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⟦ I Love HSR, I keep quitting Genshin and going back on and off, Blade is my Romanian empire. I'm the most comfortable writing for fem reader, not saying I won't do GN.⟧
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Latest Works:
Skin That Cries Golden Tears · Chapter 4
Skin That Cries Golden Tears • Chapter 3
All borders I use are by @cafekitsune ♡♪, But All Banners Are Made By Me Myself! If you'd like to use them please ask me first, not anonymously, please and thank you.
♡ ◍• Skin That Cries Golden Tears • Chapter 4 - Interrogation..? ◍
Series Masterlist 🌑 (All Available Chapters)
Chapter Summary: You are being "interrogated" (threatened) by the Dark Knight Hero, tied up.
What in the world (or rather, Teyvat) happened to not attracting attention?
You were currently tied up to a chair in a box room, facing away from the door. After magically appearing in front of Diluc in the middle of his home and giving him and his employees a shock, you were promptly apprehended by him, blindfolded, brought here, and bound before regaining your sight. You don't blame them for treating you like a threat when no one knows who you are or what you can do. But couldn't they at least make these ropes less tight? They're killing your wrists and cutting off your blood flow. Ugh. It somehow reminds you of the tightness that was around your neck while you were being dragged down to your death at the bottom of the ocean. Your mind can't help but be filled with hatred and resentment for the despicable man who ruined your life and caused the events currently happening to you. It sends shivers down your spine, makes your body run cold. You hate him.
You hate him.
You HATE him.
YOU HATE HIM.
You hate HIM.
You hate-
It feels rather... chillier in here than it was a moment ago.
But the only thing that piques your interest is the sound of footsteps and the door to the room you were inside opening and then closing as someone steps in. You already knew who it was, the same person who keeps manhandling you everywhere, it seems.
"I already searched you. Did you magically gain a cryo vision in the short amount of time you've been in here?" He sounds baffled, bewildered, even. "Hm. I'm sure you placed it somewhere I am unable to touch appropriately, as you are a lady. How cunning of you." You still couldn't see him as your chair was facing the opposite way, although you had no idea what he could be referring to until you took a moment to look around the room. There were small, tiny snowflakes in the air as well as ice on some parts of the wall, and even on the rope that was binding your hands. Now you could finally feel the goosebumps on your skin. Did you actually do this? Did the Archons bless you with a vision? This could be so helpful-
Wait, what exactly was he implying? A deep blush forms on your face. You took great offense to that. "I never did anything of that sort for your information. I am just as clueless about how this happened as you are, Sir Diluc."
You're hyper-aware of Diluc coming into your vision and slowly stopping right in front of you. He's observing you, looking you up and down as if you're something he can't quite understand. "You're fortunate you haven't brought harm to anyone yet. I would have long dealt with you if that was the case." You'd say his voice is colder than the temperature in this room, because the glare and tone of his voice make the hairs on your arms stick up. He really just threatened your life. Luckily, he doesn't know what you "did" to Kaeya, even if he was the one who BASICALLY brought it upon himself. Speaking of which, he likely has discovered your disappearance by now. You didn't necessarily want to leave just yet. You wanted to talk to him more, gain his trust, and potentially have him help you figure out what was happening while he keeps smiling at you and kissing your hand and-
Ah. You missed him. He was your first in-game main, after all.
But your attention is forcefully brought back to the (literal) redhead in front of you when he points his greatsword at your head. Not a moment of peace, is there?
If looks could kill, you would be back at an archon statue. "Who are you? Where did you come from? As you surely aren't from Mondstant." He crosses his arms and huffs."Aren't you tired of pretending? You are not THEM. You shouldn't disgrace their name by taking on their features and pretending you woke up in the middle of a field, and making strangers (he himself) save you and bring you to safety?" He snarls, clearly done with what he thinks is bullshit.
But now you're just more than ever confused. "Faking what exactly? I'm aware my eyes are an odd color of gold, but I do not know when or how they became like that either! I'm innocent!" With your life seemingly being on the line, you feel no need to lie. "I.. I had died, okay? Then, when I woke up, I was in the forest. I know it sounds fake, but-" "Fake is one way to put it." His sword comes closer to your neck, and suddenly, your heart drops. You feel real fear and danger, like you're about to get hurt. Just as you finish that thought, the greatsword close to your neck seems to be shaking. Your eyes trail back up to its holder, and he suddenly seems to be struggling, trembling. Specifically, his arm. And just like that, the sword has fallen onto the ground while Diluc clutches his arm and seems to be in great pain.
"A-Augh..." He mutters, his knee hitting the floor as the pain seems to be increasing. "Damn it, Archons.." Even though he was potentially going to kill you earlier, you didn't like seeing one of the characters you admired in so much pain. And taking into account that something similar happened when Kaeya hurt you, you had a feeling of why this was happening to them.
After all, you were out of this world. Who would dare bring harm to you?
The ropes at your wrists were frozen, and with the strength you're sure you originally never had, you were able to break the rope apart, crushing it as you freed yourself and stood up, getting close to Diluc before crouching down in front of him. He was still in clear pain, but still conscious as he tried scooting away from you, wary. Fearful, perhaps? Couldn't blame the guy. But deciding to offer some grace, you grab the shaking hand with your own and hold it close to your body. Much to your thought process, he seems to calm down completely almost immediately.
Much to your dismay, not mentally.
He was still breathing hard, still glaring at you like you were some unknown entity. Which was true to some extent. But at the end of the day, you're still human, which is why you're helping him.
But alas, now you regret helping out your prosecutor.
As soon as he gathers enough strength, he gets on top of you and pins you to the ground, your wrists bound once again by one of his huge hands. He's smart about how he's doing it, because you don't feel any pain, and are only being restrained.
"I'm taking you back to the city immediately. There you'll be placed in jail, put on trial, and charge for fraud and impersonating their majesty."
*Who exactly? That might give you a clue and idea about what is going on here and how you got here. But you're not getting any information while being locked up against your will and serving jail time for a crime you did not intend to commit! It's easier to play dumb and act like someone you are not, AKA someone safe to play. "Sir Diluc, I am just a simple traveler!" You scream while your head is being (gently, somehow) pressed against the floorboards. "I'm on my way to Liyue to start a farm and live quietl-"
He has the audacity to cover your mouth. "Anything you can now can and will be used against you."
Now this is just lovely. There aren't any chances of you getting the books and information you need to know more about your situation in jail. This isn't fair. Did the universe really send you here to fail miserably at your second shot at life? You were ready, you were excited. If you were back at Kaeya's home exploring his library, if only you were back with him, instead of this strawberry ponytailed red man on top of you-!
Pow! Hissssssss........
You only blinked for a moment, really. And Diluc is frozen against the wall inside a giant ice cube. You look towards the door to see Kaeya standing there, breathing heavily as if he's out of breath and has been looking for you everywhere, with a face of pure satisfaction now that he's found (and saved?) you.
"Sweetheart, it's not nice to leave someone's place without saying goodbye~. And by the looks of it, I bet you regret coming here instead." He had the guts to tease you right now, even though he's the one who looks so much like a mess. But whatever. It doesn't look like you're going to jail tonight. But might as well be tomorrow if you don't get up and out of here stat.
Kaeya makes his way over to you and helps you up, looking at you in such a way that would make anyone doubt you had ever injured him. "I'm not letting Diluc take what's mine, and I haven't even had any fun with you yet. You ran too soon." You're sure he doesn't mean that in an inappropriate way, but it makes heat rise up in your face anyway. He chuckles, looking at you, and can't help but look smug.
Not paying heed to that right now, you're able to think back on what just happened. You used cryo. You don't have a cryo vision. How? It's going to be useful and help you out in the world, but knowing where it came from and what you can do with it would relieve you even more.
Both of you, unfortunately, were moving too slow, and before you even realized it, Diluc had unthawed himself and was back on his feet, grabbing onto your arm on the opposite side of your body to Kaeya.
"I do not appreciate you turning me into an ice block, Kaeya. I'm turning her in and suggest you remain out of my way."
A/N:
Guess who's back? 1 year and four months… I'm so sorry, argh. Life got busy and I lost motivation but I promised I wouldn't leave a story unfinished! I wrote this at 1 am all in one sitting lol. I'm happy to start writing again~. Love you all and I appreciate you waiting. (^3(^o^*)!
Still using my old tag list.. because why not. Hope you're all still active.
It had to be by God’s will that your life had come to a short end. Why else would he allow you to get pushed off of a bridge and drown to your death, at the age of 26? Well, what should have been the end of your life when your ex killed you off for rejecting his love once again. So you were definitely in a haze when you woke up at the highest peak at Qingyun Peak on a floating island, inside your favorite game.
It wasn’t fair. It wasn't your fault. Why did he hate you so much? You let him go, told him to move on, that you would even bless him with his newfound lover. Even if he didn’t stay loyal, even if he begged on his knees to have a chance of making things right. Though there wasn’t anything that could change your mind, cheating is unforgivable and unforgettable.
However, you were too precious, perfect, and good for everyone else. So he decided. If he couldn’t have you, no one would. Hence the downfall of your life. Or the uprising? The people of Teyvat are sure to make your arrival a pleasant experience, after all, they’ve been expecting you for centuries.
♡ ◍• Skin That Cries Golden Tears • Chapter 3 - A Fractured Welcome ◍
Series Masterlist 🌑 (All Available Chapters)
Chapter Summary:
You welcome yourself into his home, then aid Kaeya while seeking information about your… circumstances. A lovely librarian drops by, prompting him to hide you, to which an odd “mirror” deceives you.
“Are you trying to butter me up before stabbing me in the back?”
Kaeya’s lying on his couch, with a cold cloth on his head, and following you with his eyes everywhere as you wandered around his place. He looked content, as if a stranger wasn’t in his home, as if he didn’t miraculously gain an injury after attacking you, only for you to be perfectly fine. “This has to be against the law in some sense, dear.. traveler?”
Said stranger, you, are currently maneuvering a lot, looking through any document or book you could find. He surprisingly had a lot of filled shelves around here and there had to be something, anything that could tell you what was going on with your life and explain how you ended up here of all places. Teyvat is a nice place filled with nice people, but there is always more than what meets the eye. Like the Archon war, the destruction of Khaenri’ah & the Fatui's shenanigans.
You let out a long sigh as you drag your feet to Kaeya’s side once again, crouching in front of his body, meeting his eye level. “Look, I’m sorry, okay? I didn’t mean to…” You stretch out your arms, motioning to his figure. “Hurt you? I think that was my fault. I’m just as clueless as you about how this happened, believe me.” He’s staring deep into her eyes, gazing into her soul like he’s trying to find out if she’s telling the truth or not. It’s Kaeya’s turn to sigh before he raises his arm and reaches out to touch the bandage you wrapped around his neck for him.
He shouldn’t believe you, but he foolishly does.
“It can’t be helped. A lot of things in this world don’t make sense, especially our own actions.” Kaeya says cooly, slowly sitting up and sitting upright on his couch. Even though he attacked you first, you can’t help feeling guilty. He was only doing his job and your whole existence in this world is more than suspicious. So the best you can do for now is help him out….
And pray he doesn’t take you back to HQ.
You aren’t stupid, you could tell Jean wanted to keep you there, most likely lock you up. You love Bennet, Lisa, all the knights in general but you didn’t want to see them all through the bars of a jail cell. The Grand Acting Master didn’t trust you, and neither did Diluc. But Kaeya is also a knight and you can't expect him to abandon his duty and hide you away. These things can’t be helped, but you can’t stay here for long. That’s why you have to leave. You need to get on the outskirts, somewhere like the Dawn Winery.
Somehow.
“Kaeya, I know you have no reason to trust me but-"
Knock knock knock.
Ah, maybe you should forget all of that, since it's most likely time for your demise.
Both of your heads snap towards the direction of the sound, and of course, there’s someone pounding at the door. You should just pray to God (but the question is which one?) it’s someone unaware of your presence.
“Hellllooooo~?” Lisa. That beautiful, enhancing librarian.
You don’t know why the fact that it’s only her helps oxygen to fill up your lungs again. Even if she’s super close to Jean, you know that she's logical in some sense to not send you away, if she heard about you from the others.
“Well I deeply apologize princess, but please hold.” He smiles at you and pats down his top before casually walking to the door. How he changed his demeanor so quickly was impressive, but also quite scary if you truly think about it. The fact that you know that he's in pain too but just brushed it off makes you curious about what else he's endured in the past.
That is to say, he is from Khaenri’ah.
Such a sad fate that had fallen upon his people. It’s honestly amusing how little he knows about you, yet he welcomes you into his home. Was it even a welcome? He didn’t have much of a choice but his guard is obviously down. Not the smartest choice to be so relaxed, and even seemingly lie (or what even he was about to do to protect you from Lisa) to someone he’s known for years. That is to say, it’s an opportunity you aren’t planning to let slip, you need to use it, being his trust, and him to your advantage, if you ever dream of getting out of this world.
Let alone surviving in it.
A few softer knocks are heard, and she speaks again. “Kaeya, you know your books are almost two weeks late at the moment, correct?” The way her voice floats into the air around you and continues ringing in your ears doesn’t surprise you as to why no one necessarily dislikes her. She’s a kind soul and oh so very smart. You hope she’s just not smart enough to somehow figure out that you were supposed to be here, in his house, or on the surface of Teyvat.
He takes a deep breath. “Give me a moment, at least let me actually get the books, our dear librarian.” Kaeya speaks loud enough for her to hear from the other side of the door and then proceeds to turn around to face you and starts walking quickly, almost jogging as you follow and you both go down a not-too-lengthy hallway with swords of all different variations. Big, sharp, little, small, including a miniature dagger that’s trapped in a clear casing propped up on a shelf. There’s also armor that shines so bright that it hurts your eyes. He collects them, it seems. He really is a knight at heart, and you can’t help the small smile that it brings to your face knowing that the characters' behaviors haven't changed from how they acted through the screen. It’s a good sense of security since you already know what to expect.
He leads you into what you can only assume is his room and makes you sit down on his bed that’s smaller than something you thought would suit his taste better and makes you sit down on it, then he grabs a stack of books from a desk that you can only assume are Lisa’s and heads back to the door, it's clear he's in a rush to shoo her away. “Stay put and don’t make a single sound, alright? I’ll be back before you know it and then we’re gonna find a way to deal with your… situation.” He offers up a smile that isn't the usual charming one that you see all the time through the game, this one looks genuine, almost like he can't wait to get back to you. The door closes shut behind him gently and you're left alone for the second time yet again. This time in what you can only hope is a safe space.
There's clearly a lot more going on here than either of you know and you're more than determined to figure out what the cause of all of this is. But one thing you can be certain of is Kaeya’s unusual closeness, how much he trusts you and is seemingly drawn to you. And Diluc…
He seemed uncomfortable about your presence, and it isn’t like you could blame him for it, you quite literally came out of nowhere but at least he had the decency to save you. You needed a way to make him trust you. But that would require interacting with him which could go wrong quickly if he’s decided that he’s going to make sure you get locked up as soon as he sees you. Although, he’s a well-respected and logical man. He should know that you’re harmless as well (if we overlook whatever happened when Kaeya cut your neck) since you passed out within seconds of your life being endangered. If you could just have a conversation where he isn’t carrying that sword of his or he’s at least in a comfortable atmosphere, you two could come to an agreement and he could get you settled somewhere away from here, where Jean isn’t trying to track you down and interrogate you, for whatever reason… Then you could go back to being a nobody. Or were you really a nobody? So far everyone who’s seen you has acted strangely. In your opinion, you look normal… ish. Maybe it’s about time you look in a mirror and try to see things from their point of view, or find something that’s out of the ordinary.
Going directly against his directions, you stand up and look around Kaeya’s vacant room. It's tidy, the bed was laid smoothly before your presence. The desk was also clean with ink and paper having their own corner while books and a candlelight had another. That's when you turn around to face the bed again to find what you're looking for. A mirror. But not exactly what you were picturing. It was where you had expected to find it, on the wall next to the dresser on the right side of the bed, but it wasn’t there when Kaeya had brought you here. And instead of your standard tall slim mirror leaning against the wall, this one looked more like a whirlpool, almost a portal that you could see yourself in. Not only that but there’s a pull, a connection to you and the said “mirror.” As if it knew you were wishing to look at your reflection and it was there just for that. You draw closer even so slowly and begin the observation. You start at your feet, and like a lot of different people in the world, you’re wearing heels. Nothing wrong about that, now to move on to your outfit. It wasn’t too bad or simple either. It was a mostly black outfit with gold outlines that made it look more extravagant yet still not too fancy and overbearing.
And lastly, your face.
Your head shape and hair are the same, however-
Oh.
“Ah.”
Your eyes. They were a soft yellow, almost what you would describe as golden. They were bright, yet even you couldn’t look away from the mirror and could only admire in awe. No one else has had features like this, not that you were aware of. Now it makes a bit more sense as to why everyone had either been curious like a certain eye-patch-wearing night or cautious as a certain spectacle pyro vision holding barista.
You… You’re clearly different. Anyone could tell, thus they treated you like so, no wonder you were treated graciously nor was welcome warmly. It just makes you itch to get out of here even more. Being different brings unwanted attraction, and when you’re trying to find your way back home, it won’t help your case at al-
What are you returning to? Your body’s drowning at the bottom of the ocean.
Oh, of course. You had died. It was a bit more peaceful when you had forgotten that fact, and you feel your heart throb as you remember all the air leaving your lungs and saltwater going to replace it instead. With all the pain, nothing you could do but squirm, try and swim up, but to no avail. The heartache. You missed your life, you missed your home.
Zoning out, you hadn’t realized you moved closer to the mirror, it was like a magnet, and of course, you drew closer. That, however, proved to be a grand mistake on your part, because the thought you had about it looking like a portal was indeed correct. It was like a vacuum, as soon as a small part of your hand went through, your whole body followed and your entire vision went completely white.
You wake up, and all you see is a blur. Your knees are against a wooden floor. Luckily, your other senses are intact and a lot more keen than you remember and you hear what you must assume is a broom drop on the floor from your left, a gasp from your right, and a glass shattering on the floor from behind a desk around 10 feet in front of you. “Ughh… My head…” You wince, slowly blinking and rubbing your eyes before you look up to see what your surroundings look like, to find out where in Teyvat you are.
And sitting right there, at the desk a couple of feet away from you, is the same red-haired man who had saved your life only last night, holding… broken pieces of glass while bleeding, staring down at your mouth in a tightly pressed-together line, stunned.
Diluc.
It seems this is your second time entering someone’s home without being invited.
Let me know if you'd like to be tagged!
A/N:
It's been a while, and I'm sorry for the wait. I don't plan on leaving that long ever again, but alas, life happens. I'm glad to be back. I missed writing a whole lot. +.ﾟ(´▽`人)ﾟ+.ﾟ Like I've said with this story and my other works, I'd die before leaving them unfinished. I love you all~!
I have not realized it's been this long already 😭 I wanted to just say I AM STILL WORKING ON THE FICS but I'm just overwhelmed with school I apologize 😞 There should be updates soon though, so thank you all for your patience 💘
It had to be by God’s will that your life had come to a short end. Why else would he allow you to get pushed off of a bridge and drown to your death, at the age of 26? Well, what should have been the end of your life when your ex killed you off for rejecting his love once again. So you were definitely in a haze when you woke up at the highest peak at Qingyun Peak on a floating island, inside your favorite game.
It wasn’t fair. It wasn't your fault. Why did he hate you so much? You let him go, told him to move on, that you would even bless him with his newfound lover. Even if he didn’t stay loyal, even if he begged on his knees to have a chance of making things right. Though there wasn’t anything that could change your mind, cheating is unforgivable and unforgettable.
However, you were too precious, perfect, and good for everyone else. So he decided. If he couldn’t have you, no one would. Hence the downfall of your life. Or the uprising? The people of Teyvat are sure to make your arrival a pleasant experience, after all, they’ve been expecting you for centuries.
In the dead of night, as you let out anguished cries, Blade was roused from his slumber. Despite being jolted awake, he didn't show any signs of irritation. Instead, he could sense the immense pain you were going through. Acting on his instincts, he left his bedroom door slightly open, so he could hear any sound emanating from your room. After hearing your cries, he immediately got up and walked quietly towards his door, all the while alert and focused, courtesy of his profession.
As he approached the door, he noticed that you had already opened your bedroom door and were making your way towards the kitchen, with Blade following silently behind. He could see the pain etched on your face, and his heart went out to you. He watched as you carefully made your way to the fridge and pulled out a bottle of wine, almost slamming it down on the counter. Your eyes were red and teary, and it was clear that you had been crying for a while.
Blade had never seen you so happy to turn down alcohol before. Whenever people would question your refusal you would proudly announce that you were pregnant. You would say it with all your heart; it made his heart feel something too.
You open the bottle and chug it down, apparently not caring if anyone else would drink from it later. However, it was improbable that you wouldn’t finish this bottle tonight. Your eyes were burning hot with tears, so you did not indeed see Blade standing there at the kitchen entrance, arms crossed & leaning against the wall. Even after 10 minutes, you were silent the whole time, head lying in your arms that rested on the counter, occasionally taking big gulps of your bottle, aiming to have it empty by dawn.
Blade's quick strides carry him to your side as you sit slumped over the counter, your fingers clenched around a bottle of wine. He looks down at you with a mix of concern and disappointment etched on his face as he gently pries the bottle from your grasp. "You've had enough for the night. You're going to wake up with a hangover in the morning," he chides softly, his voice laced with worry.
You barely register his words, your head throbbing with the after-effects of too much alcohol. You just want this feeling to go away. "Ren, I'm tired," you murmur, your voice barely above a whisper.
Blade nods in understanding, his hand reaching out to grab your wrist. You feel a jolt of surprise as he pulls you towards him, holding you up with one arm as he places the bottle in the sink. His touch is gentle yet firm, his arms warm and reassuring as they envelop you in a tight embrace.
For a moment, you just lean against him, your head resting on his chest as you try to steady your breathing. You can feel his heartbeat against your cheek, strong and steady, and it calms you in a way that no amount of alcohol could.
As Blade holds you, you feel a sense of safety and comfort wash over you. It's been years since you've been in someone else's embrace like this, and it feels strange yet oddly familiar. You close your eyes and let yourself sink into the moment, allowing Blade's touch to soothe your troubled mind. He doesn’t say anything else. Doesn’t feel the need to. When you look up at him like that, with your eyes that seem to be an endless void that seems empty, he'll have to make sure they don't remain that way for long.
“We’ve been trying for almost a year now. I don't understand why. It's his fault, it has to be. I did everything he asked, I even stopped seeing you as frequently. But he couldn't even stop talking to her, she wanted him. She loves him, but Levi says she's just being nice. He's playing stupid, I'm sure he knows the truth but he's messing with me. What else can he take? What more does he want? I do everything, even when he was unemployed for a year, I never complained. So what if she's his boss and he ‘can’t deny her’? It's by his own will. You wouldn’t imagine how much we’ve fought just because of that damned woman. We were arguing that night when the baby- He- I-”
Blade gently covers your mouth, and the unnoticed tears roll down your face. He knew that you were drunk, you rambled about anything and everything. You silently listened, not saying anything more. “May I sleep next to you tonight?” He whispers, surprisingly softly in your ear. It makes you want to melt under his touch. So you simply do, falling in the opposite direction. But he quickly extends his arms and catches you.
He’s always been there to catch you, hasn't he?
As you lay in bed, still lost in thought, you suddenly feel Blade's arms around you, carrying you in a princess carry towards your bedroom. You can't help but feel a mix of emotions as you take in the situation. You feel grateful for his help, but at the same time, you can't shake off the thought that you had always dreamed of Levi carrying you like this out of his own will, not because you seem needy.
As you reach your bedroom, Blade gently places you on the bed and looks down at you. Your eyes meet, and you can't help but wonder how he always seems to know what you want and need. It's almost as if he's acting like a husband, always taking care of you and being there for you. He seems more like a husband to you than Levi ever was, and you can't help but wonder why you're not married to him instead.
As you get lost in thought, Blade's lips are right there, and you both make eye contact that lasts for a minute or two. Your thoughts may be influenced by your situation, but you can't deny the feelings that are emerging within you. Even after you settle into the covers of your bed, Blade doesn't let you go. He spoons you, with one arm lying on top of your waist, and speaks in a calm tone, "Is this... okay?" You hesitate for a moment before replying, "It's fine." Blade hums in acknowledgment and speaks once more, "Sleep."
You notice that he's acting nonchalant with you, which is unusual. He's usually more guarded and reserved around you compared to how he interacts with others. Perhaps he's trying to avoid showing his vulnerable side and instead wants to appear strong and in control when he's with you. You know him well after all these years of being close, so you can sense that he's putting on a facade for your comfort and safety. As you begin to feel your energy dwindling, you realize that you're exhausted and decide to give in. You take notice of how heavy your eyelids feel and slowly surrender to unconsciousness, finding yourself in someone else's embrace for the first time in years that's not your husband's.
Yet your best friend's.
~
A/N: It's been a little since I've updated this one, m'sorryyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy. I love you all, and I hope to get back the my regular schedule.
♡ ◍• Skin That Cries Golden Tears • Chapter 2 ◍
Chapter 1•🌑
Ah yes. How cliche. Of course, you blackout as soon as you hear the background noises of the tiny mob dying. Everything was too overwhelming at once, you couldn't fight it. You died and suddenly woke up inside a game. Not to mention you still have to process the deep feeling of betrayal left by your ex. But it honestly can't be helped. You have no idea where you'll be when you wake up and just pray it's not a jail cell. You weren't dressed in anything they were used to, you were dressed in a simple black dress that you’re sure didn’t belong in your wardrobe, it definitely wasn’t what you were wearing when you had died but it looked modern. You’re going to half to find a way to play it off, somehow.
When you first felt your body being carried, it was no surprise since it was the only way you’d be…. Well, rescued. That is what happened, right? Surely you didn’t get kidnapped. But judging by the moon being out and the cool air at the time, it couldn’t have been the Knights since all of them must have been asleep or in town based on how dark it was. So who came to your rescue? They had to use Pyro, you knew that, at least.
Red ponytail…. Pyro vision…. Night time….
You can’t possibly be this slow. It’s clearly -
“So you think the Dark-Knight Hero is the one who left her unconscious at our doorstep?” There’s no mistaking it, the owner of that soft-spoken voice was most definitely the Grand Acting Master, Jean. Your eyes were still closed telling by the sunlight hitting your skin, that you most likely spent the night there, or morning. You were completely conscious, but you wanted to know for some reason. Depending on when they noticed you outside. “Yes, there was a letter too but it flew away in the wind before I could bring it here when I picked her up.” And that absolutely had to be Diluc’s voice. Anyone smart enough would be able to tell that it was clearly him who brought you the HQ. However, Jean just sighed with a nod before looking over a particular document at her desk, which actually looked more like some type of scroll in your opinion. She kept looking back and forth between it and you.
“So, unidentified traveler, how long do you plan on faking unconsciousness?” The sudden change in his voice startles you, causing your eyes to blink open fully and take in the frowning tall man who’s crossing his arms while looking down at your figure lying on the bed.
“Oh. Sorry, I was a bit… Half-awake? I didn’t mean to eavesdrop or anything, I just-” But your words were interrupted by someone clearing their throat to which both you and Diluc turned to look at the source, Jean, of course. “It’s not that big of a deal, Diluc.” She takes a few steps towards you before raising a hand to your forehead, even moving a little hair out of your eyes. Even with her touching you, she looked somewhat wary and in your opinion, overly spectacle.
“You seem healthy. However, I am curious to know exactly what you were doing in the fields late at night. And you don’t seem like a traveler, with no weapons on you, or resources. And you clearly don’t have a companion, or am I wrong?” You catch the way she wavers in her voice as if she’s conforming to something she doesn’t want to or is even afraid to. It is exactly what she’s doing so you’re confused about why she’s nervous.
“..Yes, I’m alone. I was just… I... I don’t know how I woke up there, to be honest.” Diluc, who you had forgotten was there for a moment lets out something that sounds like a chuckle, but out of disbelief. Jean glances at the desk once more which just makes you want to get up and see what’s there for yourself. She removes her hand from your body before standing up straight up and eyeing you with something you can’t describe. She goes behind her desk and sits down.
“...”
The silence & tension in the air was so thick it could be cut with a knife. You suddenly felt the urge to sit down, as if sitting down would prove to turn you too vulnerable. So you get up, quickly. It startled the other people in the room and you swore you saw Diluc reach for his sword when he flinched, and the reaction on your face clearly said it all because he glimpsed over the sword strapped to him before visibly relaxing (at least trying to).
“This was fun for a little but I think it’s time you c-” The Grand Acting Master is interrupted as the door flies open and you think the temperature gets a little chiller. A certain navy blue man with an eyepatch scurries in, looking like he is searching for something. His eyes scan the room in a flash before landing on you. Something about the eye contact you two made sent a shiver down your spine while his gaze lingered while he turned towards the other two in the room. “Oh! Was I interrupting something? Sorry, sorry. I heard that a particular person had shown up in the middle of nowhere and I just had to see what all the commotion was about…” The deep ocean blue eyes fall on you again. “So this is our guest?” He leans against the door frame for a moment, eyeing you up and down when he decides to stand up straight and walk (more like stride) straight in your direction.
Real. This is all real and in fact, not some delusional dream. You pray none of them notice the way you hold your breath as he gets closer and closer, stopping at Diluc's distance, only a little closer. You can't stop the words coming out of your mouth.
“You're-” “Kaeya.” He interrupts confidently, stretching out his hand to you. It's a good thing he said something before you mentioned his name. It would have only made you all the more suspicious. You stare at his hand that's stranded in the air for a few seconds, before he sighs and takes your own with a gentle yet strong grip, pulling it to his lips, and kissing it. A peck. Then he freezes, as if he didn't believe what or why he just did that. It wasn't really visible on his face but you could tell. You can tell a lot about everyone here, actually. And some things tell you it's not just because you know all the lore for every character. It's something you feel from the inside.
Kaeya graciously lets your arm fall back to your side and you hope there isn’t as much blush on your face as you think there is. “Why don’t I take this fine lady throughout Mondstadt, hm? You two seem like you have more important… things to discuss about whatever just happened, unless..?” He, not aggressively, yanks you up and off what you are sitting on and starts leading you toward the door. He didn’t even wait for the two to reply. Jean gets up from her chair, hands practically slamming on the table as she pins him with a look. “Hold on Kaeya, this is dangerous. We don’t know who this is or where they came from. And here you are trying to show them around? Let them meet civilians? This is all too suspicious. You can’t just-” She shuts her eyes and makes a noise that sounds like something close to a groan. One hand on her hips. “They have to stay here. You know exactly how heavy this situation is.” Diluc, being the man he is, also glares at Kaeya, and you swear you hear a scoff from under his breath.
Kaeya, shockingly, doesn’t look back and continues dragging you along out of the head office. “I’ll bring them back, don’t worry. But I’d like this with this one by myself.” You can hear Jean and Diluc’s complaints rise but you're out of the building by the time you can make out any of their words.
The two of you venture into the city, and you take a moment to look at everything around you. Wow. It’s much more beautiful and lively since everything is suddenly so…. Realistic. Before waking up here, it was your least favorite nation but you might consider changing your mind. Everything seems so calm and it really is less chaotic than all the other nations. It’s peaceful. “So I assume our city is to your liking? With the way your eyes are practically shining…” Your daydreaming is cut short when Kaeya stands in front of you, arms crossed, hands on his hips, looking amused out of his mind. “Well, it’s not every day you wake up in a whole new world.”
It slipped out, it really did. But you hope he doesn’t take your words literally, and you think he didn’t because he lets out a content chuckle. But then his smile drops. And you’re stuck in place. He slowly makes his way closer, then he grabs both your hands and stares you straight in the eye.
“I don’t think what I’m feeling right now is simply attraction. I have a lot of experience with that, trust me. But with you, there’s a pull. A pull that I can’t ignore. Hah, I wonder if the Red Hawk man feels it… Maybe that’s why he didn’t want you to go.”
You don’t know what to say. You have no idea why this is happening or why you’re here. And is he serious? A pull of some sort? That’s not good. Pulling means attention and that’s the last thing you need right now. Yet the way he looks at you would make anyone think the whole world revolves around you. And as of now, you have nothing. No one knows you or trusts you. You don’t know how to fight, which is very much required to survive in Teyvet. You need friends, allies, and people who are willing to defend you. And you can’t do that while simply touring around Mondstadt.
“Thank you, for this.” You step closer and you know what you want from him, what you need. You need his trust. “All of this is nice, but I’m more curious about you. I think I feel that same pull with you, to be honest. I want to get to know you better. Where do you live around here? I’m curious to see how people here live.” You’re positive you sound genuine and curious. Good. All is needed to win him over.
He looks surprised, then pleased. All before you’re suddenly tucked into his chest… And a sword is against your throat. You gawk at it, squirming. That wasn’t the smartest thing to do, which caused him to press it against your throat even more. “I might be captivated by you, but I’m not as stupid as you think. Now… Why would anyone try and get into someone's home when they’ve barely known that for a couple of hours? Unless, that certain someone has a plan, of course. I took what Master Jean said to heart. For all I know you could be dangerous. I’ve been watching you closely the whole time. It’s as if you’ve never seen something like a regular town. There are even more impressive ones all over Teyvet. You know what that tells me?”
You know exactly what he’s implying and you feel like you could throw up your organs. Were you going to lose your second chance so easily?
He turns you slightly and you’re finally facing him. Expect all the warmth is gone. His gaze is as cold as his vision and you’re no longer sure if you’ll be able to try and gain him as a companion, let alone civil allies. The sword across your neck is making you start to throb in pain and you’re sure it’s going to leave either a cut or a mark. It hurts.
You can feel Kaeya’s breath against your neck.
“Who are you?”
Suddenly, there’s a bright flash and you’re temporarily blinded, and Kaeya’s holding his left arm up. You can see some blood seeping through. It looks like it’s the same size as the one he created on your neck. But yours is gone.
He’s breathing heavily, confused. Kaeya’s barely standing on his two feet, he’s dizzy. Even though he just practically attempted on your life, you couldn’t blame him for it. He doesn’t trust others. He can’t, it’s not what he’s here for. You don’t know how you get to him so quickly, throwing one of his arms around your shoulder. He seems to be in a more… fatal condition than you were. It’s like he took your injury, only intensified. You have to get him aid. But then again, if you go to anyone else, there’s a good chance you’ll be locked up. You don’t want to imagine an interrogation right now. So, you look at the poor man in your arms and speak softly. You hope that gets you some points, at least.
“Where do you live, Kaeya?” He barely opens his eyelids, having a look on his face that’s in between exhaustion and uncertainty. You think he’s about to shake his head before he blurts it out, surprising the both of you. Now he’s the one gawking at you since you go in the actually direction of his home. How did you even know your way around? That took away some points, didn’t it?
A/N:
A little over two weeks, my apologies. Time flies, 1.5x longer!! Yippeeeee ☆*: .｡. o(≧▽≦)o .｡.:*☆ I'll get to that Masterlist...
♡ ◍• Skin That Cries Golden Tears • Chapter 1 ◍
◍ Summary:
It had to be by God’s will that your life had come to a short end. Why else would he allow you to get pushed off of a bridge and drown to your death, at the age of 26? Well, what should have been the end of your life when your ex killed you off for rejecting his love once again. So you were definitely in a haze when you woke up at the highest peak at Qingyun Peak on a floating island, inside your favorite game.
It wasn’t fair. It wasn't your fault. Why did he hate you so much? You let him go, told him to move on, that you would even bless him with his newfound lover. Even if he didn’t stay loyal, even if he begged on his knees to have a chance of making things right. Though there wasn’t anything that could change your mind, cheating is unforgivable and unforgettable.
However, you were too precious, perfect, and good for everyone else. So he decided. If he couldn’t have you, no one would. Hence the downfall of your life. Or the uprising? The people of Teyvat are sure to make your arrival a pleasant experience, after all, they’ve been expecting you for centuries.
It had to be by God’s will. Why else would he allow you to get pushed off of a bridge and drown to your death, at the age of 26?
It wasn’t fair. It wasn't your fault. Why did he hate you so much? You let him go, told him to move on, that you would even bless him with his newfound lover. Even if he didn’t stay loyal, even if he begged on his knees to have a chance of making things right. Though there wasn’t anything that could change your mind, cheating is unforgivable and unforgettable. It means you have no respect for your partner and no loyalty. Both those things are required if a couple wants to last. Without them, the relationship is doomed to fail, which is what happened.
However, that could never be the end, not for you or him.
Greedy. too greedy, and so, so selfish. He couldn’t let go. He couldn't move on, even with another woman waiting for him at home. He couldn’t take a step forward in life, knowing that someone could sweep you off your feet at any moment. Knowing that your heart can belong to another. Knowing that he’d be replaced eventually.
So he believed it would be best if the possibility of that happening is zero.
Why did you trust him? “For closure”, he told you. So, initially being the soft-hearted being you are, you meet up with him. Agreeing to meet in the middle of your local bridge where everywhere is surrounded by water positively wasn’t the smartest decision of your life. While you thought he was late, he had been just on time creeping up behind you while you were looking at the vast ocean. And in the next moment, you feel familiar arms wrapping around your waist. You let out a long exhale, knowing it’s him. You used to smile every time you felt his touch, but not anymore.
“Didn’t you say we’re meeting for closure? This should be the last time we see each other before going our separate ways, so I don’t know why you’re touching me. I don’t think we misunderstood what we meant by closure. It’s nothing intimate.” You feel the arms around you tighten, and you wonder for a split second if this is the best situation to be in. You should have stuck to that thought.
“Mh. It is the last time we’ll see each other.” You felt uneasy with the way he was saying that. It was making you nauseous. “But I’m giving you one more chance. Come back to me. It’ll be better this time, I won’t make the same mistake again. Why do you have to be this difficult?” The grip was getting tighter, and you felt as if the oxygen flow from your brain was becoming less frequent. But you still felt the annoyance grow in your body. Did he have no shame? “You have to be joking. Even with your what, fiance living with you right now, you still want more? Even if that woman has no respect for me, it's human decency not to have an affair with someone.”
You could tell that he didn't like the words coming out of your mouth. You could tell you were safe and needed to get out of her, quickly, desperately. But his grip was becoming threatening, and it was getting harder and harder for you to breathe.
“It's disappointing. We really could have had it all, if only you were willing to cooperate.” The words that leave his mouth are followed by what feels like a really hard punch to your back. Suddenly, your body falls limp and he catches you. You weakly reach for your back and quickly discover a knife. The person you once called the love of your life had stabbed you, and there's now blood trickling down your back, it's running cold rather than warm.
“W-Why-” You could barely get anything out as your vision was seeing little black dots. When you felt that he was picking you up, you couldn’t help but want to vomit at the thought of what he might do to your body. “Don’t worry, I'll let you rest in peace. Well, as peaceful as the ocean floor gets.” You want to scream, but nothing’s coming out. It shouldn’t be a surprise he can read your expressions by how long you were together, but you wished the past had never happened. Wished you never even gave him the time of day. Now you know why it’s no wonder his lover before you left the country. Why did you stay? Why didn’t you see the signs?
From what you could still see, he’s tying something to your neck that you’re sure is supposed to act as a weight. Meaning that once you go in, you're most likely not coming back out. Not even for your own funeral, they won’t find the body. It breaks your heart. You don’t want to die. You don’t want to leave so much behind.
With one more breath from your lungs, he leans down and kisses you. How disgusting. He wouldn’t even allow you to rest in peace. It shouldn’t be that much of a shocker, but it still baffles you, and stuns you into silence. You don’t move, don’t breathe. You’re frozen, all up until he’s holding you over the railing, and your heart is in your head, your whole body’s shaking.
“Goodbye, love.”
Those were the very last words you heard before plummeting to your death.
.
.
.
The water is cold, you’re shivering.
You can see red water, or what’s most likely your blood floating around you.
The stab wound in your back aches, you want the paint to go away.
The black spots in your vision are growing.
You reach out for the surface but you’re sinking.
The weight attached to your neck just makes it harder to breathe, to move.
This isn’t what you wanted.
You just wished to be admired, loved, cherished. Just as you did for everyone else, even if it hurt you.
A Seelie was floating in front of your face. Blue, alive, breathing, moving. In front of your face. In front of your eyes. You lie motionless on the grass for a few seconds before jolting up with a screech. While doing so, you collide with the Seelie, which feels like flowing silk, the smoothest thing you’ve felt on your skin.
Is this heaven? Or am I just having a very long and realistic dream? Isn’t that an entity from Genshin? So you’re dreaming about a game that you gamble your soul away to…. Okay. But out of all of them, couldn’t it have been HSR? You feel like you’d have a better chance of surviving there.
…
This is not a dream, is it?
Okay, fine. You died, you remember that very vividly when you were in a literal sense, dragged down to your death. So the universe has decided to grace you with a second chance at life. In an open-world survival game. How gracious.
You can’t lie in flowy grass forever. Even though the moon light makes it perfect. You’re living in a fantasy world, everything is possible. anything could happen. To you. You have to be smart about this, you can’t just appear out of nowhere and act clueless and all lost. You’ll be questioned immediately and might as well get yourself killed. No matter what nation you go to, who could explain what has happened to you? You’d like to know, but you wouldn’t want to go back. Some things are just better outside the real world. There are no serious politics, no pollution, and no war if you ignore whatever’s happening in Natlan. No absolute need to work a 9 to 5.
Gathering the courage, you finally get up from the ground and observe your surroundings. Right by your feet, there’s a Windblume. You must be in Mondstant. In all honesty, it’s always been your least favorite nation. Uneventful and quiet. You could live a simple farm life in Liyue. It would be quiet, as long as you avoid Hilichurls.
Speaking of which, while you’ve been standing still and daydreaming about your thoughts, there’s been a distant sound of what seems like life yelling and footsteps getting closer and closer to you.
You finally snap out of it and look behind you, seeing two Hilichurls and one giant Lawachurl heading straight for you.
Shoot.
You screech and start sprinting, but they’ll catch up in what, 20 seconds?
“Hey, you! Get down, as in right now!”
You can’t tell where the manly voice is coming from but faced with a split-second decision, you instinctively crouch down, shielding your head for safety. All you can hear is the fluttering of a bird and the sensation of heat rushing overhead. You can only catch a glimpse of red hair in a low ponytail.
Edit: I just realized that the summary says you wake up in a different place than Chapter 1. So sorry about this, it's still accurate but it just isn't the first place you wake up.
A/N: Life happened. This is long overdue so thank you all for the wait and sorry and all the empty promises. I'm back, however. I'll go back to my 1-2 week schedule. I found it easier to do with school in session, somehow. But I hope you all enjoyed Chapter 1. I'll make a Masterlist soon.
I'm in another state taking care of my great grandmother. I apologize for the inconvenience but I don't think I'll have works ready for you for a while. I know I said the Simple Creator AU would be published by now but honestly it won't be any time soon. And when it's done, I will be releasing it chapter by chapter at a time like all my other fics. So that whole season release thing will not be happening. I don't have the time as of now, seeing her in the hospital like this takes a big toll on me. I'm not completely discouraged though, so if I do get time I'll be writing. I hope you can all understand.
Special Thanks to @msun1c0rn @uhfhfhfhf @klemen-time @delulu-val @skyl8ver @ssecylia @xdrin & ALL of my taglist. I love you all so much 💕
Donuts? The delicious creamy-filled cloud of fluffiness that has you head over heels in love the first time you tried them over 20 years ago? And who would believe that they would show up at your doorstep being carried by your soulmate? Maybe you were exaggerating by calling him that but you two understood each other more than anyone else could. Looking up from the pink box you were staring at for too long, you’re met with crimson eyes pouring into your own, a small smile on the man’s face.
“Do those happen to be for me?” You smile back, opening the door wider to let Ren inside to which he happily accepts the invitation and heads inside before you close the door behind him and take the box from his hands as he removes his slides. “You know I don’t like sugar, so they aren’t for me.” He chuckles while hanging up his keys before you both go to the kitchen.
You set down the box of Sweet Haven on the counter while Ren invites himself to your fridge and grabs a can of root beer, knowing he doesn’t even have to ask since you specifically buy a whole pack for the fridge for him and only him to drink when he comes over. Levi enjoys alcohol and keeps a lot in the house while Ren finds it displeasing, and with how much he comes over, you didn’t want your friend to have anything to sip on during his (often, though not too many since you’re married and it would seem inappropriate) visits.
Just the thought of you going out of your way to buy things for the time you two spend together makes him want to latch onto your body and never let go, and Ren’s sure you wouldn’t mind that much. It’s not his fault you decide to do all this but like you always say, it’s the little things that count.
When he turned around and leaned against the fridge while opening the can, he couldn't help but observe your eyes lighting up at the sweets when you opened the box. Ren found it enduring. Since the box was yours, either way, you just stuffed one in your mouth while turning to him.
“Thanks for being here right now, and for bringing these. I needed company and I have no idea where Levi is.” At your husband's name, you could visibly see Ren's expression harden a bit, and it would have made you giggle any other day but you weren't in the mood for humor and he didn't look as sarcastic as usual.
“So he left you alone on this day, without even letting you know?” You swore you could almost see a blood vessel on his body pop, and immediately felt the need to soothe his concerns. “Right now is hard for both of us, I don't blame him so please call down, he’s dealing with this in his way.”
There you go again, always defending him even though he can see the hurt in your eyes. Ren was about to open his mouth to call him out himself and let you know that you deserve better, (Quite literally, he wasn't going to boost himself but inform you of how he should be here.) However, you opened your mouth again before he could.
“Though, I… He asked for some space from me yesterday night and I didn't want that. I want to be anything but alone right now. You know I don't like distance, I hate it. He should know that I would want to stick together as well, so why..? Do you think he's starting to resent me? Do you think he blames all of this on me? He-”
You fall silent once you look up to see Ren in front of you, one thumb wiping away the tears that have formed in your eyes, oblivious to you. His other arm was unoccupied, made its way to your waist, and held you tight against his chest. He was offering you comfort and you couldn't be more grateful.
“...It wasn't your fault. I'm aware of what you might be thinking right now but believe me. Don't beat yourself up over this it's him, his fault-”
It's all Ren can say at the moment, and he so desperately wished he could say more but his mind was blank if it was any other thought concerning you. Yet you didn't defend or deny what he said, proving it to be true in his eyes. He couldn't stand seeing you like this, your tears were so foreign to him and they broke his heart.
You can feel his broad muscles flex as he still keeps one arm around your waist as he reaches across the counter, grabs a tissue, and slowly brings it to your face, as if not to alarm you. It makes you warm inside, the fact that he's always been so gentle with you. Even as he wipes all the tears away you can feel he's doing it gingerly.
However, it wasn't warm enough for you. You still can't stand touching your stomach without almost gagging, you still can't think about the life lost, your very baby lost at your own hands. Ren knows his warmth isn't enough either when he feels and sees you trembling in his arms and the streams down your cheeks seem never-ending so he sighs and places the tissue down and replaces it in his hand, cradling your face back and forth.
It made you smile a little bit and you were about to apologize for embarrassing yourself like this but only a choked sob came out. You drop your head to his shoulder and everything that's been building up since yesterday pours out of your soul. You knew Ren wasn't judging, you knew he would never think of you negatively in any way and he knew you needed him right now.
~
After Ren had carried you to your living room and warmed you up into a blanket, he put on your favorite show and sat beside you. He wasn't reaching out to touch you, though it took everything in him to hold back from doing so every time he heard a sniffle from you.
He wanted to hold you, he really did and Ren knew you wouldn't deny him even if you felt guilty, but the thing is you're still a married woman. So for now he'll settle with being the one to comfort you as you grieve. After an hour, he can hear your soft breath hitting his neck. He recognizes the pattern in your breathing and doesn't even need to look down to know you're asleep. He'll carry you to your bed in a moment and stay in the guest room until you wake up and the two of you could talk again. Ren just has a feeling your husband won’t be showing up any time soon.
~
A/N: I'm backk! School's done and I have a lot of time on my hands so expect more updates, at MAX every two weeks (keyword, MAX) I'm sorry for the wait, thank you all for the encouragement to keep writing, otherwise I believe the hiatus would have lasted longer. I love you all. Also, I want to give a special thanks to a bunch of my taglist for always supporting my work and for the encouragement I got from them. They don't realize how much I adore them.
Could We Be High School Sweethearts? - Out on The Field (Continued)
Damn it. Now you have all eyes on you.
It was by instinct (instinct?), honestly. Everyone knows that if you stopped moving in this cold, you’d freeze to death, literally. (get it?) So the only reasonable explanation to fix that problem would be to move. A lot. So that’s exactly what you did as soon as the couch blew the whistle. Within 30 seconds, you were already halfway around the track while other girls were yards behind you, unable to keep up.
Other students were blown away and anyone can tell by looking around that they were shocked by your speed. No girl had ever been able to run as fast as you that school year and the fact that you were new had everyone off their feet. Especially Childe.
He was surprised, taken aback, and overall impressed. Everyone’s heads were turning as their eyes followed your movements. You were looking straight ahead, oblivious to all the eyes on you. Within less than a minute, you were back in the line you were in originally. You had almost beat Childe’s time himself. Panting and catching your breath while looking down and supporting your upper body with your hands on your knees looking at the ground, though you had just enough oxygen in your brain to take note of the silence around you. You recognized the pairs of shoes and legs striding towards the back of the line, to you.
You were about to ask him for something to drink since we were already on the verge of hyperventilation, but you felt a water bottle tap on your head. Looking up, you see the ginger smiling down at you with the bottle suspended in the air. “That was impressive if I do say so myself. You know it’s been a while since someone as cute as yourself has been able to finish one lap that fast. Good job, comrade.” The beams take a step back and you properly stand on your feet and take the water from him, opening it and chugging it all down.
Then you remember the words he said, and recall him calling you “cute.” It makes your cheeks flush a bit but you’re sure he won’t notice and assume it’s due to your run which is practically true. Observing your surroundings, you see a lot of eyes on you, even as the coach tells everyone to look back to the front so they can continue running. After a few seconds of panting for breath, the other girls come running in, some looking defeated and some down-right pissed. It was smart of you to avoid their glares or else they would have left a vivid picture in your mind for the rest of the day.
~
Feeling a heavy arm throw itself on your shoulder, you already assume who it is as both of you walk back to the building.
“Girly, what do you say we go out on the track one of these days, hm? Just you and me. We can help each other with improving stamina and endurance! It’ll be fun, you know. And we can get closer~. You’re already fast but we can all improve, what do you say?” “I say that you seem to have no sense of personal space.” You scoff, jokingly rolling your eyes before you go silent to ponder his request. Considering that you are practically the future of the Fatui (as well as everyone else but still) and have those skills that would help you climb up the ladder for a good position in the organization, you don’t see why not.
~
Of course that wouldn’t be the last time you saw the ginger that day, he was simply infatuated with you.
You silently walk outside of the gymnasium, carrying your school bag since Athletics was the last period of the day, wondering if you could look at a few coffee shops in town so that you can find one to frequent. But you still didn’t know your way around town. Suddenly, all you see is black and you feel a pair of big rough hands over your eyes, and you can only exhale a sigh. “Guess who?” You can only mentally roll your eyes before putting your hands on top of Childe’s.
“A sly ginger with nothing better to do than bother a girl with no interest in him whatsoever?” You reply in mock annoyance, actually quite happy that he’s here so that you could maybe ask for his help and where to go. You can hear him grumbling before whining and giving you back your vision, removing his hands from your face. You turn around and you’re met with a sulking Ajax, pouting, and whatnot. “Hah… Here I am trying to figure you out but it seems like you know so much about me with that sentence alone. What the hell, comrade?” He teases, ruffling your hair while you scowl and push him away, yet it isn’t harsh.
“Whatever… Since you want to bother me so much, you can at least make yourself useful by” You trail off as a deep voice interrupts your thoughts. “Showing you around town?” You pause, looking up at him with wide eyes as you blink in surprise. Maybe you were looking at the road hopelessly for longer than you thought. “Was it that obvious?” He chuckles, grabbing your arm and yanking you at the campus gate. “I have to say I’m surprised you haven’t had someone else do it for you though, it’s already been what, three weeks since you’ve got here?” The way Childe was calling you out made your cheeks flush, after all, it wasn’t your fault you were more focused on adjusting to the Snezhnayan school system and trying to get comfortable with things at home.
You let out a small sigh, realizing that he was right. You had been so preoccupied with trying to get everything in order that you hadn't made time to explore your new home. Maybe it was time to take a break and see what the town had to offer. You turn to him and give him a small smile. "That would be great, actually. I could use a guide."
Childe flashes a wide grin, his eyes sparkling with excitement at the prospect of showing you around town. You can tell that he's pleased with himself for having convinced you to join him. "Alright then," he says, taking your hand in his. "Let's get started. I know all the best spots in town."
When you follow him through the bustling streets, he points out the local shops, restaurants, and cafes, regaling you with stories and insider tips about each one. You can't help but be impressed by his knowledge and enthusiasm. Everywhere you go, people seem to know him and greet him warmly, as if he's a beloved fixture of the community.
As the two of you walk, you can't help but feel grateful for Childe's help. Not only was he showing you around town, but he was also making you feel more at ease in this new environment. You never would have thought that you'd make a friend so quickly after starting at the Academy, but here you were, laughing and joking with someone who had once been a complete stranger.
Eventually, the day draws to a close, you realize that you had a great time with Childe. You had seen so many new things and had learned so much about the town that you now have to call home. And it was all thanks to him. "Thank you so much for showing me around today," you say, turning to him with a smile in front of your dad’s house (you call it that but Childe is sure it's a mansion) since he took it upon himself to walk you the whole way there.
He grins back at you. "Anytime. I'm glad I could be of help. And who knows, maybe we can go shopping next time? I’d buy you anything you put your eyes on." You raise an eyebrow at the statement. Was he trying to get you to swoon? Because you couldn’t tell if you would be able to completely resist him in the future. You’re feeling a sense of warmth in your chest while he walks away. You stand outside until you can no longer see him in the distance, and if you had to be honest you would admit you’re looking forward to spending more time with him, soon.
It's that time of the year, Finals are coming up... Which is what I have been studying for recently, hence my lack of uploads. I'll be away till mid-June and another update for Simple!Creator!AU, I don't believe it'll be published by then but who knows. Don't worry, I should upload another part of Could We Be High School Sweethearts? tonight or tomorrow, so look out for that. Thank you, my dear.
As someone who's been secretly teetering around the SAGAU (that's "Self-Aware Genshin AU" for those who aren't aware 🥁) tag and works while thoroughly enjoying a lot of them, I think today's finally the day I put my own two cents in on it. Particularly, my two cents about how a certain redheaded owl stud would act in that verse. By all means, no hate to anybody who's written him any differently in their SAGAU stuff-- we're all here to have fun and junk; this is just how I personally think he'd be. You are free to disagree with any and everything I have to say under the cut, but I will have no badmouthing or the like.
Being perfectly honest, I haven't really seen much of Diluc in a ton of SAGAU works outside of him either being part of the "get the 'Imposter'" mob or individually attacking us if he comes across us solo and isn't in the know that we the reader are the real deal. Basically, he's more or less just kinda lumped in with the other highly devoted followers of the Creator without really standing out much in the plot. And, nothing particularly wrong with that, no, no, no, but here's where my hee-ho funny hot take comes in:
I don't actually think Diluc would really worship the Creator. In fact, I don't think he'd even like us at first. *Sojiro voice* Let me explain!
Diluc Ragnvindr is, in every sense of the word, a disenchanted young man. Now, we know he wasn't born as such, but we have the Knights of Favonius disgracing Crepus' death while the wound was still fresh and the falling out between Diluc and Kaeya upon the latter's revelation as a Khaenri'ahn spy to blame for that. Blah, blah, blah, that's right, we heard the story, over and over again, so, where does this tie into my personal interpretation of his thoughts on the Creator, you may ask? Well!
In the happier, more idealistic years before all hell broke loose on his 18th birthday, Diluc most likely did worship and revere the Creator per his upbringing since I think Crepus also worshipped them like a good chunk of Mondstadt does. No problems there. But, where was the "all-powerful, ever-benevolent" God of Teyvat when he'd lost his father and brother on that same, horrible night in different ways? What did they do when the Knights of Favonius openly spat on his father's name just to save their undeserved reputation? What did they give him during that four-year suicide mission he spent indiscriminately hunting Fatui agents before promptly getting the ban of a lifetime from the entire Nation of Cryo?
Nowhere, nothing, and radio silence.
Just another unreliable let-down added to the list, and another knife to his back.
(Imposter AU-wise) So, come present day, when the Great Big Phony™ drops and takes a throne that very much does not belong to them, everybody's over the moon and pulling out all the stops for their beloved God... except Diluc. Now, he's not so stupid that he openly badmouths the apparent Creator since that would get him some pretty unpleasant looks and land him in rather hot water, so instead, he shows no open reaction while rolling his eyes and scoffing at them wherever people can't see or hear. And, if we're going with the traditional portrayal of the Imposter being an uncaring tyrant, his already diminished opinion of the Creator's image is only further soured. He does nothing to damper or criticize anybody's faith since it's far from his place to, but they certainly won't see him joining in any day of the week, either.
And then comes the "Imposter", who's actually the true Creator that's been jiffy-popped into Genshin's world from the real one. Now, while he thinks it's beyond ridiculous that the people of Mondstadt and the Knights of Favonius (though, not as much surprise for the latter-- always so inefficient...) find it just to hunt down and torture somebody solely for looking like the Creator especially since nobody in town gives a shit that Venti and Barbatos look disturbingly alike for reasons only he (plus Jean and maybe Kaeya, if his Hangout implies anything) knows without actually presenting themselves as an active threat to humanity like, say, the Abyss Order or the Fatui, Diluc still can't help but secretly hand it to the alleged Imposter for being the first to have the guts to knock that "divine do-nothing" down a peg in some way, even if it is considered quite the risky move.
Should he encounter us while we're running for our lives worse for the wear for the above reason (and truly confirming that we mean no real harm and are just a victim of very unfortunate circumstance), Diluc is open to helping us get away safely under the radar and giving false info to the KoF like he did in his Story Quest since getting caught helping Teyvat's most wanted by the mob would not end well for him, either. And, he's pretty amicable when patching us up... but then he sees the dried gold blood and scars all over our body and realizes exactly who we really are. No, he doesn't do a full 180 and start blastin', but Diluc sure is now a lot colder towards us than he already is in general. Still helps us out, but we can taste the sudden mood drop. At some point, we discover his resent towards us for (from his perspective; can't exactly explain that we didn't actually make any of the characters' backstories since we're not HoYoverse and whatnot bc that wouldn't make sense to anyone in Genshin within the confines of the Creator!Reader AU without us sounding completely crazy) being seemingly nowhere to be seen around his and others' suffering despite being the God of All Gods capable of doing literally anything to help it, but simply choosing not to. Even if the Reader rightfully says they didn't do anything, Diluc's cold rebuttal is something along the lines of "No. You didn't.", and it's not the least bit reassuring.
If he were to stick around with us a bit longer during our escape from Mondstadt/whirlwind journey, then Diluc would come to understand that we really weren't as in control of everything bad happening to him or the world as he initially believed, especially if in his misguided blaming, it causes Reader to develop one HELL of a guilt complex feeling like they are responsible for fixing everything if it means putting an end to all the nonsense and abuse some of their once-beloved characters/acolytes are putting them through. Granted, the actual Imposter does have to be stopped and dethroned for all the shit they're pulling, but that's really all that falls on us as the unfortunate hero.
Other than that condition, though, we basically have someone that's thankfully not looking to hunt us down for absurd reasons and even helps us in our need, but at the same time curses us for letting him and many others down by not acting in some way when it mattered most.
This is honestly one of the best characterizations I've seen as well, it's amazing! I'm in the process of planning a long SAGAU series myself (you can check my page) and if I end up involving Diluc in the series, this is a trait I'd definitely follow.
