Lico✨

Nahida shifts her gaze to the eyes of melted cor lapis. She pulls back and sets a finger on her chin, a thoughtful hum trailing from her lips.

"And you are?" the archon asks with a tone of childlike curiosity. While Irminsul holds the knowledge of the world, it takes time to find the identity of this mysterious man.

"It's an honor of mine to meet the Archon of Wisdom," Zhongli sets a hand across his chest in greeting. "I'm Zhongli, a consultant from Liyue. I've come with my spouse who is also the eleventh harbinger, as you would know him by," Zhongli explains. "I understand your concerns but you have my word that we are merely here on leisure and vacation."

Though concealed well, Nahida senses hints of divinity from this man. It doesn't take long for her to piece it all together.

"I see," Nahida nods with a smile on her lips. "It's an honor of mine to meet you too, great lord of the rocks and most ancient of archons."

Ah, it seems that his guise as a mortal is lacking.

Zhongli parts his lips to correct her when a pair of arms needily wrap around him from behind, setting gloved palms over his chest.

"Xiansheng, why did you leave me behind by the docks?" Childe draws out an exaggerated whine. He rests his chin over his shoulder. "Did you see an interesting rock or something—"

The harbinger stares at the child and the 'child' smiles back. Nahida lifts her hand and waves it with a friendly smile on her lips. "Hello."

Childe curses under his breath. He retracts his arms and folds them behind his back. A bright, reddish hue spreads across his cheeks. "Oh, uh, hey! b-big brother and his friend were just um, playing—yeah!"

Zhongli took that as a cue to clear his throat.

"Childe, you are speaking to the goddess of wisdom. I hardly think that it's polite to talk to her as if she is a young child," Zhongli chides gently. This is exactly the reason why he worries for his spouse at times. Baal might just strike him down the moment that he steps into the Tenshukaku with his bold actions and declarations.

"Xiansheng, don't you see those curious little eyes? I can't just be all touchy in front of her. she'll start to learn bad things from us!" Childe exclaimed and he breathes out a sigh. "Archons."

"Yes?" the two archons answered in unison.

"That was a curse," Childe replies deflatedly. He used to think that Zhongli is clueless about mortal conventions, but that seems to be the case for most archons.

Though, he suppose it might also be due to the crude way of speaking that he picks up from the Fatui...

A small giggle came from the dendro archon, "It's alright. i've never met anyone as bold as you. It's refreshing."

"The perks of marrying an archon, I guess," Childe chuckles lightly. Well, that and the early pregnancy hormones make him feel like he can wrestle a sumeru tiger and win. But the little twig doesn't need to know that detail.

"Baobei, shall we head off to buy the Baklava that you craved for?" Zhongli loops an arm around his waist. The harbinger nods his head eagerly. "Hell yeah, I'm starving."

"May i also suggest candied Ajilenakh nut? I've heard that Shnezhnaya has a similar dessert so it might be delightful for your taste," Nahida tilts her head as she racks her knowledge for other food that she can offer to her guests.

"I'll have that. Say, little twig, why don't you just come with us?" Childe grins. "I'm not sure if the Sumeru archon has any mora but I'll treat you."

"Ah, my people would usually offer me food for free," Nahida shifts her hands over her back and looks to the ground shyly. Still, she didn't expect the barely audible mutter from the harbinger. "Wow. you can learn a thing or two from her, Zhongli."

"Mora made for mortals is to be used by mortals, of which I currently am," Zhongli insists. He takes the harbinger's hand and easily scoops the smaller archon over his arm. Gold meets with forest green that blinks in return. "I hope you won't mind but we must hurry. Childe has not eaten in quite some time. I do not want his health to be affected."

"Xiansheng, you worry too much," Childe huffs. Still, he follows the man. Zhongli always knows where to go and where to have their meals next. Nahida gazes at the two with a curious thought. It's interesting to see such an affectionate and amorous pair when one is a human and the other, an archon.

This must be the fate that they thread and spooled into something wonderful, a first of it's kind in Teyvat, she concluded. Once again, Nahida realizes that she has much more to learn. But first, she will enjoy the time spent with them. The harbinger that she was wary of turns out to be an attentive individual. He cuts slices of food before setting it on her plate and even wipes the crumbs from her lips. he'd make a good parent, of this, she's sure of as she chews on her food. and oh, the gaze that her senior has for the boy overflows with such love and pride.

"The two of you will make great parents. I'm happy to be able to witness the beginning of your wonderful family," Nahida says with utmost sincerity as she smiles at the two.

Ajax chokes on his drink.

"Hm, why do you seem so surprised? It's quite easy to tell from the swell of your belly as compared to your lean figure," the lesser god wonders if the harbinger assumed to be hiding that fact well. It certainly isn't enough to fool the god of wisdom.

Indeed, scholars are sharp and fearsome. Zhongli drapes the outer layer of his uniform over his spouse's shoulders, in hopes that it will help to hide his swell. "Thank you for your blessing and warning, beur."

Nahida nods her head, satisfied that her senior is able to catch on very quickly. Brilliant shade of green softens at the sight of the two chatting away and making such a warm, picturesque sight. She wonders if this is what it's like to be a part of a family.