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pammei · 2 years

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tokrev boys as fantasy aus.

❅ headcanon: tokrev boys as fantasy aus.

↳ manjirou "mikey" sano, ken "draken" ryuguji, keisuke baji, chifuyu matsuno, ran haitani, rindou haitani & fem!reader.

❅ warning(s): mentions of bl**d, drow*ing, m*rder.

❅ note(s): YALL, idk what this is either. 'tis just another one of my self-indulgent shit that i daydream the plot of during the day LMAO. also idk if some of them are considered fantasy? yeah, anyway...you can tell i got carried away with some characters here :") all these aus/tropes made sense in my head. i was gonna make knight x princess for draken, but i thought that was too cliche...but everything in this is cliche. moving on, please enjoy and ignore my grammatical errors <3

❅ manjirou "mikey" sano.

❝ — PRINCE X COMMONER. ❞

a prince, soon-to-be emperor. he is as charming as he is arrogant and confident—yet, that doesn��t deter the fact that many people adore him, see him as the perfect future ruler.

you don’t see the same person everyone sees, however. because you remember those late nights all those years ago like yesterday. the very first night, clinging onto his little blanket with his life, following his brother like a lost puppy right into your family’s bakery in the middle of the night.

you were six years old at the time, yet your memories are as clear as day—of course they would be, because who would forget two royals sneaking into a commoner family’s bakery, asking for a midnight snack?

it became a tradition then. three or four nights a week they would come to the bakery at the same time, and of course, you and your mother would have their favorite pastries prepared. you became close to the younger sano, being the same age and surprisingly sharing common interests.

all good things come to an end, that much is known. because one day, the visits stopped—and the whole nation mourned the crowned prince, sano shinichiro.

you thought that was the end. that the younger sano ended up forgetting you, never thought about you ever again. how could he? you were a mere commoner. the daughter of a family who owned a small bakery. there were far more important people in his life than you.

so...why? why are there servants at your door, royal servants, who are asking for your hand in marriage on behalf of the young prince, sano manjirou, ten years later?

❅ ken "draken" ryuguji.

❝ — SOLDIER X WITCH / ENEMIES TO FRIENDS TO LOVERS. ❞

would you willingly betray your kind in a war?

the normal answer would be no, correct?

then, let’s rephrase the question: would you betray your kind in a war you never wanted to fight in? your kind, who only conceived you because they needed to win the war? who, ever since you were young, conditioned you, humiliated you, hurt you, for the sake of a war?

you, who was beaten and lashed at, because you were born to heal, not kill? then having to be isolated from your sisters, because they didn’t want you to taint them? to taint them, the only magic they could practice was one for war?

would you betray your kind?

you’re still unsure.

but here you are, risking your life for an enemy.

taking him from the battlefield, teleporting yourselves to your little sanctuary in the middle of nowhere.

saving his life.

healing him.

and for the next couple of months, you take care of him. in return, he takes care of you. hunts for you. cooks, even. but you never did you eat the food, afraid of being poisoned.

you took care of him but still can’t trust him?

you learn his name. his habits, his flaws, and good qualities. and even begin to harbor some sort of... affection towards him.

how could you?

draken watches you, the golden light emitting from your fingers reflecting on your skin. it’s become a habit for him to observe you—at first, out of caution, but now it’s something he can’t help.

“hey,” he calls out, brushing back a stray strand of hair from your face. “there’s something i need to say.”

“then say it. you don’t need to announce it like that.”

draken rolls his eyes at your snark. it’s something he’s used to—you don’t usually mean to sound so biting, so cold; but being close with you for the last couple of months made him able to detect your different tones and the warmth behind your words.

it’s something he’s grown to like about you.

“i’m leaving. back to the city.”

your heart skips a beat, a cold rush engulfing your body.

“...i see. do your companions know?”

“it was in the last letter i sent them. thanks to you.”

you hum, averting his gaze as you clean your vials. lucky him. at least he could go back to his kind unscathed. meanwhile, you’d be severely punished. they’d never kill you, of course, because you’re the only one who—

“good luck, then.”

he watches you for a moment, brows twitching downward. he can tell you’re a little upset at his words, seeing how you keep wiping the same spot on the glass vial.

“you’re coming with me.”

you snort. “they’d have my head, ken.”

“you saved my life, (name),” he tells you, grabbing your shoulders. “i’d gladly lay down my life for you. to help you.”

he’s luring you to kill you.

“no.”

draken blinks back in surprise, brows twitching downward. “alright.”

your eyes widen, clearing your throat.

“I mean, y-yes. i’ll—i’ll go with you, draken.”

how could you betray your own kind?

and how could you love your sworn enemy?

❅ keisuke baji.

❝ — DRAGON-SHIFTER X DRAGON RIDER. ❞

for some reason, your dragon seems oddly...human. it was strange to even think so—but you couldn’t help but wonder, to try and rationalize his behavior; after all, he’s been like that ever since you had found him. perhaps...perhaps he was just smarter than the average dragon and was he protective of you because you took care of him when he was at his most vulnerable.

but how does it explain the way that there was something just...off? the way he watches you talk with such intelligent amber eyes, looking at you with...with such emotional complexity that dragons normally don’t have—and you know because your family has been taking care of them for a long, long time.

the things you notice the most is the way he gifts you. not random, shiny objects that come out of nowhere—actual gifts, ones you mention in passing to your friends or family, or when you window shop in the city. the way he communicates with you—with his eyes, sometimes even drawing in the dirt. it’s the reason you know his name—kei—because he messily drew the kanji in the dirt with his claws, the very first night you brought him home to help him.

you let an ear-piercing screech, holding up your shoe in a poor attempt to make yourself threatening to the boy laying by your side.

“who—who the hell are you? where is my dragon?! what did you do to kei?! oh my god, you ate him!”

“why the fuck would i eat a dragon?!”

the boy snatches the blanket from your futon and stands up, wrapping it around his body. he stares at you with a frown, brushing back his messy obsidian hair away from his face.

“fucking hell, (name). i’m your kei.”

“wha—no the fuck you’re not!”

but why, why for a second do you believe the naked boy with the same amber eyes as your kei you awoke to by your bed instead of your dragon, claiming to be him? your kei?

that, for a split-second, you believe that he, indeed, is human?

“prove it,” you whisper, the slipper trembling in your grip. “tell me something only my kei would know.”

he stares at you. you’re really testing him—you really don’t recognize him at all. baji keisuke, your old neighbor. the kid you used to play with almost every day. the kid you used to sneak off with to play with the baby dragons, and then go out to a street market to eat some yakisoba. the one you’d spend all day reading aloud books to him because he’d rather die than read a 250-page novel.

but of course, you had forgotten about him. baji keisuke, who disappeared at the age of ten, and was never seen or heard from again.

all because of a curse.

he can’t just tell you that, now can he?

“tama. the first name you gave me. because of my eyes,” he tells you without hesitation.

your breath hitches in your throat, heart skipping a beat.

how?

how is your beloved dragon a human?

and why does he seem so familiar?

❅ chifuyu matsuno.

❝ — MERMAN X SAILOR. ❞

one can easily tell how enamored you are by the sea.

the scent of the cool, salt-filled breeze kissing your cheeks, the deep blue of the waters and the enigmas within, the blazing sun in the sky bathing the land with her golden gaze—and her counterpart, the moon, who guides you with her silver radiance. the way the sails catch the wind with a sharp snap! and the boat fills with life, moving forward along the merciful rolling waves.

you never get sick of it—because every time you step aboard on your little ship, polaris, you fall in love with sailing and the sea all over again.

but you’re not naïve. you know the dangers of the waters; what monsters lurk in the deep blue, craving for blood. the blood-stained teeth of sea serpents and their insatiable appetite for human flesh, the watchful gaze of angry spirits who died at sea, thirsty for revenge. the songs of sirens that lull you, that make the arms of death saccharine, so loving.

the songs of sirens...

song…?

you hear it. it’s faint, almost like a whisper—the resonant voice immersing your body with delicate warmth. your mind is no longer your own, your body slowly moving to the edge of your boat. the voice becomes louder with each step you take; yet, remains dulcet. it beckons you to come closer, to come to hear them sing. a song composed for you, an innocent maiden, to hear them sing the song of the sea.

he watches you. he watches you, piercing green-blue eyes peeking through the surface of the water. you’re pretty, he notes. for a soon-to-be-dead human, at least.

because without hesitation, you step over your deck and fall into the sea, mind filled with the tunes of a siren welcoming your death.

and he...he can’t watch you die. because of a siren, of all things.

with ease, he supports your back with one hand and supports your leg with the other, swiftly swimming up to the surface. you’re not breathing, chest barely moving—you’re still under the spell, after all.

he lays your body on a rock, leaning forward to press his lips against yours. the tiny, bluish-green scales by his eyes glow, and you cough violently, seawater mixed with blood spilling past your lips.

you awaken much later. you don’t remember a single thing. you find yourself in the middle of your boat, clothes damp and the morning sun upon you.

but in the haze of memories, the only thing you can find is piercing, glowing sea-green eyes.

and him. the only thing he can’t stop thinking about is your soft lips—how they felt against his own, and the way the corns curved upward at him, whispering a thank you before passing out right after he had saved you. your eyes, even under the after-effects of the siren’s spell, had a shine that rivaled that of a pearl’s held up against the silver moon.

the two of you only had one thing in mind;

i need to find them.

❅ ran haitani.

❝ — ROYAL X ROYAL OF ENEMY KINGDOMS. ARRANGED MARRIAGE. ❞

unification. in the name of peace, after centuries of senseless war between the dragons of the north and the phoenixes of the south, they will be united. united by holy matrimony, to become one.

and of course, the responsibility would fall on you. the darling eldest daughter.

so you were to have the...honor. the honor of this burden, the burden that has been resting on your shoulders like a hundred boulders since you were born, the strings of fate woven by your beloved parents and the lovely court.

the day comes that you are to be wedded. the same night the two of you are officially united, they escort you to your rooms—but the court lady doesn't leave without handing you a white cloth and beaming smile. you knew better, however; because that smile was dropping with pure venom.

ran wasn’t really interested in you. to him, you were just another pretty princess with their nose to the sky, with nothing in her mind but her wealth and power. and he didn’t care, because he always had his courtesans to fall back to.

but he watched the way you brazenly took the dagger from its sheath by his hip. the way you slide the blade over your forearm with slight pressure—and you hold your arm above the cloth, allowing a few drops of blood to taint the pure white. and thus, your maidenhood was “gone.”

a simple trick that was, but he couldn’t help but watch you was an amusing glint in his eyes.

“you’re a clever one, aren’t you, little birdie?”

he is definitely interested in you now.

your eyes bore into his, unamused by his nickname for you.

“we're not done here, haitani,” you state, slipping the decorative weapon back into its sheath. “if you want to fool the entire kingdom that we are meant to be, you will need to cooperate.”

“if that is what my wife wants," he says, violet eyes never straying from yours as he raises your hand to his lips. “then that is what she’ll get.”

❅ rindou haitani.

❝ — PRINCE X ASSASSIN. ❞

infiltrate. observe. kill.

simple enough, no? especially for a seasoned assassin like you—this was merely a job. it didn’t matter how long it would take you, in the end, you would finish the job with no suspicion raised. no trace, nothing left behind.

it’s the same—just a much, much bigger target.

a son of the king.

it was simple. get rid of his personal servant—they became ill with a disease, and replace them. you had quite the credentials, after all—personally recommended by the retired head maid.

rindou found you irksome. unlike his other servants, you did not let him do what he wanted. a lowly maid such as you, not listening to a prince, of all people?

you woke him up early. made him get dressed in those stuffy clothes he disliked. made him attend his lectures on time. made him study like he was “supposed” to. made him attend training on time and consistently. attend royal affairs he’d rather die than go to.

you merely think of him as a spoiled brat. nothing more, nothing less. after all, it isn’t your job to—both as his “maid” and the one who is going kill him.

but then again, who were you to sneak into his chambers in the middle of the night to tend to the wounds he was trying so hard earlier in the day? who were you to share playful banter with him? who were you to able to talk to him, with small gestures and movements with your eyes that nobody else would understand, like a couple would? to comfort him at his worst, to wipe his tears with your bare hands?

those same hands with blood on them. blood of the innocent, blood of the damned. it didn’t matter, because it was just a job to you.

you saved him that night. that night, while he was on a stroll, to clear his mind after a long, grueling day of dealing with royal affairs.

you saved him, making sure the arrow would pierce your arm instead of his heart.

you saved him, instead of letting him die.

why—

“why did you take the shot?” the masked assassin questions you, revealing themselves from the shadows of your chamber.

“i have two words for you. he’s mine,” you hiss, your dagger pressed against his adam’s apple. “this is my job. i was sent here, not you.”

“you’re taking too long,” your so-called colleague shoots back, eyes narrowing down at you.

“i’ve had jobs that have taken longer than a measly six months. must i remind you that i rank higher than you? who are you to question my methods? master’s methods?”

and with a scoff, the assassin slips out of your room—disappearing like wisps of smoke, swirling into the sky, and simply becoming nothing.

that night, rindou calls you into his chamber. you don’t think anything of it until he stands in front of you—no, much, much closer than that. your chests are touching and he looks down at you, the moonlight bathing one half of his face with silver, the other shadowed.

he slips dagger into your hand, face nearing yours.

“why don’t you finish the job? i’m yours, after all.”

your brows twitch, grip tightening around the golden handle

“rindou—”

“rindou?” you watch the way his jaw tightens, violet eyes piercing through your own. he grabs your injured arm. purposely. “i’m just a mission to you.”

you bite your tongue. the pain he is trying to inflict on you is nothing compared to his.

he’s right.

he’s just a mission, a job—another person’s blood on your hands, another person’s life snuffed out with a simple slash of a silver blade along his neck.

so, why?

why can’t you finish the job?

why are you hesitating?

why is your chest burning?

and why can’t you answer your own damn questions?

why did i end half of these with questions-

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pammei · 2 years

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BE MY VALENTINES !!

a/n; i want strawberry milk

summary; how you spend valentines together with them

genre; fluff, crack

characters; Kaeya, Scaramouche, Childe x gn!reader

KAEYA is a romantic type of guy, of course he'd take you out during valentines! This year, he had planned out a pretty cute date idea for the two of you.

- He thinks about you everyday, anytime, so it wasn't a surprise when he took you out on a romantic dinner under the huge tree in Windrise

- As cheesy as it seems, it makes you fall for him harder, he even tried horrible pick-up lines on you, making both of you laugh

"If I could rearrange the alphabet, I’d put ‘U’ and ‘I’ together" he said while wiggling his eyebrows, the way he said it made you snort, holding your stomach and wiping tears from your eyes just from his jokes, it made you feel like you were falling for him all over again, not like you were complaining, these were the little moments with him you enjoy the most.

SCARAMOUCHE might not seem like he's affectionate nor thoughtful, but he is, you're always on his mind, he just couldn't think of a 'perfect' date idea

- Pacing back and forth in his office, he swears he lost braincells making up a plan, maybe a cliche candlelight dinner? nah he already did that last year.

- A picnic date? no absolutely not, someone could sneak around and try to assassinate both of you. After a while, he finally gave up.

Home, you were finally home, you unlocked the door and took of your shoes to be greeted by pitch black, not what you were expecting. Suddenly, the lights turned on, your lover was facing you with a cake that has the words 'happy valentines' written on it. You were speechless and he went in for a hug after setting the cake on a table beside, Scaramouche was never a romantic partner, you were surprised that he made effort for you. "Happy valentines my dear"

CHILDE was a sappy lover, you knew that, he never failed to make plans for you every year during valentines, and yet you were shocked to see him standing right at your doorstep with a bouquet of sunflowers and your favorite box of chocolate.

- He’d grab your had and pull you out of your house no matter what you say, climbing your way to northland bank's rooftop. You'd spend your time chatting away while munching on some sweet treats he brought.

- At night when the stars come out, he would have you laying on his chest, the both of you gazing up in the night sky, trying to figure out constellations.

"That's Capricorn right?" he hummed, wrapping his arms around you and constantly looking down to your direction. You turned around and made eye contact with him, he grabbed your chin then leaned in, your lips making close contact with his, you pulled away teasing him, which lead to you and him laughing hysterically like two idiots madly in love, how cute.

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pammei · 2 years

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love is a garden and you are my rose (valentine's day special!)

includes (separately) - diluc, kaeya, albedo, childe, zhongli, xiao, kaedehara kazuha, scaramouche, dainsleif, thoma, arataki itto, and gorou x gender neutral reader!

warnings - alcohol consumption, food mentions, established relationships, jewelry, skinship, one (1) affectionate light bumpat from kaeya, pet names (dove, sweetheart, sweets, sunshine, honey, my love, my lily, my shining star) putting a blindfold over reader's eyes in childe's (for a surprise), a little angsty in scaramouche's, bathing together in thoma's in a hotspring (no sexual implications whatsoever!), massage in thoma's

summary - how does each genshin guy celebrate valentines with his s/o?

a/n - happy valentines to all who celebrate! remember to hug and kiss the homies goodnight and tuck them in <3 all jokes aside i did almost forget about valentines, keyword: almost (thank goodness for calendars hehe). yes this is a day late shhhh :P also just a quick note: the little [...] in the character dialogue at the end of each headcanon set is meant to be a place where the reader is responding to them :P i hope you enjoy!! <3

diluc—☆

diluc is partial to a romantic evening dinner followed by a waltz or two to celebrate valentine's

he's a firm believer in "valentine's day is every day" in regards to spoiling and loving on your partner

but on the other hand valentine's means that he gets to spoil you rotten acceptably :P

he's a cheesy romantic that wants to shower you in love and all the gifts he can afford whenever he can

he'll cook all the meals himself (all your favorites, of course) and hold your hand throughout the entirety of dinner and brush his thumb over your knuckles

he'll decorate the winery's courtyard so that when he does take your hand and lead you in a waltz, he'll be able to burn the image of your beauty reflected under the moonlight into his eyes

at the end of the night, he'll pull out a beautiful necklace with a fine, golden chain and a gorgeously cut ruby gem in the shape of an oval, and present it to you as a gift

if you feel wary about him spending on you, he'll reassure you that it brings him much joy to be able to spend his funds on you, and this is really the least he can do

he'll clasp it around your neck once given permission and kiss the pendant as a silent promise, before locking lips with you

diluc will do his best to remind you that no matter the season, his heart will never waver in its love for you

"this is my gift to you so that you are reminded that no matter where you may go, you'll carry my heart with you. [...] o-oh! yes, ahem, of course i'll put it on for you. [...] there's no need to thank me, my love. there is no diamond or jewel that compares to you."

more characters utc!

kaeya—☆

never particularly cared for valentine's when he was single (though he had to worry about the ceiling-high piles of gifts and abundance of marriage offers he'd receive from the parents of all eligible adults in mondstat)

but after entering a relationship with you, kaeya decides he'll go all out this valentine's and serenade you with a horseback ride followed by an evening picnic under the stars

when he gets down to it, kaeya is another cheesy romantic who wants to tell the entirety of teyvat that he has the honor of being the lover of the most beautiful person ever (diluc has to forcibly drag him off the tables of angel's share whenever he gets up on the wooden surface and professes his love to you like a bard)

kaeya will come get you a little before sunset and whisk you off to good hunter's for a lovely dinner

and while you're squabbling with him over who gets the last fruity skewer, he'll kiss you square on the mouth and snatch it while you aren't looking (fear not, he'll order another round for you while you're busy fanning your face and scolding him from across the table)

after dinner comes the fun: a ride into the sunset on the back of his majestic, white stallion

kaeya will, without a doubt, tease you if you can't even pull yourself up onto the horse by the stirrup

but he's not a cavalry captain for nothing and helps you out in the end (adds a little encouraging pat to your bum as a job well done)

he'll sit behind you with his arms around your waist to steady your body and chin on your shoulder for affectionate nose-to-neck rubs while riding calmly on the horse

eventually you'll reach a spot near windrise that overlooks falcon coast and find a gingham picnic blanket, a chilled bottle of wine, and a small vase containing a rose and calla lily waiting for you

kaeya will become uncharacteristically shy when he helps you down and presents a beautiful, blue, thornless rose that he tucks carefully behind your ear before he whispers a "happy valentines, dove," into the crook of your neck

the rest of the night is spent chatting over wine and star gazing with his head in your lap and a tender smile on his face as he presses kisses every now and then to the back of your hand intertwined with his

"hey, you make me the happiest man in the world, y'know? you've got me wrapped around your pinky, sweetheart. [...] what, you think i'm joking? feel my heartbeat, dove, take some responsibility for how fast it's going. only you do this to me, but i'd be lying if i said it was unpleasant, heh."

albedo—☆

another one who didn't partake much in valentine celebrations until you came along and filled his life with joy and vivacity

(though he always made sure to take klee out for a day trip to a pond for some "fishing" and a nearby bakery for some sweets)

albedo likes the simple things and so his plan is simple: a day-picnic

he'll lead you by the hand with only the promise of a surprise up to starsnatch cliff

since the spot at the top is a prime area for couples (and it is valentines day), albedo opts to lead you to a more quieter part of the cliffs where an abundance of cecilias grow

it's a perfect spot that give you both a marvelous view and the well-deserved privacy you both long for

the day is spent chewing on the fine cheeses and snacks that albedo packed

(you both discovered that klee had slipped two sugar cookies (endearingly decorated with shaky hands and backwards E's) into the basket and make a promise to thank her when you return)

he's not above feeding you tiny blocks of cheese and spooning bits of pudding into your mouth (he rather enjoys spoiling you whenever he can)

with the amount of flowers surrounding you, albedo takes the opportunity to pluck a few and weaves them into a crown that he places on your head with a tender smile

of course, if you wish to weave flowers into his hair he's more than content to lay on your lap and let you decorate him as you please

he's brought his sketchbook along with him and a pencil for you too! he'll place it between you on the blanket as you lay on your stomachs and let you draw whatever you wish (while he makes little sketches of your smiles and hopes that you don't notice)

he'll give you a little wooden dove carved out of wood with his and your initials engraved on the bottom with a sheepish smile and cute, rosy cheeks

smother him in kisses and hugs and he's a goner

you'll spend the rest of the evening wrapped up in his arms as he presses kisses to the softness of your neck and holds you close against him on the gingham blanket

"i carved this from the birch that grows near the base of dragonspine, do you like it? [...] ah, then i'm glad. come here, i'll hold you close so you aren't chilled by the evening air, it is warmer in my arms...and i wish to listen to your heartbeat, if you'll indulge me."

childe/tartaglia—☆

pretty fatui boy's got a pretty bank account full and bursting with mora and it's about to all be spent on you!

his ideal way of spending good ol valentine's with you is taking you out on a shopping spree, followed by an expensive dinner and a quiet evening spent fishing

there is nothing that childe cannot afford: if you've got your eye on it for even less than half a second, he's already scooping it up for you and placing a satchel of mora on the shopkeep's counter

no matter the price, size, weight, or appearance, you want it? it's yours!

you might have to tighten the reins on him otherwise he'll buy out the entirety of liyue just for you (and the multitude of wrapped presents that now sit in your home won't do much for space purposes)

regardless, childe insists on buying you a piece of jewelry if you're comfortable wearing it, no matter what type it is

but he'd settle for a gem-encrusted silver bracelet with an ocean blue gem in the shape of a teardrop dangling from the chain for you (and he'll get a broad-rimmed matching bracelet with a similar cut of gem for himself to match with you)

after he's spent nearly half the tsaritsa's funds on you, he'll let you take him wherever you want for dinner and allow you to order whatever you'd like from the menu

childe absolutely insists on feeding you no matter what, though it's difficult when he still struggles to use chopsticks (be a little patient with this one, even if he accidentally drops tofu onto your lap)

if you pull a reverse on him and feed a piece of chicken into his mouth he'll turn redder than a tomato and does his best not to choke at how cute you are >:)

once dinner is over, he'll put a blindfold over your eyes and lead you to a quiet spot near the ports (and all the while there he'll cling to you and murmur teasing words in your ear like the menace he is)

but once you arrive and the blindfold falls away to reveal a romantic and sweet spot near the pier lit with candles and two fishing poles, you can't help but melt in his arms and pepper him with kisses for being so cute

you'll sit with your back pressed against childe's, fishing rod in hand with your legs dangling over the edge of the wooden pier

if you don't know how to fish, his hands will overlap yours and teach you with careful words how to tug and pull at the wire and cast a line

since it's childe, of course the fishing will turn into a competition of "who can catch the most fish!" or "who can catch the biggest fish!"

but just for today, he'll let you win

(just this once)

by the end of the night you've got a bucket full of fish (much to your nose's displeasure) and a giggly lover who expresses his gratitude for your presence through peppered kisses and tickles to your sides

(bonus: call him ajax, genuinely, and he'll turn to mush)

"i hope you're ready to lose, i'll have you know i always caught the most fish whenever i went fishing with my siblings- wait, what did you say? [...] no, no, it's not a bad thing. in fact, i'd rather you call me by that name, sweets."

zhongli—☆

another firm believer of "valentine's day is everyday!"

but today will give him an opportunity to be extra gentle and tender with you, and he's more than happy to take it!

zhongli's valentine's date entails cooking a well-made meal together and eating it between candlelight and two steaming mugs of tea, a quiet evening spent wandering hand in hand around the harbor, and a night spent reading all your favorite stories to you

though he's aware he could go out and spend the mora of others to procure beautiful gifts and the most delicious foods for you, zhongli found that making the meals yourself would be much more gratifying and intimate than simply going out to a restaurant

he'll first greet you at the door with a loving kiss to your lips and a hug before murmuring a "happy valentine's, my lily" into the softness of your neck

zhongli went out into the market earlier and bought all sorts of ingredients to make all sorts of tasty meals for the night

but he'll prioritize making your favorites first and guide you with big and gentle hands in the cooking process

(have you ever seen zhongli in an apron? well, if it's the first time you've ever seeing him in an apron with the sleeves of his white button-up shirt rolled to the elbows, you're in for a show)

he'll always let you sample the dish while he's still cooking it for your feedback (and always acts accordingly based on your words, you'd never seen a man add salt to a pot so fast before)

he'll come and stand behind you and place his hands over yours to guide your hands while you fold dough for a dish

zhongli doesn't believe in distractions while one is doing a task, but you can't help but get distracted when his lips find their way along your jaw

of course, he'll spare you the rapid beat of your heart and get back to stirring the dishes on the stove (but the amused smile on his face doesn't exactly go away)

once the dishes are all ready, he'll usher you to his room so you can clean up and put on the nicer clothes you brought along with you while he takes care of cleaning up the mess

by the time you've cleaned up and changed clothes, his table is decorated with a vase of glaze lilies and all the dishes you'd made together are lined up prettily, ready to be eaten

and, of course, in the mere minutes that you were gone, zhongli had efficiently cleaned up both the kitchen and himself and extends his hand to you with a warm, inviting smile

dinner is spent admiring each other with warm smiles and rosy eyes

normally zhongli would sit across from you, but you decided to sit next to him so you could hug his arms and lean on his shoulder while you ate

the tea leaves he saved for the occasion are rich in flavor and taste great on your palette

once dinner is over, he'll lead you on a stroll in the quieter parts of liyue and talk about whatever you'd like (though he mostly gears the conversation towards topics that you like because he loves hearing your voice)

since it's zhongli, there's no way he can step out and not have something catch his eye

which is precisely what happens when he walks by a vendor and spots a beautiful scarf

sure, it may cost an insufferable amount of mora just because the dyes were from rare flowers only found in inazuma, and the bolts of silk had come from fontaine but a simple written check to the northland bank and it was in his hands to wrap around your neck

when you return to his home, you'll rid yourself of your chilly clothes and snuggle up beside him on his chair, while he picks out your favorite book and begins to read to you in his honeyed voice

once you've fallen asleep in his lap, he'll press a tender kiss to your eyelids and let his fall shut with a smile on his lips

"my lily, come close. it's easy to catch a cold in this weather. speaking of, i have a fine blend of herbal tea gifted to me by madame ping, would you care for a cup when we arrive back home? [...] consider it done, my love."

xiao—☆

xiao didn't even know what valentine's day was until you brought it up in casual conversation

when he expressed confusion, you happily explained that it's a mortal holiday where people give gifts to those they hold dear, platonically or romantically

though he denied interest, part of him was slightly intrigued since the holiday meant that he'd get to present you with a gift and remind you of his love for you

he asks verr goldett for more details on it, and when she tells him that it's an especially lovey dovey time of the year for couples he's a little intimated and overwhelmed

but after watching some of the couples at the inn, coupled with all that verr goldett had told him, he decides that he wants to do something sweet for you even if you told him that valentine's was no big deal

he's not sure exactly what he's doing but he has the goal of making you smile in mind

so xiao decides to take you to watch the crystralflies and stars on qingyun peak at night

he's nervous about asking you, and uncharacteristically bold when he takes both of your hands within his and asks if you'd be alright to go somewhere for the night

you can practically feel the relief in his shoulders when you accepted without hesitation, and before you knew it you were on top of a high mountain peak surrounded by nothing but glimmering stars and packs of floating crystalflies

he explains that it's a spot he discovered a long time ago, and wished to share it with you (though he eventually loses his train of thought because he's enamored with how the surrounding lights reflect like a pool of water in your wide-eyed amusement)

xiao will present to you his gift: hand crafted with the prettiest leaves he could find, a butterfly with two little pearls for eyes and pretty, green leaves for wings

he imbued it earlier with a protective charm so that part of him will always be able to protect you should you need it

he's hesitant to pull you close, but you take the liberty of thanking him by intertwining your hands with his and pressing a kiss to his skin, before sitting on the grass beside him and leaning your head on his shoulder

and xiao can't help but be supple in your hands and lock your lips within his own under the gentle glimmer of moonlight

"this mortal holiday...perhaps it holds some degree of merit to it. after all, it makes you smile. [...] h-huh?! what do you mean i'm the one who made you smile? foolish...do not stir my heart so, i don't believe i can take it."

kaedehara kazuha—☆

a true romantic at heart, kazuha will have thought about valentine's well in advance

he usually lets the wind carry his plans wherever they may take him but for this occasion, kazuha knows exactly just what it is he wants to do

he plans on strolling with you on the shores of guyun stone island, and taking you out on an evening boat ride under the stars where he'll play a song or two just for you

he's not particularly nervous but that doesn't stop the jitters in his hands when he asks you to accompany him for the night

before you set off for shore on a rowboat leant to you by beidou, kazuha will gift you a leather-bound notebook that contains poems marked with dates or descriptions of his time with you

"a poem for every moment you've made my heart flutter," is the sweet line he gifts you along with it

each poem is carefully crafted with words that spring tears of love and joy to your eyes and you're sure to thank him with a warm hug and tender kiss to his lips

after a quick rowboat ride to the shore (though it takes a little longer to get there that normally because kazuha pauses every now and then to kiss some part of your face or hands), he'll lead you by the hand around the shore line

if you're up for conversation, he'll be more keen on listening but he'll always listen attentively and provide input whenever he sees fit

but if you're okay with wandering around quietly and admiring the scenery, you'll do just that (and he doesn't particularly mind if you snuggle your way into his side and wrap your arms around his torso—it makes the walk all the more enjoyable)

he'll hold your shoes and his in his hands and let you prance around barefoot on the shoreline

and, of course, he's more than inclined to take your hand in his and dance along the shore's edge to a song he'll hum

eventually kazuha will usher you back into the rowboat and paddle to a quiet area with an unobstructed view of the moon and stars and pull out his flute to play you a few melodies

his songs are gentle and soft on the ear and they make your heart soar, especially with how he'll peep an eye open at you from time to time to gauge your reaction

it takes a while for you to notice the multitude of glowing, floating lanterns that pass by the rowboat since you're so enraptured with his playing, but once you do it's a magnificent sight

(little do you know, kazuha had asked beidou in return for a favor to scatter launch lanterns from the alcor near the location where he'd take you on the rowboat. and, of course, she accepted without hesitation and got all the crew members to help him out)

the night ends with his hands locked with one of yours as you both propel any nearby lanterns back up into the sky and admire the scenery around you

and he's sure to pull you close and press a kiss to your lips to end the night perfectly

"these lanterns are akin to the brightest of stars, wouldn't you agree? though i'd say their beauty dulls when in the presence of a wonderment like yourself. [...] oh? but how can i not praise your beauty when i've seen no sunrise more marvelous than your visage? [...] dove, you underestimate the plethora of words that i hold within myself to describe just how my heart bursts and flutters whenever you come near."

scaramouche—☆

scaramouche doesn't care for valentine's in the slightest

he thinks it's a "silly little holiday" with no purpose whatsoever

that being said, if you expected a bed of roses and a day of pampering from scaramouche, you're in for a world of disappointment

scaramouche doesn't surprise you with anything on valentine's day and merely addresses you as he normally does

it's not until he meets with you the day after valentine's day and notices your droopy shoulders that he realizes: he might not have cared about valentine's but you did, even if you brush him off with a smile and let him know that it was okay

he's scowling at the hold you have on him, but when it comes down to it, scaramouche loves you more than anything and he didn't think a silly little holiday was needed to remind you of that

but, regardless, he'll try and make it up to you

the problem is: he has no idea what he's doing, and he refuses to ask for help from anybody else

so he settles on first, making you breakfast, then doing whatever you wish to do with the day with him

but scaramouche can't exactly...cook (and because this is for you, his darling, he won't seek the aid of someone who knows how to cook, like childe, and instead tries to do everything by himself)

and so you're awoken to the scent of charred waffles and a mug of tea that contained unfiltered tea leaves (you don't think he knew that he was supposed to steep the leaves and not just dump 'em in there and hope for the best)

but the action warms your heart nonetheless and you wolf it down with a giddy smile on your face (though you do your best not to taste anything)

he doesn't say sorry outright, but you know he's sorry for not doing something special for you on valentine's by the way in which he hugs you tight and presses a kiss to your forehead, even with a complimentary eye roll when you tease him about how affectionate he's being

he's all yours for the rest of the day and as promised before, he will (be it reluctantly or begrudgingly) do whatever you wish to do for the entire day

you'll take him by the arm outside to feed the local ducks in the pond, and though he'll ask about the actual purpose of doing such a thing, nothing beats the glimmer in your eyes when a baby duckling wanders onto your hand and you eagerly show him the yellow fluff with a giddy smile (and he's tempted to smile himself)

though he'll usually complain and grumble about walking through the city, going into different shops, and eating tasty foods with you, he feels more at ease knowing that you're having fun and smiling

but there is one thing he wants to show you: the beautiful view of the cherry blossoms near mt. yougou

he's not a sap or particularly good at conveying his feelings, but when he pulls you flush against his chest and kisses you feverishly, he hopes that somehow he feelings reach you

"are you satisfied? [...] good, next year will be far more extravagant so you should look forward to it. [...] huh? what do you mean 'will you forget next year too?' ...no, of course i won't. this dumb holiday makes you happy and when you're happy...so am i. [...] call me a sap again and i'll throw away the cake i ordered for you."

dainsleif—☆

dainsleif had heard in passing before of what valentine's was but never really participated or expected to participate ever

but now that you're here and lit up his life with colors he'd never seen before, he actually felt quite happy to be celebrating his first valentine's with you

dainsleif isn't too familiar with traditional customs of valentine's day, but he does know that it's a day to pamper and treat your significant other

so he decides to take you stargazing! (+ a little picnic)

dainsleif has grown efficient with creating delicious meals out of the minimal resources he can get (given his circumstances, it's not as though he carries a handsome sum of mora around with him)

you'd think he's forgotten about valentine's until he shows up at your doorstep with a single, glowing flower and blushy red cheeks paired with a timid smile, and an invitation out

he'll take you to a secluded spot near a cliff where the wind is just perfect and the view of the night sky is unobstructed, giving you full access to the stars above

dainsleif will bring you close and place your head near his heart as you both lie on the blanket spread on the grassy ground and look at the stars

he's surprisingly knowledgeable about each constellation, and if you ask him about the ones you see before you, he'll have a story to go with each one

(but he gets eerily quiet when you ask about pavo ocellus)

if you shiver even just the slightest, he'll remove his thick, black cape and drape it over your shoulders instead

please, please, hold his face and kiss him he'll absolutely love it and melt like the gentle giant he is

he's rather conservative about showing affection but can't help but indulge when you're so warmly gathered in his arms and so close to his heart—literally and metaphorically

though he thinks it's not much, he'll present a necklace with a piece of his armor as a pendant and give it to you as a valentine's gift (he'll even clip it on once given permission)

dainsleif will feel a little bad that he can't give you what most other lovers could in terms of valentine's gifts, but he's over the moon when you reassure him that his love and time are all you could ever ask for

the rest of valentine's is spent tangled up in each other's arms and studying each other's faces rather than the stars

"i know this isn't much, but happy valentine's, my shining star. i only wish i could've done something more magnificent for you. [...] oh? well then, i'm glad you liked it. come closer, you're shivering- here, i'll give you my cloak. [...] warmer? [...] good, that's good. i'm glad, my love."

thoma—☆

a real sweetheart who's dead set on pampering you the entire day

he knows that valentine's day is every day but can't help but feel to spoil you with all the exquisites of life on the holiday

on the agenda is breakfast served in bed, followed by a day full of domestic bliss and a hot spring bath to end it all off

the minute you first wake up on february 14th, thoma is by your side and ready to treat you to everything he has to offer, starting with a tray holding a stack of deliciously fluffy-looking pancakes drizzled in syrup, a steaming cup of your favorite morning beverage, and a little, red windwheel aster plucked fresh this morning from his small garden in the backyard

before he sets the delicacies down on your lap, he'll press a gentle kiss to your warm cheek and mumble "happy valentines, honey!" with that sweet smile of his

as much as he'll insist that this breakfast is all yours and that there's no need to share with him, your persistence will have him retrieving a fork and gladly helping you wolf down the yummy pancakes

thoma insists that he feeds you just to pamper you a little bit more (and though he's not usually particularly teasing, when he wipes off a little bit of spilt syrup from your lips with his thumb and pops it into his mouth, you're a little lost for words and a stuttering mess for a while)

once breakfast is settled and you're happy and full, prepare for a day out on the town!

of course, thoma will ask for your preference of either going out somewhere or staying indoors

if you choose to go out, he'll walk hand-in-hand with you for some shopping and to play with the local strays he takes care of

though he's not the richest man on the block, whatever catches your eye today will definitely fall into your hands (let's just say you're dating inazuma's #1 haggler. that, and most shopkeepers owe him a favor or two)

if you choose to stay indoors for the day, not a problem! he's always up for a day spent inside

thoma will take out some cooking bowls and prepare some ingredients to make sweets and help you fold ingredients into each other

he'll stand behind your back and place his hand over yours which holds the whisks and show you precisely just how the batter should be turned in order to produce a fluffy cake (though you think it's just an excuse to be near you and hold you, and frankly you don't mind at all)

flour fights are practically inevitable, and he'll always let you claim victory as the flour monarchy (even if he'll whine about the mess that you'll both have to clean up, it doesn't stop him from becoming a giggling mess and shoving a handful of flour down your shirt)

later in the evening, thoma will take your hand and lead you to aisa bathhouse and order a private room and bath just for the two of you

if you're scared about being bare in front of him, he'll be more than understanding and will, without hesitation, get into the bath tub with a shirt and shorts on so you feel more comfortable

the rest of the evening is spent with your head comfortably nestled on his bicep surrounded by warm, bubbly water up to your chests

though he came with the intention of relaxing, he's not above water fights! (and don't get him started on the rubber ducks that ayaka suggested he carry with him, they'll float around the bath and send you into hysterical fits of laughter while he tries to burrow himself to the nose underwater to hide his embarrassed blush)

at one point he'll shift so that you sit in front of him and work away the tension in your shoulders, making sure to leave gentle, feathery kisses along your shoulders

once you're both satisfied, warm, and happy from the bath and changed into matching pajamas, he'll hold you close against him under the covers and lull you to sleep with gentle rubs over your back and kisses to your head

"did you have fun today? [...] really? i'm glad to hear that. i hope i'm lucky enough to celebrate all my valentine's with you for the rest of my life. [...] hey! i am not cheesy, i'm romantic. there's a difference! [...] alright, maybe i'm a little cheesy but it's because i love you so much."

arataki itto—☆

itto is all over valentine's! even if he's not entirely sure what he's doing

he just knows that he really cherishes and treasures you so much and that valentine's is the perfect day to remind people that you love them

after reading a bunch of lovey dovey books from a local library (more like he bugged ayato to read them to him because he kept losing his place and had to restart from the same paragraph over and over again), he's come up with a grand plan for valentines day!

dinner at uyuu restaurant, followed by a round of onikabuto fighting, and then a special performance by his truly!

definite the perfect plan! if not for a few flaws...

the minute you both arrive at the restaurant all dolled up (itto had managed to dig up a clip on bowtie that he crookedly stuck onto his vision collar, and he beamed with pride when you complimented his fancy attire), he discovers that the mora he was so sure he set aside to pay for dinner was now missing from his pockets

and then he's reminded that he might have accidentally bet his mora in an onikabuto game against ayato in an attempt to double his earnings and gain enough mora to buy you a beautiful broach he had seen earlier that would've paired lovely with your eyes

while he's frantically searching for the mora and trying not to let his lip wobble, you see this and reach for his hand, reminding him that you just want to be with him and don't have to eat at some fancy restaurant

although embarrassed as he apologizes to the server and leads you away from uyuu restaurant, he's not about to give up! he still has a chance to make sure this night goes well and he's not about to blow it

since dinner was a bust, he'll take you out to granny oni's little cottage house on the outskirts of the city and asks her for a homecooked meal in return for any labor or work she needs done on the land

dinner is spent chatting with granny oni over delicious meals of fried shrimp and tender rice with homegrown vegetables (granny oni also spills all of itto's adorable childhood stories like a doting mother while he buries his red face into his hands and whines about how "uncool" the story of him falling face-first into the lake while trying to catch a dragonfly was, despite your hearty laughs and the tears that spring to your eyes from your amusement)

of course, granny oni will offer you two some time alone where you're left to sit in his lap and let him press his burning red face into the crook of your neck (but a little reassurance is all he needs to laugh off his childhood shenanigans)

he'll wrap his broad arms around your waist and offer to retell any more stories you'd like to hear whenever you're interested

once you've been fed well and you've bid granny oni a thank you and goodbye, it's off back towards the city for a battle of onikabutos!

itto had taken up ayato on an offer to help with the delivery of some of his goods traveling from ritou, and since then the lord of the kamisato clan has owed him a favor: one he was cashing in right now

in the courtyard of komore teahouse is a little table with two embroidered pillows perfect for sitting

and, of course, two little boxes for your respective onikabutos!

he's more than excited to battle against you and you can't help but match his energy!

a few hours spent giggling over your multiple wins (and letting him win a few rounds because you loved seeing him do his little victory dance), and your throats are sore and cheeks worn from smiling

with the battles complete, now came time for his special performance!

he'll lead you by the hand to the beach, where his gang members wait all holding instruments of various kinds

he'll sit you down with an excited smile on one of the rocks and clear his throat before jumping into song accompanied by, for lack of a better word, lackluster musical accompaniment

you don't have the heart to remind him that none of his boys actually knows how to play their respective instruments (you're sure one of them is just blowing air into the flute he's playing and not making any noise), but his song is sweet and charming and filled with that boyish itto charm that you love so much

so when his song is finished you fling yourself at him and squeeze with all your might to remind him just how loved he is by you

and you're sure he believes it when he later sits by your side to look at the ocean, takes your face within his hands and kisses you with all that he is

"hey! so what'd you think of my song, huh? pretty good if i say so myself! [...] really? you liked it?! oh, sunshine, that makes me the happiest fella in the world! and about the boys' playing, yeesh i've been tellin' these knuckleheads to practice but i think they slacked on me. either way, i'll sing as many songs for you as you want. but, er- give me a little time. vocal chord rest and all, can't have 'em clockin' out on me when my beautiful darlin' wants to hear me sing now can i?"

gorou—☆

as someone who's not really sure how exactly to navigate the world of romance, gorou finds himself at a loss during valentine's day

precautions and advice for the holiday aren't in miss kokomi's guidebook, and love (at least he found) was nothing like battle

but after some "research" (asking kokomi for her romantic novels), he thinks that he's got the hang of it

he decides to take you to share a cake and some sticks of tricolor dango in the city and then see where the night takes you both

in advance, he prepared a special gift of a necklace he made from shimmering, pearly blue and purple shells found on the shores of watatsumi island

gorou's nervous about everything, from his gift to his plans to even his outfit (he made sure to buy a dress shirt and pants and a tie for the occasion), but all his nerves come to rest when you hold his face and compliment his outfit, matching red cheeks, and the gift he made just for you

he'll clip the necklace around your neck once you've expressed your gratitude, and squeeze you tight against him to exclaim a happy valentine's!

he'll take you by the hand towards komore teahouse where a delicious-looking small cake and two sticks of dango await on one of the outdoor tables

taroumarou is outside the teahouse for once to keep the two of you company (occasionally taroumarou will bark something and gorou will flush a deep red and will vehemently deny to translate whatever the little shiba barked at him, though you can guess it involves you + kissing)

he's easily shy and intimidated by doting acts of love, but your patience is what he's really grateful for and he's glad that you aren't teasing him when you offer to spoon a piece of cake into his mouth (he won't have to say how much he enjoys you presence—his rapidly wagging tail says it all)

but when you inevitably wipe of a bit of stray, pink frosting with your thumb from his lips, least to say he's flustered beyond all recognition (and it makes you giggle endearingly a little at how the strong-willed general falls apart under just the simple touch of your fingers)

despite not being too familiar with the city, gorou manages to find a quiet spot that overlooks the sea, where you usher him to rest his head in your lap and rub his ears (it makes him very very happy and smiley)

he's always got an ear to listen to you and talks with you about everything and anything for what feels like hours as the night wanes on

you're all he's ever wanted and he hopes that you understand just how much you mean to him when his arms sling around your waist and his face presses into your clothed stomach with burning red cheeks as he mumbles an "i love you" in a nervous voice

"you know, i've never really had anyone before to talk to as a normal person. yeah, of course i have my comrades but they view me as a superior officer so there's always been a barrier in those relationships. but you...you just see me, and i'm grateful. [...] w-what? i- um, yeah, your hands feel...really nice on my ears, i don't mind at all..."

date published: february 15th, 2022

2K notes · View notes

pammei · 2 years

Note

Did you take request? If so, can it be gn?

Um..hehe, can I get yandere scaramouche when he know that reader has a lover that sadly die, but for some reason reader can't moved on. Not like they want to, and each day scaramouche could tell that reader is thinking about them.

Doesn't matter if he punish them or anything, each pain will just be met with "if scaramouche indeed killed me then can I finnaly see you darling?"

And while they were obedient, scaramouche definitely can tell that reader think of him as "replacement" ya know? Perhaps it's his eyes resemble them or his hair or whatever you can possibly think of.

If you didn't take a request feel free to delete this but please tell me cuz I know I'm gonna be waiting.

Yandere Scaramouche x GN Reader

/// Carved From Dreams - Part 1

Summary:

Slightly inspired by the myth Pygmalion

Your mind still recalls when you were a woodblock printer for the God of Eternity. With Raiden Ei's powers, your prints became those beautiful prototype puppets. But, unfortunately, you foolishly fell in love with your creation, so when he dies, and you are left devastated, The Balladeer uses your sorrow and his appearance, which perfectly mirrors your former lover, to get you wrapped around his finger.

Warnings: Angst, Death, Depression (more to be added in the 2nd part)

word count: 5.8k

Snezhnaya is cold.

Too frigid to relax. One always needs to be on the move, or else the hoarfrost will gobble you up.

Though a fox envoy, your memories of being a servant to the God of Eternity have all but faded into the glimmering snow. Yet for some reason, each night as the heavenly moon peeks a glance at your half-sleeping form shrouded in satin and silken sheets at Zapolyarny Palace, everything seems to come back.

The sea of white. Those poignant kisses that left burns on your beating heart. Never-ending tears. The mikos must have passed on the tale of an aloof kitsune whose robes were stained purple for an entire summer.

Perhaps it is like muscle memory, or maybe all of it became engraved into your mind that afternoon at Tenshukaku. Yes, the experience was akin to red wine tainting a wedding dress. You may try to forget. You may try to scrub out the haunting darkness until your skin peels off and your bones show, but the mark will always be there. Even if it’s just seen by you.

Nevertheless, it is something that lasts for an eternity.

You could recall the way paper became skin, how colored ink became violet eyes and plush lips, how each stroke became strands of hair.

He was sketched by you, carved by you, inked by you.

But honestly, could something so fair and radiant truly stem from a simple woodblock print crafted from your hands? You still ask yourself that very question. Yet one thing that you can be certain about is that Her Excellency, the Electro Archon, really did amaze you. Back then, the scarlet sun was setting; as she examined the nude, slender puppet, her face didn’t show a sliver of awe nor a shred of doubt. It was as unmoving as her goal.

You opened your eyes.

Still nighttime. Still too cold.

A chilling breeze invaded the room and you shivered as you pulled up the silken sheet to your chin and tiredly scrutinized your surroundings. He left the window open again. You shifted your body slightly to look at the Harbinger better.

The eagerness to lock the window and close the curtains was strong; however, in these scarce moments, as he obeys slumber’s will, he appears so insecure and pure. The word innocent crossed your mind. A princely face that lacks nothing except a touch of celestial divinity weeps for a tender heart and glazed dreams. His pale skin glowed in the moonlight.

You breathed lightly and didn’t dare to get out of the bed. A single disturbance would awaken the ruthless man. If you committed the transgression, a severe punishment wouldn’t be a surprise.

Besides, you didn’t really want to awake him, anyway, since in these fleeting moments, the Balladeer reminds you of the crack of thunder and brilliance of lightning.

So bright and clear like Akihito. A mere prototype puppet before him.

___

That summer in Inazuma, it was especially hot.

“Don’t be worried, Ei! If anything, my former ward is a shut-in.” Your master, Yae Miko, was always rather blunt. Even as a fellow kitsune, you couldn’t keep up with her demanding, mischievous personality. “You know I don’t like this nonsense you're concocting, but how could you think such preposterous notions? That I would bring someone who can’t be trusted!”

“Miko. Please.” Beelzebul vexingly sighed at her friend’s behavior and gave a cross response. “Everything must be perfect for my plan to take form. No one besides a few must know.” The Electro Archon monitored your eyes shifting from place to place, taking in the lavishness of Tenshukaku. She walked towards you and lifted your chin. You tried to stop your fox ears from twitching. Her touch was, not surprisingly, electrifying. “Miko tells me you're a skilled artist.” She grabbed your hands and inspected them. “Calluses. You practice your craft often, I see.”

“Yes, Your Excellency, I make a variety of woodblock prints. Some depicting the Shrine, some tales from the past, others mere imaginative scenes. I sell them in the city and during seasonal festivals.”

“Good, good.” You couldn’t really tell if she was pleased or not. She spoke so plainly. “Now, answer this question, and I will see if you are fit for my task as Miko so claims.” Your archon’s lilac eyes glowed brightly like an angelic spring morning, but they were solemn. Hands still being held by her were gripped tightly as if begging for you to speak earnestly.

“What does eternity mean to you?”

Abruptly, memories of lazy days at the Shrine came into your mind. Days when you tried to help your master with utter mischief. Times when you would simply listen to the koto being plucked at dawn or the shamisen being strummed at dusk. Echoes of the jingles from the suzu bells being performed by dutiful maidens in red hakamas and white kosodes rippled in your mind. Those nights when you would venture into the ruins of Araumi and sleep under a cherry blossom tree, dreaming of Kitsune Saiguu, bring sugary nostalgia.

But in actuality, the aftermath of the Cataclysm was your childhood. The ghosts of family members who succumbed to the potent abyss scratch your skin. They craved your innermost thoughts. You were so young when it occurred, but you remember how the shrine maidens would pet your fur to soothe the nightmares that plagued you. Vague images of eyes feasting on your form brought shudders. Faint sounds of talons clawing a wall gifted shrieks. You would only shift back into a more human form when Guuji Yae was around.

One morning as the sakura blooms seemed to float higher and higher into the misty sky, your master gifted you ink as black as shadows, paper as delicate as clouds, and a brush as fine as thread, and instructed you to paint whatever pleased you. Her blush-colored hair in the somber winds of Mt. Yougou blocked her stunning face for a moment. Her gold headdress—just polished— shined excessively.

“Come now, my dear. This will help you.”

You crafted scenes from fairytales. Skillful strokes told the story of a young fox walking through a riveting forest of cherry blossoms. Your family was there. In your work, the branches of the Sacred Sakura no longer wept over the fact that ichor from the one with a feeble heart and an oil-paper umbrella soiled the land that day. The lamentable cries of lightning didn’t startle Narukami Island when you were engrossed by your canvas.

Every piece you made became more beautiful and picturesque as your nightmares became more ravenous. You thought that if you shared your work, you would experience more bliss, so you moved to woodblock printing for faster production. That gullible hope died out soon.

“What a twisted child. The more they suffer, the more exquisite their work becomes.”

Ink stained the tatami flooring. Paper scattered your room. Slabs of wood were unattractively laid everywhere. One would've had to be careful not to step on a carving knife. Blisters, calluses, and splinters littered your hands. Even the shreds of ripped work still created masterpieces.

You transformed and curled into yourself, your tail blocking weary eyes from the light of the dimly burning lantern.

Just as you were about to remember more, an electrifying touch brought you back. You pondered for a moment.

“Eternity, to me, means achieving absolute happiness. Abandoning the waking world for one of euphoric dreams.”

Ei uttered the next few words so softly.

“It’s as if I’m staring into a looking-glass, and for once, I’m seeing myself. Not who I want to be… Not Makoto.”

That night, there was a sorrowful thunderstorm. The mournful tune of tragedy kept all of Inazuma awake.

___

The God of Eternity only had one request for you: The design of the prototype puppet mustn’t have the same appearance as herself. It may look similar, but not exact.

It’s just a test, after all.

After a variety of sketches, the one you presented to the Raiden Shogun was elegant.

Her reaction to some would be considered rather dull. A nod was all that was given. But the approval was thrilling.

The path to eternity had begun.

You remember the way the shrine maidens teasingly snickered as you tiredly hacked down a few sakura trees. Huffs and puffs, your heated face covered in sweat, drew their attention. The pink petals billowed in the air before they landed on your attire. You haphazardly dropped your axe, collapsed on the ground, and sharply exhaled. Pain ravaged your arms and back.

“My, my, not exactly what you signed up for, is it?” You rolled your eyes with slight annoyance. Your master articulated her words so gracefully, but anyone close to her could pick up on the underlying tone of amusement.

“It isn’t every day that someone works for their Archon,” you playfully defended yourself, waving your hand to shoo her away.

“That may be true.” Yae put her hands on her hip and sighed. “I think Ei is acting like a child throwing a tantrum with this ‘plan for everlasting eternity.’” Her eyes shifted to the trees that were victims of your slaughter. All of the fallen petals made exquisite pools of pink. “Yumemiru wood. Good choice.”

___

You stayed up all night making the first print, though not one that would be of much use to Her Excellency; it was a sentimental souvenir. Your heart thumped with excitement and anticipation.

It was second nature to you already. To paste the sketch drawn on washi onto the wooden block, to carve the surface, to repeat the whole process until you had a woodblock for each color to be added.

Your creation would have lavender eyes lined with crimson, lithe arms, and a gentle smile. His black robes loose on his body revealed his bare chest adorned with the lilac emblem of the Shogunate. Proof of his lineage, which stems from the divine, and evidence of his purpose, to house a celestial heart.

As the hours passed, your vision blurred. You didn’t mean to, but you ended up dozing off and dreamt of a young man strolling below tranquil wisteria trees. There was a slight fog on the narrow path. Dark hair flowed as he turned around to greet you. The geta sandals he wore echoed a low click sound as they met cobblestone. Lavender eyes matched the scenery. His chest ignited, his heart pulsated with power. He reached for your rough hands and placed them on his slightly exposed torso.

Gleaming tears spilled down his regal face. He mouthed something to you, but you woke up gasping for air.

Ugh! I fell asleep. You almost spilled the inks you made and nearly cut your hand on your tools.

The heavenly moon lit the room with nightly opulence. A feathery chill ran down your spine, a breeze pecked your cheeks.

Huh… It seems that you had left the window open again.

___

That afternoon at Tenshukaku, you weren’t sure what to feel, but frustration was certainly an option.

The way the Raiden Shogun observed you so intensely became seared into your distressed consciousness. She was like a teacher testing their pupil as you applied the ink onto the paper with the help of a baren. After you embossed your name and the number one onto the print, you handed it to the grim deity.

“It is finished, Your Excellency.”

Ei stared at the work of art for a second. Perhaps examining the youthful face of the man who would aid in her arduous pursuit to be closer to the Heavenly Principles. Maybe she was astounded by the vibrant hues of purple that made up hair and eyes. You couldn’t tell. Her face was as blank as the stack of unused kozo paper laid on the tatami mats.

As fast as lightning, her plum eyes became incandescent, her eyebrows furrowed, her braided hair came undone a bit. A gust of wind nearly knocked you over. The luxurious room quivered. The dendrobiums closed their ruby petals. You hissed at the intense light diffusing from her.

In a second, the print vanished, yet you knew what had transpired. Skin from paper, eyes from ink, but still, he would lack a benevolent heart.

You didn’t have a moment to relish the fact that your art had come to life, because as soon as he opened his eyes, the puppet withered away into dust.

Mouth now agape, hands clenching your clothes, you snapped your head back to Beelzebul to receive much-needed answers.

“It will take some time before one can even last more than a second,” she said, tone completely casual. “We must continue. This is why I chose a woodblock printer. The mass-production aspect of the craft will speed up the process immensely.”

“But–”

“Let’s make haste.”

About fifty prints took their first breath that entire evening. Out of all of them, only twenty prototypes weren’t wholly ephemeral in nature; however, they showed no sign of function. Perhaps you should’ve asked if you were supposed to paint strings on the puppets.

Ironically, though she was someone who should have all the time in the world, the God of Eternity didn’t want to wait until the nonfunctional ones vanished back to dust to further her progress. She cruelly threw their pale bodies onto the floor like a child discarding an old doll for a new toy. They laid there like corpses stacked in a pile. Some had their lifeless eyes still open, as if attempting to resurrect. Even as you continued your monotonous work by applying the ink, using the baren, embossing your name and the number which belonged to that specific prototype, only just to repeat the process, those unchanging melancholic eyes stifled your mind.

You winced as you heard the sickening thud of one of the bodies falling. Their heads and limbs moved unnaturally with the sudden movement. One underneath had disappeared, allowing for gravity to simply follow its laws.

Prototype number forty-three, or so you believe, was one of the ones on top, but he tumbled down the heap and ended up right next to you. A few strands of hair covered his face. His limp arm stretched out completely. A slightly bruised hand was open, as if begging for you to hold it.

You lifted your head from your work to stare at the man you had sketched, carved, and inked. How handsome he is.

A reserved sigh was emitted from the woman with a noble body and amethyst irises. You paid no mind to her as you stood up and cradled the forsaken being in your arms before placing him back onto the morbid mound.

Calloused hands cupped the lifeless face of the prince. “I don’t want you to be alone. Have sweet dreams with your brothers.”

You used your index finger to close all their eyelids carefully. You thought you did it to give them some peace as they decay. But really, that harrowing lavender color prickled your soul for what felt like an eternity.

___

It took about a month before you and Ei managed to create a puppet that seemed to be promising. Unlike the others, you asked if you could give him a name, as you would be the one in charge of watching him to see if he’d be fit to move on to the next stage.

After hundreds of times, the ordeal wasn’t as bewildering as that first afternoon. It became like an everyday chore. Numbness was all to be felt. But the second he gasped for air, took in his surroundings, and grinned excitedly, you blinked. Shock seeped into your heart and mind. Huh, this one is rather distinct from the others.

You decided on the name Akihito. It was fitting. That smile of his was so bright and clear.

Time passed by quickly; you wished the kamera was invented sooner. The burning yearn to go back and somehow capture those moments has disturbed you for centuries. You remember how you brought him to Konda Village and taught him how frail crystalflies are, how warm the day is compared to the dignified night, and how to paint what’s on his mind.

It was the simple things with Akihito. He would ask about someone’s day, how they were feeling, have they eaten yet, have they smiled at all. He made the citizens of Inazuma laugh so easily.

Once, you brought him to the Shrine, and he held your rough hands. You mindfully noted how delicate his were. He stopped every second to talk to passersby. He even gave his spare dango to a weeping child near the torii gates.

“Why must you stop so much?”

“Because the present moment is so fleeting. We must treasure it through our interactions with others.”

He soon knew more about the maidens at the Shrine than you did, and you had spent your whole life with them.

You remember your cheeks heating when you watched his face brighten as the mikos performed the sacred kagura dance.

The realization that you liked spending time with him — not just because he's your artwork, nor just because it's your job — wasn’t as tough to swallow as you thought it would be.

___

Your room was nothing short of a chaotic mess back then.

Inks, most commonly hues of purple, always stained the tatami flooring. Kozo paper was always scattered around. Slabs of yumemiru wood were always haphazardly strewn all over the place. Whenever Guuji Yae came to visit you, she had to be extra careful not to step on your tools.

The word embarrassment wouldn’t be able to properly describe what you had felt when Akihito asked to visit your dwelling. Besides Tenshukaku, your little abode was also your studio.

Without thinking one day, you had told him that the majority of your equipment and original prints were there.

He smiled. Of course, he did. That’s what he’d never stopped doing.

“May I pay your room a visit? I would love to see your process.” Akihito pleaded to you. Well, that’s how the sensation of those handsome, lavender eyes growing rounder with questioning awe felt.

You resigned. You couldn’t say no to those eyes and that enrapturing beam.

You briskly turned your head away from his inquiring stare and looked down at the ground. You attempted to distract yourself by scrutinizing his geta sandals instead. “It’s kind of an eyesore, though…Everything is rather cluttered.” The urge to say no was immense, but you couldn’t shake off the feeling that you felt safe sharing everything with him.

“I don’t mind. I can even help you clean your room! If you want me to. You have done so much for me. It’s the least I can do!”

Courage must have possessed you because you met those bright eyes and fondly brought your right hand to his face.

“No, you are the one who has helped me so much.”

You realized what you had done and tried to pull away swiftly, but he caught your rough hand and tugged you into a warm embrace. The sudden affection caught you off guard.

By the end of the idyllic day, your room was spotless.

You made sure to leave the window open, for there was a pleasant breeze.

___

It was around noon time when it occurred. Another month had nearly passed.

Those breathtaking lavender eyes closed, his eyebrows raised slightly, he chuckled. You rested your head on his lap. You two were under a cherry blossom tree in the Araumi region. The regal young man caressed your skin and pet your fox ears. Akihito’s form was hunched slightly to shelter your eyes from the sunlight that was slipping through the branches. Light pink petals fell on top of his head; they contrasted with his indigo hair. He gleefully giggled, and you joyfully sighed and booped his nose.

___

“Why don’t you paint as much anymore?” your master questioned you one evening. Her hands were on her hips, her white and scarlet sleeves swaying from the movement. There was a hum in her voice.

“I suppose I’ve been happier lately.” You looked directly into her violet eyes. “I took up art so that it could help me like you said it would. It’s just that, now, I don’t need to worry about the nightmares anymore.”

Yae Miko took your hands and drew comforting circles into your skin. “Be careful, dear, those who abandon the waking world for one of enchanting dreams only mourn when they return to reality.”

A frown fell upon your confused face. Shouldn’t she be happy for you?

“By the way, your hands have become soft.”

___

The temperature was searing when the God of Eternity invited you back to Tenshukaku. You gave your report on his progress.

“He reminds me of Makoto.”

She always spoke that name whenever it was morning; it was as if the luminous rays that bring fertile life to Teyvat were as jubilant as her deceased sister. Makoto was her sun. Ei was merely another planet revolving around such brilliance.

“She, too, was gentle and loved by everyone. I believe he will be a fitting vessel.” Beelzebul lifted her hand before closing it tightly and concentrating. She then opened her fist, and a purple chess piece began to float. “This is my gnosis; it represents my divinity and status as an archon. As I will be placing my consciousness into my sister's sword, the Musou Isshin, I will need a place to house my celestial powers.”

You had already been informed about this ordeal, but seeing the gnosis in person was a rather bewitching experience. The sheer energy it radiated was terrifying. Why was it so captivating? The luminous glow of the minute yet potent object was hypnotizing.

Your pupils must have dilated.

However, you couldn’t stop the dreadful feeling of drowning in nauseating darkness as you neared it. The heaviness was too similar to those plaguing nightmares you had.

You didn’t even notice you were about to snatch it until Ei swatted your hand away.

“Apologies. I should’ve been more careful. I know how entrancing it is. A whole war was fought between gods to gain one.”

Your ears fell down. How embarrassing. “I’m sorry, Your Excellency, it won’t happen again.” Sheepish words rolled off your tongue as you scratched the back of your neck.

“No need to apologize. Now, let’s bring in Mako—“ She cleared her voice. “Akihito.”

You slid open the shoji door. Inside another room was the one with a pure smile. Akihito was working on an ink painting. Not a single dark drop tainted the chabudai or the tatami flooring. So mindful. Rigid branches, budding blossoms, and a kitsune dressed in a yukata weren’t anything praiseworthy, but there was a splendid air about the focus in his eyes. You mastered many mediums of art as a means of income and as a means to escape the woes that life brings, but in his case, anyone could tell that he did it to experience joy.

He was having fun.

“Far from a masterpiece, but I wanted to capture that memory of us under the cherry blossom tree in Araumi. I didn’t get to finish myself, but I’m more than happy that I was able to draw you. Even if you don’t look as… attractive due to my skills.” Words so timid yet sincere were whispered. “I know I may not have a heart… but I believe I understand what I feel.”

A light thud sounded as you sat down beside him and rested your head on his shoulder.

“Akihito, my love, we mustn't make Her Excellency wait.”

“I know.”

___

The clock signaled that it was already past noon.

It was, yet again, another afternoon at Tenshukaku.

He laid down on a futon placed on the ground and undid his robes slightly to expose his chest. That violet marking, the symbol of the Bakufu, was far too jarring on his fair skin. Indigo hair, the color of the night sky, was sprawled out like lightning scattered throughout a storm.

He shut his eyes and breathed in, then out.

Ei knelt down beside him, gave him a kiss on the cheek, and placed her index finger near his hairline. She touched every curve and dip of his forehead, nose, lips, neck, and chest as she grazed her finger down his body. One can tell that everything about him was designed with a purpose. Your deity placed her palm flat on his chest before curling her fingers in, just below the stately symbol. Light scratch marks began to swell.

There was that familiar glow. Looking back, you curse yourself for not having grown used to it after so many puppets, after seeing the gnosis, after this.

But then again, how could you, when the memory that follows is the image of the God of Eternity shoving her fist into his chest.

Piercing skin that was once paper.

There was no sweat, no clenched fists, no furrowed eyebrows. The poor creature displayed no pain so as to not frighten you.

Was it a success? That single thought raced into your mind. You bit your lip anxiously.

The gleaming lilac halted. Her pristine hand left his body. For once, her face bore an expression. Pure disappointment.

Those lavender eyes suddenly shot open and moved around frantically, his lips parted slightly, attempting to speak. You quickly rushed to him and touched his hand.

“Hey, it's okay… It’s over.” A tender lover you were. You rubbed delicate hearts into his palm.

Akihito’s back arched. Those petrified eyes wouldn’t stay still. He harshly snatched his hand from your soothing touch and uncontrollably gripped and pulled his sleek hair. That slender body wouldn’t stop jerking back and forth. That fair skin was turning as white as snow. Fingers contoured into grotesque shapes. His mouth opened and closed desperately.

He’s trying to speak. He’s trying to gain control. He’s trying to survive.

You hastily turned your head to his other creator and shrieked at her.

“Do something! H-He’s dying!” Oh, how big and small you felt that day as you insulted your god. “It’s always like this! You…You monster! You always have to just stand there with that horrible blank expression. You never cared about any of them!” The wretched sentences you seethed were merely the bubbling surface. Deep inside, you felt so much anguish and pain that words couldn’t have even been formed from your mouth to communicate to her. Too many “yous” were wailed that afternoon.

I don’t want to be alone. I don’t want to be alone. I don’t want to be alone. I don’t want to be alone…

That phrase flew around and accumulated in your mind like a blizzard.

The Electro Archon looked at the scene with a vacant face. “There is nothing I can do. It seems I overestimated him, this project, and, most of all, you.” Beelzebul tilted her head and pitied your trembling form. It reminded her of that fateful event. “He is malfunctioning due to the gnosis. There is no use in taking it out now. The outcome will be the same.”

You clicked your tongue, annoyed at her indifference. She had nursed that face for so long that it had left her naught but a hollow shell. She was more of a puppet than they were.

You briskly tuned out her words and cradled his body so tightly in your arms, bringing your forehead to his. Akihito’s bright, clear face and limbs were littered with ink-like markings, a sign that his body and mind were yielding to heinous forces. They were devouring the gracious man alive.

You tried to turn his face so that his eyes would look directly into yours. But, even then, he kept staring at the ceiling, as if searching for something more.

“Cel—”

“Celestia.”

Your eyes widened. “Yes, what is it, my love?” A sorrowful smile was plastered onto your face as he began to murmur. Tears ran down. They fell onto his face sloppily.

A weak arm tried to affectionately touch your sobbing form. You brought his hand to your wet cheek, answering his wish.

“I’m...I’m sorry, but now that I have a heart…. I know for certain that I can say that I-I love you.”

That nimble hand withered away.

You hugged him so tightly and wept, “Please, don’t go… I can’t face them without you. Not without the person I love.”

Though his smile was no different than that time at the Shrine, that time napping under the cherry blossoms, and that time watching the mikos dance, the main thing you couldn’t help but notice was how those lavender eyes were the last to fade away. Like always, they still had that shine that defined him. That sparkle that revealed how much he valued the present moment.

You nestled your face into his black robes, bunched them together, and held them firmly like a mother holding an infant. Trying to conserve the warmth, scent, anything.

It was one summer afternoon at Tenshukaku that you realized how transient eternity really is.

___

Your master knocked on your door. She begged you to answer. “Dear, you must come out. It’s been weeks.” Autumn was arriving. Children would soon be dressed in adorable kimonos for the harvest festivities to come. All for Her Excellency's blessings and everlasting reign. Crimson leaves would stain the land.

It would soon be too cold to relax.

There was another knock. Why does it matter if you wallow in your grief or not? Nothing truly changes with you. Your life was set in stone the moment your parents perished to the abyss.

Ink once again stained the tatami mats of your floor. Paper once again was scattered around your room. Those slabs of wood were once again unattractively laid everywhere.

Everything that had occurred with Akihito disappeared. All those happy changes were gone in an instant.

Yet, the only things that didn’t revert back were your hands. They stay changed. You couldn’t bring yourself to draw again. No more rough calluses or blisters; they will forever remain as delicate and supple as velvety petals. Just like they were that afternoon he melted away from your scorching touch.

“The mikos are worried about you.”

Perhaps you were being too harsh, but that flowery, saccharine voice of hers made you gag. A cacophonous ring it had, like funeral bells tolling. You nearly put your right hand over your left on your throat to halt the bile from rising and consuming every waking specimen. But what left did you have to regurgitate? You vomited your singing heart as he mumbled those last words. You yearned for those lazy, scenic days spent with him.

Taunting laughs stung your brain. You scrambled to grip Akihito’s black robes tighter in an attempt to control the heavenly and abyssal images that pester and pick.

“What is it?” You spat it out finally.

The mouthwatering smell of fried tofu delectably laid atop udon started to cloud the vicinity.

Oh, she’s good.

“I figured I’d bring your favorite.” Yae Miko placed the tray outside your room, but she didn’t leave. A deplorable phantom, she was. Was she here to mock you? To once again sabotage your life?

You flung the door open, seized the steaming bowl of kitsune udon, and savagely threw it at her.

But of course, the Guuji was always more agile.

“You could’ve burned me, you know?” That tone of amusement, that laugh of hers that treated everything like a humorous joke, irked you terribly.

Oh, when did you become so unruly and rebellious? Childhood was long gone.

“I hate you! Why did you bring me to her? You knew her plan would end up like this, yet still, you brought me to Tenshukaku!” Tears started to well up. Those skeletons of the bygone times dug their claws into your ankles and wrists. “You were like a sister to me. I was filled with joy when you were placed as my guardian.”

You collapsed to your knees.

“Why did you do this to me?” Those black robes once again became damp from heartache. “I even introduced him to you, and you didn’t do anything!” Each syllable was exclaimed so shakily, so breathlessly.

She hummed as you continued to babble and sob. “Well, I did give you a small warning that one time. But I will shoulder some of the blame if that will pacify you.”

Those violet eyes looked towards the ground. “I suppose I thought that if you, someone I know, were involved, we could lessen the damage Ei would cause with this foolish project.” Your master reached out to hold you. “My bad, my dear.”

Your blood boiled. You gritted your teeth, got up, and stomped closer to her. The broth soiled your attire. The wet fabric clung to your body. The fried tofu became disgusting mush under your bare feet.

You breathed heavily, chest heaving. Your fox ears twitched. Protracted sharp claws unintentionally ripped Akihito’s precious black robes. “Don’t. Patronize. Me.”

Too many unrelenting, intrusive thoughts invaded your head. You wanted to slap the arm that was reaching out to you. You wanted to push her to the ground and bellow out all that mauled what was left of your mind. You would go as far as to say that you even wanted to pierce her chest, snatch her heart, and make her feel what your love with indigo hair experienced.

Yae Miko gazed directly into your eyes. You nearly fell again when you saw the purple color. Everything went away. The bloodlust. The vengeful spirit. Your jaded soul even fled.

All that was left was the kitsune who tried to nap on their lover's lap. All that was left was a child who lost their family. All that was left was the artist who painted their plight. All that was left was the creator who laid those princes to rest and closed their lavender eyes.

All that was left was you.

You stumbled slightly, nearly slipping on the puddle of udon, as you treaded to your master and accepted her embrace. Sharp guilt formed.

“I’m sorry... I miss him. I was an idiot for falling in love.” your voice cracked.

A gust of air blew some of your disorderly papers lying on the ground to the door. From the corner of your eyes, you could tell which one was the one closest to you.

It was a scene of rigid branches, budding blossoms, and a kitsune in a yukata. The artwork was nothing praiseworthy, it was even unfinished, but you bawled and whimpered because you knew that fluttering sensation of felicity you felt when you saw it for the first time would never come again.

Another puff of wind came in.

It seems you had left the window open again.

Thank you for reading!! ღゝ◡╹ )ノ♡

Part 2 is already in the making! This was originally supposed to be one big oneshot, but I decided to split it due to its length

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