#genshin needs to make it a thing that the characters can stand closer together and not just by glitching

[ofbardsandmen]

[i23kazu]

GENSHIN MEN & BEING YOUR COLLEGE CLASSMATE .

characters. xiao diluc kaeya childe ayato alhaitham kaveh scara x gn!reader genre. romantic fluff. an. some professors, some students!!! come n see my headcanons hehe . | please reblog!! im getting back into writing and reblogs with tags and comments will make me want to write more :D

xiao

a history major. specifically in liyue studies – sometimes he corrects the professor. "were you there in (time period), xiao? do you want to say something about it?" the professor asks sarcastically. the whole class is shocked when xiao nods and takes over the class. the professor has nothing else to say. of course, after class — it’s a little hard to get xiao to agree to tutor you — why should he spend his time teaching someone who doesn’t give their 100% in class? it’s only when you bring up the point that your professor sucks that he agrees. and maybe, just maybe after all that time the two of you spend together… maybe something will happen?

diluc

business major, but does a double degree with political science. he's a force to be reckoned with in class, often standing his point with ease and with the obstinacy of a mule – especially when it's something that he holds close to his heart. the first time you fell in love with diluc was when he had passionately entered a debate regarding mondstadt and snezhnaya's diplomatic situation. for a man of few words, diluc's speech can turn heads – even yours. you did well, for your first debate, you tease. he barks a laugh and turns back to his laptop.

kaeya

fashion major... he comes to class in the most immaculate outfits. some might say he looks goofy, but that's just his thing! nothing looks goofy on him and he can absolutely pull off everything. he's definitely the class flirt, using measuring tape to pull the ones he's set his eyes upon closer. you roll his eyes as his tablemate, often trying to focus on your own creations – but how can you focus when he looks like... that? measuring tape around his neck, pencil held sticking out of his mouth and his hair covering his eyes. he may not have been objectively attractive at that point in time, but there's something about him that makes him so fascinating.

childe

childe is a occupational therapy major, with a minor in social science! he has a heart for the people and he wants to do his best to serve them ... although his ways of "serving" can look quite different sometimes. he lives, breathes, eats and drinks fitness and maybe half of his body mass lies in the protein powder he takes every morning. he's buff, but he's definitely a sweetheart – and a heartthrob, in his major. he's happy to help people out, just that... ah, his group of friends may not exactly seem the friendliest around. childe is different from his friends, though; give him a chance! he's plotting so many ways to ask you out.

ayato

ayato is definitely a business major! just like diluc, he does a double degree – his secondary major is international relations. after stepping up as the CEO of the kamisato company ( at age 20?! ), ayato had decided to take his studies further. ayato is definitely an overachiever and he was turned down from taking another sociology course because he had gone over the amount of credits needed for the next four years. the thing about ayato is that he isn't exactly the most approachable or the friendliest – or so you think. no one approaches him for him for him, but everyone knows that he's the most reliable one around. perhaps you'd like to be the first to make a move?

alhaitham

linguistics ( obviously! ) and also a social science student. he's the senior that everyone is entranced by – he's absolutely fascinating. there's something about his aloofness and yet an ability to connect to people he wants to reach out to that makes him so ... interesting. alhaitham is a man of little words, which means that whenever he opens his mouth – everyone will listen. alhaitham is definitely the classmate you envy; his life always looks so put together! when you ask him to tutor you, he says nothing else except for the date, time, and location. but he is there at the date, time, and location – and that's what matters.

kaveh

he's definitely the struggling, caffeine filled architecture major. he burns his wallet buying ice cream sticks and cardboard each week, and his hands are almost always full with his materials. honestly, at some point, kaveh had almost set his mind on dropping out – until you had convinced him to stay. it took a long walk and a trip to the nearest art store to remind him of why he had chosen architecture in the first place – and it's safe to say that kaveh had fallen head over heels for you after that. you're his safe place in a course so exhausting.

scara

a dropout definitely a media student! scara takes no shits from his clients, but that's part of his brand. he's the brooding guy at the back of the class, with his signature hoodie – it's one of the seven mysteries of teyvat university; of how he and childe are best friends. grumpy black cat and sunshine orange cat. scara doesn't enjoy interacting with anyone. at most, he talks to you when he needs to, because of the seating arrangement. there are rumours surrounding him, saying that he was kicked out of the law school because of his affiliation with... certain people, rendering his reputation hopeless. nevertheless, you treat him as you would with anyone else – and maybe, just maybe: that wins you a spot in his heart.

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reblogs w/ tags & comments help me lots !!! if you liked this, please consider dropping me a follow as well :-) they all go a long way!

[omg-kawaiikitty]

Apparently I have a type when it comes to enemies to lovers trope. For me if the ship isn’t too toxic then I would be into it.

1.Dasey-Canadian tv show about 2 step siblings who couldn’t stand each other but have sweet moments and show that they become closer as series progress. They were literally enemies (not really but Derek likes to prank her and she would get annoyed and try to get back to him to piss him off) to friends to lovers trope. They have such a strong chemistry and we all wanted them together growing up. Truman was literally Derek 2.0 but toxic. The fandom is still growing strong to the point we have a spin off movie and hoping it becomes a TV series because there’s so many unanswered questions. Like Casey is obviously sick of her husband and seemed burnt out AF plus I want to see him be uncomfortable and a third wheel in front of Dasey since everytime they have a love interest they automatically become a third wheel aside from Sally (she was an amazing love interest) plus I just want Dasey to act more like a married couple.

2.Zutara-Zuko and Katara were enemies to friends. I was really hoping for them to be lovers by the end of the series and was so disappointed. They have so many things in common with parallels that they would be each other ying Yang. They both lost their mothers, both are stubborn when they get mad, he rises with the sun, she rises with the moon, water and fire are polar opposites. He was the blue spirit and she was the painted lady alter egos. She was the first one to trust him and he betrayed that but also tried really hard to make up for it. He was the only one who gave her closure to find her mother’s killer and let her decide on what she wants to do and they became good friends from that mission. The Ember Island play showing us that Zuko and Katara were into each other but also making fun of Zutara. June always calling Katara Zuko’s gf whenever she makes an appearance. Then the battle between Zuko vs Azula and how he saved Katara from lightning and almost died in the process, that was a powerful scene I have ever seen in a child’s cartoon. Plus if they were a couple Katara would make an amazing fire lady since she already has the skills from travelling with the Avatar and solving problems whenever they travel, Zuko would see her as an equal plus it would show that the fire nation is serious about ending the war by marrying a waterbender and show a balance to the rest of the world. Plus if they were parents they wouldn’t Favorite one or the other and treat their kids as equals since Zuko knows how to fight without his fire bending and could teach his son/daughter and Katara has Sokka. I’m still bitter on how it ended and even to this day Zutara is a pretty popular ship.

3.Chilumi-Ever since Childe came over and said “Hey Girlie hold still” comment or even the Japanese dub. Many people ship them as a couple since they are enemies but he’s so kind towards her and even after their fight he is still kind. It gives off enemies to lovers and if it was an anime where Lumine is the main character and Aether wasn’t a main character, then the writers would 100% make Chilumi a thing and probably just kill him off by saving her. It’s one of the most popular ships in Genshin.

4.Catwoman and Batman-Enemies to lovers but Catwoman is more of an antihero, yes she is a criminal but if it’s to save Batman from another enemy or he needs her help, she would do it since she loves him plus they can hook up afterwards. They even get married afterwards in the comics.

5.Martin and Diana from Martin Mysterh. Not really enemies but they also like to fight alot but then have their nice moments. In the cartoons they are opposites and would argue but when it comes to saving one or the other they would in a heartbeat and have sweet moments plus in the comics they are literally a married couple and never were step siblings…

6. Flash and Killer frost. In comics they were enemies but in TV series Killer Frost is Caitlin Snow. During the TV series they have a really amazing friendship and have many things in common and I thought the writers would pair them together since that’s what it feels like during S1 and how so many villains would kidnap her and he had to save her. Even in another dimension when he was fighting Killer Frost he told her he doesn’t want to hurt her. When Caitlin frost became killer frost again he didn’t want to hurt her and she worked with Evil Barry (Savitar) now Killer frost and the flash work together when it comes to fighting. I really dislike WA because WA was the toxic ship I have ever seen and the fandom were so toxic and I stopped watching The flash.

7.Maou and Emi from The devil is a part timer. They were enemies since he’s a devil and she’s a hero. She defeated the demon king Satan but wanted to make sure he was defeated so she followed him to the human world. During the human world Maou would show Emi kindness while she was hostile towards him. In one scene he saved her by treating to her wounds. They became frenemies, he apologized but she still doesn’t 100% forgive him from his past but is willing to understand and become a friend to him. They even became parents which made them closer into having a family bond.

8.Nick and Adalind from Grimm. They were enemies and became lovers because she got pregnant while pretending to be his ex gf. They gotten closer and Nick was willing to protect her to make sure their baby is safe and they became a couple in the end.

9.Caroline and Tyler. Not really enemies but since Caroline is a vampire and Tyler is a werewolf…it makes sense that they would not like each other plus before they became occults. Tyler thought she was selfish and spoiled, Caroline thought he was hot headed and temperamental. They became a couple later on in the series and broke up…I stopped watching Vampire Diaries when she got with Klaus and Elena got with Damon.

10. Aerrow and Cyclonis-Stormhawks was a Canadian cartoon and I loved it as a kid. Whenever I seen Aerrow and Cyclonis fighting I was just thinking dang I wish they were an enemies to lovers couple. Idk why I thought that but apparently some people agreed with me since there’s fanfiction.

[mackjlee9]

Genshin men when they're horny.

««« | ««« |Part 3| »»»

Masterlist.

Inazuma Ver.

Characters; thoma, arataki, gorou, kazuha, ayato x top!male!reader.

Warning; master kink, praising (thoma). overstimulation, nipple play, multiple orgasms (arataki). pet play, hair pulling, collaring (gorou). edging, size kink, rimming (kazuha). thigh-fucking, semi-public, brat-taming (ayato).

 Thoma

•This cutie.

•He's so embarrassed about all the thoughts that go through his mind every second of the day.

•He just has to wait patiently until the end of the day so he can go home with you and just... get rid of his stress from that day.

•And like a good boy, he gets exactly that, looking so pretty like the pillow prince he usually is.

The very moment Thoma walked in through the door he got caught by surprise.

(M/n) was already waiting for him by the door, ready to pick him up in his arms as he pressed soft kisses all along his face and down to his neck.

That morning, they couldn't do anything to relieve Thoma's arousal, so he had to suck it up and leave for work, cleaning the Kamisato Estate and helping around, the usual thing he had to do. That's why the (h/c) haired male had been waiting for him to come back.

"You've been a good boy, right? Not touching yourself at all," Thoma chuckled as the kisses caused a tickling feeling on his skin, but a whimper escaped him when he felt his erection rubbing on the male's abdomen. "Is time for your reward, baby."

Pressing their lips together in a passionate, hungry kiss, (M/n) walked them to their bedroom, laying Thoma down on the futon carefully. Slowly, he started undressing the blond, leaving trailing kisses down his soft, and slim yet muscular body.

"You're beautiful, angel, and you're all mine," his praising made Thoma's body tremble, shivers going down his spine, soft whimpers escaping his lips. His green eyes looked down at (M/n), who was gently nibbling the skin of his abdomen as he reached down to his pants, all his upper clothes discarded somewhere in the room. But before he got closer to the obvious bulge in his pants, (M/n) looked up, making eye contact with him.

With a smirk, he went up and placed open-mouth kisses on his neck, his hands going up to his hair, letting it down and taking his headband off, letting his silky and soft blond hair down, sprawling under him.

"M-master, please..." His words got out with a breathy tone, his body squirming as he tried to get some of the friction and stimulation he wanted. (M/n) chuckled against his hot skin, and he gently whispered next to his ear.

 Itto

"We have all night long, angel, there's no need to get greedy," pressing his erection with Thoma's, he grinded his hips at a slow pace. "I'm gonna make love to you until morning, just let me take care of you."

.

.

•He's having a hard time doing his usual thing in town.

•His chest felt too exposed and sensitive to everything, even the soft breeze made shivers go down his spine.

•He knows what the cause of his nipples getting hard and perky is.

•The memories of your mouth and fingers getting them so sensitive plaguing his mind.

•The thought is enough to say bye to the Arataki Gang and head over to your house.

•You're a novelist, so he knows you're there -and probably busy- but he doesn't care.

•He just wants to feel your touch on his body, and the rough way you grab onto his horns as you thrust deep inside him.

Even if (M/n) was surprised by Itto's bold act, it wasn't like he didn't like it. Quite opposite actually.

Hearing the loud sound of Itto's steps when he walked into his writing room distracted him. His eyes followed his every move, starting at the oni while he moved the papers and books piled on his desk to the edge, before finally dragging him with his chair back a bit, making enough space to stand between him and the desk.

(M/n) didn't exactly know how to react or what to do, but the subtle wiggle of Itto's hips and the pleading look in his glossy red eyes was a direct message into his brain.

"Please, (M/n), I... I can't..." His shaky hands reached for the waistband of his pants, pulling them down and feeling his face turning a dark red color at the way he was just presenting himself to the (h/c) haired male. "Fuck me, please~"

Well, he couldn't possibly deny such a request.

Taking a deep breath in, (M/n) stood up from his chair and wrapped his arms around Itto's waist, gently gracing his fingertips on his skin, slowly going up to his chest, toying with his nipple over the black straps making Itto whine and squirm under his touch.

"D-don't- my chest..." Itto closed his eyes, extremely aware of the way his cock twitched and the pre-cum that oozed out. The way he was so close to cumming just by the slightest touch on his chest made Itto feel so embarrassed. "(M/n), just... fuck me, I... want you~"

Chuckling, (M/n) decided to comply with Itto's begging, pulling his hardening dick out of his clothes and pressing it against Itto's ass, grinding against it as he kept rubbing his chest over the strap, enjoying the whimpers and whines from the oni. He felt powerful, making such a huge male turn into an aroused mess just for him...

God, just thinking about that made (M/n) groan next to Itto's ear, the long-haired male felt goosebumps on his skin at such a hot sound.

Sighing, (M/n) pressed a hand on Itto's upper back, making the oni press his palms on the wooden desk, moaning at the feeling of (M/n)'s cock pressing against his twitching entrance, slowly pushing in. Maybe it was because of how horny he felt, maybe it was because they had sex so often, but Itto didn't feel pain, his eyes rolling back as his body trembled at the orgasm that hit him as soon as he felt (M/n)'s tip inside him.

Starting at him dumbfounded, (M/n) tried to process what just happened. Itto came as soon as he was inside him...

Gritting his teeth, (M/n) slid his hand under the straps on Itto's chest, pinching his nipple and pulling on them. The oni let out a high-pitched yelp, his thighs quivering as he struggled to keep himself up, but (M/n) didn't stop.

While playing and pulling on his nipples, his hips started thrusting at a fast, rough pace, and he was even able to feel the throbbing veins of his cock, his hole tightening around him.

The stimulation on his prostate made Itto's arms give out, bending over the desk. (M/n) released his nipples and reached to grip his horns, causing his back to arch, his mouth wide open as he let out loud cries of pleasure, drool dripping down his chin. Itto felt himself cumming nonstop, his cum just flowing out of his slit, staining the desk with each rope of thick cum he released.

 Gorou

Itto was practically a toy for (M/n) now, and he didn't mind it one bit.

.

.

•Everybody knows that he goes through heat periods, so you know the exact day when it starts and ends.

•Kokomi lets him rest for the week until he feels better, and of course, you're there to help him.

•His heats are quite intense, so you have to go rough on him.

•Like nibbling on his ears, pulling on his tail.

•Even putting a collar on him and attaching a leash to it, otherwise, he just won't calm down.

With his fingers entwined with Gorou's soft hair, (M/n) pulled on it, his hips pounding the General's tight hole, his teeth nibbling on his fluffy ears, occasionally biting harder enough to make Gorou release loud moans of his name.

The leash dangling from his collar was getting too tempting to grab, but (M/n) knew that's what the smaller male wanted, him pulling on his leash just enough, causing him to let out choked cries for more.

Tracing his fingertips down Gorou's spine, (M/n) graced the base of his fluffy tail, even just the bare touch caused the male under him to shudder as he came all over the sheets. (M/n) always had fun during Gorou's heat, being able to be as rough as he wanted and go for as long as he could. These were days he looked forward to way too much.

"(M... M/n), le-leash.. please~" with a low whisper, Gorou held onto the leash, handing it back to the (h/c) haired male. Holding back a smirk, (M/n) wrapped his hand around the leash, pulling it back until he could grip Gorou's tail as well.

 Kazuha

With how loud Gorou's moan was, (M/n) didn't doubt that the soldiers nearby heard him, as well as all the other's whines and cries of his name he kept letting out. He wondered if he would be able to face his squad when his heat is gone.

.

.

•To him, letting you know that he's horny is like a death sentence.

•Even though you know, you can't do much when you're aboard the ship, Beidou and only a few others have their own rooms.

•(You're one of those few)

•But the walls are made out of wood and they're right next to each other.

•Besides, there are kids on board too.

•So you'll just have to wait until everyone gets out of the ship to do whatever thing Beidou told them to do and...

•You just have sex for as long as you can.

Being Vice-Captain and so close to Beidou had its perks. Growing up together, (M/n) saw Beidou as an older sister, so when he -subtly- explained to her that he wanted to do "it" with his boyfriend, she just chuckled and told him she'll take care of that. So, arriving at Liyue, she let everyone get off the ship, either because she asked them to get some stuff or just to take a break and travel around.

Kazuha wasn't gonna miss walking around Liyue Harbor and beyond, but (M/n) didn't let him get even closer to the room's door, picking him up and taking him to his room.

Having his smaller and thinner body bouncing on (M/n)'s bed surprised him, but the (h/c) haired male didn't take long in pulling his pants off, leaving him completely naked below his waist. A dark blush decorated his face, letting out a small shriek when (M/n) held his legs and spread them apart, lifting his hips off the bed as he leaned down in between his legs.

The hot and wet feeling of (M/n)'s tongue swirling around his entrance made him whine, his hands going up to his mouth to try and muffle his moans. His soft, meaty thighs fluttered on the sides of (M/n)'s head, his body heating up as his flushed cock twitched and leaked pre-cum onto his lower belly.

Kazuha already looked so into it, his body moving around on the bed, unsure of what he wanted. Did he want more stimulation on his small body, or did he want to back away from it? He didn't know, and he couldn't really think about that right now.

Glancing up at the white-haired male, (M/n) saw him covering his mouth and tightly closing his eyes, his body shaking under his grip, and he thought about having a little bit of fun in the short time they had.

Taking his tongue out, (M/n) backed away, setting Kazuha's legs back down on the bed making the male whine at the loss of pleasure, his eyes opened showing the subtle shine they had because of the tears that began gathering with each second. They looked so pretty like that.

Pulling his pants and underwear down enough, (M/n) held Kazuha's waist tightly under his clothes, lifting them a little bit more, and he pressed his tip to his wet entrance, pushing in deeper while he stared down and the visible bulge on his belly. He noticed the way Kazuha's dick just kept oozing pre-cum, barely holding in his moans as he bit his bottom lip hard.

Reaching a hand toward it, (M/n) held the base with a grip tight enough to make Kazuha whimper, using his fingertips to play with his flushed tip.

 Ayato

"Don't cum just yet, beautiful, let's make this last a little longer, okay~?"

.

.

•With those looks, you wouldn't believe it.

•This man right here is such a slut, like... you've got no idea how often he gets horny.

•You don't even have to do anything, just by looking at you he starts to get all squirmy and flustered, his face flushing an ever-so-subtle pink.

•He doesn't really show it or tells you, so you're not aware of it.

•It just happens.

•He's completely composed one second and the next, his hand is reaching under the table out of sight and starts stroking your cock.

•With just one look at him you can see he's as composed as ever

•But he smirks and winks at you when you make eye contact.

•There's not much you can do, except wait for the meeting to be over so you can fuck him over the table.

The fact that they were in an important meeting didn't stop Ayato's mischief at all. Actually, it made it way better.

The rest of the people sitting around the table had been staring at (M/n) with concerned looks on their faces, asking him if he was feeling ill a couple of times, the flushed look on his face along with the few drops of sweat and his heavy breathing were kinda obvious at this point.

And whenever he responded with a simple, "I'm fine," Ayato would hold in a smirk as his gloved hand just kept stroking his hard cock over the fabric of his pants.

Hopefully, he didn't have to wait much longer to just bend Ayato over the meeting table.

As soon as everyone was out of the room, (M/n) caught a glimpse of Ayato standing up too, but before he could take a single step he already had the light-blue-haired male with his pretty face against the cold wood.

Without wasting a single second, (M/n) unbuttoned Ayato's pants and pulled them down, watching how they pooled around his ankles. "Oh~, someone's feeling a little playful today, eh."

With his jaw clenched, (M/n) held Ayato's chin and turned his face, making eye contact with his blue eyes.

"You've been so annoying today, Ayato," chuckling, Ayato got closer to (M/n)'s face, their breaths mixing. He tried to look serious and like he wasn't bothered by what the (h/c) haired male just did, but the blush creeping up his face blew away his cover.

"Then maybe you should teach me how to behave, (M/n)~, or are you scared to be found out by someone?" Letting out a groan in annoyance, (M/n) let go of Ayato's chin, pushing him down on the table again.

"Shut the hell up for once," pressing his wet cock in between his milky thighs, (M/n) gripped Ayato's ass, spreading them apart and enjoying the sight of his pink, puckered hole twitching as if it was begging for something. "Y'know, anyone could walk in at any moment, and they'll see you like this."

Snapping his hips back and forth, Ayato gasped at the feeling of (M/n)'s dick rubbing against him, his hand clawing at the table, holding in his moans to prevent catching someone's attention.

"Look at you, trembling like that just by feeling my cock in between your thighs," leaning down, (M/n) moved Ayato's hair away biting onto the sensitive skin of his nape, leaving visible teeth marks on him. "Aren't you just a whore, Ayato? Playing with me like, in front of everyone. Did you want me to fuck you in front of them that bad?"

With a choked whimper, Ayato's body twitched as a dry orgasm hit him, his eyes rolling into the back of his head.

(M/n) chuckled, holding Ayato's face to kiss him. "I'm gonna have so much fun with you tonight, baby."

[technaart]

hello! I saw you were taking requests so...yeah. I've seen a lot of good content about genshin characters as parents and stuff but I've always wondered about the opposite, I guess? Like, what would happen if their s/o didn't want to have children? Specifically my faves: Al Haitham, Itto, Thoma, Beidou and Shinobu.

If you don't want a baby, that's okay. Right?

Characters: Al Haitham, Itto, Thoma, Beidou, Shinobu Genre: Fluff/comfort/ Slight angst FEM Reader A/N: This was really interesting for me to think about with these characters. Thank you for requesting!

He can tell there was something on your mind. Your constant jittering distracted him from the current book he was reading. of course, his first thought is She'll tell me eventually. but you didn't. You kept stirring up whatever occupied your mind.

When you started to bite your fingernails, a habit he knew you were trying to break out of, moved him into motion. The book he held closed with a low snap, standing up before you can look over and pulling your hand down gently from your mouth.

"You're not being as quiet as you think," he spoke, making you look sheepish. "What is it? Something's bothering you,"

Mouth suddenly dry, and your tongue darts out to wet your lips. "We've been together for a while, and I know we have always talked about things we plan for us."

Haitham nods his head, urging you to continue.

"I don't want to have kids!" You say in one, quick breath. You look up at him in anticipation, trying to read into what he thinks about what you said.

But his expression remained passive, leaving you unable to read his emotions. The wait as he thought about your words had you holding your breath until finally, finally, he said something.

"I don't want kids either," he said, bluntly.

It was such a relief to hear those words, and your breath left you in a heavy exhale that he of course noticed. Without a word, he pulled you into his chest, holding you tight with his own way of reassuring you. It was okay, kids were not needed.

And if you ever changed your mind, well, that's okay too.

For the first time in your relationship with Itto, you avoided him. You felt bad for it, but you also felt bad for knowingly not wanting to give him what he has expressed wanting before. The fear of this being the end for you two rooted deep inside.

There's no way, right? You think to yourself, sitting out against a tree. It was a cool evening and while Itto was with the others being distracted, you snuck away to have even more time to yourself. Really, it wasn't a good idea but by this point you didn't know what you can do.

"I mean, you can always just tell me."

Itto's voice from behind you had you jump to your feet, startled at the sudden appearance of it. Had you said all of that out loud? You didn't mean to, and now he knows there is something bothering you - if he didn't know that already.

He did.

"Hey, I know i'm not the best with problems," he started softly, shuffling closer to you in a way that he was scared he'd frighten you off. "but i'll do my best to help. And if you just need me to listen I'll sit down and shut up!"

As if to prove his point, he sat cross legged on the grass, zipping his mouth close and doing the motion of throwing away the key. It brought out a small giggle that had him smiling. That was a good sign.

You take a deep breath, realizing that you needed to tell him no matter the outcome.

"Itto, I don't want to have kids any time soon." You pause, thinking before adding. "Actually, I'm certain I don't want none at all."

There's a brief silence between you two as your words repeated themselves in Itto's mind. That was all you were worried about? He wanted to laugh, but knowing how serious you felt about this, he didn't.

"We'll that's fine. We don't need to try now you know." He stood up, walking closer to you. "And if you decide no kids ever, you wouldn't be opposed to a pet would you?"

You laugh, shaking your head while wrapping your arms around him as he does the same with you. This is Itto, why were you so scared that you would lose him?

Maybe, you think, leaving him with a kiss.

Not only is he the most understanding, but he is also the most hurt by this. At some point in his life, Thoma wants a family of his own. To settle down and live the proper domestic life with you as your husband and father of your kids.

But when he brought it up to you one late night talk, he quickly took notice of the expression that flash across your face when he said that. If made his heart stop for a minute, or at least it felt like it did. What did that mean?

Did you not plan on staying with him long enough for that?

The thought made him want to cry, his heart already starting to shatter to pieces as he waited for you to put into words what he thought he knew.

"Actually, Thoma,"

He held his breath.

"I don't think I wan't kids, maybe a pet? But a baby... I can't. I'm sorry, Thoma." You're quick to apologize, basically seeing his dreams of a family being shattered on his face.

"Oh," he breathes, then smiles. Thoma smiles at you even though it looks like he wants to cry. "I completely understand! It's your body, I won't push it on you if it's not what you want."

Even though he says this, there is small hope that you might change your mind. If years past and you still say no, well, he will accept it. Maybe you had a fear of childbirth? If so, there was always adoption for the both of you.

She can tell there was something on your mind, but didn't want you hound you for what it is. Beidou figures that if its super important, you would go to her.

Honestly didn't expect to learn it was Kazuha who you went to for comfort and advice.

She was watching you watch the sunset, debating if she should join you are not. You looked deep in thought so she stood where she stand.

"She told me something quiet interesting the other day." commented Kazuha. Not wanted to fully say your secret, for that is for you to tell Beidou yourself. He just wanted to help.

"What is it? She hasn't talked to me in all day!"

Kazuha smiled at his captains dramatics. That was a lie, he clearly remembers you and her flirting off in a corner when you thought no one could see.

"I won't go into detail, seeing as she needs to tell you something important. YN is just scared of your reaction even though i assured you you would understand."

Oh, you were just really nervous to talk to her?

Beidou can't have that.

She walked over to your figure and Kazuha watched the scene happen before him. You of course had talked to him about needing to speak to Beidou about Children. It was something you didn't see yourself wanting.

He was certain Captain Beidou didn't either. If the two of you hugging each other tightly is anything to go by, he'd say it all went well.

You really can't hide anything with her. Shinobu walks up to you, and in a slightly hesitant voice, asked what was wrong. She definitely didn't expect you to bring up the subject of kids.

"I don't think I want any," she said, confused. Shinobu hasn't really thought about it, but she knew she didn't want one anytime soon, adoption or not.

A heavy sigh of relief leaves you and she pulls you into a tight hug. Reassuring you that even if she had wanted a kid some day, she still would have understand. You are her love, there was no way she'd late something like this break you apart.

[nethercomfies]

🌼Museum Dates with Albedo🌼

Character: Albedo

Content: Fluff!!!, gn!reader, pre-relationship, you’re both still a bit awkward, some pining

Note: Thanks to Thena, Addy, and Bunny for encouraging this brainrot and giving me even more ideas, I’ve now written a full 1877 words of this <3 This was also a fun way to bring in some Dragonspine lore because it’s one of my favorite pieces of Genshin lore

This turned into a bit of a strange mix of headcanons and fic but... I think (?) I like it

It’s Kaeya who sets you up for this. One day, Albedo off-handedly mentions how he plans on going to the museum’s new exhibition about Sal Vyndagnyr, to which Kaeya, who is fully aware of your mutual crush on each other, notes how he heard you express an interest in going there as well. “Maybe you should go there together,” he casually suggests, poor Albedo instantly feeling the heat rise to his face. It takes a bit of convincing, but eventually, Albedo brings up the courage to ask you if you’d like to accompany him.

“Is that a date?” You ask in an attempt to cover up your own nervosity, praying to the gods that it doesn’t show. While you’re praying for him to agree, you desperately try not to set your hopes too high but end up being positively surprised.

Albedo is a little caught off guard by the question — Technically, it is, but would it make things too awkward to just say that? What if you end up rejecting him? Eventually, he settles for a sheepish “If you want it to be, sure,” fully expecting you to laugh and say no.

You swallow down the lump in your throat, nodding and giving him the tiniest smile. “Sure. It’s a date then.”

Albedo almost can’t believe his own ears.

What follows is a week of you being incredibly nervous, growing more and more excited the closer you get to your date.

Once the day has finally arrived, you spend hours trying to decide on a fitting outfit, cursing yourself out because You never spend that much time thinking about what to wear, so why now? Well, you don’t want to overdo it, but you most definitely want to make a good impression on Albedo, so, clearly, this needs to be perfect.

Once you finally decide on something, you rush to the museum, arriving right on time to find Albedo already waiting for you. He’s sitting on a nearby bench, nervously glancing around in search of you. It puts you a little at ease, seeing that he appears to be just as nervous as you are; and it melts your heart when you catch his attention and his face almost immediately lights up.

He gets up to greet you, not sure if he should go for a hug or not, wringing his hands a little helplessly. Eventually, he settles for just giving you a small wave with a soft “You’re here!” He sounds almost surprised that you really decided to come.

You decide to try and ease his (and your) mind a little by offering him a warm smile. “Yeah! I’ve been looking forward to this all week,” you reply with honesty, and you almost think you can see a faint blush appear on Albedo’s cheeks. Nevertheless, he seems a little more relaxed afterward.

It’s an interesting exhibition, beautifully arranged with old paintings, statues, texts, and various other things found around the old ruins of the place now known as Dragonspine. There are small information boards spread out across the whole museum, meant to teach its visitors more about the ancient civilization that used to live on the icy mountain, but you don’t seem to need any of them as long as Albedo is around. No matter which of the exhibits catches your eye, Albedo seems to have some knowledge to share about it.

You stand in front of a glass cabinet, containing a set of free small golden boxes laid out on a sheet of dark blue satin. They’re quite beautiful, covered in ornaments with different paints. Albedo is right next to you, examining the objects in front of him with his typical focused stare.

“These were found in various places all over Dragonspine,” he eventually begins to explain in a lowered voice, not wanting to disturb the other visitors. “They all have a pattern on their bottom side and apparently, the archeologists finding them were able to open a hidden room in the ruins by completing that pattern. If I remember correctly, they belonged to a priest, a scribe, and the princess of Sal Vyndagnyr, back when-” He suddenly interrupts himself, shooting you a nervous glance as his cheeks turn red. “Sorry, this probably is kind of boring, isn’t it? Please forgive my rambling,” he then says, averting his eyes.

You look over at him, smiling. “No, please… It’s really interesting to me. I’d love to hear more about it, if that’s alright with you,” you assure him, watching in delight as Albedo’s face lights up at your words, eager to share his knowledge.

So, he tells you about the boxes, the people they were linked to, and what is known about these peoples’ accounts of Sal Vyndagnyr’s mysterious demise. He tells you about a fresco that was found in a different hidden room inside the ruins, about an outsider who supposedly tried to help the fallen nation, and about various theories historians have nowadays regarding what happened back then.

All the while you listen closely, only nodding occasionally to signal that you’re still listening. There’s a smile on Albedo’s face, his eyes lit up with excitement over the chance to share this knowledge with someone. It’s quite endearing, seeing him like this, and you secretly hope for more chances to see him that excited.

There really aren’t a lot of people in the museum, but you try to stick close to Albedo — Partially so you can listen to his almost whispered accounts about whichever piece of the exhibition you’re currently looking at, and partially because you just enjoy being close to him.

Albedo doesn’t seem to mind it at all and so over time, you grow a little braver, until eventually, you’re so close that your fingertips brush each other as you lean a little closer to admire the painting in front of you.

Both of you are caught off guard, you abruptly halting in your movement and Albedo trailing off, completely forgetting what he had been telling you about just now. It’s almost like time freezes for a moment, and for that split second of contact, it’s just the two of you and nobody else in the room.

Part of you wants to retract your hand and apologize, but the longer you look at Albedo, the more it seems like he’s… Not really bothered by it. So, you keep your hand where it is, unsure of how to proceed, until Albedo eventually turns his hand just slightly, extending it to you in a silent invitation to hold it.

You take him up on the offer, slipping your hand into his and oh, it’s like they were made to hold each other, perfectly slotting in place. His hands are warm and soft and have a nice, steady grip on yours that makes you wonder why on earth you didn’t do this sooner. It feels natural, like the two of you were always meant to walk hand in hand like this.

These thoughts take up your brain, but you wouldn’t dare to say them out loud, worried that they’d be too cheesy or that Albedo may not feel the same way and would think you’re weird. If only you saw the soft look on his face as he follows you through the museum, you’d know exactly how he feels for you.

The closer you get to the end of the exhibition, the more you’re both stalling, not wanting to say goodbye just yet. You look at paintings just a little longer, and Albedo puts just a little more detail into his tales, but it’s no use — Eventually, you end up at the exit, watching as other visitors walk past you to leave.

“So… Do you have any more anecdotes to tell me?” You ask, hopeful.

Albedo frowns. “I’m afraid not… I’ve told you most of what I know already.” He sighs, causing you to sigh as well in response. You stand in silence for a bit, both of you quietly looking for ways to spend a little more time together.

Eventually, Albedo’s face lights up. “Hey… If you’d like… Maybe I could treat you to some food? There’s a restaurant that opened nearby recently and I’ve been meaning to check it out.” It’s not quite the truth — The restaurant is indeed new, but he went to eat there with Klee already the same day it was opened, so technically he did already check it out… The excuse is good enough tho, a perfect reason to be around you just a bit longer.

You’re more than happy to agree, so you let Albedo lead you to the restaurant, finding a nice, secluded spot for the two of you to sit.

The food is good, but getting to chat with Albedo is even better. You feel like you should be exhausted, having been on your feet all day, around people, with a constant input of new information… But really, you just feel calm and comfortable as you look across the table to find Albedo softly smiling at you, reaching his hand over to you to let you hold it again if you’d like to.

You do, and somehow the feeling is even more intense now that you’re sitting here, looking into his eyes and talking about whatever comes to mind as you feel his thumb brush the back of your hand. Is it possible to be addicted to holding someone’s hand? Because if that’s the case, you might have a problem.

Eventually, the time to say goodbye arrives — Far later than either of you would have expected, the sun having already set a long time ago. Albedo decided to walk you home — Only because it’s dangerous for you to walk through the dark alone, of course — holding your hand the whole time.

When you reach your home, you stop, just standing in the middle of the sidewalk for a while. You’re not quite sure how to say goodbye now, and Albedo isn’t either, judging by the way he suddenly seems to feel shy again. Eventually, you decide to be brave, wrapping your arms around his neck to pull him into a quick hug.

“Thank you, today was lovely… I enjoyed it a lot,” you say, leaving a small, faint kiss on his cheek as you let go of him again. If it wasn’t so dark already, you’d see the red crawling on Albedo’s face as he feels his cheek tingle with the lingering memory of your lips on his skin.

“I did as well,” he says after a bit, offering you a soft smile. “We should do this again sometime if you’d like.”

You gently squeeze his hand one last time. “I’d like that a lot,” you admit and for a few moments, the two of you just look at each other, spellbound.

After you do eventually manage to say goodbye, you enter your apartment, your heart beating heavy as you try to process the whole day. It almost feels like a dream now, far too good to be true, but the entry ticket you still have in your pocket says otherwise. With a small, excited giggle you let yourself sink against the door, burying your face in your hands. You already can’t wait to see Albedo again.

Taglist: @yaeism @thelost-in-time @kaeyasstarlight @reinaphoria @xxsweetdreamzxx @xiaoslxt @xialatvs @the-mourning-stars @evisnotok @orchidishh @zorosbozo

Wanna join my taglist? You can do so by following this link!

[imagineimpact]

hello~~~

I hope you’re doing okay~ I really love your writing and it has given me new ideas to daydream about. I just keep having these thoughts about teaching the genshin characters how to French kiss (#^.^#)

JUST IMAGINE HOW CUTE AND AWKWARD SOME OF THEM WOULD BEEEEE

It’s okay if u don’t do it but I just like this idea :))

My first scenarios request! I love this idea so much, it's so adorable. I was thinking "just imagine-" and then realised that wait, I can just write it! SO, here you go~

(ps; wasn't sure what characters you wanted so I just picked a few. If you have any more or any specific ones you want, do let me know)

Also, referring to French kissing as Fontaine kissing bc Fontaine is the in-game France equivalent and I laughed at the idea.

Teaching the Characters to French Kiss

(Kaeya, Diluc, Scaramouche, Albedo)

(Mild nsfw? Touchy-feely stuff)

Kaeya:

“You seem a little too excited for this.”

Kaeya laughs at the comment. “Well, my little snowflake, you did tell me you wanted to show me something, and when that something has the word 'kiss' in the name I have every reason to be excited.”

You can’t help but laugh at that. “Flirty as always.” You lean closer. “But are you ready?”

“Oh, are you going to teach me by demonstration?” He teases, pulling slightly on your top.

“Of course I am.” Your gaze flickers to his lips, then his eyes. “You do like to learn by experience, don’t you?”

“When you’re the one teaching me, certainly.”

“Good.”

You meet his lips, and he quickly acts in reciprocation. You deepen the kiss and he pulls you closer, letting your tongue dominate him. He follows suit, moving his tongue and giving you a few moments of glory before pushing you back against the bed and taking over. You grip at his collar and he runs his hand up your body, letting the kiss take over you. Your thoughts become hazy.

He parts from the kiss and you whimper. “Well, I can tell you liked that.” His thumb runs over your cheek as he watches you pant lightly. “But you do always tell me that I’m good with my tongue so I shouldn’t be surprised.”

He smirks. "You really are something." His hands find your waist, pulling you closer to him and then, with a sudden movement, you're on your back with him leaning over you. “And you learned to do that without me?" Kaeya's lips find your neck for a quick kiss before he moves them to whisper in your ear, "Perhaps you could show me again and let me satiate my jealousy."

His words are teasing, but you're not about to say no.

Diluc:

Diluc stands across from you at the bar after closing hours. Of course you're welcome there whilst he cleans, considering that you're his partner after all.

“Hey.” He calls to you, leaning over the counter. “You’re staring at me again.”

“Mm. Come here.” You pull out the stool next to you, and he shoots you a strange look.

Intrigued, he does so.

He says your name softly. “If this is a ploy to get me to-“

“Shh, I just want to try something. Shift closer.”

He huffs at your interruption but follows suit, curiosity striking him.

“Good, good.” You reach over and lace your fingers with his. “Mm, okay, are you ready?”

“I suppose so.”

“Good. Close your eyes.” Your voice is quiet as you stand up. He does the action without speaking, without moving. You unlace your fingers from him and trail them up toward his neck, leaning in and brushing your lips against his as a soft of warning.

His lips part as if by command, and you let out a contented sound before you lean forward and press your lips against his, enjoying the kiss for a few moments before pushing your tongue into his mouth. He lets out an involuntary sound and grabs your waist, pulling you closer but also pulling away.

Diluc’s eyes are lidded when he meets yours. “My sweet…” He trails off, not sure what to say.

“Well, did you like it?” You ask as you snake your arms around his neck.

He hesitates, a blush rising to his face as he looks away. “I… Yes. It was more than a little pleasing.”

“Perfect.”

“Might you… show me again?” He shrinks back slightly as if unsure of himself. You chuckle slightly and lean forward.

“Of course I can.” You stop just before his lips, watching as his eyes flicker with anticipation. “Would you like me to teach you how to? We can practice until you get it right, if you like.”

“Mm.” He hums. “I think I would like that very much.”

He meets your lips. You smirk against them, leaning in.

Scaramouche:

“You want to try what?” Scaramouche stares at you in a huff. Yes, you were most certainly interrupting his work, but you knew that he didn’t want to do that work anyway.

Otherwise, he would not have let you straddle his lap in his chair, work discarded on the desk the way it currently is.

“It’s called a Fontaine Kiss.” You lean closer, your body flush against his. His eyes trail over you, his hands resting on your thighs.

“Mm. Fine.” He sighs “You’re not going to leave me alone otherwise.”

“Mhm.” You dismiss his complaining and lean in. He hesitates into the kiss, but relaxes pretty easily.

Then you slip your tongue into his mouth, and he hesitates even more. You were about to move away but he raises a hand to your cheek and pulls you closer to him, letting you run your tongue over his. He shifts in his seat, moaning into your mouth.

You part from him. “Mm, see, you-“

He pulls you back down, seemingly determined to replicate your actions. He slips his tongue into your mouth.

This time it was your chance to moan. He smirks against your lips, clearly pleased with himself.

“Mm, I’m a fast learner.” His hands slip back to your thighs.

“It would seem you are.” You stare into his eyes, anticipating his actions.

“Well?” He narrows his eyes. “Don’t make me tell you to do it again.”

You let out a quiet chuckle and lean back in.

Albedo:

"Albedo." You tap on the table across from him, watching him as he works on an experiment. You had been watching him for a while, and impatience was beginning to fester inside you.

"Hm? Did you need something?" He asks as he lifts his head from his calculations.

"What would you say if I told you I have... a little experiment, let's call it, to try?"

He stares at you curiously. "What kind of experiment, exactly?"

You circle the desk and make your way to him, barely leaving room between you. "I can almost guarantee that you'll enjoy it." You wrap your arms around his neck.

You could tell by his upturning blush that he was recalling the last time you both had 'experimented' together. He clears his throat, peering away as if it would hide the flush on his face.

"Ah, okay. I suppose if you can scientifically prove that I will enjoy your test then I will be the subject of them."

"That's what I thought you would say." You kiss his cheek, lingering for a few moments to feel the heat that rises there. "Well, are you ready?"

He nods carefully, examining your expression.

"Good. Close your eyes." You smirk. "Standard protocol." It was a cheesy thing to say, but it works.

He does as you say, lips twitching slightly as if he knows what you're about to do.

You kiss him. A simple kiss to start - you know you have to go slow with Albedo. Then, you let your tongue trace the bottom of his lip, warning him before you push it deeper.

Despite how slow you were to reach that point, he’s still surprised - you can feel that in his hesitation. But he slips his hands around your waist and eases into it, seeming to assess your movements with his own tongue.

When you pull away, he gives you no chance to breathe, pulling you back in and replicating your exact movements as if he was teaching you.

He lingers for a moment, then pulls away. “That’s… Ah.” He takes a short moment to catch his breath. “I see your technique, but if you’ll allow me to show you, I think I can… improve it.” His hands on your waist shift, gripping it firmly.

“Really now? Why don’t you show me then?”

[hpalways]

Hiii! I saw that your requests were open and I was wondering if you could do a Genshin highschool au (modern au??? Idk what to call it-) and how Childe, Venti, Albedo and diluc would confess to their crush. Idk I just think it's a cute idea :)

Anyways feel free to ignore! Thanks and have a nice day! Don't forget to eat and drink water! <3

Note: sorry for how late this is but ofc!! thanks for the request and take care as well!

Fandom: Genshin Impact

Characters: Childe, Venti, Albedo, Diluc

Childe

Lost in your own world, you do not notice the red ginger waltzing his way up to the front of the class. Only when you hear audible gasps from the other students do you glance up, surprise coloring your face. 

His azure blue eyes are glued to you, mischief lining the corners of his mouth. Today his red locks are slightly gelled nicely, keeping out of his face and accentuating his features all the more. He dons his school uniform well, looking tall and confident up there, despite having everyone’s attention on him. But of course, that is just who he is as a person -- popular with the student population for being the class clown and a great track athlete with those long legs of his. 

Which is why you nearly fall out of your chair at his declaration. “[Y/N],” he called out. Pairs of eyes follow to you, making you still as a statue. “I... I really like you. You are funny and strong and brave and better of a person than I ever will be. Will you go out with me?”

The class ‘awwed’, lapping the entire scene in with excitement. You want to facepalm, thinking how stupid he is for confessing in front of everyone. What if you reject him? Goodness. He truly is such an idiot. “No,” you say. You watch his face pale for a moment and the students growing silent. Unable to hold in the laugh spilling from your lips, you prevent the awkwardness from seeping in. “I’m kidding. I like you too, Childe.”

Everyone burst into applause, as Childe hurries to you, wrapping his arms around you. Unlike before, his confidence has faded away, left with a vulnerable boy who is so relieved to not get rejected by the one he loves. 

Venti

Sunlight filter through the windows of the music room, casting a sheen past the wispy dust dancing in the air. A young boy with braided ombre locks peacefully sits on the window sill, his legs kicking forth in steady rhythm. Humming under his breath, his teal eyes dart to the door that opened up, instantly brightening up in excitement. 

You peek into the room to find the musical genius, Venti. His childlike charisma is found in the corner, his figure soft and beautiful. After having music class with him, you grew quite close to him -- he never fails to make you smile. He is different from others, a free spirit unable to tied down to anything. Never afraid to seek the thing he wants, he has pushed you to do the same. 

“You’re here,” he breathed out, soaring down from the high ledge. “Can I play you a song I’ve been working on?”

Beaming, you sit down on a chair and nod. Touched that he chooses you to hear something so vulnerable first, you are more than willing to do anything for him. He is a cherished friend -- one you never hope to let go. “Please do.”

He starts to strum the golden harp he’s holding onto, the melodic sound of it wavering into the room. He starts to sing words of no meaning, clear and pretty to match with the instrument. It mesmerize you from the bat, your eyes gluing the stunning male in front of you. His eyes are closed, but his actions were soulful, as if every note wants to say something to you. 

When he finishes, he stops you before you could clap. “Wait,” he whispers, coming closer to you, his eyes rimmed with tears. “I want to tell you a little secret. I like you, [Y/N]. A lot.”

You drop your jaw, blinking in shock at this newfound confession. For a minute, all is silent, the remnant of the song still stuck playing in your head like a broken record. Your cheeks warm and your heart race, and you realize you already know your answer to his confession. “I like you too, Venti.”

Albedo

In the quiet of the library where you can hear a pin drop, you listen to the soft ‘sha’ of the rain pouring outside of the school. It is the perfect day to study with the renown Einstein of the school, Albedo. You lift your gaze up to see him sitting across from you, crystal blue eyes peering down through his lenses. 

He has been very helpful lately, always offering to walk you through problems you are stuck on. It makes your insides flutter, taken off guard by his generosity. Stupid you are, you used to assume him to be a prick, just because he is smart. But now you know better... and the more you get to learn about him, the more you want to see him, not just for tutor sessions. 

He looks up from his textbook and you flinch back, ashamed for getting caught staring. How embarrassing. Quickly looking back down, you pretend to study, frantically scanning the unreadable letters painting on the page. You stiffen when you hear his voice. “Do you need help on anything?” he asks you. Even making his way around the table, you grow flustered when he bends down, platinum blond hair falling from his sides. 

Not only is he smart, but he is beautiful. 

He turns to look at you, inquiry coloring his features. 

“Oh!” you force out, chuckling a little. “No... I’m okay for now-- thank you though.”

He nods, yet does not leave your side, with brows furrowing in deep thought. “Well, I need help on something. Do you mind?”

Albedo? Needing help? How strange. Did the world just flip upside down. You nod in response anyway, unsure whether or not you can actually help him. 

“I can’t figure this out, but why do I feel so nervous around you?”

You pause, heart pounding so loudly against your chest you can hear nothing else. Did this mean...? He couldn’t possibly? But maybe you are too desperate not to voice out the suggestion. “Do you... like me?” you croak out. “Like... like like me?”

He does not respond for a moment, pondering long and hard about it. Eventually, he sits down on the chair next to you, nodding slightly. “I think I do. I like you [Y/N].”

Diluc

He is your bestfriend, your pillar, the one that has kept you true to yourself this entire school experience. No matter what, he is there for you, the one reliable person that hasn’t failed you once. And because he is that, you have grown to love him -- more than just a friend. 

Your arm is hooked around the redhead’s broad shoulder, his soft locks tickling you. In that usual ponytail of his, you always admired his looks, for he could pull off long hair unlike most people. Scarlet hues are trained on you, listening intently to the story you are telling him. 

Reaching your locker, you release your hold on him and begin to spin the locker combination. It clicks and unlocks and as you try to find a notebook, something else caught your eye. There, laying in the middle, is a delicately wrapped letter, accompanied by a lone rose. When did this get here? Blinking at it in confusion, you hesitantly take it, pulling at the silk that binded the thick paper together. 

Dear [Y/N],

you are my best friend, but to tell you the truth, I’ve always longed more from you. Because I have feelings for you, and you only. No matter how many years has gone and come, it has never changed. 

-Diluc

You turn to look at your best friend, disbelief coloring your expression. His head is downturn, his ears growing red in embarrassment. Holding tightly to the rose, you stand on your tippy toe to place a kiss on his cheek. “I have feelings for you too,” you breath out. 

“You do?” he echoes, his face lighting up like a puppy, yet too awkward to make a move. 

“I do.”

[clouds-rambles]

Just had a jimmy neutron brain blast-

Hear me out; modern au with xiao or childe but the reader is a videogame character (from genshin or some other game) that gets isekaid into xiao/childes world. Can be a head cannon or one shot, whatever you want to do! hope I'm not bothering you, have a nice night/day/evening!<3

Big brain moment!! Isekai is (in theory) one of my favourite genres I love the concept of just being stuck in an amazing new world. I blame that on my escapism lmao :)

Happy birthday Xiao! I might write something else for your today!

Hi 1k words of me rambling, hope it makes sense lmao

Pairing(s);  Xiao x reader

Warnings;

Keep reading under the cut!

You were just having tea with Morax when the feeling of falling had suddenly came over you. You try and reach out to the god before he disappears from view.

You land loudly on your feet and curse louder at the brief shooting pain through your leg. You take in the scene around you and you’re confronted by strange technologies that you go to touch the kettle like device before you hear someone trying their best to keep quiet. You take a step back from the kettle and summon your polearm.

“I can hear you, come out no” you order tapping the claymore on the floor in anticipation

“[name]?” the man questions revealing himself from the shadows of the room

“Not many know me by name mortal. So, pray do tell, how do you?” you ask staring the man down readying your polearm.

Xiao, a university student and a dance major. He’s been playing Genshin Impact casually for about two months now usually in the evenings when he’s not running through dance routines on campus. Xiao is a secluded an so his father, Zhongli, wanted to set Xiao up as comfortable as possible, if an apartment by himself was what he needed that’s surely what Xiao would get.

“I think you’re actually [name], from Liyue” he states bluntly. You nod

“Get to the point” you order pushing your claymore closer to Xiao’s face

“You’re from a game I play” he states bluntly

“Sorry, what”

It’s been a few days since you had fallen into this reality and you’ve settled in nicely into Xiao’s schedule. You had been lucky that you landed right at the start of Xiao’s holiday. He has tried to tell you about the things of this world, you haven’t understood much and the thought of so much population kind of scares you.

You feel like if Liyue was to look like this in a thousand or so years would you really feel at home there as you do now? Would a Liyue like this city need a yaksha like you? Would they need someone to protect them? You have to wonder if this was the reason why Morax gave up his mortality and godhood, perhaps he already saw a future like this...

You look to Xiao who had decided to go to the studio today as he twists into the music he’s dancing to and smile a little. Maybe being cast out from Teyvat isn’t all bad, you haven’t taken and enjoyed the company of mortals since you felt similar confines of mortality thousands of years ago.

At the other side of the studio there’s a clanging of a door being kicked open

“And who was going to tell me that my bestie has had a girl over all week?” the short man asks interrupting Xiao’s dance sequence

“It’s not like that Venti, and you know it” Xiao sighs putting his hands on his hips and staring down the friend

“Another mortal?” you ask standing up and leaning into the newcomers space

“Shit Xiao you never told me they look like [name]” he looks to the other with a laugh. You blink a few times

“I am the [name] you speak of, under normal circumstances humans don’t see me” you tell the man your brows tightly knitted together

“They’re not joking” Xiao tells the shorter man “It’s a long story that I won’t be telling you” he adds turning away from the two of you and puts the song back at the beginning

“So you’re really the yaksha [name]?” the man asks, you raise a brow at him and channel the power of anemo to shove a burst of wind in the mans face

“You think I need to prove it to you?” you ask with a chuckle “What’s your name human?” you ask looking down at the shorter man

“I’m Venti” he grins shoving a hand for you to shake, you don’t “I do music but if it’s artistic I do it” he adds. You nod.

“You know I was saved by a guy kind of like you millennia ago” you confess with a smile at the memory

“When you were overcome with nightmares right? By Barbatos?” Venti asks and you frown

“It unnerves me how much you know, and how much you freely speak about it” you confess looking to Xiao who’s restarted his dance routine. Venti giggles your words before watching Xiao again

“What’s it like there? In Liyue?” Venti asks, you chuckle at him and raise your brow

“Don’t you play the game?” you ask, Venti nods

“It’s not the same though” he argues and you sigh

You tell Venti about all your favourite places, you talk about what the Harbour is like during the lantern festival and what it’s like sitting with Morax to drink tea and your meetups with Ganyu to drag her out of burying herself in work

“Do you miss it?” Venti asks, and you laugh again and pat his shoulder

“I’m not sure your mortal brain can comprehend what I miss” you respond and walk outside.

Venti’s question weighs on your brain. Did you truly miss it? Sure you miss Morax and Ganyu, but really? The adepti are a dying breed, being here is probably better than being forgotten by Liyue, this world will never ask of you.

“Doing alright?” you hear Xiao ask from behind you, you hum in response “If Venti said something I can always beat him into shape” he adds with a chuckle at his humour. You shake your head and smile to Xiao

“Do you wanna see something cool?” you ask stepping closer to Xiao who takes a moment and then nods approving of your request. You stand behind Xiao, take his hands and with the power of anemo you start flying in the air

“This is how I get around Liyue” you tell Xiao in a hushed tone, he feels your breath brush against his ear

“Wow” he breaths, Xiao’s cheeks heat up a little as you float over the university campus. You close your eyes and continue to feel the pressure of Xiao’s body and the lightness of the anemo beneath your feet

“How do you feel?” you ask Xiao with a grin

“Is it odd to say I feel at home in the air?” he asks breathing in the air around him. He feels you shake your head behind him

“Visions are a complicated thing, I wouldn’t be surprised if people of other realities could resonate” you answer, you hold Xiao in the air for a little longer holding his presence. You notice Xiao taking in the scenery almost breathless.

“Xiao! [name]! We going for dinner or not?” Venti yells up to the both of you. Xiao jumps a little since he was so zoned out just floating in the air

“Dinner?” you ask as you descend

“Mm, Venti breaks into my apartment if I don’t eat dinner with him at least once a week” Xiao grumbles as you lower him onto the ground. You nod

“Goldet, the boss of the Inn I used to stay at would come up with almond tofu” you reply with a smile “I never liked it much but a close friend said it reminded him of eating dreams, it was my way of keeping close to him” you confess with a soft smile

“Almond Tofu is my favourite” Xiao informs you walking over to Venti

“He never shuts up about the Almond Tofu” Venti jokes patting Xiao on his shoulder, Xiao glares at the former. You smile at them and their friendship.

Dinner was nice, Venti recommended something for you to eat and you more than liked it. After dinner Venti parts ways with you and Xiao takes the both of you back to the apartment.

The two of you lounge on the couch, the telly plays some ridiculous late night tv show as the both of you sit. You find yourself leaning your head on Xiao’s shoulder a yawn escaping you. You don’t notice Xiao smile at you and close his eyes to relax with you. You close your eyes another yawn escaping you.

It isn’t often you have to sleep considering your immortal adepti status but sometimes, especially when extremely comfortable and relaxed, you find yourself dozing off.

Your dreams, when not getting infected with darkness, are filled with hopes of this new world you’ve found yourself and the new mortal companion beside you.

[impactofthegenshin]

out with the genshin boys

characters : albedo, xiao and venti

reader : gn!reader

warnings : none 

a/n : i chose different characters for this one, but i can write with the others too if someone requests. albedo’s was a bit too long oop

Albedo

he doesn’t have time for any outings, usually cooped up in his laboratory all day

the only time he ever went out was for more research up in dragonspine

it drove you crazy how much he worked, constantly hunched over his worktable, muttering to himself and drawing figures

you talked to sucrose about it but she said she also never had any success in trying to pull him away from there

now you had made up your mind

you would either ask him politely to take a break

or drag his ass out

throwing open the door to his room, you stood there, looking at him

he started, dragging his eyes away from the papers strewn on the table to you

“y/n? what is it?”

you couldn’t tell him what you wanted to do, so you just grab his arm and pull him outside

well, goodbye to the polite way

he protests, saying he has work to do and tries to pull away

you turn around and say that you found something peculiar in dragonspine during your commissions and need his help

“oh?” his eyes light up a bit and he rushes back inside to grab a few things

unbeknownst to him, you had your own ‘supplies’ of comfy blankets and food

you head up to the snowy mountain, and you could sense albedo scanning the surroundings, looking for anything interesting

when you reach his workspace, he looks at you, confused

“where is this thing? is it dangerous?”

you just laugh softly, and tell him to stand aside

he does so, puzzled, looking at you as you put down a small blanket on the ground, and a basket next to it

you then pull him down, settling next to him

it dawns on albedo then, what you were doing

“you brought me here….for a..picnic?”

he laughs softly as you nod. “you could have just asked me y/n”

you smack his shoulder, telling him you knew he definitely wouldn’t have come if you ‘just asked’

sitting together with you, comfortable and snuggled inside the blankets, sipping on hot chocolate, albedo mutters “we should do this more often”

Xiao

taking xiao out for a picnic is a nightmare

you know he wouldn’t come

the last time you’d asked if he wanted to accompany you to a party in Monstadt, he just dismissed it

“pfft, i’m not going to go frolick around with mortals’

you tried to point out that he ‘frolicked’ with you but it was hopeless

he goes to the wangshu inn rooftop sometimes to brood and he never let you come with him

he was sitting there currently, his silhouette stark against the twinkling stars 

should you go up? he seems lonely

but then again, he might get mad

you sighed, torn between seeing him or letting him contemplate how to kill enemies in silence

you decided to go up

but before you did, you whipped up a plate of almond tofu

as a peace offering

you creeped up silently behind him

he was so lost in thought, his adepti senses couldn’t detect you until you were next to him

“leave me alone” was his only response

“i….have almond tofu….? i’ll take it back then. shame it’s going to go to waste”

he stiffened at that, and slowly patted the place beside him

peace offering worked!!

keeping the plate aside, to your surprise, he pulled you close with an arm

this was the closest contact you had had with him in DAYS and because of this, you got flustered

seeing you red, he immediately pulls away, muttering apologies under his breath

“it’s alright xiao, come here” you say as you yank him closer

you wince softly and wait for a retort for the sudden touch, but he just pats your head awkwardly

“…..thank you….for coming…y/n”

Venti

he’s always out anyway, so going on a picnic is a regular with him

it’s always him dragging you out to windrise after your commissions, sitting under the sprawling tree and talking

on one particular day, you weren’t able to complete a commission because your team had gotten injured

even though zhongli did try to finish off the stonehide lawachurl, you still had to retreat

silent and brooding, you wanted to rant to venti, only to find him at angel’s share

you quietly looked at diluc who was pouring a drink for a customer

he held up 3 fingers

holy shit? 3 bottles of wine downed already? 

you groaned softly, spotting venti sitting in a corner, a shit eating grin on his face

you pulled him away from there, thanked diluc for keeping an eye on him and dragged him all the way to windrise

“y/n….hic…what’s wrong?”

“you really should stop drinking so much”

he pouts, poking your arm

“really venti, this isn’t good. poor diluc will run out of wine”

venti made a face which suggested that he should definitely run out of wine, making you laugh

he bent down, plucking a windwheel aster and studying it

he twirled it, and the flower floated on a phantom wind, before falling to the ground

he frowned at it, as if scolding it for not flying away

sighing, you plopped down on the grass

he looked up at the branches of the tree, swaying on his feet

“sit down venti, you’ll fall” you say as you get up to hold him

“no…lets..hic..lets go up!”

you don’t quite understand what he means until he giggles and is shot up in the air

“venti no wait!” you screech as he floats up to the highest branch 

scrambling up to reach him, you scale the tree in mere seconds

you teeter on the thin branch, walking over slowly to him

you sit down carefully, looking down before deciding to hold venti tightly

“ehe y/n..you can’t date…hic..the god of wind…and be scared of hic..heights”

“who said i’m scared of heights?” you squeak out

he just chuckles, summoning his lyre and plucking at the strings

the two of you sitting together, humming songs and cracking jokes, you sighed in content

“y/n, lets stay for a few more minutes”

[snowrobin-133]

A Happy Ending Yet to Happen

Characters: Xiao x F!Reader (Y/N), implied traveler x Xiao at end, ft. Venti and Paimon Fandom: Genshin Impact WC: 8.2k words Tags: character death, immortal(?) x mortal, grief, sadness, tears, angst, spoilers for Xiao’s voice lines and stories, Xiao might be slightly OOC in some scenes A/N: I’m pretty sure you can’t call Xiao an immortal since yakshas can die and stuff but like they live a long time so it sorta works HAHA. Also this hasn’t really been beta read and so there’s probably a couple of mistakes, sorry about that!

[EDIT] I FORGOT A PART FLIP- anyways yeah I accidently deleted a part somehow while it was in the doc??? Idk what happened but it’s back slkasdjasldaj

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

In the center of Mondstadt’s square stood a fellow clad in green, playing a lyre as he weaved a tragic tale of an adepti and a mortal. The fellow first introduced himself as Venti before starting the tale to curious onlookers that stopped to listen.

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

Many centuries ago, a young girl, in her twenties perhaps, clad in strange attire, arrived in Tevyat, injuries scattered across her body. She was somewhat near the Liyue Harbor of that time and the millileth found her, quickly bringing her to the doctor where she was treated. The injuries were severe as if she had been slammed with a heavy rock that flew out of nowhere. With some healing and herbs, the doctors managed to save her life.

After a couple of days, she awoke. The millileth arrived and they asked her many questions.“Where did you get those injuries? What were you doing out in the wild? Where did you come from?”

Every question they asked was either given vague responses or a simple “I don’t know”. It seems that she had lost her memory. The millileth was in a tight spot. They then asked her one last question, hope shining in their eyes, “What is your name?”

The girl looked down at her lap, searching through the hazy memories in her mind. One word stuck out to her, perhaps that was her name. After a few more seconds of pondering, she answered with, “Y/N.”  

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

After a couple of weeks, Y/N was released from the hospital. She was given a home to stay in and got a job as a waitress in one of Liyue Harbor’s most popular restaurants. She quickly fit in with the atmosphere of the city and got along with the city folk, a drastic change from when she first appeared in Liyue.

After some time, Y/N decided to take a couple of weeks off to travel around Liyue, although not all of it, just to places she had heard of from customers and colleagues. Her first stop was near Dihua Marsh. According to what Y/N was told, on an islet of the marsh stood a stone pillar with a large golden-leaved tree sitting on top of it. There were also rumors of a young man, called the Conqueror of Demons, that would be seen in the area. There was little to no details of the man other than that he seemed to hold an anemo vision and fought with a polearm. 

Y/N was slightly curious about this man but thought little of him, being distracted with simply trying to get to the area unscathed first. The monsters that stood in her way were rather easy to trick and avoid. Some were slightly persistent but she managed to shake them off after a couple of minutes. Although she lacked her memories, she, strangely enough, seemed to remember some pointless, or in this case, useful survival tips. 

After a couple of days, Y/N arrived at the islet as the sun began to set. She decided to look around to set up camp but was quickly interrupted by the growls and yells of hilichurls. Looking around, she quickly spotted them, getting into a position to run if needed. Y/N then paused, noticing something sinister coming from them. 

“There’s something different about these hilichurls…” she murmured to herself, attempting to back away quietly and hide. Thankfully, they didn’t seem to notice her movement and she hid behind some bushes nearby. She noted that they seemed to be walking towards her and she quickly put a hand over her mouth and nose, muffling her breathing as she hoped they wouldn’t notice her.

Before they got too close though, something suddenly came out of the sky, slamming down into the ground with green-colored spears shooting out of the ground. The force of whatever had slammed into the ground nearly blew Y/N away but she thankfully only fell on her butt.

She quickly regained her balance and watched the scene unfold in front of her. As the dust cleared, she could see a young man with black and teal hair and green tattoos standing straight with a polearm in hand. 

He was a somewhat distance from her with his back towards her but his head then turned around, making eye contact with Y/N. She flinched at his piercing gaze but he quickly turned away. Y/N was unable to think more of it as the young man started fighting the hilichurls. As she watched him fight, a sudden bad feeling started to stir up in her stomach. With the bad feeling in mind, she decided to back away a bit more as the fighting got more and more intense. 

The young man handled the hilichurls quickly, treating them as if they were ragdolls. Y/N watched in awe and slight terror at his strength. In just a few minutes, the hilichurls laid on the ground, not moving at all, and the man stood over them with cold gazes. He then whipped around and walked towards Y/N.

Y/N flinched at the sudden attention and leaned back as the young man loomed over her. His glare pierced through her, making her sweat bullets, “I- uh...thank you…!” she squeaked out under his intense gaze. 

He scoffed before speaking, “Night. When the darkness comes to envelop you, Don’t stay outside,” he turned around, preparing to leave.

“W-wait! What’s… What’s your name?” she stuttered out.

He looked at her, pausing before saying, “Adeptus Xiao,” and seemingly evaporated as he looked away.

Y/N sat on the ground, frozen, as she attempted to comprehend what just happened. After a couple of minutes, she snapped out of her daze and decided to heed Xiao’s words. 

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

Venti hummed a bit before speaking, “After that first meeting, the girl and the Adeptus would run into each other many more times. Each run-in brought the two closer and closer, far more than they would realize” he smiled mischievously.

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

The first run-in with each other happened only a couple of months after they first met. Y/N hadn’t seen Xiao once since the incident and returned to Liyue Harbor with little trouble. She attempted to look up some more information on him but came up empty. The only thing she managed to find out was that he was a Yaksha, an adepti that protects Liyue from demons and mutants that appeared when gods fell during the Archon War. She figured that the hilichurls she saw Xiao defeat that day were likely mutants. 

I’m glad I didn’t get involved with them at all… Y/N thought to herself as she set up some tables early in the morning.

“Ah, Y/N!”

Y/N turned around to see her boss, “Ah, Zhang Wei*. Do you need something?”

“Yes, is it fine if I trouble you to find some of these ingredients for me? I’ll give you a couple of weeks off to do so!” He handed her a small piece of paper with a list of ingredients with locations listed next to the names.

“Ah… Sure,” Y/N took the piece of paper from him. 

“Thank you so much! I’ll be sure to pay you double for this!” Zhang Wei smiled.

Y/N nodded, her mind focused on the location next to Horsetail. Dihua Marsh. Y/N wondered if she would see Xiao again.

She decided her first stop would be Dihua marsh, hoping to see the young adepti once again. Y/N doubted she would see him again, but why not try?

Y/N looked at herself in the mirror of her small home, she wore simple clothes that would make traveling easier, and over her shoulder was a satchel to put the ingredients in. Double-checking that she had everything, Y/N put on her shoes and left her home.

Y/N finally arrived at Dihua Marsh, although she was on the ground and out of breath. She had already grabbed some horsetail just moments earlier but then a group of hilichurls came up. They were different from regular ones though and she noted that they were similar to the hilichurls she had seen when she first met Xiao. After a while, she finally managed to lose them by hiding in some large bushes.

She threw her head back, taking a large breath of air. “Damn those hilichurls, huff… Why must they all be so… persistent…!” she muttered.

“You’re lucky they didn’t find you out.”

“Yeah… Wait-!” Y/N jolted and whipped around, seeing the familiar cold stone face of Xiao standing behind her.

He closed his eyes and sighed, “It seems I’ve caused you trouble again. I apologize.”

“...Huh? How did you cause me trouble?”

“That is because the changes that occurred in those hilichurls came from me, or more precisely, from the karma I’ve accumulated.”

“Ah...but you just killed those monsters, right? So if anything, you did me a bit of a favor,” Y/N laughed quietly and smiled at him.

He scoffed, “Anyways, there will likely be more of these monsters, so you best watch out,” he then turned to leave.

Y/N jumped up, “Ah! Wait!”

“...What?”

“Can you, uh, act like a guard for me? I doubt I’ll be able to avoid those monsters like normal ones…” Y/N laughed awkwardly, scratching the back of her neck.

“Huh? Why should I?” Xiao asked coldly, crossing his arms.

“I have no way of protecting myself and like I said, I doubt I’d be able to avoid those monsters like normal ones…”

“Hmph… You’re quite bold to ask me that.”

Y/N clasped her hands together, “Please~! Just for a couple of days! That’s all!”

Xiao stayed silent for a few minutes before speaking, “...Fine.”

Her head shot up as she looked at him in hope. Before she could speak though, Xiao spoke again. “But don't think about getting close, and stay out of my way, or all that awaits you is regret,” he warned.

Y/N looked at him in surprise and slight confusion before nodding, “Oh, alright. Thank you so much though! Oh! By the way, I’m Y/N”

Xiao didn’t understand why he was agreeing to protect this feeble girl. There was nothing special about her, no vision, no special aura, nothing. So why is he even wasting his time with her? He sighed as he watched the girl gather more horsetails in the area. “Reduced to being a guard for a feeble girl, how pathetic,” he muttered under his breath, yet he kept his guard up and watched out for her.

After Y/N gathered enough horsetails, the duo made their way to Quince Village to gather jueyun chilis. Night soon arrived and Xiao decided for them to rest, gruffly claiming “You humans barely have any stamina.” 

After a bit of searching, the two found themselves in front of some ruins by Wuwang Hill. As Y/N began setting up a camp, Xiao jumped up, landing on top of one of the ruined structures, “Go and rest. I'll be here,” and sat down.

Y/N tilted her head, “Aren’t you going to sleep as well?”

Xiao glared at her, “You think I sleep? You have no respect for the ways of the adepti!”

She flinched at his sudden outburst, “Ah, sorry…”

His hard glare softened into a cold gaze, “...Just go rest,” and turned away, looking out into the wilderness.

Y/N’s lips curled into a soft smile, He’s harsh… but I think he has a good heart she thought and quietly giggled, settling down into the makeshift bed she made and watched the night sky. 

The two continued to journey for another week before separating. Y/N arrived back in Liyue Harbor with all the ingredients collected feeling a bit more giddy than usual. Her friends in the city all noticed, asking who the lucky fellow is. Y/N simply laughed, telling them that she made a new friend.

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

The next meeting was when Y/N was exploring around Mt. Tianheng as the sun hung low in the sky. She had finished work and decided to walk around. On impulse, she decided to go off the road and was walking past a waterfall when she noticed something in the grass. Raising an eyebrow, she decided to walk closer, only to see the familiar hair and clothing of Xiao. 

Y/N’s eyes widened in shock at the sight of blood and quickly looked over his unconscious body. She hurriedly opened her bag and searched through it, eventually finding a pouch of first aid items.

“I’m glad I had the foresight to pack first-aid items,” she sighed in relief and began to apply first aid. Y/N was surprised with how natural it felt to apply first aid as if she had done it countless times before. Perhaps she was some kind of doctor in the life she no longer remembered. Y/N quickly pushed the thoughts to the back of her mind and focused on the injured man in front of her. 

After some time, she had patched up all of the severe injuries and she looked over the rest of his body as Xiao awoke.

“Ah! You’re awake! Phew…”

“... What are you doing here…?” he asked groggily.

“I was taking a walk, and anyways, I should be asking you that!”

He attempted to sit up but flinched and Y/N quickly went to help, “Don’t touch me.”

“Huh? But you’re hurt and-”

Xiao quickly cut her off, “Prolonged interaction with adepti will become dangerous, as your souls are not as robust as ours are.”

Y/N glared at him, “We’ll worry about that later! Can you move a little at least?”

“Hmph, of course I can.” 

“Then let’s get you out of the open, it looks like it’s about to rain soon.”

“... Fine.” Xiao finally allowed her to help him up and to lead him away from the open. They decided to take a rest in the cavern behind the waterfall, rain beginning to fall as they neared the cavern. 

As Xiao settled down against the wall, Y/N noted that it was colder thanks to the mist flowers that grew nearby. Standing up, she took off her coat, passing it to Xiao. “Here, it’s cold.”

“My body is used to these temperatures. Your body is not.”

Y/N sighed, “And who exactly is the injured one out of us?… Just take it,” she dropped the coat on his lap before turning away to set up a fire. Xiao sighed, too exhausted to argue.

As the fire blazed alive, Y/N asked, “... What exactly happened to leave you passed out in the grass?” 

“... It’s none of your concern,” Xiao answered coldly.

Y/N sighed, “...Alright.” 

Xiao paused before speaking, “In the thousands of years that have passed, I have taken countless wraiths. If you want no trouble, stay away from me.”

Y/N looked at him in surprise, “... Like I’m gonna do that,” she stuck her tongue out at him and he scoffed in response. Y/N sighed, opting to not say anything more, and turned her attention back to the fire as she began to make something with what little ingredients she had.

After ten or so minutes, she decided to speak up, “... Is there anything troubling you, Xiao?”

“Trouble..? Hmph.. trouble means nothing to Adepti. There is no trouble that can last for a thousand years” Xiao glanced at her from the corner of his eye.

“Ah…”

“...Don’t worry needlessly about me, as I said, you should stay away from me instead of getting closer.”

“You’re still going on about that, huh? Well, guess what! I’m just as stubborn as you so I’m not gonna leave you alone!”

Xiao sighed, “... What a menace…” he muttered.

Y/N pouted in response as she handed him a plate of Almond Tofu, “Here, eat up.”

“...Isn’t this a dessert?”

“Haha, yeah it is… but the ingredients it needed are the only things I had on me that I could turn into a meal, and besides it’ll boost your strength!”

Xiao sighed, “Human meals are rarely ever good.”

“Just try it, Xiao, you need food to get back on your feet y’know!” 

“I’m an Adeptus, my body does not follow the same rules that your bodies do,” he scoffed yet reluctantly put a spoonful in his mouth. 

Y/N pouted in response and turned away, preparing a dish for herself.

Xiao swallowed down the spoonful before speaking, “... dreams.”

“Hm?”

“It tastes like the dreams I once devoured.” 

Y/N paused before staring at him as if he had grown two heads, “... I, uh… Is that a good thing…?”

Xiao opted to not answer, instead, he ate another spoon of the almond tofu. Y/N sighed, deciding that it would be useless to try and pry further. The two ate in silence, listening to the rain pitter-patter outside of the cavern.

Y/N cleaned up the area a bit before leaning against the wall, putting a distance between her and him, and relaxed. Her head turned to the cavern’s entrance, making note of the heavier rain, “It looks like the rain won’t let up anytime soon…” and closed her eyes, falling asleep.

After a couple of minutes, Y/N’s breathing had become slow and steady. Xiao wondered if this was because of the prolonged contact between him and her. 

Once confirming she was asleep, Xiao stood up and walked towards her. He wrapped the coat she had given him around her, whispering a quiet “thank you”. He raised his hand, tucking a stray piece of hair behind her ear before standing up. His eyes remained on her as he made a conscious decision to avoid her as much as he could. The more contact she had with him, the more danger she would be in. Gazing at her for a few more seconds, he turned around and disappeared. 

Y/N awoke late at night, quickly noting that there was a warm weight on her. As the grogginess wore off, she noticed that the weight was the coat she had given Xiao. Speaking of Xiao, he was no longer where she last saw he was. 

“Ah… he must’ve left already… He better not have reopened his wounds.”

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

The next meeting was several months after that incident. Even after traveling to Dihua Islet several times, Y/N did not see Xiao once, even if she had brought almond tofu with her. Y/N wasn’t completely sure if he did actually like her almond tofu but she was going to take any chances to get to see him. Thinking back to their time in the cavern, Y/N wondered if he was trying to distance himself because of the energy situation. She could understand the reason but still couldn’t help but miss the yaksha.

Y/N stared at her cup of tea, lost in thought wondering where Xiao was, as she hung out with three of her friends. They were talking about some kind of gossip when one of them noticed her silence and smiled mischievously, “Y/N~?”

Y/N quickly snapped out of her thoughts and looked at her friend with a hum, “Yes?”

“Just what are you thinking so deeply about? Ever since you went on that journey of yours, you’ve been staring out into space way more than usual~” she teased.

Y/N flinched at her observation and laughed, “I’m not sure what you’re talking about…”

Her friend pouted, “Oh don’t be like that Y/N~! Tell me! Please?” By now, the other two had noticed and began joining in.

Y/N simply laughed with a shake of her head, “No way!”

“A shame…” her friend hung her head and so did the others as they sighed dramatically, albeit did nothing in changing Y/N’s mind. It’s not likely that they would believe in her tale of becoming (sort of) friends with an adepti, a yaksha that vanquishes demons at that. Anyways.

“At least tell us if you’re thinking about a guy !” one of her friends leaned on her as she laughed, deciding to cave in a bit.

“Alright, alright,” at that, her friends perked up immediately, all eyes on her as she looked away, slightly blushing, “... it is a guy.”

They all gasped dramatically, “Oh my! What’s he like?!” they all asked excitedly.

Y/N decided that it wouldn’t hurt to tell them a small bit, “Hm… he’s a jerk that’s cold and rough,” she giggled at her description of him, “…but he’s still a caring person underneath it all.”

Her friends shared a knowing look with mischievous smiles, “It sounds like you got a crush, Y/N~” one of them teased.

Y/N laughed, “Even if I do, it’s not like I’d tell the three of you.”

“A pity.”

“So when are we gonna meet him?”

Y/N smiled at them, “never,” and sipped her tea. 

“Oh come on~ Whyy?” they whined. Y/N only laughed, not answering any more of their questions about Xiao. After a couple of minutes, they gave up on trying to pry answers out of her and moved onto other topics. 

Y/N walked home, humming to herself, planning her next trip to Dihua Islet, “Hm...I wonder if I should bring something else other than almond tofu…”

“Stick with the almond tofu. Other mortal foods are things I can’t stomach.”

“Huh, is that so- wait-” Y/N whipped around to see the familiar face of Xiao leaning against a pillar with his arms crossed, wearing his signature frown. She quickly gasped, “Xiao! I was so worried about you! But wait, what are you doing here in the harbor?!” Y/N remembered the journey he had accompanied her on, how he had mentioned hating crowded and loud places. Although the area they were in at the moment was deserted and quiet, the noise of the marketplace could still be heard.

“The constant offerings of Almond Tofu and notes were beginning to get annoying,” he remarked bluntly, making Y/N flinch.

“A-ah, sorry,” Y/N laughed as she scratched the back of her neck.

He glanced at her and sighed, before tossing an item to her. Y/N quickly caught it with both hands, looking at her hands in surprise. “...What’s this?” she asked as she took a look at the item, seeing that it was a butterfly made of leaves.

“... It’s an adepti amulet I made. It staves off evil.”

Y/N eyes sparkled in awe as she looked at the beautiful details of the amulet, “Thank you… but why?”

“You mentioned your day of birth was near this time,” Xiao bit his lip, deciding not to mention that he thought the celebration of someone’s birthday was something he considered redundant. Why he kept his thoughts to himself would be a mystery to himself, but perhaps it had something to do with her happy expression.

Y/N glanced at him in surprise, “Oh wow! You remember that?!”

“Hmph, I was simply reminded of it from that last note of yours.”

“Geh-!” Y/N flinched as the memory of writing her last note to him flashed by, “... I forgot I wrote that…” she looked away with an awkward grin.

“Hmph, I will take my leave now.”

“Ah! Wait!”

“...What?”

Y/N looked at him from head to toe, “How are your injuries?”

Xiao sighed, “They’ve healed already, you need not worry.”

Y/N pouted at him, “How am I not going to worry? You disappeared for countless months without letting me see you once!”

“Did you forget what I had said? Mortal souls are-”

“Are not as robust as yours are,” Y/N finished with a sigh, “Even so, can’t we just meet up regularly? Like every couple months or so!”

Xiao stared at her pleading expression and sighed, “It is not wise to do so.”

Y/N sighed, “Ok then… let’s exchange letters!”

“...Letters?”

“Yeah! We can talk regularly without any physical interaction!”

Xiao sighed and attempted to answer, but was quickly cut off with a pang in his head. He grimaced as he flinched and held up a hand to his temple.

Y/N drew closer at his pained expression, “Are you ok?” she asked, panicking.

“Their voices... I can always hear them. Their screams, their cries, demanding more death... This is my burden to carry. It has nothing to do with you.”

“...But I’d like to at least help,” she smiled sadly at him.

“And just how do you plan to do that?”

“Umm…” Y/N then raised her hands to his face, stopping as he flinched away, “ah, sorry, uh, can I?”

“... Fine,” Xiao muttered, a faint tint of red on his cheeks, and leaned forward, flinching slightly at the feeling of Y/N’s hand on his face. “... Just how is this helping?” his body rigid in her hold.

Y/N pouted, “I’m trying my best! And anyway, just try to relax,” she murmured, avoiding his piercing gaze as her thumbs began rubbing circles on his cheeks.

Xiao sighed, pulling away, “This isn’t really helping me.”

Y/N pulled her hands away with a sigh, “that’s a shame…” she muttered. She then brightened as she thought of something, “Oh! Maybe we can make some kind of potion or medicine that’ll help!”

“...I understand your intentions, but mortal medicine has no effect on Adepti.”

“Wait, seriously?!” Y/N slumped over with a groan, “I’m sorry…”

“As I said, this has nothing to do with you, you do not need to spend your time helping me.”

Y/N looked down, “... Even though it has nothing to do with me… it still hurts to see you in pain as well.”

“...You better not be pitying me.”

“Of course not! I’m being empathetic!” “Huh? Isn’t that the same thing?”

“No! Of course not! Pity and empathy are two different things!” Y/N then went on a rant about the differences as Xiao sighed. Yet he didn’t feel annoyed, instead, there was a warm fuzzy feeling that replaced it. If he hadn’t noticed it, he would’ve let a small smile slip as well.

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

Like Y/N had proposed, the two began exchanging letters. Her letters were usually long-winded and filled with emotions while Xiao’s were short and blunt, reflecting his personality, which amused Y/N. They only exchanged a few letters due to Y/N being unable to go out of Liyue Harbor often, but within those few letters, they found their attraction to each other growing.

Y/N stared out the window in a daze. In front of her was some paperwork from the restaurant, albeit she paid no mind to them. Instead, she found herself thinking about Xiao. She was quickly snapped out of her thoughts as she noticed a light in the sky. It was far in the distance but Y/N quickly realized that it was a lantern.

“Right, it’s almost time for the lantern rite… I wonder if I can convince Xiao to come by…” With a sigh, Y/N returned to the papers in front of her, making a note to ask him later.

Sometime later, Y/N finally finished the letter. Written in it was the general stuff she normally wrote with updates on her life and some interesting trivia she learned recently. At the end of the letter, she made sure to mention the lantern rite. “By the way Xiao, did you know the lantern rite’s coming up? You should come by to watch the mingxiao lantern! I heard it’s super amazing!” 

With a smile, Y/N closed the letter and prepared to leave the harbor. As she was preparing, a sudden and small thought popped up in her mind. I wonder what Xiao looks like smiling…. Y/N blushed as soon as the thought registered in her mind and shook her head. 

Quickly she set out for the designated area that they left their replies. Dihua Islet. Xiao often wandered in that area which made it an area that they would both find the replies easily. Silently, Y/N hoped that she would also get to see him once she arrived there.

Surprisingly, her small wish would come true. As she arrived at Dihua Islet, Y/N’s eyes were quickly caught by the familiar figure of Xiao sitting on one of the boulders on the islet. A smile appeared on her features as she quickly called out his name, “Xiao!”

Xiao turned at the familiar call of his name, greeted with the sight of Y/N rushing towards him with the oh-so-familiar smile that made his stomach turn in knots. He nodded as a greeting and he jumped off the boulder, meeting her halfway.

Her grin grew in size at the acknowledgment, even though butterflies began to flutter in her stomach. She quickly rummaged through her bag and took out the letter, handing it to him. “By the way… The lantern rite is coming up,” she informed him.

“The lantern rite? The time for humans to discard their glowing trash into the sea has returned, how childish…” 

Her smile quickly dropped, “... You really think that?”

“I do… the hatred and residual energy of the dead gods from some centuries ago sometimes erupt, and they often erupt in a large scale during this troublesome festival.”

“...And so you’re the one that’s fighting every time, right?”

“Yes.” “... It doesn’t happen every lantern rite though, right?”

Xiao glanced at her and sighed, “...No.”

“Then could you at least stop by to watch the mingxiao lantern? It’ll be worth your time! I promise!”

Xiao watched her as she stared at him with desperate eyes. He did not wish to admit it, but he knew deep inside that he couldn’t say no, and eventually gave in, “...If you insist, I will go with you.”

Y/N’s expression quickly lit up with a smile and she cheered, “Yay! I know a great place outside of the harbor that we can meet at to watch it!”

Xiao watched as she grabbed a map of Liyue out of her bag and began pointing at areas where they could watch it. Although he didn’t say it out loud, he was grateful that she was picking areas where there wouldn’t be many people. Nor would he say that he was growing nervous at how close she was, or how he was looking at every detail of her delicate face, or...

After a couple of minutes, they made arrangements to meet and watch the mingxiao lantern. As she walked away after (reluctantly) saying their goodbyes, Y/N internally celebrated with glee, a light pink blush tinting her cheeks.

The day finally came, the night of the Lantern Rite and when the large mingxiao lantern would be released into the sky. Y/N spent the first half of the day serving customers at the restaurant before returning home to prepare for her meeting with Xiao. She had everything in her bag but was quickly distracted when she noticed a food stall. Although Xiao couldn’t stand most human foods, this particular food stall was selling Almond Tofu. With a smile, she quickly bought some almond tofu as well as food for herself before setting off to find Xiao.

As Y/N arrived at the meeting place, she quickly spotted the lonesome figure of Xiao, standing at the ledge. She quickly called out his name and jogged up to where he was, handing him the almond tofu.

“... why did you get me this?” He asked, although took the plate.

Y/N smiled, “Because the lantern rite isn’t just about the lanterns! Plus I was hungry…” she quietly admitted the last part with a pout. Xiao released a huff of air and the two ate in silence, waiting for the time that the mingxiao lantern would be released. 

After some time, Y/N figured that it must be getting close so she gave him a piece of plaustrite and a carving tool as she took out two xiao lanterns.

“What are these for?” Xiao asked, motioning to the plaustrite and carving tool.

“We carve our wishes on these, then we stick it into the lanterns and let them float away!” she explained to him.

Xiao took the plaustrite and carving tool with a huff, “How exactly will these grant our wishes?”

“Hm… I’m not sure,” Xiao looked incredulously at her as she laughed. He sighed and glanced at the plaustrite sitting in his hand.

Y/N calmed down before she thought about what to wish for. A wish then popped up in her mind after a few seconds, “I wish to spend more time with Xiao”. She blushed at the wish, but deep inside, she knew it was the one thing she wanted more than anything. Steeling her resolve, she quickly carved the wish into the plaustrite with a faint blush on her cheeks. 

Xiao finished carving and glanced at Y/N before quickly looking back down at his own piece of plaustrite. He didn’t write a wish for himself since he didn’t have any wishes or desires. So, he decided to go with a statement, a promise. “If she finds herself clinging onto the past, reluctant to move on, I shall quietly remember the memories in my heart for her”. 

The two placed the plaustrites into their own respective lanterns before letting them fly into the air. They stood close to each other, their hands brushing against each other, as they watched their lanterns fly mingle in the air with the many other lanterns. 

After a couple of minutes, Y/N glanced at Xiao from the corner of her eye, spotting a small smile of awe appearing on his face. Her eyes widened at the sight of the rare smile and blushed before quickly looking away and into the sky. Tightening her jaw, she made the risky move of interlocking her pinkie finger with his. Y/N expected him to pull his hand away, and he did, yet he quickly returned his hand to interlock his slim fingers with hers. Y/N’s eyes widened again, a deep blush spreading across the rest of her face, as she looked down and squeezed his hand. Unbeknownst to her, painted on Xiao’s face was also a deep red blush.

----------------- [Edit: this is a part that got deleted accidently but it’s back lol]

Xiao found himself puzzled. Recently, a strange mortal had been hanging around him, wanting to get closer to him. Even stranger was that he felt the same way, wanting to get closer to them. The feeling and fluttering in his chest and stomach were foreign and even a tinge disgusting. Yet he seemed to crave more, more of their smile and expressions, more of the peace that surrounds them. He knew better though. Yet he found himself persisting against the knowledge of the mortal soul.

Xiao found himself falling deeper into the rabbit hole. Perhaps he could find momentary peace with the mortal. 

Y/N was traveling to Dihua islet, wanting to check if Xiao had left a reply to her previous letter, as well as a chance to actually see him in person. If he didn’t, then she had a letter to put in its place. On her journey, she encountered a traveler, who had told her that there was a group of treasure hoarders camping by the main road. She was told to either go back and or to take a detour. Y/N was confident in her skills though and decided to continue traveling through the main road.

What a bad decision that was.

As Y/N passed some ruins, a small blade flew past her face, barely grazing her nose. She gasped, slapping a hand over her nose as she stepped back. Quickly checking her hand, she sighed in relief at the lack of blood before looking up.

Stepping out of some bushes was a small group of men dressed in the clothing of the treasure hoarders. Y/N eyes widened, cautiously taking a step back.

One of them snickered, “Scared little girl? No need to be. We only want one thing.”

Another threw their shovel over their shoulders, “Right, just give us your stuff and we’ll leave you alone.”

Y/N glared at them, pushing her bag to rest on her back instead of the side, “Like I’m giving you all the stuff I worked my butt for.”

“Hmph, you’ve got a pretty face but a pretty bad sense of danger. Fine, we’ll just take it from you with force.”

Y/N tensed, preparing to run as the treasure hoarders came after her. Quickly turning around, she attempted to make a run for it. Before she could even lift her leg, an arrow pierced her calf, with a scream. Blood splattered onto the ground and she collapsed, “Ack-!”

Pain seared through her from her leg up and sat up with a groan. Shadows loomed over her and Y/N whipped around, seeing the Treasure hoarders smirking above her.

The one with the crossbow grabbed her by the wrist, “If you don’t want to get even more hurt then hand over your stuff.”

Gritting her jaw, Y/N twisted her hand around to grab the man’s wrist, twisting it to release her. He yelped in surprise before being pulled to the ground. Y/N stood up while she could in the shock of the moment and attempted to run. The arrow stuck in her calf made it difficult to run but the adrenaline rushing through her numbed the pain. 

Before she could even get far, a barrage of arrows flew towards her, multiple hitting her and throwing her to the ground. With a screech of pain, she collapsed, arrows sticking out from many limbs of her body.

As she laid on the ground, her mind wandered to Xiao’s smiling face. It was merely a glimpse into his softer side, but she remembered that that mere glimpse was enough to make her fall even deeper into the abyss of love. As her consciousness began fading in and out, she whispered his name, “Xiao…”

The treasure hoarders that stood over her were suddenly thrown to the ground, skidding away from the force that had crashed into them. Y/N squinted up, spotting the familiar black and teal hair of the young yaksha. “I’m here,” he announced, glancing at her.

“Mhm…” She smiled as tears clouded her eyes.

To the yaksha, seeing the state Y/N was in as she laid on the ground brought the deepest depths of his fury to the surface. He turned his gaze to the treasure hoarders, tightening his grip on his polearm before bringing swift justice to them, albeit not killing them. The treasure hoarders laid on the ground, groaning and moaning in pain. 

“Worthless,” Xiao muttered coldly, allowing his polearm to disappear. Xiao turned around and walked towards the injured Y/N. He knelt beside her, picking her up gently, a stark contrast to his hard glare, and avoiding the arrows that stuck out of her.

Feeling the warmth of Xiao, Y/N smiled, snuggling into him as she tried to ignore the pain of her wounds. “Thank you...Xiao,” she whispered. 

Xiao didn’t reply but he tightened his grip on her. He then spoke, “If you awake to a knife at your throat, if monsters dig their claws into you, if death comes knocking at your door, call out my name. Adeptus Xiao. I will be here when you call.”

Y/N pulled away slightly and met his strong gaze. As his words registered in her mind, she could feel her eyes start to water again, and whispered his name, resting her head on his chest “...Xiao.”

Xiao’s strong gaze softened at the whisper, “I’m here.”

The tears clouding Y/N’s vision began to fall as she whispered his name many more times, fisting his clothes and burying her face into his chest. Xiao tightened his hold on her comfortingly, replying every time she whispered his name. 

Some time passed and Xiao had taken Y/N somewhere safer. Dihua Islet. Where he treated her injuries. Due to the amount of blood and tatters on her, Xiao had thought she was more severely injured, but thankfully, none were severe.

Y/N sat on the ground, trying to stay still as Xiao treated the injuries on her arm. She stayed quiet before her eyes wandered to Xiao’s stern expression. Her eyes then fell to his lips, finding herself wondering what it felt like to kiss them. Her eyes widened as she realized what her thoughts were and quickly shook her head, a raging blush on her cheeks.

Xiao glanced up, an eyebrow raised at her sudden outburst. He dropped back down to her arm before speaking, “...It's too late now, you know. The connection between us is too strong. Even if you wanted to, it's too late to sever it.”

Y/N shook out of her flustered state, glancing at him, “Huh? Why would I do that?”

Xiao raised his head in surprise, “... You've never thought to sever it?” he paused and sighed, “This eternal dance of demon subjugation... My fight goes on… But… I would like to know more about you.”

Y/N stared at him in surprise, before her features softened into a small smile, “I want to know more about you too, Xiao…”

The two fell further into the rabbit hole. Deciding to risk everything for the peace they found in each other.

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

Time passed and Y/N’s memory came back in small pieces, but they were enough for her to know a general amount of her past. She came from far away, perhaps a different world, that was far more advanced than the places here in Tevyat. The clothes she first arrived here in as well were similar to what the people wore in her memories as well.

After remembering more and more of her past, she decided to look into the other 7 nations of the continent, hoping to find her home. She brought home some books on the other nations to her house. After only a couple of hours, Y/N figured out that her home didn’t belong to any of the 7 nations. Many were far from advanced than the places she remembers in her memories. 

“I guess I am really in another world…” she spoke to herself quietly. Y/N wasn’t sure what to make of this. Perhaps she had a happy life in her original world, happily living with people that she no longer knew. But now this world had also become a home to her. At the thought of home, her mind flashed to Xiao.

Her cheeks heated up and she rested her head in her arms, warm feelings bubbling up within her. Xiao had only held her for less than an hour when she had been attacked, yet the warmth and gentleness of his hold were addicting. Y/N missed it. She glanced out the window, finding that the night was rather lonely.

After the incident with the treasure hoarders, Xiao decided that he would come to her instead of Y/N coming to him at Dihua Marsh. Y/N first protested, bringing up his distaste of crowded areas, but the yaksha was stubborn. Eventually, she relented, but she came to enjoy the monthly visits of the Yaksha. 

She perked at the knocking sound of the door to the balcony. With a smile, Y/N stood up and walked to the door, seeing the familiar Yaksha leaning against the railings of the balcony. Opening the door, she grinned, “Hey, Xiao.”

Xiao simply nodded but didn’t come inside. Y/N crossed her arms behind her, contemplating a slightly bold question. He noticed her contemplating gaze, throwing a gruff “What is it?” at her.

Y/N tilted her head, “... Can I hug you, Xiao?”

Xiao jumped at the question, his eyes wide and a blush beginning to adorn his cheeks, “Just what are you asking? Do you have no respect for the adepti?”

Y/N giggled quietly, “It’s a yes or no question, Xiao.” Xiao grumbled, not replying. Y/N giggled again, holding her arms open, “Well?”

Xiao sighed, holding his arms slightly open as well, unable to find it within himself to refuse her. Y/N giggled, walking towards him and wrapping her arms around his slim waist. Xiao tensed at the touch but slowly relaxed in her warm embrace. Within a couple of minutes, he wrapped his arms around her as well and rested his head in the crook of Y/N’s neck. Y/N glanced at him in surprise at how quickly he relaxed in her embrace but smiled. Her arms tightened around him, smiling at the familiar warmth of his embrace.

The unspoken words of “I love you” were stuck in both of their throats, yet pushed it down so as to not break the peaceful atmosphere of the hug. Xiao found that all of the yelling and screaming of the voices within his head would quiet down while Y/N found warmth and comfort on a lonely night. Neither wished to let go so they didn’t, enjoying the peace in each others’ presence.

It was unfortunate that the peace they found in each other would disappear as fast as they had first discovered it.

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

Y/N was feeling great and energetic, but that mood quickly went sour as she collapsed. Kneeling on the floor, a series of loud coughs shook her body. As her hand drew away from her mouth, Y/N's eyes widened in shock at the sight of red liquid, dribbling down her palm. She was unable to think further about it as her arms gave out, falling on her side with the cold tile.

People around her panicked, yelling for healers, doctors, anyone that could help her. Their yells were quickly drowned out though, as Y/N succumbed to sleep.

The week that passed was nothing but a blur to her. Only remembering different people doing different things to her. They tried speaking to her, asking her about how she felt. Y/N could only mutter incomprehensible words in reply.

As the middle of the second week arrived, the healers and doctors deemed that she was beyond saving. Her friends came to see her, although Y/N could barely pay attention to them as her vision blurred. 

Before the healers and doctors retreated back to their offices riddled with guilt, they provided Y/N with painkillers, hoping that it would save her from further pain. As they closed the doors, they could hear the pitiful girl mutter out one word, 

"...Xiao..."

The door closed with a loud echo and Y/N succumbed to sleep once more.

Y/N awoke to a hesitant and rough, yet gentle, touch to her forehead. She could recognize that touch from anywhere after countless hugs despite the warnings. She leaned into his touch. The touch of the one she found herself growing to love. Y/N opened her eyes slowly, meeting the familiar golden eyes of Xiao. She smiled weakly, softly whispering his name.

He lifted his hand, a bitter and heartbroken expression crossing his face. He bit his lower lip before he found himself revealing all of his guilt to the frail one under him.

"Why...why must a foolish mortal like you continue to be around me…? You are only like this because your soul cannot handle being around adepti like me…I told you that, yet you continue to be near me, and now, here you are, dying."

He drew his hand away, the radiating warmth of his fading away. Y/N weakly reached for his hand, grasping it weakly. "...I stayed, beside you because, because I… I love you, Xiao," they whispered.

Xiao's jaw tensed, "Don't be foolish, us adepti would never be able to understand you mortals' emotions."

Instead of pouting like they normally would, Y/N simply laughed weakly, "You're right… but that doesn't... stop me from loving you, Xiao…"

Xiao growled quietly, and sharply took back his hand from the weak grip of Y/N, turning around to the window to leave. Barely getting more than five steps away, he heard a large collision to the floor. Whipping around in alarm, he saw Y/N attempting to sit up.

Without realizing it, Xiao took a few large strides, kneeling down next to them and helping them up. Although as soon as his hand had come into their sight, they quickly grasped his hand. Slowly lifting their head up, Xiao was taken aback to see tears falling down their cheeks. Before he could scold them, Y/N weakly began to speak.

"It's… it's fine, if you...if you don't like me back… but please, please don't leave me alone," They rested their head against Xiao's chest, clinging to his shirt now, "Please, please don't let me die all alone again…"

Xiao was tempted to take their hands off of his shirt but was taken aback at their last sentence. Although confused, he gave in after a few minutes of silence, awkwardly resting his hands on top of their head and back as Y/N cried into his chest. He didn't understand what they meant, but it didn't matter. Because he's known for a long time by now that he could never say no to Y/N.

“...You’re a foolish mortal, Y/N,” he gruffly whispered as Y/N calmed down. They froze at the whisper of their name coming from his lips, realizing it was the first time Xiao has ever said their name. Finally processing what he had said, Y/N smiled weakly.

“I guess I am.”

Xiao shifted and maneuvered their body so that he was holding them in his arms. He stood up slowly, and placed them back into their bed, tucking them in. Y/N allowed themself to soak in the gentleness and comfort of Xiao’s touch.

They turned to their side, resting their right hand on top of Xiao’s hand. He flinched at their touch but made no move to remove his hand from theirs. Her eyes shifted from their hands to his golden eyes as he stared outside the window. Xiao’s golden eyes were always beautiful, but the beauty couldn’t hide the spark of sadness and guilt in his eyes. Y/N wanted to wish those emotions in his eyes away, wishing that she could’ve made her wish about wanting him to always be happy instead of wanting more time with him. 

Y/N snapped out of her thoughts at the sound of Xiao’s voice, “...You should rest,” his eyes shifting to her own.

“...But-”

“Sleep. I will be here when you awake,”

Both of them knew Xiao was lying, a lie to bring her comfort in her final moments. 

Y/N wanted to stay awake, to continue being with Xiao for as long as she could. As she struggled to stay awake, Xiao shifted his hand and interlaced his fingers with hers.

“There’s nothing to fear, I will keep you safe while you sleep.”

Y/N wanted to argue, wanted to tell him that she’s not sleepy, but is unable to even speak as Xiao uses his free hand to close her eyes. “Geh-”

“Don’t fight and waste your energy, Y/N.”

Y/N used the last of her strength to force a pout but smiled at his awkward attempt of showing that he cared for her. Before allowing herself to slip into the depths of sleep, she whispered.

“I...I love you, Xiao.”

Xiao stayed quiet as the hand intertwined with his hand started to grow limp before falling out of his grasp completely. Tears were welling up in his eyes, but he refused to let them fall. The breathing and movement of her chest came to an eventual stop and he held back a hiccup. 

Xiao leaned down, pressing a gentle kiss to the fading warm lips of the girl below him. He pulled away after a few seconds, whispering the three words she never got to hear. “I love you too… Y/N”

By the time the moon rose to its peak, the adepti was gone from the scene. The only evidence of his presence was the wet patches on the sheets and the qingxin flower that rested on the girl’s chest.

Xiao stood at the base of Dihua Marsh, watching the moon rise with a sad expression, before placing his mask on and disappearing from view.

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

Venti finished his story with a beautiful but sad song note and the crowd before him had tears welling up in their eyes. Despite the sad note, they applauded him and tipped him with mora. As the crowd dispersed, a couple of children came up to him. “Venti! Venti! Why didn’t they get a happy ending?” they whined.

Venti smiled sadly, “Although those two didn’t have a happy ending, it doesn’t mean that the story ends there.”

“Does that mean the adepti will find someone else to love?”

Venti laughed, “I’m sure he will.”

Meanwhile, in Liyue, a floating pixie sneezed as she talked with her companion. 

“Paimon, are you sick?” her companion asked.

“Paimon never gets sick!” the pixie rebuked, resting her fists on her hips.

The companion simply laughed in response and Paimon pouted. The two were in Dihua Marsh near the Wangshu Inn as they spoke. Paimon quickly brought the both of them back to the previous topic, “Anyways, isn’t that Xiao over there?” and pointed in a direction.

The traveler looked in the direction Paimon was pointing at, seeing the familiar yaksha, sitting before a formation that looked similar to that of a grave.

“What is he standing in front of?” the traveler murmured as they observed the yaksha.

“How about we check it out?” Paimon suggested and the traveler nodded.

They approached the adepti but the traveler froze in their tracks as they noticed a slightly transparent figure next to Xiao. The figure was in the shape of a young woman, softly smiling down at the adepti.

Paimon also saw the figure, quickly freaking out, “Gah-! Is… is that a… a ghost?!”

The shrieks of fear from Paimon quickly alert the figure and Xiao. As Xiao turns around, the figure disappears, and Xiao sighs at the sight of the pair.

“You two. What are you doing here?”

“A-ah… we just saw you, so uh…” Paimon tried speaking but was still frozen in place after the sight of the figure.

The traveler sighed, before continuing for her, “And we wanted to see how you were doing.” 

Xiao sighed and crossed his arms, “You need not be concerned about that. But why were you shrieking?” The traveler and Paimon exchanged glances before replying, “Uh… well Paimon saw what looked like a… a ghost, next to you!”

“A ghost…?” Xiao echos, pondering over it, “...I see.”

“...Do you know that ghost, Xiao?” the traveler asked.

“...It’s not of any importance,” he replied and turned around, “I must get going now.”

Before the traveler or Paimon could ask, the yaksha disappeared in a cloud of smoke.

“Sheesh!” Paimon crossed her arms, “why is he so rude sometimes?!”

The traveler smiled at Paimon’s whining before turning to look at the makeshift construct before them. Paimon follows their gaze, “Oh! We should check that thing out! We might get some clues!”

“...I feel like we’re intruding on his privacy by doing this,” the traveler mumbled as they followed Paimon. They stopped in front of the formation, noticing very little of any unique details. As they observed it, the traveler froze, sensing a presence behind them. Sharply turning around, they saw the figure of the young woman once again. 

“Huh? Is something wr-” Paimon quickly cuts herself off with a shriek as she turns around, seeing the ghostly figure as well. She quickly floated over to the traveler, hiding behind them, quivering in fear.

Taking out their sword, the traveler got into a fighting stance but was interrupted as the figure’s mouth moved. Although unable to hear it immediately, the words it spoke floated upon the wind, reaching the ears of the traveler with a tickle.

“...Take care of Xiao, please…” it whispered with a sad smile.

The traveler stares in confusion but is unable to speak further as the figure fades away.

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

*this isn’t an actual character in the game, I just searched up Chinese names and got this lol

Anyways I hope everyone likes this!

[sara-scribbles]

Emotional

Fandom: Genshin Impact Childe/Lumine Word Count: 1,801 Note: I’ve been playing a lot of this game and I think I’m addicted. I love the characters so I’ll probably write for some. Warning: Not canon (but who cares). Some slight spoiler I guess from the 1.1 update trailer.

---------

The chair was uncomfortable no matter which way she sat. Eventually Lumine gave up trying to find a good position to sit. Standing up, she began to pace the small room. The sole occupant in the bed laid motionless even as her footsteps clicked on the wooden floor.

“Lumine, don’t worry,” Paimon said, trying to reassure her. “The healer said he should be fine with some rest. Chill-day is too tough to die.”

She paused her pacing to study the unconscious man. “He looks...peaceful.” Even though he always had a smile, there was something strained and tense in his face. His eyes didn’t quite light up with emotions whenever she talked with him.

“Paimon thinks it’s because you gave him a good butt kick.” She hovered over his head. “Hopefully he’ll have a nasty headache.”

“Paimon…”

“It’s what he deserves for causing us so much trouble!” she protested, her tiny fists balled up. “Kicking us around like that...hmpf!”

Sighing, Lumine sank back down in the chair. “He had his reasons… Even if we don’t agree with them, Childe had his reasons for what he did.”

“Even though he lied to us?” She floated over to the blond to sit on her shoulder. “You have a big heart, Lumine. Paimon can’t forgive him that easily. He’ll need to spend a mil-no a trillion mora on food for us before he can be forgiven.”

“You just want free meals for life.”

“Hmm...maybe.” Lumine laughed quietly as Paimon fell into deep thought.

---------

His entire body hurt. He could barely feel his fingers as they flexed. Even opening his eyes hurt. Looking at an unfamiliar ceiling, one thought ran through his head.

“Why am I alive?”

After the battle with Lumine, that he had lost, he remembered seeing her sword raised for the last blow. In that moment he couldn’t wait to embrace death. Not because he was sorry for his actions. Not because he nearly destroyed Liyue.

It was because of the look Lumine had given him in that moment. Eyes filled with tears and teeth clenched tightly, she looked utterly devastated. He knew his actions would ruin whatever bond they had formed, but he hadn’t prepared for how it would hurt him so much to see her hurting.

He hadn’t guarded his heart as well as he had thought. Somehow, someway she had slipped through his armor. She had slipped past his defenses and settled in his heart.

Forcing his thoughts back to the present, Childe slowly and painfully sat up. From the looks for the room, he had been brought to a healer. Perhaps one of the Fatui agents had found him.

However once he turned to his left, he knew it wasn’t one of the Fatui. Sitting in an uncomfortable chair was Lumine. Her elbow was propped up on the arm rest, and her chin rested on her palm. Eyes closed and mouth slightly open, she was fast asleep. Her disheveled appearance told him she had been there for a long time.

Again he was reminded of the look on her face just at the end of the battle. Yet, she hadn’t finished him like he had thought. Instead she had brought him to a healer.

“...Lumine.” He quietly stood up even as his body protested. Leaning down to eye level, he studied her sleeping face. Dark circles lined her eyes. A bit of drool was forming in the corner of her mouth.

Childe wanted to reach out and touch her, but held himself back. He didn’t have the right.

Moving away, he left the room. Thankfully it seemed no one was around as he snuck to the nearest open window.

Just as he was about to climb out, a familiar voice called him. “You’re just gonna sneak out like that, Chill-day,” Paimon demanded.

Floating right behind him, she had her arms crossed as she gave him her sternest look. Chuckling, Childe slipped into an easy smile. “You caught me. Thought I’d leave before causing a scene.”

She huffed. “Well that’s just rude! After Lumine dragged your body all the way here and begged for someone to heal you, you’re just going to leave. Na-uh! You owe us!”

Scratching the back of his head, he searched on his person. “I don’t have any mora on me. But if I go to the bank I c-“

“Paimon doesn’t want your mora!” She stomped her foot in mid-air. “Paimon thought long and hard about what you can do to make it up to us.”

“Oh?” He tilted his head to the side. He was curious to know what the small creature would demand.

“First, apologize to Zhongli, Liyue and me. Second, apologize to Lumine for hurting her. Third, eternal servitude.” She ticked off each request on her fingers.

“Eternal servitude? Isn’t that a bit much?”

“Um...fine! Ten years of servitude should be good.” She nodded to herself before glaring at him. “If you can’t do that at least don’t run away until you’ve faced Lumine.”

He sighed deeply as the smile dropped from his face. “I don’t think she wants to see me after everything I did. It’s best if I just leave quietly.”

Paimon was not amused. “Lumine cares a lot about you. She was willing to help you even when you tried to kill us. If you care for her like Paimon thinks you do, then you’ll talk to her.”

For once the small creature sounded mature. Childe shook his head and put one foot out the window. “Let me think about it…”

---------

Lumine woke with a snort. Blinking the sleep from her eyes and wiping the drool from her cheek, she looked around the room. She could hear the birds chirping. The empty bed made her stomach drop.

“He’s gone…” She had hoped that if he did wake, he would stay. At least long enough for her to say goodbye.

Leaving the room, she yawned and stretched. The chair had done a number on her back. “Paimon? What are you doing there?”

She was sitting on the ledge of an open window. “Paimon wanted to get some fresh air and thinks you should too.”

“Mhm…guess you’re right. Maybe I’ll walk around town.” Lumine was trying her best to sound normal. Still the fact Childe had left without a word hurt more than when he hit her with an electro attack.

“Paimon thinks you should go to the beach. The nice salt air is good for you.” She pointed to the beach out the window.

Brows drawing together, Lumine glanced out the window. “The beach? I guess I could go there…”

“Great! Paimon’ll be at Wangshu Inn! Their almond tofu is the best!” Floating up, she gave Lumine a wave before quickly flying out the window.

Taking Paimon’s advice, she went to the beach. The scent of the salt waves did calm her down. Just a day ago, the waters had been dark and foreboding. Everything was now calm as if nothing had happened.

Walking along the shore, she picked up a starconch. Inspecting the blue shell, she was about to toss it back in the water when she spotted a mess of orange hair just a bit further down.

Not believing her eyes, she slowly made her way toward the figure. She started picking up her pace as she got closer. She was all but running by the time she was a few feet away from him.

“Childe!” She collided with him and wrapped her arms around his waist. Pressing her face against his back, she felt a sense of relief that he hadn’t left just yet.

“You found me…” He sounded tired.

Pulling away, she took a few steps back so she could look at him. He smiled weakly as he met her golden gaze. “I thought you left.”

“I couldn’t leave just yet.” His eyes flickered away from hers.

She looked down at her feet. She was still clutching the starconch tightly in her hand. “Are you feeling better?”

“Why?” he whispered.

Her head snapped up as she stared at him. “Why what?”

“Why do you care? Why did you save me?” Desperation colored his eyes. He reached for her but stopped and let his arms fall to his side. “After everything that happened, you still saved me. Why?”

Licking her suddenly dry lips, Lumine inspected the starconch closely. “I…didn’t want to leave you. A part of me knew you were using me, but that didn’t stop me from caring about you.”

She held up the starconch. “When we first met, you were all smiles, laughter and jokes. But I quickly learned it was all a mask. Behind that mask, I saw someone who was alone. Someone who craved a connection but was afraid to let himself be vulnerable.”

A dry chuckle left his lips. “You really saw all that? I guess I wasn’t as good at hiding as I thought.”

The corner of her lips twitched. “I’m just good at observing people for a long time. It took me a while to figure you out. And even now I’m not completely sure.”

“You’re mostly correct, which is a feat in itself. You’re a smart girl,” he praised.

Her stomach did an odd flip at his compliment. “W-well what are you planning to do now?” She quickly changed the subject.

Childe tilted his head back to stare at the endless blue sky. “I’m not sure. I doubt I’ll be welcomed back to the Fatui after my failure. Punishment seems more like it…”

Inhaling deeply, she held the starconch out to him. “You could come with us. Paimon and I plan to visit the other countries.”

“Are you sure you want me to come with you? I’m kind of a bad guy.” Yet, he took the starconch from her, inspected it, and placed it in his pocket all the while holding eye contact.

Lumine peered up at him. “It’s okay. I trust you.”

He blinked owlishly at her. “...really?”

“Yes.” Her eyes sparked with determination. “I believe you’re not as bad of a person as you want me to think you are. You’ve done some bad things, but it doesn’t mean you can’t make up for them.”

A slow smile formed on his face. He moved with lightning fast reflexes even as his muscles protested. Leaning over her, he tilted her chin up with one hand and pressed his other against the small of her back.

“You’re very naïve, Lumine. If you’re not careful, I just might take advantage of you again,” he murmured, his lips inches from hers. His hold was loose enough that she could push him away.

His eyes that once held no emotions, were swirling with them. Sorrow, happiness, fear, hope all seemed to clash inside him. He was looking for something from her and she knew what it was.

Her hands grasped at the front of his shirt. “I forgive you.” Three simple words. His body relaxed and he closed space between them.

[teyvat-temptations]

Betrayal: A Twisted!Kaeya Scenario

Inspired by Vili’s art on Twitter

A/N: Hi there! This is a new Genshin Impact imagine/scenario blog because I couldn’t resist the urge anymore. I’m still working on it, but I wanted to post something I worked on today for a friend. I hope you all enjoy!

Characters: Kaeya, Traveler/Reader (Gender neutral) Word Count: 1328 Genre: Angst Warning: Violence mentioned throughout Summary: None of this was supposed to happen. You couldn’t bring yourself to hurt Kaeya, but you knew it would be the only way to save him from himself.

This was madness. Reality mixed in with the twisted soul of someone loved by many, with little to be done other than to end it here and now. What stared back was not the man you had drinks with on your first night in Mondstadt, nor was it the man whose poetry confused you, yet it plucked at the harp strings in your heart to play a melody only you know.

What stood before you was betrayal.

As you stood in the dark, lantern-lit area, Paimon tried to shake your shoulder to ground you.

“Y/N, Y/N please!” Paimon pleaded, but your focus was on the tears pouring through his left eye. You wanted nothing more than to wipe them away, to tell him he never had to hide the truth from you.

“Y/N!” Paimon yelled again. That snapped you back to the present. “We can’t stand around here any longer!”

The whispers, oh the whispers surrounding you made your heart beat faster and your lungs tighten up. What are cries for help to the possessed, if not a cry for mercy? To end it all and release them from the pain they inflicted onto their loved ones- you shook your head to clear your mind of the whispers, but they never seemed to go away.

“Color me impressed.” Kaeya runs his long, sharp fingers over the edge of his blade. The way your face shone on the metal surface was haunting. Where it brought you comfort from the first time you trained together, it now brought sorrow.

“You made it to the very end, haven’t you? The end of peace in our nation was only the beginning. You’ll bear witness to a new era- and I am going to be front and center so you can see my good side.”

You remember what led to this. One by one, you saw your friends fall, crumpled in pain as Barbara and the other nuns desperately transported them to the cathedral for healing. Amber was the first, followed by Bennett-

What hurt you the most was Jean and Diluc falling from their wounds. The scream that teared through your vocal chords, your knees hitting the cold ground as you begged for this to stop. Nothing was real. It was a nightmare, wasn’t it? The second you would wake up, it would end!

Except the nightmare continued. When Paimon slapped you back to your senses, you felt the sting last on your cheek. You knew what had to be done.

“Help…” Was that Kaeya? You drew out your sword, glaring at this demon.

A demon- that was the man before you. Not the anti-hero with an attitude problem. No longer was there a charm to his presence, but rather an aura that screamed agony surrounded his being.

“Scared to step forward?”

“Run.”

“Afraid you’re going to fall, just like your little friends?”

“Are they safe?”

“Well… are you going to stop me?”

“Please.”

You slowly rose your arm, pointing the tip of the blade towards him. You were the savior of Mondstadt now. If anyone could stop Kaeya from committing further harm onto the people, it was you.

“So brave for a small body like yours.” Kaeya licked at his lips, the black liquid escaping his right eye dripping off of his tongue. “Shall we start?”

“End this… now.” No. You stood firm, shoulders back as hot tears now ran down your face. You ignored the whispers in your head and focused on Kaeya.

“Not running? I admired that about you.” You two started to walk around in a circle, neither making the first move.

“Never running from danger was something I found beautiful about you. No matter what we threw at you, you found your strength and even became an honorary Knight. Aren’t you proud of yourself for such an accomplishment? Gaining the trust of so many people that know your name- it must put a lot of weight on shoulders, no?”

“Don’t listen to me, Y/N.” Two voices, speaking at once. It was a battle for his soul, and you were going to make the final judgement call.

The air grew still. No one spoke, and the whispers stopped.

Clang! Swords struck each other- you made the first move, but he blocked it with ease. You were pushed back as he swung back. His sword was coated in the black liquid. His left hand held the sword as his claw reached to scratch at your eyes. Your sword was up and blocking his claw, the scratching sound on the metal irritating your ears as you jumped away from him once more.

“DON’T RUN ANYMORE, Y/N!” His small smile was replaced with a wicked grin, his eyes widening as he ran towards you. “AREN’T YOU SUPPOSED TO BE THE SAVIOR? THE ARCHONS BLESSED YOU, DIDN’T THEY?”

A cold laugh escaped from his lips as you moved away from his claw once more, but something caught your leg- a black tendril. Swinging your sword down, you managed to cut your leg out of it before Kaeya could strike with his sword.

“Save…” The last part was ignored as you swung and slashed at his chest. You left an open wound there, right above his heart as he growled from the pain.

“Congratulations, Y/N. Isn’t it satisfying being the first to land a hit on me?” He bared his teeth at you and rushed forward. The room was growing cold, but you had to ignore it. Moving away once again, you used your Palm Vortex to push him away.

It brought you enough time to breathe, but not enough to think of a strategy. Kaeya was back on his feet and bombrushing you once again, landing a few hits before grabbing at your throat and throwing you against the wall. His cold laughter only grew in volume as it bounced off the walls.

“GET UP!” You let out a strained cough and rose to your feet. “We’re not done here, Y/N. Not until one of us is dead!”

This was a game for him. You brought your sword up once more and let out some more coughs before breathing in fresh air. Kaeya would give you no time to think as he pushed himself towards you once more. Metal hit against metal as you moved underneath him and stabbed at his stomach. He slashed your back as you moved away, making you seethe in pain as you two circled each other again.

Something started to change about him. The blue veins that were present on his body began to glow along with his Vision. He stepped forward in long strides, fog rolling in beneath your feet. What was dripping from his eye ran all the way down his body onto the ground.

“Watch your step, Y/N.” Something cold wrapped around your legs and slowly crawled up to your body. You swung your sword and cut off the tendrils, but they grew back in no time. He was growing closer as you wasted your time on these tendrils, trying to break free from their grasp. Kaeya only laughed at your struggle.

“You seem caught, Y/N. Do you need assistance?”

“Run, please.” You managed to get away just in time as he tried to freeze you on the spot. That was too close. However, just as you thought you were safe, the tendrils began wrapping around your legs once again.

Their job was not to hold you in place. You felt yourself sinking into the ground, desperately cutting away to bring yourself back up to the surface. Kaeya grinned as he started sinking as well, embracing the cold and slimy touch of his creation.

“I’ll see you on the other side, Y/N.” You sunk further into the ground until you no longer saw the floor. Where he was taking you now was only a guess, but you knew one thing:

Kaeya’s still in there.

[rapifessor]

Project 888 - Afterword

Apologies for the delay on pushing out this little presentation of mine, I recognize that I’ve been taking my time with it. There were a lot of other things I’ve been wanting to get done lately.

But here it is, every characters’ Talents screens lined up, side by side. Basically I took screenshots of every one, cropped them to a uniform size, and stitched them together in Microsoft’s Paint 3D. And then I shrunk the image down and saved it as a JPEG, because the file size was nearly 70 MB at first, holy fuck. Obviously it’s a little too small to see within the confines of this post, but you should be able to download the image and have a closer look.

You might notice a couple things if you do. Obviously my Ei and Hu Tao are both leveled past 8 on their Talents; in fact, my Hu Tao is triple-crowned, which is something I did a while back since she’s one of my favorite characters and I wanted her to be insanely overpowered. Same goes for Ei, but I felt it didn’t make sense to crown anything besides her Elemental Burst, so she just has a level 13 burst Talent to literally destroy everything.

But aside from those two, there’s something else that stands out... see if you can find it.

So yeah, thoughts on Project 888 I guess... It was a lot to push through. By far the worst thing about it is that it’s not a static workload, the way I set it up. It gets heavier over time due to new characters, and I always intend to get every new character that comes out, because I’m a character collector. Every new character I obtain adds to the grind by about a week, and since I started Project 888 I think there’ve been five character releases, starting with Miko.

Oddly enough, the added workload from new characters seems to roughly cancel out the time saved from getting extra resin and materials through events and the Battle Pass, which means that, barring things like getting three new characters introduced in a single update, my initial estimate of completion time for stuff like this is probably going to be pretty accurate.

I think I dealt with the monotony of it fairly well. There was enough other stuff going on both in and out of Genshin that it didn’t really affect me all that much. Really the biggest downside of perpetually grinding one resource over and over again is that it doesn’t let me work on characters that I’m particularly interested in building/using like Yanfei, who’s mostly complete but needs some optimization to be where I really want her to be.

I guess it also goes to show how I am truly interested in this game and in maxing my account eventually, since I’m willing to do something like this. I occasionally doubt whether Genshin is something that’s really worth playing to me, especially when it comes to how much money I spend on it, and I worry sometimes that I’m just engaging in a sunk cost fallacy. But I guess this is my hobby, and while it’s an expensive one, it’s one that I enjoy.

As for what I’m doing now, well, the work never truly stops. I’ve reached Adventure Rank 60, the game’s current maximum, and I’m now working on maxing out a weapon for every character. I’m done with swords, claymores, and polearms already, but catalysts and bows still need a lot of work. I wanted to get this sorted out so that I can focus solely on artifacts for a little while.

That said, I’m now using the artifacts that I gather from artifact runs for EXP again instead of destroying them for Mora. Obviously I’m quite low on Mora now, but since my current work is more free-form and not part of an organized project, I’m just going to grind some Ley Lines whenever I need money.

I’m not sure how long it will take me to get artifacts set up on every character. The thing is, I have a lot of random decent artifacts from my artifact farming days prior to Project 888, so some characters I’m able to equip without doing hardly any grinding. I currently have 9 characters with incomplete sets, most of which are only missing one or two artifacts.

I’m having a bit of a debate with myself when it comes to whether or not I should be satisfied with those sets, however. Many of my characters are running suboptimal sets, even if their sets are complete. There’s also the issue of getting enough Energy Recharge on every character so that I can use their bursts frequently... There’s a lot to sort out still.

So that’s on my to-do list: figure out what I still need to grind for after shuffling some artifacts around, and then going out and getting those artifacts. I’ll probably start with figuring out which characters are “complete,” and then working on everyone who isn’t until I’m satisfied. In other words, finishing up my artifacts could take either no time at all, or a pretty decent amount of time.

But I think once that’s all done, it will be time to move on to the next big project, which will be maxing out Ascension on every single character... oof. There’s going to be a lot on my shopping list for that one. Anyway, I think I’ve rambled on long enough here, so it’s time to finally close this chapter of my Genshin Impact journey. Project 888 may now be over, but in the words of a certain Wii U game whose story ended on a cliffhanger:

This story never truly ends...