A Moment in a Million [Morax | Rex Lapis | Zhongli]
Content: Overuse of Similes (LISTEN), Emotional Hurt/Comfort, Soft, Pet Name (Dear), Honaki Impact 3rd Lore(??That might also be Genshin Lore??), Happy Birthday Zhongli!
Pronouns: None
Notes: This is a Secret Santa gift for @miam0re | Here’s her gift to me! Will Always Want You [Albedo]
Reblogs: Let me know that you enjoy my work and want to see more, so don’t forget to like and reblog (and comment in the tags. I love seeing people’s rambles in the tags)!
This work’s concepts, plot and original characters are my own which means I do not allow any sort of creative theft nor do I allow my work to be entered into any sort of A.I. bots. Thank you for respecting my space and boundaries.
The nights in Liyue Harbor were colder than they were in the City of Mondstadt. You had learned this swiftly upon your arrival. You also had the pleasure to learn of Liyue's rich history as told by Wangsheng Funeral Palor’s Consultant,
Zhongli.
You met him by chance as you were torn deciding between Stone Harbor Delicacies or Noodles with Mountain Delicacies at Liuli Pavilion.
“I recommend Mountain Delicacies.” You jolted at the sudden velvety voice.
“Noodles in a meat-and-vegetable sauce. The sauce has a rustic flavor, and there's a generous amount of it mixed in with the noodles. A humble, but enduringly popular dish.”
Glancing over your shoulder, you were met with eyes of melted amber. You gave him a smile before turning back to the woman.
“I’ll take two of those, then,” You glanced back. “That is… if you’re willing to join me.”
He smiled, one that was sure to shine brighter as the lone moon in the sky.
He spoke of many things, like the origins of Blackcliff Forge and Lantern Rite, to the inner workings of procuring the finest ore. He also was a good listener, he's attention never wavered as you spoke of your homeland. Even if his smiled said that he knew, his eyes danced with unique curiosity.
And as he walked you home, listening to the chirps of night.
You realized:
You were in love.
What a way to start off in a new land.
Zhongli reminded you of your late grandmother’s home. Full of mysteries and wonder. A place where your imagination ran wild. She kept the main rooms, where guests were allowed to roam, neat and tidy. You’d never expect the dark corners of cobwebs and bugs, or the old paintings that seemed to watch you walk down the hall.
Like the main room, he was bright and inviting. Yet his dark halls were pillars of citrine, cold and unyielding. Sometimes, you’d catch him looking off into the distance, far beyond the harbor.
Far beyond Teyvat.
Perhaps even further beyond Celestia.
Your heart sank at the discovery.
You were, but a fleeting moment in his life, while he remained in bygone memories.
Never to be forgotten
Never to be seen again.
“I’ll never get used to these cold winters.” You murmured as you cupped your hands over your mouth, attempting to warm them.
“Even though you've been here for three years now?” Zhongli hummed. “How odd. I thought you would have been accustomed to it by now.”
“Yeah, maybe… but things here are very different. Mondstadt’s never had a breeze other than inviting.” You shoved your hands into your pockets. “These are… harsh.”
“And the winters of the City of Freedom are not?” He titled his head.
A sign that he truly didn’t know the answer to the question posed.
“Not really. If the winds are cold, they feel as if they’re teasing. Not enough to sting.”
He chuckled (You liked the sound of it). “Yes… the people of Liyue are built more sturdy than other regions.” He paused, “maybe not as sturdy as Snezhnayains.” He trailed off, eyes far off.
And that was that.
He reminisced with the sunset.
While for you, the tormenting winds of thought ravished you throughout the night.
“I’m sure you have questions for me.”
On the day of his birth, the final day of the year, he broke the serene silence that you shared of a secluded candle-lit dinner.
“And yet, I’m sure you know.”
You did.
Zhongli was no mortal man.
He knew too much. Not only of ancient histories, but down to the minuscule minerals in ore. His eyes glowed in a way different than that of vision users. His “Vision” didn’t hum like yours.
And when Rex Lapis died.
And Liyue almost fell to an ancient god, but was saved by mortals and adepti.
He seemed relieved.
A heavy weight removed from his shoulders.
You couldn’t deny it any longer.
You nodded, “but I want to hear you say it.”
Ever so familiar harden amber swirled with mixed emotions. “I am Rex Lapis, God of Contracts.”
“Morax, The Warrior God.” You added, watching as fear took the forefront.
“Yes.” The word laid heavy on his soul. Strong stance, crumbing at the confession.
“A god who has lived for more than six thousand years.” You bit your lip. “While the life of a mortal is but a flash of lightning—fleeting.”
He said nothing.
So this is how it ended.
On his birthday, as the sands of time turned anew.
However, there wouldn’t be a renewal of this relationship.
“Why would you waste my time?” Tears gathered on your lower lashes. “My life is as small as a speck of dust compared to yours.
“Why spend four of my short years on something that would only bring us both heartache in the end?
“I’ve spent four years loving you… only to be a flame’s flicker in the end…”
You couldn’t hold it in anymore.
Tears fell as waves down your cheeks, washing over the amber necklace he’d given you as a gift sometime during your second year in Liyue.
You wanted to take it off, to rid yourself of him.
But you couldn’t.
Unlike a god, you couldn’t throw away love as true as this.
“Please allow me to temper your wilding thoughts.” He sounded… unsure.
You didn’t blame him. You were a sobbing mess at this point, but you were able to calm yourself enough to allow him to try to reason with your unreasonable thoughts.
“I apologize for making you feel as though the time we’ve spent together has been a waste on my part. On the contrary, the time spent with you is unparalleled.”
You rolled your eyes. “You are literally the oldest of the Seven, Zhongli.”
“Yes,” He smiled sadly, “but that does not make me immune to erosion.
“I made a contract with the Tsaritsa. A contract to end all contracts, if you will. Liyue did not fall, and so the contract was fulfilled.
“I handed over my gnosis— my connection to Celestia, and have thus been living as a mortal man—as Zhongli.
“Soon my godly powers will diminish, and I will corrode like any other. So, while I remain on this plane, I ask:
“Will you allow me to spend my final days with you?”
By now, your tears had stopped.
His words made sense, and you didn’t think he was lying to you.
Maybe you had rushed into the worst possible situation too quickly.
Your cheeks began to sting as the blood rushed to them.
“You’re asking if I’ll have you?” You crossed your arms with a raised brow.
He smirked. “Familiar, is it not?”
You rolled your eyes, but couldn’t help but grin.
“A moment with you is that of a million, my dear.” He coaxed you into his lap, placing a hand on your cheek. “If you’re willing to join me, that is.”
You smiled.
A memory of that was not forgotten.
A kiss as true as the clock striking midnight, pouring every ounce of your love into him.
Just as he poured back into you.
Tonight, you’ve brought in the new year with a new understanding of each other.
He was a god no longer, and you were a singularity.
Together, you realized:
This love was one in a million.
A love that would never be repeated in the infinite cycle of tree and sea.
A love that marks the trunk and abyss.
A love that is purely
You and Zhongli.
Reminder that this is an updated version of the 2021 work.
But I'm damn sure gonna pass it as a current birthday fic lmao
Ko-Fi | Commission | Masterlist
6 notes
·
View notes