Genshin Impact Self-Insert shorts

One mission, beneath moonlight

For this story, I recommend listening to the song "Love Story" by Indila for further immersion. 

We're on a mission to find one of the 11 Fatui harbingers, thus we dressed in elegant nightgowns and infiltrated their annual ball. I am wearing a long silk dress (or) a firm suit drenched in colors of deep and rich red. My companion, Diluc, in a black suit. It's a masquerade ball, my mask covers my eyes whilst his only half his face. As we stood before the entrance, i take a glance to my left and see my partner as moonlight hugs his outlines beautifully. His face stern and serious, not bothering to reciprocate my glance, instead fixates his on the guards.

"Just do what I do, I'm used to these settings" 

I nod confidentially yet seriously. Diluc and me have been going on several missions together, me as a _ vision holder, him a pyro user. A perfect match as people say. Indeed, we are partners in crime. Yet today's mission is bigger than anything we have ever done, i can't help but feel my nerves get a hold of me as we pass the guards. Diluc then notices my ever so slight trembling as I hold onto his arm. We are now in the center of the room, filled with guests in gorgeous gowns dancing away to the sweet tunes of elegance. Just, breath. You've got this y/n.

I feel him severing our physical bond as he takes a step before me. Softly, reaching out his hand towards me. There isn't a single word exchanged, only our mutual gaze. I didn't expect this, not from my ever so serious companion Diluc. Mr. Ragnvindr is known for never letting lose nor casting jokes, so this indeed, has caught me off guard. I reciprocate his invite with delight, as the song changes to one I indeed recognize, Love Story by Indila, a classic. 

He pulls me closer towards him and we begin to dance. His hand and body guiding me elegantly, spinning around each other as we enjoy the moment. For a split second, I could have sworn I saw a smile across his face. As he pulls me closer one more time, I hear his low and soothing voice echo in my mind, his words striking: 

"I didn't get a chance to say this yet, but you do look different than usual." 

Uhm okay, now what's that supposed to mean, I ask him in confusion. Is he making fun of me, now, at this time? He ever so slightly chuckles. 

"You look good, y/n, I am complimenting you."

Huh? Okay didn't expect that, wow. I know he holds a pyro vision, I didn't know he could make cheeks burn up too. I swiftly thank him and avert my gaze, not being able to withhold his much longer. He itches closer to me, his face beside mine. 

"The subject is watching us, act in a normal fashion."

Oh right, the mission. For a second I forgot why we're even here, if not to enjoy each other's company at a ball, wait what am I even thinking, he's my companion, nothing more. The warm feeling of his hand grabbing mine interrupts my train of thought as he slowly guides me through the crowd. 

"Follow me." he said. 

Where to, I wonder. But I don't mind, as long as he's around. When he is, I feel safe. As does he, we protect each other. Once the crowds voices silence, all I'm able to hear are his footsteps guiding me further into the unknown. We enter a door which leads to the garden of this big residence. It is a beautiful sight. Yet all I can fixate myself on, is the mane of red before me, the broad shoulders and firm hand around mine. He hasn't let go yet? Even in a dark night like this, with but little amounts of moonlight coming through, his red burns brighter than ever. We stop in front of a small fountain. 

"Better, isn't it? I'm not the biggest admirer of such crowds, neither are you, am I mistaken?" 

I chuckle, "No indeed, you are right, I prefer being in lonesome with you, actually." 

I freeze up, wait, this can be taken very wrongly. Or actually, I fear he'd take it the right way, I don't want him to know this. That I want to spend time alone with him like this. He averts my gaze. It's hard to tell in the lighting given, but it appears as if his cheek was ever so slightly tinted in a soft shade of red. 

"We've been dancing quite a bit, your ankles must be exhausted, why won't we take a rest out here for the time being? The evening is still far from ending after all."

I nod my head as we sit down by the fountain. A night like this, reminds me of how we first met. Or rather, how I met the 'Dark Night Hero', beating up Fatuis around Mondstadt, which should have been MY daily quest. I got angry at him for stealing it from me, so naturally, I picked a fight. Yet, he didn't take me seriously, said something about needing to tend more important matters and blah blah rich boy talk. It pissed me off, but as I got paired with him in an adventure group, I knew I needed to try and get along with him. Surprisingly enough, we had much in common, indeed, i enjoyed his company. I chuckle to myself.

"Is something the matter, y/n?"

"No, nothing. I just remembered the first time we met actually!"

"Why are you thinking about that of all times right now? You never changed, still as unique as ever."

As I already fired up to defend myself, I stopped when seeing his expression. Rather than annoyance, I saw gentleness. Why is it today from all days, I get to see a completely different side to him? A few seconds of silence pass as he tends to speak again. 

"I'm glad we did. I never told you why I decided to go adventuring again, now did I?"

Curiously, I shake my head. I inch closer to him and ask him to continue.

"Well, you see.." as he's talking, he's tending something to the side of him, can't quite make it out though.

"That day we met, I couldn't get it out of my head. You're one of few to dare talk to me in such vulgar ways, it surprised me. One day, I saw you by the adventure guild, figured you're one yourself, an adventurer that is. I wanted there to be a second meeting, so I joined."

Huh? No way, wait, what is he talking about? I look at him, still confused. He now turns back to me, itching closer and putting his hand close to my ear, sticking something inside my hair.

"Don't be scared y/n, it's just a _, you're favorite flower, as I recall."

I blush, he remembered this? But I only told him this fleetingly during one of our missions.. I grab his hand, keeping it from leaving my cheek.

"Why did you want a second meeting..why did you stay with me for so long.. if it's not your style of work?.."

My eyes fixed downwards.

"Do you really have to further ask?.. Because of you, y/n, I don't get fond of people easily, however, you always made me feel a sense of home, belonging, a feeling I missed dearly."

He pulls my face up to face his.

"I'll make sure to stay by your side, keeping my promise to protect you."

I further lean towards his hand and feel my face burn up.

"..Me too, I'll keep the promise."  I say with a shaken hoarse voice.

Before I could continue talking, his lips were pressed against mine. Enjoying this fleeting moment together, whilst moonlight now fully engulfs our silhouettes. After a bit, we part, ever so slowly, ever so gently. 

"Thank you, partner." 

We make our way back, to finish this mission ahead of us, together, as a team.