Experimental Genshin Oneshots

One Year After Part 1(Aerina)

Aerina brainrot be hitting harder than an isekai truck hitting the main protagonist, so here's something i made to get it out of my system.

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Fontaine. A nation that was once on the brink of destruction. A prophecy lingered atop it, mocking those who wished to continue to live. However, thanks to the assistance of a wandering traveler, and the desires of the people of Fontaine, the nation managed to prevent a colossal disaster. While lives were lost however, the nation rose from it's flood, continuing to thrive.

This all happened one year ago.

Now, the traveler was inside the Palais Mermonia, and together with his bestest companion, and the Iudex of Fontaine, came up with a plan to celebrate Fontaine's survival. And to honor the one girl who made all of this possible.

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The day had started out normal for Furina. Wake up, cook another batch of macaroni while spending more than 15 minutes deciding on which sauce to use for the day, and she would continue from there. Today however, felt different. She looked over at the calendar on the wall, and came to a realization.

"One year, huh...." she murmured.

It had been one year since her masquerade as the Hydro Archon had ended. Ever since, a lot has happened in her life. She fell into a state of paralysis, was broken out of it by the traveler, was blessed with a vision during a play, and took a trip to other nations. It was evident to her that she was definitely using her freedom to the best of her abilities.

Sometimes, she does fall into depressive mood swings, but no matter what, the traveler always managed to get her out of it.

Oh, of course. How could she forget the traveler? Or Aether, as he preferred to be called when they were alone. The one who played such a pivotal role in the fate of Fontaine, the one who uncovered the truth from her... and the one who never treated her differently even after she took off her mask.

She sighed, standing up from her chair. "I should probably head out now. I've spent enough time indoors," she muttered.

However, before she could move, a knock at the door snapped her out of her thoughts.

"Furina? You awake?" A familiar voice called out from the other side.

Aether.

She turned towards the door, smoothing down the ruffles on her dress before opening it. As if she was possessed, or a mysterious force was pushing her from behind, she tackled him into a hug.

"Aether! It's good to see you!"

Aether stumbled back slightly, caught off guard by the sudden embrace. After a moment of surprise, a soft chuckle escaped her lips, and he wrapped his arms around her in return.

"It's good to see you too, Furina," he said, warmth in his voice. "Missed me that much?"

Paimon, floating beside them, placed her hands on her hips. "Jeez, Furina! You act like it's been forever! We just saw each other a few days ago!"

Furina huffed, pulling back slightly but keeping her hand on Aether's arms. "A few days is along time! Besides, what if I had collapsed from sheer boredom? Who would've saved me then?" She said, while looking up at Aether expectantly.

Aether raised an amused brow. "Sheer boredom, huh? That does sound like a grave emergency."

Paimon rolled her eyes. "Paimon thinks you're being a little dramatic."

Furina scoffed, dramatically placing her hand over her forehead. "Dramatic? I'll have you know that my suffering was very real!"

Aether chuckled. "Well, we might have just the thing for you."

Furina perked up, lowering her hand and tilting her head slightly. "Oh?"

Paimon puffed up her chest proudly. "Mhm! We came to invite you to a party at the Opera Epiclese!"

Furina's eyes widened slightly. "A party?"

"It's meant to be a celebration. It's been one year since Fontaine survived the flood, so we proposed to Neuvillette that we should organize a festival to celebrate."

Furina tilted her head, considering the invitation. "A celebration, you say... That does make sense. It has been a year since everything happened, after all."

"So, what do you say?"

There was no response for a while, and Aether noticed that her expression shifted. Her playful confidence faded, and a more thoughtful expression shifted. She lowered her gaze, her fingers idly fiddling with the hem of her sleeve.

"....Are you sure it's alright for me to go?" she asked, her voice quieter than before.

Aether's smile faltered slightly. "What do you mean?"

Furina exhaled, looking off to the side. "Even if Fontaine managed to survive last year's catastrophe, I still wasn't able to save those who are now lost. In the end, you and Neuvillette were the true heroes of the nation."

Paimon blinked. "H-hey, what are you talking about?"

"...Do i truly have a place at this celebration?"

Aether frowned, stepping closer. "Furina...."

She wasn't looking at him. Instead, her eyes were fixed on her hands, as if searching for the answer within her own grasp.

Aether hesitated for a moment before reaching out, gently taking her hands in his. The sudden warmth made Furina's breath hitch slightly.

"Furina," he began. "I'd be repeating myself if I just list off the ways you saved Fontaine from destruction, so instead I'll say this. You once told me that you would choose to enjoy your newfound freedom. That while you had a past full of nothing but pain, you would carry it as a part of you. You didn't run away from it, and you instead used it to help you grow. So face it head on. And if you ever doubt your place in this nation..." he trailed off, before he placed a hand on her cheek. Her face became red as a result, but he continued regardless.

"I'll remind you again as many times as I have too," Aether said firmly. "Because without you, none of us would be here."

Paimon nodded enthusiastically. "Yeah! You fought for Fontaine in your own way! If it weren't for you, we never would've learned the truth in the first place!"

Furina's lips parted slightly, but she didn't speak.

"You love this nation, don't you?" Aether asked.

"...Of course I do," she murmured.

"Then that's all that matters." Aether smiled at her, his grip unwavering. "This celebration is for everyone who made Fontaine's future possible. Including you."

For a moment, she simply stared at him. Then, slowly, she let out a small laugh, and placed one of her hands on his face.

"You really do have a way with words," she said, shaking her head.

Paimon grinned. "That means you're coming, right?"

Furina sighed, but there was a ghost of a smile on her lips. "....Yes, I'll come."

"Good." Aether lifted his hand onto her hair, and began moving it back and forth. "We'll be waiting for you."

A wide smile decorated her face, as she leaned her head into his touch. And though doubt still lingered in her heart, she couldn't help but feel a little lighter.