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Sharing a meal with Rex Lapis had become a somewhat routine exception to Xiao’s usual reclusive lifestyle. His debt of gratitude made it hard for him to refuse and though admitting it out loud was out of the question, the lone Adeptus enjoyed these meetings. The Geo God was like family to him, it was not only gratitude or honor that kept him close, but also deep admiration and trust. This seemingly easy-going Zhongli, who had little Mora to his name, but much wisdom in his words, had been the one to save his life.
At times Ganyu would join them. Sometimes even other Adepti. And Xiao knew his presence was not optional out of their desire to check in on him, to make sure he did not isolate himself too much. They were all illuminated beasts and an Archon, his karmic debt was probably nothing more than a nuisance to them, like an itch on the nose that refused to become a sneeze.
Still, being invited to gossip was a bit jarring and not part of his social skills. After Lantern Rite had passed and their reunion dinner was over, it seemed much had still happened in the land of contracts.
As they sat together, back at the Xinyue Kiosk to reminisce on their recent gathering, Xiao had heard the whole tale of how Barbatos had embarrassed himself in Beidou’s ship getting far too drunk and losing his pants.
He had also learned of how the young exorcist, Chongyun, had entered a bet with his friend Xingqiu and upon losing, became contractually tied to eating the other’s carrots whenever they ate together for the following three months.
He had even heard Zhongli’s long analysis of his suspicions regarding Hu Tao’s knowledge of his true identity. And yet…deep down Xiao knew this was all just the preamble to whatever Rex Lapis truly wanted to talk about.
“It was a lovely dinner was it not? I hope we can do that more often.” Zhongli’s deep voice sounded quietly as he sipped his hot tea.
Xiao merely nodded, a little hum of agreement coming from him.
“You seemed to enjoy having our traveler friend there.”
Oh. Was this it? Well…if he were honest with himself, it had been one of the heights of the night indeed. Seeing everyone refer to them as close friends. How…frivolous. But…true.
“He is a friend, after all.” Xiao answered, his shoulders squared.
“Mhmm..I see.” Zhongli nodded. Whenever he was in Rex Lapis’ presence his impression was that his thoughts were public domain and the man could read them freely.
“It is a shame the young chef, Xiangling, interrupted your chat later in the evening, but hopefully you had enough time to catch up when we all left?”
The hairs in the back of Xiao’s neck stood on end. How did he always do this? How did he always know to say the exact thing that would embarrass Xiao the most? He discreetly peered up at Morax’s expression. He looked very pleased with himself. And yet, it was true; they had had a rare chance to catch up, and it had been very nice. After their short disagreement over the fake-drowning debacle, it had been nice to ascertain all was well.
“Yes. We talked. It was fine.”
“Wonderful.” Zhongli nodded. “Aether is a witness to our history, and one that I rejoice to have near. He is committed to the well-being of this world in a way he did not need to be. I appreciate it. And he is a good listener too. Especially compared to his little companion.”
The Yaksha was left with no words to say. He agreed, of course, but this felt like bait, and he was not yet sure what the archon hoped to fish out of him.
“Yes, he is a good friend. Despite…some foolish choices spurred on by that…Paimon.”
“Ah yes. I heard about that. He had you worried, did he?” Zhongli’s searching eyes and cunning smile captured every second of the fierce redness crawling up Xiao's skin. “I see. He did indeed.” Another nod and a light-hearted chuckle from Zhongli and Xiao was gripping the table and ready to swish away. But he did not. It would be just as bad as admitting those words got to him.
“No need to be so out of sorts. I only brought this up to let you know…I approve.” Zhongli spoke solemnly, his lips pursed and eyes closed as he offered a fatherly nod.
“A-approve?”
“Yes. A fine match.” He nodded once more, motioning for Xiao to pour them some more tea. He watched as the Yaksha did so, with shaky hands and pink cheeks.
“By a fine match you mean…?” The words were full of uncertainty, but for one as old as Zhongli, he would likely detect hope in them as well. Xiao set the teapot down and sat down again, but his fingers still felt shaky.
“Suffice to be known, I do not mean a match of that popular card game.”
“Oh.” It seemed as if the moment allowed Xiao to snap back into himself and his usual frown returned. His face looked strangely empty without it after such long companionship through the centuries. “I do not need your approval.” He grumbled.
“Indeed, you do not.” Zhongli acquiesced. “And yet, you often seek it. So for future reference…if you ever decide to take action…let it be known, I approve.”
That had the younger adeptus sputtering the sip of tea he had dared take. “Rex Lapis…” His voice trembled with two pinches of annoyance and a full of bowl embarrassment.
“Oh, young love.” Zhongli could only chuckle again. It seemed the more embarrassed Xiao became, the more entertained the Wangsheng Funeral Parlour consultant grew. “He is a traveler, however, and with a personal mission to accomplish. So if you will take the advice of an old man, I say you must either prepare to accept the long distance and sparse meetings or…give him reasons to stay. Or at the very least visit more often.”
This was a trap. Surely it was a trap. The words were so luring. Xiao wanted to ask for more information, and yet he knew, he knew he would hear an embarrassing answer in return. The temptation was too great. It was the forbidden fruit dangling in front of him. Water to a parched man roaming lost in the desert. The answer of how to be closer to someone who mattered to him. He wanted to stretch out his hand and slap it away at the same time.
Before he could control himself, however, the words were out. “What…sort of reasons?”
He blamed the Karmic Debt. At times it was an entity of its own and took control of his body. Or so Xiao would say if ever questioned about his eagerness to learn more.
“ Reasons.” Zhongli smiled.
Please, no. Hopefully Rex Lapis had not just winked knowingly. Xiao truly hoped he had not witnessed a single eyelid closing and opening in fast succession, followed by a small smile tugging more to one side. This was out of character. That dinner had broken his Archon somehow. Or perhaps he was drunk. He had some suspicions Venti had spiked their tea…but for it to last two whole days seemed excessive.
Zhongli, unaware of the knotted yarn of thoughts tangling in Xiao’s brain, carried on placidly. “After living for six millennia I can think of several options, and can help you find some to suit your style.”
No. “I don’t think I want to know.”
Xiao had witnessed first-hand the shocking, disturbing and previously unknown ability the Archon had of sounding like he was flirting - he refused to acknowledge perhaps Morax had truly been flirting - after sitting through that dinner during Lantern Rite and watching Archons interact. He could only begin to imagine what Rex Lapis would suggest now.
“Well, the ways of courtship and romance are well recorded throughout history, and Liyue itself has very strong roots in the tradition of romantic lore, of bonds formed through strife and, of course, the means to maintain those through practices such as dual cultivation and other various tactics. Perhaps that Scent of Spring shop assistant…what was her name? Ying’er, yes…perhaps she could offer some helpful suggestions?”
“Enough!” Xiao slammed his palms down on the table in reflex, immediately regretting how rude that was. “Did you hear that?! I think…I hear Aether crying out for help. Perhaps he drowned again. I must go. Thank you for lunch.” It was not of his character to lie, but he also could not sit through that any longer. Perhaps it was not his turn to pretend someone was drowning and learn not to judge others in the future.
How fast the night changes.
And yet, now he had family approval. He had not known that it mattered, tha his hidden feelings had been validated instead of ridiculed. Somehow his day felt a little brighter. Perhaps it really was a good match. And not a Genius Invokation one.
Good.