║Xiao║Come Back

║Ningguang║Inspiration

From Wattpad.

Gender-neutral.

Fluff.

Word count: 1.9k

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She looked so beautiful sitting in the midst of those glaze lilies, a smile on her lips and eyes gentle with a soft glow from the sunlight as she looked at the flowers. She plucks a glaze lily and brought it up to her nose, pushing a strand of her long hair behind her ears.

At that moment, it felt as if the rest of the world stopped. Your eyes glimmered and your face dusted with a light pink. To you, she was a goddess under that one beautiful and bright day and hope that you could get to see more of her in the future.

You see, you were a travelling painter and writer who is inspired by anything and everything around you. Travelling all across Teyvat, anybody would thought that you would have already met that eureka moment at its highest peak but no, you didn't- not until your travel to Liyue, that is.

Liyue, like all regions of Teyvat, had a unique style that distinguishes itself from others: the aesthetic of buildings, the aromatic dishes, its culture, yearly festivals-- you name it. It draws many and all sorts of people- either for work or for fun and you were there for the latter.

The bustling of crowds and the bright lights of the city at night have you that peaceful yet lively atmosphere that made you look at everything in awe. There was simply too much things one could write about and many places surrounding Liyue to paint, but none of them really sparked that motivation.

It was only when you took a walk outside of Liyue, that you found your spark. In the field full of glaze lilies, there was a woman, alone, in Liyue esque clothing. She had hair that was white as the snow in Dragonspine and eyes that was the colour of a phoenix and full of love and life. Your heart pounded against your chest like never before. She was alluring.

You took a step closer but the sound of grass bring crumpled upon made her alert and her reaction to the sound was faster than a normal person, like she was a warrior on full alert. "Who are you?" she asks sternly and her soft gaze became sharp as soon as her eyes landed on you.

"Oh, um, sorry to alert you," you started, "I was just passing by when I saw you and um.." You didn't say what you were thinking- her looking beautiful- to save yourself from embarrassment and from the- what would have been- suspicious gaze on you.

"Oh, is that so?" she says and starts to inspect you from head to toe, taking every little details of you. "Hm, it doesn't look like you're from Liyue. Are you an adventurer?"

"Ah, you can say that.." You scratch the back of your head shyly. "I'm travelling across Teyvat for inspiration." The lady hums, bringing her fingers on her chin. "So, I'm assuming you're here for inspiration?" she clarifies herself and you nod. A smile forms on her lips. "Not a lot come by this place as there are many monsters and that there are glaze lilies that can already be found within the city."

She then stood up and turns her full body to you. "Then, I shall be leaving so I can give you the scenery to help inspire you," she says and bows politely, excusing herself from your sight. You watched as her figure disappears from your sight, returning to the city. When you turned around, the scenery before you felt different. It felt sort of lonely and empty without the lady who basked in the sunlight and that spark suddenly died as soon as your eyes landed on it.

You decided to call it a day out in the wilderness and return back to the safety of the city, but not before seeing something glimmer in the midst of flowers under the sun's light. You walked closer and see a jewelry just sitting there and you presumed that it was the lady's so you picked it up, but since she was far gone, you can't hope to catch up to her, so you just hope that you two will meet again.

On the next day, you found Luhua Pool and decided to paint the scenery. It was very beautiful indeed so you sat there and painted away. As you were painting, you couldn't help but let your mind wander to the lady from yesterday.

She was a local which means you would see her somewhere in the city. However, she didn't look like a simple worker of the local stores or restaurants which meant that you can't simply walk into buildings and expect her to be there.

You still remember of the jewelry that you found and rummage your satchel for it. It was kept well inside a small box that you bought not soon after returning to the city. You suddenly pictured the white-haired female, alone, in that field of flowers, looking so beautiful that it took your breath away.

Subconsciously, you picked up a new canvas and paintbrush and spent that day painting the scene from yesterday with the best of your memories. The field itself was pretty, but it was her that made it even more so beautiful than it already was. When you were finished, the sun was already setting in the horizon. You took a step back to look at your work and praised it. It was your favourite and the one where you put so much care and effort into. If only the lady was there to see it.

You packed your belongings inside your satchel and made your way down the mountain you were on. You felt that the sun was setting rather quickly because the moon and a couple of stars were already dusting the now dark sky and you were nowhere near the city.

Not being a vision user, it kind of sucked that you have to fear of hilichurls suddenly appearing before you. The thought alone made you clutch the strap of your satchel and began frantically looking around.

Then- to your dread- you see a bunch of hilichurls in the distance. Some were sleeping while others were awake and on guard; there was even a mitachurl which just made the whole thing much worse than it already is. You can make your way around the camp so that's what you did, not knowing there there was a sleeping hilichurl in the direction you were heading. It woke up and set the alarm for the others as well.

"Oh, for the love of..!" You gripped tightly on your satchel and made a run for it. Through the years of travelling, your legs gotten quite used to long travels, as well as running away from encountered hilichurls. It was something not worth bragging since it's for survival.

You looked back and see that a hilichurl with a fire bat-like weapon sped up than the rest. In a panic, you sprinted faster, but since you weren't looking forward, you didnt see the conveniently placed log.

You tripped over it and ended up scratching your chin from the impact. You turn your body and see that they the samachurls was no more than a metre away, ready to swing its axe. Closing your eyes, you expected for the worst.

When ten seconds passed and the strike didn't come, you open one eye and then both to see some sort of barrier in front of you. "Are you alright?" Upon hearing the voice, you looked over your shoulders and see the white-haired female of whom you just painted of not too long ago.

Not waiting for an answer, she casted little rocks that was strong enough to wipe all of the hilichurls out of sight and returned back to you, kneeling down to inspect your injuries. "You're lucky that I was on my way back to the city and found you," she states. "Archon forbids what might have happened to you if I were not around."

She gets up on her feet again and stretches out a hand for you to grab. "Come on, I'll treat your wounds at my place." You didn't think it through as you hastily accepted the offered hand and followed her back inside the city.

She lead you up a couple of stairs and to your shocking news, up to the Jade Chamber that you had heard so many praises about. "Um, excuse me, but isn't this place off limits for common folks?" you ask, your eyes darting across the place with a mix of uneasiness and excitement. "It is, usually, but since you are injured, I've made an exception."

The words caught you by surprise and stare at the back of the female who rummage through shelves and drawers, looking for the things she needed. "Wait, so, are you Lady Ningguang, the Tianquan of the Liyue Qixing!?" you exclaim. She hums, a small smile tugging her lips. "I see you're well informed of Liyue. Yes, I am and this is my home," she answers. Once she found the thing she wanted- which was a medical kit- she walks to where you were sitting and places the kit on the table beside you.

"This will sting so I apologise beforehand," she said and took out a cotton, dabbing some kind of ointment on it. She gently cups your face with her free hand and tilts it upwards before placing the cotton on the bottom of your chin.

She wasn't lying when it would sting and you hissed at the sudden stinging pain you felt. She apologises again before doing it a couple more times. "There, that should heal up in no time," she says as soon as she pulls away.

You watched her quietly from your seat, mesmerized by the sight of her as she cleans up. "Beautiful." Before you could comprehend what came out from underneath your breath, Ningguang heard it and looks at you with a baffled look. "I beg your pardon?"

You realized what you said and shook your head hastily. "A, ah, did I say that out loud?" you ask, more to yourself. I-it's just that.. Um, I really think you're beautiful, Lady Ningguang and I hope that we could meet more often.." You scratched your cheek, averting your gaze from the Tianquan.

There was a brief awkward silence which made you kinda wish that you hadn't said what you said just a few moments ago. Then, "Thank you," she says. You look up and see her smiling. "I.. I do like the thought of knowing someone outside of working matters."

Your eyes glimmered in happiness that soon reached your lips. "R-really? Then, I'm happy," you said and remembered something the slipped your mind. "Oh, right, I was wondering if it would be alright to ask what you were doing out so late?"

"Oh, I was looking for something that I had dropped yesterday. I had thought I dropped it by the fields.." she answers. You knew what that 'something' is and asked, "Are you perhaps looking for a jewelry?" She looks at you with hope in her eyes. "Do you know where it is?"

You nodded and look through your satchel. "I found it lying on the grass and kept it safe, thinking that it was yours," you say in honest and pulled out the box it was kept in before walking towards her, stretching the box towards her. "I'm glad to have stumbled upon you so that I could return it to you."

Ningguang smiles and accepts the box. "Thank you," she says in a gentle tone. "By the way, I haven't gotten your name, have I?" You shook your head. "My name is (Y/N)," you answered.

"Well, (Y/N), I hope we can become great friends," she says to which you happily nod. "Me too."

---

I think you should be honest and tell them that you reseted your computer, I'm pretty sure they'll understand. It would be quite unreasonable for them to get angry if they did.

Hmm, it's more like them being disappointed than them getting mad. I've had thought about just saying the truth and I'm not a fan of lying myself, but I do hate it more if I let people down.. But what can I do? This is life and I have to face the unknown up ahead sooner or later and there'll be disappointments to be had. T_T

Okay, I'm preparing myself.. Man,, I'm so not ready.

Gahh! But literally for two dinners, they kept talking about my progress.. I manage to deter it away from me since I obviously didn't have my computer with me to show anything. Okay. I'm still gonna do it.

Also, are you perhaps a writer? I rarely see people- even adults- who text like me with commas, periods, etc. I do it out of habit and to stay sharp in my writing.

║Lilia Vanrouge║ I Can’t Love You for an Eternity

Reader: No pronouns or description used. Gender neutral. 

Warning(s): None

—

Who would believe that this short fae with a frail-looking body and a doll-like face is the terrifying general that history books speaks of? It was hard to imagine just by that alone, but seeing him become putty in your hands? No one would have even brush the surface of that topic.

So here he was, the Lilia Vanrouge whose name alone would have made history quiver in fear, submitting himself to your love, answering to your beck and call whenever. 

“My dear, would you care to accompany this old fae for a stroll in the botanical garden?” He looks on in expectancy with that smile you love so much. That smile that would make you go against the heavens should they take it away. So with that said, you nod without needing a moment to think. 

The school’s garden was really breathtaking and the flora grown in them were nothing like what you’ve seen back home. You enjoy these walks with Lilia because you’d have the opportunity to take a break from your work and simply relax with him and admire the flowers. 

“My dear, I don’t suppose you know what this flower is?” Lilia points to a flower that has a deep shade of red whose petals look like it is made out of crystals. The light was bouncing off of it and revealed beautiful rainbow colours hidden within them. 

To no one’s surprise, you shook your head. “Kufufu, then it would be my pleasure to tell you that it is poisonous for humans,” he muses and takes a mischievous glance at you. You sweatdrop. Who knew that a pretty flower could be so dangerous? “But do not worry, it is only if you hold it for long periods of time and handle it without care.

“I do believe that the students of Pomfiore quite prefer using this since its petals offer both medicinal properties from the stems and poisonous traits from its petals that becomes more potent when its crushed,” he says with the knowledge of an ancient. “It’s quite the deadly flower for they are a backstabbing bunch. They prefer to watch the slow process of death and for a long time, households could not find an answer as to why their family is dying one by one, kufufu.” A closed fist covers his smile as he laughs. Without even knowing it yourself, you couldn’t contain a smile of your own. Yes, with him, it was like a never ending dream. Everything he told you would make you smile, even the weird things he would say. It could just be because spending time with him was everything you could ever ask for. 

You hope that it will be like this for eternity.

— 

“Let’s breakup.”

You could hear a pen drop somewhere further down the halls in one of the classrooms as you felt your heart drop. That was how silent it was in the room. 

When the words finally finish processing inside your head, your eyes became frantic as it enlarges. So many questions pops up into your head but you couldn’t even find it in you to voice them orderly when all you want right now is him, “.. Why?” Your mouth hunts ajar when a single tear slips down your cheek. 

Lilia bit the inside of his cheek yet his face remain unreadable to you, a shadow casting over his eyes that made him look heartless and cold. In fact he turns his face to the side so you couldn’t read his face at all. He was not the Lilia you were so familiar with. “Why, why, why?” You sobbed, “I-is it something about me that you don’t like? Am I too loud? Too quiet?

“Is it because I don’t know many things about this world? I-I’ll study hard so I can k-keep up a conversation with you..! I’ll change, please!” You push yourself to his chest and curled your fists into his uniform, crumpling it and ruining his prestige image of an NRC student. “Please, I’ll do anything you ask! Ju-just don’t leave me..” 

You stare pleadingly at him. One tear turned to two and two to three and so on. His jaws tightened and he couldn’t help but turn slightly to look at you. However, this only made him flinch and turn away. He couldn’t stand tears. His nose crinkles and his brows furrowed all the while he keeps his mouth shut. 

For just a moment, you saw how much he was in pain so why was he doing this to himself? To you? “Please, you have to talk to me..” Your head hangs low, still gripping onto his shirt tightly, afraid that he will walk away and leave you if you let go or relax just a bit. 

You hear him let out a shaky breath and hold onto both of your wrist, but just for a short second until he forces you to detach yourself from him so seamlessly. Your eyes widened but now, you could properly see his eyes. It was dull and looked like it belonged to a heartless murderer out on the field. What scared you most about it was that it was a fitting look on him. It was as if he had this on for a long time that it became natural. Moreover, it hides so many thoughts and mixed feelings from you such as the pain he feels just by doing this. You were unable to decipher any of it. 

“There is nothing wrong with you so please do not degrade yourself..” He says coldly and smoothies out his uniform. “So why..?” Your voice croaks. He goes back to staring at the ground beside you but still answers, “I simply cannot love you for an eternity.”

—

So that was that, one supposes. It took some time for you to get out of bed each day and talk to your friends as if nothing was wrong, but humans are fickle creatures whose hearts can easily be molded and find it in them to open them to others once more. Over time, you healed. To be more accurate, you put your heart together again, but once broken will always be broken. There were cracks that would obviously never heal. 

This was good. After all, he hated the way you look during those days where you looked hopeless, when the eyes the held a promise to the world looked so lifeless. 

Two orbs with deep shades of red- that one can say to be crimson- watches a certain someone from the shadows. It watches as they approach a taller male. 

There was some inaudible chatter as words were being passed along. Then there it was, a laugh. It was a laughter that it was most familiar with. The sound of a past history that it wishes to relive again but knows that it shouldn’t dream of such a thing. The laughter from someone who it cannot hold in its arms any longer. 

“[Name], do you want to walk in the garden with me?” Ah. Just the mention of your name already has this old fae’s heart beating rapidly, but it was a name he can no longer say so lovingly. The male with you has a deep and velvety tone that could just possibly woo anyone. His smile can be considered charming in its own way. 

He wears the uniform of Octavinelle, the fae ponders from behind a tree. “I believe that this is the twin named Jade..” He mumbles, cross examining the description that matches the correct Leech twin. 

He sees your head slightly nods. Could it be that you are hesitant to go into the garden? He found it hard to go in there himself as well. It does bring melancholic memories.

Jade offers a hand to which you take and allow yourself to be swept away. 

This is fine, Lilia thinks. Jade, he knows- despite the rumours about the eels- is dependable and honest. He is protective when it comes to his loved ones, especially his brother whom he does his best to make sure he doesn’t get into too much trouble. He is organized and a good influence. What’s more, he has a lifespan similar to that of a human.

“Do you know what this flower is, [Name]?” Jade points towards a flower whose colour was a deep blue; a royal blue. “It has a pleasant smell that is used in perfumes or tea to have a fragrant smell.

“More importantly..” Jade plucks the flower from its soil carefully and faces you properly. “It symbolizes deep admiration.”

This is fine.. This is good. 

You can finally have that wish you’ve had where you can grow old with somebody you love fulfilled. A wish that is shared by many humans. 

—

A nightmare.

In the midst of the ever peaceful night, the old fae was rudely awoken by a nightmare. Even as he gulped down a hefty amount of water in the Diasomnia kitchen to calm his nerves, he couldn’t stop the shaky breath that his lips slips out as he recalls that dream. 

This dream, that dream.. He’s been having the same nightmare. Death. Death. Death. Death.

It’s inevitable, he knows that. He should know that very well. But when it’s about you.. 

“Father?” 

A familiar voice that was evident that it is still going through adolescence drew his attention behind him. The light of the moon could faintly trace the outline of his son standing by the entryway to the kitchen. “Silver..” He takes a deep breath in and straightens his posture to properly greet him. 

“What are you doing up so late?” He lets out a quivering breath. “You do know that it’s wrong to stay up late since it will take a toll on your body. 

“This can’t do since you need an able body to protect Malleus.” His eyes pierces through the dim room and takes in the worried face that was on his son’s face.

“I woke up when I heard your door open and close,” Silver answers honestly. “Ah, then my apologies.. You must be tired so why don’t you go to back to bed?” 

“I’m worried about you, father..” He confesses and walks closer so he could take a proper look at the way his face contorts in pain, totally disregarding the words his father said. 

Lilia stares back at him with owlish eyes, the expressions he had earlier was nowhere to be seen. It was as if it wasn’t there at all. This should be something to be praised— how easy he can change his expressions to one that enemies would have a hard time reading— but it wasn’t. Not to the worries of Silver especially who awoke each night at the sound of a door open and closed, knowing that it was Lilia who came out. 

“I think you should talk to [Name] about this..” He voices once he finds the right words and way to put his thoughts to light. “I do not know the suffering’s extent from this nightmare is, but talking it out might help.” 

“Silver.” Lilia’s voice was stern as he looked at him with a serious look. Seriousness was hard to tie in with the current Lilia but Silver knows full well that he had reverted back to his general days at this moment. 

The silver-haired boy gulps the lump in his throat and knows it was time to stop the chatter. “I’ll go to bed now.. Have a good rest, father,” with that, the young boy returns to his room with a faint click on his door, confirming that he has gone inside. 

Death was not merely an acquaintance with the fae. He has seen lives taken away from the innocent and he took some himself. Even now, he is expecting that another life will slip through his fingers, knowing that Silver is human. However, when it came to you, it was hard. 

In his long years, he had never had someone give him this fluttering feeling inside his chest. It was as if a thirsty flower being watered for the first time in so long suddenly blossom in glee. You make him feel like that. 

However, a flower can’t have the same gardener for so long as they will perish while it is at a standstill and the only thing it could do is watch the world around them change. 

I’m sorry I can’t grow old with you, my dear.. 

It is the first time he is feeling like this and so he’s confused— afraid. He is afraid. He is scared that if he loves you too much, he’ll be the one to turn the heavens upside down— tear it apart— should it be your time to part from the realm of the living. 

But.. Maybe that was too late.  

—

Watching over your sleeping figure, Lilia couldn’t help but think all these sorry thoughts. Thoughts of how he is a coward and a bad fae who could not grant you one, beautiful wish of wanting to grow old with him. 

“I have failed you, my dear,” he whispers and caresses your face softly and carefully as if you were made of crystals. “I am the one to hurt you and make you shed tears, yet it is I who feels regret for allowing it to end the way it did..” 

A tear. A single tear escapes through your shut lids, but you had this bittersweet smile. Could you have been dreaming of him? Are you dreaming— replaying— the sweet times that you two once shared? 

Even now, when he is no longer a general, it was hard for Lilia to cry. But this heart of his cries. Cries out for your love that it knows is forbidden to it. 

“Oh look, I seem to have made you cry even in the land of dreams where it should be happy..” He smiles bitterly. His hand halts its actions and then a faint glow emits from his palms. 

“I, Lilia Vanrouge, present you the gift of love.. May you find it in your heart to love as big as you once did and hopefully find that very same love in whom you wish to spend the rest of eternity with..” After he said those words, the light gradually dims until it was dark in the room once more, save for the light of the moon. 

It is only after seeing your face relax, did he part ways with you. “May you also never shed tears again and have beautiful dreams.” 

He turns on his heels so that his back faces you. It was close to morning dawn and he had to retire back to his dorm to freshen up. This would be the last time he visits, he says a silent promise to himself, though it was half convincing. After all, you had found that someone and thus have no need for him anymore. 

Before he leaves your room, he takes one more look at you and under his breath, he speaks with an aching heart, “Please forget how this unworthy old fae has taken your love for granted..” 

~♡~

Hi! I noticed that it's been a long time you're active, are you okay?

Hello, anon! Yes, I am okay. I just took a much needed break. :)) Thank you for your concerns~!

I have seen the fanmade version of Heizou and I-- PLEASE, MIHOYO. JUST SPEND A COUPLE HUNDRED DOLLARS TO BUY THE DESIGN OFF OF THE ARTIST SO THAT IT CAN BE REAL. ToT

All these fanart, but knowing it'll never be real, hurts me so damn much.

hey! I’m a new follower but I really like your writing!

I couldn’t find your rules so I’m so sorry if this goes against them or if this makes you uncomfortable! :(

but if requests are still open…Can I request Lilia and or Malleus waking up from a terrifying nightmare of his human S/o dying in some way?

again if this is against your rules i’m sorry!

-Casey🐉

Lilia Vanrouge x reader / Malleus Draconia x reader (separate)

Reader: Gender-neutral/not mentioned.

Warning(s): Can’t think of any.

Word count: 1k

All rights reserved. Do not steal/copy and paste and upload it anywhere.

—

Note: Hello! Thank you for following me! It’s an honour to have you, truly! ^^ Your request doesn’t go against my rules at all and is, in fact, a wonderful request.. I seem to need to fix the issue of requesters not finding the rules.. In the meantime, here is your request!

I’ve decided to do both since they are both my most favourite. 

—

Lilia Vanrouge

Lilia has seen it all and saw nightmares through. He had seen countless of war start. He had seen numerous bloodshed, heard cries from both the innocent and the guilty– from women to children, the young to the elderly. And he can’t deny that he was a reaper of souls who took many of those lives. Even to this day, after centuries have passed, he is reminded of each victim through an echo of agonizing scream that rings in his ears. History books could never truly depict the terror in each and every living being on that battlefield and thus, he had to suffer the reminder in silence.

Pitiful as it sounded, he felt no remorse for those lives he had taken. Though he may have been reduced to merely a guardian and a father, a retainer and student, he was, in the end, the strongest weapon in his kingdom’s military. He was strong not just in power, but also will. His will to follow the ruler’s orders and see it through was much more than taking care of himself. He was like a shadow by the throne’s side, awaiting orders at any time with his piercing red eyes.

If you were too careless, you would have your head served on a platter before you knew it.

However.. This nightmare was one that even the strong fae couldn’t face.

It started off as just any other nightmare of his with him as the centre of his own show. There he was, bloodied sword in hand after gashing his enemies with it, still able to fight and had little scratches and cuts into his flesh.

He was alone when he walked through the burning village of innocent civilians and screams and cries rose into the air which he drowned out. Honestly, what was the point in all of this war? He grew tired of it as this war– which had been drawn out far longer than the others– and just wishes to take a rest in a clear, green field where mild wind blows.

Then, just barely straining his ears, he hears the footsteps of another that was covered by the screams. He is sure that it is neither one of his soldiers or the enemy’s for this footstep was light, seeming not to wear any heavy armour.

This footstep was drawing close and this unfortunate soul would soon regret turning the corner. He was there, sword already in hand with lifeless eyes staring at the cloaked figure when they turned.

Upon seeing him, the figure drew to a defensive mode, a wand of their own pointing at him and chanting out a spell. A mage from the enemy’s side? Why would one be out in the burning village? Just seeing the fire outside would already make one concur that anyone inside was already good as dead.

Nevertheless, he raises a sword and in a blink of an eye, he is in front of this cloaked figure, and in one swift motion, pierce his sword in another human, its magic spell fading away as quickly as it came.

The scene around him changed and to his surprise, it was a field of endless green with the wind blowing just right. His dreams would usually be just the void and his nightmares would be mainly his past so what was this? He looked around, completely in a daze.

The cloak figure– who was still with him and now on the ground– coughed blood. “L, Lilia..” Completely forgetting that they were there, his attention snapped back to them when they called him by name, caught off guard when they did.

But that voice.. It sounded awfully like– “L, Lilia.. It hurts.” The hood on this mysterious person slowly fell back when their head lay down and revealed piercing bright orbs looking at him through tears.

His heart sank when he realize who it was that he had so mercilessly stabbed. “[Name]..?” He dropped to the ground beside you and held your head up, heart beating frantically in his chest. “Lilia.. Why did you–” More blood was coughed out which just further scared the fae.

“Stop talking. I, I’ll heal you so just–” He raised a hand but stopped when his eyes met his reflection through the blood of his sword. If he were to remove it, you were sure to die but if he didn’t, you would also die. “Lilia, it’s okay,” you weakly said, voice barely audible. Your hand shakily reached for his free one and held it.

“[Name].. I, I didn’t–” Didn’t what? Didn’t mean to? Was he starting to become selfish now? After all the lives he has taken, he’s now feeling remorseful? Guilty?

“It’s okay.. I under–” Your hand that tried to reassure him covered your mouth, staining it in the process. You look at him tearfully with a smile. “I, I love you, Lilia.”

His eyes widened even more and held you closer to his chest. “[Name]! [Name]!! Wake up!” He shouts to your lifeless body, tears blurring his sight of your lifeless eyes.

And just like that, the fae shot up on his bed, tears trickling down his face and panting heavily. Recalling his dream, his cries broke into hiccups but remembered that it was just a dream. You weren’t there during his time in the military. You don’t even have an ounce of magic on you either!

But..

He couldn’t help but want to reassure himself that you were okay and.. You know, alive and breathing peacefully in your sleep. So he did just that– teleporting straight to Ramshackle and your room.

His eyes cut through the dark and was relieved to see you in your bed, asleep. He lets out a sigh of relief that he didn’t know that he was holding in. He walked over to your bed and sat down at the edge of it, hand pushing away strands of hair that covered your porcelain-like face.

A small, yet genuine smile formed his lips, eyes staring at you meaningfully. He wipes his face of any leftover tears and tucks your hair behind your ears. He moved his face closer to you and, with a loving smile, said, “My gift to you shall be happy dreams,” and placed a single kiss on your temple before disappearing from your room, not getting the chance to see the smile that adorned your face in your slumber state.

Malleus Draconia

Click on this link!

~♡~

I love the thought of Silver calling Lilia "papa" instead of father. :'>❤️

║Aether║Intertwined Fates

Gender-neutral.

Word count: 800+

---

His name lingers on your tongue everytime you say it. You didn't know who he was and such a name was foreign to the nations of Teyvat, but it sounded so perfectly when you utter it.

Aether.

You weren't much of a talker so you didn't know many people, but for some reason, you always seem to utter that name-- be it out loud or in your mind. You didn't mind though, loving how the name rolls off your tongue.

A smile slowly crept up to your face-- a small smile, but there's no difference.

"Hey, (Y/N), you're kinda scaring me, you know?" Your friend- whose name is completely irrelevant- spoke, eyeing you weirdly. Lately, you have been smiling to yourself and always utter 'Aether' which started to creep her out and some others, although they don't express it.

"Ah, sorry.." You rub your hand on the back of your neck. "Anyway, I'm quite curious," they start, waiting for you to show a gesture to continue. "Why is it that you're smiling a lot? Did you find someone you like~?" They poke your shoulder while covering their mouth with their other hand, although it did not hide their huge, teasing grin.

"I don't know.." you answered truthfully, looking down at the ground. You were truly wondering if this 'Aether' guy was actually real or not. All your life you have had that name being left your lips like a sort of prayer, but you have not met a person whose name is Aether. Sometimes, you think you just made it up, but something in you begs to differ.

"Huh? That's a weird answer, don't you think?" they ask, face visible of confusion. You shrug, saying nothing.

Having no choice but to take your response as answer, they switched the topic. "Well then, we should probably bring our fair share of logs home or we'll freeze to death. Snezhnaya's cold doesn't show mercy to anyone." They hinted at the pile of chopped wood on the ground.

You nod, walking home with the logs in tow. "Welcome home. I see you brought a lot back," your mother greets, a smile obvious on her face.

You nod and put the pile of wood on its rack, placed by the fireplace. "Well, if you need me, I'll be in my room," you muttered before leaving.

Snezhnaya and its ruler was merciless. There wasn't much entertainment than that of Mondstadt, the city of bards. So, in your room, there you sat on a sofa that was backed against a window, turning your upper body to stare outside at the frozen wasteland to at least have something entertaining to watch.

Staring at the stars, you were suddenly reminded of the name 'Aether'. You wonder, is this person ever going to come, or will you forever utter that name?

Tired out from the workout of dragging wood, you decided to skip dinner and go to sleep, getting deep under your blanket for warmth.

The next day, your friend had invited you to hangout around the town since they didn't like sitting around and doing nothing. "Hey, did you hear?" they excitedly ask, eager for you to respond. "No, what's up?" you ask, looking at him side eye.

"There's a commotion going on that the Honourary Knight from Mondstadt is in Snezhnaya!" they said, finally relieved of the build-up excitement. 'The Honourary Knight?' you question. Such person has been a talk across Teyvat, but for what reason could they be travelling? You did not know.

"Let's go see the knight!" Your friend took you by the wrist and dragged you to the square of the town. "Hey, look, I think that's them!" They point towards a blonde male.

Stopping when your friend does, your heart fluttered upon seeing the knight. Why did he feel so familiar? You have never met him, but you can't shake the feeling that you know his name.

The knight turns your way and at that moment, realization struck you and it seemed as if he, too, seem to know. "Aether," you called, barely audible.

"Huh? That name again..?" your friend said, but his attention was turned away from you and to the approaching blonde male. "Ah, he's coming this way..!" they quickly say lowly, clenching their teeth.

The knight stops in front of you and your friend quickly straightened his posture. "H- hey, you're the Honourary Knight, right?" your friend points out. You look at them, not knowing why they were so nervous when he looked relaxed. "Um, yes, I am," the blonde answers and looks at you in a seeming manner. "I'm Aether."

That was it. That was all you needed to hear. "Do you.. Perhaps know my name..?" you ask, now regretting that such a silly question came out of your mouth.

A smile parts his lips and gentle eyes sparkle back at you. "Of course. I have been searching for you.. (Y/N)."

---

Congratulations! I'm happy for you!! ^♡^

I GOT HIM!!!!!!! I CANT BELIEVE I GOT HIM, MY DEBIT CARD WAS SACRIFICED BUT IT WAS WORTH IT

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