Archons x male reader
Candle lights flicker, rain drops onto the ground.
7 souls captured in the heart of darkness.
The candle, extinguished.
Credit to the artist who drew the art in the story cover.
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The midday sun filtered through the grand windows of the mansion’s dining hall, casting soft, golden light onto the long wooden table where the archons and Y/n gathered for their first meal together in their old home. The air was thick with a mix of nostalgia and new beginnings, the weight of countless centuries hanging unspoken in the space between them. This mansion had once been a sanctuary for the archons, a place filled with memories of old battles, plans, and companionship. Now, after hundreds of thousands of years, it felt like they were truly returning home—but with something, or rather someone, new and precious added to their lives: Y/n.
The table was laden with food. Mavuika had outdone herself with the cooking, assisted by Y/n, who had taken it upon himself to contribute as much as possible. The array of dishes, from fresh bread to hearty soups, reflected both the archons' long history and Y/n’s more recent, human touch. Everyone sat down in their usual spots, though these seats felt new in a way, as if they had been waiting all this time for Y/n to join them.
As they dug into their food, the conversation flowed casually.
"This place hasn’t changed at all," Venti said, smiling as he twirled his spoon around his fingers before taking a bite of soup. "It’s almost like we never left, except… well, it doesn’t feel empty anymore."
Y/n blushed slightly, feeling the weight of the attention on him, but smiled in return. "I can’t believe how big it is. It must’ve been lonely here without anyone else for so long."
Zhongli, sitting with his usual grace, nodded. "The mansion stood in time as we did. It was designed to endure, just as we were. But yes, the absence of life within these walls was always… a lingering ache." His golden eyes turned toward Y/n, softening. "You have filled this place with something far greater than we could ever have imagined."
Y/n glanced down at his plate, his heart swelling with warmth. "I’m glad I could help. It feels like home already." He reached for a slice of bread, buttering it quietly, before continuing. "It’s strange to think this place has existed for so long, just waiting for all of you to return. And now… I’m part of it."
"Part of it?" Raiden scoffed, though her tone was light. "You are the heart of it now. This home wouldn’t be the same without you."
Venti snickered. "Oh, don’t make him blush more than he already is."
Y/n, cheeks already tinted pink, shot Venti a playful glare. "I’m not blushing!"
Mavuika laughed softly from across the table. "Oh, but you are," she teased gently. "And it suits you."
Y/n smiled at that, the warmth of their affection wrapping around him like a comforting blanket. It was hard to believe that, not too long ago, these beings—these demons, these ancient archons—had been sealed away, their only company the cold, unmoving world around them. Now, here they were, sitting together, sharing a simple lunch in a mansion that had stood through countless ages. The weight of it all made Y/n’s heart feel both light and heavy at the same time.
