The little girl, wrapped in bandages, walked silently beside the taller, tan man. He had introduced himself simply as Cyno, and the girl appreciated the quiet companionship. Four days had passed since they left Mondstadt, and though the girl was unaware of their destination, she sensed its importance from Cyno's unwavering vigilance. As they trekked through the dense forests of Sumeru, sharp sticks from the forest floor poked through the worn soles of her shoes, stabbing painfully at her feet. Despite the discomfort, she didn't utter a sound, determined to endure the journey without complaint.
"We're here." Cyno mumbled to the girl. They approach a cozy village.
...
The little girl, introduced as Collei, sits quietly at Tighnari's dining table, her eyes fixed on her hands. She strains to catch snippets of the conversation in the next room, her heart pounding with each muffled word.
"You know how much I love you, Cyno, but you can't bring a little girl here out of the blue!" Tighnari's voice, though hushed, carries a hint of frustration.
"I'm sorry, Tigh. I didn't know where else to go. You were the only person I thought of." Cyno's reply is equally quiet, tinged with desperation.
Despite the low volume, Collei picks up on the tension, her fingers fidgeting nervously on the table.
The conversation gradually fades as Tighnari returns to the dining room, with Cyno following close behind. Tighnari takes a seat next to Collei, ensuring he maintains a distance from her.
"Hey Collei, my name is Tighnari. I'm a doctor. I hear you're not feeling well," he says, offering a sweet smile. However, Collei remains wary.
Anyone will say anything to gain your trust, only to cut you down.
Collei's face is glued to her fingers, now gripping the table tightly. She's determined to remain silent, hoping Tighnari will get the hint and give up.
"Can I take those bandages off so I can see what's going on?" Tighnari asks, slowly reaching for Collei's arm.
"No!" Collei quickly backs away from Tighnari, tumbling off the chair in the process. "I'm sorry..." Her voice is barely above a whisper as she clutches her arms to her chest.
Tighnari and Cyno exchange worried glances, the air thick with concern. Tighnari takes a deep breath, then crouches down to Collei's level, keeping a respectful distance.
"It's okay, Collei," Tighnari says softly, his voice gentle and soothing. "I won't touch the bandages if you don't want me to. I'm here to help, but we'll go at your pace."
Cyno steps closer, his expression calm but serious. "You're safe here, Collei. No one will hurt you."
Collei's shoulders slightly relax at the two men's words, but her guard remains up. Her eyes stay fixed on them nonetheless. "You've had a long journey," Tighnari says as he stands and makes his way to the kitchen. "How about you eat and get some rest? We can do more tomorrow."
Collei looks to Cyno who gives her a nod. "... Sure."
...
Collei stayed fixed in a corner of the dining room while Tighnari cooked. The two men talked and joked, seemingly oblivious to her presence. It was almost as if she could disappear. That feeling was short-lived, however. Tighnari approached the table with a pot of soup, with Cyno closely following, carrying three bowls and three spoons.
Tighnari set the pot down gently, the steam rising and filling the room with a comforting aroma. "I hope you like radish veggie soup, Collei," he said with a warm smile. "It's one of my specialties."
Cyno placed the bowls on the table, arranging them neatly. "Come join us, Collei. You need to eat something after such a long journey."
Collei hesitated, her eyes flickering to the door and back to the table. The inviting smell of the soup made her stomach growl softly.
Tighnari noticed her reluctance and pulled out a chair, giving her plenty of space. "You can sit wherever you feel comfortable. We just want to make sure you're eating well."
Collei slowly moved from her corner, her steps tentative. She took the seat furthest from the men, her eyes downcast. Cyno filled her bowl first, then served Tighnari and himself.
Collei watches closely as Cyno and Tighnari eagerly dig into their bowls of soup. She reasons that if they're eating from the same pot without hesitation, it surely can't be poisoned. Tentatively, she takes a small sip, letting the warmth of the soup seep through her, soothing her from the inside. The comforting aroma and the gentle heat almost coax a smile onto her lips, but Collei stubbornly fights it back. Why let her guard down now, even over something as simple as soup? Her moment of pleasure is a private victory, reluctantly acknowledged even to herself.
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Please don't say you love me || Genshin impact Collei angst
Fanfiction"Unclean girl!" "Touched by the deev!" "Impure!" Wandering from town to town, not setting any roots down, that's how Collei survives. Everyone thinks she's unclean. At least, that's what she believes. Her time in Mondstadt has come to an end and s...
