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Birds chirped merrily in the distance. Swathes of greens painting over the sea of grass rustled gently in the breeze. In the far distance a bustling harbor could be seen. Ships cutting through the waves and shining vast blue of the water stretching across the horizon.
It would've been a rather peaceful view.
Barely a cloud in the sky, the sun coating the harbor in a bright glow, highlighting the towering peaks surrounding the town. The weather was immaculate, a perfect mixture of warmth and cool. The breeze is a soft brush of cold with the sun gently warming up the surroundings.
Zhongli, however, grimaced as he was unable to appreciate said view. His ankle painfully twisted, body bruised and covered with scrapes and bumps. The cliff above him towering over him proudly like a ruin guard. Mocking his carelessness.
Everything hurt . Zhongli considered himself with a high pain tolerance but he was unused to the nerves in a mortal body. Every nerve felt aflame, ridiculing the decisions he had made to end up here. Trapped underneath the cliff with no energy nor ability to get home.
He sighed, whimpering as his bruised lungs made themselves apparent. Perhaps a walk down this path had not been a good idea…
There was no way of knowing the earth below him would collapse. His powers were muted. The same level any mortal could have. Earth that once would've aided him gave him no warning and little reaction time. Even had he summoned a pillar, his fall still would've been catastrophic, a mortal body does little good slamming into hard earth. It was humbling. Laying here. His vessel in complete agony.
More involuntary whimpers escaped his lips. He twisted on the ground, the pain only growing worse with each pained spasm. His body would not make it to the harbor. That was painfully clear.
So all that was left was to lay here. Lay here and hope some passerby would peer down the cliff and spot him. Any other options were much less… appealing.
Time began to slip by him as his body curled inwardly from the crippling pain. Had he been down here a few hours or a few minutes? The only thing having him doubt the minutes theory would be the sun slowly dipping across the horizon. Zhongli grimaced.
It seems willing or not, that he would be spending the night here.
To make matters worse, on top of his very vocal pain, his body began to complain of thirst and hunger as well. He had brought water on his hike, but alas his bag was far out of reach, contents scattered just where he would struggle to get to. Even if his body was able to crawl he doubted he could access it.
A cold and miserable night it would be then. No water. Little warm garments, and injuries covering him from head to toe. A rather unfamiliar seed of fear began to grow within him, but he stifled it. Now was not the time to fear the future. He had to remain cognizant of the present.
So, he continued to stay there, sun quickly dipping across the horizon for a long rest until the morning came. Darkness cascaded throughout Liyue until poor Zhongli was now in pain, in the dark, with cold slowly creeping throughout his bones.
He attempted to shift into a more compact position to retain body heat, but his body protested so vehemently he quickly gave up. Just staying here would have to do. At the very least the stars twinkled so brightly on nights like these…
A rustle in the distance forced Zhongli’s attention away. His body stiffening. Could some help have arrived…? Or is this a hilichurl or slime wishing to harm him further, a concerning prospect.
He struggles to move to face the noise, body protesting vehemently. His peripheral vision caught a glimpse of orange coming towards him. Perhaps, it was a hilichurl who had come to finish him off. Grass crunches softly between its feet, every step forcing involuntary shivers of fear down Zhongli’s spine.
So… this was it. For his mortal vessel at least. It would be years before he could reform one, a long and arduous process. With a painful sigh, he allows his eyes to fall closed, prepared to face his fate. At the very least he hoped this would be quick.
Zhongli flinched as something prodded him, his whole body alighting in pain as a whimper left him. It was only a light touch but it hurt . However, he hadn't expected a whimper in return.
Had he heard that right?
His ears strained for more noises, things he now recognized as sniffing entering his ears. Was this an animal who had discovered him then? Becoming a meal for a hungry creature seemed equally as unappealing as the latter situation with a hilichurl or slimes. The creature shuffled closer to him, what appeared to be a muzzle nudging him. Every little movement drew whines of pain from him causing the creature to stiffen momentarily before moving on to the next spot. Each subsequent prod felt more… gentle almost. As if it knew it was causing him pain.
At long last the movement finally reached his face, the first thing coming in view being… reddish fur? Gold eyes blink a few times in surprise, not expecting a blue eyed fox to appear in his vision. The fox yips softly as their eyes meet. A tail wagging behind it. Immediately, Zhongli finds himself curious. The fox continued to watch him carefully with its bushy tail still wagging, behavior that simply made no sense.
The fox did not seem hungry nor should a rather shy creature such as this approach a human, injured or not, so freely. Yet this one held no fear nor seemed particularly hungry either. How strange.
Seemingly satisfied, the fox padded back out of Zhongli’s view and soft pads of pawsteps began to disappear back into the distance. So… his company had left. A strange encounter no doubt, but one that had momentarily forced him out of his woes. The wind rustled softly between the grass once more, the chill of the ground and cooling world around him slowly seeping within his bones. It was a shame there was little he could do. Surrounded by the elements with no protection it was possible even without his injuries he may not make-
His thoughts are interrupted as the sound of the footfalls echoes across the land. So his little friend had returned then. However, another sound found its way into his ears. The rough noise of something scraping along the dirt and coming ever so closer in time with the fox’s steps. Does the fox have something with him? He attempts to move his head back to look, but regrets said decision and sinks back into the ground, body trembling. A soft, almost worried, yip sounds from the fox.
At last, the fox once more gets back in his gaze. Zhongli blinks. He is carrying something. His eyes focus on the object in the animal's maw and gasps in surprise. His bag. The fox had brought it to him.
The clever creature stuck his maw into the bag and rummaged around eagerly, searching for something. A triumphant yip alerted Zhongli it had found what it had wanted. He stared in shock as the fox dragged his water pouch out, tail waving around excitedly.
Deep blue eyes look up to him expectedly, head tilting as the fox seemed to realize something. He blinks a few times at the pouch still within his mouth.
Zhongli stares in awe as the fox grips it tightly and twists, forcing the cap off. It falls onto the ground with an audible thud. Without spilling a drop, the fox lifts the pouch gently, cognizant of the sharp teeth within his maw as to not have it pierce. He lifts the pouch towards Zhongli who instantly catches on, slightly lifting his head ignoring the pain. The water is an instant relief. Zhongli gulps it down gratefully as the liquid drips on his lips.
It had been several hours of being stuck here and the cold water was a lovely sensation on his throat. He lays his head down, thirst quenched, but body still shivering and in agony.
He closes his eyes momentarily, letting out a shallow sigh in relief. He hears shuffling around him but pays it little mind. It was clear the fox had no intention to harm him. There was far too much intelligence in every action for him to dismiss what the fox had done.
Zhongli opened his eyes to a sight he had come to suspect. The lid on his water pouch was closed. Not only had it been opened it had been closed .
The fox shuffled closer to him, barely visible now that the darkness had fully cascaded across the land.
It was now only the cold mingling with his bones coming into cool focus. The frost latching onto his very core.
Darkness.
A wet cold touched his face, startling him. Without realizing it, Zhongli must've momentarily fallen unconscious. The fox before him gave a worried gaze with his wet nose poking his cheek in concern.
Zhongli did not have much time remaining. He grimaces. Cold and injury had worn down his body and falling asleep again will most likely result in the death of his vessel. A worried yip comes from the fox before him, who gently paws his arm.
Such a curious creature. At the very least he could have some company in the end…
Gold eyes begin to lose focus as they fail to keep their gaze on the creature before them, drifting shut on their own accord. A panicked yip escapes the fox, muzzle pushing at the man desperate to revive him. His eyes do not open.
Everything fades to dark once more.
<><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>
…
…
Warm.
He shifts into the soft feeling surrounding him, a gentle thrum of energy soothing his body and mind. It is safe here.
Zhongli’s body instinctively curls closer into the downy fluff surrounding him. His hand moves to stroke through the soft furry textures before him.
He is slightly confused when the fluff moves to surround him further, the gentle texture brushing against his body. A part of him wishes to be alarmed, but no malice could be sensed from whatever is happening around him. So, Zhongli allows himself to float there. What feels like a hand cards through his hair. A boyish voice whispering to him soft nothings, words meant to sooth but have no true meaning.
Without realizing it, Zhongli drifts off once more. The horrific pain radiating through his body now suspiciously absent allows him to drift into gentle dreams.
He dreams of meadows of glaze lilies. The sun eclipsing as the flowers bloom. The crash of the sea, so peaceful, unlike times far in the past. It feels like nothing can bother him. Even as a god who can travel within dreams, normally his own are still plagued by nightmares he can't control.
This, however, is a tranquil bliss. Safe. Cozy.
Those are his first thoughts as he slowly drifts back into awareness. Gentle thrums of… hydro? Flowing through his body. Bleary gold eyes blink open slowly. Taking in the gentle flickers of light flowing across the room. He startles as a now familiar sensation brushes across the skin. Reddish fur gliding across and leaving warm shivers in its wake.
Zhongli follows the path of fur and stiffens as he meets a playful set of ocean deep blue eyes. Two ears poke out of a mop of ginger hair, twitching curiously as Zhongli watches them. There is an arm around his wrist and several fox tails . They are wrapped around his whole body, radiating a comforting warmth and pulling him even closer to the man before him.
Blue eyes glisten as they watch him carefully. A small smile is on the man's expression as he speaks, a familiar voice Zhongli instantly recognizes comforting him before rings out, "Well it seems someone is finally awake. I take it you feel a lot better?"
Zhongli blinks at the fox man for a few seconds before a realization strikes him. It doesn't hurt. His hand reaches his chest, prodding his skin across his own body. Nothing. Not even a bruise.
The hydro energy from earlier… he must've healed him…? His hands skim the skin further, but are still unable to find a single sore mark. Remarkable.
At last, Zhongli lifts his head and meets the man's gaze again. He receives a toothy smile in return, fangs flashing momentarily.
"Thank you…" Zhongli murmurs. Regardless of the circumstance the results are not deniable. This fox had saved his life.
The ginger-haired man does not reply, merely tightens his grip around Zhongli as an acknowledgement of his words. A wave of sleepiness washes over him. Some sort of… sleeping drought the man had fed him perhaps?
However, he feels no alarm and allows the substance to take effect. After all, he will not be harmed here.
His eyes drift shut once more and he falls onto a restful slumber.
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Zhongli awakens to a spirited Hu Tao. His energetic boss explained how he had been found right outside of Liyue Harbor, safe, but unconscious. There had been no one with him at the time. Just a trail of pawprints leading out further back into the rolling plains of Liyue.
His mind lingers on the man he had met. A similar being to his adepti perhaps, a fox spirit of sorts? Had he still involved himself in the lives of his adepti it was plausible for him to collect information on the individual, but alas it is no longer his burden.
It is simply a shame he could not properly give his thanks again.
Zhongli continues his daily routine, only the occasional rumor of a fox coming into his life. Children whisper of a red fox far larger than the ones typically found in Liyue. In secret they talk of getting lost out into the rolling hills of Liyue far from home, playing games in the wilderness. Eventually finding themselves lost.
During these times a fox would appear and guide them home, protecting them from the dangerous creatures out there. The rest of the citizens of Liyue dismissed these tales whenever they reached their ears. Zhongli, however, knew the truth.
Different circumstances, but similar results. Zhongli is certain it is the same fox who had rescued him.
He still thinks of the blue eyes and the warm fur surrounding him. Years. Decades. All of which had been Rex Lapis ensuring Liyue's safety. It was strange being taken care of for once, a lingering memory of the feeling deeply taken root within his mind.
When he sits alone at Wanmin for the night he finds himself dabbling in the memory and the comforting feeling it brings. The moonlight glimmers across the harbor as he brings the teacup to his mouth. Lips in a grimace as cold tea laps at them. So lost in his thoughts he allowed the tea to chill.
A shame.
The table clings softly as he sets the teacup down. Thoughts still elsewhere as he watches the liquid settle within the cup. He traces the rim with his finger, the soft sounds of Liyue bustling at night a familiar backdrop.
He loses himself in the sensation. The footsteps and sounds of every individual in the harbor he could picture echoing through him as it once had. Every life had once been a part of him. Something to guide and protect. His duty, it was no longer, but his heart still belongs here and it always shall.
He allows his eyes that had briefly fallen closed to open. A faint pang of shock going through him.
A fox.
He blinks a few times. The fox blinks back.
The furry creature sits across from him, tail wagging behind him. Perched on the chair like he belonged there with what almost looks like a smile on his face.
Ah.
It seems a proper thank you could be given yet.
Zhongli does not question his new companion, merely waves a rather confused looking Xiangling over. The dark blue haired lady walked over with dishes in hand.
“How can I help you, Xiangsheng? Oh! What a cute fox, what are you doing here little guy?"
She receives a little yip in return to her inquiry. Xiangling smiles at the response, "Such a cute companion you have, Xiangsheng. I'll go fetch him something to eat! I wonder what foxes like. Would they enjoy seafood or meat more…"
Without Zhongli able to get a single word in, she whisks off. He lets out a fond sigh. Even with a fox suddenly dining with a customer she is more concerned with feeding him rather than spooking the potentially wild animal off.
The fox barks to get his attention, blue eyes glimmering happily as he finally gets Zhongli to look at him.
Zhongli just shakes his head and speaks, "Hello. It appears we meet again. I would like to offer my thanks for the kindness you had shown in helping save me. I am deeply thankful for it."
The fox nods at his words, tail still wagging behind him. Zhongli supposes that means his thanks has been accep-
Suddenly, the fox jumps off the chair and races towards him. With a quick leap, Zhongli is suddenly greeted with a lap full of the enthusiastic creature. He freezes. Unsure of what to do.
Blue eyes look at him pleadingly. For what, Zhongli did not know. He stares back confused trying to figure out what the ball fur on his lap wants from him.
A quick nudge to his hand finally gives him the idea. Hesitantly, he reaches out and pets the soft fur on the top of the fox. His gloved hands card through the locks and a gentle vibration goes through his body. He startles, before realizing the fox before him was purring.
Such a gentle noise as the creature showed its enjoyment. Emboldened, Zhongli continued his movements, allowing the fox to rest in his lap as he pet the creature.
The fox yawns, and flops down fully on him. Curled up and content.
He continues to stroke the happy ball of fur on his lap, the vibrations only pausing as footsteps draw near.
"Here! I hope he likes it!" Xiangling exclaims. She sets a plate filled with an assortment of grilled meats with a bright smile. "Enjoy!” Without further preamble, she scurries off to help other customers leaving Zhongli behind with the fox once more.
The creature looks up at him before lazily snapping up a few pieces of meat off the plate. Quickly finding himself cozy once more on the lap before him after he samples a few. Zhongli… doesn't know what to make of this situation but continues his petting and enjoying the rumbles in his lap.
He begins to relax after several quiet minutes between them, before he startles at sudden movement. The fox leaps off of his lap and sprints away. An inkling of disappointment goes through him, but perhaps this was for the best.
<>
They do not meet again for some time. The elusive fox nowhere to be seen. Another week passes by between the sightings before Zhongli knows it. Until that day.
It is when his door has a bloody handprint on it, he knows something is dearly wrong. It creaks open with a loud shriek as he peeks in, the dark covering the inside like a blanket. Only the faintest of light peeking through the open door.
A rustle sounds from inside and then a pained whimper. He opens the door fully, concern now in full swing.
More blood coats the floor. He expects to see a fox but sucks in a sudden breath at the sight before him. The fox man from before lays on his floor with a pained expression. Several tails spread out behind him and blue eyes hazy from pain.
Their eyes meet. A long pause goes between them, both parties waiting for whatever the others first move will be. Gold eyes continue to stare at the ginger on his floor, before finally he begins to step forward. The fox man flinches slightly, but looks confused as Zhongli merely walks away.
He leaves into the other room and reaches within a cabinet and steadily grabs everything his arms can carry. Bandages, more specifically. Zhongli does not know why the fox had come to him, but considering the hydro healing before most likely the creature just needed somewhere safe for a while as his energy recharged. Before that happened, however, stopping the bleeding took priority.
Zhongli steps back into the room with an armful of supplies. His footsteps echo in the stark quietness as he approaches slowly, wary to scare the creature before him. The tails sway behind the man on the floor, however he does not shy away as Zhongli draws near.
“I do not intend to harm you.” He speaks softly, gesturing his arms so the scattered bandages and other supplies come into view. Zhongli watches the tension drain out of his sudden guest’s body as the realization he wouldn’t be harmed finally became understood. With still slow movements Zhongli crouched down before the man, careful not to touch the many tails occasionally moving on the floor. He places his supplies down and gathers a white bandage. Keeping a close eye on his companion, he slowly nears, wrapping it around the bleeding wound on the fox’s upper arm.
Empty depths containing a deep shade of blue watch his every movement cautiously. Unsure, but currently trusting. As Zhongli came into closer proximity he could observe the fox closer. The tails branching from him slowly encircling Zhongli. It felt oddly comforting. Even as he worked in patching the fox up they never directly touched him, but every one of them drew nearer to doing so as time passed. All the while, blue eyes never left his person.
A hand reaches towards him. He startles, slightly flinching, but remaining still as it cups his cheek.
“For a human, you have the most stunning eyes I’ve ever seen. Hah, actually, I don’t even think I’ve ever seen eyes that strike me the way yours do.” The fox murmurs, his hand slowly drifting up his cheek to rub under his eye. Admiring the golden flecks and shimmering depths right before him.
Zhongli stays still as he speaks, reluctant to break the contact so willingly given to him.
“I am flattered you think as such. However, I will have to ask you don’t move too much as-”
Another arm extends towards him. Smoothly, and without seemingly any effort, Zhongli suddenly finds himself on the fox’s lap. A strange reverse situation compared to the previous ones they had found themselves in. He frowns, concerned, but the fox seems uncaring of how the sudden movement may have exasperated the injuries.
“Childe.”
Zhongli sits for a second, confused.
“That’s my name, little mortal. Better get used to it.”
Little…? He shakes his head and ignores the previous statement, “I see… a pleasure to meet you then, Childe. My name is Zhongli.”
Childe hums acknowledgingly at his words and pulls Zhongli even closer, nuzzling into his hair. They sit like that for a while. Not a word between them and just the gentle, albeit, pained breaths coming from Childe that could be heard.
A gentle glow of blue begins to shimmer. Zhongli sighs in relief as it comes into his vision. The fact the creature before him was beginning to heal was a good sign that things would be okay. So, he allows himself to continue to be cuddled as the fox slowly heals. A part of him feels like he should protest this, but the rest feels… peaceful. Oddly content and at home. Something about being held by Childe felt nice and he was quite reluctant to part from it.
However, as with all good things, it must come to an end. A part of him saddens as the fox pulls away. It felt as if some of him had departed as the heat left his grasp.
Then… Childe stands up and leaves. Far too quickly for even a word to be shared between them as he exits the door. The remaining blood and bandages scattered about a sign the fox had even been here.
A strange encounter, no doubt. Still it gave Zhongli a strange sort of hope. One that they may meet again.
<>
It is when he sits in his office awaiting a new client he ponders this. A week had since passed from his last encounter with the elusive creature. All was rather silent and once more he found himself doing the funeral consultant job as he had before.
As the gentle creak of the door alerts him of a new client, he quickly straightens in his chair and tidies his appearance. Gold eyes focus on the entryway, widening.
A man enters. The first thing coming into focus, bright ginger hair and then soon after blue eyes. Features he could recognize anywhere. No fox ears adorn him and no tails follow as he pads towards the desk, but the semblance meant there was no mistaking who was truly before him.
Zhongli opens his mouth to speak. However, the man before him chimes in with a bright smile.
“Zhongli! Let's go on a date!”
He blinks a few times unsure if that was truly the words he had heard. The man he is very sure is Childe continues to smile at him, unperturbed by the lack of answer and still looking very eager to hear a response. Zhongli sighs. Of all the ways he expected to meet the fox, it most certainly was not like this.
He glances over at the clock and surprises himself at his own reply, “My break is in thirty minutes. Will that suffice?”
The bright smile he gets in return is answer enough.