Who Is Staring Back At Me? (Zhongli x male reader)

Frozen Fury

Looking back to Y/n I noticed he seemed to be more down than before, did I say something wrong again?

Keqing: "Hey uhh Y/n? Are you...ok?" I don't think so, but I'd rather not pry when he doesn't want to talk. Boundaries are important after all.

Y/n: "Huh? Well I....I don't actually know anymore. First the thing with my parents, now our Archon...I don't really know how to process all of this. One day I learn of my parents death, next day my life just turns upside down as I get a vision, then i leave my home for a week to live in the mountains with a teacher who taught me the way of a cryo vision and now my home's archon is dead! So no I don't think ok is the right word to describe it I......sorry for my temper I just.... I think I should go now" I was absolutely stunned, who knew such a nice person could hide so much bottled up stress, pain and sadness...

I was only able to stare in silence as I saw his slouching figure slowly leaving, only when he was out of sight did I manage to collect myself again. Noticing that the guards had already left to secure the surrounding area I too decided to go, planning to meet the other Qixing by the Terrace.

Keqing: "Please don't hide those feelings from everyone, it'll only lead to more pain on your part."

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Meanwhile

*Knock Knock*

Hu Tao: "Come in!" Strange...was I expecting someone, I didn't forget any appointments today right?

Before I could stress myself to death I saw my new favourite person walking through the door, Y/n! I was about to run up and tackle him to the ground, but he seemed a lot sadder than I am, did something bad happen? It shouldn't be anything about love, I did my best to get my ship to sail and I will watch it sail till the end of my time! He and Zhongli are perfect together, I just know it, besides Yanfei agreed!

Y/n: "Hu tao? Anyone in there?" Coming back to reality I noticed that Y/n was waving his hand in front of my eyes, waiting for any kind of reaction.

Hu tao: "Eh? Heya what 'cha doing here? I thought you wanted to see the Rite today no?" Strange, did something happen on his way there?

Y/n: That's why I'm here, i wanted to give you head up that you should start to plan a Rite of Parting. I thought you might want to know..." He seems quite sad, I wonder which adaptus bit the dust this time, hopefully not Xiao.

Hu tao: "Oya? Which one passed, it wasn't Xiao was it?!" Honestly I think the two of us are friends, even if he acts all cold and edgy.

Y/n: "It was Rex Lapis himself, they say he was assassinated and of course the murderer slipped through my hands."

Hu tao: "Eh?... This is a joke right? C'mon where's the anecdote, the part where you get me to laugh?!" This was a joke, it has to be! Rex Lapis is our Archon, he wouldn't just pass like this!

 *Knock Knock*

Zhongli: "Excuse me director I thought I heard you shout in here? Is everything ok?" It seems he doesn't know? Guess I'll tell him, he's the expert in those ancient traditions here.

Hu tao: "Well Y/n here just returned from the Rite of Descension and told me we should start to plan a Rite of Parting for Rex Lapis himself." I could practically see Zhongli's eyes widen as he whipped his head towards Y/n who by now was crying silently in his chair....

Zhongli: "Judging by your serious tone I'll start with the preparations as soon as possible, but I think I should escort our guest home first. He doesn't seem to be the most stable right now." Zhongli is observant as ever huh?

Hu tao: "Yeah yeah, you go bring your boyfriend home first we haven't actually been contracted yet so just think about what we might need. Now out with you two!" And done, with both of them out of my office they'll have to walk alone and everyone knows that means they'll flirt more than with me there.

Pov: 3rd Person

*Slap* *Slap* Those were the only sounds that were currently carried throughout Zhongli's office. Zhongli who was at the receiving end was silently taking the two hits after he had taken Y/n to his office for some privacy. Meanwhile said male was glaring fiercly at him, although it did scare Zhongli a bit seeing as a glare while crying was a lot scarier, the male did not flich a bit.

Y/n: "You Jerk! I thought you were dead! I thought you left me too! I-I...-" The smaller male shouted, his voice audibly cracking while more tears flowed down his puffy and bloodshot eyes before he was engulfed in a hug by Zhongli himself.

Zhongli: "Shhh I'm sorry for scaring you, but I'm here now and I won't leave you again I promise. I know I forgot to inform you of my plan and I'll accept any punishment you see fit, but please let me get you home. You need rest, simple as that." He said in a calm tone, petting Y/n's head for a while.

Feeling the later relax into the hug Zhongli decided to stay in it a little longer before finally seperating again. With his partner calm again Zhongli slowly took Y/n's hand while walking out of the funeral parlor. He wouldn't usually do this but it was already dark outside so very few were even on the streets and those that were could care less what they see, besides he felt as if Y/n would need a little support right now.

Finally arriving at Y/n's doorstep Zhongli let go of his hand, planning to say his goodbyes for the time being, but he before he could say anything he heard a quiet, hoars whisper that he could barely understand. All he heard was the word punishment.

Zhongli: "Sorry but could you repeat that? I don't think I heard you right." The supposed to be dead archon asked, rubbing his nape with a slight smile.

Y/n: "I said I've decided what your punishment should be." The smaller male said, this time louder

Zhongli: "Oh? And what would my punishment entail if I might ask?" He questioned his partner, who by now was starting to shiver in the cold. As a small help Zhongli put his hands around Y/n's as to keep the warm. Said male started to blush a deep crimson red before speaking.

Y/n: "Stay tonight. As your punishment you'll stay tonight and act as my personal heater. Because of my vision I don't feel the cold of my ice or any other vision created chill, but natural cold on the other hand still effects me." He stated firmly, dragging a suprised Zhongli through the door.

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A/n

So? Did I do the situation justice? BTW you might not like Lumine in this Fanfic, she won't be as nice as my Aether from the other book :3

Anyways I might upload on Sunday or Monday if I have enough time.

 I haven't forgotten this story or anything, it's just that I decided to write one 2 000 word chapter instead of 2x 1000 word.

Adios