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“Some guy told me not to associate with you,” I commented to Zhongli as we were eating at a restaurant together.
“And yet you don't feel the need to heed him?”
“Of course not. Barely know the guy. And you and I are friends. I'm not just gonna stop visiting you just because some stranger says archons destroyed Khaenri'ah ages ago.”
“Hm,” he looked almost like he was beginning to feel uncomfortable or uneasy, which was a really strange look on him that I didn't like.
He then took me by the hand and began to lead me somewhere.
“Come with me.”
I had no choice but to follow.
“Where are we going?” I asked, but he was uncharacteristically quiet as he continued to lead me through the streets of Liyue.
He brought me to the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor, then let me in and led me to a room behind his office, which seemed to be his living space.
He offered me a seat at his small dining table and rather sheepishly said, “I just realized I've never invited you over for tea.”
“You mean, to your living space? You've invited me to tea plenty of times.”
“Precisely.”
An awkward pause followed, in which he set tea before me and stared at the floor as if unsure what to say.
Then, in a tone far softer than I'd imagine could ever come from him, he said, “I don't want you to leave me.”
His intense gaze bored into mine, searching me for a response.
“You know I would never abandon you, don't you?” I replied, firmly but gently.
“I can think of a thousand reasons why you should,” he laughed, his laugh sounding hollow and sad.
He sat down on the side of his bed, looking rather defeated, rubbing a hand across his eyes.
“Whatever happened back then, I don't care. I won't abandon you.”
“I cannot even hint at it. I am bound by contract not to speak of it, even to someone as dear to me as you. Is that not worse?”
“Maybe. I still stand by what I said. You're dear to me as well, and a stranger telling me not to associate with you isn't going to change how I feel.”
I got up from sitting at his little dining table and went and sat next to him on his bed, leaning into him in a pseudo-hug.
“I saw my sibling the other day. His mind was poisoned by the Abyss Order; they call him their ‘Prince.’ I'm scared I'm going to have to fight him, but I'd do it in a heartbeat if it meant protecting you.”
Zhongli turned and hugged me, my face buried in his chest.
“I am so sorry,” he said softly, his hand gently petting my hair.
After a moment he eased me into a reclining position on his bed, laying beside me and just holding me close. His warmth enveloped me, and I felt safe, snuggling into him.
I must have fallen asleep. I came awake slowly, then realized I was being gripped lightly in the strong embrace of the geo archon himself as he slept.
Zhongli was also shirtless, for like, no reason at all. His arms and hands were clearly not human, rather they looked like pure geo with bright, intricate geo designs covering them.
I wondered whether or not it was a good idea to get up, since this was probably not appropriate for either of us to be doing, but also didn't want to wake him. He looked so peaceful while asleep, and I didn't want to deal with the awkwardness that would definitely happen if he woke now.
So I attempted to go back to sleep.
While I was attempting, though, he stirred and awoke. I kept my eyes closed and breathed naturally and deeply as if in sleep.
“...may need to amend our contract if we keep doing things like this,” he murmured softly with a little laugh.
I almost stopped faking sleep, my desire to see his expression as he laughed was so powerful.
He kissed my forehead and I gave myself away by holding my breath when he did it.
“Oh?” he said, his voice amused.
I stopped pretending to sleep and opened my eyes to see the gently smiling archon beside me.
“You know... I'm actually perfectly fine with that,” I grinned, snuggling into his embrace.
He held me close, petting my hair.