hello my most beloved baker!!! having genshin requests is most exciting, indeed!! if it’s not too much, could i request your headcannons on how bennett, chongyun, razor, & xingqiu kiss / hold hands?? i know it’s something we’ve talked about before, but as you know i’m a sucker for physical affection;;;
it’s very nice to have you back!! i love you lots!!!
~🍒
contents: fluff - headcanons about hand-holding and soft kisses
warnings: mentions of minor injuries, especially to the hands, possible character story spoilers
word count: 2.1k
author's note: 🍒, you are such a dear for sending this in. i thank you for taking your time to do so. i fondly remember the conversation this is in reference to, and i pray this pleases you to read. i focused this mainly on the hand-holding but tried to also branch out into the kisses you desire while separating out into a few extra headcanons concerning the characters and their hands. your dear baker is quite fascinated by hands, how they work, and how they look, and he is quite excited to share his personal thoughts about them with you all. i am also incredibly grateful for your extraordinarily kind words and thank you for your sweet welcome back. you are definitely saving me with all of your requests, my dearest. i hope i can truly satisfy all of them, but i do not believe my current ability is living up to such a lofty goal. i pray, however, that you enjoy it regardless.
❥•°❀ additional note: it has come to the Baker's attention that he has accidentally left the ask box locked over the past few days. This mistake has now been remedied and the ask box is truly open for requests at this time.
Bennett's hands are always riddled with old injuries. There's a sort of sturdiness to them due to that, as they feel tough and weathered, worn like the sturdy swords he never leaves home without.
His hands are always warm and maybe a little too clammy and sweaty at times, but they're still worth it to hold.
Warmth emanates from even his fingers as they clumsily bump against yours. His ears burn scarlet as his fingers move closer toward yours, moving to intertwine and hold them close.
His other hand rises and rubs the back of his neck in embarrassment as he sheepishly does all he can in order to prevent looking right at you. He's too embarrassed to.
Bennett's hands keep yours safely clasped as he pulls you place from place as you accompany him on his adventure. They draw you over hills and through the rain as their genial grasp holds on tight.
His hands share everything with you. He insists you also hold the treasures he finds from his adventures. He hands you his food while you eat together. He lets you hold the trinkets that are important to him. He grabs yours in excitement whenever something exciting happens.
Your safety is imperative to Bennett. His luck seemingly permeates every aspect of his life and the people who engage with him. If his luck can turn on him during his chance to adventure with the famed Honorary Knight of Mondstadt, it can turn on him during his move important time with you.
It's not unusual for him to insist you take protective measures whenever you agree to go out somewhere with him, nor is it unheard of for him to remove his goggles and hand them to you or share his gloves so you may stay safe. He's gotten terrible injuries on his adventures before and wishes to keep the same from happening to you. So, he gives you his gear. The gear that never seems to really protect him and his hands very well...
You've gotten rather acquainted with his hands after bandaging them time and time again. They rest lightly in yours as you wrap gauze around his most recent burn. His knuckles, rough and worn, end up pressed against your lips as you deliver him a soft kiss. His cheeks burn a cherry red as vibrant as his vision.
The first time you kiss Bennett, he has no idea what to do with his hands. Where should he put them? What should he do?
Eventually, his arms end up wrapped tightly around you. It's comfortable and it's cozy. He squeezes you tight, but not too tight. Bennett hugs you to him with joy the first time and almost every time the two of you kiss.
He holds you dearly as if he is afraid that if his grasp wavers you will slip away... and perhaps you might, so he holds you even closer yet.
Simply put, Chongyun's hands are rough.
Like Bennett, his palms have light calluses adorning them. They've spent so long climbing the hard mountainscapes and enduring the biting cold that they've had to accustom themselves.
His hands are bigger than Bennetts, and therefore more capable of wrapping around yours. There's more heaviness to them when you reach to do so, but it's comforting, like a weighted blanket. The chill that always hangs tight against them due to his vision never seems to take away from the sort of comfort they provide you.
Chongyun's fingers are practiced and precise in all they do and it becomes more apparent when he demonstrates the skill he holds as he gracefully intertwines your fingers. Despite his sheepishness, he laces your hands together with a grace not seen in Bennett or Razor's movements.
Chongyun doesn't hold hands with you often. He would love to, and he's fine with it if you take the initiative and do it yourself, but he often doesn't think of it.
He's a bit shy about hand-holding at first. It's incredibly new to him and not something he's used to doing with anyone. He's never really had the chance to do so, as he spends most of his time chasing after spirits and climbing mountains. Most of the people he works with are those who find it unlikely that he can exorcise spirits with only his presence, and he's not about to go around holding hands with skeptical clients.
Chongyun enjoys holding your hands during quiet moments. During the calm. There is something to say about clutching each other's hands when faced with the possible presence of a malevolent spirit, but there is also something about the moments in which time ticks by to the tune the two of you set.
Chongyun also quite adores having his face held within your palms. Your hands are warm compared to his cheek, but not so warm that he feels he must avoid them. In fact, the warmth of your hands is so pleasant, so perfect, that he often finds himself sinking into them like a cat. His cheeks are smooshed up against your palm, soft and pliant, as he revels in the momentary break from the steady stride of the spirits' strife.
Just as Chongyun does not often think of holding your hand, he often forgets to kiss you properly. Do not fret, it does not come from a lack of love, he often simply focuses himself on the pursuit of his dreams instead. When you do take the initiative and bless him with a sweet kiss, however, he snaps himself back to the present moment with you.
He doesn't take as long to figure out what to do with his hands as some of the other boys. Chongyun's hands find purchase upon yours and he holds them dearly. They rest within his as if they are made of the most fragile ice.
Chongyun squeezes your hands periodically when the two of you share a smooch, which serves as one of the moments that his true affection for you does finally show through. His attention remains fully on you throughout every passing second.
He loves you, you know. You managed to get through the "face of ice" and landed yourself lodged deeply within the "heart of clear water".
Humans are odd. But you are not just human. You are Lupical.
Razor does not understand hand-holding. Wouldn't locking your hands together make it harder to hunt? You might need to take time to explain it to him...
Razor's not so sure about it, even after you explain it to him. He doesn't think he likes having his hand occupied so much.
However, if you wish to have intimacy with him involving your hands, you are welcome to try to sit him down and comb through his fur-like mane of hair.
It takes a bit to convince him to do so, but it's much more comfortable to him than holding his hand. There's a lot to go through, as well as quite a few tangles, but at least he does do a good job trying to keep his hair clean.
When you do hold his hands, they're tough and sturdy. They've weathered everything nature can throw at him and, therefore, are littered with small scars all over. They're strong and may have a thin layer of dirt on them if he's spent the day out hunting, but he has learned very well from people, such as Lisa, why it's important to wash them periodically and before eating. He'd be excited to show you too.
The only time Razor will really reach for your hand is when he falls asleep. You are his Lupical. You are strong and kind. You are strong like a wolf, and he wants to be stronger to protect you. He likes to hold onto your hand when he sleeps so he can feel that even then he is connected to you.
Sometimes this happens when the sunlight is warm and the wind is breezy. He should be hunting. But you are there with him. He wants to spend time with you instead.
He falls asleep in the grass while bathing in the sunlight beside you. It feels warm. It's comforting to be near you. One of his hands reaches for yours and holds on tight. His breathing is even. The afternoon is peaceful.
During his nap, you're free to trace along the curves of his fingers and over the hilltops of his knuckles. Small scabs litter the surface of his palm while scars decorate the tips of his fingers. He doesn't think anything of them. Why would he? But, hopefully, you can see the beauty in the stories his hands tell. The adventures, those on par with Bennett's, that the young wolf boy embarks on during his hunts.
Razor does not understand kisses either. They are warm, and they are comforting, but he doesn't understand why there seems to be such an emphasis on them.
There is one thing he likes, however. When you do bestow a soft smooch upon him, he enjoys nuzzling his nose against yours. Perhaps he likes that even more. Other times he nuzzles his nose against your cheek. He likes it more if it makes you laugh.
Something about it makes him so soft. He likes when you do it back. It makes his chest feel fuzzy... and full. Is that the feeling of love? He thinks he likes it. After the first few times, he does it more and more. He's learned something new and he loves it. He loves you.
Razor the Wolf Boy does not understand why humans hold hands. He may never. But that does not matter. Sometimes he likes it when you stroke his hand and hold it in your lap while you teach him new words. It feels good. That is all that matters to him.
Another contender for cold hands, Xingqiu's are smooth and delicate. His fingers are straight and his nails clipped well. His hands are maintained in a way befitting of his status and his lack of needing to do a lot of physical labor.
Before, his hands lacked calluses. There was not a blemish to be seen. It wasn't that he wasn't working toward the chivalrous ideal he wishes to bring about, but it was that he was more careful regarding how obvious he was about it. He hadn't told anyone about the things he snuck off to do yet, so his hands, too, had to keep his secret.
Because of this, he often wore gloves if and when he practiced with his sword. Sword fighting can lead to blisters and other blemishes, things that may easily give away the aspirations he so dearly wishes to work toward.
After his father agreed to let him take up martial arts, however, his hands have grown a bit tougher. They are still relatively spotless, but every now and then they may be adorned with a bruise or two. His fingers, which used to be so perfectly rail straight, now look more like those who teach him to fight. Now a bit of crookedness remains, as even one of such high birth as he can take injury, especially if he allows himself to become too careless.
There is a grace to Xingqiu's movements always, even down to the flicks of his fingertips. When the two of you have tea together, his hand seems as dainty as the porcelain so lightly clasped within it. He moves them while he talks and every now and then you find your eyes drawn to their elegant toing and froing.
Xingqiu is quite pleased to hold hands with you! He has no problem with it whatsoever! Whenever you go out together, if you are alright with it, he would be honored to be allowed to link his hands with yours.
However, if he were to have his way, he's a bit more chuffed about the idea of linking arms. It makes him feel like a character out of one of his books, you see, and it feels just so romantic. Don't you agree?
He sweetly holds onto you, and you to him, while you walk about together. The two of you are just like the characters straight from the books on display within the Wanwen Bookhouse. Ironically, that happens to be where he asks to stroll a lot.
Contrary to Chongyun, Xingqiu is the one who enjoys holding faces while smooching. His hands rest softly upon your cheeks and, for a moment, you wonder if you can truly even feel them there. His touch is so light yet so loving. It feels so fleeting yet so everlasting.
If one was to attempt to put into words how it feels to be held by Xingqiu while the two of you share a moment, it would be "cherished". At that moment, you may realize your true importance to him and the extent of his love for you.
The "moments of solitude" that Xingqiu used to spend alone are now often spent with you. His hands often come to rest upon yours, whether you be strolling together or curled up upon a couch bathed in daylight together with a good book. As soft as the richest silk, the affection they give you is worth far more than all of the treasures within the Feiyun Commerce Guild.
this is really just a concept, so you can decide if you’d like to write it or not, but i’ve been thinking about a royalty au with xingqiu and a prince!! he reminds me a bit of a friend of mine, and we’d often act over the top fancy & treat each other like royalty. i think a royalty au fits him well, too!!
as always, know that though the distance between us may be long, you’re always close in my heart ♡︎
best wishes,
~🍒
summary: a royal au in which a prince from a far-away land meets xingqiu...
warnings: reader has a pre-established background, the reader is referred to as a prince, minor outfit description in the beginning, possible xingqiu story spoilers
word count: 2.5k
author's note: 🍒, this is such a cute idea! i hope i have been able to do it justice. the reader does have a bit more background than i usually give them, as i usually prefer to leave things more ambiguous so one may see themselves in their place easily, so i hope this fic isn't too immersion breaking for anyone, and i worry that i did not do your prompt justice. i thank you for the sweet words, my dear, and return them by saying my thoughts were with you with every word written in this fic. as there are plenty more ideas i have for it, as well, please let me know if anyone would like to see any more! also, please forgive me for the painful cheesiness of this as well as the amount of secondhand cringe i fear it radiates in waves.
this fic is dedicated to @summerdawn ! thank you so much for helping me brainstorm it!
All of Liyue had been in a rush over the past few days. All most people knew was that a foreign prince was arriving, but the Feiyun Commerce Guild's royal owners were privy to a bit more information with the use of their many connections. In fact, it was due to these connections that they were in charge of all details concerning welcoming the new guest and showing them everything Liyue had to offer. The more they could get the guest to spend, the better.
Xingqiu was among those who were present to greet the prince alongside his father and brother. At first, he didn't want to be there. He was only doing it for their sake, he supposed. But eventually, he thought it might be somewhat fun, or at least, interesting, to see what this so-called prince had to offer. Besides, how often would he really be able to attend something so fancy as just the second born?
Who knows, he may even get inspiration for his next book.
He knew he made the right decision when the crowd parted and you came into view. You were absolutely breathtaking. Your outfit was a crisp white, more vibrant than even freshly fallen snow. You wore tightly laced boots decorated with small golden clasps. Jacket dripping with golden baubles, an Albert chain with small star-shaped decorations glittered for all to see. The most stunning part, however, was the cape you donned. It looked like there was a galaxy contained within the very fabric. When you moved, it moved with you. Xingqiu thought that if he were to reach his hand out to try to touch it, it would surely be sucked through.
Soon, you stood before him. Following protocol, as he was meant to, Xingqiu accompanied his family into a deep bow. He may not know from where you hail, but he does know how to give you a proper Liyue welcome. You bowed back, eyes sparkling as you took in all the sights around you.
People were running to and fro around you as you were taken to Xingqiu's family's residence. His father spent the most time talking to you, which caused him to be somewhat antsy as he wanted to hear all you had to say. The stories you have to share.
It wasn't until hours had passed that the crowd around you seemed to lessen. There was a tired look in your eye as Xingqiu approached you once more, dipping into another low bow.
"Xingqiu at your service, my liege. I would like to humbly offer my hand to you in hopes you may join me for a restful moment of solitude."
The cheeky smile that stretched across your face and matched Xingqiu's own. He was right - you sure are an interesting character.
And off the two of you went, escaping out into the bright afternoon sun that warmed Liyue. Perhaps it wasn't the best idea to steal away with a prince from an unknown land, but the afternoon sun is for the foolish and the brave, both of which Xingqiu managed to be.
His biggest mistake was not asking you to change first. Your jaw-dropping cape caught the eye of many locals as you strolled down the street together, and Xingqiu couldn't help but grimace. He expected the Millelith to descend upon you both at any given moment and drag the two of you back home to face his father. Yet, he was not deterred, and he escorted you to his sanctuary - Wanwen Bookhouse - with his head held high.
On his lips danced an exaggerated smile, one which matched yours, as he cheekily bowed before the entrance of the bookhouse as if escorting you in.
"Would you be so kind as to accompany me on a tour of the Bookhouse, my liege?"
Your laugh was loud and cheerful. It kept ringing in his ears. "Well, we are already here, aren't we?"
His tone was excited as he led you around the quaint shop, happily pointing out several of his favorite past reads. All manner of books were dropped into your arms, both thick and thin, as the small boy happily chattered on.
Your eyes went from cover to cover, from word to word, as you took in everything around you. It was obvious none of these titles existed where you were from, and Xingqiu was pleased to see how interested you seemed to be.
With a small, impish little grin, Xingqiu asked if you were fine with breaking the rules a bit. It was nothing serious, oh no, not at all, but he swiped a book from where it lay on display and moved to the furthest edge of the store with you. The two of you sat together as he began to read, his voice portraying the emotions in the story wonderfully. He didn't know why he was doing it, reading to a stranger from an unknown land, but he found himself drawn to you. And you seemed to have no problem with it, anyway.
Before you knew it, the sunlight was dying out as night was born anew once more. The woman behind the counter - you assumed her to be the boss - reminded Xingqiu that it was about time to head home with a stern voice. His smile was sheepish, but nevertheless bright, as he agreed and turned toward you. His breath caught in his throat.
The lower the sun got in the sky, the brighter you seemed to shine. No, it was like you were giving off your own light. It was like you were bioluminescent. You're absolutely breathtaking, to say the least. Yet Xingqiu was perplexed. Where did you say you were from again?
Despite this, however, he kept his mouth closed as he began to walk you home. It was a bit of a struggle to sneak past the guards for the second time, but the two of you managed and he bid you a hasty goodnight. Perhaps he seemed like he wanted to be rid of you, but that was nowhere near his intentions. You see, the young prince was simply preoccupied with trying to figure out what didn't add up about you.
Your promise to begin reading one of the books he picked out drew him back to the present, however, and he smiled brightly at you. "I'm pleased to hear that," he lightly teases, ready to mockingly bow before you once more. But the sound of guards coming down the hall startled the both of you as you whispered your goodbyes once more and quickly made your way to your respective rooms.
Xingqiu found himself thinking of you the entire night. He didn't know why - he had only known you for a little less than a day - yet he found you incredibly interesting. You were mysterious, for sure, but he believed he could sense a little bit of an adventurous soul within you. One that matched well with his own. He hoped you would not say no if he asked you to accompany him around for a bit. Perhaps you would even be willing to go with him when he went out looking for people to help. Oh, did he ever hope you would be.
He supposed he would just have to wait until morning to find out.
Xingqiu didn't get to see you the next morning. In fact, he couldn't find you anywhere for most of the afternoon. There were always people milling about, your name on their lips as they rushed to attend to business, yet no sign of you. He sighed, resigning himself to the you-less morning he was fated to have. Why was he so eager to see you again, anyway?
It wasn't until after eating lunch that he saw you for the first time that day. You already looked worn out, no doubt due to all the work you had to do, but you perked up immediately when seeing him. You waved eagerly to him, princely demeanor forgotten, and rushed to his side quickly. Exchanging quick greetings, the two of you decided to sneak off to Xingqiu's personal library.
It was quiet inside and it seemed like none of the royal family's staff had made their rounds there yet. The two of you stole away into the furthest corner from the entrance and huddled together like children playing hide and seek with their parents.
You whispered together, glee evident in both of your voices, as time ticked on. Every now and then someone would come in for a moment, and the two of you always ducked away trying to stifle your laughter like children. There was something so exhilarating about the whole scenario, even if it was with someone you barely knew. The burdens that rested upon both of you seemed to slip away the more time you spent together.
Eventually, it became sort of an unspoken thing between the two of you. After you finished your duties for the day, or were able to find a way to shirk them, you would meet up inside the condensed little space and spend time together. It was an agreement the two of you never discussed. Yet, as the days passed on, you found yourself growing closer and closer to the chivalrous young man. And he to you.
Within the relationship lies a sort of give and take mentality. The two of you exchange stories with each other and, in turn, learn more and more about the other princely character. Xingqiu found himself sharing with you his woes concerning the future of both Liyue and the Guild, as he feared that he would end up doing most of the heavy-lifting to account for where his older brother was lacking. You responded by sharing with him tales from your childhood and vivid descriptions of your homeland.
Your stories only seemed to perplex him more, however. Truly, he had never heard of a place like the one you described, not even in all of his stories.
You told him of a beautiful kingdom with the bravest citizens. There was beauty around every corner and always something new to be found. It sounded like a land full of adventure, which he thought fit you well. You seemed like an adventurous soul, he figured, which may have been part of why the two of you got along so well so quickly. You described a place with a night sky so gorgeous, so vivid, it felt you could scoop the stars right out of it. In fact, a lot of the descriptions you gave seemed to focus heavily on stars, and he could hear the fondness you held for them the more you spoke.
Yes, he supposed "stars" fit you well. You, the star prince.
With each of your secret meetings, there almost always seemed to be accompanying snacks and tea. Xingqiu would grin mischievously as he presented them to you, insisting that, while the two of you were in there, his father and brother would never know. You always ate carefully; you didn't want to soil his books, after all.
It was many afternoons that the two of you spent hidden away like this, growing closer each and every day. Perhaps the two of you had reached what normal folk would refer to as "friends". Xingqiu liked that idea. You were his friend, to him. It may not have been every afternoon during your stay that the two of you were able to fool around, but it was enough. Yet, despite this, you never seemed to truly share your worries with the young boy, and he knew you would be leaving soon.
It was during one of these escapades when Xingqiu was finally allowed a deeper glimpse into you.
He was sitting with a manuscript in progress in front of him when the doors opened. The light shone brightly into the study when you entered, and he couldn't help but think it bathed you within an impeccably beautiful and ethereal glow. He greeted you warmly, picking up on how distraught you seemed. He was too.
You were going home soon.
With the same weary expression, you sat next to him and rested your head upon your hand. It only took him one try of asking what was wrong to get you to crack.
"I'm going home soon... Don't get me wrong, I love my home and my family, but there's so much to deal with there. I'm so tired and I hate all the responsibilities that get dumped on me there! I just want to hang out with people like you and have fun... is that so much to ask for?"
Xingqiu was taken aback for a moment at the absolute dread with which you spoke. You sounded so upset about the notion of being swamped with work and bogged down with responsibilities you didn't even ask for. He supposed he could relate. He too feared the careless above him dropping their work onto him and cutting off his own free time. He inhaled deeply, tapping his chin in thought.
"I know how you feel. I would much rather spend my time reading and helping those in need than doing any of the work expected of me. I suppose our lives are like a book... like a blank manuscript," he gestured lightly before looking at you once more, something shimmering deep in his eyes. "Undoubtedly, there are those who believe our lives are escribed within the constellations, never able to be changed. But I disagree! Each of us can form our own paths, to write our own stories! Together may we fill the pages with the stars of our own choosing, my liege!"
It was the fervor that Xingqiu spoke with that took you aback. You knew the boy was passionate, yes, but you never knew just how passionate he could be.
He hoped his words had reached you. It was hard to tell from your expression alone. As the seconds passed he felt himself grow more and more embarrassed over what he had said. Not only had he lost possibly all decorum while speaking, but he had spouted such cheesy nonsense! Surely it wouldn't have made you feel any better...
His thoughts were soothed as he saw a small smile etch itself onto your features. You seemed like you were about to laugh for a moment as you muttered that he was right. You thanked him for your words, to which he gave a curt nod.
"Prince-, no, Xingqiu," you began. "In the future, may we meet up again?"
"Pardon?"
"I want to spend time with you like this again! I want to become even better friends!"
So there it was. You considered the two of you to be friends as well. He smiled, throwing out a quick "of course" with evident glee. Yes, you would be leaving soon, but the two of you would see each other again. The two of you would make sure of it.
And it was thus that the both of you interlocked your pinkies and swore on it. Perhaps it was childish, but you didn't care. It was upon these hidden moments and thoughtful words that your friendship was formed, and nothing could take away from the joy you felt.
ahhhh i truly do apologize for this fic. i do not think i did your prompt justice, and i did get a little carried away, but it was very fun to write. i find what i wrote to be predictable, boring, cheesy, and possibly even full of blatant mischaracterization, but i pray you enjoy nonetheless. i suppose the theme of stars really didn't matter all that much, but i find them beautiful and they remind me of the friend this fic is dedicated to.
