Cold Blooded

Old Friends

Hu Tao twirled her brush over the tops of her fingers. Business was especially slow today and nothing interesting had happened for quite some time. The director set her brush down and huffed as she rested her chin on her hands.

She wanted to talk to someone or do something, but who? Mr. Zhongli wasn't at the funeral parlor today, so there was no telling where the old man would be. And... that was about it. She didn't really have anyone else. She sighed and looked at an old crumpled photo held in an even older wooden frame.

I didn't used to be like this. She missed the time when she had had friends. She lay that frame down so she wouldn't have to look at the four of them all smiling and waving at the kamera.

-<>-

Xiangling stirred the pot on the stove with vigor. She had a bunch of orders that needed to get out pronto and she couldn't be late again. Running the restaurant had gotten much harder since Father had passed and she had been left to do all the cooking herself. Gouba helped out, of course, but it wasn't the same.

She ladeled the broth into the bowls and tossed piping hot dumplings on top. She sprinkled a couple spices across the top and slid the dishes onto trays. As quick as she could, she carried the trays out to the waiting customers.

"Hey! Xiangling!" a voice called out. The chef spun around with a smile on her face. She found a worker from the harbor waving at her. "Do you think you could whip up something with an extra kick for me and my buddies?"

"Sure thing!" Xiangling said with a small laugh, but it felt forced even to her. She missed sitting at that same table with her friends. They never really came around here anymore. She knew what had started all of it and what had made them all boil over, but it was still hard to grasp, even all this time later.

-<>-

Chongyun was let back into the room in Miss Zhushou's arms and Miss Saya took him back almost immediately. Something seemed to have changed in the room, but he wasn't sure what. The scary blue haired man seemed much calmer and nicer now, but also like he was scared or worried about something

There was something that still bothered Chongyun about this man. He didn't know what it was, but the little boy just knew that he was missing something. It was like a dream just out of reach, the more he tried to grab it the harder it became to hold.

Oh ho ho, you like that one, don't you? A loud voice echoed through Chongyun's head and the boy shut his eyes tight and threw his hands over his ears, but that didn't stop the voice. Thank you for bringing me back to my rightful home, darling.

"Who are you?" Chongyun whispered to the voice.

Oh, my child. You're so weak and fragile. The voice laughed. You don't need to worry about those things. I'll be taking over again... very soon.

-<>-

Xingqiu watched as Zhushou walked back into the room with the boy- Chongyun in her arms. She carefully handed Chongyun to Hisaya, but CHongyun didn't take his eyes off Xingqiu. He stared at Xingqiu then suddenly covered his ears and closed his eyes. He seemed to curl up into himself in Hisaya's arms, closing his eyes tighter.

"Who are you?" Chongyun whispered after a moment.

"I- I'm Xingqiu," he reached out hesitantly and touched the little boy's shoulder. "You don't have to be afraid of me. I'm here to help you."

But Chongyun didn't respond. If anything he seemed to shrink even more into himself. Xingqiu sighed and stood up straight.

"Follow me, everyone," Xingqiu started towards his office door. "Actually, Zhushou, could you hold down the fort while I'm out?"

"Of course, sir," Zhushou said with a nod. "Do whatever it is that you have to do."

"Thank you..." Xingqiu looked back at her. "for everything."

"Of course, sir." Zhushou gave a small bow and a reassuring smile as Xingqiu left the safety of his office unsure of what the future held for him.

Xingqiu ran a hand through his hair as they stepped out into the warm breeze of Liyue harbor. He looked over his shoulder at Hisaya with Chongyun in her arms and Tartaglia with his cap back on his head. Taking a long slow breath, Xingqiu started to head off for the Wansheng Funeral Parlor. It was time to make some long overdue visits.

~author's note~

sorry it's short, but at least it is on time. Thank you for reading. Leave a vote and a comment if you enjoyed it :)

once again, i am a bad person, I have no clue who did this art, but it is awesome.