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Alatus is vividly able to recall the moment Rex Lapis had killed his mistress. Although the adeptus had been so much younger back then, in an impure and tainted sense, it's one of the only memories he doesn't actively scoff at upon remembrance.
All his bloodied hands had known was slaughter. And it had took eons to work himself out of some of the old habits his mistress had thought him.
To put it in a crude sense, he'd felt both satisfied and terrified when the Dream Goddess had been initially assassinated. Taking a look at how Morax towered over him in that universe-shifting moment, it was only natural to think that he’d even if he'd been freed from the clutches of one god - it was only suitable that he would fall to his knees at another.
“Instruct me on how to either serve or be executed,” he’d muttered in resignation, head to the ground and knees pressed to his chest. Although he had no mirror, he could tell his yellow eyes had been so devoid of emotion by the forced gesture, thoroughly ready to accept any punishment Morax would inflict upon him.
Visualizing and replaying this moment makes his heart tighten even further. Especially considering Morax’s next gesture had been unforeseen with how Xiao was so used to the impetuous and possessive thrashing he received from his mistress.
Eons later, Alatus doesn’t even remember her on most days. That, he is evermore grateful for.
What Alatus had expected that day was for Morax to either coldly laugh or smile with malice. Neither calm nor kind. Since, plain to say, who would not be thrilled to get their hands on another weapon of war?
Although Alatus had been battered and bruised, he wasn’t surprised that this god probably had the objective of adding the yaksha to his arsenal for the war. Abuse him until he either got sick of Xiao or found a better bishop. That, or he may even choose to discard him. Hopefully, the yaksha had proved himself in their earlier battle, albeit ended shortly.
But truth be told, he wasn't too against the idea of having his pain ended.
Morax bent down to press a palm to his scalp, and Alatus felt the edges of his hair bulbs vibrating in response to the touch. His fingers slide down, pushing his chin until they met eye to eye. Morax's other hand held the Primordial Jade Vista.
His first thought had foremostly been “Ah, so he must’ve decided to execute me instead” but as Morax leaned in and Alatus feared the worst - chiseled arms of stone wrapped around his torso and tucked Alatus's neck into his shoulder. He had caught the slight glint of the gods eyes before he pulled him in, somewhere between a faraway land and a land of pity.
What had humans called this - a hug?
His breathing became uneven, although he was ready to push his body even more if his new god needed— whether to murder or to—
“All matters have their due. Rest, little bird. I will never ask you for anything you are unwilling to do.” And how pitiable and vulnerable it was, the way the yaksha easily closed his eyes and indistinctly fainted from exhaustion into Morax’s arms.
Peace. That was probably the first time Alatus had felt the closest emotion to peace.
“Da-ren,” Xiao mutters and sighs before Zhongli releases his hold from around his waist. “I failed to ask all these years before out of respect but at this stage I feel…” Some words get caught in his tongue, but Zhongli nonetheless listens patiently as he always has.
“Why do you like— holding me so much? Clearly not in a disrespectful manner, I was merely meaning to clarify some mishaps - ”
“Hmph,” the retired Lord of Geo thoughtfully pressed his palm to his chin, seemingly satisfied from their earlier shared warmth as he took a seat at the round table beside Xiao, “an imploring yet innocuous query.”
He takes a sip of the warm tea set before him, endowed by courtesy of Wangshu Inn’s owner.
“I am a direct person, so I suppose I will directly cut to the chase.” Xiao notices a faint pink tainting his cheeks, but chooses not to comment on it since it’s not everyday the previous Lord of Geo looking this at a loss for words.
“For one, I thought it would be an agreeable gesture of affirmation, as well appreciation for our relationship over the years. I would of course never do it without your permission— Oh, oh dear, Xiao, please tell me if we weren’t seeing eye to eye on this matter for all these centuries—”
This time it's Xiaos turn to stare back with confusion, which slowly morphs to understanding “While I do admit it initially caught me off guard. It would be embarrassing if I were to suddenly tell you I had not accustomed to the gesture over the years.”
“That’s glad to know.”
“Another reason was.. your size,” Zhongli coughs, embarrassed, “it was rather convenient to embrace.”
“Ah.” He chooses not to comment further and lets the conversation end there.
They spend the following hours admiring passing birds, in a true, ‘my lord has become a mortal retiree’, kind of manner, as Xiao endearingly listened to the now-consultants ramblings.
And when night time dared to approach, Xiao attempted to apologise in priority of his duties. Ironically, the duties that this old retiree, albeit reborn in the body of a young man, had bestowed upon him.
Zhongli pulls his wrist before he can so much as teleport to green.
“I cleared out the demons in this area before coming to pay you a visit. Come, stay with me a little longer until the sun uncovers itself. How much would it hurt for two old adepti to simply spend time together? Well - one old adepti, you are still considered young by our immortal standards.”
Xiao sighs. He may have his duties, but seeing as this was one of the rare occurrences his lord was visiting him, he could forgive one night of slaughtering demons in favor of accompanying Zhongli’s presence. If worse came to worst, they would just fight evil together. The thought makes Xiao laugh.
“Fine, then. Enlighten me with one of your infamous stories from before I even existed.” The expression on Zhonglis face is far from displeased. With little warning, Xiao watches as a stone dumbbell materializes into his palm.
“Let me tell you the tale of Guizhong. I’ll be taking my time with this one, it’s not like we’re short of it.”
The day after, just as he rubs the red off his mask, Xiao ignores the karmic bonds that tighten around his wrist. Even if they tighten— they feel somewhat lighter.