Genshin x Reader Oneshots

With You (Zhongli x GN!Reader)

Lantern Rite. It was a celebration that all the citizens of Liyue looked forward to enjoying each year. Regardless of their origins, it was something that many people all around Teyvat wanted to witness. From the folkish people of Mondstadt, the glorious people from Snezhnaya, and to the traditional people of Inazuma and Liyue.

And you were beyond excited tonight, because it was the first ever Lantern Rite that you would get to share with Zhongli – of course, you've seen the Lantern Rite many times before, but never with Zhongli, since he was always away. Zhongli, the most knowledgeable consultant at the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor, was hardly ever home. And that particular Zhongli also happened to be the man you loved.

"Hey, Zhongli," you said, sticking your head into his office. He was always in his office. When he wasn't with you, he was either strolling around Liyue, or sitting at his desk. Tonight, however, it was a lot more different. He wasn't working, unlike how you usually found him. Tonight, he was standing at the window, with a hand placed over his chin – a habit that you've noticed about him when he thinks.

At the sound of your voice, his hand dropped. Zhongli turned around, nodding. "Good evening, Y/N."

You grinned, walking into his office with your hands tucked behind your back. "I'm surprised that you managed to get a few weeks off, Morax~"

"Morax," he repeated, "that is a name that I haven't been called in a while. I didn't expect you to use it that much."

You quirked a brow. "I didn't expect some old man like you to be the almighty God of Geo."

"And you love this old man." He replied blankly.

"Oh, Childe's starting to rub off on you," you teased, rolling your eyes. Then you crossed your arms, giving him a smirk. "Don't you remember when I met you around 2 years ago? I could've sworn you looked like you wanted to throw a rock at my head!"

Zhongli smiled at that one memory. Then he shrugged, moving aside as you leaned out the window. "You were quite a handful."

"But! I am irresistible," moving your arm, you gave him a playful nudge, "so, it was only natural that you ended up falling head over heels for me eventually, Zhongli."

He gave an amused hum, snaking his arms around your shoulders, resting his head on top of yours. "Indeed." He agreed, much to your delight. He definitely remembered that time he first saw you, sitting at Wanmin Restaurant, going through the menu. He remembered you muttering about how not understanding these Chinese characters, wanting to go back home. He'd offered to help, reading each and every meal to you in English. And of course, you just paid him back with a teasing remark.

Initially, he was quite taken aback by your character, finding you to be almost too much to handle. It wasn't something that he was used to. He wasn't used to the way you seemed to have so little regard for everything that happened to you. And your love for pranks...that's what he found the most unmanageable – at the time – when he first met you. He never expected to develop these sorts of affections towards you. It only started when you showed an interest in every story he told, and the basics of Liyue culture. You were like the flame, melting away his exterior, allowing him to be who he really was.

And for you...for you, he was like your anchor. He kept you grounded, down to earth whenever you felt like you would get swept away by the waves. And many people liked to say – and honestly, you kind of agreed – that you two seemed to be made for each other and each other only.

"You know what my favourite part of Lantern Rite is?" You asked, breaking the silence. You had tilted your head back, attempting to meet his bright, amber eyes. "And it's not you. My deepest apologies, dear."

"I never said I expected it to be me," Zhongli responded, "But my favourite part is certainly you."

"Not the Osmanthus Wine?"

"Osmanthus Wine certainly can't be above you, Y/N."

"Why, I'm flattered," you turned around, resting your arms on his shoulders, bringing your face to his. "You're definitely more intoxicating than the finest wines themselves~"

"I assume that is a compliment from you?"

"For sure!"

"Hm..."

"You're my favourite part of Lantern Rite too!"

"You stated that I wasn't a few seconds ago, Y/N."

"That was–"

"That was...?" He asked, gesturing for you to continue.

"That was me, being cool and amazing, and hard-to-get!"

"I believe I have already..." Zhongli paused to think, "got you."

"Hmph–" you crossed your arms, pouting. Then you grinned, standing up on your toes before taking his lips in yours. You felt him take your hand, his other wrapping around your waist, pulling you close. It almost felt like he was afraid to let go. Afraid that you'd slip right through his fingers.

In truth, that was one of his many fears. Part of him is afraid, knowing that one day, you'll disappear. You'll disappear forever, into nothing but dust. Then there was a part of him that seemed to crave you, wanting to hold you in his arms. He was always the happiest like this. He couldn't remember the last time he'd felt these feelings.

"Would you like me to tell you the origins of Lantern Rite?" Zhongli asked, looking right into your eyes.

"Oh, yeah!" You nodded, clapping your hands. "It's another one of your stories, isn't it?! I love those things! They're amazing!"

He was glad. He was always beyond happy to tell you story after story about his memories. He watched you take a seat on the ground, leaning up against the wall. Zhongli sat down too, opening his arms, guessing what you had wanted.

Delighted, you took a seat in between his legs, leaning back into his torso.

Zhongli might lose you today. Or maybe tomorrow, he had promised himself to cherish these tender moments that you two shared. Even though he was afraid of the inevitable fate that he would meet one day, he didn't mind.

Because he was with you.

And because he knew that he truly loved you.