#he looks genuinely distraught at the possibility that she doesn't find him amusing

[zishuge]

My Journey To You (2023) | Episode 2

[golden-travelers]

The mysterious fisherman and the 11th Fatui Harbinger

(Role-swap or reverse role)

I'm still on Hiatus, the only reason I publish this cause this idea won't get out of my brain so here I am writing this, and no, you guys did not see me post this, it all in your head, was also inspired by the ask I send to @nicebonescomrade, but instead of Xiao and Zhongli role-swapping, Its Childe and Zhongli. Anyone can give me a code name for harbinger Zhongli? And no, I won't be picking his code name as Morax, that would be his dead name, like original childe, his dead name is Ajax.

Childe will be called Tartaglia, his (Vision)gnosis will be geo (cause he is the geo archon in this role swap.)

Zhongli will still be called Zhongli, his vision is Geo, and his delusion would be Hydro.

Work under the cut

In Liyue harbor there's been a gossip about a mysterious fisherman that's been walking around the harbor, the fisherman knows the nation like the back of his hand, he's a bit childish, likes to play with the children near the harbor, unintentionally swayed some ladies when chatting with them, he is great story teller too.

Tartaglia, that's what he call himself this days, not Ajax, and most definitely not Rex Lapis. He is now just a mortal man, who's job is to fish. He enjoy his time as a normal mortal man, peacefully living in the harbor. That was until he met Zhongli, the newest addition to the fatui harbingers.

Meeting the said Harbinger was an interesting moment for Tartaglia, mostly because Zhongli was actively trying to find him in the city, even though he wasn't there in the city, he was in Mingyun Village, collecting ores.

When he did met Zhongli, he was in Yanshang teahouse, enjoying his tea time, until the Harbinger came inside and walk towards his table.

"Mr. Tartaglia?" A deep voice startle the ex-archon looking behind to see Zhongli in all of his Fatui glory.

"Um, yes, That's me?" Tartaglia answered albeit awkwardly, the tall (intimidating man that he wouldn't admit to anyone) handsome man, who look relief at his answer. "I am Zhongli, a Snezhnayan diplomat, I would like to seek for your audience, if that doesn't bother you."

"No, no It doesn't!" Tartaglia quickly wave his hands off, genuinely isn't bother by the fact that the harbinger could possibly kidnapped him or kill him, (That is if he can kill a god) He stood up from his seat and paid the drink with his earned mora from fishing. Zhongli nodded at him and motion the fisherman to follow him, which he did.

Zhongli leaded him to the northland bank, Nadia seeing her Superior with a ginger haired male (what she think) friend, she respectfully greeted them. "Good to see you again, Master Zhongli and..."

"He is my honored guest for today, Mr. Tartaglia" Zhongli introduce the ex-archon who politely waved at her.

"Ah I see, Welcome to Northland Bank, Mr. Tartaglia." Nadia greeted as Tartaglia just greeted her back.

"Come inside, Mr. Tartaglia, we do not want to waste time, do we?" Zhongli ask the fisherman who shook his head and walk inside the bank.

The two can be seen sitting between the table, both are facing each other, the other one was busy drinking the tea.

"I would like to make a deal with you, Mr. Tartaglia." Zhongli statement came out bluntly for his liking he hope he didn't offend the fisherman a bit. " A deal with me? Why would a Snezhnayan diplomat would like to make a deal with me? And also wouldn't it be more easier if you made a contract with me?" Tartaglia ask the Harbinger amused, as he set his tea down the table looking at Zhongli's amber eyes.

Zhongli look a bit distraught, at his suggestion making him sigh, 'Foolish Harbinger' he thought as he cleared his throat to speak again.

"I mean, this is the land of contracts, Mr. Zhongli, if you want to have a deal with me, it would be more better if its a contract, because we, the people of Liyue, don't take lightly with our contracts." Tartaglia slightly chuckled, if you look closely his eyes glowed a bit gold, Zhongli hums as he contemplated at the ginger's suggestion. "And, as Rex Lapis once said, If someone break a contract they will suffer the wrath of the rock." Tartaglia smirked darkly, the light in his eyes are gone, He of all person knows this, cause he is the ex geo archon.

"So what do you say, Mr. Zhongli do we have a contract?"

After a long moment of silence, Zhongli look back at the fisherman who was holding a paper contract, and he look at the fisherman's other hand that was holding a pen offering it to him. He grabbed the pen and sign the contract with the ginger male. Tartaglia smiles at him and nodded.

"Well then, It's a pleasure doing business with you Mr. Zhongli."

"Likewise, Mr. Tartaglia."