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

A Secret Wound

A Secret Wound

The moon hung high in the night sky, casting an ethereal glow over the rugged landscape. The mission had been long and grueling, each step through the dense forest and rocky terrain taking its toll on you and Arlecchino. As members of the Fatui, you were no strangers to danger, but this particular task had pushed both of you to your limits.

The target—a high-ranking resistance leader—had been more elusive than expected, forcing you and Arlecchino to track him deep into enemy territory. After a tense battle, you had finally managed to corner him and complete the mission, but not without a cost. In the heat of the fight, you had taken a blow meant for Arlecchino, a sharp blade slicing through your side.

But with the mission still hanging in the balance, you had pushed through the pain, refusing to let your injury slow you down. You knew that if Arlecchino noticed, she would insist on stopping everything to take care of you, risking the success of the mission. So, you bit your lip, clenching your teeth against the pain, and did your best to hide the wound.

Now, with the mission finally completed and the target neutralized, you allowed yourself to breathe a sigh of relief. The two of you had retreated to a small, secluded clearing, where you could rest for a moment before making the journey back to headquarters.

Arlecchino stood a few feet away, her gaze fixed on the distant horizon as she surveyed the area one last time, ensuring that there were no lingering threats. You leaned against a tree, your hand pressed to your side in a futile attempt to stem the bleeding. The pain was growing worse by the minute, but you kept your face neutral, unwilling to let Arlecchino see your weakness.

But she was far too perceptive to be fooled for long.

As she turned back to you, her sharp eyes narrowed, sensing that something was off. "Are you alright?" she asked, her tone casual but laced with concern.

You forced a smile, hoping it would be enough to convince her. "I'm fine," you replied, your voice steady despite the pain. "Just a little tired."

Arlecchino's gaze lingered on you, and for a moment, you thought she might accept your answer. But then, her eyes dropped to the hand you had pressed against your side, and her expression darkened.

"Show me," she said, her voice low and commanding.

You hesitated, trying to think of a way to deflect, but the stern look in her eyes told you that there was no point in arguing. With a sigh, you slowly moved your hand away from your side, revealing the blood-soaked fabric beneath. The wound wasn't deep, but it was enough to have you reeling.

Arlecchino's eyes widened, and before you could say anything, she was at your side, her hands gently but firmly pushing aside the fabric to get a better look at the wound. "Why didn't you tell me?" she demanded, her voice shaking slightly with a mix of anger and worry.

"I didn't want to distract you," you admitted, wincing as her fingers brushed against the wound. "The mission was more important."

Her expression softened, but there was still a hint of frustration in her eyes as she met your gaze. "You are more important," she said quietly, her voice filled with an intensity that left no room for doubt.

You opened your mouth to protest, but she cut you off with a look that silenced any argument. "Sit down," she ordered, her tone brooking no refusal. "I need to take care of this before it gets any worse."

You obeyed, lowering yourself onto the ground as Arlecchino knelt beside you. Her hands were surprisingly gentle as she worked, carefully cleaning the wound and applying a makeshift bandage from the supplies she always kept on hand. Her usual confidence and control were still there, but beneath it, you could sense the worry she was trying to hide.

"I'm sorry," you murmured, feeling a pang of guilt as you watched her work. "I didn't want to make things harder for you."

Arlecchino paused, her eyes softening as she looked up at you. "You never make things harder for me," she said quietly, her voice filled with a tenderness that she rarely showed. "But you have to let me take care of you, just like you take care of me."

You nodded, swallowing past the lump in your throat. "I know," you whispered, reaching out to take her hand. "I'll do better next time."

She squeezed your hand, her eyes holding yours for a long moment. "Good," she said softly, her voice warm. "Because I can't lose you. Not now, not ever."

The weight of her words hung in the air between you, and you felt your heart swell with emotion. In this harsh world where both of you had to be strong, moments like these—where you could be vulnerable with each other—were rare and precious.

Once she was satisfied that the bandage would hold, Arlecchino helped you to your feet, her arm slipping around your waist to support you. "Let's get you back to headquarters," she said, her voice gentle but firm. "You need proper care, and rest."

You nodded, leaning into her as the two of you began the slow trek back. The pain was still there, but it was dulled by the warmth of her embrace, by the way she held you close as if she could shield you from the world itself.

As you walked through the quiet night, the two of you fell into a comfortable silence, the only sounds the soft rustle of leaves beneath your feet and the distant call of a night bird. And though the mission had been difficult, and the wound you bore was painful, in this moment, with Arlecchino by your side, you felt a deep sense of peace.

You would heal, and you would face whatever challenges came your way. Because you knew, without a doubt, that no matter what happened, you had each other. And that was all that mattered.