writingafterdusk

“my apologies,” he says, watching as you tend to him. he’s vulnerable like this and it might be the first time he’s let himself be treated by another since the war started. “the last thing I wanted was to pile more onto your plate.”

you shake your head, pausing your work to look at him. “no, that’s not it at all,” you say. “it doesn’t matter how much work i have - my burden will never compare to yours, hrid. you’ve lost so much… if even a little thing like this can ease that burden, i’m glad to do it.”

without thinking, you lower your head to his shoulder, leaving a soft kiss on a bruise left from the battle earlier that day. you hear hrid suck in a breath and you worry that you hurt him for a mere moment before his arms wrap around you, holding you close, keeping you near him.

“thank you,” he whispers. “but you needn’t worry about me. i would defeat any foe if it meant we could one day live a peaceful life together…”

“goddamn… hot…” she mumbles into your neck, where she’s hidden her face. you’re not certain how doing that helps her beat the heat but really, how could you say something? “i’m going to melt…”

you chuckle as you run your fingers through her long locks. “you’ll get used to it,” you assure her, which causes her to let out a huff right against your neck which sends shivers down your spine.

“i will never. such heat is… unbecoming for a tsaritza.”

“even if it gives us an excuse to get ice cream…?”

that seems to pique her interest. “what flavor would we get? i would prefer to try them all…”

“then that’s what we’ll do, with all the toppings you could ask for,” you say. ana finally pries her face from your neck to look up at you.

“you’d do that for me, возлюбленный?”

“anything for you, my tsaritza,” you reply. suddenly, your lips meet hers as she darts up to give you a soft kiss. she pulls away with a smile tugging at her lips and giggles softly.

you wake up and leave your comfy bed, making your way down to the kitchen to find him there. he’s preparing tea, and as you watch you realize that he’s learned exactly how you like it. you gaze at him from the doorway, watching his expert hands prepare the delicate brew, stirring in sugar before he takes a taste to ensure that it’s correct.

he seems satisfied, though that doesn’t surprise you - you’ve never had a bad cup of tea that zhongli’s prepared.

“good morning,” you say, finally making your way over to him. zhongli smiles as he turns to greet you, as if simply seeing you brightens his day. maybe because that’s how you feel about him.

“good morning, my dear.” his smooth voice kisses your ears and you can’t help but want more as you walk right up to him.

“you owe me a kiss,” you state, and zhongli raises a brow though he looks amused.

“do I, now?”

“yes. you weren’t there when i woke up, so i couldn’t kiss you good morning first thing,” you explain, crossing your arms. it’s a valid argument and zhongli can’t find fault in it.

He leans in and as your lips meet, your mind goes blank.

“you taste sweet,” you murmur without thinking when the two of you part, causing zhongli to chuckle. the sound reverberates through your whole body and you think you may not have really been alive until you heard this.

it’s quiet in the border. nobody is really in the mood to talk after losing two servants over the span of barely two days. it’s exhausting, the mood is stifling, and while chaldea waits for safety in order to return to the indian lostbelt, you find comfort in the arms of one man.

sherlock understands your pain. he panicked at the thought of losing you earlier, something that was quite uncharacteristic for a man like him. he holds you close, lets you sob and grieve, lets you feel.

he may well be the tether that’s keeping you grounded and sane.

“master,” he murmurs into your ear, his voice soft but his accent somehow sends shivers down your spine all the same. “it’s alright.”

he might be trying to convince himself. his arms hold you just a bit closer to him.

“b-but…” your voice cracks and you have to swallow. “but… karna…”

“karna knew the risks,” he says gently. he’s not scolding you, he’s reminding you of the duties of a servant to their master. “he made a choice to protect that which is most important.” he might be talking about Chaldea, or about you. “just as I would.”

“no.” your voice comes out harsher than you intend it as you look up at him. he looks surprised, which is a feat in and of itself. “no, you can’t.”

“master, if it was a matter of protecting you-”

“you CAN’T,” you cut him off, or maybe the tears in your eyes do. “i… I nearly lost you once…”

you bury your face into his shoulder again as holmes realizes how foolish he’s been. his bad arm twinges, not from you, but from a feeling more akin to realizing just how lucky he had been in scandinavia. he brings a hand up, tucking a strand of hair that had fallen out of place behind your ear.

“Ii’m sorry,” he says, and you look up at him. the emotion in his expression is that which you’ve never seen before. “i should have considered your feelings before i spoke. forgive me…”

you wipe at your eyes and draw him close before pressing the softest of kisses onto his lips. the message comes through loud and clear:

hand-in-hand, you stroll through the marketplace in mondstadt with kaeya. it’s peaceful, the voices of people at the various open-air shops floating through the air. you hear sara call out an order at Good Hunter as you stop to admire the fountain.

“something caught your attention?” kaeya says the words into your ear almost like a whisper. “and here I thought I was the only one who could do that.”

you struggle not to laugh at the way he actually pouts; your boyfriend might be the cavalry captain of the knights but he can be such a dork when he wants to be, and he often wants to be when he’s with you. “i just like looking at the fountain,” you explain. “it’s pretty.”

“so are you.” kaeya’s arm wraps around you, tugging you into his side. “are you going to make a wish?”

you tilt your head - the thought hadn’t really occurred to you, but it was pretty harmless. you fish a mora out of your pocket and toss it into the fountain, watching it as it sinks as it lands in the water. you make a wish as it does, and kaeya glances at you, clearly curious.

“well? what did you wish for?”

“it won’t come true if I tell you,” you say, gently nudging him with your elbow and eliciting a laugh from him in response as you continue your walk around the city.

A ctivities - What do they like to do with their s/o? How do they spend their free time with them?

between trying to keep the alliance together and later ruling over almyra, to say that claude is busy would be a vast understatement. there’s always something that needs his attention, and because of that, he sneaks in time with you whenever he can. he likes taking you on wyvern flights the most - there’s something about sweeping you away from your duties and his responsibilities and flying high that makes him feel… free. otherwise, sparring is always fun. be careful, though - when the winner gets a kiss, claude can’t help but resort to his usual tricks.

B eauty - What do they admire about their s/o? What do they think is beautiful about them?

he wants to say everything, but you’d say he’s exaggerating. if he had to choose one thing, though, it’d be your wit. watching you shoot a snarky comment at a noble at the round table makes him struggle to hold back his laughter, and the fire in your eyes… well, he’d be lying if he said he didn’t feel like he was falling in love with you all over again.

well, claude is pretty fond of his beard. is it because you like it? maybe so. there’s something about the way you stroke his cheek, your thumb brushing against the soft fuzz, that drives him crazy.

C omfort - How would they help their s/o when they feel down/have a panic attack etc.?

claude is, sadly, no stranger to such things. between feeling like he didn’t fit in whether in almyra or fodlan, and assassins coming for him in the night, feeling down or having a panic attack is as familiar to him as his weapon of choice. but for you to go through that… claude can’t stand it.

he’s there for you in an instant the moment he senses something is off - gently calling your name, reaching out to you, hugging you if you want someone to hold onto to ground yourself. if you don’t then he’ll just sit with you, keeping you company. he won’t leave you alone - that’s a promise.

D reams - How do they picture their future with their s/o?

promise that you’ll be there with him no matter where life takes him and he might just propose to you on the spot. claude knows his future will take him far away, whether to almyra or beyond, but he wants you there at his side. that’s the one thing he’s certain of, and if you want to be with him then that’s all he needs.

E qual - Are they the dominant one in the relationship, or rather passive?

claude is dominant in that he won’t let a day go by without doing some sort of gesture for you. whether it be leaving you a flower where he’s sure you’ll find it, or getting some of your work done before you can think to tackle it, claude will admit that he hopes you can spend some of this newfound free time with him.

F ight - Would they be easy to forgive their s/o? How are they fighting?

claude’s not the type to hold onto grudges. He apologizes quickly, once things have cooled down. if it festered and developed into resentment, that could fuck up future plans and he can’t have that. he’s very much a ‘forgive and forget’ kind of person.

G ratitude - How grateful are they in general? Are they aware of what their s/o is doing for them?

he’s absolutely aware - as observant and perceptive as he is, it’d be impossible for him not to notice. he’s very grateful - he has a lot on his plate, and just sticking by his side is enough to warrant his gratitude as far as he’s concerned.

H onesty - Do they have secrets they hide from their s/o? Or do they share everything?

claude has secrets because that’s just the kind of man he is. however, with you… he’s slowly getting used to the fact that he can tell you everything. give him time, he’s used to holding all his cards close to his chest. when he feels ready he’ll share everything with you, the person who he knows he can trust no matter what.

I nspiration - Did their s/o change them somehow, or the other way around? Like trying out new things or helped them overcome personal problems?

it wouldn’t be unreasonable to say that you broke down claude’s walls. he was so used to being the only one he could rely on, hence his need for schemes. but then you walked in - you showed him that it was okay to trust others. his friends may have paved the way, but you truly broke down that barrier and he will always be grateful.

J ealousy - Do they get jealous easily? How do they deal with it?

claude? jealous? yeeeeah, it definitely happens. he tries not to let it because his first instinct is a nice dose of a mild poison for the person in question, but the heart wants what it wants. and right now, it wants that nobleman’s hand off your shoulder right this second. lorenz quietly but sharply reminds him not to lose his head, while hilda takes the initiative to get you away from the noble in question (claude already knows he owes her).

K iss - Are they a good kisser? What was the first kiss like?

claude’s a pretty damn good kisser, if he says so himself. something about the way he kisses you takes your breath away every time, and the first kiss was no exception. it was after a battle, you were exhausted but waiting for him. when you saw his wyvern in the sky, you ran to meet him but he was faster, landing his mount and jumping down to the ground before picking you up in a hug so enthusiastic that he wound up spinning you around. when claude finally set you down it was only to take your breath another way by kissing you suddenly. it was short but full of passion, both of you fueled by adrenaline.

“sorry…” he murmured when he pulled away just enough to speak, your foreheads still touching. “i didn’t really think…”

your answer of pulling claude by his shirt for another kiss told him everything he needed to know.

L ove Confession - How would they confess to their s/o?

claude confesses during a high stakes moment because that’s when it truly hits him - how he can’t lose you. he fires a shot at an enemy before they can attack you, then yells to you:

“hey! you know i love you, right?!”

this really isn’t the time to be confessing because it seriously distracts you, but you know he has the best of intentions. you give your answer once the battle is over and claude feels like he’s flying even on the ground.

M arriage - Do they want to get married? How do they propose? What would the marriage be like?

i imagine he’d always considered it but it was more of a future potential than anything else. i doubt he had plans to get married for a while, but then you came along. he isn’t complaining, of course - the idea of spending the rest of your lives together makes him happy just thinking about it.

i think he’d ask during a quiet moment when the two of you finally get some time to yourselves. he picked out a ring during a recent rare day in a major city that wasn’t ravaged by war, and now he presents it to you.

“when all this is over, and the war is won… will you marry me?”

married life with claude depends on where you two are. In almyra, he’s khalid and the two of you live in the palace. he’s busy as king but don’t think for a moment that he doesn’t have time for you. he’ll take days off (thankfully his parents are happy to cover) and just spend them flying with you, showing you the country of his birth and all it has to offer. in fodlan, he’s usually found checking in with the deer and the church. he may no longer lead the alliance but the responsibility never quite leaves his shoulders. still, time with you there is well-spent. in general, being married to claude is fun - you never know where his travels will take him, and you, next. you knew when you fell for him that he’s the human equivalent of a whirlwind so just hang on tight to him and enjoy the ride.

N icknames - What do they call their s/o?

he’s got a ton of nicknames. “dear” and “sweetheart” are his most common but you’ll hear “love” thrown in fairly regularly. his nicknames tend to come from almyra since that’s what he heard most growing up so get to ready to pick up on those.

O n Cloud Nine - What are they like when they are in love? Is it obvious for others? How do they express their feelings?

when he’s in love, claude’s focused. but for once, not on his strategies or schemes. instead, he’s focused on you. he wants to take in every detail, to memorize you - what you like, how you do things, little things like that.

he’s usually pretty good about not wearing his heart on his sleeve. most people wouldn’t know he’s in love just by looking at him. take a look at his strategies, though, and one thing becomes clear - all of his plans put you in the least amount of danger possible. riskier maneuvers that he might normally try are avoided if they mean risking you.

he’s protective, in a word - he keeps you out of the thick of battles and when he can help it, out of the reach of the nobility, who might try to snatch you up. he couldn’t bear the thought of losing you.

P DA - Are they upfront about their relationship? Do they brag with their s/o in front of others? Or are they rather shy to kiss etc. when others are watching?

if he could (and technically he could but it would be in poor taste), he’d shout it from the rooftops. still, claude knows better. he’ll brag to the golden deer but that’s about it. nothing more than a kiss on the cheek in public whether in almyra or fodlan due to social standing. he really wishes sometimes that he could kiss you with others around without a care in the world.

Q uirk - Some random ability they have that's beneficial in a relationship.

since claude’s pretty good at reading people, it’s easy for him to tell if you’re upset about something even when you haven’t mentioned it to him yet. sometimes you swear he can read your mind when he comes up to you, flower in hand or some small gift in hand just to make your day a bit brighter.

R omance - How romantic are they? What would they do to make their s/o happy? Cliché or rather creative?

claude’s a really romantic guy - he grew up with a mother who ran away to another country to be with the man she loved, after all. whether he’s cliche or creative depends on his mood. sometimes, he’ll sweep you off your feet with a bouquet of red roses; other times, he’ll leave you a note in a book or whisk you away for a flight where he tells you that he loves you with only the clouds as your witnesses.

S upport - Are they helping their s/o achieve their goals? Do they believe in them?

absolutely, 100%. you’ve supported him with his dream for so long - to not support in return would be unthinkable to him. it doesn’t matter how big or small, or how long your dream might take. it’s yours, and that’s what important to him. he believes in you wholeheartedly, always taking the time to remind you and encourage you. claude’s left you so many little notes with affirmations on them that you joke that you could practically make a book out of them.

T hrill - Do they need to try out new things to spice out your relationship? Or do they prefer a certain routine?

claude’s had enough thrill for a lifetime, i think. with everything he’s been through, i imagine he values a calm, steady routine more than most people realize. when all’s said and done, he wants a quiet, peaceful life with you. the path you take to get there might be chaotic, but that dream of a sleepy, quiet life together fuels him. besides, he’s got almyra to look after - that’s enough thrill for a lifetime.

U nderstanding - How good do they know their partner? Are they empathetic?

if he wasn’t empathetic before, he strives to be now. it’s part of his dream to reach out to other people, after all. to not extend that courtesy to his own partner would be unlike him. claude can read your moods, he knows your habits, and he can pretty well guess what might be bothering you based on your expressions.

V alue - How important is the relationship to them? What is it’s worth in comparison to other things in their life?

having you by his side means the world to him. claude isn’t sure he’d be able to do most of what he does without you there. it’s more than that - you’ve become a part of his dream, now. comparing you to the rest of the world just doesn’t make sense because to him, you are his world.

W ild Card - A random Fluff Headcanon.

considering how he loves feasts, it shouldn’t be surprising that he’s a pretty decent cook! there’s more to it, though, he admits to you one morning when he brings you your breakfast. he made it himself - and he always has. in truth, it’s not just a romantic gesture. he’s protecting you, by ensuring that nobody else can tamper with the food by making it himself. if you let him, he’ll even start to dose the food with a small amount of poison, to help you start building up immunity. it means a lot to him that you’d trust him with that - and he’ll only do it if you’re okay with it.

X OXO - Are they very affectionate? Do they love to kiss and cuddle?

claude. loves. cuddling. you swear, this man would wrap you up in his arms and never let you go if he thought he could get away with it. he’s so affectionate in private due to the contrast of how he has to be in public. it’s like he can’t get enough of showering you in affection now that he has the chance!

Y earning - How will they cope when they're missing their partner?

claude tends to try and distract himself with scheming when you’re gone but it… doesn’t always work. he tries his best, he swears! he just can’t help but get pouty when you’re not around. hilda teases him a little but she knows it’s just because he loves you so much.

Z eal - Are they willing to go to great lenghts for the relationship? If so, what kind of?

“what, another transgression? you truly are my greatest enemy.”

eula’s voice floats in from the entrance of your home, where she leans on the doorway, returned from a long day of work with the knights. you’re at the stove, putting your cooking knowledge to good use.

“i’m not sure what you’re talking about,” you say, putting up an innocent facade that only drives her to walk towards you, a hand on her hip.

“you are well aware of what you’ve done. cooking before I could get home… were you hoping to surprise me?”

“maybe.” a small grin tugs at your lip, betraying your otherwise pretty good poker face. “maybe not.”

“regardless, I’ve foiled that plan.” eula stands in front of you now lifting her hand to your chin and (gently) forcing you to look at her even when you try to turn your gaze elsewhere. “now, what vengeance shall i enact on you this time…?” she trails off, as if she’s trying to think, before she seemingly makes up her mind.

the captain of the crux has many treasures, but none are as precious to her as you. she makes that clear from the way she greets you upon returning to her quarters. it may be late, but beidou has plenty of energy. her kisses are hungry - she can’t get enough of you.

“hey,” she says when you two cease your greeting to be able to breathe. her grin tells you that you’re in for a wild night. the captain is eager to please, and you’re not complaining. her knee slides between your legs as she presses you up against the cabin door. “i’ve been thinking about you all day.”

“yeah?”

“oh, yeah...” her lips find their way to your ear and she starts to nibble on your earlobe, at the same moment picking you up and letting you wrap your legs around her waist. “kept wishing i could come back and see you. i held out, though. i knew it’d be better to wait.”

you smile, knowing your lover well. beidou is a good captain, and she’d never put her own needs over those of her crew. but now? she itgoing to indulge. she makes that clear from the way she carries you over to her bed, setting you down settling herself above you and leaning in close.

dimitri is always gentle with you, almost exceedingly so. his crest makes it so he can hardly do the simplest task with fragile objects without them shattering in his grip. it was natural that, when the two of you started to become intimate, he would do his best to not harm you.

but you want more from him.

you’re not so easily broken, and a part of you wants him to want to break you. for him to relish your cries of his name as he pounds you into the mattress with no restraint.

you’re not worried about his strength, you trust him.

you assure him as much, panting out that you trust him and you want him so badly between passionate kisses. you’re straddling his lap, his hands holding your hips and your arms wrapped around his neck as you kiss him deeply. hungrily.

“dima, it’s okay...” you murmur into his ear after pulling back from the latest kiss. you’re certain the action sends a shiver down his spine as his grip on your hips tightens ever so slightly.

“but... my strength, what if i-”

you shake your head, nuzzling into your face into his neck and pressing kisses into his exposed skin.

“you don’t have to be gentle,” you say, one of your hands sliding up to grip his loose hair tightly. “i won’t break.”

your words seem to finally sink in - that you want him, that you truly trust him. with no more arguments, dimitri flips your positions. now he hovers over you, pressing your body into the mattress and his leg between your own, necessitating you spread your legs open.

“if you need me to stop... please tell me,” is all he says before diving in to kiss you, fully and deeply.