#mr zhongli I can't take my eyes off you!

[the-curious-cat24]

Xianyun teaser is out and she is such a... tsundere but sweet 🥰

Cutieeee Ganyu!!

She is beautiful!

She puts fish in the pond! Ahahahah silly sassy bird!

Mr Zhongli has no right to be this handsome!!! You beautiful and gorgeous man!!! 😘

[starshinesama]

✦ In such a lonely world, how I wished to see you again. ✦

Your pleas were heard.

Authors note: this takes place after any regular sagau fic, (probably imposter au). Reader is Gender-Neutral but B/N is an implied she/her :]

༄ CW: loneliness, cultish themes, angst (with comfort)

Part 1 | Part 3

- POV: after being so lonely in Tervat, - you meet someone from your world, - stranded, like you.

"...so let me get this straight. We got isekaid into Genshin impact. And all the playable characters think your a god, because of how much you played the game??"

"Yeah that's pretty much it"

...No way in hell. As if you'd actually say that! I mean seriously? You've already been through enough confusion, can't you have some peace and quite with your best friend, for one moment?

Alas, that moment would soon come to an end

.　⁺ . ✦　

Zhongli soon caught up with you, he was already struggling to catch his breath due to his old peepaw body and it looked like he just about had a heart attack from the shock of seeing you suddenly tackling B/N down in a hug like that.

"Your grac- [Name].."

Zhongli's eyes widened with confusion as he looks at the two of you awkwardly standing over the unconscious guard.

_

You awkwardly glance over at B/N for support, and she probably would have noticed, that is if she wasn't busy Staring at the gorgeous Geo Archon, you could even see the stars sparkling in her eyes as the the tall Geo Archon stand before her (you could have sworn you almost saw her drool too)

"Who is this?" Zhongli interrupts, burning holes into your skull as you avert your eyes from his piercing gaze Well shi- "well uhm!"

Unfortunately before you could finish that statement you too were cut off

"Oh wow, just wow. sorry, I just can't help but get distracted- bcs damnn you are hot- i mean is it hot in here? are you hot? i mean you are hot-“

…woww that girl is thirsty

B/N paused before continuing her sentence

“Mr. Zhongli? if you would consider my offer.. please come home with me instead of serving [Name] 🥰✨” (B/N said all this with a straight face)

you look over at Zhongli to see him freeze in his tracks, absolutely gob smacked from the initial shock

“oh.. ah, thank you miss..” phew! good job B/N, she distracted him!

You give a thumbs up to B/N as you sigh in relief

Phew, well that was close-

"As I was saying"

Oh.

You sweat as you fumbled trying to explain

"OH, WELL! "Youseeactuallysouhtherearemorepeoplewhereicomefromandthisthisismybestftiendwe'veknowneachotherforseveralyearssouhihopeyouwelcomeherasyoudidme!!" ⊹

..you fucked that up didn't you.

You fidgeted nervously, awaiting the Archon's response

"Ah..I see, and this poor guard unconscious on the floor-?"

Zhongli paused before continuing whatever nagging he was gonna berate you with after noticing you fidgeting with your clothes

"..ok then, so I'm assuming that you two have a history together then, yes?" he picked his words carefully, not wanting to further upset the two friends infront of him (not that it seemed anything could possibly ruin B/N's day at this point )

Wow! He actually managed to decode your rambling! ‧₊˚

You breath out a sigh of relief as a smile slowly creeps up on your face

"Mhm! I guess it's time I properly intruduce you two huh?"

"Zhongli, this is my best friend B/N! she's er, from my world, and I'm guessing she got here the same way I did?" you glance at B/N questioningly,

but you know there are better times to talk about that.

"And B/N this is-" "i know."

Oh right, B/N was as much of a genshin addict as you were

you sigh smiling slightly at Zhongli's baffled expression ⌒ .

Was he..jealous?

Whatever expression he was making quickly dissipated though as soon as you brought up that B/N might be another "god" like you.

Wait, another voice "playing" with them? Oh, right he remembers now, how could he forget?

"Ah, I see, welcome then, B/N" Zhongli greeted her, smiling ever so slightly, though this was enough to gain an admiring sigh from B/N

_

"Well..I kind of just.. fell from the sky?"

You were trying to get an explanation of how B/N got here in a curious attempt to try and find out if you can even go home, but so far it seemed like it was still hopeless

You sigh under your breath, leaving B/N concerned

"Hm? What's wrong?"

"No no, it's nothing, I just"

Oh who were you kidding, your scrambled emotions right now were way more than just "nothing"

Tears threatened to escape your eyes again and they were starting to prickle your eyes

"Oh.. are you ok-?"

B/N Sighed

"C'mon [Name], cheer up!! We'll definitely find a way to go back... so forget your worries and let's take full advantage and enjoy this Real Life! genshin experience"

B/N Smiled excitedly at you, beaming with excitement, patting your shoulder.

B/N offers you a hug that you gladly accept with open arms

Your tears soon stop trying to escape your eyes, as you think.. "I'm so glad..I'm not alone anymore" that brought a smile to your face. ₊ ˚ ⁺ ◌ ‧

"Anyways Zhongli is so much hotter in person like Damn!"

Oh right this was still B/N

A chuckle escapes your lips as you decide to join in and have your first "Genshin talk" in a while

"Ikr?! And omg lumine is so much prettier and buffer in person"

_˚ . ✦ ⁺ . ◌ ˚　

It was the first time in awhile you had a chat with someone from your world, or even a casual chat like this in general, You missed being able to just have a genuine laugh with someone you could relate with, God you missed all of your appliances, and your pets.. you missed them so much but you didn't have any idea if they were ok,

You're sure B/N would have taken care of them while you were gone, but now that she was here too you just hoped someone else took good care of them, wich brought up the question in your mind.. one that you've been desperately trying to avoid, how different is the time in tervat, and earth?

"So B/N.." You gulp down a lump of saliva that was piling up in your throat as you brace yourself for the answer

"how long has it been? Since I got here, I mean"

"Oh.. it's been, hmm, I'd say a day?"

you nearly jump out of your seat and B/N nearly jumps out of her skin herself from your sudden response

"Woah?! Uhm, Is it that bad? You just disappeared today and you weren't replying to my texts so I came over to check but you weren't there.."

You stand still for a moment unmoving, scaring the poor girl even more before suddenly exclaiming

"It's been.. nearly a month. but woahh!! So those analysis's of the ratio of Tervats time contrast to earths time were right!!.. huh.." you pause as you let B/N sit you back down onto the large rocks, that the two of you turned into benches

"Woah.. a whole month?! But Uhm, Earth to [Name]?? Are you good? Gosh you almost scared the life out of me!"

"Not that you had a life to begin with"

You joked as B/N stumbled back pretending to be exaggeratedly offended

"Har har. Your one to talk"

...Well to be fair it was kinda true.

The two of you stayed silent, trying to stifle back giggles, unsuccessfully.

Eventually you snort, and that was enough for fits of laughter to erupt from you, causing a chain reaction of B/N wheezing on the ground and hitting the dirt beneath her so hard that a nearby Dendro slime popped up from the ground, startled and confused

"HOLY SH*T!!" "AAAAAAAA-"

You scream in terror from the shock of the dendro slime suddenly popping out of the ground as B/N kicks the poor slime away from her as a reflex

"fu- oops.. uh, sorry little slime" The dendro slime unfortunately does not take her apology and retreats back into the ground with (what you assume to be) tears in its eyes, poor slime :(

You look over at B/N, baffled, She stays on the ground, defeated.

you sigh as you attempt to coax the dendro slime back by patting the dirt next to it gently

"Pspspspspspspspsps dendro slime?" Somehow this does not work. suddenly an idea pops into your head, like a tiny light bulb was switched on inside your head! ☆

sigh, c'mon B/N, lets just go B/N just looks up at you confused until you whisper your plan to her, to wich she nods in agreement and gets up, pretending to leave too

"Aw man! I was really looking forward to petting that dendro slime.." the dendro slime's Leaves(?) perk up

"Mhm.. same" the two of you swiftly turn your backs on the dendro slime, giggling as you wait patiently.

You hear the swaying of leaves and the dirt below you getting pushed out of the way and-!

"OWW-!!" in a blink of an eye the dendro slime body slams into B/N's shoulder, catching her off guard You burst out laughing but not for long as the dendro slime body slams into you as well knocking you to the ground

This time it's B/N turn to giggle as you look at the grumpy slime on your stomach, your stunned but realize it's asking for pets (now that it was able to get its revenge) and you happily Oblige ⌒.

Petting the dendro Slime calms you..

You close your eyes having a moment of peace.. untill

"Ouch!" Your finger snags on a sharp rock that was on the dendro slime

You look down at your hand and see golden ichor clotting at the tip of your finger, your breath starts to pick up but you calm down

"Oops, oh well.. atleast we can heal this scratch you have now" You rub some of the golden blood leaking onto the dendro slimes damage from B/N's kick, and as the area your blood touches glows, all the slime's wounds heal like they were never there

The slime gives you a happy smile and bumps against your forehead happily before hopping back off into the wild

You sit in silence for a moment, you haven't had to see that glistening liquid for days, but the dendro slime's peaceful vibes still stick with you as you sigh, sitting up

"..wha..What just happened?!" Oh crap you almost forgot B/N was standing behind you

"O-OH, uhm.. im not really sure how to explain this-" Your about to explain before you hear a familiar voice behind you

"Your grace!~" of course you always have to be interrupted don't you.

you can never catch a break can you? ✿

___

Hi again! Sorry this chapter took awhile to get out, its a little long because i wanted a special guest to help me write some of the lines, it got delayed because she was busy with school but its finally heree! thanks again to my irl best friend! <3

Taglist: @madokamagicaa

[ivanshogun]

A Twin's Reunion

[MC would be Aether]

I've walked almost the entirety of Tevyat, but yet, I still have yet to find her;It is disheartening.[Oh Lumine, why do you have to side with them] I thought, then sighed.

At that time, I was just wandering around Sumeru.

“Hey Mr. Zhongli,When do we go back at Mondstadt?Fischl is gonna get mad at me again” said Bennett, talking with Zhongli as we walk the dirt road.

“Hmm, the traveler's Job is almost finished, worry not, we're going back to Mondstadt pretty soon”Zhongli said with a respectful manner.

“Don't worry Bennett, I'll make amends, do you want to go now?” I said as I collect some random fauna

“Hmph! Burdening the traveler? Should I-” Ei reprimanded him, or rather the Shogun.

“Its alright, I'm actually finished.” I held Shogun's hands, stopping her from speaking. We decided to go back, quickly if possible, Conveniently, we have Teleport waypoints for that.

We all entered the City of Mondstadt, bustling as usual. We left off Bennett and watched him go his merry way, though he tripped on a random pebble on his way.

“Traveler, Ei seem to wish to discuss something with me. Can we go to Inazuma for a while?” Zhongli approached me, behind him is Ei.

“Sure! I don't have anything to do so please take a rest”

“Thank you traveler” He lowered his head, faced the other way, and then left.

Now with them gone, I could also treat this as a simple vacation, but first, I need to get something from Katheryne.

The night fell as I slowly ascends from the flights of stairs towards Katheryne, I sense a familiar feeling, I can't describe for sure, but I felt this thing back then... I looked up ahead, someone is talking with Katheryne. A short blonde hair, a foreign attire, height almost the same as me.

“Lumine?” I slowly walks, I felt like tearing up..

“Aether”She turned around, tears on her eyes... I finally found her, but why is she here? I wanted to hug her but she ran towards me, hugging me as she cries..

“Lumine, why? For so long I-”

“Oh Aether, I'm sorry, for everything...” She hugged me tighter. I've never felt this happy, to see her crying from happiness, not the blank expression she always had... We went to the tavern. We were alone, just the two of us except Charles. She explained to me that she couldn't bear it anymore, she have yet to leave the abyss order and in fact she's still planning something... I wanted to persuade her, but I know, the things the happened to Khaenri'ah weighs more than to be with me again.. but she told me, she just wanted to see me, meet me, to be with me she wanted to touch me, not to watch from afar. We drank a generous amount of liquor, she's a bit drunk so I carried her, went inside the Serenitea pot and I laid her down on my bed....

“Aether don't leave me now..” she grabbed my hand, dragged me on the bed and hugged me.

“Lumine, I know you're tired please take a rest..” I removed her hand on me..

“Come on~ The night is cold you know” she undressed herself..

“Then why are you undressing?”

“Make me hot” She kissed me on the lips, forcing me to pin her down on the bed..This is wrong, this is absolutely wrong. I pushed her away, the anger on her face suddenly grew..

“Lumine, we can't, we are siblings”I said.

“Have you forgotten the things we've done years ago?  We've done it back then right? Aether.... Don't you love me?” She started to undress me too.. Done it? I can't remember doing such thing with her...But why stop now? We're finally reunited, shouldn't I just fulfill her wishes? I kissed her, deeply as I could, putting my finger inside her pussy, making it wet. My kiss muffled her moans and her breathe suddenly increased in pace. I let go of her lips, we looked at each other's eyes, I've been bewitched by her beauty...

“Come on, put it in” she pulled my braided hair. I pushed my dick in, she moaned and hugged me so tightly, I couldn't even let go of her grasp. I thrusted my hip ferociously, her nails digging on my back, it's painful but it's a pain I deserve. The feeling of boning her feels different than the others,better I'd say..  is it because of the happiness I'm feeling? Or is this because she's really the one I love the most. I felt her womb sucking my tip,is she begging me to do it inside? Of Course she wants to.

“Lumine.. I'm close” I whispered to her ears.. she suddenly grabbed my face, kissed me on the lips as I suddenly came from her sudden attack... I came inside her without feeling any guilt...

“That was good” she breathed heavily, cum leaking out of her Hole.. I pant then suddenly she crawled towards me...

“Come on, we still have a lot of time” my cock hardened as she rides me however she wants... I fondled her breasts, making her moan. It's in the smaller side but it's enough for me... She kissed me again as she moves, she didn't let go until I came inside her once again... I didn't know how many time we did it as I slowly lose track of time, indulge by her loving Arms. We fell asleep with feeling of our sadness gone, my longing for her has been satiated...

I woke up with the sunrays hitting my eyes... I'm still naked and my body is full with hickeys she left.... I looked beside me but she was gone, there's nothing but a single piece of paper..

“Aether,I've had fun but I'm sad to tell I needed to go. The abyss is calling me, I need to do my duty. I wish to see the end of your journey and where it would take you. I love you Aether but I still have a lot of things unsettled,until we meet again, farewell” That was the content of her letter, I understand her,after all I have no power to stop her...

“Oh Lumine, I wish when we would reunite, we'd see the abyss' skies one last time; not to remember the bitter past but to remember the friendships I made along the way while searching for you. As well as to appreciate how beautiful is the very thing that stole you from me. The abyss maybe dark, but it's skies would never fade;just as how my love for you will never falter, Oh my dear sister;Lumine”

-End

[heedmywarnings]

God!Reader who can't take anything serious (Part Three)

@sheepispink

WRONG STORY, WRONG CHAPTER.

As soon as the black particles faded away you were met in instant panic and excitement (masochistic behavior) Xiao was gonna tell his geo daddy about you and Zhongli is gonna kidnap you (nicely)

Now the thought of living luxurious and having utmost power and authority all over Teyvat is nice, having no freedom is not so nice.

So like, thinking of your course of action while sitting on a rock. Hand on your chin, arrow still on your ankle. The thought then hit you, how long were you on the rock? ZHONG SHOULD BE ON HIS WAY FUCK-

Instincts took over and you dashed to Liyue Harbor, your ankle stopped bleeding because of rapid healing properties that you did not know you had but like you have it now I guess.

There was an unattended shop outside of Liyue, glancing for any other people or millelith to see you, none. You quickly snatched a cloak, instantly wearing it and head on over to Liyue Harbor.

The millelith welcomed you, thankfully they did not ask you to take off your hood, and you went on your merry way.

While walking trying to blend in with the crowd, you spotted Zhongli, oh fuck, you held tightly to your cloak hoping he did not see you, he didn't.

But another set of eyes laid upon you, "Heh, how interesting... they have the face of the creator "they murmured.

"What"

"Hm? Ah, did you overhear me?"

"You are literally next to me"

"Oh, I didn't know you could hear me" they chuckled, rubbing the back of his neck.

"You can't just go on talk shit about people that's next to you, like what if I talk shit about you?" You reprimanded

"Ahah, sincere apologies [Ma'am/Sir/Whatever-you-call-an-enby]

"Literally, is there any knowledge that passes that fluffy orange hair of yours?" You said, still mad at the fact that Childe somehow saw your face.

"I'm sorry, hmm.." He said, laughing a bit but then stopping as if he something unpleasant

(This is literally what they looked like during the convo)

(Awesome representation by me)

"Get behind me" Childe said, you were a bit confused but you decided to just do it.

"Ah, Mr. Zhongli, haven't seen you since you used me as a pawn" Childe said, passive-aggressively, and he was talking to Zhongli, ZHONGLI, the same Zhongli who's gonna kidnap you (nicely tho)

"Childe... May I recruit your assistance on a little something?" He asked, the smile on Childe's face faded into a neutral face, "Mm, no" he answered without missing a beat, you were also wondering what would happen if you just popped out of Childe's back like "SURPRISE MOTHERFUCKER" nah that'd be too risky, Zhongli wouldn't even kidnap you nicely at that point, he'll have to kidnap your rudely, yes, that was your main concern.

"Why not? I think you'd be fairly interested at the topic" Zhongli said, Childe already knew that 'topic' and so did you, but you were too busy thinking of an escape plan and imaging epic parkour shit.

"Then enlighten me" Childe said putting his hands on his hips, also you weren't sure if Zhongli could see you because you're just behind his back, like old grandpa getting blurry vision now?? How's he supposed to kidnap you?? (Nicely) "It's about the descending of the Creator..." Zhongli said.

"Ah, so you are here for my mora?" Childe said, smiling again with aggression, Childe Dammit, it took all your will not to burst out laughing. "N-no.. I just simply wanted you to maybe help me look for them" Zhongli tried to reason, "Look for them? Are they missing or what?" Childe asked, raising a singular eyebrow.

"They're roaming free on Teyvat, and I just wanted you to help me, since you are a devoted acolyte I expected you to do it without hesitation, what would the Creator think about this, hm?" Zhongli said (idfk how many times I've written said at this point) gritting his teeth as the air around them tensed.

"Well I can look for them on my own!" Childe then argued, "You can go now, the Creator must be waiting for you" Childe mocked the former archon, in the end Zhongli decided to let it go and left the conversation as is.

Childe then looked at you, "Comrade, uh I mean, Your Grace, would you like to join the fatui or you could stay at Zapolyarny Palace! The Tsaritsa shouldn't mind because it's you"

"no"

[moonbyunniee]

genshin characters when you're tired

cw ➵ fluff

characters ➵ albedo, zhongli, venti, xiao

a/n ➵ make sure you guys take breaks! i love you all so much 🤍

albedo - 阿贝多 ➵

mr kreideprinz, upon noticing his beloved y/n's exhausted aura, immediately tears himself away from his own work to focus on you

he'll think of ways to make you feel better

and his logic will eventually tell him that for you, just a hug and quality time would be just fine

so he does just that <3

"ah, y/n...i can tell you're not feeling the best today. is there anything i can do to make you feel better?"

already knowing the answer, he wraps his arms around you in a warm hug

this man doesn't need to do anything too much to show his love for you

as you're feeling tired, he simply hugs you close and whispers words of affirmation into your ear

he also kisses the top of your head and your forehead

he'll also sacrifice time off his art and various scientific works to spend quality time with just you

"hmm...i know you're tired today. it's okay, everyone gets tired from time to time. you're a hard worker, y/n. i'm proud of you."

zhongli - 钟离 ➵

here we have the geo archon, zhongli!

he's lived with mortals for some time now, so he knows that they get tired a lot

but he's never really seen you tired, since you're always such a diligent and hard working person

so when he sees that you're tired, he knows that he needs to comfort you

since you're his one and only, why else <3

"my precious y/n...what's the matter? did someone hurt you? why are you so tired?"

once you explain what's happened, he tells you to take a break every once in a while

of course, he makes you sit down

and gets you fluffy blankets

and tea, his speciality <3

perhaps he'll get a book and sit next to you, running his fingers through your hair

as he reads the book out loud

letting you go to sleep with him right beside you

"y/n...you have to let yourself take a break every once in a while...now rest, my precious gem."

venti - 温迪 ➵

venti, also known as barbatos, has a free, wandering spirit

and he also doesn't get tired enough to remember what it is in his thousands of years of being alive

so you have to understand when he doesn't understand what tiredness is to you

venti also doesn't live among mortals often, so he also doesn't really get why and how they get tired

however, since you're his beautiful y/n, he immediately goes into protective mode, shielding you from your own work

and distracting you from it by offering you an abundance of poetry and other things you like

so he basically becomes your servant while you're tired <3

"y/n...what would you like me to do for you today? should i make you something to eat? perhaps you'd like a song from mondstadt's favourite bard, ehe~"

he does try to make you something to eat as promised, but he's not good at cooking so it fails miserably

but of course, his music entertains you

he stays by your side as you rest on his orders

fingering the strings of his lyre until his fingers are sore from rubbing so much

but he doesn't stop because he knows that it's helping you soothe yourself

he'll also hug you and cuddle you endlessly

also telling you jokes and making you laugh

"ehehe...i'm glad you like my music, y/n! but seriously...you need to stop overworking yourself. i don't like seeing you upset!"

xiao - 魈 ➵

the mighty adeptus himself never gets tired

but when you're tired, he notices immediately

he tells you to sleep, and that he'll be back once you awaken

this is, of course, because he needs to fend off the karmic debt inflicted upon him by slaying monsters 24/7

he's not trying to be impatient or anything when he tells you to go to sleep and rest

but as we all know, xiao isn't good with emotions, so let him off the hook as always

he just doesn't know how to express his concern for your tiredness without coming off as rude or snappy

"y/n, if you're tired, just go to sleep. i'll be back when you open your eyes. if you need me, call my name. adeptus xiao. i will be here when you call."

xiao can't be with you physically, but the second you miss him in the slightest, you call his name

he gives up and caves in, stopping his slaying to lay beside you while you rest in bed

as i said before, he's not good with emotions so don't expect him to cuddle you or kiss you or anything

but he does show his concern for your tiredness in other ways

he tells you stories of his life, and how he's always here for you no matter what

he'll refrain from touching you awhile, afraid he'll hurt you without meaning to

but he softens when you snuggle into him, drifting off to sleep as he whispers to you, warm words from an adeptus who's seen years of despair and hardship

but yet he still manages to make time for you

and for just his everlasting presence while you sleep, you're grateful

"y/n...you don't need to worry about a thing while i'm here. i'll always be here for you. now, get some rest."

[dreamsofteyvat]

. . .characters: xiao, childe, kaeya, kazuha (x reader; separate)

. . .cw: high school/modern au! established relationship, some of them are theater/band kids... fluff!

. . .a/n: band kid nation arise. also i was never on stage for school productions so i apologize in advance for any mistakes in any of the theater kid aus-- i might do a pt 2 for the women!!

. . .synopsis: "By the way, i love you."

reblogs are greatly appreciated!^^

XIAO's lips are crooked in an adorable grin, eyes shining playfully even in the dim stage light.

"Ready?" he asks lowly.

"Hush," you hiss back, though your voice holds no venom. "We're almost up."

A glance at the decorated man who stands on the podium still giving his opening speech proves you wrong.

Xiao shakes his head fondly. "Knowing Mr. Z, we've got another minute or two."

You know he's right. Between his eloquent wording and sophistry, there was some more time to spare. Crowded around you are the other performers, fiddling with keys or pulling at collars. An easy tension flutters in the air, a mix of nerves and excitement, as it always is before a concert.

But right now, with Xiao's amber eyes turning into liquid silver in the curtained darkness, you let yourself relax.

Onstage, Mr. Zhongli closes his speech, letting the applause hang delicately in the air before stepping off.

With a deep breath, you follow Xiao forwards. But before he steps into the light, he pauses just behind the curtains, turning to you with a softness in his eyes that makes your heart flutter.

"By the way," he whispers, leaning close so his words only reach your ears. "I love you."

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

CHILDE looks nothing short of ethereal under the stage lights. He looks like he belongs there, reciting lines with practiced poise and grace, emotion pulsing with his voice and expressions.

A natural-born theatre kid, if you were being honest.

"Y/N!" Hu Tao flashes you a thumbs-up.

You nod, giving your lines and costume another once-over before entering on your cue.

"Oh, my darling!" Childe's smile is blinding, teeth catching the lights in a way that makes you blink. "Have you come to stay? Or will you once more leave me? Do you know of how my heart tears when you are far from me?"

You let out a small sigh, looking out over the dark audience. "Calm yourself, and refrain from your dramatics."

Childe takes your hand and pulls you into his embrace, just like the two of you had practiced. He's so close you can feel the scratchiness of his costume against your arm, and you can see the sweat that dots his forehead.

"'Dear my beloved,' my letter read. Isn't that such a beautiful word? For to be beloved is to already have been loved."

"Oh-"

"Please."

And you look at him again, and see the sincerity in his eyes. His next words make you wonder if he was ever acting at all.

"Wouldn't you stay with me? Please, stay with me."

You don't get to respond before he swoops closer, so his lips nearly brush yours.

"Say yes, beloved; because your eyes have already given me your heart's reply."

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

KAEYA is insufferable.

"Do your work," you mutter for the umpteenth time.

He breathes a laugh, swiveling his chair so he faces his computer again.

"I've already done most of my part," he hums, clicking through the slideshow. "I'll leave some for the rest of the week to do."

You don't respond, words about archaea and eukaryotes swimming before your eyes.

Kaeya gets up, and you give a muted sigh as he drapes his arms around your shoulders.

Still, you can't deny that it feels nice.

"You're great," you whisper, leaning into his embrace, and you mean it. You doubt that anyone else's touch could make you relax like this.

Kaeya presses a quick kiss to your forehead, smiling at you.

"You bring out the best in me," he replies. And though he laughs while he says this, you catch the genuine inflection in his voice.

You bring out the best in me, because I want to be the best for you.

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

KAZUHA's voice lilts like the autumn wind, rising and falling like the tides of the sea. He recited poetry like it was his second language, breathed it like air.

"Call for me, O distant lov'r, and let your tender words embrace me. If by stars alone I find the way, so I shall. If through roaring storm I return to you, so I shall. If you need me, call me, for the wind will deliver me to you on wings of scarlet leaves..."

Kazuha hums in contemplation, tapping his pencil against his notebook. "What do you think?"

You can't seem to wipe the grin off your face. "I think it's very pretty."

He giggles, and you want to bottle the sound and keep it forever. "You know what else is pretty?"

"You are."

He rises, collapsing into your arms, letting his body go limp against yours. "Nope, you are."

"You."

"No, you."

"Oh, Kazuha."

"Oh! Here's a poem!"

"Let's hear it."

"Come the wind and flames, and the distant thunder near, I will forever be with you."

"Is it supposed to be a haiku?"

"It's supposed to be romantic."

"That's a... five-seven-eight," you tease, and Kazuha nuzzles his chin into your chest, bright eyes gazing adoringly into yours.

"Is that so? Well then, the three extra syllables are 'I love you.'"

taglist: @tiredsleep @serenenation @xienn @azureexursion @surukaze @yuzuricebun @uchihaeirin @loptido @dawndelion-winery

[cam3lliaw]

✨️Wishing for you✨️

Just fluff :)

Diluc x gn! reader

Warnings: a bit of insecurities on Diluc's part

A/N: this is kind of sagau??? this was based off how my pullings on Zhongli's last banner went

"What a pain." you said as you saw another 10 pull without a 5 star.

The event banner was Zhongli's banner. You didn't want him that much at first, but after seeing how good his shield is, you decided to give him a chance and pull for him.

"Don't worry, [name]! I am sure the next one is the lucky one! " affirmed Lumine as she was sitting on the soft grass of Windrise, near you.

"You said that last time too, Lumine."

Pity 80. Of course a 5 star was going to be in the next 10 pull, except you didn't have any more primogems.

"You forgot to exchange those masterless starglitter." Lumine continued as she saw you looking sadly at the 0 primogems in the corner of your phone's screen.

You had 10 masterless starglitters.

2 more wishes.

"It won't hurt to pull 2 more wishes, would it now?" You chuckled.

First wish.

Nothing.

Second wish.

Noth- wait it's purp- no way. It's a gold one.

You and Lumine looked at each other, stood up and started running towards the place where the wish was about to land.

As you arrived, the golden star exploded and revealed the 5 star.

A pair of red eyes were fixated on you and the girl near you.

Well, that for sure, isn't Zhongli.

You swallowed hard as you stared at the red head in front of you.

"Hello. I am Diluc Ragnvindr" he shyly started, looking down "but I think you already knew that, I... well... even thought, I know you wanted Mr. Zhongli...it's nice to meet yo-"

The Darknight hero stopped talking as you embraced him in a tight hug. He was beyond confused at this point, why were you hugging him? Should he hug you back? He hesitantly put his arms around you.

Diluc felt bad for ruining your pity, he saw, from time to time, how you would get sad if you lost your 50/50 to Jean or Keqing, and that caused him to fear that you would also be upset if you saw him, instead of the 5 star you wished for.

He did not expect the next words he heard from you.

"Archons...finally." You whispered near his ear.

When you broke the hug, you saw his confused expression and laughed.

"Is there something on my face?" You asked still laughing.

"Oh no no, it's not, it's just- you seem...happy to see me..."

"Well I should seem happy, since I really am! I've been waiting for you since I started playing genshin a year ago! " you confessed.

"Really? I thought that you wanted Mr. Zhongli."

"I did. But I always wanted you more, so I am happy to see you! Ah!" you turned to face Lumine "we should start farming EXP books for him, you know I never have enough of those."

"Sure! I'll go start now, will you join me?" Lumine asked.

"Certainly! I'll join you in a bit. " you assured her.

You approached Diluc again, taking his hands in yours and looking into his eyes.

"Welcome home, Diluc! I can't wait to go on a lot of adventures with you from now on! " you said happily " I should go help Lumine, but I will see you later! " You continued, letting go of his hands.

A bright red blush appeared on the man's cheeks as he stood still watching you go after Lumine.

Diluc thinks the same as you.

He can't wait to go on adventures with you.

A/n: I hope you liked it! :D

[silentmoths]

Tartaglil

It's own seperate post because I had two people in my asks requesting I give childe a child.

Childe & Child!Reader (Afab)

Fluff, hurt/comfort, childes very bad not good mental health, lil baby reader's very bad not good mental health.

he was meant to be a cold-blooded killer, but during a routine mission to wipe out a troupe of treasure hoarders, he finds something he cannot kill.

It was meant to just be another regular clean out, a band of treasure hoarders that hadn't repayed their debt to the bank; Northland bank takes debt evasion very seriously, and when they have number 11 of the fatui harbingers as their branch manager? well, either they paid up, or they'd be reposessed, simple.

Except today it wasnt.

Childe recalls his bow, wiping some excess blood from his brow, only for it to smear across his pale, Shneznhayan skin. Mr. Zhongli had commented on his lack of a tan, but you can't exactly have a sunkissed complexion when there's barely any sun in Shneznhaya to kiss his pale ass.

It's as he's shifting through their goods, treasures and relics collected, likely in an attempt to pawn off to pay their debts to the bank, that he hears it, quite sobbing, had he missed one? No matter, if they're already crying, they've already given up, an unfortunately easy kill.

A child, bound and gagged, stuffed into a crate, wide, watery eyes trained on his face as he pulls back, brows raised in shock. What the fuck? why did they have a kid? His eyes trail to the top of her arm and his heart sinks; he'd heard of it, naturally, but to see the brand on her shoulder, a sequence of numbers burnt into her skin.

They were going to sell this poor kid, and Childe wishes he could revive all of them and kill them trice as painfully.

"Hey...it's ok sweetie, I'm not gonna hurt ya..." He feels like he's dealing with a cornered, wild animal more than a child as he reaches towards her, unsurprised when she flinches so harshly that she smacks her head against the wall of the crate she'd been stuffed inside of. "Easy! easy... I'm just gonna take that out of your mouth, ok? it has to be hard to breathe like that..."

He tries again, she's shaking so hard, harder than he's ever seen, and he'd crawled out of the abyss and into the freezing blizzards of home with nothing but the thin clothes on his back. She must have been gagged for a while if the raw marks around her lips and cheeks were anything to go by. He lets her take a few, much needed, deep gulps of air before he moves to the other bindings; she cooperates, even holding out her wrists, turning her face away when he pulls out a pocket knife to slice through the harsh rope.

"What's your name, sweetheart?"

"...y/n..."

Ok, ok she could talk, it was raspy and it sounded painful, but it was good.

"How old are you, y/n?"

"....eight..."

"Where are your mommy n daddy?"

oops, wrong question apparently. The second he mentions her parents, her eyes, still red and wet, fill to the brim with tears that spill over in seconds, that wasn't a good sign.

"d-dead!" she wails, his heart sinks and his urge to find something big to eviscerate grows stronger. What the hell was he meant to do? He sure as hell wasn't about to leave her here, she was hurt, dehydrated and traumatized, any dreams she ever had had likely just been absolutely shattered, unforgivable.

"Hey hey, shhhh, I gotcha...c'mon, you wanna get out of here?" that had to be step one, get her the fuck away from this massacre, he offers a hand, and is elated when she takes it. "C'mon, we're gonna get you out of here, get us both cleaned up." She's light as a feather as he lifts her, keeping her face held to his chest with one hand, she didn't need to see any more death.

------

She only spoke to him; anyone else and she'd clam up, her grip on his hand stronger than steel. Dr. Baizhu couldn't get a word out of her, only when Childe himself asked the question would she whisper the answer into his ear before buring her face into the crook of his neck again.

It's not like paying for her treatment was a hassle, and she was very good about letting childe apply the balms and salves to her injuries, but only childe; much to everyone else at the banks dismay, the moment the harbinger had strode in the door with the little girl in tow, and explained what he'd found, most of the workers were already fawning over her, offering snacks and sweets, Ekaterina offering to take her shopping for some new clothes; but no avail, she would cling to him like her life depended on it, and honestly? Childe was ok with that.

It was only after a month that she deigned to speak to anyone, and of course that someone was none other than Mr. Zhongli; the only one the harbinger felt he could leave her with without being overwhelmed with questions; wangsheng funeral parlour was quiet, well, at least when Hu Tao wasn't there, and she had no qualms sitting quietly in his office with him for a few hours if he had to go out and take care of....errands.

It was only after one of these particular errands that he drops back in to pick her up, expecting to find her napping or reading on the sofa in Zhongli's office, when he finds her sitting in his lap, at his desk instead, drawing away with that intent, eight year-old determination, Zhongli watching rather fondly from over her shoulder, his amber gaze flicking to the harbinger for a bried moment, and a finger lifting to his lips.

"And who is that?" The consultant asks quietly, pointing to part of the drawing childe couldn't see.

"Childe." she responds, it's curt and devoid of any tact, but it was the first time Childe had heard her speak to ANYONE, let alone above a whisper.

"And is that...you?"

"Mhm!"

Childe isn't sure why, but seeing her finally talk to someone, even if it was the shitty, lying, perpetually broke Ex-archon of liyue, filled his heart with an immesurable amount of joy.

----

He'd been searching, from the moment her injuries were as healed as they could be, (there was nothing they could really do about the brand other than attempt to lighten it), Childe had been searching for any information he could to find her family.

One day, a packet of information arrives to his desk and within it were the names and faces of her remaining family members, information on where they are, what they did...

Childe does not like what he see's.

As he reads through records and what information his people could gather, his heard slowly sinks and comes to a rest in his stomach; her family weren't good... none of them, not a single one, not from her aunt who had several assult charges to her name, or her grandfather, who was apparently a known alchoholic. Her uncle who was in prison somewhere in Fontaine, or her cousins who were all running in various gangs.

He shoves the papers back into the folder and shoves that into his bag, he didn't want to read anymore of it, not when his favorite little person in Liyue could come rushing through the door any minute, she was a surprisingly smart girl for as quiet as she was, Ekaterina had taken to occasionally kidnapping her to help with inventory, she was amazing with numbers.

However, there was one thing he knew he had to do now, seeing what her remaining family was like, had they even bothered to search for her? or had they known something about it? Either way, he needed to make a few stops today; and perhaps write a letter.

-----

It had taken...a lot longer than he would have liked to everything to finally come in, now all he needed to do was get the right things signed by the right people.

Which is why, when he walks past his study to find her standing there, a familiar folder in her trembling hands, and tears streaming down her face, that he's caught totally off guard.

"woah, sweetheart! what's up?" he asks, trying to keep his tone even, he know's whats up, he know's what's in that folder, but that doesn't stop the stab in the chest that is her taking a step back from him.

"please..." she chokes out, her grip on the file so right that the manilla is beginning to warp "don't send me back..."

Without a word he lunges forward, pulling her up and into his arms, despite how hurt she'd just sounded, just like always, her arms wrap tight across his shoulders, the file falling to the floor.

"Never." He reassures, Childe was a man who never broke promises, especially not to children, but this...this was something else entierly. "I'm never sending you back to them. Like it or not, everyone here is pretty darn fond of you, and I think they'd kill me if I sent you away, not like I want to."

She sniffles, her tears still soaking into the shoulder of his jacket as she processes his words.

"Never?"

"Not ever. In fact, Uncle Zhongli has been helping me get ahold of some very special papers." He explains, striding from the study and back into the living room, he'd noticed in his time caring for her that she very much enjoyed looking at the sunset. "How would you feel about me being your new daddy, huh? You could go to school then, and make friends and learn more cool number things...you'd have new aunts and uncles, and new grandparents who are already on their way here to meet you... I would never, ever give you to anyone else."

"You...you mean it?"

"Yeah, I mean every word y/n" Truly he did, he'd ended up writing two letters, one to his family and one to the Tsaritsa herself, explaining the situation, and asking for a permanant station in Liyue until further notice, to which he had agree'd, on the stipulation that he bring his charge to meet her new 'aunt' during the holiday season.

----

The adoption wen't smoothly, between Zhongli having very powerful connections in Liyue, and having the best of northland bank's administrators pushing, it hadn't taken long at all once the final signature was signed for the documents to be processed; they certainly could not fault childe for not having the funds to care for a child, plus the moment the Qixing's top lawyer had asked her if she wanted to stay with childe, the answer had been a clear and resounding yes.

There may have been alot of tears that day, not like childe was ever going to admit it.

Her first day at school was just as terrifying for him as it was for her. He was so fucking glad his mother had opted to stay in liyue an extra month to show him the parental ropes, and help get her ready, but now, as he walked down the street with her hand held tightly in his, he was beginning to feel unsure; would she be ok without him? would she get along with the other kids here? would they make fun of her for having a fatui harbinger for a dad?

"You sure you're gonna be ok, sweetheart?" He asks, the pair stopping at the gate, her grip tightens momentarily as she looks at the other kids playing just beyond. "We don't have to do this today if you don't want to..."

"I'll be okay...will..will you be okay?" She looks to him with the slightest grin, little shit.

"Of course I'm gonna be okay!" He retorts with a grin of his own "I bet Ekaterina is gonna be crying her eyes out that she's lost her best assistant to school!"

" Ms. Ekaterina will be fine..." she giggles, a sound that puts Childes heart at ease, at least until the bell rings. "I...I have to go..."

Childe is quick to bend down and press a kiss into her hair. "Go get em, sweetheart."

Watching her rush off towards the classroom is harder than anything else childe has had to witness in his life, his hand feels empty, his heart hurts, but he smiles nonetheless.

if only because he can go home and blubber in his mother's arms for a bit.

[greenteaanon]

i would like to platonic invite zhongli to a gn! artist! reader with pea flower tea and extra citrus!

btw congratulations!

Thank you for the Congratulations,

Can't you see her?

Summary: It was Zhongli's turn to care for the young God, They're a great artist for their age but what if they start to draw something unusual

Warnings: Angst, Mentions of War and Death

A platonic Zhongli with GN Artist Child God in angst

"Your Grace Please Slow down" Cloud Retainer spoke as she flew after your small stature You were giggling at how much you made the Adeptus chase you to the cliff that overlooks the harbour. You stopped running and stared in awe "Woah!.. Pretty"

"The view of the harbour is indeed pretty, your Grace" Moon Carver spoke with his booming voice. "But I was talking about he—" "Pardon me your Grace, Forgive me for being late" You were cut off by Zhongli holding a box of Wanmin take out. Bored out of your mind you sat down with a Peice of parchment and a peice of Charcoal and Paint, then you started to draw the lady you saw.

It was good for your age, though cartoonish it's recognizable, the drawing was distinct though, Long Black Hair with glaze lilies decorating her hair, Pale Blue Hànfú. You were done drawing her when you stood up and pulled Zhongli's sleeve who was sitting down and drinking tea with the other adepti.

"Your Grace? Is something wrong?" You shook your head "I just wanted to show this, she's been looking at you"

He looks at where your pointing at, there was nothing, but a singular Glaze lily. "But your Grace there's no one there" he spoke softly. "Can't you see her?—" "Can't you see me Morax?" A soft voice spoke alongside you you. Tears welling in his eyes.

"Guizhong..." He mumbled looking at the distance. Then he shook his head and said "I'm sorry Your Grace but I can't see her"

You saw Guizhong walk over to Zhongli and say "It's ok Morax I will always be by your side, Thank you your Grace"

"She's always here don't worry Mr. Zhongli" you smiled as you hugged him.

___________________________________________

Died for 2 days cause of a killer headache, and closed my asks for a while it's back open

[willowedwisteria]

This was a funny idea but like imagine a funny one-shot where in the Future Reader stays in Teyvat as their God and suddenly their daughter accidentally used a time a machine and went back on time when reader was still young when she first arrived in Teyvat and the whole acolytes be in frozen as the sight as they watched present reader doting at her future daughter. Reader be flustered that she has a child and didn't know she settled down.

However you and your Acolytes have be wondering on 'Who is the father?' of your daughter who was blissfully wasn't aware what the others are thinking as she played with Klee.

I can imagine the men in the Acolytes be taking turn taking turns in caring our child and also trying to figure out who is the father considering the child is stubborn to tell them and said "If I tell you who my father is you will kill him because mommy didn't choose you"

And it's also hard to find out who the father is when the daughter looks exactly like you except their eyes seemed to be covered in a spell like they were trying to hide it with your eye color. Could their real eyes be the key to find out who the father is and who married their God?

The rest of the plot or imagination is up to you XD also I feel like our daughter be like Athy from Who made me a princess like as a God Imagine in the future once reader has her powers back her eyes would be jewel like and it also passes down to her child except they have the eyes of their father while their appearance is like us.

Sorry if I ramble to much I couldn't help but give you this idea XD

⁂~Taking a step back into the past~⁂

Summary -> The ask above!

Note -> I like the idea. It's quite a comedic concept. I think I'll be able to ramble for long enough.

Genre -> Comedy

A girl followed you, tugging at your clothing, referring to you as her parent.

"I'm sorry, I'm not your parent." You softly spoke to her, pulling her hands off of your sleeve. "You have to be! You're the creator, right?"

You feel Zhongli seething behind you. You could feel his glare that sent shivers sliding up your spine, yet, that glare wasn't directed in your direction. It was at the child.

You were worried about the safety of the child. Kneeling down, you clasped both of the child's hands, beginning to think of questions that could prove whether this girl is truly your child or not.

However, she can't be, right? You don't have a child. You haven't even pursued a romantic relationship with anyone yet. You reassure yourself that everything should be fine and the child will run back to her original parents.

"What do you know about the Creator?" You interrogated her, sure that she'll only answer with information that's been released to the public.

Surprisingly, a smug smirk appeared on her face and a look of confusion appeared on Zhongli's face. Zhongli's brows furrow as he looks back at you, then to the child again. That kid really seemed like a mini version of you, even having that same smug grin.

"You're from another world where cars, guns, computers, phones, and other more advanced technology exist. Sadly, in your world, visions do not exist. You watched over Genshin through a mobile device."

You're shocked. Baffled. Dumbfounded. You hold the kid by the hand, your grip on it tightening as you bury her with questions like "How do you know all of this?" or "Who told you?"

The girl pulls her hands out of your grasp, placing them on her hips and remarking, "You. of course. Who else do you think would know so much about your own world?"

You can't believe it.

"But, I don't have a child. You have to be some kind of spy!?"

The girl's face twists from that shit-eating grin to a bewildered look, she looked almost offended.

"I come from the future. Mr. Albedo built a portal that defies both time and space somehow."

Yeah... this girl has to be telling the truth no matter how improbable it is. You found her in Liyue and no one from Liyue knows anything about that alchemist because he's always holed up in Dragonspine.

"Alright then, I'll believe you. Now, let's bring you back to the teapot, okay?"

The girl has a satisfied smile on her face, jumping into your embrace as you carry her around, taking her to your teapot. Your interest is piqued as you ask her about what the future has in store.

You never really thought of having a child. You've already settled down. Wow. Wait... a child? Settled down? Who's the father?!

You almost drop your own daughter as you put her down in the middle of the room. Acolytes begin to stare at the child, realizing the striking resemblance between you and her.

"So, if I'm your parent. You must have another parent, right?"

"Yep! Dad's somewhat nice."

You sit there in silence as all of the acolytes internally freak out. That random kid is your child? And you're not sure who the father is?! Even Zhongli stopped in his tracks at your question.

You had to stop all of the panicking and explain your situation to your acolytes before they went on a rampage searching around Teyvat.

"Oh, so their grace is going to have a kid in the future. Wait, who's the father?!"

Once again, chaos ensues in your throne room. Acolytes crowd around the kid to bombard them with questions while Albedo pulls you to the side, not wanting to get involved.

Albedo pulls out a notebook, looking at you, asking you about the time machine that could allow one to travel through time, absolutely geeking out and already beginning to pen down his hypothesis.

What a day...

Tag list: @lunavixia, @yourfaveisblack, @bardisipatos, @xyliope, @darling-rikafu

[ikaroux]

Xiao: Always (part 2) (EN)

f!reader

The Japanese dubbing of Kirito (Sword art online), helped me a lot to imagine how Xiao's emotions would be expressed.

The ost that inspired me a lot for most of the scenes:

Ori and the will of the wisps: Fading of the Light and The story of Niwen (The ost in general fits Xiao perfectly <3)

Masterlist

Part 1

You had been in Liyue for several months now for your research. You had met several people there, some of whom had turned into real friendships. Hu Tao, Ganyu and the lovely Qiqi were the only girls with whom you had formed a real friendship and then there was Mr. Zhongli with whom you liked to talk a lot.

But above all you met Xiao, a taciturn young man with a cold look in his eyes. After some research, you learned who he really was, a follower protecting Liyue at the risk of his life. He was also known as the last surviving Yaksha, fighting day and night against the emanations of the ancient evil gods killed by the Geo Archon.

Zhongli, who had revealed to you who he really was, often spoke to you about Xiao. Sometimes he would ask you to bring him some medicine specially designed for him to relieve the pain that was eating him up inside.

This was not a big problem for you, as you were staying at the Wangshu Inn. It was perfectly located in the centre of Liyue, making it easier for you to get to different research sites. Zhongli had explained to you that this inn was a front, built mainly to relieve Xiao a little from his eternal burden.

Since your meeting with the adept, you had never dared to call him, for fear of disturbing him. You simply left Zhongli's small gifts in his flats, placed prominently on the table in the centre of the room.

A gift... you had wanted to give him one for some time, but not knowing his tastes, it was difficult to decide. What if he doesn't like it? What if he got mad at you? What if... You then thought of the innkeeper in Wangshu who had known Xiao for a while, she must have known a thing or two about the follower's tastes!

After consulting Verr Goldet on what Xiao liked, she taught you how to prepare the young man's favourite dish. So you prepared tofu with almonds once or twice a week as a gift to him. But even so, he never deigned to show himself to you again.

Yet Xiao was never far from you, always hidden in the shadows watching you, protecting you from the dangers that lurked.

The bond he felt between you and him had never disappeared. Near you, all the pain, all the suffering he felt disappeared. He knew that you were human, so fragile, so fleeting compared to him who had lived for millennia, yet in his eyes you were a true goddess. The night he saw you surrounded by this halo of light, his world was turned upside down. Of course he had discussed this with his master, Morax, or rather Zhongli as he liked to be called from now on.

Xiao asked him during one of their conversations:

"I don't understand, I can never take my eyes off her and my heart - he placed his hand on his chest, clutching the white tunic he was wearing - hurts when I lose sight of her for even a few seconds. I don't understand... Sir Zhongli, I don't understand..."

His voice often broke at such moments. Zhongli then placed his hand on the follower's shoulder, a gentle smile on his face.

"Talk to him and you will finally understand. "he would say to her each time.

"I can't... If I stay around her too long... the darkness around me will eventually engulf her too. "

The sadness in Zhongli's eyes matched the sadness in Xiao's. The adept would often leave without the answer he so eagerly awaited, going to the balcony of the inn to sit on the railing and gaze at the stars. When his gaze turned to his room, more precisely to the small round wooden table in the centre, he was looking for proof of your presence. Almost every day you would leave him an offering, medicine, the almond tofu he loved so much, a flower, a mineral or an artefact you had found on your expeditions. Every little gift you gave him made him forget his torments for a short while, savouring the joy he felt at the time. He treasured every item you gave him, carefully stored in a small gold box encrusted with jade.

When the moon was high in the sky, Xiao would sometimes go to your room, passing by your balcony to see if you were sleeping. Sometimes he would go inside the moonlit room to see your sleeping face. He thought you were terribly beautiful, he had never been so fascinated by anyone, let alone a mortal. He would sometimes tuck a strand of your hair back behind your ear, slightly disturbing your sleep, and you would wrinkle your nose with a groan, causing him to back away hastily.

When Xiao was sure you were still asleep, he would take the opportunity to give you a gift of his own, placed on your bedside table.

As he did every night, he would end up sitting on the roof of your balcony watching for any threat to you.

By the time the sun came up, Xiao was already gone. When you woke up, you would find objects that were not there the day before. It could be a crystal nucleus or sometimes a Qingxin flower, which made you smile every time. You kept all the gifts he gave you as a treasure.

Today you had to go to Mondstadt to visit your friend Lisa, whom you had met in Sumeru. She had come one year to visit her former teachers, introducing herself to the students in the class. The two of you had talked a lot, creating a bond of friendship that you had maintained through correspondence.

In your last exchanges, she expressed a wish to see you, which you gladly accepted. You had planned to stay there for a week, so it was not surprising that you were preparing some things to take with you.

Even though your protector never showed up in front of you, at least not since that night when he gave you his name, you wanted to leave him a letter to explain that you would be back in Liyue in a week.

Before leaving, you left him a plate of tofu with almonds, your letter carefully placed next to the plate.

You didn't think that the wind would blow your letter away from him before he had even read it.

Xiao was accompanying Aether and two other companions for the day. They were to help him confront creatures once sealed in an ancient temple near the nine pillars of Cuijue Slope. The battle was long and difficult, but in the end they managed to exterminate the monsters, allowing Aether to retrieve the treasure that lay deep in the ruins. Xiao hurried back to the Wangshu Inn, feeling a bottomless pit forming inside him. He had been feeling uneasy for a while, a part of him wanted to make sure you were okay. When he arrived at his flat, he saw that you had left him a plate of tofu with almonds, and he took a bite, although he was too nervous to really enjoy them properly.

Xiao put his hand over his face in great pain.

His chest hurt terribly, the voices in his head tortured him again and his body seemed to be chained by the darkness inside him. Why was this? His karma hadn't weighed so heavily on him since he... since he... had met you.

He exhaled loudly, a sudden fear filling his body, making his hands tremble. Without further questioning, he quickly disappeared through his anemo vision and landed in your room. It was pitch black and looked horribly empty. The books usually scattered around your room were gone, your things were gone, your wardrobe was empty.

"No... no... don't go... (Y/n) don't go..."

His voice trembled in shock as his eyes still searched for traces of your presence.

"(Y/n)..."

Nothing. There was nothing. Nothing left. You were gone.

He couldn't even feel your presence on Liyue's land.

Had something happened to you? What if you had been attacked by monsters? The thought terrified him. He thought of your sleeping face, so peaceful. He thought of the promise he had made to himself to protect you.

Your absence was as painful to him as the day Aether told him Rex Lapis was dead. He couldn't bear it.

Xiao vowed to find you again and if you accepted him, he would stay by your side, he would not run away again.

He would listen to you sing again.

He searched for you for seven long days, which was a real physical and psychological torture for him. Aether, worried about his friend, helped him in his search, informing Zhongli, Ganyu and Hu Tao of your disappearance and the state in which the follower was.

Xiao always carried one of the gifts you had given him, holding on to it in the hope of finding you safe and sound.

With his mask over his face and his spear in hand, he slaughtered every hilichurl camp, hoping to find some trace of you, something that would prove to him that you were still alive. Disappointment after disappointment, the anger and hatred grew inside him every day, struggling to control it. He was leaving behind a pool of blood, soon he would sink into madness, feeling the sting of the karmic chains that made him sink a little deeper. How could he have formed such a strong bond with someone that he lost control?

"Xiao, we're going to find her. "

Zhongli's reassuring hand rested on the follower's shoulder.

Xiao had not removed his mask, but the former Geo Archon could still see tears of pain flowing from his eyes. His hand moved from his shoulder to the top of the young man's head. He knew what Xiao was going through, after all he too had lost loved ones in the past.

A varnished lily flower suddenly appeared under Xiao's nose. Ganyu held it out to him with a thin smile on his face. The Yaksha, who had watched you for a long time, knew that this flower was your favourite, many times he had seen you studying it, drawing it, smelling it, admiring it...

He could clearly see your face beaming as you drew it, singing a Sumeru tune.

He slowly grasped the flower that the young woman was holding out to him with renewed hope.

You had been leaving Lisa for a few hours now, promising her and your new friends that you would return to see them soon. You were anxious to get to the Wangshu Inn to rest. You missed your friends in Liyue and the absence of the Yaksha warrior around you left your heart empty.

You knew that he was never far from you. You knew that at night he sometimes stroked your hair, thinking you were asleep. You knew how soft his eyes were when he watched you draw.

You knew that he loved to listen to you sing.

Your lips curled upwards, happy at the idea of finding his presence. For this occasion you had grabbed an anemo crystal core which you intended to offer his.

When you reached the border between Mondstadt and Liyue, the atmosphere suddenly seemed heavy. You could not hear the birds singing, nor the wind cradling the trees.

Time seemed to stand still.

Alerted, you quickened your pace, crossing the wooden bridge that separated you from the shore.

The sudden sound of a branch breaking made you jump. You looked towards the source of the noise, finding yourself face to face with a Brutorocheux chief surrounded by some Brutoshamans and common Brutocollinus.

Your voice and body trembled.

"Why are they here? There have never been so many monsters on the border..."

The Brutocollinus came forward, threatening, it screamed, the breath knocking you to the ground. The smaller ones stepped forward, weapons in hand, while the Brutoshamans chanted their incantations.

Fear froze you in place, you were not a warrior, far from it. Your pupils dilated with fear and shook as the Brutoshaman ran towards you, fist in the air, ready to crush you. By reflex you had grown brambles around you to protect yourself.

But the creature in front of you was of a geo nature, impervious to the little thorns in your plants. Your trembling hand rose before you, summoning a flower capable of projecting poison, but again the monster crushed your hopes as did the flower beneath its feet.

"As long as you are in Liyue, I will protect you. Call me and I'll be there in a second."

Fear choked you, tears beading in the corners of your eyes as you remembered the words of the man you loved.

Xiao.

The sight of his gentle smile as he looked at you, thinking you hadn't noticed his presence.

Xiao.

The tender look in his eyes as he listened to you singing hidden behind a tree.

Xiao...

His hands savouring the feel of your hair between his fingers as you slept.

"XIAO! "

The moment you shouted his name, a gust of wind swept through the area. Blows rained down before you, and the brutocollinus and brutoshamans were the first to perish.

There he was, leaping to an inhuman height, a mask hiding his face and a menacing black aura covering him completely. The spear he always carried with him was pointed at the enemy as the Yaksha fell violently to the ground, sending out anemo illusions from his weapon that skewered the creature. He repeated his move once more, shattering its shell, before finishing it off by charging it with extreme speed. The Brutorocheux fell heavily to the ground, disappearing in a cloud of smoke.

Xiao moved his hand in front of his face, making his mask disappear, and then planted his spear on the ground. He ran towards you over the brambles you had created, not caring about the thorns that tore his legs. He knelt beside you, his eyes filled with terror and concern.

You looked into his eyes, shocked and trembling.

Finally you exploded, screaming and crying now that it was all over. You fell into his arms, your head resting in the crook of his neck, partially muffling your screams and tears.

He had found you. At last...

His heart broke free from its chains, relieved to see you safe and sound.

He felt as if his heart was going to burst out of his chest, so strong was it beating.

When he had reached you after your call and had seen you surrounded by monsters, monsters that were there because of him, because of the slaughter he had made in the camps of his creatures, the rage had risen in him. If you had been hurt because of him, he would never forgive himself.

He would never have forgiven himself.

He was surprised by your sudden embrace, not really knowing how he should react. What did humans do in such moments?

He raised his arms hesitantly, placing his hands gently on your back. Seeing that you didn't reject him, he hugged you a little tighter, soothing his soul and body with your warmth.

"Don't disappear again..."

His voice was husky, vibrant, emotion knotting his throat. He buried his nose in your hair, inhaling the scent of the flowers that covered you.

"Xiao..."

Your tears continued to fall as your hands clutched at his clothes.

He surprised you by planting a kiss on your neck. He left his face hidden there, not wanting to be seen so vulnerable. His trembling hands around you were more than enough to describe the emotions that were currently running through him.

When your tears stopped, his hands gently grasped your shoulders, pulling you back to get a better look at your face. He wiped away the tears that remained on your cheeks before placing the palm of his hand on them, caressing you with his thumb. Your hand joined his, closing your eyes to savour the sensation.

His forehead came to rest against yours, exhaling a shaky breath.

The happiness of finally having her so close to you involuntarily activated your dendro vision. Varnished lily flowers bloomed around you, and firefly-like particles of light swirled near your faces.

"Stay close to me. Always. "

"Always. "

Xiao didn't know exactly what he was doing as he tilted his head to your lips. The only thing he knew was that he wanted this connection badly.

The bond between you was stronger than any contract, he loved you, by the archons, he loved you more than anyone else.

An emotion so human but so beautiful...

Your lips... tasted like a sweet dream.

Bonus n°1:

"Ah, there they are! "

Paimon yelled to his companions, pointing at you and Xiao. Zhongli was the first to arrive and observed the scene unfolding before his eyes.

"XIAO! "

Paimon shouted, his voice carrying to you. Xiao parted violently from your lips, falling on his butt in the process, his face completely red with embarrassment.

Aether, who had arrived just after Zhongli, grabbed the little fairy in his arms, planting his hand over her mouth to silence her. Hu Tao and Ganyu were waving at you, reassured that you were okay. Xiao had completely forgotten that they had come with them.

He knew that with that chatty fairy and Hu Tao not far away, the rest of the day was going to be hell for him. He wanted to grab you in his arms and run away from his troubles, but when his gaze turned to Zhongli's, his heart was suddenly lighter with a burden. The gentle smile of his master and the kindly gaze he projected upon him broke the last remaining chains of doubt within him.

Bonus #2:

Xiao had offered you on the way back the varnished Lily flower that Ganyu had given him earlier, hanging it in your hair. You walked behind your companions towards the Wangshu Inn, laughter and loud discussions (too loud for his taste) were going on.

Xiao stood very close to you without physically touching you. You never took your eyes off his face, which he noticed. He abruptly turned his head in the opposite direction, the tips of his ears glowing crimson, forcing an affectionate smile on your face.

After a few minutes of silent walking between the two of you, he finally asked you a question.

"Why did you leave? -He looked at you again, his eyes full of emotion-"I thought you were gone forever...or worse, dead. "

His voice trembled at the thought, making your eyes widen. In a comforting gesture, you grabbed his hand, interlacing your fingers with his. The gesture surprised him, he was not used to physical (or emotional!) contact.

"Didn't you read my letter? "

Xiao blinked, once, twice, three times.

"What letter? "

"The one I left on the table next to the tofu dish. "

Xiao's face became totally impassive. He tried to piece together a visual image of his room in his mind, seeing your dish on his table very clearly, but no matter how hard he concentrated, no letter came to him.

"There was no letter. "

"Oh... Maybe it was blown away then?"

Xiao remained silent as you explained that you had gone to see a friend in Mondstadt. He listened to you without really listening, an array of emotions passing through his eyes. He needed someone to blame, anyone he could vent his anger and frustration on.

The wind... The wind...

A malevolent smile spread across his face and his amber eyes glowed with a menacing gleam.

He brought his hand up to his face, a gesture he made to reveal his Yaksha mask.

His hoarse voice whispered dangerously:

"Barbatos..."

Further on, in Mondstadt, Venti felt a shiver run through his body, freezing him in place.

[crow-mlm]

Prayer and Predation. College! AU (Zhongli x Reader)

> Word Count: 1k

> Summary: As a scholarship student from a destitute background, you rely on your grades to sustain your education. But when the kind, enigmatic professor Zhongli gives you a devastating grade, you can't help but feel backed into a corner...

> Notes: A pretty short fic to try and get me back into the rhythm of writing regularly (ง︡'-'︠)ง. It's also not very good (no beta bcuz I'm an omega /j). Hope you enjoy anyway!

> Warnings: Yandere, implied stalking, manipulation, power dynamics, non-consensual touching.

"Thank you for seeing me, professor," you stammered, lowering your head in a half-hearted bow. "I'm sure you must be busy," your voice trailed off as you spoke, immediately scolding yourself for coming off like a total sycophant. Zhongli wasn't an idiot, in fact he seemed to be the farthest thing from it - he must've knew exactly why you'd asked to speak with him in private.

Your voice was dry, and the constant demands from your brain to stop shaking so damn much proved futile. Mr. Zhongli's attention seemed to amplify your panic more than you thought possible. His gaze - no, his presence alone seemed to command an overwhelming gravity. He radiated authority even when seated, one leg posed over the other as he reclined in the leather armchair.

There was silence in response, a vile, choking kind. The mocking tempo of a clock proved insufficient in drowning out the sound of your nervous swallowing. You opted to look at his dress shoes, estimating that meeting his gaze might send you into shock. They were expensive, you noted - although, as you observed the moment you stepped into his office for the first time, he was no stranger to luxury. It was decorated with antiques and relics you doubt any normal person could afford in their lifetime, the elegant oak desk he worked at you surmised could pay for a years worth of tuition. It was a prestigious college, sure, but this was something else. His clothes were reminiscent of the celebrities you'd seen on the covers of those business magazines; his coat folded over the arch of his chair, the tight dress shirt that highlighted his imposing physique and the sleek leather belt that curled around his waist. Zhongli exuded experience and wisdom that felt to be at odds with his exterior. You'd decided from that very first class that there was something impossible about him.

Mr. Zhongli cleared his throat, snapping you from your thoughts. The deep baritone of his voice instantly dissipated the static silence.

"I presume this about the grade I gave your paper."

Still refusing to meet his gaze, you nodded.

"Y-yes, Mr. Zhongli,"

He sighed deeply, a sound which made you wince with the palpable disappointment which dripped from it. You admired the Professor, a man wise beyond his years and seemed to harbour nothing but compassion toward his students. Summoning up the courage to face him properly, you were met with eyes of brilliant gold that betrayed no hint of their familiar benevolence. In its stead was suffocating scrutiny.

He held your eyes for a few moments before nodding to a spare chair a few feet away from him. Taking the signal, you pried yourself from the doorframe and took the seat, focusing on not tripping over your own feet on the way.

The professor leaned forward, rubbing his brow with slender fingers.

"I respect you, Mr. Zhongli, and I don't doubt your judgement, but if you'd just give it one more-"

"Chance?" he nearly scoffed. You felt bile rise in your throat. You'd never seen this side of him, almost amused at your desperation. He reclined back into the chair, elbows propping upon the leather armrests to lace his fingers under his jaw. "Do you think I'm incompetent, Y/n? Or perhaps you felt I'd sabotage my own academic integrity for your sake?"

Your chest tightened, tears threatening to spill down your cheeks. You mouthed an apology, hands clenching and unclenching over and over.

"I don't, professor - I didn't mean to-" You exhaled, a last ditch effort to steel yourself. "I have a lot riding on this grade, professor. Please, if you'd just look at it one more time."

Your pleas were met with a hum, outwardly contemplative, yet one that managed to chill you to your core. Standing up suddenly, his stature making you feel even more diminutive, he pacing toward you.

" Ah, that's right. I was surprised to learn that you're a scholarship student," Zhongli's tone had relaxed into an almost affectionate baritone. "Then again, I always thought you were more... remarkable than your peers."

You were taken aback. More than the sudden praise that would've normally left you utterly flustered, you wondered if that information was easily accessible to members of staff. Then again, you surmised his prestige lent him privy to student profiles.

Zhongli came to a stop before you, towering over your seated form.

"Let's not beat around the bush, Y/n. You came here seeking a favour, am I correct?"

Dread planted itself in your chest. As much as you hated to admit it, he was right. You couldn't afford to go here without the scholarship, and neither you nor your family could ever dream of being able to support your education on finances alone. But you'd worked so hard to get this far, days on end of studying and memorizing just for a chance of winning the coveted scholarship - you couldn't let a single grade make that all for nothing.

Swallowing your pride, you nodded. It was slight, almost undistinguishable, but the Professor's pleased rumble ensured that he'd noticed it.

"I'm sure you're well aware that even a gift has a price," you flinched when you felt a finger ghost against your cheek - just when had he gotten so close? "And I can't bestow a favour without expecting one in return."

Bending his knees, he met your level - eyes brimming with unnerving joy. A warm palm disturbed the cold that had settled on your skin, strong digits tenderly stroking the surface. His voice, deep and rich, like honey fit to ensnare flies, made every inch of your body tense as he spoke.

"Let's make a contract, shall we?"

[yunahosk]

limerence | yan zhongli x reader

ai ai ai, i’ve never tried writing before so this is a first (and ofc i picked zhongli to seduce him to come home), if all goes well possibly i’ll do another!

apologies for poor english and grammar, i speak dutch, im trying hehe.

warnings: blood, violence, mentions of public death/ exec*tion, mentions of death, stabbing (in leg and arm), obsessive tendencies, forced relationship, yandere content

please let me know if i missed anything!

limerence: the state of being infatuated or obsessed with another person

“Thank you for providing me your kindness, Mr. Zhongli.” You smiled, letting your hands slowly wrap around the porcelain cup adorned with designs of gold. It seemed to fit the man’s mysterious aura: truly lavish.

After an encounter, more so a dilemma with a small village in Liyue which left you seconds away from your inevitable fate of hanging by a rope. To be fair, sure, possibly you shouldn’t have accidentally set fire to half the village. But having a pyro vision has its downsides too, no?

Although it left you questioning why it seemed he had such an impact on the small village, all the mattered is that you still sat in flesh and bone and not six feet under.

Truly, he was a kind man, even inviting you into his abode for a cup of tea and a residence for the meantime. You were an adventurer from Fontaine, traveling to all the seven nations in search of, well nothing. Armed with only a pyro vision and a spear you were determined to travel the world. Liyue Harbor was just one of your many stops, and to your delight it was truly a fascinating and astonishingly beautiful place.

“Ah, there’s no need for formalities. I do think we are well acquainted by now.” He hummed, observing how you lifted the cup to your lips, your eyes widening as the scorching substance hit your tongue. You quickly placed the porcelain cup down, a light laugh emerging from your lips as a smile soon followed.

“Really, I don’t know how I could ever repay you.” Resting your finger tips upon the cup and frowning as you stared at the liquid in deep thought.

“I’d give you my life if I could.” You laughed, furrowing your eyebrows with a sigh.

“We could arrange for that.” Your eyes widened, staring down at the cup of tea with a dumbfounded expression. Quickly composing yourself, a laugh quickly arose from your mouth, though sounding more panicked than natural.

“Ah, I didn’t imagine you’d be a man of comedy.” You chuckled, cocking your head to the side and letting your hand fall from the cup down to your waist, toying with the pyro vision by your side. Sure, you weren’t in danger, just force of habit.

“I’m afraid I do not understand.” There go the wide eyes once again.

“Oh- your comment, before?” You looked up, now gripping the red orb by your side as more of a safety precaution than anything, worry seeping through your bones but that stupid voice in your head told you Mr. Zhongli couldn’t hurt a fly. Tension rose in your throat, watching as his amber orbs slowly gaze over your expression.

“Ah, I see.” A wave of relief washed over your body. Social cues truly aren’t just his thing. We all have our quirks though, no?

“You don't take my word?” He hummed, furrowing his eyebrows. The 10 seconds of relief now came crashing down, setting you back to your state of panic.

“I do believe it is a fair trade. On my part, saving your life from harm and death and as for your part, giving me yourself in return.” He wasn’t joking.

“I’m sorry, but you’ve got to be mistaken. We had no such agreement before this!” You raised your voice, listening as a hum of what seemed to be displeasure released from his mouth. He lifted his hand, bringing it to his chin as if in thought. “I do value fairness greatly.”

“You’re out of your mind, no part of this is fair! There was no mention of such a thing?” He seemed to be confused, taking in your words.

“Ah, you seem to misunderstand. I simply intend to establish a marriage. To bind you to my side, for eternity that is.” Well, now it was your turn to be confused. “Marriage? Goodness gracious, we met, what? Two days ago? My apologies Mr. Zhongli, but in no way do I intend to marry you. I haven’t a clue what you speak about.” You stated, rising from your seat and preparing for your departure.

“That does not seem like a wise choice, Y/N.” Your body tensed, was this a threat? No. You are fine. A huff of breath released from your mouth as you readied yourself once again, walking towards the door and making your departure with no more exchanged words.

“What a shame.” Zhongli hummed with a frown, staring at the door you’d made your sudden leave from.

Putting the events of a few days ago behind, it truly was difficult to leave Liyue Harbor. Residents of the city were welcoming and kind, helping a foreigner with open hands. Though all good things must come to an end at some point.

As you traveled your way through Liyue, passing by ruin after ruin the thought of your soon adventures in Mondstadt seemed more intriguing by the second. Maybe you do get excited too easily, but you can't help the way your daydreams take over reality. It does make time fly by faster though.

After days of travel through a variety of terrain, soon you find yourself at Wangshu Inn, looking for a night's rest. It does seem as though everything in Liyue is elegant, and this place is most certainly no different. To say the least you were excited to stay in such a place.

With your bag in hand, you slowly make your way across the balcony of the building towards your room, letting your eyes gaze upon the stars in the sky. A sigh releases from you as you stop your short walk and make your way towards the edge of the balcony, staring up at the stars in all their glory.

In sight is Celestia itself. Perhaps one day you could visit. After all, this is only the beginning of your adventures. With so many more to come maybe you could ascend there one day.

“Pathetic.” The words catch you off guard as your eyes widen, quickly turning to meet the raspy voice only to find yourself knocked to the ground, your belongings and spear shoved to the side. An excruciating pain made its presence upon your leg and as you let out a loud groan, you open your eyes and are met with a black and teal-haired man staring down at you with a malicious glare.

Your eyes widen in horror as you look down to the source of the pain: a large spear present in your calf leaving you to watch as blood seeped out. The agonizingly slow speed as to which he pulls the spear from your skin makes tears surface upon your eyes. And soon after you find the tip of the same spear pointed at your neck.

“Who are you?” You muttered through gritted teeth, glaring at him with watery eyes. It hurt so bad, more pain than you’d ever felt before.

“It doesn’t concern you as to who I am, you are only a mere mortal.” Your breath hitches as you scan over his body and take sight of the mask on his side.

“Y- you’re an adepti?” You whispered, your voice shaky. “Aren’t you supposed to be protecting hum-”

A cry of pain releases from your mouth as the spear once pointed in your neck now finds itself sunken into your thigh.

“Did I say you could speak?” His voice is raspy, it sounds as though it’s strained from screaming, but you’re the one screaming. Tears fall from your eyes as you wait for your fate to be sealed. Beside you you can hear footsteps upon the wooden balcony, a surge of hope rushes through you only to come back down to horror as quickly as it lasted.

The same deep hum you’d despised now evident once again.

“It seems you are in trouble?” It was as if he was asking a question more than making a statement as if you weren’t sitting in a pool of your own blood with a spear pointed at your throat. You reach your arm out in a desperate attempt to grasp your spear, biting your lips to stop the sobs from spilling once again.

“Zhongli, please-” In your arm this time the spear plunges down on.

“Do not speak to Rex Lapis in such a disrespectful manner.” The adepti snaps, glaring down at you. Silence surfaces as your sobs grow louder, and soon you find yourself coming to realization.

Rex Lapis? No no, there has to be a mistake. But it all makes sense? The same man who took you in so humbly now kneels beside you watching you suffer. Is this who Rex Lapis, the god of contracts and war truly is?

As he kneels by your side, his gloved hand delicately makes its way down your cheek, wiping the tears from your face.  

“Please help me.” You whisper, you sound truly pathetic. But you’d rather look pathetic than give up on life so easily.

“I’ll do anything.” You ever so quietly whisper out. You knew you didn’t want what would come next, but you couldn’t give up. Not yet.

“Anything?” He hums as if he found the scene before him amusing. The eye contact made between his amber eyes and your e/c orbs sends shivers down your spine.

He truly wants this. He’s crazy.

You find yourself nodding your head in hesitance, you don’t want this.

“Y/n, do you agree to stay bound to my side in marriage for eternity?” Your breath hitches, eyes widening in horror, there’s no going back on this. There truly isn’t.

Is this worth your life?

“Yes.”

[thedilucharem]

Beidou's Crimes Against Liyue's Bureaucracy: Part I

Beidou Commits A Little Bit of Tax Evasion

Ganyu: (knocks on the door of Zhongli's abode)

Zhongli: (opens the door) Ah. Good afternoon, Miss Ganyu.

Ganyu: (bows head deeply and respectfully) Good afternoon to you as well, Mr . . . ?

Zhongli: (smiles warmly) I simply go by Zhongli. How may I help you?

Ganyu: (slightly nervous) It's . . . to the Lady Tianquan's understanding that you either know or are friends with the Captain of the Crux Fleet . . . correct?

Zhongli: (readily) Yes.

Ganyu: Uhm (under her breath) Okay, okay. (normal) I simply wanted to ask for her whereabouts, as the Lady Tianquan has some urgent business with her.

(from inside the residence in some chairs sat at a table)

Beidou: (immediately freezes mid-drink) (sputters) Shit.

Childe: (looks up from his tea) Huh? What is it Bei-

Beidou: (clamps a hand over his mouth and hisses) Shush. (looks across the room to where Zhongli stands at the entrance and gestures wildly with her free arm)

Zhongli: (does not notice this at all) I see. (putting a hand to his chin and humming in self-inquiry) It must be quite the matter for the Liyue Qixing's secretary to come all the way from the Yuehai Pavilion to retrieve the Captain herself.

Ganyu: (from the door) Yes. (hesitantly) Do you know where she is by any chance?

Childe: (raises a single eyebrow in question) (muffled) What does she-

Beidou: (glares at him and clamps on his mouth harder) (whisper-yelling) It's nothing! (turns back to Zhongli) Psst.

Zhongli: (hears this) (eyes briefly glance towards Beidou's direction)

Beidou: (mouths desperately) I am not here.

Zhongli: (thinks for a moment before turning back to Ganyu) (without missing a beat) I last saw her at the Wanmin Restaurant as we had lunch there together a half-hour ago.

Childe: (eyes widen in surprise as he sucks in a breath of shock)

Beidou: (raises a thumbs-up as her face radiates with gratitude)

Ganyu: (surprised and confused) Perhaps I should have checked there first. Well . . . thank you for the help Mr. Zhongli. (quickly) I-I'm afraid I must be going now. Thank you for your time and have a nice day! (bows and quickly walks off)

Zhongli: (from the doorframe) And nice day to you as well. (closes the door, comes to the table, sits down, and crosses his arms before exhaling disapprovingly) So what exactly does the Lady Tianquan need from you, Beidou?

Beidou: Heh, about that . . . (scratches the back of her head) (lightly) It's nothing I can't take care of later.

Childe: (peels Beidou's gripping fingers from his mouth) But the Lady Tianquan's never sent her secretary to look for you before.

Beidou: (rolls eye) Whatever, Ningguang's done this a couple of times already.

Childe: (without hesitation) But not this overtly and public. (teasingly) Did you forget to pay your fines? Again?

Beidou: (pointedly looks at him) As if you have any room to talk about fines. (innocently) Have you paid back the public damages yet?

Childe: (hums half-heartedly as he pokes her temple) Technically, the Fatui did the damages and the Northland Bank has that covered already as it's not really my cost to pay (lightly laughs).

Beidou: (grabs his finger and flicks his forehead) Right, and Zhongli owes the Northland Bank 2.5 million mora as it's not really your money he spent.

Childe: (pointedly) Ow! (rubs the spot) I don't ever recall my salary ever being roped in with them. It's all fair and square!

Beidou: (snorts) Please, as if money from Snezhnayan taxes were ever considered a 'salary'-

Childe: (accusingly) Then what the hell are you paid with-

Zhongli: (pointedly and loudly) Ahem.

Beidou & Childe: (look at him, then shut up at the look in his eyes)

Zhongli: Now, if I may not belabor the point any longer, the Lady Tianquan does not simply send her secretary for any small matter. So, Beidou, what does the Lady need you for?

Beidou: (poker-faced) Just some financial legalities, no big deal.

Zhongli: (waiting)

Beidou: (hesitantly) . . . I may or may not have been late on filing the Fleet's taxes.

Zhongli: (raises a single eyebrow)

Beidou: (inhales and crosses her arms in protest) Maybe some of the paperwork was done wrong.

Zhongli: (deadpanned) Beidou.

Beidou: (looks him in the eyes) (grabs her flask and takes a long swig from it) (mutters) Maybe some of them weren't completely filed, I don't know I'm not a fuckin' accountant.

Zhongli: And?

Beidou: (lets out an uncharacteristically badgered huff) Okay, some of them weren't filed at all . . .

Zhongli: (nods to her as a sign for her to continue)

Beidou: (not guiltily but definitely quite bluntly) . . . because they were illegal.

Childe: (gasps in faux shock) Tax evasion comrade? Wow, I didn't think you go that far into piracy-

Beidou: (clonks him in the head with her flask) Shut up.

Childe: (rubs the area of impact) Agh! (irritated) If you're gonna keep on with that, it gonna make it seem like you wanna take this outside, comrade.

Beidou: (pissed) Well if you're going to keep on yapping like that, then maybe I will, buddy.

Zhongli: (uncharacteristically snaps) Pardon.

Beidou & Childe: (quickly close their mouths and mutter apologies to him)

Zhongli: (deeply exhales as to regain his composure) Thank you. (turns to Beidou) Beidou, I understand that the Liyue Qixing has given you certain leniencies regarding some of the Crux Fleet's activities, the jobs taken by them, and the things deemed by necessity in the circumstances you and your crew happen to find yourselves in. However, I also believe that you have indeed crossed a line that you were not meant to - or one that you do cross constantly regardless of the consequences attached to such actions.

Beidou: (resists the urge to roll her eye as she has heard a variety of this same thing before) Fine, you're right. (genuinely) I'll go down and see what's up with Ning.

Zhongli: (hums) (turns to Childe) And Childe, as much as I sympathize with your need to instigate every so often, you need not go as far as to do so amongst friends.

Childe: (puts his hands up in surrender) Right, right. (dramatically at Beidou) I am deeply sorry for any feelings of ill will conjured by my behavior.

Beidou: (sniggers as she puts a hand to her chest) Your very heartfelt apology is accepted, my friend. (gently knocks her knuckles on his)

Childe: (grins as he returns the gesture) I can accompany you to the tax house or wherever the meeting place is if you'd like.

Beidou: (shrugs) (with a hint of apprehension) Sure, I don't mind the extra company.

Zhongli: (nods in approval) (plainly) Good luck, you two. You will most certainly need it.

Beidou: (chews on her bottom lip in thought) Oh yeah, definitely. (gets up and begins to leave)

Childe: (gives a two-fingered salute in Zhongli's direction as he leaves as well) We'll see you when we see you, comrade.

(they both leave)

Zhongli: (deep sigh and shakes his head with fondness) My companions are truly something else. (to himself) Now, what was I doing? Ah yes, maintenance. (picks up a duster and resumes delicately dusting a shelf of Cor Lapis)

---

To no one's surprise whatsoever, Beidou had to pay a hefty fee to the Tianquan as well as pay all of the taxes on the items that she didn't account for. What Beidou wasn't expecting, however, was the two-week probation from all travel on the seas.

Sure, Beidou had certainly committed worse 'crimes' and had gotten off a lot easier for said crimes but apparently, smuggling a shit ton of 'specialized' Naku Weed for medicinal purposes and that same shipment somehow ending up on the black market was another thing entirely. The Liyue Qixing was thoroughly stoked at this development at the moment, and this irritation was something that the Tianquan couldn't really overturn without risking her own position.

She was later found nursing a bottle of fire-water at the Spirit's Keep as she bemoaned her dilemma of not being able to catch the good winds coming from the east for the sunsettia trade route. Childe did his best to console her, but who could hope to console a captain of the high seas that cannot set out on the open water?

Ganyu, on the other hand, was distraught upon learning that Beidou had already shown up at the Jade Chamber as she had been looking everywhere for her. As the situation was fitting and justified for such as the next action could be taken, Ganyu took an extensive nap.

(inspired by Beidou's lore concerning how she conducts herself)

[evieonic]

Ticklish Experiments (Diluc/Zhongli Tickle Fic)

Lee! Diluc, Ler! Zhongli. Idk i just love the idea of Diluc getting tickled to the point where he can't breath. XD

Ticklish Experiments (Published:  08/21/2021)

Pairing: Diluc/Zhongli

Fandom: Genshin Impact

Trigger Warning: None.

Length: 1487 Words, 1 Chapter. Completed.

Summary: Venti keeps telling Zhongli about this new thing mortals do called "tickling" and he wants to try it out on Diluc.

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

Diluc had absolutely no idea how it came to this situation. One second, he was in the bar, as usual, cleaning a glass, as usual , but now he was laying on the floor, clawing at the wooden panels, attempting to escape the ticklish attacks he was receiving from Liyue’s most refined man, Mr. Zhongli himself.

It’s quite shocking, I know.

No one would’ve guessed that Zhongli would be interested in or even know how to tickle someone judging by how he showed as much personality as a rock, but that was Diluc’s mistake. Apparently Zhongli was interested and did know.

Curse Venti for even bringing up the idea to his boyfriend.

“Z-Zhongliiiii- ahahaha!” He giggled, Zhongli’s nimble fingers digging into his sides, his knees straddling Diluc’s waist, “Pleeeaase, eheh! N-No mooorahaha!”

Zhongli only smiled, his eyes gentle as he continued his attack, making no move to relent.

This all started because of Venti. Everything always started because of Venti. Venti decided a long time ago that it was his mission to explain to Zhongli everything that the mortals did, so he’d be able to act more like a person and less than a… well… rock.

One of these things just had to be tickling.

Zhongli had come to him, simply curious at first on whether or not Diluc was ticklish too, which he thankfully discovered by asking him.

“Not really,” Diluc had answered, as he cleaned out a glass with a cloth, “maybe when I was younger.”

“I see,” Zhongli observed, a thoughtful frown on his face, “I don’t believe I ever was in my lifetime. But then again no one has tried to tickle me before.”

“Are you saying you want me to tickle you?” Diluc asked, a small smirk on his face.

Zhongli quickly shook his head, “no, no, I don’t want you to do that but…”

“But…?” Diluc trailed off, narrowing his eyes suspiciously at him. The bar was empty, closed to patrons until the morning, so it was just the two of them right now. What could Zhongli want?

“I would like to… if you don’t mind,” Zhongli began, twildding with his fingers, “attempt to tickle you.”

That made Diluc pause. He sat down his glass, turning to his boyfriend, “I’m sorry?”

“Venti described it as fun, and for the one being tickled, it can be a nice mood lifter because it induces laughter and laughter is good for people,” he said, wiggling his fingers slightly, looking as if he was proposing the most normal thing in the world. “I thought it would be good for you, darling.”

Diluc blushed at the sound of the pet name, still not used to how carelessly Zhongli could use it. He sputtered for a moment, thinking about it. He wasn’t really a ticklish person nor did he really enjoy it. He doubted what Venti said was true at all, he most likely told him just to mess with the poor ancient god, but Zhongli looked at him with hope in his eyes. Dammit, he’s powerless against that look.

“A-Alright,” Diluc sighed, “but I’m not ticklish, Zhongli, so this might be a worthless idea.”

“That’s alright,” Zhongli said, smiling brightly now at Diluc’s permission, “I just want to try.”

“Okay, then what do you want me to- hehe-” he chuckled as immediately, Zhongli placed his fingers underneath his chin, scratching at the sensitive skin. “Z-Zhongli, what are you- hahaha!” He grinned, biting his lip as Zhongli smiled at him, his eyes locked on his lips and watching as he pulled giggles from him.

His other hand journeyed down his neck, to his sides before taking a hold of Diluc’s white linen shirt and pulling at it so it became untucked. “It seems you are rather ticklish underneath your chin,” Zhongli observed, watching as Diluc continued to laugh as his boyfriend’s fingers scratched the soft skin, “but I wonder if you’re ticklish in the most common spots as well. Such as…” He moved his hand before quickly pushing them underneath Diluc’s shirt, his fingers now at his sides, “here.”

With that, he dug his fingers into the soft flesh there, causing Diluc to gasp and burst into laughter as the sensitive nerves were disturbed. He squirmed, his hands going to grab Zhongli’s wrists but fighting the urge to make him actually stop. “Z-Zhongahahaha-! Zhongli! Thahaat feels weirrdahah!”

“Does it?” Zhongli grinned, making no move to ease up on his attack, “I guess Venti was incorrect when he said it felt good. Perhaps it’s just this area. How about… here?” He moved his fingers up, gently digging into Diluc’s ribs which made the poor man throw back his head as he clamped down his arms, wiggling from the assault.

“Nohohoho!” He snorted, “Thahahat’s w-worse!” he wheezed, having difficulty catching his breath as he cackled, his laughter frantic as Zhongli continued to scribble away at his sensitive spot.

“But you seem to like it,” Zhongli smirked, “you’re squirming so much.”

Diluc wheezed, attempting to speak but having nothing but giggles flutter out of his mouth. He wiggled, suddenly breaking free from Zhongli’s hold, “n-no more!” For a second, Zhongli stared at him, a little shocked that he broke free and a little concerned too as if he was afraid he went too far. Diluc hated that look of concern on his face. So as much as he hated it himself, he cleared his throat, letting another giggle filter through as he stared Zhongli down, a playful smile on his face.

Zhongli observed him for a moment but then it clicked and he smirked deviously. “Come here.”

“No,” Diluc said, a slight bratty lilt to his voice.

“Diluc…,” Zhongli said carefully, “I’m not done yet.”

“Well you are now,” Diluc said, still smiling as he made his way to the door, “anyway, I should be on my way ho- aaHA!” He screamed as Zhongli suddenly pounced on him, his fingers digging deeper, scribbling faster against his sides and ribs. “Nohohoho! Z-Zhongli! Zhongaaha!”

Zhongli chuckled, “ahh, so that’s your favorite spot, hmm, darling?”

“Nohoho! Dohon’t! Not th-thereeeahaha!” Before Diluc could stop himself, his knees buckled and he collapsed on the ground, Zhongli following him by straddling his back and relentlessly attacking his ribs. “Z-Zhongli! S-Stoaahahap!”

“I don’t think I will,” Zhongli said, “now it’s a punishment instead of curiosity.”

“Z-Zhongli!” Diluc squeaked, wiggling like a worm underneath his boyfriend, his eyes glittering with laughter, “b-but I was- Ahaha! J-Just trying to sahahave m-myself!”

“Well too bad,” Zhongli purred, his fingers scribbling further up Diluc’s sides, digging into the area underneath his arms which made the man howl with laughter, “oooh, is this your sweet spot?”

“P-Pleeeeaase- ahahaha!” Diluc cackled madly, trying to clamp down his arms but no matter how hard he tried, Zhongli’s attack did not relent. “T-This is so meeeaaan!”

After a few more giggles and a few attempts at clawing the floor, Zhongli finally relaxed his fingers, smiling as he watched Diluc pant and catch his breath. He still had a smile on his face and as his eyes cracked open and peered up at his boyfriend, Zhongli could see nothing but peace and glee in his eyes.

“I think I’m going to make sure I tickle you at least once a week,” Zhongli remarked, leaning down to press a kiss to Diluc’s forehead.

“W-Why?” Diluc panted, rolling over so he could better face Zhongli, “this is absolute torture.”

“Yet you like it and you know you do,” Zhongli said, his fingers returning to his sides just to teasingly glide across the sensitive skin. Diluc’s eyes widened in momentary panic but then a little giggle came tumbling from his mouth as he smiled, humming contentedly. “You look so relaxed and adorable like this.”

Diluc’s smile grew softer as Zhongli leaned down, kissing his nose this time, “well, I'll admit it does wear me out a bit.”

“And calm you. You are such an angry kitten otherwise.”

Diluc chuckled at that, “I am not. I am merely all work and no play and that’s not a bad thing.”

“I beg to differ,” Zhongli purred, placing another kiss on Diluc’s lips, “so I’m assigning you to tickle sessions on a weekly basis to do as Kaeya likes to put it; to ‘turn that frown upside down.”

Diluc laughed, a soft little rumble in his chest at that remark and shook his head lightly, “Fine. If you insist, I admit it’s… not necessarily a bad feeling.”

“Oh?” Zhongli smirked, “I’ll keep that in mind.”

“I should’ve kept my mouth shu- GAHA!” Suddenly, he howled with laughter as Zhongli, being the sneaky bastard he was, immediately began to tickle Diluc again. “N-Nohoho! I thohahaught we were dohohohone!”

“Well,” Zhongli smiled, falling further in love with Diluc’s smile as he worked his fingers, “you thought wrong.”

“Nooooooo!” Diluc shrieked but nothing could save him now.

Looks like it’d be a long night for him.

[suddencolds]

hey vanessa !! i'm just wondering, will there be any new fics coming in? ofc take your time with it all! i understand it can be really tiring so this is just out of curiosity ! no pressure or anything :) <3 also i really love your fics like i always come back everyday to read them :D

Hi anon!! :) I have 3 WIPs atm and they are all... blatantly unfinished and it's taking a lot out of me to write them. I've been unconfident in my writing for the longest time, and I'm also really slow at writing fml

But since you asked, here are some excerpts from each! - I can't promise I'll get around to finishing them (I think it's actually unlikely that I'll get to all 3). But if any of these seem worth continuing, lmk

1. (Diluc) - Kaeya asks for Diluc to accompany him on an expedition - really, it's an excuse to spend more time with him. He doesn't expect Diluc to come down with a miserable cold in the process.

“An expedition,” Diluc repeats.

“Yes.”

“You’re asking me to go with you.”

Kaeya laughs. He’d already expected that Diluc would have questions about this, but it’s not as if he can tell .

“Amber is leading her own expedition,”—busy scouting out some temples in Starfell Valley, after they’ve caught wind of Fatui activity in the area. It’s an assignment that Kaeya thinks Diluc would be much more interested in, but that’s besides the point—“and Eula is out sick this week. So are nearly half of the Knights. Jean suggested I find you.”

Perhaps if he phrases it this way—as if this is a last resort—Diluc will be more receptive to it. It’s not technically a lie. Jean hadn’t advised him to do anything—actually, Jean had told him that she hadn’t wanted him going up on Dragonspine alone. Technically, with Diluc’s company, he would not be going alone.

If Kaeya is taking her words out of context, then no one has to know.

“Where is it?”

At least it’s not outright a no. “Dragonspine,” Kaeya answers carefully. “You’d understand why a pyro user would be good for that.”

“And if I say no?”

There it is. Kaeya waves an arm dismissively. “I told her you wouldn’t want to… well, never mind. I suppose I can bring a few unactivated warming bottles and hope for the best.”

—

2. (Childe) - After the entire fiasco with Liyue and Rex Lapis's passing, Childe throws himself into work with a fever, gets injured, and begrudgingly seeks Zhongli out.

(This was supposed to be for Childe's birthday 3 weeks ago, and now it's sitting in my drafts as a 4k word unfinished WIP)

“How do you know Mr. Zhongli?”

Her question catches him off guard. “We used to be close,” he says, though maybe that isn’t completely accurate. “Now I think he might hate me, or… something.”

The ferrylady sets aside the papers she’s dealing with. “I am doubtful that Mr. Zhongli would hate anyone.”

Childe laughs, bitter and humorless. “Not without reason, I’m sure. But if he despises me now, I think it would be justified.”

He coughs into a raised hand, ducking slightly so that she can’t see how he grimaces after. “I mean, I didn’t set out to bother him just because I’m injured, ahaha! To be honest, I…”

Truthfully, he doesn’t know who else to turn to.

“...I think he would at least have the decency not to turn me away.”

Zhongli is the first person he’d trusted—entirely, foolishly—in a long time.

“He was... good at playing the part of a good friend.”

He knows that coming here has been selfish.

“I mean, he really had me fooled!”

“Is that so?” The ferrylady says softly. “From the way you speak about him, it seems like the two of you had a lot of history.”

Had they? His head is swimming now—perhaps he hasn’t been keeping up on sleep as much as he should’ve. “...You could say that,” Childe says, blinking slowly. “I’m sorry, I’m... rather tired. Do you mind if I shut my eyes for a second?”

He’s asleep before he has the chance to hear her response.

—

3. (Zhongli) Zhongli - after he's given up his godhood - comes down with something, though he hides it well. Childe takes notice.

(I just wanted to write a character study for Zhongli sfkjsh; I feel like he would still be exceptionally dignified and polite when ill, just... it would take a lot out of him to keep up that front)

They walk for a few minutes in silence. When the caverns splits off into two different entryways, Childe turns on his heels to ask for directions.

He’s met with Zhongli, ducking his head, a gloved hand over his face as his shoulders jerk forward, sharp and violent, even though it sounds contained. It takes another moment for Childe to recognize the action for what it is.

“Bless you, xiansheng!” he says. “Is something in the cave bothering you?” Childe had assumed that Zhongli’s archon status had made him unaffected by things like dust, though perhaps Zhongli is not impervious to everything human, after all.

“I am doubtful that anything inside this cave is causing this,” Zhongli answers.

Childe shrugs. “Well, let me know if you want to head back.”

Zhongli hums. The cavern is intimidatingly silent, save for the rush of water, so Childe passes the time, talking about the recruits he’s been training. He’s halfway through a tale about a ruin guard he’d encountered out in Guili Plains when Zhongli leans away slightly to cough into a raised arm.

“I apologize,” he says, when Childe stops mid-sentence to look at him. “I did not mean to interrupt.”

His voice is rough. Childe wonders why he hadn’t noticed earlier—perhaps because Zhongli has been speaking so quietly. He looks him over.

Zhongli looks, with every inch of him, as presentable as always, though the cavern is so dark it’s hard to say if anything is off. He meets Childe’s eyes with his usual, steady glance, sniffling softly.

The possibility that he might be ill is so fleeting that Childe almost dismisses it.