Diasominia x Zaunite reader
Request by anonymous: Maybe how about a headcanons with Yuu who is born and raised in Zaun? Most importantly how would cast reacts to Zaun's environment once Yuu trusts them enough to tell about it? (Or maybe cast would see for themselves somehow?)
Synopsis: You have always kept your past a secret, but as their relationships deepen, the truth about Zaun slowly unravels. A city of smog, struggle, and survival far from the world of NRC. How will their lover react to the harsh reality Yuu once called home? And more importantly, can they bring comfort to the one who endured it all?
Warnings: ⚠Mentions of poverty, crime, substance abuse (shimmer), survival struggles, and environmental pollution. The setting of Zaun includes themes of danger, societal disparity, and rough living conditions. Reader's past involves hardships, but the story focuses on comfort, understanding, and romance.⚠
Heartslabyul, Savanaclaw, Octavinelle,Scarabia Pomifiore, Ignihyde, Diasominia
Since you didn't specify her past,I'm just gonna assume that she's an orphan like 99% of the Zaunite cast.
Malleus had always been… different.
It was obvious to anyone who had ever met him. His towering figure, the long, graceful horns, and the aura of authority that surrounded him made him seem more like a mythical creature than a mere student.
But you, somehow, never found him intimidating.
You had seen real monsters, had been one yourself in the streets of Zaun, and while Malleus exuded an otherworldly power, you saw the quiet sadness behind his eyes,the longing for a connection that went deeper than just his royal title.
When you first met him, his gaze was intense, as if trying to decipher the complexities of your existence. You didn’t think much of it at first,after all, who could understand Zaun? But when you finally exchanged a few words, you noticed something.
He was curious about you.
“I’ve heard of Zaun,” he had said one evening, his voice rich and deep, “but I’ve never met anyone from there. Tell me… what is it like to live where the sun rarely shines?”
His tone wasn’t one of judgment, nor of pity. It was simple interest, something you rarely got from others.
You had laughed softly, a little bitterly. “A lot of people die before they see the sun, Malleus.”
His eyes narrowed in thought, before he quietly murmured, “Perhaps… that is why you have such a light in your eyes.”
You blinked, taken aback by his words. “What?”
He didn’t seem to notice how his statement had affected you. His thoughts were always far ahead, his mind a maze of arcane knowledge, ancient stories, and mysteries beyond your reach. But for a brief moment, you thought you saw a flicker of vulnerability,something raw and human in his expression.
“…It’s rare,” he continued, as though he were still thinking aloud, “for someone to carry such a light, despite the darkness they’ve lived through.”
Your breath caught in your throat. “Malleus…”
For a moment, it was as if the world around you faded away. The hum of the dormitory, the chatter of other students,everything fell silent. It was just the two of you, standing in the hallway, with only the flickering glow of magic and moonlight surrounding you.
And then, ever so gently, he took a step closer, his eyes never leaving yours.
“If you ever feel lost,” he said softly, “you need not wander alone. I will guide you, as I have always been meant to.”
You stared up at him, feeling your heart race for reasons you couldn’t quite explain. The way his words hit you was not in the way you thought they would. It wasn’t just kindness,there was something deeper there.
Before you could respond, a soft chuckle echoed through the hall. It was light, almost teasing, and when you looked up, you saw the faintest hint of a smile on Malleus’ lips.
“…Ah,” he said, his voice lowering in a whisper. “It appears I’ve gone too far in my usual manner of speech. My apologies, Y/N.”
You shook your head, a smile creeping up on your own lips. “It’s fine. I just wasn’t expecting you to—”
Before you could finish, a voice interrupted.
The voice was regal, commanding even.
Lilia appeared from the shadows, his grin wide and knowing. “It’s rare to see you so… expressive.”
Malleus scowled at the interruption, but his gaze never wavered from you.
You could feel his attention,intense, focused, as if everything else in the world didn’t matter. And maybe, just maybe, for the first time in a long while, you didn’t mind being the one he focused on.
Zaun was never a place for the faint of heart.
It wasn’t just the danger lurking in every corner or the constant hum of machinery,it was the very essence of the place, the air that smelled faintly of metal and oil, the sharp sounds of distant machinery grinding together.
But when Malleus insisted on visiting Zaun with you, there was something different in the way he held himself.
Most people would have been nervous, apprehensive about the sharp edges of the city. But not Malleus.
He walked beside you with his head held high, unbothered by the dim lights or the low hum of machinery. His presence was like an anchor, steady and calm, even amidst the chaos.
You, on the other hand, felt every muscle in your body tense as the familiar streets crept closer.
“You don’t have to do this, Malleus,” you said, trying to steady your breath. “This place… it’s dangerous. You don’t belong here.”
He glanced down at you, his expression unreadable.
“I belong wherever you are,” he replied simply.
Your heart skipped a beat at his words, but you shook your head. “You don’t understand. This place isn’t for people like you.”
He reached out and gently took your hand in his. The warmth of his touch was enough to make you pause.
“I understand far more than you realize,” he said quietly, his voice soft but unwavering. “I understand what it is like to carry a burden, to stand alone, to be misunderstood.”
You froze, looking up at him in confusion.
Malleus’ eyes softened. “Zaun may be a city of darkness, but it is also a place of resilience. You are a product of that resilience.”
He squeezed your hand, his smile small but genuine.
“You are not alone, Y/N.”
You felt a lump form in your throat, and for the first time in a long while, you allowed yourself to believe it.
Lilia was many things,mysterious, playful, and an absolute enigma to those around him. Yet, to you, he was someone entirely different.
From the very first time you met him, his playful teasing made you a bit wary. After all, you had seen the darker side of people,those who used words as weapons, who hid their true selves behind laughter. But Lilia? He was different.
His eyes sparkled with mischief, and yet when he looked at you, there was something more. Beneath the playful jabs and cryptic words, you could sense the care he took in understanding you, something you hadn't experienced often.
It was a night like any other when you first opened up to him. The moonlight streamed through the trees, and the two of you found yourselves alone in a quiet part of the garden. You had been talking for hours, but it wasn't just about trivial things. No, this time, you had decided to let him see who you really were,the scars, the history, the loneliness.
“I never really had a choice,” you said softly, your eyes drifting to the ground. “In Zaun, you do what you can to survive. You do what you must to keep going.”
Lilia studied you closely, his smile gone. There was a rare seriousness in his expression as he processed your words. It was a stark contrast to his usual demeanor. Slowly, he stepped closer, his voice low, almost gentle.
"You think you're the only one who's had to survive?" His words caught you off guard, and you looked up, surprised. "Everyone has their battles, Y/N. Some just don't show it as clearly as others."
You frowned, unsure of where this conversation was going.
Lilia tilted his head, his eyes twinkling once again with that playful edge, but this time it was different. It was as though the mask he wore was slipping just slightly, revealing the sincerity behind it.
"Zaun might have taught you how to survive, but that's not all you are," he continued. "You're someone who keeps going, no matter how tough it gets. You remind me of a certain someone I know."
You raised an eyebrow, intrigued despite yourself.
Lilia grinned. "Me, of course." He winked.
You couldn’t help but laugh softly, the tension easing a little. Even in his teasing, there was something undeniably comforting about him. It was like he was always one step ahead, always able to make you feel understood,without ever fully admitting he understood everything.
And yet, there was a softness there, in the way he didn’t push when you weren’t ready to share more, in the way he patiently waited for you to open up on your terms.
The way he held your gaze then was different too,familiar and intimate, the kind that left a warmth in your chest.
“Zaun may have made you who you are,” Lilia said, his voice softer now, “but it doesn’t define you. You’re more than your past. You’re someone who creates their future, and I think you’ve got quite the future ahead of you, Y/N.”
You blinked, feeling the weight of his words settle in. For once, someone had acknowledged what you were without making you feel like you were defined by your past mistakes, by your struggles.
You wanted to say something, to thank him, but the words never seemed enough. Instead, you just let out a quiet sigh and smiled.
“Thanks, Lilia,” you whispered, unsure if you’d ever be able to find the right words for someone who seemed to know you better than you knew yourself.
His smile returned,mischievous, playful, but with an underlying sincerity that sent a warmth through your chest. “Anytime, my dear Y/N. Just don’t expect me to always be this nice, okay?”
You couldn’t help but smile back, the heavy weight of the world on your shoulders feeling just a little bit lighter, if only for that moment.
The streets of Zaun were everything he’d imagined,and more.
Lilia’s sharp gaze took in every detail, his fae senses picking up the scent of burnt metal, smog, and something a little darker in the air. His lips curved into a smile, though it wasn’t one of amusement; it was something more like curiosity mixed with recognition.
You had warned him. You had tried to prepare him, to explain what life in Zaun was like. Still, there was something in seeing it firsthand that made the reality hit him harder than he expected. The crowded streets, the flickering neon lights casting eerie glows, the people moving with a sense of purpose and survival,he could feel the undercurrent of tension in the air, the constant buzz of danger just beneath the surface.
“This is it, huh?” Lilia murmured, his voice thoughtful, almost distant as he took in the grimy walls of the buildings, the ever-present haze that hung low in the sky. He didn’t look at you immediately, but you could feel the weight of his thoughts as he observed the rough landscape that shaped you.
He didn’t seem horrified, but there was something in the way he looked at the city. It wasn’t pity,he didn’t feel sorry for you. Rather, it was the kind of understanding that came with seeing something familiar from a distance, something he had been around before but never fully experienced. The shadows, the lights, the hidden dangers,it was all too close to home for him, but in a way that was different from the life he had known.
For a long moment, you both walked in silence, your footsteps echoing on the cracked pavement as the city bustled around you. The cacophony of Zaun was relentless,the shouting vendors, the clatter of distant machinery, the rattle of old pipes. It was a harsh symphony, but it was your symphony.
When you spoke, your voice was soft, almost too quiet to hear over the noise. "This is what I meant when I said there are no rules. No one’s going to help you here unless you can do something for them in return."
Lilia’s eyes finally turned to you, his usual smirk gone. Instead, his expression was something deeper, something more contemplative. "I understand." His voice was steady, but there was something in the way he looked at you,something that almost mirrored the world you were showing him. "It’s not a world built on kindness. It’s about surviving. But… you’re still standing, aren’t you?"
You nodded, a small, tired smile on your lips. "I don’t have much choice."
Lilia’s gaze lingered on you for a moment longer before he turned back to the chaotic streets. "No," he agreed quietly, "but you’ve made it this far. And you’ll keep making it."
He didn’t need to say more. His understanding was enough, and somehow, it was all the reassurance you needed. Because in a city like Zaun, survival wasn’t just about getting by,it was about finding the strength to keep moving forward, even when the world seemed like it was against you.
“Don’t carry this alone,” he murmured into your ear. “I’ll always be here for you, Y/N. Just like now.”
And with Lilia by your side, you weren’t as alone as you once thought.
Silver had always been quiet. The stoic, reserved type who preferred the calm and stillness of nature to the bustle of crowded halls or the frenzy of battle. You could always count on him to be there when you needed someone to lean on, but he wasn’t the kind to express his feelings openly. He said little, but his actions spoke volumes.
That was part of why you felt so comfortable around him. Silver wasn’t one to push, to rush you. He was patient, and he understood that sometimes, silence was more powerful than words.
It wasn’t until a late evening walk that you began to realize how much he truly cared for you.
You had been walking through the courtyards of the school, the sound of your footsteps mixing with the chirping of crickets and the rustling of the trees. You had your hands tucked into your pockets, and your thoughts were miles away as you drifted in and out of memories of Zaun.
Silver, as always, walked beside you. His presence was comforting in its own quiet way, but tonight, you could feel that something was off. There was an air of tension around him, though he hadn’t said a word.
“Silver?” you asked, pausing in your steps to look up at him. “You okay?”
Silver glanced at you, his silver hair catching the faint light of the moon. He hesitated before answering, his blue eyes studying you carefully.
“I’m fine,” he replied in his usual low voice, but you could tell there was something more beneath the surface. “Just thinking.”
You raised an eyebrow, sensing that he wasn’t being entirely honest with you. You nudged him gently. “You’ve been thinking a lot lately. What’s on your mind?”
Silver exhaled slowly, his eyes moving to the side. He looked a little uncomfortable, as if the very idea of sharing his thoughts made him uneasy. But despite his usual guarded nature, you could see the vulnerability in his expression.
“It’s about you,” he finally admitted. His words were simple, but they hit you in a way that made your heart skip a beat. “I know you’re from Zaun… and I can’t help but wonder what that’s like for you.”
Your heart sank. You had never really spoken about Zaun with Silver before. You’d never gone into detail about the chaos, the struggle, and the way life was shaped by harsh circumstances. The words you wanted to say were stuck in your throat.
Silver, sensing your hesitation, took a step closer. His voice was softer now, almost as if he were afraid of intruding on something too personal. “You don’t have to tell me if you don’t want to. I just… I want to understand you better.”
For a moment, you simply stared at him, caught off guard by the gentleness in his words. There was no judgment in his eyes, no pity,just a quiet concern that made your heart ache.
“I… don’t really know how to explain it,” you said finally, your voice tinged with a sadness you hadn’t expected. “Zaun is… it’s hard. It's not a place anyone should have to grow up in. It’s full of danger, of people who are just trying to survive. Every day is a fight.”
Silver nodded slowly, taking in your words. He didn’t interrupt or offer a solution. He just let you speak. Let you say whatever you needed to say, in your own time.
“I know you want to protect me,” you continued, your voice quieter now. “But Zaun is different. It’s not like your world. There’s no peace there.”
Silver’s expression softened, his eyes searching yours with a quiet understanding. He didn’t speak, but you could tell he was absorbing everything you said. There was no rush, no push for you to explain further. He just wanted you to know that, whatever it was, you weren’t alone in it.
“I don’t need to understand everything about Zaun,” he finally said, his voice steady. “I just need to know that you’re okay. That you’re safe. That’s all I care about.”
You blinked at him, surprised by his sincerity. There was no bravado, no pretense,just the quiet honesty that had always made Silver so different from others. He wasn’t trying to fix anything; he was just here, now, with you.
“I’m not always okay,” you admitted, your voice quiet. “But I’m surviving.”
Silver nodded, his hand brushing against yours in a simple, reassuring gesture. You could feel the warmth of his touch, the unspoken bond between the two of you.
“I’ll help you however I can,” he said softly, his gaze never leaving yours. “No matter what.”
For the first time in a long while, you allowed yourself to believe it. Silver’s words were like a lifeline, a promise of support you hadn’t dared to ask for.
But Silver wasn’t one to make promises he didn’t intend to keep. You knew that much.
You smiled faintly, relieved, as you continued walking side by side. “Thank you, Silver.”
“You don’t have to thank me,” he replied, his voice gentle. “I’m just doing what’s right.”
But you knew that Silver’s “right” was more than just duty. It was his quiet way of showing that he cared.
A few days later, Silver insisted on accompanying you to Zaun. You had been reluctant to invite him at first,Zaun wasn’t a place you would take anyone who didn’t have to be there. But Silver had been insistent, and despite your reservations, you found comfort in the idea of him being there with you.
You took him to the lower levels, the ones you knew best,the gritty, rough streets where people fought to survive. The air was thick with smoke, and the constant noise of machines and distant arguments filled the space. It was as overwhelming as ever, but with Silver by your side, you felt a little less burdened by it.
Silver stayed close to you, his posture more alert than usual. You could see the way his eyes darted around, taking in the sights, the sounds, and the people who passed by. It was clear that the reality of Zaun was far more jarring than he had imagined.
“Is it always like this?” Silver asked quietly, his voice barely audible over the noise of the streets.
You nodded, your expression somber. “Yeah. It doesn’t change. People just live like this.”
Silver stayed quiet as you led him further into the maze of alleys. He was taking everything in, but there was no judgment in his gaze,just a quiet understanding that perhaps, he would never fully grasp what it was like to live in Zaun, but that didn’t matter. He was here, and that was enough for you.
As the day wore on, Silver’s discomfort grew less noticeable. He didn’t speak much, but his presence was a constant reassurance. It was clear that while Zaun would always be foreign to him, he would stand by your side no matter what.
And that’s all you really needed from him.
When you finally returned to the safer part of the city, Silver seemed exhausted but not shaken. His eyes met yours, and in that quiet moment, you saw the promise he had made earlier reflected in his gaze.
“I don’t think I could ever fully understand this place,” he said softly, “but I understand you more now. And that’s enough.”
You smiled, your heart full, knowing that despite the differences between you and Silver, you had found something rare in each other: a quiet bond that didn’t need words to be strong.
Sebek had always been a little… intense. His loyalty to Malleus was unwavering, and his fiery passion often led him to speak in a way that could come off as overbearing or a bit too much for most people to handle. But to you, it was different.
You had always been someone who didn’t back down. You didn’t shy away from his relentless energy or his tendency to speak without thinking. In a way, you were the perfect match to his intensity, and he recognized that.
You were sitting with him one afternoon, and despite the sun shining brightly, the tension in the air was palpable. Sebek had been in the middle of an enthusiastic monologue about his admiration for Malleus,something that, at this point, you had heard more times than you cared to count but today, something felt off. You weren’t exactly listening anymore, your thoughts drifting to your own past.
It wasn’t until he stopped talking that you realized how quiet things had gotten.
“You’re quiet today,” Sebek observed, his tone lacking its usual energy. He was staring at you, his yellow-green eyes focused with an intensity that made your heart race for reasons you couldn’t quite explain. “What’s on your mind, human?”
You hesitated for a moment, but his gaze was unwavering. There was no escaping Sebek’s directness, not that you would want to. But still, it felt strange to talk about Zaun with him,his idealistic view of the world was so different from the harshness you had experienced growing up.
“I just…” You trailed off, unsure of how to explain it to him. “I guess it’s hard for me to put it into words. I come from a place where survival is everything. Where you have to fight for every scrap you get. Nothing is ever handed to you.”
Sebek’s expression remained the same,stoic, his posture straight and rigid but you could see the flicker of confusion in his eyes. He wasn’t sure how to process what you’d said.
“That sounds… awful,” he said after a long pause, his voice quieter than usual. “No one should have to live like that.”
You shrugged, trying to brush off the weight of the conversation. “It’s just how things are.”
He shook his head, his brows furrowing in concern. “I don’t understand. Where’s the pride in that? Where’s the honor in struggling just to survive?”
There it was again,his idealism. He didn’t see the world like you did. He saw it through the lens of a knight, someone who believed in valor and strength. But you? You had learned the hard way that survival wasn’t about honor,it was about doing whatever it took to get by.
“I know you mean well,” you said, meeting his gaze with a small, rueful smile, “but not everything is as black and white as you think.”
Sebek’s eyes softened, though his expression remained serious. “I don’t understand it. But if you say it’s what you need to do, then I’ll trust you. I’ll support you.” His voice was firm, but there was a subtle tenderness to it that made your heart beat a little faster.
You weren’t sure if it was the weight of his words or the sincerity in his voice, but something shifted between you two in that moment. He wasn’t just a knight with unyielding loyalty to his prince anymore,he was someone who was offering you his own brand of loyalty. Unquestioning. Unbreakable.
“You’re not alone in this,” he added softly, his eyes never leaving yours. “If you need anything, I’ll fight for you.”
Your heart thudded against your chest, but you said nothing. Instead, you just nodded, feeling a sense of gratitude wash over you. Despite how overwhelming Sebek could be at times, in that moment, you couldn’t deny that you felt safe in his presence.
You wanted to say something,something that would show him just how much that meant to you. But the words never came. Instead, you just leaned in a little closer, allowing the silence to speak for you.
Sebek shifted slightly, his shoulders relaxing a bit. It wasn’t much, but it was enough to remind you that, maybe, just maybe, he understood.
“Now,” Sebek said with his usual enthusiasm returning, “let’s focus on what’s next! No more of this gloomy talk. If you need me, you know I’m always ready to charge ahead!”
You couldn’t help but chuckle. Typical Sebek. But as much as his boisterous nature could be overwhelming, there was something undeniably comforting about it. No matter what happened, he would always be there for you,through the chaos, through the struggles, and through the moments when you needed someone to fight beside you.
A few days after that conversation, you invited Sebek to visit Zaun. You had seen his loyalty, his fiery passion, but there was a part of you that wanted him to understand your world. To truly see what had shaped you, what had made you the person you were.
Sebek had been reluctant at first. “I am not a coward,” he had said, his brows furrowing as he tried to hide his unease. “I can protect you from anything!”
But you had been insistent. You had never asked him for anything like this before, and he could see that it meant something to you. So, he agreed, though with many protests along the way. He was uneasy, unsure of what to expect. And perhaps, deep down, he feared that seeing Zaun might change the way he viewed you.
When you finally arrived, Sebek’s discomfort was palpable. The streets of Zaun were chaotic, the air thick with pollution. The neon lights flickered overhead like fading stars in a night sky that never quite knew peace. The air was heavy, the smell of chemicals and burnt metal inescapable. It was a far cry from the calm and order of the Isle of Sages.
Sebek kept his hand near the hilt of his sword, his posture stiff as his eyes darted nervously around. The loud clanging of machinery and distant shouting from the alleyways unsettled him. The bustling crowd seemed to go about their business with a nonchalant ease that was nothing like the structured order he was used to.
You walked ahead, guiding him through the streets with the kind of ease that came from familiarity. Sebek stayed close to you, his anxious energy barely contained. “This place is…” His voice trailed off, and for a moment, he couldn’t find the words.
“It’s home,” you said simply, turning to look at him. “But I know it’s not what you’re used to.”
“Used to?!” Sebek repeated, his voice rising in disbelief. “This place is a nightmare! The streets—look at the people! They’re so… so—”
“Surviving,” you finished for him. “They’re just surviving.”
Sebek looked at you, his eyes wide. “But this is a place where people have to fight to live? Where the air is poison and the lights flicker like some kind of nightmare?”
“Yes,” you said softly, your voice a little more somber. “But this is how it is. How it’s always been.”
The shock on Sebek’s face was undeniable. He had lived in a world where honor, strength, and duty were his guiding principles. But here, the people of Zaun were just trying to get by. They didn’t have the luxury of ideals like honor, they had to make do with what little they had.
“Stay close,” you said, your voice firm but gentle. You could see the fear on his face, and for a moment, you realized how much of an outsider he felt here. “I’ll keep you safe. Just trust me.”
Sebek didn’t say anything, but he followed you with a tight grip on his sword hilt. For the first time since you’d known him, he wasn’t the confident, almost overbearing knight; he was just a person trying to navigate a world that was foreign and terrifying to him.
By the time you made it to the small, safe space you knew in the lower levels of Zaun, Sebek was visibly shaken. His hands were clenched into fists, his shoulders tense.
“I—I don’t know how you do it,” Sebek said quietly, his voice shaky. “How do you survive in a place like this? It’s not—it's not right.”
You looked at him, your expression softening. “It’s not perfect, Sebek. But it’s home.”
He swallowed hard, and when his eyes met yours, there was something raw in them,something that had softened over time, something that was no longer just a knight's duty to protect.
“I don’t know if I can ever understand this place,” he said softly. “But… I understand you better now. And that’s what matters.”
His words were a promise,quiet, yet firm. You weren’t alone. Not now. Not anymore.
“Thanks, Sebek,” you said, giving him a small smile.
He nodded, his voice low but steady. “I’ll always fight for you. Always.”
In that moment, you realized that, despite everything, Sebek’s loyalty hadn’t wavered. If anything, it had only deepened. And for that, you were grateful.
English is not my first language !
