zhongli x childe short stories

we are at that age

Zhongli's eyes glint with mirth. Cloud Retainer rambles away by his side, trifling about the oddities of mortal life. Zhongli nods along, entertained as she articulates perfectly the same experiences he had when he first moved into Liyue Harbor.

Her tone is clipped as she comments on how much the harbor has changed. The government seems to be doing alright, but everything is so expensive, and everyone seems so busy. Zhongli smiles. It's refreshing to hear everyday life described in such a way: by someone wholly unused to it.

He's missed her, with her language even more archaic than his. Her voice reminds him of the old days, of sitting with his adepti and planning Liyue's future. And what a blessing it is, to have a friendship so long the mere sound of one's voice brings nostalgia in its wake.

He should visit his fellow adepti more often. Perhaps meetings could be arranged more frequently, with Cloud Retainer residing in the harbor and all.

Zhongli takes a sip of tea. It's a fine brew, the leaves clearly well-aged. This must have been costly. He looks into the cup and smiles quietly to himself. Word on the street has already spread of Cloud Retainer's great readiness to part with large sums of mora. That is of no surprise to Zhongli, seeing the lavish decorations adorning her apartment and the various components needed for her inventions. He cannot say he is much different, but he is lucky enough to have someone to take care of him and help him to assimilate into mortal life.

His smile widens subconsciously as he thinks of him: Childe, the constant in all his brightest moments. His chest warms and it's almost as if the sunlight streams a little brighter through the window. It doesn't surprise him; the world always seemed more vibrant when Childe was near.

There was just something about him that made everything seem to bloom. The air smelled fresher when he neared, and Liyue's flowers seemed to crane their stems towards him as if to gaze upon his glory as he walked by.

But perhaps that was merely the musings of an old god in love. The corners of Zhongli's mouth quirk up. He loves him a reckless amount. Perhaps it's unbecoming of a god of stone to revel in the wonders of the world with a simple glance from one man's piercing blue eyes, but who could blame Zhongli when his beloved was simply so enchanting? Each day in Childe's company was a gift from Celestia, and Zhongli couldn't be happier with his retirement.

Perhaps he will prepare a nice soup for him to come home to after work. He had complained earlier about how much paperwork had been stacking up recently at the bank, and Zhongli bet he would appreciate it. Yes, that sounded like a fine idea indeed!

The smile on his face has definitely begun to look stupid now. He tries to keep it at bay. He doesn't need Cloud Retainer to know his attention is drifting.

He snaps out of his little reverie, vowing guiltily to pay attention to whatever it is Cloud Retainer is rambling about. Her hands move about as she goes into an emotional spiel about mora and the rise and fall of the bulle fruit market. Zhongli lets himself smile; what a joy it is, to see his fellow adeptus learn to manage it as they have watched their people do for so long. Zhongli, for one, feels as if he has learned more than ever since he retired.

He looks upon Cloud Retainer as she shows off a new invention. She seems relaxed, happy. The weight of Liyue has been lifted off of her shoulders, he supposes, as much as it can be for immortals such as themselves. But it warms his heart to watch Cloud Retainer prattle on about mundane things, such as the rising prices of fruit in the harbor instead of great wars, and finally settle down alongside the people she swore to protect so long ago.

This is something worth more than any gnosis.

Though, he thinks as he watches as she pulls out yet another, evidently costly, invention. He does hope she will learn to be more careful with her spending. But she will learn, just as he has.