The rite of decension was finally upon Liyue. The bustling crowds of people in the glowing streets carried words and rumors of excitement for the special tradition. You had been waiting for the exciting event all year. You had never attended because of other duties you had. Even though you lived in Mondstadt, you had been hearing rumors pop up every now and then about the coming of Rex Lapis. This year you refused to miss it and worked extra hard.

Passing through Bubu Pharmacy with a hop in your step, you made your way up the stairs to a beautiful area with trees and a large building. You noticed and elderly woman standing by a teapot, and decided to say hello.

Before you could say a word, the woman spoke without turning her head.

"The rite of decension is almost upon us, best you not be late."

You jumped slightly, but brushed it off thinking she was just intuitive of her surroundings.

Something swirled in the clouds, and a powerful surge of energy could be felt all across the land, followed by a large crash. You turned your head towards the noise, and saw something falling from the sky.

"Oh no, I think I missed it again!"

You face palmed and slumped your shoulders, walking away from the scene. Before you could make any steps further, words, filled with panic were said.

"Rex Lapis has been killed!"

You perked up and looked towards the arch of which the desension took place.

"Seal the exits!"

Panic filled you as guards began to stampede towards the exits, which meant coming your way. You ran the opposite direction of which the guards came from, which didn't help the situation in the slightest. Now you were suspicious.

You ran down the stairs, skipping a few steps and almost falling. Looks of confusion were sent towards your way as the guards chased you. You ran as fast as you could down a few streets before the exit was in view. But of course, the worst had to happen.

You tripped.

You attempted to get up but slipped again, with scratches all over your legs. you tried to scoot away, but they surrounded you slowly, pointing their spears your way, ready to strike. But before they could take a second glance, a voice was heard.

"Hey girlie, hold still."

A handsome man with ginger hair jumped your way, taking out the guards with a beautiful stance that looked similar to a dance. Using his water blades to slash them, he winked at you whilst doing so. He ended facing the opposite direction, turning his head towards your terrified expression.

"Are you hurt?"

He spoke slightly flirtatious, looking you up and down. Some may have thought this was of ill intention, but truly he was just searching for wounds.

He held his hand out for you to take, to which you hesitated but then took. You stood up, with wobbly legs, before falling to your knees, Trembling.

The looks on the guards faces, their spears all pointed towards you with the intent to kill, had sent you into a panic. You thought you were going to die.

The ginger sent you a sympathetic expression, seemingly understanding the emotion you felt in that moment. He put his arms under your armpits to pull you up, lifting you up with ease and then picking you up bridal style.

You blushed a little bit, looking straight at his face.

"Who are you?"

You questioned with a quiet voice, twiddling your fingers together in a nervous manner.

"You can call me Childe."

You had so many questions for him in that moment, but you decided to leave those for later.

He ran with you in his arms, making his way to what he said was a restaurant. He brought you inside, still holding you in his arms, and sat you down in the chair next to a handsome man.

"Childe, what is the meaning of this?"

The man questioned in a dominant way, demanding to know answers. He crossed his arms looking in a confused way towards the ginger.

"No time to talk Zhongli. There's one more person I have to save."

He ran out of the restaurant, leaving you alone with the mysterious handsome man. He sighed and looked towards the steaming bowl of soup in front of him, and the other food set around the table.

"Eat whatever you like."

The way this man spoke was with a subtle sharpness, but also with a gentle soothing tone. Just his voice was enough to make you feel welcomed.

"Ah.. ok..,"

You looked at the bowl of soup in front of you, deciding to take a little spoonful of the broth. The taste was wonderful. The ingredients made a beautiful combination, that was sure to get you to take another sip.

"Slow cooked bamboo shoot soup."

The man spoke softly to you with a gentle smile on his face. You looked up at him with a smile on your face as well.

"Its my favorite."

You smiled at him and took another sip of the soup.

"My name is Zhongli. Although I'm sure you have already heard that from Childe."

He crossed his arms expecting a response from you back. You smiled up at him, admiring his features and his long brown hair.

"My name is (Y/N). Nice to meet you sir Zhongli."

You said his name quite shyly, hoping he wouldn't notice.

"Ah, it is alright, no need for formalities. Just call me Zhongli."

"Oh ok..,"

You began to twiddle your fingers once again, and he seemed to notice. He put his gloved hand on yours, in an attempt to make you stop twiddling. He looked away, covering his face with his other hand.

"Your making me nervous too...,"

He removed his hand quickly and resumed eating with a blush still noticeable on his face. He looked towards you, trying to form the right words for his question.

"Would you... Would you like to go on a stroll with me at sunset?"

He asked crossing his arms, attempting to look a bit more hard-core, but failing miserably due to the blush on his face. Your face looked beet red at this point, and you looked down at your lap.

"Sure."

"Then its settled, (Y/N)."

You both smiled at each other, Zhongli reaching his hand to move a strand of hair from your face. But quickly pulled his hand away when Childe busted through the door with somebody behind him. Zhongli simply smiled and motioned towards the other seats around the table, looking slightly bothered but managed to hide it.

He smiled for seemingly no reason, but the truth was he was looking forward to your date. He blushed while taking sip of his soup.

'I can't wait until later, (Y/N)'

♡