#dainsleif x rhinedottir

[insectgf]

when dainsleif sees rhinedottir he acts on muscle memory. he bows down. the royal alchemist stands before him. she doesn’t smile.

the rhinedottir which exists in his mind is always smiling, always hoping, a determined person.

he acts on muscle memory when he disobeys the order to only look up when the royal court allows it. rhinedottir looks at him, and she smiles and tells him that those rules are ridiculous. to look up at her and not bow down.

he looks at her and she scowls, saying that no one gave him permission to look up, to rise.

dainsleif doesn’t remember much, memory’s are fuzzy on a good day, on bad days they are entirely gone. he too is a victim of time.

he looks up, because his muscle memory acts before he can think about his actions. rhinedottir isn’t there anymore. he doesn’t know where she is, what her plans are.

the loyal knight used to know her schedule by heart.

dainsleif bows his head down, because no one gave him permission to rise yet.

[sgrimp]

Currently in the waiting room for canon Rhinedottir design

[visibleclosedeyes]

What if Dainsleif is Rhinedottir’s pathetic wet dog?

Like he is scared of her, but he also simp the fuck outta her like

He is a loyal guard, strict, conservative and by the book. But then when Rhinedottir is in the picture he is fucking fold like a low-grade wet origami. He just straight up let her do all this unethical science things

[dreamsofminnie]

“500 years... And not once did I forget you.”

{Dainsleif x Reader} Part 1

Part 2 <(Link will be open once its posted)

Summary-> These centuries, these years apart. Khaenri’ah was cold but your heart felt much colder. The forgivable sin Dainsleif left had left imprinted deeply into your flesh. Then why do you feel this overbearing longing for his pressence once again? Years of therapy, self-reflection, and vividly horrid night terrors; couldn’t stop this ache when you lay eyes upon him once more.

Notes-> This took several months to write and plan </3 Originally for my bestie for her birthday but I thinks it’s too well written to not share. I hope you like this lighthearted, horror+mystery, a lil comfort, then hurt & angst—in that order <3 @wraitingyou

Tags-> DainsleifxReader, Angst, Slow burn, We die in vain, mystery, genocide, Tighnari, Alhaitham, Reader is from Khaenri’ah, Khaenri’ah lore, reader is from Khaenri’ah, repressed memory, the cataclysm | fall of Khaenri’ah, pre-cataclysm Khaenri’ah, mutual pining, childhood friends, hurt no comfort, pain and suffering, angst and humour, slight gore, horror, body horror, decimation, the abyss, abyss order, reader is not traveler, betrayal, Rhinedottir, mentions of alternate universe, comfort, pining, fluff to angst, implied/referenced character death, genshin plot, Royal guard Dainsleif, reader was a royal guard, nostalgia, suffering, harsh language, heartbreak, no love, delusional dreams real, memory lost, regaining memories

Word Count-> 5.6k

✨

“See you later! Have a safe trip, except for you Wanderer. I hope you trip on your way out and get buried under.” Running farther away from your friend and the pest, you had really prayed for your dear friend’s safety with that gremlin of a puppet.

The inn you all were staying at was starting to get less packed with the huge rainstorm passing. Sumeru surely was a rainforest of region, much more comforting out of all the places you have traveled so far.

Faint drips of rain plopped onto the windows. Soothing yet setting for a melancholy atmosphere. Not that it’s needed, you don’t ever get sappy for anything.

“Therapy session for this month check. Controlled anger issues check. Resistance in making crude jokes.. hnn, check i guess.” I should be good for another few months…”

“I must prepare to leave early tomorrow morning.” Diving into bed is the best parts of the day. No need to waste energy on minuscule thoughts.

Except, innsomnia is a tired person's worst literal nightmare.

“Agh, the kitchen would be closed at this time of the night. Snacks are a nope. Fresh air then, stars are always mesmerizing, maybe they can hypnotize me to sleep.” Irritation laced your words, not thinking much of them.

Curse the devil for allowing innsomnia.

Slipping into a coat you walk out your room and onto the large public balcony.

The inn you were staying at was in the main Sumeru city. Twisted into the tree trunk, the rooms carved into the tree while the balcony stuck out with marble flooring. The usual white spiral ramps gave the inn exits either going up or down.

Though to you, Sumeru is one of the nicest places to enjoy scenery. Aesthetic in all ways. The stars this night didn't fall flat of this statement.

Truly

Something to admire

Or

Something forgotten

Leaning on the balcony railings the gentle breeze took some leaves for flight and your eyes followed suit.

Till they landed on a silhouette standing ten feet away looking in the opposite direction. His back was broad and he stood tall. His hair paled much more in the moonlight and clothes rustled with each growing breeze. The breeze acted like it was setting a mood as it grew a bit harsher.

A twinge in your nerves caused you to walk towards him.

Strange emotion pileing up for this unknown man.

Then it dropped.

You couldn’t believe you thought that was someone who would stir such emotions. Your head thought it was a person your heart has longed for. But a person you have no idea of. Who? Who did you think it was?

Thinking now, the breeze wouldn’t be able to set a mood even if someone were to sober it. Not that there needs to be mood setting.

“Don’t you have a home and a broke man to accommodate to.” Snarky remarks at 4am is exactly what a man needs to hear to crawl back home. Except it doen’t work on pricks.

“And what pleasantries do we have here.” He taunted and turned around his face cold as ever.

“I don’t understand your feeble scholar upgraded language. Shut the fuck up. My insomnia can’t handle pricks.” Alhaitham closed his thick study books and used it to tilt your chin up.

You were standing two steps apart. Well, one step for him since long legs and all.

“Tighnari has smelling herbs for insomnia. Did your puny brain not tell you of that prick either.” You huff and push his book straight back into his chest. “Unlike you. He is much more welcome in my bubble of friendship. Dried up cactuses don’t get a say in my life.”

Alhaitham tucks the book under his arms and turns towards the ramp going down. “Then I guess this dried up cactus will fuck off as you said.” He took five steps before slightly turning back at you.

“Insomnia herb. Get it tommorrow.”

Then he disappeared from view.

“What the fuck. He sounded like he ordered one for me already?! I’ll make sure he didn’t tomorrow morning. Hhuu. That exchange made me exhausted.” With groggy eyes you drag your feet back into the inn.

Upon entering your room once again, you hit the sack faster than you took off your bulky coat.

✨

“AAUUCK!! fak.” You bolted up. These Sumeru bed’s are truly something. Though there were sheets and blankets for comfort, the main part of the bed has grass and leaves atop the wooden base inside. They leave you pretty sore for people who have never slept on a hard surface like these.

You groaned and rubbed your eyes.

“Time to get that medicine i guess. And check out of the Inn.”

“Archons bless you Tighnari. Lifesaverr, your the bestt!!” You placed all the stuff he gave you into your travel bag securely.

“No problem. Those should be able to last you for a month or more. Just as you don’t overdo your state.” He crossed his arms in a knowing stare.

You avoid his eyes, then recalled an annoying swirling voice in your head. “When did you prepare this for me..?”

“I really hope it’s not…-”

“He put in the order.”

“HOW THE FUCK! When did that bastard get the time to message you in that short time I talked to him yesterday night?! What is he watching my every move or something. creepy.”

“Creep sent a messenger bird late at night.” Your bewildered and irritated sigh battled your disgust to fight him right now. So you settled with another direction. Slapping a piece of paper on the floor you scribbled a rushed “thank you�� letter.

“Please send this to Alhaitham the creep, as my condolences to his creepy ways.” You mocked his formal speech and handed Tighnari the piece of paper with a drawing.

“What the fuck.” Tighnari stared at the drawing in dumfoundedness and a slight tinge of amusement if this was sent.

“It counts as two things, see? One could represent a middle finger then the other…well, those two spherical structures are the things he doesn't have. He doesn't have those to fight me" (balls to fight me)

“I wish I could see his reaction to this then. I guess I’ll send it to him for you.” You smiled to Tighnari in gratitude. You could always count on your sassy gay friend.

“But anyways, don’t you have to get going, it’s reaching noon soon.” Tighnari looked in the sky and back towards you.

“Ah! Of course of course… Hiking is the most terrible sport…can’t believe people do this for fun.”

Tighnari crosses his arms and moved along with his wight shift, deadpanned. “I do that for a job. Get used to it, hiker.” Pointed his thumb towards the hills.

“Sheesh. Well then I’m heading off. Thank you for the weed, bye bye.”

You could hear a loud bewildered huff merged with a laugh, while you ran off.

✨

By the time you reached the edge of Fontaine the sky grew dark. Good thing Tighnari suggested you take one of his makeshift tents. Inns won't be available on the outskirts of the city so it will take a while to hike further.

Light rain hit the tent in pitter patters. Soothing.

You take the paper package of the medicinal herbs out. “Ah. How did he tell me to make this again? Where’s the ball.” Rummaging through your bag you took out an incense ball. A similar one to what Tighnari has but yours was darker in tone and in dull blue and black.

You hung the ball from a short wire off the ground. Opened the top and sprinkled in half a handful of the herb. It closed shut and you shook it around a few times. A bit of water from your bottle was tossed in this concoction. The incense ball’s scent soon filled the tent.

“So fast and effective..” A yawn already erupted from your mouth.

Droplets of rain. Therapeutic.

✨

The tent folded back and incense packed you headed off once again.

To the heart of Fontaine.

You really were getting tired of inns. The amount of money you have was starting to lack. You pondered if you should just take some simple requests from small villages along the way. You gain money, and they gain help.

You nodded to yourself and paraded to nearby villages.

You followed a pathway toward the houses keeping your eyes aware of anyone that seemed in need of help.

A man standing a few feet away seemed distressed while he paced back and forth anxiously.

Your curiosity peeked as you came closer. “Hello sir. Are you okay? You seemed terribly stressed” You heard that Fontaine was a place of formalities so speaking the part was no problem.

The man hurriedly looked up expectantly. “Are you perhaps a mercenary?! You’ve got to help! Oh, it’s a hell of a mess!! He’s-he might die. Surely will pass away! Theft, murder, moronic fool!!”

You lower his arms from flailing around in erratic movements in his panicked stupor. “Uh. I’m not quite catching up sir..” You would have thought it would take much more just to get a request.

The middle-aged man gulped in large breaths to smooth his emotional turmoil.

“My cousin, Guillaume, has been recently been in debt as a treasure horder. He is quite skilled but truly reckless. He fought a bunch of Abyss mages that seemed to be in a middle of a ritual... Treasure of course was engraved in his skull. So when he picked up a heavy object from the scene, it made him crazed. He became hostile to every person who comes near him. Injured many. Not only that, but the occurrence enraged the abyss and he is getting hunted by the Fontaine police as well as the Abyss. From that, he started kidnapping people into his hideout and they too become crazed… I know I should trust the officials but.. their pride is too high to even adknowledge my input.”

He wasn't fidgety anymore and remained calm. This series of events seemed bothersome to you now. Too much work for you who just wanted some quick task. Intriguing of course, but eh.

“As well as the fact that the Fontaine officials were here moments ago and left as quickly. I was merely aggravated when a gentleman came by to ask questions about this incident. He hurried when I gave all my information on the location. I worry for the gentleman. I can’t help to stress. As well as…I know that Guillaume is deeply in dispair. He has this small window where he is sane and…He sent me a few letters..”

You took some time to ponder all the information. The abyss is after the man who stole something, the thing has changed him and everyone around it. They seem like they became, monstrous—ugh!

Your hand was deeply clenched at your scalp head throbbing so loudly and throat dry.

“Dear me! Are you alright!! Apologizes to the hefty load!” He hurriedly sat you down on a short stone fence and fetched water from the well a few feet away.

The sounds of splashing water seemed much more distant than 5 feet away.

‘It's so dizzy..’

Red fizzled and flashed in your head. Red flags that encouraged you forward. A terrible way to go but who knows. Maybe, just maybe, solving this can make those nightmares that lead to your insomnia go away. Bloodshed. The cause of why you see bloodshed in these nightmares has always bothered you so bad.

“…iel, Iel! Hello?! Are you well?! Drink drink, water” You release your tight hold on your head to take the large cup. The water was cool and slide down as a semblance of relief. The reflection mirrored your pained expression, your frowned. It was not a good look for you. But cracking jokes at this time, wasen’t wise.

“..thank you for the water. I don’t know what happened just now. But. I will help with this, for the gentleman and for your cousin. If he still can be helped…” The man relaxed at your conscious state and nodded.

“I will provide you more details.”

✨

Rest was not an option in this tight knit issue. Anything could formulate in the span of a whole minute. And your dread never faded the whole time you thought about this.

Let’s see, the man said Guillaume would take the villagers at midnight when the stars are high up. In the daytime, he isn’t crazed and sits in solitude in despair. He is responsible for dozens of people he has dragged.

You feel sickened. The letters you got to read by Guillaume were heart-wrenching and explicit. However, it could only be judged on the rule of the scene.

Some crucial details in the letters were his descriptions.

“The crystal shines so luminescently venomous.

It burns as well as attracts……

I can’t take it.

Please please. Hel 𝓹

Your leetrs that say you will save me from this hell is false!

The feel of gasoline ignites my fingers to my core.

Though I feel it welcome me……

The ghastly scars leave residue atop my skin. Horrific.

Black.

All ash

My vision has been narrowly obscured.

How I am able to pick up a pen is beyond my imagination.

Is my brain really intact?

Hah.

I think someone is comi. g into the room. Annoyance……

I think— I shut up their cries……

Do I-know them?

Haha…she is trying to plead with me……

She remi nd.s me of m. y wife..

FUCK. WHA T HAVE I DO Ne. SHE- *incomprehensible scribbles and a slight dried dampness*

The human has given in to the crystal how astounding……

Haha. Her screams have filled the room……

The stars are approaching. It will be time again…….

How thrilling……

A feast is due……

Ps. [___] power lets us fly too. Did you really think I used a carrier pigeon…….

Stars stay alight in farewell…….delight……”

The letter gave you the shivers. This was the third one that was sent. And out of all the three letters, this contained the most insanity inducing mentality. You highly doubt Guillaume will live a normal life after this concludes. Poor guy. Debt changes a person.

On the contrary, this bloodbath piques my interest. It’s not every day you get to investigate manslaughter. You feel like detective Heizou. No wonder he likes to run off towards danger.

Information about the gentleman assisting was only brief since I was to hurry to the site before the next day. “He was tall and built more alike a soldier. He also wore blue and black clothing. He never gave me his name…” Your thoughts had fiddled when he had told you, but a numbing pain seized your brain functions into hyper-focus.

You rub your temples, eyes focused on the route he marked on your map. Leg day has really been your everyday. Super exhausting.

Blood and skin drew icy cold as your breath hitched. This torturous feeling washed across your body so suddenly. Dread paling your face, a strangled cry caused a sharp inhale of breath, hands clawing at your neck and chin to get your throat muscles working. Despair induced your veins as burning heat crawled through those blood passages. A howling scream intensified something inside you. Something triggered your reaction, was it from in the cave? Ah...thinking was much too difficult in this sizure. Airways in the throat barely letting a breath passby, your face purples and twists. Water pools your eyes in distraught and pain. Glued to your spot, the ominous descending cave gurgled back shouts and thumps. Muttered curses escape as you try and hold your ground. Saliva formed in the clogged airways and raining down by your feet. This all felt like you were strangled, punched, and overall scoured all over, in charcoal.

If you had regretted anything in your sad life, it was this. Taking this commission. Talking to the distressed man. Stranger danger real. Regret for ever stopping by that village…and the regrets have only started.

The next thing you saw was pitch black.

************************

The weather these past few days has been horrid. Snow storm after the other piled the streets with 1 foot of snow. The roads and streets are accessible to your relief. How else would you be able to see your sweet boyfriend.

The chime of a café door rang as you entered hurriedly from the biting winds outdoors. You cupped your hands together and attempted to heat them up with your breath. The shop was quiet besides the old love songs and occasional emo rock songs playing from the speakers. Owl city was one of his most liked songs.

You perched on the counter ringing the small bell near the card scanner.

Ding, ding, ding, ding, ding—

“Okay. Okay, I hear every one of your calls Y/n.” He came out from the break room and leaned in from across the counter where you sat.

You smiled at Dainsleif. “How are you Dain! Was shoveling the snow all by your lonesome hard this morning?~”

He huffed. “It was fine. But next time you're accompanying me.” He grabbed your waist and dragged you over to the worker's side of the counter, swinging your legs around as well so you're still sitting.

“It’s still midday so let me make you a cup of something warm.”

You watch him, your elbow on your knee and chin in your palm. Dainsleif manages this café and is the best drink maker there is. He unintentionally shows off some skills when making them, that’s why many girls come here for the show. Not that he pays attention to.

“Kaeya has told me to indulge you in more romantic lines. Would you like to be humored?” Dainsleif brought the mixing bottle up to the side of his head and shook it thoroughly as a bartender would, while glancing up at you.

When he does that every time it makes you swoon on the inside just a little.

“Kaeya is a terrible influence. Which makes life more bearable.” You shoot Dain a small finger heart in which he stops for a while in confusion but recovers a few seconds after.

“What does it feel like to be the most gorgeous person in this room?” Dainsleif plops toppings into the drink, adding more of your favorite ones.

“Bleh, I’m the ONLY person in this whole building, try again.” You kick your legs a bit, secretly enjoying these terribly cheesy pickup lines he always stores for you.

“Hm. If I could rearrange the alphabet, I’d put U and I together.” He achieved a faint breathy laugh from you, you argued that it was just because it was so so old and overused.

He snapped the lid onto the steaming cup and walked back to you handing it over.

He hesitated on his next line as you blew on the liquid through the hole and took a nice warm sip. It melted your insides in warmth.

So did the pickup line.

“Just wondering if your lips taste as good as they look.” Dainsleif’s eyes were awkwardly averted, wondering how you would react.

But you sat there, mouth agape, ears flushed from the pickup line. “Didn’t expect that one.” You mumbled into the cup, eyes unfocused staring at your favorite toppings floating to the top.

Dain carefully placed both hands on either side of your body on the counter, his body subtly leans in. “...it wasn’t answered.”

Your eyes tilt up from the drink sitting on your lips. “It wasn’t a question.”

Your rebuttal made Dain purse his lip, which you intensely stared at. “Then….may I kiss you?”

Your inner thoughts were racing, the reflex of wanting to push him away was itching, but the thought of a kiss sent you into a spiral. It’s not like you haven't kissed before, you have…a rare few times.

“Aha ha, ah uhm. Get out of that ugly sweater first then we’ll talk.” You jab one finger into his chest only pushing him away by a few inches.

Both of you are terrible at this romance thing that's why it's so awkward to initiate. You back out of close contact, and only stick to flirting, and he spews pickup lines he learns from Kaeya because he’s confused about love but also respects your boundaries. All your friends suffer seeing this awkward couple at group gatherings.

“What’s wrong with my sweater?” He pulls the sweater and looks down. He wore a black shirt and over that was a black-green-brown button-up sweater, adorned with pictures of owls, bears, acorns, trees, and bushes. Very nature-y for your star-loving boyfriend. But honestly, it looked like it was made for a grandpa on a chilly evening stroll.

“The nature documentary show would like its background back.” You wheeze at Dain’s blank-faced reaction, so done with you, but he’s never over you.

Dain gently sneaked a kiss on your cheek to satisfy himself with your stunned silence cutting off any jokes lining up your defense.

He backed away from the counter and took his jacket off a hook ready to depart with you. “Our friends are waiting. Let’s head out now, I bet they are frozen solid outside since I was supposed to supply the hot drinks.”

That caused you to snap back as you cackled at Hutao, Heizou, Tighnari, and the rest, chilled to the bone buried in the deep snow. You latch onto Dainsleif’s sleeve slipping your hand into his warm pocket and holding his curled-up thumb and pointer finger. “Let’s go wifey! Onwards to the ice sculptures!!”

*********************

The darkness had enraptured you at every turn, you didn’t know if you were sitting down, laying down or even face down digging into the dark ground. Your senses were so hazed and really failed you more than normal today.

“I always knew this is what hell was like. Dark cold and numbing on my ass.” Your voice was meek and raspy but they held the same sharp tongue you brought.

A breath hitched when you spoke. So you weren’t alone, in relief your body sunk from its tension. “This place would most likely be a hell. But it's all been cleaned up now..” The voice gave you a tingling feel, almost familiar if not for your impaired and dazed hearing.

“Whoes,” Your words have slurred with the throbbing of your head, a light pressure stroking it, not sure if it was your hand or the other persons. “I didn’t want you to see this mess. Also because that thing on your head is a protection of sorts.” Your mind was too out of it to immediately process his information.

“Was I drugged and potato sacked. I still can’t feel my ass.” The voice had an airy chuckle which echoed through the space. It must be a cave, orrr the internal abyss of the hell he called.

“Well that’s because you fell on a large sharp rock when I first saw you near the cave entrance.” Ah. made sense. “Once your senses are back and you start wiggling around, will I free you.” That made you suspect you were tied down somewhere. You just hoped it was spacious and clean enough so you could indeed roll around.

A sound of shuffled occured after a while and the footsteps faded, assuming that the person beside you had left the area. Once he came back it would be war against his, oddly pretty voiced most likely pretty man. How dare he potato sack you.

Fingers twitching to life, you didn’t know how many hours were spent on body recovery. The crackles of your bones that were stiff the entire night bounced off the walls. You could now feel that your body was in fact laying down, fabric carpeting under you.

Footfalls came steadily back in your direction. “I knew you’d come back to me mysterious man” The tugging of the fabric around your head lead to pangs of sensory recovery. You hear much more sensitively after being blocked for so long. The fabric finally coming around to uncover your eyes. Vision still impaired as the lights and darkness desperately tried to balance out. The haze in your eyes remains an issue even when the smell of the fabric was soothing.

A blur of a hand reached out to you, which you took graciously, limp as they were. You were hauled up to him as he held you close to steady your shaky body. “Get used to walking afte your hours of stationary. Then we will scour the rest of the cave.” his voice sent a chill covering your spine, it was very nice...

Head limp on his chest you could see his black and blue fitted outfit. Even knowing you were short, his shoulder was still higher than your whole height. Plus the glimpse of a sword by their belt drew you to a hazy conclusion. He was the gentleman you were looking for.

However, a sense of dread and conflicting longing rang off in your ears from never ever wanting to look up into his face. So you followed just that.

Your head stayed pressed against his chest as you figured out how to move the limbs helplessly called legs. Every time your legs wobbled too much, he would grab onto your waist to steady you. And every time you clutch onto his shirt too tightly in nerves rattling, he would pat your shoulder and let you put your feet on his so he could walk for you. An hour has passed and you got the hang of your body, with a little shake you managed to walk from one wall to the other.

“Pardon me for asking but, why am I so disabled like this in the first place?�� Your voice was quiet but steady, unlike the time you talked when just waking up to potential hell.

“And in all fairness, you could’ve left me to disintegrate and die. Would’ve been better instead of nursing me.” You forcefully mumbled that out in a murmur. And you really didn’t have to look up at the man’s face to feel the intensity of a sharp glare for a reason unknown.

He was pacing in large circles and looking down to watch your feet, the man now stood at the doorway. “It was close to the time of midnight. The smell radiating off the cave entrance bewitched you and agitated you. It closed off your nerves. I had prepared something beforehand to help elevate this phenomenon, which was the fabric I wrapped around you, acting as a cocoon. I then brought you inside, took care of the dangers lurking, and.....secured the premise.” He failed to mask his hesitation on hidden information, due to what he knows about this situation than you do. You slowly nodded as you stare at his shoes, intimidatingly facing your lowered head.

“This cave is enormously large. Would you like to venture through the tunnels. If your legs are up for it. I won’t leave your side, case you fall and never get back up.” His words couldn’t help but put a sting in your heart while chasing it faster. And you who inadvertently let his attempted joke pass your head.

You nodded again which you could only do with a swift tilt up to not disclose your obvious concealment of his prominent features.

The gentleman luckily leads you, tailing behind letting you clutch a corner of his cloak. It gave you more leverage to see more since he covered his own face from you since he’s tall.

As you both moved around the dirt-painted halls, the tunneling seemed handmade instead of natural. Claw marks etched into the surfaces, the ones on the wall grow even deeper and bigger the more your trembling legs take you down the hall. Some openings that led to other rooms littered the narrow tunnels, they were all empty and vacant. The only signs of life once in the rooms were the many elemental traces and or scratches from either weapons or nails. A dark murkiness painted the walls and floor—not wanting to ever know what it really is—but the stench that followed was hazy and metallic. The winding tunnels seemed endless. No wonder people came to be insane down here.

As your thoughts subsided, so did the unending tunnel.

A much broader room greeted you ahead. It must have been Guillaume’s place of residence. Half the room was bookshelves, scrawled-up papers, and scrunched-up scrolls, a large desk faced the other side, ink spilled from the table to the opposing wall. The vacant space looked more than inhabited, save for the etchings on every inch of the wall, ceiling, and floor surfaces. Many drew blanks, symbols, and incomprehensible languages. Stars were the most repeated shape. You didn’t know when you had let go of the man’s cloak, since you were too drawn to the walls of Guillaume’s self-asylum.

Your digits brushed some of the symbols, they curved neatly and were well-written. And familiar. One symbol you could read was—Cataclysm.

The jolt of electricity from touching those words provoked you to snap your neck to…

The man who stood in the same spot you left him before you let go to touch the writing on the wall. Him who watched you mindlessly draw your finger against the carved wall trying to work your brain. Him who—walking through the hallway—peered behind a you who refused to meet his height, gauging your reactions. Him who, had to do a double take when he first saw you on the outskirts of the cave. Him whose...heart clenched in anguish.

Dainsleif who,

missed you dearly.

Who always speculated if you were alive or not.

. . .

Traveling to Fontaine was genuinely; the WORST choice you could have ever done.

“Fuck.”

.

.

.

You really didn’t want to do this ontop of every other terrible occurrence this night. Your brain couldn't, hence the deep crease in your brow following your pained expression too well. All your senses weakened from your mentally solely. You knew him. You recognize him. You liked him.

.

No. You hate him.

Many years of your continuous mental and physical health checkups, insomnia plaguing your attempted sleep, unresolved hatred. All to shield yourself against this man. To conceal the centuries with him.

Now all in vain. Crumbling beneath your feet at this very dreaded moment. The way your vision blurs, the shakiness in your foothold, your clammy hands, throat strained, all in response to a simple unimaginable presence.

The one presence your heart missed dearly. But your brain, your legs, told you to run. To a remote place. But he blocked that path. As he did before, once again stuck in this in-between.

One step. Another. Yours back, his foward.

A predicament you had placed yourself in. The wall that soothed your back has never felt as cold as it did now. How you would rather it envelop you into those eerie symbols. Engraving you to the mystery of the universe.

He was one step away now. Galaxy eyes bore into your evading ones. “(Name)…”

You refused his beckoning. But that wouldn’t make him leave. It wouldn’t get him to disappear from your existence. It only hurts more now that you know he is alive and healthy.

“......If we’re done here, then I have things to do somewhere else.” You burned your eyes anywhere else but near him. He couldn’t escape the slight view you had of him at the corners of your sight. His fingers twitched as if he wanted to reach out to you, to find that once solace you gave him.

“Avoiding me won’t get you anywhere. I thought you weren’t one for not returning favors. I saved your life. Don’t you owe me something?” You scoff. It repulsed you on how observant he is of you.

“I had a dream with you in it. It was in a different world where we were….Happy together. I wish I was in that world currently instead of this shit.” The words you spewed were venomous, if not for the slightly fond tone you laced into the poison. Dainsleif’s face contorted, he was now glad you refused his eye contact, for his eyes downturned in remorse.

Remorse; that's all he ever felt towards you for many centuries when you were apart. And the times when remorse wasn't present, he was deeply coated in affection for you. Those, however, were in the early childhood days. Too far gone in the past.

“I’m sorry I can’t live up to those expectations,”

“But now you have to repay me. …And forgive me.” His firm but gentle hold on your chin forced eye contact. His blue eyes shone with the diamond in them; just like how your eyes sparked with that diamond. His words however gave you the will to slap his hand away.

“You think apologies will reconnect us? After all those fucking centuries? Those actions were effectuated by you!! You festered this effect upon me! How could I ever, ever!! forgive your inapt causes?! You’re VILE!” You ended up hitting his chest and shoving him away which sent him 6 feet apart. He took every physical contact from you, the sting was apparent and long-lasting.

Your unquenched fury bubbled to the brim. And you now approached the silent man. Your hand was now tight against his collar, the obvious trembling of his, dismantled your voice in cracks. “What was the reason?! You should’ve kept me in that sword. After you fucking decimated everyone with me. Why the fuck would I ever want to live after all that. Everything and everybody was a mess. You the most.” The intensity of your diamond-shaped eyes never faltered.

You stepped back as the grip on his collar loosened. “Khaenri’ah’s downfall… Couldn’t even be saved by any form of guard..” Your mumble cast your gaze away from his unnerving eyes.

Silence blanketed the room, no thoughts were presented or conjured. You both just allowed the atmosphere to sink in, head empty beside the presence that would have normally set your heart racing. Not this time; nor ever.

“It’s past midnight right? I’ll take a nearby room to rest in.” You didn’t require his answer, so you left just as quickly. Leaving behind the downcasted remorse filled Dainsleif stiff in his spot where you left him.

*********************

Author notes-> Reshare’s and likes appreciated <3 I hope it was heart wrenching—so i can collect tears to my jar >:D

[heaven-s-black-box]

Cupid- Dainsleif x Fem!Reader

Return to File

Recovery date: April 16th, 2024

Description: Rhinedottire and Halfdan play cupid.

Notes: It's missing Dain hour. When will my husband return from the war?

Word count: 1 082

Back to directory

Y/n let out a forlorn sigh as she stared out the window. Below the alchemy tower the knights were training, and she was leaning against the glass to watch. Somewhere behind her she heard a much more irritated sigh as Rhinedottire watched her friend stalk the Captain from their window. She let it continue as she finished separating the petals from the flower stems.

“Enough ogling, back to work,” the chief alchemist said as the last petal settled into the small basket.

Her voice startled Y/n, making her jump and scurry back towards the work bench.

“I wasn’t ogling,” she muttered, picking out a stem and ground it down with petals from a different flower.

Rhinedottire watched her fellow alchemist pummel the ingredients with a flush on her face. Y/n scraped down the mortar and dumped its contents onto a piece of paper.

“Is he shirtless today?”

“Gold!”

The woman laughed as she took the paper and folded it over, setting it under a book to press the paste down.

“Well? Is he?”

Y/n didn’t make eye contact as she removed the heavy recipe book and unfolded the paper. She picked up a ruler and began sectioning the paste into squares.

“Yes…”

With a faint smile, the chief alchemist slowly nudged the basket of flower petals towards the edge of the work bench. The woman’s smile widened when Y/n looked at her in confusion, and she held eye contact as she pushed the basket off the edge. Y/n’s eyes widened as the petals fluttered across the floor.

“Oh no…” Rhinedottire deadpanned, picking up the basket. “I knocked over those petals we needed, Y/n, be a dear and go pick some more.”

“Gold, no, come on.”

“I have no idea what you mean, you make it sound like I’ve asked you to do something absurd. Now, I believe those flowers are planted near the training grounds. Take your time, you might have to root around the bushes a bit.”

With a groan, Y/n grabbed the collection basket that Rhinedottire had previously used and left the workshop. As she got closer to the base of the tower, she could hear Captain Dainsleif coaching some knights through a sparring match and the sound of wooden swords hitting each other. She pushed open the door, wincing at the bright light.

Y/n followed the garden path on instinct as she watched the knights train. Dainsleif was correcting someone’s form when out of the corner of her eye, Y/n realized she was being watched. Halfdan smiled at her, waving discreetly, and then focused back on his Captain.

“Captain Dainsleif, sir!”

“Yes?”

“Perhaps a demonstration would be valuable?”

The alchemist tripped over her own feet, letting out a startled yelp and catching the attention of the training knights.

“Sorry, tripped on a rock.”

Y/n pointedly looked away, clearing her throat.

“I suppose a demonstration wouldn’t hurt,” Dainsleif said.

As Halfdan prepared to go against the Captain, Y/n stepped over the garden border and settled down facing the training area. She began to part the bushes, looking for any remaining flowers, occasionally peaking up at the match.

Y/n would never understand why the alchemy tower was beside the training court, but she definitely couldn’t complain. When she wasn’t submerged in research, she’d taken to watching the knights train. It was purely out of a fascination with the strength they demonstrated, getting to ogle Dainsleif was just a benefit. 

Looking up once more, Y/n caught Dainsleif tripping Halfdan up causing the elite soldier to land on his butt while the Captain pointed the wooden training sword at his throat. Both of them were breathing heavily, and Y/n found herself staring at the way Dainsleif’s back muscles  moved with each breath. 

“I yield,” Halfdan panted out.

“You did well.”

Dainsleif extended a hand to his friend and helped him up. The second the Captain turned even slightly in her direction, Y/n looked back down.

With only a handful of smaller flowers, Y/n picked the basket back up and stepped out of the garden. Y/n was halfway back to the tower door when a second pair of footsteps joined her.

She looked back to find Dainsleif jogging to catch up with her.

“Hello Y/n.”

“Hi Dain,” she smiled, stopping and turning to face him.

Behind him, Y/n could see the rest of the knights distractedly cleaning up. One of the knights caught her eye and immediately rushed off.

“I noticed you’ve been watching our training sessions recently.”

“You what?” Y/n’s voice broke, and she cleared her throat awkwardly.

Dainsleif pointed up at the window where Rhinedottire was currently standing. The woman smiled and waved before disappearing back into the workshop.

Y/n cursed herself for not realizing that she was also being watched.

“It’s really not all that high up, but I digress. I wanted to ask if you’d be interested in some one-on-one training.”

The alchemist choked on her own spit.

“Why-why offer that?”

“Well, I’ve been meaning to offer for a while, but I wasn’t sure how interested you would be. After all, I would hate a repeat of our first meeting.”

Y/n felt her teeth grind in annoyance. Their first meeting had not been her finest moment as he’d been escorting her to collect some ingredients and had to save her from a small slime. It was definitely embarrassing, especially when Dainsleif had approached her the next evening at a tavern by calling her slime food, but it had sparked an almost more embarrassing crush.

“I guess some self-defense training wouldn’t hurt.”

“Excellent, how does tomorrow afternoon sound?”

“I’ll have to make sure Gold doesn’t need me, but that should work.”

Dainsleif smiled, and Y/n felt her stomach flip.

“Then I’ll come by tomorrow, please enjoy the rest of your day.”

“You too.”

Y/n watched him return to the knights and put his shirt back on, the realization that he’d been half naked during that conversation causing her face to heat up, before heading back up to the workshop.

She’d barely stepped into the room when Rhinedottir addressed her.

“I don’t need you tomorrow afternoon, don’t worry, so enjoy your date.”

“I knew you must have done something,” Y/n huffed, dropping the mostly empty basket onto the table. “Hope it was worth the wasted flowers.”

“You can consider my repayment an invitation to the wedding.”

[bubblefina]

Je T’aime 2

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

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The sounds of swords clashing against each other echoed throughout the training grounds. This time of day was around when the trainee knights would practice with one another. Without the supervision of their superiors, the juvenile chevaliers would fight until their swords would break.

Amongst them was a not so fresh recruit, Kaeya Alberich. A very suave young man who’s swordsmanship seemed to trouble the others. He was just that good.

After knocking down another knight, a wooden sword to his neck, he stood tall, offering his hand to the defeated opponent.

“Good work, Luon.” Kaeya smiles, pulling him up.

“Easy for you to say, you’ve beaten over half of us.” Luon brushes off his training sweats which have remnants of dust. 

“In time friend, you’ll beat me one day.” Kaeya along with some others begin to laugh.

“Laughing already? What part of training do you find amusing?” Dainsleif appears from behind the group of trainees.

“Always such a stick in the mud, showing up at the worst of times too. We had just finished sparring.” 

Dainsleif observes Kaeya, his eyes narrowing, “You may have beaten him, but your form is no better than that of a child. You’re all about the offensive, and never think about what the opponent could do next.”

“The opponent can’t do anything if he’s on the floor and at the mercy of my hand.”

“Your ego will not prove useful in a battle, remember that.”

“I assure you, my ego will be the least of your problems if we are in battle.”

Before Dainsleif could retort, the sound of heels clicking on the stone pathways echoed through the training grounds.

“My my if it isn’t her highness.” Kaeya brushes past Dainsleif and walks over to greet the princess.

“Sir Kaeya,” y/n responds, holding out her hand which he takes and places a delicate kiss, “It’s good to see you.”

“Basking myself in your radiant presence gives me all the confidence I need to win any battle. Isn’t that right, Dainsleif?” Kaeya cranes his head back to glance at Dainsleif, who has his arms crossed in a huff stance.

“Oh, Dain. I didn’t know you were here.” y/n giggles, retracting her hand.

“I advise you to refrain from being so friendly with the princess.” Dain says, almost like a threat.

“Enough with that. I’m glad I found you anyways Dain, I want to remind you that you have to escort me to Lady Rhinedottir’s tea party tomorrow.” 

“How could I forget about that? I’ll see to it that you’re escorted, your highness.” Dainsleif bows quickly, before sending a look towards the other trainees, telling them to get back to work.

Many winters have passed since the both of them were tied together, a bond between a princess and her knight. Dainsleif was 17, while y/n 16 going on 17 in a few months. Getting used to each other took a while, but now the both of them were practically inseparable. Albeit a few quarrels happened here and there, but that was nothing new. 

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Rhinedottir’s events always had something to look forward to. During the last picnic, one of her creations, she called it a rifthound, got loose and caused a ruckus among the hoard of young ladies that now regret coming to visit. It wouldn’t be surprising if the crowd was smaller this time around, the fear of being attacked was pretty high.

Y/n knew this when she was sent an invitation the week prior. It might have been easy for others to say no, but Rhinedottir was one of her closest friends, and it would be hard to not attend.

The fear mongering might have gotten to the other ladies, for when y/n arrived at the gathering, only a handful of ladies were seated at a small table under the shade of a tree.

“Your highness.” all of them greeted, doing a small curtsey.

“It's wonderful to see you ladies again.” y/n took her seat and began to indulge in the untamed gossip of the upper class.  

One of the ladies, Myra, looked rather tense as the gossip began to sped up. y/n took notice of this, her look of uncomfort.

“Is everything alright, Myra?” she asks.

The lady lets out a heavy breath, setting down her cup of tea.

“The maids at my manor were gossiping about something rather…untasteful.”

“Well do share, all of us have been spilling our guts about the things we’ve been hearing.” Rhinedottir giggles.

“Late last night, I was doing some sketches after my curfew hours in the garden. Two maids were walking outside and I heard them talking about the king.”

Y/n didn’t think much of it, gossip surrounding her father was normal. It's not easy being a monarch, even one mistake will be criticized by thousands. 

“They started talking about how the royal council wants the king to remarry to duke Carwyn’s eldest daughter.”

This was new, and unexpected. The table fell silent as everyone waited for Myra to continue.

“Apparently they think that your highness is unfit for the throne, and by marrying again, a chance for a son may be possible.”

Now everyone's eyes were on her. What was an afternoon of laughter and nonsense turned serious very quickly.

“F-forgive me your highness. I’m only repeating what I heard.” Myra became flush with embarrassment.

“No, no. I’m glad you told me, I had no idea that the council was planning this. Thank you, Myra.” 

The party went on, but y/n was left with a nasty taste in her mouth. She didn’t partake much in conversations after that, nor did she excuse herself to leave, she didn’t want to do anything.

When the sun began to set, the ladies were all escorted back to their carriages. Y/n was saying her farewell to Rhinedottir, who too looked pained.

“Don’t let the words get to you too much, people love you as their princess y’know?”

“Thank you, Rhine. I just need to clear my head.”

“I’m always here if you need to talk. Have a safe trip back.”

Y/n walked out of the gates until she saw Dainsleif standing by the carriages. He visibly sighed when he saw her, and her complex expression.

“I heard what they said.” 

She didn’t look into his eyes, all she did was stare at the floor.

“They’re planning on getting rid of me…their own princess.”

“We still don’t know if it's gossip or actually true. You mustn't take it to heart.” 

“C’mon Dain, they never approved of my parents marriage, who’s to say that they didn’t approve of me either, since the beginning.”

“Y/n-”

“They probably think I'm some filthy half-blood who was lucky to be born into this position, and now they’re trying to take it away from me. What the hell!”

Dainsleif grips onto her shoulders, standing her up straight and looking directly into her eyes.

“If it is the slightest bit true, acting like this will not help your position. They will think you immature and unfit for the throne, and at worst they will have you exiled as you pose a threat.”

Her hands wind into fists, her nails digging into the skins of her palms. It was so infuriating that the people who she thought she could trust the most were possibly backstabbers. Suddenly her eyes grew wide as she gasped, covering her mouth.

“What’s wrong?” Dainsleif asks in panic.

“My mother…what if they were the reason she died?” her eyes stung slightly, tears could threaten to fall any second.

“That's…that's a reach of speculation.”

“I know it's hard to believe, but hearing that they’re planning on taking the throne away from me…it's not entirely impossible.”

“We cannot keep discussing this here, let’s get you home.” Dainsleif guides her to the carriage, sitting down before closing the door.

The ride home was filled with silence, perhaps y/n had exhausted herself with her small breakdown outside, even she couldn’t tell. 

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A few days have passed since the tea party. Y/n was on edge for most of the time, her head spinning with theories that may or may not be true. Her mothers death was never investigated, they just accepted it as it was…a tragedy.

Her mothers personal letters were not of much help either. The past few were just details of how she and Nasir met. She was a commoner, while he was engaged to a princess of another nation. Of course that arrangement didn’t work out, or else y/n wouldn’t be alive.

The nation grieved for the loss of their queen, but how many of those that grieved actually meant it? How many nobles that comforted the king who held his lone baby girl in his arms, actually had ulterior motives?

“I wish to see my father.” y/n says, looking in the mirror as the maids finish with her dress.

“He is in a council meeting, your highness.” One of the maids says.

“That is perfect.”

She steps off the small pedestal and immediately exits the dressing room. The clack of her heels echo across the hall, if her anger were actually physical, she was sure she could melt the floor with every step she took. Was what she was about to do impulsive? Yes, very much so.

“W-we greet her royal highness-” one of the guards of the council room took notice of her, bowing.

“Is my father in there with the other council members?” she asks in haste.

They nod, stepping away, opening the door so she may enter.

With the sound of the door opening, the council stops whatever they were doing and watches as y/n enters.

“Dearest? What’s wrong?” Nasir asks, concerned with the anger radiating off of his daughter.

“There are many things wrong father, number one is your council.”

The council members stare at each other in confusion. Y/n also looks at them, locking eyes with duke Celwyn.

“Duke Celwyn, how is your daughter these days?” she asks.

“She is well, your highness. Why do you-”

“Is she looking to marry, perhaps to someone of a high status, higher than others?”

Before the duke could answer, another person barged into the room.

“Your highness!” Dainsleif, who was told about the princess's abrupt entrance to the council, rushed as fast as he could. He knew what she was going to do.

“What is this, these children are interrupting our meeting. Guards, escort them out.” Viscount Norbin ushers the guards who are standing outside closer with his hand.

“With all due respect Viscount, you have no right to kick me out. I have a bone to pick with you, all of you actually.”

“Your highness, reconsider what you are about to do.” Dainsleif whispers through gritted teeth.

“Father, are you aware that the council is planning on having you remarry to Duke Celwyns eldest daughter, in hopes of having a son to ascend the throne instead of me.”

The room grows quiet, no one says a thing, not even Duke Celwyn.

“Your silence is rather ghastly actually, no one here is going to deny this?”

“Your highness, “ Duke Celwyn says, “I assure you, I have no intention of marrying off my daughter to the king.”

“Why has it taken you this long to speak up, Duke?”

“Because, “ he swallows what seems to be his integrity before speaking again, “you are usually so soft spoken, I was taken aback by this sudden shift of tone.”

“News that threatens my succession to the throne, I think I have a right to have a shift of tone. If this is true, it will not look good for you, all of you.”

“Your highness, gossip like this will truly ruin my character. I suggest you keep whatever you hear to yourself, watch your tongue.” Celwyn slams his hands on the table, standing up with a slight bit of force.

Dainsleif stands in front of y/n, hand on his sword.

“I suggest you sit back down, Duke. Any threat towards her highness, I take seriously.”

“Father, I have a request. I wish to combine my birthday ball with my crowning ceremony.”

“Outrageous! You are far too young to become the crown princess!” one of the council members exclaims.

“And why is that? Since my father has no intention of remarrying, that means there will be no other heir to the throne other than me. Might as well officialize my right to the throne as soon as possible, no?”

“Your father and his father before him had their crowning ceremony when they were 18, it's only fitting that you would do the same.” a council member says.

“Father?” She stares at Nasir from across the room, waiting for his answer.

“I don’t see the harm in having her be crowned at 17, it is only a 1 year difference afterall.”

Y/n gave her father a smile, it felt like the pressure had been lifted off of her shoulders. After bidding her father a good day, she exited the room with Dainsleif.

After walking into another corridor, both of them were finally alone. Dainsleif grabs her wrist to stop her from walking.

“What were you thinking?” He asks.

“I’m making sure my position is official, after I’m crowned they will not be able to take it from me, no matter how hard they plan and scheme.”

“Do you realize what you just did, you just put a target on your back. If they can scheme a remarriage behind his majesty's back, they can surely plan an assassination behind yours.”

“Nonsense Dainsleif, they wouldn’t have the guts to kill a princess.”

Dainsleif stops and looks into her eyes, “You say that yet you hypothesize that they killed your mother.”

“It was just a silly thought at the moment, it’s not possible.”

Dainsleif sighs, knowing that she is too stubborn to realize the can of worms she just potentially opened.

“Very well, but do me a favor. Do not go out alone, call for me and I will escort you. Until the day you are crowned, you might be in potential danger.”

“Ahaha, you already follow me around everywhere. Look how fast you came rushing into the council room, I know you’ll be there.”

She winds her hand out of Dainsleifs grip, going on her way down the corridor. He could not understand how naive she could be.

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Combining a birthday ball with a crowning ceremony proved difficult when it came time for preparations. Both were major events that needed their own time to shine, so being pushed together into just one day meant that preparations had to be accelerated.

“The first half will be your birthday celebration, you will wear a gown designed by madam Darnley. The birthday dinner will be set during the afternoon.”

Y/n and the royal event planner were taking a walk in the royal gardens. Dainsleif of course followed 5 steps behind. 

“There will be a brief pause where you will go get changed for your crowning ceremony. It is a dress that your great great grandmother wore when she was crowned.”

“I’m going to wear a dress that old?” she questions, the fashion styles back then aren’t exactly most suitably to wear.

“The dress will be altered to fit your measurements along with some more alterations that will suit it to the current taste of modern fashion.”

“Very well then, who will be attending the ceremony?”

“The royal families of all 8 kingdoms will be attending, as well as nobles.”

“So many eyes…”

“No worries, your highness, you will have plenty of time to practice what you need to do.”

The planner left, leaving the two behind. 

“Are you sure you’ll be able to handle your responsibilities?” Dainsleif asks.

“What responsibilities, I just need to be graceful and look pretty.”

“You’re joking right?”

“Of course I am, I know that there will be more expected of me once I become crowned. I’m sure I’ll be able to manage, after all this will be my kingdom one day.”

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It was the day before the ceremony, the royal guests arrived in their carriages, all fraternizing with each other. Both Nasir and y/n extended their welcome as they came. Not all of the royal families had children, but for the small handful that did, y/n took full advantage.

“Your grace, it's wonderful to see you again!” y/n extender her hand to the man standing in front of her, which he took and laid a gentle kiss.

“I did miss seeing your face dear princess, how have you been?” 

Ayato, one of the most influential Dukes of Inazuma . Both of them met a few years back when both him and his sister came for a visit for the king's birthday. 

“I’ve been well, it’s wonderful to see you again. Did Ayaka come with you?” 

“Not this time unfortunately, she’s ill in bed, but she sends her congratulations. Hopefully the both of you will have some time together when she is well.”

Ayato extends his arm slightly, to which y/n wraps her own around. They begin to walk into the palace, followed by the other nobles. 

Dinner that night went as well as it could. Y/n excused herself not too long into the dinner. She was halfway down the corridor before she heard Ayato calling out to her.

“Are you alright, your highness?”

“Your grace,” she looked surprised, ‘I’m fine, I just needed some air. I was planning on taking a walk in the royal rose gardens.”

Y/n contemplated for a second before asking, “would you like to join me?”

“Well I suppose my dinner could wait, a lady should not be walking this late alone.”

He walked up to her, arms entangled once more. When they began to walk, y/n thought back to what Dainsleif said to her. She wasn’t venturing off alone, she was with Ayato, it would be safe.

After walking for a bit, both sat down on a bench that was surrounded by bushes.

“We’re not too far from the palace.” she says, turning her neck to glance at the tall building across the garden.

“Well we’re far away for no one to see us.” Ayato chuckles

“I suppose so…”

The air was silent around them.

“May I ask you something, your highness?”

“Of course, what would you like to know?”

“Why is it that you chose to get crowned so early? Usually the crowning ceremony is when the person is of age.”

Her lip quivered slightly. It’s not like she can flat out say that the royal council was threatening to take away her right to the throne. What excuse could she come up with now?

“Well, I just wanted to change the rules slightly. The quicker the better I say.”

“Surely you know there will be backlash, correct? When the nobles of Inazuma heard about it, many of them thought you weren’t right in the head.”

“Is that so…” she looked down at her lap, nails digging into the wooden bench.

Perhaps she really did rush things when she didn’t need to. Her impulsive behavior, what could it have caused? If the nobles of Inazuma frowned upon her behavior, what could her own people of Khaenriah think?

Ayato's hand gently laid upon hers.

“No matter your highness, I think what you’re doing is brave. Going against the rules and having it your own way, not everyone has the ability to do that. Fear of backlash and whatnot.”

“Do you support my decision, your grace?”

Ayato smiled, but he remained silent.

“Your grace?” she asks once more.

Ayato’s bright blue eyes turned disky, almost gray. His smile fainted, his face looked like it was lifeless.

The warmth that was radiating from his hand turned cold, it made her heart skip a beat.

“Ayato, are you alright?” she asks, grasping his face within her hands. His skin was cold.

“Wha-” she looked around her, there was a gray smoke enveloping the floor. Immediately she stood up, Ayato's body collapsing on the ground right after.

From the smoke that came from a dark area of the garden emerged a tall figure, shrouded in black and blue. A mask that covered their entire face, with blades wrapped around their arms.

“What are you?” she asks, her voice ever so quiet.

“Threats against the abyss must be terminated.” 

The voice coming from the figure sounded deep and frightening. The blades around the tall figure began to glow a bright blue. The figure swung his arm, shooting projectiles towards her.

She let out a scream, ducking for cover. As soon as she made contact with the ground, she began to cough. Soon enough, she covered her mouth. This gray smoke could very well be the reason why Ayato fell to the floor.

Still covering her mouth, she began to sprint as fast as she could, but it was dark. It's as if that thing took all the light from the area when it came. No matter, if she kept running she’d run somewhere, more preferably the palace, more preferably to someone who could help.

“You cannot resist, your efforts to run are in vain.” the figure could be heard from so far away.

She kept running and running, but she could not see what was in front of her. Her foot snagged on the root of a tree, causing her to plummet to the ground once more. Her breathing became heavier, she could not calm down. She got on her knees and crawled until she felt something solid, the tree.

She sat down with her back to it, hand still clamped over her mouth. Her breathing was so loud, that creature could surely hear it if it wanted to. She wanted to cry, her foot was in pain, and no matter how many times she rubbed over it, the pain would not go away. 

The area grew quiet, too quiet. Did the figure go away? Could it not find her? Even with all of these thoughts trying to reassure her, she would still not move, not if there was still darkness surrounding her.

After a few moments of solace, a cold wind brushed against her skin. When she turned her neck to look she was face to face with the figure.

Its blade began to glow once again. She had nowhere to run now that her foot was injured.

“Please don’t hurt me, I didn’t do anything!” she pleaded, now a crying mess.

“Your lineage is stained by bloodshed, neither you nor your kin is innocent of any crimes.”

As the figure was about to strike her, she closed her eyes, letting out a bloodcurdling scream. However nothing seemed to pain her.

When she opened her eyes, she saw that the figure itself was struggling. A bright blue aura around its neck, suffocating it. Suddenly it was hoisted into the air and slammed onto the ground.

Blinking away her tears, she saw the figure of her savior. It was Dainsleif.

The unknown figure began to cough, cursing at Dain for interrupting his plans.

“The abyss will prevail, you shall not get in my way again.”

A portal opened in front of the figure, swallowing him. Leaving both Dain and her alone.

She was still in shock, looking at the same spot that the figure disappeared.

“Y/n, are you alright, did he hurt you?” Dain rushed over, she could see him, she could see everything now. 

He kneeled down to her, caressing her face. She wrapped her arms around him and sobbed silently onto his shoulder. He noticed that her ankle was red, understanding that she was in more pain than he realized. He put his arm underneath her legs, carrying her while she still had her arms around him.

“A-Ayato, he collapsed near the bench.” she said, her words sounding broken.

“I will attend to him after you, we need to get you back to your room.”

“I’m sorry for not listening to you, Dain… there really are people trying to get me, right?”

Her nails slightly dug into his shoulder, but he didn’t wince.

“It's okay, you’re safe.”

[siallysblog]

The ultimate Sial genshin ships as for now:

the only and one kaejean.

alice x rhinedottir.

neuvifuri

furina x clorinde

kokokae

dehyazard

ganxiao

beingguang

ninglan

albemona

shenjin

abyss princes lumine x dainsleif

venlumi (traveler)

arlenavia

kazuyaka

xiaolan

yelone

lisaluc

chiorara

guili

rosajean

haino

arlebina

chilumi (traveler)

amberlumi (traveler)

[visibleclosedeyes]

I feel Rhinedottir is this unhealthy because of the stress from her works AND from the power of her position

I would make a separated post about this later on because I'm playing symbiosis now--

Also wtf I just saw your answer just now I'm so sorry--

Rhinedottir is so messy 😩😩 imagine Rhine has been in relationship with Dain but then fall for her best friend Alice 😩😩😩

THISSS!!!! THIS!!!!! MESSY RHINE!!!!

getting with Dain is one thing on its own,, since even thought we don’t know a whole lot about the hierarchy in khaneri’ah; we can assume they’d be on equal footing,, or that Rhine would be somewhere above him (since y’know. she single handed my kept that nation not starving, and that’s very very important.) so that’d mean she was just with one of her coworkers despite the entire can of worms that obviously open up for conflict and drama in the political sphere —— then cataclysm happens, and I’m not sure what exactly happened because he really should’ve of expected her to do/cause this somehow, but this mf wants her DEAD-DEAD,, but also not.??? We don’t know. I’m not sure we want to know. It’s Dainsleif. What goes on in HIS head is HIS business; Not mine. (Frankly, I don’t want it to be mine either.) I’m partly convinced he misses her in some way, but I’ll be sooner damned then find out what’s going through his brain.

And then, instead of learning from her mistakes and thinking ‘oh, so maybe I shouldn’t get into any unhealthy and doomed relationships lest I end up with somebody else trying to ruin all my goals’ she gets in some sort of situationship with her best friend (whom has HEAVY ties with Celestia plus a whole other ton of shit) , and effectively has a son with her.

I don’t judge others peoples relationship; but I think I have the right to genuinely ask WHAT is going through her head. anyways, messy Rhine for the win once again!! she has survived not one. but TWO relationships with two of probably most-unhealthy people she possibly could.

[crescent-maple]

encounter

Characters: Rhinedottir , Dainsleif

Pairing: Rhinedottir x Dainsleif

Tags: spoilers for the current archon quest; fluff

Universe: genshin impact

"I only hope that next we meet, you know whose side you're on— is that really the best thing you can say before leaving the traveler to their own devices?"

The voice belonged to a woman who he knew very well. As captain of the royal guard in a nation long gone it had occurred to him just now (after all these years) how he juggled between work and spending time with her.

"Who knew you had it in you to eavesdrop?", Dainsleif replied with an eyebrow creeping upward. It took every ounce of his will to not let out a small smile.

The woman stepped out of the shadows, arms placed in front of her chest as she tilted her head slightly to the left. Curious dark shaded teal eyes looked into his whilst a few strands of her ash brown hair covered a part of her face.

"I do take breaks and go on with my day. It's not like before where i'm cooped up in a laboratory where you would ... Always find me.", Rhinedottir replied as she tucked a few strands of stray hair away.

Dainsleif felt more relaxed with her presence and sighed softly. He reminisced a part of their past.

'Fire cackling from the fireplace. Soft boiling of various colored liquids in different shaped containers. The light sound of a pencil scribbling on a piece of paper.'

All those came flooding in until he snapped himself back to reality. He was in the chasm where their people wanted to be one with the darkness and part from the world in peace. The male placed a hand on his waist and parted his lips to speak.

"What brings you here?"

"It certainly won't be the same reason as you but ... I felt relief when i set afoot in this ghastly place... as if i could finally breathe upon my arrival.", She replied.

Dain knew for sure that wasn't the only reason.

She always was like this. Ask Rhine something and she would give you a partial answer to which one would divulge themselves in and not ask more questions.

Such a secretive individual, he thought, the alchemist never changed which was something he was glad to know.

The sound of her voice alone was enough to make him close his eyes and wish for another life. A life where there was no abyss order, a life where her sons and him could eat at a dinner table and talk about each other's day or what new researches they have been brewing. Dainsleif smiled at the thought.

Time itself stopped even though it was a mere number of minutes. He felt glad.

"Dainsleif? Dain?", Rhine called out with a hint of worry laced in her voice. It's not everyday you get to hear her like this. The former captain fluttered his eyes open to look into her own, a smirk forming on his lips.

"Are you worried, alchemist?", He asked even though the answer was already obvious. Rhinedottir did not provide any sort of verbal answer to his question for she took a couple steps forward and embraced him all of a sudden.

Dainsleif stood very still as he felt his heart pounding from his chest. Rhine was aware for hers did the same.

This was the only time she would provide any sort of action toward him, though she hoped this would not be the last.

As the taller male raked his gloved fingers through her long hair he breathed in her scent of chalk, books, mint and coffee. It was all too familiar. He wanted her close at all times yet fate took a cruel turn which led to current events.

The words he always wanted to say got stuck in his throat. Was this due to cowardice? No. Perhaps.

If his enemies found out he had something— someone important they would hound that individual through the ends of the world. She is capable of handling any sort of challenge that may come her way but he would like to be a little selfish and keep her safe.

"Can you say my name once more, Rhine?", Dain asked in a soft whisper to which the other complied as she lifted her head to look up at him.

"Dain."

[abyssruler]

So for the priestess!reader x ei x zhongli AU (also this AU like, Inlo e reading it. 10/10) What of some of the kids found reader injured, like REALLY injured, and took them back to ei and zhongli? Don’t have to write about this, just though it was a cool idea. (But no matter what you write about this au I’ll keep reading it 😏)

hmm well priestess reader is strong, like, really strong. zhongli mentioned before how you cleaved mountains in half, which is a reference to your early years in helping venti shape mondstadt’s landscape. so for you to get injured in a fight, you’d either have to be fighting one of the archons, the abyss twin, a god, gold (rhinedottir), and possibly one of the stronger harbingers (i’m saying possibly because we don’t really know how strong the others are compared to gods).

the archons and gold are out, seeing as gold probably has no reason (that we know of) to attack reader right now, and the other archons know that if they touch you, they’d have three very angry archons on their ass immediately. i’m a bit on the fence about the harbingers because they’re connected to the tsaritsa and she probably wouldn’t want to needlessly make an enemy of three archons, so the only feasible person i can see attacking and managing to injure you badly is the abyss twin.

the traveler is not gonna have a good time in teyvat depending on whether the abyss twin attacked priestess reader before or after they befriended venti, zhongli, and ei. if it’s after, you’d probably vouch for their innocence and say they have nothing to do with the actions of their twin. if it’s before, well, sorry traveler, dainsleif will probably help them escape the wrath of three archons. an eye for an eye and all that.

[insectgf]

Hiiii!!! Not to invade your ask box; but I was wondering more about your views on Rhine & Dani’s dynamic/relationship?? Like how you think it’ll play about, your headcanons, theories, etc,,,,,

I know you’ve went over it before; but it’s actually one of my fav things ever and I really love the way that isn’t just the basic ‘oh ya they hate each other ’ dynamic most other people interpret it as— and I really love it💜💜

OMG MONARD UR NEVER INVADING!!!! i read ur ask while sitting in my lecture and i couldn’t stop thinking about it.

so basic disclaimer: i treat rhinedottir and dainsleif like my ocs so everything here is cannon only in my heart. feel free to agree/disagree just be nice. also sorry for any misspelling i don’t have dyslexia im just stupid and english is my third language blablabla LETS GO

before i can talk about their dynamic i will give a rundown on my own interpretation of the two characters.

we know basically nothing about rhine so i went crazy in my head with ideas. one thing im certain about is that she’s the royal alchemist, i can also image her being some sort of wunderkind and extremely hard working/determined. in my head she also DIDNT invent the art of khemia, she merely mastered it. i think alchemy is as old as teyvat itself, together with the idea of creating life forged by human hand. kehmia is popular in khaenriah because well….those mole people live underground and how else will you feed your people.

(sorry for drifting of (it will happen again))

so we have rhine, an extremely hard working prodigy, in the field of alchemy/science in general probably. i think it is also important to differentiate between pre cataclysm and post cataclysm rhine and dain.

i can imagine pre cataclysm rhine being a somewhat normal person. as normal as she can be anyways, she fits into the eccentric crazy scientist stereotype but she isn’t socially incompetent or anything like that. she laughs, she jokes, she relaxes and she obsesses.

post cataclysm rhine lost herself and everything she stood for in that war. the only thing she has left is her obsessive nature.

in my mind i can also image that the royal alchemist stands very high in the social hierarchy.

and that’s where dainsleif comes in!!

dain too is a prodigy, just in fighting and strategies. he doesn’t look old to me? he was already the knight captain of the royal guard, and he’s like…barley 35 in my eyes.

SO two prodigies meet, they both excel in different areas in their life. what happens? they don’t care for eachother.

rhine who can’t do a push up vs dain who doesn’t know how to synthesis anything.

to be honest, i don’t think they were paired up to like balance each other out. i can image them meeting occasionally on dains rounds. they are a constant in eachothers life’s, but do they talk? rarely.

because they don’t have anything in common.

i feel like rhine would be someone who was against rigid structures and rules, since she was constantly breaking the rules of celestial (not being permitted to great (human) life), and probably the king too (that one is more secretly done but she still does it in my heart).

so when dainsleif bows down to her she’s just laughing it off. it’s silly because they are the same age!! and just because she does alchemy somewhat well doesn’t mean she deserves all the respect in the world!!

and now! post cataclysm!

dainsleif failed his country. the twilight sword could not protect those he swore to protect. dain i think was conditioned from an early age to be ready to die for his people and just the fact that he’s immortal hurts more because of that.

rhine is the opposite. death is too easy, everyone can die but life is the truly hard challenge. to live for something.

i also like to think that rhine is actually somewhat open going with information. ofc dangerous/important thing she doesn’t tell but like if someone came up to her to ask her to explain smth she would do it. information is power and to gatekeep information from a certain group of people is not right.

so in that sense rhine talking to herself and rambling is something dainsleif actually copied from her post cataclysm 😭 like he’s constantly lore dropping,,,just like rhine. because he agrees! information shouldn’t be kept away!

NOW TO THEIR DYNAMIC

I think it’s really complex and contradictory in on itself. we know dain joined the abyss order at least for a certain time (i assume) and i think that’s something rhine would be against. yes she likes the abyss and uses the concisenesses inside to fulfill her vessels. no she would never worship a huge glowing rock. she DID NOT declare war against GODS and CELESTIA just to bow down to anything ever again. so she judges him for that decision for sure

i don’t think that dainsleif could even bring himself to hate rhine for what she did. he’s a protector of the people, even if his people did wrong.

yes, he’s wary of her. yes, he’s even scared of her and her power. yes, he thinks the art of khemia should have never been studied the way it was.

no, he doesn’t love her. no, he doesn’t like her.

yes, he would obey every order she gives him.

rhine being the highest ranking khaenrian running around is such a funny image like girl who gave u all that authority….

i think it’s also interesting how the kheanriahn people are still there and still live there but we still haven’t really see any kheanrianhs. (why is that so hard to spell like what)

clothar left because of his son caribert, pierro left to do whatever he’s doing, dainsleif is filled with guilt and probably doesn’t think he’s capable of protecting anyone and rhine is out there….being a menace.

i think also that rhine and dainsleif trust eachother to a degree but to a weird one.

yes dainsleif trusts her with his life, no he doesn’t trust her word.

same with rhinedottir, she’s like somewhere high up and she just goes „catch me!“ and then she just jumps down no matter how far away he is 😭 has he ever failed? nah!!!

but when she asks him about the abyss order she just knows he’s not telling the full truth. she can’t judge him tho, since she’s also a lying liar.

we know that also being alive for so long comes with erosion and that dainsleif has probably lost a good chunk of his memory, but even tho he’s borderline senile he still recognised albedo as rhinedottirs. like the star mark gives it away and dainsleif remembers, that’s her mark. she’s still alive. she’s still creating.

so yeah, dainsleif is ready to stop albedo should the time come, but would he stop rhinedottir? no

he wasn’t able to stop her back then, even though he saw all the warning sings, even tho pierro warned them all. and even now he wouldn’t be able to.

because dainsleif apparates on muscle memory and its ingrained into every fiber of his body to obey the royal alchemist.

i think also pierro and rhine dynamic would be interesting but more in a comedic way

pierro, near his retirement: you should stop with the path you’re on. you will call on the rage of celestia

rhinedottir, who has never passed a psych evaluation or sports test in her life: i can take the archons and celestia in a fight

so yeah that’s my take on them. no they aren’t in love and no they don’t hate eachother. but they are one of the few constants they have left and one thing both are good at it clinging what belongs to them. they have something weird going on in that sense that dain can’t help his guard dog nature and rhine can’t send him away.

i also think they are gossip buddies like dain RAN to rhine when he found out clothar died and that kaeya is in mondstadt. he probably also told her about halfdan and the abyss order trying to purify with the water. rhine furisly writing everything down so she’s doesn’t forgets

[sgrimp]

misc genshin stuff, mostly pairings

[visibleclosedeyes]

According to this thread by Monard and a lot of peeeps in Rhinenation i come to the conclusion that we need a long fic Rhine x Dain / Rhinealice angst fic where Rhinedottir is fighting with Dain and tell him trusting the traveler is wrong

A fic where Rhine is angry and feel powerless and disarmed all the while still obligated to uplift her people in the meantime

God wanna write that so much but I have to finish my current one first 😫😫

Thank monards for that amazing thread btw @monards

(And others too)

[yuminako]

the end.

synopsis : you were the lieutenant of the royal guard alongside the twilight sword.

pairings : dainsleif x gn!reader

— a / n : first post, hope you enjoy :D

warnings: angst. sorta spoiler for khaenri'ah history—more specifically the cataclysm, hints at death.

two armies stood in their glory on the battlefield. each awaiting the other's first strike. tension flooded the air, as everyone knew one thing. today marked a new chapter, today marked a day of departure. many families would be losing loved ones tonight, no doubt, yet for some, it was a reunion, albeit not a joyous one.

his striking blue eyes dug into their soul like the sun on a cold winter's day, yet this gaze lacked the thing they sought most, warmth.

both parties held stone cold expressions, shielding the hurt beneath their hearts. dainsleif used to believe he knew his best friend more than anything in the world, so the sight of them standing within the ranks of his enemies, well, shock is one way to put it. there was a mixture of hurt, disbelief, anger, and most importantly, betrayal.

his eyes scanned the former royal guard, seeking some indication of a 'hey, trust me, we'll get through this together.'

why weren't they beside himself, partners-in-crime as they had for decades?

every fiber in the lieutenant's body screamed to remain still, yet their heart convinced them that a little glance wouldn't hurt. just to see how their old friend was doing, right?

the look on his face had knocked their confidence down by a few pegs, as a sneaky glance had turned into a long lasting stare down. the bough keeper's gaze held enough hatred for the both of them, like lasers chipping away their carefully built façade.

what dain offered in resentment, they offered regret, a small smile saying 'forgive me, please.' a guilty sugarcoat that once held innocence and liveliness.

however, before their little moment could continue, the cry of battle shook them back to reality, weapons clashing and sparks of elements exploding like fireworks.

as both stood on the front lines, they were soon met face to face. one charged, and one stood their ground. one held a weapon, and one did not. odd, yet the young knight didn't hesitate to attack their old friend, with each swing dodged, dain grew closer until he could grip their wrist and drag them away. "what are you-"

his touch was scorching their skin, yet a shiver of goosebumps rose up their arm as the they found themselves behind a pile of rubble, courtesy to the monsters which had once rampaged the town.

"why are you here with them?"

ah yes, them. rhinedottir, the alchemist who had caused the next era of war and destruction.

they mustered as much confidence as they could, and in a cold tone, they prayed their voice wouldn't fail them. "rhinedottir offered me something I couldn't decline, and naturally, I did what I had to."

he couldn't understand. dainsleif, the bough keeper, the twilight sword, their best friend, their inspiration, and above all, their world.

"what could he possibly have offered that I couldn't have given you? what was it? tell me."

'your safety.'

they knew that the alchemist's plan would play out dangerously, and they were merely a pawn on his chessboard. gold knew they had connections and could gather information, but most of all, gold knew how close the two guards were.

"... I can't tell you."

they couldn't admit they did it all for him. they couldn't admit they threw their entire life away for him. he would have never agreed, they simply spared themselves a lecture.

"don't lie to me y/n, we both know I would've killed for you. I'd set fire to the world and ensure it never touched you." there was a sort of malice in his voice which caused them to shrink in their spot, prying away from his grip.

admittingly, his words stung, more than a blade could ever, but it was far too late to turn back.

"my dear," they laughed softly, seeming more self assured than the pounding of their heart. "you're so naïve." their words felt like a punch to his gut. "you don't know me, you don't know my reasoning, you don't know my motive. what you offer could never exceed the deal l made with rhinedottir."

every word was a lie, they would give anything to go back and fight by his side, be the one to protect him. instead, they had made a mistake, causing them to stand at opposing sides of the board. enemies on the field, with broken trust and broken hearts laying on the platter, shattered by reality.

the bough keepers starry cap billowed in the wind behind him as his light blonde hair shone against the darkened lands. he appeared to be amused at their courageous statement, offering a gaze which almost challenged them to continue.

it sent shivers down his former partner's spine as their eyes averted to the world beyond him.

"I was given an offer I couldn't decline." they repeated, taking a deep breath as they met eyes once again. only to present a solemn smile. "and after that, I swore to the archons that I would kill anyone or anything that put you in harms way."

ironic, isn't it?

they were confident in his ability to protect himself, but even the strongest of warriors could fall during harsh times.

a meek laugh echoed to dain's ears as they slowly raised their weapon, feeling a sense of deja vu as his hand grasped onto the hilt of his sword.

"everyone."

their last words flew from their lips as they fell into his arms, smiling as the world dissolved around them.

[sgrimp]

More of the [Albedo was created using Dainsleif’s DNA and everyone misinterpreted it except for Dainsleif, who was unaware of the entire thing] headcanon

[insectgf]

i can’t belive rhinedain is the ultimate friends to enemies to reluctant lovers ship