a/n: written for mutifandom drabble exchange round 1 2021
The day Morax returns to Liyue, the earth itself rumbles in quiet pleasure. Xiao, whose duty is to take note of such whispers, observes the ripple of the Dihua Marsh from his perch atop Wangshu Inn. Even the wind whistles past his ear with cheer.
Xiao wonders if Morax — Zhongli, now — will linger in Liyue Harbor upon his arrival. He has friends there, after all. The funeral parlor. The chef. The streets Zhongli-the-mortal fell in love with all over again. Zhongli's travels were a celebration of a new future brimming with possibility. Xiao is only a painful reminder of the past.
Leaning into the tree that towers over Wangshu Inn, Xiao exhales deep and low. The monsters are quiet today, perhaps cowed by the return of the Geo Archon. Gnosis or not, the power Zhongli holds is still remarkable. Unmistakable.
So unmistakable, in fact, that Xiao's eyes fly open when Zhongli steps onto the balcony of Wangshu Inn.
"Xiao," says Zhongli. In the twilight, golden light threads through Zhongli's hair. The waning sunlight reflects the warmth of his gaze, the curve of his smile.
"Mor—Zhongli," Xiao answers. He swallows the tremor in his voice. In accordance with custom, he drops before Zhongli and bows low.
"Xiao," Zhongli says. The sound of his name in Zhongli's mouth washes through Xiao's body like a prayer. "Please. Rise."
Xiao rises to his feet, still hesitant to look up. He hears Zhongli's huff of amusement, then feels the gentle press of Zhongli's hand against the crown of his head.
"Welcome home," Xiao whispers, leaning into the warmth of Zhongli's touch.
"I'm home," Zhongli echoes. His fingers slip through Xiao's hair, stopping to linger at the nape of his neck. Xiao straightens his back, tilting his head to finally meet Zhongli's eyes. "I'm home."