Genshin Impact: The Crit Archon

Noelle had spent the morning organizing the library, her usual dedication to her duties shining through as she carefully placed books in their rightful places. Finally a knight of Favonius, she had worked tirelessly to prove herself. Yet, there was still so much more she wanted to do. Today was no different; she was in the library, assisting Jeane and others, putting away books that had been scattered during a recent mission.

As she reached for a book on the top shelf, her chair started to wobble beneath her. Noelle frowned slightly; her heels were certainly not the most practical footwear for climbing chairs, but she liked to keep up appearances. Jeane, Lisa, and even Rosaria managed to fight and move with ease in their outfits—so she felt she should be able to do the same, even if it was a little tricky at times.

She leaned further into the chair, stretching her arms out to grab the book she needed. The chair, however, had other ideas and suddenly gave way beneath her. As she braced herself for the inevitable fall, expecting to land with a soft thud on the floor, something unexpected happened. The next moment, she felt herself being lifted into the air.

Noelle opened her eyes, surprised to find herself not on the floor but instead in a warm embrace. She blinked, her mind still catching up to the situation, before she looked up to see none other than Aether holding her in a princess carry.

Aether simply looked at her, a playful glint in his eyes, as he gently adjusted his hold on her. "You know you don't need to fall for me," he said with a smirk, clearly enjoying the moment.

Noelle's cheeks flushed a bright shade of red. Her hands instinctively gripped the front of his tunic, and she couldn't help but stammer, "I-I wasn't… I wasn't trying to fall…"

Aether blinked, surprised by the sudden surge of... well, charm? He wasn't expecting his words to have such an effect. And yet, there it was. He felt the familiar sensation of the Crit System activating in his mind.

[ Host has crit in charm. Host has crit in flirting. 1 million times crit effect has been activated. Critical hit Activated. ]

Aether blinked again, a little flustered. Wait, that can happen? he thought, staring down at Noelle, who was still in his arms.

Noelle looked up at him, clearly trying to hide her embarrassment, though the blush on her face gave her away. "Um, th-thank you, Aether. I— I didn't expect to be... caught like that."

Aether chuckled softly, his voice smooth and warm. "It's no problem, Noelle. You should be more careful next time." He gently set her down, but he still kept his hands on her shoulders for a moment, steadying her.

Noelle stood, trying to collect herself. "I—I will be more careful, thank you," she said, avoiding eye contact as she straightened her outfit. She felt her heart racing a little faster than usual, a feeling she wasn't quite used to. Aether's presence, his calm and reassuring demeanor, seemed to make everything else fade into the background.

As she finally looked up at him, she noticed the slight smirk on his face. Is he teasing me? she wondered, unsure how to feel.

Aether, for his part, was trying to suppress a grin. I didn't mean to do that, but... He was still processing the fact that his flirting—however unintended—had somehow activated the Crit System in a way he hadn't expected.

Noelle straightened up. "I… I'll finish up here, Aether. I'm sure you're busy."

Aether nodded, stepping back, though his gaze lingered on her for just a moment longer than necessary. "Take care, Noelle. If you need any help, just let me know." He gave her a warm, reassuring smile before turning to leave.

As he walked away, Noelle's mind raced. Did that really just happen? She looked down at her hands, still tingling from the brief touch of Aether's grip. She shook her head, trying to focus on the task at hand.

But no matter how hard she tried, she couldn't shake the feeling that her heart was beating a little faster whenever Aether was around.

Noelle sat down at one of the tables in the library, her hands still slightly trembling from the interaction. She tried to focus on the books in front of her, organizing them into neat stacks, but every so often, her thoughts would wander back to Aether. The way he had held her—gently, with such ease—and how effortlessly he made everything feel so... natural.

"Get a grip, Noelle," she muttered to herself, shaking her head. "It's not like he meant anything by it. He just helped you. That's all."

But deep down, she knew that wasn't entirely true. There was something in the way he smiled, the way his eyes lingered on her for just a second longer than necessary. It was hard to ignore the warmth in her chest whenever she thought about it.

As she continued to work, lost in her thoughts, she didn't hear the footsteps approaching from behind. The soft voice of Lisa broke through her reverie.

"Ah, Noelle, deep in thought, I see," Lisa said, a teasing lilt in her voice.

Noelle jumped slightly, her heart skipping a beat as she turned around to see Lisa standing there, an amused expression on her face.

"L-Lisa!" Noelle stammered, flustered. "I—I wasn't daydreaming, I was just... organizing the books."

Lisa raised an eyebrow, clearly not convinced. "Oh? Is that why your face is so red?"

Noelle's hand shot up to her cheeks, realizing that her face was, indeed, burning. "I-I'm fine! I'm just... a little warm, that's all."

Lisa's smirk grew. "Well, if you say so. But I know you, Noelle. You can't fool me." She leaned closer, lowering her voice. "It's because of Aether, isn't it?"

Noelle's eyes widened in surprise. "W-What? No! I—I don't know what you mean!" she protested, her words tripping over one another.

Lisa simply laughed, her tone light but knowing. "Noelle, darling, it's quite obvious. He catches you in a princess carry, and now you're flustered every time his name is mentioned. You don't need to be shy about it."

Noelle opened her mouth to protest further, but the words died in her throat. Lisa was right. She couldn't deny it. Every time she thought about Aether, her heart raced a little faster. And despite herself, she felt a small smile tug at the corners of her lips.

"I... I don't know what to think, Lisa," Noelle admitted, her voice quieter now. "He's just so kind, and... strong. I don't know why he's so nice to me."

Lisa tilted her head, her expression softening. "Noelle, I've seen the way he looks at you. You may not realize it, but I think he sees something in you. Something special. You don't need to overthink it."

Noelle felt a warmth spread through her at Lisa's words. "Do you really think so?"

Lisa nodded, her usual teasing demeanor replaced by something a little more serious. "I do. But remember, Noelle, don't rush things. Take your time. Let things happen naturally."

Noelle sat back in her chair, her mind spinning. Let things happen naturally, she thought to herself. That seemed like the best approach. She didn't want to rush into anything, especially not with someone like Aether. He was a hero, someone who had seen and done so much. She was just... Noelle. A knight who still had so much to prove.

But as she thought about him, about the way he had held her, the way he smiled at her, she couldn't help but feel a little hopeful.

Later that day, after finishing her work in the library, Noelle found herself wandering through Mondstadt. The sun was beginning to set, casting a warm golden glow over the city. She walked through the familiar streets, lost in thought, when she saw a figure ahead of her.

It was Aether.

He was leaning against a nearby lamppost, his golden hair catching the light as he looked out over the city. When he saw Noelle approaching, he smiled.

"Well, if it isn't the knight of Mondstadt herself," he said, his voice warm and welcoming. "Out for a stroll?"

Noelle's heart fluttered in her chest at the sound of his voice. She nodded, trying to act casual. "I was just... thinking."

Aether raised an eyebrow, sensing something in her tone. "Thinking about what?"

Noelle hesitated for a moment before replying, her voice soft. "About... a lot of things, actually. About being a knight, about what's next... and about some other things."

Aether's expression softened, and he straightened up. "Well, if you ever need someone to talk to, you know I'm here."

Noelle looked up at him, a small smile appearing on her face. "Thank you, Aether. That means a lot to me."

For a moment, they just stood there, in the fading light of the day, the quiet of Mondstadt surrounding them. Noelle felt the distance between them close a little more, and for the first time in a long while, she felt at ease.

"Well, I'm glad to hear it," Aether said after a brief silence. "Mondstadt's a great place, and it's full of good people. But... I think you're one of the best."

Noelle's heart skipped a beat at his words. She wasn't sure if he meant it as a compliment or if it was just something he said out of kindness. But it didn't matter. For the first time, she felt truly seen, truly appreciated.

As they stood there, the sun dipping lower in the sky, Noelle realized that maybe... just maybe, there was something more to this connection with Aether than she had initially thought.

And as Aether smiled at her, she couldn't help but feel that the future was full of possibilities.

As Aether stood there, taking in the quiet moment with Noelle, he suddenly felt a weight tackle him from behind, sending him stumbling forward. His balance almost gave way, but before he could fall, a small figure clung onto his back, giggling in delight.

"Papa!" the voice echoed, as the child's laughter rang through the air. Aether blinked in surprise before his hands instinctively caught the little one, lifting them up with ease.

Turning to face the child, Aether smiled, a mixture of fondness and amusement in his expression. "Luminis, you almost knocked me over! What are you doing here?" he asked, holding his son securely in his arms.

Luminis, a small half-dragon, half-human child, grinned mischievously, his yellow and blue hair tousled from his playful antics. "Mama is looking for you!" Luminis exclaimed with a wide grin.

Aether raised an eyebrow, his gaze thoughtful. "Which one of your moms is looking for me? Eula, Amber, or Lisa?"

The little dragon-human boy's eyes sparkled with mischief as he giggled. "Yes," he replied simply, as if that answered everything.

Paimon, who had been hovering nearby, blinked in confusion and then burst into laughter. "I think you taught him too well, Aether! That's a classic response!" she said, floating up beside him.

Aether smiled, looking down at Luminis in his arms. The child's hair shimmered in the sunlight, a mix of yellow and blue, and his eyes gleamed with a similar mischievous spark that Aether often saw in his own reflection. He was a perfect blend of the different people in his life, and Aether couldn't help but feel an overwhelming sense of pride.

Noelle stood there, watching the scene unfold, a faint smile on her face. Seeing Aether with his child felt... different. It was a side of him she hadn't seen before, a side that softened the edges of the warrior she'd known. She felt a warmth spread through her chest as she observed how natural Aether was with Luminis, as if being a father was just as important as his duties as a hero.

Aether looked down at Luminis again, his face thoughtful. "Alright, alright," Aether said with a sigh, though his voice held the lightest trace of amusement. "I suppose I better go see what your mother wants, huh?"

Luminis nodded enthusiastically. "Mama's really mad at you!" he exclaimed, as if that was the most exciting part of the message.

Aether chuckled, shaking his head. "Well, it seems I'll have to face the music, won't I?" He turned to Noelle, offering her a friendly smile. "I'll be back soon. Duty calls."

Noelle nodded, a soft expression on her face. "Of course, Aether. It's important to be there for your family."

As Aether walked off with Luminis in his arms, Paimon following closely behind, Noelle couldn't help but feel a sense of admiration for him. The way he balanced his responsibilities, his strength, and his love for those around him—it was something that struck a chord within her. It's not just about being a knight or a hero, she thought. It's about being there for the people who matter.

Later, at the main headquarters...

Aether arrived, Luminis still in his arms as they approached the group gathered near the entrance. Eula, Amber, and Lisa stood together, all looking somewhat impatient, though each of their faces softened when they saw Aether.

Eula crossed her arms, her usual stern demeanor softened just a little. "Finally," she remarked, her voice low but affectionate. "You've been avoiding me, Aether. I see how it is."

Amber, ever the cheerful one, waved enthusiastically at Aether and grinned. "It's about time, Aether! Luminis here's been keeping us busy, but I'm sure he's missed you."

Lisa, who was leaning casually against a post, gave Aether a knowing look. "Well, I certainly didn't think you'd leave me for Eula or Amber," she teased, though her eyes held a playful warmth. "But I see you've been busy."

Aether chuckled, setting Luminis down gently, who immediately ran over to Amber's side. "I wasn't avoiding you, I promise. It's just... the Abyss Order was still on my mind," he explained.

Eula raised an eyebrow. "Are you telling me that the Abyss Order has more of your attention than us, Aether?"

Aether held up his hands in mock surrender. "No, no, nothing like that. But you know I take my duties seriously."

Amber laughed, stepping forward to give Aether a friendly pat on the back. "We get it, Aether. But you have to make time for us, too. We're your family, after all."

Aether smiled, his gaze moving to each of the three women before him. "You're right. I'm sorry if I've been distant. It's just hard to balance everything sometimes."

Noelle, who had been standing at the entrance, overheard the conversation and felt a sudden wave of... something unfamiliar. It wasn't jealousy. It wasn't resentment. It was just... a recognition of something she hadn't considered before. She felt a slight tightening in her chest as she watched the dynamic between Aether and the others. He had a family, a group of people who cared about him deeply.

And while she was happy for him, she also realized that perhaps she wasn't quite sure where she stood in all of this—whether as a friend, a comrade, or something more.

As she turned to leave, Paimon caught her eye. "Hey, Noelle!" the floating companion called out. "You okay? You look like you've got something on your mind."

Noelle blinked, snapping out of her thoughts. "Oh, I'm fine. Just thinking about... something."

Paimon floated closer, her expression softening. "If you ever wanna talk, you know I'm here. No shame in asking for advice, especially with him around," Paimon said with a wink in Aether's direction.

Noelle couldn't help but smile, grateful for the reassurance. "Thanks, Paimon."

As she walked away, she couldn't help but wonder just where her own path would lead, and what her place was in Aether's world. The possibilities were endless—but for now, she was content to watch from the sidelines.

To be continued

Hope people like this Ch and give me power stones, and yeah I am back to doing this