Warmth (Zhongli)

Four

"Why don't you just.."

You hesitate for a moment

"Make some mora"

You whisper into him as you watch took some mora out of the pouch that Tartaglia, one of the eleven harbingers gave him earlier

You wonder how that young man would react once he knew he's been deceived. Nevertheless you push that though out of your mind. Just wanting to rest for a moment as you wait on the receptionist desk as you check in for a room.

"That's against the law (First name)"

He said with a sigh

If you knew your man was broke, you should have brought some money with you, but now you can't go back to your cave. It would be a long and messy journey. After all without a guide, mainly Morax, you barely make it to Liyue in a span of 4 days.

With his words you couldn't help to pout as you followed him towards your shared room in the in. With him leading the way, you couldn't help but to stare at his back.

Soon they enter the room, it was an average room for two people, a couple to be exact given there is only one bed inside the room. Then there could only be silence they enter.

"Mo- Zhongli"

You called him out as you started to remove your accessories and place it on the table right beside the bed

You could only hear him humm in return as he starts to remove his extra piece of clothing until he was left with only his under shirt.

He knew you're tired, so both of you were preparing to lay down.

"Do you remember out first contract?"

You suddenly ask, making him frozen for a moment before he answered

His memories with you has always been vivid to him.

Morax would never approach someone without any important reason, you knew that from the start, expecting him to say it as soon as you get closed

But as days turn into months then years passed by, that thought was left and forgotten deep inside your head

"(First name)(Last name) let's make a contract"

Zhongli was never the first one to make a contract, yet he did it with you

You can feel a war coming, and so did he, and he was gathering strength to protect his people

You understand that, for you are no different wanting to protect your own people

"Let me hear about it"

You answered him

It was never like you to best around the bush, of course you need to get straight to the point

There he explain the terms of contract with you, making sure not to leave any details as he carefully observe your expression, yet it remains emotionless, something you often show when you're in a deep thought

"I have a condition"

You agree, but you also need something

"Take my people to yours"

Basically, you're saying to take your believers with him

"Since I will lay down my life in order to protect your people, make my people yours"

that was your first conditions

"Second, keep this a secret between us. No one shall ever known about this contract except the two of us"

You remind him

You raise your third finger

"Last, when the war emerge. I'll be working on my own, but of course, I'll take down who ever comes as a threat to your nation"

"Yes, I do remember"

He replied after a long silent

"What about it?"

He wonder why you're suddenly asking about it

"Nothing much, it's just sometimes I forgot that Liyue has some of my people too"

You stated, glancing at the window before walking towards the bed

He too followed, casually slipping under the covers with beside you. And you quickly went close to him, making him open his arms as you take his offer and nuzzle on his arms.

"It's been so long since I held you like this"

His voice seems happy, yet there was a hint of longing and tiredness hidden on it

"It wasn't for me"

You answer truthfully on his chest

But that doesn't mean you don't miss nor long for it. You can feel his warmth through his embrace, something you only feel once in awhile. You guess sleeping right beside your lover was a greater choice instead of sleeping alone in that cave.

You guess it wasn't that bad to be greed for someone sometimes. Even if the price you could be your life.

"But I guess I missed you"

You said, looking up from his chest to face him

Yet he was already looking at you as he secure you on his arms, as if afraid you'll escape or vanish in seconds.

"I love you"

You felt his hand that was holding yours gave it a gentle squeeze before pulling it close to his lips once again and gave the back of your hand a kiss

You blink, a strange yet familiar feeling of warmth on your chest was enough to make your heartache

"I love you too"