"Morax-"
"Please don't call me that." Zhongli cut him off and Diluc glanced up briefly at the man towering over him as he sat on the edge of Starsnatch Cliff, with his legs dangling over the sea. "Morax...is dead. I killed him."
Diluc blinked away from the archon and decided to stare down the ocean below him. Each wave crashing harshly into the cliffs, eroding just the tiniest bit of rock with every collision. Just like Zhongli's memories. With each passing minute the golden eyed man spent breathing the swirling air of Teyvat, the more memories faded away. The pair remained there in anticipation until Diluc's sweet voice filled the breeze again. "What happened to Guizhong?"
The Lord of Geo was expecting questions about Khaenriah and the many wars he had faced during his years from the mortal, who was currently blankly looking into the distance, but not something like this. After all, that was the main reason for their conflicts. His eyes widened at the name, his usually calm demeanor was overtaken by panic, grief, and perhaps the vivid, yet faint memory of his old friend. "I...How do you know of her?" He may forget everything he's been through in his 6000 years, but he will never dare forget about how her smile was the prettiest sight in the midst of bloodshed and war. She smiled even when death was knocking on her heart. She smiled even after killing thousands; mortal and god alike.
"Is that really important right now, Zhongli?" Diluc scoffed, but complied nonetheless. "Guizhong and your story has been my favorite since I was able to read words." He spoke softly, reminiscing the first time his father read to him the devastating tale of the two gods. Diluc remembered how he smiled so freely when he sat there in front of his father, his eyes looking at him with wonder as he told the story to him and Kaeya. Why can't he smile with such innocence as he did before? When did smiling become such a taxing task he couldn't bear to do it without the pain welling up in his heart. Thinking about it made Diluc's chest squeeze with pain.
"I see. Yes, our story is indeed a popular one in Liyue, I didn't expect you to know of it." Zhongli mumbled joining Diluc on his mission to stare at the ocean. "Why do you want to know?" He was stalling and the two men were very aware of it. Diluc could hear the shakiness fill his voice. He knew well his eyes were beginning to tear up though the archon was unaware of his human display of emotion. Even though he understood that, Diluc couldn't help but steal an annoyed glance behind him; the dark haired man never faltered. He was all too used to the thin patience the wine tycoon in front of him had.
Diluc glanced away, the redhead chose to say nothing of the archon's halting and continued to answer his questions. "I've read the many different tales of you and Guizhong. I know every way her death was portrayed."
"What do you believe?" Zhongli didn't know why he felt the urge to ask the man on the edge of the cliff this specific question. He felt if he didn't, he wouldn't get another chance.
Diluc remained quiet for a moment. He moved his hands from gripping the edge and put them in his lap, leaving nothing to keep him from
falling. He opted to study his gloves while questioning his stance on the folktale briefly. He let out a quiet scoff, deciding his stance didn't matter much. "She turned into dust, because she used too much of her power." He subconsciously began to kick his legs like a child on a swing.
Zhongli let out a sound of acknowledgment. He took in a sharp breath and balled his hands into fists, he could now feel himself start to cry. His eyes trailed down to the lush green grass glowing in the moonlight as his vision began to blur. He had told many friends who managed to figure him out before. So, why was he getting emotional in front of Diluc? Zhongli knows better than anyone about the tragedy of Guizhong and has retold it himself multiple times, without breaking down. Did he fear that his relationship with Diluc rode on this sentence alone? Admittedly, he did want to tell Diluc he believed the right ending. But, what good is he if he's a lying lover?
