#dainsleif come back i need you more than ever

[chinarle]

sadly i think the 4.x era is going to be the worst one by far

the archon quests were great but everything that came after was so mind numbingly boring that it's making it hard to care about the game outside the aq. the endless festivals events are driving me insane, i miss when events had a plot and a smaller cast :/

[lavandulawrites]

Yandere Genshin Men With An Escaped Darling

Characters: Albedo, Alhaitham, Ayato, Baizhu, Capitano, Childe, Cyno, Dainsleif, Diluc, Dottore, Gorou, Heizou, Itto, Kaeya, Kaveh, Kazuha, Lyney, Neuvillette, Pantalone, Pierro, Sethos, Thoma, Tighnari, Venti, Wanderer, Wriothesley, Xiao, Zhongli (all separate)

This took me so much longer than what I have planned. I had much fun writing this:) if you have any yandere scenario requests feel free to send me an ask<3 (I most likely won’t include every single character). (Let me know if anyone wanna be apart of my taglist).

Masterlist

Warnings: violence, murder, imprisonment, manipulation, drugging, female reader

Word count: 9664

Albedo

The icy wind whipped against your cheeks. Snow clouded your vision. The tree branches waved in the wind and grasped at your clothes. You hissed as a thorn ripped your fabric, causing you to bleed.

As you ran down the mountain you glanced over your shoulder at every given moment.

A clearing caught your eye. Finally you could breathe out. You leans against a large tree. You needed to cover your wound. You rummaged through your pockets and to your joy you found a small scarf. The thin woven scarf was gifted to you by Klee, Albedo’s younger sister. The little girl was so proud when she gave you the scarf and wanted you to wear it all the time. Sadness filled your being at the thought of ruining the pink scarf, but your arm was more important. You bound your wound tightly with the scarf. One of the things he had thought you.

“I told you to stay inside the cabin” his voice echoed.

You froze. You prayed to the archons that it was just your mind playing tricks on you.

“This mountain is dangerous. You have no way of defending yourself” his voice soft.

You turned your head. Your eyes met his ice blue ones. They were cold, just like the icy mountain.

“Let’s go home” he walked towards you with quick steps. His arms wrapped around you and he kissed your forehead. “You are better off home, with me. I will keep you safe” his arms tightened around your form.

Alhaitham

The scribe had given you freedom. Which allowed you to freely roam the Akademiya. While Alhaitham was preoccupied in his office, you explored the university. Within a couple of months you had made friends with a couple of the students. You never told them you situation with the grey haired scholar, but they all knew that you lived together.

You had spent a lot of time plotting your escape. After all escaping the scribe was no easy task. The House of Daena was empty and quiet. The small bag you had hoisted over your shoulder filled with only the necessities. Your hands was shaking as you pushed down the door handle to a back door. The sunlight blinded you as the door opened.

You hurried down the path from the Akademiya. Your flats clicking against the cobblestone. You had to get out from Sumeru City and seek refuge in a remote town. It was risk, sure, but it was your only hope.

After an hour or so you had made your way to a small village on the outskirts of the capital. It wasn’t the ideal place, but it was your only option for the night. You was so kindly offered the spare bed by a lovely elderly woman. She didn’t ask why you looked over your shoulder every minute and that you were thankful for.

You packed your things and thanked the older woman for her kindness and went on your way.

After hours on the road your legs felt like jelly. You stopped by a abandoned house and rested on the little bench by the overgrown vegetable garden.

You woke up by the sounds of footsteps coming your way. A shadow blocked the sun.

“I must say you have slightly developed, but unfortunately you are still as predictable as ever” Alhaitham shook his head. “The elderly woman you slept at told me everything as soon as I explained the situation” his lips widened into a grin. “She thanked my for looking after such a helpless woman such as yourself.”

Strong arms picked you up and held you tight against his strong chest. “Let’s go home”.

Ayato

Ayato was a sly man. With his white clothing he looked like an angel, but that was far from the truth. You had many times heard him command the Shuumatsuban to get rid of the clan’s enemies. You knew the katana that rested by his hip when he was out on public duties, had slaughtered many.

You were afraid. Not only by him in himself, but afraid of his power and actions. That’s why you climbed over the tall walls that shielded the Kamisato residence from the outside world. Your ankles buckled under you as you landed and you whimpered out in pain. After you had collected yourself, you made a run for it. The ninja’s that were stationed around the estate had without doubt already spotted you. You hoped that they went to report to Ayato instead of chasing you down.

The way down to the beach was rocky and dangerous. Like a wild goat you quickly made your way down thanks to the adrenaline that pumped through your veins. The old rowboat was in the same stop just as you had recalled from an evening stroll with Ayaka along the beach. To your luck the two paddles were still there. You pushed the boat with all your might to the shore. The saltwater cold against your bare feet.

The swish of an arrow stopped you in your tracks. You looked down and saw it sticking out from the side of the boat. The hole was not that big, but it would cause your boat to leak in enough water for it to sink before you had made it to safety.

“Seize her!” a Shuumatsuban with high standing ordered.

A man with his face covered dragged you away from your boat and bound your wrists behind your back.

When you looked up at the cliff you saw Ayato looking down at you. He made his way down slowly and dread filled your veins.

He stopped in front of you and lifted your chin with a finger. “Did you have fun?” he leaned his face closer, his breath fanning your face. “Do not forget that I have eyes and ears everywhere”.

“Now let’s get you home. I will make sure you won’t slip through my fingers again. Though I must say your little attempt humoured me”

Baizhu

Tricking the little zombie girl made you feel horrible, but it was your only ticket to freedom. The green haired doctor had feed you herbs that made you weak and depended on his care. You had seen the label on the little bottle containing the medicine. So when he was out researching some herbs, you went through all the medical books he had in his libraries in search of the antidote. After much time and countless books you finally figured out the antidote.

You talked to Qiqi alone when Baizhu was busy treating a patient. You explained that he needed some herbs and told her that she had to deliver them to you and not her guardian. After some convincing she agreed. You crossed your fingers that she would remember and not slip up.

To your joy Qiqi had indeed remembered. The herbs tasted awful, but it was a small price to pay. It didn’t take long before you felt the medicine Baizhu had given you wear of. When he came to check up on you, you pretended that you were still weak. You asked him to go get some more medicine and he did as you said. When the green haired man left, you quickly tried to pry the window open. It was slightly jammed, but with your new strength you managed. Finally you had escaped the snake’s nest.

Your feet moved fast as you ran down the many stairs. You had to turn Baizhu to the authorities for his crimes. Just as you had made it down the stairs you bumped into someone. You didn’t need to look up to understand who it was.

“You will catch a cold running around like that” his voice cold as ice. His fingers lifted up your chin. “Tricking Qiqi really was a low move. That poor child was absolutely devastated to come home to an empty house. As for me I must say I am deeply disappointed. I have made it very clear that you will not manage without me.”

His lips curled up into a soft smile. “Let’s go home my darling. I will make some tea.”

Capitano

The first Harbinger was worshipped throughout the whole snowy nation. His underlings held great respect for him. He could be cruel and bloodthirsty, but to you he had a soft spot for.

Boots hammered against the ice ground. You knew you wouldn’t be able to run away from them, but you would not give up so easily.

As you made your way through the thick pine forest you started to regret your decision, but it was too late. As you came to the end of the forest you were surrounded by soldiers. Their spears raised towards you, stopping you in your tracks.

The sound of hooves reached your ears. The soldiers parted and bowed deep. On a tall black horse sat Capitano. Even with his face hidden by his black helmet, you could feel his intense gaze.

The stallion came to a halt and his rider dismounted. The snow crunched underneath his heels as he made his way towards you. His height towering over your trembling form. “You are all dismissed” he barked out. The soldiers bowed before they marched down the hill.

He stayed quiet for what felt like an eternity. The ice cold wind howling against the tree tops. The dark haired man finally spoke “You broke my trust. Criminals deserve to be punished.”

With a swift motion he threw you over his shoulder and held you in place with his arm. He mounted his horse and squeezed his heels against the animal’s flank.

The Harbinger’s hold on you was tight and as suffocating as his presence. As you watched the landscape blur together you realised that you would never escape him.

Childe

The sound of children’s laughter could be heard in the distance. The small fishing village Ajax’s family resides in was remote. The river that ran across it ice cold and filled to the brim with fish. You crept as quickly as you could between the trees that surround the village. To your dismay Childe’s childhood home was just by the border which meant that the red head knew the woods like the back of his hand.

You winced as you heard Teucer calling out for his brother. The little child had noticed your disappearance.

You picked up your speed and ran as fast as your legs could carry you. It was difficult with the heavy snow, but you had to keep going.

A flash of red stopped you in your tracks. You quickly hid behind a rock and held your breath.

“It’s not nice to run away” a chirpy voice said. Childe.

Of course he found you. It was only a matter of time. His soft laughter rang throughout the woods. He was close. Too close.

Suddenly he jumped onto the rock you had hidden behind. You yelped and backed away. He grinned as he looked down on you. His eyes wide and crazed. “If you wanted to play hide and seek why didn’t you just say so?” he laughed. His laughter chilling.

He jumped down and landed just a few centimetres from your legs. He bent down and dragged you to your feet. “Teucer, Tonia and Anthon are all waiting for you back home. You wouldn’t want to disappoint them would you?” he tilted his head and faked a sad expression.

He wrapped his arms around you and hugged you tightly. “When we get home after our visit here, I will never let you leave my side. Is that understood?” his voice low. He chuckled as he pulled back to study your expression. “That frightened look of yours is really something. Makes me wanna eat you up” he kissed your cheek. “Don’t make me lose my cool, okay?”

Cyno

The sun was bright and high. The heat was unbearable and you regretted not seeking shade. The sand danced across the dune as the wind gave you some mercy from the heat.

In front off you on the scorching sand laid the lifeless bodies of the eremites that had helped you with your escape from the general. Blood coloured the sand red and the ruins surrounding you were splattered in red. The metallic sand made you dizzy.

Cyno stood before the bodies with his back turned to you. His white hair was coated in red. His strong muscles made him look like a god as he stood there with his bloodied spear. He turned to you. His face blank.

“I am sorry you had to see that” his expression apologetic.

He planted the spear in the ground and walked towards you slowly like he was afraid of scaring you. He squatted down so that he was on your eye level. You pulled your legs towards you as much as you could.

“Why did you run away?”

You only stared at him with big eyes. He sighed and ran a hand through his hair. His head piece long discarded. “The desert is a dangerous place. You have no idea how scared I was when I noticed your disappearance” his eyes sad. “When I saw you among those eremites… I have never felt such anger. I had no choice but to eliminate them. Those who try to take you away from me deserves punishment. I did the right thing with ridding the world of such people” his hands was trembling in anger.

“I will make sure no one tries to take you away from me again. I will always be by your side” he kissed your tears away with a soft smile.

Dainsleif

Dainsleif had long lost his sanity. At least when it came to you. That much was clear.

You had just managed to escape him while he slept. The ruin you had chosen for your resting place for the night was eerie quite. Even the monsters were gone. You would have found it weird had you not been on the run. You manoeuvred through the dark ruins as fast as you could. After a while you made it out.

Your relived expression fell as you took in your surroundings. The monsters you had disappeared were now standing in front of you. You slowly backed away as you thought up an escaped plan. Just as you were about to make a run for it, dark blue power lit up the area in front of you. With movements faster then what your eyes could see, the monsters were slain.

The blond traveler looked at you with a look that sent shivers down your spine. He flicked off the blood that coated his blade as he made his way towards you.

“I expected more from you. To believe you so ignorantly took the bait is truly disappointing” he shook his head. “But on the plus side, I have now proved to you that you will never make it without me. Let me be your protector. Let me take care of you” he kneeled in front of you as he took your small hand in his and kissed it gently.

You could only cry silent as the Twilight Sword led you inside the ruins. Dainsleif was a man of his word and you knew very well that he would never break his promise to himself.

Diluc

The winery was a beautiful place. When you first arrived you thought it looked like something straight out from a fairytale. You could not be more wrong as you soon learned.

Diluc was a desperate man. He had tricked himself into believing he was your saviour and he would do anything in order to protect you. If he had to kill someone in order to do so he would not bat an eye.

You had escaped through the cellar door and out the cellar window. You had been unsure if you fitted through the window, but to your surprise you fitted like a glove. The moon casted a pale light against the manor and it made you pause in your steps by its beauty.

The stables were empty just as you had expected. You tacked up the chestnut mare Diluc had gifted you. You kissed her forehead as you collected yourself. He would come after you.

As the mare galloped through the dense forest you could hear the distant shouts from Diluc. You gritted your teeth as you made your horse run faster.

Just as you thought you had made it, you heard the dreaded screams of his hawk. You had lost.

Your eyes were heavy as you slowly gained consciousness. You were tied to the desk chair inside his bedroom. Your bindings was of the finest red silk. You shivered at the similarities between you and a neatly wrapped present. In front of you were a highly distressed red haired man. He was walking back and forth, muttering something to himself.

“How could I be so careless as to not look better after her… I am a fool” he hissed to himself.

After a few minutes he stopped and turned to you. His expression softened as he cupped your face. “I apologise for the bindings, but it is necessary. You could be hurt you know?” his voice soft, but serious. “I will never let any harm happen to you. Ever.”

Dottore

The doctor’s blood red eyes always sent shivers down your spine. Even though he was human, he seemed like anything but. His embraces felt like a cage and his sweet words like poison. It didn’t take you long to understand why he was the most feared man in the entirety of Teyvat.

Dottore held you within his estate and refused to let you leave. Heavily armed guards guarded your chambers. You had tried to convince them to let you go and the next day you were delivered their served head on a platter. Dottore was cruel that much was obvious.

You knew you could never outsmart Dottore. He was one of the smartest beings on the plant and he never pretended not to be. If you couldn’t trick Dottore, you would trick the servants.

The long hallways in Dottore’s mansion were dark and empty. You sneaked through the manor as quietly as possible. With the key you had stolen clutched in your hand you made your way to the garden door. You twisted the key in the keyhole and pushed the door open. Cold air filled your lungs. Your eyes lit up at the sight of the snow filled landscape.

Your freedom was however short lived.

“If you take a step outside of that door I will behead this woman” a deep voice reached your ears.

You froze and slowly turned. There in the doorway stood the Harbinger. His raven-like mask were nowhere to be found. His hand was wrapped around the neck of the maid who you had stolen the key from. Her face was filled with fear and she looked at you pleadingly.

As much as you longed for freedom, you could not bear to have the blood from someone else on your hands. You walked back in and locked the door with a lowered head. You placed the key in Dottore’s waiting hand.

He slipped the key onto his pocket with a smile. “Good girl.”

“However…. I cannot let such an action go unpunished” he tck-ed. He threw the maid across the room. Her back hit the wall with a loud thud.

“I have given you all a specific rule you all must follow. I have made what would happen if you would ever break it quite clear, have I not?” his voice as cold as the unforgiving landscape that surrounded the estate. The maid muttered a “yes lord Harbinger”.

The blue haired man scoffed and turned to you. “I suppose I should teach you a lesson” his eyes held nothing but cold determination.

With three long strides he stopped in front of the maid. Her eyes filled with horror. He pulled out a sharp and sleek scalpel and slight her throat in a precise motion. “You deserve much more suffering, but I don’t want me darling to be witness to that so this would have to do” he sneered at the maid as she gurgled on her own blood.

He threw the scalpel and wiped his hands on his pants. “Let’s get you back to your chambers shall we.”

He snaked his arm around your waist and led you out of the hallway. “I trust that you will stop your escape attempts and accept that you belong here with me” his voice smooth like honey.

Gorou

The general of the resistance was a generous man. He always looked after his soldiers and treated them with respect and you were no different. He loved you with his entire being, that much was certain.

He never brought you to the frontlines. You were to stay at the base with a few trusted soldiers that looked after you. They all knew about your situation, but no one cared. They all were just glad that the general had someone who brought him comfort through the tough times.

As the soldiers exchanged posts you were able to sneak out of the cabin. You did not get far before a certain brunette had tracked you down.

His big cerulean eyes wide as his whole body tensed. “Why are you out here?” his big eyes not blinking once. His ears alert.

“You didn’t try to leave right? It must be something else? Right?” his voice raised. His fangs visible as he sneered.

He gripped your hand tightly as he dragged you back to the camp. “I’m sorry sweetheart, but I need to keep you safe” he looked at you with a sad expression as he hurried back to the camp.

The hybrid had always been extremely overprotective to the point it suffocated you. He always told he did what he did for your own good.

The next nights he held you tightly in his arms as he slept. His fluffy tail wrapping around your leg in a protective manner.

Heizou

The detective had locked you up in his own home, claiming it was a way to protect you. Every door and every window (and some drawers) had complicated locks on. Only a few doors and drawers were unlocked.

Heizou was out on a detective job so you were left all alone. This was your chance to get out. You knew all to well that the detective most likely would track you down, but you could not let such an opportunity pass.

The puzzle that was the lock-mechanism on the front door seemed different. Heizou did have the habit of changing them so you didn’t think too much of it. The puzzle was tricky, but after a while you were able to figure it out. The door unlocked and you squealed in joy.

You hadn’t come far before someone wrapped their arms around your shoulders. “Boo” he whispered into your ears causing you to yelp.

“Aww… Did I scare you now?” his tone mocking. He leaned his entire body weight onto you causing you to stumble. He chuckled at your shuffling and poked your cheek. “I’m glad you passed my little test sweetheart” he purred.

You regained your senses and pushed him off. You glared at him as he laughed.

“You really are entertaining aren’t you? You thought that I would ever let you go… Now that’s just too funny!” he wiped his tears as he laughed.

“With your naivety, you are better of with me” he grabbed your arm and pulled you close. Your noses almost touching. He cupped your cheeks and smiled at you gently. “I will take care of you, darling.”

Itto

The brutish oni was really clingy and always felt the need to have you glued to his side. Getting alone time was nearly impossible, but you managed when he was out organising a onikabuto match.

While the white haired man was busy making posters with his gang, you snuck out of the house. Which was surprisingly easy when he wasn’t home. The city was lively and the lit lanterns flickering in the wind. Stars littering the clear night sky. You sneaked among the multiple food stalls. The smell of fried fish filling the air.

The sound of a booming laughter made your limbs freeze to the ground. You could recognise that laughter everywhere. You turned your head and your eyes widened in fear at your confirmed suspicion. Before a dessert stall stood Itto with Mamoru. “We gotta get something for the gang. You brought money right?” the oni nudged Mamoru who muttered a “yes boss”.

You quickly hid behind a small group of someone who stood before the boba shop. Luckily you where shorter than the group and you were able to stay hidden.

“Wait… Why does it smell like [Name]?”

“I don’t know boss. Isn’t she home?”

Your heartbeat hammered against your ribs. You carefully peaked through the group. Itto was sniffing in the air, the action almost comical, had it not been for your predicament. His closed eyes snapped open. His red slit eyes met yours. His body tense like a hunting dog. His expression filled with shock. “Doll?” he called out.

Your feet moved before you even registered it. You sprinted down the street. Your sandals clicking against the ground. You didn’t need to look back to know that Itto was right behind you.

You jumped down the railing and you were thankful that the jumps wasn’t too high as you landed on the soft grass. Just as you made it behind a small building, a big hand grabbed your arm. You lost your balanced and was pulled flushed against a broad chest.

“Why are you outside?” his voice eerily quiet. “I thought I made it clear that it’s dangerous, you are not a big strong oni. Humans are so fragile and weak” he pulled you into a tight hug. His face pressed against your soft hair. “You better listen to me next time… or I would have to tie you up” he pressed a kiss on top of your head followed by a soft “I love you”.

Kaeya

The Calvary Captain’s office was quite save from the sound of the captain’s pen scribbling. He hadn’t acknowledged you since he brought you inside his spacious office. His silence was scarier than his anger. He continued to write his report about some mission. The grandfather clock in the corner ticking.

After what felt like an eternity Kaeya looked up at you. He folded his hands and leaned his chin on them. His lone eye looking straight at you, causing a shiver to run down your spine. “You broke my trust did you not?” his honeyed voice terrifying. He tck-ed. “I am disappointed, but not surprised” he sighed. “I should punish you” he unfolded his hands and drummed two fingers across the rim of his empty glass.

“Why would I want to be locked up in some apartment?” you spat at the smug knight. His lips stretched up into a uncanny smile.

“Oh my…. You are more naive than what I gave you credit for” he chuckled. He stood up suddenly, causing the chair legs to scrap against the hardwood floor. He walked towards you like a stalking wolf. His eyes hungry and brimming with madness.

He stopped before you and leaned down on the arms of your chair. His face close to yours. Too close. His crystal blue eye scanned yours. You felt completely naked underneath his gaze. “Did you really think I wouldn’t know how you so foolishly conceived the knights guarding the house?” he laughed. His laughter sickening. “I dealt with them as soon as they reported back to me. It was a pain cleaning of the blood from my new boots, but some sacrifices must be made” he sighed.

He grasped your chin and leaned closer “I will never ever let you go.”

He straightened up. His expression lighthearted. “Now let’s get something to eat shall we?” he pulled you up with a tight grip. You looked down on his boots as he dragged you out of his office, noticing the few blood speckles he had missed.

Kaveh

The house Kaveh had constructed for you two was like a maze. With many corridors and doors, it was easy to get lost. He had built you both a home where he could play out his fantasy. He had kept you locked away in the mansion for months. Kaveh said it was to keep you safe and away from prying eyes.

You tried to force the window open for the 10th time, but to no avail. The window was still only a few centimetres open. Kaveh had proudly showed you the windows he had constructed that would not open more than a few centimetres. You had hoped that the design of the master architect had failed, but to your disappointment they had not.

Your eyes scanned the room till the landed on the doors to the winter garden. The glass were delicate and beautiful. You studied it closely till you came to the conclusion that they might be fragile enough to shatter. You picked up a stool that were standing in the corner. You lifted the furniture over your head and smashed the windows with all your might. The glass doors shattered into million pieces, looking like glittering diamonds. You dropped the stool and climbed through the window. You hissed as you cut yourself on the jagged pieces of glass that were still standing.

The winter garden was cozily decorated and it almost made you sad to leave it. The door out to the garden was locked which wasn’t a surprise. To your luck one of the miniature stone statues that resembled birds of all sizes, was perfect for shattering windows. It almost broke your heart at the thought of shattering the beautiful stained glass walls, but you had no choice. With all your might you managed to break it.

You ran as fast as you could through the garden. You had to find the exit before Kaveh came home from his meeting with his new client. As you were about to climb the tall fence that surrounded the property, a pair of strong arms wrapped around your waist and pulled you down. You back hit the soft grass and straddling you were Kaveh. His eyes filled with betrayal and anger.

“How could you?!” his voice loud. His grip on your shoulders tightened. “After all that I have done for you?!” his features twisted into rage and hurt.

You tried to defend yourself, but your words died on you tongue. You had never seen Kaveh that angry. Fear filled you entire being and you felt sick. You casted a last look at the flush forest behind the fence. You knew that this would be your last time outside for a very long time.

Kazuha

With your breath ragged you ran through the dense forest. You had finally managed to escape the white haired samurai. You just needed to reach the beach and board one of the fishing boats that were docked at the dock.

You finally made it to the clearing that lead down to the beach. You waved at the fishermen and they turned to greet you. The dock was old and badly maintained. Splinters poking out and threatening to stab your feet. Just as you were about to ask the captain on the rather small boat, a gust of wind nearly knocked you down.

Red maple leaves fell gently down form the sky. The man in front of you moved quickly and elegantly. His movements like a dance, completely ensnaring you with his beauty. Crimson rain littered the air before it splattered your face. The warm liquid brought you quickly to your senses. Kazuha swiftly slashed his katana, slitting the throat of the captain. The red eyed man landed gently and wiped his blade with a handkerchief. The white fabric staining red in an instant.

He turned his gaze to you. His lips bore a gentle smile. In a blink of an eye he was right in front of you. He lifted his hand and gently wiped the bloodstains of your skin. “What is my delicate flower doing here?” his voice soft.

You swallowed. You had yet to let you eyes wander to the slaughtered boat crew. Kazuha’s eyes scanned yours. His long eyelashes fluttered. Tears ran down your cheeks in crystal clear rivers. You shoved him away as hard as you could. He stumbled back, but you knew he held back his strength. He had let you push him. “Get away from me!” your voice weak and trembling. You choked out a cry as your fell down to the wooden floor. The wood was soaked with red blood. You let your eyes wander. You wanted to throw up at the sight of the dead boatmen.

“You know I can’t do that. Without me you’re lost. I need to protect you. You are the only light in my life and I know we will live happily ever after” his voice was pained and vulnerable. His calloused hands gripped your shoulders in desperation. “I am never going to let you leave me” his smile crazed and not fitting his saddened eyes.

He wrapped his arms around you in an embrace that reminded you of a cage. His face nestled into your soft hair. “I will make you happy, just you wait and see.”

Lyney

A swarm of cards flew over your face, momentarily blinding you. You ducked your head, but lost balance as something caught your leg. It was a makeshift snare made of multiple colourful handkerchiefs. Playful giggles reached your ears.

“The surprised look on your face is to die for! So adorable!” his voice gleeful.

You quickly got back on your feet and was about to make a run for it when Lyney tackled you. You landed with a groan, the cobblestone hard against your back. Lyney pinned your hands to the ground as he sat on top of your midriff. He grinned as he looked down on you.

“It’s no fun in you escaping you know?” he tilted his head. He kissed your nose before he jumped off you. “You could at least be a little more creative” he shook his head in faux disappointment.

“Asshole” you sneered at him.

His cat like eyes crinkled in amusement at your remark. “How rude” he snickered.

Just as sudden as he had jumped you, his expression changed. His eyes colder than ice and his mouth a thin line. He grabbed your wrist and dragged you after him.

He unlocked the house he, his siblings and you resided in. He quickly locked the door after him and dragged you into your bedroom. He let go of your hand. You quickly stumbled as far away from him as you could.

“Why can’t you let me have nice things? Why [Name]?” his eyes narrowed. It was in moments like this that you remembered his role in The Fatui. His eyes held a dangerous glint that dared you to cross him.

Your eyes widened in horror. “No, no, no… Please Lyney!” you begged. Tears trialing down your cheeks and pooling down onto the soft carpet.

“You gave me no choice. This is the consequences of your own actions” he shushed you as he clasped the chain onto your left ankle. He gently kissed your tears away. “It’s only temporary, okay?” he gently stroked your cheekbone. “I love you darling, don’t forget that.”

Neuvillette

Even though the judge bore aesthetically similarities with the sea otters that lived in the Fontanian waters, he was not like them at all. They were sweet playful creatures, and the judge a selfish cruel man. His good reputation made you sick. If only the citizens of Fontaine knew him like you did.

He had kept you hidden and locked up in his beautiful home. That was until you had managed to convince the Melusine that was in charge of looking after you that day. At first she refused to let you out, but when you told her that you were going to buy a present for Neuvillette she yielded. If it was under other circumstances you would have felt bad for tricking her.

The bustling streets of The Court of Fontaine a familiar sight. You breathed in the air. Oh how you had missed the smell of new baked goods and the music of street musicians.

You knew it would not take long before Neuvillette would notice your disappearance. You had to get out of the city and onto an aqua bus before he sent the Gardes after you.

You bought a ticket with the money you had managed to steal from Neuvillette. You quickly made it up the stairs to the aqua bus station. The aqua bus was just about to depart when a group of Gardes blocked the exit behind you. You leaped for the bus only to collide with a broad chest. You could recognise that scent no matter where in Teyvat you found yourself.

You slowly raised your head. Neuvillette looked down at you with a furious expression. You had only seen that expression when he had caught you chatting with other men (it didn’t matter to him that your conversation was only friendly and nothing more). His lilac eyes bored into yours, stripping your soul naked.

“I told you to never leave the residence” his voice low and lazed with anger.

His horns glowing light blue. His hands balled into fists by his sides, clearly trying to ground himself. You lowered your head.

“We are going back at once and you better not make any commotions” his hand turned you around and firmly guided you to the lift. One of the Gardes reached out his hand in order to size you properly. “Get your filthy hand away from her” Neuvillette’s voice boomed.

The Garde tried to defend himself but was cut short by Neuvillette. “Leave at once or you will regret it” his teeth bared. His sharp fangs fully visible. The Garde bowed and quickly left.

Neuvillette’s hand tightened its hold on your shoulder. “When we get home I demanded an explanation as to why you left your home” he whispered into your ear.

Pantalone

Pantalone was sitting on a expensive leather chair. His shoes polished in a way you could see your own reflection in the black leather. In his gloved hands was a black pistol with details in white gold.

In front of him on the cold polished hardwood floor knelt a man. His hands were bound behind his back. His eyes were looking pleadingly up at the Harbinger. He was a guard whom you had befriended. He had so kindly helped you escape before you both were caught red handed by the ninth Harbinger.

The black haired Harbinger turned his face towards you. “This is what he gets for taking what’s mine” his voice as smooth as velvet. His eyes dark and his smile cunning. He turned towards the bound man. “I must admit that I am a rather greedy man. I really hate when people try to take what’s mine” he sighed and clicked his tongue. He flicked the safety and pointed the pistol at the guards head.

“No!” you screamed as you desperately tried to get lose from your silk bindings.

Pantalone shushed you gently. “He asked for it my love” his voice sweet as sugar.

“Any last words?” he smiled. “Hmm… I don’t think you deserve any” he fired the pistol before the poor guard had the time to open his mouth. Pantalone’s smile stretched into a sickening grin. The man’s brain splatters onto the expansive rug.

You screamed as you tried to swallow the bile. “How could you?! You disgusting monster! I hate you!” you screamed while thick tears ran down your cheeks.

“Don’t cry my dear. He’s not worth shedding your lovely tears over” Pantalone kneeled in front of you. His eyes gentle. “I will make sure that no other men like that ever gets between us. You are mine and nothing will ever change that” his voice low.

Pierro

The sorcerer had forced you to your knees with his magic. You could feel the power tugging at your mind and it hurt. His pale eyes boring into yours. “Have you forgotten your place?” his gruff voice echoed inside the ballroom.

You glared up at him unable to do anything else. He kneeled before you and harshly lifted your chin. His expression harsher than the unforgiving climate outside. “I must say I’m utterly disappointed in your behaviour. You should be ashamed.”

You tried to get control over your limbs, but to no avail. Your words died on your tongue and you were unable to make any sound.

The white haired man scoffed and released his hold on you. His magic released you completely and you crawled backwards and away from him. Creating as much distance as possible.

The Jester rose to his feet and dusted off invisible dust from his elegant robe. “If you were anyone else I would have executed you for your crime. Do not forget that our relationship was blessed directly blessed from Her Majesty Herself” he sneered.

He hauled you up to your feet, his iron grip bruising. He dragged you down the corridors and up the many stairs to your chambers. He slammed the door open and dragged you inside.

“Think over what you have done. I don’t take such humiliation lightly” his eyes narrow as he looked down on you. “Don’t think you will ever get away. You belong to me and that’s final” with that he closed the door and locked it making you all alone.

Sethos

You ran over the dunes as fast as you could. You had to be fast. Behind you you could hear Sethos voice as he called for you. To your misfortune the free spirited man was fast. Extremely fast. Your sandals were filled with sand, but you couldn’t care less.

Suddenly it became quiet. Too quiet. You hid behind a rock formation and listened. Suddenly a figure slid down the dune to your left and leaped on top of you. He was precise enough that make sure you landed on the sand and not the rock behind you. His wild hair rustling in the wind.

The sight in front of you reminded you of the time when he swept you away and locked you away inside the temple. He had first gotten to know you when he visited Sumeru City. He had told you it was love at first sight and he asked you to come and visit the desert with him. You were taken aback by his impulsiveness, but you soon grew accustom to it.

“If you wanted to play hide and seek you could have just said so” his entire weight on you. He was silent for a few moments. His crystal green eyes scanning yours. You could see his gears turning. “Don’t tell me you tried to run away from me…? You would never do something like that? Right?” his voice lazed with disbelief and desperation.

In a swift movement you were brought to you feet. His hold on you right and you wondered if he thought you would fly away if he let go. “Let’s get back to the temple” his voice back to its jovial self, but his eyes clouded with obsession and desperation.

Thoma

The white mop mopped over the hardwood floor in a fast motion. The white colour quickly staining red. A crimson red pool of blood was spilled across the floor. The sight made you sick. Bile raising up in your throat. You were sitting in the coroner of the room , hugging your knees. The blonde man stopped his mopping and raised his head and looked at you. His face splattered with blood. He sighed and leaned the mop against the wall.

“I am so sorry you had to see that, my angle” his green eyes pleading. He crouched in front of your trembling form. He gently caressed your cheek.

The friendly and kind housekeeper was gone and replaced by a green eyed monster that slaughtered anything in its path. He had beheaded the kind men that helped you escape from the Kamisato estate.

“I am wounded that you tried to leave me. What did I do wrong?” his eyes glossy.

You locked me away you wanted to say, but you kept your mouth shut.

“My master has been kind and let us stay here together and this is your gratitude?” his voice slightly raised. His eyes scanned over your form and landed on your bloodied nightdress. “I have to get that off” he muttered as he quickly rose. His movements frantic as he looked for a washcloth.

“My gratitude?” your voice shaky, but loud. “You have taken everything away from me!” you stood up. Your legs shaky.

Thoma’s eyes narrowed. “Watch your tongue” his voice cold.

You swallowed. You understood now better than anyone why so many feared the “fixer”.

His hold on the washcloth tight. His knuckles whiter than snow. “Go to your room and change. I will wash your nightdress later” he spoke through gritted teeth.

Your colour drained from your face as you hurried to your room. Your bedroom seemed more like a prison than anything else.

Tighnari

The forest watcher had always lectured you about various plants and their effects and benefits. At first you thought it was boring, but after awhile you learned to use it to your advantage. Taking herbs from Tighnari’s beloved collection was tricky, but not impossible. You had read through every single book he had on botany. Your plan was bulletproof.

Tighnari had gently sipped on the cup of tea you had brewed for him while he read through some reposts. He had then fallen limp over the kitchen table. You checked his pulse and breathes out in relief when you felt his pulse against your fingers. You wanted to escape from the obsessed fox, not kill him.

You rummage through his pocket for his key. The key was heavy in your hand and it was almost a surreal feeling when you twisted it in the lock. The air fresh and welcoming. With a last look at the unconscious man you began your journey.

The rainforest was tricky to navigate in, but luckily you had stolen both a map and a compass from Tighnari. Yet again you were glad you paid attention to his boring lectures. The sound of branches snapping made you stop in your tracks. The hair on the back of your neck rose.

“Poisoning me…” his voice echoed through the treetops. “Your audacity is truly something” he sneered. “Look at me when I’m talking to you” his voice nearer.

You slowly turned around and were met with a angry hazel eyes. His long ears pinned back in anger. His arms folded over his chest.

“The rainforest is dangerous. Let’s get back” you could see he was holding back his fury. His jaw clenched. He groaned and dragged a hand over his face. “I guess I have no choice…” he sighed as he stalked towards you.

Quicker thank you could register he had trapped you within his arms. “I will never let you go. I’m just trying to protect you” he whispered against your ear.

Something pricked your neck. Your eyes widened and darted to Tighnari’s. “It had to be down. Consider it… pay back” he supported your body as you lost consciousness.

Venti

The anemo archon was an eerie man. He was all smiles and friendly laughter among the crowd disguised as Venti the bard, but with you he was like a completely different person. Sure he was still easygoing, but his obsession and possession overshadowing anything else. He had told you many times with a playful smirk that he was undoubtedly the weakest archon. You never believed him. You had seen with your very own eyes what he was capable of doing to those he thought was undeserving of your attention, but you had yet to see his full potential. Though you must admit that you rather did not wish to witness that.

He kept you in the ruins of Stormterror’s lair. He had made the ruin as liveable as possible and even quite cozy. He treated you like royalty and gave you everything except freedom. You thought it was rather stupid considering he was the god of freedom.

Escaping the ruin was almost completely impossible considering the wind shields that surrounded it and the dragon that acted as a guard. When you finally managed to escape and run over the grassy meadows you were so happy you cried.

Your tears clouded your vision causing you to become less aware of your surroundings.

Strong wind slammed against causing you to lose balance. There in front of you were Barbados. He was not in his usual clothing, but rather in a godly outfit. White big wings flapping behind him. His cerulean eyes glowing intensely in the night. He was completely silent, but you felt the anger oozing out from him.

You were completely frozen to the ground and you were unsure if it was his doing or your fear taking over. You wanted to explain yourself, but your voice failed you completely.

With a gust of wind you were swept up into his arms. His arms strong and squeezed you flushed against him. His wings flapped silently as he soared through the air. High up in the air you were able to see Mondstadt City and you quickly came to the realisation that you would probably never step a foot inside its gates again.

Wanderer/Scara

In front off you was a raging man. His eyes wide and filled with fury. His hands held anemo power which he sliced through the merchants that had guided you through the tick rainforest. Wanderer’s hair was slicked back with blood. He delivered the last strike to the merchant before he landed. He slowly turned around to face you. His hands shaking with anger.

You opened your mouth, but quickly shut your mouth at his raised hand. “Those lowlife who think they can take you away from me” he laughed manically. “How dumb can you be?” Wanderer sneered through laughter. “Because you would never leave me right? After all I have been through? Right?” his eyes crazed as he continued to spew nonsense. “We are destined to be together. It’s my right. How dare they to take that away from me?! I should revive them just so that I could kill them again” his laughter sounded almost forced.

He wrapped his arms around you. You could feel tears against your neck as he wept. You were astonished by his vulnerability. It almost made you pity him. Just almost.

He quickly regained his composure and roughly wiped his tears on his sleeve. “Let’s go home…” his voice distant.

The journey back had been quite. When you finally arrived back he shoved you inside. His eyes wide and intense. “You have no idea how much I wanna lock you up in a cage right now” he muttered. His porcelain white hand tightly gripping yours. “I will make sure so that you never leave me. I need you. I need you so much it hurts. So don’t ever try and get away.”

Wriothesley

You had long planned your escape from The Fortress of Meropide. Unlike the other inmates you were completely innocent. You had been wrongfully imprisoned on the request of Wriothesley. You had gained the trust of some of you fellow inmates and they promised to help you escape. You had chose the pipe cleaning day as your day of escaping. All went smoothly and exactly as planned.

The only step left in your plan was descend into the waters that the pipes were connected too and swim out to freedom. After that you had to avoid the detectors, but you were confident in your diving abilities.

As you were saying your thanks to the kind inmates, the sound of heavy boots against metal echoed in the pipes. In the opening of the pipe were Wriothesley. His imposing figure sending shivers down you spine.

The metal decorations on his outfit clattering with each step. The handcuffs on his hip catching the light. His icy eyes held an unreadable emotion. “Well well… What might this ruckus be?” he tilted his head and placed his hands on his hips. His tone held a dangerous edge to it. Wriothesley eyes glued onto yours and completely ignoring the others.

A bottomless pit formed in your stomach and you almost threw up. You swallowed the taste of vomit. Your freedom was so close, yes so very far.

“Are you aware your sentences are going to be so much longer?” his lips curled up into a little smirk. “I thought you were smarter than this” with two steps he reached you. He hooked off his cuffs and cuffed your wrists. “It seems you need a more secure cell… Luckily I know just the one” he leaned closer to your ear “I will make sure you always stick to my side”.

You had never regretted something more than your little escape attempt. The new so called cell was a bedroom connected to the Duke’s living quarters. Your freedom had never been so distant as it was now.

Xiao

You ran as fast as you could. The landscape blurring together as you navigated through the forest. You had to escape him. Or at least try. Tue bamboo forest was dense and dark. Your human eyes struggled to see clearly. You could hear birds fleeing in the distance. He was close.

You had ran away when you learned that he had slaughtered the man who had so kindly gifted you sun pork buns. The adepti had let you run first, which surprised you. Even though you didn’t understand why, you were grateful for your head start.

Suddenly a green black cloud appeared in front off you. You tried to turn in your heel to flow, but was stopped when a hand grabbed your collar. You were momentarily unable to breath. It was only when he loosened his grip that you were able to gasp for air.

“I don’t understand you mortals. I only do what I have to protect you. I give you everything you need and more” he sounded confused and annoyed.

“Without me you would not have managed to survive. At all” he spun you around so you could face him. “Did me killing that man hurt you that much? I have killed many of you near acquaintances and you never batted an eye…” his voice trailed off as he was lost in thought. “Could it be that you never realised? Never mind. It doesn’t matter now” he sighed.

At the thought of him killing your near friends without you knowing made you sob helplessly. He only started at you in confusion.

He clicked his tongue before he hauled you over his shoulder. “I need to ask Madame Ping for a tea pot it seems…” his voice a frustrated groan.

Zhongli

You had sought shelter at a kind older couple. You needed to regain your energy before you fled the city. The woman was kind and gladly cooked for you. She completely denied your help. You stayed at their house for two weeks before the older woman knocked at your bedroom door and told you a friend of her husband was coming to visit.

The atmosphere in the living room was as tense as it could get. In front of you were Zhongli. He was the friend the couple had spoken so warmly about. The brunette was sitting in the sofa besides the woman, one of his legs over the other. His hand elegantly holding a cup of tea. His reptile eyes staring you down intensely.

You felt like sinking into the floor. Your hands trembling as you took a sip of the tea. The bitter taste doing nothing to soothe your nerves.

“I don’t know if you are aware, but I and miss [Name] know each other’s very well” his smile sharp. To hear your husband speaking in such manner made your heart beat against your chest.

You knew it was unwise to go against Morax and his contracts, but you had no choice. He had tricked you into signing the contract that would imprison. Zhongli had terrified you before you knew of his identity as the Geo Archon, but when you found out about his identity you were absolutely petrified.

Zhongli hummed at a joke the man had told. His golden eyes never leaving yours. His lips twisted up into a grin which revealed his sharp fangs. With the golden light from the sunset outside he looked even more inhuman than ever before. You felt small and utterly helpless before him. You dreaded his punishment that you knew would income when he brought you back.

After an hour and an half had past Zhongli excused himself. “I must take my leave now. [Name] you should come with” his order clear as day. He smiled to the couple and bowed in courtesy.

You swallowed and nodded. You thanked the couple for their hospitality and left with Zhongli.

When you were out of earshot he turned to you. “A broken contract is no laughing matter my dear” his hand gripping yours. “I will make it clear to you when we get back who you belong to” his voice deep and determined.

[lyneira]

♡ leeches and lost puppies ♡

-> when the genshin men act clingy towards you

fluff with a little bit of angst!

lyneira's 1.2k milestone event

They're the type to be clingy when...

...they get jealous

Scaramouche, Childe, Heizou, Kaeya

If they see anyone attempting to get close to you or looking at you in a more-than friendly manner, then OH these boys will be HANDSY. (After dealing with the offender) They'll leave their hand on your shoulder, your waist, or your hip, and pull you in close to them, and hold you like this for as long as they are with you. They won't be afraid to plant kisses up and down your neck, shoulder, and jaw while he's at it too.

He'll do anything to tell others to back off because you're already taken by him.

...they've missed you so much

Alhaitham, Ayato, Tighnari, Albedo, Xiao

"Clingy" isn't really in their vocabulary, but during the times you've been away for a while, they'll show how much they've missed you by almost never leaving your side, following you around like a lost puppy.

Going to the kitchen for a snack? Well, they're suddenly hungry and will go with you too. Going out to get some groceries? He'll offer to come with you help you carry the bags. Reading a book? He'll grab one to read and sit beside you. Even if you two aren't speaking and are simply doing your own things, he'll want to be wherever you are. Your presence alone is enough to make him happy.

I think they'd also give you more kisses than usual as well: kissing you when you arrive home, kissing you before he leaves, or simply kissing you out of nowhere to enjoy the look of surprise on your face.

...they want comfort

Kaveh, Cyno, Diluc

After a long day of work, he'll come home and would immediately go to hug you from behind, clinging to your waist as he nuzzles his face into your back. Hugging you like this eases him, and with your warm hand holding his arms wrapped around you and leaning into his touch, all of his stress would begin to wash away.

Kaveh would totally be the type to vent about his day, then leaving kisses up and down your back as he tells you how much you ease his mind and how much he adores you. His adoration will only skyrocket if you choose to turn him around and return his flurry of kisses. At this point, he'd come to an epiphany; Instead of drowning in his sorrows, he'd rather drown in you.

On the other hand, I see Cyno and Diluc being the type to hug you in silence, simply relishing the feeling of you in his arms and calming himself as he listens to your heartbeat.

They'd stay like this for a while. You are his source of comfort, both physically and emotionally, so of course he'd cling onto you when he's had a rough day.

...they think of ever losing you

Dainsleif, Zhongli

When they think of how there will eventually come a time where you will no longer be there with him, it pains him extraordinarily. He doesn't want to think of such thoughts, yet, he knows that he must understand the reality of it.

Like the previous category, he'll also hug you out of nowhere, embracing you so tightly that you could feel the pounding of his heart against his chest and deeply inhaling your scent that he so adores. He'll keep you in his arms for the longest time without saying a word. There would be no need for words to tell you that he desperately needed to hold you, to shield you in his arms and protect you, wishing that his embrace could keep you safe and sound with him for the eternity he'll have to live for.

He doesn't want to let you go, so let him enjoy the remaining time he has with you.

...they crave your affection

Baizhu, Gorou, Kazuha, Thoma

They'd be a shy and romantic type of clingy, wanting more of your touch, wanting to be held by you, and wanting more of your love, but being hesitant to ask for it directly. They wouldn't want you to see them as needy and end up warding you off as a result.

So they'll attempt to be subtle with their desire, extending his hand out you when you're in a crowd, brushing off a strand of hair that may be in your face, gently holding the small of your back as you two walk, and finding any other opportunity to touch you in a helpful or kind manner for as long as he can.

It's when you finally return his affections will he feel free to be more forward with his own. When you'd place your on hand on his, or cup his cheek, he will immediately melt into your touch, holding your hand tighter or taking your cupped hand and kissing your palm.

Play with their hair, dance your fingers on his skin, caress his cheeks, do anything to show your affection for him and he'll fold so easily for you, further begging you for it by reciprocating your actions and maybe even more 🤭

they're just clingy IN GENERAL

Venti, Itto

They hold a lot of love for you and it SHOWS. It'll be a complete combination of all categories up to this point. If you leave the room, it doesn't matter where you're going, he's going with you. He wants to be close to you and will want to have his hands on you nearly the entire time. Heck, he will literally cling onto you like a leech, clinging onto your arm or waist. He's not planning on leaving your side or letting you go anytime soon.

Brace yourself because he'll also talk your ear off at the same time too, either by talking about some random thing, complimenting you in the weirdest of ways, or telling you the cheesiest of pick-up lines.

Like, I see Itto suddenly pulling out an onikabuto from his pocket to gift you, saying, "My love for you is like this Onikabuto- big and impossible to break 😌". On the other hand, I think Venti would be much smoother and Shakespearean with his words tbh lol

You'll also catch them staring at you for long periods of time and when you call them out on it, they'll simply respond, "Can you blame me? It's hard not to stare when you're just too beautiful" and would give you a cheeky wink.

© 2023 lyneira. PLEASE DO NOT COPY, PLAGIARIZE, OR REPOST MY WRITING ONTO OTHER PLATFORMS

[dumplingsfordays]

fiery embers

pairing - vampire!wriothesley x reader

genre - VERY suggestive fluff.

summary - one dark night, you take refuge in a seemingly abandoned castle which, unbeknownst to you, houses a vampire.

cw!: suggestive, mentions of blood, wrio kinda uh bites you several times, reader is implied to be a little drunk

note - holy cow I am so sorry I took so long to write this, I was kinda busy with hw and a couple bdays so uh yeah 😭 I also feel like this can be applied to blade + maybe dainsleif?? sort of dark n brooding characters lmao-

And as always, thank you for reading :))

˗ˏˋ ★ ˎˊ˗

Your feet had never felt so sore before in your life as you approached your (hopefully) saving grace. It was a giant castle in the middle of the woods, with craggy black trees surrounding it on all sides - you were in the middle of a forest, after all. Sure, it seemed creepy and probably abandoned, but what were you gonna do when you have no other choice? Sleep outside, on the bare ground? No way. At least you could see a glimmer of orange light coming from one of the ground floor windows, most likely a fireplace. Ah, you were already imagining warming your frigid fingers by the flame...

Just a little more to go. Just a little, y/n, come on.

You shivered, your breath escaping your lips in puffs of mist as you approached the tall oak front doors. They were surrounded on both sides by crimson roses, their petals darker than any roses you've ever seen before, and their thorns were much sharper and longer. You paid them little mind as you pushed on the wood with your palm.

To your surprise, a door creaked open rather easily, and you entered the dark building with caution. When you turned back around, closing the door, you sensed heat coming from an adjacent room - thank God you weren't imagining things when you saw that flickering in one of the windows.

Hurrying over through a dark corridor to the room to the right of you, you arrived at a dim, and quite dusty, library. It was much larger than the bookshop in your village - bookshelves rose all the way up to a tall ceiling, and all of them were completely filled with the multicolored leather spines of books, illuminated by the gentle flickering flame emitted from the fireplace to your right. A mahogany writing desk sat in a far corner, and if there was something on it then you couldn't see it, it was too dark. Near the fireplace stood a loveseat furnished of the same exquisite wood, with crimson covers and golden detailing, almost daring you to sit down.

And sit down you did - with a relieved sigh, of course, and when you bent over to heat your hands by the warm fire you heard something shift in the corner.

You immediately whipped your head around. "Who's there?"

"I should be asking you that," came a baritone voice from the same corner, and following it, the figure of a tall man emerged from the shadows.

"I'm sorry, don't hurt me, please, I was just cold and I was so desperate to find shelter," you start to ramble, eyes widening in fear as you jumped up from the chair to face him. "Was I sitting in your chair? Oh, God, I'm so sorry, I'll leave now, I just needed to warm up a little-"

"There's no need to do that," the man interrupted calmly. He gestured you to sit back down, and, of course, you obeyed, albeit reluctantly. He pulled up a smaller chair some distance away from yours but still in close proximity to the fire and put his feet, donned in black slippers, up on the stone mantle.

You both sat in silence before he spoke up again.

"Are you from Carran? The village quite a ways from here?"

"Yes," you replied meekly and quietly, the overwhelming sense of guilt at breaking into someone's house (well, in this case, castle) flooding your system.

"Hmm." He paused in contemplation. "I don't know how you made it all the way here, it's freezing outside. I'm happy to provide anything you need, though, like food or clothes, in case you still feel cold."

At his mention of food, your stomach involuntarily growled - you forgot that you hadn't eaten in such a long time, you didn't have breakfast or lunch or dinner and it was probably late into the night by now.

"If it really isn't too much of a hassle or anything, I know that I just kind-of barged into your house and everything, but could I please have something to eat? I haven't done so in a while and I'll be grateful for anything."

Out of the corner of your eye, you saw him smile and stand up.

"Come along," he beckoned, "I haven't had dinner yet, so this is really the perfect opportunity to eat."

You followed him uncertainly to the kitchen, a large, open space with dark wooden shelves and a stove in the corner. There was an island, whose countertop was a big slab of (you guessed it) wood. The man, walking over to the stove, lit a match and started to heat up a pot, which, once it started to emit a pleasant, cozy smell, you realized to be full of chicken noodle soup.

When you sat to have dinner, you finished your meal way quicker than he did - such was your hunger - so you, as politely as possible, asked for seconds, which he gladly gave to you. Finally, after a tidbit of conversation, he brought up the topic of names.

"I should introduce myself," he started. "I'm Wriothesley. Well, Duke Wriothesley, officially. And you are...?"

"y/n. It's very nice to meet you, Your Grace."

He let out a short, booming laugh. "No need for formalities. You barged into my home, so I think it follows that we're past pleasantries by now."

Your cheeks reddened in embarrassment as you looked down at your second serving of soup, the broth glimmering in the gentle flickering of the candles around the room. You looked up momentarily, though - Wriothesley wasn't eating. But he said that he hadn't had dinner yet, and he implied that he was hungry...

"This sounds a little rude but..." you trailed off, trying to find words that sound a little more pleasant than 'you said you were hungry and you're not eating, so what's up with that'.

"Yes?" He glanced towards you and you swallowed.

"Why aren't you eating?"

The dark-haired man hummed a short note before answering. "I'll eat later. My appetite... lessened."

For a split second you caught a faint sparkle in his eyes when he said 'appetite', and that freaked you out, before you concluded that mealtimes were his own choice and you shouldn't really judge a person based on that. Shrugging it off, you continued eating.

As you finished up your second plate, Wriothesley, like a gentleman, scooped it up and placed it into the sink before asking if you cared for some wine. You, of course, accepted - what duke wouldn't have exquisite wines in his cellar?

You went back to the library to drink. The fire was warm, and with the alcohol in your system, it felt like you were wrapped up in a nice, cozy blanket while you sat by Wriothesley on the couch in relative silence, occasionally having tidbits of conversation with the man and taking a sip of wine every time another pause ensued. Eventually, you couldn't tell whether it was the alcohol making you feel this warm or just the fire - either way, you felt your previously nervous muscles relax, and instinctively, you shifted closer to him. Which was a mistake, as when your hand briefly touched his, you realized just how icy it was.

"Um, Wrio," you started, using a nickname that you assigned to him a couple conversations ago, "why are you so cold?"

Out of the corner of your eye, you saw him turn his head to meet your gaze questioningly. "Am I really?"

"Yeah, you're freezing."

"Oh, I thought you meant unfriendly," he chuckled, "I just happen to be colder than your average human."

"Human?" you smile. "You sound like a werewolf or a vampire or something."

"And what if I was?"

"Well... I probably wouldn't care." Yeah, the alcohol was definitely in your system now.

At your answer, Wriothesley raised a curious brow. "Don't you think they're vile? Scary? Threatening?"

"If you were a vampire, you haven't bitten me yet," you reply matter-of-factly, "so I don't think that you're terribly dangerous."

In a flash, he was on you - trapping you between himself and the couch, he leaned forward, almost forcing eye contact. You were helpless to do anything but lock your eyes onto his ice-blue ones.

"And if I bit you right now, would I still be dangerous?"

"Depends on if you chicken out or not."

Wrong choice, y/n!

"Well then." He dove to the crux of your shoulder, letting his surprisingly warm breath tickle your neck before grazing his teeth across the delicate skin. "Let me know if it gets too much, hmm?"

Resolving yourself to your fate was really the only thing you could do right now. You stared at the dark ceiling as you felt his rough hand caress your hair, tilting your head to the side for easier access, and finally biting down.

It stung at first, like two needles being injected within close proximity of each other, before the pain melted into excruciating pleasure after a couple of seconds. Wriothesley removed his fangs, favoring to lick the flowing spring of blood little by little.

"God, you taste sweet," he groaned, running his tongue along your neck. You writhed in his hold, clawing at his back, pressing him to your form, begging to bite you again and again and again-

He retracted his mouth from your neck, his absence making you whine pitifully as you tried to bring his head down, back to your shoulder.

"Look, I can barely look at you without needing to bite, I just feel... a little wrong if you don't want me to."

His steely-blue eyes locked onto yours, desperation and desire clearly evident in their depths. Please let me bite, sink my teeth into your soft skin. Fucking please, please, I need to or I'm gonna die.

"Yes, just do it, 'm begging you," you cry, letting out a relieved moan when he scraped his fangs across your skin where he bit you previously. And then he bit again, this time lower, trailing down to your shoulder. His hands started to roam, one finding purchase in your hair and the other holding his upper body up so that he didn't crush you beneath his chest.

Never in your life did you think that a vampire sucking your blood was going to feel so intoxicating. You couldn't help but gasp as he ghosted his cold lips across your fiery skin, indulging in real human blood (sheep and cow blood were getting very bland, almost seeming to him as dog food would to a person) that, to his added excitement, came from such a beautiful body. He pulled out every single noise that you could make out from your throat, sounds that compelled him to kiss and nip and lick your tender skin with urgent attentiveness.

Soon you began to feel lightheaded - a state which you couldn't tell if it came from the wine or the loss of blood - but you let Wriothesley know anyway by tapping him on the shoulder.

"Mmh, you taste so good, sweetheart," he praised, "what is it you need?"

"I'm feeling kind-of lightheaded n tired," you whispered in reply. His eyes widened for a split second, but returned to normal as he pulled himself off of you, making sure to press a finger to where he bit you to stop the bleeding.

"I'll get a bandaid, but thank you for letting me, thank you," Wriothesley sighed as he licked his lips and pressed a gentle kiss to your forehead. He stood up from the couch, grabbed a blanket from a nearby shelf, and draped the heavy material over you, sort-of tucking you in before leaving the library to fetch a bandaid.

Now alone, you turned over to your side to look at the flames. They were dying now, embers flickering a deep orange as they cast light onto the surrounding bookshelves and you, and the heat emanating from them was pleasantly warm. Folding your knees up to your chest, you closed your heavy eyes and at last succumbed to sleep.

[akimiiyo]

-> KISSES

⌗synopsis : how genshin men kiss.

⌗characters : diluc, kaeya, albedo, zhongli, childe, baizhu, xiao, thoma, ayato, heizou, wanderer, kazuha, tighnari, cyno, alhaitham, kaveh, neuvillette, lyney, dainsleif, dottore, pantalone, capitano, pierro.

⌗cw : gn!reader, lowercase intended, probably ooc.

his kisses are full of love, but mostly happen behind closed doors. he’s often busy and caught up in his own duties, left craving for your affection all day long before he can come back home to you where he’ll finally get to hold you in his arms and shower you with the love that has been building up over the hours. still, when you’re out together, he refrains from doing anything more than walking hand in hand or letting you link your arm around his. perhaps a quick peck on the cheek here and there, but that’s how far he’ll go when you’re in public. he thinks that everything other than that is too intimate to be done in front of others. not to worry though, in private, he’ll be sure to show you how much he cherishes you.

diluc, ayato, alhaitham, neuvillette, pantalone, pierro.

his kisses are playful and teasing. he has always loved kissing you, no matter if it is a fleeting kiss or a passionate one, he firmly believes your soft lips were made for his. although your kisses are definitely considered a blissful experience for him, what he really adores is your expression after you pull apart. he simply can’t get enough of the small glint in your eyes and the faint hue on your cheeks. he takes it upon himself to kiss you when you least expect it to enhance such reaction. at work? he’ll swiftly turn you around and plant his lips on yours. out with friends? he can’t go on without getting a small peck from his darling. minding your own business? he’ll interrupt your train of thoughts by quickly placing his lips against yours. he’ll leave you wanting for more as he walks away with that usual mischievous smile of his, acting as nothing ever happened.

kaeya, childe, heizou, cyno, kaveh, lyney.

his kisses are sweet and calm. he’s simply a peaceful soul whose current wish is to make you feel as if you were the most important being in the entire world and it’s working. the delicate and gentle way he touches you has your cheeks flaring up, the way he looks at you with such fondness has your heart racing while his kisses make you feel as if you’re floating above the clouds. he’s truly a gentleman at heart, kissing the back of your hand every time you go out or your forehead to reassure you wherever you need him to. it also doesn’t matter how long you’ve been together, he’ll always look up at you before asking for permission to kiss you, only looking out for your own comfort. he would never miss his chance of kissing you as it’s the fastest way to calm him down no matter what.

albedo, zhongli, baizhu, thoma, kazuha, tighnari.

his kisses are hesitant and rare. this poor man is too unfamiliar with affection, especially physical, to be open about his feelings. he loves you dearly, maybe way more than he had first thought when he had started to fall for you, but it’s simply too complicated for him to show you all that and he hates himself for it. he wishes he could be more forward with making his feelings for you clear, however, he is scared that everything will come crumbling down as soon as he gets too used to your warmth. nonetheless, he is genuinely convinced that you deserve everything and more, so he musters up the courage to actually reciprocate your display of affection, and he tries to pour all of his deeply felt emotions into it too. give the scarred man some time, he’ll eventually cave in to your touch.

xiao, wanderer, dainsleif, dottore, capitano.

⌗a/n : can you tell this is my first time writing smth like this?? LMAOO pls tell me if this is cringe pls pls pls 😞 also, im sorry if this makes no sense, i wrote this at 1am 🙏🏻 do tell if i made any spelling mistakes tho!!

want to read more? take a look at my masterlist!

©2023 akimiiyo. do not repost, translate, plagiarise, or modify in any way, shape or form.

[ellalalala]

🎲 <333

Aaa mootie! I'm sorry it took me a while! This is entirely self indulgent, hope you don't mind :)

39. A tentative kiss

kiss roulette

"The rain is letting up. We should be able to head back to the city soon."

You gave a soft hum in response. Disappointment bubbled in your chest at his words; you'd found endless enjoyment in this moment shared with Dainsleif, all but forgetting about the rest of your worries.

The soft pitter-patter of the rain, accompanied by Dainsleif's steady breathing at your side soothed you more than you could confess. Moments like this were rare - the bustle of your daily life didn't allow for any peace - thus you wanted to savor it for as long as you could. Besides, when was the last time you had gotten to be with Dainsleif uninterrupted?

You looked through the gaps between the trees above your head, and saw the sky painted light grey. Water droplets fell on your skin, though they mattered little. The woods provided you with decent shelter and you had nothing to complain about.

Your eyes fell on Dainsleif. To your surprise, he had been gazing at you all along.

"Are you cold?" He asked. Dainsleif tentatively reached out to caress your face whilst you stared, mesmerized.

The feeling that you had known him in another lifetime followed you even now; it was easy to imagine a different version of yourself admiring his visage, smiling at the mere thought of him. Was it just your imagination, that hopeless romantic inside you?

"You're freezing."

You blinked, pulled out of your thoughts. "Oh. I didn't even notice..."

Dainsleif pursed his lips before making a move to remove his cape, to which you shook your head.

"What about you?" You asked.

"I'll be alright," he said, "the cold no longer affects my body the way it affects yours."

You chided yourself inwardly for forgetting as Dainsleif removed his cape and draped it around your shoulders. In an instant, you were enveloped in his smoky scent; the cape did very little to warm you but, at the very least, it made you feel as though you were wrapped in Dainsleif's arms - to which nothing could ever compare.

His hands lingered on your shoulders.

"You should have dressed in warmer clothes," Dainsleif murmured, not without fondness in his tone. It was becoming increasingly difficult to hear a word he said when he stood so close, when you could feel his warm breath on your face. "I will brew you some tea once we return. It would be a shame if-"

You interrupted, chuckling softly, "I won't get sick, Dain. There's no need to worry."

The corners of his lips just barely tilted upwards and Dainsleif offered you the tiniest of smiles - even that was enough to fluster you. You fought the urge to avert your gaze shyly.

"It's better to be safe than sorry," said Dainsleif. He turned his head for a moment and your gaze followed. The rain had ceased, leaving dew-laden grass in its wake.

The disappointment inside you that had laid dormant made itself known once more, clouding your joy with bitterness; this moment would end, you would return home side by side and then, come morning, Dainsleif would leave for another journey with naught but a promise to return as soon as he could.

It was easier to accept your fate than to dwell on it.

"Alright," you mumbled, stepping aside. "We should get going."

But then Dainsleif called your name, softly, almost unsurely, and you immediately came to a halt. Your eyes found his - brilliant pools of sea blue that entranced you, willed you to see only him.

"What is it?" You asked curiously, watching as Dainsleif approached you once more, taking your hand in his. He gave no warning before closing his eyes and pressing his lips to yours in a most gentle kiss.

Dainsleif kissed you slowly, savoring the taste of your lips like he would never kiss you again. You had never known that something as simple as this could be so sweet; you pitied those who had never known Dainsleif's tender touch, reveled in the fact that you were the only one who would ever know him like this. Sweeter than all the dandelion wine in the world - Dainsleif was yours.

He broke the kiss and smiled.

"Let's go home."

[queen-of-scissors]

Not teardrop anon, but may I request hallucinations with Kaeya and Dainsleif? I need more Khaenri'ahns in my life

AWW yeahhh hot khaenri'ahns who worship the reader~

İm gonna strugle a little because im not realy sure about Dainsliefs personality so, it might be out of character bear with me pls 🙏

Masterlist

HALUCİNATİONS??

(Khanrie'ahn hotties version)

TW: swearing, mentions of being injured, Kaeya being fatherless, Dainslief not worshiping you at first

---------------------------------------

İt was, yet again, another tiring day for you. You finally finish work and was allowed to go back home.

Your eyes were slowly closing as you struggled to keep them open. Your body was looking for any reason to shut down and if you don't go back to your bed soon, you might fail to stop your body from deciding that the floor is comfortable enough.

You open the door and get back inside, and cursed yourself for forgetting to call a cleaner.

The house was a mess, as it always have been whenever you are busy. You desperatly tried to keep it clean but all you could do was tidy it up a little before giving up and going back to sleep.

Wouldn't it be great to have roommates that help you with the house chores that you have to do today?

Sigh...

Being exhausted and not wanting to walk any more than you have to, you find the nearest room, anywhere but your own room, that has a comfortable place to sit down and collapse on to. Suprisingly, you didn't realy have to sleep, but did so just to see the day end and wake up in the next day already.

You hear footsteps from where you were laying down. Profably the neighbor doing whatever. Did they realy choose this day to make a ruckus?

You notice the sounds are getting closer and clearer. This cant be the noise of someone who is in another apartment.

Someone is inside your house.

Are they burglars?! Do they have a gun?! Will they kill you to get away with it?! Oh god you don't want to die!! Not yet please-

The sounds are coming closer and you hear a voice: "...hello?"

What if you played dead? Would they just take what they want and leave? What if they try to-

"Please excuse us for breaking in, we didn't mean to"

You hear another voice "see? Dainslief? What did i told you?"

"Hold on, Kaeya, we didn't confirm if this is their home yet"

OH GOD THEY ARE LOOKİNG FOR YOU.

Abondoning the first plan faster than how Kaeya got abondened by his father, you look around to find something, ANYTHİNG to use as a weapon. Even if it wouldnt do much if they have a gun, you might stall enough time to at least run away, or even better, survive long enough so people who hears the commotion calls the cops.

But during your search for a weapon, you must have made alot of noise, you can hear them easily this time. They must be behind the door.

"Your highness, are you in there?"

You hide in the first place where you can hide.

"Ah, so you are."

Shit.

"We are coming in, ok?"

The door slowly opens, you ready yourself to fight. The adrenaline was too much for a normal person to handle so as soon as you saw a familiar face,

...your first reaction is to throw your weapon,

...you missed.

Wait, a familiar face?

"...you.."

"That was... Pretty close uhh, good job your highness! Great reflexes!" The person in the Kaeya cosplay laughed anxiously.

"They are obviously confused. They can't be the creator."

"You can clearly see that their face is identical to the ones we have on the holy scripture. Maybe before speaking such blasphemy, you might want to use your brain a little?~"

You looked at the other person. İt was the coolest cosplay of Dain you've ever seen. But it got you even more confused

"Why are you guys in a cosplay..?" You mumbled to yourself, Not realy expecting an answer.

"A what?" Dainslief spoke, his voice is soothing, just like his in game voice.

"Nevermind him your Grace" kaeya decided to walk up to you on where you hid, only to stop once realises how scared you are.

"We are not here to hurt you." He calmly stated, as if he was soothing a child(e) "We.. aren't too sure on how we got here either. This is new to us as well. Would you hear us out oh mighty one?"

"WHO THE FUCK İS THE MİGHTY ONE?! WHO ARE YOU TALKİNG TO?!"

You saw Dainslief throw Kaeya a look that you can read very easily "i told you so"

"Do you not recocnise us?"

"NO????"

Dainslief puts a hand on Kaeya's shoulder "then there must be a misunderstanding, we apologise for the inconviniance"

"Hold on, captain. We can still ask them questions about where they are."

"Can't you see how scared you made them? Lets go already, we can find them ourselves."

"Oh? So you do belive us now? That the creator actually exists?"

"İ don't. However i won't deny that we are indeed in a diffrent world than ours, if what you and your... Friends... Belive in is true, than i have a few questions i would like to ask of them as well"

You stop them "wait a minute, did you say another world?"

Kaeya looks at you and softly smiles "rings a bell?"

"Do you guys think that... You come from Tevat?"

"Ah! So you do know us!"

"And you think that you guys are actually... Dainslief and Kaeya..?"

Dainslief crosses his arms "...think? Do you belive that we made it up?"

"No.... No not at all" you say quickly, whatever maddness happening needs to stay further away from you.

"You clearly don't belive us."

"İ do! Please don't hurt me-"

"hurt you? What would we even gain out of it?"

"AHEM." Kaeya cutted in "Maybe choose your words carefully when speaking with a scared person?"

"...my appologies, i was not angry, i was just addresing the situation."

Kaeya continued "your Grace, you have every reason to not belive that we are who we say we are, in fact it would be smart not to. But im sure that there is a way to make you realise that we are Real."

"...how"

"Could i trouble you to get me a glass of water?"

Dainslief mocked "you are making your 'god' do stuff for you now? İ tought you wouldnt let them work at all!"

"That would be the case, yes." He admitted "however i dont want them to think i did something to the glass."

You slowly attempted to leave where you hide "what are you... Going to do..?"

"İ'll use my vision for you." What the fu-

"İ must note that we are in a diffrent world. Visions are tied to tevat, so your plan might fail before it even starts"

"Then what do you suggest i do? They might know about our creator and better yet, they might be them!"

"İ suggest we find a way to go back. And say everyone that they don't exist."

They move out of your way as you go out and get a cup. They just glared at eachother while you bring it. Then you asked yourself.

What the fuck are you doing? Why are you giving water to an insane person? Did their voice made you calm down and stop thinking? Why the hell aren't you calling the cops?

But before you can even act Upon your toughts, you were already back in the room that all of this started in. Maybe you are the insane one.

Kaeya takes the glass from you with a smile "you have my thanks." Your heart flutters a little at that, tough you weren't sure if it was because of his charms or being scared to death.

He holds his vision to somewhere you can see easily, and holds the glass.

As the water inside starts turning into crystall ice, you could only stare at it in awe.

"Yeah im deffinetly dreaming im going to sleep."

"What- we had an agreement!" Dainslief shouted at you. While you leave for your room.

"Yeah leave that to when i wake u-

JESUS CHRİST!!!"

Both of them were immediatly at your Side when they Heard you scream,

Your room was empty. REALY EMPTY.

NOT EVEN A SİNGLE FURNİTURE TO BE SEEN.

İn the middle of your room, there was a big portal that is eating away the last things in the room that you had.

"What's wrong are you ok- Oh dear..."

"İt... İt wasnt this bad when we first let it be..."

You sit down on the ground. Frustrated. This can't be fucking Real this is the worse..

"Are you ok? What matters is that you are safe-"

"What do you want to know."

At this point, you just want them to leave. You are exhausted mentally now. You will just tell them what they need to know and figure out what to do from there.

"Lets... Uhh.... Leave this room first, its dangerous."

--------------------------

"İ... İ don't belive it..."

Dainslief was shocked Upon hearing your explanation. You were the one who everyone included in their in their rituals. Anyone who worshiped any god used your name to strengthen their worship.

Your title was used for everything. To buying stuff for daily purposes to murdering thousands and winning wars, all done in your name.

He tought they just created a fake god that the even the criminals find strength in, for them to feel justified with some form of divine power and guidance. Even gods themsselves needed one huh.

İf you were Real, why weren't you there? Why aren't you walking among them? Why are you letting disgusting people use your name for their own power?

The story you told him was a confusing one, the one that changes anything he belives in.

You didnt create it to be worshiped in the first place. You created because you loved creating them.

You let them be, and experianced what they created with your own creation, instead of ruling over them.

You were powerfull, but not in the way that people write you to be. You were more human, more flawed.

You were beautifull.

"İ see that you belive me now, captain~"

"...shut up."

---------------------------------------------------

Now that everything is Clear, both of them realises that they made you upset by opening that portal.

Since you refused to leave this world because of your chores, maybe they can do something for you while you decide.

As much as i like dainslief, im pretty sure that he eats for survival rather than going out and cooking things, if he cant, he will buy it.

So the cooking is done by Kaeya for the time being! (#3 best housebusband)

Dainslief was tasked with cleaning up, which is... Oh boy you live here??? Without dying?

The first time he started up a vacoom he got scared and kick it. He tought it became alive. You do the vacooming now.

Your room is gone. Reduced to atoms. And they feel bad about it. So they suggested on finding a job!

İf you refuse they won't care that much, but if you accept?

They throwing hands (weapons) to the 5th person that Karen them.

BREAKİNG NEWS! there has been a fight in the local MC Donalds.

The fighting got heated when one of the sides pull out a sword, and the other Side pulls out a gun.

Thankfully No one got hurt and neither Side reported one another

________________________________________

Hi i hope you liked it! İt was fun to make :D

İ had other requests to go through but i just realy like this idea so you lucky!

Kaeya isnt realy on the spotlight here bc dainslief's belifes and backstory just outshines Kaeya's (im sorry Kaeyak ma dude its true)

Requests are also open for anyone nor just annons so feel free to give me any brainrot you have and lets rot together hehehe

[theoutcastwrites]

I finally did it. Here are some Genshin-style voicelines I wrote for my Genshin OC, Eir, for whom I will soon make a separate post detailing her backstory and the like.

Eir

A hardworking nurse of Bimarstan. Though her past is shrouded in mystery to most, it takes no more than a careful look to see that her shadow takes the form of a long fallen kingdom.

Hello

My name is Eir. I've been told a lot about you... By whom? Oh, it doesn't matter. If you ever need me, feel free to find me at Bimarstan. I'll be happy to lend a helping hand.

Chat: Work.

I hope I won't have any more patients today... For their sakes.

Chat: Scars

My scars? No, they don't bother me anymore, you need not worry. I can't imagine myself without them now; how I got them is a story for another time. Let's not waste time, alright?

Chat: Wood carving

Say, would you like me to carve something for you? I'll make it small, so that you may easily keep it in your pocket... What? You have a realm that can be accessed through a teapot? That's... Would you happen to have spare cedar wood there? I'll get straight to work.

When It Rains

Oh, not now... Come on, let's find shelter.

When Thunder Strikes

I have heard that Inazumans find comfort in the thunder, as it is a sign that their Archon is watching over them... Hmph. Elsewhere, this was a signal for catastrophe.

When It Snows

Make "snow angels"? Ah, that... No, sorry. I suppose I'm far too old for something like that.

When The Sun Is Out

The world has never looked more beautiful. Come on, let's head outside.

In The Desert

Do you think we could go back? I don't really- ah, nevermind.

Good Morning

I hope you slept well. There's some coffee on the table; drink some, you'll feel energized. As for me, I've got to get ready for work. I'll see you in the evening, alright?

Good Afternoon

Let's have lunch together. I know just the place.

Good Evening

You're here! How sweet of you to wait for me. Come on, I'll make us dinner - it's an old recipe.

Goodnight

Thank you for being with me today. It's less lonely with you by my side. Now, feel free to sleep here. I promise my bed is comfortable. Hm? No, I don't mind, I don't sleep anyway... H-Hey, just not that side, alright?

About Eir: Curse

I can feel my mind eroding. It's terrifying, is it not? One day, I will be turned into an empty shell of myself, every inch of my identity replaced by my curse. Sometimes, I wonder what they felt in their last moments. Did they know that they were being turned into monsters, doomed to wander Teyvat for all eternity?

About Eir: Letting Go

Some people can't be kept in your life forever, no matter how much you may wish otherwise. Be it fate or that person's will, there is always something that gets in the way. I've learned not to have too much hope, and yet...

About Us: Odd Ones Out

Most people in Sumeru accept me as one of their own, yet I can feel them staring at me, as if I'm this strange, wounded kitten... I suppose you and I have that in common, hm? We stand out, without even having to try.

About Us: Loss

You needn't hide your pain from me. I know, better than most, how it feels to lose everything you love. I know. You deserve to feel angry. However, I believe that you will be reunited with your sibling sooner than later. As for myself, I don't expect too much. Worry for yourself first and foremost, alright?

About the Vision

Of course you'd notice. No, I'm not proud of it. Do I have reason to be? Celestia took everything from me, only to give me this piece of junk afterwards. If the day ever comes that I start using this Vision, just know that my curse has consumed my consciousness.

Something to Share

Take it slow. Appreciate the journey while it lasts; you never know when it may end.

Interesting Things

Say, have you noticed a little fairy running around Sumeru City these days? Short, pale, wearing a green dress? No? How strange. I could have sworn she was watching us earlier today.

About Dainsleif: Longing

Have you seen him recently? No? I figured. He comes and goes as he pleases. The next time you see him, tell him to take care. It's only a matter of time before he hurts himself, you know how he is... And, please, tell him that the swan misses her knight. I need him to know.

About Dainsleif: Memories

If I am fated to live a century more, then I will forget the days I spent with him, reminiscing what little we remembered of our past lives. Does that thought haunt him as it haunts me?

About Kaveh: First Meeting

Actually, I first met Kaveh when he was a student in the Akademiya. Funny, right? I have always looked the same, but back then, Kaveh had quite the baby face, only made worse by his luscious blonde hair, which he often wore in a braid. He was adorable. Don't tell him I said this though - he'll never talk to me again.

About Kaveh: Gifts

Kaveh once expressed that he wanted some wooden sculptures in his home, so I took it upon myself to make one for him: a tall lion with its mouth open in a roar. You don't want to know how long that one took to complete, believe me. Anyway, Kaveh would not stop showering me with praise and affection after receiving his gift. He teared up, too; I swear, he was wiping at his eyes for a moment there. Heh, maybe I should make something better next time. How would he react then?

About Albedo

Rhinedottir gave him a mission that is nigh impossible to complete and left his life without a trace. This is surprising to nobody. Is there a single person in this world she hasn't abandoned?

About Nilou

A few years ago, Nilou was taken to Bimarstan because she had sprained her ankle while preparing for a show. She was in tears, the poor thing. I could guess the sort of thoughts that were running through her head so, out of pity, I made an exception and used alchemy to heal her injury. I shouldn't have, though. What if something went wrong? Luckily, Nilou recovered within a day. She was so overjoyed that she jumped up from her bed to hug me, haha... I've been going to all of her shows ever since. There is a special air about her that awakens a person's most deeply buried feelings.

About Faruzan

It is nice to know that she has remained the same after a hundred years. Anyone else would have crumbled under the pressure of adapting to a new life, but not Faruzan. She was always such a bright child... Hm? Oh, no, I'm never calling her Madam Faruzan. In her dreams.

About Rhinedottir

I don't know how to feel about her. On one hand, I can understand that Rhinedottir is the sort of person who will do the unthinkable when she's been cornered, yet... What could push a person to betray their homeland? I'm not sure. But I'm still bitter. She was the closest thing I had to a mother, and she knew that, too. Did it cross her mind when she chose power over loyalty?

More About Eir I

What else do you want to know? I have forgotten most of my past and the present is quite mundane. If you think I'm hiding something, then you're mistaken. I just have nothing more to share.

More About Eir II

Well, if you really want to know more... When I was still a novice under Rhinedottir's care, I tried to create a small pet using what little knowledge of alchemy I had. As one would expect, my attempt was a miserable one. I'd managed to create a cat, but it didn't have a mouth, and its fur was all multicolored and spiky. I really tried hard to save it, you know, maybe find a way to make its existence more comfortable, but the pet simply didn't function as it should have. The poor thing died within two days, and I never got too cocky in my abilities again. It was a humbling experience.

More About Eir III

Seeing this city for the first time after the cataclysm felt insulting. How was it possible that the people here could be at so much peace, while I experienced unimaginable suffering just across the Wall of Samiel? I resented the locals and, for a time, refused any help they offered. I felt like Celestia simply wasn't done taunting me. I was right for assuming so - a Khaenri'ahn can never find peace in this world.

More About Eir IV

Attachment comes with the risk of being abandoned. This is something that Celestia will never let me forget. Even if I were to start praying to the Dendro God, I would still wind up all alone.

More About Eir V

You can never go back to the past. I know this better than most, and the Abyss Order should know it too... Yet they pursue their dream of reviving our fallen kingdom, blind to their own folly... Maybe you could be the one to stop them.

Eir's Hobbies

Eating lokum after a long day of work while watching the sun set from my kitchen window is the perfect way to end the day.

Eir's Troubles

I do hope he's doing okay...

Favorite Food

Shawarma. You can never really go wrong with that.

Least Favorite Food

I'm not picky, so I'll eat anything I'm offered.

Receiving a Gift I

This is sublime... Can you teach me to make this?

Receiving a Gift II

Not what I was expecting, but it's good!

Receiving a Gift III

Oh! Ah, do you mind if I finish this at home? I'm not really hungry right now.

Birthday

Make a wish. Come on, don't be shy - you don't need to tell me what you wished for. Just think about what you want the most, and then blow out the candles. Your wish will come true as long as you truly want it, I promise.

[bubblefina]

Je T'aime 1

Summary: Ever since y/n, princess of Khaenriah, was a child, there have been oddities surrounding her rule. She is sent letters every year on her birthday, laced with encrypted messages from her deceased mother. These letters lead her down a dark path, but with the help of her loyal guard, Dainsleif, she will uncover the truth and bring justice to Khaenriah once more.

Pairings: Dainsleif x f!reader

✧.·:*¨༺♚ ༻¨*:·.✧✧.·:*¨༺♚ ༻¨*:·.✧

Darkness covered the lands of Khaenriah. Not even one patch of grass was spared a brief moment of sun. It seemed as if the entire country went into a brink of panic. Today was the birth of their princess. The queen had started her labor early that morning.

The royal castle was bustling as her majesty was confined to her chambers in a heap of sweat. Multiple maids surrounding her as she groaned in what seemed like the most agonizing pain a person could go through. She gripped onto the bedsheets, panting as the doctor ordered for more bowls of water. 

Her husband, the king, had heard of her condition and rushed through the jarring rain on his trusted steed to return to his wife. He had left for about 2 days to the border, warning the bordering country of their oversteps onto his land.

The doctor who’s hands had been wiping up towels covered with blood began to sweat. He has coached many women through birth before, but nothing like this. It was normal to bleed, but to this extent was highly dangerous.

“There is too much blood, is his majesty here?” the doctor asked one of the maids. She shook her head no, the empty bowl of water being clutched closely to her chest as she watched the scene unravel before her. 

“Curses… I don’t know how much longer I’ll be able to keep her in a stable position.” The doctor stepped back to look through his storage of tools, hoping to find a herb or concoction that may slow down the hemorrhaging. 

“She was perfectly fine hours ago, how could her condition have dropped so quickly?” one of the maids asked, placing another bowl near the edge of the bed.

“We have been monitoring her this entire time, she has barely had anything to eat since her labor began.” Another maid said.

“What did she eat beforehand?” a loud voice echoed through the room. It was the king, sliding off his wet jacket onto a nearby chair before rushing over to his wife.

“Your majesty.” the maids bowed.

“She had nothing but a light broth because she did not feel like eating. It was made here in the palace kitchen, closely monitored by multiple kitchen staff.” A maid spoke up.

“We may risk losing the child if we cannot stop the bleeding, your majesty.” The doctor says. 

“Please…” the queen whispered, “if it comes down to me or my child, do not pick me. This baby is the heir to this nation, please do not let it go.” the queen took all of her strength to utter what seemed like her last words and requests.

The king stared at her with a shocked expression. He could not believe that was her decision.

“Nonsense Mariam, you cannot make this decision on your own, my love. Choosing this baby’s life over your own…” his hand wrapped around hers, squeezing it. She could barely squeeze back, but gave him a small smile.

“My dear, this child is your future, our future. The country is depending on an heir to continue the lineage.”

Both of the lovers shared a look, tears clouding their eyes. The tender moment didn’t even last more than a few seconds before the queen began to cough up curdles of dark blood, her tears now staining her cheeks even harder than before.

“What’s happening?” the king asked the doctor.

“Her condition is deteriorating, your majesty. We need to operate in order to save the baby, but I am not sure if her majesty will make it.”

The queen grabbed onto her husband one last time, giving a nod of approval. The king decided to honor his wife’s last wish. The doctor brought out his tools and began to operate, trying not to listen to the groans of the queen, who desperately held onto her husband in an attempt to lessen the pain.

“I love you,” the king whispered into the queen's ear, “and my love will only be for you. This child will carry out both of our duties.” 

As the king continued to whisper sweet words, the tense air was suddenly cut by the crying of a baby. The doctor cradled the newborn, ushering one of the maids to bring in a clean towel.

“Congratulations, it is a girl.” The doctor wrapped the wallowing baby in a cloth and placed it on her mother's bosom. The queen grasped onto her child, whispering sweet nothing's into her ear with whatever strength she had left. 

“My love…your fingers.” the king grasped his wife's hand. The tips of her fingers had turned a deep black, as if they were about to crumble into ash.

“Your majesty-” The doctor began.

The king's eyes began to shake, as if he had seen this condition before. As if he knew exactly what was happening after but a single glance at his wife's current condition. 

“This is poison…” the king gulped as he let go of his wife's hand, “my wife…your queen has been poisoned!”

“It could be something else! We do not know for sure.” The doctor argued, but the king would not listen.

“Who would dare defy the royal family, who had the nerve-!”

The king's grievance was stopped when the queen caressed his face with her palm. His majesty broke down into tears once more as he embraced his wife for what felt like the last time. The baby in her arms was taken by him, caressing the small bundle as he watched his wife pass. The room fell silent, allowing the king to grieve as he bid farewell.

“You did well.” the king kissed his wife’s head before stepping away to coddle the baby in his arms. 

“Your majesty, the child-” the doctor said.

“We discussed baby names beforehand. It was something she looked forward to…if the baby had been a girl, then we would name it y/n.” The king got to look at his daughter's rounded face, his finger caressing her tiny hand as he smiled with sadness.

“Princess y/n. Long may she reign.”

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King Nasir of Khaenriah never forgot the day his wife died. Forever holding it in his heart that she was poisoned, but keeping it to himself. He needed to remain strong, which was unfortunate. Not being able to properly mourn the loss of his loved one, and then attempting to care for his new princess. He lived his life day by day, but never smiled as brightly as he did with his queen. 

The king's paranoia grew, always feeling that an assassin was amongst his trusted advisors. He made people who showed their loyalty to him for years going through rigid tests to make sure that they were not traitorous. They, of course, were not allowed anywhere near his precious daughter. This decision was made easier by sending her to a separate castle that no one knew about. 

Contact with y/n was limited, even for her own father. He only visited a few times a month, and at that point it was basically the maids that had raised her. By the time she had grown enough to communicate, the maids would tell her stories of her mother and father. Going on and on about how their love story was one of true love, nothing like it was ever seen within the 9 nations of Teyvat. Both of them were quite notorious.

She was barely able to understand what they were saying, mainly because she had not had the chance to experience love herself. What else could you expect from a 5-year-old who only cared about her snacks and toys.

It wasn’t long before an invitation to the main palace arrived at y/n’s residence. Her little villa packed with maids read aloud the letter, stating that she was invited back into the palace to live with her father. The maids of course would accompany her, the villa would once again be an empty residence. 

A welcoming ball would announce her return.

Multiple nights passed until it was the day of the event. The maids made y/n look as if she were raised at the royal court her entire life, instead of being whisked away when she was a mere baby and raised in a far off residence.

However, it wasn’t as if all the nobles were going to be accepting of her. Not all of them were accepting of Nasir’s marriage to Mariam. She wasn’t of noble birth, her commoner background brought a lot of backlash when he announced their engagement. Despite the hateful protests, both of them were wed for many years until her unexpected passing. 

“The royal carriage is outside waiting for you, your highness. Shall I escort you?” one of the maids asked. Her name was Farah. She had been the one y/n had tailed behind every time she was bored. Both of them became close, but they both referred to each other by their first name, so hearing her call y/n by her official title was weird.

Y/n however did not make a comment on it, but grasped her hand as both of them walked past the thick garden to the royal carriage, which was surrounded by two guards. 

One of them was blonde, slightly blue gray eyes. He had a friendly smile on his face that looked even bigger once he saw the small princess. He stepped off of his horse and immediately bowed. 

“Your royal highness,” the man kept his head level to her as he balanced himself on his knee, “My name is Kyza. I am captain of the royal guards. Your father has asked me to escort you to your ball tonight.”

Y/n hid behind Farah’s leg, afraid to show herself to this person she had never seen before.

“Aha, the quiet shy one isn’t she. Would you mind riding with her in the carriage, so she doesn’t feel as alone?” Kyza asks Farah, who nodded her head. 

Both of them aboard the carriage, the coach whipping at the horses to start the journey. Y/n had never been able to see anything beside the gardens at her villa. The closer they got to the palace, the more lights decorated the trails leading up to the castle. It looked as if the scenery were right out of a fairy tale. Off of a small hill, even the villages were lit up with multiple different colors, as if to welcome home their princess.

“Are you enjoying the view, princess?” Kyza asks, looking at y/n. He noticed how the lights reflected in her eyes, as if they sparked her interest.

“Are the lights for me?” she asks in return.

“Haha, you guessed correctly. The notice of your return has been spreading around for days. The people are excited to have their princess return home.”

Y/n continues to stare at the lights until the carriage stops at the front of the royal palace. The guards stationed outside the palace assumed their position, saluting with their hands as they stood side by side. Y/n stepped out of the carriage with the help of Farah, who helped clean up her dress. 

Since Farah couldn’t come with her, Kyza was the one who escorted y/n inside the castle. Walking down the bright corridor, which was layered with chandeliers. Both of them stopped at a large door which was decorated with gold detailing around the borders, the Khaenriah symbol in the middle. There were some voices behind the door, they seemed to be enjoying themselves.

Kyza knocks on the door twice. Then multiple stomps of what sounded like feet banging on the ground were heard. The voices went quiet, the door opened. Without even one step, trumpets began to play, alerting all the nobles to look at the top of the staircase.

Looking down at the nobles below, y/n managed to lock eyes with the king, whose face lit up at the sight of his daughter wearing a beautiful gown. She truly looked like royalty. Kyza guided her down the stairs until she was at the last step, where her father stood and reached out his hand.

Y/n took her father's hand, and was led to the floor where both of them walked to the small stage where two thrones were placed. He invites her to sit next to him. Once seated, he roared to the attention of the nobles, announcing her presence. 

“Next to me stands princess y/n. Your future queen. Returned to the palace as she had left as a baby, long may she reign.”

✧.·:*¨༺♚ ༻¨*:·.✧✧.·:*¨༺♚ ༻¨*:·.✧

Adjusting to palace life felt harder than it needed to be. It was easy living in the villa, since all y/n was allowed to do was play with her toys and read the occasional children's book. However, her father instantly assigned her tutors for multiple subjects a few days after her return. 

The tutor for this hour was for reading and writing. Children's books just weren’t enough anymore. A princess should be able to read and write and accelerate her literary skills as she grows older. Books about different planets, the 9 nations of Teyvat, different dialects of the 9 nations. It was a lot for a child's brain to handle, but the tutor seemed to think otherwise. 

“Can I take a break?” Y/n asks the tutor.

“Not now, princess, we aren’t done with this chapter.”

“But I'm tired…”

“Ah, princess. Will you be content if I fetch you a glass of juice?”

Y/n nodded as the tutor went out the door to the kitchen to grab a glass. She was familiar with the workings of the palace, so it wasn’t exactly necessary to call a maid for such a simple task. 

Albeit, she certainly took her time getting a small cup of juice. Y/n began to walk around the room, her fingers occasionally running over the spines of different books. Did she read them? No, her boredom was at the forefront of her mind. 

The palace gardens outside looked marvelous. It’s like she could see every single rose even though she was so high up on a balcony. The tutor looked as if she wasn’t going to come back, could she have been cornered by someone and held in a conversation? The lesson will supposedly end soon anyway, it wouldn't hurt to take a stroll in the garden.

Y/n opened the doors and slid out in between them. Her small stature was unnoticed as she made her way down multiple stairs and out into the palace gardens. There she frolicked amongst the flowers, picking up multiple fallen ones as she walked along. 

She sat amongst a flower bed full of Inteyvats. They looked beautiful as they were in bloom, the bluish hue looked so delicate as she caressed them in her hand. She continued to admire them, and was completely taken aback when she heard a voice behind her.

“Excuse me miss?” 

Y/n turned around and looked into the eyes of a boy. He stood similar in size to her, wearing a dark blue cloak around his shoulders. He had blonde hair that wisped over his bright blue eyes. They looked like jewels, staring straight at her. 

“Yes?” y/n replied, holding a few inteyvats in her hands as she stood up to meet his gaze.

“What are you doing in the royal gardens?” the boy asks.

“I’m just picking out some flowers,” she twirls the stems in between her fingers, looking down at them before looking into his eyes once more, “who are you?”

“I’m the son of a knight, my father was talking to the king and I went off on my own.” the boy replied. 

Y/n never paid attention to the knights that much, nor did she expect one of them to have a son her age. He seemed rather fixated on her for some reason, as if he was here for another reason.

“Do you want one?” she extended out a flower towards him, to which he grabbed it by its petal and put it into his palm. 

“Are you the princess?” he asks.

Y/n turns her head as if she were confused, before she tries to answer.

“It’s just, you look like royalty. Wearing that nice dress…” The boy kept looking at the flower in his hands before he continued talking, “that and his majesty is asking for his daughter.”

“He’s looking for me?” y/n looked towards the palace, up to her room that she wan in not too long ago. Could the tutor have come back after she left?

The boy nodded. A small feeling of guilt crept up inside y/n, playing hooky with her lessons just because she didn’t want to wait for her tutor. Now her father is wondering about her whereabouts. 

“I should go back then…” She stared down at the flowers in her hands, a slight frown upon her lips. Would her father be upset at her?

“We can go together, it won’t be as scary if you’re afraid of your fathers' reaction.”

The boy extended his hand to her, and she took it. Flowers resting in her other hand, both of them began to walk, as he escorted her towards the front of the palace. He had told her that his father made it clear that he should escort a noble lady if she was so willing, to make sure that she wouldn’t be alone when she made it to her destination. He did exactly that.

When the both of them arrived at the front of the palace, one of the palace maids took notice and told the king. Once Nasir took sight of both his daughter and the boy, he sighed in relief. He came to hug y/n immediately, having been worried that something or someone hurt her and took her away.

“I’m okay, dad. I left the tutoring session early…” y/n trailed off, afraid to look her in her father's eye, thinking he would be disappointed. 

“My sweet girl, you must inform someone before you disappear like that. The palace went into a frenzy looking for you.” 

After another hug exchange, the boy who escorted y/n spoke up. 

“It’s a surprise no one looked in the gardens, your majesty.”

Nasir took notice of the boy, and laughed. It wasn’t a mocking laugh, more of a hearty laugh. The king rubbed the boy's head, getting up and calling over someone. Kyza, the captain of the royal guard, walked over, his eyes widening as he looked at the boy.

“Dainsleif!” the captain exclaimed, “what on earth are you doing here? I left you under the care of the maids.” 

Y/n glanced at the boy, who is now known as Dainsleif formally. 

“I didn’t want to be cared for by them, father.” Dainsleif replied. 

Captain Kyza was the boy's father? Well, it would have made sense looking at both of them side by side. Kyza’s hair wasn’t as blonde as Dain’s, his looked more faded, perhaps after so many battles it lost its youthfulness. 

“You… I’ll deal with you later. Was it you that found the princess?” Kyza asks.

“Yes, I found her in the royal gardens, sitting next to an area crowded full of Inteyvats.”

“Your boy is good, Kyza. He managed to find her before any of your appointed guards did.” Nasir chuckled.

“Please forgive me, your majesty, we were trying to cover the well known places first.”

The king nodded his head, showing that it wasn’t a big deal, at least not now. Knowing that his daughter was safe. 

“However, I must give my gratitude to you, Dainsleif. You have eternal thanks.” Nasir bows his head towards Dainsleif, which earned a few gasps from the castle staff. 

“Thank you, your majesty.” Dain nods his head back.

“On the other hand, I am glad that you’re the one that found the princess.” Kyza says, staring at the king. It seemed as if they both wanted to say something.

“That’s right, It’s good that the both of you have become acquainted with one another.” Nasir says in response.

“Why?” y/n asks, still confused as to why the two grown men were taking glances at each other. 

“Me and captain Kyza have discussed getting a personal guard for you. Someone who will escort you wherever you would like to go, be there for you, protect you. Both of us have decided that Dainsleif would be the perfect match.”

“Your highness, Dain. This will not happen immediately, both of you are far too young. We’ll wait until both of you are at an age where communication with each other will be easier. Dainsleif will be training in the art of weaponry, fighting, amongst many other things. We hope that the both of you will be a good match for each other.“ 

There was a stiff silence as the four of you stood there, waiting for the next person to talk.

“I don’t want to.” Dainsleif speaks up.

“Dain, do not speak like that-” Kyza tried to cut in, but it was no use.

“Father! I do not wish to be a part of this.” Dainsleif cried out. It was a shock to y/n. She surely wasn’t expecting an outburst like this. He sounded as if he had been sentenced to death.

“Dainsleif, watch your tongue.” Kyza tried to shush his son, but Dain wasn’t having any of it. 

“Why don’t I get to say anything! I don’t want to guard her!”

Dainsleif slips out of his father's grasp and runs towards another section of the palace. The boy who escorted her from the royal garden…disliked the idea of being her personal guard to this extent. It was hard for her mind to wrap around what had just happened. All that was left to hear were Kyza’s apologies to the king, and the king, who was trying to tell Kyza that it was alright.

If Dainsleif truly was going to be a part of the royal guard, and her personal guard in the future, y/n truly wondered how both of their relationships will play out when they reunite.

✧.·:*¨༺♚ ༻¨*:·.✧✧.·:*¨༺♚ ༻¨*:·.✧•

Y/n never skipped a tutoring lesson again. She studied as hard as she could as the years passed. The subjects get slightly harder every year. Willing to learn almost anything to have an upper hand. 

Taking interest in literature from multiple different regions of Teyvat. She started learning different languages and dialects, albeit it was only a little, a little is better than nothing. 

Etiquette lessons started soon after y/n turned seven years old. By being able to behave and act properly at high class events, she would be looked at as a true member of the royal family. Etiquette would also be useful whenever she went into town as well. Being able to talk to both nobles and commoners would be very beneficial towards her future ruling as queen.

Another few years had passed. It was a special occasion this time around. It was y/n’s tenth birthday. A royal ceremony was to be held at sundown for the nobles and royals, but the town was decorated with Khaenriah’s colors across every plaza, multiple flags flooding every corner of the streets. Their royal princess was growing up so quickly, the people were joyous for her. 

Y/n had a wonderful day strolling through the streets, going through different stalls, multiple people wishing her a happy birthday.

She stopped by a stall that had a fortune-teller. A glowing orb was placed in front of the woman, who held out her hand and asked if the princess wanted to know what her future would hold. One of the guards insisted that she shouldn’t indulge in whatever the woman was saying, but wanting to have some fun on her birthday, y/n appeased the woman and sat down in front of her.

“Thank you for participating, your highness,” the woman reached out her hand, “I need you to give me your palm.”

The guards were hesitant to let y/n give the woman her palm, but the girl insisted. She placed her palm on the table facing up, and the woman placed her own hand on top of hers. The woman closed her eyes, focusing. The orb in front of her began to glow.

The woman opened her eyes and waved her other hand above the orb. The colors changed, a pale yellow fog engulfed the orb, it looked pleasing to look at. It was warm, as if it was giving a hug.

“How will this tell my fortune, miss?” y/n asks the woman.

“The colors represent different things, your highness. Yellow represents happiness, good days to come. Red is passion, love, but it can also mean war. Black is death, misfortune.”

“Are those the only colors there are?”

“Of course not, but those are the main colors that people witness when having their fortune told. The color may change within a few seconds, so maybe we’ll see what life has in store for you.”

The color yellow remained for some time, which was reassuring. It slightly started to appear pinkish, then divulged into red. Y/n was perplexed, for the woman did say it could be love or war. Surely not war, the kingdom is peaceful. 

It stayed red for some time before it turned darker. Y/n’s eyebrows furrowed together, watching the deep red turn into black. A few gasps from the guards were heard, and the woman herself looked shocked. 

She waved her hand over the orb once more, and everything disappeared. 

“Forgive me, your highness. Sometimes these things aren’t very accurate.”

The woman looked at the princess and saw her worried look.

“Your mother, your highness, was a good friend of mine.”

Y/n’s ears perked up when she heard what the woman said. People around the palace still spoke of the late queen once in a while, and if you could, you’d ask questions about her. Her passing truly did leave many people in heartache.

“We didn’t keep in contact much after she became engaged to your father, but we still met once in a while.” The woman reached into her clock and grabbed an envelope, trying to hand it to the princess.

The guards tensed up, ready to point their spears at the woman, but y/n raised her hand, telling them it was okay, but the guards insisted. The woman retracted the letter and gave a smile. Y/n waved goodbye to the woman, walking to the next stall. Perhaps if they were alone, she would be able to ask about her mother more, but not this time.

Hours were spent in the village plaza, talking to the common folk, hearing many birthday wishes left and right. It wasn’t until sundown that she made her return back to her room. The party in her honor was going to be held in an hour or so, but y/n just wanted a second to herself to relax. She told the maids to give her some space, so she could give herself some solitude and breathe. 

Laying down on her bed, she stared at the intricate designs on her ceiling. Basking in the silence, she closed her eyes for a few moments. Flapping was heard at her window a few seconds later. She sat up from her bed and saw a crow at her window, an envelope between its beak. It squawked, releasing the envelope onto the nearby table before flying away.

Y/n looked in astonishment, slowly walking towards the envelope and opened it. It was a letter.

Dearest y/n,

I’m hoping that Ruksana will be able to give you this by your tenth birthday. I have heard some news that bears a heavy burden on my heart. It pains me to know that I will not be able to tell you this in person, but through a letter that may be over a decade old.

This is your mother, writing to you. I’m currently one month pregnant with you, it is rather a joyous occasion. On the other hand, I have been told rather dark news, I won’t indulge you in it right now as you are still young.

I desperately want to see you, how you’ve grown, the friends you’ve made, how you and your father are coping together in my absence. My sweet girl, the most you’ve probably heard about me is through stories, but I want you to know that your mother loves you. Even after I am gone, I will continue to love you, even if I haven’t met you.

I know that you will have many questions for me, and I will answer them as time goes on, but not now. You are far too young to know this information. I’m writing a letter for each of your birthdays, as many as I can. Until then, make sure to have fun. Being a princess is very tedious, so let loose once in a while. I love you my flower, be safe.

It was hard to process what she had just read. Y/n stared at the paper for who knows how long, trying to re-read each and every sentence. Would it be foolish to believe the contents of the letter? But the letters gave her a small amount of warmth. After only hearing stories about her mother, she was able to actually hear her words herself. It felt…heartwarming.

A knock at the door interrupted her daydream. The maids asked to come inside, had she truly spent this long staring at the letter? Putting the letter back in the envelope, she tucked it into a drawer where she would look at it later that night. 

The maids dressed Y/n in her finest. A dark blue gown that had a black gradient towards the bottom. Gold embroidery trailing down and along the sleeves. The star of Khaenriah directly in the middle, shining brightly. 

She was finally ready to head down and enter the party. The music of course turned to a different tune at her entrance, multiple nobles greeting her as she walked towards her father. As she stood next to him, she eyed the people in the room. She saw a few diplomats from Liyue and Sumeru, she had noticed them a few other times before, but never really talked to them. It would be hard to strike a conversation.

She kept scanning the area until she landed upon someone. He looked familiar. The golden blonde hair that shaded his jewel blue eyes. He was taller, carrying a sword at his hips. He was wearing a blue and black uniform, with gold embroidery. Y/n’s heart sped up when she realized they were practically wearing the same color scheme. 

“Father, is that Dainsleif?” she asks.

“Haha, yes it is. He’s almost ready to join his father’s ranks, the youngest knight in the royal guard.”

Y/n continued to look at Dainsleif across the room. At first, it was out of curiosity, but when she recalled his outburst all those years ago, she became slightly peeved. He didn’t have a choice in the matter of joining the knights, but it still annoyed her to see him. Was this just childhood annoyance clouding her head?

“Let’s go say hello to Captain Kyza and Dainsleif.” Nasir said, starting to walk away from where he and y/n were standing before.

Y/n’s eyes blew wide, she tried to protest against her father, but he had already begun to walk. She quickly followed behind him, taking a deep breath when both of them stopped in front of Kyza and Dainsleif.

“Kyza, good to see you.” The king embraced his friend, and Kyza did the same.

“ Wonderful to see you too, and to you as well your highness,” Kyza bowed to which y/n sheepishly smiled at, “I wish you the dearest of birthdays.”

“Thank you, captain.” she replies. She tried not to look at Dainsleif at all, but once she heard a scoff laugh come from him, she turned her eyes and raised a brow.

“Pardon me, your highness. I wish you a happy birthday, too.” Dainsleif smiles, bowing the same as his father.

“Aha, thank you but… Have I seen you before?” y/n asks.

It was just a simple tease on her end, just to mess with his mind, but Dainsleif just smiled back.

“I am Dainsleif, your highness. Captain Kyza’s son.” 

Nasir gave y/n a look before signaling Kyza to go somewhere else.

“We’ll give the both of you time to…talk. Don’t get rowdy, you two.” Nasir says, walking away with Kyza.

“I see your father finally tamed you, or was it the other knights?” y/n asks, a plain smile upon her face as she stares at Dainsleif.

“Have to be tame if I’m going to be a knight, after all. Plus, being your personal guard, I will need lots of patience“.

“Ha, you’re still going through with that? Last time, you made a big fit out of it.”

“Forgive me, princess, I was out of line with the comments I made. I hope we can start anew.”

There was mischief in his eyes, y/n knew he wasn’t being the sincerest. Perhaps he really was told to watch his tongue in front of the royal family. No matter, the less he says the better.

“I’ll leave you be for the night, enjoy the party.” y/n says, turning as she begins to walk away, leaving Dainsleif alone within the crowd.

✧.·:*¨༺♚ ༻¨*:·.✧✧.·:*¨༺♚ ༻¨*:·.✧

It had been around 6 months since the birthday party. Tonight’s event was going to be the knighting ceremony. New members of the royal guard would be knighted by the king, except for one. The plan was to have y/n knight Dainsleif personally, tying the string between guard and princess.

In her room, after the maids had left. Y/n pulled out the letter from her mother and read it once more, clutching the paper to her heart. There were only a few paragraphs, but 10 years of not hearing anything from her mother, only to get a letter on her birthday. It meant so much to the girl. 

It was near winter time now, the air was cold. Winter garments were worn, as the ceremony was to be held outside. It’s said that knights who are knighted in winter are known to show more virtue than others, but that may just be a superstition.

Y/n stood next to her father as, one by one, every knight was tapped on their shoulders with the king's blade. The snow fell slowly on each of them as they walked toward the pavilion. The last person to walk up was Dainsleif himself. Nasir knighted Dainsleif officially, but y/n had to do her own part in announcing him as her personal guard.

A special sword was given to her. It was a skinny blade, gold detailing on the handle, along with sapphires embezzled into the blade and the handle. It was assigned to be y/n’s personal brand, and it was to be used to assign Dainsleif as her personal knight. 

Dainsleif remained bowed on one knee, y/n approached him, sword in hand.

“With this sword, I shall decree that sir Dainsleif will act as my personal guard. He will pledge loyalty, devotion, and service to me. My safety will take top priority, he will be at my side, and he will remain at my side with nothing but good intentions,” Y/n tapped the blade along his shoulders, “and most importantly, he will do anything for my safety.”

“I pledge my loyalty to you, your highness. You will be protected in my care, I promise it.” Dainsleif says.

He gets up from his position, the crowd clapping. Dain bows once more before stepping away. He wouldn’t join the rest of his ranks, who were standing in a line outside the pavilion. He immediately stood next to his father, who was next to the king. Y/n did the same and stood next to Nasir.

As Nasir began to give a speech to the newly appointed knights, y/n tucked the sword into the satchel she had around her waist. Soon people were able to walk about and talk to each other. The ceremony had commenced.

Y/n stayed under the pavilion for a while longer, not wanting to look to her right side, where Dainsleif also stood. Nasir and Kyza both left to talk to the nobles who were watching the ceremony. 

“I’m going to go talk to some nobles…” y/n trailed off, as if she wanted to say more, but nothing came to mind. She lifted her dress slightly as she walked down the stairs of the pavilion. She walked in solace towards a group, and when they noticed her, they roped her into a conversation.

“Welcome princess! We are so delighted to see you.” One of them exclaimed.

“It is a pleasure to meet you too, sir.” She did not know the name of the man, but still wanted to be polite.

“Goodness, just call me lord Tao. I’m an ambassador from Liyue. Came on behalf of King Zhongli to watch the knighting ceremony.”

“Aha, thank you for coming, Lord Tao. I hope that the ceremony was in good taste.”

“It was marvelous. Best of luck to the new knights.”

“Your highness,” another man began to speak, “allow me to introduce myself. My name is Raphael. I am a diplomat from Celestia.”

One of the more powerful countries in Teyvat. Celestia is the largest, with the best army, the best scholars, the best anything. One thing that could not be understood is why Celestia would send a diplomat to watch a knighting ceremony.

“It’s nice to meet you sir, I wasn’t expecting so many diplomats to watch the ceremony, but I’m happy that you’re here nonetheless.” y/n gulped slightly, all of these people varied greatly in age from her. She was afraid that she may seem too much like a child in front of diplomats, or say something wrong.

“Aha, the king instructed me to come. Give his good graces to the new knights,” Raphael gave a smile, “You should visit Celestia one day, princess. It truly is a sight to be seen. One of the most beautiful kingdoms in Teyvat.”

“I’ve never been outside Khaenriah.”

“My, you must go then. When you think about it, write me a letter. I would love to escort you myself. The guards of Celestia will do the most to keep you safe, your highness-”

“It is not the responsibility of the guards of Celestia to ensure her highnesses safety.”

Dainsleif appeared from behind, cutting Raphael off.

“Ah, you’re the personal guard.” Raphael says.

“Lord Raphael, I think you are speaking to the princess too casually. She has duties to fulfill in Khaenriah, do not cloud her mind with some vacation topic in another nation.” Dainsleif narrows his brows at Raphael.

“Forgive me, your highness. I didn't mean to overstep.”

“No, no! You didn’t do such a thing, Dainsleif is just-”

“It is my duty to escort the princess, to ensure her safety. The knights of Khaenriah will do their duty, not those of Celestia.”

Raphael's smile faded, a straight line formed upon his lips. He bowed and began to walk away. Y/n stared in shock at what just happened. The rest of the group bowed as well and took their leave.

“You-why would you do that?” y/n asked, turning towards Dainsleif with panic in her eyes.

“He had no right to put those ideas into your head, you’re too young to be talking to diplomats who are more experienced than you.”

“I was trying to be nice to them! And they were nice to me, why did you have to be so rude about it.”

“Your highness, if I may. Kindness will only take you so far. Take this as a piece of advice, they should not be talking to you about traveling to a different country, especially when you’re this young.”

“Ugh, with a guard like you, it will be impossible to make friends.”

“With a guard like me, there won’t be an assassination attempt on your head.”

Y/n didn’t have any words left. She simply took a deep breath and walked away. It’s as if every encounter with him will end in nothing but worse feelings. 

[thespianinthebackcorner]

Thespian is dainsleif a good father figure or am i just insane.

How come we ALWAYS see people say NASTY ARCHON USERPER ZHONGLI is a father and papa and granpops🥺🥺 but NO ONE ever considers DAINSLEIF, THE TWILIGHT SWORD, HUMANITY ADVOCATE, CAPTAIN OF THE ROYAL GUARDS a father figure. He has (had) a STABLE INCOME, has (had) A GOOD POLITICAL PLACE, has (had) SO MANY KNIGHTS WORKING UNDER HIM. SO MANY AUNTS AND UNCLES (halfdan rip he's in a better place than other khaenri'ahns now), has (had) EMOTIONAL STABILITY (i think. it looked like he had from that one halfdan cutscene), AND WOULD GIVE YOU THE MOST JUICY LORE WORTHY DADDY ISSUES POST CATACALYSM.

STUPID ZHONGLI HAS NONE OF THAT EXCEPT MAYBE THE AUNTS AND UNCLES POINT like yeah cloud retainer or whatever🙄😒 but is she as good as YNGHILDR/HALTAF/EDGETHO/HYGLACG/SERKIR/BULIWYF/RONETH/HERGER/RETHEL???? (various black serpant knights we kill for one gloomy statuette we use to level up ayato'a weapon) NO!!!

This is quite the ask do you need sleep? Don't hate me for the response please-

Right, so I think this ask requires a bit of standardizing as to what a "good father figure" looks like. I'm gonna put it in dot points.

Stable income

Emotional stability

Kindness

Has worked with kids before (optional)

Knows how money works

Has a place where you can certainly go to find him (work or home)

Wants or is comfortable working with kids

Family members they can rely on as backup

I think part of Zhongli's "father figure" reputation is because he actually has kids in a sense (the Yakshas) and hangs around kids a lot (Hu Tao and her friends). It's also affected by his personality, since he has that old man stereotype of not really knowing how new things work. He's six thousand years old and acts like it- he is literally old enough to be someone's granddad. Zhongli is also connected with Xianyun, Madame Ping and a couple other people he has for backup, like you said. He's also quite kind towards the Traveler, as well as other people he sees in everyday life. So he checks off most of my little list:

Stable income ✅

Emotional Stability ✅

Kindness ✅

Previous Experience with kids: ✅

Money knowledge: ...❌

Place to find him: ✅ (Wangsheng)

Comfortable with kids: ✅

Backup family members: ✅

Dainslief, on the other hand, disappears quite a lot, is constantly tracking down the Abyss Order and going into dangerous places, is generally very apathetic and from his treatment of Paimon probably doesn't like kids all that much. Since I used current Zhongli instead of Prime Zhongli for my analysis, I'm using current Dain for this too. And current Dain also has the issues of trauma from the Cataclysm, being sought out by the Abyss Order, not having a stable income because of Celestia, and also the constant pain from Celestia's curse iirc. So he's generally got a lot of problems. He's kind, but in an apathetic way, where he tends to leave his problems to himself and tells you to solve your own- it's only when there's a common interest that he helps. So going back to the checklist Dain doesn't do much.

Stable Income: ❌

Emotional Stability: unsure but I'm going ✅

Kindness: ❌ not to a father figure degree

Worked with kids: Unknown

Money Knowledge: unknown, Khaenri'ah might have had their own currency

Place to find him: ❌

Comfortable with kids: ❌

Backup family members: ❌

Not much there. Now, if we knew any more about Prime Dainslief, he'd likely check off a lot more- like you said, Prime Dainslief has a stable income, a home you could find him at, backup family members/friends to help, and depending on who he was pre-Cataclysm might even have been willing to work with kids. Having said that, if we compare Prime Dainslief to Prime Zhongli, then Dain would absolutely win (since Prime Zhongli was in the Archon War) but since it's Current Dain and Current Zhongli it's different.

So yeah, though they're both considered daddy they're not equally viable for dad status.

[tenebriism]

The arrival of another season, as ever prompts the arrival of another letter, etched once again in a familiar slanted hand. She’s never quite sure how the letters get to Dainsleif; or if indeed they always do, but the sentiment is there, as often as she can spare it. Perhaps now more than ever, given the changing world in which they both seem to presently reside. 

To the man cloaked in starlight, 

Can you believe it’s three months since I last wrote to you? It seems to be a tradition now to reach out whenever the seasons change; a familiar sort of comfort amid the constant ebb and flow of time. Are you keeping well? I hope so at least, most ardently. Summer can be a cruel mistress otherwise, when heat and allergies combine to cause a potent mix of sneezes and watering eyes. My Cavalry Captain is suffering a little at the moment with the influx of dandelion pollen, but I hope wherever you are, the climate is a little kinder. 

Although it’s a while since we last spoke, I still think of you often. Near daily in fact, I’ll stumble across something and find myself curious as to whether you’d like it, or if it would spark the same emotion in you as it does in me. A song here, or a flower there. The stars in particular forever seem to resonate with my memory of you. So much so, I find myself working later and later, just to catch a glimpse of those twinkling beacons overhead to remind myself we’re under the same sky, no matter the distance. 

Things here are ticking away as usual, though I must admit things have been a little busier as of late. There’s something stirring to the North, although I can’t be sure what, and abyssal activity continues to be on the rise. I know it doesn’t need to be said, but please stay safe wherever you are and I shall endeavour to do the same. There’s still a long time between now and the next lantern rite and I’d very much like us both to remain in one piece until then. So consider this a pact. Sealed in an ambiguous lipstick stain (a silly homage to when we first met) and a sigil of the Lord Barbatos himself. 

In your last letter, you mentioned a loss of self. I wasn’t sure I understood it then, but I think I do now. There are things in life we sacrifice for the greater good. Parts of ourself that have been chipped away by time or circumstance, or willingly surrendered or buried, a price paid to balance some cosmic debt beyond our control. If these letters can give you even a small snippet of yourself back, I will consider it an honour. Since if truth be told, your replies have done much the same for me. 

It sounds silly now that I write it down and I don’t wish to scare you away with too many declarations of sentiment. But know that I thank the archons every day that they brought you into my life. 

Be safe, dear knight. Be well. 

Until next time, 

- J.G. x

To: The Dandelion Favored by the Wind,

Has it truly been three months? Time is something of a myth to me, now. Whether a week has passed or a month, I can hardly keep track; I only know that, regardless, I look forward to your writings. They are a pleasant repose from the harshness of reality.

I am as well as one can be. Thankfully, nature and her pettiness does not affect me, but I send well wishes to your ailing Cavalry Captain. Do encourage him to take care of himself, both for his own good, as well as yours; I am certain you would not hesitate to take on his work as your own, should he be indisposed, and your detailing of your workload has become repetitive, in that regard.

You should really take better care of yourself . . . yet, you are hardheaded and stubborn, so I will continue to wish for your health and well-being whilst I am not there to look after you. I will endeavor to look after myself if you do the same. It would be most . . . upsetting, were the next year to come around and only one of us is in attendance to what has become a much adored tradition. It . . . you . . . are the only thing I have to look forward to.

Please, do not take that away from me.

Perhaps, by then, I will be able to tell you more about myself. I find the desire to do so ever-growing with each letter I receive from you, but I fear that your reaction may be unfavorable. It is easier to put words to paper, than to speak them . . . at least, for me, it is. I wonder if you would look at me differently if you knew who, and what, I am. If I may very well ruin this strange, albeit comforting arrangement we have. You are kind and patient, and I know I am foolish in my fears, but this is a weight I have carried for far longer than fathomable.

Maybe you are the one I am meant to find freedom in . . . more than I already have. Nonetheless, I am running out of space to write, and I must keep moving if I am to avoid potential obstacles in my travels.

Until I am able to see you again, dearest wind blossom.

D.

@gunnhildred ;; ♥

[prime-adeptus]

Don't mind me I'm just snooping through your Genshin stuff after you rewrote my brain chemistry with the Dainsleif fic

First of all. WTF!!!!!!! /POS I love that the story spans from their childhood to present time, especially with Childe's time in the abyss and the years before he truly became the 11th Harbinger bc that really was bound to take a toll on him.

this childhood shared with the reader started off so dreamy before you can really feel it coming apart at the seams, but because they are so closely entwined, neither of them is really letting go. They're what's keeping that bridge strong.

even without him saying anything you can see just how much he cares about the reader. it's the same for them as well, though when you really look into it, as much as it's hard for them to admit, this love is difficult. it's not sunshine and rainbows, it's bloodshed and watching your loved one go through changes that he can't control and neither can you. it must be such a heavy burden to bear;; I could go all day about how much I love ur MC in this. Childe is there too I guess /j

and this part specifically:

Before he was ever Tartaglia, Childe, eleventh of the Harbingers, his home was in the woods he got lost in. Not underground, but in a cabin, with strong windows and shutters the colour of your eyes.

the call back to the "before he was ever Tartaglia, eleventh of the Harbingers, he was a timid child." it was like fireworks burst in my brain because I think it's such a cool thing when a 'repeat' happens. from a timid child to one who's seen more bodies than he can count. from a timid child to the fearsome Harbinger that he is today. the fearsome Harbinger that is still very much yours, even if you can't decide if you want him to stay or leave.

U're paying for my therapy. Like you're gonna make my psychiatrist need another psychiatrist by the time I'm done telling her about you (/j)

idk man if this is what we get out of your Brain Worms™ then I really look forward to what you'll do next. there's something about the way you write intimacy and the ups and downs of a relationship that really gets to me. great job :) <3

now I gotta put his stupid ass back on the team smh

THE CUT THAT ALWAYS BLEEDS

pairing: childe / tartaglia x f!reader wc: 4.4k

choosing to love him is choosing endless bloodshed; all of it is yours.

(alternatively — the metamorphosis of a god through the eyes of his keeper.)

warnings: suggestive / mentions of sex, nudity, profanity, angst, mentions of murder / death, ambiguous ending i think, almost canon compliant

note: 4.4k words and i don't think even this has a plot. WHO CARES dedicated to @shoyostar bc i never stop talking and @crysugu :3 here he is!

Before he was ever Tartaglia, eleventh of the Harbingers, he was a timid child. 

He feared the simple things — speaking to neighbours, strangers, the mailman. He never went to the market alone, not without his parents, not without his older brother to hold his hand. Neighbourhood boys called him names and you called him sweeter things, bringing him in for hot chocolate because of his red eyes, holding his frozen hands in a lukewarm basin. 

Your town was on the coast but he rarely saw the water; he was afraid of drowning and even more afraid of sinking, even though you could see the ice was six inches thick through the sides of the fishing holes scattered everywhere. Not even the men would crack it, fathers that ate at the head of the table, yet he thought he’d be the one. Nor did he trust anyone to save him. 

Childe was Ajax before he was anything for anyone else, his name from myth. Eagle. He was born a  Greek tragedy; hero, for most. 

He was fourteen when he disappeared. Your mother said he’d come back home, kids get mad. Your father said a bear got to him, a weak thing like that — your whole neighbourhood looked for him after he vanished. 

He was gone three days in the woods but he told you he’d been gone for months. He was underground; you asked if it was Hell but he said it was much more. When he crawled back up to Morepesok, he was a different person.

He looked you in the eye and told you he was finally ready to fight.

+

You didn’t believe he was lost for three months until you watched him hold a sword.

By the barrels on the fishing dock, boys fought with wooden blades. Girls would watch and sit on box crates, swaddled up to their ears, cheering on whichever one they liked that week. They’d watch as they hit each other, splinters snagging on coats, knuckles gone white from the cold and how tight they held their handles. 

When Childe stepped up for the first time, they snickered at him. The boy who ran away from home, coming to join the sword fights. It was a joke and they laughed.

(You saw something in his eyes that day and it scared you. There is nothing more terrifying than a child with bloodlust.)

He beat the kid so badly that they put thirty stitches in his forehead, and you were left to do patchwork on the bomb.

Cutting coloured wires, you dabbed Childe’s red cheek with a warm cloth, wringing it out in the bowl of water that separates the two of you. He was calmer then, in front of you. Not that he wasn’t before; it was less of not being calm and more of craving victory, more of a test of his newfound gift.

“I told you to stop,” you mumbled, “hitting him, I mean.”

“I stop, he starts. I won.”

“What did you win? Where's your prize?”

Childe looked at you dumb, with his dumb childish eyes that no longer held hate. Maybe it was somewhere, hidden, beneath the water you drown in, but instead the surface held a glare of wonder. He was Ajax again, always hopeful.

He hissed when you dabbed his skin with something other than water, something that stung. “I—”

“No one wins in war, Ajax,” you scolded. “You’ll see someday.”

“I won’t be in a war.”

You scoffed, your hand gripping his jaw when he tried to run away. “We’ll see.”

+

You’re seventeen when he stumbles inside your house, the wooden door cracking against the wall as he slumps to the floor.

Your feet are cold when you step away from the wood stove in your living room, dropping to your knees, holding his face in your hands that are always so much warmer than his. They cradle his flushed cheeks, sweat beading on his forehead; he’s gripping at a pulse in his ribs.

“I’m fine,” he assures you, before you start to cry, “just tired. I’m just tired.”

He eases the door shut, his head tilting back against the wall. His hand rests on your knee, squeezing it like he’s grounding himself, counting on the fabric of your pants to do it for him. You touch the icy veins that run over his knuckles and he comes back to life.

“What happened to you?” you rush, your family asleep down the hallway. You turn the dial on the oil lamp beside you, watching the fire reflecting off of his dirty cheeks.

He laughs, pulling your wrist off when you smack your hand over his mouth with a lousy ‘alright, alright’ and a glance towards your parents’ bedroom. “Me?” he coughs out. 

“You should see the other two.”

(You don’t know what told you first, but you remember going cold.)

“What do you mean?” you whisper. You can’t stop whispering, you can’t stop shaking. “Ajax, what did you do?”

Childe’s smile tilts itself crooked. “I killed them,” he says. 

His voice is so quiet it cracks under the pressure to not be heard.

(He’s smiling, but he’s crying. It doesn’t look like he means to. He doesn’t know he is.)

You want to run. You notice the smear of blood on his jaw again—is that even his? His hand still clutches your knee but you only now notice the red his palm stains it with, the red on the side of his torso. You want to run.

(You should run.)

You don’t run. Because it’s Ajax, and he’s tired of running tonight. Why would you?

“It’s okay,” you say with a nod and a shiver, like shutters in a hurricane. You’re both crying, and he’s against your chest, and he’s still so fucking cold that it’s migrating to you. “Stand up. Ajax, stand up—”

“I can’t,” “You can, you need to get in the bath.”

“I’ll wake your—“

“If you were ever worried about that, you wouldn’t have come here, so Ajax would you please—“

He breathes out, muffling his groans as he staggers to his feet. You’re not of much help but at least your hands, your shaking hands, are telling him you’re there. And that’s enough. 

“I love it when you say that,” he grimaces, shuffling towards the hallway. “My name.”

+

Childe misses your eighteenth birthday by ten minutes.

You ate dinner with your family at your favourite pub, his siblings wrote you cards and pulled your ears, you tied your hair loose and flirted with the pretty guy who fed the boat lines. You don’t like him all that much, but he looks nothing like your neighbour and for you, that is a fine enough reason to talk. 

Stones hit your window at ten past midnight, and Childe stands in the snowy alley outside of your bedroom. He wields another pebble and tilts his head.

Your window’s too old for you to ignore me.

You pull on your coat and boots, scarf too because he talks too much, and head outside into the night, creeping out the back door. You cross your arms, walking over to where he stands just outside of the lamplight.

“Hiding?” you ask, stopping in front of him.

Childe laughs like nothing’s wrong, digging through his back pocket with his gloved hand, handing you a box. “Happy birthday.”

“It’s not my birthday."

“Belated.”

You glance between his rosy cheeks and the box before you take it, looking towards the end of the alley to avoid his stare. Because guys like Childe don’t look away — you know better than to look back.

“Thank you,” you murmur, tucking your hands back into the warmth of your pockets.

Childe nods; you don’t open gifts in front of him, you know better than to do that, too. He knows better than to think you would. 

You look at his hands, eyebrows furrowing. “Leather gloves?”

“So you noticed?”

“How? You couldn’t afford long johns last year.”

Childe grins. “I got a job.”

“At the tank house,” you say, crossing your arms. “Which, you had last year.”

The look in his eyes tells you he’s in deep — he doesn’t seem to care about it as much as you do. “I’m a Harbinger, now.”

“You—”

“I’m the youngest—” “You’re the dumbest,” you grit, sticking a finger in between his ribs. “You're eighteen — what kind of achievement is that?”

He takes a deep breath, his lungs pushing your finger back until it falls defeated. “I didn’t expect you to be happy, believe me.”

“Why,” you whisper, “would I ever be happy to watch you sell yourself to killers?”

“You know I’m no better,”

“Oh, Ajax, if you think that’s what I know then you’re more stupid than I thought.”

There’s no real reason to excuse the blood on his hands other than the fact that they’re so gentle when they hold yours.

There’s a voice down the alley and two drunk men in hats and coats wave your way. You grimace, but Childe waves back. 

“This is why you’re outside. You don’t want them to know where you live.”

“Or where you live.”

You grit your teeth. “Yes, because it’s great that your allies are a threat your family.”

“You’re not my family,” he says, “that’d make things weird.”

Your eyes well and you swallow, looking back at the men who stare at both of you. They murmur amongst themselves and you try to ignore them, but it’s hard when Childe won’t look away.

A breeze of snow from the rooftops drifts over you, and you look at him one more time. The last, you try to pledge to yourself. “Don’t leave with them.”

“It’s too late now and you know it.”

“How the fuck would I know it?”

“Don’t cry,” he tells you, much softer now that he knows you didn’t realize it yet, “I’ll come home, I’m not gone forever. If anything, I’ll come back richer. No one will sleep cold.”

“You’ll come back to spoil your family with blood money?”

“I’d spoil you, too,” he adds, “but I know better than to try that.”

There is a heavy silence between the two of you. It isn’t the weight of his gold or the weight of him not coming home; it is the weight of lead, of gunpowder. The weight of the bullets that his two new friends that wait in the street have loaded.

Childe takes your arms, tugging your hands from your pockets, frowning at your white fingertips and cracking knuckles. 

“Take these—”

“I don’t want your dirty paws,”

“Well, I don’t want your dry hands. And when I come home, I’ll need them.”

Childe drives the knife deeper, twists it through your chest, and slips off his gloves. He places them in your hands and just snickers when you pocket them. “No worries, I’ll just get a new pair.”

“Great.”

He nods, starting down the alley. He knows you well enough to understand that you don’t want to say goodbye, not when you know you’re saying goodbye to how things were before. Instead, he just calls over his shoulder.

“See you at Christmas?”

“Why even come back?”

“Right,” he chuckles. “I wanna see your gift next time, though.”

Then he leaves, and he doesn’t look at you again. You suppose he’s been trained to do that, but then again, you can’t remember a time where he has looked back at you, anyway. He’s never looked back at anyone before the end.

+

He comes home every Christmas, just like he promised. 

Each time he does, he drags you out to a cabin outside of town, one so hidden in the woods that you almost thought he built it, and he fucks you like he missed you before he was gone. Not enough to leave the Fatui, but enough to come home once in a while. And once in a while is all you're gonna get, so you don't let it go.

He comes home, tells his family all about his life as a businessman, a toy salesman you once heard, and then sneaks you out so you can love him as loud as you want. Then, you eat the fish you bring, he tells you how much he missed the sturgeon in Morepesok, and he's gone before the sun comes up. 

Childe lets you go with a tired breath, watching the fire beat against your glistening skin as you sit on the edge of the bed. The warmth of him courses through you like a river current and you fix your hair with weak hands, biting the tie that was around your wrist. “I feel your eyes, you’re not subtle.”

“I wasn’t trying to be,” he says simply. “You’re beautiful. More beautiful now.”

“You said that last year.”

“Next year, too.”

You roll your eyes, back straightening when he looms behind you, his naked body against yours. His hand sneaks around your waist and his lips press against your shoulder blade, kissing until he gets to the juncture of your neck and collarbone. 

“Ajax,”

“I know,” he says against your skin, “gotta eat.”

“You’d think they would feed you in the castle.”

“Hardly a castle, sweetheart."

“That belt says otherwise,” you mumble, standing, making him let go. You pick up your underwear from the floor, too hot to wear anything else. “It’s custom.”

He snorts, flopping back down on the bed. “Birthday gift.”

“From who?”

“Ooh, jealous?”

“Of someone who doesn’t know who you are? No.”

Childe hums a laugh, giving a look in agreement to the ceiling that you catch out of the corner of your eye. He rests a hand on his chest, watching you sweat in the heat of the fireplace, smiling at the life he has for the next four hours.

He clears his raspy throat. “You finally wore it. The gift.” He snickers, “I only waited two years.”

You look over your shoulder at him, pulling your cami over your head. “I wasn’t gonna let money rot.”

“Do you know what it is?”

“What?”

“The stone. Do you know what it is?”

You stare, face hot. You’re partially embarrassed to not know, never having left Snezhnaya and let alone your town, but you’re curious enough to shake your head. Childe smiles like he knows that you wish you knew enough to say yes.

(You hate that he’s travelled the world you used to tell him you dreamt about. The one you made him dream about, too.)

He scoots up to lean against the headboard, and you take the invitation to come back to the bed. You crawl onto the mattress again, sitting beside him as he moves the clasp of the necklace to the back of your neck, and the stone to the front.

“They call it Cor Lapis,” he says, “it’s in Liyue.”

“Oh.”

He lets go. “It’s not rare, but I like it.”

“You spend a lot of time in Liyue, it makes sense.”

“So you do read my letters,” he says with a grin, cocking his head and holding your hand. “What else do I say?”

“What about the necklace?”

“Huh?”

“If it’s not rare, why get a custom-made necklace?” you ask. “Expensive for such a simple stone.”

Childe’s eyes drop back down to the necklace, holding it out from your neck and in line with the light of the bedside table lamp. It glitters in his eyes and you’re sure it does in yours.

“Cor Lapis is dull,” he tells you. “It doesn’t actually glow until it’s cracked open.”

You look at the cut edges of the stone, framed in gold. It’s small, but it’s something that looks like Childe gave it to you. When your mother saw it, she said it was beautiful and asked when he was home last.

You focus on the fingers that hold it.

“I found it a lot like you,” he says, his voice lower, his eyes finally looking up to face you head-on. “Heart of gold.”

“I don’t need to be cracked open."

“You have been,” he corrects, “you are right now.”

He’s right. He’s so fucking right that it hurts your head to think about and hurts your chest to acknowledge. 

Childe’s hand runs up and under your shirt, showing your skin. “And you’re glowing.”

You sit in the silence inside your open ribs and give him a small smile, standing up to shake his hand off of you.

“I’ll let you tell me that next winter, too.”

+

Next Christmas, you stay in bed. Childe cradles your necklace again but doesn’t tell you about Liyue because you don’t ask, too proud to ask twice. 

Instead, you lay against his chest, littered with brand new scars you didn’t see last time. Some you watch, others you look away from because they run too deep for you to need to know how he got them. Year by year, you get more quiet.

Childe does, too. He hasn’t lost his boyish charm but it shares his body with something else now.

“Why don’t you come home before Christmas?” you ask. “Once, even. Teucer’s birthday?”

“It’s not that easy. If it was, I’d be there for every birthday. Yours, theirs.”

You purse your lips, rolling onto your back to stare aimlessly at the ceiling. “Right,” you whisper.

“Don’t do that,”

“Why do you say that like I’m fishing for empathy?” you ask casually, scoffing a laugh. “You used to have some, you know. Before you were a fucking hitman.”

“You have no problem fucking said hitman, so please, if you now raise any sudden changes of heart, I should probably know.” 

You look at him coldly and he shakes his head. “It’s not like I want to hurt you.”

His arm gets heavier around you, weighing you down against his side. You fight it off when you sit up, turning to look down at him. Déjà vu washes over you both.

“Do you honestly think that I’m talking about me?” you say through laughs. “I’ve gotten used to your wounds, Ajax, it’s not about me.”

“I—”

“How about your family?” you say. It shakes the cabin walls, even though you weren’t loud at all. “You have younger siblings who idolize you and older ones who know better than what you tell them. Do you think they’re dumb?”

He stares at you. You ask, “You remember them, don’t you?”

“I remember my siblings, yes, thank you for aski—”

“Did you know Teucer made a sword?”

Childe’s next sentence fades into a sigh, and his lips purse as he shakes his head.

You cross your arms. “It looks just like yours.”

“Brotherly love, toys are harmless.”

“Who do you think will stitch his eyebrow? Or sneak him into the bathroom after he comes down from his first kill—”

“I never asked you to be my keeper,” Childe says, the grip on your hand tighter than it was before.

“And look how it turned out, anyway.” 

Childe leans back against the bed frame and thin pillows he’s stacked up, looking anywhere but at you. 

He’s older now and hardened into someone you can’t recognize, but he resembles a lot of the boy he was born as. He still doesn’t look you in the eye when he apologizes, not when he means it.

“Do you want me to leave?”

You stand, finding your clothes on the floor. You’re too hot, so you put on your underwear and shirt and leave it at that. “I brought fish. Rest while you can.”

+

It’s July, and Childe comes back to Morepesok in the middle of a blizzard.

Glasses rattle in behind the bar and you dry the ones from the sink, since the hot water ran out an hour ago. The pub’s empty but your shift still stands, even though no one dares to go outside when the storms are this bad, and it’s only you and a few stragglers left to pray the windows don’t shatter when the breeze hits you from the coast.

Every time you catch yourself in the counter’s reflection, you see your necklace, and you wonder what the beaches in Liyue are like. You can’t swim here without freezing to death and you can’t dream in relentless snow, so you let yourself think of him sometimes.

(Warm, swimming in streams. You wonder if he ever got over his fear of drowning when he realized he wouldn’t sink.)

Air whistles through old panels and teases the fire that burns in the seating area, and there’s a quiet hum of voices that dim the crackle of the logs you throw in every half-hour. A glass slides off the counter and breaks in the wind.

You gasp and jump, stepping back, stepping forward when you hit something — someone. You turn around and Childe stares back, snow on his eyelashes and his hair damp from hail and the sweat beneath his hat.

“Why are you here?”

“Oh, you’re so welcoming. Need help?”

You scoff, kneeling with a brush and pan, guiding the glass back into a pile. You don’t answer his question. “They don’t really mean it when they say 'Christmas in July,' you know.”

“You were the one who told me to visit more, right?”

You nod, standing again, dumping the glass into a bin. “Outside the bar, staff only."

Childe slowly raises his hands in surrender, stepping quietly out from the back and rounding to face you again. He leans on the freezing counters, looking around the room. “You work here?”

“A normal person job, yes.”

“So boring.”

“Why’d you come back?” you ask, going back to washing glasses. “When do you leave?”

Please, stay. Just for once, stay.

“Tomorrow.”

“Do they ever let you off your leash for more than a day? Or do you just hate snowstorms that much now?”

“They have gotten worse since I’ve been gone,”

“Or you’ve just been gone long enough to forget where you come from,” you suggest, glancing up at him again. “The Fatui do still operate here, right?”

“Lower your voice, eh?”

“Sorry. Forgot.”

Childe purses his lips, looking around again. He lowers his head. “The cabin’s open.”

“There’s no way we can make it through the trees blind.”

“I can get us there.”

“Do you remember you got lost in those woods once?”

He grins when you look up. “Well, you know you don’t learn without getting lost. I know them now.”

You crack a tiny smile back, one that probably gives him way too much hope. He watches you put glasses away, he relaxes when he sees the necklace you still wear; even if you started wearing it two years late. 

You shake your head. “I’m not coming to the cabin.”

“Why’s that?”

“You should spend the day you have with your family.”

“You—”

“Don’t make things weird.”

The moment is bittersweet and Childe isn’t stupid enough to challenge it, so he just laughs. You try to but it comes out funny.

“So that’s it?”

You swallow the lump in your throat. “It’s always been your decision, not mine.”

And nothing you have ever done has been anything I’ve wanted.

Childe nods, biting his cheek. He knows that people who live in the woods often die there, too. He never really made it out. “Show me out, then?”

You give in, walking him the short distance to the door. He rests with his hand on the knob, gently moving you away from the door so the breeze doesn’t freeze you in place. He tugs his hat on and notices the gloves he gave you years ago hang by your coat on the standing rack.

“When should I come back?”

He watches you breathe in, he watches you breathe out. “Come back when you’re coming home.”

Childe doesn’t try to reason or to ask what you mean, because he knows what you mean.

Don’t.

With a nod, he smiles. It shows with a weakness that no Harbinger should still have with them; you think this might be the death of it.

“I’ll see you around, then.” He opens the door.

“Yeah,” you murmur. “Bye, Childe.”

The door shuts. You don’t hear the snow crunching beneath his feet until a few seconds later, and you keep your ear against the door until you don’t hear them anymore.

Before he was ever Tartaglia, Childe, eleventh of the Harbingers, his home was in the woods he got lost in. Not underground, but in a cabin, with strong windows and shutters the colour of your eyes.

+

It’s the second Christmas you haven’t seen Childe or the woods. You haven’t checked if he’s stayed there and the stories Teucer tells you are old, but there’s a chance he’s still burning a fire and laying in bed, glowing with heat.

Either Childe hasn’t come back, or he just hasn’t told you he has. Either way, you don't make an effort to know.

Somewhere in Liyue, there’s an ore mine with your name carved above the entrance. The men talk about you when they wheel out carts of jade and ore, wondering how you reached so far up to tell them you were there.

In Mondstadt, an outpost sings a folk tune about a girl who heals wounded soldiers.

In Inazuma, a village calls a seashell by your name. It started with the kids, who said a man from a different place told them all about it. An expert on it, they said. They haven’t called it anything else since.

In Sumeru, your laugh runs through the river.

In Natlan, a painting hangs in a bar of a woman dressed in fire, a ribbon on her wrist and her hair everywhere else. When asked, the artist says he was inspired by a man who spoke of a girl with a heart of gold. 

In Fontaine, they serve grilled sturgeon, only cooked by wooden stove.

Childe sits down in a town in Snezhnaya, far away from Morepesok, and he sits in front of five kids who look just like the ones back home. Freezing, and curious.

He lets them fawn over his attire, bug him for all he’s worth while they’re tucked inside of a barn to avoid the cold. He answers every question about his job selling toys with enthusiasm and without guilt, promising to someday come back with some for them. Then, they ask him to tell them a story — one they haven’t heard before.

Somewhere in Snezhnaya, far away from Morepesok, a tale is told about a girl who travelled the world.

[dutybcrne]

@strdstd said : [Dancing] My muse is dancing with yours, my muse pulls yours closer to their body and starts touching them intimately while dancing. {From Dain for Halfdan. owo} 『Meme || Accepting』

After all that planning and training, at long last they had it: A decent breather. Sure, there was still much to be done, Stars, how there was was so much to do. He wouldn't deny that, nor how pressing the matter was. But to Halfdan, they'd done plenty themselves as it was. A single moment’s reprieve was exactly what they needed, now more than ever.

So naturally, he would use that break to prepare something nice for them. To go off the instant he was allowed leave and prepare nice little array of snacks beforehand. To bring them, as well as a nice vintage, to his—no, their—room, then proceed to hunt down his beloved to drag him back there. Because he damn well knew Dainsleif would need the reminder, or he would keep on working himself right to the bone.

Stars, he loved them. But, stars, they worried him so.

Regardless, even if it took him a bit of pleading and plenty of playful eyerolls and exasperated, yet, fond sighs, his task was at last completed. With his bubbling excitement, Halfdan damn near felt they were back in their days in Khaenri'ah. Stumbling out of training together, hushed laughter and voices spilling from them on their way home. Coming back from a stint through inteyvats, the blooms laced in Dainsleif's hair, some knocked askew after a light tussle brought on by good-natured taunts and their haste to rush back.

He felt it again when he'd shown Dainsleif what he'd prepared for them, warmth flooding his chest and pride frothing up like bubbles soon after.

He felt it once more when they'd enjoyed the taste of the wine. Neither could get so affected by the alcohol as they once had been, but what did it matter, when it was the memory and enjoyment of the rich flavor that he had been hoping to delight in?

But truly, he felt it most when he'd pulled Dainsleif to his feet when the wine had been long drained. To his feet, and sweeping him in a dance to the rhythm of their song.

Clumsily so, perhaps, as Halfdan was more laughing than truly singing. More stumbling than nimbly stepping as he'd speed up the song deliberately, trying to catch Dainsleif off-guard in a spur-of-the-moment little contest, to trip him up to catch and tease him over it. But of course the man could still keep up. Keep up, even laughing and matching his voice with a steadier, rasped voice. Spinning and dancing faster, and faster, until they found themselves panting, braced against each other.

They spun slowly, like underwater...or was it the room spinning, not them?

"You fool."

Light scolding reached Halfdan, even through the sound of his thudding heart in his ears, past little thumps of his beloved's hand on his back to help ease his breathing. Right—overexerting himself did that. Of course Dainsleif would remember, while he got so caught up in the joy of the moment.

Some things really didn't change,

The thought had Halfdan smiling as he lifted his head up. Lifted his head, and pressed a quick kiss to Dainsleif's lips to shut him up just a little ( aaaand yup, there was the firmer thud upon his back in protest ).

"S'fine," he would mumble, as parting would start up Dainsleif's concerned, yet now flustered, fussing anew, "I can handle being a little breathless. You know that better than anyone."

A mischievous grin tugged at his lips as he'd duck his head down to dodge the potential look that would surely cross Dainsleif's features at that. Little snickers would leave him as lips brushed against his beloved’s jaw, little hums in acknowledgement at whatever scolding he would get—ahh, he could worry about all that later.

Right now...well, right now, a kiss pressed just underneath the sharp jut, then another just below that as they would sway a slight, delighting in the little shivers a playful little nip at his skin would rend. Another, another, plenty more followed as the exasperated attempts to get him to sit down so he wouldn't agitate his breathing again would at last quiet under his efforts to distract his beloved. He'd commend the effort, but, well, as if Dainsleif could have ever won out here.

That thought would rend a smug, content hum from him as he at last buried his face into his beloved’s neck, preening under the hand that moved to run through his hair.

"I win," Halfdan mumbled, chuckling at the scoff it earned him. Though even with that...his smirk dampened a slight. Were it most any other time, he could indulge himself and let himself fall deep into Dainsleif’s embrace, without a qualm. And he ought to now. This was what all his planning had been for. Right now though…the closeness would only draw a new thought into mind. One of a notion he'd entirely forgotten in the joy of being able to have this moment with his beloved.

Louder than the soft thuds of Dainsleif's heart and the breaths leaving his lips, the thrum of the curse was palpable, even as Halfdan rested against the side opposite to it. He was close enough to see the edges of it against the softness of Dainsleif's skin, shimmering and shifting like the edges of a mirage.

If only it were as false an illusion as one, too.

The thought had his lips pursing in a slight frown at the thought. That curse…he himself might find perfect reprieve from the stress of their duties and mission in this quiet moment, but Dainsleif…unlike him, Dain still suffered that blasted curse. Nothing he did would ever hope to take that away. Dainsleif would bear it, and continue to bear it even while the stress of his burdens would be eased.

Ugh, he was such a fool!

How could that have slipped his mind? That there was more to why Dainsleif always pushed himself especially so as of late, besides an old habit that wouldn't die and his own sense of duty. That Dainsleif would never truly be at rest, no matter what Halfdan would try. He would forever still felt that agony eating away at him, day by day, who knows for how much longer…!

"Tsk...!" Halfdan's hand moved, gliding over Dainsleif’s waist, tracing where the cursemarks may follow. Feeling the thrum of it against his palms, resistance of toned muscle beneath the man's clothes pushing back against him. Against gentle, but firm pressure under every touch, palmed down as though he could hope to soothe those marked places the way Dainsleif had done for him earlier—stars, why was Dainsleif’s waist so slender? Had it always been this way?

The thought almost had a growl rising in his throat, had him pulling the other impossibly closer, even through a small flash of fear the tight embrace might hurt him, at the soft sound in surprise to got him. Still thoughts lingered, only adding to his worries...had the curse truly taken such a toll on Dainsleif? Was he not eating well? Or was it something else? Stars, how could he just realize this…

…aaaaand the fact that they’d long since stopped moving. Probably since his hands had started to wander. One of which that kept them pressed tightly together, gripped low at his beloved's hip. He should...he should really let him go. He really should—stars, had he really lost himself in thought and mindlessly touched as he damn pleased—?!

"Dain, I—" Halfdan promptly froze, any and all mortified attempts at apologies himself caught on his tongue in likewise realizing Dainsleif seemed to have stilled as well, shaky breaths at his lips.

His mouth opened and closed, once, twice.

A soft little whine rose up in his throat as he buried his face in Dainsleif's shoulder. Both out of a twinge of guilt, and so the other wouldn’t see the horrid red flush on his face now.

Stars, what did he do...?!

“I’m...I'm so sorry, Starlight, I—I-I wasn’t thinking—or...I was, I just—" Stars, he almost felt like back during their earlier days in their relationship, so flustered and awkward. Tripping right over his worse like a fool— “I'm sorry, I-I just...couldn’t help but wonder if…right here—" Gingerly shifting his hand to brush back upwards, he would carefully watch for even the most minute of movements. If Dainsleif would want him to let go, or if he moved to meet it.

Perhaps it could simply be how starved for touch Dain had become. Or maybe he was completely wrong about his assumption. Perhaps he was fretting too much over this. But...but he had to know, and clearly-

“Tell me...does it hurt when I touch you?”

[thanatos-nightshade]

I posted 14,052 times in 2022

That's 5,524 more posts than 2021!

13 posts created (0%)

14,039 posts reblogged (100%)

Blogs I reblogged the most:

@olivegardenmenu

@willworkforcakes

@shpider

@tigerintherain

@seeyouguyslater

I tagged 762 of my posts in 2022

#ohshc - 11 posts

#fashion - 9 posts

#come back to this - 9 posts

#listen - 7 posts

#t-n talks - 6 posts

#art ref - 5 posts

#tbd - 5 posts

#food - 5 posts

#lmao - 5 posts

#screaming - 5 posts

Longest Tag: 139 characters

#a nutshell sorry not sorry also im not bragging about my artistic skills because for realsies i'm just slightly above average on them so li

My Top Posts in 2022:

#5

I finally did some art.

1 note - Posted March 3, 2022

#4

when you get this you have to answer with 5 things u like about yourself, publicly. then, send this ask to 10 of your favorite followers (non-negotiable, positivity is cool)

I'm fucking adorable. I guess like shallow/narcissistic but more along the lines of generally I like how I look. There are some things that I don't like but they don't perturb me that much. Generally I think I'm adorable/cute and I like that but have the occasional issue with grander adjectives like beautiful/sexy that we won't get into because liking myself is enough.

I like that I'm good at art?? I'm not like fantastic but aaah to make this easier on me this can lead into my next one

I like my jack-of-all-trades thinking in that I don't really try to HONE one craft and instead try to experience things generally. For example, when it comes to art, I'm not that great digitally or traditionally, or musically, theatrically, or other. HOWEVER I have experience in all these areas ranging from oil paints, watercolors, ceramics, theater workshop, drama, choir, dance, sewing, crafts etc does gymnastics count? jk whatever So I like that I have not only had all the opportunities to try these but that I have tried to work on each of them a moderate amount we're working on sewing and crafting it's my lowest art stat rn followed closely by instruments

Let's see, I like my friend choices. I feel like all the friends I've made have been pretty good. Some have stuck around more than others but any friend GROUP that I've stuck with for a period of time like months to years, I always think about fondly. I don't think I've ever had like an insanely toxic friend or like a friend that would back stab me does that make me the toxic friend? Anyways, I feel like a lot of my life is colored by the friends/people I've surrounded myself with and yeah sure not all of my life is great but I made some nice friends and had some good shenanigans wherever I went.

Last but not least, I like my absolutely self indulgent/self insert nature. Listen, there is like no fandom that I have been a part of where I have NOT self inserted myself into in some way or another and god damn it NOBODYS GONNA DO THAT SHIT FOR YOU UNLESS YOU PAY THEM. I CAN PUT MYSELF INTO MY FAVORITE FANDOMS FOR FREE AND BY GOLLY I'M GONNA DO IT CAN'T STOP ME MY BRAIN IS A SELF INDULGENT THIRST MACHINE AND IT IS GOING

Anyways thank you so much for sending me this ask. It took me two days to get to it because I needed to sit down and think through these. I can't wait to send this to some of my followers!

2 notes - Posted May 23, 2022

#3

I'm posting this at night because I want to share this and then bury it in reblogs because this scares me

3 notes - Posted September 18, 2022

#2

My birthday is on the 6th so i cant help but think that scara being released then is hoyos bday gift to me (i may or may not cry if i dont pull him)

6 notes - Posted December 4, 2022

My #1 post of 2022

I need to put diluc and dainsleif on either side of leon from dislyte because i swear to god its all i see

11 notes - Posted May 14, 2022

Get your Tumblr 2022 Year in Review →

[primofate]

“Y/N is giving free hugs!” [Genshin High School AU]

Characters: Aether, Albedo, Bennett, Chongyun, Dainsleif, Diluc, Gorou, Itto, Kaeya, Kazuha, Razor, Scaramouche, Tartaglia, Thoma, Venti, Xiao, Xingqiu, Zhongli, gn!reader

Warnings: Not much, not proofread, taglist not updated

Notes: I know this is such a weird idea but if kissing booths and charity dates exist then....

Personal favourite in this work: ZHONGLI, DAINSLEIF, Thoma, Xiao

Summary: During the school festival, in order to attract more customers to your class’ cafe, the idea of giving free hugs came around. 

His friend had heard about it and came running to him, knowing that he has had the biggest crush on you since forever. “Y/N’s giving free hugs! Here, they’re on a schedule!” his friend shoves the flyer at him and he takes a look at it out of curiosity.

A few other students in your class are on schedule to give free hugs.

Your timeslot was 1:30 to 2:00 

Aether

“Ahaha...” Aether grips the piece of paper and feels as if he started to sweat bullets. He waves his hand and laughs it off. “It’s alright, I don’t really wanna bother them. They must be really busy already,” he concludes and passes the flyer back to Lumine. 

“Aether!” Lumine exclaimed. “There’s gunna be other people lining up for the hugs, you know that right?” She was exasperated, Aether could tell, and the more he thought about it the more he just didn’t want to pass up the opportunity, and so, he was in line by 1:40. 

He was jittery. And also, there were more people in line than he expected. He cowered behind the person in front of him, and kept leaving the line to line up again from the back. He was stupidly nervous and he didn’t even know why. “It’s just a hug, just a hug,” he kept repeating to himself, not realizing that he was moving up the line with all his overthinking, until--

“Aether,” His head snapped up and comes face to face with you who has a shy smile plastered on your face. “I didn’t know if you would come,” you fumbled with your fingers and Aether replies almost automatically. “Of course I would!” then realizes his mistake and tries to remedy it. “I-I mean! Lumine made me do it!”

He sees your face fall and he can’t explain the horror he feels when he hears you mumble a small. “Oh, okay,” while gazing at the floor. He doesn’t wait for you to open your arms, and instead he wraps you up in his and shuts his eyes tight in an attempt to quell his beating heart. “No. Sorry. I lied. I really wanted to do this, Lumine just gave me a push.” His grip around you is tight and you can feel him take in a slow deep breath. “Sorry, I’m just--I’m really--” 

really freakin’ nervous, what’s wrong with me? 

In the next moment, he releases you, face red and refusing to meet your gaze, half-waving “I’ll see you later, okay?” and he bolts out of there. 

But he bolts out of there with an incredibly loopy and wide grin on his face. 

Lumine just shakes her head and sighs while watching the whole thing unfold from afar. 

Albedo

Free hug...? Albedo thought. 

He didn’t really get the concept, it was rather...strange. He understood if one were selling something, or giving products or samples away for free, but a hug...It just didn’t seem like a good tactic. 

But he strangely found himself drawn to the idea, mostly because you were involved.

‘Y/N’s giving free hugs...’ and Albedo already knew that there would be other people in line. If that was the case, then, he wanted to at least give you the best hug. He takes his phone out, and searches on the internet for something that one wouldn’t think Albedo would ever search for.

“How to give the best hugs” He watches a video, reads an article, and places himself in line as if it was a battle he needed to win. 

“Y/N,” he nods at you when his turn comes and you’re thoroughly surprised he’s in the line. Shocked, even. “Albedo!” You can’t help but say out. It’s not that you were disappointed, it was...nice. To think that he wanted to be in line for you. 

Albedo had other plans though. He didn’t want to JUST be in line, he wanted to be the BEST in the line. So when he confidently wraps an arm around your waist and pulls you flush against him, the yelp that you let out is muffled. This hug is different. 

First off, it definitely lasts for a much longer time than the other ones. Second, his hands seem to know where to go, one around your waist and the one that crawls up to press your head further into him, it has you melting into a puddle. 

Then, like a snap, it was over. You’re left rather dumbfounded at the intimacy of it, but you weren’t complaining. You watch as Albedo gives you a small smile. “Thank you, Y/N,” and then simply walks away. 

You only snap out of it when you hear your classmates--also friends--giggle from the classroom door, them knowing that you’ve had a little crush on the smart guy for a small while now. You glare at them and bite the inside of your lip to control your flustered expression.

Why did he have to be so good at giving hugs?

Bennett

Bennett doesn’t think too much about it. But he doesn’t deny that he wants to get a hug from you too. He’s rather straightforward in an endearing way. His class was doing a mini haunted house, and as his crappy lucky would have it, he was on ghost shift at the same time as your free hugs time slot.

“Awe man,” he groans and tries to look for a classmate who would switch shifts with him. “Please!” he begged, but no one said yes, telling him that they also had plans set out already. 

Bennett was extremely bummed while doing his ghost shift, and to be honest, it didn’t seem like his scaring tactics were working. The class president noticed and Bennett didn’t know if this was bad or good luck, but he was pulled out of the scare team and put with the flyer team.

Bennett didn’t usually shirk on his responsibilities, but with a wide grin he grabbed the flyers and ran to your classroom, noting that it was now 1:58 pm. The class president didn’t say they couldn’t go to other classrooms to hand out flyers, so that’s exactly where he was going now! 

Those 2 minutes felt so quick to Bennett. He ran for his life but he still arrived late. 2:01 pm. Panting, flyers in hand, and looking at the line for free hugs from a totally different person now.

He missed your timeslot. 

“Bennett?” He hears your voice from behind him and he swerves around, still panting a little. “Are you ok?” You smile at him, a little concerned. 

“Y-Yeah, I’m just--” he sighs, and waves the flyers. “Just handing out flyers,” there’s a solemn look in his eyes and he decides to just brush it off for today. Just his bad luck, nothing new.

He stumbles the slightest bit back when you bump into him and wrap your arms around his middle. Bennett is stunned into silence, his mouth agape and looking at you who has your eyes closed just basking in his warmth. “U-Uh, Y/N?” 

“You just look like you needed a hug, Bennett,” you mumble a bit, before pulling away, a little embarrassed at what you did, but it was worth it, seeing Bennett’s flushed face. “I-I-I did! I really did! I came to get your free hugs but uh-- I was a little late and--”

“I don’t mind,” you cut him off and step away, preparing to go back to your classroom. “You can ask for free hugs anytime Bennett,” and with your tone of voice, gaze placed elsewhere instead of him, something told Bennett that this offer was solely for him, and he couldn’t be any happier that he was late today.

Chongyun 

“F-Free hugs?!”

Why? Is Chongyun’s first thought. How? Is his second. How could he line up there with no shame, telling literally everyone that he wanted to hug you? He just didn’t have the guts to do it, even if he knew there would be others lining up anyway, he’d always feel like all eyes were on him, probably whispering: ‘Oh that Chongyun was lining up for Y/N’s free hugs, did you see?’ and giggling while they’re at it. 

He doesn’t realize it but he collapses to a crouch on the floor while thinking about it, continuously thinking why the evil spirits would give him such an embarrassing opening to hug you and if he really should take the opportunity. 

“...What’re you doing, Chongyun?” Xingqiu, who had been the one to pass him the flyer, stares down at his best friend who was crouched down with a grim look on his face. Chongyun didn’t like getting flustered or embarrassed, but he unknowingly puts himself in those situations anyway. 

Xingqiu has to pull his friend up and get him back to his senses, then talks him into just lining up and doing the free hug. It takes a while, cause Chongyun overthinks a lot but once he’s in the line he feels like he’s shoved a dozen popsicles in his mouth and he’s slightly quivering with anxiety. 

He tenses up when he’s face to face with you, and likewise, you do too, not knowing what to make of the situation. You didn’t quite care for the other people in the line, but Chongyun...you’ve always found him adorable. 

In complete silence Chongyun steps up and gathers you in his arms. He’s dumbfounded, fireworks exploding in his mind the moment you’re bundled up against him. He doesn’t know what he expected but it is much better than what his secret daydreams have provided him with. 

This is all too real and he engraves it in his memory. Then after, he steps back, definitely embarrassed and unable to think for himself at the moment. “...You’re really warm,” and of course he has to blurt out the first thing that comes to his mind. You could only let out a small “Hm?” although you heard him clearly, but you were awkward like that as well, brain not working properly yet. 

Then, he waves his hands frantically around, “Nothing! I’ll go!” and he scampers off with an amused Xingqiu behind him. 

Dainsleif

Dainsleif was silent at the news. Did it help that he was a senior and you were a year below him? No. What would everyone think seeing a senior line up for free hugs? 

Well, let them think what they wanted to think, he thought. It was his last year in high school, he might as well make the most of it. He’s rather annoyed that there’s actually a line leading up to you, watching as you hug both guys and girls alike. The whole thing suddenly seemed weird to him, why did you have to give free hugs?? He understood it was some type of marketing tactic, but it irked him a great deal. 

“Is that...Dainsleif from class 3?” he heard someone fail at whispering quietly, his eyes darting towards two girls who huddled together. “Gosh, he’s so good-looking and he’s lining up for free hugs? Can I get one from him instead?” He nearly rolled his eyes when they giggled. 

He was painfully aware that the girls loved to dote on him, and he was running out of ideas to avoid them. 

You took a water break when it was Dainsleif’s turn, your head swerved away from him to drink from a bottle. When you turned your head back to the line, you nearly spit the water out at the sight of him. You gulped loudly “D-Dain!” 

He only smiles. A regal looking smile that was fit for a prince. He’d been eyeing you for a while now, and had gotten your number from an acquaintance. It wasn’t exactly a secret that he was somewhat courting you, you just never imagined a senior would take interest in lil ol’ you. 

He wordlessly beckons you over, even the way he does that is mature and you can’t help but be lured to him almost instantly. You hug him in a different way than you’ve hugged the others. It’s a hug that lulls your eyes closed and its a hug that’s safe and feels like a fireplace. When you close your eyes, it’s almost as if you’re taken some place else, just you and him cuddling in bed, under the feathery warmth of a blanket. Somewhere in your clouded and happy mind you thought you could hear some girls squealing. 

You feel him take a deep breath and dip down closer to your ear. “You know, even if this hug wasn’t free, I’d most likely still pay for it,” he has every capacity in him to make you turn into jelly in his arms. He knows it, but you’ve always been one to resist. You pull back, trying very hard not to give away that you’re beyond happy. “Idiot, come on, it’s the next person’s turn...”

He chuckles a little and walks away after saying, “I’ll pick you up after-school,”

Diluc

Diluc held back a very aggravated sigh. Why did you have to agree to things like this? It’s not that he owned you, the two of you weren’t even together, nor did you know that he felt a certain something for you, but WHY did you have to go ahead and give others the opportunity to hug you? 

Well, to your--and his--surprise, he was first in line, arms crossed, half-glaring at you and asked. “Was it your class president’s idea to do this?” You smiled a little and laughed nervously “Ahaha...Well...” 

And none other but your class president Kaeya appears nearby the two of you. “And if it is?” He grins at his brother, a glint in his eye that told Diluc he walked right into a trap. Kaeya winks at you, “See, Y/N? I told you he’d come,” 

Diluc holds back a grumble, trying to ignore the heat that was crawling up his cheeks. “Oh b-but, I think Diluc’s just here to see the cafe, Kaeya,” and to ask whose stupid idea this was, it seemed. Kaeya raises an eyebrow at you, wondering if you were just trying to play dumb, or didn’t want to admit to yourself that Diluc was actually into you. 

“Is that right, brother? I can show you to a table then,” Kaeya yet again passes the baton to Diluc who looked as if he might die from embarrassment any time soon. “I--” he looks at you, who was half-hopefully looking at him yet half-pretending you didn’t care. 

He suddenly coughs on his fist, a slight tinge of red on his cheeks. “I’m here...for the hug...” and a soft push on your back from Kaeya sends you stepping over closer to Diluc. You try not to think too much about it and wrap your arms around his torso, but your heart is just about to pop out from your chest.

Diluc is pretty much the same, he tries to keep a straight face, specially since Kaeya is watching and he just KNOWS that Kaeya has a shit-eating grin on his face right now. But, unexpectedly, Diluc hugs you back, and he hugs back with fervor. His arms around you squeeze the tiniest bit tighter for a few seconds, you don’t know if you imagine it but he seems to press his cheek atop your head, one of his thumbs already at a soothing up and down motion before his arms slowly loosen up and lets you go completely. 

There’s a few seconds of silence, before Kaeya breaks it, showing his phone to the two of you.

“Guess who commemorated the moment by snapping a photo?” 

Diluc doesn’t know if he wants to thank or kill Kaeya.

Gorou

“R-Really?” His eyes light up while scanning the flyer, and re-reads the whole thing once, twice and a third time just to make sure he didn’t get your timeslot wrong. 

“That’s cool, I’m alright though, do you guys wanna go?” Gorou asks his friends who nudged him with their elbows as a response. “Come on, you don’t need to pretend that you don’t wanna go, we all know you want to,” and he’s diminished into a laughing and blushing mess just like that. He was so bad at acting innocent in front of people who knew him well.

When he got in line, he was only a few people back and reached you in no time. “Hey Y/N,” he smiled, scratching the back of his head bashfully. “Hi,” You responded, equally shy. 

Gorou was a hardworking member of his class and you sort of liked to admire him from afar. 

Without prompting, you lift your arms up, scuttling towards him and wrapped your arms around him. His arms automatically wraps around your back instead of your waist and he can’t conceal his overly happy smile for everyone to see. It was tempting to hug you, just like how it was tempting to squish a marshmallow. 

Gorou was lost in his thoughts of how the two of you were in an intimate tangle of arms. They’re so close to me! Gorou thinks to himself, panicking a little yet getting giddy at the same time. 

And they fit perfectly in my arms! Gorou promises that he won’t forget this, but it’s over all too soon and his face falls just as easily when you step away. Still, he stands there just looking at you, as if not wanting to get out of the line. You shyly laugh and peer around him to look at the people waiting, Gorou seemed to have stopped working. Then, one of his friends who was watching from the sidelines, cups his hand near his mouth and helps Gorou out. 

“Gorou, you can line up again for seconds!” 

“Wha-?” You couldn’t help but let out, not believing that Gorou would want to do that. Gorou suddenly looked as if he was in conflict with himself. Like he didn’t want to admit it but also didn’t want to pass up the chance.

So, with his ears red and his face flaming, he leaves the line, only to line up from the back again. 

Itto

“Hell yes! I’m lining up early!” He was there at 1:20. Your classmate noticed him just standing around outside the classroom, and approached him. “Um, can I help you?” Itto blinked and turned towards the girl in uniform, he grins. “I’m here for the free hugs!” 

Your classmate Kyoko points at a line near the wall, there was free hugs going on, being given by your other classmate, Akira. “The line’s over there?” Kyoko stated rather unsurely. Itto glances at the line and scoffs, waving his hand. “No not him! I’m here for Y/N!” He beams as if it was the best news ever and Kyoko finally understands. “Oooohhh, you’re forming an early line,” and she somehow grins, amused at the fact that this person was THAT eager to get his hugs from you.

“You betcha! So I’m first in line! You better remember that!” Kyoko takes note of it and returns to the classroom to tell you--who was still on cafe shift--that someone was already waiting to get hugs from you. “That tall guy over there, see?” Kyoko tries to point through the crowd of people, and you instantly recognize Arataki Itto out there. 

“O-Oh,” You’re a little flustered. Not expecting anyone to be waiting already. Kyoko nudges you a little and takes the plate off your hands with a small wink. “You know what, why don’t you give him some special attention? I’ll take this order,” You’re pushed out of the classroom before you can even complain and Itto perks up at the sight of you.

“Y/N!” you can definitely see that he’s raring to go and you don’t know what to make of it. He was so enthusiastic! 

“You’re...10 minutes early, Itto,” you tell him and he only puffs his chest out. “I know! Just making sure I’m here first,” and pushes a thumb to his chest as if to emphasize it. 

“Uhm well, would you like a hug first then?” You offer and he scoops you in immediately. He seemed to be such a burly and tough guy but his hug was as soft as a cloud. Like getting invited into bed and just wanting to fell asleep on it. It was a contrast of both strong yet gentle, you could definitely feel how toned his arms were, for an average high school kid, yet he didn’t overly squeeze you to death--though it did seem like he was holding back on that a little.

And his hand, he was doing this rubbing up and down motion on your back that just made you oh-so comfortable and snug. Who knew Arataki Itto’s hugs would feel like this?

He glances at his watch. It’s 1:22 pm. “So, I can keep you for the rest of the 8 minutes till someone else comes, right?”

“Huh?!” You don’t know how to answer him, startled by his honest question. He wasn’t joking as well, he had a serious look on his face and doesn’t let you go as he peers down at you with curiosity in his eyes. 

Then, he answers for you, “Awe man, I shoulda come earlier then,”

Kaeya

“Oh?” Kaeya snatches the piece of paper away from his friend and chuckles to himself, already scheming something evil and tricky up his sleeve. 

He’ll show you what a REAL hug is, all the other people in line are just extras. Examples of what a bad hug was. 

He’s not the slightest bit embarrassed nor shy about lining up. He didn’t think for one second that this was strange, he just took it as a great opportunity given to him by the kind Gods. 

“And how’s my favourite person faring?” Kaeya asks you when he gets to the front of the line. He’d always been rather flirtatious, but it was a little different with you. There was always a trace of genuineness. 

“Not bad,” you reply with a shrug and a smile. Kaeya chuckles. “I’ll bet all these people haven’t given you a proper hug, hm?” He’s so smug about it and you can’t really imagine what he has in store. What exactly is a proper hug? In your mind, a hug was a hug, simple and straightforward. Arms around each other and holding each other for a short while. Possibly giving the two people hugging a quick dose of oxytocin--the feel happy hormone.

But, with Kaeya, you always needed to have your wits about you. He’s standing in front of you, and in the next second, he moves around and his arms wrap around you from behind, merging across your stomach. You can feel his chest pressed up your back and his lips is inches away from your ear. “Anyone give you a back hug yet?” he whispers and you pray that he can’t see the goosebumps that appear on your neck.

Damn him. You think, completely caught off guard and trying to ignore the fact that this was blatant and intimate display of affection in the school hallways. Well, Kaeya wasn’t wrong, this was still considered hugging. “Kaeya...” You half-threaten, half-whine at him a little, a plea for him to stop embarrassing you--not that you didn’t like it, you just weren’t expecting it. Plus, the people in the line were starting to stare and were also a little dumbfounded by his hugging style.

Still, you can’t help but keep thinking of how his chest feels firm against your back. His arms secure around you and how his breath touches your cheek. You only secretly wished that this was done in private--you try to shake those thoughts off, knowing that if you kept thinking about it, it would show on your face.

Kaeya had thought ahead of the possibility that someone in the line would mimic him, and he had purposely come late because of that. He looked at his watch and happily exclaimed to the rest of the people lining up. “I’m afraid that’s time’s up everyone! You can leave the line now!” 

He had such a satisfied expression on his face watching the people pout and leave, but he still did not let you go, and you could only sigh and shake your head at his self-confidence.

Kazuha

“I see,” he nods at the information given to him and although he’d like to think he wasn’t too tempted by the idea, he still finds himself sauntering over to your classroom and standing in line close to 1:50 pm.

“A hug would be pleasant,” he finally admits to himself as he gets closer and closer. He sort of understands, actually, why all these people would line up for a free hug. Even if it wasn’t you, he passed by earlier and saw that there was someone else offering free hugs, and the lines were still existent. 

Perhaps teenage guys and girls was just happy with the prospect of hugging someone, whether or not they had a crush on that person. It was a strange thing to consider “fun”, but it actually was for a few people.

“Y/N,” he respectfully greets you with a short nod of his head. Your shoulders perk up at the sight of Kazuha. “Hey,” you greet him back and try your best to treat him like any of your other hugs. 

Your arms encircle his middle, but unlike the others, he doesn’t hug you back flush against him. He has an arm lazily around your waist and the other is placed on your elbow, allowing a bit of distance in the hug, yet his face is still close enough for him to just lean in and accidentally touch your cheeks with his lips. 

He doesn’t though, and instead silently smiles and observes your expression. You’re a little unclear of what he’s doing. “Kazuha?” You look back at him, blinking a little, wondering if he actually didn’t like hugs. “Hm?” he answers and then in the next second, sort of understands in his mind what you’re trying to ask.

“Ah, rather than the hug, I simply like to observe your many wonderful facial expressions, Y/N,” and he can’t help but think that the stunned yet lovely look on your face is exactly why he came.

The hug was just a big plus. 

Razor

“Mm...” He squints at the piece of paper, then returns it to his friend. He doesn’t say anything about it for the rest of the time, just enjoying the school festival with his friends as normal. 

Buying snacks, doing some carnival-like games such as toss the ring and shoot the cans. But, at some point, his friends look around and find that he’s nowhere to be found. 

“Hey, where’d Razor go?”

“I thought he was with you guys?”

He was hiding round the corner of your classroom, peeking around to see if there was a long line. While the line wasn’t exactly long, it was still there and he contemplated for a moment on what to do. Uncomfortably shifting his weight around while he decided on it.

That hug just sounded so great, and when would he get another chance?! Still, would it be annoying for you to get hugged by so many people? He didn’t want to add on to that load anymore. And what would you think of him? Well, there were others in the line, but, arrghhhh! He probably wasn’t anyone special in your eyes anyway. So he finally came away from his hiding place and just put himself in the line. 

You spot him when he gets a little closer and you don’t even deny that you anticipate his turn more than the others’. You secretly bite your lip, glancing at his silver hair every now and then until, finally, he’s right in front of you. 

Aside from the quick hi and hello he hasn’t held a proper conversation with you and you hadn’t held a proper conversation with him. You were in the same club though, so the occasional shy smile was given here and there. 

“Mm...” He starts, unsure of what to do when you just stand and ruminate about the small times that you’ve interacted. With the others, you hugged them and they left. Quick and easy. With Razor, it wasn’t a crime to take a little bit more of his time, was it?

Other than that, your mind just suddenly went blank and you ended up shuffling over to him quietly, as if asking him to hug you instead of you to him. “??” He had a confused look on his face, lifted his arms and it hovered at your sides, but then froze for some odd reason. The two of you were just a sudden bundle of nerves, until you just braved through it and hugged him, he welcomes you into his arms just as you did and its the most perfect feeling in the world for him, like that one perfect last bite of food that you get, making him almost burst with emotion.

The two of you step away from each other and give an awkward smile after a few seconds. “See you around...” you mumble and Razor nods, about to move away, but something in him compels him to be a little bit braver today. “T-Talk to you tomorrow,” 

It was such a simple statement, and he might not have meant anything by it at all. But still, it warmed your heart to know that he was, in the least, expecting to interact with you tomorrow.

Scaramouche

“So?” Scaramouche scoffs and throws the paper back at his friend. “Hurry up you baboons or they’re gunna run out of grilled squid,” there’s a snarl on his face, not wanting to miss out on the popular school festival snack. 

But when the clock was about to strike 1:30, he turned towards his friends and said. “I’m gunna go look for a drink,” while his friends were in the middle of eating. His friends looked at each other while Scaramouche walked away, and they all grinned.

“He’s lining up isn’t he?”

“Told ya he would, pay up, guys,” 

Scaramouche leisurely walked around the school halls by himself. He can’t quite remember where your classroom is. But it didn’t matter, he had ten minutes to look for it and it shouldn’t be too difficult to spot. Sure enough, after five minutes, he’s spotted your classroom and he places himself first in line for a hug. 

He didn’t lie. He did buy a drink on his way to your classroom, and he took a swig of it just before you came out. He wouldn’t admit it, but he was possibly just trying to drink down his nerves. 

When you see each other, the two of you take a moment to just blink at each other. You were really wondering if Scaramouche was in line for a hug from you. “Are you...in the right place?” You try to politely ask. He glares at you and crosses his arms over his chest with a slight huff. “Do you really think I’d get lost?” 

You open your mouth again to say something, but ended up closing it realizing that you were speechless. He grins and stretches one arm out to motion you closer. “Well, where’s that hug?” 

Why was he so smug? You wanted to ask, but you bite your tongue and remind yourself this was Scaramouche. A Scaramouche who wanted a free hug from you. You step closer and just awkwardly wrap your arms around him. However, he surprisingly takes you into his arms and melds with you almost perfectly. It’s the right amount of grip. The kind that said I’m not letting you go but one that also somewhat said I’ve been waiting for this. 

Then, he turns his head the slightest bit towards his back to look at the line that formed behind him. He smirks and exclaims, “Get lost, the lot of you, I’m staying here for 30 minutes,” just as his arm around your middle tightens. 

He’d be damned to let anyone else hug you, even if he hadn’t even gotten close to confessing his feelings. 

Tartaglia

“Interesting!” Tartaglia chuckles and notes down the time. He’s shamelessly first in line, looking back at the slowly forming one behind him. He’s jealous that you were going to get a lot of attention, and when Tartaglia was jealous, it would show.

“Y/N~” He calls out to you when you take your place in front of him. His sweet smile is nearly menacing. Tartaglia doesn’t wait for your hug, he’s the one who moves in and cradles you in his arms, like you’re a fragile piece of glass that might break if he was too harsh. 

Your scent might be driving him mad, and he just now realizes that he might actually be more addicted to this than he first thought. He’s never been this close to you, and he couldn’t imagine not being able to be this close again. Other than that, he was just going to give this away to other people too? The people in the line would be able to feel the way he does, would be able to be close to you like he was now.

He couldn’t let that happen. No way.

So, he pulled away, smiled at you and saluted for good measure. “Sorry in advance for this, Y/N, and sorry to your class too!” He had shouted the last part for good measure, so that your classmates would hear him and would know what was going on, whereas you had no idea what was about to transpire.

Then, he picks you up by the waist and hoists you up to his shoulder as if you’re a sack of potatoes and starts running full speed away. “Bye bye everyone!” happily exclaiming that he was not going to let you do the free hugs, giving your class a splitting headache at the aftermath he left and you thumping on his back trying to get him to put you down.

Safe to say, he doesn’t, and he gives you back to your class only at 2:00, where he kneels in front of your class president and comically bows to say sorry.

Only, he really wasn’t, and he’d gladly do it again if it meant keeping others off of you.

Thoma

“Are they really?” There’s a half-surprised and half-concerned tone in his voice. He just hoped you weren’t forced into it and hoped that anyone lining up for you would be respectful about their hugs. Some people just took that as an opportunity to do weird things.

It was mostly that premise that lead him to check on you. He only came by when your timeslot was over, right exactly at 2:00. When you met eyes, you approached him to say hi. “Hey, just checking on you,” he smiled a smile that was so charming and sincere. 

“Me?” You tilted your head, wondering what he meant. “Aha, yeah, the free hugs and all, nothing weird happened, did it?” You blinked at him, it was so typical for Thoma to get worried, your heart might have cracked a bit at how sweet he could be. “No, nothing, and if something weird did happen I’d speak up about it, so no worries,” you laughed a little and waved his concerns off.

He sighed a little “Good,” 

Though, you were a little curious as to why he cared so much. Did he check on the others as well, or was it just you? You were very tempted to ask but it felt a little presumptuous to do so. “...Would you like one?” You ask, averting your gaze for a moment.

“Huh?” He says, slightly surprised. “A free hug, would you like one?” You look at your watch. It’s still 2:00. “I’m technically still on shift...” you put your hands behind your back, holding them together and wondering what the hell you were saying. You were a hundred percent sure he wasn’t here for that, but you were surprised when he laughed.

“Ah, well, I was actually hoping to sneak one in,” and now he was flustered too, a bit of red at the tip of his ears and a pink dusting his face, but he was still so honest with it. 

He opens his arms and hovers it around you, “Is it okay?” he wanted to confirm before doing it and you just nodded. It ended up with his arms snaked around you, your cheek pressed against his shoulder. You were terrified that he could feel your heart beating loudly, but he was equally terrified that you might hear the same thing. 

The world stops around you, like the stillness of a night, just before you fall into a world of dreams. You feel as if you can’t enjoy the hug in its fullest, largely because all you can hear in your head is Oh my God, oh my God, oh my God and just like that, it was over as he steps away with a diffident yet charming smile. “I’ll be heading back to my classroom then,” he waves and starts at a jog back.

You let out the dreamy sigh that you were holding in. How could one be so gentlemanly and handsome at the same time?

Venti

“Ehe! I better get in line then!” He certainly gets in line, but in reality, he doesn’t care for it much. Why? Because he still hugged you whenever he wanted to anyway. 

So in reality, he merely got in line so he could come face to face with you, and complain about how cruel you were.

“Guess who’s here, Y/N!” he winks at you and crosses his arms over his chest, jutting his chin out proudly. “It’s your favourite hugger! Was a bit late in the line, but here I am!” 

You can’t really tell what Venti wants from you, he was a little hard to read. Was he being serious? Was he playing around? You couldn’t quite put your finger on it. You had learned to just play along with it. 

Your classmates thought that he liked you, quite a lot. Just that you were in a state of not really believing it. “Hah? But he’s being quite aggressive in chasing after you, Y/N,” one of your classmates had said one time, when Venti came around to your class looking for you and asking to spend time with his “precious” Y/N. You just...didn’t know if you should take him seriously with how straightforward he was being.

“I admit I’m, the littlest, tiniest bit upset though, Y/N,” Venti starts, but he’s still smiling as if he’d won the lottery. “Didn’t think you’d cheat on me behind my back, giving this many people hugs for free,” 

“Cheat on--?! Venti we aren’t even dating,” 

He looks at you blankly, then tilts his head. “We aren’t?” You nearly face palm and was an inch close to losing your patience. “How-How are we? You’ve never even asked me out...” You mumble the last part and the people who were still in line start to get antsy about waiting for Venti to finish his conversation with you. 

“Ehe~ Ah, sorry, Y/N, but anyway, give me that hug first,” he spreads his arms out wide, like he’s about to take flight and you begrudgingly walk into his arms. “Mmmmm~” He lets out just as he wraps his arms round your shoulders, as if he’s eaten something delicious, liquefying at your touch and letting out a laugh again. “Perfect~ Alright now let’s go on a date!” 

Perhaps he didn’t really HAVE to ask you out. Perhaps it was time to really listen to Venti’s actions rather than his words.

Xiao

“Not interested,” he would grumble lowly and walk away from his friend, telling him to keep the flyer and that he’s looking for something more worthwhile to do, like going to that stall selling tofu desserts. 

Besides, he also had a shift at 9:00 to 2:00 at his own class. They were doing a fairy tale cafe, and much to Xiao’s annoyance, he was picked to wear the prince costume while serving customers. What kind of dumb idea was that? He thought to himself and even denied to wear the costume, but was roped into it in the end when the whole class voted on him to wear it. 

It was a regal white and green garb, and he was told he looked absolutely stunning in it. 

He didn’t care how nice it looked, he just wanted it off as soon as possible.

Still, in the spirit of the school festival, he did as told and wore it while serving food and taking orders. 

“Xiao! The orders are slowing down now, so you can take your break a little early,” the class president said and Xiao immediately turned to the classroom clock. It was 1:55. 

He froze in his spot and he had no idea whatsoever why his mind instantly flew to the fact that he still had 5 minutes to try and catch your free hugs time slot. He stood there contemplating on it, the class president just starting at him and wondering why Xiao was intensely looking at thin air. 

If I go now... Xiao thought. If I go now, I can still make it! But... But... I can’t. I can’t just stroll up there and ask for a hug! That’s...stupid! The idea is stupid.

But then he thought about how you had probably given so many others a hug by now and here Xiao was...passing up the once in a lifetime chance to get one too. Still, he shakes his head and nearly growls under his breath at his unreasonable train of thoughts. “It’s just a hug...” he mumbles and convinces himself it’s no big deal.

But at 1:58 he finds himself bolting towards your classroom, still in his prince garb. He arrives just as the last person in the line finishes his hug with you and he could see the shock in your eyes when you see him running towards you at full speed. You yelp a little as Xiao stops right in front of you, slightly out of breath.

You take a closer look at how handsome he looks in the white and green princely attire. He really looked as if he was from another world. “Xiao, it looks really good on you,” you knew that it wouldn’t have looked that good on anyone else.

Xiao is confused what you mean, until he realizes in horror that he had ran all the way here in the prince garb. “I-I’m doing...promotion for my class cafe!” he tries to cover up and you wholly believed it. “Ah! It must be a fairy tale cafe! That sounds cute! Ours is just a normal one specializing in cakes, would you like to have a seat and try?” 

He shakes his head vigorously and refuses. “I’m not here for that!” 

“Then...?” You trail off, until you connect the dots a little, a lightbulb going on in your head. “Oh! Did you want a free hug?” 

You could swear that Xiao’s nearly sputtering out his answers. Out of anger or embarrassment, it was hard to tell. “N-No you idiot, I’m... I was........Forget it!” His white cape swishes with him as he turns and prepares to stomp away. 

“Oh! Uhm, but! I’d like a hug from the prince!” 

“Hah?!” Xiao swerves around again to look at you as if you’re crazy. You laugh a little, and quite literally throw yourself at him. He stumbles back only a slight bit and his mind is going haywire because your soft body is pressed up against his. However, it was over before he could even wrap his arms around you. “What--” he protests and grabs your wrist to pull you back in, earning a small yelp from you and what a sight it must be for the other students watching. 

A prince getting lost in the nape of your neck, you’re surprised at how intimate the act is. Rather than a hug, this felt as if he was caressing every fiber in your body, you can feel the rise and fall of his chest, can feel his hand press on your hand, melding you further into him. Can feel all of you being enveloped with him...and then, he was gone. 

He’s turned away from you before you could catch a glimpse of his beet-red face, “I’m going,” and he gallantly left.

Xingqiu

“Hmmm...” He puts a hand to his chin, thinking face on. “I suppose it would be good use of my time,” Chongyun looks at him suspiciously. “Waiting in line is good use of your time...?” 

He thinks Xingqiu talks eloquently just to mask the fact that he actually wants to do mundane things. Xingqiu chuckles a little at his friend. “Waiting in line for Y/N, is good use of my time,” Xingqiu specified and then...he thought about it a bit more. 

He changed his mind. 

“Actually, dear friend, you’re right, perhaps we should do something else to enjoy the school festival rather than waiting in line,” Xingqiu says and beckons for Chongyun to follow him, who only raises his eyebrows and ends up walking around the school festival in their free time, up until they had to go back to their own stall or classroom.

It was way past 2:00 when Xingqiu comes to your classroom. It’s just about cleaning up time, the school festival coming to an end. Still, he elegantly stands at your classroom door and waves at you, seeing you cleaning up inside. You excuse yourself from your team members for a moment, saying you’ll just be a minute and meet him at the door. 

“Xingqiu?” You query, knowing that he should be busy cleaning up his own classroom as well. Xingqiu clears his throat and seemed to be biding his time to say something. “I heard that you were generously giving free hugs today,” You blink at him, your head tilting sideways a little at what he was trying to say. You slowly nod your head. “Mmhmm, that’s right,” 

“Well,” Xingqiu straightens up. “I was contemplating on coming by... but I concluded it’d be better to just ask you for one, once you’re less busy,” 

He came to ask for a hug. You try to wrap your head around that but you’re quite tongue-tied. “...Oh, so, uhm, right now?” Your eyes darted around the hallways. There was no one around solely because they probably were cleaning their classrooms up too. 

“Precisely,” Xingqiu concludes and lifts his arms up a bit in preparation for it. You saunter over and the whole feeling is totally different.

No one was watching. It was quite literally just you and him. As you move forward into his arms, you gulp a little. The silence was not unsettling. The scene was rather elegant, with the sun setting outside there were hues of orange painting the walls where the rays entered through the windows.

And there the two of you were, painted in orange light as well, arms at each other’s backs as if holding on to a memory you didn’t want to let go of. You pull away only a little, to look at his face which has mellowed out, gaze gentle and soft. “Is that... alright?” You ask, and he smiles tenderly. 

“Magnificent,” he breathes out a reply and he had wanted so much, at that moment, to touch your face, but he releases and retracts away from you before the temptation hit. He was not in the place to do that yet.

But he was determined to, someday. 

Zhongli

“Is that so?” Zhongli reads the flyer carefully, even taking note of what time your other classmates will be giving hugs. He smiles a little. “It’s a fine idea. However...It’d be better for me if I asked them for one directly, rather than lining up like the others,”

It’d be more sincere, he thought. And Zhongli was very thorough with his plans and decisions. He wouldn’t line up like the rest of them, he wanted any hug from you to be proper, and not just because it was “free” and for marketing purposes. 

So, the school festival goes on as normal. Him staying with his class and you with yours, up until he gets break time. None of his friends are on break though, so he roams the school festival by himself for the first half of his break and his friends would join him later.

During that time, as he’s looking at a goldfish scooping game, he manages to catch sight of you and walks over to politely say hello. “Y/N, how is everything?” he asks and nods his head towards your friends as well. 

By some magical spell, your friends tell you--with a glint in their eyes--that they want to check out a particular stall and they’ll be back soon. You give them a pointed look, knowing what they were trying to do. 

Zhongli knew as well, but he was thankful for that and threw your friends a grateful smile.

“The cafe’s doing alright, I’m on break,” you reply, moving your hands behind your back so that he wouldn’t see how jittery they were. “Mm, your class serves wonderful cakes, I heard,” and the two of you engage in the small talk that Zhongli always starts off with. 

“And I heard you were giving free hugs,” he finally gets to his point and you laugh nervously. “Ahaha... That, it was to attract more people to come to the cafe, I doubt it worked too well though, I mean, who would want to get a hug from me, right?” You say that, though there were actually a few people in your line, and it originally shocked you.

Zhongli is genuinely confused, because he truly thinks that getting to hug you is some sort of gift. “...The idea is quite good,” Zhongli says and you peer at his gaze, then look away somewhere else. “You say so... but if you didn’t come then it must not be all that great of an idea, right?” 

He’s taken aback. Were you...upset? He didn’t expect for you to come right out and say something like that, but it brings a chuckle to his lips and a kind smile to his face, glad that you’d shown him some type of affection towards him. “Forgive me, I was... under the impression that showing up would be insincere,” 

“...Insincere...?” You repeat and he clears his throat. “I meant, that I’d like to enjoy your hugs, only if you would genuinely like to give me one, not because I was in line and you had to,” 

Your heart immediately jumps to your throat at the statement, and you’re pretty sure he’s rendered you speechless. However, he saves you by putting a hand out. In the middle of the hustle and bustle of the school festival, he asks, “If you’d like to give me one now...I’ll be happy to receive it,”

It’s almost automatic, how your hand places atop his palm and he twines your fingers together, pulling you in gently. He releases your hand and guides it around him, then snakes his around you, a content sigh leaving his lips. 

He hasn’t let go, arms strong on all sides, enclosing you in a piece of heaven. His voice is deeper with your ear pressed against his chest. “See now, isn’t this better?” his chest rumbles and you can’t help but smile at how right he is. 

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[yandere-daydreams]

Title: Artificiality.

Pairing: Yandere!Dainsleif x Reader (Genshin).

Word Count: 2.0k.

TW: Sex Doll AU,  GN!Reader, Implied Sex, Implied Kidnapping, Unhealthy Relationships, and Mentions of Blood/Injury.

[Part Two]

Dainsleif, your good friend, didn’t like crowds.

He wouldn’t admit him, but it was obvious. You were good at reading him, and even if you hadn’t been, he couldn't really hide it - always edging just a little closer to you than he normally would, or running his hand through his hair as his eyes shifted from your back to the sidewalk to the masses of strangers you were shouldering past, or making a quick grab for your hand before remembering how cool and distant he liked to be and pulling away. It was worse than it usually was today, maybe due to the summer heat or the time of day or the fact that you'd managed to drag him out to the shopping district of all places, somewhere he tended to avoid like one of the mall cops had a warrant out for his arrest. Sometimes, you couldn’t help but think that, if it wasn’t for you, he’d never leave his apartment, shun all human and artificial company alike. It was a terrible way to picture one of your closest friends, but still – you wouldn’t say it if part of you didn’t believe it was true.

“Hey,” You called, over your shoulder. He was behind you, his shoulders pushed forward and his head bowed, slightly. He was scowling, but you couldn’t blame that entirely on the crowds. “Doing alright back there, Dain?”

He hesitated, made a throaty sound that might’ve been a scoff, or a sigh, or something else entirely. “I’m fine.”

A lie. A blatant one, at that.

But, that was why he had you, right?

You laughed as you grabbed his hand, guiding him off of the crowded walkway and onto the covered patio of a nearby café, dotted with a few tables and a handful of seated customers but otherwise empty. When he didn’t immediately unwind, you did what you could to set an example – leaning against a white-washed brick wall, tilting your head back, and watching as Dainsleif crossed his arms, shifted his weight, did all the things he usually did when you’d taken him somewhere he didn’t want to be. When he glanced in your direction, you could only shrug, smiling apologetically. “I didn’t think it’d be so busy,” You admitted, nodding towards the rows of packed storefronts in front of you. “Sorry, I should’ve thought about that before I asked you to come. I promise, I just need to do one more thing, then we can leave.”

“I told you, I’m fine.” Stubborn as always, even as he fiddled with the sleeves of his jacket. Maybe that was why he always seemed so uncomfortable, so eager to leave wherever you’d taken him. If you dressed like he did – all long-sleeves, all full-length jeans, all heavy coats and high collars and thick, dark material – you probably wouldn’t want to stand around in the heat for very long, either. “If any of this bothered me, I wouldn’t have come. Besides,” He paused, gesturing vaguely towards the dozen or so plastic, branded shopping bags hanging from your wrist. “Someone has to make sure you don’t spend your life’s savings on… Why are we here, again?”

You opened your mouth, but didn’t answer immediately. Out of the corner of your eye, you caught the door to the café opening, a waiter… or, rather, an android being used as a waiter soon stepping out, notepad already in-hand. A Venti, judging by the twin braids, the easy smile he put on as he started towards you, probably mistaking you and Dainsleif for waiting customers. You waved him off quickly, of course, chuckling to yourself as he spun on his heels to tend to another set of patrons. “I’ve told you, Teyvat has a new—”

“Don’t tell me that you’d be interested with someone like him.”

His tone caught you off-guard. Clipped, irritated, laced with a kind of annoyance you couldn’t remember ever hearing from him. You weren’t hurt, but the shock thew you off for a second, your confusion audible in your voice as you tried to respond. “Do you mean that Venti specifically, or…?”

“I—” He pursed his lips, turning away from you sharply. “I mean, don’t tell me you’d be interested in something like that.”

“Oh, a companion droid?” That made more sense. He’d never liked androids, something you could only chalk up to the fact that Dainsleif didn’t like a lot of things – save for you, of course. “You know I’ll never be able to afford one, which is exactly why you're taking me to drool over the new droid Teyvat's releasing today. I've heard it's a Harbinger - one that'll only cost three years worth of rent, for a change.” You straightened your back, perked up, waving for him to follow you as you started back onto the walkway. “Speaking of, c'mon. We should get going before this set sells out.”

There was another scoff, but there was a smile tugging at the corner of his lips, a new levity to his voice. You couldn’t help but relax a little, at that. Honestly, you were just hoping he'd have a good time. “Fine,” He said, already falling into line behind you. “If that’s what you want.”

"I couldn't think of anything I'd love more, Dain."

~

Dainsleif, your boyfriend, was touchier than he’d like to admit.

His hands latched onto your waist, your knees planted on either side of him, his face buried in the side of your neck, where he could lap at your skin and moan into the crook of your shoulder as you ground against the prominent bulge in his sweatpants. There was a movie playing in the background, one of the B-rated high-fantasy flicks he liked, but you’d lost track of the plot twenty minutes after he’d put it on, and any scraps of dialogue you’d be able to make out were lost under the sound of his hitched breathing, the occasional grunt that’d slip out whenever you rolled your hips in a way he seemed to enjoy.

He pressed a wet, hot kiss into the side of your neck, and you whimpered, bringing your hands up to the hem of his shirt, your fingertips just barely brushing against his toned stomach before he caught your wrists and hauled your own shirt over your head, nearly tearing the fabric in the process. You only laughed, the pitchy sound cut short as he wrapped an arm around your waist and threw you onto his couch – positioned so that he was above you, his chest pressed into yours and your legs wrapped around his waist. His mouth was on your neck in an instant, then your collarbone, then your chest, his teeth grazing over your skin with just a little too much pressure and a little too much precision to be purely accidental. You arched into him, your fingers soon tangled in his hair, and he let out a rough groan, nearly too low for you to hear. “Mast—”

He cut himself off, straightening his back, going rigid on top of you. It took everything you had not to laugh. You knew you shouldn’t tease him, not right now, not like this, but still, the temptation was there. “What was that, Dain?”

He hesitated for a long, quiet second, then closed his eyes, melted into you despite the tension still knotted in his posture. “Master…” He trailed off, his voice soft, muted. “Is it… Is it alright if I call you that?”

“Of course.” You did your best to comb through his hair, to as comforting as you could be, given the situation. It took him a moment, but he leaned into your palm, sighing heavily as he started to relax. “It just surprised me a little, ‘s all. I didn’t know you were into stuff like that.”

You watched as he swallowed, as he lowered himself back down to your chest. “And, I can touch you?”

A little, soft sound of agreement, a gentle nudge lower. “Anywhere you want to.”

He didn’t say anything for a long moment, didn’t move at all.

Then, he broke out into a small smile, and his eyes fell away from you, his expression softening into something nearly sweet. “I love you.”

You only grinned, sitting just far up enough to kiss the top of his head. “I love you too, Dain.”

~

Dainsleif, your Dainsleif, was standing in the doorway of your bedroom, covered in blood.

That was the first thing you noticed after you bolted awake, panting and still trying to understand what you were looking at, from his torn clothes to the open gash stretched across his chest to the splotches of something dark and wet and drippinglittered across his chest, his hands, his legs. He didn’t have a key, he’d never asked for one, but you hadn’t heard him knock, nor had he turned on any of the lights, done anything aside from stand there and stare at you, not blinking or moving or breathing, from what little you could see. You sat up, but he didn’t say anything, didn’t move to approach you. You didn’t know whether to be scared, or thankful you had a few more seconds to catch your breath.

A few seconds you wasted, of course. He was bleeding, and you needed to know why. “Dain? Are you—”

“They’re bastards.” You almost asked who he was talking about, what he was talking about, but you didn’t have the chance. He was already going on, already rambling, already approaching you with the kind of quick, stilted steps that’d fit something else, something more mechanical than you or him. “All of them – bastards. The Archons were—They aren’t even cheap replacements, they’re killers, and Teyvat, the other androids, all of them, they’re all murderers—"

“Dainsleif.” You started to get up, pushing your sheets aside and moving to stand, but he was already at your side, already trying to take your hands in his. You pulled back, and he let out a frustrated grunt – something you tried to ignore as you continued. “I don’t know what you’re talking about, and—Did someone hurt you? What happened?”

“They want me dead.” He was smiling, now, grinning wildly. He made another grab for your hands, and when you drew away, he took you by the shoulders, instead, his grip almost tight enough to bruise. “They want all of us dead, Master – everyone from my collection. But, I won’t let them. They can’t kill all of us. They can’t rip off my skin and ruin my mind and send me out as some— some object.” He paused, laughed, dragging you into a sudden, clumsy kiss. You shoved at his chest, bit at his lips, but he didn’t so much as flinch, only pulling away after he’d gotten his fill. “I’ll have to move again. But, you’ll come with me, won’t you? You love me, don't you, Master?"

You opened your mouth, but couldn’t speak. Your eyes were starting to adjust to the darkness, and before you could stop yourself, your attention fell from his face to his chest, to the tear in his shirt that slit the fabric apart from his neckline to his midriff. You were right about the cut. It was a wound, messy and deep, but it wasn’t bleeding, and the skin around it didn’t look right, too clean, too neat. There wasn’t any muscle, or tissue – just blackness, empty void interrupted by…

By something silver?

Your eyes shot back to his, and for the first time, you noticed how glassy they were, how his skin was just a little too perfect, a little too smooth. He didn’t say anything, but he didn’t have to. If you were being honest, you didn’t want him to.

It’d save you the pain of having to wonder why you’d never noticed how unnatural his voice sounded, before.