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The Archon War had started, battles were everywhere. Death, slaughter, destruction, hatred, and revenge abounded throughout Teyvat. In Liyue, the most ancient and powerful Gods tried to stand up to Morax, Rex Lapis, but he, like the mighty God of War that he was, made them fly and break before his stone spears and his unmatched Geo power. In Mondstadt, the neighboring territory of Liyue, the ravages of the Archon War were lower, thanks to Morax, who protected Mondstandt by the fact that it was the kingdom of his dear friend, Barbatos, the God of Freedom. Barbatos was not like Morax, he was weak, small, younger, but he was still a God, so he sometimes assisted Morax in his task to destroy every God who dared challenge him to combat.
But one day, Morax feared for Barbatos. They were friends, but also lovers, and they had both vowed to stay together no matter what. Morax had asked Barbatos to stay safe, on Mondstadt, knowing that he was asking something impossible for him. He didn't want to order him anything, but he was so terrified by the horrors of the War that he couldn't think of anything else.
"But, Morax-
Morax took Barbatos by the shoulders, his gaze denoting fear and uncertainty. The two Gods were in the privacy of Morax's room, enjoying a few hours together before the dawn of a new day of battles and war.
"I beg you." Morax said. "Stay safe."
"You can't ask me that." Barbatos replied angrily.
"Then I will tie you to the highest mountain in Dragonspine." Morax said with eyes bright with despair.
Barbatos pushed him away.
"You haven't even heard what I have to say." Barbatos replied as he clenched his fists. The winds outside stirred violently. "But that does not matter."
"I try to protect you." Morax insisted.
Barbatos laughed bitterly.
“Ordering things for me? Wanting to tie me to a mountain? Even death would be a more lenient punishment than those things you claim to be are for my protection. " Barbatos said as he spread his wings. “I will go to Mondstadt, not because you order me, but because I have my own reasons. Don't ever visit me. A storm will greet you if you try to look for me. "
* * *
* *
*
The Archon War ended and Seven Gods were rewarded with Gnosis and immense divine power. Morax did not hear from Barbatos again, and over time he realized that he had acted impulsively in asking such things of him. He wanted to find him and apologize, but it had been a few years, would his apologies be valid? Could he trust that if he went to Mondstadt a storm would blow him up?
"You keep thinking about it."
Morax, or Zhongli, as he called himself these days, looked up at the rocky dragon that was lying next to him. Sure, Azhdaha knew him extremely well, they were old friends and confidants. Azhdaha could sense the vibrations in the land of Morax's worry, his obsessive little thought regarding Barbatos, and their discussion from five years ago. Azhdaha knew some things that Morax did not know as he was slightly stubborn and distracted with personal and social matters, especially with matters of love with Barbatos. Dvalin, the companion of Barbatos and great friend of Azhdaha, also knew some things, but those secrets remained between the two dragons.
"I can't help it." Zhongli confessed. "I really want to see him and tell him so many things...I was a fool in the past and I want him to know it."
Azhdaha laughed inwardly, the earth vibrating to the sound of his laughter. Zhongli snorted, but let his friend laugh at him, after all, they both knew it was true. When he stopped laughing, the rock dragon looked at his friend with his golden eyes, those eyes that he himself lovingly carved for him. Zhongli was capable of creating delicate things, even though his hands had brutally killed and murdered many other gods. That's why Azhdaha knew and was certain, that Zhongli could be as gentle as a small breeze, and as delicate as a Qingxin flower. If he encouraged him to go to Mondstadt, he expected the petals of the Qingxin flower, that grow in high cliffs surrounded by strong wind currents, to not be flown away without remedy.
"You should go, Morax." Azhdaha said calmly. "Sure, Lord Barbatos can also let you know one or two things."
Zhongli did not stop to think what Azhdaha meant, he only stood up and then disappeared into the earth. Azhdaha gave a weary sigh and looked up at the sky, remembering Dvalin fondly. He then decided to send him a message across the land, advising him that Morax was on his way to Mondstadt.
* * *
Just a kilometer away from Windrise, he was stopped by Dvalin. Dvalin, in his dragon form, stood before him with a tired expression and strange eye bags under his eyes. Zhongli noticed this somewhat strange, but did not comment on it. He stood in front of Dvalin and remembered Venti's words about the storm he would receive if he tried to search for him. Was Dvalin that storm? He didn't look at his best.
"Lord Morax, good to see you." Dvalin said in a tired voice.
"Really?" Zhongli asked, confused. "I thought Venti ..."
"Oh, about that...You better see it for yourself." Dvalin said as he opened his six wings. “But, a suggestion, try not to make too much noise. In truth, when that creature is awake..."
Zhongli raised an eyebrow. Dvalin only cleared his throat.
"Excuse me." Dvalin said. "Just...go quiet."
Zhongli did so. He said goodbye to Dvalin and walked silently toward Windrise. It did not take long to get there, and the more he approached the place, the more he could hear a thin, sweet melody. He knew those melodies well, they were those of his beloved Venti, the God of Songs. Zhongli enjoyed the sound of his voice along with the melodies of his lyre. However, the song he was singing caught his attention.
"Sleep, my sweet child,
Sleep, my little star,
With this Cecilia, you will fall asleep."
When Zhongli arrived, he saw Venti sitting on the ground, leaning his back on the trunk of the great tree, while a small head rested on his legs. Venti played the lyre and sang slowly and sweetly, while the little boy fidgeted insistently near him, whimpering and pouting. Zhongli choked and inevitably felt something strange on his chest. When Venti noticed his presence, he wrinkled his face and was about to send him fly very far, but if he did that, the child would take longer to sleep, and he did not want to take time away from the little one when he did not sleep all night.
He stopped playing the lyre and stopped singing. The boy stood up and cried lightly, tugging at his braids. Venti took him in his arms and hugged him.
"Now, my little one, don't cry anymore." Venti said as he cradled him and tried to rock him in his arms. "Do you want an apple before bed?"
The boy responded with a negative yell. Venti sighed.
"You could at least tell me what you want." Venti said wearily.
"Sweets." Said the little boy.
" Ugh." Venti said quietly, then looked back at Zhongli. "Are you going to stay there?"
Zhongli shrugged and leaned closer. He saw Venti having difficulty communicating with the little one, apparently, he wanted him to sleep and the boy refused, totally full of energy. Zhongli sat next to both of them, at a safe distance. The boy had golden eyes and streaks of green in his dark hair, just now he was looking at him with great curiosity, with fascination, his big golden eyes examining all of him. For some reason, Zhongli felt small. Venti placed the boy between his legs and held his hands to try to play with him.
"I'm not throwing a storm on you because I'm busy right now, Morax." Venti said with a warning tone.
"I can see that."
Venti sighed.
“I didn't tell you, but Xiao… Well, his name is Xiao and he's our…”
Venti blushed slightly. Zhongli gulped. It was obvious. The little boy in front of him was their son, a son Zhongli had no idea about. Venti shrugged after his silence and continued to hug Xiao.
"Why didn’t you tell me?" Zhongli asked.
"Because someone said I will tie you to the highest mountain in Dragonspine." Venti repeated with an angry tone. Zhongli shrugged. "That kills anyone's feelings."
"Sorry... I... I was stupid."
Venti raised both eyebrows.
“Yes, how good that you recognize it, thank you.” Venti said with a smile. "Xiao, look at this foolish man."
Xiao watched him curiously. Venti kissed him on the back of the head and smiled. Zhongli felt a knot in his stomach, he wanted to be part of that...
"It's your Baba." Venti said. Xiao made a surprised gesture. "But don't worry, you will never be as foolish as him."
Xiao laughed, his little boy laughs softening Zhongli's heart. Zhongli removed his gloves to reveal his Geo energy hands. Xiao removed himself from Venti's grasp and went to Zhongli to get a closer look at his glowing hands. Venti was surprised to see that Xiao approached Zhongli so easily. Zhongli let Xiao touch and analyze his hands and then caught him with those same hands and raised him above his head. Xiao laughed. Those hands that many years ago had mercilessly killed gods were the same hands that gently and carefully held a baby son of their own blood, that son fruit of the love that he and Barbatos had during the war and that he had spoiled for a foolish thing.
Venti took his lyre with a small smile.
"How about you stroke his hair while I play the lyre?" Venti said.
"He said he wanted something sweet." Zhongli said as he stroked Xiao's hair, very soft. "By the way, Xiao, my name is Zhongli."
"S- Shori... Baba..." Xiao said with some difficulty. Zhongli nodded, satisfied. "Sweet."
"You're already starting to pamper him, hah." Venti said with a sigh.
Zhongli smiled at him. Venti felt himself melt into that smile, but reminded himself that he was still angry at Zhongli.
"Let's go for Almond Tofu, Xiao will surely like it." Zhongli said as he hugged the little boy. Xiao felt ticklish as he felt Zhongli's ponytail brush against his nose.
They did so. They went to Liyue Harbor to buy Almond Tofu. Zhongli had put the gloves back on and Xiao had gotten a bit upset, but when he tasted the Almond Tofu, his anger dissipated and he started eating non-stop. Venti and Zhongli drank tea and watched him eat. Venti thought it was not a bad idea to let him get close, to let him see Xiao, to let him know him. Zhongli never thought of being a father, but without a doubt, the fact of being one right now did not displease him, on the contrary, it made him forget for a moment all the things he did for years, those things that occasionally gave him nightmares. Xiao's golden eyes made him forget them.
After he ate Almond Tofu, the three of them walked the streets of the city under construction. They let Xiao go ahead as he didn't like being held by the hand in public. He was a very stubborn and independent boy, yet privately he loved having Venti sing to him to put him to sleep, although sometimes it didn't work. Both parents watched Xiao walk in front of them, watching him closely.
But Zhongli was a bit distracted when Venti suddenly took his hand.
"I don’t like you, Zhongli." Venti said. Zhongli looked at him and he was smiling. "You say bad things to me, you apologize, then you appear in front of me and Xiao, and Xiao adores you, and I… I don't know what to say."
Zhongli smiled a little.
"You don't need to say anything, my...Venti."
Venti sighed and a laugh escaped him.
"Sorry for not telling you, you deserved to know." Venti said without looking at him. "From now on… Spend time with Xiao."
"And what about you?"
"I..." Venti sighed with a smile.
He was about to say something, but Xiao cut him off, taking their clasped hands. Zhongli and Venti were surprised to see him pull their two hands together. Xiao's golden eyes were blazing.
"Papa, Baba." Xiao said, drawing their attention. "Sweet."
"More?" Venti said, surprised. "You just had a whole plate of Almond Tofu."
"Venti, the boy wants more Tofu." Zhongli said as he took Xiao in his arms. Xiao hugged him by the neck.
"You spend a day with Baba and you already love him more than your Papa." Venti said shaking his head. "Xiao, Xiao, I can't believe it."
Xiao only laughed. Zhongli lifted Xiao up and placed him on his shoulders. Xiao screamed and laughed, hugging his Baba's head. Zhongli took Venti by the hand and he squeezed it. No words were said, but those grabbed hands meant a lot to both of them.
"You will eat Almond Tofu after dinner." Zhongli said. Xiao pouted.
The two of them kept walking holding hands, but at some point, Xiao stopped moving so much and Zhongli noticed that he had fallen asleep. He silently motioned for Venti to watch Xiao and Venti did. He breathed a sigh of relief when he saw Xiao lean against Zhongli's head while drooling slightly, a sign of being in a deep sleep.
They walked to a lonely bench, where only the fire from a streetlight illuminated them. Zhongli carefully lowered Xiao from his shoulders, trying not to wake him up, or hurt him. Venti watched everything silently, feeling a small lump in his throat, perhaps words stuck for years and years. Zhongli swung Xiao in his arms and sat on the stool, cradling his small body.
"Are you going to take him home?" Zhongli asked while still looking at the little boy. "It's late and the roads are dangerous..."
"Zhongli."
Zhongli closed his eyes for a second. Venti sat next to him and watched Xiao sleep peacefully in Zhongli's arms. He had always had a hard time making him sleep, not even with his best lullabies he could put his little baby to sleep, but, one day with Zhongli had been enough to make him sleep early and, above all, without feeling obliged, he simply fell asleep, when they least expected it. Venti giggled a little as a cold stream of air passed near them both. He became lightly closer to Zhongli.
"I think this is his home now." Venti said quietly. "What do you think?"
Zhongli didn't hug Venti tightly because he was holding Xiao, but he was really happy to hear him say that.
"It’s an excellent idea." Zhongli replied.
Fin.