Confessions Series - Part 2: Description [Genshin Impact Male Characters]

Just a teacher leading his students to be the new generation of sorcerers ✨

Zagreus

not as a boss fight ❌

not as a boon giver ❌

not as a companion summon ❌

but as Mel's incredibly proud narrator exaggerating all his little sister's accomplishments as she fails over and over again ✔

Good Memories

(a @semisolidmind Twice as Bad Au Fic)

Ok I wrote another one. This one I focused more on Wukongs perspective ! A happier memory, a happier moment- even in this twisted and messed up bad ending. Because there has to be some sweet moments … right ?

Inspired by this ask!

The noise of the stone corridor was quiet. The silence was a peaceful breath of welcome here where Peaches hardly got a moment of true peace. The roar of the waterfall drowned much conversation here so the foot traffic of the mountains subjects was lessened. Except for the patrols of troops, the top ranking officials and guards, the eyes here were light.

A chance to escape had come. Of course escape wasn’t to leave the mountain. Peaches had learned that long ago. To attempt to get down the mountain- to get to the sea that kissed the beaches below- was foolhardy. She had tired once. Once in that far away time when the trauma of abduction has been fresh, when the desire to be anywhere but here drover her to staying awake at night and planning.

Now, years later, the escape was not to leave Flower Fruit Mountain. Though she desperately longed to do such a thing. Hope though was a hard bird to kill even when caged and clipped. So, to circumvent the need to escape- to release some of the pent up agitation- she had found another way to escape.

The patrol passed the alcove Peaches had huddled herself into without a look. She waited. One. Two. Three. Once they rounded the bend she made her move. Peaches snuck out of one of the many side entrances of Water Curtain Cave. She slunked from shadow to tree, avoiding the eyes as best she could. Once beyond the courtyard, beyond the orchards she felt her spirit take wing. It was the bubble of freedom that she had to take as medicine for the true longing she couldn’t - wouldn’t- ever feel.

Not as long as she had her husbands about.

Like a horse turned to pasture, Peaches kicked up her own heels and ran. She ran for the joy of it and for the enjoyment of it. She let herself believe that she was back in the village. That she was back in her home, beneath its peach trees and with its terribly creaking timbers. That this was only a jaunt out to the woods to enjoy the day foraging and finding morsels.

It was a delusion but it was like a balm to her soul. Too much time inside the mountain and among the talks of conquests and bloodshed dampened her. Her husbands never demanded that she attend councils between other Immortals or Demons but Peaches knew when she attended there was far less work for the servants to do. For one, there was less blood to be cleaned from the stone floors. Of course it would take some of her own energy to be apart of these conversations.

Peaches would dress in the courtly and lordly garments bestowed upon her by The Monkey King and The Six Eared Macaque. Gifts they called them. Blood gifts, Peaches knew. Dressing the part as Queen always put the two demonic monkeys into better moods. Of course, whenever she was present it also became a game of keeping.

This game all depended upon the placement of the two heads of Flower Fruit Mountain. They always were placed in strategic spots- to better intimidate or to better please whatever guest they were entertaining. If there was a demon of hungry standing there was always roasted meat and wine a plenty to drink upon. These times, Sun Wukong would be seated closest to the doors. If she entered the room he would catch her wrists, her hand, her waist. Those claws would grip and tug, and she would be in his lap. Wukong would keep her there. If the King was in the middle of a conversation he would simply stop and lavish compliments upon her. Wukong was more of a earnest love then his darker counterpart. She would be forced to stay in his lap, feeling his hands and the soft admonishments if she tried to move, as the conversation continued.

Peaches wished she could have said it was always unpleasant. In the years of captivity, in the moments of stuck between hope and despair, she had come to find a balance of some sort. After so long being molded and worn down by their attentions, Peaches had begun to tolerate the attention. Wukongs attentions helped establish her as something of importance and a person not to be touched. It helped when those demons had an inclination for human flesh.

Too many times she had been told not to touch the food, the meat, when it was presented on the council table.

If the sworn brothers were entertaining an immortal being with no bloodlust for humans the positioning was different. More lax in some ways but no less imposing. Sometimes Peaches would be able to actually sit in a seat beside or between the monkeys. Other times, Wukong would claim her to his lap and tug and tease at her, a game to turn her to blushing of what things he would whisper into her ear. And, in those moments when Wukong did not claim her it was Macaque who stole her into his seat. He was more touching, less outwardly loud praise. But still enough to burn her cheeks, to make her wish to dissolve.

Water Curtain Cave fell behind her as Peaches rushed forward into the woods and away from her husbands. Macaque was away, on some errand or other again. Wukong would be occupied until late into the evening. A conglomerate of would be allies wished to pledge themselves to the King today, and it would take much of her rowdy husbands time and energy to entertain. It would also boost his ego and, with no worry of bloodshed (unless someone was foolish enough to insult) Peaches had taken her leave.

She rarely got moments alone and she laughed, some of the tension sloughing off like snow in a spring melt.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Sun Wukong rarely had patience with beings that held incompetence. He was seated in his spot in the council room, upon his golden gilded throne. The warlord was in full regalia, armour polished to a blinding sheen and staff set beside him. However all the splendour about Wukong couldn’t distract from the loathsome thing huddled at the foot of his dais, blubbering and sniffling like a slug.

The demonic monkey felt his teeth grind and clip in his mouth as the weakling worm of a dragon sniffled and bowed its head in a kowtow. Disgusting. This beast had come asking him to slay his brothers and sisters in the western sea so he could be appointed heir. Wukong raked his eyes over the diminutive fellow, taking stock.

Scales as thin as moonbeams. Teeth as square as a cows. Mane bedraggled and unclean. How filthy. This little worm couldn’t even clean himself before grovelling for my help.

A poor ally if he choose to anger dragons in an ocean a world away. Weak of claw and fang.

“It’s obvious you cannot even keep yourself fit let alone keep a kingdom if I gave it to you.”Wukong waved his hand, bored. “Leave my sight. Maybe once you’ve actually wet your muzzle and had a scrap or two I’ll consider. Get out.”

“But -“

Was this Dragon also weak of hearing? Was it slow of wit? He had dismissed the stupid beast. His eyes flashed.

“Get. Out.”

The thing moved now, scattering loose scales in its speed to escape. They fell like toenail clippings and Wukong hissed in disgust. He rubbed at the bridge of his nose and felt the patience in his body diminish. The king raised a bell and gave it a ring, summoning several servants - not monkeys these creatures were those foolish demons that had imposed themselves in the paths of Flower Fruit Mountains conquests- to clean up the mess of scales.

Wukong had a full itinerary for the day. He had already met with his southern vassals and those positioned in the East. They were reporting movement from a would be upstart exorcist, one that deemed himself a demon slayer. A blood hungry pup. If it was blood he craved then Wukong would deliver it to him. He had set Macaque to the East, tasking him with bringing the man to heel. He had given his brother free reign. If the six eared demon wanted, Wukong wouldn’t stop him from making the exorcist into a gift - of flesh. Maybe I should have sent this whining worm to the East. Macaque would have shown him the ropes of turning an enemy into a boon.

“Foolish idiots.” Wukong grumbled, irritated. The other appointments had been his people which he took gladly. His own residents of the mountain were precious to him. They only asked for the numbers to help in the forest grove harvest. It was apple harvesting time and some of the trees were showing signs of damage from the deer and other beasts. The other group had been some now turned immortals begging for teaching in the east of shape changing. Wukong had dispatched them with ease, tossing their heads to the sea. He would send their corpses off to the visiting Swallow Heart- an upstart creature with a good three hundred beastly birds- as a peace offering.

His mood would have been better if his Wife had attended his talks. Wukong had kept glancing to the side, looking to the opulent doors and hoping they would open. Or her scent would waft in from the corridor, announcing her approach. Wukong felt his mouth salivate a bit at the thought of her. Oh he was lucky. His little Peach. Wukong and Macaques of course. Not just his morsel. Though today… with Macaque away. ..

She was all his to adore and hold and to make squirm with his praises and his demands.

“Trouble my King?”

An attendant asked of him, waking him from his daydreams. The monkey was by his side, face curled in worry. Wukong let the thinly held patience fall away as he gave into rubbing his head. Too much courtly affairs. He usually didn’t mind the task. In fact, he enjoyed pitting his mind against that of the estate he ran, the duty he held. Wukong had an iron will for ruling. He enjoyed the fruits of that labour, the rewards of conquest. One of the best rewards was here in the caves, walking the halls all alone …

“Trouble that can be easily cast off.”

Thoughts of his Peaches, and the irritation of his last meeting, decided it for him. Wukong rose out of his throne and stretched. Though he was a monkey originally of stone it didn’t mean he didn’t get sore in his throne. Popping his back, Wukong motioned to the door. “Walk with me.”

“Yes my King.” The servant walked beside Wukong as he stalked down the Halls. His people dipped and bowed. The servants who had been brought to the mountain and had been forced to serve kept their eyes downcast. Wukong paid them no heed. He had one goal.

“Peaches!” Wukong sang through the palace. He looked in her usual haunts. She had a tendency to stick to habit and Wukong made it his goal to know all of his little sweets habits and places of hiding. The kitchens, the scroll rooms, the bedroom and other such places deep beneath the mountains stone.

“Peaches?” Wukong now questioned. Usually she was so near he could hear and track her just from knowledge of her habitual motions. But there was a lack of her today in Water Curtain Cave.

“Where has my wife gotten to?” He mused aloud. Wukong would have been more worried in the early days of her life on the mountain. Peaches had a tendency back then to plot and scheme and attempt every sort of trickery to escape the brothers. She had tried tricking (Macaque had been present for that one where he had kept her trapped in a riddle game for hours), sneaking (again a foolish thing due to the number of ears between her husbands numbered eight), drugging (Wukong had thought it cute to see her try and ply him with so much wine he became inebriated. That had led to … other things however.) and finally just running.

Running had led to chasing. Wukong had tried to terrorize her just a small bit to discourage the action. Having her run off while he was in the middle of meeting and for him to rise and say “Excuse me gentlemen” and then rush off had first been an inconvenience. He would never punish his Peaches. No, never. When he talked of the terror it had been more to scare her of what could snatch her up. Tigers, leopards, wolves and their ilk. Taking her back to their rooms and tucking her in and locking the door was the most he did. If he had time, if he could ignore the work of the day he would wear her out in other ways. It would either be both or one and the other who would keep her attention. Wukong was a King but he wasn’t a tyrant.

This didn’t deter his little wife. She seemed … more determined, however, to attempt it. Peaches had learned over the years that running away was useless but that didn’t stop her from taking to flights of fancy. Which lead to a different kind of chasing. A pursuit that called to the raging hunger inside him, to that predator. Peaches had given him and Macaque a new game- a game he craved almost as much as he craved her scent in his nose and her body in his arms.

After opening their closet and seeing the small little nest she kept in there empty as well, Wukong felt his tail give an excited lash. The fur on his spine began to rise up in anticipation. It practically shook through his blood. Made his mouth grin and his body begin to buzz as if drunk upon fruit wine.

“A game is afoot. A game all for myself~” Usually these games of hide and seek with their wife became a race between him and his sworn brother. Macaque would enjoy the competition as he had a unfair disadvantage. His keen hearing compounded on his shadow ability let him take a lead that Wukong wouldn’t be able to close normally. But with his brother away from the mountain… Wukong laughed to himself, beginning to shed his courtly attire.

“Do you require anything, my king?” The servant asked from his shoulder. Wukong passed the servant his crown and those few glittery vestments he bore to impress the lesser demons who came to grovel for his power.

“Clear the rest of my meetings for the evening.” Wukong commanded. Where could my sweet have gone off to? To the grove? The stream? Did she perchance head to the woods? The thought of the hunt was already consuming his mind.

“My King that would mean dismissing the Swallow Heart Demon and his Entourage.” The servant set the items delicately on Peaches armoire, being careful to not tip any of the bottles, brushes or powders there. Macaque had sent for that armoire for their Wife. It had cost a pretty penny to have it brought in with the paints and brushes.

It was a warm memory in Wukongs mind, seeing the pure delight in her eyes. That night had been filled with the boys teaching her how to use the more expensive bits of makeup and had led to her learning to paint war paint upon their faces. The warm memory set a second shiver up his spine. When he caught Peaches he wouldn’t let her go- he would let her know how much he cherished her. The happy memories of her face were becoming more numerous now. It set his tail to swaying like a cat who had caught a canary.

“They are birds yes? Tell them to find another place to roost for the evening.” Wukong stretched his legs one at a time. He waved one hand to the servant, trying to rush the discussion along. He had a wife to find.

“I will meet them in the morning when my mood returns to better and more … harmonious thoughts.” All he could see in his head was her. Her skin shining in the light, her hair in his hands so soft. The rush of feeling hit him low in the gut. Was it love ? Was it possessiveness ? Was it possession? He didn’t know but it had his heart thundering. To think a mortal women could bring such a change through him so rapidly…

“I will see it done sir.” The servant bowed.

“Good.” Wukong stretched his arms, pulled his back straight. He had removed all but the trousers he wore. The glory of Sun Wukong had been set aside. Armour wouldn’t slow him- he was the Sage that had rebelled against Heaven. Had almost won. Armour was little hinderance in his silence or his ability to move. It would however limit him to capturing his intended target. Peaches was soft, pliable and would not like a tackle from her husband if he was wrapped all in his battle regalia.

He bounced on his heels. The excited energy wanted to be unleashed, to be set free. Wukong left the servant in their rooms, swiftly walking to the entrance of Water Curtain Cave. His generals saw him and bowed, continuing their rounds. Smaller monkeys, the children of his people came and clambered for his attention. He smiled at them and turned them back to their mothers promising attention later.

The waterfall came into sight and Wukong grinned. Just like he had when he first had been crowned King, the monkey lord bent low a palm pressed to the floor and launched himself through the torrent of water. He was out on the other side in a spray of water. Once on the ground again he looked, listened, smelled.

Wukong was an expert tracker. He could read the signs of his mountainous home. He knew every blade of grass every bend of the leaf in the trees above. Wukong looked for the signs, the telltale notes his wife would leave so lovingly in nature for him to find. There ,beneath the shadow of a tree. Wukong moved swiftly and lightly, faster then the long spotted cats to the far west. The press of foot too large to be a monkey, to heavy to be a cat.

I got you~

Wukong followed her path, enjoying the exertion and the feel of the sun on his fur.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Peaches had found herself a nice little patch in the wood, a small trickle of a stream ran through a copse of tightly packed willows. It had a few gooseberry bushes in its shade and she plucked them eagerly.

She had brought her small bit of knitting, a book, and a change of clothing if she wanted to take a dip in the water. The gooseberry’s were a plus, having been ripened and their red flesh sweet. Peaches didn’t have a snack- running into the kitchens would have alerted the staff she was going out and she did not want a retinue of guards on her tail. It was nice and pleasant to be alone. Hearing the soft babble of the water over the stones, the wind sighing in the leaves. It was peaceful. She could fall asleep. In fact a nap didn’t sound bad—

Snap.

Her head snapped up, eyes widening. That had been too loud to be a simple little bird or just the sound of a branch falling from the wind. She felt her calm wash away in a rush of icy fear. Though Flower Fruit Mountain was possibly the safest place in the world, it did still have the occasional predator. Bear or tiger were the largest creatures to have been spotted on the mountain. Wukong and Macaque assured that the worst of those beasts kept to the lower plains of the mountain.

But what if— what if I went too low?

Her ears strained, her eyes blown wide to see. Nothing revealed itself from the emerald green foliage or the berry bushes. Her hair stood on end as something shuffled in the undergrowth. Behind her. Peaches spun, holding a knitting needle out—

To air.

Another brushing sound, like that of claws across wood. Peaches took a step back, away from the sound. Her heart was in her throat and all the peace of the day was gone in the rush of animal instinct that screamed in her mind.

Freeze of Fly?

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Sun Wukong followed her trail easily to the copse of trees. His Peaches had much to learn if she wished to our pace him in his tracking ability. The path she took was such a massive trail he could see it from miles away. The demonic monkey crouched low, keeping close to the earth.

She was sitting next to the little stream at the foot of a great willow. His Peaches. Her fingers were red with gooseberry juice, her hair down in the heat. She was the picture of peaceful, the very image of serenity. Wukong felt a desire to grab her to hold her close, to take the juice of the berries off her fingers and hear her laughter and voice.

Gods he craved her.

He held off leaping, held off and observed. Magic would make it easier to drop in on her but he liked the challenge of keeping his current shape. So Wukong lay low, watching. The brothers had a practice of watching their Peaches when she thought she was alone. It was in those moments they learned the most about their mortal heart. How she would sigh, how she always got itchy if she wore too much of the powder upon her face. It was how Wukong learned Peaches preferred bangles over rings. How Macaque gleaned that her favourite foods involved a doughy treat called cinnamon rolls. Little things. Silly things. Treasured things that the brothers would go over and strategize on how to make their precious fruit the most comfortable. To win her favour. Her love. Her attention.

Sometimes she would cry in these moments and the game would have to be put on hold as they made themselves known beyond her field of vision. Wukong hated when she was upset. He knew, somewhere in his twisted heart, that he had caused these tears. That he was to blame for the sorrow that weighed heavy on her.

I can make her happy. No one else saw her sparkle like we did. She’s ours. Forever if I have my way.

But right now he had a game he was in the middle of. The immortal peach he was keeping for her would have to wait. Wukong stalked forward, through the brush. Peaches had laid herself back, body flat to earth and completely relaxed.

Wukong took a branch in his hands and snapped it.

His Peaches lifted herself up and whipped her head in the direction. Wukong had already moved, speed on his side as he circled beyond and behind her. The terror on her face made something stir in him, a protective urge. He would sooth her worry when he caught her. He would pet her hair, hold her close and tell her how foolish she was to leave his safe embrace. She had nothing to fear from him. Only his little sweet fruit didn’t know it was him. Not yet at least.

Wukong let his tail tussle the dead leaves beside him then darted off. He raked his claws over a bit of bark and then zagged back to a new hiding spot. Peaches turned like a doe, alert and eyes wide. Her face was full of fear, full of such open prey-like terror that Wukong couldn’t resist anymore. He rumbled, mimicking the sound of a big cat. Sweet Peaches stared right at the spot he was hiding.

Run little wife, he urged. Come on. Run for me.

At his second snarl, she obliged him. She spun her back to him and took several vain attempts to run. Wukong smirked. And leapt.

He caught her in several bounds barreling full into her body and taking her off her feet. His hand had her by the back of the neck, the other about her middle. They rolled in the air but Wukong angled himself, curling her into him and taking most of the fall. Peaches cry rang in the trees and sent the birds flying. Wukongs laughter was loud and shook through his body as he landed with her. The demon caged her in, setting her hips between his legs so he straddled her. One hand had both her wrists held above her head. The other angled her face to him, the eyes firmly shut.

“Caught you~” He purred.

“WUKONG!” Peaches gasped, opening her eyes to stare right into his face. Wukong felt his heart give a squeeze as the fear melted into ease. Ease with him. It sent a trill of joy up his spine. “You gave me a heart attack. I thought you were some tiger.”

“No love.” Wukong mentally took note of her. No scrapes from their tumble, no bruises. A perfect capture. “A tiger wouldn’t have toyed with you like I did.” Here he stretched his free hand, claws on display.

Peaches laughed. A laugh for him. His tail was swaying, his face inching closer to hers. “I’m glad I’m not getting devoured then.” She said, breath still catching up with her shock.

“Oh my Peaches, I may not be a tiger but I’m going to devour you all the same~” he let the words sink into her, enjoying the blush that coloured her face before he bent down and kissed her. She tasted of gooseberries, of laughter and the earth and ever of peaches. Her lips were soft against his. Wukong moved away from her mouth, wanting to taste her throat, her cheeks, her nose. Kisses he planted along her most ticklish spot on her neck, eliciting giggles and cries of mercy.

The Monkey King felt like he was drinking wine, head getting lighter and lighter while his body relaxed over hers. Only with Peaches had he felt so at peace, so blissful. It’s why he could never let her go. To rob himself of this? Never. She was his and he was hers and that was it.

Peaches pressed a kiss to his nose and he swooped back down to capture her lips. How could someone so soft and small consume me so? He felt starved. He felt parched. Here Peaches was, a bountiful feast and and overflowing cup. He couldn’t get enough of her.

Wukong nipped her neck, tugging her into his teeth to elicit a squeal. She laughed and tried to worm her way out of his grip. “Wukong please! Let me up, let me up!”

“Only when you tell me how well I caught you. Lavish praises on me.” He grumbled. He didn’t want to let her out of his arms. If he could he would keep her here and live in this bubble of joy forever. Peaches blew hair out of her face.

“You’ve got to be kidding me…”

“I assure you I’m not. So tell me.”

“Wukong your pride is insufferable.”

“And your beauty is unconquerable.” He countered and was rewarded with a scarlet Peach. “Now tell me.”

“Ugh. You caught me. You startled me so badly I thought I had gone too low on the mountain.” That had Wukong grinning wide as he now rolled over taking her onto his chest.

“Go on~”

A snort. Peaches was open in only the brief times when his and Macaques earnest attentions had worn down her barriers and aversions to nothing. Here was his adoring and adorable wife. One he wanted to bring treasures and conquer worlds for. I would burn this whole place to the ground to please you.

They spent a time there, the two of them in that grove of trees. Wukong kissed the gooseberry juice from her fingers and Peaches tried to see the good in this moment. Wukong was, a murderer. He was a monster who had taken her from her village. He had killed the villagers. Laying on his arm, feeling his voice and laughter in her body, seeing the tender way he held and touched her…

His love was hard to deny. To match up to the truth she knew so well. He was a murder. The soft glow as his eyes alighted when a butterfly landed on his hand. Wukong would kill again. He set the butterfly on her hand and they both marveled at the changing colors.

Peaches felt a bit more of her resolve break. Wukong and Macaques love was an ocean slamming into her. It was eroding the coastal cliffs she had within her. It had been a constant, driving force these years. She didn’t … she couldn’t remain so indifferent in the wake of such attention. Of such open love. She would never fully be at peace here. However … she was finding a balance.

Maybe that was the closest she would be to the love she originally had showered them both in. Or maybe she would fall head first into that roaring surface and loose herself in their love.

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Wukong tugged the brush through Peaches hair, listening to her sing softly in the night air of their bedroom.

Suddenly- the ground became black and Peaches squealed as she disappeared into the earth—

—and popped up in Macaques arms.

“Save some of her for me, Wukong.” Macaque drawled, hands wrapped around her middle in a possessive gesture. They were back in their room, the night air wafting cool tonight. Wukong and Peaches had spent the rest of the day in that copse of trees and upon the mountain. They had walked hand in hand, visited the monkeys and the new babies that had been born to the family’s farthest from the caves.

It had been a day of sweet gestures and, whenever Peaches had turned eyes inward or far off, he had pressed her with tender affection. Drawing her back to the present. If Wukong had learned anything over the decade it was to keep his Peaches in the present, to keep her away from the drifting worry of the past.

They had returned home only when the first stars had begun to spark in the dark sky. Wukong had carried his tired wife all the way back to Water Curtain Cave. He whispered how he would make a necklace of the stars and give them to her and teased out of her sleepy laughs.

Maybe tomorrow will be full of hardships. Maybe she will hate me for what I did. This though- I would kill a thousand villages if I could get a single day of joy like this.

Macaque had returned shortly after dinner, coming into their room to Wukong holding Peaches in his arms and biting more of her neck between brushes. Of course Mac had wanted a bit of her to himself after being gone for a day. Wukong obliged, not bothered one bit.

His brother in arms was still dressed in armour meaning he had probably just arrived back from the East. Not a speck of blood was on his clothing. Wukong would ask him later about how the trip went, when Peaches was asleep. This moment was meant to be a memory of joy. He would not drag kingly duties into this moment.

“I caught her fair and square.” Wukong sniffed, growing a bit jealous at Macaque. He had stolen his prize from beneath his nose- right when he was getting to Peaches too, in her sleepy state. Macaque blinked then stared between the two, his purple eyes flashing.

“You played the game without me?” Wukong heard the bit of hurt and, though he was sure part of it was drummed up for sympathy, felt a bit of guilt. Only a splinter of it. He didn’t regret acting on his own. The game was his to play when he was away. However it had the desired effect on their Wife.

“Oh Mac- no I didn’t know Wukong would be coming after me.” Peaches was so easily guilt tripped. She kissed the darker demons cheek. The sudden flash of confusion and delight passed over Macaque features. His eyes stole towards Wukong, questioning.

Is she happy? Is she giving without teasing? Wukong nodded, the smile on his face like the soft warm dawn. Peaches was happy and that’s all that mattered. She was happy and would give to them.

“He did have a full schedule of meetings.” She bemused. “What.. happened to them?”

“I cleared my evening.”

“Of course you did.” Macaque snorted, half heartedly irritated. His fingers were already brushing through Peaches hair, grooming.

“Nothing was getting done beyond my latest meeting.” At the raised eyebrow of his six eared brother, Wukong waved a hand. “I’ll tell you later but for now- why don’t we have another game of tag.”

“A-another one?” Peaches sat up a bit, looking outside to the dark and moonlight beyond.

“Well you owe Macaque a chance to catch you. And I want to compete again. We will give you … thirty minutes.” Wukong grinned. “No going outside. Just find one of your hidey holes in the Palace, Love.”

“What if I’m too tired for this game?” She pouted and Wukong smirked. Seeing her pout brought the urge to tug her close and erase that pout from her lips all the stronger. He had been hoping she would say it. It’s why he had one of his chefs cooking a very special sweet treat.

“If you play you’ll get a reward~” Wukong crooned.

“That sounds ominous.”

“It’s innocent. I have some delicious sweets being made as a treat. Just a few short rounds and all of them can be yours.”

“Are they …. Cinnamon rolls?”

The Monkey King felt like he had caught her all over again. “Yes”

“… two games. Then no more. I’m tired..”

Macaque kissed her temple and set her free. “Go on darling. When I find you first I will tell you of the sights I saw.”

“You have to get to her first brother.” Wukong challenged. When he got to Peaches he would make her laugh again, demand kisses and more.

“And I will!” The six eared demon grinned eyes flashing. Peaches stood a bit uncertainly until Macaque leaned forward and gave a kiss to her temple.

“Go Peaches. And don’t stop running till you are in one or both of our arms.”

Peaches ran.

it's the last day you can rb this

| "After everything you know about my past too!!!"

"Eeer.. but Kaveh.. you already have a lot to deal with-"

"EXCUSES EXCUSES!! I'm joining you and thats THAT!"

Alhaitham later joins them too and the three of them co-parent Paimon on her journey

Genshin leaning so hard into Papa Neuvillette makes shipping him with anyone extremely funny, because it means his partner is immediately gonna be Mama to several hundred step-children.

We've already seen Wriothesley get stickered, but you know Sigewinne's gonna dial it up if he hooks up with Neuvillette. Just totally wallpapering his office.

Or Navia comes home to Poisson to find her boat just completely covered in stickers. She opens up her umbrella and finds them lining the inside. Every Spina member's sunglasses are adorned with them.

Or Furina summons the Salon Solitaire and all three of them are inexplicably covered in waterproof stickers. She wakes up to find some on her top hat. They're on her boxes of macaroni.

Do you see my vision, shippers?

a list of 100+ buildings to put in your fantasy town

academy

adventurer's guild

alchemist

apiary

apothecary

aquarium

armory

art gallery

bakery

bank

barber

barracks

bathhouse

blacksmith

boathouse

book store

bookbinder

botanical garden

brothel

butcher

carpenter

cartographer

casino

castle

cobbler

coffee shop

council chamber

court house

crypt for the noble family

dentist

distillery

docks

dovecot

dyer

embassy

farmer's market

fighting pit

fishmonger

fortune teller

gallows

gatehouse

general store

graveyard

greenhouses

guard post

guildhall

gymnasium

haberdashery

haunted house

hedge maze

herbalist

hospice

hospital

house for sale

inn

jail

jeweller

kindergarten

leatherworker

library

locksmith

mail courier

manor house

market

mayor's house

monastery

morgue

museum

music shop

observatory

orchard

orphanage

outhouse

paper maker

pawnshop

pet shop

potion shop

potter

printmaker

quest board

residence

restricted zone

sawmill

school

scribe

sewer entrance

sheriff's office

shrine

silversmith

spa

speakeasy

spice merchant

sports stadium

stables

street market

tailor

tannery

tavern

tax collector

tea house

temple

textile shop

theatre

thieves guild

thrift store

tinker's workshop

town crier post

town square

townhall

toy store

trinket shop

warehouse

watchtower

water mill

weaver

well

windmill

wishing well

wizard tower

Light/Dark Academia and "Old Money" Name Ideas

By Writerthreads on Instagram

Masculine:

Alexander

Felix

Roma

Hugo

Lawrence

Pak Hei (柏熙)

Andrew

Victor

Leonard

Huxley

Jun Wei (俊偉）

Fitzgerald

Charles

Masaharu (雅治)

Andrew

Khalid

Hao Ran

Edward

Cameron

Jun Xi (俊熙)

Harrison

Darius

James

Ahmed

Henry

Theodore

Sulaiman

Chadwick

William

Feminine:

Alice

Elizabeth

Victoria

Josephine

Akari (丹梨)

Magaret

Florence

Sophia

Ai Lin (愛玲）

Kennedy

Eleanor

Henriette

Adesina

Anya

Eloise

Lorraine

Wing Yan (詠欣)

Eliza

Ingrid

Hermione

Rashida

Catherine

Ichika (一千花)

Esmeralda

Eugenie

Seraphina

Maureen

Daphne

Penelope

Adeline

Surnames:

Reyes: Kings

Stentham: At the river banks

Yamamoto: (one who lives at) the base of the mountain(s)/ (one from) Yamamoto District

Hargreave: someone who is the first to think of or make something

Renaud: advice, rule

Kumar: prince, son, boy, or chaste

Alarie: All-powerful

Burton: fortified enclosure

Fujimura: wisteria village

Alviar

Brentwood: A town in Essex, England/burnt wood

Toussaint: All saints

Ho Tung（何東）

Charmant: attractive

Hunton-Blather

Kapoor

Dupont: of the bridge

Anworth

Alma: nourishing

Blackburn: black brook

Ashton: from the ash tree (town)

Khatri: member of the warrior class

Harvey: iron, blazing

Laurent: the bright one, shining one

Leighton: leek town (lol)

Minamoto: source, origin

Allard: brave, noble

Seymour: From St. Maur

Note: The Chinese names included aren't really "old money" because we don't really associate names with money or position. The younger generation of Asian people usually have English names as well Chinese ones (instead of a romanised Chinese name). All Chinese surnames can also be "old money" because lots of people have the same surname.

Side-note: quite a lot of "old-money" kids have joint surnames from both parents, so you could try doing that for your characters

I used Google for a lot of names from cultures I'm not familiar with so I could be very wrong! Please correct me if I’m wrong!!!

QOTD: What’s your main character’s name and why did you choose that name?

AOTD: Mine is Fletcher Cheung, I chose Fletcher because it felt very powerful, and not a lot of girls (especially Chinese girls) have that name so it was memorable.

the suffering never ends

OKEY wooloo I love you/p and my brain was so big 5 minutes ago. I was watching a old Philza stream and realized how much that man love axolotls. And so I give you axolotl Reader living in the pond under the bridge between technos and his house. Like they left their old home and wandered around in the snow before just deciding they wanted to life under this cool bridge. And one day Phil and Techno leave their home and there is a person in their pond. Their just chilling. Maybe they have like healing powers and heal Phil’s wing?! I JUST Phil and techno being wholesome with an axolotl reader. And they braid technos hair because their hair is also long and pink so they know all kinds of cool braids. I’m rambling.

-🧇

gills for axolotls are those red/pink whiskers and a dorsal fin is the tail

. . . 

Despite the chill running down your back, you continue to walk. Snow falls gently from above, collecting in piles on the ground below. You huddle into your clothing a bit more, gills tucking in. You left your old house a bit ago to search for supplies but you didn’t expect to get lost so easily. Now, you’re stuck traveling in a snow biome that seems to go on for miles. 

You scoff when you pass by the same tree again, clearly having gone in circles. A shiver racks through your body as it gets darker, night approaching quickly. Your throat feels dry, since you haven’t been in water for a couple hours at this point. You can't even lay in the snow, even if it is essentially frozen water, because that’ll just make you more dehydrated. You’re about to give up, and turn into a different direction when a light from afar catches your attention. It’s faint and flickers in the distance but light could be a sign of life. 

You rush over to the area, nearly tripping when your shoes get caught in the snow. It takes only minutes to find the source, a dim lantern hanging from a fence post. You can spot another lantern in the distance, trailing alongside a partially covered path. You gulp, continuing to follow the trail, hoping that there will be a pool of water nearby. Or, that it’ll lead to a house with someone nice enough inside. Monsters can be heard, gathering around, the dead rising as night nears. You move a little faster, not wanting to fight when you’re this weak. 

A gasp of relief falls from your tongue when you spot houses in the distance. They’re blocked off by a spruce fence, a wooden bridge linking the two together. You push yourself over the fence, grunting when you collapse on the other side. You shiver again and cough lightly. Pushing yourself off of the ground, you run over to the houses. Thoughts rush through your mind, questions and ideas on how to talk to the owners about staying the night. But, the pond underneath the bridge has your excitement flooring. Without a care in the word, you jump into the pond. A tiny squeal lifts from your throat, gills twitching with happiness. Even if the tundra is cold, the water is quite warm in comparison. 

You sink under the surface, tail thumping behind you. You blink a few times to regain your vision, a wide smile forming as you take in the view. This pond is much nicer than the one you live in at home. It’s full of bright colorful coral and tropical fish. You swim around in the water, tail swishing to help you move faster. You greet the fish, waving to them kindly. They simply swim away, only the brave ones approaching. After all, axolotls kill tropical fish for food and fun. But, you never felt the need to follow through with that instinct so they’re safe. 

You dive to the deepest part of the pond, wondering how far it will go. It’s obviously man made, although it is quite wonderful. Feeling drowsy, you lay down on the bottom, near the seagrass. Your large tail curls around your body as you close your eyes. 

.

You continue to stay in the pond for a couple more days, unable to find the will to leave the warm waters. Your home in the swamps couldn’t compare to this place and you really don’t want to attempt traveling home in the snow. You’ve heard the homeowners mingling around, but their voices were always wobbly through the water. They haven’t spotted you yet, since you rarely came up for air. With a large yawn, you swim lazily around the pond. If you decide to stay here, you’ll have to make a house again. Not that you mind, but you don’t have any materials on you. It’s risky to leave the pond to gather wood. 

Your stomach rumbles, the noise sending fish scurrying away. Although the fish have started accepting your presence, they still fear the option of being eaten. You chew on the inside of your cheek, wondering if you could get away with stealing from the homeowners. Would they even notice some food missing? Another grumble and twist in your stomach, makes your whiskers twitch anxiously. You’ll need to get food soon. With that though in mind, you swim to the surface, head barely peeking out of the water. You spin around, gills twisting and turning at the cold wind against your face. 

“Oh, hello there!” A kind voice surprises you from behind. You spin around slowly, scared to see who it is. A tall ghost stands near the pond, his yellow sweater sticking out against the white environment. He smiles, waving gently. A blue sheep bleats softly behind him, moving to approach the edge of the pond. 

“Hello.” You mumble, water ripping from your movements. Maybe if you play dead, he will forget you exist. You don’t have too much time to process that thought, the ghost already sinking to his knees by the water’s edge.

“I’m Ghostbur! Are you a friend of Phil and Techno?” You tilt your head in confusion, mouth opening slightly once you realize they must be the owners of the house. 

“No, uh I just live in this pond.” 

“Oh.” The ghost trails off, unsure of what else to say. “Well, Friend likes you so I think you must be a nice person!” The sheep cries in response, moving forward to sniff in your direction. You’re not sure whether to take that as a compliment or not, either way you give a small note of appreciation. The ghost smiles again. You swim closer, not fearing his presence. 

“Ghostbur, do you have any food on you?” The ghost hums in thought before giving a small ‘nope’. You scrunch up your nose in slight annoyance. Looks like you’ll have to leave to grab something to eat. You lift yourself from the pond, shivering when you touch the snow. 

“Are you leaving so soon?” He seems sad, his eyebrows furrowing. You shake some of the water off of your skin, feeling cold already. 

“Kinda? I need to get food and some supplies so I can make a house in the pond.” You warily glance at the ghost before moving to one of the houses. The first door is locked tight but the second door gives way. Ghostbur follows you inside, his sheep joining along casually. 

You grin, spotting some chests farther inside the house. Moving forward, you quickly search through each of the chests, trying to find some food. Sadly, almost all of the chests contain building materials. You still put some stone and spruce wood into your inventory, saving them for later. 

“Wait, please don’t steal from my friends.” Ghostbur mutters quietly next to you, his hand phasing through your shoulder in an attempt to stop you. For a second, you almost falter not wanting to upset the ghost. 

“I’m not really stealing. I’m just borrowing?” You don’t sound too sure, the excuse is rather pathetic. But, he accepts it, nodding along. You shuffle through the chest, head stuffed into the object. “Do you know where they keep the food?” 

“It’s in the second chest on the left.” A deeper voice catches you off guard, the sudden sound makes you spin. Two other males stand near the doorway, appearing tense. They both hold swords in their hands, glaring at your form. “Get away from them, Ghostbur.” The blond speaks again, motioning for the spirit to move. He doesn’t, however, instead sticking closer to your side. 

“But I don’t want to. They’re a nice person, I can tell.” The ghost frowns, his sheep nearing closer to rub against his side for comfort. 

“That person is stealing our stuff.” The piglin hybrid snorts, his grip on the sword tightening. 

“Technically borrowing.” You intervene meekly. Two glares are sent your way, the action making you flinch. You apologize, gills flicking back. The movement catches the blond’s attention, his eyes widening slightly. 

“You’re an axolotl hybrid?” You look over at the man, deadpanning. Like it wasn’t completely obvious what your hybrid features were. Your response is miffed, snide. 

“Yeah, I guess so.”

The piglin hybrid snorts, turning to look at his companion with a false glare. “Phil, why does that matter?” He turns back to you, drawing his sword. “Look, get out of our house and we won’t kill you.” 

You stare them down, fingers twitching numbly. You can’t take shelter in the pond, that’ll give away your hiding spot. But, there’s no water sources nearby. Perhaps, you can wait them out. With slow movements, you cautiously brush past the pair. Your gaze doesn’t leave their weapons, prepared to draw your own in case they decide to strike. But, neither do. Instead they watch as you walk into the distance, figure disappearing in the brooks of the forest. 

Your scales are shaking with your shivers, as you crouch in the snow. Your tail slowly swishes side to side in the snow, pushing aside the material. You struggle to stay warm, teeth on the verge of chattering. Thankfully, Ghostbur followed you not long after he left. He brought along his sheep, the wool providing a small sense of warmth to your frigid body. You wait, until the lights in the houses go out and for the smoke to halt in the chimneys. Then, you rush towards the buildings. You’re quiet when you divide into the water, sighing as the warm waters embrace your form. Fish swarm around you, surprised to see you back so late. You simply ignore the flicking of their fins and questions, choosing to lay back against the coral for a nap. 

.

You munch weakly on some food, savoring the taste in your mouth. You couldn’t leave the pond too often, not with the others around. You didn’t want to risk getting caught anyways. It didn’t take long to start creating a house in the pond, by tunneling through a wall. The entrance wasn’t noticeable from the surface either, covered by blue and red coral fans. 

A rock lands in the pond, breaking the surface and sinking to the bottom. You watch it sink, before swimming up. For the past couple of weeks that has been your signal that Ghostbur was here to visit. He would try to visit often, but would forget easily. When he stopped by, the ghost would bring food and his pet. Your head breaks the surface, a wide smile on your face. But, the expression drops when you spot Philza at the edge of the waters. You’re about to duck back down but he shouts for you to stop. 

Cautiously, you watch the blonde approach, gaze landing on a wrapped package in his hands. He holds it out towards you, eyes kind. Carefully, you rise out of the water, taking the object. Unwrapping it reveals a loaf of fresh bread, the surface still steaming. You bite into the food, not waiting for his response. It’s quiet, just the sounds of you eating and nearby ambience. The man doesn’t say anything yet, watching your figure. You finish the bread off soon enough, feeling somewhat full. 

“Thank you.” You speak after a split second, whisker-like gills turning back in embarrassment. He doesn’t mock you or shout, like one would expect. Instead he offers a kind grin. 

“It’s no problem. Here, take these too.” He reaches through his inventory, pulling out a small cloth bag. He tosses it in your direction, letting you catch it before it hits the water. You twist it open, gasping when you spot the numerous seeds inside the pouch. You could create a farm with these! 

You shut the bag tightly, looking up quickly with shock stuck on your face. Philza can’t get another word out, your figure already disappearing under the water. The water splashes loudly as you dive, hurrying to place the seeds somewhere safe. 

Philza returns for the next couple of weeks, continuing to bring food with him. At first, you were silent, unsure of trusting this man. Sure, he’s been bringing you food but his friend did threaten to kill you. Maybe this was his way of luring you out. But, that thought fades away with time. The blond is actually quite nice, and you find yourself being good friends with Phil. Most days are spent chatting about his adventures or the places you’ve seen before. He sometimes visits with Ghostbur but never with Technoblade. 

You sigh contently, floating around the pond lazily. Philza recently brought some magma blocks, the material making the waters much water. He seats near the edge, his feet resting in the waters. He leans back against his palms, just as relaxed. You look over at him, upon seeing movement out of the corner of your eye. His cloak falls to his side, large black wings spreading out behind him. The scene has you in awe, the hybrid features surprising you. One wouldn’t know the man has wings underneath that heavy cape of his. You spin around, turning to get a better look at his wings. One of them doesn’t rise as high as the other, feathers noticeably weaker on that side. The limb is injured, weak from long ago. 

“Your wing is broken.” You swim closer, not stopping even when he peaks an eye open. 

“Yeah, that’s why I usually wear a cloak.” He closes his eyes again, wings tucking into his frame in an attempt to hide them. You leave the pool, even though the snow nips at your skin. 

“How did that happen?” You pause, sitting by his side. Not too close, but enough to see him inch away at the question. 

“It’s a long story.” That’s more than enough to know he doesn’t want to speak about the subject. You don’t push another question towards him, since that could make things worse. A breeze passes by, pushing hair back gently. It’s a break, one offered before you spout the next question: “Can I see your wings?” 

He turns to look at you, eyebrow lifting with confusion. “I suppose.” He mumbles somewhat uncomfortably, stretching his injured wing out once more. The details of the wound sticks out more up close, burns littering his skin. You reach out to touch his wing, fingers barely grazing the feathers before his wings tuck back in. 

“What are you doing?” He’s flustered, obviously. He looks at you, wide-eyed and unsure. A sincere smile meets his gaze. 

“Just trust me, please.” With those words, his wings stretch out again. He looks away, eyes closed to avoid your face. He doesn’t want to see the expression you could offer, ones he’s seen so often; disgust, fear, pity and more. But, that doesn’t happen. Your fingers trail over his wounded wing, being careful of any weak spots. 

With a deep breath, your hand begins to glow a faint color, the same shade as the scales on your dorsal fin. Slowly you reach out again, tracing across his wing. Feathers start to grow back slowly, the process steady. Burns disappear and scarred flesh fades to normal skin. You can feel the muscle tense under your palm, but Philza doesn’t move away. When done, you retreat your hand back. Small pants fall from your mouth, proof of your exhaustion and hard work. Axolotls have the gift of regeneration, being able to heal and grow back their own limbs. However, healing another is something you’ve only seen the elders back at home accomplish. Healing Phil took more energy than you expected. 

Said man tests his wing, shifting around the limb with ease. His mouth falls open, the older man speechless. His wing feels like new, maybe even stronger before the fall of L’manburg. He drags you into a tight hug suddenly, numerous words rushing from his mouth in gratitude. As much as you want to return the gesture, the feeling of nausea rising in your gut has you reeling. You go slack from the exhaustion, collapsing into his shoulder. Phil yells in shock but you miss the words he shouts, ears ringing. You can feel him lift you up from the ground, but nothing else. 

Philza rushes you inside, practically knocking down the door in a hurry. The commotion has Techno running over, the hybrid tensing up when he spots you in the older man’s arm. He wants to shout, even curse out Phil for bringing the stranger back, but the look in the avain’s eyes makes any protests die on his tongue. Instead he runs to the basement, pulling out any potions that could help. 

.

Waking up in an unknown location is no fun and neither when the spot gives you a crick in your back. Your eyes peel open, weakly looking around the room. You’re placed in a bathtub, the water running cold. Your tail overhangs the edge, the tub too small to hold you entirely. You sink against the edge, a soft sigh leaving your lungs. You’re still weak, limbs too tired to move. Not eating well enough and the stress of regeneration made you pass out, you knew that much. 

Techno enters the room, the door squealing when he opens it. You flinch at seeing the tall man and struggle to back away. Water splashes frantically with your movements, spilling out of the tub. 

“Stop struggling, I’m not going to hurt you.” He speaks monotonously, still standing in the doorway. He doesn’t approach even after you stop moving. 

“Where’s Philza?” You murmur warily, keeping your eyes on the taller man. You don’t trust him and he doesn’t trust you. If Phil was here, maybe you’d feel a little better about this situation. Technoblade rolls his eyes, crossing his arms stiffly. 

“He left to get potion ingredients since you used up half our stock.” You turn away at his harsh tone, feeling slightly ashamed. He seems to notice that and sighs. Techno leaves for a moment then returns with some food. It’s nothing generous, rather a chunk of bread and a steamed potato. But, with how hungry you are, you gladly take it. 

“Thank you.” Your words are quiet, almost undetected by Techno. But, the flick of his ear proves that he heard you. He simply nods, not saying anything. Then, he leaves. You end up staying in, what turns out to be, Techno’s house for a few more days. You’ve tried to reason with the pair that you’re fine going back to the pond but neither accept the excuse. Philza tosses glares in your direction along with some soft scolding while Techno merely brushes them off. At first, your encounters with the piglin hybrid were awkward. Often he would just stop by with food or bandages, per Phil’s request. He seems to warm up a bit only really because of the forced proximity and of course, because you helped his friend. 

In no time, you end up back in your pond. The two invite you over for meals sometimes, well mainly Philza invites you over. It doesn’t take long for you to meet Ranboo, the mix hybrid proving to be a sweet friend too. While he doesn’t seem as enthusiastic about water as you are, he still is kind enough to listen to you ramble. Sometimes the teen brings around items from around the area for you to decorate your house with, it’s a nice occurrence. 

. 

“Do you need something?” You’re floating casually in the pond, staring up at Techno. He rarely approaches you, still apprehensive. You don’t blame him though, Phil and Ranboo have explained how he has trust issues with almost everyone. The older man grunts, clearly not happy with the predicament. A stray hand reaches up to scratch at the back of his neck awkwardly. 

“I’m going to an ocean monument for prismarine crystals.” 

“Okay, and…?” 

“Philza doesn’t like going in water because of his wings. And, I need someone to watch my back while I fight guardians or mine.” He looks annoyed by the situation, still facing away. His ears flick back at your giggles. 

“I’ll get some supplies just give me a minute.” You duck under the water, returning to your house momentarily. It takes seconds to grab some light armor and weapons. When you break the surface, Techno is still in the same spot looking just as bored as before. He does seem glad that you didn’t take too long, turning around and walking towards the portal. 

The journey to the monument doesn’t take nearly as long as you would have expected. It was a little uncomfortable traveling through the Nether to reach the ocean, but you brought enough water bottles for the trip. You practically dive into the water when you see it, the action making your companion chuckle quietly. 

You swim around happily, not having been in such a large body of water in so long. The water splashes loudly as you swim around with ease. You chirp lightly when you spot other axolotls in the waters, diving in their direction. The adults chirp back while the younger axolotls playfully swim around you. Techno ignores your distracted state, choosing to let you continue having fun as he nears the monument. He’s already chugged a few water breathing potions and his enchanted armor will help him survive the ocean. 

He starts at the top of the structure, already mining away at the exposed sea lanterns. Occasionally, he glances over in your direction to make sure you are staying safe. So lost in the process he doesn’t notice the guardians swimming nearby. It isn’t until he hears their screech that he finally spins around, narrowly avoiding one of their lasers. He draws his sword, slicing through two of the creatures before they can attack again. The third one though, has had enough time to charge its attack, eye aimed on Technoblade. The hybrid braces himself for the impact, knowing he can’t move fast enough. 

In seconds, the guardian goes from offense to defense. It squeaks loudly as you slam into its side and causes them to lose its focus. Your tail swishes angrily behind you, prepared to attack again. The guardian returns your glare, eye narrowing. It squeaks again before fleeing. With excitement rivaling that of a dog, you spin around to see Techno. Your grin is wide, cheeks full of pride. 

“Did you see that? The guardian was like woosh, and I went pow and now they’re gone!” You move your hands around dramatically while talking, emphasizing the sound effects as needed. You pause for a second, eyesight training behind Techno. He looks over his shoulder to spot another guardian, however this one isn’t preparing to attack. Instead, it lets out a pathetic squeal and tries to swim away while you dart after it with a group of axolotls. With an exasperated sigh, Techno goes back to collecting crystals. 

When done, he shouts for you. It takes a couple minutes for you to exit the ocean monument, apparently having gone out of your way to hunt other guardians. The smile on your face is priceless and has him faltering for a second, he doesn’t see you this happy often. The trip back isn’t quiet for once, Techno actually engaging slightly in conversation. The snow greets you both warmly, although it certainly isn’t pleasant for you. Feeling dehydrated, mainly from The Nether, you begin to ruffle through your pockets for a water bottle. 

A hand moves in front of your face, holding out a potion bottle of water. You look back at the owner, shock settling into your features. Technoblade doesn’t say anything, pushing the drink to you in motion to take it. With the slowness of a stray, you grasp onto the bottle. You sip at the water, feeling your gills perk up. 

“Thank you.” 

“It’s no problem.” He keeps walking, facing ahead. You catch up with his long strides with some difficulty, almost brushing against his shoulder. 

“So, you carry water for me?” Your tone is teasing, tail flicking with playfulness. He snorts, cheeks flushing lightly from embarrassment. 

“Don’t overthink it. I’d never hear the end of it if you died on my watch.” 

“Oh, sure.” You draw out the word, obviously not believing his words. He grumbles, walking away faster. With a laugh, you trail behind him, knowing that he isn’t actually angry. You follow him into the house, not just yet retreating to your home. Philza waves from the kitchen, the man already having started on dinner. You smile fondly, remembering how surprised the hybrid was when he found out you lived in the pond. But, he took it as a compliment, considering he made the space. 

You flop down on the couch, limbs sprawling out as you get comfortable. Techno eventually joins you on the other side, after removing his armor and cape. It’s a peaceful silence, almost nice enough to fall asleep in. Technoblade is reading a potions book, flicking the pages over every couple of minutes. He sniffs, a hand raising to move some hair out of his face. But, the strand falls again leading him to tuck it behind his ear a few more times, agitation increasing. 

With a groan, you scoot over to his side of the couch. You face his side, sitting with your legs crossed. He lifts an eyebrow, as a silent question, urging you to speak. 

“Turn around.” 

“Why?” 

“I want to braid your hair. It’ll stop falling in your face.” You lean forward in excitement, practically bouncing in your seat. He sighs loudly but agrees, shifting so his back is to you. You run your hands through his hair briefly, amazed by how soft it is. Once done admiring, you split his hair into three sections and start braiding it. It’s a simple braid, although a little messy, but gets the job done. When finished, you scoot back to look over his hair. He turns back around, a finger lifting to run alongside a small braid near the crown of his head. Techno turns to look at you, mumbling a thank you. 

You fall back clumsy, sprawling out on the couch again. Your feet land in his lap, but Techno doesn’t say anything about it. Instead, he goes back to reading. 

“Are you guys ready for dinner?” Philza calls out from the kitchen, and eventually walks into the living room after not getting a response. He blinks owlishly upon spotting Techno with braided hair and you lying out lazily. “Uh, guys?” He pauses, a knowing smirk forming. “The salmon is ready.” 

The food, a favorite of axolotls, has you springing forward with brilliant energy. You stumble over your feet, rushing to the kitchen. The two chuckle and follow you. The sight of your tail wagging quickly and piling up a plate sends them into a laughing fit. They’re certainly glad to have you around. You’ve made life more interesting and brighten their days with the simplest of actions. Not waiting another second, the pair join their friend at the table for a night full of joy and lively conversation.