Chapter Text
The sky is clear on the final evening of the Lantern Rite, but it does nothing to calm the storm raging in Xiao’s mind. Lantern Rite is always a tumultuous time for Xiao for various reasons, but this year is…differently uncomfortable. All thanks to the words of a certain god that still ring in Xiao’s ears days after, no matter how preoccupied he is with felling demons or slaying beasts. The distraction has made him make more than a few careless mistakes over the past few days, so much so that certain parts of his body hurt even more than he’s accustomed to when he takes a step the wrong way, which is no small feat. Of course, he knows all too well just how dangerous carelessness can be, but this is the first time in a long while that Xiao is directly experiencing the consequences of his lack of dedication. Every twinge in his side makes his thoughts swirl around again and again, unable to focus on anything but replaying the last interaction he had with his lord. Specifically—
Zhongli frowns as he looks up at the mechanized kite flying in the sky. The whimsical shape of a spirit that the kite takes the form of makes it unmistakable as to who had requested for Zhongli to test it. “Hmm. Its takeoff is very stable. Perhaps too much so.”
“The added stability would make it much faster, would it not?” Xiao asks quietly.
“You are not incorrect,” Zhongli replies, pondering. “But I find it difficult to enjoy the act of flying a kite when all the pleasure of seeing one’s kite sway in the wind is completely negated.” He falls silent for a moment, staring at the kite hanging perfectly in the air, and Xiao knows better than to interrupt him. “Then again,” he continues, more to himself, “I do not know what Director Hu would prefer.” Zhongli turns to Xiao, curiosity evident in his eyes. “What do you think, Xiao?”
Xiao’s name has always been perfect, as it was given to him by Rex Lapis, but it always sounds especially wonderful in his voice, what with his rich timbre and even, gentle cadence, always calm when speaking to Xiao no matter the situation, like a mountain in a storm. As such, it takes a moment for Xiao to process Zhongli’s question. “…I have only met Director Hu a few times,” Xiao responds carefully. “I’m hardly the best person to ask…”
Zhongli smiles, his eyes twinkling, and the warmth on his face nestles deep into Xiao’s chest, the feeling so distracting that he nearly misses what Zhongli says. Fortunately (or, perhaps, unfortunately), it would be nearly impossible to miss the meaning of the words that come out of Zhongli’s mouth, a playful lilt in his tone.
“Ah, and is that not a sign that you should visit Wangsheng Funeral Parlor more often? It wouldn’t hurt to grace the Parlor with your presence now and again when you are otherwise unoccupied.”
Xiao is sure he responds adequately, but he does not quite know what he says or anything more than the vague tone of what follows, his mind too busy carving Zhongli’s words into his memory.
Rex Lapis has always been generous, and even with his new form, Zhongli is no different, always offering things that Xiao does not deserve. He has no need for companionship, no matter how much he might long for it in the back of his mind, but if Zhongli is the one asking…Xiao does not want to seem presumptuous, or worse, desperate, but there has never been an order of Zhongli’s that Xiao has not followed, and Zhongli has given him all but a direct order to visit him more often.
Xiao had initially intended to wait until after the Lantern Rite, but for most…the celebration is meant to be spent with others. And besides, the longer Xiao waits, the worse his distractions will get. He is no stranger to harm, but if he ends up too wounded to fight thanks to his lack of concentration, Xiao could be unable to execute his duties, and he has no intention of breaking his contract to Rex Lapis.
So, much as he abhors being around mortals, it is best that Xiao visit Zhongli and fulfill his request sooner rather than later, lest he let his mind wander even further and allow another monster to run free.
Xiao’s wings snap out behind him, and he launches into the air, his sights set on Liyue Harbor, where the lights shine far brighter than the stars beginning to show up in the sky above him. He could teleport there, but Xiao prefers not to use his magic around mortals, especially those without Visions. In the best of cases, he could get bombarded with questions that Xiao has no hope of answering properly, and in the worst cases, his magic could lash out like there’s an enemy nearby, causing unforgivable destruction.
No, tonight he will fly, although it makes little difference in the time it takes with such a relatively short distance, his sight set on his destination with no detours or lingering in the air any longer than Xiao has to. He touches down silently on the hill behind the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor, folding his wings behind him before approaching the entrance.
As soon as he does so, however, Xiao realizes that he will not be finding Re—Zhongli here any time soon. All the lights within the Parlor are off, and there are no signs of life (or death) from inside. Zhongli must be out enjoying the Lantern Rite like everyone else in the harbor tonight, and if Xiao wants to visit him, he will have to wander through the festivities to even catch a glimpse of him. Strolling through Liyue Harbor is nightmarish on an average night. On a night like tonight, with bustling crowds everywhere he can see, navigating the harbor is like Xiao’s living hell.
If Xiao were reasonable, he would simply come back another time, when Zhongli is exactly where he should be and perfectly receptive to visitors. Unfortunately, Xiao’s mind has been lost in Zhongli’s words ever since their last meeting, and he is too determined by now. He will be exceedingly careful, and once he finds Zhongli, they will be able to leave any mortals behind. So, despite his better judgement, Xiao pushes into the crowd, hyperaware of everything around him as he scans each part of the street for the dark, gold-tipped hair that he knows so well.
Not long after Xiao begins his search, the crowd’s attention begins to shift, and the soft music being played, previously ambient noise, shifts, becoming far more distinct as it builds tension, anticipation thick in the air. The performances must be starting, which makes Xiao’s hunt slightly easier. After all, Rex La—Zhongli has always enjoyed the arts, and he would undoubtedly have found the perfect place to observe from.
Xiao scours the upper-level balconies first, but to no avail—the viewing areas are packed, and Xiao knows that much as Rex Lapis loves his people, he does not enjoy such close proximity, especially when such a thing could be easily avoided. Xiao turns down to a quieter part of the street, where many citizens still stand to watch the show, but far more spread out than in the center of the city, and hope rises in Xiao’s chest as he sees the edge of a familiar dark robe flutter in the wind—before he stops in his tracks, ice plunging into his chest at the sight in front of him.
Zhongli is leaning against the railing, one elbow resting on the handrail as he watches the performance in the harbor down below. But what has Xiao frozen in place is Zhongli’s other arm, the one around another man, one who even Xiao recognizes, with his bright orange hair and dark red mask at his side. Tartaglia, the Harbinger who released Osial to wreak havoc on the whole of Liyue Harbor, looks more than comfortable in Zhongli’s grip, his head resting against Zhongli’s shoulder, practically his entire weight leaning on Zhongli. And Zhongli, who should hate the Harbinger for what he did, looks far more steady than Xiao feels, his feet firmly planted as he holds the Harbinger close. Gently. Lovingly.
Xiao can hardly hear anything over the blood rushing in his ears, the music of the performance long drowned out, but one thing cuts through. Zhongli’s laugh, clear and bright, rings out over the chaos, and the ice piercing Xiao’s heart shatters, tearing him into pieces.
Xiao’s magic swirls around him, and he doesn’t have the power to hold himself back, not when every part of him is clamoring to get away from here as quickly as possible.
He appears on a hill, almost immediately hearing the snarl of a geovishap. For a moment, Xiao considers standing still, letting the monster tear him to shreds and leave his body the same way his heart is.
But Xiao has a contract to uphold. A duty to fulfill. And so, he pulls out his spear, as ready for a fight as he has ever been. Perhaps, if the battle is engaging enough, he will not have to think about tonight.