Here we are at a brand new one-shot. I got this idea from the recent update when Vivian and Hugo joined the story. So, let's go. I do not own Zenless Zoe Zero. They belong to Mihoyo. Here's the one-shot. Enjoy.


ZZZ: A Comforting Embrace

In the hollow, up on a rooftop of an old building, Vivian, Anby, Belle, and Lycaon confront Hugo after his apparent betrayal in order to claim his family's wealth and power. Vivian and Belle watch as Lycaon and Anby battle against the leader of Mockingbird. Vivian, while feeling betrayed by Hugo's treachery, could not bring herself to fight the man who was like an older brother to her. The one who took her in and taught her so much. That's why she's standing near Belle to protect her. Her beloved Lord Phaethon. She never thought she'd ever see the day where she'd get to meet the proxy she's idolized so much. She never expected Lord Phaethon to be so normal... and cute too. Back on track, Vivian and Belle watched as Lycaon and Anby fought against Hugo. Along, Hugo and Lycaon were evenly matched, but with the skilled Silver Soldier Anby added to the mix, Hugo found himself on the defensive. Though they've only fought together once before, the two of them were practically in sync in the fight.

Eventually, the two skilled fighters backed Hugo into a corner. Vivian joined them, wanting to confront Hugo for his misdeeds. But that was a horrible mistake.

"Sorry, but I'm not through yet!" Hugo lunges forth, but not at the warriors before him.

He went after Belle instead. To Vivian's horror and the others' shock, he took Belle, the only noncombatant, hostage and held a knife to her throat. He stated that if they didn't hand over the sacrifice core, he would kill her. Vivian knew... Seeing how low he was willing to go; how far he was willing to walk into darkness to get what he wanted; she knew he would do it. The sacrifice core was important, but nowhere near as important as her darling Lord Phaethon. Vivian handed over the core, waiting for Hugo to uphold his end. But Hugo stunned them horribly again.

"Did you really think I'd uphold my end of the bargain?" Hugo chuckles.

Vivian's eyes widen. His blade moves closer to Belle's throat.

"This is who I really am," Hugo declares with a sickening smile.

They all rush to save Belle. Lycaon was the fastest. He was so close... but not close enough. By the time he grabbed Hugo's neck, his blade had already slit Belle's throat. Vivian's eyes widen in horror.

"BELLE!" Vivian screams.

...

Vivian suddenly bolts up from the couch. Gasping for air, her face covered in sweat. She looks around and sees that she's not on that rooftop, but inside a bedroom at night. Belle's bedroom above her and Wise's video store.

"A nightmare... Just a nightmare," Vivian mutters, holding her face as she tries to calm down.

"Vivian, are you alright?" she looks and finds Belle kneeling beside her, wearing a simple black t-shirt and black short shorts.

Vivian remembers now. Lycaon had caught Hugo in time before he could hurt Belle. He pierced Hugo's heart with his claws, and then Hugo fell over the edge, smiling all the same. Though it's unlikely he survived, Vivian believes he did. After finishing their business there Vivian returned with Wise and Belle to Random Play. After everything that happened, Vivian didn't want to be alone. Thankfully, the siblings were very welcoming and allowed her to stay with them for a few days. They didn't want to leave her alone either. Vivian went back to her place, picked up a few things, and then came back. Belle offered to let Vivian sleep on her couch in her room, which Vivian gratefully accepted. It wasn't long before she got tired and went to sleep. After everything that had happened, she was simply too exhausted. But, it seems she wouldn't get any peaceful sleep that night. She even woke Belle up, which made Vivian feel horrible.

"I... I'm fine, Lord Phaethon. It was just a bad dream, is all. No need to worry about me," Vivian tried to play it off.

"Vivian, you're sweating and look even paler than usual. You can't fool me," Belle notes.

Vivian attempts to hide her eyes behind her. She can't bear to look Belle in the eyes out of shame.

"Hey, I got an idea. Come with me," Belle gently takes Vivian's hand.

"Huh?" Vivian squeaks, blushing from the physical contact.

After helping Vivian wipe the sweat off and change into another purple nightgown with long sleeves and s short skirt, Belle takes her to the last place she expected to be in. Vivian finds herself right in Belle's bed with the blue-haired girl. The two lay across from one another, facing each other.

"L-L-L-Lord Phaethon, there's no need to go this far! I mean, I'm getting your precious bed all filthy!" Vivian stutters.

"It's alright, no need to be so nervous. And by the way, you can just call me Belle," Belle says.

"But, I couldn't possibly address you so informally," Vivian rebukes her.

"It's fine. I actually prefer it that way. Makes us feel a lot closer," Belle smiles. Vivian doesn't know what to say against that. "So, do you want to talk about your nightmare? It might help to let it out instead of keeping it bottled up inside,"

"I..." Vivian looks away.

Without her noticing, Belle scoots over and gently wraps her arms around Vivian, pulling her into a warm embrace. Vivian freezes because one, her beloved Lord Phaethon is hugging her, and two, her face is in Belle's chest. For some reason, it feels bigger than it looks when she's in her normal clothes.

"If you really don't want to talk about it, that's fine. I can wait until you're ready. But, just know that while Hugo is gone for right now, you're not alone. My brother is here for you. I am here for you. So, you don't have to worry about doing anything by yourself. I'll be there to help you out every step of the way, just as you were there for me after we first met," Belle mutters into her ear.

Vivian's eyes widen. To hear such heartfelt words from her idle in such a setting. She might as well be in heaven right now.

Vivian wraps her arms around Belle and hugs her a little closer, "Thank you. I'm not ready to talk about it right now. But... when I am, I promise I'll tell you,"

Belle smiles, "Take as long as you need,"

"Thank you... Belle," Vivian replies.

Belle kisses her on the forehead, making Vivian blush again. The two of them fall into a peaceful slumber in each other's warm arms. For the rest of the night, Vivian had nothing but sweet dreams. No nightmares to plague her. Not as long as she remained with Belle's comforting embrace.

"I remember that vision. The vision of death that was meant for you, Lord Phaethon. I've always failed to prevent those deaths in the past. But this time... this time, I will prevent yours. I will protect you with my life. No matter what," Vivian made a silent vow in her dreams.

This time, her power would not curse her. This time, she will prevent a death instead of watching it come to pass. This time, she will save someone; someone who means so much to her.


And that's the one-shot. After meeting Vivian in ZZZ and learning about her character and love for the siblings, she's become one of my favorite characters in the game. So, I had to do something like this. Hope you guys enjoyed it. Depending on how things go with the 1.7 update, I might expand this one a little but more in a separate story. Until then, please Read and Review.