𐔌՞. .՞𐦯: HEHEHE THIS WAS FUN TO WRITE
The General and the Lantern Fae
Valeriy (Genshin Impact) × Reader
You notice everything, and relish in it
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Valeriy is a man of unadulterated strength. Stern, strong, very loyal, it's no wonder the Fatui took him in. It's also no wonder that one of the harbingers, a lantern fae with a tongue made of diamond, and a smile so sickeningly friendly, find him very, very intriguing.
The first time he saw you was like any other Fatui when someone worthy steps into the role of a harbinger. That day, you we're given the title in front of all other Fatui members under the name Brighella. He learns that you've come from the reconnaissance faction, and that your ability to shape shift landed an audience from one of the harbingers themselves. When he looks back, he's surprised to see your eyes gaze onto his. You had a sweet smile, and eyes almost like cresents when you grin, like a cat who plays with its food, almost like a hyena. It was then and there his life changed, both for the better and for the worse.
The second he saw you, you were a burly man, who had forcibly caught his attention by being an additional soldier that was unaccounted for, attending his general assembly. The worst part, he did not even know you were there! You were so inconspicuably dressed that the moment he passed by your form, he couldn't mistake the smile you had on your altered face. He shivers as a burly man smiles at him in that way. 'Please never do that again unless you're in your own appearance.' He'd have to request that of you the moment the two of you become close... Not that he had plans of getting close to you.
The third time, you weren't even supposed to be there. It just so happens that you're where he planned to be. In a cafe that was bustling with people despite the setting sun. The only seat left is right across from you. Even now, your face is altered to look different, but the way you smile still lifts the veil; mischievous and cunning.
"Valeriy, right? It's nice to meet one of the Fatui's most loyal generals," you say, demure as you pick up your cup and drink.
"My, you're more handsome up close too." He clears his throat, pretending he did not hear that. The blush on his cheeks betray him, and your annoyingly sly grin only makes it redder.
"Is this another one of your disguise?" Valeriy asked, eyeing you. You look different from when you've stepped onto the Harbinger role, sporting human ears instead of your usual long elf-like ones. "Why? Wanted to compliment me too?" You tease, but Valeriy's more focus on prying out some kind of information on you. He thinks it's because he's suspicious, but is it really about suspicion when his lack of information is causing him to fill in the blanks of who you are as a person?
"Why do you change your face?" He asks, drinking his cup of coffee.
"Hm?"
He glares, but it's not from contempt. "Don't think I didn't notice you in my general assembly a couple days ago." You grin almost immediately.
"Oh! You noticed?"
He reaches for his nosebridge and massages the area like it has been on his mind for a long while (it has, in fact) "You have a distinct grin when you feel like you've been found out." You laugh, and it sends a warm feeling to his chest.
"So why?" You hum for a bit, your index finger tapping onto your chin.
"Well, it's fun to dress up as a human," you reply, and move closer to him. He instinctively leans in as well, as if you're telling a secret. "Besides, being a harbinger is already too much attention. I like blending in with people." When you pull away, Valeriy's a little disappointed.
"I see what you mean. Recon meant that you're used to hiding in the shadows, I surmise. That or it's fae nature."
"Well, yes and no? Being in recon meant I have to gather information while not letting information about me out. Otherwise, that's a trail for enemies. Not good." You take a sip of your drink of choice, relishing in the flavors.
"As for fae nature... I will ignore that the way you said it sounded quite racist. It's not because I'm a fae. Even being fae brings attention, let alone a lantern fae." You'd rather not deal with the high fae society and their prying eyes. It was hard enough that your brother left you in the claws of the high fae society, sneaking away to become a lightkeeper. The audacity! "I like spectating. Shape shifting helps me dive into that mindset." Before you leave, you smile at him, that weird playful grin that looked a little too fake, but somehow it's so you, beaming with such amusement.
"You're good company. We should do this sometime."
The fourth time he sees you, you were in your very own training grounds, a heap of mess, honestly. You had your weapon drawn as you parry the attacks of five of your troops He has seen your training, building the mental capacity of your recruits, teaching them to be a vacuum of information. He's not sure how, but he remembers the way one of his troops talked about your training as he had relations in your squad, how extremely observant his friend has been since being assigned to you.
You did not alter yourself this time, and Valeriy somewhat liked how you looked the way you are; focused yet lax, watching the expressions of your troop. And when the timer ends, the troop bows and leaves before another one takes the spotlight. He leaves fast because any more and he would be an example. When he comes back to your spot, the recruits stood in lines of ten, presenting their findings. Your training ground is cluttered, yes, but each item held information.
"How many bottles are firewater?"
"Six!"
"What did soldier 9 said to soldier 10?" The two soldiers in question looked at each other palely.
"The training looked too basic!" Some of the troops laughed, and others shot the two a glare.
"What was the joke soldier 67 said to soldier 57?"
"This training is brig-hella!" There's a few groans and a few laughs in the crowd. Even Valeriy couldn't help but groan at that joke.
"Anything else?"
"General Valeriy was watching the fight two minutes in!" He blushes furiously at the fact that he'd been found out, by one of your troops nonetheless.
"Good job! You noticed things outside the training grounds. That's important." You clasp your hands together as the troops relaxed. This went on until the last troop, asking everything that has happened within their fight. What made everyone astounded was how you remember things, how they'd make something up, and you'd hum and say, "That's unfortunately incorrect, soldier 17 told soldier 18 about a cat he rescued and named it Snowy, not Blizzard. Incorrect names can kill the mission, soldier 80. Fact check, soldier 17 and 18?" They nodded with their jaws open.
"The training might be done, but don't be fooled. You must remain vigilant all the time, because you might not notice, but General Valeriy has come back from his patrol, and is currently watching us again." When you meet his gaze, it's that same grin on your face. Are you trying to cultivate a humiliating environment for him?? "I am adjourning this team building. Good job, everyone. We'll be working on stealth this time."
"How do you do that?" Valeriy asked when you near him.
"Do what?"
"Remember everything that has conspired during an eight-hour long field day?" He gestures to your fun little training ground. "You keep tabs on the conversation of your troops, and know just when I am watching you."
"Lantern faes have extraordinary memory, but realistically, it's decades of practice." You grin and stare at his own indigo eyes, that same playful grin that he's seen you bear, that it's almost your signature.
"As for watching you..." your gaze glosses over to him, index finger tapping your chin. "Well, I know the sounds of most of the Fatui. You wear heavy garments, and walk heavy as well. It's very you." Just as you were about to pass by him, you stopped, smiling at him with something that's... weirdly not the smile he's used to seeing you with. This was more intimate, more sincere, more humane.
"You should try walking light next time. Maybe you could surprise even me, Mister Loverboy." You walk away laughing, and he's in distraught. Have you really known all this time?
There was also something within where one of the rare times he had seen you, was when you weren't being anyone. In fact, you were just a lovely little lantern. The first time he had seen it, he wondered why you were alone in the meeting table. The way you present yourself is just how you would present yourself when you're not being a person, embellishments and intricate designs that ties to your very own attire, the small charm on the top; it's unmistakably you. He doesn't know that much about lantern faes; it's a rare kind after all. He wonders if you feel cold. Even if you were an azure flame, and that maybe you're warm considering that blue flames are hotter than your typical, he felt the need to carry you to his quarters, provide you with warmth even from the bedside. God, what was he doing?
And when you wake up in the dead of night because the sounds of the outside world is different, you're surprised that before you is a sleeping general covered in blankets. 'I specifically slept in the meeting room so I could sleep more before the early meeting...' you pouted. 'I need to take revenge.' You slipped onto his own bed, waking him up, and shutting him up just as fast when you wrap your arms around him. "I specifically slept in the meeting room so I could be early with the meetings, so i'm bringing you down with me."
I hope you know, he didn't get a wink of sleep after that. Scratch that, you definitely knew.
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