Archive of Our Own ^beta

“Ughhh...I’m exhausted…” I groaned, stretching back in my chair for a moment before slumping forward onto my desk. 

“Is everything alright, dearest?”

I turned my head at the sound of a familiar voice. Zhongli was lingering in the doorway; his golden eyes glimmered in the dim light as he rested his hand on the wooden frame. 

“May I come in?” he inquired.

I nodded, and he strode smoothly over to my side, the tails of his coat billowing behind him. He rested his hand on my shoulder, his touch light yet firm enough to express concern.

“You look so fatigued, my love. Come rest.”

“I should get started on my next project, though,” I protested. 

My argument was completely invalidated as I yawned right after finishing my sentence. 

“Are you sure, darling? I do not want for you to overwork yourself. Besides, I have already begun to draw the bath,” Rex Lapis pleaded. 

“…You’re right. Alright, I’ll join you. I could use a bit of relaxation.”

I pushed away from my desk and felt his hand fall from my shoulder to sit on my hip. I turned inward to face him, my hands moving to rest on his chest. He blinked down at me, curiosity and adoration pooling in his amber eyes as he drew me closer by the small of my back. 

“I love you,” I murmured, reaching for his cheek to pull him down and pushing my lips onto his. 

“I love you,” Morax echoed, his voice dropping a few pitches. His lips brushed mine as he spoke. “Come now; the bath is nearly ready.”

I draped my arms over his shoulders, lacing my fingers together loosely, and gazed into his eyes a bit lazily. He got the message. I blinked, and he’d picked me up by my butt, my legs already instinctively hooking around his waist. His touch had no sensual intentions as he toted me away. I leaned into him and sighed, resting my chin on his slim yet sturdy shoulder. The feather of his earring brushed against the column of my neck a few times, making my whole body shiver. 

The Geo Archon let out a light chuckle, and his fingers grazed over the small of my back in a comforting gesture. He rounded the corner through our bedroom and into the private bathroom. 

The gentle fragrance of Glaze Lilies and Qixing flowers wafted past my nose as Zhongli carried me into the bathing chamber. The smell of cleansing incense mixed with the odor of the flowers and blurred into one relaxing aroma. I inhaled and exhaled slowly, letting the soothing scents seep into my body and distract me from the chaos of the world. Candles were scattered all around the room, flickering and casting the space in their warm glow. Stars winked from outside the open window, the bright Liyue moon illuminating the edge of the enormous, marble-white tub. The clawfoot tub could probably fit three or four people - plenty of space for just the two of us. Honey orange, creamy white, and dandelion yellow sheer curtains with golden inlaid designs framed the window and hung throughout the room, some draped on the walls and strung up from the ceiling. There was a glistening chandelier in the center of the room, but it was suspended higher up so as not to draw too much attention to the shimmering crystals. An immense circular rug sat below the chandelier, a curling, gold design embedded into the fabric with marigold tassels around the rim. A tea set rested upon the counter, set aside for a later time. Small tassels hung from chains of Cor Lapis and Noctilucous Jade that had been refined into glittering gemstones, attached to the ends of the draperies. A faint haze of steam clouded the bathing chamber, making me feel ever so slightly drowsy. The whole room felt like a warm sunset, encasing me in a blanket of tranquility. 

Rex Lapis reached over to close the window and draw the curtains closed before setting me down on the ground. I felt a bit sad to lose his warm touch, but I reminded myself that it was only for a moment. He dipped his hand into the crystal-clear water. 

“Perfect,” he mumbled to himself.

He strolled over to the grandiose doors and closed them. 

“The water is ready, love,” he announced while unclasping and shucking off his coat. 

I understood the implied suggestion and reached behind my back to unzip my dress. Liyuen clothes were elegant and simply stunning; despite my strong distaste for dresses, the glamorous yet modest designs were too enticing, and I had begun to accept the style of garment back into my wardrobe. Two miniature chains of Cor Lapis were draped over my left hip, attached to the dress itself. The fabric ombréd from off-white to a sunrise yellow at a mid-thigh length. The tail of the dress dropped far below my knees, where it brushed the backs of my calves. Detached sleeves that clung to my biceps hung to my knees, with tiny jeweled tassels dangling from the ends of the leaf-shaped cloth. I undid the clasp for the collar of the gown and slid the garment off, letting it pool at my feet. I tugged the sleeves on my arms off as well and folded them up neatly. As I stepped away from the dress on the floor, I felt a hand rest on my back to steady me. 

“Do not worry about folding the dress, dearest; I will have a maid come retrieve it,” my lover spoke, his hand dropping slightly to rest safely above my posterior. “We must not let the water cool, now.”

I giggled softly and gazed at him over my shoulder. He was already rid of his garments and had already begun to unclasp my bra, his fingers never hesitating or stumbling. 

I responded, “Of course.”

I quickly stripped out of my tights and undergarments before being led to the bath by Zhongli. He slipped gracefully into the water, his unbound hair floating atop the clear liquid. It glowed a faint orange as if it was unable to conceal its satisfaction. He outstretched his arms and beckoned for me to enter. I climbed in without a word. The water was hot, stinging my skin a little, and I inhaled sharply at the sudden shock. 

“Is it too hot?” he asked, his brow furrowed in concern.

“No, no, I just need a second to adjust to the temperature,” I replied before fully submerging my legs. “Please, don’t worry.”

He watched keenly as I dropped all the way down so my shoulders were peeking above the surface of the water, his gaze calm despite the eagerness behind it. His arms looped around my waist and guided me towards him, resting my back on his chest. I let out a long sigh, easing into the strong figure behind me. 

“Yes…” I breathed, permitting my head to loll back onto his shoulder as the steam and calming aroma acted as a mild sedative. “This is perfect…”

“You need a break,” Morax murmured to no one in particular. His voice had dropped to a low, husky tone. As he spoke, I felt the rumble from his chest resonate down my spine. “I am going to take care of you tonight, my jade.”

It wasn’t a question. I hummed contentedly as he pressed a warm kiss to my skin. His lips were moistened slightly from the bathwater, and his breath was hot as it fanned against my neck. 

“You are…positively divine...” he purred between nips and kisses. “Your radiance is unparalleled, my love.”

A needy whine bubbled up from my lips at his words, his compliments dripping through my veins like sweet honey. I felt him smile through a kiss, and he curled around me so his head was nuzzled comfortably in the crook of my neck. 

“Please advise me when you are ready for the soap,” the archon stated after a moment had passed. 

“In a minute. I want to lie here with you for a little while.”

“As you wish, dearest.”

I breathed in again, Rex Lapis’s familiar scent of citrus and wood mixing with the fresh flowers’ aroma and sending a wave of comfort through my body. Every bone in my body thrummed in pleasure; everything about the moment just felt so right . One of his hands rubbed slowly up and down on my hip beneath the water, tracing my skin in reverence. Occasionally, he would turn inward to leave a small kiss on my neck, pressing his nose into the column. I responded to each with a kiss in his dampened hair. Water had begun to bead on the ends of his mocha-brown locks, dripping off back to where it had come from with a soft plop . Zhongli either didn’t notice or didn’t mind. My gaze slowly traveled to his unbound hair curling around my figure on the surface of the water. My own hair had somehow entangled itself with his, the caramel brown of my own hair blending almost seamlessly with his darker brown and lustrous amber. I smiled and felt my cheeks warm a little, the sight somehow melting my heart. 

Time escaped us. It’d been a good while before I finally shifted in my husband’s arms. He nipped affectionately at my neck one last time before letting me straighten my back out. 

“Would you get the soap please, love?” I requested, feeling a bit ashamed to have him wash me. 

“Whatever you ask, my jade.”

He reached off to the side and produced a bottle of shampoo I hadn’t noticed before. 

“Lean back…yes, there…” he instructed as he gathered soap in his hands. 

He laced his fingers through my hair before starting to massage my scalp, drawing a long groan from my throat. 

“Oh, archons… ” I moaned in a knee-jerk reaction. 

I sensed Morax practically radiating pride behind me despite its absence in his kind expression. He chuckled quietly and scratched at my head, evoking a whimper from me. A pleasured shiver shot through my body at his gentle touch. The longer he scrubbed at my head, the more soothing it felt. I whined in irritation when his hands finally left my hair, but his fingers ghosted across my upper back to comfort me. Bubbles had already begun to foam atop the water’s surface at the ends of my hair, the shampoo smelling of sweet Silk Flowers and subdued Violetgrass. I sank lower into the water so that just my nose and eyes peeked above the surface where the water was still clear. 

“Here,” the Geo Archon mumbled, dragging his long fingers through my hair as he rinsed the shampoo away. 

I tipped my head back in the water, the very edge of my hairline dipping below the surface. I sighed wantonly, thirsting for more affection from my lover. He could sense exactly what I wanted, but simply continued rinsing the soap out of my long, chestnut locks. Once all the soap was gone, I draped my body over his and pushed my mouth on his, lips curling into a smile when he leaned into the kiss. 

“I like this,” I whispered, breaking the kiss and nuzzling into the crook of his neck.

His arms snaked discreetly around my waist out of habit, almost pressing me down into him. The touch of his bare skin on mine was soothing and stimulating at the same time. 

“I still have yet to fulfill this contract,” Zhongli responded, “but you flatter me.”

“Oh? Then we should continue, yes?”

I kissed at his neck in mild ferocity, nibbling at his delicious, milky skin. My playful bites finally evoked a rough groan from his chest, the noise rumbling through me and making the water seem to vibrate with the low frequency. Quickly realizing what he’d done, he cleared his throat as a light red tint crept onto his cheeks. 

“If you like,” he said, acting like he hadn’t just very loudly voiced his desire. 

I giggled at his adorable denial. I drew away from him and turned around, watching over my shoulder as he procured another bottle - conditioner this time. 

“Come closer, my jade,” Rex Lapis purred.

I obeyed, a bit intrigued by his tone. He grabbed my hips with one arm and tugged me back against him. A squeak of surprise slipped past my lips at the contact; he was being rougher than I expected. 

“I want to have you on me,” he murmured somehow with only mild sexual intention. “Touching.”

He didn’t give me a chance to respond before his hands were in my hair, fingers dividing the long strands and scrubbing gently on my scalp. I moaned breathily as his hands moved and leaned back into him a little bit. 

“Zhongli…” I panted. “Baby-mmmnh…” 

The only sign he’d heard me was the muscles of his strong thighs tensing slightly beneath me. His hands remained steady and unfaltering in my hair despite the betrayal of his legs that spoke otherwise. I sighed contentedly as he scratched at a sensitive spot on my head, a gentle blush flushing my cheeks. He took care in using the conditioner as he felt how my hair softened the longer the product stayed in. 

“Let it sit for a moment,” he commanded as I felt him twist behind me. 

I didn’t move, too distracted with watching little bubbles float by on the water’s surface. It was clear, but it was making my skin feel silkier than it had - had he salted the water? A small smile tugged at the corners of my mouth at the realization. 

“Did you put salts in the water?” I inquired out of pure curiosity. 

“Yes. It also has a cleansing reagent, so we need not worry about soap. I concluded that it might be too much of an inconvenience, but I brought some despite that. I can scrub your shoulders, if you so desire, dearest?” 

I paused, my first instinct being to turn down the invitation, but I decided I wanted to take the opportunity. I nodded, and he grabbed a cream-colored loofah. I breathed in deeply as my lover poured the soap, the scent of Glaze Lilies strengthening. He set the loofah to my skin, scrubbing gently yet thoroughly. 

“Mmmmh…” 

Zhongli chuckled softly. The loofah didn’t remain on my shoulders for long, since there was such little surface area, quickly being placed off to the side in a small bucket of water. He pressed down lightly on my shoulders and I slipped deeper under the water, leaving just my head above the surface. The soap vanished instantly; it literally disappeared from the water. My eyes widened in shock, and I looked at my husband in confusion.

“Simply a dash of Geo,” he explained, waving his fingers in a sweeping gesture. “There are minerals in the water; it’s quite effortless to manipulate them.”

Tangerine crystals flickered in and out of existence at the motion, and all the bubbles on the water’s surface fizzled out. I half rolled my eyes at him with a smirk. His kind eyes were unfaltering as he chortled. 

“Showoff,” I muttered, shoving his chest playfully beneath the water. 

“Do you want me to? I can show you some Geo skills, if you desire.”

My face lit up a fire-engine red at his unintentional flirt. He cocked his head to the side, reaching a wet hand to caress my burning cheeks. 

“What is wrong, my jade? You are all red and warm,” Morax said.

“O-oh, no, I’m fine. Your flirt just…caught me off guard, is all.”

“A…flirt? I did not mean to do that.”

His brow knitted in concentration as he tried to figure out what he did wrong.

“It’s fine,” I giggled, “it was cute.”

I sidled into his lap and pressed an airy kiss to the underside of his jaw. I swear I heard him purr lowly in response, with the way his chest rumbled behind me. 

“Are you happy to have your Gnosis back?” I asked hushedly, resting a hand on his pec. 

He fell silent. 

“Zhongli?”

His eyes were distantly focused on the quivering water. 

“…I have not really considered it. I always had my Vision, but…the Gnosis simply amplifies its power. It is reassuring to be aware that it is in my possession again, and not in the filthy hands of La Signora’s Fatui and the Tsaritsa of Snezhnaya.”

He shuddered, and his hands came to rest on my hip. I brushed my hand over his sleek collarbone, watching how the water from my hand beaded and slid down his chest, finally rejoining the pool it originated from. An incredibly faint amber glow emanated from the center of his torso - the sign of his Gnosis - and gave the clear water a slight orange hue around him. 

“Well, I’m just glad it’s all over,” I murmured, leaning my head on his shoulder. 

He hummed with a nod as a response.

We sat in silence for a minute, the only sound being water dripping from our hair. 

“Thank you,” I mumbled.

“For what?” 

“For staying with me and supporting me through-” I waved my hand in the air, “all this. Everything. It…it means a lot. I-I don’t know how to phrase it, I’m not as well-spoken as you, but-”

“It’s okay. I understand.”

I gazed up at him with wide eyes, chocolate brown meeting warm amber. 

“My sentiments are the same as yours, love,” he cooed. “You supported me through all my dilemmas and troubles and…well, as you put it, everything.”

The water warmed ever so slightly on my body. Rex Lapis bent down and pushed his lips on mine, the kiss long and soft. I whimpered as he leaned into the kiss, his hands moving to the small of my back and pressing me closer. 

“I love you,” he whispered before closing his lips on mine. 

This amount of passion was rarely seen from him. Was it the aroma? The atmosphere? Whatever it was…I liked it. A feeble mewl escaped my mental filter and bubbled past my lips as my fingers curled on his chest. 

“I love you,” I answered, a bit breathlessly. “I love you.”

He growled, his passion starting to overtake him, and his hand shifted to grip my face, the other still on my back. His lips moved effortlessly on mine, fitting like pieces of a puzzle. Like he was meant for me. 

“My jade…”

Morax sounded almost desperate as he kissed me again, his lips surprisingly plush and sweet. His kisses drifted to the corner of my mouth, licking discreetly with his tongue. I’d nearly forgotten his hidden draconic traits; his long, forked tongue was gentle as it caressed my lips, seemingly searching for more of a certain taste. His sharp teeth didn’t scratch me once, taking great care not to hurt me. He kept his horns and tail hidden most of the time, only showing them when I asked or when needing to show his power. 

He started to slow his kisses, trying to rein himself in. He left a light peck on the tip of my nose before pulling away. Zhongli’s chest rose and fell aggressively beneath my hand, his tangerine eyes almost glowing as we met gazes. 

“I should not-another time…”

Only now did a dark blush flush his cheeks. He shied away from me, withdrawing the hand that rested on my cheek to cover his mouth in a fist. 

“It’s okay. You don’t have to restrain yourself with me, you know,” I murmured, brushing my lips over the underside of his strong jaw.

He sighed, his eyes closing. He refused to turn his head back towards me. 

“You- alright, just not here. Not now.”

“Okay.”

My lover cracked his eyes open, gazing down at me with those bright golden eyes, seemingly teeming with power. A small smile finally graced his lips and he pressed his forehead to mine. 

“Thank you.”

I almost protested and said I hadn’t done anything, but I decided to let him have his way. 

“You’ve done enough for me tonight; let me take care of you,” I insisted.

“But-”

“Please? Someone’s got to wash your hair, anyway.”

“...As you wish, dearest.”

He pulled over two bottles; his personal shampoo and conditioner. I smiled, swimming out of his lap to pour the liquid into my hand. By the time the soap was in my hand, Zhongli had already turned around with his hair trailing behind him in the water. 

“Anxious for me to start?”

He glanced at me over his shoulder and blinked. 

“Is there something wrong with that?”

For not really understanding what flirting was, he was incredibly good at it. I flushed a deep crimson, flames licking at my neck, and rolled my eyes with a bitter smile.

“I guess not,” I conceded, sinking my hands into his ash-brown hair. 

Morax’s breath hitched the second my fingers made contact with his scalp. He hummed as I began to massage gently and I grinned to myself. Who knew I could placate the God of Geo with just a bath? My hands eventually found the tiny nubs of his hidden horns on the top of his head and I brushed over them gently. 

“Mmmnghh…”

I froze. If I wasn’t blushing before, I definitely was now. I carefully continued scrubbing his head and his groans rumbled through the water, resonating in my bones. 

“Are your horns okay to…?” I trailed off. 

“Yes. They are just…very sensitive. You may touch them.”

My fingers ghosted over the small lumps once; his back rose and fell once sharply before returning to a regular rhythm at the contact. My heart jumped at the idea that I had a literal god in the palm of my hand and my smile widened. I started to comb the shampoo down his long hair, leaving his horns alone and letting him recover. 

“Your hair is so long,” I mumbled, a little jealous that his was somehow longer than mine. “It’s so pretty.”

I draped the section of his hair I’d already worked on over his shoulder and started to make my way to the amber tips. They glowed contentedly in the palms of my hands, warming my skin. If I looked up, I would’ve seen a soft smile on Rex Lapis’s lips. 

I finished with the soap and tapped his shoulder twice, pulling his hair back into the water. He sank down lower, letting the water seep into his long brown locks. I tugged my fingers through his hair, splitting it into thin strands that clung to each other at random points. He tilted his head back and I chortled to myself, thoroughly entertained as I helped the Geo Archon bathe. I scratched and rubbed his scalp, watching as the white soap trailed down his hair and into the water. He ran his hands through his hair one last time before rising up higher again, satisfied with our work. 

I turned to pour the conditioner into my palms and clicked my tongue to summon him. He sighed contentedly when my fingers returned to his hair, scratching gently at the underside of his scalp. 

“Mmmm…”

He purred in pleasure and dropped beneath the surface of the water a little more, leaning into me. I kept going as if nothing had happened but I’m pretty sure we could both feel my heart hammering out of my chest. I took my time with the conditioner, making sure every strand of hair was coated and then letting it sit for a minute or two. I tossed his hair over his shoulder the same way I did before to keep it out of the way and realized that the tangerine ends of his hair seemed to be glowing brighter. Zhongli nudged me when it was time to rinse the soap out; of course he knew his typical routine better than I did. I pressed a kiss to his cheek and pulled his hair into the water. 

Once all the conditioner was out, he whirled and took me in his arms again. I whimpered at the sudden motion and curled inwards. 

“It’s just me, my jade,” he murmured, stroking the upper curve of my back. 

The tension in my shoulders released. Past experiences had made me…jumpy to sudden contact. But that was a bridge we could cross together later. For now, I would stay encased in my cocoon of warm water and my husband’s arms. I mewled contentedly when Morax nibbled and kissed at my neck affectionately, leaving faint bruises in a few places. His hand continuously ghosted down my spine and I shifted, trying to get as close to him as possible. He brushed his dripping wet hand across my sleek cheekbone and the water snaked down my now-smooth skin, beading at my chin and dropping to slide down his torso. 

“I love you,” I mumbled, nuzzling my cheek into his chest and brushing my lips across one of his pecs in a lazy kiss. 

“I love you,” he answered with a pet on my head. 

He gently took my face in his hands and forced me to look up at him, causing me to blink in mild bewilderment. 

“Listen. Right now, my only wish is for you to understand that I will love you for all eternity. It is our forever unbreakable contract.”

His lips grazed the tip of my nose and his thumb stroked my cheek twice. 

“Promise me you’ll never leave?” I whispered, ghosts of tears beading at the corners of my eyes for a reason I could not explain. 

“I promise. I am yours until the end of time.”

He closed his lips on mine in a luscious, soft kiss and stroked the top of my head once more. I practically melted in his arms, leaning further into his sturdy and protective body. His mouth moved smoothly on mine, bathing me in his love and adoration. Zhongli didn’t part our lips for a few minutes. His kisses were gentle and amorous, but not overly sexual - just enough to express deep-seated longing and devotion. He evoked quiet, breathy moans from my throat, my lips seemingly scrambling to get more of him and keep him with me. Once he knew I was comfortable and satiated, he slowly withdrew, gradually returning to small kisses, little pecks, and then finally pulling away completely. 

“Do you believe me?” he inquired quietly, his voice barely above a whisper. 

“Yes,” I answered. “Thank you…”

“I have more to thank you for.”

We didn’t need to say anything more. He sank deeper into the water and pulled me down with him, low enough that only my head peaked above the surface. The steaming water blanketed the two of us, pressing us closer together, and only then did I realize I could feel the power thrumming quietly from his whole body. The strength of an archon was nothing to scoff at. The hum echoing through my body was warm, setting me at ease rather than invoking fear. 

We remained in the tub for a long time, the steam and scents clouding my mind and nearly making me fall asleep. Zhongli summoned a pair of Glaze Lily blossoms made of pristine Cor Lapis to float atop the water; real Silk Flower blossoms were scattered on the liquid’s surface for ambiance as well, picked from a small basket of fresh flowers laying off to the side. I listened for the soft, lilting music drifting up from the streets of Liyue as we soaked. The trilling melodies started to serve as a lullaby after enough time, the moon’s gentle light kissing my face, and I started to doze off. 

“Are you falling asleep, love?” a husky voice murmured.

“Mmmmm…” 

“You may rest in a moment; I do not wish for you to drown. Come now, let’s go to bed.”

Rex Lapis nipped gingerly at my neck to wake me up and I mewled softly, my breaths short and hot. He bristled behind me and I felt another nibble at my skin, this one a bit more pronounced, before he removed himself from my body completely, stepping out of the tub and stretching a hand out for me. I blinked blearily at him for a moment, syrupy brown eyes slightly hazy as my gaze pooled with affection. I rose and leaned into his ever-warm body. 

“You are not going to fall asleep standing up, now, are you?”

“Nah, I’m fine…” I replied.

I shivered violently as the temperature of the air in the room finally registered in my brain. 

“Here,” he cooed, offering a plush bathrobe draped over his forearm. 

I nodded my thanks as I quickly slipped the garment on, sighing contentedly at the texture of the feather-soft fabric on my skin. My brain faintly registered Zhongli tugging a silk robe over his shoulders and tying the cinch around his slim waist, his long, ash-brown lashes downturned in silent focus. 

“Would you like me to dry your hair? I can remove all the moisture from it immediately as well, if you’d prefer,” Morax proposed. 

“Yes, please,” I answered, bowing my head slightly. 

He flicked his hand as if tossing water off and my hair was instantly dry. It felt silky and light, in pristine condition. Another wave of his hand and his hair received the same treatment. I stumbled over to him and looped my arms around his neck, resting my chin on his chest. My gaze was sleepy, almost seductive. He chuckled softly and hooked an arm around my back.

“Come now, let’s go to sleep.”

Zhongli lifted me up bridal-style and brushed a kiss over the tip of my nose. I purred contentedly and craned up to connect my lips with his but missed. When he pulled away and chuckled, I whined in disappointment and squirmed in his grasp. 

“Zhongliii…” I whimpered, tugging on the lapel of his robe. 

The shoulder of my bathrobe slid down to my mid-bicep, teasing a view of the rest of my body. A muscle feathered in his jaw, but he didn’t do anything; he almost seemed to be restraining himself. I huffed and puffed my cheeks out, curling my body in towards him and hiding my face from view. He chortled, low and rolling, and sat down on the bed. 

“What do you need?” he inquired as he let me sit on my knees in front of him. 

He ghosted his knuckles over my jawline and I leaned into his touch. 

“You know what I…” 

I tilted forward and brushed my lips over his, parting them slightly to try and tempt him into taking it a little further. Unfortunately, Rex Lapis was not easily tempted. 

“What is it? I cannot give you what you want if you do not tell me,” he said simply, acting as if I hadn’t just given him an airy kiss. 

My eyes narrowed in irritation and I purposefully moved to untie my bathrobe. 

“Kiss me,” I demanded. 

Morax’s hand stopped me before I could pull the tie to undo the garment, pushing his lips on mine for a second. 

“It is not necessary for you to do that. I was simply teasing you.”

He closed his lips on mine once, the kiss luscious and sweet. My heart stuttered as his other hand loosely tangled itself in my hair. 

“Would you like to keep it subdued tonight?” Rex Lapis asked as he moved his mouth on mine. 

“Yeah,” I answered breathlessly. My hands stumbled as they searched for a comfortable position on his chest. “I don’t think we should…yeah…”

“As you wish, my love.”

He nipped at my bottom lip before slotting our mouths together again, slowly growing more passionate and heated. At some point, he had pushed me back onto the bed and was now propped up over top of me on all fours. The silhouette of the Geo Archon shading me from the dim bedroom light was quite the pleasant sight, I must say. His weight was lightly pressed on top of me, and the longer we kissed, the more I felt the pressure of his figure on top of my own start to rise. 

Zhongli (finally) slid his forked tongue along the rim of my bottom lip after a minute - a request for permission to enter. The needy mewl that tumbled from my mouth was all the permission he needed. He was completely in control of himself as he encouraged my tongue to dance with his own. I, on the other hand, snapped when he groaned quietly into my mouth. My hands scoured for any way to get onto his bare chest, yanking on his robe’s lapels in an effort to try and get him closer to me. The thumb that had begun caressing my cheek some time ago swiped across my smooth skin one last time before burying itself in my hair with its twin. A little tug on my chocolate brown locks from my lover had me moaning shakily into his mouth and squirming for more, more, more of him. 

“Zhongli…love, p-please…” I begged as I viciously closed my lips on his. 

One of my hands had snaked up to the nape of his neck and now yanked on a section of his hair. He growled and instantly switched to biting at my neck, pressing a sweet kiss or two to each spot. Morax’s fingers trailed lightly down the curves of my body, covered by the fluffy bathrobe. My head lolled back to give him better access to his new area. He was even bold enough to suck gently on a few spots on the sides of the column of my neck, placing them in visible spots but not making them horrendously dark. 

He was holding back. He was listening to what I had commanded and trying to keep me in control. Unfortunately, I’d lost control about 5 minutes ago. My hand had finally wormed underneath his silk robe and my nails scratched gently against his pec as my fingers curled in response to a particularly sensitive nibble. He could sink his fangs into my neck and claim me over and over if he wanted to; despite that, he stayed mild with his kisses. 

“Mmmmh…M-Morax…” I whimpered when he licked tenderly at a bite that was a little too aggressive for his standards. “More…”

At the utterance of his true name, he realized I was swiftly on my way to go down the wrong path. He completely withdrew from my skin without another kiss. I whined in disapproval and pulled on his hair in a fit. 

“Easy,” he cooed, ”easy.”

My breathing - when had it gotten so erratic? - started to slow to a more stable rhythm. He pushed his lips on mine, his tongue running against the seal of my lips once before retreating for the night. My husband gradually slowed his kisses as his hands drifted back up to my face. He brushed the loose strands of hair that had scattered themselves across my forehead away and left one little peck on my nose before pulling away completely. 

“Let’s get some sleep, now,” Zhongli half suggested, half demanded. 

I nodded, my slightly swollen lips refusing to open to form a verbal response. My hands shifted to the curve of his upper back and pressed down, an unspoken request for cuddles. A small smile worked its way to his lips and his shadow withdrew from my body. 

He didn’t need to say anything for me to understand what he wanted me to do. I reluctantly rolled off the bed and quietly dressed in a shirt four sizes too big and a pair of loose shorts. Despite how much I adored Liyuen fashion, I couldn’t give up the comfort of a simple t-shirt and shorts for nighttime. Rex Lapis pointed at the door and I laid my robe over the edge of the small basket specifically designated for our post-bathing garments. I ran a brush through my hair a few times before wandering over to the bedside. He had already pulled back the sheets and had a pair of candles scented like sucrose Silk Flowers flickering on the dresser. I laid down on the bed and within two seconds I felt the mattress shift. Morax looped an arm around my figure and pulled my back flush against his stomach. I hummed contentedly when his lips pressed into my hair in a light kiss. 

“Thanks,” I murmured, tangling my legs slightly with his. 

Another platonic kiss was his response. I nuzzled into the crook of his neck and pressed my nose into the underside of his jaw. He chuckled quietly. 

“Mmmm…night…” I mumbled, shifting in Zhongli’s arms. 

“Good night, dearest.”

As I laid there drifting off in the comfort of my beloved’s embrace, I realized that after all the traveling I had done…I had finally found a home with him. And no matter what, I would never leave him.