The Eternal Chase | Dainsleif x reader

~A Foxy Invitation~

Staring at the sight before you of the castle of Inazuma, you wondered what the point of everything was now. You were back to square one but this time, Sandrone officially wanted nothing to do with you.

"Dain..." you whispered, feeling so dejected that you were ready to give up.

Thinking back when you had talked to Zhongli, you started to wonder if he knew that things would turn out this way. That could have been why he didn't want you to look for Dain and made a contract to you. Maybe he was simply trying to spare you from the pain.

Sitting down on the brick wall, you hugged your legs and rested your head on your knee - you were sure you likely looked like a crazy person. At this point you just didn't know what to do. It seemed to be the time for you to realize that your madness for him costed you a lot. You had tried to hold onto the hope but, the more time passed, the more you subconsciously realized how hopeless it was. Now you were here, all the more dejected.

Summoning your sword, you started to walk towards the ocean and held it out in a lancing throwing position. It was time for you to give up this hopeless dream. There wasn't any point anymore. The more you pushed, the more you would get hurt.

Tears running down your face as you stared at the blade, your memories of Dain kept rushing into your mind. The beautiful sapphire jem that embellished the hilt of the blade reminded of you Dain's eyes. Unsurprising as that was the reason why you got this sword. It reminded you of your old lovers beauty.

"Why!" You screamed your heart out as you clench the hilt of your sword even harder. "Why can't I forget you!"

Dropping to your knees, you hugged the sword to your chest and continued to sob, heartbroken from the endless suffering you had to go through.

"You're nothing more than a curse," you took the sword and stabbed it into the dock.

"Do you really think that's going to solve anything?" A chimelike voice called out.

Turning your head back, you saw the familiar pink hair of Yae Miko, the friend and companion of the Raiden Shogun herself. Staring at her, you didn't reply knowing that she would have a lot to say about you acting in such an embarrassing way.

"Imagine if he saw you like this. I wonder how he would react," Yae Miko sarcastically giggled. "He wouldn't want this for you."

"Then what else am I supposed to do," you snapped back, anger lacing your tone. "I've searched for him for so long yet here I am, back to the start without any leads at all."

"First calm yourself," Yae Miko crossed her arms, disappointment painting her face. "Then ask others."

Ask others.

Those two words rang through your mind as you were hit with a shock of reality. Thoughts raced through your mind as you remembered everyone who had talked to you through your adventures. They had all offered to help yet you ignored it. Was that the answer to all your problems?

Looking up at the fox lady that you had learned to love you asked, "Then do you by any chance know where Dain is?"

"I thought you'd never ask," she sighed with a pitying smile.

She held out her hand to help you up, sleeves swaying with each movement. Her soft, smooth hands met your own callused hands as she stepped back to pull you up. Pulling you into her chest, she hugged you and patted your back to comfort you.

Wiping your tears, you released yourself from her hug and gratefully smiled, "Thank you Miko."

"Now enough of this sentimentality," Miko waved you off. "Follow me. Let's head towards the shrine. You'll find your answer there."

Walking with her up the mountain towards the Grand Narukami Shrine, the two of you caught up with each other as you haven't seen each other for a year. Many things had happened in each of your lives and you were glad to hear that Ei, or also known as Raiden Shogun, had started accepting virtues outside of what she knew. She now understood that eternity is something that may be attempted but not accepted. The world naturally changes and nothing can be done to change that.

Yae Miko on the other hand has been making her Publishing House boom even more since you last saw her. The Yae Publishing House is now known all across Teyvat and many had come to Inazuma just to meet her. A stunning accomplishment and memorable achievement.

"Almost there," Yae Miko continued her steps steadily while you huffed from the many flights of stairs that you had to climb - it was quite the exercise.

"How are you so unaffected by this," you huffed, annoyed with just how many stairs you had to rush up just to keep up with the pink-haired fox.

"How are you so affected by this," Miko rolled her eyes as she continued to climb up, ignoring her pleas of asking her to slow down.

Soon enough, the two of you made it up to the Shrine with her laughing with how exhausted you looked.

"Sorry I don't have your superhuman stamina," you crossed your arms, annoyed with how much fun she seemed to be having.

"Maybe then you should work more on increasing your stamina. If this is how tired you are after these steps, I wonder how tired you are after your nights with Dain," she chuckled, full well knowing that she hit a mark on you.

"MIKO!" You shouted, your face tomato red in embarrassment.

"Why don't you explain to me your nights with him? It should be good content for some future novels in my publishing house."

"Stop! Miko-" you cried out, all the more flustered from this moment.

You couldn't help but think back on the times that you had Dain and done it. It was quite an experience that you were sure you could describe it without missing anything. Quickly realizing what was going in your mind, you immediately shook your head to remove all the thoughts from flowing through your brain.

"We should have some tea sometime and you can tell me more," Yae Miko gave her usual smile, a sadistic smile that you couldn't help but fear.

"Miko!"

~~~~~

Hehe