This is just my plot bunny that won't leave my head after I do Zhongli's story quest ACT II. I wrote this during my sleepless night, so I'm sorry for any mistake, and since english is also not my first language, I'm also sorry if there any grammatical error or other confusing sentences. I always have this headcanon that Ganyu and Xiao always looks to Zhongli more than just as their former contractor. I tried to be stay in character as much as I can, but some part may still seems ooc. Any critics and thougths are welcome.
It's been such a long time since I've wrote any kind of story. So I'm sorry if this seems rushed or not smooth flowing.
Xiao walks slowly on top of the building rooftop. He first came here on impulse. He didn't know why, but he strongly felt the need to come here and…
"Huh? Xiao-san? It is rare to see you here in Liyue." Came a soft voice from below.
Xiao looks to the direction of the voice to see Ganyu smiling at him.
"Oh… Is it perhaps that you are also on your way to visit Zhongli-sama?" Ganyu continue as she already very well understood the cold demeanor of Xiao.
"… Yes." Finally she got the answer.
Xiao leaps from the roof he was standing before and landed gracefully beside Ganyu.
"I should ask the same of you. It's quite unusual for you to be looking for Master Re… Zhongli-sama in this late of night. Did you have some business with him?"
"Ah… No… I didn't have any business that needed Zhongli-sama's assistance as of now… However… I umm… I just get this sudden urge to visit him today. I didn't know why… Now that you have mentioned it, it seems impolite of me to do it at this late hour… Maybe I should go head back now… And…"
"… Me too…" whispered Xiao faintly, if it's not for Ganyu's exceptional hearing as half-adeptus, she will surely miss the softly spoken words.
That however enough to stop Ganyu's panic rambling and look at the Last Yaksha standing beside her.
"Pardon?"
Xiao looks at her and sigh, "I said… I also didn't have urgent or important business with Zhongli-sama."
"Aiyaaaa… What are you two discussing this late in night near my place, huh?" A sudden cheery voice interrupting their talk.
The current director of Wangsheng Funeral Parlor stood in front of the building door and looking at both of them with a raised eyebrows.
"Ah, good night Director Hu. We are very sorry if we are disturbing the people from Wangsheng."
Hu Tao grinned and shakes her head, "Aiyaaa… Ganyu-san. I was just asking. Not saying that you two are disturbing. It is just a coincidence that I was on my way of my night walk when I saw you two by chance."
Hu Tao walks to both of them and put one of her fingers in her chin in thinking pose, "You both are here this night, surely not because you have some business with me or Wangsheng, do you? Then are you here to see Zhongli-sensei?"
"Ah, yes… However, after I think about it, maybe it's better if we didn't disturb his rest." Ganyu said unsurely while taking a glance at the quite adeptus beside her.
"Yoouuu both disturb him? Never!" Hu Tao laugh, "Trust me, he will never think of you both, or everyone else who looking for him as a disturb in his schedule! As He often says, 'Time is something I rarely lacked' he as far as I know never reject anyone who visits him. Although, with that many works he have, he never late in submitting his work while still be able to indulging people's request is really beyond my comprehension. Ah… But if you are looking at him now… He is currently not in his office nor his quarter."
"What?"
"Well, today after spending some time helping the Traveller and the people from mining association around Nantianmen, he comes back and finish his work, then goes out alone and still hasn't come back until now."
"Did he say anything?" Xiao asked slowly.
"Hmm… Nothing. He performs as usual in term of works. It is also not out of ordinary he goes out alone. He often likes to watching bird or even just watching ordinary flowers or sunset while sipping tea. But if you want to wait for him inside, I won't stop you. I'll go take my night walk now. Bye!"
They watched Hu Tao happily skipping until she is quite a distance from them.
"So, what will you do?"
"Ah?" Ganyu looks to Xiao in surprise because the lonesome Yaksha rarely initiates the conversation first.
"I asked, what will you do? Will you go back to your works?"
"Ah… I… What-What Will Xiao-san do?"
Xiao sigh and crossed his arm, "I'm not sure…" Ganyu afraid that she maybe irritating the other adeptus, however before she can say anything, Xiao beats her, "But perhaps I will be looking for him. I can't explain why, but like you… Today I also get a sudden urge to visit Zhongli-sama. And… Although it is faint, this evening I kinda feels Rex Lapis sudden use of power around Nantianmen. So, I guess I just want to make sure he is okay."
"…"
"I definitely did not mean that he can't take care of himself! It's just…"
"I understand Xiao-san."
Ganyu smiled at Xiao uncharacteristic outburst. However, she also perfectly understands the Yaksha's sentiment. She only knew a little bit story of Xiao's past with Rex Lapis. How Rex Lapis rescue him from a cruel god's eternal imprisonment. No wonder the adeptus is very loyal to Rex Lapis, even to still keep his duty to honor his contract even though there are no longer Lord of Geo watching over them like in the past.
Ganyu also has her own share of stories with Rex Lapis, how she really admire her Lord of Geo, how she still want to honor her contract with him despite he personally tell her and the other adeptus contracted by him that they are no longer contract bound by him after the Rite of the Descension.
That is why She understand fully well the sentiment. She is not as adept as the Solemn Yaksha, so she didn't feel the surge of power of Rex Lapis like he did, but she also have this unknown urge to see her former master for no reason.
Ganyu may be half-adeptus, but she was born in war era, and thus she didn't really know her true parent as they were slain in the midst of war when she was very little. The Cloud Retainer act as her guardian most of the time, but whenever she can't, the Lord of Geo stepped up in raising her. So, Rex Lapis in other word is akin like a father for her if she must borrow what the human may call her relationship with Rex Lapis.
She didn't dare to pry to the last Yaksha's past and she definitely didn't feeling brave enough to ask about his relationship with Rex Lapis. However she have an inkling feeling that the adeptus also felt that Rex Lapis is akin like a father for him, even if he himself didn't realize it.
"Shall we try to search for him then? Do you have an idea of where he may be or where is his favourite spot?" Ganyu asked Xiao.
"I have some place in mind. But I am not sure if he will be there or not."
"Well, we better move on if we want to find him then."
-000-
They are searching for almost every place that they think the former Lord of Geo may be. Ganyu even visited her guardian Cloud Retainer to ask if she by a chance knew where theirformer master were.
But they didn't get a glimpse of him in every place they could be thinking. They even visit the Nantianmen and to their horror they are witnessing the newly opened cave containing old seal. It seems that the seal is recently being resealed again. They are now getting the answer of the event mentioned by Xiao, but still no answer about the whereabouts of their former master.
Ganyu and Xiao walks slowly towards the Wangshu Inn's direction.
"I wonder why Rex Lapis always seems to know where to find us, but we are never able to find him even now." Ganyu murmured softly.
"I once asked him the same question…" Xiao answered unexpectedly, "But he just smiled and patting my head with,'I just do…' or something along like that…"
He frowns at the memories, but his tone shows no aggression or dislike about it.
Suddenly Xiao stops and looks ahead.
"Xiao-san? What is it?"
"I sensed some of the humans are in danger."
"What? We need to help them!"
Xiao only nods and started to dash to the location, while Ganyu following closely ahead.
There are several black miasma and some of the hillicurls and even mitacurl with some sort of black miasma too attacking a group of humans.
Xiao goes to stave off the attackers, while Ganyu tried to bring the humans to a safer place and providing support from a far.
But suddenly She sensed an incoming attack from behind her and the humans. A bunch of archer hillicurls with the same black miasma appeared from behind them and try to attack them. Ganyu shot two of them, but there are still one left and the arrow will hit the humans. She moved to shield the humans with her body, but before she can actually do that a jade shield appear around them and a rain of spears raining down on the rest of the attacker, successfully annihilate the attacker.
Ganyu and Xiao looks at the silhouette not far from them.
"Are you all allright?" Zhongli smile before them and although he seems to point the questions to the human's group, both the adepti can feel that he also asking them the same question.
After entrusting the nearby Millelith to escort the group of merchant they've just rescued, Zhongli then turned back to his two young charges.
"Xiao, Ganyu… It is rare to see you two together and this late of time even."
"Ah… We…"
"Actually, we were looking for you Zhongli-sama."
Zhongli blinked at Ganyu unexpected statement.
"Looking for me? Is there anything urgent for you two to find looking me at this hour?"
"Ah we…"
"We didn't have any urgent matter Master Re… Master Zhongli…" this time it was Xiao who answered.
Ganyu nodded, "Please forgive us for our presumptuous actions. It's just I have sudden urge of seeing you today. I was on my way to Wangsheng when I met Xiaon-san who apparently felt the same way. Then Xiao-san also mentioned that today he felt your sudden use of power. I hope we didn't bother you Zhongli-sama."
"Ah…" Zhongli answered slowly, "I understand."
Then both the young adepti felt the warm hand on top of both their head. Startled they are look up only to see it was Zhongli who put the hand on top of both their head.
The older god smile gently at both of them before releasing his hands, "Thank you both of you."
"…Thank you?"
"…For what Master?"
Zhongli smile widened and he started to turn back, he beckoned both of them to followed him.
"For everything. I am truly blessed."
"…"
"…?"
"Now, both of you probably tired, but do you have time to accompany me for a while? It is been such a long time since I have both of your company."
"Adepti have no need for rest Master, of course I will accompany you."
"Xiao, even from time to time the greatest and the toughest rock will need to rest. Rest is not a weakness. After all, only by stopping to take a rest we will then have time to looks at what is around us. By doing that, we will then have time to appreciate what blessings we have in our life."
Then the three of them continue in a calm of Liyue's night. Zhongli stops by in a big tree. He motioned both the young adepti to sit and so the three of them sit under the big tree.
"This place…"
Xiao can see the silhouette of Wangshu inn not too far from they were sitting.
"I remember this is your favourite spot to take a nap, right Ganyu?"
"Oh, yes Zhongli-sama. I'm surprised you still remember it after all this time. After all, I only told you about it once when I was still a little girl back then. Ah, now I'm embarrassed when I remembering how much ruckus I will do when Cloud Retainer told me to take a nap. One day you bring me here and I feel the nap comes more easier for me. That's why I told you that this is my favourite nap place."
Zhongli laugh Ganyu's flustered state when remembering her past mischiefs.
"This is also one of your favourite places when you want to be alone, right Xiao?"
Xiao only nod, "It is because this place is quiet and no one will bother me here."
Zhongli only nodded and closed his eyes, enjoying the fresh night breeze.
"Master… May we asked where were you?" Xiao asked unsurely.
Zhongli opened his amber eyes and looks at both of them, "I just… Remembering memories."
"Remembering memories? There are nothing you have ever forgotten Zhongli-sama."
"Yes, that may be true. But sometimes, it is nice to have reminiscence of good memories. I may not be able to forget any kind of memories. Even the memories I want to forget I cannot forget. I will remember it in precise detail. That is why sometimes I just goes around and remembering the good memories, so that those precious memories will be always on the first of my mind."
Zhongli smiled and looks up at the sky full of starry sky. For a moment Xiao think the former Lord of Geo eyes seems sad.
"But today, because both of you. I understand. There are also another way to remember the good memories."
"And that is?"
"By making more good memories with whom you cherished."
Xiao and Ganyu didn't know how to respond to that, so they are just nodding. They may be old in the eyes of humans but in front of the older god, they are sometimes feel like they can be relaxed and be like a child again.
"So that's why you have thanked us before, Zhongli-sama?"
"Yes. Sometimes, the fact that you are here with me, the fact that you are exist and real is more than enough. I know my actions sometimes hurt the other I hold dear. But that is why I am more than thankful that there are still people I can still called friends, people I still can hold dear. I may live long past all of that for elemental being's lifespan is far greater than anything in this world. But all those precious memories I have gathered will all of you I hold dear, will be my treasure with more worth than any gold and riches and mora can offered."
"Because sometimes, in our times of darkness… A glimpse of hope from person dear to us, will bring strength and salvation to those who need it…"
And that's it... I hope you enjoyed this story. I also have other plot bunny that I may or may not write into different kind of stories. But for now, this is all I can write. Hope you enjoyed it~