Chapter Text
Once Aether is finally all well from his temporary dendro sickness, Tighnari and Cyno suggest a vacation to go back home to Mondstadt. Of course, Mondstadt isn’t his real home, but that’s where he first woke up so it’s close enough.
They will be going through Liyue first, and Aether begs them to make a stop at the city’s funeral parlour of all places. They cave when he gives them his cute pouting look that could move mountains if he wanted.
Paimon is lost browsing the stalls when they finally reach the parlour. They find that it isn't all that gloomy looking, which is a relief.
Briefly, Cyno thinks that maybe Aether was going to pay his respects to someone he lost. It wouldn't be too surprising, considering the nature of Teyvat, so he suggests that he and Tighnari wait outside. “Huh? You don't wanna meet Mama and Dada?” Aether asks all sweetly, with innocent blinking eyes. Cyno feels his heart fall. His parents are here? Probably sealed away in an urn, left here so they wouldn't be destroyed in Aether's bag on his adventures.
“We can come in to meet them if you want us to” Tighnari smiles comfortingly and Cyno's heart skips a beat at the sight. A deep part of him wants to raise children of his own with Nari, but he crushes that down to bring up at a more appropriate time. “Yay! Yay! They'll be soooo happy to meet you!” Aether exclaims happily, running inside.
Tighnari gives Cyno a soft look, both of them thinking the same thing. They follow after Aether, glancing around to take in all of the decorations, and come up to a large, open room with a reception area. Behind the desk is a young looking girl. “Miss Hu Tao!!! Are Mama and Dada here!?” Aether shouts his question as he runs (practically skips) over to her.
“Yes they are. You know where they usually take lunch?” This ‘Hu Tao' replies. Aether nods quickly, humming a vaguely positive response, before running off again, grabbing Tighnari’s hand as he runs back through the doorway. Tighnari grabs onto Cyno as they're dragged through maze-like hallways.
Finally, they come up to a balcony.
As Aether slows to peek outside stealthily, Tighnari and Cyno follow, getting a clear view of two men. They were very close, nearly wrapped around each other, and their lips nearly touching- “EWW, MAMA AND DADA ARE GONNA KISSSSS!!” Aether exclaims as he runs onto the balcony, Cyno's hand barely missing his collar to stop him from ruining the moment.
“Xiao, did you hear something?” The taller of the two muses, “It must've been a strong breeze…” He hums. “You must be losing your hearing with your old age, Zhongli” Xiao comments as Aether wraps himself around him, “Our baby is finally home.” Xiao pets Aether's head as the younger boy presses into his touch.
Tighnari knows immediately that these are not mortals. He wonders just who exactly Aether has gotten himself tied up with, and signals for Cyno to tread with at least some caution with his usual arrogance. “Are these the two you were talking about, kid?” Cyno asks as he walks onto the balcony.
Aether smiles and nods, “Uh-huh! This is Dada, and dat’s Mama!” He says, pointing at the respective man. “It is nice to meet you two. Aether has been in our care since he arrived in Sumeru” Tighnari explains, “He was infected with something that has since been cured, and I thought he should have a vacation back home, but we stopped by here on our way back” He continues.
“It's nice of you to come by to see us, little one” Zhongli says, patting Aether's head, “Your names?” Tighnari notices Cyno's nearly irritated look at the brash question, and he hopes the other three can't tell. “My name is Tighnari, and this is my partner Cyno. You?” He answers for Cyno, who seemed to be struggling to identify their species.
“My name is Zhongli, and this is my partner Xiao. We took care of the young pup for a few weeks while he was here a while back, it’s nice to see he’s okay thanks to you two” The taller of the pair says while this ‘Xiao’ takes Aether more inside to go start a puzzle.
“What was he sick with?” Zhongli asks once they leave, clearly concerned for the boy. “Nothing viral. He was exposed to a certain toxin that psychics use in Sumeru to see clearer visions. It’s been flushed out of his system now, and we stayed with him the entire time” Tighnari explains with care, understanding the worry.
“Very good, then. I’m glad he was in safe hands” Zhongli nods, barely giving Cyno’s hard glare a glance. It took all of the blond’s power to not start ranting about how he didn’t have the right to say that when he’s the one that left Aether alone. Tighnari lightly slaps Cyno’s shoulder as a silent “get your act together” then left to go find Aether and Xiao.
Cyno waited for Tighnari to disappear behind the corner of the hallway before shoving Zhongli towards the railing of the balcony, summoning his polearm. Electricity crackles and pops, singeing Zhongli’s hair a little.
“Listen to me, you creep. I don’t know what you are, but I know you’re not human” Cyno growls, “I don’t care if you’re from the abyss order or a damn Archon, if you even think about hurting my baby or my husband, you’re fucking dead.” He pushes the blade of the polearm a little closer to Zhongli’s neck before pulling back.
Cyno sends one last glare before walking away. He has a baby to entertain, and a lot of unused puzzle puns.