#endless adventure in teyvat

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Endless Adventure In Teyvat: Fontaine Edition - Genshin Impact (1/3)

[genshinresource]

Endless Adventure in Teyvat: Fontaine Edition - "Ride the Waves to a Rendezvous in Fontaine" Online Art Exhibition | Lyney's Concept Art, Early Creative Drafts & Animation Design

[your-local-simp-writers]

Heights of Friendship

Word Count: 447

Warnings: None

Arataki Itto x Fem!Reader ︶꒦꒷♡꒷꒦︶︶꒦꒷♡꒷꒦︶︶꒦꒷♡꒷꒦︶︶꒦꒷♡꒷꒦︶

In the lively realm of Teyvat, amidst the myriad of faces and stories, there was one that was familiar to me since childhood— Itto. His larger-than-life figure was a beacon in the crowded streets of Inazuma, a constant in the ever-changing tapestry of the city. And though he stood head and shoulders above the rest, his gaze was always fondly cast in my direction.

I was not a wanderer passing through; I was a constant, an old friend who had known Itto since our days of youthful mischief. My height never reached his towering stature, a fact that provided endless amusement for him. His laughter, a booming echo that filled the alleyways, was often at the expense of our height difference “You’re like a little firecracker,” he’d say, ruffling my hair, “Small but mighty.”

One day, as we walked through the marketplace, the crowd jostling us at every turn, Itto’s hand found mine, his grip firm and reassuring. I looked up at him, about to thank him for his thoughtfulness, when he stopped abruptly, turning to face me. “Come on, short-stack!” he’d call out to me, a wide grin on his face, “Let’s see what kind of trouble we can stir up today!”

Our days were filled with laughter and light-hearted pranks, Itto leading the way with a twinkle in his eye. He delighted in the simple act of surprising me, whether it was with an unexpected gift—a flower he’d found on our travels—or with a sudden embrace from behind, lifting me off my feet and spinning me around until we were both dizzy with laughter.

“You’re my everything,” he said, his voice a deep rumble that resonated with sincerity. His warmth enveloped me, a safe haven in the midst of chaos. I laughed, my arms encircling his broad back, and when he set me down, his lips found my forehead in a tender kiss. It was a gesture so sudden, so full of emotion, that it left me breathless. His forehead rested against mine, and I could feel his heartbeat, strong and steady.

Itto was a force of nature, unpredictable and wild, yet with me, he was gentle, almost reverent. He treated me not as someone to be protected because of my size, but as an equal, a partner in all our adventures.

As we continued our journey through Inazuma, Itto’s spontaneous displays of affection became a constant. A kiss on the cheek when I made him laugh, a firm kiss on the lips when we reunited after a long day. Each touch was a wordless declaration, a promise that no matter where life took us, we would always find our way back to each other.

[nyxthejinx]

Heya!

I just saw your open for request post and want to commission an Cyno x gn!reader, please? :) a fluffy and spicy drabble would be lovely. Maybe smth like.. the reader is good friends with Cyno and Tighnari but the reader went on a journey thru teyvat and met the Aether (traveler) on their way and since then they traveled together and been thru much so they have a connection ofc and then when the reader and Aether visit sumeru and they meet Cyno - he will get all jealous? Cause he sees how close they are and he fears that he missed his chance with the reader? But obvsly its not like that and yeah. A lil bit of making out at the end, please? cause Cyno needs to let out some steam after his jealously :^)

Thank you for doing requests btw!

FIRST. It took ages but I was able to sell my soul in exchange for inspiration only recently, I'm so sorry. SECOND thank YOU for asking, I wasn't sure about this until the 3am among us potion made it work. THIRD beautiful pfp, akaza bb fr i love him a normal amount I promise. FOURTH it's 5 am, literally I'm not kidding, I tried to proofread and all that but I don't even know what's my name anymore so I'm sorry for typos and shit. FIFTH I hope It makes sense, enjoy 💀

𝐓𝐖: Fluff and obviously spice (making out, vague allusions to the dirty deeds ;) ), use of petnames (dear, love), lemme know if I missed something.

𝐅𝐭.: Cyno, Aether (but he's your homie) - GN!Reader

𝐖𝐨𝐫𝐝 𝐜𝐨𝐮𝐧𝐭: 2.5k

𝐋𝐢𝐬𝐭𝐞𝐧𝐢𝐧𝐠 𝐭𝐨: Rendezvous - Little Mix (god this song is such a banger)

Cyno fears nothing.

"Cyno, this is Aether."

Cyno fears one thing.

He'd felt so happy after reading your last letter. You said you'd be back in a few days with a special surprise, but honest to Archons the fact you'd be coming back to him - for him, he’d wanted to say, but not dared to- was enough of a present.

He surely wasn't expecting that this "surprise" would be none other than the Traveler who's saved Sumeru, though. A charming blondie who drifts a bit too close to you, in Cyno's opinion.

"We met in Liyue, he's amazing." You smile, squeezing the blond's shoulder. "He's a well known traveler across Teyvat, even in regions he has yet to visit!"

"I just help those who need it, not that much of a big deal."

Aether blushes and rubs his neck. Aether blushes. And you're touching him in a way that only close friends do.

It's fine, Cyno wants to think. You're allowed to do whatever you want in your life, he sure as hell won't stand in your way. He already stepped aside back in the days, as you excitedly told him how one of his worst fears came true you were leaving for adventure.

Everything to make you happy.

But his mixed feelings would always get in the way and unleash endless internal conflicts. It wasn't simply about not having you around, it was some kind of longing sitting inside his chest and screaming at you not to go.

It was the distance that made him realise: he was, and still is, far too in love for his own good.

And Aether could get in the way of that.

"We meet again, Traveller." The General nods, pushing down such shameful thoughts. "I'm glad to see you are both fairing well."

"It's all thanks to [Name], actually." Aether nudges you in the ribs. "They're really helpful, no matter the task."

You smirk. "Oh, what an honour. The traveller complementing me, a common, mortal nobody."

"Hey, I'm not that annoying!"

"Maybe. But you sure snore at night. That is annoying."

"Wh-! I don't. I know for a fact-"

No, you don't sound like close friends. You sound like a married couple. What just happened in this handful of months? Did Cyno hesitate too long and lost his chance? Now that he had decided to expose his deepest feelings?

"You guys! Paimon is starving here."

Paimon's shrill voice cuts short the bicker, as the Matra's jaw clenches. Good time, credits to Paimon, but seeing the two of you stroll towards the tavern didn't ease the knot in his chest the slightest.

Your laughter wasn't addressed to him nor to his uncanny jokes. He wasn't the one making you smile.

He was the moon and he'd just been eclipsed by the Traveller's brightest light.

Dinner was... Gut wrenching, to say the least.

You'd known Cyno long enough to tell apart his feelings even as he wears that stoic facade of his. While Paimon and the Traveller didn't have a single clue about the situation, you could feel his dry gaze burning holes on both of your figures, as if the sun had ascended back to the skies and everything around had turned desert.

He was feeling something you'd never quite seen within him.

It took you a bit too long to realise that the fair, lawful General Mahamatra was jealous, of all things.

He was so subtle with it, carefully hid his resentment in his voice and choice of words, in his gestures and mannerisms. But worst of all he didn't propose a single joke during the meal, not even when you laid the chance on a silver platter for him.

That had your mind reeling for the rest of your time together, and even afterwards, as you waved goodnight to Aether and Paimon. As you walked these streets you still know by heart with your dearest friend by your side.

As you choked on the thick air surrounding the two of you.

Maybe you should've left Aether out of it, for the first day, at least. Cyno hadn't seen you in so long, perhaps he didn't like the way Aether inadvertently hogged your attention the entire time when all he wanted was to hear about your adventures.

Yeah, you'd been an idiot for that one.

But, you still had an ace up your sleeve. Quite literally. One that would grant you his forgiveness and hopefully help you say the words to him.

Because of course, it took you less than a week far from him to realise you were smitten for this dad-jokes-spitting being.

You patted your side as you approached Razan Garden in all its glory, and sighed at the feeling of the rectangular box still inside. You could do it, you had to! It took you months of preparation, you wouldn't let it go to waste.

"[Name]." Cyno's voice was soft, as if to match the atmosphere lingering in the marble gazebo. He'd stopped a couple steps ahead of you, but didn't turn to meet your eyes. "My congratulations and best wishes."

You alt abruptly at that. Where the hell is it coming from?

"Uh, thank you?" You quirk a brow. "Did I do something special without knowing?"

He chuckles under his breath. Yes, you are special and he's grateful a being so perfect can exist in this world and is part of his life. But he would never tell you that.

He turns instead. His eyes rich with emotion, gentler. "I'm beyond glad that you found the right person out there, [Name]."

Oh. Oh.

"I only ever hoped for your happiness and well-being, during this period of time."

"Cyno, wait a sec-"

He takes a step forward. "If I had to voice my honest thoughts... I must admit I couldn't find peace of mind knowing you would've been out there alone."

"Cyno-"

"But I see you're perfectly capable of handling your own," the man sighs, shakes his head. A small smile curves his lips. "Just like you've always done."

"Oi-"

And then he's placing loose hands on your shoulders, as if he's in some kind of automatic mode and has to finish the speech at all costs.

For a moment you think he's gone absolutely senile. "Still, I'm relieved you have someone who can watch your back, now. He's a kind-hearted person, level headed, the best you could wish for-"

"Archons' fucking sake, Cyno! Will you hear me out a damn second?"

Cyno almost jumps back, taken out of his weird reverie, but you're quick to trap his face between your hands. You're close, closer than you'd wanted to, unfocused in your frustrated fervor. So much his breath warms the apple of your cheek, as it wasn't burning already.

You take a breath and force more words out before you can cower away from it. "I get where you're coming from, I neglected you today and acted like a shitty friend. And I'm sorry for that."

You lower your gaze to the ground. Now or never. "But it's you, okay? It's always been you! I could travel across all Teyvat and even Celestia, but it's you and just you. So drop that thing you're on about please."

That was disgustingly corny. But hopefully did the trick, you guess.

A beat passes. Then two. You don't see his face, you don't have the courage to take a look at the mess you've made. Him being jealous didn't mean he liked you, not necessarily. Maybe you should've given him the TCG deck and call it a night.

Another beat goes by.

"So... You and Aether are not...?"

He's gonna be the death of you.

You groan, a guttural sound that shouts exasperation from the deepest parts of your chest. All rationality goes to hell as you drag him closer and slam your lips together.

You're kissing him. Archons you're kissing him-

There's no time for Cyno to react. You're pulling away in a frenzy, hoping the ground will open for the Abyss to swallow you right now. You kissed one of your friends only to prove that you're single, and in fact attracted to them. Could it be worse than that? More humiliating and disrespectful to him?

"I'm so sorry!" You wave your hands around. "I shouldn't have without your permission! Are you okay?"

You search his expression for any sign of discomfort; he looks absolutely flabbergasted, but somehow weirdly composed like a bronze statue. His lips -god you'd just kissed them- are parted in the slightest, his eyes wide and yet still. The calm before the storm.

He's showing yet another sentiment you've never really seen him wear.

"Again." Cyno says.

You blink. "Uh?"

You feel his hand slither behind you and circle your waist, as he pushes your body closer. His skin is running hot like the desert's sands and you curse at his choice, or better lack of clothes.

His silver hair falls like a curtain, his eyes sharp. Dangerous, even, if you're not careful enough.

"Please, do it again. I think I've just seen the gates of Celestia." He mutters close to your lips.

That sounds more like him. You can't help but snort at his choice of words, shuddering all the same. The implications of said words dig a flaming hole in your chest.

"How can you be so smart, but dum dum at the same time?" You whisper, one hand traveling to the back of his neck, the other busying itself with stray locks of hair.

And you dip in for another kiss. One you sigh into, one that can be called kiss, actually. It's slower, but full all the same, scorching hot, pushed by feelings that were repressed for too long.

Cyno locks his free hand at your nape, never possessive, although firm. Small sounds bubble in the back of his throat when you bite at his lower lip, then backs just enough to mutter a couple words.

"Can you really blame me? It feels like a dream coming true." He pecks your lips, then presses his forehead to yours and closes his eyes. "I was scared you'd chosen him."

"So, all those pretty words from before?" You exhale a breathy laugh, cradling his jaw.

"I'd give away everything I have and am if it meant you'd be happy. I could only wish you the best and support you." Cyno smiles, pouting after the next words leave his mouth. "But it doesn't mean I would be fully content with the outcome."

Your brain has turned to mush. This man is too dangerous for this world, a hazard for you and your poor little heart that feels like exploding. It's a threat to your common sense and rationality. But most of all, it's damaging your brakes.

What he's telling you should not be legal.

"Archons, come here." And you kiss, and kiss, kiss again and again. You map each other's bodies with your hands as if it was the last time you'd be seeing each other. You press your mouths, clatter your teeth, intertwine your tongues.

You're straight up devouring in the dead silence of the night, in a public space. But as indecent the sounds you're both making are, it feels as if the world around blurred and blended into nothingness.

You've found yourself with your back to a wall, somehow, a couple buttons loose, skin hit by the cold air of the night. You -surely more clothed than Cyno- are an absolute mess, whereas his appearance doesn't falter much even at your hands' mercy.

It's unfair, he's unfair. He has no right to be this damn perfect even in the face of chaos.

"Not here, Cy." You manage to utter. "Let's go home."

His hand stops halfway up your shirt and he detaches from your neck with a small grunt, red splotches forming already thanks to his work. He doesn't sound pleased with your choice, but wordlessly complies, knocking you off your feet and picking you up so easily it's unfair.

And embarrassing.

You deadpan. "Seriously?"

He finds your eyes, suddenly composed as if nothing happened. "You seemed quite unstable on your legs, dear."

You're audibly gasping at that, whacking his chest and glaring daggers. "You!"

"Let's continue it home, now."

Cyno is really going to be the death of you, in many ways you'd never even considered.

It's almost dawn when you finally let yourselves snuggle up to each other in the peace of your home. More like his home, since yours needs more than a bit of cleaning after months of disuse, but he's made it clear already: everything that's his is also yours.

Cyno traces patterns on the bare skin of your arm, as you card through the knots on the back of his head, formed after... Recent activity. He seems too lost in your touch to even be awake, when his fingers stop.

"What was the surprise, in the end? Was it the confession?"

Your hands still, your face tightening at the question. When did you even... Oh, right.

"Would you be satisfied if I said yes?"

He pinches you.

"Owie!"

"You should know that what has been of this night matters more than anything, to me. Of course I would be satisfied." Cyno raises a thin brow, as his hand starts to descend agonizingly slow, leaving a trail of goosebumps in his wake. "Was I not clear enough about my feelings? Perhaps you need a reminder-"

"Whoa, hold your horses, General." You chuckle, planting a kiss on his forehead before leaning over to your bedside table, where your bag had been thrown previously. "There was no way I'd come back empty handed after all these months, yanno?"

You pull out the wrapped box, place it in his hands. Cyno stares at it quizzically, but opens the packaging with care after you nudge him in the side.

Oh, his expression is so, so priceless. Cute, too cute, so cute you could die right now on the spot for excess of sugar in your blood. He looks like a kid who's just received the toy he oh so wanted and ranted about.

"It's not just any deck," You explain. "It's a deck made of cards I've gathered around from different regions. Some were more challenging to get, but I've been playing with you for a long time, haven't I? Of course I'd win."

Meanwhile Cyno takes the liberty to browse its contents, and just like you said, they're not from Sumeru. He's barely ever seen them, some are literally unknown, and he's ecstatic at the sight. How long did it take? How much effort?

"This is…" there's no right term to describe it. "Wonderful. You are wonderful, [Name]."

He goes for a hug and you feel like your bodies fit perfectly in each other's arms, as if it was meant to be. Right now, all that matters is this. And it will always be for all you care.

You smile into his shoulder, smooch the base of his neck. "Is it too early to say 'I love you?'."

"I would actually say we're late, Love."

"I love you, then, you Dum-Dum."

"I love you."

"..."

"..."

"..."

"You are like my asthma. You just take my breath away."

You make sure Cyno slams his head as you throw him off the bed.

DON'T copy/repost my work. REBLOG instead! ©nyxthejinx

[glassrowboat]

Our Adventure. Venti.

Summary: A child of Mondstadt has recently been gifted a vision. A gift from the gods. Yet all she views it as is a decorative charm that invokes ire and fear in her very own heart, a babble she can't even control. The solution? The best bard in Teyvat, obviously!

Word count: 2400+

Authors note: Basically, I've been toiling away in my head what would happen if a vision user was struggling to use their newfound gift and I wrote this :)

The wind had a habit of carrying many things along it's ever flowing breeze, from leaves to the sweetest of songs, from love confessions to the dandelion seeds that truly marked Mondstadt as a land full of endless wishes and freedom. Tonight, however, there was a cry, a wail that even a banshee herself would be incapable of making as it rang in the young bard's ears. This was how the archon had come to know so many secrets that lay in the land he called home, and this was how he ended up below a closed window with pebbles in his hand.

A small thud could be heard on the sill, bouncing off the wood as Venti tried his best to not get hit with the smooth stone hurtling back down to the ground. When no answer came from that still weeping woman another pebble was tossed.

What plagued her was already known by many, far too many if anything. Gossip spread fast in these stone walls. Drunkards would talk about how they came across a random patch of grass just outside the city's gates dried out beyond compression. The local carpenter would talk about how he had to chop down a tree that suddenly became too unstable to be allowed to stand any longer, only to find out behind the untouched bark the inside was lacking any moisture that was so characteristic of fresh wood. The most notable of all however was the knights who said they had to escort a young woman home, too weak to walk as she knelt down right inside a ring of brown blades too stiff to wave in the wind like the fields of green typically would.

(Y/n), a child of Mondstadt recently gifted with a hydro vision.

The very same person who was on the other side of that window was struck with knock after knock as she glared at it with pure contempt, nose still running even as she picked up a random shoe. A heel with its pointed end should do some decent damage, right? So she held it tightly in her grasp, that is until the window randomly opened as if Peter Pan himself was trying to sneak into her darkened room. No candle lit to truly brighten up the scene of a red shoe hitting a green figure square in the face.

“No, no, that's some vampire shit I ain't about. Go find some other woman to prey on I- I ate garlic bread for dinner ya know?” Even with your vision blurred by tears you quickly grabbed the other shoe, getting ready to throw this one too.

Vampires can't enter without permission, right?

Well nevermind to that idea as the green figure landed on the floor having successfully passed through what was supposed to be a barrier of protection. All the while he was beaming at you with a smile that would make anyone want to punch him, even with his hands up in the air.

“That's not allowed….”

“Hello to you too.” Ah, you recognize that voice. The little pest that would run around the cobblestone streets all the while humming a tune that would be running on replay in anyone's head for hours after. “Can you put the other shoe down? My face already hurts from the first one.”

“I think you deserved it, you oversized fly.” Letting go of the shoe you let it fall to the ground as you got back up from what was an admittedly cowering position on the floor.

“Come now, what happened to you calling me a grand poet the likes no one has seen in this modern age? Am I not the next-” and you ended up throwing the shoe at him in the end- “Hey!”

You just shrugged, hands raising in the air in what could only be described as a whatcha gonna do about it motion.

Venti looked down at the shoe for a moment as it fell to the ground before kicking it back over to you, giving you free ammunition. “You could throw that shoe at me again or you- I was joking about the shoe! Please, spare me.”

“Flies usually get swatted.”

“Okay….different approach then.” Sighing to himself Venti walked over to, hand ruffling with something in his pockets before pulling out a handkerchief. The white square of cloth held out to you as it swayed in the wind coming from that still open window. “A fair maiden such as yourself shouldn't be crying, so I offer you this: let the best bard in Teyvat whisk you away on an adventure for the ages. We can make our grand escape right away!”

That's a great way to have missing person posters plastered up right next to the ones of the travelers sibling, and how well have those worked so far? Therefore your answer was an obvious “fuck that.”

“Please, with a cherry on top? And sprinkles too.”

Grabbing the handkerchief, and half tempted to throw it right back at him, you brushed it against your eyes. The fabric is surprisingly soft for something a bard who can barely afford a drink would be carrying, yet the lack of an abrasive texture appreciated nonetheless. “Why are you even here?”

“Well,” with a giggle Venti held his hand up, like he was in a play about to recite a sonnet in the middle of a stage with hundreds of eyes on him and him alone. If it was any other situation it could be an amusing sight, but he's still trespassing. “Let's say the wind guided me to you.”

It was hard to pinpoint why it felt so off-putting the way he said that, wistful in a way, but you didn't really get the chance to think on it more as Venti opened his mouth again. “What bard can stand hearing a fair maiden cry and not try and cheer her up with a song or two? Certainly not this one.”

“The wind?”

“Yup. Or maybe even Barbatos himself.”

“Have you ever gone to a doctor to see if you're clinically insane? Or have you just been hanging around Barbara and her musings of the church doctrine too much?”

With that Venti leaned over, a hand held up right next to his mouth so he could whisper, “the results came out inconclusive.”

Wait. What?

“Now come on! We have to get going before the sun fully sets and we have no light to help us see.” After all, who would want to be running around tripping over the loose cobblestones in the streets? “Walking through the dark is only romantic on beaches and sneaking around back alley ways to meet your lover, you know.”

So, he is insane.

Yet here you are taking out the hand he was holding out to you, letting that bard whisk you away on this promised adventure as he drags you out the window. (Trying your best to pretend you didn't notice him grabbing the vision you had tossed on the bed as he did). So while you didn't trip over the loose stones, at least not this time, you did fumble over roots as Venti pulled you under windrise. Leaves occasionally fall down from the tall tree, flowing back and forth as the wind catches the thin object before it finally settles down amongst the grass you two were trampling over as he pulled you to sit down.

Your knees hitting the dirt right before the stream winding along the plains to the coast, water softly rushing past you both as the sound hits your ears almost like a melody. Though a certain drunkard would be aghast to hear you say you prefer this over the strumming of his lyre he'd be plucking at any other time, even if it was just as a joke. Though admittedly it was odd not to see the ducks wading around, having gotten so used to seeing them so often from past visits trying to steal your lunch when you weren't looking.

Pesky little things they were, just like this brat.

“So, what's with the field trip?”

“I can't just pull you along for a midnight trip to my favorite spot?” The answer was clearly an obvious no. Not without a reason of course. “I give, I give, just don't have to glare at me like that. I've heard around town that you had a little incident.”

Oh great, so the rumor mill was doing its thing. What a goody. Just the thought of that scene again, of the hydro vision being cradled between your hands as the grass beneath you withered away to the point a patch of dead, dried out flora has your nose wrinkling. Not wanting to go over the image that played in your head like a highlight reel. A movie dedicated to your own inability.

“Is this the part you impart on me some sage advice?”

“I can.” With the wave of his hand, or more like a flutter of the earth's breath itself as a breeze swayed past you both, catching his braids and making them dance, Venti summoned his lyre. A certain blue glow reflecting off the wood from the gem sitting between you both. “Or we can sit here while I play a tune. It's up to you, (y/n).”

“I'd pick the latter in an instant.”

“But?”

“But it won't get me anywhere.”

Somehow even just the gold encased vision (or maybe the casing was a part of the vision, you didn't really know much about how that all worked) had a certain aura about it that felt daunting. Just an item. Just something as useless as an accessory if it wasn't being used by its owner. It was like instinct to avoid it, just like when you were a child and you had to learn the hard way not to touch that pan that had just been pulled off the still burning hot stove. For the two instances to be so comparable was like a funny, passing thought, but to you it certainly wasn't.

How can one laugh at their own misery without doing so just to mask their pain?

“Venti, what was it like when you first got your vision?” It felt like a natural question to ask, but he didn't really give you much of a real response to that besides strumming that lyre. A tune playing between you that you had heard at the tavern a good handful of times before.

“Let's just say I have always been a natural.”

“So you're useless to me.”

“Sounds like it, doesn't it?” Reaching over Venti picked up a windwheel aster only a little bit away, close enough he didn't have to shift at all to simply pluck it from the ground. “Though I wouldn't call the company of a friend useless.”

You couldn't help but huff at his statement, annoyed by the fact he had a point. “Fine. Sorry.”

He nodded in turn, not bothering to say anything about your mood today. Not when you both knew why you suddenly turned into such a grouch. “I can still explain how it feels for me.”

“As long as you promise not to say something cheesy like I become the wind itself.” That would surely make anyone in your position a little peeved. A prodigy sitting before you who has the ability to so naturally have control of something that threatens to turn on you. The claws of a wild animal that one can never say for sure will come to you for help or to attack.

“I can try!” Holding the flower out, those same orange petals that had become second place in the walls of Mondstadt began to spin. Turning round and round as you were left to stare at the little demonstration. “Like freedom itself has graced me. I can feel wind under my fingertips just as easily as I do strings or this flower for an example.”

“(Y/n), you may not currently know exactly what melody you are trying to share with the world yet, and that's fine! We all have to start somewhere.” Giggles came out between his words, easing the tension you couldn't help but feel at being so blatantly called out. “But just like always, a tune will still play, or in this case the sound of rushing water will be the music you grace me with. Either way, I can't wait to see what you can come up with.”

“My, how sweet, I almost want to wretch.”

“Hey, I was being serious for once!”

That's why this entire interaction feels so wrong.

Still, you glanced back down at the blue gem, watching how it glows so the grass it lays on is tinted with its color. Would it do the same to your garments once you get brave enough to hang it from your clothes like you've seen Amber doing? It was still a burner after all, but even a burner will cool. It just takes time.

“I wasn't expecting to see this side of you today.”

“Like what you see, my lady? Next, all we have to do is throw you in the water and see what happens.”

“I swear to fucking god-” No, you are not down for being thrown around by his wind currents. Just having to ride down one as you left your apartment to get here was enough for one day.

“Easy! Easy! We won't go back to throwing shoes at me, right?” He asked, hands in the air. Already surrendering just in case. The flower hanging in the air between you both. His doing, obviously.

“You're infuriating sometimes.” With a huff you snatched the flower from the air, pulling it close so you could look at it properly. It still had life left in it, still had water coursing through that green stem.

Your eyes were so focused on the petals you didn't even notice the smile Venti was giving you, soft in nature as he watched you stare down at the gift with a pout. You didn't need to know that he was just happy to see you free from tears again, to no longer have you be locked up in your own room from fear of something new. As for Venti? He didn't need to know you couldn't help but think maybe Barbatos did send him to you.

No, not all.

So just like any silent night at windrise, or as silent as can be with you two mouthing off at each other, the leaves rustled as branches swayed back and forth, and a tune, for the wind had a habit of carrying the sweetest of songs.

[rainba]

I'll Take You To The Stars

✰ TWs/Tags: dark content, violence, dubcon turned con

✰ Aether x GN! Reader ✰ Word count: 11.3k

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The night sky was breathtaking. Every time Aether journeyed through Teyvat, he would often find himself stopping and staring up above. The endless sea of stars, the lone shining moon, the constellations that gather together to create a symphony of hidden meanings just waiting to be uncovered… They weren’t like the stars of his homeland, but they were beautiful nonetheless.

His golden eyes are locked onto the dark sky as his mind wanders off into nowhere. He reminisced old memories with his sister, those bygone days bringing him to tears. He searches for her both day and night, but every new direction keeps leading to dead ends. Every day has become a cycle of getting used, betrayed, overworked– and his body constantly aches. Fresh scars and bruises paint his skin all over– but despite it all, he still smiles so warmly.

Of course he’s made tons of good memories too, but they sometimes pale in comparison to the horrors he has witnessed. He thinks about the abyss. He remembers the defiled statue. The terrifying shadows hidden deep beneath the shakey surface… He curls up into himself and clutches at his knees. He just wants to erase it all from his memories. Forget about it all for just one day...

He so badly yearns to just take his sister by her hand and run away.

But… It’s impossible.

All he can do is force himself to keep going. 

He thinks, and he thinks, then he overthinks some more. He tries to cheer himself up and distract himself with the more positive things in life. What are his favorite things about this world? What drives him to keep fixing Teyvat and playing the role of a hero? He searches within himself to find an answer, and in the end, he thinks he’s got one:

…You.

When your image flashes across his mind, his heart skips a beat.

Yes… He’s doing all of this for you, too.

Aether thinks back on the days where Teyvat was still brand new to him. Everything seemed so bright and colorful, so vibrant and innocent. He recalled seeing Dvalin for the first time, seeing Venti and his magic, encountering Amber, then promptly helping the knights of Favonious too. Thinking about it all now made him sickly nostalgic. Compared to the present, those days seemed so simple and easy to understand.

Every time he thinks of Mondstadt, he inevitably thinks about you too. Your bright eyes, your unique style, the sound of your voice, your lips… His face starts to grow red as your image crosses his mind. Perhaps you’re the perfect distraction– one of the only things his heart needs to keep Teyvat’s darkness at bay. Aether starts thinking about how the two of you first met…

It was so long ago when you first asked for his help. He was a fresh face in the adventurers guild at the time, so he opted to take one or two of the lower ranking commissions. There was only one thing you had wanted: someone strong to escort you to Starsnatch cliff at night.

“Um… Hello,”  your voice was as soft as feathers, as quiet as the gentle winds, and only those who paid close attention could hear it. You looked so terrified with the way you had been trembling. “Hello (Y/N)! We’ll be the ones to help you today!” Paimon was her usual friendly and cheery self, and that fact alone calmed your nerves. At the time, Aether opted to keep silent like usual.

He remembers watching you from a distance as you and Paimon chatted away. Well-- chatted is the wrong word. It was more-so Paimon talking your ear off as you nodded and listened to her every word. 

That day had been oddly special.

The journey there had been short and sweet, the timing perfectly planned. When the three of you reached the very peak of the cliff, the moon was standing high in the sky, perfect in its soothing radiance.

When Paimon asked you why you posted your commission, your face practically glowed with joy. “Well, this is going to sound really silly, but…” While stepping closer to the edge of the Starsnatch cliff, you pointed your hand up at the night sky. “I’ve always wanted to see the stars up close! And, um, I figured this cliff would be the closest I can get to them. Is that really weird? It’s weird, isn’t it?” Your words were followed up with prolonged silence, the three of you exchanging glances.

After that, both he and Paimon had laughed- but in a sweet and teasing way, not out of malice. Your face got so red as you demanded they stopped laughing, but eventually, you joined them as well.

“Of course it’s not weird, you silly billy!” 

As the tender memories graced Aether’s mind, he found himself dreamily smiling. 

After that commission had been finished, you kept in contact with him and Paimon. Your encounters with them were far and few between, but they were always such a treat. As a thank-you gift to Aether, you had crafted him a beautiful crown of Cecilia flowers. The first time he saw it, he was a little stunned.

“I hope you like it..! I really do appreciate everything you’ve done for me.”

When you walked over to his side and placed it gently on his golden hair, he blushed a little. The way you clapped your hands together and smiled made his heart race. “There you go..! You look amazing with it!”

When Paimon had asked where her flower crown was, you excitedly pulled out a second one from behind your back. “Of course I wouldn’t forget about you, Paimon! Here you go.” You had tried to make it as small as possible, but it was still just a little too big for Paimon’s head. However, it did work as an adorable necklace. Paimon had been kicking her feet and giggling as she admired the beautiful flowers around her neck, all while Aether admired your smile…

…

Aether wanted to see you again…

Perhaps seeing your smile would make his current stress melt away.

His gloved hands reached over for one of his backpacks and dug inside, rummaging for a certain object. Once his fingers graced it, he slowly dragged it out.

In a small baggie, he kept that flower crown you made for him.

The edges of each petal were brown and curled inward, showing obvious signs of heavy decay. It didn’t matter how much they rotted away, however, as he would never dare to throw it out. Aether held it close to his chest as he imagined just how happy you would be to see him again.

How long has it been..?

Weeks? Months? An entire year?

Time was a hard thing to keep track of.

He still remembers your final words to him: “I hope you and Paimon do amazing things out there, Aether! I know you will…” His face had flushed red when you took his hands in yours, and he remembers how much he wished you wouldn’t notice his moment of weakness. “And… Please, help Teyvat… I think this world truly needs someone special like you. A hero of light to vanquish the darkness!”

Your eyes sparkled as they looked into his own. “But also, please don’t forget about me, okay?”

He made so many promises to you that day… And he intended to keep them all.

Aether got so lost in the depths of his thoughts that he failed to notice Paimon calling his name. “Aetheeeer, Aeeeether! Yoohoo!” She waved her tiny hands in front of his face. “Hey, are you ignoring Paimon on purpose!?” He jumped whenever she reached out and began to pinch his cheeks.

“H-hey, quit it!” Aether lightly swatted Paimon away as he quickly stashed away the remnants of your decaying gift. “You were so lost in thoughts just now that you totally ignored Paimon! What were you thinking about, anyway?” She buzzed around his shoulders and placed herself beside them, her gaze shifting between him and the nearby backpack.

Aether debated his answer, wondering if he should just say ‘nothing.’ But then he figured he might as well take advantage of the question. “I was just thinking about Mondstadt.” 

Paimon’s eyes widened.

“Ooh, Mondstadt? We haven’t been there in a while! Paimon wonders how everyone’s doing.” She smiled brightly and flew around a little more, stopping only a feet away from his face. “Are you thinking about dropping by for a little visit?”

Aether pretended to think about it for a moment, but he already had his answer. “Mm, yeah, I think we should… It’d be really nice to talk to everyone again.” The thought of seeing you made his body and mind finally relax. “After we visit Mondstadt we’ll head straight for Fontaine.” 

At that notion, Paimon cheered with glee, swirling around excitedly. “Yay, this is such a good idea! Ohh, Paimon can’t wait to stop by Good Hunter again! Hehehe, sticky honey roast..! Paimon can already taste it now!” Everything worked out perfectly.

“Okay okay, now you should go sleep while Paimon keeps watch! Those bags under your eyes are crazy!” Paimon laughed innocently as she pointed directly at them, and Aether couldn’t help but playfully sigh. “Alright, alright… Thank you, Paimon.”

“Hehe, no problem… Paimon is always happy to help. Nighty night, Aether!”

…Then that was that.

Soon you’d be in his presence again, just a mere few feet away. 

He’d get the chance to enjoy your company, hear your laughter, stare into your captivating eyes…

How nice it would be to hear you say his name again…

He’s gotten a kamera since he last saw you too, so that means he'd get to capture countless photos of you. He’ll be able to take them everywhere he goes. His thoughts, his fantasies, they raced through his mind as he closed his eyes and drifted away into a deep sleep...

The journey in the morning went smoothly as usual.

The duo started out with a nice warm breakfast before packing their bags, putting out their campfire in a proper manner, then setting off on their travels. Going from Sumeru to Mondstadt was much more relaxing than Aether expected it to be. They encountered a few familiar faces on the way, and they even received a couple gifts. With each passing day, Aether grew more and more anxious.

When he thought of you, his feet would instinctively move faster. Paimon would ask him to slow down, but he just couldn’t help it. He wanted to see you so bad.

He didn’t fully understand why he felt this strongly, but he also didn’t care to question it much.

When Aether and Paimon reached the front gates of the city, residents ran to his side with ecstatic grins and happy cheers. “The honorary knight is back!” They began to surround him, the crowd growing larger with each passing second.

“What was it like being in Inazuma? Is it true you fought the electro archon!?”

“Are you going to be here for a while? Please say you are!”

Aether’s eyes scanned the small crowd forming around him, searching for the person he longed to see the most.

But he still couldn't find you.

He could put on a smile for everyone for as long as he needs to, but he won’t genuinely do so until he sees your face.

Aether walks around and wanders the city while Paimon does all the talking. He grows more restless with each passing second. Where are you? You didn’t leave Mondstadt, did you? No, you couldn’t have. It’s impossible. You would never in a million years leave Mondstadt! 

Beads of sweat began to form on his face. His hands trembled.

Why was he freaking out so much?

“Err, are you okay?” Paimon flew in front of Aether, stopping him in his tracks. “You don’t look so good.” The traveler froze up, blinking slowly, his jaw agape. “U-um,” he tried to come up with an excuse for his slightly odd behavior. “I’m fine, just… Tired after our long journey.” He nervously scratched the back of his head, but it was obvious that Paimon wasn’t buying it.

“Uh-huuuh,” she replied, smiling a little. “Are you sure it’s not anything else? Paimon wants to help you as best she can!” She brought herself a little closer to him in a cutesy attempt to push for answers, but got interrupted by a voice in the distance.

They both recognized that voice.

“Aether, Paimon- Is that you?”

It was your voice.

“Ooh, yay! Look, it’s (Y/n)!” Aether snapped his head to the side- and to both his joy and relief, you were right there. The sun up above was beaming down on your form, illuminating your entire figure. If you weren’t standing right in front of him, he would swear that you were a figment of his imagination. 

You’re simply too perfect to exist.

Perhaps you’re an angel sent down from heaven- is that it?

It has to be it… His heart was beating so fast.

Aether stood frozen as he stared at you in awe. “I’m so happy to see you both!” You beamed a huge smile at them, and it made Aether’s heart skip a beat. “Awww, Paimon is happy to see you too! And so is Aether! Isn’t that right?” Paimon nudged at his shoulder, pushing him out of his dream-like trance. “U-um, yeah..!” His voice comes out so soft and shy that it makes you giggle.

Aether can face literal gods in the heat of battle without batting an eye, but for some reason, his knees begin to buckle the moment he has to face his own feelings.

“Well– I’m glad that you two haven’t forgotten about me!” You laugh cheerily, but Paimon gasps. “Whaaat, how could we ever forget about you!? We would never!” To that sentiment, Aether whole-heartedly agrees.

  “That’s sweet of you to say… If I had known you two would be stopping by, I would have prepared gifts!” You and Paimon continue chatting away while Aether simply stares at you like a puppy in love. He wants to talk to you, he so deeply wishes to tell you just how much he missed you, but his mind is completely blank. Who knew that you had the power to make him instantly forget how to speak?

“-Aether?” The traveler hadn’t noticed that you and Paimon were asking him a question. “Hm? Did you ask me something?”

Archons, he needed to pull himself together before he really embarrasses himself.

“Since I don’t have anything to give you, would you wanna come over for dinner? You don’t have to if you’re busy! I completely understand.” You reach your hand out to his, but he only stares at it. You’re asking him to come over to your house..? Right now..?

“Oh, we’re not busy at all! Not at the moment, anyway.” Paimon grabbed one of your fingers with her tiny hands and tried to shake it in Aether’s place. “We’d never pass up the opportunity for free good food!” 

While you truly thought Paimon's enthusiasm was cute, you were more focused on Aether’s approval. You didn’t know why, but today he just seemed so much more… Unreadable. You almost wondered how many horrible things he’s seen since you last spoke with him.

So, just for tonight, you wanted him to forget it all.

Put aside his heroic act and simply relax with good company for one night.

Your eyes moved over to the traveler, asking for his genuine approval, to which he answered with a nod. He collected his thoughts and brought himself somewhat back to normalcy, smirking a little. “Yeah, Paimon would never pass up that opportunity.”

“Hey, It’s not just Paimon!” As she stomped her tiny foot in the air with playful rage, you began to laugh, and it made Aether’s heart melt all over again.

He jokingly wondered if you were casting some sort of hidden, otherworldly spell on him.

“Come on you two, let’s get going… I know you must be hungry right now.”  Before Paimon could even reply, Aether gave her a teasing and knowing look. She already knew he’d say something along the lines of, ‘yeah, you’re right. Afterall, Paimon is always hungry.’ So she huffed at Aether and dropped her words while sticking extremely close to your side.

The journey to your home was slow and peaceful.

You had asked them about their most recent adventures, and Paimon was happy to oblige in sharing silly stories. Obviously, they omitted the more horrific and touchy things they had witnessed.

Enjoying traditional festivals, fighting epic battles, meeting a few archons, experiencing the wonders of Teyvat’s many different cultures, breaking people out of prison- there was just so much to talk about. If these stories hadn’t been coming from Paimon and the world-renowned traveler, you would have thought that someone was just reciting a thriller novel of some kind.

“And through it all, of course, Paimon was his number one helper! He couldn’t have done it all by himself! Hehe, isn’t that right, Aether?” Paimon excitedly turned around and stared at Aether as they walked, her eyes sparkling with pride. Aether already knew what he had to say.

“Oh, absolutely Paimon. I could never have done it without you.” At the sound of those words, Paimon squealed with joy. “Hehehe, see! Paimon is a great helper! Although, there wasn’t much Paimon could do when he fought the shogun and um-… Well, she was super scary!”

The shogun? As in the Raiden Shogun?

You thought that rumor was just that: a rumor.

Your eyes widened. “Really..?! You went head-to-head with the electro archon? That’s amazing!” At the sound of your praise, Aether’s heart skipped not one, but two beats. Surely he can cut out on being humble for a moment and just brag a little bit, right? He proudly rested his hands on his hips and tilted his head upwards. “Sure did. In the end, I managed to beat her with the people of Inazuma and their dreams by my side.” A little smirk found its way onto his face, and Paimon playfully rolled her eyes at his boasting.

“Wow,” you replied breathlessly. “I wish I could be even half as strong as you, Aether… Really! That’s so..!” Aether immediately cut back a little bit on his bragging, opting to comfort you instead. So he made a proposal.

“Well... How about I teach you how to use a sword?” 

As soon as the offer dropped, your eyes lit up.

“R-really? You’d be willing to teach me? You know I don’t have a vision… I’m not anything special, really.”

Not anything special..? Your words couldn’t be further from the truth, he thinks.

And of course Aether is willing to instruct you. If he could show you how to use a sword, he’d have an excuse to keep you by his side for a little longer.

He’d be able to stand behind your back and hold your waist within his hands. He could show you how to place your feet, all while keeping his body close to yours, and…

Small fantasies flashed before his eyes as you waited for his answer.

“Of course I can teach you- I wouldn’t mind at all. You don’t have to have a vision to be special, you know. You’re amazing just as you are.” That last line definitely came out a little flirtier than he wanted it to, but your reaction was worth it. Your cheeks flushed red as you instinctively hid it behind your hands. “O-oh, Aether, stop teasing me!”

Aether’s heart begins to flutter out of control as your hand playfully pushes his shoulder. Archons forbid… How could anyone be so enchanting like you?

Why were you so cute?

You could be a poison and he’d happily drink you down, smiling as his body deteriorates...

You were one of the first people in Teyvat to ever take him in and treat him so tenderly.

You were close to him before he ever became famous across the entire continent of Teyvat. When he was simply just an ‘outlander’ looking for his sister, you were there by his side, eagerly helping him put up missing posters.

Perhaps you were a stable foundation that he longed to protect- a person he could always return to without having a single worry in the world.

Were you his safety in a land that seemed so hellbent on destroying him?

He only wishes that you feel as strongly for him as he does you. Do you spend your nights staring out your window, longing for his company? Does he always find his way into your dreams, like you do in his?

These scenarios dance through Aether’s mind, warming his heart.

Aether follows close behind you and Paimon until, eventually, you all reach your destination. Your house isn’t the fanciest, but it suits your style. There’s a little welcome mat right outside the front door, and Aether finds it adorable. You reach deep into your pockets, pull out a ring of keys, then push the front door open. “Step on in!” 

When everyone walks inside, he finds himself admiring the decor all around. You’ve gotten a lot of new things- that much is obvious. New vases, new carpets, new stuffed animals strewn about. His eyes scan around the place until they eventually land on a photograph.

But it’s… Strange. It’s a very nice picture of you, but there’s someone else by your side.

Is… Is that..?

From behind him, he hears the door close. Then your voice rings out.

“Honey, I’m home! I’ve also brought some guests!”

…

What..?

His body becomes paralyzed with shock.

Aether slowly begins to tremble with fury as he begrudgingly watches another man walk out from another room.

It’s a tall man with jet black hair and deep blue eyes; there’s a wide smile plastered on his long face. And in his hands, he’s holding a frying pan. Aether is forced to take everything in.

This man- this fucking man… 

Why is he standing in your house? 

Why is that man wearing an apron with your name embroidered on it? Why does he look so fucking happy? And most importantly: why did you just call him ‘Honey’? Millions of questions flashed through his mind in a single second, overwhelming all of his senses. Aether slowly grit his teeth and tightened his fist as a deep, silent rage started to boil from within.

But nobody else notices this.

“Oh, wow- Unexpected guests! You’re all here just in time! I finished making dinner not too long ago- and I’ve made plenty of extra!” That stupid fucking man is grinning as he waves at everyone, but only you and Paimon wave back. He looks friendly- too friendly. Is he hiding something? He must be hiding something. He’s gotta be an asshole of some kind deep down- he absolutely has to be up to something. Aether tears away at the man’s character before he even gets the chance to reveal his name.

The dining room table is clean and freshly decorated with a wide arrangement of food laid out. Paimon cheers with excitement, but Aether doesn’t say a word. His golden eyes scan everything, searching for the tiniest of details to scrutinize. His heart throbs a little when his eyes land on a vase full of Cecilia flowers.

“Oh, Aether– I’ve been so excited for you to meet Jay!” You lightly tap on Aether’s shoulder as you point over to the other man. Jay?

Jay?

The name brands itself into the front of Aether’s mind, scorching him, torturing him.

 “If it weren’t for you, I would have never met him.” Jay then waves at Aether and extends his hand, but all Aether does is just stare at it with thinly-veiled disgust. Your words begin to echo in the darkening confines of his mind: if it weren’t for him, you would’ve never met Jay?

What do you mean by that? In what way?

When the man realizes Aether won’t shake his hand, he coughs and awkwardly retracts it. “It’s, uh, nice to finally meet you, o’ mighty traveler! I’ve heard so many things about you… Haha, my darling here never stops talking about you.”

Those words bring a dangerous flood of hope into Aether’s heart, but it all quickly shatters and dissolves when Jay walks around the table, kissing you before his very eyes.

Electro instantly crackles between Aether’s fingers as he grows tempted to attack him on the spot.

“Aww, I do not talk about him that much..! Y-you’re embarrassing me!” You kiss your partner on his nose before playfully slapping his cheek- then the two of you start to laugh so carefree. 

How… Aether wonders.

How can the two of you just laugh and kiss while he’s standing right there? 

Have you even considered how he feels..?!

Why do you look so happy with this other man..? Aether’s thoughts twist, scramble, and shake out of control.

These feelings of jealousy are unlike anything he's ever felt before.

Paimon stares over at Aether, deeply concerned as she sees the glow of purple in his hands. She doesn’t understand what’s going on beneath the surface. She wants to ask him if he’s okay, but she decides against it, fearing that she’d be poking at something sensitive. “Uhh… C’mon, let’s eat! Paimon is starving and this food looks soooo good!”

In that sentiment, everybody agrees.

Everyone quickly gathers around the table and takes their seats. Paimon decides to sit across from you, meanwhile Aether sits across from Jay. There’s tons of options that Jay prepared: grilled fish skewers, mint salads, moon pie, radish veggie soup, and even a little bit of wine. It's... An ungodly amount of food. The table is silent for a while as everyone gorges on it all- however, Aether can’t help but conjure up fake contests in his mind as he pokes at the meal on his plate.

He thinks about how much of a better cook he is than Jay.

Aether could make you better food than this… Much better food.

After a while, Paimon decides to pipe up and cut through the silence. “Soooo, Jay, (Y/n)! How did you two meet? Paimon is dying to know!” She happily points towards you both, the two of you smiling in unison. Aether notices the way you suddenly grow shy and blush out of control. He can’t help but think that only he should be making you react that way. 

Jay gushes over how you two met- going deep into the details- rambling on and on about just how perfect you are. 

All Aether wants to do is shut him up.

“It’s really like I said earlier… If it wasn’t for Aether, I would have never met him.” This sentence instantly catches Aether’s attention, so he listens closely. “Ever since you two brought me to Starsnatch cliff, I’ve faced my fears and started going out on my own! Aether’s bravery… It inspired me to be brave, too.” You grab your full glass of wine and stare at your own reflection, smiling sweetly.

“I kept going there alone until- eventually- I ran into Jay. He was standing there so quietly, gazing up at the stars...” You chuckled lightly. “He just looked so lonely, I had to talk to him! Poor thing.” You poked at him with a smirk on your face, making Jay the flustered one. “Hey! N-not now, love! Don’t tease me in front of our guests...” 

Ugh… 

This sight was making Aether gag.

Everything about this was making him sick to his stomach.

“Awww, you two are so cute together! Paimon’s really happy you found each other! Aether’s also really happy for you both, too! Isn’t that right?” She glanced over at Aether with an innocent grin on her face, pointing at him, and now everyone was staring in his direction. He gulped, swallowing down all the bitter insults he so badly wished to spit out.

“Y-yeah,” he mumbled. “And it’s amazing that you’ve gotten braver, (Y/n)... I knew you had it in you.” The corners of his lips trembled upwards as he forced himself to seem happy. He avoided saying he was glad for you two- opting to compliment your courage instead. It truly took all of his strength not to grimace.

 “Aww, you’re too sweet… Like usual, hehe.” You turned away with a sweet lace of shyness in your eyes, and Aether couldn’t help but latch on to it. He wanted to make you swoon for him more, just like that… He ached to shower you with compliments until you completely forget that Jay ever existed in your life... But he knew he had to bite his tongue.

Dinner went on and on, each minute dragging like nails on a chalkboard. 

Aether just wanted this meal to be over with. He yearned so badly to step aside and find a moment with you all alone. After what felt like the longest hour of his entire life, everyone finished their food. Paimon was patting her stomach and groaning happily about just how full she was, graciously thanking Jay. “Ahh, Paimon hasn’t eaten that good in forever! Hehe, Jay might just be a better cook than you, Aether! Ohh… Paimon demands a cook off!” She was obviously joking, making Aether roll his eyes.

Except Jay decided to play with the idea a little.

“So you’re a chef too, huh?” His deep blue eyes widened. “I’ve been actually really desperate for cooking advice lately… Could you step into the kitchen and help me for a second?”

Step into the kitchen..? Alone with Jay?

Aether looked back and forth between you and Paimon before raising himself from his seat. Obviously, just like usual, he can’t bring himself to say no to someone’s request. Whatever it is that this man wants, he just hopes it won’t last long.

The two men separate themselves from you and Paimon; the kitchen becomes awkwardly silent. Nervously, Jay adjusts the apron around his waist and finally takes it off while sighing. “Can I ask you something?” He says, anxiety painted all over his face. Aether wants to say no, but his mouth instinctively answers yes.

“Whew, well... It’s about (Y/n)- And, um, I figured I should ask you of all people about this, since I know you two are kind of close.” Jay bashfully rubs the back of his head and averts his gaze. Aether’s glad to hear that you and him can be considered close, but with the way things are going, that label is nothing more than platonic.

“I…” Jay gulps. “I w-want to propose to them, but… But I don’t know how!” His voice is barely above a whisper as the words reach Aether’s ears. It stabs like a sword; twisting, turning, and tearing away at Aether’s trembling body. He wants to propose to you?

No, absolutely not. 

Never. He can’t.

Aether won’t let him.

“Oh, really..?” Aether conjures up a storm of excuses. “Are you sure you want to do that?” He keeps his voice calm and steady, giving off the false impression that he’s being rational. Jay eagerly nods in response. “O-of course I do! I love them more than anything in this world.” He covers his mouth with one hand as hearts basically fill his eyes. “I want them to be mine, forever and ever… I love them more than anything.” He turns away from Aether, his eyes landing on a framed photograph with your smiling face in it. “They’re too special to let go of.”

To that sentiment, Aether can agree.

You are too special to let go of.

“I see,” he replies. He knows now there’s no way he can talk Jay out of his decision. He can see it in the other man’s eyes- that strong, passionate yearning. He’s seen it in the eyes of couples all across Teyvat: those flames that burn absurdly hot with desire. 

So instead, he begins to scheme.

“I’ll help you then,” Aether says while forcing yet another accepting expression. “How about we go to Starsnatch cliff tonight? Just the two of us. I can help you plan there.” 

Jay fails to notice the light fading away in Aether’s eyes. The darkness of his aura that begins to crawl out from within… The cold, calculating edge to his words. To Jay, Aether is just the traveler who loves helping people all around the world. The shining ray of hope that you admire so much.

Jay is so eager for Aether’s help that he immediately jumps up and grabs him by the hand. “Oh, thank you, thank you so much! L-let’s get going right now! I… I don’t want to waste any time!” He ends up yanking and dragging Aether from out of the kitchen, absolutely thrilled.

You and Paimon perk up and stare at them as they run past you both. “Hey- where are you two going..?” You ask softly, to which Jay joyfully responds. “We’ll be back soon, love! He and I are gonna go out on a little, um… Go out on a trip! Yeah, a short trip is all! See ya’!” He rushes over to kiss you on your forehead before leaving shortly after. His smile, his kiss, the small wave of his little hand…

Those innocent little things…

You didn’t know what would happen soon.

But archons, if only you had known.

The door slams behind the two of them, loudly. Paimon yawns a little bit from beside you, which causes you to chuckle. “Are you ready for bed, Paimon?” She nods quickly before stretching out her arms, and you offer her to stay in the guest room. You guide her there and pat her on the head before tucking her in, wishing her sweet dreams. 

…Then you were all alone.

You decided that it’d be best to stay up and wait for Jay and Aether to come home… After all, Jay has a bad tendency to forget his keys behind, and archons forbid that they get locked out.

And so, to kill the time, you wandered around your cozy little home and reminisced about the past. That day you met Aether and Paimon for the first time… That memory still shined like gold. After all, it was that day that changed your life forever.

You had spent countless days and nights back then thinking about the duo and their fantastical adventures. All the wonderful things they had done, all the spectacular things they continue to do- in all honesty, you were a little jealous. You wish you could’ve seen it all firsthand.

You wished so badly that you could be by Aether’s side. Fighting bad guys, meeting archons, experiencing the beauty of other lands... You wish…

Deep down, you wished that you were with him instead of Jay.

It was a brutal wish, but it was your reality all the same.

You loved Jay with all your heart- truly, you did, but there was still a large spot in your heart that Aether had unknowingly carved his name into. The etches of his name ached from within every time you looked into his golden eyes.

But you knew deep down that Aether could never love someone like you.

Why would he? 

You’re… You’re just some random person he met at the beginning of his journey. You don’t have power, you don’t possess a vision- you’re a nobody.

You’re nothing more… Than a blurry figure standing in the distant background.

Your heart was aching. As you reflected on your dire mess of emotions, you sat down at the dining room table and snatched the Cecilias from their vases, lifting them to your nose. They smelled so sweet, so perfect in every aspect. So with your hands, you got to work at making a flower crown.

Countless more memories flooded your mind as you crafted Aether’s newest gift. There was one night that stuck out particularly in your mind… It feels like so much time has passed since then. It had been storming terribly when you received a knock on your front door.

“Please, open up! Help!”

A tiny shrill voice rang out from beyond the door, and you rushed to open it. “Please, Aether needs your help! He’s been hurt!” Those words alone had nearly sent you into a heart attack. You remember rushing to grab a first-aid kit before dashing outside, hurrying to Aether’s side, not caring about the cold autumn rain. He wasn’t too far away from where you lived, as you stayed on the outskirts of Mondstadt.

You remember the way he was curled up in a ball with blood pooling beneath him. You had screamed out his name and rushed to his side, desperately patching up his gaping wounds.

“Please, keep your eyes open! Whatever you do, ahh… Don’t go into the light!”

You recalled the way your hands trembled so badly as you worriedly wrapped tight bandages around him. You held him close to you, keeping him warm, shielding him from the harsh elements of the outside world. He was heavy and hard to hold, but with a little bit of Paimon’s help, the two of you carried him back to your home.

That night, you stayed put beside his bed without daring to leave him for even a second. You remembered the way the candle lit his face- remembered the gentle rising and falling of his chest. He looked so hurt, yet oddly at peace. You had reached your hand out and brushed a strand of hair behind his ear… And he smiled in his sleep.

You treasure that memory to this very day.

As you finished recalling your memories, you found yourself finishing up the flower crown as well. Just like the first one you made for him, it was perfect, and you admired its unapologetic beauty. All you could now was hope that Aether would like it too.

So you set it aside on the table and prayed that he’d find it when the two got back home. You arose from your chair, stretching your arms and legs, then strolled off into your bedroom. While you had originally planned to stay awake, you decided you were far too tired for all of that. If they really needed to get in, you were sure they’d find a way.

…And in the distance far beyond your house, the two men were still walking up the steep cliff, nearing the very top. Jay was leading in the front with Aether trailing close behind.

“Hahhh… Whew, I’m so exhausted… I’m g-glad we’re almost there!” Jay wiped thick sweat off his brow as he continued to trek upwards. “I can’t believe you haven’t broken a single sweat! B-but then again, I’m sure this is like a walk in the park for you, right? Haha!” Jay looked over his shoulder and laughed happily, joking around. Aether fakely chuckled in return.

“Yeah, this is nothing compared to climbing Liyue’s mountains.” Soon after those words were spoken, they finally made it to the peak of Starsnatch cliff. It truly was a simple yet gorgeous place.

The stars were sparkling especially bright.

A soft string of clouds were drifting through the sky with glowing outlines, accompanied by the shimmering full moon. Jay and Aether stood side by side as they admired the untouchable beauty up above.

Together, they shared a long moment of silence.

On the way up here, he had planned out his next course of action. He thought he could intimidate Jay- isolate him, threaten him, tell him to stay far away from you. If he needed to, he would resort to using just a little bit of physical force.

But for a moment, Aether began to hesitate.

At least he did until Jay made the mistake of opening his mouth once more.

“Do you think, um… Do you think I should propose to them here? This is their favorite place, after all!” The naive man turned to the side and stared down at Aether, pure innocence swimming in his eyes. Aether didn’t respond.

But Jay kept going.

“Actually, this is also where I first confessed my love to them…” His voice was growing delicate, but Aether’s bitterness was only intensifying. “A-and we had our first kiss here, too! They were so happy that night, haha…” Jay continued to ramble on and on, blissfully unaware of the darkness brewing right beside him. Perhaps if he had been paying attention, he would’ve seen the way Aether’s hands trembled.

“W-well, actually… It was here that the two of us, um, well…”

Aether’s eyes slowly widened, and Jay laughed. “The two of us almost uh, you know, did the deed here too- but they were so shy that we just couldn’t go through with it, haha!” 

…

“B-but they said we could once we got married! Maybe that’s why I’m so eager to get engaged, right? Hahaha!” He admitted these thoughts joyously while nudging Aether lightly with his elbow. Jay figured this is merely regular guy talk- just the typical things men share and laugh about.

But Aether wasn’t smiling anymore.

He had long since given up on playing along.

The dead serious look on Aether’s face sent chills up and down Jay’s spine. “Umm… Did… Did I say something wrong? Was that too much information?” Jay simply kept rambling on and on, digging himself deeper into a terrifying hole.

There was nothing in this world he could say now that would take Aether out of his current psychotic, hateful, jealous trance.

Aether just wants one good thing from this fucking earth. Just one. 

All Teyvat ever does is take, take, take.

This world has taken away his precious sister, his powers, his freedom, and now you.

He can’t let it happen– he can’t let this fucked up world take you from him too. He refuses to sit around as another man ruins you with his filthy hands.

His golden eyes stir with rage and go dark. 

All he sees is red.

Dark, crimson red.

“H-huh..? What are you doing!?” Jay yells out in shock as Aether shoots his elbow into his stomach, sending the man tumbling backwards on the incline. He rolls and he rolls until eventually coming into impact with a sharp rock. The back of his head roughly collides with one of its rough edges.

Aether then slowly strides over to his hyperventilating body, standing tall.

The moon illuminates the backside of him, covering his unsettling blank face with shadows.

“So…” Aether reached down and grabbed the man by his arm.

“You think you can just…” He meticulously twisted it in all the wrong directions, pushing and pulling until he could hear the sickening sounds of bones cracking. 

“...Walk into their life and take them from me?” 

The screams of an innocent man savagely pierce through the air.

“W-What? What do you mean!? Please, stop, you’re hurting me..!” Jay cries out even more– but the noises that should be horrifying have started to sound like music to Aether’s ears.

A sadistic, animalistic smirk crawls onto his face as he rearranges the man's bone structure.

Jay continues to relentlessly cry and beg for help, but the cruel world of Teyvat only responds with silence…

This is the taste of sweet, sweet revenge.

Aether won’t let this sick and twisted place run all over him this time.

Not this time.

“(Y/n),” Aether growls. “They belong to me.”  As he utters those words, he snatches the man’s legs and slowly breaks each one in two. What follows is yet another string of pleas, cries, and shrieks. It makes Aether smile.

He breaks out into a dangerous fit of laughter.

The human body is so fragile when compared to the strength of gods, he thinks…

To him, tearing this disgusting man apart is as easy as ripping paper.

But that doesn’t mean Jay will stop fighting.

When Aether’s hands move off his body a moment in time, Jay rolls out from underneath him and slides down the hill. Rolling, rolling, rolling… Until his body collided into a tree with a loud bang. He was coughing so pitifully, his lungs struggling to capture even a single gasp of air.

He needed to escape. He needed to run- or else…

Or else Aether would do his worst.

“P-please, don’t do this! Please!” Jay scrambled to get onto his feet, but he inevitably fell down once more with a cry of pure agony. His bones were in no shape or form to support his own weight. They were obliterated- shattered into hundreds of little pieces. Tears streamed down from his blue eyes.

This can’t be the end…

It… Can’t be…

As Aether stands over top of Jay’s body, his shadow envelops the entirety of his trembling form. There’s no sympathy in his golden eyes- only malice. Only hatred.

Only white hot jealousy.

From behind his back, Aether unsheathes a silver sword, and the moonlight reflects off of its perfect silver edge. From within the blade, Jay can see his own terrified image. It was haunting.

“You… You can’t… You can’t do this!” Jay tries once more to beg for his life, grimly knowing that words are the only things he has left. “(Y/n)... They’ll… They’ll be upset! Please, (Y/n)--”

Aether kicks the squirming man in the face, shattering his teeth.

“You keep their name out of your filthy mouth.”

And then…

He lowers his blade into him.

Over and over, hundreds of times- He ruthlessly slices the innocent man into pieces. He screams one word, and one word alone, over and over: die. 

Die, die, die.

Aether dissociates as the pure jealousy and rage flood his veins, dictating his every move. It's as if his vision goes black.

Hot blood seeps into the lush grass below, staining it a scarlet red.

Aether doesn’t relent until long after Jay’s strained cries and gurgling transform into an eerie silence. He doesn’t stop until both his face and body are beyond recognition. Destroyed by Aether’s hands…

Turning him into nothing more than a mangled corpse the world will one day forget about.

Aether’s bitterness with Teyvat, his hatred for being betrayed at every turn, his loathing over being constantly used with hardly anyone ever stopping to ask how he feels- he’s taken it all out on a man he just met.

And now… He’s left with nothing more than the company of silent winds.

Aether stares blankly at the corpse beside his feet, not yet registering the gravity of his actions. His breathing grows heavy and unstable, his body trembling all over. The drawn out tranquil silence serves to slowly bring him back down to earth, and the brutal reality of his situation strikes him like a powerful bolt of lightning.

Aether’s heart stops as he realizes what he’s done.

He’s committed an unspeakable act of sin. 

Archons... There’s blood all over his hands, all over his clothes, all over his skin... The sword in his right hand falls to the ground with an audible thud, the blade still glimmering under the light of the moon. He, just like Jay, catches a glimpse of his reflection in it. Except he doesn’t see it on a backdrop of radiant silver- he sees it in the puddle of a sinister red.

Aether begins to panic as he runs his hands through his hair, unaware of how he was painting his blonde hair crimson. “No, no, no no no…” He hyperventilates and paces back and forth, his pupils violently dilating and shaking. “I didn’t mean to do that, I didn’t mean to.”

He reaches his hands out towards Jay’s body and touches his neck, searching for a pulse he knows isn’t there.

And who would’ve guessed… There is none.

Guilty tears pour out of Aether’s eyes as he tries to come to terms with the crime he’s just committed.

He’s not supposed to be the bad guy… He’s supposed to be the hero of Mondstadt. The shining beacon of hope in the land of Teyvat. Your words from days long gone creep up on him, haunting him.

“And… Please, help Teyvat… I think this world truly needs someone special like you. A hero of light to vanquish the darkness!” 

A hero that vanquishes the darkness, that’s what you told him to be, but… After everything he’s gone through, after everything he’s seen and done…

He has instead become part of this world’s darkness.

He didn’t want this- he didn’t want to become a murderer.

All he wanted was you.

Was that so much to ask for?

With only celestia as his witness, Aether carefully lifts up Jay’s mangled body and drops it off the edge of Starsnatch cliff, sending him far away into the depths of the freezing ocean. His final resting ground is forever below your favorite place.

The last person to ever see Jay… Was him… 

And Jay’s final words will forever be your name.

Aether is sickened by himself.

On his journey back to your home, his mind vainly attempts to make excuses for his unspeakable actions. 

“I’ve saved so many people from death, surely taking one life for selfish reasons doesn’t make me a bad person, right? I can be selfish sometimes… I’ve given all of myself to this world… I only wanted this one thing. This one, singular person…”

Aether is careful to avoid any potential witnesses, sneaking away and hiding within the thick shadows of buildings. Nobody catches him as he makes his way to your front door- but as he attempts to open it, he realizes it’s locked.

Jay had the key.

And now that key is buried deep within the sea…

He groans and sighs out of pure misery, frustrated by yet another trial in this already long and tiresome day. He’s almost tempted to tear down the door, but he knows that’ll cause a scene. All he can do is step over to the side and quietly pry open one of your windows, this scene akin to a predator invading their prey’s den.

Aether is completely silent as he closes the window behind himself and locks it tight, preventing anyone from getting in- or perhaps anyone from getting out. By this time, he figures that Paimon must already be asleep. As for you, he's not so sure.

He saunters down the hall and past the dining room table. Despite everything being hard to see, he clearly spots one thing from the corner of his eye: a flower crown.

His heart aches as he further realizes what all he’s done to you tonight.

He stole someone precious from you… He very selfishly destroyed a future where someone would love and cherish you each and every day- someone that wasn't him- simply because he couldn’t stand the thought of it. 

His stomach churns at the sight.

His hands reach out towards the crown and the tips of his bloody fingers grace the ivory petals, painting them red too. The scent of the flower graces his nose and it calms all of his nerves… They remind him of you. He… He wants to see you.

He needs to see you.

Without thinking any further, he places the crown back down on the table and draws himself towards your bedroom.

He doesn’t bother to knock and check if you’re awake. He turns the handle and slowly pushes the door open, the creaking of wood echoing quietly throughout the bedroom. It’s almost completely dark, save for a single ray of moonlight beaming in from your half-covered window. 

Aether’s gaze softens as his tired eyes rest upon your body. You’re sleeping so peacefully- your chest gently rising and falling without a single care in the world. A dark, deep sense of guilt continues to savagely consume his heart, but he knows it’s already too late. His grave sin has already been committed- there’s no such thing as turning back time. 

There’s no such thing as escaping one’s fate.

So… Should he even bother regretting his decisions now?

He’s careful not to wake you as he locks your window tight. With the power of dendro, he summons vines to hold it down tightly. Then he uses the power of geo to completely block off your bedroom door.

And now…

You’re trapped in here with him.

You twist and turn a little in your sleep, but you don’t wake up quite yet. You murmur little things, but they’re all incoherent. Aether smiles lightly as he sits on the edge of your bed, staring at you, admiring your every feature. He wishes you could both stay like this forever.

As he stirs a little bit, your sleeping self can sense him- and at that, you finally open your eyes.

Everything is so dark and blurry… You can hardly make out a thing.

At the edge of your bed is a figure shrouded by shadows, his back facing you. You groan and rub your eyes in an attempt to regain your vision. “Hnn..?” You hum.

“Jay, is that you..?”

He doesn’t answer.

“...Jay?”

You sit up a little in your bed, your eyes catching a glimpse of gold. Your heart skips a beat. 

“No,” he says.

“I'm... Not Jay.” 

The man shifts in your bed, his movements agonizingly slow.

His face reveals itself in the pale moonlight.

It’s Aether, drenched in blood.

Your eyes widen. 

“A-Aethe-..!” You gasp and try to scream, but he slams a strong hand against your mouth, effectively silencing your cries. “N-no no no, shhhh…” Aether leans his face in closer to yours, leaving only a three inch gap. “Don’t scream,” he pleads.

“You wouldn’t want to wake up Paimon, would you..?”

You’re utterly confused and terrified at his sudden change in nature. Why is he soaked in blood? Why is he alone- where’s Jay? You become so occupied by your frantic thoughts that you fail to notice vines creeping up from underneath your bed, snaking around your wrists and ankles.

Aether’s lone earring glows a radiant pale green, and so do the little gems on his clothes.

The man you once gushed over now appears before you as nothing more than a selfish monster.

But despite it all…

You still thought he looked beautiful.

You struggle and cry against your restraints, the vines digging into your sensitive skin. Aether can’t help himself as he leans down and kisses away your warm tears. “Shh, don’t cry either… I hate to see you cry.” His heart beats out of control as he slowly gives in to his carnal desires.

His lips kiss your forehead, then your cheek, and then he finally lands on your sacred lips.

They were just as soft as he imagined… A perfect match for his own.

It feels so wrong, but it also feels so right. You’re still so worried and terrified about Jay… But the warm, sensual touches Aether feeds you make your mind go hazy. Your better judgment starts to escape through the back door.

Without thinking, you moan so sweetly…

And Aether feels himself getting hard.

Fuck…

“Please keep making that noise,” Aether moans onto the surface of your skin. He’s so incredibly eager as he bites and licks at your bottom lip, begging you for permission. He wants to taste you so badly. 

“N-no, don’t…” You mumble slowly before opening your mouth for him. Your body acts all on its own.

You’ve wanted him for so long that it physically hurts… But you also had already promised Jay your heart. 

You can’t help but wonder why this is all happening.

Is this some kind of sick and twisted fever dream, or is it something far worse: your reality?

Aether’s tongue explores your mouth with reckless abandon. Soon your own tongue matches his pace, and it becomes a heated dance fueled by deeply repressed passions. You arch your back and firmly press your chest against Aether’s, longing to feel his body against your own. A sickening guilt washes over you as you realize what you’re doing, but there’s just something about Aether that makes you lose control.

All of those fantasies from many moons ago have finally seeped into reality…

But at what cost?

As Aether reluctantly removes his mouth from yours, a trail of saliva connects the two of you. He uses his hands to wipe the spit away, but in doing so, he smears Jay’s blood on his chin. Your breath hitches.

“A-Aether,” your voice trembles. “What did you do to Jay?”

There’s a long moment of silence.

“Please tell me!”

Aether can’t bring himself to look you in the eyes.

“...Please, don’t think about him anymore,” is all he can say.

Those words send you into shock- paralyzing your entire body.

In that moment, Aether finally breaks away the last invisible chains that hold him back. His face dives into the crevices of your neck and hungrily begins to mark you as his property. His sharp teeth sink into your sensitive skin, and each bite is promptly followed by a series of licks and kisses. You squirm and desperately try to fight back at first, your mind screaming Jay’s name over and over again in protest.

But Aether’s unrelenting love and desperation for you are too hard to keep resisting. 

Gods, you just wished Aether had come to you sooner.

No part of tonight ever needed to happen. Jay didn’t have to die. Aether could’ve had you, had he just approached you and asked for your love. You would’ve taken him by the hand and journeyed with him all across the world, had he just asked once. But now… Now you were nothing more than a hot trembling mess, melting beneath the touch of a guilty murderer.

“...I love you,” Aether confesses at last.

“I love you so much it hurts.”

He reaches down and swiftly removes his dirty gloves, tossing them aside, eager to finally touch your precious skin with his bare hands. “I’ve wanted you so badly for so long, but I… I didn’t know how to say it… I…” Aether’s voice grows sugary and soft as his fingertips lightly trace your skin. He reaches down and plays with the edge of your satin pajama shirt before slowly ripping it by the seams.

You hang onto the edge of every word he speaks. “I can’t stand the thought of you being with another man.” He grits his teeth and throws the remnants of your shirt behind, exposing the top half of you.

“Only… Only I can have you!”

His trembling hands reach down towards your chest, roughly massaging it, eager to toy with your sensitive nipples.

It’s so intoxicating, hearing the traveler profess his unhealthy obsession with you. A lowly groan escapes your throat as his fingers work their magic on you.

“Say it…” Aether leans down, huskily whispering in your ear. “S-say that you love me, too… And only me. Please…” His breathing grows unsteady as his hands continue to work on you, eager to lure out the naughtiest of sounds. It’s so hard to focus on his words when pleasure blurs the lines between what’s right and wrong.

But you’ve also harbored the truth of your feelings all along…

Aether’s name truly was carved into the core of your beating heart, and now it was aching to be acknowledged.

“I,” you gulp slowly. “I love you, Aether…” You gulp.

"I- I love you, and only you."

And with those words, everything gets pushed into motion.

Those few powerful words serve to burn away everything Jay had ever done for you, but they also serve to ignite an unbridled fire from within Aether’s chest.

On some other day, Aether wants to take things slow with you. When he gets his mind cleared up and his sanity back intact, he dreams of showing you very thoroughly just how much he loves you.

But not tonight.

Right now, he just wants to fuck you into the bed until his body physically collapses.

He badly aches to monopolize you and claim you as his property.

You were his and only his. He yearns for you to never forget him- just like how he never forgot about you.

The vines around your body shift in their positions and spread you wide open, leaving you even more vulnerable. Aether’s starving eyes devour your body, admiring both your flaws and perfections. The only thing left to remove were your pants.

“...My angel,” he cood, his hands lingering above the hem of your pajamas. “I’m going to take these off now, so… Don’t struggle, okay?” You reluctantly swallowed down any remaining guilt you had, nodding very slowly.

Then with that, he carefully unwrapped the vines around your ankles and waited to see if you would attack him– but you never did. Your legs remained dormant on the bed as you waited for him to fully undress you, and this fact alone filled Aether with a twisted sense of comfort and relief. 

You truly did love him… Your earlier words weren’t hollow.

His heart started to beat out of control.

In some ways, he wasn’t the only monster in this room.

Jay was now a victim to the both of you.

His hands pinched the edges of your silk fabric and slid them down, moving at a tantalizing slow pace. Aether was practically drooling as more and more of your beautiful body became uncovered, teasing him, begging to be kissed and touched. When he finally removed the last piece of your clothing, he froze up in awe.

Your body… It’s just as ravishing as he imagined.

He’d worship you like a god, if you’d let him.

“Hey,” you nervously shifted your hips a little. “Aren’t you going to take your clothes off, too?”

His eyes widened at your words, cheeks flushing red. He was so consumed with your body that he completely forgot about his own. “O-oh, right,” he hummed shyly. He hardly knew where to begin- should he take his shirt off first, or his pants? The idea of undressing right in front of you made him feel hot all over.

If your hands hadn’t been tied up by the vines, he would’ve asked you to undress him- but a part of him didn’t want to risk you potentially trying to escape. He knew it was unlikely at this moment, but the paranoia in the back of his mind remained stubborn all the same. He lifted himself off the bed and turned his back towards you.

Aether settled on removing his shirt first, then his shoes and the rest. It was mesmerizing- watching him get undressed from behind. His body was incredible… His toned arms and legs, his smooth gorgeous stomach, the bruises and scars that marked him all over…

“Archons,” you whisper. “You’re prettier than the stars.”

Those passionate, loving words drive him crazy. And when he turns around, you audibly gasp.

He… He’s…

Drool slips past your parted lips at the sight in front of you.

Seeing your strong reaction to his body makes Aether grow wild. 

He practically jumps onto the bed as he kisses your lips once again, mashing them harshly together. His cock is fully hard and dripping with precum, absolutely aching to ravage your body. He wants to feel you squeeze around his length.

Aether positions himself right at your entrance, ready to let himself lose control at any second. But he asks you one more question:

“Are you ready?”

Your mind races… No, yes, no…

“...Yes.”

Those words are the last thing he needs before he finally takes what he's always dreamed of having. He knows full-well that you both need to keep quiet, so he hushes you both with another heated kiss. Aether grabs the underside of your legs and raises them upwards, sandwiching you between himself and the bed. His pace is slow and passionate at first, giving you time to adjust to his size, but it doesn’t last for long. 

He thrusts into you as hard and fast as he possibly can, rutting into you like an animal in heat. You want to reach out your hands and wrap your arms around his neck so badly, but the vines around your wrists still restrain you. The bed shakes and creaks from beneath you both, nearly banging against the wall. 

You truly can’t escape him now.

He looked absolutely feral as he fucked your angelic body.

Sweat began to dribble down his pale skin, strands of blonde hair falling over his perfect face- sticking loosely to it. His teeth bit down on his bottom lip harsh enough to draw blood.

Your body perfectly stretches and fits around his size… A match made in heaven.

Aether can’t help but think: “this is better than anything I've ever imagined.”

You’ve also never heard him be so vocal, the way he quietly moans your name over and over again like a mantra. His rough hands desperately claw at your flush skin, fearing that you’ll run away or disappear if he stops touching you for even a second.

He slows down then speeds up again, changing things up in little ways. For one moment, he pulls all the way out, then slams his entire length back into you again.

It drives you insane.

An unfamiliar feeling begins to arise in your stomach- hot, twisting, overwhelming. It’s like an explosion just waiting to go off– you grow more and more sensitive to Aether’s every touch.

“A-Aether,” your voice weakly escapes your throat. “I- I’m close.”

The sound of his skin slapping against your own drives the both of you insane.

“Oh, fuck...” He moaned hotly. “Please, do this one thing for me…” His thrusting grows more erratic by the second, and you look up at him with loving eyes– waiting for him to continue speaking.

“Please, beg me to cum inside of you… Just this once.” Aether bites his tongue as he suppresses a whine, careful to not be too loud. His cock twitches and stirs inside of you as you squeeze around him a little more.

“Aether…” You leaned forward and kissed him on his cheek. “Please, inside me...”

“Cum inside of me.”

Those words are like drugs being injected directly into his veins.

His hands shift and frantically begin to touch your most sensitive areas, finally pushing you over the edge.

Those sweet, intimate words grace his ears and he comes undone right then and there, filling you up entirely. 

Aether throws his head back and uses one hand to cover up his mouth, muffling his passionate mewling. He twitches beneath your touch as he presses his hips firmly into yours. He didn’t want to part from you for even a second.

It’s all so good- truly like that of a twisted dream.

As his high slowly fades away, he falls over and collapses on top of you, breathing heavily. His hands reach up, he pets your hair, then he cages you with his arms and legs. “Promise me…” He tenderly kisses your cheek. “Promise me that you’ll be mine.” The vines around your wrists come undone.

Aether’s voice cracks as he looks up at you with puppy eyes, pleading with you, begging you to give him what he wants. “I can’t stay here in Mondstadt but… You’ll wait for me, won’t you?”

“Would you wait for me until the end of time..?”

For a moment, your heart stops.

Those are truly heavy words– such a deep, intimate promise.

It’s hard to tell him yes after everything he’s done. Aether killed the man who loved you dearly… Killed the man who’s stayed by your side for countless months on end. Aether tore your defenses to shreds and took advantage of the fact that, deep down, you love him so much it hurts.

He kisses you more, anxiously waiting for you to hand over your heart, body, and soul to him.

And in the end… You give in to him once more.

“Y-yes, Aether. I will…” a single tear escapes your eye.

“...I will wait for you, forever, even beyond death…”

And it’s those final words that seal your eternal fate.

[boobav]

Seaside Blue

Neuvillette x Reader

content: pure fluff, I honestly wanna write so much more for him but I'm gonna wait for the archon quests to continue...

word count: 1.3k

also on my ao3!

A canvas of purple and pink paints the sky as the sun gradually falls beneath the sea, leaving you and the land to settle into cool darkness. The sea reflects that range of colour whilst also maintaining that pure blue that the nation of Hydro commonly emitted, and clouds were splattered up above in picturesque perfection. Besides the lapping of waves and peaceful chirp of birds, there was silence all around. 

Teyvat's evenings were consistently beautiful. The colours of the bright sky varied from nation to nation, but always, they were stunning.   

You shift to get comfortable, leaning back on your palms whilst sat on a hill by the Fontaine waters. There was a light drizzle falling, enhancing the overall melancholy that joined you this evening. It wasn't an uncommon emotion, not for you nor anyone else, but it was certainly enhanced by quiet, lonely days that ended like this. It's strange how you tend to end up sad when surrounded by such magnificent nature. It made you wonder- were melancholy and content really such juxtaposing emotions? In times like these, they seemed to fuse, just like the colours in the sky came together to form a blue darkness.  

You sighed, and laid back in the grass.   

Lumine and Paimon were waiting, you knew. They were waiting for you at a hotel in Fontaine, deciding to splurge a bit instead of spending the night camping as you three usually did. You'd been in Fontaine for about two months, and not much progress had been made in regard to talking with Furina... You weren't surprised, not after seeing her personality on show during all these trials, but it was frustrating nonetheless. It felt like this journey was simply your group running in circles, witnessing history that you never intended to be a part of, over and over in an endless cycle. You could sense the frustration building in Lumine too, despite the pure kindness she housed within her heart. In the end, all you could do was keep moving forward. Such a thought should be comforting... But the prospect of doing this forever was not very appealing. Camping endlessly, never settling down, getting involved in root-deep schemes from the Fatui... It was certainly not an easy life. 

Footsteps from behind make your ears perk up. Treasure hoarders? Fatui? Every possible threat passes your mind as you pull yourself to your feet, eyes narrowed, sword in hand- but no, instead of danger, a few meters from you stands the Iudex of Fontaine, the Chief Justice himself.   

"Monsieur Neuvillette?" Your voice comes out meek, but pleased; he stops in his tracks, and there's a moment of silence as he finds the right words to say.  

"I'm sorry for approaching unannounced." He clears his throat. "May I sit with you?"  

"Oh, sure, no need to apologise..." You chuck your weapon back to the ground and return to the floor, patting the spot next to you. He appears hesitant for a moment, as if he hadn't expected you to say yes, but soon strides over. "Any court cases today? I didn't have time to read the Steambird."  

"Only one, but I had a great amount of work to get through, so that's for the better." A soft sound leaves him as he settles on the ground, looking rather out of place in his fancy court garb. His hair is so long it settles partially on the grass, and you wonder, does he have to brush it himself in the morning? Does he have some kind of assistant to help with his daily life? The thought causes a rogue pang of jealousy in your heart. "What did you do today? If you don't mind me asking." His words pull you back to reality.  

"Well..." You start, glancing away from his curious gaze, "I joined Lumine and Paimon for some adventuring. Didn't find much besides confirmation that this nation has stunning scenery, but still, I think Liyue can't be beat in that category." You lean back once more and stare out at the sky as its colours drain to a dark blue; the waves continue to lap in your ears as the trees darken against the skyline, shadows of their former bright selves. You want to say something more, something deeper that'll bring the two of you closer- but you don't.  

You never do, and neither does he.   

"I'm glad you're enjoying yourself. The nation has certainly gotten livelier since you three arrived." His voice is composed and has a tinge of coldness as usual; you can almost feel it in the air- the heaviness of words left unsaid. You hum in agreement, and turn to see his eyes have yet to leave you. Neuvillette sits stiffly as if he has no clue what to do in this casual setting, too used to standing and sitting straight as a board. It's amusing, really.  

"Are you comfortable in that suit?" You ask, because clearly, he wasn't. You reach over to the button on his ornate waistcoat and pop it open- the choking noise he stifles is not lost on you. "Take your coat off, it's warm anyway."   

Your glance meets his, faces much too close as he shrugs his jacket off. It never ceases to amaze you how absolutely ethereal his eyes are; they're every shade of blue in one, finer than the sky and deeper than the ocean. The words spill softly from your lips, barely louder than a breath, "Your eyes are beautiful." And he looks away abashedly, like he doesn't know how to react to a compliment.   

For a while, the two of you sit together in deep silence, too distracted to focus on neither the sea nor each other. Despite knowing his hard exterior is easier to crack than porcelain, you still find it difficult to find the right words. Though, Neuvillette doesn't seem to mind. He browses the scenery he's viewed a thousand times before with curiosity and awe, his lips unmoving as if words would simply get in the way. He has made his intentions clear by simply coming to see you all these evenings, in his mind. You find that soon, a dull sleepiness washes over your eyes, inviting them to close; you end up leaning your head against his shoulder without even realising it. He tenses, for a brief moment, before all stress leaves his body in a gentle exhale.   

"What do you think love is?" He asks, seemingly out of the blue, and your eyes re-open with effort. You look up, and smile at the curious expression your companion has. Curious, but not unhappy with his lack of understanding.   

"I think..." you start, "I think love is when you really feel alive. You feel emotions deeper than before, without even understanding why. Colours appear richer than before, trees look somehow more real against the sky." Neuvillette's hand hovers over the small of your back, hesitant, before wrapping around your waist. You carefully move his silky hair out of the way, and press up close to him. "Love is just viewing life in a new lens. Those amazing sights were there before... But sometimes you need help to notice them, I suppose."   

His gaze is soft now, not as piercing as usual. He brushes a stray strand of hair from your face, then looks away, back towards the sea.   

"It's an emotion that has eluded me up until recent history." He says, "Not to say I have never felt love. But listening to you explain it is like listening to poetry. Humans have a way of making even the most mundane things sound wonderfully exciting." His cerulean eyes come back to you, and a small, distant smile is present on his lips.   

"I think you're giving us too much credit." You say, but really, he was right. Maybe because only one lifetime is guaranteed, humans tend to find ways to make that short while an adventure, no matter how mundane it truly is.   

"Perhaps." His hand comes to cup your face, and you lean into it. "If it's not too much to ask, would you continue helping me learn what love is?"   

And with a soft, tired smile, you nod. You kiss his palm and feel human love at its highest peak. 

...You weren't quite sure when the rain had stopped.

[sangoziethesimp]

Bruh imagine if the reader in the abyss lumine x devoted reader suddenly stops "liking" her, like they snap, and turn against her. Cold and blunt.

That would be good actually... Anyways, I made it :)

Elegy of a Fallen Star | ABYSS LUMINE x FEM! READER

Once, warmth by fire's glow, Hope in eyes of distant snow. Now, blades clash in frozen night, Love turned cold, a shattered light.

The endless chasm mocked you with its echoing silence. The once familiar clang of your blade against Lumine's now grated on your nerves, a constant reminder of the naive fool you used to be. Each parry, each dodge, was a dance you'd choreographed in your head a thousand times – fighting alongside her, not against.

The memory, vivid and cruel, flickered in your mind: a shared tent, her warmth against yours under a sky ablaze with stars. You squeezed your eyes shut, the phantom sensation a punch to the gut. Back then, you'd devoured every word that spilled from her lips, tales of distant lands weaving a tapestry of hope in your heart. Now, those same lips were stained with the abyss's ichor, their sweetness replaced by a bitter emptiness.

"Why?" she rasped, her voice cracking. "After everything, after all those nights by the fire, why are you doing this?"

The question, laced with a vulnerability that would have shattered your resolve weeks ago, now only fueled your fury. "Because heroes don't fall prey to shiny promises," you snarled, each word laced with venom. "They fight for what's right, even if it means fighting those they once held dear."

There it was, the raw truth that gnawed at your insides. You weren't fighting a twisted goddess – you were fighting a ghost, a twisted reflection of the Lumine you thought you knew. Every deflected blow felt like a betrayal, a painful severing of the connection you'd nurtured for so long.

Her golden hair, once a beacon of hope, now seemed to drip with the abyss's corruption. Her eyes, that had once held the promise of a new adventure, now mirrored the cold, emotionless stare of the abyss itself.

"Don't you see?" she pleaded, desperation creeping into her voice. "This world is rotten to the core. The Abyss offers a chance to rebuild, to make things better."

You scoffed, a harsh, humorless sound. "Rebuild? On a foundation of ashes and blood? What have you become, Lumine? The very destroyer you swore to fight?"

The fight continued, a macabre ballet fueled by shattered dreams and misplaced trust. Tears, hot and angry, stung your eyes. You fought not just for Teyvat, not just for the countless lives she'd threatened, but for the naive fool who'd believed in her, who'd seen a light in the abyss that never truly existed.

This wasn't a battle for redemption or a fight for a brighter future. This was a desperate attempt to bury the ghost of your past, to exorcise the Lumine who haunted your thoughts. In the frozen wasteland of your shattered trust, only one of you could walk away. And as the icy breath of the abyss swirled around you, you knew with a chilling certainty – the price of that victory would be a lifetime of heartache.

[bahbzxxx]

✧Ven Ven x Reader relationship hcs I have that I don't think have been mentioned yet✧

☆ミ☆彡☆ミ☆彡☆ミ☆彡☆ミ☆彡☆ミ☆彡☆ミ

✧Narrating each other's every move as if it's a nature documentary~

You eagerly plop yourself right in front of your partner, Kamera ready and in hand. You prepare your narrator voice.

"The secret bird man in his natural habitat, travel weary, spots his pray. It's an apple, sitting idly in a tree. Little does it know that it faces grave danger."

"Windblume..."

"The bird man prepares his plan of attack-he will fly and get it like the big bird he is." You prompt him from behind the scenes. He rolls his eyes, and then slowly spreads his wings as you keep yourself from laughing. He's gonna pay you back for this silliness, he will make sure of that.

"Now look at that. A most beautiful specimen indeed. But does that mean he will succeed in the capture of his prey?"

You point to the tree and mouth and smile at your partner from behind, looking at the apple and nodding in the direction. The bard decides that he will follow his cues-for now. He retrieves the apple, and takes a dramatically large bite.

"ah. Rest in piece apple. You shall be missed, but your place on the food chain...was never that high."

The star actor suddenly tosses the apple away, and then looks at you. He gets to the ground, and prowls slowly towards you.

"Oh... This is strange. Has he found more prey? What has he...oh..."

He's very close to the Kamera.

"Maybe..." He says villainously. "Maybe that apple wasn't the lowest thing on the food chain, windblume...

He pounces on you and pins you down with endless kisses and snuggles before you can even react.

How could you not know this was coming?

Other HCS!!!

✧Lots of naps together, obviously. But you have to have matching eyemasks~ how else will people know that you're off limits?

✧Occasional turf wars with Marvin and Marla. They ended after the first one because you realized that Stormterrors lair is much better for the two of you.

✧ treating the thousand winds temple as if it's your personal ballroom. When that one ruin guard comes, Venti can basically one-shot it at this point. Then, the two of you waltz as if nobody's watching for hours on end.

✧Using anemo slimes as toys/pets- sometimes, gently bopping an anemo slime back and forth is low-key fun, especially if both of you are extremely lazy and drained and aren't in the mood for anything else. Sometimes, the two of you hold weddings for anemo slimes because of the one time you were cooing over how cute two anemo slimes looked together and the archon has never forgotten how cute that was.

✧Breaking into the cathedral to tune all the unused instruments and play the giant organ-youve never gotten caught

✧lots of travel- not that you're rich, but actual adventuring where you experience all teyvat has to offer with him. The two of you also enjoy finding natural spas...

✧massages. He loves how ticklish you are, and you love how ticklish he is. It's just cute...especially when his wings pop out of nowhere.

✧ loves when you pick up new instruments, or if you want to sing or embrace your musicality. Let him teach you a few things, he would love to perform with you someday!!!

✧Let him tell you his stories. Just ask him, don't be shy... he's been a wallflower to many, many stories as much as an active force...so he knows what's up.

[kopivie]

The night sky unfurls above you like a vast, velvet canvas, scattered with pinpricks of light that pulse softly in the darkness. The air is cool and crisp, carrying the scent of pine and the faint whisper of the sea. You're lying side by side with Kazuha on a blanket atop a grassy hill, far from the bustling cities of Teyvat, where the world feels at peace. The gentle rustling of leaves in the wind mingles with the steady rhythm of Kazuha’s breath, grounding you in this tranquil moment.

Kazuha shifts slightly, his arm brushing against yours as he points to a cluster of stars overhead. "See that one there?" His voice is soft, almost reverent as he speaks. "That’s Tsukuyomi, the Moon God. The legends say he watches over travelers and guides them on their journeys, even when the path is uncertain."

You follow his gaze, your eyes tracing the constellation he’s pointing out. The stars twinkle like scattered diamonds, and you can almost imagine the serene face of a deity gazing back at you from the heavens.

“Does he guide you, too?” you ask, your voice barely above a whisper, not wanting to shatter the stillness of the night.

Kazuha turns his head to look at you, his eyes reflecting the starlight. There’s a warmth in his gaze that sends a shiver down your spine, not from the cold, but from the sheer intensity of the emotion it holds. “Perhaps,” he murmurs. “But I think I’ve already found my guiding star.”

His words hang in the air, their meaning sinking into your heart like a stone dropped into a still pond, sending ripples of warmth through you. You’ve known Kazuha to be a man of few words, one who lets the wind and the world speak for him. But when he does speak, his words carry a weight that’s impossible to ignore.

You turn onto your side, facing him fully, your heart pounding in your chest. The night air feels colder now, or maybe it’s just the way Kazuha is looking at you, his eyes never leaving yours. “And where does your star lead you?” you ask, your voice trembling slightly.

Kazuha’s hand finds yours, his fingers intertwining with yours in a gesture that feels as natural as breathing. “To you,” he replies simply, as if it’s the most obvious thing in the world.

For a moment, the world fades away. It’s just you and Kazuha, lying beneath a blanket of stars, the universe stretching out endlessly above you. His hand is warm in yours, and you can feel the steady beat of his heart through the small connection, grounding you in this moment.

You’ve shared many adventures with Kazuha, traversed countless landscapes, and faced numerous challenges. But this—this quiet moment of connection under the stars—feels like the most profound adventure of all.

The stars continue their slow dance across the sky, oblivious to the two souls lying beneath them. But for you and Kazuha, time seems to stand still. The future is uncertain, and the path ahead may be filled with unknowns, but here, in this moment, you know one thing for sure.

You would follow Kazuha to the ends of the earth, just as he would follow you. Together, you’ll navigate the journey, with the stars as your witnesses and your hearts as your guide.

Kazuha’s voice breaks the comfortable silence. “Do you think the stars envy us?” he asks, his tone contemplative.

“Envy?” you repeat, curious.

He nods, his gaze returning to the sky. “They watch us from afar, bound to their positions, unable to experience the world as we do. They see everything, yet they can’t touch it. I think they must envy the freedom we have.”

You smile, squeezing his hand gently. “But they have a beauty that we can only dream of,” you counter. “Perhaps they envy our freedom, but we envy their endless light.”

Kazuha hums in agreement, a small smile tugging at the corners of his lips. “Perhaps that’s true. But I wouldn’t trade this moment for all the light in the sky.”

And as you lie there, wrapped in the warmth of Kazuha’s presence, you know that neither would you.

-🍯

i know you don't interact much with genshin anymore (as far as i catch when you're on my dash, anyway) but i still thought you'd enjoy this!

take it a lil gift bc you deserve it <33

OHHH??@??@&$&÷,×?@ HELLO STRANGER IN MY INBOX???

i always marvel at the sheer talent that lies within the average tumblr anon who drops by my inbox. like this is beautiful – so beautiful that i had to stop and squeal for like three minutes because it's been SO LONG since anyone has dropped kazuha content in my asks

gaaaahhhh thank you, kind stranger. 🥹🥹💜💜💜💜

[burncdheart]

"starter" (or more like reply to a vanished ask) for @ancientforgcd

There were commissions that were quickly done, but on others even somebody like Taru hesitated. Like one of these. She looked at the sheet of paper in her hands and it was clear that the girl was lost in her thoughts. Somebody of Liyue had claimed that the abyss order stole something of important worth to them and Katheryne apparently thought that this one was the right one for her out of all adventurers. For her! Sometimes she wondered if the robot in woman-disguise knew who she dealt with, but that was a topic for another time.

The abyss order had many monsters and though Hilichurls and Mitachurls did sometimes steal things, they tended to rather pick up whatever they found on the grounds outside. They didn’t and couldn’t enter the homes of other people. She wondered if their low intelligence would even be enough in order for them to remember how to handle a door knob.

“An abyss mage then, huh?”, she soon muttered to herself as she continued to step through the large fields of Fontaine. It was the sudden voice of another person that caused her to flinch and turn around. How had she not noticed somebody else’s presence?! No matter how lost she was in her thoughts, she would have heard steps!

“Huh? What just...”, did they just say they came out of the abyss?! The ginger was flabbergasted and in all honesty, she doubted the words she heard. Not even she was just able to get in and out of the abyss whenever she wished to! What the heck happened in just a single second of her not paying attention?!

“Uhm... are you sure that you were down there? For how long?”, she asked as though she didn’t know that it was hard to tell. Not just because day and night didn’t exist in endless darkness, but also because the time down there differed from Teyvat’s, “Do you remember how you got down there? Erm… I have no experience with the abyss, but I've read one or two things about it in books.”.

Which was an obvious lie, but she had to pretend to be somewhat normal after all. People didn’t tend to react positively to those like her, especially not if they witnessed the abyss themselves.

[dragaliareferencearchive]

Endless Adventure In Teyvat: Fontaine Edition - Genshin Impact (3/3)

[genshinresource]

Endless Adventure in Teyvat: Fontaine Edition - "Ride the Waves to a Rendezvous in Fontaine" Online Art Exhibition | Lynette's Concept Art, Early Creative Drafts & Animation Design

[shoggothkisses]

The Narzissenkreuz Adventure: Initial Thoughts

I want to make sure I write these down before I forget them, so please don't consider this post an "in depth" lore rant so much as some preliminary thoughts I hope to delve into later!

SPOILERS FOR FONTAINE UNDER THE CUT

First: names. Oh my god. Friends will attest that I've been screaming in Discord for the last few weeks, "WHY IS THE FROG NAMED JAK!?," with no context. Now I finally have an answer, and I am sated (for now). While the names of the actual water constructs aren't inherently important - they even say so themselves - we can now conclude that Mary-Ann / Ann pulled the names of people who lived and worked around her at the Narzissenkreuz Institute for the characters in her children's stories. We have Jak(ob Ingold), Al(ain Guillotine), Rene, Kate (possibly Karl??) and Petit Chou (this one is a stretch, but since Chou and Basil Elton are both named after vegetation, I think that's who Chou is supposed to be.)

Also I love that they decided to make Mary-Ann a direct reference to Alice in Wonderland (Mary-Ann is the name of the housekeeper the White Rabbit mistakes Alice for; and the Narzissenkreuz Mary-Ann is a caretaker and governess for the children).

Platonism has SO much weight in Fontaine, and especially here. Ashikai made a video recently that references the Veluriyam Mirage and Plato's Allegory of the Cave, and this time around we have characters who blatantly announce that their physical forms and names have nothing to do with their essence. In their minds, their "purpose" in the story is who they are. This is highly likely to be a reference to Aristotle and Plato's believe in animism and essentialism - all things have souls and the soul is the true form of the self.

JUNGIAN ARCHETYPES!!! This made me extremely excited. The Adventure Team says that "our purposes are our essences," which feels very archetypal. Kate is not Kate, but The Battle Hardened General. Narcissus is not Narcissus, or even an Oceanid, but The Dragon. Ann is not Ann, but The Hero. The repetition of certain archetypes in every single nation we've been to has made me spin in circles the whole time I've been observing it. There have been MANY archetypes that have repeated themselves in each nation (a Dragon, a Dragon-Slayer, a Holy Bird, a Big Tree, etc.) - and if things like archetypes and the collective unconscious are real and have a real effect on the events of Teyvat, it brings up two more questions: which of these archetypes were the "first," and how many times will they keep repeating?

"THE RULE OF THREE IS AN ANCIENT PRINCIPLE" DO I NEED TO SAY MORE? yes. yes i do. SO. despite poking through BOTH Aristotle's Rhetoric and his Poetics, while he loves listing his premises and theories in groups of three, he doesn't actually mention WHY he uses the number three so often. It's more likely thanks to our buddy Pythagoras that the number three is considered a Special™️ number, because he thought that (since it's the sum of all numbers beneath it - 1 + 2), he believed to be a "noble" number representing unity and harmony. Hence, why it's shown up everywhere from Christianity to neopaganism to writing to business marketing (!?) since.

THE NARZISSENKREUZ DOMAIN IS AN ENDLESS DOWNWARD SPIRAL WITH EACH LEVEL ON TOP OF ONE ANOTHER AND THAT, MY FRIENDS, IS GOING TO BE A LONG TOPIC FOR ANOTHER DAY

The only other time we've seen Paimon have such a strong response to a domain was under The Chasm - which was also a time loop of sorts. We've also seen (especially via the Sabzeruz Samsara) that she can't tell when we're stuck in a time loop. She can only feel its effects via fatigue and dizziness. This definitely has to be important.

So these are artifacts right. The pocket watch and the feather. These are symbols of aspects of Ann's story, so they're parts of an artifact set? They hold parts of her soul? We're all on the same page with that right!? RIGHT??

It's not given its proper name, but the Jabberwock's Holy Sword is quite obviously the Vorpal Blade, a well-recognized dragon-slaying sword from Lewis Carroll's poem "The Jabberwocky," which features in Through the Looking Glass.

Speaking of all the Alice references in this world quest - the final chapter of TtLG ("Who Dreamed It?") is a little unnerving in a Genshin context, since "what is life but a dream?" implies that, if whoever is dreaming of Teyvat(?) ever wakes up...well. Let's hope the collective unconscious thing is a more accurate representation for how Teyvat works, since then everyone would have to wake up for the universe to disappear.

EDIT: Ann mentions three cities/civilizations while we're in the Looking Glass Domain: Yith, Arcadia, and Hyperborea. I've posted an explanation about Yith in my Lovecraft References post but I want to mention the other two really quick! In Greek mythology, Arcadia was supposed to be an unspoiled paradise outside of human civilization, where the god Pan lived alongside a bunch of nature spirits (dryads, nymphs etc.). Hyperborea, meanwhile, was a city "beyond the reach of Boreas (the North Wind)," inhabited by people who worshipped and were beloved by Apollo (god of being Booked and Busy, apparently). The former wasn't so much a utopia as a place where supernatural entities could chill away from humans (which reminds me of the lost kingdom of the Seelie?), while the latter was a maybe-real, maybe-not utopia inhabited by 10-foot-tall blondes.

THAT'S ALL I'VE GOT FOR NOW BUT. but if you want to chat about things that happened in Narzissenkreuz, my ask box is open!!

[contentloadingandstuff]

I said I had ideas so here is one of em.

Beidou x reader. Reader was a crewmember on board a ship of your discretion, for some reason, there was a group of crewmembers that just did not like the reader and one day they shove him overboard. He spends the next day in the freezing waters. Right when as he begins to go under, he is pulled up onto the Alcor by Beidou.

The Hunt for Forgotten Treasure - Beidou & GN!Reader

A/N: There's some Necro AU in there. Hope you don't mind! Enjoy.

CW: (Not canon) Necro AU inclusion.

The endless waters of the oceans hide unspeakable treasures. 

From your earliest days you took interest in the overwhelming vastness of them. You spent ages browsing through books about adventures, sea life and legendary sailors who ruled the seas of Teyvat in days gone by. You eagerly dived in the waters of Inazuma, marveling at the colorful fish swimming by. When you were young, every rock and every pile of sand seemed like a potential treasure stash. Though the disappointment was usually what you got out of digging them up, your desire for discovery never wavered. 

When you finished education in your early adulthood, you left Watatsumi Island behind in search of a legend you heard from your late mother. You promised her once, as merely a teen, that you would bring about all the treasure hidden under a particular island in the far North. You planned to stay true to your words. 

Using your oceanology knowledge, you made a fortune by catching and selling rare plant and animal species, sourced straight from the darkest depths of the ocean. Your Hydro Vision made the gathering process far easier. Having amassed the necessary funds, you bought a large ship to sail to the island your notes pointed to. 

Then the war came. 

Since, as a citizen of Watatsumi, you couldn't do business in the Shogunate. You were still missing a crew. With nothing to turn to, you settled for a more… shady team. Using your money to purchase good intel, you picked out a more honorable ronin leader. They agreed to man your ship for a hefty sum of money, which wasn't a problem for you. 

When you showed your maps and guides, you were met with plenty of suspicion from your second hand. The Kairagi didn't believe in legends or myths, but because of the sum you offered, he kept quiet. Until one night, that is. 

When you reached Inazuma's border, you had to face the storm the Shogun called forth. You steeled yourself, and ordered the crew to push on. Only because of the secret scrolls' guidance did you manage to come out on the other side. Yet there were casualties. This strained the leader's patience beyond limit, and he plotted a scheme against you. 

On a starless night, they dragged you out of bed, and, still in your nightgown, threw you off board when you refused to give them a straight way to the treasure you sought. You couldn't give them the answer - you still had to figure it out yourself. But they didn't care. So, the ship changed its capitan, and the only things you were left with were your clothes and the gallons of icy water around you. The Kairagi was honorable, however. Well, it's an overstatement - but he was indeed kind enough to throw you a board to hold on to. 

You knew the ocean would be your end from the first minute. The frigid water attacked your vulnerable, beaten body, slowly stripping you of all the feeling. Your arms grew weaker with each hour, the sun mercilessly shining down on your exposed neck. Your wounds, dealt to you by the hard fists of the traitorous mercenaries you hired, hurt, making holding on even more difficult. But the feeling - or rather lack thereof - of nothingness under your feet kept you desperately clutching your plank. 

After two days or so, you passed out from thirst, only to wake up in a soft and warm bed. 

Among the people moving around, dressing your wounds, you recognized a familiar figure. Tall, brown hair, characteristic hair pin and an eye cover all made Beidou quite the recogniseable character. She struck up a conversation shortly after you’ve woken up, bringing with her a refreshing cup of fresh water. Only then, driven more by thirst than the desire to keep your purpose secret, you finally opened your mouth and took out the only thing you managed to save from your research - a small, golden compass. Truth be told, its safe keeping cost you about eight broken teeth, but it was worth it. 

After having the best water of your life, you told Beidou about how you got here. Ever the curious adventurer, she asked you about the point of the voyage. You had to think about giving the explanation, but taking into account her reputation as an honorable capitan, you gave in. 

You described the legend about the three Lyres of the Anemo Archon your mother told you all those years ago. She heard it when she was young, and still lived in the city of freedom. The story described three powerful artifacts, created by the Anemo Archon himself. According to it, Barbatos created them to describe the world - each could be used to play a tune carrying more meaning than any amount of words. The first of them, Lyre of the Heavens, was made to tell of all the hopes, dreams and emotions of sapient beings. It sang praise of the soul and the mind, capable of comprehending and interpreting the world. The second was the Lyre of the Earth. It’s music told of life and its many forms. Whenever the archon played it, plants would grow and flowers would bloom at his feet. The final artifact was the Lyre of the Void. The notes caused life to wither away and fade. Though it was played only one time, the song contained a truth about the point of life, and Barbatos’ people would live out every day as if it were their last, understanding that death would inevitably claim them one day. 

When The War came to Mondstadt, the Archon was severely injured by War himself, and retreated deep into the city. His color guard, as few in number as they were, fought valiantly to defend their ruler. Though the undead were seemingly unending, Barbatos was kept safe long enough to make his escape and secure the Lyre of Heavens, the most powerful of them all. After many long hours of grueling combat, the guard fell, and the remaining items fell into the hands of the dead. While the Lyre of Void was destroyed for its strings, the Lyre of Earth was - allegedly - taken as a trophy to “the lands in the far North, where the candle of life burns the weakest”, along with all the looted treasures of Mondstadt. 

Beidou, having been to Mondstadt before, confirmed that the Lyre of Heavens remains inside the cathedral more or less intact. That gave her enough of a reason to believe the legend, and she agreed to seek out the artifact with your guidance. To find the Lyre the golden compass was needed, and it would not work without samples of all eight elemental gemstones. The first seven weren’t a problem as the experienced alchemists were able to acquire those from common elemental creatures. It was the onyx gemstone that was the issue. 

To obtain it, you and Beidou sailed to a remote island, famous for its many tombs and burial mounds of gods and humans alike. On the starless night, you arrived to find not only the slaughtered remains of your former employees, who were oblivious to the dangers of the journey, but also to the sight of many tens of undead horrors. Although Beidou and her men fought valiantly, they took plenty of casualties, with a handful of her sailors succumbing to their injuries. The sight of the small, black shard siphoned from a strange, spherical device was enough to convince Beidou to push forward however. 

As you made your way North, far past Mondstadt’s plains and Snezhnaya’s icy coasts, restlessness grew among the crew. Your character caused quite the controversies, and plenty of sailors felt a growing disdain towards you. Seeing this, Beidou quickly quieted down the coming mutiny. Ever since she raised her voice in your defense, not one of them has questioned your motives ever since.

As soon as you hit the rocky shores of that forgotten realm, you rushed to action. Time was limited, because the inhabitants could easily sense the disturbance of their familiar, lifeless homeland. Through the muddy, half frozen swamps your team went, but at last - you stood before a door, bearing the same mark as the one you saw in Mondstadt’s chronicle and your purchased ancient texts. With a short incantation you knew by heart, you opened the treasury to the somewhat underwhelming sight of about thirty dusty chests. 

Ordering the team to take as much as they can carry, you made your way back to the coast. 

Seeing your return, every single sailor came ashore to see the contents of the chests. Since you knew they were most likely trapped, you volunteered to be the one to open them. It was your journey, your dream, so it was obvious that you would be the one to pay the price should anything happen. Inside the first chest, you found the Lyre of Earth, preserved in perfect condition. In all the others there were treasures - coins, necklaces and gemstones. As you finished opening them all, you grabbed a golden chalice from one of them, filling it to the brim with gold and precious gemstones.You went to Beidou. Getting on your knee before her, you offered her the chalice. 

Beidou, roaring with triumphal laughter, took up the gift.

With her action you were also accepted into the crew for good.  

Thanks for reading!

[notelcol]

Childe’s Dragonspine adventure continues❄️

Part two.

This will be a shorter part to prepare you for the rather lengthy one coming next.

Childe wished he could have begun the search for Joel’s father upon arrival but instead, he had completed his work on Dragonspine as fast as he could. When he inevitably got called up for not returning immediately, he wanted to be able to argue that the job was complete according to orders. Not that it would help his case much, but at least it was something. He would have to worry about that later, as he had reached the snowy path. It was time to find the adventurer’s trail.

The path seemed to go on for miles. Changing from steps to snow at random points, it was important to stay focused. The harbinger could see how easily someone could get hurt or lost here and it only furthered his resolve. He feared that if he couldn’t come back with answers, Joel would come here himself to look. That’s exactly what Childe’s younger brother Tuecer would do. His thoughts were interrupted by movement in the distance. The next flight of steps was blocked by a gang of hillichurl. The red-headed harbinger assessed their numbers, a mere three it seemed. This would be easy work for him. He drew his bow and aimed for the middle. The arrow became infused with hydro as he centred himself. A smirk graced his lips when it hit its target perfectly. All three hillichurl froze long enough for him to dash up the stairs. He summoned his hydro daggers and swung his arms open wide, shattering the monsters into tiny pieces. A satisfied hum left his chest as he straightened out his clothes. He moved his foot to take a step only to slip on the newly formed ice. Everything in him tensed as his body hurtled through the air, past the steps and over the edge of a ledge. He prayed to the Archons that the drop from this ledge was short. An involuntary scream erupted from within him as his prayers were denied. The frantic harbinger’s mind raced with thoughts of terror and rage. He should never have used that much hydro in such a spot. He knew better than that and now, he was going to die because of a stupid mistake.

Joel’s sister’s POV.

The endless gliding was getting tiring, not to mention how hungry you were becoming. A decision had to be made. You would take a rest when you next landed. Suddenly, your flight was prematurely broken by a large falling object that struck you down from above. You were now falling with it, about to hit the floor. You summoned a wind current, something you had quickly needed to learn to speed up your search. The landing was still a little rough and snow found its way up your nose making your eyes water. It certainly beat any broken bones though. Looks like Teyvat agreed you needed a break.

You rose from the floor and dusted yourself off before turning your attention to the grey pile next to you. Upon closer inspection you could now see it was a man, unfortunately not your father. For a moment you thought it was. Despite your disappointment, you nudged him with your foot. He rolled over and you could now see his face. He was a striking man, with hair the colour of an autumn leaf and intensely blue eyes. You also spotted a hydro vision on his belt.

“Thank you. If it wasn’t for you, I would be splattered across the snow!” He gratefully chuckled, oddly calm for someone who had just almost died. “Is there anything I can do to repay you? I would hate to leave without settling this debt.”

You considered his offer, he looked rich but money wasn’t what was on your mind.

“You got food in that bag by any chance?” It seemed luck was on your side once more as he opened the bulging bag to reveal an array of exciting ingredients. Without hesitation you relit a nearby fire and told the mysterious stranger to start cooking.

Part three ⬇️❄️