Dear (Genshin Impact X Reader)

Wish (Dainsleif)

From the moment he could perceive the world around him, Soma knew that life was difficult. Especially the world he had the misfortune to grow up in, because according to his parents the darkness and danger that was commonplace now was something that merely lurked behind the scenes during the time before he was born.

There was still danger no matter what era one is living in, but the era he grew up in is the most dangerous one. Dainsleif, his brooding yet ever thoughtful father said so, having lived for centuries and being witness to many major happenings within their world over the years.

"As long as we have each other...there is no other place I'd rather be," his mother would always say as she presses her soft lips against the skin of his forehead.

Despite the darkness that had tainted their world, there is still light to be found even if it was only within the farthest corners and the smallest cracks. In his mother's arms and beneath his father's gaze, Soma felt the safest and happiest.

But sadly, the Abyss Order was relentless in their pursuit. Years of running and hiding could only keep them safe for so long.

"I'll hold them off. Take our son and run as far as you can! Forget about me and keep on living! That's an order!"

Soma's baby blue eyes were wide as he gazed in horror at the sight of Dainsleif being swarmed by a squadron of Abyss Heralds, the boughkeeper's figure getting farther and farther as his mother carried him away.

He doesn't know how long they ran, he doesn't remember how he even fell asleep. The blonde only remembers waking up on a small cot, lying next to you who looked exhausted and unkempt as you slept. He remembers asking if his father will meet up with you both later, only for you to burst in tears and embrace him tightly.

"Papa...Papa won't be home for a long time, baby. But...he did his best for the both of us..."

The next several years of Soma's life consisted of training with the Resistance, aiming to one day topple down the Abyss Order that took Teyvat hostage for several years now. He is filled with not just a thirst for vengeance and righteous fury, but also a sincere wish to end tyranny and prevent the tragedy that befell his family from ever happening to any other hapless child.

On the day of their planned final attack, he stood before you, a young man of eighteen who was the spitting image of your late husband. His body is bent forward so as to more easily reach your height while you placed a familiar dark mask with royal blue accents upon his face.

"He'll watch over you for me. I know it," despite the obvious tears that gathered at the corners of your eyes, not a single drop fell as you kissed Soma's forehead.

"I'll come back to you, Ma. I promise." He holds the hands that cradle his face, committing to memory of their warmth and tenderness.

Those words were the last ones he managed to tell you before setting off, ebony cape fluttering as he spun away from you and joined the rest of the warriors that made up the Resistance.

If only he knew that he wouldn't be able to honor his own words.

The Abyss Order proved too strong and every plan they prepared resulted in failure. Soma knew his time had come as he lay on the cold hard ground, his comrades either dead around him or fruitlessly fighting in a last ditch effort to survive. A glowing hydro blade rested on his neck, ready to end his life at any moment.

Rather than resist, he opted to accept his death with dignity. The young man stared at his would-be-killer, the frozen Abyss Herald seemingly prolonging his misery as if waiting for him to beg for his life.

"I'm sorry..." An all too familiar voice came from the Herald, one that the youth only remembers in his memories now.

Before he could react, Soma knew nothingness.

══════════════════

"Hey there, little guy. Are you lost?"

Large baby blue eyes blinked as their owner swiveled his head, taking in the sight of the dark sky twinkling with stars and heavenly bodies while a field of glowing dandelions surrounded his tiny body in the open field.

It takes the toddler a second before his eyes meet with yours, making you internally squeal at just how adorable this child looked. Platinum blonde hair, rich blue eyes, and those squishy cheeks just made you want to pinch them for days. You wondered which good-looking parents were blessed with this precious baby...

"Mama!"

"...Eh?"

And that is how you returned to the city with a toddler in tow.

"When did you get hitched? Well, even if it's late I'd like to congratulate you anyway."

"He's not—"

"Mama, eat! Foo'!"

"...I'll have a bowl of Cream Stew and Fragrant Mashed Potatoes"

"Coming right up! Why don't you take a seat with the little one while I prepare?"

Still carrying Soma (who happily introduced himself earlier after 'mistaking' you for his mother), you try to find an empty table only to find none. You scan the seats to see if any of your friends or acquaintances were there, hoping to borrow a seat at their table.

When your eyes catch sight of a certain brooding blonde gentleman, you make a beeline straight to him.

"Good evening, Master Dainsleif. I'm sorry if I disturbed you, but I wanted to ask if I may perhaps sit with you this fine night? There aren't any free tables as of now you see...but we'll definitely vacate your table when a free one becomes available."

The Bough Keeper lifts his gaze towards you, only to be met with a little face so eerily similar to his own that he has to blink several times to make sure he was seeing right.

"...Very well. If you don't mind my company, then I suppose you may take a seat here—"

"PAPA!"

The forgotten Soma who had been mostly silent finally spoke up, shouting so excitedly that his voice rang across the tavern and caught the attention of every other customer within the premises.

Beneath all the stares, never did you wish to be swallowed up by the ground more than this very moment. You could only hug the little boy and bury your face in his hair, fervently praying for Barbatos to just make you disappear in a poof of smoke while the little boy in question giggled at the gobsmacked expression on Dainsleif's face.