#genshin one shots

[windwheeler-aster]

valentine’s absence

summary: even though you and your partner planned a romantic day, you find a letter that tells you there’s been a “slight” change in plans

masterlist

pairings (separate): thoma, ayato, cyno, alhaitham, yoimiya, yelan, lisa, and shenhe x reader

reader info: uses gender neutral pronouns (they/them)

word count: 255~ words per section (1 and a half minutes~)

genre: romance, (slight) hurt/comfort

format: one shots (letters)

warnings: slightly suggestive, character can’t make it to valentine’s date

a/n: idk why of all things i wrote this. i liked it though, so i hope you do too :) happy valentine’s day, even if you’re all alone like me! we deserve love just as much as those icky couples you see in public. gross. anyway, enjoy this💖

To My Sweetheart,

Happy Valentine’s Day, honey! 

I’m so incredibly sorry that I can’t spend the whole day with you. The Kamisatos have tasked me with delivering some things around Inazuma to some friends and business partners of theirs. Ayato said it’s to keep up business relationships. But you and I both know that the people of Inazuma won’t see it that way. I can already hear the gossiping citizens following after the two siblings when they go into town. 

But, the good news is that you’ll have me all to yourself when I get off from work! 

I was thinking we could get dressed up and head out to a nice restaurant. Maybe Kiminami Restaurant? I heard they have a sweet deal for couples for Valentine’s. Or maybe you’d like to go to Komore Teahouse…? I don’t mind sticking with something familiar, but I just want to do something different for today. But don’t worry. Whatever you choose, I don’t mind! I just want to make you feel special, baby.

And, I heard Naganohara Fireworks was doing a special light show for tonight. I was thinking that after dinner, we could take a nice stroll through town. We could watch all the beautiful lights and fireworks! Though, I don’t think their beauty could ever compare to yours.

Again, I do hope you’ll forgive me for not being there for the whole day. Please take care of yourself while I’m gone. We’ll definitely talk more when I get home and decide what’s best, okay? 

See you later tonight, babe.

Sincerely yours,

Thoma

My Darling,

I write to you to apologize. It seems that there was an oversight and I was scheduled to have a meeting with some business partners today. Trust me, darling, this is as frustrating to me as it is to you. I had specifically cleared my schedule of all work and meetings for this day, and yet I still managed to forget something. Please accept my sincere apology. 

Fortunately, it is only one meeting. One surely long, very boring, and pointless meeting. Ugh. I swear, these business officials get something out of ruining my days. As I’m writing this, I already feel a headache coming on.

I should be out by the time it is midday. By then, I’ll fetch you from our chambers myself. It’s not… necessary, per se, for you to be dressed by then. You know I’m more than happy to help you get dressed for the day. I actually have a few items I’d like you to try on, but that can wait for a later time.

I was thinking we could go for a nice stroll on the trail behind the estate, or maybe even venture into Chinju Forest? I know it’s a little spooky, but I think it would be quite tranquil. And, I wanted to bring along a nice picnic for us. We never get to sit down and enjoy our time together, do we?

That’s all I had planned for this special day, but I’m more than willing for other suggestions. You are my heart, my love, and my life. Wherever you want to go to, or whatever you want to do, I will follow wholeheartedly and without question. 

Forever yours,

Ayato Kamisato

Hey Babe,

There’s some trouble in the Akademiya and I’ve been called in to handle the situation. Can’t give you many details right now, the situation is still happening as I write. All I know is that there’s some senseless argument between some scholars. Again.

I should be back by supper time, at least. Please be ready by the time I’m back. We have a reservation at Lambad’s Tavern that I’d rather not be late to.

I know I seem curt and cold in this letter, but please understand that my anger is not directed at you. I had a very romantic morning planned for us where I could wake you up with your favorite breakfast. I was going to show you a photo album I had made of us, but sadly I cannot be there to witness your reactions. It’s on my bedside table, the book with a red leather cover. I know it’s not too thick, but I promise you that by next year it will have tripled in volume with the amount of memories we will have made.

I love you with every fiber of my being. I love how your reactions to my jokes, as it always encourages me to find even more. I actually have a few for you that I made myself, but they can wait for our dinner. 

Happy Valentine’s Day, babe.

Sincerely,

Cyno

Dear Love,

You know that I’m not a fan of Valentine’s Day. To me, it’s all a bunch of marketing and advertising for some pointless and ingenuine romance. The holiday itself leaves a sour taste in my mouth, like some of the cheaper chocolates you get on this stupid holiday. However, after a change of heart, I think I can tolerate this holiday in honor of you, my love.

We both know that I’m not a huge romantic. Despite being a scholar and the Scribe for the Akademiya, words seem to fail me. I don’t know how to compliment you like a flowery poet or bard. Giving compliments and praise is a new experience for me, so please be patient with me. Though, I know you find it amusing when I turn cherry red as I try to maintain eye contact and compliment you. Which is very difficult, by the way.

However, I’m better with actions. Which is why you’ll find yourself alone this morning, as I’ve left a trail of sentimental clues for you to follow. At the end of memory lane, you’ll find me, your beloved. Not an exciting prize, I know, but I thought that it could be a fun experience for you.

Happy Valentine’s Day, my love. I hope you have fun, and I hope to see you soon.

Forever and always yours,

Haitham

Good morning, my sunshine!

So, there’s a slight change of plans for the day. 

I know we wanted to spend the day together in each other’s embrace, doing a lot of lovey dovey and coupley stuff. But, due to some faulty fireworks, I’ve gotta be in the firework shop trying to fix it. I think my dad accidentally spilt something over them, but I’m not sure yet.

But, that doesn’t mean the day is totally ruined! I was thinking that sometime in the midday you could come over? That way we could at least grab some lunch and still have some romance! Or maybe we could do some shopping? I saw this really cute set of matching bracelets the other day and immediately thought of us. Only if you want to, of course! I’m fine with whatever you want to do!

Listen, I know it doesn’t make up for the disappointment. If it means anything, I’m pretty sad that I can’t spend the whole day with you too. I just wanted to spend the whole morning cuddling with you! And then we could have made breakfast together. I bought some cute aprons and everything! Ugh, silly fireworks…

Anyway, I hope to see you on my break, sunshine. I’m more than willing to do anything to make it up to you, so feel free to suggest something else we can do! Within reason of course. My dad’s hard of hearing, but not deaf, hun. 

Hugs and kisses,

Yoimiya

P.S. - I love you!

To My Darling Dearest,

I screwed up. 

I know today we had big plans to bask in the romantic and lovey dovey atmosphere, both of us making sure we have the day off to celebrate. I even got you a lovely gift and flowers and— ugh, I’m sorry, my love.

Something came up with work, as always. I can’t say much now, given the nature of my work, but I will let you know that there’s been a major break in our case. My informants and I think we’ll be able to gather enough evidence on our current “client” whilst he’s out with his sweetheart. It’s a long shot, for sure, but I’ll pull it off. I always do, love.

But in regards to our romantic day together, do you think we could reschedule? I know that this is very upsetting— or it is to me, at least�� so I understand if you’re frustrated with me. I just ask you that your anger doesn’t sour and turn into resentment against me. Please understand that I love you more than my work itself. Coming home to you is a home in itself, your sweet greeting and soft kisses being the welcome mat. I’ve never felt more comfortable than I am with you, whether it be cuddling in bed or simply cooking together in the kitchen. I love you oh so much, my darling dearest. Please don’t ever forget that.

So, I ask you to think of ways for me to redeem myself. I’ll do nearly anything for you dear… alright?

Yours forever,

Yelan

Hey cutie,

You may have noticed that I’m not by your side this morning. 

But don’t panic, I’m alright. The knights didn’t schedule me for patrol or anything else like that. I’m just in the library for this morning, as I was asked to cover a shift at the last minute. Ugh. The things I do for these people…

In better news, I’m actually preparing your Valentine’s day gift as you read this. Now, now, don’t get too excited. It’s not as extravagant or wonderful as you imagine, but it is something simple yet heartfelt. Nothing as lovely as your gift to me, I imagine. You did get me a gift, right…?

No bother. Gift or no gift, I love you regardless, cutie. You’re one of the most interesting people I’ve met throughout my life, adding a new flavor to my life amongst stern knights and boring scholars. You always know how to console me after a crappy day at work, and I am forever grateful for that. When you help me with work, even the small things like book returns, it makes me fall in love with you all over again. My special little helper, haha.

I’ll drop by the house by midday. If you wouldn’t mind preparing some food, I would love to take you out for a picnic. I always find the cliffs around Mondstadt to be especially romantic. And, more importantly, scheduled.

I’ll see you later today, love.

Xoxo,

Lisa

To My Love,

I’m writing to you because I am worried.

This is my first Valentine’s with a partner. You already are familiar with my… lack of experience, when it comes to romance. Even when I suppress my stronger urges— the other ones, dear— thinking about you can make my passive and docile personality break. Cloud Retainer teases me that I turn pink and “smile like an idiot in love.” I think she’s just jealous. 

But to keep on topic, I’m worried that I’ll ruin this romantic day for us. I know we made plans to do some hiking around the cliffs of Liyue and then have a picnic, but do you want that? You already know that I find traditional romantic traditions on this day strange, but I never thought to ask you if you wanted to do that instead.

I really appreciate you being understanding and accommodating to me, but I want to give you something too. So, I was thinking that we could just walk down to the streets of Liyue and… do some shopping, maybe? Last time I was there, I saw some nice jewelry that would look really pretty on you. Oh, and there were some nice smelling pastries in the shop one over! You’re sweet and you like sweet things, right? Maybe we should go get some goodies and candies instead of eating the herb-central dishes I made for the picnic…

We’ll talk more once we see each other. But I want to do something you want to do, too. Not just because I wanted to, but because it was your idea. I really value your opinion and suggestions, darling. So don’t hold back, alright?

Your love,

Shenhe

thank you for reading 💖 all forms of interaction to my posts are appreciated 💖

[holybananaoafshoe]

Modern AU: Halloween 🎃 1/2

It’s way after Halloween, BUT YOU KNOW WHAT?? I’m happy you guys are here, and what would the spooky season be without a, hastily written, one shot? Here’s the first half for you guys!

Pairing: Kaeya and Wriothesley  :)

TLDR: What’s Halloween without a party, a ghost hunt, and some well-meaning shenanigans?

“Please, Albedo, it’ll just be for tonight!”

“No.”

“I’ll do anything,” Kaeya pleaded, “I’ll do all of the taste testing for the next month.”

The man in question was lounging languidly on the couch of their shared apartment, feet propped up on the coffee table, and absentmindedly watching some kind of documentary on cryptids across the United States. A large bowl of candy sat on the round end table next to the couch, a few discarded wrappers laying on Albedo's lap as he watched the documentary. 

The living room was dark, the only source of light coming from the various lit candles around the apartment and the glowing TV. Small pumpkins that were crudely carved by Kaeya and Klee littered the counter top, while the more intricately carved ones Albedo had carved (as well as a few he carved for Klee) were displayed on the balcony. 

Their neat apartment had a few cobwebs strewn about and rubber bats hanging from the ceiling. Their kitchenette had some small test tubes and beakers with water and food coloring in them. A few had smoke drifting from the tops to pool on the counter--courtesy of Albedo, who took a few leftover dry ice chunks from work. Ghosts hung in the hallway that led to their bedrooms and the bathroom. They had painstakingly hung up their fairy lights on the ceiling of the hallway in an attempt to make the ghosts seem a little less scary. Poor Klee had gotten quite the scare late one night while she was sleeping over because she forgot they had hung them up, that is until a passing car's headlights cast the ghosts' eerie shadows on the wall. 

Kaeya liked to dub the hallway “Specters Crevice,” but it seems others did not share his sentiment as they’d wrinkle their noses or roll their eyes at the cheesy name. All, besides Klee, who had giggled and hung up a small ghost that looked a lot like Dodoco. The name, lights, and the ghost resembling Dodoco had thankfully helped ease the young girl's mind.

It was their night off from the Knights of Flavorus, which was a small bakery owned by Alice. The local bakery wound up expanding relatively fast with the help of Albedo’s scientific ways of combining flavors and the owner’s own to-die-for recipes. Albedo was the head food and flavor chemist of the company and managed a small team that would come up with wacky flavors that made all the employees a little nervous to try. 

Kaeya had known both Alice and Albedo long before the bakery began. Alice had been close to Crepus, his adoptive father, before he had passed away. She visited so often that he and Diluc have taken to calling her “Aunt Alice.” Since Crepus's passing, Alice had taken Diluc and Kaeya under her wing, treating them like her own children and helping them through the hardships they endured after the funeral. The family held a special place in Kaeya’s heart, they took him in after he and Diluc had gotten into a nasty fight in the bar. The brothers had exchanged harsh words--words neither of them truly meant, but left emotional scars all the same. One of the long-time bartenders broke them up and let Kaeya leave early, just an hour after midnight. Wouldn’t you know, that would be the same night a drunk driver hit Kaeya in a head-on collision as he was driving towards Aunt Alice’s house. 

He lost his right eye and his brother that night. 

The next following days in the hospital were…ones he’d rather forget to be honest. Surprisingly Diluc would visit, which would always end up in a yelling match that Aunt Alice or nurses would rush to break up. During those rough weeks of healing and physical therapy and searching for a job (and trying not to think about his eye), she had let him stay with her. Aunt Alice bought the bakery just a few months after his accident and hired Kaeya as one of the bakery’s managers. After a lot of deliberation and discussions and arguments with Diluc, he started work at the Knights of Flavorus and got an apartment with Albedo. He was often found upfront working his customer service ‘charms’ as Lisa, their accountant, would say, or in the back decorating cakes.

Thankfully, Kaeya and Diluc are at least on speaking terms now. Sometimes, they can even stand each other long enough for Kaeya to help out at the bar or to sit through an event with Aunt Alice and her family. 

Nonetheless, Albedo was not one to dress up for Halloween, often going with whatever costume Kaeya or Klee wore or just donning his lab coat and grabbing some kind of prop he dug out from Kaeya’s closet. Tonight, he sported an oversized white hoodie that had swirling gold embroidery on the arms with stars sprinkled in, a pair of navy sweats, and fluffy Dodoco slippers Alice had gifted to him last Christmas. 

Kaeya had on his costume and a face full of makeup, ready for a night out in the town.

Only, he had forgotten he was supposed to take Klee out to the annual Halloween bash in the park this year. The bash is hosted by the town where various businesses open up elaborately decorated booths ranging from food to games to entertainment. It was one of the biggest holiday celebrations in the town, right next to Christmas. The winners of the booth decorating contest won bragging rights as well as the ability to pick where their booth would be located at the next year's bash.

After the bash, the streets in town would be closed off for a few hours so kids can run around and go trick-or-treating. Everything considered, the turn out for the event was huge and most of the employees at the Knights of Flavorus worked in shifts at their booth.

It was the first Halloween either has had off for…a while. Usually the two spent the night covering each other's breaks at the Knight's booth so they could spend a little time with Klee. Yet, here they were, spending the few hours before the Halloween Bash to get their costumes on and goodie bags for the kids ready, and Kaeya just realized his predicament. 

Albedo slowly tore his eyes away from the TV and looked over at Kaeya, raising an eyebrow at his costume. “Last time I covered for you, you got arrested.”

“And I got a cute boyfriend out of it, your point?” 

Last Halloween, Kaeya had gotten into a small fight with a customer that resulted in both him and the customer getting detained and taken to the nearby police station. He wasn’t even working for the Knights of Flavorus, he was helping his brother bartend. Technically, he was supposed to be at the barkery, but Albedo had covered hsi shift after Diluc had called Kaeya up right around the time the Halloween Bash began, asking if there was any way he could help. His long-time bartenders had called in just before the bar opened: one had gotten sick and the other had to rush their child to the emergency room (word on the street was the child had grabbed a flaming marshmallow with his bare hands, apparently trying to throw it into their cup), leaving Diluc alone at the bar. Kaeya couldn't exactly leave his brother to fend for himself, he knew how busy the Halloween party at the bar got and then the absolute insanity when the after party started. (It was always the best party of the year, fondly remembered by all those who participated until the next rolls around).

It wasn’t his fault and, if it says anything, Diluc and the police agree that Kaeya was not at fault. 

Listen, what was he supposed to do when he kept getting orders for angle shots? He and Diluc made sure to keep an eye out for the creep. Unfortunately, with how packed it was, neither seemed to be able to spot the man. His breaking point was when Barbra, a member of a local band that often played live music at the bar, had shakily come up to him and tell him that it was Albert. At that point, Kaeya had left the bar to hunt the man down. Can you blame him? He was getting sick and tired of throwing Albert out for creeping on girls and following Barbra around the parking lot. No matter what he or Diluc tried, nothing seemed to keep Albert away. 

When he finally caught Albert’s ass, he made sure to get between Albert and the person he was pursuing. Of course, when kicking Albert out peacefully didn’t work, Kaeya had tried to forcefully kick him out. One thing led to another, and Albert wound up breaking a bottle of wine over Kaeya’s head and used the bottle as a makeshift weapon. At some point in the fight, Kaeya had been able to wrestle the bottle away and subdue Albert until the police arrived. 

Imagine Kaeya’s surprise when the police arrested both of them. He supposed it had been a year or two since he’s worked as security, but he thought the local police would at the very least remember all the times he had called the station about an unruly drunk. 

He didn’t exactly regret fighting Albert, the man had it coming for a long time and a small part of him was satisfied that he was the one to put the man behind bars, but he did regret having to sit in an interrogation room for the rest of Halloween without spending any time with Klee. He sat in the cold interrogation room for who knows how long--his head bleeding, feeling a little woozy, and overall reevaluating his life choices--until Wriothesley had walked in. It’s cheesy to say, but Kaeya’s breath was taken away at the sight of the officer. How could he not be infatuated when the officer scrolled in, a slight grin tugging at his lips, and began to tease Kaeya about the fight?

He wound up doing community service for a few weeks, but it was so worth it. 

For one, Albert was officially banned from the bar and Diluc was able to get a restraining order of sorts to keep him off the bar's property. Secondly, it also gave Kaeya more time with Wriothesley. Eventually, he had worked up the nerve to ask the other out for dinner, who had teasingly said he would take up his offer once he was finished with community service. 

“My point,” Albedo said, pointing a Crunch bar at him, “is that last year, you were beside yourself for missing out on spending time with Klee.” 

“I know," Kaeya sighed, "it's just, I can do the Halloween Bash, but Wriothesley and I wanted to go to the after party together and…" 

"That's when trick-or-treating starts," Albedo finished for him.

Kaeya nodded and silence filled the space between them as Albedo thoughtfully munched on the candy. After a moment, Albedo looked over at him and pointed his half-eaten crunch bar at Kaeya: “You know, you still owe me for knocking a whole tub of peppercorns into batter when you and Wriothesley tried to fu--”

“OOOKAAY we agreed to never bring that up again,” Kaeya interrupted, his face turning a nice shade of red. 

Albedo took an aggressive bite of his candy, the loud snap making Kaeya cringe, and threw his arms up as if to say: what do you want me to do, when you haven't touched a single cake pop I've made?

The Peppercorn Incident™ happened when Kaeya and Wriothesley first started dating. Let’s just say Wriothesley's after hours visit to the Knights of Flavorus with Kaeya to pick up a set of keys had turned into an impromptu cake decorating lesson in the large walk in cooler that got a tad flavorful, if you will. In their passion, they had knocked over a large container of peppercorn into leftover dough (who knew plastic wrap was so flimsy?). 

After knocking the peppercorn over, they decided it would probably be best to continue elsewhere, so Kaeya cleaned up (he wasn’t a monster, thank you, people make food on those tables) and they left. Only, he had forgotten to throw out the leftover batter, and Albedo had been the lucky soul who had decided to look at the security footage to find the culprit. Thankfully, Albedo deleted the footage and they both agreed never to speak of it again, so long as Kaeya taste tested anything Albedo made for the Halloween Bash.

You can imagine how much Kaeya had wanted to yeet himself into the abyss when Albedo had dragged him into dry storage and confronted him about it. 

Kaeya can only imagine what would have happened if Sucrose, or, God forbid, Aunt Alice had found the footage.

Small mercies and all of that. 

Regardless, Kaeya didn’t mean to avoid taste testing things for Albedo. Between helping Diluc out with the bar, getting the Knights of Flavorus’s Halloween booth items, and splitting his spare time between Klee and Wriothesley he hasn’t been able to pop by the labs. Usually, Kayea doesn't overwork  himself--he prides himself on his ability to balance his time between work and life--but before he had realized, he found himself committing to setting up the bakery’s booth for the Halloween Bash and helping at Angel's Share all so he could get tonight off. 

He wasn't proud to say that Albedo and Lisa had to send him home early a few times (nearly collapsing at the counter and throwing an entire tray of cupcakes away instead of the broken piping bag wasn't his brightest moments), calling Wriothesley to come pick him up and drive him back home. One day, Albedo took one look at him, picked up his phone, and told Jean Kayea wasn't coming to work--all while maintaining eye contact. Don't get Kayea wrong, he was thankful for his coworkers (if he was being honest, they were all more friends than coworkers) and without them he wouldn't be half as alert as he was currently. 

However, Albedo hasn’t summoned him to the labs once. Instead he just set random cake pops out and about the apartment, and they weren’t even weird flavors, they were vanilla. Perhaps he didn't call him over because he could see how exhausted Kaeya was, but he was fully capable of making caffeinated cake pops.

Albedo can deny it all he wants, but he swears he's seen something about it in Albedo's recipes.

Not only that, but Albedo occasionally enjoyed giving them things to taste test that were unusual, stifling a laugh when they made faces at the flavors. So to say that Kaeya would have been the perfect subject for unusual flavor testing, tired and unassuming as he's been the past few weeks, would be an understatement. 

The perfectly normal and delicious cake pops were odd, suspicious even, and Kaeya had halfway expected one of them to have an interesting candy coating. Except none of them ever did.

(No matter how much Albedo liked tricking others into tasting something odd, he wasn't cruel. Not that he didn't try to make something for Kaeya, he just felt bad pushing his unholy creations onto his tired roommate. Besides, Kaeya has been working his ass off to try to get Halloween off to spend time with Klee. Even Albedo had to admit his efforts were enduring, so maybe he made Kaeya's favorite cake pop flavor to help him feel better after a rough night at the bar. He even made a few for Wriothesley, who would drive Kaeya home. He'd spend the night and cook Kaeya’s favorite breakfast the next morning. Wriothesley would stay over more to make sure Kaeya would actually go to bed rather than work on finding things for the bakery’s Halloween booth.)

So here they were.

Kaeya shuffled his feet, the red shoes of his costume squeaking on the floor. "Listen, I'll make good on that and I'll make sure to help keep nosey cooks and customers away from the labs during the holidays." 

Albedo hummed and stated: "I believe you will…and I'll come up with something you can help me with for this later, so go have fun on your date."

Kaeya let out a victorious whoop, crossing the distance between himself and his roommate to give him a sloppy hug. "Thank you, thank you, thank you!"

Albedo laughed and patted his friend's back: "Yeah, yeah, don't get too ahead of yourself." 

Kaeya went back into the kitchen, buying himself with packing up a small goodie bag for Klee and another for Wriothesley's adopted cousin Freminet, humming a song to himself happily. 

He paused, his hand hovering between the popcorn balls and Halloween baggies, suddenly realizing: "There's no way you're only wearing a hoodie to Halloween."

"I didn't have time to get a costume." Albedo called from the living room.

"Oh, we'll make you a costume." 

[lotus-pear]

intertwined fate

[hydrodragons]

furina imitating her fellow archons 💙

[abyssruler]

aether, like countless other knights and princes across the realm seeking glory, sets off on a journey to free the princess from the locked tower and slay the fearsome dragon guarding her.

meanwhile, neuvillette is tired of all these humans trespassing into his home and attempting to steal his wife.

[aestherin]

notes | kazuha x gn! reader

hcs

random headcanons because i had a brainrot session otw back to my dorm :D (also not proofread :>)

also may be considered a stand-alone but may also be viewed as kazuha from my keep my heart smau hehe (would actually be very in character since he's a lit major there) ^^

kazuha, who shared several major classes with you on your third year of university

kazuha, who by chance sat beside you on the first day and opted to just sit at that spot for the whole academic year

kazuha, who impulsively and secretly wrote a haiku on his notes app when he heard your voice for the first time

kazuha, whose interest was piqued by you when he got to read the works you've written when your professors required you to exchange papers and critique each other's works

kazuha, whose eyes subconsciously always trail back to you whenever they find the perfect chance

kazuha, who did not realize it until his friend venti told him about how he's making everything so obvious

kazuha, whose heart jumped and dropped at the same time when the two of you got paired for a certain literary project

kazuha, who tried so hard to hide his flushed face when the distance between the two of you became close to nothing as you two wrote down words on the same piece of paper

kazuha, who only realized how deep he has fallen when you smiled genuinely at him for the first time

kazuha, who stayed up in his room that whole night after that revelation

kazuha, who, for the first time ever in his life, could not come up with words to explain what he was feeling

kazuha, who started writing anonymous messages addressed to you on little post-its

kazuha, who started attaching those post-its to your bag every time he finds a chance

kazuha, who starts looking forward to writing you short poems and short notes every single day

kazuha, who is perplexed by the note he found attached to his bag once he got back from the restroom

kazuha, whose brows furrow even deeper once he realizes that it was the exact same note he had stuck to your bag earlier that day

kazuha, who felt his heart overwhelm his whole being when he spotted a very familiar penmanship at the bottom of the paper

i know your handwriting, kaedehara ( ˶ˆᗜˆ˵ ) would you care to send me more of these cute little messages at [contact number]? (,,>﹏<,,)

kazuha, who almost dropped his phone as he attempted to type as swift as he could with his hands shaking

kazuha, who swore that he would never ever waste the golden opportunity that you gave him

[semi-completely-original]

*bursts in at the last minute* IT'S STILL MERMAY RIGHT

[snaillock]

★-barou shoei, sae itoshi, rin itoshi, nagi seishiro, (wc) kunigami rensuke | megumi fushiguro, choso kamo, maki zenin | lynette, ALHAITHAM, scaramouche, shenhe

[r4izx]

Worth more than what you take me for.

ayato x gn!reader

summary: in which he had to choose between two people including you, in a life and death situation.

disclaimers: swearing (there's like one lol), kidnapping, ooc traveler.

4,032 words and 21,895 characters.

a/n: dayum. this took a while and i did not expect to write this much.

you've known ayato since childhood. your parents has been serving their clan for generations, being one of their most trusted allies. and you're no exception.

growing up with people with high authorities was such a privilege. you remember when you first met lord ayato and lady ayaka. they both were very the same yet so different. so elegant, disciplined and was well mature for their age. you felt some kind of barrier between you and the siblings but they turned out just as kind as they look. they were easy to converse with. naturally, after some time of serving them, you would have gotten closer. and in fact, you did. although you thought, you and ayato's relationship was... rather special.

for some reason, ayato treats you very differently compared to others. not in a bad way. he often calls you to his workplace, make you sit there and drink tea with him. he takes you out to go eat dinner at uyuu restaurant when you both have finished work. he requested you to be his personal assistant while ayaka had thoma. and because of this, you get to spend more time with him than anyone else. at the beginning, you always thought ayato would be a cold and strict person. but it turns out to be quite the opposite. okay- maybe he is more quiet and colder than others, but that's towards other people. especially to those he only has business with.

ayato is surprisingly different to what you originally thought. he would try to match your humor, often speaking informally like the way you would around your closest friends just to match with you. lately he's been spending his free time with you too. he noticed you liked tea a lot, much like him. so both of you had made it a habit to have tea at the estate's balcony while the sun is going down. watching the sunset together. it felt really romantic for you- but you quickly shook your head and remembered that to him- you're just his work partner. but is that really the case for him? because he was much more observant than you thought. especially about you. he notices any slight change in the mood with you. so there was a particular day when you were gloomy because of being so tired. but he noticed this immediately.

"Shall we take a break?"

-- and you don't know why but your heart skipped a beat when he said that. you thought it was funny-- how he would do all of this for you. and at times like these, you start to feel like a special person to him. just because he always relies on you compared to others. you thought you were special to him. until she came.

who is she? she looks so... bold and pretty. just one look at her and you can already tell she has a strong personality but has a gentle aura. her blonde hair swaying so glamorously in the wind. her otherworldly clothes making her stand out among people. the way she moves makes it embarrassing to stand beside her. she seems so... perfect in everyone's eyes. unfortunately, that includes ayato's. you don't remember having a guest in ayato's schedule when you were fixing it, so why's she here?

you found out the answer really quickly. everyone at the estate has been talking about her and... ayato lately. you don't know why though, which is weird- because as his assistant you should be the first to know about things regarding him. it's even weirder that ayato had not summoned you after work has ended. 'is this where our afternoon tea sessions end?' you thought to yourself. so you found it upon yourself to just be straightforward and ask others what's the gossip all about. luckily, there was another servant nearby. she quickly leaned closer to you and whispered.

"h-haven't you heard?... it seems that lord ayato had taken a liking to lady ayaka's guest."

you were surprised. really. it wasn't even his guest yet he bothered to entertain her. just who is she?

"who-... who is her lady's guest?" you nervously questioned.

"I heard it was... the traveler? was it? lord ayato visited her personally! they're just so perfect with eachother!- i can't help it." the servant squeals in excitement, contrary to your look in horror. you try not to make it obvious though. but you shouldn't even be feeling this way. why does it hurt? there's a sharp feeling on your chest that you just can't get out of. it just hurts to know the reason why he stopped your afternoon tea sessions, dinner hangouts, or just even talking with eachother is because of another girl! you were in no place to get frustrated since you were just a servant. nothing more, nothing less. to him.

you only see him through work now. the urge to invite him to a tea break and have a conversation with him while watching the sunset is getting stronger everyday. and who are you to resist?

"lord ayato... wou-" before you could even finish your sentence, he stopped you. your heart was beating so fast. 'oh no. did I do something wrong?' thoughts like these were circling through your mind.

"i told you to just call me 'ayato' y/n"

--and he chuckles a bit at the end. and so do you. you felt so... relieved. your worries instantly washed away. you felt at ease knowing that you are special to him. i mean- he doesn't do this with others does he?

"ah- my bad... but as I was saying, would you like to have some afternoon tea break with me? I mean, we used to do that everyday but it has been a while since we last did soo..."

and at this point you were so sure he wouldn't decline. he's been less busy this week, what could he possibly do that's far too important to even refu-

"my apologies, y/n. i've already scheduled a tea break with someone else this afternoon. maybe next time if i have the time. i promise i'll make it up to you. however, you could accompany us if you would like." and your mind. empty. the world seems like it stopped for you. not only was your only time to hang out with him gone but you were also replaced. all this time... he was with someone else. you had a gut feeling of who that someone else might be. but you couldn't hold a grudge, you have no right to.

"i-... i look forward to it." nope. you absolutely don't, look forward to it. that day will eventually come though. you just didn't expect it to come, three days later. how quick. you were filled with mixed of different emotions. you hate to admit it- but... you are jealous of who this person might be. but at the same time you're glad to just see ayato again! sadly, for work. when he summoned you, you thought-- 'oh is this finally it? will we finally hang out together again?' until you realize it's just that you will just accompany him to go to a somewhat date with someone else. compared to you and ayato just drinking tea at the estate's balcony, he had prepared so much as to have tea and snacks at the shore. alas, you could finally meet this person. once again. as you realize it was her. the traveler.

"traveler, did you wait long? i'm sorry, you could've ju..."

and their conversation went deaf on your ears. the ayato kamisato. speaking informally, and giving out tea invitations to the traveler. when it used to be you... why are you feeling like this? isn't it obvious. the traveler is way prettier, stronger and better than you. comparing yourself to the traveler is already such an embarrassing thing to do. no one could compare to her. she's out there defeating monsters and fighting archons. while you're here holding a grudge on a person who doesn't even know you just because you're jealous you were easily replaced. but who were you to be replaced when you weren't even his to begin with. this is why you feel guilty. because you think that you have no right to feel this way. it's just now that you realize how much of an overthinker you are. however your thoughts were cut short when you hear ayato calling out your name.

"y/n, i'll go to to the comfort room for a bit. please entertain the traveler while i'm away."

he says.

"understood." and so you take a seat at ayato's chair before. and despite not wanting to have a talk with the traveler, it is still your duty and you would not abandon it for just some mere feelings.

"greetings, i'm y/n. it's a pleasure to meet you traveler." you bow slightly and give the smile you usually show to guests. a smile you practiced countless of times infront of a mirror. "you might have not heard about me though. so allow me t-"

"oh i know. you're ayato's personal assistant. he mentioned it to me before." the traveler states. and you were genuinely shocked but also... curious.

"is that so?... then, has he said any other things about me before?" you nervously asked. though the nervously part may not be obvious to others. the traveler sees right through this. and she giggles. but nods. "would you mind serving me some tea? the tea ayato has been serving me is delicious however i've tasted it countless of times from our past tea parties. so I would like to have a different flavor this time."

the word 'countless' implies that they have been doing this for a while now and you already know that. but it still stirs a feeling of jealousy inside you.

"of course. luckily i brought a different tea flavor for myself as well. let me go get the ingredients from my bag." you return after brewing the tea and pouring it into the cups. how thoughtful that the traveler had already prepared the cups for you.

"this tastes a lot like lavender... melon." the traveler says.

"hm. because it is. you have a great sense of taste." you reply. from this point and so on, you don't really know what to talk about. the atmosphere is really awkward. but you still try to strike up a conversation because she is a guest.

"s-so... what brings you here to the kamisato estate?" you ask. in which the traveler replied with "originally, ayaka invited me. and ayato next." you don't know if it's just your eyes playing tricks on you or did the corner of her mouth raise upwards for a bit. you brush it off. maybe the grudge you have on her is going too far. i mean, it's not like you hate her though. but it's also not like you like her.

by now you've almost finished your tea. same goes for the traveler. you only had to endure a little bit more of this atmosphere and her because ayato should be back soon. so you lowered your guard and relaxed a bit. this whole time you only stared at your teacup, but it wouldn't hurt to take a glimpse at the traveler right? so slowly but hesitantly, you lift your eyes up to see her. already staring at you. but you couldn't break away from the eye contact. especially because she just asked you something you're also asking yourself.

"y/n. tell me. do you like ayato?"

despite having a smile on her face as she asked this, her tone was rather cold. it sent shivers down your spine. you don't know why she's asking this. but you also don't know the answer to that question.

...do you like ayato?

"I'm..."

that was the last thing you said before you went unconscious. before that, your vision went blurry and your head was getting dizzy. how could this be? all the years you've spent serving the kamisato clan, this has never happened.

a loud ringing on your ears forced you to wake up, you could hear numerous voices as you slowly opened your eyes. your vision was still blurry but you could figure out that someone was huge was standing before you.

"it's awake."

'it's? what do these people take me for'. --is what you would have thought when you realized you've been kidnapped and the kidnappers are a group of nobushis. you look at your surroundings, counting just how many they are until you finally notice someone beside you. the traveler. she's still unconscious. looking at her made you realize that you're also tied up and is unable to speak. screaming is no use. you seem to be in a... cave? you're not so sure because you don't remember a cave this huge at inazuma. you try to recall what happened and why you ended up here until you heard something a nobushi said.

"ya think he's coming here?"

"i heard he fancies these two. of course he will."

he? who's he? considering they kidnapped you and the traveler, don't tell me they're talking about him. not lord aya--

"oh well look who's here."

your eyes widen in shock when you turn to the direction they're facing. he's standing right there. ayato kamisato has come to save you. ...and the traveler. something moves beside you and you see the traveler, already awake, with tears in her eyes. isn't the traveler supposed to be strong and mighty? you don't understand, how were they able to kidnap her. in what situation was she in for her to become so vulnerable and be captured? i mean before all of this she was only with you-- !! your eyes widen. you saw ayato, ...glaring at you.

why was he glaring? you were in a pitiful situation right now, yet he glares at you as if you commited a crime. you can't believe it but... 'don't tell me thinks... i poisoned the traveler.' archons. he definitely thinks just that. the way his eyes softens as he looks to the girl beside you confirms so.

"give us the document. maybe we'll let both of them go." one of the nobushis spoke up. documents? what documents are they talking about? you handle all the documents for ayato, could it be he's been keeping something from you? are they comparing lives to a piece of document? surely ayato would-

"no. ...who sent you?" his voice cold as ice. the world has been surprising you a lot today. how important could that document be for it to be able to compare to a person's life. "straightforward i see... too bad, if you don't give us the documents any time we'll kill both of your precious little friends and this place will blow up soon." one of the nobushis spoke up again, it was the same guy as earlier. normally, ayato would be able to beat a few nobushis on his own. but he's way outnumbered right now. for some reason he knows that you and the traveler was taken here, yet he still came alone. you look beside you and see that the traveler is now crying. compared to the mighty traveler you seem to be too calm. you shouldn't be, in a situation like this. is it because ayato is now here? although he probably hates your guts already. but you just trust him way too much.

"...not giving in eh? then let's see..."

the nobushi paused for a moment, seemingly thinking about another way to make ayato give in and for them to gain something out of him. the nobushi smirked.

"...if you give us some mora... we'll let ya choose one of them to go with. give us the documents, you all can go home safe and sound. give us none and... you'll die with them." and finally, you felt... fear. your heart was racing. you didn't know it was this bad. earlier you already knew that you're this close to death's door but you weren't panicking at all. you also don't mind dying if it was for ayato. from an early age you already knew that you had to serve and protect their clan no matter what-- even if you have to pay the price of your own life. so why panic now? is it because the nobushis are going to far with their negotiations? is it because you're knocking right at death's door? or maybe it's because you're afraid that ayato will abandon you. choosing someone else, right infront of you in a critical situation like this. but surely he wouldn't, right?

" ...traveler," he throws a pouch of mora to the ground towards the nobushis. you remember when you both were strolling around at inazuma city after dinner. when he mentions that ever since he saw you looking through the stalls but not buying anything, he figured he'd buy them for you. so he always carried a pouch of mora. for you... and not for anyone el-

".. let's go." what? are you hearing things right? but judging by the way they pull the traveler and untie her, it seems that you are. but you wish you weren't. it turns out he really would choose someone else. the traveler lunges to embrace ayato. seeing ayato slowly hug her back, patting her back to calm down her tears and letting her cry on his shoulder just made your broken heart break even further. you get it. with the traveler's back facing you as they embrace, you take a glimpse of ayato until his gaze lands on you.

" ...y/n..."

his tone was somewhat... soft. you assume on a lot of things and right now you don't wanna expect but, you are. is this his last words to me? is he telling me he's sorry? is he gonna tell me how he regrets doing this? and that he never really wanted this to happen? and that i'm someone special to him, viewing me more than just a serv-

" --how dare you."

...and his gaze turns dark. what for? you didn't even do anything. his eyes glares at you as if you both were never friends. or maybe you were never really a friend to him. and he always thought of you as a mere servant. just like the rest. you were just- too naive. so foolish. thinking you were special. special just because he went looking for you and bought medicine and special rare tea in a day when you were sick for work. special cause he always invited you for tea breaks, conversing with you and only you. special because he always relies on you, and you allowed yourself to be relied on, --when you had no one to rely on for yourself. was those years of being with him nothing for him? was it that worthless in his eyes? that you could just be replaced and abandoned any time? you thought you were someone special in his life when he treated you differently compared to others.

but what about the way you treat him?

you treat him as if you were nothing without him. because he was everything to you. you were only this happy with him. only him. if you think of the most memorable memory you've ever had, it would include him. the day you first met him, and today. the last day you're seeing ayato. you watch them slowly turn their heels to leave. and all of a sudden you spoke. you couldn't help it, you spoke without even thinking. and now you don't know what to say. or maybe-- you just don't want to say it.

"a-ayato..." 'did you ever think if me as more than a friend?'... heck- more than a worker even. you wanted to ask just that. but you wouldn't. cause you couldn't. "...thank you, but I did nothing wrong." you say as you smile. that was your final words before the traveler and ayato takes more steps towards another path, probably leading to the exit. you hesitantly and slowly lift your eyes up to take one. last. look to ayato and... the traveler. and last time your eyes were playing tricks on you, but now you realize it wasn't. cause she was smirking again. smirking at you. leaving you to death.

anger. shame. resentment.

fury rises inside of you. you were raised to be patient with others. it was your job. so you've never felt this way for someone before. you wanted to scream but you couldn't. all you could think about was the traveler.

...the traveler!! the traveler!! the traveler.

it was all because of her that you're in a state like this. ever since she came, things changed. she was the person ayato replaced you with. the person he chose to spend the rest of his life with. and the reason why he threw away all of his memories with you and treated you like nothing. he chose a girl he just met instead of a childhood friend companion who has done nothing but pledge loyalty to him. now that you think about it... for ayato you would risk your life for him, die for him even. but he wouldn't do that for you. he only showed up for the traveler when you thought he came to save you.

it felt like your world was crumbling right before your eyes, watching them walk away, leaving you to death. you could mean that literally since anytime now you might be reduced to nothing but also... ayato is your world. to you he is everything. growing up with him, growing with him. he really is that special to you.

too bad,

he doesn't even see you as anything more than a servant. to him you were, not. special. at. all.

their footsteps has slowly faded away. they left. they've left you. behind, to die. it seems... this is it. you hear the nobushis chuckling and talking amongst eachother,

"geez... what a show! anyway.., are the preparations complete?"

"really? then we could go!"

"where did she say we would meet her again?"

"that bitch... making us do all of this. if it weren't for the mora then I wouldn't have agreed."

her? who's her? who's she? these thoughts seem all too familiar, and once again, you got your answer quickly.

"oh the traveler asked us to meet her at jinren island." a nobushi replied. just when you thought your hatred for her couldn't get any worse. however your thoughts were completely cut off when the nobushis all started leaving you. not even batting a single eye. you remembered them mentioning something that would leave you to ashes here. what was it again? if you recall quickly it was probably a-- "a bomb," --a nobushi says to you. as if he could read your mind. "a few minutes from now, once we all leave, this place will get wrecked. including... you." the nobushi laughs. you have never been this lonely before. i mean, you always had ayato beside you. but now that he personally left you for someone else- who do you have now? you have no answer for that. or maybe it is the answer. nothing. no one is there to help you. your reason to live is gone. atleast, you served your life's purpose before you die. you were never really that close to others including your family because of ayato. so you have nothing to lose now. but... you wish you could atleast take revenge on the traveler... even though you hate that idea. revenge isn't something you would even consider but.. the traveler is a different case.

today has given you particularly a lot of last things. like your last thoughts just now. before feeling a strong burst of energy and the brightest light you've ever seen. and everything turns dark.

...your eyes are closed and you can't move your body. but you're hearing something... footsteps? oh, a voice.

" ...how pitiful,"

you fall into deep sleep once again after feeling such an electrifying strike on your back.

... just who was that?

[murmuree]

self defence 101

[c6jpg]

Well? Have I convinced you yet?

[windwheeler-aster]

your consequences

summary: after travelling for so long, you and alhaitham are more than ready to get a good night’s sleep in. however, there appears to only be one bed... perhaps now is the time to address your feelings for each other, hm?

masterlist | advent calendar

pairing: alhaitham x reader

reader info: uses gender neutral pronouns (they/them), reader has been traveling for a while with alhaitham, and reader is not traveler

word count: 770 words (3 mins~)

genre: romance, fluff, confession, one bed trope

format: one shot

warnings: kissing/making out and suggestive if you squint

a/n: hehehewhew, alhaitham💖 a dashing young lad, ain’t he? a nice guy to write for. many thoughts about him. but hope you enjoy this💖

The snow storm had transformed into a blizzard just as you and Alhaitham had checked in. The innkeeper was kind and ushered you two to a spot near the fireplace. They couldn’t do much else, as they had to tend to other guests after they signed you two in, but they did hand you both a warm drink. The kind gesture was still appreciated by Alhaitham and you, though.

Once you two had entered your shared room with Alhaitham, exhaustion overcame you. It seemed to have seeped into your bones, making your movements sluggish and painful, and it caused you to flop onto the nearest bed. You sighed heavily as the blanket’s texture brought a heavenly comfort to you, and the pillow you groped for was just as nice. 

However, your brief moment of bliss didn’t last long as Alhaitham realized something.

“There’s only one bed,” he murmured.

You rolled over so you could look at him, “Do you care?”

“About which part?” Alhaitham began to shrug off his coat. “The room with one bed for the price of two? Or sleeping with you?”

“Sleeping with me,” you clarified for him.

“Obviously, that doesn’t matter to me.”

“‘Obviously’?”

“Yeah,” Alhaitham said, as if he did not just say something so bold and flustering that it made you a mess in the bed. “What about you? You okay with sleeping with me?”

“Of course.”

“‘Of course’?” He parroted.

You flipped over to your preferred side of the bed and began to climb under the covers, “Yeah, now go to sleep, pretty boy. I’m tired— you look tired— so go to bed.”

“‘Pretty boy’?” Alhaitham whispered hoarsly, his cheeks flushing a beautiful scarlet red. He didn’t want to seem desperate, however, all traces of dignity and self preservation were lost in his sleep deprived state. Which led Alhaitham to flip you over, slow enough not to shock you, and face him. “Alright, you’ve got to explain yourself now.”

“There’s nothing to ‘explain’—”

“Yes, there is!” he whispers harshly, lowering his face down so it now hovered only an inch above your own. “You’ve been flirting with me this whole trip! It’s— oh my goodness, it’s so—”

“— does it make you uncomfortable?” you asked, worry and fear eating at you as you stared at the gray-haired man. You had indeed been flirting with him this whole trip, as his responses and reactions always made you smile. However, you didn’t consider that those reactions could be coming from a place of unease and—

“Archons no,” Alhaitham reassured you. “It’s so flustering, that’s what I was trying to say.”

“Oh,” you say, dumbly.

“And I just— I need to know, that this isn’t some screwed up game to you.”

You frowned, your heart breaking slightly at the fearful expression on Alhaitham’s face. Slowly, as you did not want to startle him, you began to caress Alhaitham’s cheek. Then, you slipped it up to his hair and began to part it in a way that made him appear even more handsome to you. 

“Oh, archons above, Alhaitham,” you said gently. Then you met Alhaitham’s eyes and softly smiled, “I would never dream of it.”

“Good, because my feelings aren’t something you can toy with,” his eyes darted from yours to your lips, causing his own to part slightly, “not without consequences.”

“Oh? Consequences such as…?”

He was now only staring at your lips, “May I show you…?”

“Gladly, Alhaitham.”

Your chest burned, with longing so deep it hurt, as he moved his body impossibly closer to yours. Then, his lips came crashing down onto your own. And Alhaitham’s actions were clumsy at first as he positioned himself comfortably over you. However, as the kiss progressed, it became more fluid and passionate with each second you went without air.

Finally, you two did break apart. Alhaitham panted over you, his cheeks a lovely pink now. He chuckled at your equally flustered expression, falling back onto the bed as he regained his breath.

“Good night, Alhaitham,” you murmured, sleep drowning out your excitement as your exhaustion returned. “See you in the morning.”

“What? No good night kiss?” he teased, settling in next to you so that his chest pressed against your back. 

“I just gave you a good night kiss!”

Alhaitham chuckled, “Alright, sweets.”

Then, he leaned over so he could press a kiss to the side of your temple. He also moved his arms so they had a firmer grip on your hips now, giving them a gentle squeeze as he closed his eyes too.

“Good night. I’ll see you in the morning too. Sweet dreams.”

taglist:

@x-zho  @cxlrosii​ @i23kazu​

(send an ask to be added or removed)​​

thank you for reading 💖 all forms of interaction to my posts are appreciated 💖

[saintkunii]

Weighted Blanket

PAIRING. Diluc x F!Reader

CONTENT WARNINGS: smut, morning sex, pronebone, crossposted from ao3 (I'm reposting my old works here again)

WC: 1.5k

MINORS DNI

You're drowning in a sea of red, limbs trapped under a heavy weight. You couldn't move your arms, you could barely move your legs, it's too constricting for you to even lift a finger. Groggily, you stir in an attempt to break free.

"Diluc…" your voice comes out hoarse and whining, forehead crumpled in a frown as you pull your arms from underneath your husband's hold, caging you as he lays on top with his face nestled against your neck. His arms are on your sides, so close that he doesn't even leave any space for maneuver, too close that the warmth of his every exhale almost lures you back to sleep. The cold weather makes him an even effective personal heater. 

"...hm."

The vibrations of his chest as he hummed in response tickled your skin. He feels so comfortable in his position as he stays still at the cost of your own personal space and possible asphyxiation like he has no plans of moving anytime soon.

Diluc gets especially clingy in the morning, in the haze of a peaceful dawn. It’s not an unusual occurrence and as much as you love him and the thought that he can relax in your presence, you'd rather not want to die in his arms no matter how honorable it seems. 

Crushed to death by a dashing man doesn't seem too good as your obituary. 

"...luc" you called out again in a more slightly irritated tone. "...hmmvy." 

You try to convey that he's crushing you with his weight but the sleepiness slurred your speech.

He nuzzles further into your neck, nose brushing against your skin and he inhales.

You wiggle in place trying to escape again when you feel him tighten his grip.

"Stop moving…" he whispers, tone heavy with sleepiness as well as he presses some kisses on your neck. 

"...off" 

For what felt like forever, you're finally granted amnesty from the burden of your husband as he rolls aside without breaking his embrace. He presses your back against his chest as you turn to your side to doze back again to dreamworld. 

Silence falls once more. Only the sound of your soft breathing can be heard and the tickle of the grandfather clock that lays a couple of feet away. 

If only it was that easy. 

Diluc seems to entertain another plan as he slides a hand under your shirt, rough and calloused palm circling your stomach before it trails upward to your boob, squeezing it with barely any strength. It's like he's toying with it, fondling so softly and taking his time as you snore in your sleep. With your feet tangled, he pushes his thighs up bumping it against your ass and he couldn't help himself from grinding his hips, slowly and lazily rubbing his cock against the fats of your flesh.

You relax comfortably in his robust arms, tethering between dreams and reality as warmth blossoms on your abdomen. A sigh leaves your lips when you feel him behind you. 

It feels so cozy to lay perfectly like this on a sunday morning. A day where both of you have no need to be up early. 

Drowsiness kept your eyes shut but you swore you felt your husband on your neck again, his chapped lips planting kisses everywhere he touched. His lips would stay on your skin for a while there as he breathes down on the curve of your neck. 

The gentle rocking of his hips only spurned you on, succumbing you to his intentions. With your eyes still closed, you covered his knuckles with your hand, interrupting his kneading, and brought it down to your sex where he cups you through your flimsy shorts.

Diluc dips his finger through the bands of your shorts and slides to the entrance of your hole. 

You're a little wet. Not enough for him so he gathers up some of your slick, spreading it within your folds as he deliberately swipes your clit.

He draws out a sigh from you at the contact, almost a moan, probably a whine too as he massages, softly and casually.

The nonchalance almost made you forget about the growing hardness pressed closely on your bum. 

You blink a few times, head turning to your side. Like you, he's barely even awake.

Even as he feels you stir, he only cracks an eye at you and latches on your lips, mouth hot and sloppy as he parts them.

Diluc is a gentle soul, the thought of you warmly snuggled in his embrace has him spill his entirety in your caress.  

Not a word is exchanged. You didn't have to as you talk with your body. He's familiar with it, knows all the places that make you squirm in heat, has unlocked all the areas you're not even aware could make you melt. He had done this countless times and yet he could never really satiate his hunger to feel more of you, to make you feel whole, and to see you at your most vulnerable state, laid bare for him to worship. He knows just where exactly to touch.

You hum against his lips when he pokes a finger inside you, loosely stroking your walls at a snail pace. He drags it, unbothered by your thighs clamping his hands.

He's patient in his ministrations, kissing your supple lips in fervent fashion laced with the haziness of morning. He taps and rubs almost like he's scraping your insides. The pleasure running all over you brings you in and out of your drowsy state, waking you every once in a while. From the sighs he hears from you, Diluc can tell you're quite enjoying this yourself even if you're merely reacting from his actions out of instinct. 

A soft gasp comes from your mouth when he joins another finger in, scissoring you as he stretches you out slowly. Heaving more than ever, his breath becomes more laborious, panting in your kiss and his strokes pick up pace, dizzying, electrifying, heat pools in your legs as you gush around his fingers.

It's hot. Your whole body trembles as your tongues crossed, saliva joining in your messy kisses, tongue to tongue proding each other's mouth.

You're almost there. The ghost of your climax hovering just around.

But before you catch that relief, he pulls his fingers out, pushes down the garters of his boxers to free his erection, and you whine at the lost contact.  

You arch your back towards him, ass rubbing against his hips in anticipation. Using your fingers, you stretch yourself wide open for easy access to your husband. 

You feel the burning touch of Diluc's tip pushing past your entrance. His cock throbs as he sinks deeper into your cunt, bottoming out with one languid stroke that has you stretching your toes at the intrusion. He groans, quaking as he puts his weight again on you, pressing you until you lie on your stomach, face buried against the sheets, and keeping you closer to him. His legs are on your side trapping your thighs.

Soaking in the high of your whines and breathy gasp of his name from your lips, he moves his hips in a tender roll, slow and careful but with more focus on your sweet spot. 

He nips along the column of your spine. Affectionate brushes of his lips spill from his being as he marks your nape with his bites that you shiver. He pants raggedly along your neck as he fluidly pushes forward inside you and out again, carving deeply into you.

The delicious stretch of your hole got you sucking him in that it's all you could think about. The feel of his touch, the weight of his body on you, skin slapping skin. 

Diluc's rough palms come to your hips and ruts into you, drawing a deep guttural sigh once in a while as you lay weakly under him, your hands fisting the covers as it drowns your ecstasy. You're so tight in this position, pulling him even further in at how easily he can reach your gspot like this. Every hit makes you roll your eyes in euphoria, and arc yourself to the mattress at how good he feels, spasming around his length that sets him off the edge.

He hastens, rocking his hips with more shallow thrusts and fucks into you even more deeply, drilling his cock inside completely covered in your slick. With every thrust he punches out your breath from your lungs.

You're losing your mind, completely overridden by the sensation of his veiny cock rubbing along your walls. You can almost feel your climax. It hovers around you as your abdomen tightens and heat stretching all over you.

Diluc twitches forward with more fervor at your signs and slaps his hips against yours more frantically, his breathing erratic and cuts short with his pacing. With a low mewl from you, your knot comes undone as you get your release, his hips thrusting into your twitching cunt. He stutters in his ruts and hot white of cum spurts inside you, releasing his load inside your warmth. It drips down into the bed, making a mess of the covers. 

Muscles relaxing, Diluc bends down to kiss you, sighing into your mouth as you feel him soften inside you, twitching as you spasm. And with a hum, you feel his lips curve into a soft smile. 

"Good morning."

You let out a chuckle. 

"Good morning." 

[tetsuskei-archive]

lust for life - zhongli [nsfw]

synopsis: your first time with the geo archon leads to a riveting adventure that you never dreamed of, but also don’t regret

notes: this is the first time i’m writing for zhongli and genshin, so please be nice. i apologize for anything potentially ooc. i’m learning. :]

warnings: praise kink, dragon tendencies (?), unprotected sex, pet names, zhongli is called morax, lana del rey song title, body worship, liyue archon quest spoilers

word count: 2.4k

interactions and comments appreciated!

being in a relationship with zhongli is exhilarating. it is calm and a rush all at the same time. invigorating, perhaps.

liyue, the city of contracts, is always bustling with something new and exciting each day. the harbor specifically hails as a place that showcases the customs and traditions in the most beautiful ways.

the smell of freshly made grilled tiger-fish and chopped suey perfuming the air, and the shine of the beautifully crafted kites the nice old lady sells only make up a few traits the harbor carries. there’s also the bustle of the shops, selling different types of flowers and fruits and jewels ranging from jade to lapis.

as much as liyue is your home, there couldn’t be a better place of solace than in your boyfriend.

over the course of knowing him, he’s taught and shown you many things. and one of those things just happens to be the way of love. you have never been that involved before in a romantic relationship before he came along. but once he did, you could barely remember what life was like before him.

being that zhongli is now ‘mortal’, there are many things about him that still stand out from regular human beings. of course, this all makes sense when considering his reptilian nature at hand.

his eyes, a piercing aurelian color are a stark contrast to any other pair you’ve seen. they closely resemble two pieces of raw cor lapis.

the man is large—not necessarily very muscular, but lean and slender in all the right ways. he’s also a lot taller than the average person, having you crane your head up at times just to hold decent eye contact with him.

you often were bashful and easily embarrassed in front of zhongli, but he only ever has been very understanding and patient. a wise and well respected man with an eclectic taste for history and knowledge. there’s nothing about him that isn’t amazing.

“is this okay?”

zhongli’s voice breaks you from your thoughts. the gravel of it warms your tummy and sends shivers down your spine. his eyes seem to be looking through you in tantalizing yet understanding way.

“you seem conflicted over something. what’s troubling your mind, darling?” he inquires, tilting his head to the side. his obsidian locks, ends dipped in pure bronze, cascade down his back beautifully and you wonder if there’s ever anything this man does that could be deemed unattractive.

he asks these questions all while kneeling in front of your leaking cunt. like your nude body isn’t completely visible and vulnerable before him. but murmurs of your beauty and rarity cause you to relax and confess your thoughts.

“i just—“ you pause, apprehensive, “i’ve never done this before.”

there’s a look that flashes in his eyes, but only for a brief moment before changing to contemplation. “ah, i see.”

heart racing, you think that he’s about to pull out of the moment you two share. that he’d judge you for your lack of experience.

the feeling of a gloved hand on your cheek makes your heart skip a beat. “there’s nothing to be worried about. i will make extra sure to go at your pace. as long as you still trust me to lead, of course. i will make sure you’re comfortable, dearest.”

zhongli kisses the inside of your thigh, peering at you with subtle glee. to tell the truth, his mind can’t help but think of all the ways he’d tease and break you. but you don’t need to know that—at least not yet. when the time comes he’d explore that. for as long as he’s lived, waiting is something that doesn’t concern him. your wellbeing will always come first.

“okay…” you breathe, spreading your legs more for him at his request.

“always so precious and good for me, are you?” he hums with delight. your face blooms with heat but you nod meekly.

he continues, “you’ll tell me what you like, yes? while i eat this cunt out?”

your boyfriend’s blunt words strike your heart (and core) all at once.

zhongli squeezes your thighs in warning, “i need a verbal response, or i will stop.”

“yes, li.” you murmur, sending him a nervous grin.

“thank you, my love.” he smiles before moving over you. a ghostly sigh leaves you as his hands caress you hips, holding you in place with little effort.

his tongue, unusually long, sneaks out and swipes at your core. there’s a hum of satisfaction once your essence hits his buds. after tediously circling the outside of your leaking hole, it plunges forth within you.

even with it being the first time, you’re sure the wet muscle reaches places that no one besides him ever will, and you gasp, hands moving to grasp anything to ground yourself.

“z-zhongli—!” you stutter, words and lungs failing you all at once.

zhongli entwines your hands, squeezing gently to calm you. his free hand, however, only moves over your clit to rile you up further.

he hums again, satisfied with what you gift him when more of your juices evade his tongue.

“it’s been a long time since i’ve tasted something this sweet.” his lithe fingers continuing their motions as he attentively watches your reactions. “i think my tongue will always remember the way you taste.”

your hips have somehow found a way to ride his tongue and he assists by nearly having you fuck yourself on his face.

“i-i-!” you’re unable to warn zhongli of anything as you feel yourself succumbing to a realm of euphoric pleasure, seizing in place. your eyes roll back, and you find yourself facing a blinding light. you wonder if you’ve just died right now and then.

but as soothing hands caress your being and plant kisses on your cheeks, you realize you’re very much still on teyvat.

“ahh, so that’s what you look like cumming.” the archon’s eyes gleam and a hungry look flashes in them. “who knew how beautifully ravishing you’d look.”

not a moment passes before his fingers are on you again, and he slides in two digits.

“i’m sensitive, li! please!” you whine, hands grabbing his wrist.

“you’re doing so well though,” zhongli praises, his tone sweet like nectar. his normally stoic expression to no surprise, is nonexistent with you. the only visible look is love and adoration. “you can cum again, hmm? don’t you think you deserve it?”

tears slip down your face as you nod frantically, “yes!”

his eyes brighten at the way you squirm and try to conceal your whimpers. it’s only then does he realize he must toy with you even further.

the fingers that stilled themselves move again. the sound of lewd squelching filling the room. zhongli doesn’t know how much longer he can hold off before fucking you. the smell of your arousal is overwhelming, to say the least. and dark thoughts of wanting to breed you start to consume his mind.

regardless, you still needed to be prepared to take him. it would be no good if you were uncomfortable.

he works to bring you thus forth to another orgasm, his hand skilled and dexterous as it seeks to pleasure you.

“feels so good li! r-right there!” you gasp, arching up to follow his movements.

a hand soothes your hair and you feel his lips kiss your forehead. “relax dearest, you’re tightening up. just let go.”

it isn’t long before you’re cumming again. losing strength, you collapse fully on your back. you hear your boyfriend chuckle as he sucks the gloves of his fingers clean from your essence.

after giving you time to recover, zhongli gently runs his hands over you.

“darling, why don’t you help me undress. hmm?” he coaxes, moving back to begin to peel off his robes.

you sit up, wobbling as you kneel in front of him and he drags your hand up to his collar.

zhongli leans down, kissing you on the lips. he tastes of whatever tea he’s recently had. and of, well, you.

soon, your boyfriend is undressed, and archons (albeit, him himself) could only tell how it is possible for someone to be so beautiful and handsome, his figure lean and muscular in all the right ways.

it makes you feel weak in the knees how easy it is for zhongli to command attention and control. the way you’re pliant to his will because of how strong he is, allowing for him to hold your jaw in place as his tongue explores your mouth.

the feeling of something heavy and hard against your stomach makes your heart drop. there is no mistaking what it is.

as if sensing your distress, he pulls back from you. “what’s wrong, dear?” he grabs himself, stroking leisurely as he eyes you with quiet mischief.

you swallow, eyes having trouble leveling with his, “w-will it fit?”

you’re cute. too cute, for him. “of course darling,” he taps the head on your drenched clit, the tip catching easily onto your entrance.

“you were made to take me, after all.”

there isn’t anything else said once he sheathes himself fully inside of you.

shared moans fill the room as you both stare at each other for a moment. zhongli is hot and throbbing inside of you, and that alone has you cumming again.

“goodness,” he huffs, composing himself, “you are more sensitive than i thought.”

“ahh-sorry!”

“no need to apologize. it’s perfect. you’re perfect.” zhongli murmurs, kissing the corner of your mouth.

“i’m going to move now, love.” he warns, voice soft.

you nod solemnly, squeezing his hand as a sign of goodwill.

it’s all odd at first, with how full you are, but eventually the discomfort becomes more pleasure than anything else. the way his cock is stroking your walls, hitting every crevice with a kiss, soon has you keening.

grunts fill your ear as zhongli’s pace slowly picks up over time. you think you might be somewhere in the clouds above mt. tianheng.

your boyfriend’s frame cocoons your own. he fucks you like he’s yearned you for eternity. as if he’s been preparing for this moment. his hips move like flowing water, skilled all around.

zhongli’s sharp canines bite into your shoulder, a low growl leaving him as he marks you. he doesn’t mean to blemish your beautiful skin, but the primal part in him can’t help himself.

your moans are like a melody to him, and he thinks he may drown in them and the way that they sound. he starts to think that maybe you yourself are some deity or maybe a siren with the way you have him under your spell.

“li, please, go faster!” you beg, looking up at him with wet eyes, “i-i can take it, i promise!”

“are you sure that’s what you want? i won’t be able to fully hold back if you ask that of me.” he warns.

“yes, please!” you whine, “please, morax!”

before you know it, he’s kissing you again, the sweet taste of him elevating your focus away from the now ruthless snap of his hips.

he gifts you his fingers in your mouth once his lips move over your collarbones and breasts, tongue wrapping around the sensitive nub while his free hand twists the other.

“you must be a gift from celestial to feel this good.” zhongli moans. he’s holding you in his lap now, moving you up and down his shaft just how he likes.

“have you got one more for me, love?” he pants, “then i’ll take care of you and let you rest.”

you find yourself crying out for morax repeatedly, and it sendings an unknown exhilarating feeling down zhongli’s spine. maybe because it’s the thought that no other god could save you but him.

“m’cumming!” you cry, once again clamping down on the man with a vice like grip.

zhongli shudders, trying to keep his focus on you coming undone, “i don’t think i can hold back much longer myself. where—“

“inside. please cum inside me!” you wail, twisting your legs to lock around him.

“fuck,” he curses, not meaning the slip of his tongue. but that’s just what you do to him. “a-are you certain? do not say things based on what you think i wish—“

zhongli does not expect for you to pout up at him with big, wet eyes and say, “you don’t want to cum in me?”

frozen, he blinks slowly at you. then, there’s the sound of a dark chuckle, almost inhumane. “you don’t know, do you?”

“how i’ll give you anything you want? you can ask for the stars and they’re yours.” he groans, hips erratic again. he’s smothering you with his mouth again, moving everywhere to kiss every inch of you. your legs are folded up and placed over his shoulders, pressed tightly against yourself.

he swears, “i’ll cherish and love you till death. contract or not, i vow to never break that word.” even in the afterlife.”

“that being said, i’ll cum in you as many times as you want.”

you cum at his words, sobbing from the tsunami emotions and feelings that’s hit you.

it isn’t long before zhongli follows, an exceeding large warmth and throbbing as he spills himself into you.

he holds onto you tightly, refusing to move until he’s sure that his cum has settled within you.

slowly pulling out and putting your legs back down, he examines you fully. “are you alright?

the smile you give is hazy. “golden.”

“don’t leave.”

he frowns, tongue clicking, “darling, you must let me clean you up at least. i can’t bear to leave you—“

“just for a moment!” you pout, burying your face into his damp chest. “i promise.”

“a moment.” he repeats, chuckling. soothing your hair.

in all honesty, a part of you liked having him leak down your legs, and maybe he enjoyed it to. for him, in all the years of his life he’s never felt a love like this before. he just did his best to show appreciation.

if this is how he’d sing words into your ears, how his affection would wrap around, you would very well get used to this. to a routine.

but then again, a zhongli without surprises doesn’t seem fitting for you at all.

after all, ‘normal’ isn’t even as common as we think it is.

tagging my beloved @hwaitham. thank you for always supporting me and for being so loving and welcoming. <3

[himasgod]

masterlist! +

(Welcome to my masterlist where I include all my works to make them more accessible! I update it every day with new works, so remember to save it or review it frequently!)

REQUESTS are open and WELCOME, so don't be shy!

(Remember that I write about all the characters except the child model ones, so if there are any that aren't here, I'll eventually include them!)

MONDSTADT CHARACTERS

"Love is like the wind through the vineyards: free, light, and willing to change course if the heart so dictates."

LIYUE CHARACTERS

"Love, like stone, endures; but also like jade, needs patience to reveal its true splendor."

INAZUMA CHARACTERS

"In a storm of eternity, love becomes the lightning that illuminates even the darkest night."

SUMERU CHARACTERS

"Love is a knowledge as deep as the ocean and as mysterious as the silence of a forest under the stars."

FONTAINE CHARACTERS

"Love flows like water; its beauty lies in its constant movement and its ability to sculpt even the hardest stones."

NATLAN CHARACTERS

"Love burns like a flame in battle: intense, indomitable, and willing to consume everything for that which it deems worthy."

HERE, is a little presentation about me in case you want to know me a little more <3

[mooniiify]

signora's wrongdoings | tartaglia x reader

synopsis: signora could't let tartaglia get distracted during his important mission in liyue, even for live-changing news word count: 2k cw: fem! reader, use of y/n, angst to kinda fluff, mentions of pregnancy, children, not proofread notes: i'm a sucker for family man tartaglia y'all don't get it

It had been a long year for the Eleventh Fatui Harbinger. Tartaglia had been dispatched to Liyue, sent to retrieve the Geo Archon's Gnosis, which he had been unsuccesiful at, for which La Signora had to step in. Then he'd been sent to Inazuma after Scaramouche had stolen the Electro Gnosis and fled, never to be found again. 

La Signora had been the one with the task to retrieve the Gnosis, only for her to meet her end during the mission. 

That was the only reason why Tartaglia was now walking down the snowy streets of Snezhnaya, having just attended her funeral, which in truth, he didn't much care about. He couldn't decline attendance, of course. But there's always two sides to look at. 

Tartaglia couldn't help but be in a good mood as he made his way down to his familiar neighborhood. Children ran around, playing in the snow despite the harsh temperatures, laughing with rosy cheeks. It was cute. Tartaglia wondered if his little brother Teucer was also somewhere among the kids, but he had a different objective first. 

He made it to his house, one he'd purchased two years ago. The blinds were pulled open and Tartaglia could see a few dirty dishes in the sink. He smiled at the sight, taking his keys out to unlock the door. 

The worries started dissipating from his body as soon as the warmth hit him. He'd expected the house to be empty, truly. After recieving no word from her for almost a full year, he'd thought she'd left, and he couldn't come back to check. He would've understood her. He would've hated her decision, yes, but he was busy and the Tsaritsa was his top priority. Despite all the love he held for her. 

Still, she was obviously still here. He couldn't wait any longer. 

''Y/n? Are you home?'' He called as he took off his heavy coat, hanging it on the rack. There were two more, one he recognized to be Y/n's because he'd bought it for her just before he'd left for Liyue. The other one was oddly small. Tartaglia furrowed his brows, but before he could think further, he heard footsteps rushing from somewhere further in the house.

He walked into the living room, just to see her standing on the other side of the door, both hands over her mouth. Her eyes were wide as she stared at him, her eyes glazed as if she was about to start crying. Tartaglia couldn't help but laugh, immediately wrapping his arms around her. 

Once he felt her arms engulf him, too, he knew he was home. 

His nose was buried in her hair as she squeezed him tightly. He rubbed cirlces with his thumb on her side, trying to enjoy the moment as best as he could. ''You're back.'' Her voice was but a mere whisper, but Tartaglia still heard it, his chest warming up. 

''I'm back, princess.''

They stood like that for a moment, in the middle of the doorway. Then it seemed as if something had struck Y/n, something that made her push him back, making his eyes go wide. ''No, I'm supposed to be mad at you. I haven't heard from you in months. Neither has your family. We were all starting to think you're dead! Why the hell haven't you been answering our letters, Ajax?'' 

Tartaglia furrowed his eyebrows. ''Hold on, slow down.'' He took a step closer, catching her elbows. His eyes softened as he observed her face, the current crease between her eyebrows, her narrowed eyes and pouty lips. Oh, how much he'd missed her. ''I never got any letters.'' 

It was Y/n's turn for her eyes to widen. ''What?'' She breathed out. She shook her head, grabbing his arms. ''No, that's not possible. I've sent you countless of letters, I wrote to you every other week. I sent them off specifically with that Fatuus you ordered to get our mail to send to you. He never . . . he never said you weren't recieving letters!'' 

She was shaking her head in disbelief as Tartaglia's eyebrows furrowed. He thought back to when he'd first arrived at Liyue. Letters were coming steadily, every other week as Y/n had said. Then he remembered them stopping once his mission got more heated, once he got more work. Once when . . .

Tartaglia closed his eyes, letting out a breath, trying to calm down the bubbling emotions inside him. There was no longer anyone to actually direct them to, after all. ''Signora must've been interfering in my mail. She was there, in Liyue and Inazuma, and she kept telling me not to get distracted and focus on my mission, I . . . I never thought she would be doing something like this behind my back.'' He caressed her face, feeling her lean into his palm. ''I'm sorry, princess.'' 

Y/n sighed. ''I'm sorry for getting mad, I just━'' He watched her visibly gulp, her eyes moving frantically, looking anywhere but at him. ''Something happened, Ajax, and I tried to tell you through all those letters but if you never got them there's no way you'd know but━''

''Y/n.'' Tartaglia caught her face with both hands, making her finally look at him. ''Calm down. What happened?'' 

''I know this is going to be . . . a lot to take in, Ajax,'' Y/n said as she took one of his hands in hers, giving it a tight squeeze. Tartaglia felt a pit forming in his stomach. ''Something really big happened. When I tell you . . . or, well, show you . . . please, stay calm and please don't . . . get mad or anything. If you don't want it, that's okay, I just━''

''You're starting to scare me, Y/n.'' Different thoughts started filling his head. Was she in danger? Was she leaving him? Had she found another lover? He was biting the inside of his cheek hard, trying to not voice such depressing thoughts. 

Y/n removed his hands from her, taking a step back. ''Stay here. I'll be back in a second.'' 

Tartaglia did as told, standing in the middle of the living room, listening to her shuffling and whispering in the other room. He wanted to investigate, but he stayed put, instead taking in his home. 

It was the same as he'd left it. The couch was there, the big red throw blanket over it as usual. What caught his attention was a smaller baby blue blanket hanging over the couch's armrest. His eyes travelled further, seeing another smaller blanket on the ground, though that one was red. 

There was a baby bottle on the small table in front of the couch. Pacifiers right next to it. A few small pieces of clothing were folded on the armchair, the clothing dryer still open near the fireplace, a few pairs of small socks still hung on it. 

''Y/n?'' Tartaglia called as he took in the sudden changes around the house. His heartbeat was accelerating, and the warm room suddenly felt too hot. 

Footsteps made him turn back to where Y/n had left from, only to see her back. This time, she wasn't alone. A small bundle was in her arms, a little hand peaking from under. 

Tartaglia wasn't sure if he was dreaming. Maybe he was going to wake up back in his small, lonely apartment in Liyue. 

''Y/n, what━''

''Ajax.'' Y/n stopped in front of him, allowing Tartaglia to peek down at the bundle. ''Meet Artem.'' 

The first thing he noticed were the baby's big, blue eyes, matching his own perfectly. Then it was the orange hair, just a shade darker than his. The baby stared up at him, his little hand curled into a fist. He took notice of the blanket, remembering his mother having used it for him and his siblings.

It felt like the world stopped for a second. Y/n was there, in their house, where baby items lay scattered all over, holding a baby that looked just like him, swaddled in his family's blanket. He blinked once, twice, but the scene didn't change. His eyes only grew wider. 

''I found out I was pregnant about two months after you left.'' Y/n said as she looked down at the baby, holding onto its tiny fist. ''I wrote to you about it, asking you what to do and when you would be back. I didn't get the answer, so I'm guessing that's when the letters stopped coming for you. I told your family, so they tried to contact you as well, but to no avail. They've been helping me so much and I'm so thankful for that. I wouldn't have managed without them, really.''

Tartaglia still stood stunned in front of her, his eyes stuck on the baby. Artem yawned, nuzzling his head in the blanket as his eyes closed, the blue disappearing. 

''I don't know how you feel about this, but I don't . . . blame you if you don't want any part of it. I know it's a big change, and I understand how shocking it must be coming home to a whole child. If you need some time to think, that's perfectly fine.'' 

Tartaglia blinked. At her odd words, he finally managed to look at her, their eyes meeting. ''I'm a . . . dad?'' 

Y/n took a deep breath. There was no smile on her face, though she wasn't frowning, either. Tartaglia couldn't read her. ''Yes, Ajax. You are.'' 

His mouth dried up. Tartaglia couldn't describe what he was feeling at the moment, for he has never felt like this in his life. His chest was thight, his heart beating so quick he thought it would breath through his ribcage. He opened his mouth, though no sound came out. 

What was happening? His child, the one he'd found out about mere moments ago, was right there, right in front of him, cradled in the arms of the love of his life. Why was he stuck? Why couldn't he speak, move, react in any way? Why was this harder than facing a thousand enemies? Than facing the otherworldly Traveler? 

He licked his drying lips and took a breath, gathering all the will-power he had, fighting through his body's state of shock. ''Can I hold him?'' 

The corner of her mouth lifted up. ''Of course.''

Tartaglia opened his arms, watching as Y/n placed the delacate baby in his arms. He was terrified he would drop him, so he tightened his arms, though not around the baby. He moved his arms as his mother had taught him back when his siblings were younger, keeping the head supported. The baby didn't stir, and Tartaglia watched as his small chest lifted the blanket with every breath he took. 

Holy fucking shit. 

Tartaglia was a ruthless man, the Eleventh Harbinger, one of the Tsaritsa's strongest. That meant he couldn't cry, not in a high position such as his. Regardless, in the safety of his own home, with the two most important people in his life, he couldn't stop as a tear rolled down his cheek, falling down on the baby's blanket. 

''I'm sorry,'' he whispered as he turned to Y/n, to the one most dear to him, putting a hand on her cheek as his other one firmly held his child. ''I'm sorry, I didn't know, if I'd known I would've been back in an instant, I would've━'' 

''Ajax.'' Y/n shushed him, that gentle smile he fell in love with on her face. Oh, how he'd missed it. ''I know. There's nothing to apologize for.'' 

Y/n moved to stand next to him, leaning her head on his shoulder. Tartaglia felt her hand rubbing his back, and he couldn't help the second tear that escaped his eye at the sudden warmth that was surrounding him, one he'd lacked even in Liyue, despite how much different the climate was. 

live laugh love domestic tartaglia