⋆౨ৎ˚⟡˖ ࣪ when you call the haikyuu boys by their first name for the first time
characters: bokuto koutarou, kuroo tetsurou, kita shinsuke x gn!reader
synopsis: their last names have always been at the tip of your tongue, so what happens when you do the unthinkable, and finally, call them by their given name?
cw: fluff all the way, unestablished relationship, VERY down bad men
wc: 3.0k words
i've actually been a hq fan since 2019... and the old tumblr fics always make me argahrgarhg, i used to love fic titles like this :') but they're so rare, so here's my writing abt it! hope u enjoy :) if you enjoy my fics, feel free to tip me on Kofi (no pressure :))
link to second part [kenma, sakusa, oikawa]
link to third part (tsukishima, suna, akaashi)
link to masterlist!
⋆.𐙚 ̊. BOKUTO KOUTAROU, he wonders, how is it possible for you to be this beautiful?
Your lips purse together tightly, forming a straight line. You grip the metal handrail, hard, as you watch the ball once again, get hit out of bounds. Not even a single breath leaves your lungs. Things are getting too heated even to take a moment to breathe.
The numbers on the scoreboard for both teams are like heaven and earth. Fukurodani High School is losing against their rival school team, causing the tension in the court to rise so high that your relaxation techniques are no longer working.
You turn around, and notice the people supporting Fukurodani are already beginning to laze off from cheering. Their expressions are dull and bored, seemingly out of energy, lacking motivation to support their team anymore.
You do not blame them. It’s a tough spot for Fukurodani, the chances of them turning the tide are way too slim.
Then, there’s also the ace of the volleyball team, the captain. His once spiky hair, and eyes filled with a lovable glimmer— now reduced to a gloomy deflated state. You notice how he loses his focus on the game, and ends up missing the ball multiple times.
Bokuto is currently experiencing his emo mode, and even Akaashi’s efforts are futile in cheering him up, “Bokuto-san…”
The disheartened captain laggardly perks up, his limbs swaying around weakly, “Huh…?”
Heck, Akaashi looks like he can’t even handle his own emotions well. No one in his team can. Their hopes are crushed by not a rock, but an entire meteor.
A twinge of hurt aches at your heart, seeing Bokuto acting so clueless and depressed while he wanders around the court like a lost baby owl. You know he can do better. You know he has potential that’s yet to be unlocked. You know you have to do something.
At the same moment, Akaashi locks eyes with you. In the pool of gloominess, you catch a tiny spark of desperation, as if he is pleading with you to act.
And so, you did.
In a heartbeat, before Bokuto brings the ball up to the sky to serve, you stand up tall. Gritting yout teeth, you hear all the curious whisperings about your action. Red humiliation fills your face, but you clench tight on your fists, unwilling to back down, not now, not when Bokuto needs you.
A newfound courage overwhelms you when you lean over the handrail, letting your whole existence be known to this little world in this little court. Then, you shout:
“KOUTAROU—!”
As if suddenly, this little colourless world has transformed into a serene oasis, where the sunshine kisses the most beautiful parts of the universe. Bokuto turns his head. He sees it. The way the overhead lights glow up your being. This enchanting ray of light falls gracefully on your face, framing your beauty, and even the little details, making you appear in a way that Bokuto has never seen.
He doesn’t want to look away. His heart is racing a bit too quickly for his own good, and he knows it.
Somehow, an invisible force pushes Bokuto to fly high.
“—YOU CAN DO THIS!”
And his palm, as if he’s accumulated his years of sweat and hardwork, everything at stake at that one moment— he slams hard onto the ball, letting a loud thud echo throughout the silent court. It takes flight, and before anyone in the rival team can react, the ball becomes a sharpened arrow, then crashes perfectly into the centre.
…
Everyone goes quiet.
Then, a shaky, last breath is released, and Bokuto balls up his fists. He shouts at the top of his lungs with surreal vigour as he swings his head to look up at the sky, “HEY HEY HEY!”
All the cheers and yells begin erupting like a hot volcano. The thick tension has dissipated, and has been replaced by a brand new layer of hope. Hope for their captain, their ace, Bokuto Koutarou.
At that moment, Bokuto lets his head look up, and oh gods, he looks good. Drenched with sweat that drips off the sides of his forehead, his heavy pants leave his chest panting for air. Yet, a wide, very wide smile rises on his lips. It grows so bright that it even rivals the sunshine.
You hear the people behind you scream in delight at Bokuto beaming at them.
However, you do not know why, but you feel like his eyes are pinned onto you, and only you, as if he’s trying to tell you, ‘I did it!’ to your face.
Bokuto turns around, and walks forward with a dense aura of confidence surrounding him, ready to serve another win. The rival team’s arrogant grins drop to the floor at the sudden turn of events, their feet standing at the edge when Bokuto suddenly becomes this huge, towering predator about to feast.
Meanwhile, his teammates rejoice at the return of their ace. Akaashi even offers you a grateful smile from below, which you gladly return.
The whistle blows, putting the court into silence again. Everyone, including you, has their gaze on Bokuto, but then, the unexpected occurs.
Bokuto grips the volleyball, and looks up at you in the bleachers with the most vibrant grin you’ve ever seen. He points his index finger towards you, as if he is passing on the spotlight to you. His voice, radiating pure energy and… admiration, declares:
“Y/N… THIS NEXT ONE IS FOR YOU!”
⋆.𐙚 ̊. KUROO TETSUROU, he tries to appear fine, but his brain goes all haywire before you.
“Kuroo. You have to stop. You have been repeating the same joke for days, it’s not even funny anymore,” You facepalm, hiding your face in your palm because you are so done.
Your ears are nearly bleeding from hearing the familiar joke for five days straight. Somehow, Kuroo still finds it funny, even altering the tone and build-up of the joke every time he says it. He has gotten to the point where you don’t have energy to even react anymore, yet he continues laughing by himself like a lunatic.
“You’re probably thinking that your facial muscles deserve to relax from my amazing jokes, but…” Kuroo breathes in deep, “What kind of fish is made out of two sodium atoms?”
A loud agonising groan leaves your mouth, barely audible from you pressing your face closer to your palm. You wish to dig a hole, and bury yourself in it, never leaving it to see the sunlight. You especially do not wish to see Kuroo Tetsurou’s face again while you are embraced by the soil. You do not want him to be the gardener who tends to the soil.
You do not want to hear his chemistry jokes again, but you still force yourself to answer with a monotonous tone, “2-Na…”
As if you tickled his pickle, Kuroo bursts out into a big fit of laughter again, cackling so hard he holds onto his sides to prevent himself from sliding off his chair. He wheezes, attempting to catch his breath, but then breaks out into continuous laughter again.
You are too humiliated to face him. Everyone is looking at you in the cafe. The staff, the customers, the ones who are busy having a Zoom meeting, and the ones who have earphones plugged in with music. You don’t dare to stare back at them. You can already feel their annoyance drilling at the back of your head.
In a state of great embarrassment, you silently mumble, “Tetsurou… Stop laughing, oh my god, everyone is looking at us… I’m gonna cry.”
Like the gods have finally taken pity on you, or maybe the world is about to reach its finale, the laughter suddenly ceases.
“Seems like calling you by your first name does take you off guard, huh?” You mutter to yourself, still shielding your face.
You thank whoever is aiding you in the background, the gods, your guardian angel, whoever it is. The long-earned silence eases into your mind, making your shoulders relax. The near sounds of typing reach your ears, followed by the humming noises of the cafe’s espresso machine.
However, the silence reaches the point where it feels… Strange. Too strange. Kuroo is too quiet. Is he alive? Perhaps he laughed too much, his lungs gave up and popped like balloons?
Your head looks up, expecting to witness a lifeless Kuroo spread on the table, but the sight before you, deems you speechless.
Kuroo Tetsurou is blushing. He’s not just blushing red in the cheeks, but his entire face, to the tips of his ears. Crimson red brushes over his tanned skin like fairydust. Not to mention, his eyes, both unfocused and in a daze, with nothing in them. He gawks at you stupidly, as if he’s drunk too much alcohol into his system.
Kuroo opens his mouth to speak, but nothing, not a word, manages to stumble out of his throat. He immediately shuts up, and quickly covers up the lower part of his face. The way he is currently acting elicits great concern from you. This is not the confident and playful Kuroo you know, more like a high school girl who has taken over his tall, muscular body.
“Um… Kuroo, are you okay? You look like you are about to die.”
No shit, he’s about to die because of you. He doesn’t say it out, and instead, takes in a very deep breath, slowly easing the tightness of his limbs, letting his high-valley shoulders relax. He counts himself down: three, two… no, five, four, three… He tries. Keyword, tries.
He attempts to speak again, but only a jumble of mess is enunciated.
He groans in anguish, and in one quick second, lets his head fall onto the table. A loud thud reverberates through the cafe’s walls, making heads turn towards the commotion. Your concern grows even larger at Kuroo’s uncharacteristic antics, so you reach out for his hand at the side, but to your surprise, he ends up yelping.
You blink in astonishment when he lets out a sound like that, exposing a terrible red mark on his forehead that somehow blends in with his flustered expression.
“T-This…” He gulps, gripping the corner of the table so tightly, his knuckles turn bony white, “This is so unfair…”
Wait, is Kuroo Tetsurou pouting?
The raven-haired boy takes a swig of the hot black coffee in front of him. Bitter! He nearly spits it out, but forces himself to chug through it. The strong bitterness conquers his throat, and hits him like a truck, bringing him back to reality.
“This is fine. I’m fine,” Proceeds to drink another big sip of black coffee.
Kuroo doesn’t bring this up again, never. When you dare bring it up in front of any of his friends, he clamps your mouth shut as fast as lightning. This leads to his friends, especially Bokuto, getting on his knees to beg for this precious piece of gossip. He swears loyalty to Kuroo, but in the end, he has also been rejected.
The reason is simple. He doesn’t want anyone knowing this, a little secret shared between the two of you— solely yours, and his.
He remembers how his heart fluttered at the sound of his first name rolling off your tongue. It was and still is the most perfect memory he will hold close, to the childlike heart of his that beats only for you.
⋆.𐙚 ̊. KITA SHINSUKE, he doesn't react dramatically, but he does like it a bit too much.
The volleyball team is busy with diving drills again, their shoes squeaking against the smooth tiles of the practice court. The entire team has been working hard for days, only taking breaks when necessary. They might even die of dehydration if you aren’t there.
A big match is coming soon, and the coach has been pressuring them to be at the top of their game for it, ensuring that every flaw is fixed, and that they don’t commit any mistakes.
You huff, crossing your arms in deep thought. Just how important is this match anyway? It’s not like they aren’t the best. Your pride and joy is this volleyball team, and your trust in them has never faltered.
At the corner of your eye, you have noticed that the team’s morale is getting low, especially with how exhausted they are with practising endlessly. Even Atsumu, fantastic setter, mood-maker, the one who’s always shouting ‘one more!’ can’t take it no more.
Kita is no better. Although he is one of the most disciplined, hardworking, stable members of the team, you can see the tiniest cracks beginning to form at the edges. Being a captain means having multiple responsibilities, but he’s always managed to handle them without breaking a sweat. Yet, you notice the slight sluggish movements when he heads to receive the ball.
It doesn’t take long before your other friends approach you in aid of your support.
“L/N, please. Aran tried, and he left lookin’ like he jus’ saw a ghost. Yer the closest to him, so ya need to help him. He’s gone bonkers,” Osamu voices out his concern in full seriousness.
Suna shakes his head, and adds, “Our captain is suffering from a mental illness. He’s nearing death, I can feel it.”
Then, the blond twin screeches with agony, “PLEASE, YA OUR ONLY HOPE. I JUS’ SAW HIM GIVIN’ OUT A WATER BOTTLE TO NO ONE! EMPTY SPACE! INVISIBLE MAN!” He pauses, and continues after a deep exhale, “KITA ALSO SMILED AT ME TODAY, FOR THE FIRST TIME! HE’S SCARIN’ ME, L/N. I CAN’T—”
Cut to the scene where you are standing in front of the door to the court, anxiety prickling on your skin. Regret drowns out the loud hits of the ball inside, and also your own peace. You can’t believe you are doing this, throwing away your pride and dignity, just for the sake of the team. A living sacrifice, that’s what you are.
Atsumu owes you a month’s worth of banana milk.
“Here goes nothing…” You mutter to yourself, and step inside, walking towards the members practising their receives.
You stand behind Kita, a few metres away from his back, and call out, “Shinsuke, it’s time to take a break.”
FWOOSH!
The ball that he has initially prepared to receive suddenly bounces off his wrists at a weird angle, sending it soaring to the side. Thankfully, no one has gotten hurt, except that everyone has gotten stunned not at your sudden appearance, but at Kita’s reaction.
The captain, his back still facing you, slowly shifts back to a normal standing position, like a robot low on battery. For some reason, your heart thumps loudly in your ears, in fear of him not liking you calling him by his first name.
Just when you are about to say something, Kita turns around with an evident look of worry, “I apologise for that, L/N.”
“No, it’s okay…” You internally punch yourself, because Kita doesn’t seem to be fazed at all.
However, to your surprise, he does listen to you, and announces to the team, “Take a break, everyone. Good job. Be back in fifteen.”
That’s how you end up sitting on one of the benches, rethinking your life’s decisions, when Kita joins you. He takes a seat beside you, back straight, and the two of you sit in awkward silence.
Your shoulders tense up like bricks built on top of bricks, while Kita drinks water calmly without a care for your crumbling world.
“I’m sorry for calling you by your given name without asking, Kita. I won’t do it again,” Your head dips down low in self-disappointment.
The silence returns, even thicker than before. You sigh internally, unsure of what to do anymore, feeling helpless as the situation unfolds.
“Ya don’t need to apologise,” Kita continues to gaze at the cascading sunset rays, peeking from outside the door. It’s beautiful. Then, his gaze drifts off to the side, and he sees you in your full appearance.
The way your lower lip slightly juts out when things go wrong, like now. When your shoulders slouch a little from feeling dejected. Your fingers that twirl when you are faced with silence, and the way you call out to him, like it’s the most natural thing anyone can do in this universe. He notices it all, the tiny things that make him yearn.
So, he doesn’t stop his yearning, and fishes out a handkerchief from his pocket, and uses it to wipe off the sweat on your forehead.
Your heart is going a thousand miles per hour. You are sweating even more now, but Kita continues to brush the fabric across your skin, like you’re the world’s most fragile item to him.
Kita Shinsuke allows the corners of his lips to quirk up into a rare, gentle smile. One that makes people fall straight into his arms, a smile that even Aphrodite gets jealous of. Kita is attractive, but a smiling Kita is the end of the world.
Caringly, he tucks the fallen strands of hair behind your ear, and you know it’s already too late, there’s no going back when he admits to you—
“I like it. Ya can continue usin’ it all ya like.”
If the gods are watching all the time, as his grandma said, he thanks them for giving him the greatest blessing of all time, the chance to hear his name fall off your lips.
Who knows, he might just get a little bit closer to you, day by day, just to hear it again.
…
“OH MY GOD, ‘M GONNA CRY, THEY LOOK LIKE THAT ONE K-DRAMA WE WATCHED, ‘SAMU!” Atsumu screeches from outside the door, his tuff of mustard hair poking out at the side.
Aran shuts him up by clamping his hand over the loud boy’s mouth, forcing him to yell out incoherent words. Yet, Aran’s eyes remain pinned on the newly established situationship, “Lord, have mercy on me, ‘m becomin’ a godfather soon…”
They know they shouldn't feel this way, especially since you're not even theirs to begin with. But the heart knows what it wants, no matter how much it is denied.
notes — Furina, Diluc, Xiao, gender-neutral reader, slight navia, kaeya, and yantao cameos, part 2 soon
Xiao
If asked for his opinion, Xiao will say he definitely hates you. He was completely fine with solitude, yet you came like a whirlwind and forced yourself into his life. Asking him to have lunch together, insisting on walking home with him, trying to arrange outings on weekends, and so on. He could never understand you and your persistence. He wishes you would one day finally learn how to give up and leave him alone.
“I think [Name] is crushing on someone.” Hutao says to her friend as if it were a fact.
Xiao’s stomach dropped, he twisted his head so fast he almost broke his neck. He wasn't even included in the conversation–being a few feet away from them, but he couldn't just ignore what the girls had just said. Maybe he had misheard, or misunderstood something. Don’t be rash Xiao. He scolds himself, yet he can’t help it. His rationality flies out the window when it comes to you, another reason why he wants you out of his life.
“Now that you mention it, there were moments that made me a bit…suspicious.” What moments? there were signs? Xiao had never realized anything out of the ordinary. Xiao would definitely notice if you fancied someone, he has known you for long enough. Whatever could Yanfei be talking about? Before he could wonder further, Hutao answered for him.
“I think I first realized when they started baking for him. Apparently they made cookies specifically for him! I couldn't even try a bite!” Xiao is aware of your recent new hobby, he had become the taste tester for all your newest sweets, and you would ask for his opinions, to help you improve next time. Before, he had only thought of it as bothersome (purposefully excluding that he would always look forward to what you made and even waited for you at the roof every break time). However, with this new information…could it be that…
You had been trying to improve making desserts for this special someone? Unbelievable. Has he been unknowingly providing aid to you as you pursue someone else!? What a fool he was! tricked by your cute pleading eyes to help the enemy!
"Right! And they keep bringing him up in every conversation, like I could be talking about how a pig flew past me and they would STILL relate it to him somehow." Weird examples aside, Xiao racks his brain thinking of anyone you've mentioned often in the past few days. He remembers you excitedly bringing up the stoic man you met at Liyue from your work. He's also reminded of your complaint about a giant white haired delinquent with his eccentric and boisterous nature from Inazuma, and he couldn't forget how he froze in fear when you told him Childe had started befriending you. And he has only considered the male candidates, what if you were also interested in girls? Then there would be many more options to consider.
Each candidate he thinks of only succeeds in deepening his frown further. He detests even the idea of you with any of these people, They wouldn't be able to handle the entirety of you, your incessant nagging, your pushy and persistent nature, your laugh as the sunset paints you in an orange hue. They simply cannot bear it, they’re too weak for you (just like he was when you first flashed him your smile).
Then, is this it? Is he losing you for good…? wait no- this is good, he wanted this. He should be happy. He could finally move on from you, and pretend the butterflies in his stomach never existed.
Yet all he felt was uneasiness.
He starts to imagine a life without you, yet nothing comes up. It would be too dull, he cannot even remember what life was like before he met you. You have ruined him and his carefully designed self isolation.
He felt the need to do something about it, then Xiao walked away with resolute, unaware of the conversation he left behind. The two girls stare from behind as he powerwalks away.
"...Should we tell him that we knew he was there?”
Hutao stares at the direction the lovesick boy ran off to “Nah, it’s about time he showed a little chivalry.”
Yanfei gives her friend a deadpan look before responding,“I don't think him eavesdropping on our conversation was very chivalrous.”
“Shh, let him cook.”
“Hutao please never say that in front of me ever again.”
Furina
No no no NO!!! This is all wrong, you're not supposed to be spending your time with her. Someone like Navia does not truly understand the value of your presence. That heathen is wasting your time, time that you should have spent with Furina instead! She graciously went out of her way to invite you for tea time. You should have been ecstatic, Furina even kindly went out of her way to obtain rare tea leaves all the way from Inazuma, (because you mentioned your curiosity over a specific flavour one time) and dressed up to leave you in awe of her impeccable fashion taste and unrivaled beauty.
Yet you rejected her offer because you had made "previous plans" with Navia!? Unacceptable. Someone like Furina absolutely cannot accept such a rejection. Navia must be scheming to take you away, she can't possibly lose you.
You are after all, her biggest fan.
In order to right this wrong, Furina will take it upon herself to find you. Oh! how terribly kind she is! Despite your audacity to leave her hanging, you are still allowed to be enveloped in Furina's presence. (Not because she hasn't seen you in days and misses your presence, of course. That'd be ridiculous)
Realizing the risk of losing a precious fan of hers forever, Furina understands that there is to be no room left for blunder. But not to worry, this master strategist has cooked up the perfect plan.
step one : crash your little date with Navia.
step two : impress you with her spectacular tricks and steal your attention with her impeccable wit and charm.
step three : you forget about Navia completely and swoons for Furina.
step four : you ditch your date, carry Furina in your arms and take her out on the best romantic evening in all of Fontaine! no, in all of Teyvat!
The plan is flawless! By the end of it you will barely remember the blonde girl’s name.
—
“Oh hi guys! Fancy meeting you here.” Of course, ‘tis was no mere coincidence. Furina had already been aware of your whereabouts and placed herself there. All part of the first step of her plan. She’s sure that you would be ecstatic to see her once more.
“F-Furina! What’re you doing here…!” For some reason you become tense at the sight of her. But she understands, being caught off guard by her presence tends to do so. Furina flashes you her sweetest smile.
“I had some free time! Thought I could find you to help around.” She spots a hint of blonde hair behind her, “Neither of you mind, right?” Your movements are incredibly awkward, avoiding Furina to look over at Navia, who nods at you. A small part of Furina is irked by it, it's as if you two are hiding something from her.
“Sure, the more the merrier right?” Step one is successful.
However it proves to be difficult to complete step two, due to how focused you are on your shopping. Why are you choosing between two different buttons like your life depends on it? She’s trying to charm you here!
“Navia, which of these fabrics would fit better?” You’ve been calling that name way too often for Furina’s liking. She’s quite knowledgeable in the art of textiles too you know. What makes Navia better than her?
There's a growing ache in her chest when she sees you smiling at Navia, Why don't you look at her that way? Then you giggle at something Navia said, Furina can feel strings tugging at her heart, breaking it apart, an uncomfortable feeling gnaws inside her.
She is quickly regretting her whole plan, it is clear that you are enamored with that girl already. And Furina is no match for someone that amazing, it hurts her to say but all she's doing right now is holding you back from true happiness.
Feeling dejected, Furina says her half-hearted goodbyes, leaves you two to the date that she almost ruined, then laid in the comfort her bed, embracing her sorrows. She doesn't remember much after that.
Before she knew it, Furina had been wallowing in her room for the past three days. What snaps her out of it is the knock on her door, followed by a voice she registered as yours. Wait, you're here!? But she looks like an absolute mess!!
“Uhm! Just a minute! I have some…confidential information I need to put away!” It’s not perfect but it's the only excuse she can think of.
“Oh, Alright then! Take your time.” Oh she definitely will. While she knows she can't compete with your beloved, at the very least she needs to look presentable enough for you. Yes, that's exactly why she’s dressed up and checked the mirror at least 3 times before finally opening the door.
She’s greeted by the view of you sitting down on her front porch, you stood up at the sight of her, huffing out a breath of relief. Did she worry you? Or were you just glad she finally opened the door? Or maybe you were huffing out of anger Furina’s inner thoughts clashed with each other.
“Forgive me for taking so long, there was- uh, some technical difficulties.”
You shake your head. “No need, It's my fault for coming over without informing you.”
“Would you like to come inside? We can chat over some tea.”
“I would love that.” You softly grin at her, which upsettingly sets off fireworks in Furina's heart. You're taken, she has to remind herself.
“Again, so sorry to bother you today Furina, I understand that you have a tight schedule and don't quite appreciate sudden visits.” You say as Furina goes to pour you a cup of tea. (the same brew she wanted to gift you that day)
“You’re lucky I had some free time today,” and the last three days, but you don't need to know that. “But next time, I’d appreciate a notice beforehand, then you wouldn't have to freeze out in the open for so long.” You nod once before grinning at her again.
And well, there's not much she can do when you give her your smile.
“But before that, could I ask you why you had been so distant the last time we met? I don't want to pry but I still want to help, is anything troubling you?” Furina panics, she didn't think you would notice, her mind is drawing blanks.
“Ohh that? I was uh-” She looks around her room, grasping for anything that she can get, she finds an idea when she spots the closet door she left ajar earlier. “–Reminded to clean out my closet! Yes, haha… Gotta replace old raggedy things with something better quality you know.” After all, what's the use of having some scrap and cheap imitation, when you can get something real, something far more suitable to you, something that’s not incomplete and considered a fraud by society.
“Oh I wouldn't be able to relate to that. I quite like my old clothes. It's the ones that have stayed with me through everything.” Furina does not give you a response, because she doesn't quite understand your interests in things that are deemed useless by most, and she probably never will.
“Anyways, I was mainly here to give you… this” You hand her a small box decorated with a blue ribbon on top, it was lightweight, and made a slight shuffling noise when she shook it. How did she miss your attempt at hiding this from her?
“I don't believe this is my birthday?” You chuckle at her dumbfounded expression.
“It is not a birthday present, Chiori was teaching me and Navia how to sew. So I decided to make something for you.” For her? You handcrafted this for her?
She opens the gift, to find a white haired doll with limbs sloppily sewn together, a crooked smile. Despite that, she recognises that it vaguely resembles herself. She also recognises the fabric it is made out of, and it finally hits her why you had been shopping with Navia.
how foolish of her! She tried to steal your attention when you were trying to make her the most thoughtful gift! The revelation badly embarrasses her, tinting her cheeks red, even just looking at you is far too much for her right now.
“W-well! it IS decent, not quite close to capturing my greatness… But, I appreciate your efforts. Thank you.” Damn it all, why did she have to stutter, and why can't her heart stop racing. She refuses to admit you made her feel this way.
“Now if you’ll excuse me, The Great Furina will need some time with herself.” She pushes you out of the room. “But—”
“Good bye!”
“Wait—” Furina slams the door on you before you could say anything. Once alone, she looks down at the beady eyes of the doll you handcrafted for her. Utterly ridiculous, she thinks. Who the hell is stupid enough to put that much effort on her? You did, and the thought of it ignites a giddy feeling in her chest, she cannot fight the smile forming on her face.
She keeps the doll near her person at all times, safe and unseen by others, but cherished just as much as she does you.
Diluc Ragvindr
Diluc believes that judging others before he gets to know them is incredibly shallow. What matters most to him is someone's values above all.
Yet, the guy you are currently speaking to brings a tight feeling in his chest. He can't stand him, it’s painfully obvious that he’s just trying to hit on you. Just who the hell does he think he is?
However Diluc deems it an irrational feeling, you are not his and he is not yours. No matter how many times his eye twitches every time that sleazy creature tries a pick-up line on you. Ridiculous he thinks, If Diluc were to court you he would do it properly, he wouldn't use something as immature as pick-up lines. You deserve the most beautiful flowers and sincere compliments that come from his heart, wait- but if you're into pick-up lines then maybe he would consider using them— He’s getting off track. Diluc could only sigh at the pathetic state he's in.
Despite how much he hates the vermin currently talking to you, he held some kind of respect for him due to his bravery. He has done something Diluc never managed to do, and that is to have the courage to court you.
That is why he’s stewing in jealousy while you're being whisked away by someone in the worst attire he’s ever seen. Your smile (that's not for him) tugs at Diluc’s heart, why can’t he be the reason you smile?
“You're practically shooting lasers at the guy.” A familiar, annoying voice stops his pity party, he can almost hear the smirk in his tone. “I didn't think you would be the jealous type.”
“Don't be ridiculous Kaeya, I’m just concerned whether or not his intentions with [Name] are pure.” He’s not being completely truthful, he’s aware, and so is Kaeya.
“Right, sure. And I eat slime condensate for breakfast.”
“Will you cut that out? I really am just concer—” Before Diluc could defend himself, something else distracts him.
The slimeball next to you raises his hand and reaches for the top of your head. Suddenly something hot flashes inside Diluc, his mind is empty, what's left is the pure rage he feels at that scum’s audacity.
“[Name].” The way he says your name held no warmth, it caught both you and the guy’s attention. His sudden attempt at diversion worked, the hand stops mid-air as you turn around to face Diluc. He releases a sigh of relief, the dark look he had before escapes, then panic catches up to him.
“Yes, Sir Diluc?” You inquire, tilting your head in confusion. Oh sevens. He’s lost it. The regret of what he just did is hitting him way too late.
He definitely didn't plan this far ahead.
But he feels the urgency to say something, anything as long as it gets rid of the man next to you.
“I- uh-” Yet he can't think of anything to answer, you and the thing next to you stared at him, waiting for an answer.
In the midst of his scrambled brain, Kaeya interrupts with a smirk. “He was wondering whether you would be available to help him with managing the bar, it's going to be a busy day you see.”
Your tense shoulders relax, then you smile at Diluc, which replaces his internal panic with butterflies in his stomach.
“I’d be glad to help, Sir Diluc.” Oh how he wishes to stay in that moment forever, just you and him, with no sleazebags trying to hit you up.
“Well, I-uh, I deeply appreciate it.” Diluc can already tell Kaeya is resisting the urge to laugh in his face. He supposes he’ll let him this time, Kaeya helped to give him an excuse to spend some time with you after all. The man next to you though, is clearly not okay with this at all, the frown on his face says it all. But it goes away quick, replaced by a sly grin directed at you.
“Oh come on! You promised me a date didn't you?”
“I didn't promise you anything. Now please excuse me, I have some important business to attend to.” you turn to walk away from the guy, you walk towards Diluc. The guy doesn't seem to understand your rejection though.
“But—”
“I believe they’ve already made their point clear.” Diluc intervenes, refusing to accept a no is something that he cannot stand. He stared him down like a hawk, no other words were said, Diluc’s cold gaze sent a shiver down his spine.
“Fine, whatever.” With his tail tucked between his legs, the guy finally decides to leave.
“Thanks Diluc, the guy just refused to give up, no matter what I said.”
His eyes lit up upon your clear disinterest. “It was my pleasure.” His heart was no longer beating quickly due to panic, but because of the warm look you gave him that made his knees weak.
“So you’re not interested in dating at all?” Fuck. He forgot Kaeya was still there. He sends his brother a deadly glare at his question, which he responds with a playful shrug.
You hum, thinking of a way to answer. Every second fills Diluc with dread, does he have any chance at all?
“I think my type is more the broody businessman type.” Even though you answered Kaeya’s question, you stared at Diluc intently. Your answer leaves him stunned silent, yet internally he can't stop feeling elated. He turns away to hide the grin on his face, he must look like an idiot right now.
Please, won't you ignore the musings of this drunken man? For the sake of his own pride? No seriously, he’s begging you to just pretend it never happened.
notes — kaedehara kazuha and wanderer/scaramouche, drunken confessions, contains swear words 😱😱 super yapper drunk kazuha, clingy drunk wanderer
part 1 here
Kaedehara Kazuha
The last thing you wanted to be woken up by at 3AM in the morning, is a call for help. Specifically help to pick up a certain drunk individual, after an incredibly chaotic party hosted by the most chaotic pirate you know.
Despite every part of your body begging you to return to your peaceful slumber, you couldn't help but worry. You’re well aware of his lack of skill in handling liquor, bowever it was not because he wouldn't be able to handle himself, in fact you were worried about the opposite. Last time he drank, you found him practically holding three guys hostage to lecture them on how haiku and literature impacted Inazuma’s cultural history.
(They swore they saw halo lights float above you when you came to pick Kazuha up)
So reluctantly you fight every fiber of your being to get out of bed, grab your coat, and come to rescue some poor unfortunate souls who have become drunk Kazuha’s victims for the night.
—
“I’ve exhausted every method Beidou has taught me, yet until this day I receive no sign of reciprocation.” Kazuha’s face is flushed red, incredibly busy babbling to the unwilling listeners in front of him. They don't even get the chance to respond before he continues once more.
“Do you think that perhaps I’ve been too subtle…? However I felt that I couldn't have been more obvious, they are incredibly intelligent, I’m sure they would've figured it out. What do you think my friend? As travelers I’m sure you know your way around this better than I do. Oh but—” “AARGHH PAIMON THINKS YOU TALK TOO MUCH!!” Aether pats Paimon’s back in reassurance, he has a feeling that both he and Paimon have stepped into an inescapable trap. The irritation bubbling up from the small creature’s statement does not reach Kazuha, who is too lost in his own thoughts.
“Talk too much…Do you think they prefer the silent type…?” Kazuha’s mind goes back to the time you returned from a trip to Liyue bringing stories of admiration about a silent guardian of Liyue called Xiao. Which left him in a sour mood all day and a lingering hate for the Yaksha.
“Maybe I should start taking a vow of silence?”
“I think that’d be best for the night.” You chime in as you stand by their table, quietly pushing aside his glass.
One look and you could already tell how drained both Aether and Paimon were becoming. It seems everyone else avoided Kazuha for the night and forgot to warn the newcomers of his long-winded rants.
“[Name]!” Kazuha goes to hug you, he looks at you with mirth in his crinkled eyes and an excited grin breaking out of his face.
“I’ve missed you.” You fight the urge to squeeze his cheek in front of guests.
Cemented in place by an affectionate Kazuha, you simply address the traveler from where you stood. Who is looking at you with a look of gratefulness. “I apologize for his behavior, he gets a tad bit chatty when intoxicated.”
“Tad bit is an understatement.” Paimon sassily responds. “He spent half an hour practically talking to himself, and here Paimon thought Paimon was the chatterbox!” Aether hits her head and tells her to not be rude. You chuckle at their banter, before Kazuha tugs at your clothing to grab your attention.
“M’dizzy…” he mutters. Reluctantly, you release the tight hold he has on you, immediately noticing the lack of warmth afterwards. “I’ll go get us some water, okay? Stay here.” “But I wanna go with you…” The pout on his face almost successfully melts you. Almost.
“Kazuha you can hardly stand as is. Just wait here with Aether and Paimon, I’ll be back in a jiffy.” He's reluctant to release you for a minute, before finally nodding and wobbling back to his seat (You do not see it—too preoccupied with trying to get the alcohol out of Kazuha’s system, but Aether does, Aether notices that the white haired—extremely intoxicated—friend of his is devastated to be separated from you once more. Perhaps, out of pity, or just pure good will, he decides to help Kazuha.
“You should tell them directly.”
“Whuh?” Paimon fails to understand what he’s saying, but despite Kazuha’s tipsy state, he quickly catches on to what Aether means.
“I…Am scared of losing them, the connection we have now feels comfortable.”
“Then Captain Beidou’s advice-”
“Captain’s plan was to help me express my feelings without impacting our dynamic.” Aether doesn't respond, inviting Kazuha to continue further.
“As a wanderer, I chose to release plenty of things in my life, I rarely have something constant in my life, what we have now, it is safe and unchanging. If it comes to it, I do not think I could handle losing them.”
Before Aether could respond, you return with a jug of water. Demanding Kazuha to drink up the whole thing, which was met with a whine from him.
“Alright Kazuha, I think it's best that I take you home now.” Kazuha nods, feeling tired enough to comply with anything you say. Aether takes his chance to say one last thing to him.
“You need to get it out of your system. Sometimes, change can be good. Besides I doubt [Name] would ever leave you.”
“What did you guys talk about?”
“Making sure Kazuha doesn't make a dumb decision.”
Kazuha’s quiet the entire trip back. You’re unsure of what he and Aether talked about but since then he’s been deep in thought, his worry lines becoming more prominent every time you glance at him. Usually during his drunken state, he would babble about anything that comes to his mind, and though you always begged him to shut up before, now his silence becomes the cause of your concern.
“You alright Kazuha?” You ask after his umpteenth sigh. He must’ve not realized that his turmoil was obvious, he was so caught of guard by your question that he stopped walking, you end up stopping too.
But he recovers with a smile. “Nothing you should worry about [Name]” But then he’s silent again, this time staring at you as if he's realized something.
“Uhh..Are you sure..?” He steps closer to you, then gently grabs your hand. You feel your heart rate spiking the longer he stared at you. “Do you need me to pick you up?” “No! I just-”
“Just…?”
“I like you. A lot. Since that time you helped to dress my wounds. Actually maybe it was longer than that, but your pretty smile back then made me realize that I may have liked you as more than a friend. Of course I don't just like you for your looks—for example, you’re incredibly kind and understanding towards anyone you interact with, yet stern when you need to be. Your fighting spirit is inspiring, you never let anything hold you back and—”
“Okay I get it!”
You cover his mouth before he could embarass you anymore with his rambles, you thought he may have sobered up, but it's clear that the alcohol is still affecting his system.
“I’m sorry, please ignore that. I’ll be sure to forget it tomorrow. Aether said I needed to get it out of my system.” Kazuha’s face is hot, his heart is beating a mile a minute, and he can't bare to look at your face. And–oh god he’s feeling woozy too.
Then suddenly everything went dark.
—
He wakes up to the familiar scent of Hibiscus, flower that he knows you like. He opens his eyes to find a room that he always finds himself in whenever he's hungover, your room. The pounding of his head greets him, then the memories of what he did last night.
He has never wanted the earth to swallow him more than he has now. Are you an idiot!? He asks himself. No, he’s worse than an idiot. He’s a lunatic! He might as well have jumped off a cliff last night!
During his self berating, he fails to notice you by the door.
“Hey.” He almost falls of the bed when he heard your voice, his heartbeat is everything but calm. He needs to say something to you, anything.
“Th-thank you for…taking care of me last night.”
“You remember what happened.” You state like it's a fact. “Don't pretend like you don't.” Archons above just kill Kazuha now. He’s far more prepared for death than anything you're about to say to him.
“I truly apologize. I let Aether cloud my judgement last night.” Kazuha internally apologizes for throwing his friend under the bus.
“Did you mean it?”
“Huh?”
“When you said you liked me.” He was hesitant to answer, but slowly nods.
“Why didn't you tell me sooner?”
“I was—am, terrified. Terrified of how you’d react. Terrified of how my selfishness will change me and you. I’m terrified of…losing us. Losing you.” When he looks back at you, it becomes clear that this problem had been eating at him since a long time.
“Kazuha, I…” Here it comes, Kazuha braces himself for the inevitable. It’s alright, he has already made plan b. (Which is to return to the Raiden Shogun and demand her to strike him down a second time)
You lean closer towards him, Kazuha can hear the drumming of his heart in his ears. Just when he thinks you're about to spit in his face, you instead kiss him. “You idiot, why in the world would I leave you? I’d do anything for you, because I like you too.”
He ran countless scenarios of you reciprocating his love in his head, yet none of the sleepless nights he spent thinking of you compared to the reality he faces now.
—
Bonus:
“Why the hell would you listen to BEIDOU for love advice.”
“I thought she was..sharing creative ideas.”
“Kazuha. She can barely handle her– well, whatever it is that she has with Ningguang. What makes you think she's qualified to give love advice?”
Wanderer
The Wanderer is a man of rough exterior, you get it. You heard his story from Nahida, you understand that he has been through a lot of pain and overtime has grown thorns as self defense.
but damn he can be a dick sometimes.
Nahida tasked you with befriending the Wanderer and widening his relations (seeing his lack of social interactions with others). Not wanting to disappoint, you accepted the task immediately, peacefully unaware of the storm that is Wanderer.
You do not know why, but he seems to go out of his way to personally torment you. When you try to be friendly, he brushes off your attempt with curses. He tells you to “get out of his face” often, but when you actually stop, he comes back to you, lecturing about how you’re helpless and is lucky to have his presence to give you directions. And he's made no progress with befriending anyone else, anyone you introduce him to is met with the meanest scowl on his face, and words so ruthless they never want to see him again. He’s utterly hopeless, you think to yourself.
Just when you were about to give up and deliver the bad news to Nahida, a ray of light comes to you in the form of Nilou.
“I have a party going on at the tavern tonight, we’re celebrating our troupe’s anniversary, I’d love to see you there.” Normally you’re not too interested in parties filled with people you barely recognize, before you could reject her, an idea comes to you.
“Say Nilou…Could I bring Wanderer with me?” It must've been obvious what your plan was because she caught on quick.
“Sure! There's plenty of people that will be coming, I’m sure there will be someone suited to his…personality.” You swore you saw Nilou glowing that day.
However you fail to overlook one tiny thing.
You were nursing a glass at one of the booths, conversing with Kaveh, who is giving you a long-winded rant about Alhaithan again. When suddenly someone softly grasps your hand, it’s Wanderer. His face flushed red and eyes glazed over, He’s frowning at both you and Kaveh. you would have never expected him to drink so much for him to reach this state.
“Wanderer…? Is everything alright?”
“No.” is all he says.
*Are you drunk? what's wrong?” You asked, cupping his cheeks for a temperature check, the redness of it was starting to concern you.
“You.” He grunted, as if it needed no elaboration whatsoever. You seriously considered punting him across the room.
“Me? What in the Sevens did I do?”
“You’re always so…smiley. Gives me the creeps.”
“I’m…sorry for smiling too much? I’ll stop doing it around you.”
“No. That's even worse. If you don't smile with me, then that means you don't like me.” ??? He muttered it as if it were common sense. What is he even babbling about right now? (You ignore the flutter in your chest at the thought of Wanderer worried about what you think of him.)
A cough intervenes amidst your conversation, right, Kaveh is still here. The man next to you wasn't too happy with his presence, staring him down with a look that could kill.
“What’re you even doing here? Go away.”
“WHAT! I WAS HERE FIRS—” You give Kaveh a look, one that specifically says please don't fight it, he's not feeling well. He understood, somehow.
“Whatever, I wouldn't want to be near him anyways.” Kaveh retorts before standing up to leave. Wanderer smirks, sticking his tongue out at Kaveh, before he pulls you closer to him, you simply let him. You spoil him too much, a voice in your head tells you, a voice that vaguely reminds you of Nahida.
“I wanna sleep on your lap.”
“What?”
“Your lap. I’m too dizzy, I wanna lie down.” “...Fine.” You would never admit it out loud, but you do spoil him quite a bit.
You both stay that way for a while, the heart caged beneath your ribs pounded as you realize the predicament you’re in. The short-tempered man you’ve been babysitting for months is currently leaning on your lap. Tonight has truly been the strangest version you've seen of Wanderer. The aforementioned man is all quiet, deep in thought with a blank stare on his face. The murmuring of the party crowd was merely white noise to the both of you.
“I seriously don't get you.”
“Huh?”
“Everyone knows I'm a dick. I’m sure you think so too. So why the hell are still here? You don’t need approval from Nahida that badly, you’re talented enough as is. It’s seriously pissing me off.” His question leaves you deep in thought. Perhaps deep down you believed that he also wanted a companion, just like Nahida believed
“You know what you did the first day we met?” Upon hearing your question, he scoffs.
“Yeah. Told you that your efforts are futile.”
“Yep! And you mentioned that I should go home while there's still time.” He widens his eyes at that.
“...I did?”
“You did. Turns out there was rain that day.” He definitely forgot about the interaction, seeing his befuddled expression.
“What's that got to do with anything?”
“I thought so too. Until I realized after the rain that you were warning me. You helped me.” He’s in disbelief at your reasoning
“That’s it? That's your motive to help me?”
“Yeah. Thought that maybe there was still some good in you after all.” You might as well say it, seeing he’s drunk out of his mind right now and won't remember it tomorrow.
“You’ve lived a lonely life, I think you deserve to have some companions like the rest of us.”
The weight on your lap is released, as he goes to sit back up. He stares you down before saying “Whatever. Take me home, I’m still drunk.”
He avoids eye contact with you the whole way home.
—
When you tell the story to Nahida the next day, she seemed eager to hear of it.
“He’s really become fond of you.” Nahida tells you. Finding it hard to believe, you respond with a shrug.
“Probably not, he was super drunk so the liquor might have messed with his mind.” Your statement was met with silence. Nahida was having one of her thinking faces.
“What?”
“It’s just that, could alcohol possibly affect puppets the way it does humans?” You froze. The implications starting to get to you.
“W-well! His face was all red, and he was kind of slurring his words…right?” For some reason you can't tell the details of how it happened. Come to think of it who would even hand him alcohol?
“Of course I was, I still have human qualities you know.” The familiar voice interrupts your train of thought. Wanderer had entered the room, to clear up the misunderstanding it seems.
“I also came to dispose of these papers. They're no use to me.” Then he walks back out.
“I supposed that explains it?” You chuckle, but Nahida doesn't seem too convinced by what Wanderer said.
Outside the door, he sighs and slides down against it. Face as red as it was last night, yet still fully sober. Thank the Sevens. They almost found out.
He was so foolish. How could his intoxicated self say such things to you! How would he ever face you now!
notes - alhaitham & diluc ragvindr, mentions of alcohol, drunk confessions and how they reacted the next day
part 2 here
Alhaitham
For the longest time your impression of the Acting Grand Sage remained the same, efficient.
The man did not waste time on meaningless chit-chat, he only needed you to finish your job and that was that. Most would find him stiff and unfriendly, however you simply saw it as him setting apart his work and personal life, so you respected it. You never bothered to attempt small conversations while working under him, and neither did he. You thought both you and Alhaitham were content with that.
"I saw you carry some books earlier, you like reading? What kind?" But for some reason, you find your boss here, drunk out of his mind, face as red as steamed shrimp, and bombarding you with question after question regarding your... interests??
"Are you interested in botany? I've seen you tend to the plants in the akademiya." ??? You came thirty minutes earlier than work hour to do that, when the hell did he notice? Actually how the hell did you even get here? All you wanted to do was pick up your wasted friend, when suddenly your hand was pulled by your drunk boss and he started interviewing you like you were a TV show guest.
"Actually, what are you even doing here?" Shouldn't you be asking HIM that??? Once again, before you could comprehend what happened, he asks you another question. "Should I order you a drink? Which one do you like?" You fail to hold in your bewildered look, the intoxicated man fails to notice though, more interested in your lack of answer "Do you not drink then...? I'll keep that in mind for the future." In what world could he possibly store that information for.
You notice how wobbly he is and practically on the brink of passing out. He propped himself up on a stool in order not to fall. You never thought you would ever see this side of him, let alone show any interest towards you personally. You always thought he was the type to keep everyone at arms length, but tonight has proven you wrong in ways you could have never thought of.
"Oh, that reminds me... What is your opinion on flowers for a first d-" Panicking and overwhelmed by his constant queries, you end up simply covering his mouth to stop him from talking. Surprisingly it is effective, he has finally stopped talking.
Or maybe that's because he fell asleep mid question.
"HAITHAM!! WHY WOULD THIS IDIOT FALL ASLEEP HERE” The frustrated screaming from Kaveh was the last thing Alhaitham heard.
—
When Alhaitham woke up, he tried to close his eyes again in an attempt to convince himself it was only a dream. After his failed effort, he goes to curse out the barely awake Kaveh, immediately resulting in another one of their quarrels. Only while pondering at work does he realize, that he actually said such things to you. And the shame finally kicks in.
Alhaitham has always been the type to push away his feelings, he sees it as a major setback. A weakness that he can easily brush off and hold little importance, especially compared to his current concerns about work.
And your presence proves to be just that as thoughts of you take over his daily life and hinder his efficiency. He’s sick of you constantly plaguing his mind, and keeping him awake at nights. He needs to put a stop to it.
His best method for that was to build distance between you two, he minimized his interaction with you without obstructing his job, and repressed his feelings as much as possible. But instead of fading away, it only grows like a stubborn plant, rooting further in his heart. He became more curious of you, wanting to cherish every part of you. And the dam finally broke after a few glasses of liquor.
All that effort he put in only to be wasted in a single night, he's already imagining how grossed out you probably felt by his clear show of his fondness for you.
"I...do apologize for my behavior last night, I hadn't meant for you to see that side of me." He has his head bowing as low as possible in order to avoid your face, as if it would somehow alleviate the pain of your disgusted expression directed towards him.
You don't do that though. "It's okay, sir. I completely understand, I've felt the exact same way after all" Alhaitham freezes at that, immediately looks back up at you, who is flashing your dazzling smile that pulled him in the first place.
"You do...?" He asks you, eyes sparkling and hopeful, butterflies fluttering in his stomach. He can't help the excitement he feels at your words. Could it be that you felt the same way about him?
"Yeah, I know the feeling of being lonely after focusing on work so much. I think we should hang out more! Along with the other coworkers to improve our bond." That hopeful look in his eyes was immediately replaced by disappointment, the giddy feeling that was rising in him immediately plummeted. He shouldn't have expected anything after all, you implying his loneliness only added more salt to the wound. It is hopeless for him.
"Unfortunately, the others mentioned being quite busy outside work, so it might just be the two of us most of the time."
…Well, perhaps it is not so hopeless. He should probably prepare some flowers to bring.
Diluc Ragvindr
It's an extremely rare occurrence for the dark knight to indulge in alcohol. Diluc doesn’t have the kind of lifestyle where he is allowed to simply ‘let loose’. However he was still a Monstadt citizen at heart, it had been a rough day, and your pleading face still remains his biggest weakness.
“Come on, it’s not often you get a moment to relax. I’ll help handle things for you.” You say it with such sincerity and care, how was he supposed to be anything but helpless under your stare. He shifts uncomfortably, but still grabs the glass of wine you offered to him.
However, you never expected to see such clinginess coming from Diluc, he was glued to your side the whole night. Kaeya teased that prying him away from you was equal to separating a chick from its mother (You did not appreciate him comparing you to a hen)
And god forbid any other people talked to you, Diluc would give them deadly stares while constantly tugging at you. He demanded your full attention at all times.
"Y/N..." Diluc calls out your name like he's known it his whole life. Soft and familiar. You thought you were going to combust right then and there when he said your name again, but in a whisper, as if it was a secret between the two of you.
His face was comically red, almost resembling his hair. He has to hold your hand just to keep his balance steady (and honestly, you were unwilling to let go). Who would've expected the man behind Dawn Winery could be affected by alcohol so easily.
"I'm here, I'm here. No need to keep calling out my name." Diluc does not appreciate your teasing, shown by his small pout.
"I like saying your name, I feel like I can depend on it."
"I appreciate your trust in me, however I think you give me too much credit." You laugh him off. "I'm not as great as you make me out to be." Somehow that pissed him off even more. He squeezed your hand in his hold and redirected it to cup his face, eyes still staring you down, however it seemed...soft? Just when you thought he couldn't get more out of character.
"Y/N." There it is again, he mutters your name like it was fate that brought him to you.
"You're an amazing person. I've always admired your courage of being unapologetically yourself. Your outstanding personality has kept my heart captive for as long as I could remember. It hurts me to see you sell yourself so short."
He was surprisingly eloquent for someone so intoxicated. A grin was visible on him this time, clearly proud of what he just said, or maybe he was just trying to reassure you. Nevertheless, it left you speechless.
Before you could say anything in response, he passed out.
—
Diluc woke up the next day to a headache, and an onslaught of memories from last night rushing back to his brain. Fuck.
He never meant to pressure you with his emotions in any way, he thought if he buried it deep enough it would disappear. Yet some measly drinks managed to not only dig it up but multiply it by tenfold. The fact that his biggest regret right now is not having you by his side is incredibly concerning.
He couldn't handle the embarrassment of facing you after how he acted that night, so he did what any normal adult person would do. Avoid you entirely.
"Honestly, can't you be a little more subtle about trying to avoid Y/N." Kaeya teases him. Diluc, who has holed himself up in his office responds with a glare. But, even though he would never admit it, Kaeya was right. He was too obvious.
He would find an excuse to exit a room as soon as he spots you, he's avoiding all your favorite spots to prevent any encounters. Even stopped coming to angel's tavern to do temporary bartender work. He does not want you to feel at fault for his behavior, but the idea of facing you after acting in an embarrassing manner in front of you, eats him up from the inside.
The elusive red-haired man was starting to get on your nerves. Honestly how does he expect you to act like nothing happened after all the things he said that night! Determined to find answers, you finally managed to corner him. With the help of a certain reckless deity—who lured Diluc into a closet in Angel's Tavern, then "accidentally" locking you and Diluc in together.
The stoic man was, for once, avoiding eye contact. the memory of his confession that night fill his mind.
"Diluc" he flinches at the sound of your voice, you call for his name as if you were about to burst in anger. Now not only is he full of embarrassment, but also guilt. He doesn't respond, but finally turns his head to look at you, despite how hot his cheeks were burning.
"Diluc." You say his name again, this time your tone was soft and reassuring, the tension in his shoulders relaxes at the sound of it.
"I-I'm sorry."
"...For what?"
What do you mean for what? The clueless look you give him breaks the dam he's kept in his head. "For everything! For getting us stuck here, for avoiding you this past month, for- that night..."
It's the first time you've seen Diluc so vulnerable, he's showing so many new sides that he never wanted you to see. He feels pathetic, he couldn't keep his feelings in check and now he has left the burden of his admiration to you. He couldn't begin to imagine the hatred you must've held for him.
Yet here you are cupping his face, your gentle smile graces him. Diluc's greed urges him to nestle into the warmth of your hands. Despite the lack of alcohol in his body, he still feels the need to be honest one more time.
“I love you. So much that it pains me. Please, forgive me for my selfishness.” He internally begs you to not answer just yet, leave him to enjoy this moment of being in your embrace. He’s not quite ready for the bitter reality just yet.
"You don't have to apologize, Diluc. I'm rather pleased with this outcome.” But instead, you granted him bliss.
Xiao hates you. Yes, you with the bright smile, warm gaze, and an endearing laugh that makes his heart skip a couple beats. He swears he does not like you.
notes — gender neutral reader, xiao is a fake hater, highschool au where you're xiao's senior
If someone asked anyone in Teyvat High about you, they would mostly say the same thing. And that is how affable you are—always doing your best to get along with anybody. Everyone in school probably knows your name, the 3rd year who resembles a friendly capybara, you have no enemies, and you don't intend to make any. You're a friend to everyone.
"How can you not like Y/N!" Well. Except for a certain 2nd year.
On one afternoon, Xiao meets the unfortunate fate of being stuck in a club meeting, amidst the school's nosiest people. He only joined due to his adequate skills with a bass, sadly that meant his existence was noticed by his... extroverted fellow members, the one currently pestering him was the vocalist, Venti.
"They're like, the nicest, brightest person I've ever seen! It's impossible to dislike them." Sadly he tends to use his voice to blabber too much.
"Hmm. Most peculiar indeed." Another irritant comes to bother him, the crafty keyboardist they call Heizou.
"Do you perhaps, know something we don't?" The man likes playing detective a bit too much.
"He's not denying it! That means you're on the right track Heizou!" He couldn't be farther from the truth.
"C'mon guys, stop trying to pop Xiao's blood vessels. People are free to like or dislike anyone for their own respective reasons." Aether breaks up the loudmouth duo, Xiao is extremely grateful for his meddling because he knew he would have been doomed if they asked any further.
"Oh by the way Xiao, Y/N asked for you. They're waiting outside." Scratch that, he is doomed.
He gives Aether a nod of acknowledgment, before giving himself a deep breath to brace himself, then steps out to see you.
"What're you doing here?" By the door, Xiao asks you with a cold tone, clearly ignored by you.
"Hey Xiao! I just came by to give you these."
You hand him a bag that smells of freshly baked pastries. Xiao clicks his tongue at the sight of it
"Again?" You had been bothering with this for a while now, somehow you made him your test subject on all your baking practices. However that was usually only in his free time.
"I'm busy with band practice right now, can't you find someone else for the day?" You give him a shake of the head and said
"Nope, your opinion is the only one I care about." That causes Xiao to freeze, giving you a chance to grab his hand and drop the bag of cookies on it.
"Let me know what you think of it tomorrow okay!"
You bid him goodbye and walk off. Once you're no longer in his field of vision, Xiao crumbles. He falls to the floor, looking like a madman. How could you say something like that to him so casually!? His heart is beating a mile a minute, the heat in his face is rapidly taking over. God, he absolutely despises you, but he knows he's simply lying to himself.
Of course he knows how impossible it is to dislike you, he's tried to do just that ever since he first met you.
Indeed, like Venti had said. You shine so very brightly, like a sun that will never die. He knows it better than anyone. Somehow you’ve become someone his heart finds comforting. And it bothers him, you can make or break him apart so easily, you're all he can think of every night, your smile makes his entire day, your voice releases the butterflies fluttering in his stomach, your entire existence just melts him. It confuses him, it scares him. You shouldn't have this much impact on him but you do. He can't make any sense of it, so the only thing he can do is blame you for all the rapid beating of his heart. This is why he hates you.
But he hates himself even more for looking forward to trying out the goodies you had made for him.
You expected cold shoulders and emotionless stares from your fiancé, not...whatever this is.
Notes — arranged marriage with Lohen, short drabble, ooc probably, my research into lohen as a character includes 3 fanfics and all of his edits on tiktok, inspired by chapter 34 of Nakanowarui iinazuke no hanashi.
You knew arranged marriages would never end well, especially after having witnessed your own parents’ loveless marriage. Your family dinners were always spent in complete silence, save for the clattering of silverware and the occasional political discussions. So when you were told you will be engaged to a Knight of Favonius from Mondstadt, you already knew what to expect. “He is the vice-captain of the fifth company.” Your father said, grabbing a handkerchief to wipe himself.
You knew this conversation was going to happen tonight, you heard whispers from the maids down the empty halls, you have even heard other things regarding who you are to be wed with “I hear he has an insatiable bloodlust.” You’re not surprised your parents are willing to sell you off to some lunatic.
Yet your fiancè alongside Mondstadt managed to surprise in more ways than one. The Knights-Of-Favonius greeted you with more warmth than you had ever experienced from your parents’ cold attitudes. And your fiancè–Whom you now come to know as Lohen, is incredibly welcoming since your first step off the carriage.
So much that it tends to irk you.
Really, why is he always so curious about whatever business you had?!
“Hello my love, are you out for a walk this afternoon?” The first stage of his plan, which includes ‘accidentally’ encountering you during his ‘free time’
“Shall I join you for today?” Then stage two includes him inviting himself to your outing, before finally bombarding you with useless small talk (Which you begrudgingly answer, lest he makes a disappointing expression)
Your relationship with Lohen is nothing like the arranged marriages you have seen in the past, it is nothing like the one your parents have, everything so far has been outside of your initial predictions, and it is driving you insane.
(You ignore the part of you that is beginning to anticipate Lohen’s presence on your outings)
…
“We should get matching rings.” Lohen suggested out of nowhere.
“If you are bored, then you should pick up a book too. Instead of thinking of outrageous things.” He knows he’s the one who insisted on staying here, but you are too engrossed in your book to actually entertain him!
“But I’m being serious! It feels nice to have something to make it official y’know?”
“I don’t find any need to do so.” Right, because to you this is just a loveless marriage. His attempts at trying to woo you bounce right off of you, he should be happy you allow him to spend time together with you, he’s the pathetic one for wanting more.
“Besides, we will soon have matching last names anyways.” You finally say as you close your book,
“No need to rush to make things official, it will happen either way.” Then you left the room, along with Lohen in a state of shock.
After processing what you just said, Lohen smiles to himself, unable to hold back the blush dusting his cheeks. “I suppose that’s true.” Damn your chokehold on him, he shouldn't be this happy over a few words from you.
lohen can't communicate | lohen x reader | SFW | full oneshot
synopsis:
There wasn’t much that Lohen couldn’t handle in his daily work.
Take a letter to the Honorary Knight? Sure. Train the rookies in hand-to-hand combat? Bring it on. Face down the Wild Hunt in Nod-Krai? They’d better hope they didn’t land in his sights.
Talk to the cute librarian girl that had been running through his mind for the past week like its free real estate?
Pft. Talk about easy. No problemo. Certainly not a difficult task at all.
OR: Turns out talking to pretty girls is a whole lot harder than battling the fatui.
themes:
developing relationship, fluff, attempt at humor, assistant-librarian!reader, reader has a vision, awkward flirting, mild sexual joke(s), one-sided attraction to eventual requited attraction, light discussion of names, bonding, (appropriate!!!) touching le gasp
characters:
lohen, female!reader-insert, varka, lisa
word count:
5.3k | ao3 ver
Lohen was, in many respects, a master of combat. His prowess with the lance could not be debated, lest one wanted to find themselves staring down the mist-shrouded tip of his spear. While he was exceedingly strong, he also harbored a skillset that was incredibly flexible; allowing him to impart on missions of espionage, intel-gathering, and enemy supply chain disruptions with practiced ease.
There wasn’t much that Lohen couldn’t handle in his daily work. Take a letter to the Honorary Knight? Sure. Train the rookies in hand-to-hand combat? Bring it on. Face down the Wild Hunt in Nod-Krai? They’d better hope they didn’t land in his sights.
Talk to the cute librarian girl that had been running through his mind for the past week like its free real estate?
Pft. Talk about easy. No problemo. Certainly not a difficult task at all.
“Hello, Vice Captain,” you said, your eyes trained on his without a shred of hesitation. “Can I help you find something?”
“Find something?” he replied, blinking. Then, with a start, “Oh, you mean, like…like a book, right?”
You blinked. “Er, yes. This is a library, so…”
He heard the lilting of Lisa’s laughter behind him, but when he whipped around to glare at her, she casually strode out of earshot. Her heels clicked into the upper floor, punctuating Lohen’s excruciatingly long, stifling silence.
His plan had been simple: walk into the library and just talk to you. He figured the rest would come naturally, like how his instincts took hold of him in the middle of a fight, telling him how to move, and when to do it. Lohen was not a coward, and he wasn’t scared of you, so talking to you should have been easy. Light work. As simple as breathing.
Still, he was fumbling.
“A book,” he said, one corner of his mouth curling up in an awkward smile. “I mean, I don’t…I don’t really read, so…I dunno.”
Fuck, fuck, fuck—why was that the best he could manage? Why did he sound like such a bumbling idiot?
Your expression turned grave. Clutching your book to your chest, you said, “Please don’t tell me you’re here to pull a prank on me. Or to poison me. Or whatever else it is that you torment the others with.”
“What?” he asked, wincing. “No, I’m not here for that. Trust me—if I wanted to poison you, you’d be vomiting your guts out in medical by now!”
He laughed, but you didn’t. Perhaps he had stuck his foot in his mouth with that one, because you withdrew even further into yourself, your jaw unhinged. Your eyes were flicking between him and the staircase, like you were trying to find a route for escape.
While he kinda didn’t mind that, it definitely wasn’t his intention. Snapping his cackling maw shut, he felt his throat squeeze.
“A book,” he sputtered. “I’m here for a book.”
“O…kay…” you replied slowly. “Um…what kind of book…?”
(Think, Lohen, think. You haven’t read anything since your parents forced those fairytale books on you when you were a kid. If you go saying something like ‘The Belle and the Behemoth’, she’ll laugh at you. That wouldn’t be cool at all, so think, goddammit, think. Something cool!)
“Sex,” he blurted. “A book about sex. ‘Cause I’m, like…the sex master. Yeah.”
You looked embarrassed. “I’m…afraid we don't have any books like that here, Vice Captain…”
“Oh.” He crossed his arms over his chest, pensive. What else was he a self-proclaimed master of? “Murder?”
“Are you referring to murder mystery novels?”
“Huh? No, like, a book on murder. As in, how to do it. Preferably detailing various methods.”
You winced. “We don’t have books like that either…”
“What?” he replied, one eye twitching. “How boring. What the hell do you guys even have, then?”
“Um, normal books?” You flipped the book in your grasp around, showing him the title. “For example, this is a fictional novel titled Fate’s Glimmer. It's the long-awaited series of an Inazuman author who’s been quite popular in Mondstat as of late. It’s new, so I ordered it to be expressly delivered from Yae Publishing House, and I—. Um.”
You hesitated, your eyes falling to your desk. Repeatedly, you tapped your thumbs together over your bridged hands.
“Sorry, I’m oversharing. And we honestly have more nonfiction than fiction, so…I probably should have started with that.”
Halfway through your ramble, Lohen’s heart had started to act up. It was pounding like it did when he was on the battlefield, cutting down foe after foe with each swing of his lance—not like he was attempting to communicate with a pretty girl in the Mondstat Library. Why did he feel such strain? Furthermore, why did that strain come with such joy?
He turned away from you, a light touch of warmth settling across his face. He lifted a finger, pointing at the book in your hands. “Do you…have any other copies of that one?”
“Of…of Fate’s Glimmer? You…want to read it?”
He chanced a glance back your way, but he really shouldn’t have. You were beaming from ear-to-ear, your teeth poking through your radiant smile, and with your big, shimmering eyes, you said, “I actually ordered two copies! Just in case anyone else wanted to read it at the same time as me! It’s really good, I swear!”
He was having palpitations. Stammering through his sentence, he replied, “U-um, I, uh, yeah! Yeah, I…definitely wanna read that. Fate’s Shimmer…or whatever it is.”
“Glimmer,” you corrected him, still smiling. “Here, I’ll check out a copy for you right now. Do you have your Knights’ ID on you?”
“Uh, yeah. Here.”
The way your fingers brushed his sent a chill down his spine. Odd, considering that he was rarely susceptible to the cold.
“Here you are, Vice Captain,” you said, holding out a thick book between both hands. “You’ll have to swing by from time to time and let me know what you think of it.”
Swing by from time to time? Wait, did that mean you wanted to see him again? Wait—that meant you were totally into him, weren’t you?
“Heh.” Lohen cracked a grin. “Guess I’ll come by again later, then. Since you asked, and all.”
“That would be wonderful! I’m so curious to hear your thoughts on Act One…there’s such a massive cliffhanger at the end of it! Ah, but I won’t spoil anything.” You smiled, your long lashes fluttering over your bright eyes. Ever so cutely, you said, “Come back soon, won’t you, Vice Captain?”
Lohen was deceased where he stood.
Another routine patrol in Windrise had somehow led him straight into you—and the pack of hilichurls encroaching upon you.
You yelped as you scrambled backwards across the grassy field, your novel splitting open beside you. There was fear in those eyes of yours, which took in the horde before you like they were harbingers of doom. The vision on your hip glinted in the sunlight, but for some reason, you were far too petrified to make use of your only weapon. Ordinarily, a sight like yours would have annoyed Lohen more than anything—what a weak woman—but something about the situation felt just right.
With a chuckle, he crossed the field, brandishing his lance before him. One stroke annihilated the hilichurl in front of you. The second struck the two flanking the first. And on the last stroke, hilichurl blood sprayed into the void, both archers befelled by a single strike. Such easy, light work, yet you weren’t even capable of it. Surely you’d look upon him with admiration, as the valiant knight who came to your rescue.
“Good thing I got here before things took a turn for the worse!” he chirped, pushing his hair back with a rake of his hand. “Not that I would have minded getting the chance to see you beg and plead for your life.”
You gawked at him, your eyes wide. He blinked, his chuckles dying in the wind.
“What?” he asked. “It’s not an insult. I mean…you’d probably look good doing it.”
His face burned, but your silence persisted. You had the same look in your eyes that you had worn when the hilichurls ambushed you, but this time, it was directed at him. Lohen watched as you scrambled further backwards, your dress skirts dragging along the grass beneath you.
“I-I’m not a strong person, you know?!” you squeaked. “Even if you try threatening me…I doubt I could give you the kind of fight you’d enjoy!”
“Wh—? I’m not threatening you! I’m giving you a compliment!”
“Please!” you wailed, your hands pressed to your head, tucking your face towards your knees. “I just wanted to read in peace!”
“What are you getting all freaked out for?” Lohen scoffed. “The hilichurls are dead! Now you can read Fate’s Shimmer all you want.”
“Glimmer!”
“Er, yeah. That.” He lifted his hand to the back of his neck, rubbing awkwardly. “Jeez…would it calm you down if I told you I read the first couple of chapters?”
Immediately, your head sprung up from your hiked knees. Your eyes were wide, and in only a second, it was as though you had no recollection of the panicked state you were in before. You scooped your book out of the grass, smiling from ear to ear, and patted the space beside you.
He looked from your hand to your face repeatedly. Jubilant, you said, “Sit down, then! I want to hear what you think about it so far.”
“Wh…huh?” He pressed his pointer finger to his chest. “You want me…to sit with you?” His eyes flicked upwards. “Under this…giant tree? With…with all the crystalflies floating around and everything?”
“Why, it’s the best place to sit in all of Mondstat. It’s perfect for reading—and for discussions about what we’ve read.”
The way you smiled was wrapping his throat tighter than the choker around his neck. He pulled at it a bit, and blamed the heat bathing his cheeks on the blazing sun overhead. Perhaps in response to his desperation, he was blessed by an incoming bout of pure anemo.
Dandelion spores washed through the air. They danced along the wind, and as they floated around your face, surrounding you like a feathery halo, you grinned with your teeth and laughed.
His heart was doing that irrational pounding again. Like he hadn’t just fought some low-level churls. Like he was in Nod-Krai, fighting with Varka and the others, half-conscious and two wrong steps away from death.
A spore flew into Lohen’s nose.
“Achoo!”
His shoulders jerked with his sneeze. He sniffled, rubbing his finger under his dripping nose, and you ever so sweetly said, “Bless you.”
He was suffocating and suffering cardiovascular collapse at the same time. Ironically, it felt kinda good.
“Come on,” you said, your hand still extended beside you. “Sit with me, won’t you, Vice Captain?”
He swallowed.
“Just call me Lohen.”
He wasn’t expecting to come across you in Varka’s office of all places.
“—please?” you were saying when Lohen opened the door. “I really want to see the flora for myself! It would help me visualize it so much better!”
Varka was grimacing. When he and Lohen met eyes, the Grand Master perked up and lifted a hand in greeting.
“Hey, Lohen!” he exclaimed. “You actually came like I asked you to! Good job, sport!”
Lohen rolled his eyes, but he was more focused on you than Varka. You were wringing your hands together, your shoulders rife with tension. Just like always, you had that thick novel of yours at your hip.
“Sorry,” you said. “I know you’re busy, Varka. It’s a silly request anyway, so I’ll just go.”
“Wait,” Lohen said, turning to track you as you made for the door. “Library girl. What were you two talking about?”
He didn’t really care that you had made a request of Varka and not of him, but he still wanted to know. For some reason.
“Oh, I…” You looked back at Varka, then at Lohen. Shaking your head, you said, “Don’t worry about it, Vice Captain. It sounds like you two have a pre-arranged meeting, so…I won’t interrupt you.”
“The meeting can wait,” Lohen said, following you out the door (which prompted a loud “Hey!” from Varka). “And didn’t I tell you to just call me Lohen?”
“You…did,” you mumbled. “Sorry, I’m just not used to it. I never really call anyone by name.”
His brows furrowed. “But you just called the Grand Master ‘Varka’.”
“Um. Yes.”
You continued pacing towards the library, and blatantly on the pursuit, Lohen followed you. As you both crossed the headquarter’s main foyer, one behind the other, Lohen could feel the stares and hear the whispers.
“Should we help her…?” someone mumbled.
Ignoring them, Lohen asked, “Why are you running away from me?”
“I’m not,” you said, but the way your shoulders were up by your ears as your heels played staccato beats across the floor told a different story. “I’m just getting back to work.”
Lohen’s eyes narrowed. His gaze fell to your swinging arms, and when you tried to escape behind a bookcase, he grabbed your wrist.
You stopped suddenly, turning to look at him with wide eyes. His hand burned around your wrist, like you were possessed by the power of pyro. Quickly, he released you.
“...Sorry,” he said. “Seriously, though, what were you trying to say back there? Something about flora?”
“It’s silly,” you replied quickly. “It doesn’t matter. I don’t want to bug you with something like this, Vice Captain—.”
“Lohen.”
“...Lohen.”
It fell from your lips, soft. It tickled the rims of his ears. You glanced up at him, rubbing your arm.
“It’s really childish,” you said. “And it would be a waste of the Knights of Favonius’s resources. I only asked Varka because I knew he wouldn’t laugh at me.”
“I’m not gonna laugh at you.”
Hesitation was written clearly across your face. After a beat, you visibly swallowed.
“I…want to go to Dragonspine,” you explained to him. “I’ve gotten to Act Two of Fate’s Glimmer, and it takes place in a snowy region similar to it. There’s some descriptive bits of ecology that I can’t quite picture, so I was hoping that if I went and saw it…I would be a little more immersed.”
Your voice fell to a mumble by the end of your sentence. Lohen raised an eyebrow.
“You went to the Grand Master of the Knights of Favonius…because you wanted to see flowers in Dragonspine?”
You buried your face in your palms. “This is why I didn’t want to tell you, Vice Captain.”
“Stop calling me that,” he groaned. “And I’m not laughing at you, am I? I’m just trying to figure out where Varka fits into this.” He paused. “You…seeing him or something?”
“Huh?” You looked up from your hands with a wince. “No, no—what? Varka’s practically like a father to me. Or…maybe an older brother. I’ve known him for a long time, that's all.”
“Oh. I see.” Lohen crossed his arms. “So…flowers in Dragonspine. You couldn’t even fight to save your life back in Windrise. Don’t think much would change over some flowers.”
“That’s why I was asking Varka,” you mumbled. “But he’s really busy. So is Lisa. And I don’t know the other knights well enough to have the courage to ask…”
“I’ll go with you.”
Silence fell between you both. The longer you stared at him, the hotter Lohen’s face became.
“What, you don’t want me to?” he asked. “‘Cause I’m a busy guy and all, so—.”
“No, no!” You held your hands out, taking a step towards him. Your eyes held fast to his as you said, “I’m just…really happy that you would offer.”
Someone really needed to open a window in the library or something, because all of a sudden it was stifling. Awkwardly, Lohen laughed and threw his gaze to the books that encased you.
“I just think it would be interesting,” he chattered. “Seeing you running around in the snow. Getting chased by monsters, I mean. Probably even begging me to help you…haha…”
Slowly, he pressed his palm to his smoldering face. The image of you running from a cryo abyss mage with your book clutched to your chest, wailing for him to save you, was a bit more enticing than he had thought it would be.
“…I’m so determined to go that I’ll choose to ignore that. When are you free?”
“When do you want to go?” he said, to the books.
“How does tomorrow sound?”
“Lohen—tomorrow I want you to lead the training exercises for the rookies in the 7th Company—.”
“Tomorrow sounds great,” he said, waving the echo of Varka’s voice from his mind. “Yep. I’m totally free.”
“R-really?” You were smiling again, wrecking his heart again. “Then…let’s go! It’ll be great for you too, so that when you get to Act Two, you’ll know exactly what the flowers look like.”
Staring into your eyes, he mumbled, “Yeah…I bet they’re pretty.”
“Me too!”
Snapping out of his deluge, Lohen stood upright again. Taking stilted steps to face away from you, he rather stiffly said, “Meet me here at nine, then. Don’t be late, or I’ll set a trap for you at every step of the way in Dragonspine. And trust me—you wouldn’t like that!”
“I’ll be here,” you replied, your voice warm. “Thank you again, Vice—...Lohen.” You laughed. “Thanks, Lohen.”
With his ears burning hot, he gave you a curt nod.
You stood in a field of tiny blue flowers, and with your hands cupped around a cluster of luminescent bulbs, you said, “They’re beautiful.”
Lohen stared after your back, watching the sway of your hair in the frigid winds. You turned to face him with a smile hotter than crimson agate, warming straight through his core when you asked, “Don’t you think so, Lohen?”
“...Yeah,” he said, his eyes flicking away from yours. “Really beautiful.”
“I can see how this would have laid such a romantic scene for the main characters. As gelid as these winds are, and as withered as the trees appear to be…there are still intimate spots of beauty like this.” You grinned. “It’s fascinating, isn’t it?”
“Mhm. Something like that.”
You laughed, kneeling down to observe the flowers. The fact that such a simple, boring thing could bring so much joy to your face was oddly…humbling. He struggled to understand whether you acted this way because of your weakness, or if finding pleasure in the banal was instead your strength.
Wooo…
An increasingly cold wind swept by, and by the sound of its pitch, Lohen could sense danger on the horizon. Immediately on high alert, he brandished his lance, his eyes navigating the thickening snow for the source of the threat.
“Library girl,” he said. “Get up.”
“Huh? Is something wrong—?”
“Oh shit,” he said, his eyes widening. “Run, run, run!”
As he tackled into you, hooking his arm under yours to pull you along, you let out a surprised yelp. The thickening snow was approaching faster, and by the timbre of the wind accompanying it, he could tell that a wave of white-out was about to occur. This far into the mountains with you, he didn’t have the luxury to enjoy battling the stinging cold and burying himself out of avalanches with his bare hands. Not when you were involved.
He practically dragged you into a nearby cave, lurching into a dark and cavernous space that was just big enough for the two of you. You stumbled onto your hands and knees when he stopped, your back heaving up and down with air-starved breaths.
“You…! You run really fast…!”
He winced. “Er. Sorry?”
“It’s…it’s okay.” You rolled over into a sitting position, sighing. “Though I can’t lie…I nearly had a heart attack when you told me to run. It’s not like you to sound so scared about something.”
Scared? He hadn’t felt anything similar to fear in a long time. He just didn’t like the thought of losing you in the middle of a snowstorm, you with your vision, which was practically just an accessory for you. A pretty one that complimented your skin, but still.
With a grunt, Lohen lowered himself to the ground beside you. Outside the hollow of the cave, the snow piled faster than torrential rain. As he watched it fall, he propped his chin in his hand. Taking a glance at you, he said, “We’ll just have to lay low for a while. Once the blizzard passes, we’ll head for the foot of the mountain.”
You nodded. Content with that, Lohen turned his focus to the mouth of the cave once more.
And then it was quiet. Just you and him, sitting beside each other in the snug little cave, silent. As time stretched on, a gnawing feeling ate away at him like a munching caterpillar. He drummed his fingers against his knee, tried to focus on the petrous patterns of the walls. Anything to distract himself.
“...Phoo,” you breathed all of a sudden.
Lohen turned, and as soon as he took you in, his eyes widened. Your body was trembling as you wrapped your arms around your legs, your teeth chattering audibly against the hollow walls of the cave. He glanced at the snowstorm outside, then back at you, and acutely realized that you did not possess his nigh-invincible level of immunity to the cold.
Quietly, he slipped his coat off his shoulders, taking his cape alongside it. Quieter still, he dumped it into your lap. When you looked up at him, he tried not to return your gaze, lest the flames in his cheeks decide to smolder any hotter.
He heard the rustle of fabric. Out of the corner of his eye, he watched you lay his coat over top of yourself.
“Thank you,” you murmured.
He turned his head even further, smirking at the wall. “No big deal.”
“How are you so unfazed by this? It’s f-freezing.”
“Uh, cryo vision, remember?”
“W-well yes, but still.” You shuddered, letting a breath out with it. “I have a vision, but…it doesn’t make me any less sensitive to my element.”
“Probably ‘cause you never even use it,” Lohen drawled. Turned away from you like this, it was a bit easier to talk to you. “Got blessed by the Gods and you spend all your time reading novels. Isn’t that boring?”
“Hm…let me ask you the same question, then. You spend all your time playing tricks on your colleagues and eliminating the enemy, yes? Don’t you find it boring to not have…well…a real hobby?”
“Huh? Those are totally real hobbies, though.”
“I’m quite sure if we went around asking the other knights what their hobbies are,” you laughed, “they would not include poisonings and murder. Aside from that, what do you like to do, Lohen?”
He tapped his finger against his cheek repeatedly, frowning at the wall. If you took away his tasteful pranks and his insatiable bloodlust, then he was left with…
“Well,” he stammered. “Uh. I guess…I did read a bit of that book. So reading?”
“As happy as I am that you’ve made progress, I think it’s a bit early to label that as a hobby.”
His brows furrowed. “What do you even consider a hobby?”
“Something you do for fun. But, it’s also something you can do with others. Safely.”
“I always see you reading by yourself, though.”
You let out a close-lipped laugh. He heard you shuffling, then felt the warmth of your arm against his. Quickly, his head snapped to yours, and with your arms poking out through the gaps of his coat, thick novel bound to both hands, you asked, “Why don’t we read together, then?”
“Wait. Slow down.”
A laugh. “You can’t handle this?”
“Fuck no. Just slow down.”
Lohen’s brows were furrowed, his eyes struggling to absorb the text as fast as yours were. You laughed when you reversed the page, bringing him back to the sentence he was at before your rude interruption. He lifted his finger to the paper, mumbling the words under his breath as he searched for the right paragraph.
“...Ah,” he said. “That one.”
“Oh, that’s when the heroine meets the male lead. You like that part?”
“Well. Kinda.” Lohen shrugged. “He’s, like, a super cool war general, right? Stronger than a thousand troops.”
Your smile curled further upwards. “He is. I suppose he does sound like your kind of character.”
“...What’s that supposed to mean?”
“Nothing,” you answered. “Just that, well. You’re an incredibly strong man yourself. In a way, you remind me of him.”
“...Oh, yeah? What kinda way?”
You blinked, and ever so quickly, snapped your head away from his. Stammering, you said, “N-nevermind.”
“Huh?” Lohen raised an eyebrow. “Wait…are you embarrassed?”
“No,” you said stiffly.
He smirked. “Looks like you’re embarrassed to me. You thinking something weird about me, library girl?”
“N-no,” you repeated, shaking your head. “And please stop calling me library girl.”
“But you never told me your name, library girl.”
“Ugh, I…” You brought a hand to your head, rubbing it furiously. “It’s because it’s embarrassing. Actually, you know what? Just keep calling me library girl.”
“Well, now I really wanna know.” He pressed closer to you, his shoulder touching yours. “What’s your name?”
“Library girl,” you mumbled.
“As far as I can tell, this snowstorm isn’t stopping any time soon. You really think you can get away with keeping your little secret until it stops?”
“I can try.”
“I doubt you’ll be very successful.”
Your eyes flicked to his. He froze where he sat, realizing just how close your faces had become. This close to you, he could count each and every one of those pretty eyelashes you had, take note of the exact millimeter measurements of your round pupils.
You looked conflicted about it, but after a brief pause, you acceded to his request.
“It’s not the name I go by,” you said in a mumble. “It just happens to be my Mondstatian one. My parents believed in Barbatos’s principle of giving children the freedom to name themselves…so I was hardly old enough to speak when I picked it.”
“Hm. Sounds like a bad idea.”
“It really was. Because I was so young, I decided I wanted to be called…”
You said it, but it was in such a low mutter that he had to crane his ear closer. Brows furrowed, he said, “Huh?”
“B…” You were sheepish. “Bun…ny.”
Lohen’s eyes widened.
“You’re fucking with me.”
“This is why I don’t tell anyone—.”
“You went and named yourself ‘Bunny’?” he asked, snorting. “You mean you have to sign that on your papers and everything every time you want to travel? Stamp all your official letters with it? That’s hilarious!”
“I know!” you complained, your brows furrowed. “You don’t have to remind me!”
“Sorry, that’s just…!” He leaned his head back, laughing. “It’s just so ridiculous! I can’t believe anyone would let their kid name themselves that!”
You let out a groan, plopping your face into your palms. Glaring at the mouth of the cave, you growled, “Why did I even tell you?”
Lohen’s laughs slowed down, and with a swipe of his finger under his eyes, he brought his amused tears away. Observing your frustrated expression with a smile, he scoffed through his nose.
“Oh, don’t be so embarrassed about it. Everyone I know loves bunnies! Especially me.”
You shot him a look, then shuffled a touch away from him. When he realized how honestly he had spoken, his cheeks flared with warmth.
“I didn’t mean it like that,” he said, the corner of his grin twitching. “Don’t look at me like I’m a weirdo.”
You shuffled even further. Obstinately, he shuffled right back next to you.
“I thought you were cold,” he said.
“I’m very much warm now, thank you.”
“Then can I have my coat back?”
“...No.”
You didn’t move away from him this time. That fact alone gave him goosebumps—and also went straight to his head.
“Aren’t I warm?” he murmured, ignoring the flames that erupted in his face because of it. “Huh, Bunny?”
You went ramrod stiff. He adored that.
“Bunny,” he drawled. “Silence isn’t exactly an answer, you know?”
“Wh-what is wrong with you?” you asked. “Is this…your way of messing with me?”
“Huh. Well, I guess it’s one of the only ways I can. You’d probably die of a heart attack if I tried anything else. You know, just like how bunnies fall over at any and everything.”
“I wish I never told you,” you said, your eyes pressed closed. “I really wish I never did.”
“Definitely going to use it to mess with you from now on.”
“I can see that.”
He snorted. “Guess some things are better kept a secret, huh?”
You paused. Turning those eyes of yours onto his, the ones that he’d study forever if you’d let him, you softly said, “No, it’s only fair. It’s easier to communicate when I know your name and you know mine.”
Easier to communicate, huh?
He had only just realized it, but he was cracking jokes and talking to you like normal now. Was this sense of closeness brought on by Dragonspine, which forced even the most seasoned of adventurers to form alliances to weather its storms? Was it a fleeting moment of warmth, a kindle of flame that would extinguish underneath the thick blanket of snow as soon as you parted ways? What was this feeling in his chest that plucked his heart strings, that made him feel nothing but a hollow ache when he thought of leaving you?
“...Are you scared?”
Your voice cut through the silence. You lifted a hand, hesitated, then slowly placed it over top of his.
“Wh…what,” he sputtered, his arm stiffening, “are you doing? I’m not fucking scared. I’m the Vice Captain of the 5th Company, remember? I’m practically stronger than a whole platoon.”
“This part of you reminds me of the character in the novel,” you murmured. Your hand rubbed the back of his, wringing a strangled noise from his throat. “When confronted with fear…challenged by an invisible threat that you can’t wrap your hands around…you try to flee. You’re not very honest with yourself, are you, Lohen?”
Your hand was on his. This was what he wanted, wasn’t it? For you to touch him and talk to him like you were his? Why did he feel so bittersweet about how it was proceeding?
He blurted his thoughts as they occurred. “I’m embarrassed as shit. I was hoping this would be…that I’d be cooler. But I think I’m gonna have a stroke if you keep touching me.”
“Aren’t I warm, though?” you crooned back, your mockery setting him ablaze. “Huh, Lohen?”
“Fuck,” he stammered, pressing his palm to his face. “You’re as much of a little shit as I am.”
You laughed. “That’s a good thing then, isn’t it? Maybe you and I aren’t so different after all.”
Your fingers curled through the gaps of his. His shoulders jumped, but you squeezed hard.
“Thanks for taking me to Dragonspine,” you said. “It was very kind of you.”
He had no words. All Lohen could manage was a stilted nod of his head.
“Want to read some more?” you asked. “You turn the pages this time?”
“...Sure,” he mumbled.
You brought the novel back, flipping it open and bracing it halfway on your leg, halfway on his. With your hands still joined, you used your left to manipulate the pages, and with Lohen’s right, he smoothed the bunny ear in the paper back into place.
The snow outside fell soft now, the blizzard having ended long ago. Still remaining side by side in the intimacy of that bountiful cave, you continued to enjoy each other’s company as though you had all the time in the world.
For the first time in a long time, Lohen didn’t mind taking things slow and easy. Not when it was something he could enjoy with you.
this is my silly little oneshot, lohen can't communicate! i've posted both here and on ao3! if you liked it, please consider leaving a heart here and one there too! (˶>⩊<˶) ♡
if you would like to be tagged whenever i post genshin x reader, comment, message me, and/or send me an ask! thank you!
✨⋆˙⟡ ad astra abyssosque! ⋆˙⟡✨
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lohen can't communicate with...
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masterlist | ask | ao3 | more of this pair
when diluc walked into the classroom and didn’t spot you eating your lunch with your friend group, he already had a pretty good idea of where he could find you.
as exam season was approaching faster than most students could catch up on months and months of studying material, diluc knew that you were, as per usual, over-exerting yourself to get the results you oh-so desired.
which eventually led to sleepless nights and terrible eating habits.
diluc wasn’t close enough to you to know about any of that. he just so happened to hear that from your friends when he couldn’t find you anywhere last semester, realizing that this might be more of a routine than he had imagined.
diluc, in fact, barely ever talked to you.
he was satisfied with being a simple bystander, admiring you from afar. as far as possible, given the fact that you were in the same class for the next couple of years. but diluc never imagined he would be foolish enough to dismiss the greed that was slowly growing inside of him, seeking out your presence in every setting until the simple habit of staring at you from across the room wasn’t enough for him anymore.
“of course it wouldn’t be,” his brother had sighed at him after a rare moment of vulnerability during which he opened up about the storm his heart was braving.
“God, i could count the amount of times you’ve talked to her on one hand, diluc,” kaeya had pressed, pinching the bridge of his nose, as if his aggravated him more than his sibling. “a single hand.”
diluc had only brushed him off with a snarky remark.
it was frustrating. how he couldn’t find the same comfort he’s always been content with, watching you cheerfully chat away with your circle of friends or study in the library while he’d get too distracted to complete his own work.
the realization that he desired nothing else but your attention had befallen him a few days ago, all thanks to his dear brother who had no difficulty reading him.
it felt a bit stupid. a bit pathetic. a bit lamentable. how he was seeking something so close yet so out of reach. and the only obstacle in his way being himself and his damn self-loathing, preventing him from taking any unnecessary, risky steps.
and while he knew why he wasn’t stepping out of his comfort zone, he’d rather die than admit it to kaeya. death would be sweeter than admitting that rejection was a word that inspired more fear in him than any math test their cruel teacher could ever concoct.
it was terrifying, really. rejection was an unwanted guest that could visit him if he even dared to come any closer than he had already allowed himself to - which wasn’t a lot, truth be told.
and despite it all, despite all those thoughts raging in the depths of his mind, diluc still found himself walking up to the storage room at the last floor of the building.
stepping into it quietly, he couldn’t help the small smile painting his lips as he found you exactly as he had pictured you’d be. sat on the floor, asleep, lips parted while your chest rose up and down slowly with every breath you took. a few strands of your hair fell over your face, the necktie of your uniform loosened up.
carefully, diluc closed the door behind him before making his way towards you, crouching next to your peaceful form. gently, he draped his uniform’s jacket over your shoulders. while it wasn’t this cold, he knew you weren’t taking enough care of yourself to risk sleeping on the floor with nothing to protect you from the chilly breeze.
and maybe it was how unfamiliarly close he had gotten. or maybe it was the endless months of pining after you. but diluc had, for once, allowed his heart to dictate his actions before his mind cound interfere.
tender, callused fingers brushed soft strands of hair away from your face. and he found himself, yet again, enamored by the very sight of you.
you were just too pretty for his poor teenage heart.
so pretty that his hands itched with the urge to cup your face. to caress the plushness of your cheeks. to trace the sweetness of your features.
that was definitely his cue to leave the room. not if he wanted to do something extremely stupid.
carefully, making sure you wouldn’t wake up from your slumber, diluc brought the strand of hair he was playing with to his lips, closing his eyes, as if to cherish the moment a bit longer.
you threw a quick glance to the presence by your side, all the feelings you had stored in the depths of your heart crawling up your neck and painting your cheeks in shades of shyness. you prayed that he didn’t catch the shortness of your breath, shutting your eyes closed almost as fast as you had opened them.
it took everything within you to not move or dare speak up, waiting until the person you were so infatuated with had finally stepped out of the storage room.
and it took everything within diluc to not step back into that damn room, leaning against the door as he shut it behind him. cluelessly staring into nothing as both your hearts raced in unison.
he knew your patience ran thin every time you could spot his ginger hair somewhere in the crowd - and how easy was it to spot when he was the only one in the damn school with such a fiery hair color.
it was so easy to get on your nerves and ajax loved nothing else more than watching your cheeks burn red with anger – maybe embarrassment – as you found the most creative ways to insult him without ever letting a single swear word slip past your lips.
you were so cute, he thought, craning your neck just to glare at him and trying to appear as threatening as you could.
but ajax could only deem every attempt of yours as a failure. you resembled a small angry animal.
“you’re like a kitty,” he had once told you, earning himself a well-deserved slap to his arm.
it wasn’t enough to deter him from continuing, claiming that the way you were so cold yet so affectionate was just so adorable.
nothing was ever enough to deter him from playing with your last nerve.
“aw, c’mon, you must have a crush,” ajax said playfully, looking down at you with that stupid smirk of his.
you didn’t know what brought this on. you didn’t care to know either.
and so, you only rolled your eyes, turning your back to him as you walked away from him.
but of course, the stupid ginger was, as always, following you around in the hallway. it was such a familiar sight to your classmates that none of them dared interfere with your daily banter and disputes (although mostly one-sided).
“i don’t,” you grumbled under your breath, mourning the peace you had been dreaming about since, well, this morning.
God forbid a girl wants to eat alone.
and besides, there was absolutely no way in hell you were ever going to admit to ajax of all people that you were hopelessly in love with him.
that your stupid heart beat at the simple sight of him. that every waking moment of yours was spent thinking about him and what you two could be if you would just be more open about your feelings.
“i mean, if you could stop being so mean and stubborn with him, maybe that whole mess would progress,” your friend had told you when you were grumbling about the gingerhead.
and of course, you ignored her advice.
it was just too scary, you reasoned. what if he didn’t reciprocate your feelings? what if the constant teasing and nagging and clinging to your side was nothing but a pastime for him?
“liar,” ajax said in a sing-song voice, bringing you back to the present moment.
he nearly bumped into you when you stopped walking.
“you’re a terrible liar,” he teased, watching with amusement how you needed a second to close your eyes, take a deep breath before turning around to, once again, glare at him.
so cute.
“what do you even know, tartaglia?” you spat back at him, folding your arms over your chest.
you hated him.
how his pretty looks had your mind reeling. and the teasing tone in his voice was enough to make you want to puke your guts out. you felt too much around him, a whirlwind of anger and longing and irritation and yearning.
“even if i had one,” you added, cocking your eyebrow mockingly at him, “you’re not even close to finding out.”
you tilted your chin up, almost defyingly.
and you’ve never looked sweeter to ajax.
your heart stopped beating for a dangerous second when a low chuckle spilled past ajax’s lips, making your expression falter for a split second.
your ears burned red with embarrassment at your reaction.
so mortifying, you thought, getting affected by such a small thing.
seemingly, ajax wasn’t satisfied with simply toying with your very sanity using a few words and glances.
seemingly, ajax had decided to take his little game a step further.
a huge step further.
he pushed onto your shoulder lightly, his arm snaking around your waist, preventing you from falling backwards and successfully trapping you between his taller frame and the wall behind you.
you found yourself speechless, unable to even form a single thought.
your eyes were as wide as saucers, cheeks hot and scorching.
ajax could have sworn this was the cutest expression he’d ever seen you wear since you’ve met one another.
and his face was just so, so close to yours you could count the constellation of freckles on his dusty pink cheeks. it was so easy to notice how long his lashes were, how soft his lips seemed to be. and you wondered if they tasted as sweet as they looked for a split second.
noticing where your gaze went, ajax could only huff out a laugh, his finger caressing your red cheek.
you flinched a little, your usually irritated expression melting into a shyer one as a taunting whisper slithered its way into your mind.
with his yearly magic shows during school festivals since middle school, his popularity and how easygoing he was, lyney was quite literally born to be on stage. his ability to keep the crowd on its toes with his breathtaking stages and thrilling performances was truly commendable and his number of admirers never ceased to increase.
lyney was good with words as well. flowery words spilled past the barrier of his lips like second nature, captivating the crowd with both his honeyed voice and his pretty face, leaving them speechless and - almost like hypnosis - prompting them to give him nothing but a standing ovation at the end of each and every show he gave.
lyney, despite his incredible talents, was, at the moment, wordless.
this year’s school festival has come to an end, the last hours reserved to the students only. while the sun burned away in the horizon to leave its place for the moon, the guests left the school grounds. a campfire burned in the yard, music flowing through the chilly night air. while couples and friends danced around the flames burning away, lonelier souls gathered together a bit afar from the light to discuss this year’s events and reminisce on the fun they had or missed out on.
on the rooftop, lyney stood before you, eyes wandering anywhere but towards your figure. he looked at the night sky, gazed at the stars with anxiety swimming in his lavender pools. his hands were a bit clammy - a sensation he wasn’t used to. he shouldn’t be nervous, he told himself. it wasn’t the first time he felt this way around you though.
sweaty palms, racing heart, shortness of breath, nervousness and butterflies flocking around the pit of his stomach. all of the symptoms pointed towards lovesickness.
well, lovesickness was a bit dramatic.
lyney was smitten, more accurately.
he caught the love bug as his sister, lynette, had put bluntly while they were rehearsing a couple of weeks ago.
but it felt like a fever. spending his dreams with you until he woke up confused and alone in his bed, staring up at the ceiling with shame covering his cheeks in shades of red. your name spiraling in his mind until he was too dizzy to focus on his homework.
lyney thought that the far-fetched words people used to describe him would be more believable if they were employed to talk about you instead.
bewitching, enthralling, enchanting, mesmerizing, charming- and the list went on and on.
so, spellbound and forced into silence by your presence, lyney could only stare at the sky to avoid your eyes in fear of falling into a pit he’d never find his way out of. not that he really minded, if he thought about it a bit longer.
“lyney?” terrible choice of words.
the magician caught his bottom lip between his teeth, his ears tingling as the melodious sound of your voice reached them. his name sounded so sweet on your lips. and he wondered if they could be sweeter.
he shook his head, feeling heat slowly crawling up his neck.
“i’m sorry i-” a gulp. a pause.
what was he even supposed to say? magically make his heart appear in the palm of his hands and offer it to you? maybe he should’ve simply sent you a letter with a dove he could make appear with a simple flick of his fingers. perhaps a small letter and his signature rainbow rose on your desk would have sufficed.
but now that he was trapped here with you, lyney decided to simply clutch onto the last threads of his courage, finally uttering the three little, heavy words.
as if on cue, fireworks erupted behind him, casting pink and orange lights over your confused expression and he cursed yoimiya at the back of his mind.
“what was that?” you asked, tilting your head to the side with a small chuckle, “i didn’t get a word.”
it was no secret to anyone that you had a crush on xiao.
well, maybe only the star basketball player of your high school had no idea of the feelings you bore for him.
he wasn’t dense per se. in fact, he was not only an amazing athlete but he also scored amongst the top grades in the entire campus, second only to albedo.
yet, he didn’t seem to have caught onto your very obvious infatuation for him. he was used to having girls flocking around him during his practices and breaks, barely addressing any of them and it sometimes led you to think that he probably viewed you the same way.
you shook your head, trying to get those thoughts out.
you had an advantage : not only were you best friends with his step-sister, hu tao, but you also became friends with him! something hu tao had to reiterate to you a couple hundred times because he doesn’t bother with people he doesn’t care about, so you might actually have a chance with him!
with those thoughts in mind, and a little smile curling your lips up, you walked into the gymnasium where the high school’s team was practicing for an upcoming inter-school tournament.
you swung around your little bag, filled with cookies you had baked this morning before almost missing your bus.
not wanting to be too obvious about your intentions (although everyone in the damn club knew the reason behind your diligent attendance to their practice), you made sure to pack enough for the whole team – and even for the coach!
the air was a little colder as winter was approaching and you started regretting not wearing the scarf your mom was chastising you about for the past week. the only excuse you had found to not wear the ridiculously long neckerchief was because ‘it wouldn’t match the aesthetic of my fit mom!’
exasperated, especially since said ‘fit’ was just your school uniform styled in a cuter way, she had only rolled her eyes and let you go. at least, if you ever caught a cold, it’d be during the upcoming holidays.
you hummed a happy tune, joyfully ignoring the little voice screaming in your head that you probably should go back home and study for your midterms that would take place in less than two weeks rather than waste your time trying to woo the unwoo-able.
as you pushed the doors open, the sounds of sneakers hitting the linoleum floor became clearer.
you could spot the team’s coach, beidou, blow into her whistle when venti messed up yet again, pulling a smile on your lips.
it didn’t take too long for you to spot xiao, in the background as usual, observing everything that was taking place on the terrain before making any move.
he was very calculating in his actions, never jumping in the face of anything before taking a second to think it through – and he was a quick-thinker, easily making decisions that have always brought his team to victory.
he wasn’t the team’s best player for nothing, often going toe to toe with scaramouche who was just as competitive, making the practice matches a bit more passionate and a bit more intense than they should be.
it worked in their favor though, attracting students from all classes to their training sessions and, eventually, to their matches, keeping the club and its reputation amongst other schools alive.
you looked away when a pair of amber eyes caught yours, boring into you in such a destabilizing way, it nearly had you tripping over nothing.
you spotted the bench next to the coach, deciding that maybe you should take a seat and share some sweets with her.
but of course, nothing happened as planned. and everything occurred in such a fast-paced way you could barely register all of it.
the only thing you were able to process was the arm wrapped tightly around your waist, the toned chest you were pressed against, the way xiao was glaring at venti – who only offered a wink, sticking his tongue out while scratching the back of his head as an apology – as a basketball laid in his hand, the sound of the impact resonating around the gymnasium.
the bag in your hands had fallen to the floor unbeknownst to you and you could hear a pin drop from how silent everyone was, big eyes staring at the both of you.
“are you okay?” xiao finally asked you.
and maybe you were crazy but it was almost as if his eyes had softened and his tone was laced with concern.
stupidly, you nodded without a sound.
the star player smiled down at you, huffing out a small laugh at the cute expression on your face. and you were way too enamored to even care about your crumbled cookies.
scaramouche has never been this irritated in his life.
the simple sound of heizou’s stupid voice had him clenching his teeth and his fingers gripping at the pen in his hand hard enough to almost bend and break it. and the sound of your laughter following whatever that dumb red-head was saying didn’t help his case.
“y’look like you’re about to kill someone,” mona commented, looking up from the report they were working on.
scara didn’t reply, simply rolling his eyes – whether at her or the scene occurring behind her, it didn’t matter. he should be focusing on his group project. he should be wrapping up his part of the report so they could put everything together and hand it to their history teacher.
but despite his best effort, he couldn’t help the way his eyes were drawn to your direction, how claws dug their way up his ribcage and grabbed ahold of his heart and squeezed.
hard enough to puncture it.
it felt childish, really, how he was always left with a bitter taste whenever he spotted you walking alongside the bane of his very existence. ever since professor zhongli took the liberty of forming the groups himself, and ever since you had befriended heizou, kunikuzushi couldn’t help the whirlwind of emotions crashing onto him.
he didn’t like how close the two of you have gotten, didn’t like how it was so easy for heizou to have you smile and laugh, how you were practically glowing around him.
most of all, he didn’t like the way the very sight of the two of you together had a lump forming in his throat, feelings crawling up to the tip of his tongue, ready to spill them out at your feet.
he wasn’t sure what it was. anger and irritation and sadness and-
“you’re jealous,” kazuha commented after observing his friend for the past half hour.
“what!?”
scara’s exclamation drew attention from all of their classmates – from you – as well as their teacher who had been busy sipping on his coffee and grading some papers. ashamed of his outburst, he muttered a small apology before lowering his head into his arm, glaring up at his platinum-haired friend, who was sitting next to him.
said-friend simply shrugged his shoulders, smiling down innocently like he didn’t just open the doors of realization that scaramouche was stubbornly keeping closed and locked.
and maybe it was because scaramouche had never been the most patient person to walk this planet, or perhaps it was the way his stomach turned and churned when he caught heizou pushing a strand of hair behind your ear. he didn’t really care how he even found the courage to do something about how he was feeling. all he cared about was your hand in his and finally, finally, hearing your voice calling it out to him.
it was so easy to see how confused you were, eyebrows scrunched together as you called out to your friend, wondering what the hell was up with him this time.
you weren’t blind, nor deaf. you had noticed how nasty he was being to your group project partner, how he commented on everything he said or did, how he glared in his direction any chance he would get.
and while you weren’t one or the other, you were certainly dense because you had no clue why kunikuzushi would even act this way for no reason.
“what the hell, kuni!” you yelled, stumbling on your feet as he dragged you to the back of the school, not uttering out a single word the entire time.
the sun was already setting, barely anyone roaming the hallways of the establishment, let alone the courtyards and gymnasium. it felt like it was just the both of you left.
“what is wrong with you!?” you asked again, this time even louder, glaring at the back facing you.
you heard a sigh coming from him as he turned around and was about to protest about his attitude. but the look he gave you, the hurt flashing in the depths of those indigo pools of his, the vulnerability painted all over his porcelain-like features nailed you in place. rendered you speechless. and you wondered for a second if you weren’t being too harsh with him. if, maybe, you’d soften up your demeanor, he’d open up to you this time around.
“i should be the one asking you that,” scaramouche muttered back, hurt turning to anger, his defenses shooting up from the ground, the crack he had opened up for you sealed tight once again.
as he finally came to a stop, his hand that was wrapped around your wrist pulled you, making you stumble on your feet. your face bumped onto his chest, a small pained noise escaping you.
before you could begin to complain, kunikuzushi spoke up again.
“what’s up with you and that dumb red-head, anyways?” he questioned, the irritation in his voice noticeable.
he didn’t let you respond to him, didn’t let you follow up with the snarky remarks that could rival his own. something inside him was about to burst, something he couldn’t hold back anymore. he couldn’t handle the idea of losing you to anyone, couldn’t bear the thought that the feelings he had been harboring all of these years for you were in vain.
and kunikuzushi wasn’t stupid. he wasn’t dumb. he’s seen the way you looked at him. there was no mistaking the affection in your gaze, the gentleness in your words (at least, when you weren’t butting heads), the tenderness of your touch, although rare.
you handled his heart with such care, like it was precious to you.
“when are you going to finally pay attention to me!?” kunikuzushi exploded, his voice loud enough to scare the little birds perched atop the trees surrounding the school building.
the sudden outburst had your eyes widen in shock, looking at him like he’s grown a second head. you were met with a look mirroring yours, shock written on your friend’s features like he hadn’t expected those words to tumble out of his mouth. the back of his hand came up to his face, covering the bottom half of it in an attempt to hide the shame that had his cheeks burn red.
yet he didn’t back away, didn’t let up.
“what the hell, kuni!” you yelled back at him again, feeling embarrassment crawl up your neck as well.
it was almost comical, the way the both of you were just yelling back and forth, as if the volume of your voices would ever be able to mask the vulnerability spilling out of the cracks of the useless walls you had built around yourselves.
“do you… do you like me or somethin’?” you asked after a few beats of silence.
kuni didn’t answer, simply blinking dumbly at you.
he opened his mouth, before closing it.
he tried again, but his voice didn’t come out, yet again.
instead, his eyebrows furrowed, the furious blush coloring his cheeks spreading all the way to his ears and down his neck.
cute.
“shut the hell up,” he muttered, turning his back to you. and yet, despite his words, his hand slid down your wrist, fingers intertwined with yours, deciding that, maybe, you two should go home for today.
you didn’t say anything back, following along, looking down at your hands, a little self-satisfied smile playing along your lips as you heard him whisper his answer to you, as if the quietness of his voice would prevent his feelings from reaching you.
not that you’d blurt them out at any given chance or that you’d spill your friends’ secrets when they weren’t around, no. you just happened to be an extremely open book, so easy to read with a simple glance. while you hated it, your friends thought it was a cute trait, how honest and how incapable of lying you were.
you’d disagree with them if they weren’t so stubborn.
you hated how you were never able to hide anything from your parents as a kid – and even now. how you couldn’t lie about not doing your homework to your teachers. and you especially despised how you couldn’t do anything about your feelings spilling out of you before you could utter a word out.
it just so happened that kaedehara kazuha was especially perceptive. it just so happened that he was very much observant. and it just so happened that he found you particularly interesting to watch.
the first time you had piqued his interest was due to your clumsiness.
you were running in the hallways while a member of the disciplinary committee yelled at you for doing that. but you couldn’t care less. you were late to your club activity and the president, albedo, had warned you enough times for you to fear for your life despite his usual kind behavior.
without noticing, you had bumped into kazuha, dropping a few art supplies as you did so.
“oh my- i’m so sorry,” you had scrambled to apologize, awkwardly half-bowing, half-trying to get to the floor and pick up your tubes of paint and brushes.
a simple chuckle had answered your apology before you realized who exactly you had bumped into in your hurriedness. and a simple look up had you meeting eyes with amused crimson ones, hand extended to hand you a brush.
blinking a few times, you had cleared your throat before grabbing ahold of the supply, your fingertips tingling as they brushed against his, the heat of the graze traveling through your arm, crawling up your neck and nestling in the apples of your cheeks.
kazuha had noticed how you couldn’t utter a single word out, eyes catching onto the way your lips parted in failed attempts to thank him before you closed them, deciding to focus your energy on collecting your items. he hadn’t commented on it, helping you and telling you to be careful before watching you leave, running in the hallway while keqing yelled behind you to not do that, once again, to kazuha’s amusement.
safe to say albedo was not pleased with your late arrival.
the second time he questioned his feelings, kazuha knew he was not so indifferent to you.
that day, he had stolen the chance away from hu tao – who was torn between hating him for keeping you away from her, and feeling happy for you to finally get closer to your crush – to pair up with you, this time in home ec class. and for this class, you were making brownies.
given your skills in baking, and your love for it, you had taken it upon yourself to do most of the job. not that you hated it, really, quite the opposite. and kazuha, accepting his fate of washing dishes and preparing the dish for the batter, didn’t mind watching you do something that you were passionate about.
you looked adorable, blabbering about random facts about how to make the perfect fudgy brownies, discarding the terrible recipe your teacher had given you (your words, not his). while he adored the shyness in the way you interacted with him – cruelly enough – he couldn’t help but prefer this more comfortable, carefree version of you.
you weren’t as self-conscious in his presence, weren’t as fidgety.
“want some?” you had interrupted his train of thoughts, extending a wooden spoon coated in chocolate.
he accepted it with a smile, noting the little stain on the side of your mouth. noting the trace your lips had left on the utensil. noting how realization slowly morphed on your face as his own lips wrapped around the chocolate-coated spoon.
the remainder of the class, the way you’d keep some distance between the both of you wasn’t lost on him. nor was the way you’d shift on your feet, unable to stand still. or how you couldn’t meet his eyes.
and kazuha wasn’t sure which version he preferred anymore.
the third time, kazuha wished he wasn’t such a coward.
befriending you wasn’t the hard part. going up to you in class whenever the teachers would require you to form groups, to your absolute bewilderment and friends’ surprise. or finding excuses to talk to you. pairing up with you during P.E class before hu tao could even think of getting with you.
you didn’t mind, not at all. he was easy to talk to, carrying conversations most of the time and recounting stories of his travels, no thanks to his very adventurous adoptive mother, beidou. and while you prided yourself in knowing a lot about him, it was to your great surprise that you discovered how he’d take the same subway as you.
which wasn’t true, he’d started taking it only to spend more time with you, although it was a longer way back home.
but you didn’t need to know that.
on a particularly busy evening, the both of you found yourself at the back of the train, your back against the cold surface while kazuha was holding onto the metal bar next to your head for dear life. the constant push, push, push, of the people behind him had led you both to your current predicament.
you hadn’t dared look up for too long, eyes suddenly finding the tie of his uniform very much interesting.
red, like his eyes, that were boring into you. like the color of embarrassment spreading all the way to your ears.
your eyes followed the fabric up to the collar of his white shirt. up to the way his throat bobbed, nervous. up to meet his eyes and find him already staring back at you. you had noted the quiet intensity behind them, the slight nervousness in his chuckle, the pink hue his ears had taken, hidden behind strands of platinum.
but before you could allow yourself to even fantasize about your feelings being reciprocated, a strong shove from behind him had him fumble to find some support, his hand crashing beside your head, your face shooting up only to find his a bare inch away from yours.
time came to a stop for a second. a shaky breath spilled past your parted mouth. you felt the brush of his lips against the edge of yours. whether he did it on purpose or not, you didn’t have the functioning brain cells to figure out anyway.
kazuha could swear he felt the flutter of your lashes against his burning skin as you looked at him and away and at him and away and he was so tempted to just cup your face and keep you still. but he didn’t do none of that. he didn’t let the moment linger for more than necessary before he found support on his legs, standing straight once again.
as if on cue, the train emptied out a bit, allowing him to take a few steps back. his fingers found his tie, pulling it down, weirdly unable to breathe comfortably despite the space left by the leaving passengers.
“sorry about that,” he apologized, offering you a kind smile.
you didn’t answer, weren’t able to. if you so much as opened your mouth, you’d just tell him about how you wished he hadn’t stepped away, regardless of the public setting you were in. you’d just spill out how you wished he had taken the leap.
and for once, kazuha was too busy simmering in his own mortification to notice the dejected look on your face.
A drabble i made back in march about a mind reading!reader and a pathetic yearning loser childe
notes — *italics for thoughts
"You're avoiding me."
You do nothing but avoid his eye contact, trying to let go of the grip he has on you. But he noticed and tightens his grip Don't run away from me again.
"....I've been busy." No you haven't.
"No you haven't." Oh hey that's what you just thought.
"Did...You find out..? Is that why you're avoiding me?" he looks at you. Do you hate the idea of me being in love with you that much.
His thoughts stab into your guilty conscience. "I..Um. May have known from the beginning." Silence from Childe's end. However not very similar, are his thoughts.
How!? Did Xiao tell them. Was I really that obvious. DID HE TELL THEM ABOUT THE SONGS—
"Please stop thinking." He blinks at your words. His normally crowded mind is finally quiet since the first time you met him. "Xiao didn't tell me anything, and you weren't too obvious." Childe's brows are furrowed, you watch his expression shift from shock to understanding as he puts the pieces together. "Did you...read my mind...?"
This time it's your turn to be silent. You only nod, with eyes averted away. The overwhelming guilt that you've held since developing this power envelops you.
"I'm really sorry, it's incredibly intrusive of me. And I don't really know how to NOT do it so I couldn't help it. I understand if you think it's freaky of me to be knowing your secrets—"
I told my friends I'd gladly write a 5000 word essay on how beautiful you are when you smile.
"W..What?"
I bought clothes online that are couples special because I imagine us wearing them on dates
"Childe!"
I didn't come in on Valentine's day because i got so excited about giving you chocolates, That I couldn't sleep the whole night and passed out till noon.
"YOU WHAT?"
"You really can read my mind." Childe finally speaks.
"You tested me by airing out all your embarrassing secrets? You really have no shame Childe."
He only grins at that, with red visibly tinting his cheeks It is embarrassing, so much that I want to bury myself alive. But that means you know how serious I am about you. He grabs your hand, it's warm. The sound of his heart and real voice overlaps.
"I wouldn't be able to hide it from you forever. I like you a lot, [name]."
He was so foolish. How could his intoxicated self say such things to you! How would he ever face you now!
notes - alhaitham & diluc ragvindr, mentions of alcohol, drunk confessions and how they reacted the next day
part 2 here
Alhaitham
For the longest time your impression of the Acting Grand Sage remained the same, efficient.
The man did not waste time on meaningless chit-chat, he only needed you to finish your job and that was that. Most would find him stiff and unfriendly, however you simply saw it as him setting apart his work and personal life, so you respected it. You never bothered to attempt small conversations while working under him, and neither did he. You thought both you and Alhaitham were content with that.
"I saw you carry some books earlier, you like reading? What kind?" But for some reason, you find your boss here, drunk out of his mind, face as red as steamed shrimp, and bombarding you with question after question regarding your... interests??
"Are you interested in botany? I've seen you tend to the plants in the akademiya." ??? You came thirty minutes earlier than work hour to do that, when the hell did he notice? Actually how the hell did you even get here? All you wanted to do was pick up your wasted friend, when suddenly your hand was pulled by your drunk boss and he started interviewing you like you were a TV show guest.
"Actually, what are you even doing here?" Shouldn't you be asking HIM that??? Once again, before you could comprehend what happened, he asks you another question. "Should I order you a drink? Which one do you like?" You fail to hold in your bewildered look, the intoxicated man fails to notice though, more interested in your lack of answer "Do you not drink then...? I'll keep that in mind for the future." In what world could he possibly store that information for.
You notice how wobbly he is and practically on the brink of passing out. He propped himself up on a stool in order not to fall. You never thought you would ever see this side of him, let alone show any interest towards you personally. You always thought he was the type to keep everyone at arms length, but tonight has proven you wrong in ways you could have never thought of.
"Oh, that reminds me... What is your opinion on flowers for a first d-" Panicking and overwhelmed by his constant queries, you end up simply covering his mouth to stop him from talking. Surprisingly it is effective, he has finally stopped talking.
Or maybe that's because he fell asleep mid question.
"HAITHAM!! WHY WOULD THIS IDIOT FALL ASLEEP HERE” The frustrated screaming from Kaveh was the last thing Alhaitham heard.
—
When Alhaitham woke up, he tried to close his eyes again in an attempt to convince himself it was only a dream. After his failed effort, he goes to curse out the barely awake Kaveh, immediately resulting in another one of their quarrels. Only while pondering at work does he realize, that he actually said such things to you. And the shame finally kicks in.
Alhaitham has always been the type to push away his feelings, he sees it as a major setback. A weakness that he can easily brush off and hold little importance, especially compared to his current concerns about work.
And your presence proves to be just that as thoughts of you take over his daily life and hinder his efficiency. He’s sick of you constantly plaguing his mind, and keeping him awake at nights. He needs to put a stop to it.
His best method for that was to build distance between you two, he minimized his interaction with you without obstructing his job, and repressed his feelings as much as possible. But instead of fading away, it only grows like a stubborn plant, rooting further in his heart. He became more curious of you, wanting to cherish every part of you. And the dam finally broke after a few glasses of liquor.
All that effort he put in only to be wasted in a single night, he's already imagining how grossed out you probably felt by his clear show of his fondness for you.
"I...do apologize for my behavior last night, I hadn't meant for you to see that side of me." He has his head bowing as low as possible in order to avoid your face, as if it would somehow alleviate the pain of your disgusted expression directed towards him.
You don't do that though. "It's okay, sir. I completely understand, I've felt the exact same way after all" Alhaitham freezes at that, immediately looks back up at you, who is flashing your dazzling smile that pulled him in the first place.
"You do...?" He asks you, eyes sparkling and hopeful, butterflies fluttering in his stomach. He can't help the excitement he feels at your words. Could it be that you felt the same way about him?
"Yeah, I know the feeling of being lonely after focusing on work so much. I think we should hang out more! Along with the other coworkers to improve our bond." That hopeful look in his eyes was immediately replaced by disappointment, the giddy feeling that was rising in him immediately plummeted. He shouldn't have expected anything after all, you implying his loneliness only added more salt to the wound. It is hopeless for him.
"Unfortunately, the others mentioned being quite busy outside work, so it might just be the two of us most of the time."
…Well, perhaps it is not so hopeless. He should probably prepare some flowers to bring.
Diluc Ragvindr
It's an extremely rare occurrence for the dark knight to indulge in alcohol. Diluc doesn’t have the kind of lifestyle where he is allowed to simply ‘let loose’. However he was still a Monstadt citizen at heart, it had been a rough day, and your pleading face still remains his biggest weakness.
“Come on, it’s not often you get a moment to relax. I’ll help handle things for you.” You say it with such sincerity and care, how was he supposed to be anything but helpless under your stare. He shifts uncomfortably, but still grabs the glass of wine you offered to him.
However, you never expected to see such clinginess coming from Diluc, he was glued to your side the whole night. Kaeya teased that prying him away from you was equal to separating a chick from its mother (You did not appreciate him comparing you to a hen)
And god forbid any other people talked to you, Diluc would give them deadly stares while constantly tugging at you. He demanded your full attention at all times.
"Y/N..." Diluc calls out your name like he's known it his whole life. Soft and familiar. You thought you were going to combust right then and there when he said your name again, but in a whisper, as if it was a secret between the two of you.
His face was comically red, almost resembling his hair. He has to hold your hand just to keep his balance steady (and honestly, you were unwilling to let go). Who would've expected the man behind Dawn Winery could be affected by alcohol so easily.
"I'm here, I'm here. No need to keep calling out my name." Diluc does not appreciate your teasing, shown by his small pout.
"I like saying your name, I feel like I can depend on it."
"I appreciate your trust in me, however I think you give me too much credit." You laugh him off. "I'm not as great as you make me out to be." Somehow that pissed him off even more. He squeezed your hand in his hold and redirected it to cup his face, eyes still staring you down, however it seemed...soft? Just when you thought he couldn't get more out of character.
"Y/N." There it is again, he mutters your name like it was fate that brought him to you.
"You're an amazing person. I've always admired your courage of being unapologetically yourself. Your outstanding personality has kept my heart captive for as long as I could remember. It hurts me to see you sell yourself so short."
He was surprisingly eloquent for someone so intoxicated. A grin was visible on him this time, clearly proud of what he just said, or maybe he was just trying to reassure you. Nevertheless, it left you speechless.
Before you could say anything in response, he passed out.
—
Diluc woke up the next day to a headache, and an onslaught of memories from last night rushing back to his brain. Fuck.
He never meant to pressure you with his emotions in any way, he thought if he buried it deep enough it would disappear. Yet some measly drinks managed to not only dig it up but multiply it by tenfold. The fact that his biggest regret right now is not having you by his side is incredibly concerning.
He couldn't handle the embarrassment of facing you after how he acted that night, so he did what any normal adult person would do. Avoid you entirely.
"Honestly, can't you be a little more subtle about trying to avoid Y/N." Kaeya teases him. Diluc, who has holed himself up in his office responds with a glare. But, even though he would never admit it, Kaeya was right. He was too obvious.
He would find an excuse to exit a room as soon as he spots you, he's avoiding all your favorite spots to prevent any encounters. Even stopped coming to angel's tavern to do temporary bartender work. He does not want you to feel at fault for his behavior, but the idea of facing you after acting in an embarrassing manner in front of you, eats him up from the inside.
The elusive red-haired man was starting to get on your nerves. Honestly how does he expect you to act like nothing happened after all the things he said that night! Determined to find answers, you finally managed to corner him. With the help of a certain reckless deity—who lured Diluc into a closet in Angel's Tavern, then "accidentally" locking you and Diluc in together.
The stoic man was, for once, avoiding eye contact. the memory of his confession that night fill his mind.
"Diluc" he flinches at the sound of your voice, you call for his name as if you were about to burst in anger. Now not only is he full of embarrassment, but also guilt. He doesn't respond, but finally turns his head to look at you, despite how hot his cheeks were burning.
"Diluc." You say his name again, this time your tone was soft and reassuring, the tension in his shoulders relaxes at the sound of it.
"I-I'm sorry."
"...For what?"
What do you mean for what? The clueless look you give him breaks the dam he's kept in his head. "For everything! For getting us stuck here, for avoiding you this past month, for- that night..."
It's the first time you've seen Diluc so vulnerable, he's showing so many new sides that he never wanted you to see. He feels pathetic, he couldn't keep his feelings in check and now he has left the burden of his admiration to you. He couldn't begin to imagine the hatred you must've held for him.
Yet here you are cupping his face, your gentle smile graces him. Diluc's greed urges him to nestle into the warmth of your hands. Despite the lack of alcohol in his body, he still feels the need to be honest one more time.
“I love you. So much that it pains me. Please, forgive me for my selfishness.” He internally begs you to not answer just yet, leave him to enjoy this moment of being in your embrace. He’s not quite ready for the bitter reality just yet.
"You don't have to apologize, Diluc. I'm rather pleased with this outcome.” But instead, you granted him bliss.
Please, won't you ignore the musings of this drunken man? For the sake of his own pride? No seriously, he’s begging you to just pretend it never happened.
notes — kaedehara kazuha and wanderer/scaramouche, drunken confessions, contains swear words 😱😱 super yapper drunk kazuha, clingy drunk wanderer
part 1 here
Kaedehara Kazuha
The last thing you wanted to be woken up by at 3AM in the morning, is a call for help. Specifically help to pick up a certain drunk individual, after an incredibly chaotic party hosted by the most chaotic pirate you know.
Despite every part of your body begging you to return to your peaceful slumber, you couldn't help but worry. You’re well aware of his lack of skill in handling liquor, bowever it was not because he wouldn't be able to handle himself, in fact you were worried about the opposite. Last time he drank, you found him practically holding three guys hostage to lecture them on how haiku and literature impacted Inazuma’s cultural history.
(They swore they saw halo lights float above you when you came to pick Kazuha up)
So reluctantly you fight every fiber of your being to get out of bed, grab your coat, and come to rescue some poor unfortunate souls who have become drunk Kazuha’s victims for the night.
—
“I’ve exhausted every method Beidou has taught me, yet until this day I receive no sign of reciprocation.” Kazuha’s face is flushed red, incredibly busy babbling to the unwilling listeners in front of him. They don't even get the chance to respond before he continues once more.
“Do you think that perhaps I’ve been too subtle…? However I felt that I couldn't have been more obvious, they are incredibly intelligent, I’m sure they would've figured it out. What do you think my friend? As travelers I’m sure you know your way around this better than I do. Oh but—” “AARGHH PAIMON THINKS YOU TALK TOO MUCH!!” Aether pats Paimon’s back in reassurance, he has a feeling that both he and Paimon have stepped into an inescapable trap. The irritation bubbling up from the small creature’s statement does not reach Kazuha, who is too lost in his own thoughts.
“Talk too much…Do you think they prefer the silent type…?” Kazuha’s mind goes back to the time you returned from a trip to Liyue bringing stories of admiration about a silent guardian of Liyue called Xiao. Which left him in a sour mood all day and a lingering hate for the Yaksha.
“Maybe I should start taking a vow of silence?”
“I think that’d be best for the night.” You chime in as you stand by their table, quietly pushing aside his glass.
One look and you could already tell how drained both Aether and Paimon were becoming. It seems everyone else avoided Kazuha for the night and forgot to warn the newcomers of his long-winded rants.
“[Name]!” Kazuha goes to hug you, he looks at you with mirth in his crinkled eyes and an excited grin breaking out of his face.
“I’ve missed you.” You fight the urge to squeeze his cheek in front of guests.
Cemented in place by an affectionate Kazuha, you simply address the traveler from where you stood. Who is looking at you with a look of gratefulness. “I apologize for his behavior, he gets a tad bit chatty when intoxicated.”
“Tad bit is an understatement.” Paimon sassily responds. “He spent half an hour practically talking to himself, and here Paimon thought Paimon was the chatterbox!” Aether hits her head and tells her to not be rude. You chuckle at their banter, before Kazuha tugs at your clothing to grab your attention.
“M’dizzy…” he mutters. Reluctantly, you release the tight hold he has on you, immediately noticing the lack of warmth afterwards. “I’ll go get us some water, okay? Stay here.” “But I wanna go with you…” The pout on his face almost successfully melts you. Almost.
“Kazuha you can hardly stand as is. Just wait here with Aether and Paimon, I’ll be back in a jiffy.” He's reluctant to release you for a minute, before finally nodding and wobbling back to his seat (You do not see it—too preoccupied with trying to get the alcohol out of Kazuha’s system, but Aether does, Aether notices that the white haired—extremely intoxicated—friend of his is devastated to be separated from you once more. Perhaps, out of pity, or just pure good will, he decides to help Kazuha.
“You should tell them directly.”
“Whuh?” Paimon fails to understand what he’s saying, but despite Kazuha’s tipsy state, he quickly catches on to what Aether means.
“I…Am scared of losing them, the connection we have now feels comfortable.”
“Then Captain Beidou’s advice-”
“Captain’s plan was to help me express my feelings without impacting our dynamic.” Aether doesn't respond, inviting Kazuha to continue further.
“As a wanderer, I chose to release plenty of things in my life, I rarely have something constant in my life, what we have now, it is safe and unchanging. If it comes to it, I do not think I could handle losing them.”
Before Aether could respond, you return with a jug of water. Demanding Kazuha to drink up the whole thing, which was met with a whine from him.
“Alright Kazuha, I think it's best that I take you home now.” Kazuha nods, feeling tired enough to comply with anything you say. Aether takes his chance to say one last thing to him.
“You need to get it out of your system. Sometimes, change can be good. Besides I doubt [Name] would ever leave you.”
“What did you guys talk about?”
“Making sure Kazuha doesn't make a dumb decision.”
Kazuha’s quiet the entire trip back. You’re unsure of what he and Aether talked about but since then he’s been deep in thought, his worry lines becoming more prominent every time you glance at him. Usually during his drunken state, he would babble about anything that comes to his mind, and though you always begged him to shut up before, now his silence becomes the cause of your concern.
“You alright Kazuha?” You ask after his umpteenth sigh. He must’ve not realized that his turmoil was obvious, he was so caught of guard by your question that he stopped walking, you end up stopping too.
But he recovers with a smile. “Nothing you should worry about [Name]” But then he’s silent again, this time staring at you as if he's realized something.
“Uhh..Are you sure..?” He steps closer to you, then gently grabs your hand. You feel your heart rate spiking the longer he stared at you. “Do you need me to pick you up?” “No! I just-”
“Just…?”
“I like you. A lot. Since that time you helped to dress my wounds. Actually maybe it was longer than that, but your pretty smile back then made me realize that I may have liked you as more than a friend. Of course I don't just like you for your looks—for example, you’re incredibly kind and understanding towards anyone you interact with, yet stern when you need to be. Your fighting spirit is inspiring, you never let anything hold you back and—”
“Okay I get it!”
You cover his mouth before he could embarass you anymore with his rambles, you thought he may have sobered up, but it's clear that the alcohol is still affecting his system.
“I’m sorry, please ignore that. I’ll be sure to forget it tomorrow. Aether said I needed to get it out of my system.” Kazuha’s face is hot, his heart is beating a mile a minute, and he can't bare to look at your face. And–oh god he’s feeling woozy too.
Then suddenly everything went dark.
—
He wakes up to the familiar scent of Hibiscus, flower that he knows you like. He opens his eyes to find a room that he always finds himself in whenever he's hungover, your room. The pounding of his head greets him, then the memories of what he did last night.
He has never wanted the earth to swallow him more than he has now. Are you an idiot!? He asks himself. No, he’s worse than an idiot. He’s a lunatic! He might as well have jumped off a cliff last night!
During his self berating, he fails to notice you by the door.
“Hey.” He almost falls of the bed when he heard your voice, his heartbeat is everything but calm. He needs to say something to you, anything.
“Th-thank you for…taking care of me last night.”
“You remember what happened.” You state like it's a fact. “Don't pretend like you don't.” Archons above just kill Kazuha now. He’s far more prepared for death than anything you're about to say to him.
“I truly apologize. I let Aether cloud my judgement last night.” Kazuha internally apologizes for throwing his friend under the bus.
“Did you mean it?”
“Huh?”
“When you said you liked me.” He was hesitant to answer, but slowly nods.
“Why didn't you tell me sooner?”
“I was—am, terrified. Terrified of how you’d react. Terrified of how my selfishness will change me and you. I’m terrified of…losing us. Losing you.” When he looks back at you, it becomes clear that this problem had been eating at him since a long time.
“Kazuha, I…” Here it comes, Kazuha braces himself for the inevitable. It’s alright, he has already made plan b. (Which is to return to the Raiden Shogun and demand her to strike him down a second time)
You lean closer towards him, Kazuha can hear the drumming of his heart in his ears. Just when he thinks you're about to spit in his face, you instead kiss him. “You idiot, why in the world would I leave you? I’d do anything for you, because I like you too.”
He ran countless scenarios of you reciprocating his love in his head, yet none of the sleepless nights he spent thinking of you compared to the reality he faces now.
—
Bonus:
“Why the hell would you listen to BEIDOU for love advice.”
“I thought she was..sharing creative ideas.”
“Kazuha. She can barely handle her– well, whatever it is that she has with Ningguang. What makes you think she's qualified to give love advice?”
Wanderer
The Wanderer is a man of rough exterior, you get it. You heard his story from Nahida, you understand that he has been through a lot of pain and overtime has grown thorns as self defense.
but damn he can be a dick sometimes.
Nahida tasked you with befriending the Wanderer and widening his relations (seeing his lack of social interactions with others). Not wanting to disappoint, you accepted the task immediately, peacefully unaware of the storm that is Wanderer.
You do not know why, but he seems to go out of his way to personally torment you. When you try to be friendly, he brushes off your attempt with curses. He tells you to “get out of his face” often, but when you actually stop, he comes back to you, lecturing about how you’re helpless and is lucky to have his presence to give you directions. And he's made no progress with befriending anyone else, anyone you introduce him to is met with the meanest scowl on his face, and words so ruthless they never want to see him again. He’s utterly hopeless, you think to yourself.
Just when you were about to give up and deliver the bad news to Nahida, a ray of light comes to you in the form of Nilou.
“I have a party going on at the tavern tonight, we’re celebrating our troupe’s anniversary, I’d love to see you there.” Normally you’re not too interested in parties filled with people you barely recognize, before you could reject her, an idea comes to you.
“Say Nilou…Could I bring Wanderer with me?” It must've been obvious what your plan was because she caught on quick.
“Sure! There's plenty of people that will be coming, I’m sure there will be someone suited to his…personality.” You swore you saw Nilou glowing that day.
However you fail to overlook one tiny thing.
You were nursing a glass at one of the booths, conversing with Kaveh, who is giving you a long-winded rant about Alhaithan again. When suddenly someone softly grasps your hand, it’s Wanderer. His face flushed red and eyes glazed over, He’s frowning at both you and Kaveh. you would have never expected him to drink so much for him to reach this state.
“Wanderer…? Is everything alright?”
“No.” is all he says.
*Are you drunk? what's wrong?” You asked, cupping his cheeks for a temperature check, the redness of it was starting to concern you.
“You.” He grunted, as if it needed no elaboration whatsoever. You seriously considered punting him across the room.
“Me? What in the Sevens did I do?”
“You’re always so…smiley. Gives me the creeps.”
“I’m…sorry for smiling too much? I’ll stop doing it around you.”
“No. That's even worse. If you don't smile with me, then that means you don't like me.” ??? He muttered it as if it were common sense. What is he even babbling about right now? (You ignore the flutter in your chest at the thought of Wanderer worried about what you think of him.)
A cough intervenes amidst your conversation, right, Kaveh is still here. The man next to you wasn't too happy with his presence, staring him down with a look that could kill.
“What’re you even doing here? Go away.”
“WHAT! I WAS HERE FIRS—” You give Kaveh a look, one that specifically says please don't fight it, he's not feeling well. He understood, somehow.
“Whatever, I wouldn't want to be near him anyways.” Kaveh retorts before standing up to leave. Wanderer smirks, sticking his tongue out at Kaveh, before he pulls you closer to him, you simply let him. You spoil him too much, a voice in your head tells you, a voice that vaguely reminds you of Nahida.
“I wanna sleep on your lap.”
“What?”
“Your lap. I’m too dizzy, I wanna lie down.” “...Fine.” You would never admit it out loud, but you do spoil him quite a bit.
You both stay that way for a while, the heart caged beneath your ribs pounded as you realize the predicament you’re in. The short-tempered man you’ve been babysitting for months is currently leaning on your lap. Tonight has truly been the strangest version you've seen of Wanderer. The aforementioned man is all quiet, deep in thought with a blank stare on his face. The murmuring of the party crowd was merely white noise to the both of you.
“I seriously don't get you.”
“Huh?”
“Everyone knows I'm a dick. I’m sure you think so too. So why the hell are still here? You don’t need approval from Nahida that badly, you’re talented enough as is. It’s seriously pissing me off.” His question leaves you deep in thought. Perhaps deep down you believed that he also wanted a companion, just like Nahida believed
“You know what you did the first day we met?” Upon hearing your question, he scoffs.
“Yeah. Told you that your efforts are futile.”
“Yep! And you mentioned that I should go home while there's still time.” He widens his eyes at that.
“...I did?”
“You did. Turns out there was rain that day.” He definitely forgot about the interaction, seeing his befuddled expression.
“What's that got to do with anything?”
“I thought so too. Until I realized after the rain that you were warning me. You helped me.” He’s in disbelief at your reasoning
“That’s it? That's your motive to help me?”
“Yeah. Thought that maybe there was still some good in you after all.” You might as well say it, seeing he’s drunk out of his mind right now and won't remember it tomorrow.
“You’ve lived a lonely life, I think you deserve to have some companions like the rest of us.”
The weight on your lap is released, as he goes to sit back up. He stares you down before saying “Whatever. Take me home, I’m still drunk.”
He avoids eye contact with you the whole way home.
—
When you tell the story to Nahida the next day, she seemed eager to hear of it.
“He’s really become fond of you.” Nahida tells you. Finding it hard to believe, you respond with a shrug.
“Probably not, he was super drunk so the liquor might have messed with his mind.” Your statement was met with silence. Nahida was having one of her thinking faces.
“What?”
“It’s just that, could alcohol possibly affect puppets the way it does humans?” You froze. The implications starting to get to you.
“W-well! His face was all red, and he was kind of slurring his words…right?” For some reason you can't tell the details of how it happened. Come to think of it who would even hand him alcohol?
“Of course I was, I still have human qualities you know.” The familiar voice interrupts your train of thought. Wanderer had entered the room, to clear up the misunderstanding it seems.
“I also came to dispose of these papers. They're no use to me.” Then he walks back out.
“I supposed that explains it?” You chuckle, but Nahida doesn't seem too convinced by what Wanderer said.
Outside the door, he sighs and slides down against it. Face as red as it was last night, yet still fully sober. Thank the Sevens. They almost found out.
They know they shouldn't feel this way, especially since you're not even theirs to begin with. But the heart knows what it wants, no matter how much it is denied.
notes — Furina, Diluc, Xiao, gender-neutral reader, slight navia, kaeya, and yantao cameos, part 2 soon
Xiao
If asked for his opinion, Xiao will say he definitely hates you. He was completely fine with solitude, yet you came like a whirlwind and forced yourself into his life. Asking him to have lunch together, insisting on walking home with him, trying to arrange outings on weekends, and so on. He could never understand you and your persistence. He wishes you would one day finally learn how to give up and leave him alone.
“I think [Name] is crushing on someone.” Hutao says to her friend as if it were a fact.
Xiao’s stomach dropped, he twisted his head so fast he almost broke his neck. He wasn't even included in the conversation–being a few feet away from them, but he couldn't just ignore what the girls had just said. Maybe he had misheard, or misunderstood something. Don’t be rash Xiao. He scolds himself, yet he can’t help it. His rationality flies out the window when it comes to you, another reason why he wants you out of his life.
“Now that you mention it, there were moments that made me a bit…suspicious.” What moments? there were signs? Xiao had never realized anything out of the ordinary. Xiao would definitely notice if you fancied someone, he has known you for long enough. Whatever could Yanfei be talking about? Before he could wonder further, Hutao answered for him.
“I think I first realized when they started baking for him. Apparently they made cookies specifically for him! I couldn't even try a bite!” Xiao is aware of your recent new hobby, he had become the taste tester for all your newest sweets, and you would ask for his opinions, to help you improve next time. Before, he had only thought of it as bothersome (purposefully excluding that he would always look forward to what you made and even waited for you at the roof every break time). However, with this new information…could it be that…
You had been trying to improve making desserts for this special someone? Unbelievable. Has he been unknowingly providing aid to you as you pursue someone else!? What a fool he was! tricked by your cute pleading eyes to help the enemy!
"Right! And they keep bringing him up in every conversation, like I could be talking about how a pig flew past me and they would STILL relate it to him somehow." Weird examples aside, Xiao racks his brain thinking of anyone you've mentioned often in the past few days. He remembers you excitedly bringing up the stoic man you met at Liyue from your work. He's also reminded of your complaint about a giant white haired delinquent with his eccentric and boisterous nature from Inazuma, and he couldn't forget how he froze in fear when you told him Childe had started befriending you. And he has only considered the male candidates, what if you were also interested in girls? Then there would be many more options to consider.
Each candidate he thinks of only succeeds in deepening his frown further. He detests even the idea of you with any of these people, They wouldn't be able to handle the entirety of you, your incessant nagging, your pushy and persistent nature, your laugh as the sunset paints you in an orange hue. They simply cannot bear it, they’re too weak for you (just like he was when you first flashed him your smile).
Then, is this it? Is he losing you for good…? wait no- this is good, he wanted this. He should be happy. He could finally move on from you, and pretend the butterflies in his stomach never existed.
Yet all he felt was uneasiness.
He starts to imagine a life without you, yet nothing comes up. It would be too dull, he cannot even remember what life was like before he met you. You have ruined him and his carefully designed self isolation.
He felt the need to do something about it, then Xiao walked away with resolute, unaware of the conversation he left behind. The two girls stare from behind as he powerwalks away.
"...Should we tell him that we knew he was there?”
Hutao stares at the direction the lovesick boy ran off to “Nah, it’s about time he showed a little chivalry.”
Yanfei gives her friend a deadpan look before responding,“I don't think him eavesdropping on our conversation was very chivalrous.”
“Shh, let him cook.”
“Hutao please never say that in front of me ever again.”
Furina
No no no NO!!! This is all wrong, you're not supposed to be spending your time with her. Someone like Navia does not truly understand the value of your presence. That heathen is wasting your time, time that you should have spent with Furina instead! She graciously went out of her way to invite you for tea time. You should have been ecstatic, Furina even kindly went out of her way to obtain rare tea leaves all the way from Inazuma, (because you mentioned your curiosity over a specific flavour one time) and dressed up to leave you in awe of her impeccable fashion taste and unrivaled beauty.
Yet you rejected her offer because you had made "previous plans" with Navia!? Unacceptable. Someone like Furina absolutely cannot accept such a rejection. Navia must be scheming to take you away, she can't possibly lose you.
You are after all, her biggest fan.
In order to right this wrong, Furina will take it upon herself to find you. Oh! how terribly kind she is! Despite your audacity to leave her hanging, you are still allowed to be enveloped in Furina's presence. (Not because she hasn't seen you in days and misses your presence, of course. That'd be ridiculous)
Realizing the risk of losing a precious fan of hers forever, Furina understands that there is to be no room left for blunder. But not to worry, this master strategist has cooked up the perfect plan.
step one : crash your little date with Navia.
step two : impress you with her spectacular tricks and steal your attention with her impeccable wit and charm.
step three : you forget about Navia completely and swoons for Furina.
step four : you ditch your date, carry Furina in your arms and take her out on the best romantic evening in all of Fontaine! no, in all of Teyvat!
The plan is flawless! By the end of it you will barely remember the blonde girl’s name.
—
“Oh hi guys! Fancy meeting you here.” Of course, ‘tis was no mere coincidence. Furina had already been aware of your whereabouts and placed herself there. All part of the first step of her plan. She’s sure that you would be ecstatic to see her once more.
“F-Furina! What’re you doing here…!” For some reason you become tense at the sight of her. But she understands, being caught off guard by her presence tends to do so. Furina flashes you her sweetest smile.
“I had some free time! Thought I could find you to help around.” She spots a hint of blonde hair behind her, “Neither of you mind, right?” Your movements are incredibly awkward, avoiding Furina to look over at Navia, who nods at you. A small part of Furina is irked by it, it's as if you two are hiding something from her.
“Sure, the more the merrier right?” Step one is successful.
However it proves to be difficult to complete step two, due to how focused you are on your shopping. Why are you choosing between two different buttons like your life depends on it? She’s trying to charm you here!
“Navia, which of these fabrics would fit better?” You’ve been calling that name way too often for Furina’s liking. She’s quite knowledgeable in the art of textiles too you know. What makes Navia better than her?
There's a growing ache in her chest when she sees you smiling at Navia, Why don't you look at her that way? Then you giggle at something Navia said, Furina can feel strings tugging at her heart, breaking it apart, an uncomfortable feeling gnaws inside her.
She is quickly regretting her whole plan, it is clear that you are enamored with that girl already. And Furina is no match for someone that amazing, it hurts her to say but all she's doing right now is holding you back from true happiness.
Feeling dejected, Furina says her half-hearted goodbyes, leaves you two to the date that she almost ruined, then laid in the comfort her bed, embracing her sorrows. She doesn't remember much after that.
Before she knew it, Furina had been wallowing in her room for the past three days. What snaps her out of it is the knock on her door, followed by a voice she registered as yours. Wait, you're here!? But she looks like an absolute mess!!
“Uhm! Just a minute! I have some…confidential information I need to put away!” It’s not perfect but it's the only excuse she can think of.
“Oh, Alright then! Take your time.” Oh she definitely will. While she knows she can't compete with your beloved, at the very least she needs to look presentable enough for you. Yes, that's exactly why she’s dressed up and checked the mirror at least 3 times before finally opening the door.
She’s greeted by the view of you sitting down on her front porch, you stood up at the sight of her, huffing out a breath of relief. Did she worry you? Or were you just glad she finally opened the door? Or maybe you were huffing out of anger Furina’s inner thoughts clashed with each other.
“Forgive me for taking so long, there was- uh, some technical difficulties.”
You shake your head. “No need, It's my fault for coming over without informing you.”
“Would you like to come inside? We can chat over some tea.”
“I would love that.” You softly grin at her, which upsettingly sets off fireworks in Furina's heart. You're taken, she has to remind herself.
“Again, so sorry to bother you today Furina, I understand that you have a tight schedule and don't quite appreciate sudden visits.” You say as Furina goes to pour you a cup of tea. (the same brew she wanted to gift you that day)
“You’re lucky I had some free time today,” and the last three days, but you don't need to know that. “But next time, I’d appreciate a notice beforehand, then you wouldn't have to freeze out in the open for so long.” You nod once before grinning at her again.
And well, there's not much she can do when you give her your smile.
“But before that, could I ask you why you had been so distant the last time we met? I don't want to pry but I still want to help, is anything troubling you?” Furina panics, she didn't think you would notice, her mind is drawing blanks.
“Ohh that? I was uh-” She looks around her room, grasping for anything that she can get, she finds an idea when she spots the closet door she left ajar earlier. “–Reminded to clean out my closet! Yes, haha… Gotta replace old raggedy things with something better quality you know.” After all, what's the use of having some scrap and cheap imitation, when you can get something real, something far more suitable to you, something that’s not incomplete and considered a fraud by society.
“Oh I wouldn't be able to relate to that. I quite like my old clothes. It's the ones that have stayed with me through everything.” Furina does not give you a response, because she doesn't quite understand your interests in things that are deemed useless by most, and she probably never will.
“Anyways, I was mainly here to give you… this” You hand her a small box decorated with a blue ribbon on top, it was lightweight, and made a slight shuffling noise when she shook it. How did she miss your attempt at hiding this from her?
“I don't believe this is my birthday?” You chuckle at her dumbfounded expression.
“It is not a birthday present, Chiori was teaching me and Navia how to sew. So I decided to make something for you.” For her? You handcrafted this for her?
She opens the gift, to find a white haired doll with limbs sloppily sewn together, a crooked smile. Despite that, she recognises that it vaguely resembles herself. She also recognises the fabric it is made out of, and it finally hits her why you had been shopping with Navia.
how foolish of her! She tried to steal your attention when you were trying to make her the most thoughtful gift! The revelation badly embarrasses her, tinting her cheeks red, even just looking at you is far too much for her right now.
“W-well! it IS decent, not quite close to capturing my greatness… But, I appreciate your efforts. Thank you.” Damn it all, why did she have to stutter, and why can't her heart stop racing. She refuses to admit you made her feel this way.
“Now if you’ll excuse me, The Great Furina will need some time with herself.” She pushes you out of the room. “But—”
“Good bye!”
“Wait—” Furina slams the door on you before you could say anything. Once alone, she looks down at the beady eyes of the doll you handcrafted for her. Utterly ridiculous, she thinks. Who the hell is stupid enough to put that much effort on her? You did, and the thought of it ignites a giddy feeling in her chest, she cannot fight the smile forming on her face.
She keeps the doll near her person at all times, safe and unseen by others, but cherished just as much as she does you.
Diluc Ragvindr
Diluc believes that judging others before he gets to know them is incredibly shallow. What matters most to him is someone's values above all.
Yet, the guy you are currently speaking to brings a tight feeling in his chest. He can't stand him, it’s painfully obvious that he’s just trying to hit on you. Just who the hell does he think he is?
However Diluc deems it an irrational feeling, you are not his and he is not yours. No matter how many times his eye twitches every time that sleazy creature tries a pick-up line on you. Ridiculous he thinks, If Diluc were to court you he would do it properly, he wouldn't use something as immature as pick-up lines. You deserve the most beautiful flowers and sincere compliments that come from his heart, wait- but if you're into pick-up lines then maybe he would consider using them— He’s getting off track. Diluc could only sigh at the pathetic state he's in.
Despite how much he hates the vermin currently talking to you, he held some kind of respect for him due to his bravery. He has done something Diluc never managed to do, and that is to have the courage to court you.
That is why he’s stewing in jealousy while you're being whisked away by someone in the worst attire he’s ever seen. Your smile (that's not for him) tugs at Diluc’s heart, why can’t he be the reason you smile?
“You're practically shooting lasers at the guy.” A familiar, annoying voice stops his pity party, he can almost hear the smirk in his tone. “I didn't think you would be the jealous type.”
“Don't be ridiculous Kaeya, I’m just concerned whether or not his intentions with [Name] are pure.” He’s not being completely truthful, he’s aware, and so is Kaeya.
“Right, sure. And I eat slime condensate for breakfast.”
“Will you cut that out? I really am just concer—” Before Diluc could defend himself, something else distracts him.
The slimeball next to you raises his hand and reaches for the top of your head. Suddenly something hot flashes inside Diluc, his mind is empty, what's left is the pure rage he feels at that scum’s audacity.
“[Name].” The way he says your name held no warmth, it caught both you and the guy’s attention. His sudden attempt at diversion worked, the hand stops mid-air as you turn around to face Diluc. He releases a sigh of relief, the dark look he had before escapes, then panic catches up to him.
“Yes, Sir Diluc?” You inquire, tilting your head in confusion. Oh sevens. He’s lost it. The regret of what he just did is hitting him way too late.
He definitely didn't plan this far ahead.
But he feels the urgency to say something, anything as long as it gets rid of the man next to you.
“I- uh-” Yet he can't think of anything to answer, you and the thing next to you stared at him, waiting for an answer.
In the midst of his scrambled brain, Kaeya interrupts with a smirk. “He was wondering whether you would be available to help him with managing the bar, it's going to be a busy day you see.”
Your tense shoulders relax, then you smile at Diluc, which replaces his internal panic with butterflies in his stomach.
“I’d be glad to help, Sir Diluc.” Oh how he wishes to stay in that moment forever, just you and him, with no sleazebags trying to hit you up.
“Well, I-uh, I deeply appreciate it.” Diluc can already tell Kaeya is resisting the urge to laugh in his face. He supposes he’ll let him this time, Kaeya helped to give him an excuse to spend some time with you after all. The man next to you though, is clearly not okay with this at all, the frown on his face says it all. But it goes away quick, replaced by a sly grin directed at you.
“Oh come on! You promised me a date didn't you?”
“I didn't promise you anything. Now please excuse me, I have some important business to attend to.” you turn to walk away from the guy, you walk towards Diluc. The guy doesn't seem to understand your rejection though.
“But—”
“I believe they’ve already made their point clear.” Diluc intervenes, refusing to accept a no is something that he cannot stand. He stared him down like a hawk, no other words were said, Diluc’s cold gaze sent a shiver down his spine.
“Fine, whatever.” With his tail tucked between his legs, the guy finally decides to leave.
“Thanks Diluc, the guy just refused to give up, no matter what I said.”
His eyes lit up upon your clear disinterest. “It was my pleasure.” His heart was no longer beating quickly due to panic, but because of the warm look you gave him that made his knees weak.
“So you’re not interested in dating at all?” Fuck. He forgot Kaeya was still there. He sends his brother a deadly glare at his question, which he responds with a playful shrug.
You hum, thinking of a way to answer. Every second fills Diluc with dread, does he have any chance at all?
“I think my type is more the broody businessman type.” Even though you answered Kaeya’s question, you stared at Diluc intently. Your answer leaves him stunned silent, yet internally he can't stop feeling elated. He turns away to hide the grin on his face, he must look like an idiot right now.
You expected cold shoulders and emotionless stares from your fiancé, not...whatever this is.
Notes — arranged marriage with Lohen, short drabble, ooc probably, my research into lohen as a character includes 3 fanfics and all of his edits on tiktok, inspired by chapter 34 of Nakanowarui iinazuke no hanashi.
You knew arranged marriages would never end well, especially after having witnessed your own parents’ loveless marriage. Your family dinners were always spent in complete silence, save for the clattering of silverware and the occasional political discussions. So when you were told you will be engaged to a Knight of Favonius from Mondstadt, you already knew what to expect. “He is the vice-captain of the fifth company.” Your father said, grabbing a handkerchief to wipe himself.
You knew this conversation was going to happen tonight, you heard whispers from the maids down the empty halls, you have even heard other things regarding who you are to be wed with “I hear he has an insatiable bloodlust.” You’re not surprised your parents are willing to sell you off to some lunatic.
Yet your fiancè alongside Mondstadt managed to surprise in more ways than one. The Knights-Of-Favonius greeted you with more warmth than you had ever experienced from your parents’ cold attitudes. And your fiancè–Whom you now come to know as Lohen, is incredibly welcoming since your first step off the carriage.
So much that it tends to irk you.
Really, why is he always so curious about whatever business you had?!
“Hello my love, are you out for a walk this afternoon?” The first stage of his plan, which includes ‘accidentally’ encountering you during his ‘free time’
“Shall I join you for today?” Then stage two includes him inviting himself to your outing, before finally bombarding you with useless small talk (Which you begrudgingly answer, lest he makes a disappointing expression)
Your relationship with Lohen is nothing like the arranged marriages you have seen in the past, it is nothing like the one your parents have, everything so far has been outside of your initial predictions, and it is driving you insane.
(You ignore the part of you that is beginning to anticipate Lohen’s presence on your outings)
…
“We should get matching rings.” Lohen suggested out of nowhere.
“If you are bored, then you should pick up a book too. Instead of thinking of outrageous things.” He knows he’s the one who insisted on staying here, but you are too engrossed in your book to actually entertain him!
“But I’m being serious! It feels nice to have something to make it official y’know?”
“I don’t find any need to do so.” Right, because to you this is just a loveless marriage. His attempts at trying to woo you bounce right off of you, he should be happy you allow him to spend time together with you, he’s the pathetic one for wanting more.
“Besides, we will soon have matching last names anyways.” You finally say as you close your book,
“No need to rush to make things official, it will happen either way.” Then you left the room, along with Lohen in a state of shock.
After processing what you just said, Lohen smiles to himself, unable to hold back the blush dusting his cheeks. “I suppose that’s true.” Damn your chokehold on him, he shouldn't be this happy over a few words from you.
