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As Zhongli and Xiao walked along the path. The taller could not help but see the worry in Xiao's eyes. How he had seemed to not be fully there. He knew the feeling all too well. Thus why he brought him out there in the first place. Of course they could discuss battle tactics and what had happened openly around the Traveller. But such depths of feelings, he knew Xiao had yet to admit, was not something to be discussed around him.
"You care for him, do you not..?" Finally his voice broke the silence. Xiao's first response was to tell him no. That he had no such feelings. That he was simply there to protect the Traveller as requested. But he knew that was a lie, he knew from day one that was a lie. As much as he yearned to protect his sunshine, he also wished to be with him as his lover too. So he gave a small nod.
"Is that why you pulled me away..?" He did not make eye contact, rather stopped in his tracks as if debating to go back. "Only partially... Come now, we have matters to discuss..." The archon raised a hand as he made a gesture with his finger for the other to follow. Xiao doing so obediently. Letting the silence dwindle on as they walked further down the path. However they soon stopped at an opening. One that granted a clear view to Liyue.
"Would you like to leave Liyue with him..?" Zhongli gave nothing away, instead keeping his hands folded behind his back, and stature tall. Eyes focusing on the country that was adapting to no rule and no protection rather quickly. Yet Xiao looked up at him, surprised at the question. But instead of answering with his truth. He gave no answer, looking back out at the land he knew so well. "I am to stay and protect Liyue. I could not leave even if I wished..." Yet the longing in his voice was evident, even as he might have tried to cover it with his usual scorn. Avoiding looking at the taller man above as if he thought he were simply reminding him of his place.
"Were you not freed whenever Rex Lapis died..?" At those words the smaller froze. Wondering if this was a test or if he meant what he said. Knowing full and well he had s contract to keep him bound to Liyue, to keep protecting it and watching over it. "I believe, once he died, his intent was not only to dismiss his contracts for his own personal gain, but to grant those freedom who still served under him. Thus letting those he cared for to make their own choices. Liyue, was his child in a sense. And as all children do, they grow up and need to be left to make their own choices." Xiao looked at him in disbelief. Wondering if he meant what he said, yet soon enough giving an answer. "As my dearest friend, and my right hand man. The only remaining yaksha, and the honorary adeptus. You, have lived long and served dutifully. And most of all, I wish for you to make your own choices."
"My debt-" "Is pardoned. It was the moment you broke free from your chains. Your good heart has served not only us, but yourself well...." He stared at him for a moment more before shaking his head. Looking back towards the landscape before his eyes slowly began to become half pitched. As if considering his words. "I, still... promised to my fellow yakshas that I would protect this land..."
The guilt still plagued him so. As his body tensed in the memory of his fellow warriors being slain. He felt the horrific headache start to come over him as he almost hunched over feeling sick. Just, useless, pathetic, weak even. The scene would okay fresh in his mind until a hand went to his back. Snapping him out of it as he looked over at Zhongli. Trying to more so focus on the man instead of his fallen comrades. Or how he wished to already hurl at the thought.
"Yet, you still ceased to use your ultimate because of a promise you made to this same Traveller..? As if you have already moved on..?"
He remembered, the teary looked on Aether's face as he raced towards him. Wrapping his arms around the Yaksha. Doing something so stupid in the middle of combat. Taking the brutal hits if the enemy but also keeping Xiao from hurting himself. Instead just sobbing as he kept repeating 'No' over and over at the realization. His own chest heaved to see Aether like that, yet fluttered to know he had cared for him so. Only then did he promise to stop using it. Try to find another move with training. Only then would his traveller be content.
"Yes, I did make such a promise..."
"Good, then you will, I know the Traveller will do many great things. As you accompany him, you too will help save Teyvat. They would want you to. Not only to help protect, but to fulfill your life. To not feel guilty about what happened to them, no. They would wish for you to live the life they could not."
His words were like a pit in the remaining yaksha's stomach. A mixture of emotions taking over as he contemplated his words and options. Yet as the picture of Aether's smiling face shown in his mind, it was interrupted by the tearful one he had saw. The contrast was vast. The memory of the festival they spent together. How his face was illuminated so beautifully, eyes sparkling snd hair glowing. He truly looked ethereal that night.
"You accepted, as you called it, an invitation to mundane life, did you not..? So why not simply enjoy it..?" It was as if Zhongli knew what he was thinking about. Which would slowly sway him towards staying with Aether. "Therefore, as part of my contract, to end all contracts, you are free to do as you please..."
Xiao's heart stilled at his words. Knowing that he truly meant it this time. To be able to protect and travel with the one he loved. Leave Liyue's boarders and make sure he would be alright. However this only reminded him of the current situation, the state in which he left Aether in.
"Thank you... is that all...?"
Zhongli gave a simple nod to which Xiao had already turned around. Making his way back rather quickly. With slow strides Zhongli easily followed.