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dovahkook · 1 year

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Divine Blessings (II)

Morax (Zhongli) x Reader

PART I > here

tags for this: not really anything but there’s some talk of grief and loss and reader is going through it. xiao is a cutie and my comfort boy how did you know? morax just exists and his dick big. I just know it.

tags in general: concepts of war, morax being a menace, idk what else just be warned the piece is kind of dark and it involves death, maybe some gore, religious themes, kinda blasphemous and the reader is a heathen

A/N: look at me actually doing updates but yeah this is long overdue my bad broskis but yeah this isn’t even proof-read bc guess what! we die like yakshas here. too soon? okay anyway so like I said the smut is in chapter 4 my bad to the degenerate people. I’ll try and get you some dragon zhongli soon ;( im sorry (no im not) I like plot with porn. yes, i did publish this on ao3 too.

There was a sense of serenity. Nothing but the gentle bellows of wind could be heard as you sat upright within an unknown field surround by sand-bearer trees and a crystal clear lagoon cutting the horizon as far as you could see. At your feet were blooming blue flowers that responded to the gentle hum within the wind - a melody that brought your soul a sense of peace - and the sky was painted as an ethereal sunrise. Pink and orange hues accompanied by golden streaks of light. If all was not surreal enough, in the far distance were the figures of mighty beasts: cranes and deers that were far too large to be considered the normal local fauna. The creatures were almost bowing their heads as the - almost haunting - melody in the wind chimed louder and a large shadow from the orange clouds emerged, revealing the silhouette of a mighty dragon. You were mesmerised by the glorious presence of the beast descending upon the earth and drawing closer towards you. Its mighty figure big enough to crush over an entire street of houses.

Yet, there was no alarm in your soul.

No fear.

As you stood before the brown scaled beast, your gaze fixed upon the shimmering gold dusted within the amber that swam in its eyes while it peered back at you, you reached your hand out to place your hand against its snout. The hand of a mortal utterly tiny in comparison but the dragon did not resist. When the dragon closed its eyes, a voice, gentle as a the flow of a river, rang through your ears.

'Welcome home.’

Waking in a place completely unknown to you was not a first but was something you were hoping not to get used to. Your eyelids were still heavy from the drowsy state of unconsciousness you rose from and your sense of smell was immediately attacked by the smoke of incense and herbs. Qingxin and mint to be exact.

When you tried lifting yourself to sit upright it was not without great difficulty. There was a dull pain throbbing in your right shoulder and many bruises decorating your body. Your head was spinning trying to recollect your memories.

Examining your nearby surroundings, there was a small window near the bed you were on and underneath the windowsill was a side-table consisting of a vase of wilting qingxin flowers and a teacup filled with water. From the window blew a gentle breeze that would caress your skin and leave goosebumps to blossom in turn, having you cling to the sheet draped over you in order to seek more warmth.

The room was barely decorated apart from a bookshelf near the doorway, an empty writing desk, and some scroll paintings depicting mystical beasts. However, what really caught your attention was the bed on the adjacent side of the room that was occupied by another person. The tufts of midnight and teal hair that were visible giving away his identity without a doubt in mind. “Alatus!”

Your body moved before your brain could register the pain, needing to see him - needing to know if he was alive. Wobbly legs sauntering towards his bedside where he laid, the wounds that were visible had been dressed and his face had been wiped from any grime and blood that would have stained his porcelain skin during the battle. You let out a relieved sigh, reaching your hand towards his forehead that was radiating heat. His breath lightly kissing at the palm of your hand as you had done so.

“Ah, you are awake!” The voice belonging to a woman spoke from the doorway, breaking the tranquility that enveloped both you and Alatus. The sudden need to be on guard was back as you tried hunching over Alatus’s form to obscure their line of sight on the adeptus. “No need to be alarmed, dear, I’m not here to cause harm on either of you. Just here to change the flowers.”

The woman carefully stepped into the room, ensuring to maintain a distance between the two of you. You said nothing as your eyes analysed her features.

She was a mature woman, likely in her late thirties. Her braided hair being that of a faded blue hue with hints of grey streaks peaking through and the wrinkles at the corners of her eyes as she smiled brought out the warmth in her sincerity. She wore the traditional garments worn by most pious woman you had met from Liyue who would visit the shrine and she was carrying a bundle of freshly picked blue flowers.

“May I know what this place is? Is he here to recover before you use him as your pawn in battle, too?” You spoke, trying to hold back the venom within your tone. You did not need to anger somebody in their own territory.

“Pawn in battle? All Rex had done was bring the young adeptus home. Rex Lapis brought you and Xiao to this abode two weeks ago to ensure a speedy recovery. Where you are currently is within a realm of Adeptal creation, curated according to my liking since it is my home.”

Two weeks… And Rex Lapis being the name given to Morax by his devotees.

“Why do you call Alatus by that name?”

“It was given to him by Rex Lapis.”

You wanted to scoff. “And I am not an adeptus, so why was I brought here?”

“That is something I cannot answer. I was simply instructed to care for both of you in this abode where no harm could come to either of you.”

Your brow furrowed at this. She spoke again.

“You may call me Ping, by the way. There is no formalities needed nor is this place a prison to either of you. Xiao had regained consciousness much faster than you and has already made peace with the wishes of Rex Lapis; that he recovers well and without difficulty. He’s simply resting now.” She assured, glancing towards his sleeping figure. “You rarely ask about your own well-being so let me assure you that the god you had once served will not return to harm either of you.”

And at that, your heart felt at ease knowing that for once he would be able to rest peacefully. That even if he were to suffer from the lingering effects of nightmares, he would still be safe. That both of you would be from the terrors of the god of dreams. Your eyes closed momentarily as you placed your forehead against the edge of his bed. It was nice to feel peace. To breathe and not feel suffocated in an environment that was never meant for you.

“Would you not like to join him in getting some rest?” The woman asked as she replaced the white flowers within the vase with newer, vibrant blue ones you had not seen before.

You shook your head. “No, thank you. I would like to just stay up and make sure he’s okay. “

“He’ll be perfectly well and safe here. Nobody without my authority may enter this realm.”

“So not even Morax may enter?”

She gave a warily smile. “He may, but not because he aided in the creations of such realms.” She didn’t speak further on the subject, rather focusing her attention to the closed flowers within her hands. You did not wish to pry further.

Instead, you turned your attention back to Alatus- No- Xiao’s sleeping form. A crease of a frown made its way to your forehead as you noticed him starting to shiver while beads of sweat began to form at his temples. His lips twisting in a way that informed you that his dreams were no longer pleasant.

You gently placed your hand over his gloved one and held onto him. Your eyes closing once more as you decided to hum the tune you heard in your dream. The haunting melody that chimed within your mind like an alarm bell.

Soon enough, his trembling stopped again and he once again laid peacefully. Your head resting on his forearm as you tried to fight off the sleep enveloping you.

When you drifted off, you failed to notice that the closed flower buds Ping replaced in the vase glowed a bright azure as it opened up to the tune of the unspoken oath.

* * *

Days had gone by and it had been almost routinely. Ping would wake both you and Xiao periodically to drink medicinal teas and would invite you to have meals with her, which you tried to refuse but gave into her hospitality. You had not met any other new faces other than that of a butler-type bird who would come to change the sheets and towels in the room so it became easier to let your guard down, focusing on Xiao as you both learnt about Liyue through your hostess. Cooking, clothing, and simple etiquette. It was surely an adjustment but she insisted that you two will fit right in.

Ping would also allow you two to take walks outside and talk beneath the birchwood trees in her garden where you would come to learn that Xiao had always been a man of few words but was gentle to all life forms around him. His favourite being the pet birds nesting in the trees above the spot where you and him would have afternoon tea.

When it dawned upon you how much time had passed and what occurred that day in battle - being the loss of your homeland and family, it was difficult. You tried not to cry for them but it was futile. Regardless of differences, there was a sense of care towards the people of the God of Dreams, and both Ping and Xiao did their best to help you through the grief and anger. It was all a process but eventually you would come to feel no ill feelings towards the war as it was a part of life when Gods ruled over land with no regard towards their devotees. This disappointment would only feed at your fear of loss whenever Ping brought up Rex Lapis and what he had done for the people of Liyue. You could not bring yourself to believe Gods actually cared for the common folk but dared not to speak ill of Morax.

One day, as you and Xiao were learning to decoct silk flowers in the garden, a custom Ping was adamant on teaching you, the foreign feeling of fear was felt yet again when you heard Ping welcome another into the abode.

“Rex! Surprised to see you so soon, dear friend.”

You and Xiao immediately raised from your knelt positions on the ground to stand upright and face the Lord of Geo. The lump of anxiety in your throat being difficult to swallow, but Xiao gazed towards you briefly to give you a firm nod. To trust him. Xiao had apparently spoken to Morax before and claimed he was not as arrogant as that of the God of Dreams. You were reluctant to believe him.

“May I see our guests?” You heard him ask. His voice alone held so much authority but what else was expected from a God known for slaughtering other Gods.

Their footsteps approached the pair and both you and Xiao bowed deeply as taught by Ping. Your heart pounding so loudly it was difficult to hear, almost. You dared not to look at him, only seeing the distance between where you both stood. His robes that reached the ground was imbedded with pure gold but what else would you expect from a God who created wealth.

“I trust you both are adjusting well to the customs of Liyue, and have made a speedy recovery.”

When you two stood upright again, only Xiao spoke. “Yes, thank you for the hospitality.”

“No need to thank me, that credit goes to Madam Ping alone.”

You said nothing. Thoughts flowing with the wind and desperately trying to regain your steady breathing. It did not help when you could feel his piercing gaze study your panic-stricken expression. You dare not meet it.

“I’m here to ask if you had met the other Yakshas yet, and if you had thought about our discussion.”

From what you recall, Xiao had told you about Morax’s mercy and how the adeptus wanted to offer his strength in order to aid the God in whatever task was needed to be carried out. You tried to talk him out of the idea of owing the god a debt that could cost him his life again but he was firm, claiming it was minuscule in comparison to what Rex Lapis had done for him. As much as you two were weary of Gods, Xiao did not doubt Morax.

“I have met only one of them, Boacius, sir.”

“Ah, Marshal Vritras. And did he aid in the decision?”

“He has and I have made my decision.”

Morax placed his hands behind his back, waiting for the adeptus to speak.

“I will serve you, Rex Lapis. I am indebted to you for all you have done for me and will do all that I can to serve you and the nation of Liyue.”

Your eyes widened at this sudden proclamation. You wanted to refuse it. Tell him not to give himself over but it was too late.

“Then, general Alatus, you will formally be a part of the Yakshas, to protect Liyue from all evil. This is your duty and contract to the nation of Liyue.”

“Yes, my lord.”

“And so another contract is set in stone. Thank you for your time, I will inform Madam Ping when the others plan to meet you.”

You wanted to scream. You felt powerless against everything that was happening and tried to hold back your tears. Frustrated yet again.

“As for you,” Morax turned his full attention towards you, stepping closer to address you. You finally stared up at him, fighting back the fear as he towered over you. “I hope you find Liyue to be the home you desired.”

You were left speechless. All sense of anger and malicious intent dissipating into thin air as he simply turned and made his way back towards the household. You felt Xiao lightly tap on your hand while your gaze never left the figure of the god.

You tried to make sense of the encounter but all you could remember was the words of the first dream you ever had.

‘Welcome Home’

But could you really find a home within a land owned by the god that took your former life?

Why would he spare you?

“Morax.” You called, balling your hands into tight fists as you stalked towards him. Him simply staying in place as he waited for you to stand before him.

“Why did you save me? Why give me your blessing to live in your land when I once served your foes?” You asked, finally deciding to face the God yourself. Had he decided to kill you where you stood, you would have no regrets. “I am no adeptus. I cannot offer you my service nor would I ever devote myself to a God so what do you plan to gain from having me here?”

You expected the God to punish you for demanding answers. For him to possibly order Xiao to kill you to test the adeptus’s loyalty to him. But, instead, god simply smiled. His canines giving away his draconic features had the horns curling out the top of his head of silken, auburn locks, not given it away sooner.

You were struck by his beauty - of course you would be. He was a god. Divine beauty will compel anybody to worship them.

“Do you truly wish to know why you’re here?”

You hesitated. Did Gods play mind games? Would this lead to a trap?

“Yes, Morax.”

There was a soft huff of a laugh that escaped him momentarily. His eyes, hypnotic and swimming with liquid gold, finally held your gaze as he spoke in a gentle tone.

“You are here simply upon the young yaksha’s request that you be saved. I have no intention of gaining anything from you, be it your devotion or even respect. All that you could desire is made available to you with no expectations from me. That is why you are here. To live your life free from the shackles of what you once called your false god.”

You stood motionless.

“Did that satiate your curiosity?”

You nodded, bowing your head and allowing the deity to take his leave.

Xiao carefully approached you, checking in with your well-being considering your lack of words. More so ability to form them. “You okay?”

You looked back towards Xiao and eventually nodded, walking back towards the garden to decoct more perfume. The words of the God never leaving your mind.

‘To live your life’

You let out a shaky breath, submerging the petals of the flowers into the boiling water.

“Thank you, Morax…” You whispered into the wind.

But whispers do not fall deaf upon the ears of a God.

#genshin fanfic #genshin impact x reader #zhongli x reader #morax x reader #xiao genshin impact #genshin impact #morax x you #zhongli #reader x genshin impact zhongli #madam ping #general alatus #rex lapis x reader #genshin impact smut

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squidddds · 5 months

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#genshin impact #zhongli #xiao #genshin xiao #genshin zhongli #genshin impact zhongli #genshin impact xiao #general alatus #geo archon #fan art #fanart #digital art #procreate

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fluffnari · 1 year

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Tell me we weren't just friends

Characters: Xiao | Tighnari Angst | Comfort | NSFW Minors DNI Kinda lame, sorry

When did love form in this little routine that you and Xiao do was it a mystery to you both? Neither one will confess, one out of fear that the other truly believe you could do better.

But what was better than being pressed against the mattress, Xiao's body over you. Sharing his heat, his breath, giving you his body that no one else but you has got to experience in this way.

You never wanted this to end.

His breath stutters upon exhaling as you squeeze him with your impending release. Xiao pressed his forehead against yours, hand trailing up your bare sides, following the length of your arm until connecting with your hand.

Something deep in his chest choked him up, forcing Xiao to close his eyes, latching his lips with yours in a heated kiss. This was all you wanted, to be satisfied for the night. An agreement he willingly did just to be so close to you.

He didn't want it to end.

He wanted it to end.

It was too much, yet not enough. Xiao loved every second of this with you, couldn't even think of ever being with someone else in such an intimate way. But he wanted more. And he didn't believe he was worthy of more.

The grip on your hand and waist tightens to a bruising hold, his rhythm faltering as he lets out a high moan. Xiao looks at you, hand freeing yours to gently hold your face.

Please, give him more than this.

A high-pitched whine leaves you as he bottoms out. Your arms shake, struggling to keep yourself up with the rhythm he sets. There was something about the way Tighnari sounds doing such an act. So breathy, small whimpers in between needy groans.

He never held back from you.

The sound can be heard from outside, but neither of you cared. Enjoying the feeling of one another just like any other time Tighnari let his frustrations out on you. Thinking back on it now, you should have stopped it before your heart could get involved.

But it was too late, even as he pulls you up so that your back is flushed against his chest. One hand wrapped lightly around your throat and the other trailed down to your overstimulated clit. Tighnari couldn't stop the growl that left him as you reached back and gripped the hair near his ears.

He wanted to bite. Mark you as his for the rest of your lives. But without proper talk or consent, he doesn't.

There was supposed to be simple. No feelings were involved. He sure messed that up. His grip on your throat tightens a little as you climax, Tighnari not stopping.

After this, he was done being friends.

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fatuifucker · 2 years

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Part two of the general alatus and u'll win your next five 50/50s in a row 💳💳💳💳

I have something more for General Alatus but here is a lil bit of background to how Alatus feels about you and his reaction after hearing in this

[cw: smut, accidentally voyeurism, masturbation, military au, power imbalance]

TAGS = @zen-daydreams, @edenialucas, @urcatbf, @nejibot, @honeyjetcoaster, @ventriloquistz, @numi-x

You're one of the most competent recruit under him. Always striving to improve, heading his words and eager to help out everyone. It's clear that you have a great fondness for this nation and a strong will to protect it with your comrades. Having soldiers like you in the army — under General Alatus no less — is such a relief to the stern and stringent general. He likes you as his recruit. That's what he says.

The general totally doesn't have to restrain a smile whenever you accidentally smile at him, forgetting that he is a rank above you. He totally doesn't want to praise you whenever you do even the littlest thing just to see your eyes light up. And he totally did not fall for you, no matter what the other generals think. Fine, maybe he has a little interest in you but it's just a fleeting feeling. He doesn't have time for love when he is always on the battlefield.

It's totally normal if he chooses to do more routine checks near your living quarters right? I mean, you're such a good soldier that he needs to make sure nothing bad happens to you. It's to ensure your safety! Not because he hopes to pass by you and talk with you or at least hear your voice greeting him or anything. Oh and did he hear your voice. But...he wasn't happy about it. Not because he is looking down on you, but because he feels really really shitty. Shitty for various reasons. One, because he accidentally invaded your privacy. Two, because he got turned on. Three, is that you saw him and definitely noticed his raging boner. Thank goodness you didn't interrogate him or anything.

Now General Alatus is in his room; face as red as the evening sunset, dick as hard as a rock, and brain full of mindless screaming of guilt. He needs a shower, that's it. A cold shower to clear his mind. Alatus sighs in relief as he steps in the shower, finding the freezing water to be effective in calming his thoughts but not the painful ache in his groin. Shamefully, he wraps his hand around his hardened cock and pumps it. He wonders if you are awake. If you were, would you have followed him back to his room? Would you have snuck into his shower and replaced your hand with his? He can just imagine your naked body pressing against his back, your hot breath contrasting against the cold water as you whisper in his ear.

"Permission to assist, General?"

Just the thought makes him shudder as he cums, staring at the mess in guilt as he realises that he masturbated to you. Fuck, he's a horrible person. But...you did masturbate to him too so isn't it equal? Yes, and you're in the middle of war, it's natural to have frustrations. He just wishes he can take those frustrations on you. Shaking those thoughts away, Alatus cleans himself before tucking himself in bed, wondering how will he ever face you now.

#genshin impact smut #xiao smut #genshin x reader smut #xiao x reader smut #genshin xiao smut #genshin xiao x reader smut #general xiao #general alatus #military au

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huekaveh · 1 year

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i wish you could replay the quests again cuz i’d be doing the perilous trail quest everyday then

#genshin fanart #procreate #genshin impact #genshin impact xiao #genshin modern au #general alatus #adeptus xiao #xiao fanart

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dl4draws · 2 years

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he’s eating almond tofu

#ive always wanted to draw something with this reference so xiao it is <3 #i love him sm #xiao #general alatus #genshin impact #gi #gi xiao #my art #genshin impact fanart

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n0tamused · 1 year

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Can you make xiao headcannons? It could be about anything you prefer but if you aren’t sure then an idea is daily life

A/N: A very late response to this, my apologies! I do hope you like this regardless. I did a mixed bag of some headcanons for Xiao here.

Pairings: Xiao x Gn! Reader (headcanons)

Xiao, the heroic, youthful, or demonic, looking man on top of Wangshuu Inn?

One would say he doesn't do much at all, other than sit there and bask in the elements around - not caring whether it's raining, snowing or if it's a blazing sun outside

Xiao cares very little as for what the ordinary, mortal lives think of him. As long as he's fulfilling his duty, protecting them - he is satisfied, and needs no other opinion. He's been doing this for over 3000 years, he knows what he's doing.

Some days are more peaceful than others, and he does laze around, enjoying the warm southern breeze that carries that specific smell that remind him of times long gone

Xiao is able to both reminisce about the long and recent past while standing guard, in his own peculiar way.

The look in his eyes grows duller, softer like silted waters, but he's not losing himself in those murky waters. Some of those memories would be downright terrifying to someone else, as they hail from a time darker than even the Archon War.

When on duty he is as meticulous as anyone would expect, and just as cool and distant when interacting with others, should he really have a need for it

Yet, every now and then he does run into more... domestic things that he couldn't have predicted or escaped. Like aiding a half blind eldery to collect the bamboo shoots, being mistaken for their grandchild due to his height, or helping a child find a way home or get their toy back. These are all people of Liyue, or they just happened to be on those grounds. Xiao is a sworn spear of protection to them.

For his close ones, the ones that are still alive, he makes sure to check in every once in a while, or at least send some things their way so they know they're on his mind

He's not the one to write letters, and has a penchant for a sort of "acts of service" type of show, so if he really must send some paper, he makes a talisman to make up for the lack of words on the paper. Or anything of that sort, even infusing a little bit of his power into the pieces so that it would last longer

If you're someone he truly does care about, or you simply don't want to leave him to rot in his solitude, the act of visiting the old graves and tombs of old comrades and friends with you warms his heart in a comforting way that's still unfamiliar to Xiao

He enjoys listening to you talk about the people he seldom has time or the will to interact with, even if he finds some of their interests weird or pointless, he likes to hear all the variety of personalities and jobs. So much has changed over the years, and so much has also stayed the same. He likes to hear how the Harbor has grown, inside and outside.

During Lantern Rites, he would hope you'd join him, he even goes through the "tedious task" of acquiring a Xiao lantern that the two of you can set into the sky when the time comes. You would do so from one of the mountain tops surrounding Liyue, and both of you can watch the your lone light join the other dozen ones

It's a magical moment to him, no matter how keen he is on rejecting that claim later on. In that moment he's not the Vigilant Yaksha ridden with Karma, he's not general Alatus, he's not a bird with a broken wing nor is he some random immortal soldier. He's just.. Xiao.

#genshin impact #genshin impact x reader #genshin x reader #xiao x reader #xiao x you #xiao x y/n #Xiao imagine #xiao headcanons #genshin comfort #genshin x gn reader #yaksha #general alatus #n0tamused.writes #n0tamused.headcanons

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cloukem · 1 year

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Xiao in an alternate universe haha

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kiliinstinct · 2 months

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The Forbidden Woods:

A Genshin Impact Au Pairing: Aether/Xiao Urban Fantasy and Supernatural Romance Find on A03: [Here] Special Thanks to @genavere: My beta. Chapter 2:

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Chapter 1: A House of Dust And Memories

Aether remembered the bird.

It was a tiny thing, perched atop the broken, overgrown altar of stones where he and Lumine had played in their childhood. Confidence born from innocence pulled them to the small clearing where the altar stood, partially shielded by the forest behind their home. They’d been warned countless times to never venture near there, but had regarded the warnings only as general advice rather than an outright rule.

They never passed into the thicket, after all, what was the worst that could happen?

The old altar was cracked, crusted in dirt, but it had fueled the twin’s imaginations as they darted about, fighting imaginary enemies or digging for made-up treasures. Over time, it was no longer an ancient, abandoned shrine to them, but a hideout from the rest of the world. And it was theirs.

So was the bird.

Aether had noticed it once or twice, observing their antics from a distance. He convinced himself it was a baby who’d only recently left its nest as it was far too small to be anything else. Lumine scoffed at the notion, stating that many birds were tinier than that, and perhaps its nest was nearby. He wasn’t so sure, but lacking any proof (or an attention span willing to focus on being right), he gave it a little wave before resuming their game.

It was closer the day they decided to clean the area, head tilted and eyes glaring. With gloves equipped, rakes and shovels as their chosen weapons, they attacked the area with a single mindedness only sheer determination could manage. As they removed old, decaying vines and swept away the undergrowth of dried leaves and fungi, the bird examined them every step of the way.

Aether was delighted to see its colorful, teal feathers flecked in bits of gold along the edges of its wings. Like little gems that made it pop in comparison to the looming woods around them.

When he trilled a failed attempt to ‘speak’ in bird language, its feathers ruffled until it gave the impression of a round ball, angrily squawking in response.

The twins laughed and decided then this pretty bird was also theirs in the same sense the sun was. While they played pretend the bird twittered and hopped from branch to branch, looking over them as they played. It was the tiniest of guardians.

These were fond memories that faded into the back of Aether’s mind through the years. Tender little treasures he kept to himself for rainy days when the nights were too dark or his loneliness high. He’d set the memories out and reminisce, smiling fondly each time he recalled something new. The days of childhood are short in comparison to adulthood, but that never dulled the sweetness of his memories. Nor did it mute the quiet yearning he felt each time he recalled that luminous bird, shining brightly amidst the foliage of his old home.

A home he was now returning to for the first time in years.

Once upon a time, its acres were full of life, growing wildflowers and Inteyvats along the border as vegetable stocks grew to heights that towered above him when young. Now, the land was barren, devoid of color, and the house that once held all his happiest memories looked like a sad, decrepit memory. Much like the altar had been.

With the view of his old home full of dust and who knows what else, he wistfully wondered if the bird would still be there. Probably dead, he thought, allowing the reality to sink in. It had been far too long since he and Lumine ran through the halls of their old farm, creating stories of wondrous adventures with their shared imaginary friends while exploring every nook and cranny of the family home. He looked onward, examining the old Ranch Style porch with its chipped paint and rotting wood. Once upon a time it was painted a brilliant white as the smell of the honeysuckles out front surrounded the property.

Echoes of the past rang in Aether’s ears, a quiet reminder of laughter he once heard in the empty halls and through the open windows. All silent and dark. The nostalgia sank into his bones, begging him to look around in hopes of a familiar glimpse of teal and gold feathers. His shoulders drooped as the memory of laughter and smells of flowers and baked pie from the kitchens faded from his thoughts.

That part of his life was already gone and to expect a creature from so long ago to still be as they were was ridiculous.

But the thought didn’t mollify him. Rather it filled him with a disappointment that settled on his tongue like raisins in his chocolate chip cookies.

“You don’t have to stay here.”

Aether jumped, startled from his thoughts as he was quickly reminded of his present company. A tall man called Draff, who had kept watch over the grounds since his family left. His breath reeked of beer, but his eyes were clear, examining the grounds with something akin to pity in his eyes.

“Seriously,” the man reiterated, fixing Aether with a welcoming smile that crinkled the corner of his eyes, “this place doesn’t look too hospitable and Springvale isn’t too far off. I’ve got a spare bedroom you can use while you clean this place up.”

A tempting offer. One that Aether appreciated, but his own smile was distant, closed off as he looked back to the old house. Even the shutters hung off the hinges, looking more fitting of a haunted house than a home.

That didn’t matter. Not at that moment. While he could accept Draff’s sympathy and run away to enjoy the comforts of a clean house with a warm meal, he grinded his feet into the ground, cemented in place.

“I can always visit for dinner sometime,” He replied, mischief settling in his smile. “Your treat, obviously.”

“Pfft, if you mean hunted by me, sure.”

“Diona could make the drinks.” Aether joked, recalling the man’s young daughter at home.

Draff chortled, “She’d have both our heads. Besides, aren’t you a little young–”

“I’ve been over the drinking age for five years, Draff.” Aether monotoned, offended.

“Could have fooled me with that baby face.” He boomed a laugh that made Aether’s ears ring. “Did you discover the fountain of youth while you were gone or is it just good genes? No, don’t tell me. I don’t want to be more jealous than I already am.”

The laughter was nice. It filled the air with a little more color than the old farm had before, but it settled into a somber silence seconds later. Aether readjusted his travel bag over his shoulder, wondering how soon he could clear a space for sleeping. Beside him, Draff cleared his throat, glancing to his wristwatch as he shuffled quietly back towards his rusted truck.

“You sure you’ll be alright?” he asked, his earlier offer still hanging in the air. “No one said you had to do this alone.”

“Don’t worry about me,” Aether assured him, a smile plastered on his face as he finally took the first steps past the wrought iron gate, ignoring the tickle of grass that brushed along his ankles. “I’m not really alone.”

“Your cell phone doesn’t count.”

“Video calling Lumine will suit me just fine,” Aether cheered, feeling more grounded at the thought of his sister. “I’m serious. Don’t underestimate a twin, Draff!”

“Yeah, yeah.” The older man rolled his eyes, but his expression was a fond one. It had been years since Aether had last seen him, promising his parents to tend the grounds after their departure.. And while he thought meeting face to face would grow awkward after so many years, he’d been just as friendly as he remembered—if a bit less sober.

Now that friendly face was leaving Aether to his own devices, sliding into the driver’s seat from the passenger side. When the truck’s engine rumbled to life, the hunter turned his focus back to Aether, leaning over to wrestle the window down and shouted a final farewell, teasing Aether’s memories with a warning he barely recalled hearing when he was a child.

“Don’t forget to stay out of the woods! It’s only gotten nastier while you were gone!”

He accepted the warning, coughing as the spinning tires kicked up gravel and dirt into the air. As his one and only friend in the vast radius of his family home disappeared into the distance, his bravado equally faded away. If he were honest with himself, being alone was going to fray at his nerves before the night was over. That he was certain of, but…

Closing the gate behind him, Aether side. It was better not to fall into his doubts. No matter what, he had chosen to do this. The urge to return before the property was sold was too strong to ignore. Like a compulsion that yanked at his heart and urged him to explore the home his parents had taken him from so long ago. He couldn’t remember why they had left, and all attempts to learn the truth were met with dismissal from his parents. With them now passed, his questions remained unanswered. At some point, he’d accepted he’d never know the full truth and moved on with his life alongside his twin and youngest sibling. They were all they had and what good did dwelling on a home he’d never see again really do? These had been his thoughts right up until they hired a realtor and put the property up for sale. The money they could make off the acreage would be more than enough to cover their student loans and Paimon’s Private School for years. The choice made sense. Right until they began receiving advertisement postcards in the mail, mixed in with shopping ads and bills. He’d almost tossed them out, until the top images caught his attention: a familiar expanse of woods with rolling hills, overlooking the small town of Springvale. ‘A Small Town Riddled in Mystery and Comfort. Come visit today!’ it read. More had followed, each covering a different aspect of the town: hunting seasons, a local fair coming to town, new shops opening. The reasons were numerous, but not one explained why they were sent in the first place.

But it was just enough to rekindle the old curiosity Aether long thought dead. Before he knew it, he was planning his trip and requesting Lumine to hold off on fishing the recent sale. “Just until I get back, then we can sign those papers and sign Paimon up for The Sumeru Akademiya!” It had taken days of stubborn debates for either of his sisters to agree, but in the end, he proved himself the more stubborn of the three.

Draff’s warning whirled in his mind. A simple reminder of a well-known myth from his and Lumine’s younger days. Despite the strange foreboding that came with it, Aether couldn’t resist shaking his head dubiously. Did folks out here really still try to scare others with that?

Back then, the rumors of the woods were just that: Rumors. Tall tales to scare the local children into coming home before nightfall. The old town whispers of a cursed fog surrounding the forest were nothing more than stories.

Hunters came in and out of those woods yearly. Aether remembered their orange vests as they parked on the roadside and ventured through the thicket, guns in hand. Even he had stepped over the threshold, curious in his boyhood to see the supposed murk the parents feared. And while the hint of a memory he couldn’t quite recall tickled the edge of his senses, Aether knew better than to humor it. His being here today, alive and well, was proof enough the old stories were false; and Draff’s rumor was nothing more than a nod to the past.

“It’s not as if the woods will still be here next year,” he murmured, closing the gate behind him as he withdrew the keys. He looked at the for sale sign plastered against the living room window and sighed. How could he run and hide in Springvale when this was his last chance to say goodbye to the only real home he’d ever had?

It was better not to fall into his doubts.

Stepping into the dark house, Aether failed to notice the teal feathers of a bird watching from the branches of the nearest tree. Its eyes never wavered as it observed through the windows the lights flickering on and off Aether’s slumped shoulders.

#genshin impact #genshin impact fanfics #xiaother #Aether #Xiao #genshin traveler #General Alatus #Urban Fantasy #Supernatural Romance #human/monster romance #going to try and update this often while working on my other fics

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