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There were many things Morax left behind when he shed the mantle of his Archonhood.
His contract to Liyue was concluded, marked with the passing of a gnosis.
His duties as ruler were gone as well, and he no longer stayed awake for days at a time to tend to whatever needed his attention.
No, his life was not the same. But it was his all the same, and he reveled in it.
Would Rex Lapis have had the luxury of waking lazily, stretching slowly as his mind was surrounded by syrup? Would he have had the luxury of deciding that perhaps he did not wish to rise at four, instead burrowing back into the warmth of his covers? Would he have had the luxury of having his birthday for himself?
Perhaps occasionally, but the rest of the time the answer was a resounding no . Rex Lapis was chained to his work, chained to his duty, chained to the country he loved more than anything else in the world.
And that is why Rex Lapis had to die.
Liyue needed him no longer, and while it had hurt to let go, it had been for the best. Every parent had to let their children go eventually, and he was no different. And oh, even as part of him ached to gather them back under his wing, to protect them as he always had, in his heart of hearts he was so proud of them, and it brought him no end of breathless joy and wonder to watch them go on without him.
Morax pushed himself upright, smiling to himself as he glanced outside. The day was yet young, and he had much to do.
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“Happy birthday, Mr. Zhongli!” Hu Tao cheered, rushing up to him as he entered the funeral parlor. She planted her hands on her hips, squinting playfully. “You do know you’re not supposed to come in today, right? Or is your memory failing you now, old man?”
“Thank you, Director,” Morax sighed, unable to completely repress his amusement. “I am aware. I simply wished to make sure you do not mind me skipping tonight’s New Year’s festivities.”
“Pssht, it’s your birthday! Go celebrate it however you want. Just because it’s New Year’s and Rex Lapis’s birthday today doesn’t mean that yours isn’t important, too.” Hu Tao huffed, raising an eyebrow. “I don’t want to see you the rest of the day!”
He couldn’t help but laugh. “Very well,” he smiled. “I will be taking my leave, then.”
“Wait wait wait, hold on!” Hu Tao’s eyes widened as she motioned for him to stay where he was. Curious, he did as he asked, watching her run off.
She returned shortly afterwards, thrusting a poorly-wrapped package into his hands. “Here! This is for you. It should hopefully help with your Mora issues,” she grinned, a knowing glint in her eyes.
Oh?
A gift? He…had truly not been expecting one from her, and his startled eyes flicked between his boss and what she had just handed him.
“Well?” Hu Tao demanded. “Open it! Tell me what you think!”
Morax swallowed back the rush of fondness threatening to overwhelm him and nodded, carefully peeling the wrapping paper back to reveal…a wallet?
“It’s so you can carry your Mora around,” she informed. “And stop sending bills to the parlor. I know you always pay everything back but jeez, it’s a lot of paperwork to take care of, okay? But…yeah. I hope it helps.”
He ran his fingers over the surface of his gift, testing the way the fine leather felt under his glove. “Thank you, Director. It’s truly lovely. I will be certain to remember to carry such a fine piece with me when I leave my home.”
She beamed at him. “Just remember to actually put Mora in it too, alright? That way you can actually buy all your old history stuff then and there instead of waiting for the payments to go through first.”
“I will diligently work to better myself,” Morax said, amused. “Thank you again, Director. Please, do not hesitate to send for me should you need anything today.”
“Maybe I would if it was any other day, but it’s your birthday! Go party or whatever, if you even know what that is, old man. I swear, it’s like you’re not even human sometimes. You look like you’re thirty-five but you act like you’re seventy! Act your age!” Before he could ask any questions— what do you mean, not even human? Do you know anything?— she had already shoved him out the door and slammed it shut.
Morax huffed, sliding his new wallet into his pocket. That child…
But he could not deny the warm smile that graced his expression as he left.
————————
“Mr. Zhongli!”
Morax paused at the end of the bridge leading out of the Harbor, turning to glance at whoever had called his name.
“Mr. Zhongli, can I have a word?” Ganyu caught up with him, papers spilling from her arms as she slowed to a stop. Morax merely materialized a few stone hands, catching the documents before they fell into the water and returning them to her.
“Be careful,” he admonished gently, looking down at his daughter. “These are important, I take it?”
She flushed in embarrassment, nodding. “Someone told me they’d seen you about to leave the harbor, and I thought I’d miss you.” Ganyu looked around surreptitiously, shoulders sagging as she saw that they were alone. “Can you hold these for a moment?”
“Of course, what did you need?” Morax took the pile of papers into his conjured hands, holding them securely at his side.
Ganyu hesitated, then flung her arms around him into a hug, burying her face into his chest. “Happy birthday, Father,” she whispered, voice muffled by the fabric. “I am so, so happy that last year’s wasn’t the last one.”
He’d frozen up at the sudden contact, but slowly returned her embrace, planting a tender kiss between her horns. “Thank you, my child. It brings me joy to share my days with you, do not forget that.”
“I won’t,” she promised, pulling away. “I brought you something—it isn’t much, but…” Ganyu patted her pockets, then made a soft sound of triumph as she pulled a box from her pocket. “It’s tea. I tried it recently and it wasn’t to my taste, but I think it’s something you’d like. Very earthy, which is fitting, because you’re…” She trailed off, then waved a hand. “You know what I mean.”
“Thank you,” he smiled, eyes crinkling as he took the box. “You did not have to.”
“You’re my father and I love you, of course I had to.” She rocked on her heels briefly, then smiled. “And it’s nothing compared to everything you’ve done for me, after all.”
“Hush,” Morax scolded quietly. “All I did was my duty, from a father to his daughter. I require no thanks for it.”
“That being said, you weren’t always my father,” Ganyu pointed out. “You could have chosen not to be. But you did, and I will always be forever grateful to you for it. Even when you nag me for not eating enough.” She paused. “Or when you become a hypocrite and tell me I’m not getting enough sleep.”
“Are you eating enough, though?” Morax frowned as he looked her up and down, brow furrowed. “You’re looking thin, do I need to send you some home-cooked meals?”
“I’m fine!” She wilted under his unimpressed gaze. “Really! I’m fine! I’m eating, I swear.”
“Enough? By my standards, not yours.”
Ganyu shifted guiltily, then shook her head no. “But I will! I promise.”
“A promise spoken in my presence is a binding one,” Morax reminded her. “Even though I am no longer the Geo Archon, I am still the God of Contracts.”
“I know...”
“I will be sending you food.”
“Father, you shouldn’t trouble yourself—”
“Hush,” he said softly, and she fell silent. “Allow me to care for you in ways I could not before. I have the time. Let me spend it loving you as I always should have done, were it not for Liyue being our priority.”
“I have never felt unloved under your care,” she said adamantly. “You, and Papa, and Xiao—you were not the family I was born to. But you made me feel like that did not matter.”
Morax reached out, cupping her face into his hands. “My dear, that is because it did not.”
Raising her had been nothing but utter joy. Even if he did not know how to handle an infant at first, even as his mate took their crying daughter from his arms and called him useless, he had learned. Unlike Xiao’s, Morax had seen Ganyu’s first steps, her first words, her first smile, everything . The fact that she was not borne of his flesh was irrelevant.
Her happiness was all he had ever wanted for her, and the day Ganyu had first called him Father , the great Lord of Geo had broken down and cried from the joy of it all.
Ganyu swallowed, leaning into his palms. “I just want you to know that you have nothing to make up for.”
He smiled. “Then allow me to find new ways to love you, just for the pleasure of it. Will you deny your father that?”
“...no.”
“Then expect a package the day after tomorrow.” Morax kissed her brow, then released her. “I expect you’re quite busy, especially today. Go do what you must.”
Ganyu nodded, taking her papers back. “It really is quite a lot,” she fretted, rifling through the stack. “Oh, I hope I haven’t forgotten anything important about tonight’s festivities…”
“I have nothing but the utmost faith in you, Ganyu.” He folded his hands behind his back, giving her a little nod. “You have served me well throughout your life, and you will serve Liyue just as well.”
She flushed under the praise, and he couldn’t help but smile as she stood straighter and gave him a determined nod back. “Thank you. I…that means a lot.”
“It is meant to.” He turned away, taking a step, then stopped. “Ganyu?”
“Yes, Father?”
“Thank you. For everything.”
Morax heard her breath catch. “You’re welcome,” she whispered. “I am happy to be of service.”
Her words were soon accompanied by hurried footsteps, and Morax continued onwards.
The tea was light in his pocket, but every time his fingers brushed it, he couldn’t help but feel loved.
————————
Xiao was fighting when Morax found him. The Dihua Marsh was never peaceful, these days, and his son still continued to serve even after he was released from his contract.
Morax would probably need to have a talk with him about being reckless, but he did not want to take away the only thing Xiao had ever known.
So he called forth a shield to envelop Xiao in golden light, summoned his polearm, and dove into the fray.
Under the combined forces of the former Lord of Geo and his final Yaksha, the hilichurl camp did not stand a chance.
Xiao barely spared him a glance as he sat down to clean his weapon. “...you did not have to.”
“I wanted to,” Morax said, sitting beside him. “Is that so wrong?”
His son huffed. “It’s my duty to protect you. Not the other way around.”
He just shook his head silently. “No longer. Your contract is ended.”
“Even so. It is a duty I carry willingly.”
“...so you say. But I cannot help but wonder if…ah, nevermind.” Morax glanced over at Xiao, backpedaling at the heavy scowl on his face. “Perhaps a conversation for another time.”
“Hmph.”
He was content to sit in silence, since it seemed that Xiao no longer wished to speak. It was a lovely day out, with warm sun and a gentle breeze, and he was reminded of gentler days.
“I met your Aunt Guizhong here, did you know?”
Xiao sighed. “I know. The story of your meeting is romanticized to Celestia and back, and it is one of the tales told to those visiting the Inn. Since it is right next to the Marsh, tourists wish to know its history.”
He made a quiet “ah” of understanding. “I see.”
“Hmph. Why have you come here, Father?”
“I wanted to see you on the way to Mondstadt.”
“...why?”
“Because you are my son, Xiao, and I love you. Is that so wrong?”
He grunted. “I suppose not.”
“How have you been faring?”
“Well enough.”
“Are you taking your pain medication?”
“...yes. You made me promise the last time you delivered a batch, didn’t you?”
Morax smiled at him, laughing a little as it only seemed to make his scowl deepen. “Good. Thank you, Xiao. That puts my mind at rest.”
“You don’t have to worry about me. I can take care of myself,” Xiao insisted, looking back down at his weapon. “I am not some child who needs to be minded and fussed over.”
“But you are my child, and I will always worry for you. There is nothing you can do to stop me, short of driving your spear through my chest and ending my capacity to do much of anything.”
Xiao glanced at him through the corner of his eyes. “That will not happen.”
“Then I will continue to worry.”
“...why me?”
“Because I love—”
“I know that . But why me? You…you gave me everything , one who was once your enemy. What made you spare me? What worth did you see in Alatus?”
“More than you can see in him now, if you are asking that question,” Morax frowned, memories of a broken, battered child coming to the forefront of his mind. But he was still a child above all else, who had experienced untold suffering from one who was meant to keep him safe. “Your worth is not something to be determined by others, Xiao. Your worth comes from simply being yourself. You are strong, yes, but you are kind—do not give me that look—and loyal and selfless. You had the strength of will to survive countless tortures at a very tender age, and it was that strength of will I wanted to give the chance to blossom.”
Xiao stared at him for a moment, then looked away. “Tch.”
“I take immense joy in being your father, Xiao. There has never been a day where I have regretted any of my decisions regarding yourself.” Morax got up and moved to where Xiao would be looking at him, locking yellow eyes with gold. “Heed these words. I am so, so very proud of you, my son. You are one of the greatest blessings I have ever received, and I am a better person because of you.”
Xiao was silent, but Morax could see the cogs churning in his brain. Smiling, he stood, dusting his coat off. “I will be taking my leave, then. Goodbye, Xiao.”
“Wait.”
He paused, cocking his head. “Oh?”
“...happy birthday, Father. I…” He paused, and a faint blush rose to the tips of his ears. “I did not prepare a gift.”
Morax smiled. “That’s quite alright. Your company is gift enough for me.”
“No, this is unacceptable, I…” Xiao frowned, looking rather upset with himself. He sighed. “I love you, Father.”
The dragon’s eyes widened, and he beamed. Xiao was not one for undue affection, and when he offered it, it was almost never verbal. To say it aloud…
“Thank you, Xiao. I love you too.” He paused. “May I hug you?”
Xiao’s cheeks had gone red from embarrassment, and he wouldn’t meet his father’s eyes. “If you must.”
Morax drew him into his arms, tucking his much smaller child underneath his chin as he pulled him close. He closed his eyes, savoring the feeling of his oldest awkwardly hugging him back. Like he had with Ganyu, he placed a tender kiss on the diamond mark on his forehead, laughing softly as he saw Xiao’s flush go even deeper. “Thank you. For everything.”
“...give Lord Barbatos my regards,” came the response, and then his arms were full of nothing but wind as Xiao teleported away.
Ah, his children were just so cute . But it was nearing noon, and he had to hurry if he wanted to reach Mondstadt and then Nantianmen by sunset.
————————
“Took you long enough!” Barbatos cheered as he crossed Stone Gate. “I thought I’d have to wait here the whole day, Morax!”
“Shout it for the world to know, why don’t you,” Morax grumbled, shielding his eyes from the sun as he gazed up at the mountain Barbatos was sitting on. “I don’t think Beelzebub heard you.”
“Oh, shut up.” Barbatos jumped down, the wind breaking his fall right before he hit the ground. “There’s not even anyone here! They’re all too busy getting ready for the New Year’s celebrations, as you very well know , because this place is deserted!” He gestured wildly at the nearby tea stand. “Even Pop’s Tea is closed! You just want to gripe at me.”
Morax just rolled his eyes, crossing his arms. “Remind me, Barbatos, why I come visit you still?”
“Because I’m your best friend and also a living fossil, like you,” he replied. “And because I remember the fucking memory of what osmanthus wine tastes like, blockhead.”
“You give yourself too much credit.”
Barbatos was not giving himself too much credit. As much as they sniped at each other, they really were friends. Though the Anemo Archon was asleep much of the time, he had always been there when Morax had needed him.
When Morax had been dangerously close to losing Xiao, Barbatos had saved him with a song.
When he had been forced to seal his lover away, Barbatos had held his hand through his grief, plying him with wine and song and stories to dull the pain of their parting.
When he had let go of Liyue, Barbatos had visited him with a bottle of wine, teasing and poking at him until he could no longer remember what, exactly, he had been so worried about. Of course they would be fine. He would not have let them out from under his wing if he truly had doubts.
“I give myself just the right amount of credit, and we both know it,” Barbatos sniped back, then softened. “Happy birthday, Morax.” He produced a bottle of wine, then gestured to a nearby rock. “Shall we?”
“That had better not be apple wine,” he commented mildly, sitting down on the indicated rock.
Barbatos laughed awkwardly, perching next to him. “You threatened to, and I quote, ‘choke me with the bottle’ the last time I tried to make you drink it, if I remember correctly.”
Morax smiled serenely, the glint in his eyes promising violence should he hear something he did not like. “I did. And?”
Barbatos slowly put the bottle of wine away, then pulled out another. “Dandelion wine! I promise.”
“Good. Thank you.” He waved his hand, shaping a pair of nearby stones into drinking cups before handing one to Barbatos.
“These are awfully small,” Barbatos frowned, like he did every time they drank together.
“I refuse to watch you drain half the bottle in ten seconds.”
“Fair enough,” he shrugged, before filling their cups. “How’s Xiao?”
Morax raised the cup to his lips and took a sip, closing his eyes to appreciate its flavor. It was sweet and crisp, with a hint of underlying bitterness. He decided he quite liked this one. Barbatos’s wines were quite…hit or miss with him, most of the time, so he was pleased that this one was very much a hit. “He is well, and sends his regards. I am concerned for his well-being and mental state, as I always am. He is taking his pain medication, however, which puts me somewhat at ease.”
Barbatos had already downed his first cup, and was pouring himself more. “That’s great to hear, hehe! I should go visit him at some point.”
“He does consider you a friend.”
“Like father, like son! I won over both of you with my charming personality and great songs, of course.”
Morax rolled his eyes again. “If that is what you choose to believe.”
“I’ll even write a song about it!”
“If you do, I will hunt you down.”
“You’ll have to catch me first.”
“Tch. Disgrace to the arts.”
“Blockhead,” Barbatos shot back.
“Drunkard.”
“Overgrown brainless lizard!”
They looked at each other, then, and Barbatos burst out laughing. Morax joined him, chuckling behind a gloved hand. “Your insults have not gotten any better,” Morax commented, hiding his smile behind his cup.
“Me? What about you? You’re literally using the exact same insults!” Barbatos leaned over and prodded Morax in the forehead. “You literally have no imagination, Mr. Hey-let-me-make-my-mortal-name-a-terrible-pun.”
Morax deigned not to answer in favor of draining his cup, plucking the bottle from Barbatos’s hands. Ignoring his scandalized “ Hey! ”, he refilled his cup. “The wine is quite good this time,” he said in lieu of an answer. “I shall keep the rest with me.”
“Ugh, fine. I guess it is your present.” Barbatos pulled out the apple wine, unstopping it and drinking straight from the bottle. He laughed at Morax’s disgruntled expression, throwing an arm around his shoulders. “Hey blockhead, let’s drink to another good year, yeah?”
He sighed, smiling. “I suppose I can get behind that. To another good year.”
“To another good year!”
Stone clinked against glass, and they drank and laughed and talked until the bottles were empty and Morax had to leave.
If all goes as planned…it will be a good year.
————————
The sun was beginning to set as Morax stepped through the gap in the cliffs that led to the Dragon-Queller. The walk through Nantianmen had been uneventful, the human factions gone for the evening and the Geovishaps giving him a wide berth out of respect.
The leylines were blocked off in the Chasm, and had been given the chance to recuperate slowly on their own. And as the leylines healed, he should have begun to heal, and his people came back from the earthen slumber.
Seeing the Geovishaps awake…seeing proof of his prior meddling bearing fruit…it was a wonderful feeling.
And should his plans go right, he would have the ultimate prize.
The great tree was beautiful as it always does, and he settled against its trunk. Morax rested a hand on one of its roots, letting out a shaky breath as he closed his eyes.
“I let go of Liyue this year,” he began. “I am no longer the Geo Archon. What would you think of that, my heart?”
There was no answer, other than the sound of wind rustling through golden leaves. That was alright. He wasn’t expecting one.
“You can think about that for now. When we next meet, you can tell me.”
Morax sighed, turning his head to watch the sun set. “It’s my birthday, my love. It’s my birthday and the sunset is beautiful, and I am glad I can spend it with you, even if it’s only like this.
“When I was Rex Lapis, I could not celebrate it as much as you wanted me to. There was simply so much to do, when I was a parent and protector of millions of people. I could not decide not to rise at four, I could not succumb to the warmth of my sheets when I deserved to, I could not wake slowly in the mornings because I had duties, I had work, and I had a contract to fulfill.
“But you?” He laughed fondly, giving the root beside him a little pat. “You would always be waiting for me in the late-nights, with a candle and a scroll to read. You would always say you wanted to kiss me goodnight and watch me fall asleep. What I would give, beloved, for you to kiss me now. I am afraid I did not appreciate you enough until you were gone. I loved you, but you had promised me forever, and because of my own shortcomings you weren’t able to fulfill that promise to me. I…you were always there, waiting, with the warmth of your arms and the sweetness of your smile and all the lovely little things that made you you , and I did not realize just how much I needed you until you were gone.”
Morax turned his head, pressing a gentle kiss to the tree’s bark. “I suppose it is only fitting that this time, I will be waiting for you to come home. This year will be the thousandth since our parting, and I will not allow it to become a thousand-and-one. I will be better this time. I swear to you, I will be a better spouse, a better father, a better person . No more going a week without sleep. No more month-long trips. No more needless danger or anxious worrying over things I have little control over. My contract with Liyue is ended, my heart, and I will finally be able to put our family first. I swear that I will no longer leave you in an empty home for so long again. I swear that I will spend every night in our bed, and every promise I have ever made you, I will fulfill. So I swear it, and so it must be. But…you must come back to me. You owe me nothing, I know this, but let this selfish one ask you for one more favor. Please, hold on until I can heal your ley-lines, and then let me bring you home.”
Again, there was no answer, but a shower of golden leaves fell as the wind blew a little stronger than before. Morax smiled, plucking one of the leaves from his hair. “Is that a yes, beloved?”
A glowing gold flower tumbled into his lap, and he laughed, tipping his head back as elation soared in his chest. “Call me a fool, but I will take that as a yes. I will be waiting for your next move, my heart.”
The sun dipped below the horizon, and not long afterwards, fireworks began to light up the sky.
His chest ached as he held his new wallet and tea in his hands, and remembered Xiao’s I love you, Father and the taste of Barbatos’s wine. It was a good ache, he decided. One borne of love, because it had been proved to him yet again that he was loved, and cherished, and cared for. He wondered if there would be another gift to join their number this time next year.
“Happy New Year’s, Azhdaha. I will see you soon.”