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oblooga · 7 months
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It's you and I
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Synopsis: (fem!reader) best friends to lovers with a hint of fake/misunderstood dating :)))
Characters: Kazuha, Al-Haitham
Author's note: SPOILERS FOR 3.4 STORY QUEST (Alhaitham's part!! though now Fontaine is released idk if anyone still hasn't done Sumeru but I'm putting this here just in case^^)
This is a gift for @kazumist for the @solarisfortuneia Summer Santa event!! This was supremely fun to write, I have no idea how to write Alhaitham though, so forgive me if he's a little OOC. I hope you like it :))))
P.S. lyrics is from "poster boy" by Lyn Lapid-- I was looping the song while writing this
Kaedehara Kazuha
The vision hunt decree is finally over, and with it ends the bloodshed and violence that has lingered on your doorstep for years. With a brand new day free of bitter purple lighting comes new beginnings, new futures, and new-old friends returning to their homeland. 
One such friend is Kaedehara Kazuha.
You’ve known each other since you were little— dressed in nappies, sharing childhoods, summers spent racing in fields of gold and exploring caves filled with shimmering blue flowers. He had to flee when the vision hunt decree bore down his back– you still remember sending him away on a night dark as the loneliest shadows, holding back your tears as you watch the solidarity boat sail away from the harbor. 
(away from you.)
But ages have past, regimes have changed, and he can finally return home. Your family has agreed to house him, on account of his precious abode being completely destroyed in the Vision Hunt Decree.
And…also due to a big misunderstanding, as you were about to find out. 
“Y/n, where’s that boyfriend of yours? Didn’t you say he’d be here by noon?” Your mother calls from the kitchen, bustling around as she prepares lunch. 
You spit out the tea you’d been sipping, “I—I’m sorry, what boyfriend?”
“You know? That white haired boy with the red streak that lived next door? Kazuha?”
“Mom,” you groan, “he’s not—“
“Did someone say my name?” A voice calls from the doorway, gentle as the breeze sweeping through golden fields, fondness and amusement settling in its tone like leaves falling in autumn. 
In the doorway of your home stands Kaedehara Kazuha, looking every bit the same as you’d last seen him, just a bit taller and a bit more weary of the world. But he brightens up and chuckles when you leap into his embrace and cling onto him like an overzealous Bake-Danuki. 
“I missed you!! It’s been boring without you, Inazuma has changed so much and everyone’s talking about how—“
“Hello to you too, Y/n, how have you been? It’s been quite a while hasn’t it,” he mumbles into your hair as you continue to yammer on animatedly about the things he's missed.
“Y/n,” your mom calls from the kitchen, exasperated, “why don’t you let the poor boy into the house before you talk his ear off? Lunch is almost ready, please can you help set the table?” 
“Of course,” Kazuha cuts in smoothly before you’ve even had a chance to reply, patting your head and letting you down gently before sauntering into the kitchen. 
"How can I help you, Ma'am?" He smiles at your mom, helping hold the oven door open as she shoves a giant seasoned chicken inside.
“Oh, you’re a man after my heart,” your mom titters, smiling good naturedly at him, “just as how you’ve captured Y/n’s heart, hmm?” She turns and winks at you, and Kazuha smiles. 
“Well, I’m not quite sure about that just yet,” he says, glancing at you and raking his eyes over your flushed and confused face. “But I most certainly would like for it to be true," he murmurs, as he sends you a shy but sure smile, raising his brows at your reddened cheeks. 
“Ka-Kazuha,” you start flusteredly, “wh— you’re– w–wh–"
"Ah, young love," your mom sighs dramatically, and shoos the both of you out of the kitchen. "Nevermind helping me out, the both of you are so besotted with each other it'll be hard to get any work down. Off you go!" 
And so Kazuha easily gets out of the kitchen work that you've been subjected to for the many years you've lived in this house. You can't even be surprised– there's just something about the boy that is so soothing, so silently charming, that draws one in as unnoticeably as the autumn wind that comes every September.
"Kazuha, should we talk about this? We're not… you're… what are you doing?" You ask him hesitantly, trailing behind as he leads you out of the house and into the gardens. 
"Well– it'd be rude to ruin your mom's fantasies, right?" He grins, turning to a stop in front of you. "She seems so happy to have me around that…I'd feel slightly guilty if we tell her we're just friends and ruin whatever extravagant wedding she'd hold in the future." 
"You–!" You blush immediately, mind wandering to satin gowns and lavish kimonos and Kazuha in draped in silks and– "--married???"
"I mean, it wouldn't be so bad would it," his voice quiets to a hush, something unreadable in his smile as he leans over you and gently removes a leaf from your hair. "Well, maybe not getting married just yet," he says, making a face, "but maybe-- you dating me. As besotted with each other as your mom thinks we are," he chuckles, and turns away before you can fully decipher the feelings on his face.
And it's not…it's not as if you haven't thought of it before. Young as you were when you first met, a large part of your life was spent with Kazuha. You didn't know when your relationship developed from neighbours to best friends, but you'd never trade for anything the long nights spent dashing through starlight-fields, swimming in the salty ocean and chasing each other through the winding streets of town. He'd grown from a chubby boy into a lean man, the carefree, easy smile on his face never failing to cause butterflies in your stomach, ones that you've dismissed to be teenage hormones, before you realized said hormones were specifically centered around him. They say distance makes the heart fonder, and perhaps it's true, for both of you, because he's come back and seemed to have changed his mind about you. Changed his heart about you. (centered his heart around you.)
And… perhaps you had too. 
"Alright," you say slowly, unable to resist grinning at the full-blown smile that breaks across his face like the sun rising after a cold, lonely night. "We can try…this, whatever this is, out. No more faking though, for real this time, except we don't tell my mom it was ever fake because I don't want to sit through another of her lectures."
"Deal," Kazuha laughs, taking your hand in his and pressing a kiss to your knuckles, something in his eyes sparkling with an intensity that promises of a bright future. "I promise I won't breathe a word of your deceit–" he gets a snack on the shoulder for that– "to your mom, if you let me eat your caramel pudding."
"Hey!" You exclaim, wrinkling your nose at him, "just because you're now my boyfriend does not mean you get dessert rights-- get back here this instant Kazuha--!"
And so, in the season of autumn, in spite of the things that wither and fall and fade away, a brilliant and steadfast relationship begins to bloom.
2. Alhaitham
“Date me.”
You push your head up from where you’ve been laying on the table, turning bleary eyes to an ash-haired scholar standing next to your desk. “Hmm—?” you yawn, your brain too foggy from sleep to process his words. 
“Date me,” Alhaitham, academic-rivals-turned-study-partners-turned (begrudging)-best-friend, repeats impatiently.
You finally process his words and frown, blinking the sleep out of your eyes to sit up properly and stare at him. “Are you— are you alright? Did you eat breakfast? Did you ingest something Kaveh oh Archons above Kaveh better not have—“ 
“The Akademiya has proposed a “Day of Love”,” he cuts in, ignoring your spew of genuine concern, “to celebrate the passion and affection shared between romantic lovers. And also as an excuse to take a day off from their work I suppose,” he tsks, “which in any case brings me back to the question I’ve had the misfortune to ask for the third time— will you go on a date with me?” He crosses his arms and stares more intensely at you.
“…Aren’t you the Acting Grand Sage? Can’t you just get them to cancel this "Day of Love"?” you question, and he turns surprisingly defensive and brushes you off immediately. “No can do. It’s central to the welfare of the people of Sumeru.” Your suspicion deepens. You're not sure how… celebrating love and passion can increase the happiness of people of a country that had just experienced a never ending time-loop– okay, maybe you can see the point. 
"I mean…sure I guess…?" You shrug and agree, seeing how Alhaitham doesn't seem to be willing to let this go so easily. 
Which leads to your Saturday being spent on a date with someone you'd once thought didn't even have the word love in their vocabulary. 
Sumeru City was decorated to the nines, pink fairy lights stringed across branches of lush greenery that sprawled across the city, couples everywhere sharing giggles and smiles and kisses. It is all horribly romantic and a part of your heart can't help but flutter in anticipation, for what– exactly, you're not sure, but there is definitely a sense of love in the air. 
Not that the man besides you seems to notice any of it. Al walks at his usual brisk pace, dragging you through stalls of street foods and tiny trinkets, offering his (entirely unasked for) professional opinion on every item you land your sight on. It feels less like a date and more like…a research trip, if you were being honest. You've learnt more about the symbols of love than you'd ever asked for, and you can feel the romantic bones in your body draining of calcium by the minute. 
Although that isn't to say you aren't enjoying yourself. Al follows patiently behind you when you wander off to coo at some shiny necklace (which he purchased behind your back and sneaked into your purse), does not laugh at you when you stuff your mouth full of shawarma warp (although you can see the curl on his lips that belies his seriousness), and only sighs when you make him climb to the very top of the city to watch the sunset with you.
"What a day," you sigh contentedly, turning a fond smile at him. "Did you enjoy the date, Al?" You tease, leaning forward to poke at his nose as his blank expression develops into a scowl. 
"I have procured a valuable amount of information and experience that will be quite useful to me in writing my… future endeavors," he replies, returning your poke with a pinch of your cheeks. 
"Aha!" You exclaim, eyes widening and pointing at him. "I knew there was more to this! No way the Acting Grand Sage would ask me out on a date with no ulterior motive. Be honest, will you? Did you assign yourself a research on the topic of love because your life lacks so much of it?" You tease, watching him cross his arms and avoid your gaze entirely.
He remains silent for far too long, and your attention returns back to the scenery in front of you. Clouds laze across a purple pink sky, the sun had long set and only left behind ghosts of its golden rays that haze over Sumeru like a shimmering fairy, dancing betweens people lounging on benches and sprawled out on grass, enjoying the final moments of a beautiful day.
"...It was my idea."
"Hm?" You turn back to face the scholar, who's still looking resolutely ahead. Belated realization hits you, and you give him a smile of fond exasperation. "I knew it, Al, it was for a paper wasn't it? You could've just asked me to help, instead of only now revealing your big, evil intention. You know, I wouldn't have minded–"
"But I would," he cuts in, finally turning to face you. Those teal green eyes stare intensely into yours, red irises blazing as bright as the sun that sank low over the horizon. 
"You would…?" You trail off in confusion.
"I would've minded," he continues, leaning close enough that you could smell the scent of tattered book and dried ink that clings to his sleeves, "if you thought I had a big, evil intention in mind. Because you see," he says, hints of amusement coloring his features as you flusteredly back away from his advances, "I absolutely could've canceled the "Day of Love"."
"I was the one who proposed the idea after all."
He smirks at you with self-satisfaction, that hint of arrogance and unbeatable intelligence showing through before he schools his features back into nonchalance. Not without a new-found assumed tilt to his lips, of course. 
"Wh–huh?" Your mind was whirring at extremely high speeds, brain unable process the implications his words offer. 
The pink skies hold no candle to the pink staining your cheeks– as the clouds gather speed and the golden rays depart you finally realize what his words mean. 
"So you– you basically forced this "Day of Love" onto Sumeru to ask me out??" You say incredulously, turning a look of equal disbelief and hysteria on him. 
"I wouldn't say forced– it really is central to the welfare of the people of Sumeru," he mutters, once again avoiding your eye, trying to affect complete nonchalance again. 
"Oh Al," you giggle, and lay your head on his shoulder. He tenses, but then you feel his body relax as he gingerly settles an arm on yours. 
"All you had to do was ask."
thanks for reading!
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oblooga · 7 months
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screenshot of the totally real genshin otome game for @oblooga in @mikacynth 's event!
non-text version utc
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Taglist:
@chichikoi, @tiredsleep , @karmawonders , @color-puff-ball , @laireste , @haliyamori , @venusflwers , @aimynx , @mocha-bunbun , @cynoifyy , @kkomaism , @achlysis , @n3r0-1417 , @sleepygamerotaku , @w0rmzfagg0t , @vennnnn-diagram , @floraldresvi , @psychic-nura , @railatherobot
(Feel free to send an ask to be added/removed!)
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oblooga · 11 months
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— grocery lessons.
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about: diluc is hopeless with grocery shopping. luckily, a kind stranger is more than willing to step in and help.
info: diluc has no idea what he's doing and neither does the author, modern au, strangers to lovers kinda, possibility of ooc-ness, grammar mistakes may be present, there is absolutely no logic here, 2k+ words.
notes: this idea came to me in the middle of the night a month or so ago and it's been slowly growing in my drafts ever since. (also this is different from my usual style so any feedback would be appreciated)
tagging: @alexisomnias and @bamboowritess mwah
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would it be far fetched to call grocery shopping an art? and to call one able to navigate the labyrinthine aisles efficiently nothing short of a master?
perhaps it would be.
though, if it was an art, you'd be but a mediocre artist. not horribly unskilled, but no one would be in awe of your nonexistent prowess at brandishing coupons at cash registers.
you shake your thoughts away. what are you thinking? who made you so eloquent in the middle of aisle seven? you ask yourself, gaze scanning the various items on the shelves. focus on your groceries, dummy.
okay, let's see, now. you stop in the middle of the condiments aisle, recollecting the items you need.  ah yes, ketchup and mayo. hmm, where would they be?
aha! you see two familiar bottles on the second shelf, and you carefully place them in your cart. a glass jar with a green label and a red lid catches your eye. chili paste? you consider your potential purchase. eh, i'll get it. it's on sale.
now, let's get some rice.
you round the corner to get to the grain aisle when you see a man, clad in a brown coat and incredibly polished shoes, with hair so red you'd think his head was on fire, just. glaring. at a bag of rice. you sneak a glance at him, wondering if the rice had wronged him in some manner.
deciding to ignore him, you pick up a five kilogram bag, then heave it into your trolley. and as you prepare to push it with the extra weight, you spy the man picking up the exact same bag, brand, weight and all. huh.
thinking nothing of it, you continue on your merry way, hoping to get your shopping done as quickly as possible, assuming that it'd be the last you'd ever see of the man.
but it appears fate had other plans. you spot him once again in the canned foods aisle, glaring at another innocent, harmless grocery item. the victim this time, you ask? a can of baked beans. 
you throw another sideways look at him, lightly tapping the pads of your fingers against the handles of your trolley. who even is this guy? you silently watch as he picks up the same brand you've put in your cart moments before. ah, he was probably just confused.
however, you’re still a little concerned about the man. does a grown man truly not know what he's doing in a grocery store? you scan the shelves for a random item, and your eyes land on a can of baby food. a light bulb goes off in your head, and you decide to test something. quickly, you grab two of them.
you open your mouth the second after he moves to get the same thing. "can i help you, sir?" he freezes at the sound of your voice, hand halfway between his body and the shelf with the exact thing you just picked up, baby food in hand. you raise an eyebrow, "are you aware of what you're buying?" 
he sheepishly rakes his hand through his hair and shakes his head. "i'm afraid i'm not." he clears his throat, color beginning to creep up his neck. 
you grin at him. “check the label on the can.” you watch as this giant of a man turns the can around, and slowly turns into a human stop sign with the way his face blazes. you know you probably shouldn’t find the sight of the man with such an intimidating expression turning to a flustered mess so adorable. 
“my apologies,” he clears his throat again, then rubs the back of his neck, eyes averted. “i’ve never been shopping before.” he sets the can back, refusing to meet your eyes.
"oh, don't tell me." you tease, lightheartedly. "is it a case of a rich boy living on his own for the first time, without anyone to do things for him?"
the look on his face answers for him. his eyebrows nearly climb to his hairline, and he blinks. you laugh, incredibly surprised at your assumption being true. "in that case, let me help." you hold out your hand, taking pity on the man. "do you have a list?"
he fishes out a hastily scribbled list from the depths of one of his coat pockets that simply says bread, milk. 
sigh. "it seems i have my work cut out for me." you take a gander at the items in his cart and spot the rice, the beans, along with three varieties of bread and a two liter bottle of milk. well, at least he got the items on his list.
you pick up the bottle, skimming over the other details to find the production and expiry dates. “just out of curiosity, did you check the dates on the milk?” 
he slowly shakes his head. “i figured as much.” you gesture to the numbers, and motion for him to take a look. “this expires in two days. i doubt you’ll be able to finish the whole thing by then, so you should probably find a bottle with a more recent production date.”
if there ever was a god of grocery shopping, diluc ragnvindr would be the bane of his existence.
why were these stupid stores so confusing? why were there so many brands of everything? why in the hell were there so many types of oranges? and these trolleys, good lord. just why were they so difficult to maneuver?
all the aisles blend into each other, and all diluc can do is stare emptily at each product he finds, unable to make a decision.
he'd have better luck finding his way around if he was randomly dropped in a venetian calle.
diluc has no idea what he's doing— in the store, at home, even in life.
living on his own for the first time since his dad passed away, in an apartment much tinier than the lavish mansion he was used to, struggling to keep his head above water, the young ragnvindr only knew ingredients once they'd been taken home and properly organized in containers and shelves.
he'd rather the world not see him fumbling, though. so he decides to do the only logical thing one can do in his situation. he picks a person and does exactly what they do.
after all, when one is in rome, do they not do as the romans do?
in hindsight, he should've just researched online. he should have decided his purchases earlier. or ordered the damn groceries online. because then he'd be able to avoid the embarrassment of being tricked with a can of baby food.
baby food, of all things! why couldn't it be something a little more dignified?
he watches you quickly replace the offending item on the shelves and push your cart in another direction before he could react. "come on, then. off to the dairy section we go."
not wanting to be left behind in this headache inducing location, he hurriedly pushes his trolley too in an attempt to keep up with you. kaeya would never let me live that down, he thinks as he does.
with a pang, he shoves down the memory of his brother as far and as deep as he can, choosing to focus on the present, lest he ended up in another spiral.
you lead him to milk he was supposed to get, and he watches you carefully as you examine the dates on the bottles for him. moments later, you beckon him close with a curl of your palm. leaning slightly, he peers over your shoulder.
"always try to get the one most recently produced," you tell him, and he nods. he follows the movement of your finger tapping your chin, clearly pondering. his gaze travels a bit higher, and as he sees your lips move, he realizes that he completely missed what you were saying.
"pardon?" he stumbles ungracefully on the initial sound.
"what's your favorite fruit?" you repeat. "that'll be first on our list on what to get for you."
his favorite fruit? he didn't think he had one. "peaches," he blurts, finding himself unwilling to disappoint you with his lack of proper response, his eyes falling on a peach milkshake drink.
his ears note your change in tone, voice turning excited. "oh, they're one of my favorites too!" warmth engulfs his gloved hand and he finds himself being dragged to the produce section.
"what about the trolleys?" he asks, mind still reeling from the sudden hand grabbing on your part.
you wave off his concerns. "oh, they'll be fine parked to the side." you all but drag him to the peach display. "now, pay close attention, okay?"
as if he needed you to tell him that. "i'm listening," he says.
you pick up a peach with bruising. "when you're sorting through peaches, look for the ones with no blemishes. they don't spoil as fast. same with apples and pears and such." now this, he knew. but he still nods along, a picture-perfect student. he sees your eyes and wonders how anyone's could be so gorgeous.
later, he dutifully nods a little more as you explain the specifics of choosing potatoes.
"the potatoes should be firm, and there should be no signs of green,"
should he be taking notes? he stamps the involuntary urge to hunt for a notepad in one of his pockets down, deciding he did not want to embarrass himself any more in front of you.
you seemed to glow even under the unflattering light around you, hair lit by it as you tell him about how to look for the right cauliflowers and broccoli.
how could someone look so ethereal while standing next to onions?
diluc ragnvindr. get. a. grip. they're only talking about vegetables.
you ask him to tell you the price of the eggs while you sort through carrots for both him and yourself. he walks over a couple of yards, carefully examines the label and returns to report the number.
"that much?!" you eyes widen. "my goodness, that should be considered robbery!"
...was it? he thought it was a reasonable price for a carton of eggs. still, he blindly agrees. you smile, having caught on to the fact that he had no idea what the price should be, and he can't help the pride that spreads its wings in his heart. (though he probably shouldn't be, considering why you smiled, he was glad that he was the cause of it.)
the rest of the shopping goes in a similar manner. you tell him things. he nods, he observes another one of your features, then notes down whatever you tell him mentally.
by the time you reach check out, both of your trolleys are filled with the exact same items in the exact same quantities. except for two items in his cart that he reached for out of instinct when he saw them on the shelf: a chocolate his brother liked, and a snack his father used to eat often.
he contemplates leaving them behind, but decides against it at the last minute just before the cashier scans them.
he sees you reach into your pockets for a wallet, and sees an opportunity to repay you for your help.
he's quick to pull out his own and hands his card to the cashier before you can say a word.
"i insist," he says, when you protest. "it is only fair i do this in return for you helping me,"
you sigh, giving him another one of the smiles he had started to adore. "alright, thank you."
the two of you walk outside the store together. cool wind ruffles both of your hair. "well, i guess this is where we part ways," you say with a laugh and a wave. he manages a soft smile in return.
"farewell, then." he watches you walk away, still standing at the entrance, shopping bags in hand. "dammit." he curses under his breath.
he'd forgotten to ask for your name.
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thanks for reading! (i have a part two in my head for this so uh please comment if you'd like to be tagged for it?)
also if you smiled at any time during this fic you're obligated to rb /j
recent: ✦
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oblooga · 11 months
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characters: kazuha, zhongli.
info: kazhua: flower shop au, he's your new co-worker, zhongli: he's your dance instructor but you're breaking his poor toes, part of my first meetings series. i've literally made up all of this lmao (also i'm featured briefly bc i needed a random side character) proper characterization who? we don't know them
notes: listen i know i said alhaitham was next bc of the poll but these two were finished so i wanted to post them hehe (they're together bc they're short)
not proofread. here's diluc.
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"who in the ever-loving heck gives their lover a bouquet of yellow carnations?" you grumble to your co-worker, mika, as you wrap up said flowers. 
"no one cares as much as you do about flower meanings, my dear." she replies back. "he just thought the flowers were pretty."
you sigh. "i know, i know. but wouldn't it make some sense to consider it? what if the recipient knows the meaning?"
"us common folk aren't really aware of the language of flowers, you know. we weren't all invaded by the spirit of a victorian era suitor." she teases. "i'm only aware because you keep going on and on and on about them. besides, they are pretty flowers, so i'm sure his spouse will be happy." 
her nimble hands make quick work of the wrapping encasing the latest delivery of decorative ribbons. "who knows? maybe the new hire will be just like you. then they can listen to your ramblings and i'll be relieved of my obligations."
you nudge her. "oh, hush, you. you know i listen to your rambling about that one blue haired man you're head over heels for in return." you pick up the spray bottle to mist the fern growing on a nearby shelf, then water the small succulent your boss had insisted on for good luck. "is the new hire coming today?"
she hums. "they're already here, i think. i believe there's some kind of orientation happening upstairs?"
"ah." you motion for her to hand you a ribbon of white silk from the package in her hands. "do you know anything about them?" 
mika shakes her head. "all i know is that the boss was very impressed. he wouldn't stop gushing over them. something about them being very knowledgeable—"
"excuse me," a soft, serene voice calls out from behind you. "pardon the interruption, but are you sure about using those flowers in that bouquet?"
you snort absentmindedly. "as much as i despise it with every fiber of my being, i am, thanks." you frown, realizing what you just heard.
that's a new voice.
you turn to see a man with hair almost as pale as snow, with a vibrant streak of crimson running through it. he stands casually, hands in his pockets, clad in a white shirt, a red jacket and maroon pants.
"my name is kazuha. it is truly a pleasure to make your acquaintances." he looks over to you. "i take it you know what those flowers mean, then?"
"rejection and disappointment?" you nod, stifling a smile. "i tried to tell the guy, but he wouldn't listen. he insisted on presenting them to his lover at their engagement party."
"ah, we cannot help what people choose." he smiles. "so i see someone else is acquainted with the language of flowers. truly fascinating, is it not?”
"i know! the thought of conveying heartfelt messages along with the beauty of a carefully handcrafted bouquet is just so delightful?" 
"indeed! if i may ask, what are your favorites?"
"oh, definitely—"
...you spot mika behind him, holding up a sheet of paper with the words "flower nerds <3" written in all capital letters.
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the door to the studio looms tall and proud, and it makes you shake in your boots. you remind yourself to take deep breaths as you push open the door. in and out. in and out. you can do this.
a couple of heads swivel in your direction, but most don't pay you any attention.
"one, two, three, one, two three—" the instructor claps his gloved hands in time to the beat he's counting. he stands tall, back straight, incredibly poised and composed, dark hair pulled back neatly.
an earring dangles from his ear, glinting in the light pouring from large windows. elegant golden spectacles sit on the bridge of his sharp nose.
he smiles gently at the children trying their best, and waves as one makes eye contact with him.
you observe him carefully. he looks experienced. so a dance class under his supervision wouldn't be that bad, right? right?
when your class starts after introductions, you realize just how wrong you were in making that assumption. for someone with two left feet, it would most definitely be 'that bad'.
you've lost count of how many 'pardon's and 'excuse me's and apologies have slipped from your mouth as you either crush the toes of your partners, grip their palms too hard, or elbow them in the ribs while twirling.
it takes all your effort to stay on your feet.
and one by one, they each give up on you, proclaiming that they cannot dance with a disaster. so you resign yourself to your fate and take a seat on one of the benches, eyes following another couple through the room.
why did i let mika rope me into this? this is going horribly, you lament to yourself.
a voice interrupts your mental pity-party. "if i may ask, why are you merely sitting here? are you exhausted? would you like a bottle of water, perhaps?" 
you glance up to see your instructor looking at you, his arms crossed. "oh, mr. zhongli." you bashfully rub the back of your neck, "i seem to have run out of dance partners since i keep causing them bodily harm," you laugh to yourself. "so i've just decided to sit this one out."
"that won't do."
you panic, anticipating a reprimand. "i'm sorry, i know—" 
"come." he holds out a hand. "i'll be your partner for the day."
what? "oh, no, it's alright." you hold up both your hands in an attempt to decline his offer. "i'll just observe, if that's okay."
"far from it, actually. you've paid for this class, have you not?"
"well, technically my friend paid for it as a birthday gift because she said we absolutely have to do something about my clumsiness so—" you find yourself rambling on nervously, "—here we are."
"in that case, happy birthday." he waits for you to accept his outstretched hand, a light twinkle in his amber eyes. you’re taken aback by how knowledgeable they seem, as if he’s lived a thousand lives.
you hesitate. “i wouldn’t want to be the cause of a broken toe.” 
he gives you another look. “nonsense. i’ve been a dance instructor for quite some time now, there is no peril i have not faced by the hands— or rather, by the feet— of my students. you are neither the first, nor will you be the last to injure my toes.” his hand is still extended in your direction.
you sigh. “okay.” you take it hesitantly. and as he leads you in time with the music, the rest of the room melts away.
he's warm, so warm, and every single place he touches eagerly takes every ounce of it he has to spare. something about being in his arms feels familiar, like home.
lost in the situation, you almost don't notice when you step on his toes. "i'm sorry," you mumble, averting your eyes to the floor.
he brushes it off with a nod of his head. "please keep your head up. eye contact is of utmost importance." he smiles when you raise your chin.
dancing with him is surprisingly...soothing. his movements are rhythmic, and he's easily able to make up for your own shortcomings.
you find yourself missing the feeling of his hand in yours when the class ends.
later, after you've gathered your things and your courage, you approach him as everyone begins to leave. "mr. zhongli? i'd like to apologize again for my—"
he cuts you off with a pat on your shoulder. "do not fret. we all start somewhere, and you've performed admirably for your first time. if i were you, i'd be incredibly proud."
his words have flowers blooming in your chest.
and as you return home, you catch yourself thinking of the man with grace beyond measure and a sleep-inducing voice multiple times, and you're almost happy about the fact that you're clumsy. key word: almost.
but hey, if it gives you an opportunity to dance with him again, you'll gladly embrace it.
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taglist: @n3r0-1417 @starz222 @tiredsleep @cxlrose @heizlia @ilyuu
please fill in the form in my pinned to be added, and please send an ask to be deleted!
(and featuring myself in a sort of cameo gave me an idea; if you'd like to be featured similarly in a small scene or two send me an ask mwah)
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like my work? please reblog! and feel free to pop by my inbox anytime.
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oblooga · 1 year
Note
#oh my god this is literally the sweetest thing ever #i never thought of it but wait you're actually so right kazuha would be perfect????? #thank you so much this made my day
congratulations on 200!!!!! it's a huge milestone and big props to you for reaching it :))) would it be possible for you to do a match-up of me? I would prefer a male character please, and I am someone who is:
-very shy
-quite introverted by very extroverted when talking to people I'm close with
-spontaneous? carefree (impulsive lol)
-witty (apparently)
-fun fact: I have a turtle who's over 10 years old
-faves: albedo and tighnari 🥰🥰🥰 zhongli maybe except he didn't come home in 3 banners so maybe not
-characters I dislike: childe . he never crits. al controversial but he's kind of a prick 😭😭 love his dynamic with kaveh though
-favourite things: raindrops on roses and whiskers on kittens and penguins
Thank you so much!! Once again, congratulations~~~
omg ling hiiii, thank you so much for your kind words <3
your match is...
...kazuha!
—✦ hear me out for this, i think kazuha would be a really great match because he's not too overbearing nor is he too excitable; a perfect balance between friendly and relaxed.
—✦ i think that'd be very beneficial for someone who's really shy and introverted. he's not exhausting to be around, and i feel like it'd be really easy to form a connection with him. basically, instead of being an opposite to balance that part of you, he's a complement to pair well with it, if that makes sense?
—✦ he'd be someone who appreciates free-spiritedness in all individuals. he's easygoing, but he's got impulse control. therefore, he's the perfect person to encourage spontaneous happenings in a very safe way.
—✦ he's frank and honest, someone to whom you can freely speak your mind to. and he's an excellent listener, which is great for when you want to go off on tangents about your favorite things. he listens not just attentively, but with great interest and a fond look in his eyes.
—✦ he has absolutely no requirement that you have to be with him every minute of every day, he's content with the little moments; they mean the world to him.
—✦ overall, a relationship with him would be absolute freedom, but with a promise to return to each other when the time calls for it. he may be a wanderer, but he knows he has a place, or rather, a person to call home now.
𓆩♡𓆪
imagine lying down in a meadow with him, watching the clouds pass by as you both point out shapes to each other. you think it's a penguin, while he thinks it looks much more like a tree.
or, imagine feeding the local strays with him. just imagine the way the cats jump on the two of you. imagine the way he smiles at them then looks over lovingly at you while you coo over their whiskers.
'i cherish dearly this moment of peace with you heart happy and full.'
𓆩♡𓆪
honorable mentions: albedo, kaeya.
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oblooga · 1 year
Note
hiii ling!! i just stumbled onto your blog after a long while and your new theme is super pretty!! (esp love the glowy flower gif)
also i saw on your pinned post that you have a hundred followers? prolly more now but still, congrats on the milestone <333
(also also realized i never acknowledged that we're moots omg!! i love your works!!)
hey mika~~ thank you for the compliment heheh I stumbled upon the flower gif by accident and immediately had to reshape my entire theme according to it lol
thank you for your congratulations <<33 and yes we're moots !!! (you're my first heheheh) I love your work too they're so soft and sweet and feels like a warm hug <33
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oblooga · 1 year
Note
Hi hi!! I just stumbled into your lovely collection of stories and they're so fluffy. I'm not sure how to explain it properly, but it gives a serene atmosphere of sorts. Anyways, love your work :) <33
hello 🥺🥺 sorry for the late reply I didn't check my inbox for a very long time but thank you so much for your ask !! it really made my day <<333
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oblooga · 1 year
Text
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Thank you to everyone who got me to 2500 likes!
???!!! 🥺🥺🥺 I never thought I'd get this far and so suddenly too!! thank you everyone for your support <<333
0 notes
oblooga · 1 year
Video
It was raining heavily in Mondstadt on the night that Kaeya Alberich received his Vision.
(familial/not ship)
tried to animate Kaeya’s vision story bc this scene would Not leave my mind…
16K notes · View notes
oblooga · 1 year
Text
masterlist
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Genshin Impact
-> best friends to lovers with a hint of fake dating (kazuha, alhaitham)
-> in which you don't realize they're royals (kaeya, diluc)
-> visiting a cat cafe with genshin males (ayato, diluc, xiao)
-> meet-cutes with genshin males (albedo, ayato, diluc)
-> summer spent with genshin males (childe, diluc, kazuha, xiao, zhongli)
-> a chance encounter with genshin males (diluc, kazuha, zhongli)
-> laying your head on genshin males’ shoulder (diluc, kazuha, xiao)
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oblooga · 1 year
Text
[ Navigation ] (ON HIATUS!)
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Ling | she/her | INTP | SFW blog |
[ about me ]
hello! my name is Ling, I mainly write fem!reader x genshin, I'm at AR 58 on Asia server. I'm incredibly shy, but feel free to interact and let's be moots!! Feedback is appreciated but please be kind.
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[ masterlist ]
[ recents ]
-> best friends to lovers with a hint of fake dating (kazuha, alhaitham)
-> in which you don't realize they're royals (kaeya, diluc)
-> visiting a cat cafe with the genshin males (ayato, diluc, xiao)
-> meet-cutes with the genshin males (albedo, ayato, diluc)
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[ Rules/ DNI ]
please do NOT copy, plagiarize or repost my posts anywhere.
do not interact if you are racist or homophobic. this is not a place to spread hate.
this is a strictly SFW blog.
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oblooga · 2 years
Text
Dance the night away
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sypnosis: (genshin royalty au) the birthday of the crown prince is not an inconsequential affair. it is one that must be celebrated with the shiniest of palaces, the grandest of food, presents that pile up a path to the sky, ladies and gentlemen in outfits sparkling with red rubies and pink daisies.
warnings: none.
characters: diluc, childe
note: this ended up wayyy longer than intended, so there's only two characters. if anyone's interested in a part 2 let me know!
Diluc Ragnvindr --- the crown prince
you don't want to be here.
you really, really don't want to be here. the alcohol isn't even enough to keep you here, you think to yourself, as you swirl the sparkling liquor in your glass boredly. yes, this celebration is a very important one, but being stuck listening to nobles describe the multiple ways they'll lick your shoes to gain the favour of your family is starting to get boring after a few hours.
you stifle a yawn, eyes wandering around the room, roving over men in fitted suits and ladies sprawled in gaudy colours. they eventually land on him. ruby-red hair decorated with black ribbons, a simple white-and-gold mask donning his face. he didn't even try to hide his appearance, you scoff internally, red hair blazing like that is enough to tell everyone in a 3-mile radius that they are in the presence of royalty.
Diluc Ragnvindr, the crown prince of Mondstadt. a man with dashing good looks, impeccable manners, stoic, firm-minded, one who carries himself with the grace of a future king.
how your father managed to secure you a betrothal with him of all people is completely beyond your understanding.
yes, your family is influential in the circle of nobles in Mondstadt, you come from a lengthy history of well-renowned merchants, dating back decades of years, well respected in the high circles of society.
But Diluc is a whole other league.
He is literally the most eligible bachelor in all of Mondstadt, days do not pass until a lady of high-standing has swooned over his name at least twice, his relationship status is the most talked about topic in all of Mondstadt. you suppose the news of your engagement hasn't reached the ears of the public yet, considering the lack of death threats and crying maidens at your door, although you suspect this was the diligent work of your knight Xiao more than anything else.
anyways, you let go of your musings and return to the present. you spot the musicians picking up their bows and readying their scores, finally it's time for the first dance.
it becomes quite a comical scene, almost a bloodbath, as ladies trip over themselves to place their hands (in marriage) in specific openings calculated hours prior to the ball. openings that Diluc would have the slightest chance of slipping into. you see friendships being broken, families go almost berserk, all to fight for a chance to dance with the prince.
you laugh quietly to yourself, turning your back on all the tomfoolery, deciding to sample more snacks instead of participate in the barbaric war happening.
you are on your 4th lemon tart of the evening when you hear it. not the music starting, but a quietness, no, a hush that spreads over the crowd. filled with anxious and confused tittering, whispers and murmurs that drive up the tension the room.
you pay no attention of course, still munching happily on your tart. it is when you hear the sounds of a fine, sharp gait heading your direction do you pause to think otherwise.
those steps reach closer, and closer, eventually head to a stop right behind you. you do not dare to turn; thus you do not notice the parting of the crowd as they make way for the crown prince.
as the crown prince makes his way to you.
it seems as if the whole room is holding its breath, waiting for the dregs of romance to blossom in the air.
you turn slowly to face him, nervousness in your throat, heart beating wildly.
"May I have this dance?"
the timbre of his voice is smooth and deep, as he raises his eyes to yours briefly, darting away when he lowers his head.
he sweeps into a formal bow, a grand gesture that has the ladies around you swooning into their fans.
your hands find their way to your mouth, which hangs open as you cannot believe that this is happening. you have never had any prior personal interaction with the prince, no, other than to secure your marriage. so why is he now placing such attention on you?
Diluc reaches out his hand, and you gingerly place yours in his. you cannot refuse the future king, after all. he seems to sense your hesitation, and seeks to replace it with reassurance.
for he brings your hand to his lips, eyes never leaving yours, looking up at you from beneath his dark lashes as he presses a chaste kiss to your knuckles.
"don't do that, or my heart will belong to you," you mumble faintly, as you allow him to sweep you off your feet and onto the dance floor.
2. Childe --- the foreign prince
the strings dance beautifully along the trained musician’s fingers; drawing out delicate notes that charm and seduce, trapping between them melodies worn with lies and the sweetest deception.
you sigh. you suppose you've dilly-dallied about for too long, the crown prince has finished the first dance, couples are moving to the floor. it's time for you to move.
you daintily pick up the lavish folds of your dress and stalk to the center of the room, shedding with every step the false layers of shyness and bashfulness you have disguised yourself in. the crowd parts way, something in your revealed confidence and assured smirk commanding the room.
commanding him to reveal himself to you, to step up to your oh so innocent invitation; to join you in say, a tango, an elegant battle between the sharpest of swords and cleverest of wits.
a tango of two very dangerous individuals; one a spy master, the other a prince from a frozen land.
who was he to ignore such an alluring request?
Childe pushes himself off the wall he was leaning on with an air of begrudence, a casualty to it that carefully hides the fire and hate lying underneath. makes his way through the crowd, with calculated steps and winks that draw out charmed giggles from young ladies hiding behind fans, the epitome of a perfect gentleman.
but you knew otherwise, and so did he. 
he arrives in front of you, carelessly brushing aside untamed locks that frame the smouldering sparks in his eyes as he stares at you from behind his mask, looks down at you just a little, still reminding you of the game you are playing, still holding above you this tiny victory. 
you scowl.
with a flourish of his hands he drops into a bow, and you, a curtsy, allowing each other the most basic of courtesy, even as you point a gun to his head and he a dagger to your heart.
"it is an absolute pleasure to make your acquaintance, milady."
"likewise."
the song begins.
it is a gentle thing at first: testing the waters, assessing the surroundings, teasing the other with a foot stuck out here or a step on the toe there. to your chagrin, he smoothly sidesteps your efforts to thwart him, often answering with a squeeze of your waist or a wink on that stupid, rakish face.
the music whirls merrily on; and so does your dance, both of you entangled in a world of half truths and half lies, of false face and falser hearts.
"scope out that Snezhnayan prince," Captain Kaeya had ordered you, warning you of the potential enemy in the ballroom.
and so you had accepted, to protect your land of freedom.
soon, you find the fraudulent smile on your face morph into something just a bit more genuine, as he spins you around the room, catching your hand right as the song slows to a halt. you can allow yourself to have some fun after 3 hours stuck in this stuffy dress, you justify.
so far, Childe doesn't seem too dangerous. you've been observing his movements, taking note of the nobles he's conversed with. he doesn't seem to be dealing in shady businesses, appearing really to be there to congratulate Prince Diluc on behalf of his country.
you've watched as he made his way around the ballroom, picking up fluttering maidens like daisies, drawing them to him with his natural charm and physical attractiveness.
you can agree begrudgingly that objectively, completely aesthetically, he is rather handsome in a boyish sort of way.
the song picks up again soon after; the saccharine violin joined by playful percussion, and you think, ah, this is where the fun begins. something changes; he senses it too, for your dance is now but a duel, the sparks in his eyes festering a fire that catches and burns.
vaguely you recognize the audience clapping along, delighted with this performance you are putting on, but you both know it is much more than that.
there is a game to play, and he seems to have decided to put forth his all; for he dips you in the most ridiculous way that has you gasping in surprise and clutching dearly at his arms.
you whisper viciously at him, reprimanding him his unbefitting stunt, and yet he only smiles, and continues, to indulge you in this little endeavor of yours.
this failing endeavor of yours.
"why don't you take me to an empty room so we can have a more private conversation, hm?" his lips brush your ear as he says, winking at you with the promise of debauchery.
with all your experience though, you see past him. past his facade as a charming noble, past his sweet words, you see the coldness in his eyes that resonate in yours.
the coldness of a killer waiting for a chance.
"that can be arranged," you reply smoothly, raising your eyebrows at him, even as a red flush descends on your cheeks and consumes the tips of your ears.
never let it be said you are a quitter, for you do not leave until the mission is done, until the target has been disposed of. right as he lets his guard down, you step up, tighten the reins and greet him with a smile so sickly sweet it hides excellently the gleaming silver daggers pointed at his heart.
"tell me what you are really here for," you continue, eyes promising a night of pain otherwise.
Childe is amused, but you don’t give him time to contemplate this new development, for the floor is now yours and you intend to take it. you grab his hand and spin him around, the tides turning in your favour as you spot the little fumble he quickly tries to hide.
"do try to keep up," you smirk, leading him across the room, delirious with success and lost in the music. he follows your every step without defiance, submitting to your demands without question. it was so easy!
and yet, it seemed a little too easy.
unease creeps up your spine as you look closely at the expression on his face: it was one of relaxation, of confidence, not the desperation and despair you had been hoping for.
he snaps his gaze to yours, his smirk growing wilder, as if to finally congratulate you on your discovery. your discovery that he had been in control all along, that he was only playing your little game because he was bored.
"ah-ah, and I thought you spies were smart, especially those trained by Kaeya. seems that I was deeply misinformed," he says to you, wild grin curling around white teeth. you flush, trying to hide your surprise at the mention of your superior's name.
you prepare yourself mentally for defeat, but he doesn’t pick up the baton again, allowing you to finish conducting your crumbling symphony, saving you from the disgrace of a failed performance.
and yet, you almost wish he had.
"if you want the secrets of Snezhnaya, you're going to have to try a little harder than that." he laughs at you, patting your head like one would with an insolent child.
the song ends on a triumphant note: the audience applauses accordingly, and he presses a kiss to your cheek, before slipping away into the crowd once more.
“c’est la vie,” he had whispered, but you both know who the true victor was.
you scowl. what a mess of a report you have for Kaeya.
thank you for reading! if you have any ideas for future characters, let me know!
40 notes · View notes
oblooga · 2 years
Text
Dance the night away
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sypnosis: (genshin royalty au) the birthday of the crown prince is not an inconsequential affair. it is one that must be celebrated with the shiniest of palaces, the grandest of food, presents that pile up a path to the sky, ladies and gentlemen in outfits sparkling with red rubies and pink daisies.
warnings: none.
characters: diluc, childe
note: this ended up wayyy longer than intended, so there's only two characters. if anyone's interested in a part 2 let me know!
Diluc Ragnvindr --- the crown prince
you don't want to be here.
you really, really don't want to be here. the alcohol isn't even enough to keep you here, you think to yourself, as you swirl the sparkling liquor in your glass boredly. yes, this celebration is a very important one, but being stuck listening to nobles describe the multiple ways they'll lick your shoes to gain the favour of your family is starting to get boring after a few hours.
you stifle a yawn, eyes wandering around the room, roving over men in fitted suits and ladies sprawled in gaudy colours. they eventually land on him. ruby-red hair decorated with black ribbons, a simple white-and-gold mask donning his face. he didn't even try to hide his appearance, you scoff internally, red hair blazing like that is enough to tell everyone in a 3-mile radius that they are in the presence of royalty.
Diluc Ragnvindr, the crown prince of Mondstadt. a man with dashing good looks, impeccable manners, stoic, firm-minded, one who carries himself with the grace of a future king.
how your father managed to secure you a betrothal with him of all people is completely beyond your understanding.
yes, your family is influential in the circle of nobles in Mondstadt, you come from a lengthy history of well-renowned merchants, dating back decades of years, well respected in the high circles of society.
But Diluc is a whole other league.
He is literally the most eligible bachelor in all of Mondstadt, days do not pass until a lady of high-standing has swooned over his name at least twice, his relationship status is the most talked about topic in all of Mondstadt. you suppose the news of your engagement hasn't reached the ears of the public yet, considering the lack of death threats and crying maidens at your door, although you suspect this was the diligent work of your knight Xiao more than anything else.
anyways, you let go of your musings and return to the present. you spot the musicians picking up their bows and readying their scores, finally it's time for the first dance.
it becomes quite a comical scene, almost a bloodbath, as ladies trip over themselves to place their hands (in marriage) in specific openings calculated hours prior to the ball. openings that Diluc would have the slightest chance of slipping into. you see friendships being broken, families go almost berserk, all to fight for a chance to dance with the prince.
you laugh quietly to yourself, turning your back on all the tomfoolery, deciding to sample more snacks instead of participate in the barbaric war happening.
you are on your 4th lemon tart of the evening when you hear it. not the music starting, but a quietness, no, a hush that spreads over the crowd. filled with anxious and confused tittering, whispers and murmurs that drive up the tension the room.
you pay no attention of course, still munching happily on your tart. it is when you hear the sounds of a fine, sharp gait heading your direction do you pause to think otherwise.
those steps reach closer, and closer, eventually head to a stop right behind you. you do not dare to turn; thus you do not notice the parting of the crowd as they make way for the crown prince.
as the crown prince makes his way to you.
it seems as if the whole room is holding its breath, waiting for the dregs of romance to blossom in the air.
you turn slowly to face him, nervousness in your throat, heart beating wildly.
"May I have this dance?"
the timbre of his voice is smooth and deep, as he raises his eyes to yours briefly, darting away when he lowers his head.
he sweeps into a formal bow, a grand gesture that has the ladies around you swooning into their fans.
your hands find their way to your mouth, which hangs open as you cannot believe that this is happening. you have never had any prior personal interaction with the prince, no, other than to secure your marriage. so why is he now placing such attention on you?
Diluc reaches out his hand, and you gingerly place yours in his. you cannot refuse the future king, after all. he seems to sense your hesitation, and seeks to replace it with reassurance.
for he brings your hand to his lips, eyes never leaving yours, looking up at you from beneath his dark lashes as he presses a chaste kiss to your knuckles.
"don't do that, or my heart will belong to you," you mumble faintly, as you allow him to sweep you off your feet and onto the dance floor.
2. Childe --- the foreign prince
the strings dance beautifully along the trained musician’s fingers; drawing out delicate notes that charm and seduce, trapping between them melodies worn with lies and the sweetest deception.
you sigh. you suppose you've dilly-dallied about for too long, the crown prince has finished the first dance, couples are moving to the floor. it's time for you to move.
you daintily pick up the lavish folds of your dress and stalk to the center of the room, shedding with every step the false layers of shyness and bashfulness you have disguised yourself in. the crowd parts way, something in your revealed confidence and assured smirk commanding the room.
commanding him to reveal himself to you, to step up to your oh so innocent invitation; to join you in say, a tango, an elegant battle between the sharpest of swords and cleverest of wits.
a tango of two very dangerous individuals; one a spy master, the other a prince from a frozen land.
who was he to ignore such an alluring request?
Childe pushes himself off the wall he was leaning on with an air of begrudence, a casualty to it that carefully hides the fire and hate lying underneath. makes his way through the crowd, with calculated steps and winks that draw out charmed giggles from young ladies hiding behind fans, the epitome of a perfect gentleman.
but you knew otherwise, and so did he. 
he arrives in front of you, carelessly brushing aside untamed locks that frame the smouldering sparks in his eyes as he stares at you from behind his mask, looks down at you just a little, still reminding you of the game you are playing, still holding above you this tiny victory. 
you scowl.
with a flourish of his hands he drops into a bow, and you, a curtsy, allowing each other the most basic of courtesy, even as you point a gun to his head and he a dagger to your heart.
"it is an absolute pleasure to make your acquaintance, milady."
"likewise."
the song begins.
it is a gentle thing at first: testing the waters, assessing the surroundings, teasing the other with a foot stuck out here or a step on the toe there. to your chagrin, he smoothly sidesteps your efforts to thwart him, often answering with a squeeze of your waist or a wink on that stupid, rakish face.
the music whirls merrily on; and so does your dance, both of you entangled in a world of half truths and half lies, of false face and falser hearts.
"scope out that Snezhnayan prince," Captain Kaeya had ordered you, warning you of the potential enemy in the ballroom.
and so you had accepted, to protect your land of freedom.
soon, you find the fraudulent smile on your face morph into something just a bit more genuine, as he spins you around the room, catching your hand right as the song slows to a halt. you can allow yourself to have some fun after 3 hours stuck in this stuffy dress, you justify.
so far, Childe doesn't seem too dangerous. you've been observing his movements, taking note of the nobles he's conversed with. he doesn't seem to be dealing in shady businesses, appearing really to be there to congratulate Prince Diluc on behalf of his country.
you've watched as he made his way around the ballroom, picking up fluttering maidens like daisies, drawing them to him with his natural charm and physical attractiveness.
you can agree begrudgingly that objectively, completely aesthetically, he is rather handsome in a boyish sort of way.
the song picks up again soon after; the saccharine violin joined by playful percussion, and you think, ah, this is where the fun begins. something changes; he senses it too, for your dance is now but a duel, the sparks in his eyes festering a fire that catches and burns.
vaguely you recognize the audience clapping along, delighted with this performance you are putting on, but you both know it is much more than that.
there is a game to play, and he seems to have decided to put forth his all; for he dips you in the most ridiculous way that has you gasping in surprise and clutching dearly at his arms.
you whisper viciously at him, reprimanding him his unbefitting stunt, and yet he only smiles, and continues, to indulge you in this little endeavor of yours.
this failing endeavor of yours.
"why don't you take me to an empty room so we can have a more private conversation, hm?" his lips brush your ear as he says, winking at you with the promise of debauchery.
with all your experience though, you see past him. past his facade as a charming noble, past his sweet words, you see the coldness in his eyes that resonate in yours.
the coldness of a killer waiting for a chance.
"that can be arranged," you reply smoothly, raising your eyebrows at him, even as a red flush descends on your cheeks and consumes the tips of your ears.
never let it be said you are a quitter, for you do not leave until the mission is done, until the target has been disposed of. right as he lets his guard down, you step up, tighten the reins and greet him with a smile so sickly sweet it hides excellently the gleaming silver daggers pointed at his heart.
"tell me what you are really here for," you continue, eyes promising a night of pain otherwise.
Childe is amused, but you don’t give him time to contemplate this new development, for the floor is now yours and you intend to take it. you grab his hand and spin him around, the tides turning in your favour as you spot the little fumble he quickly tries to hide.
"do try to keep up," you smirk, leading him across the room, delirious with success and lost in the music. he follows your every step without defiance, submitting to your demands without question. it was so easy!
and yet, it seemed a little too easy.
unease creeps up your spine as you look closely at the expression on his face: it was one of relaxation, of confidence, not the desperation and despair you had been hoping for.
he snaps his gaze to yours, his smirk growing wilder, as if to finally congratulate you on your discovery. your discovery that he had been in control all along, that he was only playing your little game because he was bored.
"ah-ah, and I thought you spies were smart, especially those trained by Kaeya. seems that I was deeply misinformed," he says to you, wild grin curling around white teeth. you flush, trying to hide your surprise at the mention of your superior's name.
you prepare yourself mentally for defeat, but he doesn’t pick up the baton again, allowing you to finish conducting your crumbling symphony, saving you from the disgrace of a failed performance.
and yet, you almost wish he had.
"if you want the secrets of Snezhnaya, you're going to have to try a little harder than that." he laughs at you, patting your head like one would with an insolent child.
the song ends on a triumphant note: the audience applauses accordingly, and he presses a kiss to your cheek, before slipping away into the crowd once more.
“c’est la vie,” he had whispered, but you both know who the true victor was.
you scowl. what a mess of a report you have for Kaeya.
thank you for reading! if you have any ideas for future characters, let me know!
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oblooga · 2 years
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fever dream skies bleed black and blue
stars fall like rain while i think of you
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oblooga · 2 years
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fever dream skies bleed black and blue
stars fall like rain while i think of you
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oblooga · 2 years
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international
the world and its all in a
five syllable word.
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oblooga · 3 years
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we dash through the streets
voices clattering in the air
resounding with the spark
that rings up me
as his hands find mine
the sky bleeds reds and golds,
indigos and purples,
shaped with a thousand pleas
unheard and unanswered.
grey smoke wafts up
to shelter us from
the sun
cocooning us in a blanket of eternal warmth.
he looks at me
sprinkled in fine night
that i brush from his face
watching it crumble to the ground
as white bone takes its place.
i gaze into his eyes
reflecting a fiery spark.
he presses me to his arms
and there, we stand
in the blaze
of a thousand suns.
-the Great Fire of London 1666
16/9/21 -oblooga
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