𝑰 𝐒𝐋𝐄𝐏𝐓 𝐖𝐈𝐓𝐇 𝐌𝐘 𝐂𝐎-𝐒𝐓𝐀𝐑 [𝐙𝐇𝐎𝐍𝐆𝐋𝐈 𝐗 𝐂𝐇𝐈𝐋𝐃𝐄]

𝐅𝐈𝐍𝐀𝐋 𝐂𝐇𝐀𝐏𝐓𝐄𝐑

•'¯'•. . .•'¯'•

In the world of cameras and movies, there comes a little dark side. Of course, it is fair to say that with any career there are certain obstacles one must face, and behind the makeup, costumes and glamour, there is that very same rule for actors and celebrities. A sort of path they follow with thorns between the brick walkway under their feet; they bleed a little at first until they can't go further but fall into a puddle of their own blood chasing recognition and popularity.

Yet most of the people we see in our favorite movies were all once young children with dreams to act, to sing and dance.

Even Zhongli had those innocent dreams until they overtook him. His path became longer and more painful. The harsh thorns stabbed him as he struggled to make it to the finishing line, but it was only then he realized there was no finish line. No end. This sort of job doesn't end like others. You'll never truly retire and be forgotten. You'll always be the talk of some gossip, the victims of rumors and dangerous people. Once you're out there, once your face is seen, there is no going back.

Or so, Zhongli believed so.

"What are you doing here?"

The little boy asked the teen. He looked so confused what Zhongli could be doing up on this bridge alone so late, looking down at the icy waters below.

"Are you cold? You're wearing a coat, I bet that's why. Are you from here?"

There was such innocent confusion in the boys eyes and suddenly Zhongli felt shame for what he was trying to do. He couldn't meet the boys gaze, and the teen youth looked away from the boy.

"I'm... on vacation.." the teen murmured.

"Don't people go somewhere warm on vacation?"

Warm.

Warmth.

Where was that? Where was somewhere warm? Zhongli wanted to know. He desired to more than anything else. A wish he didn't dare count on to come true.

I—" and once again Zhongli couldn't answer because the boy was now pulling out a magazine and pointing at the front cover.

"My favorite actor Zhongli-" he gave an extra special tap with his finger on Zhongli's face that was displayed on the picture of the magazine. "-hates the cold. He said it himself. That's why I'm going to move somewhere warmer when I grow up so we can work together."

Zhongli's eyes widened slightly. "Work together? With Zhongli?"

"Yep! When I grow up, I'm going to become an amazing actor just like him. He's the best!" The child continued on, getting excited as he did. "No one is as great as acting as Zhongli and I'm going to be as great at him!" Each word came straight from the heart, and it was such innocence that the real Zhongli couldn't help but smile a bit under his mask as the kid seemed so happy.

"It's a tough job; acting is rough." Zhongli said softly, kneeling down to meet the same height as the child he was talking to. "Often you are alone, no one else is allowed close to you. And if you are not careful, that loneliness may eat you up from the inside until you want to-"