#like xiao will reincarnate over and over so they can be together again

[cometrose]

zhongli and xiao together but it’s a battle over who dies first like zhongli dies first and xiao has to deal with the remains and karma of his beloved diety or xiao dies first and zhongli has to watch his last yaksha die before him like teehee ohohoho this is the worst

#zhongli #xiao #genshin impact #i bet it’s xiao that dies first #zhongli has the vibes of someone destined to be alone cause everyone he loves dies #but don’t worry xiao will be back they’re kind of like bonded souls in my mind #like xiao will reincarnate over and over so they can be together again #they’ll figure it out

[bestworstcase]

the perennial Tai Discourse is really interesting to track bc, speaking broadly, the two major camps are just:

those who focus primarily on ruby’s recollection of her childhood and relationship with her dad (and filter what yang says through that lens such that “i had to pick up the pieces and keep things together when i was five” gets diluted into “yang had responsibilities as a child”)

those who focus primarily on yang’s memories and her arc in v4 (and tend to just ignore or minimize the things ruby says that suggest a positive relationship with tai, in particular often just flat out disregarding how excited ruby is to spend time with or receive care packages from him)

when it’s like. yeah that’s. literally the point. that ruby and yang had profoundly different childhoods.

they’re half-sisters in a story about fairytales and only one of them had a decent dad. rwby is unsubtly interrogating the fairytale archetype of the Evil Stepmother/Dead Mother with raven (not dead, but absent) and summer (villain, presumed dead) and that archetype quite literally requires its counterpart archetype of the Neglectful Father who remarries and tacitly participates in the Evil Stepmother’s abuse of his child from his first wife

tai is as much an exploration of the fairytale Neglectful Father as raven is the Dead Mom and summer is the Evil Stepmother. that’s. a core aspect of the narrative surrounding the rose xiao long family.

the Dead Mom often reincarnates as a bird or tree or similar spirit to watch over her child; rwby turns this on its head by reimagining the Dead Mom as an absent one. raven watches over yang in her bird form because she is too afraid to be meaningfully present; she isn’t dead, but her absence in yang’s life is so complete that she might as well have been, and the fairytale tension between the Dead Mom’s death and her lingering presence is explored through these cramped and inadequate half-measures raven takes in trying to have it both ways.

the Evil Stepmother is a vehicle for making the fairytale heroine miserable; she has no identity nor any reason for her monstrous treatment of the child who is not her own. rwby, again, flips this over with the mystery of summer rose. who was she, really? did anyone know? she was a good stepmom—she loved yang like her own daughter—but now she’s gone. she left. she never came back. she lied. she joined salem. why? what expectations did she feel on her shoulders? what broke her? why did she do the things she did?

lastly, the Neglectful Father must either be a love-blind fool or a weak, contemptible man with no love or loyalty to his own blood; he forgets his motherless child at the behest of his new love. rwby turns this on its head too by rendering tai as a human being—messy, flawed, fully-realized. wicked stepsisters exist for the purpose of being spoiled by the Evil Stepmother in juxtaposition with her cruelty to the first child, who is kind and good because she remembers her mother’s lessons. the fairytale children of these archetypes function as repetitions of their mothers. rwby makes that the central conceit of its spin on the Neglectful Father: what if he loved both the Dead Mom and the Evil Stepmother so much and then both of them broke his heart in mirrored ways, leaving him a single father to both of their children? if he sees raven in yang and summer in ruby, how does that color his relationships with both girls? if you take away the Evil Stepmother but not her daughter, does the Neglectful Father remember his first child? or are people more complicated than that?

and with all three, the narrative engages with these one-dimensional archetypes by constructing complicated, multi-faceted characters on top of them; by tossing the simplistic moral didacticism of a fairytale and presuming, first, that everyone is trying their best, that bad choices can be made from good intentions, and that no one gets it right all the time, or even most of the time. love and profound dysfunction can coexist.

ruby and yang had very different childhoods. that’s the narrative foundation the whole rose xiao long family is built on, because they’re a deconstruction of the archetypal fairytale blended family.

#this is also why every permutation of ''tai isnt rubys Real Dad'' is nonsense btw. ruby being yang’s half-sister instead of step-sister is #on purpose. the condemnation of the archetypal fairytale Neglectful Father is he mistreats his own blood in favor of another man’s children #and rwby uses his blood relation to both his daughters to question that framing; #the dynamic doesn’t become any Less dysfunctional if the favored child is equally the father’s by blood

[666herescared]

Imaginary Shadow Dad)Ch.5: Grief Stricken

—☆—

  Notes: He’s out of time. (I’m so fucking sorry)

—☆—

  He was running out of time. His healing was slowing. He was on the verge of not healing at all. He was spreading himself too thin. He had started letting the twins train Xiao-Xiao so he could rest, and it was getting harder to join their games. Xiaotian was really worried for him. The cub had started wearing the extra limbs whenever he was over once he'd learned how. His tail would wrap around the adult’s as he hugged him on the couch or in a nest, and his ears would droop with fear when his dad zoned out.

  Shadow Dad had been struggling to breathe every time he made a hard impact and the twins had been having to snap him out of it when he dozed off. He was trying to rest more, but whenever he rested, he would zone out and scare his kids. He knew it. He was running out of time.

  As he was watching his kids play, he knew his wounds were hurting again. His right eye felt hollow and the band on his tail was squishing it again. The twins and Xiao-Xiao all noticed, but they were trying to keep positive. Xiaotian was doing amazing with his training. His blocking with his hands was perfect, he had mastered summoning basic shapes and physicalising them, and his acrobatic skills were fantastic, with or without the staff. 

  Shadow Dad’s perfect little boy. He was so damn proud. “Are you okay, dad?” Savage asked, floating next to the adult in the shadow realm.

  The original opened his eyes with a deep breath. “Yeah.. No need to worry, Savage.” He had to stop to breathe. It was hard to comfort any of them when they were smart enough to know what sickness looked like.

  “Don’t lie to us! We can tell you’re sick! How do we fix it? You need to heal!” The other teen exclaimed, exasperated.

  “Rumble, you can’t fix it!” The adult started, stopping for breath. “My physical form hasn’t been healing nearly as fast and I’m using too much energy! I-... I’m gonna need to find… someone else… to take care of him.”

  “No-!”

  “YES, Savage! If I keep tak-..” He started coughing very suddenly and had to calm his breath before continuing. “If... I keep taking care of him… I’ll wind up.. Well… you both know..”

  The twins both gave each other a solemn look and had to admit it to themselves. If he didn’t take a break, he might never fully heal. “Then let’s go looking for somewhere safe.”

  “We can’t leave Apricot Boy in that environment.” The twins agreed, knowing it was better to do that much, rather than leave their baby brother in such an awful household.

  And thus, they began their search for a safer home. Every time they were called by the youngest, they spent time together simply relaxing, but the moment they left, it was back to the search. Oh well. It was gonna be fine. At least Xiao-Xiao was okay.

——000000——

  Shadow Dad stopped to peek into one of the homes he saw and watched a conversation between a pig and a scholar. 

  Pigsy placed a bowl of noodles in front of his husband, a deep sigh coming from his lips. “What is it, Pigsy?” Tang asked, wanting to know what was making his partner upset. 

  “Just thinkin’..” The chef dismissed, glancing back to the photos on his wall. “I want someone to pass this onto. I can’t let my grandma’s legacy die out with me.” He explained, staring at the wall of photos.

  Tang sighed sympathetically. “And I would love someone to tell stories too, but we don’t have the funds. Not to mention the logistical difficulties we would face. Gay same-species couples already struggle to get approved, and demons are rarely allowed to adopt anyone.” The human lamented, wishing the world was kinder.

  The shadow on their wall stared in, starting to consider them for his Xiao-Xiao. “I think it’d be worth it..” The pig grouched, still staring at the wall. Shadow Dad could tell these two were reincarnations of Zhu Bajie and Tang Sanzang, respectively, but he could tell these lives were very different. 

  The scholar adjusted his glasses and looked at the wall himself. “Well, either way, we don’t have the funds, so we can’t do that for a while.”

  Funds. Shadow Dad could help with funds! They seemed like they’d be a safe place for his son to go, so if he could get them funds, he’d be able to leave his son with them. Hold tight, Xiaotian! Dada’s gonna find somewhere-

  (*SMASH!* “Mommy! Plea- AGH!”)

  Somewhere… safe. The shadow rubbed his ears, wondering what that was. Was that a vision? He hadn’t had one of those since when he… had that bad break up. He slipped deeper into the shadows and dipped all the way down to his storage space. Being a public figure had its perks.

  He even had temples of his own. Plenty of people were willing to give something up valuable if it meant getting in on a secret. Though there were two temples made by people he knew personally. One was even made with the express purpose of helping him regain strength. Anyways, expensive offerings! 

  It was… somewhere in the northwest pile. Well, the thing he was thinking of. He called the twins from their search. “Rumble. Savage. Help me find that set of ancient vases, please.” He explained once they were by his sides.

  They made questioning chitters, but shrugged and started digging through the northwest pile. Shadow Dad joined the search moments later and dug through the stack, looking for the set of vases an emperor had given him in exchange for revealing the other side’s battle plans. It was valuable back then and it’s surely valuable now. 

  Digging through the pile, the trio found almost twenty pie tins and thirty necklaces. That idiotic king kept giving him those. Well, the tins had pies in them when they were left on the altar, but still, he kept leaving those to the shadow. 

  Shadow Dad wasn’t sure why, but he felt like he had to hand the set over now or something would happen to his Little Sky. He wasn’t sure why-

  (*THUD!* “Did ya’ hear me, twerp?! How about you run along and let whoever’s been giving you those things have ya!?”)

  Oh.. Right. That’s why. He started speeding up with his digging, thinking about what he’d heard. Weird.. Was that Xiao-Xiao’s… He doesn’t deserve Shadow Dad’s title. Was that Xiao-Xiao’s sperm donor? He needed to hurry up. “RUMBLE! SAVAGE! HURRY! WE GOTTA DO THIS FAST!”

  The twins saluted from where they were and dove back into the pile, Savage immediately popping back up with the set in it's hands. "I found it!” A shadow whip wrapped around the set and pulled it to the adult’s hands. Shadow Dad portaled to the couple's building again and placed it on their doorstep, feeling the pull of Xiaotian’s lantern a moment later.

  He knew it would be hard to explain, but- He saw his son; his perfect little boy, covered in bruises and cuts and barely awake when he arrived. One tiny smile grew on his face, before he passed out. FUCK.

  Shadow Dad ran to his son’s side and wracked his brain on what to do. How was he gonna-! You have healing, moron! But- He doesn't have enough energy for that! If he uses that..

  No. Stop! Don't be selfish! it's better that he's okay and doesn't know what happened instead of him being dead. He readied himself and let his ears start their glow. He held his hands an inch above his cub’s form and started to repair him as best he could.

  His own form couldn’t remain solid even after only healing half of his son’s wounds and he had to pull apart the mini lantern to gain its power. Once he realized that, he picked his son up and brought him to the building he'd picked. His magic healed the boy as he held him close, wanting to hug him as long as he could.

  Once his cub was fully healed, he summoned the twins to say their goodbyes. As they cried over their baby brother’s form, he thought about his visions and made his decision. 

  The boy’s sperm and egg donors were in for a world of hurt.

—Shadow Staff Era, End—

  Xiaotian's eyes opened softly, confusion showing quickly. Where was he? He looked around for a moment, before seeing a sign. 'Pigsy’s Noodles' was written on the front. The little boy stood up, staring at the restaurant, before checking his pocket.. He checked the other. He patted every part of his outfit and couldn't find it. Where was his lantern?!

  He started hyperventilating and ran around the corner, hiding from the pig demon who stepped out shortly after he'd moved. Where was his dad?! He needed him and he wasn’t there! What happened? He held his forehead and was relieved when he felt the headband was still there. At least he had that.

  "What is it, Pigsy?" another voice came from inside, causing more fear in the kid’s eyes.

  "Thought I heard something..," the pig- Pigsy, muttered, before looking around. He walked over to where the boy sat. Come on, Xiao-Xiao! Calm down! He's gonna find you- "What the- What are you doing out here alone?"

  The demon kneeled down next to him, reaching out towards him but not touching. "Leave me alone." The child mumbled, still holding his headband.

  Pigsy sighed and lowered his hand, before saying quietly, "Well, if you're hungry, come in and we'll warm you up, alright?" and walking back into his shop. Xiaotian uncurled and looked toward the warm light. He was hungry… and cold.. and wet.

  He kept holding the headband as he walked back around the corner, stepping into the golden glow and feeling the homey atmosphere the moment he entered. "Holy- 300,000?! Who just left this here?" A human said, sitting on a stool with a bowl of noodles in front of him and a set of pottery to his side. He was texting someone. Probably an appraiser.

  Pigsy poured a bowl of noodles and placed it next to the human, gesturing Xiao-Xiao over. "Someone stupid, probably. Either way, there goes the money issue!" The demon exclaimed, smiling at his husband while Xiaotian walked in.

  He got on the stool and smiled slightly. “Hi..” He waved as the pig placed a pair of chopsticks in front of him.

  The human seemed confused, but he waved back, just to be polite. “Hello there.. Where are your parents?” Xiao-Xiao turned his face toward the ground with a frown and the man panicked. “Oh!- I- I’m sorry. I didn’t realize you were an orphan! Uhm- uh- ah- Food? Wh-What’s your favorite food?”

  The little boy laughed at the awkward man, a lot calmer, but still holding his headband tightly. “Um… I dunno.. Congee, probably! Shadow Dad always makes that!” He exclaimed, noticing the other’s face shift to confusion again.

  “Wait. I- aren’t you… an orphan?” The adult asked.

  “No. Shadow Dad is gonna come back! I know it! It… He must have just… forgot. He’ll be back any minute!” Xiaotian tried to stay confident in his parental figure, but… Right here, Xiao-Xiao.. It… was hard. He scratched his leg lightly when he felt something touch him through the skin. 

  Pigsy looked between the child and his husband as the boy started eating. The adults had that odd mind link and realized in sync that the cub had been abandoned. “Yeah.. Well.. What’s your name? We can… take care of you till he comes back.” The demon offered as his husband smiled and nodded along. 

  “I-I’m Qi Xiaotian. And… you?” The Little Sky introduced himself, trying to force a smile. 

  “I’m Pigsy.” The demon stated, smiling at the kid to comfort him. 

  “And I’m Tang. Nice to meet you, Xiaotian.” The human said, taking another bite of his noodles. 

  Silence fell as the humans sat there eating and the pig wiped down his tables and counters. Right before he turned off the TV however, he saw what they were reporting on and paused. "News has spread about local parents, Qi Yang and Guo Jiao. Apparently, they have disappeared from their home, despite the fact that no one has been seen going in or out the whole day. This has caused the police to suspect that a demon has committed this atrocity, but so far there is no hard proof. Now, onto the weather.."

  The boy looked shell shocked by this development, but said nothing until the TV was off, at which point he let out an airy laugh. “Shadow Dad can be my actual dad now! I just need to wait for him to come back… and that shouldn’t take too long! He should be back tomorrow!” he claimed, though it was clear he wasn’t sure. Xiao-Xiao.. The loss of his lantern meant a loss of control, and now that he thought about it, everything was too bright. Could they turn the lights off?

  He blocked his eyes from the light and got back to his noodles, not noticing Pigsy taking the scholar a few feet away for a private conversation. “Okay. So the kid was abandoned, right?” The demon confirmed, waiting for his husband to nod before he continued. “And from what he was saying, it sounds like his parents went missing, and he’s talking about some mysterious Shadow Dad,” Tang nodded, wondering where the pig was going with this. “And he expects this, “Shadow Dad” to come back, but he doesn’t even sound sure.”

  The human had enough of this and butted in. “Pigsy, where are you going with this?” he asked, hoping his husband would get to the point.

  “Xiaotian is an orphan… who walked into our lives… the same day a package of valuable vases appeared on our doorstep while we were talking about adopting. Do you know what that means?” The pig began, getting his partner’s trademark, ‘Get on with it.’ look. “C’mon, Tang! You’re the one who’s into this spiritual mumbo jumbo!”

  “Are you saying a god literally dropped a child on our doorstep?” 

  Pigsy face-palmed and stared at his husband, before explaining to the flustered scholar, “No. I’m saying that this “Shadow Dad” guy dropped his son on our doorstep. My guess as to why is as good as yours, but still, the kid is an orphan and we have money now, so… y’know..” 

  Tang sighed and stepped towards his bookshelf, picking the first book of JTTW off of it and returning to his husband’s side. He gave a sympathetic smile to his partner and tried to let him down easily. “I know you’re excited, but where would we even keep a kid? Not to mention, adoption interviews are an integral part of picking a kid to adopt- Yes, Xiaotian?” The boy tugged on his sleeve and interrupted him.

  He was staring at the book in the scholar’s arms with stars in his eyes. “Is that the book Monkey King’s from?” He asked, still staring at the book, then he glanced up at Tang’s face and flinched away at the pointed look he was given, though he couldn’t tell the emotions behind it.

  And so he was baffled when he was lifted into the human’s arms as he started talking and walking towards the door. “Come along, my dear Pigsy. We cannot allow this boy to fall into a home where his mental dexterity will not be nurtured!” 

  “What is happening?” The child asked, before hearing the pig snort out a laugh.

  “Tang- Tang, sweetie. It’s eleven P.M. No ones open!” Tang stopped when he brought it up, and then walked back over to the stairwell. One set went up to an office space and the other went down to the couple’s own home. Yes, they lived in the basement. Do you have a problem with it? No? Good.

  “Right! Sleep, breakfast, then foster.” The adult said, walking down the stairway to his home. The first room you saw was the living room, which was fairly simple. A deep red sofa, redwood coffee table, and matching TV stand and carpet! (Though the carpet had a golden edge)

  There were also a few bookshelves behind the set up. It was clear to see that Tang designed this room. To the right of the door was the bathroom, and on the other side of the TV was the door to the bedroom. Where’s the kitchen and dining room? The fucking restaurant, of course! 

  The scholar placed the boy on the couch, turned on “Monkey King: The Animated Series” and then went into the bedroom to get a blanket for their guest. He helped Xiaotian get comfy, and then went to bed with his husband. “Heh. And you were thinking we wouldn’t wanna keep this kid.” The pig joked, getting changed into his sleep wear. 

  “It may be a logistical nightmare, but if there’s a kid who’s willing to hear my stories, it will be worth it.” Tang stated,taking off his glasses and changing into his nightgown. 

  As the two got into bed, Pigsy added, “And if he’s willing to learn my recipes, it will be worth it.” The partners agreed that night. They were ready for this kid, because the boy they found was willing to learn. 

  Shadow Dad watched from the darkness, proud of the boy he’d raised, and happy with his choice of host family.

—Purple Bo Staff Era, Start!—

—☆—

I am so fucking sorry, y’all. It’s called Imaginary Shadow Dad for a reason. (I’m not saying the shadow fam was imaginary, but… Well, you'll understand when you read the next few chapters.) 

Welcome to The Five Chapters of Grief, everybody! Next time, Ch.6: Denial. 

Have fun, and happy scrolling!

(Also, surprise! There are eras!)

Prev- Chapter 4 and Next- Chapter 6

#lego monkey kid #lego monkie kid #lmk #lmk au #ShadowDad au #Dad Macaque #Baby Mk #Fluffy fic #shadowpeach #spicynoodleshipping #freenoodleshipping #monkie kid macaque #mk lego monkie kid #Shadow Lantern #lmk savage #lmk rumble #Oops! It's a little edgy now.

[soulmatebracket]

Soulmate Bracket: Round 1 [Side A — Part V]

Provided reasoning under cut:

Wei Wuxian & Lan Wangji

They are canonically called soulmates!! In the live action this is platonic due to censorship and in the book it is romantic but the term actually used is zhiji (知己) of which soulmate is the closest english translation but is more literally like. the mirror to your soul. your own self in another person. i am not good with translations only wei wuxian dies but lan wangji mourns him for thirteen years (despite wwx being hated and despised by the world) because he can never love another. when wwx is brought back he recognises him instantly despite being in someone else’s body. they literally would find each other in any time or place

Oh boy. Ok. They're not explicitly called "soulmates" in the show/book but Netflix does use that categorization in its description of "The Untamed". Nor are either of them technically reincarnated BUT Wei Wuxian does get resurrected in another man's body through some shady necromancy, which is pretty darn close. They've got a fascinating relationship journey (basically enemies/rivals to lovers) Mr. Follow-All-Rules-To-The-Letter Lan Wangji meets Mr. Break-All-The-Rules-In-The-Name-Of-Fun-And-Showing-Off Wei Wuxian at teenage exorcist summer camp, they go through some sh*t, Wei Wuxian dies, Lan Wangji spends over a decade trying to find any sign of his lost soulmate while raising his adopted kid, then the shady necromancy happens and Lan Wangji IMMEDIATELY clocks that this guy simultaneously solving exorcist issues using slightly questionable means and causing shenanigans is Wei Wuxian. He might be in a different body pretending to be another crazy man, but HE KNOWS it's his guy because he acts the same and he knows the secret love song Wangji wrote for Wuxian that he shared one time in a cave during one of their near-death bonding experiences. Then history starts kind of repeating itself, only this time they stick together and make sure EVERYONE knows that they've got each others' backs, and they are absolutely legendary. Also Wei Wuxian is INCREDIBLY dense and it takes him just about until the end of the story to realize they're both gay and in love. They're complex and fascinating and tied to each other by the red string of fate so tightly that they are incomplete without each other. That's destiny, baby. They're soulmates, always and forever. (Possibly literally as the proper practice of exorcism (called "cultivation" in this world) can lead to immortality, and you know Mr. Follow-All-Rules-To-The-Letter Lan Wangji has the potential, and he will drag his guy along with him so they are never separated again.)

Okay so I feel like it could be argued if they count but the Netflix description of the show calls them soulmates and WWX *did* get reincarnated and then almost immediately run into LWJ who had been mourning him for 16 years. LWJ composed a little musical theme for them that ties them together and WWX playing it on a super out of tune flute is what let LWJ fully recognize him. Their magic which comes from their souls is very compatible and neither of them have ever been normal about each other in their life even though WWX spent a long time being extremely dumb and repressed about his very gay feelings (they are romantic soulmates, just takes them a bit to get there). Big "you and me against the world" vibes once WWX becomes the number 1 wanted guy in the entire universe due to dabbling in dark magic even though WWX was like "lan zhan if someone has to kill me i want it to be you" (LWJ did *not* want it to be him and did his very best to keep WWX alive even though it meant betraying his clan and the world as a whole). They got fake married as teens back when LWJ didn't even like WWX. There are multiple moments where they parallel other soulmates/soulmate-coded characters (song lan and xiao xingchen, baoshen sanren and lan an). They're the only two characters who get to be happy at the immediate end of the story and that's because both of them being alive and together and getting to wander around fighting monsters and playing music and being grossly in love is all that they both need.

Utena Tenjou & Anthy Himemiya

[SPOILERS] at the end of the series, it is revealed that they weren’t living in the real world this entire time. Utena was sent somewhere else. Anthy goes to find her in the movie, and Utena has lost all of her memories of Anthy in that world. At the end of the movie, they end up escaping to the real world

Utena falls in love with Anthy on first sight and makes sure she becomes her prince without even remembering who she is. They're stuck in a timeloop and eventually find themselves together near the end escaping from the horrors theyre trapped in. (Spoilers kinda) Anthy is hinted to have came back to life after being burned st the stake for being seen as a witch so the reincarnation exists,,,(they're in love your honor vote for my silly sapphics)

Every version of RGU is the narrative repeating itself. Devouring itself again. The serpent eating its own tail. Utena fights for Anthy again and again. Anthy betrays Utena, or lies to Utena, or cannot save the both of them quick enough. Anthy escapes, or they both escape, or they both get trapped again, and the story repeats, and Utena is winning the hand of the rose bride, and Utena cannot escape the narrative. Each time the story is told again Utena cannot quite remember how she got here, but it gets more familiar each time. RGU is a time loop that the characters can hardly escape. In every version, Anthy and Utena find each other. Betray each other. Find each other, again.

#the untamed #mo dao zu shi #revolutionary girl utena #soulmatebracket #wei wuxian #lan wangji #wangxian #utena tenjou #anthy himemiya #utenanthy #id in alt text

[theother-victoria]

LAST DAY OF SUMMER

SYNOPSIS: It’s the last day before your paths divulge, how will you remember it?

CHARACTERS: 5wirl

NOTES: I’ve started school so here’s one last fic before I inevitably die under the weight of assignments.

TAGS: Some angst, implied reincarnation in Venti’s and Xiao’s parts, pre-established relationships for all of them, gn reader

VENTI + ONE LAST SWIM

You are this close to punching Venti.

“Come on, (Y/N)! It’s the last day of summer, let’s do something fun!”

“Venti, I’m tired. I just want to take a nap.”

“Boo, that’s no fun! You’re such a killjoy!”

“And you’re a menace to my sanity,” you grumble as you put your phone on speaker. You hear Venti mumbling to himself on the other end before he comes up with an idea.

“Ooh, I know! How about we go swimming at the nearby lake? There’s no one there and the weather’s perfect today. Come on, what do you say?”

You’re silent for a few moments. He knows you can’t resist a good swim and you can practically see the shit-eating grin on his face.

He knew exactly what buttons to push, didn’t he?

“... Fine. I’ll be over in ten.”

And that’s how you find yourself sitting at the edge of the lake pier while Venti doggy-paddles in circles around you, a lazy smile stretching across his face. He dips beneath the surface and re-emerges after a few seconds, brushing his wet hair out of his face.

“Care to join me, Windblume? The water’s quite refreshing.”

He extends his hand out. The clear, smooth waters of the lake beckon you. With a leap of faith, you grasp his hand and he pulls you under the water with him.

After getting over the initial shock of cold water, you blink your eyes open to see Venti’s green eyes twinkling with mischief and love. Dappled light softly shines on him, making him look like an angel. He gently interlaces your hands together as he mouths something.

Close your eyes.

You do as you’re told and immediately you feel something warm barely brushing against your lips. The kiss is airy and cheeky, just like him. His enthusiasm is infectious and it soon rubs off onto you. You smile into the kiss, wanting to deepen it.

Venti feels so close yet so far away. He’s always there, just out of arm’s reach and tempting you. If you don’t find him in time, you feel he’ll slip away for good, disappearing into the wind.

The burning sensation in your lungs redirects your focus to more pressing, life-threatening matters, however…

You both resurface, gasping for air. Venti nips at your lips playfully before planting kisses across your face only seconds apart. You squeal and attempt to hide but he doesn’t relent and soon you melt into his arms. He knew how to strum your heartstrings like the master musician he is and you’d gladly dance to his tune again if only to spend more time with him.

You are his muse, his one and only. The time you two share is almost gone, so he’ll make the most of it before you head your own separate ways.

The sun is starting to set now. After drying you off, he gives you one last hug as fleeting as the kiss from before. Strangely, you feel as if this will be the last time you’ll see him.

“Our time together is running out, dearest. After today, we may never see each other again in this life or the next.”

Venti barks out a dry laugh. You look at him strangely.

Venti, who are you really?

“Even if this is our last time together in this life, I will always carry you in my heart and songs as my muse. You will be immortalized in songs that are sung across generations, telling of your kind soul and the endless love you had for others. One day, perhaps those tunes will be heard by you and you’ll remember the bard who loved you with his whole being.

“Now go. Travel the world and discover all it has to offer. Soar through the skies like the birds and lose yourself in adventure. I’ll await the day the winds lead me back to you again, but for now, please… forget about me.”

KAZUHA + POLAROIDS

“Why are you so obsessed with taking photos of me, love?”

A click from behind tells you your lover has yet again taken another photo of you.

“You look absolutely stunning, my dear. It would be a shame if I didn’t capture your beauty.”

He rests his head on your shoulder from behind. You feel him press kisses against your neck, smiling into the delicate skin. The camera hanging off his neck bumps against your back every time he moves and you find yourself reaching for it. He swipes it from your grasp and quickly snaps a picture of you two.

“Poetry and photography… you really are the most romantic man on this planet.”

Kazuha dives in for a kiss. He aims for your left cheek, then your right cheek, before attacking your chin, forehead, and nose. Finally, he lands on your lips. His white hair tickles your neck and you giggle against the kiss. He lingers for just a moment longer, allowing himself to take in everything that is you before pulling away, an enamored smile playing at the corner of his lips.

“Something tells me there’s another reason you enjoy taking photos of me. Is there?”

He falls silent, which is rare for your usually chatty lover.

“Taking photos is another way to preserve my memories of you. The seasons change, and so will we. There may come a day where fate does us apart and your memory of me becomes a hazy recollection lost to the winds of time.”

Your lover is an enigma, concealing his true meaning behind flowery words that you have to sift through and decipher. It would take a lifetime of practice to unveil his true self hidden under the expertly-crafted persona he’d perfected long ago.

And yet, he always lets his guard down around you. No concealing his emotions through poetry or downplaying his pain. Just you and him in your rawest, most vulnerable states, telling each other secrets and promises not even the gods would hear of.

“I want you to carry a piece of me as you go through life, so that you will remember me and know that somewhere out there, I’ll be searching for you.”

Kazuha looks down towards his camera before gazing back up at you with nothing but adoration and an unspoken promise in his eyes.

“No matter how far apart we are, I will always find my way back to you in some corner of the world.

“For the thread that binds you and I together is not one so easily severed.”

AETHER + WISHING ON SHOOTING STARS

“Isn’t it peaceful up here?”

A vast expanse of darkness greets your eyes with stars littering the sky like little pinpricks of light. Aether gently squeezes your hand in response.

“It is, but it’s about to get better.”

You don’t have to wait long. You see something white quickly streak across the sky, then another. Soon, the entire sky is filled with shooting stars, lighting up the darkness as they travel to their next destination.

“A meteor shower,” you breathe out. The grass and wildflowers tickle your skin as you shift closer to Aether’s side. He points to the sky at a particularly bright one taking its time traveling across the night sky.

“Quick, make a wish!”

You close your eyes. There’s only one thing you wish for: to stay by Aether’s side for as long as possible.

I wish to stay by his side forever. He is my sun, my sky, my entire universe. To take him away would be akin to killing me, so please, let me stay by his side.

I wish to stay by their side forever. You can take my limbs, my heart, my soul, but please don’t take them away from me. They are the reason I strive to live.

“What did you wish for?” you ask in a quiet whisper after a long while. The meteor shower has long since ended and you are playing with the end of Aether’s long braid. The sky above you is pitch-black so you can’t see the fond yet conflicted expression he makes as he pats your head.

“If I tell you, wouldn’t that jinx the wish?”

“Just spill it. I think I know what it is already.”

“The same thing as you. I wish to stay by your side forever.”

You grow quiet as you start playing with his hands. Aether falls silent too as he pulls you closer to his heart.

“... Is this goodbye? Is that why we both had the same wish?”

You tentatively asked the question in a hesitant voice, afraid that merely voicing it would ruin everything. To your surprise, he shakes his head.

“Don’t you see? We still have so much time left ahead of us. There's still so much we can explore together, so much we can do together that there’s no way this could be goodbye.

“This isn’t goodbye. Not for a long time. So let’s not call it that, for we will meet again.”

XIAO + BEACH VISIT

Cold water laps at your ankles as the waves splash against your skin, then recede. The wet sand dips beneath your feet, leaving footprints behind.

“Xiao, look at the setting sun over the horizon. Isn’t it pretty?”

He gruffly nods, silent and sullen as always. You gently tug on his pinky with your interlocked one, nudging him forward along the coastline. Seagulls land and peck at the sand for anything to scavenge and Xiao shoos them away with his foot.

At some point, he breaks free from your grasp and wanders off without you knowing. It’s only when you’re in the middle of building a sandcastle and need his help that you realize he’s gone off somewhere.

“Xiao? I kind of need your help-”

When you notice he’s not there, you look behind and see he’s some distance away from the shoreline holding something. He seems to be… speaking to it?

Abandoning your sandcastle, you walk over to see what he’s up to. The tips of his ears are strangely flushed red and when you place a hand on his shoulder, he jolts, startled by the touch.

“What’re you up to, Xiao?”

There, you see he’s holding a seashell. A Starconch, to be exact.

“Here,” he mumbles, holding it out to you. “There’s an old Liyuean legend that if you speak into a seashell, it’ll record your voice.”

You hold it to your ear and listen. There, you hear something you thought you never would.

“I’ve seen many people come and go throughout the years, yet the thought of never being able to see you again makes me feel… conflicted. I have been thinking about this for a long time now and I have finally arrived at a conclusion.

“Many years ago, I was given a name. You showed me the meaning behind it. I was given a second chance to live. You gave me the will to live. I could not dream; I only had nightmares, yet my first dream was one of you. In times of peace, I found myself unable to put down my spear. You showed me how. Stuck in the past, I was unable to adapt to changing times and continued to be haunted by lingering regrets. You led the way and showed me how to let go of the past. I owe a debt of gratitude to you, (Y/N), that I can never pay back. All I can do is be there when you need me.

“If you wish to see me again, simply call my name and I will be there, no matter where or who you are. That is my vow, and one I will fulfill until my dying breath.”

HEIZOU + CATCHING FIREFLIES

Inazuma is unusually warm and humid at this time of year.

The tall grass still wet from today’s rain tickles your ankles as you run through the open field catching fireflies. Heizou leans against the side of the large tree, counting how many he’s collected already. One of the city’s many stray Shibas rolls over onto its back, asking him for belly rubs. He quickly obliges and ruffles the soft fur as the Shiba barks happily while wagging its tail.

“Man alive, I think you’ve beaten me! Just look at how many you’ve caught.”

He holds his jar out to you for examination. There’s a lot, yes, but yours beats him by a long shot. Fireflies occupy almost every corner of space in yours, vying for space against each other.

“As a reward, I’ll answer any question you want me to!”

You shoot him a look. He quickly (and wisely) responds with an “Honestly! I’ll answer anything you want me to honestly, whether it be about my childhood, who the latest suspect I’m chasing down is, or who ate the last dango yesterday.”

You glare at him after the last part.

The sun has fully set and the moon is high in the sky now. Fireflies gently brush against the sides of your jar. You pop the lid open and the cool sea breeze scatters them, blinking and lighting up the darkness in fluorescent green. Heizou does the same, the fireflies escaping into the sky like a sea of glowing lanterns. They twinkle and blink intermittently, resembling the shimmering sea. Your constellations gleam brightly overhead as the fireflies disappear out of your sight, blending in with the stars themselves.

Long after the fireflies have disappeared, you come to a question that’s been on your mind lately.

“What’s your opinion on fate and destiny?”

From the look on Heizou’s face, he must’ve known that you were going to ask him that. You see him thinking underneath the moonlight before he smiles once he reaches a conclusion.

“The gods do not predetermine fate and destiny, nor are coincidences simply coincidences. Rather, they are the cumulation of all our choices leading up to a single, decisive moment. While our paths may divulge for now, I will work to ensure that they cross again someday.

“Even if we are worlds apart, my intuition will always lead me back to you. Because you see the reason why I strive to create my own destiny.”

#genshin impact x reader #xiao x reader #venti x reader #kazuha x reader #aether x reader #heizou x reader #genshin x y/n #genshin x reader #xiao x y/n #venti x y/n #kaedehara kazuha x reader #kazuha x y/n #aether x y/n #heizou x y/n #shikanoin heizou x reader #victoria.writes

[admirableadmiranda]

What do you think did the soul recalling thing they did for 13 years didn't reach WWX soul? WWX said he was forcibly given back a body, so he's just *gestures to WWX * there. Was it possible that his soul was in a place that didn't allow his soul to be called back unless done forcibly and done with a sacrifice? I think it wasn't exactly cleared how he died, but is his situation kind of like XXC, whose soul was dispersed? Makes me wonder if XY didn't know about the spell MXY used.

Hello anon! So this is a bit of a complex question due to the nature of souls in Chinese beliefs and how Wei Wuxian died. I will do my best to explain what I've grasped in the meantime.

So basically your soul is comprised of several parts, I believe ten, and when you die, it breaks into those pieces. The Hun immediately goes on to the afterlife and the Po, unless the body is properly buried with its ancestors, becomes a fragment of a ghost. It is not the full person, but it remembers being alive and wishes to live again. These spirits arise whenever a body is not properly cared for after death and especially the more violent the death, the more likely.

Wei Wuxian was ripped to shreds and never buried at all. His Po is what's out wandering the world when he alludes to being dead and a peaceful, wandering ghost whereas his Hun is waiting in the afterlife for the rest of his spirit so he can enter the reincarnation cycle and go onto a better life. This is why everyone is looking for him, because they know that because he wasn't buried and no cultivator would liberate his spirit, he must still be out there somewhere.

This is a frightening prospect for many reasons. One of them is that he's not completely silenced because his spirit while fractured, still has all of his memories of life. Another is that almost any Po that is left in the world for long enough around the living, will eventually turn resentful and malevolent and attack the living. Wei Wuxian was terrifying to the Jianghu in life for being not cowed by their general status and having a cultivation style that they could not match, they really don't want to see what the boogieman ghost they've made of him could do.

But Wei Wuxian is made of sterner stuff than that, and he is able to keep his sense of self for thirteen years.

This is where Mo Xuanyu's sacrifice comes in and why essentially they were looking for two different things. Mo Xuanyu pays his spirit and his body in order to call all the pieces of Wei Wuxian back together, ripping his Hun out of the afterlife and his Po from wherever they've floated off to in order to bring all of him back together. He gives up his own life so that he may call a spirit back to do his bidding with his body as the tribute. The cultivators just wanted to deal with his Po before it could do anything scary. Mo Xuanyu wants the whole person.

Wei Wuxian is too emphatic that he was ripped to pieces for it to be anything else. He was destroying the Yin Hufu when the siege happened and he lost control and was torn apart. This is different from what happened to Xiao Xingchen, almost entirely an opposite in fact.

Wei Wuxian was torn to pieces, but his spirit was otherwise as intact as it could be. His Po maintained its integrity for thirteen years, just floating everywhere. Xiao Xingchen on the other hand has a nearly intact body, but his soul is shattered into pieces. As much as I can gather, this is a function of how great his despair was and how he really was driven to suicide, over Wei Wuxian who was killed and had no intentions of dying then or ever.

Xiao Xingchen is so thoroughly broken by what Xue Yang does to him that his spirit shatters and breaks when he slits his own throat. Essentially all of the pieces of him fall apart and start to disappear. It is possible for him to recover, but it would take a very long time and the care of someone who is willing to wait that long. Xue Yang likely has no care for how such things works and just wants Wei Wuxian, the only person he knows of who has been truly dead and come back and also works with the dead in a way that even Xue Yang can't match, to force Xiao Xingchen's spirit back together.

I think it is also entirely likely that Xue Yang didn't know about the spell that Mo Xuanyu used, but also I don't think he would have used it. However now you've given me plot bunnies I don't need about what if he did remember that spell and used it to pull Xiao Xingchen back together with his own body as the conduit. It pulls the entirety of someone's soul together in exchange for the caster's, it just might work.

I hope this help clears up the confusion!

#mdzs #asks #anon #anon asks #wei wuxian #xiao xingchen #xue yang #the natures of the soul #a topic of which I am only beginning to grasp #but I hope this helps a little bit anyway

[soleillunne]

When did you get together in your shipping canon?

What initially attracted you to them versus what they were attracted to? 

What places are special to you guys? Is it because of a memory or is it somewhere you want to go?

What’s something you can do but they can’t?

What’s something they can do that you can’t?What could you not live without? Does your partner know what it is?

kazuha.

When did you get together in your shipping canon?

in the canon au its a couple months after we meet!

What initially attracted you to them versus what they were attracted to? 

for me it was his sweet personality like this man is far too kind and me being me, i was like oh my a man that will treat me good *dies* for him it was the fact that i would go out of my way to make everyone happy despite being busy myself. he thought it was sweet of me :")

What places are special to you guys? Is it because of a memory or is it somewhere you want to go?

a spot in chinju forest! he confessed there and its been special ever since

What’s something you can do but they can’t? What’s something they can do that you can’t?

i can bake! i make pretty good sweets if i say so myself its my favorite hobby but i also make jewellery when i have the time! he writes haikus! also he does most of the cooking bc i suck at it lol

What could you not live without? Does your partner know what it is?

my cats, him, my books,,, i'm pretty sure he knows yes

xiao.

When did you get together in your shipping canon?

well, in canon i first meet him due to working under rex lapis, then i die and im reincarnated several years later and we meet again then

What initially attracted you to them versus what they were attracted to? 

initially it was how caring he was, but after i reincarnated it was the way he would watch over me but never get close. i got curious and ended up getting closer to him he was first attracted to me because of how stubborn i was when it came to things i knew needed to be done. i refused to give up. after it was because he knew the previous me and wanted to make sure i lived this life fully

What places are special to you guys? Is it because of a memory or is it somewhere you want to go?

a spot high up in the mountains, where we can watch the sunset.

What’s something you can do but they can’t? What’s something they can do that you can’t?

i can dance to some extent! and he can fight better than i can (reincarnated)

What could you not live without? Does your partner know what it is?

same as above

lyney.

When did you get together in your shipping canon?

before traveler arrives in fontaine, maybe a month or so?

What initially attracted you to them versus what they were attracted to? 

his charm look at him being the rizzler™ i will fold on the spot he was interested in me when he saw me in every show of his without fail, watching carefully as to not miss anything with literal sparkles in my eyes

What places are special to you guys? Is it because of a memory or is it somewhere you want to go?

the cafe in fontaine city! i work there part-time and he kept coming just to see me before he confessed so it became a rendezvous spot of sorts

What’s something you can do but they can’t? What’s something they can do that you can’t?

i can write! both stories and poems occasionally. he can do magic tricks (given) and he can probably sneak up on me without alerting me

What could you not live without? Does your partner know what it is?

same as above

#chitchat #love.[oliver] #the chaos child<3 #selfship🍁

[ikaroux]

I dont see any advice that say if request are closet or Not but if they are please Just ignore me and delate the ask

I've seen a lot of s/o dying and leaving behind Xiao, Venti, Zhongli and Ganyu so what if s/o who died (you don't have to say why) but their soul is always with them in a form of an animal (butterfly, canary, deer, whatever you like) to Not leave them alone never again "together forever, even after death"

Posdata: (this is only if u wanna but its to add a little lore. They can feel s/o like their warm, the good feeling they always and they love also they can talk but only they can hear them)

Hi @milkby11 Thanks for the request! I was very inspired <3 I hope you like it! I added a few characters in addition to the ones requested.

Synopsis: You were dead, he/she had lost you forever. Loneliness and coldness took hold of his/her being, until he/she was visited by a strange animal...

Style: f!reader + m!reader x Ganyu. Death of the reader/reincarnation. Sad. Still, it ends well. I don't describe any violent or bloody scenes. Good luck!

Characters: Diluc, Zhongli, Kaeya, Xiao, Venti, Albedo, Kazuha, Tartaglia/Childe, Ganyu, Razor.

Note: This will give me a little practice for the next death-themed texts! It will be fairly short, so I'm allowing myself two more characters.

Do you have a request?

Masterlist

French version WATTPAD

A little bonus at the end

Diluc

"Master Diluc! This is..."

Charles had come looking for Diluc on the angel's behalf. The expression on his bartender's face left no doubt as to why he was startled. Diluc abandoned whatever he was doing and rushed to the church where you had been taken...

Dead...

You were dead.

You were dead!

Diluc screamed at the bedside, holding your cold hand in his. Never had his tears flowed more than on that day... Never had a man's pain been so poignant to those who tried to save you... All the anger, all the sadness, all the despair of this man was poured out in his cries. Your body was bruised, covered in blood, the sight was unbearable, and yet he could not leave you...

Diluc was devastated. He would never again see your smile. Never again would he feel your warmth. Never again would life have the same flavor.

His heart had died along with yours.

He felt broken, empty. Nothing motivated him to go on. He had once again lost someone dear to him, the woman of his life, the one for whom his heart beat in his chest. How could he go on without you? He who had been unable to protect you. Without you by his side, Diluc shut himself off from the rest of the world.

Diluc lay in bed, staring at the ring on his finger. He remembered your face, your laughter, he remembered your body wrapped around his at night. He remembered your first meeting, your wedding, your plans for the future...

"I miss you..."

Tears stung his eyes and to keep them from flowing, Diluc put his arm over his face, gritting his teeth to contain his emotions, but the sob that clutched his throat didn't care. Despite himself, his grief exploded. You'd been gone for weeks, buried near his father's grave, and Diluc hadn't come to see you since, unable to grieve. He had holed himself up at home, accepting no help, no pity.

His tears did not stop flowing until exhaustion got the better of him.

"Di-.l...Di-..lu.. Di...luc... Diluc..."

Diluc woke up with a violent jolt, drops of sweat on his face. His hands were shaking and his throat was dry. His breathing was ragged and labored, and he tried to compose himself, looking around the dark room with a watchful eye. During his sleep, a strange sensation had enveloped him. He had felt your presence near him, he had even thought he heard your voice...

To calm himself, Diluc got up from the bed and walked to the balcony of his room. The air outside was cool and the wind was blowing lightly. The young man rested his forearms on the balcony railing, staring blankly at the horizon. Despite his moments of absence, Diluc still noticed the beautiful barn owl sitting comfortably beside him, staring at him with its dark eyes. Curiously, she didn't seem frightened by him and Diluc even tried to pet her, the most incredible thing was that she stretched her neck to let herself be tamed.

"You look so tired my love."

Diluc hurriedly stepped back, looking around to see where that voice so similar to yours was coming from.

"(y/n) ? (y/n)!?"

Diluc felt like he was going crazy, he was sure he heard your voice, he also knew that this warmth, this softness he felt was from you. So why couldn't he see you? Then he observed more intensely this strange owl. She was looking straight into his eyes, a familiar glint shining in them. Was it possible? Was it really you? Diluc's tears rolled down his cheeks again as he approached the animal once more.

"Diluc, I'm so sorry I left you alone..." - His beak hadn't moved, yet Diluc was sure your voice was coming from that bird.

"I... That's impossible... (y/n), is that you?" - you had blinked briefly to indicate that it was. Without a word, Diluc approached you, stroking your head with his fingertips. You closed your eyes, savoring the caresses of the man who in another life had been your husband. Before you knew it, his face was pressed against the top of your head, showering you with tears. - How? I... Never mind, I missed you so much..."

"I promised you Diluc, together forever, even after death. I will stay by your side, I don't want to leave you alone, I don't want to part with you. Never." - He pulled you up onto his forearm to hug you gently to him. He kissed the top of your head tenderly, gently caressing your feathery little body.

"Never..." - It was a new promise between you and Diluc. He vowed to protect you, to never let such a tragedy happen again. Never again would fate take you away from him.

Perhaps he would find a way to make you human again.

Diluc's heart seemed to come alive again, beating wildly in his chest. For the first time in weeks, a beautiful smile lit up his face.

ZHONGLI

No.

It couldn't be.

How could this have happened?

An accident. A simple accident.

Zhongli had come quickly to the funeral home to identify your body. He held your lifeless form close to him, rocking his chest back and forth. He couldn't cry... he couldn't. Why had this happened? Zhongli thought it was a punishment for Celestia for abandoning his post as archon.

He asked the people in the room to leave him alone with you.

Now he had to find the strength within him to say goodbye to you...

Zhongli felt devastated. He had already lost so much in the past. He knew that one day you would leave before him. But not like this, not so soon.

He had failed as a man, as a follower... As a husband.

You were no longer by his side and the void you left in him seemed to have broken him more than he could have imagined.

This was not the first time Zhongli had lost someone dear to him, but your death had touched him deeply, bruised him. He loved you so much. You were his world... Losing you had affected him deeply.

Since your death, several weeks ago, Zhongli was silent. His body was still there, but his mind had shut itself off in the depths of his being. Hu Tao and Zhongli were the ones who attended your funeral, and although no tears flowed from his eyes, his heart broke. He looked like an emotionless puppet. A mere fleshy shell... Hu Tao tried to support him, she who had a better view of death than anyone else in Liyue, but no matter what she said, Zhongli did not seem to hear him.

Until one day Zhongli disappeared from the city completely, leaving behind no letters, no clues.

He wanted to be alone, forever. He wanted to wait patiently for the erosion of the stone to destroy him...

Unconsciously, Zhongli took the path to the stone forest of Guyun.

The path Zhongli took to reach his destination was calm and serene. He didn't stop to admire the scenery of Liyue... it didn't matter to him anymore since you were dead. Yet he couldn't help but notice this family of purple foxes, playing under an apple tree with some fallen fruit. One of them seemed to be watching him, sitting upright with its tail wrapped around him comfortably. Zhongli stopped walking, observing the strange behavior of this animal, known to be fearful. He was even more astonished when it stood up and approached him, rubbing its small body against Zhongli's leg. His heart clenched in his chest and an intense warmth invaded his body, a sensation that reminded him of your presence. For the first time since your death, Zhongli's tears rolled down his cheeks. He repeated your name between sobs, over and over again. He slowly knelt on the ground and took the little fox in his arms to cuddle him. The strange animal rubbed its head against the tear-stained cheek of the former archon, letting out a soft squeak.

"(y/n)... (y/n)... (y/n), I am... sorry... I miss her... So much."

"Don't cry Zhongli..."

Zhongli opened his eyes wide in amazement. Had he really heard your voice? Or was it a figment of his imagination?

"I promised you, we will always be together, even after death..."

Zhongli stared at the fox, who himself was looking at him with a calm expression. The archon's lips trembled with emotion, his gaze shifting to the little creature. The more he looked at the animal's pupils, the more he saw your soul reflected in them... He caressed with a trembling hand under the mouth of the fox who closed his eyes with happiness.

"(y/n)?"

You rubbed your muzzle against his cheek again, wagging your tail happily. Zhongli finally understood, your soul had sought refuge and it was this fox who agreed to give up his body to you. Your will to stay with him had been so strong that not even death could hold you back... He thought, for a very brief moment, that he should not let you live like this, that he should be angry with you, but his heart told him otherwise. Perhaps he would find a way to give you a better body, an immortal body, just like himself?

Zhongli hugged you, letting tears of happiness run down your fur. There was hope in his heart again.

Who could blame him for being a little selfish?

KAEYA

Kaeya didn't believe it. Or rather, he didn't want to believe it.

Dead? Impossible, you had promised him that you would always stay together.

But when he saw your lifeless body lying on one of the beds in the church infirmary, his world was suddenly darkened. Kaeya was screaming at the men and women who were charged with protecting you. How could this have happened?

He tried to get your heart beating again by performing first aid. He begged you to come back, not to abandon him. He yelled at the nurses to do something... but nothing could be changed, you were dead and he had no choice but to accept the harsh reality.

Teyvat had lost his former glow, the pain seemed to drive him mad. The man who was once so smiley, so teasing, had become dark and angry. He couldn't accept it... you were his sunshine, his joy of life. You were his hope for a better tomorrow and he had to leave you alone once for everything to break.

Yes, Kaeya had changed completely. He had turned inward. He blamed the world...

Jean tried to comfort him, as well as Lisa, Amber and Klee who tried to give him back his life, without result. Diluc was also solicited by Jean, but even his brother's words did not seem to bring him back to his senses.

Kaeya was locked up in his office in a slight darkness. He was studying some documents that the order of Favonius had entrusted to him, but he could not concentrate on his reading. Anger was boiling inside him and when he looked up from his documents to calm down, the first thing he saw was a portrait of the two of you that Albedo had given him. Kaeya abruptly got up from his chair, angrily pushing everything off his desk, and when he tried to go after the frame containing the only picture of you he had left, the sound of scratching against the wood of the door stopped him.

Kaeya was breathing heavily, tears welling up in his eyes as he gazed longingly at your portrait. He was so angry at himself for attacking you with that image... He rested his forehead against the glass surface, sobbing silently as he thought of you, your smile, your voice...

"Kaeya..."

The young man gasped, almost dropping the precious object in his hand. He looked around, frantically searching for your presence, even as a ghost. But he was greeted once again by the sound of scratching on his door. Kaeya went to the door, opening it with a jerk. No one was behind it, except for a few knights who were working on their tasks and a... dog?

The animal looked at him intently, wagging its tail at the sight of him.

"Well, are you going to let me in or not?"

Kaeya wasn't dreaming, he had heard your voice clearly through that dog. He looked at the knights around him, but no one seemed to have heard him.

He let the animal into the room, glancing around uncertainly.

"Kaeya, it's okay, it's me, (y/n)."

In shock, Kaeya dropped the frame containing your portrait to the floor. His look was that of a broken, lost man. Squealing slightly, you cautiously approached the young man, your tail beginning to wag once you were near him. You put your two front paws on his thighs. He froze at first, looking at you in horror. Was this a dream? Or a nightmare? He didn't want to believe it because if this was all a dream, then when he woke up the pain would be so unbearable that he wasn't sure he could stay sane.

"I promised you Kaeya. I will always stay with you, even beyond death."

Kaeya moaned, letting his tears flow freely. He fell into his lap, hugging your new body. You let yourself cuddle in his arms while licking his ear. Kaeya laughed. It was a strange feeling, how long had it been since he laughed?

"Why did it have to be a dog? How am I supposed to stay serious when you're in this form? I'm sure you did it on purpose!" - Despite his attempt at humor, Kaeya sobbed again, tightening his arms around you. He would not let go of you again.

He was going to do anything to get you back to him.

XIAO

His world had turned black.

Xiao was speechless. Dead? You were really... dead?

Why did you die? Why? He told you to call his name if you were in danger, so why didn't you!

Anger and despair made him tremble. As soon as he heard about your accident, he rushed to your side. You were exploring ruins that were too old, too unstable. Nothing could have saved you from the fall that had caused you fatal injuries. Why didn't you call him...?

You were lying in bed at the Wangshu Inn. A light white veil covered your face and your clothes were stained with blood. Xiao dropped his spear, letting it fall noisily to the ground. His hands and lips were trembling. He couldn't believe his eyes, he never imagined he would see this, at least not this early in your relationship. Verr tried to console him, but Xiao slapped the hand she was holding out to him hard. His eyes never left your side and every second he was in the same room as you, his soul was breaking a little more.

Humans were so fragile, he knew that and yet... he loved you so much, he couldn't conceive of his life without you by his side. And now? He was alone... Xiao shooed away everyone in the room. Once he was alone, he sat down beside you, gently removing the cloth from your face to take one last look at you. You looked so peaceful, as if you were simply asleep. Xiao clenched his fists, holding back the lump in his throat, and when he saw your wound, the one that had been fatal to you, Xiao screamed, crying like he had never cried before.

This world was so cruel...

Weeks passed, and since your disappearance, the Yaksha had been rare. Nobody had seen him since the tragedy. He continued to do his duty to Liyue, but his soul was falling further and further into madness. Xiao let himself be consumed by corruption, forgetting the pain, forgetting the sorrow. If he couldn't have you near him, then what was the point of fighting?

Xiao rarely returned to the Wangshu Inn, the memory of your death was too deeply engraved in him. But sometimes he would sit on the roof of the inn and watch the sky as he used to do with you. When Xiao looked at the moon, his hand dreamily rubbed the engagement rings he had hung around his neck. He couldn't bear to see it on his hand anymore, knowing that you were no longer of this world, but he couldn't resign himself to parting with it either... He thought of you constantly... And every time he did, regret, resentment and anger would come over him. Sometimes he would catch himself thinking that he should never have been near you, that he should never have become attached to you, let alone loved you... and tears would immediately fall from his eyes. How could he think that? The little time you had spent together had made him so happy, he could never forget you, never deny your existence. He wanted to see you one last time, he wanted to tell you that he loved you... He wanted to ask you never to leave him alone.

Xiao's tears were so beautiful, so sad. The wishes in his heart were so pure that even the gods felt sorry for him. Xiao was inconsolable, in his sorrow, he did not notice the little ball of hair that was snuggled up to him and purring.

"I love you too Xiao, I would never leave you alone..."

Xiao hurriedly turned his head towards the little creature lying in a ball at his side. Had he been dreaming? Or maybe exhaustion was giving him hallucinations? He gently took the kitten in his hands and placed it in front of his face. He looked into its eyes, probing the soul of this strange animal that had the audacity to lie beside him. A small glimmer in his eyes made his being tingle, something about this creature reminded him of... you?

"Xiao." - He opened his eyes wide. It was you! It was really you! - "I'm sorry I left you alone. I'm here now..." - you had given him an affectionate headbutt while purring loudly. Xiao didn't dare to speak for fear of waking up from a wonderful dream, so to express himself, he snuggled you against his face, affectionately kissing the top of your head. His sobs began again. Was it happiness? He didn't care about the tears, he wanted to hold your little body to him, to feel your nostalgic warmth against his heart. He would protect you from the cruelty of this world. And if you could have been reborn in this form then he would find a way to bring you back to life in a humanoid form...

With a trembling voice, Xiao whispered in your ear:

"I love you (y/n), don't leave me alone anymore..."

VENTI

"Venti! It's (y/n)! She is ..."

Passersby heard the sound of a lyre shattering on the ground.

When Venti heard the news, he was playing a ballad in the streets of Mondstadt. The shock made him drop his instrument and it broke on the ground. It was not his usual lyre, but the one you had given him.

It was Kaeya who told him the sad news. Your body had been brought back by the knights of Favonius while the church's healers tried, in vain, to bring you back to life. By the time Venti reached the entrance to the city, where your body lay on the ground, it was too late. Your body was cold, lifeless, colorless.

He knelt beside you, caressing your hair, your face.

"(y/n)... please wake up..." - Your silence forced a sob into the anemo archon's throat.- "Don't leave me alone (y/n), please!" - Venti's tears fell from his eyes to crash into your lifeless face. Venti looked for help in the eyes of the caregivers around him, but they all looked away. Venti burst out, resting his forehead against yours, begging you to come back again and again. His cries and tears left no one indifferent... How could they be when they knew the love between you two?

Days passed and your body was buried in the cemetery of Mondstadt. The streets of the city were strangely quiet, the songs of the famous bard no longer echoed. Venti spent his days sitting by your grave. He no longer laughed, no longer sang. You were his inspiration, his muse, you were the love of his life. Venti no longer had the strength to go on without you. He felt so empty, so alone. How could the world go on without you?

He was holding the broken lyre that you had given him. Kaeya had picked it up for him, thinking that he should at least keep this memory of you.

Venti didn't want a souvenir, he wanted you. Why did you have to leave so soon? He didn't have time to tell you everything that was on his mind. This world was so unfair, so cruel. You didn't deserve to die so soon. You were his source of joy and happiness and now he had nothing left... except a broken memory. Venti closed his eyes for a brief moment, letting the wind lull his soul. Perhaps he should sink back into a deep sleep and forget the pain and sorrow. But he would not be able to think of you again and then you would be gone for good. No, Venti didn't want to forget you, he wanted to keep your image engraved in his heart. He wanted to remember the sound of your voice, its softness and warmth...

Venti felt something jump out at him. But he didn't care, he just wanted to think about you, your image, your mimicry, your laugh. All these memories brought tears to his eyes.

"Venti. Open your eyes. Venti!"

Venti slowly opened his eyelids, he thought he had dreamed of you. Your voice had sounded so real to him... When he looked down at his chest, he saw a ball of fur lying on top of him. He blinked a few times before scrambling to his feet and holding the cat in his arms. Venti was allergic to cats and he couldn't understand why his body didn't react...

When he realized that this cat was not triggering a sneezing fit, he brought it closer to his face to study it. The animal was purring in his arms, staring intently into the bard's eyes.

"Give me a hug Venti! I missed you so much."

He hadn't been dreaming...it really was your voice. Venti's tears flowed from his eyes unintentionally. He slowly pulled you closer to him, gently wrapping his arms around you. He slowly stroked your fur, becoming more and more aware of what was happening.

"I made you a promise Venti. I would never leave you alone... ever."

A form of reincarnation. Your soul had borrowed that cat's body to stay with him... Venti thought about the laws of Celestia, about the exorcists who might come after you. But none of that mattered right now. He would protect you, keep you close to him. No one could take you away from him, not even death.

He would finally be able to tell you everything that was on his mind. He would pour out all the love and passion he felt for you, as long as you stayed by his side.

But first, he had to ask you a question... Why did you have to be a cat?!

ALBEDO

His chair fell to the ground.

No.

No, no, no.

Not you.

Albedo rushed out of his laboratory. His heart had never beaten so fast in his chest. It could only be a mistake. Just this morning he was kissing you goodbye. You were in his arms, smiling and saying "see you tonight" with tenderness.

It could only be... a mistake.

Your body was on one of the beds in the infirmary, covered with a large white sheet. Your hand, the one with your wedding ring on it, was hanging off the bed. Barbara, who was one of the first to come to you to try to save you, gave the young alchemist a tearful look.

"(y/n)..." - Albedo's voice trembled.

Albedo approached cautiously. Once at your side, he slowly lifted the sheet to see your face. He was frozen, pale. He didn't know how he should react. Anger? Sadness? Everything was mixed up... He had never been very good with human emotions, but with you he had learned so much. He felt a hand gently grab his arm. Barbara looked at him with compassion.

"Her last words were for you Master Albedo. She wanted you to know that she loved you and...that she was sorry."

"Get out."

Barbara released her grip on the young man's arm. She gave a questioning look to the other caretakers who were unsure how to react. Barbara didn't want to leave him alone, the pain and sorrow she felt in him was upsetting her.

"Get out!"

It was probably the first time anyone had heard him scream in anger. Everyone in the room left without insisting. Albedo looked at you with glassy eyes. He took your hand in his and placed it on your chest. He sadly caressed your hand...

"You are so cold (y/n)..." - The tears that had gathered in his eyes fell to his feet. "Don't go... stay..." - Albedo had never felt such pain... The sobs that escaped from him were filled with despair. Albedo pressed his hand against his forehead, closing his eyes in silent prayer. "(y/n)...don't go..."

Since your death, Albedo had not returned home. He spent most of his time in his laboratory studying the old formula. Succrose tried to get him to come out a little, but the cold look of the young man always paralyzed her on the spot. Albedo was looking for a way to bring you back. If his master had been able to create a homunculus, why not him? All you had to do was create a body and attach your soul to it...

Some knew what Albedo was up to. Venti was one of those who tried to dissuade him from playing with life, and the alchemist threatened him not to interfere with his research, because after all, no one could understand what he was feeling.

He was physically and mentally exhausted. He allowed himself very few breaks, because every minute spent away from you destroyed him a little more.

Albedo sat in the armchair by the open window, studying some of the documents related to his research.

Fatigue weighed on his body and his eyelids slowly drooped until sleep overcame him.

For the first time in a long time, Albedo dreamed of you. You were sitting in a field of flowers, admiring the Cecilia that grew there. Albedo admired you with love, you were so beautiful, so sweet, that even the butterflies fluttered around you. One of them came to rest on his hand, sharing with him the soft bluish glow it gave off. When he looked up from the butterfly to redirect his protective gaze to you, you had simply... disappeared. Albedo gradually lost his smile, the dream was turning into a nightmare... he remembered... he remembered... you were dead. The angelic landscape of the fields was gradually engulfed by a fog of darkness. Only a fragment of his dream remained, the reassuring glow of the butterfly still emanating from his hand, in the exact spot where it had landed earlier. Albedo gently squeezed his hand over the light before opening it again to give birth to a new life.

Albedo woke up abruptly, his breathing was rapid and difficult. An excruciating headache took him as the memories of his dream came back to him. Tears filled his eyes as he saw your smile and heard your voice. It was so hard, so hard not to have you around anymore. He wished he had never woken up...

Albedo blinked, fighting back the tears that wanted to flow. That's when he noticed it... A butterfly had taken advantage of his sleep to land on the back of his hand. It looked exactly like the one in his dream. Albedo studied it carefully, the blue glow, the softness that the creature gave off, everything was identical... He understood then that this butterfly was not a simple insect, but a wandering soul...

"I promised you" - These were the last words you said to him before he woke up. Everything was clear now.

" (Y/....N) ?

"Albedo, it's okay. I am here now. I'm sorry I left you alone." - Albedo's tears finally flowed. The darkness that he had been running into dissipated. He would finally see your smile again.

KAZUHA

The weather was stormy.

The rain was pouring down.

The sky perfectly expressed the state Kazuha was in.

He had been away for only a few days and when he returned, he found your house completely destroyed. A landslide had swept away your home and you with it. Your lifeless body was found in the rubble by villagers.

At first Kazuha hoped that you were still alive, that it wasn't you who had been found but another young woman, and that you might be somewhere in town. He was afraid, so afraid. He ran as fast as he could to reach the port of Liyue, hoping to find help, information, and above all, your presence. A feeling of anguish twisted his stomach. You weren't dead, you were fine, he kept repeating to himself.

However...

Yet when he arrived at the port of Liyue, he was greeted by guards who were both relieved to see him alive and distressed by the news they had to give him...

Your body had been found lifeless under the rubble. You had been surprised in your sleep by the collapse of the cliff weakened by the recent storms. Kazuha remained silent, he couldn't believe it. He ran to the funeral home, hoping they were wrong. It couldn't have been you.

Why couldn't it be you?

Why didn't he take you with him!

Hu Tao welcomed the young wanderer, offering his condolences before taking him to see you for the last time... Kazuha was livid, he wanted to vomit, scream, break everything he could. Yet he stood there, looking at your deathly pale face. He had just lost another loved one and he couldn't help but think that it was all his fault. If he had been there, this wouldn't have happened, if he had taken you with him, you would still be alive today. Kazuha collapsed to his knees, letting his tears flow freely. He felt like he was drowning in the abyss...

Kazuha had returned to Inazuma, bringing your ashes with him. He would take you absolutely everywhere on his travels, the thought of leaving you in Liyue was unbearable for him.

He sat down at the foot of a maple tree to admire the red leaves that fell from it with you. Kazuha loved their color, especially at this time of the year when the trees were starting to lose their leaves. The young wanderer looked at the landscape silently, clutching the small urn against him. Sometimes he would talk to you, describing what he saw and sometimes he would recite a haiku inspired by nature. He felt so lonely since you left... having that urn with him somehow helped him to overcome his grief. He felt that somehow... you were still with him.

Kazuha grabbed a maple leaf that was being carried by the wind, he looked at it intently, twirling it between his fingers.

"I always thought red looked good on you (y/n)." - He sighed, letting go of the leaf so that it could quietly continue its journey. The colors, once so beautiful, now seemed bland and sad.

Kazuha opened his eyes wide when he noticed that a scarlet finch had taken advantage of his inattention to land fearlessly on his knee, admiring his face with tranquility. He didn't dare move, for fear of scaring the little creature.

"Red suits you better my little heart."

Kazuha almost dropped the urn from his arms. Did he really just hear this bird talking to him with YOUR voice? And that nickname that sparrow had used was the one you used every time for him.

"Did you... just talk?"

"Of course I did, sweetheart."

"That's impossible... that voice... (y/n)?" - The scarlet finch flew up to land on Kazuha's shoulder.

"Do you remember our promise? I will stay with you, no matter what form I take, I will be there."

Kazuha gently placed the urn on the ground and then came to caress your head with his fingertips. He could hardly believe it, but he was not dreaming, everything was real and even nature was telling him the truth. Kazuha could not help but cry with happiness.

The emptiness you had left in him was filling up again.

"Well. How about one last trip Kazu?"

As Kazuha's tears ran gently down his cheeks, he thought that at last the world was slowly returning to the colors of life.

CHILDE

"What did you just say... ? " - The rage and anger could be heard in Childe's voice. The Fatui in front of him recoiled in fear.

"I... There was an attack... (Y/n)... did not survive his injuries." - The thud of a broken table made the trembling man step back further.

"YOU ARE LYING! How could this happen?! I asked you to look after her! To protect her!" - Childe's screams could be heard even in the streets of Liyue. - "Where is she?!"

Childe rushed to the place that Agent Fatui had pointed out to him. Never had he run so fast, never had fear gripped him so tightly.

It couldn't be.

It was impossible.

You couldn't be dead.

He had sworn to protect you.

He had sworn!

But when he saw your body on the ground, livid and lifeless, his howls of grief brought him back to reality. You had died alone, without him by your side. Childe could not hold back his tears or his cries, how could he when his heart was breaking into a thousand pieces? He held you in his arms, covering his clothes with your blood and yours with his tears. When one of his men tried to talk to him, all the rage and anger that was boiling inside him suddenly burst out. He respectfully laid your body on the ground before slaughtering them all, one by one. All that remained of them was a pool of blood.

He would never forgive himself for what had happened to you...

You had not been by his side for a month, day for day. Life without you was... so bland, without flavor. No matter how hard he fought to forget his pain, nothing could make him feel better, not even his precious family.

He often came to visit you at your grave to lay flowers or to talk with you. Sometimes he hoped to hear an answer, but only silence greeted him.

Childe walked through the streets of Liyue with a blank stare and no light. The city seemed so still and silent, Childe felt as if the world had stopped turning. He seemed absent, his empty eyes just staring at the stone floor. Yet his gaze was drawn to one of the large pools decorating the city's heights. Among all the fish swimming there, one in particular caught his attention. It was a magnificent koi carp with brilliant colors. It seemed to be looking at him intensely, moving towards him little by little. Childe, intrigued by the strange animal, stopped and knelt down in front of the pond. He slowly dipped his hand into the water, making slight movements to draw the fish towards him. The carp rubbed against his hand gently, and Childe was surprised to see it close its eyes to enjoy the contact.

"Childe..."

Fatui opened his eyes wide. Had that fish just spoken to him? That voice... it sounded so much like yours. Impossible... Had it sunk so low as to hear you through a common fish? Childe straightened up, preparing to leave this place.

"Childe... don't go..."

Again, the harbinger stopped, frozen by your call. He looked left and right, searching for people around him who would have heard your voice as well, but Childe seemed to be the only one able to hear you.

"Childe... I'm sorry... for leaving you... alone. I promised you... always... together."

You spoke slowly, as if the water prevented you from expressing yourself properly. Tears stung the young man's eyes, why were you apologizing? He was the one who needed to be forgiven! He came back to you, dipping his hand in the water again to see you snuggling back in. He stroked you tenderly, admiring each of your golden scales. He couldn't leave you here, he had to take you home, to the pond in your garden. And above all, he had to find a way to get you out of this body so small, so fragile. He couldn't bear to lose you a second time.

"(Y/n), forgive me. I will bring you home, I promise."

Ganyu felt the emptiness invade her when one of Lady Ningguang's secretaries had come to warn her of the accident that had been fatal. The papers she was carrying at that moment fell out of her hands and scattered on the floor in front of her. Ganyu did not move, her lips trembling as horror overtook her.

Dead?

No... no... she refused to believe it. Just this morning she woke up in your arms, happy and smiling. And now she learned that she would never see you again? That she would never feel the warmth of your arms again? Ganyu couldn't stand the thought, and to be sure, she rushed to see you.

You were lying on one of the beds in the funeral home. Ganyu approached slowly, trembling and hesitating, even now she refused to believe it. Zhongli, who was present in the funeral room with Hu Tao, took her hand affectionately to accompany her to your body. And when she saw your face, Ganyu broke down. Tears could not stop flowing as she caressed your lifeless face.

"Don't go... don't go... don't go!" - That was the only thing she repeated. Ganyu had lost loved ones in the past, but you, you were unique, unparalleled in her life...

She felt Hu Tao's comforting hand rubbing her back, but nothing, absolutely nothing could ease her pain.

Ganyu had left Liyue without saying anything, returning to live in the quiet and solitude of Aozang Mountain. She could not bear to live in Liyue port, so many places reminded her of you. You had been for her an inexhaustible source of happiness. She felt beautiful, desirable and loved under your eyes. But today...

She didn't sleep anymore.

She didn't eat anymore.

She was alone. Lost.

And deeply unhappy.

Her tears flowed every day without you. Cloudbreath tried to comfort her as best she could, to no avail. She spent her days sitting on the rocks looking at the horizon. Life had lost its flavor. Ganyu was so attached to you, so in love, that losing you had made her totally amorphous.

Days and nights passed. The endless cycle of life continued, cruel and merciless. When the sun rose, she observed its course. When night fell, she was content to watch the stars and the Milky Way go by.

But six months after your death, something unexpected happened.

Footsteps approached her, slowly and confidently. The rhythm of the footsteps reminded her of an animal. But...

"Ganyu."

That voice... Ganyu's eyes filled with tears as memories resurfaced within her. Her eyes, once apathetic, came to life. She didn't dare to turn around for fear of finding nothing behind her. Her imagination had already played so many tricks on her... But when your voice called to her for the second time, she let her sobs out, finally looking back to meet the gaze of a great majestic stag, as white as the purity of the snow.

"I've finally found you. I missed you so much my lily."

She couldn't believe her eyes. She slowly got up from her seat and then cautiously approached you.

"(y/n)...? Is it really you? You... have come back... I..."

"Come closer. Unfortunately I can't hold you anymore... but I can feel you. I promised you that. I would stay by your side, no matter what fate has in store for us... I would always come back."

Ganyu stroked the silky fur that lay along your neck before wrapping her arms around it. She stifled her sobs against you.

"I love you (y/n)."

"I love you Ganyu. Forever."

Razor had smelled blood.

Your blood.

He was waiting patiently for you at the wolves' domain. A shiver of fear ran through his body when he heard your voice calling him, along with the strong smell of blood. Alerted by your screams, Razor had run to you. But he was too late, you were dead, lying in your own blood while bandits attacked the travelers you had defended. The wolf man could hardly breathe, he felt his mind wandering and his fury rising. He was not aware that he was now carrying his blade in his hands and bringing it down on your killers.

Once he had disposed of each bandit, Razor knelt beside you. He stroked your face with a trembling hand before straightening you up to embrace you. He had failed to protect you. He had not... succeeded, and now you were dead. Razor held you so tightly to his chest, no one could have pulled you away from him. His screaming and crying had alerted some Mondstadt soldiers who were patrolling the area. The men tried to convince Razor to take you into town so that your body could be delivered to the church. But he growled like a wolf in a rage, threatening with an animalistic stare anyone who dared to approach you. Razor took you in his arms before fleeing into the forest, where your body was supposed to rest...

Months passed.

Razor had isolated himself from the rest of the world, living far from men, far from his pack. Lisa had tried several times to talk to him, to help him grieve, but every time she tried to approach him, Razor pushed her away with the ferocity of an animal.

He had lost all ability to express joy or happiness. He was in a state of lethargy and when night came, he could not stop his tears from flowing. You were his lupus, his family, the love of his life. You were his joy, his smiles, his peace.

He was so deeply sad.

Razor was always honest with his emotions. It was impossible for him to deny the deep hurt your death had caused him.

Alone.

So alone...

The cave where Razor had taken refuge was empty of life. It was here that he waited for you whenever you came to visit him... and he kept waiting. But what was he waiting for? When Razor heard the sound of a twig breaking under foot, his reaction was immediate. He jumped up on his legs, claymore in hand to fend off the unwanted guest. However, the smell that accompanied the stranger was pleasantly familiar to him...

"I knew you would be waiting for me here."

The young man's eyes opened wide. Before him stood a she-wolf with silver fur. Her eyes gave off softness, warmth...your warmth.

"I was able to speak with Andrius. My wolf, forgive me for leaving you alone all this time."

Seeing that Razor, still in shock at your coming, remained frozen where he was, you cautiously approached him. You gently rubbed your head against his trembling hand.

"I'm here, just like I promised you. I will always stand by you Razor."

Slowly, his hand stroked you. He dropped to his knees, now finding himself at your level. His arms held you close as his sobs echoed through the cave. You tenderly placed your mouth on his shoulder, licking the tip of his ear tenderly.

Aaah yes, he remembered now... that feeling so... human. Love was such a precious feeling...

BONUS

Scaramouche remained frozen, looking with a black eye at the flunky who had told him of your death.

After a long silence, a crazy laugh escaped from his lips. The fatui kneeling before him did not understand. He had just given him terrible news and he was... was laughing?

But that was not knowing Scaramouche very well. He suddenly stopped laughing, grabbing the man by the neck and squeezing him with breathtaking force. The hatred in his eyes was such that it could have made any army flee.

"Didn't I ask you to protect her? Your lives mean nothing to me compared to HER. And you're telling me she's... dead?" - His voice was as cold as the blade of a sword. "Unforgivable... Unforgivable... UNFORGIVABLE!"-The dreadful sound of bones cracking filled the room. The lackey fell to the ground, dead as Scaramouche reached the place where your body had been taken.

The Harbinger's fury drove him to slaughter every man and woman who had the misfortune to cross his path. When he entered the room, those inside recoiled in fear.

"GET OUT!" Which they did without question.

Scaramouche slowly approached the bed where your body had been lying. His cold gaze scanned you... He was boiling inside, his rage didn't seem to be able to be extinguished. However, Scaramouche had the most gentle gesture towards you. His hand caressed your cheek, moved your hair, embraced your cold hand in his. He forbade himself to cry, it was not in his nature. He was known as a cruel, cold, angry man, but with you... he had learned to love gentleness, kindness and love. He would have been willing to sacrifice everything for you... Then why did you have to die!? He clenched his jaw, trying, but failing, to stop his tears from flowing.

He hated you.

He loved you.

You had broken your promise. You promised him you would always be by his side.

He hated you.

He loved you.

He needed you by his side. How was he going to get by without you now? He wouldn't see your stupid smile. He wouldn't hear you spouting nonsense about love. He wouldn't feel your arms around him in an embarrassing display of affection.

He didn't want to... live without you by his side. You knew how to bring out his soft, gentle side that was so detestable to him and yet... he loved every moment with you.

He loved you.

More than anyone else in the world...

Months passed and Scaramouche became colder and crueler than ever. His minions ran away from him, afraid of being killed in one of their superior's crazy moments. Without you to guide him, to soften him, Scaramouche was caught in an endless cycle of hatred and killing. He hated the whole world, and the only reason the Tsaritsa kept him around was his ability to eliminate his enemies.

Since your death, the harbinger understood the true meaning of the word "loneliness". You had left a gaping hole in his chest which he filled with cruelty and violence. That was all that was left of him. Now that you were gone, he was a shadow, a killing machine.

Scaramouche looked at his reflection on the surface of the water, hating what he saw. A weak being, consumed by his emotions. He hated imagining your reflection beside him... you were dead, and nothing could change that. He threw a stone into the water, causing ripples on the surface that blurred his reflection. He did not see the little creature sitting quietly on his shoulder, watching his every move. It was only when she made a noise with a hazelnut that she stuffed in her cheeks that Scaramouche noticed her. Instinctively, his dagger quickly found its way into her hands, threatening the little squirrel with its point.

"You're always so nervous, darling."

Scaramouche froze, his round eyes staring at the animal as if he had just seen a ghost. The only person who had the courage to call him "my darling" was you. And then it was just a simple vermin on his shoulder, it could not speak! With your voice to boot!

"Geez, there go the squirrels talking now. I'm really going crazy."

"You're not crazy. I'm really talking. It's me, don't you recognize my voice?"

Scaramouche hesitated. Was his madness making him lose his mind? Or were you really talking to him through this nutcracker?

"(Y/n)?"

You rubbed your swollen cheeks against his.

"Tch! You're always so... sticky."

Scaramouche was finally realizing. You were really there, on his shoulder rubbing against his cheek. He was screaming at you like he used to. Yet, his heart was warming with every tender gesture you had towards him.

"I promised you I would never leave you." - Despite his protests, you continued to rub tenderly against him.

The young man said nothing more. His eyes glistened with tears.

He loved you.

"Why did you have to come back as a squirrel!? I'm going to look ridiculous in front of my soldiers!"

Despite everything he said to you, he wasn't planning to take you away from him for a moment. Ridiculous or not, he would never take you away from him again.

#genshin #genshin impact #diluc #zhongli #kaeya #xiao #venti #albedo #kazuha #childe #ganyu #razor #scaramouche #diluc x reader #zhongli x reader #kaeya x reader #xiao x reader #venti x reader #albedo x reader #kazuha x reader #childe x reader #ganyu x reader #Razor x reader #genshin x reader #diluc imagines #diluc ragnvindr #diluc headcanons #zhongli x you #xiao x y/n #kaeya angst

[planelone]

◦º✧ REMEMBER, N0T 『1」 ✧º◦

Xiao x fem!reader

Genre: angst(?), fluff, modern au, college au, reincarnation, thriller(?), psychology

TW: death, blood, cuts, childhood trauma, abuse, stabbing, insane, OCD

Word count: 848

◦º⋰❖⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯❂⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯❖⋱º◦

How did it come to this? You didn't like to think that even as an immortal, there would be those days where it would be your lasts. Right now it was one of those times, you were with Xiao, hands intertwined with hot tears running down your face. Your grip on his hand became tighter, praying to the archons for this moment to last a little bit longer. No- you didn't want your moments with Xiao to end at all. Those small special gestures Xiao did to show his love and adoration for you. That time you pestered Xiao until he agreed to adopt a pet cat with you. The first time you and Xiao held hands. The first time you and Xiao shared a kiss. All those small moments with Xiao were precious to you. You didn't want to stop, you wanted to continue to make special memories with Xiao and your friends. Oh, your friends, how you missed them and hoped they were okay. You hoped Qiqi and Miwo, your pet cat, Ganyu, Verr Goldet, Yoimiya, Yanfei, Traveler, Gorou, Beidou, Ningguang, Jean, Diluc, Amber, Noelle, and anyone you could think of at the moment were safe. But apart of you knew that there was no hope, nowhere was safe. After all, who could survive the corruption of the world?

"Y/N," You snapped out of your thoughts. You felt a hand at the side of your cheek. "I love you" Xiao continued, looking into your tear-filled E/C eyes. You saw small crystal-like tears prick the corner of his own amber eyes. "I don't want this to end, not with you," you said, voicing out your thoughts. More hot tears fell from your eyes. "Hey- hey, look at me," Xiao said, trying to calm you down. The truth is he wasn't calm either, but he didn't want you to leave this world with a tear-stained face all because he of him. He didn't know how to comfort you, more so at a time like this. But he tried, desperately trying to make time go slower. "I said I love you, so no matter where we are, or where we might be, I'll always try to find you. We'll find each other with our love," he said, smiling right after.

You didn't want to argue at this moment and what he said actually comforted you a little. You smiled back "I don't want to leave you, so in our next life don't be shocked if you find out I'm hunting you down. No matter what we are or where we are, I'll find you, so we can be together again in our next life, yeah?" "We will, I promise you." "I love you, Alatus" You smiled, the biggest and brightest one you could muster. "I love you too, Y/N" he smiled, thin streaks of tears finally falling from his eyes.

You shared your final and most heartfelt kiss with Xiao. When you pulled away you felt the ground begin to shake violently. When the shaking had stopped the land beneath your feet started to crack, separating you and Xiao as you lost your balance. You saw white light flash in front of your eyes and before you could register, you felt a sharp pain from your right thigh. You looked down and saw a newly opened wound, one you've gotten before. You looked at Xiao, he looked at you too, you've seen that wound on Xiao before too. You thought it was a coincidence when another cut appeared on your left cheek as the light flashed again. And another. And another.

All familiar kinds of cuts, gashes, and bruises littering your body seemed to confirm your suspicion. You grinned, a light sound of laughter leaving your lips. 'Oh, so this is what the gods are doing' you thought. "That's smart" you whispered to yourself. The gods were ending the people by opening ALL of their old wounds again. Every time the white light flashes an old wound will open. To put it simply, it was HELL for everyone, immortal or not. You heard distant screams from all around you. You bit your lip holding back the pain you were feeling from all over your body. Though even in the midst of everything, something got you thinking. 'Then, what about the people that don't have that many wounds to kill-' As if answering your question, as soon as you questioned it you saw a person light on fire out of nowhere. Your eyes widened. Then another person got struck by lighting. And another froze to ice and so on.

You squinted your eyes. You couldn't bear the pain anymore. You fell to your knees, coughing out a puddle of blood. Clenching your fists as you realized this really was the end for you. There were so many people screaming in pain and fear from all around you. And before you could register anymore sounds you heard Xiao call your name over and over again even when your vision turned black-

'Y/N- Y/N! Y/N!-'

◦º⋰❖⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯❂⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯⎯❖⋱º◦

#genshin impact #xiao genshin impact #genshin impact xiao #genshin impact xiao x reader #genshin fanfic #genshin impact angst #xiao angst #xiao x reader #genshin impact x reader #genshin x reader #xiao x reader angst #xiao fluff #xiao x reader fluff #genshin hutao #genshin ganyu #genshin ningguang #genshin beidou #genshin diluc #xiao modern au #xiao x reader modern au #genshin chongyun #genshin qiqi #genshin yanfei #genshin yoimiya #genshin gorou #genshin verr goldet #genshin jean #genshin amber #genshin noelle #genshin zhongli

[dourpeep]

dont look @ me ive been Fixated on the kazuxiaoreader au, SPECIFICALLY the modern au but like. yknow, reincarnated and xiao remembers his past life, that one. and ive been thinkin abt that. and like.

the Joy of not only bein able to meet his s/os again, (even if they dont remember anything abt their past lives in teyvat) but getting along well right off the bat and becoming best friends and then comes the pining.

like, sometimes, to xiao it feels as if theyre picking up where they left off as if reader and kazu never died in the first place. and then he remembers theyre not exactly together anymore, which is strange to think abt since they never broke up, and with the knowledge of the past xiao can clearly tell theyre all smitten.

so i feel like. since this is somewhat of a second chance at life and love, hed be a Little more bold, since he 1) knows how they feel, 2) DEARLY missed them, 3) feels as if his time with them was too short (since he lived so long and human lifetimes are super short in perspective And, bc we KNOW this man woulda taken SO long to warm up enough for an actual relationship to happen)

so like just imagine, the trio in xiaos bedroom (before being Official and before he got a bigger bed) like hangin out and reader is like

"3 best friends in a room~ they might kiss~" as a joke but not really and before kazu can shoot back with more joke but also not really flirting, xiaos like "they will." leaving kazu and reader stunned but like in a good way 🤌✨

he sips his drink and avoids their eyes like he didnt say anything afterwards cuz hes still shy but hey hes tryin. like comment and subscribe mwah

FOR SURE

Ugh god I love them so much. This little lovely trio...ahhh

--

After so long without his loves...? The lights of his life? The ones who singlehandedly could bring him back from the depths of his thoughts and the insecurities and fears that constantly eat at him???

The moment that he sees them he's already made his decision. Truthfully, he's decided mere decades into his newfound solitude following their passing.

No matter how long it would take, no matter how much wooing he would have to do (Xiao's cheeks flush at the thought of taking initiative--it's been a bit since he's held them in his arms), he would sweep them off their feet time and time again. Through any lifetime, any era-

Anything to be reunited with the ones he loves and the ones who love him in return.

Of course, it's sweet--when he does bump into you (as he finds you first again), you laugh and apologize because, ah of course his coffee has spilled over the front of his shirt. You pat his chest with a wad of hurriedly gathered napkins and he hasn't spoken a word.

It's you.

It really, truly is you.

You joke about how he's speechless. Something about if he's fallen in love with you or something and Xiao desperately wants to tell you that he's loved you all along. But he holds back for now because he remembers how Kazuha (way back when) teased Xiao for his eagerness in affection when the then-adeptus (now retired?) bluntly stated his intentions.

When he doesn't speak, you're concerned.

Then, he offers to buy you a drink.

"Shouldn't it be the other way around?" The laugh that bubbles sends a shock through his system. He missed your laugh so much.

The realization of his offer hits him as well, though, and his cheeks flush a pretty pink and he looks off to the side as he mumbles a sweet compliment. That day, he goes home to his apartment $4.25 poorer with a smile on his lips and your number in his phone.

It's a few months later that he sees Kazuha.

Xiao should've known better than to run after the afternoon bus (that he'd just gotten off of) and really should've known better than to try to beat it to the next stop.

But the flash of pale hair with a chunk of striking red made his heart skip in his chest and mind go blank.

The coincidence of meeting you and the fact that there was someone--possibly--who could be his other long lost love was too important not to risk being late for his shift.

Luckily for him, though, the man stepped off the bus that next stop, gazing at Xiao with amused delight. But...rather than leaving the bus entirely, he stands on the last step (having let everyone else through), holding onto the side railing with his head tilted in question.

"Did you forget something?"

Of course, Kazuha hasn't lost the light tease to his words.

"You--" He wheezes a bit. That was a lot of running.

"Me?"

Kazuha steps off the bus now, the sounds of the air brakes puffing mingling with the sound of the vehicle accelerating away as soon as he's safely on the curb.

"No-! No I just-"

And Kazuha shakes his head with a smile, reassuring that he was only teasing the dark-haired man.

It turns out that Kazuha was only just moving back to the city after a while of living abroad. Thinking about this, Xiao can't help but chuckle. Both of you really haven't changed one bit.

A month later the three of you are reunited. On accident, actually.

Xiao planned to introduce you on a later date, but instead, at work, you both ended up surprising him unintentionally.

Definitely worth it to see the fluster on his face.

You...you already knew each other.

Thus!

The three of you begin to hang out more often. It was almost like before. Almost.

When you're all gathered in his room after his work shift, you sit on the bed with Kazuha laying across it, Xiao shuffling around his closet trying to find the right shirt. It's become pretty commonplace for you to be around each other (normally gathering at Xiao's place) to the point that a shirtless Xiao hardly is a head turner (well...okay no, it certainly is).

He joins you on the bed, gently nudging Kazuha to scoot to make room.

"3 best friends in a room~"

You lean heavily on Xiao's shoulder, laughing.

"They might kiss-!"

Kazuha flicks at you, lips parting to speak until-

"They will."

And for once, Xiao's rendered you both silent instead of the other way around.

It's palpable, the few moments following.

Kazuha's first, naturally, sitting up to face Xiao. In his chest, he can feel the familiar flutter of his heart, a whisper of that promise that he has long since forgotten. And you feel it as well. You've felt it long before you bumped into Xiao.

The fact that it's only gotten louder since meeting him, since reuniting with Kazuha? It can't be coincidence.

With bated breath, Kazuha leans in to brush his fingertips against your hand. Their lips touch.

And it feels like home.

#anon asks #kazuha x xiao x reader #xiao and his two lovely dumb s/o's #modern au #soulmate au #reincarnation au #modern au xiao #modern au kazuha #genshin impact xiao #genshin impact kazuha #genshin impact x reader #genshin impact #genshin impact fics #genshin impact drabbles #polycule #polyamory

[smoochi-modest]

✿ [ Wilted ] ✿

—> Genshin Impact - [ Xiao x Reader ]

—>  [ Fem! Reader. Blood. Gore. Character death. Fluff into angst, with a rather bitter ending. ]

—> Description - [ It all started with a promise, and now here you were. It seems Xiao will never escape his karma, he thought. The hope you once gave him began to escape within his tears. ]

—> Note - [ 2,231 words - I hope you enjoy;; it'll be one of the few times I write angst, I can't bring myself to hurt him more. ]

" Xiao... you're immortal right? "

Head rested peacefully on the adepti's shoulder, you couldn't help but smile fondly towards the boys face. Xiao had been staring back at you for quite some time now, you were unsure why but you hadn't been bothered to ask. Feeling safe under his watchful eye.

" I am still able to die, just not by time. " Xiao said firmly to you in response, his normally sharp glare found itself to soften the moment you lock eye contact. A feeling of nostalgia bubbled beneath the surface of his skin.

"Mm... That's no good, that means you'll have to die in pain. Right?"

He was taken back by your words for a moment, a frown creeping onto his features. Brows furrow while listening to you patiently. He opened his mouth, only to shut it once more for you to continue.

"I mean... You're already going through enough pain as it is."

He was. And he knew it hurt not only him, but you as well.

"Will you be alright when I'm gone...?"

No. He wanted to say oh so desperately. Closing his eyes, Xiao leaned his head to the side, nuzzling on top of your own while he whispered gently.

" Please do not utter such words. "

Then there was silence, within the heavy atmosphere there was clearly something plaguing your thoughts. He feared it would trap you in a world similar to his own, a place full of pain and self doubt.

" . . . "

" I am an adepti, not a child. "

" . . . "

Yet again more silence, that is... until you shot up from your seated position, knocking your heads together on accident while whining in the process. You lifted a hand to your head, muttering small curses. But now wasn't the time for that! Brushing off the complaints, you make light of the situation. A new idea found it's way in that pretty head of yours, as he stared at you rather irritated by the sudden bash of skulls through your unexpected excitement.

" Wait! I got it! " You seem to beam, " I'll just reincarnate as soon as I am dead! Then I could embrace you just like this, all over again! "

Xiao scoffed, looking to the ground as a sudden warmth found its way across his cheeks and the bridge of his nose. A rose red hue, adorning his face.

" Reincarnation doesn't work like that, you have no say in how long it takes for you to return. "

This seemed to make you pout, sitting yourself back down, you take his hands in your own. The sudden connection, brought him to lift his head slightly to have a glance at your expression. Your fingers intertwining with his.

" Fine then! Just watch me, Xiao. I'll prove you wrong. "

"I'll even promise you!"

That day was forever imprinted in the back of his mind, staring down solemnly at your gravestone. He couldn't remember the last time he felt your touch, oh how he craved to feel it again. Wishing to go back in time, and replay everything all over again.

Xiao missed the way you'd hold his hands ever so delicately, bringing each knuckle to your soft lips. With each kiss, came so much unfamiliar warmth. He wishes he could have told you just how special you were to him, but now it was too late.

You were always the one to nurture his hands, the way you'd caress them with your thumb- leaving tingles behind. You'd claim time and time again, that those hands weren't only used for bloodshed. But for love as well.

His hands let him eat Almond tofu, grasp onto your face while peppering you with soft love pecks. He can almost hear you giggles still, whenever you'd try to push him away out of embarrassment.

Now he awaited for your promise to come true... he's waited nearly a decade now, or had it been more? Visiting your grave whenever he had the time, he treated your gravestone like it had truly been you. Leaving flowers behind, all different colours. Some white camellia, all the way to some dandelion he picked from the ground during his travels.

Ever since that day, the fateful day of your demise- Xiaos life fell into shambles. Feeling tears swell up beneath his mask each day as he slaughtered all his inner demons, along with many threats that came too close to the city of Liyue. His life didn't feel the same, forgetting what he had done on a regular biases without you by his side. So much pressure weighed at his faltering heart. A pressure that almost made him feel equal pain to his karmic debt.

He longed for a day to come where he could have worn the mask and danced with you in his arms — not to conquer demons, but to the tune of that flute amid a sea of flowers he heard once before, long ago. Before he had met you.

The once glittering sun found itself to rest behind the ocean's view, darkness consuming your gravestone and him along with it. Allowing the moon to grace Xiao with it's knowing call, a sign of more pain to come, a call reminding him of his duty that he must serve for the rest of his lifetime. He bid your grave a farewell after adjusting some of the fallen flowers.

Everything around him seemed to be void of any sound, slashing away at potential threats in his path. Piercing monsters abdomens like it were a kabob, before ripping his weapon of choice out in swift motion, allowing blood to spill out of the inhumane creature. Spinning his jade-winged spear to rid of any remaining traces of blood or guts, the ground had been painted in the horrifying colour which you seemed adore. A rose red.

There had been very few times where Xiao was caught off guard, however it was during this onslaught that something abnormal began to sprout like a rose bud. A harsh force knocked him off his feet, collapsing to the ground as he winced in pain. A weight then followed, hovering over him as a small hand grasped his throat. Choking on his breath, his piercing gold eyes widen at the sight ahead of him.

There sat a young girl, resembling his fallen lover. He couldn't allow this inconvenience to halt him from his duty, yet Xiaos mind began to churn still. Ripping the mystery girls hand off his throat, he kicked her off of himself. Quickly standing back up, in a more defensive position.

The two opposing figures stare at each other with undecipherable expression. Both wearing their own masks. His of an Oni, hers of a butterfly. The broken mask only covered the top left half of her face, and he prayed his eye's were playing tricks on him. A familiar colour of messy hair, lips coated in blood as it appears she had previously bitten herself while taking the impact of his kick. But what really through him off was that single eye. An eye that resembles your exact image. But why here? surely this couldn't have been you, he pleaded for it not to have been you.

" Wait! I got it! " You seem to beam, " I'll just reincarnate as soon as I am dead! Then I could embrace you just like this, all over again! "

" Fine then! Just watch me, Xiao. I'll prove you wrong. "

Feeling a sudden rush of pain course through his veins, Xiao stumbled backwards. Clutching onto his mask, desperately trying to snap himself back into reality. A low growl seems to rumble from his throat as he gasps, picking up his lowered head, the girl had yet to approach him.

After one more glance, the adeptus made up in his mind that it must have been you. The way those now empty eyes pierce into his tainted and damaged soul. It sent shivers down his spine, a feeling he had been unfamiliar with. Was this fear? He had no idea. Afraid that this was the fate you two had met, was this his karmic debt returning to torture him in every possible way?

Xiao could understand why he was brought back into his world of inner demons, but why... why were you here? you didn't do anything to deserve this. The girl he once knew, wished to live a happy life, one full of flowers and pillow talks. All that innocence, silly promises that seemed to make his heart flutter all came crashing down.

Fighting through the pain, he got back into a protective stance. You noticing his caution, slowly approach him. This caught him off guard, and that was his first mistake. Allowing your expression alone to throw him off. A single tear seemed to stray down your cheek, lunging forward at him with impressive speed. He lifts the shaft of his spear ahead of himself, protecting himself from the blade you pulled out from your hip. Deflecting it and jumping back, it was clear the boy had no interest in harming you.

" If you are who I believe, please listen to the words I say- argh! " Another sharp pain shot in the back of his head, interrupting his futile attempt to have a conversation with the reborn you. Xiao was unable to accept the fact you had become something so opposing to the angel you once were. Old memories of you smiling in his direction ate at his rotting sanity.

He knew this had to be you, a you that Xiao wished he didn't have to see. Your figure was covered head to toe in blood, hair knotted as you seemed to huff out shallow breaths. It was clear your body had been worn out from whatever you previously were doing.

" Please, you made a promise to embrace me once again. So why are you standing so far away, don't you remember?! "

His normally calm nature seemed to crack, a voice unbearable to hear. The way it would crack mid sentence, he was at a breaking point. Not wanting to harm his love.

The silence between the two of you felt like hell, air so heavy he could hardly breathe.

Xiao knows all too well, he had the upper hand in a one on one fight with you, but harming you was the last thing on his mind. Pleading once again, realizing his voice didn't seem to reach you at all.

He missed those small talks.

The screams all sound the same.

After another moment of silence and hesitance, you crouched down. Fingers tracing the ground without removing you gaze from his. He asked for your gentle stare to return, the way you look at him now with such emptiness- it truly hurt.

Its the old voice in his head that held him back.

Realizing what you had been attempting to do, it was his time to lunge forward. Pushing you away from the graphic pile of your now comrades bodies.

Xiao managed to gain a firm grip on your wrists in a single hand, while you were trapped beneath him. You squirm, thrash and scream in a desperate attempt to escape. Each shout felt like a knife had been plunged deep into his heart.

He hated to see you like this, the mask once keeping his face hidden found itself to dissolve in thin air, allowing you to see his saddened expression. Brows furrowed, tears streaming down his once expressionless face, his body began to quiver knowing what he had to do for this all to end.

"Will you be alright when I'm gone...?"

His unoccupied hand reached for his spear. Lifting it up above your form beneath him. He wanted this to be quick, a painless death... but that pain would only transfer back to him. Know that the hands you once adored, would be your own bitter end.

" How are your hands so soft, Xiao?? smooth~" You coed " I could touch them forever... " You brought his hand up to nuzzle your cheek into its warmth. Your smile always felt contagious, a ghost of a smile tugging at the corners of his lips as well.

Pitiful hiccups erupt from the boy, unsure how to handle the flood of emotions.

After a while, your struggle seemed to end. Not realizing what he had done. The ear piercing scream you let out, went unheard by the boy who was so focused on old memories, his head pounding. Opening his eyes, they widen in shock.

There you were, blood spilling from your chest as his eyes focus on the weapon now dug deep within your chest where your heart was.

The same weapon he used to slay evil, the weapon he used to protect you with a long time ago. Now, the weapon that he coated in your blood.

A sudden sense of distraught met the boy, crying out for you only to hear his own echoes. Still sat on top of you, he removes the weapon. Throwing it to the side as he clutches your body close to his own.

Blood and tears merge together.

Embracing you just how you promised, he wrapped one arm around your waist while the other allowed his hand to hold your head against his shoulder, nose nuzzled in the crook of his neck. Your blood painted his torso, staining his clothes.

You used to adore hearing his heartbeat on late nights like this... oh how he wished he could hear yours in this moment too.

#genshin impact #genshin angst #genshin x you #Xiao x reader #genshin xiao #genshin impact angst #Genshin impact x reader #genshin imagines #Angst #smoochi modest

[dangermousie]

Hello !

I was wondering whether you could rate and tell us of your top 5 favourite webnovels/cnovels of all time ?! (Sorry if this has already been answered lol😅)

Thank you, stay safe and have a nice day🖤

Awww, thank you and that is such a lovely ask!!!

From n1 to n5, here they are (they happen to be all danmei.)

1. The Husky and His White Cat Shizun (2ha) - my n1 forever and ever.

Taxian Jun, the horrific cultivation emperor of the world who razed cities and destroyed sects, is surrounded on his mountain. The righteous sects are terrified to confront him but tired of living, Taxian Jun consumes poison and dies by suicide at the age of 32. And opens his eyes as 16 year old Mo Ran, Mo Ran long before he became Taxian Jun, Mo Ran who is excited at a chance to save the one person he loved and lost. Oh, and to deal with his loathed shizun, the unapproachable and strict Chu Wanning, his past life’s biggest enemy.

I have no idea if it’s objectively the best on this list but it hits every trope I love, its bleak worldview (the world will change only incrementally but that’s enough, average person will not appreciate the sacrifice but it’s still worthwhile, and love is worth everything) mirrors mine, and the sheer complexity of the plot and cascade of plot twists each of which is insane and yet completely logical, is amazing (this is a rare novel where it’s even more fun to reread than read for the first time because you keep seeing all the hints and trail crumbs laid out that you did not see the first time.)

And the characters!!! I mean, this novel has multiple universes/timelines, a side trip to the Underworld AND the demon realm, a plot more twisted than a store’s worth of pretzels and yet the thing that hits me the most are the characters. Mo Ran is my favorite web novel character of all time and I love Chu Wanning so. All the secondary characters are wonderfully written (and some of them made me bawl) and they are all complex. My opinion of all of them changed many times over; the novel doesn’t make it easy to love some of them but then you do and it’s so worthwhile! That slow change is one of the delights of the novel - I started out disliking the unpleasant, superior Chu Wanning and cruel, callow Mo Ran and then I loved them so so hard and cried for them so so hard and was in awe of their heroism and sacrifice and selflessness and capacity to love.

Oh, and the fact that this novel does something almost impossible - it has its protagonist start out as so clearly irredeemable and then slowly and painfully and thoroughly redeems him (without ever letting the reader forget what it is he needs redemption for.)

Also, for a novel that made me cry so hard I felt ill, this book is just so damn funny with the most sarcastic sense of humor imaginable (the serious angst doesn’t even kick in until 90+ chapters!)

Anyway I should stop or I will write a dissertation. But this is the one web novel that I would put in my top 5 not just web novels but any novels in any shape or form. The plentiful trigger warnings are there for a reason so stay away if they are an issue, but if not, if anyone hasn’t read it yet, what are you doing with your life?!

2. Stains of Filth (Yuwu) - another novel by the author of 2ha. Clearly she just pushes all my buttons every time. This one is much shorter and has a plot that is twisty but less twisty than 2ha. Still, all that means is that intensity and the pain are more concentrated.

Aristocratic Mo Xi and former slave Gu Mang were both legendary generals of the empire and lovers. But Gu Mang betrayed the country and switched to the enemy. Now he is back as a peace offering by that country and Mo Xi has to deal with the fact that his feelings are as strong as ever.

This novel!!! So much pain and intensity!!! So many amazing plot twists and supporting characters. The same bleak world view, the same unjust society, the same protagonists doing right things despite the cost. Mo Xi’s intensity and inability to let go (he’s imprinted on Gu Mang and that’s it) is romantic, bone-shakingly intense, and tragic all at once. And oh Gu Mang! So many times I just wanted to reach into the book physically to protect him. The novel deals with unjust societies, memory versus personality, what it’s like to be good in a bad universe etc. And it both made me sob and giggle, repeatedly, and sold me on literally death-defying (but not honor-defying!) love.

Oh, and special shout out to the fact that like 2ha, you may start out hating some characters and end up a rabid fangirl (cough Murong Lian!)

3. Qiang Jin Jiu - a dense political tome that takes a while to get going but then it’s a runaway train.

In a fictional dynasty, Shen Zechuan, the only remaining son of a disgraced aristocratic family and Xiao Chiye, the younger son of a family of generals guarding the border join forces (and then something else) to get power and pull down the dysfunctional system.

This is so elegant and smart (a rare web novel I’d recommend to anyone who just loves solid period fiction) and you probably need a notebook to keep track of the politics and military strategy. These characters are very very smart not just because the author says so.

As to the characters, there is a large cast and I love many of them, but for me the novel is made by Shen Zechuan and Xiao Chiye. SZC is gorgeous and delicate and icy and can kill you before you have time to blink. Saddled with the sins of the family he had no pleasant interaction with, he claws his way out of hell (seeing the sinkhole he was trapped in, literally as well) to take down those who wronged him but also to amass power so all the tragedy and corruption won’t happen again and the whole rotten system comes crashing down. XCY is a military genius who is trapped as a hostage in the capital because the court doesn’t trust his family. He longs to return to the plains of home and to take his rightful place. The two men start out as bitter enemies, then reluctant and sniping allies, then as friends and eventually as one of the most gorgeous, tender, swoony OTPs.

Anyway this is one is a bona fide masterpiece, equal parts smart and emotionally intense.

4. Wu Chang Jie - are you an emotional vampire? I am and this novel is a banquet.

In a highly fantastical setting, we meet our protagonists - the sunny Xie Bian and the intense and surly Fan Wushe. Xie Bian is a human who assists his master in conveying souls to the underworld and making sure no mishaps happen. Bian is concentrated sunshine in human form and to meet him is to love him. When the novel opens, his drunk master brings back another human to be his shidi and assist with duties - said human is uncommunicative, intense and surly Wushe. Bian is excited to have a shidi but little does he know that a story dealing with the horrors of past lifetime is about to start.

Anyway, why WCJ? So many reasons. It has such a dark bleak worldview - this world is a horrifying system where powerful cannibalize each other’s cores for an impossible chance to ascend, where gods have sealed off their realm and all that’s left is neverending human misery and hell (the only way you’d see a deity is if they’d been sent down to suffer over and over and over), where even reincarnation doesn’t fix things and bad acts are often unpunished. And the novel then asks - is it worth being a good person in such a world? More, is it worth being a good person in such a world when nothing good has ever happened to you and you have been repeatedly betrayed due to your goodness? And the answer, on Bian’s part, is an uncompromising yes.

Ah yes, the other reason to love this novel - the protagonists and their fucked up fucked up relationship. Bian (who was Prince Ziheng in the past life) is so genuinely good. But he is that rare thing - good but not saintly, noble but not cloying. So much of the novel is his getting taken apart over and over and barely able to put himself back together every time but his soul is still as amazing as ever.

And then there is Wushe (who was Prince Zixiao in past life, Ziheng’s not-bio-related brother.) Wushe is not a good person. He is a monster. And he loves Bian/Ziheng more than his life and his soul and the entire world but he’s also the one who hurt him more than anyone else ever could and did it over and over. His love survived a literal century of torture in the worst kind of hell and refused the usual memory loss of new life. But it also humiliated and broke Ziheng down to his constituent parts.

One of the things that is so fascinating to me about this novel is the question of what can be forgiven/what should be forgiven/what kind of expiation is enough/can you ever love someone who you loved so much and then he hurt you so badly and is now repentant? And it never sweeps trauma under the rug or hand waves it away but deals with it head on.

If you want healthy relationships, you should stay far away from this novel but if intense insane ones with a feral barely human one capable of destroying the world leashed by love and guilt to the sane deeply good one is your bag, come right in.

There is also the world building and the fact that yes, the big fall out between Ziheng x Zixiao is based on not knowing all the facts but it’s not “why can’t you talk?! This is dumb!” But is totally in keeping with both events and their characters. It’s reasonable for Ziheng to do what he does and for Zixiao to misunderstand and decide Ziheng is now his biggest enemy (but still one he’s fixated on) and for Ziheng to never be able to clarify.

Anyway, once again this is trigger warning central so please heed those, but if they are no issue, this one is wonderful.

5. OK, this is hard and switches between Sha Po Lang, Heaven Official’s Blessing and The Golden Stage depending on my mood. So what the hell, I am gonna write about all of them.

Sha Po Lang - so smart and so much clever world building. There is enough politicking to satisfy a Qiang Jin Jiu fan, it’s steampunk, and our two protagonists - Gu Yun, the empire’s most powerful general, who’s loyal to the empire despite being badly wronged by it, and Chang Geng, a cursed prince with barbarian blood and horrifying childhood - are wonderful separately and together. This is a huge slow burn but it’s totally worth it! They fall in love with each other’s hearts and brains and ability as much as anything. (Yes, this is the one with the yifu thing. Gu Yun is made Chang Geng’s foster father when he rescues him and brings him back to the capital as a way to keep CG safe in imperial strife. They are 12 and 19 at the time so clearly it’s never a parental relationship.)

Heaven Official’s Blessing (TCGF) - I love it’s sprawling narrative and cast, I love its inventive setting and picaresque story. It’s hilarious and can make me cry. But the novel’s place on this list is due to Xie Lian who is part Kenshin part drama WWX part pure goodness wrapped in heartbreak and trauma wrapped in sunshine.

The Golden Stage - two smart and principled (yes, they both have principles different though they may be) men navigate their arranged marriage, their past friendship and their past break up, become a super couple (one of the healthiest danmei couples I’ve ever read and proves healthy doesn’t have to be boring), save the country and bring down the emperor or two and just generally this is my rainy day book.

I guess I didn’t write as much for the three n5 candidates as I did for 1-4 but my brain is beginning to curdle so...

#cnovel #heaven official's blessing #2ha #yuwu #sha po lang #qiang jin jiu #wu chang jie #the golden stage #tcgf #asks

[clouds-rambles]

Im not even gonna go anonymous anymore. Arghh asking for another request makes me feel guilty knowing you have an essay due so i'll just present you a little prompt!

Being immortal and outliving people you love, you know the drill. It must be sad and lonely. But you know what i feel like would be devastating? Just imagine Teyvat in a time loop. Meeting your friends for the first time, getting know them, hearing their plans and ambitions, sticking with them through dark times, falling in love... Reader just happens to be the one to witness all of it over and over and over again.

Don’t worry about it! I’m horrifically avoiding it right now. I’ll probably have some lunch and do some more of it after lunch. I’m talking about things I enjoy so hopefully it wont take up too much of my brain and we’re going to ignore the graphic novel I have to create in 2 weeks too lmao I’m a professional procrastinator

I have a bit of an idea with this so I hope you don’t mind it being platonic and with the Mondstat guys either. I’m going to reference a previous set of headcanons where you’re the leader of the winds. The two writings aren’t related relationship wise though.

Pairings; (Platonic) people of Mondstat x reader

Warning(s); angst

Keep reading under the cut!

You had done this cycle millions of times before. Before you even became the leader of the winds, when you were just a small spirit. Much like your friend Barbatos.

And while the archon of this land could sleep for thousands of years at a time you had elected to protect his people from the dangers that the god of freedom was too asleep to do anything about. And in fairness you can understand why Barbatos has been asleep many a time to avoid his brain contaminating with similar ideals to Decrabain. You can’t blame him really...

But you’re so horrifically lonely. And it’s not like you’re surrounded by an absence of people. In reality you often find yourself over compensating for your loneliness. Nights are often spent in the tavern conversing with mortals that you can’t quite understand.

You half wish you could ascend to Celestia, at least there you can be merry with fellow immortals and not have the constant threat of losing a friend dear.

You have known the Ragnvindr family for many generations. It’s not like they are hard to notice. Bright red hair and, more often than not, a sweet, bubbly personality. Not many of the Ragnvindr’s have been blessed with visions, but they all make their way through life the best way possible. And while they seem to show similar thought processes to the previous anemo archon, especially considering the fact they basically own the alcohol industry in Mondstat, and more recently Teyvat in her entirety. But when you see the family treating their employee’s so well and with a great wage you can’t help but think maybe humanity can move past the age of dictators. Or at least the humans of Mondstat.

The newest Ragnvindr, Diluc had always caught your eye. You had helped babysit both him and his brother while you weren’t busy reminiscing in memories of old mondstat and slaying monsters of your home. The air of change hangs heavy on the air when you’re around them, it seems like the winds you lead are trying to tell you something that you can’t yet decipher.

Until the day comes when you can. Seeing a broken, sobbing Diluc shut you out of his home not only made you sad. But, it infact reminded you that you shouldn’t get too close to mortals. For, like your friend Crepus’, mortal life is fleeting. 

You’ve seen many stories over the years, but there’s only so many times you can hear the same story before they all meld together.

Take Amber for instance, decided to become an Outrider because of her Grandfather. How many times had you heard that story? Someones grandfather joined the knights and inspired them? Too many to count. And as much as you want to remember Ambers story, you already know, like all the others, her memory will meld with the others. 

Kaeya’s story isn’t one you’ll forget quickly, especially when the deeds of  Khaenri'ah weigh heavy on your mind. Though you have seen a small handful of changing of alliance stories in your lifetime his is probably the one that’ll stick the most. Especially when the memory of him crying in your arms after the man he considered a father died. 

There’s this one young girl you remember from centuries ago. She reminds you of Barbara a lot. Carefree, loves the people she works for. Just this girl was born a few millennia too early. She was apart of the Windblume resistance alongside the bard Barbatos fashioned himself after. You had attempted to smuggle the girl out the fortress many a time yet she always wanted to help. 

Sometimes when you watch Barbara sing you can’t help but cry over a girl you considered your first friend after becoming leader of the winds. Barbara is under the impression that you hate her because of how you avoid the girl. But being constantly reminded of someone you couldn’t save in the end makes you so sad. You’re not sure how Barbatos copes with donning the face of a friend when you can barely look at the face of someone who reminds you of a lost friend.

Razor sits fondly on your mind. He reminds you of the people you did actually save in old Mondstat. You remember checking in on a handful of refugees that you had to hide in old caves and how easily they had climatized to foraging for food. Whenever you see Razor you’re reminded of another young boy who went missing millennia ago who was later found to have been raised by bears. 

Through the centuries you’ve become good at pairing up couples. You seem to be able to point out people who will later enter a marriage. You’re not sure if soulmates and reincarnation exists, but that’s your only explanation being able to point to couples so easily.

You wonder for an immortal like yourself would be blessed with a soulmate. Especially considering you weren’t originally in a humanoid form. Maybe there’s some thousand wind out there for you that you’ll never be able to meet and fall for because of this form.

Your mind stretches to Barbatos whenever you think this but you never let yourself linger on it for too long. Lord Barbatos doesn’t like commitment, and you’re very much content with that, yes sir. 

Your eyes often linger on Rosaria as you often ponder if she thinks she’s the only nun to have strayed from typical nun doings. You remember telling a small Rosaria tales of Decrabains nuns and how they helped with the resistance against the tyrant. You wonder if that’s what gave her the idea to stray from typical nunnery. 

You smile upon Lisa fondly, a bright young woman with aspirations as high as the stars. Much like Rosaria you remember telling a young Lisa about alchemy and sorcery. She had such a knack for it, and seeing the woman return after only two years of study was a little disheartening. But you’re sure there will be people after her who will have similar aspirations with better outcomes. It’s not unlike you’ve seen people scurry their lives away in the pursuit of knowledge. You can understand her want for a different life.

As much as it hurts you in the end most, if not all, the people of Mondstat have buried themselves in your heart. And like you have done countless times before you’ll have to move on from them once you’re dead, no matter how much it hurts. Your mind ponders to Adeptus Xiao of Liyue. He’s under a similar curse to you. The curse of being alone while being surrounded by people. You wonder if that’s why Xiao has distanced himself from mortals.

And as much as you feel like you should take a page out of his book, you find yourself falling in love with Mondstat’s citizens over and over again.

#genshin impact #plationic #genshin impact x reader #diluc x reader #kaeya x reader #amber x reader #razor x reader #venti x reader #rosaria x reader #lisa x reader #genshin diluc #genshin kaeya #genshin amber #genshin razor #genshin venti #genshin rosaria #genshin lisa

[dreamii-yume]

Heyy, step-bro Kaeya anon here. I should be asleep right now but I really want to share an idea that hitted me like a flipping (not sure if I can swear) brick.

Imagine Zhongli or Xiao (or even both) with a reincarnated darling. Darling is the reincarnation of their past lover that they lost during the Archon war and met again so many years later. I feel they both would be clingy and protective at first (Xiao maybe not so clingy but definitely protective), constantly watching over darling. In the meantime darling is just confused, why this strange yet familiar guy keep following her? Darling is just so overwhelmed by their constant presence that one day she just broke down in front of a rival of yan (I'm thinking about Childe or Aether, but I guess Venti would work too) and yan just snap. They really don't want to have you tied up in their bedroom (we all know that's a lie), but you leave them with no other choice. After all you're just a weak and clumsy mortal, how can you protect yourself? They can't afford to lose you again.

Bonus point if darling has a strong bond with the rival(s?) even before meeting yan.

Also I feel this can be also applied to Venti but he genuinely don't seem one to kidnap his darling, more like manipulate them into staying but for this I have another different idea.

Sorry for another long ask and the eventually bad English, it's something I was thinking while before going to bed, feel free to ignore tho. Have a good day/night

OOoohh ▓▒░(°◡°)░▒▓

It'll be unacceptable, imagine that the two of you were so happy together in the past and now you're telling them that you just forgotten about it all to bask in the arms of someone else insignificant? The sheer audacity you have, Darling.They suffered years of anguish without you by their side, hoping every waking moment that if they were to open their eyes, they’ll be able to see you again, and when that finally came true, this is how you repay him instead?

For Zhongli, I feel that he'll be more patient with you, honestly. Despite the pain, the anger building inside of him, he still possesses the patience of a literal god. Perhaps it had been way too long for you to bear, since not anyone could handle to sit through thousands of years like he did after all. So, he'll be gentle with you at least, slowly take you away from your normal life, and easing you up back to a relationship similar to the one you had before with him. His words alone are enough to have you forget about everything and everyone else, you don’t need them if he’s around, so won’t you be a dear and return his love all over again?

Xiao is the type to be passive-aggressive about it, I think...? This guy is violent, and he knows that more than anyone else. If he were to let this rage take over him, he might do something even more terrifying than you can ever imagine. He's bad with trying to talk it out in general, so he'll might come in and just...sweep you away in the darkest of the night, never to be seen again. There's really no use in using words against him at this point, he won't answer you directly because in his mindset, it should all be common sense on why he did this.

You were a cheater, a whore who forgot about him after providing him with so much love and care before. It's your fault, you brought this upon yourself so, go ahead…Use every last bit of your brain cells to process all that out. You are not leaving him anymore and he’ll make you realise that.

Venti~! Aaah...Venti is interesting because he's one of those guilty-type of yanderes, sweethearts really. Rather than being angry, he'd be sad, really, really sadwhen he finds out that you have someone else now and would desperately try to make you remember him. He's honest to a fault as he gives you a scared smile, holding out his hand for you to reach. It’s fine, it’s fine if you forgot about him, he’s not mad! All that matters is that he finally found you after so many years! He's here now, so won't you hold his hand like you did before and come with him instead?

Venti would never have the heart to kidnap you, the guilt would eat him alive. If he ends up committing to that act, he wouldn't have the right to call himself the god of freedom, would he? That’s why, you’ll just have to trust him, he swears he’ll make you even happier than you were before! Please…?

But it's a different story for your supposed significant other right over there. Oh, how mysterious would it be if their wind glider suddenly malfunctioned during an expedition near the cliffs...huh, weird. It seems like the wind doesn't like them very much.

#genshin impact #yandere genshin impact #Talk with Yume

[randomrosewrites]

Bittersweet Dreams

Every night, your mind is plagued with visions of an old Liyue. She blesses your nights, like a guardian angel, but you never remember her face or name when the sun rises again.

Pairing: Ganyu X GN reader Words: ~5K Warnings/ tags: Memory loss, reincarnation, blood and injury, death, fluff and angst, happy ending, implied sexual content a/n: I never thought much of Ganyu, until I dreamt of her one night (which unspiringly inspired this fic) and now I'm hooked. Patiently awaiting her rerun.

She comes to you in a dream.

You can tell it’s her from the feeling of it. Warm. Comfortable. It loosens your muscles (if you even have muscles in dreams) and puts your mind at ease. It makes you sleepy, wanting to lie down on the soft hills of grass under the shade of a tree to take a nap.

You don’t know exactly where ‘this’ is, whether or not it’s in the fields of your home, Liyue, or some other place. It looks like Liyue, with the craggy mountains behind you, and the bubbling stream running down the hill. But it feels different.

Then, you see her.

You don’t know what – or who – she is exactly, because you can never get a clear view of her. Everything blurs around her body. But you know she’s there, know she’s waiting for you. Sitting in a pocket of empty grass, sounded by glaze lilies, feet tucked underneath her as she naps.

She starts when you approach, uncurling herself to sit up properly. She smiles. She says your name – at least you think it’s your name, it feels like your name – and pats the spot beside her.

You wade through the flowers and sit down, so close to her that your legs are touching. It’s rather close even for friends, but with her, it feels right. How it should be.

She never talks much. For a dream or a vision, she never has much to say. Only whispering in a soft voice about how pretty the flowers are, or how beautiful the day is. The silence is good. A brief period of peace.

(Peace from what? You always wonder when you wake, but no matter how many times you re-enter the dream, you always forget to ask.)

This dream always ends in the same way.

“You should get some rest,” she says.

“What about you?” you always respond, the words feel foreign in your mouth – like they’re not yours.

She shakes her head. “I’ll be alright. Rest, and have peaceful dreams.”

You rest your head in her lap, as you’ve done a thousand times before. Her hand cradles your head, brushing through your hair lovingly.

“Who are you?” “Why are you doing this?” “What is this?” – You always want to ask, but no matter what you try, the words never come out, tongue glued to the roof of your mouth.

Just like every time, your eyes grow heavy, your body grows weak, and you close your eyes, falling asleep once more.

…

..

.

When you wake, you’re never in the flowery fields anymore, but in bed staring at the ceiling. The hum of noise vibrates through the wall, employees at the Inn already getting up to do their daily tasks.

You sigh and rub your eyes, rolling around for another ten minutes before finally getting up.

By the time you dress and leave your room, you’ve forgotten all about the dream.

---

“Good morning, Mrs. Goldet,” you great sleepily, rubbing your eyes.

Verr Goldet looks up from the counter and nods. “Good morning, sleep well?”

You give the cat laying on the counter a few scratches. “As good as always. I had a nice dream.”

She blinks slowly. “What did you dream of?”

You turn away, heading out of the doorway to start your chores. “Her. As always.”

As you disappear, Verr Goldet’s brows furrow and she frowns. It dissolves the second a customer walks into the lobby, ready to check in.

---

You’ve been working and living at the Wangshu Inn for a while now. Free room and food for helping out every day, with Sundays off. It’s a good deal.

You do odd tasks around the Inn, helping out in the kitchen, moping the floors whenever travelers track in mud from the marsh – things like that.

Days are spent polishing the balconies, evenings are spent wiping down dinner tables, and you when the moon is high in the sky, you sleep.

And dream.

---

There are many people in the crowd, packed tight together under the hot midday sun. Guili plains is alive in celebration. Booths are set up on either side of the streets, the smell of delicious food wafts through the air, and colorful decorations hang everywhere. You push through them, scanning the sea of heads for a particular person. She’s not hard to miss, but everywhere you turn, she evades your sight. Anxiety begins to bubble in your stomach – the speech will start soon, and you want to be with her when it begins.

A cold hand falls on your shoulder. Turning around, you sigh with relief.

“There you are,” you yell over the noise of the crowd. “I thought I’d lost you.”

She smiles, showing off fresh Qingxin flowers in her hand. “Sorry, I was distracted by a stall. Would you like some?”

You take her free hand and kiss it. A red blush forms on the apples of her cheeks. “They’re all yours.”

Hand in hand, the two of you make your way towards an elaborate stage, raised high above the people, crafted out of rock and decorated with gold. Many people are gathered around, waiting patiently, holding umbrellas to protect from the sun or fanning themselves off with whatever they have. The two of you take your seats just as the theatrics begin.

There’s a cry, and a point of fingers as the audiences’ attention is turned towards the sky. Hailing in rays of light are two of the Adeptus, taking the form of cranes. One of them a gold and orange, the other blue and white.

Cloud Retainer, you’ve heard (?????) call her Adeptus.

They land on stage and spread their wings out in a flourish.

“People of Guili,” Cloud Retainer begins. Her voice ringing out like a crystal bell. “On behalf of all the Adepti we would like to welcome you here.”

“We hope you have all enjoyed the festivities,” the gold and orange bird speaks next. “Today’s celebration marks not only the anniversary of the creation of Guili, but to also pay homage to the warriors that have fought and are still fighting in the ongoing war. Because of the date’s significance, the Lord of Geo and Lady of Dust have decided to bless all of use with their presence.”

The two birds spread their wings once more. Cloud Retainer raises her head high in the air. “People of Guili, I now present to you, the Lord of Geo – Morax and the Lady of Dust – Guizhong.”

At the mention of their Gods, the people break into a round of applause, this only increases when a man and woman appear onstage, and everyone rises to show their respects. They’re both dressed beautifully, in fine silk-robes, adorned with smears of make-up around their eyes. Your goddess looks divine, accepting the praise with a warm smile. Morax, on the other hand, gazes out towards the crowd, sharp gold eyes piercing anything in his sight.

Morax – though you have nothing but respect for him – has always been a bit enigmatic to you. You can’t imagine what your Goddess sees in him. But their companionship has what lead you to become acquainted with her, so you’re not complaining.

Morax steps forth on stage, raising a hand. The crowd goes silent instantly.

“Thank you for the warm welcome,” Morax’s voice is rich and calm. Beside you, your companion is sitting at full attention, gnawing on her bottom lip in anxiety. She startles as you place a hand over hers. She smiles thankfully, some of the tension leaving her, before returning her full attention to the couple on stage.

“This land has seen many years of fighting,” your Lord’s words are wispy yet firm, just like dust being blown through the wind. “Many, many people have suffered at the bloody hands of war. Such heinous acts stain the land red, spreading sorrow on every inch of the earth.”

She gathers a breath, and when she speaks again, her voice is strong, that of a warrior who has fought in battle. “But not here. Guili will be – is – a place where there is respite. It’s the beginning of the future, a future where the monsters of today are nothing but a kids-bedtime story in the future.”

Guizhong touches her chest with one hand, the other extending out towards the crowd. “I make this vow to you now – my precious people – we will fight to protect the lives of each and every one of you. I promise you security, prosperity, and peace. One day, the bloodshed will end, and I promise you, when that time comes, when the dust has finally settled, we will lead you into the new age of Liyue. To this, I swear on the very ground I walk upon.”

There is nothing but pride, joy, and determination emanating from the crowd, applauding the Lady’s finest speech. Even Morax is smiling at her, the small corner of his mouth quirking upwards.

Cool fingers squeeze yours. Looking over, there are tears in your friend’s eyes. She blinks them away, the wind tousling her blue hair.

She’s beautiful. Your heart squeezes painfully as you fight the urge to lean over and kiss her.

You squeeze her hand back, letting all of your hopes, feelings, and things unsaid pool between the two of you.

---

There is an Adeptus at the Wangshu Inn.

You know little of the Adepti, but seeing the boy (being?) in front of you, there’s no doubt in your mind that he is one.

His sharp eyes slide over to meet yours, run up and down your person, before returning to your face, then back to staring at the marsh.

“Sir Xiao?” you ask. “I’ve brought you dinner.”

Xiao doesn’t say anything, he doesn’t even acknowledge your presence. You were warned he would be like this - bitterly stubborn and unresponsive.

You settle the plate down by your feet. “It’ll be here if you feel like eating.”

You wait a minute longer, but Xiao doesn’t make a peep. You sigh and turn to go back inside.

“Do you remember Guili?” he whispers suddenly, so quiet you nearly mistake it for being the wind.

You spin around. “Do I what?”

“Guili. Remember Guili.”

“…Remember? It’s an ancient ruin,” your brows furrow as you frown. “I’ve only been there maybe once or twice, passing by.”

A painful second goes by.

“Why, am I supposed to know something about it?”

From what you can see of his face, Xiao grimaces. “Nothing, just – just forget it.”

“You can’t just-”

“I said forget it,” he snaps, his voice cracking at the end of his words. “You don’t – I thought you – ” He rubs his face with his hand, breaths deeply. “It’s nothing. Please just leave.”

He gets up suddenly and leaps from the balcony before you can even speak. Leaving both the tofu and you alone on the balcony, a cold ache spreading through your heart.

---

She’s nervous, you think. Abnormally so.

Jueyun Karst is safe, kept watch over by Morax’s Adepti and the Qilin in the clouds. Only select few are allowed up where you are – (There was a smug steak of satisfaction when Cloud Retainer begrudgingly let you traverse her abode atop the mountains, Ganyu smiling gleefully as she held your hand.) – and even less are allowed to set foot on the sacred lands.

She’s been shifting for the past hour, unable to focus on conversation and jittery. Ever so often, she rubs her hands over her horns in a pacifying motion, then as if realizing what she’s doing, abruptly tears her hands away.

“Is the upcoming battle bothering you?” you ask, finally, not being able to stand her fidgeting much longer.

She stiffens, surprised that she’s been found out, and dips her head in embarrassment. “Oh. No, it’s not that…”

“…Ok. If not that, then what?”

She swallows thickly. She turns to you, taking both of your hands in hers, refusing to meet your eyes.

“I was wondering…I mean I hope,” she starts, nervously. “That after this is over…all of it…that maybe…you’d, um…”

You’re patient, gently prompting her, “I’d?”

“W-well, that we could…?” she trails off, squeezing your hands again. “That this…could be s-something more.”

Oh. Oh.

Your chest heats as you lean forwards, whispering her name to the wind. She squeaks raising her head.

“I like you,” you sigh, unable to stop the loving cadence in your tone when you say it. “A lot. So whatever concerns you have just know that…anything you want is…it’s all good.”

She’s silent for a moment as your heart pounds against your ribs. Slowly, she tilts her head towards yours, resting your foreheads together. Her cheeks are so hot, unlike the cryo vision strapped to her side.

“I like you a lot, too,” she says. “I don’t really have…any…experience with something like this but um…I’d like to try.”

Your heart soars, leaps, and does a flip twice over. You smile so hard your cheeks hurt. “Can I ask you a question, now?”

She blinks, nodding her head.

“May I kiss you?”

She wets her lips with her tongue and nods again, vigorously.

You close the distance, firmly kissing her lips. They’re soft and plush, warmer than you’d imagined. (Because you have imagined this, many, many nights before.) A mix between a gasp and a pleasured sigh escapes her, the noise only heating you up further.

When you pull back, she’s turned three different shades of pink and her eyes are glazed. You rest your head against hers and wrap your arms around her waist, feeling the curves and dips of her body, squeezing at the skin there.

“Good?” you ask.

She nods, tucking her head onto your shoulder. “Mhm.”

At some point, you lie down together, tangled in limbs, listening to the sounds of each other’s breathing and heart beats as Liyue’s night sky sparkles with constellations.

It’s only much later, when you hear the screams, that you realize peace is fleeting in this world.

---

You pant heavily, setting the last box down on the ground and flop on the stairs. Five in total, weighing gods know how much. Each one filled to the brim with legal documents from Liyue Harbor. You had suffered through carrying them one-by-one up the stairs as the elevator had conveniently decided to break this morning.

You push the box with your foot, sliding it with the others against the wall. If this is how much paperwork the Inn gets, you don’t even want to know how much paperwork the Qixing have to deal with. (Then again, it was the Qixing that dictated the laws, so perhaps it was well deserved.)

Verr Goldet had taken one look at them and called it an early day, leaving you to handle closing.

At least your day is done now. You hang the keys up in their proper place, pet the cat goodnight, and begin blowing out the lanterns.

“Um…excuse me?”

The sudden voice startles you, turning towards the entrance. A figure stands in the doorway, silhouetted by the moonlight. You can’t make their identity out.

“Could I speak to Mrs. Goldet? It’s about the recent delivery of paperwork.”

“Mrs. Goldet is away right now; I could take a message?”

The person nods, steps through the threshold, and your mouth goes dry.

She’s tall. Eloquently dressed with hair the color of Glaze Lilies. It frames her face, falling down her back in delicate curls. As you stare, stary eyes blink back at you in shock.

She seems familiar.

“I’m…sorry…” she says, turning away quickly. “I-I’ll just come back tomorrow-”

The tassel of her outfit swings as she does a complete 180. Her hair is furled out, exposing the smooth expanse of her back. The sight sends a throb to your temple, the scene feeling reminiscent of…something.

Your head is aching.

“W-wait!” you reach out and grab her arm, catching on the cuff of her sleeve. The motion rattles the necklace around her neck – no, not a necklace – a bell. The chime crisp like morning frost, soft like the way she feels, like the way she-

Pain bursts from your temples, piercing both sides of your head. You cry, loosing your grip in the process. There’s a muffled yell before the world blurs, spins, and sends you tumbling down, down, down, into the dark.

And then, there’s a hallow nothing.

---

She comes to you in a dream, but Liyue is not as it once was.

There is fire everywhere you look, the ground scorched by flames or destroyed in the aftermath of intense fights. The air is thick with smog, choking you with each gasp you take. One of your legs isn’t working and blood pools through your fingers pressed tightly against your side. You don’t know how much further you can make it.

You hobble through destroyed fields, corpses littering the ground, blood seeping into the earth. All of the glaze lilies are gone, wiped out in the destruction.

You cross the river on one leg. You slip on a rock and lose your footing, collapsing into the water. It’s freezing, the sensation colliding with the burn of your wound. You shiver and suck air through your chattering teeth, dragging yourself using your arms. Your side screams in pain at every pull, black spots dance in your vision. You grit your teeth and dig your fingers into the dirt, pushing forward.

Not yet, you can’t die just yet.

You exhaust yourself at the edge of what used to be the flower field, rolling onto your back and wheezing at the sky. This is as far as you’ll go. Mud soaks through your clothes. You dig your fingers into it, grounding yourself from the searing pain.

You hear the chime of her bell before you see her, crisp and pleasant, soothing your mind. She cries out your name, fear and desperation in her voice. You call back, a cracked, soft groan.

The bell draws closer and she rushes to your side, kneeling in the dirt. Her hair’s a mess, dirty and singed. Her sleeve is torn, blood dripping down her pale forearm. She pulls you onto her lap and rushes to tend to your wounds, pressing a hand to your side. She’s never been a healer, only a fighter. A strong fighter. Stronger than you could have ever hoped to be.

“You’ll be fine,” she says to herself more than you. She nudges you gently. “Please stay awake just a bit longer.”

You take her hand and squeeze it tight. Smiling takes all of the will you have, and even then, it’s weak. “It’s alright.”

She shakes her head. Her eyes – such pretty eyes – wide and filled with tears. “Please don’t go. I can’t…”

“Morax,” you croak. “There’s still him.” Your goddess, Guizhong might be gone, but he’s still alive. As enigmatic as he is, you know she’ll be safe in his care.

“I care about that!” she shouts, for the first time ever, her anger directed at you. “I’m not talking about a god to follow, I’m talking about you!”

She’s sobbing now, her eyes swollen red, teeth clenched tightly through her gasps. She curls around you, fingers grasping at your bloody clothes.

You lean your head into her, offering what little comfort someone dying can offer their partner.

“I’m sorry, Ganyu…” The life is fading from your body, your fingers and toes are so, so cold. “For leaving you like this…”

She gives up on the wound, wrapping her arms tightly around you, burying her head onto your chest, over her heart. Pitiful whimpers leave her mouth, awful sounds that make your heart ache.

“I love you,” she confesses, the words coming out as a sob. “I love you.”

Your heart squeezes. “I love you too, please…”

But the words don’t come. The ache in your side is almost unbearable, growing worse and worse with each shallow breath you manage. You fight to keep your eyelids open, but you’re so tired. And sleep has never been more appealing.

“Rest, now,” she coos, combing your matted hair from your face. You feel the small, delicate press of chapped lips on your forehead. “I’m not going anywhere.”

The void calls, gathering you into its arms, wrapping you in a warm bundle; warning you that your time’s up. You fight against it a bit longer, mustering up the last of your consciousness to tell Ganyu – you friend, partner, lover, one final thing.

“Forgive yourself.”

She bites her lip, fresh tears forming in her eyes. She nods. You’re relieved.

Her form wavers, and you know you can’t stay any longer. You let your eyelids close, your breathing slows, and you give yourself to eternal sleep.

…

..

.

“Sweet Dreams…” she whispers after a long while, in a soft, saddened voice.

---

You wake up alone, sweating in your bed, in tears, and remember.

---

The climb to Quicing Village is long and straining. You could have taken the path to the west, but stubborn as you were, wanted to save time by scaling the mountain.

You don’t know what drew you to this place, only a tugging at your heart forcing you forward. A firm belief that you’re heading where you need to go.

It’s easier the further up you go. You’ve done this before, in another life, as another person. You remember scaling mountains all the time, just to pick the freshest Qingxin petals for her. You used to eat them together, on the tops of Mount Azjong, legs dangling in midair, watching the birds go by, the wind nipping at your skin.

It’s not long before you reach the top, where the path dips to overlook the village. Fields of red, blue, and yellow stretching over the lands.

You let yourself wander, talking to the villagers as you go. Everyone is so nice, excited to talk to a new stranger in town. The air’s so fresh and the grass is so green, it reminds you of those days in the fields of glaze lilies.

You almost stop breathing when a familiar scent flows by on the wind. Sweet, fresh, cool. One you’re very well acquainted with. You rush forward, running towards the smell faster than your legs can carry you.

She’s sitting in a field of flowers. Just like the ones in your dreams, except there’s only one glaze lily, resting by her knees and cupped in her palms. You slow down and take the stone paths carefully, as to not to disturb the environment.

You stop just behind her, clearing your throat. She startles with a jump, turning around. Your face heats in embarrassment.

“Ah…I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to disturb you.”

Her lips, which are slightly parted, close. She shakes her head. “It’s quite alright…I was just enjoying the day.”

“Do you mind if I join you?”

She pauses, then nods wordlessly. You settle down in the grass beside her, a visible gap between the two of you. There are many things you are unsure of. Does she even want you here anymore? Does she just want to forget what happened?

“[First] is your name, correct?” she says eventually.

“Oh – yes, it is.”

She nods, staring out over the river. Another silence befalls you.

“I’ve dreamt of you,” you blurt. “For a while. It comes back in chunks. The memories of my past.”

“That usually happens with reincarnation. The soul is the same but the body and mind doesn’t remember, plagued by shadows of a past life.”

You swallow down your nerves, trying not to focus on how your voice shakes. “In that past life, were we…were we…lovers?”

Her fists clench on her lap. She takes a shaky inhale and nods.

“Oh…” Is all you can say. You knew – know? But to heart it out loud is…

“You look just like you did all those years ago,” Ganyu murmurs sadly. “I’ve never forgotten your face.”

A heavy, hot weight settles in your chest. “How long has it been?”

“Thousands of years…since before the Arcon war,” Ganyu rubs her eyes with her palm. “I thought I’d never see you again.”

You wait until she composes herself before you speak again. “I remember in the past, you asked me to share a future with you.”

Ganyu turns to face you, and desire flares up inside your chest. Dark and powerful, urging you to pull her close and into your arms.

“I did.” She says.

“I’m not…the same person from the past. I don’t know who or how I was, and I don’t know if I’ll ever return to remembering anything. But…”

Cool fingers rest on your lap, you shudder at the touch. Ganyu smiles gently, and there’s a feeling of deja-vu when she says. “But…?”

“But if you’ll have me, I would like – I’d really like to – to try. With you.”

Ganyu scoots to the side, until your thighs are touching, and hums softly. “I think I’d like that, too.”

You let out a shaky, relieved breath and squeeze her fingers tightly. She smells sweet and floral, the scent overwhelming your body, making your head drift and spin. You’ve never smelled anything more right.

“I hope this isn’t rude, but you’re the most beautiful person I’ve ever seen.”

She flushes deeply, smile spreading across her face. “You told me that before, thousands of years ago, when you first met me.”

You smile back, tucking a piece of stray hair from her face. “Well, it’s true.”

---

As much as two immortals (???) might have just rushed back into dating, neither of you wanted that.

You two talked. A lot. About your current lives and past. You talked about Wangshu, about your occupation, about Xiao. (“Don’t mind him,” Ganyu had said. “Xiao’s always a bit cold, even to the other Adepti.”) Ganyu talked about the harbor, about your past lives in Guili.

You might not ever get your memories fully back. But even if you don’t, you feel surprisingly calm and accepting of it.

At the end of the day, after both of your throats were hoarse from conversation and your eyes wet from emotion, you both decided to part ways.

She returns to Liyue Harbor. You return to the Wangshu Inn.

Temporarily, you promised, until you figured yourself out. Liyue Harbor is daunting, the populated streets reminding you too much of Guili, of memories you can’t remember, that make your head ache terribly.

You stay at Wangshu. In the mornings, you mop floors, dust paintings, and help fix the elevator. At evenings, you go to the top floor and eat plates of Almond Tofu with Xiao, staring longingly towards the Harbor.

And at night, when you go to bed, you don’t dream of the past, but of your future.

---

One day, when you return to an empty room, and your heart aches with loneliness and the desire to see her becomes too painful to bear, you decide it’s time to go.

---

Liyue is calm, today.

The clouds drift by idly, whisps of white against blue as birds soar on the random wind currents. The sun shines high in the sky, slowly making its way across the map.

“Stop moving,” you grumble, locking your arms tightly around her, burying your face into her chest.

Ganyu chuckles, carding her hands through your hair. “I’m sorry, did I disturb you?”

“Yes…I was having a good nap.” Which is true. Ever since your reunion, you’ve been sleeping more soundly than you ever have in years. Perhaps it’s because you don’t dream of the old anymore, don’t float through your memories like a puppet being pulled on a string.

“You’ve had enough time to rest, I think,” she says tartly. “Thousands of years’ worth.”

You lift your head and pout. “You’re so cruel,” But your words don’t hold any bite.

Ganyu smiles mischievously. Her hand trails down your spine, drawing a shiver from you. “Do you think it’s unfair? To not indulge me after I’ve waited for you all this time?”

You drag yourself up to be eye level with her. Your hand cups the back of her head, trailing up to the base of her horns. A gasp escapes her lips and her eyes flutter when you tenderly pet them.

“If you wanted my attention,” you whisper, lips an inch from hers. “You could have just asked.”

Ganyu pulls you down by the neck, sighs and gasps being lost to the wind.

---

Much later, when the two of you were sweating and grass was stuck in both of your hair, you lay together, dozing under the night sky. Ganyu lays curled to your side, feet tucked underneath her, a content purr vibrating from her throat. You wonder if all Qilin do that.

As you pet her hair, fingers rubbing curiously over her empty ring finger, a deep feeling of content seeps into your bones.

You’re home, at last.

You kiss her forehead, joining her into a peaceful dream.

#i cant beleive this is so long ganyu my love #ganyu x reader #ganyu x you #genshin impact #ganyu imagines #genshin impact imagines #my writing #genshin impact fanfiction

[cryoqi]

in a different life we lived.

"i think that in a different life, the two of us actually, you know, fell in love."

with xiao.

in 1.9k words.

tags reincarnation au, fluff with angst if you look hard enough, but its really just fluff, ft. xingqiu but just a little.

“...And my dream was so detailed, you know? As if I’ve actually lived it out in real life. But the thing is… I’ve never lived that out before, all that falling in love and stuff, and especially not in the way I had in my dream. We were holding hands, even though skinship wasn’t his favorite.

“He took me to his favorite spot, hidden away where no one else could find it, and told me that he went there often, just so he could be alone. And, he said, that now that I was with him, we could be alone together. Ah, I don’t even know how I remember all of this. It’s so vivid, like it was a past memory of mine.

“Do you think it’s something like my past life…?” You turn to the boy next to you. “Are you even listening?”

The boy pulls his nose away from the book and turns to you with a soft gaze. “Ah, sorry. Could you repeat that again?” You hardly know this young man—just having only met him—and yet he’s getting on your nerves. 

“Xingqiu—if that’s your name—you invited me to sit next to you and talk with you. You said, what, that I looked like I had a lot on my mind and that I could talk to you about whatever was troubling me,” you say, exasperated. 

“And you are,” he tells you calmly, and this time he turns to you. “You know, reincarnation could be real. Do you really believe that what you’re dreaming of are the memories of your past? It’s very plausible.”

“Maybe, I don’t know.” You turn away from the scenic view in front of you and face reality. “Well, I’ll just head back home. It was nice meeting you. Hopefully, if I ever see you again, we can have a nice talk once more.”

“Farewell,” he says, eyes glossing over inked words on paper. Then, he turns back to call out one last thing before you disappear. “Ah, also, maybe you should try visiting that spot you mentioned in your dream.”

You scoff—so he was listening, after all. You gather your things and make your way back to Wangshu Inn. You’re grateful for their warm and welcoming arms that have allowed you to stay since last night. Though there were few backs that have faced you upon your arrival, you paid no attention to those cold gazes. Now that it’s getting late, you’d best be returning before your place gets dusty. 

Though, you realize, Xingqiu’s parting words do have some sense to them— you turn to walk towards not the Inn but where your legs seem to know the location of your supposed hidden paradise. It’s like this place is of this world, though you have no recollection of it, but as you near the area, the empty feeling in your hands increases. You put your hands to your chest, in hopes to relieve it of the loneliness, and you continue on in your path. 

The scenery around you grows familiar, and you see the placement of trees and their branches in all the right places. Ducking beneath leaves, you enter the secluded area—it’s just as you remembered in your dream. In fact, the entire location is identical. 

Even more so, there’s someone sitting on the patch of grass that the sunset blesses among the shaded area. His arms are behind him, hands planted on the ground, and one of his arms is fixated in such a position that it looks like he’s made room for someone to sit next to him, as if he was waiting for someone. What catches your eye, however, are the tattoos on his right arm that remind you of memories that never existed. 

“Who’s there?” he asks calmly, as if he’d been expecting someone to arrive. He doesn’t look behind. 

You stop in your tracks, wondering whether you should leave or not. Your hands grab hold of the surrounding branches behind you, ready to push them aside as you’re about to leave before saying, “Ah, sorry. I really… don’t know why I’m here.” You turn to leave, head hanging down, but before you could take a step further, you notice that there’s a little dandelion standing tall next to your feet. 

You bend down to pluck at it, telling him before finally returning to the Inn, “Sorry, I just saw this dandelion. It’s my superstition that if you pluck one and then blow the seeds away, it provides you with good luck and happiness.” You pause— you’ve spoken far more than you had wanted. “Okay, I’ll take my leave now.” 

The man turns around. “Do tell me,” he tells you, “more about the dandelion you’re holding.”

“What do you want me to tell you?” You stand still. The space between you two grows awkward, and you’re left with discomfort settling in your chest. Now you feel you’ve invaded someone’s privacy and yet they’re asking you to stay, despite how uncomforting it must be for the man.

Though, he seems to be interested in you; he prods for more information about topics you know hardly anything about. “Just anything that you know,” he says. 

You think for a second. “Well, I heard that if you give this,” you motion to the dandelion in your hand, “to a loved one, it is a promise of total faithfulness.”

The man exhales and turns back around. 

‘Somebody else once told me that, long ago,’ he thinks. 

“Come,” he tells you, not once looking back. With the way he stiffly pats the spot at which he beckons you to sit, you think that he’s not used to having people intrigue him—or talk to him, for that matter—that often. “Sit by me. You remind me of someone.”

You hesitate, then you deny the offer. “Ah, no. I really shouldn’t— it’s getting late, and I’d best be heading back before something comes up and…” You trail off, not knowing what to say next. However, his silence makes you question your decision, and as much as you’re unwilling to loiter any longer, you take your seat next to him, save for some space between you two as you’re still wary of him. 

He looks solemnly up at the sunset that dips behind mountains. Camps from far away have lit up their torches, and if you look hard enough, you could see the orange lights of Liyue harbor that awaken. No words are exchanged between the two of you until the man beside you introduces himself. 

“My name is Xiao.” 

Though, why does that not seem like an introduction but more of a reminder?

You introduce yourself with the same lowness in your voice. 

Xiao dips his head down to look at the ground below him. ‘Even their names are similar,’ he ponders. 

Again, silence falls like the night sky that makes itself known. You wouldn’t have thought you’d have roped yourself into this situation, finding yourself sitting next to a stranger that you seem to know. “Life really does have its strange twists,” is what Xingqiu would say. You smile to yourself. 

“Why do I remind you of someone?” you ask him after the millionth star in the sky flashes into existence. 

“A time ago, I met someone— you could call them my lover. They had the same superstition as you, the one about dandelions, and they were the only one I told about this hidden spot of mine. 

“One day, they had to leave so suddenly. Before they did, they took a dandelion by the grass and gave it to me, telling me, ‘I was once told that if you give a dandelion to a loved one, it is a sign of total faithfulness.’ They said that one day, they would return, and that I would know, because I must have faith in them. Then, I was told to blow the seeds away the second they were out of view, as it would provide me with great luck in finding them once more. 

“Ever since that day, they never returned.” Xiao never once turns to look at you. His amber eyes fixate on the stars above you two, hoping that one day they align and he’d find his lover once more— or, at least that’s what you assume. He’s wondering if he should tell you if he’s found his lover in you, and he does. “I believe that today, they returned.”

You’re not sure what to say, so you stutter out a “You think I’m…?”

He nods his head once. “The reincarnation of whom I once loved.”

—

Xiao’s hands are on your waist, one of yours holding onto his shoulder with the other over his cheek. He seems to melt into your touch, despite claiming in the past that being close to him could harm you, but as his kisses against your jaw and over your lips grow more fervent, you know he’s thrown all those words over the shoulder. Your heart feels so full; his allowing you to kiss him and letting you know how much he loves you brings your head down into the crook of his neck. 

Then, you pull away and look up at the night sky. The view is extraordinary from the hidden spot the two of you share, much better than wherever you were previously located. The lanterns up in the night sky do wonders to let you notice the blush dusting on his cheeks when you turn to face him, even though you know that if you were to mention it to Xiao, he’d deny it outright. 

“Look up, Xiao,” you tell him softly. “One of those lanterns up there is mine.”

His eyes stay fixated on you. “What did you wish for?” “Now, I can’t tell you that,” you jest. “But maybe if you look up at the lanterns, you might find mine and see what’s written on it.” It’s a desire you hope will pass into your next life. 

So, he does. Xiao’s eyes light up like they’re lanterns too, and he’s just in awe. He’s never paid much attention to the annual festival, as it’s become redundant to him, but now that he’s spent this year with you, perhaps he’ll get to view the lanterns a little differently. Xiao doesn’t want to admit that his jaw drops just a little, but you can see how his mouth opens in amazement. Have lights always been this beautiful?

“I should make a wish as well,” he tells you. 

“You should,” you urge. “You should have come down with me to the harbor. We could have written our wishes on the lanterns together.”

Xiao shakes his head. “I don’t know about that,” he says. “I’m not particular with crowds, you know.” 

You agree. “But you like me, though, right?”

“Of course I do— I love you. Now, as for my wish… It should be fairly obvious as to what it is.” 

You tease Xiao, telling him you’re clueless. You really are, though— there’s no telling behind his cold features. 

All he does is sigh. “It’s… for you to return to me once you’ve gone away.”

For a moment, you go silent. All that you hear is the bustling of the festival-goers down in the harbor and the beating of your heart. You swallow dryly and embrace him in your arms. Xiao takes a while before he wraps his own around you. 

He’s reciprocated your wish. 

“...I’ll never leave you. With all my lives I have yet to live, I’ll always come back to you.”

#genshin impact x reader #genshin x reader #xiao x reader #genshin xiao x reader #gi xiao x reader #genshin impact fluff #xiao fluff