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Life really was a fickle thing. Life was a cycle, it continued on no matter how much you wanted it to stop. Things are born, they live, and then they die; it's inevitable. Unless, you were a god.
Zhongli had witnessed the formation and evolution of life, from the reign of the gods to the humans that walk the earth now. He saw birth just as often as he saw death. It was precious. Life was precious.
Zhongli had witnessed the cycle of life so many times, but rarely did he ever feel like he was living. Being alive for centuries took his feelings for his own life away. Things were boring, he didn’t get to enjoy his life. Not until he came along.
Childe was so full of life, so much life it made Zhongli yearn to feel like that too. And when Childe decided to stay by his side, Zhongli could feel life slowly come back to him. They spent years together, even if they had a slightly rough start. Zhongli knew he could always trust Childe to be there if he needed something, and he hoped Childe felt the same.
When Childe had to leave for Fatui missions, Zhongli always worried, hoping he would stay safe. And he always did. He always came back. He always came home. Home was something Zhongli never thought he would have again. Yes, there were places he stayed, but it never felt like this. It never felt so nice.
He wanted to stay with Childe forever.
Now, life was a fickle thing really. When you’re a god, it loses its purpose after a while. But when you are human it means everything. From your first steps, to the time you injure yourself in a sport, to your first love and heartbreak, that is life. It's the concept of doing things for your own enjoyment even though there is an end. But as a god, you forget.
Zhongli forgot. He forgot and he forgot and he forgot and he forgot. He forgot how easily life could be taken away. How easily things could disappear without anyone noticing. How life was a really fickle thing.
But now he remembers. He remembers as he sits on such a peaceful day, a perfect one for sparing really. A perfect one to go out for a walk. A walk where they would stand close, taking in each other's comfort and sit watching the sunset. Where he sits watching the sunset next to a grave of the man once filled with life. And he remembers just how amazing life is.