note. i surprised myself with how much plot this actually has.
零 ; you, the typecasted “passerby a”
the path to stardom is an arduous journey, but you’ve already abandoned your dreams not even halfway down the road.
you are far from the fresh newbie you once were. maybe you hoped to be famous at some point, your name sung in ardent praises and joint with stellar performances, but you’ve never received major roles that strayed from “classmate b” or “the protagonist’s best friend” who only ever appears to give advice.
the closest you’ve been to getting a main character role is being part of the second pairing of a cheesy romance drama that never became a hit, a series with a generic plot and a bland cast of no name actors.
but you can’t deny the spark of hope lighting your heart when you receive word of an audition for an upcoming drama adaptation of a well-loved webtoon series, a series you are an avid fan of. it’s a murder mystery following a genius detective striving to solve a serial killings cold case, with snippets of romance and the occasional comedy, grim as the premise may be.
once the drama adaptation was confirmed, it quickly became a hot topic; fans are anticipating the casting and filming crew, expecting nothing less of perfection to honor the brilliant source material. by all accounts, it’s big news, and snagging even a minor role would definitely earn you more recognition.
if you’re chosen to act as the victim in the first murder, you would already be beyond satisfied—being part of such a masterpiece is enough to make you overjoyed. you don’t have too high hopes but there’s no harm in trying for the audition, right?
yes. no harm at all.
that’s if you don’t count the brain damage you suffered when your head slammed against the wall from complete shock as you received an e-mail from the staff confirming your admittance to the project.
as the protagonist’s love interest, no less—a journalist investigating the serial murders to enact revenge on their younger brother’s stead, the third victim in the killings.
一 ; xiao, the celebrity crush
acting practice is generally considered a casual affair in every project you’ve taken on, yet you couldn’t help but spend hours trying to make yourself look presentable (and avoid looking like a beggar compared to your shining idols when you stand side by side). you may be a tad bit overdressed, but you’d hate to make a fool out of yourself on day one.
except that is exactly what you do. because you’re a walking disaster.
in your defense, it’s not even your fault! the moment you step foot in the venue, you’re ushered by the staff to a row of waiting rooms… without any nameplates attached by the doors and no indication of where you’re supposed to go. left with no other choice, you mentally count eeny meeny miny moe and surge forward for the chosen room.
you can’t tell if you’re tremendously lucky or the most unfortunate person on earth, but you come face to face with a person you never thought you’d see in the flesh.
the thing is, the staff never informed you of your future colleagues. the casting is a well-kept secret, even from the actors themselves, to prevent information leaks to the media before the official announcement.
you really wish you had time to prepare yourself before you had to meet xiao, though.
he’s lounging by the sofa, curls of dark hair sprawled on the cushions. his face is obscured by an eye mask, fashioned in a cute design you wouldn’t expect him to take an interest in at all. if you took a picture of him right now and printed them as merchandise, you’re sure they’ll sell like hotcakes, but a selfish part of you wants to keep this sight to yourself.
yes, because… because you’ve been crushing on him since forever!
you’ve seen his growth as an actor as far back as five years ago, when he only just started his career! he made the perfect mysterious pretty boy male lead, and the romance film he starred in was such a good classic! but he didn’t get typecasted, no no. he went beyond his pretty boy persona to work in other productions, where he acted as the crazed antagonist in a horror movie. that, too, eventually became a classic film for any horror movie fan. his murderous glare is just too damn scary!
he’s excellent in action-packed movies as well, there’s never a need for stunt doubles with him. you’ve seen his behind the scene clips, and they’re just awesome. he doesn’t speak much in interviews, his replies clipped and hardly substantial, but you try to catch each piece of precious footage.
oh fuck i shouldn’t be here. you snap back to your senses and reach for the doorknob, but the creaking sound of the door prompts xiao to twitch.
a pale hand drags down the eye mask to his chin, and his dazed golden eyes pin you in place.
“…who are you?”
it’s a simple question, but it’s like you’re trying to prove your innocence to court. you begin to ramble, introducing yourself in a series of stutters, and explaining how you got to his room. you insist you aren’t there to peep on him and it was a complete accident.
“…so you entered my room by mistake,” xiao summarizes your ten paragraphs-worth of explanation into a single concise sentence. he doesn’t look angry, but doesn’t look pleased by your presence either. “it’s fine. i could guess the staff was too busy to show you your room.” he sits up properly, fixing his hair messy from his nap. “you’re the journalist, right? i look forward to working with you.”
rather than a job, filming feels more like a reward. you get to see xiao everyday, get to talk to xiao even if it’s just you commenting on the weather, get to eat with him in lunch breaks (you’re seven seats away from him but that counts, right?) and get to act alongside him-
and xiao is the second male lead. you get to act romantic scenes with him. you get to act lovey-dovey with xiao in a police uniform because he’s a policeman in this show.
each brush of your hands together sends your heart racing in a speed too fast to be healthy, but as an actor, you’re expected to keep your composure and deliver your lines properly.
(the makeup artist is always wondering why you look so red on screen when she swears she didn’t put much blush on you, though.)
“don’t you need to ask something of me?”
you blink innocently as you peel off the heavy costume, the last scene for the day finally wrapped up. xiao must be feeling hot too because he’s also wearing a huge coat in the middle of summer—his face is beet red.
“ask you for something…?” your cheeks burn bright. “oh no, was i too obvious?”
xiao awkwardly looks away. “you could say that.”
how mortifying! you fan your face, hoping your makeup isn’t too melted. you already feel like an idiot, no need to look like one.
but xiao already thinks you’re stupid. no turning back now.
“o… okay… since the cat is out of the bag, then…” you pull out a pen and a piece of paper, holding it out to him. “please give me your autograph!”
“…what.”
“i’ve been your fan for the last five years! i don’t know who ratted me out, actually i’m about 87% sure it’s childe, but since you know-”
“wait- what? five years?”
“………if that’s not what you’re talking about, then what is?”
“no, i thought you wanted me to ask me ou-”
he seals his lips at the most crucial moment, horrified at himself. “sorry. i’ll ask you another time.”
… and then he walks away. just like that.
“xiao, what about my autograph?!”
“forget it!”
“why all of a sudden?!”
二 ; childe, the scandal magnet
notorious for the massive number of scandals under his belt, it’s a surprise to find ajax (with a stage name of childe) in the set of this major production. you’re advised by your manager to steer clear of him and avoid unnecessary contact to prevent sullying your reputation, but you can’t deny his acting prowess—he shines on the stage, a performance you can’t tear your eyes away from.
he’s incredibly versatile, capable of taking on any role and absorbing the character to make it come to life, almost as if he is its incarnation.
it starts as a simple game before actual practice, each actor asked to draw lots from pieces of paper scribbled with different roles, and given an accompanying script to base off of.
everyone laughs when childe, ironically enough, draws the “womanizer who cheats on his lover.”
unfortunately, you couldn’t laugh along with them because you picked the “lover” role. your incredible (read: atrocious) luck astounds you.
it goes just about as well as everyone expects it. childe, seemingly in his element, plays the part of a perfect scumbag. it’s easy to hate him like this, all flamboyant gestures and empty promises of “you are my one and only.” his performance inspires you to try harder, and so you raise your voice, your passionate screams of indignance almost sounding heart-felt, like you truly are experiencing a severe betrayal.
when childe sweeps you into his arms, whispering platitudes dripping with honey, you’re nearly fooled into forgiving him.
it’s hard to get yourself out of the role when the director ends the scene, satisfied with the act. childe’s expression returns to its usual lazy grin, a far cry from the smug smirk prior, and he pats your head to wake you up. “nice work. i really felt like i was getting scolded by an angry girlfriend.”
dazzled by his brilliance, you barely have enough coherence to return the compliment.
your awe doubles when he performs his next act.
much to xiao’s horror, he picks the “dying younger brother” role, a direct accompaniment to childe’s “grieving older brother.” they make an… interesting pair, but they’re also professionals, and the scene they perform almost makes you weep real tears.
xiao lays limp on the floor like a lifeless doll, and childe cradles him to his chest, delivering his lines with sobs and cries that sound too real to be an act. his heart-wrenching wails bounce from the walls, going straight to strike your heart. his voice cuts through the air, demanding your attention, as if telling you to keep your eyes on him and to never look away.
it’s nothing like the sleazebag character he was playing twenty minutes ago, and you have to remind yourself your scripts are only given once you’ve drawn lots; he had a maximum of five minutes to read through it, process the information, decide how to deliver his lines, and visualize himself performing it in the best way possible.
like this, he doesn’t look at all like the scandalous man everyone makes him out to be. he’s just an earnest man who’s good at pretending to be someone else.
it’s terrifying to think about. did he ever act like his true self when the cameras stopped rolling, then? was he just playing the part of a “good co-worker” when he was talking to you earlier? was the whole “scandalous womanizer” image something he set up for himself? a reputation he deliberately made to attract the media’s attention? it isn’t unusual for actors to cause drama as a publicity stunt, after all.
no, that doesn’t make sense. no matter how desperate, nobody would like bad rumors circulating about them. as much as your name is spread around, it also goes hand in hand with distasteful gossip. childe is plenty famous, even before the scandals began popping up, so he never really needed them and they would only further ruin his image…
…on the contrary, if there’s anyone getting famous from those scandals, it’s…
…the girls he supposedly hooked up with?
rather than making those scandals for fame, doesn’t it make more sense if those girls fabricated stories and took advantage of his reputation?
it’s no secret that meddlesome paparazzi and hardcore fans obsessively pry into celebrities’ personal lives. if they sniff a hint of dating scandals, they don’t stop digging. furthermore, once the media releases information to the public, people will take it as fact. in actuality, it doesn’t matter what’s true or not; what the public wants to believe becomes the “truth.”
if the people deemed it plausible, if they thought “childe would definitely do something like this, so of course if the girl says they hooked up in the dressing room, they did”…
…even if childe denied those claims, nobody would believe him. not even you. you didn’t think about it until now. in fact, at the very beginning, you already had assumptions about him, devouring the media’s lies.
childe laughs when you apologize to him. it was certainly a shock when you suddenly knocked on his door, then the instance he opened it, you began to bow deeply, nearly slamming your forehead to his chest.
“i’m used to it, don’t worry.” he smiles, but it doesn’t reach his eyes. “you were so stiff around me, it was pretty obvious what you thought of me. but you didn’t have to apologize.”
“no, i do! i was being disrespectful!” you insist, taking him by surprise when you grab the lapels of his jacket. “you’re nothing like what they say! i’m sure you’ve been through a lot just because everyone keeps saying whatever they want, without thinking of your feelings… and everyone laughed that one time we played the acting game… i… i can’t take back the time i’ve spent being suspicious of you, but i want to change that!” you stare directly at his widened eyes, determined. “i want to know you better, ajax!”
the use of his real name stuns him and for a moment, all he can do is gape at you.
then he narrows his eyes, his lips shaping to a firm line, and he tugs you inside the room.
a yelp unwittingly escapes your mouth when you’re pressed against the door, his arms caging either side of you. his expression is unfamiliar now, unlike anything you’ve ever seen before; uncharacteristically stern, harsher around the edges, spiteful gaze boring holes into your skull.
“you want to know me better… some pretty words you just said. what do you actually want?”
your breath hitches when his hand caresses your cheek, but the striking glare he’s giving you makes you think he wants to sink his nails deep into your skin instead.
“this isn’t the first time someone tried to approach me, you know. what, you want to be friends with me? you’re going to ask if i can invite you to my house? then you’re going to tell people how i took advantage of you while you were sleeping?”
“what- no! of course not!” you yell, face heating up just by the thought of it. “nevermind lying to the media, i don’t have the guts to sleep over a guy’s house i barely even know!”
his expression falls to a deadpan. “oh. my bad. you’re quite pure, aren’t you. of course you wouldn’t.”
“that’s what makes you believe me?!”
the arms caging you falls to his sides as he walks away, leaving you dumfounded. “right, right, sorry for scaring you. can’t you let me off easy? it’s pretty hard to trust someone when you’re in my position. if i treat you to dinner, will you forgive me?”
“i… i came here with good intentions… now i feel as though i was harassed…”
his usual smile falls on his face, like he’s a completely different person from the man who trapped you just seconds prior. “what do you think about seafood? i’ll let you eat as many crabs as you like. i really am sorry, promise. if you were saying the truth earlier, then i’d be glad to know you better too, [name].”
you give him a look. “…if they saw us entering a restaurant together, wouldn’t that attract rumors?”
“hm? is everyone so narrow-minded they think anyone who eats together is in an illicit relationship?”
the answer is no, so you eat as much crabs and shrimp as you want to your heart’s content. you’re getting your food’s worth for that fright he caused earlier. childe isn’t complaining anyway, only impressed with how much dishes you’re practically inhaling.
in any case, it isn’t a date. there is no ambience or heart-pounding romance of any sort. not when you’re overtly taking advantage of his money and childe’s taking ugly pictures of you mid-bite.
but then, of course, the media takes note of it; the topic of your outing is brought up at an interview, to which you fret and panic because you were never popular enough to be interviewed before, and they’re asking if you’re fucking childe, of all things-
“what are you talking about?” childe pops up behind you, unhelpfully wrapping an arm around your shoulders as if he wants to add fuel to the fire. he chuckles, tilting your chin to lean closer to his face. “i’m just pursuing [name]. nothing’s happened yet. unless [name] wants to…”
you take it back. he’s definitely at fault for having this many scandals.
三 ; albedo, the male lead
the first day of rehearsals, the protagonist of the drama isn’t even there.
to your astonishment, nobody complains about it. twenty minutes into practice (most scenes skipped due to the protagonist’s absence), the director gets a call and excuses himself outside. less than a minute after, he informs everyone the star of the show won’t be able to make it.
the actors trade unsure looks, wondering what the hell is going on, but the rest of the staff remain unfazed. the director notices and explains, “it’s albedo. his busy schedule can’t be helped. his manager called me to let me know his flight got delayed.”
and then it makes much more sense.
albedo is well-renowned in the film industry, an extraordinary talent who first came into showbiz three years ago. it’s not at all a long time, but it’s long enough for him to receive countless awards and bountiful movie offers—he was just born for the stage. if anything, this drama is lucky to have him in it, not the other way around. a late arrival for a rehearsal is nothing. he could probably disappear for two months without telling anybody and when he comes back, the director would beg him to act for the drama for twice the pay. (an exaggeration, but you get the point.)
and… you’re expected to partner with him? you? a speck of dust compared to the sun that is albedo? you have to match his brilliance and not look like a turd beside him on screen? you have to be equals with him and- and you actually get to- you get to hold hands with him, kiss him, and- those couple stuff? everything? his fans would murder you if your mother doesn’t kill you first! you know she likes his movies a lot!
the fourth day of rehearsals, he finally comes to the set. not with an air of arrogance or excessive pride. he just exudes confidence, strutting to the room in an elegant poise you can’t hope to replicate. he gives his sincere apologies for the inconvenience to the staff, all polite bows and offer of recompense.
“but there’s no reason to worry,” he declares, gaze steely. “i won’t make any more trouble for you.”
he refuses when the director suggests taking it slowly and instead goes straight to practice. but it doesn’t look like he needs any of it at all.
as if he’s been here all along, he falls into place with the other actors, not a single awkward pause in their scripted conversations and everything smooth sailing. he delivers a flawless performance, like the cameras are already rolling and he’s practiced for tens of thousands of times already, not read through a portion of the script in the car ride towards the set.
there is one thing he’s struggling with, however.
“you’re too stiff with each other,” the acting coach comments, frowning slightly at the two of you and cutting the scene short. “rather than bickering, it’s like you’re actually arguing, and that’s not what we want to portray.”
you blink, exchanging a look with albedo, and look down at his collar you’re still gripping.
maybe you do look like you’re trying to strangle him instead of pulling him closer to your face for some good ol’ sexual tension.
originally, the characters you play didn’t get along well in the beginning of the webtoon; the genius detective didn’t like to rely on others, conceited enough to believe he can solve the case on his own, hence seeing the journalist as a hindrance since they kept pestering him to let them help him, and he help them in turn so they could work together. the detective didn’t deem them “useful” for the investigation, and it was only much later that he (begrudgingly) admitted the journalist can be helpful… sometimes. thus officially starting their partnership for the investigation, and later on, partners in the romantic sense.
there were quite a lot of bickering scenes before the actual romance commenced, and you’re struggling with finding a delicate balance to that—where exactly do you draw the line between petty squabbles and severe disputes? how do you show the chemistry between these two characters while butting heads in every instance? the enemies to lovers trope is harder to act than it seems.
“try to get familiar,” the director suggests. “you’re stiff because you don’t know each other well. you’re too shy to touch or get closer. why not leave early and go on a little date by yourselves to fix that?”
“is that really okay…?” you say, unsure. besides being hesitant to leave earlier than the rest, you’re also nervous to be alone with your co-actor.
“if he says it’s fine, then it’s fine.” albedo shrugs, starting to walk towards the dressing room and tugging you along. “but if we’re going outside, we should wear disguises. it’s also fine if we borrow some of your clothes, right?”
“of course, of course~” the director indulges him. “have fun, kiddos.”
as it turns out, albedo is a master of disguise. he doesn’t even have a wig or anything but you almost can’t recognize him clad in casual attire. he also almost looks like a stylist while figuring out what outfit to give you, and you’re left in awe when you look at yourself in the mirror wearing clothes you wouldn’t normally pick out yourself but they look really, really good on you, and they do a good job changing your image too. not that you think anybody would recognize you anyway, unpopular and all.
“where do you want to go?” you trail after him on the way to the bus station, always a step or two behind. albedo makes a humming noise, subtly slowing his pace to match your strides.
“why not just go wherever our feet takes us?” he pipes up. “as long as it’s not teeming with people, of course.”
so with zero preparation at all, you do just that. you stop by a bookstore, with you showing him around the comics section and him adamantly insisting the plain hard-cover literature he’s picking up is a thrilling epic that will definitely pique your interest, [name] stop yawning-
you pay a visit to the arcade, where you find albedo is clumsy with his feet and can’t play dance dance revolution to save his life, but also unnecessarily adept with claw machines because he has a little sister who loves getting stuffed toys. you compete over who gets the most points in the basketball game to decide who pays for dinner, end up in a tie, and move on to a zombie shooting game. you win by a narrow margin and albedo tells you so, but you point a finger at the results and tell him to cough up the cash. then you play around in the photo booth using the craziest filters, and you take the liberty of pasting stickers everywhere.
dinner is a simple affair. albedo looks ready to go to some michelin star establishment but you introduce him to a sushi restaurant that’s relatively cheap. he’s impressed by the way you swipe at the conveyor belt so quickly. okay, so you may look like an utter glutton right now, but it’s fine. not the first time you embarrassed yourself in front of a co-actor.
lastly, you stop by an ice cream shop to get gelato. your appetite is “awe-inspiring,” as albedo put it, but you argue there’s always room for dessert.
“will this actually help us, though…?” you sigh, eating a spoonful of gelato. “i don’t understand the difference between bickering and arguing.”
“we’ve done it the whole day,” albedo reminds you, using a tissue to clean the residue of cream on your cheek. “we’ll do just fine.”
you stare at him in disbelief. “…is this also one of your habits from taking care of your sister?”
“ah. you could say that.”
just as albedo said, filming goes a lot more smoothly. the playful air is a huge improvement compared to last time when they said you looked ready to beat him to submission. the romantic tidbits are coming along well, too, spun between action-packed scenes where you’re pressed against albedo in a slim locker to hide from the murderer lurking nearby or sweet slice of life moments outside of the investigation.
at last, the confession scene is upon you. just a while back, the two main characters got into a full-blown argument; the detective was irritated by the lack of progress in the investigation, and deduced his feelings were distracting him. he decided to keep the journalist at arm’s length, never allowing them to go close. of course, they didn’t react well to this, and so they pester him again, but the argument became heated and it eventually peaked to “you’re an inconvenience to me!” which led them to separate ways.
the journalist, desperate to solve the case on their own, approached people who seemed to be in the know. they were nearly pulled into bed by an attractive yet suspicious man, who’s genuinely interested in the journalist romantically and used intel on their younger brother’s murder as leverage, but they get interrupted by the detective pounding on the door.
he dragged the journalist out, thoroughly upset at the notion of selling themself, but they deny the accusations and claim they were tricked.
the argument stretched longer, the both of them airing out everything they dislike about the other, but the detective accidentally slipped and confessed his real feelings. the journalist, who never thought of him that way, was frozen on the spot.
it’s a long scene requiring much preparation. aside from the amount of lines you have to memorize, there’s also a hotel suite you have to borrow for the shoot, the cameras they need to set for the “dragging” scene that has a lot of movement, the really awkward half-bedroom scene you have to act with your co-actor, and the fact that you have to take the confession scene before the sun completely set.
it’s truly a busy day. anxiety plagued you the moment you came out of the makeup room, knowing what comes next.
but it’s a job, and one especially you couldn’t afford to slack on. the kind-of-but-not-really-bedroom scene goes without a hitch, but albedo interrupts you a tad bit too early; the top of your shirt is barely unbuttoned but he’s already storming in, ripping you out of the other man’s grasp.
the director doesn’t chide him for it however, and he drags you out of the hotel as planned. you’re a bit frazzled by the suddenness of it all, clothes still rumpled, but it adds on to your acting and your stuttering questions make the scene look more natural.
albedo’s fury seeing you in such a disheveled state seems almost genuine, too.
“why are you acting like this?!” you pull your wrist away in an effort to make him let go, as described in the script, but albedo refuses to. an improvisation, perhaps? but now of all times…? “you didn’t care about me before! are you trying to be nice now? didn’t you say you were sick of putting up with me? you hated me for being stupid, right? guess what, then! i was stupid enough to get almost taken advantage of! if you’re just going to lecture me, let go. i don’t want to hear any of it. i already know how much of a fool i am.”
you’re supposed to back away now, but he doesn’t let you do that either. for one step backward, he takes two forward, nose nearly brushing with yours in the close proximity. your face heats up in a combination of confusion and embarrassment, your ears barely registering his lines.
“…never listen to me. you always go off on your own and i still think you’re a reckless idiot. you’re noisy and brash and you annoy me to no end,” he says in one breath, staring deeply into your eyes. “but seeing you with someone else annoys me even more. to the point i’d abandon everything just to get you back.”
“w…” your throat is incredibly dry. “why would you…”
“whether i like it or not, you’ve become important to me. i love your stupid laugh and your stupid smile. i love the way you look at me, and i don’t want you to look at anyone else. you drive me crazy when you put yourself in danger because i don’t want to lose you. i want you so badly that i want you to only think about me, spend time only with me, only love me. i-”
you’re fairly certain this is nowhere near his lines in the script.
“i love you so much that it scares me.” his voice trembles as his hand lifts to cup your face, something that finally bears semblance to the original scene. “it was wrong of me to say those horrible things. not just last time. i’ve been terrible to you, and no amount of apologies can make up for it. but i ask only one more chance.”
his finger hovers at the corner of your lip.
“[name], won’t you only look at me?”
you gape like a fish out of water, unable to reply. you’re trying to remember your lines, flipping through the mental script in your head, but the director’s “cut!” pulls you back to reality.
albedo blinks, getting himself out of the role, and he lets go of you reluctantly, the heat of his fingers lingering on your skin.
“the scene was good, but you said the wrong name.” the director laughs. “it’s alright. we can still shoot where we last left off. return to your positions.”
as told, you go back to your previous position. you give a furtive glance at albedo, whose cheeks flare in humiliation. he’s probably never done such a rookie mistake before. there’s no reason to be that flustered about it; you’ve made the same error plenty of times.
“i apologize. i won’t do it again next time.”
(if he’s going to confess, the least he can do is make his own lines for the occasion.)
Summary: He may have either doomed or saved her. Would she had been better off away from him, back home? Or would she hate him for leaving her behind?
Warnings: light SPOILERS FOR INAZUMA, second guessing your decisions, mentions of death, SPOILERS for Kazuha’s story
A/n: Okay so I’m at this point in the archon quest where I can’t beat the final boss and I just keep dying. My characters aren’t on a high enough level and oiahoihia send reinforcements.
“Paimon was wondering,” It was their second day on the ship, halfway across the ocean from Liyue to Inazuma. Both the Traveller and Paimon had been very talkative and friendly with the crew, joining in on their card games, watching the waves with captain Beidou and making conversation with a certain fugitive on board. And that’s where they find themselves; sitting alongside Kazuha on the edge of the quarterdeck who seemed to have become gloomy after they set off. “You must have left more people behind when you fled Inazuma. Aren’t you excited to see them?” The samurai’s eyes widened at the question, glistening over with memories of old for a moment before focusing back on the waves.
“No, not really.” He sighed, letting his eyelids fall shut as the breeze rustled his hair. “I had one person I cared for, very deeply. When time came for me to leave, against my better judgement, I took them with me.” He sighed again and turned his head towards the crew this time, eyes focusing on one individual in particular. “I am not certain I made the correct choice.”
“Oh! Are they here? Paimon wants to-” A hand came over the pixie’s mouth, shushing her immediately while the owner of said hand gave her a pointed look. Kazuha couldn’t help but laugh at their antics, admiring their relationship as it reminded him of his own back when things were less dangerous and more carefree.
“It’s quite alright my friend. You have met my companion dear Paimon, she beat you at poker on the first night.” A gasp escaped the pixie, brows furrowing as an unpleasant expression took hold of her features. She stomped her leg in the air three times before crossing her arms and looking away. Kazuha could have sworn he saw a stormcloud form over her head. “She has adapted quite well to this life, although to be honest she has always been versatile in these matters. As long as her loved ones are happy she is as well.” She is a kind soul and thankfully Inazuma’s cruelty has not damaged her pure nature. Kazuha has always held her in a special place in his heart, ever since she became his friend she made him lose himself. He remembers his friend talking to him about soulmates after their first encounter poking fun at the blush that still stained Kazuha’s cheeks hours later. He also remembers his friend’s sincere words about her: “She loves you, it’s evident from the way she looks at you. Protect her. Keep her safe. You wanted a goal in life, well, you’ve found it.” His heart clenched painfully at the memory inside his chest. So much has happened since that conversation; back then keeping that promise, keeping her safe, away from harm’s way seemed as an easy task. Now? Now he fears he has only put her in more danger.
“She seems happy. Why would you question your decision?” Paimon asked. “Ah?! Did you kidnap her? Is that why you left Inazuma?” A belly laugh escaped his lips making him double over for a few seconds. Oh he is telling her about this later.
“She could easily disarm me, I wouldn’t want to get on her bad side.” He laughed lightly again, his eyes searching for her amongst the crew before finally settling on her form as she talked to Beifou on the other side of the ship. “Her home was a small encampment on Yashiori Island. She was so far away enough from the vision hunt, she could’ve easily run away if they ever came for her.” He sighed again this time pinching his nose as a headache started to form. “The logical solution would have been to leave her there with her people and pray she had a pleasant life. My judgment got clouded however. I stopped thinking clearly once my friend was killed and I saw with my own eyes what losing a vision could cause.” He took a long pause. Neither the Traveller nor Paimon could possibly understand the whole situation, how desperate he was to ensure she was okay. The first couple of days after his friend’s death he didn’t sleep, he didn’t stop moving until he reached the outskirts of her camp and there, once he saw her exit her tent, he collapsed. He woke up three days later with a damp cloth on his forehead and a hand gently clasping his. It took him another three days to convince both her and her people that he was healthy enough to travel; that he’ll be okay on his own while leaving Inazuma. Two months later he was back in Yashiori Island, sneaking her out and into Beidou’s ship, executing one of the most reckless plans he had ever come up with. “Did you know that electro visions have almost eclipsed? No one from the new generations has one, the Raiden Shogun has stopped blessing anyone with her vision.”
“But Paimon saw-”
“That she has an electro vision.” He sat slowing on the deck, his elbows resting on his knees and head leaning on the wood behind him. “I’m suspecting she is the last that was bestowed with it.” It was during the second time visiting when he found out she had finally gotten her vision. It was her 16th birthday and Kazuha had decided to pay her a birthday visit only to trigger her vision causing an explosion the moment she saw him. It was quite the spectacle; lightning erupted from the earth itself wrapping around her arms and legs as she moved. She was as beautiful as a goddess at that moment. “The Raiden Shogun knows who she blesses. She knows that my love was the one who took the last electro vision. Her arrest warrant was bound to happen. The night we fled together was the night before the Tenryou Commission would come to collect her. My mind could only come up with one solution back then.” It was a desperate move made by desperate folks. He wouldn’t allow her to suffer a vision loss and she wouldn’t allow him to leave on his own. They are both stubborn and the argument that erupted that night was unforeseeable. A hand was placed on his shoulder, giving him a gentle squeeze. The Traveller’s eyes were like burning embers and he felt them pierce his soul with one simple gaze.
“You did what you thought was right. You are both alive and well. Dwelling on possibilities that could have been will get you nowhere.” And with that they stood up and left, descending the stairs just as someone ascended. And soon enough he was accompanied by none other than the one he loves most. His kindled flame. She leaned her head on his shoulder letting the sun reflect on her skin warming her up from the chilly breeze of the sea.
“What did I miss?” Her voice was like honey to his ears, causing him to practically melt and lean his head on her own.
“Just that I love you.”
“It’s never ‘just’ with you!”
“You’re also my hostage, a damsel that caught my eye and is now held against her will on this pirate ship.”
She burst out laughing, tears forming at the corners of her eyes causing him to lose his self control and join her. Their laughs mixed with the sounds of the sea chasing all his worries away.
— synopsis: the changing of times and ways to govern, foolish desires and violent ideals. the tenryou commission was versed with a new wielder, having the orders enacted by the lands very deity, though, the news was nothing but a betrayal. unfortunately, having been known as merciless and loyal, the commission would believe no claimed wielder’s claims, even if they exclaimed their family’s betrayal.
— pairing: var!genshin (male) x fem!reader
— genre: harem (??), fluff, slight angst
— warnings: abandonment, injury, mentions of death, not proofread!!!!
— status: coming soon. updates every sunday.
— taglist: open, just hmu
a/n: i know paimon says that when she first met traveller, baal hadn’t introduced the vision hunt decree yet but shhhh you heard nothing
as if the gods of celestia had known what a pitiful day was to come for y/n, the present rainfall raged harder, the pelting of each drop growing louder by the minute. the child-like smile plastered on her face was now wiped clean, a quivering lip taking its place.
the day started off pure. her begging her mother to let her tag along with her while she works, claiming that her little sister was old enough to be able to stay home by herself. clinging to her mother’s arm in a childish nature, her mother was trying her hardest to tug her arm out of her child’s grip. with one final beg, her mother abruptly whipped her body to face the teen.
before y/n could sneak in another beg, she saw a faint look of hesitation in her mother’s eyes. the way her eyebrows creased and her lips turned down into an indistinct frown before reverting back to her hostile gaze at her own daughter. the older woman yanked her arm out of the grip on the teen and opened her mouth. there was a faint realization that this would be the last time she would ever see her mother the same again, hoping that once in her life that flowers would flow out of the older woman’s lips, out only came thorns and stones.
“wait, no!” her cries were ignored as the woman holding a wood-woven basket filled with her belongings had treaded through the undergrowth and out of sight.
“come back! please, mama!”, shifting her weight into her feet to run after her mother but faltered as soon as she heard calls of her younger sister back at her abode.
“tame”, the name left her lips breathlessly, sprinting back to her house and busting open the doors, only to see soldiers of the tenryou commission pushing and pulling at her, in search of her vision that her parent’s had claimed the two of you had.
“there’s the other one, seize them.” kujou sara, the loyal general of the commission, having devoted her life to their deity.
“wait, no! she doesn’t have one, only me! stop, don’t touch her!” [y/n]’s voice boomed through the abandoned home and bounced off the wooden walls as she ran in front of her crouching sister, hiding her figure behind her arms.
the other soldiers raised their weapons, the blades of each taunting [y/n] mocking her to make another move, “i’ll give you my vision, just let her go.”
“how strange, we were told both of you had visions…” her tone was mocking, and venomous.
“it’s not true!! please, let her go” her pleas had made the entire house go silent, the only thing heard was the harsh pattering of the rain outside.
“very well… take her vision if it’s the last thing you do!”
“tame, run.” was the very last thing tame’s older sister had ever said to her, before sprinting out of the house, effectively chasing every soldier out.
though her legs burned and the pelting rain irritated her skin, [y/n] kept running, she had to, she didn’t want to die, not now, not like this. unbeknownst to her, the general was a bow wielder, standing quite a ways away from her, she drew the arrow, and fired, aiming at the [h/c] girl’s calf.
shrieking in pain, [y/n] felt herself tumble to the ground, the soldiers now catching up to her. one specific man drew his sword out, aiming it at the girl’s abdomen. fearfully, she used her arms to pull herself back, but he was quick to catch up to her.
“give up your vision, now!”
the girl cried, looking both left and right, hoping, praying that there was a way she could get out of this situation. a brown wooden boat had caught her attention, it was abandoned left at the shore with no trace of the owner. taking deep breaths in to ready herself on her legs again, she forced herself upwards, dragging her injured leg behind her and running towards the boat.
“stop her!” turning her head to look behind her, she materialized her polearm, given to her by her father before he passed away. she forced it in front of the only soldier able to catch up to her. before she knew it, the soldier was able to land a hit- or rather a stab in her side. he gave it a sharp twist before pulling his dagger out, making her choke on her own breath. her grip on her polearm tightened, swinging it at the man and slicing her arm. she fell to the ground in pain just as he did, and clutched at her side.
“get up!” a voice that lingered in the back of mind sounded through her head.
a voice of whom held a special place in her heart before his life was taken away from him.
“get up y/n!” was she delusional? was this what happens when you die?
still, she obeyed dragging herself to the shore where the abandoned boat resided. up, she thought. one more step and you’ll be safe. she just had to force herself to climb, then she’d be free of her life in inazuma. her father’s voice sounded through her mind, her eyes teary from the pain.
“i can’t papa…”, her voice was weak, but there was a passion that seemed to belong to something- someone much more powerful.
mindlessly, she was able to force herself into the boat, the feeling of someone else controlling the mechanics of her body, she surrendered, laying idly against the wood of the boat as it drifted out to sea.
with one last look at the island she grew up on, reminiscing on the foul and nostalgic memories she had made, she only saw her sister and her tear-stained face, their gazes stuck on each other. tame was being dragged away by the general and her subordinates, writhing and screaming all while staring at her older sister longingly, her protector, her family.
“tame…” her voice reeked of pain, and it was the last thing she said before her world grew dark.
perhaps some people saw it as a miracle, but she only felt guilt. she had somehow made it to liyue harbour alive, and this time as a vision wielder. growing accustomed to the life of the people in liyue, she embraced it rather than pushed it away, in hopes of the lingering reminder of her sister fading. though, she likes to think that she just had a knack for getting herself chased out of nations for things she did not do- or have. that was how she ended up in the forests of mondstadt, exploring and seeking shelter in what she had left.
though, she had made an interesting discovery after having a blonde boy sneak up on her. it was rather interesting, the way they met. she had almost killed him, but lowered her guard as soon as she saw his attire and apologized profusely.
“you… don’t look like you’re from here…” the question seemed to make the stranger nervous, giving the back of his neck a nervous scratch before responding.
“well… you see…”
a/n: erm hi i know her backstory on how she got chased out of liyue was not very detailed but i really didn’t want this to be too long pls bear w me hehe
— synopsis:the changing of times and ways to govern, foolish desires and violent ideals. the tenryou commission was versed with a new wielder, having the orders enacted by the lands very deity, though, the news was nothing but a betrayal. unfortunately, having been known as merciless and loyal, the commission would believe no claimed wielder’s claims, even if they exclaimed their family’s betrayal.
— pairing: var!genshin (male) x fem!reader
— genre: harem (??), fluff, slight angst
— warnings: death, violence (canon-level), injuries, etc. these will be more in-depth at the beginning of each chapter.
kazuha + letter L from the fanfic alphabet for anonymous
pairing:kazuha x reader
theme:love at first sight
warnings: [n/a]
fandom:genshin impact
When riding on beidou’s boat, Kazuha likes to perch himself near the front of the ship so he could get a good view at the scenery ahead. Today he would be grateful that he situated himself in that exact spot. If he hadn’t he may have missed a sight so beautiful that even poetry couldn’t describe it.
Beidou’s crew were returning to Liyue and Kazuha had decided to join the group. currently they were pulling into the ground regions harbour. That’s when Kazuha spotted a particular person standing on the docks.
It felt like the air had been stolen from his lungs. You were stunning. So much so that Kazuha wasn’t sure that you were real and yet there you were letting the sea breeze blow through your hair as you watched the ships sail by.
Kazuha could take his eyes off of you. That is until one of the crew members called to him and he turned to see what they needed. When his gaze reverted back to where you stood you were nowhere to be seen. Just like that you were gone with the wind.
A bit of panic rose in Kazuha’s chest. No, where did you go? Why had he let himself get distracted? Now his new muse was missing. His heart, which had been beating so hard since Kazuha first laid eyes on you, couldn’t take it.
“Hey Kazuha,” Beidou says, approaching him as the ship begins to drop anchor. “Everything alright?” She asked, noticing that Kazuha seemed disappointed about something. However Kazuha assured her he was fine. “Okay, well do you have any plans while we’re here in Liyue?” The captain continued, changing the subject.
Kazuha thought for a moment before he nodded. “Yes actually, there’s someone I need to find”.
imagine fingering him, preparing him while he has his arms around you and he’s just whimpering, whining and moaning close to your ears. and you’ll also be close to his! you’ll be able to whisper to him and maybe even tease him when you can~ “want another finger, baby?” “you seem to be enjoying this, are you?” and you have your arm gripping and circling his waist, hand directly gripping on his ass cheek that prevents him from squirming too much.
can’t seem to have a specific person on this one bc it fits anyone<3
This chapter is dedicated to @rrinsluvr who posted about a lack of kazuha SMAUs on tumblr yesterday!! Your post kicked my ass into gear your wish is my command :)
All I do on tumblr is gush about spray and I will continue to do so… Wtf I love this so much. Yet again, Spray is slaying and doing it flawlessly. This is SO CUTE and SO FUNNY and I love it. Chefs kiss.
I am both INCREDIBELY impressed and WRENCHINGLY HEARTBROKEN… I know I requested this and I know how good Spray is with angst, but I did not expect this… PAIN.
Oh. My. Lord. Spray, this is so insanely well written. You have such a way with words. Everything was so poetic and so tragically beautiful. I had to pause like three times to dab my eyes.
I find angst like this so cathartic, same as I did with Spray’s Xiao piece.
Please, PLEASE READ THIS. If you love Kazuha as much as I do and love angst and wonderfully written pieces, READ THIS. And make sure to listen to the music she recommended! Jesus Christ, you continue to blow me away with your talent. HHHHHHHHHH thank you for hurting me so much </3
( Okay, okay. First I have Cyno all over my fyp and now I have Kazuha? This must be a sign bro, I literally simp hard for both of those mfs I can’t even choose between them. Here ya go— this is just the closest idea I have to how this guy would act so it’s incorrect but, it’s worth a shot? Kazuha gives Dandere vibes lmao. )
———————————————————————————————————
Relationship head canons.
Kazuha is the calm and collected quiet type. He doesn’t interact much, he’s quite the introvert.
But that goes without saying when he’s alone with you.
He’s still quiet but is much more talkative than he is with others.
Kazuha’s personality is that similar to what people call an ‘Angel.’He’s very kind and gentle, and gives off a gorgeous calming aura.
His scent is like Dragon Fruit Açai Tea. Sweet and slightly bitter.
He has the softest laugh, it’s ever so quiet but it’s still adorable.
His appearance even makes him look like he’s kind and gentle but he gets turned away immediately on that thought because of his clothing choice style.
Many get the idea he’s a Pyro user and Pyro users are known to be quite destructive. So people keep away.
He doesn’t mind it that much since he can have alone time with you more often. But it does tend to get annoying.
Despite being all gentle, he’ll definitely have a death threatening side when he’s pushed to his limits.
Heck, you don’t even mess with it when he’s annoyed like that. Though, you do find it horrifyingly hot and attractive as hell.
Seeing him all pissed and badass is definitely a turn on.
Moving on to how ‘he reacts with certain topics section’.
He’s very shy when comes to intimate questions, especially when it seems like a tease.
When you ask him for a simple kiss he’ll give you a worried, slightly reddened face.
He’ll definitely get all shy about it, saying stuff like. “We shouldn’t do that in public,”or“That’s quite embarrassing, don’t you think?”
Kazuha would be the dramatic type in situations like this, he’ll be that father who isn’t giving birth but is freaking out for the person who is delivering, ya know?
Nonetheless he’ll give you a small peck on the mouth or cheek and turn away immediately with embarrassment.
Holding hands is quite the show with him, he’ll purposely avoid it by doing certain movements like, playing with his hair, catching a leaf, or even pointing irrelevant stuff out.
Eventually, you’ll have plan devised and catch him right before he makes another move. So he can bask in embarrassment once again.
Hugging isn’t all that difficult, you just secretly sneak one from him and he just freezes for a moment.
Cuddling is most likely the simplest thing since it’s usually when the two of you are off to bed, he has the advantage to snuggle into your chest and sleep soundly.
Sex. Now when it comes down to sex, the deed isn’t an easy task whatsoever.
Kazuha becomes a real shy bug with topic especially when you get him in bed.
He gets worried if he isn’t pleasuring you properly or isn’t being too gentle. Rather it becomes annoying when you don’t mind having it rough either at times but, you can’t stay annoyed at such a gentle dude.
In the end, everything turns out perfectly fine. Especially with his amazing aftercare.
Overall, your lovely Anemo boy is a great thing to wish for, indeed.
authors note: i am sorry i’m still not done my tomo fanfic but uh here’s a short kazuha fanfic so you all can wait, and also because you guys are downbad but it’s ok because i am too
-
The moonlight lit up the dark room, rubbing your eyes, you opened up the drawer on the table by your side of the bed, laying back down again after grabbing some sort of gadget, only to feel an arm snake around your waist. You instantly knew who this was. You turned slightly over to the other side.
“Kaedehara, you’re awake” You cooed, earning a low chuckle from the samurai as he planted a quick kiss on your neck, pulling you closer to his chest. “You thought you could scare me or something?”
“Unfortunately that was not my intention, my love,” he began, “-sometimes one’s desire is love and affection from another individual. Hm.. that line.. perhaps if I changed it up a bit.. it would be perfect for my haiku.”
By just him speaking, you could feel your heart racing. How he worded that sentence, how he was rambling about his haiku.. it was calming to you. You could listen to him talk about various topics all day, and you wouldn’t get bored one bit. He planted another kiss on your neck, making you jump.
“Hm? my apologies.” Kazuha spoke as you felt a smile forming on your face, your mood lightening up a tad bit more. Kazuha trailed his bandaged hand down your waist, the other hand sliding into your shirt. He caressed your stomach gently, letting out a hum of anticipation. “Please do tell me If you feel uncomfortable with what I’m doing.”
You nodded, biting back a whimper as he bit down on your neck. You felt his hot breath on the spot that he bit, you shifted a bit in his grip, gasping as you felt his bandaged hand tugging at your shorts, humming.
“Is this okay? You’re fine, right?” He asked, you nodding in response as he let out a quiet “Hm.” his hand slipped inside your shorts, his middle and index finger fiddling with your undergarment, pulling them up slightly. Meanwhile, his other hand continued to caress your waist.
You tighted your grip around the gadget you were holding onto for dear life. You opened your mouth to speak, only for Kazuha to shove his digits in your mouth, forcing you to keep quiet. You couldn’t hold yourself back as you switched the gadget onto your free hand, palming his area through his pants with your other hand.
He let out a grunt, pulling his hand away from your shorts. He felt his length against his thigh grow even more, pressing his digits on your tongue one last time before pulling
“You wouldn’t mind if I.. keep you awake this whole night, no?”
“Perfectly fine with me, Kazu.”
He hummed at your response before unexpectedly shoving his digits right back into your mouth, earning a muffled whimper from you. He bucked his hips against you, a merciful yet smug expression forming on that pretty face of his.
“Do not hesitate to tell me if you’re uncomfortable with my actions.”
authors note: here we go mfs, i’m back at it again ok let’s get into it el o el
-
“Hands off, Kazuha.” Gorou retorted, wrapping an arm around your waist, Kazuha doing the same soon after. He shot a glare at the samurai, leaning in as his fangs dug into your shoulder, receiving a low whimper from you.
“Hm.. you undeniably want them for yourself now, do you?” Kazuha spoke, earning a growl from the general. “Is that a yes?”
“Well yeah, obviously. I pulled them first, You shouldn’t be speaking either, you want them too.” Frustration growing in him, Gorou bit down on your shoulder a tad bit more harder, wrapping his other arm around your waist as he pulled you closer to his body.
“A bit hostile, don’t you think?” Kazuha raised a brow, the blank expression on his face soon changing into a more satisfied one. Dear god, these two really know how to irritate one another.
You arched your back, tightening your grip around Kazuha’s kimono as Gorou let out a low chuckle, biting your earlobe. Kazuha hummed, pulling your body towards his chest. Gorou’s ears flicking downwards a bit, pulling you back towards him.
“Would you two quit grabbing me back and forth?” You let out a sigh, that sigh soon turning into a low inhale as the samurai leaned towards you, dragging his tongue on your collarbone. “..And why are you both arguing? I have two hands for a reason, don’t I?”
Both of them paused, Gorou pulling away from your neck while Kazuha pulled away from your collarbone as well soon after. Gorou blinked at Kazuha, breathing down on your neck as he rubbed small circles on your back with his thumb, planting various kisses on your shoulder.
“Sorry, what? Repeat that.”
“Kazuha.”
“Go on.”
You fell forward onto Kazuha, Gorou pushing you as he buried himself in your neck, his hand trailing down your arm. Kazuha patted your back, humming.
“I said, I have two hands for a reason.”
All of the sudden, you felt a hand travel underneath your shirt. You gasped, arching your back once more as Gorou groped your chest from behind, Kazuha’s bandaged hand soon slipping underneath your shirt as well, caressing your stomach.
“Well, mindif you show us what kind of things you can do with your hands?” Gorou cooed, dragging his hand down your chest all the way to your stomach, making their way inside your undergarments.
You inhaled sharply, the various amounts of pleasure you were receiving right this moment drove you crazy. Gulping, you shook both of them off of you a bit, looking over your shoulder as you gazed at Gorou, soon looking back at Kazuha.
“Both of you, sit on the mattress”
Gorou and Kazuha gazed at the each other, shrugging as they both made their way on the mattress, sitting beside each other. Gorou’s ears twitched as you made your way towards them, kneeling down. Kazuha shifted back a bit, his eyes settled down on you.
You exhaled, gazing up at both of them. Gorou raised a brow, his body stiffening as you rested your hands on both his and Kazuha’s thigh. Red blush spreading further across Kazuha’s face, he bucked his hips forward, hinting for you to go quicker.
“..Hm this is new, is it not?” Gorou grabbed onto the silk sheets underneath him as you began untying the bands that held their clothing up. Kazuha bucked his hips, letting out a long yet low exhale.
You bit your lip as you took out both of their lengths, stroking it gently. Gorou’s breath hitched, throwing his head back as his ears twitched once more. Kazuha hummed, panting heavily as his bandaged hand makes its way to your hair, grabbing a handful as he tugged on it.
“Archons, Kazuha.” You paused, gazing back up at both of them as you caught Gorou shooting a glare towards the samurai. “ I was with them first, mind not taking the ‘spotlight’ for once?”
“Mm? I do not know what you’re trying to imply. You’re ridiculous.” Kazuha cooed calmly, earning a low hiss from the general as his eyes narrowed. The samurai let out a chuckle, furrowing his eyebrows. “Oho.. is the little puppy mad? Preposterous.”
“Puppy?” Gorou repeated, gripping tighter onto the silk white sheets. “You’ve.. you’ve got some guts-“
Here they go again. You sighed, leaning in as you wrapped your mouth around Kazuha’s length, dragging your tongue down, then up. You soon switched to the shiba, wrapping your mouth around his length this time.
Gorou threw his head back, holding back the lewd groans that threatened to leave his mouth. He stared back down, his face flushed red as the sight of your mouth engulfing his whole length made him weak, he fought the urge to face fuck you right then and there. His thoughts were full of lust, full on lust. He bit down on his hand, letting out a muffled groan.
You rubbed the tip of Kazuha’s cock with your thumb, receiving a sharp yet low exhale from him. Pulling away from Gorou, a string of saliva connected to your mouth from his length came to view. The shiba extended his arm, patting your head. Once again, you switched to Kazuha. Taking his whole length in your mouth, Kazuha grabbed a handful of your hair once again, pushing you further down on him.
You nearly choked, your other hand proceeding to stroke the general as you stared up at both of them once again, Kazuha gazing down at you with a smirk. He pushed you down even further, picking up the pace. His fingers tangled in your hair, gripping tighter.
“Look how well you’re taking me in.” The samurai praised, letting out a groan soon after. He glanced at Gorou, giving him a grin.
Pulling away from his cock, you shook your head, wiping your mouth. Both Gorou and Kazuha stared down at you, Gorou extending his hand to pat your head once again.
“You know.. we aren’t finished with you yet, hm?”
“Good lord my throat already hurts, another one? How much stamina do you two even have?”
“There there. Now..” Kazuha pulled you up from the floor, placing you in between him and Gorou. “If you don’t mind me asking, you are alright with this, right?”
You nodded, fiddling around with both of their hands. Gorou let out a chuckle, patting your head one last time. Kazuha clicked his tongue, tilting his head towards his side, signalling for you to lay down, you followed. You made your way to the center of the bed, rubbing your legs together as you tapped your knee, unaware of what would occur next.
“Gorou, you take the back. I’ll take the front.” Kazuha mumbled, flicking Gorou’s forehead, only for him to narrow his eyes at him once again. “Hm?”
“You really want their mouth for yourself, huh?” Kazuha rolled his eyes, coughing as he made his way towards you, Gorou doing the same. The general flipped you over to your stomach, removing your undergarments rather quickly as he sheathed his cock inside of you without any warnings whatsoever. “I’m sorry, I couldn’t wait.”
Kazuha sat back, letting his whole length slip into your mouth. You settled your hand onto the samurai’s thigh, gagging slightly. Gorou moved his hips among yours, running his fingers through your hair as he tugged it back, earning a whine from you as it sent vibrations to Kazuha on the other hand.
The samurai then pushed you down further on his cock, Gorou’s slow and gentle thrusts turning into rough ones. Your body jolted forward as your legs shook a bit, Gorou’s harsh thrusts not helping with it any further. Gorou leaned down, planting a kiss on your shoulder, moving his hips faster as his hand tightened on your hair, the other one making its way to your chest, groping it once again.
“You’re handling this pretty well.. hm?” Gorou murmured, gripping tighter onto his lover below him. He made his way to the side of your neck, biting gently. You attempted to hold Kazuha’s hand, only for him to shake his head, pulling your hand away from his.
“Ah ah ah.” Kazuha chucked, patting your head as he moved you down further once again so you could take him in whole, grinning at the erotic expressions you made.
Gorou buried himself deeper inside of you, abusing your weak spot as he tried to keep himself together simultaneously. Your hands shook, taking them off Kazuha’s thigh as your grip tightened around the sheets underneath, your heat continuously being abused by the general. Kazuha sighed lowly, the feeling of your warm mouth around his cock weakened him in one way or another, the erotic expressions you made.. he would love to see more of that.
The shiba groaned, his cock running over your weak spot over and over again. The feeling of him slamming his length inside of you made your stomach tense. He began pounding into you, his tip hitting all sorts of spots. Kazuha held onto your chin, opening your mouth wider to fit all of him inside, letting out a low whine.
“You look so cute with my cock buried inside of you, yeah..?” Gorou slowed down for a brief moment, confusion rushing into your mind. As you were about to turn your head, he slammed himself deep inside of you once more, your body jolting forward again.
You moved your head up and down Kazuha’s cock, picking up the pace as the samurai let out another low whine, bucking his hips forward. You swirled your tongue around his length, staring right up at him. He gave you a weak smile, caressing your cheek with his bandaged hand.
“Let me fill you up, hm..? The captivating expressions on your face while I cum inside you.. is a pleasant sight.” The shiba whispered in your ear, chasing his own high. Your heat clenched around his cock, earning a low groan from him. “Oh fuck.”
“I’m quite close.. Is it alright if I..?” Kazuha patted your head for permission as you nodded. He released inside of your mouth, pulling himself away from you as he watched some of his cum drip down from the side of your mouth. “Swallow.”
Right as you were about to swallow, Gorou bit down on your neck, making you whine as he pounded into you one last time, releasing inside.
“There.. we go.”
You did as Kazuha told you, swallowing his load as you shook your head lightly. You got up, staring back at both of them.
“I wasn’t too rough, right? Or was I?” Gorou’s tail fluffed up, wagging as he wrapping his arms around your waist again, dragging his tongue down your neck, all the way to your shoulder.
A/N:The amount of time I took to draw that (^) banner just to have it for 4nemo ficlets— a-ah, I love how it turned out anyway soOOO- anyway! This is sort of 4nemo’s… origin story? At least mytake in how the group was built.
There will be three parts to this, Blooming, Falling, and Loving! (And a bonus angst because it won’t be me without angst, Withering)
✤ she/her
Words: 4.1k
≿————- ❈ ————-≾
A dream is a wish your heart makes—isn’t that a saying from a fairytale?
✦warning: smut, 18+ content, minors do not interact
✦disclaimer: afab!reader with no set pronouns, temperature play (kaeya), pussyjob (kaeya), implied edging (kaeya, wax play (diluc), impact play (diluc) electro-stimulation (scaramouche), shibari (scaramouche), fingering (scaramouche), tentacle (ayato),blowjob (ayato), impact play (diluc, kazuha), exhibitionism (kazuha), unedited
At the tavern with a good drink in hand, you sat very close to Kaeya enjoying the company and the music from the various bards performing. Whenever you let Kaeya touch you, his star-lit pupils noticed the way you jolted—your body not used to the cool temperatures that envelop his hands. He could only chuckle, strumming his fingers onto your thighs. It would be interesting if he could change his body temperature to the other parts of his body, not wouldn’t it?
When he finally got you home, his lips mashed with yours, slowly feeling you up as the burn of your arousal became creeping up. Kaeya could only coo and tease, noticing the translucent strings of your slick sticking onto your thighs and panties. His frosty vision lit up in an aquamarine hue, and his fingers pressed against your clit as you gasped loudly.
Your body trembled to feel him slide them along your nub, making it all that more sensitive as he watched your squirmed from underneath him. He continuously rubbed—gathering your sobbing juices coating his hand—before freeing his hardened cock from his tightening pants. You were so cute like this, mumbling how cold he was. You should know better than egg him on like this.
His nails hugged into the fat of your thighs, stretching you out wide to observe your sobbing folds as he nudged the tip of his length along your folds—with that same icy touch. The wet sounds of his length being coasted by your juices echoed out in the room as your lip trembled from your burning needy clit. He heard you whine out his name again as he chuckled, other hands flicking your pebbling nipples.
He thought you could handle the cold <3
Reading a book in the lap of Diluc, he couldn’t help smiling at your focused gaze. As he noticed the candlelight illuminating your features, his mind couldn’t help wandering to the wax dribbling down the stick.
He wonders what it would be like on your off skin, his hand warming the candle as each bit of wax makes you whine and jolt. He could help wish to press his lips against your back, near the wax staining it, telling you how well you’re doing for him and putting up with the heat. With his cock pressed hard against his pants, he could imagine taking his pants off, gliding his length along the plush of your ass, letting the tip nudge along your slit.
And yet he would still be heating up that wax, with the beautiful smell of lantern flowers and oils wafting from it. He couldn’t help but bring a smack down onto your ass hearing your call out his name as he noticed his handprint illuminating from the globe, the pain slightly amplified with the heat of his palms—bright vision illuminating on his side.
He never wanted to hurt you, he was your knight in shining armor, but he always wondered what it would be like if he got a bit rougher with you.
Snapping out of his thoughts he could only sigh feeling his cock rise and pink spread throughout his cheeks, with you still sat on his lap clueless about his fantasies and arousal. All he could do was wrap his arms around you, pushing you further on his clothed boner, hoping and praying you’ll pay attention soon.
Scaramouche could only smirk, eyes slightly slit up in an amethyst hue as bolts of electricity jolted out from his fingertips. You were so utterly cute to him, looking at the menace all doe-eyed, slightly turning your wrist bound by rope with your lips quivering in excitement and fear.
Brushing his lips against your ear, muttering how submissive and docile you were under his touch, his buzzing hands would pull at your nipples as the jolts of electricity scattered throughout your body. You could only moan out his name, struggling in the bounds wishing to hold him as he continued to prod at your oh so sensitive buds.
Even as his soft lips trailed down across your body, each kiss was greeted with another jolt of electricity. He could only sneer and chuckle watching your push your thighs together, desperate for some kind of attention towards your throbbing hip, and so he complied with your needs.
His hands pinched at your clit, as two fingers slowly dripped down into your sobbing hole, pushing back and forth with his power still on display causing you to wring in absolute pleasure. Scaramouche couldn’t believe how much you enjoyed this, with your fluttering walls clamping down hard on his fingers still thrusting inside of you.
He couldn’t even stop his hips, grinding on the edge of the bed with a maddening smirk on his face. The image of you, utterly helpless to his touch burned in his mind. He would be thinking about this for a long time.
Ayato was much more creative than people gave him credit for, you included. Gifted with a vision at a young age, Ayato was always exploring the depths and tricks he could use with hydro. As he was bored soaking in a hot spring with you, he couldn’t help lifting his hand from the water causing a tendril to form out of the very water he was in.
And a cruel smirk immediately fell onto his lips.
You were lifted up from the water, mouth covering your lips to hide any of your moans trying to leak out so as to not alert any of the servants lingering in the estate. Ayato commanded the tendril to slowly fill you up, watching in absolute amazement as your hole slowly opened up to him. His lips darted out, wishing nothing more than a taste of your pussy currently filled up.
It was so deep, stretching your walls out as it guided in and out of you at a brutally slow pace hitting the most sensitive areas inside of you.
He lifted his form from the water, slowly stroking himself off at the pace of the tendril filling you up. With his free hand, he managed to create more, as the glided along your breasts squeezing them tightly as another urged you to put your hand down. You did as Ayato lifted himself off, cock pressed up against your lips with a cunning smile.
Watching you slowly open your mouth, a hand on the base of his cock for the part you couldn’t fit—Ayato couldn’t help sigh in delight, placing a hand on your hair before commanding the tendrils to finally hear your plead to go faster. You were struggling to suck on his cock from the inhumane pace the tendrils were thrusting inside of you.
It’s never a boring day to Ayato, not if he can help it at least.
The wind always spoke to Kazuha, as if he could command with and listen to its whims. Although the mostly calm man appeared as the embodiment of wind, others didn’t realize the mischief nature wind seemed to have.
The wandering samurai had you pinned to a tree— his hand guided along the slick beginning to drip out from your pussy, your clothing all in disarray as to give Kazuha a better look and access to your ethereal form. As he finally disconnected his lips from yours with a string of saliva still connecting you two, you couldn’t help making a comment on how needy he was today. You laughed asking if he was that desperate to be inside of you after being gone for such a long time.
Kazuha could only sigh, cheeks becoming tinted in a slight pink hue. You didn’t know why, but he immediately turned you around, your wrist held high still pinned to the base of the tree. Kazuha leaned in, whispering how much of a tease you’re trying to be for him.
Before you could even make a statement, a quick blow of the wind caused you to gasp as it smacked against your ass with a quick but strong slight. As you tried turning your head, wondering just what happened, it occurred once more causing your body to vibrate in shock, pleasure and pain. You could only whine, as Kazuha chuckled still toying and rubbing circles across your clit.
Only when you could apologize would he tell the wind to stand down. For now, though, he will enjoy the beautiful sight of your ass jiggling to the strikes from the wind he was commanding.
Notes:This was also a request and I liked it but for some reason I can’t find the ask anymore, I might have accidentally deleted it. Has been sitting in my drafts for a while cause idk how else to make it better. It’s still a little cringy to me, tbh.
Warnings:VERYSTEAMY but generally still SFW bordering on not, you’ve been warned though, not proofread, some possessiveness, yes there are sexual innuendos, mentions of alcohol and drinking, did i say not proofread?, if there are pronoun slips please let me know.
The two of you never really meant for it to turn into a make out session. With Aether, there’s a lot of patience and no pushing to do things. It just happened spontaneously while cuddling in bed.
The first kiss was innocent. Just a quick peck on the lips. But something in him seemed to spur him on and suddenly he’s leaning in for another one…and another one…and another… He’s still slow about it, giving you the chance to say no but also hoping that you don’t pull away. When you don’t, he peers into your eyes and sees that they’re clouded over, just as his is and he puts his all into the next kiss.
His hand cradles your neck, his kiss is nearing hungry, wanting more of your soft lips on his. It’s an addiction now and you’ve wrapped your arms around his neck to deepen the already passionate exchange. You open your mouth to let his tongue slide in, the kisses are getting sloppy, wetter. Your legs are tangled together and the heat between your lips blooms in your stomach and has you silently begging for more. The raw emotion makes you weak.
“Hey! Why is the door locked?! Did you two forget about Paimon?! Let me in!”
The two of you pull away abruptly. Panting and flushed, Aether more so than you. There’s a subtle disappointment in his eyes, but he’s a gentleman so he smiles and gathers himself, smooths down your hair and his, kisses your nose and utters a quick “I love you,” before pushing off the bed and letting the clueless Paimon in.
Albedo
Did he plan it? You’ll never know. He took you to Inazuma with him when he was commissioned to paint The Five Kasen. Of course, he took Klee with him too.
“It’s been a while since we’ve been alone,” Albedo sets down the tea on the kotatsu and sits next to you on the tatami floor. Klee is out with the traveller and Yoimiya, and though he feels a little bad for not being able to take Klee around, he was really rather busy with the preparation of the paintings.
What you didn’t get was why he wouldn’t let YOU go with Klee instead. It’d been midday when he emerged from his separate work room and sought you out. And now the two of you sat side by side each other, you feel him snake an arm around your waist. “You’re done with the painting?” You question him as he presses a kiss on the side of your head.
“No,” he simply replies. The next time he dips his head, it lands on your lips and you instantly recognize the need in it. He rarely initiated kisses like this, the type that fanned a fire in your belly. It’s not a hungry kiss, but its long and his lips constantly move against yours, just as your head tilts to the side to give him more access.
Your hand slides away from the teacup and rests on his shoulder, his arms are coming up to your back and pressing you further into him. When he breaks away he only does so to dip back into your neck, trailing kisses up to your ear. “‘Bedo–” You shudder a little at the light and quick pecks…until your ears pick up on familiar little, running footsteps and the door making a small rattle before the two of you break away and it slides open to reveal a very happy Klee, bursting with joy about her adventures.
You pretend to be drinking tea, though Albedo’s hand is still around your waist, he clears his throat before greeting his sister. “Welcome back, Klee,”
Ayato
Intentional but has an excuse for it and kind of blames you for it.
It’s rare that he gets to go to a festival with you, but he decided that he could take a break today and walk around. Inazuman festivals are always looked forward to, with lots of stalls, festivities and the closing fireworks, it’s an enjoyable time for everyone.
For Ayato, however, he can’t help but keep staring at your kimono-clad form. You rarely wore them, only on special occasions. Simply said, you looked even more charming than usual.
So then was it his fault that he pulled you into a small alleyway in between two Inazuman houses and started kissing you? No. Not at all.
“A-Ayato–There are people–” He’s gentle when he maneuvered you against the wall, but his kiss was not. He nips at your lips in a teasing manner, and recaptures your lips over and over again with only a second to breathe between each one, his hands sliding up your hip to keep you in place.
“If you’re not too noisy they won’t notice, darling,” Ayato hides a smirk as he whispers to you, going back in for a now open mouthed and hot kiss. He just can’t get enough of you. Every breath he took was like breathing in lust and fire, seducing him to keep his mouth sucking yours.
Then, he feels something bump against his foot, he pulls away abruptly, one of his arms still leaning onto the wall next to your head and he looks down to see a colourful ball there. The sounds of kids shouting about kicking the ball too far and running after it makes him pull all the way back, just in time for the kids to stop at the entrance of the alleyway and look at the two of you quizzically, then down to their ball.
Ayato merely kicks it back towards them, and they don’t ask any questions, just caring about the fact that they can continue their game. He does pull you over and out of the small space though, despite you still being flushed and easily says. “We’ll continue later, care to come over?”
Dainsleif
Not a particularly jealous person but there are times where he can’t really stand other people giving you too much attention.
Wolvendom was apparently a dangerous place. Not for Dainsleif. Dainsleif might have been more dangerous than Wolvendom itself. So despite the dangers of the forest you find yourself at ease when he’s around.
The plan was to just pick wolfhooks, but things escalated pretty easily when you found your back against a tree and Dainsleif hovering above you. He didn’t have his arms out, nor was he pushing you towards the tree, but his gaze stayed you there. “…There was a man at the tavern who was a little touchy with you,” he started and you realized he had somehow been watching that exchange.
“He was drunk, Dain. He was kicked out a little later,” You explain as he cups your chin and levels his gaze towards you.
“…I don’t like it,” he simply says and you nod saying that you knew. No one would. However, instead of him complaining he translates his frustrations into a rather forceful kiss. Him pressing against you and trapping you at the tree, you didn’t resist, you had no intention to and all you could do was melt against him.
It would seem as if he was taking out his anger on you, but his kisses gradually ease up, and all it starts to translate to is love and of him never wanting to let you go. His hands tether at your waist and he continues to drown you with his kiss, tongue pushing against your lips, asking for access to your mouth. It’s soft yet dominating at the same time, like an artist’s brush that confidently strokes at the canvas, he continues to stroke his lips on yours.
The first signs of rainfall drip on the tree the two of you are under, it escapes past the leaves until he starts to feel it drip on his scalp. He pulls away as the rain starts to hammer harder down on the two of you. He doesn’t mind kissing you in the rain, but it was the thunder that worried him. He instinctively pulls his coat away and over your form, then retreating under a nearby shelter that he knew of.
His face still has desire painted on it, but he looks down at you, slightly drenched and looking cold and smiles a little with apology. “Sorry,” he says curtly and you only grin back at him.
Diluc
He likes the thought of being intimate with you. Kissing is just the most basic form of love that he discovered he enjoys. He enjoys it so much it’s hard for him to tell himself that one kiss will be enough.
It starts with your visit to his study. He’s there, poring over papers and the moment you walk in it’s as if his exhaustion billows away. He waits for you to approach him at his chair behind the desk and greets you by taking your hand and kissing the back of it. “Done with work?” He asks you and you nod your head with a small “Mmhmm,”
He stands then and greets you more intimately with another kiss. Gloved hand placed on your collarbone and clutching at your shoulder as he pulls you in. Your lips fuses into his perfectly, like you were made for each other and he thinks the same. It’s the exact reason why he can never just kiss you once, specially in the privacy of a room.
He kisses you again, but this time with more fervor, like he hadn’t kissed you in forever, like it was his first time seeing you in ages. His weight starts to push on you, and there’s nowhere to go but on his desk. Without ever taking his lips away he hoists you up over his desk, letting you sit comfortably while you wrap your arms around his shoulders. He’s standing in between your legs and his hands are pressed tightly on your waist. He pulls away to see the expression on your face, clearly wanting more.
He doesn’t ever complain about giving you more and the kisses heat up to the point that your tongues are dancing together, panting against the passion, your hands are tangled in his long, red hair, and you instinctively tug at the hair band keeping it together. Your body almost trembles against his at the intensity of his lips conquering yours–
“Master Diluc? The accountant is here to see you,” The knock on the door pulls the two of you apart, but he doesn’t move from his forehead to forehead position with you. It feels hotter in the room, and he’s sure that it’s not just him who feels it. He stalls for a while to think about what to say, wanting to just turn the accountant away and tell him to come back another time, but you laugh under your breath, feeling the conflict in him.
“Master Diluc,” you breathe out, clearly teasing him. “Don’t keep your guest waiting, I’ll come back later,” It’s you who pushes him away and jumps off the desk, turning to open the door and reveal Adelinde behind it. “He’ll be there in a second. Thank you Adelinde!”
Gorou
Shy. So more often than not you’re the one initiating. You’re surprised that he’s actually a good kisser, or did he just get gradually better at it? Maybe he read some books about it…
Gorou already knows what’s on your mind when you ask him “Can I see the armory?” The first time you asked that, he merely raised his eyebrows and said sure. That had turned out to be a full-blown kissing session that left him flustered the whole day.
It had actually been a while since you visited, and so when you ask “Is there anything new in the armory?” with a small grin on your face. Gorou can’t control nor hide the swish of his tail. He doesn’t admit out loud that he’s missed you far more than he can comprehend.
You’re rather shocked as well that when the door to the armory closes he’s the one who captures your lips in a kiss. He pulls away to say “I–I haven’t seen you in so long. I just–” but you silence him with another, pulling at his clothes to get him leaning on top of you, mouths meshed together.
Your hands wander up to his ears, you always do that, rubbing at it while kissing makes him let out a low growl into your mouth and give a slight jump, but he doesn’t hate it. In fact it encourages him to do more. To open his mouth and receive yours. The kissing sounds are starting to sound lewd and his hands are starting to crawl up your sides.
“General?” Gorou jerks away from you, there’s a sound of a weapon clinking, as if it was getting hung up on the wall. There are footsteps coming around to the two of you and you flatten your clothing out hastily. One of his soldiers was in the armory and emerges from a row of weapons. “Ah general! I thought I heard you!” and proceeds to ask about which weapon would suit him more, because he was having a hard time picking.
Gorou glances at you, face still flushed but there’s nothing but amusement in your eyes. He sighs inwardly and makes a future mental note to check if there’s anyone in the premises first before deciding to kiss you.
Itto
He doesn’t constantly think about making out with you but when it starts to happen he can’t get his mind out of the gutter anymore. Doesn’t have a normal amount of shame as well. So getting caught making out is like nothing to him.
His favourite place to go beetle hunting is Chinjuu forest. Apparently that’s where all the big and strong ones are. He’s looking at every nook and cranny. In the river, atop trees, under boulders, on the stone stairs, inside logs. You name it.
When he finally finds one, it’s like he hit the jackpot. “Heyyy!! Y/N, check this out!” he waves over and runs towards you to show you his new found treasure…only for him to trip on a big rock and start falling backwards, the beetle is startled and flies away from his hand.
Itto is somewhat of an impulsive klutz, and so when he realizes that he’s falling he clumsily grabs on to the nearest thing, as if it would help him. Unfortunately, that was you and you end up on the ground with him.
“Ow…Gee…Stupid rock,” he pushes himself up by his elbows and glares at the rock by his foot, then realizes that you’re completely pressed up against him and resting right below his chin. “Y/N! You okay?!”
He wraps one arm around your waist, with how burly Itto was, having you resting on top of him was nothing. He realizes how close the two of you are and a bulb instantly lights in his head. “…Wanna kiss?” He grins shamelessly and you smack his shoulder hard. “Ow!”
“Come on! Just one!” he urges and and somehow flips you over to the ground. Now he’s the one hoisting himself up above you. You consent and he giddily kisses you on the lips. Despite his size Itto is always gentle at first, and he never goes past your boundaries. Always asking if he could kiss you. He pulls away with a satisfied smile, but just looking at you under him like that…it stirs a bit of something in his gut.
“…Another one?” He asks. Eyes tacked on to your suddenly delicious looking lips. He leans in again and this time the kiss he gives has a slight nip to it, his teeth gently nibbling on your lower lip, like he’s trying to get an actual taste of you. He pulls away again, face starting to become pink. “…A-Another–” This time it’s you who pulls him down by his coat, not letting him finish his request and it turns into a full blow make-out session.
It’s a clumsy medley of kisses at first, just trying to taste more of each other and lips grappling for control. There’s a sudden, fiery urgency between your kisses, like you’re losing time, and your hands are starting to slide down his exposed midriff.
“Boss! Bossss!!” You push him away when you hear his gang members calling after him, but he didn’t seem to care and chases after your lips again. “Itto!” you hiss and punch his shoulder. “What?” he looks at you innocently. “Get off! Your friends are coming!”
“So what?” he blinks, actually looking like he doesn’t care. He just doesn’t find anything wrong about giving you affection. “Get off or I’ll never kiss you again!” You threaten and he pouts but relents. By the time his gang members arrive. The two of you are stood up, with you dusting your clothes off and Itto looking like a defeated bear.
Kaeya
You bet he initiates and he does so whenever he feels like it. However, other times, he likes to lure you into his trap by using his charms, so it looks as if you’re the one who started it but in fact he’s been sending you signals the whole time.
“Ah, so here you are,” Kaeya chuckles, kicking the door to the rooftop close as he saunters over to you. Up at the rooftop of the Favonius Headquarters, it was quiet and no one ever really went up there. You could see a small view of the town, as well as the windmills surrounding it.
You were leaning over the railings, and only turned around to give Kaeya a half-glare, crossing your arms over your chest. “Came up here to tease me more?” You said, earning another chuckle from Kaeya. “I’m afraid I don’t know what you’re talking about, love,”
He lifts your face up to meet his using his finger. His grin is handsome, and the moonlight illuminates his eye that much more. Your hands rest on his shoulders as he comes nearer and you mumble at him almost accusingly. “Liar. You couldn’t keep your hands off me during the meeting…”
Kaeya doesn’t say anything but does slither an arm around your middle. He was a menace. The Favonius meetings were long sometimes, and you guessed that he got bored. He kept nudging you with his knee, and at some point had even secretly placed his hand on your thigh, tracing patterns on it with his finger, pretending to listen to the meeting minutes.
Kaeya leans in to whisper into your ear, his breathy voice sends a shiver down your neck and spine. “Can’t help it, your squirming is fun to watch,” and that’s how he gets you to press your lips on his. Just with a little urging, a little teasing, a little subtle touch. It drives you crazy and it entertains him to no end.
“Someone’s impatient,” he whispers again when you pull back, “It’s your fault,” you whisper back. This time he’s the one who makes the move. His kisses are perfect. It touches more than just your lips, it reaches your soul, your heart and the very core of your being. You’re always left wanting more. He knows how to kiss in a way that has you chasing for more, clutching at him for more. He knows that when he sucks at your bottom lip you’ll mewl and bite his back. The heated exchange continues, up until the door to the rooftop slams open.
“Sir Kaeya–Oh…Uhm…I–” The knight who walks in realizes Keaya is in the middle of something. Kaeya doesn’t have plans to turn around, but he does so only to briefly address the knight. “I’ll be there in five minutes,” Kaeya doesn’t wait for the knight to leave, and proceeds to continue kissing you until your lips are sore.
Kazuha
Gentle but will catch you off guard. Always starts off with innocent kisses up until it escalates into a desire that he can’t ignore.
The bird’s nest of the ship. That small lookout on the highest point of the mast, where a crewmember would stay and warn the other crew members if there was an impending doom coming. Like a storm, or another big ship, or a small ship they should avoid. It’s an important part of the ship, but also a somewhat private little getaway.
The breeze is always nice up here, but when night falls it becomes a tad too chilly and you end up wrapped up in Kazuha’s arms and warmth. You stay like that for a moment, just enjoying the lull of the sea and the sound of the waves. After a while longer you tip your head up to look at him, finding that he’s gazing tenderly at you.
You smile, and he follows. A little piece of heaven was so easy for him to obtain with you in his life. You tip your head up to invite him for a kiss, and he effortlessly meets your lips romantically. It takes your breath away, the manner in which he silently claims your lips as his and only his. It’s not demanding nor forceful at all, yet something about it makes you surrender and your knees start feeling weak.
His arms tighten around you, he pulls away for a brief second, only for air and comes back in immediately. This time it feels like his lips scorches yours, the flame that ignites leaves you whimpering for more, clutching at his arms, senseless to everything else except his kiss.
The only reason it stops is because you’re suddenly jerked away from him. He startles as well, feeling his feet sway a little, but his hold on you is protective and reassuring. A strong wave had nearly tipped the two of you off balance, and Kazuha looks beyond the sea to see that a storm might be brewing.
He chuckles a little, aware that he got carried away for a moment there. “Let’s go back down, love. It’ll get dangerous up here in a few,”
Scaramouche
Rough and demands it when he wants it. For him it’s like an impulse, or maybe the result of holding back too much and suddenly exploding with want.
He was sour the whole day, and you had no idea why. Possibly one of his moods. He took it out on nearly all his subordinates, shouting about how everyone here was incompetent and useless.
When night fell and the men had fallen back to their makeshift tents or quarters, Scaramouche came back to his and your tent, done antagonizing everyone for the day. He doesn’t say much as he undresses and prepared for the night, slipping on a simple shirt and shorts. You were already on your shared cot, reading a book about something trivial.
He climbs in with a huff and you can’t help but smile at how childish his temperate was sometimes, but you’re startled when he climbs on top of you, your wrists are suddenly pinned above your head by his lone hand. “S-Scara–”
Wordlessly, his lips demandingly bears down on yours. You let out a slight sigh as you kiss, your eyes immediately closing at how possessive the kiss felt, but it’s exactly the way you like it. You part your mouth for him, and his tongue lashes in like strong waves pulling you under a sudden splash of desire.
The way he kisses you is beyond hungry, devouring your lips and all your senses to focus only on him. “Scara–!” was the only thing you could let out when he pulls back for a breath, a string of saliva connecting the two of you, your face incredibly flushed. That prompts him to do more, moving to yet again taste your lips.
“Sir? There’s an emergency out at the waterfalls. It seems that the resistance is closing in,”
Scaramouche pulls away and curses under his breath. He’s about to kill that soldier who’s standing outside the tent. He climbs away from the bed and starts getting dressed again, leaving you breathless on the bed. Still, you would think he would just leave, but for you, he comes back to where you rest and places a kiss on your forehead. “Wait for me, puppy. Won’t be long,”
Tartaglia
Mischievous and almost calculated. Beckons you to initiate it and leads you into it.
His meeting with the other Fatui agents just ended, and he’s left exhausted and melting into the sofa he was sitting on. His body is totally limp, just wanting to do nothing for a moment in the living room of his hotel suite. Sure, he loved the adrenaline of battle and the excitement it brought. But meetings were something else, it took a lot out of him.
“Childe?” You peer into the living room, having taken refuge in the bedroom that whole time while he took care of his business. He immediately perks up at your voice, his energy levels spiking at the thought of you. “Here, Y/N, we’re done,” he confirms and beckons you over with his hand.
You step out of the bedroom door and walk over to him on the couch, yelping when he easily pulls you atop him, forcing you to straddle him, your knees on the couch and your hands on his shoulders. “Childe!”
He only chuckles and leans back, liking the view of things, one of his hand lazily placed on your waist. “It’s been a long day honey,” he sighs out and takes his other hand to cradle your cheek. “I think I deserve a kiss,”
Indeed he does and you agree with no complaints. You straddle his lap fully when you lean in and hotly connect your lips. Your scent is hypnotic to him, the only thing in the world that could ever catch him off guard was you. He encases your waist in his arms, pulling you closer to him until you’re pressed against each other.
“Mm,” a hint of a moan escapes his lips and into yours. He doesn’t stop kissing you, the intensity increasing with each one. He starts to kiss you in a way that makes your toes curl and your insides burn, your brain melting into nothingness, not even noticing that your hands start to slide up his shirt.
KNOCK KNOCK KNOCK
You pull away, only to be pulled back in. “Keep going,” he breathes out, ignoring the obvious knocking on the door.
“Sir–I’m sorry. We’ve forgotten to report an important part of the mission,”
Childe clicks his tongue, but he hoists you up in his arms and shouts back. “I’m off-duty, come back tomorrow,” before the two of you disappear into the bedroom.
Thoma
Natural. It just happens when it happens. There’s not much thinking involved and there’s no prior teasing.
He’d been busy for a while, setting up things and making sure everything was in place for the Irodori festival. You, being a worker at Yae Publishing house, was also busy during that time period. For the whole festival you didn’t see each other, nor did you have the time to pass by even for a short greeting.
On the final day of the festival, Thoma finds himself waiting for you to finish your shift at the Yae Publishing House stall. “Thoma!” You run up to him, delighted to see your lover after a long week, he meets you with a hug and laugh, spinning you around once before setting you down again and walking to the restaurant that the two of you agreed to eat at for dinner that day.
It was also the celebration of the end of all your hard work for the festival. For this special occasion, he had requested a private dining room for the two of you. The night started off as normal, the two of you talking about your respective events and duties.
“I missed you,” he suddenly interjects in the middle of your story. He just couldn’t help it, it’s been so long since he saw your smiling face. “Ah, sorry, you can continue your story,” he waves a hand, urging you to go on, but you’ve stopped and shifted a little closer to him. “…I missed you too, Thoma,”
And just like that your lips were inviting his. He drops his chopsticks and turns to face you, his hands on both sides of your face to bring you closer to him, to feel his lips melt and combine with yours. He feels your fingers clutch at his shirt. Thoma’s kisses makes you forget your own name. Makes your heart beat faster and faster until it feels like exploding. Every time your lips come apart and together again you’re spun into a dizzying world of fireworks and passion.
“Y/N…” he whispers before he dives in yet again, your hands now tugging at his hair, as if wanting to sink into him deeper.
“Your drinks are here!” The door slides open rather suddenly and the two of you jerk apart, faces an intense red. The server is oblivious and hums to herself while placing the glasses on your table. “Enjoy!” She says before retreating out and sliding the door shut again.
The two of you are tense, but when you meet eyes, you can’t help but let out a snicker, he follows and the two of you are just laughing it off seconds later.
Venti
It’s like a form of entertainment for him, like a hobby. He loves kissing you and he doesn’t hide that at all.
“Venti…are you drunk?” You ask as you sit next to him at the tavern. He’s rather rowdy today, but he raises an eyebrow at your query. “Me? I haven’t even had a drink yet Y/N! I’m just excited I have time to visit the tavern again!”
The two of you are off to a table on the side, it’s a little secluded, but in no ways was it private. The deeper the night got the more people came in, but you realized that Venti wasn’t drinking any booze at all. In fact his attention was all on you, just talking to each other and enjoying each other’s company.
You don’t quite understand Venti’s attraction towards you. It’s as if he appeared one day and decided to latch on to you. Was it really love? Or just fascination? Still, he was a handful, but he was able to take care of you and be considerate of your feelings, despite being energetic and carefree all the time.
“…and so we decided to leave Dragonspine,” you finished your story, drinking some of your mocktail and noting that Venti was nodding at you with sparkling eyes.
“It must’ve been cold up there, hm?” He simply says and it dawns on you only now that his arm is wrapped around your waist and the two of you are quite cozy in that position, your body tucked in his. “You’re so cute, Y/N. It’s almost unbearable, ehe~”
Then, his eyes light up almost instantly. “Ah, you haven’t given me a kiss today! You were so busy in the morning that you forgot!” He leans in, putting his face out for you but you feel your cheeks heat up and decline his offer. “Idiot, we’re in public!”
He’s silent for a moment, realizing that you’re shy, and for some reason that face of yours spurs him even more to try and kiss you. Assertively, he uses his hand to move your turned away face to meet his and he’s the one who leans in for a mind-bending kiss.
You gasp into it, eyes widening at his bravery. Although it was loud in the tavern all you could really hear was your heart beating in your chest. He doesn’t let up, you feel his tongue prodding your lips, asking to be let into your hot mouth and your eyes close automatically, losing yourself into the sudden tingling sensation running up your spine.
He kisses you like you’re the finest wine he’s ever tasted, he drinks you up like he hasn’t had water in days and you feel his mouth just pressing on yours over, and over, and over again–
BANG!
The two of you startle away from each other. One of the waiters has smacked a medium barrel of wine on your table. The type that was for sharing and had a spout connected to it. The waiter saw you kissing, but he didn’t bat an eyelid. That happened all the time in the tavern. Instead, he actually grinned and said. “Here’s that wine you ordered, this’ll warm you both up quick,” and left cackling.
Xiao
Always doesn’t expect how he likes kissing so much. He doesn’t usually initiate but when it happens he’s also surprised by the hunger he has for your lips. It’s almost like the demon inside him comes out and wants to devour you.
Xiao has his own room in Wangshu Inn, but he doesn’t use it as much as one would think. He rarely needed sleep and staying in human quarters just seemed odd to him. He never got used to it.
As an adepti, the outdoors was his calling. It’s where he spent most of his time, even with his brothers and sisters back when they were all together. In a way he was very in touch with nature and his surroundings.
Today he spent the usual night up on the Wangshu rooftop with you. Looking down at the lights and the people weaving in and out. You came to him that night with red lipstick on, and it’s not because you had intentionally put it on. It was because you just finished an opera performance at the inn, and though you weren’t the lead singer you worked as a background dancer, and sometimes that required makeup that stood out, specially in Chinese opera.
Xiao had seen your performances several times. He didn’t say much about it, but he did comment once that he thought the story was beautiful and that your moves matched the story. That was more than enough for you, coming from him.
That night, you were merely wanting to say a brief hello, just as you always did after a show. “I’ll be going now, Xiao,” you say after a moment but his hand reaches out for your wrist and holds you in place.
You turn back with a curious look on your face, wondering if he was alright. “Xiao?” He gently pulls you towards him, and stares at your face. Something in him aches to kiss you. To mess up your makeup.
He moves you over to the wooden railing of the rooftop, your back pressing against it and him trapping you in between. He continues to stare at your lips, and you finally get the message. “Xiao, do you want to…” you gulp, and he does as well. His eyes dart up towards yours, as if asking for permission.
The permission you give is your eyes closing, head tilting the slightest bit forward, letting yourself fall vulnerable in front of him. He lets out a slight sigh at the sight before pressing your mouths together. His hand finds its way to your scalp, moving you closer to him, tasting your moist lips.
He’s aware that he’s possibly smearing lipstick all over himself, but that just heightens his desire. He wants it all over him, only him and when he pulls back to see the mess that he made of you, eyes clouded over, red lipstick smudged to the side of your lips, mouth parted as if asking for more and panting, he lets out an almost guttural groan and plunges in for more.
It’s intense, like his lips had a mind of its own and he wants nothing more than for you to just hold on to him like this forever. And then, in a sudden split second, he disappears into black smoke.
“Here’s your dinner Xiao!” The chef of Wangshu inn, Smiley Yanxiao appears at the entrance of the rooftop, but when he looks around and doesn’t see Xiao there, he scratches his head and addresses you instead. You who was covering your lips to conceal how smeared your lipstick was. “Hey, Y/N, tell Xiao that I’m placing his dinner here, okay? Thanks!”
He proceeds to place the almond tofu dish on a table off to the side and turns around to go back to the kitchen. Your heart is still hammering in your ears and you’re not sure if what happened earlier had really transpired. But when you blink your eyes again and Xiao reappears in front of you, face covered in a rare blush and avoiding your gaze, you’re a hundred percent sure it had happened, and you can’t help but feel your heart skip another beat at that.
Zhongli
Patient. Knows how to bide his time. It’s not rushed or sloppy. It’s slow and sensual and he knows what he’s doing.
“Darling, I’ll be off soon,”
It’s how your mornings with him usually start. He wakes up to tend to his duties as a worker in Wangsheng Funeral Parlor, and you also have to attend to your duties as a simple hairdresser in Liyue Harbor. Appointments with you are usually done in your home, where you and Zhongli lived. Occasionally you do home visits and go to the client’s home instead of them coming to you.
“Mmhmm, I’ll see you later,” You rush over to him who is already at the door, tip toe for a quick kiss and attempt to unfurl away from his hold, only for him to hold on to you tight.
He doesn’t like rushed kisses, though the two of you are busier than usual this morning he’ll hold fast to his promise of giving loving kisses. Never rushed nor in a hurry. “Hold on a moment, dear,” he requests and holds your chin in his hand, slightly squeezing your cheeks and holding it up for him to dip down properly and sensually into a heart-melting kiss.
It gets you every time, and you don’t know how he does it. There’s always an air of confidence in his kiss, he knows what he’s doing and he knows that it gives you butterflies in your stomach. This morning, however, instead of you pulling away satisfied with just one, you ask for more by putting your hands lightly around his neck.
He gets the message and leans into your touch, pulling you by the waist, flattening your whole body against him and starting to deepen the kiss by the second. Glued to one another he claims your mouth sensually, still not in a rush. When your lips come together, it’s soft, but it’s searing hot, as if his lips is melting your skin and kissing every crevice of your being. “Zhongli…” you breathe out when you pull apart for a second, not knowing where your sudden desire comes from.
“Hm…” He merely lets out, amused at this development and continuing to brush his lips against yours. There’s a knock on the door, and that’s a clear sign that the two of you had kissed for too long. Zhongli chuckles, knowing that it must be your first appointment for the day. Just as quickly, he regains composure and kisses your forehead for a final goodbye, like nothing had happened at all.
You’re the one who’s still flustered, staring at his back and wondering how he could open the door and converse happily with the middle aged woman waiting outside your home. You almost pout, but you see him turn towards you and mouth the words “Let’s continue later,” before he bids you goodbye and leaves you with your first client.
Summary:You’ve been best friends for a whilenow, and you definitely have those little feelings of maybe wanting to be more but you just don’t know how to convey it. So you take a leap of faith, put a hand on his cheek, and give him a peck on the lips. Something you’ve never done before. Hey, actions speak louder than words, right…?
Warnings: inspired by an old tiktok trend even though I don’t have tiktok cause it’s banned in my country, lol but it was also a request by an anon, not proofread
Aether
Stunned does not even describe the entirety of it
He’s speechless and staring at you for a good five seconds before his brain starts to work again
“Wait, what was–” touches his lips to try and recall if that really happened or if he was trippin’
“Wait, hold on,” starts laughing at you and grabs at your wrist.
Proceeds to stare at you for another 5 seconds to process the information overload.
“Would you…wanna try that again?” with a loopy yet unsure grin
Albedo
Blinks once and leans back, away from you.
The surprised expression only crosses his face for a second.
He’s trying to logically piece together things and not jump to conclusions cause that’s just not him.
“…Did you, make a mistake?” When you shake your head no he grabs your hand and pulls you closer up against him.
You’d think he’d be more subtle but he might have been waiting for that for just as long as you were.
“Just making sure…before I experiment on your lips again,”
Ayato
arm latches on around your waist before you can even pull back and turns the quick peck into a full kiss.
He doesn’t half-ass anything and is even bold enough to pepper kisses down your jaw.
You’re a little overwhelmed at his response, not expecting it to be this positive.
“Hm?” chuckles. “I’m only giving you what you asked for. One is hardly enough, no?”
Bennett
Has the “?!?!” expression
Simply half confused half shocked
Frozen in both fear and nervousness.
Cannot help but replay the kiss a thousand times in his head before he stutters out
“Y-Y-Y/N?!” and doesn’t even know what to say
Goes red
“T-T-That was a kiss, right?” You nod and he goes even redder if possible
Can’t comprehend it and straight up asks you why you did it. Your attempt at being obvious has failed.
It’s not that he doesn’t like you, he simply just can’t believe it.
Chongyun
just dies. pray for him.
A bit like Bennet but more of a “!!!!!!” reaction and immediately goes red without any prompting.
Has to turn away and calm himself though you can still see his red ears.
You ask him a moment later if he’s okay
“F-F-Fine! I’m…extremely pleased!” Then turns around when he realizes what he said and waves his hands to try and explain. “I-I mean, you don’t have to do it again! I’m just–”
Decides shutting up would be a better option and keeps his mouth closed while his eyes are tacked on to the ground.
Dainsleif
At the first touch of your lips, not even 1 second in he recoils his head back and looks at you with eyes that are a fraction wider
It makes you think that he didn’t like it, since his averse reaction was so fast.
In reality he just doesn’t wanna cross a line that the two of you can’t undo but you take it the wrong way and apologize to him.
He snatches your wrist in a split second, “Don’t apologize. I just…” his eyes wander over to your lips and you see him gulp.
“I just want to make sure this is what you really want…” he says this while learning forward, just waiting for you to be the one to connect the two of you again.
Diluc
Does not even realize that the moment you lean in he ALSO leans forward and welcomes your lips.
Also does not realize that his hand has comfortably placed itself on your hip.
Kiss lasts longer than you intended and when the two of you finally pull back there’s astonishment in his eyes, but the good kind. The type where he’s taken aback by how good and right that felt.
He doesn’t withdraw his hand on your hip but he does cough into his hand and avert his eyes for a moment.
“…That was…rather unexpected…No, I’m not displeased at all…” he explains himself, gets the courage to finally look at you again and breathes out a question, his lips look more luscious than usual but so do yours, in his perspective “May I…once again?”
Gorou
Tail freezes, ears perk up.
His eyes don’t even close and he’s stunned, hand half up about to cover his lips but he seemed to have malfunctioned.
“Y-Y-Y-You can’t just–!!”
There’s so many random things running through his mind:
Did you eat dango for a snack? Cause your lips sure tasted sweet.
How are they so soft? Sure he’s stared at you a couple of times but he didn’t think your lips would be THAT soft.
How is he still alive? He feels as if he’s been sent to heaven already.
Snaps out of all his thoughts by shaking his head, tries to keep a straight face. “W-Warn me next time!”
but his tail is uncontrollably wagging.
Itto
Possibly the one with the most wide-eyed and dumbfounded reaction.
Speechless but savors the taste of your lips.
When he finally comprehends what happens (took you some hand waving in front of his face), he grabs you by the waist and pulls you in for another one. Head dipping confidently, no questions asked and just goes for it.
“W-Wow! Uh…I mean! Didn’t know you were such a good kisser! W-Well. Actually! I can’t really be sure, we gotta try that again and see!”
Eager and oh so ready. Like he found a new hobby.
Will pounce on you if he has the chance.
Kaeya
Sees it coming before it even happens and welcomes it. It’s like he was practicing for it his whole life.
Immediately has his hand pressed against the back of your head to deepen the kiss and lean closer to you.
It definitely lasts for longer than you thought it would.
He pulls back with a grin but doesn’t let you go.
His whisper sends shivers down your spine and he runs a finger under your chin to tip it up “You know this isn’t going to end with just one, right?”
Also the type that would pull you by the waist and he would fall back in bed while you topple on top of him.
Kazuha
It all seems so natural with this guy.
When he sees you coming in his hand rests on your cheek automatically and he receives the kiss gracefully.
The kiss doesn’t deepen, but you feel that he has urged you to lengthen it a little.
When the two of you pull apart it’s not a sudden jerk back, it’s a slow and only slight slide away.
He’s looking at you as if he’s seen the stars in the night sky for the very first time.
He doesn’t utter a word, but his look says it all and he dips down again for another kiss, just assuming that you’re alright with it.
Razor
Blinks. Processes. Blushes
Shy smile on his face but he’s a simple person who communicates better with actions so he kind of understands your intentions.
He moves forward to give you a quick peck on the cheek (that’s the only thing he’s brave enough for) as if returning the favor
then he turns around and pretends to be busy doing his own thing when in truth he has a flustered face on and is just trying to hide his giddiness from you.
Scaramouche
Grabs your wrists, both of them, and demands an answer. “The hell do you think you’re doing?”
He’s not scowling, but there’s a glare on his face and yet there’s a subtle shyness to it. Like you’ve offended him but he doesn’t want to show it.
“If you’re going to do that, you have to do it properly, you dumbass,”
Pulls on one of your wrists so that you’re nearly crashing towards him (just the way he likes it) and clumsily wraps his arms around you and kisses you.
He pretends he knows what he’s doing but has no idea and it’s probably also his first kiss.
Tartaglia
The one that chases after your lips with a laugh.
You kiss, you pull away, but his lips are following yours as you pull backward and it’s just so funny that the two of you can’t help but giggle.
But he always gets what he wants so he cups your face in his hands and gives you a proper kiss.
“Should’ve done it earlier, it’s hard just being your friend,” winks
Also one who will ask for another, and then another, and then another so you’ve gotta have your boundaries set, he’s so good at begging for more kisses too.
If he’s not satisfied and wants more, is also the type to trap you against a wall until you give him another.
Thoma
Has a gasp caught in his throat.
instinctively has his fingers on his lips
“Y/N was that…intentional?”
eyes wide in pleasant surprise and when you nod your head he breaks into a small charming laugh.
“I’m sorry, I made you wait. I’m a little embarrassed that you made the first move but…”
There’s a glow on his face and an unparalleled gentleness in his eyes when he brushes his thumb across your cheek.
“this time, let me do it,” as he leans in for a fireworks behind your eyes kiss.
Venti
Blinks. Is surprised only for a split second then laughs.
“Ahhh so that’s why you’re so jittery today!”
Would wrap his arms around your waist and pull you on his lap.
“No need to be nervous kitten, I’ve been waiting a while too. Come on, just one won’t do!”
Ridiculously giddy and doesn’t hide it. Like a child who has found a new candy store.
At some point he will remind you that you were the one who made the first move. It’ll probably be one of his most favourite stories to tell.
Xiao
You caught him by surprise.
He holds your hand but turns his head away to look at something else, trying to keep his blush covered.
You keep moving to the side he’s turned to only for him to swing his head the opposite direction when you do so, still trying to hide.
“Quit–Quit moving around! I just–” growls under his breath that you won’t let him have his moment in peace.
Suddenly grabs you to plant a clumsy kiss on your lips again.
Then becomes embarrassed all over again.
Xingqiu
Surprised, but kind of in a neutral way.
He’s always liked you and is comfortable with you so he’s delighted, but also outwardly calm about it.
“Hm…Shame. That was a little too quick,”
Inwardly he might be freaking out a little bit.
“I’m…not all that knowledgeable when it comes to these things. But I can assure you that I enjoyed it,”
Tugs at your hand to “hint” that he’d like to try again but probably will have a hard time conveying that he wants to try again using his words.
Zhongli
His lips part a little when it happens and he regains composure fairly quickly.
“Hm…” Will close his eyes to think about it but will also beckon you closer with an upward flick of his hand.
Takes your hand and kisses the back of it. It’s tender and patient and he looks up at you while he does so.
“There’s no hurry…I’m the type of person who…” trails his hand up your arm, to your shoulder and traces your jawline. “Likes to savour things…”
His voice has the ability to make you tremble with some sort of excitement. “Now then…Let’s try that again,”
A/N:ahh it feels so good finally getting this posted. i dropped the piece i was originally working on so i’m glad this brought my motivation back. this is my first shot at modernAU! super fluffy and comforting. everyone, make sure you take care of yourself, especially at this time of the year!
warnings:none
SFW
word count: 1.7k
summary:When you’re about to crack from stress, there’s only one person who is able to put your mind at ease.
“I give up! I can’t do this anymore.”
Beyond frustrated, you slammed your textbook shut. You had been mindlessly staring at its contents for the last few minutes; the now meaningless words definitely would have turned your dull headache into a throbbing migraine if you continued.
After spending the entire day studying, your brain had finally burnt out and forced you away from the monotonous walls of text. The rational part of you knew that nothing would get done if you weren’t focused. Even so, you couldn’t help but feel like you were wasting precious time by taking a break. It made you anxious and only added to your stress.
A heavy sigh fell from your lips as you rubbed your temples. How much time had you spent studying in the first place? Could you even afford to take a break? Similar thoughts pounded in your head, but you were surprised to see the sun setting through the window. The golden light that filtered into the room gave you your answer.
In the middle of standing from your seat at the dining table, a soft knock echoed from your apartment’s front door.
“Coming,” you called. Your voice was weak due to not being used all day.
Upon opening the door, you were met with the troubled face of your boyfriend. Kazuha’s lips formed a slight pout as he looked you up and down, examining your condition.
“Are you okay, (Y/N)? I was getting worried,” he frowned, his voice laced with gentle concern. “You haven’t answered your phone all day.”
You stepped aside, nonverbally inviting him into your apartment. Kazuha shuffled over to your kitchen while you scanned the room for your phone. It was left abandoned, partially hidden underneath a cushion so as to not be a distraction while you worked.
“Ah, yeah—I’m okay. I’ve just had my face stuffed inside these stupid textbooks since this morning. I feel like my head is about to explode.” Picking up your phone, you saw Kazuha’s two missed calls and fourteen text messages from throughout the day, along with the various other notifications left unanswered. Guilt settled in your gut. “I’m sorry, Kazuha… I didn’t mean to worry you.”
While you were distracted on your phone, Kazuha snuck up behind you and trapped you in his arms. Soft lips placed a kiss on your temple, then disappeared as he moved his chin to rest on your shoulder.
“I understand, love. As long as you are safe, I can rest easy,” he consoled. You twisted your body in Kazuha’s hold to face him directly. His scarlet irises contained nothing but love as he gave you a tender smile and tucked a strand of hair behind your ear. “Your dedication is something I greatly admire about you, you know.”
Whenever Kazuha spoke to you, it was almost guaranteed to be something tooth-achingly sweet. Adoration and affection dripped from his words like acid and melted your heart. A comforting warmth grew from your chest and spread through your body, alleviating every knot of tension you carried. Kazuha never failed to make you feel as though your hard work was worth it in the end.
His compliment caused your cheeks to heat slightly. “Mm, careful now. All that sweet talk might go to my head,” you joked. Kazuha shared your goofy smile and leaned in to kiss your lips, only to divert and peck your nose instead. Now, you were the one left pouting while he wore a teasing grin.
“Well, we wouldn’t want that to happen, would we?” Kazuha ruffled your hair and pulled away from the loose hug, making his way back to your small apartment kitchen. “Are you hungry at all?”
You hadn’t noticed the weak pangs of hunger coming from your stomach until his question forced you to acknowledge them.
“I guess I am… I haven’t eaten much all day, actually. I’ve been so busy with other things.” You heard a sigh and the rustle of a plastic bag from the kitchen.
“I figured as much. I brought some takeout from your favorite place on the way here.” The smell of food wafting through the room made your mouth water. “We can watch a movie while we eat, if you want. Is there anything that’s caught your eye recently?”
Ah, so Kazuha really wasan angel. There was no other reasonable explanation for the godsend who you called your boyfriend.
This time, it was you who hugged your partner from behind while he prepared the food. “Thank you, Kazuha,” you said, burying your face in between his shoulder blades. “You always treat me so good… I’ll never know what I did to deserve you.” His upper body vibrated as he hummed in response. You knew it was his way of accepting your words, even if he didn’t completely agree with them.
You stood holding Kazuha in comfortable silence, relishing the feeling of his muscles slightly flexing whenever he moved his arms. His body heat drew you in closer and closer until he wiggled out of your grasp, making a teasingly unimpressed face at the way you ‘couldn’t even wait until the food was ready to cuddle.’
—
You sighed contently, curling deeper into Kazuha’s chest. The light from the television flashed through the room and illuminated your lover’s handsome face with cool blues and magentas. It was a calm night; the lack of clouds allowed the vibrant moonlight to stream through the curtains.
The steady beating of Kazuha’s heart nearly lulled you to sleep. His eyes were hazy as they watched the t.v. screen, as if his mind was somewhere else entirely. This wasn’t an unusual expression for Kazuha by any means. His aloof and easygoing nature was one of the most endearing things about him, but the list went on and on. You loved the way he would offhandedly recite poems while you walked through the park, and the way he always brought an extra umbrella to class for you when he knew it was about to rain, and the way he managed to fall asleep practically anywhere at any time.
But you especially loved moments like these, where it felt as though it was just you and Kazuha, alone and ignorant to the rest of the world. The gentle sighs from his breathing were barely audible over the t.v.’s low volume, yet you could hear them clearly all the same. It was only with him that you felt completely at peace; every stressor in your mind was hushed by his presence.
You figured Kazuha could sense your attention was focused on him when he broke his red eyes away from the t.v. and looked down towards you.
“Is something wrong?”
You chewed the inside of your cheek before speaking your worries aloud.
“Are you happy with me, Kazuha?”
Kazuha’s eyebrows raised, evidently surprised by your question. It was a bit unfair of you to ask something like that out of the blue, but you knew better than to lie to him. Once Kazuha thought you were upset, he would always try to comfort you until you opened up about whatever problem was on your mind. You didn’t want to make him any more concerned for you than you already had.
“Of course I am, love.” He cupped your face with his hand soothingly. “Did something happen to make you think otherwise?”
“No, nothing happened. It’s just that… I’m really happy with you. You’re so sensitive to my needs, sometimes I think you even know me better than I know myself,” you laughed softly. “But, if I don’t make you feel the same way… If you aren’t happy, I don’t want you to waste your time on me—worrying or anything like that. I doubt today will be the last time I disappear for a bit. I won’t be able to spend as much time with you anymore, so I’m scared that I’ll make you frustrated, or you won’t be satisfied being in a relationship with me anymore.” You hid your face in his chest, unable to hold such intimate eye contact with Kazuha at the moment. “I don’t want you to feel lonely.”
You held your breath. There was a short moment of silence before you heard Kazuha chuckle. It was your turn to look up at him in surprise.
“Lonely?” He smiled affectionately. “Don’t you know who you’re talking to, love? Even if a day passes where I don’t see your face, the fact that I can call you mine fills my heart with more than enough joy. There is no room left for loneliness.”
You groaned out a weak complaint, scooting your body up in order to bury your nose in the crook of his neck. “But still,” you whined, “I’ll be really busy with my studies.”
Kazuha huffed at your stubbornness. “Aren’t you forgetting? It’s not as though we won’t be able to see each other at all, and I don’t expect you to drop your work just to spend time with me. I am here only to support you, not to cause you more stress than needed,” he cooed. Kazuha’s fingers combed through your hair as he spoke. You had to stop yourself from moaning out at the feeling. “Unless, you don’t want to be with me anymore? I wouldn’t want to distract-”
“No!” You shot up, looking him directly in the face. “That’s not what I want at all! It was just-”
Kazuha abruptly silenced you with his lips. Your breath was taken away as you temporarily froze in shock, processing his actions before kissing him back just as passionately. The kiss told you everything you needed to know—that there was no point in worrying for Kazuha, that he would get by just fine with some more alone time than usual. He was a bit of a wanderer and was always able to adjust to the flow of things. He never got high-strung over stuff that didn’t go his way. Kazuha was always patient and understanding with you, no matter what happened. You knew you were the luckiest person in the world to have the chance to stay by his side.
As your lungs began to feel tight, Kazuha broke the kiss and pulled a few inches away from your face. You stared at each other, lightly panting, before Kazuha parted his lips to speak.
“Good,” he smiled, “because leaving wasn’t really an option, anyways.”
A/N:the fluff just keeps getting more and more disgusting, doesn’t it? i have severe kazuha brainrot recently… pls enjoy <3
warnings:light swearing, none just fluff
SFW
word count: 1k
summary:If you were left with no choice but to leave the comfort of your bed, there was no other way you’d want to wake up. Morning cuddles with Kazuha!
It was nearly impossible not to be lulled to sleep by the motion of the waves. They gently rocked the hull of the Alcor like it was a baby’s cradle. Some days, it was impossible to rest as violent storms shook the battleship all through the night. The ocean had chosen to be merciful, however, letting you comfortably sleep without a care in the world.
Fingers ran through your hair, lightly massaging from your temple to your crown, to the base of your neck. The feeling made you hum in pleasure. You curled in closer to the heat source underneath you, trying to find even more contact than your already close proximity offered.
“(Y/N)… It’s time to greet the day, my love.”
A displeased noise left your throat. You weakly squeezed your left arm that was tucked around the waist of the person separating you from the surface of the bed. Two pairs of legs impossibly managed to become even more tangled in each other, the mess hidden beneath a shared quilt.
Their hand that wasn’t petting your head rubbed your back soothingly, tracing lines up and down your spine. “Don’t be like that… I can tell that today will be beautiful, with nice weather and clear skies. Let’s go look together, shall we?”
You slowly opened your eyes at their words. The thin curtains that framed your cabin’s windows had been left open, allowing sunlight to leak through and paint the floor and walls. Distant chatter was muffled outside of your door, along with the sound of crying seagulls and splashing waves. You lifted your cheek up from the bare chest of your partner, replacing the empty spot with your chin.
Kazuha smiled down at you with sleepy eyes that were slightly less fresh to the morning than your own. The sunlight highlighted the gentle curves of his features. His hair was even more curly than usual, now released from the confines of its hair tie. White and red strands swirled everywhere like a halo, accentuating his angelic face—urging you to give it some attention. Who were you to deny the request?
Your hand, which had been resting open-palmed on his chest, snaked up to his cheek. You traced Kazuha’s cheekbone and tucked a portion of his bangs behind his ear. The eye near your hand shut as his head leaned in closer.
“I’m perfectly content with this view,” you objected. You knew there was no sight in Teyvat that could ever compare to the man in front of you.
Kazuha sighed out through his nose but gave you no response. Thinking you won a few more minutes of sleep, you retracted your hand from his face and snuggled back into his chest. His slow heartbeat drummed against your ear, calming your own heart. It was peaceful for only a moment.
Your lover wrapped his arms around your waist and suddenly flipped you over. Your eyes shot open in surprise, looking up at the man who now straddled your body. Kazuha’s bangs hung down, tickling your forehead. His hands were placed on either side of your head and his elbows were bent, allowing him to lean his face only centimeters away from your own. You pouted, knowing he was plotting something to get you out of bed.
“What’s with that look, darling?” Kazuha asked with a smile. His eyes broke contact with your own as he moved up to kiss your forehead.
“Your sinister temptations have no effect on me. I won’t be swayed so easily…” You said, lying through your teeth. Kazuha knew as well as you did just how badly you crumbled under his kisses.
“Sinister?” he laughed. “Isn’t that a bit much?” Kazuha’s lips moved to your right temple and down your cheek. You subconsciously tilted your head to give him more access.
“No… It’s definitely warranted when you use such underhanded methods. Ulterior motive bleeds through those kisses of yours.” You could feel his lips smile against your face through his kisses, which had now finished trailing down your left cheek.
Kazuha’s half-lidded, loving eyes returned to meet your own. His soft hand cupped your face as he leaned down, placing a final kiss on your lips. You fully succumbed to his plan and closed your eyes, deeply kissing him back.
After a few seconds, Kazuha broke the kiss and touched his nose to the tip of yours.
“Guilty.”
His kiss itself had distracted you from its purpose. You couldn’t help but chuckle as he fully pulled away from your face. Kazuha sat on top of you, resting his weight on his own legs instead of your body. The two of you stayed in that position, happily gazing into each other’s eyes and letting the bliss of the moment linger. Tranquil moments such as these were precious; both of you knew to cherish them for as long as possible.
An abrasive knock disrupted the peaceful air, pulling your attention to the cabin’s door.
“Kazuha! (Y/N)! Get your asses out of bed, Captain Beidou needs you!” A voice called. Kazuha climbed out of bed and began to make himself presentable. You sighed annoyedly, throwing your forearm over your eyes.
“It isn’t fair, Kazuha. Why can’t we just stay here all day?” You complained. He just laughed in response.
“I tried telling you, love. You should know by now that Captain Beidou waits for no one.” He finished brushing his wild hair and tied it into its usual side ponytail. “After we deal with Beidou, we can have some breakfast together. I’ll even make us some tea.” Kazuha walked over to the side of the bed and stood over you with an expectant look on his face.
A final huff fell from your lips as you threw the quilt off your body and crawled out of bed. As you and Kazuha got ready for the day together, chatting about the limited items on the breakfast menu, a warm feeling filled your heart. If you had to leave the comfort of your bed, then there was no other alarm you would rather wake up to.
A/N:requested by @feartheuwu lol idk if you were deadass about a part 2… i wasn’t planning on doing one but i made a small little bonus just since you asked and i had an idea from my shower thoughts <3 not much, just a little somethin sweet for the kids. pls enjoy!
The first night of the banquet came to a quiet end as the party goers slowly filtered out. The conscious sailors of the Alcor dragged their inebriated crewmates out of the square—whether they were on their way home or to a nearby bar, only the Archons knew. I chose to stay behind, offering to help close stalls and collect any stray dishes left behind.
“So, you and Kazuha, huh?”
A sudden loud voice by my side made me jump, pulling away from the table I was cleaning. Beidou stood there looking at me with a cheshire grin and red cheeks. I couldn’t even act surprised at the confrontation.
“O-oh, you saw all that?” I awkwardly chuckled.
“Me and the whole harbor,” she smirked. “Who knew he had it in him! It was about damn time, too. I made quite the haul in bets tonight thanks to that!”
“Bets?! You guys bet on—wait, how did you even know what happened? We were too far away from anyone to be overheard!” My entire face burned.
Beidou just laughed and raised her eyebrows. “We didn’t need to hear anything! It was pretty obvious from the way you both-”
“Okay, okay, I get it!” I cut her off. I didn’t think I’d survive hearing about how my entire crew watched Kazuha and I dance together. “Gods, this is so embarrassing. I told him that we wouldn’t hear the end of it-”
Peck!
“Oh, hello there, Captain! I didn’t know you were still here.”
I stared at Beidou in shock, not quite comprehending what had just happened. A hand was thrown around my hip and held me against the sudden body by my side. A body that belonged to Kazuha, who had just kissed my cheek in front of Beidou. The tall woman let out a booming laugh at the scene.
“Kazuha! Have some tact in front of your boss, won’t you?” She joked, obviously undisturbed by his actions. “Don’t go breaking a valuable crew member of mine.”
My mouth was gaping open stupidly, like a fish out of water. Kazuha’s body was warm against mine. The ghost of his lips was the spark that lit me on fire.
“I-I’m not…Kazuha! Why would you…” I couldn’t form a cohesive thought, whipping my head between Beidou and Kazuha. I heard him chuckle at my flustered state.
“Captain, I’m almost offended at the idea. Me? Breaking (Y/N)? I would never do such a thing.” Kazuha leaned close to me, whispering in my ear with a smirk, “Isn’t that right?”
This man was going to be the death of me.
I pulled away from Kazuha’s hold on me and held my hands out defensively. My mouth moved, trying to stutter out an answer, but ultimately failing. Instead of standing there like an idiot for any longer, I decided to grab the dishes I had been previously collecting from the table and began to speed-walk away.
“Agh! Y-You both are so annoying!” I heard them share a laugh as I moved farther away.
-
“Excuse me, Beidou. I ought to go fix what I broke,” Kazuha said. He made his way after you with a cheeky smile on his face, leaving Beidou to shake her head and grin, happy for her two friends.
A/N:this piece made me really soft,, i’m coping with the loss of the megumi nendroid selling out so fast… anyways, please enjoy <3
warnings:drinking, pure fluff
SFW
word count: 1.6k
summary:After a long voyage, the only way the Crux Fleet knows how to celebrate their return is with a big party. Kazuha seems to have his own agenda for the night, however.
It was no secret that the Crux Fleet loved a good party.
Anytime the rambunctious crew of the Alcor had a successful voyage, they made sure to celebrate it properly. Their previous trip had been especially bountiful. They had managed to overfill multiple crates with valuable gems and artifacts; loot that would surely make a grand profit for the fleet. The only way to adequately welcome them home and acknowledge their victories was by holding their traditional three-day long celebratory banquet.
The tame docking square of Liyue harbor was quite the sight to behold during the banquet. It was transformed into a lively place with fragrant food stalls lining the area and tons of citizens and crew members enjoying the Wanmin Restaurant’s catering. Live music constantly filled the air, whether it was Xinyan’s famous rock or a small acoustic band. People danced all through the square and chatted with each other. The boisterous energy of the Crux Fleet seemed to be contagious all around, fueling the spirit of the banquet goers. It was either that or the copious amounts of alcohol available to the public.
I couldn’t help but laugh as I watched my crewmates enjoy the party. They acted like children on a sugar-high, running around and dancing with each other. An arm-wrestling tournament had somehow formed in the corner of the square, Beidou of course holding the title of “undefeated arm-wrestling champion.” This didn’t discourage any of the burlier men, however. They only laughed at their defeat and declared a rematch against the battle ship captain.
A small group of the more reserved crew members had settled down on the other side of the platform and fell into casual conversation. I hung on the outskirts of this group, leaning against the balustrade and nursing a cup of alcohol. It made me happy to watch all of my friends relaxing and enjoying the well-deserved banquet held just for them. The change of pace was needed after the arduous trip we all had just returned from.
I sighed deeply, resting my muscles and letting the sound of music and idle chatter fill my ears. A new presence next to me caused me to turn my head.
Kazuha had found his way to my side while I was distracted by the party. He looked at me with his kind eyes and tender smile. I noticed his cheeks held a bit more color than usual, the culprit most likely being the cup of alcohol he also held. In all honesty, I would be more surprised if there was someone who wasn’tdrinking at this banquet.
“Didn’t feel like arm-wrestling with Beidou?” I asked with a chuckle.
“Mm, can’t quite say I wanted to break an arm tonight,” he joked back. I loved when Kazuha was in the mood to joke around with me—his sarcastic side always managed to light a fire in my stomach. It was impossible not to feel excited.
I sent my gaze back out towards the banquet’s crowd. “You don’t usually hang around for these types of things. Something special about tonight?” I wasn’t complaining about his presence. If anything, I hoped he would stay as long as possible. It was good for him to be social every once and a while, especially when we were cramped up on the Alcor for so long.
“Not in particular. It’s a beautiful night beside the water, and the air is warm and comforting,” Kazuha mused. “I also happened to be in the mood for a drink.” He always did say he enjoyed a cup of wine late at night.
“Well, this certainly is the place to find one.” I took a sip from my own drink. “Are you glad to be back on land for a bit? I know that trip definitely took a lot out of me. It seems to have been worth it, though.” I was exhausted from all of the fighting out at sea, but this banquet had eased my mind greatly.
Kazuha hummed. “Aren’t we all glad? The ocean has its moments, but the scenery grows familiar rather quickly. Fish was also becoming quite tiresome…” he trailed off. It wasn’t often he complained to me. The alcohol must have loosened him up more than I realized. I gave him an understanding smile.
“You did good out there, Kazuha. We definitely wouldn’t have brought so much treasure back if it wasn’t for you. You worked hard, so enjoy yourself for a bit.”
He paused to stare at me through heavy eyes, then looked away contemplatively. “You know, I might just have to.”
I was a bit confused at his response but brushed it off. The two of us continued to talk and laugh about various things—recounting stories of our fights out at sea and the stupid stuff our crewmates did while drunk. I wouldn’t have wanted to spend the night relaxing with anyone else but Kazuha.
There was something about the time that we spent together that was just so…unique. No one else made me feel the same way he did. Whenever he was with me, I couldn’t help but give him my undivided attention. I wanted him to notice how completely invested I was in his words—in him and his entirety. I wanted him to be interested in me in the same way.
The live musicians played various songs until a slower ballad arrived. The shift in the atmosphere was nearly unrecognizable. People carried on talking and drinking as usual. Only a handful of couples had decided to dance together in the docking square to the music.
Kazuha’s attention had been drawn to these dancers. They swayed together to the rhythm, spinning and stepping with their partners. I almost felt sleepy watching them move.
The samurai next to me rested his drink on the railing behind us and blocked my vision with his body, breaking the trance the dancers held on me. He looked into my eyes with determination and the hint of something else I couldn’t quite place.
“You told me to enjoy myself tonight, so,” Kazuha said, holding his hand out to me. “Come dance with me.”
I felt my cheeks flare red.
“Dance with you?” I laughed out, surprised. “You’re drunk. Since when do you dance, anyways?” He only looked at me with a mischievous smirk.
“Since now. Now, come on. Before the song ends.”
I was left stuttering as Kazuha grabbed my hand, pulling me out into the middle of the square with him. Once he was satisfied with the spot he found, he turned towards me. I could feel the curious stares of the Crux Fleet on us as Kazuha set his hands on my hips.
“W-wait, Kazuha! I don’t even know how to dance,” I tried complaining. I thought I was going to die from embarrassment.
“It’s not that hard to pick up on. I had to learn these types of things as the heir of my clan. It seems that now is the time they will finally come in useful,” he smiled. “Just trust me to guide you.”
With those comforting words, Kazuha removed his hands from my waist and slid them down my arms, wrapping them in my own hands. They were warm and soft, except for a few callouses here and there. He lifted my hands up to his shoulders, causing our chests to move closer together, then returned his hands back to my sides. This position was the most intimate I’ve ever been with Kazuha. My head began to spin.
There was nowhere left to look but directly at him. His entire body filled my vision and consumed my senses. It would have been overwhelming if he wasn’t giving me such a loving look.
His expression calmed me down. It was understanding and patient, waiting for me to adjust to the situation before making any other moves. I decided to trust his words and follow his lead.
Kazuha got the hint and slowly began to sway with the music, lightly pushing my hips side to side with each motion. Next, he began to move his feet, stepping slightly. After some time, I finally caught on and we fell into a comfortable slow dance together. When I was no longer distracted with learning how to dance, I plopped my face into his shoulder embarrassedly.
“The crew isn’t gonna let us live this down, you know.”
Kazuha just laughed.
“Perhaps. It’s your fault for telling me to enjoy myself, though. You’ve only brought about your own downfall.” I could hear his grin and couldn’t stop one from breaking out on my face as well.
“You’re such a dork,” I laughed, closing the distance between our bodies. My head rested on his shoulder, the remainder of my body pressed flush against his own. I felt Kazuha’s hands hug behind my back.
No one could hear us talk due to the volume of the music and our distance away from everyone else. We just kept dancing together, letting the song guide us.
“(Y/N).”
“Hmm?”
“I really like you, you know.”
I tensed for a second, surprised by his confession, before goofily smiling into his shoulder.
“Oh, is that so?”
Kazuha pinched my side lightly, making me laugh and flinch away. “Come on, I’m serious,” he chuckled.
I lifted my head from his shoulder so I could face him directly. His cheeks were a rosy pink and a soft smile graced his features.
“Well, Kazuha, I really like you, too.”
His toothy smile grew. Kazuha shut his eyes and bumped his forehead against mine as he let out the most angelic laugh I’ve ever heard. Nothing more needed to be said between the two of us. All we could think about was each other, completely oblivious to the world around us; the distant groans and cheers of crew members passing around their betting money also went unnoticed. Kazuha and I were so focused on each other that we didn’t even realize the slow song had already ended quite some time ago.
A/N:aah i’ve been working on this one for a while! i really hoped to get it posted today, so i’m sorry if it sounds rushed;; there are some intense scenes later in the story so please be aware if you’re sensitive towards that! i tried to write an inazuma setting so i hope i used accurate terms. it’s heavily inspired by teapot dialogue and kazuha’s character stories// the bake-danuki mentioned are the little tanuki who prank people and dance
warnings: swearing, light blood, violence, break-in, intense scene, ooc, reader mentioned to be smaller than kazuha
SFW
word count:5.8k
summary:You live in a forest far from the city. When someone knocks on your door during a storm, will you regret opening it to greet them?
Crash!
Lightning struck nearby, its booming echo piercing through the dense rain. The night sky was pitch black, visible only when another flash of lightning sparked life into the thunder clouds. The intensity of Inazuma’s storms had been slowly increasing as of late.
From the safety of my home, I watched the tall Aralia trees—which usually swayed peacefully—be harshly blown by the storm’s aggressive winds. The force of the downpour caused the rain to fall diagonally, agitating all the nearby greenery and sending wildlife into hiding.
I returned my attention to the kettle of tea brewing. Stormy weather was unpleasant if you were caught outside during its onslaught, but wonderful background noise to enjoy a book to. I’ve always found the sound of drumming rain to be therapeutic, even if its current intentions were anything but. Tension disappeared from my body just from the thought of snuggling under my kotatsu with some hot tea and the latest novel I purchased.
A sudden knock brought me out of my musings. That couldn’t be right. Why would anyone be outside so late in this weather, and at my door, nonetheless? A few seconds passed in silence. Before I could write off the sound as my imagination, a second series of knocks from my front door confirmed the existence of a visitor. I skeptically made my way to the door, opening it to greet whatever mysterious person found their way there.
Standing in front of me was a young, white haired man, soaked by the rain from head to toe. He was on the shorter side and had a non-threatening presence, although my eyes were instinctively drawn to the sheathed sword at his hip. Warm-colored maple leaf patterns painted his black yukata—it was only the top layer to a second white and red one. His forearms were wrapped in bandages and shiny, black armor plating. I brought my focus to his face. The man’s eyes were a fiery red, yet felt mysteriously peaceful to look into. Dripping white bangs tickled his pink nose and soft cheeks. My unexpected visitor was quite handsome.
“Good evening, miss. I hope I’m not disturbing you by showing up so late?” he spoke. His voice had a soft, soothing tone that effortlessly carried his smile in it.
“U-um, no! It’s alright.” I was caught off-guard by the situation but tried not to let my confusion be too evident on my face. How long had this guy been outside for? The wind probably would’ve blown me away the second I went out. Not wanting to keep the man there longer than need be, I asked, “Is there something I can help you with, sir?”
He nodded.
“I am a wanderer who’s been caught in this storm-” That much was obvious. “But, there aren’t many places nearby that offer shelter. Usually, I try to find unoccupied caves or abandoned temples, but it appears those options aren’t available tonight.” He chuckled sheepishly, rubbing a hand over his nape. “I thought I would try my luck at a nearby house. Although, it’s alright if you turn me away. I understand how a stranger asking for shelter late at night can appear from your perspective.”
This traveler had a point. Red flags should be waving all around, keeping me on guard from any potential danger. They should, and yet, I found myself feeling comfortable with him. He wasn’t pushy or agitated and even acknowledged how the situation looked objectively. Besides his words, the man himself made me curious; I wanted to learn what would happen if I let him inside. Doing just that, I pulled my door open for him.
“You are welcome to stay here for the night. Let me grab some tea and something for you to dry yourself off with,” I said, closing the door behind him once he stepped inside. Water instantly began pooling on the floor where he stood. The layers of his outfit were thick and the water weight only made it appear more uncomfortable. “I can take some of your clothes and set them to dry by the fire if you’d like?”
“Please,” he agreed. I noticed his hands were covered in small scars and callouses—proof of his experience wielding a blade. I watched them unwrap the black and red scarves from around his neck and hang them over his forearm. Next, they slowly untucked his black yukata from his belt, then slid the garment off his shoulders. I only caught myself staring when he began removing the white yukata. His chest was now exposed, showing the droplets of water that trailed over his muscular chest and abdomen, tempting my eyes to fall lower. I felt my cheeks growing warm at the sight.
“Uh, wait a second! Let me grab you a change of clothes first! I should have something that fits…” I shuffled away into another room before he could respond, returning moments later with a towel and an oversized outfit for my veryhandsome guest. Thankfully for my sanity, he had stopped stripping in my absence and patiently waited for his clothes.
I excused myself while he changed. Upon announcing that he was finished, I took his folded, wet clothes into the kitchen and placed them by the open fire to dry. I set the still warm kettle of tea and two cups onto a tray, carrying it out into the living room. The man had remained near the front door, not daring to cross any boundaries while I wasn’t present. He was very polite, I noted.
“Here, come sit. I actually had some tea brewing when you arrived, so it’s still fresh,” I smiled, pouring him a cup as he sat across the kotatsu from me.
“Thank you, miss. You’re very kind to be doing all of this for me.” His movements were graceful as he accepted the tea, bringing the cup to his lips and blowing on the drink’s steam.
I took the moment of silence to study him again. The top he now had was a white, long-sleeved piece meant to be worn beneath outer layers. It ended up fitting wrong on me but looked rather nice on him. It hugged his chest, stretching over his muscles and leaving little to the imagination. His arms were hidden by a comfortable, earthy green haori. I also took notice of his hair, now removed from the ponytail’s hair tie and falling just above his shoulders. Some of the wet strands had curled slightly, mixing with the red streak and cutely framing his face.
My guest sighed appreciatively after taking a sip from his cup.
“Ah, pardon me for not introducing myself. My name is Kaedehara Kazuha. Please, call me Kazuha.”
Kaedehara Kazuha. I thought his name fit him nicely. It was smooth, like his voice, and rolled off the tongue easily.
“Kaedehara… that sounds familiar,” I wondered aloud. Kazuha hummed in response.
“The Kaedehara Clan used to be a renowned noble house, but has fallen from grace over time. It has long since held its previous status. I would’ve been the one to inherit the Clan’s wealth and prestige, but it appears the Archons had other plans for me.” Kazuha didn’t sound upset while revealing this information. Rather, he sounded quite relieved while speaking of his clan.
“I see.” I nodded in acknowledgment. “My name is (Y/N). It’s very nice to meet you, Kazuha.”
“The pleasure is mine, (Y/N). It’s rare that people are willing to house wanderers like myself on such short notice. The weather lately has been difficult to travel in without some form of shelter, as well. Though, I wasn’t expecting to find a house so far away from the city,” he commented. It was true. My house was far from Inazuma City, and there weren’t any villages around for miles. I had lived alone here for some time.
I awkwardly laughed out. “Yeah, I’m probably the only person around in this forest. I moved out here a while ago, trying to escape the city.”
Thunder clapped outside, reminding me of the storm that continued to rage. I couldn’t help but grimace at the thought of it damaging my house somehow. That would be a pain in the ass to repair.
“I have many unhappy memories from the last time I was in the city. It got to the point where I couldn’t stand living there, so I thought moving out here would help me a bit,” I explained. “It ended up being a good decision! I’m an author, so gaining new experience out here has been really beneficial for my writing.”
Kazuha smiled softly at me, as if he related to my struggles.
“I understand the stress that comes from living in the city quite well. Having the opportunity to travel through nature the way I do is truly a blessing. Your heart calms when you’re alone, and you’re able to appreciate the beauty in the land around you. Sometimes, you’ll even end up having special encounters, such as this one.”
Kazuha had a way of speaking that was very dreamy; each word was laced with empathy and genuine interest in the conversation.
I found myself relaxing around Kazuha. We had only just met, yet conversing with him felt unexplainably natural, as though we’d been well acquainted for a long time. I was nervous opening my door to him at first. Inazuma’s storms were not to be taken lightly—I would have felt terrible leaving him outside to brave the weather. Taking him in turned out to be the right decision, and one I would have done many times over.
Our conversation carried on for a while. Kazuha told stories of his travels and the most recent places he visited, while I talked about the latest novel I was writing. I learned he enjoyed poetry and had the curious talent of turning leaves into makeshift instruments. Autumn was his favorite season, as it had the best weather and was the most opportune time to enjoy the scarlet maple leaves. The night grew late before we ended our conversation, fresh out of tea and feeling sleepy.
I made Kazuha a temporary bed on the living room floor. We said our goodnights before I departed into the other room, crawling into bed more satisfied than usual with the day’s end.
-
Kazuha had left early the following morning, only after profusely thanking me. Our time together was pleasant, so I told him he was always welcome to stay when he found himself in the area. He responded with a smile and wave, leaving me to return to my usual routine. I wouldn’t see my traveling friend again until a couple of weeks later.
The next time Kazuha appeared on my doorstep, the sunset had already covered the sky in bright shades of orange and pink. In his hands was a small box filled with sweets, “repayment for last time,” he had said. I laughed at his antics and brought him inside.
After I (barely) managed to convince him to share the box of desserts with me, we quickly fell into easy conversation. He recounted his latest adventures and the various people he met, while I updated him on my relatively calm life out in the forest.
This became a normal thing between the two of us. Every few weeks, Kazuha would show up at my house with some new gift he picked up on his travels. His presents constantly varied. Sometimes, he arrived with a box tricolor dango and sakura mochi, or he had small decorations and trinkets for my shelves. Once, he even brought a kitsune mask from a festival held on the other side of the island from me, paired with a vivid recollection of the beautiful firework shows.
I loved listening to Kazuha’s stories more than anything else. They were so beautifully told that I felt I was there experiencing the events alongside him. I felt as though I had passed my own hand through the sakura blooms beneath the Sacred Sakura of the Grand Narukami Shrine, catching the soft pink petals in my palm. I felt as though I had walked along the Araumi shore that was sprinkled with vibrant blue sea ganodermas and cherry-colored crabs that blew bubbles in the water. A large number of his tales became inspiration for my writing; in his absence, I eagerly awaited his return just so I could hear more. Just so I could see him again.
Before I knew it, Kazuha had become my motivation and my muse.
-
Storms plagued the sky again tonight. Heavy, thick drops of rain fell non-stop against my roof and the rest of my house creaked and moaned under the force of the wind. I shifted cozily in my bed, sleepy and unbothered by the typical Inazuman weather.
I didn’t fight against my thoughts as they drifted to the frequent occupant of my mind. Kazuha hadn’t visited in a while—longer than he usually was gone, in fact. The last time we were together, he said he planned on traveling past Narukami Island. I wondered what he was doing. Perhaps he found some abandoned ruins, overtaken by vegetation and aged by the weather, or an old shrine, still being cared for by a friendly village. Maybe he found a nice spot to watch the clouds pass and play a song on his leaf flute. I hoped he was somewhere that made him happy.
I did worry for Kazuha every time he left, but my trust in him outweighed any of my nervous feelings. I knew he was a level-headed, experienced traveler who could protect himself from danger. To offset the small frown on my lips, I buried my face in my pillow and forced myself to think positively. If I let myself think the worst every time Kazuha went on a new journey, I would give myself an aneurysm.
Instead, I tried to guess what gift Kazuha would share with me the next time he visited. I loved everything he brought back, regardless of the quality or cost. The last gift he brought me, I was particularly fond of. It was a small teru teru bozu doll, but the usual string had been replaced by a black and red ribbon. The doll appeared as if it was wearing a miniature version of Kazuha’s scarves. It rested on my bedside table, propped up against-
Crack!
I jolted up into a sitting position. A loud noise had sounded through the house, too nearby to have been thunder. My heart beat painfully fast, having gone from steady to frantic in just a second. Adrenaline killed all the haze in my brain and made me fully alert. In the dead silence, I heard footsteps make their way to my bedroom door.
I completely froze.
My chest was tight and my body went stiff. The shock was short-lived and overwhelmingly replaced with fear as the door violently swung open. Its momentum caused it to bounce off of the wall, vibrating the room and making a terrible booming sound. My blood ran cold.
This was my first time experiencing a break-in, and I was utterly terrified. I was terrified of the way the shadowy figure stood in the doorway, looming and unbalanced, disguised by the darkness of the room. I was terrified of the sounds they let out: heavy pants that could have easily been called growls. I was terrified of the unavoidable reality I faced, the reality of being completely alone and defenseless at this moment.
But, more than anything, I was terrified of the long knife they held in their hand, pointed accusingly and directly at me.
My fight or flight sense kicked in harder than it ever had before when a throaty yell came from the intruder. I dove out of my bed and onto the floor as they leaped at me, knife digging deep into my mattress. I didn’t have time to think of excuses. My brain was completely focused on escaping this person who had obvious intent to kill.
I forced myself off of the floor, stumbling forwards. They quickly climbed over my bed and dove at my low position. My stomach dropped as a vice-like grip squeezed my ankle. Their fingers were long and boney as they dug into me. In tandem, I harshly yanked my leg away and pulled my dresser over, trying to hit them with its momentum. They realized my plan and released their hold, barely dodging the dresser as it crashed onto the ground.
The large piece of furniture created a temporary blockade between myself and the intruder, giving me time to bound towards the door. If I could make it out of my room, I had two options: I could escape the house through the front door or grab a knife from the kitchen and fight back. These thoughts were useless, however. I wasn’t even able to make it out of the bedroom.
The same iron grip that had bruised my ankle bunched the fabric of my shirt. It tugged—hard—and I was thrown onto the floor even deeper into the room. The air was roughly knocked from my lungs and winded me. I was lightheaded and dizzy, but I forced myself to shuffle back against the wall in a desperate attempt to put distance between us. This person now blocked me from the room’s only exit and trapped me into a corner.
I flinched, startled by a flash of lightning outside. The window let in the sudden white light, illuminating the face of the person who stood over me, still wielding a long knife. I could make out the face of a man. His cheeks were hollow and his eyebrows were pinched above wide and crazy eyes. His mouth hung open, taking in huge, greedy breaths. It seemed that he was covered in blotches of dirt and his clothes were torn in several places, as if he had gotten into a fight outside. I couldn’t make out any injuries on his body, however.
The light disappeared as just as quickly as it arrived, allowing the shadows of the room to submerge us back in its depths. My body was shaking and a cold sweat had long since broken out.
“W-Who are you?! Why are you attacking me?” I cried out. This only agitated the man further.
“Don’t play your games with me, you damn bake-danuki!” he shouted, pointing the weapon more confrontationally at me. “I know how your pranks work all too well! Do you even realize what you’ve put me through, you little shit?” His jaw was tightly clenched, straining the muscles in his neck. The arm that pointed the knife at me was shaking, presumably due to the strength of his grip.
This man was absolutely insane.
“Bake-danuki?!” I gasped out. “You’re crazy! I’m not a bake-danuki! I’m a human! I don’t even know who you are, you broke into my house!”
He let out a groan and yelled, “Shut up!” Lunging towards me, he stabbed his knife directly at my face.
I threw my body onto the ground, avoiding the blade now lodged deep into my wall. This angered the crazy man even further. He gave up on the knife and jumped on top of me, straddling my body on the ground. I hit and clawed at his arms as they reached towards me. Gross hands wrapped tightly around my neck. I began to panic and scratched him more, but he was unaffected by my attempts. We glared at each other with equal ferocity until black dots began blurring my vision. He continued shouting at me.
“You think I’m stupid?! No one would have their home out here, in the middle of nowhere, except for you conniving little bake-danuki! I’m so-” Pant. “Damn-” Pant. “Tired of you!” He spat out, heavily gasping. I felt my eyes begin to roll back.
“Can’t laugh now, can ya? Now that you’re on the losing side, huh? Don’t worry. I’ll be laughing plenty enough for the both of us once-”
Air raced back into my lungs as his hands released my throat. I didn’t have much time to savor the feeling as I was immediately yanked up. I was sitting on the floor still, but instead of the wall behind me, it was the chest of the intruder, legs on either side of me. One hand gripped my jaw painfully and forced my face up. I figured the other was holding the blade I felt pressed against my neck.
I didn’t have many other options but to look forwards, instantly seeing what had caused the shift in the man.
Even though it was dark in the room, I could clearly make out Kazuha’s familiar figure, which had just walked in through the doorway. His sword was sheathed and he held both his hands parallel to his head. We were on opposite sides of the room from each other, but his presence alone filled me with hope again.
“K-Kazu-”
“Shut up, bake-danuki.” Kazuha cut me off sharply. I was taken aback for a moment. His voice was still and emotionless. I could feel the man shift uncomfortably behind me.
“W-Who are you? How did you find this place?” The man stuttered out. He didn’t sound like he trusted Kazuha, but was also much less aggressive to him than he was with me.
“It appears we’ve come for the same reason, no?” Kazuha tilted his head at me. “This bake-danuki has been tormenting me for weeks. It was time I came and put a permanent end to its games.”
I felt the man slowly, but eagerly sit up behind me to respond. “Yes! Yes, I know exactly what you mean!” He let out a relieved, airy laugh. It was the laugh of someone who had been driven to the brink of insanity for a while. “I’ve been lost out here for days, and it’s all because of them! Every time I think I’ve found food or water, or even someone’s house! I get pranked by the bake-danukis! I just couldn’t take it anymore…” His mood dropped as he held the knife closer to my throat, opening a small cut. “It’s just so cruel what you vile things do to us,” he complained. His hot breath in my ear made me cringe.
My body hurt from the fight earlier and the interaction occurring made my head throb. It was hard to think straight, but there really wasn’t much I could do in this position to begin with. I just had to trust Kazuha to save me.
Kazuha began taking slow, cautious steps forwards as to not alarm the man behind me.
“I understand. This house we are inside of right now… It used to be mine. This bake-danuki here forced me to give it up. In return, I would be spared from its ceaseless pranks.” He knelt down onto one knee, still a few feet away from us. “Please, if you understand how I feel… Give this one to me. Let me take care of its punishment. In return, I’ll let you stay in this house, where there is real food and real water. Do we have a deal?” Kazuha was close enough to see his face clearly. His kind, gentle smile sat on his face, just as it always had. His eyes, however, told a completely different story. They were serious and intense, threatening the man to accept his offer.
The room was silent except for the rain that fell outside—the rain that had once been so loud and comforting, now only a whisper compared to the suffocating tension in the air.
My jaw was suddenly released and the knife retracted from my neck. The man shoved my body forwards and pushed me into Kazuha, who protectingly wrapped his arm around my waist and placed his hand on my shoulder.
“A-alright. As long as you promise me this house won’t disappear once you leave, I’ll let you take that one.” He was looking around paranoid, like he expected the walls to collapse after releasing me.
Kazuha pulled me up to stand with him, holding my wrist with feigned strength. “You have my word.”
He wasted no time swiftly rushing me out of the bedroom. The second I made it through the doorway, a massive weight fell off of my shoulders and the air became breathable once again. Now that we were in my living room, I could see the source of the loud “crack!” from earlier. The front door was busted open, broken from its hinges, letting moonlight and rain pour through.
Kazuha took long steps through the room, splashing in puddles from his haste. He dragged me along with him until we were through the ruined doorway and out of the house entirely.
Thunder boomed in the distance and rain instantly drenched us. Kazuha turned partially towards me, a serious expression on his face.
“Jump.”
I barely realized what he said before I felt a strong force pushing my back. I gasped and did as he ordered, jumping along with its momentum. My body was thrown against Kazuha’s. Our chests were flush against each other and my thighs wrapped around his sides. Kazuha had picked me up by the waist with one arm in order to carry me. His other arm was supported underneath my legs.
I felt like I had to say something, but the words died off on my tongue. I was still trying to process everything that had just happened inside, let alone whatever Kazuha had planned outside.
His hold on me tightened. Unlike the hateful grip of the intruder, I felt safe and secure in his arms.
“Hold on tight,” Kazuha commanded. He began running while holding me, quickly making his way through the forest of trees that surrounded my house. The downpour and leaves crunching under Kazuha’s feet were the only sounds made. My adrenaline began to wear off and I felt extremely heavy. Confusion made my head spin and questions raced through my mind. I placed my hands on Kazuha’s shoulders, leaning back to look into his face.
“Kazuha! I-That man! He just broke in! I didn’t know what was happening until it was too late…” I quickly explained. Words basically began spilling out my mouth before they held any meaning to my brain. “I was just laying in bed and t-then I heard this loud noise! But, before I could do anything, he was already in my room a-and he had a knife!” My voice was shaky and emotional. What a terrible story I had for him this time. Everything had happened so fast. The reality of the danger I was in crushed me all of the sudden now that I knew I was safe. Tears began spilling from my eyes as I gripped his shoulders tighter. “H-he had a knife, Kazuha! I didn’t do anything to him but he still seriously t-tried-”
“Calm down, (Y/N),” Kazuha spoke. It was the same gentle, soothing tone he used the day we met, along with every day after that. It was the only tone he ever used with me. This time, its purpose was to console my fear. I felt his thumb tracing over my back. “You’re okay now. I promise, I won’t ever let anyone hurt you again.”
My lip quivered while I looked into his warm eyes. I believed every word he said to me.
The area we were in now was unfamiliar in the darkness. I had been so focused on everything else that I wasn’t even aware of where Kazuha was taking me.
“Kazuha… Where are we going?”
“There is a village in this direction, although it is quite some distance away. Please, be patient. I’ll get you there as soon as I can.”
“So far? Y-you usually stay in abandoned caves and temples, right? Why don’t we look for one nearby and wait out this storm?” I asked. I was bruised and tired, but I wasn’t in need of emergency care by a long shot.
He shook his head, his wet hair tickling my knuckles. “It’s not safe here. Not while we’re so close to that man.” I frowned.
“Kazuha… I trust you to protect me, though. It’s better if we rest somewhere. If he comes looking for us-”
“I won’t be able to hold back.” He hid his eyes from me by digging his nose into my collarbone. “We will be fine, but if he were to seek us out—if he were to try and hurt you again… He would not be safe from me.”
I was speechless. My stomach filled with butterflies as I bounced lightly in his arms. Kazuha continued to run in the direction of the village with no intention of resting. I trusted Kazuha with my life at this point. I knew he would do anything to keep me safe, but the fact he felt so angryat that man gave me a new feeling. My cheeks were hot and my heart ached. He was obviously ashamed of his words and the undeniable truth they held, so I changed the subject.
“He kept calling me a bake-danuki… He looked really rough, covered in dirt and such. He said he had been lost for a few days?” I recalled.
“Mm. I think that was the truth,” Kazuha said, “that he was lost in the forest. I don’t think it was the bake-danukis doing, though. They aren’t malicious creatures the way he made them out to be. Yes, they like pranking travelers, but it’s all mostly harmless teasing. He probably was dehydrated and agitated and fell victim to a bake-danuki’s prank. Whatever it was, it made him decide to blame his desperate situation on all of them.” He readjusted me in his hold, so I wrapped my legs tighter around him in order to be easier to carry. “I was once accompanied by a traveling merchant who fell into a bake-danuki’s trap. It disguised as a young woman and offered him shelter and a meal. He didn’t listen to my warning and ended up eating leaves and mud instead of real food. Something similar must have happened to that man, which is why he thought you were also a bake-danuki.”
I would’ve felt more pity for the man if I hadn’t been caught in the misunderstanding.
“I see,” I sighed. It was sad things turned out the way they did. I wouldn’t have minded sheltering the man, just as I did with Kazuha. He just wasn’t in the headspace to think properly. My head rested on Kazuha’s shoulder. “Kazuha… Thank you for saving me. I owe you my life.”
He hugged me tight and glanced into my eyes before focusing on escaping the forest around us. “When I got to your house and saw the door broken in, (Y/N)… I was so scared,” he confessed. “I thought I was too late, but when I walked in, I overheard that man shouting at you. I wanted to get you out of his grasp the moment I walked in the room, but…” His expression was one of disappointment, directed entirely at himself. “I didn’t want you to see me hurt him. I don’t want you to think I’m someone dangerous.”
My eyes were wide from surprise. I didn’t think it was possible to feel any softer for Kazuha than I did at this moment.
“Kazuha, stop for a second.”
He listened to my request and slowed his pace before stopping completely. I left his arms and felt my feet touch the wet ground. Kazuha’s red eyes were staring down, embarrassed at himself. I gently pressed my hand to his chin, lifting his face to meet my eyes.
“I knew the moment I met you that you knew how to take care of yourself. You don’t seem like the type to wear a sword just as an accessory.” I laughed. He smiled softly at this.
“No, I suppose I don’t.”
“Can I tell you a story?” I asked him. He looked confused for a second before he slowly nodded. “Once upon a time, there was a bake-danuki who didn’t get along with the other bake-danuki in the forest. The bake-danuki spent a lot of time alone and began to feel lonely. It disguised itself as a human girl, luring any passing humans into its home and playing pranks on them.”
Kazuha looked like he was lost. I tried not to laugh and continued my story.
“Eventually, the lonely bake-danuki grew bored of the humans it pranked. One day, however, everything changed. A carefree ronin found his way into the bake-danuki’s home. It continued its act as a human girl, but this time, she didn’t prank the ronin. The two talked all night, as though they had been long friends. The bake-danuki was truly happy talking to the ronin, who kept returning to her home. The ronin was grateful to the girl and would bring gifts each time he visited…”
By this point, realization had dawned on Kazuha’s face.
“All the bake-danuki could think about was the kindness the ronin shared with her, and would eagerly wait for his return after each journey. Once, the bake-danuki had been waiting for the ronin’s return in its house when a fox snuck in, attacking her. Just when things looked bad, the ronin returned and rescued her. It’s only then that the bake-danuki realizes… she’s in love with with the ronin.” I looked up at Kazuha, cheeks warm. He had the same light blush coating his cheeks. “There’s just one problem, however.”
“Oh? And what’s that…” He asked.
I chewed the inside of my lip for a second, feeling nervous. “I don’t know how the ronin feels about the bake-danuki.” We stared at each other for what felt like forever until Kazuha responded.
“Well, it just so happens that I’ve heard this story before,” he said, leaning towards my face. “The ronin feels the same way.”
Kazuha’s lips smiled against mine as he kissed me. I was beyond happy he felt the same way. The rain never stopped falling around us, trailing down our faces and soaking into our clothes. It was cold and hot all at the same time. I rested my hands behind Kazuha’s neck, pulling him closer to me. The way our lips moved with each other felt natural. His body felt like it was always meant to be pressed against mine.
We laughed and kissed in the storm for a bit until we broke away, making our way towards the village once again. The night had been long and scary, but he easily managed to rescue me from my fear. I knew that as long as I was by Kazuha’s side, I would be safe. I realized something as we walked together in the night. His stories may have been my inspiration, but the stories we created with each other were by far my favorite.
A/N: i really like the way this one turned out! enjoyy
warnings: none,, fluffy
SFW
word count: 1.4k
summary: You’re woken up by the cold, only to find a certain samurai missing from his bed.
You curled deep into the thick blanket on your bed, believing that engulfing yourself in its warmth would somehow return you back to your dreams. These efforts were to no avail, however, as the biting chill in the air had already invaded your warm cocoon and roused you from the brink of sleep. A defeated and tired sigh made its way from your lips. You would curse Dragonspine’s brutal weather once you found the energy.
The frigid region’s merciless reputation preceded itself all across Teyvat. Horror stories of adventurers never returning from the snowy mountains were frequently told in bars; you were unsure whether those rumors were told just to get a reaction out of the drunkards, or if they actually held some validity. Now that you were stationed along its icy coast, the latter option was becoming more and more feasible.
The Alcor’s new course currently placed the armed ship along Dragonspine’s icy shores. Although the weather wasn’t as aggressive in the water as it was on mainland, it still sent most of the crew into their sleeping quarters early—eager to escape the freezing air on the main deck. The cold proved to be inescapable, sadly, leaving you victim to its unpleasant intrusion.
You huffed and rolled over, checking if any of your fellow crew members were also awoken by the freezing draft. The room was small and had beds lining both walls. Barely any moonlight shone through its foggy windows. From what you could make out, there was only one empty bed in the room—one usually inhabited by a certain stowaway.
Of course, who other than Kazuha would stay out in such low temperatures, in the middle of the night, nonetheless.
You willed yourself to pull away from the bed, disrupted by the cold and curious of Kazuha’s whereabouts. As to not wake any of the sleeping crew, you slowly opened and closed the door of the sleeping quarters and walked out onto the main deck. The air was unwelcoming, instantly pinching at your fingertips and nose. The tall Dragonspine mountains loomed menacingly in the distance, daring you to fight back against its frigid attack. A calming tune pulled your attention away from the provocation.
It was a faint sound that danced around the restless, sharp wind. The sound very well may have been the only peaceful one for miles. Before a harsh gust of wind could muffle the soft music, you identified its source to be from the Alcor’s crow’s nest, a favorite spot of your ronin friend.
“So troublesome…” you muttered with feigned annoyance. No matter how hard you tried, it was impossible to be upset with Kazuha’s carefree nature. Even if it meant exposing yourself to the unforgiving air. You slowly ascended the rope ladder that led up to the lookout spot.
At the top sat Kazuha, as expected. A half-full cup of wine sat by his side. His eyes were contently closed as he happily serenaded himself using a leaf flute. While he continued to play his song, unaware of your arrival, you took in his appearance. The usually half-worn, black yukata Kazuha wore now properly covered both arms. Red and orange maple leaf patterns hung from both wrists. His cheeks and nose were dusted pink from both the alcohol and the weather. The red and black scarves on his neck were pulled up higher around his neck, barely kissing his chin. Draped around his shoulders was a blanket, the excess fabric on the ground folding around his frame in a semi-circle. A small triangle of his chest was exposed between the blankets gap, a place usually hidden by his scarves.
You blamed your blushing cheeks on the cold air.
Kazuha’s flute stopped singing as he took notice of your presence besides him. His welcoming smile reached his eyes as he spoke.
“(Y/N), it’s nice to see you,” he hummed. “To what occasion do I owe this pleasure to?” His bandaged hand reached for his cup of wine and took a sip, staring into your eyes all the while. You swallowed and crouched down next to him, ignoring his question.
“Gods, Kazuha, it’s freezing outside. Why are you out here so late?"
He broke eye contact with you to continue observing the far off Dragonspine coast.
"I love the snow…With our usual routes at sea, the opportunity to appreciate the snowfall rarely presents itself—even if it’s just watching from some distance away,” he sighed. “I can’t help but feel at peace in this weather. Wine and song go quite well to compliment the view, no?” He wasn’t wrong. The sight of the coast and its bright white snow was a calming beauty. However, you were a bit too tired and freezing to truly appreciate the scenery.
“I guess you’re right. Doesn’t change the fact that my hands are about to fall off, though,” you laughed.
Suddenly, your balance was forcefully taken from you as Kazuha tugged on your arm, pulling you into his lap. Your back was flush against his chest and his legs straddled your sides. Kazuha’s hands gripped the sides of the blanket on his shoulders, then wrapped his arms around your waist, covering both of you in it’s warmth. Your brain lagged behind the events occurring. All you knew was that Kazuha had just pulled you onto his lap and began cuddling you, tucking his chin over your shoulder and cheek to cheek with your own face.
“K-Kazuha, what? What are you doing…” You were a stuttering, blushing mess as his body heat quickly fought off the prickly, icy sensation in your limbs from all directions. Forget hypothermia, you were going to overheat if you stayed in this position any longer.
He wrapped his arms and the blanket tighter around you, and softly whispered in your ear, “You said you were cold. I’m simply warming you up.” Kazuha’s breath was hot, sending a shiver down your spine. Never before had he been this direct with you. Perhaps it was the alcohol in his system that guided his movements. Whatever it was, you had no complains as you made yourself cozy against him. There was hardly any room left separating your bodies from each other.
“I did say that, didn’t I? Well, we better stay like this for a while, then. I get cold rather easily,” you smiled. Your sleepiness and Kazuha’s actions made you feel more daring than usual. Turning your head slightly, you said, “In fact, my face is pretty cold, too. Anything you can do to warm me up there?”
Kazuha knowingly chuckled, his lips smirking against your jaw before placing a gentle kiss to the spot. He dragged his lips up to the shell of your ear before sighing and kissing again. As his kisses made their way over your cheek and temple, your upper body twisted to partially face his own, giving him easier access to you. Warm, loving kisses danced across your forehead, cheeks and nose for a bit until their attacks ceased. Kazuha touched his forehead to yours, causing your noses to bump together. Flirty, scarlet eyes filled your vision and captivated your own. A cheeky smile had long since bloomed on the samurai’s face.
“Is there anywhere that I missed?” He hummed out.
“Mm, my lips feel a bit blue. Would you mind checking, just to be safe?”
“Your wish is my command, my love.”
Your lips collided with his in a passionate kiss as Kazuha threaded one hand through your hair, and another around your waist. All your senses were filled with him. He tasted like red wine and smelt like evergreen. His body was hot and comforting as you pushed closer into him, placing a hand on his chest. The way Kazuha kissed you was needy and intense, yet gentle and affectionate all the same. It was clear you both had wanted to do this for a very long time.
It was unclear who broke the kiss first, but you and Kazuha were both lightly panting in its aftermath. Goofy smiles broke out on your face in the bliss of the moment. Even without words being spoken, the two of you communicated every loving word you wished to say in that kiss. A happy sigh escaped you as you returned your back to his chest, continuing to gaze out at the snowy horizon. His arms took their place around you once again, as if they were always meant to be there.
The freezing Dragonspine weather was no match for the loving warmth Kazuha brought you on this cold night, out at sea.
A/N: this is my first fic, so it might sound a bit stiff. i’m nervous posting but tried my best! sorry for it being so long,,, do people still post longer fics on tumblr anymore?;; it’s the “he saves u” trope. enjoy :)
warnings: blood/light gore, knife, violence, cursing, needles, possible ooc, SPOILERS for Kazuha’s story/Ch.2 Prologue
SFW
word count: 7.6k
summary: You and Kazuha are sent into Liyue Harbor on a supply run, but the trip takes a turn.
If it wasn’t for the rising and setting of the sun, time would have felt unmoving. This feeling, however, was nothing foreign to the crew aboard the Alcor. Not much variety came with sailing at sea. Usually, gentle blues were painted across the sky, and ocean waves licked the battle ship’s hull. The scenery was peaceful but greatly lacked excitement. Because of this, feelings of anticipation and relief always managed to fill the air when Captain Beidou declared for the docking of the Alcor.
I set the last of some folded cloth into a small crate, then secured the lid shut. Beidou had chosen to dock us in Guyun Stone Forest, as she planned to hold the Crux Clash nearby in a few days. The crew was tasked with preparing the supplies to be sent to the tournament’s location. Since the event’s focus was on the fighting, no one minded reusing the boat’s supplies, which were slightly dull from their time at sea.
The contents of the crate were light, so I had no problem carrying it out onto the main deck. Everyone was casually loading their own crates and carrying various boxes ashore. Across the deck from me, a very unimpressed Kazuha talked with Sea Drake, who was failing at balancing a pile of large crates in his arms. The top of the stack predictably crashed down onto the deck floor, followed by several more boxes of the cargo. Kazuha sighed down at the large man, who began to dejectedly reassemble the fallen supplies.
Almost as if the wind had brushed his hair aside and whispered a secret in his ear, he looked over in my direction to see I had witnessed the ordeal occur. Kazuha’s usual gentle smile dawned across his face. The easygoing nature he emanated always managed to relax me—as if his kind eyes put me under a calming spell. Returning his smile, I continued on, descending the ship’s gangway. The feeling of the stable ground under my feet was a welcomed change after so many weeks at sea. I placed my smaller crate among the other cargo on the shore.
“(Y/N)! C'mere for a second.” Beidou called to me from her place next to Juza, who she’d been chatting with for a while. Earlier, I spotted Juza pointing around the area and Beidou nodding in turn, so I figured they were overlooking the packaging and transporting of supplies. Swiftly moving around the boxes in my path, I made my way over to the woman.
“Yes, Captain?”
“You’re heading into the harbor while we’re here, right? You doing anything special there?” I thought her question over briefly. I wasplanning on going into Liyue Harbor, but I had no dire plans.
“Not especially.” She smiled her big, toothy grin at this.
“Fantastic. While we’re here, I wanna take the chance to restock some of our supplies. I need you and Kazuha to pick up some stuff for the Alcor.” She turned her head up in the direction of the main deck. I realized Kazuha had been watching us talk from above after meeting his eyes. He looked away from me and nodded to Beidou, who was waving him down over to us. “The ride from here to the harbor will take a few hours, so it’s best to leave while it’s still early. Do you think you’ll be ready to go soon?” I returned my sight from Kazuha and answered Beidou.
“Uh—yeah, I’ll be ready. I just need a few minutes to throw some stuff together.” Beidou nodded and continued to speak, although her eyes were cast on something behind me.
“I’ll go ahead and leave the list of supplies needed with Kazuha. You go prepare, (Y/N), while I fill him in.” The person of her attention had quickly made his way off the ship and now took his place next to me, waiting to be informed of our trip together.
“Yes, Captain.” I gave Beidou a final nod and Kazuha a parting smile, before turning away. The voices of the two I had departed from slowly grew faint as I made my way back onto the ship.
Once I was left alone to gather my belongings, the blush I had been fighting back crept its way onto my face. I would be left alone with Kazuha while in Liyue Harbor. The two of us had been good friends ever since Beidou accepted him into the Crux Fleet, although he was a bit hard to understand at first. As Kazuha warmed up to the crew, it was quickly apparent how friendly and kind-hearted he was. After many nights of drinking and listening to him recite haikus in the crow’s nest of the ship, I found myself having feelings for the fugitive samurai.
In retrospect, it was truly an unwinnable fight. Kazuha was undoubtedly attractive. His silky white hair pulled into a side ponytail gave him a matureness that was nicely complemented by his softer features. His expression was naturally welcoming, but the passionate, bright red of his irises concealed a mysterious past. Even if I were to ask him a hundred questions, there would still be plenty I didn’t know about Kazuha.
I packed light, but I was sure it was more than my travel partner would ever consider bringing. Kazuha instantly proved me right as I made my way onto the shore. Per usual, the clothing on his back and his sword constituted as his luggage. It was a common saying of his that as long as he had his blade by his side, there was nowhere he couldn’t go.
“Good morning, (Y/N),” Kazuha greeted. “Have you finished preparing for our journey?”
“I have.”
“Then, let us be off.”
—
The sun began to kiss the horizon by the time Kazuha and I arrived at the harbor. The warm light emitted from the city’s traditional lanterns spread its famous nightlife ambiance through the streets. It was an impossible feeling to replicate out in the darkness of the ocean.
I looked over to inspect my partner. It was no secret he was fond of spending time in nature and had much intimate experience with the outdoors from his travels. Although this wasn’t his first time visiting Liyue Harbor, I wondered if there was a bit of a sensory shock going from the mostly quiet life aboard the Alcor to the busy city nightlife. If Kazuha was shocked, he concealed any hint from being apparent on his features.
“You’ve told me before that you usually opt for camping outdoors,” I began. “What do you plan to do for shelter tonight?” I was more than happy to spend time with Kazuha, but I couldn’t help but crave a warm bed and a room that didn’t sway all night.
“That is true,” Kazuha chuckled. Even if it was brief, his small laugh sent butterflies into my stomach. “However, the air has begun to stir. It’ll most likely rain tonight. I’d rather take my chances at finding an inn.” I might never understand how he was able to predict the weather the way he did, but his judgment had never been wrong in the time I’d known him.
“Likewise. Liyue Harbor is a popular location for tourists and travelers, so there’s always places open late for people like us.” The trip here was long and tiring, and I was hoping to take a shower as soon as possible. “There’s a nice place I know of only a short walk from here.”
On the way to the inn, I saw many of the night shops and vendors laying out their goods. The sun would be gone from the sky relatively soon, but that did little to discourage the citizens from staying indoors. Enthusiastic voices filled the streets as people conversed and bartered. The storytellers who entertained at restaurants echoed their tales, and the rich smell of Liyue’s cuisine ensued. I felt a bit embarrassed. Even though I was a local to the city, I had been looking around the streets more excited than Kazuha. Nonetheless, I was happy to be back for a bit.
“It’s been a while since I was last here. I grew up here, yet I still feel elated every time I return from a journey.” As the words were spoken aloud, I quickly felt regret in saying them. From what I knew about Kazuha’s past, he was unwelcomed back to his home. “Ah! I’m sorry, that was insensitive of me to say.”
Kazuha, however, was unbothered by my comment. His face held no sort of negative emotion. Rather, he seemed more at peace than usual, if that was possible for the already carefree soul.
“You need not apologize for appreciating your home… It’s a wonderful thing to still feel joy when visiting a place you know well. Often, a place well-traversed easily grows monotonous.” His forgiving eyes met mine, and I felt I would become weak if I looked into them any longer. “It also happens to be that your enjoyment is rather contagious.”
His smile might very well be far more lethal than any monster we face at sea.
I silently hid the blush his tender words caused by studying the stalls that lined the street. All kinds of colorful trinkets and gems were exhibited by the various stores. The renowned Mingxing Jewelry shop had elegant rings and necklaces displayed all along the store’s front, and thick jewels sat lavishly on the wooden shelves. There was a certain Mingxing good in particular that caught my eye. Several vibrant ribbons with delicate gold embroidery were splayed along a velvet case. They looked like they were intended to be hair accessories.
Not long after, we arrived at our inn. Once done checking in with the receptionist, Kazuha and I made our way to the two-bed room we would inhabit for the night. The inn wasn’t the fanciest place available in Liyue Harbor by a long shot, but compared to the rough conditions we faced on the Alcor, it could’ve been the very bedroom intended for the Jade Chamber. The room itself was on the cozier side, but having two separate beds would give us some privacy.
“Do you mind if I use the bathroom first? I’ve been craving a proper shower ever since Beidou said we’d be landing.” Bathing was difficult in the middle of the ocean, and I’d be lying if I said I didn’t miss the relaxing feeling of a hot shower.
“Go right ahead,” Kazuha acknowledged as he made himself comfortable on the outdoor balcony overlooking the harbor.
—
It didn’t take long for the two of us to clean up, as it was now impossible to ignore our shared hunger. We had quickly decided on Wanmin Restaurant since it was high-quality food served late at night. After ordering, we found an open table off to the side of the restaurant. Sharing meals outside was the usual case for the Crux Fleet, but it felt special to do so with the wandering samurai under Liyue’s night sky.
“Beidou said she left the list of supplies we need to get with you,” I said, starting conversation. I didn’t mind Beidou requesting for us to run this errand, regardless of her being my Captain. She had done more than enough to earn my friendship and respect. Spending time with Kazuha in Liyue Harbor was also much more exciting than shopping alone, although I doubt Beidou knew what she was doing by arranging this. Kazuha made a sound of agreement in response.
“Since we got here relatively late, I thought it would be best for us to find a place to stay first and foremost. Fresh supplies will arrive with the morning shipments,” he breathed out with a light sigh, “but Beidou requested for so much, it would never fit on the boat we arrived in. We’ll need to find a sailor with a larger boat to transport it all in. Of course, this can wait for tomorrow.”
“She didn’t happen to include a shipment fee for the trip back, did she?” I laughed, already knowing the answer was ‘no’. Kazuha’s sigh was heavier this time, but a grin had broken out on his face. We continued to chat about the materials we’d need to obtain the next day.
The waitress eventually interrupted the conversation with our meals. The atmosphere was a comfortable one—laughing with Kazuha under the stars and surrounded by the lively city. I would without a doubt remember this night for a long time.
I knew Kazuha was a wanderer who made no promise to stay in one place for too long, and that eventually, he would leave the Crux Fleet to continue his journey. It would be unfair to try and convince him to stay with us for longer than he felt life intended, yet I couldn’t help but selfishly pray to the Archons to prolong our time together as much as possible. In moments like these, I couldn’t bring myself to look away from the man in front of me. If love had an expression, I imagined it would look similar to the one he wears. Light from the lanterns and the moon simultaneously dusted his features. It bounced off the highlights in his white hair every time he tilted his head or laughed. The scarlet irises of his eyes suffocated me in a warm ocean. Perhaps, it was these things that kept me afloat while at sea on the Alcor rather than the ship itself.
“Will you be leaving the harbor with the supplies tomorrow?” I asked, knowing he had no business in Liyue Harbor other than fulfilling Beidou’s request.
“Most likely. I’ll need to assist with setting up the tournament.” I saw him shift his arm from beneath the table. “I am also in possession of its prize at the moment.”
Kazuha had told me the story of how he obtained the “Masterless Vision” earlier in our friendship. It was an item that often aroused solemn feelings from him during the dead of night. I couldn’t help but frown at the idea of him offering it as a prize to be won by some stranger.
“Are you sure it’s a good idea to have it be the winning prize for the Crux Clash, though? It’s just… It feels so sentimental.”
“I’ve tried many different experiments in order to test the possibility of it reawakening… I feel that if I do not abandon that sentimentality or keep the vision for myself, I will be doing an even greater injustice to my friend,” he spoke. His eyes were unreadable, but I had the feeling it was not as easy to use the vision in such a way as he made it sound. Kazuha had never been the type to act rashly or make impulsive decisions, so there was no reason for me to press his choice any further.
“I understand, Kazuha.”
—
It was late by the time we finished eating and returned back to our inn. Before entering, however, I remembered something I had to do before the night ended.
“Kazuha, there’s something I need to go to do real quick. I won’t take long. It’s okay if you head inside without me.” I was hoping there wouldn’t be too much resistance at my request for him to go without me. His expression told me I wouldn’t be so lucky.
“The air is distraught,” he frowned, “it’ll be raining soon, (Y/N).” I wouldn’t let his frown stop me, as this was something that could only be done tonight.
“I promise, Kazuha, I’ll be back shortly. The longer we wait, the more likely it is I’ll be caught in the rain.”
“Okay,” he hesitated. “Don’t take too long.”
We parted ways in front of the inn, which wasn’t far from my destination. I had remembered the ribbons being sold at the Mingxing Jewelry shop and wanted to buy a pair for Kazuha and I. Even if we were to part ways, I hoped to be a part of his life that he would always remember, just as he was for me. A ribbon to serve as his hair tie would be a nice gift to accomplish just that.
Upon arriving at the shop, I pointed out a bright vermillion ribbon and a (color) ribbon to Xingxi. She wrapped them elegantly around what appeared to be a thin, rectangular wooden charm, and then slipped a velvet pouch covering over the gift. Just as I had finished paying and stepped away from her booth, thick drops of rain began falling around me.
Kazuha’s weather-predicting streak continued to be flawless.
I attempted to shield the gift from the increasingly steady downpour as I quickly made my way back to our inn. There was no doubt in my mind that the samurai would scold me the second I walked through the door. It would only be worse once he discovered the reason I stayed out was for him. It was in Kazuha’s nature to care greatly for his friends’ well-being, yet I always managed to find myself feeling giddy when he expressed his concern for me.
With my mind distracted by the man waiting for me back at the inn, I failed to notice the long arms that reached out from the thin alley I was passing. Before I knew what happened, I found myself thrown onto my hands on the cold, wet alley ground. I looked around the space to be confronted with three figures. The man closest to the entrance of the alley was tall with slender limbs. I assumed he was the one who grabbed me in the first place. There were two people opposite of him—a man and a woman. Both were shorter than the first man but had a more muscular definition from what I could see through the rain.
It was a bad situation to be caught in. The heavy rain had sent all the residents back inside, and the low visibility cast by the now cloudy night sky wasn’t helping my case. No one would be able to spot my predicament in such dark conditions.
I was certainly not helpless in a fight as a member of the Crux Fleet, but being caught disarmed in a three against one fight has never been to anyone’s advantage. Still on the ground, I spotted Kazuha’s gift, knocked out of my hand from the impact of being thrown. When I reached out to grab it, the woman swiftly brought the heel of her boot down hard on the middle of my back, winding me. The second man picked up the pouch and placed it in the woman’s outstretched hand.
“This one was just at Mingxing’s. Might’ve bought some expensive shit,” the woman said. As she pulled the wooden rectangle out of the bag, however, her expression turned sour. “Ribbons? Are you kidding me?” She unraveled the red one I had chosen for Kazuha and gave her next orders. “Pat 'em down and see if there’s anything else.”
“Get the hell off me!” I tried to fight back, but the woman’s boot was still firmly planted in the center of my back. The two men now crouched over me and began feeling up and down my sides. One reached into my pocket and found the spare mora I had left from the day. Luckily, the majority of it remained back at the inn room.
“Not much left besides a handful of mora. Everything probably went into those ribbons, yeah?” The tall man who took the mora grumbled.
“Damnit. They’ll have to do then. Most of that shit from Mingxing’s sells for something, at least,” the woman chewed her lip, then shifted more of her weight onto my back, causing me to groan out. “Hey. How much’d you buy this string for?”
“None of your business,” I forced out. I wasn’t scared of some criminals like these, who couldn’t even compare to the notoriously weak treasure hoarders, but it was quickly becoming harder to breathe due to the pressure on my body.
This was apparently not the correct answer. The woman lifted her boot from my back, giving me a chance to inhale. Just as I tilted my head up to get a good look at my assailant, she swung her foot hard, colliding with the side of my head. The impact sent me rolling into the wall of the drenched alley. I moaned from the throbbing pain in my skull and slowly propped myself up on my side with my arm. Once my vision stopped swimming, I was met with a small knife the woman had shoved in my face. The two men with her seemed surprised as they stood some distance behind her. They most likely didn’t expect a small mugging to escalate like this.
“Are you sure you wanna talk to me like that, brat? I’m sure some blood would clear up just who exactly is in charge of this situation realquick,” she hissed out with an ugly look on her face. I knew she wasn’t bluffing. My pride and experience as part of the Crux Fleet wouldn’t let me be fearful, but the intensity of it all had really increased after the woman pulled out a weapon.
The lack of submission on my face must have irked the woman even further. This time, I received a nauseating kick to the stomach. It was much worse than the first hit. Since I was already against the wall, the momentum had nowhere to go but throughout my body. I let myself lie on the ground, trying to catch my breath and deal with the pain.
Leaning in close to my face, the woman asked again, “How much was the damn ribbon?”
I grimaced, feeling incredibly frustrated. At this point, my clothes were freezing and uncomfortably sticking to my body, which was aching in two separate places. The air was windy and agitated, and it was hard to think straight between a brutal headache and a knife pointed directly at my face. But, more than anything, I was mad regarding what they decided to steal from me.
It really was just some string, like the woman said. Kazuha’s ribbon dangled in her hand that wasn’t holding the knife, while mine was still wrapped around the wooden charm, discarded on the ground. I knew Kazuha wouldn’t want me to go to such lengths for a material gift, but I was angry—at them for stealing it, and at myself for being helpless to defend it. I was no use to anyone dead, so I conceded and told the woman the price.
“Twelve thousand… for both,” I said while sitting up from the ground as much as I could. There wasn’t anywhere I could move to put distance between myself and her weapon, so I tilted my head to the side while keeping my eyes locked with hers. The woman clicked her tongue at me, but didn’t respond. She seemed to be studying me over. There was a tense silence, and the relentless wind blowing the rain multiplied the strong, suffocating feeling in the air. The two men behind her grew more and more fidgety the longer the silence permeated.
“Hey…” the second man looked like he was going to reach his arm out towards the woman, but didn’t fully commit to the action. It was obvious she was the ringleader of their trio, but also the most unstable one. “We got what we could from them. Shouldn’t we just get outta here before the Millelith catch on?”
“Those guards won’t be able to see past their polearms with all this rain, let alone down a dark alley,” she snapped her reply back at the second man. “Damnit! What is up with all this wind?”
The wind had picked up substantially at this point, surpassing the rain in force and speed. It wasn’t as bad from low on the ground, but I was not spared from the brutal lashing caused by the air. In the darkness of the alley, I saw the bright red ribbon I bought for Kazuha, soaked and thrashing wildly in the woman’s hand. If she happened to let go, it would surely be carried off on the wind and never seen again.
I muttered out, “You should… put the ribbons back in their bag.” My female assailant whipped her head back to me and crouched down in my face.
“You know, you’ve had a real fuckin’ attitude problem from the start!” Her displeased face was scrunched up. It was obvious the speed of the wind had caused her to become more distressed than she already was.
“I’m sure your friends think the same about you,” I spat back.
The woman’s eyes widened and her brows furrowed tight. I knew provoking her wasn’t a smart move, but I couldn’t help my comment while watching Kazuha’s gift become ruined in her hands. Quickly, her hand with the knife retracted from my face and was thrust towards my upper chest. I reacted in time by shifting my body back down towards the ground.
A terrible stinging feeling flared from my upper arm, where her weapon had left a deep cut. I gasped in pain from the sudden stab wound. Dark red blood trailed down my arm and stained my clothing, then began to pool on the street beneath me. The injury was nothing fatal, but it was hot with pain and would become dangerous if not treated relatively soon. I had assumed the woman’s threats were serious, but part of me didn’t imagine her actually stabbing me until it was too late. The longer I was in this situation with the thieves, the greater the risk on my life was. The wind whipped violently around us and the hard rain slapping the pavement muffled my voice.
“Kazuha…” I groaned out. At this point, all I wanted to do was return to him and his warmth.
I was tired of the cold.
I gripped my hand over the bleeding wound on my arm. The second I had cast my eyes down, a yell came from the men on the other side of the alley. Two dull thuds were heard as their bodies fell into my line of sight on the ground. Frantically turning around, the woman found herself face to face with the blade that always adorned Kazuha’s side. It was radiating a bright glow due to the elemental energy infused. Wind and rain swirled around the sword, drawing my eyes towards the samurai himself.
His bangs were slicked down to his forehead from the storm and water trailed down the curves of his face. What was more shocking than Kazuha’s arrival, however, was his expression. The eyes that normally held so much empathy and care were brutally cold and unforgiving. Lightly pinched eyebrows pushed against his lidded eyes, and frowning lips parted to speak to my attacker.
“It appears I’ve been led to quite the vile situation now, haven’t I?” Kazuha’s voice was calm, but held none of his usual soothing tone. It was harsh and bitter, something I’ve never heard from him before—not until now.
The woman began stuttering out, shocked that she had been caught and overwhelmed by the vision user so quickly.
“L-led here? How? No one should’ve been able to see us here with all the rain!” She eyed the long blade held in front of her, but didn’t dare move a muscle.
“Foolish people say foolish things,” he bit. “Nature’s gaze witnessed your crimes, and the disturbance in the rain told me of your location.”
Of course, that was the case. I should’ve known Kazuha was aware of the danger I was in even before I did. His sword was unwavering in the face of the woman as he spoke his next words.
“As members of the Crux Fleet, we abide by the laws of the sea. For crimes such as this, the law calls for the thief to be thrown out to sea with their hands bound and legs broken,” Kazuha’s voice was pure ice at this point. “And I’m not one to break our law.”
Panic was evident on the woman’s face. Her eyes wildly darted around before she decided to test her luck and moved to run out of the alley. The back of Kazuha’s anemo-infused blade struck the back of her head sharply, causing her to collapse just as her two partners had. It was now just Kazuha and I, surrounded by the three unconscious bodies of my attackers, windblown and drenched.
He turned away from the woman’s body and moved towards me. Slightly in shock, I was unable to speak out to him. The passionate red eyes I adored were stoic and unreadable. They avoided meeting my own, and instead focused on studying my injuries. With his sword returned to its sheath, Kazuha unwrapped his scarf from his neck. Crouching down in front of me, he gently grabbed my arm and inspected the cut. Blood and water ran down the entire front side of my arm, and the rain had diluted the pool of burgundy below me, now running between the valleys of the street.
His frown remained as he spoke, “It’ll need stitches, but this will have to do for now.” Using his scarf as a tourniquet, he firmly wrapped it over the wound. In no time at all, blood had stained it several shades darker than it previously was.
Next, he traced his hand up from my injured arm to my cheek, where I assumed a visible mark was left. Sharp pangs had been coming from my face and stomach ever since I was first hit. My cheeks were wet from the rain, so I couldn’t tell if her kick had broken the skin or not. Kazuha’s fingers were barely felt as they brushed my hair back and ghosted over my face. It was as if he thought I would break the second any pressure was applied. Kazuha was close, yet still refrained from letting our eyes meet.
“Kazuha—”
He cut me off by lightly resting his hand on top of my head in a comforting gesture. I felt an ache in my chest, but I couldn’t tell if it was from the pain or his actions. I was dripping wet from the water, freezing cold from the now absent wind, and covered in blood. I was a mess, but I was okay because of him. Things surely wouldn’t have ended well if Kazuha didn’t sense the danger I was in.
“Thank you, Kazuha,” I bit the inside of my lip, beginning to feel emotional. “Thank you for saving me.”
Kazuha stood up off the ground, scanning the three unconscious assailants.
“I need to leave and bring the Millelith to take care of them, (Y/N). Will you be okay alone for a minute?” he spoke. I could tell he didn’t want to leave me alone again by the way he stared at the bodies, making sure they were out cold and not just faking it.
I reassured him, “I’ll be okay, Kazuha. You can go.”
I watched him hurry out of the alley to grab the nearest Millelith soldiers. The lighthearted feeling I had when the rain first started had quickly dissipated with the events that followed. Instead of getting scolded by him with his forgiving smile, I knew things would be grim and regretful. The original culprit of my prolonged outing was curled pitifully on the ground in front of me. The ribbon was soggy, but still a vibrant shade of red against the dark pavement.
Shifting, I moved myself to pick up Kazuha’s ribbon, tracing over the embroidery with my fingers. I hoped that letting it dry would restore it to its original condition. Shuffling across the alley, I picked up the equally waterlogged wooden charm with my ribbon still wrapped around it. The state of the gift put a frown on my face. Finally, the velvet pouch the gift came in was similarly abandoned in the middle of the alley, waiting to be picked up. Kazuha returned with the Millelith soldiers just as I finished reassembling the present.
Two soldiers made their way over to the unconscious muggers behind me, while one came to assist me. Kazuha remained at the entrance of the alley, talking with another soldier.
“Are you able to walk?” The soldier had a boyish face. If he was new, the sight of my blood didn’t alarm him.
“I think so,” I let him help me up. Once I was upright, the blood rushed to my head and I became dizzy. The soldier held me as I leaned on him for support, letting the spots fade from my vision.
“Dr. Baizhu usually isn’t available this late at night. I can bring you to the Millelith’s headquarters to get cleaned up,” he offered.
My savior’s voice intercepted, “No need. We’re travelers staying at an inn nearby, and I have medical supplies to treat their wounds. I’ll bring them to your doctor in the morning.” Making his way over to the boyish guard and myself, he replaced the guard and supported my weight. Even in the cold rain, his warmth bled through his wet clothing. I subconsciously leaned closer to him.
The soldier seemed to hesitate, looking my poor condition over. The way Kazuha spoke was forceful and blunt, as if he didn’t trust anyone but himself to handle me. Taking the hint, the Millelith soldier conceded the unspoken argument.
“Alright, sir. Thank you for…” the guard paused, eyeing criminals on the alley ground, “stoppingthese thieves. This sadly isn’t the first incident we’ve had with these three, but because of you, it’ll be the last.”
Kazuha and I said our farewells and parted ways with the soldiers. Once we stepped out of the alley and onto the street, I let out a sigh I didn’t realize I had been holding in. I was relieved to finally be out of that dark alley, but the tension in the air wasn’t gone just yet. Kazuha stopped us and moved himself to face me.
As I was about to question him, he bent his legs and carefully placed his hands under my arms, lifting me into the air. The shock of being picked up made me instinctively wrap my legs around his waist, which was his goal. Kazuha adjusted my position, tucking one arm under my thigh and another around my lower back. His eyes stared past my shoulder and his nose was tucked into my collarbone. This made our chests flush against each other. His wet hair tickled my neck and the side of my face.
The complaint on my tongue quickly disappeared when my body reminded me just how tired I was from the day, and the warmth Kazuha radiated made me relax into him. Tucking my chin over his shoulders, I let out another content sigh, closing my eyes and letting him carry me through the rain and back to our inn.
—
The atmosphere back at the inn was heavy, as I had predicted. Kazuha immediately carried me into the bathroom upon entering our room. Words had not yet been exchanged since we left the alley. I sat on the counter next to the sink while Kazuha unpacked our first-aid kit. Using a cloth, he wiped the blood from my arm. Once he felt my arm was clean, he held the cloth to my wound.
“Hold it there for a bit,” he ordered.
Our nurse on the Alcor always took care of our injured, but I thought it made sense that Kazuha knew how to treat wounds while watching him prepare to stitch my arm. He was a traveler before all else. There was no one around to care for his wounds but himself in the wild.
Kazuha moved away from the counter and grabbed a towel, handing it to me.
“I’ll be as gentle as possible, but this will hurt,” my current nurse frowned. “Try not to move too much, (Y/N).”
I nodded, relaxing my arm and turning my head away. It was hard not to whimper as the needle passed through my skin, but I stayed still in order to make things easier for him. I could tell he really was trying his best to make it less painful. His skilled hands didn’t make any unnecessary movements, and he was fast when piercing through the wound. My thoughts drifted off while I tugged on the towel and waited for Kazuha to finish.
I wondered what he was thinking this entire time. Was he mad at me for staying out and causing him trouble? I promised myself I’d wash his clothes since I was ultimately the one at fault for making them wet and bloody. It was no secret that Kazuha was more introverted, but his behavior now wasn’t a side he’s ever shown me before. There was complete silence as he worked, focusing on stitching the cut on my arm properly. The samurai was never easy to read, but at this moment it felt even more impossible than usual. I wanted him to open up to me, I wanted to know everything about him—his feelings, his worries, his past. I wished that he would spend hours telling me every detail about himself. It was frustrating being stuck on the outside, forbidden from knowing any of his thoughts.
“It shouldn’t leave too much of a scar,” his voice cut through the silence, startling me. Once again, he wiped my arm clean of any remaining blood, then wrapped it tightly with bandages. I could tell it would be tender for a while.
Kazuha brought his attention to the throbbing side of my face. A fresh, warm cloth softly cleaned my face from the dirt and blood. His face was close to mine, yet he still managed to dance around my eyes.
“Kazuha.” I tried.
He completely ignored me and continued to place bandages on my cheek. There was a slight stinging sensation from the medicine he applied, but it was much more bearable than the stitches.
“Kazuha—”
“I warned you not to stay out, (Y/N),” Kazuha spoke. A sigh fell from his lips as he pulled away, reaching back into the first-aid kit for another bandage. “I told you it would rain.”
His face was locked in the same serious expression. The frown wasn’t the same forgiving one I usually received with his lectures. It was heavy and added to the guilty feeling that was pooling in my stomach.
He busied himself by applying another bandage to my face. Once the tips of his fingers brushed my skin, however, I felt a strange tickle from them. Although it was barely noticeable, Kazuha’s fingers had begun to shake.
“Nature has always communicated with me, but that doesn’t make me invincible. I’ve lost many people in my life, even with my senses. What if I had been too late reaching you, (Y/N)? By the time I arrived, I could tell that woman seriously intended to…” he trailed off. Emotion had begun leaking through his voice. His concern for me, his anger towards my assailants, the sorrow he carried from his past. It was all hard to detect, but it was there nonetheless.
“I should have never agreed to let you leave my side. I should have known better.” Kazuha’s eyes had long since fallen from my cheek and down to my lap. I couldn’t stand listening to him blame himself for my decisions.
“If I had—”
“Kazuha!”
He fell silent as my hands cupped his face and forced him to finally meet my eyes, which were wide and trying to hold back tears as they stared into his glassy red ones. Kazuha was visibly caught off-guard by this. Through the blurriness in my eyes, I watched his serious expression crack into one of sadness. He mirrored my actions, cupping my face. His fingers swiped beneath my eyes.
“Please, don’t cry.”
My hands fell from his face to loosely hold onto his wrists. Big drops fell from my eyes, only to be caught by his loving hands.
“I’m sorry, Kazuha,” I cried. His lips were slightly parted and his face held the most caring expression I’ve ever seen. His sadness was a gentle one, one only saved for those he genuinely cherished. It just made me cry harder. “I’m sorry I made you worry about me… Please, don’t blame yourself for my mistakes. None of this was your fault.”
I let him wipe my tears while I mumbled apologies. The adrenaline from the incident had long since worn off, but it was only the man in front of me who was able to cause the state I was in. I loved him from the bottom of my heart.
My cheeks were red and puffy from the emotion Kazuha pulled out from me. I reached behind my spot on the counter to grab the gift I bought for him. The velvet was mostly still wet, but not much could be done about it except time. I set the dripping pouch down on my lap for him to see.
“This… is the reason I was out.” I held it up for him to take.
He slowly reached for it, wrapping his fingers delicately around his present. Kazuha looked up into my eyes as if he wanted to say something, but decided to stay silent and went back to the object in his hands. Slipping the wooden charm smoothly out of the pouch, he inspected the two colorful ribbons tied around it. His fingers untied his vermillion ribbon and lightly rubbed it between his thumb and forefinger. Equally red eyes stared into mine, silently asking a question.
“I know your time with us as part of the Crux Fleet is temporary,” I began. “Travelers are called so for a reason. It can’t be expected that we will be together for a long time, but still,” my voice felt thick with emotion thinking about Kazuha leaving the Crux Fleet. If I had it my way, I would follow the wandering samurai anywhere he asked. “But still, I don’t want to be a temporary memory. I want you to always have something to remember our time together by. I saw these ribbons at the Mingxing Jewelry shop on our way here… I thought they would be nice hair accessories. The red one matches that streak in your hair,” I weakly chuckled. “I got the (color) one for myself.”
Kazuha’s eyes were wide now, surprised at my confession and the meaning behind the two ribbons he held. He handed me the red ribbon intended for him and turned around to give me access to his ponytail. I took the hint and tied it over the band that held his soft white hair in place.
When he turned around, the (color) ribbon was removed from the charm and hung limply in his hands. A smile graced his lips and his eyes were lidded. Kazuha always had nice eyes, but his eyelashes were especially beautiful. They were long and dark and curled perfectly to frame his kind red irises. A delicate hand took mine and lifted it between the two of us. My cheeks grew warm as I watched him tie the (color) ribbon intended for my hair around my ring finger. When he was done, he raised my other hand to be held in his.
Kazuha had a way of making my heart race with the softest of touches. Sitting on a bathroom counter, facing the person I loved as he tied a pretend ring on my finger was enough to send me halfway to Celestia. His thumbs began to trace over my own hands in his.
“Just as the sun remembers to rise, the seasons of Teyvat will remember to change. Winter carries its cold chill, killing each leaf on the tree. The tree is blessed with the new life and purpose brought by Spring. Summer’s heat tests the will of the tree and its determination to protect what it has been given.” Kazuha’s voice was filled with affection as he spoke these words. “As long as the maples leaves of Autumn continue to turn red from love, I promise that I’ll never forget you, (Y/N).”
Kazuha slowly brought his face closer to mine until his lips brushed over my own. My head tilted as I let my eyes close, completely giving myself to him. His lips were soft as they gave me the gentlest kiss I’ve ever received in my life. The passion behind his words and actions filled my heart, and any trace of the sadness shared between us earlier was completely gone.
He leaned his body closer to mine in order to deepen the kiss. The feeling of his lips against mine quickly became addicting. I wrapped my uninjured arm around his shoulders and began to play with his hair, messy from the day’s events. It was strange how contrasting Kazuha felt. At times, he was utterly unreadable, not letting a hint of his thoughts or feelings slip out. But now, Kazuha had nothing to hide as he kissed me. The love I felt from him was genuine and pure.
I didn’t let him go far when he broke the kiss. Keeping my arm tossed around his neck, I rested my forehead against his.
“I love you, Kaedehara Kazuha.” I felt warm all over being so close to him. Kazuha pecked my lips in response.
━━ SUMMARY: morning routines could lead to exciting discoveries — just as how everything in your life seem to fall at all the right places at all the right times.
━━ CONTAINS: modern!au
━━ VALENTINE’S 2022 EVENT SPECIAL
the first thing he heard when he opened his eyes was your soft, little snores that automatically drew a drowsy smile on his face. you were still wearing his shirt, a faded red one that had his high school’s mascot printed in front. the fabric didn’t swallow you whole like the shirts in your rom-com movies do but that was fine. his heart held a lot of affection for the sentimental things in his life and he was more than willing to share every single one of the things that made him kaedehara kazuha with the person who stole every bit of his poetry. it didn’t take long for him to pull you close, absentmindedly snuggling into the crook of your neck as he relished in the gentle thrumming of his heart. with legs tangled under the quilted blanket you gave him last christmas, kazuha decided that he could afford to stay in bed for five minutes longer if it meant having you for himself for just as long.
the five minutes that passed felt like an eternity that ended too soon— yes, that was the perfect way to describe it. an eternity of finer details spun and observed meticulously by awestruck ruby eyes. kazuha was eloquent but not necessarily verbose. besides, he smiles to himself as he ran a hand through his free-flowing locks. what else was there to say when you were doing all the explanation by just looking wonderfully majestic first thing in the morning? true art, the ones that could only be crafted by the genius of nature itself, have no need for unnecessary adjectives uttered by someone clumsy and blind at the sight of love incarnate.
“you woke up early,” he felt you shuffle before slumping over his back, movements exposing your left leg to the cold morning breeze. you honestly didn’t care. it wasn’t that cold but kazuha wordlessly adjusted the blanket for you anyway, “worrywart.”
kazuha shook his head amusedly, “just looking out for you.”
you eyed his pleased expression before fiddling with the hair tie on your wrist — his hair tie. a little something that you wouldn’t be having on your person if it weren’t for this man who enjoyed your touch unabashedly. adjusting your position, you carefully detangled the knots in his hair: a routine you have come to know every time you stayed the night over his place.
“what should we have for breakfast?”
you hummed, “you’re cooking?”
“it’s valentine’s day,” kazuha smiles and though you weren’t facing him, you knew his silken voice by heart that you could carve the image in your mind with as much ease as you have when you breathe, “a special day for a special someone entails a special treatment, yes?”
“don’t try too hard to be perfect. any more and you’ll make me order a ring.”
“feeling bold, aren’t we?”
you only laugh in reply, patting his head twice to tell him that you’re done styling his hair. deciding that your mischief will temporarily end there, you don’t comment as your keen eyes caught kazuha slightly tilting his head to lean into your touch. a cat. he reminds you too much of a cat who enjoys lounging around in the corners where the sun’s glow hits just right.
“the rain has stopped… i guess we’re not having breakfast together after all,” you said after a few moments worth of silence. the reason for your stay was the torrential downpour that happened late last night. as brave as you are to attempt to fluster your composed lover, you weren’t quite brave enough to walk home in poor visibility. too busy recounting what has transpired, you missed the frown that uncharacteristically painted kazuha’s face darker.
“…so it seems.”
you blink, turning your gaze to kazuha to ask him a silent question but he only kissed the inside of your wrist with a coy smile.
indifference has never been your forte and it didn’t help that kaedehara kazuha, as a result of the countless hours he has devoted in honor of preserving your image in his memory, knew every single one of your quirks. as you cleared your throat, kazuha could only smile in content as you didn’t attempt to pull your hand away from his hold. a cat. sometimes, you reminded kazuha of a cat who jumps away from the slightest show of affection. other times, however, you stuck close like you had all the intention of becoming his second skin. you’d deny this if he told you but he knew better. his mother had once tucked a stray strand of his hair while softly saying that nature favored him for his free soul and it appears that this time, he owes them another prayer of gratitude. the rain has once again proven that it was his friend — a friend that had kindly bought him more time with a small bonus of having you crave the warmth that emanated from his palms.
“shall we go out of bed?”
you groan but made no further move to protest. it wasn’t as if you had any intention of running away from your responsibilities. while it was valentine’s day, it was also a monday, the most dreadful of all workdays, and you had no intention of losing your good mood to the morning traffic.
“i’ll at least help you with breakfast—” kazuha shakes his head before guiding you to the bathroom, spare towel and clothes in hand. you didn’t even notice that he had everything ready until he was telling you that he had everything covered, “you sure?”
“you’ll be late.”
“meanie.”
kazuha made no move as he watched you pad to the bathroom. he ought to tell you off for walking barefoot when the mahogany flooring was cold but there was something strange in his lungs. it squeezed — lightly, not enough to be painful but enough to be felt — and oddly, it was a feeling he could easily mark as delightful. it was befuddling to face an emotion he has yet to recognize but it was fine. if it was a feeling he gained from being around you, he’s bound to put a name to it eventually. after all, he was planning to stick by your side for a long, long time.
content with his realization, kazuha tugged at his sweater’s sleeves. he could hear the sound of the shower being turned on, followed by the rhythmic pattering of water to the tiled floor. once, he had no use for a heater, having an inexplicable tolerance for the freezing water in his apartment but then you came along and he found himself scurrying to accommodate you. the shrill scream you let out as you showered for the first time in his place was quite unforgettable and even more so was your blatant avoidance of his gaze. embarrassment on you was a hue that he found endearing but he’d never place his satisfaction over your comfort. lying wasn’t his forte, preferring very technical wording instead but somehow, it was easy to smile apologetically and tell you that he was having trouble with his morning showers as well.
not soon after, you gifted him one of the many piles of blankets he had stored in the spare room. “stay warm. i’m not very good at looking after sick people,” you said and he wondered how he could be stuck freezing in the cold when your eyes were the warmest of all. sincere and caring. you didn’t tell him that you won’t look after him when he’s all gross and vulnerable — just that you weren’t the best at it. kazuha had shuddered then, finding the intensity of your gaze to be the right amount of heat that he was craving for all this time.
it was no wonder that kazuha has earned a lot of mocking contempt from his friends for always thinking and speaking of you fondly but how could he ever stop when you’re effortlessly adorable as you wore his go-to scarf with a frustrated pout. you didn’t even have to do anything. all you had to do was stand still and breathe and he would be all over your feet, singing you praises and thanking you repeatedly for sharing your tender heart with him.
the bedroom door suddenly opened and he realized that he was too burrowed in his thoughts to realize that you have long left the shower. you were fiddling with his scarf. a pleased smirk came to his face as he realized that a part of him was going to be with you all day long and that it should be enough to silently cue your coworkers to stay on their lanes. how strange… it was unlike him to be so territorial. perhaps the valentine mood wasn’t all lie after all. shaking such nasty thoughts, he met you in the middle, gingerly unraveling the scarf to rewrap it around you but without the unsightly creases your earlier rush caused.
“you don’t need to leave so soon,” he smiles tenderly as he gently tugs at your arm to pull you back to his warmth, “my place is yours, after all.”
you knew what he was referencing. fragments of you could be found everywhere you look in his cozy apartment and it was as if cupid shot yet another barrage of arrows to your heart as you fall crazy in love all over again. you like this. you truly, with all of that word’s sincerity, like this. you like how you seamlessly mesh into his life— how natural your toothbrush sits next to his fancy bamboo one. you love how his body was always the right degree of warm during rainy days. you love him. you love him so much that it’s a wonder that this world could contain it.
“very sneaky,” you drawl, making no effort to hide your entertainment, “i never thought you’d be the one to influence me to lag behind.”
“there is no need to make me out to be a villain, dove. i am always by your side, wishing for you to receive only the best.”
you pause before nodding, burrowing your face into the scarf in the process. it smelled like him — like his apartment; like home and you wonder just when you began recognizing this small but cozy place to be the one place you’ll come back to after a day’s worth of work. you don’t question the why because you knew the first time you set your foot inside this place — even when back then the wallpapers were old and dirty and he refused to pay for ‘unnecessary’ appliances — that it was only a matter of time before you were dancing in the kitchen as you cooked dinner with a skilled artist as your sous chef. it was never a how or why, only a when and even that didn’t matter all too much because it would come to be eventually.
domesticity. the mere sound of the word had your blood rushing in excitement for what was in store for the future and without a doubt, you knew that you and kazuha had both silently agreed that you liked how that word sounded with the affectionate articulation of the other.
“i have to go now. you’ve held me back long enough, mister.”
kazuha easily dodged the soft flick you were supposed to give him. realizing that you weren’t going to call in sick after all, he sighed before handing you a carefully crafted bento. noticing your confused stare, he shrugged nonchalantly, “it’s unhealthy to skip breakfast and someone has to make sure that you’re not doing so just because you are running late.”
“holy crap,” you gape at him, heart going mad crazy underneath all your layers, “marry me. like right now.”
kazuha rose a brow before laughing, placing one final kiss on your cheek before shooing you off gently. your words had affected him a little too well and the lung-squeezing feeling from before returned ten-fold. whatever it was, it was for sure your doing and he had not the heart to complain. similarly, he has yet to find the heart to speak of the box hidden under his sock drawer ever since a year ago. no matter… it will come to be eventually — naturally and all in the due course of time that looked upon you fondly.
hello besties i survived my mocks and work so I am back intermittently, just taking some time off recently to mentally recover a little lol.
while I was gone (for like 4 days i think??) I realised we hit 1k!! Thank you everyone :D I would like to post more kazu-smau chapters soon to celebrate, but i’m not sure how much my schedule will allow for it. I’ll just take it slow and keep everyone updated as we go along. Hugs to everyone supporting and showing interest in the series. Another reminder my taglist for the smau is open!
I will update the people who wanted to be added with the NEXT chapter, to save me from multiple rounds of adding people. Have a wonderful weekend everyone!
Hiatus time!! I hope you guys liked the recent chapter, I’ll be answering asks and comments on it later. I’m aware that there are some inherent problems in the build up to all the explanations as to why who did what and etc etc. I have written series before and I really like to focus on emotional development, so I think my SMAU is heading more towards the realm of character drama for now. I want to focus on the faults of characters, silly things they have done, accepting (but not DISMISSING) things, and how people can move on from there. I know this is just fanfic but processing things is really important to me!! And I want it to be an important theme for the MC especially because if someone is treating you poorly in a relationship and refusing to communicate you deserve better.
Obviously for dramatic purposes kazu kind of looks like an a-hole for now but I promise there are important factors at play which will alll be revealed. However, I am NOT in anyway romanticising toxic behaviour and manipulative behaviour in a relationship. Kazuha canonically is lovely ofc, but definitely shown to be flighty and I interpret that as bad with committment. I have to establish the problems before I am able to fix them(JWJDJ Im sure no one even thought of it like that but trust the process yall I’m really not looking on toxicity in a favourable light). But please don’t take this as representative of my thoughts on what a good relationship should be. This is obviously dramatised for the sake of story too
Anyways I hope everyone stays well, and I will see you all some point soon!
This chapter is dedicated to albedocity on youtube (i doubt they will ever see this LOL) but their kazuha playlist gives me the best calming vibes while writing this, I can really imagine myself just sitting on a hill w/kazu watching the clouds. Please go check them out!!
Private QRTs don’t really work like that in twitter but it was a creative decision I took to make sure the formatting looked better . The locks more signify if it’s a private comment or not (locks are not shown for the original poster in the qrts as it’s their own comment section)
Xingqiu and Chongyun are v protective over y/n!! Xingqiu being more vocal about it.
If any problems for y/n arise Xingqiu and Hu Tao usually handle the admin/public side of it, while Chongyun and Benny are support hamsters
This was especially the case for the breakup too! (Nosy people at uni lol)
At the get together the gang watched a bunch of cheesy romcoms <33 it was a good time
an. first time writing for genshin just had to do my most famous troupe ;)
☉
translucent blue eyes watch from a distance, your limbs clings to the sides of your body as the bitter cold settles across mondstat, your skin rises with a chill and as you look at him over your shoulder—albedo feels heat settle in his cheeks amongst another warmth resolving somewhere else.
“my love” albedo whispers, motioning for his feet to move onward towards you, arms wrapping around your body as he lays his chin on your shoulder. “have i ever told you just how beautiful you are?” he murmurs, smiling against your skin when his fingers begin to climb, reaching solace in your breasts, two digits rolling across your clothed nipples.
you could answer but albedo seems to have made the question rhetorical, he feels the hitch in your lungs—that small gasp filtering your chest while he toys with your tits, keeping a steady hand on one breast while the other dwindles down to slip into your bottoms.
“you’re wet, pretty girl. this won’t take long to make you mine” albedo breathes into your skin, laying his tongue flat against exposed flesh as he dips two fingers through your folds, he smiles feeling your back arch against him—the way your cunt clenches around his fingers, juices dripping down to the palm of his hand.
how easily you’re falling apart from two of his fingers, albedo wonders how much you’d cream around his cock and if you could look anymore beautiful, he’d probably cum so much quicker inside you but albedo knows you’d beg for more—just like right now, as he is knuckle deep, curling and pounding into your weeping hole until a sheen wetness covers his fingers.
“so perfect” albedo hums, bringing his fingers up to spread them showing you what you had done to just his measly fingers. heat soaks deep within the apples of your cheeks, albedo seems to find it rather cutely played how coy you can be when you were practically begging for more, “you shouldn’t act so shy, princess. this mess is all for me, hm? so, show me how good i really make you feel on something else—it is all yours afterall.”
☉
it’s not necessarily foreign to xiao the way his cock twitches at just the sight of your body under him and he’s done this before—or so he thinks he has yet the way your eyes resemble a backwards doe-like look makes him want to buckle under the pressure.
you’re so responsive to his touch, slender fingers diving between your legs while he pumps the two digits so eagerly, lips parted with heated moans brushing past his tongue. “does it feel good?” xiao questions, chest rattling with an uneasy beat—he knows he’s making you feel good you’ve already soaked the sheets beneath you but xiao can’t help but crave to hear it.
xiao wants to be patient with you, devour your body to its full consumption but he’s driving himself insane, almost becoming a mortal being as you wiggle and writhe under him needing more of him and so xiao does indulge into your subtle begs, fisting his cock once more before plunging it into your fluttering hole, the other hand crashing beside your face while xiao rolls his hips.
“tell me what to do—tell me how to fuck you” xiao moans, teeth sinking into his bottom lip when you answer with your legs wrapped around his waist, pulling him deeper into a indescribable submerge of bliss. the nerves in his limbs grow numb, your nails digging into his back feel like nothing but solid pleasure driving him to fuck you harder, xiao is almost at a loss of everything until your lips find his and he’s finally landing back upon earth.
you hold his face within your hands, watching unblinking golden orbs fascinate into you, xiao allows a smile to creep along the edges of his lips, “you’re everything i’ve ever wanted.” he keeps his words hushed, a low groan following after the sentence as xiao continues pounding his cock deeper into your pussy—from being clueless about you to needing to know more; xiao had wanted nothing more but pain and solitude but now he can’t even paint the world without you in it.
☉
zhongli is unphased by almost everything, he seems to find himself locked into another world of some sorts—that is until he watches from a distance how people didn’t know how to keep their hands to themselves, or the way words weren’t filtered as they crept into the shell of your ear.
zhongli soon feels a heat rise to his gut, anger coursing through those stagnant veins, and he could try to deny it—an ache throbbed below his gut. but he tried brushing it off at first—until you were left alone with him and zhongli wanted nothing more than to show you—who exactly you belonged to.
the approached deemed necessary for zhongli to wrap his fingers around your delicate throat pulling you into a sloppy kiss while careful fingers unraveled your clothing, allowing your back to hit the sheets of his bed while he crashed to his knees, eager hands gripping the back of your thighs as zhongli spreads them apart, lingering his gaze from your disheveled face to his glistening pussy.
“they all seem to think you belong to anybody but me” he groans through his teeth, experimentally laying his tongue out flat to slide the warm muscle through your folds, bucking into his face when zhongli shoves two fingers into your clenching hole. “you know i don’t get jealous often, princess. but something about the way they flirt with you makes me want to make you cum so much quicker.”
zhongli groans again as his tongue wraps around your puffy clit, sucking and quickening his pace of his fingers curling deeper into your pussy, thighs trembling around his face gives zhongli the notion that you’ll never cum this quick with anybody else, your moans rupturing from your chest never will sound so self indulgent to not another soul but him.
he takes a second to suck on your clit, bringing your orgasm to the surface and that’s all he needs—all zhongli needs to see that you’re his, “next time they attempt to talk to you my love, will you remember how hard you cum as my face is between your thighs or should i make you cum on my cock next, hm?”
☉
childe was usually more careful with you on days spent with bodies entangled under cotton waves, soft murmurs of moans lingering your skin and fingers intertwined never leaving but only to grasp onto him harder. but childe might have reeled this scenario in his head and he might just have happened to want to rush it just this once because the thought—was insufferable if he couldn’t see it in person.
“pretty girl” childe coos, pinning your legs to your chest, a smirk edges his lips when he watches your hole flutter around nothing—you’re already dripping, expecting him to toy with your pussy until childe was satisfied but tonight he had better ideas. “how much cum do you think you can take?” childe smirks, bending down to press a kiss on your forehead before he sinks his fat cock inside you, pushing past the tight vice grip on his length until he bottoms out—struggling to hold a moan back when he feels just how perfect your pussy was made for him.
“do you feel that princess? this pussy is wanting me so bad” childe grits through his teeth, spreading your legs further apart so he can watch how much you’re being split open by him. he already wants to cum so bad—deep inside you, let the mess fill your hole while he fucks more into you and he doesn’t even feel bad when you’re begging for it, nails sinking into his skin when he’s three pumps in and his cum leaks out of you in seconds.
“fuck baby, you’ve made me cum so quick—wanna see this pretty hole filled with nothing but my cum” childe throws his head back when more of his seed dumps into your hole, he loves how messy it feels around his cock, the noises you’re making feel like heaven to his ears and whenever he is finally done fucking your sensitive hole, childe will have to just fuck more into you—you’re his to put as much cum inside you as he can, right?
☉
kazuha seems to forget you sleep longer than he ever has, his chest vibrates with warmth from your back pressed tightly against him, the subtle way your chest seems to rise so delicately. and even more importantly kazuha lacks the knowledge of what the early start of something else really brings forth.
it starts with a pulse below his stomach, blood dropping lower causing nothing but growth and nothing but an ache he hates when you can’t resolve it for him. but kazuha knows the innocent kisses along your shoulder blade would surely wake you, calloused pads skimming across warmth flesh till he feels you stir awake from your sleep and just the roll of his hips on your ass is just a cute little sign.
“good morning, my love” kazuha breathes out, placing tender kisses on your cheek while your fingers card through his messy strands of hair that have fallen from his ponytail. you don’t mind the second thing he does is spread your thighs apart, lifting one leg over his own so you’re easier to touch—with greedy fingers he finds you already wet and maybe he shouldn’t yet—he does, springing his cock free and sliding it through the wetness clinging to your cunt.
“need you, always need you to make me feel good” kazuha hums, wasting no time sinking his cock in, gasping when your pussy clamps down on his length. he rocks his hips to uneasy pace, kazuha slowly closes his eyes while he rests his face into the back of your neck, moaning and whimpering when his swollen cock grows closer to spilling his seed inside you.
kazuha wraps his fingers around your throat, tilting your face to meet his as he crashes his lips against your own, tongue gently scraping across inner cheeks, the other hand finding your puffy clit and quickly drawing soft circles, “i want to cum for you and you’re going to take it like a good girl, yeah?” kazuha whispers in your mouth, smirking along the lines of your lips when he feels a weak attempt of happily saying yes to him when he’s making you feel like your entire body is dissolving.
☉
“you should relax” you whisper out to gorou from the floor of his room, he ceases the words falling from his lips to look down at you, his eyebrows furrowed in confusion before gorou is back to rambling about another mission. but you seem to ignore him this time, slowly climbing from the floor until your face is pressed in his lap.
“w-what’re you doing?” gorou stammers, watching as you carefully spring his cock free, giving it a couple of small licks until he grows harder in your hand. “getting you to relax” you murmur against his length, guiding the head into your mouth until you can swallow more of him. gorou jets his eyes across the room before shakily placing a hand on your head, fingers grazing across your hair until he gives it a hard grip.
you toy with his cock, licking and slurping until he twitches in your mouth, the other hand coming up to cup his clenching balls—his chest is filled with an erratic beat, lips tremble between his teeth and you bring his orgasm to the surface before pulling away leaving a string of spit in the wake.
“d-dont stop, i-i do need this” gorou whines, struggling to put your hot mouth back on his swollen cock, you smile up at him—how pitiful he looks but how much greed circles the pupils of his eyes. “relax, pretty boy. i’ll make you cum” you coo at him, going back to what you were doing earlier but this time with a quicker pace so gorou is already seeing stars in his blurred vision.
“s-so good for me” gorou slurs, unable to control the way his hips buck into your face, nails digging into your scalp and when you really know he’s beginning to grow close you can taste the pre-cum dripping down your throat, gorou throws his head back when you take more and more of him until you’re gagging, spit dripping from the corners of your mouth and finally as he reaches the end he really can’t help slamming your face deep into his lap.
you swallow all that gorou has and keep going because just one load down your throat isn’t enough to relax him and though gorou is so sensitive right now he’s not going to stop you—he’s being needy now, whimpering when he’s already so fucking hard, the leftover mess spilled in his lap and that beautiful fucking sight of you sucking his cock to make him feel just a little bit better.
