Experiment Failed…Successfully? (Chimera Caretaker! Reader x Phainon)
Word count: 588
Taglist: @milkhalo
Notes: gn! Reader, Phainon drinking weird shit (normal activities), mentions of Anaxagoras and Aglaea, fluff, trynna get out of writers block, swearing i think I forgot
Dividers: @melodiesirae
“Fig Stew, come and eat!”
The garden couldn’t have been any more peaceful. The sun device blanketed Okhema in golden light, a perfect day to take the chimera’s out to play in the city. You placed down the bowl as Fig Stew ran towards you, excited to finally eat after playing for so long. The content silence however, was broken as Professor Anaxagoras burst into the garden, holding a white chimera by the tail.
“Take it, and don’t return it.” Was the only thing he said as he tossed the poor creature to you, leaving in a rush.
You set down the chimera, taking a good look at the new guest. The chimera stared at you like it knew you, circling around your leg.
“I wonder what you did to annoy the professor..” you picked him up, making your way over to the other chimeras, “Everyone, you have a new friend!”
The chimeras chirped up at the sound of a new friend, and they made their way over to you as you set him down. They seemed to get along quite well, already jumping around and chasing each other.
You let them play for a few hours, and before you knew it, it was already sunset. The chimera’s slowly began to tire, the chaos finally coming to an end. One by one, they all made their way back to their nests and let sleep overcome them.
All but one.
The new chimera, who you’ve decided to call Blueberry because of its bright blue eyes, was still wide awake.
“C’mon buddy, time to sleep.”
It whined at you, like it knew you were going to leave him. He sat by your leg, making the cutest eyes known to man.
“Hey, that's cheating!”
You were contemplating on taking it home, like, who could resist such eyes!
“Fine, you can come with me, but only this time.”
Blueberry jumped up in joy, already trotting over to the gate. You definitely had to ask Anaxagoras where he found this fella. As you walked, you realized Phainon never showed up today, despite his streak of always annoying the heck out of you.
‘Seems like Lady Aglaea finally put a leash on him..’
Throughout the walk home, Blueberry walked in front of you, like he was trying to defend you from anything that dared cross paths with you guys. If he was trying to give you cuteness aggression, you feared it may be working.
When you arrived at your apartment, he instantly ran inside, jumping onto the couch in joy. How could something so small have so much energy..
“Listen, if you're gonna sleep here, you’ll sleep on the couch. And do not touch anything.”
Clearly, he didn't hear it, and made a beeline for your bedroom. This was gonna be a long night.
Surprisingly, he fell asleep the second he made himself comfortable on your bed.
‘Seems like that infinite energy wasn’t so infinite after all..’
You joined him on the bed, falling asleep without much trouble.
Later into the night, Blueberry had woken up, but it was Blueberry anymore. Phainon sat up, realizing the potions effects were finally over. He looked around and saw you asleep next on the other side, finally remembering what happened. He didn’t need to think about it, instantly lying down and cuddling beside you. If this is what drinking weird, shitty tasting potions did, he’d gladly do it again.
And once you woke up, you were never gonna accept anything from Anaxagoras without checking it for signs of Phainon.
After that major incident last time, we took the chance, while restoring the house, to go through all the books and decorative ornaments. Everything has been returned to its proper place now.
Today is only a thorough cleaning. With weather this nice, it's a good day for it.
Are you asking about Mehrak? It's taken a bit of an interest in tidying things up lately, and even comes to help from time to time. I always check everything over again at the end anyway, so don't worry. It won't cause any trouble.
People get passing interests like that from time to time too. They usually don't last long enough to justify signing up for a proper class, but learning a little on your own is just about right.
For instance, these are all hobby books I bought: "An Introduction to Coffee Machines," "An Illustrated Guide to Modern Feather Crafts"...
And this oil painting, this decorative ornament... When you look at them all together, it's hard not to feel something. Time really does have a form, and yet it remains formless.
Too little, Too late (Chrysos Heir! Reader x Flame Reader)
Warnings: angst, reader is technically the child of a titan, gender neutral reader, slight Phainon x reader, inspired by Laufey’s song and mentions of lyrics from it, swearing, mentions of blood, slight gore(?), different POVs
Taglist: @milkhalo
Dividers: @melodiesirae
Word count: 499
Notes: yall had it fluffy for too long
Guilt was going to swallow you alive.
You knew from the beginning something about you wasn’t right, from the golden blood coursing through your veins, to the titans dying wish. You were the child of Talanton, Titan of Law. And this, made you the manifestation of its coreflame. And a walking target.
The revelation came as a surprise, and as a warning to everyone else. If the Flame Reaver ever got news of this, you would put everyone in danger.
You fled to the Aidonian ruins, leaving only a letter behind.
‘It’s for the better. Don’t come looking for me.’
You tried not to think of how much Aglaea would worry. How much he would as well. When you began dating Phainon, he made you promise to hom you’d never leave him alone. Your justification for breaking it, is that he’ll still live without being followed by a walking target.
I didn’t need the reminder of things I’ve done wrong, of promises broken, fragility hidden in song..
You walked through the ruins, dead leaves crunching underneath your feet. It was too quiet, too calm.
The wing began to pick up, bringing with it an ominous warning. Something was approaching. And fast.
Before you could draw your weapon, a fist collided with your stomach, sending you flying into the ruins.
‘Fuck- he found me..’
Staggering as you stood up, you unsheathed your weapon and lunged at him. If you were going to die tonight, you would die knowing you did it to protect Phainon.
Oh how wrong everyone was.
(Flame Reaver POV)
He watched your attempts to land a blow on him, determination fueling your attacks. Yet he also saw guilt. Guilt of the friends you left behind, guilt of leaving him.
He was snapped out of his thoughts when your blade met his mask, nearly breaking it off.
He couldn't let you see the face under the mask. He couldn’t bear to see you realize he had been the one hunting you down. He didn’t want you to know Phainon was the face behind everyone’s deaths.
And your 28,371,298th death.
He thrusted his blade forward, and tried not to flinch when it met with your flesh. He saw life slowly leave your eyes as you collapsed against him, your weapon clattering onto the floor.
It almost killed me, to hear you scream my name, your smile still kills the same…
He took Dawnmaker out, and rested you against the wall. No matter how many times he did this, he could never stop crying over it.
Kneeling in front of you, he took his mask off and raised the greatsword. Cupping your face, he let his cold lips meet with yours as he plunged the sword into your heart.
He stayed in that position for a few more minutes till he felt your body go completely slack.
The job was completed, but at what cost?
I’ll see you at heaven's gate, cause it’s too little, long too late…
Warnings: fem reader, swearing, mentions of wine and drunk people, reader is Dilucs younger sister, Lumine as Traveler, implication of Venti x Lumine, maybe suggestive, fluffy
Word count: 841
Taglist: @milkhalo
Dividers: @crowttore
Notes: ehe
Blood dripped from the cut on your palm, mixing in with wine as the pain silenced the noise around you.
What a shitty shift.
You didn’t know when it all began, perhaps when your boyfriend Varka had set out on the expedition. Everything seemed normal at first. Sure, you missed him to Celestia and back, but you guys wrote to each other daily.
Well, almost daily.
After three months, he stopped replying. Letters sent, and returned unopened. Even the Acting Grand Master seemed to be only getting letters every month or two. Everyone thought the expedition had been completely extinguished, with no remaining survivors. But, with the fights going on in Nod Krai, it gave back hope that they were alive, that Varka was still okay.
Then came the rumors.
The Honorary Knight and the Knight of Boreas seemed ‘too close for friends’ according to the knights, and began spreading a rumor that they were in an affair or even dating. Knowing Varka, he’d probably gouge his eyes out than look at another woman when he had you. But that didn’t stop the rumors from taking over Mondstadt like a storm.
There were two completely drunk women sitting across from you, rambling off like tomorrow didn’t exist.
“Oh, I heard the Grand Master is dating the Honorary Knight..”
“Really? Definitely an improvement.”
“Yeah, he should marry her after she saved Mondstadt during his absence.”
And that, caused you to snap, shattering the wine bottle in your hand. You were pulled out of your trance by a warm hand pulling you up.
“Seriously?”
Diluc let out a long sigh as began to bandage the cut.
“If you're stressed, take the shift off. I’ll cover for you.”
You only nodded in reply, leaving the Winery through the back door.
Your legs lead the way, taking you to the Knights of Favonius headquarters. You sat down, resting against the cool walls.
‘Maybe they were right..’
‘But he doesn’t even know her?!’
You didn’t know what to believe, the rumors, or your own trust in Varka.
“Well, what are you doing here alone?” A voice said, breaking the tranquil silence.
‘Venti, seriously?’
He sat down next to you, taking a swig from a probably stolen bottle of Dandelion Wine.
“I can tell what you're thinking.” Venti said after a while, “And my opinion on this is that you should trust your heart!”
“And how can I make sure you're not saying this out of drunkenness?”
“I’m saying it as your Archon.”
You didn’t know how to reply, choosing to stare up at the stars instead.
Venti took another swig, and to his disappointment the bottle was empty.
“Awh man.. Now I gotta go take another one. Should probably do it quickly before Diluc notices.”
He shot up, before stopping to say one last thing: “Also, you should go to Starsnatch Cliff.”
And he was gone like the wind.
With nothing better to do, you got up and decided to head for the cliff. A change of scenery would probably calm you down.
You finally made it to the top, and awaiting you was- a wine bottle?
“Did he seriously send me here just for a bottle of wine?” You laughed to yourself.
“(Name)?”
You froze. That voice should not be there.
“(Name)? Are you okay, did you get injured?”
A hand grabbed you from behind into a hug. You couldn’t believe it.
Varka was here. Varka is back in Mondstadt.
He turned you around and stared at you like a dog who just bit his owner's arm.
“I missed you so much..”
“Wait, why are you here? Shouldn't you be at the headquarters right now?”
“Yeah but..”
Jealousy beat you, you probably should ask him about the rumors.
“Did you come here to see the Traveler?”
“What.”
Silence stretched out uncomfortably for a while.
“I only came here because Venti told me too.” Varka explained.
So this was Ventis' plan…
“Why are you asking about her anyways?”
All your pent up jealousy burst out, and you began to explain the rumors to him. Varka listened to your complaints without interrupting you, his expression solemn.
“(Name)…do you know that Venti’s going after them?” Varka said after you finished talking.
“Huh-?”
“Yeah, he likes the Traveler.”
Your brain slowly processed those words. Venti, Barbatos himself, had a crush.
“Wait, so that means..you don’t like her?”
“I’d throw myself off this cliff if I did.”
Relief washed over you, finally putting out the fire that had been ignited all those years. Varka grabbed your hand, walking over to the edge of the cliff. He took his coat off, resting it on your shoulders before wrapping his arms around your waist as he stared at the sea.
“Just so you know, if I ever look at a woman you can always hit me.” He said, his tone implying he wasn’t joking.
A faint flush covered your face, leaning into his chest. You missed his smell, him, and these small moments where you had him all to yourself.
How to Become a Lesbian (Cyrene x Destruction Emanator! Reader)
Warnings: wlw, swearing, mentions of other chrysos heirs and astral express members fem reader, MC Caelus
Divider by: @melodiesirae
Taglist: @milkhalo
Word count: 580
Notes: woe taste the rainbow, feeding the Cyrene community today and in honor of this ask by an anon!!
You, an Ex-Lord Ravager, and still Emanator of Destruction, managed to fall in love with a woman who might as well be what the definition of romance is.
How, you ask? Well, that's a long story.
You had stayed behind on the Express when Dan Heng and Caelus left to explore The Eternal Land, Amphoreus. When you managed to connect to them, you were all thrown into a planet wide crisis; the birth of Irontomb. If you think about it, he's technically your younger brother, but that's not important.
When you managed to land in Amphoreus along with Welt, Himeko, Sunday, and Black Swan, you were greeted by a pink haired woman with a smile as sweet as sugar. You left like your heart was going to explode each time you glanced at her. It felt so wrong, yet so good at the same time. You, a being made to destroy, fall for someone so pure and loving.
Now, you sat in the finest hotel in Okhema, watching as Cyrene's eyes gently monitored the silent streets of Okhema.
'I'm being an idiot, and it's distracting me from the main mission' You thought, as Cyrene turned her eyes to you.
“Something distracting you, (Name)?”
Aeons above, her voice was like honey. You tried to hide the flush coloring your face by feigning non-chalance.
“Yeah, just thinking about the upcoming fight..”
Cyrene hummed as she got up, her hair swaying in the wind as she took one final glance over Okhema. You could tell by the look in her eyes that she would miss the city, even with the limited time she had to get used to it. From what you’ve learned from the other Chrysos Heirs, Cyrene never got to make it to adulthood due to Phainon having to sacrifice everyone to delay Irontombs birth.
You couldn’t understand what was happening. You, the first ever Lord Ravager to serve under Nanook who decimated millions of civilians, was going red over a pretty girl with pink hair. Clearly, you had zoned out staring at her, one second, she was looking out at Okhema, and the next second she was right in front of you, close enough for you to count each single eyelash.
‘HUH- WHAT??’
“Are you done staring?” She teased, clearly taking joy in your now tomato like face.
You were about to answer, yet Cipher beat you to it.
“Are you guys done making out? Ironhead’s about to spawn.”
That seemed to snap both of you out of whatever trance Nanook had placed upon you, it was time to kick some ass.
Irontomb was dead. His ashes slowly decorated the sky as the machine disintegrated. You sat down, exhaustion finally taking over. The Express crew and Chrysos Heirs were celebrating and cheering. It wasn’t ideal to let your guard down, yet you decided too, just this once. Then, one by one, the Heirs said their goodbyes. They disappeared into golden ashes, till only Cyrene remained. She said her final words to Caelus and the others, then walked over to you. You attempted to stand up, yet she stopped you with a kiss on the cheek. You froze like a statue, going completely red.
“See you tomorrow, (Name).”
And then silence as her form turned to golden dust. After a while, you managed to stand up, touching the spot she kissed.
Your relationship with the two men had always been unconventional. Frowned upon even, but the opinions of others had never mattered much to you.
Your parents always said you had a big heart. Apparently, it was big enough to fit both Mydei and Phainon. And both men loved you to the moon and back. That should have been enough. Right? Apparently not.
Late into the night, you lay wide awake in bed. Mydei slept on your right, snoring loud enough to shake the windows. Phainon slept on your left, mumbling something incoherent about swords and training. Somehow, both men appeared perfectly at peace. You, however, were suffering from curiosity that was eating away at you.
“If I turned into a worm would you guys still love me?”
Mydei stopped cleaning his spear. Phainon lifted his gaze up from his book. The two men exchanged a look from across the room. Neither spoke.
Then finally, Mydei rolled his eyes. “I’m not answering that.”
“Baby if you’re bored we could take a walk out in town together.” Phainon took your hand in his, entwining your fingers together.
Phainon brought you to a lovely restaurant while Mydei ordered all your favorite dishes. They succeeded in distracting you for the rest of the evening.
Unfortunately for them, your curiosity remained unsatisfied.
The next morning began like any other morning. You woke up, enjoyed breakfast together. Then you kissed them both on the cheek and wished them a good day ahead as they left to fulfill their Chrysos Heirs duties.
Both men heaved a sigh of relief as they stepped out of the house. The last time you had asked a rhetorical question—
"If I was dying and you had to kiss another girl to save me, would you do it?"
Neither answer satisfied you. The silent treatment that followed lasted for an entire week. It was a week neither man wished to relive.
Having successfully survived your latest hypothetical question, both men had assumed that the worst was behind them.
They were wrong. The house was suspiciously quiet. It was strange not having you ambush them at the door with a hug the moment they stepped inside.
“y/n?”
No response.
Mydei immediately tensed, his sharp gaze sweeping across the room.
The front door was still locked. Nothing appeared disturbed. Yet something felt wrong.
“y/n?” Mydei called out again.
Silence.
The valuables remained untouched and your belongings were exactly where you had left them. Your clothes were neatly folded in the drawers. The jewelry they had gifted you sat atop your vanity. Even your bag still hung by the door.
“Baby?” Phainon stepped further into the house. A bright purple bottle with no labels sat on the coffee table. His gaze fell to the worm beside it and he froze. “Mydei!” Panic rose as he lifted the bottle up to his nose. The putrid smell had him gagging.
“What is that?” Mydei pointed to the suspicious bottle. “It smells dangerous.”
Phainon's gaze drifted from the bottle back to the worm beside it. A horrible thought crossed his mind.
“y/n?” The worm wiggled. The two men exchanged questioning looks.
“y/n?” The worm wiggled again.
“...”
“...”
“It moved.”
“Yeah, I can see that.”
“If I turned into a worm would you still love me?” The memory hit them like a freight train.
The next hour was complete chaos, as the two listed questions that neither could answer.
How could the potion's effects be reversed?
What was the lifespan of a worm?
Could worms recognize their loved ones?
Most importantly, where was the worm going?
The tiny creature had somehow escaped the coffee table and was inching closer and closer towards the door.
“She's making a break for it!” Phainon lunged. “Careful!” Mydei nearly tackled him to the ground. “You almost stepped on her!”
“I did not!” Phainon huffed.
“You absolutely did!” Carefully Mydei scooped the worm up into his hands. “I've got you.”
Day 1
A day later, the worm was absolutely thriving in its new habitat.
Filled with moist soil, vegetable peelings, a custom throne and a knitted blanket, it was significantly more luxurious than most homes in Okhema.
“Don't you think that's a bit much?” Phainon pointed at the bright red crystal throne sitting proudly in the center of the glass habitat.
“She's my princess, she deserves it.”
Phainon glanced at the knitted blanket that he had personally made.
“She does deserve nothing but the best.”
Day 2
“Alright baby, what do you want for dinner?” Phainon carefully placed the worm on the dining table so the three of you could still eat together like usual. “The decaying apple or the lettuce?”
“You know,” Mydei said as he stirred the pot, “if you were human, you'd be having homemade dumpling soup tonight.”
The worm stopped moving. Phainon immediately glared at him.
“Stop it.”
“What?”
“You're upsetting her.”
The worm continued to remain perfectly still.
“Look, she's devastated.”
Day 3
“If she remains a worm...”
“Don't.” Phainon glanced at the mountain of books scattered across the floor. “We'll find a solution.”
“We need to be realistic.”
Mydei tapped gently against the glass of the habitat. The worm wiggled in response.
Silence settled between them.
For a moment, neither spoke.
They watched as the worm burrowed into the soil, completely unbothered by the crisis unfolding around it.
"...Should we enlarge her habitat?"
“Probably. She'll need more room to grow.”
A pause.
“Would the wedding ring go around her middle?”
Phainon stared at him. Then he glanced at the worm. A horrible realization struck him. How were they supposed to walk down the aisle without accidentally stepping on you?
“...I hadn't considered that.”
“I'll speak to a goldsmith tomorrow.”
“You think they make rings for worms?”
“I think they're about to.”
Day 4
“Mydei!!!”
Bursting out of the bathroom with soap suds still in his hair and a towel wrapped loosely around his waist, Mydei nearly slipped as he ran into the hall.
“I can't find y/n!” Phainon was as pale as a sheet of paper as he crawled out from under the bed.
“I told you to keep the lid close.”
“I took her out. She looked bored and I only turned around for a while.”
The two of them tore the entire house apart. Not a single inch was left unchecked.
“I found her!” There was the worm, taking an afternoon nap behind a flowerpot. Phainon heaved a sigh of relief. “I should have known. She loved flowers.”
Very carefully, Phainon scooped the worm into his hands. “Young lady, if you run away again you're grounded.” The worm wiggled.
Mydei frowned as he watched the one sided conversation. “You've been hogging her.”
Phainon instinctively curled his fingers a little closer around the worm.
“I have not.”
“When was the last time that I got to hold her?”
“Yesterday? For a whole good three minutes.”
“You timed it?”
“I have a schedule.”
“You made a schedule?”
“It helps us split our time fairly. Since y/n can't actually tell us whose palm she prefers.”
Mydei stared at him in disbelief. At that moment the worm wiggled off Phainon’s hand and inched its way closer to Mydei.
“Missed me, haven't you?”
Mydei smirked. Phainon pouted.
Day 5
“Fresh air is important.”
“No.”
“But she hasn't left the house since…”
“No.”
“She's probably tired of staring at the same old scenery."
“No.”
Phainon carefully lifted the worm out from its habitat.
Mydei was already regretting this as he tagged along.
The two of them sat outside beneath the shade of a large tree. Birds chirped peacefully overhead.
The worm appeared content.
“See?” Phainon smiled. “She likes it.”
The worm wiggled.
“She agreed with me.”
“She absolutely did not.”
The worm continued inching across Phainon's palm.
A shadow passed overhead.
Neither noticed, both engrossed with the wiggling worm.
The shadow grew larger and larger.
Then suddenly—
A blur of black feathers shot down from the sky. In the blink of an eye, the worm was gone.
Phainon stared at his empty palm.
Mydei stared at his empty palm.
The crow soared off into the distance with something dangling from its beak. Something pink and small. Something very worm-shaped.
“No no no.”
The words came out as little more than a whisper. As Phainon’s brain struggled to process what had just happened.
“NO!”
Phainon took off running with Mydei following close behind.
“Mydei!”
“I see it!”
The chase that followed would later be described by witnesses to Aglaea as a deeply concerning behavior for members of the esteemed Chrysos heir.
A flock of birds scattered. A vegetable cart overturned. A kissing couple was knocked apart.
Several citizens were forced to leap out of the way. But none of it mattered to them. The bird had y/n. They had to get the worm back no matter the cost.
“GET BACK HERE!”
“STOP THIS INSTANT!”
The crow continued flying, completely unbothered by the two men screaming after it from the streets below.
Three hours later.
They had lost the crow.
Silence hung heavily in the house.
Neither man spoke.
The glass habitat sat empty on the table. The tiny throne remained untouched. The knitted blanket folded neatly in the corner. Phainon stared blankly at the enclosure.
“We failed her.”
Mydei closed his eyes.
“We did.”
“We were supposed to keep her safe.”
“It wasn't your fault. I should have insisted..”
“I had one job.”
Phainon’s voice cracked as his throat tightened. Mydei stared up at the ceiling, willing his tears not to fall. If he started crying too, neither of them would recover from this.
Silence returned.
Then they heard the sound of the door opening. Both men froze. Slowly. Very slowly. They turned around.
There you stood at the doorway. Slurping on a cup of milk tea. Unharmed and perfectly alive.
“B-baby?”
“Hi I'm–” You paused, frowning at their teary red eyes. “Wait, are you two crying?”
Then you noticed the huge glass habitat on the coffee table. "And we've got a new pet?”
It took a whole lot of comforting and reassurance that you were alive and well before you managed to dig out the full story from both men.
“You both thought I was a worm for four days?!”
“Five days...” Phainon muttered, his face turning redder by the second.
“The evidence seemed compelling,” Mydei said defensively. The words sounded less convincing the second time around.
“What evidence?” You looked from Mydei to Phainon and back again. “Grandma fell sick so I left in a hurry and forgot to tell you about it.”
This was getting more confusing by the minute. You wondered if you'd somehow stumbled into an alternate universe where you had, in fact, become a worm.
Both men pointed at the purple bottle simultaneously.
“Oh.” You blinked. “That was a sample drink from the store downtown. They were still working on the packaging.”
“B-but the liquid smelled terrible!”
“It probably went bad.” You shrugged. “It was supposed to be refrigerated.”
Silence.
Mydei slowly turned to look at Phainon.
Phainon slowly turned to look at Mydei.
Neither spoke.
“In my defense, you agreed with me without questioning it.”
Myedi pinched the bridge of his nose. “Don't.”
The tension in the room was palpable. Mydei was holding back the overwhelming urge to strangle the man beside him and then himself.
Phainon, meanwhile, was dying of embarrassment from the sheer stupidity of the entire situation.
But none of that seemed to matter to you. Your eyes widened. A grin slowly spread across your face.
“Aww. So you would love me even if I turned into a worm!”
.
.
.
Later that night, two pairs of strong arms surrounded you as the three of you lay in bed.
Neither man had been willing to let you out of their sight for the entire day.
The house was peacefully quiet when your curiosity got the better of you again.
“But if I had turned into a snail—”
Phainon leaned over and kissed you before you could finish your sentence.
On your other side, Mydei tightened his grip around your waist, pressing a trail of kisses against your neck.
No. Absolutely not. They were never revisiting another hypothetical question ever again.
