Chapter Text
In another shrine the goddess of thunder Ei was looking over some very interesting reports.
“Tartaglia ‘Childe’ college student, this boy is hardly more than an infant. How did he become god of the Guizhong shrine? Where has Guizhong gone?” Holding the papers up that had a rather crude drawing of Childe on them.
Barbatos wind god had been the one to bring the reports.
“Nobody knows of her whereabouts for the last twenty years.”
“Unacceptable!” Ei shouted. “First she denies giving me Morax and then disappears for twenty years?!” Thunder rolled and lightning flashed as her anger was bubbling up. Ei had even asked nicely that one time for the dust goddess to give her the lovely dragon and still Guizhong said no.
“You have to feel bad for poor Morax, how awful to serve a human.” Barbatos had a sly look on his face as he casually commented.
Ei hadn’t exactly heard what Barbatos said, clenching the reports tightly in her hands. Ei’s shrine spirits, usagi Kazuha and kitsune Yae, kneeled before her with a twinge of fright.
Suddenly Ei’s anger boiled over and her lighting cleared the roof off of the shrine. Kazuha was scared as he huddled more behind Yae who had a neutral look.
“Very well, whether you are a human being worthy of being a god or not, I Lady Ei goddess of thunder and lighting shall take your measure myself.” Purple lighting pulsed and fizzled around her.
At the Guizhong shrine Zhongli was hard at work preparing meals when his pointed ear heard the distant rumbling of thunder. Looking out the window he saw some storm clouds gathering near where Ei’s shrine was.
“Oh my, seven lightning strikes to the east. Ei must be having another one of her tantrums.”
Aether and Lumine were hiding under a table, clearly scared by the power the goddess held.
“It is getting closer and closer.” Aether huddled closer to Lumine.
“By the looks of it,” Zhongli started to pluck the feathers off of the recent pheasant he caught. “It’s coming this way.”
A crash within the shrine was heard followed by a curse.
“Fuck! I can’t believe I overslept, now I’m going to be late!” Childe was pulling on his clothes as he stumbled into the kitchen. “Zhongli! Why didn’t you wake me up?”
Zhongli ignored Childe’s fretting, taking a sip from his tea. “Oh good you are awake now, are you ready for breakfast? We’re having rice pudding, I added a sweet sauce to it-”
“Sorry but I don’t have time to eat!” Childe ran past Zhongli who had a beautifully prepared spread of the pudding even with fancy garnishes he took time to make. Zhongli’s eye gave a twitch, he put the tray down and suddenly grabbed Childe by the back of his collar.
“Hold it.”
Childe stopped and straightened up when Zhongli let go of him, the dragon then pulled out a lunch box and a new obnoxious headband for Childe.
“You’re forgetting your lunch and headgear.”
“...your point?”
Suddenly Zhongli pinned Childe to the floor trying to get the headband on. “Just put it on!”
Childe waved his arms stopping Zhongli from putting the headband on. “I don’t go to school to fight, I go to learn you freak!”
Zhongli halted in his attempts at getting the headband on to grab Childe gently but firmly by the shoulders. “There is an important visitor coming to the shrine today so I cannot leave. To be honest I am worried for you, you must face it…”
Childe’s face flushed, being so closed to Zhongli and him confessing his worry for him.
“You are as weak as a wee bug.”
And the moment was ruined, Childe shoved Zhongli off of him and stormed off. “I’m going.” Childe ran out of the shrine grabbing his bookbag, he heard Zhongli yell his name out but he was already heading down the path.
‘Why does he have to worry so much?’
Childe heard some thunder and looked up at the sky, seeing the storm clouds gathering. “Looks like we’re in for some rain.”
Childe entered his class and overheard some students talking about how Kaeya wasn’t feeling well so won’t be at class again. It didn’t bother Childe all that much, he placed his backpack down but all of a sudden it started to move!
The zipper opened and there was Lumine and Aether in his backpack! They were obviously smaller to fit inside but what were they doing here?!
“Lord Childe!” Both said in unison.
“What the hell? What are you two doing here?” Childe tried to shove them back into his bag before anyone could see but the two came out and floated out growing back to their normal sizes.
“Master Zhongli sent us, so us star twins will protect you!”
Childe was freaking out as the two floated around, how was he going to explain this?
“Um Childe?”
A classmate started to ask and Childe immediately paled. “They’re just kids, it's not what you think!” Waving his arms to try and hide the twins.
“Is Zhongli not coming with you today?”
What? Why was she asking that? “Um yeah no he’s not. No sir, not today.”
Lumine hooked her chin over Childe’s shoulder and patted his arm. “There is nothing to worry about Master Childe.”
Aether came under Childe’s arm. “Normal people don’t have the ability to see us.”
Childe gave a sigh of relief that he didn’t have to explain the two, the classmate already was heading to her seat bummed Zhongli wasn’t with him.
Speaking of Zhongli, he was lounging on the porch of the shrine watching the clouds, the storm had dissipated.
“How odd, I could have sworn Lady Ei was on her way.” Perhaps he was worried for nothing.
Suddenly Zhongli noticed the clouds had moved in the direction of Childe’s campus!
“Surely she wouldn’t…”
After class Childe found a spot in one of the study halls to have his lunch, the twins had brought it with them since he had forgotten.
“Thanks for bringing my lunch.” Of course the food tasted wonderful as usual. “Was Guizhong a food lover or something? All the meals Zhongli makes me are so good.”
“Oh no, us gods and spirits don’t indulge in the habit of having meals. You must since your body is of flesh and blood.” Aether explained.
“Be as it may, Master Zhongli has devoted himself to learning recipes and techniques to cook for you.” Lumine piped up.
A flush dusted Childe’s cheeks, he had no idea Zhongli went to such lengths for him. “Oh I had no clue.”
“Of course, Master Zhongli thinks about you at all times.” Lumine said with glee.
Childe’s flush darken as he moved a hand in front of his face to hide it. “That’s not true.”
“But it is true, Zhongli’s regard for you-”
“You’re not supposed to tease a boy like that.” Childe joked to dissolve the situation and conversation, it was veering into dangerous territory.
There was suddenly a loud crackle of thunder, it shook the building. Childe and the twins didn’t notice the dark silhouette near the window before it shattered. Childe let out a yelp as he moved back from the flying shards of glass, the twins moved back as well.
A tall woman came before Childe, her kimono and robes were various shades of purple that had eye and flower designs on it. She had long hair that was tied into a single thick braid, it was longer than Zhongli’s for it almost touched the floor. Her lavender eyes glowed as the storm raged behind her.
“You are Childe?”
Childe was holding the cowering twins in his arms. “A yokai?”
The red head then looked around and noticed they were no longer in the study hall, instead it seemed to be a realm similar to what Thoma made. There were tall shrine gates everywhere and a dark red moon. The ground was of rocks in the motif of swirling lighting bolts.
“You are in my realm, we shall not be disturbed, the four of us might as well be the only ones here. I am a god who maintains a shrine in the heavens. Lady Ei, goddess of thunder and lighting. I have heard of the events of you becoming a dust god. Tis a great responsibility and to have it thrust upon you.” While she was speaking to Childe Ei held an air of authority.
This was Childe’s first time encountering another god, he was unsure what to do and she was intimidating.
“That must have been so difficult for you.” Suddenly Childe was embraced by Ei, the intimidating aura gone and replaced by a sweet one. Childe was in shock as she cradled him close, his head pressed into her bosoms. “Never fear darling, your new found troubles shall come to an end this very day.”
Troubles? Childe thought confused.
“I Lady Ei will take over the Guizhong shrine in your stead.”
Ei couldn’t see it but Childe’s eyes widened and a flash of fear came over them, he gently pushed himself out of her embrace to speak to her properly.
“You got it all wrong, I’m not troubled by anything. I have the star twins and Zhongli, they’re wonderful to me. I actually think of the shrine as my home now. You’re very kind but I don’t want to leave the shrine.”
Ei had a surprised look on her face, then it suddenly changed to anger. “That is unacceptable!” Ei returned her grip on Childe holding him tighter.
“Childe!”
Childe squirmed to turn in the goddess’ grip to see that Zhongli was here!
“Zhongli!”
“Are you alright?”
Ei smiled as she gave Childe’s hair a stroke. “As expected you came.”
The twins rushed over to Zhongli hugging his waist. “Master Zhongli! Lord Childe is in trouble!”
“Very well, why are you here Ei? Let him go, can’t you see he is scared. Remember he is my lord and master.” Zhongli held back from baring his teeth for Ei was a more powerful god that even he couldn’t defeat, he needed to diffuse this situation without violence.
“A weak little boy like this is your lord and master, how sad.” Ei mocked.
’What should I do?! Oh shit!’ Childe was internally panicking in this situation, being essentially held hostage by another goddess.
“I find it irritating watching you subordinate yourself to a mere human Morax.” Ei held a pointed look at the dragon.
That got a growl out of Zhongli as he charged forward, diplomacy out the window, at Ei. intending to strike her with his sharp claws.
Ei moved swiftly, brandishing a purple Suzu with glowing bells. “I expected this to happen, which is why I brought the Kagura's Verity.”
Zhongli’s eyes widened recognizing the divine tool, this was bad! It was too late for him to pull back as Ei tossed Childe to the side and raised the Suzu high above her head.
“Here we go, time to grow smaller Morax!” She brought down the tool, it’s bells giving off a chime when it gently hit Zhongli on the forehead. A puff of smoke revealed a small Zhongli! He was the size of a toddler sitting on the ground in his too large robes, his tail too big for him as it swished on the floor.
Childe stood there shocked, looking down at the small familiar that was once the tall Zhongli.
“Z-Zhongli?”
Distracted by Zhongli, Childe didn’t see Ei advancing on him until it was too late.
“And you are next.”
Childe felt Ei’s palm press on his forehead, then he felt as if something was being released from him. He was powerless to stop it as feeling in his limbs wasn’t there. Falling back from Ei’s hand he saw a blue light settle on her palm.
“Guizhong’s mark, it belongs to me now and with that you are no longer a dust god.”
Childe sat on the ground stunned, hand pressed to his forehead as he shook. Like part of his soul was taken from him, he tried to school his emotions especially when his heart started to beat erratically and tears pricked the corner of his eyes.
Ei came close again holding Childe’s face, she had a sweet smile on her face. “Now go and live your life human as you once did before. It fits someone in your humble position. Goodbye dear-” Ei’s words fell short when a cor lapis piece smacked and stuck to her cheek, her sweet expression falling from her face. Turning her head to spy Zhongli who had thrown the piece of mineral at her, Ei’s eye twitched in irritation.
Ei unleashed a lightning attack on the small dragon who let out a pained scream. Childe snapped out of his stupor and rushed over to Zhongli, cradling the small familiar in his arms.
“Morax, if that small size doesn’t suit you come to the shrine and become my familiar I shall restore you at once.” Holding the Kagura's Verity tauntingly in her grasp.
Childe didn’t hear her as he was focused on Zhongli, holding the back of his head as he fiercely held the small familiar in a protective hold. “It’s going to be ok, hold on.” Childe sounded so scared, his voice trembling.
Aether and Lumine watched all of this helplessly as they were just assistant spirits and it went against their nature to defy any gods. Both had tears in their eyes when Ei’s gaze fell onto them.
“Now star twins, show me the way to the shrine immediately.”
With Ei in possession of Guizhong’s mark that meant the two had to serve her as their new lady and mistress. “Yes Lady Goddess.”
The realm around them started to fade, Childe watched as the star twins summoned their magic to escort Ei to the shrine, they were telling Childe how sorry they were for having to serve Ei. As Ei and the twins departed she left with the parting words.
“I hope you two have a wonderful day.”
The next moment the realm disappeared and Childe was back in the study hall room holding Zhongli.
Childe made a quick escape from campus before anyone could see Zhongli. The two didn’t have anywhere to go since their home had been taken by Ei. Sitting on a park bench as the sun went down Childe felt so incredibly helpless and hollow.
“Well this is great, we’re both homeless now. Sorry.” Childe didn’t even have any money for a hotel room. “I have no idea what to do.”
Zhongli had been quiet since the encounter, when he spoke his voice was softer, more fitting for the age and size he was. “It is simple, you should do as you please, this is the world of humans is it not? As a human you will find a place for yourself in no time if you put your mind to it. As for me, I don’t have the ability to look after you anymore.”
Childe stayed quiet while Zhongli spoke, but when the dragon finished his head hung more down, startling Childe.
“Zhongli!” Shaking Zhongli to wake him up. “Are you alright? ZHONGLI?” With his hands on the small dragon Childe could feel he had a terrible fever.
What could Childe possibly do? How can he help a feverish dragon?
Scooping Zhongli into his arms, frantically running trying to figure out how to help Zhongli. Childe ran to a doctor’s office but it was closed for the night, and to add to the horrible situation it started to rain.
Sitting on the steps holding Zhongli, burying his face into the smaller dragon’s hair. ’I’m such an idiot, Zhongli isn’t human, even if I could get him to a doctor what’s the point? His fever is getting worst, if anything I need to find him a place to sleep’
Standing up in the rain Childe was about to start finding a way to help Zhongli when he heard a familiar voice.
“Childe?”
Looking up it was Kaeya! The supermodel holding an umbrella to keep him dry from the rain.
“What are you doing out in weather like this? Hold on, what happened to your Dust God mark?” Kaeya looked hard at Childe’s forehead but the redhead couldn’t believe who was there.
Finally the exhaustion and stress of the whole day caught up with Childe and he passed out, falling forward into Kaeya who caught him in time. Kaeya gathered Childe up with Zhongli quickly and took the pair to his house.
First thing Childe did when he came to was make sure Zhongli was ok, he got the small dragon into drier clothes and into bed, a wet cold rag on his forehead. Only then did Childe get out of his own wet clothes and into the spares Kaeya gave him. Kaeya had been watching Childe fret over Zhongli silently until the other finally sat down.
“He’s turned into an awfully cute thing.”
Childe was drying his hair with a towel. “Sorry for bargaining in on you when you’re so busy.”
Kaeya gave Childe a confused look. “Busy? Oh that was just an excuse to miss class. Our campus isn’t apologetic to the work this supermodel does. Although to be fair they probably never had someone as famous as me attend-”
“Hey you’re an abyss creature right?” Childe interrupted though he had been hardly listening to the model ramble.
“Look I spent a lot of time convincing people I’m some mysterious stranger from an unknown place so why bring that up?” Kaeya more irritated Childe hadn’t been listening than outing his abyssal origin.
“Because, I want to find a spirit doctor.” Childe kneeling at the side of the bed near Zhongli.
“I’m afraid that won’t help much.” Kaeya took a seat on the edge of the bed to get a closer look at the dragon. “He’s been regressed in body only, so his original dragon powers can’t settle in. they’re out of his control and that is what’s causing his fever. He won’t get better until he’s restored to his old body.” Kaeya explained.
Childe was listening but his heart was aching watching Zhongli take in short breaths as he tried to fight off the fever. Childe remembered Ei said if Zhongli became her familiar she restore him to his original form.
Kaeya went over to a dresser rummaging around in it while Childe stayed by Zhongli’s side, pushing some hair away from his sweaty face.
“This will only be a temporary solution but it’s worth a shot.” Kaeya pulled out a small black tin holding it in his hand for Childe to see. “It’s an old secret remedy passed down in my family.”
Kaeya came close to Zhongli, holding what looked like a pill between his fingers. Kaeya grabbed Zhongli by the collar of his small robes holding him up. Seemed he still had a grudge about the peacock incident. “Here you go. Be warned it’s bitter as hell. Say ahhh~ Oh and try being a little grateful for me for this pill lizard.”
Zhongli irked chomped right down on the pill, Kaeya’s fingers included.
A few hours had gone by and it looked like Zhongli’s fever broke.
Childe was relieved, wetting a new towel to place on Zhongli’s forehead. Placing it on the small dragon, watching as he rested easier than he did before.
Childe laid his head down on the side of the bed, resting next to Zhongli, hoping the small dragon was dreaming easy.
Zhongli was dreaming but of the past…
“Here have a lotus crisp.” The voice of a young man was heard, his features mostly hidden by shadows but Zhongli always remembered those blue eyes.
Zhongli in a smaller form laid on a small futon reaching out to take the food. “Aias…thank you.”
Zhongli awoke with a gasp, looking around the unfamiliar room. His head turned to the side and was greeted to Childe’s face, the other had joined him on the bed, sleeping under the covers as well.
Sensing he was awake Childe’s eyes open, blinking as he looked into golden eyes. “Zhongli? Oh good you’re finally awake!” Pulling the little dragon into a hug, relief washing over Childe. Zhongli tried to get a muffled reply out that Childe was squeezing him too tight but he couldn’t.
“I was so worried. Are you thirsty? Is there anything I can get you?” Childe placed Zhongli on the bed and he kneeled before the small dragon.
Zhongli looked at him with shocked silence, his dream coming back to him of Aias…
“Lotus crisps, I would like some.”
Childe was shocked Zhongli asked for something from him.
Childe ran through the door to the living room to find Kaeya sleeping on the couch. “Kaeya!”
The abyss prince groaned as he looked at the former god. “What?”
“I need to use your kitchen and some money!”
“What money?!”
A few hours later Childe was in the kitchen with all the ingredients to make lotus crisps. Kaeya watched off to the side as Childe cooked.
“So you actually know how to make lotus crisps?”
“It was a snack my mother used to make for us, one of our favorites here in Liyue. So I’m honored, he’s never asked me for a single thing.” While making the snack Childe remembered when his father came home from Liyue with a cookbook from there, how his mother wanted to learn the new dishes. Childe, eager to help in the kitchen, watched her make all kinds of wonderful food but the one dish that was easy to make and had a lot of memories tied to it was lotus crisps.
“I couldn’t be happier to make it.”
With the snacks ready Childe presented a plate to Zhongli, the small dragon took a snack and ate it slowly.
“I hope you like it Zhongli, after all I made them just for you-”
“Average.” The little dragon spoke in a bored tone.
“Well I guess you’re normal Zhongli on the inside.” Childe clearly annoyed now, all sentiment gone.
“Childe?”
Childe took a deep breath. “Yes Zhongli?”
The small dragon took a sip of tea, then with a soft smile looked to Childe. “I am grateful.”
Childe couldn’t help but return the smile, warmth spreading through his chest. “No problem, you're welcome.”
Back at the Guizhong shrine it was covered in a downpour which made the obvious leaky roof track in water.
Ei’s helpers Kazuha and Yae tried to put as many water basins around to collect the rain but it wasn’t working. This was making Ei irritated.
“What kind of pathetic shrine is this!” She yelled, summoning lighting.
Yae pulled Kazuha into the line of the lighting to take the brute of their goddess’ anger, Kazuha yelled in pain as he lied on the floor, Yae with a small cackle as she poked her singed partner.
Lumine and Aether were bowing off to the side. “Master Zhongli had been in charge of the shrine’s maintenance.” Aether explained.
“He used his earth dragon powers to maintain it but with those gone the shrine has reverted to it’s original state.” Lumine explained more.
“Of course, I could not believe that lizard would give up and come running back here.” Ei huffed, crossing her arms. “Attention please.”
Yae stood up straight while Kazuha slowly got off the ground, grabbing at Yae’s robes to help himself up.
“Bring me Morax!”
“As you wish.” The two obeying their goddess’ commands left the shrine in their more animal forms. A white rabbit followed by a pink fox.
Childe felt something fuzzy as he was slowly starting to wake up, it was tickling his cheek.
Suddenly there was a phone ringing and Childe opened his eyes more, he was snuggling what looked like a fuzzy scarf but it was attached to Kaeya! Childe was basically on the abyss prince’s chest snuggling into his pelt of fur, the prince letting more of his abyss features out in the confines of his home, he even had pointy ears.
Zhongli was sprawling out starfish on his corner of the bed, still sleeping.
“KAEYA! WHAT-”
Kaeya rubbed at his head picking up his phone. “Who’s calling?”
“Why was I sleeping with you!?”
Suddenly Childe remembered last night.
“I’m not going to not sleep in my bed, if you don’t like it sleep on the couch!” Kaeya was irritated that his own bed was taken.
“So Zhongli can sleep on the bed?” Childe cradling Zhongli in his arms ready to put him down for the night.
“Like hell!” Smacking Zhongli out of Childe’s arms, the dragon faced first on the ground. “He can sleep on the floor.”
Childe was snatched away from his worrying over Zhongli when his face was grabbed and turned by Kaeya. “You’re a different story. I wouldn't mind you sleeping in my bed.”
Zhongli threw a sharp piece of cor lapis which landed in Kaeya’s shoulder making it bleed profusely.
“I WILL KILL YOU DRAGON!” Kaeya stomped on Zhongli while Childe was hitting Kaeya hard with a pillow to get him to stop. It eventually exhausted all of them and they crashed into the bed together.
Childe was panicking, he slept in the same bed with two men what kind of boy does that make him?!
Zhongli was up and he was standing on the bed near Childe who had yet to notice him. Kaeya was taking the phone call.
“Remember he’s an abyss creature.”
Childe snapped to attention. “Oh Zhongli, how do you feel?” Reaching out to the little dragon who smacked his hand away.
“You need to be on your guard Childe.”
“Oh what’s that?” Kaeya came close and pulled on Zhongli’s tiny horn. “What did you say about me, lizard?” Now Kaeya was rubbing Zhongli’s head hard in mock affection. “Awww is the little boy going wakey wakey already? It looks like your teething fever hasn’t gone down yet.”
“Don’t touch him!” Childe grabbed Zhongli, holding the small dragon in his arms and putting some distance between the two. “Don’t be so rough with him, ok.”
“Oh I see, getting a handsome young man to come to your defense, not bad Zhongli.” Kaeya teased. “You are the reason he’s in my house in the first place, remember that.”
Zhongli narrowed his eyes, but the abyss prince was right. This was irritating but it wasn’t the fever.
Childe sat down with Kaeya for breakfast and to discuss a plan to get Zhongli better.
“If he became tiny because of the Kagura's Verity, you’ll most likely have to use the same device to make him bigger, you need to get your hands on that Suzu.”
Childe stood up from the table. “Do you think you can get it from Lady Ei-”
“Oh would you look at the time?” Kaeya looked down at his watch.
“Where are you going?”
“A photoshoot for the latest fashion magazine.” Kaeya was fixing his hair.
“Oh right.” Childe is disappointed Kaeya won’t help him get the Suzu.
“Someone looks awfully forworn.” Kaeya teased, arms crossed stepping closer to Childe.
“No I don’t, I look fine.” Though Childe visibly deflated in front of Kaeya.
Kaeya pulled a small pouch out of his coat pocket and handed it to Childe. “Here is the spare key to my house, my phone number and some money. If anything happens give me a call.”
“Oh thank you.”
Unbeknownst to Childe Zhongli heard the conversation downstairs and was looking out the window watching Kaeya leave. He heard Childe yell out he was going to do some errands but the small dragon’s focus was on the abyssal prince.
Kaeya knew he was being watched, so he turned around and mouth ‘Good for nothing lizard’ before he left.
Zhongli felt gutted by the phrase, he didn’t hear Childe come into the room. “Did you hear me Zhongli?”
“I shall go.” The little dragon declared. “I feel fine now.”
Childe didn’t exactly understand what Zhongli actually meant and assumed he wanted to come along for errands. Getting dressed the two were walking down the street when they were passing by a park.
Zhongli though found out why he was so irritated and it was because of this new body.
“So what about your classes?” Zhongli asked.
“Oh it’s Saturday, no classes. Getting you back to normal is more important anyway.”
“You should think about yourself, I will take care of my own affairs.”
Childe chuckled, kneeling down to be at Zhongli’s level. “You shall? But you’re way too tiny.” Childe reached out to ruffle Zhongli’s hair but the dragon smacked his hand away.
“You have been restored to your human self, you should live as a human. I can and will live as I please.”
Childe wondered if Zhongli was saying all this because he was going to go back to Ei.
Suddenly Zhongli felt faint and fell forward onto the ground, Childe rushed to his side and pulled Zhongli close. “Oh no Zhongli, your fever has gotten worse.”
Suddenly from the bushes a white bunny and pink fox emerged.
“Master Morax!” The bunny spoke.
“We have been looking for you.” The fox followed.
“We are here to escort you back, lady Ei has been terribly worried about your well being.” Kazuha explained.
“After what she did to Zhongli she has some nerve saying all of that!” Childe spat at the two divine beasts, his grip on Zhongli becoming more protective. “Saying she’s concerned, Zhongli and I are close and have been driven away from our home together. It doesn’t matter if I’m human and he’s a dragon. I'm going to find a way to take care of him.”
Suddenly there was a heavy weight on Childe’s back making him fall to the ground. Unaware of the cor lapis piece Zhongli stuck to his back making him unable to move.
“There is no way for that to happen, you are incapable of doing anything, face it.” Zhongli said coldly.
“Zhongli?” Childe looked over to the small dragon.
“To live life burdening you, the thought enrages me. You there, divine beasts, take me to the shrine.” Zhongli walked over to Yae and Kazuha who took on their more human looking forms.
“Yes sir.”
“You’re leaving? Are you serious?!”
Zhongli stopped walking, what enraged him more about this whole situation was Childe seeing him in this pathetic state. If he could be rid of this burden upon Childe then he will do anything.
Looking back at Childe, Zhongli smiled softly. “Farwell, Childe.”
A rush of wind and Zhongli was gone with Ei’s helpers. The cor lapis piece was gone as well giving Childe his ability to move, he reached out to where Zhongli was before but it was too late, the dragon familiar was gone.
“Zhongli you’re such an asshole!” Childe screamed into the air, getting a few stares at people walking by.
Childe was unaware he had an audience.
In a tree hidden by the humans Barbatos kicked his legs as he sat on a branch. “Oh my they split right on up, a tragedy really. What now?” Looking to the side where his friend was standing on her own branch.
Back at the shrine, Ei was more than happy to have Zhongli back. Giving him nuzzles as she smothered him in her bossoms.
“Oh Morax I was waiting for you to show up to stay forever and ever!”
Dusk had settled on the shrine and Ei put her darling dragon to bed on a futon, laying down next to him and stroking his hair. “I already know so no explanation needed. And in the end you had nowhere else to go than this shrine.”
Zhongli was barely listening, his fever was back and he just stared away, though some of Ei’s words got to him.
”If you have nowhere else to go, you can stay with me at my shrine.”
The same words Guizhong said to him so many years ago.
“Now! Offer up your whole life to me. Is it not exciting you get to be my possession for all eternity, now seal the contract and be my familiar.” Ei explained happily but when she looked at the spot Zhongli was at he was no longer there.
“Are you mocking me? Zhongli get back here immediately!”
Childe sat in defeat once again on a bench, right to where it all began, how funny can life get. His head hung low, now seeing an odd butterfly that had four long wings and a diamond for a body landing on his shoulder.
“Childe?”
Looking up Childe saw it was Kaeya.
“Well well, you got quite the honor guard here.”
“Honor guard?” Childe asked, confused.
“Forget about it, what are you doing sitting out here like this?”
“Oh I was waiting for you.” Childe pulled out the spare key to Kaeya’s house. “I wanted to say thank you. Zhongli went back to the shrine. I guess he decided to be Ei’s familiar. I tried but I couldn’t stop him.” Head hung low again.
“Oh stop, there's no point in crying over a little thing like that.” Kaeya retorted.
“Hey I am not crying. What do you mean by a little thing?”
Kaeya just chuckled but then a white star shape appeared over his head and it came down revealing his abyssal form.
“Since you’re back to being human, have a parting gift.” He handed a small branch out to Childe, it was pure white in color along with the leaves. “If you have a physical piece from either the spirit or abyss realm you can see all the things normal humans can’t see.”
“Like what?” Childe took the branch and as soon as he touched it Aether and Lumine popped into being at his sides hugging him.
“Lord Childe!” Both said in unison.
“Aether? Lumine? When did you two get here?”
“They have been crying next to you this whole time.” Kaeya put away his abyssal features.
“We’re in trouble! Lord Zhongli has hidden away from Lady Ei in the shrine. It has greatly angered the lady too! At this rate she’s ready to destroy us, the shrine and all!” Aether explained.
“Lord Childe, please save Master Zhongli and the shrine!” Lumine begged. “We need you!”
“Alright, let's go.”
The twins had brought the night carriage so they can all get to the shrine in no time.
“Kaeya, can I borrow this branch?”
“Oh I have plenty of those, it’s all yours.” Kaeya shrugged.
“Ok thanks.”
Without Zhongli to help him, Childe made a running start to jump into the carriage. He made the landing though smacked his knee hard in doing so, cursing up a storm as the doors closed and the carriage was off.
At the shrine Yae and Kazuha pleaded with Ei that they could not find Zhongli anywhere in the shrine. Both soaking wet from the downpour of rain Ei was making in her anger.
“Curse you Zhongli, trying to make a fool out of me will you. If that’s what you want, fine!” Summoning her power, purple lighting crackling around. “I have no need for this rundown shrine, I will burn it to cinders!”
Before Ei could make the shrine into a charred crater she heard someone shout out to her.
“Hey god lady! What kind of god goes out and tries to destroy her own shrine?” Childe yelled from the carriage.
“Oh great, what are you doing here?” Ei now even more irritated. “If you are looking for Zhongli he is hidden.”
“Oh yeah? Well if you let me I can find him easily! But that is up to you.”
“You are a mere human you can not possibly find him.”
“Yeah but what if I do? You have to swear to me that if I do, you will turn him back to normal.” Childe was gutsy in getting a goddess to swear but Ei was desperate to find Zhongli.
“Alright I swear.”
“Sit back and I’ll find him.”
Though an hour later Childe was on his hands and knees in defeat on the floor of the shrine, Lumine and Aether with him. “I can’t find him.”
Childe was worried, if Zhongli still had that fever he could be passed out somewhere.
The strange butterfly attached to Childe’s sleeve finally flew off, Childe noticed it’s blue particles. Watching it fly down the hall, it seemed that he could only see it as the twins didn’t react. Childe followed after the crystal fly, the twins following after him suddenly confused.
The crystal fly flew into a room that had various things on a desk, it landed on a small mirror.
“Here?” Childe reached out and gently took the mirror.
“Oh, that was lady Guizhong’s pocket mirror.” Lumine explained.
Touching the mirror Childe sensed Zhongli’s presence, pressing the mirror to his cheek he could feel the other’s body heat, it was too hot.
Inside the mirror, in a pocket dimension lay Zhongli suffering from his fever. He heard his name being called, pointed ear moving. Hearing his name again he looked up, it was Childe, calling out to him in a soft voice, he was asking him to go home, reaching out to Zhongli.
Zhongli reached out though he hesitated for a moment before allowing himself to be pulled out of the mirror.
Childe held onto Zhongli in a comforting grip, the small dragon clinging to his jacket.
Outside Ei sensed that Zhongli had emerged from his hiding spot, the human boy was right. She found it faithful how Zhongli hid in the mirror of his previous goddess. Though this showed his true loyalty.
“If you will not be mine I do not want you, farewell.”
Lady Ei left the shrine, never to bother it again.
Yae and Kazuha emerged in the room with the Kagura's Verity on a beautiful silk pillow.
“Good for you, the shrine was in such a horrid state she did not want it.” Yae explained with a smug grin on her face.
“So it is up to us to return the suzu and the mark.” Kazuha said, all cheerful holding the mark.
This didn’t please Zhongli or Childe who stared at the two in irritation. “That’s bull shit! Why won’t she face us herself?” Childe angrily demanded.
Childe’s anger died down when Kazuha came close, hands on the red head’s shoulders.
“At any rate we shall return the mark.” The usagi leaned forward and kissed Childe on the forehead, restoring the mark and now Childe no longer had that hollow feeling inside him.
“With that the mark of the Dust Goddess is yours again Lord Childe.”
Yae offered the pillow holding the Kagura's Verity. “Swing the suzu at Zhongli, please to return him back to normal. Then at the same time say to him ‘grow bigger’” The kitsune explained.
Childe took the suzu in his hand, it made a chime every time he moved it. Looking at Zhongli sitting on the floor he smiled, raising the suzu over his head. “Grow bigger Zhongli!” Bringing it down touching Zhongli and suddenly there was a large poof of smoke.
Childe waved his hand in front of his face to see and when the smoke cleared he gulped in air.
Zhongli had been restored, yes but his hair was now extremely long, it was flowing everywhere, his horns had grown longer too, his tail out and his arms glowing with beautiful marks. Zhongli was wearing a hooded white robe, white pants but the shirt was skin tight showing off his chiseled chest more.
“I have been restored.” Zhongli looked down at his normal sized hands.
Childe was stunned, his face flushed as he marveled at the dragon’s beauty.
Zhongli noticed Childe staring. “What is wrong?”
“Nothing! Nothing at all!” Childe hiding his flushed face with the suzu. Childe went into a ramble about how the rain let up not looking at Zhongli.
“It seems I owe you.”
Childe became quiet after Zhongli spoke, turning to face. “Ah, that’s right you do!” Childe sounds very confident right now.
“You have my thanks.”
Before Childe could say anything Zhongli was on him kissing Childe’s lips! A gasp was swallowed up by Zhongli as Childe blinked rapidly.
Zhongli pulled away, one hand holding Childe’s waist, looking into the blue eyes of the dust god.
“The contract between us has been resealed.”