#them: yup would be nice if xiao likes us

[bunathebunny]

while i love the whole "hm what if Xiao doesn't know he was loved very much by his colleagues-slash-friends" i also love the idea that they also were very insecure about how important they are to Xiao :DDD

[alipeeps]

Episode 19

SERIOUS SPOILERS in this one, jfc do NOT read ahead if you have not already watched ep 19!! 😭😭

Wait where did all the other demons go? We only saw Li Lun let one out and leave with her.

"You're the reason I have nothing" says Li Lun??

Ooooh Li Lun killed all the people keeping the demons in cages... and the "fight" we saw a glimpse of earlier was Zhu Yan stopping Li Lun from killing one more person.

So Zhu Yan was trying to stop Li Lun from indiscriminate killing, which would surely get him in trouble, and Li Lun saw it as Zhu Yan putting humans over demons and protecting people who had hurt demons...

Oh SHIT!! Oh wait! That flare of power when he stopped him was NOT intentional! It was the ever-burning fire branch that was absorbed into Zhu Yan.... and Li Lun is a fucking tree demon! He accidentally kinda set him on fire?

He didn't mean to hurt you Li Lun, just to stop you from killing!

Shit he killed the clinic patients, not even the bad guys who imprisoned the demons. As I said, indiscriminate killing. But as far as Li Lun is concerned, all humans are the same, all are guilty...

Okay point of order, how come Li Lun calls him Zhao Yuanzhou in these flashbacks? Cos I thought he only got given that name by the Baize Goddess, and I thought he only started spending time with her later on, when he was mired in sadness? The Zhu Yan in these scenes is still young and (relatively) carefree?

Uh, your Zhuo Yichen fanboy is showing Zhu Yan...

Ayyy gang to the rescue!

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!! What the fuck did you do to my baby boy?!!!

Divine power?! Is Bai Jiu part-god? Is he like Ying Lei and half-demon, half-god?

Ugh, Zhu Yan telling the others to get Bai Jiu to safety and confronting Li Lun alone... except he is NOT alone because Zhou Yichen stayed with him!

Oh dang. Well, she wasn't wrong that Li Lun would want to torture her in front of Zhu Yan.

Ooooh so he WAS trying to curse her and control her into hating Zhu Yan.

Another thing I love about this drama is the realism... which sounds daft to say about a very much fantasy drama but what I mean is bits like this... when the script/story calls for a character to get wet/be submerged in water... they actually DO it. There's no CGI/fake underwater scenes, and no actors with hair and clothing that has basically just been spritzed so it is barely damp... they actually get them properly submerged and wet.

Yes boi, use that ice water power!!

Damn boy, you so fucken cool...

Oooh he cut him with a blade coated in his own blood... and therefore malicious energy...

"I now carry blood with malicious energy"... meaning.. he didn't before? Or just... his malicious qi levels weren't previously high enough that it infected his blood too? I mean... Li Lun obviously knew about him absorbing malicious qi, hence the whole blood moon plot...

Oh fucking GO Wen Xiao!!

Took that fucker by complete surprise and swiped his weapon right out of his hands!!

Smash it! See how he fucking likes it!

Okay that was dumb, you decided to try and use it instead.

Oooh we saw that earlier when he escaped after the seal was broken - the skin on his arm is turning woodlike...

Yup... as I had surmised... Zhu Yan accidentally damaged him with the ever-burning fire back then... and because he is a tree demon... the fire of that burn has never gone out. He's been burning in agony ever since.

Aaaaaand that's another nice helping of guilt for Zhu Yan, who no matter how he tries seems to keep hurting people due to things that are out of his control...

Oh shiiiiit so being sealed by the baize token actually controlled the fire from the ever-burning wood. Otherwise he would have burned to ashes.

So if she hadn't sealed him, he'd be dead. And now that the seal is broken... he is burning again...

Wait up is he actually burning up right now? Like he's gonna die now? With 13 eps left?

Jfc give Hou Minghao ALL the fucking acting awards!!

So... the big bad is dead and gone? And we're only just over half way through.

So... am guessing the plot will now revolve around how to avert the two impending disasters of:

the wilderness collapsing if the baize token cannot be repaired; and

Zhu Yan destroying the human world when he inevitably loses control of the malicious qi.

Oh and here comes Chongwu fucking camp to join the party...

Oh so the bowl had the Yao water in it? But now it's polluted with blood...

I wouldn't necessarily believe what Li Lun said dude...

Yeah keep telling yourself that babes....

Oh wait, I hadn't realised it was Chongwu Camp AND Demon Hunting Bureau together?!

And let me guess, the purpose behind this unprecedented cordial entente is... to kill Zhu Yan?

Oh, arrest him is it? So your guy can then kill him and take his core.

Pleeeeeease tell me Demon Hunting Bureau isn't gonna sign off on this shit?

Since when is Sijing the Prime Minister's representative?

Also, Wen Xiao, sweetie, you should NOT be relying on Sijing to back you up... she's a fucking mole for Chongwu Camp!!

Aaaand there it is.

Uuuuuh okay... so mum is not dead? And yeah... there sure is a lot to explain to your kid fella... like how the fuck he's got divine power?!!

Can't see how Chongwu Camp's prison could hold Zhu Yan any better than Demon Hunting Bureau's if he really wanted to leave? (Am not seeing any demon-power suppressing charms). So I guess for the moment he doesn't want to leave...

Oh my, has our boy Yichen finally managed to acknowledge that things aren't quite so simple as black and white?

He sure fucking is!

I'm... starting to wonder if the dude behind the mask is gonna turn out to be... said prime minister?

Ooooh I stand corrected, they did put a bunch of suppressing tokens in his cell....

(Ngl my whumper's heart is still kinda hoping he will get injured/tortured whilst his powers are suppressed.... come on Chongwu Camp... do this one thing for me... )

Oh shiiiiiiit the Prime Minister is the "scholar" who attacked the dragon mountain god. He's had it out for demons since the start!!

Uhhhh that's a new look for Wen Xiao?!! I'm gonna guess this is a demon pretending to be her? Perhaps the same one that was doing the same in Li Lun's dream world?

Oh MAN, he were go again with flashback city!! And Zhu Yan has fucking known from the start that Sijing was a Chongwu spy and has used it against them!!

Oohhhh those fuckers lied to her that her brother was still alive and tried to use that as leverage - not knowing that she already knew for certain he was definitely dead.

So she's been pretending to be their mole all this time... to help Zhu Yan find out what they are up to.

Ahhhhh fucking epic!!

So Chongwu camp has been using demons for research... just like the clinic Li Lun and Zhu Yan busted all those years ago?

Okay wait I am CONFUSED. It was only 8 years ago that he and Li Lun busted the clinic? And that's what Li Lun was sealed for (so he's only been sealed for 8 years?) and that's when Zhu Yan wigged out under the blood moon?

So... Zhu Yan had already been hanging out with baize goddess long before that? And been given her brother's name?

But was also visiting the mortal world with Li Lun, seemingly carefree? So this hairstyle...

and this....

were a matter of maybe days apart? Was the grey hairstyle just something he used for visiting the mortal world with Li Lun? But we also saw him with that hairstyle being reprimanded by Ying Zhao for visiting the mortal world when he hadn't fully mastered malicious qi, which I had assumed was when he was much younger? Which is why I had assumed the grey plaited hairstyle indicated younger Zhu Yan? But I guess not?

Oh damn... mystery mask dude is... Xiao Bai's master? Ngl I did NOT fucking see that coming!

And he's been experimenting on demons all this time?

Has... has he experimented on Xiao Bai? Is that why he has divine power and was worried when asked if he was a demon? Have this fucker used demon/divine blood on him?

Oh FUCK and that's why he wants Zhu Yan's core! For his experiments!! A great demon's core!

Ohhh fuck that doesn't sound good...

I think this might be a trap...

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

WHAT

THE

FUCK?!!

NO! Noooooooooo!!! Not my baby Xiao Jiu!!

I AM NOT OKAY!!!

[kiliinstinct]

Of Rumors and Almond Tofu

Series: Genshin Impact Pairing: Aether/Xiao ( m/m )  Rating: T for Teen - slight spice at the end but its super minor Setting: Canon Setting - During Lantern Rite 2023 A03: [ link ] Connected to This Art: [ Tumblr Post ]

I said I was going to Post for Genshin and now I finally am! I have literally been on and off working on this one-shot since February. @genavere beta'd it for me. (Bless her confused soul, she's never played the game and had no idea what was going on.)

Enjoy! - fingers crossed tumblr doesn't make the text goofy

---

The multitude of colors and decorations that collectively dressed all of Liyue Harbor during the Lantern Rite never failed to fill Aether with a childish excitement that thrummed inside his chest. Even being his third year visiting for the Rite didn’t diminish the wonder he felt each time he took a glance at the MingXiao lanterns. 

Unfortunately, with circumstances as they were, the Traveler from another world found himself blind to the world around him—face buzzing in an embarrassed heat—distracted by his thoughts for most of the afternoon.  The Funeral Parlor was his destination, but heavy footsteps took him in the opposite direction. In his absentminded haze, he moved towards the fishmongers instead, struggling to process the morning’s events.  

He could hear Paimon titter behind him. Commenting on the details of the City decorations, waving towards the denizens who excitedly welcomed them back. Aether paid them no mind. Not deliberately, but the citizens of the harbor were used to Paimon speaking for him by now.

“Is he doing okay?” Aether vaguely recognized a voice that might have belonged to a Millellith guard as they passed. Rather than respond, he trusted Paimon to wave the man off, chirping her eager reply. “Oh, he’s fine!” 

His shoulders relaxed. Yes, he could leave it all to her while he mulled over his actions at Mt. Aocang. How could he have assumed his time at the Rite wouldn’t end in complications one way or another? 

His clung to him like a second skin, still damp from the cool waters of the morning. The face of disappointment Xiao had fixed upon him affixed itself in his mind like a blaring sign. How humiliating … Aether bit back a whine of shame. How was he going to face the Vigilant Yaksha again?

He briefly wondered if he could offer Paimon up as a sacrifice. A silly thought he knew wouldn’t pan out. Not only would Xiao refuse, but it would only serve to tease his floating companion. A terrible, vindictive part of his mind  thought the prank would do wonders for his mood. Was he feeling petty that Paimon’s dubious plan to feign drowning had turned out so horrible? Yes. Yes, he was, but he knew better than to place all blame on her small shoulders. 

After all, he could have said no. 

“It’s really not a big deal.” He heard Paimon speak to one of the kids who often played Pirates with her friends, and caught the tone of mischief too late to interrupt, “He’s just upset because his crush had to save him from drowning, that’s all!”

What.

Aether stopped mid-step. Finally registering just how far from their targeted destination they were. In the course of five seconds his heart sank to the pit of his stomach and bounced right back into the back of his throat, choking him of any and all words. 

“Oh, Mister Traveler has a special someone?" Little Lulu’s eyes glistened in wonder. "That’s so nice!” “Yup!” Paimon laughed, eyes twinkling, appearing unaware of the danger lurking behind her as Aether gawked, fingers twitching at his side. “But don’t go telling anyone else. He gets really embarrassed about it.”

He sprang into action, grasping the back of her clothes and yanked her back to his side. Mind working overtime to form the words that spilled from him too fast for his mind to keep up. “Paimon! What are you doing?”

If she was put out by suddenly losing her free flight, Paimon made no comment, opting to laugh behind her hand instead.  Her eyes glinted in amusement, “Just fielding questions. You weren’t responding to anyone so Paimon did it for you. Like the best traveling companion should, you know!” Aether couldn’t be bothered to respond, frantically looking back to Little Lulu, but it was too late. The girl had already run off to join the two boys she played with, shouting enthusiastically at them without a care in the world.  His earlier humiliation bloomed again and he noticed the surprised expressions of her friends as they glanced in his direction. He rounded on Paimon in consternation.   “Who else?” He demanded. Paimon had the audacity to look confused, “Hm?” “Who else,” he asked again, teeth gnashing together. Aether desperately wanted to stay calm, but was failing, “did you say that to?”

“... not that many.”

“How. Many?”

Rubbing her chin, Paimon hummed in thought, eyes glancing to the sky and all around them as if taking careful stock of every interaction she’d held within the past hour or so. “Including Little Lulu, just a couple more? Maybe three? I’m not sure, Traveler, you’ve been ignoring people quite a lot today.”

His expression was anything but amused. How distracted had he been? The morning was full of conversations, planning, and the gentle hope they could solve the mystery behind a mystical savior. Not only had they learned more about the old Adepti of the Past and the relations between them, he had also visited Madam Ping with Cloud Retainer, hoping to breach the subject of her music without touching on the old wounds of the past. All in all: he was exhausted and still had much to do before the concert that night. 

Ignoring the embarrassment of Xiao dragging his body out of a lake with Shenhe worriedly looming over the two of them, Aether felt the day had been full of social interactions. Could Paimon really blame him for being lost in thought?

Though, now that he had a better look of his surroundings, he couldn’t help feeling sheepish. “Zhongli has been waiting an awful while.”

“Oh, yeah. Paimon tried to get your attention about that, but you were so lost in thought that you paid no attention when Paimon tugged at you!” She circled his head, lips pursed in the tiniest of pouts, huffing. “If Paimon wasn’t so understanding, Paimon would demand you make it up with a grilled Tiger Fish!” Aether blinked, mystified. Was his thoughts on Quizhong’s life and Xiao’s expression of worry that distracting? Clearing his throat, he turned his back to the gentle, harbor waters, quietly hoping he could claim the heat of the sun was the culprit for his flustered face. “We should go then, before I make you into Tiger Fish, instead.”

“H-Hey! Why would you say that to Paimon?” “I can think of a few reasons,” He muttered, patting the top of her head, “Telling people I have a crush is certainly at the top of the list.” “Please- It’s not as if anyone is going to remember” She scoffed, dismissing him, “the Lantern Rite is tonight!”

Aether made a mental wish to the stars that Paimon was right.

She wasn’t. 

Not by a long shot. 

In fact, Paimon had been so wrong that by the very next day, with the sun barely rising and the lantern rite winding to a close, Aether thought he had misheard the local gossip. During the time he spent with Ningguang in the Jade Chamber, he was made all too aware of how fast rumors spread from the citizens of Liyue. Even Beidou’s warnings of the Qixing keeping watch on his comings and goings rang in the back of his mind like a siren. 

Despite this knowledge, he wasn’t prepared for the offhanded statements that followed his every move. They flew about him in all directions well into the afternoon. 

“That’s the traveler, isn’t it?”

“It is!”

“Didn’t you hear?”

“He almost drowned yesterday.” 

Aether never considered spending his attention on the background noise, all too accustomed to it after the last few years. He felt a stutter in his heart when that embarrassing reminder came back to snipe at him. 

So, they heard of his fake drowning attempt after all, albeit a little inaccurately.

“Doesn’t he know how to swim?”

“Of course he does, but things are strange at the Karst…”

“Is that why he was saved?” “By who?” “His lover!”

If he had been paying less attention, he would have toppled right off the pier and into the sea. Instead, he choked loudly on his own spit, face flaming a brilliant red as Paimon tittered around his head, fingers covering her mouth to hide her surprised squeal.

“Um, P-Paimon never said you had one of those!” She squeaked incredulously when Aether fixed her with his horrified gaze. “Wow, they really goofed it up, didn’t they?”

He couldn’t manage a reply. The words were gone, frozen in the back of his throat while fingers twitched and apprehension spread through all his nerves. Shut them out. It’ll blow over in a day or two. It had to. Right? Resisting the urge to throttle Paimon for the cough she faked to hide her laughter, he made a hasty retreat to Wanmin Restaurant for breakfast. 

An impossible task with whispered rumors and curious, mystified expressions following his every move. The rumors grew more exaggerated from person to person and Paimon failed to dissuade a few onlookers from spreading their overdramatized versions. 

It was too late. 

The world loved its gossip too much to be convinced of the misunderstanding. He could only quietly thank Chef Mao for allowing him to eat his breakfast in peace inside the kitchen, rather than stand among the crowd that couldn’t shut up about his non-existent love life. 

Unfortunately, that didn’t stop him from hearing tidbits each time a customer called upon the Chef for a tasty order..

Paimon had to choke back peels of laughter when they heard the list of ‘suspects.’ No one received a name, thankfully, but that left each new gossiper a question with no answers. 

Who was the traveler with? Ningguang? (“Can’t be, she wouldn’t be in Jueyan Karst during the Lantern Rite, would she?”) 

Perhaps the Yuheng, Keqing? (“She never left the harbor either!”)  

No, obviously Ganyu. (Aether hid his face in the palm of his hands at this one, quietly distressed.) Yes, Ganyu had become the popular choice among the many and Aether desperately hoped she’d be far too busy to catch wind of it. 

How could he explain this to her? Let alone anyone else? And keep Paimon from eating her foot any further than she already had while he was at it.

“Well, at least they were smart enough to realize Ganyu had been with us yesterday,” Paimon interjected between bites of her mostly finished breakfast. “Those other options were so far from the truth though. Talk about crazy. Paimon wonders what they’d do if they knew it was Shenhe and Xiao who-”

“Paimon.” His voice pierced through her rambling, far more intense than the roiling, desperate emotions simmering inside. The desperate stare he gave  his floating friend was enough to snap her mouth shut, effectively cutting her off..

“Sorry,” she amended, voice lowering a few notches as she floated beside him. “But, you have to admit, it’s crazy. They’re not even getting the gender right…”

Aether said nothing, letting his expression do the talking for him. 

He would thank his lucky stars that Chef Mao knew to be discreet, despite being a bystander to this conversation. When they left, the Chef sent them off with a cheery wave and a box full of jade parcels and lotus crisps to snack on. 

Paimon was ecstatic with the gift and Aether wouldn’t be surprised if they were all consumed before lunch.

Leaving the Harbor until the evening was the best way to save Aether from the crowd and it’s ever growing rumor mongering. By the time they’d escaped to Pervases’ temple, the gossip had grown so out of hand that Aether wasn’t sure what it would evolve to upon his return. Paimon continued to chitter her apologies, claiming time and time again that she never expected her jab towards his ‘crush’ to explode as it had. 

“It’s not even a crush,” he groused, setting incense at the temple while laying out a freshly grilled Tiger Fish in honor of the long-gone Yakshas. He treasured the peaceful quiet of the hall Wang Ping’an happily kept his distance, keeping watch at the door for more visitors. (Aether doubted more would come. The temple was always depressingly empty when he visited.) He ignored Paimon’s dramatic roll of her eyes and clasped his hands together in a customary prayer pose. 

Oh, whatever well wishes I give you now, Pervases, he thought dismally, please find a way to swallow Paimon up with me when these rumors take me out.

Paimon barely took the time to perform her own prayer, swirling about Aether’s head in agitation. “Oh sure, not a crush, you say, as if Paimon would believe that!”  

Tune her out, tune her out! 

“You were practically tripping over your feet when he pulled you out of the pond yesterday and don’t think Paimon didn’t notice you pouting when he left.”

It was getting harder to ignore her. 

“You looked like a kicked puppy who was denied a treat-”

“I did not!” 

Paimon’s expression was smug, staring at him through her lashes as she floated superiority over him. “And the blush on your cheeks is because…?”

His blasted body betrayed him by growing hotter at the question. He cleared his throat, turning his attention back to the Adepti monument, shoulders slack as he gave up. What use was there in lying to Paimon, anyway? She’d been by his side for so long, she was bound to pick up his tells. Almost as much as Lumine could rat him out…

Aether sighed, defeated. “It doesn’t matter, anyhow,” he muttered. “That’s a road better left empty.”

A crush? Certainly not. Whatever feelings he’d bottled up inside his heart for the last three years had grown far deeper than that. In the expanse of his own mind that twisted and turned around every possible mystery of Teyvat, all in his attempt to reunite with his sister, even Aether couldn’t lie to himself for too long. 

Xiao had certainly slotted into a place in Aether’s heart that he never knew existed. And in time, he couldn’t pretend it wasn’t there. A strange relationship that teetered back and forth along a thin wire. There was a tension between him and the Conqueror of Demons. A tension Aether couldn’t put a name to. Whether he fell or not, there was no knowing what falling off that wire would do to him.

In fact, he was determined not to find out. 

“Is it because you don’t think he feels the same?” Paimon cut through his reverie, slowly drifting to his side rather than staring down her nose at him. “Because Paimon thinks he looked really worried and upset yesterday so maybe he -”

“Paimon.” Aether’s stare was pleading. “Please, stop.”

“Oh- ok.” Her voice dropped to a tiny, disappointed whine. “Sorry.”

He knew she meant well. In fact, the thought of him holding feelings for another must have sparked an idea into her  head well over a year ago. What reason would he have to leave Teyvat in the end, if he fell into a relationship, after all? She must have taken his broiling emotions as a sign of weakness. A sign he could be persuaded to stay, but it was better not to hold onto false hope. 

That’s what he told himself.

Besides… muttering a final prayer to Pervases, Aether turned to leave, content to enjoy the outdoors until dinner with Hu Tao. He wasn’t certain how many the Director had invited, but the prospect of seeing old friends at a - hopefully - peaceful supper, helped ease his worries.

  It wasn’t as if Xiao would try and keep him here. The Yaksha had his own duty and that didn’t include convincing otherworldly beings into staying once their own was completed.  

That thought was enough to sober Aether from the many rumors of the Harbor.  He took in the air, smelling the sweat flowers and mints in the area as they soothed his aching heart. 

This world was beautiful. He would never stop thinking that. Even when it was nothing more than a memory.  With that thought in mind, Aether was positive he could tour the harbor once more, enjoying its festivities no matter what rumor trailed behind him.

A lover? Pfft, let them talk. Let them wonder. He knew the truth of it and that’s all that mattered. Even if the truth sank into the pit of Aether’s stomach like a pile of cor lapis. 

Aether would begin questioning all his decisions the moment he set foot in Xinyue Kiosk for Hu Tao’s big dinner plans.. 

Meeting all his friends in one place for a free dinner was more than enough to bring Aether joy and Paimon’s own squeal of delight. To sit alongside Xiangling, Chongyun and Xingqiu brought a light feeling to his chest and the sight of Hu Tao and Zhongli strengthened it. While they had seen the latter two only a day before, the prospect of a friendly dinner was enough to ease most of his worries. 

It didn’t matter what rumors still spread through the harbor. Earlier, he overheard a couple mention him ‘slipping’ into the water with his supposed ‘lover’ for a moment of intimacy. A mental image that made his face grow redder than the tomatoes sold nearby. 

How much crazier were these rumors going to grow before the townsfolk became bored?

Aether’s friends, young and old, seemed none the wiser, or at the very least, saw fit not to bring it up over dinner.  A fact Aether would forever be grateful for. At least, that’s how it should have gone, but the appearance of Xiao sent Aether’s mind into overdrive. Hu Tao’s mysteriously proud grin was the precursor to a meal he never expected. After refusing to enter the Harbor the previous Lantern Rites, seeing him a day after the traveler’s poorly executed ‘drowning’ attempt, set his heart thudding against his ribcage.  Not only was the Yaksha willingly in the harbor during Festival Season, but he’d been ushered to sit beside the other as if that had been the plan all along. 

The assumption wasn’t too far off. If Hu Tao’s knowing smirk was anything to go off of.

He felt his body turn to stone, heat rising along his neck at the proximity between them and he desperately hoped that Xiao’s penchant to ignore mortal matters would keep him far away from those embarrassing rumors. The adeptus always had a strong presence, not just from his inhuman energy, his intense gaze and stance always drew Aether’s attention. Now, however, it was difficult to keep himself from watching Xiao through his peripheral vision. The strong want to study his profile left Aether struggling to swallow, forcing his gaze ahead of him to keep his calm facade. “... is this, okay?” He was surprised, stunned out of his thoughts when Xiao’s pointed question struck him down with the faintest hint of insecurity. His confusion must have been obvious as Xiao, eyes averting back to the table, made a grumble of frustration toward repeating himself. “You are tense. I wondered if my presence was bothering you.”

Oh. 

“No-!” Aether snapped, voice far louder than he intended.  Gulping down as much water as he could manage, he ignored the raised brows of his peers and shook his head enough to feel dizzy. “It’s not that. I’m actually really-” Really what? Pleased? Excited? Flustered over nothing? Aether looked to Paimon for help as the words became sludge in his mouth. Her answering grin was sinister and he knew he made another mistake. 

“The traveler is actually really happy you’re here, Xiao!”  She hid her mischief behind her hand and giggled, “It’s almost like one of his wishes had been granted-”

Oh, if he wasn’t going to turn her into food yesterday, he certainly was now.  The glare he shot her was seen around the table, and he could feel the knowing, if perplexed expressions of the others who witnessed the scene. Zhongli, ever the silent observer, sipped his tea and turned his golden gaze towards Xiao instead, but Aether noticed the slight curve of the former Archon’s lips; and felt his lungs constrict further. Oh stars above, he knows.  Maybe he should have skipped out on today's dinner and called it an early night. Maybe he should have taken on an extra commission or a-

Xiao’s pointed stare froze him. The golden glow of the Yaksha’s eyes filled his shoes with cement before the gaze turned towards Paimon, and gave the briefest nods in acknowledgement to her. 

If Aether hadn’t been lost in his horror, he might have noticed the slightest hint of red dusting the tip of Xiao’s ears, but he couldn’t attend to that. Instead, he swallowed thickly, watching as Xiao considered his companions' words and resumed his stare at the table. “Hmm,” The non-committal grunt said so much and so little at once. It made him want to scream. “I see.”

The awkward tension in the room shattered like glass and chatter erupted around the table once more. Aether spared Paimon of a rueful glare in lieu of sighing in relief. It was easier to fall silent and listen, all while buzzing from the very presence of Xiao by his side. Talking was difficult and observing the other’s conversation removed all pressure from his soul. The respite was welcomed. Though it did not last long as chaos incarnate, the winds of Barbatos himself, saw fit to crash the party. If Aether had known he’d be in the presence of not one, but two Archons that evening, he would have mentally prepared himself better. 

Venti was a whirlwind of trickery and slid himself into the gathering with ease, as if he’d always been there. Upon his windy entrance, blowing open the doors with a giggle, the sudden tick at Zhongli’s jaw spoke of a quiet irritation. Hu Tao’s sudden interest in the new arrival gave Aether the strange feeling that the funeral parlor’s director was all too aware of the true identities of the feigning mortals at the table. A matter Aether tucked away to explore later. Much later. When there wasn’t the Lord of Anemo and Geo vying for most passive aggressive compliments the world of Teyvat had ever seen flying over his head. If Aether hadn’t known any better, he would have sworn Venti and Zhongli were divorced lovers. 

The mere thought made him cough back an amused snort that was waved away when Paimon sent him a questioning glance. The ‘I’ll tell you later’ went without saying. He’d rather enjoy the chaotic chatter while it lasted, enjoying his meal and observing the others around him. If his eyes happened to stray one too many times towards Xiao, he pretended not to notice. 

“Uhh-“ Though, noticing the stiff poise of the Yaksha beside him, perhaps it was a good thing he kept his attention on him. Xiao kept his hands under the table, fingers fidgeting at each new barb the Archons threw across the table. Each lie to cover up their identity made his body tense, as if becoming petrified wood would save him from the conversation. 

“I- uhh..” Xiao struggled to interrupt the onslaught of passive aggression, shoulders tensing by the second.

Aether frowned, and realized Xiao was not enjoying this. Brows furrowed together before he made a decision. It wouldn’t do to chase Xiao off from functions like this in the future. Anything to help the Yaksha relax and settle into the banter. 

With a careful glide of his hand beneath the table, he grasped Xiao’s twitching fingers with his own. The speed in which Xiao’s eyes flickered to him made the Traveler wonder if he’d made a mistake, an apology already formed upon his lips. 

But Xiao didn’t withdraw. Citrine eyes stared intently for a moment, as if looking for Aether’s inner thoughts. Coming up with nothing, he glanced to their adjoined hands before giving Aether’s an experimental squeeze, fingers sliding between his own. Aether had to bite back the surprised exhale that ran through him.

‘Are you okay?’ He wanted to ask, but that would garner everyone’s attention, breaking the spell weaved between them. Instead, Aether smiled and resumed eating. Almost like a child, Xiao’s grip tightened, ignoring the meal in favor of watching the others.

Like Aether, Xiao observed, but unfortunately, Aether’s actions were nothing more than a bandage for an issue far deeper than nerves. Venti and Zhongli were still in the limelight, spreading their flowery language from person to person. Even Hu Tao joined in, eyes glittering in mischief.

“Ah such lovely compliments my guests have for each other on this fine day.” The director curled her lips as she eyed everyone over the rim of her glass. “It’s so nice to see everyone getting along.”

Something in her tone spoke a different language to Aether. A niggling instinct that pricked the back of his neck, whispering tiny assumptions about Hu Tao. There was always something about her and the way she looked around the room that hinted to a knowledge vastly greater than she let on. Alarm bells rang as he witnessed her excited eyes glance from Zhongli to Venti, enjoying their banter like an afternoon play. It was a wild thought, Aether realized, but maybe the only ones unaware of the Archon’s identities were the other three guests, watching the spectacle in stunned silence. 

Paimon’s excited squeal and Xiao’s grip becoming tighter yanked Aether from his reverie. His flying companion had received seconds in the form of Xiao nudging his plate to the side and spared no second to curb her enthusiasm. The interruption gave way to more chatter along the table, pulling the attention off the archons for a short period.

“While I’m not partial to it, one could almost feel elated enough to have a glass of wine,” Zhongli said, taking it as a chance to once more explain how he was truly the one honored by everyone’s presence that day.

Venti jumped upon the self-indulgence without a second thought. Sitting straighter in her seat to hold his cup in the air, ignoring how tea splashed from the cup. “This MUST be a great occasion, indeed, for one as esteemed as yourself, huh?”

Aether held back the urge to roll his eyes. Paimon didn’t.  

He registered a shift in the man next to him. The tension was back and the Yaksha’s grip was crushing. Xiao had reached his limit. 

“I- I uh, I think-" It felt wrong, Aether decided, watching as Xiao struggled to put words into sentences. Words were difficult. He understood on a deeper level than most, but this was new territory. Attempting diplomacy when forthright honesty was more his style. Before Xiao could finally put his thoughts into verbal communication, Aether struck.

“Wow, I have eaten WAY too much,” he chirped, glancing at Paimon as he made a show of patting his stomach. The action released his hand from Xiao’s, causing the Yaksha’s eyes to widen and arm jerk from the motion. Ignoring Paimon’s confused hum, mouth still full of fish, he turned back to Xiao, “I think I need fresh air. Come with me?”

If anyone needed it. It was Xiao. Who eagerly accepted the out, eyes worriedly searching Aether for any further sign of discomfort. Convincing Paimon to stay behind was a harder task. Her shock and betrayal garnered everyone's attention, making his face grow heated.  He couldn’t blame her. After what happened in Sumeru, how could he? The Sabzeruz Festival was not so easily forgotten. Not half as easy as what was erased from Irminsul at least.

With a few well thought out words, and some added help from the others, she relented with a threat to eat his food along with her own if he took too long. He smiled fondly at her, patting her head as he left the table. A lost meal was a consequence he was willing to take.

Now that the opportunity was made available, Xiao was too oblivious to his ruse. The Yaksha stood by the double doors, arms crossed and shoulders so tense, Aether feared he’d turn to stone. His fingers tapped against his vision as barely contained impatience brimmed in the bright gleam of his eyes. He all but ran out the door the moment Aether swung it open, reveling in the fresh air and sunlight that greeted them.

“Are you all right?” Xiao demanded as soon as he was paced away from the building, posture far more relaxed now that they were free of everyone's gazes. “I should be the one asking that,” Aether replied, an eyebrow raised in concern. Somehow, words were easier when it was just the two of them. Simple. Upfront. 

Xiao’s eyes couldn’t stay focused, glancing from Aether’s face, before they swept around the street, eyeing every passerby as if a demon hid amongst them. When he deemed their location private enough, Aether witnessed the tension slowly bleed away as the seconds passed. Not to the extent the Traveler would have preferred, but it was something. He sighed in relief and was content to wait as Xiao answered, opening a line of conversation that was more relaxing than the cacophony inside. 

When it came to conversation. Xiao was often short lipped, but time after the Chasm incident must have changed him. With his willingness to speak of matters of the past and his own discomfort, it was clear their previous meetings had opened Xiao’s heart more than anticipated. A welcome surprise that created a gentle smile to cross his face. 

Unfortunately, relishing in the light conversation Xiao provided was not an easy task when beside one of the busiest roads in Liyue Harbor.

“Who's that with the Traveler right now?”

“That can’t be the one, can it?”

Aether cursed as a couple passing by whispered far too loud to keep their conversations secret and a mortified heat began to creep along the back of his neck. Oh no. No. No. No. Not now.

He trailed off lamely, distracted from their conversation. He assumed Xiao would notice and think something was wrong, possibly assume the worst, but curiously, the adeptus tilted his head, eyes gleaming in confusion. Something had caught his attention. Enough for his eyes to rove over the crowd on the streets before fixating back on what was now a very disgruntled traveler. 

“... What is- “ Xiao tested the words on his tongue as if his question was foreign to him. “Traveler, what is dating?”

At that moment, Aether wished he could curse in all the languages he’d heard in his travels, but he didn’t have the time to recall them all. Or the energy to speak them. What had Xiao heard to ask that? Aether worked through the palpitations of his own heart to consider the question, mouth running dry as the words jammed in his throat. 

“Why-?” 

No, dumb question. Xiao didn’t ask about human customs much, questioning it now may cause him to withdraw entirely. Aether didn’t want that, did he? “You don’t-,” a moment of insanity passed through him as he wished Paimon had followed along after all. She could handle this question better than him, right? 

Then again, catching the stares of a Millellith soldier across the road made him grimace. Never mind. Paimon would definitely have made everything worse. “You haven’t heard the term before?”

That.. was a safe response. 

He hoped. 

Xiao considered the question, nose scrunching in a way that made Aether’s heart twist. The curiosity the Adeptus held for humans despite his claims otherwise endeared Aether to him each time he was blessed to witness it. Despite the embarrassing context of the question, he clung to the visual to hold in his memories for later. Just as he had with all previous interactions he had in the past. 

“Mortals talk incessantly,” Xiao said after a few beats of silence. “Perhaps I have heard it before, but I never bothered to pay it any mind. The customs of mortals are… odd… to me.”

Somehow, that answer was very… Xiao.

Aether grinned, “Have you heard of courting then? Suitors?” What other words could he think of that may ring a bell… Aether was about to explain in further detail when recollection lit up in Xiao's eyes.

“How uninformed do you think I am?” He snapped, clicking his tongue derisively. 

Once upon a time, Aether would have suspected annoyance, but the hint of red he spied at the tip of Xiao’s ears spoke more to the truth than any words the Yaksha could say. 

“A mortal passtime to find a lover and pass on their legacy through their progeny. Of course, I know what that is-" He paused blinking. “Ah, so that is dating.”

“Words change over time,” Aether stated, still amused by his obvious discomfort.

“Ridiculous.” The retort came swift like a gust of wind before Xiao’s attention pulled back to the crowds behind them. His silence became a palpable curiosity that filtered through in muted measures. Aether wondered what was going through his mind in that moment, but chose not to ask. Whatever it was, Xiao would ask if he wanted. Something spurred the Yaksha to grumble, words muttering under his breath that Aether couldn’t catch. Watching him through his lashes, Xiao frowned, a strange irritation filling him. “So, then you -" 

After a few seconds of no follow up, Aether broke his silence. “So, I…what?”

Xiao shook his head. “Nothing. Just forget it.”

Silence befell them. When Aether realized Xiao wasn’t going to continue, he cleared his throat, thinking back on their earlier conversation. Steering the topic back a few paces would be ideal and the more he looked down the street, witnessing the onlookers slowly grow in number, the more Aether regretted his decision to escape the others in the first place. 

But something was bothering Xiao now, he could tell. Xiao’s gaze flickered from the street and back to him, brows furled together in thoughts that he refused to verbalize. Had he heard something else? The Traveler couldn’t be sure, but just when he had a mind to ask, the door to the kiosk swung open and both their gazes met Xiangling’s as she approached, lips bitten insecurely.. “Sorry!” She said swiftly, her smile felt out of place, far too timid for the cook’s usual expressions. “Am I interrupting anything?” “Not at all,” Aether answered in reflex, barely catching the quiet ‘tsk’ that escaped Xiao. This was the perfect change of topic. Already the tension from before bled away as if it never existed. “Were we taking too long?”

And off the conversation went with Xiangling beckoning the two back inside. Though, Aether made sure Xiao gave his due thanks for Xiangling’s efforts in bringing him an almond tofu, and winced when Paimon’s despondent waiting was brought up. As irritated as he was over the whole rumor debacle, he truly hadn’t meant to leave her alone for so long. Not since the Sabzeruz. He still remembered her terror at being left behind. It was a horror he felt in his bones and understood all too well.

Perhaps now was the best time to end their conversation, either way. They’d been invited to dinner. It wouldn't do to avoid the whole thing now, would it? Aether was certain Xiao would fare better a second time around and with the night still young, he wanted to bask in the social atmosphere a little longer before finally considering the years Lantern Rite officially over. 

When all was said and done, Aether could honestly say he never expected Xiao to invite him back to visit at Wangshuu Inn. “If you have need of me, call my name, but-…come to the inn, if you’d like to talk more.”

Somehow, it truly felt as if Xiao had changed. The events in the Chasm had opened the Adeptus in ways Aether could only dream to witness. Not obviously to most people, but just enough for Aether to feel as if he’d stepped through many doors that had been locked tight before. 

“Maybe those rumors will get it right now.” Paimon huffed that evening, stuffed full from the dinner and finally alone with Aether once again. “You two stayed out and away from Paimon for so long, everyone should have a good guess at this rate.” Aether cleared his throat, facing Paimon with a deadpan stare. “You get a pass. Just this once.”

Eyes lighting up in mischief, Paimon giggled, ecstatic, “Really? What’s the occasion?”

“It’s my apology for making you wait so long.” He ruffled her hair as he teased her. “I couldn’t believe it when Xiangling said you’d hardly touched your food. Maybe you’re sick? Is something wrong with my emergency food?”

“Oooh! Paimon’s had it to here with you! Paimon deserves more than one pass for that, mister!”

He laughed. Maybe, if he was lucky, he could put the gossip behind him. They were bound to die out the further from the festival it became after all, and he didn’t have the energy to stress over it further.

With the sun fading below the horizon, Aether decided that after all was said and done, it was an almost perfect night. This world may not be his, but in that moment, he felt just a little bit closer to home. 

Xiao’s offer wouldn’t be taken for another two days when Aether found himself in the area, exhausted from a day of commissions and curiosity burning in his veins. Would Xiao be there waiting? Or would he come to chat if called? It was enough for him to decide to stay for the night before making his way back to Sumeru. There was some time yet before he would travel to the region Fontaine, so there was no reason he couldn’t make a few more detours, right? 

“Three Hundred… Four Hundred… Five- “ Counting his recent payments, Aether’s eyes lit up, “Five hundred mora! Add that to the rest of our funds and we should have more than enough to stay at the inn. No camping tonight!”

“Didn’t we already have enough before you were paid? You’re practically a workaholic, you know,” Paimon said.

He shrugged, smiling unapologetically, “And I never hear you complain each time another bag of mora comes our way, do I?”

Paimon didn’t bother denying it and pouted instead. Their back and forth would continue all the way to the Inn, with Aether falling silent partially through their conversation, settling into their usual pattern.. If he were honest with himself, the Lantern Rite had burned his ability to socialize to an almost non-existent flame, and he relished Paimon filling the air with her chatter. On days like this, he could forgive her of the embarrassment days prior. 

After all, rumors from Liyue Harbor wouldn’t spread this far out into the Dihua Marshes. Of that, he was as certain as he was of the sun rising each morning. 

Skipping the elevator of the Inn, Aether prolonged Paimon’s prattling by climbing the stairs; enjoying the wind as it whistled through his braid, the view as the sun gleamed across sparkling waters, and the sounds of chatter from the many guests chattering throughout. Second to Mondstadt only, the locals of Wangshuu Inn never failed to fill Aether with a calm peace. 

It was a source of security, anchored down by the presence sheltered at the rooftop. A fact Aether refused to admit outloud, and certainly not in front of Paimon. 

Lantern Rite had been good to the Inn. Approaching the main Lobby, they spied Verr Goldett surrounded by a line of customers. Catching the gleam of Aether’s golden hair and Paimon’s crown, she waved pleasantly to them; her smile crinkled the edge of her eyes before she turned her attention back to her waiting guests.  There would be no conversation just yet, but that was okay. Aether wasn’t worried about finding a place to sleep. The Boss Lady of Wangshuu Inn always had a room available to him when asked.  It was a mystery he never quite understood how she managed to do it. “Okay!” Paimon’s voice shrieked closer to Aether’s ear than intended, pulling him from the unsolved riddles of the inn.. He flinched, ears ringing, but Paimon paid that no mind. Sadly, he knew it wouldn’t be the first time, nor the last. “Paimon is going to see Yanxiao for some food, you go on without me.”

Aether blinked, one foot on the stairs to the upper balcony and the other grounded in place. Raising one brow, he observed his Fairy companion silently, uncertain of her motive. Hadn’t she been angry at him for leaving her behind just a day ago? 

She rolled her eyes. “Don’t look at Paimon like that. You wanted more time to talk to Xiao, right? Paimon will join you later.”

Something about her tone raised alarm bells in his mind, but he couldn’t put words to it before she held out her tiny hand, expectant.

“But-”

“Bag please!” Her smile was devious. “Paimon has to pay for our meals somehow and you keep all the mora on you.”

“Is this your way of sneaking yourself an extra helping without supervision?” Regardless, the small bag he’d saved from the day was snatched from him as soon as it was offered.

“Paimon will make sure there’s still enough for a room, don’t worry.”

Aether couldn’t resist. “Too late.”

“Oooh,” she seethed, opalescent eyes sparked in anger. “Go up and see your Adeptus boyfriend already!”

With her loud exclamation, Paimon shot her way to the kitchens, leaving Aether flustered and frozen in place as every eye in the lobby turned towards him. 

Oh no. Not again! Paimon, I swear to all Archons who hear me and beyond, I am going to EAT you one day!

Noticing the all-knowing eyes of Verr Goldett on him, Aether attempted to wave off the eyes with a sheepish smile. Already he could hear the quiet murmurs spreading through the crowd.The Boss Lady of Wangshu Inn understood his quiet plea, lips curving in comradery.

“Come now, who's next? My husband won't be back for a few more minutes, so allow me to assist you.”  Beckoning for the line to move on, her voice rose above the chatter, calling attention towards herself as she laughed. “As if an Adeptus would be at my inn of all places. Could you imagine?”

And that was enough to break through what Aether could see as an all-new rumor spreading. Verr Goldett was true to her job, keeping the mystery of the rooftop—and who lived upon it, as secret as the day she’d met Aether. The ‘gentleman’ of the balcony would not be named and she made sure all visitors knew better than to ask. Feeling ashamed of their eavesdropping, the nearby guests cleared their throats and looked away, keeping their chatter to themselves. Relieved, Aether mouthed a tiny ‘thank you’ from the stairs and resumed his trip up, two steps at a time. He didn’t miss the glitter in her eye. No doubt, she’d expect a return favor in the future.  That was a problem for the future, he decided, and quietly he vowed to make Paimon help when the time came. 

The highest balcony of the inn never failed to leave Aether breathless. The view of the marsh and distant mountains gleamed with the waning sunlight with stars already beginning to sparkle above. The skyline of the towering peaks of Jueyan Karst and the lonely mountain, Dragonspine, framed the view from left to right. Ginko leaves scattered about the wooden deck, flowing with the wind around the lone figure watching the land below him. Aether gawked, stunned by the silhouette, illuminating Xiao’s outline, as flecks of teal reflected the light in his hair. 

For the first time in months, Xiao had waited for him. Aether’s mouth became dry as he struggled to greet the other, but there was no need. Even with his back turned, Xiao knew who had come to join him.

“So,” he began, head barely tilting to acknowledge the other, “you came afterall.” 

Words tumbled off Aether’s tongue in a rush, “Didn’t you invite me?”

Xiao hummed in confirmation, gaze still piercing the clouds above them, watching as another star began to shine. Aether took the opening for what it was and crossed the deck to stand by Xiao’s side. His own gaze struggled to choose between watching the scenery or admit the profile of his companion. 

“Then, why wouldn’t I come?” he asked when the wind ceased and the rustling of the tree above them came to a halt. Xiao answering blink gave Aether all he needed to know, cracking a grin as the Adeptus slowly accepted his reply. “You come when I call, don’t you?”

“That’s-!” Xiao paused, catching himself before his tone resumed its careful, quiet timbre. “That’s different. I promised to protect you.”

His smile grew. “And we agreed that it was time to let friends take care of their friends.” He chuckled as Xiao broke his gaze to stare towards the trees, the hint of an ear tip dusted in pink peeked from behind his hair.  “What sort of friend would I be if I ignored your invitation?”

“I-” He cut himself off.

“Yes…?”

Xiao sighed, the barest hint of a smile curving at the edges. “I still don’t understand you.”

Mirroring him, Aether leaned against the railing, enjoying the gentle breeze that weaved through his braid. “Then I’ll just have to keep visiting until you do.”

It was easy to talk or fall into companionable silence, after that, something Aether always appreciated. Words weren’t easy, especially in Teyvat. The language had proven difficult and confusing when he’d first began his journey. Xiao’s ability to listen and enjoy the moment without words was a small reprieve. Once upon a time, Aether knew the Adeptus would have disagreed with the sentiment, but he wasn’t so good at hiding his true emotions anymore. That or Aether had learned to read him easier. The slight hint of a smile, the soft tone of his voice as he wistfully encouraged him to speak or be silent. It was a small comfort. One Aether relished. He could only hope Paimon would stay in the kitchens, bothering the cook for all the food she could muster. Perhaps, she’d eat until she was too tired to join them, dozing blissfully in a corner by the innkeepers. 

Just the thought made Aether giggle, catching Xiao’s attention and breaking the silence between them. He recalled a time when the Adeptus admitted to wanting to know all of Aether’s experiences in an attempt to learn and understand more about himself and mortals. This thought could be added to countless others as their conversations often began anew and moved on to so many topics he could hardly remember them all. But just when he was about to settle in to speak of his recent adventures in Sumeru, Aether finally noticed the small two-tiered box to the side, sitting beside one of the potted plants. “What's that?” He interrupted his own thoughts, head tilting to point out the curiosity. Xiao didn’t bother to look, already aware of what was around them. “Almond tofu,” he said, voice monotone as he raised a brow. Aether considered this and scrunched his nose. “That’s like.. Two servings more than you usually eat.” He pointed out. Xiao hummed noncommittally. “I .. still hadn’t finished what Xiangling made for me,” he admitted, glancing to his feet in a way that brought to mind a guilty child. “But then Yanxiao made my usual amount and I… I couldn’t eat it.”

The mention of the chef made it all clear. Of course. Yanxiao wouldn’t have known that a different cook all the way from the harbor had made the Adeptus an offering. Following routine explained the extra portions and the traveler made a decision. Breaking away from Xiao’s presence, he brought the tiered box to him. “Well, it’s only going to go bad if you keep leaving it out here so-”

“You should have some too.”

Aether froze. “What?”

There was a careful expression on Xiao’s face. Jaw tense, head tilted just enough to keep the shine of his citrine eyes from revealing any thoughts in his mind. If it were any other person, Aether would have sworn they were nervous, but Xiao.. nervous?

“You don’t have to,” he said a beat later. “I just…Thought we could share. You can tell me more of your travels. I’ll listen.”

Nothing else needed to be said. It was an offer that Aether was more than happy to take. 

Opening the tiers, he found spare chopsticks inside—silently noting the extra pair, but spared Xiao the embarrassment of being called out, and pulled them out. Handing one tier to Xiao, Aether sat his own share against the bannister and hummed pleasantly when he popped a piece of the textured pudding into his mouth. Sweet, but not overly so- with a sticky syrup that clung to his tongue. …with a…bit of spice? “Xiangling made this one, didn’t she?”

Xiao nodded, absentmindedly eating his own. “I didn’t dislike it. But it is different.”

“Not bad.” Aether agreed, but mischief seized him a second later as he added, “I like the one you make best though.”

Xiao uncharacteristically choked, grunting as he looked away again. He was doing that a lot lately, Aether noted. And he thought he caught the phrase ‘yours is better’ pass the Adepti’s lips, but couldn’t be sure. Laughing at his successful mission to fluster the mighty Yaksha of Dihua Marsh, he popped another piece into his mouth. 

“You grow less timid each time we meet,” Xiao stated, keeping a careful gaze on Aether as they enjoyed the dessert together. “Do you speak to your lover like this, as well?”

And just like that, Aether felt the entire world drop out from under him. His own bite of almond tofu lodged itself in his throat as his heart threatened to burst from his chest and attempt to fly off to worlds unknown. Coughing, he thumped his chest a few times to calibrate himself, not noticing when Xiao stepped closer, setting his own plate aside in concern. “Lover?” He gasped through another bout of coughing, eyes wildly searching Xiao’s for an explanation. “When have I ever- what…why would I-”

Somehow, Aether just knew, this was all Paimon’s fault.

“Traveler, are you-” With a hand raised, intent to possibly slap Aether’s back to help stave off his choking, Xiao reconsidered the action and watched the coughing subsided, his brows knitted together, perplexed. “Did I hear wrong, then?”

“Hear what?” Aether pressed, covering his face to hide the assured blush splashing across his cheeks and burning down his neck. He couldn’t face Xiao, not like this. Shame filled him. So smooth a second ago, only to have it torn from him by an almond tofu assassination attempt. “Please. Explain.”

“It…” Xiao paused, considering his next words, eyes whirling in quiet anticipation. “At the harbor. I heard… many things. The people there are convinced you have a lover. Are they mistaken?”

“Yes!” The embarrassed groan that escaped Aether could be heard across the marsh, hand smacking into the almond tofu, knocking it from the railing as it clattered to the balcony below. He’d have to apologize to Goldett later. “So…you...you heard all that?”

Xiao blinked, head tilting in a curious way that Aether had to ignore lest he be distracted by the cute action. “They were very loud about it. Did you not?”

Aether nodded, too flustered to voice the words in that moment. Of course he had. He’d hoped a silly Adeptus wouldn’t pay it any mind! “Ugh, I did, but- it was Paimon’s fault. She said something and rumors began to spread and I just-”

“Ah.” Realization gave Xiao pause as Aether trailed off, rubbing the bridge of his nose. Anxiety gripped him, uncertainty filled his lungs and he felt, in that moment, that he needed to leave. To hide. Camp outside. Anything other than feel Xiao’s gaze as he processed this development. 

But he couldn’t. Not now. Not like this. Not while Xiao stared at him with a molten gaze that glued his feet to the deck. 

The tension in Xiao’s brow relaxed by the second as a sudden curiosity gripped him. His own plate was set aside, much more elegantly than Aether’s and he approached the traveler with a caution befitting an animal observing its surroundings. Once within the other's proximity, Aether’s mind shut down when Xiao’s gloved hand gripped his own, tugging it gently from his face. 

“If I’m not mistaken,” he began, voice low and considering, “while often false, rumors also grow through seeds of truth.”

Jaw slack, Aether gaped, the words whirling through his mind struck greater than a hurricane, but not a sound escaped. Nodding vaguely, he nervously gazed from Xiao to the potted plant behind him, examining the giant green leaves and the intricate designs along its holder. 

“Then…did you…” Conflict flickered in Xiao’s eyes and Aether noticed the signs before the Yaksha would often deny his own questions and leave. Despite the fast rate of his heart and mental shrieking, Aether felt the panic rise in his throat, the impending urge to ask him to stay boiling on the tip of his tongue. The flicker of doubt passed and Xiao pressed on, unaware of how it continued to rob Aether of his voice, “Feign drowning again, despite my reprimand?”

A second passed. Then another. Aether blinked in time with his own heart, puzzled. “Why would I have—I didn’t.” Had he missed a step somewhere? Xiao’s train of thought was moving quicker than his own, unable to focus. “Why-”

“If you hadn’t, Traveler,” Xiao continued, voice darkening with an edge Aether only heard when he was serious. “Then one could only assume the so-called lover that saved you was not, in fact, a mystery person, but myself. Correct?”

Aether’s mouth went completely dry and what blush he had quickly faded as the blood rushed from his face. He felt a chill down his spine, crawling along his arms down to the very tips of his gloved fingers. Another nod and he felt foolish. Why wouldn’t the words come, now when he needed them?

And why was his hand still firmly grasped by Xiao’s? He couldn’t think straight. And the intensity of Xiao’s narrowed eyes, glowing from the low-light of the sunset, made his skin crawl in ways he couldn’t begin to explain. 

“What is the truth?” Xiao spoke again, pulling Aether from his derailed and panicked thoughts with a gentle squeeze of his hand to ground him. “What did Paimon say to cause such bold claims?”

The dam in Aether’s lungs burst and before he could control himself, he answered. “I-I know it’s ridiculous to consider us together like that, but don’t be too angry with Paimon. She’s just full of mischief.” 

His eyes stung, but he blinked it away, pressing on in hopes to ease whatever wrinkles Xiao foresaw. “It was my fault anyway, I was so ashamed from worrying you that I left her to talk to everyone for me and she told only a few people that my crush had-”

He paused, eyes widening as he looked to Xiao, whose expression turned blank through his ramble. Aether couldn’t read it. Not this time. Wait, did Xiao understand what a crush was? “I’m sorry, I’m not making much sense-”

“You’re right. The thought of us together in a romantic capacity is ridiculous.” His voice was sharp, measured, but Aether felt as if acid had been flung at his face. He winced as Xiao’s grip tightened. “What an unnecessary passtime, spreading falsities over mere hearsay.”

Everything shattered. Aether’s bones. His very heart. He felt it cracking into millions of pieces. It wasn’t difficult to damage an already broken heart, desperately searching for the one person who could patch it back together again. Lumine’s absence always felt like knives when he stopped to think, to consider the implications throughout his journey and now… his throat felt swollen, robbed of breath: broken all over again. Xiao was always harsh when he wanted to be. His words sharper than daggers when he made a point. 

Don’t cry, Aether. Not here. Not now. He smiled a watery, broken grin, eyes blinking repetitively as his arm hung limply between them. Calm down. Don’t act as if you’ve been rejected when you weren’t even going to ask-

There was no masking Aether’s reaction. No time. His emotions were out on his sleeve, dangerously hanging over the edge. He couldn’t remember a time when he’d allowed himself to be so close to others until this world, and now every reason he and Lumine agreed not to in their younger days came spiraling back to the surface, screaming ‘I told you so’ repetitively in his mind. “Hah, y-yeah…Well, it’s just how we are.”

His voice was hollow, hoarse even, struggling to mask the tumultuous tsunami encompassing his entire being. Inside, he was tumbling down and further down, but his body didn’t move. Neither did his hand. Xiao’s grip was still strong. 

Xiao’s grip… Aether focused on it, blankly recognizing that despite the Yaksha’s words, his actions spoke differently. No longer meeting Aether’s eyes, his attention grew fixated on the bits of syrup clinging to his glove. In a moment of insanity, he realized Xiao must not have seen his obvious change in tone, a chance to bar his heart again. Lock it away and mask himself as he’d done before. Smile. Smile, Aether. Everything will be fine if you just smile. 

Contradicting the storm brewing in the traveler’s heart, the wind gently pressed against the two: soft and strong as it whistled through the branches above. The view of the night sky was a brilliant kaleidoscope atop the Wangshu Inn, but Aether couldn’t attend to it. Not now, when his gaze fixed firmly behind Xiao’s shoulder, desperately blinking back the emotions that threatened to drip. If he could manage to look unaffected, perhaps everything could revert to normal, but Aether wondered, amidst his mental struggle, what was normal? 

To stand back. Keep his distance. Treat Xiao as a weapon? No. The mere thought elicited an immediate rejection. Aether could never, not even when they had first met.  Even then, he was in awe of the adeptus. Xiao was the perfect mixture of belonging to the world, yet standing outside of it. Untouched by the world's changes as he valiantly struggled nightly to defend it. How could he see him as anything less?

“Fascinating,” Xiao’s voice broke through Aether’s spiraling thoughts, his grip tugging and lifting his hand towards him. Swiftly, Xiao shattered Aether all over again as his tongue swiped a patch of syrup from his glove, tasting the syrup. “You should remove this before it stains.”

What.  Aether couldn’t keep up, face blooming a brilliant red before he could catch himself. Covering his face, he met Xiao’s golden gaze, piercing into his own and struggling to breathe. 

“X-Xiao,” He choked, wrenching away his hand before another rug could be swept out from under him, “You really sh-shouldn’t -”

“Hm? Shouldn’t what?” The Yaksha blinked, considering his prior actions, and his own ears dusted a light pink. “Ah. Am I making you uncomfortable?” The space between them grew and for a wild second, Aether almost pulled him right back, but grasped the railing instead, grounding himself. 

Yes, he had to admit, he was very uncomfortable, but not for the reasons Xiao would think. “I’m fine! You just, can’t… well, if anyone saw, then those rumors would …”

Aether glanced towards the balcony entrance, relieved that no set of eyes could be found looking on upon them. Paimon was keeping her word, giving Aether space and the inn residents down below off to their rooms to prepare for sleep. They were as alone as they could be and Aether wondered if he preferred that over the alternative. His body was hot and broken, a confused combination that struck a headache behind his eyes.

“Are you ill?” 

Aether cursed as his broken movements were finally observed by the other. Shaking his head furiously, Aether turned his back on the other, leaning over the railing to judge the distance of the deck below, carefully considering a route to escape. He couldn’t go far, not without Paimon, but if he  moved quick enough he could-

Xiao was beside him before he could move further, hands hovering over his shoulder with eyes wide in alarm. Aether could see the way his hands wavered, questioning his own next move and, once upon a time, he would have found the action endearing, but now guilt settled in his gut and he swallowed back an embarrassed whine. “Traveler are you trying to-”

No. No. Don’t ask. Don’t-

“Aether.” 

He froze, the earlier panic settling in his bones melted away at the sound of his name. Unspoken in the world for so long, unsaid by voices he desperately wanted to hear. The memory of the chasm, the desperation he felt at Xiao’s sacrifice and…A whisper of his true name to a world that would never know it.

Xiao kept his promise to hold Aether’s name in secret, to allow just one person to recognize who he truly was. Funny, how hearing it sent his heart soaring and crashing down all at the same time. He was frozen in place far better than any elemental reaction could achieve, glancing back at Xiao in earnest.

Xiao had called for him by name. Xiao had.. 

“Xiao?”

The Yaksha looked upon him in trepidation, eyes glancing to the rail and back to Aether again. His expression was near unreadable as he crossed his arms: creating a barrier between them.  Aether knew the action, something Xiao would never admit, but often used to keep the space. Recognizing this obvious sign of Xiao’s pushing him away, he swallowed the desperate whine that threatened to escape him. Despite the multitude of emotions broiling through him, Aether read the Adeptus loud and clear: Xiao was conflicted.

The Yaksha in question considered his words carefully, striking eyes never leaving Aether’s as they wavered between unspoken words, fingers clenched tightly as he sighed, frustrated. “I told you. Speak my name, Adeptus Xiao, and I will be there for you.” 

Aether blinked. What was Xiao getting at?

“Likewise,” he continued, brows furrowing. “You said that heroes can take care of each other…that I can rely on my friends.” Realization slowly came to Aether, sensing the direction Xiao was taking them. “So then… if something is wrong. You can tell me…unless you are trying to spare my feelings?”

“It’s not like-” Words died in his throat as Aether tried to explain himself, but what could he say? He was stuck, lost in the murk of his own, confused, tired emotions.

“If my Karma is affecting you then just say so.” Xiao finished and everything exploded. Aether couldn’t take it any longer, biting back a humorless laugh as he shook his head, wildly flinging his braid behind him as he went. 

“You think that’s- Xiao, no. I’m fine. Really.” He pushed, urged the Yaksha to look beyond his Karma. It was slow progress, one he had seen with each visit, but he couldn’t let Xiao believe his actions had anything to do with the darkness that threatened the Yaksha’s sanity every day. At Xiao’s disbelieving expression, he pressed on, “I was embarrassed, Xiao. You really shouldn’t just lick syrup off of anyone like that-”

Xiao’s retort was as swift as his polearm, “Why would I ever do that to just anyone? Is this another mortal thing I’m unaware of?”

Aether was dying inside. The awkwardness was too much. Far too much. “It’s not something casual friends would do, Xiao. People - not just mortals- can and will take it the wrong way.”

At Xiao’s deafening silence, he felt the nerves crawl up his back and he shivered, unable to stop himself now that he started. “You know the rumors? If it’s so ridiculous for us to be together, isn’t performing something that could be misinterpreted as intimate going to muddle things up?”

Something lit in Xiao’s eyes and the Yaksha looked away, throat clearing as he gazed at the stars as if looking for some answer to a mystery that couldn’t be solved. “Humans believing a Yaksha deserving of a mate… a significant other, is ridiculous. Much less with a traveler who must journey onward and leave them behind.”

How many times could one have their breath stolen from them? Ice cold, metaphorical water, dumped itself over his shoulders, eyes widening at Xiao’s reply. Too many words wanted to sail through him all at once, but the winner came out, ringing clear as a sunny day and forceful. “Karma or no Karma, Xiao, you are more deserving than you give yourself credit.”

Like going in circles. How often had Aether thought the same thing about himself? He was on a journey, his sister and the mysteries of the abyss his top priority. How could he have time to romance? What happened after his journey? There were too many unknowns, too many questions, but to hear those same worries from another was surreal. He’d given too much of himself to Teyvat already. His time. His care. His strength, and to Xiao, he gave his name. A part of him would always be here, there was no escaping it, but Aether would be damned if he let Xiao continue to think himself unworthy of anything. 

Ignoring the broken pieces of his heart, he breached the barrier of Xiao’s crossed arms, pulling them apart despite the Yaksha’s confused grunt. There was a brief second where Xiao tensed, refusing to move, before giving in and letting him close the distance, almost furious in his attempt to hammer the self-doubt away. “Yan Fei is half Adeptus,” He rambled, thinking about the harbor's legal consultant, “She’s proof that a non-human can be with another." 

Xiao attempted to interrupt, but Aether shook his head, pressing on. “A Yaksha is different. I know. Believe me, I know, but…isn’t she still proof that it’s possible? Those with visions can be around you, Xiao...you don’t…You don’t have to be alone. You can be with someone. Anyone.”

He laughed, hollowly, knowing he was pushing through so many barriers, and it was crazy how his earlier feelings of rejection came second place to ensuring Xiao understood his own worth. Distantly, he realized his fingers were squeezing into Xiao’s forearms with a force strong enough to bruise a normal person, but he couldn’t bring himself to stop. Not just yet. Not now. 

“And Xiao…” He continued, voice filling in with a tone of finality, “Anyone-and I do mean anyone- would be honored to be chosen to stay by your side…if you wanted it.”

He clenched his eyes shut. Waiting for the scoff. For Xiao to push him back, to disperse into the anemo particles he controlled and leave him there, empty and alone. 

Yet, none of that happened. Xiao’s earlier grip returned, mirroring Aether’s hold. A blush of heat and warmth spread over his cheeks, realizing the Adeptus had closed the distance, stepping closer as a soft press of lips brushed along his skin. Not wanting to break the spell, to open his eyes and see reality, Aether held in a breath and waited. 

Seconds ticked by, but the presence never left and Xiao shifted, muttering against Aether’s ear, “...Am I allowed to want, Aether?”

Aether recalled a time when Xiao had claimed to have no desires, no aspirations, nothing. This question wrapped the pieces of his heart together and shattered them all over again. So many things about Xiao caused Aether a pain he couldn’t describe, often pushed back in response to other, pressing concerns. And yet those simple words left him weightless, arms wrapping around Xiao to hold him close, to bury his nose into the Yaksha’s shoulder, shaking from the force of his emotions. Was he allowed? How cruel this world could be, to leave someone so afraid of their own wants that they must ask to receive them. “I can’t give you permission. No one can. It’s your choice, Xiao. It always has been.”

Xiao was tense, uncertain where to place his arms, hesitantly they rested against his waist, allowing Aether to pull him tighter in, unaware of the way Xiao melted against him. 

A monumental shift had begun between them, one that left Aether breathless and unsure, but there were many things he didn’t know. That didn’t matter. As a traveler, he loved to explore the unknowns and this, this was as unknown as anything else in the world. To him and Xiao both. But the way Xiao’s next question put another piece of his heart back into place made Aether almost lose his footing. “Am I allowed to want you?”

Perhaps those rumors wouldn’t fade away, after all. Perhaps they were about to find a new addition to stoke the flames instead.  Aether expelled the air he was holding inside himself and knew the question for what it really was. They both knew the end of his journey was full of unknowns, they both knew he might choose to leave one day and yet - he tightened his hold and laughed through the tears welling in his eyes.

“I thought I was the one who asked dumb questions. He sniffled and blinked back the moisture, refusing to cry into Xiao’s shirt. “You can want anyone, but, is it okay for me to want, as well? I still haven’t brought Lumine back, and my journey is far from over, but-”

A shock of pain shot through Aether’s neck and he belatedly realized Xiao had nipped him with a sharp fang, effectively silencing him. The action was so strange and new that he couldn’t figure out where to begin. 

Satisfied by his silence, Xiao withdrew, eyes blinking owlishly as he examined Aether’s red-rimmed eyes. “Your questions are just as ridiculous as always, Traveler. Are humans not allowed to love, even if their goals lead them far away?”

Aether wanted to argue that he wasn’t half as human as many thought, but the argument was cut short, interrupted by the Yaksha pressing their foreheads together, eyes closed. “You can’t promise you’ll stay, just as I can’t promise my karma won't take me eventually. This is… fair enough.”

And it was, Aether realized. It really was. It would take time to process the whirlwind of a conversation they’d just gone through, but in Xiao’s arms, that didn’t seem too daunting a task. For now, they had the time, and the night was still young, with rumors still freshly spreading throughout the inn as Paimon finished her meal and blabbered on to Verr Goldett about one thing or another.  

Looking back to the night sky, he sighed, feeling a secure safety wrap itself around his heart, a certainty that despite all the unknowns of the world, he could at least have this. Xiao, just as silent, but comfortable, joined his gaze upward and sighed. “Perhaps,” he said after a time, voice breaking through the atmosphere of their shared emotions, “we can continue our earlier conversation. You said you had many stories about Sumeru. Could you tell me?”

Aether’s answering smile made his cheeks sore, but his eyes glittered in the starlight. And if their conversation continued well into the night, to be spotted by a few onlookers from the decks below for more gossiping rumors to spread along the harbor and beyond…

So be it.  Aether couldn’t bring himself to care anymore.

[ssuminshan-official]

Entering, Xuan Huangdi, emperor of peacock spirits!

Greetings Huangdi.

Greetings Huangdi.

Zixuan: *entering with his attendants, who had platters of various gifts*

Su she: greetings Xuan Huangdi.

Xue yang: ayo peacock. How's it been. *shakes hand*

Zixuan: *laughing daintily* I'm fine.

Mo xuanyu: xuan gege!

Yao: Zish!

Zixuan: heyy! I missed you two! *hugs*

Yao: same.

Zixuan: now where's my nephew.

I brought gifts for him.

Rusong: Da shushu!

(Zixuan is Rusong's Da shushu and mo xuanyu is fav xiao shushu ♡)

Zixuan: *hugs him tightly* Song'er! Darling, you have grown so much!

Xue yang: this diva, Rusong is so lucky.

Su she: yea. To have two Huangdis as his relatives.

I'm happy that our Song'er is set for life

Mo xuanyu: he grew up so fast. *sniffles*

Xue yang: our gorgeous supermodel Jiggy grew up fast too.

Su she: I know right. Lol.

Mo xuanyu: him and A-ling are the gems of their generation. And we love them a lot. Whatever they ask, we'll give them.

Take it from me, as I'm their shushu.

Su she: aww.

Xue yang: so you're the one turning then into divas.

Mo xuanyu: it's a genetic trait.

Zixuan: I bought some expensive gifts for you A-Song.

Tell me which ones you like and which ones you dislike.

Rusong: thank you very much.

Yao: Zish, our adorable A-Song has this thing called Dianxia approval.

Zixuan: *laughing* awww that's so cute. Would Dianxia approve of these gifts.

Rusong: of course. I could never refuse my Da shushu.

Su she: we're all so happy here.

Xue yang: because the hooligan of Nie is tamed.

Su she: lol!

Mo xuanyu: I hope we stay happy like this.

Xue yang: yea. Even though our happiness comes with the price of encountering three divas.

Su she: never too much divas.

Xue yang: is Qin su a diva?

Su she: *blush*

No. Well maybe she is, just like Huangdi.

Xue yang: awwwww look at his blushing face.

Now that's enough. Let's see what a diva and a diva is going to tell a fellow diva.

Su she: *rolls eyes*

Mo xuanyu: stop teasing them.

Meanwhile....

Rusong: mmm, I don't like this colour.

Zixuan: don't worry, shushu has got this.

My nephew doesn't like that colour! Move it out! And maybe burn it.

Yes Huangdi.

Yao: *caressing Rusong's face* isn't our little Dianxia adorable.

Zixuan: Song'er, do you love your gifts?

Rusong: of course! I love everything, Da shushu. Thanks again.

Zixuan: sweet.

Xue yang: can I take a break from divas.

Su she: we can run but can't hide.

Hauisang: *running in* San ge! San ge!

*abruptly stopped when he saw Zixuan*

Zixuan: *glaring at him, as if he had interrupted something*

Huaisang: *gulps* Xuan Huangdi.

Yao: huaisang, why are you running?

Huaisang: I was coming to ask if you wanted any refreshments. Whew! I'm out of shape. Dage was right.

Zixuan: aww, I'm so pleased.

Yao: lovely huaisang, we do have a guest.

You can get it after you catch your breath.

Huaisang: yea yea.

Zixuan: I'm so glad you are behaving. Is he, team dimple.

Xue yang: yup.

Su she: for now.

Mo xuanyu: rest assured, Xuan gege.

Huaisang: how did you get them to answer you so nicely. They argue with  anyone who's not San ge.

Huaisang: they even argue with peaceful zewu Jun.

Zixuan: I used some gege magic, I guess.

Yao: yeaa!!

Su she: maybe because Xuan Huangdi isn't a scheming little power hungry, NSFW and paperfan collecting twink.

*breathes*

Yao: Shanshan, do your breathing exercises.

Su she: yea Huangdi. Didn't do it for a while.

Xue yang: we like what Jiggy likes. That's one of the team dimple mottos.

Huaisang: what's the first?

Xue yang: just, Jiggy is smokin hot. Protect him at all costs.

Zixuan: haha.

Zixuan: anyways I heard that he kidnapped our Song'er. Is that true?

Su she: yes.

Zixuan: he's mad! He should stay 12 meters away from Song'er.

Yao: definitely Zish, but he's rectifying his mistake.

Huaisang: yes, Zish. I am. *cries* let go of your grudge!!!

Zixuan: I'll have my eyes on you.

Oh Song'er.

Yao: poor baby.

Rusong: I'm fine, don't worry.

Xue yang to Huaisang: you just have to live with them, lol.

Hauisang: I thought that I was dramatic.

Huaisang: Huangdi and Huangdi, he wanted to destroy my dungeon.

Yao: it's called renovation.

Zixuan: maybe Song'er thought that it was ugly.

Rusong: *laughing mischievously*

Uncle Sang, at least your tea wasn't stale.

Huaisang: good.

Zixuan: oh good then. He can make tea. I thought that I was going to die today.

Huaisang: why?

Yao: Zish is allergic to things that doesn't taste good.

Mo xuanyu: that's a whole mood.

Yao: speaking of which. Are you going to get us refreshments?

Hauisang: right. I'll be right back!

~~~

~~~ an hour after taking refreshments.~

Yao and Zixuan: *sitting and fanning themselves*

Yao: guangshan sent a letter to us.

Zixuan: why?

Yao: I don't really know. He's so annoying. Lol.

Zixuan: let me see.

Yi: here you go, Xuan Huangdi. 

Yao: I haven't read it yet, as I was waiting for you to arrive.

And he agrivates my migraine.

Zixuan: lol, Yaoyao. *opens letter*

Yao: *sarcasm* oh look. His penmanship haven't improved. How lovely.

Zixuan: is that how someone would format a letter? Was he drunk.

Yao: is he ever sober?

Look at his spelling.

Zixuan: lol.

~~ letter~~

          ZiShuan and Guannao. I don't hav ani mony 4 u. So don't even tink of colecting rent.

U guys can do w/out mony for 4 monts right? You're 'emprors' right. Empror it out yourselves.

Well Zixun hasn't fully re covered and staff is bak so I don't have to clean.

                     ~ Jgs.

(*jgs actually has the money, but he wants to keep it to himself and not pay his dear landlords)

Yao: he always has some kind of problem, doesn't he!

Zixuan: Yaoyao, we'll deal with him.

Yao: I think we need a lawyer to intimidate him. What do you think?

Zixuan: brilliant idea.

But who.

Huaisang: *wiping a vase*

Yao: Huaisang.

Zixuan: yes.

Huaisang: me, your lawyer? Haha

Zixuan: I'm also surprised.

Yao: you only take up space in the palace. You should get a job.

Huaisang: I ran errands for you, San ge. That's a job.

An unpaid one, but.

Yao: you do get paid. But the money goes towards Qinghe, the unclean realm and Dage.

Huaisang: *sobs* what about meee.

Yao: you complain too much.

Huaisang: you!

Yao: are you gonna help us or not

Hauisang: I don't know anything, guys.

Zixuan: I know.

Huaisang: now how can I possibly be an imperial lawyer

Yao: well you're cunning. Scheming.

Zixuan: can take bribe.

Huaisang: I don't take bribe, Huangdi!

Yao: I'll buy you a new fan.

Huaisang: really?!

......oh. now I see it.

But that's not the point!

Why don't you let your team dimple do it!

Yao: I want to protect A-Yu from that guy. Xue yang will resort to violence, and Minshan is busy fixing an array for me.

Huaisang: what about Lan lips??

Yao: it's against the Lan rules.

Zixuan: don't oppose Huangdi, Huaisang.

Yao: I'll get you two expensive fans.

Huaisang: then I'll be your lawyer, San ge and Xuan Huangdi.

~

Lanling 📍

Yao: we're back!

Zixuan: did you miss us?!!

Huaisang: Jin guangshan.

Jgs: oh no. Is this another child of mine too?! Look child, I don't have any money to give you!

Zixuan: he's Huaisang, relax.

He's not your son.

Jgs: whew!

Huaisang: it would have been so cool if I was in the Jin sect. I would be able to buy millions of fans.

Jgs: now why are you three here!?

Yao: well. As we're kind landlords.

Zixuan: we want to help you pay the rent!

Yao: *twirling with Zixuan* aren't we amazing!

Jgs: you two are headaches.

Now how are you going to help me pay the rent.

Zixuan: oh poor poor you.

Yao: we're emperors. We can do anything.

Now all you have to do is be our personal attendant for a while.

Zixuan: and we'll pay you! 500 000 taels!

That will go towards rent.

Jgs: what about food!

Huaisang: I'm pretty sure that the emperors had provided food for you! Old, ungrateful man!

Jgs: who the heck are you to talk to me like that!

Huaisang: the lawyer and escort of the emperors.

Yao: yea! Huaisang is our lawyer.

Jgs: I want a lawyer.

Zixun!!!!!

Zixun: *in the distance* I'm still recovering.

Jgs: dangit!

Huaisang: what do you guys give him to eat?

Yao: rice and beans, and bitter tea.

Zixuan: and a piece of rock sugar for dessert.

Jgs: *scoffs* you call that dessert.

Yao: can you be grateful?

Huaisang: guangshit, I advise you to take their help.

Xuan Huangdi can put you prison, and Yao Huangdi can attack you with guqin strings and hensheng.

Jgs: I'm not afraid of them!!!

Zixuan: fine then. Someone lock him up.

Yes Huangdi!!

Jgs: no no no no no. Zixuan darling, let's talk about this.

Yao: *reaching for hensheng, which was wrapped around his arm and hidden in his sleeves.*

Jgs: *sweating* Yao. Put away hensheng. 

Yao: you're no fun.

Jgs: fine, I'll be the attendant of you both.

Zixuan: marvelous.

Yao: excellent.

Jgs: ughh.

Yao: good doing business with you.

I'll shake your hand. Huaisang, shake his hand for me.

Huaisang: mn.

Huaisang: now sign the contract.

Jgs: what contract.

Huaisang: it states that you should do everything the emperors command without question.

Jgs: that's cr*p

Yao: well you will know how it felt when I had to obey yout stupid demands.

Huaisang: I'm not done reading the contract!

If you fail and upset them, then you won't get paid.

And calling them Huangdi or boss is included.

Jgs: why?

Huaisang: to learn some respect.

Huaisang: and.

Jgs: andd??!!!

Huaisang: you must not harm team dimple.

:readmore:

Because it's like harming the emperor. And you'll be penalized.

Jgs: I'm not signing anything!

Yao: don't let me forge your signature.

I have done it before.

Jgs: what? When?!!

Yao: To develop health care in Lanling, to approve of Chengmei being a Jin apprentice and many other things that benefit Lanling Jin today.

Jgs: your photographic memory is a curse to me!

Yao: thank you so much.

So should I sign, or ?

Jgs: give me the brush.

Yao: good old man.

Jgs: *signs* now get out.

Zixuan: certainly!

Yao:  tata. Work starts tomorrow.

Zixuan: we'll send the uniform for you later ok.

Jgs: what uniform?!!!

Yao: you'll see. Don't ruin the surprise.

Zixuan: it's protocol. You'll understand when you get it! Bye bye bye. We're late.

Huaisang: the emperors are late, guangshit.

Jgs: for what?

Huaisang: their manicure and then state affairs. Whatever emperors do, I don't know.

You won't understand.

@verycatbluebird

:readmore:

[wildthingpoorboy]

Summer Sparring

RWBY

Yang Xiao Long/Taiyang Xiao Long

Rating: E

CW: Father/Daughter Incest

"Hi-Yah!"

The yard of the Xiao Long household held the space for the training ground on a hot summer's day. Each of the combatants, a father and daughter, exchanged blows trying to get the upper hand on the other. Both wearing tank tops and shorts, but both still soaked in sweat. Their dog, Zwei, stopped watching a while ago. Instead, he napped under some shade. The grunting and shouting of the pair unable to catch his interest.

The two seemed evenly matched. Yang's teen youth made her faster and more energetic. Taiyang was more experienced and stronger, able to predict Yang's moves and block them. Her frustration building, Yang threw a straight punch only to be caught by Taiyang. With one swift move, Yang was taken off her feet and thrown to the ground. Flat on her back, she flinched from the sun's rays getting into her eyes. Her father hunched over, wiping the sweat from his brow.

"You telegraphed that last punch too much," he said. "You gotta keep your cool."

"Easier said than done," Yang snapped. "It's boiling out here."

"You know that's not what I meant," Taiyang said back.

"That's not what I meant," Yang mocked. After a moment, Yang kipped back up to her feet. "Let's go again."

"No," said Taiyang, reaching for a water bottle.

"No?" Yang asked. "What do mean no?"

"It's boiling, remember?" Taiyang took a quick drink from his water bottle. "Just because it's summer vacation doesn't mean you can just do whatever. You have chores and errands to do, young lady."

"We can do it tomorrow," Yang whined. "If you're not gonna let me go on missions during summer break, I can at least have some fun. I wanna be on the top of my game."

"Don't put this on me," Taiyang argued. "I thought going to a beach house for the summer would be nice. But if you still want to go, we have to have everything in order here since your uncle isn't interested in housesitting for us."

"You just want to get me alone in my little black bikini again," Yang teased.

"Just because that's true doesn't mean I'm not right," her father said. "We can have all the fun we want after we get there."

Yang sighed and walked across the yard to where her father was. Yang pulled on her tank top, letting the sweat drip down. She looked over to her father who quickly looked away.

"Seriously? Trying to sneak a peek now?" she asked.

"What? I can't help it," he replied.

"Yeah," Yang scoffed. "I guess you can't." And with that a smirk grew across Yang's face. Her father really can't help himself when it comes to tits, can he?

"Hey, dad?" Before he could answer, Yang pulled him by his tank top for a kiss. She wrapped her arms around his head, and Taiyang wrapped his arms around her waist. Father and daughter making out in their yard. Taiyang's hands found their way to his daughter's ass and then her tits. He squeezed and groped, until Yang suddenly pulled away.

"Wha-?"

"Well, that was fun. Time for a quick shower and then I guess I'll go take care of those errands or whatever."

"Aw, come on!" Taiyang complained. "Seriously, Yang? You did that on purpose."

"Yeah, no duh," she replied. "So how about this: we go one more round, but this time-?"

"Strip sparring," Taiyang guessed.

"Yup."

Yang and her dad went back to the yard standing opposite of each other. They each took a fighting stance.

"We're doing point based rules, sweetie," explained Taiyang. "One hit. One article of clothing."

"But it's the other who chooses which clothes," said Yang.

"Deal."

With that, the two went for each other. Yang went for a hook punch, but Taiyang ducked, landing a quick blow on her torso.

"Gotcha," he cheered. "That's one for me Yang. Now how about we lose that tank top of yours? It's getting awfully sweaty."

"Fine," said Yang. The top was pulled off and tossed aside, revealing her sports bra.

"Nice," whistled Taiyang.

"You like them? Then don't look away." Yang threw two more punches. Taiyang tried to duck and weave but was caught by Yang's knee.

"That's one for me," she said. "Now how about you lose your tank top?"

Taiyang pulled his tank top off and tossed it with Yang's. In the sun, Taiyang flexed his muscles, putting on a show for Yang.

"What do you think?" he asked.

"You still got it, dad" Yang whistled.

"Still got it? I never lost it."

Yang and Tai went again. Taiyang caught another one of Yang's punches only to be hit when she spun for a back elbow.

"And that's another for me," she said. "Maybe if you weren't so distracted with my tits, you would have seen that coming."

"Oh right," he sneered. "Like you're not dying to ogle your old man?"

"Abs-solutly," joked Yang, flexing right back at him.

"Hey, watch it with those guns," he laughed. "This is supposed to be hand to hand training."

"Maybe I'll be feeling more 'handsy' after you lose those shorts," she said.

Taiyang did as he was asked and let his shorts drop. Yang's eyes immediately went to the bulge in his briefs. She couldn't even stop herself from biting her lip. Damn thing looked like it would tear out from his underwear.

"You know," Taiyang started, "I just realized that it's not fair that I have to score an extra point to win. What with your bra and all."

"Oh what's the matter?" she teased. "You're that desperate to see tits?"

"Sweetie, I've seen more tits than you can imagine," he said. "But yours are by far my favorite. It's not even close."

"Aren't you sweet?" Yang took a fighting stance again. "Just don't turn sour when I win."

They started again. Yang went for another combo, but was quickly kicked in the midsection.

"Hey!" she yelled.

"You can't get me with the same trick twice," Taiyang called out. "Bottoms off, princess."

Yang shook her head, but did as commanded anyway. With thumbs in the hem, she pulled her leggings down making sure to bend her towards her father, giving him a good view of her ass. A really good view of her ass.

"A thong, Yang?" he asked.

"It's hot out," Yang argued. "One more, and I win."

"I'm not gonna go easy on you," he said.

"Please," Yang snickered. "You always go hard for me."

The round started with a few punches, and then Taiyang throwing up some knees. Yang went to block them, only to catch a love tap on the said of the head.

"Dad," she whined again.

"Now who's the one being distracted?" Taiyang thrusting his dick in the air. "I'll give you the dragon later, Yang. But now, I want that sports bra outta here."

"You sure you're a dragon or a pig?" Yang reached over and in one swift motion pulled her sports bra over her head. She made sure to set it down over her other clothes, and then puffed out her chest and shrugged.

"There," she said. "Boobies."

"Beautiful," he said. "I can't wait until I get my hands on them when I win."

"I don't think so," Yang replied. "That dragon better have some fire in it, because it's mine."

Final round. Yang and Taiyang stood in their yard under the hot sun in only their underwear. They took a moment to admire the almost naked form of the other. Taiyang's six pack abs. Yang's toned arms. Taiyang's thick dick. Yang's big, full breasts. Taiyang's muscular legs, and Yang's long, sexy legs.

"I know I've told you this before, Yang," he said, "But you're really easy on the eyes."

"You're not bad yourself, dad," she said. "I guess you can say I'm hot for teacher."

"Speaking of hot, we really should finish this," he warned. "We're about a minute away from being sunburned."

"Final round."

"Let's go."

Taiyang took a fighting stance and got ready as Yang made her move. But suddenly, Yang leapt onto him. Her arms around his head and her legs around his waist, Yang kissed her dad. He opened his mouth just enough to let her tongue slide it. His hands grabbed her ass before she pulled away again to give him a quick smack on the face.

"I win," she chirped.

"What? That' doesn't count."

"That totally counts, dude." Yang jumped down from her father's arms and went down on her knees. With both hands, she grabbed her dad's underwear and pulled it down.

"And now, to the victor go the spoils." Without waiting for a word from Taiyang, Yang took his now exposed cock into her mouth. She could taste the sweat as the smell filled her nostrils. Her tongue swirled around it. Well, as much as she could anyway.

Despite the heat of the sun, the only thing Taiyang could feel was the wet warmth enveloping his dick. Putting his hand on her head, he began the thrust his hips, guiding the pace. If anything, that made Yang suck harder as he could hear sloppy wet sounds coming from down there. He couldn't see much with all of Yang's hair in the way, but the feeling of Yang hungrily sucking him off and the sounds it made were more than enough to bring him to the edge.

"Holy shit," Taiyang gasped. "You really wanted this, huh, baby?"

Yang tried to moan, "Uh-huh," but the humming was too much and Taiyang climaxed in her mouth, shooting thick load down her throat. He could hear to audible swallows Yang made to try to contain all of his cum from escaping her mouth. His legs trembling, he watched his daughter stand back up and wipe her mouth.

Getting his strength back, Taiyang lifted his daughter up and carried her bridal style.

"Come on, Yang," he said. "Let's get out of the sun."

"But dad," she cooed. "I have chores and errands to run."

"Oh shut up," he said. "This was your plan from the start."

"Maybe," she said, kissing him. "But you eating me out in the shower was an afterthought."

"Sounds good to me." Taiyang ran to the house with his daughter in his arms.

"Wait! Our clothes!" Yang yelled.

"Fuck 'em. We weren't gonna put them back on anyways."

[terrytellyetales]

I Just Wanted to See You (Part 5)

I’m still alive and heck yeah I just wrote that! Well.... no. Not really. It’s actually been siting unfinished in my drafts for a long time now. I feel so happy finally getting this out there! If you wanna check out what else I’ve written, here’s the masterlist.

Part 1

Status: Ongoing

============================================

It's been an eventful day ever since you arrived at Liyue. You were finally making your way back to the city, happily walking hand in hand with your new zombie friend who kept looking at you. "Hmm? Is there something on my face?" Qiqi shook her head in response before speaking.

   "Who is... Teucer?"

   "Oh. Teucer's my little brother. We travelled together from Snezhnaya to here to find our big brother."

   "If you travelled together... why is Teucer not here?"

   "Uh... hehe... you see..."

You recount the events that took place before you met Qiqi. You started with how Teucer suddenly came bursting through the front door of your house with a very bad idea.

   "I thought maybe the gods heard my wish and it was brother at the door. I mean, it was my brother, but not the one I really wanted to see. After that we snuck on the ship Teucer mentioned. It was tricky because we kept getting caught by this big scary sailor."

   "How did you... get on?"

   "Well... first we tried tip toeing on board but he kept shooing us away. We tried sneaking into their cargo, wearing a disguise, closely tailing another sailor while hiding behind him, but he somehow kept finding us. We were about to give up when I noticed how the lady holding a clipboard kept looking at him and how Mr. Sailor kept looking at her and came up with a great idea!"

   "What did... you do?"

   "Hehe... we helped them become friends! I made Teucer tell the nice lady how Mr. Sailor thinks she looked pretty and smart and that he was too shy to talk to her. I went to tell Mr. Sailor the lady with the clipboard likes him and that she was too shy to talk to him. After that Mr. Sailor went to talk to her. He said not to even try sneaking on the ship, but that was the whole point! While they were distracted, Teucer and I quickly snuck onboard and into one of the crates they loaded up. After they set sail, we had to make sure not to get spotted 'cuz they might throw us off or something. We didn't didn't pack any food, so we tried checking if there was anything to eat in one of the crates."

   "Isn't that... stealing?"

   "Oh. Don't worry. You see, brother gave Teucer a pouch to always bring with him. He said to give it to a nice person and they will take good care of Teucer. We left some of the Mora that was in it on one of the crates. See? We made sure to pay for everything!"

   "Wow. Y/N is... smart."

   "Hehe. It was a good thing Teucer grabbed that pouch before we left."

"Mm... Teucer is... also smart."

"When we arrived, we immediately looked for our brother and somehow wondered outside the city. Oh! Then I got tripped by this plant with eyes. I chased it and caught it by the leaves. I tried to pull it out to get a better look but there was a bigger one that was right above me!"

   "Oh no... did it... crush you?"

   "It would have if I wasn't suddenly yanked away! Mr. Xiao said it's called a Dendro Slime. I've never seen one before. Maybe there aren't any where I'm from since the ground in Sneznayah is always covered in snow." 

(Disclaimer: I have no idea what Sneznayah is like. I'm just basing it off of the little clues in game.)

   "What happened next?"

   "The tiny Dendro Slime was going really fast while dragging me. It suddenly stopped and threw me into the air and off a cliff!"

"Oh no..."

"It was so scary! Luckily, Mr. Xiao came flying to my rescue. And then... I didn't see Teucer anywhere, but that's okay! Mr. Xiao helped me look for Teucer! Even if... we didn't find him yet."

   "Mr. Xiao... will find Teucer."

   "Yup! Mr.  Xiao promised! Oh! We also saw one of the toys brother sells! His name is Mr. Cyclops. He fights bag guys and monsters to keep people safe! But then... it started attacking us... Mr. Cyclops hurt Mr. Xiao and also destroyed the scarf brother gave... Mr. Xiao called him a Ruin Guard and that it was a killing machine. Brother lied... Mr. Cyclops is a bad guy..."

   "Y/N..."

You noticed how you were starting to get teary eyed. Yes, you were upset about the scarf, but you were more upset about your brother lying to you about Mr. Cyclops. Not wanting to worry Qiqi, you quickly wiped your tears and tried to perk up. "But it's okay! Mr. Xiao made me these ade- adepi- Adepti charms!" You carefully reach into your pocket and take out the charms Xiao made form crystal core and leaves.

"Pretty..."

"Right? Mr. Xiao also said they're magic and will keep me safe."

The two of you continued on happily to Liyue Harbor. While walking, you both noticed a woman who looked like she was in her late 60's. She was standing at the side of the road surrounded by birds. She was holding a small pouch that she kept sticking her hand in and throwing something white that attracted more of them. "Finches." Qiqi's grip on your hand loosened and she runs ahead of you. "Eh?! Not you too. Qiqi! Wait up!" You run after her, not wanting to repeat the same incident when you lost Teucer. "Is this what Mr. Xiao felt when I kept running ahead of him?" As Qiqi got closer, she slowed down so as not to scare away the Finches. You followed suit, but a little to late. You bumped into Qiqi’s back and the impact caused her to fall forward, scaring the birds away in the process. “Ah! I’m sorry!” 

The woman turns around to see what all the fuss was about. “Oh my.” She quickly seals the pouch and makes her way towards you two. “Are you alright, dear?” She reaches out a hand to help Qiqi up.

   “Thank you...”

   “I’m sorry we scared away the birds, ma’am.”

   “Ho ho ho, that’s quite alright, dear. Don’t worry about it.”

   “We scared... the Finches away... Qiqi is... sorry.”

   “Now, now. No need to look so down. Granny knows a trick to bring them back.”

The woman opens up her pouch again and reaches inside. “Would you dears hold out your hands for granny, please?” The two of you comply and reach out your hands, palms facing upward. She puts what look like grains of uncooked rice. “Now, just throw them up in the air like this so the grains scatter nicely.” You both threw the grains as you were told. As soon as the grains hit the ground, the woman lets out some bird noises to call over the Finches once again. Out of nowhere, you see a huge flock fly your way and start pecking at the ground, trying to get as much rice as they can.

“There we go. Would you like to help granny feed the finches? I'm afraid these old bones can't scatter the rice fast enough for them." Qiqi's face lights up at the invitation, but she hesitates because she remembered her contract with Xiao.

   "I have to... fulfil my contract... I have to... take Y/N to Liyue Harbor..."

   "Ho ho ho, what a good girl you are. If you're in a hurry that's quite alright."

You notice how Qiqi looks a bit down. and step forward.

   "Uhm... we're not really in a hurry."

   "Y/N?"

   "It's okay. Mr. Xiao said nothing about not being allowed to make pitstops. Besides, this is still along the way and I'd also like to feed the finches."

   "Ho ho ho, I'm sure the finches will be happy. Thank you."

She offers offers the two of you her bag of uncooked grains of rice so you could each get a handful.

As you were feeding the Finches, you see a slight smile form on Qiqi’s face. Somehow, seeing her this happy, also makes you happy. Some of them even decided to rest on Qiqi’s head.

   “Hey look! They like you!”

   “Ho ho, would you look at that.”

   “I like the Finches too... very much.”

This was a nice change after all the near death experiences you’ve been through ever since you arrived. The three of you continue feeding the birds until the pouch was empty.

"Ho ho ho, looks like meal time is over. Thank you for your help, my dears."

"It was our pleasure!"

"Thank you... very much."

"You're headed for the harbor, yes? It seems this is where we part ways. You take care now."

"We will! You take care too, granny!"

"Have a... safe trip."

You and Qiqi wave good bye to the woman as she walks the opposite direction you're headed. Before you continued your walk to Liyue, Qiqi brings out her notebook and a pencil.

   “What are you doing?”

   “I’m writing down what we did today... so that I won’t forget it.”

   “You really like Finches, don’t you?”

   “Mm, I enjoy... looking at the Finches.”

   “Good thing we took a little break, right?”

   “Mm... I am also glad... to be friends with Y/N.”

   “He he, I’m glad to be friend with you too."

   "Finished. Shall we... go?"

Qiqi puts away her notebook and pencil. She reaches out her hand for you to take, just like what you did before you parted ways with Xiao. You happily take her hand and skip merrily as you continue heading for Liyue once more. As you continue onward, she notices the scratches on your legs.

   “You’re... hurt?”

   “Huh?”

You stop skipping and Qiqi points at your legs.

   “Those? They’re just scratches. No big deal.”

   “Did the Hilichurls... do that?

   “Probably not. You scared them away before we even got close.”

    “I will... take you to Bubu Pharmacy... Dr. Baizhu can... treat you. Dr. Baizhu says... small cuts and scratches can be bad... if left untreated.”

   “Oh. Okay. Thank you, Qiqi.

   ”When Mr. Xiao... comes back with your brother... Dr. Baizhu can also treat his wounds... if he has any.”

   “Thank you, Qiqi. Let’s hope Teucer’s okay.”

After a little while, you finally reach your destination “We made it!” Still worried about your injuries, Qiqi tugs on your hand with no signs of letting go.

   “Where are we going?”

    “To ask Dr. Baizhu... to treat your wounds.”

   “Oh. Right, hehe.”

You were alone and had nothing better to do anyway, so you decided to go along with it. It would also be a chance to actually ask someone about your brother. Why wasn’t that the first thing you did when you arrived? You were too busy chasing aster Teucer.

   “Do you think Dr. Baizhu knows my brother?”

   “I don’t... know. You can ask him... later. Dr. Baizhu has... many patients. Dr. Baizhu remembers... all of his patients."

“Okay! I hope he does. And then I can go find him and wait with him for Mr. Xiao to bring Teucer.”

Distracted by the thought of being reunited with your brother, you didn’t notice the tall figure falling from the sky until it landed right in front of you with a loud thud. It was a tall man in a gray suit and short ginger hair. He had a red mask tied to his head, black gloves, and a hydro vision dangling from his belt. When you recognized who this individual was, your eyes filled up with tears from the happiness and relief you felt seeing his face. “Brother!” At the sound of your voice he immediately turns to you. Without warning, you tackle hugged him, causing him to nearly lose his balance. He pulls your body away so he could get a better look.

"Y/N! I'm so glad you're safe!"

"It really is you! I'm so glad. I missed you so much."

"Yes, it's me. I was so worried when Teucer said he lost you."

"You found Teucer?"

From the stairs behind him, there was another familiar face.

   “You found Y/N!”

   “Teucer!”

The little boy came running to join in on the touching moment. Childe opened up his arms so he could trap both of you in a tight embrace. It was a long journey filled with adventure. It was both exciting and terrifying since you literally came close to death, but the feeling of warmth, love, and security your brother exuded melted it all away. Finally being reunited made it all worth it.

===============================================

<< Part 4

Part 6(?)

FINALLY FINALLY FINALLY!! A wild Childe appears! But why is he not in the Northland Bank like in the story quest? Why did he suddenly fall from the sky and land (awesomely) in front of our cute little reader and zombie? How did Teucer make it back before you did? How did he end up with Childe just like that?

[gc-genshin]

Chapter One: Acatalepsy

Acatalepsy (noun): The idea that it is impossible to truly comprehend anything. 

Pairing: Various x female reader

Summary: You and Xiao have a nice chat.

Warnings: Explicit language

Word count: 2.3k

A/N: Since so many people wanted this series to continue, here’s officially Chapter One! Happy reading!

      Prologue          Chapter Two         

You're still having a hard time believing what you're seeing. 

In front of you sat Xiao, one of your favorite characters from Genshin Impact, glaring daggers at your seated form. A small table, no bigger than three feet wide, separated you from him. 

And there you sat across from him, shaking in your metaphorical boots under his intense gaze. 

Let's recap, shall we?

—

“Hi, my name’s [Name] [Last Name] and I'm from a world where you're a fictional character in a video game. It's nice to finally meet you, Guardian Yaksha Xiao.”

As soon as his name slipped from your lips, your neck was met with the end of his polearm. Though you somewhat expected this kind of reaction, you swore your soul had never left your body so fast. 

“How do you know my name?” Xiao really did growl at you this time. His amber eyes pierced into your now soulless body, looking downright murderous. 

“How do you know that about me? That I was apart of the Yaksha?” If you didn't know any better, you'd say Xiao was getting frantic. You did know better. But you were also a dumbass. 

“Would you believe that I'm twenty-two now?” You managed to choke out. The polearm nearly breaking the skin on your neck was your only answer. “OKAY, OKAY, I’M SORRY! Please give me a chance to explain myself! I’ll tell you everything, just please don't turn my head into a shish-kabob!” You pleaded while closing your eyes. Wow, this is the second time today that I've danced with death, you thought humorously. 

Xiao stared. And stared. Then stared some more. You were starting to sweat from his unresponsiveness. Peeking an eye open, you saw Xiao contemplate whether or not to believe you. You watched his beautiful amber irises flicker across your face, looking for any sign of deceit. 

When he found none, he pulled his polearm away. Not completely, he was still on high alert, but enough so that you could breathe. You nearly wept real Jesus tears when he did. But that almost changed when he roughly grabbed your upper arm and transported you to his room at the Wangshu Inn. 

The moment you both rematerialized he let go of your arm. Having been caught off guard from teleporting, you fell to the floor dizzy while trying to keep the vomit that crept up your esophagus down. 

Xiao stared blankly at you, “What? Have never experienced teleporting before?”

Looking up at him from the floor, you take a deep breath before responding to him. “No, teleportation is nothing but a pipe dream from my world.” You then slowly sat up and gave him a tired, lopsided smile, “I’d be long dead before it's ever invented.”

Xiao once again just stares at you. You were such an odd human. He had never experienced someone with your type of personality. 

Focusing on the task at hand, Xiao walked over towards a small table and proceeded to sit down on one side of it. He then pointed to the side in front of him and uttered a simple word. 

“Explain.”

—

And so you did. 

You explained everything to him. Like how you were currently a medical student, studying to be an ER doctor. You explained to him how he was a part of a video game you played in your downtime when you weren't studying. How you knew his background. That you knew what was going to happen in the future. 

You explained it all. 

“So… in your world you're actually twenty-two?” Xiao asked slowly, trying to fully comprehend what you had told him. 

“Yup.” 

“And your occupation was a healer?” 

“Well I was still studying to become one, but essentially yes.”

“And I am considered a fictional character from a video game that you played.” 

“Yup.”

“And you know everything that's going to happen in the future?” He pressed. 

“Well not everything, only up to a certain point. Which leads me to ask this…” You prop your elbows on the table, interlacing your fingers then resting your chin on them. “Have you seen boy around my ‘age’,” you put air quotations around age, “ with long, braided blonde hair and dressed in all black?” You asked. “He would also have a floating companion that talks a little too much.” 

Xiao shook his head. “No, I have not come across anyone that fits your description.”

Looking off to the side, you thought to yourself. Good. So he hasn’t been to Liyue yet.

Xiao raised an eyebrow at you. “How is that good?”

Startled, you whip your head to Xiao. Shit, I guess I said that out loud. 

You give a hefty sigh. “Because it gives me a good idea of where I am in the storyline.” You say, looking back to him. “If he hasn’t shown up in Liyue yet that could mean I'm near the beginning of the game. Hell, he might not have even come yet.” You raise a finger to your chin. Then what would be the point of me being here? Would that make me the next traveler then? You looked towards Xiao. Well whatever the reason is, I'm here now. And it's important I found out why. I'll figure out the Aether situation when I get there. 

Xiao looked at you confused. “Who are you talking about?”

You snapped out of your thoughts. Hesitating to answer Xiao, you wondered if it was a good idea to tell him about our main protagonist and antagonist just yet. 

You give him a apprehensive smile. “I don't know if I should tell you just yet.  I don't unknowingly want to start a butterfly effect. I'm sorry.” 

Xiao then sighed and put his head in his hands, seemingly at a loss as to what's going on. 

I think this is the most emotion I've ever seen from him. 

You had half the mind to reach over the table and pet his head to try and calm him down. But then again, you quite liked having your arm, so you decided against it. 

You gently spoke to him, “Trust me, I don't know what the hell’s going on either hun. If I knew more then I would tell you in a heartbeat.” You freeze, catching your little mishap. Xiao slowly lifted his head from his hands, looking at you quizzically. No anger, no vexation. Just pure confusion.

“Hun?” You feel your face start to heat up in embarrassment, hearing him say it. It was a bad habit that you had, calling your friends pet names; mainly just friends that you trusted. And you trusted Xiao. 

“I'm sorry! It's a really bad habit of mine. I usually call all of my friends a term of endearment. Hun is short for honey, but I swear to God I didn't mean to call you that, it just slipped out!” You quickly explained to him, shaking your hands in front of you.

Xiao stared at you. You noticed he did that a lot. He's probably just trying to understand your weird mannerisms. “It's fine… I guess.” He said, finally looking away from you. 

One… Two… Three… Four…

Ah, the silence is awkward now, say something [Name]!

As soon as you were about to open your mouth, Xiao beat you to it. “So what's your plan now?” He asked, now looking back at you. 

You blinked at him for a few seconds, processing what he said. You then looked up to the ceiling, deep in thought. What is my plan now? What am I going to do? I obviously can't stay with Xiao, with him being an adeptus, and leech off of him. Maybe I could go to the Adventures’ Guild? Earn some commissions, maybe be homeless for a bit? But I don't even know how to use a sword. No, that wouldn't work–

Cutting your thoughts off, you responded to him with the only answer you could think of. 

“I don't know, haven't thought that far ahead.”

Xiao should be used to this already. He really should. But he couldn't help but send the odd girl an unconvinced look.

“You haven't thought of a plan?” He asked with a raised eyebrow. 

“Hey! Need I remind you that you were there from the very beginning? I haven't really had the time nor the mental capacity to think of a plan for the future!” You huffed at him indignantly. This guy. You shake your head, clearing any annoyance you had with him. Getting irritated isn't going to help your situation [Name], relax. Taking a deep breath, you looked at Xiao. He seemed to be in deep thought, so you decided to not bother him. 

Crossing your arms on the table, you finally felt exhaustion catching up to you since the adrenaline of everything was wearing off. You laid your head in your arms and sighed, trying your best to ward off sleep. 

Xiao looked over at you. Seeing the state you're in, he decided you weren't fit to travel anymore. He then stood up, having made up his mind. 

Noticing the abrupt movement from across the table, you see Xiao stand up and walk towards the door. 

“Wh… where're you going?” You mumbled to him, too tired to raise your voice. Xiao looked back at you with his hand on the doorknob. “You're not fit to travel any more today. I'm going to talk to the receptionist about getting you a room here at the Inn.” He then opened the door and left. 

You stared at the spot he was in for a few seconds. Huh, maybe he isn't such an asshole. You then put your head back into your arms, smiling softly. “Though I knew that already. Thank you Xiao.” That was the last thing you said before finally succumbing to sleep. 

—

While walking down the flights of steps to talk to Verr Goldet about your accommodations, Xiao felt a shiver going up his spine. A whisper of his name in your voice flew through the breeze and into his ears. He paused in his steps, contemplating whether he should go back or not. You said you knew what  happens when you called his name, yet why would you say it right after he left the room? Xiao suddenly felt nervous for reasons he did not know and teleported back to his room, polearm at the ready to strike any threats that appeared before you or him.

When he only saw you slouched over the table asleep, he relaxed. That was strange. I could have sworn I heard her beckon me. Glancing at you once more, he decided to ask you about it later. He then left the room and teleported right in front of the front desk, scaring Verr Goldet and the Inn’s cat out of their wits. 

“Archons, Xiao! A little warning next time would be nice!” Verr Goldet exclaimed, a hand over heart hoping it wouldn't burst out of her chest. Xiao proceeded to ignore her. 

“I need a vacant room.” Xiao stated. 

Always straight to the point, thought Verr Goldet. “I'm sorry Xiao, but we don't have any vacant rooms. We're all booked for this years Lantern Rite Festival.” She tells Xiao. The young adeptus deadpanned at Verr Goldet. “Don't look at me like that. Why do you even need another room?” Verr Goldet wondered. 

Xiao sighed and pinched the bridge of his nose. “It's a complicated situation. Let's just say I have an unwelcome guest with me right now.” 

Although curious, Verr Goldet just shrugged knowing he wouldn’t outright tell her. “Well either they stay with you or you kick them out. We don't have any rooms for them to stay in unfortunately, so the choice is yours.”

The young adeptus sighed once more. 

How troublesome. 

—

Appearing back in his room, Xiao looked at you. You were still hunched over the table, in what looked like an uncomfortable position, yet you were still asleep. Xiao weighed his options. On one hand, if you stayed with him he didn't know if you would leave, which would cause problems for the both of them. On the other hand, he could wake you up and kick you to the streets but deal with gnawing guilt that would eat at him if you were ever harmed because of his decisions. 

Making up his mind, he walked over to your sleeping form. He then crouched next to you and gently scooped into his arms, doing his best not to wake you. However it seems that you were a deep sleeper and didn't stir in the slightest to being moved. You did, however, snuggle in closer to his chest seeking the warmth it gave off. 

Xiao froze, waiting for you to stop moving before moving you over to his bed. Settling you on the bed, you immediately started reaching for blankets craving the protection they gave you from the cold. Xiao only shook his head and rolled his eyes at you, handing you the blankets you oh-so-desperately needed. Is she really twenty-two? Because she acts like a child. Xiao watched as you pulled the blankets up to your chin and snuggled into his pillow, [h/l] [h/c] hair draping over it. 

Not needing sleep, the young adeptus decided to sit next to you and watch over you. Not in a creepy way, but in more of a way of trying to understand you. You might have been the strangest human he's ever met, but you were charming. In your own, unique way. 

While watching you, Xiao was trying to figure out what to do with you. As far as he knew, you were defenseless, didn't know how to protect yourself, and had a sharp tongue that would most definitely get you into trouble. 

In other words, Xiao hadn't thought that far ahead. 

There she is! Chapter One! I hope you guys enjoyed it as much as I did writing it!  As always, feel free to leave any suggestions and constructive criticism and if you wish to be on the taglist, please let me know!

Thank you for reading!

Taglist: 

@craptainlou​ @lucys-art​ @dilucsz​ @i-put-the-dying-in-studying​  @softyakult @lumi-ying​ @fraeppuccino​ @ayachii​ @cher7ybear @simping-4-fictional-men

[wesimpforxiao]

Say My Name and I’ll Be There: 3.2

Author’s Note:  We gotta add some Bennett to this chapter because he deserves all the love! Totally have a soft spot for him when I rolled him around two months ago.

"Why are we at a winery?" You eyed the standalone building sitting near a body of water.  It had been no more than a week since Xiao told you to keep quiet about your 'secrets' even though you weren't sure what they were.  

"We'll be getting Diluc's help until Xiao comes back," answered Aether.  

Right.  Xiao's leaving.  You scrunched your nose up in protest but didn't say anything.  The yaksha had left the group for a couple days after your 'contract' was made, and the entire time Childe was practically chained to your side.  How long would he be gone for, if Aether thought it was necessary to get another person on the team?  You didn't want to know the answer.

And Xiao wasn't the only one temporarily leaving, either.  Zhongli, the only other person you could supposedly trust, left once Xiao returned a few days ago.  Something about trouble at the funeral parlor? Something told you that was a lie.

"Paimon thinks Diluc and Childe on a team would be a disaster," the mascot let out a nervous laugh.  "Are you sure it's okay for them to meet each other?"

"Yeah, about that--Childe, can you keep your Fatui side in check?"

"Whatever do you mean, Traveler?  I'm sure this Diluc fellow wouldn't be that upset with me.  Besides, I don't mind wearing my status on my sleeve."

"Yeah, we know! That's the problem."  Paimon crossed her arms and shook her head.

"You'll need to hide it from Diluc."  Aether stopped walking and faced the Harbinger.  "Can you do that?"

Childe was about to object the idea when you half-muttered under your breath.  "I thought hiding things was your specialty?"

His mouth remained open for an extra second, and his eyes narrowed significantly at your comment.  He took it as a challenge...or perhaps a type of threat?

Even Xiao was surprised at your sudden confrontation.

"Well?" Aether prompted without having heard you.

"Of course.  Anything for a comrade," Childe cleared his throat and flashed his signature smile.

.............................................

"How long will you be gone?"

You somehow managed to catch Xiao alone while everyone was inside the winery.  You had thought the two of you had gotten closer since you remembered your past, but it was like he was purposely pushing you away.  His replies had only gotten shorter since then.  

"I don't know.  A few days if I'm lucky."

"Do you have to leave?" Your shoulders dropped in clear disappointment.  "What's all the rush even about, anyway? Are you ever going to explain why I have to keep qui--"

"Lower your voice," the yaksha warned.  He folded his arms across his chest and glanced around the deserted patio.  "I told you, we cannot discuss this.  Someone could be listening--"

"But WHO?  The least you could do is tell me who!"  You stood taller and squared off with the yaksha.  He just sighed and turned his back to you.

"I'm leaving."

"Zhongli isn't here either," you continued, spewing the words out more desperately this time in an effort to keep him from leaving.  "You said I couldn't trust anyone except you and him.  What do you expect me to do if both of you are gone? And how do you expect me do deal with Childe and his stupid jokes?  You're scaring me by keeping me in the dark like this."

Xiao hesitated, but walked towards you anyway.  He stopped once he was close enough to whisper.  "There is a possibility we are both in danger.  That is all I can tell you; revealing more would risk losing our advantage to the enemy."

"But...who is the enemy?"

Xiao's gaze didn't reveal an answer, much to your dismay.  "Do you remember what I told you back then?"

"Huh?"

"If you're in danger."

"Oh."  'Say my name.  Adeptus Xiao. I will be here when you call.' "Yes."

"Good.  I'll return soon."  He disappeared before your eyes, leaving behind a gentle breeze that caressed your hair much like he did not too long ago.

.............................................

You returned to the group in a somber mood inside the winery.  There, you were greeted by a man that couldn't have been more than six years older than you.  He didn't appear to be in great spirits either.

"Good.  While we're at it, why don't we see about getting the Knights of Favonius to join us?"

"We'll just need Bennett--" Aether defended.

"Relax, I was only joking.  I need to check in on Angel's Share anyways.  Shall we get going?"  The man's eyes landed on you.  "So you're the only one without a vision?"

"U-uh, unfortunately," you laughed nervously.

"I've been training her since she joined the team.  Her sword skills aren't half bad."  Child sauntered over to you and placed a hand on your shoulder.  Now that you were without Xiao's protection, you tensed under his grip, feeling that it was somehow more threatening. But this was just his usual display of respect for his teammate.

"As long as we don't run into Fatui, you should be just fine," Diluc assured you once he noticed your uneasiness.

"I don't think we'll have that problem," Childe laughed, much to the annoyance of Paimon.  She rolled her eyes and disappeared with a poof.

..............................................

You've never seen someone have so much bad luck in your entire life.  From the time of recruiting Bennett on the team to the time the group left Mondstat, he had already found a way to get injured over five times.  Your mouth hung agape at this last time, in which you all had walked past some pigeons that suddenly decided to peck at Bennett's head.

"Are you okay?" You swatted the pigeons away before they could peck an eye out.

"Ha, yeah," Bennett shyly rubbed the back of his head.  "It's like I said earlier, all I have is bad luck!"  Despite this, it didn't stop the boy from smiling ear to ear.  "This is nothing, really."

"O-okay.  If you say so."  You walked along side him, while the rest of the team took the front.  

"So you're from Liyue?" Bennett kicked a stone and nearly stumbled.  He played it off so that it appeared he meant to walk backwards next to you.

"Yup.  I live in Quince Village."

"Nice! I've been there a couple times for commissions.  The rice fields are really pretty when the sun sets.  The squirrels aren't that friendly, though."

"Does every animal attack you?"

"Not all of them, but I would say a decent chunk of the population has it out for me," he chuckled.  "When I'm at the guild, my dads usually scare them off."

"Your dads?"

"Oh! Well, I was found as a baby and brought back to Mondstat.  The older men in the guild raised me, so I call them my dads."

"I see."  You thought back to your Granny, who was no doubt worrying over the fact that she hadn't heard from you the past couple months.  "An old lady, my Granny, took me in when I was a toddler."

"Were you abandoned too?"  Bennett asked almost too eagerly, with a hope to finally connect with someone.

"No.  I was--well, I can't really talk about it.  I shouldn't have said anything."

"O-oh, sorry about prying.  I tend to drive people away once they know me, so I was afraid--"

"Don't worry, I'll tell you at some point.  I just can't talk about it right now," you gave him a small smile for reassurance.  He was practically beaming as he smiled back at you.

That's right, Childe recalled the day he first met you.  That old lady was her caretaker.  She may know something...

[merakiui]

yeah!! im so excited for that event especially!! (≧▽≦) the choice is one that's easily made, since the only 4* i'm missing is ningguang, haha,, i take it you have all the 4* yourself, though? good luck on picking either way ;;

ahh that's really admirable, especially getting chongyun c6... sadly, i'm ashamed to admit i don't have any constellations for him ( ･ั﹏･ั)... the best i have is lisa c3, and sadly i personally don't use her ... ahh it's such a hassle to get constellations for characters i use, the only one I have is a c1 for yanfei, and it was so much trouble to get i got ayaka before that con (っ˘̩╭╮˘̩)っ...

hehe, thanks for the encouragement and wishes!! i will definitely try, it's true that the mind games are some of the best parts to read too, when coming across fics with characters like him! not gonna lie, im a little scared, though, because he seems a little complex haha (´ . .̫ . `)

mhh yeah! (though the easier one will always be the electro hypostasis for me and my yanfei ᕙ( : ˘ ∧ ˘ : )ᕗ) i understand!! im personally always lacking in cryo and pyro gemstones, and im not very eager to go farm those...

yup ( ꈍᴗꈍ) ill hit you up if i get him!!!

ahh azul is the glasses guy from octavinelle, right? i can definitely see his appeal, though he's not my type... i totally get you for riddle, though!! he's really compelling, and i probably would've taken his hand if ace hadn't been there;; it doesn't help that i am biased towards his dorm, and alice in wonderland themed things ✿

i can't wait for that debut!! watching folly unfold in different ways is definitely fun, and i feel like making fanart of these fanfics once they come!!

yeah!! i love diligent characters that still have a bit of spice, and eeee i just love heartslabyul in general!!!! (which makes me wonder what your favorite dorm is? (. ❛ ᴗ ❛.))

such a scary guy ... you know, dorm leader being translated as 'housewarden' gives it a prison feel, and i feel like it fits riddle in particular... he definitely sounds like a painful yandere to deal with.... actually, i've been considering writing Its him too! it intrigued me to see how he'd interact with a darling, and his treatment of them/how he'd show his interest! i hope i can show it to you soon! (｡•̀ᴗ-)✧ ive already started compiling a few little things together for that ..

im so silly, i never noticed they were supposed to look like a heart haha, but you're right, he definitely looks adorable omg!! actually, i think i might buy that nendoroid, if i still can!!

(riddle is an interesting case, but i can't seem to figure out the other housewardens yet, man, i can't wait to progress more into the story, because epel and malleus especially confuse me..)

-yanven anon!! :D

Ooh!! Good choice! Ningguang has a very elegant design. I have her at c6 thanks to Xiao's banner. I think I might choose Yanfei to get her third constellation, though.

:O c3 Lisa! I only have her at c1. I think Amber is c2 if I remember correctly. And Kaeya is stuck with no constellations. T_T One day let’s hope we can get some cons.

Childe is like a lasagna with all of his layers. ^^;; Seeing that caring older brother side to him really added to his complex nature, but it's a very sweet side nonetheless. Putting on that act for his brother's sake is so nice of him. How can this be the same man who would be a menace to his darling?! ｡ﾟ(*´□`)ﾟ｡

If I could give you some Pyro and Cryo gemstone resources I gladly would! Please take some of them off of my hands. I have too many. </3

Azul is the glasses guy, yes!! He isn't exactly my type, but his character is interesting to me and I'm starting to see his appeal. I think I like him because of his cunning behavior and the way he gathers information so seamlessly. Also, he's attractive and has scary eel henchmen who would probably capture his darling if they made a run for it. But Ace also became an enjoyable character for me! At first I wasn't sure what to think of him, but I like how he was unrestrained when he was spitting facts at Riddle. King behavior. I'd like to have him as my friend! :D

Thank you for those kind words! I hope the debut fic is received warmly when it's posted. (ＴωＴ) Omg but making fanart?! I would be honored to see your art!!

Those types of characters are very good! As for my favorite dorm, I would have to say either Heartslabyul because Riddle's there I adore anything Alice in Wonderland themed or Octavinelle because I love the ocean and its many sea creatures. You have great taste with your favorite dorm!! Alice in Wonderland has such a pretty aesthetic!

Prison feel... Warden Riddle... Omg. It fits him scarily well!! Actually, 'prison' reminded me of Nanbaka lol. Have you ever read or seen it? It's very funny and I recommend it!! Aside from that, though, he would be such a bother to deal with. Like Scaramouche, he also has high expectations for darling. orz But if you do write something for him, I will absolutely read it!!!! Good luck with the writing! ✽-(^▽^)/✽

Riddle and his heart-shaped hair strands. <3 I love it. I really want the nendoroid as well! I can't believe I missed the original pre-order sale. Maybe I was too occupied with celebrating the upcoming Mafumafu nendoroid that I forgot all about the beloved Heartslabyul dorm leader. And now it's sold for much higher prices online. OTL

(I'm excited to learn more about the other dorm leaders and characters! I will be starting book two very soon and I'm curious to learn about Leona. Curse him for sleeping in the greenhouse so often. >:( That would be my favorite area if I were in twst... That and the library!! And Azul's Mostro Lounge hehe.)

[baoshan-sanren]

NiF semi-live blog eps 2-6

I’ve watched the first episode like 3 times over the course of six months so idk what I can even say about it like

I think it’s only after the third watch that I finally understood what’s happening and definitely remember everyone’s name and/or title

also i’ve had prince jing for 5 seconds and I would commit mass murder for him

did anyone else have to pause the scene where mei changsu meets prince yu and the crown prince just from the overwhelming second-hand embarrassment? 

mei changsu, sweetie, i’m so sorry these bitches are like this, oh my god

and they just don’t stop 

ah yes, bicker with each other instead, that makes it less mortifying

GRAND EMPRESS 

OH MY GOD SHE RECOGNIZES MEI CHANGSU WHEN SHE RECOGNIZES NO ONE ELSE

bitch, no one told me i’d be crying in 2nd episode of this damn drama wtf

like i knew this was a serious drama but this train of emotion in the first hour and a half? not okay

i assume the princess has to know who he is, right? no? 

I guess not

I have to know if prince jing is as blunt as he sounds. i’m learning slowly, and i still suck, but i’m def getting an impression that the dude doesn’t waste words

ahhh general meng definitely recognizes our boy, and we’re only now finding out that mei changsu looks different than he used to so I guess it makes sense no one else recognized him 

and immediately general meng is like “you’re in danger, move in with me” 😂

“who has the time to help you? who would help you knowing it’s a crime?” dude, you… literally just offered to do that

i love how the princess is all like “this man is a mystery” and then the camera pans to mei changsu sleeping in a chair with all the graces of an old arthritic cat

i would die for him 

“You didn’t even tell me you were coming. how am I supposed to help you?” aww meng dage, you’re just a big ol’ softie

I can’t believe I waited all this time to have english subtitles on viki just to acutely feel the lack of mandarin subtitles

watch my stupid ass hop from russian to turkish subtitles just in case I’m missing something in english  

HE CALLS HIM XIAO-SHU

dude, this is really kind of cruel, they basically want mei changsu to decide who his ex fiancee is going to marry? like, I get that no one knows who he is, but still

can I just say that baili qi is my kind of man. good for you sweetie, you’re doing great

two ladies going into labor at the same time? more likely than you’d think

this whole story is bizarre, they just… mixed up babies like that? so jingrui might be a prince, but he might not be a prince? 

“we’ll just share him” the emperor says, and no one bats an eyelid

i have a feeling that this will become less confusing at a later point in the drama (i hope)

the main theme song fucking slaps, I’m already getting a dopamine rush every time i hear it

so jingrui about to have his ass handed to him by baili qi

and my boy mei changsu is over here just calmly peeling a fucking orange like it’s got nothing to do with him 😂

I KNEW I RECOGNIZED THE DUDE WHO PLAYS BAILI QI he was in both and the winner is love and the wolf

if he lands one good punch, jingrui is gonna be out for the count

meanwhile mei changsu

*munch, munch, spits out a seed*

have I mentioned that I would die for him?

this shit doesn’t seem fair tho, like i get that baili qi is um… a bit larger and stronger than anyone expected but still

you shouldn’t just get to whip out a sword bc you can’t beat him

THE PEOPLE SLOW MOTION SCRAMBLING OUT OF THE WAY AS JINGRUI COMES FLYING AT THEIR TABLE jghfdghdjhfks I know it’s not supposed to funny but I’m shrieking 

it’s been three episodes

i’m fucking hooked 

choosing to throw your support behind the unloved, frequently overshadowed prince, is something that can actually be so romantic

seriously tho, if someone could just go ahead and give prince jing a break that would be great

I CAN’T BELIEVE THAT STUPID TWAT ACTUALLY DRUGGED THE PRINCESS

oh dude, I am so disturbed by this whole thing

there should be a rule where you get to slap the imperial noble consort if she does something that fucked up

is that supposed to be translated as the grand empress? not empress dowager? PLS GIVE ME MANDARIN SUBTITLES

fhjgdksdhfdkslaljsdh when the emperor finds out how sima lei got his legs broken 

“that seems fair”

oh come ON just get off prince jing’s dick for like 5 minutes would it fucking kill you

fuck

of course prince yu would swoop in and take the credit for saving the princess (I assume mei changsu planned it that way)

but I bet you money that prince jing misunderstands and feels betrayed

oh sweetie

THIS WAS THE ORIGINAL BL PAIRING WASN’T IT

WASN’T IT

my romance radar is tingling all over the place on this one

yes he’s angry but it’s not his fault pls be nice to him

I DON’T WANT YOU TO USE THEM AS STONES IN MY PATH

OUCH DUDE

how about you try and be a little nicer to mei changsu too??? 

“pls be direct” does prince jing know how to be any other way?

we’re negotiating boundaries this is good

this is a whole ass fanfic just waiting to happen I caNNOT have another obsession right now stop it with the goddamn tension

oh my god so prince jing is upset because these methods are exactly how mei changsu (MY FRIEND HE SAYS) and his own brother were framed and “killed” MY HEART

pls I want to wrap him in a blanket and feed him soup for a year

THIS FUCKING CONVERSATION

THE SWELLING MUSIC 

GOOD GOD

yup crying again

I blame @wangxianbunnydoodles​ @hunxi-guilai​ and @merelhyn​ in that exact order

you guys suck I don’t need this

awww jingrui is just a giant puppy isn’t he?

okay you know what? when prince yu absolutely loses his shit he’s actually kind of funny? and likeable? I can’t believe i’m looking forward to him getting frustrated/pissed off in the future 

oh my god I’ve binged 6 episodes what is happening

[thedandelion-writer]

This is for the blind dates <3

1. Male

2. ENFP/Aries (my birthday is 2 days after Xiao’s)

3.I am honestly quite clumsy as reluctant as I am to admit it. I am energetic and able to hold conversations with the most silent of people or the most chatty. My friends tell me that if I were to be an anime character I would be that one lovable airhead haha. I talk a lot but I can be patient as well and hold my tongue if need be.

4. I am okay with anywhere and anything but if I were to choose I would want to do something during the lantern rite or something similar. Whether it be looking up into the sky in silent affirmation or pursuing through the stalls I don’t mind~! Either that or dragonspine, it’s really pretty too with the snow falling around us and having to hold each other for warmth ☺️

5. Acceptance. I want to be accepted for who I am, both the good and the less-than-perfect parts of me.

6. I don’t mind <3 My boundaries lie within theirs. I want nothing more than for them to be comfortable so I allow them to draw the line since I am alright with anything <3

7. Definately, my curiosity can’t be satiated.

A/N: Hihi thank you for participating! I took a long time deciding someone for you tbh, but when I finally did I was disappointed in myself that I didn't think of him sooner :p Originally, you were supposed to go to the Lantern Rite festival, but since I'm setting all these in a modern time, you'll just be going to those cliche, Japanese anime fireworks festivals instead cool? Also, sorry if this was a bit short/rushed, this week's exam week but I didn't want to delay the event any further.

But without further ado, you're going with...

Bennet!

My reasons!

Clumsy, you say? Well you don't need me to tell you that Bennet is a whole 'nother level of clumsy, and it's not even intentional. So he gets it, he understands your struggles. I also do think that Bennet would get along with someone better if they were energetic, enthusiatic, all that. And since you won't have a problem conversing with him, the interactions wouldn't be awkward at all! It is good that you're patient and are able to listen in to the other party as well, because well, sometimes he feels as if people aren't interested in him enough to do so (or even want to be around him at all). I also feel as if he isn't judgemental and would be very accepting towards your flaws, as you would have to be of his too. As for other matches, I fail to find any other potential male matches, but I do think that Amber could be a nice possibility because of her lively, sweet and overall friendly persona. But of course, since you requested a male result (and imo he matches you the best) Bennet was my final choice :)

The First Date:

The bright, orange glow of the festival lights contrasted with the dark night sky, the perfect canvas for the fireworks that were to be displayed in just a few hours.

You drew your yukata tighter around yourself, trying to weasel your way through the crowd with Bennet trailing behind you, repeating apologies whenever he bumped into somebody.

"Come on," you urged, glancing back once to see him struggling. "Just-- hold onto me then, we're almost there!"

He looked at you with those beautiful peridot eyes and took your outstretched hand, willing himself to be pulled by you to a destination that he himself didn't know.

"It's a secret," you had said beforehand, winking playfully. "The fireworks look all the more magical there, you'll see! And there's a lot less people to shove out of the way too."

Bennet had never really been to one of these before. Nobody wanted to go with him, saying he was "bad luck" just because of a stupid accident that happened years ago.

You didn't like the way people treated him and befriended him. What started out as pity grew into something more. You found yourself falling for him and you didn't care what people said.

It was safe to say, after spending this much time with Bennet, that it was their loss. Days with him were never boring, always an adventure.

So today it was your turn. After all, this was the first time you'd go out with him after his confession and you wanted to make it special.

You slowed down your pace as you arrived at stone steps up a hill.

"Up there?" he asked.

"Yup! Watch your step 'kay?"

Your hand still in his, you led him up towards a clearing. It was dark at first but as you ascended, the surroundings grew lighter and lighter.

"I present to you, the city skyline," you leaned over the railings, taking in your favourite view.

"Woahh," Bennet followed suit,"this place is awesome! I can see everything!"

"Hehe, told you."

You rested your chin on the palm of your hand, admiring the childlike wonder that was currently plastered across his face.

"Ahem well, shall we sit down and enjoy the show? I brought dango," you shook yourself out of a daze and took a small box of the sticky skewers which you bought from the stalls during your walk through the festival.

The both of you chewed on them, commenting on the little things you could see from up here whilst waiting for the fireworks.

"I think I can see my house from-" Bennet's voice suddenly cut out and his eyes trailed to the sky.

"Wait it's starting??" you turned around on the bench to see several trails of light from the festival area race upwards to explode in colorful sparks.

You were breathless and from the looks of it, so was he. You both leaned your bodies over the railing as much as you could without falling, to get as close as you could to the display of wonder up above.

Fireworks just never get old

"Y/N--thank you for taking me today," Bennet said after it was all over and you two were heading home.

"It was a lot of fun and I really enjoyed going with you," he scratched the back of his head, keeping his eyes down.

If it weren't so dark, you could've sworn he was blushing

"Aw don't mention it Benny, from now on I'll take you to all the festivals! You'll never go anywhere alone ever again, I promise," you clasped your hands behind your back, smiling sincerely, because you meant every word.

[danurso]

That's pretty D.U.M.B

Part 0 - Part 1 - Part 2

After the explosion occurred, the room was filled with a light blue mist.

Ruby: *cough* *cough* what was that!?

Yang: i can't see anything! Can someone open *cough* *cough* the window!? 

Pyrrha: found it! *open window allowing the smoke to leave the classroom.

Jaune: what the hell was that?

Oobleck: no idea mr.arc *looking around the room, which is still intact, just filled with smoke* but apparently the explosion didn't damaged anything.

Weiss: *gets up, massaging her head* oww, tell that to my head. I said this was stupid, and apparently it didn't give any results.

Jaune: what the hell are you already whining about princess?

RWBY/Pyrrha: *freezes*

Ruby: jaune?

Jaune: *leaving the smoke, with a different armor on and a scar on his left eye* what do you want now reddish? I'm not in the mood to- *freezes and looks at weiss, walking her way and holding her face*

Weiss: *blushes* w-what are you-

Jaune: *with a shocked expression* what happened to your eye? What is this scar?

Weiss: *breaks free* what? Shouldn't we be asking you this? besides, don't ever touch me without my permission again!

Jaune: *confused* . . .what bite your rich ass today princess? *looks back at oobleck with a scowl* was it you with your crazy inventions again?

Oobleck: *confused* mr.arc? Is this really you?

Jaune: and who else could i be? Did you broke your glasses or all that coffee finally fucked up your brain?

Ruby: jaune. . .what happened to you?

Jaune: the hell are you talking about reddi-

Jaune: *normal jaune, leaving the smoke massaging his head* oww, was that thing supposed to throw me away like that?

Weiss: *leaving the smoke too, this weiss however doesn't have a scar and her ponytail isn't to the side like usual* *whining* oww, my head hurts.

RWBY/Pyrrha: *speechless*

Oobleck: IT WORKED!!!

Jaune: what work- *stops, staring at the other version of himself and to weiss before looking at the weiss on his side* w-wait, what? Why is there other me here!?

Alternative Weiss: *looking between the jaunes* *gasp* jaune! There's two of you!

(A)Jaune: *with crossed arms* don't tell me princess, i'm not fucking blind.

(A)Weiss: *taking a closer look at jaune, with a large smile and stars in her eyes* he's just like you! Just scraggly and without the scar!

(A)Jaune: i can see that.

(A)Weiss: *bolts to her normal version* look! This me has a scar just like yours! I look kinda cool with it.

(A)Jaune: two princesses, this probably the worst day of my life.

(A)Weiss: or the best one, imagine having two me's around.

(A)Jaune: *deadpans* it would be twice as annoying.

(A)Weiss: yeah, but you would get twice the affection. *gives him a sweet smile*

(A)Jaune: . . . *looks away with a pink on his cheeks* shut up, will you?

(A)Weiss: *grinning happily*

Yang: . . .okay, that's kinda disturbing. Why is that ice queen so nice and that vomit boy so mean?

Oobleck: it's simple miss xiao long, these versions of mister arc and miss schnee are from a world different from ours, and if you think about the infinite possibilities of the multiverse, there are probably many other versions of them besides those.

Jaune: w-wait, so he's me from another universe?

Oobleck: Precisely! The D.U.M.B worked perfectly! And thanks to it we can meet these alternative versions of you two.

(A)Jaune: what the hell are you talking about? And what is going on?

Oobleck: *ahem* i'm sorry for disturbing you two with this experiment, but this place is a dimension different from your original one.

(A)Jaune: . . .*raises eyebrow* did someone put vodka on your coffee or have you always been crazy like that?

Oobleck: i can assure you mister arc that i'm very sober and sane. *points at D.U.M.B* you see this device here? It's a dimensional and universal magical bridge, but you can call it D.U.M.B to shorten.

(A)Weiss: *snort* dumb.

(A)Jaune: *rolls his eyes* it had to be.

Oobleck: this is the device that allowed us to bring you two to our universe.

(A)Jaune: so let me get this straight, you used this weird machine to bring us here, a world different from ours.

(A)Weiss: that's so cool! it's just like that show rick and morty!

Weiss: what?

(A)Weiss: you don't have rick and morty here?

Ruby: we do! And it's such a cool show!

(A)Weiss: i know! It's one of my favorites!

(A)Weiss/Ruby: *start blabbering*

Weiss: this is. . .very disturbing.

Yang: i don't know, i kinda like nice weiss, she's just like you but probably doesn't have a log stuck up on her ass.

Weiss: who are you calling stuck up you idiot!?

(A)Jaune: i don't know which one is worse, the one who keeps shrieking all the time or the one who has way too much energy. *sighs, looking back to oobleck* when are we going back to our world?

Oobleck: you'll be back in a few moments mr. Arc, D.U.M.B has a time limit of half an hour. Meanwhile, i just wanted to know if you and ms.schnee could answer a few questions before going back to your world?

(A)Jaune: not interested.

(A)Weiss: sure thing!

Oobleck: Stupendous! So, i wanted to know if there's a glaring difference from your world compared to this one?

(A)Weiss: *looking around* hmm. . .no, everything looks the same.

Oobleck: *writing on a notebook* i see.

(A)Weiss: *looks to the group and raises an eyebrow* why is blake wearing a bow though?

Blake: *flinches and starts sweating*

Yang: she always wears that bow, even to sleep. Why? Your blake doesn't use a bow?

(A)Weiss: wait, so they don't know about. . .

Blake: *shakes head*

(A)Weiss: o-oh, *sheepishly* sorry.

Yang: wait, do you know something we don't?

(A)Weiss: err. . .no, nothing! Blake will tell everyone when she's ready.

Yang: what is she hiding? *looks at blake* now i'm curious.

Blake: n-nothing.

(A)Weiss: blake is really quiet here.

(A)Jaune: she's always been quiet.

(A)Weiss: i know, she just looks more quiet then our blake.

Ruby: so your blake is different too?

(A)Weiss: not really, she's just a bit more. . . 'Open' about herself. Everyone looks the same aside from her, well, except me and jaune of course.

Ruby: but why are you two so different? Why are you so nice compared to our weiss?

Weiss: hey! I am nice!

Yang: *cough, cough* like a punch in the gut *cough, cough*

(A)Weiss: well. . .i don't really know, i just try to be myself, that's what my dad always told me.

Weiss: wait, your dad told you to be yourself?

(A)Weiss: *smiling* yup!

Weiss: and not to be something you don't want to be?

(A)Weiss: what? No! daddy would never do that, he hates people who control their children for their own benefit.

Weiss: *shocked* . . .is your father really jacques schnee?

(A)Weiss: that's his name.

Weiss: . . .can you tell me more about your- our family?

(A)Weiss: sure! My mom is always helping my dad with his business at the emprise, my older sister winter is one of the biggest designers of atlas, my little brother whitley is studying most of the time to be a good business man like dad but he always takes some time to have fun with us, and even helps me by playing piano in my concerts, and dad is the head of the SDC, the biggest and most controversial emprise in remnant.

Weiss: controversial?

(A)Weiss: unfortunately, yes. People in atlas are selfish and try to maintain a certain 'status-quo', humans rule and faunus suffer, but my dad's emprise treats everyone the same and helps faunus that suffer to rise and have a good life, but unfortunately for us, the rest of atlas doesn't share his vision and treats him and my family terribly, this lack of respect with my family's name is one of the main reasons why i decided to be a huntress.

Blake: *eyes wide* w-wait, so in your world, jacques schnee isn't a racist?

(A)Weiss: what!? No! My father dreams with the peace between humans and faunus, he even made an alliance with the leader of the white fang, ghira bell- i mean, with their leader ghira to help them on their movement for equality, my father is their biggest supporter. Why are you asking that? Isn't dad like this here?

Weiss: no, our dad here unfortunately isn't so noble. He only cares for profits and hates faunus, probably just as much as he hates his family.

(A)Weiss: wait, what?

Weiss: he forced me to do everything he wanted ever since i was young, even used my voice to profit. My mom is a drunkard who never leaves her room, whitley is dad's puppet and is becoming just as rotten as he is and winter is a specialist at atlas military.

(A)Weiss: w-what!? dad can't be bad like that, i-it doesn't make sense.

Weiss: he is, i guess that's why you and me are so different, you had an way easier life.

(A)Weiss: wow, this sounds so sad. . .wait, does that means your version of jaune had an easier life too?

Everyone: *looks at jaune*

Jaune: err. . .yeah, i mean, my life was pretty easy if you don't count the annoying sisters and how my parents didn't wanted me to be a huntsman.

(A)Jaune: *raises eyebrow* your parents didn't wanted you to be a huntsman?

Jaune: not really, i tried to convince dad to train me when i was younger but he never let me, so i just had a normal life until my seventeen years.

(A)Jaune: lucky you, looks like you at least had a happy life.

Jaune: so. . .what happened in my life that made my like this?

(A)Jaune: i don't wanna talk about it.

Jaune: but-

(A)Jaune: *glaring at him* no buts, just zip it.

Jaune: *terrified* o-okay.

(A)Jaune: . . . *looks to the side* what do you want?

(A)Weiss: *holding his hand* come on, tell him.

(A)Jaune: i don't want to.

(A)Weiss: come on, pleeease.

(A)Jaune: i said no already.

(A)Weiss: *hugs his arm* pleeease. . .for me? *gives him a puppy look*

(A)Jaune:  . . . *sigh* i fucking hate you princess.

(A)Weiss: *with a victorious smile* no, you love me.

(A)Jaune: keep dreaming. well. . .where do i start, my mom died when i was five because of a disease and since then my asshole sperm-donor raised me, he trained me to be a champion and forced me into several tournaments to make me stronger, he locked me away from my sisters so i wouldn't have any distractions during my training, said training that pushed me to my absolute agonizing limits. When i was fourteen i had enough and fought him off, but he defeated me and gave me this scar as a reminder of how weak i am compared to him, then when i turned seventeen i joined beacon where i became partners with an annoying ball of unlimited joy.

(A)Weiss: that's me!

Yang: wow. . .that's really dark.

Jaune: is dad really that bad in your world? He was always so soft with everyone that is kind of hard imagining him like that.

(A)Jaune: take a wild guess dumbass. *points at the scar in his eye* what kind of good father would do this to his kid?

Jaune: yeah. . .guess you got a point.

Pyrrha: wait, did you say that weiss was your partner at beacon?

(A)Jaune: unfortunately, yes. This idiot who never even trained before and didn't even had aura had the great idea to buy some transcripts and join beacon, i didn't wanted her as my partner but since she was aimlessly flying into her death during initiation, i had to save her ass and become her partner.

Weiss: . . .by any chance, am i retarded on your dimension?

(A)Weiss: HEY!

(A)Jaune: probably. What kind of sane person would be stupid enough to do that?

Pyrrha: this story sounds. . .very familiar.

Jaune: *sheepishly* i-it does.

(A)Jaune: who did i got partnered with here?

Jaune: pyrrha.

(A)Jaune: lucky you, different from princess here, pyrrha knows her limits.

(A)Weiss: you talk like me being your partner is the worst thing in the world.

(A)Jaune: because it is. you're reckless, annoying, stupid, ignorant, selfish, suicidal and-

(A)Weiss: and you still love me regardless.

(A)Jaune: . . . *looks away* i don't know what you're talking about.

(A)Weiss: yes you do, im talking about this. *tiptoes and kisses his cheek*

(A)Jaune: *recoils and blushes* what the hell are you doing!?

(A)Weiss: i'm giving you a kiss. Why? you wanted it to be on the lips?

(A)Jaune: like hell i would want that, princess.

(A)Weiss: hmm. . .

(A)Jaune: what are you doing?

(A)Weiss: *tiptoeing, reaching out her lips for him* waiting for you to kiss me.

(A)Jaune: i don't want to kiss you.

(A)Weiss: hmm. . .

(A)Jaune: stop it already dumbass, you're just embarrassing yourself.

(A)Weiss: hmm. . .

(A)Jaune: *looks back to her*

(A)Weiss: *still waiting for him*

(A)Jaune: *pink* . . .i fucking hate you. *leans down and kisses her.*

(A)Weiss: *returning the kiss*

(A)Jaune: *wraps hands on her waist and pulls her closer*

(A)Weiss: *deepening the kiss*

Yang: well. . .that's a scene i never thought i would see.

Ruby/Blake: *nods*

Pyrrha: *nods as well but with an way more forced and scary smile*

Jaune: *blushing*

Weiss: *red and mortified* w-what are you two doing!?

(A)Weiss: *giggles* sorry, sometimes we get lost in the mood.

(A)Jaune: 'we'? You're the one always dragging me into this stuff.

(A)Weiss: i'm not the one who drags you away after a hard day just so we can make out on a empty classroom.

(A)Jaune: *red* can't you just stay shut for five seconds princess!?

(A)Weiss: *smiling brightly* nope.

Yang: wait, wait, wait, are you two like, dating?

(A)Jaune/(A)Weiss: no/yes.

Weiss: h-how is that possible!? What do you even see on this idiot!?

(A)Jaune: *glaring at her* i made my mind, you're the one i hate the most.

(A)Weiss: what's there not to see on him? I mean, yeah, he is always being mean to other peoples but thats cause he had a rough life, the real jaune buried under all that anger is really kind and sweet. He was the first person that believed that i could be a huntress, he teached me how to fight and picked me up whenever i thought about giving up. *hugs his arm* he was the first guy that loved me for who i am and that's why i love him so much. *looks at him* Right?

(A)Jaune: *looks away, face totally red* speak for yourself, i don't know what you're talking about.

Weiss: i can't believe you. . .how did that even happened!?

(A)Weiss: you mean how we got together? Well it was during the ball at beacon, neptune invited me to go but i refused.

Weiss: YOU WHAT!?

(A)Weiss: i refused. *pink* i was hoping that a certain someone would invite me.

(A)Jaune: hmph.

(A)Weiss: but well, things didn't went like i wanted and i went to the ball alone. I stayed there for some time but gave up and went to the rooftop to take a breather, that's where i found jaune.

(A)Jaune: yeah, i was enjoying the peace and the silence until you showed up.

(A)Weiss: *chuckles* He was being grumpy because he heard neptune inviting me and thought i had accepted.

(A)Jaune: i wasn't being grumpy because he invited you, i just hate that guy's guts.

(A)Weiss: we cleared some things up and i invited him to dance a bit, we danced on our own for some time and talked a bit, he complimented me for the first time ever since i met him and even admitted that i was someone important in his life *with a wide smile and rosy cheeks* i was so happy that i gave him my first kiss without even thinking about it.

Yang: aww, that's so cute.

(A)Jaune/Weiss: *red* SHUT IT!

Weiss: that's enough, we don't wanna hear anything else about this!

Yang: speak for yourself ice queen, keep going nice queen!

(A)Weiss: well. . .i was a bit scared at first but when he kissed me back i got a lot calmer,  we kept kissing for some time and things got. . .a bit out of control.

Blake: *very interested* what do you mean with 'out of control?'

(A)Weiss: *red* err. . .well, w-we got a bit carried away and kept kissing until we were back to our room, and when we got there we did. . .*ten times redder* couple stuff.

Weiss: wait, so you just went and slept with him like that!?

(A)Weiss: yeah. *sheepishly* i know someone's first time should be something we think about carefully, but on that day all i could think of was how happy i was that jaune was my first. *hugs his arm* and until this day, i never once regretted that decision. *smiles at him*

(A)Jaune: *red* t-that's enough! *turns to oobleck* how the hell do we go back to our world!?

Oobleck: all you need to do is place your hands on the D.U.M.B or wait for the thirty minute mark. But before you leave, i still have some que-

(A)Jaune: fuck your questions, we're leaving princess.

(A)Weiss: sure. Just give me a moment. *goes to weiss* can i talk to you for a second?

Weiss: what do you want to talk about!?

(A)Weiss: wait. *holds her and drags her to the farthest corner, away from the group*

Weiss: what do you want?

(A)Weiss: i just needed to know, are you and jaune dating?

Weiss: W-what!? No! And we never will!

(A)Weiss: i see, i think i understand now.

Weiss: good thing that you understand, now please leave.

(A)Weiss: you like him.

Weiss: *blushes* i don't like him! I hate him!

(A)Weiss: *chuckles* you're just like jaune when i first met him. He was closed, distant and very cold with everyone, and he said he hated me all the time, but that was just him trying to keep his guard up, trying to protect his damaged heart from even more damage.

Weiss: what are you talking about?

(A)Weiss: what i'm talking is that just like my jaune, you're putting up barriers and keeping people away to avoid getting hurt, but maybe you don't need these barriers to be up all the time, maybe all you need is to let in someone who can help you heal.

Weiss: let me guess, someone like arc.

(A)Weiss: maybe. I'm dating jaune for awhile now and despite he still being much like his older self, i can't see myself being more happy with anyone else that isn't him. I know i might be biased but seeing that the only difference between us is that our roles were inverted, i think you wouldn't regret being with someone like jaune. Just think about it, didn't you ever noticed anything that jaune may have done just to see you happy?

Weiss: well. . . *gets a small flashback about the ball and neptune telling her everything jaune said*

(A)Weiss: sooo?

Weiss: i-i don't know, nothing comes to my mind. And look, i don't care what your reasoning is, i am not going to date arc.

(A)Weiss: well, i can't force you to do anything really, but if you can, just give him a chance *with a sincere smile* i know you won't regret.

Weiss: *sighs, rubbing her temples* if i tell you i'll think about it, will you go away?

(A)Weiss: sure thing!

Weiss: then i'll think about it, just please leave me alone.

(A)Weiss: okay, see'ya then me! *goes back to the group, joining jaune and hugging his chest* missed me?

(A)Jaune: no.

(A)Weiss: i missed you too my archangel.

(A)Jaune: *pink* didn't i told you to stop using this stupid nickname?

(A)Weiss: *chuckles* oops, sorry.

(A)Jaune: *sigh* let's just leave for god's sake. *places hand on the D.U.M.B*

(A)Weiss: *also places her hand on the D.U.M.B*

They both slowly start to get surrounded by a light blue aura, just like when jaune and weiss first used it.

(A)Weiss: bye everyone, It was really nice to meet you.

Yang: same, it was really good to see how weiss would be if she wasn't always on her period.

Weiss: YANG!!!

(A)Weiss: and weiss!

Weiss: *looks back at her* what?

(A)Weiss: just one chance, i promise you won't regret.

Weiss: i already said i'll think about it, i'm not going to make any promises.

(A)Weiss: that's already good enough, bye me!

Weiss: goodbye.

(A)Jaune/(A)Weiss: *vanishes*

Blake: well. . .that was something.

Jaune: i-it really was.

Ruby: weiss?

Weiss: yes?

Ruby: what did you and the other you talked about?

Weiss: well. . . *glances at jaune for a moment before looking away slightly* i-it was nothing okay? just something stupid.

Ruby: oh, okay.

Pyrrha: so, what do we do now professor?

Oobleck: we continue with the experiment of course! Meeting these alternative versions of mr.arc and ms.schnee was interesting but there are a lot of questions that need answers!

Weiss: i-i'm not going to use that machine again!

Oobleck: you wouldn't be able to use it even if you wanted ms.schnee. The D.U.M.B can't be used by the same person twice in a row, that rule goes for everyone except mr.arc of course!

Jaune: okay, but why does this machine needs me so much to work? You said i'm some kind of axis but why-

Oobleck: I DON'T KNOW AND AT THE MOMENT I DON'T CARE MR.ARC!!! RIGHT NOW THERE'S ONLY ONE QUESTION YOU SHOULD BE ASKING!!!

Jaune: a-and it is?

Oobleck: *grins and looks at the girls* which one of you is going next!?

[blake-belladonna-defence-force]

Idea from a while back; what if a pregnant Yang woke Blake up in the middle of the night asking her to make her something to eat?

Oohh. Cute. This is kind of based on when @bloodraven55 was inundated with asks about Blake going out in the middle of the night to get her wife chicken.

This one is just more... tame. Less police sirens.... although Blake does come very close to smacking a bitch 😅

///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

“Blake?”

Blake looked down at her chest where Yang was currently staring at her beseechingly. She quirked a tired eyebrow.

“You okay, Sunshine?” She mumbled sleepily. Yang was the only person that could get away with disturbing her sleep.

“Nothing’s wrong, per se.” Yang mumbled, cheeks flushing as she purposely averted her eyes and fiddled with her ever growing stomach. It made Blake smile… until she recognised the nervous tick and what it meant.

“You have cravings.” She stated tiredly, ears pinning for a brief moment.

“I’m sorry.” Yang mumbled, a small sniffle escaping her. Yang was an extremely emotional woman while pregnant. And sometimes that meant that she cried over many things. Many, many things.

“Don’t be sorry, gorgeous.” She sighed, pulling Yang into a hug that she returned eagerly, nuzzling into her neck. At least it wasn’t an angry mood swing. Not because she hurt anyone. No, Yang would never physically lash out. But when your wife tended to burst into flames, one learned to keep a fire extinguisher on hand.

“Right.” Yang mumbled, peppering kisses along Blake’s neck. Blake let out a soft sigh and tilted her head, relaxing under the gentle treatment.

“What is it this time?” She smiled, gently cupping Yang’s head and scratching at her scalp.

“Uh.” Yang murmured into her skin. “I don’t suppose we have any roast chicken? And dip?”

“Roast chicken… and dip.” Blake said weakly. “That’s… baby. I don’t know if…” she closed her eyes when a disappointed whine came from her wife. “If we have any. But I’ll go to the convenience store and see what I can do.” She had no shame in admitting that she was whipped. She loved her wife, so sue her.

“Really?” Yang hovered over her for a moment and when Blake nodded, Yang grabbed her jaw with one hand and kissed her, mumbling soft adorations between each kiss.

“Okay.” Blake mumbled against her wife’s mouth. “I need to go now or I never will. You’re too beautiful for your own good.”

She heard a snorting laugh escape her wife as she rolled into her back and watched her get dressed.

“You sure you don’t mind?” Yang asked quietly, sitting up in their bed and toying with the quilt.

Blake had pulled on her jeans and had just popped her head through the collar of one of Yang’s old shirts. She glanced over at a very woebegone Yang and let out a soft sigh, walking over and placing a finger under her him and guiding her into a gentle kiss.

“For you? Never.” She whispered. “Besides… we need to get used to 3:00 am wake up calls.” She added as she dropped her head to place a kiss to Yang’s belly.

When she glanced up at Yang, she saw an adoring smile until Yang tugged her up into another kiss.

“Dork.” She mumbled against Blake’s lips.

“You’re the one that said yes.” Blake huffed as she turned away and pulled on her boots and Yang’s leather jacket. “Ugh. I swear if that bike leaks oil on me one more time…”

She turned to see Yang staring at her, unabashedly checking her out.

“You look good in my clothes.” Yang smirked. “Maybe without the shirt… and jeans…”

“Yang!” Blake laughed with a smirk, blush coating her face. “I’m leaving before it’s too late.”

“What could possibly happen?” Yang said coyly, curling her hair around her finger as Blake came over to give her a peck.

“You damn we��ll know what could happen.” Blake murmured teasingly, caressing Yang’s side and smirking when she shivered. “I’ll be back soon with your chicken and dip.” She paused for moment, wondering when the hell she went from being a freedom fighter to a huntress to a wife getting her woman chicken and dip at 3:00 in the morning.

“Love you, Blake.” Yang cooed, nuzzling Blake’s nose with her own. “Stay safe.”

“Love you too, Yang.” Blake whispered, chest suddenly too small for her heart. “I’ll be back soon.”

And with that she headed down to the garage and hopped on their bike and headed to a local 24 hour convenience store.

///////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////////

“Please tell that’s not the last chicken!” Blake begged as she walked up to the oven at the front counter.

“Yup. This poor son of a bitch needs it for his pregnant misses.” The cashier chuckled.

“Can I pay you let me buy that chicken?” Blake asked the man, tall, tired and annoying looking.

“And risk making the old ball and chain upset? No thank you!” He huffed. “Still wonder why I married her, you get me?”

Blake tried not to growl at the rather insulting title.

“No. I don’t get you.” Blake growled. “Ball and chain? The woman you decided to spend your life with is giving you a child and that’s how you choose to describe her? You’re going to say that you regret her? For the sake of a joke?” Blake said with narrowed eyes and pinned ears. What was wrong with this man?

“Woah, calm down!” The man defended, about to add something when somebody interrupted them to run over to Blake.

“Oh my Gods!” A young bird faunus squealed. She seemed to be around 17 years. “You’re Blake Xiao Long-Belladonna! You’re my favourite member of team RWBY!”

Blake grinned awkwardly. She would never get used to random people coming up to her and asking for autographs and photos. Yang, however, had no such qualms.

“Oh.” She laughed nervously. “Thank you.”

“Wait. You’re Blake Xiao Long-Belladonna?!” The man gasped as the penny dropped. “You’re married to Yang Xiao Long-Belladonna!”

Blake rolled her eyes over exaggeratingly at the faunus girl.

“See what I what I’m dealing with here?” Blake said playfully, smiling when the young girl laughed.

“Gods, I do not want to be on your shoes if you piss her off.” The man muttered. “Just take the stupid chicken.”

And he left. Blake narrowed her eyes at his back.

“Shows what he knows.” The girl snorted, bouncing on the balls of her feet. “Mrs. Xiao Long-Belladonna is super nice! You can just tell by her interviews that she’s never hurt somebody unjustly.”

“I’m glad that you can can see that.” Blake said softly. “Not enough people give my wife the credit she deserves. She’s strong, yes. But also smart and kind. She’s gentle and wonderful and she’s going to an amazing mother and…” she sighed softly. “... And I’m rambling.” Blake realised, with a sheepish chuckle.

“No!” The girl gasped. “It’s so cute how much you love her! You guys are, like, couple goals AF!”

Blake blinked. Couple goals? AF? She was 25. She shouldn’t be feeling too old for this yet.

“Oh! Can I get a photo? If that’s okay!” The girl asked nervously. “Me and my friends are celebrating getting into Beacon and they’ll never believe me that I met one of the legendary four!”

Blake let out an embarrassed chuckle and nodded, smiling pleasantly at the camera and waving the girl off as she ran to go tell her friends about her “hero.” It still threw Blake for a loop that people looked up to her. Admired her.

When she thought about it, little Blake would be proud of her. And 17 year old Blake? Had no idea how much happiness and love was coming her way.

Especially when she brings home chicken and dip for a certain blonde human woman and is promptly smothered in grateful kisses.

Life had seemed so hopeless once upon a time. But all she had to do, was give it a chance to get better. And it most certainly did.

[iiasha-archived]

genshin anon! yeah the sacrificial one can have the skill useable again after it's used! gosh i pull all the claymores :/ when i was doing some pulls to try to get homa, i got the wolf's gravestone instead AND i finally hit pity on my standard banner (i only use the free pulls on that) and got the freaking skyward claymore from it so.... yay.... guess xinyan can get a new claymore and if i ever pull diluc... ive got his claymore.... lol.

hihihi

(2/5) oo nice! id definitely give bennett a try then. i use him in spiral abyss but my normal healer is diona. but he does really good. yeah i agree ): from what ive heard honkai had the same type of update schedule and it worked for that so.. im sure whenever a new region comes out everyone will come back and it'll bring more people in? but yeah exploring is so much fun and we just have to wait all the time. it would be nice to have a bit more events in between.

(3/5) thanks! :D new update - pulled venti lol. i was guaranteed him since i pulled qiqi last AND i even got him early. and finally got razor too lol. and c2 sucrose. now to save for childe because i want him so bad. also @ your posts from yesterday, i also heard the rumor zhongli is coming back so 👀 need him for my polearm squad lol. how have you been enjoying the windblume festival?? and rip the 2 noelles you pulled :/ thankfully only got razor and sucrose so far... lol

(4/5) probably won't pull anymore to save for childe. since c2 sucrose is good and i have razor now. i enjoyed his playstyle. it definitely took a bit to get used to but i think by the end of his story quest i had it. aww i love bow users! haha. i love using polearms and bows the most. i walk around the world with xiao, hu tao, venti, and diona lol. yeah i can't wait to see that boss then!! more story!!! did you do the hangouts yet? i unlocked barbara and noelle but i haven't done them yet.

(5/5) ill do the hangouts once i get bored or something lol. yeah rosaria... lol. ill still try to get her (mainly since ill be trying to get childe) but.. hopefully we fid out she isn't as rude as she was in albedo's quest lol. she seems fun to play though from what ive seen. and yeah the most things you get are from ascending! but hp and def i think still increase pretty well while leveling up. attack doesnt change a whole lot just from leveling up.

ohhhh okay!! i think i have the bow version on fischl but that was because some guide told me to i didn’t actually understand what it meant jaskdfla omg nice!! the only 5 star weapon i have is the skyward sword who i just put on my most dps sword user at the moment lmao (currently bennet i guess)

and i am starting to get used to him!! actually between him, xingqiu, and chongyun i’m getting elemental reactions for days so it almost makes xiao the pointless member on my team now since he’s a pretty selfish character lmaoo once he gets to friendship level 10 i might swap him out again for a more support character like fischl and make bennet the main dps. 

yeah!!! but i get they have to. program all the events ajsdkflaj in all honestly i think the rate they’re doing things is fine, but i do hope i don’t lose interest before another region comes out LMAO

YOU GOT VENTI I’M SO JEALOUS AGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGGG i don’t have the primogems so i might just stop after these noelle pulls jadsklfjakd or at least stop after getting sucrose who’s higher chance. tbh i don’t think i currently have a real use for venti aside from pairing him with someone like xiao ESPECIALLY if i do manage to get sucrose. i actually have 0 use for zhongli too but i’m in love with him so i’m saving everything i fucking have jakldsfja. i might pull once or twice on childe’s just to try to get rosaria at least, idrc about childe ajskdfladsf

i’m really really liking the windblume festival!!! maybe it’s not as like. pretty as liyue but the events are definitely WAY more fun ones that’s for sure. like even if i don’t get extra rewards some of them are just fun to play which is an indicator of like. a good minigame lmaooo. like the lyre/music one i really really want those perfect scores ajfskdl

i definitely like polearms and claymores the best! and as suggested earlier i walk around with whoever i’m trying to build friendship levels with while still having a balanced team so right now its xiao, bennet, xinqiu, and chongyun!! chongyun there bc the xinqiu/chongyun besties pair >>>>>>>>>>> for elemental reactions AND character stories lmao. i actually played chongyun’s hangout walking around as xinqiu which was funnier when chongyun mentioned xinqiu lmaoo.

i’ve done chongyun’s and barbara’s, i’m probably gonna do bennet’s next!! i like the hangouts, they do get a little tedious with the multiple endings but that’s the nature of these kinds of storyline-based games and i’m at least glad they give you the option to skip to certain parts of the story instead of restarting from the beginning (that would truly suck lmao). and at least you get rewards for each one.

lmaooo yup rosaria we’ll see... since she’s kind of featured i wonder if she’ll show up in the main storyline for the windblume festival like venti. but yeah she looks super fun to play, and since i love polearms + claymores and she’s a polearm user who looks like she fights like a claymore user i’m very 👀👀👀

[ssuminshan-official]

Party in Jinlintai!!! Part 1.

Emperor of peacock spirits, and the peacock spirit Dianxia enters!!!

Xue yang: oh no not another diva.

Su she: there's no such thing as a diva diet.

Mo xuanyu: Xuan gege once made a diva diet. It composes of salads, fruits that were only grown in his imperial orchid. Green tea and lemon water.

Vegan fish.

Yao: I did it once, and it did wonders for my skin. Zish is such a genius. If he wasn't an emperor, he would be a dietician or a beauty influencer.

Mo xuanyu: I would too, Yao gege.

Yao: of course!!

Xue yang: you two would be beauty blenders.

Su she: you're always flawless!

Xue yang: this Xuan Huangdi is such a diva.

Zixuan: *enters with Jinling*

Yao: Zishie! A-ling!

Zixuan: *hugs* foxy!

How are you?!

Yao: ah contented for the while.

Zixuan: aww.

Let me serve you some tea, foxy.

Yao: mn.

Jinling: xiao shushu, your place is so nice! Better than Jinlintai by far.

Yao: *pinches cheeks* aw thank you, A-Ling.

A-Ling. I bought some beautiful gifts for you, since I knew that you were coming. *claps twice*

Attendants: *holding gifts* Rulan Dianxia, we'll put it in your caravan for you.

Yao: heyy. Call him Ling Dianxia. He doesn't like the name Rulan.

Yes Huangdi.

Jinling: I love your gifts, Xiao shushu! Thank you very much!

Huaisang: *sweeping* this San ge keep pampering everyone. Hmpf!

Jinling: wow! Xiao shushu! Is that a crossbow?!!

Yao: triple crossbow.

Jinling: you're the best!!

And what's in this pouch?

Yao: just a small allowance of $250,000

Jinling: awww.

Zixuan: how amazing.

See, your Xiao shushu loves you a lot.

Yao: mhm.

Mo xuanyu: A-Ling. I got you some new clothes!

Jinling: aw thank you so much, xiao ershu.

Mo xuanyu: no problem darling.

Zixuan: Yaoyao, anything new?

Yao: a collection of Jade ornaments! See

Zixuan: aww, they're beautiful.

You're the cutest thing, Yaoyao. *grabs hands affectionately*

Huaisang: the most annoying thing too.

Zixuan: would you mind. I'm talking to foxy.

Huaisang: *glaring*

Zixuan: can you sweep somewhere else?

Huaisang: *sighs* yes Huangdi.

Jinling: how is Nie qianbe working for you now?

Yao: sometimes I really don't know, lol.

But he gets the job done, sometimes.

Zixuan: he looks lovely like this.

Xue yang: *plucks some of Zixuan's peacock feathers*

Zixuan: ouch! Xue yang!

Yao: Chengmei.

Mo xuanyu: *gasps*

Xue yang: *plucks*

Su she: oh no.

Zixuan: my feathers are off limits!

Yao: behave Chengmei. You'll hurt him.

Xue yang: Jiggy I was bored. And I wanted to get some work for Huaisang

Su she: team dimple supervises huaisang, so that he doesn't stress out Huangdi.

Zixuan: awww.

Huaisang: when do I stress out San ge?!!

Zixuan and Yao: you always do.

Su she: 24/7

Mo xuanyu: 365.

Zixuan: Huaisang, there's a divine peacock feather mess on the floor.

Huaisang: divine?

Zixuan: because I'm Huangdi.

Use a golden platter and rest it over there. It's not any other peacock feather.

Huaisang: why should I do that?! Can't you see I'm sweeping.

Zixuan: I can arrest you.

Huaisang: right away huangdi.

Zixuan: handle them with care.

Rusong: *entering* Ling gege!

Jinling: Rusong! *highfives*

Rusong: where have you been, gege.

Jinling: night hunting, and then I'm in Yunmeng with Jiujiu.

Rusong: ohh. Here I have been busy being Dianxia.

Jinling: so you juggle it like me?

Rusong: yup, cultivation and being the hulijing Dianxia.

Yao: how cute.

Zixuan: they get along so well.

Yao: yess! and they're the most handsome Dianxias in the Jianghu. Why don't they go on a vacation.

Rusong: sounds great, A-Die!

Jinling: I was thinking of having a party in Jinlintai.

Rusong: yas we should!!

Jinling: I'll tell Sizhui and Ouyang Zizhen about it.

Rusong: ok. Then what about Jingyi.

Jinling: this annoying boy. Anyways I'll invite him.

A-Die, is Jinlintai under good maintenance?

Zixuan: always darling.

Jinling: would gramps scare my friends?

Zixuan: no. Well I hope not.

Yao: if he does anything to my A-Song and A-ling, I'll slice him with my guqin strings, as if he's soft cheese.

*smile* just saying.

Rusong: we're invincible.

Jinling: lol yes we are.

Zixuan: carry your personal bodyguards.

Jinling: A-Dieeeee, I don't need them. And fairy is there to protect me!

Zixuan: *cups face* A-ling. You're my little Dianxia. You must be safe.

Jinling: ok A-Die.

Yao: *strokes head* my Song'er. You have Rong, or team dimple. Which one?

Rusong: I'll go with Rong. Sorry, team dimple might get drunk and tell everyone about the time they snatched you away from Shizun.

Yao: *laughing*

*glares at team dimple*

A-Yu, A-yang, A-Shan.

Trio: Jiggy?

Xue yang: it's called the art of simping. Ouyang Zizhen will get it.

Mo xuanyu and Su she: we're sorry. And yes, we're disappointed in ourselves for being better than Lan lips.

Yao: oh my.

Rusong: they get more random, Ling gege.

Jinling: lol.

Rusong: now, shall we get going?

Jinling: yea. Bye xiao shushu and A-Die!

Rusong: bye team D. I love you a lot!

And bye A-Die, you know I love you too!

Yao: aww. *kisses* I love you too.

~~

Lanling 📍.

Jinling: does he still hate you? I heard that he worked at your place.

Rusong: yup. But A-Die will deal with guangshan if he does anything.

Jinling: and I'll protect you too, Song'er!

Rusong: thank you.

But Ling gege, where does he sleep? I don't really know though.

Jinling: in the basement. But then he would sleep with Nainai only if she's in a good mood, which is a 50% chance.

At least A-Die and xiao shushu run Jinlintai.

Rusong: *laughing*

Jinlintai ~~

Jin servants: *bowing and greeting* greetings Wangzis.

The Huangdis told us that you're coming. So we prepared your rooms.

Jinling: thanks. We're having a party with a few friends so.

Right Dianxia.

Rusong: So great that you got the message from the two Huangdis. And nice to meet you.

Nice to meet you too hulijing Dianxia.

Jgs: *peeps out* what is A-Ling and that unruly hulijing doing here!

Jgs: *faking* heyyy guys. So nice to meet you. Song'er!!!!

Rong: keep your distance away from Dianxia.

Jgs: but I didn't do anything!

Rusong: hey guangshan.

Jgs: A-ling, you came to have a party here with your friends. That's nice. This place is yours! I say we throw out the greedy hulijing and take charge.

Jinling: *grabs Rusong's arm* there's no way I'm getting rid of Song'er! You old man!

Jgs: why do you like him so much!

Jinling: because he's my cousin, gramps!

Jgs: I see, a new generation of Zixuan and Zixun.

Or even worst, those two emperors. *shivers in disgust*

Jinling: and don't come near my friends.

Jgs: *rolls eyes and walks away*

~~

*suddenly someone playfully attacked Jinling from the back*

Jingyi: YOUNG MISTRESS JIN!!!!

Jinling: *startled* Jingyi, let go of me!!

Jingyi: but I want to hug you!!!

Jinling: you call this a hug? You're wrestling me!

Jingyi: why are you fussing?!! Be grateful, princess Jinnnnnn.

Jinling: don't call me that.

Ouyang Zizhen: yas!!! RD and LD in da house!!

(T/N: RD- Rusong Dianxia. LD- Ling Dianxia.)

Sizhui: Rusong! Long time no see. How are you?

Rusong: I'm doing good.

Sizhui: and how are your duties going?

Rusong: smoothly, for now. I really have a passion for looking after fellow hulijings.

Sizhui: that's so sweet.

Jingyi: Rusong, your cousin bit me.

Rusong: Ling gege. Hahaha, I'm so sorry Jingyi.

Jinling: no need to apologize to him. *pouts*

Ouyang Zizhen: Rusong, you're Wangzi, right. So did you get any mistresses yet?

Jinling: don't ask him that! Gross!

Rusong: no Zizhen, I don't have a girlfriend yet.

I want to focus on my career first.

Ouyang zizhen: what career?

Jingyi: You don't have to work a day in your life.

At least Jinling is sort of a cultivator.

Jinling: Rude!

And of course we have careers.

Song'er focuses more on being a Wangzi while I focus on cultivation.

Rusong: mhm.

See, we make a team in helping the Jianghu.

And hulijings have their own cultivation sect. The Hu sect.

Sizhui: awww.

Ouyang Zizhen: I hope you two find girlfriends soon.

Jingyi: do you even help the Jianghu, Jinling.

Jinling: shut up.

Jingyi: Jinling, I'm starving!!!

Jinling: help yourself Jingyi.

There's some food on the table.

Jingyi: buffet style, I like! You do care about me!

Jinling: *rolls eyes*

Ouyang Zizhen: look, RD. You have dimples. Use that as a weapon to the ladies

Jinling: leave him alone.

Rusong: *laughing* I hear you.

Ouyang Zizhen: and you're already a prince. Who doesn't want to marry a prince.

Jinling. What did your Xiao shushu do with his dimples? The guy has the strongest cultivators dropping to their knees and asking to be stepped on.

Jinling: ugh, you have a point. Everyone is head over heels for xiao shushu. *rolls eyes*

Jingyi: *eating* would you like me (platonically) if I had dimples, Jinling????

Jinling: I'll punch them every time I see them.

Jingyi: lol.

Sizhui: Jinling, you shouldn't beat him up. Dimples or not.

Jinling: but he's annoying.

Rusong: *having some noodles and strips of meat.*

Rong: do you need anything, Dianxia?

Rusong: no, I'm fine for now. Thanks.

Ouyang Zizhen: man, I want an attendant too.

What do you think?!

Sizhui: I could never. I'll he too flustered.

Jinling: they're alright. No big deal, cuz I grew up with them.

Jingyi: can my attendant cook? That's all he need to do.

Jinling: that's a personal chef, Jingyi!

Jingyi: ohhhhhh. Yea, I need a personal chef.

Rusong: do you want to borrow one of mine?

Jingyi: omg yes RD! You're the best!

~~~

Some minutes later.....

Everyone started drinking liquor and partying.

Ouyang Zizhen: what's the most scarring/weirdest thing you have ever seen! Go!

Rusong: Team dimple trying to seduce A-Die by dancing.

Jingyi: no way!!

Rusong: they were also wearing thin robes.

Ouyang Zizhen: omg. I saw a fierce corpse with an arm on top of his head.

But for some weird reason, he was in my bathroom.

Jinling: what????

Ouyang Zizhen: drunk and cultivator should be together.

Jinling: I once saw Jiujiu's hairy back.

When I was 4, I thought that he would have purple hair on his back, but it turned out to be fake.

Rusong: oh my!

Ouyang Zizhen: that's a wicked back.

Can we braid it?

Jinling: stop being gross.

Sizhui: you thought that it would be purple?!

Jingyi: ewww.

Jinling: I keep hearing him being called a purple grape. So I thought so.

Then one other scarring incident is when I walked in on A-Die and A-niang.

A-Die was on a golden table top with a peach in his mouth. And A-niang was blushing and walking towards him.

Rusong: I didn't know uncle Zish had it in him.

Jinling: does your A-Die do that?

Rusong: nah, he's too busy being simped on to do that. But he might do that for Shizun and uncle Jue.

Jingyi: Peacock got some rizz.

Ouyang Zizhen: Jinling, did you see them make out???

Sizhui: I saw Wangxian doing everyday on a roof. But don't worry, *sigh* it was a secluded place.

Jinling: they're mad. That's why Jiujiu hates them.

Jingyi: Hanguang Jun is the best. I want to do papapa on a roof some day.

Rusong: ahahaha.

Jinling: disgusting.

Rusong: oh so Hanguang Jun is your role model?

Jingyi: heck yea. Everything he does us immaculate. Down to his papapa. I can just imagine him grabbing Wei wuxian in a chokehold and feeding him d~~

Sizhui: *rams a piece of meat in Jingyi's mouth*

Ouyang Zizhen: oh not again.

Jingyi: *chewing* Sizhui!

Anyways it tastes good. Can I have some more.

Sizhui: keep the chicken thigh.

Jingyi: RD, is that wannabe Hanguang Jun still working for Lianfang zun?

Rusong: uncle Su? Yes. And he's not a wannabe Hanguang Jun. He has his own skills!

Jingyi: yea, what he learnt from Hanguang Jun.

Rusong: does Hanguang Jun know how to teleport?

Sizhui: whenever Wei qianbe calls him lol.

Rusong: uncle Su is the best, and i love him. Thank you very much.

Jingyi: lame!!!!

Hanguang Jun is IMMACULATE!

Rusong: not your Hanguang Jun almost  immaculately cutting off my A-Die's arm. 

How dare he.

Ouyang Zizhen: things are heating up!!!!

Jinling: Rusong does have  a sharp tongue. So don't mess with him.

Rusong: I didn't only get the dimples from A-Die.

Jingyi: *pouts*

Jinling: now behave, Jingyi. *rolls eyes*

Or you'll be banned from food.

Jingyi: but I'll die!!!

Sizhui: I try not to judge anyone, Rusong. Your uncle Su is awesome.

Ouyang: who are we talking about?

Sizhui: Su she.

Ouyang Zizhen: *confused* sorry, I'm not a Lan. So I don't know your Lan politics.

(Jingyi and Rusong are of course friends, but they just have different views)

Jingyi: well would you excuse me. I have to check up on my hotpot that I'm cooking in one of your indoor Jacuzzis.

Jinling: my WHAT?! Jingyi!

Rusong: why Jingyi? Why?

Jingyi: oh come on. What else should you use a jacuzzi for!

Jinling: this will be so hard to clean.

Rusong: we have guangshan, remember?

Jinling: oh right. 

@verycatbluebird

[bssaz97]

Think you would do another part to the missing for a year ask

Missing For A Year… (II)

What originally was supposed to be a day of remembrance and comfort to those who had mourned the ‘death’ of the two leaders of (R)WBY and (J)NPR, quickly became a revelation of confusion and shock. For after almost a year after their supposed passing, Ruby and Jaune returned to Beacon at the day of their own memorial with more than a few surprises. Many of the friends family felt relief that their friends/children/sibling while others had.....unique reactions.

Glynda: For the love of-I JUST HAD THIS SCHOOL FIXED! (Starts to repair the damages done to the door) Mr. Pine would you be so kind as to bring back Miss Schnee and...the newly announced parents. Preferably before she tears the courtyard apart.

Oscar: I’ll try but I can’t make any guarantees.

Glynda: Understandable. Now hurry!

Oscar starts to sprint after them in order to calm matters before they escalate. Meanwhile, the remaining friends of Ruby and Jaune take in the new situation.

Blake: Are they going to be ok? Weiss seems pretty mad.

Neptune: Yeah she’s fine, the two of them... well not so much.

Sun: By the way, how’re you doing babe? I mean we just did get a major truth bomb dropped on us.

Blake: I’m really not sure what I’m feeling. Shock, elation, grief, betrayal.....it’s a mixed bag at the moment.

Sun: Hey take whatever time you need. In the meantime, want to go see the new babies!

Blake: .....Sure. I think that’ll be nice.

Neptune: Also should we get Ren? He’s been still as a statue for a good minute or two. I think he’s also forgotten how to breathe.

Ren: godchildren...godchildren...I’m a godfather...

Sun: Ok buddy come on let’s go. *Grabs him like a cardboard cutout*

Meanwhile....

Ruby: ‘Huff! Huff! Huff!’ I think we lost her

Jaune: *Kneeled over in exhaustion* Man, here I thought we were gonna be having a nice reunion with everyone. Not to run in our own funeral.

Ruby: Technically it was a memorial.

Jaune: Haha. Oh yeah like that’s way better.

Ruby: Look, let’s just see if we can talk to her. She seems pretty upset about it all. Can’t imagine what she’s going through. I mean we basically were proclaimed dead by everyone then to suddenly just stumble back into their lives unannounced and without warning.

Jaune: Yeah that would put her in a questionable state of grief.

Ruby: I wish we could make it up to her you know.

Weiss: Maybe you can by accepting your punishment... *Peeking over the bush they were hiding in*

Slowly the couple turned their heads backwards to see their assailant right behind them. Nervous expressions written on their faces due to the unnervingly calm the SDC heiress/huntress was being.

Ruby: Weiss...hey, how are you?

Weiss: Good...heard you’re married now...and with children.

Ruby: Y-Yeah. Had a really busy year.

Weiss: Oh I had a busy year too. By busy I meant that I spent most of the past year in grief over the death of two of my dearest friends.

Ruby: Oh...that sounds terrible.

Weiss: It was...but do you want to know what’s worse than grieving over the dead?

Jaune: What’s that?

Weiss: Finding our that all your grief was wasted on two absolute morons who didn’t even know the proper way to send a letter to their grieving friends. But who also managed to start up a new life entirely ignorant of the pain their absence caused others. But you want to know the bright side?

Ruby/Jaune: .....what’s the bright-

From a birds eye view, newly installed cameras recorded the sudden appearance of a massive snowy explosion in Beacon’s courtyard. The sound of the sudden explosion alerted the attention of the deputy assistant to the headmistress, as he saw a large amount of snow built up seemingly out of nowhere.

Oscar: Oh no...Welp! At least I know where they are. *Starts running*

It takes Oscar about five minutes to get to the epicenter of the explosion as he had to walk through all the snow built up from the explosion. There he finds Weiss holding onto a supply bag and a rather large ice cube.

Oscar: Weiss, did you have to do this in the courtyard?

Weiss: Yup.

Oscar: ‘Sigh’ Honestly I don’t blame you. By the way where’s Ruby and Jaune?

Weiss: Close by. *Uses Myrtenaster to spin the ice cube to reveal everything but the faces of the couple encased in the block of ice*

Ruby: *Teeth chattering* H-H-hey Oscar... how’s it...ha-hanging?

Oscar: I’m good.....are they ok?

Weiss: Oh don’t mind them they’re completely fine. This is just the punishment they are going to endure being stuck in one place for the remainder of the day. Right? *Glares at the two leaders*

Jaune: *teeth chattering* Y-y-yeah! To-Totally...no problems here! R-R-Right Ruby?

Ruby: *teeth chattering* Y-Y-Yep! Totally... peachy!

Oscar: Somehow I don’t believe...

Weiss: Oh you worry too much. They’re not going to get hypothermia from being in there. There Aura will protect their body temperature and the worst they can get from this is a cold.

Oscar: How kind of you.

Weiss: Do you want to go in the cube?

Oscar: *puts hands up in surrender* No! I’m good! I’m completely ok with being outside the cube.

Weiss: Good! Now come along you too, a LOT of people probably wish to see you right now. Weiss then uses her summoning glyph to bring out the Arma Gigas, who takes block of ice and carries it for her. With Oscar by her side the two begin to walk back to the main auditorium of Beacon.

Glynda: There you are Miss Schnee, did you manage to reconcile with- Why do you have a giant ice cube?

Weiss: Yes. I did in fact reconcile with my leader and her...husband. And for why I have this ice cube, see for yourself.

The Arma Gigas leaned down so that Goodwitch could see the couple’s faces.

Glynda: .....So I see. Well in any case, a lot of the Xiao-Long and Arc Families are eager to see these two. So would you mind if you could-?

Weiss: Of course.

Weiss’ summoning places the ice cube down and pushes it inside, causing the block to slide against the floor until it’s in the middle of the room.

Ruby: H-H-Hey everyone!

Taiyang: Ruby! *Runs over everyone in his path to get to her* My precious little bud! I-I can’t believe you’re here and alive! .....I...I thought I lost you too. *Hugs the cube*

Ruby: O-Oh Dad....I’m s-so s-s-sorry! I would h-hug you if-f-f my arms we-weren’t f-frozen.

Taiyang: It’s ok sweetie...you’re being here is all I need.

????: JAUNE MILES ARC!

Jaune: O-oh Crud...

A middle aged blonde woman marches over to the ice cube, with a frying pan in hand. Her eyes seemed to project fire despite having no magic.

Jaune: M-M-Mom! H-H-Hold on a s-s-second! I c-can exp-plain!

Mrs. Arc: Young man.....you...*drops the pan*

Jaune: Huh? *Face gets cradled*

Mrs. Arc: My baby...my baby boy.....*sobbing*

Jaune: M-M-Mom..... *Gets tarry eyed* I-I’m sorry for making you g-g-go through that.

Mrs. Arc: Oh Jaune...you have nothing to be sorry about my little blessing. You’re here now.

Nora: Awww! What a wonderful family reunion!

The others began to gather around the cube to ask their questions about where the two leaders have been this entire time, and the couple did their best to answer the many asked questions. Weiss even lessened the temperature of the ices o that they could say complete sentences without the cold stuttering.

Blake: Where happened to you two when you two defeated Salem?

Ruby: Well do you remember how she used her magic to bring the temple up to the atmosphere? Well when it was descending we saw that it was heading straight to the face of a mountain so luckily, both of us clung to a straying falling fragment in time while Jaune amplified our auras to withstand the impact of landing.

Jaune: Still has a bit to spare to heal us enough so that I could carry us to a nearby village. It was a fairly new settlement that probably was uncharted on most maps at the time.

Ren: Which means we wouldn’t have been able to find the village...

Jaune: Bingo!

Yang: *Holding Summer in her arms still, while the baby was contently playing with her hair* What happened to you afterwards?

Ruby: Well after Salem’s defeat, Jaune and I decided that we both wanted to take a little bit of a break from huntsmen work, so we decided to do some traveling. We already confessed to each other after the first month and got our marriage license in the second month at a court house. By that time we had gone from Mistral to Vacuo. But at the time of the third month.....I started to get sick, a lot. Didn’t take us long to go to a doctor to see why and to both our surprise I was a couple weeks along in my pregnancy.

Jaune: So we put exploring the world on hold and settled down in a local down in Southern Vale.

Weiss: How did you keep you’re presence under the radar for so long?

Ruby: Honestly we didn’t even know people were looking for us since Salem’s defeat so we just dressed like normal citizens and kept our hunting gear in our briefcases.

Weiss: Of course you did. *Face palm*

Nora: Welp looks like everything worked out in the end! All’s well that ends well!

•

•

•

Jaune: Um...Nora. Where’s Rowan?

Nora: Huh?

Jaune: The baby you were holding before we ran off you were holding onto him and now you’re not.

Nora: I’m not! *Looks all around herself, but finds nothing* .....Uh oh.

Jaune: .....Nora, you were watching him did you give him to somebody else?

Nora: I don’t think so!

Ruby: What! Nora did you lose my baby!

Nora: Ren did I give him to you?!

Ren: No I haven’t even gotten to hold him. *slightly disappointed*

Nora: Uuuuuhhh no, oh gods. *starts to hyperventilate* I don’t know what I did with him! I LOST THE BABY!

????: Ahem!

Nora and the others look to the source of the voice and there they see Whitley looking upwards.

Whitley: I think I found your missing baby. *Points Up*

Everyone looks up and to the parents surprise/horror, Rowan had somehow climbed up to the ceiling and was crawling on one of the ceiling beams.

Rowan: *Cute Baby Noises and waves at them*

Ruby/Nora: AAAAAAAAAAHHH!!

Nora: Don’t worry baby I’ll save you!

Weiss: Whitley! Why didn’t you tell us this sooner?!

Whitley: *Still looking up* He was doing fine climbing up there by himself so I wanted to wait and see if he could climb down.

Nora: *Up on the beams, slow to approach the infant* Hey there baby Rowan! Hi sweetie~ Listen why don’t you come over here to Auntie Nora. Come on~

Rowan: *Baby noises and crawls the opposite way*

Nora: Wait. No Rowan! You’re going the wrong way! Over HERE! Towards ME!

Rowan: *Baby noises but looks down to see the giant ice cube.* Aaaaaah! Ma! Ba!

Nora: Yes you want to go see mommy and daddy right? So just come over to me and I’ll take you to them. Ok sweetie!

Rowan: Hehehehe! *Falls over the edge*

Nora: NO! *Trues to catch him but fails*

Ruby/Jaune: ROWAN!!

Rowan falls down from the ceiling and just before he gets close to the ground his descent is slowed down before it stops completely leaving him completely suspended in midair. Then he is levitated over to his savior, Miss Goodwitch.

Glynda: Young man. I should let you know that playing in the ceiling is no place for a child to play.

Rowan: ..... *blows raspberries then laughs*

Glynda: *Smiles* You’re very lucky you’re not one of my students. Not yet anyway. Miss Rose, I believe this is belongs to you. *Levitates the baby over to Taiyang, who was standing right by her*

Ruby: Oh! My sweet baby boy, I’m so glad you’re safe!

Rowan: *cute baby noises* Ma!

Everyone: Awww.

Nora: AAAH! *Falls to the ground* .....I’m ok! Ow!

-End of Part 2-

Hope you guys like this second addition to the Missing for a Year post I made a month ago. Stay safe and I’ll talk to you all later!