(Thoma and Lumine left for Mondstadt. Ayato and Itto decided to follow him shortly after, but unfortunately, wound up broke in Liyue.)
-x
In the morning, the shouts of horror began.
"Help! Someone, help!"
Itto startled awake, immediately on guard, assuming that the shouts were because of him. People usually shouted because of him, despite his continuous attempts at honoring the path of the Red Oni and blending into groups. But this wasn't Inazuma, so Itto didn't generally know what to expect from people -
"Help! They're attacking my cart! Isn't there anyone out here to help me?!", the shout repeated.
Meanwhile, Ayato had sat up in alert as well, rubbing the last of sleep from his eyes. He got onto his feet, looking around, and pointed into the general direction the voice carried over from.
"Itto, let's go!"
They left their camp as it was, running to where the voice was coming from, and in some distance found a merchant surrounded by an abnormal amount of Hilichurls, whose bodies were affected by some sort of black smoke. The merchant had ducked beneath a cart, shielding his head from the attacks, screaming at the top of his lungs: "Help me!"
Since Itto was taller and his legs longer, he reached the attackers first. He swung his claymore with a scream of his own, scattering the Hilichurls around, and in the next moment, Ayato was upon them, slashing so quickly as if raindrops were falling onto the enemy.
"Huh?! Those are some resilient monsters!" Intrigued, Itto watched half of the Hilichurls get up again despite being hit face-on by Itto's claymore. "What, you want some more pieces of this action?! Okay, how about this!"
Itto charged and threw Ushi against the enemy, watching them fall like pins. Ushi's crit took them out cleanly (because Ushi crits more than Childe.).
"What a strange enemy." Ayato walked towards the struggling last Hilichurls and sliced them down, making them dissipate into ashes. "I have never seen something like that before. Is that normal?"
"Well. Can't say no to a challenge!" Itto crouched down next to the cart and leaned to look underneath it. "Hey there! Are you alright?"
"Yes! Yes, I am!" The merchant crawled out from under the cart and got up, dusting the dirt off his knees. "Thank you for saving me! You -" He only now lifted his head and on the level he had expected to see shoulders or a head, he was faced with rock-hard abs instead. With widening eyes, the merchant put his head back and met eyes with Itto, who reached for his injured side and grimaced. Damned be injuries.
"That one strike at the beginning wasn't too good for me", Itto complained to Ayato, who agreed with a nod.
The merchant spotted the horns on Itto, flinched back, hit his back against his cart, and clasped his hands together.
"Oh almighty adeptus!", he cried out, taking Itto aback. "Thank you for saving me, again!"
"Adeptus? The hell is an adeptus?"
"You … you must be affiliated with the adepti too?" The merchant turned to look at Ayato, who was just as confused as Itto. Not that the merchant paid it any mind. "Well, since you saved me, let me show you my gratitude! Come with me, I'll treat you to breakfast! Wangshu Inn isn't far away, we can go there just well!"
Itto and Ayato exchanged a look and as if on cue, Itto's stomach growled. He wouldn't say no to breakfast, actually. But would it be okay to make use of this opportunity? Factually, the two were at a loss and Ayato clearly disliked the lack of information about how to proceed.
"Technically, we completed a commission. It's fair to be paid back for it", Ayato remarked lowly, but the frown between Itto's brows stayed carved in place. Without money, they didn't have a big choice and decline either. Didn't mean they had to like it.
"Okay. We're just going to get our things and then come back here." Itto jerked a thumb over his shoulder, addressing the merchant.
"Yes! Yes! I will inspect the damage on my cart and wait here in the meantime!"
"Uh-huh." Itto turned away from the merchant mechanically and walked on ahead, Ayato closing up to him. Itto looked … distressed about something.
Once out of earshot, he gave a cautious glance back to make sure they weren't being overheard, and voiced his troubles to Ayato: "I'm used to gratitude and gifts and such when I help, but somehow, this is weird. It gives me weird vibes. Is this normal for Liyue?"
"We should inquire what an adeptus is and complete background information before judging the situation", Ayato suggested. He believed from the back of his mind that he'd heard the term "adeptus" somewhere before, but he had nothing to connect to it at the moment.
Turns out, the two wouldn't have been able to recognize adepti even when they were sitting at one table with them.
The story went like this: at Wangshu Inn, the merchant insisted on buying Ayato and Itto whatever they wanted to eat, shouting so loudly about being saved by adepti that it drew the attention of basically everyone at Wangshu Inn. People gathered in small crowds around their table, curious about this big, muscular guy with red horns on his head. Someone too brave even reached out to touch Itto's horns.
"Don't -!" Instinctively, Itto rose, swatting away the hand, and reached up to his horns to cover them in his fists.
Ayato, who had watched with growing discomfort, decided that he had enough. Screw collecting background information.
"Everyone, back off." When he stood, he sent out a wave of Hydro that pushed everyone gathered around their table two steps back without injuring anyone - but Ayato's eyes were sharp enough to cut. "First of all, we are guests at this inn and do not wish to be bothered by a crowd. If you have business with us, join our table. If not, leave."
"Ayato …" Grateful, Itto looked down at his boyfriend, on the verge of tears. Ayato narrowed his eyes at the few remaining people that didn't follow his icy order immediately and loitered around, hoping to get into touch with the adeptus.
"Sit down, Itto. It's alright."
Ayato met eyes with clear, golden eyes of someone who kept standing at their table in some distance, and let challenge enter his. Instead of backing away, the gentleman with golden eyes stepped closer, smiling gently at the two of them.
"I apologize on behalf of everyone present. Adepti don't usually show themselves readily in this age of humans." He lifted his gaze to the merchant in some distance who was talking vividly with Verr Goldet, ordering almost everything from the menu for the table Itto and Ayato were sharing. "My name is Zhongli. May I invite you for tea? It's not a just compensation for the trouble you two have been through, but it's the beginning of an equal exchange."
Ayato sighed. This had to be the first refined conversation he had with a stranger since setting foot on foreign soil.
"You seem reasonable, Mister Zhongli. Please, have a seat", Ayato agreed to the offer.
"Hey … you've got a Geo Vision! Like me." Itto lowered his hands from his horns, having spotted the Geo Vision that was attached to the gentleman's lower back. Itto reached for his own Vision, which he kept on his collar around his throat.
Ayato believed that Vision holders of the same element shared some sort of deeper understanding and it was nice to see that Itto jumped back from his low quickly.
Zhongli nodded. Ayato couldn't help but notice how refined he did everything, no matter what it was. Ayato felt an aura around Zhongli - something he couldn't quite name but was most definitely there.
"I am lucky to be in possession of a Geo Vision, yes." Something caught his attention; someone had appeared out of thin air next to Ayato and made him startle in surprise. "Ah, Xiao. Be so kind and ask Smiley Yanxiao to not cook everything the merchant has ordered. And add a herbal blend of your choice to the order before you join us", Zhongli addressed the one who had unexpectedly appeared next to Ayato as swiftly as the wind.
"Fine", the man called Xiao answered, taking both Itto and Ayato by surprise. "You were the one who helped this man fight against the corrupted force I felt earlier?"
"Huh?" Itto blinked. "Yeah?"
"You have my gratitude. If not for the bard demanding my attention, I would've heard the cries of the innocent looking to speak my name. I must warn him that I cannot kill if he keeps distracting me with - … Nevermind. I will see it done, Zhongli."
Xiao turned to leave, but froze mid-motion when Itto asked: "A child? Killing?"
"What?" The look Xiao gave him, it sent a shiver down Ayato's spine even though he wasn't the aim of this deadly gaze. And seeing it, he happened to remember randomly what an adeptus was. Ayato had heard the term from Yae Miko when she had talked about her contact in Liyue, a secretary named Ganyu. This lady had been related to the adepti.
Ayato closed a hand around Itto's forearm, squeezing it.
"Excuse us", he said, lowering his head.
"No offense taken", Xiao replied courtly.
Ayato could only breathe more lightly when Xiao disappeared into nothingness again. He then retold Itto what he remembered about adepti, concluding: "We are not adepti and it's unfortunate that we have been mistaken for some."
"Yeah, we definitely aren't. Strange to be mistaken for some. Are all adepti children?", Itto asked, blinking confused at the spot Xiao had disappeared from. He felt like he had looked death itself in the eyes, having faced horrors that not even an angry Ayato could evoke in Itto's heart.
Zhongli cleared his throat.
"The Conqueror of Demons is at least four times your age, I believe. Do not mention it to him again. He may not take offense, but he's not one to easily forget."
-x
(Ayato and Itto reunited with Thoma in Mondstadt, just in time for the Windblume Festival. Due to a couple of ... incidents ... there's still some tension left between Ayato and Kaeya. Now, everyone's gathered in Angel's Share for the Lyre contest performed during Windblume.)
-x
"Thoma is in good hands." Kaeya leaned against the bar next to Ayato, throwing him a lazy smile. "Quite literally."
When Ayato didn't reply, Kaeya sighed, and returned his attention forward, watching the people in their Lyre contest. "I wish somebody would travel over the ocean without any money on themselves for me."
After a while, Kaeya added: "Master Diluc once went out on travels without money on himself. He never told me the details of it either. Just had a new bunch of scars on his arms. You can see them when he's bartending. It had to be a Fatui Harbinger who spilled the tea to me."
Ayato made a non-committal sound. Then, the last Lyre player had ended, and the next challenge was announced.
"Arm wrestling?", Ayato echoed, addressing Thoma who approached them. "What does this have to do with Windblume?"
"Oh, it's a test of strength! Not everyone can play the lyre or shoot balloons or ride the wind to obtain victory! So, we invented arm wrestling! You'd be surprised about who's stronger than who, my lord!", Thoma chimed in.
"Who invented arm wrestling?", Ayato asked. "Why search for an excuse to battle out strengths and see who's stronger? Kind of gay if you ask me."
Thoma stopped and blinked.
"Why search for an excuse to hold another man's hand? Kind of gay, if you ask me", Kaeya chimed in.
"You two … are frighteningly in sync", Thoma remarked. "Don't tell me you're going to bet on anyone as well? Because Kaeya usually does. With Diluc's money."
"It would be a shame, considering that you two are broke", Kaeya cooed. Ayato narrowed his eyes.
"Don't fall for it -!", Thoma warned, but Ayato had already placed his bets on the first match: Itto against a girl in armor. Of course, Itto would win. No matter how strong anyone else was, if this was about pure muscle strength and not onikabuto, Itto could win.
"My lord …" Thoma grabbed onto Ayato's arm and pulled him away from Kaeya and Kaeya's sharp influence. "Do not bet. I beg you."
"Do you not trust in your judgment?"
"I do. That's the bad thing. Itto is going to lose!"
"Why do you think so?" Ayato didn't underestimate the girl, he definitely didn't. But when the starting sound was given and Itto and the girl just looked at each other without an inch of movement, Ayato was still stunned.
"Noelle, don't go easy on him! I bet money on you!", Kaeya shouted from his seat against the counter.
"Oho!" Itto strained his arm more, pressing with all his might against the girl who didn't budge, no matter how hard Itto pressed. "I can ! Go FULL OUT!"
With a roar, Itto made use of his Oni powers and the ground trembled.
"Noelle! Noelle! Noelle!" Amber was chanting and clapping in her hands.
"The table!", Diluc exclaimed but it was too late - the table broke under the strength of Itto pressing against Noelle's unmoving arm.
"I'm sorry", Noelle said with a light smile. And Itto lost before he could even blink.
"To our strongest member", Rosaria exclaimed from the table where she sat with Eula and Jean, toasting to Noelle. "Let's show Inazuma what we're made of."
"If we were to lose, vengeance has already been ours", Eula added, toasting as well.
Noelle rose from her chair, grimacing at the broken table and the petrified Oni before her, and apologized to Diluc for the damage. Then, she turned to Itto.
"I'm sorry for -"
"Wow!", he interrupted her and grabbed onto the sides of her arms. His hair seemed to bristle in excitement. "This was so cool! I got to use all of my power against you! I never knew but I can get even stronger! How did you do that!" Itto jumped up and down, laughter pearling from his lips. "Let's go again! Please, teach me!"
(During their stay in Mondstadt, he'd wake up and meet Noelle outside to do her training regimen with her. Whenever he rose, Ayato was drowsily content with staying in Thoma's arms for a while longer. It was warm.)
-x
"You lost", Kaeya reminded Ayato, toasting in his direction.
"I'll win the next round", Ayato countered.
"Oh? And who might that be? Are you sure you can trust your judgment?"
"Yes. Me versus Itto. And Thoma is the one betting." Ayato lifted his chin. Thoma inhaled sharply.
"Ayato", he started, but Ayato gave him one look and Thoma snapped his mouth shut. "I bet on you, then."
"What? After you've seen how strong the Oni is? Thoma, are you letting your feelings get the better of you?"
"Maybe." Thoma didn't avert his attention from Ayato and Ayato's face softened. He loved this familiarity.
"Diluc!" Kaeya waved to his brother. "Get a new table here!"
"Who is going to pay me for that?" Diluc crossed his arms in front of his chest. "I'm going to throw all of you out of the tavern, by Barbatos' feathery wings!"
"Come on, don't be like that! You want to arm wrestle Jean, don't you? That's what you'll need a table for too!" Kaeya giggled to himself.
-x
"Don't hold back against me, Itto." Ayato sank down onto the chair where Noelle had sat, and smiled up to him. Itto mirrored Ayato, unsure.
"You … huh? You want me to give it my all against you?"
"Someone as strong as you can handle me easily. Nobody knows me better than you, right? So you know exactly how much strength you can use for me." Ayato dipped his lips into a suggestive smile, watching how Itto was torn between confusion and pride because of the compliment.
"Ayato … you're … doing it again."
"What am I doing?" Ayato put his elbow against the table and wiggled his fingers, prompting Itto to take his hand.
"You know. That thing where you speak with your eyes instead of your mouth. Makes it hard to read you."
Before their fingers closed around each other, Ayato retracted a bit, exhaling obviously.
"You would never hurt me, I know that. But … be gentle."
"Wh-" Itto's mouth fell open and when the signal to start arm wrestling dropped, he was too flustered in the first moment, losing immediately to Ayato. "You cheeky -!"
Itto hit both hands against the table, pressing himself up, and Ayato took the opportunity to rise as well and press a quick kiss on the tip of his nose.
"You're still Arataki Numero Uno Itto, always and forever", he said.
