Archive of Our Own ^beta

“Oh, look at this one! It’s so reeeeed and shiiiiny! Paimon thinks it’s the best looking one yet.” Paimon beamed as she floated over to her friends with an apple clasped in her tiny hands.  

Zhongli decided to humor her and chuckled. “It certainly is.” he glanced down at the fruit in her palms in order to inspect it. “Hmmm, I believe you’ve won our little game.” 

“Yes!” Paimon squealed in delight. “Now the next meal we make will be Paimon’s choice!” She then began listing off different dishes she could come up with for said time. 

Aether grinned at his floating companion, finding her rambling quite entertaining. He was lounging against a small rock formation a few feet away from his friends when he felt something wet drop onto his nose. Looking up at the sky, he noted how grey and foreboding the clouds were. He frowned, just how long had he been unaware of the darkening sky? Another drop fell, this time landing on his cheek. He then felt more, each drop taking less and less time to fall until a light shower broke out, prompting the blond to relish the feeling. 

However, the moment was short-lived as the delicate sprinkling rapidly escalated into an all-out downpour. Aether cursed under his breath, jumping to his feet. They needed to find shelter quickly; heavy rains typically meant a thunderstorm was lurking just around the corner. Unfortunately, they were currently smack dab in the middle of Dadaupa Gorge, a place that had very little in terms of shelter. 

Weather in Mondstadt is known to be typically gentle, with mild winds that tenderly sway and caress the grasses to the feather light rains that kiss and dampen the earth. However, there are days where it can be brutal and downright unforgiving depending on the location. Even elevation played a hand in how treacherous weather conditions could develop and this was turning out to be one of those days. 

"Ah! What are we gonna do? Paimon doesn’t want to get struck by lightning!” she whined, floating close to the blond fearfully as the wind started to pick up.  

“Is there not somewhere we can take refuge?” Zhongli asked, amber eyes roving around the gorge for any sort of protection against the raging elements. 

Aether wracked his brain for an answer when his eyes suddenly lit up. He whipped around, letting out a thrilled gasp when he saw what he was looking for.   

"Follow me!” He called back before booking it to one of the three paths leading towards a Hilichurl camp. The Geo Archon wasted no time in trailing after him. Paimon on the other hand hesitated then cried out when a strong gust of wind nearly blew her away. Not wanting to be left alone, she raced after them as fast as she could. Once she caught up, she wrung her tiny hands together.  

“Uh Aether, i-isn’t this the place that has lots of H-Hilichurls in one spot?” she asked nervously. 

Narrowed eyes remained glued to the path as he answered her. “It is, but if we’re lucky we won’t have to fight any of them.” 

Intrigued, Zhongli looked down at the sprinting traveler. “Oh? Why is that?” 

Another gust of wind barreled down on them, causing Aether to stumble over his words. He gritted his teeth and waited for the wind to settle before trying to speak again.  

“It’s the smallest camp with the least amount of Hilichurls, so I’m hoping the storm made them move into one of the bigger ones for better protection.” he suddenly skidded to a halt behind a large boulder, making the others stop dead in their tracks. With careful steps the blond scoped the area out. 

Honey eyes quickly scanned through the rain for any signs of trouble only to find that the camp had indeed been temporarily abandoned. Making haste, Aether darted for the biggest hut in the camp to give them a better shot of avoiding further drenching. Once inside the primitive home, the blond grabbed for his braid and began wringing out the water that saturated it while Paimon took to shaking her head. Zhongli on the other hand wasn’t bothered by the rain and thus had no need to rid the water from his hair. The trio finally settled as far away from the middle as they could to avoid the water spilling in through the large gaps in the roof slats.  

The Geo Archon eyed the rooftop then down at his two shivering companions and decided a faulty roof would simply not do. Lifting a hand, he focused his energy then made a fist. The rain that had been steadily flowing into the hut ceased immediately, causing both travelers to gape. They were astonished to see the opening in the roof was now encased in a small shield made entirely of geo energy, effectively repelling the rain. 

Aether breathed a grateful sigh of relief only to flinch as thunder clashed loudly above followed by a particularly large gust of wind that assaulted them.  

Paimon cried out, huddling close to his side in a futile effort to stave off the cold and hide from the noise. The blond’s brows furrowed as his companion’s shaking became violent. Without a second thought he gathered her in his arms and brought his legs up to block the wind from chilling her even further. He held her tight, giving what little body heat he had to her. Solely concerned for his small traveling companion, he failed to notice the Geo Archon observing them with a visibly worried expression. 

Acting rather than thinking, Zhongli shed his long coat and shook it out a few times before wrapping it tightly around the two. Adept fingers clasped the coat closed to seal in any heat generated from within. He then took the liberty of pulling Aether into his lap, his arms winding around the shivering pair. 

The traveler had grunted while he was being moved, uncertain of what was happening until he felt warmth enveloping him. He hadn’t even realized how cold he’d gotten until he felt the heat seeping into his damp skin, much less than when the coat was being draped over his shoulders. 

“I apologize for my rash behavior but I believe this is the most efficient way to help.” A frown marred the Geo Archon’s face as he watched Ather’s head loll on his chest, energy sapped.  

A few failed attempts later, the traveler’s head finally lifted. Albeit with difficulty, a faint but thankful smile graced his lips as he stuttered weakly, “Thank...y-you...”  

Zhongli’s brows creased at the sight. There was hardly any strength left in his friend, no doubt from all the running and trying to keep warm in such wet clothes. The wind had only made things worse as the combination brewed a chilling effect. Determined, the Geo Archon’s arms tightened around the blond. He then reached a hand in the gap of his coat, mindful of Paimon, and unfastened the scarf around Aether’s neck. With a swift but firm tug the soaked fabric was removed and placed aside with some form of care; it was gift after all. After doing so, he noticed an immediate difference in the way his friend’s body reacted to the wind. The harsh shaking had dwindled into mild shivering. This allowed a sigh of relief to escape his lips. Good, his ministrations were working. 

Now able to warm up, Aether began to stir. Tired, honey eyes peered up lazily at the Geo Archon with deep appreciation reflected in them. Zhongli responded in kind with a soft smile and lightly rubbing a thumb against the other’s damp shoulder. 

Lightning abruptly danced across the sky as another clash of thunder resounded in sequence. Paimon cowered in fear, burrowing deeper into the blond’s chest to block out the terrifying sound.  

Aether waited for her to settle down before adjusting himself and turning more towards the solid chest that radiated heat. He made sure Paimon was somewhat tucked in between them in order to warm her faster.  

She whimpered and snuggled closer to the massive source of heat, greedily soaking up everything being offered. Her shivering had mellowed out into a slight tremble, meaning she was able to maintain a normal temperature. A few seconds later, he heard soft snores coming from her small form. Certain that his companion was alright, he relaxed as much as he could while still feeling cold.  

Aether tried to steer his mind away from it by instead focusing on the one holding him. The arms that cradled him were strong and protective from the way they kept their hold on him. Much like the element he commanded, the Geo Archon’s arms were sturdy and unmoving as they bore his weight. The only time they moved was when a shiver would wrack his frame, tightening and pulling him closer. He then buried his face further into Zhongli’s chest, basking in the comfort as his shaking diminished even more. A moment later, he frowns, pulling his head back a bit to stare into relieved amber eyes. 

“Aren’t you c-cold?” he whispered, voice still shaky from all the previous shivering.  

Zhongli gazed down at the traveler in his arms with a soft chuckle. “Perhaps if we were in the land of Cryo, but no I’m quite fine.” 

Honey eyes squinted at him skeptically, not sure if he was being truthful or deceptive. Just in case it was the latter, Aether leaned into the other’s chest again. One of his hands moved away from Paimon in favor of resting on Zhongli’s gray shirt right where his heart was. It was simply a means to convey that he’d do his best to keep him warm as well should he need it. 

The silent gesture brought a smile to Zhongli’s face. Even though he wasn’t bothered by this weather, his friend was still thinking selflessly. Wanting to ease the blond’s worries, he let his cheek rest on top of Aether’s head. The hand resting on the traveler’s shoulder slowly crept up until it found purchase in the shorter strands of blond hair. Gloved fingers briefly comb through the wet locks before stilling near the temple. Amber eyes shut as Zhongli revels in the closeness, content to stay like this until the storm eventually passes. 

Aether could feel his face warming a bit at the unexpected action but he's too weary to react other than closing his eyes and giving into the comfort Zhongli provided as they patiently waited for the storm to subside.