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When will he come back?
When.
In this world, reincarnation is heard of everyday as if it was just so mundane to them. The soul of the very person that dies transfers to another body and it lays there, dormant as it waits for its memories to resurface. As a catch, when it does so, all the memories of the current host fades away.
This version of the world has molded two people practically perfect for each other.
One, a refined gentleman from Liyue, Zhongli. Currently a consultant of the Wangsheng funeral parlor. He cherishes simple things, appreciating all that life has to offer because life is short as a human- and he's sadly unaware of a dark past coming to haunt him.
The other, Ajax. A snezhnayan who works at the bank in Liyue with a heart of gold who just wants to provide for his family without a hint of malice. He works all day and tries not to overwork all night. Another ordinary human falling victim to cupid’s arrow.
By fate, these two meet and slowly yet surely fall in love with one another, get married to each other, and they live their lives as if nothing can separate them.
But there was something off about Zhongli. Even Ajax has a little hunch, but he can't put a finger on it. The way his husband talks subconsciously as if these tales of gods were his own experiences, and how the element of earth responds to his touches without even being an alogene, and how much he looked like the previous archon of Liyue who had died in a war back then- it makes it seem like…
Ajax shakes his head, he can't bear the thought of losing his husband. He tries to brush it off and remain ignorant of the implications.
The implications that his husband was the reincarnation of Rex Lapis.
He thinks Zhongli doesn't know, or maybe he does and is acting like he doesn't know or care like he does so they can continue to be together. Maybe it's the mountainous books and scrolls he reads everyday that makes him so well versed in liyue’s history and culture. And maybe it's just his fiery passion that the way he talks can be mistaken that he has lived them all through experience….
He isn't being discreet though and if Ajax is suspecting him there is no reason others would not too. People would eye them, he can hear the hushed whispers, the rumors. A day ago he saw the millelith glare at him from afar.
Eventually it all went south when people found out and confirmed Zhongli was the reincarnation of Rex Lapis.
They did their best to rewaken their archon’s soul. Zhongli hesitates to do this ritual, considering it will leave his beloved husband, Ajax, behind. But they find a way to force the consultant into doing it, and when the ginger asks his husband if he remembers him. He was pushed away from the god as he is told that the geo archon doesn't even know his name.
They stripped him of his memories, his personality, his character- his whole person of being Zhongli, consultant of the wangsheng funeral parlor and husband to Ajax- was gone. It’s all gone.
It leaves Ajax to sit in the abode of his home, alone for days, weeks, and months. It's been a year since he last heard from Zhongli- or so to say 'Rex Lapis'.
He misses his Zhongli.
Upon getting groceries from the market, ignoring the hush whispers and glares from liyuens. Ajax didn't dare cover his face anymore like the other days he didn't want to be bullied by Rex Lapis' devout followers. All their words used to scratch his heart when they say 'he didn't deserve Zhongli that's why he left.' or that 'they can't believe they were together in the first place'.
To his luck, Morax stands right in front of him during the ginger's pick of fruit. The archon's face lit up, cheeks tint with the color pink. Ajax has caught his fancy it seems, but he was too busy to notice him- that and there was a crowd surrounding him with words flattering him left to right.
"Rex Lapis sir, whata a nice morning isn't it?", "how are you today? Are you here for some goods? I'll treat you!", "You're looking mighty refreshed, oh great Rex Lapis!"
But he isn't listening, he's looking at Ajax who had dropped an apple and subtly placed it back to the rest. He then watched the ginger buy the apple out of guilt for misshaping it. He lets out a small giggle at him. He may not approach him now with the many people beside him, he doesn't want the crowd to bother the ginger.
He has his familiar aura to him… why was he so…
He can't place a finger on it..
So he does the next best thing:
He follows him home when he's finally alone. Isn't that completely normal?
It was afternoon when Ajax decided to enjoy the little what was left of his husband, a patch of glaze lilies in their front yard. Rex Lapis approached him quietly, the house was a bit far away from the city so he was glad to not garner any attention.
He clears his throat, earning the snezhnayan’s attention. "Greetings, I am Rex La-"
"What are you doing here.” Ajax cuts him off, glaring at him. He's clearly pissed as he starts to over water the glaze lilies a bit too much. "What do you want?"
He blinks at him.
Is he upset at him? Why is he so angry at him? Or maybe he has caught him in a bad mood… Well, whatever it is, he has to be on his best behavior!
Now that he sees him up close, he really feels like he's seen him from somewhere."I am merely dropping by to say hello and introduce myself."
"Introduce yourself? So you still haven't remembered me."
Ah, so they've met before. But, yes, he really cannot remember well. He clears his throat again, "ah yes, I do apologize please, forgive me. I must confess it seems that I recognize your face or your voice however I am not quite sure. Perhaps you could remind me of your identity?
"... " Ajax drops the watering can into the patch of flowers. The water seeps through the can as it crushes the glaze lilies. "Say, answer me this, you're all knowing, right?" He continues to stare at him blankly.
The archon glanced at the patch, a bead of sweat dropping from his neck. The ginger ignored him and changed the topic. It's best to go with than flow rather than argue, he was the one who interrupted watering his plants anyway. "Well, all knowing is a term a bit too exaggerated. Though, I am quite knowledgeable. I've been alive for a long time and I have seen many things- I've just come to remember them as you know I've just retrieved my memories. I know a vast number of things and have studied many different topics as well. So in a way, yes you're right." Rex Lapis twiddles with his thumbs, he doesn't know why he's a bit nervous.
"So, answer me this. When a person dies. They reincarnate right?"
"Of course. It's not some odd tale, we all know of it."
"Then when is Zhongli going to reincarnate?" Tears started to flood his sight, "Where is my husband? Where!"
"Zhongli? You're husband?" Morax backs away from the snezhnayan who was stomping towards him, destroying the glaze lilies under his feet.
The ginger placed a finger on the archon’s chest, Rez Lapis doesn't know if the young man can hear his heat practically beating fast and loud.
"You."
All the hair from his arms and behind his neck stands up at the statement. The liyuen croaks out a question, "I'm sorry?-”
"You were my husband. The light of my life. The was-to-be pillar of a family we planned for years!” With every finishing sentence he jabs his finger at him with an increasing aggressive strength. Morax would be lying if it wasn't starting to hurt. “My Zhongli. Gifted with a wisdom that goes beyond due to his passion for his nation’s literature. A gentle person who has been through his share of struggles, and has grown stronger and more patient from them. A perfect example of loyalty and integrity. A caring lover, with a gentle smile and kind eyes can bring warmth and comfort when you need it. My husband… the love of my life… he had been happily living with me before those… those 'people' of yours had- had taken him away!"
He can see the ginger’s hand tremble the more he talks about Zhongli. He himself was flabbergasted at the reveal, he doesn't quite know how to react. "I.. I apologize again… I’m sorry- I wasn't informed..."
He turns quiet when he sees the snezhnayan’s angered eyes begin to water, Morax tries to wipe the tears that escaped with his thumb but Ajax slaps his hand away. "So I just lost the love of my life..." He sobs, as he lowers his head trying to hide his face.
A sharp pain in his chest pieces him when he sees the glossy man’s eyes lose his anger and is greeted with sadness. "I.. I am sorry I didn't know…" Ajax stares at the ground long and face contorted into a scowl paired with the emotion of utmost pain. "Sir…?" the archon tries to get a look of his face again but instead was met with an explosive yell.
"Get out!"
"But-"
"Get out!” He shoves the liyuen, “I hate you! I wish you didn't wake up! I wish Zhongli was still here. I wish the love of my life hadn't turned into someone that doesn't even know my name!"
Morax is stunned; he doesn't know what to say. He badly wants to comfort him but he knows he’ll only bring pain.
"I wish…" his voice trembles, "I wish he comes back to me… even if it's the afterlife. But…" He pauses, looking at the ground, seeing his shoes "Just by what you said. I'm never getting my husband ever again…."
"I.."
"Get out. I never want to see you ever again."
Morax leaves quickly.
A week later and he stills thinks about the poor snezhnayan.
Does he still think about me? Is he eating well?I hope he isn't having any financial troubles. Should I visit him again when he has cool down? What if he moves on. What if he disgards me or the thought of Zhongli… What if he finds someone else?
He does see him once or twice. Sometimes in the bank since that is where he works at and then at the market when he goes for groceries. But how did he know where he worked at? He could’ve followed him, but it was difficult knowing he had archon duties to perform. He couldn't always ‘watch over him’, as he always refers to it as. So he might have asked from his trusted adepti that work within the city about him. Of course he knows his boundaries, nothing too personal about the snezhnayan… Just his name, age, birthday, occupation, address- and whatever else he thinks is within these imaginary ‘boundaries’.
It does worry some of his adepti that he's being interested in his pre-reincarnated state’s spouse. They try to introduce him to other people and some even boldly claim he should find someone else. Yet, the look he gave them when they insisted he find a spouse that was not Ajax, terrified them to the core they never brought it up again even if he wasn't present.
He eventually succumbs to his thoughts and frequently visits him whenever he is free or no one is looking. Watching afar or just by the window when he is asleep. He flinches, putting down his hands. He had caught himself absentmindedly opening the window again.
Today as he passes by Ajax’s house during his daily walk, he sees the local garbage collector trying to put up a heavy sack onto his cart. The archon approaches with good intention, "good morning,mind if I help?”
“Oh! Thank you kind sir- Rex Lapis!?” He gasped, shaking his head as if it were a dream.
“I am merely passing by, do not be alarmed by me. This a big collection, I wonder why on earth would they have so much.” he grunts as he gently places the bag on the vehicle.
“Ah yes, a person who lives nearby said he's moving back to his hometown. He won't be needing these stuff anymore.” the collector pats the sack as if it was a sentient dog.
“...” there is only one person living near out here and it is-
Morax grabs the sack again, “Leave it to me. I’ll dispose of this.”
The man yelps, “Oh no I couldn't possible make the geo arch-”
“Leave it to me.”
“Eep!” he shrieks, bowing. “Yes sir and thank you for the help!” He quickly rides off far from the archon. He's done it again, he has made someone scared for the nth time and is still oblivious to the fact as to why so. He stares at the sack, opens it carefully to not break anything inside if there's anything fragile.
"What…"
Trinkets, broken vases, photographs of 'him' and… Ajax… Wedding photos, photos of them traveling across Liyue, photos with friends and a pair of..
And a pair of…
His hands shake as he caresses it.
Broken. Both in half.
He knows what these chopsticks mean.
oh no.
"Ajax!” He makes haste and barges the door open.
Empty.
His stomach drops.
He's gone.
Sneak peak for the next chapter:
Ajax has fallen into a deep depression.
He has gone back to Sneznhnayan after he quit his job at the bank.
It was truly a dark time for him, he was consumed by his sadness and heartbreak. An aching void of yearning and grief. Family members and friends visited him in hopes to elevate his mood. Tried to give him treats, words of positivity, even tried to introduce someone else to him.
They all failed.
He hated the gods, he hated the people, he hated Celestia- who are perhaps the perpetrators of this cycle of reincarnation. But perhaps not all gods are not all that bad, for it was only when he met the Tsaritsa as their desires align with each other that he vowed to discard his silly moping around. He now serves her like a loyal soldier after falling into his pathetic depressive state, after falling into what was like the abyss. He now stands tall and confident as the 11th of the fatui harbingers after years of hard work and training. Ready to throw Celestia down with his bloodlust sprouted from his anger.
Morax stares at him, hunger in his eyes.
Ajax.
The ginger tries not to break right here and there. He can feel his gaze on him. It was as if he was starving for his body.
The tsaritas voice rings through the wide halls of the meeting room. "Very well then. Your gnosis in exchange for Childe's servitude.”
…
Childe feels a clawed hand crawl its way up to his neck.
"It's been a while my beloved.”
"... "
"No resistance… that means you are aware your loyalty.”
" I am here to serve you as a soldier.”
"And what good is a servant if they cannot please their god?"
…