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English
Series:
Part 1 of Starlight and Stone
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Published:
2023-11-04
Completed:
2024-02-24
Words:
1,612
Chapters:
2/2
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18
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Something Precious

Summary:

As Lumine's pregnancy progresses, she finds that Zhongli's instincts can become a bit... much, sometimes.

Notes:

(See the end of the work for notes.)

Chapter 1: Something Precious

Chapter Text

Lumine liked to joke that Zhongli knew her body better than she did. The combination of his heightened senses and his observant nature meant he was cued into every little detail, every little change.

So it really shouldn’t have surprised her that Zhongli realised she was pregnant just from the slightest shift in her scent, well before any symptoms or physical changes could set in.

There had been shock, but there had also been so much joy.

Being in a space to finally have a family was a blessing all of its own, but knowing it was real… that was something immense.

It was also then that Lumine learned she had only seen the tip of the iceberg when it came to Zhongli’s protective instincts beforehand.

She handled most of it with grace. If he brewed her four different types of herbal tea that were meant to ease morning sickness, she would drink them. If he served her fortified soups and stews that were supposed to support the baby’s development, she would eat them. When her belly began to swell, she agreed to his request to swap her commissions for lighter errands and put her sword aside.

And okay, she might have chewed him out when he suggested she remain in her teapot domain for the entire length of her pregnancy because he was certain the fluctuating energy in the ley lines would have unintended consequences, but he was going a bit far that time.

Still… Though it might have felt a little overbearing, every time Zhongli got down on his knee in front of her to press his forehead against her belly and murmur sweet words to their child, the grumpy cast over her heart crumbled into a lovesick gooey mess.

But this.

This was something else.

Lumine stood in the entryway of their bedroom, her jaw dropping to the floor. Their furniture had been pushed against the walls, leaving an open space in the centre of the room.

Large, fluffy pillows and rich, blankety throws covered the entire floor, as if a small tornado had run through the place and dumped a merchant's entire stock in there. Warm colours of amber and gold shone in the afternoon sunlight, quietly beckoning her forth.

And in the centre of it stood Zhongli, his coat discarded and shirtsleeves rolled up, with his brow pinched as he plucked at a pillow as if its position disturbed him.

Perfectly human looking, and perfectly not.

“Zhongli, what is all this?” She asked while she hid her budding smile behind her hand. 

A thought popped into her head, the consequences almost too much for her soft heart to handle. 

“A-are you nesting?”

She knew that look- watched as he straightened up his posture and raised his index finger, furrowing his brow as he readied himself for an explanation.

What excuse would he come up with?

That he was ‘simply redecorating’, or he was ‘removing hazards’?

But the explanation never came. His mouth remained open as if the words sat at the tip of his tongue, and Lumine felt her smile grow as he struggled.

She waited as his mouth finally clicked shut, his eyes downcast as he looked down at the plethora of pillows surrounding him.

“I… suppose you’re right,” Zhongli said, his hand falling to the side as he looked baffled by his own admission, “I am nesting.”

Lumine could not stop herself, peals of laughter bubbling up inside her as Zhongli gave her a guilty side-eye.

“I am sorry, my dear. I know my tendencies leave me getting a little carried away.”

“Zhongli, it’s fine… But you know you don’t need to do all this, right? Our bed was perfectly fine,” Lumine questioned, her eyes scoping out the room to try find any surface that wasn’t covered in decadent throw blankets.

He peered at her with those magnetic eyes of his, capturing her heart all over again with his words. “I understand but… Lumine, your body is protecting something far more precious than any treasure, a miracle I once never dared to dream of."

"Can you fault me for wanting to protect you both in turn?”

Lumine felt herself soften, and she raised her arms up, “Carry me? Please?”

Zhongli’s body visibly wilted with relief at her request, and she soon found herself scooped up in his arms as he took them to the middle of his haphazard nest.

He cradled her gently as he brought her down onto the floor, the softness of the pillows and throws against her aching body leaving her sighing in relief.

Zhongli curled himself around her, one hand laid protectively over her stomach. She felt his deep breaths flutter the hair on the back of her head, the soft sound of his quiet purring reaching her ears.

“Feel better now?” She asked as his thigh nudged her legs apart, tucking himself even closer.

“Knowing you are both safe, that is all I need.”

Lumine placed her hand over his, her fingers curling in between the gaps of his own. She could feel his contentment as if it was her own, a blanket of comfort that felt warmer than any else.

“So…How much did this all cost?” She asked, her voice already drifting with sleep.

“It is of no consequence.”

“It is if the debt collectors come after us.”

 

 

 

Chapter 2: Small Treasures

Notes:

This was written as a little valentines piece on twitter, but I thought I'd share it here too. Enjoy!

Chapter Text

The house was quiet when Lumine finally returned, a small box of chocolates and a bottle of wine in hand. The markets had been packed to the brim with merchants selling their wares to loved up couples and hopeful singles alike.

Usually, Lumine tried to prepare in advance to avoid the rush, but circumstances were different this year. What should have been a short trip had taken well over an hour, short supplies and long lines stymieing Lumine’s desire for speed and efficiency.

And now, Zhongli was nowhere to be seen.

He was not in the kitchen, nor was he in the bedroom. A quick glance into the office assured her he was not lost in a book, leaving her stumped.

“Zhongli?” She called out as she circled the living room.

“In the garden.”

Lumine spun towards the open doors leading out to the little courtyard attached to their humble home, the small patch of green grass obscured by the sight of glimmering bronze scales.

Zhongli looked utterly at peace, resting his back against the trunk of the small sandbearer tree. Yellow, fan shaped leaves had fallen upon the crown of his head, catching on the thick branches of his golden horns. His tail languidly coiled over his legs, the tufted tip flicking back and forth beside his feet. Lumine let herself pause, drinking in the rare sight that laid before her.

Placid amber eyes peered at her, a gentle smile curving his lips.

His head tipped down towards his chest, and Lumine followed with her eyes.

There, nestled in the cradle of his folded arms, their most precious treasure slept.

“Welcome home, my love.”

Lumine’s toes curled in the grass as she made her way towards them, her heart full.

She took his proffered hand and kneeled beside him, fingers already reaching out to brush the fine downy hair from her head.

“I’m sorry I took so long,” She whispered, tracing the shell of her tiny little ear.

"Do not worry yourself, she has been content the entire time." He switched positions, bringing her up to rest against his chest as he reclined further.

Through the dappled light, Lumine thought she could see the beginnings of horns sprouting from her crop of dark hair. Leaning up against his side, Lumine could feel the gentle vibrations that passed through his chest, a quiet purr that Zhongli himself was likely only half conscious of making. Her heart melted as she watched her snuggle closer, tiny fingers grasping at his shirt. 

She knew that Zhongli's instincts had flared to the forefront during her pregnancy. But seeing the two of them together, the birth of a new generation of adepti, and the features he had blessed their daughter with, had her eyes stinging with a well of emotions.

“Did you enjoy yourself?” He asked quietly.

“Not really,” Lumine admitted with a laugh. “It was too busy out there. And besides, I missed you both too much.”

“It’s to be expected. You’ve only just finished zuo yue zi, you’ve barely been apart.” Zhongli reasoned, his free hand brushing over her knee, “We’ll take it as it comes, one day at a time.”

Lumine let her head fall to his shoulder, her eyes falling shut as she basked in the gentle sunlight. Together, they enjoyed the quiet of the moment, knowing these chances were few in far between these days. Soon enough, their daughter would start squalling for her next meal, and whatever peace there was would be shattered once again.

“Oh, I got you a present,” Lumine said softly, remembering the reason she had gone out in the first place.

She laid out the box of chocolates and osmanthus wine she had bought onto his lap.

“Hmm,” Zhongli barely glanced at them, his eyes immediately drawn back to their daughter's sleeping form, “That you have, my love.”

Lumine’s heart swelled once more, and a part of her wondered if it was possible for it to burst from holding too much love.

Her hand curled over his cheek, quietly requesting his attention. Under her insistence, he turned his head to face her. She leaned up, capturing his lips in a slow caress, conveying all the love and joy that filled her into one, gentle kiss.

“Happy Valentines day, Zhongli.”

“Ah... Happy Valentines day, my mate.”

 

 

 

 

Notes:

Originally posted over on my Twitter account, now with a new home here!

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