Fugitive of Inazuma (Genshin Impact)

❀ II ❀

A/n: This is a closer look at Izanami's Vision. It hangs from her choker. Also, this next chapter is a mix of slight angst and fluff. Hope you all enjoy! Love you all!!!
~✨Celestial✨~
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At Third-Round Knockout, Zhongli, Xiao, and Izanami sat at one of the tables located outside. The ex-archon sipped at his freshly brewed tea before putting the cup down. His amber eyes focused on the adeptus and shinigami sitting across from him. "You both appear to be closer since our last meeting."

Izanami titled her head to the side, ears flopping slightly. "You think so?"

"Yes. Although it has been two years, I am still astounded by how Xiao welcomed you rather easily into his life. Because of you, he has changed in a manner I never thought possible. It is a revitalizing sight."

Eventually,  their conversation veered to tbe Rite of Descension and how Zhongli planned to fake his death.

Xiao was listening to their conversation, but he didn't want to participate. Even with the changes he's made all thanks to Izanami, he really only showed his emotions around her. Zhongli was only aware of these changes because the shinigami often spoke to the ex-archon and updated him about the yaksha.

Hearing the clatter of plates, the adeptus looked at the table to see it was now filled with various dishes. None of them appealed to him and he didn't try to taste test any of the food. He looked away from the dishes, staring off into the distance.

All of a sudden, Xiao felt something poke his cheek. Turning his head, he saw a smiling Izanami poking his cheek with a spoon. On it was a scoop of chicken tofu pudding. He stared boredly at her. "What are you doing?"

"I know there isn't any almond tofu here, but you should try at least one dish. This one has tofu in it," she explained.

"I refuse to eat any other human dish," he declared. "Have I not explained this to you before? Or perhaps another explanation is in order."

"I'm well aware of your pickiness, but don't be a party pooper! Zhongli ordered all this delicious food for us to enjoy. It would be impolite to refuse." She jabbed the spoon against his cheek a few more times. "Come on, Xiao. Open up~!"

He grimaced at her. "You have no respect for the adepti..."

"I have plenty of respect for the adepti! You lack respect for the culinary arts!" She moved the spoon to his lips and nudged it against them. "At least try it. Someone worked hard to make this meal. The least you can do is try it to see if you like it."

"And if I don't?"

"Then I'll prepare some almond tofu for you when we get back to Wangshu Inn."

Xiao glared at the food on the spoon before reluctantly opening his mouth.

Izanami fed him with a hopeful gleam in her eyes. She prayed to the gods he would like something other than almond tofu. She eagerly awaited his reaction, but her hope was dashed the second she saw him frown in disgust. She groaned, putting the spoon down as if she lost and gambled away all her mora. "I'll get started on the almond tofu once we get back..."

Zhongli smiled at their interaction. He was jovial to see Xiao finally found someone he cared about on a deep level after so many years. Not only that, he found merriment in how he's changed. It was a step in the right direction, one that would alter the course of his life for the better. After the life the yaksha has lived, he deserves some semblance of happiness. And now, he finally found the source of joy he'd been lacking for far too long.

Xiao saw the defeated look on Izanami's face. It was another expression he thought that didn't suit her. Wondering how to remedy it, he searched his memory for one of the human customs that would cheer someone up. There were many, but many of them required certain timing. He searched the table and found his unused pair of chopsticks. Picking them up, he used them to grab one of the crystal shrimp dumplings. He held it up to her lips just like she did with the spoon. "You favor shrimp dishes, do you not?"