#genshin imap[ct

[m-mink4]

as the years go by. - zhongli special...#2

word count:: #434 || divider credits:: saradika-graphics , , mikeykuns , enchanthings-a , . .|| warnings:: reader death,, overall ((zhongli)) angst-- || a/n:: overused story.. this was so hard to write wtf? lmao || this took 5-ever ||

it was truly heartbreaking. alas, not even the archons nor the beings above celestia could take you back. oh, he could dream

the busy streets of liyue rushed as the hours went by,, restaurants-- food stands,, local shops.. all buzzed below with activity. zhongli sighed,, between sips of his favorite osmanthus wine. his favorite for eons now.,

he watched as the sun went down,, orange light shining through his window., your smile echoing his mind.

children laughed and ran down the street,, smiling and enjoying their youth. he watched them play and yell to their friends,, and the thought crossed his mind that in only a few years they would be at age of one parent.

he remembered how you used to talk and laugh like them,, cheerful,, full of passion and genuine laughter., oh, how much mora he'd pay for you back.

you're priceless to him.

it was not long until his wine was drained to the very last cup. he stood up to take a stroll outside,, moonlight barely seen for the orange traditional lights of the street was far too bright.

as he walked on the stone floor,, kids and adults alike, seemed to move right past him, aging into old souls and young grown men and women.

time. something he can't even prevent. that is what it takes to rub a smile off someones face.

he used to enjoy eating and walking on this specific street,, however the experience did not give him the same enjoyment -- without you.

memories refuse to even recount how many times you made him smile. how many times you made him want to protect you, to make sure you'd be safe.

age is something one cannot escape, same with time. he'd sacrifice the same street you used to roam for that moment to be done again..

you're precious to him.

he sat down, sun rising from the east. he never noticed how much time had passed.

oh, y/n. did you deserve this cruel fate?

did you deserve to dissolve into nothing but an old memory?

zhongli would disagree.

people opened their shops for a new day, hoping for some sales to be bought.

and yet,, only thing thing that stays the same is the place. never the people,, never the memory. never the experience.

is that so?

time is truly a thief,, it robs you blind until you are eventually unable to walk. quite literally,, and metaphorically.

never once in a lifetime zhongli would experience such tragedy. that's why it took 5 . 936 for you to appear,, and 6017 for you to pass.

"do humans deserve to die? or is it a blessing?,, you chuckled, before eventually closing your eyes-- forever,, 'till time had met it's end.