— ft. ; albedo, childe, diluc, kaeya, kazuha, thoma, venti, xiao, zhongli (separately) x gender neutral!reader
— notes ; FLOOFY FLUFF. just some random modern-ish! au hcs for some characters. in paragraphs. lowercase. arranged alphabetically. these are just my random thoughts! i thought of these at like, 1 am & in sleepy car drives & during class? WC, ≈ 1.5k
— warnings ; some mentions of food, hate / negative comments (but really just in a comfort, barely any hurt kinda way), clothes shopping. nothing much tbh, but pls inform me of anything i may need to add! c:
— a/n ; i finally finished w/ this omg hi hi ! thoma has full custody of my heart ;( no, scratch that, all of these boys own my heart (send help *internally screaming*). <//3 i shall now post this ehe, hope y'all like this !! hav good day everyone <3
ALBEDO is actually unfairly handsome while he’s reading books, somehow especially so whenever they’re recommended by you, he thinks you may like it, or is reminded of you while reading. sometimes you’re just chilling after he’s finished reading for the day, and it’s such a pleasant surprise when he seems to smile more and is more affectionate? he’s a lot softer than usual then for some reason, hmm…
on one day when the two of you are just relaxing together, ALBEDO lends you his sketchbook! you were expecting to see lovely drawings of the beauties of nature and all… but still, it’s a pleasant and rather flustering surprise to see as well many drawings of you. you, his muse who has shown him many of the wonders of life. and so he kisses your cheek, smiling and merely commenting that you are the most beautiful nature has to offer.
you’re not sure whether to be in a surprised or i-definitely-saw-this-coming mood when you see that CHILDE bought that one a-little-bit-too-pricey top you were eyeing… but you daren’t chastise him for it, especially seeing the genuine love in his eyes. shopping with him is always lovely, as he somehow knows what clothes will look great on you (he says all of them will, though. and he’s right btw <3).
on some really early mornings, CHILDE grins at you cheekily as you both discreetly play music in the dead of night even though you both should be sleeping. he grabs your hand, twirls you around though the song doesn’t even match his actions, and pulls you close. and, he stares in your eyes softly, with genuine love—only to smooch you quickly before twirling away and turning up the music to a louder song he prefers… it’s fun jamming to songs of both of your music tastes, dancing like no one’s watching.
Keep reading
From Wattpad.
Gender-neutral.
Word count: 2.1k
---
No one in Mondstadt has ever known that Diluc- the cold and expressionless man- had a surviving family and for a reason; they live all the way at the hydro region, Fontaine, and the last visit was at least more than 10 years ago.
Diluc had been exchanging letters with them throughout the years though and although not completely knowing each little secret of the other's, family blood is what made the two stay put in each other's heart.
-
The sound of hooves trotting was getting louder from the distance and servants of Master Diluc looked up from their works in curiosity. The carriage was intricately designed- from the shape to its little silver linings- but foreign to what Mondstadt know as carriage.
Other than the coachman, a man stepped out from the carriage. He was well dressed in foreign clothing. But, instead of walking up to any of the servants, he waited at the side. Was there someone in there?
Just as the thought passed through each servants, another came out of the carriage. This one was dressed much fancier than the man and everyone could tell that they were of that in higher status than they were.
The mysterious person looked around before their gem-like eyes landed on the servants. They approached them calmly but the servants were on edge.
"Where is Diluc?" were the first words the person had asked. The person were looking at each other before a maid had spoken up-- most likely the head maid since their clothing was a tad different than the others.
"I'm sorry, but Master Diluc is out today," she answered. Her form was strict and firm, confirming that she was the head maid.
"So, where is he?" they asked once more. The head maid was confused, had this person not understood what she said? "He may not be here, yes, but I'm sure you know where he is."
The head maid was hesitant but comply to answer, "He is in the city as of now. If you so wish, I will inform Master Diluc that a person was looking for them."
"Eh? Really? Then I guess I'll wait here.." The head maid noted that this person was not someone to anger-- oh how she is praying to the Anemo Archon for her master to hurry. "Then would you like--.."
"What's going on here?" A familiar voice lifted the invisible weight of the maid. "Master Diluc, this person is looking for you."
"Hm? An uninvited guest? Well, sorry to inform you this, but I'm not meeting with anyone today. Please come again another time," Diluc said sternly.
The person was silent which confused Diluc. Then, "Are you really going to say that to me?" the person said and turned around with a grin. "Long time no see, Diluc."
"(Y-Y/N)? What are you doing here? I was not informed of your arrival," Diluc says with wide eyes of surprise.
"Hm? I'm sure I've mentioned it in the last letter.." you put a finger over your mouth, thinking about the last letter. "Oh, I must've forgotten, whoopsies." You stick out your tongue and lightly knock your head.
Diluc sighs and had ordered a couple servants to prepare a room for you. "I'm assuming you'd be staying for a while," he says and looks at you.
You nodded happily. "How have you been?" you say and walk beside him, looking at him from the corner of your eyes. "Okay. How about you?" You looked away from him and answered that you have been good as well, but just that there were things going on in Fontaine that made you travel all the way to Mondstadt. "Oh, you told me about the traveller in one of your letters-- are they still in Mondstadt?" you ask excitedly.
"They had left a couple of weeks ago. I believe they are in Liyue as of now," he answered which made you a bit sad. Being a vision user of hydro, you were curious how someone could have obtain an element without one.
"It's been a long travel, I assume," Diluc says as soon as you both got to the foot of what will be your room. "You rest well."
You nod. "Will you be free tomorrow? I want to go see the city with you," you say. "I'm afraid that I can't accompany you tomorrow but I'll have someone guide you throughout the city."
"Thank you, but I'll be fine with Ronan," you said to witch he nods and excused himself so you can rest.
-
"So, this is Mondstadt!?" You gazed around with an obvious awe. It had been so long that you had forgotten what it looked like. The wind blow pass gently and the atmosphere was very lively.
You roamed the place and caused many to look at you oddly but you were too busy running around to notice-- except your butler, who is having a hard time trying to catch up with you.
"Ronan, hurry up! We don't have all day." You turned to look at the old man with excitement. "I'm sorry for delaying you," Ronan says and caught up to you. Ronan had never seen you so excited before and he had guessed it was because you had finally gotten away from the mess at Fontaine. But, he was happy as well since he had never seen his master so free.
After hours of roaming, you finally gotten tired and wanted to grab lunch. You sat down outside of some restuarant and told Ronan to order food for you. "Um, you want me to order the whole menu? Are you sure?" Ronan asks, sweat dropping. You nodded and told him that you wanted to try all of Mondstadt's foods. Ronan excused himself from your presence and went to order.
You looked around and found the fourth bard today. "Mondstadt has a lot of bards.." you say to no one in particular. You were thinking of bringing one home to Fontaine, but you want the best bard.
"Agreed. Are you thinking of bringing one home?" An unfamiliar voice spooked you from behind and you looked over your shoulder to see a man with an eyepatch. His hair was a long blue that was tied and wore fur as a decoration on his shoulder. But, what got you curious was his eye.
"Um, who are you?" you ask, eyes following his every movement to him sitting down in front of you. "Kaeya," he answers, crossing his legs and arms. "I've heard that a foreigner has been running around today. Might that be you?"
"I guess? How often does Mondstadt have travellers coming?" you ask in pure curiosity. Kaeya chuckles. "Often, but mostly for the wine here," he answers and put his face on the back of his hands, leaning closer to you. "So, where did you come from?"
"From Fontaine," you answered. "Oh? That's quite the travel then. What made you come all the way to Mondstadt? Surely it isn't because of the wine," he asks, a light flickering pass his eye.
"You're right. I came here to visit my cousin." Just the thought of Diluc made you smile. "But he's busy today so I came to look for myself."
Ronan soon came back to your side. "Sorry for the wait, they had said that they will bring it over shortly," he said and you nodded. "Um, sorry for my rudeness, but may I ask who this man is?" Ronan looks at Kaeya.
"Oh, I don't know who he is either. He introduced himself as Kaeya," you said. Ronan pinched the bridge of his nose, sighing. This occurred quite often back in Fontaine; someone random just casually walks and chats with you in public. Ronan warned you not to talk to other that is irrelevant but you don't listen. "It's fine. I think he's a nice person," you say and turned around to talk to Kaeya.
"Oh~ so it seems that you're someone not to be messed with," Kaeya said, eyeing Ronan. Ronan- despite his age- can fight as if he was in his prime life and Kaeya could see that. You two chatted throughout your lunch and parted not long after. When the two of you did, it was only then that Kaeya noticed that he hadn't gotten your name.
-
It was the second day of you touring Mondstadt and getting odd eyes from people. This time, you went near the cathedral to hear a certain bard sing. "Ronan, Ronan! Look, at that bard." You pull on your butler's sleeves repeatedly. "Yes, I am looking," Ronan said, tired at this point.
"Ah, just the person I was hoping to run into," a voice from the distance spoke and you and Ronan turned to your left to see Kaeya. "Mister Kaeya, hello!" you greeted enthusiastically.
"Are you interested in the bard?" he asks as he faced the short bard in green. "Yeah, I think he's way better than the other ones I've heard so far, even though it's a first that I've heard bards sing."
Kaeya stood silent for a while as if he was thinking of something. Then, "It's about lunch time, is it not? Want to grab a bite with me? There's a place that you probably haven't went to yet that serves good local food," Kaeya said to which you hurriedly nod your head.
When you got there, the smell was so strong that it made your stomach growl. "Haha, and here I thought that the food you ordered yesterday was enough for a week," Kaeya laughs. He ordered a couple of Mondstadt's most served food and both of you went to find a seat.
You chatted about the most randomness of things and also about you and the place you grew up in. It was quite the company, you admit. It would truly be sad if you left to go home anytime soon.
-
You had gotten to know Kaeya quite well throughout the two weeks you had spent with him and even consider him a friend. He was secretive at times which makes you question him but never pushed that thought.
"Ronan, I am your master, so you must obey me," you said and cross your arm. Ronan had pushed you to finally go home but you outright refused before he finished saying anything.
"Yes, I apologize for angering you," he said, putting a hand over his heart and bowing deeply. You had come to love Mondstadt and Ronan feared that you will never go home and stay with Kaeya thus was making a fuss of returning home to Fontaine, albeit he was happy that you finally get to rest from the chaos in Fontaine.
"You're forgiven. Now, let's go find Kaeya!" You walked away in your normal, speedy walk, excited to see Kaeya. After a while of searching, you couldn't find him anywhere in the usual spots. "Ronan, did Mister Kaeya say that he'd be somewhere today?"
"He did not. Perhaps he's busy today," answered Ronan which disappointed you. "Well, I guess we'll have to go bother Diluc today.." And that's what you did for today. When Diluc said that he'd take a day off for you at some point, you declined, saying that you were okay and that you met a person to company you while he was off at work, but now that Kaeya was not around, you thought that it was time to take him up on his word.
It wasn't until tomorrow that you finally got to meet up with Kaeya who excused himself as he was out on a short-notice mission.
"Did you miss me that much?" he asks, chuckling a bit. You nodded. "Yeah, I did. But, don't worry about yesterday; I still had my share of fun," you said in earnest. Kaeya was a bit caught off guard with how honest you had spoken but soon regained the smirk that everyone knows, and is either in love with or scared of. "My, you are quite honest," Kaeya points out. "You should be careful, (Y/N)."
"Hm? I'm not following you, Mister Kaeya," you said, "But if you mean that I can't handle myself, I'm a vision user as well so I can defend myself." You show him a determined fist and fiery eyes. Kaeya chuckles at your silly gesture. "That's not what I meant and could you drop the mister? Don't you think we can consider ourselves friends?" he says.
"Friends..?" The word you've heard multiple times out of other people's mouth, yet still foreign to you that Kaeya can practically see your gears churn inside your head. Then, "I've never had friends so will you be my first friend?" you ask. Kaeya smiles and reaches an arm across the table and ruffles your hair. "I'd love to."
---
Part two!
Gender-neutral.
Word count: 3k
---
You two had been at it for quite some time now. The war between you and the Cavalry Captain, Kaeya, didn't look like it was going to end any time soon. "Honestly, this has gone for far too long that it's silly at this point," Lisa sighs, watching the two of you from afar. "When are they going to make up?" Jean, who stood beside the librarian, nodded in agreement.
You and Kaeya had crossed paths in front of the fountain in the centre of the city one fateful morning. Snarling and angry at the sight of the male, you turned around with a huff and walked away. Although he was your captain, you two clearly showed a much stronger relationship than commander and knight; you two were friends until the fight two weeks ago.
Kaeya sighs at your retreating figure and walked over to the two, tall females who he had noticed was watching. "Good morning," he greets, a hand raised and a smile on his face. "Kaeya, when are you two going to talk?" Lisa asks, a concerned expression on her face.
He shrugs, pretending not to care of the matter. "Who knows?" he simply say. "Anyway, if that's all you're going to talk about, I'd rather get going with my missions." The Cavalry Captain walks away without letting either of the two say anything. Lisa sighs at the retreating captain. "Both of them really are like couple in quarrel," she states, resting her cheeks on her hands. "I find it very cute." Lisa keeps going on about how you two acted like a couple even though you two obviously weren't. Jean looks over at the witch with dismay and shook her head.
You and Kaeya really showed the citizens of Mondstadt of how you two were at war at each other. Kaeya had started to become a grouch and cold while you were fuming with a fit of anger and it showed in everything you do- from training and wiping out hilichurls to simply eating and easy chores.
"We should get (Y/N) to do something else right now, rather than let them wait for Kaeya's orders," Jean says, knowing that even if Kaeya got a mission for you, you won't even listen to him and go do your own thing. It was also bad for you to linger around the city and throw passionate anger into everything you do as citizens reports how an underling of the Cavalry Captain is scaring away people- be it customers or the people themselves.
You were heading off to the training area to train even more. Although you were kind of sore from training from morning till night yesterday, it didn't keep you from training today so that you can make the blue-haired male take back the words he said to you two weeks ago. "You're not capable in doing these alone!" The words rung repeatedly in your head and made you even more angrier, but mostly saddened.
As much as you appreciate Kaeya's concern of your safety, it can sometimes make you question your worth. What are you good for if you are basically told to sit back and do nothing? That's not why you became a knight in the first place; you wanted to seek thrill while protecting the citizens of Mondstadt and you won't improve if he tells you to slack off.
"(Y/N)," a voice calls from behind you, stopping you on your way to the training grounds. You turned around to see the Acting Grand Master with a couple sheets of paper. You guessed it was most likely missions for you. "Are these tasks?" you ask, no sign of hostility in your tone as you spoke with the blonde.
"Yes, we're short of hands right now and was hoping you could take a look at them," she said and hands you over the papers. It is true that since the Grand Master took most of the knights, there aren't a lot of knights left in the city. But, the tasks given to you can be given to any other knights at any time; Jean just wants to help you clear your mind. "Okay, I will. Thank you!" A flare of determination and excitement reflected your hyped tone.
Jean smiles before waving bye and getting to her own things. You look at the papers in hand, seeing that some would take longer than others, but can still be done all today. Not caring to read the full details, you headed to the locations written and wipe out any and all enemies.
In the end, you did clear them all and felt really proud of yourself that you managed to do all tasks alone. You kind of wanted to boast at Kaeya's face but you were too prideful let that happen.
You were making your way inside the city, now late at night, feeling even more sore than yesterday. Although it was hurting you, it felt rewarding since you haven't done this much moving around under Kaeya's orders.
When you got home, you went straight to your bedroom, rather than eating dinner and washing up. You felt the stinging soreness wash over your body when you were taking of your shirt. "Ack!" You immediately lower your arms as a reaction to the pain. "I should deal with this.." you mumbled. You decided to deal with it tomorrow since you don't have the energy to do so tonight.
The next day, you went to the training field, albeit still sore from two days worth of strained movements. The pain really made you question if you had done anything at all to contribute to the Knights of Favonius; you see the Acting Grand Master put her all into everything and the build up of stress and strain on her, Outrider Amber running around and helping anyone who she comes across and scouting areas around Mondstadt, and even the traveller from some place else is doing something much greater such as helping Dvalin, but what about you? You felt miserable.
You headed to the Knights of Favonius' headquarters to see if Jean could give you some missions for today. You knocked on the door lightly and entered when you hear a quick and muffled 'come in'. "Good morning. Sorry to bother you this early in the morning, Acting Grand Master," you started, closing the door behind you. "I was wondering if you could give me any more tasks?"
Jean looks up from her work and smiled. "Ah, (Y/N), good morning," she says. "I heard you came back late last night. Did I give you too much to work?" You shook your head immensely. "No, no, it's just the trips that made it long."
"I see. Well, I don't have any missions right now.. Why don't you see Kaeya and ask if he has any for you?" Jean says nonchalantly as she discreetly adds, pretending she doesn't know what is going on between you and him. Your head slightly drops at the mention of his name. You didn't want to go to him- not now, at least. "Ah, he probably doesn't have any either. It's fine, I'll do some training on my own," you said and left the headquarters.
When you said that you'll train on your own, you mean to go search for some dangers that will help you improve. You still are feeling sore all over but dismiss it. You did, however, applied some essential oil to help relieve your muscle pain and thought that that alone would help. You headed out of the city's wall and looked for some tough opponents.
Kaeya's eyes narrowed as he saw you leaving through the gates, a worrisome feeling in his guts, but he wasn't going to let that feeling in the pit of his stomach get to him. He felt that he was in the right and that you were too stubborn. Your stubbornness and prideful personality made him really irritated, but he felt sad that you two didn't get to chat like before.
He shrugs his shoulders and went to bother anyone who he sees- most likely Diluc, who was at Angel's Share at the moment.
Nightfall started to set in and you hadn't returned- no sightings of you ever walking around the streets since thos morning. Kaeya wasn't aware of this since he thought you were home like he had always expected of you. It wasn't until the next day when he was summoned to the headquarters by Jean that he knew of your absence since yesterday. "Hey, what did you call me for?" Kaeya says, his usual, playful smirk on his face. However, that fell when he saw Jean and Lisa's expression and feel the atmosphere of the room. "What is it now?" His stomach started to churn in an awful feeling and only one thing was on his mind- you.
"It's about (Y/N)," Jean starts off, making Kaeya starting to feel even worse. "A ruin guard has been found awoken near the Thousand Wind Temple by someone in the Adventurers Guild and no one has seen (Y/N) since yesterday morning. I have a feeling that they are the one who woken it up."
Upon hearing the news, he clenches his fists and his jaws tightened, a shadowed cast over his face as he narrowed his eyes. But, "What does this have to do with me?" he asks coldly. Lisa and Jean looks over at each other with a concerned expression. "Kaeya--" Lisa started off but was immediately caught of by the male.
"They said that they can handle anything so shouldn't you two put some faith in them as well?" he said, raising his voice in anger, recalling what you said to him two weeks ago. "Kaeya, I am aware of the fight you two had but this has honestly gone for far too long that it's silly," Jean says in a calm tone. "Isn't the reason why you don't allow them on dangerous missions is because you care about them?" This hit Kaeya and he hang his head low. It was true that he cares about you deeply and doesn't show the same feeling to anybody else but you.
He imagined scenarios of situations you could be in right now and it made that feeling inside him snap. He turns around and storms off, shutting the door with a boom.
Praying. He was praying to the Archons of your safety as he feels something went trailing down his face from his eyes. It was blurring his vision but he ignores them, running through the darken day.
When he reached to the location of the sightings, he found the ruin guard, awake and walking, but no signs of you. He quickly disposed of the ruin guard and searched the area for you or anything that was on you that dropped that might give him some hope.
A few metres away, there your body lie on the cold ground. "(Y/N)!" Kaeya runs over to your side and felt his heart dropped to the pit of his stomach. You were all bruised up along with scratches and blood that was either still running from open wounds or had already dried up. Your eyes were closed and he worried for the worse. Rushing to kneel beside you, heb helped you sit up against a rock, putting his hands under your chin to feel for a pulse. To his relief, he found it beating and pulled your body into his chest, one hand behind your head as the other wrapped around your shoulders. "(Y/N)," he whispers your name, his heart feeling lighter.
Your eyes slowly opens from the sudden warmth that engulfed you. "Nngh!" The moment your mind became conscious, the pain from the battle and the soreness from training before suddenly rushed all over your body. "Ack!"
Kaeya immediately pulls away from you, his face full of worry. "(Y/N), are you okay?" he asks. You look at Kaeya with surprise. "Why.. Are you here?" There was no anger in your tone as you were too exhausted. "I came looking for you, dummy. Now, let me take you back so ease up." You gave a quick nod and closed your eyes, falling into another sleep. Making sure you were asleep, he stood up with you in his arms and made his way back inside the city.
He went to see Barbara in the cathedral so that she could heal you. "My, they're badly injured! Hurry, bring them here," she exclaims with a hand over her mouth at the sight of your badly figure and gestures towards the infirmary. Kaeya listened and places you on one of the beds inside and let her do her thing.
She left as soon as she healed any and all visible, major wounds. Kaeya sits down on the wooden chair beside the bed and waits for you to wake up. You were asleep all throughout the day and only woken up the next morning.
You felt something at the side of you and you slowly turned your head but hissed at the sudden pain, closing your eyes in reaction. Although it lessened thanks to Barbara, the pain didn't fully go away.
Once it subsided, you open your eyes to see whatever was beside you. To your surprise, it was Kaeya. His arms were crossed on top of the bed and rested his head on top of it, sleeping with his lips slightly parted. Your heart warmed and remembered the little scene when he hugged your bruised body.
It looked like he slept late and didn't even bother to comb his hair- meaning to say, he didn't go home and return early in the morning. In that moment, you let your pride down as well as forgave him for what he said two weeks ago. You weakly reached your arms out and tucked a strand of his unkempt hair behind his ear.
You suddenly remembered the reason why you two fought in the first place- you went out to a dungeon, alone, on a mission that you secretly accepted without the help of the Cavalry Captain. It was a simple wiping out of a hilichurl camp but there was no knowledge of an abyss image nearby since it wasn't written on the report.
When Kaeya received word you left on a mission, he was upset and immediately left to find you. He found you soon enough, wiping out hilichurls. His eyes looked off to behind you and see a cryo abyss mage. "(Y/N)!" he warned. You turned to look at him and that's when the abyss image shot an ice crystal. It hit your left arm and you roared in pain. Kaeya quickly made due of the image and quickly rushed to check your wound.
"What were you thinking- going out on a mission alone!?" he angrily asked, gripping your upper arm. "Kaeya, you're hurting me!" you hissed.
"I told you time and time again that you should tell me when you're going out!" he said, raising his voice. "I was doing just--"
"Just fine!? You were hit by an abyss mage, goddamit!"
"It's just a scratch--" He cuts you off again, his tone now booming with anger. "Yeah, it's just a scratch, but what about the next time you go out alone? You could be heavily wounded or even worse!" He wasn't listening to a word you said and the grip on you looked like it wasn't loosening anytime soon.
"Kaeya, would you just listen to me!?" you shouted back in the same volume and tone as his. "I am more than capable as a knight to wipe a few hilichurls and an abyss mage!"
His anger didn't subside but he let's go of your arms, head down as a shadow casted over his face. "So, that's how this is going to be, huh? Alright, then I'll leave you be. See if I care." The words broke your heart. Kaeya turned around and left you there with your head down. That was the last time you guys talked to each other before the cold war.
He groans at the touch, making your heart flutter. Then, you see his visible eyelids open slowly, revealing his unique, blue eyes. He straightened up in his seat with a loud yawn before looking over at you. "(Y/N)..!" he says your name, his visible eye showing surprise.
"Good morning," you weakly greet, a gentle smile tugging your lips. A few short seconds passed before he quickly draws you into an intoxicating embrace. You returned the hug as you bury your smiling face into the crook of his neck. "You dummy. Why did you go out and pick a fight with a ruin guard?" he whispers, deepening the hug.
"I wanted you to know that you can depend on me.." you answer, tears starting to form. "I'm not a child that needs protecting; I'm a knight so please look at me as you would to any other knights." Kaeya pulls back and stare into your eyes. "I'm afraid I can't do that," he said, his eyes stern and serious. "What--"
"Because.. You're different," he cuts you off. You look at him with questioning eyes. "I can't bring myself to not care for you nor can I bring myself to treat you like any other subordinates of mine because I love you." The three words that you never thought you'd hear from the Cavalry Captain came out so easily- it's as if he wanted to say it for so long. "I can't bear to lose you, (Y/N). And just seeing you hurt hurts me more than you realize."
"I.." You looked down on your blanket. "I'm sorry that I made you worried.. I didn't know that's how you felt."
"No, I'm sorry. I should have really told you before you got into anymore danger," he said. You two smiled and pulled you back to a loving embrace. Then, "I love you too, Kaeya."
---