#oh tartaglia my beautiful husband

[j4mezzz]

totally didn't forget i had tumblr anyways i fell back into my eddsworld phase

[yandere-romanticaa]

⚘ 𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐦𝐨𝐫𝐞.

m. - "forevermore" typically refers to something that lasts for an indefinite amount of time or for eternity. it implies a sense of permanence or lastingness.

You've ran away from your husband, the 11th Fatui Harbinger, Tartaglia himself. However, have you truly escaped his grasp?

yandere! tartaglia x fem! reader.

The shimmering rays of bright morning sunlight made the living room come to life as you sat in a classic wooden chair, a steaming cup of tea in your hand. It burned your fingers ever so slightly but you could not be bothered to remove them from the cup.

The pain made you not focus on the massive bouquet of flowers which were placed on your pretty white table.

From the corner of your vision, you could see the card which clung onto the fresh bunch of blooms, the handwriting on it disgustingly elaborate but oh so familiar.

"Blood red roses." The card said.

"I always knew that you fancied roses, and I couldn't resist to get you these specific ones when I saw you looking at them."

Bastard. How he had managed to track you all the way to Mondstatd was beyond your comprehension, but in hindsight, you really should have known better. The Fatui could sneak in anywhere they damn well pleased, be it the hustle and bustle of the city of Mondstatd, to the dirty cracks of the Chasm.

It was only natural that the many agents which were stationed in the city would start to talk upon seeing the wife of a Lord Harbinger so far from home.

You concealed yourself at first, obviously. Most unfortunately, word started to spread like wildfire that you had fled in the dead of night, never to be seen by anyone. And, due to the fact that your husband did not possess a single shred of decency in his body, he proudly showed you off wherever he could.

Just the mere thought of the memory made you shudder.

Your good husband was - is - a wealthy man. He made sure to spoil you in the finest of silks known to man and the endless sea of jewelry which was sent your way, if it were to be sold, could feed an entire army.

Although, he was always particular about your arms. He didn't like seeing anything on them except for the, surprisingly, simple wedding ring he got you.

It was a promise, he had told you.

His eternal promise to you, until the end of time. He would love you, in sickness and in health, there was no force in the universe that could separate him from you.

In a way, he was keeping his promise. He made the trip from the homeland straight to the City of Freedom all on his own.

... He probably didn't even need to hear the reports from anyone of your whereabouts. Knowing him, he tracked you down all on his own, using nothing but his wit and sharp senses.

He was a terrifying man. A man you ought to stay away from, a man who had the blood of countless innocent people on his hand. And yet, those same hands would keep you warm during the cold winter, his soft and pale lips would pepper your body with gentle kisses, making you feel as if you were the most beautiful woman in the universe.

Archons, he'd whisper to himself, his breath hot on your neck, making you blush. He would just say whatever came to mind, completely lost in his blind passion.

I want no one else but you - You are my everything - I will make you mine -

Frankly, you did not know how to feel. In those private moments he was less a man and more a lovesick little fool. He could not keep his paws off you, even if he wanted to. As the evening would go on the kisses would evolve into something more, something primal, carnal even. Tongue and teeth would mesh together, leaving a thick string of saliva between him and you, to which he would always let out that darling boyish laugh of his.

You loathed the fact that in those moments, he truly was ethereal, no different than a star.

What made your skin crawl was the effect his touch had on your mind and body. He became something akin to a drug, even now as you felt the sweetness of freedom with your own two hands you still felt the urge to hold something tight at night because your husband had spoiled you rotten with his presence.

Finally, you turned to look at the flowers as the horrible realization dawned on you - you loved him. You loved that man and it was putrid.

You cannot go back. You would not go back to him.

Jumping off a building would be a smarter thing to do.

As you pondered on and on about your predicament, you failed to notice the lingering shadow in your hallway. Deep blue eyes monitored you like a hawk as he toyed with a switchblade he had in his pocket. What should he do with you? He was furious, naturally. You were the last person in the world he wanted discord with. You broke his heart a little when you left and the fact that you didn't even care about his feelings only added insult to injury.

Even so, he could not help but to feel overjoyed by the fact that you hadn't thrown out his gift. He was half expecting you to burn whatever he sent you to the ground, not to mournfully contemplate in deep thought like this.

That was how he knew you loved him. It was crooked and wrong, but he had you. He had you and you didn't even know it. He'd bring down the heavens themselves if it meant that you could feel a fraction of the love he held for you. His lips curled into a sly grin but his heart pounded like clockwork in his chest. This waiting game was so horrible.

But the hunter in him couldn't resist, cornering you like this was just in his nature.

Victory was so close, he could practically taste it. Soon enough, his wife would be in his arms, weeping and apologizing and he would soothe her, like a good husband ought to. Yes, that was how this scenario would play out.

He was too clever to let it happen any other way.

It would be just him and you, perhaps even with a bundle of joy if the Tsaritsa blessed him. Even so, with you here, he had everything he could ever dream of.

Him and you, against the world, standing by each other's side, forevermore.

💋 TAGLIST: @genshinarchives, @saturnalya @mod-kisa-blog, @juuuuuj101010, @alatusprinz @kalopses-sonderes, @b10h4z4rd, @lakxcpsta @xiaopleasecomehome, @mayulli, @cc-6789, @mewmeowmika, @ranposgirlboss, @goldenglow149

This fic was born out of my own pure passion and love for Tartaglia, apologies for the Cringe™ I put you all through.

[frieschan]

𝐯𝐨𝐢𝐜𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬 𝐨𝐟 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐭. // genshin men

➳ character/s featured: ayato kamisato, diluc ragnvindr, tartaglia, zhongli x f! reader

➳ unrequested | scenario // fluff

➳ TW: not proof-read

➳ summary: you and said character have started growing close, finally they open up to you about their personal life.

➳ AN: sorry for disappearing! part 2 with thoma, kazuha, albedo, and xiao here

—AYATO KAMISATO ; pillar of fortitude !

TRUST LVL. 4 ; about y/n

"ahh, the lady of the HIIRAGI clan. She is a very docile and graceful woman, she tends to be very efficient in her work which I am very thankful of. I admire her patience as well, in a recent work I've heard that a third-party intervened.. Let's just say they left with whispers of admiration about lady Hiiragi heheh"

TRUST LVL. 6 ; about lover

"ohh, my darling wife y/n.. you didn't know we were married? heheh, some things are just meant to be left unsaid until time is right. She is one of my greatest joys in life after a hard day at work. She always scolds me along with Ayaka whenever I overdo certain things.. What can I say? I'm a busy man after-all. I treasure her as much as I do with Ayaka, I'd fight heaven and hell over and over to protect them.. She doesn't deserve to be put against the dark abyss of this world, as her husband it is my duty to protect her.. Ahh I think I'm rambling, please forgive me."

AYAKA KAMISATO ; about Ayato's lover

"about y/n being my brother's wife? I'm so grateful that someone like her is around for my brother.. She always covers his blinds spots and takes care of him, he tends to be quite forgetful about his needs. She is like the older sister I never knew I needed.."

—DILUC RAGNVINDR ; the dark side of dawn !

TRUST LVL. 4 ; about y/n

"y/n.. one of the very few people I can trust."

TRUST LVL. 6 ; about lover

"There are very few people I trust with this information I hope you are smart, y/n is my fiance. Shocking? Me and her have always kept it a secret as a way to protect her from.. certain targetting. I tend to keep her away from Kaeya.. He can't be trusted with anything unlike y/n."

KAEYA ALBERICH ; about Diluc's lover

"oho? Diluc's fiance? She is indeed a treasure among Mondstadt.. She's the type to glow in a room full of people, very much the opposite of dear Diluc.. It never fails to amaze me just how he managed to be with a angel like her."

—TARTAGLIA ; childe !

TRUST LVL. 4 ; about y/n

"She is quite a handful in battle, always brimming with surprises. She's quite a joy to fight against, you might just learn something if you try it yourself, traveler!"

TRUST LVL. 6 ; about lover

"y/n is indeed my lover! my partner in crime.. my other half... nothing could ever compare to her. The joy and excitement she brings me is different from the adrenaline of duels.. yet it feels just as pleasurable. You know, my siblings just love her! Everytime I come home and she isn't with me, I become a punching dummy for the younger ones.. Sigh, they're not the only one devastated anyway. You heard about her being my lover from La Signora..?! Just another reason to steer clear of that woman. Hmph."

LA SIGNORA ; about Tartaglia's lover

"Oh? Childe's dear sweetheart? She is quite pleasant to talk to, unlike her lover.. She is quite thoughtful and caring, once when me and her were on the boat to Snezhnaya together, she had brought with her a coat for me, worrying for my wellbeing. Such a sweet and pure flower for a bloody blade like Childe."

—ZHONGLI ; vaga mundo !

TRUST LVL. 4 ; about y/n

"y/n? Another member of the funeral parlor. She is a lady with grace, a fine worker of the parlor indeed.. If you were to need help and I were not available, she'd be the best one to approach."

TRUST LVL. 6 ; about y/n, truth

"It seems as though you've learned the truth of y/n. It is true, she is indeed a God of Liyue, one of the last remnants of my early days... She is quite responsible for the beauty of flowers that bloom across these lands. I have been eternally grateful for her hard work all these years."

TRUST LVL. 6 ; about lover

"*sigh*, I will assume Hu Tao has given you this information. y/n is my wife, my prized gem.. I've sworn to do everything in my power to protect the last bit of Morax in my life. She is one who has witnessed the ugly and beauty of my actions all these years.. yet she still has chosen to stay by my side. I refuse to lose her, I would rather give up my power as an Archon than live a life without her."

HU TAO ; about Zhongli's lover

"y/n.. one of my best workers! She's a blast to talk to unlike Zhongli, though he scowls whenever I keep her from work with my rambling.. Ai-ya! Let me get you into a little secret, y/n is actually Zhongli's wife! Crazy right? I sometimes wonder that if I tried to be as patient and pristine as y/n.. maybe I'd get more customers?"

copyright © 2022 | frieschan

reblog or like if you enjoyed!

[worriedvision]

A harbingers child - Dottore

Gender neutral reader, reader is pregnant with Dottores child. They realise Dottore doesn't hope to raise this child, and reader runs away to save their child. "Open" ending with this one, but it really isn't a happy one for the reader. Might possibly do another part, but as much as I would like to make this into a happy ending, this is Dottore we are talking about.

--

Oh, your husband was so lovely. He always nurtured you, ever since he took you in from the streets. For so many people to be so hateful of him, they must have misheard who he was! He definitely wouldn't be carrying out these inhumane experiments and also be so lovely to you, right?

Well, a couple of weeks into your pregnancy, you see a concerning letter laying on the table. Upon initial inspection, this was meant only for your husband. Seeing your name, however, stopped you from just walking away. Reading this letter, you realise with horror that he has been arranging plans with an unnamed source to take your child away before you can have a moment to hold them. Your blood goes cold, thankful that Dottore was away for work, before you decide to leave empty handed.

You had heard there was a mission for Fontaine, and you knew this would be your way of protecting your child. As long as you could escape, without being caught, you would be just fine.

--

You had been discovered on the boat by a harbinger. A harbinger.

You freeze up the moment you make eye contact with the harbinger, remembering him as the harbinger that fell out with Dottore on several occasions regarding threats to his siblings. He was a harbinger, but maybe you can explain your situation to him.

He, thankfully, keeps quiet as he motions for you to explain your actions. You point to your abdomen, making sure not to speak in the possibility of an eavesdropper. Childe nods, taking you outside to get you off the boat.

"My lord, why is she here? Dottore won't be happy." A mage asks, only for Childe to sigh.

"Well, if you must know, he wanted me to take _ to Fontaine. Something about legal documents that they needed to pick up personally?" He replies, fooling the asker before continuing along with you.

"So...why did you leave? Not that your husband is a good one, but I'm curious why the change of heart now," Tartaglia asks.

"My child would be used for experiments. He's planning on using me as a producer for subjects." You explain, starting to feel trust with him. "I figured if I were to give birth in Fontaine, my child would be considered a Fontaine resident."

Childe nods, relieved to hear you won't be returning to Dottore willingly, escorts you to Neuvillette. As much as he was itching to experience the joy of a duel, he figured this was more important.

Neuvillette was surprised to hear about your predicament, seeing you had managed to escape from your husband's house without being noticed. You explain your situation - the child you are currently carrying, the danger the child would face in your husband's care - Childe verifying your information to be true. You stop yourself from mentioning Dottore's name, suspecting he would likely be contacted by the man in front of you.

"I suppose we can put some emergency arrangements in place." Neuvillette hums out in thought, you sighing out of relief. "The moment you birth your child, however, we cannot guarantee your stay."

"Will my child be put up for adoption?" You ask.

"And will this be an adoption from overseas?" Childe asks.

"Your child will be considered a Fontaine resident, therefore we will be putting arrangements in." Neuvillette states. "I apologise, but I must be going."

--

In the months leading to the birth of the child, you grew close to Neuvillette. At first, it was entirely professional, however Neuvillette seemed to thaw his heart with you. While neither of you made a move on each other, you develop feelings.

When you gave birth to a beautiful baby boy, you were allowed to hold him and bond. Unfortunately, you had to go to court to prove if you were eligible to stay.

That was when you told Neuvillette that you were married to Dottore. The spectators gasp in horror, not expecting the twist of you telling on yourself. Focalors was shocked as well, almost not believing what you said until you showed your wedding ring, engraved with your husband's full name and occupation.

The opposition was gobsmacked, realising that you were actually arguing to be sent away.

"I am here to save my son. He was born in Fontaine, and I have documentation to prove he is a Fontaine resident." You state, clearing your throat. "I knew that this wouldn't help me in becoming a citizen."

"Hold on! Can we please postpone this hearing?" Someone in the audience yells out. "Surely there must be some evidence the opposition has not yet found, and this is undisclosed information!"

"yes! We cannot separate a loving parent from their child!"

"But what about the marriage? Isn't that still official?"

"Order, Order!" Neuvillette calls out, the crowd going silent. "...The fact you are in a formal marriage implies a contract has been signed. We will take a break to find out if this has been officially filed."

--

Silence falls upon the court, you already knew you would be guilty of not being a legal citizen. Neuvillette watches as the word "guilty" shows up, his heart aching for you. He wasn't an emotional man, but he knew you had been through a lot of manipulation from your husband.

Just after the plea, however, someone bursts into the court.

"Pardon me, I hope I'm not intruding." You hear Pantalone tut, your eyes widening in fear. He looks up as you, a disgustingly sweet smile on his face. "Aww, what a beautiful baby. Your husband has been awfully worried for you."

"My son is a Fontaine citizen. He isn't coming with me." You state, Pantalone still smiling as you.

"Oh, that is of no concern to me. Your husband has just been...so heartbroken upon your sudden leave."

Neuvillette had been making his way to you, hoping to take the poor child away from you without freaking the baby out. Unfortunately, upon handing your child over, the child's screams of yearning echo across the courtroom. Neuvillette tries to soothe it, starting to feel the same horrible feelings your child must be feeling, as you walk away with tears in your eyes.

Upon boarding the boat, Pantalone stops smiling.

"Your husband is not happy." Pantalone states, facing you. "You will be punished for your actions. It's a shame, he treated you so kindly, and you repay him by running away and growing a relationship with another man."

[calqlate]

RE: LOVE & LIFE | ONE

— SOMEONE WHO CARES

SERIES MASTERLIST | PREVIOUS CHAPTER | NEXT CHAPTER

PAIRING(S): zhongli x f! reader + diluc x f! wife! reader

SUMMARY: As the wife of the famous big shot in the wine industry, you have everything you could ever ask for — a beautiful mansion, endless wealth, servants at your beck and call... However, you lack the one thing you yearn for: love. With your beloved husband neglecting you and being stuck in a loveless marriage, you decide to end it all, only to be stopped by a man whom you have never met before, and who also coincidentally happens to be your soulmate. In addition, there just might seem to be more than what meets the eye in regards to your peculiar soulmate, and you just might have to find that out for yourself.

TAGLIST: @crescentmoonnn + @deeomi + @esthelily + @mshope16 + @nerdiel-has-no-braincells

A/N: sorry for the wait, i've been struggling with the biggest writer's block as of february :") here's the long-awaited chapter, please enjoy ^^

As you walked off the plane and step foot onto the arrival hall of Liyue's airport, you combed some stray locks of hair falling into your face. Sitting through a five-hour flight while sending emails and settling a whole load of paperwork (which had been uploaded onto an online folder courtesy of your secretary Giselle) had you red-eyed and ready to take a good three-hour nap. You were presently on a business trip to meet a partner who was keen on investing in your company to expand and establish a branch of its own in Liyue. The said partner in question was Fatui Network, a trading company renowned for having a seemingly shrewd CEO who had the 'magic touch': any business she was interested in and chose to invest in seemed to turn out successful, and you were hoping for good things when she reached out to contact you when you chose to expand your business.

You were scanning the crowd for the person who was arranged to pick you up when you spotted a gingerhead in the crowd waving eagerly at you. You raised an eyebrow up at him and he gave wide, exaggerated nods as if to say "Yes, it's me!".

You dragged your luggage over to him and gave him a quick once-over. The man was fair-skinned with blue eyes that seemed to have seen many things in life despite his young exterior. He wore a bright smile which exuberated a youthful and bright energy. You greeted him with a smile and extended a hand for a handshake, "Nice to meet you. I'm [F/N] Ragnvindr, CEO of Aster Cosmetics. You must be the representative from the Fatui Network, right?"

The gingerhead grinned and shook your hand back, "I'm actually one of the directors there. The name's Ajax Tartaglia, nice to meet you."

You raised your brows and drew your hand back along with him, "I didn't think your CEO would send a director to meet me."

"Oh, we must," Ajax said, "You're a valuable business partner of ours. It's only right for one of the higher-ups to pick you up and show you around."

"That's kind of you, please deliver my sincerest thanks to your CEO," you smiled.

"That, I will," Ajax smiled, "Now, shall I show you to your hotel?"

Ajax proved himself fun to be around: he was a great conversationalist and naturally made you feel at ease. He made you feel as if both of you were friends for a long time even though you had just met less than an hour ago. He was different from the usual directors that you met on business talks and trips, and he was like the breath of fresh air you never knew you needed.

"Speaking of, Mr. Tartaglia, isn't the Fatui Network based in Snezhnaya?" you asked as the taxi the both of you were riding up pulled up to the hotel.

"We are, but I flew down a few days ago to check in on our Liyue branch," Ajax explained.

Both of you stepped out of the taxi and he rounded to the back to retrieve your luggage.

"You are the hands-on type, I see," you said with a teasing smile.

"It's good to see to things personally," Ajax smiled, rolling your luggage beside him as the both of you stepped into the hotel.

The lobby was grand and sparkling, with a huge glittering chandelier hanging from the ceiling as a centerpiece. There were sofas placed round small tables, with a vase of flowers on top of each table. The floor was covered in dark marble and it was so smooth and shiny that one could see their own reflection against it.

As Ajax went up to the service counter to get your room booking, you pulled out your phone to check your text messages. Just a few from Jean and Kaeya, but none from the person you were hoping to hear from. A slight pang of disappointment filled the pit of your stomach as you sighed through your nose. You were delusional for actually hoping for a response from him, were you not?

"Mrs. Ragnvindr, are you ready to go?"

You snapped your head up to see Ajax waving your key card idly inbetween his fingers and you shot him an apologetic smile.

"Apologies, I'm coming," you slipped your phone back into your purse and took quick steps to catch up to Ajax, pushing the thoughts of him into the back of your mind.

Despite the small little blemish that was the disappointment you felt earlier in the day, Ajax seemed to wash it all away by distracting you with the itinerary he had planned for the day. He had chosen good restaurants and cafés to have lunch and dinner and went through your proposals during the short coffee breaks.

All the distractions wore off once you were back into the confines of your hotel suite. The room was booked based on your husband's terms, which were pretty adamant demands according to Ajax.

What use is giving me a luxurious room when I've got no one to share it with? You sighed as you peeled your heels off and clambered onto the sofa which was designed for aesthetics first and comfort second. The armrest dug into your side uncomfortably and you adjusted yourself to make yourself feel more comfortable. You dug into your purse again to retrieve your phone.

There were still no texts from him.

You decided to give your husband a call via Facetime. After all, there was only a one-hour difference and it was only 11pm in Mondstadt then. Your husband was still awake and you knew that he would only sleep in the wee hours of the morning.

You placed your phone standing upright on the table, leaning your phone against the ceramic vase for support. You sat up straight eagerly, waiting for your husband to pick up.

"Hello?"

Your eyes brightened as you watched the screen shift in perspective. Diluc's hand was covering the screen partially as he moved his phone, the screen coming to a standstill as he placed his phone on a solid surface. Diluc's hair was slightly disheveled and ran down the sides of his face. Upon closer inspection, you realised that he had rather deep set eyebags beneath his eyes, and his skin looked paler than usual, making him seem ghostly.

"Diluc," you started, "Are you alright?"

"I'm doing fine," he was curt in his response, choosing not to look at you. You could hear the sounds of a typing keyboard in the background, so you knew he was still working while on the line with you. His eyes never left his laptop as he asked, "What about you? Is the room comfortable enough for you?"

"The suite is great, thank you," you muttered.

There was a moment of silence as neither one of you said anything. The only sound being heard was the clacking of his keyboard and the occasional clicks of his mouse.

"Is that all?" Diluc asked, "If so, you should hang up and go to bed."

"You should go to bed too," you whispered, "It's already so late and you're still working."

"You don't need to worry about me. I'm fine."

"The eyebags under your eyes say otherwise," you countered.

"They are none of your concern," he said, his voice solid and holding his ground. There was another beat of silence before he said, "That's all for tonight. Goodnight."

With that, the call went dead and your screen went black. The calls with Diluc were always like this, and you really should not be surprised or even had expected something more. He was merely your husband in name, and his feelings were not yours to bend at your will.

A few involuntary tears escaped your eyes and you wiped them away quickly. What use was it to be the wife of a rich man when this marriage was loveless and cold? It went against all expectations you had of marriage: you had wanted to be married to a man who would shower you in endless love, be it a wealthy man or a homeless one. As long as you were loved, you would be okay.

However, you were not loved in the slightest, and you were not alright by any means.

You walked right towards the door and slipped your heels back on again. You needed some fresh air, so off to the rooftop you went.

The hotel had a swimming pool on the top floor which oversaw the entire city. At present, the neon city lights glittered against the still waters, which were glowing in a seemingly neon blue colour, thanks to the lights installed on the pool's tiles. You walked right to the edge of the pool which was close to the glass panels separating the pool from the sky. You closed your eyes, feeling the cool night breeze against your face.

After your grandfather passed away, your parents learnt of your grandfather's will to have you marry the eldest Ragnvindr son, and they were more than happy to pretty much sell you off to the said famous family. You remembered that they did not even bat an eye when they did so, saying it was all for strengthening the family's ties with the social circle of the wealthy, but you could care less. It seemed that in this world, no one was truly on your side.

You kicked your heels off and climbed onto the seats a little far off the pool, their backs facing the glass panels. You closed your eyes and held your hands up, walking in a single line as if you were walking on a tightrope.

I wonder, if I fell off here, would there be anyone who will care?

Suddenly, you tripped on an uneven cushion and swerved to your side, the side that was close to the glass panels. Your eyes flew open as you let out a silent scream, watching your life flash before your very eyes as you fell into impending doom.

By fate or some sort of miracle, someone grabbed your other hand and yanked you away from the edge, pulling you straight into something solid. Your eyes screwed themselves shut as you careened into something… or someone. You opened your eyes to see that you have found yourself in the arms of a dark-haired man, whose eyes were brimming with tears as he whispered the string of words you were not expecting to hear from a complete stranger.

"Please stay alive for me."

[dxmoness]

𝐆𝐎𝐃𝐃𝐄𝐒𝐒 | 𝐂𝐡𝐢𝐥𝐝𝐞

letter given by:

I'll try my best TT doing this idk if it'll be good tho

Childe rushed with much speed. While he was in Snezhnaya he needed to see his beloved before leaving.

He was always away from home which was why his beloved only talked with him through letters, sometimes sending him gifts she had bought though he asked her not to give him the such, she still continued without much worry.

A grin came to his lips at the thought of the surprised look on his wife's face when she sees him.

Opening the door as quiet as possible, he entered his beloved's clean home. He knew it was clean because Name had always had the tendency to keep everything well organized and clean.

Peeking through the slightly opened door, he finds to his delight his beautiful Name painting in silence. Slowly creeping behind her he jumps and hugs her tightly. "Eh?" Name yelled out as she toppled over the chair.

This caused a loud and boisterous laugh from Childe as he picked her up. "I'm home!" As if she didn't see him there.

"I can see that." Name huffed in response then looked at the now ruined painting she had made of a popular tourist destination in Snezhnaya and whined. "You ruined my work! That was a commission for goodness' sake!" She seemed irritated.

"Oh I'm sorry, darling please don't be mad at me-!" He begged as he hugged her. "Please?" No response.

It seemed Name was not going to respond to his advances. Though after a while Name finally gave up with him since he was acting like such a whiny child over her.

"Should I cook for us?" Name asked suddenly which caused Childe to beam with delight.

"I want to go eat out with you!" Childe said, his cheerful banter coming back almost immediately. Name nods standing up.

"I'll get dressed then." Agreeing to eat out was... a mistake to say the least. For Childe's habit of spending so much had been triggered by the countless vendors in the area, this included some merchants from other nations who came to sell their merchandise.

No matter where they turned, there were trinkets and jewels Childe found perfect for her and their home. "Childe, shouldn't we stop?" Name asked, having enough of all of his continuous transactions. "We've gotten everything from the past two dozen vendors we've passed." She hoped that he'd at least see that there was no more need for anymore things.

"Okay- oh look what a pretty painting!" Childe chimed as he rushed to see how much it caused, leaving a frustrated Name to fend for herself.

Finally returning home, Childe motioned the people he had hired to carry the loads of useless things he had bought for his wife to carry the purchases inside. "Just place them anywhere-!" This earned an elbow hit by his waist. "Ow-!" He swore a large volume and looks at Name, who was glaring at him with intensity. "What..?" "I will not allow everything to be placed anywhere, Tartaglia." She said looking back at the servants. "Keep them in the guest room until my husband and I figure out what we need and what is useless for us."

Once the servants left Name began another complaint about his spending hobbies and that they were troublesome to which Childe barely listened to. "I'm sorry, love. I'm really trying my best-" "Then don't go around making purchases at every single vendor like it's none of your business!" Name grumbled before sitting back down. "What are we supposed to do with those items?" Childe's silence was an unfamiliar thing for the man who was ever so cheerful towards her.

"We could give it to the others." The others meant the other Fatui Harbingers who probably had no use for the things he had spent his money on. Childe didn't mean to upset his beloved and now that he did he felt extremely disappointed with himself.

Name noticed this and tried to cheer him up. "Let's go cuddle?" A suggestion that made his spirits rise. Childe basically dragged her into their shared room.

Laying down his chest, Name slowly lulled to sleep while Childe caressed her cheek, stroking her hair. "Good night, darling." He cooed before kissing her lips.

The next day, a groggy Name awoke smelling breakfast. Her stomach grumbled as she entered the dining area where Childe was drinking his tea. "Good morning, did you sleep well?"

tagging: @almighty-dango

here you go jami >:3

[milleraudrey]

You staring at them with eyes full of love <3

Genshin characters caught you staring at them!

Characters: Childe, Zhongli, Eula, Yae Miko x gn. reader (all separated)

This will be my first post! So please don't judge too much. There might be grammar errors! :') M

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Childe

You and Ajax we're setting and casually chatting at your shared dinner table. Ajax usually kept telling you how his day was at work, Tartaglia would be the same if he wouldn't tell you how many people he scared today with Fatui arrival.

But at the moment, you didn't care how many people and what he did today by the way? You just keep staring at him with eyes full of love. he's just so handsome, your heart flies to the moon when he laughs. How can you be so lucky? You think that your eyes shaped as hearts right now.

- If you only saw his face! Hahahah...ha? Y/N? You here?

- Mhm, keep talking...im listening..

-Okay, but why are you staring at me, I haven't seen you blink, heh

- Cause I love you so much I can't not to look at you, Ajax.

And boom, he lost it. Childe, 11th of Family Harbingers right now blushing in front of you! You just boosted his ego even higher than it was already. Do you know when people switch to their native language when they are mad? He swithced, but not because he's mad but because he's so happy right now he can't think straight!

It's not like you never give him compliments, just right now he sees that loving stare you have and he just "boom"

- Y/N... боже, что ты со мной делаешь... ( goodness, what are you doing to me..)

- Huh? Did I just make you blush? How cute~ That is a rare thing.

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Zhongli

You visited him while he was working. You don't chat with him a lot because you don't want to get him distracted from work. You just want your loving husband faster at home.

You sitting in front of him and adoring his face. You were just captivated by his amber eyes, they are so pretty, how could you not? Of course, he notices that, how could he not? Everyone would feel the stare especially when it's from your lover. He even slightly stared blushing

- Darling, if you keep staring at me with heart-shaped eyes I- .

You've looked up at him and still with heart-shaped eyes. Oh, Archon doesn't know what to say? Your face for him right now is just something beyond this world.

You've noticed a blush on his face. And how much he tries to go back to concentrate or work but you don't let him!

You've noticed a slight blush on his face

- Did I stare too much? Sorry, you are just so pretty.

Oh no, he wants you to look at him, he feels so loved at the moment! Don't get me wrong, you give him love but today he's so tired and he missed that feeling of love today. But now you looking somewhere else right now, no!

That's it, he will finish his work tomorrow morning and that's because of you. But now only you in his head.

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Eula

- Y/N if you keep staring at me, we won't do anything productive. - She said as she proceeds to clean her weapon.

But you just can stop looking at her hands! They are just so elegant, and how these elegant hands can pick up heavy things?

You staring and just thinking "I'm so lucky with her..". She's just not strong, but she is also the most beautiful, smart, caring, loving person you've met!

When u looked up at her face you saw that she was slightly blushing!!

- Eula?

-What me?! That's you who kept staring at my hands while I was cleaning my weapon, and you staring with this weird smile on your face. That made me blush.... I've remembered it! You are now on my vengeance list!!

You just giggled because her vengeance probably will be shyly kissing you. But gave her a favour act as you scared )

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Yae Miko

- This new author's books are indeed good but the plot is pretty casual. Hmmm, we need to think about what to do to get 1st place again. What if we'll do a fantasyyy travelling book! I think that will do, oh, or maybe romance..?

How pretty looks that vision on her fluffy, pretty ears that you want to touch so much! And her eyes that look right at your face. wait, what?

- Y-yae!

- hm, why so nervous my love? Isn't you the one who was staring at my vision? Even when you have one. And what was that goofy smile on your face, that was adorable.

She leant closer to you

- Why are you blushing, Y/N? I love when you stare at me wish heart shaped eyes but I also love when you support our conversation.

She pecked your cheek and started again about her books. I guess with Yae it works differently than with others.

[ventisehe]

crying on their wedding day / genshin impact / part one

this was a request from my old account and i am only transferring it here. there is a part two to this but i got busy with school and organizing my new account, as well as thinking over deleting my old account.

since bennett is fifteen or sixteen, his part will be a little different from the others. with aether, he is hundred years old so his part if just like the rest. this is unedited and i wrote it at night when i was supposed to be farming so please bear with me hehe.

requested by: @bakuhoe-is-my-bakubro

includes: diluc, zhongli, childe/tartaglia, aether, bennett

warning: unedited, not proofread

part two

THOSE WHO WOULD SHED A SINGLE TEAR

     DILUC

       After losing his father and his horrible fall out with Kaeya, Diluc has become a firm believer that a man can truly live as an island, to some extent. As much as possible, he kept to himself and worked alone. Having people share his burdens with him did not appeal to him. In fact, it miffed him, as it made him feel indebted to them.

          He limited his interaction with everyone, especially those who are part of the Knights of Favonius, favoring solitude above else. But of course, this did not entail bad social ethics to others.

    He treated his maids and employees with civility and respect, the same can be said with his patrons whenever he worked behind the counter (it would certainly be bad for his business if he behaved aloof to them) and those he was once close friends with. He always behaved appropriately to them, although he must admit he can be quite insulting to the Knight, he always stood behind an invisible barrier, careful not to cross it and grow attached to anyone.

        He has long given up with amorous relationships. After all, what good would he be as a lover if he could not provide his woman the love and care she deserved? Surely, he cannot let a maiden suffer with his inadequacy as a potential husband. He is aware of how hectic his schedule is (he hardly has enough time for himself so spending time with his lover would be proven difficult) and how poorly he expresses his feelings, thoughts, and emotions. In a relationship, in marriage, communication is the key for it to be successful, and already then, he has failed. He may be a cold man at first glance, but he will not put a woman in s distressing dilemma, not intentionally anyway.

                    Being the richest man in Mondstadt and being considered attractive by many, Diluc was not foreign to having women throw themselves at him, attempting to seduce him. If maintaining a relationship with a woman with his current tribulations was hard, finding a woman who truly love and understand him was even harder. He has no means of deciphering who were pure with their intentions and those who sought him for his money and influence.

     And he accepted his fate without easily, without question. This was the way it was supposed to be in the first place. Diluc Ragnvindr - a lone man, who lived in too big mansion, sleeping on a bed too big for him. It was all he knew. The bright days of his childhood long forgotten.

    But then you came to his life so suddenly.

                          "Master Diluc," Began Jean, a polite smile over her lips. "This is ( Your Name )".

              All it took was for you to give him shy smile to have his walls broken down, and for his heart to yearn for what he has resolutely denied himself of for years. And it twisted him, and not in a way he welcomed.

          Diluc tried so damn hard to push you away. He avoided your presence, and made it his point to show you he wanted nothing to do with you, and made no attempt to cover it and ignored how his heart broke every time your smile fell. He resolutely refused to yield to your sincere advances.

                                     He treated you the same way be treated everyone, to show you how you were no different from everyone. You were just another dot in his life waiting to be erased and thrown in the back of his mind.

                                                       But the harder he pushed, the harder you pulled. In his brightest days and in his darkest days, you have never strayed far and welcomed him with open arms. You always went out of your way for him.

          It was hard not to fall in love with you? Why did you have to make things so difficult?

                        It wasn't too long until he was falling asleep in his bed with you in his embrace, his heart feeling light, warm and content. He hasn't feel like this in a long time - safe, and at home. Diluc found home from someone he tried to push away.

                                      The horror of what could have happened if he had been successful weighed down on him, and it took quite an assurance from you to make him remember that he has failed, and you were his, as he was yours.

                          Back then, he thought your persistence was bothersome. But as he stood at the altar right now, watching you enter with your white wedding dress, he was grateful you never gave up on him.

Diluc cannot describe how beautiful you looked as you graced everyone in the place with your presence.

Your eyes locked with him, and his heart soared in his chest. And when you smiled at him, an excited gleam in your eyes - he cannot help but smile back.

Time cannot be any slower, and the aisle cannot be any longer. And have you always walked this slow? Or were you just teasing him?

Diluc's breath hitched - Perhaps you knew how much he wanted to get this over with so he can have you all to himself in the comfort of his room.

And when he saw you smiling mischievously at him, he knew that he was right.

His words failed to describe how beautiful you looked. His words failed the joy he was feeling. May Barbatos have mercy on him

But the tear that escaped the corner of his eye explained everything.

"Oh, what is this?" His best man whispered beside him, a teasing tone lacing his voice. "Master Diluc is crying. Why, I never thought I'd see the day."

Diluc shot him a glare. "Do not make me regret making you my best man, Kaeya."

Kaeya laughed. "Ah, ah, ah," He chimed. "Your wife won't be pleased if we fight at your wedding day."

A warm and pleasant feeling coursed through him. His wife.

"She's not my wife yet." Said Diluc.

Kaeya looked at you as you walked down the aisle. "And in just a few minutes, I'll have two Ragnvindr to annoy." He patted his brother on the back, smiling a genuine smile for the first time. "Congratulations, Diluc."

     ZHONGLI

       Zhongli, or Rex Lapis for that time, has watched over Teyvat for thousands of years and has witnessed firsthand how kings and tyrants rose and fell, how kingdoms were born, how camaraderie are conducted, how romance makes a man foolish and blinded, how society flourished in the hands of mortals as Archons guarded them from their resting place, and throughout the tales of humans, his eyes has laid upon many beauties.

                   But you? Oh, even the most esteemed bard of all realms could never bring the satisfactory glory to your name and pulchritude.

            How dearly Zhongli missed the unspeakable power, money and authority he had back before he revoked his own position as a deity, keeping a close eye over Liyue and his people. But if ever presented with the opportunity to return to his rightful place as part of the Seven, he shall graciously decline, casting his gaze away and simply returning to your side.

                               After all, what benefit would he gain from it when he already has his heart is content in the possession of a mere mortal, a mortal he loved and adored. He would dream of ever choosing his old power over you, and that can be affirmed when he asked for your hand as the two of you took an evening stroll outside Liyue.

                 He has fallen for you and he cannot rise again. A gentle and kind woman with an understanding and patience which knows no bounds. If not for his revelation that he has accomplished all his duties and has come to decide to resign from his reign, your existence may be another reason for him to take the form or a mortal and ask for your hand.

                      He can still recall that faithful day when he first met you at the harbor. He stood by a high balcony, overlooking Liyue Harbor with arms crossed. The sun beat down against Liyue grounds and his skin, but it also casted an ethereal glow on you as you exited one of the ships that stopoed at the docks. And may he boldly say the sun was outshined that day, and his heart has been taken.

                                         Zhongli can only imagine how many men has chased after you, but failed to woo you.

                   Zhongli understood the concept of love. After all, Liyue and every living being that sought shelter in its walls were close to his heart, but never in his life has he felt the way he felt for you. It was the sort of phenomena he observed between lovers for centuries - unconditional love and care, a sanctuary in the arms of their beloved, an individual to trust and come home to whether the day has been kind or unkind.

           What he thought were trivial matters and the means of mortals for survival he has tasted its sweet flavor, and it was by your hand did he receive it. And he was thankful that you have found him worthy of being with you, and soon, being one with him in the contract of marriage.

And thus came the faithful day, the very day he longed to come ever since you have accepted him as your husband to be, and the day you have dreamt of every night you laid with him.

Zhongli counted the months, weeks, days, and if he had the ability to, minutes until the day of your wedding. He has a calendar in his room and everyday, he enthusiastically crossed out every passing day, watching as his wedding with you grow closer.

And when it finally arrived, Zhongli followed a meticulous routine to prepare himself, using expensive oils and perfume to which the Fatui money has provided splendidly. After all, he wanted to look the best he can for you. You deserved only the best of things, and he shall not hold back on anything to please you.

Though Zhongli, most of the time, was a calm man even under the eye of tribulations, when he stood at the altar in front of his close friends and colleagues, he can't help but feel anxious.

Of course he has no doubt in your love for him. He holds on your every word of love and affection as true, and his love for you was as hard as stone. Rather, it was he who doubted himself and his capabilities.

He wondered if he would be able to take care of you, love you the way you should be, bring a smile to your lips, and a laugh out of your mouth. If he had been Rex Lapis still, he would have easily uphold his duties as your husband. After all, what can an Archon not do?

It would be Childe, his best man, who would console him. He would tell Zhongli he is more than capable to care for you. He has a stable job (not to mention his connection with the Fatui), he was eager to please you and give you about everything if he can, he has a kind heart, he was a man who can manage his time wisely and never choose his profession over you, and above all, he loved you. Not many men can afford the luxury of being this perfect, but Zhongli was no man, not originally at least.

He will be unconvinced of what Childe has said. This unease in him was hard to diminish. Not being enough for you will tear him apart. The thought of it just gnawed at him. Will he make you happy? Will you regret marrying him when you realized life married to him wasn't as you expected?

It was only when the doors opened, and his wide and anticipative eyes darted over to the other end of the place did every little doubt in his mind is erased.

You stood by the entrance wearing the white dress you have fought hard not to show him until this day.

That bright smile on your face, those eyes that shimmered at the sight of him, the faint red on your cheeks - Zhongli did not even notice how love stricken he looked, and nor did he notice a tear cascade from corner of eye.

It was only when Childe stifled a laugh and pointed it out did he feel the dampness at the side of his face.

He forgot how to breathe when you finally stood before him. Even a veil cannot conceal your beauty.

With twinkling eyes, you smiled at him - like he was the only person in the room.

"Are you crying?" You ask playfully.

Zhongli will let out a chuckle, and as he take your hands in his, he said, "In such a beautiful day like this with the loveliest lady in Teyvat before me, how can I not?"

Indeed it was a beautiful day, made better when your lips met his.

He can't stop a few more tears from slipping.

THOSE WHO WOULD BAWL THEIR EYES OUT

     CHILDE/TARTAGLIA

                 Childe understood his duties as a Harbinger even if his playful and flirtatious facade may say otherwise. He kissed hands of women and paid them golden compliments until their mind went hazy with his feigned affection, but he was still a Fatui at the end of the day - a ruthless and greedy scoundrel who had too much Mora in his hands.

              And it was because of his line of work that he decided never to commit himself. If he was to find himself infatuated with a woman and she reciprocated his feelings and desired to pursue a relationship with him, it would inevitably drag her to the dangers entailed to his position.

                                       The last thing he wanted was someone to dear to him to be harmed, not to mention his lover could become his weakness, she could be taken by his enemies and be used against him, thus, making things more complicated and harder for him to fulfill his duties to the Tsaritsa.

             To him, nothing is more important than seeing through his mission with the finest quality of work he can give.

                   So damn you for coming into his life and distracting him. Damn you for bringing another bright to his life. Damn you for taking care of his family when he was gone. Just - damn you for making him fall for you.

      He hated this - the feeling of being weak, of being vulnerable, of laying his guard down. One touch from you and he's no better than the people he despised for being so frail and powerless.

                                              How ever do you possess this prowess to make him so dependent on you, to relish in your voice when you sing to him as the two of you laid together in his bed, how he let his defenses crumble when you whisper his name, the tug of his heart when you he sees you getting along so well with his family.

                          Childe wanted you. He wanted you more than anything and anyone in Teyvat. He was going crazy thinking about you.

             He refused to acknowledge his feelings at first, thinking perhaps he can use you to comfort him and his family in these troubling times. That's all you were supposed to be, a tool for him to make his family feel better whenever he goes off to accomplish his work as a Harbinger.

                              But he couldn't stomach the thought of using you like that. He didn't want you to treat like a toy. And it did not help that one day, when he was returning from a mission, you come rushing to him and blurting out your feelings and your worry for his safety.

               You loved him. Did he hear you right? You love a Fatui, and a Harbinger, no less. Surely, you aren't that stupid to fall for him.

     And yet he smiled a sincere smile at your confession, and he too followed your steps. That night, he was at his weakest. Just relishing in your arms and ridding all the responsibilities over his shoulders. He can forget all his faults for a moment, with you. A peace of mind and heart was found in you.

     Childe watched as you played with his fingers, and then he spoke. “Aren’t you afraid?”

       You hummed. “Afraid? Of what?”

                   Childe shook his head and held your hand which toyed with his digits. You looked up at him, puzzled.

              “Of me.” Said Childe, pulling your hand and holding it close to his chest. He closed his eyes, almost terrified of what your answer can be. “Of what I can bring to your life. I’m a Harbinger, [ Your Name ]. Your life is at stake just being with me. Do you know what you’re in for for loving me?”

                        You gazed at him, and he can’t see anything in your eyes. He let out a small gasp when you leaned in and kissed his cheek.

            “I’m not afraid of you or anything this world can throw at me.” You confessed. “You’re going to protect me, Tartaglia. I know you will. I trust you. I love you.”

                            And fucking hell, did he protect you.

                                          He tried to hide you from his fellow Harbingers, and especially to his enemies. Not because they will use you to get the upper hand against him, a leverage. No, he wanted to hide you, as long as he can anyway (because it won't be long until his secret is out, walls do have ears), to protect you. No one will lay a hand or even get a single strand of your hair. May the Archons have mercy on anyone who dares put you in the middle of the dangers of his job, because he surely won't.

Because of this, you and Childe decided to get married in secret, with no one else but Zhongli, the traveler, and their floating companion to be your witnesses in becoming one. The two of you knew well of the consequences your decision shall birth, but it's the one you're making. Nothing in this can stop Childe from making you his wife, and treating you as such.

Childe could not wait for the ceremony to begin. Even with such a small crowd - very small indeed - he did not hold back to make this day special for you. The finest of everything is what you deserved, and if he could give more, he would. But for now, all he can give you is himself, and he dearly wished he was enough.

The whole time, as he waited for you to emerge from the doors of the small cathedral the two of you chose to be wed in, he kept imagining how his life would be like with you.

Waking up beside you was the thing he looked forward to the most. When the sunrays peeked from closed curtains and cascaded down your slumbering form, a gentle and even breaths leaving your lips, a soft expression of rest - the thought of it filled his heart with warmth, a kind of warmth only you can evoke from him.

Waking up at your side on his bed always reminded him thst you were indeed there, and his. Soon, he'll be waking up beside you with a soft smile on his lips, a reminder that you were there, but now as his wife.

Childe never really considered him emotional. It was part of his discipline as a Harbinger never to let his emotions get the better of him. But when you stepped into the cathedral wearing the wedding dress you personally chose and had hidden from him for so long, a veil over your face but the soft smile still just as bright as the morning sun, it all came crashing down to him.

Childe wanted a lot of things in life. But what he wanted the most was to spend the rest of his life with you - providing for you, protecting you, comforting you, falling deeper in love with your every single day. All this he will do until his dying breath, and he knew you'd do the same.

His dream was walking towards him, never taking her eye off him as she approached the altar.

He can hear Paimon clapping and the Traveler reprimanding her for being a little too loud. He can hear Zhongli saying something to him but he couldn't understand a word he said. But he was too lost in his realization that you're going to marry him.

You chose him, a man with too many faults and imperfections.

Just as you arrived at the small steps leading towards the altar, the tears Childe has been trying to hold back streamed down his face, small hiccups escaping his lips.

You stared at him, worried. "Tartaglia, are you alright?"

Childe would try to formulate an answer but through his tears and hiccups, he couldn't make a single comprehensible word. His posture was regal and proper, as though he was trying to fool everyone that he wasn't crying.

How can you ask if he was alright? How can his heart handle how beautiful you looked right now?

"Excuse me, ( Your Name )," Zhongli interjected as he stepped beside Childe. "It seems that your soon to be husband needs a moment to collect himself. Please, excuse us."

Zhongli led Childe back to his room, and the Harbinger did not fight back. He was still crying even when the doors has closed behind him. Zhongli stood by the door, watching the Fatui sit on his bed, trying to stop himself from bawling.

Childe can feel guilt crawling up to him as he realized what he had done. What was supposed to the most perfect day, your most perfect day, was ruined because of him.

He was scared to think what you thought of him now. Were you resenting him for what happened? Did you still wish to marry him?

If only he had controlled his emotions much better. He shouldn't have let his joy break through him in tears.

"She was crying too, you know," Spoke Zhongli.

Childe raised his head to look at the former Archon. "Huh?"

"Your bride, she - " He smiled at him. " - she was crying too. She's happy to be marrying you."

Childe can feel his heart hammering against his chest in delight at what he said.

"So don't keep her waiting."

Childe bawled his eyes out once more when the words - "I do," - left your lips.

     AETHER

                 When his sister was taken from him, Aether was a lost and wandering soul in Teyvat with the sole purpose of finding her.

              Throughout his journey, he met different people from different regions. He learned their values and cultures, he grew to love the world he used to be a stranger to, he was able to utilize different sorts of Visions, and yet, despite all of this, Aether was lonely. Paimon - bless her pure soul - tried her best to keep his spirits and bring a smile to his face (he assumed she too felt the hollowness inside of him) but it was all futile as he often find himself seeking solitude and gazing out in an open field wondering where his twin could be and how she was fairing on her own.

                He will let the cool breeze comfort him, but all it left was a searing kiss of reality that his search might have been all for naught. That very concept his mind was conjured haunted him in his every waking days. Is he still journeying through Teyvat and reaching out to all Archons with a solid purpose? Was he no wasting his time looking high and low for someone who could not be looking at the sky as he?

                     "And what if she is?"

                                     Your words is what got his attention. Aether met you in the evening when the stars and the moon was absent from the skies. He sat on a fallen log overlooking the city of Mondstadt, alone and cold. Paimon has insisted in him accompanying him, but he had snuck away before she can chase after him. He needed to be alone with his thoughts, and with the scarce time he has for himself, he has to make the most of every night that comes.

                 Lumine was in his mind, and worry was gnashing its teeth at him. He was deep in his own world, sinking to the hands of his tragic thoughts, that he did not hear footsteps trekking the hillock he was at. Nor did he realize he was speaking his own worries in the air, eyes distant and staring blankly at nothing.

       "What if she's not even looking for me?" That's what he remembered saying that time.

                                       Then you made your presence known with an answer that refuted his initial thought. He whirled his head to the side, wide eyes with surprise. You stood next to him with a faint smile, hands behind your back and the moon slowly peeking from the shroud of clouds. A light in the darkness, the moon was. And so you were you to him.

                "Sorry," You apologized, sheepishly giving him a smile as you rubbed the back of your neck. "I didn't mean to interrupt. You were speaking out loud and-and I just had a feeling I needed to say something." You took in a deep breath, and Aether found the pink dusting your cheeks adorable. "I . . . I'll just go now - "

              Aether didn't regret asking you to stay.

                                   Before you came to his life, Aether did not know how much he was dwelling in the own hell he made. His inner tribulations, his worries, his insecurities - he only took notice the torture he was putting on himself when you keep saving him from his own mind.

                   At first, all he thought of you was a precious friend - someone he leaned on and entrusted with everything, whether it be secrets or help with his quests. He told you about his past, his twin, how exactly he was different from the people of Teyvat, how he and sister fought an unknown god, how she slipped from his fingers when he reached out for her, how much he wanted her back. He was terrified of what you may think of him when he told you these things, but to his surprise, all you did was wrap him in your arms and comforted him.

                                      Along with Paimon, you were his dearest friend.

             But as time passed, the longer you accompany him and Paimon in his travels, he noticed something strange. The way his heart skipped a beat when you smile at him, how he can't keep his eyes off you when you laugh at one of his tales, how his heart hammered ceaselessly when you press a chaste kiss on his cheek, the relief that seeps in his system when he sees you unscathed from a battle, how irritated he becomes when someone makes an offense against you, the joy that seizes him when he listens to you talking about something you loved, and how much he adored it when you scold him for being a little too reckless in fighting.

                           Aether, despite being older than he seems, did not know what to make of what he was feeling. It was strange, a good kind of strange - the kind of feeling that makes him feel like he was floating in the sky. All he thought of it was an overwhelming adoration for a friend. Nothing more, nothing less.

                  It wasn't until Paimon pointed it out did he realize what he was feeling for you.

                                           Upon learning his feelings for you, Aether couldn't sleep for many nights. He was plagued with the desires of his heart and his insecurities. It was like falling back to the same hellish pattern before you came along.

              He was in this world for one reason only - to find his twin. And when he does - and he fucking will - he will depart from here with her and continue their travels. Leaving you was the last thing he wanted. He couldn't bear the thought of it. It felt like leaving a piece of him behind in Teyvat, a hole in the shape of your name.

                            The solution he had for this is directly confessing to you. Of course, the blond was a nervous wreck when he approached you and asked for a moment of your time. Paimon knew of his plan and wandered away for the time being, wanting to give the two of your privacy.

              If you did not share the same feelings as he, he can already imagine the pain he will have to deal with, but it'll be much easier to leave. At least then he knows you won't be as hurt as he thought once he takes his leave. He never entertained the idea of you reciprocating his feelings. It would be foolish to - surely you can't find anything appealing with someone like him ; to which you rendered him speechless and a bumbling mess when you pressed your lips against his when he was in the middle of his confession.

                                 Aether shouldn't be this happy with you. He loved you too much to see you hurt when he tells you that he must leave. He was not welcome in this world, he was an outsider, a being not under the authority or influence of any Archons.

     But still, he spent months loving you, caring for you, doing anything to come back to you no matter what is thrown at him. He loved having you in his arms when you slept, he loved watching the stars with you at night, he loved you even with the inevitable arguments you two have - Aether was utterly and hopeless in love with you.

                     And thus, he decided to tell you what will happen after he finds his sister.

                      He knew he would be heart broken in seeing you cry, but it hurt more to see you smile at to him so genuinely and embraced him, saying, "You used to doubt you'll ever find your sister. It broke my heart everyday seeing you so hopeless, and I - " You composed yourself, shaking your head as your tried to gather your thoughts. " - now look at you," You cupped his cheek, the corners of your eyes wrinkling as your smile broadened. "I always knew the day will come when you have to leave me. When you told me you weren't from this world, I knew then I'll have to let go of you someday. But until that day comes - Aether - "

               What a shock it came to him when you got down on one knee and presented to him a glittering ring - there was unconditional love and hope in your eyes. It was like looking back at his reflection. "Marry me, Aether, let me make you happy for the rest of the days we still have remaining until you leave."

                                   Aether can never say no to you.

To his surprise, Master Diluc has already agreed to host your wedding at Dawn Winery. Aether was puzzled as to why he seemed unsurprised by the news of his engagement with you, and the Claymore wielding male answered, "( Your Name ) came to me for help when she planned to propose to you."

Aether knew Diluc, as much as possible, wanted to be alone. A lone wolf, he was. But with gratitude for what he has done, he asked him to be his best man. Diluc was startled by this requests but obliged. The red head might not show it but he was immensely flattered by Aether asking him to be his best now (and now time to subtly show it off to Kaeya).

At the day of the wedding, contrary to what he thought he would feel, Aether woke up with his an ache in his chest. He found himself looking out the window of his room, torn between his happiness and sorrow.

In a few hours, Aether will be able to adorn a ring on your finger, symbolizing your promises with one another. He shall be granted the sole blessing of calling your his wife. It was something he was looking forward to - seeing you in your wedding dress, watching as you walk down the aisle -

But Aether's mind kept drifting back to his sister - She would have wanted to be here. He thought.

Aether felt like he was committing a crime when he decided to take a walk just hours before his wedding. But he needed to clear his mind. Lumine never left his mind. He always thought that they would always be there for one another, or at least in big moments like this.

And yet she was still nowhere to be seen.

Is she still alive? Have I been wasting time? Is she still in danger? Is she lost in Teyvat as well?

"Didn't expect to run into you here."

His body tensed when he heard your voice, and he twirled around only to have his breath taken away.

You stood before him in the white dress he had longed to see ever since you proposed to him. He thought he would see a frown on your face, dismayed for his impromptu walk, but you wore a soft smile - a soft and understanding smile.

Aether did know what to say to you. He just stared at you, overwhelmed.

He opened his mouth to speak but he couldn't say anything. His shoulders slumped, and he sighed.

You approached him and kissed his cheek. He hummed in delight, eyes closing. "I hope you're not having second thoughts on marrying me." You told him.

Aether was quick to respond. He took your hand in his and kissed your knuckles. He looked into your eyes with affirming hues, "There is nothing I'm more sure of than marrying you."

You beamed at him. Seeing your face brighten up is always a beautiful sight for Aether, and it was enough for him to feel enlightened in the midst of his internal crisis.

"Do you want to talk about it?"

Of course you can already tell something is bothering him. Aether shook his head. He has already ruined a small part of what is supposed to be a perfect day, he can't risk another mistake.

"I'm not going to push you to tell me anything." You stated.

Aether smiled. "Thank you." He replied. He gazed at you for a little while, taking you in. "Why are you out here anyway? And in your wedding dress too."

Your eyes widened and you looked down to assess his evaluation. "Oh Archons," You mewled. "I forgot I was wearing this." You let out a groan. "Great, now my surprise is ruined. I won't be able to see you cry when you see me walk down the aisle."

He laughed a little. "But still happy as ever to see you." He said. "So why are you outside?"

"Just . . . " You began, and Aether can detect a hint of nervousness in your voice. " . . . picking some flowers."

"I thought we already ordered flowers." Aether thought, frowning. "Did someone forget to deliver the flowers? I can call someone if - "

"No, I just wanted to pick some flowers, randomly. Like how you wanted to take a walk, randomly."

He looked at you with hesitant eyes. He didn't believe you. There was something hidden behind your motive to be out here. But like how you didn't press him with what was the problem, he did the same for you.

"Okay," He breathed out. "What flowers did you pick then?"

Aether's breath hitched when you pulled out a bundle of Windwheel Asters and several more flowers that was all too familiar with him.

He stared at the white flowers that combined with your Windwheel Asters, the very flowers that he remembered adorned his sister's hair.

"Aether? Aether are you okay?"

He stared at you with glistening eyes, his heart blossoming with adoration and gratitude. Without even meaning to, you managed to make everything alright.

"Yeah," He smiled at you. "I'm okay."

Aether thought when he stood at the altar, he would have Diluc trying to soothe his nerves as his insecurities slowly sink in his mind. But it didn't happen. Diluc merely stood by him with a relaxed expression, glancing at him every now and then.

"You don't look nervous at all." Diluc remarked.

Aether chuckled. "This is the only decision I fully know I won't regret."

Aether felt like it was his first time seeing you in your wedding dress. His heart was filled with the brim with utmost joy, but what caught his attention was the bouquet of flowers in your hands.

You told him before that you will have roses as your bouquet, but to his surprise, he can see the Windwheel Asters and the white flowers that reminded him of his sister.

His emotions was all over the place. He had no idea how he could look so calm. Somehow he managed to hold himself together until you finally stood before him.

When you stared at him behind the veil, he couldn't take it anymore. You were too perfect. How could he be so blessed with you?

Tears sprung to his eyes when you reached out to take his hands in yours. He retracted one of them to rub his arm across his eyes, wiping away the wetness that streamed to his face.

Why am I crying like a child in my wedding? Stop it!

He couldn't.

He only cried harder when you leaned forward, removed his arm from his eyes, made him look into your vibrant hues, to give a small peck on his lips - "You're okay, Aether."

     BENNETT

                 Bennett understood his bad luck more than anyone. He had lived with and through it his entire life he graced the surface of the earth. It was almost pitiful to see the boy smiling ever so brightly as misfortune after misfortune comes hurtling his way, but to him? It was an everyday and normal occurrence, nothing he hasn't seen or experienced before. His spirits has never let their roaring flame vanish, however, and if it had not been for his bad luck, everyone would have been drawn to his warm, welcoming, affable, and cheerful soul.

                                 But just because he was used to the constant array of debacle thrown his way, doesn't mean there were never days where he won't be upset over everything it brought to his life, and others as well, and wonder how long it will take until his unluckiness will lead him back to the very situation he was rescued from when he was a mere baby.

          He forgot how long it was when he had experienced something good, miraculously so. The only time he can recall being so was when he encountered the Honorary Knight, convened with them as a temporary adventure team, and found a treasure chest containing items he has only dreamed of in his sleep deep within a domain. However, that was many moons ago, and nothing has ever compared to it ever since. The moment he departed from the Honorary Knight, his bad luck came instantly to bite him.

                 It was far too long ago. Sometimes, Bennett wondered if that would be the only good thing that can happen to him in his lifetime, and thank the Archons he was wrong because the very worst day that came upon him is a day he will never exchange for another - the day he met you. When it was raining, thunder in the distance, lightning striking trees and soil, his bruised and bleeding form hardly covered under a small and flimsy tent, you graced him with your presence, and an umbrella which you used to cover both of you.

                                    He had never stopped admiring you ever since. His eyes always followed you, wide and shining. He remembered the warmth in his chest and the redness tinting his cheeks when you brought him to your abode and treated his wounds with care gentler than the Deaconess. When he told you what happened to him, he anticipated to he shoved out of the house immediately and have your front door slammed on his face, but you did not. When he warned you about his curse, telling you how you will be affected when you spend a little too much time with him, the look of fright did not cross your visage and you even insisted that he not leave your house until you were sure he was capable of moving without pain, even if you had instantly been affected by his unluckiness (you pricked your finger quite badly when you were stitching a deep wound of his. He always felt guilty for that and has not stopped offering his apologies whenever it pricks the corner of his mind).

                   Other than the team of adventurers who had saved him from peril when he was a baby, it was difficult to find someone who will stay with him, through bad times and more of it. One cannot simply imagine and comprehend the confusion and happiness that seized him when he found out you were spending more and more time with him, not out pity but because you enjoy his company (which was weird, but he'll take it).

                              You possessed no Vision, but Bennett never saw you in an inferior light. In fact, it impressed him how you can hold yourself without the aid of any power. Enemies took a little longer to eradicate but ultimately, you were always successful. He held you in high regard, and very much like a certain blond traveler, the poor boy thought it was merely friendship and respect he felt towards you. After all, wouldn't a friend accompany him in his adventures no matter what disappointing or gratifying the outcome is? Wouldn't a friend prepare meals for him before he goes off on a solo expedition? Wouldn't a friend stay up late up waiting for him to return after? Wouldn't a friend welcome him by the entrance of Mondstadt upon his arrival? Wouldn't a friend give him butterflies in his stomach? Wouldn't a friend make his heart pound in a way

                  It had taken the Traveler and his floating companion for Bennett to learn about how exactly he was feeling for you.

           He liked you, and not in the way he liked the traveler or Razor - he liked liked you.

                               When he realized about his feelings, Bennett nearly short circuit every time you go near him. His face flush a rich color of vermillion, his confident posture stripped down to a coy and uncertain stance, his eyes darted and never meeting yours for too long, a sheepish smile painted over his brims - Bennett had never felt this way before. It was foreign to him - liking someone - and it was worse for him because you were his one of his few friends (you, Razor, the Traveler and their floating friend), and having you withdraw from him if you ever learned his feelings frightened him more than any Ruin Guard could.

    He didn't bother entertaining the idea of you returning his feelings. With his bad luck, it was bound to end in a rejection, and he didn't believe he had the heart to accept the hurt that would come.

                 Bennett tried to keep his feeling a secret, he really, genuinely, did. He locked his feelings for you in a box and stowed away somewhere behind his mind. But it didn't take you too long to catch on. Bennett's theatrics wasn't as impenetrable as he originally thought because there was no other reason for you to corner him in a street in Mondstadt after he tried to avoid crossing paths with you, and admit your feelings to him.

                                  "( Your Name )," Stuttered Bennett, eyes darting to the side to avoid your eyes as he pressed his back against the wall behind him. You gazed at him, a tint of red over your cheek.

                 Archon, how are you so adorable?

                   "Uh, hi," He greeted meekly, as he rubbed the back of his head. "I-I was just about to leave for an adventure - "

                               "Bennett," You spoke, and he froze at the tone of your voice.

                   He looked at you properly, gulping. Shy eyes, shy smile, shy, shy, shy - and yet somehow, Bennett thought the worse - that you found out about his feelings and was about to turn him down.

          He almost got down on his knees and press his hands together in a praying position, head bowed, and beg to keep your friendship. It didn't matter if you did not share his feelings. You were more important than his stupid feelings. He can deal with the hurt of rejection that will soon to come, but losing you completely? Can he even come to terms with that?

                                But before he can do such humiliating display, you leaned in and pressed a kiss on his cheek,

                  It was almost too good to be true, and with someone like him, Bennett had to take a moment to comprehend what has happened. His feelings were reciprocated, opposite of what should have been considering his dilemma. How can this be? He was sure your friendship would be put to an end when you learn about what he felt for you. How did you even know that he liked you? Has he been too obvious? Surely not (he was). Perhaps you were merely toying with him, discovering his feelings and choosing to use it as a way to alleviate your boredom -

                                           Horror struck him when he processed the message behind his doubt. How could he think so little of you? Someone as sweet and kind as you would be repulsed by the intention of the actions he thought you were presenting to him. Prideful as this may sound, Bennett believed he knew you enough to know you were sincere in everything you do.

            But even if both your feelings are revealed to be mutual, the two of you agreed to wait until a certain age before forming a romantic relationship. The two of you are young and there are a lot more the world can offer outside Mondstadt. There are countless of opportunities to grow and be mature, to be able to have a set of qualities to take of one another.

                            But that didn't mean the two of you easily managed to hold back showcasing your favor for the other. Bennett will always find himself exchanging secret glances and smile with you whenever a third party joins in on your adventure. He would stick by your side in situations he think could potentially lead you to a major injury. He will attempt (and fail, unfortunately) to whip you up with something delicious when he has free time. And you did the same to him.

                  With you, there was never a time where his heart wasn't beating against his chest. He can't stop himself from bounding recklessly through his adventures whenever you accompany him, although he will still keep a close eye on you just in case something bad happens to you (but it's always him who ends up injured).

                                              But what he liked the most are the kisses the two of you share. Short, chaste, and shy - whether it be behind closed doors, when others are looking away, or when the two of you set of on an adventure.

            Bennett would lay in his bed with a smile on his face, his thundering heart preventing him from sleeping. He'll often find himself burying his face against his pillow, grinning from ear to ear.

                         This smile was different. This wasn't smile that he usually wore, the kind of smile that persevered through hardship after another. No, it was the sort of smile that was too carefree and too full of utmost joy, no worries or doubts in his heart. Everyday he always woke up to the excitement of adventure, but now, the excitement of it and seeing you once again always had him brimming with the want for the night to be over with so he can chase after his dreams with you. Chasing his dreams with you, what a life.

      His world is full of a bad luck, but he thanked the Archons for giving him someone he can depend on in the troubling waters he always he seem to drown in.

Bennett, embarrassing it may sound, often laid on his bed imagining about marrying you.

He can see himself making a fool out of himself when he gets down on one knee and propose to you. It'll be set in the most beautiful place he discovered in one of his adventure, somewhere quiet. Like maybe on top of a mountain overseeing a vast field.

Because of his bad luck, he'll try to prepare for every outcome. To be very sure everything will be saved, he made sure he created a plan B for his plan A, a plan C for his plan B, and so on, and so forth.

He can imagine himself fumbling over his words, blushing a bright red was made prominent because of his white hair, holding a bunch of hand picked flowers a little too tightly, sweat pouring from his face, his suit and hair a little ruffled -

If you say yes (spoiler alert, you will), he will most probably go haywire with shock and happiness, causing him to drop the ring down the mountain, and the two of you will spend quite some time looking for it. But in the end, you two will find it somewhere deep underground or deep underwater (to which you will ask help to retrieve) (Bennett offered to go down to get the ring but you can’t take any chances) and then you can start planning the wedding.

If Bennett had backup plans for his proposal, then expect there'll be much more backups with your wedding. He needed this day to be perfect for you, and his bad luck won't stop him from providing it for you. Even if he had to fight through horde after horde of Hilichurls (please stop him when he does, he definitely will do that for you), making you happy is his top priority.

Bennett will be extremely anxious the day before the wedding. He'll be pacing around his room, and has half a mind of running over to your place and spending the night there to reassure himself that you still want to marry him, and that you’re absolutely sure you want to spend the rest of your life with him. It will be Razor - who the Traveler spent hours teaching the basic information of the role of Best Man to - who will calm his nerves. He’ll stop Bennett from reaching your house and carry him back to his own, and giving him a lecture (he did his best) like the best man he was.

Was he having second thoughts on marrying you? No way! He will just be nervous about how the wedding will go. With his bad luck, something horrible is bound to happen.

At the day of the wedding, Bennett can imagine himself constantly seeking reassurance from his best man.

"What if I mess up?" Questions Bennett to Razor, anxious hands fiddling with his tie.

"Messing up is . . . normal." Razor will reassure him, but Bennett will shake his head.

“But it's me. When I mess up, it's always . . . catastrophic . . . ”

Bennett hoped that at least for his wedding way, everything will go smoothly. A perfect day, for you and for him. He won't embarrass you or himself. He won't forget the rings, he won't have his clothes tucked inside out, he will not spill any food or drinks on himself or on his guests, there will be no random Hilichurl attacks - none of that.

He really hoped for the Archons to spare him from his bad luck. 

He will be able to stand by the altar with confidence and a smile, waiting for you to walk down the aisle.

As Bennett is consumed with his thoughts, his eyes drew to the small table at the side of his bed and caught sight of the picture of the two of you perched on the surface. It was a picture you took with a kamera after one of his adventures. The two of you smiling happily as he showcased the loot of vegetables and wheat he gathered in numerous luxurious chests. It was good day, that picture was. He found more resources than usual. Of course, he learned from the Traveler that most of the chest they found contained treasures but hey, vegetables are better than nothing, right?

Bennett stared at your smiling face and can feel the heat creep on his cheeks as he imagined you in a pretty, white wedding dress, smiling at him so shyly and cute - oh, Archons, help him. May them have mercy on him. Of course, you always looked pretty to him - so, so pretty - but in your wedding day? Archons, he doesn't know if he can take that. It'll be too much for his big heart.

He can only imagine how your wedding will play out, but there is one thing he was sure of and that is that he will burst into tears once he laid his eyes upon you - and not the soft cry most men do in their wedding, oh, not at all like that. His heart is too big with too much love for you, and too soft to control his emotions properly.

Bennett will cry (bawl, actually), his tears of joy coming in streams, and it was loud enough for strangers to think he was grieving over a deceased loved one. He was hiccupping and sobbing, will probably be holding on to his vest tightly as if his entire lifeline depended on the pressure of how he crumpled the fabric. He hoped that in that time, Razor or the Traveler will lend him a hand and calm him down before he can ruin his own wedding.

Bennett, as he happily imagined that fateful day to come in the future (spoilers again, it will) did not feel a tear slip from the corner of his eye as he drifted off to a pleasant slumber with a beaming smile.

The boy absolutely adores you.

[velvetyshu]

“CHILDE HEADCANONS.”

Synopsis — Tartaglia/Childe x Gender! Neutral reader.

Post type — Headcanons!

Warnings — Slight spoilers about his childhood.

A/N — it’s been a while since I’ve done any headcanons, so here I am again!! I love Tartaglia, he’s all about the METS LOVE THE METS BABY GET A HOME RUN OOOO YEAH LOVE THE METS LOVE THE METS LETS GO METS

First of all, this young lad describes himself as the bad guy; he’s self-confident, brash, anything that matches the same category. Though, after meeting you-- that completely changes his entire perspective of himself.

Sure, he has a passion for fighting since he thinks that it’s the good thrill of it, but deep down his heart is badly damaged due to the trauma he suffered when he fell into the abyss at age 14.

When Childe began dating you, he was a cheerful-handsome guy, one who was quite mysterious but was truly a kind person. He considered you as his soulmate-- his lover who will stay by his side forever. If you ever liked the thought of sparring with him, he’d happily oblige. How could he ever reject such a thing that involves fighting; including his lover?

As his s/o, Childe loves to introduce you to his younger brother, Teucer! Seeing you getting along with him makes his heart flutter, and likes it when his brother asks if he can ever come and visit you again.

He likes to cook and clean for you, as he is the definition of a housewife. Or .. house-husband?? His cooking is perfect, you could even have more than just one entree!! It’s very heartwarming whenever you compliment his cooking or anything in general as he confidently replies with “I know right? Haha, Life can be extremely beautiful, at times.”

Childe is very mysterious at times whenever you ask him about his past, or what occupation he’s on. He’d laugh it off like always and says “oh, I’m just a .. toy salesman from s-snezhnaya! That’s all.”

He’s afraid that your perspective might change if you find out that he’s an actual harbinger, the 11th fatui harbinger. Similar to Teucer, he covers his involvement in the fatui to keep you safe. He considers you someone very close to him, and wouldn’t want you to end up exactly like him.

Not too fond of PDA, as he is more of a giver than a receiver. He has a lot of mora so some of the times he’d express his undying love for you through luxurious gifts.

On some rare occasions when he’s desperately touch-starved, I’m sure he would love to feel your sensational touch. Sometimes as you ruffle his ginger-like hair, kiss his forehead, or whisper a bunch of praises, it reminds him of home. He’s momma’s boy, please 😭

As much as Childe dedicates himself to the Tsaritsa; it won’t match how much he is loyal to you wholeheartedly. He trusts you so much, as he is willing to lie and even put himself in mortal danger. So as long as you’re safe, that will make him happy.

When it comes to getting jealous, I don’t think Childe is the one to get jealous quite easily. He sees you as someone trustworthy, someone valuable to him, but sometimes his overthinking gets in the way of things.

Whenever he sees you having a conversation and getting quite ‘touchy’ he would either hesitate to do something or just watch from afar. He wouldn’t want to create any problems for you.

HE’S SUCH A TOTAL TEASER. He looooves to make fun of you over the smallest, clumsiest things you do, pinching your cheeks or pecking your lips non-stop. “Oh my dear Золотце, you’re too nice I would corrupt you.”

Unfortunately, you and Childe don’t get to spend time together as much because he’s always far away, all because of his ‘duties’ in Snezhnaya. Though whenever he gets the chance to make it up to you, he doesn’t directly tell you-- instead, he surprises you with written letters that were sent straight to you. He has quite neat handwriting, and along with sharing his experiences in Snezhnaya, he sends you photos!

He’s a huge fanatic about fishing and spending time with his siblings in the cold winter breeze from that exact nation. In his letters, He makes sure to always write on the bottom “I can’t wait to bring you here so that we can be together, pinky-promise. See you soon, doll-face. <3”

Yes, Childe has nicknames for you. Some might be like Pumpkin, Love, or Золотце (darling).

Don’t ask him about his childhood, he doesn’t want to talk about it. Although it affected him so much, he still talks about how great was his master, who taught him how to combat at a young age.

Childe gets a little serious if you ask more questions, yet he tries to maintain his patience. In the end, he brushes it off and rather wants you to give him some time. “I’m sorry but, can we talk about this another time? When I’m ready? Right now, I want you to at least .. lay down with me for a while. Can you at least do that?”

He won’t ask you to apologize but instead, make it up to him by giving him affection. He needs it a lot. Childe might have nightmares about it, so when he wakes up in the middle of the night, be sure to be right there to support him. Honestly, the more you care about him, the more he falls in love with you. He’s amazed at how caring you are, like “Wow, my s/o is so amazing, I love them so much.”

He’s so innocent that if you ever ask him something jokingly, he won’t even get it. It may cause him to be completely confused and rather thinks about what it meant. Childe isn’t dumbfounded, he just doesn’t understand the joke-

If you ever have a bad day, or if someone hurt you physically or mentally, they’re asking for a death wish from Tartaglia himself. He might seem calm in your eyes, but when he leaves, he confronts the person without you knowing what happened to them the next day.

[s4kasaki]

hihi nay it’s bea i am politely asking for how childe/tartaglia is in a relationship (headcanons) ok byeee

can't believe I'm doing this for you..but ,, I paused my enstars post for this.. be grateful. So It might a lil short, bonk. Never writing genshin again /hj

♡ — childe relationship headcanons!

‣ tws/cws: none

‣ reader: gender neutral - they/them

‣ author's note: enstars draft...

the two of your relationship is on their own—a quite complicated thing, having him working with the fatui of course, it's more like a game of: be on your best behavior or somebody ( him ), might snatch you up when you least expect it.

The best partner, husband, househusband even, you'll ever meet. A wonderful cook, he's insistent on him doing your housework, letting somebody as beautiful as you get all dirty? NoNoNo... Oh, does he admire how much you take care and look after him though, but this time? it's up to him! so please allow him to take away all your responsibilities of the day. (｡•̀ᴗ-)✧

Insane on spoiling you, it's something that begins to progress into his favorite hobby— seeing something out in Snezhana worth getting you? He is getting it for you, no hesitation!

“Maybe they'd like this.” bought it!

It's like he has no regard for his cash when it comes to you, but that's the way he'd like to spend it, the best way he'd like to spend it, as long as you truly don't become spoiled rotten by all his gifts— tho even if you did? there's a 90% chance there would be no differences.

When you call him his real name, Ajax. It's like being called by an Angel itself from euphoria. It's blissful from your lips somehow, someway... Are you sure you aren't an actual angel? Lemme just make sure! Mwah! (*＾³＾)/～♡

It's just, being called Ajax from you feels so different for him, it hits contrarily! To a point where he can't do anything but completely, swoon with melted eyes at you. It's because you see him for him, not just some fatui bastard—like Scaramouche. And that's what he likes so much about you, how you see him as his own human.

That's also another one of his issues, being seen as nothing but a harbinger by his only most beloved, being seen as nothing more than a villain. He's even allowed himself to admit to you, that he definitely not the cocky and confident person that he displays on the outside, you're one of the only people to know that up close and personal.

Dates aren't exactly frequent, but they are definitely whenever he gets the time. Maybes he's feeling a bit more guilty for making you wait so long for a date you were also anticipated in (;ŏ﹏ŏ) so he'll somehow sneak his way out of his business to take you on the date, sure, Signora’s gonna be a little annoyed about it ( Scaramouche, not so much of little ) but that's what he already knows

So gentle with you on everything he does, he's delicate through words and actions. He never wants to hurt you or for you to be hurt by somebody else... even when arguing with him, he feels horrible afterward for making you put up with him, he always apologizes for it but It's a nightmare for him, something he worries about when he's gone so often—

it's sorta like he doesn't see the effect he has on people as a harbinger when you are the subject, and the way he also puts his effect on whoever he's infatuated with. (~‾▿‾)~ it's all you in his brain and nothing else.

Extremely, into cuddling with you. If it wasn't obvious the many times he snuck up on you in public, grabbed your waist from behind and held you as if you'd disapear any second? Made sure of that! Please do indulge in giving him cuddles if you happen to visit his office, it's one of the many things you do that bring the lovelyness out of him

“You're far too good for me, dearest! it's like a poison... a very sweet one~♡”

If it wasn't already obvious.. he's so protective of you, words can't describe it! You're so pretty... And being pretty, can also be dangerous.. so stick close to him alright?~

It's simple for him to get green-eyed, you're loyal! He knows that very well, but he can't help the jealousy though! When you're talking to somebody and they're a bit too close for Childe's liking? It's like being in the eye of a holy archon. There's not even sure a need for words, his look makes them shiver alone and as they leave— he pulls the most sickeningly sadistic yet cute smile that you've seen only a million of times before that has been painted in the figment of your mind.

“Lets go dearest! We have a date to attend, don't we?”

[hajimeiwaswife]

THE WAY I LOVED YOU

Word count: 4,2K

Wanings: angst (but fluff, too)

Summary: You weren't over the love Childe provided you, even when you were engaged to Albedo years later.

A blue, pink and mauve sky garnished the surroundings of the Stormbearer Mountains. The summery breeze, warm as the light of the bright sun, comforted those who walked along the path of fallen leaves, wild flowers and the smell of mint. A beautiful landscape presented itself for sore eyes to see.

A certain Alchemist was working on his new masterpiece, relaxing under the few rays of light that came with dusk, painting the one he considered the most beautiful person to ever put a foot on Teyvat. Mixing the colours of nature, he portraited on the sketch book the view he had of his fiancée and the scenery, all of it worthy of a cheesy romance novel and a fantasy book.

"How much time do you need?" Y/N asked in a tired tone, trying not to shift her position, "I'm getting crumps on my face from smiling."

The man didn't answer at the moment, considering for a brief time her question and filling a space on the page that still needed his attention. At last, he looked at her and smiled at the image he had the honour of witnessing. The girl, dressed in a summer white and blue dress, was slightly pouting at the lack of talking from his part. Her hair danced with the wind and he thanked Barbatos for letting him see her golden locks fly around her face.

"Just a little more, my love," he answered, his attention shifting back to the drawing in front of him.

"You said that an hour ago," the girl sighed, putting a smile again on her face so she didn't disrupt her lover from painting her, "I thought you wanted to go see Sucrose before the sun came down. Oh! And also, you promised Klee you'd visit her."

He hummed, immersed in the way her features took a hardened expression when she tried to remember something that needed to be done. Brows furrowed and fore finger on her right cheek, she looked at him in search of a comment from the Alchemist.

"Albedo! Are you listening to me?"

"You're so beautiful." mumbled the man, lost in her and the blush that was forming on her visage.

Shameless and, at the same time, honest and shy. That was Albedo, the one she was engaged to. Such an honourable and good man, someone who loved her as much as the Sea loved its waves, as much as the birds loved the Wind, as much as a Dwelling loved the warmth of the fire. He gave her his everything and from the bottom of his own person, and she was grateful for it.

"I'm sorry" he promptly said, coughing on his palm to hide the evident embarrassment he felt, "It wasn't my intention to make you uncomfortable."

At that, she couldn't help but laugh. He was such a beautiful person, always searching her comfort and well-being before anyone else's, always taking care of her and looking for her. A pure soul, she would venture to affirm.

"Don't be silly, sweetheart," Y/N chuckled, positioning once again for him to portray her, "you know I love it when you compliment me. Now, c'mon, finish before the sun falls."

"As you wish."

One more hour of dirtying their hands in paint and observing the marvellous dusk that came upon them, they left to visit Sucrose, who was willing to tell Albedo about her advances in the research they both were working on.

"That's impressive, Sucrose," Albedo praised the girl, reading the documents and correcting those things he found could be improved.

Y/N turned off the conversation, not really interested in the depths of the Alchemy. She respected what the husband to be and her friend did for a life and she couldn't be prouder, but that didn't mean she wanted to hear the endless conversations about properties a flower could have.

After saying goodbye to the little Alchemist, they both headed to say hello to little Klee, who was mad at them for coming so late, it was already her time for bed and, as she said, 'We can't go bomb fishing!', followed by a 'Do you not love Klee?' Reassuring the little bomb crazy kid was more draining than she could imagine, but she did it for Albedo, nonetheless.

The afternoon turned into the late hours of the night, lilac sky was now dark and adorned with stars. The Alchemist had intertwined his fingers with Y/N's, sighing in content, allowing himself to relax at the warmth of her hand and the serenity reigning in Mondstadt.

"Maybe we should head home, you seem exhausted," commented Albedo after watching his fiancée yawn for the third time in ten minutes.

"That would be great, actually." Y/N yawned again, gaining a quiet chuckle from the man next to her.

No one talked again, everything already said until the moment to bid goodnight when they laid in bed. Albedo, being the reserved man he was, kept himself in his side of the bed, not too confident to spoon his girl still.

The silence was only accompanied by Albedo's soft snores. Darkness decorated the walls of the room in the AM. The sense of being trapped growing inside Y/N as she thought of the implications of her new life. She was engaged to an incredible man, who told her how beautiful she was and how much he loved her every single day; who went with her on strolls and made her laugh; who could teach her more than she could ever imagine; who appreciated her as she was.

Still, she felt nothing. At all.

She liked Albedo, that was clear. Who wouldn't like Albedo? He was the perfect man. On more than one occasion, Y/N had Amber and Barbara drooling about how lucky she was to be with someone like him. She knew she was the luckiest girl in Teyvat, most women simped over Diluc or Albedo. But, at the same time, she only felt guilt for being with him without actually loving him.

Anxiety growing on her, she decided to stand up. She walked out of the room, being careful not to disrupt Albedo's sleep, and headed to the transport point, she needed to be away from any form of human activity, she felt like shouting and hitting the first thing she could see. Breathing becoming a very tedious task as she approached the device, opting to go to Mt. Aocang. If she was going to wake someone up, she preferred an Adeptus who wouldn't ask more than any nosy human.

The wind, colder than that afternoon, calmed her to the point her lungs could take the oxygen she had been trying to get for minutes. The orange leaves obscured by the night reminded her of the hair she used to love so much. The hair of that man she had once despised, then loved, and then lost.

He, who claimed to be brave enough to enter her heart, had been the one to take it and keep it even until those days. Y/N noticed how her breathing became irregular again, she was used to it, every time she thought about the Harbinger. That repulsive, irresponsible, dishonest, cunning, intelligent and breath-taking man she couldn't forget. How had she let it come so far?

Albedo gave her everything, yet her heart yearned Childe's love. How pathetic.

"Fuck you, Childe!" she screamed at the top of her lungs, not caring for the Adepti, not caring for those who could hear her cursing the Harbinger Tartaglia at 2 a.m. a Thursday night. "You ruined me, you motherfucker!"

So many fights, so many make outs, so much love making, so many nights under the stars trying to comprehend their feelings for the other. All of that for nothing. Like the bitter cold of Snezhnaya they froze, their hearts on their sleeves, light that came from the satellite above turned off.

"You know, sometimes I feel like you don't like me that much." she remembered him saying, his characteristic smirk on his face, "It's true we had our... abrasions, but girlie, c'mon, don't be so stiff."

She could clearly see in her mind how his hands came to her waist, grabbing her in a gentle but at the same time rough grip. A shivered down her spine, in the present and in the pass, and she was sure she would feel it in the future, too.

"How am I supposed to trust you, Harbinger?" she had said, crossing her arms after pulling away from him.

"Easy, trusting me."

And she did. She felt like a fool for allowing him to be so near, to had felt love from him, for loving him.

"Are you feeling okay? You look pale, my love," Albedo commented, a hand of his on the forehead of his lover, a worried expression on his face.

"Yes, Albedo, don't worry, I didn't sleep too well last night," Y/N reassured him, smiling slightly at her fiancé.

The Alchemist hummed, nodding to himself and returning to his work. The girl had returned to their room after a couple of hours in Mt. Aocang, praying for Albedo to not had noticed her absence. Apparently, he didn't. Had he noticed he would had already asked about it, or so she thought.

"I was thinking about visiting Liyue today, there are some materials there I need for my research," Albedo said after some minutes, looking at her, "I was wondering if you'd like to come."

Y/N's heart dropped. She had to say yes, how could she say no to Albedo? He wanted to spend time with her while still working, an effort she really appreciated. But, going to Liyue? What if he was there? Strolling those streets the two of them had travelled a thousand times.

But his gaze was still on her, waiting patiently for a reply. Doubtfully, she considered all her options: not going and upsetting Albedo; going and crossing him; going and being unable to continue due to the memories. No option was good, she had to choose between her fiancé's well-being and hers. 'He's made so any sacrifices for me'.

"I would love to, love."

Merchants selling, people buying, contracts being signed. That was Liyue in all its glory. Red, green and blue being the most recurrent colour themes on the walls, roofs and gardens, a gift to anyone who wanted to visit a paradise.

Albedo was buying some materials while Y/N stood next to him, not looking at anyone's face in case Childe decided to make one of his classic appearances. She grabbed Albedo's sleeve as a way to comfort herself, reassuring one time and one time again that she didn't have that much of bad luck to cross him in such a huge city.

She turned her head to look around at last, brave to see the stores and Liyue's people. Many of them knew who she was, having helped most of them at least in one occasion, great people with beautiful and peaceful lives. She had that now, at Albedo's side. But why did she feel like it wasn't what she wanted?

The red mask in one of the stalls froze her in her place, it looked identical to Childe's. She knew it wasn't his, of course, he was too involved in the Fatui and too wealthy to pledge his mask, but it made her remember him and one of the many memories she had with him in Liyue, again.

"Girlie, don't be like that" Childe exclaimed, smiling at her with bravado, "You don't have to feign you don't want that bracelet."

"I don't want it," repeated her for the third time, growing irritated.

"I have enough money to buy it for you, darling," the Harbinger insisted, taking her left hand in one of his and kissing her knuckles.

"How charming," she murmured ironically, rolling her eyes and pulling her hand out of his grasp.

"I know," he smirked, going after her, "and I also know how much you love when I act like a gentleman."

"How would you know that if you've never acted like one?" she snorted, watching his expression turn into an offended one.

"I'm a gentleman, you just can't appreciate my efforts to woo you," he replied with a pout.

"Aw, little Childe can't take a no for an answer," Y/N continued to tease him, smiling slightly at his spoiled brat's act.

"Very well, little lady, you're not having that bracelet," he stamped and turn away from her, walking without a real direction.

"Not that I wanted it!" she shouted at the distance.

Needless to say, she found the bracelet in her purse that night with a cheesy note that claimed 'To my favourite and stubborn traveller, with love, Childe'.

She still had it in her wrist, accompanying her wherever she went, reminding her of the stupid man that gifted it to her. Golden with Snezhnaya patterns, orange jewelry decorating the surface of the material. Albedo never said anything about it, never asked, and she was grateful for it, he knew to respect her space.

Her fiancé had just finished purchasing what he needed, looking at her with a loving gaze. She felt nothing, only appreciation, and she felt awful for not returning his feelings at their best, he deserved to be loved and spoiled. However, she missed him, she missed what they had.

The grey sky announced the storm that was coming, thunder and lightning appearing to give a performance of nature power. She had fought, walked, ran and danced in rain. She had danced, kissed and loved. But nothing of it with Albedo.

"Now a step to the left" instructed Childe, grabbing her waist with his left hand and her hand with his right one, "and now turn around... That's it! Perfect! You're a natural."

"Stop lying," she laughed, following what he was saying and dancing with him in a forgotten valley in some old ruins, "I can't dance for the love of Barbatos."

"I think you're really good, almost seductive," he purred, kissing her jaw and going down her neck, "seeing you move your hips like that just" an animalistic growl came from the back of his throat.

"Okay, calm down big guy, we're not fucking here."

The sound of thunder interrupted his reply, confusing them both for a moment. Suddenly, rain poured and soaked them wet. Y/N looked for somewhere they could go to shelter from the storm, but Childe just laughed and started making her dance again.

"What the hell are you doing, pee-brain!" she exclaimed, desperate.

"Dancing with you under the rain. Isn't it romantic?" he asked, smug as always.

"Romantic until we catch a hypothermia."

He didn't budge. Swaying them both with the dark landscape behind them, leaves flying around, wind aggressive. But nothing mattered as they looked at each other; love, affection and lust hidden in their souls, wanting nothing more than to indulge to the other and become one. How can anyone love this much? How can feelings root that deep? Childe was the only answer to those questions.

With nothing but a soft caress to her cheek, he smashed his lips on hers, kissing her while the rain accentuated the wet sounds. Everything with him was wild, but so addictive she couldn't help but coming undone, indulging to everything he asked silently from her. A kiss in the rain never felt so good.

"I'll be right back, I just need to drop this at Mingxing Jewelry," Albedo said, giving her a peck before leaving.

She stood there for a few moments, wondering what she could do white she waited for her lover. The rain was nearing Liyue Harbor, Albedo had told her he needed to do a couple of things more before going to the transport point to return home. She felt like throwing up, not a single spot in the city did not remind her of the love of her life, including their ugliest moments as a couple.

"How could you!?" Y/N screamed, feeling completely devastated and deceived.

"I had to! I'm sorry, okay?"

"No! It's not okay!" his indifference was breaking her heart, looking at him with disappointment, "Again! You did it again!"

"I was ordered to!" he shouted, his voice the same tone as hers, wrath in his eyes, "I have a job and you knew about it when you decided to fuck me!"

"What the hell, Childe!" she cried, "First of all, you nearly destroy Liyue! Again! Not only once but twice!" she was tired, everything was going down in front of her and she didn't want to watch it come to ruins, "And fuck you? You mean love you?"

"Love, sex, everything's the same, isn't it?" he replied, calmer and returning to his indifferent tone.

"W-what do you mean?" the fuming storm stopped to bring an eye of the hurricane, waiting patiently to unleash the tsunami over them.

"What you heard; I don't find a difference between the two concepts."

"You're lying," she murmured, unbelieving. How could he say that when an hour ago he was looking at her with so much love? Was it all an act? No, you can't feign feelings so deep.

"You're just too fool to see it, girlie," his smirk appeared, making her shake in fear, fear of losing what she cared about, "confusing terms and assuming things without asking."

"You're lying." she repeated, more to herself than for him to hear. He sighed, as if he was done with her.

"Think what you want. Now, there are people waiting for me. Until next time, girlie."

The shattering of her heart served up as the soundtrack of his departure. The leaves that had been once so vibrant and full of colour now danced around her in muted tones, mocking her. That was it, the end of their love. The palace the resembled their union fell into pieces, she needed to let go of him. The words he said cut deeper than a knife, made her feel cold. But how could she let go if she still loved him?

"So now you're with the Alchemist," a familiar voice interrupted her thoughts, making her turn to the source of it.

There he was. Orange hair and piercing blue eyes. His smirk wasn't present in the portray he displayed of himself, walking as the noble man he said he was. Her heart raced for the first time in years, asking her for indulgence, for permission to feel.

"Yes," was the first thing she said after some minutes processing what was happening. Childe was there, in front of her, "yes, I'm with Albedo."

"I see," he commented, uninterested. She thought that was all the interaction they would have, that he would go away again and leave her live her life, but she had to know better, "even if you can't forget me, you allow yourself to be with someone else?"

"What is it to you?" Y/N felt offended, who did he think he was to reprimand her in such a dirty way? He couldn't know she wasn't over him, could he?

"It's unfair for both of you. You see, love shouldn't feel like you owe something to someone just because they love you." Childe said, his gaze falling at the bracelet for a couple of seconds before looking at the landscape, "You're fooling him and yourself."

"And what would you know about love?" the question came in a bitter tone. She was angry, how dare he talk about love when he did her so wrong? When he hurt her so much?

"Touché." Childe gave her a sincere smile that reached his eyes, it was breath-taking. Y/N felt her stomach twirl and her heart jump at the sight of such a beautiful scenario, "Glad to see you well, Y/N. See ya!"

And like that, he left the place as if he hadn't turned her world around again. She missed him, she admitted to herself that she missed him. She missed his wild nature, his odd conversations, the mystery wrapping around him. She couldn't forgive him, but she couldn't live without him, either. That's the way she loved him.

Once Albedo returned from his errands, they both went to the transport point to return to Mondstadt. The way back was silent, but not a comfortable one as they always had, there was some tension lingering in between them. She wanted to attribute it to the tension she had been carrying since her encounter with Childe, but deep down she knew there was something else.

When they entered their house, they both changed into their sleeping garments without sharing a word, waiting for the other to be the first one to break the silence. Y/N didn't have it in her to be the brave one in the situation at hand, so, finally, Albedo spoke.

"I know you're not over him," he said, calmly, but there was jealousy in his tone.

She was surprised to hear him say those words. She never mentioned Childe before, less being in a relationship with him. She wanted to feel fear, the same one she felt when her argument with Childe broke them apart, but she felt nothing at all. Why? Why couldn't she be in love with a man life him?

"What?"

"You know what I'm talking about, Y/N." Albedo sighed, sitting at the edge of their shared bed.

"B-but", she stuttered, searching for words, "H-how do you know...?"

"There were rumours... some years ago, about the 'traveller' being with one of the Eleven Fatui Harbingers. It was during your time at Liyue."

She nodded, understanding, but really not understanding anything, "Did you believe them?"

"I can't say yes, but I can't say no, either." Albedo looked at her, he didn't look angry, and that made her feel a little bit better. "I just couldn't know if it was true or not because I wasn't there."

"I see." another moment of silence followed. She took a deep breath and looked at him in the eyes, "Why do you say that I'm not over him, though?"

"There are so many signs, you aren't the subtlest person, love." he chuckled, "The bracelet has Snezhnaya patterns and you haven't taken it out in all these years. I can only assume it was a present from Tartaglia."

Y/N nodded again, impressed with how observant Albedo was and with his deduction skills. She wished for the hundredth time that day that she would have fell in love with him and not with the Harbinger.

"I'm so sorry-" she began, but was quickly interrupted by her fiancé.

"Don't." he commanded, "That's not the only thing that gave you away."

"What do you mean?"

"Your late night trips."

'He knew' she thought, searching for any clues that could tell her when he had discovered it, but there were none. 'He has known all this time.'

"Why haven't you said anything?" she asked.

"I wanted to give you space," he began, "I must admit, however, that at first I thought you were cheating on me."

"I would never-" she was interrupted again, a kind gaze on his eyes.

"I know, I know. I realized when you came home smelling like grass and mint and not with the cologne of another man."

It was silent again, Y/N tried to find anything she could say to make him feel better, but she couldn't even understand himself. Why isn't she feeling her heart shattering? She knew why, but she didn't want to indulge in that feeling.

"I'm so sorry, Albedo. I really am."

"It's okay."

"No, it's not." those words sounded identical to the ones she had directed to Childe once upon a time.

"I am aware that you don't love me the way I love you."

"Albedo-"

"But it's okay, I can love both of us enough to fill that gap."

She was at a loss of words. Had she heard it right? What did he mean? Albedo was so calm, so ethereal, looking at her fondly even when he knew she didn't feel the same. He was going to marry a woman that didn't want him the same way she wanted her. And even though he was aware of that, he was smiling.

"Why?" she wondered out loud.

"Because that's how it works, that's the way I love you, until you can return my feelings."

The leaves that danced aggressively at the other side of the window stayed still, processing the scene going on in the room of the Alchemist and the Traveller. Their colour coming back to a vibrant one, giving her hope of being able to love again, to feel something.

Her love with Childe was like the Sun and the Moon, so in love they were crazy for each other, but impossible and unworkable. But, Albedo loved her like the Sea loved its waves, like the birds loved the Wind, like a Dwelling loved the warmth of the fire, and she was going to return it. Maybe not today, maybe not tomorrow, but she would. And when she did, she would love him as much as the Leaves loved their trees, as much as the Lake loved the rain that floods it, as much as the Horizon loved dusk.

She bid goodbye to Childe that night, leaving the bracelet in the drawer in her nightstand. Adorning her hand only was the ring Albedo had gifted her.

"See you, Childe," she murmured at 2 a.m. before falling in her slumber.

[thebluester2022]

Tartaglia Headcanons [Warning: Smut!]

Note: I swear I'll finish my last request once I get this off my chest. If I'm going to write smut headcanons for anyone. It'll first and foremost be my husband 🙄✋🏾. This is so self-indulgent I can't even explain- P.S: This is my first time writing anything smut-related in a hot minute, got critique? Feel free to tell me! I need the tips/tricks!

Synopsis: Exploring a darker personality for Tartaglia as well as smut? Oh my!

Warning(s): Degradation, Overstimulation, Teasing, Predator/Prey Kink, Tartaglia being a bit of an ass, Dub Non-Con(?), This post is LONG

Minors, do NOT interact with this post! Keep on scrolling!

::> To start this off very bluntly. I have to make this really clear. Although Ajax can be as sweet as a daisy to the people he cares for, I genuinely believe that this guy is just bubbling with darker potential. He's killed people and has most definitely kidnapped and/or tortured a couple of folks here and there.

If he really wanted to? He could flip a switch with you and make you question exactly who in the bloody hell you let into your bedroom. With this being said, I definitely believe that his kinks will hint towards his personality, what he's capable of in the bedroom, and such.

Predator/Prey Kink? Sure. Knife-Play? With your total consent? Okay. Overstimulation? Edging? Teasing? Taming you into being the perfect cocksleeve for him? Hell yeah! If it requires a bit of a fight for him all before you eventually submit? He's up for it.

~ ~

Ah...Liyue.

Golden grassy fields as far as the eye could see, dotted with glaze lilies and strange but wonderous creatures all alike.

Grand and majestic mountains that have probably seen the beginning and the end of the Archon war, all the while birds flew around their very tops alongside the grey clouds that came with the nighttime.

Beautiful and wonderous.

Nothing unexpected of Teyvat.

Yet, though you wished you could do nothing more than roll out a blanket along with a picnic basket, simply basking in the presence of nature, watching the skies, and enjoying the scenery all around you. This night? It wasn't a normal night, for you, you were indulging an idea you and your lover have been concocting for months.

Months of making sure you both were more than definitely comfortable with what you were doing.

Months of picking out the perfect place to orchestrate things while also constantly having attempts delayed or completely taken off the mark due to the number of people being way too many.

Months of your lover damn near working his tail off to finally have a free day on this exact date.

Though doubt of this day ever coming to fruition had crossed your mind multiple times, now that the night was finally here? You could hardly wait for things to play out, your cock beginning to stir at the very idea of seeing him.

"Can't hurt to take a breather though..." You thought out loud to yourself as you took a seat near the edge of a small cliff.

Not too far of a drop to where it would kill you but, far enough to wear it would most definitely break some bones.

You double-checked your surroundings, noting the fairly worn-down house that was just down the empty road you had come from while not too far off, you could see the multiple camp-fires that came from a Hilichurl camp.

Close, too close.

Should someone scream?

If not a few of the smaller ones, two or three of the Mitachurls would definitely come to investigate the noise.

Quickly, however, you shook the thought from your mind. There was no point in freaking yourself out at the potentiality of things when you were waiting for your lover to arrive. It was bad luck!

Yet, as the minutes began to slowly drag out into an hour. The gentle night breeze threatening to lull you to sleep, all of a sudden, you could feel a presence behind you.

"Ajax-"

"Well now...what's a little cutie like yourself doing out here all alone? Especially in an area infested with men like me and dangerous Hilichurls?"

You turned your head, your eyes dragging upwards until your eyes widened in fear at the sight. From the grey and red boots, all the way to the similarly colored pants before you eventually reached his face- or...well, covered one.

A Fatui mask.

That alone made you quickly rise to your feet, your short stature compared to his tall one making the feeling of danger rise more and more as you could do nothing more than look at him.

You could almost imagine the smirk behind the mask he wore as he let out a chuckle and began to get into your personal space.

"What's wrong? Cat got your tongue? Why won't you speak to me cutie?" He continued to ask.

"Say! I could escort you somewhere safer? Wouldn't you like that? A cute one such as yourself, it'd be dangerous should anything dangerous happen upon you right?"

You slowly shook your head, you weren't going anywhere with a member of the Fatui. Especially this one.

Though you were unclear about exactly what made him seem...off.

It was definitely nothing good.

"I-I don't have anything to talk to you about-" You let out a yelp at the act of him suddenly taking ahold of the front of your shirt, practically dragging you closer to him.

"I'm trying to be nice here." He growled.

"Don't you wanna come with me?" He continued before he suddenly pulled you up until your feet were dangling.

You gripped onto his arm, trying to cause damage by digging your nails into his arm as nothing but fear filled your senses while he walked until you were dangling over the edge of the cliff.

"Would be quite the shame! For me to drop you~ What's it going to be cutie? Are you going to come with me? Or risk seeing if you'll be to fly?"

Was it even a question at this point?

"Y-You!"

::> How does one say "Ha, you thought" in Russian, 'cause this guy is the epitome of that phrase. As much as he loves the thrill of battle. I feel like he loves the thrill of a good chase as well, sometimes, things just taste sweeter when you work for them a little y'know? If he's exerting energy on you, it's because he thinks you're worth it and with that thought, he expects nothing more than a good challenge from you!

Try and fight, go on, he dares you. He'll probably hold back a little. Make you think that you have a chance of winning against him before he suddenly crushed all that hope like one would blow out a candle. Sure, showing submission from the get-go is good and all but earned submission?

I have a feeling he'd enjoy it almost too much.

~ ~

Running and running and running.

As your pulse thundered in your ears, your heart beating against your ribcage as you ran without any true sense of where you were actually going. The only thing that went through your mind was the raw paranoia and fear that someone was right behind you.

You had no idea where the strength to fight off that strange man had come from, though it was no easy feat for sure, he was stronger than he looked. Nevertheless, you were surprised that you had managed the feat but...with that reward came its consequence as you found yourself taking a brief moment to catch your breath at the cross-section of a road.

You were lost.

Liyue Habor was far...you were certain that if that Fatui member didn't catch you.

With a lack of weapons, armor or anything that could remotely protect you.

Something else in the wilds would.

You swiftly turned your head behind you at the sound of a whistle, followed along by a mocking series of laughter.

"Taking a break already?!" A voice called out, your eyes wide like a deer staring at the end of a gun as you darted your head around.

"I'm barely even breaking a sweat..." The voice continued.

You gulped. "W-What do you want with me?!" You yelled.

"Leave me alone!"

Another series of laughter. "Yes! Keep up that attitude...it makes this hunt all the more satisfying."

Like minutes earlier on that cliff edge, once more, you felt a presence behind you.

"Unless...you're already tired?" The Fatui member smirked before he grabbed your arm and forced you to turn around.

As you were forced to look at your pursuer, the grip on your chin firm but still allowing you room to move away if you so truly wished, you almost averted your eyes away in embarrassment at the fact that you actually considered the man handsome despite the situation.

The rough textured feeling of his glove on your chin while his free hand roamed around on your lower backside without shame, teasingly raising up your shirt from time to time as he snickered and laughed with amusement at your expression.

You were like a lost little lamb to him, a lamb that had unfortunately gotten chased and eventually caught by the wolf.

But...rather than eat you alive, the more he looked down at you.

Your flushing cheeks, the way your thighs clenched and rubbed together while your eyes began to glaze over with impending lust and want.

Even in a situation like this.

He could still read you like a book.

"We've been playing this game of chase for too long now have we little lamb?"

Unconsciously, you nodded your head.

He chuckled. "So obedient~ seems like your mind and body are finally talking the same language aren't they?" He continued as his hand began to dip into your pants.

A soft moan escaped your lips at the act of his gloved hand beginning to rub over your cunt, your eyes closing in both shame as well as a need to enjoy the feeling before his hand suddenly tore itself away from your needy sex.

"Hm..." He hummed in displeasure.

"Though...I don't think I'm feeling that charitable yet, to let you cum after giving me such a hard time. Say, do you think you need a punishment little lamb?" He asked, his grip on your chin tightening as he rubbed your slick off on the side of your cheek.

Did you? With this conveniently handsome stranger?

Your body betrayed you at the last moment possible, making you appear like you needed him more than anything when in reality? You just wanted to go back home-

"Come on now, don't keep me waiting cutie." He said in boredom before he shook your chin a little, interrupting your thoughts.

"Be grateful that I'm even considering tending to your needy little-"

You stepped on his foot.

A bold move made him smirk underneath his mask before a sigh left him.

"Do your worst!" You shouted, the feeling of his free hand gripping the fat of your ass making another moan escape you in betrayal.

So unfortunate he thought, he was feeling nice!

Well, no matter, he's always been good at breaking down the weak who tried to appear strong.

This should be fun.

::> When all is said and done, the gleeful battle for dominance and the likes? Trust and believe me that the man is going to enjoy his spoils of war, whether it takes him a minute, an hour, or even a day. Try to rush or complain? He'll simply ignore you and keep on using you until his heart's content, and bless your poor insides if you even think of shedding a tear during this whole exchange.

Crying besides his cock's too fat? Hitting your special spots just right? At most, he'll mutter that you're weaker than he thought for not being able to handle a little overstimulation before his thrusts get more brutal.

Of course though, if it truly is too much and the painful pleasure becomes more painful than pleasurable. He will slow down and check up on you, checking for any signs of uncomfortableness and asking you if you're up still up for continuing.

~ ~

He was enjoying his spoils of war.

A gorgeous cutie such as yourself? Wailing with pleasure as your eyes rolled to the back of your head whilst your tongue was hanging out like a bitch in heat? A tad bit annoying that he had to straighten your attitude out a little more once you got back to the shabby old cottage back up the road from where you two came.

From making you milk his cock with your mouth until your eyes were watery and you drooled.

To this very moment of fingering you stupid! Your squirms and desperate grip upon his clothes only serving to make his cock twitch in excitement while he had to practically force himself to stay in control of himself.

Where was the fun of unwrapping and enjoying a toy so early?

Prepping it and teasing it a little...

So much better.

"F-Fuck...shit...!" You cried out as yet another orgasm was torn from your body, your thighs trembling and shaking before they fell back onto the bed.

The Fatui's hand only ceased for a second before it started back up again, your mouth raw from your earlier screams while your body was beginning to squirm less and less from fatigue.

"Oi! Wake your slutty ass up." The Fatui spat, slapping the side of your thigh as it sent a jolt throughout your body and made your eyes hoot open.

"You brought this upon yourself, the least you could do is stay awake." He grumbled

You shook your head, your grip on the Fatui's clothes growing weak as your hands fell to your sides. "Please..." You moaned out.

"M-Mercy...I-I want-" You whined as you tried to squirm away from his hand.

Slowly but surely, his hand began to cease as he began to lean forward, his mask ghosting over your lips as you heard a hum leave him. "Mercy?" He parroted with a scoff.

"I. Don't. Think. You've. Earned. That." He said, accentuating each word with a slap against your pussy, more of your juices flowing from your abused cunt as slurred moans left your lips.

Yet...you didn't want to come another time to his skilled fingers.

You wanted to be filled with something else.

Your cheeks flushed in embarrassment as you looked down towards the evident bulge in his pants, your knee weakly raising up to rub against it as you pulled off the best puppy eyes you could.

"Tell me my cute little whore, what do you think you can say or do to earn my mercy?" He said, the smirk clear behind his mask despite you not being able to see it.

"That.."

"That?"

"Y-Your cock...please...I-I want you cock! Let me earn your mercy through your cock!" You cried out with a whine at the end.

Your pleas fell on deaf ears as his fingers began to start thrusting into you again.

"C'mon~ haven't you been taught better? Where do you want my cock? What? Should I tire out your pathetic mouth next?"

Quickly, you shook your head as you licked your lips, your knee rubbing his cock one last time before you eventually spread your legs, presenting your glistening pussy clearer to him as you gave the best doe-eyes you could muster.

You licked your lips. "I want...I want your cock, my pussy needs it. Please...Tartaglia." You begged.

"Let me earn your mercy through p-pleasuring you with my slutty pussy...!" You continued, your lover thrusting his fingers a few more times before he sighed and raised his mask a little to lick your juices clean off his fingers.

He hummed in approval. "I suppose I'll oblige this time." Your lover said as he began to undress to match your fully naked form, tossing his mask to be forgotten somewhere else in the room.

"T-Thank you- AH!!"

Your words of gratitude were soon interrupted and replaced by the sounds of lewd squelching and slapping noises as the bed underneath you began to hit the wall rhythmically, the sight of your lover fucking the ever-living daylights of you making a fucked-ou smile come onto your face.

A sight that the man couldn't help but laugh at in a mixture of adoration, praise, and shock.

"Your just that happy to be stuffed full with cock?!" He laughed.

"Shit...had I known that some dick would shut you up this quickly, I would've fucked you in the middle of the fucking dirt road!"

You clenched at the dirty thought, an act that your lover didn't miss as he smirked in pride and leaned forward, pushing your legs up to fold you into a full nelson as your moans became choked out gasps and groans at how deep he was plunging into your insides. "Oho~ did my little slut like that thought? Being fucked where anyone and everything could see?" Tartaglia chuckled.

"Dirty little whore~ I bet you'd even get off to being fucked in front of a bunch of Hilichurls. Wouldn't you?" He moaned next to your ear, not exactly expecting a response as he watched you continue to lose yourself to the depths of pleasure.

A fitting expression for his perfect cocksleeve. Fucked-out on his dick and pleading for his mercy, he nearly had a mind to congratulate you for begging for his mercy for earnestingly by pleasing him.

Yet...he wasn't going to be the one to tell you that pleading for her mercy to stop and let you take a small break would take more than just one round.

Your gummy walls clenching around him, trying to milk him for all that he's worth while his tip repeatedly kissed your cervix? He'd give it to you, you had a good and obedient pussy on you, one that knew to recognize its owner when he came to give you pleasure.

Yet, as the sounds of your moans grew elevated once more and your walls started to tighten on his length, his thrusts grew sloppier and sloppier as well as more desperate as he began to chase after his release like a man dying of thirst.

"Tartagliaaa~" You slurred out.

"I-I'm-"

He let out a groan. "I'm close as well." He moaned as he gently nipped your ear, dragging his lips down afterward until he hovered above your neck.

"Cum around my cock baby, let's cum together." He whispered into your ear, dragging his lips down before he hovered right above your neck.

"My obedient little cutie, let me feel my prize come to completion~"

::> I feel like this one is kind of expected if your going to be extremely kinky but this guy is really good at Aftercare. After all that physical exertion he'll do to you? He has to be! I feel like Tartaglia will be showering you with kisses, giving you food and water should you request it, and just, in general, be at your every beck and call.

Although he may and do some pretty harsh and objectively scary things, he doesn't want you to confuse his acts for being what he truly thinks about you in secret. He does love you, and his entire aftercare routine is about showing and reminding you of that fact.

~ ~

"Comfortable?" Tartaglia said, running a hand through his hair as he sat behind you in the tub.

You nodded your head with a raspy giggle. "Very, thank you for carrying me home."

He shrugged, flashing you a smile. "It's the least I could do after you indulged me so well tonight my love." He grinned as he pulled you closer towards his chest, pressing kisses on top of your head and on the side of your face while he rubbed his hands up and down your arms.

"Though..."

He stopped, ready to hear any and every critique you may have.

"You could start wearing that outfit of yours more often."

He couldn't help but burst out laughing.

"D-Don't laugh damn it!" You said, turning your head turns him with a pout.

He placed a hand over his chest dramatically. "Are you saying you don't like me in my normal clothes?" He gasped.

You rolled your eyes, watching as he grabbed a bottle of water from a small stand situated right near the bath.

"No! Can't I like a little black and red?" You grumbled as you turned around and wrapped your arms around your lover, letting your chin rest on his chest with a huff.

"Nah." Tartaglia snickered before he offered you the water bottle.

You shook your head before he kissed your lips and took a sip of the cold drink himself.

"For you baby? I'll wear anything."

"Anything?" You wiggled your eyebrows suggestively.

"Okay, maybe not anything..." He said, his cheeks beginning to dark a darker shade of red as he scratched the back of his neck.

You chuckled, straining your neck a little to kiss your lover on the lips with a smile.

He smirked into the kiss as he wrapped his arms around you, leaving his back against the end of the tub.

"Love you too." Tartaglia winked.

[meabd]

Tricks of the Trade

Chapter 1: Just a Little Murder

You vaulted over the high rail of the pavilion, feeling the jerk of wind catching your glider. There was a commotion behind you as the guards yelled to each other from their posts. You knew you wouldn’t have long, so you had to make the most of the head start you got. As you neared the closely pack buildings of the harbor you withdrew your wings, catching yourself on the edge of a pagoda roof. You fell the last ten or so feet to the ground, cushioning your drop with a side roll.

Hastily, you stood. With one hand you ripped off your mask, the other loosening the pins that held your hair. It tumbled down your back in soft waves and you fluffed it out. You stripped out of your black jacket, leaving yourself in only a thin silk undershirt and your shorts. You tied the jacket around your waist, hoping that in the darkness it would be mistaken for a skirt. Satisfied with your disguise, you peeked out of the alleyway. The yelling was getting closer. Across the way stood a lone man, about your age, perhaps a bit older, under the old tree near the fountain center. His face was upturned, and the moonlight bathed his form in shades of blue and grey. You sprinted to him.

“I need your help,” you were out of breath. The man startled at your presence, eyes wide.

“Ah, are you okay, miss?” You shushed him, backing further into the shadow of the great tree, your hand gripping his wrist tightly. He frowned, but did not fight as you pulled him along. Over his shoulder you spied the first of the guards entering the open area near the fountain. Without a moment's hesitation you yanked the young man forward by the collar of his jacket, slamming him against you in a bruising kiss. He reached out with both hands, bracing himself against the tree so he didn’t over balance.

He made a startled sound in the back of his throat, and you felt your heart skip a beat as he lowered one hand— this was it… he’s going to push you away and the jig is up . When you felt the slight pressure on your waist as he leaned into the kiss you whimpered in your relief, melting into him.

“Hey, you there!” One of the Millelith guards barked, and the young man pulled away just enough to glance over his shoulder. “You see a man in a black mask come through here?” The young man snorted.

“No, we haven’t. Now if you excuse us,” he let the hand at your waist wrap around your back as he walked you both back in the direction of the financial district; he was careful to keep his body between you and the guards. You held your breath as you walked together, leaning into this odd young man and trying your best to modulate your breathing. When the two of you reached the stairs to Northland Bank he tugged you into an alcove just under them.

“So, wanna tell me what that was about, girlie?” He did not let go of you and you began to worry. Had you just traded one danger for another? You gulped, eyes wide as you stared up at him. The silence was deafening.

“I…” you began, an idea coalescing in your mind. “I’m so sorry,” you let your voice hitch as tears welled in your eyes. “My husband, he—I had to run, he—”  sob escaped you as you buried your face in your hands. For a very long moment the young man said nothing. Just as you were beginning to think your plan had worked he started laughing !

“Okay, okay, I don’t need to know just stop with the crocodile tears, alright?” Your hands fell away from your face and you frowned up at him. You found yourself in a position rarely occupied by your sort; you had no idea what to do.

“Listen,” you began, but stopped when he held a hand up.

“Nope. No. No thank you, I’ll mind my own business and be on my way,” he put a bit of distance between the two of you then paused mid-turn. “One for the road?” You frowned, but before you could vocalize a protest you found his lips on yours again, one hand on your neck to gently tilt your head up, the other sliding down your bare arm in a caress that was entirely too sensual for how chaste it was.

As suddenly as the kiss began it was over, and he tossed a cheeky wink your way before disappearing into the frigid Liyue night.

______________________________________________________________

It was a beautiful day in Liyue Harbor, and you had the great pleasure of spending it with the peerless consultant of the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor. The sun was high and hot as the two of you sat, side by side, sipping tea and observing the goings-on of the people below.

“There was a lot of commotion at the Parlor today, thank you for making time to come out with me,” you smiled at him.

“Not at all [y/n]. The best time for tea with a friend is when the mundane threatens to overcome you,” he nodded sagely.

“What is going on, Master Zhongli?” You asked, the very portrait of innocence.

“Terrible business my dear. That young upstart merchant from Inazuma passed in his sleep. Horrible tragedy, that, for someone with so much life left to live,” Zhongli’s smile was restrained, his obvious sympathy for the man evident. You restrained your own smile, forcing a look of compassion over your features.

“That’s awful! What happened to him, if you don’t mind my asking?” The consultant looked pensive for a moment before answering.

“I haven’t the faintest idea, truth be told. I’ve been quite busy with sourcing the Inazuman Incense for the rite tomorrow,” you breathed deeply through your nose as you sipped your tea, trying very hard not to look put out. Zhongli was a very valuable asset… most of the time. His single-mindedness unfortunately came with the territory; for every sliver of useful information you eked out of him a torrent of miscellaneous and unrelated business came with it.

“Of course, I understand. When is the rite?” He opened his mouth to speak, but a flash of recognition came to his eyes. Curious, you followed his gaze over to where a tall, slim man dressed in grey and red was waving. Your heart skipped a beat as you recognized the young man from the night before. You felt an uncharacteristic surge of panic as his eyes landed on you and his smile widened.

As he got closer you noticed the vision on his hip and the mask askew on his head. Tartaglia; the eleventh Harbinger , your mind helpfully supplied, immediately turning your thoughts to the dossier you’d received on the Tsaritza’s highest agents. He was… much younger than you’d expected. And you’d kissed him. You kissed an enemy agent. And what’s worse you’d done it as a distraction, and he knew there was something fishy about it. You wanted to groan. You wanted to bury your face in your hands and disappear under the table.

“Childe, good afternoon. Why don’t you join us?” Zhongli’s expression was fond.

“I’d be happy to!” He laughed, a clear, sincere chuckle. He slid easily into the seat in front of you. “And who might you be?” He leaned forward on the table, elbows propped on the fine silk of the tablecloth. You raised a brow at his behavior. He wouldn’t out you now (most likely) since that would cause trouble for him too… but that didn’t mean that you were safe.

“I am [y/n],” you nodded your head demurely in acknowledgement.

“[Y/n]? How interesting, you’re not from Liyue then are you?” His grin was at once flirtatious and predatory and you wondered how Zhongli did not notice. When you did not respond to his dig he turned to the older man, “It’s good to see you out with someone other than me—or a corpse! I didn’t know you had friends,” he slapped Zhongli’s shoulder, a friendly gesture.

“You wound me, Childe. I am sitting here with two of my closest friends, now aren’t I?” He did not rise to the bait (or didn’t realize that it was bait—you could never tell with him). “I will go and order, your usual?”

“Yes please!”

“Yes, thank you.” Both you and Childe answered in unison. You turned to look at each other, him with an expression of interest, you with one of surprise. Zhongli grinned ( grinned! He never does that! ) and made his way over to the door.

“And how long have you known our esteemed Master Zhongli?” Childe asked you as he leaned back in his seat. His lazy posture and relaxed expression did nothing to hide the glint of suspicion in his blue eyes.

“A number of years now,” you answered vaguely. “How did the two of you meet?” You counter his question with one of your own.

“Funny story actually, he’d forgotten his wallet and I offered to pay for him—the rest is history!” That was Zhongli through and through , you mused.

“How very kind of you,” you smiled at him, showing a little too much teeth.

“It will be ready shortly,” Zhongli thankfully interrupted the tense conversation. He deposited the extra teacup beside your pot as he sat back down next to you (which, perhaps immaturely, you counted as a victory.)

“Good, I’m starving,” the Harbinger grinned as he helped himself to the tea.

Faster than you’ve ever seen service, dish after dish was brought out to your shared table, enough that you were concerned for the structural stability of the poor thing. The Harbinger stifled a laugh at the look on your face.

“I tip really well,” he winked at you, that same Archon’s damned cheeky wink he’d tossed you the night before.

There, in the quiet of the evening and with adrenaline pulsing through your veins you’d somewhat enjoyed it, thought him charming ! You couldn’t believe you hadn’t put two and two together then, how you hadn’t recognized him… especially when a gaff such as this could mean death in your line of work.

“You mustn't let Childe’s… quirks bother you,” Zhongli leaned over to nab a piece of Childe’s sweet and salty pork, misreading your expression as one of insult.

“Oh come on Zhongli, she’s fine. Just having a bit of fun, aren't we [y/n]?” He shook a lock of reddish brown hair out of his eyes and grinned in a roguish manner. If he weren’t one of the highest ranked agents for a government actively seeking out the extermination of your head of state you might have thought him handsome. As it was, you only saw the threat in his actions.

“Of course, sir.” Your overly formal language gave him pause, though it didn’t seem to phase Zhongli at all.

“That is good to hear; I had been wanting to introduce the two of you for a while now,” the older man smiled at you both. “[Y/n], Childe here has developed a great appreciation for Liyue cuisine and culture, and I know you are the preeminent expert on many classical arts,” you grit your teeth behind the tight smile you gave. Childe looked at you with one brow raised in askance.

“Master Zhongli is too kind; I am merely a cultural consultant,” you bowed your head in false modesty at the mention of your Cover.

“She is too humble,” Zhongli presses on, “she works closely with both the Feiyun Commerce Guilde as well as the Qixing, not to mention her involvement in the rites and performances of all Liyue’s festivals.” He beamed at you, the expression one of familial fondness, as if he were a proud father listing off his daughter's achievements. The smile you returned this time was far more genuine.

“Such an accomplished woman, and so young too!” Childe took a sip from his tea, slurping it in a horribly uncouth manner. “It makes me wonder, what would someone like you be doing—”

“Goodness gracious , Master Zhongli look at the time! You were needed back at the Funeral Parlor thirty minutes ago!” Your exclamation cut the Harbinger off, and you hoped he’d leave it alone until the two of you could speak more privately. Zhongli was the ideal Floater, and you could not afford to lose him at this crucial moment in your mission.

“You are right as always, [y/n]. I don’t know what I would do without you,” he stood gracefully, flicking his coattails out as he did. “I will see you tomorrow then—if you are still assisting Master Shizhuong, that is,” you nodded your assent and the consultant left without another word.

You stared awkwardly across the heavily laden table at the Fatui agent, whose smile had turned a shade too sharp for comfort.

“You’re much prettier in the light of day, you know,” he remarked, leaning back in his seat.

“And you’re a Harbinger,” you ignored his compliment.

“Yes, and?” He stared hard at you, and you forced yourself to maintain eye contact.

“Just an observation,” your back was ramrod straight, the antithesis to his lazy posture.

“So we’re just… not gonna talk about it, huh?” You shrugged. It felt as if your heart was thudding out of your chest and you were sure he could see the pulse of it from across the table.

“I don’t see why we would. I’m grateful for your help, of course, but—”

“Well if you’re so grateful where’s my payback, hmm?” You gaped at him. Payback? What could he possibly want, state secrets? Your codebook? This was bad, so so bad.

“I… am sure that we can come to an equitable agreement,” you stammered as he held one hand up for the check. You’d give him some chicken feed and be done with it. Your handler wouldn’t be happy, but with your cover blown they’d need to extract you anyway.

“I’m happy to find you so agreeable,” he laid down a sum of mora so obscene you nearly gagged. “How about Heyu Teahouse, five o’clock tomorrow? Ought to give us plenty of time to get to Master Shizhuong’s banquet.”

“...Excuse me?”

“Wear something slinky. As much as I enjoyed your jacket skirt thing from last night we wouldn’t want anyone recognizing it, now would we?” You’d been rendered speechless. The Harbinger stood with the innate grace of a man hardened by battle. He made to brush past you, but was stopped by the iron grip of your fingers on his wrist.

“ What is this? ” You hissed under your breath. You didn’t know what he was playing at but you didn’t like it.

“It’s a date , [y/n],” you dropped his wrist in shock. As you watched him walk away you began to formulate your debrief in your head. How on Teyvat would you explain this to your handler?

[xiaomomowrites]

zhongli, come down

Genshin Impact | TartaLi/ZhongChi

Summary: “When I’m with you, I feel happy,” his eyes are fixated on the ceiling as he speaks. Childe, on the other hand, can’t look anywhere but at him. And although he speaks of his happiness, there are deep waves of sorrow rolling off of him. Zhongli’s makeup had washed off when he took a steaming shower, leaving Tartaglia to see the dark circles under his eyes and the faint wrinkles underneath. The light in his eyes had dulled without the bold presence of his usual red eyeliner, and it seemed as though his face appeared more sunken in when the light hit him at a certain angle. 

Childe’s heart pangs in his chest. Sometimes, his husband really looks his age.

Or, Zhongli and Childe visit Snezhnaya, but there’s a certain adeptus on Zhongli’s mind.

Find it on Ao3!

WARNING: this fic contains mentions of death/minor character death. Read at your own risk!

This part takes place between act V and act VI, which is still in the works~

A/N: I had meant to get this out earlier, but I live in Texas so we’ve been having sporadic power outages for the past three or four days. I had spotty connection and it was freezing in my house so this ended up a little delayed! Plus, act VI really just doesn’t wanna be written :( I want it to be perfect before I post it though, I don’t wanna give y’all mediocre Tartali food lol. But I hope you all enjoy, I’ll be adding a little message at the end if you’re interested, so stay tuned. -u.n.

--

Zhongli felt another full-body shiver rack through him when the wind whistled by again ruthlessly. Archaic divinity and equity aside, he wanted nothing more but to spit and curse the harsh ice beneath his feet. He had all but lost feeling in his fingers and toes as he stood still in the snow, waiting for Childe to finish grabbing them coffee. The Harbinger had offered the drink out of the kindness of his heart when he had seen how badly Zhongli was shivering, as if they hadn’t come here together before. Zhongli accepted the coffee with enthusiasm, knowing it makes Childe happy when he accepts his gifts.

He found himself at the doorstep of Snezhnaya with Childe, visiting his family for the year as they did each November. Unfortunately, November through February seemed to be the harshest that the winters got. The weather would breach zero degrees and drop past negative ten, the wind would lash furiously past parkas and scarves and mittens and kiss bare skin. And Zhongli, in all his divine beauty, would miss the warm summer nights of Liyue so much that he needed to remind himself of how much he loved his husband just to agree to get on the train with him. 

Childe, his darling ginger, simply hummed alongside him and tucked Zhongli’s arm beneath his own to keep him from slipping on the ice. His time in Liyue had not shaken his immunity to the cold at all. His other hand sipped at the warm coffee encapsulated in green cardboard, humming a happy noise from the back of his throat. Even if it was a one time occurrence years ago that ended with minor bruising along the ex-Archon’s back, Childe never let him live the moment down and swore to hold onto him every second they found themselves in his hometown. Zhongli had insisted that he need not pace himself just to walk alongside an old man like him, but he had just pinched his cheeks, kissed his nose, and reminded him that he wasn’t that old. 

“You’ve got that sexy rich-middle-aged-man thing going on for you. Except, all your money comes from me, and you’re actually six thousand years old,” Tartaglia had told him then, beaming up at him so brightly it made Zhongli blink. 

Soon enough, Zhongli finds himself at his in-law’s residence. He takes a deep breath, preparing for the onslaught of Childe’s siblings enthusiasm, and waits for Childe to knock. The Harbinger grins at his anticipation and raps his knuckles against the comforting wood. Not even a beat later and the oak swings open, revealing Teucer, Tonia, and Anthon. They’ve all gotten so big since he last saw them, watching them grow fills the ex-Archon with pride. Zhongli finds himself smiling, squeezing Childe’s hand partially because he’s overwhelmed with joy, and also so he doesn’t slip and fall on his ass too hard when he’s tackled. 

Seconds later he finds himself with an armful of red headed siblings. He stumbles, but thankfully Childe’s there to steady him upright. Zhongli squeezes his hand again in thanks. 

“Mr. Zhongli!” One of them screeches in his ear, “You’re back! Do you have any presents for us?”

“Mr. Zhongli!” Another one yells, “did you bring me a new book?” 

Luckily, Tartaglia’s mother begins barking at her children to reign them back inside and to  ‘leave the nice man alone’, so that he has time to readjust and step inside the warmth of their cozy abode. Zhongli smiles, cheeks red and ears redder, and bows as deep as he can. 

“Thank you for having me,” the honey-like voice glides against the wooden walls like it belongs there, “it is a pleasure to see you all again.” 

“Oh stop,” his mother-in-law gushes, “we’ve seen you every year for years now, honey, drop the formalities!” she waves him off while pulling her own son into a bone crushing hug. “And it’s good to see you too, hun.”

“Hi mom,” Childe responds sheepishly, careful not to squeeze her too hard, lest her back start cracking again. He raises a hand to cradle the back of her head with a fondness reserved only for her. “Where’s dad?” 

The question hangs above their heads heavily. A beat of silence passes before she smiles warily and squeezes her son’s cheeks. “He’s at the fireplace, Ajax.”

Childe nods, and eyes the urn sitting high above the crackling fireplace. It’s a beautiful marble urn that Tartaglia paid for in full, with a single ruby gem nestled right beside his father’s name. Even in this state, his father has the largest presence in the house. It is a presence even Zhongli can acknowledge and respect. The thought pushes Zhongli to squeeze his hand and mutter, “Go?” 

Tartaglia nods, and swallows hard. Zhongli urges him forward carefully with a gloved hand against the small of his back. His mother watches him go along with sullen and somber eyes. And it is only when Childe is stationed in front of the fire, a single gloved hand covering his mouth, when Zhongli breaks the silence. 

“So,” Zhongli begins, turning to his in-law. “The last time we spoke, you promised me a recipe for that delicious meal you served us last year. Were you able to hold up your end of the contract?” 

The red-headed woman beams up at him and grabs at his hands. Her hands are so small, so soft and delicate, Zhongli wishes nothing more but to protect this family with his life. And well, that makes two of them. 

“Of course, dear,” she says excitedly, “come with me.”

The next hour or so consisted of Zhongli patiently waiting in the kitchen while his mother-in-law bustled around, excitedly explaining the process of dough rolling, frying, meat filling, and then frying again. Zhongli watched with fascination, always one to appreciate cultures from all around the world. He hummed and nodded in confirmation every once in a while when she would turn to him, asking him if he understood, and he smiled. 

Tartaglia came padding into the kitchen later, eyes slightly red and puffy, and Zhongli didn’t need to ask if something was wrong to understand what was going on. He knew all too well of his feelings of conflict toward his father in the past. Now that the man himself was gone, Zhongli could only imagine the things Childe was feeling at the moment. 

Zhongli never exactly had a family to grieve, anyway. As far as he knew, all the family he had was in this very house alone. 

And Xiao, the voice in his head whispered, snapping him out of his reverie. Zhongli blinked the voice away. Now was not the time. 

“Talking behind my back, Xiansheng?” Childe teases, coming up behind him to snake his arms around his waist. “That’s not very husband-like of you, you know.”

“Yes, yes,” Zhongli played along, “your mother and I were just discussing how unruly you are in the morning, and how you leave wet towels on the floor after you shower. Truly a horrendous habit, Tartaglia.”

The ginger pouts over his shoulder and leans in to bite his cheek, reveling in the way Zhongli squeezes one eye shut in a faux flinch. He quickly kisses the flesh he sunk his teeth into and settles back against his husband. 

“Smells good, mom.” 

“It always smells good, Ajax,” she tuts, waving her spoon in his face, “what do you think of your mother, huh?”

“Why am I being attacked,” Tartaglia pouts, the end of the sentence lilting upward in a whine. Zhongli clicks his tongue at his behavior and pats his head reassuringly. 

“The food will be ready soon,” he reassures, “besides, she was just telling me all about a soup that I must try my hand at next year.”

Tartaglia groans dramatically and leans all his weight against Zhongli in response. 

—

Night falls, and Childe finds himself lighting the fireplace in the room they stay in upstairs, letting the flames embrace the room in an auburn glow. His siblings are tucked in and finally quiet after Zhongli’s endless stories of Liyue. His mother had turned in an hour earlier after smothering the two in kisses, and the couple had stayed in the kitchen for a bit sipping wine and conversing in the moonlight. After downing a good amount and feeling a light buzz through their systems, they called it a night and headed upstairs, pinkies linked as always. 

But Zhongli was off during the entire conversation. It may have seemed like he was himself to an outsider, but Tartaglia knew better. He knew when his husband was somewhere else. He had seen it too many times before.

So later, when Zhongli finds himself sitting on their windowsill rather melancholic, watching the snow fall, Childe regards him with a careful stare. The ex-Archon eyes the way the snow falls so tenderly yet so purposefully, as if they all held a secret that even an ancient being like him didn’t understand. He shivers at the cold that seeps in through the windows and kisses his fingertips where they meet the glass, and cradles his hand back to his chest slowly. 

“Zhongli,” Childe calls. The said man turns from the window, eyes bright and oddly wet. Oh, Childe knows that look. “C’mere,” he beckons. Zhongli obeys and pads over to where his husband is situated on their bed. He crawls onto the mattress next to him and slumps against the headboard, still deep in his thoughts. 

The Harbinger looks at him with concern and squirms over to where Zhongli sits. He uses his chest as a pillow, wrapping his arms around a lithe waist and tucking his nose in the crook of his neck. He breathes deeply the mature scent of silk flowers and feels his heart thump happily in his chest. Childe stays quiet for a moment, and allows himself to focus on the rise and fall of his sturdy chest. Zhongli runs the length of his palm up and down Tartaglia’s side as he ponders.

Childe decides to break the silence before he falls asleep. “What’s wrong?” he asks quietly, voice barely above a whisper. Zhongli’s hand comes up to his hair and scratches at his scalp the way he knows Childe likes it. 

“Nothing. I am just… thinking.” His voice trails off pensively.

“Hmm. As usual,” he hums, “what about?” Childe prods gently, knowing there’s a fifty-fifty chance his husband will indulge him.

He’s quiet for a moment. Far too quiet. Childe wonders if he should drop the subject.

“Xiao, actually,” he says suddenly. “I am thinking of Xiao.”

“Xiao,” Childe parrots, confused as to why the legendary adeptus lingers in his beloved’s head at a time like this.

Zhongli sighs, and his shoulders hunch forward, eyebrows furrowing in mild discomfort. “Whenever I am with you, I cannot help but think of him.”

Childe’s eyebrows shoot up to his forehead. “Elaborate?” He’s only mildly offended, but he jests nonetheless in an attempt to lighten the atmosphere.

Zhongli chuckles and pushes a thumb between Childe’s frown. “Not like that. You know there’s no one in my heart except you. Besides, he’s like… family to me. I simply care deeply for his well being.”

Childe offers a wry smile. He knows, he’s just teasing. “So what’s wrong?”

“When I’m with you, I feel happy,” his eyes are fixated on the ceiling as he speaks. Childe, on the other hand, can’t look anywhere but at him. And although he speaks of his happiness, there are deep waves of sorrow rolling off of him. Zhongli’s makeup had washed off when he took a steaming shower, leaving Tartaglia to see the dark circles under his eyes and the faint wrinkles underneath. The light in his eyes had dulled without the bold presence of his usual red eyeliner, and it seemed as though his face appeared more sunken in when the light hit him at a certain angle. 

Childe’s heart pangs in his chest. Sometimes, his husband really looks his age.

“When I’m with you, I forget all my troubles. My burdens are made lighter simply by your presence. I forget what it felt like to be a part of the Archon War, or what it was like having so much blood on my hands. When I’m with you, I forget all of that. And I am happy.” Zhongli’s tone of  voice certainly does not match the topic he speaks of.

Still, Childe gulps. The ex-Archon can be too sappy for his own good, he might have a heart attack.

“Xiao, on the other hand, carries burdens almost heavier than mine,” he speaks as if it were an irrefutable fact. Although Childe wants to protest, he allows him to continue. “Millennia of suffering. Centuries of torture. Generations worth of karma building up on his plate. And he has no one he can turn to to help him forget; no one to help him bear it. Xiao is… alone.” His voice cracks pathetically.

Ah. 

The wind turns colder. There’s a chill that goes through the room, and it seeps into Childe’s bones. The Harbinger’s eyes dart to the fireplace, almost accusing it of not doing its job. He’s mildly aware of the new presence outside of the window that reeks of karma and a heavy heart. The tidal waves of grief and remorse spill into the room, and Tartaglia almost wants to wave a hand in front of his face to waft the energy away. Nevertheless, Childe dismisses it knowing that it is harmless, and turns all of his attention on his partner. 

“What about that traveler,” Childe offers, “Xiao seems to be fixated on him.” 

Zhongli shakes his head. “Young Traveler is far too free spirited for that, and Xiao is the type to only give his heart when he is certain that the source is stable and everlasting.”

Childe nods in understanding. He’s the same way, after all. “He was right to give his heart to you.”

“And yet I betrayed him, did I not?” Zhongli asks.

Childe frowns once again. He wills his voice to not sound too accusing when he asks, “In what way?” 

Zhongli waves his free hand in the air, trying his best to convey the emotions that had been eating at him all evening. 

“I am here, parading away with my husband while he still watches over Liyue per my request. Even though our contract ended, he still persists. He still fights the demons of the gods I slayed myself. He still is trapped by the shackles of Liyue, cleaning up my mess, worshipping my name, while I lay here wondering if I want coffee or tea when the sun rises.” 

His voice wavers. Childe’s heart tugs. The Harbinger shuffles closer and squeezes him tighter. 

“I can’t help but feel as though I am responsible for his suffering. I am the one who summoned him, am I not? The fierce Yakshas… oh how truly amazing they were,” Zhongli rambles, fingers tightening their hold on Childe. “And now they are all…”

“Zhongli.” He cuts him off sternly. The man in question shakes out his reverie, glassy amber eyes meeting cerulean. Childe brings a hand to his cheek to caress the sinfully soft skin there. The ginger leans in, pressing his forehead against his temple and pleads.

“Stop,” he whispers, and then his hand finds purchase on his husband’s neck. “Stop.” 

“I am not worthy of it any longer, Ajax,” Zhongli’s voice warbles, “all I want is for Young Xiao to rest and finally find peace. I no longer want him to have nightmares, asleep or not. I want to be the one to be rid of his burdens. I want him to be happy, Ajax, I want—“

“No,” Childe interrupts again, “there is nothing you can do, my love. And I’m so sorry you feel that way. I truly am. But his suffering has nothing to do with you anymore. Xiao looks up to you—“

“But he shouldn’t.” 

“Xiao looks up to you,” he persists, “for a reason. He adores you, okay? No matter what you do. No matter what you say. No matter how you look. Even if you’re skin and bone and wrinkly with gray hair, Xiao would still admire you. Your strength has withstood the test of time, and so has his loyalty to you.” He brushes a stray hair from Zhongli’s face and continues.

“You were the one that saved him. Have you ever thought of that, old man? You saved him and named him. I mean, if someone were to pull me out of the abyss and give me a hug for god’s sake, I probably would have turned out different,” Zhongli’s eyes soften even more, but Childe refuses to make this about him. He thumps a fist against Zhongli’s chest in mock petulance. “Xiao respects you because you deserve it. It is as simple as that.”

Zhongli is quiet, pondering, so Tartaglia takes that as an invitation to continue. 

“You have served your time bearing your burdens. You have saved souls and you have killed your own share of demons, and you fought to get where you are now. You deserve a break, Zhongli. And you don’t need to feel guilty that someone out there hasn’t been liberated of their own issues. You of all people understand Xiao’s strength. Probably more than Xiao himself, right? So have faith in him, Xiansheng. And know that you don’t have to carry the burden of freedom on your own. Burdens are meant to be shared, and I’m your husband, remember?”

“Oh, how could I forget,” Zhongli chuckles as he jests. His voice still warbles, but Tartaglia will take what he can get. Childe pinches his cheek playfully. 

“Sooo,” Childe trails off, running a finger down the length of Zhongli’s pale neck. “With that being said, I think you should enjoy the time you have now, with me, instead of reminiscing about the past.”

Zhongli nods. 

“After all, I won’t be here forever-”

“Do not.” Zhongli interrupts, looking away. His chest stops fluctuating, and it takes a moment for Childe to realize he was holding his breath. And just like that, his defensive wall is back up again. Tartaglia looks at him with wide eyes. Obviously he had struck a chord he hadn’t meant to. The grip Zhongli had around the back of his neck tightened like he meant to keep him close to his chest forever; greedy, selfish hands continue to grasp at the back of his shirt.

“Oh,” Tartaglia breathes, “I’m sorry, I was just joking.”

“I know,” Zhongli all but whimpers, “but my brain doesn’t exactly register those kinds of things as jokes.”

Tartaglia nods, unsure of what else to say. So, he ditches the thought of saying anything, and lifts a deft finger to tilt Zhongli’s face back to him. He abandons his words and leans in instead. He captures his God’s lips with his own and presses close, desperate to show him that he’s there. Tartaglia’s alive and well and very much in love, and he’s there. He’s not going anywhere; he wouldn’t even dare to think about going anywhere. Their marriage was more than a contract, it was a covenant. The vows that were sworn on that night kept them glued together, and only ‘til death do they part. 

Well, until Ajax’s death, at least.

The thought makes Tartaglia’s head pound, and he shakes the thoughts away with determination.

“I’m here,” he reassures anyway when they part, kiss-bruised lips brush against his cheek as he speaks. “Let me prove it to you.”

Zhongli nods wordlessly, cupping Childe’s face with one hand and dragging the Harbinger onto his lap with the other. They press against each other, nice and close, so that one would not be able to decipher where one began and the other ended. 

“I love you,” Tartaglia confesses into the dark, breathless. Zhongli drags him impossibly closer. 

Xiao takes that as his cue to leave, the wind chill harsh and no longer gentle as he vanishes into thin air.

--

A/N: Okayy I’m gonna get a little serious in the end notes hehe so if you wanna skip out on that, thank you so much for reading! And I hope you have a wonderful week :) find me on twitter @/xiaoscribbles and AO3 @/unironicallynapping

I wanted to write this because I’ve been on my own journey to recovery lately. My family suffered many losses in 2020 and since then, I had been struggling to get back on path and find a healthy mindset. But there’s a passage that I read in a book I’ve been reading that covers the guilt we sometimes feel when we recover, knowing and know that there’s someone out there who is suffering, too. The guilt can become unbearable, but it doesn’t need to be felt. You can take your feelings of guilt and turn it into something good. You can enjoy the life of recovery you’re living while still being there for those who need it. You can show someone you love them while also reveling in the happiness that you deserve. You don’t need to feel like you don’t deserve it just because you recovered, and someone else hasn’t. Everyone is on their own path, so rejoice in the fact that you’ve made it to your own happiness! 

I hope this fic/message spoke to some of you. It’s a really important message to me, and I just wanted to share :)