Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

Being an archon came with a plethora of heartbreaks.

Being an archon meant to lead over the spirits and the people of your country. Although the position came with many perks, it could be lonely. Morax was blessed with the abundance of adepti that helped him with Liyue. However, his long-time friend Barbatos was not.

Barbatos insisted since the beginning that he would not rule over Mondstadt no matter what. Though Morax understood Barbatos's reason, he still couldn't help but think how lonely he would be. Morax determined he would be by Barbatos's side when the time comes.

The time came 60 years later when the Gunnhildr girl drew her last breath. She was 90 years old and the last one from Barbatos's rebellion against Decarabian. Although she lived long for human standard, it was still a blip of time for beings like themselves.

His friend should know that, yet he still shed tears.

It pained him when he saw Barbatos, sitting alone at the edge of a cliff on top of Brightcrown Canyon, with his wings slumped over a sea of dandelion. He was playing his lyre, but instead of his usual happy and cheery tone, it was dragging and heart-wrenching.

Morax wanted to ease his friend's pain so badly, but his social interaction ability was as good as the rocks he created. So he just sat a few feet behind him, waiting for Barbatos to cry his heart out.

It was after the Gunnhildr girl was finally buried under the earth, hours after the sun was down, when Barbatos noticed him.

"Ah, hello there." Barbatos waved. He tried to smile, but it was apparent he was forcing it.

"Barbatos," Morax greeted him back.

"I didn't realize you were there." Barbatos lifted his wings so he could hide while wiping his tears. "I'm sorry you have to see me in such a state."

"Don't be. There is nothing shameful to weep over a passed loved one."

Morax said in a low, calm voice before he went into a panic. "I don't mean to be presumptuous-"

"You were worried about me. I get it. Thank you, Morax."

Barbatos still hid behind his wings. Morax could still hear some sniffles from him. What can he do to cheer Barbatos up? Should he try to crack a joke? Or hug him? But wouldn't that be impolite?

His people regarded him as the wisest among the adepti. Yet, he had no idea what to do in this situation.

"I was trying to write a song," Barbatos said. "I want to accompany her as the wind carries her soul."

Morax straightened his back. He directed all his focus to Barbatos. If listening to Barbatos's tale could help him ... then Morax would do so even for thousands of years.

"'Twas a tale of old," Barbatos began to play his lyre. "When ol' Mond was still cold, there was a clan trapped under the lode."

Morax understood immediately. Barbatos loved to tell stories, from the tale of a drunkard merchant to the holy stories of the Gods of Celestia. However, Barbatos rarely told a story about himself, especially the time before his godhood.

"There, they stumbled upon a blow. Desperate, they plead for a favor. 'A protection for an extol!' they howled. But the blow turned it down, for it desired no recognition."

Barbatos closed his eyes. It looked like he was in nostalgia.

"Despite it all, a girl gave her orision. The prayer gave a power, and soon everyone followed. And so, on one night when Mondstadt was still cold, a wisp of wind was born."

A gust of wind began to pick up, carrying dandelion seeds into the sky. Morax remembered Barbatos told him that it was a sign of good luck, for that meant the wind gave a blessing to the departed.

Barbatos's mood seemed to improve because of this. His face was no longer sullen, and that was enough to fill Morax with joy.

Barbatos continued to sing. "Seasons pass and go. They parted but not for long, for there was a rebellion to be fought, for the freedom of our souls.

A battle raged on and shook the nation. There, its tyrant finally went down.

A thousand song was tuned, yet it all wouldn't come true if it weren't for a girl who wished for a refuge.

So sleep well, daughter of Gunn," Barbatos bit his lower lip. "For your dream already came true, and this blow shall forever be grateful."

Barbatos played a few more notes before turning back towards Morax. "As you can hear, it's not my best work. The rhyme sucks."

"On the contrary, I think it's good." Morax stared at Barbatos. "A dear friend of mine once said that it matters not for a song to rhyme. Its intentions are."

"That's a good saying."

"Indeed. Barbatos, the Anemo Archon, was the one who told me this on our twelfth meeting 57 years ago. Perhaps you know him?"

Barbatos gave a small smile as he lowered his hood. He then willed his lyre to disappear. A burst of blue-ish light filled the air. Barbatos gazed at it for a moment before collapsing to the ground.

Morax had never sprint so fast.

In his embrace, Barbatos continued to pour his tears out. Ah, Morax was wrong earlier. Barbatos was still not alright.

"She was the first, wasn't she?"

Barbatos nodded.

"If my bard friend was the one who taught me the meaning of life, then she was the one who gave me one in the first place. I owe her as much as she owes me."

It's understandable why Barbatos was in anguish with her death. For gods, humans' faith was what kept them going, and the first devotee would always be special.

Morax brought Barbatos into a tighter hug and cradled him. His hand patted Barbatos's head, hoping to help soothe his fellow archon.

Barbatos wept for another hour. Morax's robe was drenched at this point, though he didn't mind because it looked like it helped Barbatos. Morax could confidently say that Barbatos seemed much better. But that wasn't enough for Morax.

He wanted Barbatos to stop his tears completely and never shed them again if he could help it. This kind and gentle god, who was willing to love and watch his humans from afar for their sake, who wept for their passing, who gained respect from two powerful beings with his compassion, who dared to offer friendship to a cold-hearted god from another land when others instead kept their distance, deserved all the happiness this world could ever offer.

And if the world refused to offer it? Then Morax would give it himself.

He needed to come up with something.

Well, there was one. The question was, would Barbatos liked it?

Morax sighed. If there was anything Morax had learned in the last 3000 years of his life, taking a risk was necessary to achieve one's goal.

"Barbatos," he called. His hand wiped a tear that trailed down Barbatos's cheek. "Let's make a contract."

"Pardon?"

"Make a life contract with me. That way, I will be bound to you for millennia to come."

Barbatos blinked. Once. Twice. Morax thought Barbatos would reject him after his long silence, yet instead, he asked:

"You want to make a life contract? With me?"

"Yes."

"Me, the God of Freedom? No offense, Morax, but that's everything I'm against."

"I am aware."

"Hm." Barbatos contemplated for five seconds. "Okay, then."

"You can take your time to think about it."

"I know. But I don't need to since it's with you."

Morax felt his heartbeat quickened. It was just how Barbatos was— to be so quick to trust to the point of naive. Yet Morax felt nothing but honored. He shall strive not to disappoint his good friend, starting with making a lucrative deal for both of them.

"How do we do this?" Barbatos already sat in front of him when he snapped out of his thought. His wings flapped in excitement, and he was beaming with anticipation.

"We give sets of conditions for each other. After we reach a consensus, we will seal it following our custom."

"Okay." Barbatos nodded enthusiastically. He's taking this surprisingly well. "Is there a minimum number for the conditions? Sorry for asking a lot. This is new for me!"

"Never apologize for learning something new," Morax answered. "Normally, more conditions are set the longer the contract's period. But since it's your first, how about we each make three? We can add more as time goes on."

"Okay! Now we need to make two more, right?"

"Ah, no," Morax huffed. "Make it four then, so we can add three more. Do you find that agreeable?"

"Yep!"

The edges of their hair suddenly glowed in resonance.

"Woah, it glowed on its own! Is that normal?" Barbatos touched his left braid.

"Yes. It happened when two archons made a pact with each other." Morax didn't understand why. He rarely made a pact with fellow archons to dig deeper about it. Perhaps it's due to their gnoses resonating with each other?

Yeah. That must be why his chest was humming tremendously.

"Do you have your second condition?"

Barbatos seemed to be in deep thought before letting a long sigh. "Nah. I can't think of anything! You go again. Maybe I'll come up with something."

"Very well. Then my second condition is that you are free to annul the contract whenever you wish."

Barbatos fell silent.

"Is that okay?"

"Of course. Nothing prevents me from setting a condition that benefits others."

"What about you?"

"I'm alright." Morax gave a small smile. "Besides, it won't do for the God of Freedom to be tied with a contract for eternity."

"That won't do!" Barbatos protested. His wings flapped furiously. "Then it'll be my second condition. You can also null the contract whenever you want!"

"Are you sure you don't want to use it for something else?"

"Yes! Because what if you get bored with me? I can't have you trapped with me! It's against my principal as the God of Freedom!"

"I doubt I could get bored with you, but very well. I agree."

The edges of their hair glowed again. It illuminated Barbatos's bloaty and reddened cheeks.

"You know," Barbatos folded his hands. "You're a ... smooth talker."

"Am I?" Morax raised one of his eyebrows. "Perhaps that's because of the contracts I've made over the years."

"It's not that! It's ... forget it. Let's just continue."

Morax got more confused.

The matter was quickly forgotten, and they moved on to the next condition.

"Okay. I have one." Barbatos pointed at him. "You know I trust you and all, but I'd like us not to interfere in each other's affairs unless we explicitly allow it."

"A reasonable demand. After all, Liyue and Mondstadt have their own way of running things." Morax nodded. "But I have to ask, does this only applied to national affairs or also personal ones?"

"Both?"

"... So we can't impose on each other when we're in mortal disguise?"

That saddened Morax more than it should have been.

"I don't mean it like that! Of course, we can hang out whenever!" Barbatos quickly clarified. "It's just, um, what if something embarrassing happened and you don't want to talk about it? Stuff like that, you know!"

"Ah, you want us to respect each other's space. I understand." Morax let out a sigh of relief. Barbatos's impromptu visits were like a breath of fresh air in his hectic daily life. It would be a shame if it were to end.

"Then, my third condition is for us to understand that above all, our loyalty lies with each other's nations."

Though the relationship between Liyue and Mondstadt was peaceful, who knows what could happen in the future? Morax would never risk his people in another war as long as he reigned as Rex Lapis, but Mondstadt had no god to guarantee that. Barbatos, after all, gave complete liberty for his people to lead the country.

Other gods would take Morax's word as an insult, but not for Barbatos. He agreed immediately. "I'll fight anyone who threatened the freedom of Mondstadt. Even if it's you."

Morax chuckled. There was a reason why they got along ever since their first meeting.

The edges of their hair glowed again, signaling that they agreed on another condition.

"As for my final condition,"

Barbatos once again went first. He kept fidgeting in his seat. Seeing that, Morax couldn't help but felt nervous as well.

"I want us to be more honest with each other." Barbatos snickered nervously. "Of course, I'm not forcing you to tell me everything— especially regarding the confidentiality of your other contracts."

Morax wanted to ask for a collaboration, but he decided to let Barbatos rambled instead.

"I guess what I'm trying to say is," Barbatos gripped Morax's hands, startling the older archon. "If one of us is in trouble, or if one of us needs someone to lend an ear, I hope we can comfortably confide with each other."

Morax's eyes softened. He gently rubbed Barbatos's hands with his thumbs.

"Will it make you happier?"

Barbatos gave a wide smile.

"It will," He beamed. "and I hope you will be as well."

With that, the edges of their hair glowed again.

(It's ridiculous how delighted Morax felt right now. It was merely a syllabus in a contract. Barbatos could have no meaning behind it. Perhaps Barbatos was not the only one who needed this contract after all; maybe he needed this as well).

One more condition from Morax (along with the sealing process) and their little contract would be finished. Except, Morax couldn't find his voice to say it. It was strange that he felt flustered now. The whole reason he suggested the contract in the first place was because of his final condition.

Morax tightened his grip on Barbatos's hand to resolve himself. His last condition was too one-sided for his usual rodeo; it was too beneficial for Barbatos. But he wanted to do this. For Barbatos so he would not have to shed those tears again, and for his selfish heart.

"Barbatos," Morax called.

"Yes, Morax?"

"This is my last condition to this contract,"

"Oooh, sounds dramatic," Barbatos tried to joke to ease the tension. "Is it gonna be long?"

"It is, so listen carefully,"

Morax took a deep breath.

"We archons are going to live a long life to guide, lead, and protect our countries. We will witness countless births and deaths. We will meet and part with innumerable people. We will watch as histories are written and forgotten. It will not be an easy life, but such is the fate ordained to us.

But I promise until all the stars burn, and the whole universe explodes, as long as the contract remains in place, I will not leave you alone in this world."

What kind of expression does Barbatos wear now? Morax wanted to look up and see, but he found himself afraid. Therefore he just looked down, his hands still gripping Barbatos's like a lifeline.

"Morax," Barbatos called, "isn't this a little too one-sided for me?"

"It is."

"Are you okay with this?"

"Yes."

"Truly, truly okay? Because I'd like that, but I will not blame you if you take it back now."

It was hard, isn't it? To be selfish yet wanting to stand by your principle. Morax knew it was no use to use words, so Morax brought Barbatos's hands and gave them a deep kiss. He hoped Barbatos got the message with this.

"Then," Barbatos whispered so low it was almost inaudible. "if you'll have me."

Perhaps it was the glow of Morax's hair playing tricks on him because Barbatos's face was very, very red.

Chapter Text

"We will now finalize our contract according to our custom."

Morax tried to sound indifferent, but the truth was that his heart was hammering hard inside his chest. Stupid Morax, couldn't he come up with a better way? How impudent! The audacity of him to kiss someone's palms without permission! No wonder Barbatos immediately retracted his hands and hid them behind his back.

(Barbatos was just shy, but Morax didn't know, even though it was as clear as day).

"When making a contract with divinities, I usually leave a mark in their body. Like with the adepti." Morax explained, "However, I can use other methods if you prefer that."

After all, some cultures saw tattoos in a negative light. That was one of the reasons he had taught the people the art of signature. It would be a shame if a beneficial deal didn't get through just because of a difference in views, and you can't always trust verbal agreement for an extended period contract.

"Oh, it's okay. It's your custom, after all!" Barbatos scratched his cheek. "Besides, this way, I will have something to commemorate the occasion."

"I see." Morax squinted his eyes. "Then, where did you want me to put it?"

Barbatos pointed at his left thigh with no hesitation.

"It looks rather bland compared to the rest of my outfit, don't you think?"

Barbatos's archon outfit was bizarre, to begin with; His wings fused into his hood, he only wore one stocking on his right foot, and what little fabric hugged his body so tightly like it was the second layer of skin, leaving none to the imagination. Well, not that Morax has any right to say anything about it since his archon's outfit was also as revealing as Barbatos's ... as far as he remembered. He hadn't used it for almost hundreds of years. Nowadays, he preferred to wear the outfit for his Statue of The Seven, even though it looked like he just wrapped around his bedsheet.

Back to the topic at hand, this meant he had to make something that complimented Barbatos's outfit, right?

Morax placed his hand on top of Barbatos's thigh. A surge of elemental energy gathered under his hand. It formed into a circlet with turquoise light before it settled around Barbatos's thigh.

"I thought it'd be golden," Barbatos commented.

"Nonsense. It doesn't suit your color palette."

Morax didn't miss the way Barbatos gave him a sheepish smile.

"Now I feel bad because I can't give you something as grand as this!"

"What did you plan to give me?"

"In Mondstadt, when two people are tied under a union, they would exchange rings. But since I can't get you that— don't look at me like that, Morax. I will not have you make the rings! It's supposed to be from me!— I'll kiss you instead!"

A pause.

"... You plan to kiss me." Morax parroted.

"Yes."

"You plan to kiss me."

"Yes. It's okay if the seal is not visible, right?"

"... That is not the problem."

Barbatos looked at him in confusion. Then his expression gradually changed into shock before covering his face with his hands.

"I'm an idiot."

"... I wouldn't say that." It was hard to remain stoic. Morax didn't want to be rude to his friend.

"If I ask you to make the rings, will my kidney cover for them?"

"I don't understand this joke."

"I guess the contract is not going through ...."

Barbatos slumped down. Well, Barbatos could always casted a mark on Morax. But he always disliked giving other people any kind of restrain.

Morax sighed.

"I'm ... not opposed to it if you aren't."

"Really?" Barbatos beamed. "You'll kiss me?!"

Barbatos shouldn't really be that enthusiastic. "That should be my question. Are you alright with it?"

"Why wouldn't I be? It's just a kiss."

Morax looked skeptical.

"Have you ever kissed someone?"

"I kiss and hug my friends all the time! Even Andrius and Dvalin!" Barbatos cheered. "My favorite was especially the late Sir Ragvindr because he always complained about it, but when I stopped, he asked for it instead! Ah, I miss him." Barbatos's eyes turned somber.

Morax shouldn't felt annoyed by it. Barbatos was affectionate by nature. Yet, he was for some unknown reasons. "Where do you usually kiss them?"

"Forehead, cheeks, nose," Barbatos pointed, "but a kiss on the lips shouldn't be that different, right?"

Morax nodded, not because he agreed but because he hadn't got an idea himself. His life was quite ... uneventful in that department, much to his dismay. He was too busy stabilizing Liyue from its various threats.

"Come, Morax!" Barbatos spread his arms and stuck out his mouth. "I'm ready!"

Well, Morax couldn't back out from this. The contract still needed to be finalized, plus Barbatos seemed to be excited about this.

Morax went closer to Barbatos. His heartbeat picked up with every distance he closed. Under his weight, the dandelion's seeds began to blow away its seeds. Combined with the moonlight, it looked like Barbatos was under a sea of stars. 

He looked breath-taking.

Morax was surprised that he could think about that without missing a beat.

Morax rarely paid any attention to physical appearance. Only two things mattered to him when dealing with people: their attitudes and capabilities. That what drew him to Barbatos in the first place; his enormous love for his people, his determination to keep Mondstadt safe, his genuine care and attention to his friends. Overall, his gentle and kind soul Morax rarely saw among the gods of Teyvat.

Maybe that's why Morax was calm about it? He already found Barbatos was lovely on the inside. Of course, it would only be a matter of time because he found out his outside lovely as well.

He was always slow in issues like this.

Morax leaned in, letting his hood fell, displaying his face in full. When Morax was about to close their distance, he met Barbatos's palm instead.

"Sorry," Barbatos murmured. He covered his face with his other hand. "You were so close, and it surprised me. You're so beautiful, Morax."

Morax's eyes widened.

"Sorry for not making any sense. I'm freaking out right now."

"It's alright," Morax stated. "In truth, I am agitated as well."

"You don't look like it."

"Perhaps, although my heart feels like jumping out of my chest right now."

Barbatos slowly lowered his hands until his eyes were visible. Then he gave a small chuckle.

"So the Great Morax can feel nervous?" He teased.

"Of course. I couldn't excel at everything."

"That's good. You'll be too perfect then."

They snickered.

Morax called Barbatos again after a while. "We don't have to do this if you don't want to."

"But I want to."

"Why? Surely there are other ways."

"This is selfish of me. I simply want you to always remember about today." Barbatos directed his gaze away, "Besides, it's tradition."

Morax laughed in amusement. He knew Barbatos was hiding something. No matter. Morax had no right to pry since their contract wasn't effective until after the kiss.

Morax leaned in closer until they could feel each other's breath.

"Barbatos," Morax brushed Barbatos's bangs and held his head. "I'm going to kiss you."

Barbatos peeked from between his fingers. His shining jade eyes stared at Morax's amber ones.

"Okay."

Barbatos's hands reached for Morax and guided him to close their distance.

Many beings wished to form a contract with Morax. The reason varied from person to person: from admiration, fear, needs, to greed. His late friend, Guizhong, used to tease him about this. Because who knew that someone as stoic as Morax, who rumored to love to bath in his enemies' blood, was actually popular?

Morax never put much thought into it. If he could provide what the other person needs, and they could provide something for him in a similar value, then it was enough. There was no need to involve personal feelings. Yet two contracts were the exception.

The first was his contract with the people of Liyue. This one was to be expected. Despite everything, he loved his people. Liyue's earth bore him in response to their faith. So he would repay his people by guiding and protecting them to the bitter end.

The second was his contract with Barbatos. He was one of his dearest friends, yet were it anyone else, Morax wouldn't be bothered to form this kind of contract. Of course, Morax never bothered to think about his reasons. He wasn't joking when he said he was slow in issues like this.

Then they kissed, and it was everything Morax had imagined and not at the same time.

It was everything he had imagined because, yes, apparently, Barbatos's lips were as soft as it looks. Yes, he smelled fragrant like Cecilias drowned in morning dew. And yes, his wings flapped furiously when he's excited before wrapping around them.

However, Morax hadn't expected thousands of fireworks to set off in his stomach to follow suit. He hadn't expected for thousands of Cecilias to bloom in his chest. He hadn't expected for thousands of bells to ring inside his eardrum.

It was euphoric. It was the best thing Morax had felt in a long time, and he didn't want it to end.

(He expected their kiss would be brief— after all, it only served to officiate their contract, yet Morax kept leaning in for more. It didn't help that Barbatos's hands were wrapped around his neck. Was it okay for Morax to hope that Barbatos felt the same?).

They only separated because Morax felt Barbatos went limp in his arms. True enough, Barbatos lay down with a loud thud, making another batch of dandelion seeds flew into the air. Despite his hands covering his face, Morax could still see the blush that rose around Barbatos' cheeks.

"Is the contract finished?" Barbatos whispered.

"Ah, yes," Morax struggled to find his words. He, too, was still trapped inside his headspace from earlier.

"Good. I think I'll die if I have to do it again."

Morax felt a thousand spears went through his body. "Was it unpleasant to you?" Worry began to creep around Morax. Was he making Barbatos uncomfortable? He should've pushed for other alternatives—

"That should be my question! I've never thought it would be so different! I'm sorry, Morax. I'll try to be better next time."

"Next time?"

Both of them combusted.

"I'm going to shut up before I said something stupider."

"Agreed."

The silence was very awkward. Morax felt like he should say something.

"If it's any consolation," Morax huffed. At this point, his heart would really jump out of his chest. "it was a pleasant experience for me as well."

If only Morax could read someone's mind, then he would hear Barbatos' screeching like a banshee.

Barbatos promptly stood up. "If we're done, then I'm going to Dvalin's nest to freak out."

"Of course."

"I'm not trying to run away from you, Morax. I'm just—"

"You don't have to explain it," Morax put up his hand. "I understand. Truly."

"Right," Barbatos took a deep breath and nodded. "Then, I'll see you later?"

Morax gave the best smile he could muster. "I look forward to it."

Barbatos lifted himself to the air. He gave Morax a small wave before disappearing into the wind.

It was hours after Barbatos was gone when Morax finally gathered all his thoughts. He then melted into the earth, drowning in his embarrassment.