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crowned-hound · 2 years ago

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@faerieko and I are back with another arknights fic! this time it’s talulah/swire--yes, you heard that correctly--in a softer world without immortal black snakes.

you can find the fic below the cut, or here at AO3!

Where the hell was Talulah?

The Draco wasn’t exactly known for punctuality, which meant something–or more accurately, some one —had probably caught her in the hallways, asking for help, and she had been unable to say no. Beatrix didn’t have any time to wait around today.

If she didn’t hurry, she’d miss her.

Beatrix ducked around some of the other students and staff finishing up their business in the academy, emerging out onto the top of the stone steps that led up to one of Lungmen’s most prestigious schools. It didn’t take long to spot a familiar, red-tasseled tail already halfway down the stairs. Talulah wasn’t always on time, but her sister was punctual down to the millisecond.

“Ch’en!”

Pausing, Ch’en glanced over her shoulder as Beatrix barreled toward her. The click-click-click of her expensive, custom-made shoes were easily recognizable to any of her friends…and adversaries.

“Ah–sorry, Bea. I can’t hang out today. I have to meet with my uncle.”

Beatrix was already seeing red. She hadn’t even waited to hear what she had to say! She was right in what she was about to ask, but still!

“Huh? You’ve said that the last three times I’ve tried to get you to go somewhere with me.” She placed a hand on her hip. “So, should I just assume at this point that you’re busy until further notice?”

Ch’en, at least, had the decency to appear apologetic. Her tail gave a slow sway. “...Yeah.”

“Tch, figures. You always get so one-track-minded about things.” Beatrix curled her lip. “You don’t even like your uncle, so why are you hanging around him all the time lately?”

A few bored pedestrians parted around them like they were rocks in a stream, as did other students who were reaching the bottom of the stairs. Ch’en glanced from side to side.

“He’s been giving me personal lessons on how to use the Chi Xiao. It’ll just be for a while.” Her tone turned somewhat distracted as she waved a hand. Dismissive. Already thinking of bigger and better things–or at least, it seemed that way to Beatrix. “We can hang out after.”

So that’s how it’s going to be?

Shrugging, Beatrix walked past her and purposely bumped her shoulder to hers. “You always were bad at socializing, especially when things like lessons or whatever were involved. Sure. Go run to your uncle.”

She didn’t wait for an answer, continuing down the sidewalk in the opposite direction. She heard Ch’en sigh before she also departed, to do just that. This had been happening for weeks now–a realization that only succeeded in making Beatrix even grumpier. Stupid lizard.

When she wanted to go somewhere to clear her head, she tended to drift towards one of Lungmen’s carefully curated parks, which dotted the city at irregular intervals. There used to be more of them when she was younger, but over time the rising population had seen more and more of the greenery replaced with cold steel. The privilege of grass and trees was quickly becoming something only the middle-class and higher could afford, and in time, it’d probably be exclusive to the wealthy altogether. Not that money would ever serve as a barrier for her, but that didn’t mean she liked this trend. As it was, one such park was still nearby, and was as good a place as any to relax. Beatrix shoved her hands into the pockets of her jacket.

As if the defense force academy wasn’t exhausting enough to deal with.

It was a pleasant day, at the least. Warm, with clear skies–no signs of Catastrophes, a fact that Beatrix was grateful for, since the city had recently weathered the vestiges of an unusually vicious ice storm that had drifted in from Yan. There was likely to be an influx of refugees soon from some small, destroyed village. There always was.

A sudden warmth coiled around her tail, the feeling of scales as familiar to her as her own fur. Beatrix didn’t even turn around as the owner spoke.

“Beatrix!” Talulah sounded a bit out of breath. Had she been running? “I thought you wanted to get something to eat…?”

Oh. Right. That was what she had wanted to go get Ch’en for. She had sort of just walked out on her girlfriend, hadn’t she? Stupid Ch’en.

“I’m not hungry.” She wasn’t in the mood for Talulah’s clinging.

Talulah kept pace beside her. “Oh…that’s all right, we don’t have to eat out today.”

They continued in silence. Beatrix’s thoughts began to wander. Ever since Ch’en had begun spending more time with Wei, she’d been acting a little more guarded than usual. Just what did they ramble on about every day?

After a while, Talulah leaned gently against her shoulder, to get her attention. “Is everything all right? Was Ch’en busy again today?” She didn’t sound surprised.

Beatrix’s ears flattened and she moved away from Talulah, who quickly untangled their tails and gave her some space.

“Yeah, your sister’s decided her lessons with your uncle are more important all of a sudden. She won’t even really talk about it with any of us either. She just stalks over there like it’s some kind of secret!”

For. The. Third. Time.

Talulah sighed. “It’s frustrating. I know. But it seems like it’s something important to her, and lessons don’t last forever. Maybe she’ll talk about it once they’re over.”

“I wouldn’t be so pissed if she just made that clear! Instead of letting me ask three times, before I figured out she’s just too busy for us anymore! What’s so groundbreaking that she can’t even spare a few hours for her friends? I wish that damn Ch’en knew how to communicate in general…!”

She was practically hissing, fixing the Draco with a glare that could’ve ignited a building–but Talulah was fireproof. She only closed her eyes for a moment.

“...I know.” She let the quiet sit for a breath’s length. “It’s frustrating,” she repeated, “but maybe she just has a lot on her mind, and she’s not ready to share it yet.”

“And how was I supposed to know that?! Maybe I could help her if she’d just say something .”

If anything, at least Talulah shared her pain.

“There’s no way you could’ve known. She’s not told me much of anything either.” Talulah’s smile was a little sad, and the sight of it made Beatrix pause.

…Talulah’s expression was quietly hurt, in a way that spoke volumes despite emitting no sound. The sight of such a worried look did something to her own anger–made it falter, guilt flickering in the back of her mind. To make matters worse, she knew Talulah wasn’t even upset that she was yelling at her.

They had reached the gates of the park. They towered–tall and silver–flanked by serpentine Lungs that emitted stylized fire from their jaws. Beyond, a stretch of grass and even a small pond glimmered invitingly in the sunlight. Beatrix approached Talulah in the shadow of the draconic guardians. Looking up at her.

Talulah simply gazed back. Quiet. After a few seconds, she showed a warm smile.

That smile alone melted away any remaining anger she had. Beatrix sighed, twining their tails together again, just as they were earlier.

“There’s no need to apologize.” Talulah stepped a little closer, brushing her fingers along Beatrix’s cheek. “I’m worried too.”

“Yeah…probably even more than me since it concerns your sister.” It was Beatrix’s turn to lean against her.

“I won’t deny my uncle has some wisdom to impart. I just hope Ch’en takes it with a grain of salt.” Her tone was wry. She brought Beatrix closer. “Will you be all right?”

“Hopefully.” The attention was back on her again as she finally leaned her cheek into that gentle touch. Another sigh. “...I’m better now that you’re here. Still annoyed, but nothing I can’t handle.”

Ch’en aggravating her was becoming a daily occurrence.

“That’s right. There’s nothing you can’t handle, Bea.” Talulah’s amusement was barely masked.

“Shut up, Tal.” Beatrix used her own tail to tug at Talulah’s. Smiling.

Talulah pressed a kiss to Beatrix’s forehead. Beatrix knew all about Talulah’s silly compliments…they had begun when they were small, in an attempt to boost her confidence. The habit had remained even when she no longer needed it.

“If you don’t want anything to eat,” said Talulah, “maybe we should meet with Yuhsia later. You know she’ll pout if we don’t visit her.”

“Maybe we can get something to go for us and that stinky sewer rat.” Who said they couldn’t do both?

Since they were already here, they might as well cut through the park if they were going to grab some food after all. The walk would do them good, Beatrix figured, and she started down the path with Talulah at her side.

“I’ll bring home something for Ch’en…with something she doesn’t like in it.”

That got a laugh out of her. Beatrix smirked. “Good! She deserves it! I can’t wait to see her face.”

'If she complains, we’ll tell her she should’ve come with us.”

“Exactly!” Beatrix bumped her shoulder to Talulah’s–a playful one, this time. “See? I’m glad you get me.”

Talulah gave a low laugh. “Don’t I always?”

Beatrix took her face and pulled her in for a kiss. This girl…always so sweet and patient, no matter the circumstance. It was impossible to stay mad for long when she was with her. Honestly, it was something she was thankful for.

“ Usually ,” Beatrix said once she pulled back, obviously teasing.

Talulah didn’t blush much, but when she did, it was wholly adorable. She pulled Beatrix back in for a smaller kiss when she tried to move away–and it was warm. Of course it was warm. Talulah never was anything but.

Talulah murmured something against her lips. “It’ll work out, Bea.”

“...How can you be so hopeful all the time?”

"I have faith in us.” Talulah brought her hand up. Kissed the knuckles.

Beatrix blushed more than she would have liked at that. That was Talulah…always lighting the way, always believing something better was coming. “You can be so incredibly cheesy sometimes, you know that?”

“I know. You say it often. There’s worse things to be.”

“Like being clingy?”

“It’s called ‘affectionate’,” Talulah replied, in that same amused tone from before.

“Yeah, yeah. Turns out my girlfriend is just one big, affectionate, clingy lizard.”

“And my girlfriend is the most beautiful tiger in the world,” she said without missing a beat.

“Hmph! That’s right!” She couldn’t make her blush with that sort of fluff anymore! Not much, at least. She tossed her hair with a grin, flicking her tail.

…Talulah had always been in her corner. Even when her family wasn’t. Especially when her family wasn’t. Talulah had been with her ever since her grade school bullies. How had the time flown so fast?

Talulah’s eyes were bright. “How about some meat buns? We’ll get Yuhsia’s favorite.”

“Good idea.” She’d even consider maybe getting Ch’en something she actually liked, but they’d still surprise her with something she found gross first. She’d think about it. “Tell me anything you want, too. I’ll buy for everyone today.”

Talulah looked like she was going to debate it, but in the end she just nodded, nuzzling her cheek. “Thank you.”

“You don’t need to thank me for that.”

---

salutations! this is the product of a joint effort between me and my partner in crime @faerieko, who provided the art and the dialogue for Swire. we're planning on making more arknights content. if you enjoyed this please consider following us and reblogging!

thoughts on this: the previous Amaia fic was my idea, this one was Faerieko's. however, we both suffered intense brainrot at the thought of talulah/swire due to this incredible fanart! please check it out, we'd like to offer full credit to the artist, DLanon, for the inspiration! DLAnon’s also here on Tumblr!

#arknights #arknights talulah #swire #talulah artorius #beatrix schwire #crowned collab #im worried if i tag other users they'll get like spammed with notifs

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