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[ethereaiin]

Reminiscence Eternal | tears of themis

synopsis; if you were given the chance to dream of the past forever, you’d choose to never wake up. 

features; you and luke pearce

[au] 

previous.

2/??

*:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧       

       “I’d come for you,” he said. “No matter what, when you need me, I will be there.”

       His tender visage is highlighted under the gentle rays of morning light pouring in from your bedroom window. He lays across from you, one of his arms slung across your waist as he pulls you closer and the other occupied with holding your hand. The soft light not only catches his handsome features but the golden rings that adorn his and your hands.

       He interlaces your fingers together as he stares into your eyes. In them, you can see his sincerity. Luke has never once gone back on a promise and this one, you were sure he’d keep forever. In response, your smile brightens as your eyes crinkle with delight.

       “I know.” You finally say with pinkened cheeks as he places gentle kisses against the back of your hand. It’s a certainty he would never forget.

       Your confidence in him was unwavering as was his feelings for you and every kiss he lied against your skin was merely a small testament to that. Your heart melts and tightens with a distant feeling of longing. You wanted nothing more than to be with him; to touch him, to persist in his sweet affection.

       Your eyes squeeze shut and the image of his smiling face was burned into the empty space behind your lids and the sensation of his tender lips on your hand lingers for only a moment longer. A tear slips down the corner of your eye, trailing along the side of your nose before staining your pillowcase with a droplet of a darker shade.

       Your eyes slowly flutter open, the morning light in your dreams replaced with the dark of night and the space on the bed across from you was empty and cold to the touch. Your heart painfully ached as your lips quivered into a wistful smile. That reminiscent dream that fooled you with honeyed memories every night became nothing more than a distant wish. Your eyes fell to the nightstand on that side of the room you hadn't dared touch since that day, the golden ring that matches your own shined brilliantly under the moonlight.

       How cruel of him. To promise you something he had no intention of keeping.

[ethereaiin]

Reminiscence Eternal | tears of themis

synopsis; under the sun with the twinkle of the shimmering sea reflected in his eyes, you couldn’t ask for anything more in life. together with him, you had all you ever needed.

features; you and luke pearce

[au]            

*:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧

        You think if happiness were a person, it would look a lot like your childhood friend; Luke Pearce.

        He’s always there for you, a bright smile on his face and a warm greeting readied at the tip of his tongue. He’d frazzle your hair with those gentle fingers of his, laughing all the while as you pouted with puffed cheeks. There had yet to be a day you hadn’t been welcomed by his presence and oftentimes you wondered if your relationship with him was tied by fate itself. You thought it had to have been because even after he left and you assumed he had forgotten you as nothing more than a figment of his past, he was right there again at your side. Still smiling, albeit a little differently than before.

        You could never think of him as a complete stranger to you, the numerous years you spent with each other wouldn’t allow for that, he was just more mature. Much more mature than you ever thought he could be. 

        It was almost strange how easily you two were able to pick up where you left off those eight years ago. How effortlessly you were able to laugh at his jokes and how the conversation between you never died off into that strange awkward silence you would’ve expected from a precious friend that left without so much as a goodbye. You thought you would be angrier at him. . . you thought you would completely ignore his presence should he ever come knocking on your door. You rehearsed that scenario in your head multiple times; fantasizing about the words you’d tell him as you feigned forgetting his name. You imagined his hurt expression and the numerous hoops he’d jump through just to get you to forgive him. You thought of it all. 

        It was almost funny how you couldn’t bring yourself to do any of that the day you ran into him. 

        You remember it all so clearly. The stutter of your heart in your chest, the way your eyes seem to moisten just a little bit as you recognize his tall figure. You really did think you’d forget about him too after all this time, yet his name rolled off your tongue with such familiarity it was almost as if you hadn’t been trying to erase every bit of his enduring presence. You couldn’t deny the relief of seeing him alive and healthy. There was once a time you thought he might have been hurt or worse, dead, and that was the reason he hadn’t attempted to contact you. The nights you spent awake wondering whether you’d ever see him again were still fresh in your mind. You missed him. You missed him so terribly it was hard to admit after all these years you kept denying yourself that. You recall having to keep yourself calm with fists clenched at your sides in order to keep yourself from dragging him somewhere more private to grill him about where he’d been and why he left. Your job was the only reason you hadn’t done that and Luke. . . well, he was no longer someone you could just pull around like you used to.

        The two of you were adults now and far from the teenage years he’d left you at. Though, for you, it never really felt as if time moved on from that day. Seeing him again after all that time made you reminiscent about the past; your childhood days the two of you spent doing nothing more than playing around and entertaining the other's antics. Still, you wanted an explanation and he had yet to give you a decent one that didn’t sound as if he were making an excuse but you didn’t press him for one. You would wait, as you always did, because whether it be now or later on in the future, Luke would tell you. You trusted him to; you knew he would.

        He was the one person you could count on. The only one who knew you like the back of his hand- eight years apart or not, he would still be the first person you’d turn to in your time of need. He completed you, acting as the other half of your whole and it was only when you met again that you finally felt like something lost was finally returned to you.

        To you, Luke Pearce is your fate. From the kid who grew up with you to the man you now stand beside, there was no place better suited for you. He was your home in every aspect of the word and your source of comfort. Without him, you couldn’t see yourself standing against the hardships of life and sometimes you wondered how you managed these last eight years alone. Maybe, you never truly were doing as okay as you might have thought. Luke has a way of doing that to you. . . making you realize things you hadn’t noticed before.

        You once thought your relationship with him would never be anything other than friendship. In the past, you never looked at him as something more than an older brother figure. He was someone so close to your heart that you’d consider him family. But since he came back. . . you’ve been feeling differently. The time you two spent apart did more than just consolidate his place in your life, it opened your eyes to an emotion you never thought you’d experience. 

        Luke was your fate, yes, but he was also the person you loved dearly. By that, you meant you loved him as more than a friend; you loved him far more than you could ever express in words. From the cheerful glint in his coral eyes to his overbearing protective nature you sometimes found to be endearing; you loved all aspects of him. 

        You breathe in, inhaling the salty cold breeze of the sea with closed eyes and serene features. Wind licks your exposed skin, fluttering your hair gently along its current and the sound of waves lapping against the coastline is almost like music to your ears. You like the sea, you love the sound of the ocean, but most of all, you adore the person who brought you here. 

        Luke stands at your side, his warm hand enveloping yours and you don’t have to look at him to know he’s staring at you. You could feel it just by the flutter in your chest. It’s a warm feeling, one tender enough to lift the corners of your lips in a delightful smile. Nowadays, you’ve begun associating such gentleness with him and much like the radiant afternoon sun shining down on you, Luke is plentiful with his affection. 

        “What,” You grin as your eyes slowly open to meet his, the tone of your voice light with tease. “Is there something on my face?”

        Behind him, lies the sea and the sun. From where you stand you can see the neverending stretch of the ocean as it seemingly melds in with the pinkened sky above. In the distance, you can hear the familiar call of seagulls and the sun shines prettily onto the waters below, each ripple and wave sparkling under its rays. The sight is already so enchanting and with Luke standing just before it, a halo of light surrounding his form, you think it's breathtaking. 

        He has yet to explain why the two of you ended up taking a random trip to the beach, but after such a romantic day of eating by the seaside and enjoying all the sights this little coastal town had to offer, you had a feeling. He let you dictate where you two went and what sights you wanted to see first with no complaints; merely a smile and a kiss to the cheek as he held your hand in his. Sometimes, when he thought you weren’t looking or he was feeling particularly nervous, you’d see him fidget with something hidden in his pocket. It didn’t take a genius to figure it out. Luke rarely did things without purpose and trips this special had to warrant just as grand of a reason.

        His eyes avert from yours for a second, a slight squeeze to your fingers telling you of his embarrassment at being caught. When his gaze returns, you can see the makings of a shy smile lift his lips.

        “No,” He says after a pause of silence. “You’re as beautiful as ever.”

        You blink, his words slowly registering in your brain before your grin grows a little bashful and your head dips slightly. The gentle breeze doesn’t allow you to hide your face in your hair like you wanted to, anything to obscure his vision of your reddening cheeks. 

        How was it that you’re the one embarrassed when you set out to tease him?     

        "A-Anyway," You huff, nervously tucking a stray lock of hair behind your ear as you gently pull him along. "Let's hurry before the fireworks begin."

        You try to ignore the burn of your cheeks as well as the laughter that follows your words. You should have been more than used to his compliments as Luke showers you in them from time to time; especially in moments like this. He regarded each day spent with you to be more precious than the last and he hadn’t let you forget how much he treasured you. It was embarrassing, but you didn’t hate it. You could never hate his displayed affection for you.

        On the boardwalk, there is quite a crowd gathered. Many were here for the local summer festival, which happened to coincide with your trip to the coast. You had a feeling Luke planned for this, but it wasn't like you minded too much. The lively atmosphere warmed you and much like the festival you celebrated back in Stellis, this one was just as fun; especially since you were with Luke. Your gaze flits around, taking in the sights of the rides that were beginning to turn on their lights now that the sun was going down and the vendors who loudly called out to all who passed to look at their goods. Children ran around with treats in their hands and laughing amongst themselves as they dragged their exhausted parents along. In the air, you could pick up the scent of food mixing with the saltiness of the ocean and it reminded you distantly of your childhood. For a moment, you wondered if you had attended something similar to this in the past. Even the feeling of leading Luke along was familiar.

        "Wait," You hear him call from behind you and when he stops in his tracks, you follow suit. You turn towards him, your hands still joined together as you shoot him a curious look. He grins, coral-colored eyes glancing off to the side as he motioned towards a stall. You quickly look over and your eyes brighten at the sight of pastel-colored treats resembling small clouds. "Do you want some?"

        His grin never once fades from his lips as he asks, almost as if he were entertained with your small display of excitement. You nod before you even realize and he leads you over to the stall without another word. As the two of you weave in between people, Luke's hold on your hand tightens, and with the number of people pushing past you, you were sure that if he hadn't you would have been swept away in an instant. Once you finally make it to the stall, the vendor, an older man with greying hair and an easy-going smile, greets the two of you.

        "You two interested in some free cotton candy?" The vendor says as he begins spinning a small stick of colored floss. Besides them, children excitedly peer over the counter of his stall to see the cotton candy machine spin out its sugary delight. Before you or Luke is given a chance to protest, he continues. "I've been seeing young couples like you all day today and none have turned me down. . . don't be the first."

        With a widened smile and hearty laughter, the man gently hands over a poof of cotton candy to you. Its color is a rosy pink that distinctly reminds you of Luke's eyes. You glance back up at the older man, a sweet smile spreading across your lips as you happily thank him for the gift.

        "And what about you, young man?" The vendor turns his gaze towards Luke who merely shakes his head.

        "I'll share with her, you don't have to worry about me." He simply replies, throwing you a glance to which you politely nodded in agreement to the vendor, and from there the two of you continue down the pier.

        By the time you got to the end of the dock, arriving at a large opening where dozens of people stood around the railings in wait for the fireworks, the sun was at its lowest and the sky turned deep indigo with the last of the daylight fading. Above you, the twinkling of stars was beginning to show through and the sea breeze softened to a calming billow. While your hands were no longer conjoined together, Luke still maintained his closeness to you and in turn, it brought you a sense of comforting peace.

        You busied yourself with lightly pulling off pieces of your cotton candy, happily placing them into your mouth as you indulged in its sweetness and soft melt. It was a childhood favorite of yours and even still to this day, you couldn't imagine attending a festival without at least buying some. It reminded you of a particular day in your past where you and Luke sneaked off to a night festival far past your curfew and shared a bag of cotton candy together. You remember that although you began that outing feeling anxious that your parents would catch you, it was Luke that made you forget about it as soon as he dragged you around to all sorts of rides. You had fun that day and even if your parents still found out and scolded you, you never once regretted it. 

        "[Name]," At the call of your name, you break from your thoughts. You turn your attention towards Luke who stares down at you with a sort of expectant gaze. "Didn't you say you were gonna share your cotton candy with me?"

        "Hm? Oh." You blink as you offer the last remaining bit of pink puffball out to him but when he makes no intention of moving, still looking at you as if he were awaiting something else. Your lips dropped into a slight frown. ". . . do you want me to feed you?"

        From the way his lips curl and the slight red you could spy dusting across his cheeks, your answer was apparent. It wasn't as if you minded doing things like this. You've been together for a while now and you've fed him dozens of times; though he's never requested you to do it like today and in public at that. You were just a bit. . . taken off guard. You took a moment to glance around, your eyes flitting across the pier in search of anyone who might have been watching, and then you turned back to Luke as your fingers pinched off another chunk of pink fluff. You lifted your hand, slowly guiding it towards his lips as he leaned forwards to meet you midway. His eyes lock with yours as he opens his mouth, allowing you to press the piece of cotton candy onto his tongue before his mouth closes and the tips of your fingers brush against his soft lips. You blush, blinking heavily almost as if you were coming out of a daze, and before either of you could say a thing, the sound of loud popping suddenly goes off. 

        You're the first to break your gaze away from Luke's and turn your attention towards the night sky as it lights up with dozens of fireworks. Over the booming, you could distantly hear the sound of awe from the other people around you and even you allow some gasps to escape you as you grin up at the sky above. The fireworks are pretty and combined with the darkened sky and sea, each color appeared vividly. You're so taken with the sight before you that you barely register the feeling of Luke grabbing your hand and entwining your fingers together. You glance over to your side, catching his gaze once more that only makes your cheeks burn once again from the remaining embarrassment of the incident before.       

        You’re just about to turn away from him in order to cool down your burning cheeks but then you feel the brush of his hand against the side of your head, sweetly tucking locks of your hair behind your ear as he lifts your chin to meet his gaze once more. His eyes stare into your own, a shining coral that almost matches the dusky rose-colored firework that just went off, and in them, you can practically see all of his unspoken feelings.

        He’s told you he’s loved you before, you didn’t need him to say it every day for you to understand that. Each second he spent with you he conveyed all he felt in his actions. You knew he loved you in the way he held you and the way he softly pressed his lips onto your skin. You could accurately pinpoint all of his differing emotions; all the words of adoration and love he hadn't yet said to you. You were so familiar with him and his warmth, it was almost second nature to you, but under his tender stare at this moment; you felt as if he were confessing them all for the very first time.

        Your heart stuttered in your chest, your stomach erupting into butterflies as he peered so closely at you it felt as if you were just about to drown in him, He held you tenderly, lovingly, with gentle fingers spread across the small of your back as he pulled you closer. When his lips finally met yours, you didn’t hesitate to return his kiss. 

        “Marry me,” He breathlessly whispers in between kisses; his eyes darkened by his lashes, gaze into your own with languid desire. You hear his words clearly over the sound of fireworks and in surprise, you blink. "Marry me." He repeats again as if cementing that thought into your brain himself. 

        This was the event you anticipated since he brought you out here and though you might have thought it as a possibility, it still ended up taking you by surprise. This was the question you knew he was ruminating on during the day; thoughtfully deciding when it was the right time to ask you. You couldn't imagine the nerves it took for Luke to put himself out there, waiting with bated breath as you were left with the decision that could ruin the two of you. Your heart skipped in your chest again, a gasp leaving your parted lips as he kissed you once more. 

        You wondered if he was afraid of your answer; kissing you to prolong your decision as if that were to change something. You already knew what you wanted to say. You knew it from the day you first confessed to him with blushing cheeks and a stutter Luke swears was adorable. You knew it from the day he finally told you about his sickness; swearing to you that he’d do everything in his power to extend his time here if only to have a few more months with you. You didn't need to think twice about your decision. There was no use in giving the excuse of needing time when the answer was standing right before you clear as day. There was no going back. When you accepted his feelings for you and when you first told him you loved him, it only finalized the ending you already knew best.

        Luke is your fate and no matter the consequences that followed; your place was at his side as it always was. You’d gladly tie yourself to him if only it meant to spend just a little more time basking in his presence. He was the only one you could count on, your home in the sea of unfamiliarity, your source of strength in the face of hardships.

        Your happiness in a bleak world.

        “Okay,” You say after he breaks from you again, his lips wet from your lip gloss and expression blanking as he processes your words. “Let’s get married.” Finally, his eyes light up at your affirmation and you can barely suppress your grin at his obvious excitement.

        You squeal as he suddenly lifts you off your feet, twirling you around as he tightly embraces you against him. He laughs in your ear, a warm tenor that has you bubbling with a feeling of happiness. Your cheeks hurt from the grin you hold but you don’t drop it for even a second. You were excited for the future; for the days to come and for the years that would follow after taking his last name.

        As you watched Luke slip the ring onto your finger, the precious gem catching the light of the colored fireworks above, you couldn’t think of a better feeling in the world than the bliss you felt in that moment. 

[ethereaiin]

2B likes to carry Reader but doesn't like to admit it?

changed your rq a bit since i wanted some comfort fluff. also this reignited my motivation to write for my nier fic so thanks <3

features; you and 2B + some bonus 9S.

[au]

*:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧

Being the only human left in the world meant a lot of things.

The weight of responsibility weighed heavily on your shoulders. There was never a day that went by you weren’t reminded of how precious your life was and how losing it meant the end of humanity. The androids you’ve come to know and love never let you forget that fact. You were their salvation; their hope and most of all, their most cherished person.

2B was especially fond of you. While she was reserved with her emotions, opting to use actions to display her care, you knew that she held a soft spot for you. She treated you as if you were the most delicate thing in the world; like the slightest harm against you would break you completely. Compared to an android, of course you were weaker. Yet 2B was maybe a little too cautious.

“Is this really necessary?”

You say with a slight pout as 2B lifts you from the ground and you immediately wrap your arms around her neck. At this point, she’s done it so many times that it felt more like an instinctual habit rather than something you did to ensure you wouldn’t fall. Knowing her, it was unlikely she’d ever let you slip through her grasp. Her wary nature wouldn’t allow it.

At this point, you were somewhat used to the coldness of an android’s body. They were different from humans and they didn’t possess the natural heat you exuded. When you clung to her, it felt no different from any other person, yet the lack of warmth was like a gentle reminder. Nothing here was the same as you remembered it to be and the beings that you were surrounded with on a daily basis that appeared so human were, in fact, anything but.

2B makes no verbal sound of irritation at your question and she answers you as diligently as she always does. “Of course. We can’t afford you getting sick or hurt.”

Though she rarely ever spoke with emotion, you could still hear the tinge of concern in her voice. It only made the heat in your cheeks feel especially warmer. “A-At least let me ride on your back! You can’t fight like this with me here!”

“You’re fine right where you are.”

Your lips part to protest but quickly close when you recall the promise you made to her earlier that day. It was her condition that if you were to roam about the city, you needed to listen to everything she told you to do. No matter how you felt about it. Even if it was a little embarrassing.

Yet, this wasn’t just a one-time occurrence when it came to 2B. No matter where you were, 2B wanted to be in some form of contact with you. At the camp, she’d sit so close that you could feel the brush of her sleeves against your skin, and whenever you were given the chance to roam about, you always found yourself either in her arms or on her back.

You thought it was nothing more than android curiosity. You were the first human she’s ever interacted with after all and it wasn’t as if it were any different for you. You couldn’t deny that you too were interested in androids, especially how they all came to be. For them, they’ve always known humans as their elusive creators, but for you, it felt as if the androids seemingly came from nowhere.

You couldn’t remember much of your old life before you woke up and for now, the desolate and decrepit city you wandered in was your new home. At least until you regain the lost memories 2B promised she’d help you recover.

“So, where are we going today?” You finally ask after a brief walk in silence.

2B’s stride doesn’t break and you feel almost lulled by her rhythmic steps. She didn’t even seem the least burdened with carrying you. She was stronger than an average human, it was something you came to learn after watching her mercilessly beat down a hunk of sentient metal. Just with her fists alone she was able to put a dent in steel. To her, your weight was of little consequence.

Often, you wondered what you felt like in her arms.

She glanced down at you, visage half shrouded by the blindfold around her eyes though the curve of a smile on her lips shows her excitement. “. . . You’ll see.”

She doesn’t say anymore after that and the both of you continue on in silence. Not that you minded it too much. 2B was never a conversationalist, she relied more on actions than words to convey how she felt. You liked that part of her. Her actions were always well thought out and held meaning, Whether she knew it or not, it made every little thing she did for you feel a little more sincere.

From your place in her arms, you took in the sights of the city. As dilapidated and broken as the world around you seemed, it was oddly beautiful. Never had you seen so much green in your life. Flora grew from the cracks between the roads and overtook the concrete buildings towering above you. Looking up towards the sky, you could see flocks of birds flying towards a destination you would never know, their distant calls an interruption to the silence. You don’t remember much of the old world, but you knew this city was never meant to be this quiet.

You desperately wished to regain your lost memories, yet there was a part of you who wasn’t so eager. Often the thought crossed your mind; maybe you were better off without them. Remembering would only leave you with the desire for a world long gone along with the total realization of your unfathomable luck. You, the last of your kind, were left all alone while the world died and withered without you. If there was a god, surely they wouldn’t have condemned you to such a lonely fate.

“Look,”

At the sound of her voice, you glance up at her only to direct your sight towards whatever she was referring to. While you were deep in thought you hadn’t noticed the direction she was heading in and you found yourself atop a wooden bridge placed just behind the walls of what looked to be an amusement park. From where 2B stood, you couldn’t see much, but you were given an incredible view of the distant castle.

“I-Is that an- Woah!”

The words died right on your tongue as an explosion of color suddenly took over the sky. Even from the great distance between you and the park, you were able to hear the crackling of fireworks. The sky, which you thought the sun would never set for, was darkened with the smoke from the war 2B and 9S constantly talked about. The colors were brightened against it, making their visibility clearer and their colors vivid. With your eyes locked onto the sight before you, you tapped on 2B’s shoulder as a silent request to be let down. She complied, allowing you to step near the edge of the bridge to take a closer look at the fireworks.

You thought you couldn’t remember anything from the old world, yet the moment you gazed upon the fireworks lighting up the sky; you remembered them instantaneously. You remembered their putrid smell, how loud they could be, and the fear you used to harbor for them when you were younger.

Even if you used to be scared of them, even if you thought they were too loud and hated the way they smelled; at this moment, you thought they were the prettiest things you’ve ever seen.

Tears gathered at the corners of your eyes and it was only until you felt them run down your cheeks that you paid them any mind. Though before you could even attempt to wipe them, you felt the distinct sensation of leather gently running across your cheek.

2B stood at your side, looking down at you with a small smile on her face, one you gladly returned. She doesn’t ask you the reason for your tears, nor does she look hurt by their appearance. She lets you be, standing at your side for as long as you allow her whilst providing unspoken support. It warmed you to the deepest part of your heart. Her kindness, although silent and unvoiced, was always apparent to you. She cared deeply for you. You didn’t need her to say it for you to know.

Your hand slips into hers all too naturally and under the crackling fireworks above, you think of only the promising future.

*:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧

extra:

“Why do you like to carry me so much?”

The question was asked more straightforward than what they were used to hearing from you. If there was anything 2B and 9S learned from their journey with you so far, it was that you never said what you felt. You looked for gentler ways to word your questions as if your care would be understood by androids who had no grasp of discretion.

2B, like always, never fails to leave your question unanswered and replies as if it were the most obvious thing in the world. “Because you’re warm.”

2B’s forthright reply even shocked 9S who was walking alongside her. “2B! Don’t you think that’s a little. . .”

You blushed slightly at her reply, burying your face against her shoulder as if that would take away from your embarrassment. From your place on her back, you were unable to see what kind of face she was making. As if that damned blindfold would give you the opportunity anyway. Though you doubted she would feel even a pinch of shame. 2B spoke nothing but the truth and that only made her words all the more brazen.

“What? You don’t agree?” She pauses in her steps, turning towards him which then forces you to face him as well. “Have you never touched her?”

You felt as if you would just die right then and there, yet you can’t help yourself from timidly peeking out at 9S from over 2B’s shoulder. He looks like he’s in thought for a moment, with a gloved hand on his chin and his lips twisted to the side. There’s only a moment’s delay between 2B’s question and his answer.

“Well. . . yeah, you’re not wrong. She’s even nicer to hug.”

Having enough of this conversation, you raise up your head to throw 9S a light glare. “Guys, can we please just get back to camp already?”

Throwing his hands up, 9S cheekily grins at you before continuing down the road towards the resistance camp. 2B follows shortly after him, her lips spread into an equally amused smile. While it might have been normal for 9S to show emotion resembling that of a human’s the feeling that stirred in 2B’s chest was quite foreign to her. She didn’t know what to call this feeling, but she didn’t hate it. It was a delightful buzz, one that she often felt around you and only you.

“Humans are softer than I imagined.” She added, her smile brightening at the sound of your muffled groan.

9S didn't hesitate to tag in on the teasing even from his place further ahead of you. “You know, I think we should include that in our report to the Commander. . .”

“Guys!”

[ethereaiin]

To the Skies | genshin impact

synopsis; sorrowful goodbyes and the bitter end of something that, maybe, they should have never started.

featuring; venti, lumine, paimon, and some mentions of aether.

[au]

*:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧

To Lumine, there was nothing more important to her than finding her brother. He was constantly on her mind, the twin she lost and the only thing that kept her tied to this world. If it were not for that god she would have been long gone from Teyvat with all her memories intact and her powers untouched. More importantly, she would have Aether at her side rather than somewhere she couldn’t see nor reach.

It disheartened her to know that no matter how far she’s come, he wasn’t any closer. When could they return home, to the skies above, hand in hand as they had done so many years ago?

Lumine was beginning to think that the day would never come.

Their last encounter still weighed heavily in her mind, the words Aether imparted to her and the obvious change within him that differed so greatly from what she could hazily remember. While she lamented the grief of losing her twin, what had he endured in her absence? What could have driven him to the point of siding with the very same beings she once believed to be her foe? Lumine had the answer to none of these thoughts and Paimon, her dear friend and guide, could provide no insight either.

Her chest heaved with a sigh, and her eyes, which rested upon the night sky, lowered towards her side where Paimon rested. Tonight was peaceful. From her perch under a tree atop a hill, there were no monsters in sight. Mondstadt’s plains were as clear as can be and she relished in the silence the serenity provided. The midnight breeze was cool, as always, and its gentle caress against her skin felt like comfort. All that could be heard were the deep breaths of her sleeping companion and the quiet buzz of nature. Being left with nothing other than her thoughts, it was easy to feel herself sink into the loneliness of it all. If it weren’t for the constant squeezes she’d feel at the tips of her fingers that were in Paimon’s tiny clutch, a comfort she least expected, maybe the many forlorn thoughts that plagued her mind would have consumed her whole.

She was very much in need of a distraction and thankfully, along with the wind that encompassed her in its tender embrace, came the presence of the god who commanded it so. As the wind picked up slightly, fluttering her short golden locks, Lumine’s eyes briefly shut and only reopened when she heard the lilt of his familiar voice.

“Lumine,”

Her name rolled sweetly of his tongue, eliciting her attention and the stringent pull of her heart. She glanced over her shoulder, watching as he approached closer towards her with a slight smile on her lips. She said nothing in response, merely placing a finger over her lips and motioning towards Paimon who still slept away undisturbed.

Venti seated himself down at her side, gazing out at the same plains she had done for the past hour. He was close enough to her that she could feel the brush of his clothes against her skin and though she was one who preferred to keep a distance from others, she found herself not disliking the lack of space. He was possibly the only other person she could ever feel this comfortable with.

“I didn’t think you’d come tonight.” She finally speaks, tone low enough to not disturb Paimon’s peaceful slumber. Her lashes spider across the reddened apples of her cheeks as she runs a finger through the soft locks of Paimon’s hair, watching as the fairy smiled happily in her sleep, nuzzling her makeshift pillow as if the gesture delighted her.

Venti peered onto the sight with slight amusement, leaning closer towards her as he too spoke lowly. “I’m glad I did. You looked like you could use some company.”

When he leans back, she glances over towards him once more; her pretty golden eyes illuminated under the moon. There’s a slight twitch in her lips before they spread into an open smile and she laughs with her hand attempting to block its sound. Her laughter chimes, shaking her shoulders yet the abrupt noise is not enough to wake her sleeping travel partner.

Venti relishes in its sound, finding himself smiling along with her even if he wasn’t quite sure what it was that amused her. Still, he felt a singe of pride burn in his chest for being able to produce a laugh from her when she had once looked as if the world were coming undone right at its seams.

“Were you watching me?” She says after her laughter dies, yet her grin persists.

She’s teasing him. He could tell from her tone of voice and the insincere question that would have had most immediately denying it. Though Venti did no such thing. His grin only brightened before he cheekily giggled. With flushed cheeks, he leans in closer towards her watching as her expression grew curious with the lack of space between them.

“It’s hard not to.” He replies so simply as if the words hadn’t raced either of their hearts.

He means them though. Like every word he speaks to her, on nights like these when it’s only the two of them, he means everything. To him, Lumine is a hard person to ignore. Under the pale moonlight, he thinks she looks beautiful. Everything about her seemingly glows. She’s almost ethereal, both delicate and entrancing; and he feels that if he were to take his eyes off her for even a second, she would fade away.

He does as cursory glanced between her eyes, captivated by how they seemed to reflect so much of her emotion alone, and leaning away once again when he noticed she grew too red in the face. Despite her courageous demeanor, she was quite shy when it came to him. Her hand lifted away from Paimon, resting against her chest as she felt the thunderous beats of her heart beneath. No one had ever made her feel like this other than Venti. It was an effect most curious yet lovely to her. She was torn between hating it completely and cherishing it.

Her eyes strayed on him for a few seconds longer, the smile he wore on his lips committing to her memory before her gaze drops from his and returns back to the fields before them. Unknowingly Venti reminded her of the words her brother said and with it came the realization that maybe, the god had more to hide. A part of her wanted to believe Venti was incapable of the cruelty her brother accused all the gods of. It was the part of her that clung to the kindness and warmth he’d shown her since the day they met and the days that persisted afterward. He was always there for her in her time of need, showing up out of the blue with nothing but the gentle breeze to alarm her of his presence. She didn’t want to believe that the words, smiles, and feelings he’d shown her were all a façade.

 Yet, when she parted her lips ready to ask if her brother’s words were the truth or not, she found herself at a loss. She didn’t want to know. The cowardly side of her that she desperately wanted to hide away from the world was too afraid of the answer. What would happen if he didn’t deny the accusations? What would happen if he admitted to her a crime so awful that she could no longer see him in the same innocent light she had for so long?

It was foolish of her. So very naive to deny the truth if only to preserve the image of someone she cherished. Deep down maybe she always knew something like this was bound to happen. Her time in this world was limited regardless of her desire and their relationship. . . no matter how precious, was never fated to last forever.

“Venti,”

She calls, her tone gentle and affectionate yet there is also a hint of sadness that he’s easily able to pick up. Her gaze meets his once more and in it; he could see her longing. Despite their close proximity, at this moment; Lumine never felt more distant. She intertwined her fingers with his, giving him a smile that didn’t quite reach her eyes. From all the alluring smiles she’d given him, this one had to have been the saddest. She leans in closer to him and instinctively, he does the same.

“Please stay with me for a little longer,” She says and he feels each word brushed against his cheek. “Just for tonight.”

His eyes flutter shut and when their lips finally join he pretends he doesn’t feel the heartache of what can only be perceived as an end, neither does he dare to address the tear that rolls down her cheek. His fingers brush against her skin, wiping the tear and combing through her hair. He attempts to memorize everything about her, from the softness of her flesh against his to the feeling of her blonde locks in his grasp. Their connection is painfully fleeting, yet it captivates him. Even after they part he could still feel her lips. She squeezes his hand and the troubled expression she wears tells of the many thoughts running through her head. Thoughts that he would never come to know.

There are many things they keep from one another, the sadness she bears being just another secret she’ll never reveal. He wished to know her. All of her, yet in this life, their differences were far too great for him to ever act on these desires. She may have never said it, yet he could feel it all the same. This, whatever it was and no matter how brief, would end under the stars. Her silent cries fill that night, with him holding her close as her only means of comfort but even then it feels strangely empty. The lies and hidden truths neither revealed was an obstacle too great.

If only fate could have given them another chance.

[ethereaiin]

Do you accept request for Baal from Genshin Impact? Just asking

you can request baal but i wont be writing it until she comes out in game.

[ethereaiin]

pspsps a2 waltzing would be pretty snazzy of you

features; you and a2

[au]

*:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧

Ever since you were young your mother has always been strict, especially when it came to how you presented yourself. You were the daughter of the only grand duke in the kingdom and she thought it was imperative that you appear as perfect as your title suggested.

Being the sole heiress to the grand duchy held many benefits but forced just as many responsibilities onto you, which your mother oversaw with a keen eye. While you were given the best education in the country and excelled in various aspects of etiquette, there was only one subject you had trouble mastering.

Dancing.

You weren’t sure what it was about it that caused you so much trouble. You had the best instructors around, the top dancers handpicked by your meticulous mother, yet even they were still not enough to instill the precise movements of a basic waltz into your head. You couldn’t even count the number of hours you spent watching them elegantly sail across the ballroom floor, spinning and stepping in sync with the music before one of them offered their hand out for you to put all you saw into practice. Yet it would only end with you stepping on your instructor’s toes or dancing the wrong part altogether.

Your instructors never once told you what exactly you were doing wrong. They merely smiled lightly, shifting uncomfortably on their bruised toes as they spoke insincere assurances that you definitely improved from the previous session. But you knew it all to be lies. You danced nothing like them. Not as graceful, nor as nimble.

Compared to them, you were akin to a newborn fawn who just learned to use their legs. At this rate, there was no way you were going to be able to dance at your coming-of-age celebration without embarrassing yourself completely. Your mother would never let you see the light of day if you managed to step on the toes of your partner and you can’t even imagine the disappointment from your father.

You were the grand duke’s heir, after all, there was no room for mistakes. Even for something so minor as dancing. Already, you can imagine the face your mother would make when she witnesses your terrible dancing tomorrow during practice.

“She’s gonna kill me when she finds out.” You sighed as you sunk deeper in your seat, a plate of cookies placed before you alone with a steaming cup of tea. Many thoughts clouded you, many of them pertaining to your mother and some of them belonging to your beloved. “There’s no way I’m going to give him that promised dance. . .”

By him, you meant your unofficial fiance, Cirian Lacan. While you two were not yet formally engaged, you’ve been promised to each other since birth. It was an age-old agreement that had yet to be fulfilled due to the fact that both of your respective families had never produced children of opposite genders. Well, until now at least. You and Cirian were on great terms and you considered him to be a very precious childhood friend you wouldn’t mind spending the rest of your life with.

To say he was excited about your coming of age ceremony was an understatement. He had his own the year prior and was determined to be your first dance and you, being ignorant to the true difficulties of a simple waltz, wholeheartedly agreed. You wanted to make him happy but at this rate, you’d only give him several bruised toes and a terrible experience.

“My lady, you must sit up properly.”

Came the stern voice of your appointed personal maid and guard. You glanced up towards the left side of your chair where A2 stood, her face pulled into a small disapproving frown at your slumped form. Your lips formed a small pout, but you chose wisely to do as she said. You were a firsthand witness to her monster strength and you did not want to see what she would do if you refused.

Your maid was an odd person, one whose origins you were never fully informed of and was often shrouded in mystery. Your mother appointed her to you shortly after you were named heir to the duchy for ‘protection’ but the woman currently standing next to you looked as if she couldn’t hurt a fly, let alone wield a sword. She was tall and delicately lean, but under that maid’s dress, you weren’t sure if there was even an ounce of muscle to be seen. Not to mention her name. It was strange and sounded more like a pseudonym than anything else.

The only thing you had learned of her so far apart from her no-nonsense personality, was that she and two others like her were ‘gifts’ from the royal family. Your father would only relent that much to you and the other two that supposedly came along to your residence with her were nowhere to be seen.

“They are doing their work, my dear.” Your father said from his seat at his desk. His eyes never once lifted from the stack of papers in his hand to address you, yet you could still feel the warmth in his tone. This was how he displayed his affection and patience for you. Never once raising his voice in your presence or running you off when you so obviously intruded on his work. And then, under his breath, “Out of sight, out of mind.”

You never did understand what he meant by that and you were pretty sure you were never meant to hear it. Yet whatever the other two did, it was much more secretive than what A2 did for you. All you could do for now was hope that your father would explain more once you’re declared head of the family.

“A2, can’t you see I’m in a crisis right now?” You huffed, twisting yourself in your seat towards her and sitting in an even more improper fashion than you were moments before. Your new positioning seemed to noticeably peeve A2 who furrowed her brow. “If I can’t get this dance down, mother will kill me. . . and Ciri,” Your avert your gaze, your eyes softening as your mouth quivers into a frown. “oh I can’t even imagine what he’d do.”

“Cry, probably.” A2 remarks and you throw a light glare in her direction yet she shrugs it off with an indifferent bow of her head as if she were apologizing, but you knew she wasn’t. “I tell only the truth, my lady.”

As much as you wished to defend your fiance’s honor, you were well aware of his meek nature. A2 was right. He was more likely to cry if you ended up making your first public dance together a complete disaster. You only had one shot at this and if you failed, not only would you break the promise you had with Cirian but those nasty nobles who’d been attempting to gather as much dirt on you as possible would jump on this opportunity. They would use any flaw you had to their advantage, anything to keep you from getting the grand duchess title.

“There must be something I can do. . .” You nibbled at the nail of your thumb, a habit you accidentally picked up and one both A2 and your mother hated. While you were a normally composed person, the thought of your nearing coming-of-age ceremony and your lack of knowing a relatively simple dance seemed to have driven your nerves up the wall. “If I can’t dance, I should just avoid doing it shouldn’t I?”

Your gaze, which had fallen to the ground in thought, rose only to meet A2’s for approval. You wouldn’t say you and her were close, but the fact that she spent the most time with you out of all your servants, made her feel something akin to a friend. But with her, there was always a line in the sand she purposely drew. She never once made the effort to get closer to you and often discreetly blocked your advances from getting to know her. You respected her decision and despite her reluctance to open up, you still very much liked her.

She was pragmatic in nature and voiced her opinion often enough that you thought of her as honest. Her indifference towards you and the rest of the world was somewhat refreshing. Unlike other servants, she didn’t try currying favor with you and if there was a noble that bothered you for a little too long, she always made sure to tell them off in your stead. She didn’t care much for social standing and if she wasn’t the personal maid to the second most powerful family in the Leiden kingdom, you were sure she would have been hanged for how impartial she truly was with people. Her mouth would one day get her into trouble, you were sure of it.

When she gently smacked your hand away from your mouth, you could see the glint of resignation in her silver eyes. “Do you really want to learn that useless dance?”

“Hey,” You started, your hand settling back into your lap as you watched her move to stand right in front of you. “I won’t deny that dancing is useless. . . in fact, I couldn’t agree more.” You nodded to yourself with certainty and a satisfied smile. If only your mother and Cirian thought that way. You could be saved a hell of a lot of trouble.

“But this is what’s expected of me.” Your smile dropped at the thought of your father and all he had to sacrifice to get where he stood. “I really shouldn’t neglect this just because I hate it.”

“For a girl your age, you think too deeply.” You glanced up at her surprisingly soft tone. She presents her pale hand for you to take and you do so without much thought. Throughout the few years she’s been by your side, you definitely trusted her a little more than anyone else. “Being terrible at one thing won’t kill you, nor would it make your father think any less of you. No one expects you to be perfect, [name].”

She pulls you off towards the large open clearing of your room and it’s only when she has her hand on your waist that you realize what she’s doing. “While I can’t help you with much of anything in regards to your studies, this is something I can assist you in.”

Before you’re given the chance to process her earlier words or even the fact that she was helping you with dancing, she spins the two of you around; gliding effortlessly across the floor. With your hand caressed gently within her own. You stare at her with widened eyes. Everything about her in this moment had taken you by surprise, but you didn’t find yourself hating it.

A2 could be a kind person if given the chance and while most people had never minded how hard you exerted yourself to even resemble a bit of your father, she was the first person to ever realize the high expectations you set up for yourself. Your mother called your ambition and strive to be the makings of a true leader, but you sometimes found them to be nothing but burdensome. More than anything, you just wanted someone to tell you it was okay to mess up. Even just a little. Her sentiment warmed your heart in ways you could never truly convey into words.

So, with a cheerful grin, you swayed along with her. Though, your eyes stayed trained on your feet if only to avoid ruining the nice moment.

Dancing in silence may have seemed odd to an onlooker, but you swore you could hear the melodic beat in your head. You hummed along to the non-existent song, momentarily glancing up from your feet to meet A2’s curious stare with a grin. At first, you had trouble keeping up with her graceful steps, and more often than naught, you stepped on her toes. Each time, you apologized with reddened cheeks, yet she shrugged them off with a light smile and a shake of her head.

She was a much more diligent teacher than you initially expected. For every mistake, she told you exactly what you had done wrong and where you needed to improve. Yet, she was also so very patient. She went over countless parts of the dance, repeating the moves you had trouble on and never once expressing anger when you didn’t seem to get it.

This repeated for hours on end and well into the night before you finally called it quits. While you were exhausted with your chest heaving and small beads of sweat rolling down the side of your face, A2 looked as if she were not tired at all. You shambled over towards your bed, plopping down before looking to A2 who seemed to have read your mind and was fetching you a towel.

“Thank you,” You said with a sigh as you took the towel from her before patting the softened cloth against your cheek.

There was a few moments of silence between you that you used to compose yourself. Your heart settled into its normal steady rhythm and your exhaustion mellowed into fatigue. A2 stood in front of you, hands folded neatly at her waist and eyes lowered to give you some privacy.

“You’re very good at dancing.” You finally say as you drop the towel to your side. “When did you learn?”

“When you did,” A2 says as she lifts her eyes to meet your own. Within her silvery gaze, you can see obvious amusement. “I learned from watching you.”

A2 was always such a perfect maid. Doing everything to a tee and perfect in all aspects. You were unsurprised to hear she was a quick learner as well as a talented dancer. It was a shame her talents were held back by her class. If she were of noble lineage, you had no doubts that she would have given even the crown prince a run for his money.

Yet, there was something about her that was strayed from her normal indifference. You noticed it the most when the two of you were dancing. Her face looked so serene. With a ghost of a smile on her lips and eyes fluttered shut as she twirled you along to your hummed song. She was undeniably beautiful then and even someone so oblivious as yourself could see that.

You hummed at her reply, leaning back on your hands as you stared at her with a wide grin. "You like dancing, don't you?"

"It's. . . Okay." She says with a shrug of her shoulders. "Nothing special, really. I don't know why you nobles make such a big deal out of it."

"So then you wouldn't mind helping me out again, would you?" You offer your hand out for her to take and she does before pulling you off your bed. "You're a fine teacher. Better than those 'professionals' mother hired."

When you're up on your feet again, A2 attempts to let you go but you only tighten your grip on her hand. She looks at you, her brows high with a curious expression on her normally stoic features.

"Let's go another round, A2." You grin as you pull her towards the middle of your room once more. "There's a lot more I need to work on if I want to be perfect."

The woman behind you merely smiles, her pale cheeks tinged red as she nods to no one in particular. "As you wish, my lady."

[ethereaiin]

Love your Eula x Reader fic! Do you accept request idea?

thank you and of course! feel free to request anything genshin related or choose from any of the other series ive previously wrote for!

[ethereaiin]

Reprieve | genshin impact

synopsis; you liked her. you really, really liked her. yet despite how you felt, no one else could say the same.

features; you, eula, and some mentions of amber.

[au]

*:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧

There was something about Eula Lawrence that attracted attention no matter where she went. Maybe it was due to her outstanding work within the Knights of Favonius, or her undeniable beauty. You weren’t sure, all you knew was you were as taken with her as just about everyone else.

Except, they. . . didn’t exactly share the same thoughts about her as you did.

People were wary of her. You could tell from the way they whispered behind her back as she passed and how they refused to meet her gaze as if looking her in the eyes would curse their very being. They sneered in her direction, spewing words you would never dare to repeat and you’ve even seen vendors refuse her service. To the people of Mondstadt, she was never seen as a good person.

It was quite obvious what the reason for their behavior was. Being a native to Mondstadt yourself, you were privy to that knowledge, yet you didn’t really understand why those around you continued to be blinded by the past. Most were afraid the aristocracy would once again rise in power, yet you never saw that as justification for the terrible way they treated her. The Lawrence name had done well enough to paint her in the worst light from the day she was born. But to you, Eula resembled nothing of the old Lawrence clan or even her brazen uncle. She was different, you were sure of it.

You only wished everyone else could see her the way you did.

Amber was the one who first introduced her to you. While she was reserved and distant in the beginning, your persistence in sticking by her side through the years slowly opened her up to you. After sharing countless conversations with Eula, you could see how her words could be mistaken for mild threats and paired along with her cold tone; you could understand how she became a person to be feared. Still, you never thought of her any differently. There was hidden meaning in everything she said and while most people would have taken her words of having ‘vengeance’ at face value, you instead found it amusing. Your constant giggling caused you to become one of the many people who crossed her, yet she never asked you to stop nor did she seem as if she were seriously irritated. Instead, she brought you gifts and took you on outings as an odd way to prepare you for her coming revenge. Though you were never sure what said vengeance would entail. What you did know, however, was that she was unbelievably kind. Even if she would never admit it herself, you knew it for a fact.

Eula was a strong girl. Both physically and mentally, she was well fortified. You knew the things the people of Mondstadt said to her never once affected her nor did it crumble her resolve to prove them wrong. Their scorn and attempts to tear her down were met with a promise of revenge and an icy look that completely differed from the insincere threats she’d given you. She would do anything within her power to become the very thing her family hated and it was proven by how fast she was rising through the ranks within the knights. Seeing how dedicated she was made you want to support her and along with Amber, you did your best to improve her image within the city.

You wanted the world to know just how good Eula Lawrence was. Her every achievement was proudly spoken by you to anyone willing to listen and you did your best to convince others to give her a chance. Though you were not as well known as Amber, your family name carried a bit of weight among the people to at least make them reconsider their prejudices against Eula. You wanted nothing more than for the city she grew up in to finally feel like a place she could call home. It was your one wish and, among many things, something you felt you greatly owed her. The numerous gifts and friendly affection she'd shower you with were all too much to leave unpaid.

Your feelings towards her were far too vast to put into words. Nothing you could say or do would ever hope to convey all of them precisely. Even you didn’t know the exact emotion of what you felt towards her. You only knew of your desire to see her, to talk to her and be with her. It was all that mattered to you and for the longest, you were happy with just staying by her side.

Yet there was something that was always bothering you. Over the years you were witness to the great accomplishments both Eula and Amber made. In both body and mind, they became people who were strong. Strong enough to fight for what they thought was right, but most of all, strong enough to fight for themselves. But you. . . you were unchanged. You were still the same demure, polite and weak girl you always were. Too afraid to speak up for yourself and too afraid of change. It made you feel utterly helpless and in comparison to them, you felt ashamed.

“Stop seeing that girl.”

Your father’s words felt more weighted than they should have been. Under that single demand, you felt crushed and it was enough to halt the beat of your heart for a second. You stopped what you were doing, the half embroidered handkerchief hung from one hand while the other held a string of white thread and needle. You were halfway finished with your newest present to Eula until he barged in your room looking as if he were about ready to snap something in half. You didn’t think he cared about you. He never seemed to have before. Yet all of the sudden he’s making demands of you as if he hadn’t ignored your very existence up until this moment. If it weren’t for your knowledge of how short-tempered your father was, you would have already retaliated with a snap of your own. Though that would have only ended with you earning yet another bruise to cover up. When you finally regained your composure, you glanced up at him after placing Eula’s unfinished gift atop the table before you.

“Who?” You blinked, your expression feigning ignorance. “Amber?”

You knew your acting could only get you so far, but you hoped it would be enough to fool him. Yet, despite your best efforts, you could see he was not at all convinced. The middle of his brow twitched, creasing deeply as his nerves were already beginning to give way. You could see his anger. It was apparent on his aged face which turned redder with each passing second. For some reason, unknown to you, he never did have an ounce of patience to spare you. Every remark that even sounded like a disagreement to what he asked of you was either met with a rough slap to the cheek or, if you were lucky, a day locked in your room without dinner. He was especially sensitive when it came to his work and this, you figured, must have had something to do with it. Your blatantly open support of Eula must have reached him by now and you could only guess that it was beginning to hinder the family business. The Lawrence's, after all, was a cursed family. The fallen remnants of what remained of the aristocracy that no one in Mondstadt wanted anything to do with.

As soon as the wrong girl’s name left your lips, you weren’t even given time to prepare yourself before you were sent hurdling out of your seat with a newly bruised cheek. From your place on the ground, you warily stared up at him with a hand cradling your hot and painfully throbbing face. You were somewhat used to this, yet no matter how many times you experienced his rage, you could never get used to the pain. Tears glossed over your eyes and gathered at the corners. You could feel them streaking down the apples of your cheeks and, on the side he hit, meeting with the tips of your fingers. He looked down at you with irritation as if the mere sight of your crying form was enough to set him off once more. You were well aware you were nothing but a nuisance to him. He voiced it often enough to you.

“Don’t act innocent,” He spits, eyes narrowing and jaw clenched. “I raised you better than that.” A bold lie that would have had you laughing if not for your immense pain. “The Lawrence’s are no good. If you go see that girl again, don’t bother coming home.”

He left just as quickly as he came. He spared you no further glance as he slammed the door of your room close before clicking it locked. You seemed to have hit the jackpot with getting both of his favorite punishments in one go. Not only had left you injured, but he’d also ensure you wouldn’t go running off behind his back. Your hand fell from your cheek as the painful throbbing died into a buzzing numbness. The silent tears that rolled down your cheeks had done little to truly encompass the pain you felt.  At one point in your life, you wanted nothing more than that man’s affection. But that was long in the past and as the years rolled by, he'd done nothing for you other than present bruises for you to hide and humiliation you were meant to take without protest. He was a terrible man who saw you as nothing more than the reason for the death of his beloved person. Somewhere down the line, maybe even he had forgotten, that your mother was just as precious to you as she was to him.

Leaving this place wouldn’t be so hard for you as he may have thought. Even if he had merely said it as a threat and meant nothing by it, you took it to heart. This house was rarely ever a true home to you and you often felt more welcome outside among your friends than you ever did here. The choice he presented to you wasn’t difficult, nor did you find yourself doubting your decision. There was no way you would ever choose a man who’d never shown you kindness over Eula who undoubtedly cared for you, albeit in the most peculiar way unique only to her.

This was finally your chance to leave and you’d gladly take it without hesitation. Although you knew you could never truly escape your father within the walls of Mondstadt. You needed to get farther away from him. Liyue was the only other place you could go that could grant you that wish whilst allowing you to stay somewhat in contact with your friends. The trip would be long and arduous and most of all it required money. While you had a little from the various jobs you took on, you were almost positive you could gain the rest from selling the small amount of jewelry you possessed. They were precious things to you. The various jeweled necklaces, bracelets, and the single portrait being personal belongings of your mother that your father would have never let you near.

It was only by chance that you were able to snag them while he was away on business and since then you had them tucked away in a small velvet bag hidden under your mattress. You’d rarely ever taken them out, only glancing at them when you missed her the most. The portrait of her was old, the color almost fading completely, yet it was enough for you. Your father never kept pictures of her. All of them were stashed away somewhere deep within the house where you weren’t allowed to go. If it weren’t for you finding the small bag of jewelry and what could have been her last picture, you would have forgotten what she looked like. You were young when she died, barely the age of six, yet you could still loosely remember some things about her. Mainly it was her smile you could recall. You remembered it to be tender and filled with warmth. It was the by-product of her love for you and since her untimely passing, you've yearned to see it again.  

Your mother, the kind person you hazily remembered her as wouldn’t have wanted you to continue living like this.

Packing was easy enough. You barely had any belongings to your name and most of everything was able to snugly fit into one bag. The last thing you needed was the jewelry, which you securely placed inside your coat, and you were ready to set off towards what you could only hope to be a better life. As you neared the window of your room, the tips of your fingers pressed against the pane, you glanced behind you at your room once more. While you possessed no good memories of this place, its image would never leave you. It was the room you grew up in and a place you could not so easily forget. You were really going to abandon everything, leaving behind everyone who ever cared for you without so much as a goodbye. The thought of doing so made you feel heavy with shame, but you knew you just didn’t have the time. At any moment your father could walk through your bedroom door and catch you mid-escape. If he did, you knew you’d never get a chance like this again.

Your gaze dropped, landing on the table in your room. The unfinished handkerchief you were making for Eula still lay on its surface and it served to remind you of just what you were giving up by running away. Your friends would undoubtedly be hurt from your sudden disappearance and maybe even Eula would come to hate you, thinking you were no different from those that openly mocked her. You never wished for her to think of you as such, but for now, it was alright. You could deal with that if it meant that she would forget about you faster. You never wanted to become a burden to her, nor did you want to hinder the great progress she made towards her goal. You just only wished there was something you could remember her by.

You stepped away from the window for a second, hastily grabbing the handkerchief and the spool of thread and needle that was attached to it before stuffing it into the pocket of your coat. Finishing it would be enough for you. Even if that meant you were never going to be able to give it to her like you wanted to.

Once you finally left your house, it was already past sunset. It was around this time that you knew Eula would be getting out of training for the day and you’d made sure to avoid the usual path she took towards her home. There were days you used to meet her at the central fountain for dinner or even at the doors of the knight’s headquarters. Today you were meant to do the latter. Never once had you not shown up for your promised outings with her and today would be your first and last offense. You just hoped she wouldn’t hold it too much against you.

The central marketplace wasn’t bustling with as many people as it had during midday. The crowds were thinning and some vendors were already packing up their stalls for the day. You were greeted by some of the people you knew, many of them blatantly staring at the large bandage on your cheek yet never asking what the cause of it was. They mainly bid you a good day and even sent you off with some gifts. As you bit into one of the apples given to you, you had a feeling they might have already known what kind of person your father was. Maybe you were not as good at hiding your injuries as you thought. Or was he just not good at hiding his hate for you?

Nighttime was close to falling upon you. The sky shifted from its orange hue into deep indigo and the stars were beginning to poke through to shine in all their glory. The main gate to Mondstadt stood in front of you, towering over you in height and your sudden smallness in comparison almost intimidated you. You really were leaving. That might have been your original goal, yet it hadn’t truly sunk in until the moment you were standing before the city's massive gates. You’ve been outside of Mondstadt on numerous occasions, but never with the intent of leaving forever. Your chest felt heavy with a mixture of various emotions and your eyes burned with unshed tears.

There was a part of you that wished to turn back and just bear with your father’s presence like you had for all these years. This part of you was scared. Fearful of what lies beyond the safety of the walls surrounding Mondstadt and afraid of taking the first step to true freedom. Here, you would never become anything more than a prisoner to the unjust guilt of your mother’s death. You would never gain the happiness you truly desired, nor would you ever become the person strong enough to stand by Eula’s side. You wanted nothing more than to be different and staying here would not allow you that freedom to grow.

You steeled yourself, hands clutching tightly at the strap of your bag as you continued on towards the main gates. You had no plans of stopping any longer, nor did you allow yourself even a second of hesitation. Now was the time to go. Now was your very last cha-

“[Name]?”

With widened eyes, your head whipped in the direction of the familiar voice. Standing just a few feet away from you was Eula. She looked at you with momentary confusion, her expression mellowing out as she eyed both the packed bag resting at your hip and the bandage on your face.

“E-Eula. . .” You muttered as she stepped closer towards you. One of your hands, unconsciously delving towards the flap of your bag as if to prevent her from seeing what was inside. “What are you doing here?”

“Is that what you’re going to say to me?” She asks with crossed arms and a stern expression. From the look of her face, you already knew what she was going to say. “You have a lot of nerve standing me up when you were the one who wanted to meet today. . .”

You weren’t really expecting her to show up at this moment, not when you initially thought she’d go home rather than look for you. Yet, here she stood. In front of you with a creased brow and a rather childish pout on her lips that would have normally made you laugh if not for the current circumstances.

“Sorry,” You apologized, your hands relaxing at your side now that the initial surprise dispersed. “I kinda got into it with my father. . .” You laughed a bit to ease your own nerves as one of your hands anxiously rubbed at the cloth bandage on your cheek. You knew your injury could never escape her. It was far too big for you to hide this time. “But don’t worry, I’m fine!”

You did your best to place the most assuring smile on your face as you looked back up to her. But she didn’t look all too convinced. Instead, her eyes conveyed something far different than what you were used to seeing from her. Her expression was soft. Far too soft for someone who was never forward with feelings that pertained to herself. She was worried for you.

“Where are you going?” Her tone too was so soft and gentle. As if she were afraid you were going to run away the moment she raised her voice. The crease in her brow returned and you realized she finally understood what your intentions were. You knew it would only be a matter of time until it all clicked into place for her, but you hoped you would have been out the city gates and halfway to Liyue by then.

She reached for your hand that hovered over your injured cheek, tenderly cradling it in her gloved one as she held onto you. This was her way of keeping you from going anywhere, you knew her touch might have meant nothing to her, but it made your heart feel as if it were going to burst. You felt trapped by her gaze and you attempted to formulate something to say or an excuse to give. Eula was not good for you right now. She made you hesitate. She made you want to stay.

But you couldn’t. Not anymore.

“Out.” You finally answered, stepping away from her and pulling your hand from her gentle hold. Your feigned smile returned to your lips. “But only for a bit, I’ll be back.”

It hurt to lie to someone who was always so honest with you. Even more so when that person was Eula herself. You never wanted to say your goodbye like this and if it were up to you, you wished to have just silently disappeared from her life like you were planning. You quickly turned away from her, the flash of hurt across her face from your obvious lie was crumbling your resolve. You no longer held hesitance in your steps as you strode out of the main gates and behind you, you could hear Eula rushing to follow. At this rate, the tears that were building up were about ready to burst. She wasn’t making this parting any easier than it could have been. You suppose you only had yourself to blame. If you hadn’t liked her as much as you did, maybe she wouldn’t be so adamant in trying to stop you now.

“Wait, [name]!” She grasped your arm, halting you to a complete stop. Her expression appeared more panicked than it was once before. It was only until you were in her hold that she regained some composure. Though her face was still wrought with worry. “Let me escort you to wherever you’re going. It’s dangerous out here, especially at night. You’ll let me do that at least, won’t you?”

Your lips parted, a refusal already at the tip of your tongue but before you could decline her offer, you were interrupted by the distant shouted calls of your name. Your father knows. Eula seemed to have noticed too as she looked briefly over her shoulder before looking back at you. If her suspicions weren’t already confirmed, then your fearful expression would have sealed the deal. You were running away. Now even she knew that.

“Eula, let go.” You attempted to pull yourself away from her but her grip was tight. “Please, I need to go.”

For several moments she looked conflicted and the feeling of dread only continued to increase with the nearing proximity of the shouted calls. If your father found you now, he’d never let you go. You pulled your arm again, this time with more desperation and this seemed to have brought her out of whatever thoughts she may have been engrossed in.

“Springvale.” She utters to you and you look at her with confusion. “I’ll meet you at Springvale. Wait for me.”

Her words border a demand and plead. While she was never one to beg, her tone was desperate enough to insinuate her words were a helpless request. Although she still looks troubled and hesitant, she lets you go. You waste no time in putting a bit of distance between yourself and the gates and it was only until you were nearing the bridge that you looked back at her. She stared after you and the difference from earlier was that she appeared to be more resolved than she was previously. You didn’t know what was going through her mind, but you hoped she had no plans of dragging you back to Mondstadt.

“Midnight. I’ll only wait for you until then!” You shout towards her and turn away before she’s given the chance to respond. You don’t know if she heard you but in the end, it wouldn’t matter. You weren’t planning on waiting past the time allotted. No matter what, you were leaving.

You had never ventured this far from Mondstadt. As a person who had no training in combat or in possession of a vision, you weren’t even allowed past the bridge without either Amber or Eula accompanying you. From a young age, it was drilled into your head that there were dangerous monsters roaming the plains outside of Mondstadt’s walls and so you were fully expecting your path from the city to Springvale to be anything but peaceful. You were surprised to find it was the complete opposite. It was quite relaxing. The scenery, despite it being nighttime, was still a sight to behold. Instead of monsters and other frightening things, you were instead accompanied with only the ambiance of the evening that included the dissonant melodies of crickets and the hoots of distant owls.

Springvale was easy to navigate even without the handy map you thankfully thought to have nabbed from your father’s study months ago. While you never planned to run away at that time, it was merely your curiosity of the outside world that drove you to take it for yourself. Your coincidental foresight thankfully saved you from getting lost and ungraciously becoming a monster’s next meal. It may have been proven useless for this small detour, it was sure to help you out in the nearing future. Especially if you were bound to make the trek all the way to Liyue by yourself.

The small village of Springvale was definitely more quaint than you imagined. You heard much about it from Sara as she once told you it was mainly occupied by hunters who provided quality meat to many of Mondstadt’s restaurants, including the one she worked at. It was peaceful here. The lull of the gentle breeze swaying the surrounding trees and the sound of nearby rushing waters. It was certainly peaceful and though you wished to explore further into the village, you didn’t wish to alarm anyone of your sudden presence. Especially so late at night. Instead, you opted to seat yourself on the ground at the village’s entrance with your back against the Springvale sign. You didn’t have a chance to discuss a meeting place with Eula, so you determined this would be the easiest place to spot her.

That was if she came.

Midnight was fast approaching and from your spot on the ground, you could see the stars glittering above you brighter than they had hours ago. Among the many thoughts in your head, you couldn’t help but wonder why Eula insisted you wait for her. The expressions she showed you during that split moment you were set to leave, was different from anything you’ve ever seen before. She was always a blunt person, straightforward in all of her words, and never was one who held a single doubt in any of her decisions. You liked that part about her. You thought her honesty was refreshing. To see her look so troubled, conflicted by something you did made you curious. You could remember her pursed lips, furrowed brows, and the disheartened look in her eyes as if the realization of you leaving deeply saddened her. Were you truly that precious of a person for her to make such an expression? Was her concern for you merely out of friendship or had it meant something more? In the end, did it even matter? You were leaving and there was little to no chance you’d ever see her again. In the future, she may forget you, which might have been something you were hoping for but the thought of it still saddened you. You never wanted to be forgotten by someone you cherished.

Your gaze dropped from the sky, glancing down at your lap where your now finished handkerchief lied. You eyed the small blue and white flower embroidered near the corner of the square cloth. It was a Glaze Lilly, a flower you’ve seen in a book and one that deeply reminded you of Eula herself. Your lips curved into a smile, the tip of your finger tracing over the light blue-colored thread. You thought it was a fitting gift and even if you weren’t so sure if you were going to give it to her now, it would be enough to serve as a reminder of your time together with her. It would be a keepsake that you’d never let go of.  

Your ears perk at the sound of approaching footsteps and through the darkness of the night, you were able to see Eula perfectly. Slung across her chest was a bag filled with something you couldn’t quite see and poking over her shoulder was the handle of her weapon. She held a pensive expression on her face as she continued on the path towards Springvale and it was only when she spotted your seated form that she seemingly snapped out from whatever thoughts occupied her. You rose up to your feet to greet her, dusting off your pants before adjusting your bag to rest more comfortably against you. The handkerchief you finished embroidering was now tucked away in your pocket and you nervously glided your thumb against the soft cloth. You finally broke the silence the moment she stopped just in front of you.

“I didn’t think you’d come.” You admitted, your gaze holding her own for a few seconds before dropping towards the bag hanging at her side. You furrowed your brow, glancing back up at her with the question already at the tip of your tongue. “What’s that for?”

“Why wouldn’t I show up? A promise is a promise. . . even if I don’t quite understand what you’re doing.” She answers as she lies a hand on the bag on her hip. “And this? it's stuff I brought that would be useful for our trip.”

You blink at her words, silently processing them as she takes a look at your considerably lighter luggage. “It was a good thing I did because, from the looks of it, you didn’t bring much.”

“Wait- wait, what do you mean ‘our trip’? You’re coming with me?” Your tone was risen slightly, but not enough to attract attention. While you were taken off guard by her words, you were still mindful of the fact that it was quite late into the night.

Eula laughed through her nose, smiling down at you faintly as she crossed her arms over her chest. “Why do you think I kept you waiting? If it were up to me, I would have escorted you all the way over here, but you looked like you were in a rush.” When you appeared unsatisfied with her vague answer, she breathed a sigh. “I needed permission. Of course, I can’t stay with you forever, but at least I can safely take you where you want to go.”

For a moment there, you really thought that she was going to leave everything behind just to come with you. But that was a ridiculous thought. Eula was diligent in everything she did and that included her duties as a knight. She would never abandon them for selfish reasons and you could never ask her to. You smiled, your heart fluttering with the knowledge that she had already done so much for you without you even asking. She didn’t press you for answers and she didn’t ridicule you for your decision to leave. She merely wanted to help and right now, you needed that more than ever. The journey would be dangerous but with her as an escort, you were guaranteed a safe passage.

“Thank you,” You said as you turned towards the main path towards Liyue. You waited until she stepped to your side to continue. “I was in a rush so I didn’t have time to prepare much. I appreciate it a lot.”

Eula didn’t say anything for a few minutes, simply walking by your side until she finally spoke again. Her voice took on that gentle tone once more, the one you remembered briefly hearing back near Mondstadt’s gates. It always took you by surprise with how softspoken she could be.

“Can I ask why?” You knew exactly what she was referring to with that question. “Why do you want to leave Mondstadt?” You expected it and you felt you owed her at least an explanation.

“For a lot of reasons.” You smiled again, meeting her gaze for a moment before looking back at the dirt path before you. “But if I tell you them, you can’t tell Amber. They’d make her sad and Amber’s not the type of person to be sulking around.”

“I won’t.”

You glanced at her, your head tilted slightly, and your smile widened. “Promise?”

She audibly sighed, throwing you a mildly irritated look that you laughed off. “Fine, I promise.”

You looked up at the sky, clutching onto the strap of your bag for comfort. The silence of the night combined with the twinkling stars above made you feel at ease. Eula’s presence had also added to the comfort and for once your own feelings didn’t suffocate you. She, alone, brought that sense of security. “I felt like there was nothing really for me there.”

“Everyone was changing in their own ways, growing to become incredible people.” You glanced over at her, the tender smile never leaving your face. “Especially you and Amber. The two of you were getting closer toward your own goals and I. . .”

You looked away, finding the ground to be far more welcoming. Your honesty scared you, yet you didn’t dare stop telling her the truth. Eula wanted the real reason for you leaving, you couldn’t ignore it nor could you make up some excuse to give her. She deserved far better than that.

“I wasn’t changing at all.” You admitted, your smile turning bitter before fading completely. “I think I was growing too complacent with everything and after a while, I really started to hate myself.”

Eula suddenly grabbed your upper arm, halting you to a stop as she forcefully turned you towards her. While her grip on you wasn’t strong enough to be painful, you could tell it would be difficult to break away from her if you chose to do so. But you didn’t want to. She leaned into you, almost as if she were afraid losing sight of you now meant to lose you forever. You stared into her eyes, taking in the various expression of hurt, anger, and concern. Once again you found her worrying for you when she didn’t need to. Though, you could admit you did find this hidden side of her to be quite adorable.

“Why are you talking like that? If I had know-”

You stopped her by placing both of your hands on either side of her face and squishing her cheeks slightly as you grinned. You could have never imagined a time when you could touch her so freely, yet she didn’t look as if she minded nor did she avoid your touch. She merely looked at you, curious about what you were going to say. “Don’t worry so much, Eula, and let me finish. I wasn’t done explaining.”

You stepped away, hands leaving her visage, yet her grip on you never faltered. Her gloved hand slid down from your arm to join with your hand. It kept you from creating that distance you thought she might have wanted from you and the assuring squeeze you felt against your fingers told you that she too wanted you close.

You honestly felt so helpless when it came to this woman.

“I want to become someone strong.” You finally say, voicing your silent wish. It was a dream you thought impossible to attain at one point, but now that you were free from Mondstadt’s walls, you felt like anything was possible. “I want to be someone worthy to stand by both your’s and Amber’s side. But to do that, I needed to leave. It was only a coincidence that I decided to do it after fighting with my father.”

Her eyes fell to your bandaged cheek and then your joined hands before you felt her squeeze your fingers once more. “I’m sorry for letting it go on for so long. I should have done something. Anything.”

You couldn’t blame her for that. Really, you couldn’t blame anyone. Your father had his own problems to deal with, and while he remained ignorant to the hurt he caused you, there was no use in forcing him to realize his mistakes. He'd never learn. Not until he came to terms with it himself. Maybe one day you might hear an apology from him but for now, all you wanted was to forget and build yourself a new life.

“There’s no need for you to apologize. I just want to be free from the past and already, you’re helping me do that. So don’t ever, for a second, think I blame you.” You said. Then, with a cheeky smile, you added. “Besides, what kind of Lawrence seeks forgiveness from a commoner like me?”

She looked up at you, her eyes wide with surprise before a smile of her own broke out across her face. She looked as if something had dawned upon her; a realization she had yet to see until that very moment. You could never fathom what was going on in the mind of a woman as unique as her. What could have possibly caused her to make a smile a sweet as that?

You felt her fingers intertwine with your own and she pulled you closer to her, the both of your chests touching with the lack of distance. You could feel her breath against the bridge of your nose, brushing slightly against your lips. Your heart pounded heavily against your chest, so hard you thought she might have been able to feel it. You never realized just how captivating her gaze was. In her eyes, you felt as if you could get lost. From afar, you thought they were pretty but up close, they were beautiful.

“You’re right, how dare you make me bow my head.” She whispers as her face nears your own and you could feel her every word against your lips. She was slow enough in her movements to give you time to move away if you chose to, yet you didn't. You wanted to know how she felt towards you and with each passing second, you felt as if you were getting closer to that truth. Her eyes never break away from yours and you don’t move a muscle. This situation was totally new to you, yet you don’t find yourself hating it. Instead, your heart pounds even louder to the point you could hear it ringing in your ears. “For that, you must pay the ultimate price.” Along with the closing distance, your eyes fluttered shut.

Goodbyes never felt freer. Neither had they ever tasted so sweet.

[ethereaiin]

Entwined | fate grand order

synopsis; there were so many things left unsaid between the two of you. one day you'd tell her she meant more to you than she ever realized. 

features; you and kyrielight mash

[au]

extra; game spoilers included!

*:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧

       There was only a handful of times you genuinely felt helpless against the tides of fate. Much of how others thought of you, you were an optimistic person who liked to look at the brighter sides of things even when it seemed as if the whole world was against you. It was what kept you grounded during the tough fight against Tiamat in Babylonia. No matter what happened, no matter the circumstances, you always believed you’d prevail. Besides, what choice did you have?

       Giving up would mean the end of humanity and you… you weren’t ready to die just yet nor were you willing to see all the hard work from everyone back in Chaldea go to waste. You alone were the only person able to put a stop to Solomon’s madness and no matter how much you may have wished to, you couldn’t exactly turn away from it. Humanity, metaphorically, rested atop your shoulders and you weren’t that much of a fool to deny your responsibility. You had things, people, to fight for and as you stand before Solomon’s grand throne, you couldn’t help but think of them.

       The doctor, undoubtedly believed you’d return unscathed and successful in your battle against Solomon. It was his greatest hope and although he was more of the type to be rife with anxiety during a stressful mission, you thought he might have had a little more hope than you in this situation. Da Vinci, being the arguably more sensible one out of the two, even she would have at least acknowledged the difficulty of the task you and Mash were undertaking. Still, she would have given you that gentle smile that you assured you what you should have already known from the beginning.

       You knew fear like the back of your hand. You felt it when you stared at the approaching form of Tiamat when she broke through Uruk’s walls and you felt it now when you realized you had failed to stop Solomon’s noble phantasm from going off. It was a cold sensation, one that left you feeling numb and not at all like yourself. Normally you would have felt that familiar flicker of hope deep within your chest, the one that assured you that no matter what you’d succeed.

       Yet the moment that smug grin reached Solomon’s lips, you knew. There wasn’t any hope left to believe in.

       How were you meant to defeat him when it seemed as if your servants had done nothing to make even a dent in his resolve? The fear was almost painful and the hopelessness that accompanied it could have crushed you under its weight.

       “Master!”

       You flinched, your eyes meeting the violet gaze of Mash who looked to have also been slightly shaken by the outcome of things yet she held her composure far better than you.

       Her face and the bit of exposed skin on her arms were covered in scrapes. Her armor looked no better, parts were missing and it was dinged with the wear of battle. It was a testament to the amount of effort she placed in the task the both of you were assigned and it wasn’t as if you looked any better. Your uniform was torn in places and you could feel the sting of your wounds each time you moved. You both looked worse for wear, yet there was a difference between you two.

       While you looked as if you had given up, Mash still held the look of faith.

       With brows furrowed and a determined frown drawn across her lips, she protectively held her shield in front of you as if to block the sight of Solomon’s menacing figure from your line of sight if only for a moment.

       “Get ahold of yourself, senpai.” Her change in titles meant she were speaking to you as the Mash you knew to be your friend and not the Mash you knew as your servant. “All of those servants out there…” She shuttered, her one visible eye blinking rapidly as if she were holding back tears and knowing her sentimental nature, you knew she must have been. “They weren’t willing to sacrifice their lives for you to give up now! We will get through this, senpai. Just like how we got through everything else!”

       Her words, as strong as they were, reminded you of the same lines you used to recite to her when she began showing doubts in her capabilities. It was odd to find yourself dealing with such pessimistic thoughts when you were once the one doing all the encouraging. The fear and hopelessness you felt throughout your being didn’t suddenly dissipate with her words, but it did lessen.

       “But, how?” Your voice couldn’t help but convey the heavy dread you felt. Your tone was weak due to your exhaustion and you could barely look Mash in the eye as you revealed the extent of your forlorn.

       At this, Mash smiled. It was gentle and held a hint of understanding. She must have known how you felt and it was all conveyed with one mere look. You could hear Solomon beginning the start of his phantasm and though you could feel your heart pumping faster in response to it, Mash didn’t seem to lose her cool. She placed herself in front of you, shield separating the both of you and Solomon’s glowing figure.  

       “I’ll protect you, senpai.” She simply states, her smile never fading even as she turned her back towards you. “Just as you have always done for me.”

       It takes you a moment to understand just what she meant by her words and when it finally does register in your mind, its already too late. Just as you were about to reach out to her to stop her from doing whatever it was she was planning, there as blinding flash of light that emitted from where Solomon stood. It was so bright that you couldn’t help but shield your eyes away from its rays with your arm. Although you could no longer see as well, you could hear Mash shout to activate her noble phantasm and the subsequent increase in brightness as Solomon’s phantasm assumedly shot off. Your ears perked at the sound of her cries as she held against the intensity of his power and you knew it was taking all her might to hold her ground. The floor shook beneath you and your eardrums burst with the thundering sound of an explosion. It rings throughout all of the area and you're sure its loud enough even for Romani and Da Vinci to hear all the way back in Chaldea.

       You knew she wouldn’t survive this. No human could and even if she were a demi-servant, it would not exempt her from the destruction such power would do to her body.

       Your arm, that wasn’t shielding your eyes, desperately reached out towards her. Your screams of her name was buried beneath the noise of Solomon’s power and you doubted she would even turn around to acknowledge you even if she could hear. Your heart pounded painfully against your chest and the corners of your eyes pricked with tears that ran hotly down your cheeks. You already knew what was going to happen, you could already see parts of her disappearing right before your eyes and there wasn’t a thing you could do to stop it. Your eyes clenched shut as the intensity of light grew to an unbearable amount and your arms moved to shield your face completely from the bit of rays that peeked over both Mash’s form and her steady shield. There was a combination of fear and pressure from the overwhelming amount of mana being blasted towards you that kept you in place on the ground you collapsed upon. You couldn't move an inch from your position and once again you felt that feeling of sheer helplessness creep upon you.

       Without Mash by your side, what could you possibly hope to achieve?

       There was a burning smell in the air that made you scrunch your nose and once the blinding light dimmed down you snapped open your eyes to peer at what remained. Burns covered your arms and your clothes were reduced to nothing more than singed tatters. Mash’s shield still stood grounded in front of you, but there were no signs of the girl anywhere to be found, leaving only one conclusion you morbidly expected.

       You felt your heart drop and the tears which were burned away returned in tenfold. Instead of the fear you felt only moments prior, it was replaced with a fiery anger. Your eyes sharpened into a heated glare as you shot up from your place on the ground and when you gazed into the unfazed visage of Solomon, you could feel nothing but hatred. Your right hand rose from your side, the sigil marking you as a Master glowing a crimson red. Although your voice wavered with both fatigue and grief, your tone still held firmly.

       “Servants, with this command spell I order you…”

       “...pai? Senpai!”

       You awoke with a startled gasp that had you shooting into an upright position. Sleepily, you glanced around the lounge you were napping away in when you caught sight of a familiar violet haired girl kneeling beside you with a look of concern. Mash’s hands were hovering midair, due to your abrupt actions after she shook you awake. You blinked hazily at her before rubbing at your eyes with the back of your hands.

       “Mash… what’s wrong?” Your tone was still heavy with drowsiness but that still didn’t seem to ease the concern Mash gazed at you with.

       “Um, senpai, I should be asking you that… I heard you crying in your sleep.” She states with furrowed brows and sure enough you could feel a distinct dampness to your lower lids and the apples of your cheeks. “I thought you were having a nightmare so I woke you up.”

       Staring at the teardrop that strayed on the surface of your knuckle, you could just barely recall the reason for your sudden sorrow. Your dream was a memory of sorts. The final events that concluded the grand order was significant enough to be forever ingrained in your head. You could never forget the pain you felt with the loss of two of your dearest friends and although one of them returned back to you, you couldn’t exactly forget everything else that led up to that moment.

       Your eyes clenched shut for a brief moment, the flashed images of Doctor Romani’s soft smile appearing behind your lids as a sigh escaped your lips. You shook your head to dismiss both her concern and the memories that plagued you.

       “It’s nothing Mash,” In a show of assurance, you flashed her a grin as you rose up from the sofa along with her. “You were right, I was just having a bad dream.”

       Mash stared at you for a moment her gaze letting you know that she didn’t believe a word you said, yet she didn’t pry for anything more. She simply slipped her hand in yours with a slight blush that colored her pale cheeks before she began to lead you out of the room.

       “There’s something I wish to show you, senpai.” She shyly mutters though through the silence permeating the halls, you hear her clearly.

       Your curiousity is piqued and although you voice it with a variety of questions directed towards her, she never once gives into your pleas to relent a hint. You thought she was far too stubborn in that regard and although you sport a petulant pout throughout your journey through Chaldea’s halls, you still find the excitement of mystery to be riveting.

       It was only until she stopped in front of the door to her room that she dropped her hand from your own and it was then you realized she hadn’t once let it go since she awoke you from your nap. Although you never considered yourself to be the easily flustered type, your cheeks couldn’t help but burn at her bold move. While Mash could do such things in her excitement, she’s never knowingly initiated contact like that before by herself.

       “Senpai,” She calls, taking you out of your thoughts as she beckons you into her darkened room.

       With a bit of apprehension, you wander in and when you hear her footsteps near you, you glance over your shoulder at Mash as your lips part with an obvious question. “What did you wanna show me?”

       Through the dimly lit room, you see her lips turn up into a cheery smile and once she steps up besides you, she leans in a little to answer in a lowered voice. “You’ll see.”

       Your curiousity is hard to hide and with some impatience, you watch as she leaves your side to walk further into the room followed by a click of a switch a few moments after. You hear a low humming noise and then suddenly the ceiling above you is encased in an array of stars. The room immediately light up in a dim blue hue and you can’t help the awe of wonder that unconsciously escaped you. You’re so entranced by the sight of stars that you don’t even notice when Mash closes the door to her room, further shrouding her room in darkness nor do you hear her when she takes her place at your side.

       “Mash,” Your wonder is so glaringly obvious at this point you don’t even try and hid it in the tone of your voice. “Where did you get this?”

       You knew they weren’t real stars, but they looked real enough. Since coming to Chaldea, you haven’t seen stars in awhile other than the ones in singularities, but even then those always had a bit of an artificial feel to them. To you, these stars felt a lot more different from the ones before and you couldn’t exactly understand why. Maybe it was because these were the stars Mash showed you and already that made them more special than the others.

       When you didn’t get an immediate answer from Mash like you had expected, you turned your head to glance at her only to find her already staring back at you. She blinked in surprise at the sudden connection of your gaze before blushing and averting her eyes elsewhere.

       “D-Da Vinci made it…” She relents as she rose her head to stare at the same stars you did. “When I told her that I wanted to see stars, she gave me this… she also said I should show you too.”

       “Did she?”

       Even in the dim light you could see Mash’s cheeks darken as she mumbled out a confirmation to your question. Your lips widened into a cheeky grin, though you didn’t bother pressing her any further. When you dragged your eyes right back up at the twinkling stars above, you felt a sense of peace come over you. It was a refreshing feeling especially after an awful nightmare of a memory.

       “Senpai, do you feel better now?”

       Once again your gaze caught hers though she was admittedly more calmer than the last time your eyes met. She was concerned for you. You didn’t need to be a genius to know that. For the past few weeks your nightmares have run rampant to the point where you’d much rather stay awake than sleep and the effects it had on your health were becoming increasingly apparent. You had no doubts Da Vinci had probably voiced her concerns with your latest check-up to Mash.

       You exhale a quiet sigh as your lips quirk into a demure smile. When your gaze returns back to the stars, Mash’s does not. Her attention sticks on you and your wistful profile.

       “They’re just memories, Mash. The dreams I have are just memories,” You admit though your tone shakes near the end and your eyes burn with the return of tears. Just talking about the matter was enough to almost break you. “But it hurts to remember… It hurts so, so bad.”

       Although your explanation was all too vague and would have had just about anyone attempting to pry for more context, you knew Mash would understand because she was there. She experienced a majority of it save for an event you would never want her to see if she could help it. The insurmountable guilt you felt along with the grief wasn’t anything Mash deserved and in that respect you were almost glad she wasn’t there to see it.

       Your countless regrets and the what if scenarios you made up only added more to your guilt. There were numerous people who have told you nothing was your fault, yet you couldn’t accept it.

       If only you were a better master. If only you made your servants stronger. If only you had finished him off in time. If only, if only, if only.

       It was never ending and these thoughts swirled within your head during the hours you were meant to be asleep. It was no wonder you preferred to busy yourself with other things during those troubled nights.

       Your heart painfully squeezed within your chest and that bitter, empty feeling returned. You could feel bubbles of tears rolling down your cheeks though you did nothing to stop them. You just stood there, staring up at the sea of stars with only the feeling of cruel remorse.

       The feeling of warm arms wrapping around your midsection caught you off guard and it was only until you glanced down at the top of Mash’s head resting against your chest that you realized she had been there all along. Her touch had given you a sense of comfort and it was that sensation of her arms around you that you used as an anchor to bring you back up from the thoughts you were sinking into.

       After your small bout of surprise, you lowered your own arms to wrap around her form before resting your cheek against the crown of her head. Although she liked to proclaim how much you protected her, you thought of the same thing with her. She protected you in her own subtle way.

       Whether she was aware of it or not, right now she was the sole reason you kept going and without her, you weren’t sure where’d you be.

[ethereaiin]

Jinx | genshin impact

synopsis; you've been a magnet for spirits all throughout your life spared without a moment's peace. your meeting with him was fate itself finally fulfilling an unspoken wish, though you wondered if there was a lot more in store for you than just mere friendship.

features; you, chongyun and a bit of xingqiu.

[modern au] 

extra; originally a 2 shot.

*:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧

      To you, silence was a rarity.

       The world, as you knew it, was rife with noise and chaos that no one other than yourself seemed to be aware of. Amongst wandering the same plane as the living, the dead could speak and it was only you who heard their voices. Your head was constantly filled with their screams and soon enough, peace was something you could only dream of having a moment of.

       From childhood, you were subjected to visions of the unseen and the voices of the dead that spoke of things you could never truly understand at the time. Your mother and father never refuted the things you claimed you saw and instead they only smiled down at you with a look of misplaced pride. To them, you were the culmination of all their and their family’s efforts to recreate the glory that once belonged to your family name.  

       It was no secret that your lineage was famously infamous for its connection with all things supernatural. Mediums and spiritualists used to make up a better part of your kin and although they were now a dying breed, you were one of the few born in the newest generation who were naturally gifted with the ability to commune and attract the dead.

       The so-called ‘gift’ your parents often revered you for was nothing short of a burden.

       It was because of this gift there was a constant stream of voices and spirits around you, and in turn, your mind was never truly at rest. You couldn’t sleep most nights and the dark circles that lined the underside of your eyes were only a small testament to the countless nights you reluctantly spent awake. The accompanying migraines were the cherry on top of your growing list of problems along with your almost crippling addiction to painkillers that definitely would have raised your physician’s brow if they’d heard about the amount you ingested in a single day. Still, somehow your pallid complexion and lifeless gaze never seemed to discourage your parents from pressing you into embracing your abilities and rambling on about the honor you’d one day return to your family name.

       Aside from your unwanted ability to attract things not of this world, you attempted to live a relatively normal life- whatever that meant for someone like you. You went to school like any other teen your age, though your days usually consisted of dozing off in the back of the class or staring at the floating figures roaming about your desk. You often forgot that normal people were not privy to the voices of the dead and you’d usually find yourself talking back to them aloud. It was this reason alone that you didn’t have many friends, though you never seemed to mind the lack of living company. If anything, you thought of your solitude as a blessing in disguise. There wasn’t anyone to question your odd behavior nor did you ever feel the need to explain the constant odd occurrences that would happen around you.

       Still, despite your intentions of not socializing with anyone to avoid burdening them with your problems, you somehow managed to make at least one friend.

       Well, you wouldn’t go so far as to call him your friend. Not only was it extremely presumptuous of you, but you also couldn’t wish companionship with you onto anyone. Yet, Xingqiu, in spite of all your claims that he was nothing more than an acquaintance, assured you that the relationship you two shared was most definitely friendship.

       You were more than well aware of his true intentions. It was obvious after your first meeting with him that he was more interested in your rumored predicament than he was in you. Much like anyone who held intrigue in the supernatural and all things strange, he wanted to see if the rumors were true; if you were really able to call forth the spirits of the dead like everyone said.

       While it was still a mystery to you how the rumor was somewhat accurate to the truth of your situation, you didn’t think too much of it. Most people were skeptics and so they only concluded the rumors about you to be just that. Nothing but rumors. The few people who did believe them, most of them being classmates who were witnesses to the strange things around you, avoided you like the plague. That was the extent of it all other than Xingqiu’s casual prying that you’d deflect with practiced ease in a change of subject. You would say your life was easygoing and days droned on with little to nothing major happening.

       Until you ruined it all with one minor slip-up.

       Most of the strange things that happened around you could be chalked up to nothing more than coincidences. Of course, if anyone put a little more thought into it they’d see it was all connected to you in some way, but all of the incidents that happened in public were minor. Whether it was a desk moving slightly, a person getting their shoulder touched, or an inexplicable breeze; all of it could be rationalized as pure coincidence.

       That was until you made the mistake of communing with a particularly violent spirit while still in school that things took a slight turn for the worse.

       You were smart enough to make sure to wait until the after-hours of school to begin your séance, even double-checking to make sure there wasn’t anyone occupying the hallway your class was in. While you never really liked making an effort in talking with spirits that would do you harm, this one’s antics were beginning to intrude on your comfort zone and was bringing too much awareness to its existence. Not only did it like pushing your classmates as they leave or enter the class, but it also enjoyed pulling harshly on chairs and incessantly knocking on the thin walls. When its activity was beginning to pick up a little too much over the course of a month, undoubtedly due to the energy you unconsciously fed it with, you knew it was time to step in. It was tied to the school and so your chances of baiting it back home where a communion wouldn’t be seen by the public eye were slim. It didn’t help that it was stubborn on top of its knack for violence. At the time, you knew your only choice was to take a chance and speak to it where someone could accidentally overhear you, or leave it to wreak more havoc and potentially still expose you on a larger scale. At least if someone saw you and another rumor leaked out, you still had some room to deny the claims and keep your secret intact. The moment you stepped back into your classroom after checking the others in the same hall, you made your choice.

       The conversation you had with it was rough at the start. It was always like that when it came to remaining spirits of the dead which was why you hated speaking to them in the first place. Throughout your exchange, it loudly protested against giving in to your demands to control it, and just when you were close to convincing it to leave; the door of your classroom swings open and it’s then that your world metaphorically shatters into tiny bits of nothingness.

       You can clearly remember the look on Xingqiu’s face as he stood in the threshold of your classroom’s door. His amber colored eyes were wide and his lips gaped into an expression of surprise. He obviously didn’t expect to see you lounging about in your classroom well after school already ended and you didn’t expect him to burst in through the door as if he were ready to fight whatever lied on the other side. Your reaction to his added presence was instantaneous and so was the spirit’s. The sound of crashing desks as it made its way towards your friend in the doorway was loud and almost unbearable. No matter how much you screamed for it to stop and even attempting to grab at it as you tried to manifest its physical form, there was no intervening. Your powers, untrained and imperfect, could do nothing for you and the moment your fingers slipped right through the spirits translucent form, you fully realized the extent of your mistake.

       The thought that ran through your head at first was ‘why was he here?’ You hated yourself for thinking of ever blaming the victim in a circumstance that you technically caused. If it weren’t for you, there wouldn’t have been a spirit tied to the second place you frequent the most and if it weren’t for you Xingqiu wouldn’t have been pinned to a wall by an unseen force. All of this was caused by you and the second thought that ran across your mind was self-deprecation over your less than ideal choices as you hurriedly made your way towards your friend’s writhing form. Before you could even touch him or even attempt to once again use your abilities in to once again try and pry the spirit off of him, the figure suddenly disappeared; bursting into thin air as if it were never there to begin with.

       “Xingqiu, what happened?” The sound of a new voice lit with a tinge of worry but still remaining steadily composed, attracted your attention, and your gaze lifted away from the sight of your friend to meet the new presence of someone you didn’t know.

       At the time, you didn’t realize that this person’s existence would one day become so important to you. You didn’t think about how his mere presence was enough to drive the never-ending whispers of the decease to a halt or how you no longer could see the shadowy figures lurking in your peripherals. Instead, your thoughts were messily scattered between assuring Xingqiu’s safety and making up an excuse as to why you were trying to reason with a ghost as if it were human. The peace you were craving for since the day you first heard the wail of a lost spirit was right there, embodied in an unknown sixteen-year-old boy, and you couldn’t even see it at that very moment.

       Xingqiu, unfettered by the assault, merely held a knowing smile on his lips as he picked himself up from the classroom floor. You would have thought he would have been afraid like so many of the others that unknowingly interacted with the spirits. You thought he would have been afraid of you. He was smart. Smart enough to put two and two together to come to an astounding conclusion that the rumors were right, or at least held some truth. He had to have been aware of what you were doing alone in the classroom and he must have heard your shouts for the spirit to stop when it charged towards him, yet he said nothing.

       At least, that’s what you hoped for.

       “You. . . you can see them, can’t you?”

       It was hard to remember what his expression was at that moment as your eyes were trained on the floor in a desperate attempt to disassociate yourself with the downward spiraling situation you were in. You couldn’t bring yourself to deny the claim as he saw you. He knew and you knew he knew. Denying at this point would have been foolish and if the silent stare of his friend who now stood next to him told you anything, you were definitely in something akin to an interrogation. Xingqiu has always been stubborn, especially when it came to your situation and now that he had something to go on, you knew he wouldn’t back down until you gave him answers.

       That was the day you finally told someone of your strange gift. Although your parents loved to go on and on about your abilities, you have never spoken about them aloud to anyone. You wanted to bury it deep within yourself and act as if it never existed to begin with as a sorry attempt to create some kind of normalcy for yourself. Saying it out loud in that quietly buzzing classroom made it feel all too real. Explaining your magnetism for the dead to those two silently staring boys made you realize that maybe you were never meant to live a normal life. It was a cold realization. One that made your body feel heavy and your fingers tremble at your side as you swallowed down what felt like a thousand needles.

       The empty feeling you felt in the pit of your stomach slowly engulfed you.

                                                      *:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧

      Contrary to popular belief, you were not all that knowledgeable about the world beyond your own.

       You were aware of the basics; the floating figures always lurking around you were the spirits of the dead and you alone were the only person able to see them, and the constant voices were their cries to return to life; a wish no one other than gods could grant. Your parents never explained much of anything to you other than the expectations they held in your abilities and what they hoped you would do with them in the future. Most of it pertaining to you profiting off the grief of others which you considered to be completely immoral. No matter how much your parents claimed you were 'wasting' your gift, you could never bring yourself to use it the way they wanted you to.

       It was because of your refusal to budge in your stance against them that you essentially refused to learn anything from your grandmother; the only other person in your family to have the same abilities as you, and the one who pressured you the most to give in. You knew from the start that you were seen as nothing other than a new source of money to your family, the greed was clear in your parents eyes and your grandmother hadn't differed from them. She wanted you to become a psychic like her, which consisted of bringing people into a small dark room while she 'channeled' the spirit of their loved ones before charging them thousands of dollars for a few measly seconds. Those people's misery was real and to know that your grandmother wasn't helping them out of the goodness of her heart but rather out of selfishness was more sickening than you originally thought. It was cruel the first time you saw it and you never went back to visit her ever again after that.

       All of your life you believed it was in your best interests to just ignore that part of you. To bury it deep within your heart never to surface again until the day you died. You didn't like the part of you that differed from the rest of the world and you strived to reject it in order to save yourself a headache. Though that part of you that you desperately wanted to ignore was easier said than done. After all, you can't bury dead people who have no body. Nor could you shut them up.

       Your confrontation with both Chongyun and Xingqiu essentially forced you into their friend group. Their knowledge of you was far too much to leave unsupervised and you were sure the mischievous look on Xingqiu's face couldn't have meant anything good. While having friends wasn't something you were ever against, you also couldn't deny the loneliness you experienced since the start of the rumors circulating the school. The obvious avoiding of contact with you done by your classmates still hurt no matter how much you told yourself it didn't. Frankly, their offer was something akin to a shining light and you gladly took it. You were delighted with the outcome, the shared lunch with both boys plus their friends, whom you never met before, was refreshing and felt new, but most importantly; you felt normal. Though the closer you got to the both of them, Chongyun more so than Xingqiu, you noticed things.

         Chongyun was different from you. You could tell the moment his eyes met yours the first time you met in that wrecked classroom afterschool, and again when he ran into you in the hall the next day. He was different from you because there was still a brightness in his gaze that had yet to be snuffed out.

       You couldn't accurately call him the cheerful type, but he was far more amiable than you. The brightness you saw in him not only pertained to his stellar personality, a feat you were witnessed to during many lunches alongside him and Xingqiu, it applied to the purity he seemingly wore like a badge of honor. To you, he appeared nothing short of untouched by the unseen evils of this world; the same evil that writhed and crept in the deepest pit of your being.

       Maybe for that reason alone you felt inexplicably drawn to his presence.

       Around him, you noticed that world seemed to fall a little more quieter than what you were normally used to. The silence of the dead was indeed deafening and the lack of their being around you made rooms feel emptier. At first, it was hard adjusting to the peace he brought you; something you couldn't believe you were thinking when you were first searching for a way to gain it. Your interest in him only continued to grow knowing that he too was apart of the same world as you.

       How could he appear so unfazed by it all? How could he continue living on in a world where it wasn't occupied by just the living, but the dead as well? How had he not been crushed by the weight of it all? You thought he was strong to have seen what you've seen and not feel as if human life was so pathetically insignificant and carry on with a perceived unbreakable resolve.

       While you both were apart of the same world involving the supernatural, your lives couldn't have been any different. He was raised as an exorcist; trained from birth to deliver people from the clutches of unseen evil and you. . . You were never raised to see the good in others. Your family was the prime example of that.

       There was a part of him that you couldn't help but see yourself in. Of course, you could never be as radiant as him, it was merely only a 'what if' scenario you often thought of. If your parents were anything like his, thinking only for the good of others, would you be just like him? Though the thought always ends short at that. There was no way you could be like him; to see the world through eyes unblinded by the ugliness of humanity. He was witness to both sides, the good and bad, yet he continued to believe in what he thought was right against all odds. He was stronger than you because where he would have the will to stand strong against your parents, you could do nothing more than meekly refuse.

       Your initial admiration for him might have been the reason why you began looking at him more closely. It was a vain attempt to understand just what it was about him that exuded strength when he appeared as if any little thing could knock him over. When he learned of the inborn link you held to the supernatural, he was quick to tell you of his. As impassive as his face appeared, you could clearly see the excitement he spoke with when it came to exorcisms and the pride in his eyes when it came to the subject of his family. He spoke as if there wasn't anything he wished to hide from you and that hopeful side of you that wanted to cling to the small connection you two shared hoped that he felt the same.

       Maybe it was because you essentially laid out your life story to two strangers that he felt the need to share his own, but you liked to think that there was a possibility he too was looking for someone who could truly understand the world he lived in. To the both of you, there couldn't have been anyone better suited to the role than each other.

        There were sides to him you were witness to, sides you would never give up for the world. The twinkle in his light blue eyes and the slight twitch of his lips when he was close to giving into one of Xiangling's antics, among others. These were moments you treasured. Each of them were stored away in your mind to recall again another day. He was your personal sunshine; the one person you could rely on to always say the right things and although you could never tell him that aloud, mainly out concern for embarrassing him and unintentionally triggering his condition, you like to think that you'd get the chance one day. For now you'd count on actions to convey the unspoken things you weren't brave enough to say.

       As the days pass with you and him side by side, you only wonder what's instore for the future. For once you found your small slice of heaven. The visions and noise stops when you're next to him and although his ability of warding off spirits did nothing but peeve him, you couldn't be happier. He was the normalcy you sought for; the silence you yearned for and the reprieve you never knew you needed. Next to him, for just a moment, you think you could become something of a regular girl.

       You could wait for him for all of eternity if you had to. One day he'd realize the secretive smiles with reddened cheeks and the slight graze of your hand against his were not accidents and meant far more than just mere friendship.

[ethereaiin]

Stigma | genshin impact

synopsis; Despite the numerous attempts to end each other's lives, one thing is for sure; you're the only person he could truthfully call his rival.

features; you and scaramouche

*:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧ 

      Fighting her was always interesting.

       Whether he was taking it seriously or dueling her just for fun, there was never a time when his fellow Harbinger hadn’t tried her absolute best to bring him down. He could feel it in each swing of her sword; the determination to beat him burned almost as brightly as the cracked pyro vision dangling against her hip.

       There was never a clear winner when it came to their duels and he would have it no other way. Her constant calls to challenge him kept him from feeling the boredom the lack of any action brought and ruining it now proved to be nothing short of disadvantageous for him. Besides, as much as he hated to admit it, he never had it easy in facing her. While her technique was nothing too remarkable, it was the strength behind her every hit that had him reeling and struggling to deal the final blow against her.

       In the end, it didn’t matter. He’d get rid of her eventually. The moment she can no longer entertain him is when he’d finally kill her. It was bound to happen soon, no matter how much her strength appalled him.

       “Scara!” The shortened call of his name exclusively used by the tenth Harbinger caught his attention and with a tightened frown he turns to face her.

       She stands before him, a grin spread across her face and eyes bright with a look of unique hunger. Although she approaches him casually as if she were greeting a friend, the slight flex of her arms exposed by her revealing blouse and the twitch of her fingers suggest otherwise. He knew better than to take her relaxed demeanor for granted. Beneath her cheerful exterior lied a wolf in hiding. The moment he let his guard down would lay claim to his end.

       “Ready for round two?” Her eyes twinkle with a certain look that has him slightly on edge. Usually, he wasn’t one who’d refuse a fight especially with someone he considered strong enough to entertain him, but the expression she wore suggested she had something hidden up her sleeve, and if there was anything he hated more than boredom it was being taken by surprise.

       With a frown still marring his delicate features, he fully turned towards her with navy eyes hardened into a withering glare. Most people, especially those beneath him, would have visibly flinched or even lower their gaze yet the girl standing before him was never one to back down. Instead, her grin grew wider and the excitement she felt at finally garnering his full attention showed itself in the form of flickering flames licking the ground she stood upon.

       Her uncontrollable power was yet another thing that made fighting her all the more fun. Unlike most vision holders, she was never one who overly relied on her elemental abilities, and instead, it was her own personal strength that won many of her duels. It was impressive, to say the least, to not only gain the attention of the Tsaritsa but to become one of her eleven faithful Harbingers without the reliance on a vision. Though all of this was not something he’d never be willing to admit aloud.

       Her hand raises from her side and only a second passes before the length of her arm engulfs in flames and her favored sword appears in her grip. Her grin never fades and instead grows when she noticed the moment she armed herself so had he.

       “So you were expecting me.” An amused laugh escapes her lips as she twirls the sword in her hand to assume a familiar stance. “To think you actually enjoy our little fights.”

       Instead of saying anything, he merely scoffed with a look that suggested spending any time with her was utterly repulsive. And it was, at least that’s what he thought before he found himself almost impatiently awaiting the moment she’d appear in front of him to demand a fight. When weeks passed without her showing up even once he felt an odd sense of unease and even slight disappointment. Now that she was here before him once again, those muddled feelings seemingly disappeared and his current expression was a betrayal of what he truly felt.

       “Instead of wasting so much time talking, how about you actually try and beat me?”

       At his words and the smug quirk of his lips, she snarls before quickly throwing herself at him. Her sword is raised, silver edge emblazoned in a glowing crimson that signals an incoming blast, and just as it is about to strike his shoulder, a crackling vine of violet electro deflects it. Though she doesn’t back away from him like he had expected her to and instead she takes him by surprise and raises her non-dominant hand, engulfed in orange-red flames, in an attempt to deck him across his face. He grunts, his lips slightly agape from her surprise attack, as he twisted away from her and out of her range.

       Despite his quick reflexes, the heat of the explosion could still be felt against his cheek and even the pyro vision holder herself was affected by her own ability. Her hair was slightly singed and the right side of her face was reddened from the tiny licks of fire that managed to touch her skin. Though she didn’t appear all too bothered with her failure to land a hit and simply gritted her teeth. Her hand, the one she tried to use to hit him with during her initial attack, was charred; the skin blistered and torn from the uncontrollable intensity of her flames. It looked painful, and the thought of her hurting herself to get to him made him momentarily hesitate in his attack.

       Her own vision was turned against her which subsequently made her abilities dangerous not only to those she attacked, but to herself as well. For a moment he wondered just how far she was willing to go to prove herself.

       At her side, he could see her injured hand tremble slightly though it’s quickly stopped when she visibly clenches it. When his eyes meet her own, her gaze is hardened into a fierce glare and her lips were pulled into a tight frown.

       “Scaramouche,” She starts, and among the use of his full name her tone is also missing the characteristic cheer that he had become so used to her addressing him with. “Today’s the day we’ll finally put an end to these duels.”

       “One of us will emerge as the clear victor. . . and the strongest.” She continues and as her puzzling words continue to spew from frowning lips, her sword once again glows with crimson flames. “No matter what I don’t want you to hold back, even if that means you killing me.”

       He wasn’t used to this side of her. Her overly serious expression lacked any of the excitement he was more accustomed to seeing on her face and with the added dread of her words he couldn’t help but stare at her as if what she said was the most outrageous thing in the world. The flash of shock that crossed his face was quickly obscured behind his glower and with more resolve than he possessed during previous fights, he readied himself to attack.

       The day he anticipated from the start has finally arrived. He knew their fights, no matter how entertaining they were, would eventually come to an end. Although he expected it to be on his terms rather than her own. For him, things felt too unfinished to call it a satisfying end. Her death now wouldn’t give him that sense of achievement he anticipated when he defeated her.

       “Do you honestly think I care about killing you?”

       His words were purposely spoken in a cold tone to distance himself from his internal unease. There should have been no hesitation, he knew that, and yet that was all he could come up with to explain deliberately stalling their fight with talking.

       Why did he not want to kill her when he was once so eager to in the past?

       “That’s too bad,” A smile rose to her lips though it appeared far too somber to be created out of her usual joy. “I. . . thought we were closer than that.”

       There’s a moment her smile persists before her eyes flutter shut and the flames running along the edge of her sword continuously grow in intensity until spiels of fire fell off the sword to the melted snow beneath her feet. The heat was almost unbearable from the little distance he stood away from her and he couldn’t even begin to imagine just how painful it had to have been to her who stood directly next to it. Yet she looked completely unbothered as if there were nothing at all that could slow her resolve.

       Her chest rises and falls with a deep exhale and before he could even blink, she’s charging at him once more with steely eyes and unbroken determination. It felt as if the world slowed to a halt. The chilly breeze of the frigid mountaintop they stood upon seemingly faded from existence, all he could feel was the heat of her flame; the fire of her will. She was never one he could ignore as he did with those he saw as beneath him. No matter how much he attempted to get away from her, she was always there to force herself into his life and into the small world he confined himself to. Despite his intense dislike for all things that stray from his interest in conflict, he found that blazing fire of hers to be beautiful.

       The sharp clang of her sword colliding with his electric barrier disturbed the silence of the mountain before being shortly followed by a decimating explosion. The force was enough to knock him off his feet and noticing there was not a follow-up attack to his obvious falter, he knew it had to have been the same for her, if not worse. He winces slightly at the prickling sensation that climbs the length of his arms and legs. The dark marks that stain his porcelain skin is an indicator of her fire’s strength and for it to have even pierced through his shield meant that she must have suffered even greater injuries than his own.

       The melted snow beneath the palms of his hands does little to soothe his burns and as he looks around the small clearing he sees that her fire overtook much of the area. The enclosing trees around them were set ablaze and the blanket of snow that covered the ground was effectively melted in a perfect circle in proximity to their clash. The ends of his clothes were singed and his hat lied strewn behind him, yet despite his disheveled appearance his gaze couldn’t help but focus on finding the familiar figure of the pyro vision holder.

       Ash, emitted from the trees around him, obscured his vision and the smell of smoke was heavy in the air. He scanned the area before him with an unfamiliar sense of anxiousness and when he finally spotted her collapsed figure a bit of distance away from where he landed, he had to keep himself from breathing a sigh of relief. Never had he ever felt such trepidation in regards to the safety of someone he once considered to be nothing more than a nuisance. Though the thought of her earlier attack, the obvious fierce strength she put in both her fire and strike; he knew there was a chance she would not survive it. She was more than aware of her unique predicament regarding her vision and the repercussions it had on her, yet she was still willing to put herself at risk in order to do what? Kill him? End the rivalry they had once and for all?

       At his side, his fist clenched in anger at not only himself but at the unconscious girl who lied inches away from his approaching form. Sure, at first it might have been fun to push her to the edge; to see how far she was willing to prove herself to him after his continuous jabs at her lack of control over her own power. He thought of her as pathetic when he first heard of her. For a pyro vision holder to not even be able to summon their own flames was unheard of and for that very same person to join the high ranks as a Fatui Harbinger only made him question the very organization he joined. Though he quickly learned there was a lot more to her than the fact that she was unable to use her damaged vision correctly.

       She was strong. Not only in a literal sense, but her willpower was insanely resolute. No matter what he said or the injuries he caused her, she wouldn’t back down not even when he clearly prevailed over her with his electro abilities. Throughout Teyvat it was relatively accepted that vision holders were favored by the gods and therefore blessed with abilities that made them almost superhuman, so for her to have that part of her denied and still exist as someone he couldn’t refute the strength of; he couldn’t help but feel nothing other than impressed with her.

       These were things he could never say to her aloud and though he couldn’t allow himself to be honest with her, the thought of her death only continued to heighten that incomplete feeling he felt in the pit of his stomach. He couldn’t allow her to die and although he couldn’t completely understand his own reasoning, he knew it wouldn’t bring him satisfaction for her to die by her own hand rather than his.

       Once he makes it to her side, he finds her eyes hazily focusing on him as he kneels beside her fallen form. Her hair is fanned out behind her head, the color deeply contrasting the white snow beneath her and her skin is paler than he remembers. Burns as well as scars mar her face caused from the earlier explosion and the clothes she wears is ripped and singed, exposing her skin to the frigid temperatures of the mountaintop.

       “It looks like I failed, huh?” She breathes a mirthless laugh and hissing through her clenched teeth, she manages to sit herself up. “Going all out like that wasn’t my greatest idea. . .”

       "It was foolish." He agrees and his frown returns to display his disapproval of her risky move. "You were close to killing yourself."

       "That was the point. If I couldn't kill you I was hoping my fire would do the job." She explains as her eyes flit across his face for any signs of aggression, though he masks his expression well behind a glare. "There's no reward without some risk. Obviously my plan didn't work out too well anyway."

       Noticing the slight sway of her body, he reaches out towards her, his arm stretching across her back to rest his hand against her shoulder as a means of support. She glances up at him, her brows creased and mouth agape. Her confusion is apparent on her face though he pays her little mind and instead his attention is taken by the shattered remains of her pyro vision.

       “It’s. . . broken?”

       Her voice is once again in a different tone than what he was used to and her expression was nothing short of what he could only describe as true despair. While she was never the best at controlling her flames, especially after the initial damage her vision took, now that it was completely destroyed; it meant she no longer possessed the ability to even call forth the pyro archon’s fire. Usually, the visions were meant to be indestructible; unable to be destroyed by normal means, yet at her side he could clearly see the crimson shards of her once glowing vision.

       He wondered if this meant she was no longer recognized by the pyro archon.

       “Well, it was only a matter of time before that happened.”

       When he glances back at her, she’s no longer wearing a sorrowful look. Her eyes weren’t as bright as they once were and the light smile she wore on her face wasn’t at all convincing. He couldn’t understand why she would want to conceal her true feelings towards the loss of her vision when it was clear that she never anticipated it. He lightly squeezes her shoulder, forcing her to look away from her broken vision to meet his gaze.

       “We’ll get you another one.”

       His words are to the point, rough and spoken without too much thought. Yet it attracts her attention and something akin to hope glimmers in her eyes that distinctly reminds him of the light he remembered them once holding.

       “We. . .? I-” She pauses for a moment. “Don’t you want to kill me? Why would you help me?”

       Logically, it was the opportune time to finish her off and declare himself the winner of this little duel once and for all, yet the idea lacked appeal. To kill her now felt as if he were robbing himself of something he couldn’t quite comprehend and nothing bothered him more than not knowing something. With some time he hoped he could find the answer to his hesitation when it came to her and maybe along the way their rivalry could reach a satisfying end.

       “If I kill you, I’d rather it be on equal terms. There’s no fun in ending you in this pathetic state.”

       She laughs, a cough interrupting her half way though her smile persists even through her small fit. “Of course you’d say something like that, Scara.”

       He purposely looks away from her grinning face, the small flutter felt in his chest adding onto his confusion. Where he was once certain of his hate towards her, he no longer knew what it was he exactly felt. It wasn’t hate, he was sure of that now that the idea of even sharing the same space as her didn’t repulse him, but it wasn’t as if he liked her either. For now, he could only think of her as nothing more than neutral. Someone he didn’t hate, nor like, but tolerated. She was his rival and for the time being that would be the title that best encompassed her existence to him.

       She was a person strong enough to be worthy of his respect. Nothing more, nothing less.

       His hand that rested on her shoulder lowers to her waist, grasping it as he lifted himself up along with her. He could feel her burned hand gripping his clothes and in a sense he could also feel the trust she was beginning to place into him. Bit by bit, he was sure their relationship would change and soon enough he’d know just what these odd feelings towards her meant.

       Even if the pyro archon abandoned her, he wouldn’t. Not until he got the answers he sought and the fight he wanted from her.

       “Once you’re all healed up we’ve got pyro visions to hunt.”

[ethereaiin]

Divine Reverie | genshin impact

synopsis; there was something he couldn’t tell you out of fear being hated, so you’ll wait however long it takes until he could finally say it.

features; you and venti

[set before the game’s main storyline]

1/??

*:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧  

      Her humanity was what drew him in; her need to live in the moment rather than dwell on the past as he had done so often.

       She held no restrictions nor boundaries that kept her from living life as freely as she wished. He admired that aspect about her and could only yearn to lead a life unfettered by past mistakes or regrets. She encompassed everything he desired to be and every moment he spends at her side, his fondness for her grew.

       Sometimes he thinks his title as the God of Freedom suited her far more than it ever did him.

       The infectiously cheery smile that perked at the ends of her lips at the sound of his lyre was the mark of her everlasting presence. Even when his eyes fluttered shut to bask in the dulcet melody of his own creation, the image of her breezy features would persist. His ears perked at the ring of her chiming laughter and the skirt of her dress would flit along with the mellow breath of the surrounding plains as she twirled in tune with the music. To him, she was a refreshing sight among the sea of green and her dancing only served to adhere to her angelic allure.

       With his back against the great tree he treasured so dearly and his lyre resting atop his lap as he plucked away at its strings, life never felt more unrestrained. She brought that sense of security and with her at his side, he could momentarily forget the bonds of fate that tie him down. Here, he was Venti; a carefree bard in search of both free wine and entertainment. For just a few seconds he could ignore the guilt that his lie imposed.

       Venti, the person she thought she knew and loved, was in fact a lie.

       If he had the courage to tell her everything, what would she say? Would she hate him? Would she leave him? He couldn’t even begin to imagine what her anger looked like neither could he picture her spewing venom from the same lips that whispered her sweet affection for him. Although small, that part of him that still clung to the hope that she’d accept him as easily as she had with everything else that came her way. The thought of losing her felt as if he were parting with the bit of humanity he held onto.

       “Venti?”

       He perks at the sound of his name and his gaze lifts from the rolling plains before him to instead focus on the concerned visage of his companion. He doesn’t understand her worry at first until he realizes moments later that his fingers no longer plucked at the strings of his lyre and instead they were frozen idly in place. His lips part to offer a cheeky response, one that he was sure would have distracted her from his previous melancholy, yet the words died midway and he merely provided a wistful sigh as he hugged his instrument closer to his chest.

       She was quick to detect his change in mood and, despite her love of dancing and all things sprightly, she lowered herself down to sit right next to him. It was odd to see her become so compliant with the act of settling down for once, but to him, it was just another sign of her unspoken care for him.  Her brows were knitted tightly together and her lips, which were pulled into a bright smile several moments earlier, were now pressed into a flat line. He thought nothing suited her far more than the expression of happiness and knowing that he was the cause of her drastic shift in features, added to his considerably dampened mood. He willed himself to try once more, forcing a wry smile upon his lips in an attempt to mimic his usual carefree expression.

       “It’s. . . nothing.” He huffs a bit of laughter as if to further convince her though it’s obvious she doesn’t seem to be buying it.

       Although her look of concern seems to soften significantly, he still catches an almost knowing look in her eyes but she doesn’t press him for a more proper response. Instead, she wordlessly leans her head against his shoulder and stares ahead at the expansive fields of green. She says nothing to fill in the vacant silence between them and it’s her presence and added touch that brings him a sense of comfort.

       As talkative as he could be, especially around her, he couldn’t help but relish these passing moments of peace. Nothing disturbed the natural ambiance the windy fields provided save for the occasional passing breeze that swayed the extensive canopy above them, and the melodic chirping of birds that were, in a way, carrying a tune of their own. She didn’t press for questions and he wasn’t forced to admit something he wasn’t ready to say, not when their fate still hung uncertainly above their heads. He wanted her to know everything there was about him and even though he couldn’t bring himself to open up in that very moment, he knew in time that he would be comfortable enough to one day tell her the truth.

       Until then, he knew she would stay by his side. Her hand which intertwined with his own wordlessly promised him that and the accompanying squeeze only further lay claim to her silent oath.

       She would stay until he was ready. He was sure of that.

[ethereaiin]

Moonlight | a3!

synopsis; lost in a dense forest with no memory of who or what you are, leaves a specially made void in your heart. why do you have distant memories of something you cannot recall?

features; you and hyoudou juuza

[yokai au 2/??]

*:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧

Within the dark of the surrounding forest and among the thick foliage, there’s a piercing stare you could feel prickling the back of your neck. You could never catch just who or what was staring at you so intently as each time you turned around to glance over the area, the feeling would suddenly disappear and there would be no one in sight.

Goosebumps rose up along the length of your exposed arms at the thought of you not being alone in this forest as you once assumed. You found yourself regretting ever wandering from Misumi’s side when he so clearly warned you of the dense forest’s tendency to lure in the lost.

“The beings here are attracted to the souls of the lost, especially voiceless ones like you.” His tone was oddly serious, a direct contrast to the playfulness lilt it usually held. “If you’re not careful, your soul will be devoured.”

While you weren’t stupid enough to ignore a warning, the thing that drew you deeper into the mysterious forest and caused you to follow it without much convincing was a voice that called out to you. Its tone was strangely familiar and the moment you set your sights upon the distant tree line and discovered someone standing at its edge, you couldn’t control your curiosity and followed them deeper into the foliage.

You knew that person, you were sure of it, yet your memories failed to provide the answer you so desperately sought.

Throughout your seemingly endless wandering, you never once again saw that strange figure nor could you find your way back to the main path where you separated from Misumi at. You were utterly alone with nothing but the moon to light your way and the sounds of wildlife to accompany you. The gentle breeze that picks up, swaying both the surrounding trees and your loose clothing, you could distantly hear the sound of creeping footsteps. The snapping of twigs was the first dead giveaway of an unexpected stranger and when you whip around towards the source of the disturbance, you’re greeted with the ghastly sight of a being far bigger than yourself.

You staggered back, feet clumsily tripping over one another as your hands collapsed behind you to take the brunt force of your fall, though you never once broke contact with the monster before you. It looked nothing close to human. Its eyes were so far sunken into its skull that they appeared to be nothing more than abyssal black holes and the mouth that stretched across its large face was lined with rotted teeth; forming an eerie smile you wished nothing more than to look away from. Its gangly long arms loomed at its sides and bony fingers were poised to grab at you the moment you’d decide to flee.

Your body froze, eyes widening and lips trembling as silent pleas for help were lost among the moonlit breeze. At its rapid approach, your arms shook as you shielded yourself and along with the haze of your fear your eyes tightened to a close.

In the next several seconds, you expected to feel a lot of things; one of them mainly being the pain of a gruesome death followed by the regret of not doing more to spare yourself such a pathetic end. Yet, nothing of the sort fell upon you.

The sensation of something warm splattering across your skin prompted you into slowly cracking open your eyes. Thick, dark red liquid coated the surface of your arms and a bit of your cheeks with a sheen that glinted ominously in the moonlight. Your face contorted with a look of horror as you peered down at the blood running down the length of your arms. The scent it emitted was incredibly rancid and the strength of its stench burned the inside of your nose and irritated your eyes to the point of tears.

Through the haze of your blurry sight, you lowered your arms to behold the appearance of your supposed savior. With his back turned towards you, he looked human enough in comparison to the now decapitated monster he slayed right before you. Your gaze trailed towards the long silver edged katana he wielded, watching as the strange dark colored blood dipped from its tip before being absorbed by the earth below. Several moments passed, bringing along a silence that felt just as tense and suffocating as the encounter the monster wrought.

“Are you okay?” His voice was silky smooth and as deep as the eternal night sky above your head. It instilled a sense of ease within you, a comfort most welcomed after a terrifying experience.

Your gaze trailed up from the bloodied sword as your savior slid it back into its scabbard with a resounding click. The moment your widened gaze met his, you were once again reminded that not everything in this world was as it seemed.

Black horns protruded from his forehead, curling inwards with sharp ends that would undoubtedly prove dangerous should you ever touch them. His violet colored hair, although neatly combed back, still possessed a stray strand that nestled between his horns and against his forehead. His eyes were what held a semblance of familiarity to you. Their color almost mirrored the same bright hue as Misumi’s, though where his was bright with a tinge of mischief; the stranger’s was a deep golden that held an odd warmth.

While his gaze was undeniably sharp and paired with the natural frown he bore, you would have mistaken him as another being out for your life if it weren’t for the fact that he saved from a fate worse than death. With a meek nod of your head, you pressed your hands closer to your chest if only to stop their uncontrollable shaking. The terrifying encounter replayed repeatedly within your mind and each blink was accompanied by the frightful image of that monster reaching out towards you with an eerie lipless smile.

“You’re one of the lost, aren’t you?”

Despite the recollection of similar words being spoken by Misumi, you were somewhat surprised to see the golden eyed stranger crouched before you. His sword was now strapped around his chest and you could see it’s black and white woven handle peeking out from over his shoulder. His lips were steadied into a firm line and when he took notice of your anxious disposition, his intense gaze softened.

After realizing his subtle change in demeanor, you could feel yourself relaxing now that he wasn't staring at you like you were his enemy. Your hands dropped to your lap, brows furrowing as your eyes fell from his. You offered another nod to his pressing question.

Your persistent silence seemed to have given him flash of revelation that noticeably passed across his face. With a gentle sigh and minute shake of his head, he rose back to his full height before offering a hand out to you.

“Voiceless lost like you aren’t supposed to be wandering around this place without a guide.” He said as you shakily placed your hand in his. “How you even got this far without being devoured is a miracle.”

He easily pulled you up from the ground, though his grasp on you never left and instead you felt yourself being suddenly lifted in the air. With a silent yelp you clung to his chest, hands tightly bunching the fabric of his robes as one of his arms adjusted under the crease of your legs and the other supported your back. You gazed up at him with curiosity, the silent question of ‘what are you doing?’ hanging in the air.

His expression gives nothing of his intentions away and he merely responds as if the answer was obvious. “It’s easier for both of us this way. Now you won’t have the opportunity of wandering off again.”

[ethereaiin]

Meaningless Dream | a3!

synopsis; though you knew your love for him would never become something more, you could still dream of a brighter future.

features; you and rurikawa yuki

[au]

*:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧ 

“There was a limit to how extravagant a person could be.”

That’s what your mother often muttered under her breath when she thought you weren’t paying attention. Your father was much more honest with his opinion of you and he often spoke it as if it were the complete truth. To him, you were wasteful and greedy; a selfish brat who cared for nothing other than herself.

You never paid any mind to their words or actions. It hadn’t once troubled you how poorly your parents thought of you because at the end of it all, the amount of dresses you purchased weren’t at their expense and could never amount to the title of ‘princess’ you bore.

The one who’d bring your family the glory your father sought would not be your arrogant older brother who believed the world belonged to him, but you; the daughter who was once believed to amount to nothing more than another pretty face destined to be sold off to some old widowed duke or whoever presented the right amount of money to your father. Yet, you managed to capture the attention of the most influential figure of all: the crown prince, the future king.

You were never sure what it was about you that attracted him to you. You only remembered dancing with him once at a royal ball, sharing a bit of conversation and then the next morning; a request for your hand in marriage arrived in the mail. You could still remember the voracious grin your father wore when he congratulated you that day and you could never forget the sneer your older brother regarded you with.

Where he was once thought to stand above you in terms of power, you managed to somehow turn the tides in your favor, and in the near future you’d become someone far more influential than he. It undoubtedly irked your brother incessantly to know that his younger sister was someone more important than he’d ever be.

Though you would normally relish in your brother’s despair, you couldn’t even bring yourself to crack a smug smile. You were well aware that the meaning of marriage to a royal would entail a lifetime promise to a man you could never bring yourself truly love.

You could never love him because you already loved someone else. That person was the man who was responsible for making your dresses, Yuki. While he didn’t belong to a notable noble house, he was still very high in status, just not high enough to ask for your hand in marriage. In a society built on financial prospects and benefits, love had no place and your father never set out with your happiness in mind to begin with.

If the price was right, he’d even sell you off to a slaver.

The point was, your relationship was doomed from the start yet you never once regretted it and you were sure Yuki wouldn’t either.

Your hands slightly tremble as they gripped one another and the tiny tears that prickled at the corners of your eyes did not go unnoticed by the man standing before you. He takes your hands into his own, gripping onto your fingers as you place your forehead against his chest.

“What’s wrong?” He asks in the softest of voices and with a wistful sigh, you wish it were the only voice you’d ever hear for the rest of your life.

You relish in his gentle touch, reminded that you’d never feel it again after your engagement. It was a solemn thought that only urged the tears clinging to your lower lashes to fall. You pressed yourself tighter against him, your hands slipping from his as you snaked your arms around his waist. You couldn’t bring yourself to speak, only offering a meek shake of your head against his chest as a response.

You were being undeniably desperate for his affection and despite your shameless act, you couldn’t bring yourself to tear away from him.

He tenderly calls your name and sensing your anguish, he slightly pushes you away but still holds you close enough to cup your tear stained cheeks in the palms of his hands. He gazes at you with a rare look of affection, one you'd usually have to catch him off guard to see and although you would have normally teased him for it, you couldn't bring yourself to think of anything other than the fact that it might be the last look you'd ever see from him again. It frightened you to think of a future where he wasn't present and though the two of you entered this relationship knowing that nothing more would come from it other than sharing secret kisses behind closed doors and looks of longing across ballroom floors, you still hoped for something more.

"I'm. . ." You faltered as your hands rose to grab at his wrists though you made no move to pry his hands away from your face. You stared back up at him, eyes quickly moving across his face as if you were attempting to memorize each and every detail from his citrine golden eyes to the cute pout he naturally wore on his lips. "Last night father delivered the news of my engagement. . ."

At your words his eyes visibly dimmed in brightness and although his expression gave nothing of his disappointment away, you could still sense it in the subtleties of his actions. His gentle grip on your cheeks loosened and you intertwined your fingers with his as you lowered both your hands.

". . .Who is it?" He whispered, eyelids lowering over golden eyes to express his concealed heartache.

You're reluctant to tell him, worried that your answer would do nothing more than serve to hurt him. As if anticipating your hesitancy, he squeezed your hand as an act of assurance. You pause for a moment longer as you nervously nibbled at your bottom lip. Your gaze lowers away from his in favor of staring down at your intertwined hands.

“Prince Sumeragi,” You finally say after some thought. “That’s who I’m marrying.”

You weren’t sure what you were expecting when you finally told him the identity of your fiancé. Maybe you thought he’d leave, sparing you the pain of a goodbye by making you wish there was one in the first place, yet he did nothing of the sort. You even thought he’d be a little mad for essentially forcing him into this relationship knowing that he could never make you his through marriage. Instead of sharp words or an unfinished farewell, he pulled you back into an embrace before burying his face into the crook of your neck.

“Will this be the last time I see you?” He mumbles against the skin of your neck and you bite harder down on your lip to keep yourself from breaking down right then and there.

“I hope not.” It’s the only guarantee you could promise and as much as you wish you could offer more, you weren’t too hopeful for the future. “The royal family uses their own personal tailor and besides. . . continuing this when I become princess would be too dangerous for you.”

You paused, pushing him off you to take his face into your hands. “They’ll kill you.”

Your brows furrowed as your gaze searched his. The possibility of his death had yet to occur to you until that very moment when you’d given it more thought. If there were any rumors that were to surface or even the prince catching wind of the unusual amount of time you spent with your tailor, he’d have Yuki executed for even the suspicion of seducing the prince’s consort.

It broke your heart to see his expression shift to dismay and then eventually melancholy when your words sunk in. This would be the last time you’d see each other and the last time you’d be able to hold each other so intimately without the fear of horrendous repercussions. You wished your parting could have been on better terms. You would have preferred it if the situation were reversed. While it would have been painful to see Yuki fall in love with someone else who wasn't you, you wouldn’t ever have to deal with the painful curiosity of wondering when he’d move on. Now, you were stuck with never finding out.

“This will be your last dress for me, so make it your best work.”

You attempted to smile at him though it quivered and mixed with your teary eyes, it appeared more sad than anything. He looked no different from you. Crystalline tears rolled gently down his reddened cheeks and the golden gaze you adored was obscured with longing.

“Of course.” He pulled you closer once more, circling his thin arms around your waist as he brought his lips to yours.

The last kiss you shared tasted salty. A remnant of his grief for a love that could never blossom.

[ethereaiin]

Hope | nier: automata

synopsis; in a life surrounded by ruin, there wasn’t much for 2b to hope for. though she’d soon realize with your existence that there was something in store for a desolate future after all.

features; you, 2b and 9s

>out of context chapter from my fic, salvation.<

*:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧

There's a feeling that settles deeply within her chest at the mere thought of the human girl. 2B doesn't know what to call the sensation, but it fills her being with an odd lightness she cannot put into words.

 Lightly colored blue eyes which lie obscured under a pitch black blindfold, rest on the girl seated before her. [name]'s gaze is colored a vibrant [eye color] that shimmers slightly under the bright light of the sun. 2B believes the girl is akin to what she could imagine an angel being, her halo of [hair color] hair falling in silk waves around her shoulders as a kind smile graces her delicate features.

It was then that she recognizes the lightness in her chest as the sense of serenity.

"Thank you," The girl says as her gaze nervously falls away from 2B's and in favor of her knitted fingers. "I'm glad you and 9S were the ones to find me."

The world seemingly falls away with those words of spoken gratitude. 2B never thought much of the various gestures of appreciation she'd received from the androids she assisted. To her, she was content with helping in any way she could even if she didn't look the type to bother with such a thing. Yet, to hear them from a human. . . it felt utterly relieving.

Her life was dedicated to protecting the secret of mankind's extinction, lying to her fellow androids and watching as they gave their lives for a truly lost cause. For years on end, she witnessed them fight through hoards of machines for their creators whom they've never once seen and only heard, convinced that one day the machine war would end and the humans would return home. To some, it felt hopeless and many had begun to think their lives were being wasted on beings whose existence was questionable.

It frustrated 2B to know the truth. To know that there wasn't anything worth fighting for because their creators were dead. Long gone and unable to return back to the world that still carried their remnants. That knowledge alone would be enough to break any hopeful spirit, which is why 2B tried her hardest to rid herself of any faith she might have had in an ideal future.  

Yet, despite the effort she placed in keeping herself safe from ever thinking of a brighter future, the human seated before her wickedly reignited that persistent thought of foolishly believing in something. Her words, which may have seemed meaningless to her, was everything to 2B.

It was almost like an unspoken apology for the suffering she endured until [name]'s discovery. 2B felt as if she were reprieved of all the harm she caused and it filled her again with that sense of encompassing peace.

                                                  'What if. . .'

She was all that was left of 2B's hope in the desolate world she deemed irreparable long ago. She was the one who could easily breathe life back into the barren city. With her at 2B's side, there was no telling what kind of fate the world may yet hold. There was no need to feel so desperately helpless anymore and finally 2B would be allowed to have the one thing she desired most.

To be free.

Free from the burden of having to keep a secret so heavy, free from the responsibility of having to take the life of the one person she held dearest to her, and finally free of the perpetual cycle of life and death.

Hope so easily clawed its way into her chest, wrapping its tendrils where her heart should be and pulling so mercilessly she thought she would die. Her hope was both so scary and relieving, the confliction of it all made her want to oust it once more just so she could make sense of it. It was dangerous to hope, she knew that much; to feel like there was something more out there for her that didn't involve reliving the same nightmare over and over again.

She desperately wanted to welcome it, to embrace all of its ugliness and hurt it would eventually bring in order to feel somewhat closer to the light [name] unknowingly shined with. Her humanity was precious and so very fragile. Even with the lightest of touch, 2B feared she would break it and once again fall into the abyss of menacing black.

Hope was so very frightening, yet she couldn't will herself to turn away from it.

The smile that picks up at the ends of her lips and is displayed fully for the girl that stares up at her, is one that 2B doesn't dare to fight. Even without her knowing it, [name] is the answer to 2B's silent prayers; a gift she couldn't imagine coming any sooner and one she wished to preserve until the end of time.

The girl stares curiously at 2B, her head tilting along with her puzzled expression. There is only a moment of unique wonder that crosses her features, one 2B remembered once seeing 9S make when he found something interesting. She finds the expression endearing and it only makes it clear to her the ways that humans both differed and held similarities to androids. It was only until the [hair color] haired girl finally mirrored the smile, her own being vastly brighter in comparison to 2B's, that the silver haired android realized yet another thing.

[name] was her future and in her, 2B finally found happiness.

'What if there was something more for me than this never ending despair?'

[ethereaiin]

Yearn | a3!

synosis; you couldn’t help yourself, you were just so taken with the most beautiful things and he happened to fit your aesthetic.

features; you and yukishiro azuma

*:･ﾟ✧*:･ﾟ✧

Summer festivals and equally crowded places were never your scene. You preferred the quiet over the bustling crowds and you were definitely never a fan of the stuffy heat of summer nights. Unfortunately for you, this was the season that your job constantly required you to be present in the exact places you wished to avoid.

Tonight, one of the more popular festivals was meant to take place near Veludo, a place you’ve rarely ever visited due to the fact that you tended to stay near Tokyo. It was somewhat refreshing to have a change of scenery even if it weren’t exactly the countryside ideal you dreamed of. It was at least bound to be way less crowded in comparison to the populated streets of Tokyo.

The ambience of the night was filled with the mixed chatter of the many festival-goers accompanied by the faint buzzing of cicadas. Each breath of air you inhaled carried the scent of fried foods and the tangy smell of the nearby river. You wouldn’t go as far as to call this your most peaceful job venue, being forced to attend crowded events really weren’t your cup of tea, but you could admit it was fairly relaxing.

Unlike your initial assumption of this event being unbearably packed, it was surprisingly not as populated as you thought it would be. Especially after being told by your boss that it was a festival many residents in the area attended. It wasn’t as if you arrived too early either, it was a good two hours in and the fireworks were set to start in thirty minutes. You hoped that you hadn’t shown up at the wrong festival.

With practiced ease, you snaked your way through various yukata clad figures as you murmured insincere apologies. One of your hands held tightly onto the heavy Nikon camera strapped around your neck while your other pressed against the black satchel hanging close to your hip in an effort to press it closer to you. It was only until you neared a small intersection of assorted stalls that you were finally given enough personal space to relax.

Your lips part and a breathy sigh escapes as you idly glance down at your wristwatch only to be disappointed. There was still a substantial amount of time you still needed to pass before the show. Deciding to waste as much time as you could preparing your camera for the anticipated fireworks event, you lifted your camera slightly up before allowing your fingers to go work. You’ve done this kind of thing so many times that you could adjust the levels and exposure settings without even looking. Still, you could find the magic in routines.

You were prone to be easily taken by things you considered to be beautiful. It was a trait that your boss often joked to be a part of your ‘creative nature’ and you could admit that your interest in aesthetics often distracted you numerous times while on the job. It was a terrible habit of yours, but one that you could also appreciate as it was due to that unique interest that many of your best photos were taken.

The moment you lifted your gaze from the LCD screen of your camera, you were once more faced with a breathtaking sight.

There, standing beneath colored glass wind chimes, was possibly the most beautiful man you’d ever seen. Long white hair styled into a loose ponytail which draped over his shoulder and alluringly elegant figure clad in a geometric printed pale blue yukata. Soft yellow light, emitting from the many strung up lanterns lighting the festival path, shrouded him in an almost ethereal glow. His utterly serene appearance was enough to place you into a momentary daze.

You knew your staring was lingering long enough to be considered rude and any more it would start dipping into becoming creepy, but you couldn’t help it. Not when it felt as if looking away for even a second would mean the disappearance of this beautiful man. Your fingers clenched tightly to the heavy camera in your hands, the urge to snap a photo rising with every passing moment.

It was only until his eyes lowered away from the windchimes he was staring at, hand still outstretched as his fingers grazed the decorative tail end of a multicolored chime. His gaze quickly met yours almost as if he instinctively knew you were the one unabashedly staring at him. The gentle smile that curved at his lips and was displayed in your direction further served to ignite your creative senses.

With a startled blink and an embarrassed flush coloring your cheeks, there was only one passing thought that seemed to feed into your unspoken desire.

You needed to take a picture of him.

[ethereaiin]

Emotion | nier: automata

synopsis; there was something distinctly human about the way you made him feel.

features; you, 9s, 2b, anemone

>out of context chapter from my fic, salvation.<

༻✦༺ 

The thought of his human creators often brought a feeling of longing to settle deep within his empty chest. It felt so very foreign to him, his hands hovering over the place where his heart should be, but feeling nothing in response to his touch.

The wonder of it all struck 9S with profound curiosity, one that he wished to expose to its fullest extent and leave no detail undiscovered. The human girl who stood before him now, looked no different from any other female android model. In fact, if it weren’t for his pod alarming him of her species during their first meeting, he wouldn’t have ever guessed she were human.

It took him little time to realize how different she was from them. She was terribly weak and hurt by the littlest of things. He believed if he were to take his eyes off her for even a second, she’d shatter into a million pieces. It filled him with a sense of unease when she walked beside him and he’d find himself jumping to catch her when she’d slightly lose her footing on uneven ground. He didn’t understand how humans were able to live like this; with the threat of death looming over their heads at a moment’s notice.

Her fragility was among the first things he noticed made a clear distinction between humans and androids. The second was the seemingly infinite range of emotions she possessed.

Despite it not being in their design, many of his fellow androids; including himself, often picked them up during the course of their life. Most of it was mimicry, the act of seeing emotions in play and the attempt of replicating them. There was a clear difference between their imitation of emotion and the real thing that occurred so naturally for humans.

There’s a bout of envy that passes through him in regards to the wonders the girl unknowingly retained. Did she ever think about the many expressions she pulled in the little time she’s met them? Did those passing emotions mean anything to her or was it just a fleeting sensation that went ignored?

All of it only made his interest in her grow deeper. It made him wonder what life was like when the humans were able to roam the earth without the threat of machines or aliens. It didn’t matter how much old world information he gathered, it would never amount to anything the human girl knew. She, unlike him or any android, was a person who lived through the old world. She knew what it was like before the machines, before their creation, and before humanity was forced into hiding.

She held all the answers to his pressing inquisition, he’d only need to ask.  

At the sound of a hiss of pain, his attention returned back to the scene before him. 2B is kneeling before the seated figure of the human girl he’s come to know as [name]. Behind them, and next to him, is Anemone. She watches with an interest that echoes his own, her dark brows are pulled into a tight knit and her arms are crossed over her chest. Her gaze never once wavers from the sight before the two of them, with each grimace seen on the human’s face, Anemone mirrors it.

In 2B’s hand lies a bottle of disinfectant. It’s use was originally for reusable android parts that would need to be cleaned before being put to use, but now it served as antiseptic for [name]’s injuries. None of the androids within the camp really knew what to do with a bleeding human for obvious reasons, yet there was apparently two who did.

The set of twin androids, aptly named Devola and Popola, were not in the same room as 9S and the others. In fact, he hadn’t once seen them as Anemone was the one to deliver the bandages and disinfectant with written instructions on what to do. She then handed the items off to 2B, who insisted on being the one to do it, and informed them of the twins’ help.

When the disinfectant was finally put away, there was a collective sigh of relief that passed through everyone’s lips. 2B gently began to wrap white bandages around [name]’s scraped knees and hands. Even from where 9S was standing, he could see that his partner was using as much delicacy as she could muster. There was undoubtedly worry of harming [name] further that drove her sudden onset of tenderness. For as long as 9S had known 2B, gentle wasn’t in her nature.

“How did she even end up getting injured?”

The question was said in a low tone in order to not draw the attention of the two before them. Anemone leaned closer to 9S, her voice slightly muffled due to the collar of her green cloak that the lower half of her face is buried in.

His attention flickers away from the human and towards the android who stands next to him. He regards her with a small smile, one he offers to any android whether they are with YoRHa or not.

“We mistook her for someone else,” He sheepishly admits, watching as Anemone’s brow inquisitively rises. “2B fired and it must have clipped her. . .”

The brunette hums, leaning away from him as she nods her head. “You’re lucky you didn’t kill her. Humans aren’t like us, they don't have replaceable parts.”

 He’s well aware of such a thing, it’s apparent from the red liquid that can be seen seeping through though the fresh bandages wrapped around [name]’s knees. He understands how easily her life could be ended and how they could do nothing about it when they knew so little about humans. That fact alone created a deep seeded fear to plant itself in the depths of his mind, an urge to assure she would never come to face harm.

“Thank you,”

His ears perk at the sound of her soft tone and when he returns his gaze towards her, he could see her [eye color] eyes flickering between himself, 2B, and Anemone. On her delicate features, she holds a soft smile.

“I might still be processing everything, but I’m still grateful for everything you three have done for me so far.” Pink colors her cheeks and her gaze flickers down to her fidgeting hands. “I’m glad you and 9S were the ones to find me, I don’t know what would have happened if it were anyone else.”

2B rises to her feet, her own lips pulling into a rare smile that even 9S had yet to see. Despite the silver haired woman being the one who was so much against the showcase of emotion, he finds that it's hard to fault her for seemingly cracking in that resolve.

It was hard not to return the smile of a human who spoke with such soft sincerity. He felt even his own lips lift in response, chest filling with an unidentified warmth. His gloved hand ghosted over the area, brows slightly creasing as he wondered whether this was the same sensation humans would feel when they were content with something.

Happiness? Was that what they called it?

He didn't understand any of the things he were feeling. The names of such emotions continued to bewilder him, but he was slowly finding himself becoming familiar with them. His concealed gaze returned back to the sight 2B and [name] conversing with each other, Anemone now standing next to them as her head bobbed along with whatever was being said.

Since the arrival of the human, he found himself confused by many things. The emotions and various sensations swirling around inside of him felt so utterly confusing, yet they invigorated him with unimaginable wonder. He desired to learn more, feel more and he knew he could obtain that just by staying at [name]'s side.

It was a concept he didn't find himself having a problem with and from the looks of it, neither did 2B.