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#dearly wish that man had some support
citruslullabies · 2 months
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Trigger warnings: none
Requested by: N/A
Romantic/platonic?: neutral
Category: recovery fluff
Ship (romantic or platonic): Dogday x reader
Word Count: 570
Healing the Sun
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The sun is known to shine brighter than anything else in the entire universe. To be bubbly and kind to everyone, with its loving warmth and embrace. But the sun had finally burned out and was trying to rekindle its flame.
Dogday sat on his seat of the couch, it being his specifically due to it being weighed down due to his big body. He was quiet as he watched his angel's old VHS tape player glitch and rewind as he tried to watch his old show. He watched as he zoned out into his thoughts. His angel had saved him from his hell, and yet..
He missed the life he had before the prototype.
The canine hated that he was trapped there, the hour of joy was torturous for him but the aftermath was even worse.
He thought he'd die there, he should've died there. But you saved him. And forever he was loyal, but he still wished that things could be like how they once were. He growled at the VHS player buffering, balling his fist up and giving it a swat to get it to work. "Stupid thing.."
All he wanted to do was relive the memories. But it seems that even he couldn't have the privilege of nostalgia. He grumbled and sat back, watching the glitchy static on the green before hearing you walk in the door of the old cabin - causing him to jump up and immediately greet you.
Ever since you had saved them, Poppy, Kissy Missy, and Dogday stayed with you inside a cabin with a high roof due to the taller beings you lived with. "Angel! How was your day?" The loyal dog asked, his tail weak and fidgety but managed to wag. He couldn't stand to be without you, but that's why he watched his old memories on tapes to keep himself company. You smiled and sighed, setting your bags down and scratching behind his ear. "Good, good.. just tiring." You answered softly, seeing as you had found a job to support the four of you living together.
Dogday was just glad you came home. Some days he was scared you'd never come home, that you'd leave them behind and for them to fend for themselves just like they had to before. Dogday carefully pressed his nose against yours, it was oddly dry but that was to be expected. "Thank you, Angel." he mumbled, leading to your confusion.
"Thank me for what?" The question fell from your lips immediately in response, since you had just walked through the door. Dogday knelt down slightly for him to have more leverage to cling onto you, just like he did when you had carried him to safety like a boat would a man in the middle of the ocean that couldn't swim. He was quiet, before he answered in his tender voice.
"For saving me." He murmured, his eyes fluttered closed as he held you dearly. You were his angel, his savior. He would worship you just like Catnap had worshipped the prototype. He flinched a bit when feeling a pat on his back before relaxing into your touch as you carefully guided him to the couch. "..you're welcome, Dogday. Now how about we watch some movies and- ..Dogday, why, pray tell. Is there smoke coming out of my VHS player." You asked with a raised eyebrow, looking down at the dog far too big to be a lapdog all snuggled up against you. He was quiet before glancing away with guilt but amusement.
While he missed the life he had with his friends.. but he would go through hell again just to be in this life with you. He was happy to be recovering with you.
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Hope you enjoyed it!
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angelitadiaz · 5 months
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Benedict Bridgerton x Princess Reader
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As you made your way through Buckingham Palace, you ran into your mother, Queen Charlotte. Being the youngest of your siblings and your mother's miracle child meant she held you dearly in her heart. But what made her anxious about today's ball was that it was going to be your first debutante ball.
Making it her personal mission to make the ball perfect meant you hadn't seen her. "Good morning, Mother," you said as you bowed elegantly. She made her way over to you and placed her hand on the bottom of your chin, lifting your delicate features.
"Y/N, just the person I was looking for. Do you like these flowers to go with today's theme or these?" She said as she pointed to two bouquets. One was filled with white roses and pink tulips, adorned with different greenery added into it. The other bouquet had white tulips but was mostly filled by baby's breath, of course with the added greenery.
"The first one is beautiful, of course, but the second one seems to grab my attention more. Especially the baby's breath, it can mean purity and innocence, what I am to be for my husband." You said to your mother.
Your mother turned to look at you, pride seeping through her features as she couldn't hold back the tears welling up in her eyes. She grabbed your hands and held them with sincerity. "I am truly proud of what you have become, and I know you will make a sensational wife and mother."
You couldn't hide your smile from her. You loved your mother very much and wished you could be just like her, a loving wife. You had to leave her so you could start getting ready for the ball and quickly make your way to your room. You had your maid, Annabeth, help you pick a dress for the ball. You both decided on a pale pink dress with embroidered flowers matching the ones in your hair.
Annabeth helped put half of your hair up, putting it into a bun while having the rest curled freely. She grabbed some flowers and put them into your hair as she grabbed your crown. It was bigger than the other debutante but still had the simplicity that captured a man's attention. Annabeth helped you with your shoes next and chose a pair of pearl earrings and a pearl necklace.
Before you leave, you remembered to bring a feathered fan, a trick your mother had shown you not too long ago. Your mother is waiting for you outside of your room with her dog, Charles, whom you had given to her not long ago. She looks at you shocked as she eyed you up and down.
Queen Charlotte slowly made her way over to you and gripped your shoulders tenderly. "You are most perfection, my dear, wonderful job on today's dress." You couldn't hold back the smile you gave her as you gave her a quick hug filled with love. She laughed out loud and reciprocated your hug and held you tighter.
You both had to wait until the guests had fully arrived and held on to each other for support. "Y/N, promise me you'll find someone who you will love and cherish with your whole existence? And that you'll visit me often!" You nodded towards her as you heard both your names being announced.
The ballroom became hushed as they announced your mother's name and then yours. The doors opened, and your mother pushed forward, pulling you with her. Both of you stood at the top of the stairs, looking down at the gentlemen and ladies. Synchronized, you both went down the stairs slowly and poised.
Once you reached the floor, your mother grabbed your hand and kissed your cheek, earning the soft awe of mothers. You decided you wanted to get a drink to quench your thirst and sipped on a lemonade.
You started to walk around, noticing the many staring young suitors around the ballroom. Being a princess ment you were in everyone's list of prominent wives. The ton also knew you would either be Duchess of Sussex or next in line for the throne after your brother George.
As you walked around the ballroom, you noticed a certain lord looking over at you. Lord Berbrooke made his way towards you, pushing anyone in his way. His eyes never left your body and smirked in a disgusting manner.
You turned around quickly and made your way across the ballroom hurriedly. Lord Berbrooke was catching up to you, but before he could reach for your wrist, you noticed a certain Bridgerton.
Benedict Bridgerton was the most handsome man you had ever seen and one of the most lovable. But you knew you couldn't be with him because of his lover, Madam Delacroix. Remembering your situation, you hurriedly made your way over to Benedict to escape Lord Berbrooke.
"Lord Bridgerton, would you do me the honor of having this dance with me?" Benedict looked taken aback but accepted your invitation, offering his arm towards you. You both made your way over to the dance floor capturing the attention of the ton.
As you both held each other, you couldn't help but feel his arm wrap around your waist softly and offer his hand for you to take. "What a surprise, Princess Y/N. I never expected you to choose me for your first dance." His eyes never leaving your own and moving gracefully to the melodic music.
"Please don't fluff your pride. I needed help with escaping a certain Lord. Lord Berbrooke tells everyone I am to be his princess and the mother of his children." You said as you rolled eyes while Benedict was chuckling to himself.
"Princess Y/N, do you wish to be a mother, or are you more concentrated on your throne?" You smiled at his question, answering diligently. "I wish to have a big family full of love and honesty. To tell you the truth, I wouldn't mind being away from the crown and living a simple life that I could enjoy. My husband shall be the most important person in my life as they will be my soul mate and lover. My purity is solely for them, and my moments shall be enjoyed with them. I wish to find a husband who is passionate about what he does while also loving me for me." You answered while your eyes looked around every couple dancing.
Benedict couldn't take his eyes off of you. You showed such grace, worthy of a princess, but expressed your wanting for a normal life. Benedict could remember all the times he had seen you with Queen Charlotte looking gorgeous. Your presence exuded a powerful leader while your very being showed a caring and kind person.
The perfect mix for the future crown princess of the Great nation.
"Lord Bridgerton, how do you feel about having a wife?" Benedict looked at you with confusion, his eyebrows scrunching together as he slightly shook his head. "I have been meaning to find one, but it seems I always get distracted with painting. But I hope to find a wife that is as loving as you."
Benedict looked down towards the shock in your face. You looked towards his gentle eyes and smiled a pure smile. "Then Lord Bridgerton, let's get married." In that moment, Benedict seized from dancing and looked at the ton that was staring back. Chills ran through his spine at the thought of marrying you. Sure, you were beautiful, kind, gentle, and admirable, but you were a princess. You didn't belong with someone like him.
"I must reject you, Princess Y/N. I only see you as a friend, not a lover." Benedicts' composure fell at the sight of a single tear falling from your eye. "What if I told you, Lord Bridgerton, that I fell in love with you from afar? Would that change anything?"
"I'm afraid I can't reciprocate your feelings, Your Highness. I just see you as a friend." Oh , how he wished he had said yes, he knew that he too had fallen in love with you from afar. He missed the feeling of your hands on him and could only stare at your retreating figure. "Lord Bridgerton, thank you for rejecting her. I truly appreciate it!" He turned around only to see Lord Berbrooke excited with a long grin in his face.
"Whatever do you mean Berbrooke?"
"Well, if it wasn't for you rejecting, I would have never had the chance of being with her. So I thank you." Berbrooke patted Benedicts shoulder walking away to go and find you. Benedicts fist wrapped tightly around itself as he looked over at you, longing in his stare.
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Benedict could not think about anything other than you until he heard Francesca mention your brethothal. "Did you hear, mother? Princess Y/N is engaged to Duke Simon Hastings, it's all over Lady Wistledown." Violet rushed over her daughter and snatched the paper from her. Looking over to Daphne, she watched as her daughters heart broke, but in that moment, they heard a knock.
"Please, right now is not the time. If it is about lunch, then we -" You walked in with a sad expression on your face, smiling at the family you couldn't help but notice the lingering stare of a certain Bridgerton. "No, Lady Violet, I don't bring lunch. I wanted to explain my betrothal to Simon Hastings." You looked over at Daphne, who your mother named her diamond at her last ball.
You knew she had fallen in love with Simon and how he felt for her, too. The room fell for you to explain. Before you did, you got something from your pocket hidden in your dress. It was a box that contained a diamond necklace, which was a present from your mother. You walked over to Daphne and sat next to her, offering the box to her.
She opened it and looked at it as she gasped at the sight. "You know he's afraid of marriage." Daphne, along with the Bridgertons, looked over at you with wonder. "Daphne," you said as you grabbed her hand, "I don't think of Simon as a husband or companion. Rather, I see him as a brother. He proposed to me after he saw Nigel Berbrooke try to take advantage of me." Before you could say anything, Benedict sprung at the sound of Nigel.
"Nigel tried to come onto you? Are you sure you are okay?"
"Yes, Benedict, I am sure thank you, anyways Daphne."
"When did he try?"
"What?"
"When did he try?"
"After you rejected me at the ball my mother had for me." Violet gasped at the fact Benedict had rejected you. Violet was too busy with Daphne to notice your dancing with Benedict. But you gave them a look that said let me finish. "Daphne, I'll break off the engagement today because I know how Simon feels about you."
Daphne couldn't help but question you, "What do you mean feels about me?" You couldn't believe Daphne hadn't seen the way Simon looked at her or how he held his breath when she was not with him. "Daphne, he is utterly and truly in love with you. Use this information at your will. That necklace is called the Necklace of Soulmates, which is said to bring to you the one who's meant to be with you."
Daphne looked down at the necklace and then looked at you as she mouthed a thank you. You offered her a smile as you got up to leave the beloved Bridgerton home. Before you could leave the Bridgerton home, you heard Benedict calling your name.
You ignored him and continued your way into the carriage. Just as you were about to enter, you felt Benedict grab your wrist and pull you back towards him. He wrapped his hand around yours and placed his other on your warm cheek.
"Y/N, once you break your engagement, will Nigel keep bothering you?" Benedict had a tone of urgency to his voice. He stared deeply into your eyes, scanning them for a truthful answer.
"Lord Bridgerton, let me go right now." You said, demanding out of annoyance.
"Answer me, Y/N. Please."
"After I break my engagement, Nigel plans to propose to me. But I'll probably find another man, seeming that I am a princess. Now Benedict, I need to go prepare for tonight's ball and hopefully your sister's engagement."
"Marry me, Y/N." You stared at Benedict in shock and heard a gasp behind you. Both you and Benedict looked behind you and saw Nigel with a bouquet of lilies.
"Princess Y/N, please tell me you don't plan on being married to this baboon." You noticed that both the Bridgerton and Featherington were watching the scene. "Lord Berbrooke, this does not concern you."
"How could this not concern me, Princess Y/N? You are engaged to Duke Hastings unless you're committing adultery. In that case, Mr Bridgerton, please tell me now if she is unpure." Your mouth was left agape at the accusation.
End of Part 1
Part 2
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gabessquishytum · 3 months
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I’ve been fighting with this for ages when that other Cinderella ask popped up, how serendipitous that we’re all thinking about messing with fairy tales 😁 here’s my take:
Dream is what is commonly known as a fairy godfather, a matchmaker of worthy souls to create long-lasting stories. Everyone knows that a match facilitated by a fairy will supersede any objections due to class or circumstance.
His latest project involves the three-day festival being thrown to find a consort for the prince, who he plans to match with the handsome and kind but beleaguered Hob Gadling, who so dearly deserves a happily ever after.
The first night of the ball, Dream appears before Hob—who looks appropriately stunned and awed—and declares his intention to help him attend. He’s not entirely sure how he came to be personally escorting Hob to the ball soon thereafter, but as he sits in the transformed carriage next to a magically decked out Hob, who is charmingly clutching Dream’s arm in shy excitement, Dream reasons that it couldn’t hurt to be a little more hands-on this time, and give Hob the support he clearly needs to meet his Prince Charming.
Except when they arrive at the ball, the prince gave Hob one curious glance when they entered, and then proceeded to completely ignore him the rest of the night. How dare he?? When Dream specifically chose him for this treasure of a man, as the other half of one of Dream’s stories!! He’s utterly offended on both his own and Hob’s behalf. Luckily Hob doesn’t seem to have noticed, too busy staring at everything and curling himself into Dream’s arm, probably out of bashfulness, poor thing.
Well, the fairy tale romance may be a bust tonight, but at least Dream can still make sure Hob has a magical time for the rest of the festival while Dream regroups and makes new plans. So he spends the rest of the ball by Hob’s side, plying him with food and drink and attention, and whisking him off to the dance floor whenever he wishes, and plans to do so again on the second and third night. He even extends the magic on Hob’s clothes past the midnight deadline, now that there’s no more call for a dramatic and mysterious vanishing into the night to further entice that waste of space of a prince. (Dream is also vaguely keeping an eye on the rest of the attendees on the off-chance that he comes across a hidden diamond worthy of Hob’s heart and Dream’s story, though he doubts the likelihood of that considering how much of a disappointment the literal prince turned out to be. Best to keep the most of his attention on Hob’s enjoyment, and return to finding him a match worthy of a fairy tale after the festival)
Hob knows exactly what he’s been doing from the moment Dream appeared to him; literally everyone knows what’s meant to happen when a fairy calls themself your godparent, and had any other fairy done so, Hob probably would’ve been quite pleased to go along with it. But he fell in love at first sight with Dream, and knew then and there that no Prince Charming would supplant him from Hob’s heart.
So he manages to convince Dream to escort him, all but glues himself to his fairy patron’s side for the entire ball, and (when Dream isn’t looking) glares at anyone who appears interested in him to scare them off, especially the prince. He plans to make the most of the festival to woo and seduce Dream until the fairy understands that the best fairy tale match for Hob is Dream himself. (Worst-case scenario he’ll climb onto Dream’s lap in the carriage at the end of the last night and present his case more directly)
-🪽anon (I tried to find a place to make a “fairy god-dilf” joke but it never quite worked ¯\_(ツ)_/¯)
Fairy cockfather perhaps? Fairy godDADDY??
Look, Hob has had a shitty life. Everyone he's ever loved is dead, his remaining family suck, he's miserable and he wants more from life. And he is NOT about the bet all his chances on some snooty prince, when he could have a literal fairy!! Dream is everything that Hob has ever wanted, and he's not going to let this opportunity slide.
So yes, maybe he pretends to be a bit more helpless than he actually is. He blushes and flutters his lashes and keeps asking Dream to help him with little things, like lacing up his beautiful glass shoes. By the third day of the festival, he's convinced that Dream is feeling some sort of spark between them. Hob is certainly at the end of his patience. He's danced, flirted ("shyly"), talked and laughed with the most beautiful magical being in the whole world, and he is very much losing his patience. He wants to kiss Dream!! And maybe suck his dick!!! He's got a lot of feelings!!!
And as the hours pass Dream sees less and less candidates around who he deems worthy of Hob’s hand. There's always something wrong, none of them are good enough for his Hob... how could Dream even have thought that the Prince was a good match?! He's clearly nowhere near as handsome, clever or delightful as the kind of spouse that Hob deserves. All of the people around them are too boring to make a good story. Hob needs someone... unique.
And when Hob pulls him to a private balcony at midnight on the third night of the festival... and slowly guides Dream’s hands to his hips... and leans in so their lips brush together.... the light bulb moment finally happens. Its going to be a wonderful story.
(Incidentally one of Hob’s lovely shoes does get left behind. Yes, it's because they were fucking on the balcony and Hob was so cock-struck he didn't even notice his lack of shoe. No, he's not even a little bit sorry.)
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jaylaxies · 1 year
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REWRITE THE STARS
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PAIRING: prince!jay x princess!fem reader
GENRE/CW: smut, fluff, unprotected sex, tub sex, slight biting and marking, mentions of royal balls, wars, slight mentions of blood and injuries, mentions of masquerade balls and marriage, mentions of heeseung
WC: 7032 words
SYNOPSIS: you had only been dreaming of the suitor’s ball ever since you had turned nineteen, ensuring that everything would be perfect on that very day. it was like a fairytale how you met this charming man, who so gracefully asked you for a dance with him, soon taking you out for a walk in the royal rose garden, making you fall for his charms. however, how would you take it once you realize that he’s the prince from your rival kingdom whom you’ve grown to adore so dearly?
WARNING: 18+ content, minors dni
A/N: hihi, angels! i’m back with another fic! i feel like i haven’t posted a jay fic in ages! this fic was a sfw fic i had written when i was seventeen, but i wished to share it with everyone now after a bit of editing and also adding a bit of spice to it! i hope y’all will enjoy this! :3 all likes, comments, reblogs and feedbacks are highly appreciated! it keeps me motivated! iloveyou all <3
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A small smile graced your lips as you wandered deep inside the royal boutique, ball gowns of every colour and such intricate designs made it harder for you to select a design for yourself.
The royal suitor’s ball was a month away now, causing you to start preparing for it already. Now, this wasn't any ordinary ball, it was hosted by the most powerful kingdom out of three on the land of evander, the kingdom of Lavosta being the most powerful one, it had control over your kingdom, the kingdom of Azira and your rival kingdom, the kingdom of Nairid.
Nairid was ruled by king and queen park, they had a son, the heir to the throne who was born in the same year as you. Prince Park Jongseong, well known for his vast knowledge and graceful appearance, he was the next to be the king and was deemed perfect for the same.
Your kingdoms have been at war long before you were born, a truce was called not too long back as Lavosta had stopped sending resources to both the kingdoms, for the war had no positive outcome for their kingdom. But that didn't stop them from hating each other.
You continued searching for your gown as your elder brother joined you, “will you be wearing our kingdom colour for the ball?” Prince Heeseung asked, pointing at the royal blue gown your eyes were fixated on, he was two years older than you, and would be the one to take over the throne after your father.
“That would be too obvious, I'd fancy wearing something mysterious, and perhaps new instead,” you admitted as your gaze fell on a delicate black ball gown, the kind you had never seen before. Heeseung let out a small laugh, knowing all too well that you'll be adamant about getting that gown now.
And he was right, you chose the same gown and further asked the dress designer to make some changes in the design, adjusting it to your size for it to appear perfect.
Being the princess of Azira, you had to stay composed and portray your flawless etiquettes, no matter how tiring it got, you were adamant to give your best for your citizens. Nevertheless, the public loved you for you were — genuine and caring towards all despite the difference in their titles.
Giving your measurements to the royal tailor, you both rushed back to the palace for the supper. Your parents, the king and the queen questioned you about your preparations for the said ball, they seemed to be more intrigued than you were for the same, and you thanked the universe for getting such supportive parents.
You were nineteen, meaning that you would finally make your debut into the society as someone who's pursuing a suitor. Nineteen being the minimal age of allowance at the ball.
It was further discussed how Heeseung won't be attending the ball for he wanted to focus on studying for the time being, to be a successful successive king.
“I don't need to marry until I'm twenty three, as I'll take over by the time I’m twenty four,” he theorized.
The topic further shifted to Nairid, Prince Jongseong was to attend the ball as well, and you were warned to stay away from him, not that you needed to be told. You'd stay away from anything that could cause harm to your kingdom. You loved your people dearly.
The dinner soon concluded, and you were being prepped for the bed by your lady in waiting, named Anne, and slumber overtook you soon, dreams of finding your significant other overtook your brain, causing a small smile to crinkle onto your lips, an unfamiliar warmth filling up your body.
Far away in the land of Nairid, Prince Jongseong was going through the same procedures. For someone who's never paid attention to females other than being polite to them, he seemed to have a rather giddy feeling blooming up in him.
He had always been busy, learning about anything and everything he could, he craved knowledge, just like you did but he grasped more, saying it's essential for a king to know everything. Nevertheless, he enjoyed it.
Citizens adored him for being polite and understanding, helping them anytime he could. It brought him joy to see the citizens of his kingdom happy and comfortable in their own land.
That wasn't all though, Jongseong had a perfectly sculpted and fine-boned face, a body that can fight off any foe and eyes that could intrigue anyone.
He chose to wear black, just to maintain anonymity, as the theme for the year was masquerade, also because he fancied the colour black. He would not pursue just anyone, he would only write his name on the dance card of the woman he'd really be intrigued with, meaning he’d have very few dances, he’d have to keep in mind that this development would be important for his kingdom as his wife would become the queen once he becomes the king. With this thought, he fell into dreamland, a small smile lingering on his face.
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Time passed by as all the royals kept on preparing for this big event. Three days before the event, you were busy guiding and packing all your essentials and luggage along with your lady in waiting. You were going there a day prior to settle in, and were going to leave as soon as the ball concluded, as it was a day-long journey from Azira to Lavosta.
Yet again, you were warned about Jongseong but it raised a slight problem, you had no clue what he looked like for you had never seen his portrait before, but you agreed to stay attentive nevertheless, staying away from anyone who wore his kingdom colours. You were promised to be shown his portrait as soon as it reached the palace for you to be more conscious of the successive balls you would be attending.
Meaning, you'll just have to guess his identity this particular time.
Soon you were on your way to your carriage, The King, Queen and Prince Heeseung, coming all the way out to see you off, “don't do anything naughty,” Heeseung giggled with a teasing smile causing everyone to laugh and for you to throw your handkerchief at him.
“What do you take me as?” You huffed with a pout, making him laugh even more.
You left Azira with a light heart, your ladies in waiting accompanied you along with guards to ensure safety.
While at Nairid, Jongseong faced the same problem, him being warned about your presence at the said ball without having any portrait to show him your features, only a description, which too wasn’t very particular about your features, nevertheless, he promised to stay alert and left for the ball, as it took a day to reach Lavosta from his kingdom too.
The journey was smooth and you were greeted by Queen Taeyeon of Lavosta as soon as you arrived at your destination, being on your best behaviour, you greeted her with a respectful bow as she gracefully smiled at your beauty, asking about your parents and their health.
Soon you were being escorted to your chamber and were free to rest for the day, taking in the beautiful scenery at the palace.
Jongseong arrived a while later, going through the same procedures, except his chamber was in the opposite direction of the grand palace. To say that everyone was nervous would be an understatement, attending such events meant being judged for even the minute details considering how everyone expects the best from the suitors.
Now that both the big kingdoms had sent their royal heirs, the expectations rose to an even higher level. The talks about your beauty and cleverness were all around the palace along with how Jongseong had a perfect face and appreciating worthy etiquettes.
You had been in your chamber the whole day, resting and calming down your racing heart, also noticing all the differences between your kingdom and here.
When it didn't stop, you decided to take a stroll to the famous rose garden of the palace. It was empty, just as you expected it to be and you were glad to be getting some time out in nature while the stars glistened, you had asked your guards to stay back at the entrance.
After a brief half hour of strolling and blessing your eyes with the prettiest roses you had ever come across, you decided to go back to your chamber. A sudden moment made you halt your steps, you hid your face with your handkerchief, enough to cover your face so that no one would recognize you.
“Is someone out there?” You started speed walking and turned back for a moment to see a stiletto standing there, staring at you with curiosity. That was enough to make you leave.
Prince Jongseong had seen you, or better, the shadowed face of you considering the lack of light during the nighttime.
His curiosity piqued as he didn't expect anyone to be awake this late at night, someone who would look beautiful even in the darkness, someone who’s charm spread all over the place with just their existence.
Soon enough, he left as well, just to look presentable for the big event tomorrow. Exhaustion overtook you both and sleep came to you easily.
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The day of the suitors ball had finally arrived, everyone was in a frenzy to ensure that it went by smoothly. You were a nervous wreck, just as your ladies in waiting were. They made sure to get you ready and ensured to not even let a hair out of place, you had to look perfect enough to be every suitor's dream in order to catch the attention of someone who would be beneficial for your kingdom.
As soon as you entered the ball room, all eyes turned to look at you. Few of the reasons being — firstly, you were the only one with a black gown and, secondly, you looked beautiful even with a mask covering half of your face, grace dripping off your movements. Giving them a hesitant smile, you moved inside.
Jongseong made his entrance after a few minutes, you noticed how he was the only one other than you who wore black, and that his mask did nothing to hide his sharp jawline not to mention how his neck had a small heart shaped birthmark, similar to the one on your left clavicle. Your eyes couldn’t leave his figure.
You, being observant, noted how he walked with a perfect posture and his strides were confident, more confident than any other person you saw here. The man made you want to talk to him, approach him.
The royal dance commenced and several royals were quick to approach you for dance, writing their names on your dance card. You politely declined many of them, dancing with only two you found worthy enough as your mind kept wandering back to the guy in black.
He had noticed you too, your bold choice of colour intriguing him enough to muster up his courage to ask you for a dance.
“May I have the honour of dancing with you, my lady?” He asked, not knowing your title of being a princess and you kept it that way.
“I’d be glad to, sir,” you responded with a smile.
He didn't write his name on your dance card, you both did not even as much as ask for each other's name, saying how this anonymity made you both more curious.
He gently held on to your hand, placing his other hand on your waist and pulling you closer, close enough for you to take in his scent.
It was exquisite and unfamiliar.
Not a lot of words were exchanged during the dance, but you didn't fail to notice how light his hold was on your waist, as if he didn't want to cross any boundaries and you were truly grateful for that, but didn‘t stop your heart from beating fast.
“Shall we go for a stroll to the rose garden, my lady?” He offered soon after the melody had concluded.
You hesitated leaving the ball, however, something about this stranger made you want to break your rules just a snitch.
You agreed and made your way out with him.
As you both walked, you suddenly asked, “what should I call you, sire?”
He chuckled softly at your sweet voice and replied, “you can call me Jay, it's not my real name though.”
Only his friends called him Jay and no one else knew about this nickname of his. You nodded, acknowledging this before saying his name out, testing how it rolled off your lips.
“Can I call you queen?” he suddenly asked.
“Queen? Why so?” you asked, slightly confused.
“You have a strong and beautiful aura, which reminds me of how a queen should be,” he explained and it made you smile.
“Then you shall do it,” you said, trying to calm your racing heart.
You both reached a bench and sat down, gazing at the night sky. You removed your mask softly and Jay turned to look at you, mesmerized how elegant you looked even in the dim light of the night sky, your face lighting up in the moonlight.
“You're beautiful,” he blurted out without realizing what he said.
You laughed and thanked him, it made you feel better about yourself. Soon enough he removed his mask too and god he was beautiful.
“You look divine,” you spoke and he thanked the night for hiding his blush before he thanked you for the compliment.
And then you talked about your likes and dislikes, favourite colours and hobbies but never once came the topic of kingdoms.
A part of you both knew that maintaining anonymity could cause you to never meet again but you both promised to attend the yearly ball taking place just two weeks after this one. The ball which the public is allowed to attend too.
You decided that you liked him, he made you feel at ease, he felt the same but you both decided to keep these newfound feelings to yourself for now. The rest of the ball was spent the same way and you wouldn't change it for the world. Soon it was time to leave.
“I'll wait for you,” Jay said, looking forward to the next ball.
“I'll be there,” you promised. He bent down slightly, looking into your eyes with a soft glint before he gave you a small peck on your forehead, soon shying away. That's how you bid each other goodbye, butterflies filling up your lower abdomen.
All the time on your way back, you kept thinking about him, excited to tell your parents about him. Your ladies in waiting teased you for falling so fast but you didn't care. You felt happy.
Jay felt attached already, he felt that you'd become a great queen for him not just because he liked you, but he knew how intelligent you were from the conversations you had. It was no secret that both of you were attracted to knowledge, a small smile on his face as he looked at the beauty of trees outside from his carriage.
When you reached Azira, you told your parents and Prince Heeseung all about the ball, they were happy for you but your mother had a bad feeling about this, which she hid behind her smile.
Heeseung jokingly called you stupid for not asking his name and you agreed a bit on that part.
A few days had passed by, you were indulged in your daily work and classes as a princess. Your lady in waiting informed you that Prince Jongseong's portrait had reached your palace, now you would finally know who to stay away from. A bad feeling made you want to not go and check the same, but you did so for your safety as you reached your chamber and asked your lady in waiting to show you the said portrait.
You froze as you saw Jay's face on it. Putting the puzzle together, you finally understood how big of a mistake you had made, hand on your mouth as you stood there sadly.
Did he know you? Did he do it on purpose? Disappointment overtook you and yet you didn't want to blame him before knowing his side of the story, you couldn‘t understand why you felt this way, especially when you had met him only once before.
Maybe you were worried about this being a plan, or a betrayal, but the sincerity you saw in his eyes that day said otherwise.
You sighed, asking your lady in waiting to prepare a bath for you as you needed something which would help you relax.
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Meanwhile at Nairid, Prince Jongseong had already seen your portrait a day before you saw his portrait. His heart was heavy, he never once considered you to be from Azira, for he was told that people from your kingdom were ones who are rude and boastful, and he had already made plans to make you his queen. He decided to confront you about this during the next ball, unsure if you would come or not.
Your mom figured out that the guy you met was Prince Jongseong due to your recent dull aura. As a queen and a mother, she called you over, holding you close and later, asking you to get over him before leaving, telling you how this relationship cannot ever be successful.
“He’s from a completely different world, Y/N, I’m sorry,” she said before letting you go and attend the ball which you had been waiting for, while also being nervous about it.
With a shaky breath, you got inside your carriage for the ball. You weren't sure if he would attend. Nor were you sure of what you'd say if you meet him there. Many princes had sent you proposals after the suitors' ball but you turned all of them down without second thoughts, only one man being in your heart.
Jongseong arrived on the day of the ball so you couldn't meet him before that. Your eyes searching for him since the day you had arrived, gulping when you didn‘t see him, relieved and sad at the same time, however, you had to control your emotions if you were to find him.
On the day of the ball, you took your sweet time in getting ready for the same, drawing everyone’s eyes again, face on display for the public to see as you bowed down slightly when the announcer announced your title to the ball.
He had spotted you instantly, learning your name and his eyes fixated on your figure, which this time wore a royal blue gown, your kingdom’s colour. While he wore emerald green, his own kingdom’s colour.
“Princess Y/N, can we talk for a moment?" He approached you almost instantly, gaining attention from others as they murmured about the two of you being together despite the differences in your kingdoms, but he maintained his composure.
You gulped and nodded, excusing yourself from the ladies you were talking to with a nervous smile, not looking into his eyes as you followed him silently.
You both reached the rose garden in a few minutes, “so, Prince Jongseong, I see you know me already,” you started, tone being accusatory.
“I learned about you a few days back when I was shown your portrait, I would not lead you on otherwise, princess,” he explained, sounding sorry.
Him being warned about you made you feel sad, but you had gone through the same thing, which made you realize how you can’t ever be with him.
“I learned about you quite recently as well, I'm disappointed that the circumstances turned out to be this way, Prince Jongseong, I cannot let my kingdom down,” you sighed, forming your sentences carefully.
“I'll take my leave early today, but before leaving, can I ask for something from you, princess?” It was so wrong and he knew it, but he would regret not doing this otherwise, his heart racing, blood rushing to his cheeks as he could not control his emotions anymore.
“What is it that you could want from me, prince?” You questioned, looking into his eyes which made your cheeks heat up.
“A kiss,” he breathed out and your eyes widened.
“I know it's wrong, princess, but I am certain to regret it if I don't kiss you,” he spoke softly.
For the first time in your lives, you both weren't thinking from your minds.
You were thinking from your hearts.
And so you nodded, allowing him to do so with a shaky breath, and soon his lips touched yours in a delicate kiss. That's how both of you lost your first kiss under the dim moonlight, heartbeats in sync with how your lips moved against each other, tingling with the feeling of being so close to each other.
As soon as the kiss broke, you turned away. Not feeling the need to stay at the ball anymore, Jay called out your name in desperation but you didn’t stop, tears forming in your eyes.
You had kissed a man you’d never be able to marry.
Reaching your chamber, you asked your guards and ladies in waiting to get ready to leave and before you knew it, you were returning back to Azira.
Little did you both know that the queen of Lavosta had seen your little escapade from her grand balcony's telescope. An idea formed in her mind to end the rivalry of both the kingdoms once and for all.
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Two days after returning from the ball, Prince Jongseong was called to his father's chamber. His father, the king, had an unreadable expression resting on his face.
“Tell me, son. Why does Queen Taeyeon want you to get married to the princess of Azira?” He finally asked.
Jongseong's breath hitched, eyes widening at his father’s question.
“The queen sent a letter, it briefly mentioned that you were spotted with princess Y/N,” he explained. He wasn't disappointed, all the king wanted was for his son to be safe.
“I'm sorry, father,” Jongseong apologized in a whisper.
“It's not your fault son, the queen has ordered you to get married to princess Y/N without thinking how it will affect our kingdom,” he sighed, looking at his queen with a troubled couple expression.
“I will not marry her.” It hurt him to say this, but he wouldn't let the citizens suffer, also remembering how you ran away after he had kissed you, and maybe you wouldn‘t want to see him ever again.
While in your kingdom, you had gotten the same letter and your parents were worried, knowing how this could be harmful for you and your whole kingdom. So, you had decided the same thing, to say no to the proposal laid out by Queen Taeyeon.
Your brother looked at you with a sad face.
“I'm so sorry, Y/N,” your mom said, hugging you.
Now all that was left to decide was how to let the queen know that you had declined the proposal. It would affect your relationship with her kingdom.
You quietly sobbed in your chambers, wanting nothing more than to be with Prince Jongseong, calling yourself stupid for wanting to be so selfish.
A few days later, queen Taeyeon of Lavosta got both letters saying that both kingdoms had declined the proposal. She knew it wouldn't last long, and this would be the outcome.
“Queen,” a guard entered her chambers, bowing down to show respect to the most powerful queen among the three big kingdoms.
“We found out a spy, he revealed a few plans after we forced him to,” he said.
“What is it about?” she asked.
“They’re planning to attack Azira in a few days,” he informed.
Her guards informed her about the speculations of a foreign king planning to attack Azira, telling her about everything he knew and she took her time to plan ways to help her neighbouring kingdom.
She decided to make a profit out of it alongside, knowing exactly who would be willing to help your kingdom.
She got a letter delivered to Nairid for Prince Jongseong. All that was written in the said letter were the words: princess Y/N is in danger, reach to her with your soldiers as soon as you can.
The letter was successful in getting him restless. Even if he had opposed everything about your kingdom, he had fallen for you and he'd most certainly won't let anything happen to you.
So, he told his father, who hesitantly agreed to help him when he saw that the letter came from queen of Lavosta herself, he also knew that Jongseong was intelligent and wouldn't rush his decisions.
He trusted his son.
He sent Jongseong along with an army of guards to help your kingdom. He would have thought of the letter as a filthy prank had it not come directly from queen Taeyeon.
They set off for their journey to Azira as fast as it was possible, Prince Jongseong led the army with speed, riding his horse as his heart raced with the fear that he won‘t be able to see you if he’ll be late by even a second. A determined expression on his face, jaw clenched and eyes sharp.
While in Azira, everything was calm. Too calm to be normal. For a whole day, no one had visited the palace except for the royal family and their workers. The market was shut down and the town was empty, as if everyone knew that something terrible was going to happen.
A day passed by, Prince Jongseong traveled without stopping and was near your kingdom by the time the enemy had attacked, aiming directly for the palace as the others attacked the town. Soon, the whole army of guards were fighting against the enemy soldiers, you and Heeseung helped the guards as you had mastered using the swords and you insisted on helping.
The king and the queen were made sure to be in the safest place surrounded by the most skilled guards.
Yet, the enemies outnumbered your guards as they mercilessly killed people. You had a long scratch on your skilled hand which made it harder for you to keep up, your protective covering was damaged as well.
Soon, you heard a commotion outside the palace, you had no clue as to what it was till you spotted Jay with his soldiers. He had come to help you despite the unfavorable circumstances of your kingdoms. You didn’t get a chance to even smile at the sight before you had to grab your sword again and attack at the enemy coming close to you.
You were distracted, causing another injury on your shoulder blade, thankfully it wasn't enough to potentially injure to the point you would faint. Jay had spotted you, rushing right into the palace to find you and he ran over to you.
“Princess,” he said breathlessly, cupping your cheeks.
“Prince,” you replied, breathless as well, but this interaction was short-lived as you were attacked yet again.
Jay slashed the man in one go, mentally promising himself to not let anyone harm you, eyes dark as he saw your injuries. It went on for a few hours but yours and Jay's army outnumbered their soldiers, winning the war, he never once left your side.
Until Jay saw your father getting targeted by a man who somehow survived the war, he ran and covered your father, the king. The sword pierced right through him, making him go limp in a few seconds.
You let out a scream while Prince Heeseung killed the last man standing, ending the war finally, breathing hard.
Your father was stunned to see Jay giving himself out for him. You pressed your hand on his wound, applying pressure, crying and calling out for the royal medic to tend him. Soon, he was taken into the medic ward, leaving you out. All you could do was pray, pray for him to be fine and alive. Your father sent many medics all over the kingdom to tend to the others who were injured.
Lastly he sent a letter to Nairid, to the king, to let him know that Jay was injured. He wanted to end the war for all now. He would call truce as soon as the other king would arrive here. It had been hours, yet no response from the medics who were busy treating Jay.
You were taken back to your chamber despite your wailing and were made to freshen up, your eyes swollen, body covered in blood and heart breaking as you imagined how Jay would be, as soon as you entered the medic chamber, you saw Heeseung by Jay's limp body.
“He’s alive, just unconscious,” Prince Heeseung informed you and you thanked the gods, a tear sliding down your cheek.
“You should get married to him, you know?” Prince Heeseung said with a smile, approving the relationship.
“Only if he would want to,” you sadly said, not sure of what to expect, “he almost got killed saving us,” you sobbed, looking at him.
Prince Heeseung gave you a sad smile as your parents entered the chamber as well, their little injuries made you even sadder.
“Prince Jongseong, how can we thank him?” your father spoke, asking no one in particular, showing how grateful he's for Jongseong. Yet, he was sad to see him suffering because of him.
He laid there unconscious, still looking like an angel. A day passed by and you never once left his side. You softly kept muttering how thankful you were to him, wiping his face with a soft wet cloth.
“I think I like you, Prince Jongseong,” you whispered, thinking that he wouldn't hear, a feeling of warmth bloomed up in your body as you finally said it out loud.
As soon as you said that, the gates of the chamber opened, revealing Jongseong's father and mother. You bowed down, showing respect to the king and queen of Nairid.
You were quick to apologize for everything that had happened here and to their son, the queen keeping a hand on your shoulder to tell you that it was fine, and you were not at fault.
They made you feel welcome despite the long rivalry your kingdoms had.
They stayed by Jay, deeply worried and sad seeing their future king and son in this state, muttering how proud they are and how brave he is.
They further met your parents, who had come to the chamber as well. explaining the whole story to them, they called in truce even before your father could say a word.
They hugged each other, looking like they've been friends for their whole life and it gave you hope, hope of being with Jay.
They decided to stay at Azira till Jay woke up and soon you were alone with him again in the medic ward. You gently caressed his hair while staring into nothingness.
“So princess Y/N likes me,” suddenly a voice said, scaring you.
You saw that Jay was awake, your eyes widening, a big teasing smile on his face.
Without thinking anything, you hugged him with a shaky breath.
“Ouch!” He let out as his wound was still healing.
“Oh! I'm so sorry,” you said moving back, careful to not hurt him again, he let out a laugh and squeezed you into another hug, making you smile softly as you teared up again, butterflies rising in your stomach, and before you could do much, he was sent to freshen up by the medics, you sat there, waiting for him.
“Are you stupid? Why did you come here? You got injured, Jay–” your little rant ended as he put his hand on your mouth.
You had started complaining as soon as he returned after freshening up.
“Wow, no one has called me stupid before,” he said as if it was an achievement, caressing your cheek slightly, making your stomach tingle.
You sighed, shaking your head and hugged him again with a pout on your lips.
“I like you too princess. I came to ensure your safety. I still have to marry you, you know?” He spoke softly, hoping that you won't reject his proposal.
He wanted to marry you, the mere thought of it made you smile as you leaned back to look at him.
“You want to marry me?” You questioned, staring at him with big doe eyes.
“Only if you allow me to, princess,” he said with a smile, hoping you'd say yes.
“I can never say no to you, prince,” you truthfully said as he captured your lips to his, both of you smiling into the kiss as his hand rested on your waist, his eyes glistening while he looked at your face.
Needless to say, everyone was overjoyed with this news, well, it did take time for citizens of both the kingdoms but they did mend their relationships. And in the blink of an eye came the day of your engagement. Jay had ensured for your attires to look the same as the ones you wore at the masquerade ball, the day you first met, just with different colours.
He looked at you with such pure eyes, holding nothing but adoration for you and only you. After exchanging engagement rings, Jay whispered an “love you” near your ear, making your heart flutter. You subtly whispered “and I love you” back to him causing him to break out into a big smile.
Citizens were happy to see you both jovial together. Your brother kept sending you teasing smiles. Your parents were beaming, matching the smiles of Jay's parents. Lastly, Queen Taeyeon of Lavosta sat there with a proud smirk, she was glad to see you together. Afterall, she was the one to initiate this in the first place.
The ceremony was grand, your eyes going around the venue, trying to capture everything into your memory forever, the reception being even more grand as the royals from all neighbouring kingdoms had come to bless you two with their pure hearts.
“Princess,” Prince Jongseong whispered in your ear when no one was paying attention to you both, enjoying themselves.
“Yes?” You asked softly, a feeling of shyness covering your tone.
He looked at you with adoration, “the gods must really love me,” he spoke, “I prayed for you to be mine, and now, you are my princess,” he whispered.
With your palpitating heart and love filled eyes, you softly said, “I think god loves us both then.”
His eyes widened slightly once he heard you, and he had to use his whole willpower to stop himself from kissing you right then and there.
He couldn’t wait to have you alone with him.
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Once the ceremonies were over, you looked over to your parents, saddened by the fact that you won't be living with them anymore.
Prince Jongseong took your hand and placed it on his arm gently, giving you a reassuring smile as you both made your way towards his chamber, your breathing was heavy as you tried not to think about how you would be sharing Prince Jongseong’s chamber with him from now onwards.
“You must be exhausted, princess. You should clean up first,” he suggested, extending his hand towards the door that separated the bathing area.
You were all alone, the water already warm, set perfectly to take bath by the maids who had come priorly to ensure that you both won’t be needing anything else later on.
However, you seemed to have trouble opening the knot of the corset you had worn, leaving you frustrated as you couldn’t ask for help from anyone else.
With heated cheeks, you called out for the prince.
Prince Jongseong hadn’t expected that you would call out for him, and so, he rushed into the bathing chambers to check whether you required any help.
“Yes, princess?” He asked, breathless once he looked at your hair, which were no longer in a bun, only the accessories still decorated them, his heartbeat rose at your next words.
“Could you please help me take this off?” You asked softly, brushing your hair away from your back to show him the knot.
He came closer, his warm fingers rested on your bare arm as the other one pulled on the string, loosening your corset until it was fully off. His warm breath fanned your neck, his deep voice taking your name in a soft whisper.
“Tell me to go, princess, or else I won’t be able to control myself,” he said, face red and eyes on your figure, which was just in a thin white slip.
You had never felt this way before, your knees felt weak and you did not wish for the price to leave.
“Don’t go,” you whispered out, turning to look at him, “please?”
“Come here,” he said, guiding you towards the royal bath tub.
You did not remove your slip as you walked down the stairs and into the warm water, goosebumps covering your skin at the pleasurable feeling.
You sat down with a low sigh leaving your lips, eyes opening to look at your prince, chest rising up and down once you saw him unbuttoning his blazer, taking off all his clothes.
With a gasp, you looked away, not wanting to invade his privacy and look at him. You were flustered, an indescribable feeling rose up in your lower abdomen.
He soon got into the water, coming close to you. You could see the scars from the battle on his perfectly sculpted body when you turned towards him, the water covering his stomach. His arms flexed when he extended them, calling you in to be in his arms.
Your steps were slow, and his eyes dropped down to see your wet white slip sticking to your body, revealing everything to him, causing him to groan and pull you closer by the waist.
“Do you have any clue how long I’ve wanted you all to myself?” He asked, his fingers on your chin making you look up to him and gulp.
He could have sworn you were the prettiest person he had ever laid his eyes on, your innocent and shy gaze made him go crazy.
“Can I kiss you?” He asked, “because if you say yes now, then I won’t be able to stop later.”
“Yes,” you breathed out.
In the span of a millisecond, he leaned forward and his lips were on yours. He tasted exactly like the cherry wine you had earlier, your hand on his chest keeping you stable before he deepened the kiss, titling your head so softly as his tongue tasted your mouth, humming and swirling his tongue around yours.
He leaned back for a second to look at your expression, he was mesmerized, thumb caressing your cheek before he made you both sit down, placing you on his lap, the water reaching your neck as you wrap your arms around his neck.
“I wanted you from the day I saw you, princess,” he whispered, kissing your jaw softly, holding your waist tighter.
“I’ve prayed so much to have you,” you confessed, breathing hard as you shifted on his lap, feeling his length between your thighs.
A soft sigh left your lips, his lips never leaving yours, his hands slowly moving up to touch and get familiar with every inch of your body.
He helped you get out of your slip, breath hitching as he took in your appearance, all wet and naked, breathing hard as you tried to get close to him. He wanted you.
Pulling you up, he did not waste a second before he touched your breasts, kissing and giving them all his attention. Your eyes closed shut at the sensation, soft whines leaving your lips as your hand rested on the back of his head.
“Want you,” you moaned.
“Let me know if it hurts,” he said, cupping your face, “look at me.”
He picked you up by your waist, positioning himself so that you’re just above his tip, your eyes never left his as you slowly sinked down on his cock, stretching your hole as you clenched around him, eyes closing as you felt it all.
He pulled you in a rushed kiss, slowly helping you move up and down, both of you breathing hard as you leaned your forehead against his, gripping on the hair on his nape, noses touching while you breathed the same air.
You leaned in, slowly kissing on his supple skin as you continued with your movements, his breathy groans sounding like melody to you.
His face had a look of euphoria, lower lip bitten when he pulled you in closer, moving his hips in sync with yours, the water felt warmer now, the area steamy and you could only focus on the man in front of you.
He dug his fingers deeper into your waist, helping you move up and down as your lips left noises of pleasure.
“I cannot believe you’re mine,” he breathed, stunned by your beauty and how dizzy it made him feel.
“I’ve always wanted to be yours,” you replied, eyes full of love as he held you closer when you clenched around him, thighs shaking and your high was near.
Jay couldn’t help but kiss your lips again, as if he was obsessed with them, obsessed with you.
Loud whines and deep groans filled the bathing area as you and him chased your high, him pulling you into his arms to calm down, tracing your spine and kissing your shoulder softly while you wrapped your arms around him and snuggled closer.
“I love you, princess,” he confessed, causing you to move back to look at him.
Tears filled your eyes with the amount of happiness that surged through you with his sentence.
“I love you too, prince,” you said, capturing his lips in a slow, sweet kiss.
And to end this royally, it was safe to say that they lived happily ever after.
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THANK YOU FOR READING <3
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seelestia · 1 year
Text
A Blessed Imperfection [1/3]
(submitted by: @/hermosacolibri. all credits go to them, this work isn't mine!)
SYNOPSIS: Many consider your disability as a burden, but he finds a way to make it a blessing in disguise. What makes us flawed is what makes us unique, and that is what he considers the most beautiful thing about you—an imperfection he dearly adores. Nevertheless, he knows of your lingering sorrows and thus seeks a way to support you in the best way he could.
WARNING(S): symptoms of chronic/terminal illness, implications of mental instability, mentions of past trauma resulting to severe injury, possible triggers, panic attacks, sleep paralysis, hallucinations, etc…
CHARACTER(S):
Aether (as Traveler & Abyss Prince), Albedo, Diluc, Kaeya, Venti, Dainsleif
NOTE: I copy-pasted this from my Quotev so if the format turns bad, that’s why lmao. Part 2 will have the Zhongli and Ayato version I submitted with some other characters from the same nations. Part 3 will be Sumeru boys and Harbingers. I will submit them at a later date lol. Anyway, I would like to leave a shameless promo here for those interested in my writing. HERE is my Quotev. For those who wish to read about my collab story here on Tumblr, it is posted by my co-writer: @intothegenshinworld
AETHER is like a star in the abyssal sky, constantly in sight yet far out of mortal reach. He carries the wishes of others, granting them in acts of what shall be seen as miracles or blessings. When time arrives for departure, he shoots across the cosmos with a trail of light that leaves witnesses mesmerized. Alas, he whom was born half of a whole, the name of this Traveler is forever bound to that of another—his dear sister, Lumine. Due to these same ties, he undergoes a quest across Teyvat to find her. The promise of a reunion always uttered by his lips, hopeful and eager yet never taking for granted the steps he took.
The lonely young man is at odds with the world. He could barely trust anyone after some god caused him to separate from his younger sibling. However, this humble Viator continues to treat others amiably in hopes to be treated the same way. From nation to nation, the blond adolescent sought answers from this peculiar world that felt so nostalgic yet still so foreign to him. There are trying moments of grief and frustration, but also blissful days of celebration.
Throughout this path, it was entirely unexpected for him to develop an intimate attachment.
Aether was not a stranger to bittersweet partings, as someone whom has always hopped from one world to another. For this same reason, he and Lumine try not to get too invested in any realm they visit. It was better for them as well as for everyone else that welcome them so affectionately. There must always be a particular distance to maintain, since there can be no guarantee of their stay or return. A deeper tragedy is the knowledge they can easily outlive the dwellers of any world. Witnessing the birth and death of many stars since their youth, the twins have grown rather desensitized to friendships that would not last as long as their lifespan.
That is why this separation hits them where it hurts enough to leave a scar.
Then, there was you.
As a mere mortal in a world governed by gods, you are content to live your life the best way you know. It is a lifestyle that can change at your will. One day, you can be exploring as an adventurer. The next, you are a seamstress earning your keep for the week you plan to stay with the spinsters. Every other month, you do a variety of odd jobs that you have learned throughout your lifetime. As a human, you are most hyperaware that everything can be ephemeral…
…and someday, even your soul shall be relinquished to the judgment of Celestia.
Until then, it is yours to do as you see fit.
For this reason, you felt torn by the Pyro Vision that had been bestowed upon you. While most of your peers seek the blessing of the divine gaze, you have subconsciously sought to avoid it. Many saw it as a gift but you were raised under the notion that most presents come with strings. Earning the “eye of god” meant that you are under Celestia’s watchful gaze, thus binding you to the Heavenly Principles. Their elemental blessings taunt mortals to dare reaching for the stars, and gain a place amongst the divine if they are deemed worthy of it.
Well, you personally believe that only thineself can determine one’s worth—no other, not even the gods.
Nevertheless, you move forward. Keep going on a quest without a destination, as you always do, until this fleeting life comes to its inevitable end.
Needless to say, there is one thing you genuinely did not see coming—
“I am so sorry, Miss!”
—and that was meeting your soulmate.
“It’s fine.” You replied.
Aether scrambles to collect your things while you do the same at a more relaxed pace. Your satchel had become so worn that it took a small bump to finally snap the strap. Now, all your possessions have been scattered across the ground. Fortunately, the blond stranger is a very kind and considerate young man.
Once you got everything, said stranger wasted no time apologizing profusely again.
“I should have been looking where I was walking! It was my fault.”
You tilt your head, “You could just make it up to me and we can call it even.”
His aureate eyes beamed as he nodded with an eager smile. At that moment, you wonder if he is the personification of the sun.
You smiled serenely, “I’m [Name].”
He pauses, a flicker of doubt passing through his gaze. Quick as it came, it disappeared as he smiled back—a tad softer.
“Just call me Aether.”
That day, he bought you a new satchel.
When you were younger, your parents always said that one moment is the same as a thousand—you only need one. It was a proverb that both confused and unnerved you. After they died together due to sickness, the words were haunting as you buried them before leaving your village. Every moment was cherished by you, each one unique in the best and worst of ways. However, as both you and Aether keep crossing each other’s paths after one meeting, a part of you finally thrums to life in understanding.
At one point, Aether even sought you out for a joint commission together.
“Don’t you have a travelling partner?” You asked.
He laughs sheepishly, “He’s a bit busy doing other things. Also…”
A light blush colored his cheeks, looking away as he scratched his nape lightly.
“…I wanted to spend some time with you.”
You found him cute so you agreed.
On that particular day, Aether learned something new about you. It was the little things he had been noting every time you met. The way you sometimes slur even though not a drop of alcohol can be traced from your scent, how you try so hard to keep your emotions under a certain level of control, how your eyes randomly droop even when you always look so adequately well-rested, and the pills he saw you sneak into your meals/drinks—you were ill. Perhaps, it was not the traditional ailment that left you weak and bedridden. The scariest symptom has been the occasional hallucinations that distract you, since the more vivid ones tend to set off your Vision. Anything within a meter radius is either set aflame, or rises up in temperature. It is why you always remind him to keep a certain distance whenever you tend to space out. He never prodded because you gave him the same respect of privacy by never prying into his life, even if he saw the incessant curiosity he adored about you. Still, he looks after you because he had to admit he truly grew fond of you.
Then, on your way home, you just abruptly collapsed as if your entire body went boneless.
“[Name]—!!!”
Aether caught you just in time before your head hit the ground. He checks your temperature for a fever, and then searches for some wounds you might have missed. You have a high pain tolerance, which can sometimes be a disadvantage whenever an injury goes unnoticed. There was a time a scratch almost got infected, or even when you nearly bled out because a poison prevented coagulation.
When he saw no signs, the outlander lifts you up in his arms and calls for the nearest doctor.
Thankfully, nothing was amiss and you just needed to rest while adjusting your diet.
Aether witnessed the true horror of your condition when you abruptly woke up half past midnight. He was already passed out on your bedside, sat on the ground and his head resting on his forearms. The chaise lounge would have been practical, but the blond felt the urge to be near you. At some point, he just dozed off.
On the other hand, you jolted awake with a choked gasp and widened eyes of terror. It was not due to any frightening nightmare. This is just how it always goes every time you wake up: frozen stiff, terrified, and barely breathing. Your pupils dilate as your iris moved wildly to make sense of your surroundings, pointedly ignoring the shadows manifesting into something monstrous. The candle on the nightstand was unfortunately almost fully spent, flickering to its last embers of light. With every dance, the shadows seem to get closer and slithering to get their clawed hands on you.
Alas, the candlelight spares you one last hope of salvation amidst this merciless night.
Sunshine golden hair glowed, emitting a silver halo as moonlight peeked from the half-open blinds. As much as you are able, you desperately crane your neck to see your companion. Tears blur your sight but the silhouette is unmistakable to you. His warm breath blew against your fingers, centimeters away from his lips as he breathed. Chilling goosebumps ran across your skin yet you welcomed it, hoping to regain mobility from this nightmarish paralysis. Your hand twitched, wishing to get ahold of this precious little sun—uncaring if it burns.
If you are to be like Icarus, then you would prefer an end embraced by warmth and light…
…instead of ice and darkness.
Perhaps, pyro suited you for this reason.
Your lips purse, crying in anguish to speak.
“A…Ae…A-Aether…”
To your relief, that seems to be enough to awaken the young man. However, respite is all to brief as your chest seizes up. The mere act of breathing gets difficult, and your heartbeat grew alarmingly slow as it echoed alongside the tinnitus in your ears.
Aether blinks awake, expecting the grace of morning light. Instead, he was met with your agonized gaze in a darkening room. In an instant, he snaps into full attention as he cups your face. You cannot hear him but you can guess that he must be firing questions out of concern.
“[Name], what’s wrong?! Are you in pain? What can I do? How can I help?” He exclaimed.
You gasped and hoarsely coughed.
“C-Can’t…breathe…I…”
The blond quickly thinks back to whenever Lumine experienced minor panic attacks. He assumes this is relatively similar, so he hopes his next actions will help rather than harm. Gently and carefully, he takes you into his arms. Back against the headboard, the new position situates you comfortably on his lap as one arm is secured around your waist. He takes both of your trembling hands with his free one, directing them to rest against his sternum.
“[Name],” he says softly yet firmly, “I need you to focus on me, okay? Focus for me. Hey—”
He catches your frantic gaze around the room and mindfully tilts your head back to meet his stare. They are brimming with steadfast reassurance, not at all deterred by the dark beasts. Your head rests against his shoulder, as you do as he told—closing your eyes to only relish his warmth, consume his scent, and listen to his voice.
“Breathe with me. Inhale, exhale…”
His chest rises and falls, to which you mimic the rhythm in return.
“Feel my pulse, and use it as your center.”
One hand keeps hold of his and the other seeks his heart, obeying the instructions.
The hand connected to the arm securing your back drift to your hair. At that moment, you realize that Aether’s hands are ungloved. Wandering fingers comb through your strands, calming you down with a soothing pet. Little by little, you regain movement in your limbs yet you rest limply—content.
“That’s it.” Aether whispered, “You’re doing great. Just keep repeating the exercise with me.”
“Aether…”
“I’m here. I’ll always be here.”
You wept and sobbed, “Aether…”
“I know.” He murmurs as he cries with you, “You’ve been so strong, [Name]. Everything’s fine. You’re not alone anymore.”
You look up, “Promise?”
He looks back, “I promise.”
The hand on his chest reaches for his white scarf as you pull him down. He obliges as his grip on you tightened, holding you close while your free hands adjust to interlace with each other.
That was the first kiss of many.
Day or night, Aether stood by you. Every battle was fought together. Every quest was finished together, sometimes with his elusive partner named Dainsleif whom was later introduced to you. On the journey to search for his sister, he even renewed his vows.
“When we find her, you can come with us.”
You smile teasingly, “I don’t have world-hopping powers.”
He narrows his eyes at you, unyieldingly headstrong and determined.
“I’ll find a way to bring you with us anyway.”
He raises your hand to his lips with a sly grin.
“You’re not getting rid of me~!”
Aether cradled you in adoration as if you were an endless summer amidst the cold loneliness of his sister’s absence. You beheld him as if he was the sun bringing life to the paradise of your evanescent mortality. The pair of you were thriving happily, hand in hand, even after discovering the truth of this world—and dictating the journey’s end.
Then, your Vision broke mysteriously, and you were condemned to an enchanted sleep.
Aether cursed the divine and all of Teyvat for it. He figured this was his price for learning the truth, but taking you will be their gravest mistake. He severes his ties with Dainsleif, whom tried to console him into taking the righteous path. He viewed you as his friend as well, and he knew you would not want this for your lover.
Now, the Abyss Prince sits by your bed—waiting in forlorn hope. His ungloved knuckles caress your cheek lovingly. You were dressed in a nightgown with abyss colors, outlined by satin ribbons of silver and gold. A crown of inteyvat rested on your head, petals scattered across your spread locks draped over silk pillows. They have grown after the past centuries but he dutifully trims them to an acceptable length.
“Your Highness,” the Abyss Herald called, “it is time.”
Aether paused. His honey gaze hardens and his aura turns cold. He breathes deeply, eyes closed to lean down and leave a chaste kiss on your brow.
“I will return shortly, my love.”
He puts on his gloves, taking leave resolutely.
Even if the sun turns black, you will both find your way back to each other. Even as the moon is painted red, goodbye shall never be an option. Every star in the sky—false or otherwise—shall bear witness to a union that even the Heavenly Principles would dare not destroy. Should this world be torn asunder, the reckoning cannot spell departure for either you or Aether. This is the eclipse that will pave the way to a new world, as the Abyss Order entails.
For if fate can only be accepted, thy vows shath be sworn by royal decree—
“You are my predestined person, the one I will always choose.”
ALBEDO discovered that there is beauty in what the heart perceives which the eyes cannot see. As an artist, he can grasp onto the concept yet is unable to truly understand it since he heavily relies upon his sight. As an alchemist, whatever eludes him may come into being by his own hands and thus enable him to attain it. The pursuit of truth is a mere matter of time and place, preordained even if hidden. As the most prized creation of Rhinedottir, he was given the task of uncovering the truth of this world for himself as a purpose in life. Even if to exist is a sin in the eyes of Celestia, he must endure and keep moving forward to reach his answers.
Amidst such dedicated research, there was little time and effort to be spared for attachments. The Chief Alchemist of Ordo Favonius finds it much too difficult to maintain. Of course, exceptions has been made throughout the years. Aside from his master, he had bonded with Alice and Klee as family. He had also made friendships with his colleagues amongst the Knights of Favonius and his subordinates, whom he taught the art of alchemy. Alas, as an artificial human created by a sinner, he feels as if he can never belong anywhere. Regardless of these bonds, the Kreideprinz feels as if a part of his heart remains hollow. 
It came to him that this place was reserved for you, the apple of his eye.
Ever since Albedo met you, a new muse began to live within his heart. People consider it as seeing the world through rosy lenses; but for him, it felt as if everything appeared clearer than facts…
…and it was beautiful.
The sun shines brighter. The wind blows cooler. The grass looks greener. Therefore, life is that much greater and sweeter. He is still in pursuit of truth, yet he felt as if the magnum opus was already in his hands—molded in the shape of you.
His only lament was that you could not see it alongside him.
You were not born blind. It happened from an act of jealousy and unkindness. Before you came to the City of Freedom, you were a noblewoman dwelling in Fontaine and worked as an artist. Much like him, you love to paint and draw but Albedo always argues that you were better at it. He had seen your works long ago, and every single piece has never failed to inspire him. It was as if each painting can bequeath aspirations, letting it blossom from the hearts of the people that view it.
Then, news spread that your entire atelier was set on fire while you were still in it…
…and then, you lost your eyes.
The Hydro Vision in your hand may have been the sole reason you even survived. Many speculated that you can never make art the same way again.
You came to Mondstadt, wishing to break free from the suffocating experience. You struggled to regain your passion, overcome your sorrows.
Then, you met Albedo; and one thing led to another.
It started when you were taking a stroll in Springvale with your guide dog, Vincent. He is a very spirited Golden Retriever, protective and responsible. You both stumble upon a young girl named Klee, whom was busy fighting a bunch of hilichurls. You opted to stand aside and calm your snarling canine friend, petting his head. When your keen hearing detected irregular breathing and racing heartbeat, you realize that the little girl was getting overwhelmed. She must have fought other hoards before your arrival, and now you hear slimes joining the fray. Thus, you order Vincent to keep his distance and engaged.
Sword unsheathed from your walking cane, you attack the ones behind Klee. Her bombs startled you when they exploded too close, but your hydro shield easily deflected any friendly fire. Vapor damage is then redirected to the monsters, tempering the girl’s mines and lasers so your skin will not be singed by the building heat. Vincent was barking wildly like a supportive cheerleader, growling whenever you get nicked or whenever the other girl yelped.
Soon, the fight was over.
The pitter-patters of tiny feet went towards you, and stopped at an arm’s length. You look down, smiling kindly yet not sheathing your blade.
“Thank you for helping Klee!” She chirped.
You chuckle, “You’re welcome.”
Vincent came running towards you, shamelessly  nuzzling your legs. He then licks Klee’s hand in his own way of befriending her, causing the girl to giggle from the ticklish sensation. She hugs him around the neck, and you can only tilt your head in amusement.
“What’s your name, Miss?”
“You may call me [Name].”
The hairs at your nape rose. Although you can see nothing else but darkness, your eyes also snapped open with a dark glower. By instinct, you swung your sword to strike whomever snuck behind you.
A resounding clang echoed in your ears, as metal struck against metal. Another sword has parried yours skillfully yet makes no move to counter.
“Brother Albedo…!” Klee exclaims.
Upon realization that this is no stranger, you swiftly disengaged with a soft apology. The gesture was returned as the man apologized for startling you. To your amazement, Vincent did not seem to be wary of this newcomer. The dog merely barked gruffly, a bit admonishing, instead of growling defensively like he always did.
“You dropped this.” Albedo said.
You hesitantly presented your hand to receive whatever he was giving. A familiar cloth is placed on your palm. You belatedly realized that it was your blindfold. It is a durable silk fabric that kept your burn scars from showing. Your disfigured face has been exposed all this time for Klee to see.
It must have been a horrifying sight—
“Your eyes are very pretty, Miss [Name]!”
Your breath hitched at the unexpected compliment, turning away shyly. As you wore the blindfold again, Klee notices Albedo smiling in awe at you. She put up her hands to cover her mouth and muffle her mischievous giggles.
“I agree.” He murmured.
You nodded, “Many thanks.”
Albedo never told you, but for him, it was love at first sight the moment his eyes met yours. There have been solitary days spent in Dragonspine where he wondered tirelessly:
Would it have been a mutual feeling if you could have seen him back then too?
From then onwards, the mysterious alchemist had turned into a close friend. He acted as a personal pillar of support in unexpected ways. The little ball of sunshine that is Klee turned into a source of lighthearted joy for you as well. They tend to visit your home in the city together, offering gifts and knick-knacks. The habitual meetings resulted into some new friends who helped you settle down in Mondstadt, especially Eula. Her own aristocratic lineage helped you two bond about a lot of things, even when she vehemently rejects hers—which is frankly for understandable reasons. You both share the sentiment that genuine nobility upholds the belief of noblesse oblige above all.
Albedo, most of all, enabled you to regain the love you thought had been lost forever with your sight.
Although life still hit hard with how you struggle to create art, your appreciation for it was reborn and you are experiencing everything all over again as something new. Regardless of the burns and scars that made you insecure, the Kreideprinz made you feel nothing less than desirable and deserving of love. Though the blankness of your gaze saddens him, and sometimes even angers him due to the injustice you were dealt—he saw beauty in all that is you, and everything that blossoms from your hands.
Just for a moment, he wanted to show you what he sees the only way he knew: to create.
Vincent guided you into Albedo’s personal art studio in Mondstadt. The canine looked more excited than you. He nipped at the alchemist's white coat, tail wagging as he sat by your feet but paid attention to your lover. Charming eyes swept between you two as if awaiting praise and treats for a job well done.
For a moment, Albedo was reminded of Klee and it made him smile. He kneels down before the dog, patting his head. After a few minutes of petting, he relinquishes the promised treat.
Vincent then ran to his corner, satisfied. Usually, he is very protective and ends up hovering next to you; but with Albedo, he knows you are safe.
You giggled amusedly.
“Sometimes,” your lover sighed, “I think he only likes me to get treats and headpats. He also only comes to me by whining to play.”
You smirked teasingly, “Sounds familiar.”
Albedo paused before giving you a scolding look, yet the twitching smile betrayed him. He was then taken aback when you presented him a small gift bag and a bouquet of cecilia flowers.
“Happy Anniversary~!” You said.
He smiles, accepting your gifts to greet you back.
“Happy Anniversary, [Name].”
Per usual greeting, Albedo takes your hands in his to let them settle. Then, you let go to just feel as they glide across his skin. He closes his eyes to relish your caresses, nuzzling when you reach his face and touched his cheeks. From there, you felt his smile and it spurned yours.
However, as the alchemist opened his eyes, he had witnessed the spark of sadness in yours.
On your first anniversary together, Albedo crafted a special gift. A wooden easel held a blank canvas, or so it seems. If not for the colorful palette and wet brushes, nobody would spare it any glance or even thought. He guides you in front of him, encasing you in his arms and pressing his chest to your back. His lips whispered instructions almost seductively, soft and sensual as he lifted your hands to move them forward.
“Go ahead.” He implored your touch.
Fingertips make contact with what seems to be a canvas, but with bumps on it that definitely felt like braille. Your brows furrowed in confusion, unable to interpret it as anything. You can decipher some sort of pattern, but nothing in the braille alphabet comes to mind that makes sense.
“Don’t think in words, love.” Albedo advised, “Imagine it as you would paint a landscape.”
He is familiar with your art technique. After all, he has always been a fan since he first purchased your work at an auction. His keen observation noticed that the colors bloom from the center. Then, multiple layers come to refine the structure and control the shades. Once the painting is complete, the basic foundations are harder to notice but details never escape Albedo. To him, it felt like he was seeing two images in a single painting: one perceived by sight, and another perceived by heart—dual masterpieces for the price of one.
You follow his words and thus you begin to deduce a work of something.
The braille patterns made you think of Mondstadt’s flower meadows, petals of cecilia and seedheads of dandelions fluttering in the breeze. An orb that seems to be the sun is raised eastward with what appeared to be outlines of birds, aflight in the cloudy horizon. There are faint marks connoting mountains in the distance, and flowing swirls that felt like wave patterns along the coast. To further understand his message, you sought the center much like how you used to paint.
Albedo detects your newfound focus, aware that an image has been imprinted upon your mind.
“[Name],” he murmured tenderly, “I need you to keep your hands on the canvas. I will guide you in this next step. Do you trust me?”
You smiled meaningfully, “Always.”
A loving caress upon your skin is accompanied by a chaste kiss on your crown.
“I cannot give you the world—”
Then, the brailles moved.
“—but I can leave a piece of it in your hands.”
You quickly realize that the brailles were not made of ordinary material. Days and nights of listening to your lover’s random alchemy ramblings allowed you to learn a thing or two. This braille painting has been constructed with special elemental crystals. From the feel of it, they respond strongly to elemental energy—particularly yours and Albedo’s combined, both currently being channeled. Depending on the crystal, it can resonate with other elements.
Beneath your hands, the patterns moved in looping motion to signify that it was animated. Furthermore, the energy that resonated from every shard is almost alive. Anemo can be felt from the swaying of the dandelions, and dendro amplified the scent of the scattered cecilia across the grassland. Even the painted sun emits a comforting warmth due to hints of pyro, as if bathing the scenery with its light. The waves along the shoreline felt moist due to hydro, which resonated strongly with you—and for a short second, you actually miss��Fontaine. The mountains are the familiar cold of cryo, which then registered for you that it was likely a reference of Dragonspine.
Just from this, your mind’s eyes can almost envision the outline of a city—one founded by Barbatos.
In Albedo’s eyes, the special formula for the paint which Sucrose helped him concoct had finally revealed itself. To outsiders, the canvas is nothing more but a lumpy surface. In truth, the blind will see its true form; and when given life via elemental energy, the rest will be unveiled. To you whom once knew the colors of the world, the simple animations of the image form a kaleidoscope that provides you melancholic nostalgia. By your fingertips, it certainly felt as if Albedo had given you a piece of the world that only you can see.
For this one moment, he and you can perceive the same world.
Tears gathered in your eyes yet a heartfelt smile radiantly shone upon your face. A sob of genuine happiness wracked your throat. As your knees begin to weaken, you leaned on the man that helped you see again—
—even if only a few seconds.
Albedo also smiled in relief, fully embracing you around the shoulders in support. He let you take in the moment while he basked under the blessing of your presence.
“If there is anything else you wish to see again,” he solemnly swore, “I will be your eyes and shall piously present its sights to you.”
At his oath, you abruptly let go of the painting and turned. Cupping his face in your hands, your lips eagerly meet his. Albedo returns your passionate amor with fervor, ever delighted to please you. He wishes to someday discover the truth of this world, as his master bade him to do. His one desire is that you would be there beside him when he does.
Even if destruction came by his hand, he already knows one truth by heart—
“The beauty of this world forever pales in comparison to you.”
DILUC RAGNVINDR is an uncrowned king raised as a noble gentleman of chivalry and gallantry. From the fiery red of his hair to his stern crimson glare, he upholds his aristocratic lineage with dignity. The cumbersome title of lord dictates the gravity of his obligations to Mondstadt. Whether as a nocturnal vigilante or as master of Dawn Winery, those who dare to threaten his home will face the wrath of his flames. Sinners who refuse penance shall have their blood paint the mighty blade of his claymore, as a furious firebird sends the wicked to retribution.
As a man coveted by many, he keeps his circle small and tightly knit. An outsider’s only chance to ever earn his favor is to either make themselves useful to Mondstadt, or by earning the approval of his more compassionate wife.
That woman is none other than you.
Diluc met you as a playmate in his childhood. His father, Master Crepus, was both a close friend and trusted business partner of your parents. Like the Ragnvindrs, your family specializes in the wine industry—specifically the medicinal values that are incorporated in liquor. Although your own father is from Mondstadt, he settled down in Liyue upon marrying your mother. Secretly, you and Diluc were arranged to be married. Everything worked out well since you both actually liked each other a lot. He was a very protective yet supportive friend, while you were a tactful and encouraging listener. When Kaeya had joined the family, the three of you became quite the inseparable trio.
Then, Crepus Ragnvindr died.
Everything happened so fast. Before you knew it, your fiancé chose to disappear and left only a single note for you as goodbye. It was not even a proper farewell, at least not the kind he made sure to give you every time. Even if there was little to no sincere romance in your engagement, you both respected each other as equals. However, his final note had completely staggered you.
“Don’t wait for me.” It said.
Such a heavy message in merely four words…
You understand what he means by it. He has made a decision wherein he would prefer to not involve you, and thus opting to let you go. The contract regarding the engagement was never too binding. Crepus had assured that either of you can break it off if you both reach such a consensus. However, the former head of the Ragnvindr Clan did not just choose any girl to be paired with his son. He specifically took interest in you because he always knew—if any woman can ever match his son and heir in terms of headstrong stubbornness, it can only be you.
With the patience of a saint, you graciously accepted Diluc’s decision. However, it did not mean you would back down so easily.
Honestly, you see it as poor manners to just leave things with a note. You have to just wait in the Dawn Winery so you can give him a proper scolding upon his inevitable return. Until then, you were more than willing to manage everything else on his behalf. The servants are ecstatic to find out you meant to stay despite their young master’s wishes. Your parents are also very considerate, only ever wishing for your happiness since then and now.
Under your supervision, Dawn Winery flourished and maintained dignity after the loss of its masters. You hold the cunning and integrity of any businessman worth their salt. Adelinde, Elzer, and the entire staff can attest that you are more strict than even the late Lady Ragnvindr—wife of Master Crepus.
Kaeya never confided to you whatever caused the fallout between him and his brother. However, he seemed so relieved and touched when you did not treat him differently. If anything, you seem to dote on him even more now—like a real older sister. He thus returns your kind and loving care equally, a bout of protectiveness that rivals your absent fiancé.
Years later, tragedy struck once again.
You were mistaken as the official Lady Ragnvindr by whichever enemies Diluc had made. They aimed to lure him out by means of threatening his supposed wife, taking you hostage. Despite being Visionless, you were far from a pushover. You did not go down without a fight and worked to plan your escape.
In the end, your captors thought you to be more trouble than your worth…
…and so, they aimed to kill you.
It is only due to Kaeya’s timely arrival this instance that you did not follow Crepus.
However, you did not get out of the incident perfectly unscathed. The brutality you suffered had caused a critical and permanent injury on your spine. It is with heavy hearts that the doctors informed you of the grim situation: you can never walk again.
Diluc promptly returned to Mondstadt when Kaeya relayed the news to him via letter. He had been so devastated to realize that you almost died because of him. He wanted to protect you by letting you go, but he underestimated your resolve. In his mind, he knew the only way to truly get you far away from him is to make you hate him. Upon finding courage to visit you, he doubled down on his determination when he left you years ago. You deserve better, and the life he could give you as Lady Ragnvindr will only be a disappointment. You deserve so much better than waking up to a cold, empty bed and waiting on late nights.
He opened the door to your room in his manor, ready to break your heart so you can leave him.
However, his hardened goal fell short.
You sat by the window, as beautiful as the day he last saw you. Even confined to a wheelchair, you remain smiling so warmly. Your enchanting gaze meets his crimson pair, and he melted at the sheer adoration you bestowed upon him. Your cheeks took a rosy glow, and your smile widened—lips moving to utter words of welcoming him back home, yet he cannot hear a thing. His only thoughts revolved on how badly he wanted to kiss you right now.
Diluc missed you so much, and hence he realized that he really is a fool.
How can he ever survive if he truly broke your heart, the most precious thing you entrusted to him?
“Marry me.” He said.
Much to his surprise, you only laughed and accepted—as if you always believed he would return to you.
It was truly laughable how easily you can weaken his resolve with a mere smile.
“It took you long enough, Master Diluc~!”
You winked at him as you laughed. Despite your lighthearted cheer, the redhead can see that the years apart took a toll on you. He crossed the room in graceful strides and he saw you more vividly. The bags under your eyes did little to dull their sparkle; the hollowness of your cheeks worried him but the rosy hue amplified their glamor; and your pallor was a little too pale for his liking, yet the freckles across your nose reassured him that you get enough sun on a daily basis.
Then, he bends down to hold you close and buries his face at the crook of your neck.
Your heart skipped lightly.
Then, you hugged him back—more tightly.
Diluc said nothing as he felt his shoulder get wet, and you did not make a sound as yours trembled.
“Welcome home.” You whispered.
He grits his teeth to fight against the tears.
“I’m home.” He murmurs.
The marriage started a little awkwardly. Three years had been a long time, and you both had changed in ways that put a strain on your dynamic. However, as you both learned to trust each other the way you did as kids, everything else flowed smoothly. You relied on him as he relied on you. Thanks to your endless patience, you managed to help your dear husband in anything that troubled his heart. At times, it is only by your gentle interventions that his overprotective tendencies can be quelled. It had become norm for the people of Mondstadt to see you at a cozy corner of Angel’s Share—beside the bar, whenever your husband took a shift. Any shenanigans are put to a stop by a warning glare that seemed more scathing than any other nights. None of the patrons—drunk or otherwise—dare to start any ruckus as long as you were present in the tavern.
There is nothing that Diluc kept from you anymore, as he claimed no more secrets. Although, he was curious when you steered clear if the topic is Kaeya.
“It’s not just your secret to share.” You reasoned.
The redhead felt his love and respect for you deepen at the claim.
Now, you sat in your husband’s office. While he was busy doing paperwork, you did embroidery on a silk pillow that got torn. However, there was a stifling air in the room that bothered him.
“What is it?” Diluc asked.
You raise a brow, “What do you mean?”
He stared back knowingly, “You have been redoing the same stitch for the past half hour. That only happens when you’re distracted; and you’re only ever distracted when something is troubling you.”
The redhead leans back on his chair, dropping his quill to cross his arms.
“So,” he continued, “what is it?”
You blushed at the fact you were caught so easily, but also flattered by how he is so attentive to you.
Diluc is then worried by your prolonged hesitance, gradually standing up from his chair. He walks up to you leisurely, kneeling by your side. His gloved hands take yours, mindful of your needlework as he placed it on the table. His vibrant eyes implore you to share your burdens, waiting and encouraging.
“I lied to you.”
He frowns at your blunt confession but said nothing, tilting his head to let you continue.
“On our wedding,” you reminisced, “you asked me what I wanted most so you could provide it. I replied that there was nothing more I could ever want since you asked me to marry you for real.”
Your right hand carefully broke free from his, rising to tuck his fringe away. Your palm rests on his cheek and your husband savored it with fondness. He then recalls being ready to arrange a grandiose wedding that day, remembering how much you rambled about being like a princess in your shared childhood. As a young boy, it used to grate on his nerves; but as your fiancé, Diluc found it necessary to pay attention.
Back then, he did not question it when you asked for a simpler celebration. After all, a lot has changed between him and you—for better and for worse.
“However,” you murmured, “there was one thing I had truly wished to experience with you.”
Your eyes stray away from his, drifting towards the unfinished embroidery pillow. His own eyes follow, and he immediately understands. The picture’s basic design depicts a pair of lovers dancing under the moonlit night. A gazebo frames their silhouettes while lampgrass grew around its base structure.
A wedding dance.
Diluc looks back up to you, smiling in exasperated affection. He then leans forward, taking you into his arms as he stood up. A mild squeak escapes your lips as your own arms clung to his neck, caught off guard by his sudden movement. Your husband steps out of the room while carrying you, yet offers no explanation whatsoever. Although you felt confused, it did not stop you from relaxing in his embrace and just leaning against him.
The redhead took you to the main foyer, and headed straight towards a small library corner. He dismisses the maid stationed to clean it, leaving you both in privacy. First, you were placed on the recliner near the fireplace. Then, he walked towards the old yet pristine gramophone. It belonged to his mother, he vaguely remembers. His father told him that she always loved to collect vinyls, a bittersweet sheen of unconditional love shining in his eyes.
The young lord wonders if the two of you would also remain as in love when you get older together.
“Diluc, what is this all about—”
You trailed off as waltz music began to play.
“When my wife wishes to dance,” he says, “what kind of husband am I to refuse?”
A suave smirk on his handsome face leaves you so utterly breathless. Your heart races, bursting with an unspeakable joy to call this man yours. Captivated by the sight of him, you can only watch as he strides back to you—charming as a prince straight out of a fairy tale book. His gloved hand is presented with a chivalrous bow, his rare theatric side being shown only for you—always only for you.
“May I have this dance, Milady?” He asks.
You gape speechlessly for a minute. A part of you was reluctant. How can you possibly dance in this circumstance? Nonetheless, you trust Diluc more than anything so you accepted.
“You may.”
Diluc gives a dazzling smile at your faith in him, and gently pulls you up. He expertly places your feet on his shoes, carrying your weight as you swayed. One of your hands is on his shoulder while one of his arms is wrapped firmly around your waist, holding you close. Your respective free hands are entwined, inseparable and perfectly at ease.
The marital couple moved fluidly and gracefully. You entrusted your body completely, to be moved in this dance he led confidently. Your patience and trust are returned by his warmth and protection, cradling you in a chrysalis that hopes to let you flourish. He even dares to help you twirl, making the skirt of your dress flutter like the petals of a wild rose in bloom.
The dreamlike sequence ends as he dips you into an intimate position. Heartbeats skip in sync, never of fear but of exhilaration.
Your hands leave his, believing he would never let you fall even if you let go. His grip transferred to your back and your nape, eager to be your support. You caress his face and pull him down for a searingly passionate kiss. He indulges you wholly, taking all that you have willingly given him. Your fingers shook as they entangle with his red mane. With the ease of a man who wields a claymore, he lifts you up. Your arms held tight around his neck, tilting into a new angle to not break the kiss. The fervor is returned a hundred fold, as if Diluc wishes nothing more than to fuse his soul with yours.
You are the one who empowers his flames, igniting his heart as your chosen Ifrit.
He made a vow at the altar, and not even death can do you part anymore—
“The privilege to call you mine is an honor I cannot surrender to fate.”
KAEYA ALBERICH is someone painfully aware of the power in words, and uses it to his advantage. He is as mysterious as he is efficient at being the Cavalry Captain of Ordo Favonius. The charisma he exudes can be as menacing as the frigid coldness of his Cryo Vision. The swiftness of his blade can be more merciful than the secrets he ruthlessly exploits. As much as he is admired by his peers, everyone can unanimously agree that his enigmatic ways leave them a little wary to trust him entirely. Nevertheless, the cunning of a flightless bird is just as deadly as the venom of a pit viper. A reluctance to comply is merely a sign to delve deeper.
In the carefree city of Mondstadt, only one has squared up to his level and defeated him—
—in every sense of the word.
You are the dainty little assistant of Lisa Minci, the resident librarian of Mondstadt. She slyly evades all attempts of divulging how and from where she met you. It is rumored she just found you sewing some of her worn books one day, and then decided that she has to have you as her assistant. The only other thing known about your relationship with her is that she can be extremely protective to the point of territorial. Similarly, nobody can fully understand the eccentricities demonstrated by the Witch of Purple Rose as much as you do. Since your employment, a peaceful synergy can be observed in the workings of the library and even the Knights of Favonius HQ.
The most notable thing about you is how you never limit your goodwill to work. Anyone you can reach is always on the receiving end of compassion. As such examples, Lisa has proudly introduced you to many of her prestigious friends. Since then, it had become a norm for them to see you.
Jean always ends up a little more relaxed with the cups of coffee you brew for her. You serve her tea as a silent insistence when it was time to rest. Albedo and Sucrose now have a habit of asking your referral in finding the best locations for any ingredients they would need. At random times, you appear around the corner to help Noelle in the most menial tasks and labors. Whenever Amber returns from her daily outriding, she would find you welcoming her by the gates with some food and water. Lastly, even Eula has begun picking you up to join her for lunch on weekends. You are the only civilian that never treats her differently, and actually seems to like her very much as a friend.
In a bout of poetic irony, the only one that seems to rarely receive your kindness was Kaeya.
Of course, you were far from unkind or cruel. You still greet him amicably every time you cross paths in the hallways or city streets. However, his shrewd gaze can detect your hesitance to interact with him for prolonged periods of time. Politely asking you about it did him no good as well. You only stared at him skeptically before shrugging, as if he should know the answer. A part of him questioned why it even bothered him so much, but perhaps it was a matter of ego. He knows himself well enough to be aware that it could be the reason he kept persisting on gaining your favor.
When Kaeya decided to tell Lisa about his situation, she had the gall to laugh at him.
“It’s because she sees right through you.”
Kaeya raises a brow, “I beg your pardon?”
Lisa smiles sharply, “My darling [Name] is an astute judge of character. It’s one of the reasons I adore her so much. Like you, she also knows her way with words. The more you talk while she listens, the more she compares the character she sees in your eyes and the persona that speaks with your lips. If they don’t match up, she will consider you to be too dangerous.”
For a moment, the Cavalry Captain felt his eyes darken defensively. A second later, they return to being detachedly bemused.
The Witch of Purple Rose catches the slip but does not comment about it. In fact, she willingly closes her eyes to let the man have his moment. However, she did continue to speak her piece.
“You’re not a bad guy,” she states, “and she knows that well. However, [Name] is the type who does not like to converse with people that refuse to respect the weight of the words they speak.”
A beaming smile is given by the librarian as she pats her colleague on his shoulder.
“Try speaking a little more honestly! It might earn you some brownie points.” She said.
Kaeya wanted to claim he is not going to bother and that he will just leave it at that. Alas, it seems he had found his match and could not resist your allure. In the end, he nodded before taking his leave.
To Lisa’s credit, her advice worked.
Obviously, Kaeya did not lay everything out in the open; but he became more sincere in his efforts to befriend you. To his pleasant surprise, you may be taciturn and reserved but it did not make you shy at all. If anything, you were quite bold for a pretty little damsel. He playfully flirted with you a few times and you were barely fazed. You even flirted back with teasing glances and fleeting touches that—he was impressed to admit—flustered him in shock. Your dollface can be deceiving as well. He had seen you pettily tattle to Lisa about patrons that give you a hard time. In turn, the mage trusts you to be the one to remind her of anyone who is late on their book returns. Thus, he watched you just peacefully sip tea while your employer terrorized the poor souls that earned her wrath with an innocent smile.
You rewarded the Cavalry Captain’s honest efforts by opening up to him a little.
It is here that Kaeya learned you were mute.
The cause was a very unfortunate birth defect when you were born prematurely. Your vocal chords did not grow correctly and almost suffocated you. The doctors were forced to remove it entirely via surgery so you can survive. Growing up, you became quite the bookworm because of this disability. You found solace in the immersion of reading the words you can never speak. It gradually turned you into a very talented scholar worthy of Lisa’s attention. Your nurturing ways with books and your preservation of comfort amidst the silence certainly gained merits.
Of course, your reserved nature did not mean you are to be underestimated.
The Witch of Purple Rose chose you as her personal assistant and sole substitute for a reason. It can be argued that you are potentially more frightening. You are the calm before the storm; and when you strike, no one ever sees it coming. Whenever hooligans think they can just steal books from the restricted section, every single one will be found hogtied and gagged on the Knights of Favonius’ doorsteps. A damsel you may appear but the only distress that can be felt is by the drunkards, who think they can harrass you without direct consequences. In fact, you made it your personal vendetta to discipline every member of Barbara’s fanclub and their stalker tendencies. A failure to comply forces them into public humiliation by wearing nun attires, and then prostrating themselves in front of Barbatos to beg for forgiveness.
Venti had an interesting view when he woke up from his nap on the statue’s hands.
The job of Cavalry Captain became that much more entertaining, and easier too.
Public ordinance is now easy to handle for all the patrolling knights, whom often need to tread lightly just to appease the common folks. Although the Acting Grandmaster would never say it outloud due to her soft nature, she was thankful for this subtle measures you have been making—especially in regards to her sister’s privacy and safety. Even the stoic Master Diluc seems to respect you since he actually makes effort to greet you more than he does any other stranger in the streets. Your drinks in Angel’s Share are discounted too, which is always a plus after a long day of work. Lisa took advantage of this perk just to tease.
As he got to know you, Kaeya finally arrived to a profoundly frightening conclusion.
He was falling in love with you.
No, he may have already fallen the moment you had turned into his newest fixation. The icy captain can recall Lisa’s words—how you judge people based on the character in their eyes, if it matches the persona that speaks. You actually looked at him and saw him with just a single glance; and when his words blurred the truth, his facade was already unraveling before your piercing gaze. You rejected him because he was denying the lost boy you see, and you embraced him when the charismatic captain found felicity in your companionship. You accepted both sides even if you knew nothing about either of them.
However, for all his clever ways in manipulating the feelings of others, Kaeya is powerless at the face of his own emotions.
Hence, the reasonable thing in his perspective is to simply run away from you.
It hurt you but it was something you also understood quite well. As mentioned, you were aware of Kaeya’s true character from the get-go. It was fine if this is really what he wants. You both lived your lives just fine when keeping your respective secrets. That should not change just because romantic feelings are now involved.
Lisa and your friends firmly believed otherwise.
Your doting older sister figure tells you one day that the elusive captain left a message. He says to meet him in Windrise, where Jean had put him on patrol for suspicious activity of the Abyss Order. In a twist of fate nobody expected, they even managed to get Diluc involved to make the information appear to be legitimate. The redhead claims he was getting sick of Kaeya's face brooding over you in Angel’s Share.
All else, as they say, was history when you were both given a chance to confront the truth together.
Now, Kaeya watches over your sleeping form on his bed—tuckered out from today’s work.
You are curled up to his chest, nuzzling his clavicle like a kitten. A delightful shiver ran through his spine every time your warm breaths hit his skin. Your left arm is draped over his waist while your right hand rested over his chest. His own arm cushions your head, bent by the elbow to poise himself up while he ran his fingers through your hair. The other one holds you close by the waist, legs intertwined so no space remains. The moonlight peeks through the curtains, basking you in afterglow that left him mesmerized every night. Leaning down, his lips tenderly kissed your brow as his embrace tightened possessively.
He grins as he felt your fingers move drowsily on his back, crumpling the blouse.
“Why are you watching me sleep?”
You drew special patterns to speak, blinking your eyes open to stare blankly at your lover.
He chuckles, bending down to give you an eskimo kiss while tracing words on your back as well.
“You look too beautiful to be true.”
You hummed in the form of a soft exhale, observing your beloved closely. Your hand leaves his back and reached up to his face, tucking his fringe behind his ear to see both of his eyes. It no longer concerns him to let you see his normally hidden eye, which flickered for a fraction of a second. He disclosed everything long ago. He has nothing else to hide, not from you at least—never again from you.
In fact, the language you were both using to silently communicate is from Khaenri'ah.
Kaeya invented the sign language of it and taught it to you. In public, people think it is just a cute secret between couples; but you knew better. There is a power in words, and Kaeya had entrusted you this in particular—a piece of his true self that only you can keep. Not even Diluc knew this much about him, as their bond of brotherhood shattered before he could make an attempt. Henceforth, you use this sign to talk with him privately and send messages only for your dear captain to decipher.
As you caressed his cheek, Kaeya sighed in perfect bliss. He leans towards your touch, turning his head to press a loving kiss on your palm. His own hand reached up to keep it in place. Delicately, his index finger traces another message on your knuckles.
“You’re not just a sweet dream, are you?”
Your eyes softened in understanding, smiling in hopes to alleviate his insecurities. Your hand directs his to your heart, much like how your other one stays above his own. Two hearts beat as one, delivering a mutual confession beknownst only to you and him.
Your lips moved and his unique eyes read them as if they held the meaning of life.
“I’m real, and I’m yours.”
Unable to help himself, Kaeya changes positions to loom over you. He pins your hands by the wrist on either sides of your head. You let him, locking eyes to wait until he regains his anchor to reality. As he straddles you, he leans down and his scarred eye glows with an unknown power. For a moment, the star in his misty blue orb sharpened into a slit. Then, his grip eventually loosens. Your arms soon take the chance to slither around his neck. You pull him down to your level, sensually slow to leave him in intense anticipation. Once he is a mere breath away, you lean up and forward.
Kaeya never fails to find sanctuary in your embrace, and salvation in your kiss. The taste of ambrosia is as addictive as the first time. He wanted more—needed more, even if it meant unequivocal demise.
One of his hands seeks one of yours, pressing against the mattress to interweave. A final message is traced as you both succumb to the passion that has waged wars since the dawn of creation.
“I love you.”
If the day of reckoning ever comes for him, the last hope of Khaenri'ah knows he does not stand alone.
Kaeya will always remember to seek out your light, and savor the hour of respite in your shadow. He holds faith in no god nor archon; but before you, he shall bend the knee in devoted worship.
This lost prince of sinners may be predestined for damnation, but he prays in your name—
“You are my northern star, the light that guides me back home.”
VENTI is a bard whose secrets are guarded by the lullabies of yesteryore and evermorrow. He holds the face of jubilant youth, yet his eyes tell a tale as old as time. While his voice mellifluously sings of tunes so spirited and free, his heart weighs heavy with the burden of an untold sacrilege. A couple thousand years can be a long time, yet the agony remains as fresh as the memories of a lucid dream. As he dons a smile that hopes to brighten the days and luminate the nights of Mondstadt, his soul belies the image of a nameless friend long gone. At times when the winds blew too coldly, he relies on the burning heat that drips down his throat—a taste so fine yet so bitter, like the freedom he idolizes.
Memories remind people what matters most, a life’s purpose to never forsake. However, more often than not, they come with the cruel regrets of what-ifs and what-could-have-beens. Henceforth, in tiresome days, the expense of living gets a little too much; and in sleepless nights, the weight of existing gets a little heavier.
Alas, when stars align just right, the wind will lead a pair of soulmates to find one another.
In Venti’s case, you found him.
It is actually very difficult to get him drunk, even if he acts otherwise. To be precise, he recovers quicker by getting sober minutes after he felt tipsy—and then, he would be downing another bottle. It is annoying for someone who just wants to forget his problems, but that is partially why he became accustomed to binge drinking. His rate of alcohol consumption would kill an average human, via alcohol poisoning, by the time he actually blacks out.
Amidst this cold and lonely night, the windborn bard was spared an ounce of warmth by a kind muse.
Venti woke up in a peculiar cottage that smelled of pollen and varnished wood. He heard the chirping of bluebirds, rousing him further away from his drowsy haze. A ray of sunshine peeks through the hanging cheap fabric used as curtains. He sits up, braids all messy with a very entangled bedhead.
As he stumbled out of the bedroom, the familiar sounds of Der Frühling beckoned him to the front porch. His veteran ears can attest that the notes are undoubtedly produced by a musician's hands, but a mere novice in the ways of the lyre. There was a harmonious flow in melody, yet the tone and pitch held little to no finesse in-between transitions. A sense of sheepish uncertainty distorts the song, but there was a certain charm in its dissonance.
He turns a corner, and there he saw you—
—a young dame sat upon a rickety swing, taming the bluebirds that sang for her strings.
The amused bard leaned against the doorway to watch the free show. His gleaming teal eyes stared blatantly, mesmerized by his supposed hostess. You wore an outfit that resembled his, but more modest and somewhat mismatched in color palette—an odd choice for a fellow bard. The only flashy thing about you is the Anemo Vision pinned onto your hair as it tied up your headband braid. It functioned as a hair ornament surrounded with cecilia and windwheel aster petals. A teal silk ribbon was mixed into your braid as its curled tail fluttered under your Vision ornament.
You seem to be inexperienced with the lyre, as Venti had confirmed upon seeing your performance; but you are still quite precise in your play. In theory, you hold enough knowledge to figure out which note works for a particular measure. Before he realized it, his own voice begins humming alongside the chirps of the gathered songbirds.
Alas, joining your small choir of avian creatures had startled them into flying away.
You also stiffened with a surprised jolt, practically snapping your head to look back at him. He does note that it was the birds’ exit that had shocked you, and not his soundly abrupt entrance.
“Ehe~!” Venti giggled nervously, “Sorry about that.”
You fumbled for a moment yet held the lyre firmly, careful to keep it steady. Standing up, you then walk over to him even though you shook in anxiety. Ever so tenderly, you returned his dearest Der Frühling as if handing over a precious baby.
Venti finds this heartwarming and endearing, having not met a fellow bard as considerate as you. He thus receives his lyre with gratitude, tracing its frame and plucking the strings. He marvels at the fact you even polished the instrument and retuned the strings.
“Many thanks, fellow bard~!” He chirped, “My name is Venti. May I know yours?”
You stared blankly at him for a moment, as if taking a few minutes to decipher his words. He spoke a little too quickly on purpose, patiently observing if you would prove his suspicions. As soon as you finally understood, you replied with some stutters in-between your syllables. It seemed more like a sound of uncertainty rather than a speech impediment.
“I-I am…[Name].”
A deaf virtuoso—the windborn bard believes you will make an interesting friend.
Ever since that day, Venti developed a habit of either visiting your abode or seeking you to hang out in the city. His consistent presence helped you be more comfortable in conversations. There was little to no stutters in-between your sentences now. As a bard whom prided himself in knowing all music of the past and future, the art of sign language is a helpful skill he utilized to pleasantly astound you.
The bard had never seen any mortal beam so bright when you smiled at him that day.
While you have gotten comfortable with him, Venti has also grown comfortable with you. There have been many incidents wherein his smiling mask just naturally came down around you. By your side, he felt more freedom than he has ever experienced in the past centuries. He knew it was dangerous to let this continue. The god in disguise has always been meticulously aware of his own feelings; and he was more than aware that he is falling for a mortal he will someday outlive.
However, he found you hard to resist.
Neither Venti nor Barbatos can hope to deny your profoundly unconditional love. What kind of god could reject such a heartfelt offering?
Despite your penchant for playing any available instrument, you preferred not to take center stage. In fact, your hidden knack for taming avian creatures is how you earn a daily living. Every songbird in the City of Freedom knows your tunes and can chirp them on command. This is due to your Anemo Vision, which has a unique ability that enables you to interact with the birds by means of frequency. Depending on how you control the vibrations in the breeze, they will follow like a choir does with a maestro.
You once dedicated a performance to Barbatos and the Four Winds. On that day, Venti heard his wisp brethren amongst the thousand winds croon at you in delight. He witnessed the silhouette of Vennessa’s falcon form hovering above you appraisingly, and a resounding roar can also be heard from Dvalin in his proclaimed lair. There were even the echoing howls of Andrius and his pack in Wolvendom.
This leads him to discover that your true talent lies in writing music. He had seen and read your musical compositions, grinning at every single one. With your permission, he even played a few in your home as payment for your gracious hospitality.
“You can negotiate with bards for this, you know.” He proposed, “I’m no businessman; but even I know letting other musicians play this will earn you a hefty sum of mora.”
You smiled sadly, “N-Nobody…w-would acknowledge music…composed by a deaf girl.” You confessed.
Venti turned solemn as he gazed at you. Although intimidating in its rarity, you are not perturbed by this abrupt change of mood. Your darling bard wears a mask on a daily basis that blurs truth and deceit.
You have become acquainted with them all.
He hummed playfully, “Now that just won’t do.”
You tilt your head confusedly, blinking in surprise when he suddenly takes hold of your hands.
“Ehe~!” He giggled, “Let me play…all of your music, [Name]. In fact, I’ll write…a lyrical ballad…for each of them. We’ll be the best duo…in Mondstadt!”
He had to slow down his speech a bit since he could not use his hands to help you keep up.
Thus, a new routine began for you two.
Venti kept his word. For the next few months, he only sang of the tunes you composed. A few of his regular listeners heard the slightest change in his playstyle. A part of him wished to smile bitterly as other bards and occasional playwrights praised his talent. He pettily made sure to charge thrice from them when he was requested for encores. These fools had rejected you just because of your disability yet they literally sing praises when he played your creations. Any artist worth their salt should have been able to see your potential at a glance.
Nevertheless, he ensured to always come home to you with bags full of mora whenever he plays your music in particular. You deserve nothing less than that, and he refuses to settle for anything else.
Regardless of this success, Venti recognized the melancholy in your eyes. You used to smile radiantly every time you watched him play. Your ears cannot hear the notes but you can feel the vibrations in the air. Your beguiling eyes relished the perfection of just watching Venti play to his heart’s content.
However, he was not blind to your inner turmoil and thus sought to relieve it.
“What’s wrong, Windblume?” He asked.
You hesitate, looking down at your feet. Gently, he props a finger under your chin to raise your head. A tender smile of encouragement implored you to speak your thoughts freely.
“I’m…frustrated.” You replied.
He says nothing but his smile does falter to a glaze of concern, waiting patiently to let you finish.
“I feel…so happy and grateful…when you play my songs.” You confided, “It’s finally being heard…and not just through the songbirds. People are now listening…to how it is supposed to be heard, and how I envisioned it to be played.”
Tears gather in your lovely eyes, overflowing with emotions too much for your heart. Your darling bard does not waver. He raises a hand to cup your cheek in his palm while his fingertips swept your sorrows.
“I want to…” you sobbed, “I want to hear you too!”
Venti held you protectively close, wishing more than anything else to shield you from this wild tempest of emotions. Alas, he was more than aware of the truth that the loveliest of rainbows can only come after the harshest storm. These are the feelings that must have festered for so long within you. People who can hear cruelly turn deaf to the ones whose worlds have been rendered silent. It was as if they do not deserve a voice if they knew not how it sounds. The thought infuriates the bard, reminding him of your beautiful songs discarded as nothing more than the passing chirps of songbirds.
He used his talents to let your ballads be heard.
Perhaps, he can use a different set of talents to let you hear his own?
You gripped onto Venti as if he was your lifeline, a part of you crumbling in sheer relief. He has always encouraged you to never be ashamed of what and how you feel. Whether it be deemed good or bad, all of it belonged to you. They make you human, the reason why he adores you above all. His gentle hand carded through your hair, skillful as when he plucks and strums the strings of Der Frühling. Pulling away slightly, his lips rested upon your temple and then your forehead. They stray towards your cheeks, a taste of salt from your tears.
Lastly, they hover above your own lips—centimeters apart, just a breath before they touch.
Teal eyes glow a shimmering green, both of you becoming enraptured by each other.
Venti needed you to say no more.
He takes you in his arms and spreads his wings. He delivers you to Windrise and its special tree, trusting him so wholly that you did not question him. Instead, you melted in his arms and enjoyed the warm breeze that wrapped around you like a blanket.
Once he sits you down beneath the tree, Venti sits in front of you to place one of your hands right above his heart. It beats steadily yet faintly, present yet not quite—like the wind he controls. He summons Der Frühling and smiles lovingly at you. The crystalflies illuminate his youthful features, providing a mystical glow that enthralls his dearest muse.
“Eyes on me, meine liebe.” He mouths.
Closing his eyes, he begins his private performance.
You frown, wondering what he means to prove with this. Still, you obliged his wishes and kept your eyes solely on him. Your hand remained where he placed it, right over the constant beating of his heart.
Then, you finally noticed the gathering streams of energy around yourself and your lover.
Your Anemo Vision began to glow alongside Venti’s iconic braids. The winds hummed together with him, united under his influence. It is an enchanting image, dazzling you into stunned admiration.
Then, you finally hear him—vocalizing the precious melody you dedicated to him alone. He sang of his past, his present, and his future which are now all intertwined by the whispers of you.
/Gales of song, please stay by my side/
He opens his eyes and releases his lyre. It plays as it floats, and you are mesmerized by how you can hear it all. By power of anemo, he merges your heart with his while enabling your psalm to be immortalized amongst the winds. He reaches up a hand to keep yours on his chest while its pair entangles with the other. His forehead leans on yours, gaze softening as you wept in bliss.
White feathers rained down on the landscape of green and blue. Floating lights illuminated the dark, be they stars or crystalflies. The Statue of the Seven sung in accompaniment to the intimate confessions of Barbatos—to you and for you.
/Winds of love, breathe into my life/
You can hear him so clearly—his regrets, his woes, his dreams, and his love. You hear it all through the song you composed at the thought of him, which he plays at the memory of you.
A fated parting shall occur someday, but he will love no other the way he loves you.
Therefore, with a passionate kiss, he makes you a promise—
“Come what may, you are the melody my heart will always sing.”
DAINSLEIF perseveres as a maverick shaped by his resolutions and driven by conviction. After enduring five centuries, he has earned a fair few titles as his new names. However, these remnants can never piece together his whole existence. As the Twilight Sword, there is no longer a Khaenri'ah to consider as his homeland to protect. As the Bough Keeper, there is no true grace to his purpose while burdened by a curse that shall someday rob him of his own mind and soul. In the eyes of Celestia, he is no more than a sinner doomed to a fate which can be argued as worse than death. As for the rest of the world, he is no more than a listless wanderer whom holds an obsession with stopping a disgrace known as the Abyss Order.
To honor those he had failed in his homeland, he can only move forward in the best way he knew—even if it is against those he had formerly served. Souls of the condemned hold no genuine hope of ascending to Celestia, for they amount to nothing more than heretics that do not worship any god. Therefore, for those who dare to remember, erosion will befall upon them as a final kiss of damnation. Before that day comes for him, this foolish score must be settled so he can meet his demise without regrets.
There is no genuine reward at the end of this tedious and lonesome quest. He is aware.
Nonetheless, the accursed immortal human refuses to falter under the taunt of judgment. If damnation is what shall meet him at the end of this quest, then he shall do it on his own terms. For if he must also end without his resolve, then there will truly be nothing left of him and Khaenri'ah.
There had been instances aplenty wherein the divine is likened to the flowers blossoming across Teyvat; and as a lonesome wanderer, he has grown accustomed to these tragic folklores.
The God of Dust named Guizhong left behind a quiet legacy amongst the glaze lilies. Songs which keep them abloom become tributes to her name.
The Goddess of Flowers known as Nabu Malikata had left her remnants within the padisarahs. Even if not as they were anymore, they serve as a memoir.
Godless they may have been, the glorious nation of Khaenri'ah also held pride over a particular flower—the Inteyvat. Alas, nobody but the former Twilight Sword retains the awareness to recall whom they represent the most.
“My memory has all but faded completely,” a voice murmurs piously, “but I will always remember how much she too loved these flowers.”
Dainsleif spoke not of Lumine here, although she does remind him of the one he reminisces. He dares say travelling with her had been the closest to home, a feeling of warm comfort. However, it never was the same exact happiness he sought in another—a mere ghost in his past. The lost historical relics in Sumeru speak of her as the last Eclipse Princess, whom was hailed as the Heretic Saintess. However, to him, she was the woman he dearly cherishes to this day…
…and the one he laments most for failing to protect in the bout of cataclysmic calamity.
Indeed, the Bough Keeper realizes; this accursed immortality is a fitting punishment for what Celestia deems a sinner. For he can forsake everything, but anything he has left of her will vividly linger. The doomsday of his own reckoning shall be when that too is ripped away from him.
Until then, he will dream of her. Until then, he will foolishly hope for the day they meet again.
Then, like a prayer to a nonexistent god, answers came in the ethereal form of you.
You met Dainsleif on a stormy night. In fact, he just found your cabin in the woods to seek a temporary shelter—injured and knocked unconscious. He was already half-delirious from a high fever, and it did not take a genius to know the man had a rough week. It is not out of kindness that you nursed him back to health, but due to a selfish motive to figure him out.
“Who are you?” You mumbled.
It seems he was not entirely out of it since he still managed to respond clearly.
“Dain…sleif…”
As soon as he muttered back, he eventually fell limp in your arms. For those brief seconds, there was a swelling ache upon your chest—nostalgia. A chilling tingle ran through your spine, like the touch of an invasive ghost on your skin—melancholy. Then, it spreads as smoldering heat to your veins as if to ignite your bloodstream—passion.
“Dainsleif, huh?”
The name felt like velvet on your tongue. His clothes and features were all too familiar to you—a fellow kinsman from Khaenri'ah. However, your eidetic memory never once brought you to a conclusion about this man’s identity. Regardless, your body reacts as if begging for your mind to catch up in recognition.
Even as you tended to him, nothing clicked.
“Your Highness…”
His voice weakly called, raspy and strained as if to choke it out. Your star-shaped pupils dilate as they meet his own hazy glare. His hand was reaching out to you, looking yet not truly seeing.
Alas, you made no move to truly stop him and remained awkwardly staring back.
“You’re dreaming, Sir Dainsleif.”
As if hearing his name from you brought comfort, he settles down again. His eyes start to close but now his hand found yours resting by his bedside. You recoiled yet his grip was oddly firm for a deeply ill patient. Perhaps, you can allow this until he gets some real rest.
When he recovered, Dainsleif vanished as abruptly as he barged into your life.
The next time you met again, it was your turn to be the one in need.
Dainsleif finds you in a clearing of soot and frost, holding a young man desperately. It was as if a clash of fire and ice had occurred under the rain. You look up to him, stars in your eyes shimmering with panic and sorrow. Without a word, he aids you by carrying the unconscious male and leading you back to the cabin. You made no reaction other than grasping onto his cloak tightly, like a lost child.
Despite not wishing to overstay his welcome, the Bough Keeper chose to stay for the night. You were unresponsive to him, as if your mind had shut down completely. A vague memory of a person so similar to you made Dainsleif familiar to the situation. Thus, the task of healing your patient fell to him until you could regain your composure.
“Please be well, Kaeya.” You murmured.
Dainsleif did not pry about your business, giving you the same respect you had done for his privacy. It did, however, astonish him when you took hold of his wrist and dragged him outside with you the next day.
The man named Kaeya stirred awake.
Befuddled, the former Twilight Sword kept silent as he watched from afar with you. Kaeya ate the warm meal you prepared on the table, and mixed emotions flickered in his eyes as he did. His head turned to observe everything in the cabin, searching almost as desperately as you appeared last night. Numerous dreamcatchers and embroideries decorate the walls in a contradictingly systematic manner. The more he analyzed, the more he remembered his childhood—as if your crafts gave him pieces of long forgotten memories. Then, he slowly stood up and made his way to a periwinkle dreamcatcher designed with a pavo ocellus constellation.
A single silver-blue eye gazed out the window, nearly catching your own gaze—
—but you ducked down behind the huge boulders and pulled Dainsleif with you to hide.
Kaeya got his things back and left a small note of gratitude for your care. Wordlessly, he left the cabin with the dreamcatcher now hanging on his belt—right beside his Cryo Vision. He looked back over his shoulder only once to give a bittersweet smile.
“Farewell, sis.” He whispered.
A humming zephyr delivered his message, and then he went back to Mondstadt.
Dainsleif sat down beside you for an entire hour, a mix of pity and empathy. When clarity returned to your eyes, he rose to take his leave. Once again, he was halted on his tracks by your hand grabbing onto his own gloved one.
“Hey,” you said, “do you mind if I go with you?”
Against his better judgment, the cursed immortal agreed after a minute of contemplation.
This newfound journey together has a very tedious beginning, mostly attributed to you. Everything was strange and nothing felt safe, which was expected because you both never stayed in one place. You, whom sought solace in consistency, were always forced to adapt to something new. Sleeping became a chore because you felt every small pebble and thin blade of grass pressing against you. It is by the mere thoughtfulness of your companion that you got a semblance of rest. Dainsleif always covered you in his cape and was willing to hold you soothingly, as if he knows just how to calm you down. There has been moments wherein you had tantrums, and some meltdowns that delayed some plans. Other days, you shut down completely and only wake back up to reality after a day or two.
Dainsleif was shockingly very patient with you, never berating and ready to soothe whenever you are in distress. He never once pushed you to go back. Only once, he offered to take you somewhere to settle after a very bad episode.
“No, I can’t!” You exclaimed, “I have to keep moving. I have to…keep going. Make sure…nobody finds me.”
It was unspoken that you were specifically running away from the City of Freedom, all for avoiding your your younger brother. There is a destiny that kept you both apart even when you mutually wish to be reunited. As children of Khaenri'ah, the former knight can take a guess what that sort of fate presents.
Since then, your travel companion did not question your decision anymore.
Without prompting, Dainsleif seemed used to your symptoms. It was almost eerie how he knew exactly what to say and do in every situation that involved your condition. He makes effort to prepare the same meals that you wish to have every day, and only light fruit snacks at night because you get very restless otherwise. At times he wanted to keep going, he stops himself to make camp for you first on the same evening hour before scouting ahead. He only allows himself to be gone for exactly 45 minutes, which was your limit to being alone whenever you both decide to camp out rather than checking into an inn or hotel. Whenever a wave of unease hits, he keeps a bag of materials that either lets you weave dreamcatchers or tinker an antique you scavenged in the ruins you passed. Every time your mind begins to close off, he sits down with you and holds your hands to meditate. When you need space, he keeps his distance; and when you need companionship, he keeps you close.
“How?” You ask.
Dainsleif raises a brow as he looks down at you. It was in the middle of Lantern Rite as you both watch the festivities from a nearby hill. After indulging in a few stalls, you calmed by playing with his fingers as your head rested on his lap. He knows the meaning to your one-worded inquiry, and he wonders how to answer you truthfully.
“I knew someone similar to you.” He said.
You sat up before blankly staring into his eyes, stars meeting stars. Tilting your head, a flash of curiosity brought light to your emotionless gaze.
“The princess…?” You asked.
The Bough Keeper blinked in surprise.
“You dreamed of her a lot when we first met.”
Your statement made him look away bashfully, a bit embarrassed to be reminded.
“Was she important to you?” You asked.
At this, he looks at you in the eyes. His star-shaped pupils practically gleam with an emotion you could not read—or perhaps, could not comprehend.
“She is my dearest one.” He declared.
Normal people probably would have felt jealous at that confession. He even used a present tense to show that his feelings have not wavered.
You and Dainsleif never gave a label to this peculiar relationship, but you hold a mutual understanding that it had grown to more than just friends. It was a development nurtured by meaningful exchanges and secretive affections. The sentiments are far from platonic or familial, that much is sure.
That night, when you released a lantern, you made a fleeting wish—
—not to the gods, but to the princess.
“Please look after Dainsleif.”
Meanwhile, the Twilight Sword fondly gazes upon your form. The image of your past self overlaps with the present. He recalls the ever sleepless nights of guarding you in the tower. Starlight showered upon your figure leaning by the windowframe. Delicate hands reach out to set free artificial crystalflies that glow as wisps of moonlight. A breath of laughter is echoed in the lonely room, and then he is blessed by a smile more divine than Celestia.
The memory flickers as the silver starlights are replaced by golden lanterns, and your humble self stood in place of the estranged saintess—
—but that smile remains.
Morning welcomed Dainsleif with the strange sight of you looming over him. With practiced ease, he resumes calm as he let you do as you please like it was nothing unusual. He knows of your quirks just as you are aware of his boundaries. There is mutual trust of consent that tells which actions would be acceptable anytime. He did gulp a little nervously as his drowsy eyes analyzed you. His hands twitched but he willed them to stay in place despite his inner yearning.
Disheveled, you were straddling him while still in your nightgown. Your hair was messily draped over your shoulders, creating a curtain around the blond man beneath you. A glazed veil engulfs your eyes like a dreamy countenance of a faraway reverie.
“Dain…”
“What is it, [Name]?”
“I had a dream last night.”
“A dream, you say?”
You nod, leaning down almost conspirationally yet the expression on your face remains unreadable. A gasp hitched in his throat as your lips strayed to his ear, whispering shakily—
“I remember, Dain.”
Realization struck him.
Dainsleif switches positions with you yet he receives no protest. His ungloved hands cup your face in order to meet your eyes with his own beseeching pair. You see his visage, unmasked and vulnerable, that longingly wish for your approval.
You nodded.
Dainsleif claims your lips in ardent greed, and you responded in eager devotion.
Intertwined, redamancy is bliss for the reunited knight and his only princess—
“Your heart is the only other half that can ever complete mine.”
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iridescentdove · 9 months
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Akutagawa, Mori, Kouyo & Higuchi x Elysia! Reader
Elysia is the Herrscher of Human Ego in Honkai Impact. She is a girl as beautiful as dancing petals, and holds the power which is comparable to a God itself.
Her personality is cheerful and sweet-loving, Elysia cares about her friends and everyone else dearly. She's elegant, unique, and is a person who enjoys everything.
Soukoku, Atsushi & Ranpo Ver. ♡ Decay Of Angels Ver.
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AKUTAGAWA RYUNOSUKE:
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He'd be a curious lad, although not seeking much of his own personal interest because ... Dazai.
Then again, it's not unexpected you'd find a way to make even this guy fall for you. It takes time, but Akutagawa sees and uncovers the truth later on.
Honestly, surprised. A God? Really? But how? He's finally peaked some interest to see it for himself.
Wait holy shit you're so pretty i'm not ready for this–
He's gaping. Your aura is imperturbable, so omnipotent and strong. Yet, it found a hint of peace and tranquility as he felt safe and not ... terrified.
You're nicer than he thought. Given as the God of Humanity, maybe he shouldn't have been so on guard.
From there, you guys kicked it on. Albeit, slowly.
Akutagawa of course finds you beautiful. He's stole a few glances often, but refuses to admit it himself. Wouldn't say it out loud. At least not yet.
In the fight with Atsushi against Fitzgerald, you had come right on time.
And that man was no match for you. Akutagawa couldn't even believe his own eyes. You were the embodiment of power and grace.
You fought and destroyed without an ounce of anger.
Just purely going along. And he found himself just falling the moment you came down.
He's staring, with a certain look in his eyes no one has seen on him before. Was it...admiration? Softness?
You two had an actual convo. And his overflowing joy as you praised him so much, with words he always wished to hear from Dazai himself. But now, did he care?
Akutagawa loves you.
And he won't take shit from others who say otherwise. Let's just say Mori had no choice but to approve.
Privately is where he shows affection. You'd be in your God Form that he's in awe of, and just sits there quietly with you with a hand caressing your hair and outfit.
"Dazai is proud of you~" You said one day, both of you sitting at the foot of the bed. And he knew that. But...
Akutagawa simply shook his head. "He acknowledges me. However, it's no longer him I seek acceptance of." His heart beats fondly at the warm image of you.
"...It's you. Only you."
Sometimes regrets dating you seeing you dancing to WAP at 3am with Higuchi and Gin
OUGAI MORI:
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Man you know this guy only likes children 12 years and below that.
But who says you couldn't adopt Elise by force
He was most likely against it at first, but well, you're...Elysia. That's all i need to say. Mori did warm up to the idea but found the thought of you in the mafia weird.
You're too kind. Too sweet. Too...colorful. But you assure you were only there to take care of Elise LMAO
He appreciates you playing with the blonde girl whenever he gets too busy, so he won't have to worry. Plus, Elise seems to really like you! Then maybe he should, as well.
Silently watches whenever you do your makeup, or look around for an outfit you find really cute.
Finds you endearing overtime.
He'd definitely try and ask you to be Elise's mom, and the fact you know he's a pedophile so you decline lmfao. BUT HE WON'T GIVE UP AHAHAHA
Dude would just smirk and go along with his day. But not without asking again later on, probably.
Though you're not from the Port Mafia, you know enough that many get hurt or even die due to the missions being given. As such, especially if it's Mori giving out orders.
So you've decided to become support! Yay!
If taken out on dangerous missions, you'd come with them and interfere if you must. You can heal as well.
...Without half killing them–
Mori's seen your God Form, definitely. It was during that one time their precious Yokohama nearly bombed down to a crisp ._.
He's lost it for the very first time, the strong, head-on facade teared down at the last moment.
There's not a day this man stops thinking about you.
Elise is always coddling your time, laughing at your jokes and playing dress up. He's learned to be used to your presence, and hopes that you'll accept him one day.
Funny enough, you did. He's happy about it. Now, you can spend your time as a happy and chaotic family <3
Tried to take you on a dangerous mission but you came out with Akutagawa and Higuchi without a single scratch.
Mori, just give up. That's a God.
OZAKI KOUYOU:
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You were the first to approach. Seeing as if there had been nothing else to do, you decided to talk to her.
She was pretty! And also found you rather cute too.
Both of you just ended up liking each other overtime and started gushing about Kyouka, but anyways. It seems that it didn't take too long for her to warm up.
After all, it's a big sister's duty. You both often went to taste some good tea and sweets around Yokohama.
You knew of Kouyou's past - that strength of yours coming as a legitimate God, but then again, you don't bring it up and prefer to help in her healing process.
She's thankful for you, and probably had prayed to you when Kyouka had disappeared. She's that trustful.
But then again, you're not like them. Why shouldn't she?
You're extremely beautiful, perfectly strong. The times she'd seen you fight so elegantly was a sight to behold. It would never get old no matter how many times.
Honestly everyone is double shocked because you just obliterated everything without moving a single leg ._.
And yet again, Kouyou is fascinated and overwhelmed by your God Form. She'll never get sick of seeing it.
The way you transform into it is so stunning too.
You'll often spoil her with outfits and expensive tea just because you want to, your roles reversed. No matter what, you'd always be taking care of her.
She appreciates it. Having you around makes her heart flutter a certain way.
You're there, showing her so much kindness and being so gentle it nearly hurt. A holy being as you deserved much more than her.
But again, you're assuring her no one else is as amazing and perfect as she was in your eyes. You loved her.
Kouyou could only smile so genuinely. So bright. So this is the light? It sure has been a while.
Maybe it wouldn't be so bad, after all.
ICHIYOU HIGUCHI:
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Akutagawa who? I only serve under (Y/N)
She and you are honestly the cutest couple ever. Where are the Higuchi stans? Damn this is unfair.
Higuchi first met you when you invited yourself into the base with a...is thAT AKUTAGAWA?! DEATHLY INJURED? She found no words to say at that moment.
You had taken him towards the nurse clinic, but not before staying to check if he was alright.
Higuchi alone found that strange. You weren't in the mafia.
Then how the hell did you manage to get past security, get all the way up without getting ambushed, and somehow get to Mori's office in one piece?
She saw you talking to Mori. You were carefree, sweet, and even gave him boxes of sweets claiming it's for everyone.
...Yes, she approached you herself. SLAY BESTIE
Although she planned it to be a simple interaction. It was anything about that. Because of that day, she learned so many things about you she never would have thought of.
You're a GOD?? OF HUMANITY?? YOU KNOW LITERALLY EVERYONE'S NAMES, FACES AND LOVE THEM ALL?
The fact you also claim to love her, Higuchi just stops responding and goes red.
But by the time she realizes her emotions...well...
That happened.
Congratulations, you've earned a 100% faithful follower. Higuchi thinking 'mommy' everytime she sees you in your God Form is now canon
She doesn't even need to worry. You're strong in every way, and have the entire world on your side.
Higuchi has thrown Akutagawa away <3 bye bye Sanemi
All in all, she's literally become your number one fan beside the rat ass Fyodor. She's there for you, and you're there for her. The sweetest couple ever.
She loves complimentng you, while both of you sit on the couch watching TV late at night.
And don't forget cuddles and sneaking kisses. Top Higuchi
Man i love her sm, i got carried away. Higuchi believes that you were meant to be together forever, and that she would protect your life on earth no matter the cost.
177 notes · View notes
spotsandsocks · 8 months
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Something Worth Staying For
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🥳Happy Birthday to the wonderful creative supportive @cowboy-buddie who makes this fandom so much fun for me. Love ya Kels Please accept this little gift, my attempt at an enemies to friends to lovers AU. 5 chapters 1 coming at you everyday (so I have time to finish the last chapter🤣)
Chapter 1 2.4K Read on AO3
Living in a small town wasn’t for everyone but Eddie liked it. When he and Chris had settled here he hadn’t been sure but slowly the place had gotten under his skin and now he was as good as a local. Well almost, Chim still called him cowboy sometimes, but Eddie had decided ignoring that was the best plan and it had mostly worked. Chim only called him that these days when he wanted to be particularly annoying. Not that he doesn’t love Chim, the man has become like his brother. In fact he’s built a small family for himself and Chris here. It turns out taking a job at a small town newspaper was the best idea he’s had in years. He’s never quite gotten over the surprise of his new boss, the paper’s editor waiting for him with his wife outside Eddie’s new front door on the day they arrived.
Bobby and Athena had been there from the start ready with a home cooked meal for their first night in town, helping them unpack, and essentially making him and Chris feel more welcome than Eddie had ever expected when he’d nervously said yes to a fresh start  and moved himself and his son halfway across the country after his divorce was finalized. 
Now he’s made a home here and has an extended family he loves dearly. It’s almost perfect. Except, he does get a little lonely sometimes, Chris is getting older and  when he’s busy and Eddie’s all alone in his house he sometimes wishes that he had someone to share his life with, he’d dated a few of the women in town but nothing had clicked. Not that he was especially bothered by the failure, he hadn’t actually really liked any of them but it would be nice to have someone special.
He’s been here almost three years now and it seems pretty unlikely that he’s going to find his dream partner, after all what are the chances of the  perfect person just turning up in Eagle Creek one day and being interested in a thirty year old single dad holding down a quiet job writing local news stories for a small town paper. 
“Eddie?”
Eddie looks up and takes a breath. 
Whatever he’d been expecting when Bobby said his name it wasn’t to see the man standing next to him. He’s tall, well built to say the least, with sandy hair which might have been blonde or brown depending on the light, and extremely blue eyes. There’s a mark of some kind over his left eye and he wonders if it’s a bruise or something more permanent. It doesn’t diminish the man’s good looks in fact in Eddie’s opinion it enhances them. Frankly he’s gorgeous. Eddie knows he finds men as attractive if not more attractive at times than women but he’s never particularly felt the urge to investigate where those thoughts could take him. He’s not a casual kind of guy and the trouble with gorgeous people is they so very often know it and in his personal (and relatively limited) experience that does very little for their personality. 
This  guy is so pretty he’s probably a complete jerk. 
Despite those warning bells as they  look at each other the stranger smiles and Eddie can’t help how his eyes flick down then back up again almost immediately, it's a nice smile. A little shy, almost sweet even. The guy isn’t giving off any particularly arrogant jackass vibes. Eddie wants to but he doesn’t let himself look again, turning his head to focus on Bobby instead.  Actually the new guy looks a lot like Bobby, maybe he’s his nephew or something, just visiting. 
Eddie returns his boss and friend’s smile, feeling strangely apprehensive for some reason. Maybe it’s because Bobby looks guilty. Eddie recognises the slightly shifty expression on the older man’s face. What has he done?
He finds out quickly.
“Eddie this is um, Buck. He’s uh…  he’s going to be working here.” Bobby won’t look at him and is rubbing his hand across his chin nervously. 
Well that’s unexpected. Eddie can’t help the sudden sharp furrow of surprise and suspicion on his brow. Bobby hadn’t mentioned anything about someone new. Do they really need someone new? Eddie hadn’t thought so in fact he’s mildly irritated by the news. Why hadn’t he been told? He looks at this ‘Buck’ person again with fresh eyes. Maybe he does look like a bit of a jerk after all. 
Jerk or not he’s still ridiculously good looking and Eddie can just imagine the stir someone who looks like Buck is going to cause in town. Nightmare, he can expect a stream of people asking him for the new guy at the paper’s number. Urgh... Just what he needs.
Bobby’s still talking, “so Buck is gonna be helping with some stuff, improvements I guess you could call it.”
Blue eyes sparkle and the man beams.  What kind of name is Buck anyway?   And really who needs to be that handsome, it’s just excessive. And wait did Eddie just hear Bobby say improvements? A sinking feeling hits him, oh no,  he didn’t actually do it did he? Bobby’s been threatening to do something about the computers since before Eddie arrived, surely he hasn’t finally done it has he?
The scowl on Eddie’s face deepens and he fails to notice the smile slipping from his new colleague’s face.
“Buck and his sister have just moved here, Maddie’s a nurse and Buck here is…” Bobby pauses and Eddie’s suspicions grow. Bobby can’t quite meet his eye. Yeah he has a bad feeling about this, there can only be one reason Bobby’s springing this on him now. Only one thing this guy is here to do. 
Still looking anywhere than at him, Bobby takes a breath and reveals Buck’s role  at the paper.
“Well Buck here, he’s well, he’s a bit of a computer whizz and kind of a social media consultant.” He says those three words quickly and moves on. “He’s going to upgrade our IT, get us online and run the “socials.” Bobby  glances  proudly at Buck for getting the word right. 
Eddie doesn’t register the responding shy and pleased smile from the younger man all he notices are the air quotes dropping in around ‘Socials’ 
The word is unfamiliar and unwelcome on Bobby's lips. Frankly he feels a little betrayed, why hasn’t he been told? He bets Karen knew  which means Hen knew and that means Chimney does as well. They’ve all probably been very  amused about how badly he’ll take it. He also thought Bobby felt the same way about the perils of the internet as he did. It’s not that he can’t use it. He has a smart phone, he can download apps just fine thank you and while it’s a running joke around here that Eddie doesn’t ‘do’ technology he’s not actually an idiot. If he wants to, he can use computers just fine, he’ll accept that the internet is vaguely useful and if he wanted to have ‘socials’ he would. He just doesn’t choose to because it stupid and pointless and you can’t really trust the internet,  no one's ever been able to convince him his phone isn’t listening to him.
Buck draws his attention back from Bobby when he speaks for the first time with what Eddie considers an unnecessarily smug quirk of his mouth,  “I’m here to drag you all into the 21st century.”
“I’m fine where I am, thank you.” His voice sounds cold even to himself.
Despite glaring at new guy he catches Bobby's wince out of the corner of his eye. He knows he sounds positively hostile but he’s annoyed. The newest member of the team obviously recognises that too because the smile vanishes.
Eddie doesn’t feel bad for being unwelcoming. Not even a little bit.
Bobby sighs wearily, “This is why I didn’t tell you. You know we need to modernize. It’ll be good for us. We can reach more people, be faster, it’ll make things easier for everyone.”
Bobby pauses obviously hoping for something back. He doesn’t get it so he just shrugs, “It’s going to happen Eddie .”
“You’re the boss Bobby.” There that was neutral, mostly.
Eddie stands, avoiding eye contact with both men. “I’m going out to get lunch.” 
He doesn’t offer to get anything for anyone, which he knows is rude but he doesn’t care much right now..
Eddie lets the door behind him slam on his way out.
Bobby sighs dramatically next to him as  Buck keeps his expression as blank as he can; that did not go well. That went very badly indeed.
“That was actually ok, I was worried he’d take it worse.” 
Buck turns slowly to stare at his new boss a little incredulously. Bobby thinks that went well? Shit how bad does this Eddie guy get?
When they’d walked in Buck had been taken aback by the man sitting behind the desk. His dark hair and soft brown eyes had looked inviting for a moment. He’d smiled softly and something had tripped and fluttered in his chest. He was a damn attractive man and then when he’d started scowling at him well Buck’s always liked a challenge but he’s not stupid. He knows instant dislike when he sees it.
It’s too bad he would have liked to have made a friend. At least he has Maddie to keep him company.
“He’s not particularly friendly is he?” 
Bobby chuckles dryly,  “He is, once you get to know him. He’s a really great guy.  I think you too could be good friends.” Another sigh as Bobby looks towards the door,  “It’s my fault, I did surprise him. I’ve been putting off telling him about you. it’s just  he really does hate computers.”
Buck arches an eyebrow at the door the hot angry man had just walked out of.
“I can tell.”
“Whoah man! Mind my door.”
Chimney looks up from behind the counter where he’s just finished pouring a coffee. 
“What’s got you all twisty.”
Eddie glowers at him, “Nothing, just come for my lunch. Is that a crime?”
“Delightful mood I see?”  Karen’s voice floats over from where she’s working on her laptop at one of Chimney’s tables.
He turns, as expected she’s staring  at him, unimpressed. She fixes him with a penetrating stare which he avoids. He’s very aware he’s in a bad mood and she should know why,  after all everyone else has been told. 
He can’t help the snap in his voice, “So why aren’t you in the office to greet our new colleague.”
Karen’s eyebrows lift eloquently. He knows she knows but will she admit it?  God he’s annoyed. He doesn’t really know why he’s so upset either. Except maybe there was a moment when he looked into blue eyes that he’d felt something only to have it washed away by Bobby’s words and his rush of irritation.
Karen sips her latte coolly, “I’m a free spirit Diaz, I go wherever I want and right now I want to be here because I like it here, I get to see my wife and she brings me coffee and I get to eat Chimney’s pastries. 
She pauses and looks at him with far too much insight.
“So he’s here then.”
Out of the corner of his eye he sees Chim retreat.  
He knew, she knew! Everyone but him, his irritation rises again, he can just imagine it don’t tell Eddie, he’ll freak out! He’ll make a fuss.
He ignores the tiny voice inside him saying 'and were they wrong? You’re not exactly winning employee of the month right now are you?' He ignores that and  lets the comforting haze of indignation wash over him. 
“So you did know! Charming.” Karen’s admission really does nothing to improve his mood.
Karen rolls her eyes at  him. “Oooh you really are in a snit aren’t you? Poor guy can’t have upset you already. He’s not even been here a day.”
“And…” she says with a waggle of her finger “you can’t blame Bobby for putting it off. Every time he’s so much as mentioned going online you pull a face.” She nods at him, “Yeah that one.”
 He quickly wipes the expression away,  “and you sulk for at least a day.”
“I do not.”
Another voice joins in, “You do.”
Chimney’s contribution is as unwelcome as this ‘Buck’ back at his office is.
However Chimney is as resistant to his glaring as Karen is. 
“Ok so maybe I do a bit,” he admits it reluctantly “But we don’t need to go online and we certainly don’t need that guy.”
“I’ve heard he is very good at his job annnnnd…” Karen adds nonchalantly, getting somewhere close to the hidden heart of his discomfort  “I’ve seen his picture, online , “ he throws her yet another narrow eyed glare for that jibe “and if I wasn’t a happily married lesbian I’d say he’s hot. He’s going to be a popular boy round here!” 
She laughs at the noise he makes.
“He’s not that good looking” he lies because he can, “and I don’t have to like him.”
Karen stands up folding her laptop as she does. She looks more serious, teasing gone. 
“No you don’t but you do have to work with him. And the poor guy’s not done anything wrong.”
He hangs onto his resentment justified or not, he’s no longer so sure, and answers with a single surly word and sits down.
“Yet.” 
“Eddie,” Karen sighs his name, “You’re being unreasonable and you know it.”
“Perhaps I like being unreasonable.” He leans back in his chair and folds his arms then unfolds them because it looks too defensive and he doesn’t want to prove her right.
Karen shakes her head, “Go play nice with the new kid or Bobby will put you in time out.”
Eddie ignores her. He’s not sure why but this Buck guy is already under his skin. 
Karen moves towards the door, “I’m going to go meet him, you’ll be back soon right?” 
He mutters “Sure” and accepts the warning look he gets from his friend. “I’ll be polite, promise.”
He can be polite to this new guy, he is  a professional  after all and it’ll be fine. He probably won’t have  too much to do with him anyway. 
Eddie waits for his order and wonders how annoying can one guy be? 
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lungs4sale · 4 months
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my fav hannigram fanfics
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1. Impasto by jiggityjams
“You’re not going to try to discourage me, Will?” Another glance, a pursing of lips. “... No. I can see the determination in your face. You know what you want and you have the means to obtain it. Most clients think they know what they want- until they hear how long it will take and how much that work will cost. We’ll work out some numbers, of course, and draft a contract. If you’re willing to be patient with the piece then I’m willing to give it my best go.” A small, pleased smile spread across the psychiatrist’s face. “I think this is the start of a beautiful partnership, Will. I look forward to working with you.” Or the one where Hannibal has found a lost treasure and Will has given up on police work and has turned his talents to restoring oil paintings.
this is a different au where will quits the fbi and becomes a painter (if im not wrong). abigail is alive and works for him. i read this awhile ago and i remember loving it because of how sarcastic will was. one of my notes was: will was so desperate to open up (not sure why but this man is so touch starved and craved for affection in the show so i guess it's canon accurate). i also have a soft spot for fics with abigail in it because she deserves the world.
2.  Five Times Hannibal Visits Will and One Time He's Already Home (or: Coffee Cake) by bones_2_be
When Will tells Hannibal to leave at the end of Digestivo, he goes. And then, a few years later, he shows back up. They have long conversations, drink a lot of wine, at the end of it all they find something that works.
i just finished reading this 2 days ago and it was an experience. i loved how well paced it was. the writing really matched the same vibe of the show. both hannibal and will were written quite accurately to how i feel they would react in the show itself. the way both of them interacted in this fic was realistic and how i wish i could erase my mind of this fic so i could experience it again for the first time.
3.  each according to its kind by chaparral_crown
Will does the only reasonable thing that someone fresh out of a mental hospital with no support system does - he leaves, and goes on a road trip to the Pacific Northwest.
this fic is THE hannigram fic, fight with the wall. kidding. this is more of a character study of will (hannibal doesn't even show until halfway through). the writing is top tier and just like the fic before it really does match the vibe of the show. i personally am not a big fan of smut (i don't mind it, i just prefer plot over that) and this book barely had any in it which is a godsend.
4.  ...And This One is Just Right by Sabi
When an injured BSHCI escapee breaks into Dr. Graham's vet clinic, it doesn't end cleanly. Surely it couldn't happen again? Or again?
will is a vet in this universe and i'm not sure why but i pictured him younger? it's only 4 chapters if im not wrong and it's a fun read! the characterisation of will is not as accurate to the show but to be fair it is a different universe and i still love this fic dearly.
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i'll post more because i want to create an archive here. i don't really like how ao3 looks so i'm going to do it on tumblr instead. if you have any hannigram recs plsplsplspls let me know because i'm literally begging for scraps sire. also merry christmas to those celebrating!
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jjongswannabebae · 11 months
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yandere!heeseung x insanely!obsessed(?)!fem!reader when you crave him (16+)
< implied smut, stockholm syndrome, "slut", thoughts of death(?), infatuation turned obsession, mentions of food and starvation, being held captive (i think that's all? I'm not quite sure about what warnings to add so lmk) >
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Maybe you didn't hate being tied all bare, sat on the rubbled floors of some dirtied chamber that blond head had hauled you over at. You were scared which was given but also strangely attracted to this man.
His dark omnious aura, those stark eyes, that stoic expression he wore tirelessly were all so effortlessly attractive to you. You couldn't halt the increase of your heart rate everytime you heard his footsteps clack by the door and stop but to never enter.
A whole twenty four hours passed with the absence of food, water or him. He kidnapped you, you should be scared outright but you were so infatuated with this pale, pink lipped man. Oh how you wished to see him direly and run your coursed and dirtied fingers on his cold yet so soft skin.
You found yourself miserable in the situation.
It was inevitable, you'd take anything and everything that man would give you. Even if he'd take something as valuable as your life. Though living in seemed too extensive without this handsome man in your sight. Infatuation turned obsession, life would not be worth living without him.
You craved him so dearly.
That's probably what beckoned him to the dimly lit chamber. Your self degrading thoughts, thoughts of stripping him to skin, running your fingers down his stripped back, it was all too much for him. He couldn't believe what a wretched dazed slut you'd become for him.
He never prompted such arousing thoughts from you in the first place, he placed you danger by locking you up in darkness with no basic means of survival. Yet you had the audacity to fantasize about him all while he could read your damned, terrorized mind.
Your mind was vandalized—no, plagued—with thoughts of him.
So he decided to pay you a little visit.
You shook violently and if it weren't for the shackles bind to your ankles and wrists you'd free yourself and run to embrace this unknown man who looked so delicious with little to no light supporting his delicate features.
His eyes raked over your unclothed body. He walked forward with a dramatic pause infront of you, crouching down to your level.
"you desire for me?"
Nodding your head in agreement, a sting laps from his palm to you cheek and you revel in the pain as you show him a sultry smile.
"you, a mere mortal of all sorts," he mouths. He grips onto your hair, yanking you forth, "do you wish to know who i am for I've clouded your thoughts with me?"
"y-yes," you pant, shoving your face even closer to his, bumping into his forehead.
"heeseung, the one who'll slay you and suck you dry of life as you fantasize,"
"please," you struggle, "just take me, use me, kill me,"
He inhales sharply and shakes his head held down with an amusing chuckle, titling to make eye contact with your dancing eyes.
"very well," the rapid development as he closed the gap, hands all over the place, marking up what he desired. The eagerness pushed you past his taming tongue and fought relentlessly in a fury, fighting to beat the muscle sucked inbetween your lips.
What felt electrifying, a meaning to live, was broken away as he reached for your cheek, "i wait till my subjects are dead to feed of them since torturing innocent's doesnt sit right with me but you, you intrigue me and hence, you shall die by my hands– or more so my fangs,"
"a life without heeseung is not worth living for me. save me from this misery of a lifetime," you'd began addressing him by his name having lost your mind as the only that was provided since held captive was him.
You leaned forward again, capturing his lips in yours though it remained one sided, shoving yourself onto him so desperately. "you're far beyond return," he commented, pinning your hands behind you, admiring the maniac he'd produced with an unreachable goal, to have heeseung himself.
Long had passed as he let you use him, merely for him to use you– slay you for his long awaited meal. This was a bonus a him, not a win. But you didn't care.
He was amused with how you were so infatuated, so gone, so lost, so obsessed. So so in love with him, much beyond the border. He kissed you slower, but your pace never decreased, lapping at his mouth with an unattainable desire.
"bite me."
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formulalfc · 5 months
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Meeting the boys
Virgil Van Dijk x Reader
tw-none just fluff
You had met Virgil at a mutual friends birthday dinner. As someone who had been a Liverpool fan all your life you were very much in awe and intimidated by the Dutch centre back. Despite your initial fear of the man you both got on really well, bonding over your love of the support and your childhood club. You sat next to each other during the dinner and barely gave anyone else at the table the time of day, instead happy to just converse with each other.
As the meal came to an end, plates being taken away from the table and well wishes being given all around, you feared that this would be the end of whatever you had with Virgil. But much to your surprise as you both stood up to go your respective ways, Virgil stopped you with a hand to your elbow asking you if it would be possible to exchange numbers with you before you left.
That was six months ago and since that day you and Virgil had been all over each other, dates as often as you could fit them in, a drawer at his house for when you stay over and you had both met each other’s families after you had made it official with each other.
However, there were some people that were very important to Virgil who you had yet to meet, the rest of the Liverpool squad. You were arguably more terrified to meet them than you had been meeting his family.
Virgil had reassured you that you had nothing to worry about at all, the boys will love you because you make him happy and that’s all that really matters to them.
So with your shaking hands in your pockets, dressed completely head to toe in Liverpool merch that Virgil had insisted you wear, you made your way to training with your boyfriend, his hand squeezing yours every few minutes.
When you arrived at the training ground you steeled your nerves and climbed out of the car making sure you had your phone and bag. Virgil walked round to your side of the car taking your hand in his and placing a quick kiss to your forehead before murmuring to you, “I promise love its going to be fine.”
You knew it would be fine, it was just the initial meeting that you were worried about, wanting to make a good impression on the boys that Virgil loved dearly. You shot him a small smile, squeezing his hand in thanks and you both began walking to the entrance.
Virgil took you out into a bit where you could watch training and sat you with a few of the members of the media team who sat and spoke to you while you were waiting for the boys to come out.
After a few minutes they started to gradually come out into the training area and the media staff you were sat with got up to go and help filming content for the social media. You saw Virgil come out with some of the lads you recognise from the years of watching them, Trent Alexander Arnold, Andy Robbo and Virgil’s favourite person, Joel Matip.
Virgil looked over at you sending you a smile, and gesturing in your direction to the boys, who in turn looked over at you, sending you waves, and Robbo even go so far as to shout, “Hello Virg’s Missus”, causing more of the players to look over at where you were sat. A blush quickly rose to your cheeks, not being used to the attention and also a little starstruck that people you considered some of your idols were looking over at you in curiosity.
You look back over at Virgil who was clipping Robbo around the back of the head before looking at you and mouthing an apology on behalf of the Scotsman. You simply shook your head back at him, a smile gracing your features at the brotherly relationship the two of them shared.
Their attention was quickly drawn over to their coaches, explaining what they would be going through in training today.  
You sat and watched Virgil as he trained, very much enjoying the way he looked as he did his exercises and drills with his teammates.
After a while you felt a presence sit next to you and you turned to see none other than THE Jurgen Klopp sat right next to you, grinning right at you as he stuck a hand out, “Y/N! What a pleasure to finally meet you, we have all heard so much about the beautiful girl that caught our Virgil’s heart!”
You were at a loss of words as you placed your hand in Jurgen’s, stuttering out, “it’s a pleasure to meet you sir, I’m a huge fan of yours.”
He simply chuckled at you before launching into the funny anecdote of the first time he had met Virgil and telling you how well suited he thought you two were. You both sat and chatted for a while, quickly getting over your nervousness when you realised how easy it was to talk to him.
He eventually got up, telling you that he’d better go do his job or he’d get sacked, causing a loud laugh to leave you.
The boys continued to train, you just sitting there and enjoying the view in front of you until a few lads came over to you.
“Hello Y/N! Its so nice to meet you! Virgil has said so much about you!”, Mo Salah said as he sat on your left.
“We’ve all been dyin to meet you”, Trent says placing himself on your other side, while a few others, Bobby Firmino, Joe Gomez and Kostas Tsimikas stood in front of you.
Your jaw was literally on the floor.
You had no idea what to say, looking around at them all your mouth opening and shutting as you tried to figure out how to speak.
“What are you boys doing to my girl?” A low voice rumbled from behind you.
“Nothing!” Kostas exclaimed, “we’re just talking to her!”
“Well I think that’s enough talking for today, come on Y/N”, Virgil ushered you towards him. Words of protest were heard from the boys around you, exclamations of “We only just sat down” and “We wanna talk to Y/N, we will be nice promise!” we left unheard by Virgil as he pulled you towards him with a grin on his face.
You turned back towards the boys and sent them a small wave, they boys sending you smiles and waves in return and also telling you to come and visit them at training anytime.
Virgil took your hand and led you away but not before you bumped into Joel Matip and Andy Robertson, two of the guys Virgil spoke the most about when you were at home.
“Y/N hello! Its nice to finally meet you, Virgil’s been keepin you all to himself, eh?” Robbo says jokingly.
You grinned at him, not feeling as shy as you did with the others as you knew so much about him from Virgil, “Lovely to meet you Robbo”.
Andy pulled you into a hug before you were pulled into another by Joel who whispered in your ear, “He ever annoys you, you let me know, I’ll put him in his place.”
You laughed at him as you pulled away, gaining a strange look from Virgil, to which you patted his cheek and gave him a grin before replying to Joel, “I’ll let you know if I need your help.”
Joel let out a chuckle and you felt in that moment you had done well today despite your nervousness.
As you were walking away with an invitation to the next meet up, you realised you were happy that these were there person you shared Virgil with.
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For @scala26's fitizer first kiss prompt - one of them kissing the other to stop them from saying something
Somehow this became a modern University professors AU, sorry not sorry.
The Rest is Still Unwritten
“Well I think that Franc–mmf!”
James tastes of champagne, is Francis’ first, muzzy thought.
Francis hasn’t had a drink in–well. A long while. He feels half drunk on the taste of it now, fancies he can still feel the bubbles popping on James’ tongue. 
James makes a gratifying little squeak and opens his mouth wider, which he should absolutely not do, Francis thinks. 
Francis shoves his tongue further down James’ throat regardless, because that’s the kind of man he is. Hungry, desperate, grasping for every spare and crumbling straw within his reach. Jealous and demanding. Always overlooked. 
He sucks on James’ tongue, hands tightening on James’ waist, and James whimpers and presses closer. 
Overlooked, overshadowed, passed over for every opportunity–Francis’ life has been a series of over, over, over. Never the start, always the finish. 
He is accustomed to it. Besides, second fiddle is not always the worst position in the orchestra. 
Then there is the simple fact that he does not want to be chair. 
Franklin does. Most desperately. 
That should be all there is to it. 
Of course James–idealistic, beautiful, perfect James–would step in to fight for Francis in a battle he does not even wish to win. 
They had not got on, at first. 
Francis is used to new blood in the department. Bright-eyed and energetic and naive, only to be ground down into dirt by the institution, the bureaucracy, the apathy of their students. 
He had stopped, long ago, trying to take them under his wing. The brightest flames burned out no matter how hard he attempted to shield them. 
Fitzjames would be the same. There was no point in getting attached. 
And then there was James’ forceful belief, his trust, his faith that the university would not fail them. That their funding would not be cut to the point of no return, that more assistant professors would be hired to replace the swath of retirements, that students would suddenly care enough about history and all their courses would miraculously make the enrollment cap. 
Francis had hated James for it, this…optimism. 
Simpler by far to believe that they were doomed and retreat into drink. 
And then the loss of Ross–
Still, nearly a year on, Francis can hardly bear to think of it. 
He would resent James Clark Ross if he could, would resent Ann if it was possible, but he loves them both too dearly. And, on some level, he does not blame Ann for demanding that her husband-to-be leave academia for a reliable–and lucrative–office job. 
Unfortunately, now that he and Fitzjames are stuck together on this sinking ship of a department, he has started to…like the man. 
It is the sort of liking that prickles uncomfortably. The kind of liking that Francis resents, that makes him cruel and snappish, pushing James away because having him close is unbearable. 
James looks at him like a kicked puppy, every time, and then comes crawling back, all wide eyes and nervously wagging tail, begging for attention and praise. 
Francis will never, ever let James know that he secretly agrees with him. 
That he also believes John Franklin will be a disaster as Ross’ replacement. It will be the final nail in the coffin for their program.
Francis is ready to accept that fate. 
James is not. 
A fact he had just nearly made plain, before Francis kissed him and shut him up.  
Department Christmas parties are always a little fraught. Too much alcohol, making tongues too loose. Too much informality, hosted as it is at one of the faculty’s houses. With their current tensions, it is a recipe for disaster–a.k.a. James attempting to garner support for his ridiculous idea that Francis should be their next chair. 
Francis has no doubt that is what James was about to do. His cutoff sentence would have finished with the suggestion that Francis’ name be tossed in the hat. 
Absolutely not, Francis had thought. And, somewhere beneath that, his lips look so soft. 
It was perhaps not his wisest decision to plant one on his colleague in front of all his other colleagues. At the annual Christmas party. While wearing a truly hideous Christmas-themed jumper of all things. 
It was not wise, certainly, to hold a lighter to the kindling of their attraction. 
Francis has been dutifully avoiding it, ignoring James’ pleading, confused little looks, as if he cannot understand why Francis is denying him when the tension between them fairly sparks at even the faintest glance. 
Francis has ensured that there is no opportunity for it to ignite. He sits far from James at faculty meetings, keeps his office door closed and ignores James’ knocking, makes sure they are never alone in a deserted hallway. 
And now he has thrown it all to shit because he does not want to be the fucking department chair. 
Still, he thinks dazedly, he cannot really bring himself to regret it. 
Not when James tilts his head to get a better angle, sucking Francis’ lower lip between his teeth as if he would have him inside as fully as possible. One of his hands has come up to cup Francis’ face, gentle and sweet in perfect contrast to the frankly wanton way he kisses. As if he is asking to be filled up. 
Francis is hit with the sudden, sinking certainty that he’s going to run for fucking department chair. 
Not because he wants to, god, never. 
But because James wants him to. 
He could deny the gorgeous creature in his arms nothing, nothing at all. Would give anything to keep James happy and pliant and looking up at Francis with the sort of awe and devotion on his face right now, right this moment, as James finally pulls back to search his face. 
Francis’ hand has migrated to the small of James’ back. On impulse, he uses it to press James closer, making him arch his back and press his chest forward against Francis’ own. James breathing stutters.
Belatedly, Francis glances around. 
Everyone has moved on–the catered food has arrived. They are paying attention to Francis and James not one whit, distracted by the mouthwatering scent of chicken shawarma.
James continues to look at Francis with stars in his eyes. 
“Take me home?,” he finally says, and it is so small, so soft, that Francis’ heart nearly cracks in half. He had not realized he was hurting James so very deeply (a lie if he ever heard one, but also one for which he will most dutifully repent).
He rubs his thumb over James’ arm, soothing. 
“Alright. Let’s get our coats.”
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2023 was fun! It’s my first year reading fan fiction so it’s been one of the horniest and the thirstiest years of my life!😁 I found a lot of amazing people here and this hellsite truly became my home in 2023!💖
I want to say ‘thank you’ to people who made this year very special for me and wish them all wonderful 2024!😘 I came up with some categories so here they are!💖
✨The “OMG” fic of the year
This one goes to Promise /a dragon!Ezra x f!reader/ by @criticallyacclaimedstranger I’m a proud monster fucker but holy hell I surprised myself when I loved this fic so much!🥵 it’s hot and also very sweet and beautifully written!😍❤️ After reading it I had long and thorough discussions about the logistics of dragon fucking with a few people and had the best time!😄
✨The series I love with all my heart
Stay In Bed /pre outbreak!joel miller x f!reader, one sided tommy miller x f!reader/ by @psychedelic-ink is amazing, touching and beautiful! I felt a ton of emotions reading about Joel and reader’s journey to each other. Thank you for writing it, Sil!🫶
✨The “I’m too old for this, my heart nearly stopped” fic of 2023
Every Inch pt 3 /m!ghostface x f!reader/ by @toxicanonymity was so hot that it nearly killed me😅I had to open the window to get some fresh air cos reading it made me dizzy with hyperventilation. I survived thus I strongly recommend to TRY THIS AT HOME‼️
✨The loveliest co-writer of 2023
@milla-frenchy my friend, my twin, my co-writer💖 your support gave me confidence to come out with my own writing which wasn’t easy😅 thank you!🫂 It’s always a pleasure to write with you and I hope to continue our creative journey in 2024. I love you, baby! Check out her masterlist! It’s gold!🥵🥵🥵
✨The most unhinged reader
@gracieispunk created a reader so unhinged, badass and hot that she sometimes overshadows Maintenance Man!Joel himself!😍 Tenant Girl takes what she wants and I love her for it‼️💖
✨My man, my love, my everything
Do you have an emotional support character who can make you feel happier, safer, calmer when you simply think about them? I do thanks to @toxicanonymity ! Nightwalks Joel is my most favourite fictional man! The first, the best, the hottest! HELL YEAH!🍆🧎🏼‍♀️🐆
✨“If horrible, why so hot” character
Joel from the Wrong Way series by @romana-after-dark wins this one! This Joel is one of the darkest I’ve ever read and he makes me feral and I love him!😵‍💫🥵
✨The most read fic of 2023
Liquid Gold /Joel Miller x fem!pregnant!reader x Tommy Miller/ by @gasolinerainbowpuddles is my breastfeeding kink Bible and simply an extremely hot fic! no joke I thought of pinning it on my blog cos I searched for it that often. Just thinking about it now makes me feel like a reread is due!😵‍💫🫠
Also thank you, Puddles, for your hilarious memes!😆👏 you’re a treasure!💖
✨The most unique series
Muddy Waters /Ezra x F!Reader x Joel Miller/ by @bonezone44 blew me away this year! Its characters are complex, the plot is fascinating and unique, it’s like a diamond that shines differently when you look at it from a new angle❤️
✨DDDNE fic of the year
Whatever You Want /Comandante Veracruz x Reader/ by @iamasaddie is a non-con masterpiece! It’s not easy to keep the realism of the situation and still make it hot, but this story has a perfect balance of both!🥵🖤
Also Aly, thank for being such a great friend!💖 You’re hilarious, kind, gorgeous and a super talented writer and artist!😍👏 I love you!😘
✨My favourite writer of 2023
I dearly love many writers on this site. But this title goes to @toxicanonymity without a doubt❤️
You made this year for me, Toxy! I’ll never be normal about your writing, your talent, your characters, your kindness, your heart😍 Every series, every story of yours is perfect! Thank you for everything you gave me and all of us this year! I love you, friend!💖🫂😘
✨My favorite people in 2023
My moots, my lovelies, my friends! Y’all made me laugh, cry happy tears, thirst, FEEL things like I’ve never felt before! I LOVE YOU ALL💖 @missannwinchester @milla-frenchy @toxicanonymity @iamasaddie @neverwheremoonchild @lumoverheaven @multiversed-daydreamer @beefrobeefcal @lunitawrites @rubyfruitjungle @xdaddysprincessxx @ellasinnombre @princessanglophile @romanarose @gasolinerainbowpuddles @noxturnalpascal @gracieispunk @ghoulettesinspace @janaispunk @funnygirlthatgab @jupiter-soups @seratuyo
Special smooches to my wifey @missannwinchester who has to deal with my nonsense every single day😅😘😘😘 LOVE YOU, SWEETIE🫂❤️
If you feel you should be on the list and I missed you, you’re absolutely right and I deserve a good spanking for not including you!😏
HAVE AWESOME 2024 Y’ALL!!! WOOOOOO!🥳🎊✨💖💖💖
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punkeropercyjackson · 1 month
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"The Atsv fandom is so obsessed with Spiderdads because they didn't give us a canon queer relathionship!!!"Yes they did.They literally fucking did,Gwen's finally a canon trans girl after decades of accidental subtext that slowly escalated into equally accidental coding so the writers did research to canonize her and do it respectfully and realistically and they also adapted Hobie as a gnc character basing his style and presentation off irl genderqueer black punks and their dynamic is that he's a slightly older non-cis person with way more experience that took her in after her abusive dad that only pretended to fully support her kicked her out so they became best friends and love eachother with their whole hearts and have a lot in common but also a few differences and act super protective of eachother,that's queer,that's the t in lgbt,it happens irl,it happened IN CANON but none of you talking skidmarks care about trans girls and black trans people and the almost inherent solidarity between us we cherish so dearly so much none of you care about Gwen and Hobie either because Gwen's a cute lil pastel punk trans girl who hasn't finished transitioning and does her best to be nice despite all the trauma fuckery she goes through and probably loves actual indie stuff instead of Taylor Swift or some other poser shit and Hobie's an extremely strongfeatured and by extension equally cute black punk who does actual activism and direct action and his blackness is extremely important both in a meta sense and to him personally and Gwen treats Hobie like a person instead of a pet or an abuser and Hobie treats Gwen like a person too instead of a sex object or a monster so y'all 'just can't relate' since you only care about your white boys who aren't even canon trans because they speak fluid sarcasm and dress like geeks and that's why you'd rather turn Peter B into a sexual harraser WHEN HE'S CANONICALLY A CSA SURVIVOR IN THE COMICS and Miguel into a latin lover who also gets animalized.Leave the fandom i'm so serious,Gwen and Hobie don't deserve to have their beautiful relathionship ignored in favor of.......ALL THIS.I don't even know what to call it,it's just fucking disgusting and i wish y'all had never known Miguel and my mans since 2018 exist ong
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missdrake · 1 year
Note
I know your not taking requests but I don’t think of this as a request- Please ignore if so, just wanted to hop on this trail.
What the heir reader- Would the greens trying and take the throne away from the reader? Viserys naming her because he believes it was right and that some how she is the prince that was promised. Knowing the whole yandere feelings everyone has for the reader will make things complicated. Like for instance Otto loves you dearly but also uses it as a chance to have you grow by his side. He also proposes a marriage for your hand to Aegon but it shot down by his daughter and king.
I do believe that rhaenrya would have been upset but seeing how much the reader is dealing with/And helping the realm for the better she stays by her side (She would regardless) but back to the greens for now. Alicent, Otto, And the green side believes it is to much of a job for the reader to take on. Think of all the risks on her life, the constant decision making- It is not fitting for someone like you. They make it about doing what’s best for you. (that’s what try to believe.
Deamon and rhaenrya are fuming with anger hearing what has happened, not only did they not tell them that Viserys dead but they had token  your title. The war begans like that for the sides fighting for what’s best for you, team green justifying their actions as a way to help you, then team black who fights for you and of your honor and duty. 
Eventually, the greens would try to take the throne away from the reader. Alicent at first will refuse ever doing this to you. Otto as much as he loves you, he’s a man of ambitions. He will push for Alicent to have you wed Aegon when the two of you come of age. It’s a union that Viserys would have rejected, mostly in fear of how Rhaenyra and Daemon may react. 
When that doesn’t work, Otto will convince Alicent that this is not a task meant for you. That you are one of a gentle heart, the second you sit on the throne, your fate may end like Aenys. The stress will eat you alive until it kills you. And if there was an assassination attempt on your life, it will convince Alicent further that is all for your own good and safety. 
When Viserys utters his last words and dies soon after. Otto and Alicent will order you to be locked up in your chambers. There is the aching guilt, the constant battle in Alicent’s head. But Viserys said her son’s name. This is all for your sake, for your benefit. She only wants the best for you. Otto genuinely believes this as well, either you be a queen consort or not have the throne at all. He will even have you rule over Dragonstone if you wish to. 
It makes Aegon further conflicted. He has no desire to be king and doesn’t wish to steal your claim. He more so is afraid you will hate him for it. The only convincing Aegon may have is if he were to wed you the moment he comes back to the castle. It will further support his claim and either way you will be queen, one with less power, but nevertheless a queen. 
Aemond would also feel conflicted. But as Alicent was manipulated by Otto, she too will implement these ideas that you are unfit to rule, that your life will be in constant danger. It makes Aemond think if he were a king, he would be able to protect you. He had the desire to rule alongside you. Aemond also resists the union between you and his brother. His brother, at the very least, can keep the throne. He will get to keep you. 
Rhaenys who remain in king’s landing is not surprised to know of the usurpation. She has always suspected the greens and has warned you and Corlys many times. Rhaenys, as though she doesn’t voice it to Alicent, refuses to kneel and accept Aegon as king. 
When she releases Meleys from the dragonkeep, her first instinct is to take you with her. It could lead to the reader having to remain in king’s landing or be on dragonstone if Rhaenys succeeded in taking her. Either way, the blacks will want to declare war on the greens for taking your rightful claim. 
Rhaenyra was hurt when Viserys chose you as an heir over hers, but her love for you is greater than any ambition or wishes. Daemon also feels a bit bitter, but as Rhaenyra, he’s eager to fight for your honor and duty. In this case, Rhaenyra has no knowledge of the prophecy unless the reader tells her. Rhaenyra and Daemon also do it out of love for Viserys as they know he will never choose Aegon over you. The children are all willing to fight for you, Baela and Jace especially. 
The relationship between the Velaryons and Rhaenyra are a bit rocky, but Rhaenys will be on your side in the war and so will Corlys. And if they must work together to bring back what’s yours then so be it. At the time, they will also gather allies. With Cregan’s connection to the reader, the Starks will surely join their side of war. 
The realm is divided into two sides. One that supports Aegon’s claim and one that supports the reader. It doesn’t matter to either side if the reader doesn’t wish for war. Even if the reader is wed to Aegon or perhaps Aemond, the war still rages on, with many demanding the reader to wear the conqueror's throne. Rhaenyra, Alicent and Rhaenys are the only ones who may listen to the reader. But when the news of Luke’s death reached Rhaenyra, it became far more personal. 
Though no matter what happens, the reader is to never be harmed in any way. The greens and blacks let it be known any who shall lay a hand on her will face the worst fate known to man. 
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◇ 𝓐 𝓑𝓵𝓮𝓼𝓼𝓮𝓭 𝓘𝓶𝓹𝓮𝓻𝓯𝓮𝓬𝓽𝓲𝓸𝓷 ◇ [1]
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SYNOPSIS:
Many consider your disability as a burden, but he finds a way to make it a blessing in disguise. What makes us flawed is what makes us unique, and that is what he considers the most beautiful thing about you—an imperfection he dearly adores. Nevertheless, he knows of your lingering sorrows and seeks a way to support you in the best way he could.
ENTRY TYPE: Submission, F!Reader
WARNING(S): slightly suggestive scenes, symptoms of chronic/terminal illness, implications of mental instability, mentions of past trauma resulting to severe injury, scenes of past abuse/violence, possible triggers, panic attacks, sleep paralysis, visual/auditory hallucinations, etc...
CHARACTER(S):
Aether (as Traveler & Abyss Prince), Albedo, Diluc Ragnvindr, Kaeya Alberich, Venti, Dainsleif
•☆••☆••☆•
AETHER is like a star in the abyssal sky, constantly in sight yet far out of mortal reach. He carries the wishes of others, granting them in acts of what shall be seen as miracles or blessings. When time arrives for departure, he shoots across the cosmos with a trail of light that leaves witnesses mesmerized. Alas, he whom was born half of a whole, the name of this Traveler is forever bound to that of another—his dear sister, Lumine. Due to these same ties, he undergoes a quest across Teyvat to find her. The promise of a reunion always uttered by his lips, hopeful and eager yet never taking for granted the steps he took.
The lonely young man is at odds with the world. He could barely trust anyone after some god caused him to separate from his younger sibling. However, this humble Viator continues to treat others amiably in hopes to be treated the same way. From nation to nation, the blond adolescent sought answers from this peculiar world that felt so nostalgic yet still so foreign to him. There are trying moments of grief and frustration, but also blissful days of celebration.
Throughout this path, it was entirely unexpected for him to develop an intimate attachment.
Aether was not a stranger to bittersweet partings, as someone whom has always hopped from one world to another. For this same reason, he and Lumine try not to get too invested in any realm they visit. It was better for them as well as for everyone else that welcome them so affectionately. There must always be a particular distance to maintain, since there can be no guarantee of their stay or return. A deeper tragedy is the knowledge they can easily outlive the dwellers of any world. Witnessing the birth and death of many stars since their youth, the twins have grown rather desensitized to friendships that would not last as long as their lifespan.
That is why this separation hits them where it hurts enough to leave a scar.
Then, there was you.
As a mere mortal in a world governed by gods, you are content to live your life the best way you know. It is a lifestyle that can change at your will. One day, you can be exploring as an adventurer. The next, you are a seamstress earning your keep for the week you plan to stay with the spinsters. Every other month, you do a variety of odd jobs that you have learned throughout your lifetime. As a human, you are most hyperaware that everything can be ephemeral...
...and someday, even your soul shall be relinquished to the judgment of Celestia.
Until then, it is yours to do as you see fit.
For this reason, you felt torn by the Pyro Vision that had been bestowed upon you. While most of your peers seek the blessing of the divine gaze, you have subconsciously sought to avoid it. Many saw it as a gift but you were raised under the notion that most presents come with strings. Earning the "eye of god" meant that you are under Celestia's watchful gaze, thus binding you to the Heavenly Principles. Their elemental blessings taunt mortals to dare reach for the stars, and gain a place amongst the divine if they are deemed worthy of it.
Well, you personally believe that only thineself can determine one's worth—no other, not even the gods.
Nevertheless, you move forward. Keep going on a quest without a destination, as you always do, until this fleeting life comes to its inevitable end.
Needless to say, there is one thing you genuinely did not see coming—
"I am so sorry, Miss!"
—and that was meeting your soulmate.
"It's fine." You replied.
Aether scrambles to collect your things while you do the same at a more relaxed pace. Your satchel had become so worn that it took a small bump to finally snap the strap. Now, all your possessions have been scattered across the ground. Fortunately, the blond stranger is a very kind and considerate young man.
Once you got everything, said stranger wasted no time apologizing profusely again.
"I should have been looking where I was walking! It was my fault."
You tilt your head, "You could just make it up to me and we can call it even."
His aureate eyes beamed as he nodded with an eager smile. At that moment, you wonder if he is the personification of the sun.
You smiled serenely, "I'm [Name]."
He pauses, a flicker of doubt passing through his gaze. Quick as it came, it disappeared as he smiled back—a tad softer.
"Just call me Aether."
That day, he bought you a new satchel.
When you were younger, your parents always said that one moment is the same as a thousand—you only need one. It was a proverb that both confused and unnerved you. After they died together due to sickness, the words were haunting as you buried them before leaving your village. Every moment was cherished by you, each one unique in the best and worst of ways. However, as both you and Aether keep crossing each other's paths after one meeting, a part of you finally thrums to life in understanding.
At one point, Aether even sought you out for a joint commission together.
"Don't you have a travelling partner?" You asked.
He laughs sheepishly, "He's a bit busy doing other things. Also..."
A light blush colored his cheeks, looking away as he scratched his nape lightly.
"...I wanted to spend some time with you."
You found him cute so you agreed.
On that particular day, Aether learned something new about you. It was the little things he had been noting every time you met. The way you sometimes slur even though not a drop of alcohol can be traced from your scent, how you try so hard to keep your emotions under a certain level of control, how your eyes randomly droop even when you always look so adequately well-rested, and the pills he saw you sneak into your meals/drinks—you were ill. Perhaps, it was not the traditional ailment that left you weak and bedridden. The scariest symptom has been the occasional hallucinations that distract you, since the more vivid ones tend to set off your Vision. Anything within a meter radius is either set aflame, or rises up in temperature. It is why you always remind him to keep a certain distance whenever you tend to space out. He never prodded because you gave him the same respect of privacy by never prying into his life, even if he saw the incessant curiosity he adored about you. Still, he looks after you because he had to admit he truly grew fond of you.
Then, on your way home, you just abruptly collapsed as if your entire body went boneless.
"[Name]—!!!"
Aether caught you just in time before your head hit the ground. He checks your temperature for a fever, and then searches for some wounds you might have missed. You have a high pain tolerance, which can sometimes be a disadvantage whenever an injury goes unnoticed. There was a time a scratch almost got infected, or even when you nearly bled out because a poison prevented coagulation.
When he saw no signs, the outlander lifts you up in his arms and calls for the nearest doctor.
Thankfully, nothing was amiss and you just needed to rest while adjusting your diet.
Aether witnessed the true horror of your condition when you abruptly woke up half past midnight. He was already passed out on your bedside, sat on the ground and his head resting on his forearms. The chaise lounge would have been practical, but the blond felt the urge to be near you. At some point, he just dozed off.
On the other hand, you jolted awake with a choked gasp and widened eyes of terror. It was not due to any frightening nightmare. This is just how it always goes every time you wake up: frozen stiff, terrified, and barely breathing. Your pupils dilate as your iris moved wildly to make sense of your surroundings, pointedly ignoring the shadows manifesting into something monstrous. The candle on the nightstand was unfortunately almost fully spent, flickering to its last embers of light. With every dance, the shadows seem to get closer and slithering to get their clawed hands on you.
Alas, the candlelight spares you one last hope of salvation amidst this merciless night.
Sunshine golden hair glowed, emitting a silver halo as moonlight peeked from the half-open blinds. As much as you are able, you desperately crane your neck to see your companion. Tears blur your sight but the silhouette is unmistakable to you. His warm breath blew against your fingers, centimeters away from his lips as he breathed. Chilling goosebumps ran across your skin yet you welcomed it, hoping to regain mobility from this nightmarish paralysis. Your hand twitched, wishing to get ahold of this precious little sun—uncaring if it burns.
If you are to be like Icarus, then you would prefer an end embraced by warmth and light...
...instead of ice and darkness.
Perhaps, pyro suited you for this reason.
Your lips purse, crying in anguish to speak.
"A...Ae...A-Aether..."
To your relief, that seems to be enough to awaken the young man. However, respite is all too brief as your chest seizes up. The mere act of breathing gets difficult, and your heartbeat grew alarmingly slow as it echoed alongside the tinnitus in your ears.
Aether blinks awake, expecting the grace of morning light. Instead, he was met with your agonized gaze in a darkening room. In an instant, he snaps into full attention as he cups your face. You cannot hear him but you can guess that he must be firing questions out of concern.
"[Name], what's wrong?! Are you in pain? What can I do? How can I help?" He exclaimed.
You gasped and hoarsely coughed.
"C-Can't...breathe...I..."
The blond quickly thinks back to whenever Lumine experienced minor panic attacks. He assumes this is relatively similar, so he hopes his next actions will help rather than harm. Gently and carefully, he takes you into his arms. Back against the headboard, the new position situates you comfortably on his lap as one arm is secured around your waist. He takes both of your trembling hands with his free one, directing them to rest against his sternum.
"[Name]," he says softly yet firmly, "I need you to focus on me, okay? Focus for me. Hey—"
He catches your frantic gaze around the room and mindfully tilts your head back to meet his stare. They are brimming with steadfast reassurance, not at all deterred by the dark beasts. Your head rests against his shoulder while you do as he told—closing your eyes to only relish his warmth, consume his scent, and listen to his voice.
"Breathe with me. Inhale, exhale..."
His chest rises and falls, to which you mimic the rhythm in return.
"Feel my pulse, and use it as your center."
One hand keeps hold of his and the other seeks his heart, obeying the instructions.
The hand connected to the arm securing your back drift to your hair. At that moment, you realize that Aether's hands are ungloved. Wandering fingers comb through your strands, calming you down with a soothing pet. Little by little, you regain movement in your limbs yet you rest limply—content.
"That's it." Aether whispered, "You're doing great. Just keep repeating the exercise with me."
"Aether..."
"I'm here. I'll always be here."
You wept and sobbed, "Aether..."
"I know." He murmurs as he cries with you, "You've been so strong, [Name]. Everything's fine. You're not alone anymore."
You look up, "Promise?"
He looks back, "I promise."
The hand on his chest reaches for his white scarf as you pull him down. He obliges as his grip on you tightened, holding you close while your free hands adjust to interlace with each other.
That was the first kiss of many.
Day or night, Aether stood by you. Every battle was fought together. Every quest was finished together, sometimes with his elusive partner named Dainsleif whom was later introduced to you. On the journey to search for his sister, he even renewed his vows.
"When we find her, you can come with us."
You smile teasingly, "I don't have world-hopping powers."
He narrows his eyes at you, unyieldingly headstrong and determined.
"I'll find a way to bring you with us anyway."
He raises your hand to his lips with a sly grin.
"You're not getting rid of me~!"
Aether cradled you in adoration as if you were an endless summer amidst the cold loneliness of his sister's absence. You beheld him as if he was the sun bringing life to the paradise of your evanescent mortality. The pair of you were thriving happily, hand in hand, even after discovering the truth of this world—and dictating the journey's end.
Then, your Vision broke mysteriously, and you were condemned to an enchanted sleep.
Aether cursed the divine and all of Teyvat for it. He figured this was his price for learning the truth, but taking you will be their gravest mistake. He severs his ties with Dainsleif, whom tried to console him into taking the righteous path. He viewed you as his friend as well, and he knew you would not want this for your lover.
Now, the Abyss Prince sits by your bed—waiting in forlorn hope. His ungloved knuckles caress your cheek lovingly. You were dressed in a nightgown with abyss colors, outlined by satin ribbons of silver and gold. A crown of inteyvat rested on your head, petals scattered across your spread locks draped over silk pillows. They have grown after the past centuries but he dutifully trims them to an acceptable length.
"Your Highness," the Abyss Herald called, "it is time."
Aether paused. His honey gaze hardens and his aura turns cold. He breathes deeply, eyes closed to lean down and leave a chaste kiss on your brow.
"I will return shortly, my love."
He puts on his gloves, taking leave resolutely.
Even if the sun turns black, you will both find your way back to each other. Even as the moon is painted red, goodbye will never be an option. Every star in the sky—false or otherwise—shall bear witness to a union that even the Heavenly Principles would dare not destroy. Should this world be torn asunder, the reckoning cannot spell departure for either you or Aether. This is the eclipse that will pave the way to a new world, as the Abyss Order entails.
For if fate can only be accepted, thy vows shath be sworn by royal decree—
"You are my predestined person, the one I will always choose."
•☆••☆••☆•
ALBEDO discovered that there is beauty in what the heart perceives which the eyes cannot see. As an artist, he can grasp onto the concept yet is unable to truly understand it since he heavily relies upon his sight. As an alchemist, whatever eludes him may come into being by his own hands and thus enable him to attain it. The pursuit of truth is a mere matter of time and place, preordained even if hidden. As the most prized creation of Rhinedottir, he was given the task of uncovering the truth of this world for himself as a purpose in life. Even if to exist is a sin in the eyes of Celestia, he must endure and keep moving forward to reach his answers.
Amidst such dedicated research, there was little time and effort to be spared for attachments. The Chief Alchemist of Ordo Favonius finds it much too difficult to maintain. Of course, exceptions has been made throughout the years. Aside from his master, he had bonded with Alice and Klee as family. He had also made friendships with his colleagues amongst the Knights of Favonius and his subordinates, whom he taught the art of alchemy. Alas, as an artificial human created by a sinner, he feels as if he can never belong anywhere. Regardless of these bonds, the Kreideprinz feels as if a part of his heart remains hollow. 
It came to him that this place was reserved for you, the apple of his eye.
Ever since Albedo met you, a new muse began to live within his heart. People consider it as seeing the world through rosy lenses; but for him, it felt as if everything appeared clearer than facts...
...and it was beautiful.
The sun shines brighter. The wind blows cooler. The grass looks greener. Therefore, life is that much greater and sweeter. He is still in pursuit of truth, yet he felt as if the magnum opus was already in his hands—molded in the shape of you.
His only lament was that you could not see it alongside him.
You were not born blind. It happened from an act of jealousy and unkindness. Before you came to the City of Freedom, you were a noblewoman dwelling in Fontaine and worked as an artist. Much like him, you love to paint and draw but Albedo always argues that you were better at it. He had seen your works long ago, and every single piece has never failed to inspire him. It was as if each painting can bequeath aspirations, letting it blossom from the hearts of the people that view it.
Then, news spread that your entire atelier was set on fire while you were still in it...
...and then, you lost your eyes.
The Hydro Vision in your hand may have been the sole reason you even survived. Many speculated that you can never make art the same way again.
You came to Mondstadt, wishing to break free from the suffocating experience. You struggled to regain your passion, overcome your sorrows.
Then, you met Albedo; and one thing led to another.
It started when you were taking a stroll in Springvale with your guide dog, Vincent. He is a very spirited Golden Retriever, protective and responsible. You both stumble upon a young girl named Klee, whom was busy fighting a bunch of hilichurls. You opted to stand aside and calm your snarling canine friend, petting his head. When your keen hearing detected irregular breathing and racing heartbeat, you realize that the little girl was getting overwhelmed. She must have fought other hoards before your arrival, and now you hear slimes joining the fray. Thus, you order Vincent to keep his distance and engaged.
Sword unsheathed from your walking cane, you attack the ones behind Klee. Her bombs startled you when they exploded too close, but your hydro shield easily deflected any friendly fire. Vapor damage is then redirected to the monsters, tempering the girl's mines and lasers so your skin will not be singed by the building heat. Vincent was barking wildly like a supportive cheerleader, growling whenever you get nicked or whenever the other girl yelped.
Soon, the fight was over.
The pitter-patters of tiny feet went towards you, and stopped at an arm's length. You look down, smiling kindly yet not sheathing your blade.
"Thank you for helping Klee!" She chirped.
You chuckle, "You're welcome."
Vincent came running towards you, shamelessly nuzzling your legs. He then licks Klee's hand in his own way of befriending her, causing the girl to giggle from the ticklish sensation. She hugs him around the neck, and you can only tilt your head in amusement.
"What's your name, Miss?"
"You may call me [Name]."
The hairs at your nape rose. Although you can see nothing else but darkness, your eyes also snapped open with a dark glower. By instinct, you swung your sword to strike whomever snuck behind you.
A resounding clang echoed in your ears, as metal struck against metal. Another sword has parried yours skillfully yet makes no move to counter.
"Brother Albedo...!" Klee exclaims.
Upon realization that this is no stranger, you swiftly disengaged with a soft apology. The gesture was returned as the man apologized for startling you. To your amazement, Vincent did not seem to be wary of this newcomer. The dog merely barked gruffly, a bit admonishing, instead of growling defensively like he always did.
"You dropped this." Albedo said.
You hesitantly presented your hand to receive whatever he was giving. A familiar cloth is placed on your palm. You belatedly realized that it was your blindfold. It is a durable silk fabric that kept your burn scars from showing. Your disfigured face has been exposed all this time for Klee to see.
It must have been a horrifying sight—
"Your eyes are very pretty, Miss [Name]!"
Your breath hitched at the unexpected compliment, turning away shyly. As you wore the blindfold again, Klee notices Albedo smiling in awe at you. She put up her hands to cover her mouth and muffle her mischievous giggles.
"I agree." He murmured.
You nodded, "Many thanks."
Albedo never told you, but for him, it was love at first sight the moment his eyes met yours. There have been solitary days spent in Dragonspine where he wondered tirelessly:
Would it have been a mutual feeling if you could have seen him back then too?
From then onwards, the mysterious alchemist had turned into a close friend. He acted as a personal pillar of support in unexpected ways. The little ball of sunshine that is Klee turned into a source of lighthearted joy for you as well. They tend to visit your home in the city together, offering gifts and knick-knacks. The habitual meetings resulted into some new friends who helped you settle down in Mondstadt, especially Eula. Her own aristocratic lineage helped you two bond about a lot of things, even when she vehemently rejects hers—which is frankly for understandable reasons. You both share the sentiment that genuine nobility upholds the belief of noblesse oblige above all.
Albedo, most of all, enabled you to regain the love you thought had been lost forever with your sight.
Although life still hit hard with how you struggle to create art, your appreciation for it was reborn and you are experiencing everything all over again as something new. Regardless of the burns and scars that made you insecure, the Kreideprinz made you feel nothing less than desirable and deserving of love. Though the blankness of your gaze saddens him, and sometimes even angers him due to the injustice you were dealt—he saw beauty in all that is you, and everything that blossoms from your hands.
Just for a moment, he wanted to show you what he sees the only way he knew: to create.
Vincent guided you into Albedo's personal art studio in Mondstadt. The canine looked more excited than you. He nipped at the alchemist's white coat, tail wagging as he sat by your feet but paid attention to your lover. Charming eyes swept between you two as if awaiting praise and treats for a job well done.
For a moment, Albedo was reminded of Klee and it made him smile. He kneels down before the dog, patting his head. After a few minutes of petting, he relinquishes the promised treat.
Vincent then ran to his corner, satisfied. Usually, he is very protective and ends up hovering next to you; but with Albedo, he knows you are safe.
You giggled amusedly.
"Sometimes," your lover sighed, "I think he only likes me to get treats and headpats. He also only comes to me by whining to play."
You smirked teasingly, "Sounds familiar."
Albedo paused before giving you a scolding look, yet the twitching smile betrayed him. He was then taken aback when you presented him a small gift bag and a bouquet of cecilia flowers.
"Happy Anniversary~!" You said.
He smiles, accepting your gifts to greet you back.
"Happy Anniversary, [Name]."
Per usual greeting, Albedo takes your hands in his to let them settle. Then, you let go to just feel as they glide across his skin. He closes his eyes to relish your caresses, nuzzling when you reach his face and touched his cheeks. From there, you felt his smile and it spurned yours.
However, as the alchemist opened his eyes, he had witnessed the spark of sadness in yours.
On your first anniversary together, Albedo crafted a special gift. A wooden easel held a blank canvas, or so it seems. If not for the colorful palette and wet brushes, nobody would spare it any glance or even thought. He guides you in front of him, encasing you in his arms and pressing his chest to your back. His lips whispered instructions almost seductively, soft and sensual as he lifted your hands to move them forward.
"Go ahead." He implored your touch.
Fingertips make contact with what seems to be a canvas, but with bumps on it that definitely felt like braille. Your brows furrowed in confusion, unable to interpret it as anything. You can decipher some sort of pattern, but nothing in the braille alphabet comes to mind that makes sense.
"Don't think in words, love." Albedo advised, "Imagine it as you would paint a landscape."
He is familiar with your art technique. After all, he has always been a fan since he first purchased your work at an auction. His keen observation noticed that the colors bloom from the center. Then, multiple layers come to refine the structure and control the shades. Once the painting is complete, the basic foundations are harder to notice but details never escape Albedo. To him, it felt like he was seeing two images in a single painting: one perceived by sight, and another perceived by heart—dual masterpieces for the price of one.
You follow his words and thus you begin to deduce a work of something.
The braille patterns made you think of Mondstadt's flower meadows, petals of cecilia and seedheads of dandelions fluttering in the breeze. An orb that seems to be the sun is raised eastward with what appeared to be outlines of birds, aflight in the cloudy horizon. There are faint marks connoting mountains in the distance, and flowing swirls that felt like wave patterns along the coast. To further understand his message, you sought the center much like how you used to paint.
Albedo detects your newfound focus, aware that an image has been imprinted upon your mind.
"[Name]," he murmured tenderly, "I need you to keep your hands on the canvas. I will guide you in this next step. Do you trust me?"
You smiled meaningfully, "Always."
A loving caress upon your skin is accompanied by a chaste kiss on your crown.
"I cannot give you the world—"
Then, the brailles moved.
"—but I can leave a piece of it in your hands."
You quickly realize that the brailles were not made of ordinary material. Days and nights of listening to your lover's random alchemy ramblings allowed you to learn a thing or two. This braille painting has been constructed with special elemental crystals. From the feel of it, they respond strongly to elemental energy—particularly yours and Albedo's combined, both currently being channeled. Depending on the crystal, it can resonate with other elements.
Beneath your hands, the patterns moved in looping motion to signify that it was animated. Furthermore, the energy that resonated from every shard is almost alive. Anemo can be felt from the swaying of the dandelions, and dendro amplified the scent of the scattered cecilia across the grassland. Even the painted sun emits a comforting warmth due to hints of pyro, as if bathing the scenery with its light. The waves along the shoreline felt moist due to hydro, which resonated strongly with you—and for a short second, you actually miss Fontaine. The mountains are the familiar cold of cryo, which then registered for you that it was likely a reference of Dragonspine.
Just from this, your mind's eyes can almost envision the outline of a city—one founded by Barbatos.
In Albedo's eyes, the special formula for the paint which Sucrose helped him concoct had finally revealed itself. To outsiders, the canvas is nothing more but a lumpy surface. In truth, the blind will see its true form; and when given life via elemental energy, the rest will be unveiled. To you whom once knew the colors of the world, the simple animations of the image form a kaleidoscope that provides you melancholic nostalgia. By your fingertips, it certainly felt as if Albedo had given you a piece of the world that only you can see.
For this one moment, he and you can perceive the same world.
Tears gathered in your eyes yet a heartfelt smile radiantly shone upon your face. A sob of genuine happiness wracked your throat. As your knees begin to weaken, you leaned on the man that helped you see again—
—even if only a few seconds.
Albedo also smiled in relief, fully embracing you around the shoulders in support. He let you take in the moment while he basked under the blessing of your presence.
"If there is anything else you wish to see again," he solemnly swore, "I will be your eyes and shall piously present its sights to you."
At his oath, you abruptly let go of the painting and turned. Cupping his face in your hands, your lips eagerly meet his. Albedo returns your passionate amor with fervor, ever delighted to please you. He wishes to someday discover the truth of this world, as his master bade him to do. His one desire is that you would be there beside him when he does.
Even if destruction came by his hand, he already knows one truth by heart—
"The beauty of this world forever pales in comparison to you."
•☆••☆••☆•
DILUC RAGNVINDR is an uncrowned king raised as a noble gentleman of chivalry and gallantry. From the fiery red of his hair to his stern crimson glare, he upholds his aristocratic lineage with dignity. The cumbersome title of lord dictates the gravity of his obligations to Mondstadt. Whether as a nocturnal vigilante or as master of Dawn Winery, those who dare to threaten his home will face the wrath of his flames. Sinners who refuse penance shall have their blood paint the mighty blade of his claymore, as a furious firebird sends the wicked to retribution.
As a man coveted by many, he keeps his circle small and tightly knit. An outsider's only chance to ever earn his favor is to either make themselves useful to Mondstadt, or by earning the approval of his more compassionate wife.
That woman is none other than you.
Diluc met you as a playmate in his childhood. His father, Master Crepus, was both a close friend and trusted business partner of your parents. Like the Ragnvindrs, your family specializes in the wine industry—specifically the medicinal values that are incorporated in liquor. Although your own father is from Mondstadt, he settled down in Liyue upon marrying your mother. Secretly, you and Diluc were arranged to be married. Everything worked out well since you both actually liked each other a lot. He was a very protective yet supportive friend, while you were a tactful and encouraging listener. When Kaeya had joined the family, the three of you became quite the inseparable trio.
Then, Crepus Ragnvindr died.
Everything happened so fast. Before you knew it, your fiancé chose to disappear and left only a single note for you as goodbye. It was not even a proper farewell, at least not the kind he made sure to give you every time. Even if there was little to no sincere romance in your engagement, you both respected each other as equals. However, his final note had completely staggered you.
"Don't wait for me." It said.
Such a heavy message in merely four words...
You understand what he means by it. He has made a decision wherein he would prefer to not involve you, and thus opting to let you go. The contract regarding the engagement was never too binding. Crepus had assured that either of you can break it off if you both reach such a consensus. However, the former head of the Ragnvindr Clan did not just choose any girl to be paired with his son. He specifically took interest in you because he always knew—if any woman can ever match his son and heir in terms of headstrong stubbornness, it can only be you.
With the patience of a saint, you graciously accepted Diluc's decision. However, it did not mean you would back down so easily.
Honestly, you see it as poor manners to just leave things with a note. You have to just wait in the Dawn Winery so you can give him a proper scolding upon his inevitable return. Until then, you were more than willing to manage everything else on his behalf. The servants were ecstatic to find out you meant to stay despite their young master's wishes. Your parents were also very considerate, only ever wishing for your happiness since then and now.
Under your supervision, Dawn Winery flourished and maintained dignity after the loss of its masters. You hold the cunning and integrity of any businessman worth their salt. Adelinde, Elzer, and the entire staff can attest that you are more strict than even the late Lady Ragnvindr—wife of Master Crepus.
Kaeya never confided to you whatever caused the fallout between him and his brother. However, he seemed so relieved and touched when you did not treat him differently. If anything, you seem to dote on him even more now—like a real older sister. He thus returns your kind and loving care equally, a bout of protectiveness that rivals your absent fiancé.
Years later, tragedy struck once again.
You were mistaken as the official Lady Ragnvindr by whichever enemies Diluc had made. They aimed to lure him out by means of threatening his supposed wife, taking you hostage. Despite being Visionless, you were far from a pushover. You did not go down without a fight and worked to plan your escape.
In the end, your captors thought you to be more trouble than your worth...
...and so, they aimed to kill you.
It is only due to Kaeya's timely arrival this instance that you did not follow Crepus.
However, you did not get out of the incident perfectly unscathed. The brutality you suffered had caused a critical and permanent injury on your spine. It is with heavy hearts that the doctors informed you of the grim situation: you can never walk again.
Diluc promptly returned to Mondstadt when Kaeya relayed the news to him via letter. He had been so devastated to realize that you almost died because of him. He wanted to protect you by letting you go, but he underestimated your resolve. In his mind, he knew the only way to truly get you far away from him is to make you hate him. Upon finding courage to visit you, he doubled down on his determination when he left you years ago. You deserve better, and the life he could give you as Lady Ragnvindr will only be a disappointment. You deserve so much better than waking up to a cold, empty bed and waiting on late nights.
He opened the door to your room in his manor, ready to break your heart so you can leave him.
However, his hardened goal fell short.
You sat by the window, as beautiful as the day he last saw you. Even confined to a wheelchair, you remain smiling so warmly. Your enchanting gaze meets his crimson pair, and he melted at the sheer adoration you bestowed upon him. Your cheeks took a rosy glow, and your smile widened—lips moving to utter words of welcoming him back home, yet he cannot hear a thing. His only thoughts revolved on how badly he wanted to kiss you right now.
Diluc missed you so much, and hence he realized that he really is a fool.
How can he ever survive if he truly broke your heart, the most precious thing you entrusted to him?
"Marry me." He said.
Much to his surprise, you only laughed and accepted—as if you always believed he would return to you.
It was truly laughable how easily you can weaken his resolve with a mere smile.
"It took you long enough, Master Diluc~!"
You winked at him as you laughed. Despite your lighthearted cheer, the redhead can see that the years apart took a toll on you. He crossed the room in graceful strides and he saw you more vividly. The bags under your eyes did little to dull their sparkle; the hollowness of your cheeks worried him but the rosy hue amplified their glamor; and your pallor was a little too pale for his liking, yet the freckles across your nose reassured him that you get enough sun on a daily basis.
Then, he bends down to hold you close and buries his face at the crook of your neck.
Your heart skipped lightly.
Then, you hugged him back—more tightly.
Diluc said nothing as he felt his shoulder get wet, and you did not make a sound as yours trembled.
"Welcome home." You whispered.
He grits his teeth to fight against the tears.
"I'm home." He murmurs.
The marriage started a little awkwardly. Three years had been a long time, and you both had changed in ways that put a strain on your dynamic. However, as you both learned to trust each other the way you did as kids, everything else flowed smoothly. You relied on him as he relied on you. Thanks to your endless patience, you managed to help your dear husband in anything that troubled his heart. At times, it is only by your gentle interventions that his overprotective tendencies can be quelled. It had become norm for the people of Mondstadt to see you at a cozy corner of Angel's Share—beside the bar, whenever your husband took a shift. Any shenanigans are put to a stop by a warning glare that seemed more scathing than any other nights. None of the patrons—drunk or otherwise—dare to start any ruckus as long as you were present in the tavern.
There is nothing that Diluc kept from you anymore, as he claimed no more secrets. Although, he was curious when you steered clear if the topic is Kaeya.
"It's not just your secret to share." You reasoned.
The redhead felt his love and respect for you deepen at the claim.
Now, you sat in your husband's office. While he was busy doing paperwork, you did embroidery on a silk pillow that got torn. However, there was a stifling air in the room that bothered him.
"What is it?" Diluc asked.
You raise a brow, "What do you mean?"
He stared back knowingly, "You have been redoing the same stitch for the past half hour. That only happens when you're distracted; and you're only ever distracted when something is troubling you."
The redhead leans back on his chair, dropping his quill to cross his arms.
"So," he continued, "what is it?"
You blushed at the fact you were caught so easily, but also flattered by how he is so attentive to you.
Diluc is then worried by your prolonged hesitance, gradually standing up from his chair. He walks up to you leisurely, kneeling by your side. His gloved hands take yours, mindful of your needlework as he placed it on the table. His vibrant eyes implore you to share your burdens, waiting and encouraging.
"I lied to you."
He frowns at your blunt confession but said nothing, tilting his head to let you continue.
"On our wedding," you reminisced, "you asked me what I wanted most so you could provide it. I replied that there was nothing more I could ever want since you asked me to marry you for real."
Your right hand carefully broke free from his, rising to tuck his fringe away. Your palm rests on his cheek and your husband savored it with fondness. He then recalls being ready to arrange a grandiose wedding that day, remembering how much you rambled about being like a princess in your shared childhood. As a young boy, it used to grate on his nerves; but as your fiancé, Diluc found it necessary to pay attention.
Back then, he did not question it when you asked for a simpler celebration. After all, a lot has changed between him and you—for better and for worse.
"However," you murmured, "there was one thing I had truly wished to experience with you."
Your eyes stray away from his, drifting towards the unfinished embroidery pillow. His own eyes follow, and he immediately understands. The picture's basic design depicts a pair of lovers dancing under the moonlit night. A gazebo frames their silhouettes while lampgrass grew around its base structure.
A wedding dance.
Diluc looks back up to you, smiling in exasperated affection. He then leans forward, taking you into his arms as he stood up. A mild squeak escapes your lips as your own arms clung to his neck, caught off guard by his sudden movement. Your husband steps out of the room while carrying you, yet offers no explanation whatsoever. Although you felt confused, it did not stop you from relaxing in his embrace and just leaning against him.
The redhead took you to the main foyer, and headed straight towards a small library corner. He dismisses the maid stationed to clean it, leaving you both in privacy. First, you were placed on the recliner near the fireplace. Then, he walked towards the old yet pristine gramophone. It belonged to his mother, he vaguely remembers. His father told him that she always loved to collect vinyls, a bittersweet sheen of unconditional love shining in his eyes.
The young lord wonders if the two of you would also remain as in love when you get older together.
"Diluc, what is this all about—"
You trailed off as waltz music began to play.
"When my wife wishes to dance," he says, "what kind of husband am I to refuse?"
A suave smirk on his handsome face leaves you so utterly breathless. Your heart races, bursting with an unspeakable joy to call this man yours. Captivated by the sight of him, you can only watch as he strides back to you—charming as a prince straight out of a fairy tale book. His gloved hand is presented with a chivalrous bow, his rare theatric side being shown only for you—always only for you.
"May I have this dance, Milady?" He asks.
You gape speechlessly for a minute. A part of you was reluctant. How can you possibly dance in this circumstance? Nonetheless, you trust Diluc more than anything so you accepted.
"You may."
Diluc gives a dazzling smile at your faith in him, and gently pulls you up. He expertly places your feet on his shoes, carrying your weight as you swayed. One of your hands is on his shoulder while one of his arms is wrapped firmly around your waist, holding you close. Your respective free hands are entwined, inseparable and perfectly at ease.
The marital couple moved fluidly and gracefully. You entrusted your body completely, to be moved in this dance he led confidently. Your patience and trust are returned by his warmth and protection, cradling you in a chrysalis that hopes to let you flourish. He even dares to help you twirl, making the skirt of your dress flutter like the petals of a wild rose in bloom.
The dreamlike sequence ends as he dips you into an intimate position. Heartbeats skip in sync, never of fear but of exhilaration.
Your hands leave his, believing he would never let you fall even if you let go. His grip transferred to your back and your nape, eager to be your support. You caress his face and pull him down for a searingly passionate kiss. He indulges you wholly, taking all that you have willingly given him. Your fingers shook as they entangle with his red mane. With the ease of a man who wields a claymore, he lifts you up. Your arms held tight around his neck, tilting into a new angle to not break the kiss. The fervor is returned a hundred fold, as if Diluc wishes nothing more than to fuse his soul with yours.
You are the one who empowers his flames, igniting his heart as your chosen Ifrit.
He made a vow at the altar, and not even death can do you part anymore—
"The privilege to call you mine is an honor I cannot surrender to fate."
•☆••☆••☆•
KAEYA ALBERICH is someone painfully aware of the power in words and uses it to his advantage. He is as mysterious as he is efficient at being the Cavalry Captain of Ordo Favonius. The charisma he exudes can be as menacing as the frigid coldness of his Cryo Vision. The swiftness of his blade can be more merciful than the secrets he ruthlessly exploits. As much as he is admired by his peers, everyone can unanimously agree that his enigmatic ways leave them a little wary to trust him entirely. Nevertheless, the cunning of a flightless bird is just as deadly as the venom of a pit viper. A reluctance to comply is merely a sign to delve deeper.
In the carefree city of Mondstadt, only one has squared up to his level and defeated him—
—in every sense of the word.
You are the dainty little assistant of Lisa Minci, the resident librarian of Mondstadt. She slyly evades all attempts of divulging how and from where she met you. It is rumored she just found you sewing some of her worn books one day, and then decided that she has to have you as her assistant. The only other thing known about your relationship with her is that she can be extremely protective to the point of territorial. Similarly, nobody can fully understand the eccentricities demonstrated by the Witch of Purple Rose as much as you do. Since your employment, a peaceful synergy can be observed in the workings of the library and even the Knights of Favonius HQ.
The most notable thing about you is how you never limit your goodwill to work. Anyone you can reach is always on the receiving end of compassion. As such examples, Lisa has proudly introduced you to many of her prestigious friends. Since then, it had become a norm for them to see you.
Jean always ends up a little more relaxed with the cups of coffee you brew for her. You serve her tea as a silent insistence when it was time to rest. Albedo and Sucrose now have a habit of asking your referral in finding the best locations for any ingredients they would need. At random times, you appear around the corner to help Noelle in the most menial tasks and labors. Whenever Amber returns from her daily outriding, she would find you welcoming her by the gates with some food and water. Lastly, even Eula has begun picking you up to join her for lunch on weekends. You are the only civilian that never treats her differently, and actually seems to like her very much as a friend.
In a bout of poetic irony, the only one that seems to rarely receive your kindness was Kaeya.
Of course, you were far from unkind or cruel. You still greet him amicably every time you cross paths in the hallways or city streets. However, his shrewd gaze can detect your hesitance to interact with him for prolonged periods of time. Politely asking you about it did him no good as well. You only stared at him skeptically before shrugging, as if he should know the answer. A part of him questioned why it even bothered him so much, but it was perhaps a matter of ego. He knows himself well enough to be aware that it could be the reason he kept persisting on gaining your favor.
When Kaeya decided to tell Lisa about his situation, she had the gall to laugh at him.
"It's because she sees right through you."
Kaeya raises a brow, "I beg your pardon?"
Lisa smiles sharply, "My darling [Name] is an astute judge of character. It's one of the reasons I adore her so much. Like you, she also knows her way with words. The more you talk while she listens, the more she compares the character she sees in your eyes and the persona that speaks with your lips. If they don't match up, she will consider you to be too dangerous."
For a moment, the Cavalry Captain felt his eyes darken defensively. A second later, they return to being detachedly bemused.
The Witch of Purple Rose catches the slip but does not comment on it. In fact, she willingly closes her eyes to let the man have his moment. However, she did continue to speak her piece.
"You're not a bad guy," she states, "and she knows that well. However, [Name] is the type who does not like to converse with people that refuse to respect the weight of the words they speak."
A beaming smile is given by the librarian as she pats her colleague on his shoulder.
"Try speaking a little more honestly! It might earn you some brownie points." She said.
Kaeya wanted to claim he is not going to bother and that he will just leave it at that. Alas, it seems he had found his match and could not resist your allure. In the end, he nodded before taking his leave.
To Lisa's credit, her advice worked.
Obviously, Kaeya did not lay everything out in the open; but he became more sincere in his efforts to befriend you. To his pleasant surprise, you may be taciturn and reserved but it did not make you shy at all. If anything, you were quite bold for a pretty little damsel. He playfully flirted with you a few times and you were barely fazed. You even flirted back with teasing glances and fleeting touches that—he was impressed to admit—flustered him in shock. Your dollface can be deceiving as well. He had seen you pettily tattle to Lisa about patrons that give you a hard time. In turn, the mage trusts you to be the one to remind her of anyone who is late on their book returns. Thus, he watched you just peacefully sip tea while your employer terrorized the poor souls that earned her wrath with an innocent smile.
You rewarded the Cavalry Captain's honest efforts by opening up to him a little.
It is here that Kaeya learned you were mute.
The cause was a very unfortunate birth defect when you were born prematurely. Your vocal chords did not grow correctly and almost suffocated you. The doctors were forced to remove it entirely via surgery so you can survive. Growing up, you became quite the bookworm because of this disability. You found solace in the immersion of reading the words you can never speak. It gradually turned you into a very talented scholar worthy of Lisa's attention. Your nurturing ways with books and your preservation of comfort amidst the silence certainly gained merits.
Of course, your reserved nature did not mean you are to be underestimated.
The Witch of Purple Rose chose you as her personal assistant and sole substitute for a reason. It can be argued that you are potentially more frightening. You are the calm before the storm; and when you strike, no one ever sees it coming. Whenever hooligans think they can just steal books from the restricted section, every single one will be found hogtied and gagged on the Knights of Favonius' doorsteps. A damsel you may appear but the only distress that can be felt is by the drunkards, who think they can harrass you without direct consequences. In fact, you made it your personal vendetta to discipline every member of Barbara's fanclub and their stalker tendencies. A failure to comply forces them into public humiliation by wearing nun attires, and then prostrating themselves in front of Barbatos to beg for forgiveness.
Venti had an interesting view when he woke up from his nap on the statue's hands.
The job of Cavalry Captain became that much more entertaining, and easier too.
Public ordinance is now easy to handle for all the patrolling knights, whom often need to tread lightly just to appease the common folks. Although the Acting Grandmaster would never say it outloud due to her soft nature, she was thankful for this subtle measures you have been making—especially in regards to her sister's privacy and safety. Even the stoic Master Diluc seems to respect you since he actually makes effort to greet you more than he does any other stranger in the streets. Your drinks in Angel's Share are discounted too, which is always a plus after a long day of work. Lisa took advantage of this perk just to tease.
As he got to know you, Kaeya finally arrived to a profoundly frightening conclusion.
He was falling in love with you.
No, he may have already fallen the moment you had turned into his newest fixation. The icy captain can recall Lisa's words—how you judge people based on the character in their eyes, if it matches the persona that speaks. You actually looked at him and saw him with just a single glance; and when his words blurred the truth, his facade was already unraveling before your piercing gaze. You rejected him because he was denying the lost boy you see, and you embraced him when the charismatic captain found felicity in your companionship. You accepted both sides even if you knew nothing about either of them.
However, for all his clever ways in manipulating the feelings of others, Kaeya is powerless at the face of his own emotions.
Hence, the reasonable thing in his perspective is to simply run away from you.
It hurt you but it was something you also understood quite well. As mentioned, you were aware of Kaeya's true character from the get-go. It was fine if this is really what he wants. You both lived your lives just fine when keeping your respective secrets. That should not change just because romantic feelings are now involved.
Lisa and your friends firmly believed otherwise.
Your doting older sister figure tells you one day that the elusive captain left a message. He says to meet him in Windrise, where Jean had put him on patrol for suspicious activity of the Abyss Order. In a twist of fate nobody expected, they even managed to get Diluc involved to make the information appear to be legitimate. The redhead claims he was getting sick of Kaeya's face brooding over you in Angel's Share.
All else, as they say, was history when you were both given a chance to confront the truth together.
Now, Kaeya watches over your sleeping form on his bed—tuckered out from today's work.
You are curled up to his chest, nuzzling his clavicle like a kitten. A delightful shiver ran through his spine every time your warm breaths hit his skin. Your left arm is draped over his waist while your right hand rested over his chest. His own arm cushions your head, bent by the elbow to poise himself up while he ran his fingers through your hair. The other one holds you close by the waist, legs intertwined so no space remains. The moonlight peeks through the curtains, basking you in afterglow that left him mesmerized every night. Leaning down, his lips tenderly kissed your brow as his embrace tightened possessively.
He grins as he felt your fingers move drowsily on his back, crumpling the blouse.
"Why are you watching me sleep?"
You drew special patterns to speak, blinking your eyes open to stare blankly at your lover.
He chuckles, bending down to give you an eskimo kiss while tracing words on your back as well.
"You look too beautiful to be true."
You hummed in the form of a soft exhale, observing your beloved closely. Your hand leaves his back and reached up to his face, tucking his fringe behind his ear to see both of his eyes. It no longer concerns him to let you see his normally hidden eye, which flickered for a fraction of a second. He disclosed everything long ago. He has nothing else to hide, not from you at least—never again from you.
In fact, the language you were both using to silently communicate is from Khaenri'ah.
Kaeya modernized the sign language of it and taught it to you. In public, people think it is just a cute secret between couples; but you knew better. There is a power in words, and Kaeya had entrusted you this in particular—a piece of his true self that only you can keep. Not even Diluc knew this much about him, as their bond of brotherhood shattered before he could make an attempt. Henceforth, you use this sign to talk with him privately and send messages only for your dear captain to decipher.
As you caressed his cheek, Kaeya sighed in perfect bliss. He leans towards your touch, turning his head to press a loving kiss on your palm. His own hand reached up to keep it in place. Delicately, his index finger traces another message on your knuckles.
"You're not just a sweet dream, are you?"
Your eyes softened in understanding, smiling in hopes to alleviate his insecurities. Your hand directs his to your heart, much like how your other one stays above his own. Two hearts beat as one, delivering a mutual confession beknownst only to you and him.
Your lips moved and his unique eyes read them as if they held the meaning of life.
"I'm real, and I'm yours."
Unable to help himself, Kaeya changes positions to loom over you. He pins your hands by the wrist on either sides of your head. You let him, locking eyes to wait until he regains his anchor to reality. As he straddles you, he leans down and his scarred eye glows with an unknown power. For a moment, the star in his misty blue orb sharpened into a slit. Then, his grip eventually loosens. Your arms soon take the chance to slither around his neck. You pull him down to your level, sensually slow to leave him in intense anticipation. Once he is a mere breath away, you lean up and forward.
Kaeya never fails to find sanctuary in your embrace, and salvation in your kiss. The taste of ambrosia is as addictive as the first time. He wanted more—needed more, even if it meant unequivocal demise.
One of his hands seeks one of yours, pressing against the mattress to interweave. A final message is traced as you both succumb to the passion that has waged wars since the dawn of creation.
"I love you."
If the day of reckoning ever comes for him, the last hope of Khaenri'ah knows he does not stand alone.
Kaeya will always remember to seek out your light, and savor the hour of respite in your shadow. He holds faith in no god nor archon; but before you, he shall bend the knee in devoted worship.
This lost prince of sinners may be predestined for damnation, but he prays in your name—
"You are my northern star, the light that guides me back home."
•☆••☆••☆•
VENTI is a bard whose secrets are guarded by the lullabies of yesteryore and evermorrow. He holds the face of jubilant youth, yet his eyes tell a tale as old as time. While his voice mellifluously sings of tunes so spirited and free, his heart weighs heavy with the burden of an untold sacrilege. A couple thousand years can be a long time, yet the agony remains as fresh as the memories of a lucid dream. As he dons a smile that hopes to brighten the days and luminate the nights of Mondstadt, his soul belies the image of a nameless friend long gone. At times when the winds blew too coldly, he relies on the burning heat that drips down his throat—a taste so fine yet so bitter, like the freedom he idolizes.
Memories remind people what matters most, a life's purpose to never forsake. However, more often than not, they come with the cruel regrets of what-ifs and what-could-have-beens. Henceforth, in tiresome days, the expense of living gets a little too much; and in sleepless nights, the weight of existing gets a little heavier.
Alas, when stars align just right, the wind will lead a pair of soulmates to find one another.
In Venti's case, you found him.
It is actually very difficult to get him drunk, even if he acts otherwise. To be precise, he recovers quicker by getting sober minutes after he felt tipsy—and then, he would be downing another bottle. It is annoying for someone who just wants to forget his problems, but that is partially why he became accustomed to binge drinking. His rate of alcohol consumption would kill an average human, via alcohol poisoning, by the time he actually blacks out.
Amidst this cold and lonely night, the windborn bard was spared an ounce of warmth by a kind muse.
Venti woke up in a peculiar cottage that smelled of pollen and varnished wood. He heard the chirping of bluebirds, rousing him further away from his drowsy haze. A ray of sunshine peeks through the hanging cheap fabric used as curtains. He sits up, braids all messy with a very entangled bedhead.
As he stumbled out of the bedroom, the familiar sounds of Der Frühling beckoned him to the front porch. His veteran ears can attest that the notes are undoubtedly produced by a musician's hands, but a mere novice in the ways of the lyre. There was a harmonious flow in melody, yet the tone and pitch held little to no finesse in-between transitions. A sense of sheepish uncertainty distorts the song, but there was a certain charm in its dissonance.
He turns a corner, and there he saw you—
—a young dame sat upon a rickety swing, taming the bluebirds that sang for her strings.
The amused bard leaned against the doorway to watch the free show. His gleaming teal eyes stared blatantly, mesmerized by his supposed hostess. You wore an outfit that resembled his, but more modest and somewhat mismatched in color palette—an odd choice for a fellow bard. The only flashy thing about you is the Anemo Vision pinned onto your hair as it tied up your headband braid. It functioned as a hair ornament surrounded with cecilia and windwheel aster petals. A teal silk ribbon was mixed into your braid as its curled tail fluttered under your Vision ornament.
You seem to be inexperienced with the lyre, as Venti had confirmed upon seeing your performance; but you are still quite precise in your play. In theory, you hold enough knowledge to figure out which note works for a particular measure. Before he realized it, his own voice begins humming alongside the chirps of the gathered songbirds.
Alas, joining your small choir of avian creatures had startled them into flying away.
You also stiffened with a surprised jolt, practically snapping your head to look back at him. He does note that it was the birds' exit that had shocked you, and not his soundly abrupt entrance.
"Ehe~!" Venti giggled nervously, "Sorry about that."
You fumbled for a moment yet held the lyre firmly, careful to keep it steady. Standing up, you then walk over to him even though you shook in anxiety. Ever so tenderly, you returned his dearest Der Frühling as if handing over a precious baby.
Venti finds this heartwarming and endearing, having not met a fellow bard as considerate as you. He thus receives his lyre with gratitude, tracing its frame and plucking the strings. He marvels at the fact you even polished the instrument and retuned the strings.
"Many thanks, fellow bard~!" He chirped, "My name is Venti. May I know yours?"
You stared blankly at him for a moment, as if taking a few minutes to decipher his words. He spoke a little too quickly on purpose, patiently observing if you would prove his suspicions. As soon as you finally understood, you replied with some stutters in-between your syllables. It seemed more like a sound of uncertainty rather than a speech impediment.
"I-I am...[Name]."
A deaf virtuoso—the windborn bard believes you will make an interesting friend.
Ever since that day, Venti developed a habit of either visiting your abode or seeking you to hang out in the city. His consistent presence helped you be more comfortable in conversations. There was little to no stutters in-between your sentences now. As a bard whom prided himself in knowing all music of the past and future, the art of sign language is a helpful skill he utilized to pleasantly astound you.
The bard had never seen any mortal beam so bright when you smiled at him that day.
While you have gotten comfortable with him, Venti has also grown comfortable with you. There have been many incidents wherein his smiling mask just naturally came down around you. By your side, he felt more freedom than he has ever experienced in the past centuries. He knew it was dangerous to let this continue. The god in disguise has always been meticulously aware of his own feelings; and he was more than aware that he is falling for a mortal he will someday outlive.
However, he found you hard to resist.
Neither Venti nor Barbatos can hope to deny your profoundly unconditional love. What kind of god could reject such a heartfelt offering?
Despite your penchant for playing any available instrument, you preferred not to take center stage. In fact, your hidden knack for taming avian creatures is how you earn a daily living. Every songbird in the City of Freedom knows your tunes and can chirp them on command. This is due to your Anemo Vision, which has a unique ability that enables you to interact with the birds by means of frequency. Depending on how you control the vibrations in the breeze, they will follow like a choir does with a maestro.
You once dedicated a performance to Barbatos and the Four Winds. On that day, Venti heard his wisp brethren amongst the thousand winds croon at you in delight. He witnessed the silhouette of Vennessa's falcon form hovering above you appraisingly, and a resounding roar can also be heard from Dvalin in his proclaimed lair. There were even the echoing howls of Andrius and his pack in Wolvendom.
This leads him to discover that your true talent lies in writing music. He had seen and read your musical compositions, grinning at every single one. With your permission, he even played a few in your home as payment for your gracious hospitality.
"You can negotiate with bards for this, you know." He proposed, "I'm no businessman; but even I know letting other musicians play this will earn you a hefty sum of mora."
You smiled sadly, "N-Nobody...w-would acknowledge music...composed by a deaf girl." You confessed.
Venti turned solemn as he gazed at you. Although intimidating in its rarity, you are not perturbed by this abrupt change of mood. Your darling bard wears a mask on a daily basis that blurs truth and deceit.
You have become acquainted with them all.
He hummed playfully, "Now that just won't do."
You tilt your head confusedly, blinking in surprise when he suddenly takes hold of your hands.
"Ehe~!" He giggled, "Let me play...all of your music, [Name]. In fact, I'll write...a lyrical ballad...for each of them. We'll be the best duo...in Mondstadt!"
He had to slow down his speech a bit since he could not use his hands to help you keep up.
Thus, a new routine began for you two.
Venti kept his word. For the next few months, he only sang of the tunes you composed. A few of his regular listeners heard the slightest change in his playstyle. A part of him wished to smile bitterly as other bards and occasional playwrights praised his talent. He pettily made sure to charge thrice from them when he was requested for encores. These fools had rejected you just because of your disability yet they literally sing praises when he played your creations. Any artist worth their salt should have been able to see your potential at a glance.
Nevertheless, he ensured to always come home to you with bags full of mora whenever he plays your music in particular. You deserve nothing less than that, and he refuses to settle for anything else.
Regardless of this success, Venti recognized the melancholy in your eyes. You used to smile radiantly every time you watched him play. Your ears cannot hear the notes but you can feel the vibrations in the air. Your beguiling eyes relished the perfection of just watching Venti play to his heart's content.
However, he was not blind to your inner turmoil and thus sought to relieve it.
"What's wrong, windblume?" He asked.
You hesitate, looking down at your feet. Gently, he props a finger under your chin to raise your head. A tender smile of encouragement implored you to speak your thoughts freely.
"I'm...frustrated." You replied.
He says nothing but his smile does falter to a glaze of concern, waiting patiently to let you finish.
"I feel...so happy and grateful...when you play my songs." You confided, "It's finally being heard...and not just through the songbirds. People are now listening...to how it is supposed to be heard, and how I envisioned it to be played."
Tears gather in your lovely eyes, overflowing with emotions too much for your heart. Your darling bard does not waver. He raises a hand to cup your cheek in his palm while his fingertips swept your sorrows.
"I want to..." you sobbed, "I want to hear you too!"
Venti held you protectively close, wishing more than anything else to shield you from this wild tempest of emotions. Alas, he was more than aware of the truth that the loveliest of rainbows can only come after the harshest storm. These are the feelings that must have festered for so long within you. People who can hear cruelly turn deaf to the ones whose worlds have been rendered silent. It was as if they do not deserve a voice if they knew not how it sounds. The thought infuriates the bard, reminding him of your beautiful songs discarded as nothing more than the passing chirps of songbirds.
He used his talents to let your ballads be heard.
Perhaps, he can use a different set of talents to let you hear his own?
You gripped onto Venti as if he was your lifeline, a part of you crumbling in sheer relief. He has always encouraged you to never be ashamed of what and how you feel. Whether it be deemed good or bad, all of it belonged to you. They make you human, the reason why he adores you above all. His gentle hand carded through your hair, skillful as when he plucks and strums the strings of Der Frühling. Pulling away slightly, his lips rested upon your temple and then your forehead. They stray towards your cheeks, a taste of salt from your tears.
Lastly, they hover above your own lips—centimeters apart, just a breath before they touch.
Teal eyes glow a shimmering green, both of you becoming enraptured by each other.
Venti needed you to say no more.
He takes you in his arms and spreads his wings. He delivers you to Windrise and its special tree, trusting him so wholly that you did not question him. Instead, you melted in his arms and enjoyed the warm breeze that wrapped around you like a blanket.
Once he sits you down beneath the tree, Venti sits in front of you to place one of your hands right above his heart. It beats steadily yet faintly, present yet not quite—like the wind he controls. He summons Der Frühling and smiles lovingly at you. The crystalflies illuminate his youthful features, providing a mystical glow that enthralls his dearest muse.
"Eyes on me, meine liebe." He mouths.
Closing his eyes, he begins his private performance.
You frown, wondering what he means to prove with this. Still, you obliged his wishes and kept your eyes solely on him. Your hand remained where he placed it, right over the constant beating of his heart.
Then, you finally noticed the gathering streams of energy around yourself and your lover.
Your Anemo Vision began to glow alongside Venti's iconic braids. The winds hummed together with him, united under his influence. It is an enchanting image, dazzling you into stunned admiration.
Then, you finally hear him—vocalizing the precious melody you dedicated to him alone. He sang of his past, his present, and his future which are now all intertwined by the whispers of you.
/Gales of song, please stay by my side/
He opens his eyes and releases his lyre. It plays as it floats, and you are mesmerized by how you can hear it all. By power of anemo, he merges your heart with his while enabling your psalm to be immortalized amongst the winds. He reaches up a hand to keep yours on his chest while its pair entangles with the other. His forehead leans on yours, gaze softening as you wept in bliss.
White feathers rained down on the landscape of green and blue. Floating lights illuminated the dark, be they stars or crystalflies. The Statue of the Seven sung in accompaniment to the intimate confessions of Barbatos—to you and for you.
/Winds of love, breathe into my life/
You can hear him so clearly—his regrets, his woes, his dreams, and his love. You hear it all through the song you composed at the thought of him, which he plays at the memory of you.
A fated parting shall occur someday, but he will love no other the way he loves you.
Therefore, with a passionate kiss, he makes you a promise—
"Come what may, you are the melody my heart will always sing."
•☆••☆••☆•
DAINSLEIF perseveres as a maverick shaped by his resolutions and driven by conviction. After enduring five centuries, he has earned a fair few titles as his new names. However, these remnants can never piece together his whole existence. As the Twilight Sword, there is no longer a Khaenri'ah to consider as his homeland to protect. As the Bough Keeper, there is no true grace to his purpose while burdened by a curse that shall someday rob him of his own mind and soul. In the eyes of Celestia, he is no more than a sinner doomed to a fate which can be argued as worse than death. As for the rest of the world, he is no more than a listless wanderer whom holds an obsession with stopping a disgrace known as the Abyss Order.
To honor those he had failed in his homeland, he can only move forward in the best way he knew—even if it is against those he had formerly served. Souls of the condemned hold no genuine hope of ascending to Celestia, for they amount to nothing more than heretics that do not worship any god. Therefore, for those who dare to remember, erosion will befall upon them as a final kiss of damnation. Before that day comes for him, this foolish score must be settled so he can meet his demise without regrets.
There is no genuine reward at the end of this tedious and lonesome quest. He is aware.
Nonetheless, the accursed immortal human refuses to falter under the taunt of judgment. If damnation is what shall meet him at the end of this quest, then he shall do it on his own terms. For if he must also end without his resolve, then there will truly be nothing left of him and Khaenri'ah.
There had been instances aplenty wherein the divine is likened to the flowers blossoming across Teyvat; and as a lonesome wanderer, he has grown accustomed to these tragic folklores.
The God of Dust named Guizhong left behind a quiet legacy amongst the glaze lilies. Songs which keep them abloom become tributes to her name.
The Goddess of Flowers known as Nabu Malikata had left her remnants within the padisarahs. Even if not as they were anymore, they serve as a memoir.
Godless they may have been, the glorious nation of Khaenri'ah also held pride over a particular flower—the Inteyvat. Alas, nobody but the former Twilight Sword retains the awareness to recall whom they represent the most.
"My memory has all but faded completely," a voice murmurs piously, "but I will always remember how much she too loved these flowers."
Dainsleif spoke not of Lumine here, although she does remind him of the one he reminisces. He dares say travelling with her had been the closest to home, a feeling of warm comfort. However, it never was the same exact happiness he sought in another—a mere ghost in his past. The lost historical relics in Sumeru speak of her as the last Eclipse Princess, whom was hailed as the Heretic Saintess. However, to him, she was the woman he dearly cherishes to this day...
...and the one he laments most for failing to protect in the bout of cataclysmic calamity.
Indeed, the Bough Keeper realizes; this accursed immortality is a fitting punishment for what Celestia deems a sinner. For he can forsake everything, but anything he has left of her will vividly linger. The doomsday of his own reckoning shall be when that too is ripped away from him.
Until then, he will dream of her. Until then, he will foolishly hope for the day they meet again.
Then, like a prayer to a nonexistent god, answers came in the ethereal form of you.
You met Dainsleif on a stormy night. In fact, he just found your cabin in the woods to seek a temporary shelter—injured and knocked unconscious. He was already half-delirious from a high fever, and it did not take a genius to know the man had a rough week. It is not out of kindness that you nursed him back to health, but due to a selfish motive to figure him out.
"Who are you?" You mumbled.
It seems he was not entirely out of it since he still managed to respond clearly.
"Dain...sleif..."
As soon as he muttered back, he eventually fell limp in your arms. For those brief seconds, there was a swelling ache upon your chest—nostalgia. A chilling tingle ran through your spine, like the touch of an invasive ghost on your skin—melancholy. Then, it spreads as smoldering heat to your veins as if to ignite your bloodstream—passion.
"Dainsleif, huh?"
The name felt like velvet on your tongue. His clothes and features were all too familiar to you—a fellow kinsman from Khaenri'ah. However, your eidetic memory never once brought you to a conclusion about this man's identity. Regardless, your body reacts as if begging for your mind to catch up in recognition.
Even as you tended to him, nothing clicked.
"Your Highness..."
His voice weakly called, raspy and strained as if to choke it out. Your star-shaped pupils dilate as they meet his own hazy glare. His hand was reaching out to you, looking yet not truly seeing.
Alas, you made no move to truly stop him and remained awkwardly staring back.
"You're dreaming, Sir Dainsleif."
As if hearing his name from you brought comfort, he settles down again. His eyes start to close but now his hand found yours resting by his bedside. You recoiled yet his grip was oddly firm for a deeply ill patient. Perhaps, you can allow this until he gets some real rest.
When he recovered, Dainsleif vanished as abruptly as he barged into your life.
The next time you met again, it was your turn to be the one in need.
Dainsleif finds you in a clearing of soot and frost, holding a young man desperately. It was as if a clash of fire and ice had occurred under the rain. You look up to him, stars in your eyes shimmering with panic and sorrow. Without a word, he aids you by carrying the unconscious male and leading you back to the cabin. You made no reaction other than grasping onto his cloak tightly, like a lost child.
Despite not wishing to overstay his welcome, the Bough Keeper chose to stay for the night. You were unresponsive to him, as if your mind had shut down completely. A vague memory of a person so similar to you made Dainsleif familiar to the situation. Thus, the task of healing your patient fell to him until you could regain your composure.
"Please be well, Kaeya." You murmured.
Dainsleif did not pry about your business, giving you the same respect you had done for his privacy. It did, however, astonish him when you took hold of his wrist and dragged him outside with you the next day.
The man named Kaeya stirred awake.
Befuddled, the former Twilight Sword kept silent as he watched from afar with you. Kaeya ate the warm meal you prepared on the table, and mixed emotions flickered in his eyes as he did. His head turned to observe everything in the cabin, searching almost as desperately as you appeared last night. Numerous dreamcatchers and embroideries decorate the walls in a contradictingly systematic manner. The more he analyzed, the more he remembered his childhood—as if your crafts gave him pieces of long forgotten memories. Then, he slowly stood up and made his way to a periwinkle dreamcatcher designed with a pavo ocellus constellation.
A single silver-blue eye gazed out the window, nearly catching your own gaze—
—but you ducked down behind the huge boulders and pulled Dainsleif with you to hide.
Kaeya got his things back and left a small note of gratitude for your care. Wordlessly, he left the cabin with the dreamcatcher now hanging on his belt—right beside his Cryo Vision. He looked back over his shoulder only once to give a bittersweet smile.
"Farewell, sis." He whispered.
A humming zephyr delivered his message, and then he went back to Mondstadt.
Dainsleif sat down beside you for an entire hour, a mix of pity and empathy. When clarity returned to your eyes, he rose to take his leave. Once again, he was halted on his tracks by your hand grabbing onto his own gloved one.
"Hey," you said, "do you mind if I go with you?"
Against his better judgment, the cursed immortal agreed after a minute of contemplation.
This newfound journey together has a very tedious beginning, mostly attributed to you. Everything was strange and nothing felt safe, which was expected because you both never stayed in one place. You, whom sought solace in consistency, were always forced to adapt to something new. Sleeping became a chore because you felt every small pebble and thin blade of grass pressing against you. It is by the mere thoughtfulness of your companion that you got a semblance of rest. Dainsleif always covered you in his cape and was willing to hold you soothingly, as if he knows just how to calm you down. There has been moments wherein you had tantrums, and some meltdowns that delayed a few plans. Other days, you shut down completely and only wake back up to reality after a day or two.
Dainsleif was shockingly very patient with you, never berating and ready to soothe whenever you are in distress. He never once pushed you to go back. Only once, he offered to take you somewhere to settle after a very bad episode.
"No, I can't!" You exclaimed, "I have to keep moving. I have to...keep going. Make sure...nobody finds me."
It was unspoken that you were specifically running away from the City of Freedom, all for avoiding your younger brother. There is a destiny that kept you both apart even when you mutually wish to be reunited. As children of Khaenri'ah, the former knight can take a guess what that sort of fate presents.
Since then, your travel companion did not question your decision anymore.
Without prompting, Dainsleif seemed used to your symptoms. It was almost eerie how he knew exactly what to say and do in every situation that involved your condition. He makes effort to prepare the same meals that you wish to have every day, and only light fruit snacks at night because you get very restless otherwise. At times he wanted to keep going, he stops himself to make camp for you first on the same evening hour before scouting ahead. He only allows himself to be gone for exactly 45 minutes, which was your limit to being alone whenever you both decide to camp out rather than checking into an inn or hotel. Whenever a wave of unease hits, he keeps a bag of materials that either lets you weave dreamcatchers or tinker an antique you scavenged in the ruins you passed. Every time your mind begins to close off, he sits down with you and holds your hands to meditate. When you need space, he keeps his distance; and when you need companionship, he keeps you close.
"How?" You ask.
Dainsleif raises a brow as he looks down at you. It was in the middle of Lantern Rite as you both watch the festivities from a nearby hill. After indulging in a few stalls, you calmed by playing with his fingers as your head rested on his lap. He knows the meaning to your one-worded inquiry, and he wonders how to answer you truthfully.
"I knew someone similar to you." He said.
You sat up before blankly staring into his eyes, stars meeting stars. Tilting your head, a flash of curiosity brought light to your emotionless gaze.
"The princess...?" You asked.
The Bough Keeper blinked in surprise.
"You dreamed of her a lot when we first met."
Your statement made him look away bashfully, a bit embarrassed to be reminded.
"Was she important to you?" You asked.
At this, he looks at you in the eyes. His star-shaped pupils practically gleam with an emotion you could not read—or perhaps, could not comprehend.
"She is my dearest one." He declared.
Normal people probably would have felt jealous at that confession. He even used a present tense to show that his feelings have not wavered.
You and Dainsleif never gave a label to this peculiar relationship, but you hold a mutual understanding that it had grown to more than just friends. It was a development nurtured by meaningful exchanges and secretive affections. The sentiments are far from platonic or familial, that much is sure.
That night, when you released a lantern, you made a fleeting wish—
—not to the gods, but to the princess.
"Please look after Dainsleif."
Meanwhile, the Twilight Sword fondly gazes upon your form. The image of your past self overlaps with the present. He recalls the ever sleepless nights of guarding you in the tower. Starlight showered upon your figure leaning by the window frame. Delicate hands reach out to set free artificial crystalflies that glow as wisps of moonlight. A breath of laughter is echoed in the lonely room before he is blessed by a smile more divine than Celestia.
The memory flickers as the silver starlights are replaced by golden lanterns, and your humble self stood in place of the estranged saintess—
—but that smile remains.
Morning welcomed Dainsleif with the strange sight of you looming over him. With practiced ease, he resumes calm by letting you do as you please like it was nothing unusual. He knows of your quirks just as you are aware of his boundaries. There is mutual trust of consent that tells which actions would be acceptable anytime. He did gulp a little nervously as his drowsy eyes analyzed you. His hands twitched but he willed them to stay in place despite his inner yearning.
Disheveled, you were straddling him while still in your nightgown. Your hair was messily draped over your shoulders, creating a curtain around the blond man beneath you. A glazed veil engulfs your eyes like a dreamy countenance of a faraway reverie.
"Dain..."
"What is it, [Name]?"
"I had a dream last night."
"A dream, you say?"
You nod, leaning down almost conspiratorially yet the expression on your face remains unreadable. A gasp hitched in his throat as your lips strayed to his ear, whispering shakily—
"I remember now, Dain."
Realization struck him.
Dainsleif switches positions with you yet he receives no protest. His ungloved hands cup your face in order to meet your eyes with his own beseeching pair. You see his visage that, unmasked and vulnerable, longingly wish for your approval.
You nodded.
Dainsleif claims your lips in ardent greed, and you respond in eager devotion.
Intertwined, redamancy is bliss for the reunited knight and his only princess—
"Your heart is the only other half that can ever complete mine."
•☆••☆••☆•
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Darkling [Rain x Phantom x Darkling (Oc)]
Summary: She was a newly summoned ghoul and she was struggling. As someone who came from the very pits of hell, nightmares and self-doubt was nothing but expected but she wasn't sure how she was going to be able to cope; until two of her new ghoul pack mates remind her how special she is.
Prompt: Hurt/Comfort dedicated to one of my special followers! I hope this makes you feel a little better and something you can return to reading anytime you need some extra comfort! @darklylucid
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Contrary to belief, Hell wasn't the lake of fire, filled with flames and with the hot stench of death. It was cold, soul-chilling cold and it was terrifying. Terrifying because you could trust nobody, nothing in the pits of hell was your friend and you always had to watch your back. Another contradiction when it comes to hell is well...when you're in hell, you can't die. Condemned souls and demons alike were immortal because well, they were already dead. Condemned souls eventually become demons in a sense after being with the realm of Hell for such a long time. No one died there because they were already dead. But most wished they would die because demons and ferals were brutal creatures. They could tear you limb from limb and you would feel everything but you would not die; even when you feel as if you are and pass out. You'll wake up whole again with maybe a new scar or two. It was brutal.
And she hated it. She wasn't new to Hell, not old enough to progress into sanity where you lose all the memory and humanity you had left like most of the souls and demons of the Pit. So it was worse off for her, she was deemed weak because she still held onto the thread of her humanity unlike those who had theirs turned off after centuries of dealing with the brutality and horror of the Pit.
That is not to say that she remained with memories of her life while alive, time did pluck them away little by little, but she knew that she had been loved by many people. She imagined that she had friends and family that missed her dearly but besides that; who she was, what her name was, what she loved to do...all of that was just a blurry mess. Not that she had much time to wonder about those things when the screams of the damned and demons alike invaded her cranium with their ungodly screeches bringing with it the iron grip of fear and need to run; run and survive another godforsaken day in the pits that never ended.
There was no redemption in Hell, only pain and suffering. So as she took on another day running from the pack of ferals chasing her with insatiable hunger in their eyes while they tracked the scent of her blood from the open wounds they had inflicted on her; she realized she was running straight through a red haze; like that of a red sand storm and her world went white...and then black.
When she came to, her entire body was aflame and her head swam as it pounded so hard she swore her skull would crack open and spill her brains out on the ground. In the haze of her pain, she heard voices around her and her instincts came to life. She moved weakly trying to find the ground beneath her feet but her body was weak and she stumbled. A pair of arms wrapped around her and her body slumped against the body belonging to it as her vision spiraled with black dots in her visions.
No, not black dots...masks. Her vision cleared little by little and she found herself staring up into the gleaming goggles of some kind of black mask belonging to a man who held her up on jelly legs. Words were being said; she couldn't make it out but she saw the fabric covering the person's mouth move so they must be saying something to her right? Were they not going to kill her or tear her apart? Why were they speaking to her?
"Rain bring her back to the dorms." a man's voice with an accent spoke up from somewhere in the room. "Let's get her cleaned up and settled in!"
She wouldn't have been able to call herself a survivor if she didn't at least try to struggle a bit when she listened to the words registering but the arms around her were firm and yet gentle as they held onto her squirming body; keeping her from herself herself.
"Hey, shh. It's okay, you're alright. You're safe honey!" the masked man - Rain, hushed her gently as he bent slightly to pick her up bridal style.
A blanket was draped around her by another figure before Rain carried her from the cold dark room and the bright lights of the hallway assaulted her sensitive vision. She whimpered and ducked her head feeling the pain behind her eyes from the light.
"Oh, I know sweetheart. It's okay, we'll get you taken care of!" another voice spoke up from beside her as a hand came into view to pull the blanket over her head a bit so that the light wouldn't bother her.
The sound of murmurs behind her faded as she began to get sleepy and she rested her head down against Rain's shoulder from the exhaustion of her summoning and the confusion of her appearance. She was almost fully asleep when the softness of a bed she laid on registered in her foggy brain and as the figures began to move away from the bed she felt the sudden urge to reach out and grab at them.
"N-no!" her words came out scratchy and filled with panic. "I don't...I won't want to be alone."
Rain hesitated before turning to look at his fellow packmates and then he unbuckled his helmet and set it down on the floor before he was crawling into bed beside her. The warmth of another living creature was a comfort she wasn't aware she had been craving until the solid weight of him rested on the bed beside her.
"Oh love no no need for the tears!" the same voice from earlier rushed out to say as a second figure knelt on the floor beside her. "Trust me, I know how it felt when I was first summoned. It's tough, but your safe. You'll be alright." a hand smoothed over her messy hair and she latched onto their wrist like a lifeline allowing the hot tears to fall as the feeling of overwhelming emotions rocked her life like a boat in an ocean.
The figure gently stroked her dirty face and wiped her tears away as Rain rested on the bed beside her letting out chittering sounds in hopes to soothe her. It was working, because before long...she fell asleep in the warmth of other living creatures; creatures that didn't want to kill her, and that was enough to let her exhaustion take hold and allow her to let go of her consciousness in favor of some proper sleep.
~
Hands were gripping her and voices were murmured somewhere in the darkness but when she opened her eyes she was met with two worried faces peering down at her. Her heart pounded heavy and painfully in her chest; her face must have reflected the terror she was relived when the figures crowded her in their warm embraces.
Rain and Phantom. They were safe. They were not trying to hurt her. She was at the Abbey back home in her bed. She was okay. But the terrors of her life in the pits haunted her every night for the past month that she resided topside and she was so sick of it. So tired of all the horrors that just never wanted to let go of her. She'd cried so many tears of pain and fear that she was surprised she hadn't cried herself a river to carry her away; not that they'd let her go anyway.
Ever since the day Papa had summoned her a month ago Rain and Phantom had been her rock to reality; the strength she clung to whenever she felt overwhelmed and overstimulated by the schedule that was placed in her lap. Swiss, Mountain, and Sodo- the other three within the group she's met a few days after her summoning had been worried about her and shared their kindness with her as they too tried to help her acclimate to the surface; remembering how awful it was in Hell. But it was Phantom and Rain who had been the ones who were often at her side.
Her terrors had gotten so bad that it was not a surprise that she ended up crawling into bed with one or both of them on the regular. Just like tonight, despite the safety she knew she had her terrors would not let her go and she clung to the only line she had - them.
"Hey, honey. It's okay, your okay!" Rain soothed like he did every time when she's wail and struggle as if fighting off demons only her mind could conjure up from her experiences in hell.
"That's that. You're not there anymore... you're here with us, you're safe." Phantom echoed as he stroked her hair as she clung to Rain's arm as he cradled her to his chest.
The room was dark - probably still night or early morning and she hated the fact she'd woken them up yet again knowing how tired they'd been between practice and caring for her unstable self.
"I'm sorry." she cried "I'm sorry I'm such a fuck up! I'm sorry I cause you guys to lose sleep! I'm sorry I'm so weak, I'm sorry-"
"Hey, none of that cupcake!" Phantom chided firmly as he cupped her face and wiped her tears away. "Rain and I don't give a fuck if we lose sleep. We just want to make sure you're okay! We'd never sleep again if it meant we could help you through this. You hear me cupcake?" Phantom's dark eyes searched hers and after a moment she nodded with hesitation.
"Never apologize for needing someone, sweetheart. You're our packmate now, you're our family. We'd do anything for you. You know that." Rain kissed her hair a few times and rocked her until her shaking ceased and her cries turned into sniffles.
"But I am weak, Rain. I can't let it go...I just-" she shuddered closing her eyes
"You're not alone." Rain murmured giving her a gentle squeeze. "You'll never be alone again. We'll get through this like we did all the other times. Trust me, we went through similar experiences when each of the others got summoned too. You think Phantom wasn't a handful when he was summoned?" he tried to lighten the mood and he was rewarded by a wet laugh as she desperately tried to wipe at the tears that didn't want to stop.
"Hey," Phantom shifted closer and studied her face. "Look at me, eyes on me. Hey, it's okay. You're safe. You're here with me and Rain in this moment, your safe okay?" when she nodded she was rewarded with a smile.
"I know I just...remembering that time..." her breath hitched and she clutched onto Rain's arm tighter as flashes of her nightmares resurfaced with her doubt.
"I know, but let's try getting you calmer okay? Let's try to get your breathing right. Will you breath with us?" he coaxed trying to distract her.
She nodded hesitantly.
"We know you can." Rain smiled nuzzling her head. "Breath in....and breath out." the feeling of his chest expanding as he took a breath coaxed her to match it as she inhaled shakily; never once letting go of Rain or ever taking her eyes from Phantom.
"Good, one more time. Breathe in...breathe out." Phantom echoed as he followed Rain's lead and matched his breathing to his packmates..
He smiled when she began to slowly calm down. "Good job baby. I need you to repeat after me okay?" she nodded again.
"I am safe. I am loved."
Her brows scrunched up a bit but her voice - hesitant and a bit shy repeated them but without much conviction.
"I am safe, I am loved."
Rain smiled slightly and shook his head as he took her hands and gave them a squeeze. "Gotta say it with more meaning honey. Got to say it like you mean it."
Phantom nodded along and repeated himself but put more infliction on it. "I. Am. Safe." he waited until she echoed his words; feeling a sense of pride when her voice came out less meek. "I. Am. Loved."
"I am loved." a small smile tugged at her lips despite how silly she now began to feel.
"Good job baby. I am so proud of you." Phantom matched her smile as he leaned over and planted little kisses all over her face until she was actually giggling and squirming in Rain's hold.
"We are so proud of you," Rain chipped in as he dug his fingers lightly into her sides until she was laughing and they laughed along. "So proud."
"You feel better now?"
The woman nodded wiping at her face and taking a deep breath. "Yeah.
"Good." Phantom crawled into bed and pulled her against his chest. Cradling her against him as he stroked her hair while Rain got settled against her back and wrapped his arms around her waist to hold her close.
Legs entangled together and tails curled around each other as the three settled back into bed. It was a silly notion to think that Darkling should have anything to fear anymore. Despite what she had gone through in the Pits; she no longer lived there. Papa had summoned her and given her a new purpose. Better yet, the best gift of all was a pack she would lean on and call her family instead of being alone and scared like she was before. She had nothing to fear living topside anymore and she may not believe it all the time as she still got used to her new lif. She knew for certain that even if she lost faith in herself; her boys never would.
"Love you guys." she mumbled nuzzling against Phantom and giving Rain's hand a squeeze.
"We love you too honey."
"Always cupcake."
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