#i didn't mean to start a dreaming workplace au | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

frolics-dannilions · 2 years

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Genshin High School Shenanigans :

Death Creeps In

When Xiao was about to bring Zhongli's wallet to his new workplace, he stumbles upon the creepy girl of his school, Hu Tao, who happens to be the director of the place Zhongli's working. With this weird meeting, the two started to make a weird friendship with each other.

Content warning : none

Tags : modern au, high school, fluff

Pairing : Hu Tao x Xiao (HuXiao)

Part : 3

—

Briskly making his way home, Xiao ought to get the last of the leftover almond tofu from the fridge before Ganyu or Madam Ping throw them out. Why is Xiao in such a hurry just for some tofu made of almonds? Well, it's his favorite dish of course! But it also reminded him of the feeling of being in the fluffy clouds he'd dream about. Indrias used to make fun of him once for only eating almond tofu for a day without any rice but he didn't listen to her constant teases and continues to love them till this day.

Oh how he misses the days of him and his four siblings would go on adventures together at their silly little home with Zhongli. He wishes to see them again, especially Bosacius.

Taking a sharp turn at the end of the alley, he pounces onto the ground before sprinting as fast as lightning. Looking down to his watch, Only a few more seconds... He is so sure that Ganyu or Madam Ping wouldn't be home at that time to throw it out. When the view of the house pops up, a small subtle smirk forms on his face before stopping with squeaks from his shoes like he is some motorcycle.

Morax is probably home, right? Great. He thinks to himself before ringing the doorbell. It is always a weird habit for him even though he has his own keys.

When the door clicks and the handle turns to open it, the person answering almost got him to the floor.

"Oh, it's you again!" It is always the cheeky girl.

"H-Hu Tao?!"

In the living room, Xiao steals a quick glance at the brunette playing the teaspoon, stirring her tea around, the smoke from it being played like a ghost. "Delicious tea I might say," Says Hu Tao with a giddy tone. Xiao just averts his eyes from staring at her and just nods, "Madam Ping chose it."

"Ah?" Her curiosity seemingly piques. "Is that why Yanfei would bring tea occasionally to school?"

"Beats me..." Grumbles Xiao. "I only see for a quarter of the day, at school is just a requirement."

Hu Tao hums about his answer to her question. He seems to be upset about something so simple. It's quite easy for her to read him but it's quite hard to know the reason why. His eyes keeps glancing around. One of his legs starts to tap up-and-down. His crossed arms are starting to fidget. Even a small drop of sweet ran down his forehead.

"Sorry for the wait, you two." Zhongli bursts into the living room and hands them each a bowl of almond tofu—that Xiao has been craving all day—with their utensils. "How fortunate we are to have some almond tofu, although I wished to order Xiangling's."

"Don't—" Xiao interjects with a strong blush creeps onto his cheeks. Realizes what he has done, he slouches his back and looks down to the bowl of his favorite dish. "I mean—don't waste our savings again...this is fine."

The softness in his amber eyes compliments the smile he bears in front of his beloved Xiao as he watches him eating the leftover tofu with a small pout. "Well then, is that okay with you, Miss Hu Tao?" Zhongli asks. Hu Tao is more than welcome to eat—from what she has seen—Xiao's favorite and immediately goes to eat it in one go but stops and tries to eat politely.

Before leaving the two in the room again as he has some duties to attend for a while, he gave the two head pats then walks out with a calm composure.

"Wow, your dad's really nice." Hu Tao comments that makes Xiao even more embarrassed than he was then. "I've told you, he is not my father! Why are you even here in the first place?!"

"You see," She jumps onto the comfy plush sofa and flicks a bit of brown hair away from her face. "I wanna plan what we're going to do to make Mr. Zhongli maintain his spending habits!"

Xiao couldn't believe what he is hearing. "I thought I've explained it enough for you to understand!?" But from Hu Tao's facial expression, she doesn't. She's bright, that is a fact—except for plans like these. Plans like this need some thorough planning before starting, a habit she got from helping around the funeral parlor and being the director herself. "But what're the details, Xiao? This has to be perfect!" She tells him. Rolling his eyes and clicking his tongue in distaste, "Damn girl..."

"Since your daddy needs a personal wallet person, I can offer a 50% off discount for your funeral." She offers.

"Cut it with this being Zhongli's damming wallet like Childe already is thing!" Xiao raises his voice so loud that it even sends shivers down Hu Tao neck. "Stop joking around. I just need you to keep him from spending too much money, no matter if it's his or others. I don't want another accident happening."

Hu Tao zips her mouth shut and sits down carefully on her knees, not bearing to look into Xiao's golden eyes. It is the first time she has seen him this mad before, usually it was just some grumbles and eye rolls but this, this is different. But from his words, he really cares about his caretaker.

"So please..." He utters lowly, setting aside the teacups while he seats comfortably on the sofa. "...please, just manage how he spends stuff. He has a job, he's an adult—I know that very well—you just need to help me with how he spends his money. Is that clear enough for you?"

A warm feeling tingles her cheeks as it begins to redden, her fingers runs cold, her heartbeat gotten faster. She doesn't know what she's feeling, but she is definitely sure that it isn't fear.

Hu Tao never really notice how each locks of silky, teal hair frames Xiao's face so perfectly. How youthful and feminine he looked when seen like this. His golden eyes glow with the bright sun setting behind the window. His lips are...Whoa, whoa, whoa!! What am I thinking?! Why am I thinking about his lips!? His lips...argh, not again!

Snapping out of her—quite interesting and suggestive—mind, Xiao was still waiting for her answer to his requests, his important request. Hu Tao only smiles cheerfully once again, "Clear as sky. I won't let you down, my friend!"

Seeing that pearly white smile of hers is giving him butterflies in his stomach. How her long dark brown pigtails bounce everytime she moves jerkily. The flowers seen in her crimson red eyes are hypnotizing to look at. Her voice, that tone she uses to speak, like a wind blowing through the autumn leaves. He never notice how soft her cheeks look. Wait, why am I thinking this?! Ugh...dammit. I'm not falling for some girl—I just formally met yesterday—so easily. Foolish me.

"I think I should go back to the parlor now," Mentions Hu Tao as she tries to get back on her feet quickly. "It was nice to spend the little time I have with you, Xiao."

"Uh, yeah." Xiao stumbles upon his words as he tries to open the door for her.

Stopping before the door's exit, the brunette turns back to him and gives him that smile again, the same smile he got flustered at. "Tell your daddy, I'm thankful for the tea."

"He's not my—!!" Before Xiao could even continue his words, she shuts the door tight, leaving him alone in the living room. With his thoughts. And memories of what happened. The memories he's too embarrassed to even remember.

He makes his to the sofa, curls up his legs, and tries to forget everything. He doesn't even want to finish his almond tofu anymore. He lost his appetite. What was he even feeling? It's a weird and gross feeling. I'm a goddamn joke.

"Xiao!" Zhongli enters the room like some character in a stereotypical sitcom. From that sudden burst, Xiao quickly cleans himself up and turns his head to his caretaker taking a quick stroll to the sofa. "Where's Miss Hu Tao?" He asks. "She has some duties to attend." Xiao clears his throat, trying to pretend like nothing has happened.

"I see..." Zhongli rubs his chin. "Quite a shame, I was going to order some food."

Xiao is quickly to grab his collar, "Don't waste anymore money, you old man!!"

#genshin impact #fluff #romance #basically horimiya if it was genshin #genshin hu tao #genshin #genshin xiao #hu tao x xiao #hu tao #huxiao

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stayevildarling · 3 years

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Wilhemina Venable x Reader- When the time is right - Pt 1

Part 2, Part 3

word count: 3.8k

warnings: mention of scoliosis, angst + fluff at the end

A/N: This story is kind of an AU. Reader meets Venable when Wilhemina is light Mina (orange hair, adorable, cute, friendly) and they get together. One day Wilhemina breaks it off suddenly and they only reunite years later but Reader is met with a much darker version (dark Mina).

Also, this used to be on my Wattpad but I decided to completely rewrite it and add multiple parts

Taglist:

@lunaticwhittaker, @rainbow-hedgehog, @mrsdeanhoward, @alexajbitar, @in-cordelias-coven, @kenzbro, @loverofallthingssarah, @twistedpoeticjustice, @billiebeanhoward, @minaslittleone, @lilypadscoven, @vintagepaulson, @ninaahs, @whitelotus00, @httpfiftyshadesofgay

-Flashback-

''Are you serious right now after all we have been through?'' you try hard not to scream but it feels like your body is on fire, your lungs are burning, heart racing and your eyes watering. You cannot believe you are having this conversation with your girlfriend Wilhemina right now. After a whole year of knowing each other and eventually giving the relationship a go she is talking about moving on.

'It's for the best'' is all she said in return and then she walked out, cane in her hand hitting the floor hard and not once did she look back, she ignored your cries, you begging her to stay and please turn back around. You keep repeating this is a nightmare and you are gonna wake up any minute to her holding you in her arms. But it was no nightmare and she did walk out of your shared apartment and ever since that day you have tried to move on. But no matter what you did working, moving out of the apartment, meeting friends, getting to know new people it didn't work, Wilhemina was always on your mind, when you are asleep she would visit in your dreams, when you are driving or outside and a song plays, she is there in your memory as if she never left in the first place.

-End of Flashback-

Even right now as you are walking through the streets on your lunch break, coffee in your hand and earphones in your ears listening to music she is here again.

''I never needed you like I do right now....I never hated you like I do right now'' as you hear those lyrics your heart skips a beat and it feels like it is breaking all over again. You tried everything you could think of, start a new job in a new field, you moved to a new city but nothing seems to be able to take your mind off the redhead, clouding your mind, her touch still so present lingering on your skin, her voice still ringing through your ears and the smell of lavender following you wherever you go.

Currently, you are working for a company in California, in the social media department and to promote the brand and their work. It's mostly boring but you do enjoy social media and advertisement so you gladly took the job considering it comes with a higher paycheck and a brand new apartment. There was nothing left in your old city, no friends anymore because you drove them all away as they always talked badly about your ex-girlfriend and the feelings you still have for her. No family because you were kind of always on your own and after quitting your job there, there was nothing holding you back. The woman with red-orange hair and a purple obsession is currently on your mind again and no matter what you do she is stuck in your head, like a catchy record and it hurts. As you think about her a wave of flashbacks hit you, with no way of putting a stop to it and keeping the storm at bay.

''Wilhemina Venable, nice to meet you'' was the first few words that you ever heard her say and for a moment you were so struck that you couldn't even say anything. ''Cat got your tongue hmm?'' was what she said afterward and what got you to snap out of it, introduce yourself, and shake her hand. And when you touched her for the first time you knew you would never ever get tired of feeling her soft hands.

You would also never grow tired of looking into her beautiful brown eyes or the soft smile she would give you whenever she would see you. Back then you just finished college and you took your first job and she was your co-worker. Starting a relationship with a co-worker is sometimes frowned upon and there probably are good reasons for that but you didn't listen, not to your friends telling you not to do it and not to the other co-workers after they noticed the glances you and Wilhemina exchanged at work. But you both never let that stop you and you fell for her and you fell hard.

Although you had some crushes before, mostly on teachers in college or celebrities, you never had been in a relationship before. Every morning before work you would get up so early and make sure to put your best clothes on, you would improve your makeup skills and try different hairstyles to impress Wilhemina and you did. She would notice how often you would come around to her desk and ask her silly questions you both knew the answers to but you pretend you didn't. And eventually, she took all of her confidence and asked you out and that night was the most magical night of your life.

You went to an expensive restaurant and after she took you home and she gave you something that night that was precious and you held onto it till today. Patience. She was your first love and she made sure to not rush, to not hurt you, to be there for you and hold you whenever you needed her. After your first date, you went on some more magical nights together, before you were ready to allow her to love you and to love her in return and she made you feel things you never felt before. She would make your whole body feel beautiful and worthy, all your insecurities left whenever you were around the woman who had many insecurities herself due to her back. And that's probably what you admire most about her, the way she made you feel whenever you were with her.

Thinking about all this, you think back to the many dates you both went on, to restaurants, shopping, the movies, car dates, attending work parties together, going to get drunk together. Life felt so easy with Wilhemina around, although she was a few years older than you she was pure, she was funny, soft, kind, precious and she was innocent. She would always treat people with respect and offer help and you loved her beautiful and kind personality. You never thought that one night after being with each other for almost a year she would randomly walk out of your life and not once turn back around or try and talk about it.

Hearing the lyrics repeat, you sigh and shake your head because it is true, one part of you needed Wilhemina back in your life because no matter what you do you can not get her out of your head or heart for that matter. Part of you does hate her for leaving and walking out, you never cried harder in your life than the night she left and you couldn't function for days. All you did was cry, toss and turn in the bed or curl up on the floor in a little ball until you couldn't cry anymore but the pain never stopped. It took days and in the end, your friends who picked you up again, taught you how to take care of yourself again by eating, showering, getting dressed, and going to work and you hoped that moving and changing jobs would change something.

As you are sitting in a park, only a few blocks away from your new workplace, watching people having picnics, playing with their kids, walking their dogs, or doing exercise you realize that all this wasn't worth it. Moving away, leaving your job, apartment and friends did nothing, you still miss her and she still haunts you. You miss her gentle side, the soft Mina as you used to call her, who would hold you in her arms, who would say soothing words until you would fall asleep, and who would make you feel better after a hard day at work, hold you after a nightmare or would let you ramble about another one of the co-workers annoying you. You miss telling her about your days and how you feel because you could be free with her and be who you are and you haven't been that way in a very long time.

Checking your phone you notice your lunch break is over in five minutes so you toss your empty coffee cup in a nearby trash can and walk back to your office. Today has been particularly boring because all you have to do is answer people's dm's and requests on social media because currently there is no campaign going on. As you walk back to your desk you put your coat and bag away and start logging onto your laptop. That's when you hear your boss on his way to your desk and you can't help but internally roll your eyes. He isn't a bad guy or anything, he is in his fifties, grey hair, always wearing a suit and he treats you with respect and you appreciate him but whenever he would approach you it means a problem, like an advertisement going wrong or a complaint or a new major client and that means longer hours and staying in the office till midnight. Not that you mind considering there is nothing or no one to come back home to.

''Y/N'' he says as he finally reaches your desk. Looking up from your desk, you force a smile and reply ''Yes Mr. Odell what can I do for you?''. By his posture, you can tell he is in some kind of distress.

''Listen we have a potential new client and I want you to come to our first meeting with them'' he says excitedly and you question why he can't just bring his assistant. ''I can't bring Janet she is sick so I need you to get your things'' he explains and you log off your computer, take your coat and bag and follow him outside the building. It is quite chilly, so you are glad that you put a jacket over your blazer.

As the familiar buildings and streets fade into the distance, you try not to zone out like you usually would but these days your mind would often be preoccupied with daydreams or memories as if someone else was entirely in control of your thoughts.

''I have a meeting with a Mr. Pfister and Mr. Nutter'' he says absent-mindedly while looking into his calendar and talking about the company you are headed to. Snapping out of your thoughts, you nod and mumble ''Of course Mr. Odell'' before averting your gaze back to the window looking at the hectic city and people going on about their days. Your thoughts wander back to work and you try to think of a few possibilities to advertise their products, as that might not be as easy as you originally thought when agreeing on accompanying your boss.

The first thing you see as you walk into a large unfamiliar building, following your boss's steps, is a front desk with some employees sitting there, it seems that this building is home to a few companies and different departments as they guide people into different parts of the building. You watch as your boss approaches the front desk, ''Hello may I help you?'' a woman with blonde hair asks politely.

''Yes I have a meeting with Kineros Robotics'' he says and she looks at you, then him again, and points towards a sign. ''It's to your right just follow the signs'' she says and you notice how her facial expression changed from nice and friendly to cold and possibly scared? after your boss mentioned the company name. Reading people's expressions and understanding their underlying feelings, has always been something you are good at but you quickly shake the thought away and follow your boss.

As you walk down the corridor you see a young woman with long brown curled hair wearing a blouse with flower prints and a skirt run down the hall with a box in her hand, her heels echoing through the building. ''I'm sorry'' she mumbles hectic and nervous as she zooms past you and you give Mr. Odell a questioning expression before reaching the department.

''I'm so sorry there was a bad accident on the 101'' you hear the woman say and then you hear a sound that sounds both so familiar and unfamiliar at the same time. The cane tapping. For a moment you freeze, knowing this isn't just any cane tap as you are so used to a certain redhead woman expressing her emotions partly through the very device that helps her keep her balance. Despite not having heard the sound in over a year, you know exactly who must be on the other end of the hallway.

Temporarily you freeze, thinking maybe her leaving you and breaking things off with you, has ultimately clouded your senses and affected your brain and maybe you are imagining everything. After all the rational part of yourself, is trying to remind you that there is no explanation right now as to why she would be here of all places.

However, the next thing you hear is a clear confirmation that your brain is not tricking you, it's not your mind so clouded by her absence, she is here, the only thing keeping you from seeing each other is a wall and a few steps apart. As you hear a familiar voice your heart stops beating and your throat goes dry.

''Not as bad as the accident that brought you into the world'' that is all you heard and although her voice sounds more cold, harsh and raspy you are fully aware that Wilhemina is sitting at the end of that corridor. For a moment your body goes into a state of shock, your ears ringing, vision blurring, and your heart beating out of your chest.

Shortly after the girl what you assume now to be an assistant comes running back towards the corridor with tears in her eyes and her heels making the same clicking sound. She zooms past you and Mr. Odell again and all he says is ''Damn she seems feisty'' and you know it's aimed at Wilhemina and for a moment you debate whether to just turn around and pretend to be sick or needing to answer a phone call but you know you can't back out now, after all, you have missed seeing her for too long now.

All you wanna do is see her adorable orange hair, that you used to run your fingers through and untangle some knots after she had a long day, the dorky glasses that you sometimes made fun of, and beautiful pastel purple probably everywhere if this truly was her workplace after all. ''Come on'' your boss says, pulling you out of your thoughts yet again and you walk into the large room.

Eyes instantly wander to the source of purple in the room and the source of darkness in your heart and emptiness ever since she left but not only does your heart stop for a moment as you take a look at her, you blink a few times, now actually sure whether this is real or some kind of nightmare.

Wilhemina's hair is a much darker shape of red now and styled into a tall sharp quiff, no sign of her usual high ponytails anymore or the lighter and orange shape it used to be. You notice she doesn't wear glasses anymore and you are convinced her eyes look an even darker shape than before too. She is wearing a dress and it's also a very dark shade of purple with matching earrings. Even her makeup is darker, and as you see her sitting by her desk you can't deny how intimidating she seems, looking at some files, her cane resting on the desk right beside her. Even the cane is different now, it has a snake shape at the top and it's not the old plain one she used to have.

For a moment you believe you just walked right into your own personal nightmare, the funny, sometimes sassy, and beautiful girl you used to love now seems like a completely different and somewhat evil person. The Wilhemina you once loved and still have feelings for, as they never truly changed, seems gone and it seems like she was replaced by a new one, a colder version.

She would have never spoken to anyone like that or treated someone the way she just treated that girl that seems to be her assistant, by the looks of it. All the staring and observing Wilhemina happened in a matter of seconds although it feels like an eternity, everything is silent for a moment, all that is to be heard is your own heartbeat and the typing on Wilhemina's keyboard.

You watch as your boss approaches her and you follow him and finally, Wilhemina looks up noticing the presence of someone else in the room and her gaze is focused on him, so she hasn't seen you yet. He tries to shake her hand and says ''My name is Mr. Odell I have an appointment with Mr. Nutter and Mr. Pfister'' and she just looks at him and his hand with a slightly disgusted expression but she doesn't bother shaking his hand.

''Very well'' she says and takes a glance at you for a split second, noticing a second person in the room and her eyes wander back to her laptop thinking you are just some assistant but when she realizes who you are she immediately looks back over to you and she doesn't avert her gaze at first.

Wilhemina takes in your features for a moment, the sense of fashion, dressing smartly and formally but at the same time stunning as she always said, your hair, the improved makeup skills, and still the same details she always loved about you. She doesn't look into your eyes yet and you are interrupted when two men walk over.

One of them has brown hair and the other blonde hair and you try hard not to chuckle when you see them because they look hideous. ''Mr. Odell, nice to meet you'' they say and shake hands. ''This is Y/L/N maybe someone could show her around while we finalize the details?'' your boss suggests, taking you by surprise, and one of the two turns to Wilhemina and says ''Miss Venable would you give this beautiful lady a tour please''.

For a split second, you are convinced, she is about to kill him but you aren't sure if it's about the tour or compliment. ''Of course'' she mumbles and your boss and the two men leave and you are left there with your ex-girlfriend and awkward silence filling the room. You haven't looked up or into her eyes yet and it terrifies you, she terrifies you.

Wilhemina has no idea what to do or how to react after not seeing you for two years and the last time she did she walked out of your life and your relationship. The redhead looks at you and without looking into your eyes yet she knows the pain, she can see it and she can tell this is killing you inside, the last thing she ever wanted was to cause you pain.

You take a deep breath with your eyes closed and turn to Wilhemina and your eyes instantly lock and you look into her dark brown eyes and not leave her gaze for one moment. She takes a few slow steps towards you, her cane hitting the floor, and with every tap and echo in the room, it feels like your heart is ripped into more pieces and your past is here confronting you right at this moment.

''Mina'' is everything you can say but it comes out as a whisper while your voice cracks. Your ex-girlfriend's eyes close right away because she has missed hearing you call her that for the past two years but as she opens her eyes she reminds herself internally, who she is and that she is currently at her workplace.

''Follow me'' she instructs and you follow her while she walks down a corridor and into a room with big machines. While you follow her you can't understand what would have happened to her to turn into this cold-hearted person. She used to be the sweetest and kindest person you knew but clearly, something has changed. You cannot take your eyes off her and as she walks you into the room with machines, she explains about the work they do here and how they do it and as much as you try to focus and look at the things she shows you, you can't and Wilhemina notices.

''Do I bore you?'' she suddenly snaps in that cold voice again, her nostrils flaring and your heart feels like a knife was just thrown right into it. ''I'm sorr- sorry I-'' but you can't even think of a good enough excuse so you just look at the floor and try hard to keep your emotions at bay.

''Anyways, these are the machines and devices we use, whenever someone places a custom order we make sure to fulfill that order as efficient and quick as possible'' Wilhemina explains her voice still stern, sounding like she has given this tour so many times, she has memorized every single word.

However, you do notice her looking at you the entire time she explains and it seems like she wants you to say something but there are too many things that you want and wanted to say to her for years but you never imagined one day you would run into her like this. For several minutes the two of you stand in the rooms with machines, Wilhemina explaining and you trying hard to focus on her words intently.

''Y/N'' you hear the voice of your boss coming from the door, the two strange-looking men behind him, and you look at him, noticing the satisfied looks on their faces, indicating the deal worked well, and he says ''I'm finished, thank you, Miss, for giving her the tour'' he adds now focused on Wilhemina. ''Let's go'' he says and you walk in his direction without looking back at her and just as you are about to walk out of the door you look at her and say ''Thank you'' and then you walk out.

As you walk out of the large office building, back through the same long corridor, and past the front desk, you can't hear anything your boss is trying to say and the entire car ride back to the office you try and wrap your head around what just happened, abandoning every single word Mr. Odell is saying.

''This didn't happen wake up Y/N wake-up Y/N'' you keep repeating in your head but it's no use this is no nightmare this is reality.

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