[ If Zhongli could know what he had forgotten, he'd be able to explain it more concretely to Childe. The time as Morax and Rex Lapis is almost completely wiped clean from his memory, leaving only the funeral parlor consultant behind. With no Morax to remember, then there is no battle with Osial and no task to clean up the harbor of all the unsightly creatures left in his wake. Thus, the reason for Zhongli's aversion to fish disappeared with it, the root of the issue always more of a psychological problem than one of taste.
But there is no way that can be conveyed. Zhongli can only remember talking with Childe about his favorite dish - one very similar to a dish in Mondstadt no less. But no memory of ever tasting it - strange, considering all the other things that they had shared. So certainly it must be because they came to a silent understanding that Zhongli's first experience should happen in Snezhnaya. A promise made and to be fulfilled. And that was all the more reason for Zhongli to seek Childe out.
Zhongli's hand press lower, following the curve of Childe's spine as he works over every knot and muscle. He has no memory of performing such an intimate act with Childe and yet, everything feels natural and easy. Like stepping into a pair of worn but well fitting shoes before heading out for the day.
Yes. It was here that Zhongli was meant to be. ]
I know my current predicament is quite... alarming and difficult for you. But I assure you that I am not in pain. Dizzy and disoriented sometimes, but those are minor symptoms. Nothing that required treatment and no treatment for anything that needed it.
[ But ah, Zhongli can hear the concern in Childe's voice and while it is quite distressing to know that you are the source of a loved one pain (yes, loved one - Childe was a dear friend and one that Zhongli loves), there is comfort there as well. He knew Childe. And Childe knew him. Near the end of his time in Liyue, there was encounter after encounter of seeing those worried faces and hearing panic in unknown voices, but being unable to attach a name or a memory to many of those people. It was cruel - to both them and Zhongli - to make them suffer through that.
(This is also cruel to Childe and when the memories of the Harbinger start to fade, he will say his goodbyes while he still knew who he was and then disappear. No one, especially those he loved, deserved such a fate as to see him in his final days.)
But that was tomorrow's problem. Today - today was the first time Zhongli had felt hope in a very very long time. ]
no subject
But there is no way that can be conveyed. Zhongli can only remember talking with Childe about his favorite dish - one very similar to a dish in Mondstadt no less. But no memory of ever tasting it - strange, considering all the other things that they had shared. So certainly it must be because they came to a silent understanding that Zhongli's first experience should happen in Snezhnaya. A promise made and to be fulfilled. And that was all the more reason for Zhongli to seek Childe out.
Zhongli's hand press lower, following the curve of Childe's spine as he works over every knot and muscle. He has no memory of performing such an intimate act with Childe and yet, everything feels natural and easy. Like stepping into a pair of worn but well fitting shoes before heading out for the day.
Yes. It was here that Zhongli was meant to be. ]
I know my current predicament is quite... alarming and difficult for you. But I assure you that I am not in pain. Dizzy and disoriented sometimes, but those are minor symptoms. Nothing that required treatment and no treatment for anything that needed it.
[ But ah, Zhongli can hear the concern in Childe's voice and while it is quite distressing to know that you are the source of a loved one pain (yes, loved one - Childe was a dear friend and one that Zhongli loves), there is comfort there as well. He knew Childe. And Childe knew him. Near the end of his time in Liyue, there was encounter after encounter of seeing those worried faces and hearing panic in unknown voices, but being unable to attach a name or a memory to many of those people. It was cruel - to both them and Zhongli - to make them suffer through that.
(This is also cruel to Childe and when the memories of the Harbinger start to fade, he will say his goodbyes while he still knew who he was and then disappear. No one, especially those he loved, deserved such a fate as to see him in his final days.)
But that was tomorrow's problem. Today - today was the first time Zhongli had felt hope in a very very long time. ]
It feels better now. To be here, with you.