Primogems & Volleyballs

Kaeya

Mr. Ragnvindr's closest confidant it seems, considering how he's that close to Diluc and he's not dead yet.

He's also another campus heartthrob, and you guessed it, part of the original four. (Gee, wonder who's the last member...)

And he just happens to be the suave criminology major that you ran into a few days after the "A-Ragnvindr-Wants-To-Kill-You" incident.

Despite his association with your potential murderer, Kaeya's way with words and how he seemed to pick up every single detail you could provide to him had steadily eased your nerves, and it was no wonder he got along so well with everyone.

Although you too weren't that close (yet), you were still on friendly terms with him. Yes, you kept each other at an arms length (mostly from his side), and he wasn't exactly that one special person, he was a friend nonetheless, and he was always an option if you needed a buddy to sit by during lunch or to perhaps walk to the bus station.

And besides if Diluc did actually come for your blood, you'd know Kaeya would be the one to take up the case and avenge you.

Speaking of which, he actually helped clarify the misunderstanding, when one topic lead to another.

He also noticed how many times your demeanor changed whenever the red head was mentioned—or when he was close by.

"He might look like a shriveled raisin, but I assure you, he doesn't try to look like he'll bite."

You murmured without a thought: "So he's not out to kill me?"

"No. But you should probably talk more."

Kaeya was the sole person that helped you ACTUALLY sort things out with Diluc, and now, without the presumption that his red haired companion wanted to put your head on a stick, you actually managed to start a new camaraderie with the two of them.

The three of you were an unlikely trio, mostly spotted chatting with each other while walking to classes or those campus events that had everyone from all sorts of majors show up should any of you cross paths, and by chatting, it was mostly teasing Diluc. (Kaeya did it most, and you were kind of the shield that stopped things from going overboard. Though, you indulged yourself a bit too sometimes).

Yes Diluc still grumbles about you winning with grades. Yes Kaeya teases him all the time for it.

But rest assured, Kaeya's definitely a keeper who would have your back. Wether it's at parties or when you need someone to accompany you down a dangerous street.

Albedo

A somehow still alive double major, one in STEM and one in the arts. It's a miracle how he's surviving off of cold instant coffee and sheer willpower.

You came across him when you were stuck with some papers, and needed a change of scenery to make ideas flow.

So there you were, in the first months of your freshman year, perhaps fluttering to the gentle romanticism of academia, opening the door of an old, dusty laboratory in the oldest building of the school, fully expecting it to be used for storage as no class was using it. You would lean on the windowsill and breathe in the gentle aroma of old books before—

Thud

A man had walked into you, and you assume he was walking backwards due to your current position—barely hanging onto the door frame, legs spread apart like the most ridiculous yoga pose ever, with said man hurriedly regaining his balance.

"Albedo, are you there—OH MY GOD!" A green haired girl, the owner of the frantic voice had seemingly appeared out of nowhere, but you were thankful for her help in steadying your body.

She introduced herself as Sucrose, a girl in STEM who regularly partnered with Albedo. Speaking of which, he too had introduced himself to you and gave you a brief apology, before redirecting his attention to the same desk he was walking away from, perhaps to grasp a better view.

"The reactions are just as we anticipated. Take notes Sucrose, and tell Timaeus we can start preparations for the next phase of the experiment. We'll begin with the report in a bit." Sucrose quickly nodded, before jotting down some notes. it was then that you realized that you were probably a bit out of place here.

"I should probably get going," you excused yourself. "My apologies for intruding, I wasn't aware that this room..."

Before you had fully walked away, you came to a halt as Albedo spoke of your research topic for one of your assignments, a familiar notebook in his hands. Crap, that was embarrassing.

"I might know a thing or two about this. Is it alright if I add in some words of my own?" The way he spoke sounded like he was so genuine, like the mere mention of knowledge caught him in fascination. You figured that walking back and letting this new bond grow wasn't so bad, and what do you know? Your paper became the highest graded on in the class (RIP Diluc).

Upon hearing said news, you immediately rushed to that old laboratory giddily broke the news to Albedo, toning it down when you noticed how he definitely pulled an all-nighter.

It was that first meeting that led to the two of you becoming study buddies, though, skip to present day, and it now became more of you scolding him to get some rest when you see him online during ungodly hours or when he just smelled of instant coffee, and had those bags growing under his eyes.

"I heard from Sucrose that you dozed off standing this morning. STANDING!"

"I'll rest up a bit after we finish up for the day, don't worry."

"It's ten pm and you're still on campus, Albedo. THE CLEANING STAFF THOUGHT YOU WERE A MANNEQUIN!"

Before he could complain, you had hung up and were already marching there with your blue haired buddy (he ended up accompanying you when you both had came out to buy late night snacks), and although Kaeya had expected you to be a bit more stern, he did not expect you to bust open the door, rush towards an ashy blonde and immediately check on his vitals.

"Come Kaeya, grab his bags." [Albedo creates sounds of muffled discontent] "No butts, you're too tired to even walk straight!" [More muffled sounds of injustice and the craving for answers] "I brought you a snack, you can eat it on the way to my dorm." [Albedo wreaks havoc from bottled up feelings of conflict] "Yes, you'll rest up on the couch again. Tomorrow's a weekend, you can sacrifice the morning and make your way back by noon!" [Albedo gives up].

Xiao

Women fear me cats love me

That’s right, the mysterious, resident emo boy with painted nails and hints of piercings was… a total softie with cats.

You figured this out one night on a late Thursday returning from the library, having just finished some research for a project.

You were tired, your makeup was smudged, and you just hastily stuffed everything in your bag—papers and all, just praying to the irl RNG gods that everything will be fine.

What you didn’t expect on what was supposedly a midnight trek to your place was a black figure, hunched over.

You thought it was a ghost, and with the amount of times you’ve been bingewatching horror movies for spooky season was not helping your perception of reality.

Until the figure turned around, revealing green, dyed locks, sharp eyes, and pale hands holding onto… a kitten.

The two of you didn’t even move for two full moments, not believing the other’s appearance. Until Xiao, very sporadically, yelled a brief remark of “you never saw me😡” (quite rudely too) before running off with the kitten in hand.

You ran off that night with two things in mind. First, the mysterious emo boy everyone would comment on but never approached actually talked to you, second, he must have a fondness for cats.

And suddenly, that instagram account of his—one that had thousands of followers yet only three posts did not feel so intimidating.

You started sending him cat posts out of context, and although he didn’t expect them, nor you at first, he gradually came to accept them. From liking your messages to actually replying, even if they were just half assed “haha”s or “cute”.

Eventually, you started to actually hang out with him, and after a few talks, found many more correlating interests.

Fast forward and now he’s your gaming buddy, and not to flex, but probably the person he talks to the most on discord too.

Bonus: you got him to be friends with Childe, and although they butt heads a lot they do share some favorite shows and games that calls for neutral ground and very fun bonding sessions.

Chongyun

Upon first stumbling upon him you thought nothing much. He lived in your home area before you up and left for college, but nothing else came to mind.

That was until you heard him one night when you were out with friends for karaoke, and stumbled upon some rather... heavy singing in the stall next to yours.

You decided to take a peek through the small glass window on the doors during your walk to the bathroom at the end of the hall, and unexpectedly, you were met with that same calm, ice colored eyes and hair that belonged to your precious junior, only to have said junior be flushed red as he stood on top of a table, screaming his heart out.

And then, it hit you.

The hard electric guitar, the sound of teenagers stirring up a riot, the battle of the bands during your senior year that was said to be the most intense event your hometown had in quite a while.

All because a newcomer had crawled onto the stage and completely obliterated the speakers and microphones, in the middle of another band's performance. Instead of stopping, they kept rocking on, and as all this mayhem and noise practically blew through the roof of the gymnasium, you were busy in the far back, trying to wash off spilled soda on your top.

You didn't put two and two together at first because that night, the intense lighting had obscured his face from the far back, but judging by his reaction when you brought it up to him next morning, it was evident that he was the culprit.

The boy had immediately turned red, sputtering out excuses and whatnot that were technically in vain as you already knew that the blood rushing to his face confirmed everything.

He ended up just spilling the means, stating multiple times that in the moments he got too heated up he'd swerve and loose control of himself, often landing into the most embarrassing of situations when he came to.

"Please don't tell anyone..."

You promised him you wouldn't, and struck up a new friendship gradually after talking more about your hometown. Exchanging contact infos, you started waving to each other whenever you crossed paths in campuses, and it's not uncommon for you to sometimes spend breathers between classes under a tree together.

It’s as if euphoria wafted through the air. Up here, in the sky, I could see everything. Each of the faces that littered the stadium, every single fanchant that followed suit after my lines, even the intricate design of the identical lightsticks shaken with rhythm.

How happy I was to have all this. My mind drifts off to that very day that set this all in stone. It’s not uncommon to reminisce about the old times, especially since I hadn’t expected any of this to happen at all. Yet life, like the universe, was mysterious in its ways, and perhaps this was what fate had in plan.

I belong to the (L/N) family, and to several of the people living in Teyvat, that might ring a bell if you’ve paid attention during history classes. Back in the archon war, we were warriors--we fought for the people of Teyvat and protected them despite our mortality. But… I guess the gods were more memorable. As soon as the war finished, we drifted off and split ways, and all we had to our names now were stories told by mouth, along with rusty artifacts that served as house decor.

It all changed during that night, when I earned my vision through an apparent act of sacrifice. Word of anyone earning a vision was so rare these days, that my name had quickly spread through my small community like wildfire--all of a sudden, everything had changed. Everyone knew my first and last name, and not just from the history books. It was as if I was given another chance--a step to take to regain the glory of my ancestors.  

But in exchange for that vision, well...

“You fight like you dance! You slice through the air as you would sing out sonnets! I knew I chose the right person!”

I didn’t know what the right person meant, at first. But the next line made me almost choke on my spit.

“Well, what are you waiting for?” The voice I heard through the air paused for a moment, before continuing. “Come, make your name known across all of Teyvat!”

That’s what the wind told me.

It was almost comical. Scratch that, shouldn’t vision bearers be using their blessings for more than just entertainment?!

But in response, all I got was “what do you think you’re going to do with a vision in this day and age?” as if it would answer all my questions, and a name card fluttering down from the wind that I barely caught.

Looking back, was that really how they recruited idols these days?! No wonder every idol I’ve come across with seemed to have visions as well…

But now I have a new resolve. If this is what it means to be a part of the (L/N) family, to find my purpose, and to prove myself worthy of this vision, then what other step should I take?

Those thoughts clouded my mind as I set foot into the big city, passing by a statue of the seven (now a monument in the middle of town) on my way to where my future would play out. Hours upon hours of training, sleepless nights full of memorizing lyrics, and praying that I won’t cause trouble with other trainees.

“It’ll be fine.” I tell myself. “Don’t worry, the anemo archon picked you for a reason.”

After that very moment, I followed the road into a domain that led me to the person I was today.

Now, my resolve is clear. At least, for tonight. As I glance at my audience, my smile grows wider. It’s been years since that life changing night, yet I still get butterflies when I hop on stage. Perhaps it was a side effect of the vision.

“Thank you for tonight! We still have one last song, so let’s make it count!” The “aww”s coming from the audience quickly turned into the loudest exclamations yet, as the crowds cheer me on throughout the stadium. I try my best to appreciate and acknowledge every single one of them, but of course, four heads stand out in the VIP section. Of course they came to watch.

Hmm, maybe if I squint, I can pretend that I understand what they’re saying.

“Do you think if I jump down here and let the people catch me, it would make the world record for most epic crowdsurf?”

“Are you stupid? How old are you to be thinking stuff like this?”

“Old enough~”

“Come on guys, she’s about to sing the last song!”

“What even is crowd surfing, exactly?”

“It’s just like a trust fall, but for touch starved people!”

“Huh…”

I didn’t expect anything less. Well, here goes.

“Sing, dance, move with the wind!”

***

“Uwahh, congratulations!” I knew that voice, and that sudden hug from behind anywhere. “My heart beats for your wicked rhythms!”

“Thank you, Venti.” The leader of 4NEMO, dressed in something obvious to his style--a white victorian style top with a bow tie matching his hair--was always the first to come greet me, whether it be after concerts, events, or even when their group would pass by my studio. A small thing I’ve always noted about him was how his voice sounded quite nostalgic, and no matter how many times I’ve heard it, I've never been able to shake those feelings off. And he talks. A LOT. I am grateful though, for his cheers matter the most to me.

My eyes trail to the others, and although they were a bit tired, they still lit up at the sight of the rest of the group, of familiar faces who helped me through the hardest of days.

“You were good.” Xiao, a comrade of few words. He’s got a cold demeanor, but he sets his fans ablaze with his presence alone. I had to admit, I would’ve been ensnared in that same spell, if the circumstances of our first meeting were different. In our case, it was more of “angry fellow trainee that I shared bad blood with” rather than the former… Everything’s fine now though, since he’s currently passing me my favorite drink unconditionally. “Drink up.”

“Aww, you cared~” Xiao rolled his eyes, but deep down, we both knew that our former scuffles and actual mean remarks were in the past. Now, we transferred that energy into actual friendly banter. And he’s a great training partner too.

Several more footsteps accompanied me as we started the long trek to the dressing rooms. We did make plans after all.

Kazuha, a soft spoken man with an outspoken stage presence, was next to open his mouth. “I could feel the gentleness in the winds. You did splendidly today.” Ah, a fact that I left out. He either speaks in cursive or lower case. But to be fair, he’s a great listener, and an even greater friend. I owe him a lot, just for being by my side.

The last member, holding a bouquet of cecilias and windwheel asters, was an admittedly handsome blonde man, whose kindness and reputation precedes him. Our friendship was the most normal of the bunch, yet it was equally as special. Aether, with his warm voice, gave an extra skip in my step as he praised my performance. “I think I speak for everyone when I say that you’ve made us proud. That was a spectacular show. We couldn’t be happier.”

“I can hardly believe you were that stumbling trainee who accidentally tripped on Xiao at orientation--”

“VENTI!!” Xiao and I cut him off at the mention of the embarrassing memory. He just had to ruin the moment, that old man. Sheesh, that was years ago and he still won’t let me die it down.

Xiao briefly whispers to me, The soft fabric of his hoodie tickling my bare shoulder. “You were kind of a mess.”

“Whose side are you on?!”

“Now now, our trainee days are long over.” Kazuha chided, and I was about to thank him… before he only fueled the fire. “Though the way Xiao hit the floor, along with the bruise that came by did not fade for quite a while. It was quite the spectacle. Remember when we called you “sunsettia head” due to the color of your forehe--”

Xiao’s expression immediately went sour as his hands clasped onto Kazuha’s mouth. “Stop. Talking.”

“Oooo, speaking of Xiao’s trainee days, remember when he would always stand by himself, looking all dark and broody~”

I glanced at the situation that seemed to only keep heating up. Even the staff were contemplating if they should step in. After all, despite the fact that vision bearers nowadays are rarely ever as violent and versed in combat as their predecessors, they still wield an immense power, especially fueled by their emotions. Guess, that’s what happens when you grow fire with the howling winds of a four member group, literally named after their visions. Talk about on the nose.

I knew they were responsible enough to not ACTUALLY use their powers so carelessly, but just to lighten things up, I go in between them. “I think I’ve had enough anemo for today--let’s get some food, I’m starving.” I turn to Xiao, patting his shoulder while my other hand reaches for my phone. “The Wangshu Inn branch near here is still open. Almond tofu on me?”

His face softens, and he nods.

Venti cheers. “I’m driving then!”

Aether, who had placed the flowers onto the table, alongside Xiao, me and Kazuha immediately looked him dead in the eye. No. Never again. Not after he drove as if we were racing on Rainbow Road.

“No.”

***

“And that concludes the weekly ranking for Teyvat’s hit singles. Next up, an exclusive interview with Kaeya of DCKZ…”

The ambient sound coming from the TV did little to distract me from my food. God, I was starving. As I continue to enjoy my bamboo shoot soup, I eye the place nonchalantly. Wangshuu inn’s interior was a stark contrast to the outside world--Liyue style furnishing and all, but the comfort brought by my friends and fellow idols brought a certain softness to my heart.

“You’re staring~” Venti’s teasing smile brought me back to reality, and I hummed in response.

“Is that so? Don’t take it as me being uninterested in my food, Venti. No stealing.” He faked a pout, before tugging on my sleeve. He spoke to me again, but this time, his voice felt much more genuine.

This was the Venti that I was close to. Not just the joking, goofy side of him--but the heartfelt, trustworthy side that helped me feel at home, especially in such a big city. I always felt like I could rely on him for everything, and maybe it was because he was a senior, but deep down, I knew it was much more than just that. “Anything on your mind?”

I watch as the others interact, plates of food scattered about on the table. Kazuha mentioned something about how the color of almond tofu reminded him of the clouds above, causing Xiao to roll his eyes and offer him a spoonful. Aether was laughing at Kazuha’s excited face as soon as he tasted the delicacy, exclaiming about how delicious it is. Moments like these felt special. No cameras, no fans watching, no need to keep things professional.

I realized I haven’t answered Venti’s question. “It’s nothing…” Venti most likely noticed the small shift in my tone. He followed my eyes to the vision strapped on my body, as my fingers deftly came to stroke its beautiful exterior. “I’m just glad to be able to meet you guys. It wouldn’t have been possible without this,” I close my eyes, before finishing, “I guess I should thank the anemo archon.”

“I’m sure…” I see another hand grasp mine, gently rubbing circles onto the tender skin. “He’s glad he chose the right person.”

I tilt my head a bit at his response. Who knew my senior, who’d jump at every chance to get drunk on free days, would be this sentimental. “We should hurry and finish our food, the place is gonna close soon.”

After we paid for our meal and left the restaurant, it was time to go home. One quick car drive later, and we were walking inside a luxurious apartment building. I sometimes still can’t believe I was able to afford this...

“Be careful now!” Venti waved his hand like there was no tomorrow, and if there was anyone in the lobby, I would’ve been more embarrassed than I had been right now.

“Lock your doors. Tell one of us if you’re going out!” Aether, calm down.

“I got you this sword. Please don’t hesitate to use it.” Kazuha, that really isn’t necessary…

“Hey,” Xiao grabbed onto my shoulder, his eyes burning into mine. “Stay safe. You know you can always say my name.”

I let out an exasperated sigh, having enough. “We live in the same apartment building…”

The security guard watched in amusement as the entire group followed me into the elevator, before the doors closed.

“We also live on the same floor.”

“...”

Miya Atsumu

Dumbass Childe main 100%, joined just a few banners before said character’s.

Playing with Atsumu is a wild ride. He carries you in your world yet gets his ass handed in his own.

Definitely has Keqing and abuses her ability to teleport. Has made fun of Osamu for not having Keqing, before getting stuck somehow and glitching into the map.

Avid destroyer of Oceanid boars, yet his worst fear are the water birds (Osamu has to kill them for him using an archer). 

Never make him fight the Oceanid unless he has to because leveling up Childe to lvl 80 was already too much of a scarring experience. This is why his other hydro characters (including his main healer, Barbara) are at level 40 gdi--

Has wayyy too many characters of the same element in his main account yet has the holiest gacha luck in his alt. It annoys him to no end.

Has accidentally used a five star weapon for refinement. Don’t ask him about that (he cried).

Is a casual player, but gets competitive way too easily. Seriously, someone tell this man to calm down and not rush through his ascension quest because the dude will die.

If it weren’t for Suna’s Jean healing him in co op he probably would have died many more times in game.

Likes to crawl back to genshin when he’s in need of some time to unwind, and sometimes likes to jump through teapot houses.

In conclusion, a fair casual player you can co op with from time to time, but never take your eyes off of Atsumu, especially if you’re Osamu. He WILL steal your resources.

Miya Osamu

Teapot legend. Decorates his serenitea pot into a Liyue themed restaurant. Even Kita likes it there, and they hang out a lot. 

Is always mad at Atsumu for stealing his resources. This is why he always joins worlds instead of letting people join his.

Starts playing a bit earlier than Atsumu, and after several banners, ends up maining Ganyu. This leads to him carrying Atsumu a lot in Oceanid battles.

Has ALL the recipes and at least 20+ pieces of each dish in his inventory. He takes the cooking in this game to the extreme.

His Ganyu gets a lot of love and is even crowned! 

Makes fun of Atsumu for not pulling Ganyu, and there’s even more salt in the wound when you see how he has more five stars than his twin.

Him and Suna are an iconic duo in co op, and if you join them, they’ll carry you in style.

Although he’s not the biggest damage dealer, he definitely knows how to pack a punch and frequently discusses what artifacts/weapons to use with Suna.

Is slightly better than Atsumu in Genshin Impact but don’t tell him that--

Would always keep his characters full for some reason because hey you can’t fight with an empty stomach I guess//

Due to this he always has full health, and it’s also why his Hu Tao is always benched. It was never meant to be </3

One of the players who built Amber because fuck the meta pyro bow user is pog.

Is very down to earth in Genshin, bless him.

Hates cryo fatui enemies with a passion though--

Ojiro Aran

A Xiangling main who honestly just chose her because he doesn’t play the game much and just picked his favorite from the starters.

Please be nice to him he’s new.

Although he’s not as well versed into the game as the others, he understands why you’d be so addicted to it. He just likes taking his time in AR20.

 You can go hunt for resources together 🥺🥺 he might’ve picked up Yanfei from the new banner and even guides you to find the resources you need!

Bless this man and his free cor lapis--

Has to sit through the chaos that is having the Miya Twins in co op with you. 

Is doing pretty well for a new player! Only has one five star, but that’s ok :)

Seriously co op with him is just the best, especially if you’re around the same rank. It’s just chilling without caring about your damage or how good your artifacts are.

Not a fan of Spiral Abyss, only did it to get Xiangling.

He likes talking about the characters a lot! He loves reading through their personal stories too, and if you have any character with a high friendship level then please read out their stories and dialogue to him.

Should I have begged even more for my execution? Probably. But would Barbatos still spare me? Most likely so.

“Dandelioooooonnn~~” his words were slurred, like he was riding a merry go round of booze. “Why won’t you let me touch you? Hey, come here~~”

“--That is unnecessary,” our friends watched as we bantered, me dodging Venti’s barrage of physical affection, and Venti... still trying no matter what. The traveler, who sat opposite of us, could only stay bewildered at the story, and the stark contrast of its two main heroes today.

“S-so, this is the fierce warrior who was granted the mercy of Lord Barbatos?!” Paimon’s mouth was agape. She stops for a breath, before carrying on. “You m-mean, (Y/n) once KNEELED to Venti?! Not only that, but the Barbatos in that tale feels so different than the Barbatos now!”

“It’s like watching an old married couple.” The traveler adds on to Paimon’s speech, still in disbelief. “So, that was how you met?”

Pushing away Venti’s hands, I try my best to keep a straight face. “Yes. The tales you hear the townsfolk tell to their children are partially true. however. the one Venti and I have told you tonight is how it really went down.” I chuckle at the thought. Who knew our first meeting had such an impact? “Though I’m glad it’s been teaching the kids a good life lesson or two.”

As my eyes trail back to Venti, I was hit with a softness, the same softness I felt after my adrenaline rushes were over, and when I knew everything was safe. I was pretty sure the traveler noticed my fondness too, but it’s alright. It’ll be our little secret. “Say, traveler. Let me let you in on a hymn of the bards of Mondstadt.”

“No matter how far the wind blows, everything stays,” I shift a bit at Venti’s weight, finally letting him rest on my shoulder. He reeked--though that was to be expected. “Right where you left it. Everything stays, but it still changes.”

I hope the traveler knew what I was talking about. In any case, the feel of Venti’s hand in mine, and the way he looked at me with such gentle eyes even whilst intoxicated proved such phrases to be true. We’ve gone through change, we’ve become different people. Once a warrior, once a rebel, now simple folk of Mondstadt, learning how to love like the people do. Once on different sides, fighting for the same freedom, and then--as the same wind blows, our relationship with each other slowly differed.

“So~” Paimon started to speak again, this time in a mischievous tone. “How did you two fall in love?”

Unexpectedly, I threw out a hoarse chuckle. Love. Such an unexpected experience that had befallen me. The truth was, I never expected it--at least not during my days of serving Decarabian. But as the times past, and when nations grew, I began to realize quite the consensus. The Mondstadt I protect now is still the same, yet things are different now. I didn’t need to devote myself to endless servitude, to slice monsters in half--because there was barely the need for it nowadays. Mondstadt’s people are capable of protecting themselves, and perhaps that was what Venti wanted me to believe.

“And then, perhaps that was when he grabbed the opportunity and freedom to woo me.”

“Ho ho, and it worked!” I roll my eyes at Venti’s sudden jab. Geez, what a childish god. “She used to be so serious. “I will protect Mondstadt!” “I will devote my life to it!” “No threat will ever pass you, Barbatos!” And then she’d run off to the wind, flipping her hair and acting all cool.”

“--But give her a flower and a song and she’s all red like an apple! Ahahahaha!” I wince at the embarrassment, quickly shutting his mouth. The traveler and paimon seem amused at the sudden revelation, and this was when I realized that it was probably best to do some damage control before my dear lover would be sleeping on the couch tonight.

Bidding the two and the bartender at Angel’s Share a farewell, I shoulder Venti, making sure to guide him deftly through the streets of Mondstadt. As we pave through the mostly empty surroundings, I start to feel warm--almost proud of the new Mond of today. How long as it been since the people were granted freedom? Since I had been able to stop and see the fruits of the labors its people who fought for it grow? It’s a nostalgic feeling, really.

“Heya, (Y/n).” It seemed that Venti noticed my silent musings. I hum a response, with no expectations whatsoever. If it was a question about how far we were from home, surely that--

“Marry me.”

I nearly ran into the pavement there and then. Marriage? To Barbatos? To Venti? To the man I knew as my lover? Wait, of course the person you’d get married to is most likely your lover. Then, why am I still so flustered? Why is it that with this man, everything felt so different and new? How is it that he could make such a mess of me, yet make me whole?

“Hey, why are you so quiet?” He pouts, adorably I might add. I still stumble to catch my breath. To be honest, I wouldn’t mind... “We’ve been together for so long, we’re pretty much just giving rings to each other. Come on~”

“Geh... When you put it that way... can’t you take this seriously?”

I felt a sudden drop--a different feeling place itself on him, and all of a sudden, he vocalizes many, many words. “I have! I’ve consulted the church, I’ve looked at all kinds of rings and other things you might prefer for proposals, and I’ve been thinking about it even in eons of slumber! I want us to be happy, (y/n), but most importantly, I want you to be happy, so regardless of your acceptance, it’s fine if we stay by each other’s sides, right?”

My breath hitched. Tears were threatening to prickle my eyes. Of course he’d be  so thoughtful, yet so playful too... don’t tell me. “I don’t want you to propose to me while you’re drunk, Barbatos... but you’re actually sober, aren’t you?”

“Ehe.” He chuckles, before getting on one knee, a small crystal core presented on the palms of his hands. “So, is that a yes?”

Dainsleif remembered the bitter feeling that pierced through his heart when you were no longer by his side. When you disappeared right in front of him, when the cataclysm struck the hardest. 

Your voice still rang in his head, even after he gave up. Even after years of searching, even after his centuries of mourning. Your happy voice, like when he proposed to you on a sunset, your lovestruck voice, when you both walked through a garden filled with your favorite flowers, and your pained voice which haunted him the most, as much as the cataclysm did in itself. 

You were everything to him, and the gods took you away.

Sometimes, in his journeys, he dreams of what life was--what life could have been for the both of you. He reminisces the training sessions filled with playful banter from you, the walks through the marketplace to check on the people you both were supposed to protect, and passionate escapades to discover new things with the alchemists. 

Would you have retired with him to the remote parts of Khaen’riah to live out the rest of your days in peace? 

But there was no mulling around for him. Not until you can peacefully rest, knowing the Abyss--the cause of your death and the extinction of his nation have been obliterated for good. Now, 500 years later, he’s at the trail of an abyss herald, with a traveler by his side and the same resolve. 

You always did say he was a bit stubborn... ah, you corrected that word to headstrong. 

Whenever he passes by his reflection, he remembers bits and pieces of you. The times when you’d tug on his collar teasingly, when you’d compliment him on his hair and brushed it away from his face, and when he gave you his coat, all whilst being completely teased by his comrades for being such a loving husband.

But all that remains of them were memories. Memories and one ring.

“Dainsleif?”

The man blinks at recognizing Paimon’s voice. Right, he was on a mission. No reason to get sidetracked now, especially with the abyss herald right under their noses. He gives out careful instructions to the group, navigating the ruins and finally facing off the abyss herald.

All hell breaks loose. Secrets were revealed, questions were bubbling, but most importantly, Lumine’s sudden appearance made things spiral into dangerous unknown territory.

One thing’s for sure as soon as he sees them getting away--chase after them. For the resolve he has been fighting for. For years of mourning and perseverance.

But life is never fair. Neither are the abyss, the gods, nor fate itself. Nothing is fair in this world. It’s a bitter realization that bubbles back to his throat when he sees a glimpse of familiar colored hair on a figure reminiscent of his thought to be late wife, dressed in clothes of the Abyss.