Genshin Impact One Shots

Chili #1

"Xiangsheeen!~" Childe cooed as he opened the front door to the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor, "I brought lunch!" The room was empty, except for a front desk and a man behind it. Zhongli glanced up from his paperwork and smiled. Quickly, the red-head pulled a chair over and sat beside him. He set a few boxes down gently after the other had moved the papers. "I got you some Crystal Shrimp and a side of Black-Back Porch Stew, Sensei. If that's okay?" Childe asked, noticing Zhongli's eyes scan the food upon opening the container. "From Wanmen Restaurant, I presume?" He inquired and the male beside him nodded, to which Zhongli gave a small smile. "Thank you, Childe," He stated while taking hold of his chopsticks, "I'll be sure to repay you tonight with a lovely home-cooked meal." He then slowly began to eat along with his student, both of them enjoying the comfortable silence between each other. Until Zhongli uncontrollably chuckled with his mouth full, causing him to cover his mouth swiftly before swallowing. He tried his best to withhold his laughter as he witnessed Childe fail to pick up a piece of his grilled fish and ultimately resulting in his chopsticks falling to the floor with a small *tidink* sound. "Damn it.." He grumbled, then retrieved his chopsticks and wiped them clean with a napkin.

Zhongli hummed and used his chopsticks to pick up a piece of his student's food. "Here." He stated, motioning for Childe to eat it. The harbinger locked eyes with him before happily taking the food into his mouth. "Have you been practicing like I asked you to?" The older male questioned, eyeing the other with a slight squint. The nervous laugh his student gave him said all he needed to know and he sighed, then fed Childe another bite of food. "You won't get any better at it if you don't practice." Zhongli stated but gave a small smile at his student's apologetic look. His student chewed with a happy grin as he waited patiently for more. After a short "hm", the former Geo Archon wiped off his chopsticks and began eating his own food.

"Senseiiii..." Childe whined as his teacher ate in front of him. Without a word, Zhongli set his chopsticks down and handed Childe his own . He then continued to enjoy his meal, while his student struggled to hold them properly. "I would practice more...but everyone laughs at me when I do." He admitted but still attempted to pick up his food with a shaky hand. Zhongli watched him fail to eat a bite time after time and held back a laugh, seeing yet another piece of his seafood fall back into the bowl in front of him. "Here." Zhongli spoke softly and reached over to grab the other's hand. Then he gently adjusted Childe's grip, and guided him once again on how to pick up and hold the food steadily. Unbeknownst to the older male, Childe's cheeks were beet-red and he scanned the room around him to ensure no one had seen them. "Now, try on your own." Zhongli let go and luckily, his student pulled himself together enough to not instantly drop the food. And slowly, the younger male raised the piece of food up towards his mouth. He carefully ate and then looked at his sensei with newfound excitement. "I did it, Sensei!" Childe spoke childishly as he attempted to grab another morsel of his food.

Throughout their meal, both men had talked about their day and what had happened. Childe's was the usual hush-hush Fatui business while Zhongli's was more nature-filled and calm. Neither seemed bothered by the difference though and simply finished their lunch break with gentle smiles displayed on their faces. (Which was mainly caused by Zhongli giving his student a meek kiss on the cheek.)

-- Time Skip to Evening --

"Welcome back, Zhongli! How was your day today?" Asked Tubby as she smiled at the tall gentleman walking up the stairs towards her. He sighed and gave her a soft, friendly smile, "My day has been a long one but an enjoyable one. How have things been while I've been gone?" He questioned back while he opened the mail box next to the stairs. It held only one envelope inside. He shut the box and looked at the letter in hand. "The abode has been cleaned and the animals are taken care of. Oh, and that nice young man came here to deliver that to you while you were away." Tubby responded and seemed to float peacefully in front of him. Zhongli tucked the letter under his arm before humming with a small smile, "You've done good. You may rest for the remainder of the the evening." She thanked him and slowly sank down into her own teapot home.