𝐒𝐭𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐟𝐚𝐬𝐭 [Xiao x Aether]

[2] "We need to talk."

Zhongli carefully arranged his fine tea set, atop a table decorated with a scarlet cloth with golden embroidery. The most beautiful thing on the table by far was the teapot itself, a made of silver with engravements of dragons dancing across it's surface. Sensing that his guest was soon to arrive, he put water to a boil, and out of a small box took out some tea leaves.

An aggressive knock was heard. The former god set down his set and fixed the position of a chair just a tad before briskly heading towards the front door. When he pulled it open, he smiled. "Hello there. How can I help you, Alatus?"

"We need to talk." Xiao sneered, pushing his way into the room. "Also, don't call me that."

Zhongli smiled and closed the door behind him. "Noted. Have a seat." He said, gesturing towards the table. Xiao looked over with a raised brow. "You knew I was coming, didn't you?" He sighed, noticing the boiling water. The retired god laughed. "It wasn't hard to guess you'd come by eventually. I know you are upset about me giving up my role." He sat down at the table. "Besides, Aether stopped by and told me he was worried about you."

"Tch, why does the traveler have to be involved in everything?" Xiao sneered. This was adeptus business, and humans were supposed to stay out of adeptus affairs.

"Unfortunate luck, I suppose." Zhongli started brewing the tea. "Back on topic, what was it you wanted to ask me about?"

"How do you do it?"

The man looked at Xiao, his eyes a bit wider than before. "What is it that you mean?"

The yaksha sighed. "This whole, retiring thing. You seem to be fine even though you are no longer serving your purpose. How do you do it?"

Zhongli stared at him for a moment, his smile fading as he thought. He stood up and put out the fire underneath the teapot. Reaching for the cup in front of his adeptus friend, he poured out a bit of the fresh tea. "Let me know if that tastes well enough."

"Rex Lapis-"

"It wasn't a split second decision. I know that's what you believe, but that's further from the truth." He sat back down. "I grew tired of my role as the Geo Archon. Liyue was growing more and more independent, so I knew that if I left, they would be okay. Although, it took decades for me to convince myself that Liyue would be safe in my absence. Each day I thought of everything that could go wrong, and tragedy after tragedy hit Liyue. However, no matter how many times I watched everything fall apart, the city always recovered. Then I realized that as Liyue itself was getting stronger, I was only getting weaker."

The tea was getting cold, yet neither of them had even taken a sip.

"Then, I decided that it was my time to recover." Zhongli stared into the cup, as if he were searching for something, for someone. "And so, I gave it all up."

Xiao didn't know what to say. He understood what the man meant, it was easy enough to tell that he was tired.

"You're starting to feel the same too, aren't you?" Zhongli smiled somberly.

The adeptus felt his eyes and his heart grow heavier. His breath quickened, and his grasp on the teacup's handle became firmer. Trying to find something, anything to say, but he couldn't. All he could do was just sit there, as the god he served stared at him with a look of pity.

"It's okay if you are, you know." The former archon said. "You deserve happiness more than anyone, Xiao. The others would want you to find peace."

"Why should I be allowed to find happiness if they never even got the chance?" Xiao yelled abruptly, startling Zhongli. "I have to continue, if not for me then for them!"

"Alright then."

"H-huh?"

"Then continue fighting, if you feel you must. I won't stop you." Zhongli stood, collected the cold tea and began to walk into another room. "Fight till your death, if you must. But, is anything now strong enough to kill you, or will you be doomed to suffer until the end of eternity?"

Xiao looked down at the scarlet tablecloth.

"That's your choice, Alatus."