a masterlist of the content i’ve made on this blog so far
⭐ Writings
| If You Be Our Star, We’ll Be Your Sky
| Zhongli x f!reader, Childe x f!reader, Zhongli x Childe, Childe x Zhongli x f!reader, Aether x Xiao
| tags: romance, porn with plot, pining, fluff and angst, humor, going to be some canon-typical violence, adventure, mythology references, lots of exploration in the realm of teyvat
| quick description: When the Travelers arrived to Teyvat, they came to complete one mission: to record and move on. Things didn’t quite go as planned. A story exploring the themes of loss, trauma, stories, and complicated relationships between mortals and immortals.
anyway here’s a sneak peak at a fairytale-esque smut anthology ft. childe’s werewolf adventures w/ red riding hood ch 1 (as i try to figure out how i want to write his damn character)
(also known as me putting this here to remind myself to finish it one day)
sjskfk when i realized i really just made myeslf take up the challenge of clown-style juggling five characters narratively in a fic and trying to do justice to their characterizations in little snippets between action im -
The fierce sounds of arguments melt into clashing weapons in the Liyue landscape as all frustrations are released in bloody fury.
Punishment is thus dolled out on the sore, sore loser.
(Smut this chapter: Reader/Childe, M/F)
(Warnings: rough and angry sex after a fight, power dynamic struggles, being very very mean to each other - not a fluffy first time between them given that it's Childe and his implied mission. please be careful if this isn’t your cup of tea!)
CW: the first segment describes Childe making a hunt! Canon-typical violence, but just in case: one paragraph starts with "Childe kneels down - " and another one is "With a firm - "
Childe takes a slow breath in, and on his exhale, releases the arrow, watching as it sinks into the boar’s side.
Damn, he was never good with a bow. He strolls leisurely up to the animal, frowning when he notices the pitiful struggle as it tries to move despite the mortal wound. Poor thing thinks it still has a chance.
Childe kneels down and reaches out to the pig, running his hands gently through the matted fur. He watches as its breathing becomes labored; each unsteady drag likely pushes its lungs against the arrow. How many ways did he watch the abyss deny death to the unfortunate prey wandering in? A quick death was mercy never granted in that suffocating darkness.
He feels black armor fighting to grow from his skin, feels the electricity pulling him taut as he smiles softly, running his hand up to cup the boar’s head.
With a firm twist, Childe snaps its neck and the body goes limp.
Blood from the arrow wound trickles onto his gloves, and he raises his hand to lick it idly away. His frown returns when he realizes that the flaming need in him is barely sated.
Warbled and demented noises creep up towards him from between the cracks in the earth.
Grunting, he hoists the animal over his shoulders and starts walking again while whistling a lullaby.
---
Birds call overhead while the wind rustles through the emerald leaves around you in this little outcrop by the river. The sun felt warm, kissing the back of your neck gently as you took in your surroundings, counting each fish that crested the surface as they leaped further upstream.
Though you normally take these moments of isolation to regain your internal serenity, you didn’t necessarily hate the fact that Childe insisted on tagging along. Yet, confusion still wrung your head as to why he came along on a commission so far off the beaten path. Even Aether would complain at such a wildlife excursion.
“Hey girlie,” Childe calls, grinning wide and bubbles up a rare, genuine laugh when he sees your surprised expression. “I got lunch!”
Your eyes bulge as you watch him carrying one of the largest boars you’ve ever seen with a skip in his step like the animal weighed nothing. When he drops it unceremoniously to the ground, you hear the resounding thud and decide firmly that yes, Teyvat’s animals are ridiculous.
Childe cracks his knuckles and materializes his hydro knife to kneel at its side, and you just… You just watch.
Some deeply primitive part of you is hooting like a shameless dog as you watch him handle the meat with ease. Good man. Strong man. Can feed and protect.
“ – girlie, hey, you listening?”
You shake your head and blink at him. He starts laughing and gestures to the fireplace. “O-oh, right!” In a flash, you turn your back to him to hide the rising heat to your cheeks. “Um… That’s a lot of meat, you know.”
“Well, nobody ever complained to me about that, pretty bird.”
Nevermind. Big, strong man gone. “Why are you always cracking jokes? It’s like you never take things seriously.”
Childe pauses for a moment, stilling his hands. He never looks at you before he resumes skinning the boar, though you recognize the flash of a bygone memory nonetheless. “Nothing wrong in trying to get people to laugh occasionally in this shithole of a world. What else can you do? Tell your siblings that this place isn’t the fairytale they grew up believing in?”
You swallow and nod. Some time passes, and as you finish setting up the makeshift stove, it occurs to you that… There’s two of you. And one very big, very fat pig.
You’ll need a bigger fire.
“Hey, how do you plan on cooking this?”
“You’ll see.”
---
An hour later and you’re in awe at how good the food is. The meat is practically melting off the bone as you eat the roasted pork, slight drool dribbling down.
Childe just stares as you lick your lips. “Did you learn this in Fatui boot camp or something?”
“Yeah,” he mumbles, voice a pitch lower. “Closer to the ‘or something’ part though.”
Idle chatter starts between you two, soft banter and long talks about nothing. You ask about his past, he gives curt answers and you do the same, but there’s this silent understanding between you two about it. There’s little to say on the matter as neither party wants to remember. At least that’s something you have in common with Childe.
“So, along your travels,” he starts, wiping his mouth with a crimson handkerchief. “Did you come across any gods? Besides our resident funeral consultant, of course.”
“A few,” you reply. “Some also stepped down to join mortals too, but in those lands, they gave up their full divinity instead of just the title.”
“Why anybody would ever give up power willingly is beyond me.”
You laugh, though it sounds more vindicative than you intended. “Don’t you know? The gods envy mortals because their lives are fleeting and any moment can be their last. It’s all the more beautiful to them.”
Childe narrows his eyes. “Who said that? Seems to me the gods here don’t really care for us.”
You smile bitterly. “Yeah, I can see your point. The gods in Teyvat are different, but what about Zhongli? Don’t you trust him?”
“Ha, I trust him to pursue his own self-interests. If they align with mine, then great, there’s no problems between us. He’s reliable and stubborn. Shockingly, he has my honest loyalty, and I trust I can predict his next move.”
“Always the tactician.” You both chuckle at the thought. “I would’ve thought there was more than that.” You pray he doesn’t realize how you test the waters, and with the way he looks in the distance, you’re safe.
“You’re not wrong. I care about him. He drives me insane, but come hell or high water, he’ll be my friend to the bitter end.”
Friend. Your heart throbs again, though in deliverance or bewilderment for their strange relationship, you’re not sure.
“With your powers, were you ever seen as one?” Childe says, breaking your thoughts.
“A god? Sometimes, though only if people haven’t seen real divinity. We were also called demons. Unnatural. We keep to ourselves mostly and avoid too much trouble, but with our powers sealed, we don’t even have that going for us. We’re not really welcome among humans or divine, hah.” His eyes relax briefly, shifting to an indescribable emotion. There’s something in them, some light of understanding.
You hate it.
“Don’t act like you care,” you say, turning away and hugging yourself. Yeah, you know you’re being unfair, but you can’t handle Childe’s pity at the moment. He sighs as he tosses his leftovers over his shoulder and tries putting a hand on your shoulder.
“Hey – “
“Don’t.”
“I don’t care. Look at me,” he says, tone sharp and commanding you to listen. During easy exchanges, it became so easy to gloss over the fact that Childe is, indeed, a general of the Fatui.
He’s all but glaring down at you, matching your petulant stare. “What is with you? I’ve been trying to fix things between us, but I’m starting to feel like I’m the only one. This goes both ways, you know.”
“Us? There is no us, Childe. It’s just you. It’s always been about what you want,” you seethe. Stars, you sounded so much like a kid, but some sick part of you is enjoying this. All your words are underhanded and you both know it. “Did you even care? At any point, any at all, did you care?”
His blue eyes slowly widen as realization dawns on him. “Ah. You’re still mad about that. About me using you, huh?”
“What the f – Yes, I’m still mad! Congratulations, you’ve got a pair of eyes. Don’t you know that I – nevermind.”
“No, say it,” he says, placing both hands on each of your shoulders now and caging you in. His face leaves no room for argument as he says your real name. “Say it. Don’t back out now.”
“Stars, you stupid, selfish son of a – “
“Hey, don’t you bring my mother into this,” he says, though a lopsided grin works its way onto his face regardless.
“Very funny, Childe. I just… I kept it, you know? It’s no Mr. Cyclops, but it’s still mine,” you say, looking down. His eyes flick to the starconch dangling from your journal.
“You didn’t have to,” he murmurs, tightening his grip on your shoulders.
“Of course I did. I made a promise to you, and I have a feeling you’re the type to actually cut my pinkie off.”
“Ha. Who’s being funny now?”
You shake your head. “My question still stands: did you care? I’ve forgiven you – you know that – but I’m mad because… I need to know if our friendship was...”
When you look up again, he’s – oh holy – when did he get so close? His deep blue eyes are resolute and you’re holding your breath. Childe is close enough that you can practically feel the heat radiating off of him as his lips parts. “Honestly? I didn’t at the time.”
Oh. Of course not.
You close your eyes as you feel your heart plummet to your stomach. Great. Just fantastic. Nothing can get worse than this.
“But now…”
His fingers gently grab your chin and lift up as he tilts his own down at you. “I can’t remember that time without guilt. When I saw how Teucer showered you all with adoration, it just reminded me of what we had.”
“What we had? What was that? Friend? Enemy? Sparring partner?” You scoff and lean out of the space he made that threatened to suffocate you. “I don’t want to believe a word you’re saying, because even though I’ve been honest every step of the way – “ You pull his right hand off your left shoulder and lock a pinkie with it. “ – I can guarantee that you haven’t.”
Do you feel a sense of joy when you release his hand with a glare?
“You’re no better than the gods you hate.”
When he has the gall to look offended?
Yeah, you do, and know what? Fuck him.
Suddenly, your hand is harshly yanked up as he leans close again, locking a pinkie before you can escape. “You don’t want to believe me? Fine. But don’t pretend you wouldn’t do the same for your duty if push came to shove. At least this time I had the decency to tell you why I’m here, why I’m ‘using’ you again. You beat me to it though, or did you forget?”
Childe sneers, fury now raging in those watery depths. “I’m not mad, I’m happy that you’re as shrewd as you are strong. Yes, I didn’t care then. Yes, I care now, even if I don’t regret it. I want to leave that in the past because today, this moment, is all that matters. C’mon, eye for an eye.”
“What are you even talking about?” You’re seething now, matching his frustration. Seriously, he can’t spout this crap and expect you to suddenly understand. “I am not doing this with you, to you, whatever ‘this’ is. Despite being upset, you’re still my friend.”
“No, we weren’t just friends and you know it,” he growls. “Or enemies. So just give the word and get it over with, comrade. Fight me, use me, do something and get it out of your system.”
He’s… He’s crazy, he’s just insane, you have to get out of here. You swiftly stand and pull your hand away, staring down at him. “I said no, Childe. Not everything is a battle. I can’t believe you… You would think that. Think that I’m no better than the people who treated you like some pawn.”
You sigh and turn away, but your hand is yanked behind you again. May the stars give you patience.
When he turns you, he’s looking at you with a familiar glint as his lips curl. It’s the same expression he wore in the aftermath of Osial.
“Don’t you dare compare yourself to them. You aren’t one of those out-of-touch bastards. I just… I wasn’t sure what else to do to get you to believe me.”
Who would’ve thought a Harbinger could be so maudlin. Torpor replaced your irritation and quiet resignation flickered in your mind. Why you still bickering with him? It’s pointless.
You take the hand holding you and bring it up to the center of your chest.
He freezes and stares at his hand, breathes growing shallow and quick.
“This is going nowhere. Leave it in the past, right? There’s always more to argue over, ha.”
When you squeeze his hand, you smile at him, meeting his bloodthirsty eyes. “You’re right, Childe. Let’s get this out of our system.”
You don’t want to, you really, really don’t, but seeing the way his shoulders relax with barely contained relief shoves that regret aside. Childe was never the best with words – while his fellow Harbingers wove tale after tale with silver tongues, he simply collected others’ tongues with that sharpened silver.
As you both pace yourselves apart, you pull out your journal, long modified to be a weapon of sorts in this world. You know you are at a severe disadvantage as you were never great with other tools, so you had to find a way to either stay out of his range – difficult with his bow – or get close enough to his personal space to land a direct blow with energy gathered in your hands – difficult with his water shields.
Childe summons his hydro blades and begins twirling them, head bowed as he watches your every step. Slowly, you circle one another as both try to find weak points to exploit. His eyes are nothing short of predatory, and as his lips barely twitch into a snarl, you’re once again reminded of just who is in front of you.
Tartaglia, the Vanguard of the Harbingers, whose arrogant and ruthless madness could only be soothed on the battlefield. He’s not so much like a wolf in sheep’s clothing, but a monster in wolf’s clothing.
On instinct, you immediately tilt your head as an arrow whistles past your ear, nicking the edge. You feel warmth trickle down and your ear stings something fierce as you start to dodge his incoming folly of arrows.
Is it too late to back out? Like, right now? You can handle the proverbial tail between your legs but you cannot handle –
You curse as water rises from the river to wrap around your ankle and shackles you when you drew too close. Cruel laughter bubbles to your left as you turn and see him charging, serrated blades out for the slaughter.
When he gets close enough to leap, nearly too close for comfort, you immediately summon a wall of stone in front of you. A soft thud echoes, so you form a fist and push the wall forward and away from you as the hydro chains break with Childe’s concentration shifting to his predicament.
Normally, you would be more prepared and calculating in your attacks, but the sheer ruthlessness of his onslaught took you by surprise.
Russet-colored hair juts out from the top as he leaps up and over, twirling in the air. With a clear opening, you reach out energetically to the smattering of small – yet sharp – stones around you to use as projectiles. He laughs as he slices each stone, but your goal of interrupting his trajectory is accomplished.
Childe lands a distance away as you sprint farther back, summoning small pillars of stone between you two as he immediately chases after. Though he’s chaotic, his movements are somewhat predictable; you summon one stone in a bluff to get him to move to his right to dodge, but immediately slam another stone to his ribs on his side from the direction he moved towards.
He grunts, but hardly flinches as you see him double his efforts in chasing you. Belatedly, you realize he’s been herding you towards the massive waterfall the entire time. Either you finish him here or he finishes you there with the elemental advantage.
Fuck, fuck, fuck, you’re not as fast as Aether, this is why you stay on the backline, fuck –
Childe’s lance smashes the shoddy stones rising quicker in your panic to separate you two. Not your finest work, but it’s a bit hard to focus on their construction when you have a maniac sent from hell on your ass, thank you. When you see how he leaps from your most recent stone, utilizing the momentum in its rise to propel himself forward, you tuck tail and run.
Safe to say, two thoughts occur as he tackles you and his iron grip is wrapped around your body to restrict movement as you both tumble along the ground.
One, you’re absolutely torn between humiliation and feeling shameless as you realize your undergarments are soaked with his husky pants filling your ears. His head tucked against your own in the roll.
There’s definitely something wrong with you, you decide, since you were nothing short of terrified two seconds earlier.
Two, when your head slams against the ground and you open your bleary eyes, you realize how lovely the snapdragon flowers lining the riverbank are this time of year.
You hiss as you feel heavy thighs cage your arms to your side and look up. Childe is leering down at you and snarling as his right hand curls into a fist, purple lightning slowly dancing across it. His left hand glows blue as you recognize the sensation of the infamous riptide mark forming over your chest, eyes glazed over with concentration.
In a moment of paralyzing horror, you realize just how far from civilization you two are.
Ha, haha, good one Childe. He’s… He’s playing, right? This was just friendly brawling. Ha. Oh shit.
He’s not slowing down.
When his hand clamps on your shoulder to still your frantic movements, you whine – high and feeble – at the pain blooming from his grip. For a split second, he falters as his eyes regain clarity, hand loosening a fraction to no longer being unyielding. You take the opportune distraction to flick your hand and throw a stone to his chest.
It’s not much, not without the power of your book – now discarded somewhere – but it does the job as he is knocked to the side and off of you.
In the action, you scramble to keep with the flow and slam him on his back, perching on his chest as your hands glow with accumulating geo energy.
Seeing his soft pants, a sparkle in his eyes, and how blood trickles down his forehead, the shattering in your heart is deafening when you realize how young he looks. His laughter is wet and harsh as his arms are splayed.
“Do it,” he grunts. “End the fight, ‘cause I won’t stop.”
No. No, you’re not doing this.
“Aw, is little birdie too scared?”
You lower your hand and wrap it around his throat, and stars, is his grin growing?
“Come on, just do it – “
“Shut up,” you hiss, leaning forward. “Stop it Childe, I’m not punishing you.”
“What if I want you to?”
You freeze as your mouth parts in a silent gasp, his expression never faltering. When you jump back, you grind against something hard and insistent against your ass, and oh. Was this his plan all along…?
Childe’s hands fly to your hips and pull you down, and oh fuck, a moan fumbles from your lips before you harshly cut it off. Your eyes glance down to see his hooded eyes and he’s panting as he watches you. “Pretty bird is suddenly backing out now? So weak, you won’t even take your venge – “
His words are muffled as you lean forward and kiss him, but you yelp when you feel sharp teeth suddenly bite your bottom lip. Something angry twittering in you possesses you to reach into his hair and fist it, yanking his head up to meet your irritated gaze. When he moans again, loud and shameless and grinds against your core, you’re seized by the same fierce need.
“You’re sick,” you say as your tongue darts out to taste a hint of blood.
For some reason, those words still him as his eyebrows furrow slightly. “I know.”
Stars, you hate how he stares you down, daring you to do something about it. You hate how it feels like it was your fault, that crack in his shield as you see your own shocked eyes reflected in his ocean blues. They flicker between yours, and that something whispers in you again: for whatever reason, he wants to be punished.
Maybe that’s how he gets his sick kicks. Yeah. That’s it.
(You shove aside any lingering doubts.)
You pull him to you this time, kissing him as you simultaneously begin a slow, rhythmic roll of your hips against his throbbing bulge. When Childe’s mouth parts in a strangled moan, you take the opportunity to dive your tongue into his and hum in approval as he rubs his hands along your thighs.
As you part, a thin trail of saliva stained red with blood connecting you two, you lean back and smirk at his whine from the loss of contact. Instead, you lean back and arch your back to apply more pressure to his bulge. “You’re such a challenge sometimes,” you murmur, scanning his features.
Childe moans, ragged and hoarse, as his hands find purchase on your hips. “Please,” he replies desperately.
“When was the last time someone put you in your place?” you say as your hands slowly trail down to his chest and meticulously begin undoing each button. Each time your nails scrape his skin, the contact is minuscule but enough to hitch his breath.
“N-not since the Tsaritsa,” he whispers, keening as you dip your fingers beneath his jacket to open it fully, baring his pale chest. “The people in Liyue are too… Let’s call it traditional in bed, hm? A bit too tender.”
You both snicker (unknowingly at the same man), but his laughter is cut off as you lean down to kiss along each scar littering his chest. There is a smattering of slashes and burns, enough to paint a picture of a life hard-won and deserving of his name.
When you ghost your lips back up, you pause at a pale, crescent-shaped… Is that a bite mark? You raise your hand slow to that juncture between his neck and shoulder, and you feel blue eyes watching you intently. As you trace it, you murmur, “What’s this? Did a lover leave this? Doesn’t seem very becoming of a Liyue native.”
Childe releases a puff of air instead of a laugh and rolls his head back. “Let’s just say it’s a trophy for the one time I managed to get a stupidly sentimental man to realize I’m not fragile on my last night here. He even apologized for it.”
Huh. You choose not to comment on the strange memory, but instead, opt to kiss the scar lightly. Childe openly moans, breathes becoming shallower as you move down the expanse of his creamy abdomen from there.
Gloved hands fly to your head and grab. His shallow thrusts against your chest halt when you lift away from him, glowering at him to stop. Childe’s eyes narrow, but when he tries again, you lie your palm flat against his bulge and push down.
Childe cries out at the border between pain and pleasure, and good, that fucker needs to learn when to stop.
Oh, gods, when did you get a mean streak? Except, when you lay your eyes on the Fatui again, memories of each time he’s pushed your buttons surface, directly compromising your promise to Aether to be kind to the locals in Teyvat to expedite finding Lumine.
Yeah, Aether isn’t here right now. You can make a special exception.
“You’re enjoying this too much,” you grunt and you lean up again, choking back laughter when you see how his eyes widen at your abandonment. Ha. “Maybe I’ll go slower and, how is it called, ‘make love to you like the people in Liyue? Maybe I’ll stop pursuing you like this, where none else dared challenge the almighty Harbinger, huh?”
Admittedly, the lust in you skyrockets when you see how he tries putting on an intimidating façade again, yet the flush across his face and chest absolutely ruins it. Oh man, you can keep doing this all day.
Only… When the devil smirks at you, your heart begins hammering.
“Oh? Maybe you should,” he pants, and you pointedly look at his erection now forming a slight damp spot on his pants. “Tch, but don’t tell me you’re not curious. You’re too fucking nice all the time, you’d hate that slowness as much as I would.”
Irritation seers through you again as you suddenly – and perhaps unnecessarily roughly – grab his pants, purposefully dragging your nails along his skin as you begin to pull it down. “What makes you think I’d hate it?” you huff.
Childe aids in your struggle, shimmying his pants down and off as he kicks off his boots while you clamber on top of him again.
“Come on,” he sneers, snaking his right hand around your neck to pull you closer while his left makes begins to slide down your belly. When he leans closer, he pauses short of kissing you and stays like that. “Don’t you want a taste?”
“You – “
Fuck, you didn’t realize how he distracted you until one finger brushes your clit and slides along your folds. Fuck, fuck, you hate how he drinks in your quiet and strangled moans as it begins to slowly dip into you. When you feel something smooth and cold instead, it hits you that he never took off his gloves.
“Come on, sweet girl,” he coos and rolls his hips upwards to grind against your ass. You grit your teeth, though Childe takes this moment to kiss you again and suck on your bottom lip, massaging you all the while. It’s… It’s not enough, damn him.
"Give me a safeword," you rasp as you break apart. "Right now. So I know this isn't a trick up your sleeve."
He grunts and leans forward again to press his lips against your nose, though he pauses in his ministrations. "This isn't -"
"Childe."
"... Calla lily."
You nod and sigh, tilting your head to the side.
The hand formerly around your neck slides down to pull down your clothes, allowing more access as it pools around your thighs.
You pull away entirely – ah, there goes his fingers – and stand, beginning to strip. As he watches you, you see how his jaw clenches, impatient and yet thoroughly enjoying the impromptu strip dance.
When you’re bare, you begin to walk over and have to bite back a whimper at how Childe’s tongue darts along his lips as you approach. Hmm…
You pad over to his head and grab a fistful of his hair again as you kneel by his head, concentrating on how his face contorts with pleasure again.
“What makes you think you’re so special, huh?” you gruff at him as he grins up at you in that wicked, wicked way.
“Because I’m all the sins you never had the courage to commit,” he responds daringly.
“Shut up.”
“Make me.”
Oh, stars forgive you if you (not so) accidentally strangle this man. You swing one leg over his head and pull it up as you lower yourself. At least he needs no further instruction as he immediately rests his hands on your thighs and tilts his head to lap at the wetness dribbling down.
Let it never be said that Childe didn’t know how to use his mouth, because fuck, the eagerness he begins devouring you out with is nothing short of a man approaching his last meal. You become hyper-aware of your wanton moans, how you grind your core further along his lips while his aching cock is behind you, devoid of all attention.
When his tongue dives deeper between your folds, truly fucking you with it, you slam a hand behind his head to prevent your fall. Fuck, you can’t fucking think –
Your thighs are trembling as the pleasure shoots through you, building with each rock of your hips. It’s slow and steady, but you feel yourself surfing the rising pleasure when you mentally short-circuit. At some point, he crept one hand under you and – without warning, the asshole – plunged two fingers deep as he turns his attention to your clit.
It’s pathetic how you mewl, it really is, and like a bloodhound, Childe senses your weakness. He doubles his efforts while humming against your clit, vibrating it with the motion, and fuck, you feel it coming, it’s, it’s –
You open your mouth in a silent scream as it shoots up, pulling you taut and your muscles stiffen. It’s like you’re a bow strung along and Childe is the man just using you like this.
Stars, he needs to stop, he needs to – stop it, it’s too much –
“Stop, Childe, fu-ah – “ When you frantically roll off of him, falling on your side, he merely turns and grins. It’s absolutely sinful how he slowly licks each finger that was knuckle-deep in you, never breaking contact.
You wish he’d say something because for once, he’s not actually talking. He just. He followed your initiative and was promptly shut up, drinking you in. You don’t know what to say to him, so you opt instead to reach over and grab his scarf, yanking him up.
He follows, nearly as eager as a pup, and crawls to you on all fours as you sit up. Childe blinks at you, the smile never wavering as his eyes wander to your chest rising and falling with soft pants. Something in you, some small and evil voice whispering on your shoulder tells you to ruin this man, this arrogant warrior still clad in his Harbinger jacket and gloves and mask –
“Your mask,” you gruff. Childe tilts his head (oh no, that was cute), but follows your command nonetheless.
When he hands you the item, you fidget slightly and fight back that creeping uncertainty. Fuck it, you’re the one punishing him, so why are you getting embarrassed?
In a desperate bid for confidence, you hum and refuse to look at him, pretending to inspect the mask as if just now seeing it. A shaky breath escapes him as he watches you, so you firmly pull on the scarf like it’s some leash. “You always get your way, don’t you?” you hum.
When silence meets you, you yank on the scarf again. “Answer me.”
“Yes,” comes the immediate reply. You smile softly and look at him, look at his wide eyes as you’re met face-to-face. Each of his arms has settled next to your sides as his legs hold himself over you.
You hazard a glance at his cock and smile at how it twitches in response, leaking driblets of pearlescent pre-cum and just throbbing red. Oh, he wants it so badly. “Beg for it,” you say, looking back into his eyes.
Childe narrows his own, gritting his teeth in a snarl. “Beg for it,” you repeat slowly, “or we stop here. Your choice.”
“Please,” he mumbles, and… Oh, oh is he shy? Pink begins to dust the tips of his ears as he dips his head.
“Please what?” you tease and he huffs.
“Please, let me… I want it, I want you.” Each word is punctuated and forced out like it took all of his willpower to hold himself back from taking you then and there.
Some quiet, dark part of you is slightly disappointed he didn’t.
Well, you’re merciful, and he did say please. You lean forward and tilt your own head, catching his lips in a kiss entirely too soft – and yet, Childe doesn’t complain, only sighing in relief as he moves his head with yours.
But this is still supposed to be a punishment, you remind yourself vehemently. That lustful side of you rears its head, screaming at you to stop whatever it is you’re planning because Childe is here, on his knees and begging to fuck you.
But this is still supposed to be a punishment. Damn it.
Childe seems to recognize the idea swirling in your eyes when he pulls back and he frowns. You smirk back and slide his mask into place, thoroughly relishing in how his breath hitches seeing his own face staring back at him.
“You’re enjoying this too much.”
He jerks his head back like he’s been slapped. “Oh, you’re kidding me, right? You just made me beg, you charlatan.”
“Exactly,” you chirp back. You push him back while retaining your hold on his scarf and run your hand down his abs, pausing at the naval above his aching cock. He moans when your nails dig in there and he spreads his legs wide to allow you to move closer. When you finally, finally grasp his cock with a firm squeeze, a strangled groan is wrenched from his chest from somewhere high and deep like he wasn’t expecting the noise either.
“I’m still mad at you, so this is all you get. Nothing more than this, not even spit.”
Gods, how badly do you want to weep and take it back, but you have a point to prove, damn it.
Childe opens his mouth to protest, but you pull on the scarf to effectively cut off his air, watching how his eyes haze over with pleasure when you do an experimental pump. Is this… Is this how you looked when you fought for dominance with Zhongli?
Oh, you really can keep doing this.
Slowly, you shift forward more until you’re pressed close enough to lean next to his head as you gather the pre-cum leaking in torrents to twist around the head of his cock. “Does the Harbinger like this?”
Childe releases another strangled moan and nudges his head against yours, bucking his hips in demand for you to just go faster. You don’t, you’re mad at him, but the insistence is cute. That infamous earring of his dangles in front of you, tantalizingly close, so you grab it with your teeth and pull sharply as the pressure from your hand increases.
Childe cries out in a mixture of shock and pleasure, hands flying to your back to pull you closer to him as you release it to begin whispering filth into his ears.
With each movement, each tug and twist and sin tickling him, you watch as he slowly becomes unraveled and pulled from the seams. The contrast between you two, how you watch with startling clarity as Childe loses his sanity in chasing after that edge, serves only to thrill you. Your core starts to throb again, practically weeping with your own slick as you fight back the instinct to mount and ride him to hell here and now.
As his thighs tense and his breathing drawing quicker, you pause abruptly to stop him from cumming and – oh shit – he yanks your hair back as he growls in your ear, “Don’t you dare – “
Wish granted. You laugh openly and release his scarf to cup his jaw, leaning forward enough that he can catch the whites of your eyes through the slits in the mask. “Then don’t look away.”
And, blessedly, you resume your ministrations with a sudden increase in speed that has Childe panting so beautifully, so raggedly as he whines at the sight of his own mask staring him down. His hips rock into your hand needily, clinging to your back like his life depended on it.
“Ah, f-uck – “ Childe’s words are cut off as he flushes red and you feel warmth spill over your hand. You never pause as you continue milking his cock, jerking it well past the point of pleasure and deep into oversensitive pain. His blue eyes are squeezed shut as a string of Snezhnayan curses tumble from his lips, clinging to what shreds of euphoria are left before you slowly stop.
His chest is heaving, each exhale hoarse and dry as he buries his head against your neck.
Huh, what does a Harbinger taste like…?
As you idly bring your hand up to lap at the cum, you smirk behind your mask when you hear Childe’s breath hitch and he begins mumbling something indistinctly, watching you all the while.
When he’s this close, you can nearly count each freckle dotting his cheeks and nose, and… And you can almost draw constellations between them.
After a moment, he leans back to stare at you before pulling off the mask. When you both see each other again, a lazy smile tugs at his lips before he looking you up and down, then towards the scene around you.
“… Well, this is unsanitary.”
What – what the fuck? You bark out a loud laugh and Childe joins you, though his sounds huskier still as he recovers. “That was a little mean of you to keep going,” he says, pouting when you snort.
“You wanted it.”
“I wanted to fuck you,” he grumbles. You shrug and try to stand, though admittedly you’re no better than a colt with how your legs shake.
Eventually, you manage to waddle your way to the river and take slow steps into the freezing waters. Fish dart between your legs, barely brushing by with slick flutters, and you sigh as you force your muscles to relax.
Some time passes before you hear movement and splashes behind you, though you don’t turn to meet him. If Childe is upset with you, he can deal with that himself, you’re too busy trying to find some peace.
You just need a hard reset. Just once, you need to get one merciful moment alone.
Still, that wish remains ungranted as strong muscles wrap around your front and you jolt at the sudden contact, but more so when you feel Childe rest his head against the back of yours. Neither of you move, opting to instead sway lightly with the currents drifting by. Each wrist is wrapped in a leather brace with a Vision inlaid in the right while the Delusion is in his left.
When you glance down at the water, you suck in a breath upon realizing he’s been staring at you through the reflection the whole time. Soft aquatic plants dance at the corners of your feet, brushing ever so slightly with each tug.
It’s nice, but something about the stillness sparks uneasiness in you. But… It’s not the kind you felt staring down Childe’s lifeless eyes seconds before he struck, no, this is different. This feeling left you feeling both heavy and light, clear and foggy like you were alone with the dawn breaking and somehow that fact makes it all the sadder.
You… You want this to last, you realize. Stupid. You’ve gotten yourself stupidly attached already, two for zero with these men in your life.
He sighs as one hand reaches up, tracing idly over your chest again. “Do you ever feel like it’s some game,” he begins delicately like each breath is an affront to the world around you.
“What do you mean?”
“These gods, these… Not-humans, I guess. The one that took Aether’s sister, the ones that laughed at you for not being good enough in your travels, the adepti that thought Liyue too fragile… Do you ever think it’s a game to them? Like we’re just puppets on strings?”
He whispers these words, writing them like clandestine letters, ones that will surely get him executed should the gods ever see yet he writes them all the same.
“Like the fabled strings of fate?” you reply, and his lips twist in a wry laugh. “I don’t know if it’s fair for me to answer, since I’m not…”
Human.
Childe hums, understanding the tacit sentiment. “Doesn’t matter, you were never welcome among the divine anyway, right?”
“As if the humans would welcome us instead.”
“I would. I already have.”
Without skipping a beat, Childe continues hastily, once again obscuring that something in his voice. “Do you think they understand us? Actually care about their people?”
You shake your head, a barely-there motion, and should any soul look upon you two now, surely they would never see how you squeeze his hands. “I don’t think gods understand true strength.”
You don’t know why, but those two words, that single combination seems to still Childe completely as he listens, utterly rapt with another memory flickering across his expression. At least, that’s what you think, judging from the reflections.
“Gods may shape the world and play with the pieces, but mortals are the ones living in it. I don’t think they remember that humans are not – “
“Things.”
Another beat of silence passes before Childe breaks it again. “They think we don’t understand anything just because we haven’t had an eternity behind us, ha. I don’t blame them, I think I’d take the opportunity to be immortal too.”
You frown and turn in his arms, coming face-to-face with him. “Why?”
“So I can finally make right everything that’s wrong,” he mumbles, placing his hand on your chest again. When you look down, you see how water tickles and caresses your skin – almost lovingly if you were so bold, but you’re not – as it forms a vague riptide mark. You feel cool hydro energy seep into your skin before disappearing entirely, though you suppose more elemental energy could always trigger its appearance once more.
Childe sighs again, massaging the spot from the mark before roving hands move to your shoulders, rubbing along them. When he looks at you again, your heart stutters at the glittering image of wide-eyed wonder and determination staring back at you – the sight of it renders you mute. A cheeky grin pulls his lips. “And more time means more journeys, right? When my plans are complete, I can finally put this all to rest and go adventuring.”
(You vow then to never tell him that Teucer long spilled these secrets to your motley group.)
And then. And then he smiles, though it’s all teeth and wicked intentions, and then you feel your heart race with sudden fear as the sweet moment left as soon as it arrived.
“You know comrade,” he begins charmingly (oh no), “I did warn you about one thing.”
“Y-yeah?” Oh no, you didn’t mean for that to come out as quiet and breathy as it did. Childe chuckles as he slides one hand to cup the back of your neck.
“That I won’t stop.”
That’s all the warning you get before your world is turned askew, everything blurring together in motions of blue and rippling colors.
This is… He’s taking you somewhere, you realize belatedly, this is how he escaped the Golden House. When his face materializes before yours, peering out of the water as the element obeys its master’s commands, he holds one finger up to his lips in a signal to keep holding your breath.
So you do. You hold as long as you can, eyes darting as the world passes by and you’re struck by the kaleidoscope of light as it ripples along the outside of this shell.
When Childe leans forward, slotting his lips against yours, you swear then that he meant to steal your breath.
Hard rock slams into your back suddenly and you break the kiss, gasping for air and flopping your hands about you for purchase. Air, hallelujah, there’s air –
You grumble at him, sulking at the unexpected journey as his drenched hair trickled droplets onto you. Childe rears his head back, roaring with laughter at your cross attitude, but you can’t hear it. As a matter of fact, you can’t hear anything really.
Wait, did he just take you behind the waterfall?
Amusement dances across his face as he watches you drink in the sights around, of how you two are in a small enclave behind the waterfall roaring overhead. It’s not much, probably two lengths of Childe’s body long and wide with temperatures freezing you to the bone.
So, why did he bring you back here –
You keen when he suddenly dips his head to kiss along your sternum, one thigh nudging your legs apart. His hot breath fans across your skin, licking a long stripe up your neck to your ears as he brings one hand up to squeeze one breast.
“Sweet girl is always so far away,” he whispers huskily. “Will you finally let me hold you?”
“Childe,” you huff, your soft breath cutting off into a moan as he pinches one nipple. His teeth graze your jaw, kissing along it and moving steadily towards your mouth. “All this time, you never needed to ask. You already had me.”
He groans, capturing your lips again with the barely constrained ferocity of a starved man as the hand fondling your chest moves down. Stars, you’re already so slick with anticipation; Childe moans appreciatively as one finger slides easily in, then two, then three.
“Fuck,” he mumbles. “Fuck, fuck, you’re so hot, sweet little thing.”
If you were thinking straight, you’d realize that Childe is whispering something about fair trade and equal punishment, is sinking his fingers knuckle-deep into you and ruthlessly finding that sweet spot in you with a single goal in mind. You encourage him further, opening your mouth and welcoming his tongue as he explores your mouth with near-invasive energy.
If you were thinking straight, you’d realize how his cock is already at attention and ready to spear you, how it waits patiently for you to cum first.
Oh, but you’re not thinking straight. You wail as his fingers press harder, palm now rubbing your clit while he nips along your jugular and scatters your thoughts. Childe shifts so he no longer needs his other hand to hold himself over you, and instead places it over your throat as he pulls back to stare into your eyes.
The devil grins at you. “Don’t look away now.”
“Ah – oh, Childe – “ His hands squeeze, tentative at first, then with more conviction – and a terrifyingly practiced technique – around your neck, cutting off just enough air to leave the images blurring around you. Fuck, fuck, you’re clinging to consciousness, holding onto that pleasurable spike for dear life and –
“Come for me, pretty girl,” he pants, leaning forward to brush his nose against yours and you wail. It comes out softer and quiet, like a lamb being laid bare before a wolf, and you’re shivering with the fuzzy pleasure blanketing your body. Calloused fingers work you over as he grins, murmuring praises as you come undone from his unrelenting pace.
Your orgasm is nothing fierce like when he ate you out, but as air steadily becomes harder, the pleasure refuses to fizzle out like the fireworks you felt earlier. No, it only builds and builds and builds like it refuses to let you go, dragging you through this sex-addled haze whether you like it or not.
“Stay with me now,” Childe grunts, dark hunger swirling in his eyes. “Come on, don’t black out on me now, that’s too easy. Do I have to be mean?”
What the fuck is he talking about –
You cry out in sheer panic and blinding euphoria as you feel light sparks dance along your clit. He’s using his fucking electro element, all fine control and just playing you like a fiddle while you writhe underneath him. You can’t take it anymore, this is too much to all once and impossible to describe, you can’t –
Childe blessedly releases his grip and you gasp in lungfuls of air for the second time in a short window; though his fingers slow, they don’t stop. He coos at your writhing underneath him, moaning with you as you ride out a second orgasm from his electro currents.
You’re biting your lip to stop from whining even more, but that must’ve irked Childe because he moves down to kiss you again, pulling your bottom lip away with his teeth. As the stimulation slowly pushes into pain, you hiss and swing your left leg up to kick him away.
Of course the fucker caught your foot and exploited the momentum to wrap it around his right shoulder, of course. “Pl-ease,” you cry out as tears prick at the corners of your eyes, the pleasure quickly becoming too much again. “Please!”
“Mm, you’ll have to beg for it,” he replies, too casually for a man whose fingers are working up a storm to bring you to a quick and merciless orgasm again. Your hands fly down to his wrist in a pathetic attempt to slow him, but he curls his lips in a challenge and speeds up, shifting closer to you to brush his cock along your cheeks.
Fuck, fuck – You cum again, though somewhere in you tells you that you never actually stopped. A last-ditch idea desperately hits you. “F-Fuck me!” you cry out, voice pitching a tune that’s dangerously needy. “Please!”
Childe laughs again, all cruelty and thrilled at your begging, but you can’t find it in you to give a damn, you just need him to stop fucking you with his fingers. You need a break.
But the Harbinger is a merciless god.
He hums as his fingers slowly, slowly withdraw and he makes a show of sucking each one clean before he takes his cock to line up with your entrance. As he does this, he tilts his head and looks at you again, pretending like he doesn’t see you plead for – for what, exactly? For more? For less?
And in a single thrust, he enters entirely into you. Two voices bounce off the walls, pitches varying but both as broken, and Childe immediately begins a harsh pace.
“Please,” you whine and he tilts his head again, grinning through each harsh thrust. He’s rubbing one hand along the thigh draped over his shoulder while the other holds your hips in a bruising grip.
“Please? You’re such a greedy thing, look at that, sucking up my cock like that.” Each word is punctuated with another harsh thrust, each word is met with your loud cries – and when he angles his hips enough that you can see the outline of it pushing against your naval with you on your back, you cum again.
The Fatui starts speaking in Sneznayhan again as you clamp down around him, squeezing and milking his cock for all you’re worth, but gods you can hardly care right now. Your back is surely going to be scraped raw with how you’re being dragged across the floor, but you fucking love it, love how pain and pleasure mix in some addicting cocktail you’re absolutely drunk on.
You make a long, anguished whine as Childe begins kissing along your leg and peppers your skin with nips to pierce that pleasurable fog. His words sound slurred, you’re willing to bet your life that he’s trying to call your name, but you’re not sure if it’s him or your perception that’s screwed up on this side of the river.
And then he’s laughing. The bastard’s laughing at your blissful misery.
Oh. Oh no no, no you’re not about to be humbled by some Harbinger –
“T-tartaglia!” you keen suddenly when a particularly fierce thrust hits you.
You both freeze.
Oh no. Oh shit. Cold panic rushes through you at that, at how you just admitted defeat by calling him out – and when he purrs your real name, low and husky and thoroughly vindicated, he knows it too.
“Pretty thing wants to wear my mask, but you forgot who’s fucking you like you wanted,” he snarls.
After he hoists your other leg over his shoulders, he presses his body into yours and folds you in half, the new angle devastating for your pleasure as he somehow reaches deeper. His hips start again, mercilessly hitting that spot deep in as his hands cage you in by your head. Childe leans in and nudges your head aside, brushing his nose along your cheeks. "What's the safeword?"
"C-calla lily," you murmur and he nods, turning to stare you down again.
When you try to look away, close your eyes, do something, one hand brutally squeezes your jaw to open your eyes again.
And it works. You gasp as he forces you to attention, forces you to address him as those dangerously blue eyes threaten to swallow you whole in the treacherous deep ocean. “Baby, look – hah, shit – look at me. Y-you want Tartaglia, huh? Isn’t that right?”
Your throat is betraying your mind, whining and begging and blabbering something in response as the grinding pleasure continues to drown you.
It hurts so fucking good as euphoria tears you apart, rips your insides as you start openly sobbing from the pleasure he’s dragging out, and the fucker has the audacity to shoot forward and press an open kiss to your tear-streaked cheeks. Chi- Tartaglia lets you claw at his back – hell, he encourages it with how he groans – and he torturously continues his pace.
You’re not sure if you have the energy to continue, so you smack at his back weakly as you mumble against his lips. Your cunt is squeezing and spasming around him in a vice grip, but he continues fucking you through it. “P-please, please c-cum, please, I don’t know if I can keep going,” you beg desperately.
“N-no,” he grunts and your heart sinks. “Fuck, pretty birdie is letting me finallyy – hah – fuck her, I warned you, I won’t st-hhop.”
“It’s too much,” you hiccup through the overstimulation and scream – your throat hurts with the force of it – as you feel electricity twist your muscles, clenching around his cock as white-hot plasma seems to seer you from the inside out. He moans in response, a low and gruff noise.
“Then suffer.”
And he keeps going.
---
You never notice how he traces along a barely-there geo sigil with the smallest, briefest Cor Lapis glow beneath your navel. You never notice how it throbs in time with his thrusts, with each exertion of his elemental visions as if protective over your body in a lingering memory of whatever divine beast spurred its awakening.
You never notice how he grins.
---
The Harbinger is a cruel and merciless god.
---
He ruins you, thoroughly devastates you with a meticulous precision befitting the Vanguard of the Harbingers. You’ve been manhandled and manipulated into a myriad of positions until pebbles and scrapes litter both of your bodies. True to his word, you suffer through each orgasm he tears from you.
And fuck, do you love it.
Your back is to the wall as your hands are interlocked with his own by your head, hips rapidly thrusting you up and down against it as you wrap your legs around him for purchase while he nips your neck like a rabid dog.
Stars, you can’t concentrate, your eyes keep losing focus – and each time Tartaglia notices, he bites or thrusts or squeezes with that iron grip, electricity lacing each action jolting you to the present. He refuses to let you sink, refuses to let you black out as you’re dragged through hell and back by the devil himself.
“Please,” you weep as he rests his forehead against yours, dutifully watching how your chest bounces with the movement and how his cock is thoroughly drenched with your juices. The ease with which he slides in and out of you is downright criminal.
“T-tartaglia, please,” you whimper and his blues meet yours again. “Tartaglia… I want…”
A single eyebrow arches as he presses his body impossibly closers, now chest-to-chest as he cages you in and looms over you. “I want you,” you gasp between thrusts, “all of you, please. I – ah – I trust you, please.”
Tartaglia freezes for a split-second before groaning, raw and thunderous and wild as the storms that herald his coming, and when he kisses you, you feel wetness dribble down both of your cheeks.
In your haze, you weren’t aware you were crying again from it all, but a lot of things snuck past your attention.
You don’t know what happens after that, but you know it’s hot and wet as his body flexes over yours. Somewhere in your consciousness, you hear a voice cry out Tartaglia’s name, utterly shredded to ribbons from how it was abused.
Was that your voice?
His cock is throbbing in you as you feel him empty load after load of cum, more words in a foreign language wrapping you in warmth his tone lightens, his eyes grow soft and his lips curl up. It’s all you can do to squeeze your wet cunt around him, tightening around him to milk more out of him until Tartaglia is gasping desperately in time with the stutter of his hips.
Eventually, he slumps over you, draping his muscled body over yours with sheer exhaustion and sweat glistening in a thin sheen over his skin.
He whimpers your name, almost going unheard and the noise is halting as if he didn’t expect to say it either. Frankly, you’re too tired to unpack all the layers woven into that right now. So you don’t. Instead, you squeeze his hands as you start to feebly sing softly in your native tongue.
Childe freezes instantly as he sucks in a sharp breath. “What is that?”
“Hm? My people’s language?” you respond and he nods dumbly. “Sorry, probably sounds bad.”
“No,” he mumbles, shaking his head enough that his auburn locks bounce lightly. “Just familiar.”
Huh? Whatever. He’s probably too blissed out to make sense right now.
You both stay like that for a time in a slow-going bid to steady your breathing. You… You never honestly expected this to happen when he invited himself along your commission. Not that you’re complaining, of course, it’s just… It’s not what you expected.
Some lust-addled part of your brain, utterly fucked out and blissful, is already planning another ‘excursion’ into these deep woods.
And then you start to giggle at the gooey mess pooling between both of you. Childe huffs against you and you feel his smile against your cheek. “What’re you laughing at, pretty bird?” he slurs out.
“Oh, just. This is just unsanitary.”
Childe just grunts, too tired to join your laughter, but that’s okay. Your bubbling joy is enough for the two of you in this little enclave behind the waterfall.
---
Hours have passed, and somehow – through sheer and utter spite – you both manage to drag yourselves back to Liyue Harbor despite the protesting aches from your muscles. Nerve endings are set alight with each step, but judging from how Childe winces, he feels it too. Night has long fallen and you remind yourself to apologize to Aether and Paimon, since you said you’d be back by dinner at the latest.
Do you regret it though? Nope.
Eventually, you stumble (literally in your case, tripping over a rock in your lethargy) across Zhongli scrutinizing various wares on display with a careful eye.
Zhongli’s smile is brilliant and warm as he spies you two, immediately weaving his way through the crowd to make his way over. In a way, the movement is serpentine as he manipulates each person away. It’s fitting, really.
“I expected you two to be back much earlier,” Zhongli rumbles, though there’s no disappointment. He looks pleased to simply see you both safe and sound.
“Ah, it was a little far,” Childe chuckles as he rubs the back of his neck. “Y’know how it is.”
“Where are the others?” you interject, too tired to maintain any sane conversation. Or sanity in general. You need a bed and you need it now.
The former Archon tilts his head as he peruses through his memories. “I believe they moved to Wangshu Inn. They said that since you both took too long, we are to meet again at midday tomorrow near Jueyun Karst.”
You nod weakly and tune out their conversation, trying to muster what little energy you have left to begin the trek to get outside the city.
“I saw the most interesting thing,” you hear Childe say conversationally. The tone feels off, though. “Did you know geo sigils can stay on skin? I got a most intimate view of it! Even left a little hydro mark of my own,” Childe’s teasing voice continues with something else lacing the undercurrents of it.
Your heart sinks and you slowly turn around, thankful that in your brief glance at their faces, Zhongli was all-too distracted with Childe’s words to see you. However, when one eyebrow raises, you immediately duck your head.
Fuck. What the fuck. You’ll sprint if you have to, but for now, walking away is okay too.
“Oh?” You hear a curiously deep rumble from behind you as you slowly make your way out, but you can’t place the tone. Zhongli is as stoic as ever and you can’t get a read on him from his voice alone, oh no. “Is that so.”
It’s not a question. It’s a statement, a fact, an observation, and it’s delivered so flatly you want to cry from sheer mortification and horror as your mind shifts into maximum overdrive with panic at all the worst possibilities.
What’s he thinking? What does either of them think of you now? Did you cross some unspoken line?
Well then! Now’s as good a time as any to flee.
“See you at Jueyun Karst!” you throw over your shoulder as you wave, but the words are broken since you’re shaking like a leaf in a fierce wind.
As you make your exit, you feel two pairs of eyes burning into your back as neither man says anything.
Haha! Terrific! That’ll surely help you sleep tonight!
-
notes:
i love how the 1.5 leaked cutscene says there’s a liyue saying that goes something like “waiting for rain to fall on earth once again” like hello?? metaphors??
not 2 be corny but. sometimes i think my purpose on this earth is to love people, make them laugh, be kind and share joy. that feels like enough to me sometimes
After discovering the scroll's contents, the disciples following the God of Duality become the next destination.
Life is simply a series of fair exchanges and offerings to one another in devotion.
(Smut this chapter: none)
A distant voice starts to sing.
Six dear companions all still alive,
One lost his throne and then there were five.
---
You inhale deeply as you tuck the three bottles against your chest with one arm. With the other, you bring your hand to make an emphatic fist. “Today has been. Rough. This had better be a fever dream.”
Childe whistles low, eyes scouring your frame that is now free from dirt, but still littered with scrapes from the Ruin Hunter. “Rough, huh? Did you remember to give a safe word?”
(Aether shushes Paimon’s quiet question of what’s a safe word?)
You unfurl your fist to pinch two fingers together. “I am this close.”
He squints and leans forward, narrowing his eyes. “But your fingers are touching.”
Childe barely manages to dodge the rock you hurl at him.
---
“So, on a scale of one to ten, how mad are you at me?”
You hum. “About an eight.”
Childe scoffs. “I can do better than that.”
“Sorry to interrupt,” Aether grits, “But I believe we owe Paimon an apology.” His hands finish wrapping bandages around your forearm and you wince, noticing the gremlin still pouting with her back turned to you all.
After Childe side-stepped your stone and stood up in an attempt to placate you, you immediately took a swing at him. Of course, characteristic of your exhaustion and Childe’s nature, he side-stepped again and stuck out a foot. Which you tripped over. Which he laughed at. Which neither Zhongli nor Xiao stopped, assuming you could break the fall.
Of course.
This led you to tumbling and knocking over the remaining plates that had food on them, to Paimon’s shrieking horror. She held a dumpling to her chest and solemnly followed Zhongli’s gentle advice on a proper, er, funeral speech with a chorus of voices yelling behind her (in irritation from you, in please stop embarrassing me from Aether, in mockery from the king of clowns himself).
Xiao’s hand awkwardly pets her head as she refuses to look at you two.
“I paid for it,” you grumble and Childe snickers.
“Now you know how I feel.” You glare at him and elbow him before sighing, looking at Paimon.
“I’m… Sorry? Ow – “ Aether pinches your side and crosses his arms. Try again. “I’m very… Sorry. I’ll, uh… Your next meal is on me?”
She harrumphs.
“How about your next meals are on me? Breakfast included,” Childe says with a jovial tune, placing a hand on your shoulder. You shrug it off and ignore the feigned hurt look on his face as you cross your own arms. He chuckles quietly when you hold up eight fingers to him. “Uh, all your future meals are included?”
Paimon suddenly pirouettes and floats happily. “Okay! No backing out now with Zhongli here,” she chirps, and Childe manages to barely suppress the irritated twitch of his eyebrow.
“Damn leeches, the lot of you,” he murmurs. Sitting squarely between Aether and Childe, you notice how Paimon takes the liberty to sit on Xiao’s outstretched leg. Poor thing is unfortunately hoisted and promptly placed on Zhongli’s knee instead as he sits cross-legged. Without missing a beat, Zhongli begins petting her as well while the six of you sit in silence for a moment.
“Okay, so did I miss anything important?” you suddenly say, turning to Childe on your left. He raises an eyebrow at you in stage confusion and smirks.
“Like missing the mark on hitting me?”
“What are you doing here, Childe?”
Even your own soft tone catches you off-guard and Childe’s eyes widen for a brief second before he schools a look of casual neutrality. Another voice cuts through the air.
“You’re here to observe, are you not?” Xiao interjects. Childe groans and rolls his head to the side, blinking his eyelashes up innocently towards the adeptus with a plastic laugh.
“Aw, am I that obvious? If even spear-up-his-ass can read me, then I really must be losing my touch.”
Aether smiles and reaches behind you to lightly punch Childe’s arms, but you saw how Aether’s own lips pulled slightly too tight. Even he’s on guard. Centuries together allow you to catch these little ticks that others thankfully miss. “It’s gotta be that, with the way we’ve been tearing through Fatui strongholds.”
Childe smirks back at Aether with a dangerous glint in his eye. “Yeah, you’re lucky they sent me and not somebody much worse. I actually like you all.”
Whether or not Aether also heard the sincerity in his voice, he spares Childe the momentary embarrassment and continues with a jab without missing a beat. “Sucks that you’re sent back here, I know how much you like to travel.”
Childe sighs and casually sits back, leaning on both of his hands. The night has long fallen, but the blanket of stars and warm glow from Liyue Harbor nearby is enough to illuminate his boyish face with practiced tranquility.
“The Tsaritsa is pissed. Normally she wouldn’t care since she has her Gnosis, but… She wants to keep tabs on your movements. You’ve already stirred up trouble in Mondstadt and Liyue, can’t have it spreading elsewhere. So, I got placed on janitor duty after failing to obtain the Geo Gnosis.”
“I know.”
All eyes turn on you as you flick your own to the thick journal hanging on your belt buckle.
You miss Childe’s eyes narrowing at the book.
(You miss how Childe’s mouth parts at the starconch dangling along its pages.)
“I read those reports in the camps, but… I didn’t think it was worth mentioning to the others. The Fatui are trying to juggle too many priorities so they’re always a step behind us. If we appear in Dragonspine, they write it down after we show up in Springvale. According to some letters, the official solution was to send a Harbinger to try and boost morale, but that seemed too far-fetched at the time. The Eleven aren’t glorified bureaucrats meant to watch over a region.”
Too simple. Too easy. If they wanted to kill you, they would not have sent just one. Something’s not right.
“Pretty bird, you asked me why I’m here while already knowing the answer? I’m proud. You’d make a fine Fatui spy,” he grins as your eyes roll to the back of your head. Childe hums and continues with an innocuous question. “Kind of interesting how quickly you travel, huh? My men just can’t seem to figure it out.”
It’s a trap, yet with the way Aether’s breath hitches lightly, only you and he caught it. All parties present are among the few who know of your abilities to manipulate the mysterious waypoints.
The thing is, there isn’t actually some… Grand secret. You just simply could. The Tsaritsa didn’t need to know your own lack of competence – and you sincerely doubt she would believe you two anyway.
You sense Aether’s attention shift to your presence rather than see it. Both of you must give credit where credit’s due to Childe: play the fool when you are the one fooling everyone else. As you must fulfill your duties, Childe must fulfill his.
Unfortunately for him, the two of you have been a part of this dance for centuries with countless companions asking similar questions. Always fishing for information, always trying to step over those careful lines that Lumine was the first to draw for safety.
“Yeah! Paimon’s seen the way they interact with the old technology here. It’s super confusing!”
“Oh?” comes the amused reply as Childe leans forward. There, there it is again. Those lifeless eyes. “And how do you suppose you all manage that?”
Aether is the first to interrupt. “We don’t know. Paimon is in as much of the dark as we are.”
You slowly move your hand to nudge Aether’s in a moment of gratitude to speak in your stead. He doesn’t look your way, but you feel a soft touch back.
This time, Childe meets your eyes, though something unnerves you in the scrutiny you’re placed under. “Is that so…” he murmurs before throwing his head back in a loud laugh. He places both hands behind his head. “Ah well! Mysteries galore, never a dull moment with you all. Not too upset about being back if my nights are gonna be fun like this.”
“Childe,” Zhongli says for the first time, smiling as his voice pitches deeper like he’s taking part in some conspiracy. “Are you implying… You enjoy Liyue?”
“What can I say,” he grins, “I enjoy the people.”
Xiao grunts. “Give it time.”
“But why did they send you? You’re not the spying type, you’re…” One of your hands gesticulates wildly to Childe’s form. “You’re a fighter.”
“Because I’m already close to you all,” comes the shockingly quick reply. You blink. Childe blinks.
You both blink.
“Signora would set off more alarm bells, wouldn’t it?” he teases, immediately breaking the tension.
“This settles it, then,” Zhongli says, crossing his arms and closing his eyes in contemplation. “I see a wonderful opportunity to appease all parties involved in their respective endeavors.”
You frown as you notice the knowing glance passed between Childe and Zhongli but opt to ignore it.
“I propose,” he continues, looking between you, Aether, and Childe, “that since Xiao and I have no dealings with mortal quarrels, we will officially remain out of your affairs. However, Childe is here to alert the Cryo Archon of your dealings to stifle any further disruptions. You will feed him information about your travels where relevant – and, of course, I will help in an unofficial capacity where possible. In return, you stop rampaging Fatui encampments and endangering the tentative peace found within Liyue after Osial. Relations between the Fatui and the Qixing are stressed as is.”
Aether clicks his tongue as he frowns. “This feels like a very easy solution, and nothing is ever easy. What’s the catch here?”
Childe shrugs as he smiles back to Aether. “Don’t be surprised if I’m ordered to do something very messy?”
“Indeed, matters of the battlefield are no easy proceedings,” Zhongli muses. “The machine of war requires all cogs to be functioning and efficient. Make no mistake, the Tsaritsa’s plans are never granular with flaw. This is a skirmish she intends to win, and I doubt she will allow you to meet the Archons before she acquires their Gnoses, if at all. Appease and abate her curiosity for now. It will spare the land from being watered with blood once again.”
Childe raises an eyebrow as he tuts. “Dear Zhongli, for a former God of War, you sure are awfully transparent about tricking the Tsaritsa in front of a Fatui Harbinger. Does my title mean nothing to you?”
“On the contrary,” you counter before Zhongli can respond. “It’s because it’s you that this might work. You can either accept this ultimatum and make it easy, or we drag a lot more unnecessary innocents into this situation with drawn-out fights across two regions. Wouldn’t want the other Harbingers to come and steal the spotlight again, right?”
You meet his ocean blue eyes again, hoping your gamble on his distaste for the other Harbingers pays off. There has to be a reason it was only one Harbinger sent, it was only him and not someone else.
“Because it’s me, huh?” Something… Something suddenly flashes across his face as the corners around his eyes crinkle briefly. Just as quickly, it disappears. Good grief, you think you’re going to get whiplash with the speed of his changing expressions.
Though, to be honest, you’re the one to blame because you’re certain nobody else pays as much attention to his face as you do. Stars know that Aether sure doesn’t.
Childe tosses a smirk to Zhongli. “A really stupid decision. This will make my job easier, though, and for once I get to keep the damn glory. Just don’t say I didn’t warn you if it comes down to it.”
Zhongli smiles back. “I sincerely doubt it will.”
After that, banter flows easy between all of you as you catch up on your days with somewhat strained ease.
(“I’m not reliving my day sober,” you say as you take a long swig from one of the bottles you bought, feeling Zhongli’s heated gaze on the bob of your throat. Another night, you promise yourself.
“Neither am I,” Childe grunts as he swipes a bottle and joins you.)
You never mention the contents of the scroll, and thankfully, neither does Paimon. You’ll have more time for that after you get wasted.
At some point, Paimon dismounts from Zhongli to sit comfortable on the picnic blanket as he switches places with Aether so that the blonde is next to Xiao.
You don’t miss how the two lean close to one another, or how Xiao’s shoulders seem to relax slightly after the change. Zhongli is flanking your right while Childe is on your left and everyone is sharing in the bottles. Despite the growing comfort that blankets everyone as the night marches on, you feel creeping tendrils of doubt weave into your gut.
And promptly short-circuits every time Childe brushes against your thighs lightly. You never meet his eyes each time, though you both know how quickly you straighten your posture in response.
This is… Okay. Tonight, everything is going to be okay. You shove those nasty feelings of suspicion deeper down, refusing them the chance to ruin a good thing.
Childe’s back. Surprising, but it’s… Good. You’re happy (?).
When you feel a slight nudge to your shoulder, you look up to meet the devil’s eyes as he smirks. At this distance, you can smell the faint aroma of alcohol emanating from him. “I know you’re still upset with how we left things off last time, pretty bird. Let’s try to mend this rift, yeah?”
Liquid courage, huh?
You swallow and grin back. “Only if you pay for the meals.”
“Just the meals? Wow, you are an easy date. Then, for the night, mind telling me your safe – “
More shouts erupt as you suddenly jump up, your wrists caught before they can wrap around his throat and Childe is just laughing at your alcohol-fueled attempt to fulfill your promise.
“Am I at a ten now?”
---
Only much later would you and Aether look back on this moment with horror, realizing how dearly you underestimated the ambition of the Cryo Archon in her pursuit for dominion.
---
Five dear companions stand together ashore,
One’s tossed to the depths and then there were four.
---
So, to be fair, the time is now after. You’re wasted.
Okay. Remind sober future you to not… Not tempt the stars. Or fate. You sigh deeply as Paimon goes on a long-winded rant to the buzzed crowd about the scroll’s contents at Zhongli’s behest. Truly, truly you did not want to talk about the scroll, something about Childe’s sudden appearance made you feel… Uneasy.
Or maybe it was the alcohol talking. Time to repress your anxieties again.
You zoned out too much, because all eyes are on you expectantly and you’re at a loss. Thankfully, Aether motions to your journal in a fat hint as to why, so you grab the item to open it to the page you copied the scroll down and hand it to Zhongli.
He leans closer to Xiao so both adepti can peer at the pages. “This is…” Xiao starts, frowning as he continues reading. “I thought this was lost to time.”
“As did I,” Zhongli says. “What you have is a remnant from the God of Duality.”
“Jeez, we know!” Paimon sighs. “That’s what Paimon was talking about earlier!”
Zhongli chuckles softly. “Forgive me, friend, you are correct. What I mean to say, is that you have a map to the God of Duality’s disciples.”
“We know it’s a map! Paimon wants to know if there is treasure involved.”
“What is with you,” you hiss at her.
Xiao raises a lazy eyebrow. “What you have is treasure. Long ago, before the God of Duality gave up their own life willingly in pursuit of the ‘last knowledge’ beyond divine death, they left a series of maps to the mortals as a guide to find the adepti who dedicate their lives to the practice founded by the god. Think of it as like a Sigil of Permission, although should a mortal naturally stumble across their abodes, they are permitted all the same.”
“Indeed. Guizhong once worked with this god, although she was more interested in the… Practical and material application of her knowledge,” Zhongli supplies.
“So, like the ballista?” Childe replies. “But if she involved herself with the material application, then what was the god’s reasons? Spiritual?”
“Of a sort, but I can’t imagine the likes of you being privy to that,” Xiao says, scowling at Childe. Aether sighs and rubs his face.
“And you were doing so well…” he mumbles.
“You are close, but not quite. Think of it as the adepti version of mortal alchemy,” Zhongli continues, ignoring the petulant look Xiao gives him. “We all must deal in transactions and contracts, although for illuminated beasts, the nature of this can be taken a step further. However, even as the God of Contracts, I do not understand the true nature of this god’s power.”
“So,” you say, pursing your lips. “Can this be anything? Items, food, or even knowledge itself?”
“Yes, but you must first offer something worthy of it.” Xiao crosses his arms. “Mortals do not understand this. Most walk away cursing the adepti for tricking them, despite them willfully misinterpreting what exactly is demanded.”
“Indeed. For example, a man on the brink of starvation offering his first kill in a month to the adepti in exchange for knowledge on how to feed his family will be rewarded with the location of the finest hunting grounds, the best traps, and the means to make sure his family never suffers famine again.” Zhongli frowns and looks to Liyue Harbor. “However, if a rich man were to ask the same with the same offering, he will walk away with a plague set upon his crops and his cattle slain.”
“Ouch,” Childe says, inappropriately thrilled at the prospect. “Little harsh, don’t you think?”
“A curse for an insult,” Xiao growls. “The adepti arts are not meant for the quick and foul schemes of you humans.”
“Alright! I get it, you sanctimonious prick. You’re supposed to lick the boot, not deep-throat it,” Childe grumbles back as the alcohol loosens his words. “Something like that though would be useful for the Fatui. A leap of faith for the ol’ Liyue arts.”
“Careful Childe,” Zhongli says. “What you say may be taken literally by the god’s ways. They may indeed ask you to leap from a mountain top to prove your worth. Do you know what will happen then if you fail?”
“I’ll be home in time for breakfast?” Childe lazily responds.
“Your body will never be found.”
Silence descends before Paimon coughs a little too loudly. “Sheesh… So, can only humans ask them for favors?”
“No,” Zhongli says, looking to her. “Everyone may request something, though even gods can hesitate at their payment. I once made such a transaction myself for my weapon, Vortex Vanquisher, to be smithed and imbued with the divine ability to seal Osial.”
“Really?” Stars gather in Paimon’s eyes as she kicks excitedly. “But what did you offer in return, Mr. Zhongli?”
He only smiles, but you see how his gaze fades, looking past Paimon to a time long ago. “Enough.”
Childe frowns and takes the journal from Zhongli’s hands, inspecting it himself. “Huh. I don’t see any markings to the abodes though.”
“That is because you must first have an offering in hand and a will to see it through before the map will reveal itself,” Xiao says, harshly seizing the book before offering it back to you. You laugh and take it, reattaching it to your belt. “Find something to represent your question before you seek these disciples. They may ask more of you regardless.”
“More importantly, I am not sure that most of these locations still have the disciples. As time progressed, most have gone into hiding deeper into the mountains.” Zhongli hums as he puts a tentative hand to his chin, trying to summon memories of his subjects’ whereabouts.
“Yeah, Jueyun Karst, right?” Paimon asks.
“That is where the more formidable adepti reside. The others have retreated to the City of Ichor.”
At Paimon’s quizzical glance, Xiao adds simply, “The capital of adepti abodes.”
Everyone takes a moment to allow the information – surely forbidden to outsiders – to sink in.
You sigh before standing to stretch out. “Well, I don’t know about all of you, but this day’s been a lot for me. On that note, let’s call it a night, yeah? We can deal with this later.”
“We?” Childe laughs, standing up as well. “Are you inviting me along, pretty bird?”
“You are inviting yourself along, you free-loader,” Xiao says as he stands. Aether smiles as he’s offered a hand from the adeptus and is gently tugged up.
Childe closes his eyes and takes a deep breath, clearly mustering what little patience he has left. “For someone who can jump so high, you sure are terrible at catching jokes.”
“Anyway. If you can find something, then sure. All part of your job, right? Just don’t make me regret it,” you chuckle while Paimon floats up next to you, carrying the picnic blanket.
“Remember that I’m the lesser of the evils here, o mighty one,” Childe says as he smiles placidly and waves his hands mockingly to Xiao. Still… Something lurks in his eyes that pierces the warm alcoholic daze in your mind.
Childe feels real, feels present, but he seems too… Lucid, considering how much he drank. Like the scroll woke something up in him.
But of course it would, you reason with yourself, he’s a Harbinger serving Her Majesty. Who wouldn’t jump at the opportunity?
“One more warning,” Zhongli calls as he walks past everyone, beginning his own descent back to Liyue Harbor. “What you offer must be honest and from your own heart. You cannot seek someone else’s desires. It is an insult to send someone in your stead to bargain your own contract, so think carefully on what you ask, Childe – and for whom it truly is.”
Childe pauses and stares, a rare sight on his easy-going face, before he shakes his head and laughs. “Of course, of course,” he says, trailing after.
As you walk closer to Liyue, lagging behind the group while they converse amongst themselves, you can’t help the doubts gnawing at you once again at the idea of seeing these adepti.
And with the way Aether turns behind himself to look at you, he can’t either.
---
“Are you thinking what I’m thinking?” you say as you take another bite from your salad. Aether nods while he refills Paimon’s cup with more tea, glancing at the journal on the table.
It’s been a least half a week since your last encounter with everyone, since your last encounter with…
You sigh, willing that thought away. This doesn’t escape Paimon’s notice as she frowns, placing a small hand atop yours.
“What’s wrong?” she asks, concern creasing her features.
“Just thinking you look better without all those worry lines.” You laugh when she smacks your hand.
“You know, the same can be said of you!” Paimon huffs before laughing too. “But… Seriously, what’s going on with you two?”
Aether looks at her before meeting your gaze. He puts down his cup to turn to Paimon again, trying to find the right words.
“Exploring isn’t the only reason why we travel,” Aether starts carefully. “We’re also looking for something. Or, well, I’m just helping her.” He chucks his thumb to you as you snort.
Paimon’s eyes light up as she smiles wide and bright. “Oh! Do you think the adepti can help you? Maybe Paimon can help too, as your official Teyvat tour guide.”
You chuckle slightly as you push the plate of remaining salad towards Paimon as a gift. “I hope so. You can finish this for me, by the way.”
Although Paimon grabs a fork and starts eating, you still catch the quiet complaint of misleading names and there’s nothing satisfying about this salad.
---
“I do not understand.”
Zhongli pauses, placing a hand on his chin. “Xiao, I will not pretend that I know any more than you do. However, walking among Liyue’s people, I have found them to be consistent in their inconsistency. A tree, though verdant and in bloom, will change its colors before shedding its leaves entirely. This does not mean it will never again bear fruit. A bird will always come home when it flies, a flower will still be beautiful though its life is short. We must place our trust in these cycles of life and season.”
(A mantra, they both know, heard a thousand times. A poem. A plea of compassion for the mortals from she who rests with dust.
Ashes to ashes. Dust to dust.)
Xiao purses his lips, growling to himself. He still does not see the meaning of peace in turbulent and unreliable things. “These humans are fickle. They can raze forests in their greed.”
“Yes, and they can plant new ones all the same.”
“But, my lor – “
“Don’t,” comes the warning noise from Zhongli. “I am that no longer, Xiao. Call me Zhongli. We are equals here, please.”
He maintains steady steps with Zhongli. He’s… Confused. Why did his mast – Zhongli allow Childe back so soon, so easily? “Do you truly trust that man?”
Zhongli nods. The two of them are walking along the shores bordering Liyue Harbor. Although Xiao won’t admit it, he’s been slowly allowing himself to drift closer and closer to the city. He looks to Zhongli when the other sighs, clearly understanding the reluctance swirling in Xiao’s mind. “My friend, you know Childe will not dare defy my contract.”
“But what about the Travelers? What of Aether?” Xiao cries suddenly, opening his arms. They’re getting closer still to the boats, and though Xiao slows his steps – with Zhongli slowing with him – they continue their march regardless. Liyue’s people remain far, though, as the younger adeptus was never fond of crowds. “Do you think Aether trusts him? Do you truly believe that – “
“I cannot and will not speak for Aether,” Zhongli interrupts, pausing in his steps. He holds up a single hand, motioning for Xiao to stop as well. “If you care for his opinions, why not ask yourself?”
“W-what? How can I even ask him when I don’t know where he is?”
Zhongli smiles and stretches his arm behind him. Xiao follows the motion and pauses, widening his eyes when he spots you, Aether, and Paimon conversing with Childe at the edges of the city. However brief the interaction was, as you all part, Aether turns and flashes a two-fingered salute to the Harbinger before walking away.
Xiao scowls and turns around. “I will question him later,” he mutters.
Zhongli simply laughs.
---
(Xiao hates the doubt creeping into his mind. He has devoted time immemorial to his lord, would lay down his life thousands of times over should Zhongli ever ask. Xiao is who he is because of Zhongli, because he saw fit to save the life of one who was damned.
He hates the doubt creeping into his mind.
It is not because of the morality of this man, no, Xiao could care less. He has slain demons worse than the Harbinger. It is not because of the enigma of the travelers, for Xiao understands secrets intimately.
It is because Zhongli has held and kissed and cared about so many humans, yet… Spoke so easily of mortality, of cycles and seasons, of excitement coming from those who break the norm and are worthy to lie with a lithic god.
He hates the doubt whispering to him that Zhongli – glorious, wise, effervescent Zhongli – was wrong. That the all-knowing did not know what Xiao felt whenever he gazed upon Aether.
Guizhong nurtured flowers, but Morax possessed them.)
---
Four dear companions see a mask donned with a growl so beastly,
One left for war and then there were three.
---
“Aether…”
“Yeah?”
“I just realized something.”
“Hm?”
“We’re breaking one of Lumine’s rules. ‘Be mindful of the company you keep, with connections to enemies and friends alike – ‘ ”
“ ‘Don’t get attached and pay a price so steep, we must leave before the night.’ “
“What do we do? We…”
“I know. We’ll figure it out.”
---
Three dear companions saw hands in the art she drew,
One could not escape their grip and then there were two.
---
“Hi, Albedo! Long time no see!” you call to the blonde, waving merrily. The alchemist turns and smiles softly to you as you approach his table at the base of Dragonspine.
“Ah, Traveler, I didn’t expect to see you,” he replies politely, reticent as usual.
More days have passed, and both you and Aether agreed to split up in search of worthy offerings for the adepti. Briefly, you encountered Zhongli and Childe at Liuli Pavilion, though only stuck around long enough to discuss their respective choices in whether or not they decided to join your journey. Of course, they said yes.
Just as quickly, you turned on your heel, refusing to indulge the confused mixture of lust and irritation that quickly pooled at the small interaction. Get it together! Now isn’t the best time for that. Childe’s back, you’re pissed still, you’re mad at him.
You keep chanting these words to yourself in hopes of making it truth.
… He’s not bad looking.
Ugh.
Although you have an idea of what to give, you came to Dragonspine in hopes that the renowned alchemist can offer some insight.
“Yeah, I wanted to ask you a quick question, if you don’t mind?”
“Go on.” He puts down his papers, a clear indication to continue.
“I have something from my travels, and I’m wondering if the material can be transmuted. Err, I mean… Is it conducive to alchemical properties?” You hold out your hand and summon an iridescent mask. Although, you have to admit that calling it a ‘mask’ is loose at best, as there is no holes for eyes, just a cut out for a mouth. The mask shimmers in a cacophony of cosmological colors under the light on one side, resembling the abalone shells found along shorelines. There are almost no other features, making it a twisted mirror to the viewer. On the other, there is a matte blackness that reflects no light.
Albedo frowns and sticks out his hand, tentatively holding the object as you pass it along. As he turns it this way and that, mumbling observations under his breath, you can’t help but shift your weight from foot to foot in anticipation. You notice him pick up a scalpel to collect the smallest sliver of a sample and he places it on the alchemy table.
Stars, how long can he stare at the thing?
Eventually, Albedo turns to you (and ignores your sagging relief) to hand the item back. “I don’t know where you acquired such a fascinating specimen. Pray tell, where did you come across this?”
“Um,” you start, blinking widely. “Nowhere close to Dragonspine?”
He nods. “A shame. Perhaps I can find something similar one day.”
Not a chance, buddy. “So? What do you think?”
“The materials, though nearly as primordial and resilient as Liyue’s crystals, are extraordinarily organic in nature. This should be likewise conducive to any transmutational processes you wish to conduct. However, unlike inorganic objects, you cannot easily predict the outcome. Why do you ask?”
You nod as you hold the eyeless mask, staring into the blackness behind it.
“Just trying to figure something out for a ritual. Tricky thing has a mind of its own sometimes.”
It stares back.
---
(You decide to find a new offering. This will reveal too many things, stir too many questions that you have no answers for.
It’s better that they don’t know. They can’t know.
Aether understands. He still remembers the day he met you.)
---
As Childe walks along a bridge towards Wangshu Inn, he pauses to savor the idyllic landscape. The sun is setting steadily behind the inn, casting deep shadows all around him. “You know, where’s the honor in sneaking up on your opponent, hm?”
In a flash, he whips out his bow and fires a shot towards Xiao’s head. The Yaksha leaps gracefully and flips in the air, twisting his body so that he utilizes his weight in a downward thrust. Childe jumps back to avoid the shattering earth and smirks, rubbing his nose. “Show off.”
Gold eyes meet blue. Shit, Childe can practically see the air around him twist with hostility and Childe’s feeling like a kid in a candy shop. “I warned you that I will not spare you, human.”
“Good. Don’t you dare disappoint me,” he snarls before running towards Xiao. When the other sweeps his spear in an arc, Childe flips over the motion to swipe at his head with his own hydro spear. Xiao grunts and leans back, allowing the blade to graze his cheek as he twirls with the pole to regain balance.
Childe moves back to raise his bow and fire a literal rain of arrows upon the ground, but in the commotion, he nearly can’t keep up with his opponent’s speed as Xiao dances between each arrow fired. Xiao leaps again with fangs bared, aiming for the spot where Childe is perching before his instincts push him to dive out of the way.
Breaking his fall with a roll, Childe turns to see Xiao charging him. No better time to practice the moves he’s seen Zhongli employ in their rare outings to the wilderness.
Right as the adeptus thrusts his spear, Childe summons his blades to parry the movement with an upward cross, trapping the pole between two swords. When Xiao moves back to dodge the rounded kick to his side, Childe switches to a pole once again to thrust into the earth where Xiao’s feet dance out of the way.
Now or never. The Harbinger grunts as he shifts feet to kick the spear.
Neither graceful nor imperial like Zhongli’s, the action gets the job done regardless as it spins dangerously fast towards Xiao, releasing arcs of sharp water-like echoes across the air. Xiao dodges all of them, panting when he notices the water is fierce enough to cleave the stone near him in half. He stands straight, motioning his spear accusingly to Childe. “Where did you learn such a move?”
“Zhongli showed me his spear, of course,” Childe replies sweetly. With a shout for bloody murder, Xiao moves for the kill, but… Childe’s eyes flick to his right and he suddenly wills his blades away to stand straight, placing one hand in his pocket. He relaxes his figure and smiles leisurely.
Come on, take the bait you asshat.
Shy of stabbing Childe’s throat, Xiao’s spear halts as he hears it: children. Very fast, very young, and very loud children skipping closer to their battle. Xiao growls again as he releases his weapon, standing straight and crossing his arms. Neither break eye contact as the kids run past them with giggles when they hit each other with toy swords.
“Why are you here, scum?”
Childe buckles like he’s been shot with an arrow, leaning forward as he places a hand on his chest. “Oh! Oh! So mean, XiaoXiao.”
“Disrespectful little rat.”
“Ha. I’m here for the Travelers. Word has it that they were last seen around here.”
Xiao scoffs and looks away. “You are too late, they left long ago.”
“Oh?” Childe steps closer to the adeptus and slowly leans forward, plucking a single golden strand of hair from Xiao’s shoulder. He stiffens as he glares at the Fatui, who shakes his head like he caught a child with their hand in the cookie jar. “You know, I really hate liars,” Childe sighs.
He side-steps the adeptus to continue his languid walk to Wangshu Inn, humming a traditional Snezhnayan song all the while.
“You sound horrible,” comes the crabby voice behind him.
“Sheesh, so wound up. Do me a favor and either go fuck yourself or go fuck someo - ”
Once again, Childe barely manages to dodge a rock hurled at his head.
---
“Hey! Aether buddy!” Childe cries, opening his arms when he spies the blonde. Aether turns and laughs, waving to the enthusiastic Harbinger.
“What are you doing all the way out here?” he says, smiling as bright as the sun when he spots Xiao behind him. “Xiao! You two didn’t fight each other?”
“Uh – “
“Dear XiaoXiao and I? Now, who do you think we are?” Childe pouts. Paimon squints and flies up to Xiao, giggling as she spies a crimson cut across the other’s cheek that is purposefully hidden behind bangs.
“Paimon thinks that they did,” she says in a sing-song tone. Aether gasps as he runs over, fussing over the deep wound much to adeptus’ chagrin. Still, Childe notices the slight blush creeping up his face. What a bunch of lovesick idiots.
“Good grief,” Childe mutters, rolling his eyes. Paimon looks just as unimpressed as he felt. “Is this a regular thing, stir-fry? I’m about to puke.”
“First of all, Paimon is not stir-fry! And secondly, it kind of is,” she sighs, rubbing her temples. “Paimon doesn’t get how they haven’t figured it out yet, but Paimon doesn’t want to just tell them.”
“Yeah, they’d never believe you, they’re trying too hard.”
“What’re you doing here anyway, Wallet?”
“Oh, I’m looking for – Wait. What d’you mean ‘Wallet’?” Childe scoffs, glaring at Paimon. He groans, pinching the bridge of his nose as he suppresses the very real and very loud urge to commit homicide. It’s illegal here, stop it, too many people, you can kill her later. “If you’re going to embarrass me like that, at least avoid doing it in front of the Fatui underlings. I still have a reputation to maintain.”
Paimon hums and holds out her hand.
Is she serious?
She makes a ‘gimme’ motion.
Is she fucking serious?
“Promises, promises. Remember that night with Mr. Zhongli?”
Childe releases a string of filthy Snezhnayan curses as he grabs a small bag of Mora to hand over from his own knapsack. “I am on a budget, you know. Not that you’d understand, you bottomless pit. Will this be enough to cover your next meals, m’lady?”
“Yep. You may leave, Mr. Wallet,” she say solemnly, raising her head as she motions for him to make his exit before breaking out into a smug fit of laughter.
Oh. That’s it. Legality be damned, he’s going to kill her –
“Xiao told me you were looking for us?” Aether calls. Childe blinks quickly, before nodding and repeats your name, all thoughts of murder pushed to the back of his mind. For now, anyway.
“Where is she? Thought little birdie would be here.”
“Oh, she’s still in Dragonspine, though I think she mentioned staying for the night before leaving. She should be back first thing tomorrow. Come with us to dinner?”
“Aether, no – “
“I would be delighted. Right, XiaoXiao?” Childe grins, opening one arm to allow the blonde to lead the way. “Team building and all of that.”
“Please? At least get along on the upcoming trip?” Aether smiles at Xiao, pleading with his eyes in that certain way that makes Xiao’s heart race again. He grumbles and allows the other to lead them towards the tables.
Xiao turns around and puffs with irritation at Childe’s entertained gaze.
The Fatui makes a heart symbol with his fingers. Asshole.
---
“You know Aether, had Lord Rex – “
“It’s Zhongli now, remember?”
“Yes, you’re right. Had I known he would have found someone so capable, even to the adepti, I would have hoped to see you fight sooner.”
“Aw, now you sound like you’re about to ask me for a favor too, Xiao.”
Xiao’s lips barely turn upward, soft and slow. “You dare assume I need help?”
Aether pouts slightly. “No. Just wanted to offer anyway. And you were being so nice, ha.”
“… Shall I practice my flattery for your next visit, then? With any luck, I will be better.”
Aether laughs and leans a bit closer. Some time passes before he speaks again.
“Xiao, have you ever been beyond the borders of Liyue?”
Xiao raises an eyebrow as he looks to his right and stops, losing his breath. Aether is… Aether is radiant under the moonlight. More than that, truly. The strands of golden hair billow softly in the wind, catching the light from the lanterns all around them. And… He’s smiling so earnestly, so sweetly and golden.
The ginkgo tree behind Aether sways.
“Why do you ask?”
Aether leans back, kicking his legs as they hang over the balcony. “Well, ever since you accepted the contract to defend Liyue, have you ever been given a chance to leave? Will you leave now that ‘Rex Lapis’ is gone? The people here are capable of defending themselves.”
Xiao sighs and looks back to the horizon. “I do not know,” he mutters. “I… I do not remember if I have left Liyue. Before I came to serve under Zhongli, I served another, but my memories during those days slip through my fingers. There are flashes. It…” Hurts.
Aether understands. He scoots closer again, delicately placing a few fingers over Xiao’s. When Xiao flinches slightly, Aether starts to withdraw before his hand is grabbed. He allows himself to be pulled back gently. Though his heart beats against his chest, Aether feels more at ease than he has for a long time.
“I want to take you. We should go someday,” Aether says quietly.
“Where?”
“Somewhere. Anywhere. If I call your name, you’ll come, right?”
“Yes. If you want to see me…” He dares a glance at Aether.
“Xiao.”
They stay like that for a time. Xiao decides that night that honey is better than almond tofu.
Aether decides to make a list of places to go.
---
A young Snezhnayan boy, surrounded by many others of his ilk, recites his oath before the feet of the Tsaritsa with glee. His blood rushes to his ears as he kneels at her feet. Tartaglia is his name now, his duty, his purpose. The ice-tipped sword digging into his shoulder as he echoes and affirms his vows only fuel his determination to serve his beloved goddess.
Yet, when he rises, he is no longer in the throne room. He is standing on a cliffside watching the venerated Tsaritsa dangle a woman over a yawning ravine by her throat with the other Harbingers bearing witness beside him. The woman is struggling, clawing at the goddess’ forearms and whimpers, “Your Majesty! Please! Give me another chance! My love - ”
Once, he stood as the Twelfth Harbinger.
Now, as the Tsaritsa releases her hold, he stands as the Eleventh.
His eyes steadily follow Columbina’s shrieking fall into the Abyss. Traitor.
The Tsaritsa turns her steely gaze to the audience presented, meeting each of their eyes. “Ice, once fractured, requires a sacrifice to seal it once more. We cannot allow weakness in our ranks.”
“Yes, Your Majesty,” the Harbingers respond in unison. However, when Tartaglia blinks, the scene starts to replay once more.
Except this time, instead of Columbina, the Tsaritsa is holding –
No. No no no no no!
---
Childe sits up, sweat beading along his skin and temptingly close to emptying his stomach. He closes his eyes and flexes his hands, willing water to slowly coalesce in his grip without bothering to look at the other entity in the room.
“If you get off on watching people sleep, you could’ve wined and dined me first,” he grumbles, joke falling flat.
“I thought I already did." Childe looks to see Xiao casually sitting in his windowsill, one leg hanging off the side. However, the adeptus isn’t looking at him but at the moon rising. “Who is Teucer?”
“How,” Childe rasps. He didn’t realize until then how dry his throat is. “How do you know that name?”
“You were screaming it.”
Chidle doesn’t respond but releases his hand, allowing the water to evaporate once more. He groans and leans his head back, hitting the headboard with a dull thunk. Some time passes, though neither seem eager to break the silence.
“Why do you serve her?”
“Excuse me?”
“Why. Do you. Serve her?” Xiao repeats, slow but forceful. “You’ve seen what the Fatui are capable of.”
Childe narrows his eyes at Xiao’s back, irritation slowly growing in him again. “You’re lecturing me? You who fought in the Archon War? Give me a break. I may be just a human to you, but… You know what happened to Khaenri’ah.”
It’s not a secret among the Harbingers and the highest officers where Snezhnaya inherited most of its technology nor what happened to the ancient empire. One of the many missions of the Dottore involved researching the ancient factories producing Ruin Guards, after all.
To the Snezhnayans, though, the Fatui are paragons of virtue for humanity against the Abyss and they remain blissfully ignorant to the true reasons behind Khaenri’ah’s fall.
“The Tsaritsa is leading us to become the strongest nation.”
“That is what she tells them,” Xiao replies. “Why do you serve her?”
“You think I want my motherland wiped off the maps because we are willing to do anything, anything, to survive the cold? To make the lives of our poorest easier? To feed the empty bellies when winter comes? The Tsaritsa is helping all of us in Teyvat, you ungrateful bastard. She’s making sure that we can thrive as people, not as pets to Celestia. Once she frees us, we’ll all be safer in a new era.”
Xiao makes a sound vaguely like a laugh – a pitying laugh, Childe notes – and stands. He never turns around as he sighs. “You believe that the gods aren’t pets too? That she’ll just forget? Remember that it took seven Archons to condemn the fallen nation, not six. Celestia’s seat will not remain uninhabited forever.”
He then leaps and Childe watches Xiao’s departure before huffing to himself. Good riddance. The gall of this adeptus to enter his room and then act like he’s on the moral high ground? What a self-righteous prick.
Sighing, Childe slides back to bed and pulls the covers over himself again. His knuckles go white as he grips his sheets, remembering how easily the Tsaritsa tossed her mortal lover aside.
One day, he will crush the thrones of the gods.
“I know.”
---
Dreams come more frequently for Ajax now. He wonders if he will ever hear those voices from the first night again.
---
Aether and Childe are eating their breakfast together, idly chatting over upcoming plans. When the blonde begins stripping his scarf to avoid stains, Childe whistles long and low.
“Careful comrade, the world will explode on itself if you take any more off. I fear what seeing your collarbone will do to the common folk.”
Aether laughs and rolls his eyes before stabbing at his meal. “So, you got an offering yet?”
“Mm? Oh yeah. Definitely.”
“… No you don’t.”
“No I don’t.”
He sighs and leans forward, staring at Childe intently. “I know that you’re going to ask for more power, but the question is, what’s worth that? You already have the heretical teachings from the Abyss, the Delusion, the Vision…”
Childe pretends to be hurt as he waggles his eyebrows. “Comrade! You can never truly know what I have up my sleeve.”
“Well… What about a toy?”
That sends Childe reeling. “A toy? Why a toy?”
“You said it yourself, you defend childhood dreams, right?” Aether’s voice is soft, but he doesn’t look at Childe in an attempt to allow privacy for the Harbinger. “That’s why you fight. So give them a toy.”
There’s a pregnant pause before Childe laughs again, charming and familiar, but there’s an overtone of sincerity. “Ah, maybe you do know what’s up my sleeve.”
“Careful Childe,” Aether responds, eyes twinkling. “I fear what seeing your arms will do to the common folk.”
“Aw, they would love it!” he grins, flexing both of his arms upwards in a show of mock strength. “Maybe I can just offer those adepti the adoration from my fans.”
Aether snorts. “Call it a hunch, but love and adoration might be two different things.”
“Yeah,” Childe replies, digging back into his food. “Besides, I think my biggest fan’s love is the only one that matters.”
His companion raises an eyebrow, but says nothing when he sees the rare expression of peace on the Harbinger for Teucer.
Aether wishes Lumine could see it too.
---
Two dear companions saw a blonde figure run,
One chased to the end and then there was one.
---
Gods… What did you do to piss off the stars? Truly? There must be some sort of karmic balance in play. Life just saw you having a good morning and decided hey, it’s been too long since she’s had something bad happen!
You’re definitely cursed.
You groan as you roll onto your side, ignoring Childe’s own pained moans. When you were walking up the steps to Wansgshu Inn – true to his damned codename – the immature Harbinger thought it would be hilarious to hug you from behind to surprise you.
Which was a bad idea because you suddenly grabbed him in response. Which had you both losing your balance. Which made you tumble to the bottom of the steps together.
Of fucking course.
“Ha, did you – ugh – fall from Celestia babe? Because coming down those steps, you – “
“Childe, I’m giving you three seconds to shut up.”
“Right.”
When you both sit up, you stare at each other for a long moment before you sigh, fighting back a grin. “Alright, what’re you doing here?”
Childe pouts and stands up, offering you a hand to help you up.
You ignore how familiar it felt, how nice that he dusted the dirt off your back while holding you tight.
“Pretty bird’s been avoiding me. Can you blame me if I go hunting?” he whines.
“I have not! I’ve been looking for something to trade and you should be doing the same.”
“Oh, that? Pfft, I got that covered.”
Raising an eyebrow, you cock a hip out as you stare. He only nods enthusiastically and rolls back and forth on his feet. “Aether told me you might need help completing a commission? There’s one nearby if I recall correctly. We’re all meeting up again later tonight to discuss the next steps anyway, can’t hurt to have your loyal comrade along!”
Shaking your head, you two meet up with the others at the inn to discuss the day’s plans before setting out on your journeys. Shockingly, fewer insults – though no less scathing - pass between Xiao and Childe than you expected while you finish speaking to Aether.
Huh. Last you saw Xiao and Childe, you could’ve sworn they were more… Hostile.
Some time walking along the road passes while you two chatter briefly. It’s all small talk though, and you can feel it again, that chasm between you, that something left unsaid. Maybe a peace offering will do?
You feel Childe’s eyes on you as you summon a bag of spices in your hand and shove it towards him, not bothering to look at his face. “Here. Forgot to give it to you earlier.”
No, you didn’t. You just bought them today.
“Hm? What’s this? …Snezhnayan spices?”
“Yeah, I saw a merchant selling it and thought it’d be interesting to try out for some recipes. You’ll definitely get more use out of it than me.”
Total fucking lie. You bought it entirely to show him, hoping to make things less awkward and… Maybe see his smile, too.
You ignore the flashes of amber eyes and a deep voice running through your mind. It was just a fun night. Nothing more.
“Huh. Thank you.”
Nodding, you both continue along, but the silence between you is comfortable now. It’s nice again, simpler, like Osial never happened. Almost, anyway.
Childe makes sure you aren’t looking as he puts the spices away, smiling to himself.
---
One dear companion left under the sun,
She wandered in search of her friends and then there were none.
---
“Guizhong, what are you singing of now?”
Guizhong turns and giggles at the sight of Morax in his full draconic glory, scales aflame with a gold shimmer that no treasure can match. “Beloved, you need not appear as a god before me. Come and sit so I may braid your hair.”
When Guizhong looks to the plains, she continues her soft melodies. Morax settles next to her in his mortal form. Without hesitation, he tilts his head when her hands reach his hair, offering her his peace. There is a tacit understanding between them when anxiety tugs at her heart; as an industrial goddess, she turns to her hands to settle her thoughts.
Morax, though he never shows on his stoney face, enjoys providing this comfort for her. After so many centuries together, Guizhong long abandoned the endeavor of persuading Morax to express emotions in the human way. She knew that the brute before her will always remain an illuminated beast at heart.
That is why she loves him so.
“Morax, my love, you are purring again,” she teases. He huffs and stops, but at her light tug on his hair, he resumes. “Is our dear dragon turning into a fat house cat?”
“Which am I, Guizhong?” he says. When she leans in to kiss the corner of his mouth, he turns to meet her soft motions with his own. He was never gentle, this god of stone, yet he tries for her. “Am I a god, or am I your pet?”
Her lover’s words are teasing, and she cannot help the bubble of laughter as he tries – and fails – to smile charmingly in a show of fangs.
“You are my love,” she murmurs and kisses him again.
Hers. Of course, he thinks. Hers.
“My heart belongs to you,” he whispers back, though frowns when she notices her crestfallen expression.
“Your heart belongs to you, as my love for you is mine. Do not give it away so easily. Beloved, love is a thing that should free us. I do not wish to bind you, but I want to grow with you. Love is changing, is it not?”
He follows her gaze upwards to the ginkgo tree they sit under before she continues. “Welcome the changes time brings you, Morax. You may find yourself surprised yet. Promise me you’ll try.”
At her contemplative tone, he looks to her again, though she doesn’t meet his gaze. “I will,” he replies. “I promise to try and appreciate these mortal cycles. Though I would not call myself so dramatic as to die for it; so many humans declare this a romantic notion. How strange.”
“It’s a start,” she laughs. “Perhaps start with loving the land and loving your subjects. They have never truly courted death.”
“I do not see why you fret,” he mumbles and moves closer to kiss her jaw. “You will be here with me.”
“Of course,” she says. “Of course.”
She moves her ankle further beneath her dress, hiding from his imperial gaze the black decay that eats at her.
“Another promise. Indulge me, God of Contracts.”
He grunts in acknowledgment, though he continues his ministrations.
“Promise me that you will free me if you love me. Love me enough to live, instead of dying for it then.”
More silence meets her, though from the grip of his hand on her thighs, she knows he acquiesces.
When she met with the God of Duality so long ago, Guizhong knew her days were numbered as she collected artifacts filled with poisonous malice. The day that this blackness takes her is swiftly coming. Her dear friend chose death in their pursuit of knowledge since their true love lay in discovery. She knew this long before she ever met her lover.
Guizhong closes her eyes as she fervently kisses Morax with an apology deep in her heart. She loves her people enough to toil endlessly for them and, eventually, die with them, yet Morax did not choose this path. Guizhong refuses to choose for him, made him promise to continue his own journey.
Someone as strong as the God of War would not understand her desperation. Among the gods of this land, Guizhong is weak enough to be considered a mortal herself – a fact she accepted long ago as she offers her knowledge to her people.
Regardless of this, she wonders briefly if she was selfish in this, in loving him knowing that it would be temporary. But when he moves down her neck and presses his body to hers, she finds her heart soaring with peace. She’s lived a good life, selfish as it was. How ironic that she chided Morax on his possessiveness.
Guizhong knows she will be his first love, but she prays to whoever is listening that she will not be his last.
---
The sky twinkles, too far away to be seen.
-
notes:
gosh I love exploring facets of a character's personality via a different POV
1) The idea of adepti (and by implication other non-humans of Teyvat) dealing in favors and transformations is directly inspired by various mythologies in different cultures of fair trade whenever humans wanted something. City of Ichor is directly inspired by the myths of separate lands (like Tir Na Nog)
2) Among the many symbols attached to the ginkgo tree is longevity, peace, and hope
3) Since the Harbingers' titles are directly referencing the Commedia dell'arte, I decided to pull one of the characters from it as a 'lover' for the Tsaritsa. The Columbina character is the secret lover and assistant to the Harlequin whose own character is known for his trickster qualities, thwarting his master's plans, and pursuing what he loves at all costs. Since the Cryo Archon is the Archon of Love, I mean...
4) Childe's story directly references his desires to "crush the thrones of the gods"
5) Guizhong's corruption is my personal theory since the quest "Treasure Lost, Treasure Found" has us find tablets, but the archaeologist is utterly confused as to how Guizhong was killed with the strongest god protecting her. Combined with no natural disaster would have been enough to strike her, nobody would dare challenge two gods, and one tablet says "there THEY fought on Guili Plains" with black dust and splintered rocks as the only elements in the last battle, and - yeah. I know a lot of people portray her as sweet and all-knowing, but I wanted to humanize her a bit (hah) because she's still a god who strongly valued her own intellect above most else and carelessly collected evil artifacts the Adepti had to hide after her death. You can't tell me she didn't have some flaws.
Paimon can and will commit crimes to get what she wants. Xiao finds himself more curious about humans than he wants to admit.
Meanwhile, Liyue welcomes the Eleventh Harbinger back (home).
(Smut this chapter: none)
How many beats can a heart take before it breaks?
One, two, three, four, five…
Five. It takes five beats before Teucer starts to sniffle, fat lips wobbling and tears threatening to pour; five beats before Ajax’s heart aches. He kneels, frozen in place and arms open for an embrace, waiting for Teucer to come to him. Along the docks of Morepesok, his family accompanied his travels back to the ship that arrived oh-so-soon to whisk him away to lands far from Snezhnaya. Both his parents and each of his siblings gave their farewells, parting gifts and food, fussed over his hair (if only his poor mother knew how often it was stained red with dried blood), yet one stood apart from the others.
Teucer acted strong, Ajax will admit it with pride. Though he clutched Mr. Cyclops and Mr. Dirty with ardor, he managed to keep a calm countenance until the last moment when Ajax’s arms opened wide.
When his younger brother drops both dolls – thank the Archons Ajax thought to wrap Mr. Dirty – and barrels into him, he lets out a soft oof and holds his quivering brother close. “D-do you have to go so soon, Big Brother?”
Ajax hums softly, rubbing his brother’s back as the boy hiccups before responding, “Aw, you know I have to go back to selling toys. Our company’s leader was so thrilled with my success last time! Don’t you want Big Brother to succeed?”
Teucer leans back and rubs his eyes with his arm, a snot bubble barely forming in one of his nostrils. “I do… But you promised to teach me how to fight!”
“Ah, I am so glad you brought that up because I have a special gift for you!” Ajax smiles with a sparkle in his eyes as he turns to his knapsack to pull out a necklace. It's a glass claw, though not completely see-through with frosted textures; wrapped around its base is a leather knot. “I saw this at the market and thought about my budding little warrior!”
Ajax’s smile never falters, even as he hears the disapproving tch from his father at the prospect of another fighter. Still, seeing’s Teucer’s growing happiness quiets the rest of his disapproving family.
“An owl’s claw!” Gloved hands reach out to tie the necklace around Teucer’s neck protectively.
“Yep! This is my lucky charm for you.”
“Huh? Your lucky charm? Then why did you give it to me?” Teucer’s head tilts slightly, and oh man, Ajax’s heartbeats in fondness once more.
“Because, silly, you know the old legend about these things. Warriors use it to find their way home.” Tonia and Anton suddenly crowd on either side of Teucer, marveling openly at the gift. “It’s my promise to you that I will always find my way back to you all, I won’t let anything stop me.”
The three siblings suddenly look up and, in unison, chirp: “Pinkie promise?”
Mischievous little things, the lot of them. Ajax laughs heartily. “Of course! You make a pinkie promise, you keep it all your life. You break a pinkie promise, I throw you on the ice –“
“The cold will the kill the pinkie that once betrayed your friend, the frost will freeze your tongue off so you never lie again!” Three little voices finish before he can, but quickly drown the ending when they rush his chest again to bury their faces.
It’s not long before he’s climbing aboard the ship, waving his hand behind him to his family. As the ship’s anchor raises, Teucer’s little legs carry him to the very edge before he takes in a deep breath and cries out, “Big Brother! Sell lots of toys!”
Tartaglia whips around to glare down the snickering Fatui agents who quickly attempt to disguise their laughs as coughs.
“I will, Teucer! Your loyal knight guarantees it! Be good, okay?” He responds cheerfully, waving his arm once more. The boat is slowly making its way out of the harbor, but not before he hears one more prayer from his little owlet.
“I will! I’ll make people happy like you do, too!”
He keeps waving until the Teucer is just out of sight before he sighs and turns, making his way to his cabin. Thankfully, the trip will be swift due to the boat being one of Snezhnaya’s newest models, but he still plans to take the time to recollect himself.
People are happy when they’re dead, right? Yeah, they are, no more tiring shit to worry about, Childe thinks. He’s always been doing those idiots a favor whenever they borrowed what they couldn’t pay back; their lives were bound to become forfeit one way or another anyway. He flexes his hands, feeling life flow through them with the eagerness to rob it from another. The Fatui are happy with his work and his family is happy in their ignorance - that’s all that matters.
When he takes in a deep breath and the salty water tickles his senses, he grins, eyes dulling once more.
---
Two ravens watch as the boat departs. Their glassy eyes peer at Teucer’s little skips, the way his siblings crowd around and coo at the gift.
They take off, following the sweet family home.
---
Oh, oh stars, why do you feel like shit…
It takes a few seconds for you to summon the energy to even open your eyes, your whole body throbbing with pain. Wh… What… Why? Did you drink too much or…? You groan, thoughts fizzling before they can even come as you rise and rub your face. There’s a smell of something… Delicious coming from… Somewhere, but you’re confused. Aether didn’t come wake you up…? You did not hear Paimon’s squeaks either; your blonde companion always made sure you were up in time for breakfast in case she decided to consume your portion. Again.
(“Food shouldn’t go to waste!” she says, all-knowing and ‘innocent.’
“… You little shit – “)
The clattering of utensils would draw your attention, really, it would, but the throbbing in your head won’t stop and the trickle of light between your fingers hurts so much.
“Ah! You are awake,” comes a smooth voice, deep and cheerful. You freeze. That voice. That voice is so familiar…
You blink awake, looking up to spy Zhongli standing in the doorway with amused eyes and – oh. Memories of last night come flooding back and you quickly raise your hands to your cheeks, feeling heat bubbling to the surface.
Much to your disappointment, Zhongli is fully clothed. And you are…
Immediately, you clutch the blanket and pull it over yourself, suddenly all-too aware of how exposed you look; this only draws thick laughter from your companion. “My dear, I believe it is far too late for modesty, no?” His eyes twinkle, yours narrow. “I have taken the liberty of cleaning your clothes for you, they are lying on the chair.” He gestures to his left and you follow the gloved hand – that beautiful, skilled hand – and you find your clothes neatly folded, politely pretending that they weren’t just soiled the night before.
“Thank you,” you manage to croak out, sleep still thick and throat hoarse from your noises from last night. More heat rises to your cheeks as you slowly stretch, failing to catch the lustful gaze following your form. “Did you make breakfast?”
“I did. A slow-cooked bamboo shoot soup I am sure you will appreciate,” he responds. Why is his voice deeper…? Sleep still clouds your mind; you can feel it desperately banging trying to wake you up, but frankly, you could not care less. Only, when you catch his small smirk, you look down and abruptly notice the blanket pooling around your waist to expose your (delightfully marked) chest to the world.
Ah.
“I will be at the table. Intuition tells me you are too tired for a morning exercise?” You snort at the euphemism, but nod along.
“Mm, your intuition is correct. I’ll see you there.”
A handful of minutes later and you emerge from the bedroom, stretching again as you settle in your seat beside Zhongli. He has already started eating and flashes you a small smile in acknowledgement before resuming his careful consumption. Ever the gourmet, you think, before beginning yourself.
“No wonder you’re so particular about your food,” you mumble as another piece of meat slides down your throat, the warmth soothing the pains there. “This is fantastic. Time really lends itself to nuances, doesn’t it?”
Zhongli preens under your praise, chest puffing slightly like a peacock. “I am glad you appreciate the gastronomy of this dish. Several ingredients had to be carefully acquired, and I thought it a fitting offering for your body.”
You sputter around the food, managing to barely swallow it down before coughing out an indignant squawk. “My body? Oh jeez, thanks. Not all of us can change our forms so easily.” Ah, you can’t bring yourself to be disappointed the sarcasm flew over his head with that cute head tilt of his, you just can’t. A thought seems to strike Zhongli as he looks you up and down.
“Considering the unplanned nature of our rendezvous, I believe we may need to stop by Bubu Pharmacy as well. I do not wish for something unexpected to slow your journey.”
“Hm?” What was he talking about…? Except, when you follow his eyes very pointedly staring towards your core, you smile softly. “Oh. No, we don’t need to worry about that. My kind has a more intricate ritual for these sorts of things.”
He tilts his head and damn he’s cute. “A more intricate ritual,” he enunciates slowly. “How fascinating. Why?”
“Mm, life is very precious to us because of how rare it is for one of us to be born. After all, concentrations of energy to make, er, ‘not-mortals’ like us are hard to acquire, it’s not just about the fun part. Think of it like…” You twist your mouth as you try to come up with an appropriate analogy. “Like those elemental spirits in Teyvat, or even adepti children – I think. Anyway, even though they live a lot longer than humans and are uncommon, they’re still kind of easy to make because of the abundance of elemental energy here, right?”
“Yes.”
“So, it’s along those lines too. Just as you are a god of the earth, our people are of the stars, but it’s a lot harder to find the resources in the vastness between worlds.”
“How interesting,” he muses before closing his eyes. “Adepti have a similar ritual since one of our bodies holds much more energy than that of a mortal. It is an art called ‘dual cultivation of qi.’ Put simply, we contribute energy from our own souls to birth another, although that is not all the practice may be used for. Perhaps I can recommend some books to you on the subject?”
You manage to catch the laugh before it comes out because of how casually, yet earnestly, he offers adepti erotica for you to read. As research. Aether’s going to love this one. “Yeah, sure, why not. Actually, on that subject, how did this – “ You gesture vaguely up and down Zhongli’s form. “ – fit inside me towards the end last night? Adepti magic too?”
He smiles at that. “Something of the sort. I am surprised you did not notice the Geo sigil.”
“Huh. Well, thank you.”
“You are most welcome,” he replies, smiling wider. “I have found previous lovers’ bodies to be delicate as well, requiring the utmost diligence to detail for their fragility. It would not bode well should the shell become damaged beyond repair. No use for that, of course.”
Well, at least you aren’t taking a bite this time since you would’ve surely choked on it again. Zhongli is just throwing out innocuous statements left and right without realizing how much of a punch they really pack. You quickly reach for your tea and take a larger sip, swallowing back the creeping tendrils of bitterness at the word ‘use.’
He still doesn't care, does he?
To be fair, you aren’t surprised he took previous lovers (you have too), that’s not what catches your heart off guard. No, it’s how he so casually referred to your body as an –
“Object. You think of bodies as objects?” Points to you, your tone is steady and casual; however, Zhongli’s eyes narrow as he catches the shift in atmosphere regardless.
“Is there something wrong? They must be maintained and nurtured, no? I understand you are not as frail as mortals, but you fall under my care regardless.”
The teacup you hold, true to its design from the Lord of Geo, withstands the force with which you grip it. “Zhongli,” you begin, slowly meeting his eyes, “I am not under your care. Our contract from when we first met has expanded into more favors; you help us in Liyue, we do something in return, et cetera. But I am not under your care.”
There’s a tense silence stretching between you two as you mention the first contract that stood between the Travelers and Zhongli. Although at some point, the agreement has become all but forgotten in the progression of your friendship, you still cling to it as a reminder for him that this is all this is. Just a deal.
You ignore the heavy weight in your chest as you look at the God of Contracts himself.
A slow frown settles on his lips. “Contracts cannot be used to define friendship, nor measure sentiment. So just what can we use to measure the weight of our emotions? Do you know the answer, friend?”
The last word is spoken a beat after the sentence, word soaked with confusion as he tests the weight of it on his tongue. He frowns deeper, and you try to desperately bury the hope that he dislikes that word as much as you do. Friend.
Do you dare hope?
You look down at the teacup again and grind your teeth. “You’re right, what we did have isn’t… A contract. Let’s not call it that. I’m… I’m sorry. I appreciate your attention; I’m just not used to it coming from someone whose body is almost literally indestructible. Thank you.” You are being completely honest with him; you truly appreciate the concern and attempt to convey it through tone. The words come out more forceful than you intended regardless.
Honestly, the fact that he tended to you with such diligence made your heart flutter, but you could not tell him the truth, not when his emotions are so clearly separated from his actions. Something to be cared for. He doesn’t even understand the meaning of his words, how could he?
Zhongli’s eyes watch you carefully as the gears in his mind turn rapidly. Was it what he said? He reaches out for you, wrapping an arm around your shoulders to nestle his head against yours as you bury your face into the crook of his neck. “No, not friend. Starlight. Trust in me, please, as I trust you.”
You huff a small laugh in return, barely managing to hide the fractured longing. “Okay.”
---
(Lover, his heart whispers in a language unknown to the waking.
Yes, yours whispers back, sheltered by the starry night.
They are silenced by the weight of day.)
---
Hours have passed. Zhongli is walking along Yujing Terrace, twirling a glaze lily in his hands. He cannot stop mulling over the words spoken during breakfast after you two parted ways with a lingering kiss. Your familiar and warm smile graced him when he suggested you two continue meeting when time and energy permits.
But still, your tight hug and resigned eyes plagued him when you left. Why? What did he do wrong?
He looks down at the flower in his hand; there is something buried in his memories, begging to be remembered.
Morax, you cannot hoard people.
Guizhong… What did she mean by that?
He recalls all those millennia ago how he wanted to understand what he was feeling. Warmth gathered in his chest whenever he spoke to her, heard her laugh, held her. So, when he kept a long watch over Guizhong’s favored mortals, he noticed how the mortals would court one another, offer each other tokens. Thereafter, in the millennia following, he would show his mortal lovers affection in the same way: through careful vigilance and gilded gifts.
Yet there was one who occupied his thoughts before this time ever came to pass.
Gods clashed more frequently in those days; his claws held onto her tighter and fury raged at any who threatened her. She would only smile and hold his head, pressing gentle butterfly kisses along his muzzle and stony scales, would run her hands through his long mane and sing soft lullabies when he rested his head in her lap.
No matter how load his roars, how deeply the earth shook at his battle cries, their power would cease in the presence of the one whose voice the flowers would wake for.
His hands grip the lily tighter, stem crackling in the force of it. The day he lost Guizhong, he realized how foolish he had been, how lax he grew in his watch. Never again would he allow his weak lovers to put themselves in danger.
But…
He closes his eyes, and… A soft hand caresses his cheek while the air around him turns foul with the stench of ancient blood, of battles long forgotten by time.
Morax, you cannot hoard people. A flower is precious, though not as strong nor cold as your gold. It is not lifeless. Promise me you will remember this.
I promise.
What did he fail to understand? Her message was so clear. He fulfilled his promise, did he not?
When he opens them again, he looks down at the glaze lily in hand once more. However, when he loosens his grasp on the frail thing, the wind suddenly picks up and carries it away from him. Zhongli sighs, though he supposes it is fitting, nonetheless. He never did understand how to handle anything gentler than with an iron grip.
As he follows the blossom's path, meandering in its fall towards the ocean, that is when he sees it.
A Fatui ship crests the horizon and flies the colors of the Harbingers.
---
(Useful (adj): Being of service, advantageous to some end. Morax did not stop howling with grief to Celestia that day, did not stop begging for answers as to why Guizhong had to be taken, why it had to be her.
Hail to the king, came a thousand dissonant, gossamered voices in his head. Long may you reign, Morax.
It is the last they ever spoke to him.)
---
Before the boat docks, Ajax is sitting on his bed and holding his hands as he stares blankly at the mahogany box adorned with the crest of the Tsaritsa lying in front of him.
Inside, there are two empty spaces.
---
You’re smug, oh you’re so smug as you walk along Chihu Rock because the walk of shame didn’t haunt your steps. Despite getting absolutely railed, you managed to keep a steady gait and avoided stumbling like a newborn fawn. No, no shame there, just absolute smugness because Liyue, your Archon begged me to make him cum.
Despite the breakfast ending on a bittersweet note, you can’t find it in yourself to dedicate too much energy to the negativity of it all, tempting as that may be.
Not right now, anyway; this is all something to mull over more seriously when you’re alone because this throws a wrench in your plans of finding Lumine. No, as much as you would love to wallow in self-pity, you must find her first.
So ultimately, you convince yourself, this wouldn’t – couldn’t – last because of the nature of your existence and of his. You settled instead on enjoying what happiness you could wring from this situation, because stars above know you need it.
When you looked at Zhongli as you pulled away, you felt weighed down by the fact that this might be all you get, but you can’t complain. He promised to look after you, didn’t he? No matter in what way he thinks that means, it’s more than what you thought you would receive barely two days prior.
You smile as a wave of contentment blankets your heart (and lovingly strangles the background anxiety for future you to deal with). In your many long years, you discovered happiness is not some condition to be had or trophy to be won. If you declared that happiness would come only in ifs and whens, then it would never come at all. There is always one more hidden condition, one more test.
So yes, you choose to be happy. Well, more specifically try to make that choice, but you’re working on muscling past your worries. Things worked out better than you expected considering all the other trouble you and Aether have been mired in since losing Lumine. Despite that, though, you’ve found new companions to adventure with. The memories made were unexpected, but… Warm. Good, even.
As you approach Wanmin Restaurant, you spot the familiar halo of gold and excited noises from Paimon. When your step picks up and you begin calling for them, they turn and smile bright as the sun as they wave for you.
No, actually, better than good. Good doesn’t even begin to describe it.
---
(Use (verb): To employ for some purpose. You want to scream. You want to scream at the heavens, you want to scream at the stars, you want to scream at the hands that haunt your dreams.
The stars taunt you endlessly with their silence. Find your purpose with the mortals, you were told in the beginning. Find it with the memories you keep.)
---
“You weren’t there when we woke up, and Aether almost always wakes up before you! Where did you go last night?” Paimon asks as she takes a bite out of a sauteed mushroom. Aether grunts in agreement, gold eyes meeting yours. When they make direct contact with yours, he begins snickering as realization dawns on him. Damn him, he’s known you too long for you to hide anything. “Hey! What’s so funny?” she pouts, placing her hands on her hips.
“Nothing you need to worry about, Paimon,” you supply, hoping to steer this conversation very far away from these rocky waters.
“Aw, but you didn’t answer her question. Where did you go, huh?” Aether says, leaning forward to perch his head on both of his fists. Well then, this is about to be a shipwreck, no thanks to your traitorous companion.
“I, uh, went for a walk because I couldn’t sleep,” you reply as you try (and fail) to casually pour yourself more chamomile instead. “Zhongli found me and invited me for some tea to try and help me.”
“Oh, so that’s what happened. Zhongli wasn’t being so stingy for once,” Paimon says with pride lacing her words. Does the gremlin even have the right to act like a parent watching their kid graduate ‘common sense’? “That’s nice of him! He took care of you and even let you sleep over!”
Aether’s laughter is drowned out as you bury your face in your hands, mortification seeping into your bones. “Come on, what are you, two hundred and fifty again? Be mature about this,” you grumble as you kick his shin.
“Sorry, sorry, I’m just glad that he took care of you,” he continues as he gasps between words. “I know I’m usually the direct one here, but you skipped a few steps even I would’ve taken. Good on you!”
Of course your companion doesn’t understand the gravity of what happened, doesn’t understand how bad it is to get tangled with an immortal as travelers. Sure, had it been a mortal, you two would’ve had no qualms with leaving, knowing they would move on and find someone else. You've done so before. Their lives are fleeting and do not linger in an everlasting existence. But now…
You sigh deeply as sheer force of will manages to curb your annoyance. He was always the carefree and wild one, oblivious to anything beyond the next task in his tunnel-visioned life. Even if he is the elder of the twins, he is a stark contrast to Lumine’s calculating and noble personality. She stood up for people because it was right and Aether made sure there was compensation involved.
Aether rolls his eyes as he watches you sink further into your head. You honestly think too much in his humble opinion; it’s better to take action and just let the thoughts flow that way. After all, that’s how he handles daily life in Teyvat with these endless(ly stupid) tasks and it’s working out just fine. “Hey, don’t be so serious about it. Just take it one day at a time.”
Paimon cocks her head as she takes more bites from her noodles, looking between you two with abject confusion. “Yeah well, it was a kind of ‘in the moment thing’ last night,” you respond, hoping to mollify your racing heart. “Don’t expect much more to happen.”
“Besides the regular sleepovers, of course?” he hums.
“Oh! Paimon wants to know what his apartment looks like, too!”
“NO!” you both cry, startling the people around you. You duck your head as you mouth a silent sorry before coughing awkwardly. “Uh, you wouldn’t like it. It, um, it smells like one of Lady Ying’er’s special perfumes.”
“Yuck,” she says as she scrunches her nose, “Paimon is okay with not seeing it then. It’s probably boring since Childe isn’t funding him anymore, too. Oh! Maybe Paimon can get Childe to pay for us in Snezhnaya.”
You’re grateful that the conversation soon resumes to the regular discussion and banter. When the time came to pay and wrap up it up, Aether slides a piece of paper with the list of quests on them towards you. Instead of grabbing the sheet, you take out your journal to quickly mark them down and push the list back towards him. “This one near Qingce Village looks like it’ll be a long one. I noticed there’s also three smaller ones nearby Wangshu Inn. Paimon and I can take on the northernmost job while you ask Xiao for help?”
Ha, got him. Aether blushes and looks away, rubbing the back of his neck. “That’s different,” he mumbles before taking the sheet back. “Besides, I’m only doing this because it’s your turn to have a day with just her.”
“Yeah, it’s been a while since we’ve travelled together, right?” Paimon says, floating up and around you to look at the map in your journal. You don’t notice her though as your eyes soften looking at Aether. The poor thing is wringing the paper a bit too tightly, betraying the anxiety underneath at talking to the stand-offish adeptus. Well, at least that’s one thing you two have in common.
“Ye-ap, let’s go Paimon. Remember this time, teleport outside the city please, I had to pay a kid to keep quiet about that.” Paimon laughs nervously as she taps her fingers together.
“Paimon kind of forgot that people don’t know you guys aren’t human, oops,” she says, but begins floating around carelessly regardless. At least nobody questions the fairy, that much is a blessing. Aether stretches and yawns before standing, nodding to you two.
“I’ll see you tonight back on Mt. Tianheng, right?”
“Same spot as usual,” you reply. “C’mon, we should buy some supplies before setting off.”
Paimon follows you as you walk towards the harbor, waving behind her to the blonde disappearing. “Finally. A slow and easy day to kick back to. Piece of cake,” you say as you match Paimon’s eager smile to buy some snacks.
The sweet sound of famous last words.
---
Xiao turns the bag of herbs in his hands over and over again. They're the same he offered all those weeks ago, yet this time, they are of finer quality. Rarer. It took him weeks to gather this.
A horribly strange bouquet, Verr Goldet had told him.
A... bouquet? He blinked. She blinked back.
He hears voices from below and his heart races as he looks behind. Strange. He isn't in battle. Aether's soft voice is echoed up the steps, exemplified by the circular design of the hotel. Xiao swallows and hides the bag.
Later, he thinks. Later.
---
“Paimon doesn’t get it,” she starts, floating steadily beside you after you walk away from one of the residents of Qingce Village. “How did she lose a bracelet that was around her wrist running from a Ruin Hunter?”
You shrug. “Beats me. You might want to stay towards the back on this one, though. Remember the last time we got close to that?” A visceral shudder rocks Paimon’s body as she groans.
“Yeah, too many arms to dodge! The stupid thing kept trying to squish Paimon!” As you both pass a group of children, you notice some young women gesturing and talking about the building behind her. Paimon, however, spots the free mushroom skewers being passed out and beelines over.
“Oh, hello there!” the closest woman greets, bowing politely as you two approach. “How can I help you?”
“Hi,” you smile, hoping to look as calming as Aether always seems to, but you wince as you hear the strained crack. Nope. “We were wondering what’s going on here?”
“This is a small school group! I am about to show them the wonderful mansion here that the owner kindly allowed us to walk through and look at the wonderful artifacts collected. Qingce Village is known for its particularly strange history, even for Liyue.”
You nod along, an idea slowly forming. When her attention is pulled towards a kid trying to hit his friend with a stick, you nudge Paimon in the leg. “Hey, you’re not going to like this but play along,” you mumble. As the school teacher looks back, you smile wide once again. “Any chance you take drop-ins?”
Her eyebrows furrow, bowing slightly in apology. “I am sorry, but this is for children only.”
“Behold,” you declare flatly, suddenly seizing Paimon and holding her in front of the woman as she sags like a wet cat in your hands. “A child.”
Her eyes slowly narrow as she seems to be flipping between confusion and irritation. Shit, shit, think of something – “Can I, ah, talk to you for a second away from the kids?” She nods and whispers something to her compatriots as you both walk away, leaving Paimon to float once again around the group. When you are sufficiently far away, you turn and put on the most pathetic look you can muster. Pride: officially gone. “Listen, it would really mean a lot to me if you can let her have this. See, my partner and I found her all alone along the river one day and she said she was waiting for her parents to come back, but…”
You sigh dramatically as the woman covers her open mouth, but you continue before she has a chance to realize the sob-story is complete crap. “We know she looks kind of funny, is loud, and even floats weirdly… We think that’s why her parents left, y’know? Too strange.”
She nods sagely along. “Yes, I can’t imagine the pain. Poor thing.”
Hook, line, and sinker.
“She always really liked these sorts of things, but most people are put off by her appearance. Just this once, can she see the inside of this beautiful house?”
“O-oh, but of course!” You smile widely, because fuck yes you managed to find a babysitter for Paimon, never mind the fact that you just lied through your teeth. “Anything I can do to help, I will. Towards the end, we plan on giving out little trinkets to the children. Will this make her happy?”
“Yes! Yes,” you say, a little too enthusiastic. “That would make her day, thank you!”
As you both walk back, the woman claps her hands and announces to the group that the tour will begin soon. You take this opportunity to pull Paimon by the cape back a little and lean forward to whisper, “Hey, I just managed to snag you a spot in the group. Play along and you get treasure in the end, they’re letting the kids have some.”
Her eyes go wide – definitely a magpie, you think – and performs what is probably the worst salute you’ve ever seen. “Don’t get caught!” she chirps merrily as she follows along the tour group who are now starting to enter the vast building.
You wave to her before turning away to look for the indicated point on your map. Total piece of cake.
---
“You… You want my help with these menial tasks?” Xiao scoffs, crossing his arms as he scans Aether’s stiff form. The blonde is nervously laughing while looking everywhere but at the adeptus, confusing him further. No matter how many centuries pass, he thinks he will never understand humans. “I am a Yaksha, this is not the purpose of my duty.”
Ha, oh shit, take a deep breath Aether, you probably insulted him. Why is this so hard? Aether sighs as he deflates. “Yeah, you’re right, this is a little stupid of me to ask for from you.”
“I never said no.” Aether whips his head up, but Xiao is the one looking away this time. “Besides, your companions are not here. You will need my protection regardless.”
“Y-yeah okay, cool cool cool,” Aether laughs, relief washing through him. He grips his pants tightly to still his trembling arms. “D’you… Um, do you want some almond tofu before we go?”
Xiao looks at him, and had Aether blinked, he is sure he would’ve missed the hint of a smile on the adeptus’ face. “Of course.”
---
You quickly duck behind a rock when missiles whistle past you, barely scraping your head. When you hear the warbled noises of an unusually large Ruin Hunter coming closer (did it just crack its knuckles?), you make a break for the open ground to get a better vantage point.
Paimon really owes you this time, on your life she owes you so fucking much -
---
“And here, children, we see the God of Duality!” Wondrous eyes look up at a towering gold statue of a figure with eight heads - each carved with a different expression - and four pairs of arms. “Supposedly, it hides the God’s most coveted secrets, but no mortal has ever been able to figure out the mystery within the statue. Now then!” The lead woman claps her hands together, drawing all attention back to her. “As we approach the end, it’s time for little treats.”
A round of cheers and whoops break out as the kids make a dash for the pile of goodies being offered. Paimon raises her hand, waving it around to catch someone’s attention. “Oh! Oh! Paimon wants to know if we can take anything there?”
The woman nods, cheerfully smiling. “Of course! Our generous host has allowed us these gifts.”
Paimon grins, waiting for the woman to walk away before floating off to the statue. Behind the towering heads, she spies a single scroll tucked in the center. Jackpot. “Well, she did say anything,” the fairy giggles to herself as she grabs it.
Maybe Zhongli can translate this? She kicks her legs in excitement at the thought of more treasure. Really, it was the lady’s fault for failed semantics. No harm, no foul, right Paimon?
---
“Xiao, c’mere! The water is nice!” Aether shouts. The adeptus is crossing his arms, unimpressed face watching Aether waddle around Luhua Pools. They’ve already completed their given tasks, so they decided to meander around the final location before continuing.
Or, rather, Aether insisted and completely ignored Xiao’s complaints.
While holding his pants, Aether slowly makes his way over, smiling brightly. “My boots don’t need guarding, you know.”
“I am not partaking in something so foolish, Aether.”
“Suit yourself. I can’t make you come into the pool…” He suddenly smiles, slowly leaning down. Xiao’s eyes follow his movements, eyebrow arching with creeping suspicion. “… But I can bring it to you!” Aether swipes his hand and summons a gust of wind to blow water onto Xiao. He begins sputtering and opens his arms, soaked through and petulant. If looks could kill, he sure as shit would’ve been dead by now. Wait. Can Yaksha looks really kill…?
Before he has a chance to think much more about it, a retaliatory gust of wind knocks him off his feet and into the pool, water rushing into his nose. Xiao smirks, willing his spear away again as he watches for Aether. The other must be mad now, too. But…
But of course not. Aether only stands up, coughing up water and fish flopping in hand. Does nothing irk him? How stupid. The other is completely oblivious to Xiao’s bewilderment, saying, “Look! I caught our lunch!”
How can someone so old still be so young at heart? Xiao chuckles slightly, utterly disbelieving in the concept that someone can still be so good inside. Aether’s face heats at the sound and he turns, grabbing his scarf to hide the flush.
Very soon after, though, he yelps when he feels a sharp tug of the scarf down to reveal golden eyes staring back at him and suddenly very close. And… Is he…? “You came into the water!”
“Yes…” Xiao pauses. Why did he come here? He only registers the lingering irritation at Aether’s attempts to hide his face. “I did.”
The blonde starts smiling, pink never leaving his cheeks. Xiao joins him.
Ridiculous.
---
“Well, Paimon thinks it was worth it!”
You snort. “Great. At least one of us does.”
The two of you are walk-floating along, idly passing through the afternoon as you make your way back to Liyue Harbor. With reward in hand, you’ve retrieved Paimon with a thousand thank yous slipping past your lips in gratitude as you pointedly ignored their confused looks over the dirt staining everything. Even Paimon made a comment on your disheveled appearance, twigs in your hair and light scrapes on your skin.
“Hey, speaking of, what was in those little goodie bags? I saw some kids walk away with one.”
“Oh yeah! The lady said we could take anything, but Paimon didn’t grab a bag. The scroll behind the statue’s heads, on the other hand…” She giggles and pulls out the scroll from somewhere and floats to a nearby rock.
She completely misses the appalled expression you shoot her as you follow. “You… You stole from them? When they said anything, I really do think they meant the bags, Paimon.”
“They said that nobody could figure out the secret, anyway. We’re actually doing them a favor,” she protests while rolling out the scroll.
“You committed petty theft!”
“And you lied to her, so Paimon says we’re even.” The gremlin even has the gall to stick her tongue out as you struggle to keep yourself from face-palming. Instead, you do a double-take at the scrawled marks along the paper.
Inside is a map that is very clearly Liyue, but it’s also very clearly not. The geography has changed, though you can likely point out certain monuments if you took the time to compare it to your modern map. No, the drawings inside say there were more mountains, larger rivers, and… You pause. This map is very old because according to this, there is no Dihua Marsh; instead, there are rolling and fertile plains marking its location.
It’s no wonder that no mortal was able to figure this out, you would need an immortal’s help. You should definitely ask Zhongli, there are very few left in the world who can make heads or tails of this. When you rub your hands along your head, you sigh and throw your head back. “Give me… Give me a few hours to copy this down, then I’m going back to try and return it. Hopefully, I won’t get caught.”
“Paimon is guessing that you’re going to go alone?”
“Yes, I am. You, on the other hand,” you say as you summon a bag of Mora. Her eyes immediately widen as she swoops down to yank the bag from your grip. “You are going to take this Mora and go to Liyue Harbor. Try not to get into too much trouble.”
She smiles as she hugs the bag closer. “Paimon likes this, we should do these ‘us’ days more often.”
“No, we should not.”
“Aw, you’re no fun!”
---
It’s… It’s cute, Aether thinks. Xiao is trying so hard to eat the grilled fish, but he is clearly struggling to stomach the dish. Didn’t he say once that the only food he can handle is almond tofu? “You know, you don’t have to eat it if you don’t want to.”
Xiao grunts stubbornly and doubles his efforts, chewing very methodically on the flesh. “It’s passable. Much better than those other sacrilegious dishes.”
“Thanks, I think,” Aether laughs, but doesn’t take the negative sentiment to heart. If anything, he knows this is probably the nicest thing Xiao has said about anyone’s cooking. Ever. “You still don’t have to eat it. It’s okay.”
“I want to,” Xiao huffs.
“Why?”
“Because you made it.” Xiao blinks and pins Aether with an incredulous stare, as if that fact were the most obvious thing in the world. He sighs as he shakes his head and resumes picking at his meal. “Fool.”
Well, maybe he is a fool. Aether’s lopsided grin grows as he scoots closer to Xiao, bumping shoulders with the adeptus and relishing in the fact that the other doesn’t pull away. “Come to Liyue with me. Please. I won’t let anything happen to you.”
Xiao looks at him again. Stubborn troublemaker. He’s stunned, though, because Aether’s adoring eyes are so radiant and they look at him softly. Kindly. Sweet, like honey. “I do not need your protection,” he growls, growing frustrated at his own saccharine thoughts.
“I know. Let me give it anyway. Just don’t go.”
He only huffs in response and Aether hums. Hums turn into soft tunes, soft tunes turn into gentle singing, and his voice is carried along the wind to the forest around them. Slowly, Xiao leans closer to Aether, and the latter leans back into him without skipping a beat in his music.
Damn humans.
---
(Used (adj): To be previously owned, to have worn out its purpose. Ajax knocks his Vision, his Delusion, and the Tsaritsa's box off of his nightstand. The clattering on the ground is deafening.
He falls to his knees, holding the chopsticks close to his chest. When he looks to the ring on his fingers, he sees his own reflection: soft, young, pitiful. Is this how you felt?)
---
Not once throughout their stroll from the harbor to the Northland Bank for Childe to drop off necessary items did Zhongli stray from the Harbinger’s side. He pays no mind to the way Ekaterina shifts her gaze occasionally to him as he inspects the bank’s interior, waiting for Childe to settle his things.
They’re walking the edges of Yujing Terrace, chatting idly as the sun sets. As nice as the conversation is, though, Childe notices something very off. “Hey, you didn’t ask why I came back this time around.”
Zhongli hums and smiles at him brilliantly, and he feels the wind leave him at the force of it. Gods. This is just embarrassing at this point, why does Childe feel like a teenager around the older man? “I did not ask because it did not matter. You are here, are you not?” Zhongli steps forward and suddenly wraps his arms around Childe’s hips, burying his face against the other’s neck. “If you desire it, you will tell me. I trust you.”
Childe swallows because fuck, that something in his chest is back with a fury. His heart is hammering and banging against his ribs, begging to be released. Zhongli trusts him? “That’s a stupid choice,” he mutters as he wraps his own arms around Zhongli’s back.
“Perhaps. It is mine to make.”
He holds Zhongli tighter. Idiot, fucking idiot, strolling back into this god's arms, unable to resist the warmth offered.
Fool me once, shame on you. Fool me twice -
“I’m here for the Travelers,” he suddenly blurts, but Childe finds no hatred in himself for his guard being shattered. That’s because… Oh. Of course. He throws his head back, infamous laugh bubbling up. “But you already knew that, didn’t you?”
“I had my suspicions,” Zhongli admits as he pulls away, reaching his hand up to thumb Childe’s chin. Only, this time, Childe finds no scrutiny coming from the other, but simply… Something. “There is no other reason for a Harbinger’s presence. The Tsaritsa wants to keep one eye on me, and now, the other is laid upon the Travelers. I am sure she is afraid of how close I am getting to them while I guide them through this nation and onto Inazuma.”
Ah. He doesn’t know. Not really. Childe swallows back the acidic bile, his heart now a lump in his throat. Though, he naturally must give credit to Zhongli, he is exceptionally close to the truth. Not quite, but close enough.
This is good. This is better. Zhongli can’t know. He’ll never forgive him if he did. It'll be cold again, it'll be dark, it'll be lonely.
He ignores how, when the day comes, he'll lose you both.
“Yes.” A half-truth. Childe was sent here to feed the Tsaritsa as much information on the Travelers as he can, and anybody with some semblance of wit would have figured that out. It is enough, though, because Zhongli smiles and leans forward, pressing the softest kiss to his lips that he has ever been gifted.
Ajax wants to weep.
---
(Knight and champion, croons Morax’s heart, reaching forth across the realm of mortals. He who won my heart, won my favor, won my protection.
King of kings, Ajax’s whispers back to that divine voice from the mountains. He who I will kneel before forevermore.)
---
To say that Aether was confused is an understatement.
Because confused doesn’t even begin to fucking cover it.
Both he and Xiao watch silently, arms crossed in a mirror of one another – cute, Paimon thinks – as the fairy devours her tenth helping of sweet madame. The three of them are sitting atop Mt. Tianheng after Aether stumbled across a very companionless Paimon carrying a bag of Mora. She gave half an explanation, saying it was for food and promising that she’ll give a proper story when she was fed.
(“I can’t think on an empty stomach!” she pouts.
“I didn’t know you could think,” comes the droll reply from Xiao.)
He knows she has five stomachs, he knows it, but where did it all go? Apparently, Xiao is just as confused, because throughout the meal, the adeptus has leaned closer to Paimon with open fascination.
“So, what you’re saying is you were bribed into coming here while you left her to fend for herself?” Aether is just… He’s stupefied, really. Xiao hasn’t spoken once in the entire interaction. “Start talking, Paimon. You just ate through three days’ worth of commissions.”
She nods and, with all the delicate grace of a queen, picks up a napkin to wipe her mouth. But, before she can even begin, Xiao suddenly stands and summons his spear while he crouches into a battle stance. Aether scrambles as well while he grapples wildly his own sword.
Wait, who is that coming up the steps…?
“The nerve of you humans will never cease to amaze me. What makes you think you are welcome here?” Xiao spits venomously.
“Well, hello to you too comrade!”
---
You slowly creep along the rooftop of the mansion, scroll in hand. Unfortunately, you had to wait for a shift in the guards before you could make your move since they were stationed on each floor’s balcony, meaning you were stuck out there far long than you initially planned for.
As you slowly open one of the sky windows, you wince as you hear a slow creaking. Okay, okay, you’re close, you’re almost there. When you drop from the roof, you cushion the landing with a soft roll before shuffling forward, crouching against the wooden beams. Now then, where did Paimon say the statue was again?
It takes some time, but you eventually find the golden statue and wow, okay. You really can’t blame Paimon, you’re pretty sure you would’ve committed crime for just one of those glittering eyes. The statue is adorned with some of the most intricate designs you’ve ever seen, and the many jewels bedazzled along its heads are foreign to you. Focus.
You leap onto one of the arms and begin climbing, only to double your efforts when you hear footsteps down the hall. Right as you scramble into the circular space between all the heads, not unlike the inside of a pagoda, you hear the guards take their place at each exit. Unfortunately, you can't put the scroll back without making too much noise lifting the seal inside. The change forces you to stay hidden until the next shift, lest you get caught and betray the trust the people of Qingce Village placed in you three to not be petty criminals.
Well. This is just spectacular. Piece of cake.
---
“Let us all settle down now,” Zhongli rumbles, placing a gloved hand on Childe’s summoned hydro blades. Across from them, Aether’s own body is protectively standing in front of Xiao, willing himself to be a shield against the possible brawl. Childe notes that his mask has not been summoned, which is a good sign. “Xiao, you have seen Childe accompany me several times since Osial. Why do you insist on such aggression upon each meeting? You know how I feel about it.”
“What? Several times?” Paimon squeaks, looking between the two groups standing off. Childe waves innocently, crinkling his nose in a shit-eating grin. “Just what have you guys been doing?”
“I like trying to get Zhongli’s pesky guard dog to fight me,” Childe shrugs. He lowers his hands and wills his blades away. When everyone gives him a stunned look, he only says, “What? Just because I’m a warrior, you all think I can’t play nice for my first visit back with Zhongli and friends? Ouch, tough crowd.”
“That’s because you’re a Harbinger,” Paimon grumbles, crossing her own arms. “You can’t be trusted.”
“And you,” he hisses, pointing an accusatory finger at her. “Blackmailed me for Mora.”
"Wait, wait, wait," Aether suddenly cries, silencing everyone with his raised voice. He rarely, if ever, spoke with anything other than jovial remarks or soft contemplations. "Why the fuck are you here, Childe? What happened to Snezhnaya? What are you even doing here?"
Did... Did Aether imagine that shadow flash across Childe's eyes? Just as quickly, Childe smiles and crosses his arms. "Why? Are ya mad I ruined your little date?"
Aether crosses his own arms and begs all that is holy that the night is dark enough to hide his flush as he smirks, trying to focus on the fact that Childe is here, in front of him, right now. "No, just trying to figure out if it's going to be a knife or your excitement stabbing us in the back this time around."
"Fuck around and find out bud."
"Enough," Zhongli announces, sighing deeply. "I apologize for disrupting your gathering. We were not aware of your presence here, so we will take our leave."
To everyone’s surprise (again), Xiao retracts his spear, but remains on guard, nonetheless. No, what’s shocking everyone is the fact that he’s staying. Why is he staying? Aether slowly breaks into a wide smile as he realizes that, with each passing second, Xiao is less and less likely to scurry off to Wangshu Inn again. “You are permitted to stay, but only because of Zhongli. He's right, we are acting dishonorably in front of our companions. However, should I see you again and we are alone, I will not hesitate to strike you down, you dog.”
The Harbinger barely restrains his snarl at the word. Instead, he smiles at the other, challenging eyes mirroring Xiao’s. “Looking forward to it.”
Aether thinks he sees mutual satisfaction in both of their faces. Was this some sort of... bizarre... murderous camaraderie-building exercise?
“Besides, I promised to accompany Aether. I will not betray his trust.”
Xiao did not, in fact, make an explicit promise, but Aether does not comment. No, he’s directing all his energy on slowing his heart rate at the confession. Huh. Is it bad of him that he’s more focused on Xiao’s little speech rather than the very real threat he just made to Childe?
Childe snorts and walks forward with Zhongli following. “Thanks for your permission, asshole. Could’ve left the last part out.” The two take a seat on the other side of the grand banquet set out for Paimon. Slowly, Xiao follows Aether’s lead and takes a seat as well. Childe frowns as he looks around. “Hey, is pretty bird down at the harbor getting more food or something? Where is she?”
“Paimon will explain everything when the food is all gone!” She smiles around another dumpling sinking into her mouth. How the fuck did she manage that? The thing was as big as her head! Childe leans forward, suddenly as invested in whatever was going on in front of him as Xiao was. "Besides," she mumbles, "You still have to explain why you're even here."
"Yeah, yeah, whatever, I'll get to that when she comes back. The real question is, how are you managing to eat that...?" Childe replies, narrowing his eyes.
Aether leans closer to Xiao to whisper, “Hey, protected you, didn’t I?”
“You are a fool.”
“Yeah, I know,” comes the cheeky reply.
Some time passes as the five of them interact quietly amongst themselves. Zhongli and Childe take their turn watching Paimon’s appetite with a combination of curiosity and disgust, respectively, while Aether and Xiao took to talking about everything and nothing as a distraction from Xiao’s bubbling irritation.
“I am most grateful that you have not left us,” Zhongli says eventually, eyeing the other adeptus present. Xiao scoffs and looks away. “I am serious. This means a great deal to me.”
Xiao has heard those words extraordinarily little across the many millennia serving Rex Lapis. The god never wants, never acts in his own interests because he always had others to care for. So, to hear those words… The faintest blush colors his cheeks. “You know I do not care for the company you keep, so make no mistake, I still distrust him. Do not expect me to linger. When the criminal is done explaining, I shall go.”
“Criminal?” Childe bursts out suddenly before laughing and clutching his sides. Not for the first time, Aether wonders how many loose marbles are in the Harbinger’s head. “What’d she do now?”
“Yeah, Paimon,” Aether says, almost too sweetly. “What did you do?”
“Well, Paimon didn’t do anything.” She tilts her head as she puts her finger on her chin, deep in thought. Hm… “Besides, she’s okay. Everything should be fine, right? Yeah, everything’s fine. She can handle herself! So, here’s what happened…”
---
Everything was not, in fact, fine. Curses from Teyvat and beyond are all you chant as you feel guard dogs nipping at your heels, furiously chasing you down after you accidentally ran past their miniature houses in the fields surrounding the house.
---
Wow. Paimon doesn’t think she’s ever had that many accusations laid at her feet like that before.
Childe is laughing harder, genuine tears streaming down his face this time. “Oh Archons, I cannot believe you! And I thought the cocogoat story was good...” Zhongli is pinching the bridge of his nose while Aether’s hands are pressed together in a prayer position as he takes in deep breaths.
“So, wait wait, let me get this straight,” Childe coughs, voice cracking with amusement. He lifts one hand up and begins lowering fingers with the other as he counts off the list of crimes Paimon has apparently committed. “You've done identity fraud, petty theft, blackmail, extortion, accepted a bribe… Am I missing anything here?”
“Hey! You make it sound like Paimon is a bad person!” She tries pouting, but only sputters as Childe flashes a knowing grin. Well then, that can’t be good.
“Coming from a verifiable ‘bad guy,’ let me give you some advice – “
“Nobody asked, Fatui scum.” Xiao narrows his eyes as Childe stares back, clearly trying to settle his own temper.
“I’m just offering free help to dear Paimon.”
“You know what they say about anything that’s free: it’s worthless.”
“Listen here, you jackass – “
Zhongli suddenly growls, silencing everyone around him. Aether jumps at the sound (and at how Xiao’s hand shoots out to settle on Aether’s leg in an attempt to calm him) while Paimon squeaks and hides behind the duo. “I will not have such disgraceful and raucous behavior. I have permitted enough of it earlier. Now, behave.” Childe nods, though as Zhongli closes his eyes, he very quickly makes a rude gesture to the other. Aether snorts, but before Xiao can respond, Zhongli has them open again. Ha.
However, it isn’t long after the outburst do all parties present hear it: a soft shuffling sound up stone stairs following by quiet grunts. When you emerge from behind some bushes, everyone sees how you’ve taken the liberty of buying not one, not two, but three bottles of the strongest alcohol Liyue has to offer and cradled it close to your chest.
Vague confusion clouds your exhausted mind as you spy the scene. Huh. Why isn’t Xiao attacking Childe -
Wait. No. That can’t be right. This isn’t…
All fatigue is struck down, leaving you wide awake as you whisper, “Childe?”
He smiles softly. “Hey there, pretty bird. Missed me?”
---
(Dear star, Ajax’s heart murmurs in the rare dream granted to him from beyond the abyss, why do you stay hidden in the heavens so? I wish to have you.
Dear ocean, comes the soft reply, why do you ask for that which you already hold each night? Silence your weeping, for I have never left.
But it is only a reflection I embrace.
Then, will you follow the constellations I draw for you? Come home and you shall not be alone.
… Can you promise this?
Yes.)
-
notes:
alt chapter title: the return of the KING
1) In some Russian myths (as far as I could find), owls have two meanings: the first is that when a soldier falls on the battlefield, they will use their claws to fight their way into Heaven. The other traditional symbolism is that owls actually represent absent-mindedness/folly because even though they can see and thrive in the dark, they are blinded and cannot see anything that is as plain as day to everyone else. Poor Teucer.
2) I know Snezhnaya is Russia, but in the spirit of general Viking symbolism and northern folktales, I wanted to reference the two ravens as being similar to Odin's spy ravens. These birds basically watch over the realm and report all their findings back to their master.
3) Zhongli's line about contracts is a direct word-for-word pull from one of his voicelines. Also, for more of Aether's personality, I found that the MC voicelines typically make them out to be somewhat of a "shoot first ask questions later" type person since they always seem to react more philosophically after taking major action. That, combined with the fact that most of our dialogue options are choosing between making fun of Paimon or asking what's in it for them, and you get Aether!
4) I imagine that though the two of them clash kind of more violently after Osial, Childe and Xiao begrudgingly tolerate each other because of their mutual respect/love for Zhongli. Immediately after the incident, Xiao probably attacked/followed Childe to protect Zhongli, much to the latter's embarrassment. I don't know about the other East Asian languages too much, but in Korean, calling someone a dog is among the worst insults you can throw at them.
5) We're entering the next arc with the scroll I cannot wait
<3 love love love you all
(Paimon is a canonically a criminal change my mind)
