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Ah, you thought three steps ahead, I see. Somehow, I'm not really surprised...

She's currently out trying to get her things settled, but I only just woke up. [ given his nightly schedule and all... ]

Some hearty soup for breakfast sounds wonderful. If it's half as good as the last food you brought over.

...

Not the dumplings, the other thing.
Anyway, give me some time and I'll be right over.

This isn't the first time I've orchestrated my own 'end'. Additionally, I worked as a consultant at the funeral parlor after my retirement in the last life, so this sort of thing comes easily to me.

[... What a sentence.]

If I recall, you did not eat the dumplings, but you were very taken by them regardless. [A little teasing... He is feeling better, after all.] It happens to be my favorite. I do hope you enjoy it.

I will be here.

Oh--!! You know, I did not actually consider that... old as you are, I suppose staying in one place under one name would be dangerous, wouldn't it?

[ even if he understands it, he's still. wow, that sure was a sentence, god damn. ]

Ah... ahaha, ha. Ahem. In any case, I will see you soon.

[ he doesn't want to think about the soup--

but. it won't take long for Jinwoo to arrive. He can teleport close--while he hasn't been here before, he can get close enough so the walk to the new place isn't any longer than ten minutes at least.

He knocks on the door. ]

Harabeoji, It's me.

Indeed, that is part of it. [Maybe he'll tell Jinwoo more about it later.

The golden ginkgo trees haven't lost all their leaves yet, giving the house an autumnal vibe despite the occasional stubborn patch of snow on the ground right now. Zhongli opens the door almost as soon as Jinwoo finishes knocking. With it comes the scent of freshly-brewed black tea and ham soup.]

Jinwoo, [he says, and he can't keep the smile out of his voice. He's taken his gloves and coat off, so he's just wearing a gray shirt with a tie. His leylines are visible on his forearms, but hopefully not too distracting.] It's good to see you.

[He steps aside. There are a set of black house slippers sitting out for Jinwoo to step into.]

Make yourself at home. I've already set the dining room table, if you are hungry.

[ honestly, it's beautiful. The house itself looks like something out of a dream, and even if the trees aren't in full bloom, it has that air of beauty to it that does just as well, without. He actually... wants to come back and visit in the spring, to see the trees in full bloom.

He'll give the man a warm smile, tipping his head to the side as his knock is answered. There's a small giftbag in one of his hands, simple in design, with some danish bakery scrawled across it in some fancy lettering.

When the other says 'make yourself at home,' Jinwoo nods his head. ]

I could eat. Conversations are often best had over a meal, in my opinion.

[ ...and he. Doesn't move. ]

[ Like, he makes the motion. Of ducking inside. His shoulders hunching, bowing his head.
But his feet... stay rooted. ]

[ he blinks twice, feeling a sense of unease and... embarrassment start to race up his spine.

He stands up straight, his face starting to take on a slowly darkening red colour.

He clears his throat. ]

H, hahaha. Ha.

Harabeoji, if you don't mind. Inviting me to come inside, I'd.

I'd appreciate it.

[Zhongli notices something is amiss when he turns to go back into the house and Jinwoo doesn't follow. There's a beat. Two beats. And then he realizes:]

Oh. Right. For a brief moment, I lived in a world where that one thing never happened.

[He bows with a flourish.]

Please come in.

Thank you, thank you.

[ he'll quickly make his way inside, now properly invited, the weird stiffness to his body on Zhongli's threshold into his home no longer holds him still.

He'll come inside, take off his shoes, and quickly put on the slippers left for him. ]

Your home is beautiful, by the by. [ he quickly. changes the subject. because he, too, does not at all want to remember that one thing that happened. ]

Thank you. I wanted a place that I could return to, rather than something that felt like a temporary arrangement. I thought Xiao could benefit from something like that, too.

[Zhongli calmly leads him down the hall and into the dining room, which has a rectangular table perfect for entertaining family. There is a tea setting waiting for them (and a third in case Xiao shows up), a basket full of steamed bao, two bowls of bamboo shoot soup plated (bowled?) in a particular way, fresh steamed rice, and Lion's Head meatballs.

Grandpa is here to feed you always.]

Have a seat and dig in, if you like. [He pours the tea fresh, so it's still pretty hot. A smooth but strong black tea.] This is the perfect time of year for soup.

It's a good idea. I might eventually look for something more permanent than an apartment one day too--How is Xiao doing, by the way? ...I really need to formally meet him one day...

[ but that's a thought for later. For now, he's...

staring. Down at the table, at the soup--and honestly, it's the most beautiful meal he's??? Ever seen?? Hello??? When Zhongli said 'soup,' his mind had wandered to something like miso, or something warm with vegetables. The soup actually looked like art.

He mutely sits down and... ...it's probably pretty lame for a 30 year old to take a picture of their food like a Gen Z kid but here he goes. Doing it anyway. ]

I almost feel bad, it's like I'm eating an art display. [ He laughs, quietly, moving to pick up his chopsticks... but he does pause. ]

So, what is it you wanted to talk about? ...Should I ask. About how things went, when you got back here?

He's doing about as well as one can expect, given the circumstances. We're both taking it one day at a time. [He lost his other parent, after all.] Perhaps we'll have to hold another potluck. I brought him to the first one, though I am unsure if he'd want to attend another... [Given how he'd turned bird out of embarrassment and hid in Zhongli's coat.

Zhongli politely pretends he doesn't notice Jinwoo taking a picture. It's not that it's rude, exactly, but he's just happy that Jinwoo likes what he's laid out here.]

Ah, food is meant to be enjoyed. I just like things to be neat and orderly. [Which is one way of putting it.

He distributes the bao first, one for him and two for Jinwoo. This is typical parent behavior, honestly, but.]

Mm. Well... it is a long story, of which I only told you a part. At the Black Order's beginning I approached them out of desperation, for they were the only people who could control my companion at the time. Azhdaha had lost his sanity and was making quite a scene in the Chinese countryside. I could only suppress him for so long. That contract became the basis of my employment with them.

Now that Azhdaha has been taken back and sealed away properly, I have also freed myself by burning my book in the Great Library... and I am no longer a part of this world's history. They will not and cannot look for me.

[Jinwoo may or may not know any of this, so he's just going over it to clear up any confusion. He sets his chopsticks down and looks at Jinwoo seriously.]

Not long ago, I regained my godhood. I am now making good on my promise to you. If you would like to leave the Black Order and ensure they cannot find you, I will lend you my power. Venti has also pledged his aid to this cause.

We can take Lapis on as well, if that is a concern of yours. She seemed to have something to discuss with me on the ship, but said it was not the time.

I think I missed the first potluck by a few weeks. I was getting my things ready for a re-assignment for a while. I misplaced quite a few things, so, I.

[ he trails off. To listen. quietly eating as he does keep himself rapt on Zhongli's every word--foolishly, almost like a child listening to his grandfather's fondest stories.

There's... comfort in his chest, hearing that Zhongli has finally been freed. The whole point of the two month boat trip had gone off with... several hitches, certainly, but not enough to ruin the whole thing beyond repair. Zhongli was free.

And Jinwoo finds himself smiling, despite himself--a warm, fond look at the man sitting across the table with him.

One that is immediately shaken off with a startled look of--something like shock. He'd been considering leaving the Black Order eventually, yes, but he'd put it in his mind as something he'd get to five--ten years? Down the line?

Having it offered to him here and now--

Sorry, Zhongli. He drops his chopsticks with a clatter.

And then immediately moves to snatch them up, hoping one didn't break-- ]

Ah. Ayi...

[ give him a second. give him a second, give... ]

Your freedom was. Important to me, it's why I wanted to go on that trip, and...

[ he can feel his face and neck flushing. Could he? Really. Really be free? This soon? This easily? ]

I.
I didn't think that's what. This talk was about, I'm sorry, You. You caught me off guard.

[ he's... absolutely shaking. ]

[Zhongli's surprised at the sound of dropped chopsticks, but not offended, just concerned. He pushes his chair back slightly. Jinwoo looks pale, paler than usual, and for a moment Zhongli is worried that he's about to collapse.]

My apologies...

[He goes to Jinwoo's side and kneels, not wanting to intimidate him or scare him, just. Wanting to be here. If the chopsticks are on the floor or anything else, he'll pick them up and set it aside.

Then, tentatively, he sets a hand on Jinwoo's arm.]

You might say that I do not owe you a debt, and in truth we had no such agreement, but I still made a promise to you. As the once-God of Contracts, I always keep my promises. Whether it be right now, a year from tomorrow, or perhaps decades in the future, I will not forsake you.

You have only to say the word, and I will steal you away from those who would do you harm.

I do not believe that, between those who care for one another, there exists something that can be called a 'debt' when it comes to doing things out of kindness or affection for one another.
It's been... a long time since I have felt such genuine concern from someone. I... is it pathetic to say I. Missed the feeling? ...The reminder that out there, somewhere, exists someone who thinks about me, without ulterior motive. With... genuine concern?

My own family --believe me dead. I have given up on the idea that I would feel like this again.
[ and yet here he is--fighting back tears of... joy. he's certain this is joy, and it bubbles up and foams over uncontrollably. He's only recently turned 30--yes,--but in this moment, he feels like a 19 year old again, being reassured by a his grandfather.

Ah.

This was... ]

Hara--no, Zhongli.

I want to be free. I ... I truly do.
But I want to make sure I pay back Jusis first. He's done me more kindness than anyone else in the Order has for a decade.

...

And I cannot leave without Lapis.
She deserves to be free, too.

[Zhongli is quiet for a long moment as Jinwoo talks through his feelings. They aren't turbulent, but they are strong, and Zhongli can't help but relate. His amber eyes soften.]

It isn't pathetic at all.

[The Black Order took a lot from their lives, collectively, but it also gave them shelter. It isn't something Zhongli will forget. For him, home looks like a person. Or maybe several people.]

... I understand.

[His lips curve in a faint smile. For a moment, he seems a little more like a god. There is benevolence, rare and precious but real.]

There are things that must be done from the outside, and others that can only be done while inside the Order's walls. I share his vision, and I intend to help how I can.

[Figuratively, if not literally. Though seeing Jusis with the mark of the God of Freedom's blessing only solidified that in Zhongli's mind.]

There is a place for you both, when you are ready.

[ Maybe it isn't pathetic. But it feels so very much so--he's a grown man; he made his choice, even if it felt predatory at the time. He'd accepted that actions had consequences, and had he been more careful in his rush to get to work...

...

No. Blaming himself for his fate to wind up so far from where he wanted to be in life wasn't the answer here. Zhongli. Zhongli was the answer; the open door he'd been quietly wishing for without realising it. He can feel the corners of his eyes burning as the other stands so close to him. And while Jinwoo had never really been someone so reverent towards the idea of god--but. It's this moment when it truly clicks for him.

Even if Zhongli doesn't sit in the seat of a god any longer.
He's still worth looking up to--putting his faith in. He finally moves his hand to put one over the one on his arm. ]

I'll help you, as well. 'From the outside'. Once I'm free, I. [ He breathes, quietly. Audibly. ]

Give me a few months. To get my things straightened out. ...Soon. There's such a. Large part of me that is screaming to do it now, but.

That sort of immediate, thoughtless decision is what got me stuck in the Order in the first place.

[Zhongli gives him time to think his words through. It's a big decision, and he wouldn't want his charge to feel pressured or rushed. He's already feeling the pressure, surely... There's no need to add to it when Zhongli's offer is unconditional, along with his affection.]

Take as long as you need.

[He means that. He has all the time in the world.]

If you are staying a little longer, then I would like to ask a favor of you. This is not a contract or a promise, but a request from an old colleague. You may disregard it if you wish or change your mind and leave if you must. I will not hold it against you.

[a pause]

... Still, if you would indulge this old man's wishes, then please help Jusis. Be there, if you can. He carries the future of the Black Order on his shoulders. The burden of power and the pivot of destiny can be... alienating. Yet with the support of people like yourself and Lapis, he will surely persevere.

Edited 2023-12-18 12:12 (UTC)

Thank you for understanding.

[ he raises a hand, moving to touch his eyes--making sure he wasn't a fool who started crying at the moment he was shown such unconditional kindness--finally shifting his expression to smile at the other. ]

..That sort of favor to ask me is nothing, in the face of everything else you're offering me.
I'll help Jusis. Always. He's the first person in the order to treat me like a member of his team--instead of just deadweight or a liability. Maybe it's a bit optimistic of me to give him my loyalty on that alone, even if I leave the order... but.

But.

I can't ... let that kindness go to waste. I want to help him. The burden he'll have won't be easy. I know that.
You have my promise. Even if I leave the Order, like you did.

I'll always have his back.
...And yours, too.

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