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captaincryolicious · 2 years

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When you play hard-to-get

➳ Scaramouche, Xingqiu, Gorou, Kazuha, Albedo, Kaeya, Xiao x gn!reader

➳ Non-bulleted headcanons? ;

➳ Pining I guess? ; No warnings

How they react when you suddenly start to act distant for the sake of playing hard-to-get. [22.O1.2O22]

content under the cut | masterlist

≡;- ꒰ SCARAMOUCHE ꒱

No doubt, at first he gladly returns the favor. You suddenly avoid him? You stop bugging him in his office? You never ask him to join you for a drink? Good riddance, he briskly tells himself. He has no intentions of giving you any attention when you stop giving him attention, why would he? Yet, after a while, he finds himself glaring at the door to his office repeatedly, annoyed by the fact that it's been ages since you last came in to put an end to his beloved peace and quiet. Wait, what are you doing? Over time he starts to grow frustrated. Okay, sure, he's never been the nicest to you, or the most welcoming, or... Has he ever showed you any form of appreciation at all? Whatever, how dare you give him the cold shoulder like that? He will never admit to himself that he misses you but that's exactly what's the case. He isn't the most tactical when it comes to this stuff so one day you find him approaching you with a frown that would terrify most people, grumpily asking you, "did you forget the way to my office?"

Yeah, he completely falls for it.

≡;- ꒰ XINGQIU ꒱

You cannot fool him. He bears way too much knowledge he gained from all the novels he has read over time so he simply recognizes your strategy since it's not an uncommon trope in the wide array of books he knows. However, what he has to do with this is a different question. He isn't really bothered by it because he knows it's just an act – okay, maybe there's a small part of him that has its reservations. In the beginning he decides to deliberately play along, overexaggerating so much that you almost instantly suspect that he's clowning you (which he is). After that, he literally doesn't give you the chance to distance yourself any longer and he's all over you, just not in the way you want to. He refuses to leave you alone, always hanging around you, talking even more than usual, sticking to your side like someone used an overdose of superglue. Xingqiu is genuinely out to irritate you this time, and boy is he doing a good job. At some point he tells you "isn't this the kind of attention people want when they play hard-to-get?" You just shrug awkwardly, feeling called-out now that you know that this bookworm saw right through you all along.

He finds it funny that you feel the need to practice these tropes on him but it's quite pointless so don't bother lol.

≡;- ꒰ GOROU ꒱

He is so beyond confused. Yesterday all was good and everything was fine, but now you are suddenly acting off? You're always by his side, but now you aren't anymore? His ears are slouched and his tail slumped as he is running his thoughts trying to figure out an explanation that sounds credible enough to explain your change of behavior. Seriously though, he doesn't get it at all and he can't get it to make sense in his head. Why are you suddenly too busy to stick around him like you used to? Why are you always up up and away, only showing glimpses of you– wait, why are you smiling so secretively? He truly has no clue what's happening but he tries to shrug it off coolly and focus more on his position as the General in the Sangonomiya Resistance. Well, easier said than done. This guy soon trails after you like a lost puppy, hoping that you're willing to talk about the whole ordeal. Eventually you decide that it has been enough, please explain everything to him as soon as possible.

Two words: poor baby.

≡;- ꒰ KAZUHA ꒱

Simply put, he sees through you right away. But Kazuha is a nice guy, so for the sake of not having to call you out like that he lets it happen. Maybe he even finds it entertaining in a way, curious to see how this is going to unfold. Still, he has quite some questions roaming his thoughts. Why do you feel the need to play hard-to-get all of a sudden? What do you want to gain from it? He seems like the type who isn't too secretive about being into you, do you want him to literally chase you or something like that? Yeah no, he isn't going to do that. In fact, not much is going to change about his behavior at all. If you are around, he acts like he always does; keeping you company with his warm smile and conversations about whatever it is that comes to mind. However, when you distance yourself again and pretend to not give him any time at all, he simply retreats to do his own thing instead of fussing about how you suddenly act so different, like you are hoping him to do. Yeah, after a while he has enough of it and confronts you because honestly, he still wants to know why this was necessary?

To be fair, you're probably just wasting your time by doing this but you do you I guess? At least Kazuha is amused by your antics.

≡;- ꒰ ALBEDO ꒱

Though he truly wonders why you suddenly seem so closed-off and distant, he decides that he has more important things to occupy his mind with. He is the Chief Alchemist of Mondstadt after all. There's a lot of research to indulge in and too many experiments to conduct and Albedo is quick to misplace his priorities. He will lose interest for a moment – that's what he thinks, at least – but he will soon come to find that he misses you. He is so used to you barging into his office or his encampment on Dragonspine unannounced and now you suddenly stopped doing that? He will start to wonder; has he not showed you enough appreciation for your presence all those times? Did he prioritize Alchemy over you too many times? His analytic mind suddenly becomes a trap, and he seriously starts to overthink things. Still, he tries not to let his growing worry affect the way he acts, deciding to respect the sudden change and willing to wait for you to come around.

This genius alchemist does not understand the concept of playing hard-to-get at all.

≡;- ꒰ KAEYA ꒱

Archons, don't try him. Please just don't do it. As soon as this man finds out about your plans he will do everything to make you regret your decision sooner rather than later. You think you can play a game with him? He sees right through you. How can he not? You suddenly avoid him in the hallways of the Favonius' headquarters, the attention you always gave him turns into stolen glances from afar, it's as if you suddenly refuse to give him any time of your day. Coming from someone who used to be all over him, it is quite obvious to the Cavalry Captain. You're playing a game, aren't you? Don't worry, he is also quite skilled at these kinds of games. In no-time, he will be the one playing cards. He knows he will have you back to chasing him quickly because duh, he is Kaeya Alberich. So long do you think that you are the one in control of your little act of being hard-to-get but this man plays the cards all along. Before you know it, you are running around the city of freedom to catch a glimpse of the Captain to perform your plan, but then you suddenly come to realize that you are chasing Kaeya just as much as before you decided to play this game.

Please just don't start this lol.

≡;- ꒰ XIAO ꒱

What? First you want his attention and then you suddenly distance yourself again? Xiao truly doesn't get it. Is this yet another weird thing mortals do? Whatever, if you suddenly want space he'll give you space, but do not think he's happy with it. No, he doesn't miss your everlasting presence, why would you think that? He chooses to spend his time sulking on the rooftop of the Wangshu Inn but it has absolutely nothing to do with you. Okay, maybe his confusion turns into slight irritation at some point, but it's only because he doesn't understand it at all. That's what he keeps telling himself, for the concept of missing someone is alien to him. Still, after a while there's no denying it any longer. The yaksha finds himself approaching you more often, being the first one to initiate contact most of the time. It feels weird, but he can't stop himself from approaching you, and if you suddenly stop coming to him he'll just come to you instead. Of course he instantly feels better when he's with you again, but he keeps wondering why you're acting different.

Please just don't drag this out for too long. It works but I don't think this method is fully Xiao-friendly.

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captaincryolicious · 3 years

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Coming home after a long day of school/work

➳ Childe, Zhongli, Scaramouche, Gorou, Kaeya (separately) x gn!reader

➳ Headcanons ; 1.9k

➳ Fluff, kinda modern au-ish? ; No warnings

What it's like to come home after a long and tiring day and have them waiting for you! [27.O8.2O21]

Zep's Note ; this isn't too special because i was tired after a long day or week, who decided that it was a good idea to work 7 days this week help myself when i wrote this heh.

content under the cut | masterlist

➳ Childe

Silence.

Silence is what you come home to.

Silence is what greets you when you take off your shoes and tiredly venture further into the residence you share with Childe.

Until at some point, you're greeted with

"Y/N, you're home! :D"

And he appears in front of you with a broad smile.

He strikes me as the "playful boyfriend" type and he doesn't hesitate to exaggerately show you just how much he missed you.

Don't be too surprised if he decides to pick you up and spin you around once or twice before he sets you down again, probably letting out a soft chuckle as you give him a bewildered look.

He backs away a little after that though, so you can change into comfy clothes and do whatever you always do upon coming home, before he clings to you again.

Because Childe is clingy, yes.

You take a moment to talk about both your days, but it's mostly him listening to you ramble about your day because he isn't always in the mood to talk about everything that goes on with the Fatui.

After that, Childe sheepishly tells you he hasn't started cooking dinner yet and it always goes like that because he secretly just loves to cook with you and thus waits for you to come home before he starts.

It's mostly him who does the cooking, though, especially when you're tired after all that happened during the day. Please just accompany him in the kitchen because that makes him very happy.

Watching him cook isn't a bad thing at all so you don't mind.

He makes sure to entertain you while he's at it, either telling you about random things that come to mind or just being his goofy self while cooking.

Feels soft when he watches your tired form at the table.

Silence greeted you when you got home but when dinner is finished you will be wrapped in silence again, as Childe lets you cuddle up to him comfortably that night.

➳ Zhongli

This man knows exactly what time you are done.

He knows how long it takes for you to get home.

Don't worry he isn't creepy, he just memorized it so he can make sure there is a cup of tea with your favorite snack alongside it waiting for you at the very moment you arrive home.

He takes this very seriously.

You find him waiting for you at the kitchen table, quietly reading something but putting away the article as soon as you step into the kitchen.

Two cups of tea are in front of him and one chair is already pulled back a little so you can sit down and enjoy a warm drink without having to go through any efforts.

Zhongli finds it important that you can relax after coming home.

Especially when he notices that you are more tired than usual.

While drinking tea together, he always asks you if you want to talk about your day or if you just want to enjoy a moment of peace in silence, and even though you have never opted for silence, he still makes sure to aks you every time.

But talking to him is nice, so who are you to say no to that?

Zhongli is a great listener, and you know he's genuinely interested in whatever you tell him. He smiles at you if your day was great, he will sympathize with you if your day wasn't as nice, he will praise you if the day went exceptionally well, and offer you advice if you are in need of some.

This man also pampers you if you let him.

He makes sure dinner is served, makes sure everything gets cleaned after dinner, refuses gently when you offer to help him, telling that you did well today and that you deserve to rest now.

He secretly loves it when you linger around him with a pout, not wanting to let him do everything on his own, but he will sternly send you to the couch if you still attempt to lend him a hand.

In that case, he will hurry with the chores, though, so he can join you on the couch as soon as possible, and just spend a peaceful night with you until you go to sleep.

➳ Scaramouche

On first glance, it doesn't look like he really cares when you close the front door behind you and call out his name as a greeting.

He gives you a brief sound to tell you that he acknowledges your return, which is as far as his response seems to go.

This used to confuse you in the beginning, until over time you started to notice how he subtly abandoned his own ativities as soon as you got home and drawing to you instead.

Such a Scaramouche-thing to do; pretending that it doesn't bother him, but he's secretly glad that you're home safe and sound after being out all day.

Nags you about it if you're home five minutes later than usual but that's only because in those five minutes, his gaze never leaves the clock on the wall while wondering if any of the Fatui's enemies has gotten to you or anything like that.

He's fully aware of the fact that he isn't exactly liked by most people so he often worries that it has negative effect on your life as well.

So when he sounds a bit irritated, it's just a wave of relief that he doesn't know how to channel properly.

Even though you are aware that he means no harm, he still makes sure to make up for it every time it happens, and the next time you get home after work he goes like "hey, you're home," and even offer you a smile.

He might be someone who hardly smiles or shows any positive emotion in general, he often feels like smiling when you're involved and he tells himself to give in to that urge more often!

Scaramouche is someone who doesn't mind giving others the cold shoulder, and even towards his s/o he has a habit of unintentionally doing so, but he makes sure to be extra careful when he notices how tired you are after long days of duty!

Please note how he doesn't show a single ounce of dismay/protest when you slump against him tiredly that night, his voice carrying a surprisingly gentle tone when he tells you to go to bed.

Yeah, you're the only one who has ever heard and will ever hear that soft tone that's meant for you and you only :)

➳ Gorou

Very happy when you get home and he doesn't bother to hide it at all, and it shows from the way his tail is wagging excitedly.

The way he greets you is just very wholesome and his wide smile when you greet him back is the cutest thing ever.

Follows behind you like a puppy when you make your way to the living room to flop down on the couch with a deep sigh, happy to finally relax a little.

Snuggling close to Gorou on the couch after a long and tiring day is highkey the best thing to happen upon coming home and you love how he instantly allows you to get comfy against him and you can let go of the tension that comes with busy days.

He is the type to wait for you to get home on days he gets home before you, and the longer he has to wait, the happier he is when you actually get home, so how clingy he is kinda depends on how long he waited for you I think?

That's not a bad thing, though! You're free to stay out as long as you like, he'll just be extra happy when you come back after a longer while but cuddle time right when you come back sounds like a blessing to me honestly.

Of course he also asks you about how your day has been.

He listens closely as you talk about everything that happened, and especially makes sure nothing in your story hints at anything bad or negative.

Gorou is very protective so he digs deeper into anything that catches his attention in a negative way and only drops the subject when you reassure him multiple times that everything is fine.

Anyway-

The thing with Gorou is, getting all drowsy as you lean against him is super easy, especially when you're already a bit tired to begin with, so you sometimes find yourself having a hard time staying awake.

He doesn't mind, nor does he try to keep you from falling asleep.

If you doze off that easily, it has to mean that you need your rest, and who is he to disturb that? It's a very cute sight, so it's a win for both!

➳ Kaeya

Where do I even start with this man?

As much of a tease he often is, he also likes to spoil you every now and then, so don't be too surprised when you walk out of the gates and see Kaeya leaning against the wall as he waits for you.

Yeah, he totally comes to pick you up sometimes!

But he knows exactly what pose he has to take and how he has to look at you to still make you flustered when your eyes land on him and he secretly loves the way your cheeks turn red as you approach him because Kaeya will always be Kaeya.

He goes easy on you, though, since he knows how busy a day can get for you and he knows when it's time to hold back and let you breathe in peace.

As he drives you home, he keeps sneaking sideway glances at you every time the traffic allows him because you look cute when you're sleepy and he doesn't want to miss out on that.

Upon arriving home, he carries your stuff inside because he can be a gentleman at times when he feels like it which is surprisingly often when you are involved, he just enhances his gentleman act with a light smirk gracing his lips you know.

When you get inside, don't be too surprised when you find the table all set, complete with your favorite dish for dinner because like I said, Kaeya loves to spoil you sometimes and one of the occasions is when he knows you had a busy day.

Enjoy a nice dinner together :D

If you yawn you might suddenly end up with a spoonful of food in your mouth, and when you open your eyes you find Kaeya looking at you, chin resting on his hand as he smirks while the other hand lingers near your mouth as he took the opportunity to feed you while you yawned.

Again, he likes the way it makes you blush heh.

When dinner is finished, he leaves the dishes for later and just gently lifts you off your seat in one fell swoop and carries you towards the living room where he holds you close against him on the couch and peppers you with affection because seeing your tired form makes him soft so he can't help himself :)

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captaincryolicious · 2 years

Text

Date at the Amusement Park!

➳ Chongyun, Beidou, Xiao, Thoma, Gorou, Ayaka (separately) x gn!reader

➳ Headcanons ; I'll add word count later

➳ Fluff ; No warnings

What is it like to go on a date to the amusement park with them? (spoiler alert, lots of fun!) [18.O1.2O22]

content under the cut | masterlist

≡;- ꒰ CHONGYUN ꒱

He is nervous beforehand, not because he is afraid of the rides, but because he doesn't know if he will be comfortable in these surroundings.

This is a bit of my personal view, but Chongyun seems like someone who is prone to experience sensory overload quite fast?

Amusement parks draw in a huge number of people, meaning his senses will have a lot of imput to deal with the entire time. He worries that it might become too much for him, that he will leave you disappointed when he needs to take a breather away from the busy heart of the park, that you will come to the conclusion that he isn't fun to go out with.

Still, he decides to risk it, only to find out that it's totally worth the risk!

He actually likes the elated atmosphere that hangs in the park and as long as it doesn't get too crowded around him he is totally fine.

Most rides aren't all that intimidating, he also comes to find, and the excessive music and flashing lights add to the fun factor, so he can bear it pretty well.

Okay, maybe he isn't too big of a fan of the more extreme rides, only hopping in occasionally if he knows you enjoy them but please give him a bit of time so he can ground again after being shaken up by that one rollercoaster with multiple loopings, freefalls and corkscrews.

With Chongyun, there are quite a few moments where you just retreat to the more quiet areas of the park, to sit and relax for a bit while you eat and drink something and just relish in the small break from the liveliness.

Oh, give him cotton candy. The blue one because Chongyun with blue cotton candy is adorable for obvious reasons.

You two also decide to eat churros but I speak from personal experience that it takes quite a while before the nauseous feeling disappears after eating them so you spend a lot of time skipping past all the rides and just walking through the park hand-in-hand.

He preferably goes home long before the amusement park closes its doors for the day, but you convince him to stay longer by telling him how the park will empty out as it grows darker. Having the park almost all for yourselves brings a sheen of peace over the area, and it's a good way to process all the events of that day before you go home.

≡;- ꒰ BEIDOU ꒱

Yo, Beidou absolutely loves it here.

The buzz in the air, the liveliness, the contagious joy shared between all the visitors, the rowdy rides that are sure to set the adrenaline pumping; yeah, that's her definition of entertainment.

You're bound to have the time of your life when you visit an amusement park with Beidou.

She's so cool!! Truly not afraid, not even the tiniest bit nervous at all, for any of the rides. This woman is probably the calmest person in the queue between all the nervously fidgeting people. Even the waiting time doesn't really bother her, I think she's pretty patient and only thinks of it as an opportunity to talk to you and not as a waste of time.

"That was quite tame," she states after getting off the most intense ride in the entire park.

You are standing next to her, trying to process what kind of rabid storm you just went through as you thoroughly wonder how Beidou is so unfazed.

Is there even a ride that can impress this woman to begin with? I honestly don't think there is. Nothing can stop her.

Maybe it's just a thing in my country, but a lot of the amusement parks here have pirate-themed rides and of course Beidou would gravitate towards them.

Her excitement is so contagious and you too enjoy the buzz of adrenaline as you go from ride to ride though you are a lot more nervous than Beidou lol.

She also really values the moments of leisure, though. Taking a seat near the arcade or near the food stalls, taking a break from the adrenaline and enjoying the livelihood around you.

Yeah, she still favors the bustling parts of the park over the quiet parts, but if you tell her you need a break from the chaos she'll listen to you without second thought and find a calm spot with you.

In these moments, she still makes sure to have fun and the two of you enjoy some light-hearted conversations and a good laugh together while sharing a drink. Even now, there won't be a dull moment with Beidou around.

≡;- ꒰ XIAO ꒱

He genuinely doesn't see the appeal of amusement parks. Those big metallic structures? The loud noises? The lights that flash everywhere? Mortals have peculiar ways of passing time, he thinks, following you through the park with his hands buried in his pockets stubbornly.

Don't worry, he isn't completely appalled by the idea of being here. The joy in your eyes when he said yes is all worth it, he just isn't expecting to have fun at all and his expression is a bit sour.

Maaaybe his mood is a bit grumpy at the beginning of the day as well, but it is quick to dissipate since your joy and excitement is pretty contagious and Xiao loves it when you look so happy – how can he possibly stay grouchy when you are smiling like that?

It's fairly easy to convince him to join you for rides, and it doesn't really matter which rides you line up for because he follows you anyway. If this peculiar form of mortal entertainment makes you happy, then he shall partake in these activities as well.

Xiao seems quite unfazed by the rides, and even if he is nervous at all, he doesn't show it in the slightest bit. At the same time, he doesn't really get why you are nervous because you're the one who wants to take the ride?? Still, finds it adorable but won't admit it, just quietly tells you that nothing bad will happen and emphasizes that he won't hesitate to confront whoever is responsible for this place when something does go wrong.

His protectiveness makes you laugh softly – of course you know nothing is going to happen, it's just the adrenaline and excitement that makes you a bit jittery.

It's not long before he comes to find that he kind of likes the adrenaline rush that awakens during rollercoaster rides.

"Hey, Xiao," you call out, taking his hand in yours and using your other hand to point at a specific ride ahead of you. "Wanna try that rollercoaster?"

Even though he replies with a gruff "fine, whatever," you can see the excited glint in his amber eyes and it's the cutest thing ever.

He still isn't a fan of the crowd and all the flashing lights and chaos that surrounds you, but he endures it for you and now that he has found his enjoyment as well, it bothers him less and less and against your expectations, you end up staying until closing hours.

Also, please take this guy with you on the ferris wheel at night.

You softly take his hand and watch his awestruck gaze when you reach the top of the ride, where you have a wide panorama view over the almost fairytale-like scenery that stretches out afore you.

He is speechless, the sea of tiny lights reflecting in his eyes. He turns to you and for the first time that day, or maybe even for the first time in a while, he offers you a grateful smile.

≡;- ꒰ THOMA ꒱

Honestly, I think amusement park dates are a reoccuring event with Thoma, simply because he truly enjoys going there with you and it's his goal to visit all the parks across the country together.

Expect to be there from opening 'til closing hours!

Cool guy who isn't all that intimidated by any of the rides but exits the more extreme ones with wobbly legs and a look on his face that says "what the heck just happened–"

That doesn't stop him from lining up again, though. Especially when you enjoyed the ride, he will gladly go in once more despite feeling like he has just conquered a hurricane.

Oh, prepare to also spend quite some time at the arcade section.

Thoma must and shall win the biggest plushie for you, no matter what it takes please stop him as soon as it gets out of hand!

He's doing really well, and you can't quite tell if it's skill or just plain luck, but without wasting too much money he manages to reel in quite some smaller prizes, but as I said, he isn't satisfied before he wins you the biggest plushie of them all.

Yeah, of course he succeeds.

He realizes too late that you now have to drag the massive dog plushie through the park for the rest of the day but he takes responsibilities and thus, he walks around with a massive stuffy in his arms.

He won't complain, not even once!

But you might catch him looking at the plushie with a very troubled expression sometimes.

Thoma is a real gentleman.

He carries your bag and all the snacks and drinks and prizes he won, on top of the huge stuffed toy. He also hold your hands reassuringly in line if he notices that you are a bit nervous for the ride, but yeah even if you're not nervous he still holds your hand because why not?

This guy just wants to give you a nice day full of fun and enjoyment and he doesn't care if he ends up with sore muscles the next day because of all the stuff he carried for you all day.

You don't even have to thank him. Seeing the smile on your face is the best reward he could wish for!

≡;- ꒰ GOROU ꒱

He's a courageous baby.

Even if some rides initially intimidate him a bit, he doesn't hesitate to line up, reassuring you that he'll be fine.

Maybe a tiny little bit to look cool in front of you, or maybe even because he wants you to be proud of him, but mostly because in his eyes, fears are something to overcome.

Especially since he knows that he will most likely have lots of fun as soon as the nervousness wears off, and he really wants to enjoy all the rides with you.

I think Gorou sometimes has these little burst of energy every now and then and then he's skidding next to you excitedly with a sparkle in his eyes, while a little later, he's more laidback in his demeanor and just looks around him to take in his surroundings and all the things that happen in the bustling amusement park.

Shooting games at the arcade!

He's very good at them and he looks absolutely adorable when he's like super focused on taking aim to guarantee a bullseye hit in nearly all of the targets.

He ends up winning a lot of stuff but I can see him as the type to forget them somewhere and by the time you realize you can't find them anymore no matter how many times you wander around the park.

He feels so guilty!! But you tell him that it's okay while secretly gushing over how cute his adorable pout is.

Also expect a lot of hand holding because he doesn't wanna risk losing you in the crowd.

But he also uses this as an excuse when there is hardly anyone around because he just wants to hold your hand y'know?

Every time the two of you take a break he will heave out a relieved breath now that he can finally stop summoning up the courage for all those crazy rides for a minute or so, but it won't be long until he decides that it's about time for the next ride.

Yeah, he really likes it here.

Bonus; Gorou getting all shy as you offer to share a huge fluff of cotton candy but he's more than happy to do so, and he takes really tiny bites until you stuff his mouth with a big floof of candy floss and burst out in laughter until he returns the favor!!

≡;- ꒰ AYAKA ꒱

She never really did anything like this before, so you two visiting an amusement park together is really special to her!

The days prior to the visit, she is super excited, though she is quite timid when it comes to showing it, and it's the little things and habits that let you know how much she is looking forward to it.

On the day itself, though, she gets quite nervous. She has absolutely no idea at all about what to expect and is happy that you are going with her because she wouldn't set foot there with anyone else.

Though she is kinda used to big crowds because of her family's importance, she still gets quite overwhelmed once you arrive, due to the jittery atmosphere and flashing lights and cacophony of sound.

Please hold her hand!!!

She will take some time to let loose a bit, but over time you see the smile on her face grow wider and brighter as she points at rides and games she feels like trying.

Ayaka isn't a fan of the extreme rides, not because she's afraid but because she just doesn't find them enjoyable at all, prefering the calmer rides where she can actually enjoy your presence instead of being trashed around in rollercoasters filled with loopings and freefalls.

Your date has a lot of wholesome times where you just share ice cream or other snacks you buy around the park and talk about small things that come to mind and Ayaka is just smiling softly all the time and it makes you so happy because her smile is so precious and it's so sweet to see how she enjoys her time with you!

Ooh, hear me out! Getting plushies together at the arcade!

Ayaka holding her breath and cluthing her hands against her chest every time you are close to winning a prize and the little encouragements she lets out when you are nearly there and trying her best to hide her disappointment when you lose because she doesn't want to give you the feeling of pressure.

Maybe the claw machine isn't in the best mood, maybe you end up pushing in a few more coins than you initially planned, but the smile on Ayaka's face when you hand her the plushie is all worth it!

She is sooo happy!

As grateful as she is, she thanks you over and over again, telling you how much she enjoys her time at the park with you and how much it means to her.

You leave quite early since both of you are pretty worn-out, but you make a silent promise to take her out on another date again soon!!

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captaincryolicious · 3 years

Text

Under a million stars

➳ Gorou x gn!reader

➳ Oneshot ; 1.3k

➳ Fluff ; Spoilers for the Inazuma archon quest but no further warnings

Even when cold nights draw over the island, Gorou is there to keep you warm. [21.O8.2O21]

content under the cut | masterlist

The wind that blew over the unkempt plains of Yashiori Island was uncharacteristically chilly tonight, tugging on your hair and nipping at your exposed skin. You were out in the open, and there wasn't much around you to shield you from the cold surges traversing over the wildlands. Yet, you remained in that position, on the lookout for either soldiers of the Shogunate Army or the general of the Sangonomiya resistance. You would much prefer the latter to show up, but in times like these only time could tell if it was a friend or foe that would appear in your vision range.

Every movement that caught your eye made your heart leap in your chest, every rustle you thought to hear in the dark surrounding you made your hand grip your weapon a bit tighter. It was tiring, to say the least, but slacking off could land you in the enemy's grasp within seconds which would put the whole resistance in jeopardy.

At least the cold came in handy, sending chills down your spine every time you dared to doze off even a little.

It was a quiet and uneventful evening, not too long after the latest confrontation on Nazuchi Beach. The resistance had decided to take no unnecessary risks, increasing the safety precautions drastically, but so far it hadn't come to another clash between the resistance and the Shogunate.

You hoped it would stay that way.

"Don't get startled, it's me," you suddenly heard, and a hand landed on your shoulder. You immediately recognized the voice, but that didn't stop you from jumping up with a small yelp.

"Goodness, Gorou," you breathed out, placing a hand on your chest as you tried to calm yourself. "Telling people out of nowhere not to get startled can startle them just as much."

The general gave you an apologetic look, and you shook your head as a relieved smile crossed your features. The fact that Gorou was skilled in moving around without a sound might give you a heart attack pretty often, but you were more than happy to have him back by your side safe and sound.

You let your eyes wander over his moonlit form, searching for any injuries. But Gorou shook his head, offering you a smile as well.

"I'm not hurt, Y/N, don't worry," he reassured you.

"Thanks Celestia," you muttered, your concern slowly gliding off you.

Ever since the tension between the Shogunate and the Sangonomiya resistance was getting more intense and the brawls on the frontline getting more heated, your worries had grown tenfold. Of course being part of a group rebelling against the Raiden Shogun's rules was already a risk on its own, but even more so when you were one of the higher-ups in the resistance – the general, in Gorou's case. There was never a guarantee that he would return unscratched, and as much as you admired and respected his capabilities as a leader, you also often found yourself nervous when he was out.

But he was back now, and that was what mattered.

"How are the surrounding wildlands?" you asked, a soft chuckle following when Gorou leaned against you tiredly with a small yawn. He seemed tired, and you weren't feeling too energetic either, so it was about time to call it a night and go to sleep, if it was safe enough.

"All clear," the male told you, taking a step away from you and sitting down in the grass, dropping his bow next to him with a tired grunt. "I don't think anything will happen tonight, but I still sent out some mercenaries to stand guard in the vicinity. We can rest easy, Y/N."

"Say no more," you commented, wanting nothing but to flop down next to the male and fall asleep snuggled up to him. However, the circumstances weren't ideal as they were. "But don't you think we should move to one of the camps first?"

The tormented growl Gorou let out almost made you laugh out loud, but halfway through letting the amused sound bubbling from your throat your world spinned and you almost bit your tongue on accident. For the second time in the span of merely five minutes, you let out a surprised yelp, and Gorou huffed out a small chuckle as you landed onto the soft grass, instantly slumping against him.

"I don't feel like moving to a camp," he complained, showing you his best puppy eyes – something that was insanely easy for him. "Look at this pretty tree standing over us, it's really fit for shelter too."

"Gorou, the nearest camp is not even two minutes away–" you countered, but you were too weak for his pleading eyes and you gave in with a sigh. "Kazuha is really getting to you, huh? We're even sleeping underneath a tree now."

Accepting your fate, you placed your weapon next to his bow and made yourself comfortable against the male, happy to feel his body temperature warming you up little by little as well. The shrubs around you as well as the trunk of the maple tree shielded you from the wind, and along with Gorou's fuzzy tail that he snuggly draped around you, this wasn't a bad place to rest at all.

"Hey, it's not like I've never slept in a place like this before," the male countered, before he smiled sheepishly. "Though I must admit that Kazuha was involved all the times I've slept underneath a tree before."

You laughed, the negative itch of coldness and exhaustion falling off you as you shifted in Gorou's arms, sleepily leaning your head on his shoulder. Even out in the wildlands, where an ambush of the enemy was never wholly out of the question, you felt safe.

"The stars are pretty tonight," you pointed out, your vision blurring as slumber slowly fell upon you, and you struggled to keep your gaze on the galaxy above. You had no idea you were that tired, to be able to fall asleep out in the open within minutes after settling down there.

"They sure are," Gorou agreed, brushing his fingers through your hair to soothe you into your sleep further. "They will watch over us as we sleep, so worry not, okay? You deserve a good nap after standing guard for so long."

You nodded slowly, and the boy with fluffy ears grinned down at you happily. Small moments of bliss, even if it was just seeing you enjoy the sight of a million stars embellishing Teyvat's tranquil night sky, meant a lot to the general of the resistance. After all, who knew how often the light would be able to pierce through the veil of darkness bestowed upon Inazuma by the ongoing war?

"I have secretly always wanted to sleep under the stars," you told the male quietly, slowly losing yourself in the way Gorou raked his fingers through your hair gently and steadily.

You usually were the one doing this to him, playing with his fluffy hair and scratching his ears because you knew he enjoyed it so much. Now the roles were reversed, and you relished in his relaxing touch.

"It appears your wish came true," Gorou mumbled, loving the way the stars in the sky set your eyes to shimmer every time they barely fluttered open before drowsily closing again. Then he heaved out a small sigh, his smile wavering just a little as he added, "we might have to sleep outside in the cold a lot more often if these circumstances endure."

Gorou finally felt himself dozing off as well, and he embraced you a little tighter as he closed his eyes and nuzzled his face against yours. He breathed out, the last remnants of tension slipping away.

"But on those nights," he added, his tired voice trailing off, "I will keep you warm."

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captaincryolicious · 3 years

Text

❝ adopting a cat with kazuha ❞

➳ kazuha x gn!reader

➳ headcanons + drabbles ; 2.4k

➳ fluff fluff fluff pure fluff aa ; no warnings

inspired by a series of screenshots i took of kazuha with a cat – i didn't hold back at all and i'm beyond soft now D: [O7.O8.2O21]

one day, kazuha comes back home carrying a wicker basket in his arms, and the way he holds it gives away the fact that there's something really precious inside that must be treated gently and carefully

he's acting kind of secretive when you walk over to find out what's inside, and as if he's doing it on purpose, he's taking his sweet time to take off his shoes and place them near the front door before he finally enters your house further, still holding the basket protectively

he finds the way you trail behind him curiously adorable, which is why he drags out the moment just a little longer

until suddenly a small meow comes from inside the basket and you go sjdjsk before you look at kazuha with wide eyes and he just smiles at you because even though it wasn't exactly the way he was planning to reveal what's inside, the sparkle of excitement in your eyes is just what he was hoping to see

"kazuha... is that–" you begin

he nods, holding out the basket towards you so you can open it to meet the little kitten that awaits you underneath the lid

you nearly squeal when you find the tiny cat wrapped in a cocoon of soft blankets to ensure a safe and comfortable travel

it looks up at you so cutely and you just melt while you help the baby animal out of its confinements and then it begins to fully wake up, swatting its tiny paw at your hand playfully – which makes it sort of hard to unwrap the blanket nest but that's okayy

once its free you see how fluffy it is and for a moment you even nearly forget about the male in front of you because the baby cat is just so cute??

"surprise," kazuha chuckles, and seeing the way you react to his present makes him very happy

it never really mattered where the two of you were; if you saw a cat you had to pet it and he never missed the way your face lit up in delight every time you got to spend some time with cats you met on the streets. so when he had the chance to adopt an adorable homeless little kitten, he decided to surprise you

and gosh, you are surprised indeed

you take your sweet time admiring your new pet, cooing at it and smiling at the way it looks at you with big and curious eyes

but then you gently place it down and fling your arms around kazuha to thank him with a hug, a gesture of gratitude he happily accepts uwu

one of his top priorities is bringing you happiness, so every time he succeeds (which is basically every single day and his existence alone is enough to make you smile but shhh) brings him lots of joy too

you let the cat wander around your house a little so it can get used to its new surroundings in its new home and the little ball of fluff waddling around is literally so adorable?

and nearly as soft as kazuha's smile

you and kazuha just watch the animal exploring bravely but getting nervous and startled really often, running away cutely before carefully approaching the scary thing again

watching the kitten's adventure is super cute. it attacks random things around the house, sniffles everywhere, dashes off to run around, and shortly freezes upon seeing something that makes it nervous. eventually the baby cat finds a quiet corner where kazuha's coat was sprawled out on the floor, which makes a perfect spot for a quick nap

the two of you talk quietly in the meantime, and neither of you can stop the smile on your face. while your eyes are on the kitten the entire time, kazuha divides his attention between the young feline and you. as cute as the floofy cat might be, nothing beats you after all !

he feels so content, seeing the sheer joy on your face as you lean against him, thanking him over and over again for the kitten he got you

he's fine with whatever name you choose for your new little friend, but you insist on choosing something together so in the end you spend quite some time contemplating various names while the kitten sleeps peacefully

and of course you also make a list of supplies you'll need to take care of the cat, and you make plans to go out later that day to get all the necessities plus some extra cat toys for fun

so yeah you two are basically cat parents now and it's the best thing ever

of course he initially got the cat for you but he grows to love it just as dearly as you and seeing his interactions with your beloved cat is the softest sight ever!

— kazuha sat cross-legged on the floor next to the small coffee table, and your cat was bouncing around him determinedly. the male held a maple leaf between his thumb and index finger, twirling it around with a teasing smile as he held the leaf just out of reach of the animal. it was a game that had been going on for some time now, and your cat wasn't going to give up while your lover wasn't planning to give in.

honestly, your furry little friend was dead set on capturing the leaf, its perseverance and energy both unwavering as he kept chasing the item. occasionally it tried to swat the leaf from kazuha's hand using its front paws, but the male still had the reflexes of a seasoned samurai and the kitten wasn't fast enough to actually fetch the maple leaf – much to the poor cat's dismay.

you had been watching their little game for a while, contemplating whether or not to help your kitty seek revenge. but it was way too adorable to see them both so immersed in their play and you decided against stepping in. after all, young cats – or cats in general – had a really useful asset that worked in their favor.

cuteness.

you never thought you'd ever see a cat pout, but when your kitten seemed to finally give up and sat down in front of kazuha, it truly looked as if it was pouting. it immediately worked wonders, though. your lover lowered his hand that held the leaf and opened his fingers, causing the auburn leaf to flutter down to the floor with frisky movements.

the feline sprinted forwards, almost losing its balance when it caught the leaf using its tiny front paws. taking it between its teeth carefully, the cat trotted away proudly, leaving the living room to protect its prey from the grasp of the evil samurai.

kazuha merely chuckled, pushing himself off the floor and approaching the couch you sat on, where he took a seat next to you.

"you're a meanie," you told him, giving his shoulder a light push as if you were scolding the male.

he just grinned, instantly coming back to lean against you comfortably. of course he knew you didn't mean it when you pushed him away he knows you can't resist his comfy and cozy hugs.

"hey, i handed in my favorite maple leaf," he reasoned, looking at you with innocent ruby eyes. "it's very likely that i'll get it back in shreds, making it a fair sacrifice."

as if the ronin's words were its cue, the kitten darted into the living room again, carrying half of the leaf in its mouth while the other half was nowhere to be seen. you couldn't hold back the laugh that bubbled up your throat, and kazuha gave you a look as if he were to say see? i told you.

together you watched the young cat playing its rambunctious game with the stolen leaf. did the animal ever run out of energy?

— because of his naturally calm demeanor, your cat loves to take naps near kazuha, or preferably, on top of him. he exudes warmth and safety, and animals are quick to sense that whenever they are near him. but unlike most, your kitten actually has the luxury of indulging in it, often finding the male when playtime is over and curling up on kazuha's lap or falling asleep sprawled-out on his chest with its tiny paws on his shoulder.

whenever you walk in on him during these moments he waves at you quietly, pressing his index finger against his lips to keep you from speaking up because he doesn't want to disturb the tired kitty. not that you were planning to speak up, though. you're too busy melting at the sight of your tiny ball of fluff snuggled up against your lover.

— it was one of those moments where he thought he was home alone, unbeknownst to your presence and too immersed in his one-sided conversation with your kitten to notice your presence.

not for the first time, you found kazuha lying flat on his back on the rug in the living room, lifting the young cat in the air with stretched arms. the animal seemed perfectly fine with it, only looking mildly confused yet intrigued at the same time as the male softly talked to it.

"can you imagine what it's like to be out on the seas?" the ronin asked, looking up at the cat with a smile. "we always had a lot of mice in the cargo hold and they drove beidou crazy. she asked me if you were up for a job yesterday, but i don't think the pirate life is something you'd enjoy."

the kitten meowed, eagerly participating in the conversation without having a clue about what was going on. it made kazuha laugh.

"on top of that, y/n would never let you set out on the oceans, and neither would i," he added. "but maybe you can scour the alchor while it's moored in the harbor. with all the energy you have, you would make a talented mice hunter."

you found it adorable, the way he talked to the cat as if it could actually understand him. you walked in on him doing this pretty often, but you would never tell him that, for you don't want him to stop doing it. because the cutest thing of all?

he speaks to your cat in tiny.

— kazuha would be super protective, not only when it concerned you but also when your cat was involved. if he ever saw someone harassing your cat in one way or another while it was out to explore the outside world, he wouldn't hesitate to calmly and politely tell them to screw off and get lost.

somehow, the way he maintained a straight face and spoke in a calm tone, made it even scarier. he'd be absolutely pissed if someone bothered his beloved fluffball.

on the other hand, every time someone said something nice about your cat, or when he ran into kids who were excited to pet it, kazuha would turn into a proud and soft cat dad who was more than happy to introduce them to the kitten and let them shower it with love and attention and affection. he'd always keep a close eye on the situation, paying attention to the cat to make sure it was still feeling at ease and comfortable in the situation.

but yeah, he'd wear a big smile every time people interact with the kitten and enjoyed the moment. still though. no matter how much he enjoyed seeing other people liking and befriending your cat, seeing you being all cute with the animal, cuddling or playing with it, was and would always be his favorite thing.

— days of leisure and lazy evenings were a little more cuddly now that you had a fluffy friend at home. kazuha was someone who already greatly valued affection, and you always spent the evenings close to each other, enjoying the warmth and safety of a shared embrace at the end of the day.

not much changed about that, your nights together just got a little addition. now every time you flopped down on the couch at night and snuggled closer to kazuha, your cat was quick to jump on the couch as well to join the two of you.

sometimes it still had some energy left, and it would prance around, hopping between your lap and kazuha's lap restlessly in search of some entertainment. it occasionally swatted at your hair or some loose strings of your clothes with its little paws playfully, chasing imaginary dust particles, or butting its head against your hands in dire need of attention. with almost every movement it made, the cat's fluffy tail tickled your face and the way you scrunched up your nose elicited a chuckle from kazuha every time until the same thing happened to him and it was your turn to laugh at the face he made. there wasn't much peace to find on days where your cat decided to climb all over the two of you, but it wasn't any less fun and it made you happy, because you were still close to him and you were enjoying the silly antics of your adorable kitty together.

but sometimes the tiny animal was tired after a long day full of adventures and experiences, hardly any energy left. it would look at you with droopy eyes until either you or kazuha bent down to pick it up and gently placed it on the couch, where it waddled to a place it deemed comfortable enough and crashed down, eyes already closed before it even settled down properly. most of the time it opted for kazuha's lap. those days, he hugged you against his chest with a smile most content, and he absolutely melted with his cat sleeping in his lap and you dozing off in his arms. he felt nothing but happiness and love, and the way he smiled so fondly gave away how much he appreciated those moments.

kazuha loves and treasures his little family with his entire heart, and he's grateful that he gets to be a part of it!

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captaincryolicious · 3 years

Text

You strike like lightning

➳ Baal x gn!reader (mortal/no vision)

➳ Oneshot ; 1.4k

➳ Lots of pining, first meeting ; Probably ooc Baal, reader is afraid of lightning but it's more for plot building and not the main point of focus.

The Raiden Shogun takes an interest in a fearful mortal who enters her nation without permission, but she wasn't expecting the feeling that comes after. [17.O8.2O21]

Zep's Note ; I have no idea what this is.

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Outlanders didn't belong in Inazuma.

It was a rule as clear and sharp as the strikes of lightning that cut through the deck of clouds in the grey sky that hung over the islands, brought to life by the Raiden Shogun herself and strictly executed by the Kanjou Commission. The Sakoku Decree stood strong, not many outlanders dared to set foot in the land of eternity, and that was exactly how the electro archon had wanted it to be.

Why was it that her will suddenly wavered when she caught sight of you roaming the small village on Ritou? Why was it that Baal stopped the Shogunate from interfering, lightning striking before their feet as they were about to find you? It was a mystery, even to the archon herself.

It wasn't like her at all, to let her cold and indifferent facade falter upon the mere sight of a mortal, but there was something about the way you bravely entered her territory while you feared the roar of thunder that led to her finding herself more intrigued and less opposed to your presence.

What brought you there? What was your motivation to set foot on the islands where thunder and lightning reigned perpetually? Why were you pushing yourself through the fear implemented by the thunderstorms that traversed the nation daily?

Who were you?

Day after day, Baal tried but failed to convince herself to send the Shogunate after you, to end your unpermitted journey through Inazuma. She was the one who commenced the Sakoku Decree in the first place, and you were the perfect example of an outlander who should be expelled from the nation under the watch of said decree.

Yet, she didn't act, nor did she allow her loyal army to act in her stead.

Weeks passed by, in which her violet eyes regarded your every move from a distance, until one day you found your way to Inazuma City and she impulsively left the confinements of Tenshukaku. And what for? All for a quick glimpse of an outlander who didn't belong there, for a shared glance that stilled all that happened around you but lasted for only a few seconds before she turned away and entered the residence again, harboring thoughts that should not have arisen to begin with.

She should have allowed the Kanjou Commission to let them fulfill their purpose, to remove you from the nation once and for all, but the Raiden Shogun took no action.

All she did was watch you as you traveled between the islands, visiting places you weren't supposed to visit. She watched you enjoy the local specialties and befriend the people who lived in the land of eternity. Your path weaved through the surface of Inazuma further and further, you showed no signs of leaving and the God of eternity willingly let you stay.

She also watched you seeking shelter from the rain on nights that held nothing but darkness and thunder, seeing you tremble in fear when strikes of lightning pierced the sky, when the ground shook with the tremor of the ongoing storm. She saw the way the rain drenched you to the bone, the way your wet hair stuck to your forehead, the way your face was contorted in sheer misery.

One day, she deemed it enough.

What was different that specific day? The thunderstorm that washed over the wildlands was the same as all the others, the rain pouring down mercilessly and the wind howling as thunder crashed all around. Nothing was different, and yet this was the day Baal decided to put an end to what had been dragged out for too long.

— ϟ

It was in a flash of lightning so bright that a woman appeared in front of you, carrying a beauty so electrifying yet cold. Even in the thick curtain of rain cascading from the clouds above, you recognized her in a heartbeat. After all, the woman you saw outside of Tenshukaku had left an imprint in your mind, and you had sworn to remember her face even if you would never lay your eyes upon her ever again.

The woman was the Raiden Shogun, or so you had been told by an Inazuman citizen quite some time after your brief encounter.

Why was the electro archon in front of you?

Thunder shook the ground once more. You flinched, put on edge by the thunderstorm too much to be fearful of the divine woman in front of you. You were an outlander, you didn't belong there, this God was against you and if you weren't scared out of your mind already, her presence would have terrified you. You were unwanted, a trespasser, a–

Clouds parted, thunder stilled, the storm dissolved, all with naught but a short gesture of her hand. That was the last thing you expected, even more so when the woman looked at you, the softness in her violet eyes not matching with the reputation that preceded her far and wide.

"Fear the thunder no longer, outlander. For as long as lightning strikes under my command, it will not harm you," she spoke, slowly approaching your shivering form.

You failed to find any sign of ill intentions as she offered you her hand to bind her solemn promise. For a moment, you found yourself hesitating, and the sheen of doubt that fell upon your shoulders didn't go unnoticed by the archon.

"And neither will I," Baal added, the authority slipping from her tone and making way for a voice much softer. "I will not harm you, either."

Was this real? You had no idea. Yet, you couldn't find it in you to defy her offer, and you slowly brought your hand to meet hers. Maybe the tales that went about the electro archon awakened certain prejudices within you, but the way her hand was warm and soft went against the expectations that lived in your mind. Gently, she pulled you to your feet, your stiff limbs protesting against every movement after being frozen in the same position for so long. But Baal was patient, waited for you to find your balance, waited for you to regulate your fearful breaths as your wet clothes clung to your skin uncomfortably.

"Why?" you asked her as you stepped out into the open.

The Raiden Shogun remained silent as she led you over the damp grass, away from the cave you had chosen as your refuge when thunder broke loose earlier that day. Her face was unreadable, you couldn't tell what she was thinking after the simple question you brought out. No answer came for the longest time, and in the distance you could see the skyline of Inazuma.

Armed men clad in violet armor guarded the path you took as you approached the nation's capital. They didn't move a muscle as you walked past them, but their eyes had a hint of confusion written in them. What a sight it must have been, to see the Raiden Shogun escorting a mortal outlander to Tenshukaku with a rare gentleness and care.

"One's thoughts and actions can be as capricious as a storm raging over the wildlands, outlander," Baal spoke quietly, coming to a halt in front of the stairs that led to her residence. She turned around, her eyes roaming over the city below her before her gaze landed on you. "Y/N, allow me to invite you into Tenshukaku. Allow me to talk to you as who I am, and not with the mask of the eternal archon. Allow me to get to know you."

You were at a loss for words, silenced by her words, by her violet eyes that regarded you solemnly. Was this really happening? It seemed all so unreal, so hard to believe. During your stay in Inazuma, you learned a lot about the Raiden Shogun, who was painted to be a cold and merciless woman. Now she let you in on a side that no one had ever talked about, and it made your heart swell with something you hadn't felt before.

"Why?" you asked again, your voice barely a breath.

She hesitated, the calm look in her eyes faltering for a fragment of a second as she sought for words. Then, she heaved out a small sigh, and told you,

"Because you strike like lightning."

#genshin impact #genshin impact imagines #genshin impact scenarios #genshin impact fanfiction #genshin impact imagine #genshin impact x reader #zep.writes #genshin impact baal #genshin impact self insert #genshin impact reader insert #genshin impact raiden #genshin impact raiden shogun #genshin impact baal x reader #baal x reader #baal x you #baal x y/n #genshin impact baal imagines #raiden shogun

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captaincryolicious · 3 years

Text

Your First Time Gliding

➳ Xiao, Aether, Venti, Kazuha (seperatedly) x gn! reader

➳ Headcanons + drabbles ; 3.2k

➳ Every character's part mentions the act of jumping off a high place in order to glide down. Decided to put it as a warning just in case.

You decide that it's time to try out wind gliding for the first time, and ask him for help. [16.O6.2O21]

Zep's Note ; Sorry to all geo Aether users, I'm really attached to anemo Aether so I had to include him in the anemo boy squad because we stan 4nemo in this household.

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✧ Xiao

"Why do you want me to help you?"

That's the first thing he asks you when you tell him you want to try wind gliding for the first time and specifically request for him to be there.

Of course his first instinct is to say no, to remind you that he doesn't have time for matters like that.

But somehow he can't get himself to say it out loud. Not when you look at him eagerly, clearly excited.

Conquering evil was a never-ending job. It wouldn't make much of a difference if he took a small break to help you out, right?

And on top of that, he suspects that you would just go ahead and try on your own if he declines your request, and that thought doesn't sit well with him at all.

Suddenly he's glad that you asked him, because now he can make sure you will be safe and sound.

Gets secretly flustered when you smile widely after he briskly nods in agreement, but he folds his arms and looks away in order to hide it. He's not used to the things you do to his heart, nor is he really good at hiding it because you totally catch a small glimpse of the pink that dusts his cheeks.

The two of you end up on the highest roof of the Wangshu Inn, and while you are quite excited, Xiao is nervous.

He's mentally questioning why you decide it's a good idea to jump off the highest building in the vicinity for your first time using a glider – he doesn't like it at all. Do mortals really have a thing for unnecessary risks?

You aren't really scared. After all, you have your dashing adeptus at your side.

Xiao's hands are shaky, and his knuckles almost turn white as soon as he places his hands on your shoulders to get your full attention on him while he explains the ins and outs of wind gliding.

"Be careful, I don't want you to get hurt," and his voice is surprisingly soft when he speaks those words.

Ready to evaporate when you approach the edge of the roof, and straight-up loses his shit when you jump.

Xiao's words dwell fresh in your mind while you remain still mid-air for a fraction of a second, before gravity starts pulling you down. Spread your arms wide open as if you are going to use them to actually fly, the yaksha has said, so when the wind around you picks up, you do as you are told.

It's thrilling, really. Your hair is being sweeped in all directions, the scenery around you naught but a blur of colors, and your heart is hammering in your chest in a mixture of excitement and slight traces of sudden panic.

The very same moment the wings on your back appear, you feel a hand grab yours. You can't help the gleeful cheer that bubbles up from your throat, and you flash the adeptus who appeared next to you a broad smile.

"Xiao!" you greet him, hardly getting your voice to carry over the extreme wind around you. The fact that he followed right after you surprises you, but makes you feel happy and safe all the same.

The bewilderment is so obvious in his demeanor; his hair is tousled, his face exceptionally pale and his amber eyes are wide as he squeezes your hand, unfolding his own glider for extra safety.

"Y/N!" he yells back, voice slightly raspy when he also takes your other hand. "At least give me a warning before you jump, you scared me!"

Aww, he's worried about you, you realize.

You are fully enjoying the moment as you ride the wind together, hands tightly interlocked. Way too soon for your liking, your feet touch the ground again, and you need a moment to find your balance after having pushed your body through such extreme and unfamiliar circumstances.

"That was awesome!" you marvel, out of breath and with the adrenaline pumping through your veins like crazy as you practically bounce up and down in front of Xiao. "Can we go again?"

"No."

The reply is short and simple, grumpy even. It's clear Xiao has experienced enough stress for today, and the proof is the fact that he refuses to let go of your hands, even though it's been a good minute since you landed.

You glance back up at the inn towering over you with a small pout, but decide to drop it for now. Who knows, you might be able to convince Xiao to join you again soon, until you feel comfortable enough on your own.

✧ Aether

You never really give the idea of gliding much thought. Sure, it seems cool and all, but it only pops up in your mind occasionally and lingers for only a moment until you forget about it again.

Only when you find a children's book filled with tales about wind gliding in his room, the idea finally sticks to you, and now you're determined to learn how to ride the wind.

"Aether, can we do this?" you ask the next time you see him, presenting him the book you found.

He's a bit surprised now that you bring it up all of a sudden, but your excitement is contagious and you don't even have to convince him; he'll gladly help you with your first time gliding.

After contemplating a suitable location for a bit, you both decide that the cliffs overlooking Windrise are the place to go, mainly because it's a peaceful area with not a lot of visitors and plenty of open space.

"I learned how to glide with a book of fairy tales instead of an actual manual, I'm not sure how well I can actually teach you."

But when he sees you getting a bit antsy after his words, he'll quickly reassure you that it'll be fine.

Aether himself isn't too nervous about the whole ordeal. Gliding is such a common thing for him, through all his journeys and adventures, so over time he grew really accustomed to it.

It's a sunny day with a gentle breeze when you head to Windrise, an excited skip in your step as you walk over the grassy slopes to reach the higher places.

Okay but Aether would totally give you his first wind glider that morning before you leave the city of Mondstadt? It might be a bit old and look a bit shabby, but it has helped him through his first hours of riding the wind, and it makes him happy that it will now help you too.

When you reach the ledge of a cliff, looking out over the outstretched fields below, you feel your heart rate speed up. It's really going to happen, huh?

The view is as stunning as always, but you find yourself looking at it in a different way, now that you know you're about to traverse the scenery through the air. Are you nervous? Yes, you definitely are. Are you excited? Yes, absolutely.

"Hey," Aether calls out from behind you, and a hand lands on your shoulder comfortingly. "Remember what I told you about gliding, okay? You'll be fine."

"Thanks," you smile nervously. "It's just a bit scary."

The male ponders for a moment, before outstretching his hand to you with an encouraging smile.

"Together?"

His gesture soothes you instantly, and you gratefully accept his hand. It's warm in yours, and he gives you a gentle squeeze. Slowly you feel the nerves leaving your body. You'll be fine when Aether is with you. You vaguely realize that gliding together with someone else is probably more of a hassle, but you don't really mind.

"Together."

"Let's go."

With a soft tug, he draws you with him as he starts walking. Starting slowly, he picks up the pace gradually until the two of you are steadily jogging towards the edge, fingers intertwined safely.

The sun beams brightly as you jump, the pleasant breeze wrapping around you as you relish the moment of utter freedom. The faint traces of fear have vanished into thin air now that you are airborne with Aether right by your side. His hand never leaves yours, not even when the wings of your gliders sprout from your back and catch the wind.

You feel strangely unbound, now that you ride the breeze and slowly approach the lush greenfields underneath you. It makes you wonder; why have you waited for so long before you were willing to glide? It's thrilling yet peaceful at the same time, and you feel yourself enjoying it greatly.

Perfectly in sync, your feet touch the ground. The smile that stretches your face is massive, and you reach out to fix a few strands of Aether's hair that are now sticking in multiple directions after conquering the wind.

"And?" he asks, dodging your ministrations with a small grin. "How was it?"

"I had a blast!" you beam at him, your voice trembling slightly after the sheer excitement. "Did I do good?"

"Flawlessly passed the trial, Y/N," he states, and now it's his turn to reach out and lightly pat the top of your head. "Next step is your gliding license."

Now that isn't something you are completely convinced about. You would prefer some more lessons under Aether's guidance first, but him being so positive definitely feels good.

✧ Venti

Definitely elated when you tell him you deem it the right time to finally glide the wind for the first time, and absolutely more than happy to help you.

"I thought you'd never ask, Y/N!"

Grins at you so widely that you start to wonder what you have gotten yourself into, but you know that if you want to learn how to use a glider, he is the best person to ask.

He's aware of that too, though.

You're not really nervous for the gliding part, but with Venti's everlasting smug grin, you kind of start to get second thoughts. What in the Archons' names has he planned? It's quite hard to predict when the bard is involved.

He constantly keeps reminding you.

"Tomorrow, two in the afternoon. Remember, Y/N, meet me at the plaza in front of the church. See ya there~"

Subtly tells you that he wouldn't mind some of the finest wines in exchange for his services. He's obviously joking, though. He doesn't mind helping you out for free, happy that he gets to guide you.

Venti is so excited about it, and it's cute.

Yeah, nevermind, you have zero regrets asking him. Not that you ever had serious regrets to begin with, but his enthusiasm is contagious and now you're really looking forward to it.

You arrive early the next day, and not much to your surprise you find Venti already waiting for you at the foot of the giant archon statue.

He waves at you happily, and when you come to a halt next to him he drapes an arm over your shoulder with a sweet smile.

"Ready, Y/N?"

You nod, not really knowing what the bard has planned, but you'll find out soon enough.

It's clear Venti has something in mind, but he doesn't leave you much time to worry. He brings his hands together, and a sudden wind current catches your hair and rustles the grass at your feet. You're taken by surprise, but then realization dawns on you; the bard can make wind currents whenever he pleases and you totally forgot about it until now.

"C'mon, Y/N, let's go!" chimes, and the sky blue wings that sprout from his back take him up into the air within the blink of an eye.

You witness the ordeal with mild astonishment. It's weird to see the male who is supposed to teach you float up high in the sky without a word of explanation beforehand. The wind wraps around you, caresses your skin and rustles your hair gently, and you frown because you have no clue what to do.

So far for the confidence you had put in him as your teacher.

"Venti!" you shout, catching his attention to scold him. "You didn't even explain anything, what is this?"

"Close your eyes!" the bard replies, his voice carrying over the wind with ease. He smiles mischievously upon seeing the confusion on your features. "To feel it is more meaningful than words of a mere bard can ever be. Let the wind guide you, Y/N!"

To say that you understand what he means would be a lie, but you comply anyway. You close your eyes, spread your arms, feel the wind slipping through your fingers as it travels up high towards the sky. The outside world gets channeled out slowly but surely, and when it feels right, you jump.

And suddenly the wind engulfs you, lifting you higher and higher, higher even than the giant statue, to meet Venti mid-air. Somehow the wings on your back don't feel like strangers at all, and the male is forgiven within an instant.

"Venti!" you shout again as soon as the wind has taken you high enough to face him. You can't help the huge smile that crosses your face, one he gladly reciprocates.

"Hey, Y/N, good to see you here," he greets you, taking both your hands in his. His twin braids dance around in the wind cutely, even more when he tilts his body and starts spinning you around in the air.

It goes with so much ease; the way he whirls you around while smiling at you widely is as if the two of you belong within the summer breeze together, and you completely forget that today is merely your first time riding the wind.

Eventually, the current diminishes in strength, and you lose altitude gradually. The cheerful bard skillfully maneuvers you in the right direction, and your feet land in the stone hands of the statue of Barbatos swiftly.

Venti pulls you down to sit with him gently, merely letting out a soft giggle as the two of you settle on the ledge of the statue's hands. Mondstadt is beautiful from this perspective that is completely new for you, and when the bard next to you smiles at you fondly, you know coming to him was the only right choice.

✧ Kazuha

Your wish to glide over the wind is fueled by the countless birds you witness flying around the ship on a daily basis.

You are drawn to the freedom their wings seem to give them, how they maneuver through the sky so carelessly and rely on the wind to carry them.

"Kazuha, you have a wind glider, right?" you ask him some day, while the two of you are looking out over the sea together.

Of course he understands what you are hinting at; the longing in your eyes when you watch the seagulls tells him all he needs to know.

He promises he'll teach you how to glide the next time you reach a suitable location, which isn't too long from then.

After Kazuha has agreed, you start to realize that soon, you are about to leap into the air and rely on the very same wind as the birds you admire, and a small seed of fear settles in your stomach.

They fly pretty high.

And indeed. A few days later, the peaks of Guyun Stone Forest appear on the horizon, and Kazuha appears next to you with his wind glider.

He instantly notices your tense demeanor as you glance between the wings and the tall cliffs, and he realizes you're pretty nervous.

"Y/N? Are you okay?" he asks, also reminding you that you don't have to do it if you don't want to. It was your idea after all, you have all the audacity to cancel the plan.

But you don't want to; the fact that you're a bit afraid is only more reason to do it, in your eyes. Now you not only want to experience the same freedom as the birds, but you also have a fear to face, right?

With Kazuha right by your side, you can do it.

Have the peaks of Guyun Stone Forest always been this high? In your memories, that's definitely not the case. They must have grown taller in the time you haven't been here.

Kazuha's wind glider feels heavy as you carry it with you, your bare feet taking you over the sandy shores as you look for a spot suitable to glide from. To say you regret suggesting the idea of learning to glide would be an exaggeration, but your palms are sweaty, knees weak, arms heavy. The nerves have taken over your body, or so it seems.

"Y/N," Kazuha calls out, lightly touching your upper arm to gain your attention. "It's brave of you to push through, and I really admire that. You can do it, okay?"

"Yeah," you flatly reply, your strained voice giving away that his words do little to nothing to reassure and calm you. The only way to get over this is by doing it.

It visibly bothers the ronin next to you, though. You fail to notice the way he purses his lips while observing your tense form, but he hates the fact that his words and ways to comfort you don't seem to do much.

"Look," he says after looking around for a bit. You find him pointing at a sloping hill, one where the drop from the ledge to the beach below isn't too deep. "Is that doable?"

You agree, and suddenly you are standing close to the edge. Your eyes are solely trained on Kazuha, who is standing on the sandy shore, an estimated fifty feet lower. Your heart is hammering in your chest, and your mouth feels awfully dry.

It's so high, but Kazuha will catch you.

Think of the birds you like so much, Y/N, he has told you, moments earlier before you separated. Think of the freedom they feel, the way they become one with the air that engulfs them. I'll be waiting for you.

So that's what you do.

You push the last bits of aversion away, taking in a deep breath before kicking your feet into the soil and taking the leap. For a moment you feel yourself floating, a fragment of a stillness you haven't experienced before, but then there's a strange pull in your stomach as you start falling down. You fight the upcoming surge of panic, stretching your arms as wide as you can while imagining the graceful flight of the nautical birds. There's a fluttering sound, and suddenly you feel utterly weightless. Panic becomes peace, and you almost cheer out loud.

Before you can even start worrying about the landing, a gust of wind softly wraps around you, decreasing the speed you lose altitude with. You smile brightly at Kazuha, who opens his arms wide and catches you in a warm hug that washes away all the tension you have built up beforehand.

You feel accomplished when the ronin tells you how proud he is of you, and you happily return the hug. You know you're one step closer to actually learning how to glide.

#genshin impact #genshin impact imagines #genshin impact drabbles #genshin impact headcanons #genshin impact xiao #genshin impact aether #genshin impact venti #genshin impact kazuha #xiao x reader #aether x reader #venti x reader #kazuha x reader #genshin impact scenarios #genshin impact x reader #anemo supremacy #4nemo #stan 4nemo y'all #zep.writes

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captaincryolicious · 3 years

Text

Train rides with him!

➳ Albedo, Xiao, Childe, Gorou (separatedly) x gn!reader

➳ Headcanons ; 1.4k

➳ Modern au + fluff ; No warnings

This is written while I was on the train to cure the boredom because sadly I don't have cute genshin guys to keep me company >.< I picked only a few characters because the train ride wasn't that long lol. [12.O8.2O22]

content under the cut | masterlist

➳ Albedo

Train rides with Albedo are super chill and enjoyable for various reasons.

It doesn't matter whether it's a ride that lasts 20 minutes or if you're on the train for 2 hours.

They aren't necessarily eventful, rather the opposite, but they are all but boring.

You two have a sort of tradition of visiting pretty places on days off when the weather is nice, so you often end up taking the train early in the morning on pleasant summer days.

Also random intermission lol but yeah modern Albedo really fits the paper cup of coffee aesthetics, like the ones you can get to-go on train stations.

So imagine him sipping on his drink as he sits opposite of you, smiling at you every time he feels your gaze on him.

Which is really often because Albedo is super pretty??

Mmm anyway, soft conversations about sometimes small things and sometimes it's Albedo talking about matters he is working on.

Meanwhile the train traverses the sunlit scenery bathing in the early morning light, and you lean your head against the window as you gaze outside, listening to the male's stories attentively.

He too steals a glance at the outside landscapes that pass by occasionally, but his eyes are on you most of the time regardless of the beauty of the scenery.

In his eyes, you are the most beautiful.

He loves the way you smile softly as you are immersed in whatever he tells you, he loves the way your eyes light up when you spot something outside that catches your interest, he loves the way you reply to his words and he just loves the way how your train rides together often become a moment of quiescence and peace, regardless of how many other passengers there are.

It's just you an him in a small bubble in the train compartment, with soft voices, tender gazes, gentle smiles and the scent of coffee and notebooks.

➳ Xiao

You and Xiao travel by train together a lot, mostly for school purposes but also on the more rare occasions you go out somewhere for entertainment in your free time.

It started of as vaguely knowing you both took the same train from and to your home but you never sat together until one day Xiao approached your seat, asking if he could sit with you. You were a bit surprised but still said yes.

You travel together since that day.

((Xiao, standing on the platform where your train departs from, eagerly looking around as he waits for you but trying to be discreet about it. He enjoys his train rides with you.))

((The way his amber eyes light up as soon as he sees you approaching him!!))

He is a quiet enjoyer, though.

Who insists on always taking the seat next to you and never the seat opposite of you.

Instead of talking avidly or seeking other forms of entertainment during your trips, he prefers just being close to you.

Sometimes really close as he finds himself leaning against you and resting his head on your shoulder with his eyes closed.

His excuse is either "I just woke up so I'm still sleepy" or "School tired me out, just let me sleep" when you ask him about it lol.

He just enjoys getting comfortable against you but it takes time for him to openly admit that to both himself and you.

His favorite thing? Sharing earbuds and listening together to the playlist you two made, consisting of both your favorite songs, while the landscape zooms by in a blur.

Sometimes the roles reverse and you rest your head on his shoulder and then he turns all soft and blushy because he finds it super cute. On special occasions he also leans his head against yours and imagine falling asleep like that?

Stressed bby when you end up missing your stop because of your shared little nap but you always reassure him that it's okay.

And it really is okay. Train rides with Xiao are the best things ever so you don't mind when you have an excuse to stay on board with him a little longer!

➳ Childe

Seats? Seats are for losers.

That's what he says at least.

It's late at night when you take the train with him, going back home after visiting the movie theater in a nearby city.

Where I live the trains are super empty as soon as midnight comes near, and around 1am you basically have the whole train to yourself.

For Childe that's a sign to abandon his seat and roam around the compartment freely because he's bored and doesn't feel like sitting still the entire time.

Don't worry he doesn't abandon you! He talks to you the entire time about this and that and other random things and occasionally walks by to poke at your cheek or shoulder with a chuckle.

In return, it's up to you to laugh every time the train takes a turn or accelerates or slows down and he loses his balance and struggles to maintain on his feet.

Eventually he convinces you to get up as well and you stroll around together while there is literally no other passengers so it's just you and him and he's holding your hand and it's kind of romantic now that he's holding your hand as the train speeds through the dark landscape with only some streetligths passing by every now and then.

Until the intercom system comes to live and you hear the voice of the train driver sounds through the low-quality speaker.

"Good evening, please remain seated throughout the ride. The train is not a place to goof around. Thank you."

Oh.

The look on Childe's face when the line closes with a creaking sound is hilarious to you.

It's a mixture between embarrassed and offended and you laugh as you pull the pouty male to sit with you in one of the empty seats closest to you.

He probably tells you that the driver is a boomer while he's at it lol.

As soon as the two of you get off the train, he refuses to walk past the cabin where the driver is seated because he's still embarrassed.

Yeah this totally didn't happen to me! It just radiated Childe vibes so I had to use it ajdjhd.

But Childe never learns, so events like this are a returning occurence, but it makes train rides fun and surprising.

➳ Gorou

Prepare for lots of spontaneous train rides!! I dunno I just feel like it fits him.

No destination, no goal, no purpose. You two just feel like doing something so why not take the train to travel around a bit to kill the boredom?

You sit super close to each other the entire ride, almost fitting in one seat together because Gorou is clingy and how can you resist his urge to stick close to you? He's adorable and having him near you like that always makes you smile!

Both of you are happy so it's a win-win right?

You're immersed in whatever happens on your or his phone screen, whether it's youtube or netflix or tiktok or a game of some sorts.

Yeah because that's what you often do.

Doing stuff others would do at home but you do it during train trips because why not?

Lots of laughs and giggles.

Okay fair is fair maybe some people get a bit irritated by it after a while but one look at you two being cute together makes them forget their complaints :)

Sometimes you just look outside at the passing landscape and talk about weird things you see people doing outside.

Until Gorou points out that you would totally do the same lol.

Earbuds are a myth between you because you spend most of the time talking or doing other things together.

When you're quiet, it's really quiet time, no music allowed but just enjoying your quality time together.

Yes, hear me out:

Having Gorou snuggled close to you as you sit in the corner of a compartment where no one really pays you any mind.

Bonus when he falls asleep against you.

Anyway you often miss your stop due to your habit of only paying attention to each other and abandoning everything else, but that doesn't really matter since you don't have a destination anyway.

Y/N and Gorou upon ending up in a town far away they've never even heard of to begin with:

"Nice."

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captaincryolicious · 3 years

Text

When Thunder Strikes

➳ Albedo, Childe, Xiao, Kaeya, Chongyun, Xingqiu (seperatedly) x gn!reader

➳ Headcanons ; 2.8k

➳ Fluff, comfort ; Thunderstorms

You are afraid of thunder, and a storm strikes when you happen to be with him. [O3.O6.2O21]

Zep's Note ; Featuring my favorite characters because this one is pretty self indulgent, not gonna lie. I am afraid of thunder and the majority of this is written while I was trying to distract myself during a thunderstorm.

content under the cut | masterlist

Albedo

You are out with Albedo for some in-the-field research, collecting data near Wolvendom.

The weather is perfect, offering you the ideal circumstances for said research; the sun is shining but it isn't too hot outside, and the soil is still moist after a summery shower earlier today.

You progress really quickly, finding samples of various subjects and being able to perform some on-location experiments and comparisons. The list of observations expands nicely and Albedo even expects your thesis to be proven true or false by the end of the day.

It's all good and well until you see dark clouds packing in the sky rapidly. In what seems like a blink of an eye, the sunny weather is long-gone, and you hear the thunder rolling in the distance.

Albedo is unfazed, and you too try to continue your part of the expedition, but the thunderstorm nears and you grow more and more nervous.

And then the first flash sharply illuminates Wolvendom and you freeze, heart hammering in your chest.

By the time the thunder shakes the ground, you too are shaking but with fear instead.

"Albedo?" you call out, and the alchemist can instantly tell by the pitch of your voice that something is off.

It's not too hard to add up one and two; he quickly realizes that it's the thunderstorm that scares you.

You two are a bit too far away from Mondstadt to go back, so he takes you to a rock formation that forms a small cave that will offer enough protection to wait for the storm to pass.

Recites a complete definition of thunder down to the last detail and talks about the science behind lightning along with some facts that do little to soothe your terror.

Not helping, Albedo..

The way his cool hands hold yours and his calm yet electric blue eyes looking at you with concern help you calm down though.

He might not be the best when it comes to offering consolation, but something about his usual demeanor makes his presence calming and soothing nevertheless. He's Albedo, and that's enough.

Stays with you in the cave even when the storm has long passed. He isn't going to ask you to resume your research until you're fully calm again, so he awaits your initiative.

Happy to see you relaxed and calm again when you go back outside once the sun comes out.

Childe

You and Childe are out in the wildlands of Liyue for some Fatui-related business.

Originally it's not even up to you to deal with matters such as these, but Childe refused help from any of his fellow harbingers and insisted for you to join him.

Something he does quite often.

The weather has been gloomy all day and you honestly didn't feel like going with him at all, having your suspicions about the upcoming thunderstorm, but Childe knew you couldn't say no to him when he gave you his most innocent puppy eyes.

So now you are walking next to him, away from one of the camps of his subordinates you just visited to retrieve some goods.

The dreary rain is already annoying enough, but when you hear the first rumble of thunder in the distance you are ready to evaporate.

You flinch, silently cursing his pretty ocean blue eyes.

Childe notices immediately.

The downside of a certain harbinger knowing you through and through; he can read you like a book.

Wait, let me rephrase that; sometimes it can work in your favor, but not when you try to hide something. For example, your fear of thunder.

He teases you, deadass.

"Aww, is my Y/N scared of thunder?"

Of course you ignore him, and again and again. As the thunderstorm draws closer, you grow more and more antsy, and that's when it clicks for Childe.

You were really scared.

He instantly regrets making fun of you, and quickly takes your hand in his securely, even squeezing reassuringly and apologizing multiple times.

The best option is to take you back to the Fatui camp, which he does. Once there, he deliberately ignores the confused faces of his subordinates and doesn't even bother to explain.

He ushers some skirmishers out of their tent and drags you inside, sitting down and pulling you in a cozy and protective side hug.

"Nothing's gonna happen, Y/N," he tells you.

Smiles in relief when he feels your body relaxing against his after a while, and rubs soothing circles on your back and shoulder every time you tense up again.

For what remains of the thunderstorm, he'd tell you stories about whatever comes to his mind, all while holding you close.

I'm a sucker for soft boy Childe.

Xiao

Xiao is a busy man, often out to fend off demons and sometimes disappearing for days on end.

Because of that, you make sure to enjoy the times he is at the Wangshu Inn, never knowing how long he's going to stay this time.

Spoiler alert: he's there way more often now because he wants to see a certain person you.

Thunder has been looming all day, the faint roar of thunder already audible in the distance for quite some time now.

Still, you decided to push your aversion aside and went up to the roof of the inn to spend time with Xiao on his favorite spot.

Now you are here, and while the view is stunning, you can only focus on the way the wind around you picks up and the sky darkens.

You try to distract yourself by tracing the outlines of the yaksha's tattoo with the pad of your index finger, but you still flinch sharply when a strike of lighting sears through the sky.

Xiao doesn't miss it, his amber eyes narrowed as he tears his gaze from the dark clouds to look at you. "Y/N?"

He doesn't get it; why do mortals fear something so common? And more importantly, why did you come up here when thunder was already approaching long before?

"I never asked you to be here," he replies when you tell him you just wanted to see him.

That's tsundere language for "Y/N, you don't have to conquer your fears just to see me. You could have asked me to come down."

You know him well enough to know that he often tends to come off unintentionally insensitive without meaning any harm, but with you already being on edge because of the thunderstorm it actually hurts a little for once.

His eyes widen once he sees the effect his words have on you, guilt washing over him.

Though he still doesn't understand why you are so afraid of a thunderstorm, he also sees that now isn't the time to fret about foolish antics of humans.

Picks you up bridal-style and swiftly jumps down from the roof when the storm increases even more, not wanting to see you cower in fear any longer. He made a promise to keep you safe and sound; a look of fear wasn't welcome on your face for as long as he was around.

Gives Verr Goldet a very confused look when she looks at the two of you with a smile, but he shrugs it off and takes you to a quiet corner.

Doesn't really know what to do, so he holds you close every time another strike of lightning makes you flinch and refuses to leave your side until the storm has passed – no matter how long it takes.

Kaeya

It's one of those days, where he has to do a lot of paperwork in his office.

Being cooped up inside all day drives him nuts so you were happy to offer him some company.

And distraction, probably.

The sunlight filtered through his windows tauntingly for the biggest part of the day, as if it was calling you to come outside.

Kaeya is lucky that you love him because missing out on such a sunny day didn't make you too happy.

Watching him be fully immersed in his work isn't too bad either, though. The look of utmost concentration on his face is quite a sight.

Sadly he is fully aware of your eyes on him, and he can't help but shoot you a quick wink every now and then.

Somewhere between your mindless staring and his flirty winks, the sun disappears behind a thick layer of cumulus, also bringing a sheen of darkness over the Cavalry Captain's office.

It's not long before the rain starts pouring down, and suddenly you no longer regret your decision to join Kaeya inside for a day.

It's actually kind of cozy, being inside the dimly lit office with the rain hammering on the windows.

To follow the mood, you decide to grab a book from his bookshelf, just to entertain yourself with for as long as the other is still focused on his work. Not that you are bored of looking at him, but his ego has been boosted enough for one day.

Completely out of nowhere, the Favonius' headquarters is shaken by a loud thunder crashing over the city of freedom.

You jump in fright, barely able to stop yourself from shrieking out loud. The book you just grabbed flies from your grip, tumbling to the floor and landing with a loud thud.

"Y/N?" Kaeya calls out, surprised by both the thunder and your reaction.

"Sorry!" you apologize, reaching out to pick up the book but flinching when a flash of lightning now paints the office.

Kaeya is a keen man, he instantly knows what's up and you can see it on his face.

You mentally prepare yourself for a round of teasing, but surprisingly he stays quiet and pushes his chair away from his desk.

"Come here," he says, patting his lap.

There's nothing smug about him when you approach him, practically jumping into his lap when another thunder roars outside.

Scoots back his chair into its original position, resuming his work with you perched on his lap safely.

Since your fear is rather harmless, Kaeya allows himself to find it cute, but he doesn't have it in him to tease you with it. Not now.

But then he decides that he likes this set-up, so even when the thunderstorm is long over, he refuses to let you get off his lap. Maybe his initial intentions were nice, but Kaeya is still Kaeya.

Chongyun

Chongyun has invited you to join him on a trip to Wuwang Hill. Recently there have been rumors related to ghosts and evil spirits there again and he really wanted to investigate.

You're quite skeptical, but somehow Chongyun's enthusiasm is contagious so every time you go with him, you end up partaking in his investigation as avidly as him.

Wuwang Hill kind of gives you the chills, but you know that if anything related to spirits really were to happen, the exorcist would chase them away in no-time.

That is, if his yang energy didn't do the job already.

The irony was bitter; the odds of running into a ghost on accident on your own were bigger than finding one on your ghost hunts with Chongyun. But it's okay, you're just happy to spend time with him.

Wuwang Hill has another terror in store for you, though. The air is murky and suffocating and nearly buzzing with tension already, something that doesn't forebode much good. Yet you still follow him.

Not a smart move, Y/N…

It's not a surprise that you're suddenly caught up in a thunderstorm, and the already spooky hill looks straight up haunted right now, with the blanket of darkness, the howling wind and roaring thunder. You are terrified.

Chongyun initially panics a little too, but he quickly composes himself and takes you to the most decent looking shelter in the rotten remains of an old village.

It's cold, and the sorry excuse of a shed does little to shield you from the ongoing storm.

He feels so bad; he's the one who invited you here and now he has no clue how to help you through this.

"Hey, uh, I know telling you not to be afraid is kind of pointless, but I'm right next to you and I'll protect you, okay?"

Severely underestimates his ability to comfort you; actually does a great job.

Holds your hands, absentmindedly plays with your fingers and smiles softly when you take over and fidget with his fingers instead. It was such a small thing but you were noticeably less tense now that you were focused on his hands.

Holding hands with Chongyun? Soft and cute and really wholesome just saying.

"Y/N? I think it's over."

But right when you avert your gaze from your connected hands to look up at the sky, another bolt of lightning cuts through the clouds and you flinch back.

"..Oh," Chongyun mutters, and the way he looked like a kicked puppy made you chuckle silently.

You snuggle up to him, and a hangout that was supposed to be a ghost hunt ends up in a small shed for a long time, waiting for the thunder to pass.

Xingqiu

Afternoons with Xingqiu are either extremely adventurous or super serene and relaxed, there is no in between.

Except that today, there kind of is.

You and Xingqiu are sprawled out on a colorful blanket in the shadow of a lush tree in Liyue Harbor.

Conveniently close to Wanmin Bookhouse, may I add.

There's a few piles of books around you, the byproduct of a sunny day filled with novels and live commentary on the wildest scenes.

You two often end up like this, which is no wonder.

Xingqiu is by far the most fervent book enthusiast you have ever met, and you don't know if there's anything more entertaining than to listen to Xingqiu's vivid commentary when he is totally immersed in a novel.

When it comes to that, today is no different. But today is about to become a bit more adventurous – and not in a good way for you.

You don't notice the birds falling silent over Xingqiu's excited voice, you miss how the sun disappears behind the clouds, too caught up in his long rant about a stupid decision the hero of his current novel made.

"I refuse to believe he willingly stepped into that smoldering portal, when it was so obviously a trap. He must have had a deeper noble reason to do so, but I'm afraid we're many volumes away from that revelation."

Only when the rumble of thunder traverses through the streets of the harbor, you hurry to your feet fight the urge to take a mad dash to the safe inside of a building.

Xingqiu knows all too well how much you hate thunderstorms. After all, you never passed the opportunity to point that out whenever a novel contained thunder.

As mischievous as he sometimes may be, right now he just collects his books and the blanket as quickly as he can before ushering you into the nearest teahouse.

This particular storm appears to be quite the savage one and you feel the floor shake underneath your feet. Needless to say, the warm tea Xingqiu bought you does little to nothing to soothe you.

So he tries something else.

At first you thought that Xingqiu reciting the wildest passages regarding thunder he has ever read in his novels would only make things worse.

I mean, he's talking about a thunderstorm while you are cowering in fear because of a thunderstorm.

But this young lad is a genius, maybe even unintentionally so. Soon, you find yourself listening to him talking animatedly, blocking out the sounds of thunder outside. He even gets you to laugh a few times, and he will smugly use this against the next person who calls reading a waste of time.

"And that's where I'll end it for now," Xingqiu concludes, flashing you a grin. "By the way, Y/N, did you know the storm ceased around half an hour ago? We can go back outside if you want."

It will forever remain a mystery to you how he so expertly managed to distract you that you forgot about an entire thunderstorm going on outside.

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captaincryolicious · 3 years

Text

Goodnight, dear Yaksha

➳ Xiao x gn!reader

➳ Drabble ; 0.9k

➳ Fluff ; No warnings

Adepti don't need sleep, he often said, but he is willing to rethink that statement when he's in your arms tonight. [O8.O7.2O21]

Zep's Note ; Spontaneously written in under an hour of time because loving Xiao hours suddenly kicked in really hard.

content under the cut | masterlist

It was one of those nights where Xiao had come to the Wangshu Inn with the sole purpose of meeting you there.

No evil to disperse, no demons to conquer, no darkness to fend off. Peace had fallen over the land of Liyue tonight, something the yaksha had fought for with all he had.

The slightest trace of harm could whisk him away at any moment, for his duty was something he was bound to forever, so Xiao had outdone himself to eradicate even the slightest risks of a growing threat just so he could spend some time with you without evil disturbing the moment you both craved for.

He would never tell you that.

For all you knew, tonight just so happened to be peaceful by coincidence, meaning your beloved adeptus could spare you some hours.

You didn't know how he had fought for it with much vigor, with your soft smile and loving eyes on his mind as he sent evil to perish all around him. You had no idea how he had brought demise among the demons while your warm embrace was all he thought of. You would never know how the pain that came with the sole purpose of his life grew even more intense as he showed no mercy to the enemies of peace, all for him to find that little moment of bliss with his lover.

But meeting up with you at the Inn knowing there was no evil left to stir awake and call him away was all worth it.

He basked in the warmth of your smile as he landed in front of you on the upper balcony on the roof, and he dismissed his jade spear in a burst of bright particles so his hand was free to take yours.

The palm of your hand and the pads of your fingertips were cold against his skin, and a frown fell upon his face when your breath came out in thin clouds.

"Y/N, I told you not to wait for me here when it's cold," he scolded you, worry etched in his gaze as he looked at you sternly. "You know I can never foresee or guarantee my arrival."

Your apology that followed was quiet and tender, and Xiao's demeanor was quick to soften a little. Why was it that a frown was never there to last long when you were around? He didn't have it in him to stay mad at you even the slightest. The adeptus pursed his lips, averting his gaze before he would get too warm and fuzzy on the inside.

But the sweet warmth that enveloped around him also reminded him that getting you to warm up again was his main priority now, and he gently tugged on your arm to bring you inside while muttering something along the lines of foolish humans – a phrase that always seemed to surface whenever he was worried about you for one reason or another.

Despite everything, the fact that you waited for him secretly brought the yaksha a sense of joy, the feeling that he now had a home to return to.

It was upon reaching your room at the Inn that Xiao finally came to realize that you truly waited for him until far after the midnight hour, and the dimmed lights revealed your sleepy demeanor. Heavy-lidded eyes, a tired smile playing on your lips; you really had to sleep. Why did you wait for him at the cost of your own night's rest?

He asked you, and his breath halted for a moment when you told him you wanted to fall asleep with him by your side, and wished for him to get some blissful sleep as well. God, you were so precious to him.

Still, he crossed his arms in front of his chest and tore his eyes from your figure, inexperienced and unsure how to act in moments warm and loving.

"How often do I have to remind you that adepti don't need sleep?" he muttered, forcing out a small huff.

Deep inside, he found himself not at all appalled by the idea, but it was too late. He had already turned down your offer in a rather harsh tone, his chance was missed.

Except it wasn't.

You could read him so well, understood the secret yearning in his solemn amber eyes. Your hand, now warm, gently took a hold of his. You had seen the yes in his eyes despite the no he had spoken, allowing him a moment of bliss he thought he had wasted.

The sore muscles, the cuts and bruises, all the injuries of tonight he had skilfully kept hidden from you – they lost their significance as you drew him closer to you under the soft blankets of your bed. His tense body finally relaxed, and the adeptus melted against you with a sigh of relief escaping his lips. The everlasting urge to remain strong ceased, and he curled up against you in a fetal position.

Your arms were around him in an embrace that reminded him of a home he never had. You were his safe place, his sanctuary, his happiness in the misery that often tore him apart. With you, he could be Xiao instead of the vigilant yaksha or the conqueror of demons or however people in need heralded him.

Adepti don't need sleep, he often said, but his eyes fluttered closed as he nuzzled closer to you and his breathing evened to a calm and steady rising and falling of his chest, as slumber fell over Xiao for the first time in a long while.

"Goodnight, my dear yaksha," you quietly whispered, soft strands of his raven hair brushing against your lips as you gingerly kissed the top of his head.

But your words drifted aimlessly over the adeptus' sleeping form, as he was for once utterly surrounded by the peace he so much deserved.

#genshin impact #genshin impact imagines #genshin impact fanfiction #genshin impact scenarios #genshin impact imagine #genshin impact x reader #genshin impact xiao x reader #genshin impact xiao #genshin impact xiao imagine #xiao imagine #xiao #xiao x y/n #xiao x reader #xiao x you #zep.writes

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captaincryolicious · 3 years

Text

3.04 am

midnight seven-eleven dates with modern au xiao would be an often reoccuring event.

mention of energy drinks & kissing.

it always amazed you how even in the deepest of the night, summer could still make its presence so clear. the sky was pitch black, and yet it wasn't cold at all. on the contrary, the gentle summer breeze that pulled over the empty streets was quite warm and soothing.

you sat on a brick wall, illuminated by the neon lights of the flickering seven-eleven logo. the soft buzz that resonated every time the lights blinked used to be something that always got on your nerves, but over time you got so used to it to a point where you barely heard it anymore. yet, now that you sat there on your own, your attention drifted back to the sound for a minute. until the bell above the store's door rang, signaling the exit of the person you were waiting for.

"hey," the male greeted you, pulling off his hood to reveal the streaks of teal in his raven hair you adored so much. "i'm back. got you the usual."

xiao handed you the snacks he had bought for you before he swiftly jumped onto the brick wall to sit down next to you. you instantly leaned against him comfortably, and the action softened the look in his tired amber eyes.

"thanks, xiao," you smiled, tugging on the ring pull to open the can of monster energy the male had gotten you.

maybe it didn't really make sense to drink this stuff at three in the morning, but a lot about your current situation made no sense, so it was fine.

the sweet scent of the drink filled the midnight air, and you inhaled before taking a sip. the male had bought you your favorite flavor, like he always did during your nightly dates outside of the neighborhood seven-eleven. xiao resorted to regular, while you always opted for pipeline punch.

oh, that reminded you of something.

"didn't you say last time that you wanted to try pipeline punch?" you asked your boyfriend, lightly shaking the pale pink can in your hand for emphasis.

"i did," xiao hummed. "i just didn't buy it."

you chuckled, taking another sip before handing your drink to the raven-haired male next to you.

"here, try it. i bet you'll like it."

he looked at the can in your outstretched hand for a moment, seemingly thinking about something. then he took it from you, but instead of taking a sip he set it down next to him.

you tilted your head in confusion, but that worked perfectly in xiao's favor. he brought his hand to rest against your cheek gently, his fingertips cold against your skin after carrying the cold monster cans he bought. the neon lights flickered off when he pressed his lips against yours, and the static noise they emitted was a very accurate representation of your mind when you felt xiao's tongue sweeping over your lower lip.

your eyes fluttered close as you savored the lingering kiss, loving the way xiao's lips moved against yours in a leisurely pace, gentle but with enough pressure to not let a single drop of the flavor that coated your lips go to waste. the occasional swipe of his tongue over your lips had your heart doing somersaults in your chest, and you allowed yourself to get lost in the explosion of warmth and sweetness that happened in the darkness of the night.

"xiao–" you uttered as soon as the male pulled back. he usually wasn't one to initiate things like this, let alone so boldly. you weren't complaining but god, it took you by surprise.

he simply looked at you, his amber eyes solemn but the faint traces of a grin on his lips.

"what?" he asked nonchalantly, but a rare tinge of amusement was laced in his voice as he handed the pale pink can of energy back to you. "that was a better way of tasting your favorite drink."

but then realization of what he had just done seemed to dawn upon him, and his eyes widened before he pulled up his hood and averted his gaze with a small huff.

"aaand?" you pried teasingly. "how was it?"

even in the dark, you knew his cheeks were dusted a soft shade of pink by now, as happened so often when the two of you were together. you found it adorable, how someone with such a cold and distant demeanor was actually so shy and soft underneath that mask.

"uh, it was nice," xiao replied, still refusing to look up. "i can see why it's your favorite, i think."

you chuckled softly at his words, and inched closer to your boyfriend to make yourself comfortable against him once more.

"you should try it more often, then."

"might take you up on that," the male answered, finally opening his own can of regular and taking a sip.

the two of you stayed there for a while longer, enjoying each other's company on a pleasant summer night, bathing in the neon lights and the scent of your favorite drinks.

#genshin impact #genshin impact imagines #genshin impact scenarios #genshin impact fanfiction #genshin impact imagine #genshin impact x reader #genshin impact xiao x reader #genshin impact xiao #genshin impact reader insert #xiao x reader #xiao imagines #xiao x you #xiao x y/n #gn reader #zep.writes

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captaincryolicious · 3 years

Text

Say You Love Me

➳ Xiao x gn!reader

➳ Oneshot ; 1.4k

➳ Angst, hurt to comfort

➳ Inspired by ; TXT – 0X1 = LOVESONG (yes because many parts of the lyrics remind me of Xiao)

It's one of those days again, where the violent peaks in the adeptus' karma become too much to bear on his own. In his moment of despair, he finds himself calling out your name. [19.O6.2O21]

Zep's Note ; Xiao's backstory broke my heart and it still didn't heal </3. I know he's merely fictional, but he deserves the whole entire world and I wish I could end his suffering and make him happy :(

content under the cut | masterlist

You didn't know why, you didn't know how. You were simply enjoying a cup of black tea in your favorite teahouse in Liyue Harbor when a hand of cold steel had taken a hold of your heart, and you knew something was wrong.

Without even so much as a fragment of hesitation, you left some mora on your table near the window and abandoned your barely-touched tea as you exited the place in a rush of restless concern. There wasn't much rational thinking going on in your mind, mostly because your thoughts were blank and it was merely your instincts that told you it wasn't right.

There was just one coherent word perpetually repeated in your slightly confused yet worried mind; Xiao.

Your feet had a will of their own as they brought you through the streets of the port city, it was as if your body knew exactly where to go and what to do while your mind didn't quite follow yet. All you had was a feeling, a seed of distress that had settled in your gut stubbornly and directed you to what was hopefully the right place. You were quite certain it had something to do with your beloved adeptus, and the more you grasped onto that thought, the more you started to realize what could possibly be wrong.

You had to hurry.

By now you were running, leaving the streets of Liyue Harbor behind and venturing into the wilderness surrounding the city. Maybe it was your imagination that was clouded with worry, but it was as if a magnetic force was pulling you into a certain direction and you could only hope it was correct. You would never forgive yourself if it wasn't, if your feeling guided you to the wrong place, if you wouldn't be able to find and help Xiao, if you –

No, you weren't going to be too late.

Your lungs were burning at this point, every inch of your body begging you to stop. Not yet, not yet, you pleaded to yourself. You were close, Xiao was near you and you could feel it in your entire being. It started to come together now that you found yourself in the vicinity of the old run-down shrine not too far from the harbor.

"Y/N," echoed over the plains weakly, and your heartbeat stilled for a moment as the voice reached your ears, familiar and – regretfully – evenly familiarly strained.

You ran, making a dire call on the last remnants of your stamina to push through in order to reach your deeply troubled lover. You had yet to understand why you always seemed to sense Xiao's suffering, but it had often brought you to him when he needed you the most and you were incredibly grateful for the, let's say, sixth sense you had.

"Xiao!" you called, ultimately spotting the male hunched over on the ground in the old shrine, barely able to sit up against the forgotten statue of a fallen adeptus. His jade spear was a few feet away from him, covered in dust and shards of stone.

Your heart wrenched in pain at the sight, and you wasted no time to approach him and crouch down on the rough soil right by his side, barely noticing the debris scraping your knees. His eyes were shut tightly as you took him in your arms, pulling his trembling form against your chest that would hopefully offer him some comfort, even if it was just a little.

"Y/N," he breathed, his fingers gripping onto the fabric of your shirt as if you were all he had, as if he was afraid that you would leave again, as if you were his only light left in the darkness that consumed him.

No words were needed for you to understand what he was going through, just one glance had you knowing all you needed to know. The yaksha was sweating profusely, surges of sharp pain and terror racking his body and a thick black fog crawling around you threateningly, like vultures waiting to devour their dying prey. The karma he was burdened with was a presence lurking perpetually, but on days where it became unbearable, it had him tearing at the seams.

"Xiao, I'm here," you whispered softly, running your hand over the tense muscles in his back soothingly. "You're not alone anymore, it's all good now."

You knew it wasn't, and so did he. His internal battles with his karmic debts were everlasting for as long as he lived, and his immortality rested on his shoulders heavily as a curse.

But your words also held some truth, something that wasn't just a hollow consolation to offer some empty comfort. He truly wasn't alone anymore, and even though you could do nothing to ease his heavy burden, you could offer him your warmth and love every time his world froze over once more.

"...'s too much," the adeptus growled, breathing heavily. He was hot and feverish, weak and exhausted. His eyes were dull and tired when he finally looked at you, damp hair sticking to the sheen of sweat on his forehead.

It wasn't a rare sight to see Xiao like this, but rather a sight you had to witness too often, and you knew you would never get used to it.

Everyone thought of the vigilant yaksha as cold and emotionless, indifferent and invincible, almost taking his guard over Liyue and its people for granted. Yet here he was, your arms that were around him all that kept him from fully breaking apart in his most vulnerable state.

"I know," you agreed quietly, because there was no use in telling him otherwise. These phases were torture in its rawest form, leaving him with a pain that couldn't be described with the words available in the human language.

"But remember one thing, Xiao," you continued, brushing some loose strands of hair away from his eyes tenderly. "You are stronger than the darkness, you are better than the darkness. The past is in the past, and the person you have become is a hero loved and appreciated by many. I know you don't believe in your own light, so please let me be your light to guide you through the shadows, okay?"

Words were just words, and you knew that all too well. You couldn't relieve Xiao from his misery, but you still had become his okay when nothing else was okay anymore. He had let you see through his strong facade so quickly, he loved you, needed you, and that alone was enough to grant you the power to save him in his darkest moments.

His life before you was a mess. Loneliness and sorrow were gnawing at him, the darkness around him weaving a web that seemed impossible to escape from. But he had found his guiding light, his motivation to endure the pain, his reason to fight the demons in his mind and come back even stronger than before.

It was all you.

"Y/N," he brought out, slowly letting go of your shirt and draping his arms over your shoulders. He looked at you earnestly, his hazy amber eyes still barely able to focus on you properly. Dried tears had left trails on his cheeks, and you softly reached out to wipe them off.

He slightly leaned into your touch, his gaze not leaving yours. His body shook when another wave of pain surged through his being, and he furrowed his brows.

"Y/N, say you love me," he begged hoarsely.

Oh, he knew you loved him, just like you knew he loved you. But hearing you speak those three words out loud never failed to ignite a spark of hope and warmth in his heart, and not even the strongest peaks in his karmic debt could take that away from him.

"Xiao," you started, properly cupping his cheeks this time. "I love you."

After that you brought him closer, and his crumbling world was whole again when your lips touched his. It was warm, it was safe, and the yaksha finally found it in him to relax. You felt it too, and relief washed over you as you smiled into the kiss.

You were glad you got to meet the yaksha, on that fateful night many months ago. You were his, he was yours, and together you could conquer the shadows.

Xiao protected the land of Liyue.

And you protected him.

#genshin impact #genshin impact imagine #genshin impact drabble #genshin impact fanfiction #genshin impact x reader #genshin impact scenario #genshin impact angst #genshin impact xiao #xiao x reader #xiao x you #xiao x y/n #xiao angst #xiao imagine #xiao oneshot #xiao drabble #zep.writes #genshin impact imagines #genshin impact reader insert

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captaincryolicious · 3 years

Text

Short Circuit

➳ Tohma x gn!reader

➳ Oneshot ; 2.1k

➳ Modern au, established relationship ; Foul play in a game, kissing gets heated but not too extreme I think?

It was impossible to beat Tohma in Mario Kart using fair play, but you had a little idea to reclaim your first place. [14.O8.2O21]

Zep's Note ; This is inspired by a scene in a book I posted on wattpad years ago, just putting that out here in case someone recognizes it and thinks I'm plagiarizing. I just had to write something like that for Tohma, and I would say I have the audacity to re-use my own ideas, right?

content under the cut | masterlist

Who would have thought that Tohma was so stupidly good at Mario Kart?

Frankly, you were quite confident in your own racing abilities, and you always ended up being the first to cross the finish line every time you booted up your Nintendo Wii and challenged your friends for a few laps. Now you got yourself a boyfriend, and your never-ending victory streak was crushed abruptly. You were good at Mario Kart, but Tohma was just slightly better and it showed in the way he finished barely a heartbeat before you came in second.

You raced through map after map; Mushroom Gorge, Moonview Highway, Maple Treeway, it really didn't matter which map you chose, he won them all with ease and you didn't stand a single chance.

"Baby, I thought you said you were so good at this game?" the blond male teased you, tossing his controller on the mattress to take a sip of his drink while the final ranking appeared on the tv.

"I am," you countered, burying your hand in the bag of Doritos next to you and fighting the urge to toss some nacho cheese triangles to your lover to wipe the smug grin off his face. "I literally hit the finish line a split second after you, you–"

You swallowed your words and sighed. It wasn't your intention to start acting petty, but suddenly getting defeated over and over again in something that used to be something you were the best at was slightly frustrating, you found out. Especially when the clock on the wall told you that you had been playing for over an hour already, and in all that time you didn't achieve a single victory. No, this wasn't fun anymore, Tohma was too good, losing every damn time was getting old, you saw no chances of defeating him, and you were more than ready to accept your loss and quit the game.

Yet, there was a little voice in the back of your head, telling you not to surrender until you reached the spot in the rankings that used to be yours in the past. You looked at Tohma, who was patiently waiting for you to agree or disagree on another round of racing. Obviously, you couldn't beat him with fair play. You tried, you really tried, but the closest you got was the everlasting second place you were now stuck with.

Maybe switching up your tactics was a good idea.

"Okay, let's go another round," you nodded, multiple ideas brimming in your mind already.

"That's my Y/N," Tohma grinned, ruffling your hair and placing a kiss on your temple before grabbing his controller to set up the game for a new round.

150cc, cpu on easy, all items, six races, map chosen randomly. Those were your default settings, but you somehow still knew this was going to be your round. You just wanted to come in first, even if it was just once. Maybe it was really you being petty, but you deserved a victory too, right?

Several races passed by, and you speeded through the maps on his heels. Toad Factory, Rainbow Road, Wario's Goldmine, they all ended in the same result, and you were waiting patiently for your moment to strike while enduring Tohma's cheers of victory after every circuit you finished.

But then you recognized the decor of Delfino Square, your favorite map. That had to be your race; there was no way you were allowing your lover to be victorious on your favorite map. The little idea you had been quietly brooding on since the end of the previous round was about to be executed.

You shifted, gripping the controller a little tighter. Of course the male next to you noticed the way your demeanor was laced with determination now, and he gave you an amused look.

"Oh? Is my dear Y/N going for it now?" he asked, arching a brow.

"You bet I am," you nodded, finally offering your boyfriend a smile. Oh, he had no idea what was awaiting him.

"Bring it on, babe," he challenged you, also shifting his position to a more convenient one for the battle that was about to commence. "May the best racer win."

You held back a snort. It was obvious who was the best racer here, but he wasn't going to win this time. No, you weren't going to accept defeat on your favorite circuit.

The roaring of digital engines filled the bedroom, accompanied by the symphony of cheerful music that came with the map. Banana peels were everywhere, there was a ballet of red and green shells going on, your vision got obscured by squid ink twice, but through the madness you managed to stay second throughout the first two laps. The third lap began as soon as you hit the finish line, and Tohma was a good bit ahead of you as a result of all the red shells that had hit you from behind. The music sped up, and so did your heartbeat.

It was time for your plan.

The male next to you was blissfully unaware of your upcoming actions as you scooted over to him, eyes never leaving the tv in front of you as you skillfully kept Luigi on the road. Tohma was lying flat on his stomach, tongue poking between his lips as he was completely focused on the match. He didn't notice how you were getting closer and closer, carefully so the mattress wouldn't move.

So you attacked.

In one swift motion, you pushed yourself off the bed and sat down on Tohma's lower back, your legs slotted on each side of the male's hips as you straddled him. A sound of surprise spilled from his lips and you watched in utter satisfaction how Mario spun out of control while you somewhat managed to keep Luigi on-track.

You couldn't help the laugh that bubbled up from your throat, and you beamed when the glorious moment of driving past Mario was there.

"Ha, look who's stuck in the mud now," you grinned, and for the first time since booting up Mario Kart that day you felt victorious.

But it didn't last long.

"Oh?" Tohma hummed, tossing his controller away without even bothering to pause the game. He propped himself up on his elbows and got on all four, making the way you tumbled backward inevitable. Your back landed on the soft mattress, but you barely had time to gasp in surprise before he hovered over you and pinned you down by your wrists. His voice lowered, and his green eyes shimmered when he smirked down at you. "Looks like you're stuck now too, Y/N."

You swallowed nervously because indeed, you were stuck and there was no way out. It was the one very downside of your plan, a mistake you realized only when it was already too late. Utterly focused on victory, you forgot to consider the consequences, and now Tohma had you trapped against the mattress.

"I hope you are aware that this is considered cheating, darling," he spoke slowly and tauntingly. "Don't you think an apology is in place now?"

"I-I'm sorry?" you tried without too much effort, gazing up at the man above you with an innocent smile. Your voice betrayed you, and you tried your hardest to keep your cool when his eyes fell upon your lips and lingered there a second too long.

"You sure? I'm not entirely convinced," the blonde mused, pretending to give your apology some thought before he shook his head. "Not accepted, baby, but allow me to make a suggestion for an apology I deem fitting."

Archons, it wasn't hard to guess what was on his mind when he gazed down on you like that, his eyes never leaving yours as a light grin danced on his lips. You nodded, and Tohma let go of your wrists when he lowered himself, planting his arms on each side of your face as he leaned in, his hot breath fanning your lips teasingly before he got rid of the last distance completely.

Your heartbeat was on par with the sped-up hyperactive music that still resonated from the speakers, and your mind snapped into a short circuit when your lover kissed you eagerly. Instantly, one of your hands flew to his nape where you sought for much-needed support, while the other buried into his blonde locks. You tilted your head to his favor, kissing him back with an eagerness that matched his. His kisses never failed to awaken a string of sparks to fly between you, and the temperature in the room rose quickly. The world had stopped spinning, all and everything revolving around Tohma as his soft lips moved against yours with much vigor.

You were utterly trapped underneath him, one of his knees resting between your thighs and his arms caging your face and his body so close to yours that escaping was impossible. But escape was no longer a wish of yours, and you were naught but eager to meet his electrifying touch.

His kisses grew in passion, the way he moved against your lips more fervent and willing. You were simply expecting to be the first to cross the finish line after executing your little plan, but this was an even better prize, to have his lips heavenly tasting yours. Your mind went blank when his tongue darted out to meet yours, and you willingly accepted the rapid deepening of the kiss you shared.

It was fire – literally so, in your experience. Every movement of his talented lips against yours, every collision of your tongues, they set ablaze a wildfire that had you begging for more. And he willingly gave you more, his passion unwavering until a strangled sound of pleasure arose from your throat. It was as if Tohma snapped out of his little daze, the frivolous flames diminishing to mere sparks.

"I do not condone foul play, Y/N," he whispered, barely pulling back so his words ghosted over your lips tauntingly. "Please don't do that again."

You shuddered, fighting the urge to lean in and capture him in yet another kiss. Instead, you shot him a grin, looking at him defiantly.

"You make it really tempting, Tohma," you told him, voice still breathless as you carded your fingers through his blonde hair before you let go. "I can't make any promises."

With his cheeks flushed red, the male chuckled. He got up slowly, pressing one last kiss to the tip of your nose before sitting down next to you. The mattress shifted as he moved around to grab the Wii remote, and he lightly wacked your shoulder with the controller.

"You're a handful, Y/N," he sighed, finally properly closing the game and shutting down the Nintendo console. Silence fell over the room, the frantic upbeat melody of Delfino Square dissolving and leaving behind a quietness that was like peace to your ears. Now all you heard was your erratic heartbeat and Tohma's uneven breathing as he flopped down next to you, taking your hand in his.

"I know," you admitted with a soft giggle. "Am I supposed to say sorry now?"

"Nah, you have better ways to apologize," your boyfriend pointed out, turning his head to the side to look at you teasingly. "Right, babe?"

You let out a soft laugh, moving closer and leaning in to press a quick kiss on the blonde's lips, because you knew him well enough to know he was indirectly asking for exactly that.

"Right," you answered, tossing away the other controller that rested on the mattress between you two and snuggling closer to the male. "Makes me want to say sorry more often."

Honestly, who would have thought that an afternoon of playing Mario Kart on your old Nintendo would end up in this? You had already expected this day to end with take-out and followed by even more hours of avid gaming – which you would have enjoyed as well – but instead you were huddled close to your boyfriend, the thin material of his shirt doing nothing to hide his heartbeat that was as fast-paced as yours. Not a bad turn of events, huh? Maybe you should really cheat during Mario Kart more often. After all, Tohma's lips were a better reward than a golden cup built from pixels could ever be.

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captaincryolicious · 3 years

Text

Conqueror of Crabs

➳ Xiao x gn!reader

➳ Oneshot ; 3.2k

➳ Fluff, kinda comedy (it's not as much of a crack fic as the title probably implies!) ; Brief mention of animals being collected for food, no elaboration on it.

Your usual nightly activity took an unexpected turn when a certain dashing adeptus decided to join you. [O6.O6.2O21]

Zep's Note ; Lol don't ask, being ar55 brought me to the point where catching crabs became a regular way of passing time for me while I wait for my resin to replenish. That being said, I have no idea why I thought writing a scenario based on that was a good idea but here we go.

content under the cut | masterlist

The cool summer evening had been too tempting for you to stay within the confinements of your room any longer. You didn’t care about the sun already being low on the horizon, nor did you care about the sapphire night falling over the land completely soon. Today had been one of those searing hot summer days where merely being outside was already uncomfortable enough, so you had resorted to staying cooped up inside your house all day long, sprawled out on your bed while moving as little as possible. Needless to say, it drove you quite frustrated, so you were gone as soon as you deemed it cool enough outside.

You found yourself wandering off to one of the sandy shores just outside of the harbor city you lived in. The soft sand was still slightly warm underneath your bare feet, not all that unpleasant as you sneaked over the beach with tentative steps.

It was probably quite an odd sight to others; a silhouette creeping over the beach under the pale moonlight. Maybe it would even alarm some people, were anyone around to see you. But you meant no harm, not to people at least.

Crabs, however, were less lucky.

Slowly and cautiously, you approached an exceptionally large one that scurried just out of reach of the waves that rolled ashore continuously. It was an ocean crab, and its blue exoskeleton was hard to miss even in the pale light of the moon. You took a moment to observe its movements before you skillfully plucked it off the beach in a swift motion. It wasn't hard to see that this was a good one, and Chef Mao would definitely be happy with it.

You walked over to a basket you had brought with you for exactly this purpose, and you gently placed the newcaught crab next to the others before walking off again.

You knew catching crabs at night was a strange thing to do. At least that was what you assumed since you never ran into anyone doing the same. But it was entertaining and you got a nice bonus if you delivered them to Chef Mao in Liyue Harbor. A win-win situation, you'd say.

A quick count of the numbers of crabs in your basket made you hum in satisfaction. You had collected eleven crabs and you only just started. Around twenty seemed like a decent goal for today; you had brought a smaller basket and you didn't want your crabs to spend their last moments in a space that was way too tight and too crowded to move properly. They might have been caught for food purposes, but that didn't mean you could treat them as rubbish.

"Oh, it's you."

The sudden voice coming from behind you literally out of nowhere startled you greatly, fright gripping around your chest as you nearly stumbled over your basket. It took you a second before you had it in you to turn around, but when you finally did you breathed out in relief.

It almost sounded like the yaksha was disappointed to find you there, but over time you got to know him well enough to know that he – probably, or hopefully – didn't mean it like that. At least that's what his amber eyes told you, not holding the slightest hint of malice as he looked at you.

"Xiao, you scared me," you sighed, voice still a little shaky. "It's not the best idea to sneak up behind people like that."

"I saw someone roaming the beach so I went to take a look," the male explained, not looking the tiniest bit sorry for his shocking appearance that had disrupted your peace. "I wanted to make sure no harm was caused."

"Rest easy, I have no evil plans," you reassured Xiao, even though he already knew you were as evil as the first and best sweet flower growing under a tree – not evil at all.

"I know."

He seemed disinterested already, now that the potential danger had proven to be a false alarm, mindlessly stirring the sand with the jade tassel of his spear. Back in the days, you would have feared that he was bored of you, but Xiao was an individual with a manual and it took time to figure him out. Now you knew better; if the dashing adeptus was really bored of you, he'd leave instantly, not even bothering to stick around you any longer than necessary. Right now he seemingly had no plans to disappear, lingering around with the usual frown present on his face.

"What are you doing here?" he asked after a moment of silence.

Silence was a regular occurence between the two of you, mostly because Xiao was an enigma, unpredictable and capricious. Some days he was closed-off, and his pent-up frustrations would make him irritable and snappy. Some days he was more open and easier to approach, less tense and more welcoming to the attention you gave him – and gradually more often, even willing to receive and return bits and pieces of affection.

You always waited for Xiao to let you know how he felt that day, to make sure you approached him in a manner that was okay for him at that very moment.

"Catching crabs," you simply replied, deciding that his mood was good enough now that he showed interest in what you were doing. "That's all."

"Mortals have peculiar ways of passing time," Xiao commented with a slight frown, his amber eyes flitting to a crab that hastily scurried past his feet.

You watched the same crab with narrowed eyes, torn between catching it – which came with the risk of knocking Xiao off his feet, something he definitely wouldn't appreciate – or letting this one escape. With a small sigh, you decided on the latter, and shrugged your shoulders.

"It's fun to do." Regretfully, you saw how the crab buried itself in the sand, disappearing from your view. "Plus, I get free meals if I deliver them to the Wanmin Restaurant."

"And that can't be done during the safer hours of daytime?" the other inquired, now glancing up at you with the frown still present on his face. "Deserted places like this aren't safe to be on your own after midnight."

"Crabs are more active at night," you reasoned, even though you had no idea whether it was true or not – it sounded credible enough. "And I'm not alone anymore, right?"

You instantly wanted to swallow your words upon seeing Xiao's perpetually unreadable expression. You awkwardly shifted your weight to the ball of your feet, grinning sheepishly. "Uh– I mean, how often did I prove already that I'm perfectly capable of fending for myself?"

"That's not the point," the yaksha growled. "I know you can protect yourself from some mere treasure hoarders or hilichurls, but what if you're faced with a danger bigger than you can disperse?"

The chances of that happening were really slim. Not many evil entities dared to get this close to Liyue Harbor, where it bustled with Millelith on patrol after dusk. Pure and true evil carded in a web of thorough plans and strict preparations saw no value in merely a person catching crabs, and those who would attack and rob a lonely commoner were likely to be evenly common thieves. Nothing you wouldn't be able to handle.

"Alright, just let me catch a few more and I'll go home," you reassured him, still planning to reach your goal tonight.

"So stubborn," Xiao sighed, giving you a bored look. "Please hurry, I'll escort you home when you're done."

His words caught you by surprise. The adeptus was going to stay with you on the beach, watching over you while you were catching crabs? Xiao was willing to spend this serene night under the radiant moonlight with you? So rarely did that happen, for he was a restless and disturbed soul who felt estranged from the quiescent moments life had to offer.

You know he stayed just to protect you, a matter he saw as a duty. Nevertheless you were happy. Maybe you could bring him a moment of peace, if he was willing to let you.

"Xiao, would you mind lending me a hand?" you asked, looking at the yaksha innocently. "That way, we'll be done in no time."

"Look, I'm here to make sure nothing will harm you," Xiao replied gruffly, folding his arms in front of his chest. "I have no intention of partaking in activities such as these."

You were expecting that; of course the male would deny anything close to the definition of fun. He was looking at you expectantly, the look in his amber eyes unfathomable as he awaited your next move. His foot tapped an impatient rhythm on the sand, and an idea formed in your mind.

"Xiao," you started. "What if a crab attacks me?"

If you had read him correctly, he was willing to be with you right now. Tolerating of your antics, of your wish to get his attention. He was here, openly refusing to leave you alone on the beach. You were positive that you could convince the yaksha to join you. It wasn't even about reaching your set goal of crabs anymore; you just wanted Xiao to indulge in something lighthearted for once.

"Fine," Xiao grumbled, unfolding his arms and placing his hands on hips instead. "What do you want me to do?"

Despite his tough act, you could tell he wasn't all too opposed to the idea of helping you. His demeanor might have been a bit grumpy, but the look in his eyes had softened significantly as he silently awaited your orders.

"Just help me catch the last few crabs," you shrugged. "I don't need many since I don't want my basket to be too full."

The way Xiao looked absolutely appalled by the idea almost made you snort with laughter. You knew very well that his sour expression of mild disgust simply served as a mask for his more vulnerable emotions to be hidden, and you figured the yaksha was just slightly confused, unsure how to start the mission of catching crabs. It most likely wasn't something he had done before.

"It's simple once you get the hang of it," you began, walking over to your crab basket. "Once you spot a crab, approach it as quietly as possible, pick it up in one quick motion and then hold it like this until you gently put it in the basket."

You had picked up a crab you caught earlier, showing the adeptus how to hold it properly. Your thumb and index finger were on either side of its shell, just below the base of its pincer legs. "If you hold it like this, it won't be able to pinch you."

"I'll make them regret it if they do that," Xiao muttered darkly before briskly turning around and setting off to find a crab to catch.

Again you had to stifle a laugh at his sometimes surprisingly dramatic statements, but in order to not accidentally insult the male you kept quiet. You were more than happy to see the vigilant yaksha take on a task that didn't put him at risk, that wouldn't burden his already suffocating karma even more, one that wasn't drenched with evil and demise.

He almost seemed normal, like he was your equal instead of a guardian adeptus with scars from his past that were deeper than you could ever imagine. The way he completely missed his first crab and ended up diving face-first into the beachy sand with an annoyed grunt was completely void of any form or shape of immortal grace, and this time you couldn't stop the giggle that bubbled from your throat. Xiao ended up sending you a glare that would have given you the chills if you didn't know him better, and you quickly scurried off to find your own crabs.

For a little while you both wandered over the beach in silence, with only the sound of small waves rolling ashore there to accompany you. Admittedly, you were paying attention to Xiao more than you were focused on the crabs, but you deemed it totally valid. How often did he join you for activities of the likes of these? Exactly, hardly ever.

You surprisingly learned quite some interesting things about him tonight. For example, he was awfully determined and the way he pursed his lips and furrowed his brows in concentration before dashing forward to catch a crab was cute. You also found out that his adeptal powers didn't protect him from being adorably clumsy every now and then, while he struggled to get the grasp of catching crabs.

Needless to say, you were progressing really slow, but it was so worth it. The sun had fully disappeared by now, leaving you under the vast sapphire sky illuminated by the crescent moon. You would arrive back home much later than you were planning to, but you didn't mind the slightest bit.

Just when you lowered another crab into your basket, you heard a small yelp not too far away from you. You instantly jumped up and whirled around, only to find Xiao clutching his right hand with a very boyish pout. As soon as you caught sight of the crab next to his feet, upside-down and trashing its little legs, you instantly figured out what had happened.

"It pinched me," Xiao growled lowly as you ran towards him, and you genuinely feared for the poor crab's life.

"Let me see," you asked, extending your hand towards the adeptus. He complied, and you quickly intertwined your fingers with his before he could go all Bane of all Evil on the tiny unlucky animal.

The skin where the crab had pinched him was slightly red and irritated but it would probably disappear soon. It was nothing compared to the severe injuries the male often had to suffer, and you wondered why the pout still hadn't left his face. He wouldn't really be that upset because of a crab, would he?

"I don't like catching crabs," Xiao announced, looking as displeased as someone possibly could – almost comically so.

"It'll be over in no-time," you told him, referring to the small sore spot on his hand. Then, you jokingly added, "want me to kiss it better?"

You definitely weren't expecting the other to mutter a gruff fine, whatever, and it was safe to say that your heart skipped several beats when he willingly extended his hand towards you more and looked at you expectantly. Your mind went momentarily blank and the whole crab ordeal you were in the middle of was temporarily forgotten. Was he for real?

Xiao stood there unmovingly, hand still presented awfully close to your lips. The look in his solemn amber eyes was unreadable, and he chewed on the inside of his cheek.

"Y/N," he said. "You offered, why are you hesitating?"

Shaking yourself from your little daze, you brought his hand closer and pressed your lips against the irritated patch of skin softly. You lingered for a second before pulling back and flashing the adeptus a smile.

"There, all better."

And you swore you saw the stoic mask over Xiao's face break when he pulled back his hand, the corners of his lips curling up into a smile so small and fragile – but unmistakingly there. A wave of warmth washed over you, one that didn't disappear when he averted his gaze and the smile was gone.

He definitely smiled at you!

The adeptus muttered something under his breath, his tone void of the rough edge that usually was present in his voice. Too immersed in your small moment of mirth, you didn't catch what he said, and you shot him a questioning look.

"What did you say?" you asked.

But the dark-haired male shook his head and replied in an almost-pleading tone, "please don't make me say it again."

You weren't really getting it, and you tilted your head in slight confusion. Now this was a total 180 from the way Xiao usually spoke and acted, and you weren't sure how to react to it.

"Well, you kinda have to," you reasoned. "I didn't hear you the first time."

The yaksha looked at you with a troubled expression, his mind running over his previous words before he gave in with a sigh.

"Fine. I said that we have caught enough crabs, if you'd ask me. Now I want some attention too. There, I said it."

He sounded sharp and annoyed, as if the words he spoke were like venom to him, but his voice trailed off and softened near the end of the sentence, almost taking a gentle tone. After that, Xiao quickly folded his arms in front of his chest, taking on his default closed-off stance once again. But his amber eyes didn't leave you as he observed your reaction closely, his lips pulled in the same pout as earlier.

The conqueror of demons could be such a softie if you gave him some time and space to grow comfortable and start trusting you. Sure, it was disguised with harsh words and a demeanor cold and unapproachable, but once you learned to see through his thick facade, you'd be surprised by what you found.

Xiao was precious.

"H-Hey, stop smiling and say something," the dashing adeptus growled, narrowing his eyes at you – while being oh so obviously flustered.

But you couldn't help it. How could you possibly stop smiling after a night like this? You were having a small moment of bliss, Xiao made you happy like no one else and you felt like the bond between you was growing more solid with every rendezvous. Your ultimate goal was to make him happy too, or maybe even become happy together. It would take time and patience, but the male next to you was worth every ounce of it.

"Yeah, we're done," you agreed, finally able to form words through your lovestruck smile. It was a good thing he was as dense as someone could possibly be. "How about we go to my place? I'm sure I have some almond tofu to thank you for your help, and it's getting slightly cold, too."

"The cold doesn't bother me," Xiao pointed out, looking away with a small huff. Then, realization seemed to hit him. "Wait, almond tofu? Ugh, f-fine. I was planning on bringing you home anyway."

With the jade spear in his hand protectively, he marched away from you, more than ready to leave the beach and its pesky crabs behind. You shook your head with a small grin, hoisting the crab basket on your back and following after him.

In a spontaneous burst of bravery, you reached out and caught his free hand with yours. He didn't pull back, and instead you felt his fingers lace through yours snugly.

You loved Xiao. Dearly.

#genshin impact #genshin impact scenarios #genshin impact imagines #genshin impact fanfiction #genshin impact oneshot #genshin impact imagine #genshin impact drabble #genshin impact xiao #genshin xiao #genshin impact xiao x reader #xiao imagine #genshin impact xiao imagine #xiao x you #xiao x reader #xiao x y/n #xiao #zep.writes

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captaincryolicious · 3 years

Text

Shipwreck in a sea of faces

➳ Kazuha x gn!reader

➳ Oneshot ; 1.7k

➳ Fluff, comfort ; Discomfort in crowds + reader experiencing anxiety

Kazuha notices your discomfort when you are surrounded by a large number of people on a party that was supposed to be fun, and decides to take you to a quiet spot far away from the crowd. [31.O7.2O21]

Zep's Note ; Inspired by a dream I had about Kazuha a few days ago where basically the same thing happened and he was so sweet I just had to write about it.

content under the cut | masterlist

Maybe it was a stupid decision to ignore the fact that you couldn't stand crowds, but you weren't going to miss the party of the year among the crewmembers of the Crux Fleet.

It was the day of the annual reunion, where the entire crew would return to the mainland of Liyue to see their friends and family again after what could be months without any way of contacting them. The reunion party, as Beidou liked to refer to it, was a widely anticipated event that brought a festive atmosphere to the entire harbor city. It used to be only friends and family that awaited the appearance of various mighty ships on the horizon, but over time it had grown into a festivity that attracted people from all over Liyue, who all gathered in the city to witness the event and join the festival that followed.

You had always kept a safe distance from the chaos, but it was your first year as an official member of the Crux Fleet's crew so not only did you feel obliged to be part of the massive celebration, you also wanted to be a part of it.

A decision you absolutely regretted now.

As a former traveler who wandered around the vast world of Teyvat, it wasn't as if you had anyone waiting for you here, since the flagship of the fleet had been the first place you called home in quite some time. What was the point of you being here?

You felt really out of place and wanted nothing but to get away, but there were people as far as the eye could see and you had the smothering sensation of being trapped. How were you even supposed to escape? This crowd seemed to have no end, which meant that no matter which direction you went, the mass of people would swallow you regardless.

There was music, laughter, shouting of some merchants who tried to use this event to their advantage. Too many voices, too many people and too little space. Sensory overload hit you hard.

The initial discomfort that had settled in the pit of your stomach a while ago converted into panic that gripped at your throat, and it felt as if it was getting harder for you to breathe every time another stranger bumped into you. A cacophony of voices was around you, cheers and laughs ringing in your ears.

A party to one was a nightmare to others.

Everyone's mood was elated. The festivities were in full swing, people seemed to be enjoying each other's company, the whole atmosphere was cheerful. It only set you off more; you wanted to be like that too, but you couldn't.

You wished you could just crawl into the hold of the familiar ship that you called home, to hide from the chaos, but your body appeared to be frozen in place and refused to follow your mind's commands. Gritting your teeth, you forced yourself to take a step, only to get rewarded by a shoulder in your back that pushed you away and almost made you lose your balance. A strangled yelp escaped your throat and you glanced around agitatedly. Was this what coming home felt like? If so, you would rather stay seaborne forever and forget about the mainland at all.

But now you were drowning in a sea of faces and you were running out of air. Anxiety was surging through your veins, a fleeting touch of cold sending goosebumps over your skin despite it being a pleasant midsummer day.

Someone greeted you, distant friends of old days. Hands landed on your shoulders. They laughed, and you felt light-headed. This was too much.

You pushed through the crowd in a rush of panic that nearly left you blinded. Collisions with many strangers were inevitable now, yet made your breath stagger every time. However, you had your mind set on getting out of this mass, your concerns regarding your own state long-gone at this point.

You needed to breathe.

Everything went by in a blur, and you were unable to decipher your surroundings at this point. It was a mad dash, but it ended in a burst of red scarfs fluttering in the wind.

Two arms caught you, and even the warm embrace felt unfamiliar to you that moment. A small sob escaped your throat upon the sudden contact, and you trashed around to free yourself until a soft voice reached your ears. Recognition flooded your system and calmed your senses, and you let out a shaky breath.

"Help," was all you managed to utter out, closing your eyes as you tried to block out all your surroundings aside from the wandering samurai who caught you.

"Focus on me, alright?" Kazuha urged, soothingly rubbing your arm while holding you close. "You will still have to conquer the crowd again in order to leave this place but I will be with you the entire time. It's all okay, Y/N, you're okay."

Your gazes finally met, and his ruby eyes regarded you reassuringly. Kazuha was right; you were okay, or you could at least start to be okay again, now that he was here.

Together, you simply waited. No one paid you any mind, simply seeing you as another couple who got reunited during the festival. They blamed your visible distress on another reason, and the same went for the tears that left trails on your cheeks and the way your lover was holding you closely. Like that, you waited, for as long as it was necessary until your breathing and heartbeat regulated and you were ready to face the crowd for a final time. You had no idea how the ronin did it, but he somehow managed to calm you down amidst the crowd that had initally triggered the panic. That was Kaedehara Kazuha for you, skilled in so much more than just the art of combat.

"Ready?" he asked.

You nodded, and even then he still looked at you closely for a fragment of a second, to make sure you were fully okay with the confrontation that was about to happen. Truth is, you weren't, but you were motivated enough to get out of there and having Kazuha next to you gave you plenty of reassurance to believe that you would get through it.

"I'm right beside you," he reminded you with a smile. He pulled back from the embrace, and took your hand instead.

The crowd closed in on you once more, and the feeling of being smothered gripped at your throat almost instantly. Even with the ronin next to you, you felt exactly the same as when you were caught up in the rough thunderstorms at sea. Your blurry surroundings left you in a disoriented haze, and waves of nausea washed over you. Blood pounded in your ears, and together with the loud voices everywhere around you, you were adrift in a perpetual static noise. It was madness.

"Hang in a little longer, love," Kazuha whispered, giving your hand a gentle squeeze and pressing a soft kiss on your temple.

Again, you simply nodded, not trusting your voice at that moment. You decided to solely focus on the male next to you, who seemed to be walking into a specific direction. He surely knew the way out, right?

He did.

The static that had obscured your senses slowly dimmed when you left the last people far behind you as you walked away from the city, and you sucked in a sharp breath to feel the air flowing to your lungs freely again for what felt like the first time in ages. Your erratic heartbeat calmed down, and your footsteps turned sluggish as relief and exhaustion fell upon you.

You relished in the breeze that swept over the grassy field illuminated by the moonlight, and you truly felt as if the dirt and grime brought over you in your sheer anxiety were finally blown away. It was so freeing, the symphony of nature helping you to relax. In your moment of bliss, your legs turned to jelly and just when your knees gave in and buckled, Kazuha caught you in his arms once more.

"It's over, Y/N. The chaos that disturbed you is far behind us and we will not go back until the city goes to sleep," he told you, and the way his breath tickled your skin made you giggle in his embrace.

Kaedehara Kazuha truly made you feel safe.

Carefully, he went to sit down in the soft and dewy grass, gently bringing you down along with him. You settled between his legs as he hugged your back against his chest snuggly, and you melted under his loving touch. This is what you had been craving for when you were caught in the madness in Liyue Harbor, but you weren't exactly expecting to find it that night. Yet, here you were, safe and sound in the arms of your beloved samurai.

"How did you know?" you asked after a short silence, in which you both watched the leaves that fluttered high up in the surrounding trees.

"The wind knows everything," Kazuha simply replied, resting his chin atop your shoulder with a satisfied hum. "I'm just glad I found you, love. I had a feeling something was off."

You remained silent, because no arrangement of words had the ability to express how grateful you were for having him in your life. He knew you so well, understood you like no one else, stilled your discomfort in a way you had never deemed possible, and loved you endlessly. Kazuha was a blessing. Your blessing.

Everything that had tried to drag you down earlier fell off your shoulders rapidly, and soon it was but a bad memory in your mind – one that soon would be overridden by the memory of your ronin holding you close, making sure you were safe and sound. Why did you even think you needed a reunion party when you were never separated from your loved one in the first place?

He kept his word, gazing at the stars in the sapphire sky with you in his arms, until long after the sands of slumber dawned upon the harbor city. Even then he did not part from your side, bringing you to a place to spend the night and staying with you until you, too, started dozing off.

"I love you," you mumbled tiredly, nuzzling closer into his embrace.

With a smile most lovingly, he told you the same.

#genshin impact #genshin impact imagines #genshin impact scenarios #genshin impact fanfiction #genshin impact imagine #genshin impact x reader #genshin impact kazuha #kaedehara kazuha imagine #genshin impact kaedehara kazuha #kaedehara kazuha #kaedehara kazuha x reader #kazuha imagine #kazuha x reader #kazuha #kazuha my beloved #kazuha x you #kazuha x y/n #genshin impact reader insert #zep.writes

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captaincryolicious · 3 years

Text

There And Back Again

➳ Kazuha x gn!reader

➳ Oneshot ; 3.8k

➳ Fluff ; No warnings

For the longest time you've been waiting without much hope, but one day you find your light on the horizon - literally so. [3O.O6.2O21]

Zep's note ; To celebrate Kazuha's release on NA server!! May all Kazuha wanters become Kazuha havers 💞

content under the cut | masterlist

It wasn't the first time you found yourself roaming around the docks of Liyue Harbor, not doing anything in particular. You were there just for the sake of being there, eyes wandering to the sea occasionally more out of habit than with the expectation of finding what you were hoping to find on the horizon.

The harbor was as bustling as always, every nook and cranny filled with people. Some were there merey for their day of labor, each fulfilling their own role to keep the cycle of boats coming and going rolling smoothly. Others were there to relax, to enjoy the livelihood of the port with their friends or family or on their own. And then there were the ones like you, those with longing gazes of melancholy solely on the sea.

The cheerful buzz in the air didn't reach you, its excitement wasn't contagious. Rather, you felt sort of empty. There were days where you found it hard to enjoy life, now that the space between the fingers of your right hand was always empty, missing the person whose fingers fit between yours so perfectly.

Solitude had never been much of a problem to you. Peace and quiet was a blessing, and you felt at ease in the tranquil silence that came with being on your own. Yet, all of that changed when you met a ronin on the run, a fleeting presence that moved on after merely spending a moment's worth of time in your vicinity. Your encounters had always been brief, and it was a miracle how a mutual love had grown between you two so fast. It was bliss, but the way you used to love solitude had changed forever. Being alone now only reminded you how empty and quiet the spot next to you was, how Kazuha was out on the far and wide seas, how you had no idea when you would be reunited with your beloved.

You felt lonely when your eyes were glued to the horizon, not with hope and expectations, just for the sake of seeing the horizon. Watching the stripe where the sky kissed the ocean was the closest you could get to your samurai. He was there, somewhere behind that line, painfully unreachable.

And that's why you stood there in solitude. Day after day.

"Hey, you there," a voice called out from behind you, and despite not even knowing whether or not it was directed at you, you spun around to face the person curiously.

Surprisingly, you found one of the men who worked at the docks daily looking at you directly, and your eyebrows jumped when you pressed your index finger against your chest.

"Me?" you asked, even though it was pretty obvious the man had indeed called for your attention specifically.

"Yeah, you, the one always waiting for Beidou's fleet," e clarified, and for a moment you wondered how he even got to know that.

But what he said after caught your attention.

"According to my log," he began, stealing a quick glance at the documents in his hand for reference. "Yeah, the Alcor is expected to briefly moor later today for maintenance."

You stared at the man in shock, momentarily too awestruck to respond properly as you tried to process what he had just told you. The Alcor was coming back to Liyue Harbor? Today? You could barely believe your ears. For the past few weeks, your daily visits to the docks had become more of a habit rather than that you actually expected anything related to the Crux to arrive, and now it was actually happening?

The employee seemed a bit uncomfortable under your surprised gaze, and he cleared his throat to get your attention.

"I don't know who or what you're waiting for, but don't get your hopes up too high," he warned you. "All we know is that the Alcor will dock here for a bit, we don't know who tagged along with Beidou this time – if she's even there."

But you didn't care. Over time you grew quite fond of every member of Beidou's crew and you were more than happy to say hi and catch up with any of the members who alighted from the ship. As long as at least one of them could give you a little update on Kaedehara Kazuha, you were satisfied.

Kazuha had asked you to make a promise. He had asked you to promise him not to wait, not to hope, for he could never foresee when he would return – if he would return. The ronin trusted fate to keep you together, to let your paths intertwine again no matter how far apart they strayed, and asked for you to do the same.

You two were meant to be, after all. He firmly believed that. Why else would two individuals with lives as different as day and night keep finding each other in the vast world of Teyvat?

Yet, you still silently wished for him to be there, to ascend the gangway and engulf you in a warm hug that would mend the hole in your heart that perpetually yearned for him when he was seaborne. You tried your hardest to keep your promise, you really did. But it was hard to look at the horizon without longing for his presence, and now that you got the news of the Alcor arriving soon, the tiny spark of hope you felt was impossible to extinguish.

"Thank you, sir," you politely said. "Is it okay for me to wait around the docks? I won't be in the way of work, I promise."

"You do you," the male shrugged. "Let me warn you, though. It might be a couple of hours until the ship arrives. Their request for permission to enter the harbor didn't specify a time."

But that was alright with you. A couple of hours was nothing compared to the amount of time you had spent without hearing anything related to Kazuha, and there was no way you could possibly leave the docks now that you knew the flagship would moor soon. Your mood was elated and a few hours of waiting wouldn't change that. For no amount of mora in the world were you going to miss the sight of the Alcor appearing on the horizon for the first time in a couple of months.

Minutes later, you sat yourself down on a stack of wooden crates that likely weren't needed for the rest of the day. It wasn't the most comfortable spot, but after shrugging off your coat and draping it over the wooden surface, it was good enough for you to endure it for quite a while. This particular spot offered you a broad view on the horizon and a perfect lookout over the docks that were kept free for arriving ships in need of maintenance, and you knew you would be one of the first to witness the Alcor's arrival.

And then the waiting began. You witnessed the sun traverse the blue sky, watched how the clouds drifted and shifted in shape, you saw how people came and left. Boats arrived and departed, cargo was being loaded and unloaded continuously. You sat still among the liveliness, waiting patiently with your eyes on the glistening surface of the sea.

Your heart jumped in your chest every time a new vessel appeared upon the faraway horizon, only to sink in disappointment right after you realized it was a ship completely unfamiliar to you. It was a game of nervousness you merely called over yourself, and you knew it, but seeking any form of distraction would be futile.

You sat like a statue, only moving when the employees that worked around the docks brought you some food or drinks – a gesture you truly appreciated. Long hours passed by, and all you could do was wait, while trying not to succumb to the everlasting and tempting call of hope.

Hope could be such a painful thing when it fell all empty, something you had experienced many, many times before.

But hope was a capricious matter, one with a will of its own, and it crashed down upon you like a tidal wave when you found a familiar newcomer on the horizon.

You jumped up from your position on the wooden crates, limbs stiff from sitting still for so long. Vaguely, you realized that it might be annoying for the dock's employees if you brought your nervous presence over to their workplace, but the surge of excitement that racked your consciousness was quick to dispose of that thought.

How long had it been since you last saw the Alcor? You didn't know anymore. All you could remember was the hollow feeling in your chest when you watched the ship set sail on the wide sea, taking your beloved along. The clear image you used to have of the Crux's flagship had started to fade over time, but memories flooded your mind as you witnessed the ship closing in on the harbor.

"You've got a keen eye," the man who had spoken to you earlier this day commented as you arrived at the maintenance dock, hoisting a bundle of thick jute ropes over his shoulder. "Looks like you've beaten my men when it comes to seeing it first."

"Really?" you absentmindedly responded, all your attention directed at the sailboat as it came closer. Your heart was hammering in your chest at this point, and your hands were fidgety and your feet restless.

"Yep," the employee nodded. "Well, I dunno who you're waiting for, but I hope you'll be reunited with them today."

Yeah, you hoped so, too.

After quietly thanking the man, you moved further towards where the other dock workers were preparing for the ship's arrival. Men were shouting orders at each other, dragging ropes and carrying wooden boards and various tools around in a hurry. It was rush hour on the maintenance dock, and you were preparing as much as they were – albeit mentally and emotionally.

You were restless, a mixture of excitement and anxiety surging through your body at high velocity. You had no idea what to expect; no one knew who came along this time, you had no clue regarding the situation of your beloved. What if the Alcor's crew brought you bad news? No, no, you should not let thoughts like that roam your mind. Surely, if Kazuha would have fallen into harm's embrace, Beidou would have let you know in one way or another, right?

No matter who ascended the ship, they would tell you he was fine, that he was alive and safe and healthy and all.

Truly, you felt like you were about to lose it, your mouth dry as you watched the flagship slowly maneuver itself between the harbor's repair constructions. It was unreal to have the ship this close, so close you could almost touch it if you were to reach out your arm. To say that you were happy would be an understatement, and you wanted nothing but to skip all the formalities and greet the crewmates aboard.

Ropes were tossed over the Alcor's bulwark as soon as the ship came to a halt and the men around you instantly got to work as they securely tied them to the cleats attached to the wharf. In the name of all Archons, why was it taking so long?

There were voices coming from the deck – oh, was that Beidou you just heard? You were sure, but you also weren't. After all, mortals had mastered the art of perceiving what they wished to perceive to perfection. Maybe her voice was merely there because you wished for it to be there.

"Relax a little, wouldn't want ya to pass out now, do we?" a man next to you joked, neatly folding the documents in his hands and shoving them into his pocket. "Let me guess, waiting for a loved one?"

"Is it that obvious?" you muttered, to which the man answered with a short laugh.

"Number one scenario here on the wharf."

Yeah, that made sense.

"Now then, they are about to ascend the ship," he pointed out, just when you heard the sound of the gangway being lowered and attached to the dock. "I'd say, give a warm welcome to whoever you have been waiting for."

He didn't have to tell you twice; you had already darted towards the ladder before the man could even finish his sentence, your mood elated more than it had been in the weeks prior combined, and all that while you didn't even know whether or not Kazuha would be there.

Four men of the crew were the first to leave the ship, all carrying a bunch of supplies that had no purpose on board any longer. They all greeted you with grins of recognition as they saw you standing on the wharf, but that was as much as they could do with their hands full like that.

Then the captain appeared, and you smiled widely when the woman approached you, ignoring the men who were about to welcome her in their harbor.

"Can't say I'm surprised to see you here, Y/N," Beidou greeted you, amusement written on her features as she came to a halt in front of you. "I'd say we catch up later, though. I have some formalities to deal with first, and besides, I think someone else wants your attention first."

You blinked. Of course you instantly knew who she was talking about, and your heart was suddenly performing somersaults in your chest. Kazuha.. was here? Maybe it was because you wanted to protect yourself from heartbreak, but you found yourself hesitating to believe what the captain had just told you.

"Kazuha?" you meekly asked, and Beidou grinned.

"Who else?" She lightly ruffled your hair, and in your little daze you let her. "Go find him, kiddo. He's been awfully quiet lately, and I was starting to miss his late-night musings."

"Really? I must say that quite surprises me, Beidou," a familiar voice sounded from behind the captain, and the woman's smile grew even more as she stepped aside, revealing he who your heart had yearned for for so long.

The emotion that came over you was one you couldn't really decipher, but was strong enough for your surroundings to become a blur as you stared at your beloved ronin, breath caught in your throat. You were overwhelmed in many ways, heart and mind filled with warmth and happiness, yet you were too stupefied to move as it all flooded over you at once. Even the ruckus of the men around you getting ready to do their job barely got through.

You barely noticed how Beidou lightly gave Kazuha's shoulder a little push towards you before she walked off with a light chuckle, and you came back to your senses only when the male shot you a warm smile as he whispered your name.

Your name fell off his lips as if it were his favorite word to exist, and his arms were around you barely a moment later, warm and gentle, safe and comforting. You breathed in his scent, one of autumn and the ocean breeze. God, you had missed him so much.

But he was here now, and all was suddenly good.

Kazuha spoke your name again, holding you a little closer, as if he was struggling to believe that you were really in his arms, as if he was afraid that you were gonna disappear if he didn't hold on tightly enough. So you did the same, your arms around him in a hug so secure, as if you wanted to show the Archons that you weren't planning to let him slip away again.

"Kazu, you're–" you began, distancing yourself a little with great aversion – only because you longed to see his soft smile and his beautiful gentle ruby eyes.

And smiling he did, almost mischievously so as he put a finger against your lips to keep you from speaking up.

"I'm here, Y/N," he said softly, removing his finger from your lips. He couldn't keep himself from leaning in and capturing your lips in a chaste kiss, but it only lasted for but a second before be pulled back and taking your hand. "But I personally prefer our reunion to be without the presence of these employees, and I can feel Beidou's gaze upon us without much discretion."

You let out a short laugh because of course, what else would you expect from your biggest hype woman? However, you totally understood Kazuha's wish for some more privacy, and you gladly let him lead you away from the maintenance docks.

The ronin led you to the empty wharf behind the repair station, which was nothing more than an array of narrow wooden boardwalks looking out over the wide ocean from a quiet corner of the port. Never did someone really bother to go there, and it was just the two of you.

"See? I would say this is much better," he spoke, his solemn eyes not leaving you – not even for a mere fragment of a second.

It was unreal, to witness the vast expanse of ocean blue, for once not filled with the lingering melancholy as you yearned for your lover's presence, but with your lover right next to you. His bandaged hand was warm in yours, and you truly enjoyed the moment. This was the last thing you expected when you woke up this morning and set out to wander around the harbor, but this was the best possible outcome you couldn't even have hoped for.

"It is," you agreed, tearing your gaze away from the sea and turning to look at the samurai at your side. "I still can't believe you're here, Kazu. It's… a huge surprise."

"I have been anticipating it for a couple of days now," the male replied, gently tugging you along as he walked towards the edge of the wharf. "Beidou was quick to ask me to come with as soon as the Alcor would moor in Liyue Harbor, and who was I to let this opportunity go to waste?"

"I'm really happy," you told him, still feeling quite overwhelmed by the ronin's presence and all that had unexpectedly happened today. "It was empty without you."

"The wind has guided us to each other once more," Kazuha smiled, averting his gaze to watch how the glistening waves got stirred by the ocean breeze calmly. "Just like it always will."

His eyes remained on the sea after he had spoken, and his expression gradually turned more serious, until he heaved out a small sigh.

"I won't stay here for long, Y/N," he said, and despite the softness of his tone, his voice was saddened just as much. "I'm leaving as soon as the Alcor is ready for departure again. It's still unsafe for me to be here, and my presence will only put you in jeopardy and I will never forgive myself if harm were to find you. But I have fared on the unknown winds for long enough, and this time I want to promise you forever."

"Forever?" you echoed, peering at the male curiously.

Kazuha turned to face you, smiling almost shyly. Your hand was still securely in his, and he folded your fingers open to reveal your palm. He held his free hand above yours, hiding something from your sight in his gloved fist.

With a gesture most gentle, he dropped a small item in your open hand, carefully folding your fingers over it before you could catch a glimpse of what it was.

"It's not much, Y/N," he said, modest as always. "But it's a token of the promise I'll make to you today. I hope you like it regardless."

With those words, he let go of your hand, allowing you to take a look of what the samurai had just gifted you. It was small and slightly pointy and it felt cool against your skin, but that was as far as the blind clues went. Encouraged by his smile, you opened your hand.

Lying on your palm, you found a small maple leaf made of metal, attached to a thin silver chain necklace. The leaf was uneven, a bit rough and sharp at the edges and had some minor burn marks here and there, but it was all those little imperfections that told you that it was handmade especially for you, inlaid with the love and care Kazuha felt for you.

"Kazu, it's beautiful," you uttered out, and your heart swelled with warmth when you looked at him with a broad smile.

"I know I've always been quite wary when it comes to talking about my return, but I want to do that no longer," the pale-haired male spoke resolutely. "You are my home, and to my home I shall always return."

He gently took the necklace from your palm, taking both ends to place it around your neck. He leaned in and kissed you softly as he connected the silver chain behind you. After that he pulled back, but didn't bother to distance himself from you in the slightest.

"It might not be this time, it might not be in the near future, but there will be a day where we will be separated no longer," he whispered against your lips, his hot breath a bit ticklish. "The little leaf might not be much, but it's a token of a promise I will keep no matter what comes upon my path. Think of me when I'm out of sight, okay?"

You were unable to reply using words due to the lump that had formed in your throat because of the sheer emotions you felt at the moment, so you leaned in and kissed the ronin instead. It was a kiss that spoke now that words had failed you, and you hoped to transfer everything you felt.

"I'll wait for you as long as I have to," you quietly told him, not too eager to separate your lips from his for too long. He was here for now, and you wanted to make the most of it before the sea called him again.

But he would return to you. He promised.

You were his home, his place to return to when the storm around him had settled down, no matter how long it would take. A small maple leaf around your neck was the prove, his promise. Kaedehara Kazuha was forever by your side.

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