In the heart engraved

8

Granny Ruoxin had kindly let them her home for the night while she visited some relatives for the Festival, which explained why they were finally alone when Zhongli escorted her inside the house. As he also told her, he would be her Chef that night, words that had the incredible ability to sound so earnestly and sexy at the same time that sent a warm and thrilling feeling to Ei’s heart.

The delicious aroma of the Bamboo Shoot soup was making her practically drool already as Zhongli returned to the table with the plates. Maybe it was then when it hit her. The reason why the physical distance between them had scared her so much since he had left Inazuma. Ei looked at him silently for a moment while he had a seat beside her and mumbled:

“It was on purpose, wasn’t it?”

Zhongli seemed surprised for an instant, until he understood what she meant. That sadness and nostalgic air surrounded him again like a veil and Ei thought she finally had come to understand the reason behind it.

“I mean… I know you have things to attend here. You have a job, a life here. But… you also needed some time, didn’t you? To think. About us, about this”.

“I needed to reflect, yes”. His answer came slowly as their eyes met and Ei felt the unease returning to her heart.

“I won’t ask you to choose, Morax. Between me and your people. I would never…”

“I know.”

“You think… I should? That if I don’t, that means I don’t care enough about us?”

Ah, why were all those negative thoughts coming to her mind now? That wasn’t what she really wanted to say. The sudden fear and the anxiety were ruling her heart and suddenly Ei remembered what Miko had told her that day before parting. Loving, and loving with one’s whole heart, could  indeed be scariest than any battle. Giving your all to someone and trust them with your heart could indeed be terrifying and only the strongest and the brave would dare to walk that path. But she wasn’t the only one feeling that way, wasn’t she?

“Stop”. His gentle voice finally reached her and Ei looked up into his golden eyes as Zhongli’s warm hand held hers firmly. “That is not what I think.”

“Tell me… please”.

“Am I worthy of this? Do I deserve to be happy after all I…?” His words sounded heavy with the weight of his own thoughts, with every loss and every memory that he could not nor want to forget. The darkness of the past had its own weight in his heart as well even if it wasn’t expressed out loud.

Ei stared at him astonished for a moment and  suddenly all her doubts and fears vanished. All what it was left was the warmth of their hands, the fingers entwined and the beating of her heart for him.

“Do you remember when I told you that you’re the best that ever happened to me…?” She spoke resolutely with soft and tender voice. Once he nodded, Ei continued. “That is not something I say lightly. I know what it means. What it implies. And I have no doubts about it. You are light, Morax. To anyone who has the bliss to meet you. I may not know all you have had to endure or the darkness that stained your past, but I know that there is also a great part of you that shines. I even saw it today when you risked your life for that mother and child out there, without caring how large or numerous the enemies were. Yes. You deserve this happiness. I cannot change the past. But I have learned that I can do something for the future. And even if I don’t deserve you, because I think I am the one who doesn’t deserve so much happiness as you have given me just by returning to my life, I still want it. I want a future with you. For as long as we live and for as long as you want me because… I love you, Morax. I loved you then and I love you now and even if I don’t know what the future holds, I know this for sure: your name is forever engraved in my heart.”

Oh, Heavens, she had never been so passionate out loud before or even talked so much for that matter, but there she was, wearing her heart in her sleeve. Curiously, Ei was not embarrassed though. She was glad and relieved and whatever his answer was after this, at least now he knew how she really felt. She had been able to express it finally. To let him know. And he had to know how much he truly deserved all the happiness too.

A small but sincere smile played on Zhongli’s lips while he listened and Ei realized how easily it really was to lift the unease from her heart. All it had taken was knowing how he truly felt. All it had taken was seeing him smile with his eyes.

“Tell me what you’re thinking…” she whispered then.

Zhongli stood up slowly still holding her hand and pulled her to his arms gently. He removed the bandana from her head and caressed her hair tenderly as he answered.

“The past should be remembered but not overly dwelt upon. Our journeys should be seen as a means to take on more from the world around us. That is what I think. Also…” He leaned forward and his breath caressed her ear sensually as his husky voice reached her. “For as long as we live and for as long as you want me… I love you Ei.”

A cool breeze entered the house and played with their hair softly but neither of them minded it. Their faces came closer finally and she felt his heartbeat echoing her own as their kiss bloomed and grew deeper.

Soon the first fireworks were launched from Liyue Harbor and filled the dark sky outside the window with colorful and dancing lights but neither of them noticed their beauty. Until something caught Zhongli’s attention and he broke the kiss unwillingly to take a look at the window. There was a fond expression on his amber eyes when he held Ei’s hand a moment later and leaded her to the door. 

“Come, please”.

“What is it?” she asked following him outside.

“There’s someone I want you to meet”.

A dark green haired young man with a beautiful although strange tattoo on his right arm was sitting on the roof of the house casually, staring at the shimmering lights in the night sky. Ei had never seen him before and even though, she recognized who he was. The aura of the Adeptis would never go unnoticed. She also was able to see the love, respect and adoration in the youth’s golden irises as he looked at Zhongli and the same sincere affection in Zhongli’s voice when he called out his name. There was history there. There was an honest and deep bond and suddenly she realized how important it really was that she was meeting that young man.

So Ei smiled, squeezed Zhongli’s hand gently and stood gratefully at his side as the Adeptus jumped down from the roof and knelt before them to meet her.

Because with that simple gesture, Zhongli was not only sharing his life with her but also joining in her resolve. As difficult as their path may become from now on because of distance, the weight of the past or whatever it may come, they would face it together.

The End.