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Chapter Text

“He has been like this for two days, he doesn’t even want to leave his bed.” Venti explained. Zhongli looked at his son who was asleep in his bed. Xiao was little at that time, about three years old. He had chubby soft cheeks and big eyes that usually wandered around with curiosity, now they were closed and he looked uncomfortable as he slept.

Zhongli removed the wet cloth that was placed in Xiao’s forehead. He smelt the vinegar coming from the cloth. He put his hand on his son’s forehead to feel his temperature. “He’s running a fever.” he said.

“I already gave him some medicine, I even took him to the Bubu Pharmacy! Doctor Baizhu said he needed a special flower, which I forgot the name of, to make his medicine. I can’t find that flower anywhere, plus someone has to look after him.” he explained. “I even sang his favorite lullaby, nothing seems to make him smile.”

Zhongli had been in a business trip to Inazuma, he had an important appointment with Raiden Shogun about one of their contracts. On the way back, he was attacked by the Fatui powers and he had to deal with them too. He had missed his son and coming back only to see him sick made his heart tremble.

“Baba..” Xiao said with a small voice. He tried to reach Zhongli’s hand. Zhongli sat next to him as he took his little hand and kissed it. “Yes, my little soldier?” he asked.

Xiao always wanted to be a soldier, seeing both of his fathers’ amazing fighting skills and growing up with an urge to protect the world, he always wanted to fight. His fathers loved to watch of their little son fighting with his imaginary monsters, but deep down they both had their worries about him getting hurt in a fight. They both loved and hated the idea of Xiao becoming a warrior.

“I missed you.” Xiao said and tried to hug him but he was too weak to even sit up straight. Zhongli lifted him up and placed him on his lap. ”I missed  you too. Very much. But you seem to be sick, are you feeling bad?” he asked.

“Yes, baba. My head hurts.” he answered. Zhongli would do anything to protect his family. Even now, when he was tired both mentally and psychically, he would put in all his effort to cure his son.

“I know the flower that Baizhu talked about. It’s the Qingxin flower that grows on top of the mountains. I will go and gather the needed amount.” Zhongli said as he put Xiao in Venti’s arms. “Be a good boy for baba and do whatever dad says, okay?” he asked Xiao. His son nodded his head.

“You just came back, I can go and get the flowers, or we can just buy them.” Venti offered as he patted Xiao’s head.

“These flowers can’t be sold. They grow on the very peaks of the mountains, they’re hard for workers to gather. Also, they have a very short lifespan and they will probably die before they can even be put on shelves. I am the Lord of Geo, I know my land and what grows on it better than anyone. I’ll get them myself.” he explained to Venti.

“Same old Zhongli, always good with his words. You just explained a bunch of details that I couldn’t focus on, but I’m now convinced that you should be the one who picks the flowers for the magical bouquet or something.” Venti said with a smile.

“It’s not a magical bouquet, we need to extract this flowers essence to make the syrup.” Zhongli said as he laughed. “Ugh, you just came back and you’re leaving again! We both missed you.” Venti said.

“I missed both of you too, I promise that I will be back before dinner. I will spend all of my evening with my son,” he stopped for a second to get close to Venti’s ear “and all of my night with my son’s father.”

Well, he is a great father isn’t he? Climbing a mountain for his sick son. After giving up his gnosis, some of his powers have disappeared. He can’t produce mora anymore, that kind of sucks. And he just discovered that his stamina could also be affected by this too. Because he used to climb these mountains in minutes without sweat, now he had to take a break in the middle of a mountain.

“This is definitely unexpected.” he thought as he continued to climb. When he reached to top, he saw three Qingxin flowers. “Well, now that I have three, I only need eleven more.”

He would never complain while doing something for his husband and his son but Archons, he was tired. He was tired after reaching the forth peak. He smiled as he saw another three Qingxin flowers. “Great, I will have sixteen pf them now. It’s always better to have spare materials.” He looked at the scenery before him. He could see Liyue, the land of contracts, where everything was under a certain order. He could see Mondstadt, the land of song and wind. He could almost smell the faint odor of dandelions that he always smells when he’s near his husband.

“I should return now, it’s getting late.” He talked to himself as gave a last glance to the view. He made a mental note that he would definitely take Venti out there and drink wine with him. He laughed as he imagined Venti, tipsy and singing songs to the scenery.

“Yes, I collected them myself. I hope they will be useful.” Zhongli said as he gave the flower batch to Doctor Baizhu. The green haired man browsed the flowers than spoke. “They’re in great condition, Mr. Zhongli .Just as expected from you.”

“I would do nothing lower than the best for my boy.” Zhongli answered with confidence. “Then I shall accommodate myself to prepare the best medicine. I will deliver this to Wangshu Inn tomorrow morning.” Baizhu said.

“You have my gratitude. I shouldn’t keep you talking any longer, good evening.” He said his goodbyes before leaving.

They lived in Wangshu Inn for two main reasons. It was located between Liyue and Mondstadt therefore they could easily go to their lands if there was a problem. The second reason was it was a nice and warm area, just the best fit for their child. Xiao was not a really social kid, even as a three years old. He didn’t want to talk to other children, he spent most of his time playing in the terrace. Venti, being a social butterfly, was already worried about his son.

“Welcome back!” Venti said as he hugged his husband. Zhongli stumbled a step back from the sudden force, chuckling as he did. “It’s great to see you too, love. Doctor Baizhu is preparing his medicine now, he will bring it tomorrow morning.” he explained.

“That’s great, I thought we would have to wait for a few days. He’s sleeping now but he still has a high fever.” Venti spoke as they made their way to their son’s room. They peaked from the door and he appeared to be sleeping. “Let’s not disturb him.” Zhongli offered and they went to their bedroom.

“I think you should shower because uhh, you kind of smell like soil.” Venti pointed out. “You’re right about that. Considering that I climbed up to four mountains explains the smell, I guess.” Zhongli said as he laughed.

Venti placed his finger pointer on Zhongli’s clothed chest and began to follow the outline of his muscles. “You clean your body clean for me, mister. And I will prepare myself for you.” Venti said with a seductive smile as his eyes were fixed on his husband’s chest.

“You know how to make me mad, darling.” Zhongli said before kissing Venti. The kiss didn’t go far. “I’ll be back shortly.” Zhongli walked to their bathroom.

He thought about all the things he wanted to do to Venti. How he would kiss his neck and caress his torso. He would start with gentle touches before showing his dragon side. The side that always wanted to leave marks to show his lover was claimed and the side that wanted to shove his love deep into his husband.

He expected Venti to be naked or wearing see through clothes. He certainly didn’t expect him to be sleeping. “Well, I guess no love making tonight.” he said to himself as he patted his husband’s hair.

The next morning Zhongli woke up earlier than Venti, as usual. He checked on his son, who was still sleeping. He changed his clothed because he was sweating as he slept, which was a good sign.

He brewed some tea as he waited for Baizhu to arrive. The said doctor brought the medicine not too long after. Zhongli offered him a cup of tea but Baizhu declined, saying that he has many patients to visit.

               Venti woke up after Baizhu had left. “Did I fall asleep?” he asked as he rubbed his eyes. “Fuck, of course I did. I’m really so-“

               “Don’t be sorry, love. You obviously needed sleep. You were looking after both Liyue and Mondstadt, and a sick kid while I was gone. You needed this.” Zhongli said as he poured his husband a cup of tea. “Baizhu just came to deliver the medicine. I will take care of it now, sit here and enjoy your tea.” he then got up and kissed his husband on his forehead. Venti muttered a small thank you as Zhongli went to his son’s room.

               “Baba!” Xiao said as he was waking up. “Good morning, little one.” Zhongli said with a smile. “Are you feeling any better?” he asked.

               “Not too good but better.” Xiao answered with his high pitched voice. Zhongli kissed his son’s cheek. “Now baba will rub the medicine on your back, stay still for me okay? This is giobng to make you even stronger than before.” He said as he removed Xiao’s shirt and placed him on his lap.

               “Okay baba.” Xiao said. Zhongli rubbed the transparent cream on his back and placed a hot towel under his shirt. “There, now all you need to do is rest. Tomorrow we can play together, alright?” he said as he tucked his son back into his bed.

               “I smell good now.” Xiao said with a cute laughter. “Do you like it? The smell comes from the Qingxin flowers.” he explained.

               “Your father had to climb to a magical mountain to get those flowers! But the mountain was owned by a big, red dragon. Your father beat the dragon up! Then he put his hand on the floor and rock hard stairs began to rise from the ground! He climbed those stairs to reach on top of the mountain, and he saw a flower garden that was so gorgeous that it looked like it belonged to Celestia. He searched for the legendary Qingxin flowers then came back, all for you!” Venti told the story that he just came up with. Xiao was drooling as he listened to him with captivated eyes.

               “Baba is the strongest!” he said as he clapped his hands.

Zhongli looked at his family. His beautiful and strong husband, his little and precious son. This was the life that he had promised Guizhong he would have. This was the family he always wanted deep in his heart.

Chapter Text

"Baby boy, you know you can't only eat almond tofu right? I don't like vegetables too, believe me! But tonight we must have a different meal." Venti explained his son.

Xiao always loved almond tofu. He was a quiet kid who didn't really ask for anything. The only thing he would personally request was almond tofu. 

He was already five years old, he looked so cute with his chubby cheeks. 

"But dad, didn't you say I could have it if I was a good boy?" he asked looking sad. 

"I did say that but baba said we were going to try something different tonight!" he said excitedly. 

"What are we going to have?" Xiao asked. He was not really into trying different foods to be honest. He didn't really like Mondstadtian cuisine, which threw Venti off but of course he didn't say anything about it. 

"Remember Aunt Ei? She and your father had a meeting and she served him some Inazuman dishes. Your father liked them so he will attempt to cook them for us! Such a malewife." Venti said the last part with a chuckle.

"Baba always cooks good!" Xiao said with enthusiasm. 

"Dad cooks good too! You just don't like Mondstadtian food! But you'll like it as you grow up." Venti said. 

Now, they were at the dinner table. All ready and excited to try Zhongli's miso soup. He bought the ingredients from Inazuma, carried them all the way here, spent hours in the kitchen and now it was time for the feast! 

Xiao was sitting in a children's chair next to Venti and Zhongli was sitting in the opposite side. He served them their soup. 

"I'm really looking forward to hear your thoughts about this soup." Zhongli said. 

Venti took a spoonful. Oh, oh that was bad. That was very bad. Of course he wouldn't say anything bad and act like it was the best soup he has ever eaten, he couldn't let his husband's efforts go to waste! 

"Dear Archons, this is great! Thank you for cooking this for us, really." he said with a fake laugh. 

"Is that so? Hearing that makes me the happiest." Zhongli answered. 

"Baba.." a small voice talked shyly. They both looked at their son, who was looking at his soup with a disgusted face. 

Oh no, Venti though. He could fake a smiley face but a five year old wouldn't think about that. 

"I guess you're not pleased with the soup?" Zhongli asked. 

"It's too, too.." Xiao couldn't find the right word. 

"Bitter? Hot?" Zhongli tried to guess. 

"It's too bitter, I like sweet food baba."  Xiao explained. 

"It's okay, dear. You don't have to finish it. I'm glad that you tasted it, I know you don't like to eat unfamiliar food. Well, since your dad liked it so much he can have your share." Zhongli put Xiao's soup in front of Venti. 

I fucked up, Venti thought. "Uhm, Zhongli it's too much for me, y-you see I already ate lunch-" Venti tried to find excuses to not eat the soup. 

"You didn't like it, did you?" Zhongli said with a chuckle as he looked at his husband with loving eyes. 

Venti sighed. "I hated it to my core." 

"That's because I couldn't cook it. I tasted it before serving and it was off, it was not what I had tasted before. But I still wanted to see your reaction." he explained. 

"But seriously how can you burn a liquid? You're supposed to be a good cook!" Venti said with a laugh.

"Baba is usually a good cook." Xiao added.