Harlequin Hearts // Arlecchino Genshin Impact x Female Reader One-Shots

Beneath the Mask

Beneath the Mask

The cold winds of Snezhnaya had become a familiar presence in your life, biting at your skin and leaving a constant chill in the air. But you had grown accustomed to it over the past few months, just as you had grown accustomed to the woman who now occupied your thoughts more often than not.

Arlecchino.

Since your first encounter, she had been a constant figure in your life—a shadow that lingered at the edge of your consciousness, a presence that seemed to grow stronger with each passing day. You had seen her ruthless side, her sharp mind and unyielding resolve. But you had also glimpsed something softer, something that she kept hidden beneath the cold exterior she presented to the world.

It was that hidden softness that intrigued you, that drew you closer to her with each interaction, each shared glance and word. You had found yourself seeking her out more often, lingering in her company longer than necessary, savoring the rare moments when she let her guard down, if only for a second.

And then there were the moments when she surprised you—like today.

You were in her private quarters, a rare privilege she had granted you after weeks of careful trust-building. The room was sparsely decorated, as if she had little interest in the trappings of luxury. But it was warm, a sharp contrast to the cold outside, and that warmth had a way of making you feel at ease, despite the tension that often accompanied her presence.

Arlecchino was seated across from you, her dark eyes fixed on you with an intensity that made your heart race. She had been watching you like that more and more lately, as if she were trying to figure you out, trying to decipher the emotions that had begun to stir between the two of you.

"What's on your mind?" you asked, your voice soft, breaking the comfortable silence that had settled between you.

She tilted her head slightly, considering your question before answering. "You," she said simply, her tone as smooth as ever, but there was a hint of something more beneath it—something almost tender.

Your breath caught in your throat at her words, your heart skipping a beat. You had learned that Arlecchino didn't say things she didn't mean. Every word, every sentence was carefully chosen, calculated for effect. So when she said something like this, you knew it wasn't a flippant remark.

"Oh?" you replied, trying to keep your voice steady, though you couldn't quite hide the smile tugging at the corners of your lips. "And what about me, exactly?"

Arlecchino's gaze never wavered, her eyes locking onto yours with a focus that made it hard to breathe. "You've been a distraction," she said, her voice low, carrying an edge of something that sent a shiver down your spine. "An intriguing one, but a distraction nonetheless."

You raised an eyebrow, leaning forward slightly, as if daring her to continue. "A distraction? That sounds serious. Should I be concerned?"

A small, almost imperceptible smile curved Arlecchino's lips—one of those rare expressions that she usually kept hidden. "Perhaps," she murmured, her voice dropping to a near whisper as she leaned closer to you, her eyes never leaving yours. "Or perhaps it's something else entirely."

Your heart was pounding in your chest, the air between you thick with unspoken tension. It was a game, a delicate dance that you had both been playing for weeks now, and you were beginning to realize just how dangerous it could be. But the danger only made it more exhilarating, more addictive.

"And what might that be?" you asked, your voice barely above a whisper, your eyes searching hers for any sign of what she was thinking, what she was feeling.

For a moment, Arlecchino said nothing, her eyes flickering with something you couldn't quite place—something that made your pulse quicken. Then, slowly, she reached out, her fingers brushing against yours in a touch that was both electrifying and tender. It was the first time she had initiated contact like this, and it sent a thrill of warmth through you.

"Something... unexpected," she finally said, her voice soft, almost vulnerable in a way you had never heard before. "I'm not used to this, you know."

Her admission took you by surprise, and you felt a pang of something like sympathy—though you knew better than to pity her. Arlecchino was too strong, too proud for that. But the fact that she was opening up to you, even in this small way, meant more to you than words could express.

"I'm not either," you admitted, your voice just as soft, your fingers curling around hers in a gentle grip. "But maybe... maybe we could figure it out together."

Arlecchino's eyes searched yours, as if trying to gauge your sincerity. You could see the conflict in her gaze—the struggle between her desire to keep her walls up and the growing feelings she couldn't quite ignore.

After a long moment, she gave a small nod, her expression softening ever so slightly. "Perhaps," she agreed, her voice barely more than a breath. "But I warn you—I don't do things halfway."

You couldn't help but smile at that, your heart swelling with affection for this complicated, guarded woman who had somehow captured your heart. "Neither do I," you whispered, leaning in closer, until your lips were just a breath away from hers.

For a moment, you both hesitated, the tension between you almost unbearable. Then, finally, Arlecchino closed the distance, her lips pressing against yours in a kiss that was both gentle and passionate, tender and hungry. It was a kiss that spoke of all the emotions she kept hidden, all the feelings she had been too afraid to acknowledge until now.

You kissed her back with equal fervor, your hands coming up to cup her face, to pull her closer. The warmth of her body against yours, the softness of her lips, the way she melted into the kiss—it all felt like coming home, like finding something you hadn't even known you were searching for.

When you finally pulled away, both of you were breathless, your foreheads resting against each other's as you tried to catch your breath. Arlecchino's eyes were closed, her expression soft, unguarded in a way you had never seen before. It was a rare moment of vulnerability, one that she was sharing with you, and it made your heart ache with affection.

"I think I could get used to this," you whispered, your voice filled with warmth as you stroked her cheek with your thumb.

Arlecchino opened her eyes, and you could see the flicker of a smile in them, though her expression remained as composed as ever. "I'm not sure I'll ever get used to it," she replied, her voice soft, her hand still intertwined with yours. "But I think I might like that."

You smiled at her words, leaning in to press another soft kiss to her lips. "Then let's take our time," you murmured, your voice filled with tenderness. "We don't have to figure everything out right away. We can just... be."

Arlecchino nodded, her hand tightening around yours as she rested her head against your shoulder, allowing herself to relax into your embrace. It was a small gesture, but it spoke volumes, and it made your heart swell with emotion.

For now, this was enough—this moment of peace, of connection, of love just beginning to blossom. The future might be uncertain, and the path ahead might be fraught with challenges, but you knew one thing for certain:

You were falling in love with Arlecchino, and she was falling for you too.

And that was all that mattered.