Recovery

Summary: You’ve gotten sick from being outside in a storm for too long and Zhongli fusses over you

Tw: zhongli calls you petnames frequently like my dear, darling etc

tags: fluff, comfort, cuddling, little to no angst, zhongli being zhongli

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“Darling, as smart as you are, I must admit that this particular decision was not one of your finest,” Zhongli says softly at your bedside, kneeling down next to you. Technically it’s his bedside since you are resting at his house, but he insists what is his is yours as well. You cough weakly, smiling at your lover.

“I know, ‘Li. It was pretty stupid of me to try and help transport goods through a storm, huh?” You chuckle self-depreciatively and his brow furrows. 

“No. Not stupid, but rather quite kind and brave.” He hums, carding his large hands through your hair gently. “I’m impressed with your determination to help others…but not at the expense of yourself. I will always admire that trait.” He admits, pressing small kisses to the hand wrapped around his.

“I swear I didn’t expect to get sick! Honest!” You exclaim and he nods rather indulgently.

“Yes, yes. I know, but please, take an umbrella or some sort of cover with you next time. You were soaked to the bone.” He points out and you sigh, relaxing further into his impossibly soft cushions. “Or…perhaps ask me to come with you? I’d love to spend more time with you, even if it’s struggling through harsh weather.” You blink at his subtle poking, turning to smile fondly at him.

“You were working with Hu Tao, I didn’t want to bother you.” You say and he clicks his tongue in disapproval.

“I was only doing paperwork then and Hu Tao would have surely understood. I could simply ask her for another favor, my dear.”

“Mr. ‘Li, don’t think I don’t know about how many favors you owe Hu Tao.”

“…Ah, It appears I am unable to hide anything from you at all. Well, what’s one more? If it’s for you, then I wouldn’t mind a thousand favors to that child.” He smiles warmly, tapping your nose with a light finger. You giggle, and Zhongli sighs quietly in contentment.

If he could freeze this moment forever he would. Engrave it permanently in stone so that forever exists for both of you. Eternity is a long time, but he doesn’t mind spending it with you.

You shiver suddenly, even buried under all the blankets Zhongli has you wrapped up in. You pray to Morax (somewhat ironically, knowing that your lover is the god himself and can probably hear it) that he hasn’t noticed. Unfortunately, he only sends you a slightly amused look and you groan.

“It seems you cannot hide anything from me either.” He chuckles, and you pout exaggeratedly. He hums lowly, standing up and dusting off his slightly rumpled clothing. “If you do not mind, I’d like it if I could join you in bed. Do you object?” He asks, giving you a loving peck on the cheek.

“Of course not. How could I?” You laugh and he huffs lightly against your skin. The bed beside you dips down and you feel his warm limbs wrap snugly around your middle.

“Perhaps you won’t shiver now that I am here?” Zhongli asks hopefully, burying his nose in your neck. You turn around with some difficulty so that you are facing him.

“Maybe, but I don’t mind either way. I still get cuddles.” You say matter of factly and Zhongli chuckles, the low timbre of his voice making shivers crawl up your spine. 

“Hmm? Cuddles you say?” He asks playfully, before gently placing a hand over your eyes. “One moment my dear. I don’t want the light to hurt your eyes.” You feel him…shift, his form growing bigger and his hand growing larger, When he retracts his palm, you see that he’s changed.

Golden marks run up and down his skin like shining waterfalls and a pair of magnificently crafted horns sit atop his head, growing from somewhere behind his hairline. You caress them and he leans into your touch, enjoying the feeling of your hands on the smooth structure.

“I’ve seen you like this before, but I don’t think I’ll ever get over how beautiful you look.” You confess and his cheeks redden slightly. He coughs lightly, before pressing his lips carefully to the crown of your head.

“My dear, I am flattered. Thank you.” Zhongli murmurs and you can feel him smiling against your skin. You blink when you feel something wrap around your ankle. It’s fluffy tip and scaly texture clues you in that it’s just your draconic lover’s tail, curling sweetly around your leg.

He nudges you closer to his body, and you melt into his embrace, feeling him nibble lightly on your shoulder and neck. His teeth graze lightly against your cheeks and you stifle a small laugh at the ticklish feeling.

“Hey..! Ah, come on, ‘Li, you know we’re never going to sleep if you keep doing that.” You smile, and he hums in acknowledgment.

“I know, dearest. Forgive me though, as you’ve been in bed for most of the day and I feel a lack of your daily affection.” He replies, before planting sweet little kisses on your face. Zhongli inhales deeply, his instincts swelling up with pride.

You are completely covered in his scent and his mark. His possessiveness is somewhat immature, as no one will be able to detect his claims other than some of the adepti (and they know quite well that you’re his) but it makes his chest rumble with happiness. 

Zhongli is over 6000 years old, but he thinks that being immature is alright in moderation. Plus his darling human doesn’t deserve a cold and totally serious potential husband.

(When he says potential, he means he’s already got a ring and a mile-long proposal speech memorized to whip out of his pocket at any given moment.)

You snuggle into his chest and he rests his chin on top of your head, tangling his legs around yours. You smile slightly to yourself at the faint vibrations rumbling through his body and he curls his body around yours protectively.

“My darling?”

“Yes, ‘Li?”

“Please do tell me the next time you go out in unfavorable weather. I’d like to prevent another illness. Only Morax knows how hard you push yourself sometimes…”

“…Wait, ‘Li aren’t you…?”

“Shh, my sweet. Let us go to bed now.”

“No, wait, Zhongli wake up! Did you just address yourself–”

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An: I love the old dragon grandpa he’s so cute