#lyney lovers rise!!!

[iceunhie]

amorousness.

summary: lyney loves your reactions. but oftentimes ends up being rendered speechless by you. you're really no good for his heart, you know? (he's down bad.)

notes: lyney x GN!reader. established relationship. inspired by a brainrot by the lovely @marrijaydeboo !! golden retriever x black cat, detective!reader. lyney is a loser in love. seriously. first lyney drabble (?) don't come for me if he's kinda ooc...

"I must say, Detective, I didn't know you were quite enamoured with me. You've been staring at me for quite a while."

Lilac eyes meet yours, playful and with the intent to seek a reaction. Any reaction. Whether it's the normally sheepish and curt deadpan and pointed stare, or the more rare reaction of a flush on your cheeks, the Great Magician Lyney prides himself as the sole captor and witness of such a side to his normally stoic and silent lover, you.

Well, not so much silent, but mostly reserved to a fault. It's no wonder you and Lynette are close. which he absolutely loves

Currently enjoying a leisure date (his words) after he pestered you on going with him (leaving a bunch of Rainbow Roses and Romaritime Flowers at your doorstep, silly little notes with cat patterns with a 'date countdown' on them, and popping up randomly in your office to steal quick kisses and elaborating about you leaving to spend time with him in typical Lyney fashion, complete with a wink and a disappearing act before you could even get mad at him for the disruption) saying that even Detectives and Sleuths like you need to let down their hair a bit.

And what better way to do it than to spend it with your lovely, horribly sappy (your words) and romantic boyfriend? So, after a few works at winning you over with his secret weapon (Lynette came at your door, giving you the most unimpressive stare and smirk, before telling you her brother was at his wits end trying to please you, waxing poetic about how you wound him by your rejections so you better go) here you both were, enjoying a tray of sweets and desserts, all your favorites, it seems, while partaking in casual conversation flirting with Lyney.

"Is there a reason for your gaze? Or perhaps you're just admiring little old me?"

"Naturally, Great Magician. After all, beautiful things should be admired, no?"

Ah. But there was also that. Your unpredictability. Typical [name], always keeping him on his toes. Lyney flushes deeply at your words, caught off-guard, a rare look of sheepishness similar to a thief caught in the act. caught in the act of being horribly smitten with you, maybe A pretty shade of pink adorns his cheeks. Pink is the color of the Rainbow Roses he lavishes you with; the color of his longing for you, and just one of the colors you get the privilege of seeing on him.

You only smile knowingly, as your lips curl to a smirk.

You really…. You really have him wrapped around your finger, huh? Lyney can only sigh and laugh, as his normally flirty and romantic self is just no match for you.

Not that he minds, of course. You're the only one who gets to assert such a sheepish and unimpressive reaction from him, part from Lynette, probably.

"Ah, how your words leave me speechless, my dear [name]! How you keep me in your grasp so firmly… Ah, there's nothing more fulfilling." You only look at him with a withering stare, which leaves the magician in a love-struck gaze, as you just roll your eyes at his quips.

For the Great Magician Lyney, your reactions are a work of wonder and magic itself. Seeing your normally diligent and aloof facade crumble when he teases you keeps him tightly wound around your finger. Really, Lyney is probably the only person who gets such a thrill of seeing your glares or your unamused looks. Well, that can't compare to your flustered face, or your smile, though. Or your kisses, or the way you look at him breathless after…

He flushes even a darker shade of red, if that was even possible, definitely caught up in his thoughts of you.

It's ironic, really. He says you were the enamored one, but he's the one who wishes to keep you to him till the very end, and wishes that every day with you stretches out longer… He could almost sigh. The things one does when in love…

"Any more words and that smile of yours won't be kept up any longer, Lyney." You huff, as you scarf down a Conch Madeline, before turning to ascertain some case papers he notes that have to deal with the recent serial disappearance cases.

Lyney pouts. You both were on a date, not some regular business day. He'd prefer it if your attention were just on him for today, at least. (or maybe everyday, he hopes. maybe for the rest of your lives. really, what you did to him was astonishing)

"Jeez, alright…. I was hoping you'd be less composed and just unwind yourself with me, you know? After all, I am your lover. And I'd personally prefer if you could shift your attention only at me for today…"

Lyney tries to look unfazed and tip the scales to make you feel flustered this time, but his words come out as a whine. Was he really that needy for your attention? (he was)

Now you blush. The heat creeps up to your cheeks in a flaming glow, as you just make a noise in your throat, words going incoherent. You compose yourself, as you just clear your throat as you look away and bury your expression in your cup of tea, closing your eyes since you couldn't bare to see his gaze, no doubt oozing with fondness and sweetness as the desserts laid out on the table right now. Maybe even more. (you put away your papers, thank goodness)

"You don't need to worry about that. Besides, you're the only person I'd ever want to put all my attention on willingly, anyway…"

"...."

A beat of silence passes. Two beats, three beats. Yeah, now you were both shutting down at your words.

Yeah, now Lyney's seriously considering trying to propose to you in his next show now. A volunteer act, maybe? Wait, you don't want on the spot performances that surprise you too much. Hm, a private show? Tempting. And the ring… Maybe a magenta ring? Or maybe a purple one to match his eyes…. All for you. All for what you both currently have right now. All for everything you're currently showing him. Your mirroring love-lorn gaze, the way your lips would envelop his own, just his. Although Lyney thought that proposing to you right now was still too early, well, if you keep this up…

"Lyney? What's gotten into you all of a sudde–"

Your words stop as you feel the pressure of his lips on your own. Lyney's kisses are sweet, warm, and playful. But oftentimes, it's meaningful and embodies so many unspoken words of adoration that his suave self could never compare to. When he pulls away but a moment later, he's back to his regular self. The confident smile and the softening of his eyes as his gaze locks onto you. Cheeky and challenging. Just the way you like it. Just the way you both would have it.

"You look so endearing when flustered."

"Shut up."

"I love you even still!"

"Unfortunately, I do too."

"Haha, of course you d– Huh, wait, what do you mean, unfortunately?! [name]!"

The rest of the day is spent without your work bothering you. Not that you don't mind, of course. Only because you're spending it in his company.

© 𝐦𝐡𝐢𝐢𝐞𝐞𝐞 𝟐𝟎𝟐𝟑 : do not repost, copy, or plagiarize my work.

[sakkiichi]

HERE COMES THE SUN.

They comfort you while you’re having a difficult time.

ft. Childe, Lyney, Albedo, Shikanoin Heizou x gn! reader.

cw/genre: hurt/comfort.

for my dear @https-furina I know you’ve been going through trying times lately, so I hope this can comfort you a little <3 I also struggled a lot with Heizou’s part, so I apologize if it’s no good at all…

if you enjoy this, reblogs and comments help more than likes !

✧ CHILDE

Linen sheets feel like ropes on raw skin against the morning chill.

Its warm cream color, ashen, nothing like the mirror sunrises you were used to witnessing right after you opened your eyes.

What’s the point in opening them anymore? You wonder.

You bury your face against the pillows. In any other occasion, you would have been grateful for the coolness of its silk.

Now it’s just an iceberg. Like a missing shard of your shallow beating heart.

“Someone’s sleepy today.” A familiarly perky voice greets, the mattress dipping slightly with new weight.

You rolling in the other direction is all the greeting that meets him.

“Hey, love! It’s time to wake up!” Childe chuckles, his hand gently shaking your body.

Yet something already tells him this is not right; you usually would have already shoved him away by now.

But today you’re just… unresponsive…

The dull oceans of his stare rise in dangerous waves at your state.

Hesitant, he calls your name, his tone more like a question.

And this time, he does get an answer.

Familiar arms he adores wrapped around him loop around his middle, your face burying against his chest.

You’re warm, yet you feel so… faraway… as if the pain of past memories was seeping out your light.

Ajax is no stranger to the despair palpable in your strong grip around him, he’s endured it himself, through years robbed of him by an abyss that turned him into a master of all weapons.

So because he’s known the cold of endless nights where all he had was a tattered red scarf to remember the warmth of a distant home, he now holds you.

And for someone whose hands were tainted in the filth and bloodshed of a lifetime of slaughter, Ajax is undeniably gentle.

His fingertips ghost over your skin, easing the burning anguish of bed covers that felt too rough, too suffocating, too wrong.

When your lover’s hands get lost in your hair, combing it, you swear sun rays filter through the deep sea you’re falling through.

And then, suddenly, the choice to swim upwards presents before you, scarred sun-kissed hands extended towards you.

You take them.

When you open your eyes, russet sunsets and constellations over your beloved’s skin greet you.

His lips find yours, a bit chapped but gentle; not his usual playfulness, but soothing aquamarine waves.

You swear Childe’s kiss tastes salty. And that’s when you realize the dry tear-tracks down your cheeks.

He made them dry, sunlight evaporating puddles after grey days.

You break the surface, the waters now turquoise beneath Ajax’s light.

He won’t let you sink again.

✧ LYNEY

A whole audience’s cheers fill the Opera Epiclese. Lights shine upon every smiling face, every vigourous clap of hands after the magician’s grand finale echoing through the theater.

However, the illusionist’s gaze of amethyst is focused on the sole grim expression amongst millions of joyous others.

Yours.

Your hands move, clapping together, as if automated; your eyes stare at everything, seeing nothing; your mouth is a taut line, your lips devoid of their usual vibrant tint.

Lyney doesn’t like that being his last memory before the curtain closes.

When you step out of the Opera House, an infinity of starfields is abloom across the crepuscular skies.

What a mockery; a cruel jinx on display, for you to see the unfulfilled sparks dimming inside your heart.

A sigh escapes your dry lips, a small cloud forming when it meets the late night chill.

“You’ll catch a cold there, mon coeur,” Someone you know, tricks and all, utters behind you.

Welcome warmth tinted in lavender envelops you the instant your eyes meet the magician’s starry ones.

A small smile tugs at your lips, the curse of melancholy still clinging to you through it.

“Lyney…” You start. The twilit breeze picks up around you, your arms instinctively wrapping around yourself for some semblance of a warmth you haven’t felt in days.

“That won’t do, ma chérie.” Your lover chuckles.

Then, with a wave of his hand, a piece of the night sky itself seems to become tangible in his grasp.

“Here,” he offers, draping it over your shoulders.

Upon closer inspection, you realize it’s a shawl; the cloth feels delicate to the touch, quite fine too, and yet, you feel the warmth of a thousand suns. If you had to describe its color you would come up empty. Silver glitter seems to be embedded in the fabric, but at the same time, it looks like multiple tiny lights had been stitched to the material. You suppose you’d call the hue, dark; a myriad of indigoes merge into violets, threaded together with navies and cobalts. And yet, when you move it, the colors seem to shift, almost like the clouds drifting across this midnight.

“I take it you liked it.” Lyney smiles, softer than his usual cheshire-like grins, when he observes your wonderstruck features.

“Very…” You muse, awestruck at the magical silk.

“It’s a châle de ciel,” your beloved explains, “It will change depending on the state of the sky at each time of day.” He pauses, eyes, the color of lumidouce bells and rainbow rose petals merged, glinting as he admires how the garment fits you. “But I can guarantee,” your illusionist steps closer to you, plucking something out of your hair. “That it will always keep you comfortable… warm or cool, whatever you need.” He finishes, handing you a pluie lotus.

You take a few seconds to appreciate the second gift of the night. The flower’s petals are the same color as Lyney’s eyes, yet not as vivacious.

“Shall we go, mon amour?” Your boyfriend inquires, already offering your arm to him.

Together, you leave the opera house behind.

You hope for light blues on your new cape tomorrow morning. And somehow, you know that’s what you’ll find.

You squeeze Lyney’s arm gently. The sun will rise soon.

✧ ALBEDO

When he sets foot on his camp in Dragonspine, Albedo finds the heater already on.

Strange.

The sun hasn’t even quite awoken yet, the snowy peaks outlined against skies still clinging to dreamless cloudy nights; shards of ice, embedded in the softness of dawn clouds. An accurate representation of the region of freedom’s snowy mountains: menacingly beautiful, brimming with lethal charm, for one step in the wrong direction, and the cold might as well consume you for good.

At this hour, no one was ever already working at his lab, making of these moments calm sunrise-tinted memories in the alchemist’s mind, before the day’s hustle and bustle began.

However, today, the running heater is not the only out of the ordinary salutation to greet the chalk prince.

The acute sounds of clicking vials, books being rearranged and crunching snow are confirmation enough that he is, indeed, not alone.

With silent steps, Albedo advances, keeping one hand hovering over his trusty sword. Then, he finally lays eyes upon the cause for the commotion, and despite the lack of danger, the sight doesn’t calm him any better.

“My dearest?” He calls. The instant your gaze meets his, your condition scares him more than any bandits ransacking his research material. Your hair is messy, falling on your face; dark circles are etched beneath your lower lashline, darkness clinging to you like remnants of turbulent nights; and you’re shivering, whether from the cold or because you’re distempered he can’t quite discern, although it’s most likely due to both.

“Hello, ‘Bedo…” You mutter, the flesh of your lips bitten, flecks of Dragonspine’s freeze coating them, the cold lacing with your bones, chilling you to the core. Your eyes widen when you notice your lover’s teal gaze scrutinizing you. You quickly busy yourself with classifying some potions, by color and texture, whatever takes the longest for him not to worry about your less than ideal condition.

However, perhaps you underestimated his attention to detail; for he has a skilled artist, after all.

“My love, are you feeling alright?” He questions, gloved hands gently taking the crystal vial-filled wooden box you were carrying off your trembling hold.

And in that instant, you don’t know if it’s the warmth of your prince’s hands on yours; or the comfort of his voice, like honey on bitter tea, but you find yourself taking a deep breath, the fresh air of a midwinter’s sunrise filling your lungs.

And then you talk. You spill every worry and bad dream, your shadows opening up to the gilded starlight of him.

And through it all, the alchemist’s hands warm yours, fingers interlocked, very much in the way your souls are undeniably so too.

Because no matter how daunting the river seemed when you faced it alone, when you were with Albedo, its typhoons calmed down, stone bridges and his outstretched hand painting safety and comfort in hues of gold before your eyes.

While the kreideprinz grounds you, the sun reaches its peak, a canvas of aureate and cornflower blue grazing the mountaintops.

You would be okay.

✧ SHIKANOIN HEIZOU

Emerald eyes read through you as if you were made of clear glass.

The way you worry your lower lip between your teeth; your fingers almost going white at the knuckles as you clutch a pencil, its wood creaking in your grip; and the general absentminded state you’re in, papers scattered over your desk, several case files stacked in disarray.

Something is clearly weighting on your mind.

“I think a break’s in order, wouldn't you agree, sweetheart?” Heizou suggests, standing up, those striking eyes of his fixed on you.

The detective’s voice is enough to stop the quickening clock ticking in your mind, regrets and dark spirals momentarily coming to a halt.

When you rise your furrowed brow, shades of maroon and viridian flood your sight, vivid as summer and warming your up just as much.

Nodding, you stand up too, limbs feeling heavy despite the comfort of your lover beside you.

The brown shades of your office turn into blue skies and soft pink sakuras not long after, the scented tree branches swaying above you, like fragments of dreams someone had given up on, waiting to be picked up by another soul who dared to imagine.

Your back rests against your lover’s lean but strong torso, the sweet smelling breeze combing through your hair, as Heizou’s chin rests on your shoulder.

“So will you tell me what’s wrong, darling?” Are the words of his that break the birdsong-filled calm.

A pang settles on your chest, you didn’t want to take away that cheeky grin that most of the time decorated his quick-witted lips.

“I…” You hesitate. “Well, it’s- it’s complicated, Heizou…” Your lids flutter closed, a shaky breath raking through you, as you turn around in his embrace, your hands bracing on his shoulders. “I don’t want to bring the mood down, you know…”

The detective places a thumb on your lower lip, smoothing over the bite marks you left there earlier.

“You never, ever, bring the mood down, dear. Never.” He leans in, brushing a soft kiss over your forehead. “My intuition told me right away there was something up.” He takes a stray cherry blossom petal from your hair. “So, why don’t we take the rest of the day off, love?” Your partner proposes, as he takes your chin in between his fingers, mischief flashing in his features.

And perhaps your lover’s smile was more infectious than you had ever given it credit for; and maybe the way he flashes his green eyes at you has your heart trembling in ways that have nothing to do with the fear and guilt you’ve been festering, but you find yourself retorting back, with a grin of your own:

“Don’t you have cases to solve, detective Shikanoin?”

This time, he takes a full sakura flower, delicately placing it behind your ear.

“I have something more important to solve right here…” He smirks, cheekily, as he admires your now flustered expression.

When you lean the side of your head against his chest, he cradles it with one of his hands, the other playing with the ends of your hair.

It would be unfair, if gloom were to take your soul captive when spring seems to linger through Inazuma’s breeze.

With a last look at you, the detective’s maroon lashes flutter closed too. He hopes, at least for today, he managed to protect precious you from the crimes of cruel sorrow.

He leans his head on top of yours.

The case is solved.

[dvzaiosamu]

I know some of you don't read Lyney's lore when you gain friendship with him, so I'm totally going to force you all into reading all of it. I'm begging you all. Look, if you're not going to read it ingame, then read it here and devour that lore.

Now, now, this might seem like something I did because I didn't knew what to post, it's true, it is, but I also want to spread around Lyney's lore for all my Lyney lovers, even if making this post is pointless.

Character details.

The people of Fontaine love their tales of mystery. The intricate case setups and unexpected twists and turns are captivating for all.

Magic recreates this experience under the converging spotlights. For the price of a ticket and some of your free time, you can embark on a wondrous journey amidst thunderous applause and astounded cries.

If you were to ask around as to which of Fontaine's "guides" is best at setting up such fantastical tours, most fans will tell you that it is Lyney.

Suave, romantic, and talented, he performs miracle after miracle with a casual air.

In this industry, one needs only a stable of staple tricks to ensure a renowned reputation and comfortable life.

However, Lyney's shows always feature some new trick. Some say that he was born into poverty, and the resultant burning hunger for fame and fortune drives his boundless desire to create.

In truth, he simply pursues novelty in his capacity as a performer — indeed, he feels that if he cannot put his whole heart into the show, his deep desire to perform cannot be fully satiated.

This is why, despite the applause rising to a fever pitch and beyond, he will rarely satisfy the crowd's calls for a reprise of his most well-known tricks. Some devoted fans consider this to be a bit of a shame...

...And for them, such regret will only continue to increase each time they purchase a ticket and go in to watch his show.

Friendship level 2.

While Lyney first began his journey in magic to fill his stomach, he has continued to perfect his art even after becoming a person of some renown in Fontaine.

Magic, after all, has been his benefactor. Not only has it allowed him and his sister to survive, but it has also allowed them to gain the "acknowledgment" that most children, growing up in a loving home, would have received from their parents.

Even from an early age, performance was something closely tied to Lyney's life. Each time he would go on stage, Lyney would have the audience whooping and clapping. And yet, he did not lose himself in their adulation — if anything, it often troubled him.

If audiences were simply drawn to the spectacle of magic, then who was to say that they wouldn't abandon Lyney's stage as soon as they caught wind of a more enthralling show in town?

In other words, just as an audience would be attracted by petals and cards, they would also be pulled away by grander fireworks and crackling gun salutes. What else did magicians have up their sleeves to capture the hearts of their audience, beyond enticing them with ever more grandiose impressions of shock and awe?

In all of Lyney's performances afterward, audiences would begin to notice a change — Lyney would add many segments between performances in which he would interact with them.

Indeed, this magician seemed without any airs, sharing various fascinating anecdotes about his life, not even minding if the audience should try to guess at the secret behind his tricks.

Of course, the sharper wits amongst them would notice that Lyney's tales were not truth, but instead a way to build up the atmosphere, a bedding laid for a greater magic trick to land upon.

Yet no one would quibble about these white lies. After all, truth and falsehoods were already inextricable in many parts of the performance — why, even the magician himself could be said to have become a part of the magic.

Thus does Lyney sometimes appear near and dear, and other times just out of the reach of his audience, balancing human affinity and magical mystery perfectly in the palm of his hand, his smile leaving the audiences' imaginations free to run wild.

No matter how rich or poor, sad or glad the audience member, imagination is the great equalizer, carrying the charm of magic to all.

Thus did the mystery and elegance of this magician spread far and wide, with people even opining that his skill at creating an atmosphere is itself as exquisite as magic.

"Is that so? Well, I'm just trying to invite everyone to take a brief break from reality, that's all."

Friendship level 3.

Lyney's new home was the Hotel Bouffes d'ete, located in a corner of the Court of Fontaine.

The place was home to many orphans who shared similar experiences with him and his sister. The people here helped each other like a family would, greeting the fallout and consequences of those tragic years together.

But the siblings, even with a recommendation from the manager of the Hotel, did not find it all that easy to fit in, nor was it easy for the children there to immediately accept these new "outsiders."

And in this environment, oppressive in its gloom, the water pumping equipment broke while Lynette was using it, right before everyone's eyes, deepening the distrust to the extreme.

Lyney could only step up and take responsibility, agreeing to fix the equipment so as not to affect everyone's daily lives.

In truth, he did not know all that much about repair work, but given Lynette's propensity for damaging various small devices, he had long gotten used to following his intuition to do some fixes here and there.

Unfortunately, he underestimated the complexity of the pumping equipment and difficulty of fixing it. While he succeeded in restoring it to normal operations, he remained at a complete loss as to whether he had solved the root problem or not, he could not tell.

But just as he was at his wit's end, a seemingly reticent young fellow stepped forth, examined, and restored the facilities, even expressing his apologies.

As it turned out, he was the one in charge of maintenance at the Hotel, and as he saw it, Lynette had been the unfortunate victim of his failure to detect and replace the aging components in the system in a timely manner.

Lyney, for his part, was far more impressed by the young fellow's skills than any talk of responsibility. He wanted to learn from the youth — if nothing else, this would make helping Lynette all the easier.

The youth was, for his part, no good at refusing, and thus did Lyney become his assistant in the Hotel's small workroom — and over time, he and this Freminet would become friends.

Lyney would prove unselfish in spending time on other Hotel residents, whether it be Freminet or others, but he would keep them company in comforting silence rather than ask them about their experiences.

In this he was guided by Lynette's succinct life advice: "No one needs self-satisfied concern."

In time, the residents became more willing to share some of their pasts with him, and Lyney would thus become better able to help them with their issues.

Freminet was somewhat perplexed by this, believing that Lyney, who was slowly becoming the core around which the Hotel spun, did not need to go this far.

Lyney joked that he had helped Freminet when they first met because he knew that his sister would cause further machine-related troubles down the line, and he was uncomfortable with that.

But at this point, there was no fooling Freminet with such words. Under his attentive gaze, Lyney could only tell him the truth.

"Because Lynette's my one and only family, I've learned from her how one should treat all members of their family."

Friendship level 4.

On the Hotel Bouffes d'ete's Founding Day, all the children were abustle, draping festive colors all over the place.

To the residents, outside festivals and events were cold and emotionless things, foreign elements in their lives, and only this dwelling could bring them true warmth.

Everyone worked in concert to execute Lyney's plan. Lynette had purchased large amounts of festive ornaments, and together with the other children, she strung up colored streamers and hung handwritten festive greetings.

Freminet was ensuring that the magical props would operate properly — Lyney had faith in his craftsmanship, so much so that Freminet was completely entrusted with all the magic props this time.

Lyney himself was the busiest of all — not only did he have to ascertain everyone's progress, but he was also laying the final groundwork for a grand, unique magic trick in secret.

And thus was the banquet successfully held with everyone's support. The children danced to the joyous music playing from the grand hall's phonograph and enjoyed delicious food — this was the birthday of no one in particular, but this was the day they all felt they had gained new lives.

The finale, of course, was Lyney, Lynette, and Freminet's Founding Day magic show. The magic box was at the center of the room, and all waited with bated breath.

To preserve the secret behind the magic trick, even Lynette and Freminet knew not what was within. But as the room darkened and all eyes turned to Lyney, standing as he was in front of the box, even the highly-experienced magician showed some rare signs of trepidation.

"Now, you might consider the following words an exaggeration, but the "present" I am about to present to you all is, without doubt, the most important one we have received in our lives."

The paper firecrackers burst, and the once-empty box suddenly opened by itself. The crowd cheered, amazed — then fell suddenly into stunned silence.

What stood onstage was no present — nay, this was the Hotel's manager, its owner, and their "Father."

Her image was one of unsmiling dignity, and thus, though she did not come by often, no one dared to horse around whenever she was around.

Surely, Lyney had gone completely mad to have her make her appearance in such a frivolous way.

Yet, upon seeing the crowd's reaction, "Father" did not snap at anyone, opining merely that Lyney had kept this secret perfectly, just as a magic show should, declaring it worthy of praise.

That night, the children and their "Father" delighted in the various desserts together, and she personally sliced a serving of cake for each of them, which she herself enjoyed some of as well.

Perhaps the most amazing aspect of Lyney's Founding Day magic show was its ability to have even "Father" lay down her heavy burden and enjoy a brief moment of familial love.

Friendship level 5.

Magic and secrets piled up at Lyney's feet, growing ever taller like a tower. Gazing down from the top at the people as they passed by in the world below, Lyney knew there was no going back.

Both the dazzling sleights of hand and the missions he would come to receive from Hotel Bouffes d'ete had made a habitual liar out of him.

And while lies could sometimes be useful for seizing an advantage, they were more often employed to keep more people from being dragged into trouble.

Lyney knew very well that once trust had collapsed, the scales of judgment would no longer remain impartial, and even noble goals would become twisted and thought of as evil.

As such, not revealing more than was absolutely necessary was prudent when working with others. More often than not, this makes things go more smoothly, with everyone getting the results they want.

But lies will not simply scatter on the wind, and Lyney must maintain this illusion with utmost care, all the while keeping his distance from those affected.

As so the tower extended towards the skies, until there would be no one to take his hand if he reached out, and even their visages blurred in his eyes.

Falsehood was Lyney's constant and only companion on the path that he walked, and this road was long and lonely — this he was always clear-minded about.

Everyone knew the brilliant "Great Magician Lyney," but they loved only the mystery, the romance, the unattainable nature. They knew no love for the heart that lay deeper within.

He felt he had no right to pour out his mind to others, and yet he must carry on with gritted teeth, for the price of a fall from such heights was more than he could bear.

Having played too many parts, even Lyney would sometimes find himself questioning who "he" really was.

His dreams often took him back to the tower, where his resting place at the pinnacle vantage would grow smaller and smaller, and with the fog of death they called "betrayal" extending all around, there was nowhere for him to go.

But just before he could plummet, a hand grabbed onto him — and from it, he felt a familiar warmth that drew his soul back into his body, steadying "him" within himself once more.

"Thank you, Lynette..."

The awakening youth mumbled to himself.

Friendship level 6.

While Hotel Bouffes d'ete's operations in Fontaine work toward a just cause, its methods can often be radical. Only the influence of "Father" and her control over the inner workings of the Court of Fontaine prevent any serious incidents from occurring.

There was once an official funded by Lyney who served in the Maison Gardiennage. This person provided both intel in support of the Hotel's operations and scrubbed clean the effects of some of the Hotel's clandestine actions.

These were actions that came with no small risk, but the official always performed them well, for he believed that the Fontaine of the present day needed someone like "Father" who could bypass the many layers of laws and regulations and take direct action.

Lyney once joked to him: "I'll be there if you ever need help, and if you're in danger, I'll come to rescue you... Well, don't expect too much of that last bit. Just stay on guard, alright?"

The official knew that this was Lyney's way of expressing concern, of course. Yet even words spoken in jest could prove prophetic later, and so they did — this official's deeds were eventually discovered, and on the brink of capture, he used an emergency communication device to send a message to Lyney.

Upon discovering the device, the Gardes who arrived at the scene mocked the official's naivete, claiming that the signal sent merely informed his compatriots to save themselves — no one would be stupid enough to try to save him.

The official's reply was also quite simple — even such an ending would have been fine for him, for he did not believe that his prior cooperation was the wrong decision.

But just as the Gardes were about to arrest the official, thick smoke began billowing forth from dispensers pre-planted nearby, and the official caught sight of a brilliant blaze—

The next moment, he was in the drink in the Fleuve Cendre, and was rescued by Freminet.

It was said that the Gardes spent a great deal of time chasing after the skyborne flame-trail, believing that the criminal must have used some flying machine to flee the scene, only to discover later naught but wood dressed in clothes, affixed to a glider.

In truth, Lyney had earlier used this device to draw the Gardes' attention away before getting the official out of his predicament.

The official admitted that he had not had high hopes when pressing the device. Magicians were untrustworthy, after all — but still, he had chosen to gamble on that tiny chance.

"Haha. Well, it is indeed a gamble to place your trust in others."

"But don't worry. Magicians might be full of hot air, but we will never betray the expectations of our audience."

Friendship level 4: Rosseland.

There is a special entity amongst the cats adopted by Lyney and Lynette, and its name is "Rosseland."

Every cat in the Hotel has its own territory, but Rosseland has a special affinity for Lyney's hat.

A hat is a magician's most important prop, and each time Lyney must use it, he must first chase Rosseland out — a difficult affair when its displeased meows in response are so heartrending, especially to siblings like Lyney and Lynette, who themselves once struggled to find a home.

Thus the siblings began their search for a replacement, only to be met by refusal each time, no matter how lovely the new home — indeed, Rosseland would not even give them a second glance.

Lyney even specially commissioned an identical hat, thinking that this might put an end to the cat's choosiness, only for Rosseland to lay claim that new hat also, becoming aggrieved no matter which was whisked away.

But this was no feline tyranny. Indeed, Rosseland's requests were not terribly excessive. After much thought, Lyney eventually came up with a solution — to incorporate the cat into his magic shows.

He and Lynette constructed a little puppet inside the hat that would normally serve as Rosseland's cushion. During performances, Rosseland would burrow inside the puppet, causing it to jink this way and that in a mischievous and adorable manner.

And as it turned out, Rosseland was not at all shy — indeed, it greatly enjoyed its new job. Perhaps the spotlight brought it much enjoyment indeed, for it would never prove quite so predisposed to exclusive ownership again, even when it had to temporarily leave its nest when off-stage.

During one of his shows, Lyney once made a rare error, having left a card he needed to produce on-stage backstage.

With all eyes on him, he had mere seconds to think of a way to save the situation while maintaining his easy-going demeanor.

But to his surprise, there was an unexpected weight in his hovering hat — it should have been empty, but Rosseland had somehow found its way inside.

Out came the puppet, and out with it came the card Lyney had needed, to the instantaneous applause of all. Lyney heaved a sigh of relief, but he was also quite shocked, in truth.

Some thought was put into this matter — but Lyney could only conclude that Rosseland had, influenced by the twins as it was, also mastered the art of the magical performance somehow.

Friendship level 6: vision.

After Lynette gained the favor of the gods, the missions she had to undertake grew more dangerous and difficult.

Only Vision-wielders like Lynette could fulfill the most dangerous missions while remaining completely anonymous, and the twins began to operate separately more often as a result.

Lyney found himself unable to adapt to this. Not only had the siblings been together since childhood, but he knew that he was not the only one who felt disturbed by this split.

He still desired to be beside her, lending her all the help he could — this was his non-negotiable desire.

Knowing his desire for power was no longer pure, Lyney concluded that he had become undeserving of divine favor. Yet he still desired a means to bridge the vast gulf in strength between him and his sister, which he did not possess. Unless...

To this end, he solemnly sought out "Father," expressing his belief that he needed the mysterious and perilous might of a Delusion to operate alongside his sister.

"Father" was silent for a long while, till at last two slanted crosses pinned him in place with a wrath rarely shown to the children of the Hotel, her gaze seeming to pierce his very soul.

"And would Lynette want you to do this?"

Her simple yet powerful question cut through the strings that bound his heart, and in a daze, his sister's words once more reverberated in his ears.

"No one needs self-satisfied concern."

Lyney did not need to ask his sister to know that she would never accept his desire to stay by her side with the use of a Delusion. It was only then that he realized the absurdity of his wish.

"Father" stood up and left, but not before reminding him that this was not the first time he had lacked power, but that he had found an answer before.

Lyney would lock himself in his room, trying to digest the reasoning behind the words "Father" had left him with. When he and his sister had been out on the streets, the answer he had found then had been "magic." What, then, would the answer be now?

Lyney found the dossiers for all the missions Lynette had taken up during this period, carefully analyzing the process of each one and modeling his sister's every action.

Was it really necessary to pass through this dangerous valley to get close to a target?

Was it really a must to leap into such a swift river to flee the scene?

No, this was just the Vision's light covering her.

Thus did Lyney start to make comprehensive plans for his sister's missions, using his understanding of her to design the most suitable routes, make the most practical tools, and choose the best rendezvous points.

The pure desire to protect one's family would not be moved, gods' favor or no.

But even the best laid plans of mice and men may go awry. After conducting dozens of successful missions, the children of the Hotel were caught up in a betrayal, and as a result, Lynette's movements were exposed.

Before the siblings was a towering cliff, just like the night when Lynette had gained her Vision — but this time, it was Lyney's turn to reverse their fortunes in a moment of crisis.

He opened his emergency paraglider, and grabbing her, threw himself off the edge. But their pursuers followed, raining gunfire down on them.

Lyney twisted this way and that, avoiding many a shot, but still the glider was punctured in several spots. Unable to maintain balance, they began to plummet downward towards the embrace of the ground below.

Still, Lyney grit his teeth and refused to despair — should fate itself conspire to refute the answer he had come up with to protect his family, he would defy it to the end.

Their pursuers began to snicker, knowing that a fall at such speeds would be fatal — only to have a flame light up the skies, pushing the stricken glider toward a fast-flowing river nearby.

The power of Pyro changed the direction of their fall, while Anemo defended them from harm — and thus did the twin lights intertwine and spread under the moonlight, fading slowly like the applause that fills the stage during a curtain call.

Lyney did not guess at the meaning of the shining Vision he saw in his hand. The answer was, after all, no longer important.

[aeroblossom]

inverse operation

[◇ arlecchino/furina. written before 4.0 archon quest. enemies to lovers.]

It is a truth universally acknowledged, that any mortal in possession of a good deal of enmity against the divine, must be in want of a victory.

The Knave's hands, dark as cinders, clawed and fearsome, are known for being neither gentle nor loving. The rose stalk fitted within the space between her index and thumb would have been glad to meet its end through a simple wilt, but that is not enough to put on a show.

There is currently a soldier grovelling at her feet, head on the ground and trembling in submission to her. None of the quivering words that exit his mouth satisfy her.

Some excuse about too many casualties, something about retaliation from locals, some nonsense about the Traveler, her ears had tired of them.

One turn, one toss of her long hair off her shoulder alerted the youth of just what kind of mood she was in. He opens his mouth to speak, but nothing leaves except a high pitched yelp when clawed black fingers curl around his throat. Despite being equal in height, the walking, breathing threat of a woman already has him lifted into the air as he attempts to untangle her fingers from his neck, gasping and thrashing in the process, crying his pleas. With each sound he makes the fingers only tighten.

"Remind me, your name?" she says (demands, forces, orders).

"V-Viktor, Lady Harb–ing…"

"A nice name," came her reply which didn't seem to be addressed to him at all. "Tell me, Viktor, what is our mission here?"

"To… t-to…" he chokes out.

"To kill that lowly criminal of a god," she completes his attempt. Her other hand moves to her back, the rose clutched by her fingers still. It gave the whole scene a touch that would be a pleasure in a romantic context.

He wondered, for just a millisecond, if this was a future tactic she was testing for later use.

"You tried. What else, Viktor?"

"T-the–"

"The what?"

"The–" the grip tightens, "Gno–"

A snap and a crack.

"...–sis ."

A body falls to the ground with a thud. A sigh leaves her lips, her heel coming to rest on his back, crushing into the still warm body.

Empty eyes narrow, wander across the scenery of the back of the base. She raises her other arm into her line of sight. A small crackle sounds, smoke rises. Flames begin to consume the innocent flower.

She drops it by the stem, and it lands onto the recently deceased thing on the floor. The Pyro vision reacts, flames feeding each other till a larger one replaces both.

Embers and flames will consume one another to form a bigger fire, a kind of unifying embrace. That was precisely the ideal she set forth for the House of the Hearth.

However, when flames come into contact with water, one triumphs over the other. Whether that be the flame vaporising the water, or the water dowsing the flame. Usually, it was the latter.

Recently, Arlecchino has found a special sort of interest in the former — in triumphing over, consuming, annihilating that which would normally do the same to you.

Platinum blonde hair sways in the gentle breeze coming in through the window, the young feline woman bent over her desk picks a stray hair out of her mouth as she pens the letter in front of her. Ghost writing for the Knave.

To kill the god Focalors, wasn't it?

A death threat could never have sounded so pretty, so alluring. Seductive enough for one to almost give into it. And it was said, anyone could tell, both meaning and not meaning the words involved.

Anyone else, anyone with a sane bone in their body would be careful in their approach to the God of Justice.

Arlecchino very famously does not have a sane bone in her body. That's why Lynette knows only she could make a calling card sound this capricious.

When she's done, she hands it to Freminet for delivery – to Lyney, who would then personally place it in Arlecchino's hands. This routine of doing things was almost symbolic in a way, and she thinks for a spare moment about how Lady Furina would have enjoyed watching this kind of thing in an opera.

The symbol of the thorny black rose crosses her mind for the last time as she gives Freminet the letter.

Besides, wasn't it rather strange to send the one that's supposedly your enemy, the thorn in your side, a calling card disguised as what is essentially a love letter?

Or at least, that's what Lynette thinks the purpose is, staring at her writing utensils on the desk.

Hm, maybe she's not sure a tactic is all it really is.

[thegreatfraud]

Permanent Starter Call

and here a permanent starter call. Finally doing one for Huey. I know i know it's wild i haven't done one for him yet.

For those who are interested i'm gonna come to the dm and shot a idea and discuss how you want this. For those who don't know. Huey a small time business owner who often get involve in shady business in the Isola. Huey plan to rise to the top of isola and it's time to expand his contacts.

Business Partners: Not friends...not enemies. Bonded by profit and profit alone. While Huey wouldn't betray you first (it's bad business). It is just strictly business. He save you if your in trouble not because he like you. Because there a benefit for him. This is for those who don't want to chummy but don't want to be enemies yet.

Those who already qualify: Eidan Itadori

Friends/Confidants: Huey....don't make friends easily. He a lying ba***rd with a shit attuide and a punchable face. To get to his true face you gotta get though DOZEN of layers. But if you can get though it you find a loyal friend who love to share his wealth with others. Not very judgmental about pass crimes and the one guy who always have your back. This one take a little bit work but it's not IMPOSSIBLE. It's just Huey been betrayed before and it's hard for him to trust. He never force you to join him...but he do remeber his debts.

Those who already qualify: Lyney, Ramthiel Valentine

Enemies: You can either be ENEMIES enemies or sitcom enemies. Huey a crook but he lawful evil. He have his own moral code and even if he get his ass kicked he come back sooner or later for pay back. Huey treat ENEMIES ENEMIES without mercy or compassion. Of course how far it does i discuss with the mun. Expect lot of blood, cursing and just back and forth.

For sitcom enemies? It's just pranking. Minor inconvience and Huey being a annoying prick. He wouldn't go as far but his goal IS to be annoying as hell and one free to annoy him back.

Those who already Qualify: AURELIUS

Lovers: Nah he not dating. Even after all this time he still to hurt by what happen. He is bi though. Casual yes? Serious no.

Fellow Creatives: YES. He got hobbies outside of his criminal work. Huey a writer. A very bad one but he likes to write. This is for those who want a friendship without all the crime drama stuff. Shit like publishing novel, book reviews,sunday tokusatsu suit acting, theater arts. Huey planning to publish a guide for future new citizen of isola and would like help.

Rivals: SAME LINE OF WORK. Competitors. Huey GOOD but he not the best. Fellow thiefs, lawman and tricksters are welcome to match wits with Huey. Welcome to humiliate him also. Huey love a challenge and having people who just as good if not better force him to up his game and improve.

Employee: Hey you want a job, a lot of dust, a easy going boss and free to set your own hours? Huey your man. He much rather lose profit then make his underling uncomfortable.

Be warn. The business is targeted by a criminal gang the boss pissed off.

No cap. This will always be open. If there other idea i haven't think of feel free to shot at me in the dm. I'm open to anything.

[aeripq]

okay, so, like. card kisses with lyney.

let’s say he’s craving some affection in public, and you’re too nervous to in case somebody spots you and makes a big deal of it. maybe it goes something like this:

“come on, just one kiss,” lyney pleads, hands clasping yours. “one little kiss. is that so much to ask?”

your eyes flick to the pedestrians bustling through the busy street and you cross your arms. “…no. or at least, not now.”

lyney’s shoulders fall with a sigh of exaggerated disappointment. “did you hear that?”

you frown. “hear what?”

“the sound of my heart shattering into a million pieces,” he laments. you rub your brow, lost for words.

“i… wow.”

“please?”

you bite the inside of your cheek. you’d be a liar if you said you didn’t want to kiss him, but the thought of some steambird reporter snapping a photo of you two and publishing it on every issue of next week’s paper makes you shift with discomfort. as a well-known performer (and one who doesn’t shy away from charming his audience), the public finding out that lyney has a partner would invite heaps of gossip, questions, and unwanted attention. 

lyney’s expression softens by a touch. “scared of somebody seeing us, are you?”

you nod reluctantly. “how did you know?”

“it’s my job as your lover to know how you’re feeling, my dear.” he slips his hand into yours. you weave your fingers together. “besides, a good magician should always be able to read his audience.”

you shrug, as if to say, that’s fair.

“wait a moment. i have an idea.” he pulls out a fan of cards from seemingly thin air and holds it out to you expectantly. “take any card,” he says. “any card at all.”

obliging with his request, you pick a card near the bottom of the lineup. 

“now, hold it in front of your face with its back to me.” 

you do as he says, unsure what he has in mind. lyney gently closes his fingers around your hand and moves it towards you, so that the card hovers over your lips. he lifts his hat off his head and holds it in front of your faces. then, with a reassuring squeeze of your wrist, he dips forwards and presses his lips to the back of the card. his free hand comes to cup your jaw, thumb brushing over your cheekbone as he slips the card out from between you and deepens the kiss.

“five of hearts,” lyney declares quietly when he pulls away, eyes shining with tender adoration. you have no clue how he figured it out. “now, not so bad, was it? and look,” he nods to the street, where nobody has so much as spared a glance at two lovebirds sitting on a nearby bench. “nobody saw.”

you swallow, trying and failing to push down the heat rising to your face. he smiles, endeared, at your attempt. “are you sure?”

“one hundred and one percent.”

you sigh a smile, shaking your head. a trickster he may be, but you know lyney would never lie to you. “okay, fine. that was nice. you win.”

he rests his cheek in his palm, staring shamelessly across at you. “my charms never fail.” 

lyney leans forwards. his pale eyes sparkle with mischief, and he tilts your chin upwards with his index finger.

“now… ready for the real thing?”

guys im not in love who tf 🙄🙄🙄🙄🙄

[childeproof]

doing the self insert lore questions,, but i’m not rbing op bc they’re a pr*shitter. fuck outta here. anyways just blabbing about sacha ( genshin s/i ) tbh!

Q: is there a character from their source who isn't/wasn't originally an f/o but that has lore connections to your s/i? in other words, a (potential) f/o for lore reasons?

A: i think maybe scaramouche would fit this one? but i can’t even begin to conceive the idea of sacha liking him romantically, only ever platonically as a close friend or brother figure. i imagine that it wouldn’t be purposeful, they just happen to grow close via their connections with childe + them both being in the fatui. after sacha leaves the fatui, scaramouche ends up becoming wanderer— so he remembers sacha, but because of him wiping himself out of ( basically ) everyone’s memory, it doesn’t remember him. i never intended for them to be friends, but i genuinely can’t imagine them not being this odd pair of pals now, lol.

Q: if your s/i is used for multiple f/os, how would all the timelines look if displayed together?

A: currently i only ship sacha with childe & neuvillette, so it would be like three major periods: in fatui arc ( childe ) , post fatui arc ( neuvillette ) , fatui reunion arc ( childe ) , and then maybe a poly relationship afterwards. most of the time i think of neuvillette’s relationship with him as a short but passionate relationship that ends up being a tragic thing bc neuvillette is only an “ in between “ thing for sacha. he ends up going back to his “ true “ lover, childe in a good 80% of my thoughts.

Q: do you have several timelines in your selfship? if so, describe them. alternatively, do you imagine your selfship in different stages of the relationship?

A: i have a few different timelines! the “ main “ one or the one i operate in most of the time is a timeline where sacha leaves the fatui, becomes a famous conductor, has a short relationship with neuvillette, then goes back to childe. his backstory is consistent amongst all timelines btw, so i won’t get too much into it. secondary timeline is one where sacha stays with neuvillette. third timeline is one where sacha stays in the fatui & is actually the one to kill signora in order to prove loyalty to the tsaritsa + rise and become a harbinger. in this timeline i imagine he’d hunt after scaramouche for “ reasons unknown to even himself “ ( it misses his pal, basically ). childe still loves him but sacha is a lot more intense and freaky.. naturally. more timelines on the way, probably.

Q: what is your s/i's backstory? how does it make them meet your f/o(s)?

A: sacha lovell was found in the woods of fontaine by arlecchino & was adopted into the hearth program. he basically grows up in the fatui, being known for his beautiful voice in the chorus and his willingness to bite. also, it was found eating from a wolf’s carcass. his mother was dead in the snow nearby.

Q: any major changes in your selfship lore over time? if so, compare how it used to be with how it's now.

A: not really! no major changes because i like his wolf symbolism a lot. might play around with location ( snezhnaya instead of fontaine, maybe ) and time frames ( i imagine arlecchino to be much older than childe, so sacha’s adoption comes a little while after childe’s acception into the fatui, they grow up together ) ( sacha’s adopted FAR before lynette, lyney, & freminet in my mind ).

Q: any favorite reoccurring scenario?

A: i keep thinking of sacha going on dates to the opera with neuvillette,, like that’s their spot. they frequent it so often, they have their own personal seats practically. childe wise, i like to imagine them in the fatui as two older teenage boys who don’t understand that their “ friendship “ is like actually just a gay relationship. but it doesn’t matter! they don’t need labels yknow? there’s a playful innocence with it.

Q: are you more of a "has everything written down" self shipper or a "what happens in my daydreams STAYS in my daydreams" self shipper?

A: the first until it comes to anything suppperr personal

Q:alternatively, do you have tons of s/i lore or just wing it on the spot?

A: usually lots of s/i lore! it’s one of my fav parts of selfshipping :3

Q: au time! pick an au of your ship that you have thoughts for and talk about it. if you can't decide, pick it randomly.

A: 2000S PUNK ROCK X CLASSICAL PREP AU. childe is a punk rocker in a band called the “ fatui “ and sacha is a prep who is training / learning to become a conductor! except, childe is his teacher’s nephew, so they see each other & bicker sometimes. everyone in childe’s band knows he’s whipped btw. also i imagine they’d either be juniors - seniors in highschool or freshmen in college, and they’d go to the same school or college, whatever. so they just keep running into each other, especially now that they know the other exists. childe with piercings.. yummmm. good ol’ “ enemies “ to lovers ( they don’t actually hate each other but ew punk! vs ew prep! )

Q: free pass! tell a fun self ship lore fact or just talk about anything of it that comes to mind.

A: fun fact.. if sacha was alive modern day he’d probably be wolfkin like theriokin ( ? I think I misspelled it ) and childe wld be foxkin. predator animal coded boyfriends.

[cythiraeth]

beneath soft pillows and wool pt. I - i.e. you are struggling to sleep but your genshin lover is there for you

✧ ─ ⌑ pairing: gn!reader x al-haitham, lyney, neuvilette (separate)

✧ ─ ⌑ short summary: while you are having troubles with sleeping, your lover tries to find a way to comfort you! let's find out what would they do, if they found you not sleeping late into the night

✧ ─ ⌑ about the work: lowercase, fluff, reader overworking themselves

✧ ─ ⌑ notes: i'm back to life! the christmas mood really got me into working - on the contorary to the reader who finally gets some sleep in this one, i certainly did not get any for the two previous nights while i was finishing this up lolol anyway, enjoy! and remember that my requests are open, so feel free to messege me!

ps. i have already prepared the second part of this 'series' so it will be posted soon c;

✧ ─ ⌑ word count: 1.5 k in total

they would give you a lecture about why sleeping at night is essential for your health, but then still put you back to sleep — al-haitham, lyney

al-haitham

the moon hung heavy in the sky, casting an ethereal glow over the bustling streets of the sumeru city. you, however, were not admiring the night's beauty. you were hunched over your desk, a mountain of scrolls and research papers threatening to topple over. 

the faint scent of jasmine tea, long since chilled, lingered in the air. you had been at it for hours, absorbed in deciphering the intricate workings of a newly discovered artefact. suddenly a tall shadow fell over your work. you looked up in alarm to see al-haitham standing in the doorway, his expression a mixture of annoyance and concern.

"you should be asleep by now," he said, his voice a low rumble. you sighed, pushing a stray strand of hair back from your face. "i’m almost done," you murmured, your eyes glued to the complex diagrams before you.

"you've been saying that for the last three hours," he countered, his gaze unwavering. "you know that chronic sleep deprivation can lead to a wide range of health problems, from reduced cognitive function to an increased risk of chronic disease." you rolled your eyes, but a small smile tugged at the corner of your lips. he could talk for hours about the importance of a good night's sleep, citing scientific studies and ancient wisdom with equal fervor.

"i know, i know," you admitted, finally putting down your quill. "but this artefact is so fascinating, i just couldn't put it down."

al-haitham shook his head, a hint of amusement in his eyes. "you're impossible," he murmured, but his voice was soft, almost tender. "come, i'll put you to bed." 

"oh?" you let out a small sigh of surprise, for it wasn't often that he made such offers.

"just so i know you have finally fallen asleep," he quickly explained himself. he reached out and gently took your hand, leading you out of the study and down the hallway. you allowed him to lead you, your body tired from lack of sleep, but your mind still buzzing with excitement over the artefact.

as he tucked you into bed, you felt a wave of drowsiness wash over you. the warmth of his touch, the scent of his sandalwood cologne and the rhythmic rise and fall of his chest as he sat beside you all conspired to lull you into a state of peaceful slumber.

"rest," he murmured, his voice a soothing balm. "you deserve it."

you closed your eyes, a contented sigh escaping your lips. al-haitham's lectures might be long and detailed, but his concern for you was undeniable. even if he didn't want to admit it out loud…

lyney

the soft glow of the moon painted the room silver, illuminating the piles of books and papers scattered across your desk. you were lost in a world of lore and legends, your fingers tracing the intricate script of a forgotten text. the air was thick with the scent of parchment and ancient magic, and you were lost in the story unfolding before you.

suddenly, a playful voice broke your concentration, "ahh, my dear, still up at this ungodly hour?" you looked up to see lyney leaning against the door, a mischievous glint in his eyes.

"just finishing some research," you replied, trying to sound nonchalant.

"research? at this hour? you'll burn yourself out, my dear. fascinating as it is," he arched his brow, flipping the book in his hands to examine the cover "it won't be half as interesting if you're too tired to remember any of it tomorrow," he chided, his voice laced with concern. "don't you know that sleep is the key to unlocking the full potential of your magical abilities? i once stayed up all night trying to master a new illusion and the results were disastrous! i ended up turning myself into a giant purple squirrel." he chuckled, and you couldn't help but smile despite his theatrics.

“picture, or it didn’t happen…” you murmured quietly under your breath, so he wouldn't hear what you just said

“see? you’re too tired to even talk! you must go to bed immediately!” he chuckled, theatrically rushing you with his hand.

you opened your mouth to protest, but lyney raised a gloved finger to silence you, his expression softening as he bent down to meet your gaze. "listen," he began, "i know how tempting it is to squeeze every moment out of the night, but it's not worth sacrificing your health. sleep is not just for rest - it's when your mind processes everything. all those tricks you've seen me do? they wouldn't be half as good if i didn't get enough sleep to sharpen my focus."

"alright, alright, i get it," you said, putting down your quill. "i'll try to get some rest."

lyney raised an eyebrow, a mischievous glint in his eyes. "try? my dear, you don't try, you just do. come, i’ll put you to bed. i promise the book will still be here tomorrow."

he held out his hand, his fingers brushing yours, and you reluctantly put yours in his. he pulled you up with a flourish, like pulling a rabbit out of a hat. "there you go. now let's make this a little more magical."

with a flick of his wrist, lyney conjured a small flurry of glittering lights that floated around you like fireflies. "a little enchantment to light the way," he said, his voice soft.

"oh, lyney, they are so beautiful!" you whispered, seeing the reflections of those lights in his shining eyes.

without realising it, the weight of his lecture and the soothing glow of his conjured lights had lulled you into a haze of drowsiness, so that when he tucked you in to sleep in your room, your eyes were already closing

"sleep well, my dear," he whispered, his voice soft and soothing. "and remember, a well-rested mind is a powerful mind."

they would be very concerned and would come to the bed with you — neuvilette

neuvilette

the moonlight streamed into your shared bedroom, painting the walls a silvery hue. the clock ticked softly, a persistent reminder that the hour was far past for reasonable wakefulness. you sat on the edge of the bed, knees drawn to your chest as you stared out the window, the world outside quiet, but your mind anything but. the nightmares had come again - visceral, inescapable shadows that lingered even in wakefulness.

you hadn't intended to wake him. neuvillette deserved his rest, especially with the burdens he carried as fontaine's chief justice. but despite your quiet movements, the subtle change in the rhythm of your breathing must have alerted him. his voice, low and concerned, broke the silence. "why are you awake, mon trésor?” you jumped slightly as you turned to find his pale lavender eyes soft with concern. he was already sitting up, his silken hair falling in gentle waves over his shoulders, illuminated by the moonlight.

"it's nothing," you murmured, trying to sound reassuring. "go back to sleep, neuvillette."

but he wasn't convinced. you should have known better; neuvillette had always been perceptive, especially when it came to you. he moved closer, his hands reaching out to gently cradle yours. his touch was warm, grounding.

"you have been troubled for several nights now," he said, his voice a soothing rumble. "and now you won't even try to rest. please, tell me what's wrong.”

you hesitated, the words caught in your throat. it felt silly, almost childish, to admit that nightmares had kept you awake, but the intensity in his gaze told you he wouldn't let it go. finally you whispered, "the nightmares... i keep seeing things i can't escape. and when i wake up, it feels like they're still there."

his expression softened further, and without a word, he pulled you into his arms. you melted into his embrace, his steady heartbeat a balm to your frayed nerves. "you should have told me," he murmured, pressing a kiss to your temple. "you don't have to bear this alone."

neuvillette rose from the bed and gently guided you to lie down. he slid under the covers with you, making sure you were wrapped in warmth. his arms circled around you tightly, and he rested his chin lightly on your head.

"close your eyes," he said softly. "i will stay with you until you fall asleep. should the nightmares return, i will chase them away."

"but you need to rest too," you protested weakly, though the comfort of his presence was already easing the tension in your body.

"i rest best when you are at peace," he replied, his voice filled with quiet conviction. "so let me be here for you.”

with neuvillette's steady presence and the rhythmic rise and fall of his breath, the grip of the nightmares began to loosen. for the first time in days, you felt the edges of sleep pull you under - not with fear, but with a sense of safety. and as your eyelids grew heavy, you thought you heard him whisper:

"i will always be here to protect you, no matter the hour.”

⌞⌑ cythiraeth - 25.12.2024. please, do not copy, claim as yours or share outside tumblr! ⌑⌝

[sakkiichi]

MATCHUP FOR MY DEAR @yourangel137

Suzy, love, I really do hope you like this <3 thank you so much for trusting me with your info, it really helped me determine your best match 🌸

I took into account your personality traits, your preferences and your hobbies, once again I hope I managed to write this according to your expectations.

your genshin impact match is the embodiment of both the sun and the moon: bright and welcoming, yet with a depth of magnetism and mystery if you look just beyond the surface. Although carefree and extremely charming at first glance, don’t let his allure misguide you: he is extremely caring and protective, going to any lengths needed if he so must just to keep you safe. he is definitely the kind to provide conversations for hours, his variety of topics never boring, as if casting a spell over you, you could listen to him endlessly. but because duality clings to him in flames and shadows, he is a dedicated listener as well, refusing to drop the topic until you’re done with all that troubles you.

well, you might have already guessed who’s starring in today’s performance, no? However, let us rise the curtains and meet…

✧ LYNEY

Closed off and leaning on the shyer side are no setbacks at all to Fontaine’s famed magician. Lyney is very curious about you, and all the beautiful secrets hiding behind quiet words and that bashful smile of yours.

Adept in the art of performing, he is also a pro at making you feel comfortable around him; be it his playful yet sincere smiles, the little magic tricks he performs for you or just the enigmatic warmth he radiates, you feel safe around Lyney.

You mention you’re family-oriented and love animals. Lyney is someone who cherishes his family deeply, as proven by his devotion to Lynette and Freminet, he’d literally go to hell and back again for them, and for you. So seeing that same trait reflected in your character as well makes his heart beat in ways he didn’t believe possible before; this is definitely different from being under someone else’s protection… is this what they call love?

Getting hurt by someone else’s words shouldn’t be a problem if you’re dating Lyney. He reads people quite well, plus his speech and mannerisms are inherently enchanting; gentle with you in a playful and mischievous way that makes you feel like royalty (he’d be damned if he didn’t make it known how special you are to him).

Forgiving and giving others chances are qualities of yours that I believe would be beneficial to Fontaine’s beloved illusionist. His past is not exactly the most easy to stomach, and he certainly won’t come clean about it at first. But with the time and nurturing you give him, you both will figure things out together.

After all, that’s the love song written in cursive for you in the distant starlight…

—

Reflections of the universe seem to sift through your fingers as you comb through his hair.

The night is quiet, as if waiting with bated breath for the greatest show to start.

In his lover’s lap, a magician lays the riddles of his magic, unspoken spells coming alive with no wave of wand when he’s around you.

“Does this feel good, Lyney?” You softly utter, fireflies stilling on flowerbeds, spectators of the sweet tale unfolding.

Eyes of lumidouce blooms conceal behind snowy lashes, not in the impenetrable way of the rings of fire he set aflame when painful memories were unearthed, no; but in a serene manner, as if the magic he commands was born from your touch.

“Mm, ma chérie…” Your beloved hums, stardust dotting his fine visage. “It does… but I know a way to make it even better…”

“Oh?” You smile at him, your movements continuing, as your free hand is tenderly caught by his.

“Sing for me, angel.” He whispers, gaze now focused solely on you. Because now, and always, Lyney couldn’t care less about the audience, as long as you were standing there, starry eyed and smiling.

“But Lyney…” Heat spreads through your cheeks, akin to a flock of doves set free from inside a mage’s hat. “Are you sure…?” You tentatively venture, the rhythm of your heart picking pace, already dancing to the symphony to be sung.

“Completely, my rose.” Your boyfriend offers, reassuring you with a gentle squeeze to your hand.

“A-alright…” You hesitate for an instant, and then, the true magic begins. Honeyed notes fill the auditorium of you and him, butterflies and nightingales swaying to your waltz; pluie lotus and romaritime flowers seem to come alive under the veil of your melody, almost glowing in the dim starlit lake; even the moon has appeared to lend an ear, her shawl of misty clouds opening up to the view of this private stage.

This must be what true love feels like. Is the thought flashing through the magician’s mind, his body feeling weightless, nectarine warmth wrapping tenderly around him.

As your song continues, your vocal chords loosen, the passion that you sometimes conceal spreading its fiery wings, flying you both to the faraway stars.

Instants like this one, where your truest feelings become center stage… That’s the greatest show to your partner.

What else could he need, when he has the night and your angelic voice all to himself?

And what more could you want, when the lines of his face look so utterly at peace?

This is your own idyll, its gates open only by the incantation of his lips on yours.

—

Another reason that made me choose Lyney as your genshin match is because of his caring nature. The famous magician will not, under any circumstance, allow you to forget to take care of yourself. As seen when he interacts with his family, Lyney is naturally shielding towards them, their wellbeing a priority to him. And that, of course, applies to you too.

Be it because of large crowds, too much stimulation from the environment or any other reason, Lyney somehow always manages to appear just in time to hold your hand. If you need to, he’ll hug you tight, as you bury your head in the crook of his neck, his pyro vision offering a comforting warmth to fend the cool seeping into your bones.

Lyney thinks it’s absolutely adorable that you enjoy childish things: from pretty dresses to plushies, to cute accessories, rest assured he’ll either make them appear right before your very eyes or buy them for you (I mean, he earns enough as a performing magician, but even if that wasn’t the case, seeing you happy is worth more than any amount of mora).

Your hobbies quite align with Lyney’s lifestyle too. Crocheting is one of your passions, so I can definitely see him including the plushies you sew in magic tricks he performs for children. Their smiles as they hold the dolls you make in their little hands are truly adorable.

Alternatively, I can imagine you giving stuffed animals to some of Fontaine’s less favored children, our star magician smiling melancholy and fondly, completely in love with the kindness you radiate (that could be how you met/your first interaction, with him being absolutely whipped from the first moment).

As for qualities you seek in a significant other, well, he definitely fits plenty of them: he’s shorter than you (and he’d melt every time you kiss his forehead); he can be both mature and playful, he just won’t shut up (affectionate), but knows when to be serious and lend an ear too; he’ll keep you safe without a doubt, plus he’s familiar with the night life in the city; you’d have to chase him a little too, he may seem all smiles and sunshine, but let me tell you, there’s shadows to unfold as you get to know him more. Even so, he’ll open up to you and be honest, it just might take him a while.

As for the insecurities you harbor, Lyney will be sure to make them vanish with a snap of fingers: he’s a natural charmer, his compliments leaving you speechless in the best way every time. Oh, and yes, he definitely takes that chance to steal a kiss or two hehe (don’t blame him, he loves you too much).

˚₊· ͟͟͞͞➳❥ Other matches I considered: Kaedehara Kazuha, Childe.

✧ RUNNER UP: SHENHE

She, too, fits most of your preferences.

She is very protective. I’m telling you, all hell will break loose if anyone ever dares harm you or make you uncomfortable.

Shenhe is mysterious, not letting many people close to her. But the lucky ones who get to truly know her (that is, obviously, you) are rewarded with one of the gentlest souls ever.

You mention you’d find someone both childish and mature interesting. While not exactly childish, Shenhe is still learning about many things from the human world. Her cluelessness is quite adorable at times.

I believe too that your soothing nature and fondness for childish things pair very well with her more detached and closed off self.

In a modern au, I know Shenhe would undoubtedly be the type to win a huge teddy bear or any big plushie you’d like at a fair.

She is not familiar with the concept of music, so wouldn’t it be beautiful, for her to learn about it by listening to your voice? The way her eyes sparkle, dawn rays over frozen streams, is enough to mesmerize you.

˚₊· ͟͟͞͞➳❥ Other matches I considered: Raiden Ei, Ganyu.

[childeproof]

infodumping abt my genshin s/i & his relationship with each of my genshin f/os under the cut :]

first off their backstory ,, essentially , he was picked up by arlecchino and raised by her in the orphanage ( like lyney , lynette , & freminet ). sacha was very close with arlecchino , sort of clingy and annoying. instead of rejecting him , however , she decided to mold him into a killing machine. he grew up the ranks rather quickly but on one mission in particular , he sees a young woman ( younger than him ) enjoying her life so sweetly. so innocently. and he realizes that this is not the life he wants to live , so he fakes his death and leaves the fatui.

things to note: he often listened to the tsaritsa sing and was apart of the tsaritsa’s choir ( a choir formed to sing praises for the tsaritsa , sort of an indoctrination trick for younger kids ) , <- he knows how to sing opera songs due to this , sacha was childhood friends with childe ( they were around the same age by the time childe was out of the abyss and rising in the fatui ) , he turned out much like lynette in the end ( cold ish , distant ) although much more talkative because he has no one to speak for him ( no living siblings ) , when arlecchino found him he was eating from a wolf’s corpse btw ( he’s like maybe 8 or 9 so he’s aware enough ) , and um he’s masc nb. there’s more facts i have in mind for him but these are the ones that are important to me …

after sacha fakes his death ( i imagine he’s like 18-19 ) , he leaves and changes his look completely. he grows out his hair , which is why he has short two braids , he thins his eyebrows for a while to appear more feminine ( eventually he gives up on that , hence his thicker eye brows ) , lipstick , makeup etc , the whole thing. he is sacha still , he would rather not change his name because that’s like the only thing he has left of his parents at all and anyways he is just. different. he leaves the fatui and becomes an opera singer , becomes close with the conductor he works with ( father figure ) , the conductor ends up dying and leaving behind his studio / home in fontaine to sacha and sacha takes up the mantle of conductor. he is a swordsman AND a conductor. in honor of his master , his trainer , his conductor , he forms a masterclass group of musicians that he hand picks. he goes from a killing machine to the mozart of teyvat , lol.

anyways …. onto the relationships!!

sacha and childe …

sacha & childe were childhood friends / lovers & childe never got over the way sacha just LEFT. no goodbye , no nothing. when he visits liyue and notices that there’s a newly famous conductor performing , he decides to check it out. low and behold , sacha the conductor is sacha the fatui grunt from his youth. he is baffled but he is certain— childe would know those dead fish eyes anywhere— and he begs to see the conductor after the show. security tell him no , of course. they tell him he can see sacha perform again in fontaine— so that’s where he goes.

their relationship is full of ups & downs , mostly because childe is worried sacha will leave again and sacha is quite terrified of their fatui past ( and arlecchino , who he suspects knows that sacha faked his death ). there’s a familiarity between them though … like ugh , they KNOW each other , they know the fears the embarrassing moments of youth , they’ve explored each other’s bodies most likely. grrr it’s hard to explain but there’s angst and comfort ok … and childe is jealous of everyone new in sacha’s life. “ do they make you feel like i did? are they as sweet as i was? sweeter? “ like childe is a lil possessive too. silly bugs.

childe forces his way back stage during one of sacha’s performances & sacha nearly kills him , lol. he has his sword ( which he conducts with , actually ) against childe’s throat and he’s like “ what the hell do you want from me? “ and childe’s like “ i just wanted to see you again , please. please. “

sacha and neuvillette …

sacha , a newly famous composer. furina becomes quite fond of sacha’s music , so sacha often performs for her. occasionally the archon has sacha sing. he becomes the archon’s musical entertainer in a way. neuvillette grows slowly but surely fond of him , through talking back stage and discussing “ business “ ( sacha is great at derailing conversations ). I think they’d be like cristina & preston from grey’s anatomy— one part of the pair is extremely closed off and hard to reach out to while the other strives for things like moving in , regular communication , etc. sacha loves neuvillette or at least he loves going to operas with him and kissing him in the sunlight and holding him close whenever it starts to rain. however neuvillette feels like sacha doesn’t love him quite enough sometimes. ( they work on this btw lol ) ( neuvillette eventually snoops around & learns bits of sacha’s past esp when childe shows up in fontaine like in canon ) ( some people think neuvillette is sacha’s sugar daddy & he doesn’t correct them which neuvillette gets on him about ).

umm i’ll expand more on each of these relationships as time goes on ^_^ but yes Genshin s/i & f/o lore