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archonanqi · 4 years ago

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fragile as dust / 11 - dreameater

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a/n: Please let me know if you’d like to be added to a taglist for this story. Thank you all for the kind comments! ;-; @fishyfish-y @writingmi @just-some-stars

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ch 11 | dreameater

The memories you had of the rest of the night were fragmented, incoherent — just a few rare flashes of consciousness.

You did not know how long you were stuck within the amber, but you knew fear, and darkness, and suffocation; felt the energy draining right out of you into the crystal. Though you had briefly been resigned to your fate, the thought of Zhongli suddenly had you struggling with renewed vigor.

You wanted to see him again. You wanted to live.

—-

For as long as you could, you tried to stay conscious. You thought about Zhongli’s eyes, how they twinkled gold under any light. About how warm his hands had been, holding yours. His hearty laugh, and how it stole your breath away each time you managed to coax it out of him. The knowing smile he wore as he told you stories and corrected the ones you were reading. His voice, rich and deep; his lips around your name—

The mercy he had shown you, where he had been well within his rights to be cruel. The way he had taught you of a life worth living.

—-

There was a strange, cold heat between your collarbones. Perhaps, you wondered absently, the amber was reacting with the jade in your necklace. For a moment, it seemed like it would burn a hole right through your throat, but after a while, the heat subsided.

—-

Somewhere along the line, your thoughts shifted from a steady mantra of Zhongli Zhongli Zhongli to: Rex Lapis .

Though you were sure that the former Archon received no lack of desperate prayers, even with his apparent death, you still prayed fervently, offering contracts that you’d find some way of fulfilling: you would bring Osmanthus Wine to his statues, you would learn to use your Vision, you would learn to fight and defend Liyue from monsters—

—-

Somewhere outside the pitch darkness of the amber, you heard a loud whoosh; and even through the sap, you could feel the familiar warmth of Geo. Of Zhongli’s Geo.

Oh.

You could barely let yourself hope, even as a brilliant golden glow shone through the thick walls of your prison. Even as the amber cracked open with a deafening groan, slowly at first, then shattering into millions of fragments.

—-

You found yourself on your knees, savoring the damp mud against your skin and the cold air deep in your lungs. Solid arms gathered you, gently bringing you to your feet.

You threw out your hands and wrapped them tightly around your savior, despite the hideous pain in your wrist, deeply breathing in the scent you had long since begun to know as “home”.

“You’re safe now,” Zhongli murmured, “I’m here.”

—-

You blinked back the relief that welled up in your eyes, a sudden bout of exhaustion and pain rendering you limp in his arms.

“I’m sorry,” you whispered into his chest, “I’m getting mud on your coat.”

Zhongli made a noise you had never heard him make before, sort of a laugh but not quite. “ Oh , Hansi ,” he shook his head. “My coat is the least of my worries. Are you hurt anywhere?”

“I think my hand is broken.”

“Hmm.” Zhongli gently lifted your arm, examining your swelling wrist with composure that you didn’t think

Behind Zhongli, in the dim light, you noticed a small movement amidst the grass. Suddenly, you remembered where you were, the danger you were both in. “Watch out!” you cried, gripping his sleeve with your good hand and trying to run. Without his support, your legs immediately buckled, but Zhongli caught you before you hit the ground. “Zhongli, be careful, the Adepti— they’ll kill you—”

Zhongli exhaled lightly and to your bewilderment, showed not even the slightest hint of panic or fear on his face. With a gloved finger, he gently pushed the damp hair from your cheeks, then looked up at the mountain where you came, eyes sharp. Suddenly, you were no longer afraid.

“ She is under my protection .” Zhongli’s voice was not loud, but even more than usual, it was resonant. Before you gave in to the heavy calm of sleep, you swore for a moment that you saw the amber ends of his hair glow the same warm hue of his eyes. “ Do keep your karst crawlers in check, Mountain Shaper .”

—-

The next time you slipped back into consciousness, you awoke to a rhythmic swaying. You blinked the sleep away from your heavy eyelids, peering up, and your heart skipped a beat.

Zhongli was carrying you effortlessly, one of his hands under your knee and the other supporting your back.

Your cheek was pressed firmly against his solid chest. Was it your imagination, or was his heartbeat… too slow, each resonant thump far too many seconds apart?

It was freezing. The amber had kept you insulated, but now that you were out in the air again, your damp hair and clothes caught the bitter windchill and made you shiver. Zhongli paused in his steps.

“You’re cold,” he asked, and without waiting for a response, began shrugging off his coat. Your protests died on your lips when he gingerly draped you in it, carefully avoiding your broken wrist. The residual heat from his body offered a much welcome warmth. You inhaled deeply into the silk and hoped he did not notice.

Between the rocking of Zhongli’s footsteps, the gentle moonlight, and your newfound comfort, sleep found you quickly once more.

—-

You never thought that you’d see the woodlands outside Zhongli’s house again, yet the welcome and familiar sight greeted you the next time you opened your weary eyes.

“Are you able to stand?” He asked. You hesitantly nodded, then crumpled immediately when he gently lowered you to the ground.

“Actually,” you corrected, grabbing onto Zhongli to steady yourself, black spots on your vision like ink stains, “no.”

With furrowed brows, Zhongli deftly removed one of his gloves and pressed the back of his hand against your clammy forehead. “You have a fever,” he stated, “Go get changed—” The world lurched, the black spots growing bigger and Zhongli’s voice becoming distant. “Hansi? Hansi, stay awake—”

—-

When you dredged yourself back into consciousness, you were inside the warmth of the house, sitting on the side of your bed. Zhongli was meticulously, slowly, peeling the wet silk off of your damp skin, and though you felt a brief surge of shame through your haze of torpor, there was no judgement in his gaze — only concern.

As he raised your arm to wrap a large coat around you, you realized that your wrist had been put into a splint, wrapped neatly in a small white towel.

After Zhongli was finally satisfied with the layers upon layers of clothing he had piled upon you, he covered you with a thick blanket. You supposed that it was a cause for concern that despite everything, you were still cold, but for the moment, you were so comfortable and content that you did not mention it.

Finally, Zhongli stepped back, and you noticed the empty space on your windowsill. Oh . “I’m so sorry,” you suddenly blurted, the horrible memory of what had happened that night suddenly rushing back. “I lost the dragon’s tooth. We were attacked by an Abyss Mage, and- and--”

Zhongli’s thumb gingerly brushed over your lips, quieting you instantly. “As long as it protected you, it has served its purpose,” he said, as though you hadn’t just lost a priceless heirloom from his old friend. “What matters is that you are safe.”

—-

You fell into fits of feverish sleep.

The grotesque chittering of the Abyss Mage, the blood on Xiangling’s fingers, and the endless hungry darkness of the amber swirled about in your mind each time you closed your eyes.

Several times, you found yourself waking up with Zhongli’s name on your lips, but each time, the chair by your bed remained empty.

—-

You would not remember this, but: at some point of that night, you found yourself once more in the realm of cloud and dust of your dreams.

Relieved, you looked up in search of the familiar silhouette of Zhongli, to once more watch him in peace and quiet.

Instead, you met golden, reptilian eyes, each the size of dinner plates.

A monstrous dragon was curled in a wide circle around you, the berth of which scaled larger than Zhongli’s house. Its scales were like terraced fields, each one shining its own spectrum of brilliant, iridescent gold. For a moment, you were enamored by how beautiful — how oddly familiar — the beast before you was.

But mostly, you debated begging for your life.

Its mighty head was lowered just enough that you could see it was looking straight at you, and when it opened its mouth to speak, it revealed rows of huge, wickedly sharp fangs. They looked just like the tooth you had lost. You dropped to your knees, pressing your forehead to the ground, knowing now who stood before you.

“She will not remember this dream ?”

The dragon’s mouth barely moved, but its deep, guttural voice seemed to shake the world itself. You raised your gaze slightly and saw, under the dragon’s head, a young man with dark hair and green-blue undertones. He was also staring at you intently, and unlike the dragon, there was disdain clear in his eyes.

“No, Rex Lapis,” he said, shortly. “Not when I’m done.”

“How is she faring ?”

“I can’t tell until I consume it,” the young man shook his head, and vaguely, you realized they were talking about you. “But the dream is stable, and so it seems, is her mind. Rest assured that Jueyun Karst has not broken her like it does so many other mortals.”

Rex Lapis’ body, all scales and sinew, seemed to visibly relax.

“I must apologize for placing this task upon you. But it is imperative she does not remember this when she wakes up. I fear that she is not yet ready for the truth.”

The young man exhaled in quiet resignation. “You gave me my name, and you released me from an endless darkness,” he said, and with a deft wave of his hand, donned a beastly fanged mask over his face. “At your request, I would lay down my life a thousand times over, Rex Lapis.”

“Thank you, Xiao . Do proceed.”

The dragon cast one last lidded glance at you, dipping its head as if to leave. You don’t know where within your lungs you find it in you to whisper: “ wait .”

To your absolute astonishment, Rex Lapis did, once more turning to look at you expectantly.

Rex Lapis. Giving you the time of his day. You hadn’t cried in a very, very long time, but you thought that you might just start right then and there.

“Speak, mortal,” the young man — had Rex Lapis called him Xiao? — snapped, crossing his arms. “Don’t waste his time.” The curtness stung, but it helped snap the fuzzy panic right out of your head.

“Your majesty,” you bowed low once more. Was that how you were meant to address an Archon? You certainly didn’t know! “Wh— why did you give me a Vision? Was it a mistake? Do you— do you want it back?”

The words felt as stupid coming out of your mouth as they did in floating around in your head.

You heard Xiao snort incredulously, but Rex Lapis stared at you for a moment, unblinking and as still as a rock. You had begun to wonder if “begging for your life” was still on the table, when the dragon’s massive head shook gently from side to side.

“A mistake? ” Even in his deafening timbre, you could hear incredulity. The clouds, the dust, the ground beneath your feet seemed to sway. “ Is that why you have not told...?”

There was a brief pause.

“My dearest Hansi, nothing I have done for you is a mistake.”

If you weren’t already on your knees, hearing your name rumbled from between his fangs would have brought you to them. It was not the first time , you realized, something deep within you rearing its head. It was not the first time you had heard that guttural voice utter your name.

“Rex Lapis, if I may be so bold as to ask,” Xiao asked, “just what is this mortal to you?”

It was not the first time you had met Xiao, either.

“She is under my protection” , the dragon responded shortly. “ As I once was under hers.”

Under his… protection?

All at once, you realized whom the dragon’s golden, iridescent gaze reminded you of. Your lips formed around his name, just as Xiao stepped forward and raised one clawed hand.

—-

You woke up to the soft morning light, your head once more feeling like it had been stuffed full of cotton. Though you didn’t know how it was possible, you felt hot and cold at the same time.

Wondering how many days had passed, you sat up slowly, but even that small motion made you retch.

You’d had a dream. You didn’t remember what it was, but it was vitally important— that much you knew. Thinking about it too much made your head hurt. Giving up for the moment, you reached out for where your cup usually was; yet your fingers wrapped around something smooth and cold.

On your bedside table, next to a cup of steaming tea, sat the dragon’s tooth — the only indication that it had ever left the house: a charred ring where it had met the Abyss Mage’s fiery shield.

#zhongli #zhongli fanfic #zhongli fanfiction #genshin #genshin fanfic #zhongli x reader #fragile as dust #my writing #anqi writes

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pokemonispain · 3 years ago

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Vengeance-Childe/Zhongli

Summary: Childe has pissed off a lot of people in his short lifetime, with quite a few of the residents of Liyue being added to that list following the Osial incident. Still, he expected someone to just attempt to kill in the middle of the street one day. Not poison him while he's on a dinner date with Zhongli.

_______________________________________________________________

“Should we go to Wanmin restaurant or Liuli Pavilion?” Childe asked as he and Zhongli entered Liyue harbor.

They’d been out much of the day, with Childe helping Zhongli take care of the abnormal number of ruin hunters that’d been appearing rather closely to Liyue harbor.

While Zhongli hadn’t needed any help with such a simple task Childe had practically jumped at the opportunity to fight for a bit. Plus he wasn't just going to ignore the chance to witness Zhongli in action.

Childe always thought that Zhongli was beautiful but seeing the man on the battlefield was an entirely different beast. It also managed to fill Childe with a sense of pride, after all, Zhongli was his.

Zhongli gave a soft hum, as Childe grabbed his hand lacing their fingers together. “It is Tuesday night, which means Xiangling is out gathering ingredients rather than working at Wanmin Restaurant. So going to Liuli Pavilion would be best.”

Childe grinned at him. “Can always count on your fine eye for detail and near-perfect memory can't I?”

He stretched giving a soft sigh when he felt some of his joints creak. It’d been a long day of work, even without him needing to do any strange debt collections.

While it was rare, there were quiet days and while Childe did appreciate them sometimes they also meant he’d either spend his day doing paperwork or antsy and choosing to leave the harbor in search of some unfortunate person or beast to fight.

Childe was slightly tired and sore but the good kind that typically followed a good sparring session.

“Think we should get drinks too, or do you have work tomorrow?” Childe asked as he allowed his eyes to roam around the enormous city that was Liyue Harbor.

Despite being night time it was as busy as usual, perhaps even more so considering that the numerous bars and tea houses that were usually closed during the day were now open. Alive with the laughter and chatter of their patrons.

“Yes, it would be quite nice to have drinks as well. What about yourself, ” Zhongli asked. He truly didn't know if Harbingers had what constituted a day off.

Childe always seemed to just do what he pleased, although there were certain times he seemed to run on a schedule but even that was sporadic.

Childe shrugged. “I did all the paperwork I had to do ahead of time considering it's our date night. Short of the Tsaritsa herself I didn't want anyone disturbing us.”

Zhongli smiled slightly as he and Childe walked to Liuli Pavilion. “Of course you did, ” he chuckled softly.

“What? Did you really think I’d forget a special day like this Zhongli? I’m hurt, ” Childe teased mock hurt in his voice.

The consultant merely chuckled, giving Childe’s hand a slight squeeze. Long used to Childe’s usually playful and teasing attitude.

Liuli Pavillion was one of the largest buildings in Liyue Harbor, the multi-tiered pagoda building was a beautiful sight.

“I still remember when I brought the Traveler here to meet you and they thought you were a Fatui assassin, ” Childe chuckled fondly as he held the door open for Zhongli.

“Perhaps it was the wording you used. After all, you told them I was a friend who worked in the shadows. That in combination with your job created the unsavory connection,” he reminded the harbinger.

Childe merely grinned as he approached the service counter where the waitress Licai stood.

The woman regarded them with a small nod. “Master Tartaglia, Mister Zhongli, how is your day going?”

“Good, a little slow but still fun. We’ll take the usual table, ” Childe told her, smiling.

They’d had their dinner dates quite a bit here, with the number of times nearly being equally split between here and Wanmin restaurant. Although there were a few very rare occasions that the two had traveled to Mondstadt, typically because Zhongli wanted Dandelion wine which Liyue didn't have.

Typically on those trips into Mondstadt, they’d run into the Traveler who was either frequently in the city of freedom or out wandering the land.

Licai nodded leaving her spot behind the counter. Despite the couple knowing the way, she’d always insisted on guiding them to their table out of courtesy.

“Licai doesn't seem mad, ” Childe noted after he and Zhongli had taken their seats and ordered their food.

Zhongli stops briefly in the middle of drinking his wine to look at Childe. “You haven't experienced any animosity from the people of Liyue Harbor have you?”

After awakening Osial from his slumber, quite a few people in Liyue harbor were not pleased with what the Fatui, more so Childe, had done to put it lightly.

“Besides, a few of the dockworkers calling me Harbinger scum or Fatui garbage, no. But I can’t wait for someone to try something, ” Childe said with a smirk. “I hate being bored, so I gotta keep busy somehow.”

Zhongli sighed. “As long as you are not instigating the fight, ” he said knowing that telling Childe not to fight was like telling a fish to swim without water.

“I’m not, I’m not, ” Childe told him, waving away Zhongli’s concern. While he certainly wasn't walking around trying to get attacked in the streets he wouldn't ignore the opportunity to fight if the opportunity did present itself.

Surprisingly though besides some people talking down to him and the occasional glare, no one had tried anything.

Childe couldn't help but feel slightly disappointed at the fact. Oh well, at least it meant his time with Zhongli went relatively interrupted, and Childe still had plenty of time left in Liyue harbor since he’d yet to be ordered to return home by the Tsaritsa.

And he was going to enjoy this time to the fullest.

Childe gives Licai a small smile and a nod when she brings their food. There were times that Childe came here alone to eat or when he treated some of the Fatui members and usually he’d get a seafood-based dish like he would back home.

But Zhongli had practically thrown up and fainted the first time Childe had ordered Adeptus Temptation at Wanmin restaurant. Which admittedly Childe had found hilarious at the time, he wouldn't be surprised if that was why Zhongli had sealed Osial in the first place.

He briefly pauses in the middle of eating his food, scowling slightly at the subtle bitter aftertaste. Although he wasn't surprised, since he was pretty sure that he’d just bitten into one of the jueyun chilies that were sprinkled into his dish.

Especially if the slight burning sting in his mouth is anything to go by. Picking up his wine glass he practically chugs it, sighing when the burning sting seems to vanish as well as the bitter taste.

Childe coughed softly, making Zhongli glance up at him with a slight scowl. “Are you alright?”

Childe nodded. “Yeah, I just accidentally bit into one of the peppers, ” he said, chuckling.

Reaching out he opened the bottle of wine on the table pouring himself another glass. Zhongli simply smiles at him.

“There’s no need to rush, Ajax. The night is still young, ” he told him.

Childe grinned as he set the wine back where he’d gotten it. “I know, I know. I’m just enjoying myself, besides when we go back home it's not like the fun will stop anyway.”

For a brief moment, Childe sees a distinct and familiar glow in Zhongli’s eyes at his words. And Childe can’t help but smirk slightly.

Especially when Zhongli smiled at him, his eyes still glowing. “Of course.”

~~~

“Careful now, ” Zhongli murmured, reaching out to steady Childe a bit.

Both of them were slightly drunk, although Childe more so if the way he was swaying and stumbling were anything to go by. Zhongli, while he felt a bit tipsy, was able to walk without stumbling.

“I know, I know be careful, ” Childe said his words slurring slightly. He gave Zhongli’s hand a small squeeze as he chuckled. “My place or yours?”

“My apartment would be sufficient, ” Zhongli told him after a moment, a slight smile on his face.

Childe gave a small snort. “Of course it is.”

Childe wasn’t complaining, of course, he’d been over to Zhongli’s apartment numerous times and the same was true as well. Truthfully at this point, they’d just considered living together to make things easier.

Childe chuckled softly when Zhongli reached out to steady him when he swayed and stumbled.

Giving him a slight smile, Zhongli wrapped one arm around Childe’s waist. It definitely wasn't the first time seeing Childe drunk and definitely wouldn't be the last, although the alcohol seemed to be hitting him rather hard this time. “There we are, ” he said softly.

Childe looked up at him with a wide grin. “Well look at you, huh. Forward tonight aren’t you?”

“I do not want you to trip and end up injuring yourself.”

At his words, Childe gave a soft hum and a nod sounding completely and utterly unconvinced.

Childe watched Zhongli with half-lidded eyes as the man stepped away from Childe’s side to unlock the front door of his apartment. There was an alcohol-fueled haze smothering his thoughts, making it hard to focus.

Swaying in place Childe stretched giving a soft sigh when he heard his joints creak. Feeling a slight twinge of nausea in the pit of his stomach he scowled.

Okay, so maybe Zhongli had been a bit right about him needing to pace himself when it came to the wine.

He followed Zhongli inside his apartment, giving another sigh as he staggered over to the couch practically flopping down on it. Childe was slightly tired and his joints felt stiff despite the brief walk he’d just taken.

“Would you like me to bring you anything from the kitchen?” Zhongli asked, pausing a moment to look at Childe.

Childe gave a soft hum, silent for a moment as he struggled to break through the haze in his mind to form a coherent thought. “Some ice water would be nice,” he sighed his words slurring as he ran a hand through his hair.

It felt abnormally warm in Zhongli’s apartment, uncomfortably so. Removing his scarf, Childe set it aside on the nearby table as Zhongli headed to the kitchen.

He still felt slightly nauseous, and along with the nausea was an ache in his stomach. He let out a soft hiss when he shifted slightly, sending a dull ache streaking across it. Yeah, he’d definitely had a bit too much wine, he’d probably regret it in the morning considering how badly he felt now.

“Here you are,” Zhongli said as he returned with a glass of water.

Childe took it from him, smiling slightly when Zhongli took a seat beside him.

He sipped the water carefully, only to stop wincing when it instantly made his stomach feel as though he swallowed fire.

Zhongli looked at Childe as he coughed, setting the glass of water on the table. “Are you alright?” He asked, noting that the other man looked a bit pale.

Childe gave a soft huff as he massaged his throat. It felt almost bruised from his coughing fit. “Okay, maybe...you were right about me needing to pace myself with the wine, ” Childe admitted pouting slightly.

Zhongli frowned. “Do you feel sick?”

“A little, nothing, some sleep can’t fix. I’ll definitely have a hangover in the morning though, ” Childe told him.

Then he stopped talking, a scowl on his face. He didn't just feel sick, in fact, the ache in his stomach was spreading elsewhere becoming a sharp, fierce burning feeling that seemed to stab at his stomach, chest, and throat.

Wincing Childe wrapped his arms around his stomach, a faint jolt alarm seemed to break through the haze in his mind slightly.

Something was very, very wrong with him. He didn't know what though the haze in his mind made it difficult to focus.

“Childe?” Zhongli said as he laid a hand on his shoulder. Worry clear in his eyes.

Childe shook his head, wincing when an especially harsh cramp sent pain stabbing through his stomach. Practically clawing at his stomach in pain, Childe gritted his teeth as he frantically began to mentally list things that could be wrong with him.

At first, he thinks an allergic reaction, but that couldn’t be right because he’s eaten that food before. His next thought is more sinister but makes sense considering who he is, poison.

Muttering curses under his breath he springs to his feet gripping the arm of the couch for a moment when his legs almost give beneath him.

He feels Zhongli grab his wrist but ignores him as he rushes to the kitchen, nearly tripping over his feet twice. He stops in front of the sink gripping it with trembling hands. The world around him is a smear of colors as Childe leans over the sink glaring.

“Ajax, what’s wrong. Please tell me,” Zhongli said as he followed Childe. He reaches out, taking Childe’s face in his hands forcing the man to look at him.

His eyes widened when Childe’s eyes slid past him twice before the man narrowed them in an attempt to focus his sight.

“I was careless,” Childe choked out, coughing before yanking himself free of Zhongli’s grip. He turns back to the sink, his throat is burning along with his chest and stomach.

He shakes his head as he opens his mouth, his fingers clumsy and uncoordinated as he places two fingers in his mouth, wriggling them frantically at the back of his throat. He gags pain shooting through his stomach as it heaves, his sore aching throat clenching around his fingers.

Childe coughs again, feeling as though his stomach and throat are tearing themselves open. He felt Zhongli’s hand on his shoulders steadying him, which was good considering the way his legs were shaking.

He thrusts his fingers into his throat again more forcibly this time, his eyes wide and panicked when he retches emptily over the sink.

There’s warm cloudy drool dripping from his mouth and seeping into his gloves but he can’t really care about that right now as he stares down at the sink for a moment before placing his fingers back into his mouth. No, no, no, NO! He had to get whatever was in him out before it did more damage, now .

He reaches back, practically stroking the soft walls of his throat, although this time when he begins gagging he holds them there. He lurches forward dry heaving over the sink, his stomach aching as he whimpers in pain stars filling his vision.

Was this it, was this really how he was going to die. Because some coward got the drop on him? Not only was Childe desperate, scared, and in pain, he was fucking pissed.

He’s about to try gagging himself again when he feels one of Zhongli’s hands drop down to his stomach pressing on it and Childe has to force himself not to flinch away as just the slightest touch sends sharp daggers of pain dancing across his stomach.

He hears Zhongli say something, but in his drug-induced haze he can’t really make it out. Then he feels two gloved fingers at his lips and realizes what Zhongli is trying to do.

He willingly opens his mouth as wide as he can, allowing Zhongli access. He feels his fingers carefully crawl across his tongue, minding his teeth as Zhongli’s finger crawl all the way to the back of his throat.

The soft flesh back there is swollen and irritated from his less than careful attempts, but he doesn’t care if it hurts; he needs to get this poison out of him.

Zhongli’s fingers carefully stroked the back of Childe’s throat making him gag almost immediately. As Childe’s throat clenches around his fingers Zhongli presses down on Childe’s stomach with his other hand.

Childe jolts a gurgling noise coming from the back of his throat as his gagging turns wet. Zhongli removes his hand from Childe’s mouth just as he lurches forward with a wet retch, bringing up a thick wave of vomit into the sink.

Childe coughed, gasping, his eyes wide and face pale as threads of drool dangling from his mouth. Everything is too hot, burning and he can barely breathe as he retches again. He can feel Zhongli’s hands on his waist and when his legs give beneath him Childe thinks he hears Zhongli call his name.

He can sense the man’s presence over him and faintly make out the distinct amber glow in the swirl of colors clouding his vision.

He whimpers, his eyes widening when he feels something hot burning the back of his throat and he faintly wonders if it’s closing up. Something is burning his throat, mouth, and nose clogging it and making it impossible to breathe.

He tries to move, his limbs heavy and trembling as he struggles to sit up but his body won’t obey his commands. He feels familiar hands grip his shoulders, and the world seems to swirl the slight disparity between where he expects his body to go and where it currently is, has him gagging.

The burning liquid that had been clogging his throat and nose, vanishes as he does, leaving him frantically gasping for much-needed air.

There’s something cold and hard beneath his cheek, which he briefly registers as the kitchen floor, it feels amazing on his feverish skin.

He coughs, another wet gag adding to the pile of vomit on the floor beside him.

He feels a hand in his hair gently running through it, and it feels nice.

Soothing even, and with exhaustion crashing down on him Childe vainly struggles to keep his eyes open. Even more so when the hand in his hair still and he hears someone faintly calling his name.

Worry, a panic corrupting the familiar voice he loves so much. He feels a hand on his shoulder shaking him as black spots fill his vision, his consciousness fading.

Childe’s last thought is that he desperately prays to the archon that this is not how he dies. Nearly choking on his own vomit, scared and afraid because he was careless. If he doesn't die here then whoever had poisoned him better hope some beast kills them before he finds them.

~~~

It's warm when Childe wakes up. He feels pins and needles running along his body and nausea pooling in the pit of his stomach. He groans faintly, wincing when the action makes his chest and throat ache.

He's nauseous and in pain but he's alive which is what matters the most. Childe frowned, his gaze slowly wandering down when he feels something smooth and warm brush across his waist.

The first thing he sees is Zhongli practically clinging to his side, although the man looks strange. Golden glowing antlers branch out from beneath his hair, scales the color of earth, and cor lapis coat his arms stretching up to his shoulders.

Then there's the thick serpent-like tail, with brown scales and fluffy golden fur draped across Childe’s waist.

It's practically coiled around his waist pinning him closer to Zhongli.

Childe blinks slowly, taking in as much of Zhongli’s odd appearance as he could. When Zhongli feels him shift, he lifts his head from Childe’s chest to look at him. The man’s eyes are glowing making his golden vertical pupils more prominent.

“Ajax, ” he whispered, a relieved smile spreading over his face. “Do not move, I am still healing you,” he muttered, placing a hand on Childe’s chest.

He’s not wearing his usual gloves, although considering the claws he currently has Childe doubts he even can.

It is at this moment when Childe realizes that they are laying in bed. Still at Zhongli’s apartment from the looks of it. As he shifts to look around though he realizes that Zhongli was right about trying to move.

The nausea that’d been pooling in the bottom of his stomach makes itself known and he covers his mouth with a hand when his stomach flips causing him to hiccup.

He tries to speak, but finds that he can’t and he briefly wonders in horror, as saliva is pooling his mouth if whatever he’d been dosed with made him mute.

Zhongli reaches down grabbing something beside the bed, it is only when he places a small trash can in Childe’s lap that Childe realizes what it is.

“I told you not to move, ” Zhongli sighed, some of his inhuman features fading until the only thing left were his glowing eyes.

He rubbed Childe’s back as he heaved and retched his hands practically clutching the trash can in a death grip.

Panting he slowly raises his head, his eyes looking over a Zhongli. He opens his mouth to speak but frowns when he remembers he can’t, instead he gestures to his throat hoping Zhongli will get the message.

“Baizhu said that your throat should begin healing by tomorrow. While it is sore and irritated, you are lucky it did not swell shut, ” Zhongli told him.

Childe nodded slowly only to regret it when he started gagging again.

“This is one of the side effects of antidote as well, it is why I was hoping my healing abilities could accelerate things. So that you would not be in too much pain, ” Zhongli explained.

Well, that explained why he’d looked like that when Childe had woken up. He’d always wanted to see what Zhongli’s dragon form looked like, although he’d also hoped it’d be under better circumstances.

Giving a silent sigh, Childe looks at Zhongli again, a more pressing question coming to the forefront of Childe’s mind.

As if knowing what he's thinking Zhongli nodded. “While Baizhu was tending to you I went to Liuli Pavilion and tracked down the man who had poisoned you. He made it rather easy, I did not kill him, however. At the moment he is being held in a cell made of geo, with Xiao guarding him.”

At that Childe can’t help but smirk. That was good, he couldn't wait to get his own hands on the man. After all, he deserved something to brighten up his day later on after this incident.

Looking back at Zhongli, Childe mouthed the word sorry. While he knew that Zhongli wasn’t someone who hesitated in handing down a punishment if necessary, he also knew that Zhongli took no pleasure in dealing them out. Plus there was also the fact that their date night had been ruined by Childe’s own carelessness.

Zhongli shook his head. “It is fine, Ajax. I find that I am more to blame for this incident than you. I knew that the animosity from the Osial incident still lingered in Liyue, and yet I made no attempts to correct it so that it would not cause you any harm.”

Childe scowled, mouthing the words, not that.

Zhongli should know by now that things like this didn't particularly bother him. After all, he’d heard and experienced worse since he’d taken his position as a harbinger. In fact, this was probably the fifth time he’d been poisoned so he wasn't surprised by that either.

Zhongli frowned, tilting his head to the side. “If not this then what?”

Scowling, Childe crossed his arms allowing Zhongli to set the trash can aside for the moment. He was still nauseous but his stomach wasn't actively trying to wring itself out.

Our date night, Childe mouthed as though it were obvious.

For a moment Zhongli simply blinked at him. “Ajax you did not ruin-”

Childe shakes his head instantly regretting it when his stomach flipped. Clamping his hand over his mouth he breathes deeply through his nose for a few moments until the gagging fit had passed.

Giving a soft groan he turned to Zhongli and patted the space on the bed next to him. Lay with me, he mouthed.

A small smile spread over Zhongli’s face. “If it will keep you from attempting to get up, then sure.”

While Childe tended to be the more physically affectionate of the two, he rarely outright asked Zhongli to cuddle him. So Zhongli definitely didn't mind taking him up on this once-in-a-lifetime request.

Taking Childe into his arms, he began carefully running his fingers through his hair. As expected he felt Childe give a soft almost silent hum, as his grip on Zhongli’s waist tightened a bit.

“Get some rest Ajax, I’ll be right here, ” he told him.

He feels Childe give another soft hum, a smile spreading over his face when Childe’s breathing evened out and he eventually fell asleep.

#emetophilia #emeto fic #genshin impact #Genshin emeto #whump #male whump #my writing #childe x zhongli #childe genshin impact #zhongli genshin impact #tw poison #hurt/comfort

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nemycchi · 3 years ago

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Delusion

A Childe X Lumine Fanfiction

Rating : Not Rated

Tags : Psychological, Mild Angst, Character Death

----

During moments of utter silence, Childe recalls that which Lumine once told him about a book she had read from a far away land.

"It is of utmost importance that those who seek to fight monsters must not become one in the process."

He likes to think that perhaps, by mentioning it, she had once hoped that he would be reminded of his main aspiration—to conquer the world that is, and not to simply bathe in the blood of his enemies.

It has its merits, he admits—for he finds himself fighting alongside her during the turning point of the war, the darkness in him dampened by the white light she emits—cleansing the corruption that has resided in him for the longest time.

This too though, reminds him of another of her words.

"The deep dark abyss—stare for too long and it would stare back to those who dare."

It is true, for he knows that ever since he dropped down that hole in the world, he emerged as a monster that is only tamed by bloodshed.

And from the moment he knew Lumine, perhaps by her as well.

He has always carried a portion of that so-called abyss, feeling its vines wrapping inside his very being. He is a monster, that much is true, but tamed as one can be, he became a tool under her commands.

He does not care, for it is times with her when the whispers of the dark become muted—turned into nothing but echoes of the past.

"Childe? Breakfast?"

The man spies her slender form by the doorframe of his bedroom, sees her domestically ushering his sleepy person into the kitchen and he feels as though he had achieved that which he desires, with her by his side.

To conquer the world.

They did. They won. And it was all that he could ask for.

Celestia is no more. The abyss is no more. It is just him, Lumine and the rest of the world.

He smiles as he sits down at the table, reaching for her hand as she places the bowl of steaming Calla Lily Seafood Soup before him.

"Oh, my favorite. What's the occasion, girlie?"

"Mhm, nothing in particular. Just wanted to cook something special for you." she smiles back and he thinks he saw the glimmer of stars beyond her eyes.

Or perhaps it was nothing but an illusion, masking the deeper end of the void he is familiar with—if such end even existed.

Childe shakes his head for he believes that that is not the case. Lumine is here with him. And the abyss is no more. It is no more.

And if the calling of that dark bud inside him grows too strong anyhow, he knows she is here to defeat it for him.

For she is also perhaps a monster in her own rights.

--☆☆☆--

The bags under his eyes, and the haunted looks in his face tell everyone that he is far from recovered but everytime someone comes to ask him how he is faring, he will do nothing but face them with a smile before answering.

"I'm very much fine! Lumine takes good care of me."

If there were curious glances sent his way, he does not care. They must be seething inside—jealous that it was him who conquered her heart by the end of it all.

The savior and the reformed harbinger.

What a perfect love story—great as a tale to pass down from generations to generations. He sighs at the thought.

"Childe, pardon my query but I must ask—how have you truly been?"

He already lost count of how many times the same question had been asked of him.

He stops walking—to face the former Geo Archon a few steps behind.

"I do not understand why everyone keeps on asking the same question. I already told you i'm fine, didn't I?"

Oh how he hates it when they ask—as if they were doubting his princess' ability to care for him, for it was her who has been on his bed, in his kitchen, in his very house ever since the world achieved true peace.

They do not understand just how capable Lumine is.

And they will never know, if he has anything to say.

"Though we are but friends, I must express my deep concern. The dips on your cheeks beg to differ from that which you uttered."

The blue in his eyes shift into something malicious, to that belonging to the beast he keeps inside.

"With all due respect, Mr. Zhongli. I do not appreciate the implications of what you just said. You asked and I answered." He pauses.

The abyss is no more for Lumine is with him.

"I shall be going now. My wife is waiting for me at home."

As he walks away, he ignores the burning gaze on his back. It's fine. That former god does not matter.

What matters is him and Lumine while the rest of the world could go crash and burn, he thinks.

--☆☆☆--

"Tough day at work?"

Childe sidles up to her side, wrapping an arm around the apron-covered waist of his beloved. He kisses her temple with reverence—for it is what she deserves.

"Not really. It was just Mr. Zhongli. And others. Being annoyingly repetitive as always." He grumbles, tucking her head under his chin.

The small hand resting atop his chest tightens against his clothes.

"Do they... not approve of me?" She asks almost inaudibly.

He was quick to deny the preposterous thought.

"Don't listen to them. They do not matter, girlie."

Childe feels her shift and he looks down at her.

Golden pools decorated by the glittering of stars—of tears, he realizes, meet his abyssal depths.

"Are you... are you going to leave me?"

He brushes the hair out of her forehead and tucks the strays behind her ears before promptly brushing away the tears that cascaded from her eyes.

"Never. You are mine, Lumine. As much as I am yours."

Even the sweetest wine cannot compare to the smile that adorns her face after his declaration. She buries her head on his chest once more, arms crossing behind him, bestowing him with nothing else but warmth.

Childe thinks for a second, that this moment is perhaps the best there is in the world. And he knows he is ruined for anything else.

It is impossible to feel anything akin to this feeling and he strongly believes that the desire to even experience it from others aside his princess does not exist anymore.

--☆☆☆--

The sound of deliberate knocking at the door rouses the harbinger from his sleep. Childe growls in annoyance at whoever is behind that piece of wood as he untangles his limbs from the goddess laying beside him.

He kisses the top of her head before deciding to rise and check who their visitor is.

He stills when the one in front of his humble abode makes himself known.

Zhongli, of course.

"Mr. Zhongli, why the early visit?"

The man only hums before crossing his arms, pinning him with a serious gaze.

"May I come in, Childe?"

"Ah, of course."

He lets him in and ushers the former archon to the couch. Upon sitting, the latter immediately scans his surroundings with vague concern in his eyes.

"I must say, your house is surprisingly empty and devoid of life, Childe."

"What do you mean? I think it's pretty homey. Lumine designed it by herself when she first got here."

A frown makes its way to the other man's lips.

"Childe, can we talk?"

He stiffens, tone changing into a defensive one.

"We are talking, are we not?" He spats.

"Why don't you ask Lumine to come down here with us?"

He summons one of his water blades.

"Why exactly are you here, Zhongli?"

"Call Lumine, Childe."

In a flash, the water blade comes in contact with the polearm that materialized in front of the visitor.

"Why. Are. You. Here?" He asks, hostile in every way as he accents each word with a swing of his blade—all thankfully parried.

"I need you to understand, Childe." Zhongli calls forth a jade shield that rattled even the sturdy walls of the other man's home.

A water spear slams against the shield.

"That Lumine..."

Yet another side step, perfectly timed to avoid the beast cloaked in water suddenly crackling with electricity.

"Stop it!" It yells.

But Zhongli is not known for being gentle. The wrath of the rock and the harsh truth—both must be laid out for him to save the monster disguised as a man.

"Is no longer with us."

A beat passes.

"She's gone, Childe. And you must accept that fact."

"No!"

And like that, the man surges forward with the fury enough to fuel wars.

The walls crumble and the terrified shrieks of townsfolk in the immediate vicinity sound off but Childe could no longer care.

Him and Lumine. The rest of the world does not matter.

His mind goes blank with nothing but white hot anger, and he brandishes his weapon with renewed vigor.

"Take it back." He quietly demands, voice distorted.

Instead of complying, multiple stone steles rise up from the pavement, obscuring the two men from prying eyes.

"Everyone grieves for her departure, I assure you. We are hurt as much as you are." A water blade makes contact with the archon's cheek and he winces as response, "but she chose to sacrifice herself for this world's peace and she will not be happy if she sees you rotting away to your demise, Childe."

"You—you don't know anything! Do not lie! Lumine..." A crack in his composition and Zhongli is quick to take advantage of it.

All at once, like a puppet with strings cut off, Childe falls forward when Zhongli's polearm strikes down his chest. The accumulated hunger and fatigue from weeks of barely holding on to her memory suddenly come crashing down upon his person.

Empty plates and sweet nothings.

Cold bed and pristine kitchen.

Unused scarf with the color of the skies and the clouds—like the view he's witnessing right now.

Stare into the abyss, and it stares back at you—its remnants staying within, slowly consuming that which it latches on to.

The abyss is no more—or so he believes.

"Lumine... she promised me." he whispers into the wind.

The rustling of cloth distracts him from his thoughts.

"Do not lean too close to that edge, Childe. I beg you, not as your friend, but as Lumine's—please, do stay with us."

Before his eyes closed, he heard the call from the deep dark abyss of the waters.

The sea is calm. And he couldn't care less about the rest of the world.

Him and Lumine, he thinks. Him and Lumine.

#genshin impact #childe x lumine #genshin impact fanfiction #chilumi

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xiaomomowrites · 4 years ago

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home

Genshin Impact | TartaLi/ZhongChi

Summary: “Home isn’t always a place,” he taps Zhongli’s chest, “home can mean a lot of things to different people. For me, my home is my family. Wherever they are is where my home is. And maybe that’s in Liyue, maybe it’s in Snezhnaya, or maybe it’s in Inazuma. Either way, wherever my mother is, wherever my siblings are, that’s what I call home.”

As Childe trails off, he’s suddenly aware of how he’s fidgeting with a button on Zhongli’s coat now. The tips of his ears turn red. He meets his gaze abashedly. “Does that answer your question?”

Zhongli smiles fondly at him. “I believe it does. Thank you for indulging me.”

Or; Zhongli struggles to define what exactly “home” means to him.

Find it on Ao3!

This part takes place between act V and Zhongli, Come Down. I know I posted this series totally out of order, please forgive me for my lack of organization :,D

A/N: First of all, I finally have a beta reader!! She’s helped me through the process of writing this and I’m incredibly thankful for her support. I accidentally made her cry with this fic though, even if it wasn’t necessarily sad?? Regardless I appreciate her feedback haha.

Oh my, I feel like I’ve been writing these two being really soft for too long. After this, I really need to face the music and write these two fighting. The time has come. They won’t be in the honeymoon phase forever!! I’m gonna vibe check all of you.

Also, do yourself a favor and listen to the songs Home by Michael Buble and Sparks by Coldplay after or during you read this. You’re welcome.

Lastly, you can find me on Twitter @/xiaoscribbles where I’m extremely active and talk too much about Genshin. I love making friends there!

Enjoy <3 -u.n.

Zhongli never had a place to call home.

Or rather, he never bothered to find one of his own and commit to it.

He was always too mobile, too nomadic. He had places to be, people and adepti to see, contracts to see through. Zhongli never found himself settling into one place for too long. Sure, when he was Rex Lapis, he had nested many times. He was a beast whose presence was too large to be confined into one space, so he would glide to the highest mountain in Liyue with ample space for a dragon like him, and settle. Zhongli remembered how he would make it as comfortable as possible for himself using all kinds of things he would pick up on his travels. A deep purr of satisfaction would rumble through him as his scaled belly would make contact with the coolness of the earth, and Rex Lapis would allow himself to relax against the stone, body sinking as if he were weightless. Although, no matter how he shifted, tossed and turned when he tried to rest, something was always missing.

Even the familiar feeling of the Liyuan ground was not enough to fill the void in his chest.

It was satisfying, sure, but never completing.

Hence, his lack of understanding of the human desire to settle down in one home for the rest of their short, yet meaningful lives.

Were they not itching to get up and go somewhere else? See the world? Appreciate the land beneath their feet in all its entirety? Zhongli failed to comprehend. Even an ancient being like him fell short in understanding the idea of a “home”.

Well, what consisted of a home, anyway? Four walls and a roof over their heads? A kitchen filled with food? A soft bed with layers and layers of sheets? What was the meaning of all that, when the true beauty of the world was beyond those four walls, high into the sky, and deep beneath the sea? What kind of pleasure could possibly come out of being domesticated?

Nevertheless, Zhongli did make an old promise to try to understand humans as they were. So sure, Zhongli supposed he could appreciate the art of architecture. He saw how hard people worked to build these beautiful houses with intricate designs to maximize safety for the residents excited to inhabit them. It was endearing, Zhongli thought, how enthusiastic humans got about a house. The idea of settling down with their loved ones would give them so much serotonin, so much drive. It was inspiring to him. Zhongli had always hoped that one day, he could feel the same way about someone.

So why couldn’t bring himself to understand the joy in this “home” everyone spoke of? What was he missing? Was he missing the duvet? The one thousand thread count sheets? Was he missing the fine China he saw peddlers selling on roads far from town? Because he had tried his best, living in his mortal form, to find the simple pleasure in decorating his home.

But no matter what he did, no matter how many throw pillows he placed on the couch, he simply could not deny the gaping hole in his chest when he went to bed at night. He had reached a point where even cooking for one every night upset him so, and he would go to bed disgruntled and hollow. The vast margins left on the king sized bed in the middle of the night kept Zhongli awake. Though he did not even need sleep, he had tried his best to form what the humans called a “proper sleeping schedule”. Apparently, according to Hu Tao, sleeping at four in the morning and waking at seven for work was “not suitable”.

But in truth, what was he supposed to do? Pray tell, what could he possibly do to absolve the issue of the chasm growing in his chest with each passing night?

“Xiansheng!” A jovial voice snaps him out of his reverie.

Zhongli looks up from his mundane paperwork to see a familiar head of red hair bounding toward him languidly. Oh, what a sight for sore eyes.

“Childe,” he greets, “did you pester Miss Hu Tao into letting you back here again?”

“Pester?” Childe brings a hand to his chest to mock his hurt, “I hardly have to bother her to come back here. A simple ‘you look fantastic today’ is always my ticket in.”

Zhongli scoffs fondly. “How can I help you, Childe?” He sets his pen down and leans back in his chair, amber eyes following the Harbinger curiously.

“Well your break is in ten minutes, so I figured I’d come grab you for lunch at Wanmin?” Childe plants two hands flat on the cherry red oak desk and leans forward into Zhongli’s space. There’s his signature teasing smile spreading slyly across his face, the one he knows Zhongli won’t be able to resist.

Zhongli hums in approval. “Sure, let me just wrap up this last form and I should be ready to go shortly.”

Childe drops down to his elbows in response and rests his face between his palms. “You sure? We could just go now, you know. I got Hu Tao consulting Ying’er about the new fragrance for the next hour or so.”

Zhongli leans forward and meets him in the middle. “I must be responsible, Childe. If my lunch break is at noon, then I will not leave my post until then.”

Childe pouts, jutting his bottom lip out cutely in an attempt to convince him otherwise. Zhongli, immovable as ever, simply leans forward and captures his lips between his own. The Harbinger makes a happy noise in the back of his throat and presses closer, positively humming when the ex-Archon reciprocates. But the older man is quick to get back to work, pulling away as quick as he came, but not before he nips at Childe’s bottom lip. The ginger whines petulantly at the loss of contact.

“Have a seat, Ajax.” Zhongli speaks, a hair’s width away from kissing him again. Childe grumbles, but agrees regardless. He seats himself in one of the plush armchairs located in the corner of the office and makes himself comfortable for the next ten minutes.

Zhongli readjusts himself in his seat and picks his pen back up, glancing back down at the form he had already completed. He blinked owlishly at it. He must have finished signing it while Childe was talking without realizing what he had done. Regardless, he moves onto the next document to peruse silently. Mid sentence, he scoffs playfully, shaking his head at the thought of the ginger distracting him so. Is he even surprised at this point? Not even a little bit. The ginger has an incomprehensible hold on his heart, one that he doesn’t really want to shake off.

“Something funny, Xiansheng?” Childe teases from his seat. He’s reclined in his chair, relaxed, head lolling against the cushioned headrest. His eyes are closed and his shoulders are drooping into the leather. He’s relaxed, for once, and the thought of Ajax allowing himself to let his guard down in his presence makes Zhongli’s heart thump happily in his chest.

“Not particularly,” Zhongli pushes himself up with a groan. Goodness, his joints are getting tired. He pads over to where Childe is seated and forcefully makes room for himself on a chair that is clearly made for one person. Childe lets out a surprised yelp at the sudden intrusion but scoots over to make room, anyway. Zhongli makes himself comfortable by angling his body to where it’s being cradled by the junction between the armrest and the back, and opens his arms as a silent invitation.

Childe takes it happily and launches forward to burrow into Zhongli’s chest. He rests a gloved hand over his heart and snuggles closer, inhaling the deep scent of silk flowers and leather. Zhongli’s arms come around to strap him against his chest, gloved hands petting his sides as he presses a kiss to red hair. The contact immediately vanquishes the discourse in his mind. He squeezes him tight for good measure, forcing a grunt out of his Tartaglia.

“Xiansheng,” he calls.

“Hm?”

“You’re working too hard again.”

“Am I?” He questions absentmindedly. “And here I thought I was pulling my weight just fine.”

Childe snorts. “Pulling your weight? You know I make enough for the both of us. You could retire and stay at home, relaxing and reading books, or whatever it is you do at home.”

Ah, there it is again.

Home.

For the second time that day, Zhongli is struck with confusion.

“What is home to you, Childe?” He asks, voice soft and far away. Childe frowns against his chest in confusion.

“Home?” He parrots.

“Yes, home. What is ‘home’ to you, Tartaglia?”

“Hmm,” the Harbinger hums, tapping a gloved finger against the ex-Archon’s chest idly as he speaks. “I suppose home is Snezhnaya. Home is what I grew up in. The unbearable cold and the old cottage house. Ice fishing with my siblings, massaging my mother’s back. Those things are all home to me.”

Zhongli ponders. Of course that is what home means. Familiarity, yes? So, technically, his home was Liyue. The hustle and bustle of trade by the harbor, the loud sizzling woks at the food stands, the loud marketers on the street that work hard day and night, the enthusiastic story tellers spewing exaggerated lies— that was all home to him.

So why, then, was Zhongli still dissatisfied with this conclusion? Home should obviously be Liyue. He created this land with his own two hands. Gave people the very drive that keeps them alive today; he gave the idea of mora and fair trade and economic prosperity. He’s watched countless faces pass him every day, every year, every century. He’s seen new faces, young faces, old faces, familiar faces, too, the ones he had seen on older souls. Reincarnated souls. Zhongli knew those souls. He’s had dinner with many of them on multiple occasions.

And it was no secret that Zhongli was well known in his hometown. Every business owner was familiar with his eloquent way of speaking and ambitious ways of buying. With the arrival of Childe, every business owner all but doubled their enthusiasm now that Mister Zhongli finally had a means to pay. People knew Zhongli, they adored him. They admired his amber eyes and long, beautiful hair, the ends of it looking like it had been dipped in melted mora. When he walked, people’s eyes followed. They would stare longingly at his beautifully crafted coat, his single earring, the fine leather gloves that cover his deft hands, and they would admire the way he walked with purpose, and with fire. A confidence so set in stone, it was almost difficult for one to even approach Mister Zhongli. For so long, he was considered Liyue’s most handsome bachelor, until of course Tartaglia came along and swept him off of his feet, capturing his attention in a way no one else could ever imagine imitating.

Yet, despite all the attention his people lavished upon him, there was always a nagging feeling of isolation nipping at him in the back of his mind. Despite creating the very ground beneath their feet, he simply felt like he did not fit in. Only when he was with Tartaglia did he truly feel like he belonged anywhere. It was rather inexplicable. There was something about the way Tartagali’s presence wrapped around him with a level of tenderness he had never experienced. It covered him like a gentle embrace, welcomed him without judgement, and loved him without expecting anything in return. The thought of Ajax himself made Zhongli’s heart swell

Speaking of which, the said man was now pressed tightly against his chest tracing lazy patterns into the fabric of his coat. Their long legs were tangled where they were dangling off the seat, with Tartaglia’s foot rubbing affectionately against the older man’s ankle.

Oh, how far they have come.

“But,” Tartaglia suddenly interjects, jolting Zhongli out of his thoughts. “If my family were to come here to Liyue to stay, then I suppose Liyue would be home, too.”

Zhongli hums. “Naturally. I’m sure they would find the variety of houses here in Liyue nice and peaceful, perfect for a new home.”

At that, Childe lets out a light laugh. “Honestly? They could live in a cardboard box in Inazuma, and I would still call that home.”

Zhongli frowns. Well now he’s even more confused than when he started. Since when was a cardboard box a suitable home for a human? It completely lacked all the appliances the houses here in Liyue had. Why would Childe settle for that? He of all people was aware of the love he holds for his family, there simply was no way he would call that a suitable home for his family.

“I don’t understand,” he says instead, “a cardboard box, Tartaglia? You do not strike me as the type to settle for such an...unbecoming home. Especially for your family.”

“No, no, Xiansheng,” the Harbinger chuckles, sitting up slightly so he can look Zhongli in the eye. “I was just exaggerating. And, home isn’t always supposed to be a house, you know. Those two things can be mutually exclusive. Maybe not all the time, but, definitely most of the time.”

Well this was certainly new. Now he truly did not understand what it meant to have a home.

“Apparently I do not know.”

Childe sits upright to look down at the ex-Archon.

“Home isn’t always a place,” he taps Zhongli’s chest, “home can mean a lot of things to different people. For me, my home is my family. Wherever they are is where my home is. And maybe that’s in Liyue, maybe it’s in Snezhnaya, or maybe it’s in Inazuma. Either way, wherever my mother is, wherever my siblings are, that’s what I call home.”

Childe is aware he’s rambling, but he can’t help it. Once he starts talking about his siblings, he simply cannot stop. “It wouldn’t matter where I was if I couldn’t hear my siblings from the other room. If I didn’t wake up to Tonia’s loud blow dryer every morning, or if I didn’t hear Anthon trying to talk to her over the blowing, then it isn’t home. If I can’t hear Teucer’s footsteps coming toward me asking about a new Mr. Cyclops toy, it isn’t home. Not to me. But like I said, it’s different for everyone.”

Zhongli smiles fondly at him. “I believe it does. Thank you for indulging me.”

Childe pushes himself up and off the chair, stretching and yawning obnoxiously. “Great,” he replies once his jaw finishes unhinging itself from that yawn, “let’s eat, I’m starving.”

—

To put it simply, Zhongli rethinks his definition of home all night. After he gets home from his dinner date (Tartaglia tugged on his sleeves until he agreed to leave his shift early in favor of a new restaurant that had popped up recently), he closes the door behind him to take in the composition of his home. Tartaglia had been the one to pick out most of the furniture, so although it lacked many of the traditional Liyuan decor Zhongli would have furnished the place with himself, it had a nice touch of Tartaglia everywhere he went.

His couch, for example, was a deep mahogany leather that stayed cool to the touch despite the hottest of summers. Zhongli’s dresser was nice and tall, a deep chestnut brown cut from the forests of Snezhnaya to match his bed frame. His bed was elevated by an incredibly grandiose four post frame that hung a beautiful golden translucent curtain all around the bed, draping the perimeter and creating an ethereal atmosphere for when he sleeps at night.

(“It’s kinda sexy, don’t you think?” Childe had asked one day, while he was pondering which bed frame to buy for his boyfriend. Not that he needed to, considering Zhongli finally has a stable salary, he just wanted to.

“Ajax,” Zhongli had said disapprovingly, “what about it is sexy to you?

“I don’t knowww,” the Harbinger hums, “maybe it looks like I would feel like I’m on cloud nine when we’re, you know…”

“You can say sex, Ajax, I believe in you.”

“Oh stop that!” Childe whacks him playfully with the catalogue, “I’m being a good boyfriend and getting you a beautiful bed frame cut from the finest oak tree and sheets woven with high quality silk! You could be nicer to me, you know.” He’s pouting, and he knows it. Zhongli’s eyes soften.

Zhongli shakes his head, laughing. “You know you don’t need to do that, you know.”

“I want to,” Ajax persists, “this is your first actual living space as a mortal! I want it to be perfect. I refuse to have my boyfriend, who is a literal god, sleeping on a bed with no bed frame. Unacceptable.”

Zhongli smiles and watches him as he continues to ramble about all the different bed frames he could buy. Oh, his love for this boy knows no end.)

The hints of Ajax everywhere he goes is how he keeps himself sane each night. His possessive urge to be around him every second of every day (courtesy of being a dragon deity his entire six thousand year life span) is soothed with the smell of him on his sheets and the extra toothbrush by the sink. One of Tartaglia’s scarves is folded neatly on the arm of his couch, and during those nights where he truly feels Ajax’s absence, he’ll hold the red fabric close and breathe the scent in deeply. The smell alone is enough to rock him to sleep on some nights, but on others, it simply is not enough. On those nights, he finds himself reading book after book about Snezhnaya culture until he passes out from exhaustion.

One would think that it would be better for them to just live together. Given that they spent every second outside of work with each other, even going so far as walking the long route home just to avoid saying goodbye, a person would look at the way they held each other close in public and think that they’ve been married for quite some time already.

But alas, they had agreed to take their relationship slow in the beginning. The both of them had much to adjust to, given that one of them was a notoriously fierce Harbinger, and the other was an ex-Archon adjusting to the world without his gnosis. They both had complex schedules that they were much too familiar and comfortable with to just up and leave for another person. There was a certain period of time that they had agreed to spend apart, well, as “apart” as they could be, before they decided to do anything drastic, like move in together.

There was too much to consider, anyway, Zhongli reflects as he gets ready for bed. Would their living habits even align? Would Tartaglia even be a good roommate? Would he take out the trash responsibly? As much as he loves the ginger with his entire heart, he doesn’t think he could do it for long if Tartaglia was the type to walk around with shoes on. Such an act should be considered illegal, anyway.

Waiting was the right thing to do.

Right?

The nights Tartaglia spent with him were the nights he could sleep a full, uninterrupted eight hours. They were the nights that Zhongli felt himself truly relax into the sheets and sink into a blissful sleep, knowing his beloved was being held impossibly close. And if nighttime was therapeutic for him, mornings felt ethereal. The mornings where he rose with the sun to be met with the sight of Tartaglia next to him were the mornings he felt like he could fly again, and soar through the open Liyue skies in his rawest form forever, so long as Tartaglia was with him.

In fact, more often than not, Zhongli thought about the way it would feel to have Childe by his side as he explored the skies again. He would think about the way he would have to strap him down, nice and close so he doesn’t fall off his back, and then take off high into the sky. Not too high, lest he accidentally give his boyfriend a heart attack, but high enough to hear those delightful shrieks Childe will let out when he’s excited. He thinks about the way Childe could grasp onto his mane for security, hands threading through golden locks, legs tightening around his torso to avoid falling. Oh, he thinks about this a lot.

But, waiting was the right thing to do. The last thing he wanted was for Childe to feel uncomfortable with the pace that their relationship was going and make him uneasy. Besides, just because he was a possessive dragon at heart, it didn’t mean Ajax was willing to cater to his needy tendencies. So, he promised himself that he would create a reasonable distance between them for the time being.

Why then, did he hate this distance with every fiber of his being?

Why is the distance so unbearable, especially at night?

Why is he so unsettled with the very few miles between them? It’s not like Zhongli is in Liyue and Childe is in Snezhnaya. Tartaglia is literally only at the inn.

Yet he craves nothing more but to be close to him at all times. Zhongli’s skin itches with the desperate desire to feel him by his side when he goes to bed, when he wakes up, and all the moments in between. Does that make him clingy? Maybe. But old habits die hard.

Zhongli huffs and looks down at his flattened pillow with disdain. No amount of fluffing will restore it to a state that is suitable for his likes. Even the elegantly woven silk night robe wrapped around his body offers little to no comfort.

He glances at the clock.

It’s only half past midnight. If all went well with Tartaglia’s shift, he should be home now, fresh out of the shower.

Without thinking twice, Zhongli throws together an overnight bag and rushes out the door.

—

“Coming, I’m coming,” Childe calls to the incessant knocks at his door. The knuckles continue to rap against the barrier, though, and Childe’s fingers itch to summon a water blade in the case that things go south. Considering that there is rarely anyone that would dare to disturb him at this time of night, Childe would say his precautionary measures are reasonable. He had summoned an angry water god, after all. It was only a matter of time before the angry mobs got to him.

The knocks sound again, and Childe angrily ruffles his hair against the towel. If they could just wait one second, he could answer the door with dry hair, but no. Peace was not an option, apparently, and neither was a perfectly fluffed head of hair.

He stomps toward the door and swings it open, ready to scold whoever had—

“Xiansheng!” He startles when he sees Zhongli standing in the doorway, donning a simple black t-shirt tucked into high waisted pants that were loose and slightly flared at the bottom, and his feet were covered by simple strappy sandals. Childe vaguely remembers purchasing those pants for him when he had mentioned wanting more loose and liberating clothes. The ex-Archon looks good like this. He looks… impossibly soft. Vulnerable, almost. There’s a distant look in his amber eyes that has Childe mildly concerned, though. Childe tries to ignore the sudden urge to protect him to his last dying breath.

“What are you doing here?” He sidesteps and reaches out to drag his boyfriend in. “I thought we had already discussed you sleeping so late! I know you’re an adeptus, you don’t require sleep, blah blah blah, but still, you—“

“I missed you,” Zhongli stated so matter of factly. “I wanted to see you. So I came here.”

Childe gawks at him and closes the door slowly. So he had just walked all the way here?! At this hour?! Goodness, the audacity—

“Xiansheng,” he whines instead, dragging the older man into an embrace. He wraps his arms around his neck and presses his cheek into his hair. “You can’t just say those things. It’s impossible for me to love you more.”

Zhongli holds him with desperation, welcoming the hug so enthusiastically that Childe knows there’s something to be said.

“Can I stay the night?” The adeptus asks once they pull apart.

Childe looks at him, dumbfounded. “You don’t even need to ask! Go, make yourself comfortable. Are you hungry? Have you had dinner?”

Zhongli drops his bag by his side of the bed and takes a seat, still watching Childe with careful eyes.

“I’ve eaten,” he answers carefully. “I just couldn’t seem to get comfortable at… home… so I came here.”

Childe frowns, and joins him on the bed. He flips the covers open and clambers in, resting back against the headboard. “Not comfortable? Is something wrong with your place?”

“Maybe,” Zhongli tries, “I really don’t know. Frankly I’ve been conflicted about… many things… recently, and I feel as if I have reached an impasse. I don’t know where to go from here.”

“Zhongli,” Tartaglia says, suddenly serious, “how come this is the first time I’m hearing of this?” His voice drops an octave, the worry seeping into his tone.

Zhongli reclines and rests against the headrest, too. “I did not know how to express my troubles to you, mainly because I’m having trouble defining it myself.”

Well, that’s fair enough. Tartaglia can’t find it in himself to be mad at that reasoning.

“Well,” Tartaglia begins, reaching for Zhongli’s hand and hugging his arm to his chest. He scoots closer and uses Zhongli’s shoulder as a pillow. “Why don’t you just start rambling and maybe it’ll come to you.”

“I think I have a vague idea, actually,” Zhongli adjusts himself to make himself more comfortable for Ajax. The both of them find themselves staring up at the ceiling as they converse. “Remember when I asked you what ‘home’ means to you?”

“Of course,” Tartaglia answers. Oh, he has an idea of where this is going.

“Well, I’m unsure of what it means to me.”

Bingo.

“What it means to you?” The Harbinger asks, craning his neck to look up at him. Zhongli hums, affirmative.

“Yes, I’ve been struggling to define the term for myself. I’ve been observing others much more closely and how they define their own home, but I’m afraid it has made me more confused.”

Tartaglia juts out his bottom lip in contemplation. “What do you mean?”

Zhongli takes a deep breath, a long explanation at the tip of his tongue. Tartaglia braces himself, as he usually does.

“Today you told me home was your family. Miss Xiangling told me home was her father, and the smell of their kitchen. Young Xingqiu told me his home was within whatever book he was reading, even describing it as his safe space. And Miss Ningguang, most peculiar of all, had told me home was when she was out at sea, but only when Captain Beidou was by her side. Mind you, I had fully expected it to be the Jade palace, considering the built it from the ground up.” Zhongli rambles, “and I just found it strange how so many humans find different definitions for the word home. Such a simple word, too, so imagine my surprise when I discover it’s true complexity.”

“I’ve encountered many things in my life, Ajax. I have met so many people in this lifetime and watched them grow, watched them die, and even watched some be reincarnated. But I think…” he trails off, and the warmth in his eyes glimmer as he reaches an epiphany. “I think I am struggling to define the term because I have never been presented with the idea of stability. Things are always changing. The world around me continues to warp and I have noticed, in my time so far, that humans find the need for stability and reassurance because of the nature of their short lives. That is where I am lacking.”

—

Try as he might, Tartaglia takes slight offense to his statement.

Lacking stability? The thought was bitter on his tongue.

Was… was Childe not enough?

No, no, he forcefully derailed that train of thought, he came here tonight because you’re the only thing he can rely on in his life right now. Show him that.

“Well,” Childe starts carefully, and thanks the stars that his voice is steady. “What about me?”

Zhongli makes a confused noise. “What about you?”

“Do you consider me as a stable thing in your life?” Childe prods, digging his cheek deeper into his shoulder.

“Oh, absolutely not,” Zhongli snorts.

Childe unironically feels an ache in his chest. He stills against Zhongli. Ouch.

Luckily, Zhongli is at least able to pick up on his sudden discomfort, and he’s quick to follow up his statement.��

“You misunderstand, Ajax, you being wildly chaotic is a beautiful thing in and of itself.” Zhongli gently pries Childe off his arm to look at him directly. As expected, Childe is upset. He’s got the same glassy eyes he always dons when he’s upset, but doesn’t want to admit it, and his bottom lip is red and obviously bitten in an attempt to keep himself from feeling unreasonably angry.

“Oh,” Zhongli coos at the sight, “I’m sorry my love, I didn’t mean to upset you.”

“It’s fine,” Childe blinks hard, “I’m just being dumb.”

“You’re not being dumb,” Zhongli is quick to negate his self-deprecative tendencies, “I must have come off very harsh just now. I’m sorry.”

“Don’t apologize,” Childe thumps a fist against his chest, “it’s fine, really.”

“As I was saying,” the Archon continues, “nothing about my life so far has been stable, Ajax. Things are constantly changing. Time continuously flows, and it simply does not wait for any man. Unfortunately, I have seen many people come and go. And unfortunately, one day you will become one of them--”

“Zhongli stop,” Childe interrupts him. He’s angry, now. His brows are furrowed and there’s an evident frown on his face. There’s a slight scowl across his lips where there used to be a precious smile just moments ago. “What the hell?” He asks angrily.

“Ajax,” Zhongli scolds softly, “it would be in your best interests if you let me finish.”

“Well, not if you’re just gonna talk about death,” Childe retorts. He’s aware that he sounds childish, but such a topic is not to be taken to lightly. Especially when it revolves around him, and what he would be leaving behind. The thought makes him sick to his stomach.

“Whether or not you’re stable, whether or not you’ll be here forever, you are the most important thing to me, probably ever.” He speaks with a certainty that makes Childe shiver. “You are the first person in a very long time that has made me want to try to grasp at the fleeting seconds I have with you, Ajax. You drive me crazy. And I love you for it, because never in my six thousand years have I had as much fun as when I am with you.”

Dammit, Childe is crying now. Zhongli has such a way with words, how could he not? Dating him is just one, huge, glorified emotional rollercoaster. Zhongli brushes a stray, reluctant tear away with the pad of his ungloved hand.

“Frankly, stability is overrated,” the ex-Archon smiles at the soft giggle that escapes his beloved’s lips. “I have found, albeit slowly, that I would rather have someone loud and rambunctious than someone slow and settled. That is my role, if anything. There simply cannot be two of us, can there?”

A soft “no” is huffed as laughter from Childe. What a boring relationship that would be, truly.

“But if it is stability you seek, Ajax, let me be that for you. Let me be here, solid as stone and steadfast. Let me be the pillar of strength you need to turn to in times of trouble. Okay?” He brushes a knuckle gently across his skin.

Childe makes a sound that sounds a little broken and a little delirious. “When did this become about me, Xiansheng?”

“To me, it’s always been about you,” Zhongli smiles fondly. Childe feels as if he’s been shot in the heart.

Childe gives him a shaky smile and nods. He can’t seem to control his heart at the moment, so instead, he says, “You’re my home, Zhongli.”

The gears seemed to finally click somewhere in Zhongli’s chest. The hollow feeling inside suddenly swelled with a sense of nostalgia, bringing with it a feeling of peace and serenity. Zhongli’s eyes widen, and the ex-Archon looks down at Childe with a sudden air of solid certainty. Childe almost shrinks at the intensity of his gaze.

“Of course,” he mutters, mostly to himself. “Of course it’s you.”

“What?”

“How could I be so blind?” Zhongli cups his face with both hands, and Childe reciprocates by placing both palms on his wrists. Confused, but following along. Cor lapis eyes stare straight into his soul, unforgiving as it digs deeper and deeper into what makes him whole.

“Xiansheng?” Ajax asks, dazed by the intensity of Zhongli’s stare. God, his eyes are so golden.

“It’s you, Ajax,” for once, his voice cracks and he loses composure, “you… are home. You are home. To me, that is my definition of home. I only ever feel-- I only ever feel like I belong when I am with you. It was so obvious, and I--”

“Zhongli,” Ajax gently pries off the hands cupped around his face. His heart can’t handle this right now. It’s too much. He’s too in love, he needs to do something or he’ll explode. He stares directly into those beautiful, mesmerizing golden eyes. Ajax cradles Zhongli’s hands in his own, petting over his knuckles, when he asks, “Marry me?”

His eyes widen comically, as if they weren’t already the size of saucepans with his first epiphany.

“Oh.”

So that’s what he was missing.

“I know we said we would take it slow, and I know I’m young, or whatever” Childe begins to ramble, “but fuck going slow, Xiansheng, it’s been months and all I want to do is go to sleep with you next to me. I know what I want and it seems like you do, too, but if I misread that then--”

Zhongli hushes him with an incessant press of his lips against Childe’s. It is a loving kiss, yes, but it is filled with a desperation that only the both of them understand. It is a kiss that is so different from the others; one full of certainty and ambition, a kiss full of overwhelming commitment. The longing behind the contact is an answer in and of itself, but he pulls away to speak regardless.

“Yes,” he breathes, pressing his forehead against Childe’s, “yes.”

That night, Zhongli finally comes to the conclusion that home does not have to mean four walls and a roof. It doesn’t pertain to any kind of fancy kitchen appliances, or four post bed frames. Zhongli quickly learns that it doesn’t have to be about a place, and all the stories it tells. It’s not even Liyue, the very land he built himself. It has nothing to do with any of that. In fact, the sheer ridiculousness of Zhongli’s inner conflict has him rolling.

Instead, it has everything to do with the red head beneath him. It has to do with the way he calls his name in the middle of the night, claws his hands down his back and juts his hips forward, desperately seeking friction. Home has everything to do with swollen lips, red from being kissed, cheeks hot pink from the heat slowly filling the room, and strong thighs clenching and unclenching around his waist. Home has to do with his precious Snezhnayan soulmate.

Simply, home is Ajax.

#genshin impact #genshin impact fanfiction #tartali #zhongchi #chili #tartaglia x zhongli #childe x zhongli #character study #zhongli struggles a lot...#childe #tartaglia #zhongli #rex lapis #help i want what they have

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wherearemyglassesbro · 4 years ago

Note

i saw that you play genshin impact, so i’m kind of curious... what’d be the axis and allies’ vision and weapons?

Uh oh...now you got me started. Be warned, it’s a long one cause I have no self control

Some key terms for those who don’t play genshin impact and want to be included!!

Cryo -> ice, Hydro -> water, Dendro -> nature, Geo -> rock, Pyro -> fire, Electro -> lightning

Hilichurls: a common enemy found in the wild. Despite looking like hairy trolls, they have a district language as well as texts, art and song that they share together making them an advanced species!

Ruin guards: another enemy. Giant, scary robot...they scare me...

Knights of Favonious: an organization of knights within Mondstat that keep order and peace :) very nice guys and gals over there!!

Mondstat: modeled after Germany

Liyue: modeled after China

Alfred: pyro, claymore, Springvale Mondstat

Alfred would be a super heavy hitter in battle but his drawbacks are that despite his energetic nature, he’s slower because of the weight of his weapon

He blows stuff up a lot and sets all of the grass around you on fire so if you fight with him...His teammates will take damage from him Jeez Louise!!!

Since we don’t have all of the nations of Teyvay unlocked, I don’t know where he’d be from! I’d have to explore to get a sense for it so for characters that don’t have a place on the map yet, I’ll mark them with an asterisk from now on! :)

Idk where he lives but I do know that he’d be a devoted member of the adventurers guild! He’s always willing to offer a helping hand to anyone in need! Wether it be helping Granny Ann make hash browns or taking comissions to go kill a huge ruin guard who’s terrorizing the town!! He’s always leaping into new jobs! He isn’t even in it for the money or rewards! He just loves helping out!

Arthur: Dendro, archer, Mondstat

Artie is a beast in battle! Shooting vine Aries at enemies to tie them up or temporarily blind them??? Sick as fuck. Keep in mind, Genshin doesn’t have any Dendro characters that are playable yet so idk how they’d fight but I think I can guess :)

Artie is technically part of the knights of favonious because he works in their library. He translates books written in ancient texts into the standard language so historians and others can read what the old civilizations had to say

Instead of having normal eyes, they’re slit like snake eyes. And he has leaves instead of hair :)

He has a little seelie that floats around at his side. He talks to it but it doesn’t really do anything but provide company to a lonely guy :’) he needs more friends

Matthew: Anemo, catalyst, *

It’s always good to have a catalyst on your team! Ningguang is a great example of an underestimated catalyst cause she can do INSANE damage man!! So I think Mattie would be the same way

Matt isn’t violent and doesn’t enjoy fighting so his in-game voice lines would say that lol

Mattie is an alchemist! Well...A student alchemist. He didn’t take up an interest in alchemy until like, 3 years ago so he’s got a lot to catch up on still! He’s doing his best!

He gets very annoyed with Alfred since Mattie is detail oriented and gentle...Alfred is not any of those things. But he still loves his brother and on rare occasions, he’ll assist him with his commissions

Ivan: Cryo, catalyst, Liyue(temporary)

Ivan would be a support character for sure but he’d do a damn good job of doing it

He’s buff but he doesn’t do hand to hand combat, he’s mastered magic for a reason

Ivan spends most of his time studying hilichurls. He writes books about them, translates their texts and acts as a peace keeper when he can. He gets information from them about the Abyss Order in return for free reign of small portions of protected land where they can live without fear of being killed

Because he’s from Schneznya(spelling?) he’s kinda expected to be a bad guy but he left a long time ago. But he still sounds like he’s from there and...He’s super pale too so there really is no mistaking where he’s from

Ivan can’t stand how ignorant humans are towards hilichurls so he does everything he can to advocate for them. He’s covered in scars from when he first started engaging with the beasts. A huge scar runs down his face but he doesn’t mind it

He’s got big, sharp teeth!! So he doesn’t often smile cause he thinks he looks weird

Francis: Hyrdo, long sword, *

Fran is underestimated when it comes to combat (like Kaeya...I see you slandering this man) but he has so much potential!

Since he’s a hydro, he is so useful for elemental reactions! If he’s paired with a cryo or pyro user, he’d totally boost them!!

Fran is a traveling entertainer, he goes between the 7 nations as a singer and actor for small stage plays. He has a crew of friends who travel with him, they’re one jolly bunch!

He always acts all nonchalant and stuff but once he’s in a battle, he’s wild. Especially if the abyss order holds up his crew on their way to their next tour destination “We need to be in Liyue Harbor in four hours you are NOT holding us back!” *tidal wave*

He’s a regular tavern hopper! A very recognizable face since he’s been banned from a handful for getting too rowdy

He can make not one, but 2 special dishes :0

Yao: Dendro, polearm, Liyue

I just imagine him as a shorter, richer and cooler version of Zhongli

He’d do that kick move that Zhongli does with his polearm oh man that looks SICK dude!!!

Yao would shoot vines out and they’d strangle enemies for a few seconds before disintegrating but if he’s leveled up enough, they’ll totally strangle those stupid hillichurls lol

Yao sells rare gems and other miscellaneous items for very high prices in Liyue where he grew up. His shop is upstairs by the Fatui bank. Rich people enjoy looking at what his shop has to fifer and will argue prices with him. They’re getting scammed for sure. He’ll list a set of cor lapis earrings as $50,000 and the rich will be like ‘I’ll pay $25,000, no more than that’ and he’ll take it!!....Cause thise earrings are worth $5000 at most >:)

Hes close with a lot of the higher ups in Liyue and is often invited to fancy lunches or dinners where they discuss policy, contracts and vendor permits. He doesn’t really get a say in any of that but he benefits from listening

Kiku: Electro, claymore, *

Kiku would be SUCH an awesome electo user are you KIDDING me??? I can see it now, him swinging that huge sword around, purple lightning bolts flying all around and he looks like a total badass? Amazing vibes

When paired with cryos???? He’d do an insane amount of damage fr

Kiku runs a small restaurant where he...runs the place...but doesn’t cook. His restaurant is extremely exclusive and people often throw fits when they can’t get in cause the wait list is over 5 years long. He’ll rest his hand on their shoulder and smile ‘is something wrong? I’d love to take a complaint if you have one’...No one has even dared to complain to his face lol

Behind the restaurant front he deals with the Fatui, buying and selling minerals or artifacts. That’s where his knowledge is at, not with food. He pays his staff to ignore what goes on behind the scenes and the locals are too busy enjoying the restaurant to question what goes on after dark

Gilbert: Pyro, long sword, Mondstat

Gil would be one of the free characters given to you at the beginning of the game but hey, I’m not complaining

He’s highly destructive and very chaotic in battle, he can do that spin move even though that’s meant for claymore users

He’s Mondstat’s biggest trouble maker. He runs an underground gambling room that sits underneath a tavern. He isn’t really into gambling but he makes a lot of money by running it

The only knight who knows is Ludwig which is not good cause...Gil pretty much bribes his brother into not telling the knights of favonious (peace keepers of Mondstat)

Gil never got his gliding certificate cause he kept flying into buildings. He broke his nose doing that lol

Lovino: Pyro, catalyst, *

I can’t add anymore images so imagine a floating, red and black orb. Lovi doesn’t get a book catalyst cause he doesn’t read :) That’s the catalyst thing I’m talking about 😅😅

My guy has the angriest in game voice lines, he’s inconvenienced by every battle, every enemy is ugly and a fuckin disaster. He’s just. Angry.

He’d be a super weak character if he needed to rely on hand to hand combat but he learned magic for a reason babey

He owns a flower stand in his country and makes all kinds of beautiful flower arrangements. He even picks his own flowers in the fields when he can (but usually pays the town’s children to do it for him to ‘teach them the value of hard work’).

Everyone knows he’s a total hothead and will piss him off on purpose just cause it’s funny lmao. But then somehow...Their hair or clothes will just...catch on fire. So is it really worth it to tease him? :/

Feliciano: Hydro, archer, Mondstat(temporary)

I feel like Feli would also be a free character, not cause he isn’t good or anything! But you always need an archer on your team!

Feli has healing properties for his team and doesn’t do an insane amount of damage but when given the right resources, he’d be a pretty sick healer

He moved to Mondstat to join the church there. He leads prayers in front of the church and sings in the choir inside.

He is the sweetest and has never committed a crime in his LIFE but he’s afraid of the knights lol he’s terrified that he’ll get in trouble and be kicked out of Mondstat forever! That would never happen but he’s a worry wart cause of his brother

Ludwig: Geo, long sword, Mondstat

Lud is the only one that I could really think of as a Geo but Geos are awesome :)

He’s a hard hitter but has like...No shield so he’ll take damage fast if you don’t give him those artifacts with shield in them or whatever lol uhhhh I wouldn’t know anything about that cause I suck at building my teams ;-;

He’d totally be in with the knights of favonious! (I think that’s spelled right lol) but he’d take his duty as a knight very seriously!! He’s a familiar face around Mondstat, the elderly absolutely adore him and the local teenage girls swoon over him which he finds super embarrassing lol

He has to work hard to keep Gilbert in check cause even though Gil isn’t a knight, his actions reflect negatively back on Lud very often... :(

Please ignore the spelling errors and terrible photo cropping on my part lol this was so fun!!

By the time you’re seeing this, ive already made full outfit red sheets for everyone mentioned above!!!! :D

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kyogre-blue · 3 years ago

Text

I was going to complain about something else, but since I dug up this dialogue, I’ll directly complain about Azhdaha.

Azhdaha’s situation is kinda weird on the whole because of the erosion point. Here is what Kun Jun (possessed by Azhdaha’s “good side”) says about it:

Kun Jun: The memories of rocks do not last long. Those memories that survive are rooted in powerful emotion. But as time passes, so these memories fade into obscurity. Erosion is the world's greatest destroyer of memories. Kun Jun: Erosion ground Azhdaha's consciousness into oblivion. Slowly, he forgot the face of his old friend, and his memories of defending Liyue Harbor disintegrated. Kun Jun: Azhdaha, now incomplete, became irascible... aggressive. Jiu: What would you expect!? It was humanity that attacked the Ley Lines that sustained me! Kun Jun: This much is true. Which is why "you" attacked The Chasm... why "you" waged war against Morax. Kun Jun: In the beginning, in order to open up new territory and increase production, the citizens of Liyue came to the mountains to mine. Overexploitation caused the Ley Lines to quake, which brought untold suffering to "us." Kun Jun: Erosion made "us" even more savage. No matter how we struggled, we lost the ability to coexist with humanity... we lost all reason. Kun Jun: Morax shared with us some of his power, to prevent further erosion. But... it was futile. Everything returns to dust. It is the natural order, an unstoppable force.

Erosion made Azhdaha forget his friendship with Zhongli and his previous dedication to Liyue, while also making him more savage and uncontrollable.

So, when humans damaged the Ley Lines and caused him great pain, he directly attacked the Chasm and fought Morax when he tried to stop him. As a result, Morax could do nothing except seal him away, which Azhdaha agreed to with his... well, with what “Kun Jun” personifies.

Kun Jun: And so, "we" became "you." And from your will... "I" emerged. Kun Jun: I am your final contract. Witness the promise between Azhdaha and Morax. You can hate me... but you cannot deny me. Kun Jun: I am the remnants of Azhdaha's benevolence, the echo of a contract set in stone. I harbor a willingness to go further, a willingness to coexist peacefully with mankind. Jiu: No, no! It is I, Azhdaha, forged of elemental crystal, bearer of the weight and memories of the earth, older than the mountains and the oceans that decides! I will not swear allegiance to this insect! Kun Jun: Morax is not an insect. Jiu: A lord over insects is nothing but an insect in turn! Kun Jun: You forgot yourself. Nobody held Morax in higher regard than you or I. Kun Jun: That which you have forgotten, I hold here in my heart. If you are the memory of the earth... then I am the memory of coexistence... of coexistence with humanity.

This is all... I’m not sure how to explain, but it’s all kind of wild to me.

Humans harmed the Ley Lines and thus harmed Azhdaha. But you see, Azhdaha was wrong because he was actually crazy and had lost his memories. And that’s why Morax “chose justice, but did not forsake kindness” by sealing him away to suffer “a thousand years of pain” while also admitting that he didn’t actually have much of an option because Azhdaha was so powerful Morax was barely able to match him anyway.

And in the meantime, humans have continued to screw around in the Chasm, leading up to it having to be sealed off yet again, as well as what seems to be at least one other instance of mining until they harm Ley Lines in Mt Tianheng.

Imagine if, in FF7, everyone just went “well, yes, Shinra is draining the Lifestream, but it’s the Planet that is in the wrong for attacking them, so it’s totally correct to seal it away and keep draining the Lifestream anyway.”

?????

Zhongli is praised for not approaching Azhdaha “as an assassin” but in what way could he have done that when Azhdaha is an absolutely massive beast that was rampaging across the entire Nantianmen area? How do you assassinate a dragon the size of a mountain? Do they mean that he never intended to take Azhdaha’s life? But then Zhongli says he didn’t have the power to do that anyway, so...

Azhdaha lost his memories of their friendship and his time with humans, but he definitely remembers all this a thousand years down the line anyway. This erosion business sure is selectively and conveniently applied... That aside, this is all ascribed to stones having short memories, so did he stop living with humans for this to have become a distant memory to him? If so, why?

Keep in mind, this isn’t because Azhdaha is approaching the end of his life. Kunjun even says, “My life is nigh on eternal. I will go on with the infinite flow of time.” He’s going to exist sealed away in apparent agony (???) for eternity now. Cool! Definitely a solution!

There is no mention at all of anything Morax might have done to deal with the Ley Line damage, even though Zhongli talks for quite a bit after Azhdaha’s departure and could have brought it up. And yes, it happens again afterwards.

And of course, not a single actual human features in this entire business. I love having non-human characters fight each other about how to coexist with eternally off screen humans.

There’s other issues too, like the extremely, weirdly ambiguous nature of Azhdaha’s “coexistence” with humans. Like, did he take a human form? How did he “live beside them” as the developer video puts it? And at the same time, it is indeed the case that there is no mention of his existence anywhere in the harbor or outside ancient stone tablets or artifacts. This is a little weird because even Guizhong, who died like four times as long ago has more mention at the Guili Plains and with the Ballista.

None of the immortal characters brought him up ahead of time either. Was this kind of situation where an ally goes insane and has to be sealed away so common that it doesn’t stand out to them anymore?

I don’t know, it’s just all so......... weirdly handled.

#playing genshin

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goldenworldsabound · 4 years ago

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Feel free to answer this with whomever you'd like but if you could write an episode/ chapter/ arc featuring you and your f/o, what would it be about??? 😊

So I have a few faves that came to mind so!!! Under the cut. Thanks SO SO SO MUCH FOR THIS ASK DAY I HAD A BLAST!!! And these were just three that came to me immediately like. WHAT A GOOD QUESTION!!!

(expect Philly, Spock and Xiao/Zhongli/Venti polycule)

For Philly, I do have a fic I consider to be close to something that could be a real episode! Which is No Returns Accepted (I sure need to move the Philly fic over to AO3 sometime!) - in brief, Wendy is an arms dealer, and her clients often want to use her weapons against her to steal more/kill her/get the bounty on her and Philly’s head, but she’s prepared for this inevitably. It has a gun slinging fight scene (and some other fun tech iirc) PLUS what I still consider a pretty clever solution on my part!!! I dunno I just feel like I did good with it :D

as for a NEW episode, I’d love to do something that actually tackles the like. Inherent suffering of our immortality. Both Philly and I are and likely will forever be on the run, we feel pain, he can die but we come back like...I have wanted to write something that kinda digs into that. I’ve sort of hinted at it in a few fics but to have a compelling arc where it’s discussed more explicitly in the context of an interesting situation (I could imagine getting kidnapped and tortured, for example, because people can do MUCH WORSE things to you when you don’t die and that’s a really good like uuuh segue into actually talking about it). I also have a WIP started for how it affected my SI while they were separate and how she failed to cope with it, but that’s a very heavy WIP that even when finished may not see the light of day. BUT I think there could be a way to tackle it that gets at the heaviness without being overly explicit about it, and in classic CB form it would have some sort of comedic relief too. Like yeah, it’s like this, but we can still laugh and smile cause we have each other and our friends ya know?

Spock! I used to be deep enough in the trek lore that I could have written this, but alas I would need to go do some SERIOUS research now. I feel like a WEDDING EPISODE could EASY be an episode we have in Star Trek. Look I just want Spock and I to get married because I love him a lot but also because Vulcan culture is so interesting (and pieces of it are heavily inspired by Judaism so I feel a connection to it in that regard). I just feel like it would be a fun exercise of like Don’t Offend The Vulcans but also Enjoy The Wedding and the conflict is just that Vulcans and humans have to get along because Wedding even though they struggle with that.

Additionally, though I imagine this would be more like a Star Trek novel, I have a plan for my SI to get hurt enough that she gets dropped off at Vulcan for a bit for recovery and being a famous Federation Science Officer she gives lectures at the Vulcan Academy, and stays with Sarek and Amanda (Spock’s parents). I actually wrote something of this effect (sans being a temporary professor) in my original “isekai” canon a decade ago! I love the idea so much I want it to exist in my new canon too. It’s a chance for her to really get in touch with Vulcan culture and having more control over her emotions and what not. (And for something BAD to happen while she and Spock are far about but still connected by the bond? unclear...uwu)

So I feel like I mention it more than zero times BUT I'm writing a multi chapter fic called Adeptal Ascension for when my SI takes on a set of trials to become an adepti (aka what Zhongli and Xiao are, enabling her to have a long lifespan like them and an illuminated beast form).

There would be some logistical reasons (namely timing, since this is supposed to take place some time after the Rite of Descension in game, when Wendy and Zhongli are married and the polycule has been together for a while) this couldn't be a Genshin quest, BUT WHAT IF IT WAS?

The Traveler helps Venti teach Wendy to use Electro/skills well (in a post-Inazuma world lol), by doing some sort of challenge where you can only use skills/bursts and must use elemental reactions to win the fight!

The Traveler helps Zhongli teach Wendy to use a sword, in a challenge where skills/bursts can't be used at all and it's all about dodging and physical damage.

The Traveler gets to dig into the lore with Wendy in an old library in Liyue/listen to Zhongli tell a cinematic cutscene about it!

And the Traveler gets to comfort Xiao (think hangout-esque) when he runs off because he's scared of her failing the challenges and getting hurt/dying. If you say the wrong thing he gets mad and won't continue talking to you and you have to start off. But in the correct path he reveals his worries since he trusts the Traveler.

Then meeting Wendy/Zhongli/Venti/Xiao at the two Trial Locations, and when Wendy finishes hearing about what it was like from her.

And lastly, attending the festivities in Liyue (a shorter, more contained version of Lantern Rite where the city is decorated and there's an activity or two), followed by attending the Adepti celebration mostly for a cutscene to see everyone be shocked by Rex Lapis' (Zhongli) return and his connection with the new Adeptus.

I think it would be pretty neat! :D

#genshin posting #eternal roadtrip #love in divinity #across time and space #fic #ish

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nebulaeistyping · 3 years ago

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act one, chapter three: windswept wilderness.

Part THREE of the "The Bright Side Of a Hill" series.

This is MY work, yes.

There's NSFW content on the late story. You know what to do.

Aether frowned as the mask seemed to watch him from nearby. The smell of smoke filled his nostrils lightly. Paimon gave him a worried, slightly panicked glance.

"It looks- it looks like a Yaksha mask! What is something like that even doing here in this cave? What is this cave?" They flew around, looking at the weirdly arranged ores on the dirt and gasping.

"Aether, look! This looks like one of those ores Zhongli spoke to us about!"

"Who is Zhongli supposed to be?" Diluc asked while looking around with a suspicious expression.

"He is, um-" Aether looked at Paimon as he scrambled for words "A Wangsheng Funeral Parlor employee. He's very experienced in Liyue's history and specialties such as ores and Archeology. He's a great friend of ours."

"I think we should let that be and try to move on. we don't know if there's anything dangerous around these items!" Paimon's suggestion made Aether let go of the mask as if he had touched fire. He didn't know what Karma could do without a body do eat from. Yet, Paimon and him shared a look. The little one nodded, helping him wrap his scarf around the mask. the energy seemed to dissipate from it, and it reminded the both of them of the gust of air that almost blew Paimon away for good.

"Let's keep moving. I'll explain to you what is a Yaksha properly. You all seem confused." Paimon scrambled to the opening, floating more cautiously as they approached the next tunnel.

"A Yaksha is a type of illuminated beast from Liyue, right?" Jean asked as she knelt down and watched the floor with a frown. These ores were seemingly the same as the ones where huge battles happen between "rock creatures", but only Paimon and Aether knew that, so the former started to speak.

"Yes, we've met some of them in our trip to Liyue! This seems like a place where something happened to a Yaksha too! This ores are very similar to the ones our friend told us about. He said a few millennia ago, fights with rock creatures caused certain reactions that create these ores. This might've been a big chemical reaction all along!" She said, floating around.

"I wonder what could have cause this." Kaeya sighed, heading to the entrance.

"Where are you running off to again?" Diluc asked with a quirked brow.

"Oh, I'm not running off. I just found our little companion's words very interesting. Don't you think it's best for us to keep a capable person by our side, like an alchemist? I'm heading to pick one up."

"Oh- that's. That's a good idea. Thank you, Captain." Jean said, with a small blush forming on her cheeks. Venti chuckled. She probably also thought he was going to run away to slack off.

"Put some faith on our poor friend. Let's keep going." Venti said as they got inside yet another cave. He turned around and watched Paimon and Aether giving each other suspicious looks "What are you two doing over there? Come here!" Venti waved.

He gasped. A single huge, white flower seemed to emerge from the floor. Despite the storm and the damage to the surrounding area, it seemed untouched. The flower took a big space in the middle of the cave, floor to ceiling. It could fit more than a person inside.

"This doesn't seem right. Bar- Venti, do you know anything about this?"

"Not at all. This clearly is related to the Ley Lines, but I've never seen something quite like it. Look, there's even resin coming out of the place where the petals meet - that's where the dripping sound comes from."

"You're right. Let's proceed with caution, I sense something inside the sprout. Maybe a creature?" Aether said, coming closer to the flower and looking at Venti, who used his anemo to rise him to the top. He decided not to touch the resin, gently using his sword to try and coax it open. It seemed to tremble and close even further. That was enough for Kaeya and Albedo to step inside the cave.

"That's quite interesting indeed."

"Told you so."

Albedo came closer after nodding at them, putting a hand on Venti's shoulder. "Let me handle it." He said, using his power from the floor. Everyone jumped to the side as the petals fell open, almost smothering poor Paimon in the process. The sprout opened to reveal a statue on the floor and a big pillar, as if the pistil was crystalized by the resin.

"The whole thing put together looks like a sundial, doesn't it?" Paimon floated closer, then snapped her little fingers. "Just like the one at the thousand winds temple!"

"You actually might have used up all of your intelligence on that one." Aether joked, nodding.

"Hey! Don't be rude to Paimon, that was a huge effort!"

Albedo stepped closer to the pillar, motioning for Diluc to come and help him light up the slightly dark place. Diluc lost track of his Claymore, cussing under his breath. Albedo's eyes widened comically. Jean moved from the statue to him in a quick motion.

"What is it, Albedo?!"

"Look from this side over here. It seems like..."

"A person!" Paimon shrieked.

Inside of the flower pistil, there was a person. She seemed to be alive and well. So well, that her eyelids popped open, and her golden irises darted right to Jean's face with a feral look when she punched the glassy looking mater.

#genshin impact #kaeya alberich #genshin fanfiction #genshin headcanons

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archonanqi · 4 years ago

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fragile as dust / 8 - the eleventh

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—

ch 8 | the eleventh

The rest of the day you spend running your fingers across the rows and rows of bound leather, taking inventory of all the words and knowledge and stories that were now at your fingertips — scurrying between the library and your room, arms full of books that caught your eye.

Zhongli watched you from his seat in the living room each time you passed, offering comments on various books that you had picked out. He seemed especially amused each time you ran past with a book regaling a legend of the Lord of Geo, though you couldn’t think of a reason why. By the time the sun had set, every surface of your room had been touched by a book or two.

You couldn’t wait to get started, already knew which ones you wanted to read first — there was one that promised the thrilling tale of Rex Lapis’ fight against the Beast of Nian that you were itching to devour. But before anything else, there was something you had to do, something you’d been planning as soon as you’d seen the “The Fine Art of Liyue Cuisine” title on the bookshelves.

Zhongli had been kind — beyond that, really — about your situation, but you hadn’t forgotten that you were meant to be here for his convenience. You had done nothing but cause him trouble so far, and it was your duty to make up for the expenses you’d cost him.

(Though really, and though you would never admit it, you couldn’t deny that on some very faint level, you wanted to hear praise, your name, anything come out in that rich, deep voice of his.)

So the next time Zhongli took his walk at Yujing Terrace, you reluctantly and politely declined his invitation. Minutes after his departure, you snuck out of the door, running as fast as you could towards the northern harbor. The recipe for the pen’cai stew had called for fish, but, as you grabbed handfuls of squid from the nearest unattended stall, you decided that seafood would have to do. Seafood was something that refined nobles like Zhongli ate, after all.

The tentacles felt disgusting in your pocket the entire way home, but it was fine. You could bear it for Zhongli. You couldn’t wait to imagine his surprise and delight.

Still, how odd that of all the ingredients, seafood was the only one you couldn’t find in Zhongli’s well-stocked refrigerator!

When you got home, you breathed a sigh of relief that Zhongli had not come home yet; you didn’t know what you would have said if he had caught you with a pocket full of squid. After changing, you cracked the recipe book open, staring at it. You’d chosen this recipe because its description had stated “ no refinement is needed for this dish ”, but still, some of these terms flew right over your head. What the fuck was a “julienne”?

Zhongli had used the stove several times, mostly to heat up leftovers from the abysmal amount of food he frequently bought, and it hadn’t seemed too hard at all for him. You would learn, just as you always did.

---

By the time Zhongli returned home, smoke was still billowing from the windows.

---

It was all a bit of a haze for you. The oil had started producing bright sparks (in your defense, how were you supposed to make sense of “ Heat Oil Until Hot ”??), and you knew enough about cooking at least to know that that wasn’t good.

You also thought you knew enough about cooking to know that embers had to be put out by water. The resulting bang had sent you rolling to the floor, and when you’d gotten back up, the curtains by the stove were ablaze

When Zhongli found you, you were frozen in fear — you had backup plans for if the food burnt, but this… this went a little past that.

From behind you, you heard a loud whoosh, felt the force of the earth knock into you. The room became enveloped briefly in a golden glow, and as you watched, the fire faded into embers, then smoke. A single glowing, red gem clattered to the ground, before dissipating with a loud hiss.

“H-how?” Was the first word out of your lips.

“When Geo reacts with—“ Zhongli shook his head, cutting his explanation short for the first time you’d heard, “never mind that. Are you alright? Can you move?”

You let him lead you outside, numbly, silently. Finally, out in the fresh morning air, he peered down at you. You searched his face for anger, but found only mild curiosity. “Now,” Zhongli said, sitting on the grass by your side, ”would you like to tell me what happened in there?”

The weight of what you’d done hit you like an angry boar. Treacherous tears gathering behind your eyes, you whispered “I’m so sorry,” barely able to get the apologies out fast enough. “I— I thought I would surprise you with breakfast, but— but the oil and the water...“ You trailed off when he raised his hand to cover his mouth — out of anger? No, there was a smile on his face. A smile!

“My my,” he mused, the smallest of smiles playing on his face. “Truly, you are a child of Liyue. Always trying new things, rushing in headstrong.” Zhongli shook his head wistfully. “It reminds me of myself, many years ago.”

“You?” You asked in disbelief, feeling your eyes widen. You hadn’t once seen him with so much a button out of place on his intricate coat; weren’t convinced he hadn’t come out of the womb drinking pu’er tea and writing poetry. “ You’ve set things on fire before, Mr. Zhongli?”

“More times than I can count,” his smile widened, and you felt like you had learned a secret of the Gods themselves. “But as I learned, so must you: you can always ask for help, Hansi.”

Suddenly, it didn’t feel like he was talking about cooking anymore. As always, his words were so slow, so deliberate that you scoured them for a hidden meaning. If you didn’t know better, you would be deathly sure that he knew of your difficulties with the Vision. And right now, sitting on the grass next to you after you had almost burned down his home, Zhongli had never felt more approachable. Maybe you could tell him, after all.

Starting a fire was one thing , you chided yourself. Lying about possessing the power of one of the Seven Archons is another.

“I will keep that in mind, Mr. Zhongli.” You said, instead, bowing your head a little. “Thank you for… not being mad.”

“It is I who should be thanking you for your thoughtfulness. And what is it that you were trying to cook for me, my dear?”

You almost jumped at that, feeling warm color blossoming within your cheeks. He probably called everyone that — he was so traditional, after all. “Seafood stew, Mr. Zhongli.”

Finally, to your utter confusion, Zhongli’s smile bloomed into a rich laugh. “Then I’m very sorry I missed it,” he chuckled. “Are culinary skills something you would like to learn, Hansi?”

“Yes,” you said, frustration and indignance culminating into determination. There wasn’t one thing you hadn’t been able to learn when you’d put your heart to it — reading, stealing, surviving. Well, except... “Please, teach me.”

“You deserve a far better teacher than I,” Zhongli said, standing up and dusting his coat off, before offering you his hand. “Let’s pay Wanmin Restaurant a visit, shall we?” Then, wrinkling his nose, “though perhaps... After we rid the house of any more fire hazards.”

---

At the counter of Wanmin Restaurant was a man you had never seen before, though his resemblance to Xiangling was striking. He perked up immediately upon seeing you and Zhongli approach.

“Mr. Zhongli!” He waved frantically. “Thank you for the medicine! My knee feels better already.”

“I’m glad, Chef Mao. I’ve heard that Bubu Pharmacy’s herbal cures are nothing short of divine miracles,” Zhongli said. “Though I hear from Xiangling that you’ve been gathering herbs near Jueyun Karst? You must know that it is extremely dangerous for humans to enter.”

“Of course, of course!” Chef Mao laughed good-naturedly. “You don’t have to warn me twice. I make sure to give that place a good berth — I don’t have enough lives to go around meeting any Adepti. Now, what brings you here today? Xiangling or I will cook anything you’re in the mood for.”

Zhongli shook his head gently. “I’ll have to take you up on that offer some other time. Today, I was hoping to ask Xiangling for some culinary tutelage. This young lady here is looking to learn how to cook.”

“Oh!” Chef Mao peered at you, as though he had just noticed you. Of course, it hadn’t helped that you were trying to hide behind Zhongli the whole time. He turned around and yelled into the kitchen, “XIANGLING! COME HERE, MR. ZHONGLI AND HIS—“

A pause, as he glanced between you and Zhongli, trying to ascertain your relationship.

“Friend,” Zhongli supplied. You hated that your heart skipped a beat.

“—FRIEND ARE HERE TO SEE YOU!”

Almost immediately, Xiangling’s head popped out from behind the window, waving and beaming dazzlingly. As Zhongli explained the situation to her, you once again wondered where she was storing her endless cheer. Perhaps in her hairbuns.

“I hope that it is not too much trouble,” Zhongli concluded, crossing his arms over his chest and stepping aside. You wanted to scream at the thought that he knew you’d been trying to hide behind him.

“Nonsense!” Chef Mao slapped his hands together, and you were beginning to see where Xiangling got her enthusiasm from. “If not for you getting Wanmin Restaurant this spot on Chihu Rock, why, Rex Lapis would never have found us and written such flattering poetry about our food. Then where would we be? No favor is too big for you, my friend, let alone something so trivial as this.”

You glanced up at Zhongli, but his expression did not change. Just exactly how much influence did Zhongli have over the city?

Just who was he?

“Would Miss Hansi want to work as my apprentice for a few weeks?” Xiangling asked, thoughtfully. “With the winter coming up soon, we’re going to need a lot of ingredients, so I could use an extra hand. We can’t pay very much, maybe 1,000 Mora a week, but I’ll keep you nice and full, I promise!”

A thousand Mora — that was more than you had ever had at once in your life. You jumped to say yes, but stopped yourself just in time. It wasn’t up to you. For all Zhongli’s benevolence, what nobleman would want a servant (is that what you even were?) that they'd paid for gone all day?

You looked to Zhongli for his answer. And when he only waited patiently, you prompted, “may I accept this offer, Mr. Zhongli?”

“You are free to do as you please, Hansi.” Zhongli said, and the surprise didn’t sting as much as it used to. “I think it would be a great opportunity.”

You had never been more sure of the following “yes!” that you almost shouted at Xiangling.

Chef Mao laughed. “We’ll see how much of that enthusiasm you can keep when Xiangling starts working you to the bone!” He waved at Zhongli. “Xiangling and I will show her around the restaurant. You should get back to your work, Mr. Zhongli — you must be a very busy man.”

Zhongli raised a brow, but did not comment further. “Will you be able to find your way back home, Hansi?”

After getting your affirmation, Zhongli nodded and walked away. You would have watched him leave, if you could, studying every detail on the back of his coat — but Xiangling grabbed your hand.

“Come on!” She was almost vibrating from excitement, and you couldn’t help but match her grin with your own. “There’s SO much I need to show you!”

---

By the time Xiangling released you from your duties for the day (and you had learned more words than you thought existed), the city had grown dark.

It had been so exciting, the prospect of having a real, actual job that you didn’t have much else on your mind. And so your first mistake, you realized too late, was trying to find the same shortcuts that Zhongli had used to get home. The alleyways at night were strangers to you — and there was good reason for it.

You thought it was your imagination at first, but it became more apparent with every crawling second: there was another pair of footsteps that echoed each of your own. You quickened your pace, noticing the echo match yours almost perfectly. As you turned down deeper between the buildings, you forced your foot to stop halfway to the ground.

The echoing footstep clacked against the cobblestone.

There was a flurry of movement behind you, your pursuer realizing that their cover had been blown. The figure lunged at you, and you ducked at the last second— you were used to bigger men throwing their bodies at you, had long since learned how to use their weight against them. With all your strength, you aimed a kick at the man’s groin—

Only for him to catch your ankle with one of his gloved hands, yanking you off your feet, and throwing you against the wall. The impact knocks all the air from your lungs. You scrambled to get back to your feet, coughing. Instinctively, you reached for your chest, where your Vision once was. It wasn’t there. Of course. And even if it was, what good would it be?

“Feisty,” the man remarked, leaning in to peer at you. In the dim moonlight, you could see a strange red mask hanging his cheek, stark against his auburn hair. At his hip, a Vision glowed royal blue, with a frame that you had never seen before. “What on Teyvat has Zhongli gotten himself into?”

---

“Who are you?” You snapped. The man kept his careful distance from you, but you were sure that he would be able to catch you in seconds if you ran. The way he had moved to meet your blow was practiced, skilled, even. It seemed that you had misjudged his intentions — he was not some drunken man seeking pleasure. “Are you from Bawang ?”

“Ba—what?” The man shook his head, clutching his heart in a dramatic show of dismay. “I’m hurt. Didn’t Mr. Zhongli not tell you about me? Not even a passing mention?”

Eyeing him carefully, you racked your brains. Was he a friend of Zhongli’s? Surely no associate of Zhongli would corner you in an alley at night and push you over... Right? You were realizing how little (absolutely nothing, to be exact), you knew about Zhongli’s life.

“Was the ‘who are you?’ not enough of a clue?”

The man grinned wickedly in the night, eyes glinting at your mockery. “What a tongue you have on you. Didn’t know that was Zhongli’s type.” He offered his hand to you. “I’m Tartaglia, codename Childe. Pleased to meet you.”

You stared at his hand like you would a can of live worms. “The one from the Fatui.”

The message received, he let his hand fall back to his side. “So he has talked about me. And here I was, thinking that he saw me as just a puppet.” He mused. You had no clue what he was talking about, but it was immediately clear that the man was dangerous.

“Are you here to collect his debt? I don’t have any money.”

“Debt?” Tartaglia laughed. “No, there’s no debt . Mr. Zhongli has unlimited access to the Northland Bank’s funds. Yeah,” he clarified, mistaking your shock for confusion. “Turns out, you need to read the fine print when it comes to making deals with the guy.”

“Then what do you want from me?”

“Oh, come now,” he raised his palms in a placating manner, “don’t be so harsh. I’m only here to investigate. Zhongli has been buying enough food for a small army, and while it’s not entirely unusual of him, he also made a large payment to a certain company... that let’s just say even the Fatui won’t touch with a six-foot pole.” Tartaglia swept his glance over you from head to toe. “But you already know that, don’t you?”

You stayed silent, wishing to the Archons that looks could kill.

“I don’t know why he… acquired you, but believe me, he’s always got some kind of plan going on in that head of his.” Tartaglia sighed. “Anyway, where’s your Vision?

You stiffened. “Vision?” You scoffed. The false disbelief came easily, naturally. “You think the Archons would give someone so pathetic a Vision?”

“You can cut the crap. I saw the way you reached for it there. I’ve seen that look way too many times. Vision-holders who get too dependent, who think that having one makes them invincible.” Tartaglia’s lip curled. “A Vision wouldn’t have saved you from me, girlie. But someone as weak as you should at least be carrying it around.”

Every moment of the day, you thought of it, of how all your problems would be solved if — when — you mastered the power of the Archons. The thought that it wouldn’t, that knowing how to use a Vision wouldn’t make you invincible to the world, was devastating.

Before you, Tartaglia’s eyes were the color of the ocean during monsoon seasons, deep, roiling, devastating. You couldn’t seem to bring yourself to lie again, so you lowered your head.

“That’s what I thought. What element?”

“Geo,” you said quietly. The only thing you could do here was keep him talking, long enough until you could find a chance to escape. From what you could tell, he didn’t seem to be on too-friendly terms with Zhongli. Perhaps he wouldn’t tell him, after all.

“Of course.” He nodded, as though there was no other answer.

“What do you mean, of course?”

“ What I mean is —“ Tartaglia peered at you, raising a single brow. “Hmm. What does Zhongli think of your Vision?”

You bit your lip to stop from responding. This was dangerous territory. As the seconds dragged on in silence, you watched a glimmer of glee creep into Tartaglia’s eyes. “Oh! Oh my Archon. You haven’t told him!” The Fatui Harbinger threw back his head and laughed with abandon. “Oh, that’s great! This is beautiful!”

You waited a good half minute for Tartaglia to finally wipe all the tears from his cheeks. “Are you done?” You’d been slowly edging towards the exit of the alley, keeping your eyes trained on the Fatui. As long as you could get to Wanmin Restaurant you would be safe... but no. You couldn’t drag Xiangling and Chef Mao into this. You still didn’t understand half the things Tartaglia had said, but you knew that the Fatui’s attention wasn’t something you wanted, no matter who you were.

“Yes, yes,” Tartaglia huffed, fanning himself dramatically.

“What’s so funny?”

“My contract ,” he almost spat the word, “mandates that I stay silent about that one, sorry. But don’t worry, I’ll keep your little secret. I’d love to see the look on your face when... Anyway. I’m here to give you an offer.”

“Next time, try offering over lunch or something,” you didn’t know where you found the courage to snap, “instead of in an alley.”

“Sorry, sorry,” Tartaglia threw his hands up, somewhat apologetically. “It’s been so hard to catch you alone.” Had he been watching you and Zhongli? You grimaced. “But anyway. How would you like… all the Mora you could ever need? Anything you want to buy, eat or wear, yours, just like that.” He snapped his fingers.

“…And what do you want from me?”

“Information,” he replied, “about Zhongli. How to fight him, really, but also anything else he—“

At this point, you were beginning to feel inclined to believe that the man was simply missing half his marbles. Finally feeling like you had put enough distance between him and yourself, you turned and ran — for a whole two seconds, when a strong force yanked you backwards.

“Hey now, hasn’t Mr. Zhongli taught you anything about manners?” He tutted as you flailed in his grip, “I wasn’t done talking— whoa!”

He ducked, barely avoiding a projectile that whizzed past his cheek, so close that you could hear it whistle through the air. You peer at where it landed, firmly embedded into the brick wall.

It was a golden spear that glowed dimly in the light. Its design was immaculate, intricate, beautiful , you thought numbly, as you watched it fade before your eyes.

“Well then,” Tartaglia said tightly, “never mind her manners. It’s not like you to get so worked up, Mr. Zhongli.”

You snapped your head towards the entrance of the alleyway. You’d recognize the silhouette anywhere, but in that moment, with the same spear gripped in his hand and his features edged silver under the moonlight, eyes glowing a ravenous gold, Zhongli looked particularly divine.

“If I were worked up , Childe, I would not have missed,” Zhongli said, twirling the spear once before setting the pole against the cobblestone. The way he moved -- natural, relaxed, as though the polearm seemed like an extension of his body. There was no anger in his voice, but you felt a slight tremor in the ground under your feet and, despite your situation, a jolt of excitement at the thought of seeing Zhongli fight, seeing a Geo Vision in use.

“Oho?” Childe let go of your sleeve, crouching down low as glowing blue energy gathered in his hands. “Sure sounds like you’re asking for a fight. You have no idea how long I’ve been waiting for this!”

Zhongli regarded him coolly for a moment. “Look around you. Is this really where you want to fight me, Childe?” He raised his head, and you and Tartaglia followed his gaze to a window. Behind the glass, you could make out a young girl’s face as she stared wide-eyed down at the scene below.

To your surprise, the Fatui paused. You hadn’t marked him down as the type to worry about collateral damage. Finally, he shifted back into a more relaxed stance, waving his fingers clean of Hydro. “You know me a little too well, Mr. Zhongli,” he smiled, all hostility seemingly forgotten. You may have misjudged his empathy, but you certainly hadn’t imagined his unhinged nature.

“What business do you have with Hansi?” Zhongli asked.

“That’s our little secret. Well, I’ll leave you two to… whatever it is you do.” He winked. “Remember, you still owe me a dinner sometime, Mr. Zhongli.”

“Certainly,” Zhongli said, lowering his hand and letting his spear disintegrate from between his fingers. “Though I must warn you, it will be the Northland Bank bearing the bill.”

“Of course.” Childe chuckled one more time, as though he remembered something funny. “See you around, Hansi.”

---

On the way home, Zhongli was uncharacteristically quiet. As you entered the warmth of his — of your home, you tried to break the silence. “Thank you for saving me, Mr. Zhongli.”

Zhongli stayed quiet for a short while more, staring at you so intently it stung. “Forgive my silence,” he finally said. “When I couldn’t find you at Wanmin, I thought that you had been hurt or… that you had run away.”

Astonished, you didn’t really know what to say. Running away was a thought that had crossed your mind, but each time, the cons far outweighed the pros. You were more than familiar with what awaited you on the streets of Liyue. “I am not so stupid to be ignorant of what would happen to me if I did” There was a pregnant pause. “And besides, I have had no reason to, Mr. Zhongli. You have been more than kind to me.”

Zhongli smiled. Was it just your imagination, or were his meltingly gorgeous smiles coming more and more often? Trying not to let your thoughts wander, you blurted the first thing that came to mind. “That spear was beautiful.”

“Thank you,” he said. “It has served me well.”

“Do you really know how to use it?” There had been no weaponry in the house that you’d seen, but you believed him wholeheartedly.

“I am somewhat versed in its usage, yes.”

“How long did it take you to learn how to fight?” You wondered, sincerely.

“I have always known how to fight, for as long as I can remember.” Suddenly, his weathered hands made sense. With your notions of him growing up as a sheltered, rich noble shattered, you had never been more curious of his past. Had he been part of the Millelith? “Though, I have since come to learn that it was never true strength. Why do you ask, Hansi?”

You hesitated, nervously glancing away. Way to dig yourself a hole. “Just wondering.”

“Hansi, I gave you my word to keep you safe, to the best of my abilities. However, I fear that there may be times when I may not be by your side, such as tonight.” Zhongli seemed to think deeply about his next words. “Remember that if you want to learn how to fight, you just need to ask.”

Tell him , a voice in your mind screamed. Tell him about the damned Vision.

As tempting as it was, you were indeed more than familiar with what awaited you on the streets of Liyue. You would not risk, even remotely, your position in Zhongli’s household.

“Thank you, Mr. Zhongli,” you mustered the warmest smile you could, as you stood up to retreat to your room. “I will keep that in mind.”

“That’s all I ask,” Zhongli exhaled deeply. “Good night.”

“Good night.”

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