Thread by @livira__

#鍾タル #ZhongChi 🔶💧🔹 implied mpreg where Shui tried to understand what was it that makes his mama falls in love with his father

.

No. Like, for real.

Shui never understood what it was that made his mama so captivated and willing to stay in Liyue that hated him so much.

Shui had always remember most of the things that had happened ever since his birth, albeit vague at times.

Shui remembered the first time he noticed the unpleasant stares from passer-by when his mama carried him as they were shopping for groceries at Liyue Harbour's market.

He was too young to understand the wariness towards his mama. Wasn't mama the gentlest, who would give Shui the warmest hug?

Wasn't mama so kind that he would rescue a child who was almost drowning, unnoticeable by those passer-by who would rather click their tongue on mama?

Shui would learn about the reason later on; the past deeds that his mama had done, the misunderstanding due to his father's selfish act.

(which, he would also learn even later on that it wasn't selfish, though admittedly, not among the wisest things the former Archon had done)

'You can stay elsewhere. I've heard of your tales exploring Teyvat and you meeting people who loved you more than the people of Liyue. Yet, you choose to be here, in the land that hates you.'

There were so many occasions where Shui would like to ask his mama such question.

He didn't know why he never asked the question. There was something deep inside Shui's heart that felt like the question was not appropriate, although there was nothing rude with his words, nor he spoke of lies with that question.

Shui knew that his mama was strong,

but the temptation to ask the question rose up whenever he saw a tinge of pain from his mama's azure eyes.

"My dear, what would you like for dinner?"

Yet, the moment mama smiled at him and asked him such a mundane question, Shui forgot to ask his question again.

Shui thought hard of that one lingering question that sometimes appear and disappear in his mind.

He tried to list down all the possible reasons why his mama was willing to stay. If Shui was the reason why, he could've stayed elsewhere and thrived all the same.

They could stay in Inazuma where mama would be accompanied by friends who cared about him.

Mama could raise him in Sumeru and let Shui learn of the history of Teyvat.

They could've gone to Fontaine and spending their time learning advanced machineries and the intricacies of law

They could've gone to Natlan where they both could satisfy their love for good fights.

Hell, if mama decided to return to Snezhnaya, they would live comfortably in the land that respected his achievements and appreciate his innate talent.

Yet mama chose Liyue, of all places.

Shui thought long and hard, recalling all the times where mama's dull eyes shone the most when he talked to Shui about the beautiful sunset that reflected on the horizon of the vast ocean from Guyun Stone Forest.

Shui would insisted that mama told him more of Fontaine,

or the mysticism in Inazuma, or even the wonders of Irminsul in Sumeru. But never once Shui saw the same sparkle that mama displayed whenever mama told everything else related to Liyue.

Even when mama told about Snezhnaya, the sparkle was… somewhat different.

"Xiansheng, please stop kissing me there. It's ticklish."

Shui had a hint of the same spark and excitement when he was once took a peek of his parents' room. In between the cracks of the sliding door, he spotted his mama's bright smile.

Shui would usually interfere his father.

because how dare he was so close with mama! Mama only belonged to him!

But that night was the first, and only time that Shui let them be. Probably because mama's smile made him recalled a similar scene from a long time ago.

Mama's smile was a reminiscent of once Shui was a baby, still in his cradle, listening to mama's (admittedly mediocre but still) beautiful lullaby and saw father hugged mama from behind

Mama was shocked, then smiled, as he saw father's warm smile. Calling mama "My beloved moon."

To which, mama blushed and looked absolutely smitten. Something that Shui could never seem to be able to do.

Mama's eyes would always sparkle when he looked at him, of course. Or else, why would mama called Shui as "My little star, the light of my life" if that wasn't the case?

Shui didn't understand why mama would reciprocate his admiration differently compared to when father kissed mama.

"You're surprisingly sticky today. Tell me, my dear, what makes you so happy today?"

Even when Shui gave kisses on mama's cheek, he didn't blush the same.

What made it different, he wondered?

"Nothing, mama." Curious golden-blue eyes looked at his mama, touching his cheek with his little hands. "I love you, mama. The best mama in the world."

Mama smiled to him. His eyes sparkled.

"I love you too, Shui."

But it was different.

Shui later realised that it wasn't Liyue that mama loved the most.

Mama did grow to love Liyue, but it wasn't the first that he loved. Shui found it out once they had a big fight and mama took him for a three day vacation to Wangshu Inn.

"We can leave Liyue." Shui said.

"Mama doesn't have to stay here."

Shui gulped his saliva. Wondering if he said it the wrong way. Of all the times he practiced asking the question, it ended up poorly.

But mama was gentle as always, he only smiled and caressed his cheek.

"That's because…"

Mama loves father.

Mama's love was so vast that he ended up loving Liyue, just like father did. Because he knew that the entire nation was his father's beloved. His hard work made of blood, sweat, and tears. Father's first kid before Shui was ever born.

Or, at least that was what mama said.

Shui didn't have an inkling of how a mortal's heart would feel. Those so-called feelings were foreign to him; the only thing that he regretted not being able to understand of his mama.

"But mama is in pain."

"Do I?"

"Yes," Shui said, "An unnecessary one."

For the first time in a while, mama laughed.

"My little star, you're so kind." Shui loved it whenever mama put his arm on his shoulder. He felt protected. "But to love means that you have to accept some things. I have decided on your father, and I shall accept his everything."

But a mortal's 'everything' would never compare to a part of Archon's. Mama was only akin to a drop of water among the ocean of his father's life.

"Mama always bite more than you can chew."

"I am," Mama gave him another tight hug. "But I always love a good challenge."

His laughter was so sweet, Shui would always remember this moment.

"And know that I never regret to ever love your father." Mama gave him a kiss in the forehead. "No matter how many fights we have in the future, I will always love and accept him for who he is."

It wasn't fair, Shui thought.

Mama hurt because father didn't understand how much Liyue hurt mama. He was Zhongli, the consultant respected by people of Liyue. He was also Rex Lapis, who his name made his enemies trembled and Adepti bowed down.

Father would never understood.

Father never get that mama was always selfless to protect kids who were almost attacked by rampaging hilichurl, only to be rewarded with jeers.

Father never noticed how the Qixing always looked at mama with suspicion. Always sending Millelith to watch over mama's every move.

Father never know how mama would always have to protect himself during their journey. No adult who knew him would lend him a help, while Shui was helpless as he was being carried behind mama's back.

Shui closed his eyes. Father would never—

"My wife is always so careless."

When Shui opened his eyes, he saw a jade shield had engulfed mama. His father stood by their side, spear was ready in his grip.

"All heroic now, xiansheng?" Mama clicked his tongue, his grip on his hydro blades tightened. "This doesn't mean that we're done with our matters."

"I know, but is it wrong for me to wanting to protect my wife?"

"You really had no right to say that when you're the one who pissed me off, xiansheng." Mama looked pissed, but there was a slight smile from the corners of his mouth. "Now will you help me or not?"

"Of course."

Shui loved mama, but again, there were some things that he couldn't understand. Mama would sometimes expressed his disapproval towards father. They would argue a lot. Mama would be shy of the affections that father displayed.

Yet mama would tell Shui how much he loved father.

Perhaps Shui had to accept that this would be one of the few things he would never get. Mortals always behave in a way that defies his understanding because they need to process everything fast due to their limited lifetime; to quote his father.

"Why, you must be scared, huh?"

So even if he would finally get what exactly his mama felt right now, it might have been too late by then.

"No, I don't…"

"Because your father came at the right time?"

"N-no! Because mama is so great! Not because of father!" Shui tightened his hug on mama's neck,

still latching behind his mama. "You're late and you did nothing other than putting some shield!"

"I am, and I apologise for letting my pride get a hold of me." Father patted his hair; the gesture was enough to make Shui growled in reflex.

"I will treat you to a nice dinner at Xinyue Kiosk tonight. How about it?"

"It's not enough." Shui pouted. "You endangered mama."

"My dear little star, I'm also at fault for not communicating better with your father." Mama chuckled as he took him off from his carrier,

holding Shui in his arms. "This will not happen again in the future, I promise. You don't need to be angry on my behalf, this disagreement of ours shouldn't have involved you to begin with."

"But—"

"We will be fine." Mama said before giving another kiss to Shui's cheek.

"You don't need to worry about us. You remember what I said about love, right?"

In a few years, Shui would witness more of his mama loving his father way more than he deserved. All the times father would reciprocate mama, the moments where he would shielded and protected mama.

Shui would remember the mornings where father looked at mama with adoration and showered him with affection, along with the nights where mama would sing of his fascination towards father before kissing him good night.

Still, Shui would always remember mama's smile that day,

as the brilliance of his father's amber eyes reflected on mama's azure.

Of all the things that went beyond his comprehension, at the very least, Shui understood one thing.

His mama was the luckiest person in the world.

for mama had felt the joy of love and experienced what it was like to be loved.

(end)

"Let's make something short" ended up with a long ass thread as usual.

Shui belongs to @/pndglcs. See more of his shenanigans here: twitter.com/i/events/14754…

My other threadfic: ira-dei.carrd.co

Inspired by this song: