𝐸𝑃𝐼𝐿𝑂𝐺𝑈𝐸 — MANY MOONS AFTER (3,3K WORDS) 𝑅𝐸𝐷 𝐿𝐼𝑁𝐸𝑆 — lyney x f!reader smau
𝑆𝑌𝑁𝑂𝑃𝑆𝐼𝑆 —
Second year of university should've been everything you thought of it - more studying with human interaction sprinkled throught... What it definitely wasn't supposed to be was an investigation saga where one of your friends goes missing out of nowhere
𝑃𝑅𝐸𝑉𝐼𝑂𝑈𝑆 — 𝑀𝐴𝑆𝑇𝐸𝑅𝐿𝐼𝑆𝑇 — 𝐸𝑁𝐷𝐼𝑁𝐺 𝑇𝐻𝑂𝑈𝐺𝐻𝑇𝑆
“Navia, please don’t pull my hair so tight— ly.” [Y/N] pleaded, seated at Charlotte’s vanity at their dorm. She was letting her friend do anything to make her look drop-dead gorgeous for the incoming date with Lyney. Clorinde and Charlotte were also in the dorm, thinking about an appropriate outfit for their friend.
“Ah,” Navia stopped brushing [Y/N]’s for a second. “Sorry, Love!” She eased her grip and continued with a gentler touch. “Can’t help but be excited for you. I feel like a mother witnessing her daughter’s wedding!”
“Oh please…” Lynette’s voice sounded through the phone sitting on the vanity. She was the only one not present in person for [Y/N]’s getting ready — choosing to stay behind to calm her brother down, in case his friends fail to do so. “You’re not going to get yourself the maid of honour spot this way, Nav.”
“Maid of honour?!” [Y/N] yanked her head towards the phone. “You’re already thinking about a wedding?! Girls, this is a first date.”
“Given Lyney’s personality,” Charlotte said, looking at the clothes sprawled all over the bed. “He might marry you in like a year. We’re simply preparing for when it happens!”
“As if you have any chance at being the maid of honour, Charlotte.” Navia moved [Y/N]’s body back to continue her work. “You and Clorinde had been disqualified for not being supportive of the relationship initially.”
“We were simply trying to stay rational.” Clorinde scoffed. “You ought to not get into a relationship at such an emotional period.”
“Excuses, excuses!”
“Okay, okay,” [Y/N] interrupted the conversation, rolling her eyes playfully. “I’m happy you’re supportive, but seriously, what if I mess this whole thing? Then there won’t be a relationship to plan a wedding for.”
“—‘re an idiot,” Lynette said bluntly. “Lyney likes you, for you. Otherwise, he wouldn’t even ask you out on a date.”
[Y/N] tried to rebuttal, getting shushed by Navia in an instant. “[Y/N] I will tug your hair really hard if you say that we’re just saying because we’re your friends.”
The girl sighed, biting back her tongue as Navia gave a teasing but pointed look through the mirror. “Alright, alright.” She mumbled, relenting.
“Good,” Navia said with a satisfied nod, gently patting the hair she’d been working on. “Now, if you start doubting yourself again, just remember this: Lyney’s the one who should be worried about impressing you. Got it?”
“Exactly!” Charlotte agreed, holding up two outfits in front of her with a contemplative expression. “Let’s talk clothes. Romantic and sweet, or bold and daring?”
“I think bold,” Clorinde remarked from her corner, her sharp gaze darting between the options. “It will throw him off his theatrical game. Besides, you’re not just any ordinary date.”
[Y/N] glanced over at the phone as Lynette let out a tiny laugh. “Seeing him not act like a diva might be fun to watch.” She admitted. “But honestly, he’s already a goner for you. Wear something you’re comfortable in— Oh, the pitcher has broken?”
“A pitcher has broken?” Navia raised her eyebrow at Lynette’s statement. “Isn’t that an odd thing to say?”
“The gang is over,” Lynette stated. “They’re helping Lyney with his part of getting ready. Since Neuvillette claims he’s not good at those things, he decided to check on the Brita pitcher, that’s all.”
Charlotte let out a melodramatic gasp, clasping her hands together. “Helping Lyney get ready? What does he even need help with? He’ll probably just throw on a flashy outfit and go out like he owns the world.”
Clorinde and Navia joined in, snickering. [Y/N] and Lynette, however, kept in silence. They both knew that as much as Lyney was charming and theatrical, there was more than that to his personality.
“—Oh, alright,” Lynette said, directed at somebody at her house. “I’m going to leave the call, girls. Good luck with your date, [Y/N]!”
“Thank you, bye-bye!”
The door to Lyney’s room swung open with a thud.
“Geez, sis.” The male turned around to look at Lynette entering. “You’re going to break the door off the hinges one day.”
“Don’t care.” She deadpanned, picking a stool from under his desk. “You’re the one who asked to have me do your braid. Don’t complain.”
Lyney chuckled nervously, running a hand through his unstyled hair. He was so glad Furina and Wriothesley left his room to get something to drink moments ago, at the very least he wouldn’t have to put on an act. “I wasn’t complaining, just didn’t expect you to storm in like that.” He sat back in his chair, fiddling with the edge of his cuff. “I appreciate the help, though. I want this to be perfect.”
Lynette rolled her eyes as she placed the stool behind him. “You’re overthinking it,” She said, gathering his hair with practised efficiency. “It’s a date, not a performance. You don’t have a script to follow, you know?”
“You say that,” Lyney muttered, “I thought I wouldn’t be so nervous and here I am sweating bullets!” He groaned, covering his face with his hands. “My charm won’t get me out of this one!”
Lynette tugged his braid a little tighter than necessary, earning a yelp. “Stop being dramatic,” She said flatly. “You’re acting as if [Y/N] doesn’t like you back. She agreed to the date, didn’t she?”
What he didn’t have to know was how she read back all the messages that had accumulated on her group chat with the girls — including the messages where [Y/N] revealed her crush on Lyney. “Besides, even if you mess up, it won’t be the end of the world. She won’t judge you for being a clumsy bitch, like I would.”
Lyney gasped. “That was uncalled for! I thought sibling code overrides bestie one!” Even though he was dramatic as usual, Lynette’s words brought him much-needed comfort and confidence.
“Not when it’s my best friend we speak of.” Lynette’s expression got serious. “Don’t do stupid shit, by the way. I’m going to break your hand if you break her heart.”
Lyney froze, his playful demeanour slipping for a moment as he processed Lynette’s words. Her expression was calm and composed as ever, but the underlying seriousness made him sit up straight.
“I wouldn’t dream of it,” He said softly, meeting her gaze in the mirror. “I like her. Really like her. That’s why I’m so nervous… I don’t want to mess this up.”
Lynette’s sharp eyes softened slightly, though her expression remained neutral. She finished tying off his braid with a firm tug, smoothing down some of the pushed-back strands of hair before stepping back. “Good. Keep that in mind, and you’ll do fine.”
Lyney turned to face her, a small smile playing on his lips. “You know, for someone who pretends to be detached, you are awfully protective.”
She crossed her arms, tilting her head. “And you’re awfully perceptive for someone who didn’t even get a bouquet for his date.”
“The flowers are here~” Furina sang as she and Wriothesley entered the room. All this time, instead of getting drinks, they headed for a nearby flowery — picking up a gorgeous arrangement full of rainbow roses. “Look at you Lyney! You need to wear your hair like that more often.”
“Passion and romantic encounters, huh?” Lyney commented, taking the flowers from Furina’s hands. “I appreciate the help.”
Furina swayed from side to side, joyful at being useful. “Of course! While there’s no doubt the date will go splendidly, you simply cannot not have flowers on a first date.”
Wriothesley chuckled, leaning casually against the doorframe. “She’s not wrong. These ones practically scream your relationship’s name.”
“… And who’s the dramatic one now?” Lyney questioned whisperingly, rolling his eyes. “I owe you one, you two.”
Furina waved him off, smiling from ear to ear. “You owe me nothing but a juicy recount of the date later. I demand details!”
“Archons, don’t make the guy even more stressed.” Wriothesley elbowed the dainty girl. “He’s already ready to jump out of his skin.”
Lynette, who had been quietly observing the exchange, stepped forward and straightened Lyney’s jacket. “You’re good to go,” She said, brushing off an invisible speck of lint. “Now don’t keep [Y/N] waiting. And remember—“
“I know, I know.” Lyney sighed, raising his hands in mock surrender. “No stupid mistakes or breaking hearts.”
“And,” Lynette added, her expression unreadable. “Be yourself.”
Lyney paused, her words striking a deep chord. He nodded, a genuine smile curving his lips. “Thanks, Lyn. I’ll keep that in mind.”
Furina clapped her hands together, breaking the moment. “Alright, shoo! You have a date to pick up!”
With one last glance at the mirror and steadying breath, Lyney turned and left, the bouquet clutched tightly in his hands.
As the door closed behind him, Furina sighed dramatically. “He’s going to be a nervous wreck the whole time, isn’t he?”
Lynette sat down in the chair Lyney had vacated. “He’s not the only one. [Y/N] is also worried about the thing. They’re basically mirroring each other.”
Wriothesley chuckled, shaking his hands as he crossed his arms. “Like all of us are. There’s a reason we’d agreed to spy their date.”
“Wait, so it wasn’t so that we’d capture their first kiss?” Furina asked, her gaze fixed on the empty doorway.
In [Y/N]’s and Charlotte’s shared dorm, all that could be heard was the sound of footsteps. [Y/N] was pacing nervously around the entryway, muttering to herself. The agreed time for the date was coming up, and with each passing second, she could just feel her soul partially leaving her body.
The girls who minutes ago helped her with dressing up simply decided to leave her be, observing from the living room’s couch. They had been made aware of Lyney’s incoming arrival but decided against relaying it to the most interested person in the room.
[Y/N] fidgeted with the hem of her outfit, her nervous murmurs barely audible. “What if he thinks I overdressed? Or worse, what if I look like I didn’t even try?”
From the couch, Navia chuckled, leaning back with a relaxed smile. “Sweetheart, if anything, Lyney’s going to think he didn’t try enough. Trust me, he’s probably losing his mind over there.”
Charlotte stifled a laugh as she flipped through social media. “He might even trip over his own feet when he sees you. That would be a sight.”
Clorinde gave a small, approving nod. “You look perfect. Stop second-guessing yourself.”
[Y/N] sighed, stopping mid-step to glance at the clock. “What if he—“
“Shh!” Navia interrupted, sitting up straight. “Did you hear that? I think your date is here~”
Charlotte perked up, peeking through the window. Sure enough, a familiar figure was making his way toward their dorm. “Oh, it’s him. And wow, these flowers are stunning.”
The girl froze in place, her heart thudding wildly. “Archons, what do I do?!”
“Relax,” Clorinde said, getting up to join her in the entryway. “And stop pacing. You’re going to burn a hole in the floor.”
“Also don’t forget to breathe!”
Before [Y/N] could reply, there was a soft knock at the door. Her pulse skyrocketed as she heard Clorinde leave her alone to deal with the situation.
She walked to the door and opened it, revealing Lyney standing there with the bouquet of rainbow roses in his hands. His usual confidence seemed slightly dimmed, replaced by a nervous yet genuine smile.
“Hi,” he greeted, voice softer than usual. He held out the flowers. “These are for you.”
[Y/N] blinked, momentarily stunned by how earnest he looked. She knew Lyney was damn attractive, but him with his hair pushed back? Drop dead gorgeous. She took the bouquet, her fingers brushing against his. “These are beautiful. Thank you so much.”
“Not as beautiful as you, dare I say~”
Behind her, she could hear Charlotte whispering something about how they both were already “smitten beyond repair,” followed by Navia shushing her.
Lyney seemed to also notice the whispers but chose to ignore them, his focus entirely on the girl in front of him “Shall we?” He offered his arm, his confidence starting to return in the warmth of her smile.
[Y/N] nodded, taking his arm. “Let’s.”
The two walked down the cobbled street, the atmosphere tinged with a pleasant buzz of anticipation. Lyney, ever the charmer, adjusted his posture slightly as if rehearsing a silent act. Meanwhile, [Y/N] felt her initial nervousness ease with every passing second in his company. She was passing occasional glances, still enthralled by the sheer beauty of her companion.
“You know,” Lyney began, glancing at her with a soft smile. “When I asked you out, I half expected you to say no. But, well, with how you’re looking, I can tell I was gravely mistaken.”
The girl felt her cheeks heat up, a bashful smile tugging at her lips. “You give yourself too little credit, Lyney. I’d have to be crazy to say no to someone like you…”
He chuckled, the sound warm and genuine. “Well, with how you’ve made me the luckiest man in all of Teyvat tonight, I might as well asked you out months ago.”
[Y/N] raised her eyebrow, but was unable to hide the flutter of her heart. “Whatever you mean, Lyney.” She hid her everlasting smile with her unclaimed hand.
As they strolled, the glow of the city lights reflected in the cobblestone streets, the air filled with the lively hum of Fontaine’s nightlife. Lyney, ever the attentive companion, subtly guided her away from any puddles and bustling crowds.
He finally led her to a quaint little café by the water, its atmosphere warm and inviting. Twinkling lights adorned the patio, and the gentle murmur of conversation and the tinkling of piano music filled the air.
“Lyney,” [Y/N] said, looking around in awe. “This place is gorgeous.”
“Only the best for my favourite girl,” He replied, pulling out a chair for her.
[Y/N] hesitated, sitting down slowly as her heart threatened to leap out of her chest. “Favourite, huh? I guess, I could get used to this title.”
The evening passed in a blur of laughter and easy conversation, their initial nerves melting away. To any onlookers, they might’ve looked as if they were celebrating their anniversary, rather than having their first date.
“You know, darling, ” Lyney started suddenly, his head tilted as he took a good look at [Y/N]. “You kinda suck at hiding your feelings.”
[Y/N] froze mid-laugh, her cheeks flushing a vivid red. “W-What do you mean by that?” She stammered, trying to keep her composure as she took a sip of her drink to hide her embarrassment.
Lyney’s lips curved into a mischievous grin, his purple eyes sparkling with that trademark charm. “Oh, nothing too scandalous.” He said, leaning forward just enough to whisper right into her ears. “Just the way your eyes light up every time you laugh, or how you keep glancing at me like I’ve hung the moon. And, well, how you’ve been doing it for months now.”
The girl nearly choked on her drink, setting it down quickly. “I… That’s not— I wasn’t—“ She mumbled, her mind racing for a witty comeback.
“Relax, [Y/N],” Lyney teased, leaning back to rest his chin on his hand. “If you tell me how long you’ve been crushing on me, I’ll answer the same.”
[Y/N] blinked a few times, trying to gauge if this was simply a prank on his part. Of how she would make a joke out of herself for him to laugh at. Lyney sensed her sudden discomfort.
“Hmm, what if I go first instead?” His eyes wandered around the room before finally settling on his. “But you have to promise to not laugh at me, alright?”
She gave him a sceptical but curious look. She put her pinky up. “Promise.”
Lyney linked his finger with his, eyes softening at the simple gesture.
“I think it was soon after the conflict you had with Charlotte and Clorinde, although Furina and Wriothesley are convinced it was way back when we had that picnic at Mary-Ann’s.” He began recounting the memories of how his body urged him to do anything in his power to make her feel better.
Once he was finished with his story, he took a second to look at [Y/N]. She had been silent for the entirety of his monologue. What he noticed was how she was trying to hide her warm cheeks behind her hands.
“Y-you know…” She stuttered, taking his story in. “That conflict…” She looked away, shyly. “Was because of my crush on you.”
Lyney’s eyes widened, his smile growing even wider as he processed [Y/N]’s words. The realisation hit him like a wave, and for a brief moment, all he could was stare at her, his purple eyes shining with shock and pure love.
“You mean to tell me,” He began, his voice almost teasing, “That I was the last one to figure out that you liked me?” From his side of the story, he didn’t notice her glances until his own crush was pointed out to him…
“I— Maybe?” [Y/N] leaned down, hiding the entirety of her face in her hands. She could barely breathe from how fast her heart was racing. What she didn’t expect to learn, was the possibility of Lyney’s crush being as long as a few months long. Much longer than her own. From a person, she didn’t even think would entertain her feelings in general.
A silence fell between the two of them — both trying to process what just happened. Even their hidden audience waited on bated breath on what would transpire next.
What broke the silence, was the scratched of a chair being pushed away. Lyney, almost working on autopilot came up to [Y/N]’s side of the table, crouching slightly to be level with her position. He gently grabbed onto her hands, revealing her beautiful face. He kept them in the grasp of his hand, for safekeeping.
Before the girl could respond, Lyney’s free hand cupped her cheek gently, his thumb tracing the curve of her jaw. His face was inched from her now, and [Y/N] could feel the erratic rhythm of his heartbeat. Her heart began racing in response, her breath shallow, almost as if she was holding it in anticipation.
Then, without any more teasing, Lyney leaned in and closed the space between them. His lips brushed against hers softly at first, tentative and gentle, like the first raindrops on a spring day. But when [Y/N] leaned into the kiss, responding with a quiet sigh, he deepened it. Their lips moved in a slow, tender rhythm as if savouring the moment they had both been waiting for without realising it.
The world around them seemed to disappear — the soft hum of the café, the glow of the thinking lights, and the distant sound of cheers from their friends, all faded into nothingness. All that mattered was the warmth of Lyney’s lips against hers, the soft pressure of his hands holding her close, and the overwhelming feeling of connection that blossomed between them.
When they finally pulled away, their breaths were mingled, lips still lingering close. Lyney’s eyes shone with a mixture of wonder and affection, his hand still resting against [Y/N]’s cheek. He whispered, his voice low and sincere, “I think this is just the beginning, [Y/N].”
“Did you record all that?” Furina whispered to Charlotte, looking at the scene that unfolded in front of them.
“Sure did, queen.” The pink-haired girl ended the recording, looking at the rest of the party with an accomplished look. “We make sure to show it during their wedding.”
“But of course.” Wriothesley grinned. “I can’t wait for Lyney to pass out when he sees this back.”
𝑇𝐴𝐺𝐿𝐼𝑆𝑇 — CLOSED
@state-of-grac3 @santaluna @meigalaxy @romyoia
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date of posting — december 7th 2024