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It's the end of December, just several days until Dongzhi, and Liyue Harbour is bustling more than ever. It's a busy time for Xiao as well, yet he cannot help but smile fondly watching humans around Wangshu Inn. This year, in addition to the traditional Dongzhi, the Qixing decided to also include Yule – another winter solstice celebration, widely celebrated in Mondstadt, Fontaine, and Snezhnaya. Xiao himself has no interest in human celebrations but he will make sure humans have peaceful holidays.
"Yahoo!~" Xiao hears a female voice, promptly turns around, and comes face to face with Hu Tao.
The girl in front of him grins. "Long time no see! Look, I brought you some almond tofu. I swear, this time I prepared it properly!"
Hu Tao is a weird girl. Normally, mortals avoid him as much as he avoids them. On the rare occasions they don't get a hint the first time, his attitude usually drives them off. Not Hu Tao. She persistently seeks him out whenever she's around Wangshu Inn. He hates to admit it, but he has got used to her and her jokes.
"So," Xiao crosses his arms. "what brings you here?"
Hu Tao gives him one of her signature smiles, full of mischief. "I need you to help me help mister Zhongli."
The mention of Rex Lapis' current name gets Xiao's attention. He wasn't aware his lord was in need of help.
Xiao frowns. "What help?"
Hu Tao seems to take that as his agreement to participate in her schemes and cheerfully nods. "Have you heard about Snezhnayan diplomat Childe? The guy who supposedly released that monster on Liyue two years ago?"
Of course, Xiao has heard. How could he not when he himself participated in the battle against Osial?
"What about him?" Xiao grumbles. "Is he causing trouble again?"
"Ah, no, no, nothing like that," Hu Tao shakes her head and falters. Xiao frowns.
"You see, he and mister Zhongli were pretty close before all that..."
Xiao slowly nods, not too sure where this conversation is going. But it involves Rex Lapis, so he lets Hu Tao continue. His silence must be encouraging because a smile once again appears on Hu Tao's face.
"Mister Zhongli was pretty upset when that guy left, you know? He spent several days sulking at work when he found out! But I heard from Xiangling that a certain Shezhnayan diplomat is back.~ And there's going to be a Yule party here in Wangshu Inn on 25th, soooo ...." Hu Tao ends her sentence in a drawl.
"You want me to set up Re– mister Zhongli and that man on a date?"
"Bingo!" Hu Tao claps happily.
Two years ago Xiao would have found this idea preposterous. Two years ago he would have immediately shot down such an absurd suggestion. That man unleashed Osial and put Liyue in danger! But now... His feelings for the harbinger largely remain the same. But he knows Hu Tao is not exaggerating when she says that harbinger's departure from Liyue had an effect on Rex Lapis. Xiao doesn't fully understand romantic love. But he understands the longing his lord feels. Besides, Rex Lapis had saved him. That time in the Chasm. And many times before that. If that man is the one his lord's heart yearns for... If there's anything Xiao can do to repay the kindness he has received...
Xiao sighs. "Fine. I will help," he says and the moment these words leave his mouth he's pulled in a hug.
"You are the best!" she says cheerfully. Seriously, this girl... He doesn't push her away, though.
Later when Hu Tao finally lets him go, they lean over Wangshu Inn's balcony to talk about the plan.
"I will deal with mister Childe while you convince mister Zhongli," Hu Tao tells him.
Easier said than done but Rex Lapis happiness hinges on the success of this mission and Xiao is determined to see it succeed.
"You are awfully quiet today," Venti says and puts another dumpling in his mouth.
Zhongli briefly glares at him but does not reprimand the bard for his eating habits. Instead he lets out a soft sigh and turns his attention to the tea cup in his hands. "There's something that's bothering me..." the adeptus says eventually.
"Like what?"
"Xiao invited me to a party in Wangshu Inn on the 25th..."
Venti loudly gasps. "You've been sulking so much that you've made Xiao worry about you?!"
"I wasn't sulking..." Zhongli mumbles. Maybe talking to Venti was a bad idea. He's already getting annoyed.
Venti snorts. "Yeah, sure."
"I think you should go," Madame Ping says as she emerges from the kitchen with more dumplings and a teapot in her tray.
Yanfei has taken several days off work and went off somewhere with friends, so the trio could converse freely without a fear of someone discovering Zhongli's real identity.
Venti eagerly nods. "Yule is a big thing here in Mondstadt. You should come sometime. Your humans are embracing new things, isn't that a good thing?"
Zhongli hums. Madame Ping refills the teacups and sits down next to Zhongli.
"It's just... I never expected such an invitation from Xiao," Zhongli says.
"Perhaps it's a sign that the Conqueror of Demons is getting closer to humans?" Madame Ping suggests gently. "I believe it would be good for you to clear your head and have some fun."
"Be careful of mistletoes!" Venti laughs. "You wouldn't want to break your dear Harbinger's heart even more."
Zhongli simply smiles and rolls his eyes. "You aren't coming?" he asks.
"Nah, I have things to do in Mondstatd. Master Diluc promised me ten bottles of wine if I succeed," Venti says cheerfully and wiggles his eyebrows.
"Alright," Zhongli says, defeated. "I will go."
Both Venti and Madame Ping smile.
Childe curses under his breath as he walks to Wangshu Inn. See, he wouldn't even be in Liyue if certain someone bothered to leave Snezhnaya, but no, all Northland Bank business was dumped on Childe's shoulders.
"You are already familiar with Northland Bank and Liyue, I'm sure you will be fine," is what Pantalone had said with a smile. The Tsaritsa approved of this, much to Childe's dismay. But if the Tsaritsa wants him to play a banker and a diplomat once again, then he will do it. And thus after almost two years Childe came back to Liyue.
For the first several weeks work kept him busy (and distracted from thinking about Zhongli) but then one day Ekaterina came to him insisting he must attend some party in Wangshu Inn on 25th. It's organised by the Qixing and, apparently, very important for the bank. Childe also understands the importance of staying on the Qixing's good side. He's lucky to even be allowed in Liyue after all that's happened.
The area surrounding Wangshu Inn is already bursting with people. Childe climbs the stairs and stops in front of the main entrance. Well, it's time to put on his best performance as Snezhnayan diplomat.
The party is lovely but Zhongli still feels out of place. He had spent thousands of years watching over humans, guiding and supporting them, occasionally mingling in the crowd with them, but this is different.
Someone gently tugs Zhongli by the sleeve. "Here you are, Zhongli-xiansheng," a young woman says. Zhongli guesses she might be one of Wangshu Inn workers. "I would like you to meet someone."
Zhongli nods and lets the woman lead the way. Zhongli's whole world stops when he sees him – Childe. They haven't seen or talked to each other since the day Zhongli gave away his gnosis. For once in his life he didn't have the right words to express how much the time spent with Childe meant. How much Childe himself meant. For a while Zhongli was content with catching glimpses of Childe while they were working. Wangsheng Funeral Parlor and Northland Bank stand next to each other, so it was quite easy to catch a sight of Childe. Until one day Zhongli realised he hasn't seen Childe in a while. His subordinates confirmed that Childe has left but refused to give any further info. Now Childe is standing right in front of him, yet Zhongli is no closer to figuring out how to express himself.
Childe notices Zhongli as well but remains rooted in one place. For a moment both stand awkwardly, unsure how to act. Zhongli takes a step forward and his eyes catch a sight of mistletoe. Zhongli stops. He is well aware of the tradition for two people to kiss if they get caught under a mistletoe. Zhongli lightly coughs. Childe's gaze flickers upwards. He sees the mistletoe and flushes red. For a moment neither of them moves but in the end it is Childe who takes a step forward. Zhongli does the same, his heart beating fast. They meet midway. Childe takes the final step and kisses Zhongli. It's just a small peck on the lips, barely even a kiss, yet it carries Childe's feelings loud and clear.
The moment they break the kiss Zhongli pulls Childe in a tight hug. "I have missed you," he whispers softly in Childe's hair.
"I've missed you too," Childe says quietly, his arms wrapped around Zhongli's neck.
There's still a lot to talk about but it is a beginning.
"I told you it would work!" Hu Tao cheers and puts her hands up in the air for a high five. Xiao rolls his eyes but returns the high five. The two of them were hiding in a corner of a room, doing their best to mix with the people and avoid meeting the unsuspecting consultant and harbinger.
Xiao takes one final look at the couple and prays for his lord's happiness.