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

In the Darkest Hour

In the Darkest Hour

The night was quiet, the only sounds in the room the soft rustle of the sheets and the steady rhythm of your breathing. The moonlight filtered through the curtains, casting a gentle glow over the bed where you and Arlecchino lay entwined, your bodies naturally gravitating toward each other even in sleep.

Your head rested on her shoulder, her arm draped protectively around your waist, while her other hand held yours, her fingers laced with yours. It was in these moments, when the world was quiet and still, that Arlecchino allowed herself to be vulnerable, to let go of the ever-present tension that accompanied her in her waking hours. Here, with you, she was safe.

But tonight, that safety was shattered.

In the midst of the peaceful night, a shadow crept into Arlecchino's dreams, turning them into a twisted nightmare. She was back on the battlefield, the air thick with smoke and the stench of blood. But this time, it was different. This time, you were there, right in the middle of it all.

She tried to reach you, to pull you away from the danger, but no matter how fast she ran, the distance between you seemed insurmountable. Then, suddenly, you were in her arms, but it was too late. The light in your eyes was fading, your life slipping away, and she was powerless to stop it.

"No," she whispered in her sleep, her voice trembling. "Please, don't leave me..."

Her body tensed beside you, her hold on you tightening to the point of pain. Her breathing became ragged, her heart pounding wildly in her chest as she clung to you, desperate to hold on, to keep you with her.

You stirred, slowly awakening to the sound of her distress. It took a moment for you to fully grasp what was happening, but when you did, your heart ached for her. You could feel the terror radiating from her, the way her body shook with the force of her nightmare.

"Arlecchino," you whispered, your voice soft and soothing as you gently cupped her cheek. "Wake up, love. I'm here. I'm okay."

But she didn't wake, the nightmare holding her in its cruel grip. A pained whimper escaped her lips, and your heart broke at the sound. You knew you had to pull her out of this, to remind her that you were safe, that this was just a dream.

"Arlecchino," you said more firmly, your thumb brushing over her cheek in a tender caress. "It's just a dream. I'm here with you. Please, wake up."

Her eyes fluttered open at last, wild and unfocused as she gasped for breath. It took a few seconds for her to realize where she was, to understand that she was no longer in that horrific dream. And then her eyes found yours, wide and filled with fear.

"Y-You're...you're alive," she breathed, her voice shaky and disbelieving. She reached up to touch your face, as if to reassure herself that you were real, that you were really there with her.

"I'm right here," you murmured, leaning into her touch. "It was just a nightmare, Arlecchino. I'm not going anywhere."

Tears welled up in her eyes, and before you knew it, she was pulling you into a desperate embrace, burying her face in your shoulder as she held you close. "I...I thought I lost you," she choked out, her voice breaking. "It felt so real...I couldn't...I couldn't save you."

You wrapped your arms around her, holding her as tightly as she held you. "You didn't lose me," you whispered into her hair, your voice steady and comforting. "I'm right here, and I'm not going anywhere. I promise."

For a long time, she just held onto you, her body trembling as the remnants of the nightmare slowly faded. You continued to whisper soothing words, your hand running through her hair in a gentle, repetitive motion, grounding her in the present.

Eventually, her breathing evened out, her grip on you loosening just slightly as she pulled back to look at you. There was a vulnerability in her eyes that you rarely saw, a raw emotion that she usually kept hidden beneath layers of strength and control.

"I'm sorry," she whispered, her voice barely audible. "I didn't mean to...to break down like that."

"Don't apologize," you replied, shaking your head. "You don't have to be strong all the time, Arlecchino. Not with me. You can let go, you can be vulnerable. I'm here for you, just like you're always here for me."

She looked at you for a long moment, as if searching for something in your eyes. Then, with a small, shaky smile, she leaned in to press a soft kiss to your forehead. "Thank you," she murmured, her lips lingering against your skin. "For being here. For...for loving me."

You smiled back at her, reaching up to cup her face in your hands. "Always," you whispered, brushing a tender kiss across her lips. "Now, let's get some rest. I'll be right here with you."

Arlecchino nodded, a hint of relief in her eyes as she settled back down beside you. This time, it was her who rested her head on your shoulder, her arm draped across your waist as she nestled close. You held her gently, your fingers stroking through her hair as you whispered soothing words until you felt her begin to relax.

As sleep began to claim her once more, she murmured your name, a soft plea for reassurance that you were still there. You pressed a kiss to the top of her head, whispering back, "I'm here, Arlecchino. I'm not going anywhere. I'm with you, always."

And this time, when she drifted off to sleep, the nightmare didn't return. Instead, she slept peacefully, the warmth of your embrace a constant reminder that no matter what her dreams may bring, in reality, she would never lose you.