been thinking about kissing FLINS' dark circles (?), particularly the outer corners or just beneath.
he'll be standing with his head tilted slightly as your gaze practically burns through him.
"something the matter, beloved?"
you don't answer, instead walking up to him, steps slow and deliberate. "stay still, okay?"
he obliges, and your hands reach out to cup his face. his skin feels slightly cool to the touch—colder than the average human, but it's a sensation you've gotten used to.
"now close your eyes," you mumble, thumb tracing circles over his cheekbone.
he hums. "how curious." though he doesn't protest.
for a second, there is nothing but darkness and the whisper of nod-krai's winds, until... something touches the skin just beneath his left eye.
it's warm, soft, featherlight, like you're testing the waters.
the first time it happens, his eyelids twitch the tiniest bit. he hadn't been expecting that, but the sensation is not unwelcome. you move to do the same to the one on the right, and that's when he recognizes what's happening.
you do this a couple of more times before ending with a kiss on the spot between his brows. when he opens his eyes again, he is greeted with your satisfied face.
"hmm... i believe you've forgotten a spot."
"have i, now?" you muse, "do tell."
his gaze falls downwards, and a chuckle escapes you. "my eyes are up here, FLINS," you tease.
"i'm well aware, yes," he murmurs, holding your chin between his fingers. his yellow irises never left your lips, however, already leaning in.
despite the roll of your eyes, you meet him in the middle anyway, and you think you can feel him smile against your mouth.
posted before his release so he might be ooc ejdfosfusofen but based on the few interactions from act 2 he strikes me as the cheeky type! and ngl i don't even know if the dark spots around his eyes are supposed to be bags or something else entirely. but i'm a sucker for kissing people's eyes so this was born!!
CONTENT: Small drabble centered around pulling on Phainon's tie. Yeah...
CHARACTER(s): Phainon (Honkai Star Rail)
WARNING(s): Slightly suggestive if you squint.
NOTES: only like half edited/proofread cause i wrote this past midnight + i just wanted to post it in case motivation divorces me again AAAAA. also i think about the below image religiously. idk who decided to put him in this fit but i am forever in their debt.
But anyway, my mind keeps coming back to this image, specifically that stupid freaking tie around his neck.
Imagine OFFICE WORKER! PHAINON who will not stop pestering the jaded coworker who's infamous for being a loner sitting a few cubicles away from him.
You don't think you could be any more different; while he spent the first few days trying to get to know everyone on the floor, you only really remember the names of your co-workers that you've directly talked to more than once, and up until he showed up, you were more than content with that arrangement.
See, it had been your own choice to not be anything beyond coworkers with these people, so when Phainon first approached you with a boyish smile and one hand outstretched, you simply took one look at the appendage, then him, say your name once, before returning your attention back to your PC monitor.
Usually, your reaction is more than enough for people to leave you alone. Except instead of labelling you as rude or scoffing and going on his merry way, he took it as a personal challenge to 'get you to crack'.
Whatever that means.
You're not entirely sure why he set his sights set on you in the first place. Literally everyone else has responded to him in a much more amicable manner. Not only that, but you're pretty sure at least half of them have a crush on the guy, including your manager, if her giggles and hair twirling were of any indication.
A lot of them were objectively more attractive than you as well, and you could do without the envious stares of his admirers whenever you go to grab decaf from the refreshment table.
On most days, you ignore him. Giving him a reaction only seems to spur him on. It's also easier, honestly, because unlike some assholes who do it to get into your pants, he seems to actually want to be your friend.
But you're not here to make friends, you remind yourself.
You don't think you could after how the higher ups and coworkers in your previous job treated you as someone who used to believe in kindness: with unpaid overtime, getting blamed on for unfinished projects, and being the topic of gossip because you thought they could be trusted with a few secrets outside of work.
It's why you've decided to stick to the bare minimum when it comes to human interaction. You even made sure to make up for it by being on top of your work at all times, so even if people don't like you for your personality, they have no real reason to complain to management.
Still, Phainon is nothing if not stubborn, so he persists.
("Think you mispronounced the word steadfast," he had said in response to finding out from one of the few people you're friends with—who couldn't shut up to save their life—that you had referred to him as such. The silence that greets him afterward is deafening, but the upward curl of his lips doesn't falter.)
That being said, you're not a robot, even if you wish you could be at times. At least then you wouldn't have to worry about growing annoyed, seeing as most of them lack the ability to feel. Unfortunately, this means that you had been doomed from the start, because sooner or later, you're bound to slip up.
Granted, it wasn't really his fault—it had been a combination of small grievances that had accumulated and festered throughout the days leading up to this one, and, despite everything you just said, he's not the worst person in the world to be around. At least he's actually trying to get to know you properly, unlike some other people who would fake some sweet words to get you to do them favors.
"Hey, [Name], do you think—"
"Not today, Phainon."
The warning is there. It's a thinly veiled threat if he's ever heard of one.
Phainon frowns, but not for the reason you think. Your eyes are bloodshot, the bags underneath more prominent than ever.
You're stressed, more so than usual. He wants to ask, but he knows better than to push you.
It was silent for the first few seconds, but then you hear the sound of someone walking away, and you let out a breath you didn't know you were holding.
You think that would be it— no one approaches your cubicle other than him these days. Good. Now you can just focus on killing time until you can go home and sleep it off.
Or at least, that had been the plan, until he returns an hour later, papers in hand.
"…Look, [Name]—"
You move faster than he can blink. Turning on your swivel chair, one of your hand shoots out to grab the end of his tie before proceeding to give it one firm tug.
Next thing he knows, his face is a breath away from yours.
"Did you not get the hint?" You hiss. "Leave. Me. The fuck. Alone."
But Phainon can barely hear you over the sound of his own quickening heartbeat.
He should be scared, he thinks. Yet all he can think about are the dips and curves of your features, something he hasn't been able to see clearly until now.
Against his will (or was it?), his ocean irises flicker down towards your lips for a split second. They're curled to a snarl, revealing a bit of teeth.
Phainon swallows. Hard. He thinks he feels warmth on his cheeks. He hopes that you don't notice. If you did, you don't comment on it.
You narrow your eyes at him one more time before finally loosening your grip and turning your back on him. "Go."
That's enough to snap your snowy-haired collague out of his trance, and he finally remembers why he came back.
He takes a deep breath.
"Before you decide to get mad at me," he starts, "I wanted to give these reports to you. They're from one of the interns— figured I'd help him out."
And spare him from any unwarranted anger. The last part goes unsaid, though.
The furious typing on your keyboard momentarily stops.
Ah, crap. Now you feel awful.
"I—" A sigh escapes you. You turn around to look at him again, one hand going up to pinch the bridge of your nose. "Fuck. I'm sorry."
Phainon opens his mouth to reassure you that it's fine, everyone has those days, until a better idea crosses his mind.
"I'll forgive you if you go grab some food with me later."
The guilt on your face dies instantly, replaced by your signature deadpan.
"Are you serious?"
He flashes you a toothy grin. "Deadly."
"You—" You exhale sharply through your nose. "Fine, whatever. Just, bring me the damn papers."
And he does, with a gait of someone that's far too pleased with himself.
For the first time today though, the weight on your shoulders doesn't feel as heavy.
eshdcbebiufbsibfisefbessfobuesfb been thinking so freaking hard about reluctant mentor!phainon x unwilling mentee!reader, where the mutual dislike is very much obvious at first. not edited at all, super rambly and niche but my aus tend to all be like that :p
PHAINON is a hero of renown. Or at least, he uesd to be. The great evil, sorcerer Lygus, has been vanquished, and the realm has been peaceful ever since.
Maybe a little too peaceful.
The white haired swordsman knows he can do so much more than this job. The 'Deliverer', destined for greatness, reduced to a guy who takes commissions from the adventurer's guild here and there to get by.
His lips purse every time it crosses his mind.
It's not that he's not grateful. At his core, Phainon still enjoys helping people. It's just so... arduously dull compared to his previous endeavors. So when he gets called by the royal council—specifically by Lady Aglaea, who held the previous title of heroine of the realm and his one and only master—once more to the palace for some urgent matter, he practically sprints over as fast as his mount can take him.
This is it, he thinks. No more escorting cargo, or rescuing people's cats off trees, or fending off forest boars. He's finally going to be able to satiate the increasingly desperate craving for adrenaline pumping in his veins—
"Phainon, we think we've found a suitable successor."
His train of thought gets completely derailed to the side.
"Or a companion, I suppose. Whichever the both of you see fit. Regardless of what you choose, you are to take them under your wing, just as I you all those years ago."
He doesn't know what to make of it at first. One one hand, it's not exactly what he was hoping to hear, but it's a big responsibility all the same.
That being said, it sounds infinitely more appealing than any of his previous work, so he thinks it wouldn't be to bad.
He nods. "Of course, Lady Aglaea."
She does the same before gesturing to the guards stationed behind her seat.
The five minute wait felt like an eternity. He wonders that kind of person you'd be.
"Phainon, meet—"
A yawn from you cuts her off and the room falls deadly silent. The sound isn't exaggerated or anything, but you hadn't bothered to close your mouth either. Some of the other council members openly gawk at the sheer audacity, while others rub at their temples. The only person who seems amused is Cifera, but that's just part of her nature, Phainon thinks.
Aglaea clears her throat, and he swears he sees one of her eyebrows twitch briefly. "...[Name]."
You blink lazily, yet your eyes remain unfocused.
Your disinterest is painfully obvious, so much so that he almost immediately second guesses if you were the right person. His concerns remain unvoiced as to not disrupt the meeting, but the dubious look he sends at Aglaea speaks volumes.
She responds with a look of her own that looks unreadable at a glance, but then he sees something akin to a plea in her unseeing eyes.
"Uh, [Name]." Hyacine chimes in, half meek. "Why don't you introduce yourself?"
"The council already gave away my name, though?" You point out. And still, you refuse to look any of them in the eye. Phainon's grip on his great sword tightens subconsciously. "Don't think there's much else to say."
Not like I'll be here long. You already know that most of them disapprove of you—the one and only reason they haven't kicked you out is, apparently, to honor Lady Tribios' dying wish.
You frown. What a pain.
These people don't deserve that kind of information, anyway. Not after they practically kidnapped you. You always wanted to visit Okhema's palace, but not like this.
Never like this.
"Lady Tribios has chosen you as Lord Phainon's successor. Come with us."
You are not a hero nor a martyr, that you're certain. Merely a middle class citizen with two relatively loving parents and a sibling or two. Not poor, not rich. Just enough to live a comfortable life.
Your mother is the owner of a cozy little tavern whose regulars are— mostly—well behaved people, and your plan had been to continue running the business. Something something 'it's not much but it's honest work.'
The pay's decent, there's plenty of opportunity for networking, and even more to steal a few bites of any leftovers or failed attempts. More importantly, you were given freedom to a reasonable extent. Obviously you can't change the menu to include your favorite dish as the featured one every single day, but for the most part, your parents allowed you to do what you wanted.
So when all that freedom and ability to choose was taken away, you were rightfully pissed.
It gets so much worse when you realize that the council already has an answer to all of your arguments as to why they should choose someone else.
Can't fight? They'll teach you.
No magical abilities? "It'll awaken in time."
What about your family at home? "We'll cover for their expenses and keep them safe, so long as you agree to join."
You're rude and uncooperative from the get go. Surely they prefer someone easier to work with? "…The prophecy does not allow for substitutes."
You demand to speak to the prophet, only to get gobsmacked by the news that she apparently passed on days ago, exactly a few minutes after uttering your name.
Like, okay, condolences, but also, fuck these guys.
"Finally decided to come to your senses?" Anaxagoras—you should start calling him Anaxa, the people say he hates it—says mockingly. Again, they say it as if you ever had a choice to begin with. He dismisses the scathing glare you send his way. "Good. The sooner I'm done with this, the sooner I can get back to my research."
And thus your training regimen was decided: physical combat and basic chivalry lessons would fall to Phainon, where other abilities would fall between Anaxa and Aglaea.
It's funny (not). You're not actually a bad student by any means. Matter of fact, your parents have praised you for being intelligent ever since you were a child: you learn things relatively quickly, and are naturally observant. Had it not been for the prophecy (gods, you despised the word already), you could've been one of their best.
Speaking of Phainon…
How does he react? Well. The first training session was unnervingly awkward, the tension in the air so thick that you were convinced it would be the most difficult thing he could possibly cut with his great sword.
You've heard of him, of course. The whole of Okhema sings praises and speaks his name with reverence. He's known for a lot of things, and one of them is being friendly to everyone he meets, on top of every single good deed you can think of. You don't think you've ever seen him frown before, actually.
Not until right now.
"You don't belong here." He says it like it's a fact—without a trace of doubt.
You should be ashamed, you think. Or at least a little remorseful of your own behavior, seeing his obvious disapproval. But you don't, because it's not like you chose to be in this position either. You smile sardonically. "Tell me something I don't know."
ended here cause i ran out of brain juice but!!
it would basically be a slow burn that involves both parties influencing one another, because nothing is really every black and white and you gotta find the balance, ya know? reader would teach phainon that he is more than his role and that he is allowed to have needs/wants outside of it x phainon inspires them to grow into their role, and how to find the light in between the inevitability of fate (aka sometimes shit happens that's out of your control, it's up to you how to respond to it).
i would end it with them becoming engaged, although people noted that they bicker like an old married couple anyway, hehe. thank you if you gave this a shot <3
CONTENT: an AU involving various genshin impact characters x fem!reader
CHARACTER(s): kazuha, albedo, chongyun, aether, xiao (more under the cut)
WARNING(s): completely SFW. i kinda wrote this with a female-aligned reader in mind cause i just wanted the reader to be a princess, so there's that. otherwise, it's just fluff and a bit of angst.
RAW NOTES:
HI yeah this has been in my head for months and i can't. Take it anymore. i have to share it cause none of my irl moots get me like tumblr does. anw enjoy?? i haven't written anything in a hot minute (read: years) so,,, pls bear with me.
There's uh, a whole story progression with arcs and character-focused scenarios (all of them fall in love at different paces ok), but i don't think people are interested in that so i'm gonna write more general headcanons and such. also, the final 2 characters are gonna be longer cause they have more complicated back stories. It’s not favoritism i swear, it's just that their lore needs to be explained more due to the nature of their personalities and how they establish a relationship with the reader.
PRESENT DAY NOTES:
uuuhh yeah so. i just scraped scaramouche's part entirely cause i was stuck on it for. a hot minute (4 YEARS????), and i figured it'd be better to just post whatever i have now cause it would not see the light of day otherwise, lmao. might expand on this if enough people are interested but absolutely zero promises!!! if this flops i'm gonna super sad but man. it is what it is...
[NAME] a.k.a. YOU, as the GIFTED ROYAL—the firstborn and heir to your kingdom's throne, one among the many scattered throughout the vast continent of Teyvat. At the tender age of 5, your biological mother was assassinated. The king, despite having remarried, is still determined to find who murdered his first wife, and has been searching ever since.
Your life has been, for the most part, mundane. That is, until the night of your 19th birthday, where you found out you had an affinity to magic, courtesy of a thickheaded dance partner who decided that he would not take hint of your obvious lack of interest. With your other associates nowhere to be seen, you're considering a more... aggressive approach, but for the sake of you and your kingdom's reputation, you decide to just endure it until your bodyguard returns.
Or at least, that had been the plan.
You hadn't expected him to grab your arm, his grip practically cutting off the blood supply, and that had been your breaking point. You didn't really know what happened until much later, but the next thing you knew, the king had to cut the celebration short after you threw the guy harassing you across the ballroom without ever touching him.
magical affinity is a rare ability in this universe. not a lot of people have it.
as it turns out, your birth mother had it too.
your father had requested SHENHE, the royal mage, to examine you. you also seem to more mana than usual, which is basically the form of energy used to cast spells and such.
as you navigate through adulthood and your newfound abilities, your fate inevitably intertwines with several others, namely—
KAZUHA, the devoted BODYGUARD. Not many can compare with his sword-wielding abilities, which is one of the main reasons why he'd been appointed to you. Coupled with his well-mannered disposition, it's almost like he was meant to fit the role. He's older than you by a few years, though the youthful curves on his overall complexion hides this fact very well.
follows you almost everywhere, but he is very mindful of your privacy.
he's the person you're with the most, being the very first person you see when you wake up or whenever he goes in to wake you after you slept in.
technically, his job is merely to protect you, but he doesn't really mind doing little things for you, like pulling back chairs, opening doors, helping you down the stairs.
only when you ask, however. he knows you value your independence.
has known you since you were 11 years old, when he was still a squire, and even then, he'd already shown a better mastery over the sword compared to the rest of his peers.
very in-tune with his surroundings, be it nature or you. he can immediately tell if you're upset with something, and he will offer you an ear, and, if needed, a shoulder to cry on.
he's gifted in poetry, and would often share a haiku or two with you. he doesn't talk that often, but when he does, he truly has a way with words. compared to the kind of compliments you get at social gatherings, the ones he'd make actually sound like they're from the heart.
very loyal and even more so protective of you. you had jokingly asked him once what would happen if the people decided to overthrow the monarchy, or if you'd somehow be labeled as a criminal and is sentenced to death. he went silent for a few moments before turning to you with a face of steeled resolve, taking both your hands in his.
"I would protect you with my life."
you'd think a man of honor and integrity like him would stick with the rules, but it seems you've overlooked a crucial detail: how much his personal feelings played a part.
he swore a vow to keep you safe from harm. if everything is against you, then he'd just have to lift his sword up to the world.
ALBEDO, one of the ROYAL ADVISORs. He's the youngest in the circle, thanks to his unparalleled genius among his peers. He hails from the Kreideprinz house, known for their alchemical and mechanical breakthroughs throughout the years. Their bloodline has been in charge of half of the technological advancements across the kingdom for decades.
he's also been assigned as one of your tutors, for obvious reasons. he's infuriatingly good at so many things. his skills range from painting, to cooking, sword fighting, even playing musical instruments—is there something this man can't do?
outside of his duties, though, he's one of your closest friends, even if the whole thing is most likely due to proximity, as the blonde isn't really one for social interaction, much less talking. that's fine, though: you don't mind the silence. it's comfortable, and you have a feeling he thinks so, too.
speaking of comfortable silence, whenever the both of you have free time, you'd just go to the library (his, yours, the public's, whichever) and hang out. doesn't mean you have to be reading, either.
always carries either a notepad or sketchbook around. occasionally, he'd let you doodle/write obnoxious things in it. he'd often take notes of various things when you two are out, even if they seem mundane to the naked eye. if you see any sketches of you, no you didn't.
he's notorious for being picky with any projects and/or research and would choose to participate solely based of off his level of interest. he'll still provide assistance, assuming it's for the greater good, but you can almost immediately tell the difference should you compare the end result.
has an adorable little sister who goes by the name KLEE, and sometimes he'd use her cuteness against you to agree to be his test subject after finding out you possessed mana. rest assured, none of them would put you in danger—he made sure of it.
there's a painting in his room that's always covered in cloth, and if you ask him about it, he'll say that someone had commissioned a portrait of a very important figure, but they don't want it revealed until it's finished.
except no one really paid him to do it, and if at any point in the future you are to see a rather intricate painting of you in the castle, which seemingly makes you look more... what's the term? ah, yes—alluring, than how you perceived yourself, he wonders how long it'll take you to put two and two together.
AETHER, the PRINCE from a neighboring kingdom. Arguably your oldest friend and former crush, your first meeting was literally a playdate with him and his twin sister as babbling babes. That's how long you've known them for. Currently, your father has plans of marrying you off to him in the case you're unable to find a suitor in time, and while younger you would've rejoiced, the reality of possibly getting wedded off to a man who doesn't love you in that way doesn't sound pleasant to you at all.
the only way to describe your present relationship is... awkward. not because either of you wanted it to be; rather, it's your responsibilities and status as royalty that led to you both barely seeing one another, getting swamped by lessons on how to be the be proper aristocrats.
it's also no secret that he's the ideal suitor—kind, selfless, brave, not to mention his stupidly pretty face with eyes and hair that looked like they were weaved out of gold. you've seen the way people swoon over him, and it doesn't help that nearly half of them are more competent or attractive than you in some way.
your first interactions always turned out awkward, and it's worse when your families are around. you figured you'd get absolutely nowhere with him if not for the aid of princess LUMINE.
the younger twin knew of your feelings, and would tease the both of you relentlessly after she found out. she still does now, though it's toned down a bit (she refuses to believe you've gotten over him).
through the girl, slowly but surely, you've learned to be friends with him again. imagine the surprise on your parents' faces when the three of you openly bickered during a dinner gathering.
you soon grow to be more comfortable around him, so much so you decided to tell him of something you've been meaning to do, wanting to know his thoughts on it.
"You know, if you want, I can ask my father to break off the arrangement."
you half expected him to heave out a relieved sigh or something along those lines, but instead, the smile on his face, which he hadn't even realized he had on as he listened to you laugh, faltered a little. "Oh."
"Ah, no offense! Really, anyone would be lucky to have you," you continued, not having noticed the shift in his mood. "It's just, I've been thinking about it, and I don't want you—well, the both of us, I suppose—to be uncomfortable and end up in an loveless marriage. I mean, we can still be allies regardless. My father might be stubborn, but he isn't unreasonable."
"Y-yeah, of course." the blond swallows thickly. loveless marriage? is that really what you thought of it? an ache settles in the prince's heart, one that's learned to beat for none other than you.
CHONGYUN, the SORCERER IN TRAINING. Timid but determined, he has been chosen to one day take the title of the kingdom's royal mage, in place of SHENHE, the main reason being him possessing absurdly high amounts of mana, even more so than you. The catch? It comes with a strange constitution, one that can easily be triggered by experiencing intense emotions.
your newfound powers have landed you in basically the same position as him, with SHENHE as your mentor. the change had been sudden, and to say he was surprised would be an understatement.
the first day you both had to study together, he hadn't expected to come face to face with you after opening the door to his aunt's quarters. he then proceeds to combust and faint on the spot because ohmygodherroyalhighnessisrightinfrontofme--
he apologized to you profusely after that incident, looking even more flustered then when he met you. you had to reassure him multiple times that it's fine even though it was technically your fault he reacted like that in the first place.
he learns to not be as jumpy as the training sessions went on, but you can never fully shake off the queasiness of being in the presence of an important person. it's worse when said person is also very pretty
unlike your magic, which has yet to specialize, his bloodline has a natural affinity to ice spells. often times, if you're both training outside when the weather is hot, he'll create a little flurry cloud over the both of you. SHENHE would scold you the first couple of times, saying how you shouldn't waste mana, but after seeing you two bonding better, she decided to let you both be.
after learning that cold temperatures help with his condition, you'll sometimes ask a cook to prepare a cold meal or dessert and bring it to share with him.
when you managed to master a difficult spell, one he had tried to help you practice to show to SHENHE. you turned to him excitedly, hoping he'd catch it—
the next thing you know, your feet are no longer touching the ground, and the world is spinning, leaving you breathless, though it ends as soon as it starts. it takes you a moment to register the pair of hands at your waist, CHONGYUN's laughter ringing in your ears.
he doesn't realize what he's done until a few seconds later, his face exploding in crimson hues. thankfully, he manages to put you down first before immediately passing out.
XIAO, the HUNTSMAN. Also known as the 'verdant ghost', a term that strikes fear to allies and enemies alike. His combat abilities are, at the present moment, second to none. He works directly under the king, and his duties involve doing the dirty work outside of the public eye, which primarily involves espionage and/or assassinations...
the sky was weeping when you first met him, clothes clinging to his skin. your mother had brought in a stray, as the others would so rudely put it. he would hide behind her whenever anyone else would approach.
his timidness stems from his past, where he was forced to fend for himself in the slums after his parents passed away. the boy had resorted to stealing to survive, a skill he was so good at it earned him the title of 'master thief'.
after countless complaints from the townsfolk, they finally apprehended him, though, seeing as he is but a mere child at the time, your mother, alongside royal advisor and military strategist ZHONGLI, proposed an alternative, despite the protests of a handful of other people requesting for him to be either locked up or executed.
conversely, mini you had some opinions of her own.
"But he's just like me! We can't put him in the dungeons!"
(and XIAO remembers. even if you don't.)
he's only a year younger than you, for heaven's sake. he was also built smaller than most people around that age, likely due to not having regular access to meals.
long story short, XIAO swore loyalty to the court, and has become one of the most renowned combatants within the army's ranks.
you do not interact with him often, and XIAO preferred it that way. he works alone most of the time anyway: that's how royal advisor ZHONGLI's team of elite operatives— commonly referred to as the 'Yakshas'— have performed for the past decade. it's also definitely not because he struggles with socializing properly.
save for the four other members in the team, he's never really gotten close to anyone else. not even ZHONGLI, who's been his superior for years.
not to mention the blood on his hands, something someone as pure as the princess shouldn’t keep company.
…that is, until most of the royal family suddenly fell ill to a sickness. you were the only member still left standing out of sheer dumb luck of not wanting dessert that day, giving it to KAZUHA instead. unfortunately, this also meant that he got poisoned in your stead.
what’s worse, the healers couldn't identify what kind of poison is used, and they, alongside SHENHE, came to the conclusion that the best (and only) solution is some mythical herb in a faraway land.
unable to come to terms with the guilt that struck, you couldn't stand just waiting around, so you volunteered to join the search party.
as expected, you received mixed receptions, though the majority were heavily against it.
“Who will look after the kingdom if something happens?!” one of them protests.
“The high council,” you answered cooly. “They are much wiser than I regarding the kingdom’s affairs, and I trust their judgment,”
“Pardon me, your highness, but what would you contribute to the group anyway?” another asks. “if they need magic, should we not send the royal mage or her apprentice?”
you shake your head. “SHENHE is already busy helping the healers in slowing down the poison’s effects, and CHONGYUN is more fitted to assist her.” the blue-haired boy would also not perform well in environments with hotter temperatures. he could theoretically use his magic to cool himself off, but that would be a waste of mana.
the people continue to murmur, and you sigh. “If you're still not convinced, then how about this. I am the next in line, and since my father is absent, the highest authority is temporarily passed down to me, correct?”
they nod.
“Alright, then. Here are my initial orders—I shall be joining the search party, and the decision making will be temporarily be assigned to the council. That. Is. Final.”
safe to say, no one questioned you anymore afterwards. there's only one problem left to solve: who will be assigned to fill in KAZUHA’s role while he is bedridden. apparently, he was sober enough at some point to plead for someone to look after you.
“He told us to not leave you unattended.” one of the healers says solemnly, recalling the desperation in the swordsman's eyes.
you purse your lips. he’s always thinking about your safety, even when he's on the brink of death. it makes you all the more determined to go.
you turn to the council. ”Any suggestions?”
after a round of discussion, ZHONGLI clears his throat. “I have someone in mind, your highness.”
and that's how XIAO ended up here: in painfully awkward silence as the rest of the party distance themselves from the two of you, most likely from intimidation, though for vastly different reasons.
he swears his master (ZHONGLI) had something to do with this. of all the yakshas, why him? the strategist knew more than anyone how bad he is at interacting with new people!
…not that you're new, but he's never properly talked to you so you might as well not be any different from other strangers.
it wasn't easy for either of you: you’ve tried to start small talk with him, but you’re either met with noises of affirmation or one word replies. it’s not like he doesn't want to talk—he genuinely doesn't know how to.
at some point, you just give up, and even avoided eye contact with him unless absolutely necessary.
Days pass, and on one evening, he jolts awake after experiencing a nightmare. it’s been happening more frequently these days—the souls of all the people he’s slain coming back to haunt him in his dreams.
He exhales, pinching the bridge of his nose. Turning to the other side, he attempts to go back to sleep, only to spring back up again when he notices the empty bed next to him, and the lethargy clouding his mind dissipates completely.
Now awake and on high alert, he wastes no time grabbing his spear and running outside.
”XIAO?”
He whips his head at the sound of his name, and there you are, sitting on the grass, barely visible under the starlight. Noticing the gleam of his jade spear, your eyebrows furrow. “Are… you alright?”
His shoulders go slack as he lets out a breath of relief. The princess is okay. He clears his throat. “I’m… fine.”
XIAO watches as your eyes glow for a moment before dimming again, and you frown. “...liar,” you feel a little bad for using your magic to validate his honesty, but his refusal to communicate has you running out of options. “You’ve been having nightmares, haven’t you?”
He doesn't answer, opting to go back into the tent, but your next words stop him.
“In case you're wondering why I’m out here, I was awoken by your tossing and turning.” You look up at the sky. “I couldn't go back to sleep.”
It’s been happening for quite some time now, if the shadow under his eyes and the way his face contorts when it happens is any indication.
“My… apologies, your highness.”
What is he saying sorry for— a thought suddenly occurs to you. Wait, this is my chance! “I’ll forgive you on one condition. Actually, make those two conditions.”
“I… what?”
You shoot him a look. ”Do you want my forgiveness or not?”
Unsure on what's happening, he reluctantly nods.
“Great. Firstly, you will let me cast a charm that wards off nightmares on you. Second, you will try to communicate with me more often from now on.”
The huntsman stares at you blankly. Then, he turns around. Maybe he doesn’t need you to forgive him—
“ALATUS.” you drag out lowly, a hint of warning in your tone.
His whole body stiffens, and he whips his head to look at you again. “How do you know that name?” There's a sharp edge to his voice. Does he dislike it when people refer to him as such?
”If you’re worried that any of your comrades have betrayed you, they haven't. I still remember the day mom took you in,” you explain. “She and sir ZHONGLI kept mentioning that name. I apologize if it makes you uncomfortable.”
Ah. Right. He seemed to have forgotten your existence during that time for a second.
The green-haired male averts his gaze. “I take no offense, but refrain from calling me that in the presence of others.”
“Okay, I won't, but my point still stands.” Your eyes soften. “Please, XIAO, I want to help. But I can only do so if you’ll let me.”
Hesitation flashes across his face. He's never been good at reading people, but he can tell you're being honest.
The rational part of him berates him for even considering it.
Remember who you are.
"Half-breed."
What you are.
"I heard his mother was a demon!"
What you've done…
On instinct, his eyes fall upon his weapon, trailing down to where his hand wraps around it. A consistent image of crimson staining his fingers flickers in and out of his vision, and he inhales sharply, squeezing his eyes shut.
"It's not…"
He trails off. You don't push. You wait, ever patient, and though he may never tell you, it's a gesture he greatly appreicates.
Avoiding your gaze, he eventually admits, "I'm not someone you want to get close to."
Dangerous. Weird. In the of worst ways.
His period of self-loathing is cut short when he hears you scoff.
"And tell me," you challenge him, half amused, "who are you to decide what the princess wants, hmm?"
He sputters (did his ears turn pink?), and the smile on your face becomes more pronounced.
"You—" The yaksha pinches the bridge of his nose, exhaling harshly.
A chuckle escapes your lips, and your previously half teasing smile eases to something gentler.
"My point still stands, XIAO." You get up from your position on the grass and walk towards him, extending one hand. "I truly want to help you."
Finally, after what felt like an eternity, he relents, and for the first time in years, his amber irises are able to mirror your [color] ones for more than a split of a second.
His hand finds yours, noting the warmth permeating the leather of his gloves.
“…Alright.”
talking with him gradually becomes easier after that. your other traveling companions were scratching their heads at how the princess and the notorious verdant ghost are now two peas in a pod.
no, seriously, now he’d only ever sit next to you during meal breaks. he also doesn't talk to the others unless you’re talking with them, too.
back to your quest of acquiring the herb: your party would get attacked every now and then, but honestly, XIAO might as well be everyone's bodyguard at how swiftly he dispatches everything. most of your team members can fight, but half the time, they don't even need to lift a finger.
basically, it had been smooth sailing until the last leg of the trip.
turns out, the herb you needed is in the territory of a large swarm of human sized insects, and it seems like there was no end to them.
along with another mage, the both of you have been trying to keep up a protective barrier. you let out a curse when his mana runs out, and he stumbles backwards, bumping into another person. the forcefield dims a little, and a strained noise escapes you as you feel your own mana depleting.
“Your highness!” one of your fellow party members cry out. “What now?”
your gaze darts between the barrier, them, and your temporary bodyguard. you squeeze your eyes shut.
“I—”
in a display of black and teal, something cuts through the swarm. it was XIAO, donning an intricate mask on his face. your jaw drops at the sight. he can do magic?!
Momentarily distracted, one of the bulkier people of your party seizes you, yanking you up towards their mount. you let out a yelp, barrier blinking ever so slightly as you struggle against their grip. “What—but, XIAO—! No! Unhand me at once!”
Your captor grits their teeth. “I’m sorry, your highness, but he threatened to kill us if we didn't listen.”
“Retrieve him or the barrier drops!”
Everyone pales at that.
“Y-your highness—”
“I meant every word.” If he can threaten you, so can I.
You hadn't expect him to go this far. prior to the trip, you had asked ZHONGLI questions regarding him, and you were mortified to learn that he seemed ‘lacking in will to live’, as the older man would put it.
“He’s actually quite fond of you.” you recall ZHONGLI smiling. “Pardon me for asking her highness for a favor, but on behalf of me and the other yakshas, we would be eternally grateful if you could get along with him.”
he was quite literally prepared to sacrifice himself, unaware of how there are people waiting for him back home. he also overlooked another crucial factor: your stubbornness.
said man has just about run out of time in his enhanced form, when all of a sudden, all of the bugs stopped attacking.
then he spots you: your eyes are glowing again. your mouth is moving but he can barely hear it over the ringing in his ears and the sound of his labored breathing.
somehow, you had driven the entire swarm away, and you're kneeling in front of him now. maybe it was the blood loss, but just the touch of your hand on his shoulder and cheek makes the recoil from the curse less painful.
you had half a mind to scold him, but figured that could be saved for later. as for how you solved the crisis: you used magic to speak with one of the bugs. turns out they were just as scared as you are, and they agreed to let you pick the herbs, in exchange for help to build them a place to stay warm during the winter months.
you finally acquired the herb rumored to cure all kinds of ailments. now all you need to do is get home as quickly as possible.
what you thought had been the final hurdle is finally—
“Hand over the herbs, or the demon dies.”
Your party has been reduced to five people, three of which are holding XIAO hostage. The stand off had been not too long ago, and the traitors were planning to kill him off first, but his newfound attachment towards you made it difficult for them.
You return from washing yourself in a nearby stream only to be met by the sight of bodies scattered across the encampment, and in the middle of it all, four people covered in crimson. One of them was on the ground in a fetal position–you recognize the streaks of teal, and your heart drops.
“XIAO!”
With the last bits of his strength, he throws the satchel filled with your belongings that he had safeguarded towards you.
“Your highness…” XIAO grunts, “get… out… ghk!”
The largest of the traitors tightens the grip they have around his neck. “Shut it, filth.”
You knew this was coming. you’ve read books about people making difficult decisions. You half expected it to happen, so why does it not feel any less horrible?
You’re not fit to fight, him even less. The enemy came prepared: the same magic user that had fought alongside you is among them, sneering at you. your mana hasn’t recovered nearly enough to take on all three.
XIAO, on the other hand, is unable to understand why you couldn’t just leave: you barely know each other (yet he feels like he’s known you forever), he had been cold to you and planned to continue doing so (he’s scared of hurting you), and his life isn’t comparable the royal family’s (most importantly, yours).
He internally curses when you agree to have him spared.
“The herb.” The mage narrows his eyes. “Toss it here.”
And so you do as he says, only the moment it makes contact with one of them, the bag emits a blinding flash of white light.
When XIAO’s vision returns, his assailants are howling in pain as they clutch their head. Weirdly enough, there aren’t any visible wounds.
What happens afterwards are a bit blurry to him: his body feels like it’s floating, and then, he lands on something warm, the world fading to black.
The next time he comes to, he’s greeted with passing clouds, your exhausted but relieved face, and a gentle hand brushing away the strands obscuring his eyes.
Rays of sunlight cast a halo behind your head, and he swears he’s never seen anything more mesmerizing.
“Let’s go home.”
with the herb successfully retrieved, the healers and SHENHE waste no time brewing and administering the cure.
XIAO is also subjected to bedrest, despite vehemently refusing at first. the only reason he agreed is because you personally scolded asked him to.
as soon as he recovered, the king awards him for his deeds, and thus, he will be returning to his original position under ZHONGLI soon enough.
he should be glad: there's comfort in routine, and he much prefers to work behind the scenes, lurking in the shadows. away from publicity, noise, people...
people... the princess... [NAME].
no reason to interact with you anymore.
he's indifferent. or at least, he should be, and yet, the twinge in his chest betrays his true feelings.
a foolish thought…
"XIAO!"
he whips around, and sure enough, there you are, slightly out of breath.
"Gods, you're fast—" you wheeze. i suppose it comes with his job. "Listen, I know you're going back to your usual duties, so I asked ZHONGLI if I could get permission to visit you from time to time." A pause ensues before you clear your throat, only just realizing how eager you sound. you didn't want to scare him away, after all. "Ahem. Only when you're not busy, of course…"
you don't comment on it, but you swore you saw his eyes light up, if ever so slightly.
avsuwhdjwjsh first post on this blog!!! if you interacted with this post tyvm i'm giving you a big ol' hug—ik this is niche but the me from 4 years ago put a lot into making it,,,
wait so phainon in his khaslana form causes his body to like. rapidly heat up right. do you think he'd purposefully either bury his head into your stomach or put both hands over the area above your uterus whenever you're experiencing cramps?
wanted to share the wip cause i'm impatient--english isn't my first language + this is the first time i've properly written anything in almost half a decade so pls excuse anything weird anoiaanonfenf
"You what?"
He thought he heard wrong the first time. A tiny part of him hopes he did.
You looked down at your lap where your hands are conjoined, fiddling with your fingers. "I… have a boyfriend."
Oh.
So he wasn’t mishearing things.
The gears in his head begin to turn, and for a few excruciating seconds, there exists only the muffled sounds of one of the songs in your playlist, a result of him turning down the music after you mentioned you had something important to tell him.
When the information finally sinks in, dread soon follows, albeit at a much slower pace. It felt like someone had doused ice water on him, with the residual cold only just beginning to settle into his bones.
The car slows down to a stop at an intersection, and he still hasn't said anything, the words '[Name] has a boyfriend' looping in his head like a broken record.
"Phainon?"
He blinks once, twice, then shakes his head. "Sorry." He clears his throat. "I heard you, yeah."
