xiao,"

"I don't need your help!" his tone would make you wince and just like that he disappears into a billow of smoke.

You never returned to Wangshu Inn after that. If he couldn't let you in, there was no use trying to knock on his heart. Xiao being Xiao, never sought you ought again either.

Zhongli

He had experienced so many things and you had listened to many a tales from him.

This is what caused you to realize that you hadn't even experienced life at all, and yet here you were willing to tie yourself down to him.

It just didn't feel like it added up. Here he was with all this knowledge of the world and here you were who had never even stepped outside of Liyue. By no means were you stupid, but you felt that you could be better not only for him, but for yourself if you learned more.

There was just such a huge gap in life experiences, and though you never expected to get to his level (he was a God who had lived for a long time, you would never catch up to him) you at least wanted to see what was out there with your own eyes instead of through his stories.

He understood that wholeheartedly, and had no qualms in letting you go.

"You will always have a place with me, Y/N. No amount of lifetimes will change that,"

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Disclaimer: Relationships will always have some sort of problem along the way, maybe big, maybe small but I just want to reiterate that breaking up is not always the solution. Communicating is very important. So to those of you who like taking fanfiction too seriously, let it be known that this is just a work of fiction. I don't actually suggest breaking up with someone as soon as there is the slight indication of a problem (Just saw someone commenting on a similar themed post for Haikyuu that this wouldn't happen in the real world if both parties were mature... I mean, sure, but, idk, you must be fun in parties... it's called fiction for a reason...)

[ivyluvsyouu]

𝑶𝒏𝒄𝒆 𝒎𝒐𝒓𝒆 𝒕𝒐 𝒔𝒆𝒆 𝒚𝒐𝒖

𝑰𝒇 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒚'𝒓𝒆 𝒔/𝒐 𝒅𝒊𝒆𝒅

𝑪𝒉𝒂𝒓𝒂𝒄𝒕𝒆𝒓𝒔: 𝑪𝒚𝒏𝒐, 𝑨𝒍𝒃𝒆𝒅𝒐, 𝑿𝒊𝒂𝒐 𝒂𝒏𝒅 𝑲𝒂𝒛𝒖𝒉𝒂

𝑻𝒘! 𝑩𝒍𝒐𝒐𝒅/𝒈𝒐𝒓𝒆

𝑪𝒚𝒏𝒐

He started to get worried when you didn't return home when you said you would. He went out looking for you himself and when he went to where your commission was what he saw horrified him. There was blood everywhere and you were lying on the ground lifeless. He ran over to you and picked you up in his arms and rushed you to Tighnari. "Tighnari please, there has to be something you can do." A part of him knew you were gone but the other part didn't want to believe it. He refused to believe his strong s/o was gone. Impossible. So, when Tighnari told Cyno there was nothing he could do Cyno just nodded and left

He never gave himself time to properly grieve. He just drowned himself in his work and his studies. He bottled up all of his emotions and just tried to act like he was fine. People close to him like Tighnari could see right through him though. No matter how many times Tighnari told him he could talk to him about it Cyno never did. "They're gone. It's in the past." He was furious with himself for not being able to protect you. He often thinks about what he could have done. Maybe if he had gotten you to Tighnari quicker or maybe if he had just gone with you on the commission, you'd still be with him.

No matter how much time passed he never got over your death. He never found another s/o either. He didn't want anybody but you. You were the love of his life, and you were gone.

𝑨𝒍𝒃𝒆𝒅𝒐

"Please, Darling you have to stay strong for me." He begged. But you didn't even hear him. You were already gone. You had been sick for a while and Albedo put everything he was working on pause to try and find some kind of cure for you. He tried everything but nothing made you better. And when you died, he felt like he failed you. No, he knew he had failed you. He shut himself up in Dragonspine for the next few months. Not even allowing Sucrose to come up to Dragonspine. He needed to be alone.

Even after you died, he tried to find the cure to the sickness you had to prevent someone else dying from that awful disease. After a few months of grieving, he started going back down to the city again and he started letting Sucrose come back to Dragonspine but the people around him notice a difference in him. He was less talkative and less welcoming. He would just do his work and paint and when he did paint it would always be paintings of you.

He opened up to Sucrose once about you. "If I had just been able to find a cure, they would still be here..." That night when he opened up to Sucrose he cried and cried about you. He cried about how he missed you. Cried about how he couldn't save you.

𝑿𝒊𝒂𝒐

You died right in front of him. You both were in the middle of a commission and Xiao didn't see the last enemy that was standing behind him. Before the enemy could strike you pushed him out of the way and allowed the enemy to stab you right in the chest. Xiao quickly killed the enemy and rushed to you. He knew there was no way you had survived that, but he was just in shock. "Y/n!! Can you hear me!?" He asked shaking you frantically. He ripped a piece of his sleeve off and tried to wrap it around your wound to stop the bleeding, but it was too late. You were gone.

He never ever forgave himself for that. His purpose in life was to protect people. And he couldn't protect his own S/o. He shut himself off from everyone. Only coming down to the city when Zhongli needed him. He felt like a failure. And when Zhongli tried to talk about it with him Xiao would just brush it off. "I'm fine." he would insist.

Whenever he would go down to Liyue everything reminded him of you. He wouldn't even go to Laternrite anymore. It reminded him of when you and him would go together and watch the fireworks. Everything reminded him of his love for you and how he couldn't protect you.

𝑲𝒂𝒛𝒖𝒉𝒂

You had always had a bad immune system. So, when you came down with a fever you insisted to your fiancé that you were okay and that he didn't need to miss his boat to Inazuma and that you would be fine by the time he came back. Kazuha didn't like the idea of leaving you when you weren't feeling well but you insisted that you would be okay.

So, when he had gotten word that you had passed away while he was gone, he was devastated that he didn't listen to his gut. He rushed home and the doctors confirmed that you had died, and they explained to him what had gone wrong and why you died. "Thank you for your time doctor." He said. His voice shaking and tears threatening to spill out of his eyes. He went to a place that he would take you on dates. A quiet meadow away from the city.

He sat there and thought about what he could have done differently. For some reason he just had a gut feeling that if he had stayed you would've been fine. He hated to think about the fact that you had to die alone while he was off wandering in Inazuma. After that night he caught a boat back to the nation you had been born in. Mondstadt, He spent the next few months exploring the nation and living there to try and feel close to you again.

He would have terrible nightmares about you. To the point where he hated going to sleep. Nightmares of you dying, Nightmares of seeing your lifeless body on the ground. These nightmares didn't last forever they were just in the first few months of him grieving.

Eventually he returned to his usually wandering and he somewhat returned to normal. He never forgot about you though. He always had in the back of his mind what he could have done to help you.

Thank you sm for reading! requests are always open!

[tighnarisfavourite]

⟡ turn me to ashes, ready for another lie ── ⟢ ・⸝⸝

cyno x fem!reader

you’ve been friends with cyno since you were children, but you started to grow distant once the two of you got accepted into the akademiya. but it seems like life had fated for the two of you to meet again under interesting circumstances.

word count : 2230

⟡ You’ve been friends with Cyno for as long as you can remember.

Since you were young children, your families were quite close, and the two of you had gotten along nicely. Spending your time studying to get into the Akademiya, practicing your defense and fighting skills with wooden weapons (you obviously weren’t allowed to carry real, heavy weapons while so young), or let it be just simple chatter.

...The two of you were inseparable, really. Cyno always had this quiet, serious demeanor, even as a child, but he would light up whenever you talked about what you had been researching about, or even if you brought up a random conversation topic with him which would as a result, make Cyno open up about himself.

Whenever he would open up, you would always be there to listen to him attentively. Providing comfort if he needed it. After all, once you got older, he had more expectations laid on his shoulders, which would weigh him down but you were there to listen.

But even moments like those had evolved into more heartfelt ones, where on many nights, you would sneak out of your house in Aaru Village, running to the location where you had agreed to meet up with Cyno.

The nights when the stars hung low in the desert sky and you were lying with him on the sand, where no words would be spoken for a while until one of you broke it with a question or just something that was on your mind at that particular time.

During times like that, you could swear you started feeling deeper emotions rising within you. Deeper emotions for Cyno. Those emotions people would link to the word love. Yes, you had undoubtedly fallen for your childhood friend.

Your heart racing just a bit too quickly if he got close to you or when your fingers lightly brushed against the others. Those small moments messed with your head and heart— and your cheeks would heat up, making it look as if you got a sunburn directly on your face from the harsh desert sun.

But you weren’t the only one feeling like this— Cyno had been too. Sometimes, on days when he would be getting tutored, he’d purposefully make up excuses to leave early and he would go to your house in Aaru Village, throwing rocks at your window to get your attention and to get you to spend time with him.

Sometimes he would even sneak through your window and land face-first onto the floors of your bedroom, coming completely unannounced. You would always rush up to him and help him off the floor before cupping his cheeks and inspecting his face for any scars or bruises.

And Cyno being Cyno, he would crack an unfunny joke every time— and you’d just let out the most fake and exaggerated laugh ever... but sometimes, he did have a funny joke and you would laugh for real! Those were rare cases, though.

Then came the day you both entered the Akademiya, your paths being different— you had set on the path of becoming an Akademiya scholar and hopefully become a sage in the future while Cyno set on the path of being a Matra.

Since your studies were so different, you had grown further and further apart as the years went by. You were always preoccupied with written assignments or on-field ones, while Cyno had to do completely different work— your schedules never aligned or let you have time for each other.

During those years, Cyno had already reached the title of General Mahamatra and you were a proud Kshahrewar scholar that the Akademiya had recognized for your smarts and you had graduated with honors, earning you a guaranteed spot of becoming a sage one day.

But it was unfortunate, how life pulled you in different directions. Sometimes, you’d find yourself lingering in the library late at night, staring out of the high, arched windows, wondering where Cyno was and what he was doing. Was he out on a mission, protecting Sumeru? Bringing people to justice? Inspecting if any researcher had smuggled in something illegal?

The distance grew like a quiet ache, a hollow feeling that crept in during the silence between tasks. You were always hoping that you’d cross paths, maybe bump into each other in the halls of the Akademiya, or catch sight of him on your way to the House of Daena, but those moments became rarer and rarer, almost like they were slipping through your fingers.

In the fleeting times that you had seen him, you’d share a nod, perhaps even a brief word or two, and that was it. But that wasn’t enough to fill in the gap and the feeling of longing you had.

But seems like life had fated for the two of you to meet again... even if it was not in the greatest conditions.

A Kshahrewar student in the Akademiya had asked you for help with their thesis and if you could sign a few documents and being the kind soul that you are, you willingly helped the student, but what you did not know is that the student had a plan that would ruin your future.

Just hours ago, you had been called in by the Akademiya’s administrative council, a grave, severe group of scholars who had looked at you, not with the familiar approval and warmth you’d once known— but with shame and disappointment.

“Smuggling in illegal goods. Deception. Identity theft,” They’d listed, each word like a dagger cutting into you. The words had barely registered in your head, they seemed surreal like they were meant for someone else entirely. Not me, you’d thought. I wouldn’t… I didn’t…

But then they’d shown you the records. Signatures you didn’t remember signing. Documents you’d never seen. Submissions under your name that claimed research and contributions you had no recollection of. A carefully laid trail of deception— all leading back to you.

The student had forged your handwriting, signing your name— using your signature on documents that said you allowed illegal knowledge and banned books to enter the Akademiya, letting Kshahrewar students use the books and help themselves with the knowledge that was strictly forbidden. Even using your signature to sign documents that were for the sages— making it seem as if you were a sage and you allowed this to pass.

Unable to process this— you ran out of the office of the council, your heart skipping beats as your breath becomes nothing more but a sharp inhale. Your mind flashed back to the many nights spent in the dimly lit House of Daena, going over paper after paper, searching through records, deciphering theories... all for the student.

But your kindness was repaid with betrayal.

You ran and ran...

Ran until you had reached the desert, the same one you grew up in before you left it for the Akademiya.

You had long lost your shoes and now you could feel the burning sand under your feet as you started to pant, unable to continue running— especially under this scorching sun. The desert stretched endlessly around you, heat radiating off the dunes and distorting the horizon as if the very world was laughing at you. The Akademiya had been your beacon, a chance at something great, something meaningful. But that had now been shattered by a single, twisted act of betrayal.

You felt dizzy, confused, lost... what were you supposed to do now? You couldn’t run or hide forever, you would get caught and get sent on trial for your supposed crimes, that you didn’t even commit!

And just as you were lost in your thoughts— a figure crept up right behind you, “I suggest you stop running from your crimes.” That voice... was it...

Turning your head around, “Cyno...?” You managed to say— your voice coming out like a gasp, as your eyes locked in with his. And he too, was surprised. The world seemed to blur as you faced Cyno, the General Mahamatra himself.

Of all the people to find you out here, it had to be him—the one person whose duty it was to hunt down criminals and bring them to justice. For a brief moment, you hoped he was simply an illusion, a mirage born of heat and exhaustion.

But Cyno’s eyes, sharp and unyielding, were very real. The same red eyes you have known since you were a child. He swiftly put away his spear, before a deep exhale escaped his lips. “[name]... you’re the one who committed those crimes? Ran away before the council could call for the guards?”

“Cyno— listen to me, please! You have to believe me when I say I didn’t do anything! I was tricked— deceived by a Kshahrewar student! He used me, used my name, my signature to sign all those strange documents!” You blurt out everything, your voice cracking with every word, placing your hand on your heart as you hold back tears— coming face to face with Cyno after so long, and in a situation like this too was not ideal, not in the slightest.

Seeing his expression, he did not seem exactly convinced... after all, you were a scholar who graduated with honors, how could somebody like you get tricked so easily? And by a simple student as well? Something was just not adding up.

“Please... do you really think I would commit such heinous crimes after working so hard to get into the Akademiya? To get where I am today?” You could feel your heart racing faster, a pit forming in your stomach, making it ache. Every word you spoke felt weak. “You know me Cyno... we’ve been friends since forever, you know I wouldn’t do something like this. He manipulated me and now I’m the one paying for it.”

For a long, unbearable moment, he remained silent, unreadable. His gaze swept over you, taking in the desperation carved into every inch of your face. At last, his eyes softened by a little.

The feelings he had for you before had made their way back up to the surface, the feelings he so desperately tried to remain buried all this time so they would not interfere with his work or yours, but alas, seeing you once again made them strike.

But then again... could he really trust your words? And if you were lying... could he really punish his best friend? His crush of many years?

It’s his duty to uphold the rules and punish wrongdoings but oh... he was weak when it came to you and he knew it as well.

He swallowed, his jaw clenching as he spoke up, “I... can’t let personal relationships interfere with my line of work. You know that.”

“I know,” You whispered, your voice unsteady. “And that’s why I need you to believe me. You’ve seen the things I’ve overcome just to be accepted into the Akademiya, and to get this far. You know that better than anyone.”

Cyno looked away, his gaze fixed on the endless desert horizon. For all his training, all his discipline, this was the one battle he hadn’t prepared for... having to weigh his loyalty to the Akademiya against the loyalty he felt to you. He had always thought he’d have the strength to choose justice, but standing here now, he realized just how much that belief wavered when it came to you.

“I can’t ignore this, even if I wanted to,” He admitted, more to himself than to you. “I can’t look the other way.” You nodded to his words, the ache in your stomach growing. “I’m not asking you to look the other way. I would never ask you to betray who you are, Cyno. I just... need you to trust me like you used to. Like back then, when we were kids.”

For a moment, he didn’t speak— letting silence engulf the two of you.

“You think I don’t want to believe you?” He finally said, his voice barely above a whisper. “I want to believe you more than anything. But if I’m wrong, if I let my guard down for you and it turns out I was blinded by my personal feelings for you, then I’ve failed not only the Akademiya but myself.”

“Then don’t do it for me,” You replied gently, letting a small but fragile smile come up on your lips. “Do it because you believe in the truth. Do it because you know in your heart that I wouldn’t lie to you— not about this.”

Cyno closed his eyes, taking a slow breath. “Alright,” He murmured, his eyes meeting yours. “I’ll look into it, for the sake of the truth. But understand that if I find nothing, I’ll have no choice but to carry out my duty. No matter what.”

“I understand— thank you, Cyno.”

As he turned around and walked away, his figure becoming more and more distant— you felt your hand reaching out to him before it crumbled, and you let it fall to your side. Your eyes falling to the sand beneath you.

You could now only hope that he would find some sort of evidence that led to you not being the one who committed the crimes and that the student who manipulated you would get what he deserved.

part 2 here!

[giamee]

CHAPTER XII! encore

<- prev masterlist next ->

GOING SHOPPING WAS A VERY WELCOME DISTRACTION from everything. leaving the guys after getting breakfast together, taking a bus into the busier marketplace, and perusing all the different items that mondstadt had to offer, you and layla were feeling properly satisfied.

in particular, the clothing stores had caught you and layla's eyes. the fashion was so different to sumeru's and you couldn't help but want to find some dresses and other clothes similar to what you saw the inhabitants of mondstadt wearing as they went about daily life.

layla knew a few specific brands- heard from a friend of a friend- that she dragged you along to, and you walked down the aisles together, scanning the racks of clothing. layla pauses to inspect a dress, a pretty blue one that would really complement her hair, before she turned to you conspiratorily.

"so, i knew that i said that we should ignore last night, but you and cyno, huh?"

you got flustered, gaze averting to another dress, a thick material that you thought would melt off of you during a sumeru summer.

"oh it's... yaknow."

"it didn't look like a yakno. looked a lot friendlier than that."

"you know how it is, layla. i mean, we broke up."

"and exes can't hook up?"

you looked up at her, shocked. she's smirking to herself, glancing at the dress' pricetag before grimacing and releasing it from her grip.

"i mean, hot girl summer, right?"

"and where was this energy when you were telling me to be careful, hm?" the girl simply shrugged, grinning at you elfishly.

"eh, fuck it. besides, i see the way you two look at each other. it's obvious that you two aren't over it."

"we are." your voice is quieter now, a fact that doesn't go unmissed by your friend.

"then maybe that's a conversation to have between you and him, yeah?" as if waiting for a cue, you and layla's phones both chimed, and you saw messages from the trip groupchat, as well as some unread ones from your inazuma friends. you'd fill them in later.

the place in question was a restaurant called the good hunter, one that albedo insisted was extremely popular with the locals. his recommendation proved to be right, too, judging by how busy it was around lunchtime. it was absolutely packed, the aroma of food making your mouth water as soon as you stepped in. you hadn't even realised just how hungry you were, but this was much appreciated.

albedo himself was nice enough, but there was something about him that reminded you a little too much of alhaitham for you liking. as for the man himself, he had arrived late, ending up wedged in one of the only seats left- right next to you.

the sheer volume of people talking in such a small place made this bustling restaurant... surprisingly private. albedo was seated at the other end of the table, telling your friends some story along with the help of kaveh's dramatic reenactment, and you could barely hear what the pair of them were saying.

and with everyone else's attention elsewhere, it was easy for alhaitham to scoot closer to you, leaning down so that his face is level with yours.

you don't pull away, but you eye the man warily. you never really knew what to expect with him, after all. his words and his actions told two different stories.

"so, you're getting back with cyno?"

you're glad that you weren't eating, otherwise you would have coughed everything out upon hearing that. you choke on your water, though, and you hate that alhaitham instinctively pats your back as you recover. his palms are warm against your bare skin, and you wish that you hadn't worn something that left you so exposed. you hated the fact that you found his touch soothing even more.

"who told you that?" you rasp out after finally catching your breath. his fingers linger against you a touch too long, and there's a flash of something akin to... remorse? in his eyes as he peels his hand away from your back. it feels cold without his touch.

"were you not... never mind then." you look at him, confused now. all of the mixed messages that he was throwing you in the past couple days was making your head spin.

"why the sudden interest? i thought you didn't like me." he looks confused now, more than anything, and in any other circumstance you would laugh at the way he gaped at you. it's a long few seconds before his head falls forward, his arms uncrossing to let his fingers pinch at the bridge of his nose oh-so delicately.

"i said to move on because i didn't want you or cyno to get hurt again."

"...oh."

"yes, oh."

"and not because you didn't like me?"

"...quite the opposite." alhaitham peeks up at you now, his expression uncertain, and you feel like you can finally read him. he sounded a lot softer now, the drone of everyone else in this restaurant fading away, and it felt like just the two of you again.

"then... why did you act like that yesterday?" his face scrunched up, a frown forming at your question.

"i don't know." disbelief was an emotion that you were beginning to strongly associate with alhaitham. "i thought that it wouldn't be right to tell you."

"but that didn't stop you from kissing me." he paused, looking away bashfully, before he meets your eyes again.

"that was an oversight on my part. it shouldn't have happened." the urge to rip your hair out was beginning to grow. instead, you laughed lowly, focusing your attention to the food on your plate. you really weren't hungry, but anything was better than looking at him right now.

"i'm sorry, y/n." you pick at the food on your plate with your fork, watching as it drops back down with a plop. "this won't end well, you'll both get your hearts broken again." you couldn't help but laugh at the stupidity of this entire situation.

"and what about yours, alhaitham? don't act like you're doing me such a favour by being a pussy." you spit out that last word with more venom than was probably necessary, if the way that alhaitham flinched away was any indicator. his mouth opened, and you watched him flounder for a little, but it was cut short by nilou calling your name from across the table.

you plaster what you hope is a convincing smile on your face, idly responding and ignoring the rising tide of emotions within you in favour of tuning in to the recollection of akademiya stories that your friends were relaying.

the rest of your time in the restaurant, greeting and saying goodbye to albedo, walking back to the hostel with your friends, felt like you were in some third person mode, the overbearing weight of alhaitham's inadverted confession leaving you well and truly stunned.

what now? he likes you but he's made it more than clear that he won't do anything about it. you're stuck between a rock and a hard place.

you find yourself staring down your reflection in the bathroom, once again having your inner thoughts consumed by the infuriating gray-haired man.

and like a severe case of deja vu, cyno slips into the bathroom the same time as you, his hip bumping against yours as he sidles up next to you.

"hey."

"hi." your voices sounds flat even to your ears, but cyno merely smiles at your greeting. he takes his precious moments to get his toothbrush, squeeze out some toothpaste onto it, before he turns to you- ever so casual, deliberately light tone.

"i don't have a movie to watch, but... would you want to sleep in my bed tonight?" you lock eyes with him through the mirror, those amber eyes boring into you, imploring you for an answer. cyno had always been good at that- wrangling some answer out of you that you didn't even know was there.

it's quiet, save for the water running from the tap as he wers his brush. it gives you time to think. temptation was not an ugly man- he had a sweet smile and a promise of familiarity, and you decided that that's what you needed right now.

"yeah, i'll get in after you." cyno beams, eyes crinkling with the intensity, and that's all that needs to be said for the rest of your time shared in the bathroom.

and then he's gone again, so quick that you have to reassure yourself that he was ever there at all, and you repeat the steps that he went through, washing your face, before turning to the door leading to all of the beds.

you really needed to update your friends about this. but it could wait.

✦ ⠂⠂୨୧ trivia :: despite majoring in chemistry and not architecture, albedo was able to increase kaveh's grades to solid a's while tutoring him

✦ ⠂⠂୨୧ gia's notes :: uhm. i don't have anything to yap about for once lol. my stomach hurts. ooh i know what to say cyno fuckers lovers yall are in for a TREAT next chapter 🙈 now give me one billion gajillion notes or i wont post it 🔫 also the haitham drama is over (?) now yay!!! he's emotionally constipated and rationalises his feelings away ok guys everybody makes mistakes 😞

✦ ⠂⠂୨୧ taglist :: @makimakimi @aeongiies @sukunasrealgf @ssoliva @sakiimeo @eggn0gcookie @yxcade @fiona782 @heartswonder @eunchaeluvr @clumsyphuq @pinksodacan @aelxr @themusingsofmany @obervation-subject-753 @kittycasie @aimno256 @maxineshearts @mafuyuslover @meigalaxy @mintydump @v4lerixxq @artwitchh @geo-hew-hew @imkaaayy @c4tsfr0mh3ll @kokoscutie @erzarq @eu-la @ddiluc @ichikaisflowers @rahhhmen @esmetrees @rain-and-a-nice-nap @g8mmaaa @wuthering-seas

[r0ttenhearts]

Care for a Round?

cyno x reader

established relationship, angst, no comfort

cyno was your ideal fit for a lover. his gentle touches, the way he’d remember every important date in relation to you and your relationship, he was perfect.

perhaps that’s why this cut so deep.

it had been a muddled past few weeks as cyno’s job as the general mahamatra kept him busy and away from you. but with your birthday coming up you looked forward to spending time together. his sweet smile, corny jokes, and warm touches were all you thought about.

so, here he was, seated in front of you sharing a meal of “duel soul,” of his own creation. you couldn’t help but smile at the sight of cyno’s chews as he shoveled grains of rice into his mouth. you leaned forward across the table, wiping a grain of rice off of the corner of his mouth as he smiled at your gesture.

“ah, i almost forgot to tell you (y/n), a tournament of TCG will be on friday so i’ll be home late.”

your smile fell as you realized what day that was. it was your birthday. you frowned as you picked up your fork, smushing the small pyramid of rice down.

“do you have to go? you do realize friday is my—“

“can’t that wait (y/n)? i understand i haven’t been home much these days but this is very important to me. whatever you wanted to do on friday can wait another day, can’t it?”

you frowned, nodding as you bit on your lip. he didn’t mean your birthday, right? did he even remember? you give him a small smile as you pick up your plate, your appetite gone.

“you’re right, cyno. i hope your matches go well.”

you paused, noticing how he avoided your gaze as he continued to finish his meal. “i think i’ll just go to bed early.” you say quietly as you dump your plate into the trash can, briskly walking to your shared bedroom.

a part of you wanted him to go after you, ask you what was wrong, or even comfort you. but he didn’t. you curled up into a ball under your blanket and wept. you were so very tired of feeling like second to all of cyno’s responsibilities. you didn’t want to be a burden, but you still wanted his time. you didn’t want him leaving you alone on your special day of the year. but you knew he wouldn’t listen to reason, so you closed your eyes and fell asleep with a pounding headache and sore eyes.

the next few days quickly came and went, with cyno’s presence lingering here and there as you’d see him around the city while you did your commissions to help around. you missed him dearly, the most time you’d spend together was sleeping side by side in the same bed, sharing warmth and trying to engrave his scent into your memory as you held him.

but it was short lived once he’d leave early in the morning, no kisses or goodbyes shared as he’d leave. you understood how serious his duties were, but sometimes you still wished he’d stay with you longer, holding you the way he used to at the beginning of your relationship.

you held onto those thoughts until friday arrived. another morning of cyno’s early departure, and the day of your birthday arrived. you softly smiled to yourself as you laced up your boots, already having a person in mind to visit for your special day.

you made your way out of the city and through the lush greens of the forest until you arrived to gandharva ville, spotting the familiar tall ears of a certain individual. you ran up behind him, poking his ear as he yelped in surprise.

“(y/n)! archons.. don’t touch my ears!”

he huffed out as he crossed his arms before looking at you with a confused expression.

“i suppose i’ll let it slide this once since it is your birthday.. happy birthday, my dear friend. what are you doing here? i would’ve assumed you’d be spending this day with cyno.”

you shake your head as you look to the side sadly, your hands playing with the hem of your shirt as you sigh. “cyno said there’s some tournament thing for TCG today so we couldn’t do anything for today. are you not going? i thought you always went.” your brows furrowed as you took in tighnari’s equally confused expression.

“tournament? i don’t recall one being today, and cyno certainly didn’t bring it up to me either.. perhaps he’s planning something for you?”

you nod as you hold your strap of the bag you’re holding. “i hope that’s what it is.” you chuckle as you give tighnari a hug before making your way back to the city. you go to katheryne and do your commissions, helping give out medicine and fetching water for a small garden. it wasn’t hard work but it helped out the community. you exhale as you wipe sweat from your forehead before a young girl approaches you, flyers in her hand.

“good day miss, there will be a performance in Zubayr Theater tonight. we hope you can make it.”

she hands you a flyer before scurrying off. you glance at the flyer and see a photo of nilou along with the other dancers of the theatre. you were acquaintanced with nilou through tighnari and cyno, but you didn’t know her well personally. she was an excellent dancer, no doubt about that.

you shrug it off as you stuff the flyer into your bag before heading to the market stalls, looking for something sweet to have to celebrate your lonesome birthday with.

as you examine the padisarah puddingsyou hear a familiar voice.

“hey! you’re going to use up all my mora, you know i need that to buy more rare cards with.”

you smile to yourself as you realize it’s cyno. you turn around, ready to scold him for being so wasteful on his cards but your eyes widen at what you see in front of you. nilou’s was hugging his arm as he stood very close to her. his smile looking sickingly loving, the same way he used to smile at you.

your breath caught in your throat as you watched him lean into her, his headpiece covering most of the scene but you knew what was happening. you felt sick. how could he betray you like this? and on your birthday? did he truly feel no remorse for the 4 year relationship with you?

you choked back a sob as you left the puddings, running back to the ville where you knew tighnari would be.

tighnari’s hand raises as he gives you a slight wave before you throw yourself into his arms, clutching him tightly as you sob.

“h-he’s cheating on me, with nilou. i saw them in the market together, all gooey and close together as if they were lovers! oh tighnari, i don’t know what to do.” you cry out as you sob into his chest.

tighnari’s eyes widen at your words. you had to be mistaken, right? cyno would never do those things, not to you.

“are you sure of what you saw (y/n)? that’s unforgivable, of course, but that doesn’t sound—“

“i saw them kiss tighnari. i saw the way she hugged his arm. it was real.”

tighnari nods as he strokes your back gently, mumbling that he’ll help you with whatever you decide. you sniffle as you tell him that you want to leave him, move out that very day as he simply nods, saying he’ll help you and give you one of the unoccupied places in the ville.

tighnari helps you take all of your belongings to a new place to call home, making sure to take every trace of you and your, now past, relationship with you. you place a photograph of you and cyno together at the annual lantern rite festival face down as you take one last look at the place you had called home for the past 3 years. you leave with tighnari, leaving your keys on the side table, never looking back as you two return to the ville.

hours later, cyno makes it home after watching nilou’s performance. it had been another stunning, flawless performance from her once again. he couldn’t help but smile at the memory of her wink as she danced across the stage with the other dancers.

as he opens the door he notices the lights are off, which isn’t usual but perhaps you had just gone to bed early again.

“i’m home (y/n).”

he calls out into the empty home, looking in the kitchen if you had left him dinner, but was greeted with an empty stove and the gentle hum of the refrigerator. he shakes his head as he makes his way to the bedroom, softly turning the knob as he looks at the bed, expecting to see your sleeping form. but you weren’t there.

his blood runs cold as he looks around, tossing pillows and other items onto the floor. just where had you gone?

he takes in the scene as he realizes some of your things are missing. he runs to your shared closet, throwing the doors open as he sees your side completely bare.

something happened to you. you wouldn’t just up and leave him without another word.

panic sets in as cyno runs around the house, calling your name and opening every door, hoping he would see you behind one of them. once he realized you weren’t there he took off to the ville where tighnari resided. he pounded on the door, only to be greeted with a yawning tighnari with an annoyed expression across his face.

“do you realize what time it is”

“(y/n)’s missing! i need your help to find her—“

“you don’t know, do you?”

cyno looks into tighnari’s eyes, begging for an answer silently.

“(y/n) knows about you and nilou, so she left.”

cyno shakes his head, looking to tighnari with fear.

“no that wasn’t—“

“it’s too late cyno, she’s gone. you can’t blame anyone but yourself for this.”

tighnari scoffs as he shuts the door at cyno’s disheveled expression.

cyno’s heart clenched as he stood there, tears slipping from his cheeks. he knew deep down nilou wouldn’t be worth it, but it was all in exchange for you?

“i choose you, (y/n). please, return to me.”

[yourlocallyneysimp]

"Would you cry if I died?"

Summary: How would they react if you asked them this question? Especially if they already know that you don't have much time left.

Characters: Albedo, Wanderer, Aether, Lyney, Cyno

Warnings: Death, lots of angst

A/N: This is so cringe, omfg- I was also in the mood for angst today I guess.

Albedo:

Albedo didn't know how to react. He didn't even move from the spot he was currently in. You were laying in bed watching Albedo as he was preparing your medicine since you were ill and needed something to keep you from failing him.

This question, he didn't know how to answer since Albedo technically wasn't human and he wasn't sure if shedding tears was possible for him. You knew that he wasn't human, but you were genuinely curious and wanted to know what he would reply with.

"I....I'm not sure."

You were expecting that answer and wasn't offended by it, so you quickly changed the subject into something more cheerful so Albedo wouldn't think too hard about the question. It worked, but later while he was researching on medicine for illnesses, the question still lingered in his mind. He was curious wondering if he really would cry, he wanted to. Not because of his research, it was because he wanted to show that he really did have feelings for you and that he really cared if you were ever released from the world of Teyvat.

It only took two months for your question to be answered before your health failed you. There you were in a random cave in Dragonspine warmed by a small campfire nearby with Albedo holding you in his arms. He knew that you were going to go soon since he could tell by how weak you were and how you looked. You looked very drained and tired and Albedo couldn't help but feel a painful sting in his chest. Something he has never felt before. He told you many times before that you werent supposed to leave his research area without anyone escorting you, but you wanted to see him as soon as possible because you felt more weaker than usual and you knew that you were going soon. You just wanted to see him one more time.

As he was holding you, you looked up at him and asked the same question again. This time Albedo replied by looking down at you, small tears threatening to fall. His eyes were beautiful, he truly was a beautiful to look at, especially when there were small tears at the corners of his eyes which made them look brighter.

"yes... I would."

You were happy, happy that he would shed tears for you. A small smile appeared on your face as you closed your eyes and prepared yourself to be released from the world of Teyvat.

Wanderer/Scaramouche:

"What......?"

You asked him the question one day out of the blue. He didn't know what to do, nor did he know what to say. He didn't even know the answer to that question. He was a puppet, a merely puppet that he told himself couldn't feel emotions.

You repeated the question trying to listen for an answer, but all Scara could think about was would he really cry? He thought human emotions were pitiful, especially the feeling of sorrow, but he was thinking long and hard to find the answer to this question.

You tried to change the subject because you could tell that he was thinking too hard about it, you were just curious. You wanted to know what he would say, but it looked like he wasn't going to reply any time soon.

When night came, Scaramouche was still thinking about the question you had just asked him a few hours ago. Would he cry for you if you died? He didn't want to say yes because he knew he was a puppet and that puppets shouldn't feel emotions, but he knew deep down that he would break down if you ever did die.

So that brings us here right now. Scaramouche holding you trying to shield you from the rain as you're suffering from a large injury on your abdomen. He was careless, he should have been payin more attention when he was fighting those enemies. Instead of him getting hit, you took the blow.

You clearly weren't going to live, you were losing blood fast and town was many miles away, so all Scaramouche could do was sit and hold you in his arms as he desperately tries to shield you from the rain while also trying to stop the blood.

When he realized that you're time was running out, he seemed... helpless. For the first time in a long time he felt that emotion that he never wanted to feel again. He couldn't save you and he knew it, but he didn't want to accept it. He was stubborn.

During your final moments, you smiled at him and said your final words. Then, you were gone, gone from Teyvat. All that was left was your lifeless body in his arms and a bunch of blood. When he realized this, one tear came down followed by another, and another. That's when Scara started crying for the first time in a while. He was hurt and felt betrayed that you had left him all alone. He was upset that he didn't pay attention during that battle.

He was upset that he couldn't save you.

Aether:

Aether was upset that you had asked him this question. It really made him feel a bit useless since he was doing everything he can to find a good healer for your illness. It felt like you were doubting him while in reality, you were just curious.

Aether didn't even reply to your question, he just walked out before you could even say anything. You understood that there was most likely a lot of thoughts circling his head at the moment so you let him go and continued talking with Paimon as if nothing had happened.

While you were with Paimon, Aether was on the balcony of your shared hotel room looking up at the fake stars trying to get his thoughts in order. Why would you ask him that question? Do you even think he has a chance of healing you? All these questions, yet they were left unanswered. He couldn't ask you either since he was afraid for what your answer would be.

He didn't want to think about it, he really didn't. But, against his own will he started having thoughts about if you really did die during his journey. Would he cry? Yes, without a doubt. Thinking about it is not the same as reality though. Reality hurts way more than the fake world that we call 'imagination.' So, if reality hurts way more than imagination, why was he currently crying? You weren't dead, you were currently in the next room talking with Paimon.

He couldn't even imagine how much he would cry if you really did die.

Lyney:

No.. Lyney didn't want to accept it. He didn't want to accept that you were going to leave him soon. Not the one he loved, the one he cherished, the one he would do anything for.

He didn't want to accept that you were going to die soon and he didn't want you to break the promise you made with him. Why did you even make that stupid promise in the first place when you were currently asking that horrible question??

He didn't know what to say. Of course he would cry, but why would you ask that? He completely convinced himself that you'll be fine and you just caught the flu or something. He didn't want to face reality or face the consequences so he just pretended that everything was fine. But you both knew that you did not have a lot of time left, so you asked him this question wondering what he'll say.

"My dear Y/n, what makes you say something like that?"

You hated this. You hated how he didn't want to be honest with himself. You didn't want to leave him in this state so you just said the truth right then and there to end this madness. You didn't want to be responsible for his sanity.

"Lyney, you and I both know I'm going to die soon. Just accept reality already!"

No.. He didn't want to accept it. He was angry, angry that you would talk like that, like you didn't believe he could save you. He was looking for a cure and he was going to find one whether you liked it or not. He promised himself that he would save you, so without a word he came up to you, kissed you on the cheek, and left. He needed some time to think, some time to come up with a solution.

Little did he know that, that would be his last conversation with you.

Cyno

"Where did that question come from?" Cyno was taken aback by your question, but was also really upset that you would ask him something like that. He didn't want to think about you dying all of a sudden, especially when the mood was bright just a few minutes ago.

Sighing, you just brushed off the question and tried to push past it. You were curious since your time on Teyvat was running out and you knew it. You just wanted to know if someone would actually miss you if you were gone. It seems that you won't be getting the answer to that question anytime soon.

Cyno noticed how awkward the atmosphere was, so trying to get rid of it he started telling some of his bad jokes hoping to light up the mood a bit.

"What does a baby computer call it's father?"

"Uh, I'm not sure."

"Data. You get it?"

"Cyno, please-"

To be honest, it did light up the mood quite a lot since you forgot what you even asked a few minutes ago, but Cyno didn't forget. He still thought about the question every now and then. He was afraid, afraid for when your time finally came. He promised himself that he would protect you no matter what, but could he really keep that promise...?

[coffeetheactualjellii]

Blood dripped down the blade of your "Lover". They had a choice, Sacrifice you for the world.

"My Love, do you Love me!?"

"Yes, yes I do"

"Then why?"

"This Nation is Verry dear to me"

"Dearer than I?..."

"Yes dear, Dearer than you."

♥️💜♥️💜♥️💜♥️💜♥️💜♥️💜♥️💜♥️💜

-Zhongli,Venti,Ayato,Neuvillette, Cyno,Childe,Jean,Kujorou Sara, Abyss Aether/Lumine and Alhaitham.

[whoistartaglia]

“are you single?”

cyno x gn!reader

you tilt your head at the question. are you single?

“i don’t know,” you decide.

“you don’t know?” the guy asks.

you give a sidelong glance to the man on your left. cyno stands a little bit aways, leaning against the bar with your group of friends. they’re talking about something, and those his eyes don’t stray, you know all he’s listening to is you.

“well, i’m not sure,” you say, letting a hint of flirtatiousness creep into your voice. you give this man, this stranger at the bar, an arch smile. “why are you asking?”

“i was watching you from across the man,” he confesses. “can i buy you a drink?”

“i don’t think the guy i came with here would like that very much.”

it’s then that you feel a hand on your waist, a chest behind your back. you turn around and look up at a displeased cyno. whether he’s annoyed at you, at the random stranger in front of you, you don’t know. maybe both.

“they’re right. i don’t.” his voice is needles and thorns. the man opens his mouth to respond, but cyno cuts him off with a sharp, “leave us.”

the looks down at you, and you shrug. “sorry.”

he leaves, muttering obscenities under his breath. cyno watches him until he’s out the door, and then turns his piercing stare on you. it softens a fraction.

“what are you doing?”

“what am i doing?” you ask, swiveling in your chair to face him. he leans back and crosses his arms. “what are you doing?”

“well, i was having a lovely conversation before you interrupted it.”

“i did not,” you defend yourself. “in fact, i was having a lovely conversation as well.”

“oh, i’m sure,” cyno drawls. he sighs and covers his face with a hand. “we really need to stop doing this.”

“doing what?”

he removes the hand to look at you. “you know what.”

“no,” you shake your head. “i don’t.” you look over at your friends engrossed in their own conversations, at the bartender wiping the counter, the bard strumming softly in the corner. no one is paying attention to you and cyno. it’s just you and him right now. you continue in a softer voice, “i don’t know why we keeping running in circles, you after me until it’s me after you.”

“it doesn’t have to be that way.”

“but it is,” you respond. “you only looked at me tonight when that guy started showing interest.” you clasp your hands together, and fidget with your rings and bracelets while you wait for cyno’s response.

“that’s the one i gave you.”

you look up. “what?”

cyno takes you hand, and turns it over. the bracelet he got you on your most recent birthday catches in the firelight.

“oh, yes,” you say. “it’s the nicest piece of jewelry i own.”

cyno stares at it, twists it over as he thinks.

“if someone asked you who got it for, what would you say?”

“i don’t know.” you repeat the words that started this chain of events, now in a whispered hush than a coy tone. “i’m not sure.” you let dangerous words fall from your tongue. “what do you want me to say?”

a pause, a pause, a pause. the entire tavern is filled with laughter and chitchat, neither one louder than the silence betwen you and cyno.

“i’d prefer boyfriend,” he says at last.

“well. so you would i,” you admit. “but i can’t call you that unless you start acting like to actually want to be my boyfriend, and stop just telling me.”

you look down at your wrist, at cyno’s hand on it, so close yet so far, anything but his sharp stare. you can picture him walking away, going back to your friends, or even out the door and away from this tavern and town forever. the desert is large, and if cyno wanted to leave, he had only a few steps to take.

“okay.” you look up. a second later, stronger, “okay.” he draws up your other hand and sandwiches both of them between his own. “every day, i’ll show you.”

you nod faintly, praying to whatever archon will listen that he promise hold true. you think the conversation is over then. cyno’s friends wait for him, the bard is asleep, the fireplace is embers, and soon you will be rushed out for the night. but cyno turns and gestures to the bartender instead. two drinks, he orders.

one for him. one for you.

[actiniumwrites]

𝐀𝐂𝐂𝐄𝐏𝐓𝐀𝐍𝐂𝐄 𝐎𝐅 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐔𝐍𝐖𝐀𝐍𝐓𝐄𝐃

synopsis: you attempt to come to terms with the way cyno feels about you, not realizing you’ve completely misinterpreted his feelings

characters: cyno x gn!reader

wc: 1.1k

warnings: angst to fluff, hurt/comfort, misunderstandings, insecurity

notes: so this is very loosely based on a dream/nightmare i had like week ago with this person i’ve liked for about 2 years now. it was an incredibly vulnerable dream and i’ve been wanting to write for cyno for a little bit now so i felt like this was a perfect opportunity :D

Burning.

It’s all you could focus on as you walk next to the General Mahamatra. The burning sensation stinging your eyes. Not even the painful silence holds your attention.

Neither of you were speaking. And if you were being honest, you were glad. Not because you’re mad or upset with him or don’t want to hear his voice. No. It was just too painful. Your head is hung toward the floor and your eyes are half shut to help keep the tears at bay. Cyno couldn’t see them, you think. You don’t want to make him feel bad.

You wince when a sniffle leaves your nose abruptly, almost uncontrolled. If Cyno hadn’t realized you were silently crying to yourself before, he was bound to notice now. It’s okay, you think in a pathetic attempt at reassuring yourself, he was going to notice at some point.

Part of you hoped he wouldn’t, but you knew it was inevitable. You only wished that it could have been closer to your house. That way you could just run off if things got too embarrassing and cry yourself to sleep in the comfort of your own home.

How unfortunate for things to not work out that way. Although it seemed things often didn’t for you. Nothing new.

“Tissue?” He offers quietly.

You aren’t sure where he pulled it out from — maybe he had already known this was coming when he offered to walk you home, you hoped not though. You take it anyway.

“Thank you,” you whisper quietly, just quiet enough to disguise the sadness in your voice.

“So, do you want to tell me what’s wrong now or should I just ask around later?” he asks bluntly when you’re done. You notice he hadn’t been looking at you at all. Maybe your mood was ruining his too.

“I’d rather not,” you say.

His voice changes when he speaks again, almost as if it’s breaking away. It’s more vulnerable and you don’t like it. It isn’t something you’re used to, it’s unsettling almost, and reaffirms your feeling that something is wrong, “Please, just tell me what’s wrong.” His voice drops to an unusual whisper, like you aren’t supposed to hear what he has to say next, “I hate seeing you like this.”

“I’m sorry.”

It’s the the only thing you can think of to say to him. In your current state, with a clouded mind devoid of any logic, you don’t know what else you could have said.

“…Sorry? What could you possibly be sorry for?” Cyno switches tones in an instant, more interrogational like he was just a general and you weren’t his friend. Like you were strangers. Like he couldn’t see what’s right in front of his face.

You go quiet again, save for the occasional sniffle and the rustling of your hands desperately trying to keep those pesky tears off your face. You never answer his question and Cyno doesn’t utter a word. His patience had always been both a blessing and a curse.

When your house appears up ahead, Cyno stops without you realizing. He catches you by surprise when his hand reaches for your own and pulls you back toward him. It’s dark outside and the city lights aren’t doing much to illuminate the area around you, but Cyno’s serious expression is as clear as day.

You won’t be able to avoid his questions this time.

His hand doesn’t leave yours, but it’s gentle and he’s careful not to hurt you or make you feel pressured in any way. The last thing he wants to do is scare you off, something he’d done since he met you.

He pulls you a little closer to him and your chest is almost touching his as he speaks, “I know I can be intimidating and I’m not the gentlest person alive but, you know you can tell me when something is wrong, right? We’re friends and if I did something to upset or hurt you, I want you to tell me so I can fix my wrongs.”

Your eyes don’t meet his as you sigh and attempt to pull back, “No, I just— it’s not fair, okay? If you’ve already made up your mind then I don’t understand why you’re still hanging around me! I get it, there’s better people out there and it was stupid for me to think I ever had a chance with you, but you don’t have to pretend to like me when you really don’t.”

It’s silent again and somehow it’s more uncomfortable this time around.

“What?” Cyno asks out of shock, uncharacteristically stumbling over his words at your sudden outburst, “I don’t- I don’t understand?”

Your bottom lip starts to tremble again and the burning sensation returns once more. This time you can feel a lump building at the back of your throat. With a defeated whisper, you drop his hand and walk back toward your house, “Forget it.”

Cyno catches up to you in a heartbeat and stands directly in front of you, blocking you from getting to your house, “Will you please just explain all of this to me? I’m not sure if there’s been some sort of miscommunication between you and me or someone else but I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

“Someone at the Akademiya told me to give up on you! That you liked someone else and were just keeping me around until you could make a decision,” you explain, tiredly giving in to his questioning.

“Who told you that?” his tone changes. It’s angry, bitter even, but he tones it down when he notices your freaked out expression, “I want you to listen to me. There isn’t anyone else. There never has been, never will be. I know I’m stoic and people have a hard time telling when I’m being serious or when I’m joking, but I’m being serious when I say that you are the only person I’ve ever had real feelings for.”

His confession catches you off guard.

“Cyno, I-“ you stop to swallow the lump in your throat, “You really mean it?”

“I swear on my life,” he says firmly and a small smile appears on your face. Cyno feels his heart rest peacefully in his chest at the sight of it. It had felt like an eternity since you last smiled around him.

The light hanging over your porch shines carefully over his features and illuminates the softness of his crimson eyes as he stares at you.

“May I?” he asks, staring down at your lips.

You nod and, just like that, his lips are pressed against yours. He can feel you smiling into the kiss, and as he pulls back, he’s smiling too.

“Don’t ever doubt my love for you again.”

[mid-stars]

Forgive me not.

======

"What do you mean!?"

"I mean what I mean, [Name]" he rubs his nose bridge "oh and what do you mean?" Hitting the table, he sighs "I was busy with work and couldn't make time for you" you roll your eyes "yeah, just like every rest of our anniversary!"

*slap*

...

"[Name] wait, I didn't mean—" . "Then what do you mean? Did you mean to hurt me.. If you did, then you've done it." Tears swell up in your eyes as you slap his hand away. "... I wouldn't have acted this way if it weren't for you." He moves away from you "It was hard ongoing with my job and where were you? No where in sight!"

You chuckle "Where was I? Where was I!? I was begging on my knees for you to come back and save me for opening death door!!" Tears fell from your cheeks "if it weren't for someone else helping me, I would've been six feet underground!"

"Well maybe that's good for you because I wish you were dead, by the next time I open the next door" He left.

What was going to happen.. I...

As you cried silently, having a heart attack was the last thing you have planned.

Characters : dan heng/feng, blade, welt, Alhaitham, kaveh, cyno, xiao, and any other characters...

[hikari3601]

Take a Step Back

Home page

Pairing | Cyno x Reader

Author’s Note | Al-Haitham’s version will be coming soon!

CW/TW | Mentions of injuries and blood.

Synopsis | When you flinch away from him during an argument.

Arguments with Cyno were rare, to say the least. The both of you often found an agreeable compromise before the argument even started, but today was different. Today was a cold reminder of what his work as a Matra entailed and after having his many wounds disinfected and bandaged you packed away your medical kit with your lips set in a firm line. He was tired, that much was visible in the way his eyes drooped every few seconds, but the man still found the willpower to haul himself up and stride toward the door.

~~

“And where do you think you’re going, General Mahamatra?” Your voice cut through the otherwise silent room with a steady firmness, forcing the man to turn to you, stunned. You never used his title.

“I need to report back-“ He started, his initial shock quickly fading as he turned towards the door again.

“You can do that later. You need to rest your body before you end up tearing your wounds open.” You moved to catch up with him, barricading the door with your frame.

“I’ll rest when I come back.”

“No, you’ll rest now. Patience is a virtue that those old geezers should have mastered by now, they can wait, Cyno."

With a deep sigh, the white-haired man attempted to sidestep you, grunting out a small, “But I can’t.” as he moved, although, he hadn’t gotten far before you were in front of him again -hands stubbornly placed on your hips to hide their slight tremble.

“Cyno, you’re being irrational, I’m not requesting this of you because I’m the bleeding mass of bandages, you are. If you so desperately need to hand in those reports then I’ll go for you. Surely that will be satisfactory?”

“It’s not about satisfaction Y/N.” He groaned, “I have orders to receive and several other pressing issues to discuss, so I need you to step aside.”

“It’ll all be for nothing if you pass out on your way to the Academia, so I need you to turn on your heel, head back into the ward and lie down -please. I don’t want to see you bleeding any longer than you already have.”

The two of you remained unyielding as the argument continued to escalate -your eyes occasionally drifting back to the largest gash across his chest, while his to the exit.

Cyno could have sworn his urgency was visible by now, but his irritation only flared when he saw no end to your relentless demand. His hand itched to twist the door handle just a few feet behind you but he remained rooted where he was, crimson eyes beginning to burn with aggravation knowing that you were right.

The general knew he needed to rest, he had been in this type of situation many times before but those damned Sages were far more painful to deal with than the wounds on his body and that was a truth he couldn’t admit while that Akasha was still nestled against your ear.

To calm his racing mind, he raised a calloused hand to his face, ready to rub the bridge of his nose but froze when he saw your body curl into itself at the motion of his hand.

You flinched, he thought.

You flinched away from him.

He made you feel unsafe.

Your eyes widened, reflecting his, at the disbelief of your very own actions.

“I didn’t mean to Cyno, I don’t know what came over me-“

“I apologise.” He stated, head cast low as if trying to make himself seem less intimidating. “It was never my intention to make you feel afraid, I swear. I’d never hurt you.”

Your mind reeled at the sight as you raced to take him into your arms. “It’s ok, I know you wouldn’t. It’s just stressful having to see you come here so hurt and knowing that you still have more work to do -it’s just the stress, Love. It’s just the stress."

You repeated the words like a mantra -pleading that they carry the rightful certainty that he needed.

He returned your embrace after much time passed -although he held you far more lightly than he usually did. “I’ll go back with you.” He breathed, “I’ll see the Sages tomorrow morning.”

[fallingdownhell]

Of broken promises..

Genshin Men, completely forgetting about your birthday

Characters included: Xiao, Cyno and Childe

Summary: Your special day was just around the corner. You were very ecxited about it, since your boyfriend told you he had something very special planned for you. But things turned out different than you had expected..

Content (Warnings): Angst; Hurt/no comfort; established relationship; characters may be slightly ooc; misunderstandings; gender neutral reader; not proof read yet

Read Part 2 here

Word Count: 4.2k

I was in the mood for some angst, so now here I am, writing this and taking you all with me. I don’t know why I’m so drawn to drama and hurt, but I find it easier to write than fluff and other stuff. As always, feel free to point out any mistakes I may have made, I very much appreciate it!

Well then, I hope you enjoy reading this little piece I brought you all!

Xiao

Your relationship with Xiao was still very much in the beginning stages. It was all tender touches and soft words, as to not scare your boyfriend away from all these new emotions and situations that he was experiencing. You didn’t mind it though. You went into this relationship, knowing that you would have to take things very slow with him. Probably slower than you ever had, but in your eyes, it was a good thing.

It gave you both the opportunity to really get to know each other, not just on a superficial level. Your first kiss happened three months into the relationship and it was also at this point, that Xiao acknowleged his feelings for you though it was still difficult for him to initiate any sort of affection. He didn’t flinch away from you anymore though when you tried to cuddle or hug him, so in your book, that was a huge success already. 

Cue now, a few more months into the relationship, almost going for a year now, and your birthday was just around the corner. Xiao knew about it, how the mortals celebrated the day of ones birth every year, though he never thought anything of it. But since it was important to you, he not only made the effort to remember the date, but also plan something for you, so you could really enjoy that day. 

He did need to get some help though, since he had absolutely no idea what would be an appropriate thing to do and what wouldn’t be. Don’t mention it to him afterwards though, or he might get moody with you again. 

You were currently getting ready for your big day. Xiao refused to tell you, what you were going to do. He didn’t even give you a hint. The only thing he told you to do, was to dress up a little bit, which you gladly took the opportunity to do, since you don’t usually get the chance to do that very often. 

After one last look in the mirror once you were done, you went to sit down at your table, feeling giddy and excited. Hundreds of thoughts running through your mind at once, trying to figure out what his plans for today were. As you waited for Xiao to pick you up, like he told you he would do, you noticed that quite some time already went by. He should have been here half an hour ago...

Normally, you wouldn’t think much of it, everyone could be late sometimes. But this was Xiao. He was never late for anything, so of course you began to worry as you noticed this. 

“Xiao?”, you called his name and waited for a few seconds, hoping that he just had the wrong time remembered. But nothing happened. Your boyfriend didn’t magically appear right in front of you like he usually did when you spoke his name. 

Your gut feeling told you that something wasn’t right. But you swallowed that feeling right down, trying to calm yourself down by reasoning. 

‘Maybe he is just getting ready himself, no need to worry.’

‘Surely he is just finishing up some last preparations.’

You tried to find every possible reason for why he could be late and not appear at your call, but as you tried again and again to call his name, he still didn’t show up. Your heart began to feel heavy as worry settled deep within you. Something really must have gone wrong. 

You pondered for a long time, trying to figure out what you could do now. But after some time with no real success, you just couldn’t take it anymore. Without wasting another second, you grabbed a few important things and then went straight to Wangshuu Inn, hoping to find him there. Praying, that everything was okay.

 It took you some time to get there, but once you arrived, you wasted no time, going straight to the balcony your adeptus boyfriend usually kept for himself. 

“Xiao!”, you called again once you arrived, but still, nothing happened. You looked around, trying to see if you could spot him anywhere near, again, without success. Desperation settled into you, as you went downstairs, to where the Innkeeper was located. 

“Excuse me, Verr... have you seen Xiao today?”

“Xiao?”, she repeated, then thinking to herself for a few seconds. “No, I’m sorry. Last time I saw him was yesterday morning. He said he had something to take care of.”

“Oh, I see.... thank you.”, you murmured, not sure how you were supposed to feel or react to these news.

You wrecked your brain, trying to think if he had mentioned something the days prior. But if he did, you didn't remember it. Verr looked at you with something close to pity in her eyes. She opened her mouth to say something, but closed it again just as quickly, obviously changing her mind about it. Sad and defeated, you made your way back to your house at Liyue Harbour, not sure what you were supposed to do now.

Should you search for your boyfriend? After all, he could be hurt out there somewhere. Then again, you had not even the faintest of idea where to begin with your search. Then, should you just wait here for him to return? But it was still Xiao you were talking about here. He could be gone for anytime between an hour and an entire week. Or, and you absolutely didn’t like that thought at all... he could never return. 

What if something bad happened to him while on this mission he never told you about? Was that the reason why he never said anything to you? Because he knew that he wouldn’t make it back? But that would be ridiculous. He wouldn’t have made so many plans with you and talked so much about your shared future with you if he knew he wouldn’t live to see it. 

All of these thoughts that came crashing in your mind, you just couldn’t hold back the tears anymore. You forgot all about your stupid birthday, you just wished to have your partner right here next to you again, safe and sound. 

That night, you cried yourself to sleep, praying to all the Archons out there, that he would come back to you in one piece. That Xiao would be fine. It was all you would ever wish for. 

...

The next day you woke up to a cold bed. A clear indicator that he hadn’t returned in the middle of the night and spent it next to you. And also a harsh slap in the face with the cold reality. You struggled to get yourself out of bed or to get yourself ready, but you managed. Once you were done, you thought about your options, what you could do. 

You decided that your best course of action for now would be to go to Wangshuu Inn again today. Just to be on the safe side and see for yourself if he returned. So, you did just that, setting out again while sending a small little prayer to the Archons again. 

The walk to the Inn seemed longer this time around then it did yesterday. Maybe because you weren’t in such a rush to get there as you were yesterday. You were still defeated once you arrived, slowly walking up the stairs and pass Verr again, who only looked at you with a knowing gaze and tried to give you a reassuring smile. You found it hard to respond, so you just avoided her gaze and made your way up to the balcony again. 

To your surprise, you saw Xiao standing by the handrail, his gaze fixed at something in the distance, but you were sure that he noticed the presence of someone coming up the stairs. Still, you were in shock how casual he was just standing there.

“Xiao?”, you spoke, and the shock was clearly heard in your voice. Your boyfriend turned around and looked at you, while you were also frozen in place a few steps away from him. 

“What?”, was the cold reply you got, which only threw you off even more. Why was he being this way to you? Shaking that thought out of your head again, you quickly walked up to him.

“What do you mean ‘what’? I was worried about you! Where were you?”

“Why were you worried? You know of my duty to protect Liyue. I have been away for longer than one single day. And as far as I know, we weren’t supposed to meet up.”

You were taken aback, staring at him as if you were asking him with your eyes to please tell you that he was only joking. But that was the problem.. Xiao never joked, about anything.

“But.. we were. Yesterday was-”

“Y/N, please, leave it for now. I am not in the mood today.”

“But Xiao, yesterday-”

“I said, leave it. I had something important to do yesterday. Something more important than whatever silly little thing you have come up with to bother me! I’m not in the mood for your antics today, so just don’t bother. Leave me alone.”

You took a step back as you heard his harsh words. For a second, you thought you saw something like guilt shine in his eyes, but it was quickly washed away by the cold expression he now wore. 

You were hurt. He had never said anything like that to you, you weren’t sure how to react. So you did the only thing you could think of.

Without another word or glance at him, you turned around and granted him his wish. His wish for you to leave him alone. 

________________

Cyno 

Cyno had many responsibilites as the General Mahamatra. It wasn’t uncommon for him to be gone for a whole week - sometimes even longer - for a mission. He could never tell you much about his work or current mission, until it was over, as to not endanger you or himself. But once the deed was done, he told you all about it, about everything that he experienced. 

When he was gone for so long, the first thing he would always do was to find you, trap you in his arms and cuddle with you for hours on end. Not many people would think this of him, but Cyno was a very affectionate lover. He thrieved on physical contact, no matter if it was just holding your hand of if he could hold you in his arms. 

To him, you were the most important thing in his life, second to nothing else. Sometimes, he resented his position as General Mahamatra, especially if it was preventing him from spending time with you for an extended period of time. But it was also his calling, he felt.This position was so important to him, and you knew that as well. You learned to deal with it, and Cyno was so grateful for it.

He didn’t know many people who could put up with a busy partner as himself for such a long time, but you two managed. That’s why, as a way to show his gratitude towards you, he put so much effort into your relationship. He was never late for anything, be it a date or just something trivial. He made an effort to remember every important date, be it for anniversaries or a birthday date. In all of your years with Cyno, although you did have your ups and downs, it was overall the best relationship you ever had. 

And that is exaclty why the current situation hurt you so much. 

...

You were having dinner with your boyfriend, already feeling a little giddy as your birthday was just a week away and you were excited to see what Cyno had in store for you this year. 

Except, it came entirely different.

“I have to leave for a mission tomorrow. It’s a very important one, so expect me to be gone for about two weeks.”

You froze when you heard those words. Surely, you must have misunderstood. 

“What?”, you said, not really being able to process this new information. And it didn’t help that Cyno simply repeated what he had said. 

Was he making a joke again? That had to be it. Surely, he would never forget about it. 

“You’re.. leaving? But, what about-”

“Y/N, please. It’s a very important mission. I can’t just let anyone handle this. It has to be me. You have to understand.”

So, he really wasn’t joking. You just looked at him, while he continued eating like nothing has happened, completely unbothered. Suddenly, you were not feeling hungry at all, so you just got up and left the table.

“Darling?”, Cyno called after you as you went in the living room, not sure what else to do with yourself at the moment. Cyno continued to look after you, trying to figure out what could be wrong with you. He wrecked his brain but when he couldn’t come up with a solution, he just shrugged it off and continued with his meal. He would deal with it once he was done eating. 

Meanwhile, you were sitting on the couch, deep in your thoughts. You were trying to come up with a solution, a scenario in which Cyno could still spend your birthday with you. You didn’t want to spend it without him, you have never done that since you got in this relationship with him and you definitely didn’t want to start with it now. 

You had no idea how much time had went by when you suddenly felt the arms of your lover wrap around you as he sat down next to you. 

“What’s wrong, my dear?”, he asked, his crimson eyes fixed on you. 

“Just... thinking.”, you said, as you were not able to come up with an idea until now. 

“Thinking about what? Tell me, maybe I can help.” That did sound like a good idea, so you obliged. 

“It’s about that mission of yours. I was just thinking-”

“Y/N”, Cyno let out with a long, frustrated sounding sigh. “There’s nothing I can do about it. Can’t we just forget about it for now and just cuddle a bit. You know I’m gonna miss you.”

“So you can just go and disappear in the morning before I’m even awake? No Cyno, I wanna talk about it now. Because you’re forgetting something important.”

“I am not forgetting anything. Right now, the only important thing is this mission. I can’t tell you about it, but just know I have to be the one to take it.”

You were getting frustrated as well. He was just not giving you a chance to explain yourself. 

“That’s not what I mean, Cyno. I know YOU want to take that mission, and that’s fine. But there is something else you should remember. What I’m trying to tell you is-”

“Listen, I don’t wanna argue right now. If you can’t handle this, maybe it was a mistake to get in this relationship with you.”

You froze when he said that, staring at him, unmoving. Was that really how he felt? Like all this was a mistake? That YOU were a mistake? 

Cyno waited for a response from you for a few seconds, but when nothing came, he sighed and stood up, collecting a few neccessities he would need on this trip. 

When he passed the living room again, he saw you still standing there. “I changed my mind. I’m leaving today. Maybe the time apart will help the both of us to figure something out and reflect on us.” 

With that said, he went for the door and you heard it fall into place again once he had already left.

So that was it? He just left, basically telling you that your relationship might be ending when he returned? And that was when the dam in you broke and tears started to stream down your face. You broke down were you were standing, clutching your chest in hope to ease the burning pain you were feeling inside but of course, it didn’t help. 

What a way to spend your upcoming birthday.. anticipating the end of your relationship with the man of your dreams..

__________________________

Childe (Ajax)

Being in a relationship with a harbinger was simultaneously  the best and worst decision in your life. 

Childe was a very sweet and caring lover, although sometimes slightly overprotective. You’ve spoken to him about it many times, but after only a week or so, he completely forgot about it again and went back to his old ways of guarding you like a hawk. 

People in Shneznahya knew about you and your relationship to one of their harbingers, so you were almost as feared as Childe himself, as people were afraid you would talk ill of them to him, which would then result in harm for them. 

They didn’t know they had nothing to fear. You were one of the kindest and caring humans that Childe has ever met. It was one of the many reasons why he fell in love with you in the first place. 

After he joined the harbingers, he became a frequent visitor in the infirmary, even more so than before. Somehow it was always you who had to take care of him when he was injured again. Most of the time, while you were treating him, Childe was talking about random stuff, throwing in a flirtly remark here and there, but you never paid much mind to it.

Until one day when he showed up there, no injury in sight, so you asked him what he wanted here. And he just asked you on a date. 

That was over two years ago and you have been in a relationship with him ever since. Childe was loyal to you, and you trusted him in that, even if he had to travel to many different regions all across Teyvat. He couldn’t always take you with him and the time you two had to spend apart from each other proved to be difficult for both of you. 

You also learned very soon that Childe was totally a family person. He took you to meet his parents fairly early on, but you really hit it off with them, getting along quite well with them, and his siblings followed soon. You fell in love with them, and Childe just love seeing you interact with his family. It made him want to get a family of his own with you as soon as possible. 

But, no matter how good the relationship was going, there were also always going to be problems along the way. His work was a huge factor, yes, but another huge part of the problem was Childe’s confrontational behaviour. He liked to cause fights, not only physical ones with his enemies, but also with you. 

His personality and pride demanded of him to win in every argument you two had, even when he would be in the wrong. Apologizing had never been a strong suit for the ginger, and you knew that. But sometimes, that was all you wanted. For him to seriously apologize and make you his number one priority form time to time. 

Because you never were. You knew that Childe loved you with all his heart, he told you that almost every single day. And still, you were only ever his second choice. Because his work would always stay his number one priority. 

No matter what it was or how bad the timing would be, if he had another mission, he would already be out the door, barely giving you a kiss to the cheek before he was gone. Sometimes, it was hard. Having to stay behind, not knowing if he would return to you in one piece again. 

He promised you to be careful and that he would always return to you, but there was still a chance. A chance that something wouldn’t go as planned and fate would take him from you. In that times of not knowing, you didn’t care how difficult your relationship was if it meant that he was alive and well in your arms. 

...

It had been a very stressful week, work has been demanding much from you, both mentally and physically. You were glad when you got home that evening, looking forward to the few days you were able to spend with your boyfriend again. 

As if he sensed that you would be done this evening, you found him in the kitchen, preparing a meal for you both.

“Ajax? You, cooking? What’s the occaision?”, you asked, clearly surprised since he rarely cooked, ever. 

At that, he just laughed. “What, can’t I spoil my beautiful lover from time to time?”, he asked, giving you a smirk. “Sit down, I’m almost done.”

You did as you’re told, not questioning him any further. You just assumed that it would be a taste for your birthday tomorrow. You haven’t planned much that day, since you never really celebrated your birthday. You would just have lunch with his family at their place and then spend the rest of the day together, doing whatever came to your mind. Maybe his spoiling you today was in preparation for your day tomorrow. 

The meal was actually very good, which surprised you, since you only got to taste Childe’s cooking once before today, and that wasn’t exactly his best creation. Your boyfriend seemed to be proud of it himself. 

Afterwards, you did the dishes together, before you both went to get ready for bed. Like every night, once you got into bed, he pulled you close to his chest and whispered a sweet “I love you” in your ear, before you both drifted of to sleep. 

...

The next morning, you woke up alone in bed. Patting your hand on his side of the bed, you found that it was still somewhat warm, meaning that he got up not too long ago himself. 

You managed to get yourself out of bed, before searching for your boyfriend. You find him sitting in the kitchen, drinking a cup of coffee. 

He noticed you coming up behind him, so he turned to you and smiled up at you. “Good morning, sunshine. Did you sleep well?” 

You nodded as you went and made yourself your own cup to get your day started properly. You both set in a comfortable silence as you each drank your own drink. Only when you awoke more and more did you notice something strange... normally, Childe would have already showered you in congratulations and presented you with at least a gift or two, but nothing. 

Yet, you chose to not say anything just yet. Maybe he had something planned and would do that later in the day. 

Once done with your coffee, you got up and went to the bathroom to get yourself ready for lunch with his family. You usually got in the bath first, since you took longer than him, Childe would almost always be done within ten minutes or so. 

When it was his turn to get ready, you were waiting for him in the living room, when a knock on the door startled you. You were not expecting any visitors today, but you still went and answered the door. 

“Greetings. Would the Lord Harbinger happen to be available?”, was the first thing to greet you once you opened the door. Perplexed, you just nodded and went to turn around, but Childe was already coming down the stairs towards you.

“Babe, everything alright?”

“Yeah.. there is someone for you at the door..”, you said. Not wanting to pry, you went to the kitchen, but you weren’t really able to sit down as just a few seconds later, the door closed again and Childe came in the room. 

“I’m sorry babe. An urgent mission. I have to go right now.”

“What? But what about lunch? Your family is waiting for us. And-”

“It’s just a meal with my family. It’s not that big of a deal if we miss it this one time. I’m sure they would understand.”

You were shocked as you heard this. Did he really forget? That today was your birthday? Sure, you never really liked to make a huge deal about it, but at the very least you wanted people to remember it. Was that too much to ask for?

Too caught up in your feelings, you didn’t care how you sounded when you said that to him. “Fine. Go do whatever it is you have to do then, since it’s so much more important. But I’ll go and meet your family since they’re waiting for us.”

With that, you stormed past him, grabbed your coat and went out the door. Childe just stood there, utterly confused on why you were so upset about this. It was just a simple lunch, nothing too exciting about it. 

So, he just shrugged it off and went to collect his coat. Then, he made his way to the palace of the Tsaritsa, where he would get the details to his next mission, while his mind was still racing, trying to figure out what went through your head... but he just couldn’t come up with anything. 

Couldn’t be something too important if he forgot about it...

[ivyluvsyouu]

𝑴𝒂𝒔𝒕𝒆𝒓𝒍𝒊𝒔𝒕

𝑳𝒆𝒕 𝒎𝒆 𝒌𝒏𝒐𝒘 𝒘𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒆𝒍𝒔𝒆 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒘𝒐𝒖𝒍𝒅 𝒍𝒊𝒌𝒆 𝒕𝒐 𝒔𝒆𝒆!<𝟑𝟑

𝑴𝒐𝒏𝒅𝒔𝒕𝒂𝒅𝒕

𝑽𝒆𝒏𝒕𝒊

𝑻𝒂𝒌𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒄𝒂𝒓𝒆 𝒐𝒇 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒎

𝑵𝒐𝒕 𝒔𝒂𝒚𝒊𝒏𝒈 "𝑰 𝒍𝒐𝒗𝒆 𝒚𝒐𝒖" 𝒃𝒂𝒄𝒌 𝒂𝒔 𝒂 𝒑𝒓𝒂𝒏𝒌

𝑾𝒉𝒐 𝒘𝒐𝒖𝒍𝒅 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒚 𝒇𝒂𝒍𝒍 𝒇𝒐𝒓?

𝑲𝒂𝒆𝒚𝒂

𝑻𝒂𝒌𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒄𝒂𝒓𝒆 𝒐𝒇 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒎

𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒓𝒆 𝒔/𝒐 𝒅𝒊𝒆𝒔

𝑫𝒊𝒍𝒖𝒄

𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒓𝒆 𝒔/𝒐 𝒅𝒊𝒆𝒔

𝑨𝒍𝒃𝒆𝒅𝒐

𝑵𝒐𝒕 𝒔𝒂𝒚𝒊𝒏𝒈 "𝑰 𝒍𝒐𝒗𝒆 𝒚𝒐𝒖" 𝒃𝒂𝒄𝒌 𝒂𝒔 𝒂 𝒑𝒓𝒂𝒏𝒌

𝑻𝒉𝒆𝒓𝒆 𝒔/𝒐 𝒅𝒊𝒆𝒔

𝑳𝒊𝒚𝒖𝒆

𝑿𝒊𝒂𝒐

𝑴𝒆𝒆𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒊𝒓 𝒃𝒂𝒃𝒚 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒇𝒊𝒓𝒔𝒕 𝒕𝒊𝒎𝒆

𝑳𝒊𝒚𝒖𝒆 𝒄𝒉𝒂𝒓𝒂𝒄𝒕𝒆𝒓𝒔 𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒄𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝒕𝒐 𝒂𝒅𝒆𝒑𝒕𝒊 𝒔/𝒐

𝑻𝒉𝒆𝒓𝒆 𝒔/𝒐 𝒅𝒊𝒆𝒔

𝑯𝒐𝒘 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒚 𝒂𝒓𝒆 𝒘𝒉𝒆𝒏 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒚'𝒓𝒆 𝒅𝒓𝒖𝒏𝒌

𝑾𝒉𝒐 𝒘𝒐𝒖𝒍𝒅 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒚 𝒇𝒂𝒍𝒍 𝒇𝒐𝒓?

𝑻𝒆𝒍𝒍𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒎 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒚𝒐𝒖'𝒓𝒆 𝒑𝒓𝒆𝒈𝒏𝒂𝒏𝒕

𝑯𝒆 𝒇𝒂𝒍𝒍𝒔 𝒂𝒔𝒍𝒆𝒆𝒑 𝒐𝒏 𝒚𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒔𝒉𝒐𝒖𝒍𝒅𝒆𝒓

𝑮𝒂𝒎𝒊𝒏𝒈

𝑴𝒆𝒆𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒊𝒓 𝒃𝒂𝒃𝒚 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒇𝒊𝒓𝒔𝒕 𝒕𝒊𝒎𝒆

𝑵𝒐𝒕 𝒔𝒂𝒚𝒊𝒏𝒈 "𝑰 𝒍𝒐𝒗𝒆 𝒚𝒐𝒖" 𝒃𝒂𝒄𝒌 𝒂𝒔 𝒂 𝒑𝒓𝒂𝒏𝒌

𝑮𝒂𝒎𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒃𝒇 𝒉𝒆𝒂𝒅𝒄𝒂𝒏𝒐𝒏𝒔

𝑻𝒆𝒍𝒍𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒎 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒚𝒐𝒖'𝒓𝒆 𝒑𝒓𝒆𝒈𝒏𝒂𝒏𝒕

𝑩𝒂𝒊𝒛𝒉𝒖

𝑳𝒊𝒚𝒖𝒆 𝒄𝒉𝒂𝒓𝒂𝒄𝒕𝒆𝒓𝒔 𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒄𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝒕𝒐 𝒂𝒅𝒆𝒑𝒕𝒊 𝒔/𝒐

𝑩𝒆𝒊𝒅𝒐𝒖

𝑳𝒊𝒚𝒖𝒆 𝒄𝒉𝒂𝒓𝒂𝒄𝒕𝒆𝒓𝒔 𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒄𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝒕𝒐 𝒂𝒅𝒆𝒑𝒕𝒊 𝒔/𝒐

𝑮𝒂𝒏𝒚𝒖

𝑳𝒊𝒚𝒖𝒆 𝒄𝒉𝒂𝒓𝒂𝒄𝒕𝒆𝒓𝒔 𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒄𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝒕𝒐 𝒂𝒅𝒆𝒑𝒕𝒊 𝒔/𝒐

𝑯𝒖 𝒕𝒂𝒐

𝑳𝒊𝒚𝒖𝒆 𝒄𝒉𝒂𝒓𝒂𝒄𝒕𝒆𝒓𝒔 𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒄𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝒕𝒐 𝒂𝒅𝒆𝒑𝒕𝒊 𝒔/𝒐

𝑵𝒊𝒏𝒈𝒈𝒖𝒂𝒏𝒈

𝑳𝒊𝒚𝒖𝒆 𝒄𝒉𝒂𝒓𝒂𝒄𝒕𝒆𝒓𝒔 𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒄𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝒕𝒐 𝒂𝒅𝒆𝒑𝒕𝒊 𝒔/𝒐

𝑺𝒉𝒆𝒏𝒉𝒆

𝑳𝒊𝒚𝒖𝒆 𝒄𝒉𝒂𝒓𝒂𝒄𝒕𝒆𝒓𝒔 𝒓𝒆𝒂𝒄𝒕𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝒕𝒐 𝒂𝒅𝒆𝒑𝒕𝒊 𝒔/𝒐

𝒕𝒂𝒌𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒉𝒆𝒓 𝒈𝒊𝒓𝒍𝒇𝒓𝒊𝒆𝒏𝒅 𝒐𝒏 𝒂 𝒑𝒊𝒄𝒏𝒊𝒄

𝒀𝒆𝒍𝒂𝒏

𝒕𝒂𝒌𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒉𝒆𝒓 𝒈𝒊𝒓𝒍𝒇𝒓𝒊𝒆𝒏𝒅 𝒐𝒏 𝒂 𝒑𝒊𝒄𝒏𝒊𝒄

𝑰𝒏𝒂𝒛𝒖𝒎𝒂

𝑲𝒂𝒛𝒖𝒉𝒂

𝑴𝒆𝒆𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒊𝒓 𝒃𝒂𝒃𝒚 𝒇𝒐𝒓 𝒕𝒉𝒆 𝒇𝒊𝒓𝒔𝒕 𝒕𝒊𝒎𝒆

𝑻𝒂𝒌𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒄𝒂𝒓𝒆 𝒐𝒇 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒎

𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒎 𝒘𝒊𝒕𝒉 𝒂 𝒔/𝒐 𝒘𝒉𝒐 𝒊𝒔 𝒂𝒍𝒘𝒂𝒚𝒔 𝒄𝒐𝒍𝒅

𝑻𝒉𝒆𝒓𝒆 𝒔/𝒐 𝒅𝒊𝒆𝒔

𝒄𝒖𝒅𝒅𝒍𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒘𝒊𝒕𝒉 𝑲𝒂𝒛𝒖𝒉𝒂

𝒓𝒆𝒖𝒏𝒊𝒕𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒘𝒊𝒕𝒉 𝒉𝒊𝒔 𝒄𝒉𝒊𝒍𝒅𝒉𝒐𝒐𝒅 𝒇𝒓𝒊𝒆𝒏𝒅

𝑯𝒐𝒘 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒚 𝒂𝒓𝒆 𝒘𝒉𝒆𝒏 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒚'𝒓𝒆 𝒅𝒓𝒖𝒏𝒌

𝑻𝒂𝒌𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒄𝒂𝒓𝒆 𝒐𝒇 𝒚𝒐𝒖 𝒘𝒉𝒆𝒏 𝒚𝒐𝒖'𝒓𝒆 𝒅𝒓𝒖𝒏𝒌

𝑾𝒉𝒐 𝒘𝒐𝒖𝒍𝒅 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒚 𝒇𝒂𝒍𝒍 𝒇𝒐𝒓?

𝑻𝒆𝒍𝒍𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒎 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒚𝒐𝒖'𝒓𝒆 𝒑𝒓𝒆𝒈𝒏𝒂𝒏𝒕

𝑯𝒆 𝒇𝒂𝒍𝒍𝒔 𝒂𝒔𝒍𝒆𝒆𝒑 𝒐𝒏 𝒚𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒔𝒉𝒐𝒖𝒍𝒅𝒆𝒓

𝒀𝒐𝒊𝒎𝒊𝒚𝒂

𝑮𝒊𝒓𝒍𝒇𝒓𝒊𝒆𝒏𝒅 𝒉𝒆𝒂𝒅𝒄𝒂𝒏𝒐𝒏𝒔

𝑰𝒕𝒕𝒐

𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒓𝒆 𝒔/𝒐 𝒅𝒊𝒆𝒔

𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒎 𝒘𝒊𝒕𝒉 𝒂 𝒔/𝒐 𝒘𝒉𝒐 𝒊𝒔 𝒂𝒍𝒘𝒂𝒚𝒔 𝒄𝒐𝒍𝒅

𝑻𝒆𝒍𝒍𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒎 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒚𝒐𝒖'𝒓𝒆 𝒑𝒓𝒆𝒈𝒏𝒂𝒏𝒕

𝑨𝒚𝒂𝒕𝒐

𝑵𝒐𝒕 𝒔𝒂𝒚𝒊𝒏𝒈 "𝑰 𝒍𝒐𝒗𝒆 𝒚𝒐𝒖" 𝒃𝒂𝒄𝒌 𝒂𝒔 𝒂 𝒑𝒓𝒂𝒏𝒌

𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒎 𝒘𝒊𝒕𝒉 𝒂 𝒔/𝒐 𝒘𝒉𝒐 𝒊𝒔 𝒂𝒍𝒘𝒂𝒚𝒔 𝒄𝒐𝒍𝒅

𝑯𝒆𝒊𝒛𝒐𝒖

𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒎 𝒘𝒊𝒕𝒉 𝒂 𝒔/𝒐 𝒘𝒉𝒐 𝒊𝒔 𝒂𝒍𝒘𝒂𝒚𝒔 𝒄𝒐𝒍𝒅

𝑾𝒉𝒐 𝒘𝒐𝒖𝒍𝒅 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒚 𝒇𝒂𝒍𝒍 𝒇𝒐𝒓?

𝑻𝒉𝒐𝒎𝒂

𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒎 𝒘𝒊𝒕𝒉 𝒂 𝒔/𝒐 𝒘𝒉𝒐 𝒊𝒔 𝒂𝒍𝒘𝒂𝒚𝒔 𝒄𝒐𝒍𝒅

𝑬𝒊

𝒕𝒂𝒌𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒉𝒆𝒓 𝒈𝒊𝒓𝒍𝒇𝒓𝒊𝒆𝒏𝒅 𝒐𝒏 𝒂 𝒑𝒊𝒄𝒏𝒊𝒄

𝑾𝒂𝒏𝒅𝒆𝒓𝒆𝒓

𝑾𝒉𝒐 𝒘𝒐𝒖𝒍𝒅 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒚 𝒇𝒂𝒍𝒍 𝒇𝒐𝒓?

𝑫𝒊𝒔𝒏𝒆𝒚 𝒑𝒓𝒊𝒏𝒄𝒆𝒔𝒔 𝒔/𝒐

𝑺𝒖𝒎𝒆𝒓𝒖

𝑪𝒚𝒏𝒐

𝑻𝒉𝒆𝒓𝒆 𝒔/𝒐 𝒅𝒊𝒆𝒔

𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒎 𝒘𝒊𝒕𝒉 𝒂 𝒔/𝒐 𝒘𝒉𝒐 𝒊𝒔 𝒂𝒍𝒘𝒂𝒚𝒔 𝒄𝒐𝒍𝒅

𝑯𝒐𝒘 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒚 𝒂𝒓𝒆 𝒘𝒉𝒆𝒏 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒚'𝒓𝒆 𝒅𝒓𝒖𝒏𝒌

𝑾𝒉𝒐 𝒘𝒐𝒖𝒍𝒅 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒚 𝒇𝒂𝒍𝒍 𝒇𝒐𝒓?

𝑻𝒆𝒍𝒍𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒎 𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒕 𝒚𝒐𝒖'𝒓𝒆 𝒑𝒓𝒆𝒈𝒏𝒂𝒏𝒕

𝑯𝒆 𝒇𝒂𝒍𝒍𝒔 𝒂𝒔𝒍𝒆𝒆𝒑 𝒐𝒏 𝒚𝒐𝒖𝒓 𝒔𝒉𝒐𝒖𝒍𝒅𝒆𝒓

𝑨𝒍𝒉𝒂𝒊𝒕𝒉𝒂𝒎

𝑵𝒐𝒕 𝒔𝒂𝒚𝒊𝒏𝒈 "𝑰 𝒍𝒐𝒗𝒆 𝒚𝒐𝒖" 𝒃𝒂𝒄𝒌 𝒂𝒔 𝒂 𝒑𝒓𝒂𝒏𝒌

𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒎 𝒘𝒊𝒕𝒉 𝒂 𝒔/𝒐 𝒘𝒉𝒐 𝒊𝒔 𝒂𝒍𝒘𝒂𝒚𝒔 𝒄𝒐𝒍𝒅

𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒓𝒆 𝒔/𝒐 𝒅𝒊𝒆𝒔

𝑻𝒊𝒈𝒉𝒏𝒂𝒓𝒊

𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒎 𝒘𝒊𝒕𝒉 𝒂 𝒔/𝒐 𝒘𝒉𝒐 𝒊𝒔 𝒂𝒍𝒘𝒂𝒚𝒔 𝒄𝒐𝒍𝒅

𝑫𝒊𝒔𝒏𝒆𝒚 𝒑𝒓𝒊𝒏𝒄𝒆𝒔𝒔 𝒔/𝒐

𝑻𝒉𝒆𝒊𝒓 𝒔/𝒐 𝒅𝒊𝒆𝒔

𝑵𝒊𝒍𝒐𝒖

𝑫𝒊𝒔𝒏𝒆𝒚 𝒑𝒓𝒊𝒏𝒄𝒆𝒔𝒔 𝒔/𝒐

𝑲𝒂𝒗𝒆𝒉

𝑻𝒉𝒆𝒊𝒓 𝒔/𝒐 𝒅𝒊𝒆𝒔

𝑭𝒐𝒏𝒕𝒂𝒊𝒏𝒆

𝑭𝒖𝒓𝒊𝒏𝒂

𝑯𝒐𝒘 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒚 𝒂𝒓𝒆 𝒘𝒉𝒆𝒏 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒚'𝒓𝒆 𝒅𝒓𝒖𝒏𝒌

𝑫𝒊𝒔𝒏𝒆𝒚 𝒑𝒓𝒊𝒏𝒄𝒆𝒔𝒔 𝒔/𝒐

𝑻𝒉𝒆𝒊𝒓 𝒔/𝒐 𝒅𝒊𝒆𝒔

𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒚 𝒇𝒊𝒏𝒅 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒊𝒓 𝒔/𝒐 𝒄𝒓𝒚𝒊𝒏𝒈

𝑳𝒚𝒏𝒆𝒚

𝑮𝒊𝒗𝒊𝒏𝒈 𝒉𝒊𝒎 𝒂 𝒉𝒊𝒄𝒌𝒆𝒚

𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒚 𝒇𝒊𝒏𝒅 𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒊𝒓 𝒔/𝒐 𝒄𝒓𝒚𝒊𝒏𝒈

𝑻𝒉𝒆𝒊𝒓 𝒔/𝒐 𝒅𝒊𝒆𝒔

𝑳𝒚𝒏𝒆𝒕𝒕𝒆

𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒓𝒆 𝒔/𝒐 𝒅𝒊𝒆𝒔

𝑵𝒆𝒖𝒗𝒊𝒍𝒍𝒆𝒕𝒕𝒆

𝑻𝒉𝒆𝒊𝒓 𝒔/𝒐 𝒅𝒊𝒆𝒔

𝑨𝒓𝒍𝒆𝒄𝒄𝒉𝒊𝒏𝒐

𝑻𝒉𝒆𝒊𝒓 𝒔/𝒐 𝒅𝒊𝒆𝒔

𝑭𝒓𝒆𝒎𝒊𝒏𝒆𝒕

𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒓𝒆 𝒔/𝒐 𝒅𝒊𝒆𝒔

𝑺𝒏𝒆𝒛𝒉𝒏𝒂𝒚𝒂

𝑷𝒂𝒏𝒕𝒂𝒍𝒐𝒏𝒆

𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒓𝒆 𝒔/𝒐 𝒅𝒊𝒆𝒔

𝑫𝒐𝒕𝒕𝒐𝒓𝒆

𝒕𝒉𝒆𝒓𝒆 𝒔/𝒐 𝒅𝒊𝒆𝒔

[tighnarisfavourite]

⟡ says he’s gonna teach me just what fast is, say it’s gonna be alright ── ⟢ ・⸝⸝

cyno x fem!reader

it's been days since the investigation started, and you were losing hope. will you get your deserved freedom, or will it be taken away?

a/n : please read part 1 before reading this! also i wrote this at like 1am last night so I apologise if the writing is bad!! >_<

word count : 1595

⟡ One day had passed since Cyno returned to the Akademiya to search for evidence that could lead to the student being the one who really committed those crimes and not you.

As for yourself, you went back to Aaru Village since you couldn’t possibly show up at the Akademiya after everything that has happened. Your parents happily greeted you and let you stay for the time being.

Of course, they had asked why you suddenly came back to Aaru Village but you just explained that you wished to see them again after so long, which wasn’t necessarily a lie and it held some truth but not the full truth.

You had busied yourself with helping around the house, doing chores such as helping with cleaning and cooking, and even going out of your way to assist Candace if she needed anything. You just needed to keep your mind distracted and not let it wander to... well, you know what.

But one day soon turned into three days...

Three days since that fateful day.

When you were left alone with your thoughts, you always came to the conclusion that maybe the search is just taking a while... after all, evidence isn’t something that can just be found easily, especially when you’re investigating a student from the Akademiya.

During the evening, just as the sun dipped low over the dunes, you found yourself at the village outskirts, taking a short walk with Candace. “You know,” Candace started to speak, her hands behind her back. “I always thought you’d find your way back here someday. You left to chase your dreams and become something great, but there’s a peace in Aaru Village that can’t be found anywhere else, so you return to it.”

You managed a faint smile. “I never thought I’d come back like this, unannounced too. Well, what can I say? I wanted to make my family and the fellow desert folk proud before I made my return.”

Candace let out a hum, nodding. “And you have made your family and the desert folk proud. You’ll be a clear inspiration to the children of the village too, and they’ll feel as if their dreams of becoming a scholar in the Akademiya isn’t silly at all, but very manageable and achievable if they study well.”

Being seen as an inspiration right now with everything that’s going on, isn’t exactly how you wish to be seen... after all, you don’t even know if you can return to the Akademiya after this. If you can continue being a scholar...

That was always there in the back of your mind— the sights of the cold, judgmental faces of the council that replayed nonstop, you wondering if Cyno would find any proof... it kept gnawing at you, a constant ache you couldn’t shake, no matter what you did. It was always there, haunting you.

The third day soon turned into the fifth day.

Five days since the investigation started.

You couldn’t deny the hopelessness you started to feel, perhaps this was it, no evidence leading to the student being the one who did it and you’re forced to stand on trial and get locked away for a long, long time while he stays free.

The fifth night was colder than usual, the desert winds sharper, biting at your skin as you lay awake, staring up at the vast sky with the stars lighting it up. You couldn’t help but head to the top of the hill where you and Cyno usually laid and stargazed as kids.

As you settled under the twinkling night sky, your thoughts began to spiral deeper.. wondering if this would be the last freedom you would ever experience, the last time you’d get to look up at the stars as a free person?

Shoving those thoughts aside— you tried to find comfort in the memory of this place, this familiar hill where so many of your happiest moments had been spent with Cyno. It was here that you used to imagine a world filled with possibilities, a future full of promise.

But now, that future seemed farther away than ever. Completely stripped away from you and the hard work you had put in for it was useless. Utterly useless.

Had it not been for you being so naive and trusting of others, you’d still be at the Akademiya, going on with your research but it seems like you just so happened to be unfortunate that day and everything came crashing down.

Studying in advance for everything, making so many backup projects and theories for all the work you had to do as an average student... just what was all that for? The all-nighters you had to go through, the amount of times you’d be too tired to focus on what the professors were teaching, but fighting through that tiredness— achieving the best grades that you possibly can.

All of that... for what?

You break out of your thoughts once you hear distant footsteps coming from behind you— standing up and turning around... you recognized that individual very well, his silhouette outlined by the moonlight.

“Cyno,” You whispered, barely able to believe he was really approaching. “You’re here?”

“I’m here. The search took longer than I expected, but I found it,” Cyno started. “The evidence. The student made an error while forging your signature— he left a trail. It was subtle, almost too well-hidden, but there was enough to prove he was the one behind everything.”

Hearing those words... your face lit up fully, those thoughts that were driving you mad just a few seconds ago— completely disappearing. Feeling the wave of happiness and relief wash over you, you couldn’t help but run up to Cyno and wrap your arms around him, pulling him in for a hug.

He was a bit surprised at the sudden affection at first, but quickly came to accept it, his arms wrapping around your waist— keeping you close to him. The nightmare you were living in for so long... it was finally over.

“I knew you’d be able to do it,” You whispered against his shoulder, letting out a short laughter of relief afterward. “I was starting to lose hope, but... I should’ve known better. I should’ve known you’d find a way. You’re not the General Mahamatra for no reason.”

Cyno pulled back slightly to meet your gaze. “I wasn’t going to let you suffer for someone else’s deceit. After all, it’s my duty to bring justice to everyone.”

His words were a reminder of just how deeply he cared for somebody close to him, even if he rarely allowed it to show. “I don’t know how to thank you,” You pause, a grin that carried only joy appearing on your face. “For not giving up on me, even when it seemed impossible.”

“You don’t have to thank me, [name]. You know I would never give up on you, not in a million years.” A warmth spread throughout you, making your heart race, and your stomach felt those butterflies— the same ones you had felt whenever you were around him as a youngin.

For a moment, neither of you spoke. Silence making itself very known, but it would occasionally be broken by the sounds of the soft rustle of the desert wind. Looking into his red eyes that so carefully looked back into yours... you knew it was the right time to do what you’ve been wanting to for so, so long.

Your hands slither up to his neck, letting them rest there as you lean into his face, closing your eyes before you place your lips onto his— a fiery feeling coursing through the both of you.

The worries, the pain, the harshness of the past days all melted into the background, leaving only the warmth of his lips against yours and the steady beat of your hearts.

The kiss deepened, and a spark ignited between you. Here, in this quiet yet passionate embrace, you felt as if you’d come home at last, to a place you hadn’t known you’d been searching for. A true home.

Cyno was your home, and he was the one that you would cherish for eternity.

You finally pull back, breathing in the desert air as you open your eyes. “Didn’t expect that, did you?” You chuckle, a small smile playing on your lips as your eyes meet his once more. “I can’t say I did, but it’s not unwelcome.” His hand reached up to brush a stray strand of hair from your face, fingers lingering against your cheek as if he wanted to memorize this moment.

“Wanted to do that since we were in our teenage years... been waiting for this for so long.” You admit, feeling a hint of embarrassment but too happy to care. A faint smile curled his lips, and he leans closer, his forehead resting gently against yours. “You don’t have to wait anymore.” Cyno murmurs.

“Honestly... forget about the butterflies. When I’m with you, I feel the whole zoo.” And of course... the romantic moment was ruined just like that, he really couldn’t hold back a joke, could he?

“You should’ve stayed quiet...” You mumbled, a sigh escaping your lips.

For the first time, you felt certain that this was only the beginning— the beginning of an actual happy future with the one you love most. No matter what may come, Cyno will always be there by your side,

loving you to the moon and back.

[giamee]

CHAPTER XI! i know what you did

<- prev masterlist next ->

you weren't sure when you woke up, or when you even fell asleep for that matter, but the rustling of your sheets and something moving against you is what ultimately roused you.

you opened your eyes to see a messy-haired cyno sitting up slowly in the still-dark room, trying his best not to disturb you but ultimately failing at that. you were now lying on the mattress rather than him, and he shot you a soft smile when he noticed your open eyes looking up at him.

"i'm gonna go back to my bed, 'kay?" he whispered it softly, a secret to keep only between the two of you. you nodded sleepily, raising a hand to smooth over his bedhead before you realised what you were doing. cyno tensed before relaxing into your touch, his features soft as he let you keep fixing his hair until you finally put your arm back at your side, satisfied with your work.

"it'll get messy again, you know." you did know. you couldn't count the amount of times you'd awoken to witness the absolute bird's nest of cyno's hair in the morning. he always had moved around in his sleep, after all.

you shrugged.

"i'll fix it again." it's a sweet moment, the way he's looking down at you so adoringly, almost enough to trick you into feeling like everything was as fine as they were months before the two of you broke up. almost.

he paused for a second before getting up, hovering over you and dropping the softest of kisses to your temple, before leaving the warm indent in the mattress and the rumpled sheets as any sign that he had been there at all. for all you know, the kiss could have been a dream as well.

your eyelids felt heavy again. you'll think about it tomorrow.

the rest of you sleep was significantly less restful, and when you did wake up there were messages to greet you.

✦ ⠂⠂୨୧ trivia :: you almost exposed yourself when layla initially sent that text message as you didn't know if she was referring to cyno or alhaitham

✦ ⠂⠂୨୧ gia's notes :: erm not so fun fact i ran into the ex this series was inspired off of the other day and i am PROUD to report that i felt absolutely nothing except a little bit of awkwardness cos he was w his new girlfriend 🥳 the chains have been lifted i am freee

✦ ⠂⠂୨୧ taglist :: @makimakimi @aeongiies @sukunasrealgf @ssoliva @sakiimeo @eggn0gcookie @yxcade @fiona782 @heartswonder @eunchaeluvr @clumsyphuq @pinksodacan @aelxr @themusingsofmany @obervation-subject-753 @kittycasie @aimno256 @maxineshearts @mafuyuslover @meigalaxy @mintydump @v4lerixxq @artwitchh @geo-hew-hew @imkaaayy @c4tsfr0mh3ll @kokoscutie @erzarq @eu-la @ddiluc @ichikaisflowers @rahhhmen @esmetrees @rain-and-a-nice-nap @g8mmaaa

[vxiphoid]

MISTY COMPREHENSION

❨ summary ❩ genshin › second chance. (ft. cyno)

tags ✧ angst/comfort to fluff, modern au, crying, guilt, mentions of an argument, overthinking, a bit of a soft cyno, second chance trope, nb reader, happy ending dw!!

amanuensis’ message ⊹ KICKING, SCREAMING, CRYING, THIS WAS SO HARD TO WRITE. i was really thinking about this song actually. i listened to it over and over, it gave me second chance vibes and i have no idea why… i didn’t want it to be full angst though. im still a little rusty with my writing and just barely grasping the strings but i hope this is enjoyable😋

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♫ karma - sarah kinsley

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CYNO

ʏᴏᴜʀ ꜱᴜᴘᴇʀꜱᴛɪᴛɪᴏɴ ᴋᴇᴇᴘꜱ ᴍᴇ ᴛʜɪɴᴋɪɴɢ ɪᴛ ᴡᴀꜱ ᴋᴀʀᴍᴀ ʙᴜᴛ ɪ ᴄᴀɴ’ᴛ ʟɪꜱᴛᴇɴ, ᴍʏ ɪɴᴛᴜɪᴛɪᴏɴ ꜱᴀʏꜱ ɪ ᴡᴀɴᴛ ʏᴏᴜ.

— its been about three months since you and cyno’s departure. the argument was loud, reckless, and honestly? both of you got some hurtful words in. yet when he got a text from you, asking for a bit of his time to accompany you to the newly opening cafe for brunch, who is he to refuse? he owes you that much and so much more after what he’s put you through.

what could he say? what was even is there to say? the tension was so thick you could slice it with a butterknife, tension so thick he could drown in it if he really tried. his mind ran wild, he couldn’t concentrate on anything but you. you sat on the other side of the private booth, your knee pressing just barely against his under the table. yet you sat calm, composed, enjoying the slice of cake you ordered, none the wiser to the swirling emotions webbing themselves on the insides of his head. no words were exchanged for the eight minutes you’ve sat with him yet you couldn’t have looked more relaxed meanwhile cyno is on the edge of his seat.

you fork some of your cake, gathering a dollop of frosting on the sweetened sponge before pointing your fork at him. he wouldn’t blame you if it was accusatory. “weren’t you busy?” you asked, waving your utensil expectantly.

“free for you.” cyno eyed it, gingerly taking the portion into his mouth. it was perfect, the rich sweetness dripping down his tongue to taste it all the way down to the core of his stomach. something flavory, something you would choose. leaning over the table, you swipe frosting from the corner of his lip, licking your thumb clean afterwards. “can’t say the same for others.” he says matter of factly.

your eyes widened a fraction at his response yet relaxed as quick as it came. your palm held your cheek as you let out an approving hum, the smallest of smiles gracing your lips. “you always did know what to say.” you say softly, your gaze falling to his lips. his throat felt dry, like sandpaper was scraping across it.

he swallows hard, trying to get rid of the lump in his throat. “i know you well.”

with that your eyes darted back to your dessert, leaving the poor man to breath correctly again. your actions spoke that you were fine, the silence however, was anything but. this was far too familiar territory for cyno and it made his skin crawl in discomfort. not that he could blame you, it was him that caused the parting. yet somehow, despite everything you still planned this, despite everything he said. you wanted to at least attempt to fix things, that gave him some dim flame of hope. he wanted to be the first to say something, to atone.

“i’m sorr—“

you meet eyes. your expression softening and he can see the hurt in your eyes but it quickly dissipates, replaced with an emotionless facade. “you start first.” you insist, taking another bite of cake.

“right.” he murmurs, clearing his throat before speaking again, his tone firm but not unkind. “i’m sorry. for everything i’ve said because you surely didn’t deserve any of it. i was angry after i came back to you, and still took it out on you by screaming at you when you were only trying to help me. i promise you, you didn’t do anything wrong.”

the words he said to you were a blur from months but they still haunt him. they must’ve been horrible because the expression that sunk your being had his body run cold, like an ice cube dropped into steaming hot coco. and as the ice cube chipped and shattered so did his heart. work kept pulling and pulling and pulling him away from you until the last fatal string had snapped. the realization and guilt didn’t set in until you slammed the door. cyno remembers waiting by the front door, silently begging you to walk back in. praying that you didn’t leave him for good. he remembers the pain that flashed across your face and how you didn’t return to him. even after weeks passed without seeing you, he remembers how it tore him apart. how it drove him insane, left him restless and unable to breathe. and most importantly, how it nearly ripped you in two—

“cy,” you place a reassuring hand over his that was absentmindedly clenching over the table, snapping out of his revere. “its okay.” you continue, brushing away the stray tears that were yet to spill over his cheeks. “i understand. i was angry and confused too, we both were. i understand.”

“but i’m sorry.” he mutters all too desperately, something that your heart wasn’t used to seeing. “i don’t think i’ll ever be able to forgive myself for what i did to you.”

you could feel the pull of your eyebrows as you inhaled shakily, tears threatening your very being. you wanted to be strong, hoping that meant no tears that could make cyno doubt your honesty, not that he would. you’ve both spent so much time building and nurturing this relationship for it to come crumbling down like this. but you also knew you were also the one responsible, you were also the one who pushed cyno away; you didn’t know what he was going through or why he lashed out at you. and it broke your heart knowing that he thought that you blamed him. that you hated him for feeling. you’ve spent so much time and you sure as hell weren’t going to let it wither like this.

you stood, rounding the table to settle down on his side of the booth. your eyes never left his as you take his hand and intertwined your fingers. “and that’s completely valid. but i forgive you, and i’ll be there to help you forgive yourself if that’s what you really want. no more hiding shit. promise.” you say softly, your voice wavering in the middle. your eyes are full of emotion yet there was no judgement, no anger, nothing negative. just the same person who loved him through and through. enough to make his vision blur from tears, enough to make his chest ache. the amount of love you have for him makes him choke, his throat constricting almost painfully.

you wipe the tears from his eyes with the pad of your thumb before wrapping your arms around him yet he still beats you with the tightness of his embrace. his tears soiled your shoulder but that was the least of your worries as you bury your face in his snowy hair. oh, who knew. the man who is known for his stern attitude and dangerous gaze, sobbing so heavily against you.

a watery smile wobbles its way onto your face, your hand caressing the back of his head. “sorrows, sorrows, prayers.” you mope dramatically earning a jab in the stomach from cyno.

“shut up.” he says weakly but in the corner of your eye showed you a softened grin.

the two of you stayed like that, unmoving; a comforting touch to soothe the turmoil that plagued the both of you. it took some time for your own tears to subside, but when you finally did you leaned your forehead against cyno’s and closed your eyes. it was silent between the two of you, save for the occasional sniffle here and there.

“can i ask you something?” you hum in response to his question, “if i were to make a joke right now, how would you react?”

a small chuckle left your lips, “i would leave.”

“how could you say that? :(”