Chapter Text
Rex Lapis… is tired. One may even say bored, but the archon hesitates to use such dismissive language towards the land he loves and meticulously protected for centuries.
While he has not shared this idea with any other, he has been considering the notion of retirement.
Considering! No final decision has been made, but after hearing whispers of the cryo archon scheming to get her hands on gnoses, Rex Lapis cannot deny the fact that retirement has been on his mind.
What would it be like to no longer be an archon?To relinquish full control of Liyue? To allow others to pick up where he left off?
And living amongst the mortals isn't completely impossible, either. One of the adepti had also given up on her duties to live amongst them, designing kites and other small intricate toys for the Liyuen youth.
Rex Lapis believes she goes by "Madame Ping," nowadays… Perhaps a visit is in order.
He does not speak of these thoughts with others, for he knows they would simply try to talk him out of it, or merely bow their heads in unhappy compliance, and he would not wish to see that. For as long as he has tried to establish himself as an equal amongst them, the adepti still treat him with the distance often granted to a ruler. The only one who did not hold their tongue as much was Guizhong, but she's gone now.
So he prepares and plans, utilizing the resources at his disposal. All is fine since the Lesser Lord Khusanali hasn't been spotted in a while, and Liyue and Sumeru have always been on pleasant terms. He does make a brief trip to the infamous Sumeran Akademiya in disguise, where he reads texts that give him all of the information he needs in order to do so.
If he intends to retire in the future, he must test Liyue to see if they are ready for it first.
In order to do this, he'll have to disappear and walk the streets as a human. He knows that the Tsaritsa is planning something and will be showing her hand soon.
Will a Liyue without its archon be able to mobilize and handle this? Will the adepti and the Qixing work together? Or will Rex Lapis need to step in?
His mortal body is almost ready, and he's already had a formal suit prepared with a fake vision equipped. Geo sigils run up his forearms to his elbows, to seal or at least, mute his spiritual energy so as to not intimidate others. His trusted adepti has previously informed him that he had a "strong aura" that would catch notice wherever he goes, and while that may help him when he's acting as Rex Lapis, it will not help "Zhongli," his chosen human alias, blend in with the rest of Liyuens. His arms must remain hidden regardless due to his ongoing battle with erosion. The sight of black arms would definitely make him stand out, and that is not ideal. He waits and waits until the opportune time arrives.
When the Tsaritsa send the most bloodthirsty of all of her Harbingers to Liyue, disguised as another Fatui banker, that is when Rex Lapis disappears.
And "Zhongli" appears.
…
He has been most diligent, covering all bases. Of this Rex, er- Zhongli, is sure.
It isn't until he is speaking with the director of the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor for the position of consultant, that he realizes he has nowhere to stay. Nor does he have Mora, and he cannot craft any, for it would possibly alert the no-doubt panicked Adepti or ever-observant Qixing to his presence, seeing as how the process is actually quite painstaking and attention grabbing.
For him to craft mora would result in a literal golden shower of Mora falling from the sky at his command, and yes, that would be quite troublesome whilst in his human guise. He eventually realizes he will be penniless for a short period, and sighs. All of those treasures within his teapot, inaccessible and unable to aid him at the moment...
Celestia, help him!
…
The director offers him room and board, although having to rely on her for help with this matter is very, very embarrassing. At least she agreed to give him an advanced paycheck sooner rather than later, even if not on the same day.
While in his mortal body, "Zhongli" is prone to mortal desires as well, and as night falls, hunger makes itself known in a way he hadn't experienced much thanks to his immortality.
It shouldn't be too hard securing himself a meal, right? Guizhong and Madame Ping had claimed years before that Liyuens can be kind, and Zhongli is certain that they will not allow another of their own to starve on their watch.
…
He knows restaurants may be more likely to be less generous since they're established businesses, so he tries with the street carts first. The first vendor, a tall woman, has signage posted that boasts of serving traditional Liyue food for a minimum five generations. Interest peaks within him at the sight, and he hesitantly converses with the seller, revealing his situation.
"While I may not have any Mora on my person now, if you'd allow it, I'll be able to pay you back tomorrow, when I receive advance pay," Zhongli explains, expecting to tug the other's heartstrings, but the woman only gives him a kind smile… before shooing him away from her cart.
Zhongli looks at her, shocked, and she grimaces, showing great reluctance. When Zhongli doesn't move, she sighs and explains, "I would, if you were a friend or trusted customer, but I just don't know you, kind sir. To just give you my food without certain proof of future payment… it would not be a wise business action. Surely, Rex Lapis would not condone these actions."
Zhongli just barely suppresses the doubtful snort that wants to slip through his lips. The woman in front of him explaining her reluctance to help another in the name of "business" is completely unaware of who she's really speaking to, and he will remember her. Without wasting another moment, he moves onto the next street cart he sees.
The next vendor, a thin man with a sly smile, upon hearing Zhongli's request, asks, "While you may lack Mora at this moment, are you sure there isn't anything else you like to offer in exchange? I'm sure we can come to an agreement," running his eyes over Zhongli's outfit and licking his lips lasciviously.
Pure disbelief at the nerve of the one before him strikes him so hard he forgets he's supposed to be "Zhongli" as he lifts a gloved hand, glowing with Geo power in the direction of the other, ready to rid the world of his existence.
"You dare solicit-"
"Hey! What are you doing?" The vendor cries in fear, and the man's shrill voice, while grating, brings him back to his senses, and with great restraint, he lowers his hand. They're not too far from the Wharf, and it is evening so the Millileth have already been stationed throughout the town. If Zhongli were to continue, he would certainly attract negative, unwanted attention.
He fixes the other with a hard stare before simply moving on doing the street. To the other, Zhongli's look may have come across as annoyance, but the archon was actually committing his face to memory so that he will know to ignore his prayers and offerings at the next Rite of Descension. And to do just this would be considered quite the tame punishment compared to what he's inflicted upon those who step out of line.
The third vendor he visits is a small Chop Suey stand, which isn't exactly his first choice, but it will sate his hunger. However, the young man who runs the stall outright tells him before Zhongli even gets a chance to speak, "I'm not in the service of charity; this is a business. Go somewhere else."
Zhongli, who had been told tale after tale of humanity's kindness and warmth and how it is their redeeming qualities, is seriously reconsidering the information fed to him by Guizhong and Madame Ping…
Frustrated and slightly humiliated, Zhongli's about to trek into the nearby surrounding mountains and look for some sunsettias or berries, regardless of the fact that it's evening, when he sees that there's a last food stall he hadn't visited yet, and a man there, who whistles to himself as he flips… something over a grill.
The smell coming from this last stall is just as appetizing as the others, but it is obviously less well-established, with signage that boasted of bringing different cuisine to Liyue.
Skewers! Toasted bread! Fresh crushed berry juice kept cold by mist flower corollas!
Interesting. He doesn't exactly know what 'skewers' are but he'd like to see them!
Now, Rex Lapis is hesitant to try newer delicacies, but Zhongli isn't, because Zhongli has human desires and needs to feed himself. 'Zhongli' does not have an enclave of adepti clambering to tend to his needs, and besides, beggars can't be choosers.
It doesn't hurt that whatever's cooking at this last stall, despite it's amazing smell, doesn't appear to have a long line of customers waiting.
When Zhongli approaches your stall, he's not expecting you to offer him a stick with grilled meat and vegetables on it before he can even speak to you. So he hesitates, hand reaching out instinctively before he regretfully brings his hand back. You must've mistaken him for a customer who actually had money to spare.
"I… regret to inform you that I don't have any payment on me, sir," he states with great humility, closing his eyes so he doesn't have to see you put the mouthwatering skewer back onto the grill.
His eyes snap open when he hearts a loud, boisterous laugh, offended for a split moment before he looks down and sees you now handing over two meat sticks.
He looks up at you in disbelief.
"Don't worry, I won't go out of business over two chicken mushroom skewers. And I hate to see food gone to waste! Have a nice day and enjoy!" You explain, lightheartedly, and Zhongli finally takes the offered items off of you.
"Thank you. I will remember this act of kindness and return it tenfold," Zhongli sincerely tells you, but you only laugh in a good-natured manner and wave your hand.
"Ah, there's no need! Now I must close up my cart, so go!" You kindly usher away Zhongli who is quite bemused by your actions, but follows your instructions nonetheless. How would you act if you were to know his true identity? Certainly not this friendly, or informal.
However, Zhongli doesn't hate this attitude directed towards him. At times, it's as if the fellow adepti feel as if they must mince their words around him and Zhongli has grown to dislike this.
Besides, anyone kind enough to feed a starving person is worthy of recognition in Zhongli's eyes. He thinks about you and your warm laugh all night, thankful that he can truly claim there is kindness in Liyue.
When he returns the next night with his promised advance paycheck, courtesy of the ever… energetic Director, he's pleased to see your stall out on the street once more. He had failed to ascertain your operating hours, especially seeing as how such information wasn't broadcasted on your cart.
"Hello! What can I get you today?" You kindly greet him.
"May I have two of those… what were they called? The items of food you treated me to yesterday?" Zhongli asks, and for the first time in millennia, he feels reluctant- no, that isn't the emotion he's feeling. More....withdrawn, almost... shy? He's uncertain of exactly what this emotion is, but he steels his shoulders and powers through.
"Ah! The skewers?" You ask, raising your eyebrows at him, and Zhongli nods.
"Yes, those. I will have two and rest assured that I have enough Mora to cover the price, including those of yesterday's," he assures you seriously, but you laugh and turn his chicken mushroom skewers over on your grill.
"You know, it never really was a worry! But your order will be done in just two minutes, respectable sir." You assure him, and Zhongli finds a small smile form on his face at the smooth conversation.
"Delightful," Zhongli responds, and he can't help but peer curiously at you working the grill over at high heat and it feels like a flash before you're done, handing him his two skewers. But Zhongli doesn't want this small encounter to be over yet.
"Here you go, have a nice night!" You state, and when Zhongli hands over the money, he watches you balk in response at the amount of Mora he passes over to you.
"Hey! This is way too much!" You exclaim in shock.
Zhongli smiles.
"That is around the amount I owed you, tenfold." Zhongli explains, and begins to gently nibble at the edge of the skewer. Normally, he'd have better culinary manners, but he's been quite hungry. He's never been great at denying himself things that he likes. It's in his nature!
He doesn't expect you to hand the Mora pouch back over to him.
"Sir, I appreciate the gesture, I really do… But I never fed you last night with the intention of receiving any payment, so to accept this would feel quite wrong," you explain, and Zhongli finds himself moved, but insistent. No good deed goes unpunished.
"Well, then. How about dining with me at Wanmin Restaurant instead?" He finds himself offering completely unprompted, and this shocks even himself. He sees you freeze at the offer, and instantly regrets his decision. You barely know him!
"Of course, if this is too much of an imposition-" Zhongli starts but you hold a hand up.
"It isn't! I was just taken aback! I hadn't expected your… sincerity." You give Zhongli an approving smile, "And as for your offer- I'll never deny myself the chance to eat a meal that isn't cooked by my own hands! See you at 7pm in front of Wanmin Restaurant, friend!" You clap his back, startling him, but Zhongli doesn't mind it at all.
"I will see you then," he replies, ignoring the feeling of excitement that's threatening to overtake him.
He is not a child… but it's been a while since he's last been in the presence of company different from that of ancestral beings, so he can't help but feel a little excited.
"But wait! Before we go in, let's introduce ourselves. I want us to enjoy our meal as friends, not strangers," you tell him wholeheartedly, and Zhongli swallows hard at the earnest face youre making and he doesn't know why, but in the short amount of time he's known you, you keep on doing things he doesn't expect!
It's not as if Zhongli is troubled by this, as a matter of fact, he quotes enjoy this, especially when compared to the disappointed shock he had felt when trying to be fed and realized human generosity is a little harder to come by.
"I see no issue with that. My name is Zhongli. May I ask what is yours?" He asks smoothly.
"My name is Y/N; and thank you for inviting me to eat with you, Zhongli," you say and Zhongli nods once, but to his surprise, you grab and lightly shake his hand. Upon contact with you, there's a strange sensation that travels all the way up Zhongli's arm, and he quickly takes his arm and hides it behind his back. He briefly wonders at the shiver that had went down his spine in response to your touch, then decides to save thinking on the matter for later.
"It was my pleasure. Now… Y/N, tell me. How did you come to be a vendor? I would love to know," Zhongli presses as the two of you head inside Wanmin Restaurant while anticipation at having new topics to discuss and a new friend to discuss them with, makes his blood pump.
"It's a long story," you answer, but then an indulgent smile spreads across your lips, "but, Zhongli, I have a feeling that I'll have a long time to tell you."
…
And thus, through deep, meaningful conversation, a new, tentative friendship is formed between Zhongli and you, as he often takes time to visit you on weekends to have a meal after what's often long days of being a funeral consultant, and even longer nights of keeping his eye on that troublesome Harbinger who goes by "Childe".
One of his abilities he can use without alerting the others to his presence, is the power to enter and manipulate one's dreams.
He had previously used it when he first descended as Zhongli to assure the adepti that he was fine, and that they should cooperate with the humans if they are in dire need of assistance against any outside threats.
He will be using this ability on the tricky harbinger to learn of his plans against Liyue. Yes, Zhongli is aware that the other is attempting to lure him out so that he may retrieve his gnosis for the Cryo Archon, but how the harbinger plans to go about doing this is beyond him.
The Harbinger turns out to be cheeky and mischievous, with an obvious penchant for bloodlust. The one dubbed Tartaglia plans to raise Osial in order to make Red Lapis appear. All things considered, it's a decent plan. However, the risk of sacrificing many, many Liyuens to achieve the Tsaritsa's goal doesn't scare Tartaglia, and for this disrespect, this ultimate disregard for human life, Rex Lapis decides he will make him pay. The method is undecided but that will come in time.
But for now, Zhongli bides his time, and enjoys life as a mortal. He goes to his job. He tries new things. He comes across new people whose ancestors he can easily remember, but can hardly remember to bring his wallet with him whether he visits the Harbor for a stroll. He learns through interactions with others just how different Liyue is, from the last time he walked its streets, but that nevertheless, much has also stayed the same.
He savours every moment he has with you, because Zhongli never expected to bond with anyone during his little experiment. But bond he does, finding that for the first time in millennia, he finds himself caring for you in a way that's different from how he cared for others. As Rex Lapis, he's always been forced to keep a distance from everyone else, but as Zhongli he doesn't have those worries. He can be unfiltered, and ask you questions that he finds you always answer patiently.
You're a kind man. A caring one, who looks out for others, with a warm sense of humor. You're reliable, hard working, and sharp, and honestly, you'd have no trouble finding yourself a partner with these qualities of yours.
It takes Zhongli months before he realizes that the tight feeling he gets in his chest whenever he thinks of you with another is not is not due to sadness at losing a friend, but instead jealousy over who will finally manage to claim you.
When the Osial fiasco finally happens, Zhongli can't deny the great feeling of pride at the way the Qixing and adepti collaborated without him to handle the threat. However, Zhongli cannot overlook that it took too long for their collaboration to happen, as the adepti took a long time to come and assist in the fight. As a result, Zhongli's seen what he's had to- Liyue is not yet ready for his retirement, if his adepti haven't learned to work well with the other mortals. At this revelation, Zhongli also feels a deep sense of remorse.
While his time down here was only supposed to be a test run for whether or not he can truly retire, he doesn't want to leave Liyue. He doesn't want to return to a lonely adeptal realm, burdened with the solitary protection of his territory. Always left alone, only visited by the adepti every couple of decades... No. If Zhongli has learned something, it's not the aspect of living amongst those he protects that he's hesitant to leave behind. It's rather one person in particular-
He doesn't want to leave you.
The implications of this realization are quite serious. Dragons, after all, are very territorial creatures. While not much of them is known, their possessiveness and more importantly, their monogamy is known. If they ever do mate, it is always to one person, and only that person throughout their lifetime. Zhongli has never before cared for someone so deeply, not even among those he favored most. Being an archon meant that his appreciation of mortals was quite limited and detached- he only interfered with their situations quite sparingly outside of granting Visions. However, to have made companions with someone that he can't help but think of all the time... Maybe he doesn't have to be alone anymore.
When he goes and commissions another pair of chopsticks similar to the ones he uses with dragon and Phoenix detailing, it feels right. After all, you did signify a Phoenix of sorts to him- in other words, you brought forth a new beginning to Zhongli. Gone was the monotonous life of his- with you by his side to brighten things and make everyday new, how could he ever let you slip through his fingers?
All that's left is to meet you and offer up himself. After all, anyone who accepts him at his Zhongli, deserves him at his Rex Lapis.
…
(READER POV- 2ND PERSON)
There is a nervous energy about Zhongli, one that bothers you when you go to meet with him at Wanmin Restaurant. The man is typically so calm, so to see the uneasy look on his face... It's unsettling.
He's reserved a table in the back, as per usual, however, on top of the table next to a pot of tea sits a long, decorative red and gold chest, etched with swooping carvings that almost look similar to the infinity symbol, or even figure eights. For all it's intents and purposes, you just know there's something quite important within the box.
For all the history Zhongli shares, has he perhaps brought an artifact for you to see?
That would be so cool!
You don't do much exploring, so being able to see an old artifact up close would be really nice.
"Zhongli!" You greet with a happy smile, suddenly refreshed after a long day, curiosity helping you to shake your exhaustion off.
"Y/N," Zhongli greets back, standing up but there's something off about his tone, and while he attempts to send a smile back your way, there's almost a stilted edge to it.
Zhongli, one of the most transparent people you know, is obviously plagued with something, and concern for your friend instantly forms in your chest.
"Hey, is something wrong?" You worriedly ask in a lower voice, as to not be heard by the other patrons, and you move around the table to go to his side so that he may lean and whisper into your ear if necessary.
Zhongli retracts slightly as you lean into his personal space, but the smile on his face looks a bit more genuine when he pats you once on the shoulder.
"Ah, thank you for your show of concern, Y/N. But please," he gestures to the seat across from him, "sit first."
That's not great. Everyone knows someone asking you to sit is a sign that they're about to break bad news to you.
Your stomach clenches, but you do as he asks, quietly dragging the chair out and sitting in it because there's not as much else you can.
"I'm not sure I have much time to spend here these days," Zhongli states, and that's quite the alarming statement.
"Are you sick!?" You hiss insensitively, but you can't help the response when panic floods through your system.
You had just gotten to know him- it's not fair!
"Nothing of the sort," Zhongli calmly assured you, and you breathe out a heavy sigh of relief but then the sick feeling that hadn't fully left returns as another interpretation of what Zhongli couple meant occurs to you.
"Are you going somewhere, Zhongli?" You ask quietly, and Zhongli frowns, before taking a deep breath, and your heart sinks as you already know what he's going to say.
"Yes. When I first descended upon Liyue, I always knew it would be a temporary visit, and yet, now that the time to return is approaching, I cannot fathom returning and acting as if everything is normal," Zhongli explains, and you can see it, the turmoil on his face.
It… kind of sucks.
Well, not kind of; it does. It really, really does. Because you were getting really close to Zhongli, and while you did have other friends, it felt as if you and Zhongli shared a special bond that you couldn't forge with the other vendors. You had befriended them over money and business matters, but you didn't talk about those things with Zhongli.
You two talked about everything else. It was really easy, seeing as how Zhongli is practically an encyclopedia on everything Liyue related and yet, he asked for every detail about you and your life. It was nice- it felt as if someone really cared about you and wasn't trying to just have small talk. There would be quite the large gap in your life if he were to suddenly up and go somewhere.
"Must you go?" You ask with a calm face, but you can't help the slightest hint of sadness and desperation that comes out when you ask the other this question.
Zhongli closes his eyes, and deeply sighs again.
"I must."
Regret and frustration drips from his voice, and you can tell he's in a complicated situation.
Damn.
"Oh wow," you say to fill the silence after a moment passes, but afterwards sense returns to you.
"So is today the last time we meet or are we still on for next week?" You can't help but ask. If you had known that today would be your last meeting, well maybe you would've put more effort into your appearance. Wear something a little fancier, maybe splash on a little of that Adonis cologne that was an impulsive buy from the fragrance shop owned by Ying'er. Maybe even bring a parting gift for the other.
"This week may be our last meeting, and thus, there is something I would like to do," Zhongli states, and strangely, at the end of his sentence, his voice sounds a bit off. And was it your imagination, or did he sound nervous?
No… Perhaps his throat got dry from speaking; it happens.
So you pick up the heavy clay kettle, still warm to the touch, and you pour out some tea for him in the small teacup set in front of him, before picking it up and pushing it into his hands.
"Sure, but drink first, friend," you tell him, and Zhongli looks down at your hands pushing the cup into his hands and you follow his line of sight, confused, until you realize! You didn't even know you were doing it, because you've always been a guy who follows your instincts.
"Oh! I didn't mean to coddle you," you laugh awkwardly, and move to put his teacup back on the table, but Zhongli's hands only gently brush against yours as he takes the cup out of your hands.
"Nothing to apologize for, Y/N," and the thing is, he doesn't say this in a normal voice. No! Zhongli, beautiful, calm, Zhongli, decides to say this in the softest, deepest voice ever, and then shoot you one of the gentlest smiles you've ever seen.
It's a fatal combo; your poor heart can't take it as you start to feel a grin push your lips up in response.
If he wasn't your friend…
You watch Zhongli as he politely sips his tea, and no, your eyes do not linger on Zhongli's mouth as he does that but you do fall into such a stupor that you finally reach out and grab your teacup and raise it to your lips, only to find out that you're sipping on air.
Idiot. You didn't even fill up your own teacup in your haste to attend to him! And worse than that, Zhongli had seen!
Oh, you must come across as so desperate, you mourn internally as you maintain a calm face on the outside.
However, instead of gently teasing you, Zhongli dons a serious expression on his face, and he reaches for your teacup which you let him have.
"Allow me to do for you as you've done for me, Y/N," Zhongli offers, a small smile on his lips before he diligently pours out tea for you, and maybe it's because you haven't dated for a while and you're delusional, but there's this underlying feeling that whatever's going on here has some underlying tones that aren't completely platonic.
Maybe you're reading too much into this.
You grab the tea that Zhongli pours out for you and down all of it in one gulp, Zhongli's eyes widening at the sight, and yeah, yeah, you know it probably came off a bit undignified but you needed a distraction and now.
"You mentioned wanting to do something, Zhongli?" You politely remind him, and Zhongli nods, those golden eyes of his snapping to the mysterious box that has captured your attention from the first time you spotted it at the table.
"Ah, yes," and with that, Zhongli opens the thin box, and inside lay a pair of Dragon and Phoenix chopsticks, identical to the pair Zhongli already owns.
Zhongli clears his throat, and you watch as his fingers dance over the fine porcelain of the cup before you realize that the other is fidgeting. A similar sense of anxiety builds up in the bottom of your gut. You originally thought the box contained something good inside, but honestly... That's quite presumptuous!
What if whatever's in the box is the reason Zhongli has to leave? What if-
"Y/N, I would appreciate it if you were to accept this from me. In all of my years, I've never found myself an acquaintance with whom I can imagine achieving true companionship, and yet, with each of our encounters, I cannot be more convinced that I have met the one suitable for such needs. For a long time I have walked a solitary path, but with this gift, if you find it to your liking, take it so that we may create a bond that no distance, or mortal obstacles can break. Accept this, accept me, and let's start anew as companions," Zhongli declares, flowery words flowing off of his tongue, and you are moved by them.
Wow. This almost felt like a proposal, but for friends? A friend-posal of sorts, maybe?
Not that the exact terminology matters. This is actually really sweet. Zhongli, who's as inexperienced to true friendship as you are, wants to leave you with such a beautiful gift- it's an extraordinary gesture. In Liyue, many relationships are transactional. To give and not expect anything in return is rare to come across in a friend. It warms your heart even further.
Well, if you think about it, there is something Zhongli wants in return. Your companionship and what an easy thing to give it is! Zhongli, mysterious, beautiful, wise Zhongli has all of Liyue to choose from and he chose you. You can't stop the smile that stretches across your mouth because you really do feel lucky. Your eyes leave the chopsticks to meet his, gaze expectant, and you realize you hadn't answered him before instantly becoming lost in your own internal monologue.
"Of course, Zhongli. How can I deny such a gift? I only regret not getting you something in return," You accept the offered box, holding the weighted chopsticks in your hands, and Zhongli smiles at you, a full blown smile with teeth, and you can do nothing but freeze up at the gorgeous sight of it.
This moment is broken however, by the sounds of light clapping that erupt from all around you, and embarrassment floods you for a moment as you realize how this must've looked and sounded to other people who don't exactly know the context of the gift and Zhongli's words.
"Excuse me-" you start, but the other patrons are already wrapped up in their idealized fantasies.
"Young love is so beautiful." Someone sighs to the left of you and your head whips around to them.
"Well yes, but you've got the wrong idea-"
"Oh, I remember when me and my Wallace were like that." Someone to the right of you sighs, and your whips around to address them as well.
"It's not what you think-"
"So young people still know the old courtship rituals, I see..." Another voice from behind you chimes in, and you finally stop and stressfully rub your face with your hand.
No one's listening to you, and strangely enough Zhongli's not even bothering to correct them, just calmly sipping at the tea of his with a little smirk. You can only strive to be so unbothered in life as he is!
Fuck it. Let them think whatever they want! It's not as if Zhongli minds- and now that you're focusing on him again, and there's a fond look on his face as he watches you and ARCHONS ABOVE, the man looks good. Your stomach twists in that way it does whenever he maintains eye contact with you for a long period of time, and instead of holding his beguiling gaze, you take the time to examine the chopsticks again.
What old courtship rituals are people speaking of? This is just a conversation between two close friends!
Salvation is sent in the form of a waiter who lays various hot, steaming plates and dishes in front of the two of you. Oh, it all looks so good! But you don't remember sending an order to the kitchen.
"Oh! Did you order before I arrived?" You ask Zhongli, pleased, and he shakes his head, as stunned as you are.
"I can assure you, I did not." Zhongli answers, confusion in his voice but the waiter waves his hand.
"Of course not, this is all on the house! Chef's orders!" The waiter excitedly chirps, and you shared a pleased look with Zhongli.
"Wow, it's all of our favorites. I can't believe he managed to remember," you breathe, amazed at the pleasant turn of events.
"Actually… I may have helped with that. You two always order the same thing when you visit and telling Chef was no issue," the waiter says, offering you a small smile, and he holds eye contact with you for a moment.
"How did you even remember?" You wonder aloud, and the waiter shyly ducks his head.
"Well, you are quite memorable," the other mutters, and-
Oh!
It's been a while since someone's hit on you, and it feels good. You've been too busy with your business and Zhongli that you haven't even entertained pursuing romantic interests for quite a while. Not that you're opposed to starting now…
"Well," Zhongli clears his throat, and your attention is drawn to him for a moment before it returns to the waiter. "Please thank Chef Mao on our behalf," he requests, but his voice sounds slightly off, a little on the sharp side, and you eye him curiously but his face is unreadable.
You shrug to yourself and go back to focusing on your newly gifted chopsticks, adjusting them properly in your hand.
"Will do!" The waiter affirms, giving Zhongli a polite nod before turning his head back towards you.
"And don't hesitate to call me if you need anything!" He winks at you before gleefully sashaying away and honestly, he's pretty cute. If Zhongli wasn't here…
You discreetly ogle the waiter's retreating form when there's the loud bang of the teacup against the table, and it scares you so much your knee accidentally jerks up and comes into contact with the wood as well.
"Ow!" You hiss under your breath, rubbing your knee through the thin material of your pants, while Zhongli watches you with a different intensity. Also, your hand goes to your throat and you cough a bit. For some reason, your chest felt a little tight, as if the air around you has compressed, making it a lil harder to suck in air. When you look up from your bout of coughing, Zhongli is still starting at you.
"Is there something on my face?" You cluelessly ask, and Zhongli's nostrils flare for a second, eyes narrowing before he shakes his head and the pissed off expression is gone. And the weird pressure from earlier is gone as well.
Did you imagine it?
Maybe the exhaustion is getting to you.
"No, for a moment it had seemed that there had been an unpleasant… bug buzzing around, but now it's gone," Zhongli calmly retorts and you look at him, more confused than before.
You haven't seen any bugs flying around but Zhongli is of the incredibly observant type, so there must have been one flying around if he said so.
"Well, let's not have this delicious meal go to waste! Come on, Zhongli!" You urge, holding up your chopsticks and Zhongli huffs out a small laugh before he nods.
"Indeed, let's dig in, as the young ones say," Zhongli says, and you squawk at him.
"Hey! We are the young ones!" You point your chopsticks at him, "And don't you forget it! We're young and virile!" You playfully flex your bicep at him, ignoring the lack of muscle that shows at the motion.
"I'll be looking forward to you proving this 'young and virile' point in the future," Zhongli states before delicately picking up his chopsticks and digging out a thin slice of pork from his bamboo shoot soup, shooting you a look from underneath his eyelash that is almost… coy.
What!?
You blink slowly and watch as Zhongli resumes eating, and no… he probably didn't mean it in that way! Because if anyone else had said that, you'd be cracking a dirty joke about your endless stamina, but this is Zhongli. He is not about that life, aha!
You shake your head and dig into your meal, huffing a laugh at your own ridiculous musings.
"You know," you pause halfway into the meal, "I'm really glad you're alright. That whole Osial business was terrifying! Rumors on the street are that Osial was incited into attacking, but that investigators are unsure of the cause. I wonder what's going to happen to the true perpetrators behind the incident; they shouldn't be able to walk free!"
"Indeed," Zhongli nods, calmly reaching for another portion of rice with his chopsticks.
"But thank the archons, the Adepti and Qixing really came together in the nick of time! And that Lady Ningguang… she's really an amazing lady!" You can't help but say in admiration, because sacrificing THEE Jade Chamber?
That's an act worthy of recognition!
"Oh? It appears that the Qixing head has gained herself a fan," Zhongli remarks, eyes bright with mirth, and you groan.
"Don't tease! But Ningguang is incredible! Truly proof that the Geo vision is the best of them all!" You ramble in your excitement, and in doing so, you miss how Zhongli, who had been about to resume eating, freezes, and then straightens up. You do catch his troubled stare, and you cock your head at him.
"Hey, are you okay? You look a bit stormy!" You comment and Zhongli huffs, bringing up a table napkin to gently dab at the corners of his mouth.
"Well it's just," Zhongli hesitates, before an uncharacteristic sigh leaves his lips, "I believe I don't exactly know how to phrase this question."
"Take your time! There's no rush," you assure him, and Zhongli's lips quirk up at the corners for a second before they fall flat once more.
"Alright," Zhongli leans closer and directs a hard stare your way.
"You state that Lady Ningguang is proof that the Geo vision is 'the best of them all'. Hearing this, I cannot help but be bothered. As a Liyuen, isn't Rex Lapis' existence proof enough that the Geo element is superior?" Zhongli inquires, and you instantly balk at the question, looking around hoping others did not overhear.
To insinuate that Rex Lapis of all the gods was not the strongest in Liyue- it would be an act of blasphemy! You did not mean to suggest that at all! Instantly, you get hit with what feels like heartburn as you realize that you've put yourself in quite the tight situation. Surely, Rex Lapis must be enjoying himself up on some mountain, watching you squirm for your impudence.
(Of course, you do not know he is sitting across from you).
"Well, of course his presence is proof enough!" You're quick to respond, looking around nervously, and your reaction is just as Zhongli had imagined.
(Your sincerity is almost enough to quell the hot, pulsing anger that nearly vibrates from within Rex, anger from being compared to one who is simply inferior).
"Well then, how did you come to find Lady Ningguang as, how did you say it- Oh yes, that 'she is the proof that the Geo vision is the best vision of all'?" Zhongli calmly recounts your word once again, making you flinch before you tug at the edge of your collar because it does feel like you're on the hot seat under Zhongli's probing stare. If you were a stronger man, you'd probably deflect and try to change the subject, but you're not so you try to think of a way to word what you're planning to say with the least possible offense to the Great Rex Lapis.
"Everyone knows that Rex Lapis has proved the limitless bounds of the Geo vision, and surely his existence is proof enough." Zhongli nods and goes to take a sip of out of his cup, closing his eyes, and you continue. "However..." Zhongli's eyes snap open and he puts down his cup.
"Well, this may sound a little out of the box, but the way I see it, Ningguang's feats are extra special because she managed to do what she did, despite being just a plain old human. She's not an archon or even an adeptus, you know?" You explain, keeping your eyes locked on Zhongli's face so you can tell if what you're saying displeases him so you can stop while you're ahead of yourself. "So her feats with Geo are extra impressive. She's real life proof to those Geo naysayers or deniers that say Geo is only good for defense, and not offense!" You bang your fist on the table, your initial doubts shed upon once more recalling the majesty of Lady Ningguang.
(Zhongli frowns as he wonders how to respond to your answer. He cannot reveal that archons, too, are humans, and he also doesn't want to discount Ningguang's feat, but a stubborn, proud part of him wants to contest your answer with the notion that he, as Rex Lapis, has committed much more impressive deeds with HIS element of Geo that greatly outweigh Ningguang's small deed. Sacrificing the Jade Chamber? Mere child's play for the Archon of War.
When he was still Liyue's archon, he gathered mountains and hurled them at enemies far greater than Osial. Yes, he had temporarily left the safety of Liyue to the Qixing, but that was ONLY after he painstakingly eliminated the true threats to his land's safety over millennia.
In his prime, Rex Lapis could have stacked ten, no, hundreds of Jade Chambers and sent them all crashing down on Liyue's enemi)-
"Zhongli."
"Hey, Zhongli?"
"Zhongli! You broke your matching pair of chopsticks!" You finally snap the other out of his stupor, looking at him worriedly.
"Ah, a regrettable action," Zhongli says, looking down as if in a daze, at his own two hands in which two chopsticks lay snapped in half, now splintered into four pieces. You look at him in concern.
(Had he done that? Zhongli wonders to himself. He hadn't even felt them give under the force of his hands).
"Was it something I said?" You ask cautiously, and Zhongli shakes his head, clearing his throat, packing his chopstick pieces away into a large napkin, possibly so that he may have them repaired in the future.
(After all, how could he leave his own matching pair of courtship chopsticks broken?)
"No, of course not. It simply caught me off guard to hear one praising the element of Geo without Rex Lapis mentioned in the same sentence," Zhongli explains and you look at him worriedly.
"Oh! Maybe I shouldn't have said anything, then!" You quickly pick up some food with the intention to shut yourself up, because you can't mess up anymore if your mouth is full! But a gloved hand comes atop yours and stops your hand midair, and the food slips off your chopsticks and lands back in the bowl, ignored.
"THAT is absolutely unnecessary. Never feel as if you have to silence yourself whenever you are with me, dear one," Zhongli looks at you earnestly, and it's a little too much because he looks SO good and he's staring right at you-
And did he just call you 'dear one'? As close as the two of you are, you've never used pet names, especially seeing as how Zhongli was so proper at the time, you'd assume he wouldn't use that on anyone but his significant other. Perhaps he really does care for you and that's his way of expressing it- after all, Zhongli's way of speaking seems to be modeled after an older linguistic style where such phrases may be used.
"Of course," you answer after staring at him like a dumbfounded idiot because for a moment, you were genuinely lost in the beauty of his eyes. Plus the man's holding your hand gently. Your defenses are destroyed; rendering your brain inactive until you remember you have to be normal.
"And I want you to do the same! Say whatever you want whenever you're with me, Zhongli!" You rush to say, and Zhongli nods, a small smile on his lips and your heart squeezes because FUCK he is SO-
He is your friend! And that is all!
"Well then, with that settled, let's get back to eating now!" You say with forced enthusiasm, and Zhongli friends but nods his head and the rest of the meal flies by quickly. You cannot ignore the fact that a deep frown sits on Zhongli's lips for the remainder of the meal, and you curse your big mouth.
Later, after you two have finished, you and Zhongli walk to the door of the restaurant and you hold it open for him, loving the smile he shoots your way.
"While tonight did not exactly go how I imagined, I cannot convey just how pleased I am by your acceptance of my proposal. See you tomorrow, Y/N. There are many things I have to do." Zhongli says softly, and you nod but you're a little confused.
Wasn't today supposed to be your last meeting with Zhongli before he goes and does whatever duty he has to?
Have things changed? And proposal? It had felt like one, yes, but it wasn't real. It wasn't as if you two are engaged.
Well, you're not complaining if that means you get to see your favorite funeral consultant more often!
"See you, Zhongli! You know where to find me if you need me!" You tell him, and Zhongli smiles, and he lightly grabs the two of your hands and holds them, and the gesture is surprisingly intimate.
"I am looking forward to starting anew," Zhongli gently tells you, before releasing your hands with an abashed expression.
"Forgive me, I don't know why-" He begins to apologize but you grin, and this time you reach out and grab his hands in a light hold.
"Look- this is nothing to apologize for, my friend! A little physical contact won't scare me; I'm very tactile!" You reassure him, and Zhongli's eyes meet yours before flicking away.
"Quite," he responds dryly and you huff out a small laugh before you drop his hands, rubbing the back of your head awkwardly.
"Well, with that point made, I'll bid you goodnight! Rest well!" You back up a few steps, and Zhongli smiles.
"Goodnight, Y/N."
You turn around and walk away, heading home, oblivious to the deep stare Zhongli's eyes bore into your back.
You're unaware of the mental conflict that is currently working away at Zhongli's rationality, leaving him with twisted, deranged thoughts.
(The thing is.
Rex Lapis is not the oldest archon around because he sat on his thumbs and waited for the archon war to end- no, he is the best archon there is all of Tevyat.
Rex Lapis is second to none.
Being compared to Ningguang, whose attunement with the Geo element is laughable, feels like a major insult. She couldn't even handle one enemy on her own, and yet she's hailed as a hero for this small feat?
Have people forgotten Rex Lapis' might? His unyielding strength when defending them, his people?
Is it so that even the one he intends to wed, cannot help but hold this Ningguang in higher regard than his own archon?
And then what will be next? Will Liyue turn it's back on its own protector?
Where there's blasphemy, mutiny and betrayal always follow.
There's no way his people would feel this way- there must be some sort of unnatural influence at work, puppeteered by Ningguang's hand! The Qixing do have control of the media in Liyue...
Perhaps there is another that must be punished as well.
Indeed, just as he had told you, there are things he must do).
…
BAM BAM BAM!
BAM! BAM! BAM!
What the-? What is that racket?
You open your eyes blearily.
"Y/N!" A strange voice calls out, and that loud sound… is someone pounding on your door.
Your eyes close for another second before they snap open.
It must be an emergency! Something's gotta be wrong! And if there isn't, there'll be a hell of a high price to pay for waking you up out of your much needed sleep!
"Wha…?" You say in a low voice as you sit up slowly, but of course the pounding doesn't stop, but it helps you wake up faster.
"I'm up, I'M UP!" you dash to the door and swing it open, scaring the shit out of what looks to be a… member of the Millileth!?
"What's going on?!" You ask breathlessly, and the other takes a deep breath before he opens his mouth and the next words out of his mouth are ones you'd never expect.
"Apologies for disturbing your rest, sir, but there's been a posting near the Wharf. Rex Lapis- he's called for a public execution!" The soldier unexpectedly rambles, and what?
You must've heard that wrong.
"A public EXECUTION?" You ask, because there's no way the soldier you're speaking with just told you that!
"Yes, sir. Rex Lapis hasn't held one in over a hundred years. And that's not all… here, read for yourself!" And with that, the guard pushes a red paper lined with gold writing into your hands.
It reads:
"To all of Liyue:
It is I, your guardian archon. As you know in lieu of my disappearance, there was a recent threat made against the sanctity of Liyue. All perpetrators have been caught and will be executed today in the heart of Liyue by my hand right before sundown. All Liyuens aged 21 and older must attend with no exceptions. Below find the list of the transgressors:"
Archons above… what a brutal method of justice. The Millileth do exist for a reason. You didn't even know executions were something Rex had done in the past, and this knowledge makes you want to throw up. You don't want to look at the names because you don't want to know all of those who will lose their lives today, but by complete accident, your eyes fall on them anyway.
Of course there's the name of the pesky little Harbinger with all of his Fatui subordinates on the list, but there's a name there that shocks you.
Why is LADY NINGGUANG'S NAME THERE AS WELL? How has she acted in betrayal of Liyue? She's been Liyue's SAVIOR in the midst of Rex Lapis' disappearance!
Surely, there's been some kind of mistake!
You feel sick to your stomach and you don't want to see this at all but you HAVE to go because it's the command of Rex Lapis. When you look around, you can see members of the Millileth, faces pale, knocking on other people's doors.
Wow, this is really happening.
You return inside and quickly dress, thankful for the foresight of having bathed the night before, before returning outside, and you only have to wonder where to go for a moment before you see it.
Large crowds from Qijing Terrace flood the streets as everyone heads down to the wharf, where as if by some miracle, bleachers and seats have been piled up high in a circular formation mirroring a panopticon. From an outside perspective, one would almost feel as if they were in a colosseum!
In the center of the makeshift colosseum, lies a bunch of people adorned with Fatui masks chained to each other, and while you don't recognize them, you do recognize the figure with white-blonde hair, although she looks nothing like the composed image of herself she normally presents.
Lady Ningguang.
Your stomach flips, and your steps falter for a moment before you're urged to continue.
You move forward in the crowds, feeling like you were part of a collective school of fish, and the entire time you crane your head, looking this way and that way, trying to spot your golden eyed pal, or at least his tell-tale Black suit. However, your looking around only stops you from paying attention to what's going on around you, and you're rudely back to reality when someone shoulder checks you, hard.
"Keep moving!" Someone grouches from behind you, and although you do want to tell them off, you decide to let it go. There's a time and place for everything, but there's no time or place for a fight here, at a place where people will die. It looks like about every citizen is here too, so you wonder when the event will start. You already have a horrible feeling in your gut.
"Look, there he is! Just like in his statues!" A young woman next to you excitedly points at the sky as you're finding a seat, and you curiously look up with the other onlookers.
There is Rex Lapis, with his illustrious adepti on elevated platforms formed from Plaustrite, all seated in fancy chairs that look more like thrones. It's hard to see his face due to the flowing white robes he has on, however you can't focus on his looks when a great noise redirects your attention.
"No!"
"There must have been a mistake!"
The members of the Qixing loudly weep and beg for mercy on behalf of Lady Ningguang, but Rex Lapis does not heed their cries. In low whispers, the citizens share their own doubts with the archon's findings, for once, their telltale faith shaken.
"Silence."
Just as Rex Lapis commanded, the entire arena of people go silent. Not another sound was made, and to your left, you see a woman slip a hand over her companion's mouth, her expression terrified.
"People of Liyue, heed my words. The people you see down there are criminals. Today, I will reveal their crimes and provide swift judgement."
He reads out a list of the crimes enacted against Liyue and the guilty parties involved in a clear, booming voice, and you feel sicker and sicker as the list goes on, head swimming.
You really do not want to be here.
"Lady Ningguang has done the most treacherous act of all. She has colluded with the attackers and then pretended to protect Liyue for her benefit. She has worked to free Osial in an attempt to usurp me and my followers, and have both the adepti and people of Liyue look to HER as a replacement of myself! There is only ONE ruler of Liyue, one protector, and that is MYSELF, REX LAPIS. She even dared to convince my COMPANION, the other half of my soul, that she is better suited for the role than I!" Rex Lapis bellowed, and while everyone rushes to process this information, you can't help but feel that Rex's voice, while overwhelming in its omniscience, sounds a lot more familiar than it ever had before…
"It's NOT TRUE!" Ningguang yells from her position on the ground, tears streaming down her face, "Liyue is my home! I would NEVER betray it nor you, my Lord!" And while her words ring loud throughout the court, making a few people eye each other uneasily at her earnest display, no one dares to speak or even make a move to defend her, which you don't blame them for. There is no going against the great Archon, Rex Lapis.
And besides, you're still stuck on the fact that he is apparently BETROTHED? WHO IS THE LUCKY BEING WHO STOLE REX LAPIS' HEART?
And then as if to answer the question lying within his people's hearts, Rex Lapis looks down at the crowd of Liyue citizens, face still hidden by Celestial robes, and calls, "Betrothed. Come out, please."
And the entire crowd that was chatting in low whispers before falls silent as they all look amongst themselves in shock and anticipation.
The LUCKY PERSON IS A MERE MORTAL?!? A CITIZEN, NO LESS?
But no one stands up, steps forward, and you crane your head to join the others in looking for who is Rex Lapis' spouse, eagerly! It's a much welcomed distraction.
Rex Lapis sighs, and then says in a softer voice, "Do not be shy. These are my loyal subjects. You do not have to worry about their judgement. They will accept you as you are."
And isn't that sweet? This sounds like something STRAIGHT out of a Yae Publishing House novel!
But still, NO ONE steps forward.
And so Rex Lapis, begins to scan the crowd and you watch as his gaze sweeps over all the citizens, his eyes eerily familiar-
You stop breathing when those Golden Eyes stop and connect with yours, and then ZHONGLI? REX LAPIS? descends from his position on the Plaustrite platform, and floats in front of you, offering his hand to you.
"There you are, beloved," Zhongli (??? Rex Lapis?!? What the FUCK IS GOING ON)- says to you calmly while you're just sitting there, mouth agape. Instantly, people around you start to talk amongst themselves, chatter surrounding you as disbelief gasps sound throughout the space.
"Beloved WHO- Wait, do you mean ME?!" You blurt out nonsensically, pointing at yourself and Zhongli smiles softly at you and. THE ARCHON OF GEO. THE OLDEST ARCHON OF THEM ALL IS SMILING AT YOU AND TAKING YOUR HAND IN HIS AND HE'S TAKING YOU UP IN THE AIR WITH HIM AND EVERYONE AROUND YOU IS SHOCKED JUST LIKE YOU ARE, EVEN THE ADEPTI.
WAIT. DIDN'T HE CALL YOU HIS BETROTHED? WHEN DID YOU TWO GET ENGAGED?!!?
Because it's not as if he ever declared his intentions or even shown you interest in that way-
Wait.
Your last meeting with Zhongli before his "unfortunate departure". His nervous, uncharacteristic fidgeting.
His words.
'Y/N, I would appreciate it if you were to accept this from me. In all of my years, I've never found myself an acquaintance with whom I can imagine achieving true companionship, and yet, with each of our encounters, I cannot be more convinced that I have met the one suitable for such needs. For a long time I have walked a solitary path, but with this gift, if you find it to your liking, take it so that we may create a bond that even distance cannot break. Accept this, accept me, and let's start anew as companions'.
Plus, the phoenixes on the chopsticks!
How did you not piece this together? You know Zhongli is traditional, and now that you think about it, chopsticks are a traditional courtship gift. You had accepted them, and with them, you had accepted Rex fucking Lapis. But still, it's not as if you knew that at the time!
You two finally stop floating, and it appears he has moved you from your seat in the bleachers to the elevated platform where now everyone can see you. You still can't wrap your head around it. Zhongli is Rex Lapis, your resident archon. Rex Lapis is Zhongli, the man who moved your heart.
It's a wonder how you had any strength in your knees at all with the way you wanted to drop to the floor at the weight of your realization. You can't fight the urge to drop to a knee in the face of his magnificence regardless. You've never been so close.
"Forgive me, Zhong-" You start, bowing your head before him, but the feeling of a hand on your shoulder stops your words.
"Not in front of the others," Rex Lapis tells you gravely, and you snap your mouth shut and nod dumbly, "and rise. You should not lower yourself beneath me, beloved."
Rex Lapis then holds out a hand, still covered by his robe, once more, and you stand up jerkily, to take it. The moment you do, you look around uncomfortably, accidentally meeting the gaze of the adepti so you turn your head quickly. You look down and see that you have raised a few feet in the air, and when you look down, the Liyuens that gaze up at you look so small.
Is this a dream?
"What the fuck?" You say in a low voice, before you suck in a breath. You didn't mean to say that out loud!
"Language," Zho- Rex chides you in a soft voice, and you nod and don't respond aloud because you're honestly too freaked out at the moment and you're clinging to him for dear life in case whatever power he uses fails and you fall off the platform and plummet to the ground-
Let's stop that line of thinking right there.
"This is the other HALF to my soul. Respect him as you would me," Rex Lapis calls out into the crowd and the silence that echoes after his words is deafening. No one dares to say anything. No one even dares to move.
"Loyal subjects, rise, and show proper respect," Rex Lapis growls out, and EVERYONE, even the deer adeptus in front of you, bows and it's TOO MUCH.
"Now, that THAT is settled, you may be seated." Everyone obeys, because they have common sense. Rex Lapis continues, "Allow me to show you all what true control over the Geo element looks like. This will be a feat you will all remember for the rest of your lives, and will not only prove that Geo is the best element of all, but also why it is not wise to cross me.
You cross me, you cross Liyue. You cross Liyue," His gaze, angry and HOT, falls on the shivering forms of Lady Ningguang and all of the Fatui members, "you cross ME."
And with that, Rex Lapis lifts a blackened hand, golden light going forth and enveloping all the captured people and to everyone's horror, they're all encased in DARK, GLOWING STONE before Rex Lapis utters one loud, resounding order.
"CRUMBLE." He commands, and one by one, each and every person there does just that, crumbling as if porcelain under a hammer, great billows of dust emitting from their petrified forms before they disappear into nothingness. Everyone is stunned into silence. It's no gory affair, and yet, horrifying all the same. You all have witnessed murder death at the hands of your benevolent, protector archon. The one you just agreed to tie yourself to.
You want to throw up.
You jump nearly ten feet in the air when a hand finds your shoulder, and you look to your left to find Rex Lapis, peering at you with obvious interest.
"Are you moved by my display of power, beloved?" Rex Lapis asks you, coolly, and the sick feeling in your stomach intensifies. YOU are the reason Zhongli, no, Rex Lapis has gone this far. Lady Ningguang has died, because of you! Everyone knows she would never betray Liyue! And now Rex is out here killing people because you made a few disparaging remarks and at the same time wants to marry you and WHAT THE FUCK IS GOING ON?
WHat THE FUCK ARE YOU GOING TO DO NOW?!?
You zone out for a moment as the whole word narrows for a second and you breathe in, out, in-
Your survival instincts FINALLY kick in and you brain returns to it's normal processing.
"Y- yes, Z- my Lord," you answer awkwardly in a shaking voice, and Rex Lapis frowns, and you freeze. You don't know how to address him. Archons above, you don't even know how to speak!
Did you do something wrong?
"Husband," Rex Lapis gently corrects, and you look at him, confused, not following what he was saying.
"Husband?" You repeat dumbly.
"Yes. I would much rather you call me by the title I value most, and the title I will soon share with you, beloved. You've already agreed to marry me, so call me husband, and I will call you husband as well," Rex Lapis instructs, and distantly, a part of you acknowledges that this is REALLY happening in FRONT OF EVERYONE and that this is NOT A DREAM!
You eye a few of your vendor friends in the crowd who continue to look on at you and Rex Lapis in total shock, and you want to go down there and tell them you're just as shocked as they are! As one of the citizens, you know the people of Liyue really never expected their archon to settle down, so to see this happen and to find out he wants to be with you, of all people- it's mind boggling.
HELP ME! You want to yell at your gaping friends, but your mouth remains shut. Is it even possible for one to reject a God's advances? Will he smite you, just like he did Ningguang?
"Y/N?"
Your mind eventually registers that Rex Lapis is looking at you patiently and you realize that he's waiting for an answer to his first question. Your eyes leave his for a moment to look over the scene where traces of gold dust lay upon the ground, all that remained of living, human beings that are now gone.
You're a lot of things, but you're not dumb.
"Yes, husband. Your act," you swallow roughly, eyeing Rex Lapis with fear, "moved me."
Rex smiles. His incisors, which you've never thought to study before, are sharply pointed. Their appearance are true to his draconic nature, that of a supreme being, one that has somehow chosen to fix it's sights on you.
Archons, help!
"Good. Because if it hadn't, I'd have to find another subject to make an example of..." Rex muses out loud, hand coming to his chin in a very familiar gesture, and it really does confirm that Zhongli was Rex Lapis. The Zhongli you fed, talked to, and strolled down Liyue Harbor with, was a god. And not just any God. Your God. The Geo God.
The things you've done in front of him, the things you've said. A weird mix of embarrassment, fear and anxiety all mix in your chest, but fear remains the strongest as it continues to keep your feet anchored next to the celestial being.
Where can you even run? Who would help you?
"But nevertheless, that is all I have to share, citizens of Liyue. Return to your homes, assured of your Archon's strength, and control," Rex commands and the crowd is quick to disperse, low whispers erupting in your ears, as many continue to throw disbelieving looks over their shoulders at you, which you can't blame them for.
Rex Lapis sees this, and then he hums, a loud, displeased sound.
"Cast your eyes away from my husband, lest you'd like to lose them," Rex barks out, and the looks thrown your way are no more.
Lapis then turns and addresses his closest friends? Or are they his subjects?
Lapis' relationship with the adepti is very ambiguous except everyone knows the adepti choose to serve him and protect Liyue when he calls upon them to do so.
"Adepti. Yaksha. Come show proper reverence to my husband before returning to your abodes," Rex Lapis commands, and your eyes widen because you are not anybody special and you're sure that any second now, Rex Lapis will clear up all this confusion and realize he has the wrong guy.
The adepti and masked Yaksha gaze at you, obvious confusion on their faces before they wrestle their facial expressions into something tamer, and then they BOW AGAIN before you. The idea of such great beings doing such a thing is enough to wake you up out of your compliant stupor.
"Hey! You don't need to do all of that! Bowing is not necessary! I should be the one bowing to you!" You hurriedly tell them, heart damn near beating out of your chest from the stress of the moment, and they all look to you, confused but before you can speak any more on the matter, Rex Lapis intervenes.
"Nonsense. You must bow to no other. As my husband, you are my equal. All that serves me, serve you now," Rex explains gently, and it's odd to hear that familiar voice directed at you, knowing that it's coming from your archon.
You can't forget that he's also engaged to you now, too. You can't even keep track of whether to call him Zhongli or Rex Lapis in your head.
This is where being "relaxed" about things get you!
"Oh," you say very eloquently, trying to not look like you were currently losing your mind.
"Are you alright? I know this may have been a lot to process," Rex Lapis asks kindly, and then there's the warm feeling of a hand on your shoulder, and although your mind is telling you to relax, you can't help but flinch at the contact.
You don't miss the flash of hurt that flashes across the other's face, and it's weird. You want to feel guilty for making Lapis feel bad but at the same time, Lapis should know that he won't be able to interact with you the way he did before you knew of his true identity.
He sees your struggle to speak and holds up a hand.
"Leave us," he orders, eyes never straying from your face, and the adepti and Yaksha obey wordlessly, leaving quicker than your human eyes can track and then it's just the two of you, on that block of Plaustrite alone.
"To be very honest, I am simply in a state of shock. Is that what you meant when you told me you were leaving, Zho- I mean Rex?" You ask sincerely, using your best formal voice to avoid inciting the other's anger.
"Yes. I knew I had to return to my archonic form after weeding out the threat to Liyue, but I realized that I couldn't return unless I was going to bring you with me. You're too special to me, Y/N." Rex Lapis lightly grabs your hand in a move similar to that which he pulled before leaving you the day prior. At that time, it had made you feel as if you were floating on air. Today, the motion makes your stomach sink with dread.
"I care for you, deeply. It's to the point where I almost considered relieving myself of my archonic duties to stay by your side," he adds suddenly, and stupid as it may be, your heart begins to pound faster in your chest for reasons that may not have to do with anxiety for once.
"Listen. Nothing has changed. I still want to provide you with a life where you will never want for nothing or have to work again. I still want to be your 'Zhongli' when no one else is around. And most of all, I still want to know what it feels like to love and be loved, offering myself up for you to do as you wish," Rex Lapis makes a touching appeal, and a frisson of heat runs throughout you at the emotionally charged words.
You know you're scared and confused, but the thing is… you can see the desperation in the other's eyes, and you can feel the passion in his words.
He wants you. Bad.
"I want to have you in any and all ways you're willing to give me, Y/N. I want you to take me, embrace me, change me," Rex Lapis breathes, bringing his forehead against yours, "Remake me."
Fuck.
Another bolt of heat runs throughout you as a heady sense of power overwhelms you.
In front of you is Tevyat's most powerful Archon, and he wants you.
Enough to kill.
It shouldn't be hot, but Celestia forgive you, it really fucking is!
This is going to be such a bad idea, but what else is there to do? And you did want Zhongli, even if you thought your desire had been unrequited at the time…
"Okay, Zhongli. I'm willing to try this out," you tell him cautiously, slotting your fingers with his, and pulling him closer until you're wrapping your other arm around him in a loose hug. While the position is awkward, Zhongli leans in to you with ease.
"Ah, that's a relief," Zhongli sighs in your ear, and for some reason, the statement winds you up.
"What is?" You ask without even thinking about it, the words flying from your mouth naturally.
"Your agreement. Because if you hadn't given it, I would've taken you regardless," the archon clarifies in a nonchalant voice as the blood freezes in your veins.
And WHY the FUCK would he say that? Because now it's planting seeds of doubt in your head once more. Your stomach drops to your feet.
Do you- do you really know what you're getting into?
Because the whole sense of wrongness that had fled at the other's sweet words, comes flooding back, and it's the rush of common sense you needed. How the fuck can you get out of this situation and fast? An easy rejection, maybe? You don't know, it's hard to think.
"Actually, Zhongli," you start, gently backing out from the tight hug, "I don't think I'm the one for-" A gloved finger lands on your lips and Rex Lapis' gentle expression hardens before your eyes into one much colder.
"Hush, husband. Hold your tongue... unless you'd like to see those dearest to you on the execution grounds next. One does not deny an archon what they wish," the other ruthlessly threatens, and you freeze, fear flooding your system. Your chest feels tight and you can't breathe. Where the fuck did "sweet" Zhongli go? You want him back, not this archon who enjoys taking power trips!
Rex Lapis is a lot of things, but everyone knows when he says something, he means it.
And hold up... you still can't get over what he said, as the impact of his words truly hit you. Is he talking about killing your family, your friends?
While you stand there frozen with fear, the archon waves his hand, and there's a sudden white flash and for a few seconds you truly thought you had been sent to the afterlife for a moment.
But suddenly, the white is gone, and you're in a golden landscape where there's floating islands, suspended golden bridges, and a large house in front of you. A calming song utilizing various instruments you recognize tickles your ears.
It's like something straight out of an mythology book. And in the distance, is that a bird in a teapot you see?
"What is this? Where are we?" You can't help but ask, confusion your most forefront emotion at the moment. Rex turns to you, and this time his blinding robe is gone. He looks like plain old Zhongli, although he's now clad in a black and gold tunic as opposed to his previous three piece suit. His hair is free of its usual clasp and it runs down his back. You gasp when you see his arms, previously always hidden by his sleeves, black with golden veins that seem to pulsate, a reminder of the power of Geo and maybe something else you don't know about.
Your stomach clenches. Fuck. He looks so, so good. If he were anyone else right now, you'd bed him. Sink your teeth into the expanse of skin before you. Your fingers twitch, but you don't what you're feeling. You're feeling a million things all at the same time. Your chest hurts. You're scared. This is not a normal situation. What do you do?
Your chest pain worsens as your arch- husband turns to smile at you.
"This, Y/N, is your new home," Rex Lapis gestures to the entirety of the surroundings, before he comes back and plasters himself against your side "and I can't wait to find out the memories we'll make here. We're going to be here for a long time."
Oh, shit.