#why is zhongli even allowed there. he quit his job but keeps showing up to the staff meetings anyway for the free food

[nabumalikata]

[it-happened-one-fic]

For An Eternity - Zhongli

Author's Notes: I really shouldn't be allowed to listen to "Lover's Oath" while writing Genshin fics. I suppose you could say this fic kind of goes with my Halfdan fic, Unfulfilled Aspirations, since this one also has reader as heir to the Khaenr'ian throne. Similarly, this fic is also angsty and as a heads up there is no comfort. I wrote this while feeling kind of bummed out so thats probably why it is the way it is. But now I feel kind of bad for Zhongli... Anyway, reader is gender-neutral as per usual. Also Zhongli is referred to as Morax in this fic due to timeline. I hope you enjoy!

Type: Romance implied/gender-neutral reader/ reader is Khaenr'ian angst(no comfort)

Word Count: 929

Morax had certainly had his suspicions about Khaenr’iah beckoning him forth for a meeting. They wanted a contract, and he figured he knew exactly what form of one they wanted.

Unsurprisingly, the king had confirmed the archon’s suspicions when the very first thing he’d done was introduce him to his child. You.

Morax had no intention to marry a child of a foreign land whom he would outlive by centuries, but you had certainly done your job without even intending to. 

It had become beyond obvious that you hadn’t known of your father’s intentions when you’d discovered them. You’d been beyond frustrated and had apologized on your father’s behalf immediately.

You had been cautious, that was certain. But you’d soon moved past that. You’d turned out to be charming in a simple and sweet way that had easily won over the archon, even with his careful defenses. Morax almost wanted to be ashamed that you’d charmed him quite so easily.

It was then that Morax had discovered he wasn’t just charmed by you. He was also quite curious about you. A young human who was frustrated by the machinations of royalty and who was seemingly unafraid of an archon that was known for slaying many during the war.

But you didn’t let that fact stop you in your little chats with the archon. Satisfying yourself with treating him kindly and showing him around your country, even as you pushed against your father’s wishes.

Morax had befriended you and had actually continued visiting you after your initial time together. It served to pacify your father and keep him from insisting on more marriage meetings with new and progressively worse suitors while also providing Morax with much-needed friendship.

He’d lost many during the war, and the other archons were busy taking care of their own nations. He’d been alone for quite some time, with only the Yaksha and other Adepti to keep him company since Guizhong had passed and Marchiosis had dwindled. 

Though he was close to both the Yaksha and the others, he could not truly count them as friends. Not when they kept their distance and viewed him as more of a king than a friend.

And you were in a similar position. You were friends with one of your knights, the Twilight Sword, named Dainsleif. But there were rules there, and you could only be so close. You were, similarly, without a close companion due to the constraints of your position.

Perhaps that's why Morax had allowed himself to get so close to you.

You were endearing, chatting happily with him and reminding him of the joys of life. He hadn’t realized how burdened he’d felt from the numerous losses he’d gone through till he’d met you. You, with your smiling face and boundless help.

But then it had happened. Instead of smiling, you were frowning one day.

You’d learned of your father’s plans for the so-called field tillers. An assault on Celestia itself, a challenge to their power. You were beyond horrified and had confided your fears in Morax, asking for his advice on how to convince your father not to go through with his plans.

But your fears came too late. Because it wasn’t long after that when Celestia beckoned. Khaenr’iah was to be destroyed for its impertinence. 

It was then that Morax had first stood against Celestia. He’d not complained about the Archon War or anything else they’d had a hand in. But this he could not stand for. Not when you could be hurt. He’d lost enough, and he was done. He wasn’t losing you too.

And that was how one of his many contracts had been formed. A deal. 

He would face Khaenr’iah and assist in their destruction. He would lead the other archons to battle and bear the weight of this sin. But only if Celestia vowed not to hurt you.

You, who were innocent. You, who had saved him. You, who’d once more shown him how beautiful the world was. You, for whom he would destroy a nation. You, for whom he would raze a country. You, whom he loved.

They had agreed, so he did as requested despite the ire it brought him. He had now truly seen the darkness of this world. 

Before, he’d killed largely in self-defense and to protect. But now, he killed simply to destroy.

And destroy he did. He wasn’t sure if the fires that blazed across the once lush lands of Khaenr’iah would ever dissipate.

And Khaenr’ians weren’t the only losses. Makoto, the electro archon and twin sister of Ei, died. She too, had been one of his friends. Someone he could have saved, but failed to protect.

Rukhadevata also disappeared at that same time, seemingly lost to the desert that bordered her lush forest.

But, as cruel as it was of him to think it, neither of those was the loss that injured him the most. No. That was you.

You, who had not been killed by Celestia but had died in the collapse of the palace while trying to escape. You, whom he’d only found after life had left your usually bright eyes. You, whom he would mourn for an eternity.

Losing Guizhong, the love of his life, had been a tragedy he’d thought he could never endure. Losing you, the second love of his life, who was equal to Guizhong in his heart, was something he knew he would never recover from.

On that day, he signed his second contract with Celestia. To never speak of the events of that day.

[sekceesimps]

Dying Light (a yandere Zhongli x reader oneshot)

summary: Zhongli comes to claim his darling after she fails to fulfill her end of the contract 

a/n I wish I could say this was requested but I love this man too much. Writing this one had me feeling some kind of way… Hope you all enjoy and leave some requests (pls do yandere Genshin 🤧 smh)! 

Sincerely Coffee

His dark hair shines vividly in the solemn moonlight. Amber eyes radiant, like the purest of diamonds, and fixated right on you. You stand before him and try to subtly shrink away under his piercing gaze. The candles in the room flicker from some gusts of wind coming in. Zhongli seems stiff and at attention, but at the same time far away, lost in thought. Your light and unconscious movement backwards out of fear, unnoticed by you, immediately snapped the archon’s thoughts back to you. 

A ghost of a smile begins to dance its way onto his handsome face, a stark difference to the dangerous threats he had whispered into your ear just moments ago. The light gave him an eerie appearance. 

“Darling Y/N, I’m afraid that you didn’t uphold your end of the bargain,” he frowned and cocked his head mockingly. You step backwards some more until your back hits the wall of the funeral parlor. He has a predatory gaze now as he steps forward and pins a hand on the surface next to your head. He leans forward to further take in your panic. It brought him distress to see that you weren’t comfortable around him. 

“I’m sure you were a good girl and read the fine print. Surely you must be aware that at the end of our contract, if it was that you couldn’t fulfill your end of the deal, then you must join the greatest contract of all time with me?” he continues and runs another hand hand teasingly down your jaw. 

“Perhaps you could entertain me and tell me what that greatest contract is?” you ask hesitantly. Beginning to feel the gravity of the situation as you notice the way the archon caresses you and looks at you with eyes filled with a dangerous sort of adoration. 

“Oh Y/N, you’ve been bad, I thought you understood everything when you signed. I mean marriage of course,” he answered gleefully, eyes sparkling with affection and excitement at your shocked expression. 

Yes, just when did this feeling for you begin, he had pondered to himself. There was no mistaking that these emotions he felt for you were love. He was sure that you also loved him, so why did you look so afraid? He would show you again how perfect the two of you are. 

- - - 

Zhongli is not one to break his word. He is the archon of contracts after all. When you had approached him, as Rex Lapis, a few months ago he had decided to learn much more about you.  

You were an interesting mortal and had almost immediately caught the God’s attention. The geo archon had taken to shying away from the affairs of humans over the last hundred years or two. However he tended to make exceptions for interesting people with even more interesting requests. 

“I’d like to ask for some help,” your melodic voice said, breaking the silence in Rex Lapis’s abode. “If that means signing into a contract with you, then I accept,”

He appeared near you in an instant, “Even if that means not getting the best deal?” he asks, startling you slightly. 

“Yes,” you breathe out lightly. 

“Hmm, you’ve caught my interest,” he responds, putting a hand to his chin, as if he was thinking long and hard about a potential deal with you, “do go on with what you need my help for” he finishes. Of course, he already knew what you needed. He had been watching you for quite a while, but he loved hearing your voice and being near you for once. 

“I need to find someone and I can’t do it by myself. Could you please lend me your strength and assistance as I look for this person” you practically begged him. Oh how he wanted to hear your begging in a different context. It was taking everything within him to not tug you by your hair and bring you to his side forever by force. He knew that you probably wouldn’t appreciate that and he still had to do his job and draft a contract. That is when the idea had struck him to skillfully find a way to keep you with him forever. 

“Very well, let us start writing up a contract then,” he pronounces with a tone of disinterest, secretly preening with joy on the inside. You perk up and smile largely at him, it brought him satisfaction knowing that he made you feel like that. 

“Alright that should be everything,” he finishes and removes his quill from the scroll. “I will come to you whenever you need help, all you must do is call out my name. As for my benefit, all you need to do is find this person you hold dear and that will be enough for me. You have the next 70 days to complete this, of course there will be a punishment if you can’t fulfill your end. However I have the most faith in your skills.” you nod at him in confirmation as you take the pen from him and leave a scrawling signature on the paper. A glowing binding tying you to the archon, prompting you to blush at how close the two of you were now. “Don’t disappoint me, Y/N'' he whispered and let you leave his abode with a smile. The first step in his plan to make you his was finished. Time to wait for your inevitable failure. 

Now he wasn’t going to actively make you fail, he still was true to his job and bound himself to you so that you could call him for help. He would still assist you as well. However, he agreed to what you wanted because he knew the task itself was impossible. This brother you were looking for was long gone for sure, he made sure of that before he signed on to your contract. He couldn’t wait for when the two of you would finally be spending the next few weeks together. 

 Zhongli was smart about the way he conducted himself around you. He was careful not to give you any hints of his true intentions. Sometimes though there would be foolish people who pushed him. Whenever he saw you talking with, brushing arms with, or giving attention to others, the archon would be fuming. Of course, he would let it simmer, playing for the long game instead. It never failed to make him angry and anxious that these insignificant mortals thought they had a change with his future wife, it caused him to let out a tsch in annoyance. 

The two of you had wonderful moments in your quest. Your ability to work well together in battle allowed for quick defeats of random hilichurls on the journey. Truly your skills were something he admired and loved about you. 

The first night you left a parting goodnight kiss on his cheek was what made him truly believe in life again. Your warm lips against his skin ignited a flame within him that he didn’t know he yearned to have lit.  It began to become a sort of tradition between you two for the next months. 

 His favorite moment with you by far was when the two of you had been drinking and you allowed him to come into your bed. Now, not in THAT way. You didn’t like how he had been sleeping on the ground whenever you spent the night in a tavern so you told him to just sleep in the bed with you. It had been an awkward fit at first due to his taller frame. His long limbs were cramped painfully so you let him wrap his arms carefully around your body. Both of you take in and are intoxicated by the other’s warmth. He could get used to the way you faced him and nuzzled your face into his neck. He had fallen asleep and had the most wonderful rest for the first time in a while. 

After the two of you woke up and cuddled in the morning, “Should the day ever come where we are not together, you will continue to shine like gold in my memories” he had smiled and gently taken your hand into his own as he brushed his lips softly against your knuckles. His words and soft actions prompting a light blush across your face. 

He didn’t know how much longer he could wait for you. Every moment he was with you, but not truly in the way he desired wound him up more and more. He knew he would snap very soon. 

- - - 

You tremble against the cold breeze and his warm touch as he leans closer to you and captures your warm lips with his own in a passionate kiss. His hands traveling down further onto your flushed skin. 

Now that you were his in an unbreakable bond, he finally felt at ease. With you, Zhongli felt at home for the first time in thousands of years. He would protect you from any and all threats. If it meant keeping you safe with him, then he would tear apart all of Teyvat. After all, you belonged to this archon now. 

As the sun begins to rise, you notice the dying light within the parlor, fading candles leaving behind a darker atmosphere. A perfect metaphor you think, if he kept touching you like this then you knew that your own resolve would also die out, completely accepting the ownership that he had over you. 

Zhongli notices your wandering gaze before he takes your face between his slender fingers and forces you to look up at him. “Perhaps you’ve forgotten how much you mean to me. Let me remind you,” he announces as he lifts you up and brings you towards his room. Indeed, he would be spending the next few hours reminding you of his love, before you embark on the next chapter of your lives together, courtesy of his subclause turning you into an adeptus in addition to being his wife forever more. He had all the time in the world to get you to comply and love him as dearly as he loves you.

a/n why am I so in love with this man 🧎‍♀️

[diluchatesme]

Genshin Retail AU (Liyue)

Notes: damn i dont think the posts are showing up in the tags am i doing something wrong :[

Warnings:

Xingyun (if you squint)

ChiLi (very prominent)

Mentions of crime and Baizhu slander (but i love him, dw)

Other than that I dont think there should be anything too distressing :) please enjoy!

Liyue (Macdonalds):

- Ningguang is the store manager who doesnt care what her employees do as long as they do their job and there are profits

- Keqing tries to keep the order but its about as easy as keeping peace in a daycare but the daycare is full of teenagers capable of arson

- please help her its a macdonalds why is she taking this so seriously

- Chongyun and Xingqiu are always on shift together whether its in the kitchen or cashier. Noone questions how, only that Xingqiu has something to do with it, and chongyun knows nothing. But they do their job, so nobody really calls them out on it

- Zhongli used to work at the drivethru but then got demoted cause hed try to tell everyone the history of macdonalds and held up the line

- so now hes only allowed to fry the fries and not have any interaction with any customers

- similarly ganyu is banned from the kitchen cause she fell asleep in the freezer once and noone noticed until the next morning so shes either at the counter or drivethru

- Xiangling is great at her job and can be stationed anywhere in the kitchen but oh my god please its illegal to put those ingredients in the salad no xiangling stop

- the food ends up good so noone complains but...when the monthly inspection comes..shes put off work for about a week until it passes over

- Hu tao is....hu tao. She once got an order wrong on purpose as a prank but then was brought to the break room for a 'talk' by Zhongli for 5 hours and she never did it again

- tho she does occasionally prank people by saying the ice cream machine is down followed by "dadada!! Youve been pranked!!"

- only she finds this funny and there have been several complaints to Keqing, much to her dismay (definition of "disappointed, but not surprised")

- why did ningguang even hire beidou she isnt even here half the time or she shows up half drunk

- even on the days she shows up sober...everyone can see that hip flask, ma'am,, but understandable, customers are a nightmare

- Xiao dresses as ronald macdonald and hates his job but zhongli was the  one who recommended this job so he refuses to quit

- he would be fine with it if the children werent so loud and a certain kfc employee didnt come in everyday to laugh and take pictures of him

-Xinyan is one of those really loud and enthusiastic cashiers and after she talks to you you feel really heated inside (like an adrenaline rush after a concert)

- whether its good or bad depends on the customer..

- but shes lowkey banned from the kitchen due to her trying to make everything higher temperatures ("itll cook faster") and almost burning the entire macdonalds down

- man we dont know much about yanfei yet but for now she sits at the ball pit or those children play areas and make sure nothing is blown up (looking at you klee) and rules are followed

- Qiqi has a questionable memory, has to be put in charge of similar tasks or its too much for her, so she counts stocks and reports back, under the scrutiny of baizhu, who orders said ingredients

- as for who moves the boxes, well thats where beidou comes in cause sickly green twink man cant lift for HIS LIFE

- overall its a nice place with some oddities here and there but the business prospers and surprisingly stuff gets done

Extras:

Banned from kitchen:

Ganyu

Xinyan

Beidou (Drunk)

Banned from interaction:

Zhongli

Bonus:

- Childe works at a shneznayan Starbucks (with the other harbingers) and used to show up through the drivethru in a fancy ass sports car and still in his work uniform to see zhongli and flirt through the speaker, even if hes muffled and zhongli doesnt understand what hes saying (he was also one of the reasons the line was constantly held up)

- but now that zhongli is in the back he just shows up through the front door every break that he has and makes himself at home in their breakroom (after 2 hours or so scaramouche comes to drag him back because hes STILL on shift)

[fabelyn]

Equivalent Exchange

Pairing: Childe/Zhongli (chili)

Rated: T for language Warnings: spoilers for 1.1 update story Chapter: Oneshot Chapter Word Count: 2525

Link to AO3

Summary: Some would see Zhongli’s penniless state as the most pathetic oversight.

Childe sees it as an opportunity.

And maybe that’s what Zhongli is hoping for.

“This is a pleasant surprise,” Childe lies easily, having tracked his target to this location. “May I sit with you?”

He stands beside Zhongli, and is disappointed when he shows no visible reaction to finding him so close after they’d parted with no contact.

The tea table Zhongli sits on is clearly made for one, yet that doesn’t deter him from nodding and making a welcoming motion, and Childe pulls up a chair. The table is small enough that their knees are almost touching beneath it.

“I apologize, I did not realize I would have company and only ordered for myself,” Zhongli motions the leftover tea.

“I see you’re still keeping the finest of taste.”

“Shall I order more for you?”

“Hm, no it’s fine, for now.”

Zhongli smiles. “This is nice, I don't think we’ve sat down to talk since you introduced me to the Traveller.”

So, not beating around the bush too much . “Hm. We were all so busy with the…funeral arrangements.” He chuckled, and Zhongli joined in. Childe let the levity rest between them for a moment before sobering the conversation somewhat. “And I was unaware if you wanted another meal… after.”

Zhongli raises one perfect eyebrow as if completely baffled. “Now, why would that be?”

Childe couldn’t detect sarcasm in the question so he just nods. “True, you certainly did achieve success in your endeavors, so I suppose you aren’t angry with me, at the very least.”

“You sound as if your goal wasn’t reached.”

Childe shrugged. “It was, since the Tsarista was satisfied, although there was… a surprising development along the way.” I did not think I was so stupid as to be interested in the target I was using.

“Surprising development,” Zhongli quoted slowly, then smiled. “Yes, you could say I too had some of that.”

“Indeed?”

“Yes.”

Childe waited, but no further explanation was forthcoming. He shrugged, it was only fair.

“Alright, so neither of us failed. But now we no longer have need of each other. I did not think you had further interest in keeping up a sham relationship, Rex Lapis .”

Zhongli stared at him, then smiled thinly. His mannerisms were still as gentle as Childe recalled, but the look in his eyes were much sharper than before.

“A sham? And yet, you’ve come.”

“You all but called for me. I got curious.”

“Did I? I do not recall doing such a thing, as pleasant as your current company may be.”

“You told the Traveller that you, Morax , had forgotten to plan for having mora a your disposal after your defection from your Archon duties, and they mentioned such a ridictulous thing to me. And it seems others have heard a similar tale of woe from you, I not in so many words.”

“Signaling that I find myself without monetary recourse may mean I require assistance here and there, but not that you must come assist me.”

“And maybe I did not come to offer aid, much less friendship, but to simply laugh at your predicament.”

“Did you?”

“Hm, do you really have no Mora? I find it truly hard to believe that after that amusing plot you tricked me into, and successfully making a deal with the Tsarista, that you would truly not have thought such a thing through. Not to mention, your alias as Zhongli did have a job at the Funeral Parlor. A detail I cannot simply forget given that is how you roped me into contacting you before.” Childe smiles brightly.

Zhongli remains unmoved. “Perhaps after so much time as the Archon, the concept of needing currency to live had become a detail beneath me and I did not factor it.”

“Is that so?”

They stare at each other, a standoff where neither wants to be the first to cede. Childe resists the urge to laugh: it is fun to try the patience of an Archon, yet it is also so unbearably frustrating, perhaps he will lose on-

“I am not in as dire straits as I may have…. accidentally appeared to the Traveller and others.”

Childe blinks in surprise; he had not expected Zhongli to concede so quickly. Or for it not feel like he had won. 

“As you surmised earlier,” Zhongli went on, “my employment at the Funeral Parlor could always be taken up again.”

“And yet, you haven’t done so.”

“Indeed.” Zhongli drums his long fingers on the table. “Retirement does not feel right if I am simply taken up another task. Perhaps if it were something enjoyable...”

Childe is getting impatient. “Is getting on your knees enjoyable?” He asks, wondering if the language was too crude for the likes of Rex Lapis to understand.

Zhongli raises an eyebrow, Childe decides to explain.

“The two women who helped pay for you this week, surely you have not become so old as to not understand what they were asking for as gratitude?”

Zhongli’s reply is completely out of Childe’s expectation.

“Why do you assume I would be on my knees?” He asks simply, and, before Childe can recover from that, continues. “And why does that interest you? Is that what you’d ask as payment for helping me now? Oh, pardon me, you implied you only came to laugh at my predicament, not help.”

Childe can simply agree and excuse himself. End this and leave. But if he had wanted nothing, he wouldn’t have come in the first place.

“Did I imply that? I think you misunderstood. I did come to help you after all. Although, naturally, I should have some equivalent compensation, especially since, from my understanding, this monetary aid would prolong itself as you have no interest in getting a job any time soon.”

Zhongli’s perfect poise slips a little, almost as if his shoulders have sagged in relief.

For the first time in… possibly, ever, Childe feels a twinge of what may be guilt. Spurned by Zhongli’s surprising candor, he decides it might be best, afterall, to not trick the... man... further.

“Rex Lapis, Zhongli, I’m not sure you realize who you’re after.”

“Childe, Tartaglia , a Harbinger from Snezhnaya, correct?”

Childe’s fingers twitch at the name coming from Zhongli’s lips. “Our previous camaraderie was all but manufactured so I could attain my results. Had my Tsarista not demanded subtlety and diplomacy, I wouldn’t have sought out the Funeral Parlor, and simply brought pandemonium to Liyue from the get go. I’m not the affable young lordling I acted as. Even the youngest Harbinger is still a Harbinger. I attacked the Traveller, I nearly brought destruction to Liyue, and I regret nor apologize for either. The precious friend you made before, he doesn’t exist.

“However, in acknowledgement of our good… ah… companionship thus far, I suggest you reconsider, and leave.”

It’s actually insane that, after everything, he came to Zhongli to simply allow him to leave when the man had all but tactidly said he’d sell his body to Childe. 

But from the moment he had sat so near Zhongli he realized he could no longer wear a mask, not for this. He could not see himself starting anything with the man while not being himself.

And he knows he won’t bear rejection well if their acquaintanceship goes further.

Zhongli stares at him, then begins chuckling.

“Oh, it seems I came here not to laugh at you, but to be laughed at.”

“Pardon my manners, but really, I never expected such silly words from you.”

“Silly?”

“Hm, yes. Let’s see. First of all, the cute persona-”

“...Cute?”

“-You crafted as Childe here in Liyue, while it may have been a performance sufficient enough to trick mere mortals, was hardly that convincing to me. I could see the look in your eyes even as you smiled. I never expected you to be a gentle soul. And as for what you tried to unleash, your glee towards it all, and your lack of remorse now… I see it all, I have lost my gnosis not my eyes. Childe, Tartaglia, whatever name you give yourself, I am pursuing you, not your disguise.”

Zhongli raises a hand as if to stop Childe from interrupting. Childe, however, had no such plans.

“That said, underestimating my observational skills is not enough to make me laugh. What dumbfounds me, yet touches me at the same time, is that you just said you’ll allow me to leave, and I think you mean truly meant that.”

“What about that?”

“Were you aware that I was offered a bonus for my willing compliance towards my end of the bargain?”

Childe blinks. He had not, and shakes his head, confused at the sudden turn.

“Very well. it so happened that this boon would have been to… interestingly enough… deny a request you had made, just after everything was over. I refused it, naturally, else you would not be here.”

Childe stiffens, and Zhongli’s smile widens.

“As you said, even the youngest Harbinger is still a Harbinger. It is unthinkable that they would waste one of their most precious resources staying in Liyue and not going elsewhere to further your Tsarista’s objective. It would be quite the demotion, your staying here, if not for the fact you requested it.”

Childe tries to laugh it off. “I-”

“Pardon me, but I’m not done. Of course, as strange as it is, there are maybe some reasons for it. Spying on the Qixing and the nearby Mondstat. Planning or organizing a future invasion. Certainly there are excuses that could be sufficient enough to make it seem that you truly had no other motive to stay here, other than to serve.”

“Precisely, so-”

“Still not done,” Zhongli says, voice a little deeper, stricter, and Childe finds himself shutting his mouth in too much excited obedience at the tone. Zhongli pauses, as if gauging Childe’s reaction, but then continues. “I waited to see if you would come to reacquaint ourselves, for the sake of your new task. You did not. So I may have made comments to the Traveller and others mentioning a monetary predicament, to see if you would come then. You still did not. However… two interesting things happened, do you know what they are?”

Childe just stares. Surely Zhongli doesn’t know-

“The first kind lady that offered mora in exchange for ah… in your words “me on my knees” was sadly caught in bed by her husband with another man.”

Oh Tsarista, Zhongli knows.

“The other one… a fire consumed parts of her home -a candle gone wrong, such a normal thing- and while she is fine and not in any trouble, she no longer can afford to spend money on others, at least not for a while.”

At Childe’s continued silence, Zhongli leans forward, reaches across the table and tucks an errant lock of hair behind Childe’s ear.

It takes all of Childe’s restraint not to lift his hand to where he was touched.

“Perhaps a gentler, humbler, soul than I would simply assume coincidence. But I am not that humble, and I recall the look in your eyes. So it amuses me that here and now, you offer me freedom from you, yet you’ve been quite keen to stay near and ruin any chances I may have of leaning on other people. You claim I don’t know what I want, but it seems to me you are the one unsure.”

Childe opens his mouth, closes it, then throws caution to the wind. “Being willful is my forte,” he says with a small laugh to be master of himself again. “I didn’t like where that was going, so I cut it short with those women. But I’ve concluded I don’t want to live more of a farce than I already do, so I don’t want anything with you where I have to pretend to be, well, not me.”

“You wouldn’t have to.”

And Childe truly believes it. And because he does, he says something he had never expected to.

“But you know, paying for your lifestyle for an indefinite amount of time will be too costly. Make I should demand your heart along with your body?”

It’s cheesy but it does the trick. Finally it seems he has managed to disconcert Zhongli, who clearly had not expected Childe to say something so outrageous. Childe laughs, because he hadn’t expected it either.

Zhongli recovers spectacularly fast. “Well now, I think the grace of having the former Geo Archon’s body at your command is recompense enough.”

“Oho, so now you abruptly understand the value of money?”

“No such thing, it’s just that even someone so out of tune as I can tell this transaction of yours is too one sided.”

���So, after all of…” Childe waves at the table between them, “whatever this conversation was, is that where we stop? Your body and nothing else?”

Well, not that Childe, who had been bracing for less than that, wasn’t happy , he simply wasn’t satiated.

“Hm… I never said that. I simply don’t believe mora is sufficient.”

The electricity that’s coursing through him almost feels like Childe had accidentally ignited his Delusion. He tries not to shiver and remain composed. “Fair enough. Then, oh mighty Rex Lapis, what price would you place on your heart?”

Maybe this had all been another carefully crafted ploy by the Archon, and he was planning to entice Childe into obedience, or reveal Snezhaya’s secrets-

“Hm, I believe this sort of transaction can only be done if the same thing is exchanged in return.”

Childe blinks. 

Oh. 

He really should have seen that one coming, shouldn't he?

He can simply lie. But he won’t.

Hesitant for the first time, he looks down at the empty cup between them, and reaches out to play with it. “... That would be tricky. I don’t know if my… if what I have to offer has the same value of yours.” And because he really can’t seem to stop running his mouth today, he dares add. “It might even be more than yours. Or. Or maybe less, of course.”

Zhongli’s hand reaches out lightning fast to hold his own over the table.

“I highly doubt that,” he says softly. “However, we can put that part of the deal on hold for now and discuss the, ah, terms and values at a later time. Unless this needs to be a package for you?”

Childe snorts, no longer discomfited, but finds himself turning his hand to properly hold Zhongli’s. “Oh please, what kind of fool would throw away this deal? Alright, so according to our deal, you’re mine-”

“My body, for now. Don’t try to trick the God of Contracts so brazenly.”

“I am brazen, as I’m sure you’ve noticed. But fine. And in turn I am your walking wallet.”

“Are you not going to put a limit to how much I can demand from you?”

“Are you?”

“I can handle anything.”

“So long as you can, my wallet will handle your demands. And. I don’t see my tasks here in Liyue ending anytime soon, so we can discuss the rest later.”

“We have a contract, then. Ah, could you kindly start by dealing with this meal?”

“Certainly, but you’re following me tonight.”

*

*

*

Notes:

I did this in a feverish state after the new storyline dropped (this was posted to ao3 yesterday), so apologies if it's not that good. I did consider trying to extend it a bit so it did not feel too fast, but the last time I tried doing a "long oneshot" things, ah, backfired into a massive WIP and I did not want that again.

I hope it wasn't too bad. I've never written for this fandom before, so I don't know if I got them down correctly. My main concern was Childe, who to me comes of as slightly sadistic and I could see him being the possessive sort, if he ever came to care about anything. Plus he is unrepetant in his crimes.

[fumikomiyasaki]

Genshin Impact OC-Carol Ann

"My journey for knowledge brought me to the most stunning places, I hope one day I will be able to uncover the hidden secrets of Liyue."

Name: Carol Ann

Gender: Female

Height: 172 cm

Birthday: 16th of April

Nation and Affiliation: Liyue

Hair: Brown

Eyes: Green

Vision: Dendro

Weapon: Polearm

Stars: 4

Constellation: Florus An

Special Dish: Good Fortune Flower Crisp

Titles: Miss Tourist Guide

Burst: Natures Cage- Traps a area in Vines and then does Dendro damage inside the Cage.

Carol was born in Mondstadt however at a young age she and her parents went to Liyue a lot for vacations so she took huge interest in the country. She studied as a researcher at first but then decided to become a Tourist Guide, showing her customers around the country and customs. She can be quite excited about certain Topics, for example Rex Lapis or the Jade chamber, however she keeps a Level head when presenting facts. Her thirst for knowledge is hard to quench and she has tons of theories she loves to make Up in her head. Is a terrible Cook, but more in the way that her good looks horrible but actually tasted good.

Lotus flowers are her favourite and she tends to build them in her Outfits a Lot.

Relationship to other characters:

Kaeya:

"Despite His cunningness and his way to Charm others, I always feel awkward when He flirts with me…. I feel a hint of fakeness which makes me uncomfortable. Sure He is attractive but I tend to get out of a talk with him fast."

Lisa:

"Although I love books and visit the Library each time I visit Mondstadt… Lisa gets slightly on my nerves, given how she calls me Cutie everytime… why do so many people in Mondstadt try to hit on me… I just wanted to read."

Jean:

"I really admire her. She seems like the only real level headed Person of the Knights and her Combat skills are pretty good in my book. I offer her my help when I visit Mondstadt because she always seems so overworked… I hope she is Not pushing it…"

Venti:

"Although I enjoy his songs, I worry about his drinking habits… I had to ask Diluc because I thought He was a Young Boy… but I guess Not… quite suspicions, He also seems to know way too much about the God Barbatos, so I thought either He is a secret researcher who knows his stuff or… Nevermind these are just my theories."

Diluc:

"Diluc is interesting to talk to. I actually do enjoy spending time at His tavern, not only to gather information but also I think he is pretty handsome and looks reliable… Yeah there is that bitter side but as long as you dont piss him Off, He is fun to talk with to me.``

Xiao:

"Omg Omg, the famed Yaksha! I only saw him once by luck during a fight but I have so many questions for him, given how much I read about him. He looks so cool, Ah… I hope one day I can interview him."

Zhongli:

"Probably one of my favourite Persons to talk to when coming back to Liyue… Most of the Trivia I can share with my customers came from him and books. He knows so much about Rex Lapis and the History of Liyue and I just always listen in awe when He tells the Stories… If He would know Rex Lapis personally I would believe him. Usually I tend to bring back special things I find on my journey to him for His Funeral Parlour. That is our deal kinda. Such a handsome and interesting man, ah…"

Hu Tao:

"Urgh, she seems to know a lot but never willing to share, I want to so badly exchange some Info with her but she always finds a way to trick me… so I have Up."

Xingqui:

"I usually meet him at the bookstore and we exchange some fun talks, usually both talking about our journeys. Quite diligent for his young age. I do also share some of his views but He needs to give more credit to his work. "

Razor:

"Razor went from Scary Wolf Boy who appeared out of nowhere to one of the Persons I would wanna protect with my Life. His talking is sometimes hard to comprehend, I did offer to teach him but He refused, but He always looks so precious when I tend to use my plant Magic. Like a kid who first went to school.

I do hope he enjoys his life in the Woods."

Sucrose:

"She is a very sweet Girl and her Research is incredible. I found my ways to approach her without scaring her and thanks to that I learned quite a Lot about Alchemy and shared some of my theories as well. If only there wasnt that other guy…".

Albedo:

"I know He is popular among Others but lets say I really don't like him. Talking to him is quite the pain, given how distant He is… I fear His research could pose problems If used wrong. The only thing I do enjoy are his drawings but on most Levels I see him more as someone to avoid."

Ningguang:

"The Jade chamber was one of the best visits I ever had in my Life… I wish the Tianquan allowed me to search everything there thoroughly, but oh well… Lady Ningguang is a person I look Up to, maybe even an Idol of mine. I hope one day I can become as pretty and sucessfull as her…"

Xiangling:

"We tend to work together, given as with my job as Tourist Guide I bring her many new customers during my Tours. Her good is incredible and I admire how she Experiments with everything to make it Work. I hope she makes Lessons because I could really need someone who saves my cooking…"

Xinyan:

"Because I really enjoy Rock'n'Roll I tend to bring my customers to her Concert and hope more people will find their Love for it. Xinyan is incredible and gives you so much Energy when watching her concerts.

I wish I had the confidence to go on Stage with her cause it seems quite fun."

___________________________________

If you have Questions for her, ask away.

[hawksward]

Wolves in Sheep's Clothing Ch. 2: Your Heart is an Empty Room (Childe/OC)

Since being granted a vision at the tender age of 10, Irina has owed her life to the Tsaritsa and dedicated herself to rising through the ranks of the Fatui. In becoming a top-ranking diplomat she’s received her easiest assignment yet: ensure the 11th Fatui Harbinger remains ignorant of La Signora’s plan to obtain the gnosis of Rex Lapis. A simple task for someone who’s made a career out of lying.

Unfortunately, even the simplest tasks can go awry when feelings get in the way.

Rating: E (For eventual smut)

Warnings: None that I can think of for this chapter, there will eventually be smut

Two weeks had passed since Irina first arrived in Liyue. Signora was out of the city that night, gone to some other far-off place to complete her work. As for Zhongli? Since he hadn’t made any request pursuant to the contract she hadn’t seen him either.

Her days were mundane, filled with bank paperwork and pointless meetings with the Qixing to source where they hid the gnosis. Which she already knew they didn’t have. It was impossible to say when Zhongli would be satisfied with his end of the contract and until then she would keep up the song and dance to avoid suspicion by a certain ginger harbinger.

Who once again burst through her office door without the courtesy of knocking.

“I have a new recruit orientation at the docks and I need someone to come do the paperwork.” His expression was the same as always, a charming smile that never quite reached his eyes “Put down whatever you’re doing, we need to leave in five.”

Irina sighed before returning her attention to the stack of papers on her desk “I have a mountain of paperwork here, surely you can find someone else to handle the new recruits.”

She nearly jumped out of her skin at the sound of Childe’s hand slamming against the table. She looked up through her lashes to see the same fake smile at eye level.

“It’s not a request.” He walked around her desk and pulled out the chair with her still in it “With how pale you are you could use some time in the sun anyway.”

“First you give me all of your loan paperwork, now you want me to go do different paperwork down by the docks? It’s a task so simple a hillichurl could do it” Irina stood from her seat to look him in the eyes “a particularly stupid hillichurl.”

She watched as Childe’s smile only grew bigger

“Then it’s perfect for you.”

She didn’t have time to be offended before he shoved a clipboard in one of her hands and grabbed her other wrist, leading her down the staircase of the bank and out the door.

“Look at that.” Childe looked to the sky before looking back at Irina with a cocky smile “The sun’s out and you’re not even melting!”

“Ha. Hilarious.” She struggled to keep up as he continued to pull her by the wrist down to the docks “You must have women lining up for you.”

He chuckled

“Someone sounds jealous.”

“Not even slightly.”

——

The docks were bustling with midday activity, but the ship waving the Snezhnayan flag was easy enough to spot. Six Fatui skirmishers stepped off the boat, which Childe greeted enthusiastically before easing into a grand speech about serving the Tsaritsa.

Irina was left to sit on a crate and process six diplomatic visa applications for extended stays. It wasn’t lost on her how unglamorous her job was in comparison to Childe’s flaunting.

If she were more suited to combat she might have considered killing him for his position.

Unfortunately, life wasn’t fair. Although the Tsaritsa had blessed her with a cryo vision she was never really suited for combat. Over the course of her training with the Fatui it was clear that her talents were in shields and healing. She was probably one of the few Fatui vision users who didn’t end up in a combat position.

“Daydreaming on the job?” She looked up to see Childe hovering over her, a trail of new recruits behind him “We might have to consider docking your pay”

His frown was clearly fake. He was enjoying making her look incompetent in front of those who didn’t know any better.

“On the contrary, considering how long your speech took, I finished ages ago.” She shoved the stack of papers into his chest “If that’s everything Lord Tartaglia, I’ll be going back to the bank to finish my previous work.”

“Ah.” He held out an arm to stop her before turning his attention to the recruits “You there. Take these papers and file them with the milileth. They’re located in the gaudy building in the center of the city. You can’t miss it.”

Irina stared at him expectantly while the recruits followed the man holding their paperwork. She wasn’t sure why she was surprised that Childe had once again sent new arrivals off with zero directions.

“ We ” he emphasized “Aren’t going back to the bank. I have a business dinner that I want you to attend as well.”

Irina perked up. He was asking her to do a real task? Not just busywork? Surely there was a catch.

“You want me to attend?” She pointed at herself “You’re not going to make some grand statement about how you don’t need my help?”

“Not today” he laughed “I can’t tell if this particular business partner is immune to my charm or just isn’t into men. A more feminine touch might help.”

He wanted her to be a honey trap. Of course.

“It’s probably just you.”

——

Dinner was of course at one of the two nicest restaurants in town. Liuli Pavilion and Xinyue Kiosk were rivals for the higher-end business in Liyue Harbor. Even in her limited time in the city, Irina already heard ravings from the bank staff about how it was worth blowing some extra paycheck money. Her mouth was already watering at the prospect of a nice meal after eating from street carts since her arrival.

The moment she stepped through the door of Liuli Pavilion it was clear that Childe was flaunting his wealth. The rich woods paired with a gold inlay made it look like it was fit for royalty.

“Master Childe,” The host greeted him with a bow “Your private room is ready and your guest has already arrived. Please, allow me to escort you to your table.”

Childe gave her a wink before following the host down the hall and to a secluded part of the restaurant.

“Apologies for the tardiness, I brought a friend.”

Irina turned the corner into the room to see a familiar face sitting at the table.

Mr. Zhongli.

For just one moment, the surprise was written all over her face. Childe knew exactly what Signora was up to. That she was just a proxy. She was going to lose her job. Her life.

She pulled herself together, a smile crossing her features

“It’s a pleasure sir, my name is Aster. I’m an associate of Childe’s at the Northland Bank.” She moved across the room to the seat next to Zhongli, who rose to meet her and pulled out her chair “And he’s a gentleman” she flashed a smile to Childe, whose expression was of course, unreadable.

“The pleasure is mine.” Zhongli returned to his seat “My name is Zhongli, I’m a consultant at the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor.” he directed his attention to Childe “When you mentioned you may have a guest I assumed it would be the traveler again.”

Childe took his seat next to Irina at the large, round table “I happen to associate with more than one other person.”

The conversation was mundane, but pleasant enough as the trio waited for the food to arrive. It was a common skill in the Fatui to be able to carry the conversation while still saying nothing of importance. Irina did her best to pepper in some flirtatious side glances and arm touches to Zhongli whenever it was clear Childe was watching.

Not like Zhongli looked remotely interested.

Then again she wasn’t exactly putting in the effort either.

Plate after plate of food arrived at the table. It was clearly a show of extravagance from Childe. Although she couldn’t quite tell if it was meant for Zhongli or to remind her that he was the top agent in Liyue and had the mora to prove it.

Irina didn’t hesitate before taking a bite of the first plate she could reach. Sure enough, everything on the table was delicious. She chatted with Zhongli as the two went from plate to plate, marveling at the chef’s expert use of spices. Until she noticed that Childe had eaten nothing.

She looked over to see him grossly misusing his chopsticks. Every time he managed to get them into position, one would slip through his fingers or collapse onto the other.

Irina let out a sigh, moving closer to him in her chair “Here, let me help.” she reached out her hands, gently touching his fingers before he immediately recoiled.

“What are you doing?” he demanded

“Helping. If you keep holding your chopsticks like that you’re going to starve to death.”

“I’ve got it.” he pulled his hand away from her, still fiddling with the two foreign objects in his hand.

“If you insist.” she moved back to the center of her chair, clearly ignoring the struggles of the man next to her.

The rest of the meal was painfully uncomfortable. Irina and Zhongli spent the rest of the time doing their best to ignore Childe as he frequently dropped food short of his mouth. By the time they had finished, she wanted nothing more than to go back to her hotel room and pretend the whole thing never happened.

Except maybe for a clever jab here and there.

“It was a pleasure to meet you Mr. Zhongli, I hope we meet again in the future.”

“As do I, Miss Aster. Allow me to escort you back to your hotel, it’s gotten dark since we’ve arrived.” Zhongli held open the door for both Irina and the suspiciously quiet Childe to exit.

“Oh thank you, but you really-”

“I’ve got it from here. After all, she is my subordinate and I’d hate to see anything happen to her.” Childe was back to his normal, cheerful demeanor. Although that just seemed to unsettle her even more.

“Of course. Have a pleasant evening, both of you.”

Childe waved as Zhongli disappeared from view, then turned his attention to Irina. She knew this wasn’t going to end well. Zhongli wasn’t interested in her playful flirting, which was admittedly half-assed and on top of that there was the matter of her trying to help with his chopsticks.

“So are you going to tell me what that look was at the beginning of dinner?”

Irina raised an eyebrow, trying to consider every ‘look’ she gave since the moment they walked through the door of the restaurant. “What look?” She asked

“I saw your expression when you first saw my contact.” All traces of his previous smile were gone. He wasn’t hiding the fact that he was all business now

“Ah. That.” her thoughts raced as she tried to come up with an excuse. Clearly, she couldn’t say that she’d met him before “Normally when someone wants to use my services for seduction it tends to be for some old bureaucrat. Your contact is young and handsome.”

Childe shook his head, clearly disappointed in her answer. But at least he seemed to believe it. “Don’t go falling in love on the job.”

“Don’t worry. I have no heart.”

She gave away her heart the moment she signed her life away to the Tsaritsa.

The two maintained eye contact for longer than what either was comfortable with, each too stubborn to back down. It was impossible to tell how much time passed during their unspoken competition.

“Shall we head back?” Childe asked, finally averting his eyes to the road ahead.

---

The walk to the hotel was short but silent. Crowds moved for them, people stared, parents pulled their children closer as they walked by. It was the same in any country that wasn’t Snezhnaya. The Fatui were always seen as a threat, which in defense of the people, they were. Most of the time the fear in their eyes didn’t phase her, but it was nothing compared to having a harbinger by her side.

“What’s with the long face?” Childe asked

Irina snapped out of her own head to notice that they had already made it to the hotel.

“It’s nothing.”

“Don’t give me that. I’ve got sisters, I know that look.” He chuckled quietly “The ‘the weight of the world is on my shoulders and no one else could possibly understand’ look”

She laughed, “It’s really nothing. Just a long day is all.”

He looked lost in thought for a moment “The mail boat arrives at 10 tomorrow. Why don’t you take a couple hours in the morning before that for yourself.”

Irina was shocked. Sure, Ekaterina and Vlad and the others at the bank all spoke highly of him but she’d never seen it for herself. She just assumed they spoke highly of him because they had to.

“You don’t have to do that. I assure you whatever is going on in my head will never impede my ability to do my job.”

Childe let out a long sigh before rubbing the back of his head. It was a gesture that looked both human and unsure. Two things she knew he wasn’t.

“That’s not what I’m insinuating. Just...take a break. That’s an order.” He opened the door to the front of the inn, ushering her inside “If I see you at work before 10 I’m going to be pissed. Goodnight.”

Irina watched from the window as the man disappeared down the street, still confused by what just occurred. For two weeks since she arrived he either outright ignored her, berated her, or made fun of her in front of the rest of the bank employees.

Maybe his delusion had finally caused him to go insane.