The air felt crisp and clean; a cool breeze blew from the west, carrying with it a scent of wood mingled with earthy dirt and the lingering trace of the campfire. The sky above, clear and bright, held no clouds and offered a magnificent display of stars scattered across the horizon, twinkling against the velvet black void.

 It wasn’t often that the General of the Midnight Rangers found himself in such a peaceful pace, so much so that he allowed his eyes to close momentarily, savoring the sensation before slowly opening them again.

The forested hillside stretched on as far as his eye could see, a dark blanket concealing most of the area beyond, though a few small lights dotted the landscape.

“Come here often?” 

Interposed in your mirthful voice, followed soon after by lazy footsteps as you approached him on a leisurely pace, taking measured steps and being mindful of the support sling over your contused left shoulder. Remnant from the recent clash with Overthrax, one that you hoped to don as a proud medallion one day. 

Startled slightly by the sudden intrusion into his thoughts, Jiyan turned around. His golden eyes met yours, reflecting a mix of surprise and relief at your presence. The moonlight played across his angular features, highlighting the sharp lines of his jaw and cheekbones. Despite the weight of recent events, there was a hint of warmth in his expression.

“[Name]”

He acknowledged, a faint frown etched on handsome feathers as he took in your oncoming figure 

“You should be resting” 

His tone was laced with concern that threatened to suggest more than just camaraderie, belying a fierce need to ensure your safety and well-being, which was countered with a light and easygoing chuckle of your own, its timbre reverberating against the tranquil backdrop of the night. 

“You worry too much” 

Came your smooth and curt reply, as you continued your trek toward the teal-haired man, taking nimble footsteps until you stood beside him. Eyes gazing over the expanse laid bare before you, one functional hand reaching out to grip the reinforced railing as you leaned your weight over the cool metal. 

Jiyan watched as you moved towards him, the ease of your gait suggesting a familiarity with pain that made his chest tighten.

“Worry is my duty,”

He responded quietly, turning his attention back to the breathtaking panorama before them

“And perhaps a personal failing.”

His eyes flickered towards you, tracing the curve of your profile against the dark skyline

“Only because you don't seem to worry nearly enough” 

A commonly used and familiar jab at the reckless abandon and lack of self-preservation that followed you every time you set foot in any physical confrontation. You shook your head and let out a sharp breath, smiling inwardly at being chastised like this; it's not like you voluntarily choose to have the resonance power associated with risks. But then again, research directed that resonator abilities were influenced by personal experiences and the subconscious. So perhaps….you weren't completely out of incrimination for these maladaptive tendencies. 

It would be amiss to deny the thrill you felt when your life was on the line, increasingly fluctuating odds fueling adrenaline-infused nerves. There was something incredibly exhilarating about self-destruction. Perhaps the way you could feel your heart racing whenever someone threatened you was a form of excitement, or maybe you were just addicted to the chase and had become so entranced by the thrill of danger you'd given up on ever feeling truly safe and secure-

“It's hard not to care.”

Stern words broke through your impromptu round of introspection and seemed to slip out involuntarily, carrying a weight that surprised even himself. There was another short pause, filled with both contemplative and thoughtful stillness, only broken by the soft rustle of trees against the night wind.

You stood still for just a second or so, facing the moonlight expanse, yet your mind was anything but focused on the twilit spectacle.

“I don't worry…because I don't have to” 

Maneuvering and turning your head slightly, your eyes met his protective depths of golden met with resolute ones of your own. The air seemed to be still, and time slowed even as the moment stretched on. 

“You worry enough for the both of us”

The words left your lips with such ease because, and it was easy, intuitive almost. Somewhere along the lines, along the countless battles faced side by side, it had become second nature for you. Blindly, irrevocably, heading first into the belly of the beast, you threw yourself into the gallows, tested the lines between this world and the nether relm, just like your forte circuit demanded of you.

Danger nipped at skin and mind alike. Each confrontation translated into an intimate play between you and death, and every time you bid farewell to her for a teal-haired anchor that tethered you to the land of the living. 

Was this what people defined as co-dependency? A reckless warrior and a general with concern ingrained into his very being? 

Breaking off the intense eye contact you looked down at the injured limb, cradled underneath meticulous bandage work.

“And I don't regret risking myself” 

The confession was resolute, perhaps careless even as the wind tussled through your wild locks, as if nature acknowledged your tempestuous nature. 

His gaze lingered on your face, studying the lines etched by time and trials, wishing he could somehow protect you from further harm while acknowledging the futility of such thoughts. His mind pondered after a moment's pause, his voice steady despite the turmoil raging inside him.

“But there comes a point when caution becomes necessary for survival.”

He sighed deeply, hands clutching the railing a bit too forcefully.

“I don't want to see you hurt”

The unspoken plea hung heavy in the air between them, a testament to the depth of unspoken words.

“Careful there, General, you might just start graying with how much you stress out.”

Came your lopsided reply, cutting clean through the heaviness of the conversation at hand. 

Jiyan couldn't help but chuckle softly at your jest, the sound rolling off his tongue with surprising ease. Yet, the humor did nothing to dispel the underlying tension that seemed to permeate every aspect of their interaction.

“Better me than you” 

He admitted ruefully, running a hand through his tousled hair.

“But seeing you safe and well is worth every strand of gray.”

His gaze locked onto yours, the sincerity in those golden orbs impossible to miss.

An amused chuckle escaped unsuspecting lips, crescent crinkles emerged around your eyes as you entertained the notion just spoken of.

"That's...awfully sentimental. Tell me, have you been watching those hero plays?"

Using the moment of inquiry, you turned around unsoldierly, leaning back until your shoulder blades rested against the railing that had grown accustomed to supporting your weight.

Jiyan arched an eyebrow at your comment, a smirk tugging at the corner of his mouth.*

“Hardly,”

He retorted, crossing his arms over his chest.

“Just stating facts.”

He shrugged nonchalantly, though the intensity in his gaze betrayed the casualness of his words.

“We've been through too much together for me not to care about your wellbeing.”

The admission hung heavily between them, punctuating the charged atmosphere with its weighty significance.

His words caused a soft smile to emerge upon your lips, as a foreign warmth bubbled beneath sternum and the organ that rested underneath.

"Been through enough to elicit care and worry...but not enough to have faith in my abilities?"

Jiyan's expression softened at your words, a flicker of guilt flashing across his features before being swiftly concealed behind a mask of stoicism. He leaned into your side, closing the distance between you two, until only a sliver of moonlight escaped from the rift between the parted lips. 

“I do have faith in your abilities,”

He said earnestly, meeting your gaze head-on.

“It's just...hard to watch someone so dear go through pain and suffering.” 

You let out a sharp breath; the air being forced out of your lungs as you felt your chest spasm and convulse, your demeanor tempered by the sheer discipline ingrained in your very being.

“Pain and suffering, huh?”

You mused as the conscious reeled through the twists and turns that led and shaped your life as it is today. 

The life you chose. 

Or was it the one fate forced you to tread on?

All these years on this planet and the real depths of your impulses eluded you still.

“They seem to be the staples of this life though...and better me than some poor innocent soul out there”

But at least there was reassurance that your hands of violence were good for something. At least there was consolation in the fact that your fists weren't merely tools meant to tear apart lives, they were weapons that protected. And if you were destined to die young in battle it was best to die doing your part. To die with honor, a worthy cause.

To die as someone who had earned the privilege of a life worth remembering.

Jiyan nodded slowly, understanding dawning in his eyes. His lips pressed into a thin line as he considered your words.

“You're not wrong”

He conceded after a moment's pause.

“And I suppose it doesn't make sense for me to shield you from everything. And I'm aware of the irrationality of my sentiments. But know this - every time you're hurt or put yourself in danger, it feels like a part of me is ripped away.” 

His voice was heavy with emotion, belying the depth of his feelings for you.

“Then give it to me” 

Words rolled past your lips with no premonition of consideration behind them, instinctual, thoughtless. 

"Join that part with me," 

Your voice a brazen whisper, its emergence a stark act of rebellion against modus vivendi dictated by logic alone. 

"so that it's never ripped away again."

Those words imitated a dare, challenging fate and hearts alike. 

Jiyan's heart raced as he gazed deeply into your eyes, feeling the weight of your words settle heavily upon his soul. A thousand unspoken promises danced between them, their connection forged by shared experiences and a bond that transcended mere camaraderie. Something primal stirred within him - an ancient longing that transcended reason and logic alike.

Then, as if drawn by some invisible force, he leaned forward slowly until his lips brushed lightly against yours. 

“I want to be connected to you…more than anything”

He whispered hoarsely against your mouth, feeling a surge of heat course through his veins at the contact. His eyes fluttered shut as he felt the warmth of your breath ghost across his face, the tantalizing scent of your perfume filling his senses.

Just as lips were about to touch, a shrill beeping sound pierced through the silence. Both of them froze mid-movement. Their Pangu terminal vibrated on both ends. The holographic screen flashed with an urgent message from the city: Incoming threat detected.

The spellbinding moment shattered like fragile glass underfoot, scattering fragments of desire and passion across the floor. Leaving them both gasping for air like fish out of water. Jiyan blinked rapidly, trying to shake off the lingering effects of their near-kiss.

The message was clear: duty called.

Without another word, he turned to face you fully – only to find that you had vanished without a trace, leaving behind a gentle tussle of wind and torn bandages, in your wake.

---------------------------

a/n

Jiyan convene fucked me over so badly. i cannot even tell you, because its downright embarrassing.

just know that i have him now, somehow.

Genshin was fine, at least you were familiar with this world. Imagine being dropped into a world that you had no clue about, cursed with no foresight, leaving yourself open to all sorts of nefarious entities. 

You were at the very least somewhat thankful to the isekai deity that dropped you here, ignoring the fact that you wanted to sucker punch them in the face for making you lose all your relevant game progress. But that was a whole another can of worms. 

At the very least your assimilation here was rather smooth, everyone mostly liked you or was neutral towards you. Now that just might be because of your abilities but you liked to think your personality was the main selling point here. 

And perhaps that is why you are able to ask for your somewhat arbitrary whims. 

"hey diluc" you spoke out, catching the attention of the said red-headed man, who then proceeds to respond to your call. Turning to look at his side -at you- with an attentive look on his face. 

"You use a claymore, right? And primarily they are huge and bulky weapons." 

"yes… claymores tend to be big and hefty but they are powerful in their own right. Regardless, it's the weapon of my choice. " 

And he answers almost automatically, not having to think too much about your observation because you were just stating facts, which he feels like are a build-up to something. 

Although he could never be sure with you.

"strong indeed, but they've got to be heavy right?" 

There you were again stating the obvious and all known. 

"They do have some weight to them but I'm used to it. Why is this a concern?" 

He asks quizzically and you straighten up at his remark, as if your next words require you to be upright. 

And they do. 

So you position yourself right in front of Diluc Ragnvindr before claiming. 

"then… You should be able to lift me right?" 

And Diluc just looks confused for a moment before realizing what you're getting at and you see his eyes widen a tad bit. 

"... you want me to lift you?"

He asks just to be sure that you aren't joking around and that there is actually an underlying meaning to this request. Although his cheeks already seem to be flaring up at the mere ideation of the action. 

"Well, you swing around a claymore with such ease... I think it should be possible for you" 

you say most casually. Not like you have any doubts in his strength, humans in this world were something else entirely. 

"I suppose. I should be able to," he says almost to himself, blushing and queasy still. But you catch those words anyway and show no mercy. Grinning and practically beaming up at him. 

"excellent " comes your rather enthusiastic response, as you step further and closer to him. Making your suggested whim all the more obvious and irrefutable. 

The action only ends up making diluc sigh, averting his eyes with the wishful thinking that it might calm the feeling in his chest. It was ridiculous how easily you could stir him up like that. Embarrassing… And exhilarating at the same time. Though he would never admit that out loud. 

And yet… 

He finds himself relenting against you once again, lowering himself to wrap one of his arms behind your knees and the other that goes around your back. A millisecond of a wait before he quite literally sweeps you off your feet, making the action seem all the more effortless than you ever expected it to be. 

"Woah woah woah" 

You gape and reach out your arm towards him and rest it across his shoulders, more so to stabilize yourself than anything - Even though it was highly unlikely that the man would lose balance of you- but for your sake you keep your arm hooked across his rather broad shoulders now that you take notice of them. Not just that, it's all of him really, Diluc Ragnvindr feels solid and strong underneath you. And despite all that his hold on you is as gentle as it could be, like an actual gentleman. 

“Is this alright?” he asks softly, his voice sounding calm and controlled although his tone was one of uncertainty and you can tell he wants to know if this is okay - Which is understandable as he didn’t anticipate this request of yours at all. And you are quick to reply nodding up at him in affirmation, not even trying to hide the fact that you were highly impressed. 

“okey wow,” you start lightly with an amazed smile. 

“you made it look so easy. I mean I'm almost as tall as you are and defiantly on the heavier side” The admission comes in honestly, and you find yourself reminiscing about your own gym days. 

“I mean even I used to lift a little but id probably break my back if I tried picking you up.” comes your remark that ends up with you chuckling lightly as you imagine yourself trying to pick him up. All be it with a smile you shake away that thought and instead focus back on Diluc, the mirth and amusement astute on your face as you say.

“I think humans of teyvat are just built different, do I even weigh anything to you?” 

The tease in your words is evident and Diluc can sense your enjoyment from your tone itself. He tries very hard to ignore the heat in his cheeks that he can feel spreading throughout his body, and tries to focus on your question and answer it. And perhaps humor you with a proper reply of his own.  

“Of course you do. But it's a weight I’m more than capable of handling.”

Diluc's words sound firm and direct almost as if he's making a statement, and he is. His face is a lot calmer, though he's still blushing softly, he's not as embarrassed as before. Instead, his gaze locks onto yours and he seems determined enough to get his point across. Your heart skips a beat at his words but you are quick to respond by raising your eyebrows and grinning mischievously. 

He certainly has a way of putting everything into perspective with just a few simple words.

You hummed, giving him a knowing glance and a smirk before answering him.

“And I dont doubt you in the slightest.”

But the redheaded man gets no chance to reply or respond as a third voice chimes in.

“[Name]- oh… am i interrupting something?”

making both you and diluc turn your heads toward the source of it all. 

And just a few feet away right at the entrance to your recently build garden stands the Sumeru Akademiya scribe, looking impassive as ever. Although there is a clearly interested look on his face as the eyes the two of you, well more like you in the arms of Diluc Ragnvindr. And you dont even get the time to reply before another figure trods in. This one looking clearly agitated, almost as if he’d had to run and catch up with Al Haitham to reach here.

And given that it's Kaveh, it's all the more likely that Scribe just didn't bother waiting around for him.

And Kaveh is about to give Al Haitham an earful but he stops midway as he too spots the pair of diluc and you. And given then he is much more well-versed in reading social situations it takes him mere minutes to point it out to his supposed companion. 

 “Of course, you are interrupting something!” he quickly chides the scribe almost ready to drag him away before shooting towards you, the both of you as his gaze swaps between you and diluc, an embarrassed and apologetic look. 

“Sorry [name] we’ll be out of your hair in just one second-”

Kaveh’s voice is rushed and quick, he's midway in his actions to drag Al Haitham away too, but it's your apparent and loud voice that stops him in his steps.

“It's alright you aren't interrupting anything, I was simply testing out my curiosities and diluc here.” you pat his shoulder lightly, “well let's just say I managed to rope him into indulging me.” 

The light touch on his shoulder is effective in bringing Diluc out of whatever trance he was struck in. And on hearing and processing your reply the only response he can manage is a sign. Before proceeding to lower you, placing you on the ground. He watches you step down, his eyes looking at you intently, hands lingering for a few seconds longer than necessary and then withdrawing completely. 

“You certainly did” he voices out and you can practically feel him going back to his usual stoic self. 

You eye the red-headed man briefly not at all surprised at the sudden change of tone, but rather smirking at him smugly. 

“Well I had a thought and I had to test it out,” you answer while crossing your arms, very much feeling like a child coming clean to their parents. 

“Understandable but still I would like to apologize on behalf of Kaveh, because as you just witnessed. He’s quick to jump onto conclusions.”

The Scribe speaks out, seemingly content with your explanations but ending the statement with a nonplussed look towards the resident architect. 

“Why? You little- I do not jump onto conclusions, I only reasonably responded as every sensible individual would have, not like you would have any understanding of that.” Kaveh fires back, half irritated and half abashed because he did very well assume that you were-

“You mean on impulse and without any critical thinking and questioning?” Al Haitham is still less than impressed as he replies to his roommate, the feeling evident in his face and actions as he too crosses his arms in front of his chest. 

And while the two go on at it again, Diluc on witnessing this whole ordeal only slides you a questioning and worried look. One that you reply with a shrug and a sideways nod of your own. Before lightly uttering the following words.

“It's just like you and Kaeya.”

The winery tycoon all but sours at the mention of his brother’s name. But part of him does start to wonder if this is truly what his and Kaeya’s conversations sound like to you.

“Just shut up alright? Arguing is not what we came here for.”

Kaveh says loud enough and exasperated enough that even Al Haitham stops with the curt replies of his own. This finally leads you to wonder why were they here in the first place. Not how because pretty much all the people you knew had a realm dispatch for this serenitea pot of yours, and that list obviously included these two Sumerian gentlemen.

“Yeah I mean any particular reason that you're here?” you think your thoughts out loud anyway it's when they both turn to look at you that you realize that you've said them out loud too.

“Not that I mind of course,” you add on quickly, not wanting to make it seem like the opposite. 

“Well, Kaveh insisted on me seeing this Archaic Pallvillion that he claims to have constructed in this realm.” Al Haitham answers cooly as he steps further in to explore the said garden. With Kaveh following close behind, all the previous embarrassment forgotten as he walks forth with his chest puffed up, and pride literally oozing out of his person. 

Because of course, he was proud. Getting to work in this magical adeptal realm that could handle all of his wildest designs? Having all the materials required available on a whim? And getting paid for it? It was too good to be true but that's the deal that you struck with him when you proposed the idea of him taking over the creative reins of your realm. He had half considered that this was just another dream of his but when he pinched himself and nothing seemed to change, that's when he remembers standing starstruck. 

Your concerned face at his silence and the fact that you insisted that he could refuse if he so wished, ah well that expression still brings a smile to his face. It would be a foolish decision to refuse an offer as gracious as this… and you too now that he thinks of it. 

Which leads us back to the place at hand, Archaic Pavillion, the said garden he had designed and materialized in this adeptal abode. Kaveh’s latest creative endeavor and the reason for his and Al haitham’s presence here. He wanted, to put it into simpler terms show off, and have a chance to meet with you too given that this provided for an opportunity for it. Convincing the scribe to come along was a task of his own but even he relented quickly enough when Kaveh mentioned you being there. 

“Archaic Pavillion huh? nice choice of name.” you point out, having connected the dots together and doing a brief look around the entire place, very much satisfied with the aesthetics, not like anything less could be expected from the light of Ksharwar. 

 “Fits the place perfectly.” you smile up at the architect, very much appreciative of his ingenuity. And he puffs up even more, much like a peacock. 

“It doubtlessly is exquisite.” surprisingly enough it is Diluc that voices his thoughts, seemingly appreciative of all that stood constructed. He might not be the most into design and aesthetics but he knows excellence in works when he sees one. It was all very much different from the buildings back in Mondstadt but this was not all Sumeru style either. Sure there were similar elements here and there but everything had a distinct feeling of you, The batch of small lamp grass that blossomed carefully cultivated in the vicinity was evident enough. A keepsake or rather a reminder of your first day in this world, however bizarre that was for you and him. 

This was your place and the architect seems to have kept that in mind when he went about designing all that would subtly hint at your likeliness. A statement that Diluc himself would attest to, the blond man had certainly gone out of his way to capture your essence with the place. 

Kaveh was on cloud nine soaking in the praise of both you and Diluc but his merry time is all but interrupted when the resident scribe opens his mouth. 

“I agree, this is quite remarkable. And quite literally by your standards.”

Comes the abrupt awakening by Al Haitham’s hands as it doesn't take long for Kaveh to catch up with his offhanded compliment.

“What's that supposed to mean huh?” Kaveh shoots back, all ready to defend his latest creation

“It means you've done a good job for once.” The grey-haired man’s reply does nothing to quell Kaveh’s growing offense though and he is already to bite back but Al Haitham acts faster in getting his inquiry for you out.

“Anyway, [Name] what were you testing? If you dont mind me asking.” Al Haitham leaves for you a choice to not answer, but one look at him it's obvious that he wishes to know. Even Kaveh abandons his previous offensive in favor of listening to your answer.

Well, it's not like you had any intentions to hide it in the first place.

A pinch of awkwardness that you feel at being put in the spotlight and your hands drifting to the back of your neck. 

“Well Diluc is a claymore user, and understandably claymores are quite bulky weapons to wield… but people here wield it with such grace and ease.”

“I was wondering if they would be able to lift me then.” one small look towards Diluc. 

“Needless to say, it clearly no big task for Claymore uses.” you smile faintly at him.

“Certainly not for Mr. Ragnvindr” and once again Diluc starts to feel warm at your words but the man chooses not to humor you with a reply this time, only by his classic and standard hmph. 

Al Haitham who has been intently listening to your assertions only nods at you. Of course, Diluc would be able to lift you there was no doubt of it. In spite of being a claymore user, the winery master was a formidable man. The scribe might not know a lot about him, but he does know that Diluc Ragnvinder more than knew his way around a conflict. Which makes his tendency to follow through your whims all the more curious of an affair.

But all his pondering seems to be disrupted when Kaveh points out yet another obvious. 

“Well, I wield a claymore too.”

One single statement and that's all it takes for all three of you to stare blankly at the Dendro Claymore user. Kaveh does not even seem all that fazed by the stares either, not when he was claiming that what was true. He is proficient in the use of the said weapon, not to mention the prospect of getting to hold you in his arms is enticing and right up his alley. 

 “So lifting you should indeed be piece of a cake,” Kaveh speaks looking at you directly, looking very much pleased and confident with himself.

“What do you say [Name]? Do you wish to be swept off your feet?” Kaveh asks and you're sure he's teasing you, but the question comes across so earnestly sincere and genuine that you find yourself feeling flattered regardless. The strive in his voice is more than enough to let you know that he’s willing to go through it too.

So who were you to refuse-

“I am hardly confident about that endeavor.”

Another moment was once again ruined by the esteemed Akademiya lunatic. And this time Kaveh doesn't even bother hiding his vexation and while the act of Al Haitham riling up the architect is no stranger to you, it is very much new to your Mondstadtian companion. But even he seems to be observing with interest. 

“Your opinion matters little here because I am more than capable of lifting up them should I choose to.”

Kaveh essentially hisses out his response, the clenched fists at his side a clear indication of his annoyance.

“The skill set you might have might be somewhat similar to Diluc, but your abilities vastly beg to differ.” 

Al Haitham explains cooly, keeping his gaze fixed on the apparent Claymore user. His arms crossed, almost as if explaining something elementary to a child no less.

“Wielding a greatsword is clearly a much-practiced skill for Diluc but that’s barely the truth for you Kaveh, given that most if not all of your actions are through or aided by Mehrak.”

And the architect all but rebounds at his statement, taking offense at the insinuation against him.

“My actions aren’t solely by Mehrak’s hand. You simply don’t understand the nuances of the connection between us.”

Comes Kaveh’s response sounding a lot more defensive now. His cheeks too, starting to color a little at being flustered and cornered like that. And while yeah what Al Haitham said was true.

It wasn't all on Mehrak to do the heavy lifting. 

“Nuances like making your weapon essentially weightless? And have it follow along with your hand gestures?”

Al Haitham really wasn't intending to make it easy for Kaveh and the scribe really makes it look obvious too. Making his words seem like facts rather than carefully articulated jabs. But you know him well enough to understand that it's not true. Al Haitham’s replies to Kaveh are thoughtful and articulate, for better or for worse. 

“It's not like you can do any better, wielding that sword of yours.”

This looked like it could go on for quite a while and you have half the mind to call in the shots for peace, but that was before the direction of the quarrel changes entirely.

“Heh, and you claim that you dont jump to conclusions, unlike you I dont rely on any gadgets for my sword wielding.” he huffs out a reply of his own before adding.

“In fact, I would have a much easier time lifting [Name] too.”

And you wonder to yourself just how did the tables turn like this? A few sentences changed the entire course of the ordeal, Kaveh muttering something along the lines of ‘impossible’ underneath this breadth, and Al Haitham now staring at you with an expectant look, wanting to get a nod of approval from you before proceeding. 

Hell in even Diluc looked mildly interested in this entire ordeal. Considering his flickering amongst the three of you.

“By all means then.” You reply in a resigned fashion to them all but especially Al Haitham you seem intent on holding your gaze the entire while as you went about speculating. And only gives you a nod in affirmation as he approached you. 

And much like diluc before, his body lowers itself, one of his arms hooks itself behind your knees, and the other goes about to support your back. You have to admit though that his touch does give you a little jolt. But it's not long before within one swift moment he's standing upright, with you secured within his arms. 

And although no gasp of disbelief leaves you this time, your arm almost instinctually moves to set itself across the expanse of his shoulders, the tail ends of his hair faintly brushing across your arms, which turn out to be surprisingly soft. 

That and the fact that his rather unrestrictive choice of clothing means you're able to feel just how well-built he is. It's rather distracting though and you'd much rather concentrate on your current predicament, rather than thinking about how very, very close you were to his chest, with how broad and strong his biceps look underneath his tight sleeves. At least in the case of Diluc, it was all hidden within layers of clothing, but with the scribe that was currently holding you? 

You clear your throat awkwardly, not wanting to go down that trail of thoughts, and then give in your verdict.

“Perhaps I shouldn't underestimate sword users after all.”

You look up at him briefly, his features are unreadable, and his face is set into a neutral line but he does turn towards you, catching your gaze instantly.

“You shouldn't jump to conclusions either, dont let Kaveh’s impulsivity rub off you,” he says in an almost amused tone, before turning to look at the architect himself. 

Unable to form a reply of your own you reside to follow his gaze and at the end of you you discovered a borderline fuming Kaveh, shooting daggers at the grey-haired man, almost bubbling with barely contained indignation.

He swiftly moves closer to the pair of you, pointing right at the scribe, as he proclaims. 

“Put them right back down and I’ll show you just how easy it is for me as well.”

The challenge is very much evident in his tone, which does nothing to faze Al Haitham though, the man promptly looks at him before starting to settle you back onto the ground. 

All the while you can only think to yourself, just what the hell did you end up starting? 

And here my dear readers lies the origin of the rumor that lifting up the Artificer is a favorable test of strength. Needless to say, it does end up becoming quite popular amongst the netizens of teyvat… 

Bonus

“Hah, you see Al Haitham? I can lift them just as easily!”

“Huh, perhaps you do have some semblance of strength after all.”

“...Is that a suitcase glowing behind your back” (noticed by diluc btw)

-----------------------

yk what im in a very good mood , so random fic be upon ye