#and his story quest takes place in liyue

[pwurrz]

“why is childe always associated with liyue” because that’s where his husband lives <3

[hydrachea]

Don't know if you know this, but way back in 1.1 there was this web event with both Childe and Zhongli where you essentially hang out with them in Liyue harbor. The event dialogue is up on the wiki if you wanna check it out. I just think it's neat

I'd heard of it but never took the time to read the story, I see I'd been missing out. That was such a wholesome little event, it had so much heart! I hope something else like it comes back eventually, I really like this sort of stuff.

[wolfy1298]

Don’t you ever wonder what kind of secrets and plot points Venti keeps hidden? He claims to be the weakest amongst the Seven-and that could be true given his whole 500 year slumber and poison and all- but he’s still a god. AND one of the original Seven. You gotta be good at SOMETHING to survive for this long…

He’s also the only archon so far that doesn’t have a second story quest so what is he hiding?! We have accounts of him literally shaping the land with ease from both the Golden Apple Archipelago events and his character stories. We know that he has close relationships with the Hexenzirkel and somehow managed to avoid conflict with them??? And there’s also the fact from the skyward sword series that he was originally a catalyst user before picking up the bow in honor of Amos. He’s pulling a Childe when it comes to weapons he currently uses and the ones he’s proficient in.

And don’t even get me started on his connection with Istharoth and Celestia! Mondstadt already has the Thousands Winds Temple AND the nameless island where both Venti and Istharoth were once worshipped. And from Before Sun and Moon, we know that the Thousand Winds (which Venti IS A PART OF) were once called the Thousand Winds of TIME, all of whom were created and controlled by Istharoth. AND THEN you have Venti suspiciously appearing in the right place at the right time again and again and again. He even self proclaimed knowing every song: past, present, and future. Hell he’s probably one of the only few beings in Teyvat who can naturally bypass Irminsul because of his songs: Nahida already shown it’s possible to save deleted info if rearranged into fiction so the same should work for songs and poetry. And there’s also what the hydro fungus in Nahida’s second story quest said about changing forms. That you need time for growth to occur. And Nahida - an ARCHON- had trouble maintaining her fungus form for even the short period of time. She was even told that to do so for longer, one would need to bypass time itself which is near impossible. AND YET VENTI CHANGED INTO THE FORM OF HIS FRIEND IMMEDIATELY AFTER RECEIVING HIS GNOSIS AND HAS YET TO CHANGE BACK OR TIRE FROM FATIGUE (as we know it). HOW STRONG IS HE. Sure, the yokai in Inazuma and Adepti in Liyue can all change into a human form, but we know in game that it takes a long time and steady energy to take on a human shape, and the Adepti all seem to have that ability naturally: there’s no bending the laws of nature if it’s already natural to them. So what’s Venti’s excuse?!

As for Celestia: there’s already written in the statue of Barbatos “the gateway to Celestia” and what not. And Khanreia! In the chasm AND in the Caribert quest, Barbatos and Mondstadt keep getting named dropped. According to Dainself, the city in the chasm is supposedly OLDER than Khanreia and possibly the Seven, yet BARBATOS of all beings is mentioned in the records you find??? And in Caribert, it’s a Mondstadtian woman who that one bloke had a child with. Never mind that Mondstadt is where Kaeya and Albedo - the two characters with confirmed Khanreian origins- end up! There’s also the fact that Khanreia seems to base its gods and names and whatever around Norse mythology….which has strong ties to GERMANIC HISTORY. WHICH MONDSTADT IS BASED OFF OF. And Enkanomiya, which was once ruled by Istaroth, is Greek origin. Suspicious considering all the connections to HERMES Venti keeps portraying. (And then there’s also a connection to all three places with the hexenzerkel with their Chinese names? Like I think I read somewhere that Alice is Aries(?)/Eris(?) and Nicole is actually Nike in the Chinese version? Which are very much based in Roman/Greek origins)

Oh and something I forgot to mention earlier with the whole Istharoth connection. Mondstadt’s saying “seeds of stories, brought by the wind, and cultivated through time”. SUSPICIOUS

Anyways, this has been my nonsensical Venti theory rant

And you’re stuck with me @worldsokayestmagicalgirl

[trashcanlore]

My Chemical Marriage

The chemical wedding is an allegory used in alchemical writings to refer to the union of opposites, particularly a union that produces a new and improved product, the Rebis. 

One popular version of the allegorical wedding takes place between the Red King, the active principle (sulfur) that shapes the material and passive principle of the White Queen (mercury). However, this allegory can refer to the union of sun and moon, silver and gold, or even body and spirit. 

The Rebis refers to the end product of the magnum opus, and is typically depicted as a hermaphrodite.

The child of the chemical marriage is sometimes called the philosopher’s child and fun fact, is associated with the myth of Orion and his three fathers (Jupiter, Mercury, and Neptune). The myth is very different but I can’t help but think of the Simurgh. 

Though the chemical marriage allegory is very much referring to marriage and procreation, etc, in the context of Genshin, it’s used more to refer to a union of opposites, or a collaboration between two types of being, which will be elaborated on later. Of the four examples I will be going through, only two of these relationships have any kind of (canon) romantic associations attached to them. Basically what i’m trying to say is that this is definitely not about ships please don’t eat me.

It’s a well established trend in the history of Teyvat that there have been many god-king-like beings associated with gold or the sun, who had some kind of relationship with a knowledgeable and moon-associated woman, who then dies tragically during the god-king’s quest to Change The World. 

And now, in thematic order, I present the doomed pairings: 

Imunlaukr and the princess of Sal Vindagnyr

Imunlaukr is an outlander, destined to wield the Snow Tombed Starsilver sword to “shatter ice and snow.” The wiki cites a stanza where this name is used as a kenning for a sword. Imunlaukr tried to save Sal Vind from the catastrophic ice and snow caused by the Skyfrost Nail hitting an Irminsul tree, but he failed. Sal Vind had a princess who was also the daughter of the priestess of Vindagnyr, and was “born beneath this white tree” (Frostbearer). She is described as being “bright as the moonlight,” and had the gift of prophecy, painting her visions as frescos on the walls of the city - you can see them in the room where you find the Starsilver sword.  

Guizhong and Zhongli

According to the Stone Tablet Compilations: Vol. I, Rex Lapis descended to Liyue. This isn’t the same descending as Descenders, and it has been argued that a better translation would be ‘demoted,’ but this has similarities to the way Deshret and Remus are described as founding their kingdoms. Rex Lapis is also called Deus Auri, the Golden God, and in the Dialogue of the Desert Sages description, it says that “transformation into gold and Mora is the sole province of Deus Auri.” Guizhong’s moon connection is on the weaker end, but she is strongly associated with glaze lilies, a flower that only blooms at night, like the Nilotpala, or Lunar, lotuses. She gave Zhongli a stone dumbbell, the Memory of Dust, which contains her “wisdom.” Zhongli is still unable to unlock it, and before Guizhong’s death, she told him to forget about its contents.  On a more superficial note, Zhongli and Guizhong have a color scheme that will also be part of the pattern discussed here- black and gold and blue and white.

Remus and Sybilla

Sybilla was the former “envoy that protected the silver tree,” but she had lost her “mind and form.” However, she still retained her gift of prophecy, and told Remus about his destiny to found Remuria (and its inevitable downfall). Sybila’s loss of her physical form and mind is reminiscent of the Aranara stories about how Seelies were cursed to lose their body and intelligence if they fell in love with a human.

After making an arrangement with Remus, the silver tree that Sybilla was protecting transformed into a golden ship, which according to The History of the Decline and Fall of Remuria , was called Fortuna, and with it, Remus “descended” onto Meropis.  Together with Sybilla, Remus created Phobos, the Great/Golden Symphony. Phobos is the name of one of the moons of Mars, the red planet. Combined with the Primordial Sea-derived ichor, it would allow his people to shed their physical forms and transcend their prophesied doom. Sybilla even sacrificed her life to make the symphony possible, but she wasn’t completely dead in the end, and her lack of “persona” led to the Symphony going awry. 

And MOST IMPORTANTLY, the Golden Troupe of Remuria used a magical technique Rene called the “seal of chymical marriage,” and which I think was used to seal the Primordial Sea. Rene would later attempt to reverse its power to Evangelion-ify the people of Fontaine.

We don’t know what Remus or Sybilla actually looked like, but the color scheme of both the Remuria based artifact sets are white/blue/gold and black/blue/gold. 

Decarabian and Amos

Decarabian was the god-king and founder of Mondstadt approximately 2600 years ago. He created a wind barrier to protect his people from the storms outside (and from Andrius), and in an effort to keep his people safe, micromanaged their lives, even banning certain kinds of music that could incite rebellion (Song of Broken Pines). Interestingly, his goal to protect his people is described as a ‘dream’ multiple times in item descriptions.  The Scattered Piece of Decarabian's Dream: He tried so hard to make his dream come true, and so the fragments of that dream are still mighty.

Fragment of Decarabian’s Epic: If it were not for the song of freedom that shattered the city in an instant, Decarabian's dream would have gone on forever.  I wonder if this is meant to be another incidence of the literal power of music, like Remus’s symphony, or the Source Song.  |Decarabian had a human lover named Amos, although from her perspective, he did not understand her or her mortal love, or even the (lack of) devotion of his people. This reminds me of Scylla telling Remus that as a Usurper, he is cursed to love humanity. But maybe not understand them, which would be both of these god-kings’ downfalls.  Though Amos was human, she also seems to have had prophetic dreams: "I dreamt of ocean waves and sand, of lush forests and land." "I dreamt of boars playing in berry bushes, of a towering spire." These words she spoke to the God King in a soft tone, but they were left unheard. (Amos’ Bow) Eventually, she would join the rebellion against him, and attempt to assassinate him. Amos also fits into the blue and white color scheme, and has a feather ornament similar to Lumine in her hair: 

And we come to the piece de resistance. The ultimate example. One of the weirdest things in genshin lore (in a good way). I present:

Whatever TF is Going on With Deshret and the Goddess of Flowers

In The Lay of Al-Ahmar, Deshret is described as a “son of the sky,” with abilities that earned him the reverence of the tribes in the desert. One of his titles, Al-Ahmar, is Arabic for “the red one.” Deshret dreamed of creating a utopia for humans, and the final manifestation of that dream was the (failed) Golden Slumber, where like Remus, he attempted to separate his mind from his body. God-kings and their hiveminds…. Deshret received assistance in the form of access to forbidden knowledge from the Goddess of Flowers, also known as Nabu Malikata. The title Nabu refers to the Babylonian god of wisdom, who is associated with the planet Mercury in Babylonian astronomy. The title ‘Nabu’ has the same linguistic root as the Arabic ‘nabiyy’ (نبي) and Hebrew ‘navi’ (נביא), meaning prophet.  According to Arama, the Goddess of Flowers was a survivor of the Seelie race. After her exile, she wandered the desert, where her blood turned into streams of water that allowed gardens of water lilies to grow, which in turn birthed the Jinn. Additionally, wherever she stepped, purple flowers called Padisarahs, described as “bearing semblance to the moon,” bloomed (Flower of Paradise Lost). Together with Deshret, she founded Ay-Khanoum, meaning "[City of the] Moon Maiden.”  In addition to being known as “the red one,” Deshret is also known as the “Lord of Sand.” Combined with the Goddess of Flowers association with both water and mercury, I consider their respective titles to be a reference to Ibn Umayl’s Silvery Water and Starry Earth, a 10th century alchemical text. The ‘silvery water’ refers to mercury, or quicksilver, and the ‘starry earth’ is sulfur. This text is also referenced in the refinement materials for Dialogue of the Desert Sages, where this time the mercury-looking material is called “exalted earth.” The mercury-sulfur theory of metals was popular in medieval Islamic alchemy, and it refers to the idea that all metals are formed in the earth out of a combination of these two elements.   Like Sybilla, it’s implied the Goddess of Flowers sacrificed her life to help Deshret fulfill his goals.  Secret Keeper’s Magic Bottle: "I shall fashion you a bridge to allow you to slake your deepest wants. But you must fear not the crystalline sapphire nail..." "I will deliver you unto higher knowledge. But as I have warned, you are fated to lose much in this exchange..." "Nevertheless, hide my lesson in your heart. Remember the punishment that once was inflicted on the fallen envoys of heaven." "Know this: if there is to be hope in this world, it will be found kindling within mortals most ordinary." Wreathed in darkness, she guided her dearest friend toward the path to understanding all there was to know about the skies and the abyss. Using her body as a conduit and offering the oasis in trade, she let the dazzling radiance consume her to see his deepest desires be made manifest… It’s not clear exactly when she died, as other sources of in-game info attribute her death to the “malice of the burning sun and yellow sand,” as well as imply her death was part of a larger plan she had (Oasis Garden weapon mats). That being said, the Flower of Paradise Lost description states that after she performed this exchange, she was never seen again. As for the color scheme mentioned earlier, we don’t know what Deshret or the Goddess of Flowers looked like. Our only hints as to their human forms are the Gilded Dreams TCG card/artifact design, and a throwaway line in the Sumeru Archon Quest where Nilou says her stage costume is inspired by legends about how the Goddess of Flowers dressed.

As of 4.7, we also have the Flower of Paradise Lost TCG card, which may depicted the Goddess of Flowers. The color scheme is purple and white, but the woman in the art is wearing a dress that looks similar to Guizhongs (delulu). The crown on this card has little wings, which are reminiscent of the winged helmet Mercury is sometimes depicted as wearing. 

The defining feature of the chemical marriage is that the metaphorical union produces something greater than the sum of its parts. Sybilla and the Goddess of Flower’s sacrifices allowed the fulfillment of plans that were intended to create new worlds, something I would consider greater than the combination of god and Seelie minds. Another common thread in these transactions is wisdom, or lack thereof, with both Goddess of Flowers and Guizhong offering wisdom, and Sybilla saying that she no longer has hers - although that didn’t stop her from becoming part of Phobos. This theme of wisdom also has alchemical significance, since the philosopher’s stone is the lapis philosophorum; the 'stone of wisdom'. I’ve written a theory about the philosopher’s stone and Descenders and alchemy, including the chemical wedding motif, in the Narzissekreuz Ordo questions: you can check it out here. Two points that I want to carry over to this theory is that a) there is evidence to suggest that the philosopher’s stone and a Descender are the same in Teyvat and b) the ability to successfully change Fortuna (fate) is directly linked with Descender status.  I’m not saying that Deshret and Remus were trying to become Descenders, but there are clear thematic parallels with their goals, and Rene’s goals. Additionally, these four examples are not the only time a union resulted in world changing consequences. Records of Jueyun recounts the story of the traveler from afar and the seelie: At a far-flung moment in the distant past, the ancestor of the seelie met a traveler from afar, with whom they swore an oath of union witnessed by the three sisters of the Lunar Palace. Just thirty days later, a sudden disaster struck. The seelie and their lover fled into exile as the world collapsed around them, fleeing until the terrible calamity caught up with and seized them. Their cruel punishment was to be separated from each other for eternity and to have their memories wiped without a trace. The book goes on to directly connect this union with the curse of the Seelies that Arama mentions: The graceful but heartbroken seelie and the sisters grew more sullen and withdrawn with each passing day, to the point where their wondrous forms withered away, leaving fragments of their former selves scattered in the mountains and ruins, where they turned into tiny little life forms. They had forgotten so much, lost so much, and been stripped of their voices and wisdom, yet they continued to sing the same songs of grief. Because of this, still harboring a shred of the deep love they once had for their long-lost lover, they will act as guides to travelers who stop in the mountain mist, seeking to retrace their memories of an ancient story in long-abandoned ruins, disused makeup cabinets, and now-undecipherable poetry. Moonlight Bamboo forest has another version of the story, where the three moon sisters loved the “stars of daybreak,” and after some kind of cataclysmic event, only one (dead) moon remained in the sky. Mitternacht’s Waltz also described a sword shattering one of the moons: Two of the three bright moons that caused the perfumed sea of the primordial universe to shine and stirred up the beasts of the Arianrhod Realm were shredded by a sword that tore the horizon asunder, left in smithereens too small even for the mystical sight of the Prinzessin. Ever since the Narzissenkreuz quests, I am very suspicious of all swords mentioned in lore.  If we put all these themes and narratives together, another possible metaphorical union emerges:

Since the dawn of Genshin lore, there have been various theories regarding the duality in the designs of the twins, with some also suggesting that they are two separate halves of one being. However, I’d like to propose the opposite: if the twins follow the path of their fellow black/gold and blue/white predecessors, then it seems likely a fusion that is also a sacrifice is in the future for our protagonist.  There are other similarities between the twins and the god-king/seelie pairs. The twins have sun and moon symbolism on their clothes, constellations, and swords: Aether’s has a star (sun) shaped hilt  and Lumine’s a moon. The Traveler is frequently described as being ‘golden’ (ex. Golden Nara), and Liloupar says that they remind her of Deshret.   The Traveler is already a Descender, but they definitely don’t seem to have the strength or knowledge to exercise their world-equivalent Will yet - and maybe their sibling who has been spending time in the Abyss and has learned the “truth of this world” can help. In that case, the knowledge of the Abyss-aligned twin would fulfill the role of the Seelie knowledge in this pair, helping the Traveler complete their power-up. But what about Paimon, the emergency food? She's the dove, representing the spirit and- [is dragged offstage]. 

P.S. I didn’t know where to fit this in, but I think Before Sun and Moon is also referring to a chemical wedding. Sun -> sulfur and gold, Moon -> mercury and silver. The title could be an incomplete phrase, and actually be something like “Before Sun and Moon joined.”

[h0ney-san]

✑ "Magic in your hold"

[Holw!Creator Au]

CW: NB Reader (im trying-), PLATONIC Reader & Bennett, mentions of Razor and Barbara, Bennett is called "My child" and "Sleeping beuty". Benny having bad luck as always, angst at the middle part(?, Benny close to death- bad writting and mistakes, English is not my first lenguaje.

A/N: Okay after a big brake and re writting this thing on like 6 times i can finally post THE BEGGINING PART of this series ( please kill me ), i wanted to post it all together, but since i haven't post in mounts i prefer to do this in separated parts so you can enjoy it. I'm sorry I taked to long, a lot of things have happened in my personal life...

You can see it more in a normal SAGAU rather that SAGAU imposter AU. This takes place after Fontaine Archon Quest!

His bad luck is back again.

As Bennett was in the branch of a large tree, avoiding the rocks that 3 Hilichurls are throwning at him, he can't stop thinking back some months ago, where his life was the best he have ever dream.

Back in the day the Almigthy Creator woke up from their sleep and took the Traveler as their first vassel, he was daydreaming of ever meeting them, since he haves memory, he can remember his dads telling him bedtime storys and legends of the Almigthy Creator, of how they made this word, bless it and mold all with care and love for all of them was something they did often when he was more little, never he could imagine that the literally Creator of all would woke up in Mondstatd, something that just elders pray about to see with their eyes, something that young ones hope that their generation would have the pride to tell about, it finally happend.

You can even imagine his exciment when he notice how other vision holders began to be grap in the wram embrace of the Guide of the elements, not only from Mondstatd, but also Liyue and even some from Inazuma and Sumeru and Fontaine! You could heard the loud "GASP" he let out when non other that Razor was chosen as a vassel from miles away, how his eyes sparkle as he saw the vassels walk by, showing the artifacts and wepons their Grace gift to them with pride ( Even tho that at the begining they were just random and din't really fit them... ).

Slowly but surely, people around Teyvat began to randomly be chosen as a vassel, and he could only wish to be one of them, he tried his hardest to cach their goddly sigth for just a second, fithing enemies that other adventures fear ( Even tho he end up in Mondtastd church to be heal by Barbara ), getting inside a ancient ruin to get a legendary artifact ( Wich was just a rumor and it din't exist such thing ), heck, he even began to pray harder before going to sleep to the point of almost dessesperation, as his dads peeked thro his door staring at him, kneling infront of his bed almost screaming.

✑⸻"PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE DEAR CREATOR PLEASE-"

As just time pass, he began to get a bit anxius, more and more people he know were chossed as vassels, but not him... Razor, Barbara, Kaeya, Lisa, Amber, The Traveler, Noelle, all discribe from a different perspective how it was the felling of becoming a vassel, something that he really wanted, but knowing his luck... the only thing he could had is hope.

One late nigth, when his constellecion was shining for all to see in the dark of Mondstatd, his bad luck hit again, making him running around to cach a owl that steald his sword, he presenciate something that fit the tittle of Miracle, a meteor shower start, as he know from the tales...

"When the meteor shower start and your constelaccion is up in the sky, theres a chance that they see you, and take you as their new vassel"

As the sky began to shine, he have see it before, normally theres a purple glow on it, and people have said that if they chose you, that beuthiful purple glow start would approuch you.

Aneixiety began to grow in his stomach, going up to his throt. He cross his fingers and murmur under his breath.

✑⸻"Please... please"

Forgeting about his now lost sword, Bennett began to pray, closing his eyes hard and taking a deep breath, feeling the wind pass thro his hair softly, and how his hands tremble a bit, it was almost as time have pause itself.

When he slowly open his eyes, he meet a shiny purple glow that stryke him... quite literally, because he feel backwards as the star hit him all over the face-

Even with the way it began, he can swerd for his life that that was the luckyes day he will ever have and had.

To his great surprise, the Almigthy Creator adore him! He felt a blush on his checks as he heard the voice of non other that the Gods of Gods, prise him, and call him cute names that only his fathers call him, the nickname they use more to call him was "My child" ( Tho he notice that they call "My child" almost everyone around his age or below, but still he was the first to be call that. ), they spend a good amount of time farming artifacts meant for him, swords? Now he have a good hand to pick of, as the the Almigthy above is always getting new wepons and they always see if theres one that cold fit him, he knows is a support, he have heard it from the Creator one or two times, but it still make him feel so especial to know that the Almigthy Creator has favorites and he is one of them... wich sooner or later, make him actually see the Almigthy Creator as a parental figure.

Along side them, his bad luck dessapeard, chest were not affected by his bad luck, weather? Nope, teamates? Never, now that they have make him stronger he was not only able to protect himself, but now his others... Countless adventures, powerfull enemies, lovely escenarys, all that he dream of when he was back in his normal life have came real... Or so he thogth.

Because dreams are that, dreams, and one way or another, you would wake up.

Maybe it was his fault for becoming so dependient of them.

Maybe it was his fault for letting his guard down.

Maybe he could have do something to prevent them for dissapear.

But after all, he is a mere mortal, a teeneger.

Six months back, some time after that Fontaine was saved from the profesy, he wake up and make his day, everything was normal, all people were doing their own things, but... he some how feel... out of place, like something its wrong, one of his first mistakes was think that it was his imagintaion or after the Creator appeard like usual and take control over him he would feel better, but they din't show up.

Its not so out of place that they din't appear for time to time, but this time it feel... different, he can't put his finger on it, but it feel weird.

So, him, the vassels, archons and Teyvat wait.

And waited.

And waited...

And... waited...

They didn't return back.

People began get worried around Teyvat, trying to figure out where are they and if they are okay, but when the preyers and vassels call their holy name there was no anwser...

Its almost as they didn't exist, like it was before their awakening, the vision holders that were filled with their warm often, now feel more cold that they would have before, and the more terrefing thing was, the things they got for them slowly losse their holy aura.

The artifacts? Began lo lose the color they had.

The wepons? Began to be normal ones that were capable of getting broke.

The visions? They don't shine as they used to.

And slowly, his bad luck was back again.

Today was one of these days.

The wind took his map out of his reach, he got loss, it began to rain, a bunch of Hilichurls hunt him down, and last but not least, the sword they took a bunch of materials to level up for him, broke in two when he was figthing the Hilichurls back...

He was huging the handle of the now broke sword, something that remind him of the Almigthy Creator, as he tried to make the Hillichurls go away, swinging the sword at them.

✑⸻"Sho! Sho! Bad Hilichurls! Ba- H- hey! Stop trowing rocks at me!- Ouch- nOT THE SLIMES-"

He tried to cover himself as the Hilichurls began to tried pull up Pyro slimes to tried to hit him, but... they just suddenly stop their accions, and were staring at him ( Kind of, the masks make it hard to know if they are looking at him... )

✑⸻"Huh?... Why did they suddenly-"

Bennett couldn't finnish the sentence before the three Hilichurs run for dear life, did he scared them-?? Or-

✑⸻"W-WHOA-! WH-WHAT IS GOING ON-?!"

The ground began to shake to much it made him almost trip and fall, clinging to the tree for balance, he began to hear... the sound of a machine, clocks, old metal of a heavy height, that was just behide him.

✑⸻"[Please don't be a Ruind Guard, please don't be a Ruin Guard, please don't-]"

Slowly looking backwards with his eyes closes he began to pray every divine being to protect him, to pray it wasn't a Ruin Guard, the loud noises of foosteps made by a giant machine steping agains the wet grass, the cold wind and the rain souding hardly againts his ears, Bennett slowly open one of his eyes.

Oh! That's not a Ruin Guard.

.

.

.

That's NOT a Ruin Guard!!

✑⸻"WHAT IN BARBATOS-"

A machine much larger that a Ruin Guard, or any machines he have seen in Mondstandt, so large that even the large tree he was on look like a tiny branch, it seams like its made of pices of old metal and ruins, wet thanks to the rain, and making loud noises as it walks, that thing breaths fire... he can't quiet cach it all, because that thing is almost gonna crush the tree he is clinging-

✑⸻"OH OH- NO NO NO- W-WHOA!!"

His luck again betrays him, but this time, it puts him rigth in the line of life and death.

He tried to get down of the tree as quick and safe posible, but not only thanks by the ground shaking and the wet branch he was on, he slips and falls, before all turns dark, before he hits the ground, before he is crush to death by that thing, his only wish is...

✑⸻"[Dear creator... Please save me...]"

Maybe after death, he can finally feel their warmt again.

.

.

.

Huh

.

.

.

Was this after death?

.

.

.

Is more... boring that he spected.

Just... black

.

.

.

And felling warm.

.

.

.

Warm?-

✑⸻"Heeey... kiddo? Have you alredy woke up-?"

... huh?

A voice talk to him softly, and he did his best to look like he is still sleeping ( he clearly looks like he is just playing dumb- ) and tried to know were is he, relaying on his sense of touch, Bennett can tell he isn't in the wild, that he is on... a sofa, probably- with a blanket cover him up and cotton bandages that hug his brusies softly.

Slowly open his eyes, his vision was blury, but one thing is sure, theres fire close to him, and there someone here in this room with him...

✑⸻"Good morning sleeping beauty, did you have a good rest?"

Is-

.

.

.

Is the fire talking?!

Jumping on the couch, now fully awake, Bennett frote his eyes multiple times to clear his view- is he in a coma? A dream? Alucination? He haves never heard of something like this before!

✑⸻"W-wait-!? Are you alive?!"

✑⸻"Of course i am, why would you think im not?"

The talking fire was... weird, it had eyes, and a mouth, being in a old looking fire place cover in ashes, close to the sofa he was in, it seams like it also haves hands, because rigth now it pull some fresh wood agains their flamimg body to burn even more.

✑⸻"You almost gives us a heart attack, you know? Finding you pass out in the middle of the way to the north of Mondstatd while it was raining was somethimg we weren't expecting at all... You feel alrigth? Your brusies were pretty bad, and im not very sure if the healing magic work out... you really have a BAD curse you know?"

Getting out of his shock, Bennett quickly check himself out, looking at the clean new bandages he can tell they were recent, his body don't really hurt like it normaly do, he feels just like when Barbara finish to heal him, or when the holy power of the Creator heal him...

Curse? What does that mean- is it refering to his bad luck?

✑⸻"I uh- yes! i feel great, thank you...?"

✑⸻"Im Calcifer, a extremely powerful fire demon and protector of this place, nice to meet you kid... its have been a while that i don't introduce myself like that-"

✑⸻"Demon!? Wait- uh- can you tell me where are we?? I remember falling from a branch because i wanted to escape from a giant machine that was going to crush me- and- how long i been sleeping??"

✑⸻"We are in (•••) castle, its very messy around here, so don't go wandering around here- (•••) haven't clean around here for a while now and i totally refuse to do it for them... and, you have been sleeping like... one and half day? Most likely"

✑⸻"I been sleeping that long?! Crap! my fathers are gonna get worried!!-"

Bennett tried to stand up, but with just his first step he fell to the floor and Calcifer got to the edge of the old fire wood

✑⸻"Hey- slow down kid!- you haven't eat anything for a while, even if you were sleep you body haven't recarge the energy lost, you know? Not to mention the weird escenario you were on before you pass out"

✑⸻"But- [sigh] i need to go back, i been far from home before but- this time they don't know were i am..."

✑⸻"Well, sorry to get you out of your bubble, but you are wounden and we are almost at the north of Mondstatd, if you try to go home like this, im pretty sure you will have a pretty bad death"

Bennett, looked at Calcifer defeated, sighing and re incorporing slowly in the sofa, as he began to murmur

✑⸻"[Sigh] Can you... Can you atleast help me to go back? Please?"

✑⸻"Umm-..."

Calcifer looked away avoiding the puppy eyes of Bennett, and seem a bit nervous by the question.

✑⸻"Erm... Listen kid... I can't-"

Calcifer was abruply interrupted by the sound of a door being open, the craking woodfloor as fast footsteps where heard.

✑⸻"Calficer, we need to move 50 meter away please, i just saw some treasure-... horders..."

The person let mid sentence as they saw Bennett, full awake.

✑⸻"Uh... welcome back (•••)!..."

This was going to be a really long day...

Holy Jesus Christ on a bike, it took me long for posting, I'm really sorry, things have happened and I completely forgot about posting this, I really hope you like it...

For now...

See y'all!!

⸻ h0ney 🍯🐝.

⸻ TAGLIST

@originalcollectivedragon

[runawaymun]

It's something that I want to do a full write-up on after I finish more more quests (most especially Baizhu's) but I just want to put it out there that I am constantly amazed, as a chronic-illness haver myself, how many characters in Genshin Impact have chronic illnesses, how visible they are, and how well represented they are.

Like, it's extremely difficult to find even one character in a piece of fiction that has a chronic illness (let alone one where it isn't played for laughs, OR otherwise it completely destroys their life and they're fucking miserable, OR it's magically cured).

But Genshin? Dude you trip over a character with a chronic illness every five seconds, it feels like, and I fucking love that. Off the top of my head there's:

Anna (Mondstat), who visibly suffers from her illness and we know her brother struggles to pay for her medicine. But the traveler, through a series of quests, helps them get ahold of an affordable medication to manage (MANAGE, not cure) the illness and to return her quality of life to her.

Little Hongdou (Liyue) - who has an unspecified chronic illness. And she just does. But she's out and about and seems very happy.

Collei (Sumeru, playable) - and sure her illness is fixed by the end of the Sumeru quest, but I don't even care because of how well it's represented. She has hopes, ambitions, dreams. She participates in her work as a forest ranger even though we get visible confirmation that her illness is progressing. The people around her care and are compassionate, and do their best to make sure she takes care of herself, but she is also allowed to just...go out? and do things?? This shouldn't be such a tall order but chronic illness-havers with friends and family members who understand that, hey there are good days and there are bad days -- that's rare in fiction (and IRL for that matter).

Dunyarzad (Sumeru) - her chronic illness is a major plot-driver in an entire fucking archon quest. She has a huge amount of influence on the people around her, and her chronic illness is actually part of the whole reason we even are able to help Nahida in the first place. Her chronic illness is what makes her instrumental to the plot, but it also isn't the only thing about her, and I love that.

Dulphy (Fontaine) - an actress from Furina's story quest. What really struck me about Dulphy is how the people around her interact with her. I was half in tears by the end of the quest -- not even for Furina reasons (yes, that too), but because I was so touched by the fact that a game gave us a character who was unable to follow through with something she said she was going to do (finish her closing performance as the lead actress in a musical), and that was okay. Like, yeah, the people around her were upset -- but they were upset because she hadn't taken great care of herself and had pushed herself past her spoon limit! Nobody (including the narrative itself) treated it as a great failure when she had to call it quits on her performance. Rather, that was treated as a good thing, and they went so far as to explicitly state that her performance up to that point mattered, and that it was a meaningful contribution, even though she couldn't finish. And that just fucking got me, man. Also - again, this is a character where it is explicitly stated "this is a chronic illness. It has good days and bad days and it can only be managed, not cured. And if she pushes herself too hard then she'll need several days to recover." And that's just...part of who she is.

And, of course, Baizhu. (Liyue, playable) My beloved, my blorbo. His chronic illness(es) is an extremely visible part of his character - referenced in his voicelines, his idles, his interactions in quests, the imaginarium theater, and even your teapot house, and his emojis. Hell, he even coughs if you sprint too much with him. Nevertheless, he's arguably one of the strongest healer units in the game from a meta perspective, and from a story perspective he is immensely successful, insanely compassionate, and while he isn't necessarily super kind to himself about it, the people around him are. His chronic illness is part of him, but he is still allowed to inhabit a story where he's the most renowned and beloved doctor in his entire country & just...is an awesome, active person in general, and that means so much to me.

Just. God. I legitimately can't think of another piece of fiction where I have seen myself represented over and over and over again everywhere I look, let alone so kindly. It's genuinely so moving to have so many characters be so visibly chronically ill, and for that to just be part of their character. A neutral thing about them. And to have it be okay when they can't finish things -- even though they said they would, okay when they need to rest, okay when they have to take a break or extra care with themselves. And not just one but so many. I'm sure I'm forgetting some to boot.

(Honorable mention: Qiqi. Like sure she's a zombie but hear me out: visible chronic joint and memory issues, which is something I also deal with and it's just so refreshing to see a character who deals with them, too -- and who has so many people around her who are so kind about it).

[m1d-45]

remorse

-> warnings: spoilers for kazuha story quest as well as general kazuha lore, kazuha’s friend is named tomo for convenience, mention of blood near the end, kazuha attacks you but it’s a brief memory, standard issue imposter sagau things

-> lowercase intended!

tomo was an avid believer in the creator.

most people are to an extent, kazuha included, but it’s more of a soft reverence for him rather than the burning devotion for tomo, whose belief is that the creator didn’t make inazuma for it to be hidden! they didn’t make the shogun for her to do this to her nation!

that combined with his other beliefs sent him to face her. ever a man of faith, he held firm that he was doing the right thing. even as his body fell to the floor and his vision flew into the awaiting grasp of his friend, his heart stood strong.

kazuha carries that faith with his memory, and does his best to honor it just as well. if he finds a pretty flower he’ll drop it at a shrine, always murmuring his friend’s name as he does so. he doesn’t hold you to as high a bar as other do, as high as tomo did, but it’s hard not to be religious in teyvat, where the gods literally walk the earth. he settles for a quiet reverence, and perhaps a prayer that his friend may find peace at your side when the storm winds howl and lightning strikes close.

and then beidou.

who thanks you daily for calm seas, for large hauls, thanks for the life created for her anew.

and he thinks. and thinks a bit more, and decides that well, his life has been remade too, hasn’t it? and like beidou says, he’s a poet, he’s been gifted with a form of creation, hasn’t he? so he starts leaving more than a few folded poems at the on-ship shrine—it’s kept in the back, a little tucked away both for safety and in case the crew has problems with religion or just doesn’t follow, but that just makes it all the easier to slip things onto it.

and he thinks that maybe tomo had the right idea.

so when he hears of an impersonator, somebody who utilizes both magic and their mind to take the place of the highest of gods…. he’s more than upset.

how dare you? how dare you try to take the place of his god- if the entire of teyvat’s god? how dare you try and swindle your way to the top, try to trick and scheme and deceive the innocent beleivers into serving you instead of the creator you fail to even imitate? he hasn’t even met you and he knows that you’re a stale copy, a fragile semblance even with your spells and alchemy, a careful house of cards that he longs to topple.

the alcor is docked in liyue, waiting for a shipment. he’s sitting on an empty crate while beidou leans on it, groaning about the merchant.

”come on! we’re gonna be late, and he had a week to prepare! who is this guy, even, thinking he can do shit like that?”

he’s about to speak—likely to admonish her for swearing when there’s children playing along the docks—when he spots you approaching. you have messy, shaggy hair and a face covered by a blue mask, dressed oddly for somebody in liyue. he doesn’t spot either vision nor weapon on you, but it’s hard to tell. at the very least, you don’t look hostile.

he decides not to get beidous attention, letting you do so as you walk up to her.

“pardon me?”

your voice is rough and coarse, like ore dragged into the light of the sun after growing underground for millennia.

she looks you up and down, deciding that you aren’t the merchant she needs. “what can i do for ya?”

“i w-as told you could provide passage to inazuma?”

she tilts her head. “huh? but the saokoku decree was lifted recently, there should be proper passenger boats leaving every hour.”

you swallow, and kazuha listens to the wind around you.

it’s afraid. apprehensive. tense, like you expect them to turn you down.

which he’s pretty sure beidou’s about to if you can’t save this.

“theyre full, and i heard you were leaving immediately. and besides, everybody knows the alcor’s one of the fastest boats on the waves.”

ah. you’re smart.

beidou laughs. “you’re right about that, kid, we certainly can get you there the fastest! but it ain’t gonna be cheap…”

you brightened, standing a little straighter. the wind lifted into a gentle breeze. “i have mora! na-ame your price.”

while they sorted that out, kazuha inspected your odd character. your voice was rough, strained over certain syllables, and occasionally you’d scratch at the side of your neck. he’d initially assumed that the mask was for anonymity, like shinobu from the arataki clan, but now he thinks it’s more for an illness.

one that could spread throughout the crew.

“well, you’ve got yourself a deal! any problems?” she turned back to kazuha for his verdict, and he checked over you once more.

dirt on your boots, but hands in the pockets of your jacket. you were more relaxed now, the air speaking of possibility.

“you sound sick,” he says simply, and your eyes widen.

“a-ah, i- it’s just disuse. i d-ont really talk often.” the mask lifted in a weak smile, your hand coming up again. the skin there was quickly turning red.

“then if there’s nothing else, welcome aboard, uh- whats your name, again?”

you give a name and dip your head in thanks. “thank you for your k-indness.”

kazuha took up the task of showing you around the boat, for no reason he could explain. you were nice to talk to, funny, and your voice was smooth after youd taken some of the medicine you carried.

you were easy to be around. it was like reuniting with a friend he hadn’t seen in years, an indescribable sense of comfort filling him at your side. you felt like home, like campfire chats around crackling wood, or the soft sound of waves on a shore. a clear sky, a cool breeze over a sun-warmed rock.

he was almost- no, he was sad to see you off, waving goodbye as you rushed onto the docks of ritou.

you would go far. whatever you wanted to do, kazuha was sure you would succeed, and extended you his blessings in your endeavors.

now imagine his reaction when, after settling the deal, beidou brings him a flyer. her jaw is set and her shoulders are tight, and he’s quick to see what irritated her.

it’s you.

the flyer has your posture more intimidating, a long staff in hand, eyes cold and calculated instead of the warm glow he remembered.

but it’s you. undoubtedly. even your picture tries to pull a smile from him- and then he sees the charges below.

and he wants to shiver despite the comfortable air.

how?

how can this be?

how can such a kind soul be so deceptive?

but isn’t that the thing? it says you utilize spellwork- that has to be it, right?

(but how can the wind lie?)

he leaps from the side of the alcor, barely able to tell beidou not to wait for him before he’s gone.

he’s in a confused daze for the next few weeks, constantly on your trail- but the wind guides him in loops.

you’re everywhere.

your aura is permanently in the air, giving him a shot of nothing short of pure bliss before he gets his wits about him.

he’s almost afraid, because the wind doesn’t lie- but it has to be, because you can’t enchant the air- but that’s the only way-

his mind is confused, constantly in a state of conflict, his instincts saying you’re a friend while rational thinking says youre foe. his heart calls for your safety whilst the careful shell around it reminds him of your crimes. of the way you’ve tarnished his god’s name, of the way you’ve disrespected captain beidou and her crew, of the way you took advantage of kindness to serve yourself.

of the way you took advantage of people like tomo.

he’s on a beach, preparing up some fish for dinner in a cave, when the wind suddenly smells sweeter.

it’s the scent he’s been following.

he stands and rushes onto the shore, unsure why he’s not reaching for his blade but not thinking too much about it, looking around. sand slides beneath his feet as he races towards a familiar figure: you.

you—his mind supplies him with the name you gave, but is it even yours? or was it just another layer to the lie?—jump as he approaches, but quickly relax. you slip down the mask to sip at the medicine the same shade as the sky, smiling at him.

“kazuha.”

his skin prickles, suddenly feeling hot just at the way you say his name. it’s so kind, so loving, almost, and any response flies from his mind. it’s so hard to be mad when your voice sounds like silk and the light…

the sun shines on your skin, nearly glowing, outlining every curve and angle of you and with a gentle hand. if you catch the light just right he can catch lines of something yellowed across your skin. it’s odd, he didn’t remember that on the… boat…

the flyer.

right.

you were a criminal.

a criminal of the worst kind.

a fraud, somebody who tried to take advantage of the people, using spells to try and garner attention and wealth from people-

people like tomo.

he grit his teeth and ignored the stab of pain in his chest as he drew his sword.

instantly, every ounce of happiness drains from your figure, replaced by an ice-cold tension that makes him want to shiver despite the warm breeze. “ka..zu…?”

the nickname falling from your lips begs him to reconsider, to stop.

its his last chance to.

“how dare you disgrace the kaedehara name?”

your eyes turn glossy and you back away, shrinking in on yourself. a choked-off sound crosses the short distance between them, and kazuha forced himself to ignore it.

you are not an innocent. the beautiful sunlight across your skin did not mean that you yourself were as good as it, the lovely scenery around you no indication of whatever rot lied in your soul; something that had to be there, for you to try and imitate the creator.

and it was rot. you were rotten, bitter, deceitful, using the magic you’d have to have bought—for no being could grant somebody like you that power—to try and warp mildew into meadows. he had to remember that.

he was being charmed.

and then he’s in liyue.

he’s going to a meeting with ningguang with beidou, where the news is broken.

the normally ever-steady tianquan looks shaken up, asking beidou first for her promise to utilize her crew and connections to spread what she’s about to say as far across liyue as she can.

and then she says it.

and kazuha leaves.

he’s in the crows nest of the alcor—it hasn’t left the harbor in months due to the awful storms over teyvat and the cruel waves—and curled into a ball, hands tangled into his white hair, undoing his ponytail in the process.

he tried to kill you.

he’d had you pinned to the beach- you didn’t even fight back. you’d just laid there, tears beading in your eyes, just staring up at him even as his sword was resting in the hollow of your throat.

he’d-

he’d nearly drawn blood.

he’d almost killed the very god he worshipped.

the shining light in his best friend’s life, the new beginning he’d found alongside his new home with the crux, the-

the flush across his skin whenever you were close, that sense of calm and serenity- of course. it all made sense, now that he put aside his blade.

you were a god.

his god.

and he’d tried to kill you.

he tries to soothe himself—you’re okay, you didn’t hurt them too bad, did you? imagine how the killer feels—but it’s in vain. the very wind turns against him, biting and cold despite the warm sun, and he’s shivering.

shaking, about to cry, because you… you were only seeking a new opportunity. you wanted another chance. you just wanted to live- ningguang had said your memory was likely damaged if even there at all, you didn’t even know you were a god at all. you didn’t even understand the nature of your sins, you didn’t understand the world you were in in any form, you didn’t understand why you were being chased, persecuted, hunted.

and kazuha, alongside the entire world, had decided that was a crime punishable by death.

[shu-glue]

On New Year's Eve (And Day, and the Week Before, and the Week After)

includes Zhongli, Tighnari, Scaramouche/Wanderer, Thoma in which the aforementioned spend their birthdays—and in turn, new years—with their beloved, you.

contains: tooth rotting fluff like no joke i need a dentist, established relationships in tighnari's and thoma's parts, growing relationships in zhongli's and wanderer's, gender neutral and they/them pronouns, spoilers for the Sumeru Archon Quest in wanderer's, spoilers for thoma's character story, lots of physical affection and just touchy-lovey stuff (sfw!), maybe ooc characters omg im so sorry

a/n: i don't think wanderer's ended up fluffy at ALL AHAHAHAH. this is long overdue and it's just in time for thoma's birthday uhu. i had a clear idea for each of their parts but i think i deviated so much, i hope you all still enjoy this EHDJEJS HAPPY NEW YEAR, LETS SEIZE 2023 BY THE NECK /j /hj(?)

✐ He's so old, you know.

✐ And it's not even to poke fun or make jokes; Zhongli really does feel old.

✐ After more than 6000 years of living, those 6000 years all seem to blend for him. Every 'new' year that passes isn't a new year, per se, but a repetition of everything thus far. Spring still comes after the winter, the sun still rises for the farmers and the roosters, the mountains of Liyue still stand tall.

✐ And after the first 1000, the new year became… old for the Geo Archon. He'll stare fondly at his people as they dance and sing in celebration of the upcoming year, he'll partake in the festivities that are sure to take place once the final hour of this year starts to count down. However, if you ask him—a being who's lived for millennia and for more millennia to come—the new year won't bring him as much joy and excitement as mortals feel because he's seen many new years come and go for as long as he's been alive.

✐ The years don't change for him, as everything's always in a state of uniformity for him. He won't even realize that their world has finished another trip around the sun until Director Hu barges into his office in excitement. She's been rambunctious all day, seeing as it's the last day of the year and even, coincidentally, her beloved consultant's birthday.

✐ He had been stubborn, refusing to accept a day off even with these two events transpiring today (he has stopped looking forward to them for years now).

✐ Unfortunately for him, Hu Tao was equally stubborn and equally eager to see this old man (now it's to poke fun and make jokes) enjoy himself for once, especially since it's the dawn of New Year's Eve. And she has the perfect weapon, the ultimate trump card up her sleeve.

"Oh, Mr. Zhongli~!"

It's not uncommon for Hu Tao to come barging into Zhongli's office at Wangsheng Funeral Parlor unannounced, another phenomenon that will likely not change in the upcoming year. A lively little thing despite the nature of their work, that sometimes has Zhongli quite perplexed despite his vast experience with people of all kinds.

He fixes some documents on his desk and looks up just as the current overseer of the funeral parlor enters his office, a pep in her step and a cheeky grin on her lips. Maybe Zhongli should ignore the cheekiness in her grin. Maybe.

"Director Hu. What brings you here at this time?"

"I was wondering why the lights are still on in here, despite it being the New Year and all. I should've guessed it was you, Mr. Zhongli." Hu Tao giggles, clasping her hands behind her back. "Aren't you going to come down to the harbor? Everyone's really going all out in the festivities."

"I'll be there shortly, Miss Hu Tao. I just need to sort out these documents." Zhongli straightens out the pieces of paper, tapping them on his desk.

"Which is going to take hours! You'll be spending the New Year cooped up in this office!" Hu Tao laments, frowning deeply. "Well, good thing I called them then."

Zhongli pauses midway of sorting documents into his desk drawer. "Called who?"

As he says that, a new voice rings out from behind the doorway to his office, one that Zhongli immediately recognizes and knows who it belongs to even before you pop your head out from behind the door. "Hello, Hu Tao. Hello, Zhongli. Happy new year."

✐ As it stands, you may be the only mortal in Teyvat who could shake the ex-Archon's heart like this. A simple server who Zhongli had met while he was ordering food from Third Round Knockout, the new recruit Degui was grateful for when it got busier and busier at the tavern.

✐ A conversation bloomed where Zhongli told you some bits of history regarding Liyue Harbor and it was a rather pleasant surprise when you squeeze in your own knowledge of the place, admitting that you spend a bit of your time at Wanwen Bookhouse on your days off.

✐ It came to the point that Zhongli became even more of a regular at the tavern, if that were possible; and it wasn't because his wallet was suffering this time. The staff there have come to grow used to his growing presence at their establishment and they won't even interrupt your talks when it's a slow day at work. (It's rather adorable, seeing the two of you at a table sitting far into a corner, Zhongli looking up at you with soft eyes as you listen to him ramble about the origin of Slow-cooked Bamboo Shoot Soup with rapt attention).

✐ Hu Tao—bless her soul, really—also caught wind of her consultant's growing affection for you and has been hellbent on devising schemes to get him to admit said affections for you. (Never really works because he always saw through her schemes and as stated before, he's stubborn.)

✐ Alas, he's caught between a rock (heh) and a hard place because she sends the two of you out to enjoy the New Year's Festival by the harbor, reassuring Zhongli that she'll sort out the documents herself for the time being.

✐ Zhongli wouldn't be as chatty as he normally is; he'll still indulge in all the stories you tell him, tell you about the origin of some of Liyue's customs regarding the New Year but you notice his lack of engagement all the same.

"Am I boring you?" You ask, blunt and straight to the point with furrowed eyebrows and a frown playing on your lips, stopping him from walking as you both stand still in the middle of the street.

The ex-Archon's eyes widen at your inquiry, his body stiffening. In truth, he does realize that he's more indifferent today than normal. But he didn't realize that you'd be bothered when he should've picked up on it in the first place.

"Oh no, my dear, you never bore me. It's just," he pauses, looking for the right words to say, "I apologize. I'm not exactly… that enthused by New Year's Eve."

"Oh? May I ask why?"

"Well," he chuckles, awkward if you strain your ear enough, "after so many years, I… believe the notion of a brand new year lost its charm to me."

For all the times Zhongli has enraptured attention from others with his tales of history, he really seldom talks about himself. Granted, this is as much as he is willing to divulge to you. He can't tell you of his time as an Archon, or his time in the war, or what he lost, what he gained. (He'll scare you off; he doesn't want you to see him as bizarre.)

But he wants to. He wants to feed your curious eyes and open his heart to you.

But not now.

"Is that so?" You hum, averting your gaze to the passersby in front of you. "Even when it's also your birthday?"

"How did you know it was my birthday?"

Your cheeks flush red, and you hurry to cover them with your hands. "I… asked Miss Hu Tao sometime ago. I was surprised to hear that it's right at New Year's Eve. And I… wished to spend time with you today, even if it was just for an hour."

Zhongli falls silent at your words, a gloved hand raised slightly in front of him clasped around nothing at all. For the first time in millennia, he doesn't know what to say, what to do with these hands. He doesn't know what to do with himself.

"But I understand if you had other plans and if I was impeding on said plans, I apologize for taking up your ti—!"

"Earlier, Director Hu sent me to Qingce Village." He clasps his hands back behind him, finally regaining his composure as he interrupts you, much to your confusion. "I… the sight was such a joyous thing to behold, to hear them chatter and mingle as they prepared for New Year, and the only thing that I regretted was that I had reveled in the sights alone."

The gaze he sets upon you was heavy with all the feelings he'd been trying to hold back; he slowly raises his hand and takes yours within his grasp, rubbing his thumb over your knuckles. "I had no other plans today, and I'm grateful you came to visit me, and that you're willing to spend time with me. If you would ever be so kind, would you like to visit Qingce Village tomorrow, together?"

✐ The Lord of Geo Rex Lapis has seen many new years come and go. He's seen winter melt into spring multiple times, seen multiple farmers go from generation to generation, stood on top of Liyue's never-changing mountains and watched everything continue in the same cycle like always.

✐ But he forgets; he is no longer the Lord of Geo Rex Lapis, or Morax, but the mortal man Zhongli. The consultant of Wangsheng Funeral Parlor, the never-ending fountain of knowledge of Liyue's history. Birthdays and New Year's Eve were trivial matters to Morax, but that didn't mean they had to be trivial to Zhongli.

✐ And if you were to ask him now, as fireworks start to fly up into the sky and bathe it in light, he wouldn't mind entering the new calendar and the new age with you by his side.

⚘ The forest never changes, even when the end of the year is fast approaching.

⚘ Tighnari should know because he's been on forest patrol duty for the past few years even on New Year's Eve. Especially on New Year's Eve. (It's to make sure no lummox accidentally sets the forest on fire with a wayward firework. It has happened once. Or twice.)

⚘ He's the only one willing to do so as well. Not that he hates the fact the people of Gandharva Ville love celebrating New Years, he just doesn't participate in the festivities. No matter how silent they try to make the fireworks, his ears are still sensitive enough for the few sounds to hurt like a forest boar charging right at him; thus, he always sits out on the celebrations to go on patrol instead.

⚘ This year, however, Collei and the rest of the Forest Rangers want to see their local botanical genius take a break from botanical genius-ing and forest watching.

⚘ So not only do they force him to get a day off on New Year's Eve, they also force him to get a day off on his birthday; which to him, doesn't sound very efficient.

"I mean, just look at this logically—"

"Mhm."

"—if I take a day off twice in a week, that would be a waste of two days not tending to my work. I don't even NEED two days off from work unless I have a life-threatening situation that needs two days off from work!"

Your fingers stop their ministrations on his hair and ears, causing said ears to flop slightly as Tighnari glances up at you in confusion. "Maybe, look at it this way, 'Nari," your voice is soft like a flower bed, and sweet like nectar, "Collei and the others just want you to relax from time to time, you know? I have to agree with them when they say you bury yourself in your work too much."

⚘ Meeting you was purely a coincidence. You were an aspiring zoologist, another scholar from the Akademiya with incredibly sharp wit and a brilliant mind. You came down to Gandharva Ville to study the wildlife and he was on patrol when the two of you encountered each other. Now, it would have been a beautiful and adorable first meeting story, truly something you'd expect to read about in a light novel from the Yae Publishing House. However, at that time, an Avidya Leopard was chasing you down and Tighnari could only guess that you prodded at the wrong hornet's nest. Upon successfully diverting the leopard with an olfactory solution that irritated its nose (and unfortunately, irritated his as well), he turned to you—red nosed and teary eyed—and called you a lummox between sneezes.

⚘ Maybe an unflattering first impression but hey, it bloomed into a lasting friendship and now relationship all the same. So maybe calling you a lummox upon first meeting was a good thing (it wasn't, you still pout at him when he calls you a lummox).

⚘ Much like the other forest rangers, you always urge Tighnari to relax and take a break sometimes. You know being the head of the Forest Rangers demanded a lot from a person and you know that paired with Tighnari's love for knowledge pertaining to everything natural, he'd be too stubborn to even think of taking a break. You love him but you'd rather have him call you all the synonyms of a buffoon rather than fish out his unconscious body from under a root after he sniffed some new species of flower but its pollen knocks people out. (If you ask Tighnari, he'll just say that was a hypothetical, detailed example).

⚘ In all honesty, you were the reason Collei actually managed to convince Tighnari to take that day off.

"I don't 'bury myself in my work too much'—" You look at Tighnari with an unamused expression. "Maybe I do get immersed in my work a little too much sometimes."

"You do." You bite the inside of your cheek, averting your eyes to stare at the grass and flowers beside the two of you—wild cosmos, and chicory, and daisies—all fluttering in the wind. "Would it kill you to, I don't know, actually take a break sometimes without complaining about taking a break?"

"You underestimate me." He's being sassy with you, eyes closed and eyebrows raised in a manner you know so well in all the months that you've been dating him.

"I'm not, I know you love your work, it's just that—" You sigh heavily, feeling Tighnari play with the tassle of your Vision that hangs off your chest, lips in a frown as he waits for you to finish your sentence. "I miss you sometimes."

His ears flatten against his head and he sits up slightly from your lap, eyes wide and frown deep when he takes in your crestfallen face. "Hey, hey hey hey," he gently brings you closer to him by your neck, nuzzling his nose against your hair, "I'm sorry, I'm sorry—you're right, you're all right," his gloved hand cups your cheek, "I bury myself in my work and research so much that I forget to focus on us."

"You do." Your tone is just as pouty as your lips as you glare at him through your lashes. It actually makes him laugh as he nuzzles his nose against your other cheek instead, kissing the corner of your lips multiple times. "Wh—'Nari!"

"Stop being so adorable, you lummox." He finally presses a kiss to your lips, soft and chaste. The type of kiss that he knows melts your heart and makes your knees buckle despite the lack of so called "raw passion". You both like it that way. "Come to Sumeru City with me."

"What?"

"Come to Sumeru City with me. Amurta invited me to speak at some of their seminars."

"But," you tuck a piece of hair behind your ear, looking at Tighnari with an unsure expression, "my research—" "Would it kill you to, I don't know, actually take a break sometimes?" He mimicked your words from earlier, nosing at your collarbone as you roll your eyes and sigh. "I don't want to leave you by yourself when New Year comes." (He doesn't want to be alone on New Year's either.)

"You hate celebrating New Year's."

"I hate the fireworks, love," his tail wags behind him, "but I love you more than I hate the fireworks."

⚘ The forest never changes, even when the end of the year is fast approaching, even when he grows one year older.

⚘ But, Tighnari wouldn't mind the jarring booms of fireworks, or the cheers of the people of Gandharva Ville as the clock strikes midnight. As long as you continue to stay by his side despite all his flaws, he'll welcome the new year with open arms.

⚘ (You both hear the sound of a firework randomly going off in the distance, and Tighnari mutters, "Lummox." under his breath before he kisses your forehead and runs towards the culprit, an irritated remark waiting on his lips.)

❅ In all honesty, he didn't expect to live to see the new year, let alone his 'birthday'.

❅ Then again, he didn't also expect to be aided by the Traveler and his floating, somewhat tolerable little companion, and the Dendro Archon he tried to dethrone himself nor to receive his very own Anemo Vision either so really, who was he to have normal expectations?

❅ To say that a normal life living in Sumeru was going to be difficult was, undoubtedly, an understatement. The Traveler already left for Fontaine with their companions, so it only left Nahida, now the sole Archon of Sumeru, as the only one he recognizes as his "friend" in this nation.

❅ He would have been content actually, if everyone else minded their own business and left him alone to his own devices (the puppet doesn't take kindly to being bothered with trivial matters) but unfortunately, his dear only friend is trying to get him to make more friends (who needs more friends? Two allies and talking emergency rations are quite enough).

❅ Despite his whining, Nahida signs him up for some lessons at the Akademiya, hoping it'd break him out of his shell and get him to mingle more with the other scholars and students.

❅ There is the one concerning fact that it's not that he's unwilling to break out of his shell, it's that he breaks out of his shell and stabs everyone close by with the shell pieces (figuratively) before retreating back. His prickly attitude does not help when it comes to intermingling with the student body at the Akademiya, who may, hypothetically, retreat to the far corners of the buildings just to avoid his ire. Nahida has plenty to work on with him.

❅ However, she firmly believes that he can finally be able to make friends and build relationships he can rely on again, as long as she nudges him in the correct direction. New year, new Wanderer, right? Right?

"Stupid," his fingers pull at the grass blades beneath him, glaring forward at nothing at all, "this friend-making plan would have never worked."

He has snuck out of the Akademiya once again, retreating into the forest that surrounded the vast establishment to avoid Lesser Lord Kusanali's searching gaze.

She had accompanied him to the Akademiya today to make sure he did do what she told him to; borrow some books from the library, attend some lectures about any topic he desires, strike up an academic conversation with some scholars that may be wandering hallways. Anything that would include socializing of any kind. But while she had her head turned to speak with Alhaitham, he managed to slip away and escape to the woods.

He does feel bad for bailing on her; Nahida only had his best interest in mind, despite all the things he did to her in the past (no amount of redeeming acts would make up for the mistakes he committed against her). However, surely, with all her knowledge and wisdom, she would have at least guessed that this plan of hers wouldn't work.

This entire thing is a waste of time. No one is as patient as Nahida, who can put up with his snarky quips long enough to see the soft side to him, the side that only a few have witnessed (the time he lost his memories doesn't count, not ever).

He was about to lean back, about to enjoy the sun streaming through the canopy that hangs above him, when someone—the audacity—throws a rock at his head. The force of the rock hitting him sends him lurching forward with a loud grunt. He whirls around so fast his hat almost falls off the top of his head, only to meet your slightly flabbergasted gaze.

"Huh? I thought you were some fungus for a second."

❅ Granted, you were aware that you were going to encounter something when you ventured out to the woods to gather ingredients for your cooking activity. The forest that surrounded the city is not that safe, seeing as you can randomly encounter any carnivorous or fungal enemy at every shrub.

❅ But you never expected to find the Archon's little friend sitting and brooding by himself behind a bush, let alone mistaking him for aforementioned fungal enemy (why your first instinct was to throw a rock at it, you don't know). (you also don't know why you heard a clink! sound when the rock hit him but you guess that you hit his abnormally large hat)

❅ You had heard of Lord Kusanali's companion, a quaint fellow with Inazuman roots but a Sumerian Anemo Vision hanging from the sash on his shoulder, who was also friends with the brave Traveler that came through your beloved nation.

❅ A strange fellow, with a tongue as sharp as he is strange.

❅ Yes, he yells at you for throwing a rock at him, spouting things about 'audacity' and 'not knowing who he is', which you admittedly chose to stop listening to. You really don't have time for any thorny mushrooms.

"Aren't you Lord Kusanali's companion? Where is she?" You ask indifferently, turning your head around as if looking for the tiny Dendro Archon (who is, well, busy looking for the Wanderer in Haravatat sorry Nahida).

"I fail to see how it concerns you."

"My my, so prickly for a mere 'shroom." Instead of leaving, you actually walked closer and squatted down next to him, regarding him with curious eyes. You're an academic, after all; you love to investigate the quiant and strange. "It's dangerous to be in the forest alone. You could be torn to shreds by a leopard for all you know."

He scoffs, propping his chin on the palm of his hand. "Says you. You're wandering the forest alone, just like I am."

"I fail to see how that makes sense, given that we're together in each other's presence."

❅ You're weird, is what he finally concludes. An unknown scholar, who the Wanderer has never seen before; he isn't even sure which of the Six Darshans you attend. Yet, despite his bratty and off-putting attitude, you still sat beside him. And you looked at him with a gaze he never experienced before. He has witnessed ire, he has witnessed pity; but he never witnessed a gaze like yours.

"You irk me."

"Thank you." He blinked when you blinked. "You intrigue me."

A confused 'thank you???' was on the tip of his tongue, ready to tumble out of his lips. You irk him. You truly do. Slapping his palms on his knees, he stands up. Retreating, to him, is a shameful act and must be avoided at all costs but in this case, he's willing to swallow his pride just so he can get away from you and that infuriating gaze. "Forget it, why am I even talking to you—"

"You can join us instead of brooding somewhere crawling with predators." There it is again. That look. He hates it.

"And what makes you think I'd go along with you and whatever crazy group you're with?"

You actually, legitimately think, he sees, as you look up in thought. As if you're actually thinking of—no, calculating the pros and cons of him actually joining you, totally ignoring the fact he insulted you. You are incredibly, absolutely…

"Well, I can only presume that you snuck away from Lord Kusanali for some reason. And you are admittedly the strangest person I've met." He could say the same about you. "I would like to get to know you better so I can see what makes you so weird. In addition, you'd be able to hide away from Lord Kusanali for a few more hours."

…you're so incredibly stupid and strange. But most of all, you've piqued his interest. He hates that look in your eyes, the look of someone scrutinizing a test variable, the look of someone disassembling a chaos device just to look at its contents despite the chance of explosion. But it's not like Il Dottore's, no.

He wants to challenge whatever hypothesis you've come up with about him.

"Fine." He finally scoffs, adjusting his hat before he looks at you expectantly. "Lead the way, scholar."

❅ You're… still clueless as to how you managed to convince someone like this Wanderer to come with you to your cooking interest club. You weren't expecting it; you wholely believed that he would reject your offer with the same snarky attitude.

❅ Your club members didn't expect this either, if the way almost all of them dropped their cooking utensils once you entered the kitchenette with Wanderer in tow was any indication. (They accept him real quick when he whips up a batch of perfectly baked baklava for the first time and helps some of your friends prepare some candied Ajinelakh Nuts. He even cooks his own take on an Inazuman dish that has your friends raving for more.) (He doesn't eat a bite of his own cooking, saying you all wolf it down well by yourselves, mocking, of course. You hypothesize, however, that he is just not fond of making sweets, judging by the grimace he wears everytime you offer him some. Why is he so good at making sweets then—)

❅ He still had a long way to go to make up for all that he did in the past. No amount of wishful thinking or positive attitude would change that. But, if he can accept his new identity as Wanderer (he looks at you, flour on your cheek, standing beside the stone oven waiting for the baklava to bake as you read a document you managed to snatch from the library), maybe he can accept this new year and this new life too.

The Dendro Archon smiles as she merely stands by the doorway, not wishing to interrupt such a warm scene. "Happy birthday, Wanderer."

♡ Sometimes, Thoma found himself missing Mondstadt.

♡ Inazuma is his home; he has found his purpose in this nation, he has found close friends who he'd do everything for and who'd do everything for him. He has a steady job as the housekeeper for the Kamisato Clan, and the people of Inazuma always turn to him when they are in a time of need. He's fulfilled in Inazuma.

♡ However, everytime he stands on the docks of Ritou, looking out into the horizon—when the sun sets, is high above the sky, and rises—he can't help but feel like the salty sea breeze is always pulling and pulling and pulling him. As if tugging him back towards the City of Freedom, the other half of his roots, his origin.

♡ He hasn't seen his mother in years. He also realizes he barely talks to his father anymore because of work, despite being in the same nation.

♡ He's fulfilled in Inazuma, with many friends, but sometimes he felt lonely.

♡ He was busy tidying up the tea room at the Yashiro Commission, making sure that everything was spic and span for when Sir Ayato and Miss Ayaka come back from New Year's preparations in the town proper. It's always rather busy during this time of year, and the two siblings always struggle with maintaining public order when the new year starts approaching.

♡ It makes sense that he must also do his utmost best to help them any way he can—

"Take a break this time."

What.

"But isn't this the peak of like, public disruptions, I don't think it's right for me to suddenly take a break—" Ayato stops his friend from speaking as he raises his hand, a smile on his face.

"You've been loyal to us for a long time, Thoma. You do things for all of us without asking for anything in return. This time, Ayaka and I both decided that we want you to enjoy New Year's without worrying about your duties as our housekeeper." Ayato firmly pats Thoma's shoulder in reassurance. "I'm not asking you as the Yashiro Commissioner, but I'm asking you as a friend. Go, enjoy yourself for once."

"But I—" Thoma doesn't get to finish what he's about to say, as Ayato walks away without another word, leaving the housekeeper alone in the tea room. "…how am I gonna take a break?"

♡ It's obvious that Thoma isn't used to taking breaks.

♡ He's accustomed to the hustle and bustle of his daily life, helping people with their errands, solving some villagers' problems, running errands for the Kamisato Clan, running his own errands. Now he doesn't know what to do with himself.

"Thoma, love," you place your hand on top of his bouncing knee, "you're antsy again."

His leg immediately stops bouncing when he feels your warm touch and Thoma breathes a drawn out sigh, gently clasping his fingers around your hand. "I know, I know, I'm sorry." He brings your hand up to kiss your knuckles, as if telling you that he's fine through every kiss he presses to your skin.

Thoma didn't mean to let his own negative thoughts impede on this date. Just as it's rare for him to visit his father, it's rare for the two of you to be able to meet up like this, having a warm meal at Kiminami Restaurant.

♡ You were a travelling merchant, which means your job demanded that you move around from place to place. You met when you were at Ritou, busy being denied access to travel within the nation despite your past business. Thoma, who was aiding some merchants, just so happened to pass by and managed to calm the situation down, and you got your travel permit.

♡ You guys became closer than ever since that day, until he finally asked you to go out with him. It was hard at first, with both your schedules, but you made it work; love isn't just the happy, fluttering feeling after all, but the effort you put for each other.

"Don't tell me you're bored because you're basically forbidden from lifting a finger, Thoma." You tease, bumping shoulders with him as you giggle when he scrunches his nose.

"Maybe I am."

"That's not the purpose of a break, you know."

"But—" Thoma plops his forehead on your shoulder. "I like helping around Narukami Island."

You frown, patting his blonde hair. You know he was brought up to be a loyal, and kind, and helpful young man (it's why you fell in love with him in the first place). He told you stories about how his father taught him about loyalty, back when you first started going out, and you even met his father one time.

You wished you could take his mind off of work, though, just so he can relax. He should make use of this period of rest, like go on a hike, or do yoga, or trave—

Bingo.

"Do you want to go to Mondstadt with me?" You ask him, momentarily lowering the chopsticks you have in your other hand. Upon hearing the City of Freedom, Thoma instantly perks his head up, looking at you with those green eyes you love oh so dearly.

"Mondstadt?"

"I was going to Liyue for a bit anyway, and I feared that I was going to have to leave you alone this New Year." You say, scratching your cheek. "If you'd like, we can go to Liyue together for the Lantern Rite, and… we can go to Mondstadt after that for your birthday."

You were nervous, asking him something like this. You don't know why but it felt like it was something big, like it was bigger than just the two of you. Thoma stared at you with wide eyes, the sun setting behind him just right, that the remaining rays of the sunlight illuminated your face in a serene glow.

He doesn't register exactly when he made up his mind, or when his mouth started moving, but eventually…

"Yes."

♡ Thoma was nervous when you were about to board the ship that would take you to your first destination, Liyue. But with your gentle reassurance and the feeling of your hand in his, he was able to quell the anxiety in his stomach until you reached the harbor.

♡ As you promised him, you and he enjoyed the Lantern Rite together, with you essentially giving him a tour of Liyue as you both ate the nation's cuisine and experienced their traditions.

♡ A few days after New Year, just before his birthday, you both caught a travelling caravan heading towards Mondstadt.

♡ It finally caught up to him that, yes, he was finally going to come back home after so many years. He'd be able to see his mother again. He'd be able to see the windmills, the people, the lake. He'd be with the other half of him again.

♡ It would be daunting to see just how much the city changed. How everything became different since the last time he was here. But, if you're here with him, on this new journey in this new age, he'll be fine.

♡ And at the back of that tiny caravan, with your hand in his like it's always been this entire trip, the City of Freedom now coming into view as you near…

♡ … Thoma cried in front of you for the first time.

[the-travelling-witch]

𝐁𝐈𝐑𝐃 𝐂𝐀𝐋𝐋 𝐅𝐑𝐎𝐌 𝐀𝐅𝐀𝐑

summary: in the quiet nights of liyue, you may hear it; a lonely song echoing in jueyun karst...

pairing: xiao x gn! reader

warnings: angst/ comfort, survivor’s guilt, allusion to self-sacrifice, taking place after the perilous trail quest

The air was silent as the world stood still, no animal cry to be heard, no grass blade to be moved. As always, the mountains of Jueyun Karst was the ethereal depiction of grace and tranquillity. Yet, in the night’s peace, a hauntingly beautiful melody hung like mist between the clouds of Qingyun Peak and filled the air with sorrow and mourning. Despite mortals avoiding the mountain passage, some have borne witness to this song, spinning tales and myths recounting the story of a lonely spirit wandering Liyue in search of… Well, people weren’t quite sure.

It wasn’t the first time the young yaksha sat atop one of the Karst’s many floating islands, his back against cold stone, amber eyes shutting out the present. Perhaps it was the closest he would ever get to a moment of rest, lamenting his friends’ passing so many centuries ago.

Lately, his tune had taken on an even more sombre tone, fresh emotion bleeding into his cries. Xiao despised himself for his moment of weakness, whether it was being helpless when his fellow yaksha suffered or coming here instead of abiding by his duty.

Truthfully, it was no longer only because of his contract with Rex Lapis he vowed to keep the nation safe. No, despite his best efforts to strictly separate mortals and adepti, someone had worked their way into his heart; someone who was good and whose smile Xiao wanted to preserve forever. Someone who didn’t deserve to be tainted by his karmic debt but who he couldn’t pull away from now that he had embraced them.

But it wasn’t only the guilt of endangering the person he loved which weighed on his mind. After a new light had been cast on an old mystery, Xiao had inevitably been forced to face scars which ran deeper than he’d ever like to admit. And with that confrontation came the remorse he so desperately tried to push further down every day he walked the mortal plane.

From the first time he had picked up a spear, Xiao had been a weapon, a lethal pawn pushed around on someone’s chess board. Fortunately, he was given the opportunity to atone for his previous sins with his duty as a yaksha, his fellow kin by his side.

They were the ones who had always longed for a mortal life, the ones who had believed they’d one day all be accepted into a society not meant for them. Yet, he was the only one who had received an invitation to mundane life… The only one who didn’t deserve it.

Back in the chasm, he should have—

Then, he heard it- the slowly approaching footsteps, the rustling grass, the animated breathing, he heard it all. But it was only the familiar touch on his shoulder, paired with the call of his name, which caught up to him and woke him from his sorrowful dream.

“Here you are,” your familiar voice said. As if the sun had started to rise in the dead of night, an inner warmth soon filled him when you took a seat next to him, leaning against his shoulder. “I hope you don’t mind me being here but I was just really worried.”

“Worried? What for?” Amber eyes focused entirely on you before scouring the area. “Is someone threatening you? Are you being followed?”

“No, silly,” you soothed, placing a hand on his, which had instinctively wrapped around the jade spear by his side, “I’m worried about you, of course. You seem more troubled lately and I don’t know how I can help or if I can help at all. I just want to be here for you.”

You could tell Xiao was searching for something in your eyes before he broke your gaze. Many times you had shared your troubles with him and pride had filled his chest at the trust you put in him. Never once had he even considered the thought of ridiculing your struggle, no matter how major or minuscule it might have been to him. So perhaps, he too could confide in the person before him?

It might have been the calming sway of the qingxin flowers surrounding you, the approaching morning sun or the genuine love he saw in your eyes but, on top of those mountains, Xiao recounted as much as he could, shared as many memories as his brain provided him with. And although he laid them out for you to see, the yaksha felt less empty than the whole time he kept them all inside.

“I’m the only one who didn’t lose their life,” Xiao shakily breathed, voice quiet and meek. “I’m the only one who didn’t have to suffer.”

“Oh but you suffered greatly, can’t you see? Every day, you fight this feeling and endure this pain. And you lost so, so much,” you said, a warm hand sheltering his heart. “You lost your friends, your family, who you loved and cared for. What greater loss could there possibly be?

“I can’t promise that things will be okay because I frankly don’t know if they will be. But I’d like to believe so. We can’t go back to the past, we can’t undo what we’ve done and, even more so, we can’t undo the things we didn’t have any control over in the first place. So, sometimes, all you can do is take a deep breath and start again.” Trying to collect your thoughts, you lifted your head from his shoulder. “What I’m trying to say is, it’s okay to accept joy and happiness without drowning them in guilt. Everyone deserves to be happy, that includes you.”

“Do you really think that is possible?” Xiao hesitantly reached out to intertwine your fingers, emboldened by the way you reciprocated his motion. “For someone like me?”

“Yes, I do, truly. If it makes you feel any better, I’m very grateful you’re still here. And sure, I could feel guilty about enjoying your company when I know of the burden you bear. But there are moments in life where you have to be selfish,” you whispered before placing a soft kiss to his forehead, where a beautiful purple mark sat. Cupping his face, you took in his watery golden eyes and gave him an understanding smile.

“So I selfishly chose to love you.”

tag list: @mccnstruck @teyvattales @silentmoths @ainescribe @meimeimeirin @dustofthedailylife @nsojbbkkm

send in an ask to be added or removed ♡

[eepyuii]

frostbite — pt. 7

pairing ; childe x gender neutral!reader

content ; childhood friends to “rivals” to lovers, slowburn-ish

cw ; none

notes ; happy new year!! it’s story quest time which meaaans- its teucer town. a lot of the reader and teucer being besties and *some* tiny particles of romantic feelings (if u catch them). also just a really lighthearted and humorous chapter :3

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three knocks.

“sergeant?”

“hm? yes, ekaterina? come in.”

the secretary steps up to your desk, where you sit pitifully, head resting on your hands. it’s been some months since osial’s attack and you’ve mysteriously remained stationed at liyue, not that you mind, of course. the traveler and paimon have long since been on their way to inazuma and, according to news you heard from all around, seem like they successfully solved the crises surrounding the electro archon and the vision hunt decree. not only has there been word on the streets of their feats but you’ve also noticed a noticeable increase in inazuman immigrants by the harbor.

but- back to the matter at hand, today you find yourself incredibly more fatigued than usual, perhaps due to your struggles with getting even a good wink of sleep the night before. the sunlight creeping through the windows seems to sting your eyes harsher than normal for early morning but you still try your best to open them and read the letter ekaterina has just placed in front of you.

noticing the strain in your efforts to, well, be awake at the moment, ekaterina clears her throat.

“it’s a mandate from the doctor himself.”

now that gets you up, though not in a good way. the sheer reminder of that man’s existence is enough to shoot an icy burn into your spine, one that makes you flinch into full consciousness.

skimming more effectively through the lines, you find that the mandate talks about a ruin guard research lab here in liyue under his guise, obviously, that he is requiring you to briefly oversee in his absence. not as bad as you thought but also not entirely good. the doctor has never presently explained his affinity for ruin guard robotics to you- because truly, why would he? but it’s no less than apparent how big his interest in them is, in your experience.

with a long, heavy sigh, you nod.

“i see. thank you, ekaterina, you may go.”

she bows politely and turns to leave while you reread the letter to gather the full details of the research lab. once ekaterina is by the door to your office, you take note of the sound of as her heels stop abruptly as she yelps in surprise, muttering a small ‘hello, master childe’ and carrying on her way. the next moment, they very devil she spoke of is bursting into the room.

“good morning, doc!” he chirps with surprising energy for how early it is and places a closed cup on your desk.

“here! i got you some coffee, thought it might help wake you up.”

“thanks a lot… wait, how did you know i was tired-“

“and with that act of courtesy, i would like to propose my own favor to be granted by yours truly. and that is for us to sp-“

“childe, i cannot spar with you today.”

with that, the harbinger slumps into himself like a fussing child, ironic, and groans softly. he’s about to try his very persuasive best to convince you anyway when he spots the letter in your hands and raises an eyebrow curiously.

“what’s that?”

you sigh again, pinching the bridge of your nose. “a mandate from dottore asking me to check up on one of his ruin guard research facilities, here in liyue.”

childe seems to empathize with your disdain for the request and scoffs, mumbling about ‘that lunatic and his little toy robots…’.

“hm, well i wish you luck with that. i’ve also got myself some less than stellar debts to collect today, might as well busy myself somehow even if ekaterina thinks i shouldn’t.”

“good luck with that too.”

childe turns to leave, slightly less chipper than he was when he walked in, until he stops by the door to turn around. “you’re still owing me a spar for that coffee!”

“whatever!”

grassy mountains, building ruins, ginkgo trees- minlin was just like any other area of liyue, though you’d never steal any merit from the relaxing scenery of the entire region. every new place you visited took your breath away with its beauty all the same.

it’s become an unspoken habit to deal with ruin guards at this point and you knew their patterned behaviors and limits like no other, maybe only the doctor himself. several of them sat inactivated in the ruins around you, as expected, and you took note of each one for your report diligently. as you’re approaching the entrance of the lab itself, you spot another ruin guard sat against a crumbled tower- except it was not the only thing there, there were people too. it’s not hard to decipher that it turns out to be the traveler and paimon and… someone else.

wait… surely it’s not him.

“teucer?”

all three of them immediately turn around, except teucer lights up at the sight of you and jumps from his crouching position to run at you with full speed. despite being perplexed at his presence, you still kneel to welcome him with open arms.

“big sibling y/n!! you’re here!!” he yells out, elated.

you chuckle fondly and stand up with teucer clung onto your torso.

“it’s good to see you too, teuce’, but… what in the heavens are you doing all the way here?”

looking over teucer’s shoulder, you turn to the other two, who look just as confused about the entire situation as you do.

“and you two as well, weren’t you supposed to be in inazuma still?”

“mm-yeah, we were taking a bit of a break! we’re on our way to sumeru next and liyue’s the shortest way there so… might as well take some leisurely time off.”

paimon elaborates, until she and the traveler share a look and the two of them sigh.

“unfortunately, the millelith asked us to check out these rui- ahem, i mean mr. cyclops showing up around this area. and as we were doing that, we ran into teucer over here!”

you breathe out a laugh, pitying the pair’s lack of… well- time to take a break without any tasks given to them. ‘talk about leisurely…’ you mutter, quiet enough so teucer doesn’t hear. speaking of him…

“that still doesn’t explain how you were here at all, mister.” you poke the boy’s side with the hand that isn’t holding him up against you and he giggles uncontrollably, attempting to dodge your finger.

“ahahahahah! s-stop! hahah… i’m here to see big brother at the institute for toy research! you work there too, right?”

what.

oh- is that what he thinks childe does? dear gods, that’s too funny. however you do understand why childe would lie about your jobs, you think you’d do much the same. still it takes everything within you to not burst out laughing at the revelation, even the traveler seems to notice so, somewhat understanding the reason but also somewhat not. you huff out a breath to calm the urge to cackle and turn to the two once again.

“listen, you guys don’t need to worry about this one anymore, i’ll take care of him. oh! and don’t worry about the- err, mr cyclops replicas, i’ll sort them out too. go take your break, you deserve it.”

“but- they’re my friends! they like toys like i do! a-and they made the pinky promise!” teucer retaliates.

gods damn the snezhnayan pinky swear.

“plus, he did give us this big bag of mora to take care of him…” paimon eyes the traveler, who returns the glance with a nod as if they’re silently communicating.

“and yeah- we’d much rather go see this ‘toy institute’ than deal with mr. cyclops right now.”

you nod in agreement and gesture for all of you to head back to the harbor, partially to avoid seeing the millelith soldiers patrolling the area.

“so- just out of curiosity, teuce’, what exactly did your brother say about me working with toys?”

“he said you’re a toy doctor! you take care of the toys who get hurt or sick.”

“yeah, that checks out.”

—

arriving back at northland bank, the first thing you spot is childe and ekaterina discussing something at the center of the room, oblivious to your presence for the moment. that is, until teucer bursts from your tired arms to run to his older brother.

paimon, somehow, remains oblivious enough to what is right in front of her enough to whisper. “huh? what’s he doing here…”

“yay, my brother! i found you!” exclaims teucer and childe immediately perks up, ceasing any doubts that paimon might’ve had.

“i know that voice… why, if it isn’t my little brother teucer! my goodness!”

the harbinger takes his younger brother into his arms, much like you did before, except he wraps him in a nearly bone crushing hug before setting him back down.

“haha.. what a nice surprise, teucer! i thought i would have to wait till i return home before seeing you again. how are the others, tonia and anthon? is everybody keeping well?”

“they miss you a lot! tonia prays for you every day at dinner.” it seems that only after teucer’s response is when the realization of the sheer absurdity that is teucer’s presence sets within childe, his face morphing into confusion.

“wait a second… what are you doing here in liyue, teucer? how have i not heard anything about this?”

that entire interaction, you remained merely watching from behind with an irrepressible fond smile on your face- you were so lost in their reunion that you almost miss the incredulous glare childe throws to you, like he’s silently asking if you had anything to do with this. you jump slightly once noticing it and quickly shrug, shaking your head to signify that you’re just as clueless as him.

“well, what happened was- i saw a boat that looked like it was selling toys, so obviously i thought you were on board. and then when i got off i just kept walking and walking… and then, i found a mr. cyclops!”

unbelievable.

“mr cyclops scared off a bad guy, and then i found this nice lady and-and then y/n found us! so we came looking for you.”

childe seems to have another moment of realization, where another fleeting glance comes your way and he sighs, facing off to the side to mouth to himself ‘of course, the research lab…’.

“teucer…” he starts off and you seem to understand what he’s about to say right away, leaving teucer’s side to be right in front of him, beside childe. you kneel to teucer’s height and hold out your hands for him to hold, to make him feel less like he’s being scolded. his tiny hands are dwarfed by yours in a way that makes your heart swell.

“…teuce’, what you did was really dangerous. we’re both happy to see you, really, but please promise you won’t do anything like this ever again.”

childe nods in agreement and teucer sighs, letting go of your hands to put them behind his back sheepishly.

“okay, i promise… please don’t be mad at me.”

“we’re not mad at you. we just care about your safety, that’s all.” childe reassures.

“if you hadn’t met these nice people, and even more if y/n hadn’t found you, things could’ve been a lot more dangerous for you, teucer. i hope you said a big thank-you to all of them?”

“yep! i always remember my please’s and thank-you’s!

“oohh so you did notice we were here… you were just ignoring us, gotcha.” paimon adds sarcastically as she and the traveler look at childe through a sassy glare.

“haha… forgive me, it’s always family first where i’m from. don’t take it personally. i know we’ve had our differences up to now but.. a few minor quibbles aside, we get on quite well, don’t you think?”

the traveler’s incredulous reaction tells you that perhaps teucer shouldn’t listen to the conversation while they sort out their, erm, quibbles- so you gently take him by the hand and lead him off ever so slightly to the side, where you know he’ll be at least distracted enough to not listen. kneeling down, you once again take his impossibly adorable hands into yours and fiddle with them playfully, he only grins in oblivious amusement.

“so, teuce’, tell me more- how’re things back home? you’re not too bored without us there, are you?”

“mm-no, i’m just fine! anthon still plays with me a bunch and tonia always reads me the letters big brother sends us, she always tells such cool stories!”

“yeah? like what?”

the young boy thinks for a moment, rubbing his chin like he’s mentally paging through the deepest, most riveting tales he can recall.

“hmm.. oh! one time she told me the story of how big brother discovered a new version of mr. cyclops! he’s bigger and.. and stronger and he’s got huge horns, like a deer! he’s like mr. cyclops' big brother.”

well, at least childe is keeping his lies somewhat accurate. but the way teucer beams and hops excitedly as he talks about the bigger mr. cyclops, or a ruin grader as you know it, seems to justify keeping him in the dark. the way his big blue eyes shine with wonder is in itself a treasure worth protecting. you’ve practically long forgotten that you’re supposed to be stalling out a conversation to distract him.

“that’s so awesome, teucer!” you grin back at him. “what other stories does your brother tell?”

“hm..- oh yeah! he also talks about you in his letters.”

oh?

“does he?” you’re unsure if you should feel good or bad about the revelation, gods know what childe says to his siblings about you.

“yeah he does! he talks about how you take such good care of the toys when they get hurt and how smart you are and how…”

suddenly, teucer trails off as he turns to the trio still conversing near you, like he’s heard something that’s caught his attention. he entirely abandons the sentence he’d left unfinished to join their side again and you find yourself feeling the smidgenmost bit disappointed that he didn’t finish speaking. you only sigh to yourself and smooth your clothes down from the crouching position you were in, joining back in as well.

“that’s right, my brother’s the greatest! he’s mr. cyclops’ bestest friend!”

childe chuckles in somewhat faux delight, to satisfy teucer and make it seem like he approves of his brother’s message, before leaning over to the traveler and whisper, as you hear it,- ‘just humor me in front of teucer, if you’d be so kind…’

“ahem- ah yes! ekaterina, i will deal with the issue of the outstanding payment right away.”

“hey! slinking off, are we?” paimon accuses.

“but, master childe, would it not be improper to ask you to deal with… debt collection?”

“a bet is a bet, isn’t it? and if you lose a bet with an agent.. well, you might as well get some exercise out of it.”

“are you going off to sell toys now?” teucer interjects, partially with admiration for his brother and partially with disappointment that he has to leave.

“that’s right. as much as i’d like to catch up a little longer, teucer, duty calls! i’m sure y/n and ms. nice lady will keep you company while i’m out, though.”

childe implies with a pleading glance thrown to you and the traveler. you nod gladly while the traveler puts her hand to her forehead momentarily and paimon mumbles a complaint about having to babysit for childe.

“sure!” teucer confirms as well. “i really like y/n and this lady already! and anyway, the nice lady made a pinky promise to take good care of me.”

the harbinger ends up leaving the four of you with a hefty bag of mora to spend out in the city while he’s working and you firstly decide to take him to an elderly lady’s kite shop. she patiently explains how to use the kites and teucer asks for a mr. cyclops shaped kite, because why wouldn’t he- you manage to convince the lady to make a custom build for it with a shining pile of mora. next, you take him to wanmin restaurant, where chef mao graciously offers to make a special dish for teucer, who can’t eat spicy food. you don’t blame him, personally- snezhnayan dishes tend to steer away from spice specifically and lean more towards warm, filling meals to endure the cold temperatures. however, the food teucer asks for turns out sickeningly sweet and even paimon, the awarded food enthusiast, feels nauseated at the end. finally, he asks you to give the wharf a better look than when he was stepping off his boat. paimon proceeds to give a mouthful of an explanation about liyue’s trade port, which ends up too confusing for teucer to even care. instead, his attention is caught by a ship anchor left in the wharf.

“teucer, don’t run off!” you urge as he takes off to see the anchor.

“that metal hook is huge! and it gets bigger the closer we get!”

“this is an anchor. docked ships use it to hold themselves in position, to stop wind and waves from blowing them away.” paimon explains.

“hmm, an anchor… got it. but i think i might get it mixed up with commodore hook.”

“commodore hook..? is that another one of your weird toy names?”

“my brother always sends me a really big toy for my birthday- commodore hook, blacksteel jack, iron tony… we keep them all in your backyard!”

“are they as big as the anchor?” the traveler asks.

“yeah, and that’s why i can’t bring them with me all the time. it’s a shame…”

you choke on your breath at a realization. “i-is that what your father was keeping under a tarp in the backyard..?”

teucer nods cluelessly. you’ve seen tarped objects behind childe’s family house that had some absurd silhouettes hidden by the protective fabric and the snow, but you’ve only ever assumed they were left over building materials- not gigantic fucking robots because why would you ever assume that’s what he’d send a child for his birthday. you’ll have to have a talk with him about gift giving at a later time.

“but my favorite is mr. cyclops. even though i mostly came here to see my brother, the other big thing i wanted to do was play with mr. cyclops! oh- are they selling fish over there, let’s have a look!”

and just like that, teucer is gone again. paimon stomps her foot in the air as she heaves frustratedly.

“quit! running! off!”

you briefly go to see the fish on display as teucer tells you of the time when childe caught him an impossibly large fish just because he asked for it. somewhere in the back of your head, you find it endearing that childe has kept up the habit of fishing just like when his father would take you on his trips to ice fish as well. maybe you could get him to go fishing in liyue, just the two of you when you have some free ti- wait, what are you saying? you’re supposed to be watching out for teucer, who conveniently has gone off to see the boats and seems to have his entire good mood flipped around.

“teuce’, you look upset, what’s wrong? are you tired?” you coo.

he sighs melancholically and covers his face behind his hands. “i miss my brother…”

“what? but we were just with him!” argues paimon.

“yea, but for such a short time that it doesn’t even count! take me to see my brother, i don’t wanna play anymore!”

you sigh and look to the other designated babysitters. they look back with defeated shrugs- seems like you’ve done what you can to entertain him for the moment. turning back to teucer, you offer to carry him in your hold as you leave for qingxu pool, where childe said he would be, and he gladly accepts. from behind you, a low gurgle can be heard.

“urgh… paimon may never recover from that dish.”

taglist ; @kentply @osaemu @rain-and-a-nice-nap

[genshin-scenarios]

Reunion: Preparations for a Trip [Part 6]

Read the first series (Adopt a Wanderer) here! An AU where Scaramouche/Wanderer gets isekaied to your world - a found-family series.

Summary: You have an audience with the Dendro Archon, and make plans to travel to Liyue!

Warnings: contains spoilers of Wanderer’s story in the archon quest!

Wordcount: 1473

Part 1

Part 5 &lt;-

After deciding that you’d like to travel to Liyue since you were already in Teyvat, Kuni was quick to find an excuse to leave Sumeru and accompany you. One condition he hadn’t foreseen though, was Nahida asking to be introduced to his ‘new friend’.

The dendro archon is not what one would call severe or intimidating. Despite her powers over dreams and reading people’s minds, she is known as a benevolent and kind god. You said the same when Kuni asked for your opinion on Nahida, which is how he finds himself in his current predicament - watching you and her hit it off in conversation. Namely conversation about him.

Nahida has the gall to ask you about what foods he likes, what he does in his free time, and other meaningless details that you for some reason are perfectly happy to divulge. Kuni thinks this is an invasion of privacy, while you think Nahida is just asking this for fun, seeing as anyone that observed him for long enough would know the answers to these questions.

“Are you done?” Kuni speaks up from the side of the room, where he’s been lounging in perfect distance to overhear everything. “When you said you wanted to meet Y/N, one would expect you to ask about them rather than me.”

“But they’re the only person that knows you so well! How could I pass off this chance?” Nahida chimes back with a smile. “I’m just glad that your relationship seems to be good. You hadn’t thought of anything particularly negative even though we were gossiping about you.”

“And tell me why were you reading my thoughts instead of theirs?”

“Because I can’t.”

The surprise in the room echoes with resounding silence. Nahida muses to herself, placing her teacup back onto its saucer.

“Lesser Lord— Nahida.” You try to suppress your confusion. “You can’t read my thoughts?”

“Nope. This is the first time I’ve encountered this, too.” She taps her chin. “Perhaps it simply has to do with your origins from another world. I’m a little disappointed, seeing as your dreams would’ve been very interesting to explore. With that said, this means my ability to help you find a way back home might be more limited than I thought.”

Kuni tries not to appear too relieved at that statement. You do the same, though both reactions don’t go unnoticed by Nahida, who takes another sip of tea to mask her amusement.

“Well, would you look at that?” Kuni says. “You’re not as un-extraordinary as we both thought.”

“It’s good to know you’re always my number one supporter at times like these.” You deadpan.

True to her prior agreement, Nahida doesn’t push about your mysterious source of information or attempt to seal you away. She can tell you don’t pose a threat to Teyvat in general, and seemed to be quite conscious about guarding your knowledge about the future.

All in all, a responsible person. Nahida arrives at her verdict. “Your condition seems healthy, so there should be no issues with you traveling around nations. So long as you don’t do anything that spreads the awareness of your knowledge to other parties, Kuni should be able to keep you safe. Just let me know if you ever need help with anything! I’m willing to write off the next few weeks as community service on his part.”

Nahida really does feel like Kuni’s guardian figure at times like these; their interactions are pretty wholesome.

“Thank you so much!” You bow your head in respect, before turning to Kuni. “See? That wasn’t so bad.”

“Speak for yourself.” He rolls his eyes before walking towards the exit. “If that’s all, I’ll just wait outside. I’m sure there’s stuff you want to ask the God of Wisdom.”

“We won’t be long!” You call out to Kuni, who waves his hand over his shoulder dismissively. Once he’s out of the room, you peer at Nahida - your previous confidence and bravado settling into something more nuanced. “I… I’m sorry if my presence here - in general, causes any complications.”

“I already said that you’re welcome to continue your stay, and I meant every word.” Nahida meets your gaze warmly. “Though I do not share the same burdens of knowledge as you do, my intuition tells me that you mean well. And if you could earn Kuni’s trust, that only furthers my judgment.” She trails off, refocusing the conversation. “...But that’s not what you wanted to ask me about.”

There are a hundred questions you’d like the answer to, such as the science of what allowed you and Kuni to meet all those years ago. But instead, you ask Nahida something that only you can decide for yourself. Such are the woes of human worries, to hope for an outside source to reassure or make grating decisions for you. 

“Do you think I should distance myself from all this?” You purse your lips. “I’m sure you can tell that the Traveler will be an important part of this world’s future. Maybe I should just live a quiet life until I’m returned home, and avoid interacting with those who are a part of their story.”

“Would that involve leaving Kuni behind?”

Feeling a lump in your throat, you look down at your lap. “Technically speaking, none of us would remember anything once I go home, if things worked the same as before… It’ll conclude like none of this ever happened.” That would also mean we’re spending stolen time.

Nahida reaches across the table and places her hand over yours. It’s small, but comforting. Like a leaf offering shade to a tiny animal. “Is that what you want, or are you simply feeling guilty about gaining positives from this situation?”

“I’m not sure.”

“Think about it this way.” Nahida says. “In a world where so many things are out of our control, would it be so selfish to claim what we can as ours, and spend our time doing what makes us happiest?” Her voice falls quieter. “Sometimes it’s not about what’s wrong or correct, but what’s right for us. You would not be the worst person for living by that reasoning.”

What decision would make you happier, and what feels right to you?

Dropping Kuni all of a sudden without asking for his opinion beforehand… after all he’s done for you, would most certainly feel ‘wrong’. Treacherous, even.

It seems you’ve come to a decision after all.

-

“How was the talk?” Kuni asks as you pick out supplies from a shop. You seemed a little happier after leaving the room with Nahida, who bid the both of you a safe trip in advance.

The Dendro Archon also asked for a souvenir as part of his ‘assignment’, but that’s the least of his worries for now (he’s quite sure you’ll end up buying things for Nahida anyways, with how fond you seem of her).

“She really is wise - and kind.” You smile, a bit of cheek entering your tone. “It does feel a little like nepotism to have the chance to meet her, though. You’re quite connected, ‘Hat Guy’.”

“I’m not even going to ask how you know that nickname.” He sighs, but is otherwise satisfied with your answer. Looks like whatever question you had for Nahida has been aptly answered. “There’s still an entire day ahead of us. If we leave now, we can arrive at Liyue before dinnertime.”

“Sounds good! Just let me pack some items from home and I’ll be good to go.” Your chipper mood comes to a pause as reality hits you. “W-Wait… we’ll be walking, right?”

“The entire way. Running included for you if we run into any monsters.”

“Suddenly, I’m starting to feel like being a homebody isn’t so bad after all…”

“If you hurry we can hitch-hike on someone’s carriage.”

Giving Kuni a salute, you duck into the treehouse as soon as you reach the door. “Aye aye, captain! Ow!”

Kuni gives you the grace of ignoring how you ran into the table. “By hurry, I meant under fifteen minutes. I’d like to not lug an unconscious person to Liyue.”

“You should’ve said that before I mortally wounded myself!”

“If you can still talk, you’re fine.”

Shenanigans aside, Kuni realizes this would be your second time going on a trip together. There’s no train to take or websites to book last-minute accommodations, but the look in your eyes says you have a pretty solid idea of where to go and what to do.

Hah, it seems that even now, you were still the leader in some ways. It doesn’t feel too bad, though. Things are a little less boring when he’s around you - whether it be in the way you treat him, react to his comments, or your outlander origins. It feels a little bit like having a ‘home’.

.

.

.

-> Part 7 (finale)

[souglias]

DUSK - [Childe]

Childe has been trying to tell you something. But the end of the day is approaching, and he hasn't managed to get it out to you yet.

Childe x gn!reader. Slight angst with hopeful ending. This takes place one day after his story quest.

Word count: 3.1k

c/w: none

note: Sending much love to @iridescene for inspiring this fic and also to @monocaelia for giving me her childe kisser approval for this fic. <3 <3

Dusk, Twilight, Dawn masterlist

--

DUSK calls for the slumber of the sun and the coming rise of the dark sky. Childe has something to tell you before he leaves Liyue tomorrow morning. But such a seemingly simple task has stumped the Eleventh Harbinger for the day thus far. 

Childe chalks it up to your anger, but he never thought it would drive him into corners.

He had written a letter to your home days ago, asking you to meet up so that he could make it up to you. He contemplated visiting, but he wasn’t sure if it would infuriate you to see him. You didn’t reply to his letter, so he wasn’t even sure if you would turn up. 

Regardless, Childe had already made the reservation at Xinyue Kiosk. He was going to wait for you there. If you wanted to humiliate him by standing him up, he would simply accept it.

It wasn’t to say that he didn’t care whether or not you showed up though. As the time neared, his eyes darted between the crowd and the clock he could see through the glass of the restaurant doors. He didn’t realise he was holding his breath until he spotted you walking towards the restaurant. 

The tension left his body when he saw you, and he waved to you. However, you didn’t return a greeting with such enthusiasm, only giving him an emotionless side eye when you came to his side. That was all it took for his shoulders to stiffen up again.

At the dining table, the air remained tense; the atmosphere chilling. Throughout the meal, the only sounds present were that of your bowl whenever it was placed on the table and the occasional clink of your chopsticks on your ceramic bowl. 

Whenever he tried to get your attention by clearing his throat, you kept your eyes on your food. If he called your name, you would pretend that something in the dish had caught your eye. 

The only thing that provided him solace was seeing that you still ordered and enjoyed your favourite dishes. You’re a Liyuean and you don’t live far from here, but you don’t often come due to its long wait times and the high prices. 

Temporarily, Childe resigned to his defeat. He would catch you before you left the restaurant. So, when you stood up, Childe tried to grab your hand. But he stopped short when you talked to him for the first time today. 

“I want to stop by Wangsheng Funeral Parlour.”

At your sudden words, Childe only managed to nod. The walk there was silent, staring at the back of your head as he wondered about the purpose of your visit. However, as he walked on, a thought came to hold an immense weight in his mind. 

You were trying to embarrass him. 

You knew he had tried to obtain the Geo Gnosis for the Tsaritsa, only to be played as a piece in Morax’s game. Now, you’re bringing him straight back to the said Archon. 

No, maybe he was reading too much into this. You were angry, but Childe knew you as someone who would not do something backhanded. More importantly, he had to find a way to get you to willingly listen to him. No matter his pride. He tried to shove the thought to the back of his mind and pressed on. 

Though, Childe made sure to keep his distance. While Traveller’s presence was a surprise, he largely wanted to avoid Zhongli. He leaned on the wall adjacent to the entrance and watched you walk into the parlour with Zhongli and Traveller. 

A while later, Zhongli walked out of the parlour. He strode over to Childe with his hands behind him. He quipped, “I thought you would have left Liyue Harbour by now, Master Childe.”

Childe crossed his arms and scoffs, “I’m leaving tomorrow at daybreak.” 

Zhongli chuckles, finding it amusing that Childe was still upset with him. He glanced back at the parlour and looked back at Childe, who was staring off into the distance. 

“A mora for your thoughts? I assume it’s likely about [name].”

Childe sighed, “They’re angry- no, infuriated- at me for what I was attempting to do to Liyue. Of course, anyone would, but… Archons,” He pauses, running a hand through his hair. 

“I’ve been trying to tell them something, but it’s not getting through.”

Zhongli only hummed.

Childe mumbles, “What am I doing? Talking to an Archon whose nation I tried to destroy about my personal affairs…”

“Well, I hope you two get to talk it out. It’d be quite a pity otherwise.”

Childe raised his eyebrows at Zhongli. Before Childe could question Zhongli, you emerged from the parlour with Traveller. After the Traveller took his leave and Zhongli headed back into the parlour, a stifling silence weighed down on the both of you again. 

Taking a deep breath, Childe steeled his resolve to break this thick wall between the two of you.

“[name], I need to talk to you.”

“Okay.” 

Childe reeled a little from surprise, eyes widened. There was no longer an air of purposeful defiance that surrounded you. When he regained his composure, he stated, “I want to show you a place. I’ll tell you when we’re there.”

Now, you trail behind him, not uttering a word throughout the whole walk to the said location. He mostly keeps his eyes on the road ahead or up at the soft red-hued sky, only sending occasional glances back at you. He notices that your eyes are always wandering and he wonders if you ever looked his way. 

You only speak to ask him where he’s headed when both of you reach a forested area with no path. 

“The location’s a surprise I’ve always wanted to show you, but I never got to.”

When Childe sees a hint of doubt cross your eyes, it pricks at his heart. He stops in his tracks. “I won’t hurt you, I promise.”

When you only stare at him as a response, he feels himself become fragile glass on the edge of a table. A rubber band that’s about to snap. He remembers his weak grasp on you and he hates it. Childe doesn’t know if you are going to turn away and leave him.

You mumble an “okay”, taking a step towards him. 

This prompts him to continue moving forward, and he releases a breath he yet again didn’t realise he was holding. Both of you continue to walk in silence until the vegetation becomes less dense and the ground becomes muddier. 

With the slippery ground, your safety comes to his mind. Childe extends out his hand to you and his gaze locks with yours. Eyes darting towards his hand, your hand twitches. Slowly, your fingers touch his gloved hand. Then, your palm rests on his. With a gentle grasp, he curls his fingers around your hand. When you familiarise the feeling of his hands around yours, you nod at him and he leads slightly ahead of you.

The rest of the journey remains as silent as before. However, it is sprinkled with little words of caution from Childe to you. Tightening grips of his hand to help you cross a particularly slippery path, to a tender hold when he knows you’re safe.

Gradually, the trees clear out and in your immediate front is a marsh. Some starconches lay on the edge of the water, glimmering in the sunlight. Little mudskippers jump about the clear waters, creating a soothing melody when they touch its surface. Beyond the marsh, the sea opens up. The sun has set midway right at the horizon as if submerging itself into the sea. Its reddish-orange glow seeps into the sea, and your eyes catch specks of glitter on the sea surface.

A light breeze caresses your cheek. As if pulled by a rope, you walk towards the water's surface. Your hand slides out of Childe’s hand. 

At the edge of the water, you crouch down to pick up a glimmering starconch. When you stand up to raise it to the sky, Childe thinks that now is the moment.

“[name], I’m leaving at daybreak-”

“It was like a dream. You and me.”

All the words Childe has prepared on the edge of his tongue for you vanish into thin air. The inside of his mouth turns dry and he feels a knife twist in his chest. 

He utters, “I’m sorry, [name]. I didn’t mean to hurt you.”

Rage stirs in Childe’s chest. He has done so much that hurt you beyond what he could imagine, and all he could say was two sentences of an apology. Childe closes the distance between the two of you, and he stops directly behind you.

“I really like you, [name]. I really do. I don’t know when but I started looking forward to adventuring out with you whenever I had time.”

He pauses, hoping for a response. When you don’t turn to face him, he continues, “You probably already know but, I enjoyed fighting the monsters and treasure hoarders with you. We created so many good memories together.” 

His fists clench up at his side. 

“I’m sorry that I couldn’t protect the happiness that came with it and... I’m sorry I couldn’t protect the dream I have given to you.” 

Promises are to be kept, mistakes are to be apologised for and dreams are to be protected. That’s what family is to Childe. To you, hearing that means he considers you family, even if there has been nothing between the two of you. 

He likes you. He cares about you. And these thoughts crush you like the weight of the world. They are gems on your hands that you deem so filthy. You feel undeserving and you are horribly lost on whether you can accept them because you cannot decisively choose between him or your homeland.

You turn back towards him in one second, ready to launch a barrage of insults at him. However, when you see the soft reddish glow of the sun on his face, you realise this is the first time today you’ve looked at him properly. All you see are his smiles that you selfishly hope are reserved only for you. 

You mutter, “I hate you, you know? I wish I could watch you crash and suffer in the destruction that comes biting back at you.”

Childe feels like he’s fallen into the abyss again, powerless against the monsters that prowl in the shadows of every corner. He could run then, but he will not run this time.

“I know. I’m sorry for all that I’ve done to hurt you… and I’m sorry that I have to go like this.”

Pleasant partings are something Childe wants, especially with you. He wanted to say goodbye with the hope that he would see you again. Yet, he is leaving with you harbouring such horrid impressions and memories of him.

“I know you won’t forgive me so easily for attempting to destroy your homeland. I… couldn’t have done otherwise too. But if there’s anything I can do to make it up to you, shoot it my way. Even when we’re away from each other, write me a letter. If you need me to knock someone off their porch, tell me. Tell me how much you hate me, how you want to watch me burn… and maybe how you could forgive me if you ever figured that out.”

You choke on a sob and a tear streaks down your cheek. Childe’s hand twitches with the urge to wipe your tears away from you, cup your cheek and tell you that everything’s going to be okay. 

But he deems that he does not have the right to.

In between sobs, you rasped, “When I found out the man I admired so much had attempted to destroy my home, I felt the world collapse before me. I told myself you are a criminal. You cannot be forgiven in the eyes of any Liyuean. Sometimes I even wonder if all you’ve ever done for me was part of a performance. But no matter what, I still liked you, I couldn’t erase my feelings. It felt so wrong. I felt so guilty.”

You attempt to wipe your flowing tears away with the back of your hand, but they continue to run down your cheeks endlessly. 

“Yes. I want you to burn, I want you to suffer. But the mere thought of it hurts me. You’ve put yourself in enough danger and you’ve hurt yourself enough.”

Letting go of his restraint, Childe pulls you into a hug. You let yourself tremble in his embrace, and you bury your head in his shoulder. He whispers as he cradles your head, “I know. I know. I’m sorry.”

Childe strokes your head and whispers more apologies. He does so until you quieten down. When you do, you take a deep breath. With much reluctance, you bring yourself to tell him, “I’m leaving Liyue tomorrow too.”

Trying to process what you’ve said, Childe tears himself away from you. He searches your face for any hint of humour, but he doesn’t find one. Suddenly, there is an even greater distance before the two of you, one that feels even more unimaginable than he thought. 

He’s staring at you for a bit too long, deep in his thoughts. Your eyes dart away, and a tinge of pink dusts your cheeks. 

“I really like you too, by the way.”

Childe’s heart skips a beat and his breath hitches. A critical hit to his already weak heart from the day. Maybe the distance won’t matter.

Without waiting for him to respond, you walk over to and sit on the dry surface of a large rock that rises above the water. You pat the spot next to you. When Childe sits down, you rest your head on his shoulder. He notices that you don’t lean your weight entirely on him and gently pats your head. At that gesture, you relax.

As a passing thought, you comment, “I wish we met under better circumstances.”

Childe doesn’t respond to that, and he lets the sea breeze that runs through his hair carry your words out to the ocean. They’ll go far away and soon, they will no longer matter. 

In the comforting silence, questions surface in his mind. “Can I ask you two things?”

You hum. 

“Why did you let me explain myself?”

“When we went to Wangsheng Funeral Parlour, I wanted to say goodbye to Zhongli and the Traveller happened to be there. As I was talking to them, Traveller told me to give you a chance, especially since you mattered to me so much. They said you are a ‘bad guy’ as you had said yourself, but you’re not really one either.”

Childe thanks the Traveller in his heart and promises to repay them for this debt. A wave of relief also washes over him, knowing that it was not your intention to shame him.

“So… where will you be going now?”

“Not sure honestly. Maybe Sumeru? I just felt like I needed to leave Liyue for a bit, see the world and use it to navigate to any leftover problems I have.”

He is very well aware he has caused a lot of your ‘leftover problems’, but Childe detects no malice in your tone. This gives him a surge of confidence, leading him to suggest, “Let’s still write letters and stay updated with each other.”

You tease him, “Still up for me to ask you to knock someone off their porch?”

He laughs (a pleasant sound to your ears) and nods. You ask, “Promise?”

Childe raises his pinky. You raise yours too and your pinkies hook with each other’s firmly. For the first time today, both of you smile without a hint of despair.

“Promise.”

Both of you stay at the scene, leaning against each other until the night stretches out from the edges of the sky. Childe stands up and he offers his hand to you. Immediately, you slide your hand into his and intertwine your fingers with his. 

As he gazes into your eyes for what could be the last time in a while, Childe cups your cheek. He closes the distance between your faces very slowly, checking every moment to make sure you are comfortable. However, just as his lips hover above yours, he pulls away.

Childe hears you gasp and he panics. “Oh Archons- wait [name], I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to bait you or anything like that.”

His eyes dart away as he scratches the nape of his neck. “Sorry, I thought maybe we should do this the next time we meet. It gives us a good reason to meet soon and we’ll cherish it even more, right?”

You scoff at him and pinch his cheeks, mildly annoyed you didn’t get the kiss. But distance makes the heart fonder, and you can’t refute that.

“You better not regret it, Mr Tartaglia.”

“Ajax.”

You raise your eyebrows, prompting him to explain more. Even with your confused face, he finds you adorable. His signature grin finds its way back on his lips.

“That’s my real name. I want you to have it and call me that.”

“Okay, Ajax.”

Childe catches the way you slow down to articulate his name. He finds that his name has become sacred after it falls off your lips. 

And he realises he has been stricken with an illness all this while. 

It is a fever that burns him from his heart. It is one that he can feel spreading on his skin. Sometimes, it becomes unbearable as if no water is ever going to cool him. 

An illness called love.

It will continue to plague him. Especially because he knows he will most likely regret not going for that kiss. 

However, it is the end of a scalding illness with no recovery in sight. He would take this fever on any day, for you will be the eventual remedy that he will have at the end. He can already imagine his lips on yours and his remedy will be so, so saccharine.

Childe tries not to get ahead of himself as he gives this scenery one last glance. For now, he will battle the monsters that come with the end of your time together. He will dive into the night and keep fighting, until he sees a glimpse of a new beginning with you.

--

Please like and reblog if you enjoyed this! All likes, reblogs and comments are appreciated <3

[isnt-it-pretty]

"There's a child trapped in the depths of the Akademiya, young and afraid-- cursed with a power that no child should hold. It's enough to draw Nahida's attention."

Hear me out. AU where Nahida meets little Cyno as he's experimented on by the Akademiya, similar to how Dunyarzad met her in her dreams.

She feels like a kindred spirit with Cyno. They're both trapped, but she's also so upset that she can't help him. The best she can do is shape his dreams to be more pleasant, taking him by the hand to draw him away from the horrors and toward places neither of them have ever been, but Nahida has seen (like we saw in 2.8 for GAA). Mondstadt, Liyue Harbor, The Grand Narukami Shine. She tells him stories of all these lands, like Venessa and the Four Winds of Mondstadt, or Kitsune Saguu. She spends the nights painting him the most colourful of dreams. She listens to his thoughts of hopelessness, of how she's his only friend-- the only kindness he's ever received.

Eventually, Cyno is taken in by Cyrus. The experiments stop, but so do his dreams. Nahida still checks in on his thoughts, though, just to make sure he's safe. He follows Cyrus to the Akademiya like a lost duckling, jumping at shadows and twisting the fabric of his clothes between anxious fingers. He's shy and quiet and perpetually vigilant, but he learns Lisa-- one of Cyrus' students-- is from Mondstadt. So he approaches her of his own accord to ask about stories. Lisa is surprised. As far as she knew, her professor's son didn't talk to anybody, but she likes children well enough. She tells him stories from her memory, Venessa being his favourite because she was trapped too.

Cyno believes he spoke to the dendro archon, but he doesn't talk about it. He asked Cyrus, once, why Lesser Lord Kusanali never leaves her sanctuary, but Cyrus had no good answer. He remembers the way Nahida understood him, and so he suspects the truth-- she can't leave. It doesn't stop his quiet devotion, even if he never speaks of it. He loves the Grand Bazaar for that.

When he's older, Cyno briefly considers Haravatat as his darshan, but Spantamad is where his interests lie. Besides, Haravatat won't focus on stories the way he'd like. He can't help but pick up a few classes, though.

Even as a matra, and eventually the General Mahamatra, he can't find any information about Lesser Lord Kusanali. In fact, the only one he ever speaks of it to is Tighnari.

It's quiet in Gandharva Ville, and Cyno asks in a tone of voice Tighnari has never heard, "what do you think of the gods?" Tighnari never put much thought into them at all. He says as much, and asks what Cyno thinks. And, well, how could Tighnari not love a god who gave his partner hope? (Years later, when the traveler comes looking, Tighnari directs them to the Grand Bazaar.)

The quest itself doesn't change much, but the first time Nahida and Cyno speak alone, he thanks her. He may have helped save her, but she saved him long before that.

[kiirous]

A Harbinger's Bucket List [ZhongChi/TartaLi] by xTeaAndSconesx

Childe is returning to Liyue, and Zhongli has something important to ask him. However, when a rather cheerful but very much dead Childe shows up in Zhongli's living room, plans have to be placed aside.

When the pair turns to Hu Tao for advice, she suggests that in order for Childe to pass onto the next realm, he must first let go of all unfinished business tying him to the mortal realm. Of course, this is easier said than done when a stubborn Harbinger insists he is perfectly at peace with the life he has led.

And so Zhongli and Childe find themselves on a journey across Childe's homeland to complete the Harbinger's bucket list, and discover his final regret together.

I know that Wattpad is known for its bad stories, but once in a while, you can find fine gems in there. This is such a gem.

I didn't expect it to be so emotional and heartbreaking. I thought it was a comedy where Zhongli would need to fulfill Childe's bucket list, like fishing a legendary fish that hasn't been fished in thousands of years. Due to Childe's inability to hold things, as he is a ghost, Zhongli would have to take over, to his horror. This was not the case. This quest was never in there.

Instead, we are confronted with emotional heart to hearts, remnicies of past memories, and the final goodbye.

This fanfiction sqeezed my heart the entire time, making me wish for Childe not to pass on. It was so heartbreaking, and even the wholesome scenes were surrounded by a melancholic fog, accompanied by the knowledge of the fact that every moment could be the last.

On that note, here is one of my favorite quotes. It's from the last chapter, and when they say goodbye, a promise of a next life together:

"I shall wait however long it takes. Even if that means several millenia of waiting for you, Childe, I shall do so. I have waited at least six already, a few more can do no harm." -Zhongli

Edit: as it turns out, it's cross-posted onto ao3.

[theatrevelyan]

Ok I’ve been thinking about a lot of possibilities for the Fontaine archon quest since 4.0 came out and after seeing the 4.1 trailer again I’m even more convinced about this one so here, have one of my crack theories/predictions for Fontaine:

By the end of the archon quest I think Neuvillette will become the new hydro archon.

Okokok… I know this seems crack and that every source we have states that Furina is the hydro archon but hear me out!!!

Firstly, I don’t think Furina is going to die… her line in the 4.1 trailer is most likely a red herring to get us hyped for the new update but I do think that by the end of the archon quest she will step down from her role as the archon.

It would be interesting to see first hand how a new archon is appointed since we haven’t seen it directly yet and what better moment to do it but right at the mid point of the overarching story, in the nation of justice, the one geographically closest to Celestia.

It would be thematically fitting for her caracter, too!

Like, picture it: it's the end of the archon quest, everything is kinda back to normal now but the Fatui got the gnosis, because of course they get the gnosis, and the people of Fontaine can no longer believe in the spectcle of the old judical system Furina put in place and there needs to be a new way to judge people because it's very likely that the Oratrice is either powered by the gnosis (which we can agree is no longer here) or it's been broken during the events of the quest.

We all called how Fontaine will probably have a "french revolution" theme in it's storyline so the status quo of the nation needs to be radically changed for that to happen and what is more radical than the archon who's seen by her people as little more than a mascot rather than a god, the god of justice who constantly remarks how she can judge even the other gods to be judge incapable of her current role and removed from it.

Like, look, I really really love Furina but she's not being presented as the Archon of her region by the narrative, not so far at least.

Look at the other archons for comparison:

Venti is a hands-off type of ruler but it's still cleary implied how he's powerful and capale of dealing with a crysis and how he cares for his people.

Zhongli has always been depicted as regal and wise, caring and farsighted. True, his actions may have tested his people but that was the point, it was a controlled test and they were never truly in danger. He's probably the most ideal definition of a god we have in game so far.

Ei was more incompetent in her role as a ruler but it came from a place of grief and even in her role as an antagonist she's always been treted with the reverence her position as an archon requires, praising her strengts while still showing us her shortcomings.

Nahida is the most inexperienced and yet the wisest. She's been shown ready and willing to take up the mantle of her predecessor.

What have we seen Furina portrayed as by comparison? A clueless kid trying to fill shoes too big for her.

She's liked by her people but not revered, she's more of an idol or celebrity rather than a diety.

The people of Mondstandt might not worship Venti but they certaily revere Barbatos; the people of Liyue might just admire the mortal Zhongli but they definitely revere Morax; the people of Inazuma might disagree with the Raiden Shogun but they revere Baal (or rather Beelzebul) and the people of Sumeru undeniably revere Buer (Rukkhadevata who?).

From what we've seen, it doesn't seem like the people of Fontaine revere Focalors much, but they rather seem to worship the concept of justice she gave them.

But who is the one actually implementing and applaying the concept of justice in the tryals?

The Oratrice?? Maybe, but I would argue that the one that grants fainess and impartiality to the trials is Neuvilette.

He's so devoted to fairness that he'll follow the procedures despites his personal feelings about them, and the people of Fontaine keep him in high reagards because of his impartiality (and because the oratrice always confirms his sentences but still you get what I mean)

We've all agreed, from the moment he first graced our screens, that he felt more of the Archon that Furina does. If anything he reminds me of how Zhongli has been portrayed. Like, the regal but kind air about him? The "contellation: ????" and the "????: hydro" in his drip marketing? Implying that he doesn't use a vision??

Sure those might be more hints to him being the Hydro Dragon (not confirmed yet but highly likely at this point) but they still make you think of the archons don't they?

But the crowing evidence that meke me go "Yep!!! This might not be so crack after all!" was the 4.1 trailer.

Let's start with his kit. Doesn't it remind you of the hydro traveller? Granted we don't know about Furina's kit yet and hers might resemble Traveller's kit in other ways, but usually the traveller has a kit that can be seen as a weaker version of the archon of the region:

Anemo has the skill that resembles Venti's burst and it focuses on crowd control like Venti's kit does

Geo can summon geo constructs that resembles Zhongli's even if in a less refined form

Elecro has a burst that does coordinated electro attacks like Raiden's skill and it focuses on energy management like Raiden

Dendro can apply the element from off-field with their burst while Nahida does so with her skill (this might be the one that resebles the archon least tbh but it still works!)

Neuvillette seems to share the sourcewater droplet mechanic with the traveller and his charged attack seems to be a more refined version of the traveller's hold skill. Awfully familiar to the other archons-traveller comparisons right?

But the nail in the coffin for me was this line we hear in the trailer:

"You will see much in the human world. From the delightful to the depressing, and one day when you have dwelt among humanity long enough, you will be placed to bring judgement over all as a spokesperson for Fontaine's past."

Ok if this doesn't scream "I'll leave you in charge, you'll do great sweetie! Have fun!!" I don't know what else could it be lol.

No but seriusly now.

Sure we don't know who is speaking or even if they are speaking to Neuvillette or someone else and it could be a big misdirection just for the trailer but to me this reads as Egeria (the former hydro archon) speaking to the hydro dragon, which it's heavily implied to be Neuvillette.

To borrow from Ashikai (great content creator for lore and theories, go follow her on Youtube and twitter if you don't know her already), they might have been friends or lovers in the past and built together what would become modern Fontaine. IDK man, they just really give me a Guili vibe, tragic relationship (romantic or platonic is up for interpretation) that just reverberates trough the centuries.

Now those lines could also imply his role as Cheif Justice but it would be fitting to me if he became the archon, at least untill Furina matures enough to take up the mantle once again when she's finally ready for it.

Maybe we can have a dual archon situation like Inazuma had when Makoto was still alive, with Neuvillete taking the active role of getting stuff done while Furina improves her understanding of justice and she takes up the pubblic face of the system.

Or something IDK lols.

Oh boy this goy super long sorry!

Uhm.... so yeah Otter man for Hydro Archon 2023 you guys!!

[paimonial-rage]

but it's better than drinking alone - zhongli

synopsis: in which the weight of the geo archon's burdens is shared ship: zhongli x reader notes: takes place after zhongli's second story quest (act ii: no mere stone); chapter 6 of bookkeeping!verse; with ties to sharing a drink they call loneliness

You always found it how the simplest things were often the most difficult. All you really had to do was ask. That was it. And yet… bringing yourself to do it was perhaps the hardest trial you have ever faced. What if he said no? Even worse, what if he said yes? What would you do then? Well, that was what you wanted, but did you truly want that? You weren’t good with feelings. You weren’t good with emotions. You were too temperamental, too opinionated, too tactless. 

And yet…

He was doing it again, wasn’t he? Getting lost in his mind. 

You noticed when he came back one day after an outing with the traveler. You were shopping for groceries when you saw him enter the harbor late one evening. There were a myriad of words you could have used to describe him at that moment, but if you had to boil it down to one, it would be…

Tired.

It wasn’t the feeling that came after a stressful day at work, but the exhaustion of carrying such weight on one’s shoulders for so long.

You thought you’d leave him alone for a few days and maybe he would go back to his normal self, but such didn’t come to pass. When people spoke to him, he took a bit longer to reply. When he’d have tea at Third-Round Knockout, it seemed as if Iron-Tongued Tian’s words captivated everyone but him. When he’d visit Yuehai Pavilion, you’d find him there past lunchtime gazing at the hustle and bustle of Liyue Harbor. He was never there that late.

It was nearing the end of your workday at the parlor, the end of his day too. You had already prepared everything you needed. All you’d have to do now is ask. That wasn’t too difficult, was it? You sighed. Well, time to get it over with.

“Zhongli,” you called as you approached his desk. 

You hated how you knew he took at least half a second longer than usual to respond. 

“Ah, First. Is there anything wrong with the receipts?” He asked.

“No,” You replied. “I uhh… got a bottle of wine as a gift. I’ve never tried it before, but it’s a rather large bottle. I was wondering if you’d be interested in helping me with it if you’re free tonight.”

Did that sound natural? Did you sound like your normal self? You didn’t sound too eager, right? Gods, you weren’t built for this. But thankfully, he didn’t leave you waiting for long.

“Hmm, I am not busy this evening, so sure. It would be my pleasure.”

Then after giving him the time to meet, you walked away to pack your things, and that was that.

…

Was it supposed to be that easy?

A bead of sweat slid down your neck as you walked by his side toward Wanmin Restaurant. It was silent. Too silent. Shouldn’t you be talking right now? But what was there to say? What counted as normal conversation topics? You couldn’t bring up the weather. Only awkward people brought that up. So what was left? Should you just come out clean? Or should you ease your way into it? Or–

As if sensing your panic, Zhongli cleared his throat. “Though I wouldn’t consider myself an alcohol connoisseur, do you remember the name of the wine gifted to you? I am curious to see if I’ve tried it before.”

You tilted your head to the side in thought, grateful to be distracted from the storm in your head.

“I don’t remember. It started with an O… or was it a C… Cassia?” You mused for a few moments longer before giving up with a shrug. “Either way, I thought you may like it because it sounded bougie– I mean, it looked like it’d be to your tastes. Madame Ping was the one that gave it to me. Do you know her, by the way?”

You hoped he wouldn’t ask what led to your run-in with Madame Ping. The old woman seemed to have a penchant for appearing when you were the most troubled. Your stress over inviting Zhongli out brought you to the nearest liquor shop. The last time he opened up was over a bottle of wine, so you were determined to recreate the same circumstances once more. But what wine to choose? You definitely weren’t going to tell him you meandered around the shop for a good fifteen minutes without making a single choice. You didn’t think your pride would be able to weather the blow of purchasing a wine only for it to be critiqued badly by Zhongli.  

You wanted to thank the celestial gods above when Madame Ping appeared. If anyone could recommend a wine with a sophisticated flavor, it would be her. Who could doubt the word of an adeptus, after all? But she really had to put you on the spot, didn’t she?

“You seem to be caught up in your thoughts again, my dear,” she greeted with a twinkle in her eye. 

You could only laugh pitifully in response. “Well, I don’t know what to choose, to be honest. Do you have any recommendations, Madame Ping?”

As she looked over the shelf, in the back of your mind you couldn’t help but feel she already had chosen something, but was taking her sweet time to tease you. With the stunt she pulled last time, you wouldn’t put it past her. Eventually, her gaze landed on a specific bottle, and handed it over to you with a knowing smile.

“I would think the young man from last time would enjoy something like this. Do tell him I said hello, won’t you?”

Your smile wavered as the memory played in your head. Was it age that gave her the ability to read minds? Or was it some kind of adepti art? You’ve bumped into Madame Ping a few times after meeting her those few months ago, but Zhongli was never a topic of conversation, let alone mentioned. So how did she…?

“She’s an old friend of mine,” he replied.

“Is there anyone you don’t know?” You asked, half teasing half serious, opting to store away his response to ponder for a later time. “Well regardless, she said hi.”

He laughed.

“I’ll make sure to visit her for tea the next time I am free.”

You both took seats at the restaurant. After ordering your meals, yours simple and Zhongli’s complex, you pulled out the wine and poured two cups. As he picked up the cup and brought it to his lips, you refused to tear your gaze away. You really didn’t want to watch his response to his first sip, but your chest tightened ever so slightly at the possibility of a negative reaction. Sure, the blame would’ve fallen on Madame Ping, but that didn’t help your nervousness any bit. 

When the wine met his tongue, he pulled back in surprise. It then faded to an expression you could only describe as “complicated.” Was it sorrow reflected in his eyes or was it warmth? You couldn’t tell, but the tightness in your chest only increased. You smiled uneasily.

“If you don’t like it, we can order something else.”

He shook his head, offering a small smile of his own.

“It is alright. I was not expecting such a… nostalgic taste,” he finally got out. “It brings back memories.”

You bit your lip. Well, if there was a good time to start, it would be now. 

“You… seem to have been in that kind of mood as of late…” You began hesitantly. “Does it have anything to do with the outing you had with the traveler earlier this month?”

“Ah, so you’ve noticed.” He laughed. “I was wondering if that was what it was…”

Your brow rose. “If what was what it was?” 

“You’ve seemed kinder as of late,” he replied amusedly.

Heat rushed to your face as you felt your hackles rise. Here you were trying to be nice and respectful, and there he was laughing in your face for it. Gods! You had no clue why you even bothered sometimes! If he could still tease you, perhaps he wasn't feeling as bad as you thought!

“Well, excuse me for worrying,” You snapped back with a glare, before turning away in frustration. “You already know why I’m here, so just tell me what happened already!”

And just like that, the levity in the air disappeared. His gaze fell upon his cup once more. If you weren’t at his side, you wondered if he’d lose himself to thoughts once more.

“That day with the Traveler, I was able to meet an old friend that I hadn’t seen for a very long time. The last time we met, we… did not part on good terms, so it was a relief to have made peace before he left again.”

You frowned. That didn’t seem very bad at all. Rather…

“That’s a good thing then, right? It’ll be easier to meet with him again next time–”

The resigned acceptance in his eyes, however, stopped you cold.

“I am not sure if that will come to pass. He is not well and has only gotten worse over the years. I fear the next I see him, he…”

Silence finished his sentence for him. It filled your heart with sorrow. Judging by how long his outing was with the traveler, you doubted he had much time to spend with his old friend. So to make peace before parting again once more, most likely for good… you couldn’t imagine what that was like. But if there was one thing you knew that helped people…

“Tell me about him?”

“Hm?”

You gave him a kind smile.

“You have a lot of people you call friends, but they’ve always felt more like acquaintances to me. Can you blame me if I’m curious?”

“You make it sound as if I’m some loner that has never had a real friend in their life,” he replied with a twinkle in his eye.

You snorted.

“I didn’t say that. I’m not blind. I see how popular you are. It’s just that you’ve never seemed particularly close with anyone I’ve seen you with. I want to know what kind of person you’d consider a dear friend.” 

Your choice of words seemed to catch him off guard, but his eyes softened soon after.

“A ‘dear friend.’ Yes, I suppose he was one,” He echoed softly, warmly. “What would you like to know about him?”

You hummed as you took a sip from your cup. Well, if he was offering…

“What kind of person was he? Was he similar to you? How did you meet? Did you two get along?”

It took him a few moments to respond, lost in thought as he was. It seemed you were correct. This person was not one of Zhongli’s many friends. This person held a place closer to his heart. 

“My friend… was a lonely individual when we first met. He lived in a very secluded area of Liyue that rarely received visitors. I suppose one could say he lived under a rock for much of his life," he chuckled, as if indulging in an inside joke from memories past. "Perhaps it was that which caused him to have such a love for the world. When I invited him to come along with me, he was a bit clumsy at first, but his curiosity had no bounds. He became a patron of the arts, with a particular interest in blacksmithing.”

As Zhongli spoke, his amber eyes practically glowed as the haze of memories swirled about in the air. This person wasn’t someone that simply admired him, but a true friend he could joke around with. Someone he observed and knew deeply.

“Even though it could be said that I was more experienced, he was much older than I, and his views far more expansive as well. Admittedly, I couldn’t understand much of his perspectives back then. Still, I learned much from him.” He sighed. “I wish…"

He didn't continue.

He didn't need to.

“I wish I could have met him in person,” you hummed as you played with your cup, though your lips soon pulled into a teasing grin soon after. "Although I have a hard time picturing someone wiser than the knowledgeable Zhongli."

He laughed.

“He was. Although I can't say I agreed with everything he said, his words always brought me comfort. I was glad to have seen him..”

For the last time.

You knew it was none of your business. You had no right to ask. And yet… That look was in his eyes once more, the same that you saw that one night while he gazed over the harbor. They were the eyes of someone left behind, forced to wait for those never coming home. You couldn’t stop the words that left your lips next.

“How many friends have you watched leave?”

He didn’t need you to explain. The pained grimace that stole his expression said everything.

“Much… too many.”

The air was tense. And yet you had to go on.

“Why do you put yourself through that?”

He sighed.

“It’s my duty.”

You couldn’t argue with that. And yet…

“Well, that’s a shitty duty.”

He chuckled, though it sounded more of resigned acceptance than anything else. 

“Perhaps, but it’s necessary. I was there to witness their beginning. I should be there to witness their end.”

You frowned as you poured more wine into his empty cup. You knew he wasn’t wrong. Though you never lost anyone close before, you knew you would never leave a friend to face their end by themselves if you could. And yet, if that was something you had to experience over and over again, you weren’t sure if you would be able to take it.

“That explains a lot,” you began, sitting back in thought. 

His brow rose. “Oh? In what way?”

You played with your cup, doing your best to find the right words to say. 

“I always thought it was as if you went through life trying to cause the smallest amount of ripples in the water you could. Don’t get me wrong. I’m not saying you’re a loner. You’re popular. You’ve never shied away from interacting with people. You leave behind knowledge, admiration, wonder—everything but you. Everyone knows who you are, but nobody knows you.”

You then shrugged. 

“But I guess that’s the job of a witness, you know? They are there to witness and declare what they’ve witnessed, but nothing more. If you ask me, you seem to be everything in this world but a participant. I suppose it is easier, but…” You laughed wryly. “Isn’t it lonely?”

He leaned back, glancing up at the stars.

“At times. It certainly is an honor to watch people blossom and grow. It’s enjoyable to learn from them and spend time as friends. But… in the end, partings are never happy occasions. Perhaps that is why I keep my distance.”

You gripped your cup as his words sunk in. It was finally out in the open, wasn’t it? You always had an inkling, but never did you think he would ever confirm it. You thought it would bring you some relief finally knowing for sure, but it didn’t. It only filled you with disgust. Was this the life he was fated to live? Didn’t he have a right to more? Or was he forced to spend his years watching people leave him behind?

You hated it. 

“Well, you failed,” you announced before you could stop yourself. At his confusion, you clarified. “Distancing yourself, that is. Like it or not, you’ve already become a participant in my life. It’s too late to take it back, so…”

You paused, your bravado beginning to die. And yet, it needed to be said. Losing your chance now would mean losing it forever. Still, unable to stand the weight of his gaze, you poured yourself another cup and downed it right after.

“I’m sure you of all people would know this, but life is already a long journey as it is, especially when one has to embark on it alone. There will always be things that will happen, things that make us happy, but things that hurt us as well. So if your duty ever becomes too difficult, you can push it to the side, even if just for a moment. I’ll be here to share the weight of your burdens when it becomes too heavy. Any frustration, hurt, or complaint you have, I will listen to them all. You don’t have to do everything alone.”

The silence that came after your last word was almost too much to bear. How long had it been already? Five seconds? Ten? Why wasn’t he saying anything!? Turning to him with a complaint upon your lips, you were rendered silent by his expression. His eyes wide and posture tensed—you truly managed to catch him by surprise. Heat flooded your cheeks.

“What!? Stop looking at me like that! I can be nice. We are friends, aren’t we!?”

After what felt like forever, he finally gathered himself and chuckled.

“I apologize. Never had I expected to have made such a good friend as yourself. Thank you, First.”

You turned away in frustration. 

“You’d better be. It’s a lot of work looking after you, you know…” You grumbled. “But I do mean it. Even if you choose not to take my offer for years, it will always be there. Consider this a contract between you and me.”

He laughed.

“Is that so? In order for a contract to be valid, both sides should benefit from it.”

You snorted. 

“Well, if you’re offering, you could go easy on the spending from here on out…”

“Ahhh, I will have to think about that.”