[Genshin Impact] Living Weapon AU

[duckiesandlemons]

Title:  Tartali Living Weapon AU Drabble

Rating: G

Fandom: Genshin Impact

Characters: Tartaglia, Zhongli

Summary:  Retirement is boring, but Gongzi will still be loyal to his archon (and pamper him)

Warning(s): None

The kids of the harbor love him.

They tug at his clothes and urge him to come play, telling him of their day and what they did and what they want to do.  He carries one on his hip, he holds the hand of another, and at the end of the day when he’s escorting them back to their parents there is the inevitable.  A young maiden, her cheeks peach blossom pink, stands before him with her hands clasped.  Her hair is meticulously done, her clothes freshly pressed, and the gentle tones of perfume waft off of her.

“Gongzi,” she says, voice a soft stutter, “I would like to ask if you are free tonight?”

She doesn’t smell like the rust and ichor of the battlefield.

She does not smell like the ancient gingko of the Karst.

He keeps his smile pleasant, “I’m sorry.  I’ve already made plans with a dear friend of mine.”

She flusters.

“I-I see.  Forgive my forwardness, then.  Farewell.”

And she flees, just like all the ones before her.  Gongzi sighs, resting his hands on his hips and leaning back.  “I know you’re there, Zhongli,” he says.  “Were you having fun watching me reject another girl?”

There’s a laugh, soft and rich, as Zhongli comes to stand next to him.  “I simply found it amusing, to see Gongzi out of his element,” Zhongli has the nerve to say.  “I have to say, mortal life suits you.”

Gongzi sighs again, leaning against Zhongli and resting his head on his shoulder.  “But it doesn’t suit you,” Gongzi whines.  “I miss going out on the battlefield and seeing you fight.  What will you do if I get rusty, hmm?  Will you take care of me, polish my blade and oil my shaft?”  The double meaning doesn’t go missed if the way Zhongli’s ears turn red tell Gongzi anything.  He simply gets another laugh for his troubles.

“But you make sure to not rust.  I’ve heard from the millelith about the mysterious lack of hilichurls recently.”

“No you have not.”

Mortal life truly is boring.  Gongzi knows his days as Vortex Vanquisher are long behind him, much like Zhongli’s days as Morax are over.  It still does not stop the desire to go into battle, to be held in Zhongli’s firm grip and used to fell Liyue’s enemies.  He has always been a weapon forged by blood and battle, made to fight even the strongest.  By his and Zhongli’s hands was Osial sealed in the depths of Guyun, and Gongzi itches to relive those days.

But Morax wishes to be a mortal, now.  He wishes to retire, to see his precious Liyue flourish without him, and Gongzi is ever the dutiful blade.

“Where do you want to go for dinner?” Gongzi asks, casually looping his arm around Zhongli’s.

“Wanmin has a new dish on the menu.”

“Sure. I got paid extra today, so get everything you want.”

And as a dutiful blade, he will at least make sure his archon is pampered even in this new mortal life.