God of Alchemy | Genshin Impact x M!Reader

4

GIF by @vintageglow from weheartit.com

[and yes, i know that the gif is a sunset not a sunrise but it looks so good so deal with it]

»»————-　✼　————-««

Aether gathered what he needs and even cooked some extra food for Paimon if she ever gets hungry. The air was as cool as the night before and the sun had just begun to rise. Walking towards the streets of Mondstadt, Aether saw a few people already up and going. Probably going to set up their shops, stalls and alike. "Who do you think this person is, Aether?" Paimon asked, "He's probably some big shot if Venti says he can solve the problem." Aether hummed. Also wondering who this person could be. It's rare for Venti to insert himself in situations where you think he's not involved. Actually, he's not involved. Even with the situation of the meteors, Venti never tried anything to help the guild in dealing with that. Perchance it was the reason that he was a bard and not an adventurer.

"Who knows? But I'm excited to meet them!" Aether said, almost hopping off the ground. 

"Eh? Really? I'm not really excited to meet them though..." Paimon said. 

"Why is that?" 

"Well... Venti seemed so serious yesterday and don't you think that's a bit off of him? And he's taking this monster thing so seriously too! And remember when Master Diluc showed up!? Venti was probably sweating buckets by then!" Aether recalled the events yesterday and can't help but agree with his companion. Venti was acting weird. Though he has seen him being serious but never this serious and he seems to be scared almost? As if he's facing an enemy that he doesn't know how to deal with. 

"Maybe because this person has a short temper?" Aether guessed. 

"Possibly." Soon enough, they've arrived main at the gate of Mondstadt. At the entrance, there stood Jean, Venti, and Diluc.

Seeing the three waiting for the two, both Paimon and Aether had rushed to the three. "Sorry, we're late!" Paimon said. Announcing their presence. 

The three glanced at them, "It's fine. As long we get this done," Diluc said. Watching the two running towards them. 

"Well! Looks likes everyone's here! Let's go!" Venti said, already walking right off as soon Aether and Paimon had arrived in front of them. The others didn't mind and just nodded before following the small archon. They followed the path towards Liyue and had run along with a few hilichurl camps. Defeating them didn't take long considering Jean and Diluc were there. They took a break when they were too tired and had a few snacks here and there.

"Venti. What kind of person is this anyway?" Paimon asked. 

"Well... Kojutsu is kinda lazy and he really doesn't like it when people are too noisy and he's hard to understand but overall, he's a pretty good person. He will take an arrow for you even if you have a shield with you." Venti chuckled. Having a bit of fun recalling the past memories. 

"Kojutsu?" Diluc muttered under his breath. A name too familiar but he couldn't quite remember where he heard that name from. 

"Diluc?" Jean called. Wondering why the male had muttered the name that Venti called the person they were seeking help from. 

"Do you perhaps know this person?" Jean asked. "I'm not sure... and I probably just heard this from one of the customers in my tavern but I can't remember ---"

"Oh? If it isn't Aether!" Hearing a smooth (and irritating) voice. All of them glanced to where the source is and saw a tall man. Ginger-colored hair and was wearing clothes that they weren't too familiar with. Not of Mondstadt neither it was from Liyue. Behind him was another tall male. His hair longer than Diluc's and was much of a darker color than the previous one. His clothes were similar to that of Liyue's style. 

"Ah! Mo --- Zhongli! How've you been!?" Venti cheerfully asked. Delighted to see an old friend of his. 

"Hm? Venti? It's been a while since we've last met, hasn't it?" Zhongli's tone was quite cheery. Similar to Venti's if he knows that he'll be getting wine later. Jean and Diluc were shocked to know that Venti would know of this man they never heard of. Additionally, the previous male had approached Aether so casually and even put his arms around his shoulders. Talking like as if they were old friends.

"Do you perhaps know them, Aether?" Jean asked, eyeing the two males with fierce eyes. 

"Paimon and Aether met them while were in Liyue! They helped us in meeting the Geo Archon!" Both Diluc and Jean blinked in shock. Flabbergasted that these two were in such of high position to know who the Geo Archon is. 

"I'm Childe! Pleased to meet you! That's Zhongli, he works at the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor," Childe said. Waving hello to the two new faces. 

"Pleased to meet you, Childe. I'm Jean, the current Acting Grandmaster of Mondstadt." Jean held out her hand for Childe to shake. Which Childe did and after parting his hold from Jean's hand, he glanced towards Diluc. The redhead was glaring daggers at Childe.

"You're from the Fatui, aren't you?" he asked with such confidence that no one would be able to doubt him. Childe didn't found this intimidating, rather, he found it amusing that Diluc was able to figure out his identity in such a short moment of time. 

Chuckling, "I guess you have heard about me?" he said. Glaring right back into Diluc's eyes. 

"What!? You're with the Fatui? Aether, is this true?" The blonde male couldn't look at Jean's eyes and Diluc's piercing gaze. The two awaiting Aether's answer. 

"Well... it is...? But we can explain! We were really short on money at that time and he helped us when we were getting away from the Millelith ---"

"What have you done this time so that the military from another nation would be after you?" Diluc interjected. Making both Paimon and Aether getting really uncomfortable with the situation and they were both unable to think of a proper reason to make an excuse for their actions. Well, they can. But with the fact that they used to be suspects for Rex Lapis' (not really) murder, the both of them would ask for more questions and all that.

"Now, now... How about we ask questions later and go to where we all are headed to. I presume that we're going in the same direction, aren't we?" Paimon thanked Zhongli for the change of subject and so did Aether. Almost worshipping the men mentally.

Diluc hummed and Jean just stared at Aether. "Y-yea! Kojutsu doesn't like to entertain guests in the afternoon, you know? So let's go!" Venti said. Almost ushering the people from his side and walked off. 

 Edited: July 2, 2021