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"You came," Childe said. His words evaporated in the coldness of sempiternal winter.
"I always keep my word," a man replied, pulling off his white hood, and letting free his long brown hair.
"Yes. Not a case you are so fond of signing contracts, Mr Zhongli."
Zhongli smiled. "Will you show me around?"
Childe indicated one of the wide streets before them and led the way.
"I hope it's not too cold for you here. Liyue is quite warmer these days." Childe inquired.
"Not at all. I enjoy the change in scenery."
They walked the desolated roads. All was covered in ice and snow, shining at their passing, reflecting in the golden eyes of the Geo Archon.
An old woman was standing with her goods, repaired by the high walls of the palaces decorated in stucco. She had lit a fire.
Zhongli approached her, she looked at him silently, with her tired eyes. Then he looked at her stand. She was selling jewelry.
He touched some long earrings, with white thing fringes, and bluish pearls.
"They would suit you," Childe observed.
"I am not here for pleasure, you know it." Zhongli moved his serpentine eyes on the Snezhnayan boy. "I need Mora."
"You could have asked the Northern Bank in Liyue. You didn't have to come all the way up here."
"No. It is a matter I must discuss with you and you only."
"Oh?" Childe gave him his best amazed gaze. "Why me?"
"Because." Zhongli stopped looking at the old lady who seemed to be enjoying the conversation.
"Yes, better move. I have to speak with her just a moment, you go on."
Zhongli started walking in a slow pace. Childe reached him short after.
Zhongli turned left in a narrow alley. Childe stopped, incredulous, then followed. As soon as he got in the alley, Zhongli pinched him against the wall.
Their eyes met, their skins shadowed by the innatural bluish darkness.
"Oh, is this the reason you came here? To hit on me?" Childe laughed.
"Your machinations amuse me no longer, Chile. Or should I say... Tartaglia? Or do you prefer Fatuus Harbinger? "
Childe showed his teeth. "Will you transform in a dragon and eat me, Geo Archon?"
"I see." He let him go. "Who told you?"
"Well," Childe touched his chest: it hurt. "Let's just say the Fatui know where to get information. What do you want from me?"
"Money, I told you."
"And...?"
"Leave Liyue people alone. I can guess what you and your comrades are scheming. If you touch any of them innocent civilians, I..."
"Okay, okay, I get it! We won't do anything bad!" Childe raised his hands up. "And...?"
"And what?" Zhongli asked. He straightened up, in his white coat covering his whole figure, following the curves of his body.
"Don't be shy," Childe smiled. He got closer and closer. His chest was nearly touching Zhongli's crossed arms. "I can recognize a longing look when I see one."
Zhongli let his arms loose along his body.
Childe got closer and closer. His lips were on Zhongli's, but he patiently waited. He blew at Zhongli, his breath condensated in vapour and then Zhongli bite him.
Childe tried to break free from the Archon's embrace but he was too strong, even for him, even in his human form.
But he wasn't trying to harm him, even though blood fell from his lips: he was attempting to kiss him.
Childe took the lead, and showed him how to do it.
"You're right, mortal child..." Whispered Zhongli, stopping, and regaining predominance on him. "I came here for this."
Snow began to fall over their first, cold, fierce kiss.
***
Zhongli was in Hu Tao's Funeral Parlor. He was drinking tea and attending some business doings.
Someone entered.
"A package for you, Mr Zhongli." Said a kid with orange hair and unusual clothes. He left a small letter on his desk and left right away. The letter had no writings or signs on it.
Zhongli opened. There was a piece of paper and a smaller package.
'As per your request, your bank account is now accessible at the Northern Bank. Greetings.'
He turned the sheet but there was nothing else written on it.
He lifted the small package, it was very light.
When he opened it, his eyes glared of blue. He smiled.
It was a pair of long earrings, with white fringes and blue pendants. The pair he had seen that day on Snezhnaya.