#genshin sagau

LIVE

AN: Uhhh warning there’s a lot of angst.
Masterlist,Part 1

Zhongli awoke this morning feeling better than he has in a very long time. Gone were the aches and pains that his body endured from the millenniums of battle and hardship and gone were the sins of his past that weighed heavy on his shoulders, his soul feeling lighter than air. Even strolling through the harbor, it appears Liyue herself has been given a breath of life as well. For the air in the harbor felt crisper, the sun was warm and radiant and the energy of her people was practically vibrating with your essence.

Watching the citizens move with such fervor, it was evident that you were the reason for this change. However, he found it odd that with every step he took in the direction of Wangsheng Funeral Parlor, the stronger he felt in his connection to you. A sense of dread washes over him and he can’t help but shudder at the thought of whatever antics the funeral director has put upon you. Taking a deep breath, he enters the building in search of you and to his horror, he finds you lying in a coffin laughing with your arms crossed while Hu Tao looms over with a gleam in her eyes.

“You are absolutely right, Tao. These coffins are comfy. When I die, I’d definitely want this one.”

The 77th director giggles, “I’ll keep that in mind so long as you promise that Wangsheng Funeral Parlor will be the one to handle your funeral proceedings and last rites when you die.” Rising from your coffin like a creature of the undead, you hold out your hand for her to shake. “You’ve got yourself a deal!” You said enthusiastically.

While the two of you sealed the deal, Zhongli couldn’t help but grimace in disapproval of this entire transaction. The very idea of you dying again put the ex Geo Archeon at great unease and the idea of grieving you once more would be far too much for his old heart to take. No, you will not be dying anytime soon, Zhongli determined. Not if he had anything to say about it.

Stepping out from the corridor the consultant makes his presence known, “Your Grace, it is a wonderful surprise to see you here. I will refrain from asking why you are in a coffin but I have more comfortable seating arrangements in my office.”

Gazing at the tall man before you, you couldn’t help but gawk at him. He looks even more handsome and refined in real life and the sound of his velvet smooth baritone voice makes you weak in the knees. With Hu Tao’s help you carefully climb out of the coffin and walk up to him with a grin. “By all means, lead the way.” Seeing you smile at him for the first time in 500 years made Zhongli’s heart skip a beat. Oh how he missed you, he can’t wait to tell you of all the things you’ve missed! Putting his hand on the small of your back as he’s done hundreds of times before, he leads you away to his office.

Watching the couple exit the showing room, the director observes the way he looks at you. Such eyes filled with adoration, it’s as if you’re lovers torn by war only to be reunited once again. Though it is possible, she thought to herself. He is an Adepti after all and probably has some history with you. Suddenly inspiration strikes her, this would be great material for a poem! The versemonger of the darkest alleys rushes to her respective office to capture her thoughts on paper.

Elsewhere, Zhongli leads you to his simple yet elegant workroom and offers you a cushy lovechair while he prepares you both some tea. You sit down in the seat with a blush still evident on your face from when he put his hand on your lower back. While you watch him prepare the tea, you think back to the feeling of his large hand against you and you secretly hope he touches you like that again. Your thoughts begin to drift to other places he could touch you when his voice calls out to you.

“(Y/N).”

Your eyes widened in shock and you snapped your head toward him. You never told him your name…

“W-what is it? Sorry I wasn’t listening.”

He chuckles, “head in the clouds I see, dear (Y/N). Even after all these years, you haven’t changed a bit. I just asked if you wanted some sweets; they’re imported from Fontaine.”

You nodded your head while he placed the tea and cookies in front of you and went to sit in the chair next to you. Feelings of anxiety start to build you as you realize that Zhongli seems to think that you remember him from before you died. Holding the teacup in your hands, you stare into the steam of your hot drink.

How are you going to tell him that he’s the only one who shares the memory?

You find yourself not wanting to be here anymore and the idea of teleporting away is looking more and more appealing. Sensing your anxiety, the amber eyed man takes one of your hands and holds it with both of his. Turning your hand over, he rubs his thumb across your palm and says, “You don’t remember me do you, (Y/N)?”

You opened your mouth to try and say something, anything that would soften the blow but no words came out. But you didn’t need to say anything because the pained look on your face was all the answer he needed.

As upset as he is, this situation is all his fault for he; Rex Lapis, The God of Contracts, The Geo Archeon was your most faithful apostle and he failed you. He has only broken one contract in his life and it was the one he created in which he would love and protect you for all eternity. He never should’ve let you go to Khaenri'ah and when heard of your untimely death he flew into a rage and greatly assisted in the destruction of the ancient civilization. But once the fires and the dust settled, not even your body could be recovered in the wreckage and with no body, he buried an empty casket. For the last 500 years, he’s carried the guilt of not protecting you on his shoulders and has been haunted by the memories of you wherever he went.

Not sure what to say, you gave your condolences, “I…I’m so sorry Zhongli.”

In response, Morax gave you a sad smile and put your hand that he was holding up to his cheek and held it there. You responded in kind by gently stroking his smooth face with your fingers.

“It’s alright,” he whispered, “I’ll remember for the both of us. And.. I am to blame for your circumstance. I should’ve done my duty and protected you like I vowed to.”

You shook your head, taking your other hand and placing it on the other side of his face, you looked him square in the eyes. You’ve never seen him look so vulnerable, his gaze full of bittersweet nostalgia.

“I-” you hesitated, you’re not sure if this is the right thing to say but you think it’s something he needs to hear. “The old me is gone. But I can tell you with every fiber of my being that she would forgive you, thatI forgive you and she would not want you to carry this guilt anymore.” You said with soft firmness and then gave him a tender kiss on his forehead.

Just as you were about to release your hold on his face, he pulled at your arms and you fell into his embrace with you in his lab. You can feel his heart thumping quickly against his chest while he holds you tightly as if you were about to disappear from his life again. Zhongli lets out a deep sigh of relief and inhales the scent of your hair, my goodness you even smell the same. He kisses the top of your head, “Thank you, (Y/N).”

You nuzzled your nose against his neck in return and shifted yourself to get more comfortable in his lap, your tea long forgotten and turned cold.

Bonus scene:
After an emotional morning, the two of you decided lunch was in order and Zhongli recommended eating at Liuli Pavillion. Unsurprisingly, he orders the most expensive dishes and drinks. Usually, Zhongli would do most of the talking but for once, he did the listening as he was quite curious about you, your old life and your experiences so far in Teyvat. Watching you speak with the same mannerisms as the old you that he knew and loved, he could definitely see himself falling for this version of you too. When you both stuffed yourselves full of delicious food, the bill comes to your table.

You both glance at each other then the bill.

“…..Zhongli.”
“Yes, dear?”
“Do you need me to cover this?”
“….yes.”

And that is how you became Zhongli’s wallet.