Benny's Adventure Team, Assemble!

                                           Miisfxrtunate

               “ 🇳‌🇴‌ 🇴‌🇳‌🇪‌'🇸‌ 🇯‌🇴‌🇮‌🇳‌🇪‌🇩‌ 🇲‌🇪‌ 🇴‌🇳‌ 🇦‌🇳‌ 🇦‌🇩‌🇻‌🇪‌🇳‌🇹‌🇺‌🇷‌🇪‌ 🇮‌🇳‌ 🇦‌🇬‌🇪‌🇸‌. 🇨‌'🇲‌🇴‌🇳‌, 🇱‌🇪‌🇹‌'🇸‌ 🇬‌🇴‌! “

“Bennett, my goodness - you just keep getting taller every time I see you.” 

“Haha, you think? No way.. It hasn’t been that long,” he chuckled, moving closer to wrap his arms around her for a delighted hug.

“It’s a rather difficult affair, but it does happen - those who currently sit on the thrones of the Archons haven’t always been the same, after all…and then again, such a position can be rather isolating, and quite lonely I imagine; several strings had to be pulled, contracts drawn and sacrificing a part of himself transpired to make such a thing possible.”

She gave the boy a squeeze, having to bite back a laugh - her poor husband…he really was trying his best, and given the strange nature of the relationships, and the even odder variety of blended family she found herself in, that was all she could honestly ask for.

“Bennett, I call him Zhongli in public as well - he maintains an alias in his day to day life to distance himself from the person he was as an Archon, and the knowledge that Rex Lapis is actually alive and well is something that is best kept secret…he even has a day job as well.” she hummed gently, giving the swordsman a light nudge.

“That said, why don’t you suggest it to him? If anything, it could be an opportunity for the two of you to bond and learn more about one another while he gets a crash course on fatherhood…considering there will be infants joining our growing family, I’m sure he would appreciate any advice he can get.”

“See, but! That’s what I mean! The way he said it, his mannerisms.. He made it sound so much more serious then ‘I’d like to be called this name’.. He made it sound completely bad! Like it was something.. I can’t be trusted with, you know? How.. how can I explain it..” Bennett crossed his arms, tilting his head back in thought, brows furrowing.

“Like.. if someone were to tell you that.. Say I was lost! Someone tells you that they know where I am, but they won’t tell you, because they don’t know who you are! That’d make you mad, but for me it.. it feels more like.. I couldn’t be trusted. It was all in his tone! Who tells a kid for the first time - while dating his mother - that they have to call him by a certain name, but not his mother - he didn’t say anything about it being in public!” He wasn’t going to let this go, either..

“He can be rather serious at times, yes…truthfully, I believe he wanted to make a good impression on you as well, but he can be as awkward as anyone else; he is someone who has stepped away from the duties he’s performed for centuries, and trying his hand at living as a mortal…there is much that still eludes him even after years of studying his people.”

Oh if the lad only knew she was acquainted with the Lord of Anemo as well, and how much of a goofy, fun loving drunkard they were capable of, she wondered how he would react to such information - but one thing at a time; this was the priority at the moment.

“Remember…he isn’t an archon anymore - not that such things detract from his strength of course, but that isn’t all that he is…he is someone who is learning how to live, just as you are…and trying to find his own footing in the world, learning whom he is outside of his role as Liyue’s protector…that said, he is capable of being incredibly quick witted and very funny…this is something you’ll learn in time, I promise.”

“Stepped.. away from his duties? Are the archons allowed to do things like that?” Though it made sense, if Rex Lapis had asked him to call him as Zhongli.. Even if that had almost also felt like a command, more then a request.

“If.. If that’s true, then.. He’s got a lot to learn,” the adventurer gave a small huff.

“I felt more like I was at an interview, then with someone who is trying to learn how to be more human, or get to know me as.. an adopted son. If he’d like, maybe I could introduce him to my dads back on Mondstadt! I’m sure they’d be really welcoming, and he can see how I grew up.. Would that make it easier on him?” He knew his dads wouldn’t mind, after all..

@miisfxrtunate​ cont. from here: [x]

She really shouldn’t, but she couldn’t help the soft chuckle that left her, an arm winding around his shoulders and drawing him close, “First things first…take a breath, son - a nice big one and then let it out slowly for me, alright? He isn’t the type to offer such a thing lightly, nor is he an impatient person…he’s been around for millennia, I sincerely doubt he would ever lose his patience with you.”

Fingers smoothed down his spine, gently rubbing circles between his shoulder blades, feeling the way the poor adventurer’s heart raced through his back, “It isn’t a matter of asking him - it was offered of his own free will; I assure you, it was nothing I ever proposed to him…all I requested was that he meet you, so the fact that he wishes to extend you his protect means you made quite the impression on him…and that he views you as someone worthy of protecting.”

A smile was given to the swordsman, “I can’t promise it will negate whatever may follow you, but it will absolutely put my mind at ease, knowing you have another layer of protection to safeguard you on all of your adventures.”

Bennett tried to breathe deep as she told him to, though it was difficult at first. He listened to her words, nodding as his fidgeting began to slowly die down, until he could raise his arms and bring her closer with an embrace.

“S-Sorry..” He mumbled, “It’s just.. such a weird feeling, you know? He’s.. He’s an archon, mom.. a-and I know you’re like.. also super strong, but for me it’s.. I always believed in Barbatos, but to know he’s.. to know Rex Lapis is.. is a real person, a.. s-someone I can actually see, and touch in person? It.. I guess I really let that thought get away with me..” He sighed, shaking his head.

“I’ve barely been in Liyue for two days..” and he’s already bumped into someone carrying some pretty pricey looking pottery, he’s spilled hot soup on his lap, and he’s fallen into one of the little pools going through the city - taking a Millelith guard down with him..

"I don't know, mom," he wished he could tell her it was wonderful and fantastic.. but Bennett would never lie to her - he couldn't, even if he wanted to. "He offered to protect me, like you do, but.. Mom, I can't ask an archon of all people for something like that, it.. I'd.. You know how bad it can get and.. At some point what if he gets tired of it? Or what if.. What if he gets hurt? I-I know he's a god and all but.. What if.. what if it's not just mortal people who can get hurt by this stuff, and it gets super bad - like really bad?"

He was starting to talk faster, hands moving in front of him as he tried to keep himself calm, though he was having trouble.

“You’re not a burden.”

No youth should ever feel like that, especially when he is plagued by something he has no control over. It wasn’t Bennett’s fault he was given this curse, if only he could see how it has allowed him to meet so many wonderful people.

“I don’t give this vow out to just anyone, you’re important to Margret, therefore it is now my honor and responsibility to ensure your safety.”

“As much as I appreciate it.. I-I cause mom a lot of trouble too,” and yes he would state that aloud with her standing right there.

A smile found his face, but it wasn’t one of joy.. It was one Bennett wore far too often, one that showed his cheery side, so others wouldn’t have to worry about him! He would figure things out.. eventually.

“It is alright and you don’t need to call me sir, just Zhongli is fine.” Rex can deduce things had happened on the journey that the lad wished to not talk about so Rex won’t pry.

“Dragonspine is quite the dangerous place, please be careful when going there. Though if you ever find yourself in a tough situation call out. I’ll be sure to heed your call.”

Bennett was important to Maggie so in turn Rex will do all he can do to ensure the boy is safe.

“wh-huh?” Rex’s offer startled him, causing green eyes to lift and meet with the Archon’s face once more. He.. was offering to help him? The same way his mother did, whenever he was in trouble?

His hands moved again, this time lifting both and giving a light wave, dismissing away Rex’s offer to assist him.

“Preferably Zhongli please as it is the mortal name I go by. Rex is what I’m addressed as by Margaret.” Hopefully the lad’s bad luck doesn’t have him blabbing the wrong name.

“You’re looking well, Margaret told me you had went on a long campaign with the Adventurer’s Guild. That sounds like quite a interesting time.” Trying to strike up conversation so the boy won’t feel so awkward. So far this meeting was going well.

“Yes sir, Zhongli sir..” Bennett’s eyes couldn’t meet the archon’s face any longer, moving his hand to cup over Maggy’s and giving a tight squeeze, showing her he was still feeling quite anxious.

He was talking to an archon, for teyvats sakes! Anyone would feel nervous, uneasy, and quite queasy..

His stomach was twisted in nervous knots, gazing up at the taller man - and even with his mother’s hand resting supportive on his shoulders, Bennett felt himself growing more uneasy by the second. Too many uncertainties, especially when he knew he was facing an archon of all things - of all people!

“Y-Yes, sir--” His voice cracked slightly, “It’s.. It’s nice to meet you.”