In a world where love between mortal and god was never meant to survive, can you hold on to your soul without losing him-or will you burn with the wind he breathes?
A searing, slow-burn dark-romance for fans of angst, broken gods, and desperate devotion.
⚠️ Trigger Warnings: heavy emotional distress, divine trauma, grief, identity loss, war themes, slow-burn intimacy, and power imbalance.
synopsis: you accidentally catch a (cute) stranger who fell off a hill. what do you do?
genre: fluff, crack(??)
characters: lyney x gn! reader, adventurer! reader
warnings: usage of french (feminine) terms of endearment (translation at bottom), first meeting, reader is referred to in second person, i think i made lyney a bit ooc, not proofread
a/n: inspired by my darling housemate tripping over her own foot and going "i think i fell for you" without missing a beat to the other housemate that caught her. idk how the physics works for falling off a hill into someone's arms (the impact should be enough to at least give you some bruises i think) but we shall assume plot armour LMAO likes, reblogs and comments highly appreciated!!
it was supposed to be a normal day for you. emphasis on “normal”. you had meant to complete your commissions, collect your payment, and spend the rest of the day in your residence. sleeping. and snacking.
you stare down at the ash-blonde (a terribly cute one too, mind you) in your arms bridal-style, who is currently grinning up at you. archons, that grin…
“are you alright?” you ask, checking him for injuries. anyone would be equally concerned if someone dropped into their arms from the sky.
“i’m alright now that i’ve met you, ma belle*.” the absolute gall this man has, sending you a wink like that. you feel your cheeks warm. low standards, sure, but the way he said it was just too charismatic!
“a-anyway, i’m glad you’re not hurt. what even happened?” you place him down, making sure he was standing properly before letting go.
“ah, well, it’s a little embarrassing…” he rubs his neck, looking away. “i was, uh, trying to collect marcottes, and as you know, it just rained not long ago, and, uh, i may or may not have slipped. and fell.” he gestures vaguely at the hill behind you.
“ah.” is the only thing you say in reply.
“i have to say, if not for you, ma chère*, today would have ended very differently for me,” that silly little grin is back on his face. “please, allow me, the greatest magician lyney, to treat you to dinner tonight as sincere thanks for being my saviour.” he takes your hand in his, kisses its back, his eyes trained on yours all the while.
you finally can’t resist the urge. “i guess you really fell for me, huh?”
lyney stalls, a shine in his periwinkle eyes, and you take the time to admire his features even more. he may have fallen into your arms, but it seemed as though you were the one who fell hard.
*translations: ma belle = "my beauty"; ma chère = "my dear". both terms can be taken as the equivalent of "sweetheart" or "darling" in english!
tags: @diorlumx, @i23kazu (send ask if you want to be tagged in future works!)
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there’s a fabulous magic show in town hosted by the two most famous magicians in fontaine. you unknowingly meet one of them—lyney, a man with a smile full of secrets—in a quiet bar in monstadt.
lyney x reader (pre-release)
there’s a curious man sitting next to you at the bar.
the tavern you frequent is located in a small village at the edge of monstadt, known to host the occasional traveler and adventurer, but none as peculiar as him. his clothes are clean and fashionable, and there’s a look on his face like he knows more secrets than you, has more tricks up his sleeve. moreover, what’s stranger is that he ordered only one drink and has yet to touch it, only observing it, faintly reminding you of a moth studying a flame.
“is something wrong with it?” the man breaks out of his hypnosis at your teasing question, and looks up in suprise. you explain, “i know the bartender, and he’s really great. if something’s the matter with your drink i know he’ll replace it.”
“oh, no,” he says dismissively. “it’s nothing like that. i was just interested in it—we don’t have this brand of wine where i’m from.”
“and where’s that?”
“fontaine,” he replies simply, and yes, now that he says it, you can hear the distinct accent.
“why are you in monstadt?”
“for the same reason everyone else is, i imagine,” he replies, taking a ginger sip from the glass. “for the show.”
ah, yes, the show. a magic show, famous in fontaine and most of teyvat for its impressive tricks and wonderous miracles. you’ve been hearing of it since the twin magicians announced their arrival to monstadt to entertain and wow the masses.
that’s why there are more than an abundance of travelers, adventurers, foreigners, in monstadt. some of them have tickets; many don’t. they hope the magicians will take pity on them and spirit a ticket to them in the middle of the night. or maybe they intend to steal one from actual holders. perphaps a bit of both.
“are you also going?” he presses.
you purse your lips and look down. “no, i’m not.” the tickets were too expensive and too difficult to get your hands on.
“did you want to?”
“of course i did,” you respond, the words coming out more bitter than you intended. it’s the closest thing to magic the world has to offer. tricks to make you forget it’s only an act; displays to dazzle even the most prudent of disbelievers. card tricks, doves from hats, sawing a lady in half and convincing the audience she’s actually been split in two.
of course you want to go. anyone in teyvet would, especially you, who comes from a small town in monstadt, who may never see anything like it again.
“i see,” is all the man says.
there’s an uncomfortable silence you feel obligated to break, and you ask after a second, forcing the lingering bitterness out of your tone, “are you going to watch?”
“yes,” he says, hesitating. “i am…going.”
“do you have a good seat?”
he smiles faintly.
“the best in the house.”
“i’m glad.” you swallow and stand up, placing down enough coins for you and the stranger. he watches you with veiled interest, especially the way you straighten up and conceal the frown creeping on your face.
“i should go,” you tell him. “i’ve got a long day tomorrow.”
“yes, you do” he says faintly, agreeing with you. before you can opine on the strange statement, he smiles. “it was wonderful to meet you.”
you turn and leave, waving to the bartender wiping down the bar as you do. before you’re out the door, he calls, “i shall see you tomorrow!”
you pause and turn back around, intent on correcting the man, but he’s already gone—leaving nothing but a golden, shimmering ticket left in his wake.
•••
it’s a trick, a lie, a falsity. your subconscious screams at you that the piece of paper in your hand, that reads admit one in black inky letters, is a fake. it can’t be real—there’s no way.
yet you find yourself traveling to the shining capitol, with the ticket clutched in your hands. the wind begs to rip it away and the crowded streets tempts it to get lost and stolen, but you hold on tight, your grip only loosening when you hand it to the collectors at the front entrance.
they let you in without a second glance, and still in a state of disbelief, you find your seat, front row, center spot. best seat in the house. you look around for the man you saw last night but he is nowhere to be found, and a part of you wonders it he gave up your ticket for you. but that doesn’t make sense, you just met, it’s too peculiar, too much like a fairytale, a magic spell, come true.
your wandering thoughts are caged and tamed at the diming of the lights. you turn and face the center where a spotlight shines and a puff of smoke reveals two figures. the twin magicians. lyney and lynette.
the crowd errupts in applause, it’s the first trick of the evening, and you join in, until the smoke fades, and the magicians come into view. the sister with cat-like ears smiles adoringly at the crowd, and the brother does the same. but whereas lynette’s eyes are roaming, meeting as many fans as possible, lyney’s have yet to leave you.
at your shock and surprise, lyney dips his head slightly, and smiles, all too familiar from last night. turning back to the main crowd, he introduces himself and his sister, and announces to the crowd.
“come one, come all! we have a great show in store for you! magic will be casted, miracles with be had, and...” his eyes find yours again, and winking he continues, “hearts will be stolen, tonight.”
Summary: You've always found Lyney and Lynette's shows to be spectacular. And they are always showing off their new tricks to you. But there is one trick that Lyney has kept under wraps...
Pairing: Lyney X Fem!Reader
Genre: Fluffyish Oneshot
Word Count: 1292
Warning: N/A
Masterlist
A/N: Inspired by the song Ring of Fire by Johnny Cash.
You clapped along with the rest of the crowd as Lyney and Lynette took the stage. Even if you've seen the same show every day for the past week, you will never get tired of it. The two siblings were just that good at entertaining and at magic. Wherever they went, and whoever they performed for, you would always be there for every single show.
With gasps of shock and delight, you watched Lyney and Lynette show off their wind and fire magic. The way they combined the two of them together was like nothing you had ever seen before. It was like the two of them could make anything possible with little trouble.
Lyney noticed your attention and shot you a wink meant just for you. A shy smile made its way onto your face as you looked away. He was always teasing you for how excited you got when you saw the show he put on with his sister. He would say you should be used to all of the tricks by now, considering you've seen every show for the past couple of years. But you would simply tell him that there was something about his stage presence that made it feel like you were watching a new show every time. And try all he might, you always caught the way his cheeks would turn pink every time you complimented his skill.
When there was no show to be performed, he would practice new tricks with you, keeping it to just the two of you. While you tried to explain that he should be practicing with Lynette, considering she was his stage partner, he wouldn't listen. Instead, he would tell you that he would much rather practice with you because he knew a trick worked when he saw that sparkle of wonder in your eye. So with every flip of a card or twirl of his hat, he left you mesmerized over every little trick he tried, and the best ones were put in the act.
Tonight's performance felt even more special than usual. It was like Lyney was doing everything in his power to show off more than usual. But Lynette was keeping up with ease. Not that you were worried about her. She was just as skilled as her brother, if not more so. It's just Lyney had something special about him that drew your eyes to him every single time. And it felt like you really couldn't take your eyes off of him this time around.
Towards the end of the show, Lyney stepped forward to address the audience. While this wasn't an unusual occurrence, there was something about the way he looked out into the crowd that felt different than normal.
"Ladies and gentlemen!" He shouted, a bright smile on his face. "I hope you all have been enjoying the show this evening! At this time, I would like to call on a member of the audience to join my sister and me for our final trick!"
Plenty of people were clamoring to be a part of such an astounding show. You would be too, but you were sure they would much rather select someone in the audience who hadn't seen the show before.
Of course, it was a shock when Lyney stood before you and held out a hand to you. "Would you do me the honor of joining me on stage, please?"
With warm cheeks, you nod and take his hand. He helps you onto the stage and tells the audience to give you a hand for volunteering. When the applause dies down, he begins to instruct you on how the trick will be performed.
"First, I ask that you stand right here, on this X in the center of the stage. And whatever you do, don't move, please."
You nod and do exactly as you're told. While he didn't say it in a mean way, his voice was authoritative and you weren't about to argue with him. When you were in position, he addressed the crowd once more.
"This trick comes with a bit of a story. When we think of fire, we think of a hot flame that destroys anything it touches. It's as beautiful as it is chaotic. And in an abstract way, we think of love in a similar fashion. You see, love is a burning thing and it makes a fiery ring."
As soon as he said that, a fiery ring circled around you. There was about six inches between you and the flames in all directions, so you weren't too concerned about getting burned. However, you did flinch a little in shock. You had never seen this trick before. Lyney told you that he didn't like to perform tricks without showing you first, so for this to be the first time you're seeing this one has you both nervous and excited.
Lyney gives you a small smile and Lynette uses her wind to create a small gap for him to hop through, joining you in the circle. He then held out his hand for you to take once more, which you shyly do. He gives it a reassuring squeeze before turning to the audience again.
"Ladies and gentlemen, fear not for me or my lovely assistant. This fire, though wild and bright, is not harmful. But it is very hot, isn't it?"
He directs that question to you, which you nod and reply. "Yes, it is."
"Yes, it is. It has the illusion of actual fire, but it is not, I assure you, ladies and gentlemen. Allow me to demonstrate. That is, if you'll allow me?" He asks you.
You give a slow nod and before you know it, he's pulled you into the fire. Despite the flames looking like real fire, it doesn't feel like it. You're not burning, but you can feel heat crawl up your arms and neck. You let out a shocked gasp and the audience applauds the trick.
Lyney laughs and begins to spin you around the fire, as if the two of you were dancing. A laugh escapes you as well as you allow him to swing you around. It was crazy, but it felt so freeing to be spinning around like this with him. It made your heart practically beat out of your chest and your cheeks hurt from how big you were smiling.
Eventually, as you began to get dizzy, you slowed down and he allowed you to return to your seat. Lyney and Lynette closed out the show and the curtain dropped. You waited until all of the guests left to find Lyney backstage. As soon as you did, he smiled at you.
"What did you think of my latest trick?"
"That was fantastic! How did you learn to do that?" You gush.
He chuckles and shakes his head. "A magician never reveals his secret. But I'm glad you enjoyed it."
"I loved it!" You sigh, still smiling. "But, I don’t understand. Why did you pick me to be a part of the trick? Why not another member of the audience or Lynette?"
He gives you a teasing scowl. "Didn't you hear the story behind the trick? Fire and love are practically the same. And I wanted to show how wild and free love can be."
It finally dawns on you what he means and it makes you flustered. "Oh. You... you love me."
"I do." He nods. He takes your hand in his and cups your face. "Do you love me?"
You nod and bring your face closer to his. Before your lips can touch, you whisper back to him. "Of course I love you."
And with that, you press your lips to his in a fiery kiss.
premise: kinich wasn't a sentimental person at heart, until you left to travel. neither was he easily upset, but here he was, undoubtedly upset that you didn't give him a gift with your recent package.
— warnings: ooc-kinich and ajaw (still havent done the new aq), he's a bit down bad, and misses you dearly.
— author's note: this is not angst despite the premise LMFAO. art credits to @.n429g on twt. | 1.6k words.
“delivery for kinich!” a mail man shouted, trying his best to not look down over the ledge the scions of the canopy is held. “delivery for ki—”
“i heard ya!” the small dragon yells, taking the sealed letter and small box from the man’s hands and throws a pouch of mora as thanks.
the man sweat drops at the comical sight of the tiny dragonlord floating up to where kinich was. said man was dangling his legs over the ledge, hair swaying with the wind and an indifferent look on his face as he swats away his small companion and roughly takes the letter in his hands. he could only assume that the two had started another argument once again.
with a sigh, he cups a hand to his mouth and shouts, “thank you for your patronage!”
kinich looked in his direction and gave him a small nod. there were few postal workers here in natlan, so he made sure to at least pay the man generously—especially with how his legs shake and hand clutch the side of the mountain for dear life.
ajaw continued to punch and tug at his head but his attention had zeroed in on the envelope. it felt heavier than the last and you had sent a small package with it. ‘for my dearest, kinich & almighty dragon lord, ajaw.’ the small note said with your signature right below it as well as a wax seal at the corner. your penmanship makes kinich smile and before ajaw can open his mouth, he takes the grapple on his waist and zips away to find a secluded place to open your gifts. they were sacred to him and therefore had to be treated with utmost care.
when he lands on teticpac peak, he sits down by one of the rocks and gently peels away the seal. kinich makes a mental note to stop by a market to get a new container for all your letters, after all, his bedside drawer can only hold so much of you over the years.
‘to my dearest, kinich,’
with just four words, you had him smiling like a fool. one hand propped behind his back to support his weight as he leisurely soaks in your stories like a sponge. ajaw sits by his shoulder, impatiently demanding him to open the box that came along with your letter. kinich was not even half way with reading before he relented—you always had a knack for making pages and pages of stories, but he didn’t mind. you have been away for nearly 7 years now and send only a letter or two every few years. kinich learned to appreciate the pages of your love every time they arrive.
“hurry up!” ajaw demanded, waiting with bated breath as kinich opened the box. “learn to be patient, ajaw.”
the dragon only huffed and turned around but it didn’t take long before he dove head first into the array of gifts. while his little companion drowned in material luxuries, kinich took out items in piles and made a mental note to give them to their respective owners.
kinich tucked the small pouch with xilonen’s name along with your letter for her at his side. he will deliver these to her first, he concludes. as he’s sifting through the items, kinich catches a glimpse of ajaw sitting on a toy fox’s head with a small note with kachina’s name. the final item that seemed important was a small box containing colorful seashells with mualani’s name on it.
his brows furrowed in confusion as he sets all the gifts down carefully and sifts through the package one more time. and again, and again, until his lower back felt sore. ajaw noticed his antsy behavior and decided to look at what all the fuss was about. kinich sat down, head lowered with his bangs covering his eyes—ajaw was beginning to worry (but he would rather die than verbally admit it).
“hey!” ajaw turned to kinich who had stiffly stood up. clutching at your letter as the sliver of expectancy in his eyes dimmed. “don't tell me they actually forgot about you?”
“let’s go back,” he says with a subtly sullen voice. “we have to deliver these to the others.”
ajaw makes no further comment and sits on his shoulder as they zip from one place to another. he doesn’t point out the way kinich’s eyes looked duller and the way a frown tugged at his lips—he was upset.
“hmph! i'll be sure to show them a piece of my mind when they get back!" the dragon complains to him as they arrive back home. kinich beelined his way back to his residence, a bit more aggressive than he normally would.
he doesn’t want to admit that he was upset—it was stupid. so what if you didn’t get him a gift after not hearing from you for almost a year? but how come everyone else had one? hell even citlani and mavuika received one, so why didn’t he?
with a click of his tongue he pushed past all the people in his way, muttering half hearted apologies here and there as ajaw kept calling his name. kinich was not upset nor was he disappointed—he wasn’t a child chasing after the trail of gold you left behind anymore. he was an adult now, someone people look up to and admire. kinich was no longer the shy kid that always wondered if he could ever chase after you.
“kinich!”
with the shout of his name, he was taken back to memory lane. how you would call to him from the ground, a pair of wheels at your feet as you glided through the rocky terrain as if it were made of ice. the smile you flash him as you point to your finish line makes his heart skip a few beats, rendering him only to reply in a nod because his mind has turned into a mushy puddle.
“kinich!”
you have always been golden in his eyes. smiles bright like the sun, kindness gentle like its morning rays, and hypnotizing in the starry trail you leave behind. kinich remembers the first time he tried his hands on rollerblades. he felt unwittingly afraid of standing on his own two feet, the possibility of his world turning upside down with one single step scared him. but you were always there to ward away his fears. it wasn’t long before he took them off and said with a dead expression that he will never try them again. the laugh that he managed to steal from your lungs made all his suffering worth it.
“kinich!”
he doesn’t like letting things go, not when you’ve taught him how to cherish every little thing. but he’d hate himself if he kept you from your dreams. so there he was, all those years ago, standing by natlan’s borders, unable to say goodbye as the rest bid theirs. you had to make him face you—gently cupping his jaw with both hands and flashing a small smile, giving him a tempting offer.
“let me stay,” you said. you were willing to give up your dreams if it meant making him happy. kinich didn’t want his happiness, he wanted yours.
“leave,” he said bluntly. it made you laugh because it sounded incredibly rude, but the way he held your hand in his shaking hold, lip bitten until it almost bled, everyone knew he was struggling the most.
“i’ll give you souvenirs,” you offered as consultation and it took every willpower he had to say he only wanted you.
“i’ll keep them safe.” he replied and you smiled.
“kinich!”
urging you to travel has been the best and worst decision in his life—you were enjoying your life but he was stuck missing you. his longing for the sun in his life greatly outweighed his happiness for you. how can he be happy when happiness is spelled with your name? the way you smile, and the way you leave a golden trail?
“kinich.”
“ajaw, enou—” his sentence was cut off when he turned to look at the smiling faces of his tribe. brows furrowed in confusion as he searched the crowd for a certain green dragon, but all his eyes could see was gold.
the wind in his lungs was stolen as the images of smiling faces turn to fade, his attention solely on you in the distance, ajaw by your side as you both waved him over. as fast as the winds could take him, kinich ran straight in your arms—his home. your laugh ringed like morning birds and your hands felt warm like the afternoon heat. you were home; you were his gift.
“pasalubong, for kinich,” you say with a teasing lilt to your voice.
“pasalubong?” he repeats, hands coming to cradle your smiling face. “what does that mean?”
you smile wider and hold his hands with your own. “it means gifts given by homecomers. but,” you tuck away a stray piece of his hair behind his ear as you tempt him in another embrace. “it can also mean ‘to meet again.’”
kinich laughed—airy and bright, like the setting sun. this was so you, he thought, burying his head in your neck. trying to make up for all the lost physical contact he had missed.
“thank you for the gift.” he said with a smile.
you pat him on the back and hummed in delight. “i came back just for you.”
“i’m honered,” he jests and takes a step back, not letting your hand go. “you should be! the trip back home is nothing short of tedious!”
he chuckles because kinich knows he’s a goner. no need for xilonen’s amused teasing, mualani’s persistence and kachina’s curiosity. everyone in his tribe and maybe even natlan knew, kinich would wait for you knowing you’ll eventually come home to him.
premise: albedo was not a poet, but for you, he could try to become one.
– warnings: fluff, yearner albedo, he sucks at poetry (he's trying his best), poor attempts in making poetry at the end
– author’s notes: this is a remake of my old albedo fic but instead of angst, its fluff so yippie!! art credits goes to @.Jotto75 on twitter. thank you to @lowkeyren for proofreading and creating the title <3 | ~1.4k words.
“mr. albedo, are you alright?” sucrose, his assistant, asked. worry etched in her eyes as she watches her mentor’s hunched figure throw away another crumpled piece of paper.
“yes, yes, i’m quite alright. please don’t mind me.”
but albedo was anything but alright. he pushed his messy hair back with his hand and let out a tired sigh. albedo had ultimately underestimated your talent in making poetry–he had always assumed you just wrote whatever you felt on paper–no need for fancy words or metaphors. yet here he was, on the third day in a row, filling the small trash bin in his office with poorly written declarations of love.
albedo wonders how you do it. you, a traveler from fontaine, coming to visit mondstadt to explore the nation’s ballads and poetry, had easily captured the hearts of many by just walking down the cobblestone paths that lead inside its walls. you with your charming presence, felt like a character from an inazuman fairytale, had even captured the bard in green. but more than that, you had captured his attention—maybe even his heart—by simply existing.
with one glance you had enamored his chalky heart. suddenly, the paint brushes that were in his hand itched to be used on a blank canvas to paint your portrait, wanting to forever remember the smile that glowed under the afternoon sun. albedo could’ve sworn he saw fresh cecilias beneath your feet with every step you took inside the city.
in one glance, you flashed him a knowing smile and gave him a bow.
venti played his lyre and before the chalk prince knew, he was tugged into a dance near the city’s fountain. everyone laughed and danced and sang, but all albedo could see was the way you sat by the bard, a quill in your hand and a piece of parchment on the other. you cleared your throat, capturing everyone’s attention and started reciting your magnum opus.
albedo didn’t quite understand most of its content–a real shame he thinks–but there was one line that made his mind tick in interest.
“why does icarus continue to fly despite his impending doom?”
he was not a poet by any means, he was a researcher, a slave to finding the truth, but he found the mystery behind your words worth uncovering.
so for the next few days you stayed in mondstadt, albedo had asked for your time to ask you questions. the two of you spent your time in dragonspine in his lab. he asked about your inspirations as you chatter about your love for words and asked him in return on why he paints. albedo concluded after your time together that you were simply born with poetry running through your veins and pumping metaphors and analogies to your beating heart. there was no sense of logic in your being–it wasn’t a bad thing, emotions seemed to transcend all logic to begin with–and he found that incredibly charming.
which leads to his predicament now: inside his office, trying to rack his brain on a verse that would evoke the same feeling you showed him when you first met.
he loved your poetic mind, the calluses from pens on your fingers, your ink-stained blouses and hands, the love letters hidden under the guise of friendly affections—he loved you. but he didn’t know how to showcase it. relationships were troublesome–hard to maintain. but he wanted to try. he didn’t fall in love easily–he didn’t even know he was capable of falling in love–but he felt his growing yearning for you deep in his chalk stained bones. for once in his life, albedo wanted his fixation and interest in you to last a lifetime, afraid of the lingering bittersweet sensation that you would leave him.
with one last sigh, he picked up his sketchbook and left his office. a change of pace would surely inspire him, he tried to convince himself, but not even a few steps later, he sees you by the entrance of the knight’s headquarters. and like the first time, you flashed him a smile with those eyes and his mind went blank. you tug at his hand–his heart–ever so gently, urging him to have a picnic with you under the afternoon sun.
“you seem to really love using icarus in your poems.” albedo randomly mentioned, taking a bite of the adventurer’s sandwich you bought. you only hum and continue to write in your journal. against his better judgment, albedo leaned into your space, trying to take a peek of your newest piece, but you quickly shut the journal and stuck your tongue at him.
“peeking is rather rude y’know?” you jest and his chuckle ringed out.
“pardon my rudeness,” he said. “i was simply curious.”
albedo was sure there was something swimming in his chest–fondness, most probably–as you flash him a knowing smile. you take out something from your bag, a crown made out of cecilias and windwheel asters, and place it on the crown of his head, leaving him with a quiet but undeniable joy that he couldn’t quite name.
“i see myself as icarus, that’s my answer.”
“how so?” he asked, mindlessly flipped through his sketchbook and felt a growing smile tug at his lips when he saw your handwriting in the corners of a few pages.
you don’t answer–you never do– but albedo never minded. he liked it whenever you left him guessing. for the rest of the afternoon, you both spend your time in each other’s presence as you eat your food. you talked about the new book lisa had given you to read in your spare time and he asked you what colors he should use on his next painting. “yellow because they remind me of you.” would always be your reply and he’d comply.
by the time he waved you goodbye and sat back down in his office, there was another letter pressed in his sketchbook. he could already feel his heart racing as he reached for it.
“to my dearest, albedo
you seem to really ponder over the last verse of my poem when i first arrived in mondstatd. i must say, i feel honored that i made your mind tick with curiosity. i found myself gravitating towards your presence more and more after you asked me if i could be the subject of your painting. that was the first time i’ve ever been the muse to someone’s creation. it sent my heart into a giddy fit you know. you are no poet, as i am no painter; i cannot paint the image i have of you on a canvas, but i can put my affections into words. after all, the verse ‘why does icarus continue to fly despite his impending doom.’ was always meant for you—to capture your attention.”
albedo sat down on his chair, a gloved covering half of his face to hide the pathetically infatuated smile on his face. he took out the second letter from the envelope, bracing his heart to whatever emotion you would stir inside him.
“like icarus, i found myself
flying straight into the pools of his eyes
with my wings made of wax,
i soared straight into his guarded heart
and let his burning affections scorch me and melt my wings.
then i fell—or so i thought
my body did not meet the ground harshly,
for he caught me,
in all the gentleness known to mankind,
he treated my scorched skin with care.
i was icarus and he is my sun,
with gold and glitter in all his glory.
icarus is a fool in love.
why does icarus continue to fly, despite his impending doom?
because the sun is icarus’s love.
in every lifetime, he will always choose to fall,
loving him despite it being too hot, too close.
icarus is a fool in love, for without the sun,
he would have no reason to live.
why would icarus fly if he had no sun to fly to?”
albedo’s eyes traced over the last line of your poem, his heart rattling with uncharacteristic tenderness and a gentle ache. your words had breathed life to the emotions he never knew he was capable of feeling.
he looked down on his sketchbook, then out the window to gaze at the setting sun. the warmth reminding him of your love for icarus—him. he was no poet, but for you, he could perhaps become one.
with careful hands like you described in your poem, he folded the parchment and placed it gently into his sketchbook, right beside the finished sketch of you under the afternoon sun, cecilias blooming right under your feet. a small smile tugged at his lips as he picked up his pencil.
for the first time in a long while, albedo finally understood what it meant to be inspired.
includes: lyney x fem!reader. painter!reader, fluff, may be ooc lyney, painter and her magician muse — wc: 591
You had finally secured tickets to Lyney and Lynette’s captivating Magic Show.
After putting in hard work through small art commissions and assisting others, your perseverance paid off. Luckily, you found yourself seated in the second row, enjoying a perfect view of the entire stage. As the lights dimmed, a spotlight illuminated the enchanting magicians.
“Welcome to Lyney and Lynette’s Magic Show!” Lyney exclaimed, his arms wide open in a welcoming gesture.
The performance unfolded before your eyes, blurring the line between reality and fantasy.
The show concluded with a burst of applause, whistles, and amazed cheers filling the room. Lyney and Lynette took their bows, expressing gratitude to the audience before exiting the stage.
While others started to leave the theatre, you remained lost in your thoughts, unable to tear yourself away.
You noticed Lyney’s occasional glances in your direction, but you brushed them off, assuming he was merely engaging with the audience. Your hands moved instinctively, retrieving a small paper and a worn pencil that you carried everywhere. Swiftly, you sketched the scene, capturing the magicians as the focal point.
Unaware of another presence, you snapped out of your trance when a red rose materialised before you.
Your eyes widened at the sight, then lifted to meet the culprit—a mischievous grin adorning his face.
“Well, M’lady, perhaps we should step outside before we find ourselves locked in here,” he suggested, tucking the flower gently into your hair. Extending his hand, he invited you to join him.
You accepted his hand, and he turned to his sister, who stood waiting.
“Took you quite a while,” she remarked, her expression unchanging.
“Apologies, Lynette. It seems M’lady was deeply absorbed in thought,” he responded.
“Please stop addressing me like that,” you murmured, your cheeks tinged with a blush.
“Apologies again! I haven’t had the pleasure of knowing your name. I’m Lyney. This is my sister, Lynette, and you are...?” He walked alongside you as the three of you departed the theatre.
“(Name), pleased to make your acquaintance,” you replied.
From that day forward, your bond with Lyney grew remarkably strong, much to Lynette’s amusement as she shook her head at her brother’s persistent attempts to win you over.
In a meadow bursting with vibrant blooms, Lyney stood amidst the flowers, becoming both your muse and a devoted spectator. As your brush danced gracefully across the canvas, each stroke seemed to weave a rich tapestry of emotions.
“Are you almost finished, M’lady?” Lyney’s voice broke the tranquil air as he noticed your momentary pause.
“Hmm, just a few more minutes,” you replied, urging him to remain where he stood.
When the art piece finally took shape, it radiated colours and beauty that surpassed mere brushwork. Lyney was thoroughly impressed, unable to contain himself as he pressed a kiss to your cheek, prompting a delightful blush from you.
“Thank you for immortalising me in your art, M’lady. I shall treasure it,” Lyney expressed, his tone sincere.
“It’s no big deal,” you replied with a smile. Lyney settled beside the portrayal of yourself, gazing at you with unwavering attention.
“Is something wrong?” you questioned, perplexed by his sudden change in demeanour.
“No, it’s just that something has been occupying my thoughts,” he confessed, his fond gaze fixed on you.
Your head tilted in curiosity, awaiting an explanation.
“Despite my belief in the wonder of my magic tricks, they pale in comparison to your beauty and talent. I’m afraid, M’lady, that you’ve stolen my heart. So, will you do me the honour of accepting this responsibility?”
NOTES. he’s cute i like the idea of painter!reader w lyney whos a magician, also my second genshin work weee. kinda rushed this so whatever plot i have is a bit wonky, maybe.
includes: lyney x fem!reader. lyney knows reader but reader doesn’t know lyney, he’s a cat like the one in his hat, soft kisses, fluff, lyney is a flirt & a tease, not proofread — wc: 570
“Ah, hello there, kitty,” you whispered softly, your fingers gently caressing the small cat’s fur.
“What brings you out here all alone?”You picked up the cat, feeling it nuzzle against your knee with a gentle lean.
“Meow〜”
“Alright, little one, I’ll take you home. Just remember, no wreaking havoc on my couch,” you playfully cautioned, cradling the cat tenderly as you made your way back home.
Upon arriving home, the cat gracefully hopped out of your arms, already making itself at ease in its newfound surroundings.
“Why so restless, huh? You’re already at home,” you teased, watching the ebony feline’s paw gently tap at your pants.
As night fell, you embarked on your customary routine—slipping into comfortable pajamas and placing a glass of water on your bedside table. The dark cat followed suit, sauntering into your room and settling onto your bed, finding a cozy spot as you nestled in.
“Come here, kitty,” you coaxed, spreading your arms and the blanket invitingly. The cat nestled in close, its content purrs of delight filling the air as you held it close.
“Goodnight, kitty,” you murmured, bestowing a tender kiss upon its nose before surrendering to a tranquil slumber.
Nestling closer to the warmth beside you, you sleepily enveloped it with your arms.
To your astonishment, you realised an arm in your grasp, and tracing further down, your fingers met another hand. As your eyes shot open in shock, you were met with the sight of an ash-blond man in your bed.
“WHO ARE YOU, AND WHY ARE YOU IN MY BED?!” you exclaimed, launching a pillow at the man, who adeptly evaded it.
“I’m Kitty, or you can call me Lyney," he replied, his innocent smile attempting to defuse the situation.
“The magician? How and why were you a cat?!” you persisted, only to be silenced by his finger pressing gently against your lips.
“Well, Madam, it appears I accidentally imbibed a potion and found myself transformed into a cat. Thankfully, you stumbled upon me and came to my rescue. So, might I offer you anything in return for your kindness?” he inquired playfully, conjuring a rainbow rose in his hand and extending it towards you.
“I’m not… quite sure,” you mused, holding the rose delicately in your hand. Suddenly, you felt his finger gently lifting your chin.
“How about bestowing me with another kiss?” he teased, leaning closer to you.
A rosy hue tinted your cheeks as his enchanting smile held you captive.
“That kiss was meant for the kitty, not you,” you stammered, nervously pressing your lips together.
“Hmm, but I’m still the kitty in human form, aren’t I?” he persisted, his playful tone lingering in the air.
“Come on, just one little kiss,” he pleaded, his eyes sparkling.
“Not a chance.”
“Not even on the cheek?” he pouted, his playful charm impossible to resist.
“Ugh, fine,” you relented, your exasperation evident in a soft groan. You leaned in to plant a swift peck on what you believed to be his cheek, only to find him moving his head, causing your lips to meet his in a surprising twist.
“Thank you for the sweet kiss, my lady,” he whispered, a playful wink accompanying his words.
He chuckled softly as he watched your cheeks turn a delicate shade of red. Your endearing display of shyness only deepened his affection for you, making him fall even more head over heels.
NOTES. he’s very writeable, i keep thinking about cat noir whenever i write about him
Summary: It had initially taken some time for you to be integrated into Palais Mermoria, but it's been much livelier with you around. You even try to occasionally make Neuvillette laugh. As a result, the Chief Justice doesn't mind indulging in your requests every so often.
Other info: humor, fluff, pre-relationship, subtle crushes, dialogue heavy, female reader, disabled character, 1.7k words
*****
"Monsieur Neuvillette," said the man at the door of his office. "Here's the information about the recent theft at the–"
"Oh oh! Give it to me!" you waved him down from the couch. "I'll handle it for him."
Neuvillette was reviewing a different document when he raised his eyes to see the man waiting for his permission to give it to you.
"Ah, yes," Neuvillette said after clearing his throat. "She works here. You can hand it to her."
You ripped the envelope open once you got your hands on it and Jocelyne leaned onto your arm to take a peek at the document as well. Her short legs swung off the edge of the couch just like any other Melusine's would.
"What?" you exclaimed, narrowing your eyes at the letter.
"Huh? What's the matter?" Jocelyne asked. "And why are you squinting?"
"Sir, what is your name again?" you asked the messenger. "I don't quite recognize your voice."
"My apologies. My name is Clément," he said. "I'm new here."
"Oh. Well then, Monsieur Clément. It seems that you have given me the wrong paper."
"What?"
Neuvillette could tell from your voice that you were lying. He picked up his glass for a drink. Your pranks were nothing new to him.
"This looks like a prescription for some stool softeners," you said.
"What?" Clément panicked. "How did that get there?"
Neuvillette coughed up his water.
"Did you hear that, Jocelyne?" you exclaimed. "Neuvillette laughed just now!"
"Stop with your antics already," Jocelyne said, crossing her arms. "It's rude to make Neuvillette laugh at other people's expense."
You held up the document. "But is this really a prescription–"
Jocelyne snatched the paper from you. "Thank you, Monsieur Clément," she said politely. "This is the correct document. We will ensure the record will be updated and organized."
"Oh, I see," said Clément with a hand on his chin. "So this was an attempt to make the Chief Justice smile today? Laugh even?"
"Of course!" you said.
"In that case, you can poke fun at me as much as you want."
"Excuse me?" asked Jocelyne.
"It's a rare sight to see the Chief Justice laugh," he reasoned.
"See, Jocelyne," you said. "He gets it!"
She only sighed in exasperation. It really was a spectacle for others to see him laugh. They were in Fontaine where even trials were forms of entertainment after all.
"Hmmm… but now that I think about it, aren't you one of the typewriters?" Clément asked you. "Shouldn't you be able to read the document?"
"Pshhh. Of course I can," you laughed off. "What are you talking about?"
Jocelyne merely groaned. "I'll go ahead and run it through the Embosser for you."
"Nooooo," you whined, clinging onto her arm and preventing her from leaving. "Don't give me more work to do. Just read it out loud to me like you normally do."
"Hmph. Maybe if you paid more attention to my instructions, I'd be more privy to your requests," she scolded you.
"Alright," Neuvillette cut the conversation short, his voice filling the room. "I think it's about time to resume with your duties, am I correct?"
"Ah," you said bashfully. "Yes, Monsieur Neuvillette."
Clément did a brief bow before leaving, but Jocelyne was halfway to the doors when she noticed you didn't follow her.
"May I stay for a moment?" you asked Neuvillette. "I would like to make a request."
"In that case," said Jocelyne. "I'll stay here in case you can't find your seat–"
"In private," you said through your teeth with a smile. "And you know very well I can find my desk myself, Jocelyne."
"But I wanted to see what he thinks too."
"In private."
"Okay, okay. I'm going," Jocelyne said before leaving the room and closing the door.
The room went near silent with only the ticking of the clock to be heard.
"Alright then," said Neuvillette. "What is your request?"
You stood up, taking your white cane to see where his desk was, and then gave him a large grin.
"What do you think of my dress today?" you asked him.
"It looks nice," he said politely.
"No, no," you replied. "Not like that. Tell me as if you're describing the water you drank earlier."
"Hmm… In that case..." He took a moment to ponder. "I think it's an exquisite shade of violet. But with the hint of red, it's similar to an Agyllis when the sun sets by the waters."
"Oh! That flower? I love how they smell," you told him. "It's not too strong, but there's also a sharpness to it that I can't quite figure out." You smiled and lifted the ruffles of your dress. "So do I look cute today?"
"Indeed. Your dress is pleasant on the eyes."
"Yes!!!" you cheered. "Jocelyne finally picked out something good. And the fabric is so comfortable and lightweight. If I were to be in the sun –not that I would, of course– I'd imagine it wouldn't feel too hot."
"I'm glad you've found something suitable to wear," he said.
You laughed at him. "Oh, Monsieur Neuvillette. When you say it like that, I'd think all my outfits were as horrendous as yesterday's."
He gathered the papers on his desk and neatly placed them to the side. "To be honest, I was rather surprised you allowed Jocelyne another chance," he noted. "The pink was blinding to the eyes and the brownish yellow was a disgusting color. It reminded me of a fried dish one of your co-workers had given me. I doubt that dress would've been considered appealing here in the Court of Fontaine."
"Well, I didn't want her to give up so easily," you said with a soft smile. "It takes a lot of practice and I wanted to encourage her to get better. I mean, my typing used to be incredibly slow because I was afraid of making mistakes. But I'm glad I learned. It has helped lighten your burden as well, right?"
"Indeed. You have my thanks."
You had been working for Neuvillette for quite a few years now. The mood was livelier with you around despite Jocelyne having to put up with your antics. In reality, he found your harmless pranks intriguing. Your smile and the rising of your voice would reveal when you were joking, and he wondered if it was a common practice among other humans. Not all of course. Clément wasn't able to tell.
It had taken some adjustments when you first came to work at Palais Mermonia. Your co-workers weren't sure how to interact with you because they hadn't met anyone like you before. But with some accommodations and your modified typewriter at hand, you worked harder than anyone and became an irreplaceable part of the team.
Neuvillette smiled to himself.
"So what was your request?" he asked you.
"Ah." You snapped out of your daze. You must have been enjoying the sound of Neuvillette's clock again. "Would you like to start a garden with me?"
"A garden?"
"Well... maybe a garden isn't the right word if it's indoors with not a lot of sunlight," you said. "We don't want my head to hurt, nor do I want you to accuse me of an assassination attempt…"
"That was one off-handed joke," he sighed. "Must you keep bringing that up?"
You let out a light and delightful laugh.
"Anyway," you continued. "I've been asking around if there are any flowers or plants that require little light and it seems quite a few exist. Would you like to help me?"
Neuvillette placed a hand on his chin. "I don't quite understand. Is there a reason why Jocelyne is unable to lend you a hand?"
"She strongly refuses to help me."
"That's odd. I've heard she enjoys–"
"She strongly refuses to help me."
"Ah… Is that so…" he said, taken aback by your insistence.
It seemed there had been a concerted effort by some of the Melusines to get him to try new activities, specifically ones you'd be able to enjoy. Despite Jocelyne's sharp tone at times, she genuinely did care for you. Before you came along, she wasn't quite sure how to integrate herself among the humans. She truly found a place where she was needed when she was by your side.
"... and it'll obviously be outside of work hours," you continued to ramble, "but you don't have to do it if you don't want to. You're already too busy and there's the case from yesterday, the case from today, and probably a case for tomorrow, so I don't want to pressure you or anything or make any more work for you but…"
"I'll help you."
"...I just thought it'd be nice, and only wanted to offer a suggestion– What???"
"I accepted your request."
You dropped your cane. "Oh, Monsieur Neuvillette! I'm so happy that I–"
"Really????" The doors burst open, revealing a gaping Jocelyne.
"Were you eavesdropping?" you asked her.
"No, I wasn't," she denied. "It's just that Melusines sometimes have a heightened sense of hearing and–"
"But yesterday, you said you couldn't hear me."
"Monsieur Neuvillette," Jocelyne said, ignoring you. "I promise to make sure things with the two of you will go smoothly."
"Ahemmmmm."
"With the gardening," she clarified. "The gardening…"
You shooed her away and Jocelyne promptly closed the doors.
"Well... since you've answered my request, could you help me return to my desk?" you asked Neuvillette with a sweet smile.
"We could ask Jocelyne to return and–"
You held out your elbow towards him while your white cane laid on the floor next to your feet.
"Alright," he said, getting up and picking up your cane. "I shall escort you back to your desk."
As the Chief Justice of Fontaine, this would have typically been seen as special treatment to the rest of the population. Yet, he would indulge just for today. Nobody would fault him for helping a lady who was legally blind.
You wrapped your hand around his arm and he guided you back to your desk with you right by his side.
Yes, nobody would fault him for helping a lady like you.
*****
I hope you liked it. Please check out my other fics if you'd like. :) I have a few other cute and funny ones in my masterlist. (Also, disclaimer: I'm not an expert about being legally blind. I just wanted to try writing for a different kind of reader.)
I am requesting prompt number 18 from ur List with Albedo please. Take ur time^^
Anonymous: Albedo 13? <3
Anonymous: albedo 18 PLEASE! im downbad for this man
Thank you for your requests! I hope you don't mind me combining these. :)
13. "since we're dating, does that mean i can hold your hand whenever i want?"
18. "you're cold?" "no? it's super sunny right now-" "take my jacket anyway."
Albedo x f!reader: fluff, newly established relationship; playful banter (Albedo-style); 0.5k
Albedo steps on another stray patch of grass on the trail as you head towards Dragonspine. You follow closely behind him, a little giddy that you're joining your new boyfriend for some on-the-field research.
You sneeze as you pass the trail leading to Dadaupa Gorge and Albedo stops walking.
"You're cold?" he asks you with furrowed brows.
"No?" you reply. You're not even at Dragonspine yet. The weather is perfect. "It's super sunny right now–"
"Take my jacket anyway."
You narrow your eyes at him as he removes his blue coat with gold-colored trim. He extends the arm holding the jacket but raises a brow after seeing your expression.
"What is it?" he asks.
"You seem suspicious," you tell him. "What are you up to this time?"
"Now why would you think that?" he says with a light chuckle.
"You gave me a bouquet of flowers using alchemy," you reply, crossing your arms. "I wouldn't have known if Klee didn't blurt that out."
"Ah yes," he says. "They were quite lovely."
"They were…," you say, distracted by the memory of the soft smile as he confessed to you. "But you still tricked me!"
"Ah," he smiles at you and you can't tell if he's being mischievous. "But if they contained the same essence as the flowers picked from Starsnatch Cliff, does it matter if they were created using alchemy? I merely took their seeds and caused them to sprout."
He places a hand on his chin. "I suppose it would require more testing to see if there are any discrepancies between the two."
Albedo glances back at you but you place your hands on your hips.
"Would you like to join me with these experiments as well?" he says.
You cross your arms and stick out your bottom lip and Albedo chuckles at your response. He loves to tease you, but apparently that means you're special to him.
The two of you have come a long way from when he first saved you in Dragonspine.
You're nearing the snow and Albedo offers his jacket once again. You slip it on, warmed by the lingering body heat.
"Since we're dating…," you tell him, "does that mean I can hold your hand whenever I want?"
"I suppose so. Humans do seem to enjoy displaying romantic affection in this way after all," he tells you. "Would you like to?"
You punch his arm. "I'm asking if you want to. But I guess it doesn't seem like you care."
You increase your pace to walk ahead of him, but he quickly catches up to you and takes your hand. Your fingers are woven together and he strokes his chin with his other hand.
"I think I rather like this," he says. "How about you?"
Your cheeks heat up, wishing he could be a little flustered about this. But the smile on his lips is more than enough for you.
"Yeah," you tell him. "I think I do too."
I hope you liked it! I totally headcanon that Albedo likes to tease people he's comfortable with and you can't convince me otherwise. If you did his event, you might know what I mean. The dude gave me a mini heart attack and I'm still not over it. Ughhh. (Yes, he's one of my favorites.)
Hi!! welcome to the genshin writing community <3 I saw the prompt list you rbd, can I get "this song reminds me of you." + kazuha + canonverse? Thanks <3
Thank you for being one of my first followers here. 💞 Your request was the first one I got on my blog, but I wanted to make sure I learned enough about Kazuha before writing this. (It's a little different from my usual style but I hope you like it.)
Warnings: Inazuma spoilers
Kazuha x f!reader: fluff, pining, friends to lovers, a companion asks to continue being with you; 0.5k
Rain patters against the shelter draped over your head, and Kazuha lies nearby with a blanket tucked over his shoulders. The dim-lit lamp outlines his gentle face as he watches you finalize your notes for the day.
You cover the bottle of ink and set it next to the lamp. You've gathered plenty of foliage, the pinks, the violets, abundant on these lands. The dyes they produce are in high demand back in Liyue, and with Kazuha's help, you retrieved them with ease.
He chuckles beside you and you ask why he's laughing. "It's nothing," he tells you. "The smell of fish lingers even when the rain mutes most other scents."
"I always enjoy your cooking," you say with a smile. From the friends you know, he cooks better than the rest.
Kazuha caught fish earlier when the sun was still rising, and as you kept meticulous records of flowers and weeds, he whisked you away to enjoy Inazuma's lovely landscapes.
You were overdoing it, he told you, insisting you relax. He pointed at the chirping finches and the waves crashing against ships. You enjoyed spending time with him as he did with you.
A flash of lightning illuminates his face, yet the showers have not increased their tempo. "This song," he says, his soft voice matching the rain, "reminds me of you."
There's no music in the distance for there are no villages nearby. The birds, the critters, they've all taken in their shelters. The only song in the air is downpour and thunder.
"I've never thanked you properly when you saved me," he says. In Liyue, you found him in a valley during a storm, lying on the ground covered in drenched clothes. You set up your shelter over him and gave him clothes that were dry. That day was unforgettable, the day you met your beloved.
"You've done more than enough for me," you tell him with a smile. "It would've been difficult to travel Inazuma alone."
He joined you on your travels in Liyue fairly often, carrying you from mountain peak to peak to aid you with your gathering. He laughed at your frightened face as you soared over towns.
"May I…," he asks, "May I come on all your travels?"
You've attended festivals together, in Mondstadt, in Liyue, and even in Inazuma. You've watched fireworks by his side, his hand often lingering near yours. Yet, not once did he take it, but now, with the Vision Hunt Decree abolished, his fear of a deeper bond with you was gone.
You place your hand on his. More raindrops tap your shelter. And finally, he wraps his fingers around yours.
"Yes," you tell him. "You can come with me wherever I go."
I hope you liked it! Comments and reblogs are appreciated especially since this is a new blog. :)
"i can hear your heartbeat- why is it going so fast all of a sudden?" + childe? canonverse please!
Thank you for your request anon! :D
Warnings: Childe story quest spoilers
Childe x f!reader: fluff, someone sucks at lying :D, 0.5k
“Miss Y/n, what’s this?” Teucer asks, holding up a stethoscope.
“Teucer,” Childe scolds him as he carries in a paper bag of carrots and cabbages. “You shouldn’t just go and touch her stuff. You need to ask her first.”
“Oh.” Teucer drops his head and puts it back down on your table. “Sorry, Miss Y/n.”
“It’s alright,” you tell him. You lift the lid off the boiling pot and place a couple legs of fowl inside. “You can play with that one. It’s broken anyway.”
“Yay!” Teucer pumps his fists with a large grin. “So… what does it do?”
“You put it in your ears and place the other end over someone's heart. Then you can hear their heartbeat.” You stir the pot and add in some of vegetables. “Oh! You won't be able to hear it in one ear but the other should be perfectly fine.”
Teucer does just that and puts it over his own heart. You had invited Childe, Teucer, and some of your other friends over to your place for dinner after a day at the clinic. It’s always nice to have someone visit you in your otherwise empty home.
Teucer places the stethoscope on Childe and his hearty laugh sounds through your house. “Teucer, my heart is over here.” He tousles his brother’s hair when he finally puts it over the correct spot.
“Hmm… I never realized this,” you begin to say, turning to Childe, “but you’d make a good dad one day.”
“I can hear your heartbeat–” Teucer scratches his head. “Why is it going so fast all of a sudden?”
Childe’s eyes dart to your direction but you’re busy chopping the cabbages for another dish. He removes the stethoscope from his chest and his hands are clamming up.
“What was that, Teucer?” you ask.
“Nothing!” Childe answers for him. “He said nothing!” He releases his breath. It doesn’t seem like you had heard.
“Miss Y/n, I think my brother likes you.”
“Oh?”
Childe quickly covers Teucer’s mouth. “O-Of course I like her. She takes good care of you. You like her too, don’t you?”
“Mmhmm,” he nods, pushing his hand away. There’s a knock on the door and Teucer gets up from the couch. “I can get it!”
Childe places a hand on his forehead. That could’ve gone worse.
“Nice cover up,” you say, and Childe jumps, realizing you’re behind him. “I can see why he still doesn’t know you’re part of the Fatui.”
“Well… I kind of have to,” he says with a smug shrug. “I want to give him at least a few more years.”
“Mmhmm,” you say, narrowing your eyes at him. “You still need some work if you want to trick me though.”
“Hm?”
You reach over and place a hand over his chest. His face turns beet red. “Yup, it’s beating faster alright.”
I hope you liked it! Comments and reblogs are appreciated! Please check out my other writing if you're interested. :)
Summary: Collei is excited to finally meet the woman who is head-over heels for Cyno. You're supposed to join them for dinner, but when she sees the table, where was the dinner? Apparently, Cyno's setting up a very important pun.
Other info: fluff, humour, pre-relationship, getting together, female reader, part two to Untimely Obligations (you don't have to read that first, but this fic will spoil it); 0.9k words
*****
“Master Tighnari, I found the– Huh? What’s going on here?”
Several crates of fresh green limes lined the table that was typically used for their dinners together. Collei knew that Cyno had invited you to join them today in celebration for finally getting through his tough case, but where was their usual food? You were going to be here any minute. Collei wasn't responsible for preparing the food today, but what if you thought it was her fault you didn't get a proper meal.
She looked at Tighnari for answers, but he simply shook his head and sighed.
“That should be enough,” Cyno said after he placed one more crate on the table.
“This is way too much,” replied Tighnari. “What is she even going to do with all of these limes?”
“Make 'lime'-onade of course,” said Cyno without missing a beat
Collei narrowed her eyes at him, wondering how you put up with his jokes in the first place. She heard you were head-over-heels for him, but was that really enough to make you indulge in his terrible jokes?
“No, seriously, why are you even doing this?” asked Tighnari. “She’s going to be here any minute now.”
“Exactly,” Cyno replied. “I need to make sure this goes as smoothly as possible.”
Collei knew he had been working non-stop ever since he met with you last at the tavern. The dark circles under his eyes caused her to wonder if he had looked like that during his Akademiya days. He didn’t look this tired even when his own life on the line, so what exactly had he been so preoccupied with?
“Am I at the right place?” you said, pushing open the leaf doors and peeking through them.
“You’re just in time,” said Cyno.
Your face formed a huge grin when you saw Cyno. “Did you miss me, sweetheart?” you said as you grabbed onto his arm. You called him by a nickname so easily that it baffled Collei to see someone being this sweet with Cyno. The two of you weren't even going out.
“No,” he replied, pushing your hand away. "Don't do this yet."
“Aww… Why not?” you asked. “I've missed you so much! You just left without explaining anything to me back at the tavern,” you said, crossing your arms.
“I just need to finish something first.”
"That's what you said last time too. You've kept me waiting."
"Don't worry," he answered. "I'll finish this swiftly."
He picked up the first crate of limes from the long line on the table.
And dropped it.
Several limes bounced out of the crate and rolled along the floor, a few reaching Tighnari's feet. He raised his brow and Collei gaped at Cyno's sudden action.
“Uh… What are you doing, Cyno?” asked Collei.
“Just watch,” he replied.
He picked up the fruit, inspected it, and placed it back on the floor. He picked up another one, shook his head as if it weren’t good enough, and dropped that one on the floor as well.
At this point, you were confused too.
“Weren’t we supposed to have dinner with Tighnari and Collei?” you asked.
“That was just an excuse for the real reason I asked you to come,” he said.
“So what’s the real reason?”
He took another lime from the floor and deemed it worthy before handing it to you. You took it from him, still with no clue what was going on.
"I don't get it," you said. "What do you want me to do with this?"
“Nothing," said Cyno. "I was simply looking for the best pick-up lime to officially ask you out.”
A bird crowed in the distance.
"Pick-up lime. Get it?"
"Are you trying to get rid of her?" asked Tighnari. "That joke was horrible."
"I thought it was great," he replied.
"Seriously?" asked Collei. "You lost sleep over setting up this–"
Your laughter burst through their ears. "Oh no. I couldn't hold it in again," you said between laughs. "I didn't even get to hear Cyno fully explain the joke."
"Huh. So this one worked," he said, taking out a notebook.
"No, stop writing," you told him, grabbing the pen from his hand. "Please explain the joke to me."
"But you already got it."
"I want to hear it anyway."
'Wow,' thought Collei. 'They really are perfect for each other. It's just like what Master Tighnari said, even if there was a hint of sarcasm in his tone. They look so happy together.'
Cyno explained the joke as you wore a huge grin on your face. You must really like him.
"Aren't you two forgetting something?" Tighnari asked.
You and Cyno paused and exchanged glances.
"Don't tell me you completely missed the underlying message of the joke," Tighnari said with a hand to this forehead
Your eyes widened and you stumble over your words. "Oh…"
Collei giggled to herself. She didn't think she'd find the two of you to be very adorable.
"Well?" asked Cyno. "Do you have an answer?"
"But you already know how I feel about you."
"I'm officially asking you now," said Cyno. "Will you go out with me?"
You wrapped your arms around his neck. "My answer has always been yes!"
*****
I hope you liked it. I read the lime joke years ago in one of my favorite fics and I couldn't think of a better pun so that's the one I used. Lolll.
Anyway, you can check out my other fics in my pinned post if you're interested.
Summary: Cyno tells you a joke to cheer you up, momentarily forgetting you use any opportunity to flirt with him. That tends to make things a little more difficult for him. He needs to wrap up this investigation soon.
Genre: Fluff, humor, flirting, banter, pre-relationship, a smidge of hurt/comfort
Words: 1.3k
I just wanted to see Cyno with a slightly flirty reader but still somehow show that they suited each other lol. This was the result.
"There is a substance in the world that a person can hold, but the longer he holds it, the more it disappears," Cyno tells you. "What is it?"
You sit across the table from Cyno, staring back at him while your expression remains unchanged. You don't give him an answer.
He sighs before he continues. "It's ice," he says. When you don't utter a word, he gives further explanation. "The ice melts in your hand, changing back to its liquid form."
Your eyes don't move, but he raises his brow when he notices you slightly biting your lip. Perhaps you're still confused.
"It's still water, but it cannot be called ice anymore, which is why you can claim it has disappeared."
He continues to elaborate on the joke, but when he starts getting into the nuances of properties of water, you burst out into laughter.
"I'm sorry," you tell him. "I couldn't hold it in anymore."
Oh? Was this joke successful? Cyno continues to cross his arms as you attempt to calm down from your laughter.
"I didn't want to laugh. I wanted you to keep going."
"And why is that?"
"You're just really cute when you do that," you say with a grin. "Besides, I like hearing your voice."
He lets out a scoff and picks up his spoon. His rice is getting cold.
"Anyway, was that supposed to be a joke or a riddle? Because there's a difference you know."
"I thought it was hilarious," he says. "Imagine a child holding an ice cube and then panicking it has disappeared five minutes later."
"You should have explained it that way then," you laugh.
He crosses his arms and clicks his tongue. Fine. One of his jokes will land someday. Besides, he only told the joke because you seemed sad, so he was at least successful in lightening the mood. Why did someone have to come and ask about your sister? He should've known better.
You slip him a piece of paper and he peeks under it to read your note. It's a lead to the investigation he's currently working on. He looks up at you and you have a large and expectant grin on your face.
"Well? Aren't you going to say anything?" you ask him.
He doesn't reply.
"You know. Something like, 'You're so awesome, sweetheart. What ever would I do without you?'"
You never miss an opportunity to flirt with him. He puts the piece of paper away before crossing his arms again. "Excellent work," he tells you. This will help the investigation move more quickly.
"Aww... You're no fun," you pout. "This is an alternative way you can humour me."
He quickly asks another favour of you, and you're a little miffed he didn't play along.
"Yes, I can do that," you tell him. "Her daughter frequents the tavern and I can casually ask how her family is doing. I'm bound to find a few clues from that."
You continue to eat your wrap as Cyno takes more from his plate. This case needs to be wrapped up quickly. He shouldn't have involved you in this first place.
"But why didn't you ask Lambad for help instead? He knows his customers better than I do," you say. "I've only been here for a year."
He pauses from eating and places his spoon down. Looking into your eyes, he simply says, "I trust you."
It was years ago, but he still remembers both the painful yet determined look in your eyes. He was in charge of the investigation involving your sister, and yet you told him exactly where she was hiding. It turned into a painful memory for him, seeing you so heartbroken by your sister's crimes. He couldn't help but secretly keep an eye on you over the years.
"You wouldn't betray your own convictions," he tells you. "You're not so easily swayed by your emotions nor by others."
You widen your eyes, surprised that he made that observation about you.
"Oh?" you ask. "Have I captured your interest then?"
He sighs. He should really get to the bottom of his current case. "How have things been at the tavern?" he asks, changing the topic.
"Nothing too eventful. Just the same old thing. Gossiping people, students, merchants, the occasional traveler from another nation, more gossiping people…," you explain.
There's a twinkle in your eye before you continue. "Besides, if anyone starts to cause any trouble, I just casually mention that you've been coming here fairly frequently."
He has been coming to Lambad's tavern fairly often to take a break even though he'd typically prefer solitude.
"It's nice having a certain strong and handsome guy around," you tell him with a teasing grin.
Your comment catches him off-guard, causing his cheeks to heat up as well. He's been putting up a wall between you, but every so often, you pull a fast one on him.
Footsteps approach from the stairs. Cyno grabs his polearm.
"Cyno, wait." You take his hand.
He releases his breath when the person is in sight.
"It's only Lambad," you explain.
"I just brought up some more food as requested," he says. Cyno glances at you because he didn't order anymore.
"It's for you," you mouth the words to him.
"Anyway," Lambad turns to you, "your break is almost over. You only have five minutes left to flirt with Cyno here."
Cyno widens his eyes. Just how many people knew about your feelings for him? Although, he really shouldn't be surprised by the way you act around him.
"Should I tone it down?" you ask in almost a whisper. Cyno sits back in his seat after Lambad left you two alone again on the second floor.
Cyno raises his brow, not understanding your question.
"With the flirting," you explain. "Does it bother you that much to have other people know I like you?"
You must have read his expression. He can't deny it's been a source of stress for him.
You hold your wrap in front of you. "Well... Then again, I'd probably tarnish your reputation as the great Mahamatra," you say with lowered eyes before taking another bite of your food.
He watches your face and does not detect any lie from you. You truly believed your own words. "There's no need for you to dissociate with me," he says. "With your character, you wouldn't damage my reputation at all."
You choke on your food and he hands you some water. You're almost a bit bashful at his compliment. But when you see he has gone quiet, a smirk tugs on your lips.
"Does this mean I can keep flirting with you?"
He scoffs. Of course you took this as permission to lavish your feelings on him.
"You know... You've never told me to stop," you tell him with a grin sneaking onto your lips.
He thinks back to past interactions with you and sighs. He knows the reason why he has never asked you to stop flirting with him.
"Are you actually secretly interested in me?" you say with a wink.
Cyno rubs his temple. "I do think you need to stop flirting with me."
"What? Well... I…," you lower your eyes. "I think… I'll need some time to adjust, so…"
"Just stop until I wrap up this investigation." He grabs his polearm and leaves the table. "I've involved you too much with this case," he says. "I need to make sure you're safe first."
He already promised himself to look for you once the right people were behind bars. It's only right for you to get a clear answer from him soon.
"Oh… I see…," you say in a lowered voice. "Alright, I'll stop until…"
Cyno steps down the stairs and heads towards the door.
"Wait! What?!?!?!"
He places a hand on his forehead. Maybe he shouldn't have mentioned that yet, but it's true. He wants you to stay by his side and keep flirting with him in the future.
He just needs to ensure your safety is secured first.
I hope you liked it. :) I have some other fics too so please check out the rest of my blog.
Summary: Xiao never should've fallen for you. He was a yaksha. You were a rice farmer. But when you catch him watching you from a distance, you don't want to let him go.
Genre: angst to fluff, angst with happy ending
Words: 2.6k
Inspired by a line Paimon said during the Perilous Trail. (This fic doesn't actually spoil the story in that quest though.)
Xiao peeks over the top of the roof, catching sight of the rice fields below. You're holding a batch of rice stalks in your hand as you bend down to sow one in the muddy water. There's a flutter in his chest as he watches you, but the weight in his stomach pulls it down. He can't be by your side.
You plant another stalk of rice and your sun hat blocks the view of your face. With a sigh, Xiao gets up and takes his spear, his arm hanging limp on his side. He should go.
He steps on a loose shingle and it falls to the ground, shattering at the foot of the door. He winces, hesitant to turn around.
"Xiao?" you say at the distance, your ears heightened by the noise. His heart clenches within him and his feet remain still. He shouldn't have come.
"Xiao!" you repeat, your feet stirring the muddy waters. Splashes become more frequent as you quicken your pace. "Wait!"
He grips his spear and the vision on his wrist begins to glow. But after the sound of your shriek and a splash reaches his ears, he teleports to your side.
Covered in mud from your fall, you blink a few times, surprised to see Xiao had picked you back up on your feet. He kneels down to inspect your knees, wiping off the mud, checking for any cuts or bruises. His mind is at ease; you're fine.
"You really are an adeptus."
His eyes widen and he takes a step back, clenching his fist before turning away from you. It's the first time you've seen him in months.
"I'm alright," you say, placing a hand on his shoulder. "I've fallen in the mud before. You know that." You attempt to reassure him with a smile.
He lowers his gaze and rubs his arm. After spotting your sun hat in the water, he sees that half of it has been soaked through.
"I'll get you a new one," he says, bending down to pick it up. The one you kept for him was still hung in that old wooden shed.
"It's fine," you say, shaking your head with a smile. "I can get it. I need a change of clothes anyway."
The wind changes course before it dies down. There is no movement coming from your direction. Xiao glances over his shoulder, finding it odd you continue to stand in place. After a moment, he asks, "Well? Are you going?"
"Oh." You let go of the bundle of rice stalks in your hand and take a few steps past Xiao before pausing again. Your shoulders drop as you look back at him.
He sighs, rubbing his hair. "I'll wait for you."
Your eyes widen, surprised he guessed what you were thinking. He knows you're trying to hide how you're really feeling. "Sorry," you tell him before rushing to your house.
The wooden door closes shut and Xiao stands a few steps away. He lets out a breath before leaning against your house. He never intended to fall for you.
A sparrow flutters by and he's reminded of when he worked on your farm. You often gave the birds ridiculous names. He reluctantly listened to you, eagerly sharing about how they were the same as the ones at the Harbour. But after a while, he didn't mind hearing your voice since he found it quite soothing.
The tree in front of him reminds him of when you'd grab a drink for him as he sat under it. He fought to hide his true opinion of your latest recipe. He didn't like any of them, yet sitting under the shade with you was worth it then.
Your unlikely relationship all started with a misunderstanding before growing into something more. He was the guy you thought your grandpa hired and he got caught up in your warm whirlwind of a welcome. Even after clearing up your mistake, it wasn't so bad to stay with you. If he were being honest, he actually longed to stay with you, to have a mundane life with you. But he couldn't live in that fantasy forever.
He was a yaksha.
Xiao continues to lean against your house when you open the door, now wearing dry clothes. You ask how he's been during this time, as if everything was fine. As if he never disappeared.
"Grandpa's arm is almost completely healed," you tell him. "He's been asking where you…" you begin to say before lowering your eyes. Not wanting to pry, you tug at your sleeve. You know Xiao prefers to keep to himself.
He looks out onto the farm with his arms crossed. Not too long ago, the field was brown and barren, but now it's half filled with rice stalks. "You're getting better at this," he says, referring to your progress with farming. He wants to change the subject. He doesn't want explain why he left.
"Really?" you ask. You're glad he recognizes your improvement. He wishes he was there to witness it for himself. But he can't. He doesn't want to see you hurt.
Xiao picks up his spear. "I should go," he tells you, clenching the weapon in his hand.
"Already?" you say, but a whimper slips through your lips. He hates seeing you like this.
"Yeah," he replies.
Your lips twist together and your eyes can't help but stare at the ground. After taking a breath, you force your mouth into a smile. "Will you come visit again tomorrow?" you ask.
He doesn't answer you. He can't answer you.
You tug at your sleeve again as your eyes return to the ground. He should never have stayed with you. He should've left after you learned he wasn't the person your grandpa hired. He shouldn't have let the words slip out of his mouth, the words telling you he would stay to help you with the farm.
A sniffle comes from his left and he turns his face to see you wiping your eyes with a sleeve.
"Why are you–?" Xiao begins to ask, but he sees you biting your lip, attempting to hold your composure.
Your voice cracks a little when you reply. "Is this the last time I'm going to see you?" Hearing your fears spoken aloud causes more tears to run down your face. Lift your hands to cover your face. It's the first time he has seen you cry.
Xiao groans and runs his fingers through his hair before he awkwardly wraps his arms around your body. His shoulder becomes damp from your tears and a lone leaf falls in front of you. He rubs your back, and after a while, your breath begins to steady when you finally relax into his arms.
"You'll come back, right?" you ask him.
An image of your bloodied arm flashes in his mind. He grabs your shoulders to push you away.
He can't be doing this.
"Xiao?"
Xiao, the name given to him by Rex Lapis. He has many names. Alatus. Conquer of Demons. Vigilant Yaksha. Each one of these names reminds him of the weight he bore. He used to forsake those names whenever he was with you.
"I'm sorry," he replies.
With his vision glowing, he takes his spear and teleports to Wangshu Inn. He lets out a sigh of relief before slumping on the roof. He's safe. You're safe. He can't keep seeing you. He has to let you go.
There's a tug on his shirt and when he looks over his shoulder, he sees that he somehow brought you along. You must have held onto him this whole time.
Xiao clicks his tongue and rubs his temples, wishing you didn't witness his mistake.
"Where are we?" you ask before your eyes widen. You recognize where you are.
"You–"
"I'm sorry. I just…"
Xiao takes a breath and sighs. "I'll take you back. Don't look for me here." He reaches for your extended hand but you snap it back and pull it close to your chest.
"Can't I see you again?" you ask once more, your shirt wrinkling as you clutch it. Now that you know he comes to the inn, he knows you'll try to find him here.
He slumps onto the inn's roof, his spear clangs slightly as he drops it by his side. Rubbing his temples, he's not quite sure what to do next. Wangshu Inn is his hiding place but it won't be anymore if you're here.
"Look, you can't come here, alright?" he tells you.
You bite your lip, and Xiao knows you're trying to hold back a second round of tears. "Why… why can't I see you?" you ask. "Why are you pushing me away?"
He doesn't answer; he only turns his face away from you. He has already resigned to the ill-fated relationship you have with each other.
"Is there something wrong with me–?"
"No. Nothing's wrong with you."
"Then why are you–"
"Look, you need to forget about me alright?" he says, standing straight up next to you. "You need to leave me." The voice that leaves his throat is hoarser than usual. "My karma… it…" He bites his lip and turns his face from you. He can't tell you. He should never have stayed with you.
The sun begins to set, the sky dimming to a burnt orange. It's too similar to the day you almost got hurt. The fictitious scenario continues to haunt him. He has seen others hurt many times before.
Xiao feels your gentle touch on his arm and he sees your sad eyes. "What does your karma do?" you ask with a soft voice.
Xiao rubs his neck, hesitant to give you an answer. "You know those hilichurls that attacked you?" he quietly mentions. "They were attracted to your farm because of my karma."
His feelings… he finally voiced them. He didn't want to tell you. Knowing you, you'd try to find a way to–
"What if I learned how to fight?"
"Tsk," Xiao clicks his tongue and crosses his arms. He knew it. He shouldn't have said anything. You're already a mere mortal and your fragile body can only take so much.
"Xiao…"
"You can barely manage the farm by yourself," he snaps, finally letting out his frustration.
"I know I have my limits. But I can try, can't I?"
He's not frustrated with you though. He's just exhausted to have this happen over and over again whenever he happens to become close with a mortal.
"You shouldn't need to. I can't bear to see you get hurt."
"What if I got a vision? Wouldn't that help?"
"That's not the issue here. Besides, even with a vision, it won't help with your limited stamina. A vision would be worthless." He wanted to avoid this conversation and yet, here he is, arguing with the person he cherished the most. He hates this.
He takes a breath before continuing. "Y/n, it's my karma that's the–"
Xiao widens his eyes after he realizes something. No, why does this need to come up now? Why now of all times does this thought cross his mind?
A vision could help with his karma.
But he can't tell you that. He can't give you a sliver of hope. The other yaksha eventually succumbed to their karma. A vision would increase your resistance, yes, but with your health… Xiao shakes his head at the thought.
You place a hand on his arm, knowing something crossed his mind. "What is it?" you ask him.
He sighs. "Nothing."
"Nothing?" you raise a brow. He flits his eyes away from you and a tiny smirk gently tugs your lips, knowing he's starting to budge.
"Are you sure about that?"
"Look, I–" His eyes meet yours and the hope in your gaze causes his resistance to falter. "Ugh," he places a palm on his forehead. "You think it's that easy to get a vision?" He knew of numerous people who desperately tried to get a vision only to die without seeing their desires realized.
But when your eyes grow wide, Xiao realizes the slip of his tongue. "No," he says, "it's not like that. It's impossible to–"
"A vision can help?" you say, your face becoming brighter.
"I–," Xiao groans as he runs his fingers through his hair. What's he supposed to do now? "It can, but…"
"But…?"
Xiao knows he should stop explaining to you, but it's already too late. He said too much. "It won't make you immune to my karma," he tells you. "It'll just give you some more resistance to it. That's all."
You take a breath to process all of the information he told you. Your brows furrow as you're deep in thought and Xiao doesn't know what's on your mind. He wants you to give up like he has, but he's also afraid you'll leave him completely, as if he never existed. He selfishly wants you to continue to hope for the both of you, but he knows he can't ask that of you. Hope deferred makes the heart sick and he has experienced that many times. He doesn't want you to suffer through that as well.
As you continue to think through his words, Xiao turns his face away. He doesn't want to see you come to your decision. "I should bring you home," he tells you. He can't bear to see you reject him. He needs to end this now.
"So I just need a vision, right?" you ask.
Xiao's heart skips a beat and his blood rushes through his veins. He can't tell if he's scared or elated.
"Well, at least for now," you continue. "Enough for me to see you again?" you ask bashfully.
A smile tugs on his mouth before he bites his lip to hold it back. He shouldn't be doing this. He can't. "Not anyone can get a vision," he says without turning to face you.
"I know, but I should at least try, shouldn't I?"
"Do you know how many people wish to get a vision, but never get one?" He needs to talk you out of this. He needs to talk himself out of this.
"I can try Xiao. I'll ask how others got their visions. I know I can at least do that." You cover his hand with yours. "I have to try."
The clouds have gotten darker and the first few drops touch his skin. He should take you home and make you forget about this conversation. But an orange leaf catches his eye as it falls into the nest behind you. Inside the nest glows a bluish hue with a pattern surrounding it that he's all too familiar with, one he always sees on the back of his hand.
"Xiao?" you ask, waiting for some kind of answer from him.
Although he clicks his tongue, there's a small uptick on the corner of his lip. "You fool," he tells you, but he could easily be referring to himself. "You're such a fool."
He takes your hand and in the next moment, the two of you are in your house. He gently lets you go as the two of you stand next to your dining table. Rain continues to hit your roof.
"It's getting dark," he says. "You need to eat your dinner." He picks up his spear to get ready to leave.
"Wait, Xiao, I–"
He takes your hand and sets the vision inside it. He himself can't believe this really happened. He gives you a soft smile and your jaw drops in shock as you gaze at the blue glow in your palms.
"I'll see you tomorrow," he tells you before whisking himself away once again. Only this time, the weight in his chest feels lighter than usual.
I hope you enjoyed it. Please check out my other stories. I also have my taglist form in my pinned post. (Just expect very infrequent updates from me though.)
Summary: You think Lyney hates you. He's never used his charm on you. Lynette's response? If you look behind his ear, just under the stands of his hair, the answer will magically appear. (A cute and heartwarming getting together fic that I hope will make you smile.)
Other info: fluff, cute, some hurt/comfort, some pining, family, getting together, yes I know it's "sleight of hand", 2.5k words
*****
"Does Lyney hate me?"
You sat in front of the cafe with Lynette, enjoying a late night drink, and typically you'd be enjoying the silence and scenery together. But your thoughts slipped out of your mouth before you could snatch them back, ruining the peaceful moment you were having.
"Forget what I said," you said, eyes darting back to your drink.
Lynette placed her cup down and put a new cake slice on her plate. "Why do you ask?" she said with no hint of shock on her face.
"No. It was a stupid question." You took a sip, hoping she'd drop the topic.
"I see… Have you finally begun to wonder why Lyney has never used his charm on you?" she asked.
Your drink went down your throat the wrong way and you began to cough. "How did you know?" you asked, a little embarrassed.
"I could tell from how you were eyeing him as he welcomed our newest guest," she explained.
Nothing got past Lynette. You knew better than to try to hide anything from her. You'd often wondered if her greatest talent was actually reading minds.
She was right. You had never noticed the slight difference in Lyney's behavior towards you, even though you had known the twins for a long time now. He had always treated you with care and respect, but lately, you felt ill whenever he showered others with his suave words. You used to be happy just to see him smile.
You sighed, knowing exactly why you felt this way. You just didn't want to admit it.
"I think it's the right time to tell you this," Lynette said.
"Hm?" you asked. "Tell me what?"
"There's a reason why Lyney acts differently around you," she said.
You raised your brow, but you placed your cup down anyway and to listen for her next words.
"I'll give you a hint," she said. "If you look behind his ear, just under his strands of hair, you might figure out why he treats you this way."
What? It was always hard to tell what Lynette was thinking because of the lack of emotion on her face. But even if she'd crack a joke once in a while, she wouldn't do so when you had a genuine concern.
Lynette took another sip of her cup and returned back to standby mode, drifting somewhere within the stars.
You weren't sure what to make of her comment
*****
It was four in the afternoon and the workshop needed to be cleaned before you could start any work. You took the vacuum, which Lynette fortunately didn't break yet, and removed the sawdust on the floor from this morning.
Next, you wiped down the workshop's two-way mirror, knowing Lyney would need it to test another trick today. The majority of the cleaning fell on you, which you didn't mind. You used to be a maid after all – a maid to a cold and cruel mistress. You had never expected to see the twins again after her downfall.
Lyney walked to the entrance after the doorbell had rung and greeted the lady here for a delivery. You smiled as he chatted up a storm with her, always happy to meet new people, and he even added a magic trick to top it off.
"And that concludes today's mini show," he said, returning his hat on his head. "With your lovely shirt and trousers, I hope to see your excellent style at my next performance."
Ah. Another compliment, another knot in your stomach.
At the door, Lyney received the package which reached just above his eyes when he carried it. You placed your rag down and got the other package that was left at the front door.
"Thank you, Y/n," he said with a smile.
It was a short and simple statement of appreciation, which you typically didn't mind. Yet, he didn't say, 'Thank you. Whatever would I do without you.' Nor did he say, 'You're just as reliable as always. Why, I must ensure that you never leave us!' You'd often hear these words when he talked to your co-workers.
But not with you.
You placed the package on the table beside the retrofitted vase and the room went quiet. The two of you typically didn't mind a comfortable silence, but today felt different. You went on with your work anyway, cleaning up the scraps on the work table as Lyney worked at his desk. He didn't even hum a tune as he usually did when the others were around. It was only silent with you.
You sighed, thinking you would've noticed earlier if you were as observant as Lynette. You weren't sure if the subtle difference in behavior was something you should be concerned about.
Once you were done cleaning, you peeked over Lyney's shoulder as he sketched out a mechanism he'd need for a trick. He smiled at you and pointed to the drawing, explaining to you how the system worked.
"But if I place this gear here, its axel would obstruct the door of the hidden compartment," he told you. "I'm not really sure how to solve this one."
"I see…" you said, pulling out a stool beside him. "You said the axel needs to be at least an inch long... Could you add a slot for it on the door itself?"
He placed his pencil's end on his cheek. "That could work since it's hidden anyway," he said.
He continued to alternate between thinking and drawing, often erasing his paper and even getting another sheet to redraw it. You had always admired the work he put into his shows. You enjoyed watching him passionate about his craft.
"If you look behind his ear, just under his strands of hair, you might figure out why he treats you this way," Lynette had said.
You lifted your hand up to brush his hair away from his right ear.
Lyney's pencil stopped moving and his hand was frozen in place. "W-what are you doing, Y/n?"
You were right. There was nothing there. You didn't expect anything, but you thought maybe there could've been a secret magic trick the twins set up for you. There was nothing of that sort.
And then you saw it.
"Lyney, why is your ear…"
His hand rushed to cover his ear. "I-It just turns red sometimes. That's all," he explained. "It's unfortunate that most of my tricks are done at a distance, so I don't have any plans to create tricks that involve me turning red."
"What are you even talking about–"
His hand… He was tapping his finger and counting down from five. Lyney would only do this to activate his 'performance mode', when he needed to calm his nerves.
"Lyney, is there something wrong–"
"Oh, would you look at the time... The sun is about to set," he said, leaving his chair.
"Lyney, wait!"
Crash!
The pieces from the broken vase were scattered next to your knees and under the table. Memories flooded back of your mistress's twisted scowl and piercing eyes, and you quickly bowed your head and apologized. Your breathing became shallow and your eyes didn't leave the floor.
A fan of cards appeared in front of your face.
"Now you see them, and now you…"–he pulled the cards together–"Hey, hold on a moment, why didn't the vase disappear?" Lyney said before sighing. "I guess we'll have to do it the old fashioned way."
You looked up to see Lyney's smile and outstretched hand.
"Would you like to be my assistant for today?"
You had never forgotten how you first met Lyney. Two magicians on a secret mission and your mistress and her husband had a lot to hide. And yet, Lyney had taken the time to redirect your mistress's anger and given you a hand, just like he was doing now.
You took his hand and stood to your feet, not once leaving your eyes from his.
"Now, where were… uh…" he said, breaking eye contact. He released his grip from you hand, but you held him even tighter. "You're not going to let go, are you?" he said, running his hand on the back of his neck.
"No," you said. "I'm not."
You wanted an answer. You wanted to hear it – that this man in front of you was attracted to you. A wonderful magician who won you over not only because of his magic tricks and charisma, but also because of his kindness, hard work, and love for his siblings. And yet this same person whom you admired all this time had the tips of his ears burning red at your gentle touch.
"Lyney…" you managed to say. "Do you like me?"
He sighed and laughed a little. "I guess the cat's out of the bag. There isn't a way for me to escape out of this one, is there?"
You shook your head.
He gave you a gentle smile. "Do you remember our second meeting?" he said. "When you showed up at our rendezvous point?"
Panic had covered his face when he saw you instead of Lynette, his posture revealing he wouldn't hesitate to attack you if you had harmed her in any way. You had to quickly explain how you hid Lynette in a storage room after she almost blew her cover.
"You had come up with a detailed plan that helped Lynette escape and sacrificed your own food for her as she hid. And you did all of this while you were terrified of your mistress. How could I not have fallen for you then and there?"
You had never realized that Lynette noticed you gave her your food. You would've done it for anyone, knowing what the punishment would've been if she was caught.
"Anyway, that's the story of my one-sided love. We should really fix up the vase that had fallen earlier," he said, quickly returning to the scattered pieces.
"Lyney, but…"
"Be careful now, or you might get hurt. I wouldn't want to see any tears on that beautiful face of yours–" His eyes saw the mirror behind you before he covered his face. "Um… pretend you didn't see that."
You grabbed his face and pulled it back, observing his red blush up close.
"Uh…" he said, eyes darting away. "What are you doing–"
"You know, I wondered why you never used your smooth words on me," you told him. "Why did you hide it?"
He took your hands from his face and placed them back by your sides. "Nothing good would come out of it," he said with a sigh. "Especially with my association with the Fatui."
"And what if I want to take the risk?" you said, still clinging onto his hand.
"What?"
"You've always meant a lot to me Lyney, even before my feelings turned romantic," you told him. "I've taken risks for you before. And I'm willing to do it again."
He lifted his other hand to fix a strand of hair on your head, gently pushing it back and getting a better look at your face. "You shouldn't do that to yourself, Y/n. You deserve more than that."
"We can work together," you said. "Just like we always have."
He pulled his hand out of your grip. "I… I can't," he told you. "I can't do it. How…" His voice wavered as he turned away from you. "How can I take care of you too?"
A door clicked open and you turned to look behind you. Lynette had walked into the workshop from the other room.
"Oh…" Lyney looked at her with a nervous smile. "Did you see all of that?"
Lynette pointed to the two-way mirror. You wouldn't be surprised if she heard the whole conversation.
"Lyney," she said. "Do you remember when we jumped off the cliff, and you shielded my fall before going unconscious?"
"What?" he said, turning towards her. "How could I forget? That was the day you received your vision."
Lynette placed her hand on her chest. "You've taken care of me so much for as long as I could remember," she said. "But I love you too and care dearly for Y/n as well. So if any issues arise because of your relationship with her, let me help. I'll protect you."
"I…" Lyney lowered his eyes.
"I'll be alright, because as always…" she began.
"... Lynette is by my side," Lyney finished. Yet his shoulders sagged. "I… I don't know Lynette. What if something goes horribly wrong? I don't want Y/n to take the fall too."
"Don't worry," she told him, shaking her head. "I've already gotten some ideas to get you two out of any sticky situation. Keep it a secret as long as possible and I'll prepare for any contingency plans for whatever comes up."
"I'm still not so sure…" he said.
"Both of you are also discreet and know how to keep secrets," she continued. "The rest of the family would be excited and 'Father' would be fine with it as long as she doesn't hinder any missions. We both know that won't be a problem."
You stared at Lynette, amazed she thought all of this through. She really wanted this to work out, wanted us to work out.
Lyney placed his hand on his chin and thought for a long while. Both you and Lynette gave him a chance to think and didn't mind the silence he needed.
"So what's your plan?" he finally asked.
"For now, the biggest issue is that Lyney needs to figure out how to stop blushing." Lynette turned to you. "I figured that giving you the hint would get Lyney the help he needed with that."
"You gave her a hint?" exclaimed Lyney. "About my blushing? Lynette… I told you to keep it a secret."
"It was going to show sooner or later," she said. "Better here in the workshop than in public."
"Oh Lynette…" Lyney whined. "I can't believe you were the one who started this."
The tips of your mouth tugged back into a grin, seeing Lyney's arms relax a little. "So is that all he needs to do?" you asked. "Just stop blushing?"
"It's not that easy," Lyney said, a bit embarrassed. "Which was why I've been cautious with my words around you."
"Then why don't you practice now?" you said with a smile.
"What?"
"Practice flirting me until you can stop going red."
"I… uh…"
"What? Is the great magician who's a master at winning hearts actually at a loss for words?" you teased.
"I can't help it. You leave me breathless," he whined, sounding more like a complaint than a flirty remark. Yet his face turned red once again. He looked up at the two way mirror behind you and covered his face with both hands. "Okay, I need help," he said through his fingers.
"Keep practicing on me," you said with a smile.
"Can't we start tomorrow?"
"Nope. You need to make up for all the times I got jealous."
"You got jealous?"
You giggled as you scooped up his hand. "Of course I did. I just wish Lynette had given me the hint earlier."
*****
I hope you liked it. Please check out my other fics if you're interested. :)
lyney’s schedule was not one with wide margins. every minute was accounted for, dedicated to an explicit purpose. his shows (preparing, checking the stage, checking props, checking the stage again—sorry, lynette) took a large portion of his time, but there was also his family (checking on freminet, checking on lynette, checking on the rest of the House, checking on freminet again—are you sure you’re alright?) and missions from father (steal this, leave that, don’t be heard, don’t be seen).
honestly, he barely had time to breathe most days. and that was fine! he rarely knew what to do without some problem to fix or task to complete. it was an unfamiliar feeling, and so he often took on extra work whenever he could. as such, he’d developed a bit of a knack for all the odd jobs you could think of: flower arrangements, finding lost things, getting stains out of clothes, cooking, any and everything.
he’d never had a problem with this. his life was crowded, but straightforward. he knew the answer to every problem, and if he didn’t, he knew who did.
this was, of course, before you entered the picture. now, the tasks he sought out felt too heavy to carry. yes, he wanted to help his family, but he couldn’t shake the feeling that there was only so many times he could show up late before you’d stop trying to invite him places, and that was the last thing he wanted.
you weren’t fatui, but you didn’t mind that he was and father had given him clearance so long as he was “responsible with his loyalties,” which was entirely achievable! what showman couldn’t juggle?
…him, apparently. because between helping lynette find her tea (someone had moved it) and keeping the local wildlife safe from foltz, he’d lost track of time. he still wasn’t used to a block of free time in his schedule, automatically trying to fill it before he could remember that there was a reason for it. and now, he was rushing through the streets of fontaine, fixing his cape as he all but ran.
you were sat outside the cafe in the same chair as usual, and he slows to a regular pace as he approaches to gather what remained of his appearance. you were reading a book, and he felt both proud that you hadn’t forced yourself to sit there plainly and also ashamed of the fact that it was his fault. regardless, he cleared his throat and called your name, sitting across from you and meeting your smile with his own.
your book was a mystery novel, one he easily enough got you talking about with a bit of prompting. judging by the place your bookmark held, you were a good ways through it, likely just before the reveal. just from your summary, he could easily guess the culprit, but what was the point in ruining your fun?
“so, who do you think it is?”
there were few things lyney liked more than seeing the people he cared for happy and in their element. you got to share your theories and he could listen to your voice out of all the bustle in the city, ordering ile flottante to have an excuse to keep quiet. your own tea was growing cold, but he could always get you another. would picking up the tab make up for his tardiness? it probably shouldn’t.
around halfway through your defense of the butler—cleared by his alibi, but still deemed suspicious by the bartender—you stopped, looking somewhere over his shoulder. he didn’t hear anything out of the ordinary..
your hand rose to tap at your face, just at the corner of your lip. “you’ve got icing on you, by the way.”
ah. well, wasn’t that the perfect topping to his evening?
he grabbed a napkin and quickly wiped across the offending cheek, but you shook your head. “no, the other one.”
at least you were smiling? that made his mistake worth it. he was usually a tidy eater—but he also usually didn’t order flottante, since it was usually too sweet for his liking. today, he’d decided to give it a try, and look where that had gotten him…
he told you as such, and you laughed. he liked hearing you laugh. laughter meant happiness, and happiness meant a job well done. maybe he should get it more often?
“are you doing this intentionally?”
he folded the napkin twice, eyes on you. “doing what intentionally?”
“you missed it twice.” oh, archons- “here, just sit still.”
he didn’t have much time to protest before you were taking your napkin in hand, carefully swiping it an inch or so to the side from where he’d guessed. like him, you folded the mess inside, but unlike him you actually had something on yours, a pale gold in the afternoon light. the whole interaction had lasted maybe a second or two, but it stuck in his head for far longer.
you put a lot of trust into him, more than he knew what to do with. people were not typically fond of the fatui, and even less fond of the magician who could snatch their wallets before they could blink (nevermind that he’d had to learn that skill to survive). it was strange that he could make the same mistake over and over and your faith that he would show never wavered.
not that he ever wanted to give you a reason to. he always kept his promises to those he loved.
