[HIATUS] Some Childe x Zhongli stuff, I don't have any other ideas for a title.

Exploring

(PAGE CONTAINS SLIGHT MANGA SPOILERS, I RECOMMEND READING IT!)

(THIS MESSAGE WILL LAST FOR SEVERAL MORE CHAPTERS!)

Collei ran around Liyue, admiring the scenery. She stopped by Wanmin Restaurant to regain some energy by eating while also staring at dogs walking around. One ever got near and Collei decided to pet its silky and soft fur. Enough with sitting around, Collei walked to Bubu Pharmacy and bought some herbs she hadn't seen before. Her thoughts brewed up many ideas of what she could create with them— this goes for medicine, potions, and others. Swiftly, Collei took some things that might heal Zhongli's scars, it was a good thing that they were cheap since Collei didn't grab that much money back at home.

Outside of Bubu Pharmacy was an energy-drained Childe sitting on the stairs on the far left. His hair was messy, head was propped up by his hand, and his eyes were puffy. How long has he been like this?

Collei took notice of the male as she took a few steps on the stairs and slowly walked towards Childe and slightly tapped his shoulder. Making him turn his head around, Collei asks, "Hey, are you alright? You seem pretty... tired." she said while taking a seat by Childe, rubbing his back to comfort him.

"I've been trying to find this person that I argued with yesterday. He didn't completely understand what I meant and left shortly after. It was difficult. I don't think I can get in contact with him for a while. I'm in such a miserable state, y'know? I don't even know why I'm out in public. Quite embarrassing." Childe said, he was basically ranting to a kid that he has never even met before. Thinking back to himself, Childe probably thinks that Collei sees him as a crazy person with personal problems to solve on his own. Was that too harsh?

But anyways, she didn't seem to mind at all, though!

"What was his name?" It was a simple response from Collei yet the ginger hesitated for some odd reason, "I could search for him while you rest!" She said with determination in her eyes. Childe couldn't help but smile weakly at Collei.

"His name is Zhongli—" Childe was cut off by a gasp that came from Collei's mouth. "You know him as well? Recently, I lost him because I was too stupid enough to run off far and get distracted by things around me." She was pretty surprised and it appears that they both have their own obstacles to find him. Although, they're completely different reasons.

Collei stood up, took a step forward down the stairs, went in front, and turned towards Childe while his face marked with confusion as he looked up at her. "I think I have a slight memory of where he is but it'll take a while to get there. I'll serve you well, friend!" She grabbed Childe's right shoulder as he sees the glow in her eyes. "Does this girl know what she's doing? And how does she know..." Childe questioned in his head but it later drifted off.

"I'm determined to help you find him, Childe. And we're doing this together, right?"

Childe gave Collei a blank stare but soon gave in and sighed, "I'll come with you. Just give me a few minutes to relax." Collei nodded to the request, sitting back down and started planning the next adventure.

<>-<>-<>

Zhongli sighed and stared at a flock of birds flying by, still waiting for Collei to come back. Before the girl left, He grabbed a few glaze lilies from her bag. Zhongli created a crown with the flowers which his old friend taught him long ago. As he placed it on his head, Zhongli's eyes relaxed and he smiled softly but soon turned it into a small frown.

He hated staying at places for long periods of time. It almost felt like he'd simply turn into a statue by the time Collei comes back.

Grabbing a pen and a small piece of paper he held with him, Zhongli left a note on the floor with a rock on the sides of the page to keep it from blowing away. Soon, the dark brown-haired man teleported to another statue of his. Zhongli can only use it once a day, sadly, so if there was any emergency and such, he'll be in danger. It's risky to go somewhere else at the moment but it was a safer location than the cave... and not because he also wanted to explore around further from what he is limited to.

His new location was at Minlin. It was pretty windy, so he held onto the flower crown firmly to prevent it from blowing away. He puts a small bit of weight onto his broken leg as he gently sets it down, though, most of that weight was still on the other side of his body.

Zhongli admired the view and gradually felt calmer with every second that goes by. All the worries that he carried on him vanished as he tried to muster a smile. A tear slowly trailed down Zhongli's cheek, his breathing became unsteady, and his body shivered. Unlike the tears he had shed before, this one was from happiness.

Zhongli sat down, closed his eyes, and went to sleep. Leaning his back against the statue, birds start landing near him as if they were waiting for Zhongli to rest. Oh, and they're not planning to eat him or anything.

All he could do now is stay at the current location he is at for a couple of minutes or so. It's going to be difficult to explain once Zhongli goes back to the cave, surely the both of them will understand it eventually.

Doesn't that feel a bit familiar?