Experimental Genshin Oneshots

A Classic Valentine Disaster (Aerina)

Ah, Valentine's day. A wondrous holiday, one where sweets are shared, bonds are reinforced, new ones are made, and most of all, happiness becomes an abundant feeling in the air. Furina's relationship with the holiday had always been an unusual one. During her time as Hydro Archon, she was always bombarded with dozens of gifts, sweets, and most abundantly chocolate. While she always made sure to thank the ones who gave her the gifts, she's never felt a sense of true connection through them. Sure, she's grateful, but it felt impersonal, as if they were given as an obligation, tributes to her status rather than tokens of affection. 

However, things were much different now.

This year, she had no palace staff arranging the gifts, no horde of fans waiting in line to give her gifts in order to impress, or idolize her. This time, she's a normal human, living in a small, yet humble abode. Sure the workshop next door can get a little loud at times, but she couldn't be happier. 

The biggest change however, was the relationships she had built with the Traveler. Aether.

He had been the one to bring her back from the brink, the one who stood by her side and watched her recover from her 500 year long role, the one who made her feel things she had never felt before.

So of course, what better opportunity to show her gratitude other than Valentine's day? Of course, you can't go wrong with some cake but there was just one small problem. 

She had no idea how to bake.

Sure, she can cook up a pretty exquisite batch of macaroni, but she has never baked anything before. Hell, she's probably never touched an oven before. But of course, as she stared down the ingredients that were in front of her, there was only one thought on her mind as she began.

"How hard can it be?"

If Furina had to describe her current living conditions, it would be a comfortable solitude. Away from the bustling noises of Palais Mermonia, and the mountains of paperwork. It had a comfortable silence that she found to love a lot.

However, that silence was now farther than the distance of Teyvat to Celestia. To be honest, she could give the workshop next door a run for it's noises. So what exactly was the cause?

Well, from flour decorating the walls with even a bit covering her from head to toe, egg shells scattered throughout the floor, and a total of 5 unsuccessful batches, it's safe to say this was shaping up to be a much bigger ordeal than she anticipated.

But of course, she wasn't going to let herself be defeated by something so mundane. If she was able to survive 500 years of suffering, surely she could even overcome the simple task of baking a cake.

And so, after a few more house redecorations and failed batches, she finally had a successful one, and now all she had to do was leave it in the oven to bake, and she will have what is hopefully a delectable cake.

Leaning against the counter, she allowed herself to imagine Aether's reactions. He'd be surprised, no, shocked that she had gone through all this effort. He'd take one bite and be absolutely speechless at how delicious it was, and no longer would he assume that she was incapable of cooking. 

She smirked, placing her hands on her hips. This was going to be perfect.

...Mere moments later, she heard a strange hissing sound, coming from the oven.

The sheer magnitude of confidence that she had suddenly vanished in the blink of an eye. 

"Wait, is it supposed to do that?"

As if it was providing an answer, a thick plume of smoke began curling out from the edges of the oven door.

"...Oh dear." She was going to be at it for a while.