Synopsis: Reader is a royal in the imperial family. The reader will eventually become the empress. Many of the males that are characters in Genshin Impact will be either consorts or concubines.
Information: It is not exactly a open-ended reader who doesn't have any pre-determined qualities. However, I try to refrain from mentioning skin color, hair, or any features. Only exception is the eyes of the reader which are a blood red due to the background. Also the reader is able to alter their body type by means of magic so I describe the reader as having both male and female sex organs.
The reader's personality has some distinct qualities. I try not to set them in stone but due to the history and the experiences of the reader that comes from my AU, there are certain personality quirks.
Fandoms: Genshin Impact
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2) Dom/Sub AU
Synopsis: During puberty individuals are determined to have a secondary gender. There are Doms, Subs, and Neutral. Both Dom's and Subs take up about 10% of the population. The remaining 80% are neutrals/switches. Genders like female and male do not determine the secondary gender. Set in modern universe or canon universe. Only Dom!reader accepted. Characters can be any gender.
Fandoms: Genshin Impact, Vanitas No Carte, Demon slayer.
Commands: These are a vital part in any relationship between a Sub and a Dom. The Dom will give out commands that can range from simple, sexual, or anything else the two agree on beforehand. The sub will then follow the commands.
Relationships: Not every pairing has to be romantic in nature. As long as everyone who is involved gives their consent, it can be primarily a sexual relationship or just a physical relationship in order to fulfill their instincts that come with their secondary gender.
Contracts: These are for more serious relationships. Again, it does not have to be romantic but the Dom and the Sub are more closely bound to each other. There is usually an actual paper document that is signed for more professional Dom/Sub relationships but more intimate one do not always have a more formal contract. Once a contract is agreed on, it is much more important to remain vigilant in terms of giving out commands, spending time together, giving/getting aftercare, etc. If they fall behind on their relationship and what they agreed on, it can result in sickness, dissociations, disorientation, sub or dom drop, etc.
Collars: Should be the most important and intimate endeavor when it comes to a Sub and Dom. A Dom collaring the sub binds them together. The collars can be a piece of jewelry or an actual collar. However, if both agree, dom's can be a given a 'collar' as well.
How would the harem members react if they found out they were pregnant with the Reader's child?
Because there are so many harem members, I will do the ones who I think will have a bigger reaction or are deemed more important in the publics eyes. If I don't end up writing about a specific individual that you wanted, please let me know!
One TW: In kaeya's there is a mention of miscarriage.
Diluc is expected by most of the court and the public to bear the first heir, which in other words has to be a female. I do think that he will be the one who gives birth to the heir even if there are a few... hiccups along the way. I also think that he would probably want to have a few children. Three at most. Part of this is due to his family's training and it being ingrained in him that he needs to give you children. However, I do think he does genuinely love his children (and the other harem members' children) and after the first birth he wants to have a few more but it was his choice.
As for when he found out that he was first pregnant, there are different reactions for different scenarios. However, overall he doesn't mind being pregnant, espeically not when it gives him a chance to be spoiled by you.
If he was the first in the harem to get pregnant, he would have a lot of anxiety and nerves. I imagine that the public and the council and court members would want to celebrate and make it a big show to the public. Something Diluc would feel highly uncomfortable about but he would also feel obligated to do as they say. Though you would shut it down the second you saw that it was doing more harm than good. However, with the support of you and some of the other harem members, he would enjoy his pregnancy, despite the discomfort and pain.
If other members of the harem already had children, there would still be anxiety, but there would also be a lot more pressure on him by others (court officials, etc) for him to have a male so that his child can be heir. This route could easily lead to him breaking down because of sheer pressure and he would probably let it build up without telling anyone until it all hits a breaking point. However, he would handle the pregnancy itself realtively well.
Ayato is an odd case. I do see him wanting children but not many, probably no more than one. Besides, he knows that with his position as Noble Consort it is expected of him to at least provide spares, so to speak. He is fine with this, he doesn't hate it but he doesn't love it either. When he first finds out he is pregnant, he is resigned. I imagine him and Reader already planned for him to have one so he knew it was coming up. I will say he was one of the ones who milked all the care and attention from reader while pregnant. If he is going to suffer through an uncomfortable pregnancy, he see's no shame in making sure he is heavily cared for.
However, he is relatively good with the children too because he grew up with a sibling of his own and the two of them had a very good relationship. With this in mind, I do see him considering having another child but then once the other harem members start having children of their own, he see's that it is not necessary for him to provide another.
Aether is the very serene with his pregnancies. It may have to do with the fact that he has the easiest pregnacies and births out of all of the harem members. In my mind, he takes the idea of 'glowing' to a whole other level. He is perfectly content throughout the whole process, taking everything with grace that leaves others wondering how he is functioning. However, once he finds out, I do think it would take a while for it to set in that he is pregnant.
Ajax wants a lot of children of his own. He grew up in a large family and despite the struggles they faced, he loved his siblings deeply. However, I don't imagine him being happy while he's pregnant. He is estatic at the idea of having his own children but he hates the way it affects his body. It makes him bed bound and lathargic and he can't move around or fight which leaves him uncomfortable and bit tense when others are around him. It is best to keep him separate from a few of the other more testy harem members.
Itto is estatic from the moment he finds out. While his pregnancy may be a bit rough towards the end due to his different body shape compared to the others in the harem, he hardly feels the pain. He is always looking for a bump and he is one of the members who is very comfortable with letting others feel it as well. He almost always has a hand on his stomach once it becomes more prominent. If he could, he'd love to build his own little army of his children.
Scaramouche would be one of the individuals who gets sick when he first finds out, his nerves working on overdrive, anxiety at an all time high. By the time he does come with child, I imagine there are plenty of children already born so he is more comfortable with the idea but there are lingering, unresolved doubts in the back of his mind. He secludes himself in the beginning, feigning that he is sick or unwell but not telling anyone. He wouldn't tell anyone but eventually someone (other harem members, servants, someone) would find out and would alert you. It is only after a few months and support from those around him (this is, in my mind, years after he joins so he is not as hostile or closed off anymore) would he become more comfortable and even excited. He handles the pain remarkably well.
Kaeya is a unique case when it comes to his first child. If he is still struggling between his loyalty to the reader and his family, he would, in simple words, detest being pregnant because his mind is riddled with anxieties: his family would try to use the child as a barganing chip, something to raise their own standing. He doesn't want to subject a child to that and honestly, he'd be so torn it wouldn't be surprised if he miscarried. However, if it is years later when he is not as heavily bound to his family, he would still feel a bit anxious about learning he is pregnant but he'd be less anxious and a bit more calm throughout the pregnancy.
Really wants children of their own:
Diluc
Aether
Ajax
Itto
Kaveh (really wants at least one but he is very hesitant to ask because by he is a bit older than most of the other harem members and the public considers him past the proper age)
Doesn't particularly care either way. Isn't a fan of the pregnancy itself but will love their children.
Ayato
Albedo
Thoma (Is adored by all the harem members' children but is in no rush to be pregnant himself. He is perfectly fine helping the other members with their children but would not be aversed to having his own)
On the fence, or, in other words, may not want one when they're younger but may be more open once they get older.
Scaramouche
Kazuha
Kaeya
Heizou
Gorou
Zhongli fits here as well. He may not be a harem member offically but he has fanacized about having a child with you. But he is hesitant because he never wants to be put in a position where he cannot be your knight or feel like he cannot protect you.
When scaramouche went to confront the Empress, why was Ayato's robe in her room? Haha I almost expected Ayato to be in the tub with the empress or at least find him lounging in the Empress' bed naked 😆
So sorry for the late reply.
Originally, I was going to put him lounging around but I think that would have derailed Scara. Especially because Ayato would have been a menance to him - not cruel but just teasing, a little condescending because he wasn't the biggest fan of Scara nor did he trust him. Honestly, Scara would have probably left the room right away if he spotted Ayato.
As for why I kept it, I just wanted to show tidbits of how the other harem members are in someway, always around the Reader. Many may not have noticed becasue I haven't written about him a lot but Albedo was meant to be mentioned when I added the information about the scattered paintings around the room.
How many children would the reader be able to have within genshin au?
How many? Honestly, putting it lightly, a lot, if she and the harem wanted. The reason why is that in my AU, it is the men that are able to give birth due to magic. So, theoretically speaking, even if each harem member only had one child that would still be over 10 children, maybe even breaching 20.
However, I do not think each harem member would want kids and the Reader would never think of forcing it onto them. At most, the higher-ranking members would need to have children, for an heir and per tradition, but once the heir is born, there really does not need to be any more children.
Hear me out. I've been crying over the Ithaca Saga of Epic (if you don't know it, I highly suggest you check it out) and I had a brain worm that has been knawing at me. For those of you who do not know what it is about, it is about Odysseus and his travels but it focuses heavily on the love story between Odysseus and Penelope.
It would be an AU of my Consort AU. I can't help but imagine that perhaps Reader needs to go to war and she ends up gone for years and years with no information getting back to the harem. While I am picturing Diluc to be in the role of Penelope, I think the whole harem could be a part of this.
With no knowledge of where Reader is, people start coming to her kingdom and it is up to the Higher-ranking consorts to keep everything running smoothly. They're are people demanding that there needs to be a new empress and many women are coming over, waiting for, most likely Diluc because he is the highest ranking, to decide to marry someone new. Yet Diluc, Ayato, the other harem members continue to try and buy time even under constant anxiety, stress, threats, etc.,
Maybe some start to lose hope that reader will return, maybe others start to get angry at everyone coming to their kingdom, others seclude themselves.
As always, I can't help but focus moreso on Diluc and his unwavering faith that Reader is alive and all the pressure coming onto him.
This may not make any sense but I just needed to get it down because it kept floating around in my head.
One question how qingqiu,cyno,tighnari join harem?
Hello :)
While I do not have a complete idea, I do have some drafts.
One thing I know for certain is that Xingqiu is not going to be a part of the harem. The reason why is because, a long time ago, I thought about having Reader and Chongyun (who is her half-brother but is the only sibling younger than her so reader doesn't hold resentment towards him) reuniting somehow and he comes under her care. I was going to play around with a Chongyun x Xingqiu relationship rather than Reader x Xingqiu.
However, Xingqiu does work under the Reader and is a part of her court so they do have an amiable relationship.
As for Cyno. I am kind of back and forth with him. On one hand I originally thought about giving him a high position in the harem, such as Noble Consort who was part of a noble family in another land and then he was married to Reader as a kind of bargaining chip. But I am also playing around with him being more of a concubine just for protection but he is actually one of readers spies in another land. I'm not sure yet, nor have I fleshed any of it out.
For Tigh-nari, honestly, he would just be a concubine. In my mind, I think he would be one that joined the harem just because reader could, in the beginning, use his talents. He is still knowledgable of botany and the like and Reader saw that he could be useful. Or may he helped save one of the harem members with his research when they were traveling.
I'll be honest as much as I would love to give an in-depth background for each character, I am not sure how to do that without being overly repetitive.
If you have any ideas for any of the characters please feel free to send them in. I would love to chat about it!
Summary: After decimating the army of another and acquiring more land under your growing rule, you take some time to look around. While walking around you come across the public punishment of a man from his wife. The image seems to linger within some of your own harem members and while you like to think you are not soft, you cannot bear seeing the strain on your own harem members' face and act accordingly.
Pairing: Imperial!Reader, Concubine!Characters. Hints of Reader x Diluc, Zhongli x reader. Kaveh x Reader. But there is not much romance in this piece.
CW: Reverse Harem, cursing, morally grey reader. Heavy descriptions of matriatchial settings, sexism aimed towards men. Mentions of killing, starting a fire, whipping (not by reader), punishments (not by reader), the selling of men, threats from reader but not towards harem members.
Notes: This doesn't have much romance to it as I tried to focus more on the plot and politics which was, no doubt, one of the hardest things to write. Dialogue may be choppy.
Bodies brush against one another, a small crowd forming in the front of an estate. Women look on with a mixture of disinterest or even amusement, lips quirking up. Soft, muffled sounds of voices that are only covered by the sound of rushing wind and the echoing crack of something landing on something, or rather someone.
It was only the men who looked uncomfortable by they don't move from their wife's side. Flinches leave some of them as if feeling the hit on their own skin; others have their head bowed, sympathy in their eyes though they would never disrupt. If someone is bold enough to hit someone in public it is because they have a high enough position to be overlooked. Or in other words, there will be no consequences.
Leather. You can tell just by the sound that comes from it. Most likely some kind of whip but the sound is muffled enough that you know it's not hitting directly on skin - not that it will help with the pain.
By the way you can hear the sound even with the conversations and loudness of children running around, you don't doubt that whoever is flicking the whip has more than enough strength in their arms to break skin even through clothes.
The view is hidden from you, not that you minded. You were more than happy to just walk right by, hardly giving another glance to see what was going on. Your feet pause only when the two figures you were walking with are no longer next to you.
A glance over your shoulder and Diluc stands still, eyes wide, mouth parted that reveals only the smallest sliver of his tongue that licks at his bottom lip. His body was perfectly still, only the small rise and fall of his chest visible under the red robes but his breaths were shorter than normal. Next to him, the smaller form of Xiao had his head bowed and turned away from the crowd. His jaw flexed, hands balled into fists at his side; knuckles whitening by the second, no doubt his nails are about to break through his skin.
You follow Diluc's gaze and by now the crowd opens up a little, allowing small peeks of what had drawn all the attention. You stare blankly at the male on his knees, hands poised on his lap. The figure's back was angled towards you, giving you a full view of the purple bruises that marred his skin. Yellowish specks of his skin peaks out from underneath the blooming red whip marks. All of this was visible to anyone's eyes due to the dark maroon robe that was pooled at his waist now; not allowing him to cover any of the marks.
The women standing above him made you let out your own sigh, rolling your eyes under the cloth wrapped around your head. The Ministry. You vaguely recognize her, she was in charge of retaining knowledge and long held secrets of the land. What was her name? You can't remember it but it hardly matters. You do remember that she was furious and bold enough to insult you. You had found it amusing at the time which seemed to infuriate her even more.
Your eyes linger on the blonde male kneeling on the ground, tears in his eyes that fell silently down his cheeks but he made no move to try and cover himself up or defend himself. Properly trained, you think wryly. Punished into obedience, you correct yourself.
You know the people of this land are still hesitant about your arrival. You had come in and nearly massacred more than half of their army. No need to cause more chaos by getting involved with someone the people look up to. The Ministry members are practically divine beings to the public, something that has made you snort and chuckle.
You don't spare another glance as you face forward again, Zhongli by your side as the both of you walk forward a few paces.
"Your grace." Your feet stop their movements, looking over your shoulder as you look at Diluc.
Even he appeared shock at his own interruption. His lips part before they quickly close again, not a single sound leaving him. His eyes flicker from you to the man kneeling on the floor before back to you. There is an echo of the whip landing on skin once again and Diluc winces as if he was the one hit.
He doesn't have to say anything. You can read him without any of your magic. A bleeding heart. No doubt he feels the pain of the other like it's own. He cares too much.
"You want to save him?" You face him His hands twitch at his side, fighting the urge to curl them into his robes. He doesn't reply though, head bowed.
"He is hardly the first to be given such a public punishment. He won't be the last either. Will you intervene?" Your words goad him even if you both know nothing will come of it. "What, or do you think I should intervene?"
Diluc's own expression drops; Xiao's pinches together as he stares up at you. Zhongli is the only one who looks on impassively.
"Sure," you roll your shoulders, hands clasped behind you. "I could if I wanted to but I don't. I intervene and all it does is lead to problems with the ministry. Problems that go beyond one single man being given a public lashing for a punishment. He is none of my concern and he is none of yours either."
"Your Grace," Diluc tries again, this time more firmly but he still wavers. His voice is soft but edged with something desperate. "Please..."
Your gaze flicks back to him, catching the way his head remains bowed, refusing to meet your eyes directly. He's trying, you know. Trying to speak out, unable to ignore such a scene of cruelty. It's amusing in its futility.
"You've grown bold," you murmur, stepping closer. Your tone is teasing, but your words make him flinch. "Tell me, what will you do? Give him your robe? Promise him it gets better?"
Diluc's lips part, trembling slightly as he struggles to form a response. Xiao shifts uneasily beside him, his own hands clenched into fists, but he doesn't speak out of turn.
"Your silence tells me enough." You step away again, your hands clasped loosely behind your back. The sound of another lash cuts through the air, and the man kneeling lets out a choked gasp.
Diluc flinches. Xiao glowers. You don't miss it.
"Zhongli," you say suddenly, your tone sharp enough to make your knight snap to attention. He steps forward immediately, bowing his head slightly in deference.
"Yes, Your Grace."
"Take care of something for me," you say, your voice low, almost lazy. "I expect you to be swift."
Zhongli doesn't question you. He doesn't need any more information either. He nods once, his expression unreadable, before turning and walking away without a sound. Diluc and Xiao both glance after him but say nothing, their confusion carefully masked.
You turn back to the scene in front of you, your eyes falling on the ministry woman. She's standing tall, her expression hard, but there's a flicker of satisfaction in her eyes as she watches the punishment unfold.
It isn't long before the commotion begins. Shouts ring out from the direction of the ministry's archive, and the woman in charge stiffens, her eyes darting toward the source of the noise.
"Fire!" someone yells. "The archives are burning!"
The ministry woman curses under her breath, hitching her skirt up and turning to leave. She barks orders to the guards nearby, and soon the punishment is all but forgotten as chaos erupts. The crowd soon dissipates, not longer caring about the punishment. You hear questions about what happened but you don't pay attention to them.
Diluc remains still, hands fisting at the side of his robe despite the fact that it forms wrinkles in his usual pristine clothes. Both him and Xiao are staring up at the growing fire, eyes wide.
"You want to help because he's a man; sure, I understand. You've always had a bleeding heart but he is not the one you need to worry about. The ministry is powerful in these lands, admired. I could very well make a possible enemy of them all because you care far too much."
Your hand curls under Diluc's chin, fingers brushing his jawline as you direct his attention. "It will be your undoing, sweet boy." You whisper low enough for only him to hear. Perhaps your words are cruel but he needs to hear them. You need him to hear them, so that he knows what sympathy can do and it is not always good.
Diluc stares at you, his lips parted slightly as if he wants to speak, but he doesn't. He simply bows his head again, his shoulders trembling faintly with relief.
As Zhongli returns silently to your side, the faint scent of smoke clinging to him, you give him the barest nod of approval. He bows his head in acknowledgment, his expression as calm and composed as ever.
"The man's fate is paused but I doubt it will be the last punishment he faces, he is still bound to his wife."
The man is still kneeling on the ground. His body shakes, body trembling with pain. Without all the attention on him and the punishment looming over his head, he clutches at the robe laying around his hips, his fingers which are red and raw around his nails, tug the robe up and back over his shoulders. The red and purpling marks disappear from view.
"Let us go. Now."
The sound of water dripping fills your ears. The inn wasn't the most extravagant but it was on the outskirts of the land, far away from the ministry and any possible ears straining to learn secrets, something to provide the ministry with the power to kick you out of their land.
Your land now.
On a tatami mat, underneath a wooden gazebo, you gaze at the small pond with brightly colored koi-fish swimming around. Flowers were blooming around, providing a sweet scent in the air. One of your legs is bent at the knees, resting your foot on the ground with your elbow resting on your knee. The other is crossed on the ground in front of you. You take a sip from the small glass, savoring the bitter burn.
The soft brush of fabric gliding against the ground comes up from behind you. Diluc. You do not even need to turn to know. His footsteps were always soft, even, as if he puts a lot of thought into something as simple as walking properly. Well he probably was.
He bends down, settling on his knees adjacent to you on the other tatami mat. You glance at him. He was wearing his nighttime robe and his hair was out of his pristine updo, only pulled back into a ponytail with a few hairs dangling free. You fight the urge to push it behind his ear, tug out the updo, let it all fall and then use it to tug him….
You clear your throat, lowering your hand, placing you glass back on the floor. He refills it even though you didn't ask for him to.
"You're pouting," you muse out, voice level but deceptively blank. Well not exactly, but you know him well enough to know something was wrong. The way his eyes glaze out of focus as he becomes lost in the thought. His fingers that have become a slight pink due to him constantly wringing his hands together. The way his breath gets more labored when he falls too much into the depths of his mind.
He startles, placing the bottle back on the ground and then place his hands on his thighs. You watch as he takes a breath, fingers tapping against his robe. "Forgive me," he murmurs out, voice as soft and gentle as it ever is.
"I did what I could in my position," you shrug, downing the alcohol in the small glass before placing it to the side.
Could you have done more? Yes.
Would you have? No.
The only reason you intervened was because of how much it distressed Diluc and Xiao even if it wasn't as obvious in the latter. The poor man that was being punished is probably hurting more in the privacy of his wife's home. You don't tell Diluc this even though you know he suspects.
"I know," he answered.
He knows you were the reason for the fire. He doesn't address it, not openly because you don't seem to think too much of what you did. You hardly care about it so he decides it is best to just appreciate that you heard him out and did do something about it.
"I cannot get involved in every dispute or wife who punishes their husbands," you wave a hand, lazily explaining as you rest. "It is, by law, their prerogative. We are still the strangers in this nation. I am seen as the ones who massacred their families, tore down their infantry. How do you think it would appear if I came in and decided to alter everything, offer out punishments without any explanation."
You shake your head. It's already a mess with the Ministry pushing back against you. Trying to use sly tricks to get a one-up on you. Pity for them that you know all their tricks.
Diluc knows all of this. He knows. He also knows he shouldn't be causing you any problems. You were right in your words from earlier. He cares too much and he usually tries to push that need to care for others onto you or the other harem members. But when he sees it with his own eyes, the pain, the punishment, the humiliation that other women force onto their husbands, it's hard to forget.
He could have ended up like that. In the beginning of the marriage, he expected to. He expected to be demeaned, punished, used. He was taught to expect it all and bear it without a complaint, to do as his wife requires. He wouldn't say you were kind in the sense other people think about kindness. But you've never raised a hand to him that was meant to inflict pain. You never demeaned him, degraded him. Never let others either. He's treated better than he ever thought possible.
"I'm sorry," he says the only thing he can think of. His head lifts, even with your eyes covered, he knows your eyes meet his. He can feel it with the weight that encompasses him, the air feeling like it is pressing down on him but it's not stifling. It's comforting, like a weighted blanket.
"I know what I did was selfish and based entirely on my own feelings." He thinks back to the man. "I know he was just a single man but no one seemed to care. They all just… watched on," his voice dropped. "And he appeared to be in so much pain. I couldn't - I needed to do something."
But I didn't, he think. You were the one who stopped the man's pain at least for a short while. Diluc couldn't even bring himself to say something to you asides from pleading with you.
"You realize that I stopped nothing, correct? I am sure they will come to know that the fire was orchestrated by me, I'm sure they already think that," you snort, shaking your head. "They are looking for anything to undermine me and once they find even the slightest of a connection, they will not drop it. Especially not those damn Ministry fools."
Diluc's heart aches for numerous reason. The tension in your tone, the tiredness that he's learned to detect with the soft sighs that leave you after you speak. Also for the man, the bruises littering his skin, the wet cheeks, the idea that he could be in the process of being punished right now.
It is stupid. He didn't know the mans name. Didn't know his story but he is sure it was not easy. Yet this man continues to linger in his mind.
He knows he made it more challenging for you, something he never wanted to do. Not when you already have so much on your shoulders.
"I am aware, Your Grace." His voice is defeated. It makes your eye twitch. You roll your shoulders, keeping your gaze in front of you on the small pond.
"Then why must you look so despondent? Did you think a small gesture of kindness would do much in the long run," you shake your head. "Men in his position do not know kindness even if it’s a robe tossed over their shoulders or soft words meant to comfort them."
His eyes lower, face shifting, pinching in a way you know is meant to hold back the whirlwind of emotions inside of him. It leaves an uncomfortable tightening within your chest that you're not accustomed to. For a minute you wonder if it was the alcohol affecting you.
Gods, maybe you were becoming too soft. It is hard to even glance at his downturned face and not feel the need to go and burn down that which is causing him so much grief. It would be easy to. You know who and what is troubling him: two insignificant people in the grand scheme of things.
You've killed others for less. Some of the blood coating your hands comes from individuals who were foolish enough to aim a negative look or inappropriate words towards your harem members. What would be a few more? Though you know killing would cause more problems later on. Most of all, it would not cause Diluc to feel any better.
There is only one thing that will. One action that you really do not care to do but you may do just to stop Diluc's grief.
The negotiation hall was grand, adorned with tapestries of woven gold and deep crimson, but the air felt suffocatingly thick with protocol. You sat at the head of the long, polished table, an emblem of your power, your chin resting lightly on your hand. Beside you stood Zhongli, his impassive face betraying nothing.
Across from you sat Lady Samara, a high-ranking official from the Ministry, her deep emerald robes a testament to her wealth and influence. She sipped delicately from her glass of wine.
“You understand,” she said, her voice honeyed but laced with steel, “that Kaveh is not merely a possession but my husband. Breaking his vow to me would be... unconventional.”
Unconventional. A polite way of saying taboo. You smiled faintly, tilting your head just enough to make her falter. “And yet here we are,” you said, your tone smooth, almost bored. “The longer you delay, the more tempted I am to simply take what I want without regard for your ‘formalities.’ Name your terms."
She chuckled, leaning back in her chair as though she had the upper hand. “You misunderstand me, your grace. This isn’t about price alone. It’s about precedent. If I were to part with him, what would stop others from demanding the same? Vows such as these hold our society together.”
You allowed the silence to stretch, your gaze unwavering. Zhongli shifted slightly behind you, his presence a quiet reminder of your authority. “You forget,” you said at last, your voice soft but cutting, “that I am the precedent.”
Lady Samara stiffened, the tension in the room palpable. “Even so,” she said carefully, “Kaveh is a husband of noble standing. He is educated, refined, and capable in art and homecare. Releasing him from his bond with me will not come cheaply.”
You resisted the urge to roll your eyes. You reached for the goblet before you, sipping slowly before setting it down with a deliberate clink. You lean back, folding your hands neatly in your lap. "It appears as if your are the one who misunderstands. This is not a negotiation." The air in the room drops. "The price is a mere courtesy I am giving you. I could just as easily take him by decree if I so desired. The ministry may be a stronghold in this land but the land and all of its people and possession are now under my control."
You let out a sharp laugh, leaning forward, elbows braced on the table. You stare directly at her, watching as she suppressed a shudder even with your eyes covered by a cloth.
"I allowed your ministry to stay in place because I do not want to cause unnecessary riots among the people. But do not think that I will not tear it all down. You know as well as I do that no one would be able to stop me should it ever come down to this."
Her lips tightened, though she quickly masked her irritation with a practiced smile. Though you spot the slightest of wavering in her face at your threat that you made no move to hide. "Of course. But surely Your Grace recognizes the value of maintaining... goodwill, especially with one such as myself."
A faint smile tugged at the corner of your mouth. "Goodwill, yes. But do not mistake my patience for obligation. Name your price." You repeat at what you said earlier but sharper, letting her know that you are growing bored and tired: a dangerous thing.
Her lips parted, but she hesitated. You could see the calculations racing through her mind. To name a price too high would risk your wrath. To name one too low would devalue her standing. Finally, she said, “Five estates. Three within the capital, two along the southern trade routes.”
You tilted your head, pretending to consider her words, though you had already made up your mind.
“Done,” you said at last, your tone leaving no room for argument.
She blinked, caught off guard by your swift agreement. “And… and a formal decree,” she added hastily, grasping for more leverage. “One that acknowledges my contributions to this nation and ensures my continued influence within the ministry.”
You smirked. “Greedy, aren’t we?” But you nodded nonetheless. “You’ll have your decree. My scribes will prepare the documents by nightfall.”
Her relief was palpable, though she tried to mask it. Rising from her seat, she bowed stiffly, her hands trembling as she gripped her fan. “I thank you for your generosity, Your Grace. Kaveh is now yours."
Zhongli stepped closer once she was out of sight. “You were rather lenient with her.”
“I was fair,” you corrected, rising to your feet. “She thinks she’s won, but she knows the cost that comes with defying me. Besides, it may do good to have some kind of... business transactions with minsitry memebers. This may just yet get us through the door."
You gaze down at the man, his arms are folded, the sleeves of his robe hanging off his elbows revealing marks on his pale skin.
"Kaveh, was it?" You ask. "Just nod, I have no need to hear any long answer." You add on before he can speak.
He nodded, hair falling in front of his eyes which are lowered.
"I want to be clear." You step in front of him, a foot apart. "I am not doing this for you, nor because I have pity or any care for your former situation. I am merely bringing you in my harem because someone dear to me asked for you."
Kaveh's stomach lurched. Asked for him? It sounds like a proposition, one that men who sell their bodies or company would be asked for. Even with the churning of his stomach, the bile burning in his throat he does as he always does: nods and offer a submissive bow of his head.
You incline your head, turning around. "Come."
You lead him back to the carriages, remaining a few steps in front of him. You get to one of the carriages, pulling back the maroon cloth, so he can step inside. "You want to thank someone one, the person who managed to change the course of your fate is inside. Do show your proper appreciation." You hold out a hand to help him up.
Kaveh's eyes are warily looking between you and the opening of the carriage. His feet carry him to the opening, placing his own hand on top of your own, his other hand braces on the edge of the carriage as he steps up and into his new life
Albedo would like to believe he could focus during any circumstance and yet you seem to make it your goal to prove him wrong. His hand trembled as he brought it down to the easel. He slowly, and shakily, created a small red stroke on the paper. It was then that you decided to really act. Your hands that were rubbing his thighs, moved inwards to his cock that was still in his shorts. Instead of teasing grazes, you cupped him over his pants and squeezed over the fabric.
His hips jerked up followed with a loud keen that filled the air. His hand lost control and created am even streak across his work. The paintbrush dropped to the ground and Albedo leant forward bracing his hands on his knees, his back hunched forward. Your hand withdrew for a split second before unlacing his pants. It gave you the room to reach your hand into his pants and finally touch his bare skin. He slumped back and rested against your chest, opening his legs and giving you more access to his body.
"a-ahh," the first grasp around him caused a choked moan to escape his lips. His head fell back to rest on your shoulder, allowing you the room to kiss and suck on his neck. The scrape of your teeth against his skin and your hand which was now thumbing across his tip caused whimpers to escape him. You smeared the droplets of pre-cum that leaked from his slit, your thumb rubbing the underside of his tip. As your hand dropped to stroke his cock, he cursed, the coiling in his gut tightening embarrassingly fast.
"Wait," it felt like it took everything in him to utter that one word. Before you could ask what was wrong, his hand moved to cover yours which had stilled but was still wrapped around his cock. His body trembled as his oncoming orgasm ebbed away. "I don’t want to c-cum like this." A flush crept up his neck and to his face.
"Oh?" you knew where he was going with this. "Then how do you want to cum?"
He took a breath and readied himself before turning around in your lap. His legs shook as he adjusted himself but he managed to situated himself so that he was still in your lap but was now facing you. "I.." he hesitated for a small second before steeling his nerves. He knew that you always liked whenever any of them were a bit assertive. "I want you inside me as I cum." His voice trailed off at the end and he had to physically stop himself from cringing.
A groan escaped your lips at his dirty words. Your hand came up to grasp his neck and pulled him into you so that you could kiss him. His lips easily moved with yours and he felt himself become more pliant as you tugged at his lip and slipped your tongue in to play with his own. When you pulled back there was a string of spit connected between the two of your lips.
"Who am I to deny my little artist."
Childe wanted to beg, hell he tried to beg but the gag in his mouth prevented him from getting any words out that weren't slurred mumbles. He unclenched his jaw, wincing as the cloth stuck to his dry lips. He thrusted his hips forward, trying to grind back against you but all he could was a dull pressure on his crotch due to his limited movements. He was met with a firm grip on his waist that left a lasting ache and he knew there would be bruises later.
"Stop squirming. Isn't this what you wanted?"
He wanted to protest that this was not what he was suggesting earlier. When he asked to train with you he mentioned wanting to build up his strength and endurance. He can genuinely say there wasn't a perverted thought in his head at that time. Yet when you agreed, instead of leading him outside, you pulled him into you and tugged off his pants before he could wrap his mind around what was happening.
That led to him in the predicament he was in now. Bare from the waist down, sat on your lap with your cock stuffed inside him.
"sshh-snnot," he tried to disagree but all that came out was jumbled nonsense.
"You said you wanted to train your endurance. I see no better way to train than being my cockwarmer." You emphasized with a sharp thrust.
"ngg," a loud yelp left him, his hips jerking. His eyes flutter, eyes rolling back into his head.
"If you cant handle this, do you honestly think that you could handle sparing with me?"
One of your hands came up to brush his hair, a faux kindness that did nothing to comfort him. If he could he would protest and say that sparing with you and keeping your cock warm had no correlation.
The hands that were still on his hips forced him to grind back against you. Even with the smallest movement, it had him creeping towards his orgasm due to his sensitivity. It wouldn't be the first time of this day that you got him right to the edge before stilling him, feeling his walls clench around you. However, this entire time you haven't touched his cock once. Instead it just kept bobbing against his stomach, wetting both you and him with the copious amount of pre-cum that has escaped him the past hour and a half.
He wanted to curse at you as you forced him to move against you. Even when making him move you kept your eyes on the paper in front of you and the basic disregard of him caused his body to unconsciously react. His body tightened in your lap and small huffs of air escaped him through the gag. He could basically taste his oncoming orgasm and he tried to whine out; pleading and begging for you to let him have this one. However, right when he felt himself about to fall over the edge, you held him still. This time one of your hands came down to grip around his base.
"G-ghh!" a loud wail left his lips and his eyes pricked with tears at your treatment. He couldn't help the sobs that now freely left him which were muffled by the cloth gag.
Instead of wiping away his tears or patting his head, you just resumed your own work, paying him no mind as he cried and shook on your lap. He knew that the night was far from over.
When you had told Diluc that you had something planned for him tonight, he was not expecting this. It wasn't the first time you allowed him to take this position over you but it was definitely rare. His arms were shaking as he hovered over you and before he could get lost in his own thoughts he felt a palm come and cup his cheek. His eyes reconnected with yours and you graced him with a small smile.
"You good?" You soothed your thumb over his cheek and your other hand came to push his hair back from his face, it was damp and sticking to his skin.
He let out a shaky breath before nodding. You took this as all the confirmation you needed to reach your hand between your bodies and grasped his reddened cock. He gritted his teeth at your touch and had to forcefully still himself so that he did not jerk away due to his sensitivity.
You moved your legs and wrapped them around his waist as you positioned him right at your entrance. He could feel your wetness cover the tip of his cock and he was aching to push it in but waited for you to tell him to. You smiled at his subtle obedience. "Go ahead darling. I told you tonight's for you."
He nodded, an unintentionally gesture, right before he pushed his hips forward. There was some hesitation in his movements but you did not rush him. It wasn't much longer until he was fully inside you. He had to still himself, his head falling into the crook of your neck as a small whimper left his lips. It was a completely different feeling to when you’re the one inside him and he's not sure which one he likes more. Your hand went behind his head and caressed his nape. You could feel the shivers wracking his body and gave him the time he needed to situate himself.
Diluc slowly pulled his hips back before thrusting in once more. There wasn't much force behind his movements but you did not care. It was enough seeing how much he was affected and how good he was feeling.
"hah," a small whine left his lips. "I-its.." his breath caught in his throat and he felt the burn of tears behind his eyelids.
It too much, he wanted to say. Too wet, too hot. He could barely focus on anything and he felt like his entire body was on fire. His body started to tremble and he could barely hold himself above you. Small whines kept leaving his lips. All he felt that he could do was softly grind his hips against yours.
You had to suppress a smile at his movements. His head had moved from the crevasse of your neck to rest against your chest. He kept his head buried there but you could feel the drip of his tears that slid down your skin.
"Sorry… I just.. I cant move without.." he didn't have to finish for you to know what he meant. "Can you.." he trailed off.
"Can I?" you questioned, allowing your hands to run across his back.
"Take control. Like you usually do." He voice waivered and he wanted to berate himself for sounding rude.
Before he could do anything else, his body was flipped around so that he was the one now on his back. He gasped out your name as he looked at you now on top of him with his cock still situated inside you.
Now that you were able to get a good look at him, you had to suppress your own moan. His hair was a damp and tangled mess, his face was flushed, lips bitten raw and his eyes were red and rimmed with tears.
"Heh.. You really are a treat to look at." You cupped his hot cheek with your hand and stroked it. "Just relax then. I'll make you feel real good."
Kazuha should have expected this. He knew being alone with you in the woods would lead to some kind of frolicking, it always did but perhaps that why he continues to ask for you to come with him. With his back now pressed against a tree trunk he was thankful that you at least let him keep his shirt on but his pants were discarded somewhere among the grass and leaves.
One of his legs was hitched on your hip, giving you more access to his hole. You already had two of your fingers inserted into him and were curling them right into his prostate. He had his head snug in your shoulder and his arms were wrapped around your neck. His one leg that was left on the ground was shaking and barely able to hold him up. You were practically the only thing that was keeping him from collapsing on the ground. That knowledge left him clenching and part of him wants you to just manhandle him with your strength.
"s'good" his voice raised in pitch when your other hand came to stroke his cock. The wet sounds eagerly filled up the space around the both of you. "C-close, 'm so close." His body seized up as he tried to warn you but it was seconds later that his orgasm hit him and he dirtied both of your clothes, dampening them as he whines out, his his hips jerking into your hand. You worked him through it but instead of letting him calm down your movements got rougher.
He lost complete strength in his body and collapsed against you. If it weren't for you falling down with him, he would have hit the ground hard. However, instead he fell onto your lap, his legs spread over your knees. You kept a steady rhythm in your movements and he gasped as he struggled in your grip.
"A-ahh wait," his hand came down to grip your hand that was curling inside of him. He knew that wasn't a smart move because one of your hands was able to quickly collect both his hands by his wrist and pin them behind his back.
You tutted and he felt a burning in his throat at your disappointment. "Didn't you ask me out here because you wanted my attention?" It wasn't really a question and even if you were expecting an answer he wouldn't have been able to give one, at least not with the way your fingers were moving inside of him. "If I remember correctly, you all but begged for me to join you, on your knees and everything." He flushed as you reminded him of his earlier actions. "And what, now that you've gotten it, you no longer want it."
He wasted no time in shaking his head. Tears built up at your accusation and if he wasn't in the sensitive headspace he was in now he would know you were just teasing him but he took what you said to heart. "No! I-I just n-need a moment." His voice was thick with tears as he tried to explain himself.
You hummed but made no movement to stop. You did let go of his wrist but only to push his shirt up and off of him. He knew not to try and stop you again and instead wrapped his arms around you, pulling himself closer to you. This just allowed you to have free access to his chest and you eagerly licked one of his nipples before sucking on it with your lips.
"h-ahh," all he could do was let out a breathy moan as he squirmed against you. Your hand did leave his cock alone but instead remained on his back and kept him pushed right up against you so that he could not escape your onslaught on his chest.
It wasn't long after that he felt his second orgasm build up. The tightening in his stomach and balls almost hurt due to how intense it felt and he knew his orgasm would be just as strong. He trembled in your lap and wasn't even able to warn you as his second orgasm hit him. His whole body seized up before falling slack against your chest. Soft sobs left him because even if you did lessen the thrusting of your fingers, they still remained inside of him, twisting and curling. He was given no time to breathe as you situated him onto his back and lifted his legs to rest on your shoulders.
His cock was no longer hard but that didn't seem to deter you as you licked a line from base to tip. He hunched forward trying to push you off due to his sensitivity, but you just pushed him down with a hand to his chest and he knew that he would become your plaything for however long you wanted.
The second you step into your room, you pause. Your hand tightens around the door handle as you take in the figure lounging comfortably on the couch, feet propped up and everything.
"Enjoying yourself?" You close the door behind you.
"I'm getting my well deserved rest." The figure quipped back, crossing their legs as they set down a glass of wine on the small table in front of the couch.
"And pray tell, what did you do that justifies sneaking into my room and drinking my wine?" You shrugged off your outer layer of clothes as you moved towards the couch, tossing them over the back of a chair.
"I freed up your time," Al-Haitham motioned towards the desk in your room with his free hand. It was much cleaner and there were three neat stacks of paper on your desk, each larger than the next.
"Saved you from having to read such drivel reports." He stood up, smoothing his clothes out as he walked to the desk - and closer to you. "Tell me, why is it the future empress's responsibility to read about such nonsense? Small town thievery? Marriage drama in neighboring lands? Don't they realize you have actual problems to worry about."
The side of your mouth quirks up. "Are you offering?"
Al-Haitham let out a soft hum, his head tilting to the side as if he was considering it. He wasn't. "Of course not. My brain would leak out of my ears."
You consider his words. He's not that far off.
"Such a shame." You muse. You lift up a few reports off one of the piles and skim through them. "For someone who says it was such a drag, you sure did a detailed job. I wouldn't even go this in-depth with my replies."
"Just because I don't enjoy it doesn't mean I am not give it everything."
He stepped around the desk so that he was now standing next to you. His head tilts to look over you and at the reports, his head nearly resting on your shoulder.
"Sounds exhausting. You do that for all your work?" You set the paper back onto the desk.
A noncommittal sound leaves his mouth. "Well most of the time I enjoy my research."
You can feel his eyes flicker to look at you.
"I enjoy the work you let me do."
You let out a soft snort.
"Is that so?" You turn to face him. Your hip resting against the side of the desk.
"So are you going to tell me why you did all this? Or was it just because you were feeling kind."
Al-Haitham was the one to let out a snort this time.
"I can't just do a good deed?"
You stared at him, your eyes narrowing. He kept his eyes on your face as he suppress the quirk of his lips.
"Sure, you could. But you don't. You always have an alterior motive so what is it?"
Al-Haitham stared at you for a moment before his head turned to the side and his shoulders lifted in a shrugging motion.
"I cleared up some of your time and you question my intentions," he let out a small sigh before turning around and moving back to the sofa, propping his feet on the table. His eyes flickered to the empty spot next to him before looking back at you. "You're too suspicious."
You blink at him under the cloth wrapped around your eyes. Once. Twice.
"It comes with the territory," You state blankly. You move away from your desk.
"Now aren't the others having some kind of celebration. If I remember correctly, you're suppose to be the guest of honor - it's your birthday isn't it?"
Al-Haitham let out an amused sound. "I stopped by: made my entrance. Thanked them. I didn't exactly want to spend my birthday surrounded by the others."
"No because apparently you'd rather be doing work that you don't have to." You shake your head softly. "Is that how you got out. By saying there was work I needed you to do?"
Al-Haitham stared straight ahead, his face angled away from you as you moved to rest on the couch. The cushion dipped as you sat down.
"It is, isn't it?"
"Well it's not like you wouldn't assign work to be done on someone's birthday. Besides, they didn't see anything off with what I said. In fact some of them looked exceedingly happy that there was no longer a celebration."
You let out a breath of air, your head falling back to rest on the back of the couch. "I wonder why that is."
You both know why: ever since joining the harem, Al-Haitham never cared to get close to the others. In fact, he barely paid them any attention aside from being cordial in public.
Al-Haitham just shrugged his shoulders, slumping back against your couch and turning his head to look at you. His hair falls over his eyes, brushing against his skin in a way you wish you're fingers were. The corner of his lips curled up, his eyes drooping as he stared at you, a glit in his eyes. He knows the effect he has on you.
"Besides, there's only one gift I would like for my birthday. One that no one else could give me," he murmured, his voice soft. "Though that's mainly because you wouldn't allow anyone too."
"Is that so?" You shift on the couch. Your fingers scratch at the skin underneath the cloth tied around your eyes. "Maybe I could be persuaded?"
Al-Haitham stared at you, numerous emotions flashing through his eyes before they hardened. He tucks his legs underneath his bottom on the cushion so that his body is faced towards you. One of his hands lifts to slide over your waist, gliding up until its positioned above your shoulder, gripping the cushion behind your head. His body raises with his movements until he's leaning over you.
"I don't want to persuade you. I want you to take me out of my clothes," he lifts one leg, moving it to rest on the outside of your other leg so he is settled on your lap, hovering over you. "And have your way with me." His hands grip the cushions behind your head as he ducks his head, his breath mixing with your own.
His nose brushes against your own and he is close enough that you hear his breath hitch as your hands brush over his clothed thighs before they settle around his hips. One hand skims up his body until it cups his neck and you feel the soft caress of his hair against your fingers.
You watch as his eyes dilate, the subtle relaxation in his shoulders as your grip tightens around the nape of his neck. His eyelids flutter and his lips part, his pink tongue darting out to lick at his lips.
Your own lips curl at the reaction. Most of your consorts and concubines are never this straight-forward; but Al-Haitham has never had that problem. He is more than happy to say what he wants and he doesn't shy away from the reactions of his body.
His hips roll on your lap, rubbing the growing arousal against your stomach.
Your hand tightens around the nape of his neck as you whisper out, "very well then." You tug him down, finally closing the small gap as your lips slide over his. A wanton moan leaving his lips and you eagerly swallow the sound.
Summary: Scaramouche struggles to accommodate to his place in the harem. It isn't easier when some of the other members of the harem constantly try to talk to him or make him spend time with you. He tells himself he doesn't want to, that he is fine blending into the background and being easily forgotten (is he truly?). Concubine!Scaramouche. Empress!reader
CW: Reverse Harem, cursing, sexual implications, nsfw mentioned but not actually described, mentions of Scaramouche's past (as well as other characters), Scaramouche is rather rude in this and can be degrading to the other members, sexualization, literally just Scaramouche struggling with his feelings, non-sexual nudity.
AN: This wasn't exactly what I originally planned, I ended up including a lot about other characters rather than focusing just on Scaramouche and the readers... oh well. There are also a bit of time skips. Dialogue may be choppy as well, especially towards the end. If its to hard to follow please feel free to let me know.
"I'm just saying, when she does the thing with her fingers…" Childe, as he likes to be called, curled two of his fingers in front of Scaramouche's face. He was wearing a cheeky smile, his eyes glittering as he stared at Scaramouche.
Scaramouche clenched his jaw, grinding his teeth together as his eyes narrowed at Childe.
Go away. Please. Go away. He kept repeating these words in his head.
"Oh," Childe leaned forward, his chin resting on his palm. "I suppose you wouldn't know."
His words held no malicious intent. There wasn't any pity either. Scaramouche knew that but he still wanted to scream. He also wanted to punch Childe right in his bright, smiling face. He was getting too much enjoyment out of bothering and annoying Scaramouche.
"There is nothing wrong with not defiling myself."
Childe snorted. "Is it really defiling? I mean," Childe shrugged his shoulders. "She is our wife."
"No, she isn't. Neither of us are legally married to her."
"Exactly," Childe snapped his fingers. "We're concubines; Her concubines. We get all the fun."
Fun? What part about being a concubine is fun? Childe is a mindless puppy who will go wherever you ask, do whatever you ask. Even kill whoever you want. He has had the unfortunate experience of seeing Childe covered in blood and a body at his feet. When you appeared, he expected the worse. Expected Childe to be whipped or scarred. Instead, you ruffled his blood-coated hair and said you deal with the clean up.
Why is he even listening to him?
"Look if you really don't want to spread your legs for her," Scaramouche cringed at Childe's words. He had a feeling Childe was making his words as crude as possible to get a reaction from Scaramouche.
He was succeeding.
"Then that’s fine. But you do a really shitty job at hiding the way your eyes linger on her."
"I - I do not!" Scaramouche balked at him, his cheeks heating up.
"Really?" Childe deadpanned.
"I would not consider it! She already has more than enough people who would let her use them. I will not be one of them."
Scaramouche felt like he needed to defend himself. Needed to make himself stand above the others and not be one of the men who succumbs to his position as a glorified body to use. He lasted this long - lasted through multiple masters without ever having to give them his body. He can't allow that to change.
You've never even touched him, his mind whispered to him. Aside from the time you disintegrated his previous collar, you've never laid a hand on him.
Childe quieted for a moment. It unnerved Scaramouche as Childe stared at him. He felt like he was looking into his soul and he almost wanted Childe to keep teasing him. He'd prefer that to how he was now looking at him.
"She's not like that." Childe voiced out. His voice almost stern.
"If you're really not interested, then whatever. That's fine. But don't assume things about her when you haven't even try to understand her. She may be cruel to her enemies but they deserve it. She would never force anyone - never force her concubines or consorts to do anything they didn't want. Whether that is in her bed or in their personal life."
Scaramouche's eyes wavered at the shift in Childe's tone. Childe sounded dangerous right now.
"Why," Scaramouche's voice cracked. "Why would I even want to know her - or understand her?"
"Our lives are dedicated to her. They belong to her, wouldn't you - "
Scaramouche cut him off " - And you're okay with that? Belonging to someone like her. Someone who is part of the Imperial Family?"
Childe cannot be that daft. Everyone knows about the Imperial Family. Knows that no one should trust them. Knows that they are cruel, tyrannical, and would do anything to be the empress. He doubts that you are any different. No, he knows that you are no different.
"Sure." Childe leaned back against his chair, his tone softening now. "She gives me whatever I want. Lets me have some control over my life. Lets me fight. But she also protects those who belong to her. She's stern and callous and can be this terrifying larger than life figure but that does not mean she is going to go down the same path as her family."
"… you can't be so sure of that."
"Just like you can't be so sure that she will turn out like her family. I believe in what I see. Maybe she puts on a certain façade in front of us but so what if she does? She still treats us better than anyone else would."
Scaramouche cant find it in himself to refute anything Childe says. He pointedly ignores the underlying truth in Childe's words. It doesn't matter if you've never laid a finger on him or even so much as spend time alone with him. You're royalty. You're part of the imperial family. That automatically makes you a terrible person in scaramouche's eyes.
Scaramouche was dragged out of his thoughts by the scraping of a chair against the floor as Childe stood up. He stretched his arm above his head before resting a palm on Scaramouche's shoulder, ignoring the flinch that came from Scaramouche.
"If you want to ask anything? Or If you want to try something? Anything? I'm sure she will listen if you ask. You just got to be brave enough to do it." Childe winked at him as walked out of the room, humming happily.
Scaramouche ignored the subtle blow to his character from Childe. He was fine the way he was now. He was fine staying in his room and being an easily forgettable presence (no, he wasn't). He was fine not getting close to you or the others in the harem. Keeping to himself is how he has survived everything he has been through, so he will do what he has always done.
Scaramouche kept his eye trained on the plate, ignoring the simmering of anger and something else in his gut that he can't name. It was dinner. He dreaded dinner because he was forced to sit with everyone - with you, even though he is about seven seats away. You barely said a word. If it wasn't for the heaviness in the air he might have been able to ignore you and pretend but your presence always left an uncomfortable weight settling around his body - like your engulfing him; all around him no matter how far away he stands.
He wonders if the others feel it. If they do they don't care; or rather revel in the feeling. It just makes him overly conscious.
His hand clenches around the fork in his one hand, turning pale due to the strength as he has to listen to the incessant chattering of the others. It grates on his nerve, rubbing him raw as he has to listen to the happiness that flits from every voice he hears - yet he doesn't hear yours.
He startles as a hand clasps on his shoulders, a good portion of eyes also landing on him. He blinks a few times barely realize someone was calling him. His eyes land on Childe first because of course it does. He then looks to see Venti (fuck), Heizou (double fuck), and finally Itto (well now the world is just being cruel) sitting across from him.
Childe is leaning back in his chair, two of the legs lifting off the ground. "You really have no filter."
It took Scaramouche a moment to realize Childe wasn't talking to him but rather Itto who had an annoying innocent smile on his face. Venti looked somewhere between interested but closed off. His body curls into itself, his shoulders hunching in such a small move that Scaramouche is sure he is the only one who noticed. In the back of his mind, he wonders if these kind of talks drag up old memories for the other concubine - not that he cared enough to learn anything about the others, he just happened to hear about it in passing. Heizou on the other hand has a shit-eating grin on his lips, teeth bared in laughter.
"I - " Itto gawked for a moment. "It's a perfectly normal question."
Scaramouche tried to refocus, to remember what was said but he couldn't.
"Maybe so but asking at dinner, really?"
"Where else am I going to ask? He scurries off like a little mouse whenever he's spots anyone. It's natural to want to know more about each other." Itto is wonderfully dense at times it seems like both a blessing and curse. Scaramouche wants to curse him out but there is no malice in Itto's tone, just genuine curiosity and his words curl uncomfortably in his throat.
"And asking about the time he spent with y/n? That's getting to know him?" Though it may sound like Childe is admonishing Itto, the smile on his lips says the exact opposite. Childe could careless, he was just enjoying the way this would egg on Itto and annoy Scaramouche.
"Besides everyone know he hasn't spent the night with her - or even an evening with her." Heizou was the one who spoke this time.
"That is none of your business!" Scaramouche sputtered out, his ears turning red.
"Seriously?" Itto turned to Scaramouche with wide-eyes. "Why not?" It was an innocent enough question but Scaramouche wouldn't answer - much less at the dinner table where everyone is basically in love with you and not to mention the fact that you are only seven or so seats separated from him.
"It's no use," Childe shrugged. "I've already asked him about it."
"You didn't ask, you interrogated me." Scaramouche gritted back.
Childe just waved a dismissive hand.
"Why complain. As far as I see it, that means more time for us." Heizou spoke up.
"Well yeah," Itto agreed. "But still… you should be able to experience things with her. I mean, you haven't even spent any time with her? At all?" Itto seemed genuinely curious but all Scaramouche could do was grind his teeth as his eyes narrowed at the plate in front of him. He focus on ignoring the embarrassment that caused him to want to curl up in his seat and well just die. He thinks that would be preferable over what he is currently going through.
He's thankful that he is sat at the other end of the table. Maybe, just maybe there is a chance you didn't hear any of the conversations, the teasing aimed towards him. Yet he knows you did - that is if you decided it was important enough to listen to, you would.
Without meaning to his eyes flickered down to your end of the table. Your head was angled and he followed where he thinks your eyeline would be and landed on Aether and Tigh-nari who appear to be laughing together about something. You're face doesn't even twitch, your lips don't curve upwards but they don't frown either. It's completely neutral, just like it was when he first met you - when he still belonged to Ei - but it didn't feel nearly as oppressive.
He didn't understand why. Nothing's changed. Not for him.
"I don't want to." He kept his voice low. "And I do not see how it is any of your business or why you keep bringing it up," He glared specifically at Childe who stared back at him.
Itto gaped at him for a second before he shook his head. "We're not trying to make you uncomfortable or anything. I didn't mean to imply anything lewd. But… you don’t want to be involved in anything - whether it is with the harem or y/n. You're going to spend the rest of your life here, with her, with us - with all of us, even the people who seem to be the hardest to get to know want you to be comfortable and happy here. Closing yourself off, distancing yourself… maybe you had to do it in the past but the people here,” Itto shook his head and let out a heavy sigh. “What I am trying to say is that no one here wants to hurt you or see you suffer."
The last thing Scaramouche needed is to be told this by Itto of all people. He wanted to scream. Wanted to rip his hair out. Most of all he wanted to rip out the longing that wracked through him at Itto's word. It felt like he was peering down into Scaramouche's soul and voicing out everything Scaramouche had pushed down. Tucked so deep inside of him that even he forgot.
When he was younger, that was all he wanted to hear. After he was taken the first time, he imagined faceless people who accepted him and loved him but as months passed, then years and then he was sold to Ei, he forced himself to get rid of that pathetic yearning. People just weren't like that. People were selfish and cruel.
Yet, he saw it around the harem building and in the palace countless times. Thoma baking treats for the rest of the harem members just because. Venti who stayed up playing the flute for the others who couldn't sleep. Even Ayato - who Scaramouche deemed the most selfish - would cover the other harem members up in a blanket if they feel asleep anywhere. Aether, who knitted blankets in the winter, not only for the harem members but also for servants and staff.
You… you who never raised your voice at your harem members. You who took in a unconventional men - Itto, Venti - and never made them feel less than because of their background. You who carried them to their beds when they fell asleep. You who…
It doesn't matter. None of it matters.
"You're sheltered. Naïve." Scaramouche forced out between his teeth. "We're not family. We're not brothers. We're all stuck under the whims of a women who could kill us with a thought." His voice increased in tone as he spoke. He wasn't shouting, but he was loud enough to draw attention to himself. "I will never think of myself as lowly as the rest of you do." He squeezed his eyes shut.
He was telling himself to shut up. Screaming at himself inside of his mind but he couldn't stop.
"I won't settle for debasing myself like the rest of you do. Especially for someone who doesn't even love you back."
There was a small cough and Scaramouche froze. It was silent - no one else at the table spoke and he could feel numerous eyes on him. The color drained from his skin as he hastily stood up, throwing the napkin on the table before quickly leaving the table. He didn't even care for protocol or for your dismissal.
As he fled down the halls, tears of anger and embarrassment burned behind his eyes but he didn't let them fall, even as they blurred his vision. The door slammed shut behind him and he collapsed against it, his head thumping against it as he cursed at himself. Cursed at the others for being so kind to him. Cursed at you for not being as horrible towards your harem as he wanted to believe you were.
No one spoke to him the next day. Not that he made it easy. He hid in his room, ate his breakfast in his room, stared at the window in his room. He only ever saw the two servants assigned specifically for him. They even brought up dinner for him - telling him that you told them to do that. You probably didn't even want to see his face. He lashed out at the others concubines; concubines you cared about much more than you did him.
It still left an uncomfortable burning in his chest. He made himself vulnerable. He showed too much emotion, not just in front of one or two people but everyone in the harem and yourself. He might as well as starting weeping in front of all them as well.
Knock. Knock. Knock.
He blinked, lifting his head from the pillow. He wondered who it was. Servants only knock out of politeness once before entering the room, other harem members just barge in at times. For a minutes he felt a tinge of fear thinking that it was you, but you wouldn't knock either - you had no reason to.
Scaramouche moved to open the door so only a sliver of light creeped through. The first thing he saw was the long red hair, pinned back and the red robe - It was Diluc.
"Can I come in?" He asked softly - like he was coaxing a wild animal. Scaramouche nodded and opened the door further to let him in.
Scaramouche bowed his head, his eyes lingering on the embroidered robe Diluc was wearing. His eyes trailed over the golden patchwork. There wasn't a single stand of hair out of place, everything was perfect. He was perfect.
Diluc's eyes glanced around the room but he said nothing. Scaramouche was expecting an admonishment, something about his bed being dirty or the left over plates on the bed but Diluc's eye's just skimmed right over them.
"I wasn't expecting company." It came out harsher than Scaramouche intended. He had never been alone with Diluc before; barely said a few words to him besides the first few days he was introduced into the harem. Diluc was either busy, bustling about the harem building or he was by your side.
"I suppose I should have sent a servant or someone to tell you beforehand. I'm sorry if this seems abrupt, I just wanted to… see how you are doing."
"You mean after my outburst." Scaramouche forced out, his voice tight.
Diluc let out a soft, sympathetic sigh. "Yes, I suppose so. Though, I wasn't thinking about it as an outburst."
Scaramouche didn't care. If Diluc was here - all he could assume was one thing.
"So you're here to deal a punishment?"
"A punishment?" Diluc tilted his head, confusion in his voice.
"I insulted the other concubines. I left before I was dismissed. It's your job isn't it? As the head consort - you deal out the punishments."
"You misunderstand." Diluc shook his head. "Can I sit?" He motioned towards a small couch that was placed in the room. Scaramouche nodded and Diluc sat down, his hands smoothing down his clothes.
"I am not here to give out a punishment. You are not the first to resort to insults or get angry at the others. It is natural that it happens when there are so many of us, and with such different personalities." Even as Diluc spoke, there was a small smile forming on his lips. He almost seems like he is reminiscing as he speaks of the harem members.
Scaramouche takes small steps until he is able to sit across from Diluc, keeping a good amount of distance between the two of them.
"So you decided to what? Come here out of the goodness of your heart." There was distain in his voice as he tried to figure out Diluc's true intentions. "Or are you here to defend the others? Defend y/n? If you are, you can leave. I don't want to hear it."
Diluc just gazed at him, no malice or annoyance in his eyes.
"I am not here to defend anyone. I am here because I wanted to check up on you. I know we haven't had a lot of chances to talk or even get to know each other - that's no ones fault - but, I would still like for you to be comfortable in the harem. Find some sort of enjoyment in the life you are now living."
Scaramouche stared at Diluc, scrutinizing him.
"Why are you all saying that?" He shook his head. "You, Itto, even Childe for fucks sake. All of you go around, stating that I should be happy and appreciate the life I am given." Scaramouche raised from his seat as he spoke. "But all of you - you guys have no idea about how awful this world truly is. How awful it can be. How things can change in a split second. How can you come in here and - and lecture me about life when you and all of the others are sheltered behind the whims of a cruel woman."
There was silence. Scaramouche words continued to float through both of their minds. If he wasn't getting punished, he definitely would now.
"You don't think we're not aware?" Diluc question is so simple and it sends a shiver down Scaramouche's body. There's no heat to his tone and Diluc doesn't appear to be angry. But the way he says it, the small almost pained smile that graces his face, it leaves Scaramouche stumbling over his words.
"I - I didn't mean - I mean…"
"It's okay." Diluc lifted a hand as if to placate him. Diluc's eyes shifted away, as if in thought, before looking back at Scaramouche. "I grew up in a family with three sisters. They were…. terrible. Terrible people. Terrible wives. I would see my brother in laws hiding bruising, hiding their pain. I would hear the comments my sisters directed towards their own husband - comments so degrading and humiliating that even as a young boy, I wanted to curl up and cry just from hearing their words. They would even let others say whatever they wanted. They never defended them. Never did nothing. In fact, sometimes my sisters would egg others on to say even worse."
Diluc remained poised as he talked but there was a shakiness in his tone that betrayed his feelings. Scaramouche's heart clenched in his chest - though, he is not sure why.
"For the first 18 years of my life I grew up around them. Grew up in a family that basically trained me to be a perfect husband, seeing me more as an investment to getting rich than an actual person." A sigh slipped past Diluc's lips. "What I am trying to say is: I know we have different experiences. Everyone in this harem has different experiences when it comes to our time before we entered the harem but try not to let it define how you are going to live the rest of your life. I can't tell you to trust me, or trust the others, or even trust Y/n, that’s a choice you have to decide whether you want to make or not."
Diluc stood up, his movements effortlessly beautiful. He stepped closer to Scaramouche but didn't touch him. "If you do decide to try, you can start with something small. I promise you that, as long it doesn't pose a threat to you or anyone in this palace, it will be fulfilled."
With a small bow of his head, Diluc moved passed him and towards the door. "I hope to see you at dinner tomorrow."
Start small. Start small. Scaramouche repeated those words inside of his head before letting out an annoyed, disgruntled sound.
His hands gripped at the strands of his hair, longer than he has ever been allowed to grow it out, as he paced around the room. The only light shining through is the moon and the stars - they are the only one's baring witness to his meltdown.
He doesn't want to. Actually, he does. He just doesn't want to admit it. Admitting it would mean allowing everything he pushed down into the small crevices inside of him would come spilling out. One at a time, slowly, over time until he can't stop it and he is overflowing with all the pain and loneliness that he thought he had moved on from.
He wants friends. He wants to be loved. He wants to be cared for. He wants to do things; explore, paint, learn to ride a horse. He wants it so bad that it makes him sick. He wants to be involved. He wants to believe that he is worth more than the shiny collar that used to be fastened around his neck - signifying that he is nothing more than a prize without a voice, without a say.
Not is, he tells himself. Was. He was nothing more than a prize. But, he doesn't have to be. Not if he decides to at least try what everyone else has been telling him.
But what if it goes wrong?
He can handle being dismissed and looked down on right now. He just stuffs the anger and despair down alongside everything else. But if he opens himself up; allows himself to possibly believe that maybe he can fit in and be accepted for himself, and it all turns to nothing… he isn't sure if he will be able to pick himself up again.
It is either do this one thing or don't do it. It's simple. The choice is simple. Pick one, ignore the other, that is all he has to do. It doesn't even have to be a lot of words, just go up, say what he needed to say then leave. If worse comes to worse, he could say the others encouraged him - that Diluc encouraged him. That would at least get you to think before you decided to lash out and punish him for interrupting you with nonsense.
"fuck, fuck, fuck," Scaramouche groaned as if he was in a lot of pain, a string of profanities leaving him, something he would never do in the presence of others.
He stared at the bronze door in front of him, his eyes narrowed. He pointedly ignored the guards who stood at each end of the halls. He also ignored the looks sent his way when he entered the hall that led to your room. He wonders what is going through their mind when they look at him.
That he is desperate. Pitiful.
Maybe that he finally degraded himself enough to be used.
He raised a hand, his hands forming a fist as he prepared to knock on the door. He stilled right before he brought his fist down. What is he doing? What if you're not even in there? What if you just send him away without allowing him to say anything?
Nope. He's not going to allow that. He is not going to allow you to not listen to him when he had worked up the courage to come all the way up to your room - a place he spend his entire time in the harem ignoring.
Instead of rapping his knuckles against the door, his hand grabbed the two handles and pushed the door open.
It wasn't what he was expecting.
Well, he wasn't sure what he was expecting but not this.
You're room looked every part like it belonged to royalty but there was something else that left it looking almost cozy. In between all the furnished gold, there was tea placed on the table (two cups) and a half-eaten cake. There was a pale-blue silk robe thrown over the couch which he knew belonged to Ayato. There was cushions thrown on the floor along with a blanket. Leaning on the floor against one of the walls he saw numerous painting - some finished, some not - but none of them look like the ones seen hanging up in the halls of the palace.
He couldn't continue to look around the room before one of your personal servant's drew his attention. The servant startled at Scaramouche's unplanned and borderline inappropriate entrance into the room - a resort building on their lips but they quickly clamp their mouth shut as a voice - your voice - echoes from another room.
"Its fine. Leave us."
For a moment he thought you were talking to him but just as quickly the servant bowed to him, though their face screwed up. Their lips pursed like they were looking at some annoying pest. Since you were still in the adjacent room, Scaramouche felt brave enough to send a glare at the servant.
Concubine beats servant - even servants who work directly under you.
He can't lie, it felt nice to do that.
He was left alone in the room now. His feet were frozen to the floor as his eyes lingered on the open doorway, fluorescent light spilling out and into your bedroom. You were in there. You knew he had entered your room and you haven't told him to get out. Not yet at least.
"Are you just going to stand there? Or did you barge into my room without a reason? Unless you finally decided to give up the whole 'Don't talk to me. Don't touch me.' facade. I thought you'd hold out longer."
He flushed as you spoke. Both from anger and embarrassment at being called out. His feet carried him towards the entrance of the doorway, a resort building on his lips.
"I have in no way come here to spend time with you or be... touched."
"But you do want to talk." It wasn't a question. You seemed to already know why he had stormed into your room and now...
His eyes widened.
He had walked right into your bathroom and there you were. You were in a huge tub, naked but the water and suds covered you from the neck down. You still had your eye's covered as well.
His brain failed him. He couldn't form any words and a redness blossomed on the tip of his ears.
"You're leering."
"I am - I am not." He sputtered.
"Wanna join me?"
"Absolutely not."
You shrugged. "Then you're going to just stand there?"
"I - no I am not. I just came to -"
"To what?"
Scaramouche pursed his lips. His eyes flicker around the room, looking everywhere but at you.
"Diluc," he figured this would be the safest way to start. "Diluc said I should come and talk to you. The others did as well."
He trailed off awkwardly, expecting you to say something to him but you didn't. Instead you just leaned back against the tub.
"I wasn't going to."
You just hum.
"I thought it was a ridiculous idea but I just want to make things clear. I - I am not here to be one of your bodies to use. Or for you to assume that I am going to do whatever you ask me just because you're... you. I've spent enough of my life being surrounded by women who try to dictate everything about my life from what I eat to what I wear.
"I have no desire to understand you or get close to you. But I will apologize for the way I acted towards the others - your concubines and consorts, I mean. They - they are not you and just because I don't like you doesn't mean I should have been so... callous with the others and lashed out during dinner."
He let out a shuddering breath, a weight lifting from his chest as he said everything he wanted to say. He didn't realize just how nervous he actually was before coming into your room. His body feels limp.
You, however, didn't say anything for a short while.
In the back of his mind, he bet you enjoyed seeing him shift uncomfortably, a small sheen of sweat forming on his skin.
"Very well then."
He blinked at you.
"So that's it then." He stared at you, his eyebrows furrowing.
"That's it. Why? Where you expecting something else."
"Well no. I just - you're not angry. I mean at me insulting you earlier and then coming in here and basically saying I'll never," He trailed off, not sure why he was trying to explain anything to you - not when you don't seem to care.
You laugh softly. The sound ringing in his ears. "I was angry but not at what you said about me. You think you're words were insulting? They were the truth. Besides I've been called much worse." You shrug. "What I was angry at was your blatant disregard and disrespect for the others. But it appears that you've changed your mind and realize that you shouldn't blame them just because of your hate for me so no reason to linger in the past."
"You almost sound like you actually care about them." This slipped out before he even realized what he said. Perhaps after what he said earlier, after confronting you, he finds it harder to hold his tongue.
Your lips tighten but other than that you don't say anything. You don't agree or disagree with his statement.
"So you don't love them? Even though all of them seem like they are deeply in love with you."
You don't answer and Scaramouche thinks he screwed up.
"Does love have to be the only reason I take care of those under me? Can't there be any other reason?"
"Selfishness? Control? Pride?" Scaramouche spoke without thinking.
"Maybe. Maybe not." Scaramouche swears he see's your lips twitch. "I may not love them but they're mine. I protect what's mine."
So, he was right about some things.
"So it is pride and ego."
"…"
"…"
You shift in the tub, your head falling back against the marble. His eyes flicker down to your throat, watching as a bead of water travels down your skin before snapping his eyes back to your face.
"Most of them are innocent to the truth of the world." You broke the silence after a minute.
"They know men are deemed lesser in this society but they haven't experiences the harshness that the world can offer. Not like you have or Venti or Diluc."
He doesn't see how this answers his previous questions.
"Do I love them? No. I don't believe I am capable of loving anything. But, I care about them. About what they can do - both for me and for themselves. I don't want them to whither away in a society that takes everything from them and become a shell of who they are and what they want to be in the future."
Your fingers drum against the marble of the tub, a small sound echoing in the bathroom.
"You see me as a horrible, cruel person and in some ways, I would say its true. I don't care about the lives of people outside of this palace - not even the people I am meant to. I don't feel anything when I take the lives of others - whether they are enemies or just people fighting because they have to. Sometimes, I even enjoy it. That alone would have everyone labeling me as cruel and even sadistic and I would agree. However, I protect them, ensure they have a good life because I need to. I need their support. But… the people in this palace - they are my people. I want to keep them happy, keep them sheltered, keep them protected; and I'll do whatever that takes in order to guarantee that."
Your head lifts from where it was resting against the tub. He can't see your eyes, the cloth still covering them, but he can feel your gaze penetrating him. The sudden pressure around him is becoming a constant whenever you decide to gaze at him.
"Now, that includes you too. You were a war prize originally, that much is true. You were a means to insult Ei but now you are one of my people. You may just be a concubine but I don't want you clinging to your old life and your old ways of thinking that you need to isolate yourself to survive."
He hated the way you see through him. This is the most you've talked to him - ever; and yet you read him without a problem. It leaves him feeling naked and bared in front of you, even with all of his clothes still on.
"Think what you want about me. I don't care. But the others, they are good and pure and kind. At least open yourself up to them. Each of them will take you in with open arms and love and care about you in ways you may have forgotten."
Scaramouche wasn't sure how to reply to all that. You weren't being vulnerable or even truly opening up to him but there was something in your words that left him shifting on his feet.
"And if I don't want to?" His voice came out shakier than he wanted. His eyes glued to his feet rather than looking at you.
"Then don't. Spend the rest of your time in the harem alone and miserable." You waved a hand like it meant nothing to you.
"I can make sure your fed and healthy but other than that everything else is you're choice."
"Be strong enough to be Gentle." Is a quote that came to mind while reading the new Diluc post. I love him so much and the way you write him is so damn good.
-🧊
I know i am last replying :( sorry.
Yes!! Such a good quote and it fits Diluc perfectly. As much as I love his more docile and sweet side, he has been by the readers side for a very long time and he has been exposed to the politics of nobility for a long time. So there is a whole other side of him that he just doesn't like bringing to the surface.
Can you pleasssee write a oneshot or anything about alhaitham 🥺 i feel like him and the reader would have a great relationship
I have it added to my draft! I am struggling a bit with writing him because I am still trying to figure out his character in this AU but I am in the process of drafting it. If you want anything specific about the drabble, please let me know.
Hey everyone. I know I have been absent but there past two weeks have been very hectic with school and personal life. However, I do have some drafts I am preparing as well as editing old posts.
Scaramouche getting used to the harem and reader - Genshin Consort AU
Possible Al-Haitham story about him and reader - Genshin Consort AU
Roland (Vanitas Noe Carte) x reader - Dom/Sub Au. This one may not be as popular but I wanted to write things for my other AU and I really love this manga and character.
He let out a languid yawn and stretched his arms above his head, letting out a sigh at the satisfying pops. He lazily blinked his eyes, clearing out the blurriness. He took in his surroundings and frowned, scratching at his rustled up hair. It wasn't until he saw your body on the couch on the other side of the room that he remembered where he was. He smiled widely when he spotted you.
"y/n!" He called out, foregoing any titles as he moved to get out of the tangled up nest of sheets. It took a minute to detach himself due to how much he moved in his sleep. In his rush to get to you, he had collapsed a few times on the bed before he finally managed to get off the rather large bed. Despite the strenuous activities of the night before, Itto seems to be full of energy as he bound over to you, bare-bottomed with his hair a tussled mess.
He happily situated himself on the couch next to you, cuddling up in your side. He was unashamed of his nudity as he tucked his head into your shoulder and wrapped his arms around your waist. However, he made sure not to knock the book that you were holding in one of your hands. In your other hand, you held a glass of wine and as he made himself comfortable, you took a sip. Setting it down, your now free hand came and ran through his messed up mane of hair.
If he could, he would be purring at your touch but instead he was letting out little happy sighs.
"Sleep well?" You questioned. Closing the book you were reading, you set it on the other side of the couch and switched your attention to him. He lifted his head from your shoulder and offered a bright smile.
"Uh-huh. Except for when I woke up and you weren't there." He was obviously teasing but his words still remained true.
"Sorry to disappoint," You kept your tone light in order not to ruin what was so far a pleasant morning. Itto just had an air around him that made everything seem to shine brighter, his infectious personality rubbing off on anyone around him.
"'s fine. You can make it up to me." If anyone else had insinuated that towards you, they may have very well ended up disfigured for their impudence, but Itto's insinuation was as pure as they come.
Humming, you ran your hand through his hair, being careful whenever you caught a knot. "How do you propose I do that?"
You were met with a cheeky smile. He slumped against you, resting his body weight against your side. Your hands went up to graze the base of his horns, before running one finger up the side of one.
Itto jerked out of your grasp. Before you could worry about if you hurt him, you saw that he was still smiling happily. "I have an idea."
"You do, do you?" He nodded and brought one of your hands back up to the horns on top of his head.
"You can help me decide which color to change them to." He looked so proud of his idea.
"…Change the color?" He nodded, not at all discouraged but the obvious confusion in your tone. "Of your horns?"
"Mh. I've been thinking about it for a while but now here is the perfect chance. I was originally thinking about slapping on a whole new color - oh - but what if I added different colors! Like a rainbow strip. Imagine it…" Itto continued to ramble on very passionately.
Gorou
It was to be expected.
Gorou knew that. He knew that there would be push back, that others would not listen to him, that he would not be taken seriously, and yet he continued to perservere. He believed what he was doing would help people so he couldn't bring himself to quit just because others in the courts looked down on him. But the continuous act of having to act like he wasn't affected was weighing him down.
He knew he could talk to you about it and he did think about doing that but quickly came to the conclusion that that may just make matters worse for him and you. That was the last thing he wanted to do. Especially after you allowed him in this position in the first place, something that he knew was met with a lot of backlash. He didn't want to show you that he was struggling with this, didn't want to lessen your faith in him.
I have more than enough faith that you will show them that you deserve the position of general, it will just take time. He repeated the words you said to him in his head as he exited yet another failed meeting.
The second he was free from the cruel and mocking stares, his whole body sagged. The walk back to the harem building was excruciatingly long. By the time he got through the double doors, he was met with laughter and a hearty smell permeating the air. He saw Thoma, Itto, Heizou, Venti, and even Aether who were sitting around playing with what looked like a deck of cards. Itto's loud voice range out, accusing Venti of cheating, who was doing nothing to deter him, and usually, while Gorou would enjoy the playful arguing, right now it felt grating on his ears. The words pounded uncomfortably in his heads and he hoped that he would be able to get past them without them trying to get him to join them.
As he nearly made it to the other side of the room, Aether was the one to call out to him. "How'd the meeting go?" Gorou forced a small smile, "It went well." It was easier to lie than have to admit the truth. He knew that some of the others would do anything to improve his day, but right now he just wanted some peace - and some affection but he refused to acknowledge that need. Most of them bought his lie, but Aether had stood up and walked towards him so that the others wouldn’t' hear.
"Still giving you a hard time?" Aether placed a comforting hand on his hunched shoulders.
"Yes, but its to be expected," he shrugged. "I didn't expect them to accept such a huge change in the first place." Clearing his throat, he bowed to Aether. "I would just like to relax in my room for a little bit, I'll come out for dinner."
With those last words, he headed towards his room and besides throwing his shoes off to the side, he did not change or do anything as he collapsed on his soft bed, sinking into it. He clutched the sheets and brought them to his nose, inhaling the smell resembling you. It was pretty faded and if it wasn't for his advanced sense of smell, he would not have been able to smell the lingering perfume.
He wasn't sure when he fell asleep but the first thing he felt was a hand brushing through his hair and the outline of his ears. He shivered and snuggled further into the comforters.
Huh? He couldn't remember pulling the comforter out from underneath him before he collapsed on them earlier. His nose twitched as a new smell invaded his senses. It was much stronger than anything else and caused his stomach to growl. The heavenly scent of Tonkotsu permeated the air and he angled his face towards where the scent was coming from.
Blinking away the tiredness, he zoned in on where the bowl of noddle's was resting.
"I was told you did not come down to eat." He then recognized your touch that was now caressing the back of his neck. "I had the chefs prepare this for you. It's your favorite isn't it?"
He turned to face you, his face portraying the rush of emotions that ran through him. Still stuck in a sleep-induced daze, he languidly nodded.
"Oh - uh - thank you." It was unlike him to stutter but under your attention it happened far more than he wished to admit to.
"Want me to feed you?" You were teasing him. He realized that he had not moved from his spot on the bed.
"Oh," he flushed. "No its okay. I can eat myself." He ignored the side of him that wanted to agree to your request.
You just shrugged your shoulders and followed him to the small table in the room. You took the seat next to him and leant back against the backboard as he ate. It was silent between the two of you but it wasn't uncomfortable. After awhile you hand had come to run through his locks. He felt the tension leave him at the warmth that filled him from the food and the delicate touch from you.
"Don't stress so much, alright." He froze, noddle's halfway into his mouth. "I know that it isn't easy for you with the other officials but I wouldn't have appointed you that position if I didn't believe in you. Don’t ruin your health just because some if them are still set in their old ways."
It's funny, he thought. Just a few words from you give him more comfort that anything else.
CW: Sick!reader, Reverse Harem, Matriarchial society, hair playing, fluff, soft!reader (or as soft as she can be)
Zhongli couldn't help the sigh that left him as he heard the news. You worked yourself too hard. He told you; Lumine told you; Ayaka told you. Just about everyone told you and yet you refused to listen. He thanked the attendant who told him and headed for the room they said you were in. He gently knocked on the door and before he pushed it open, the door whirled open and he came face to face with Mona herself, who was closing the satchel on her side.
"Zhongli." She acknowledged him with a tilt of her head. He answered with a bow. "Now that you're here perhaps you can get her stubborn self to listen and take the medicine."
"I don’t need it." You croaked out, your hand coming to rest on your forehead, removing the cloth and sitting up to face the two of them. "I'll be fine in a short while. Just give me peace and quiet."
Mona let out a tired sigh. Zhongli felt sympathy for her, knowing firsthand how hard it can be to take care of you, especially when you refuse to allow them - allow anyone - to help you.
Thrusting the medicine into his hand, Mona left but not before letting out a few last words. "I'll check on you tonight. If the medicines are not gone by then - and I mean that you took them - not thrown them away, I will force them down the hard way."
You just rolled your eyes and laid back down, your fingers coming up to massage the side of your head.
"You're not invincible," He hushed out, not wanting to speak any louder than necessary and further aggravate your head.
"Are you admonishing me?" Perhaps if he did not know you as well as he does, he would be frightened by your tone. Yet all he could hear is the tiredness seeping through your tone and all he wanted to do was help you.
"Of course not," he had moved to the water bin left beside the bed you were resting on. It was still relatively cold so he dumped the wash cloth into the water and wrung it out before smoothing back the wet strands sticking to your forehead and placing the cloth down. "I'm just worried, that’s all."
A sound akin to a snort left your mouth. Zhongli frowned at that. Even years by your side didn't make getting closer to you easy at times. It has to be the right time and the right place or else him and anyone else who tried will be met with either scalding remarks or just silence.
He didn't move from his spot kneeling next to the bed. His hand went to brush against your face but he hesitated. He curled his fist, unsure about what to do. He did not want to leave you but he also did not want to hinder your recovery. His hands fell to his side and he situated himself so that his back was leaning against the bed.
A sigh left you, "What are you doing?"
"I wont leave. I wont bother you but I am not going to leave you while your ill."
Perhaps you wanted to say something. Argue with him or maybe even try to throw him out, not wanting him to see you in such a vulnerable state. However, it was a testament to how awful you felt that you just let him be.
Diluc
It was an odd feeling, you thought. The gentle brush of fingers through your loose strands of hair, making sure not to accidently tug at a knot or pull out strands of hair. You were much more used to the rough handling and pulling of the intricate hairstyles you had to wear out in public. It was to show your strength and unending defeat - something you have been continuously reminded of whenever you were forced to sit still for over an hour while your maids messed with your long strands. Not to mention the uncomfortableness of the pins that would sometimes rub right against your skull, digging into the skin.
Usually, come nightfall, you would either roughly tug the pins out and let your hair fall free. But what followed the next day was always the same, except maybe you were forced to sit a little longer if you managed to sleep with your hair down, thus tangling it up more.
Compared to that treatment, the way Diluc is carefully unbraiding and brushing out your strands was an odd change. He never yanked the pins out, instead he carefully unpinned them, making sure not to get any lose baby hairs or strands. Instead of hurriedly running his fingers through the braids to undo them faster, he gently unwound them, one strand at a time. Only when they were completely done, he would gather your hair and brush through them, starting from the bottom and working his way up.
It was relatively silent between the two of you but it wasn't uncomfortable. Every now and then you could hear Diluc humming as he ran his fingers through the brushed hair. Even long after he had finished, he remained in his spot behind you, playing with your hair and you couldn't bring yourself to stop him. Delighting in the gentle scrap of his fingers on your scalp, you leant your head back and gazed up at him.
You openly kept your eyes on him even as you watched him try to advert his own eyes, more than likely trying to not flush under your intense gaze - it didn't help that you were not wearing the band around your eyes like you normally do.
He cleared his throat and withdrew his hands and you had to suppress your own distaste at that movement, lest he take it the wrong way. "I'm finished." However, he didn't make any movement to get up from behind you on the bed and let you keep your head resting on his thighs.
"Are you sure?" There was an underlying question in your tone and Diluc froze, his eyes darting to the side trying to think of anything he missed. Your lips quirked up ever so lightly.
"I don’t believe there is anything else for me to do." He leant back against his heels.
"What happens to all your hard work when I go lay down? The past hour you spent taking care of my hair only for it to be ruined in a few minutes. Seems like such a shame."
"It's okay. I can just take care of your hair again tomorrow." He was so sincere and heartfelt that you couldn't bring yourself to tease him.
"Why don’t you put it up for me. So that I can sleep without any difficulties." After speaking, you lifted your head from his lap so that he could have access to your strands.
He collected the strands of hair between his hands. "How do you want me to put it up?"
You just shrugged, "surprise me."
You couldn't see it now, but Diluc couldn't help the smile that grew on his face.
How on earth was Y/n getting around when her eyes were blinded, was she only partially blind? And how hasn't she walked into a furniture yet when her eyes are wearing a cloth?
I swear I would have stepped on dog shit if I did that 😂
Y/n was never truly alone. For the first few years of her life, she would always have at the very least, her father or brother near her. Sometimes there were other attendants but most of them did not care to take care of Y/n so they let her be and if she fell down or got hurt it was up to her to shake it off. Later on this duty fell primarily on Zhongli who her father trusted. Once Zhongli took over, Y/n barely had any kind of damage from her blindness.
However, despite being blind as a child, she enjoyed exploring and feel around things with her hands. That isn't to say there weren't accidents. She had multiple scrapes and bruises but most of them weren't overly painful or debilitating.
There is also the part of her that has magic. It may not have been as strong or developed when she was young, but it was always within her, so it unconsciously protected her from any serious danger.
As for later on in the story, Y/n wears a cloth around her eyes most of the time, but she is still able to see from behind it. It's kind of like Gojo from Jujutsu Kaisen. Her eyes are extraordinary and not at all like regular everyday eyes.
