#turn in the third act that i genuinely couldn't have anticipated‚ and which in the hands of a lesser director might have felt schlocky or

[mariocki]

The Naked Kiss (1964)

"You know what's different about the first night? Nothing. Nothing... except it lasts forever, that's all. You'll be sleeping on the skin of a nightmare for the rest of your life."

[umnvatra]

take me with you [zhongli]

fem! reader, fluff.

word count: 2.2k words

warning: contains spoilers of 1.1 story quest, "A New Star Approaches".

notes: wanted to post something before Zhongli's banner officially gets released in game! To my fellow travelers who are pulling for him, goodluck. Ad astra abyssosque. May the archons be with you. I haven't written in a long, long time so i apologize if the fic seems rushed or smth shdjdjsjdj

The winds on the harbor are as gentle as ever, brushing his hair lightly as he stood waiting. For some reason as always, he couldn't stop his heart from beating fast in his chest, anticipation eating away at him. It gave him the urge to pace back and forth, but he held himself back. It's been awhile since he's felt an emotion this strong before.

The feeling of awaiting someone's return.

Unconsciously, he held a hand up to his chest, where he could feel his own heart beating wildly. Calm, he thought to himself. Well, he supposes that it couldn't be helped. He missed you so, so much after all.

He knew he could not come with you on your adventures. As much as it pained him to part with you, he had a job at the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor and you had a quest to fulfill. However, on your time away from him, he could not stop feeling anxious, worried, and most of all, melancholic. Your presence was something that he got used to, to the point where going on everyday without you made him feel as if something was amiss with his day.

When the silhouette of The Crux appeared on the distance, he felt his heart beat faster and he finds that he couldn't stop himself from smiling. Finally...

Without thinking, he immediately steps down into the docks of the harbor, awaiting for the ship to set anchor in Liyue.

The sight of you and Paimon's floating figure appears on top of the ship, with Beidou following shortly after. He could see you waving at him enthusiastically from afar, making his smile widen more than it's supposed to. It's silly, of course. How Zhongli himself acted so differently around you.

When the ship drew nearer, it seemed that you couldn't contain your excitement anymore as you immediately climbed the sides of the ship and jumped, your glider spreading its wings as if they were your own. Zhongli couldn't help but chuckle at the surprised exclaim that came out of Beidou and Paimon at your actions, but it didn't seem like you cared. After all, you had your eyes on him. The pixie immediately followed after you dejectedly as the captain couldn't help but break into an exasperated smile.

He came closer to the edge of the dock, spreading his arms out. He already knew your habits. And if so, he knew that at this moment, you wanted him to...

"Catch me!" You shouted, before retracting your glider. As you fell towards him, Zhongli had already readied himself for impact only to catch you on his arms in time. He struggles to regain balance for a little only to have laughter erupt from you both, your arms automatically wrapping around his neck.

After a month, you have finally returned from Inazuma.

"You lovebirds sure missed each other that much, huh?" Beidou teased, stepping out as The Crux anchored. She looked highly amused at you and Zhongli as she made her way towards you both. Zhongli gave her an appreciative smile in return.

"Beidou. Allow me to express my gratitude for escorting [Name] back safely to Liyue," he says, to which the woman playfully rolls her eyes.

"Oh, don't sweat it. Besides, it was fun to bring [Name] aboard the Crux," she says, casting a grin towards you. "She is... a strong spirit. I gotta say, i'm impressed, Zhongli. The electro archon had lifted the Vision Hunt Decree because of [Name] over here."

At that, Zhongli's eyes strayed back towards your face, who now gave him a shy smile. A feeling of pride bloomed in his chest, and he couldn't help but smile warmly down at you. "Indeed, she is."

"Well! I'll be going to get dinner for myself then. I heard that Xiangling will be cooking in Wanmin today. See you two lovebirds," Beidou said. Paimon lets out a sound of dissatisfaction as she places a hand on her stomach.

"Uuuuugh. Paimon is hungry too. I could really really use some food right now," she says, looking towards you for approval. Zhongli sets you down on the ground as you dusted yourself off.

"Right. I'm hungry too," you say before casting a glance at Zhongli. For some reason, you felt shy around him right now. He looked handsome and elegant as ever, and you looked a little disheveled from your trip from Inazuma. Anywho, his beauty is still enough to make you flustered. "Zhongli? Do you want to come with us?"

"Let it be my treat," he says, making you and Paimon look at each other hesitantly. Before any of you can question him, he brings out a wallet that, surprisingly, had mora in them. "I bought mora with me this time."

"Just so you know, i don't have all day," Beidou calls out, catching all three of your attention. You and Paimon look at each other excitedly before nodding.

You intertwine your fingers with Zhongli's, giving it a squeeze. He looks at you then, and couldn't help but notice the new bandages and scratches that were on your body. You smelled like sea salt and the earthy tones of wood, but he did not mind. In his eyes, you still looked as beautiful as ever. Especially when you smile at him so lovingly like that.

"Let's go," you said softly, tugging his arm.

In order to celebrate, Xiangling overdid herself by whipping up a deliciously cooked Adeptus Temptation for you and Zhongli, and Tianshu Meat for Beidou. Paimon gets the to share with you and Zhongli much to her dismay, as she absolutely does not like how both of you dote on each other and feed each other occasionally. The four of you dine together, laughing and conversing with each other with Xiangling constantly popping up to join in on the conversations too. It was quite a strange sight to behold, having the captain of The Crux dine with the consultant of the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor and the Traveler who aided in saving Liyue from Osial.

None of you cared though. Especially Zhongli, who was basking in the present, feeding you food and gazing at your face from time to time. Even with you here, his heart trembles with such longing.

When you're finished eating, Beidou ruffles your hair and laughs at the sight of your pout. "Unfortunately, i have to go and tend to some business now." She sighs. "Sport, take good care of yourself. And you too, parlor man. I'll see you two when i see ya," she says, clapping a hand on your shoulder. Both of you bid her goodbye and watch as she disappears amidst the throng of people in the harbor.

Zhongli takes your hand in his and smiles. "Should we go then, my dear? You look like you need some rest."

You flush at the nickname and nod, squeezing his hand again. Paimon sighs quietly behind you, a hand on her head. Oh bother, here you both go again.

And just like that, you all make it back to the guesthouse where Zhongli stayed in. As soon as the door closes behind him, he eyes each of the scars and fresh bandages on your form.

"...And that's Paimon's cue to leave," she says, looking unamused as she fades into trails of constellations. You let out a light laugh at her comment, making the tall gentleman near you relax visibly at the sound. Perhaps you should apologize to Paimon someday for making her the unintentional third wheel on your relationship.

"How was it?" Zhongli asks, clearly referring to Inazuma.

You squeezed his hand, excitement evident in your eyes as a large smile appeared on your face.

"You wouldn't believe it. Inazuma.. it was... crazy," you said.

He leads you towards the couch as you tell him animatedly about your adventures in Inazuma. Raiden, how her rule affected the people in Inazuma, the technology they had, and about a certain vagrant who turned out to be a Fatui harbinger. He carefully combs and unknots your messy hair with his own fingers, listening attentively to your stories. In his mind's eye, he could picture out your journey in trying, and surviving Inazuma. All the piece of history, the emotions of the shogun herself, and the power of the seemingly innocent Harbinger stood so clearly in his head. By the time you were recounting your battle with the fatui, your voice was already slightly hoarse from the amount of talking you've done.

Your adventures always sounded enjoyable and full of wonder to him. With your goal, you are slowly uncovering each and every mystery there was to find in Teyvat. Although you expressed some sadness about the gnosis of the electro archon, Zhongli kisses the crown of your head tenderly, his actions so genuine that it made you relax immediately.

"You've already done the best you could. I am sure the thought counts to Raiden," he says, drawing soothing circles on your palm. You turned towards him with a smile before suddenly enveloping him into a tight hug. He gets taken aback at first, but he slowly relaxes and hugs you back just as tight. He inhales your scent and holds you close, the emotions that he'd been holding off for so many weeks finally spilling over.

"I... missed you," he says into your hair, voice uncharacteristically vulnerable. You chuckle, the vibrations running through his chest and his stomach.

"I missed you too. You have no idea how much i.. couldn't stop thinking about you when i was in Inazuma," you said, your voice becoming low. "When i was trapped in there, i was afraid for a moment. I thought... i couldn't see you anymore. But then i repelled those thoughts away. I told myself that if i fought hard enough, i could see you again for sure."

He squeezes you. That was certainly a terrifying possibility. One that he only realized on his days apart from you. He almost berated himself from letting you go too easily. After all, he knew how dangerous Inazuma was.

But there was no need to worry anymore, as you returned to him safely. Alive. And healthy.

"I wouldn't want to imagine what would happen if you could not come out..." he confesses. At his words, you run your fingers through his hair in hopes of comforting him.

He wouldn't say that he'd let you go so easily again though.

"I would never let that happen. When i faced off with the harbinger, all i had to think about was my brother... and you," You said, making him break out into a smile again. Empowering. Your words always empowered him. No matter how simple.

"Where is your next destination?" He found himself asking, even though he already had an idea.

You break away from the hug, staring at his intense amber ones.

"I have to go to Sumeru next before the fatui can stir up problems again," you respond, your eyes set in determination. Zhongli nods his head in understanding. Of course the shogun directed you next to the Archon of Wisdom next. It was only natural.

"Then... could you take me with you?" He asks, voice almost sheepish. He looked expectant and openly searched your own reaction, but before you can even respond, he opens his mouth again and the words stumble out. "I find that without you here, i get rather... lonely. I feel that something is amiss— " he pauses, exhaling. Goodness, he wasn't good with expressing his emotions.

"...And i decided that i wanted to take on your journey with you. To fight alongside you, no matter what happens. I want to explore what Teyvat has to offer with you, even if it's dangerous, i- oof —"

He gets interrupted by you enveloping him into an incredibly tight hug that made him feel as if his bones were going to get crushed. Zhongli fidgets uncomfortably, not used to you hugging him this tight when you speak again.

"I thought you'd never ask," you murmur, smiling into his skin. For a long, long time, you'd been worried that you'd have to leave him always just to reach the rest of the regions. Of course you knew that being in a relationship while having a quest such as yours was going to be one full of hardship.

But everything is okay, especially when Zhongli carefully breaks the embrace and cups your face with his hands slowly.

He already made arrangements and talked with Hu Tao. She was willing enough to let him go of his position on the parlor. Leaving Liyue would possibly make him homesick, as he knows no other region like the back of his hand other than it, but he knew that he wanted to go with you no matter what, or where. And he was prepared to take on this journey with you.

It would be of no easy task. He knew an adventure could mean so many things. Joy, rage, curiosity, conflict...

And yet he wanted nothing more than to go with you. And possibly even come with you to your own world.

He leans in, capturing your lips in a slow, sensual kiss that would mark his gratitude.

From the entirety of Teyvat, up until the stars.

[seuzz]

Story: “Truth from a Bottle”

Truth comes out of a bottle—but sometimes the wrong kind of bottle.

"Oh! The drinkies, Mrs. Prescott!"

Malcolm Kellaway beamed at the matronly woman in the peacock-blue dress as she turned in the apartment doorway. He extended a paw-like hand at her.

Mrs. Prescott fluttered with laughter, but kept the bottle of rye clutched to her bosom.

"Oh yes!" she gasped. "I'm afraid the afternoon has left me a scatterbrain! Oh, dear Doctor Kellaway! How can I thank you for the message from my late husband!"

"You've already thanked me," the doctor reminded her. A smile creased his white-stubbled face, but he twiddled his fingers at her. "It's Nee-gon-we-way-we-dun that you must properly thank!"

"Does he get a check too?" Mrs. Prescott voice tinkled with more laughter.

"No, Mrs. Prescott, he gets, ah—" The doctor's grin stiffened as he wrapped stubby fingers about the neck of the bottle. But his last customer of the day resisted his tug.

"Oh, but I thought— Before we began— Didn't he—?" Her own smile faltered, and the doctor lurched as the bottle popped from her grasp. "Oh well, I suppose it's just one more expense!"

"Old lush," the swami muttered after she had gone. He poured himself a stiff drink.

"Drake," he told his partner, who loitered still by the front door, "there's nothing more disgusting than an old woman who can't let go of the bottle. Ah!" He smacked his lips, and poured himself another glass. "Nor can I denounce bitterly enough," he went on, "my misfortune at having to spend what should be my golden years under the tyrannical imposition of this so-called 'Prohibition'. Hic!" he added after downing the second drink.

"Save some for the old Indian."

"My dear boy." The doctor wobbled on his feet and peered nearsightedly at his partner. "I had quite enough a time of it wrestling the goods away from, er—" He swayed as he lobbed a finger at the front door. "Without sharing it with a third. Particularly a third," he added as he exited the room with as much tottering dignity as he could muster, "who doesn't exist!"

* * * * *

It was bad enough, Drake thought, to saddle their long-running scam with a "spirit guide" who imbibed. But it was plain bad taste to make him an Indian who imbibed. But Kellaway insisted. "I wouldn't believe the act me-self," he had told Drake, "if it wasn't an old Chippewa," and he sulked for days when Drake suggested that the incorporeal guide should be Gaelic, like the medium himself.

Still, Drake liked it even less when their first customer of October expressed the same opinion.

"Outrageous!" she exclaimed. She was dressed all in black, and her saucer-like eyes flashed with horror and contempt. "Certainly not! And where would I be expected to procure ... liquor!" Her pale lips quivered around the word. "Even if it weren't illegal I couldn't—" She turned away with a hard shudder.

But she was back the next day, with a tall bottle of whiskey that left Dr. Kellaway sweating with anticipation as he gazed on it.

"Yes, dear lady," he told her, "dear Miss Bouchier, it pains me as well, to learn that even on the other side, such a large spirit as Nee-gon-we-way-we-dun should labor under the sway of ... thirst!" He set the bottle in the center of the table. "And now— Ah! Thank you, my boy," he said as his partner dimmed the lights. "Now we should lay our hands upon the table, and empty our minds, and then— Oh! Did you see? Did you see, dear lady?" He pointed at the bottle. "He is with us already, our guide to the other side. Imbibing just the tiniest—!" A ripple rattled the surface of the whisky, and rattled it again as the doctor nudged the table leg with his knee. "Now," he said when the liquor was again still, "let us close our eyes, open our minds, and inquire of our great old shaman what he would fain show us in answer to your questions!"

"You were in fine form this morning," Drake told him later that night. The doctor smiled up at him from the sofa, where he was cradling a bottle of sherry.

"Yes," Kellaway murmured. "The teetotaler. I was almost young again. You know, it quite felt like the planchette was moving on its own?" He stirred. "What say we crack open her offering? I must say, it was a princely gift from one cons— Consitoo— Consistooshun— In principle opposed to—"

His eyes rolled shut, and he snored.

* * * * *

Business was good, and it was a week before the doctor worked his way, bottle by bottle, to Miss Bouchier's offering. It was the day the story came out in the Examiner, and Drake relayed its gist to his partner.

"You were genuinely psychic," he said. "The will really was hidden in her late uncle's library."

"Was it?" Kellaway frowned as he picked at the paper around the screw top. It was glued on much better than on any other bottle he had ever fought.

"Yes. And tucked inside a book starting with a 'B', like you said. Too bad for her. She would have got half the money if she hadn't found it. But the will gave the entire estate to his 'eldest niece'."

"Which I take it wasn't Miss Bouchier." The doctor at last tore the paper off.

"No, that would be her sister."

Kellaway laughed as he poured a drink. "Why, one would think old Nee-gon-we-way-we-dun had a grudge, to give her what she manifestly would not have wanted!"

Drake looked wry. "And why would he have a grudge?"

The doctor shrugged and swallowed the drink.

Then his face changed color and he spat it out. With disgust he sniffed at the bottle, then turned in horror to his friend.

"Water!"