Chapter Text
There are no shortages of perfect views in the land of Natlan. Every plateau gives you a view of a raw unfiltered nature. You could gaze upon it for hours. Settling down in Natlan was an obvious choice. Though, housing was difficult. You had to find land to build your home on and of course you didn’t want to disrespect any of the tribes. This was their home and heritage. You were merely a guest. For the longest time you didn’t even think living here was possible until you got the blessing of Wayna. Chief Wayna was one of the first people you met and the Scions of the Canopy were the first tribe to welcome you with open arms.
The Chief personally helped you carved your home into the stone of Coatepec Mountain. Your new friends helped you make the walkway up to your house. This land, a stone's throw from your adoptive tribe, amazed you every day and you woke up grateful to experience it… Albeit slowly.
The sun just rose and you grumbled as you tried to push yourself out of bed. As beautiful as early morning was in Natlan… you couldn’t do this today. You rolled out of bed, landing onto the ground with a plop and another groan. Why are you up this early? Your self proclaimed best friend standing at your feet. Okay, she was your best friend but you don’t care at the moment.
“Come on, We have a lot of work to do.”
“Mualani, when I said we could get started bright and early I didn’t literally mean that..” Your defense wasn’t good enough. She was still smiling, honestly amused at how hard it was to force you out of bed.
“Come ooon. If we have to make the bracelets in time for the party.” Mualani beamed, “I thought you’d be more excited. The Scions of the Canopy are throwing a whole feast just to celebrate your second year in Natlan.”
“I am excited… I’m also not a morning person.” You at least pushed yourself off the ground, finally starting to wake up. Your hair was a mess and you looked half dead but Mualani could still just smile and wait for you to get it together. “...Ugh, Why do I feel like I’ve been asleep for a decade?”
“The curse of a heavy sleeper. Don’t worry, I’ll help.” She pulled you off the ground, dragging you out of your bedroom and tossing you on your couch. As you tried to shake off the sleepiness, she went to your modest little kitchenette. “You want me to make you something?”
“Nah, I’ll eat along the way… You ever wake up and can’t really feel hunger, pain or anything yet?”
“Uh… No- But hey, just because I don’t know doesn’t mean I don’t care!” Mualani cheered. It woke you up and bit and you started to stretch out your back. “Do we have all the material to make the bracelets or did you need any more?”
“I have most of it… I wanted to get the beads tumbled so they’re super shiny… they should be delivered-” A knock at the door was perfectly timed and you smirked. “Now.”
“JUST OPEN THE DOOR!” You could hear one of your visitors yell. Mualani sighed, putting her hands on her hips as she heard it. “THE GREAT SOVEREIGN DRAGON OF THE NATION OF FIRE HAS EVERY RIGHT TO ENTER UNANNOUNCED-”
“Okay, well I don’t,” His traveling companion reasoned. Just hearing his voice on the other side of your door. “I cannot just barge into her home-”
“Y/n, Unlike you, has respect for me and will never deny me entry to her home! As my servant, this courtesy is extended to you-”
“Come in.” You decided to let the man inside, if at least make the pixelated dragon stop yelling. Your friend entered quickly, shutting your door behind him just in time to keep the bright yellow dragon out.
“HOW DARE YOU!”
“Got the gems and rocks tumbled,” He gestured to the bag slung over his shoulder. He dropped it onto your coffee table, his face impassive but his eyes. His eyes were always soft. “What is this for?”
“We’re going to spend all day making friendship bracelets for everyone in your tribe,” Mualani answered. You puffed up your cheeks. It wasn’t that you wanted to keep it a secret. It was mostly because…
“That sounds like a headache,” That’s why. The hunter who just entered your home could understand the logic behind your choice but it still seemed unnecessary to him. “My tribe welcomed you because they care about you and are throwing this party tonight because you’ve become part of us. You don’t have to give everyone gifts.”
“HEY!” The dragon was outside your window, grumbling curses as he demanded to be let in. You all just ignored him. “I’M OUT HERE!”
“I just… Natlan has become my home and… it helped me escape my old life in Liyue. I just want to show everyone I’m thankful for all the help they’ve given me, Kinich.”
“...Fine.” He sighed. “Anyway, Tag. You’re it.” With that he opened the door. His intent was to leave but the dragon flew into the house with a rage. He was seething, throwing his arms up indignantly.
“SUCH DISRESPECT! YOU LUMP, I CAN’T STAND YOU.”
“Forgive me for not inviting you in, K’uhul Ajaw,” You started. Kinich rolled his eyes and even Mualani was exhausted. “I did not wish to waste your time with something so unimportant.”
“Apology accepted. See, Kinich? Do you see how the Almighty K’uhul Ajaw DESERVES to be treated.”
“The only treatment you deserve is psychiatric,” He quipped, already headed out of your house. “Come on.”
“Tch, whatever!” They left, the door promptly closing behind them. Mualani let out a haggard breath before joining you on the couch.
“...Yikes. Sometimes, I don’t know how to deal with Ajaw.”
“I don’t mind him, honestly.”
“...So… You’re it?” She cocked her head to the side, obviously curious about what she heard. You giggled, looking away. “Playing a game with Kinich?”
“It’s not as exciting as you think it is. Last month he did me a favor but the thing is he did that favor cause he was under the impression he owed me one. I don’t even remember if he did or not… so I felt like I owed him. So… I did a favor back… we’ve been playing Favor Tag for a couple weeks now.”
“You two are cute.” She teased with a wink, leaving it at that as she opened the sack Kinich dropped off. She gasped at the sight of the polished gems and stones, running her fingers through the smooth beads like water. “Whoa, he made sure to bring plenty!”
“Good… we have to make over a hundred of these things.” You added. You stared at the bag, very aware of what you were going to spend your day doing. "...Uh... that's not too tall of an order, right?"
"Well, they'll all be the same... unless you wanted to make Kinich a special one-" You shoved her, which only made her laugh at your bashfulness. She left it at that but she didn't need to say anything else to make your cheeks burn.
■□■□■□■□■□■□■□■□■□■□■□■□■□■□■□■□■□■□■□■□
“You are such a waste!” The dragon laid into him as they scaled the mountain. Rather than take the bridges and roads they just opted to climb the mountain that your home was built into. From there, it would be a straight shot back home. Kinich was hoping the walk would be peaceful but alas… never.
“We delivered the beads. That’s all she asked us to do. She clearly has a lot of work ahead of her today.”
“And you clearly have no brain in your head! I knew you didn’t deserve such a perfect woman-”
“You only like her because she doesn’t treat you with absolute scorn like everyone else.”
“Oh and I suppose you’re better because you like her for her pretty face!”
“She’s not just a pretty face,” Kinich breathed. It was less of an answer and more of a mantra as he scaled the mountain. As he reached the top, he dusted himself off. “Look. The party in her honor tonight is important. If you want to attend I would suggest adjusting your attitude. Could you at least pretend you aren’t a complete monster for one evening?”
“I don’t know, can you find your balls and ask my confidant on a date already!” Ajaw’s demands just made Kinich sigh. The dragon continued. “You’re lucky that no other human in this damnable world is even close to good enough for her, otherwise I wouldn’t be advocating for her to settle for you! The only positive thing is that I get to spend more time with her if you do end up together.”
“How noble of you…” Kinich kept walking, trying to ignore the howls of his ‘companion’ in his ear. Honestly, the fact you could even put up with Ajaw was a sign. Maybe tonight would be a good night to make a move. He didn't voice that. Gods, no. The last thing the hunter needed was Ajaw knowing that he was right... Maybe he shouldn't let him come to the party.