𝐓𝐡𝐞 𝐆𝐨𝐝 𝐅𝐨𝐫 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐆𝐧𝐨𝐬𝐢𝐬

𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 𝐄𝐥𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐧

Childe sat down at the water. He clasped his hands around his Hydro vision. It had been a week but Zhongli never appeared. Hu Tao did tell Childe that Zhongli was back at his job but every time Childe came he left. He was avoiding Childe but the Fatui didn't know why.
Was it guilt? The ginger hooked the vision back on his hip and got up. He clutched his chest painfully. The wound hadn't been near healed but he was allowed to walk around. Just no major action like sparing. Childe hated the idea of not fighting and tried to do it occasionally but was stopped by Xiao. Speaking of the boy, he had started watching Childe. Mainly so he doesn't fight but then there was a small hope that Mor- Zhongli would show up for Childe and he could meet him. Childe sighed and walked home for the day, he was on break from the bank for awhile due to his injury. He got made fun of by Columbina, he didn't dare challenge her to a fight.. he found her creepy.

He finally made it home, he felt Xiao's eyes go away as soon as he stepped through the door. Finally.. a break.
He decided to make tea, something he learned from Baizhu in recovery. He was never much of a tea guy but it reminded him of Zhongli... and Baizhu said it was good for him. After doing so he walked over to look outside, quietly. Childe blinked, he has been quieter than usual as well. Maybe because his mouth got him into the battle with Morax. He sipped on his tea, thinking about the battle. He was now affected every time he saw or even thought about the fake corpse, call it PTSD if you want. He closed his eyes, trying to imagine what Zhongli was doing.
"Mr Zhongli," he muttered, "where did you go..?"
He looked into the sky from his window, taking another sip of his tea.
A week. An entire week but Zhongli has left him here. Childe crossed his free arm, the other remained around his cup.
The things he wanted to say, the things he wanted to make up for. He'd run into the archon again.. soon, he hoped.

Knock knock..
Childe's head twisted toward the door. He set his cup down and made way to the door. He opened it to find nobody there. He looked down to see a small lizard on the ground.
Wait, that isn't a lizard.
Childe jumped back. His PTSD got the best of him.
He quickly took a few breaths in before picking the dragon up.
"Mr Zhongli..? Is that you..?" Childe said, tilting his head.
The dragon squealed in delight.
Guess so, Childe thought. But why was he in this state?
"Do you mind if I bring you in?"
The dragon nodded.

He turned around and walked in, the dragon under his arm. He closed the door and sat it down.
"So.. what happened?"
The dragon walked into the room more and transformed into Zhongli. Childe's eyes widened as he saw a massive gash wound on the older man's stomach.
"This happened.." Zhongli said, his hands quickly went to the wound to apply pressure.
Childe rushed to his side.
"Why didn't you go to Baizhu?!" Childe said, he was deciding what to do.
"I-.. I didn't have enough time to make it."
Zhongli responded, he had to strain his voice to speak.
Childe quickly got up to get a bandage roll. He always had some since he got wounded in battle.

He came back to see Zhongli back in his tiny dragon form. The dragon sat like a dog. Childe sat down, "You need to turn back so I can bandage and clean it."
The dragon lowered it's head but turned back into Zhongli.
Childe smiled softly, his usual fake smile.
"Thank you."
He then went through the long process of treating Zhongli's wound.

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Xiao sat down at his desk again, he had completed his mission to discover what happened to Rex Lapis.. now what? He twisted a pen in his fingers until he heard a soft knock on the door.
"Come in!"
He said, not bothering to look. The Traveler walked in. He strolled over to stand next to Xiao.
"What's next?" Aether asked.
Xiao shook his head, "I don't know.."
Aether smiled, "Well, I'm off to Sumeru now."
Xiao looked at Aether, "Why are you here then?"
Aether sighed, "I came to say goodbye? Duh.."
Xiao looked back to his desk, "No information on your sister?"
"No dice." (A/N: that means that you've gotten nowhere on your path.)
Xiao sighed and stood up. Before Aether could say anything Xiao rested his hands on the traveler's shoulders.
"..Good luck.." He looked away, embarrassed he was actually wishing anybody luck.
Aether returned with a smile, "Thank you."
He then turned for the door.
"Oh and another thing.."
Aether turned around to be pecked on the cheek.
"I-? Uhm-?" Aether stuttered and then smiled, "I'll be back soon to visit."
Xiao looked away and crossed his arms, "I'll be waiting.."
Aether then walked out the door, on his way to Sumeru. (To fight emo motherless kid 🥰)

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Childe wrapped the bandage around easily, he was quite shocked at Zhongli's pain tolerance.
"Are you okay other than that?"
Zhongli smiled softly, "I think I've said that to you before.."
Childe rolled his eyes, "answer."
"Yes, Childe, I assure you that is the only issue."
Childe looked up at him, "How did you even end up like that?"
Zhongli shook his head, "Abyss Mages, I made quick disposal of them after."
Childe laughed at the thought of a giant rock being thrown at the abyss. Zhongli seemed to smile as well.
"So.. uhm.. are we going to talk about your disappearance?"
"Will you talk about how your healing?" Zhongli shot back.
"Well.. it does hurt," Childe smirked.
Zhongli shook his head, "Healing is a long progress."
Childe nodded.
"And your disappearance?" Childe raised an eyebrow.
Zhongli paused, "Morax was still in my head, I had to clear him out."
"Oh.. that must suck."
"It's not too bad when he did it before."
Childe shot a warning glare, "When did he do it?"
Zhongli chuckled, "After when you and Xiao fought."
Childe shook his head now, "That must be a pain in the ass."
"Childe, mind your language."
"Sorry Mr. Zhongli."

They sat in silence for awhile..

"Zhongli?"
"Yes Childe?"
"Don't ever let that pesky Morax take control of your head again."
Zhongli laughed quietly, "Whatever you say.."
Childe looks away, avoiding Zhongli's eyes.
"I missed you.."
Zhongli smiled, "Me too, Me too.."
Childe pulled closer to hug Zhongli, they sat in a long hug.
"Sorry about the argument," Childe said.
"I told you it was fine," Zhongli responded quickly.
"Yeah but I was on my death bed," the Fatui scoffed.
"You win I suppose."
"Exactly."