Three - Family in the Inn
Zhongli witnesses the love Xiao deserves.
Two
A bit heavy at the end- i teared up at some point ksks ill add the cut thingy when get my laptop
Starting from the earliest memory your mind can remember, you’ve already heard stories of the god that ruled over your home land. From your mother, your father, from the merchants and adventurers resting within the inn. You often heard how the Geo Archon would always fly above the lands, overseeing the safety of Liyue- in the form of a great and majestic serpentine dragon. To protect the land, the Archon will not hesitate to strike down his foes with his spears made of stone! Spears that were huge as mountains and can shake the very core of the earth! A fierce god he is, but to his people, the Archon is just and kind. For he has guided Liyue for a thousand years even before Liyue was founded.
Those stories always left you in awe, your mind conjuring up imaginations of a mighty dragon soaring up high in the sky!
~
“Bai, I can’t sleep…” You whined loudly to your black cat with gold eyes and a white diamond spot on its forehead. But alas, the cat can’t understand you, simply giving you a somewhat dismissive meow. You puted at its direction. It was always like this if your brother wasn’t able to tuck you to bed. Without his voice lulling you to sleep, right now you’re vibrating energy.
“I wanna play…” You mumbled but then an idea popped up. With some effort, you hopped off your bed and went to the door. A bit of a struggle because of your height, but you manage to reach the doorknob and get out of your bedroom to the lobby. Bai was following close by.
With quiet footsteps, you went to the balcony and called in a whisper of excited glee-
“Thousand Winds?”
Just by those two words alone, the breeze picked up and your ears were then filled by the joyful voices of the wind. To emphasize that happiness, you were carefully lifted up from the ground and twirled you a bit, leaving you in a fit of giggles.
When the wind calmed down, they asked, The Little Wind calls! What is it do you want little kin?
“I wanna play!”
And play they did without a care for the world. Usually these wind spirits were careful when their brother Demon Wind is around- but with him gone for now, these spirits have different ideas. Little Wind do you want to fly like us?
You didn’t even miss a second to say yes. After all, you’ve always dreamed of flying! Just like the stories you heard about your Archon flying up high in the sky!
!!!
“If I can fly, I might get to see Rex Lapis! Please please pleaaaase Thousand Winds, I wanna fly!”
The wind spirits cheered in delight, their whispers growing louder by the second. The breeze grew stronger and stronger around you and soon enough you were lifted off the ground as anemogranas surrounded you. You’ll get to fly! How exciting!
At that age, you were unaware of the dangers that lie ahead- all too buried in that naivety and innocence that children possess.
Rather than flying- it was more like gliding. Of course the wind spirits had some sense not to put you in harm’s way! Flying requires some force to make you go higher- as for gliding, a gentle breeze simply does the trick.
It was a slow descent and you were amazed all throughout! You could see the entire Dihua Marsh along the ruins that littered around! You were amazed how the stars and the moon seemed brighter and closer now that you’re up in the sky! The feeling of the rushing wind on your skin! It was cold but you didn’t care!
Every now and then, the spirits would suddenly nudge you up higher, rewarding them with your joyous scream and laughter.
You landed softly at the concrete ground, near a statue. Curious, you noted that the statue was of a man sitting on a throne. This was the first time you’ve seen this statue but you could feel something from it. Geo? And the statue’s hooded eyes, you felt like you were being watched through them.
This, Little Wind, is the statue of the Geo Archon.
The wind whispered with respect but you- you were puzzled.
“I thought the Geo Archon is a dragon? Can he turn into a human, like me?”
You could hear the wind laugh gently, the breeze ruffling your hair. Suddenly, the wind sounded older, wiser. A story for another time, little one. It’s about time you went back home.
Again you whined, but the spirits promised you flight and that’s all what you needed to be convinced. The spirits and the anemogranas alike were about to lift you- but a voice stopped your tracks.
“Yo kid! You seem lost!” The voice was heavy and gruff.
You turned around to the voice’s direction and you were greeted by a burly man who wore a staw hat and some kind of black cloth wrapped around his neck.
“I’m not lost, sir.” You replied politely, slowly taking a step back. You noticed how the air stilled. Tense. But of course, the man is not convinced. Seeing how he kept walking to you, you were starting to become scared, but you remembered the words from your brother, Always keep calm-
“Are ya sure, kid? We’re kinda in the middle of nowhere. No houses and all that. How ‘bout I help you get home?” The man offered cheerily. The forced kind with another sure step towards you. But that was what doomed him, the winds were quick to blow him away and you were surprised!
It wasn’t a big distance, and the man was quick to recover. Instead of a cheery smile on his face, it was of anger and that was when you became really scared. “You!” He barked as he walked to you again with equally angry steps. “You’re coming with me brat!”
If you find yourself in danger- don’t hesitate to call my na-
“That’s enough.” A man’s voice spoke- clear and commanding. The man stood next to you as he landed a reassuring hand on your shoulder. It was brief moment, but he also made sure to give you a quick gentle smile your way. You… you trusted this man with amber eyes.
“Who the hell are you?! I’ve got no business with you!”
“And you also have no business with this child for I am her guardian.” The man replied smoothly as he simply stood his ground with you, despite the other now seemingly ready for a fight. Feeling the anger, you tightly clung onto the newcomer’s coat and hid behind him. On his back, you were met by a Geo Vision.
“Like I’d believe you! Just swooping in and play hero huh rich guy!”
The Geo user sighed, and the next thing you knew, the man summoned a spear out of thin air! “I have no intentions of fighting you. But I promise you- You will suffer the wrath of the rock should you choose to continue this behavior.”
His voice was light, but you noticed the silent message under his tone. The would-be kidnapper shivered at the amber gaze and decided, that it was wise to back off- Not without leaving a few curses that is.
“He’s gone now.” The man spoke gently as hebturned around to look at you. Oh how his heart softened, seeing your frightened look and teary eyes.
“You’re safe, I promise you. My name is Zhongli."
Zhongli? You heard this name somehwere, but you couldn’t pin point where or when… still a bit shaken up from whay happened. Remember, Little Wind. Zhongli was mentioned in passing a few times by your brother. Perhaps this is the very same Zhongli your brother speak of…
"Umm…” Your voice squeaked, “Do you.. do you know my brother?”
At that question, Zhongli confirmed that you are the rumored little sibling of Xiao. It would have been delightful to meet you on different circumstances, but he was glad nonetheless to save you from the previous situation.
“May I know the name of your brother, little miss/sir?”
“His name is Xiao.” You replied and Zhongli noticed a bit of happiness in your voice.
“I do know you brother, quite the stern one, too. And he will be stern with you if he learns what happened here and you going out during the night. Does he know that you’re out right now?”
With that question, you finally realized the gravity of the situation. You left during the dead of the night- without permission whatsoever! Oh no, I’m in big trouble… What if you made them worry? You were so far away from home! All these thoughts made you start tearing up again and Zhongli was quick to notice. He was about to speak up and console the little one when a gush of air stopped him. And that very same gush of air made you tear up some more and clutched on Zhongli’s coat.
“Name, where have you been?” Xiao’s voice was calm- but he’s not the perfect brother nor human. There was something in his tone that suggested he was clearly not pleased about the situation. You could feel his gaze boring onto your back.
With a bit of coaxing from Zhongli, you faced you brother. “I-I’m s-sorry, gēgē…” Your voice cracked as tears started to blur your eyes. But your brother was not yet done.
“Name, do you have any idea how worried our mother was when she found out you were out of bed and could not find you anywhere in the inn?”
The thought of your mother searching all over you made you tears form more. “I- I do.”
“Do you really?"
It was a sharp question without even missing a bit, and that was the starting point for you and for him. Even Xiao winced at his own words, he swore he’ll have to make it up to you later- but for now you had to understand. He remembered the panicked face your mother wore with tears threatening to fall. He remembered her panicked voice when she called for him. He remembered the worry he felt and the dip in his stomach when she said you were missing.
"I-I’m so sorry, gēgē. I-I was just p-playing. I d-didn’t want you and mama t-to worry…” You couldn’t meet his eyes.
Worry?
“Just. Playing? Name, you left home in the middle of the night- when dangers are high- just to play! Name, you could have gotten hurt! We were not just worried, Name- we were scared that something might have happened to you!"
Every word he spoke- his voice rose higher- not being able to contain the pits of his negative thoughts. Every word- it was like a stab to his heart. But he had to be firm.
"I will ask you again, Name. Do you really understand what you did and their consequences?”
And thay was the breaking point and the night was filled by you whimpers, your wales, and your aplogies. Your shoulders began to shake and tears flowed freely and lungs struggling for breath. “I-I’m sorry, gēgē- I-I shouldn’t h-have left h-home! Pleas-se d-dont stay m-mad at me… I p-promise i-it-t won’t happen aga-ain- I-I’m s-sorry p-please don’t h-hat-te m-me.
You kept going with your rambles and your tears. And for every whimper you released, Xiao was close to breaking too. The brother lost count many times you’ve repeated your mantras- but he decided- I can’t do this anymore. Not with you crying breathless. He’ll talk to you about this when everything’s calm- his emotions and yours.
With swift steps and sure movements, Xiao pulled you into a hug and your cries grew louder. "Just don’t do that ever again, okay..” He said gently but voice cracking, leaving a kiss on your forehead as you nodded readily. Once your cries have calmed down, Xiao carried you to his arms followed hy him wiping away your tears.
“Name.”
“Y-yes?”
Your eyes met, and the anger was no longer there, but instead worry and love.
“I love you.”
You could feel his genuinity. The words brought a smile to your face, albeit small. “I love you, too, gēgē.”
Xiao smiled and left another kiss on your nose. “Sleep now. You had a long night and way past your bed time.”
You didn’t even protest, you were out like a light bulb as you comfortably laid you head on his shoulder and closed your eyes- not missing the golden dragon floating behind the man who saved you.
~
The walk home was silent. A teleport would be quicker, but Xiao didn’t want to disturb your sleep. It was an awkward walk to say the least. Him carrying his sibling, along with the last of his tears stinging his red eyes, all while his master accompanied them home.
But Zhongli- Zhongli was amused. Amused with the blooming dynamic siblinghood between you and Xiao. But he decided to hold his tongue. He knew Xiao was still wrapping his head around what had transpired. Still he does leave a praise to reassure Xiao that everything will be fine.
“You’re the best brother your little sibling could ever ask for, Xiao. Remember that.”
A/N: Welp ksks lots of loose ends if you squint ksks- like example the tone of the wind spirits, the cat and such
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