Genshin Impact One-Shots

~ A Contract of the Heart ~ pt 2

A Zhongli a-little-longer-short story.

Ever since the last time Zhongli and I were together, everything inside me seemed to have changed a whole lot, not just metaphorically but literally as well. Yes, I felt free, happier, livelier, whole but also certain abilities that I used to have before, seemed to have strengthened.

Just like I had purified Dvalin's tears in my first year in Teyvat, consciously at least, now withered flowers would magically bloom under my touch and dirty waters would become crystal clear if I dipped a finger inside them.

Since Paimon and I had to go back to Monstadt for some unfinished business with the guild there, I hadn't had the chance to inform Zhongli about it yet and, truth was, I wasn't planning on it either. I didn't know what this was, or how far these abilities stretched but not looking like something worth worrying about, even I would forget about it constantly.

Right now, we were back and honestly, Liyue never felt so much like home until now. Before we left the last time, as we decided to go back to Madame Ping to say our goodbyes, she surprised us with the most thoughtful gift. A tea pot infused with her adeptal powers, that took us to, what felt like a tiny world of our own. Once we got inside, it looked like a floating island with a huge mansion in the middle of it, so peaceful and calming with nobody else around. She named it, the serenity pot, and she said that this would be the home in our journey instead of always camping for the nights.

But old habits die hard. Paimon was thrilled with the place and she would spend hours in there without getting out so I even let her decorate it, but I liked the wilderness more. It was a convenient turn of events since now I would need a little bit more privacy at times if I was to meet with Zhongli and also, I wouldn't accept to leave Paimon behind alone, not even for a second.

Every step closer to the harbor added a pebble of excitement inside me and by now it had become a huge pile that I wasn't sure I was able to handle. I felt like the thrill gave me wings and I could literally fly the rest of the way.

Unfortunately, night fell earlier than I had calculated and we needed to camp for the night. And what better place other than one with a small pond and a Geo statue some feet away, like the one we were at right now.

"Are you sure you're okay with this? I can still get back in in the morning if you want company." Paimon asked with her high-toned voice making me giggle.

"I'll be alright Paimon, I'll just sleep and we will be back on our way in the morning, you can go."

It took no more effort to persuade her and she found her way into the serenity pot in the glimpse of an eye. I was glad she liked the place. In the end, giving it away was a nice way to take care of her after all we've been through, until now.

Lately, I had learned how to appreciate being alone more than I did before. The world seemed to be such a beautiful place during nighttime when the chill breeze hit my face, awakening me, the smell of fresh loan found its way to my lungs and there were no sounds other than the leaves of the trees hitting against each other.

I smiled and inhaled deeply, allowing the cold air to fill me with its calming scent, and then I got up and took my clothes off as I stepped closer to the pond. To others, it would look scary since it looked black as it mirrored the night sky above but I got inside anyway.

The cold, almost curing sensation of the water surrounding me, started immediately draining away all the tiredness of the day making me shut my eyes in appreciation. When I opened them again, they landed on the statue of the seven in front of me.

I always felt like he was watching me when I came across a statue but this time it was different, more vivid.

"One more night without you and hopefully, you won't be able to get rid of me again..." I whispered to myself smiling at my own comment.