Fragmented memories of your voice greeting him echo against the stillness of walls that feel barren.

But there is no trace nor sound leading the usual warm bright path to you.

Then he hears it.

Faint, choked out, muffled by the closed doors of your room.

A sob, a silent plea for help you wished to never ask.

From the other side of the door, you hear steps, a familiar pattern you have walked side by side with, on days when the sun painted the sky in a cerulean expanse.

Teary eyes turn to the light coming in and to the figure standing in the threshold.

“My love?” Jing Yuan asks, concern lacing the embers of his aureate gaze.

Your hands are shaking, your breath is ragged, tear tracks stain your lovely face and sweat coats your skin.

Another whimper is all the reply he gets, as you wrap your arms around yourself, eyes open but unseeing.

“Dove, I’m here now.” Your lover utters, softly, dawn dew over rose petals.

In moments like this, the arbiter general knows better than to ask the cause for your distress, instead wrapping you in the comfort of his affections, trying to bring placid sunbeams to you.

You grip his clothes, knuckles going almost white.

His strong arms loop around your fragile shaking form, the shield and sword that will fend off any twisted thorny branches that dare corrupt your beautiful heart.

“Jing Yuan, I’m sorry…” You numbly mutter, sniffling. “It happened again, I’m sorry, I’m sorry, I-I’m so sor-“

Your erratic speech is cut off when he pulls you closer against his side, squeezing you, his slightly chapped lips leaving kisses on your hair.

“Never apologize for something like that again.” He states, gentle enough, but leaving no room for argument. “You hear? It’s okay.”

You nod, still clutching onto him.

You bring your knees closer to you, curling up by your lover’s side.

And suddenly, the air doesn’t feel so cold and misty.

“I know, I just…” You sigh, trembly. “I thought I’d be fine… I didn’t want it to happen again.”

“I know you didn’t, my dear.” He strokes your hair, your back, his calloused fingertips seeping away the chill in your bones, a fiery shooting star amidst endless snowy plains.

“It’s exhausting…” You whisper, shifting your position. “I can’t- I don’t want to endure it anymore…” New tears flood your lash line.

“Look at me.” Your general takes your chin in between his fingers, as his other hand brushes away your glistening tears.

You’re so beautiful, even when you’re crying.

“I’ll be here. You don’t have to fight this alone anymore.”

He brushes sweaty strands of hair away from your face.

Then he leans in, his lips enveloping yours, more tenderly that they’ve ever done before.

Through starry tears, you kiss him back, hands against his strong chest, his heartbeat, a metronome keeping countdown of your dark thoughts.

In Jing Yuan’s arms, the night goes on, eventually fading into dreamless slumber.

As the minutes tick by, the deep indigo of unknowable firmaments shifts into the pinks of cherry blossom rains.

A sparrow perches on the ajar windowsill.

The Sun will be out soon.

Sometimes, when he is in a teasing mood, he hovers just out of your reach, so that you have to stand on your tippy toes to reach up and kiss him. And if you’re lucky enough and know how to read between the lines, you’ll find the storms in his midnight eyes to become placid fields of hyacinths, soft and sincere as they regard you. The smile on his lips is also priceless, his usual smirk softening into a gentle grin.

But if it’s you who wants to tease him, headpats are the way to go. And if you call him your “good boy” too? You’ll be rewarded with a very pouty and blushy Scaramouche, as he grumbles something about ‘not being good’. But in reality, he has to try his utmost to avoid showing the smile inevitably tugging at the corners of his mouth.

*:･ﾟ ALBEDO

To the chief alchemist, you couldn’t be any more beautiful. You are the muse he loves to paint, and will and would do so until the mountains he frequents melted away.

He thinks you’re the most ethereal being that has ever graced Teyvat and every other world; not even one of his master’s creations could ever hold a candle to you.

And so, he makes sure to remind you time and time again: him hugging you from behind, leaving kisses on your shoulder-blades, whispers of “you’re beautiful” falling from his frosted lips; burying his face in the crook of your neck when dawn light filters through the windows of your shared bedroom, and the alchemist just wants to bask in the sweetness of your touch for a few moments more; or simply when he asks so nonchalantly if you’d let him sketch you (don’t let his seemingly innocent summer sky eyes fool you, he knows perfectly how he’s flustering you).

A perk of being taller than him too is that Klee always wants you to pick her up on your shoulders, because “[Y/n] is taller than big brother, I can see everything from up here!”.

And well, the lovesick smile on the Chalk Prince’s perfect features in that moment is truly a masterpiece on its own.

*:･ﾟ XIAO

Xiao doesn’t care in the slightest about your height, or appearance for that matter, his priority will always be to protect you at all costs.

He knows you’re strong and can hold your own in a fight, and yet, he can’t help but watch over you, like a guardian angel with a tainted halo and hidden wings.

On endless nights devoid of starshine, when his karmic debt gets too heavy to bear, the Vigilant Yaksha finds pleasure in your embrace. Albeit reluctantly, due to his fear of corrupting you, your adeptus curls up in your arms. Your fingers comb through his hair; lips that gifted him the brightest smiles peppering him in feather-light kisses. And maybe his moonless night has now a star, brighter than all the ones clouded above.

Don’t think that because you’re taller your boyfriend is not going to pick you up in his arms. Nuh-uh, as shy and reserved as Xiao can be, he has no qualms when it comes to scooping you up in his arms and teleport the both of you wherever need be.

And if you tell him how he flusters you, with a shy smile and averted gaze, the Conqueror of Demons just stands there, his head tilted to the side. “Isn’t this way more convenient, though?” He’ll ask, question marks dancing in the firelight of his golden gaze, adorable pout on his lips.

On these occasions, you can’t help but kiss the diamond shaped mark on his forehead. Now he’s the flustered one.

*:･ﾟ KAEDEHARA KAZUHA

Kazuha is the most chill guy you can encounter. Really, he doesn’t care about your height or appearance in the slightest. You are his muse, no matter what, and you bet he’s spilling haikus about you at any moment’s notice.

Thinks you’re so cool when you spar together and you tower over him. And when you manage to win, and you pin him to the wall, well, he’s flustered.

But he’s also such a charmer, so don’t be surprised if he suddenly captures your lips in his, standing on his tip-toes, his arms around your waist.

And because sometimes there is no need for an abundance of words to convey his feelings, the wandering poet just settles for a “You’re amazing, my dove.” As he tucks a flyaway strand of hair behind your ear.

Loves, loves, loves falling asleep holding you. The sounds of your heartbeat and breathing calm him into candid dreams when the world outside is a cacophony of dissonant requiems.

And if you play with his long silky hair as he lays his head on your lap, he absolutely melts. Vibrant maple forest hued eyes look up at you, carrying the warmth and softness of a thousand gilded early evenings. Your touch, and your company. That’s all he needs for his world to be in harmony.

“Aren’t you a curious one, hm?” You prompt, leaning against the backrest of the sofa, idly twirling a strand of Blade’s hair in between your fingers.

“I want to know!” Your daughter pouts, her tiny hands clenched into small fists. “Uncle Jing Yuan didn’t want to tell me, he said I’d learn when I was a grown lady, but I’m already big!” She crosses her arms over her chest, puffing out her round cheeks.

You chuckle at how adorable and commanding she can be; she takes after her father, you think with a fond smile.

“Well, why don’t you let daddy explain, little flower?” You console her, kneeling down at her level and booping her nose. “He’s quite the story teller, isn’t that right, dear?” You smirk.

In truth, Blade was very much not the best at recounting tales, but gosh is he adorable every time he dotes on his baby.

So who are you to pass up the chance to see your two favorite people bonding? Seeing your beloved husband so flustered is also a plus, but that’s besides the point.

“Really? Does Papa know?” The little girl’s eyes sparkle in the afternoon light, starry and brimming with excitement at the prospect of her sought after answers.

Blade clears his throat, picking up his little one and sitting her on his lap.

“Mama exaggerates a bit.” He spares you a sharp glance, lacking malice. You’re stunning so happy and radiant like this, it’s enough to put the heart that was damaged and pierced many a time at complete peace. “But yes, I do know a little.” He softly says, caressing your daughter’s ebony hair. “How about I tell you the story of the flower fairy who brought you here, princess?”

“A fairy?” She asks, excited, standing on her knees over her father’s thighs. “Was that fairy strong like you, Papa?” She asks, curling up against Blade’s chest.

“Even stronger.” Your husband muses, hugging your little girl, sending a tender glance your way.

“Stronger than Papa? That’s impossible, isn’t it?” The girl exclaims, excitement lacing her tone.

Blade gently pats her head, a fond smile on his handsome features.

“You’d be surprised, little heart.” He tells her. “This fairy fought many, many battles and defeated many, many monsters… They are very powerful and kindhearted too, they protected you when you were just a baby, you know?”

“Really?” His daughter leans forward with enthusiasm. “The fairy took care of me?”

“Oh, sure they did. In fact, they still watch over you.” Blade adjusts the red ribbons on the girl’s hair, his eyes, soft as crimson blooms as they set on you with the sweet warmth of a home’s hearth. “That’s why you’re magical too, my princess.” Your lover gazes at her so tenderly, leaving the world’s gentlest kiss atop her little head.

She giggles, sliding down her dad’s legs. Standing up straight she declares:

“I want to be strong like the fairy too, then!” She puffs out her chest. “I’m going to tell auntie Kafka now.” She chuckles, running off.

“Sweetheart, don’t…” Blade tries to reach out for her, sighing when he only catches a glimpse of her little one’s twin tails swishing around the corner.

“My love, don’t worry.” You smile at your husband, taking a sit by his side on the couch. “Kafka always takes care of her.”

“I know, I know…” Blade sighs.

Who would have thought he’d ever end up having a child of his own, or loving them so much, for that matter?

Certainly not him, who had never believed himself worthy or capable of loving someone.

“I can’t help but worry sometimes…”

You wrap your arms around his shoulders, resting your head against his.

“She’ll be fine.” You peck his cheek, feather-light. “She’s strong like you.”

Your lover’s hand comes to rest atop yours on his shoulder.

“You’re probably right.” He utters, a rare candid smile illuminating the face you adore to kiss. “However, I think she takes after you, in the strong department.” He admits.

You let out a light laugh.

“You’re cute sometimes, love.” You tease with a chuckle, resting your chin on his shoulder.

Blade basks in the balmy spring of you.

Moments like this… He certainly could get used to them.

Your husband closes his eyes.

No sweet dream could beat the joy his little family brings to him.