To Solve a Case, to Forge a Contract - Genshin Impact Zhongli X Reader

5 - Stay

You awoke the next day still feeling worst for wear, still feeling tired despite the many hours of sleep you had been allowed.

Zhongli appeared in the room, noticing you had awoken as he gave you a quiet greeting "good afternoon"

"Afternoon?"

He nodded, as he placed the cup of tea near the bed for you "did you rest well?"

You made a small groaning sound as you sat up in the bed, taking the cup of tea that contained the medicine that would make you feel better "I need to get back to my work"

"Don't worry about your work, you need to focus on getting yourself better. No matter how quickly or how slowly you solve this case it won't bring Rex Lapis back to the living" he informed in a reasurring tone.

You nodded with a sigh, he was right, regardless of when you came to the end of this case, it wouldn't change anything. The people would still mourn the loss of their archon regardless of how he died. And, even if you did prove the death had been faked, surely it would only cause the same amount of unrest that the news of his death had caused.

Zhongli took a seat near your bed, his eyes cast downwards as he spoke "I feel that I owe you an apology"

You frowned "why?"

"Last night, while concerned for your wellbeing I took an action that may have put you in an uncomfortable position. I should have put more thought into how getting into the bed with you could have been perceived and how it could've made you feel, I assure you I only did so as I believed it to be the best way to benefit your health, but if-"

"It's okay" you cut him off, though heat came to your cheeks as you suddenly remembered that he had indeed gotten into bed with you last night "I-I didn't mind, the thought was apreciated so no harm done" you gave him a smile.

He returned the smile, his shoulders relaxing as you assured him he hadnt made you uncomfortable "I am glad to hear. I will be more considerate in future"

You gave a small nod as you started to sip at the tea, your mind wandering to the memory of last night as your mind cleared with each sip of tea.

At some point in the night you had awoken from your restless sleep, your temperature had returned to normal, the chills that had prompted Zhonglis presence in the bed had disappeared. Zhongli hadn't moved, his arms still wrapped lightly around you while you faced his chest, your arms folded in the small space between you.

His sleeping breaths were soft, and gave you a sense of calm through the sickness induced haze in your mind. You focused on the light rise and fall of his chest as he snored softly, the closeness of the male not registering. Yet.

Zhongli shifted in his sleep, his arm slipping down your body until his hand fell to rest on the curve of your waist. You felt your body stiffen at the foreign touch on your waist, during your sleep your shirt had shifted slightly so you could feel the fabric of Zhonglis gloved hand against your skin.

You let out a small surprised gasp as the hand gave a light squeeze to your waist, the hold remaining for a few seconds before his hand slid further down, reaching your hip before his hand then removed itself from you completely as he rolled slightly in his sleep.

You felt the heat buzz in your cheeks, unsure of if it was caused by your fever or not as you found yourself staring at the hand that now rested on the males abdomen, his other hand somewhere behind your head as his arm acted as a pillow for your head.

Unsure of what you were doing you moved your own hand to place it against his chest, his shirt was covered in small creases from sleeping in it, the creases shifting beneath your touch as you felt the light body heat radiate into your palm. Beneath your touch you could feel the steady rythmn of his heartbeat. This situation was strange, here you were sharing a bed with a 'colleague' because you had fallen sick at work and he had taken it upon himself to take care of you.

You didn't realise he would take the promise to take care of you so seriously. The thought brought a smile to your face. Though the situation was strange, you had to admit, you enjoyed it.

With your head still pressed against his chest and the lingering sensation of his touch on your waist, you found yourself being lulled back to sleep by his warmth and soft heartbeat.

"The Qinxing send their regards" Zhonglis voice broke through the memory of last night.

"Oh, thats nice of them" you murmered, not sure what else to say.

"Are you still concerned for your work?" he queried, his golden eyes narrowing slightly as they awaited your answer.

You shrugged "I've never not worked for this long before, I've been non-stop since arriving here. The thought of making a living to survive here was all that was on my mind, and then my reputation proceeded me to the point where I never had a chance to slow down and stop for longer than a few hours. I'm not used to not working"

Zhongli chuckled "it is nice to see you are so passionate about your work. Though, I must remind you that rest is the most important thing for you, otherwise you may continue to get sick in the future" he warned.

You nodded in agreement "thank you for taking care of me" he gave you a smile before allowing you to finish your medicine in peace as he headed out to handle a matter at the parlour, leaving you with the instruction to take it easy.

Zhongli returned later that night, seeing you curled back in the bed, your chest rising and falling softly with each breath.

A smile graced his face as he looked over at you, glad that you appeared to be resting easy. He removed his jacket, placing it on the nearby coathook before he took up his seat closest to you.

Without thinking he moved his hand to brush a strand of hair from your face, his fingers lingering at your cheek as he found himself gazing at your sleeping face.

He found your passion and determination for your work admirable, you reminded him of a figure from his past that held a fond place in his memory. He let out a sigh at the brief thought of his past, his too-long past, and started to withdraw his hand.

Though he found that he couldn't as your hand wrapped around his wrist, your eyes flicking open, though he could tell that you werent fully awake by your bleary eyed gaze.

You mumbled something he couldn't understand before you repeated yourself a little clearer "can you stay with me?"

"I won't leave your side, you have my word" he replied softly.

You tugged on his wrist "no, I mean, stay with me"

He frowned, he had just assured you that he would stay with you, he was unsure as to what you were asking of him "I don't under-" before he could finish, you tugged on his wrist again, this time with a new found strength as your tug made him stumble forward, almost landing across you on the bed had he not managed to catch himself.

"Stay with me" your mumbled again, your other hand weakly tapping at the space in the bed.

He understood what you were referring to, though he felt an odd pang at the idea of climbing into bed with you a second time while you were in this state, though he wouldn't dare take advantage of you, he was unsure if you were in the right mind to be asking this simple request of him. Surely, sharing a bed was a big deal to humans, right?

As the grip on his wrist didn't show signs of letting up, he let out a sigh before he allowed you to pull him fully into the bed with you. He settled himself next to you while you wrapped your hand further around his wrist and arm as though to make sure he couldn't leave once you had fallen back to sleep again.

"I'll stay with you" he murmered, feeling warm spread through his chest as he watched a smile take over your sleepy features at his words.

You fell back asleep soon after, your arms wrapped around his as he lay next to you. With his free hand, he reached over his fingers lightly brushing against your cheek before trailing to your forehead, even through his glove he could feel that the fever still had a hold on you. Despite that, you looked so peaceful.

"Two contracts in the same week, hm interesting" he mused.