Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Fischl slumped over the wobbly wooden desk in their room. Their bracelets dug into their skin and their necklaces pressed into their face but they honestly didn’t care. They couldn’t stay here, it’s not because it didn’t ‘fit their aesthetic’ or anything, they knew that stupid little fantasy was over the top but this place wasn’t a home. Their parents never barely ever paid attention to them anymore, sure they used to love them when they were a child but now they were a freak, that’s what their parents' friend said and they all laughed, Fischl was meant to be in bed that night but sat on the stairs and cried. That poor little ten year old.

Since that night their relationship was slowly breaking down bit by bit, they never called them Fischl and made comments about revealing or weird clothes. Then their mother kept going away on business trips which left them at home with their father, who wasn’t very patient or nice. Most nights ended in a shouting match before they went to a friends house or their room.

Other things happened at first, nothing physical thank the Archons but the amount of emotional trauma they went through was beginning to break them. Tonight was the night that all ended. Fischl promptly stood up and knocked over a little vase on their desk, it shattered on the purple rug with little white shards going everywhere. “Shit!” They hissed under their breath, it didn’t really matter though. Nothing mattered anymore.

“AMY,  WHAT THE FUCK WAS THAT?!”

Fuck. Their father shouted up the stairs and they jumped, nearly rethinking their entire plan of running away. That stupid name, ‘Amy’ it was so…gross.

“N-NOTHING, DON’T MIND IT..”

They shut their eyes tight but let out a deep breath when their father’s footsteps faded away. Now it was time. First to find a bag, they frantically searched around their room for the biggest bag they had and found it under their old, creaking bed frame. Then it was packing time.

Clothes and accessories first. Everything they needed or just wore regularly was folded to be as small as possible and the accessories were stuffed into a small purple drawstring bag.

Then make up, skin care and hygiene. They already had a bag to fit all those things, so they went straight into the bag.

Finally came everything else they wanted to bring with them. Phone, headphones and lots of mora. A few books (Flowers for Princess Fischl of course), notebooks, pens, etc. These things weren’t exactly necessary but they really enjoyed them and would need things to make them feel safe when they were by themself.

For this plan they decided to wear a more ‘normal’ outfit. A purple, lacey tank top and a black zipped up hoodie (it was decorated with designs they made themself but it was the best they had). They found black pants and normal shoes that weren’t their usual platform heels which were packed away. They weren't wearing their eyepatch and tied most of their hair back into a ponytail that wouldn’t get in the way and grabbed the bag to see if they could actually carry it. Sure it was a little heavy but they were strong enough to lug it around.

“Mein Fräulein, thy vision?”

“Ah yes, thank you, Oz.”

If they forgot their vision they’d absolutely be fucked, after all, all of their bows were stored at the Adventurer’s Guild. They took one last glance around the room. The white walls with little drawing hung up, the old bed, the rickety desk and wardrobe and finally the clock. 11:34 PM. It was time to leave. Fischl stepped over the shards from the broken vase and left a note on the desk. They stood in front of the window, opening it and smiling to themself..

The note was simple, it read: 

“Farewell my dear family,

 From Fischl von Luftschloss Narfidort, Prinzessin der Verurteilung.”

***

Escaping was easy.

There was a big oak tree next to their window, it was a little far away but they would be able to make it. First then leaned out of the window, nearly tumbling forward over the edge but caught themself. They put their bag onto the tree and stood up on the windowsill, they braced themself and jumped, if not for their training and experience with the guild they would’ve fallen. They slowly climbed down and brought their bag with them, barely breathing until they touched the damp grass beneath them. Oz flew out the window and hovered next to them.

“Forthward!”

They smiled at their companion and started walking to…somewhere. One part of the plan that wasn’t actually thought out was where they were meant to stay now. That didn’t worry them though, first they had to make their way into the main city of Mondstadt. They kept to the worn down paths through the nation, although it was longer it was safer than going through the wilderness that was full of hilichurls and treasure hoarders who’d be quick to take all her valuables. Oz helped with anything small like slimes and made sure they were safe.

At the gates of Mondstadt stood two Knights of Favonius, they looked like they were about to doze off and didn’t even glance at them when they entered the city. Thank Barbatos there were many street lights and lanterns inside the walls. They wandered around for a bit and found a bench to sit on that was surrounded by little dandelions and buttercups. It was late now, about 12:52 AM. They looked up at the sky and shuddered, it was so dark and brooding and before they could even turn to look at Oz a raindrop fell from the clouds in front of their eyes.

“Fuck!”

Fischl kicked a potted plant in front of them, their foot stung from the pain but it didn’t matter. What were they even doing? Where were they supposed to go? If they went to Angel Share they’d certainly be kicked out for being a minor trying to stay in a tavern by themself, the church definitely wasn’t an option either because they’d probably be forced into being a nun or some weird shit. Where else were they meant to go? They crossed their arms over their knees and folded over.

Tears started to brew in their eyes while raindrops pelted down from the sky. Fischl was cold, tired and alone at night, even with the streetlights it was dangerous for them to be out here. They started sobbing, nearly slipping off the wooden bench and onto the tiled ground but using what strength they had left to keep themself up. This had to be some kind of curse.

“...Oz…w-what am I going to do…?”

Fischl spoke through choked tears, the way they usually spoke was thrown out the window for now.

“Well mein Fräulein, what about your close companions? Do they not live close by?”

The large raven stood on the bench next to them, gently nudging against them with his beak. He made sure not to hurt them as it was just meant to show reassurance.

“B-But…I’m a freak! They’re going to laugh at me, for getting worked up over ‘nothing’... I haven’t even told them about… y’know…. they still think Fischl is just a stupid nickname based off a stupid book. They might hate me and send me back…”

“If your companions do not accept you then they shan't be known as your friends anymore. You need rest, mein Fräulein, and shelter, please consult them.”

Fischl glanced over to their feathered companion and nodded, they’d been brave today and they would have to continue for just a little while longer.

Chapter Text

This October night was cold and the weather wasn’t the best. Bennett, the ‘official son’ of the Adventurers’ Guild was glad that his dads didn’t care about the heat being on all night. He sat on his bed with his not so platonic friend Razor while they watched a movie about…something, he wasn’t too sure as he had been eating and talking the entire time. Razor looked at the clock, which hung askew on the wall and was surprised that it read at least 1AM (he wasn’t too good at the whole time reading thing). While Bennett was going on about the cool sword trick he learned the doorbell rang loudly throughout the building.

“Now if I use a lot of pyr- woah who’s here now? My dads wouldn’t meet someone at this time…”

“Late.”

“Yeah, for real dawg. C’mon let’s go check it out, not like anyone else is awake.”

The boys got off Bennett’s bed and shuffled around, trying to keep blankets around them so they’d stay warm, Razor had whatever weird clothes he insisted looked cool and fashionable but definitely didn’t keep him warm. At least Bennett had weather appropriate pyjamas. They went down the creaky wooden stairs and even though they were both a bit confused and slightly worried they opened the door.

Holy Barbatos, they looked like a mess. Fischl’s ponytail had been abandoned and their hair was drenched in water, even containing a few knots. They brushed their bangs from their face which showed off how the black eyeliner and mascara covered their cheeks, while they were still crying. Fischl looked less like a Prinzessin and more like a poor subject.

“I-I know it’s late but I-”

The words barely got out of their mouth, being too exhausted to explain they just threw their arms around Bennett and basically just collapsed against him and Razor.

“Fischl? Hey, come on we’ll bring you upstairs yeah? Razor can take your bag and your…uh…Oz but I’m gonna need you to walk up with me.”

Fischl nodded while choking back tears. Razor wasn’t known for his empathy but he made sure they were standing properly before taking their bag. The large bird seemed to glare at him, in any normal circumstance he would probably try to bite it but Oz was Fischl’s companion and he didn’t want to make them any more sad then they already were.
Bennett put his arm over Fischl’s shoulder and held on to them tightly. The stairs creaked while they went up but it wasn’t loud enough to wake his dads, thank Barbatos. Bennett’s room was pretty big and could fit the three of them (and Oz!) in there easily. Razor put the bag down on the floor next to the TV, the movie was paused but none of them wanted to watch it anymore.

The moonlight shone through the window upon them as they sat next to each other. Fischl sat between their friends, they were too scared to say anything and tried to stop crying. Their face hurt by now and their eyes looked bright red, it definitely wasn’t from drugs or contacts.

“Sad? Don’t cry.”

Razor gently stroked their hair, he was trying his best and Fischl couldn’t help but smile. Bennett knew more ‘human customs’ and offered them a glass of cold water to help calm them down. It felt good to be sitting with their friends that actually cared about them. Maybe they both thought they were a bit weird but never even pointed it out. Their shoes were discarded on the floor, narrowly missing a bowl of some weird concoction. This room was warm and inviting, the air of damp and darkness from their room was nowhere to be seen around here.

Finally, they could relax.

“Th-The Prinzessin desires to wait until tomorrow to discuss this event…if that’s adequate..?”

Fischl tried to keep their strange fantasy act up but it was obvious how nervous they were.

“Yeah that’s fine, bro. As long as you’re good now, it’s late so you should rest okay?”

The rain was beginning to ease over and both Bennett and Razor could see how exhausted Fischl appeared. They wiped their face and sighed, they knew they looked like an absolute mess right now but somehow their friends made them feel at peace. Fischl lay back on Bennett’s bed and the two joined them, none of them had to say anything more than they already did and fell into a comfortable silence together.

The moon began to go down and the bits of sunlight creeped through the shut curtains of Bennett’s room at the Adventurers Guild, the three cuddled together or the warm comfy bed and maybe, just maybe, things were beginning to look up for Princess Fischl.

After hours of quiet slumber, one of the comfortable bodies began to feel himself pulled back awake. Bennett slowly untangled himself from the other two and crept out of his room. The blonde was used to getting up early for adventures and expeditions but he decided today was not going to contain any of those- at least for the time being. He went to the large kitchen where one of his dads was putting away a few boxes of fruits that had been ordered by the Guild.

“Hey Dad! Fischl came over last night, to hang out with me and Razor, y’know the one with the uh funny talk and big edgy bird?”

Bennett didn’t think it was a good idea to actually describe the events of last night so instead just…simplified them!

“Do we have enough ingredients for pancakes…oh and what about eggs too?”

Once he was given the go ahead to make whatever strange creation he wanted he went straight to the fridge, pulling out ingredients to make breakfast. The pancakes were a bit uneven and the eggs were kinda charred around the edges but he’d done his best. Bennett went back upstairs with the plates wobbling in his hands and opened the door with his foot.

“Heyyy?”

Razor looked up immediately at the smell of food and gently removed his arms from around Fischl. They were awake but didn’t want to face the world yet. Sometimes things could be scary, they knew they should confront their problems but sometimes it was hard.

“I made food, want some?”

Bennett placed his and Razor’s plates on a small table on a floor but chose to put Fischl’s plates next to them on his bed. After a few minutes of the boys eating and chatting Fischl finally sat up, it took them a little to process everything but they began to eat the food. The fact that it was made just for them, they ended up nearly crying. Razor looked over and gently pulled the shirt of the boy next to him. The blonde looked over and smiled.

“So, ready to talk or…?”