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Childe is simply going about his day in Liyue Harbor when he spots it: A shrunken down version of the Geo Archon in all his glory…
…in a tiny, 2D-form.
The object shows off the god, Rex Lapis, in his human form—muscular chest exposed with arms of black and gold, his white hooded robe billowing in the wind as he raises his gold-emblazoned polearm, ready to strike. The image is majestic, and one Childe has never seen illustrated before. Childe inspects the market stall to identify the name of said item.
The sign beside it plainly lists it as a ‘standee.’
Other like items stand beside it featuring the late archon in multiple forms: as the draconic Exuvia, as a cloaked woman (as referenced in ‘Rex Incognito Vol. 1’), and other gratuitous forms from the artist’s imagination. Childe marvels at the selection and thinks on his own collection of Rex Lapis memorabilia stored in his apartment.
His walls are already swallowed up by multiple posters and paintings of the geo god, and he’s run out of shelf and closet space for the many, many figurines, charms, sticky-back paper, bags, and plushies representing Rex Lapis in his many forms. His wallet has spared no expense towards his obsession with owning every single piece of fan material of the adeptus, something Zhongli—said now-retired archon and his boyfriend for nearly a year—has scolded him before as being ‘embarrassing.’
But what does Zhongli know about being a fanboy?
Childe is committed and he will own this new piece of merch if his life (or more accurately, bank account) depends on it.
The harbinger reaches his hand out towards the standee, but another hand grabs it first. He seizes the offender as they try to tug the item away. Childe turns to face his new adversary, ready to duel them if he must, when his words get caught in his throat.
“K-Keqing?”
The purple-haired girl clutching the standee blushes bright red.
“L-Lord Harbinger, f-fancy meeting you here!” She squeaks. “I-I was not aware you were a fan of Rex Lapis.”
Childe nods, tugging the item—and her—towards him. “Yes, I am. A diehard fan, in fact. Probably the biggest.”
The Yuheng of the Liyue Qixing cringes at this statement.
“Oh~ Are you?” She fumes, yanking the standee to herself, and the red-haired man with it. “Are YOU the president of the Rex Lapis Fan Club?”
Childe scoffs.
“No. I don’t have time to be in silly little clubs,” he complains, pulling the object back. “I’m too busy hunting down every piece of Rex Lapis merch under Celestia. How many figurines do you have of Rex—”
“Thirty-two!” She interrupts, yanking it back. “How many trading cards do you own of—”
“One hundred and seven!” He shouts, doing the same. “Do you even own the limited gold edition plush of his Exuvia form?”
She heaves backwards with all her might.
“OF COURSE, I DO! DO YOU—”
SNAP!
Both harbinger and Yuheng pause to look down at the standee, split in two within their combined grip. They stare dumbfounded until an angry voice shouts at them from behind the stall.
“You break it, you buy it!” The old man scolds at the pair, tapping the price tag. “50,000 mora!”
Keqing balks.
“Full price?! Boss, you can’t be serious! He broke it!” She points at the harbinger accusingly.
Childe merely shrugs.
“Fine, fine, I’ll pay.”
Childe pulls out his wallet overstuffed with coin and hands the requested payment to the merchant. The old man thanks him and Childe shoves the broken merchandise into his pocket, frowning.
The pair walk away from the stand in a sour mood.
“You didn’t have to pay full price for it, you know,” Keqing finally pipes up, arms folded in front of her as they walk down the street. “You could have at least haggled the price down to something more reasonable.”
Childe likewise folds his arms in front of him, irritated by the girl’s presence. “We broke his merchandise. It’s only fair I pay him what he would have earned if we hadn’t.”
Keqing bites her tongue, clearly unable to argue with that logic.
It is then when another woman rushes up to the pair with a worried look on her face.
“Lady Keqing! Lady Keqing! Oh, terrible news!” The girl cries as she approaches. Keqing quickly uncrosses her arms to regard the girl.
“Yes, what is wrong, Lanying?”
The flustered girl takes a breath before responding. “The flowers—they won’t make it in time for the ceremony!”
Keqing noticeably flinches at this harrowing news. She summons a scroll to sort through some notes when the harbinger’s voice breaks her concentration.
“What ceremony?”
Both women turn to stare at Childe incredulously.
“You must be joking,” Keqing huffs impatiently at the man. “For the new holiday—Rex Lapis’s birthday—if you must know. Archons, and you call yourself a fan?” The girl turns back to her scroll.
Childe stares dumbfounded, his face pale with a realization:
“It’s…his birthday?”
The Yuheng rolls her eyes and faces her messenger. “Lanying, are there any other villages that grow silk flowers that we can commission in time? It just won’t do to not have Rex Lapis’s favorite flower at the ceremony, and—”
“Hahahahaha!”
A loud mocking laugh rings from behind Keqing. She frowns and turns to Childe who is leering at her with taunting eyes.
“What, exactly, is so funny, Mr. ‘Biggest Fan’?”
Childe sneers.
“Rex Lapis’s favorite flower isn’t silk flowers. It’s glaze lilies.”
Keqing crosses her arms and faces the taller man with a deep scowl.
“It is documented in ‘Customs of Liyue: Silk Flowers’ that Rex Lapis often wore the flower’s scent, and artworks that once resided in the Golden House depicted him in fields of them. What makes you so sure he preferred anything else?”
Childe’s eyes widen and he rubs the back of his neck bashfully. He can’t exactly say how he knows that Rex Lapis—his totally not-dead boyfriend—prefers the blue flowers without sounding suspicious.
“Uh…I read it somewhere?” He finally answers.
The girl raises a brow. “In what text?”
Childe frowns. “Um…”
He wracks his brain for an answer, but luckily, another’s voice saves him from further interrogation.
“Ah, Childe, here you are.”
The heated pair turn to face the voice’s owner to see Zhongli approaching with a shopping bag in tow. The funeral parlor consultant reaches for Childe’s arm and hooks his with it before regarding the girls.
“Ah, Lady Keqing, and Miss Lanying. How lovely to see the two of you.”
He gives the women a polite bow which makes Keqing blush slightly as she returns one of her own.
“Good morning, Mr. Zhongli, a pleasure to see you as well.”
Then a thought pops into her mind.
“Actually, Mr. Zhongli, could you provide your expertise regarding a certain topic the Lord Harbinger and I were just discussing?”
Childe opens his mouth to object, but Zhongli cuts him off with a nod.
“Of course. I will help in any way I can.”
“Great!” Keqing exclaims. “We were debating our late archon’s favorite flower. The harbinger claims it to be glaze lilies—which has never been featured in artwork of his countenance—but I posit that his favorite flower was actually the silk flower, wherein there are many references. What do you say, Mr. Zhongli?”
The consultant raises a contemplating hand to his chin.
"You are correct, Lady Keqing, that silk flowers are a prominent blossom in Rex Lapis's life. He often wore perfumes made of the pink petals, and the flower's delicate image often patterned the robes the archon wore during his adeptus years prior to taking on his divine role."
Keqing shoots a cocky grin at the redheaded man.
"Although…," Zhongli continues, "If one were to determine which flower he preferred to cultivate in his own gardens, it would have to be the glaze lily, as it reminded him of a dear friend of his."
Keqing gasps then glances at the harbinger, whose face is already twisted into a wide, victorious smirk. The girl's face reddens in both embarrassment and anger.
Zhongli glances between the two questioningly.
"Did I say something wrong?"
Keqing snaps her head back towards the consultant.
"N-no, Mr. Zhongli, thank you for your input. I actually need to complete some business and must take my leave. Shall I see you at the celebration tomorrow?"
Zhongli smiles politely and bows his head. "Of course. I wouldn't miss it."
The girl smiles cheerfully before stepping away with her messenger in tow.
After they depart, Childe nudges the older man with his elbow.
“You never told me your birthday was coming up,” the harbinger groans unhappily. Zhongli leans over to peck the scowling man on the cheek then pulls back, smiling.
“It is only a single day among millions. It is of no importance, my jade.”
But Childe cannot accept this.
How could he miss his boyfriend’s birthday within the first year of their relationship? And lose to a freaking fangirl of all people?
No—Tartaglia, Childe, Ajax, Eleventh of the Fatui Harbingers, and best boyfriend ever (tm)—will not let that happen.
BEST BIRTHDAY EVER OBJECTIVE ONE: Make Zhongli His Favorite Meal
The next day, Childe rushes to the morning market to obtain the very best ingredients for Zhongli’s favorite meal: slow-cooked bamboo shoot soup. The retired archon has told him time and time again of the ingredients, so the harbinger can recount them in great detail. He paces past stands eyeing the butcher’s choice cuts for the requisite ham and the various grocers for the bamboo shoots, ginger, spring onions, and wolfberries necessary for the special dish.
But unfortunately, the pickings are slim.
It seems a recent bout of bad weather has ruined the quality of this season’s harvests, and the meat selection is anything but desirable. He could just go with these less-than-stellar choices, but he knows the final result will not pass his boyfriend’s scrutiny.
Childe, thus, decides that he must gather the best ingredients himself.
Taking leave for the day, the dedicated man travels to Springvale to hunt down the fattest boars…but strangely, there are few to be found. It is as if they decided to hibernate or migrate for the winter. Even the local hunters are perplexed by the sudden lack of pigs in the nearby forests.
He has similar bad luck near Qingce Village where the normally vibrant bamboo stalks look paler and more unsavory than the norm.
“Likely due to the cold snap we had recently,” tells the elder to the dejected harbinger.
These odd coincidences frustrate Childe, but he chooses not to be demoralized.
Zhongli will have the best meal ever. I’ll make sure of it!
He marches back towards the harbor with ‘Plan B’ in mind.
With much disappointment, Childe ends up getting take-out.
After being turned away by both Liuli Pavilion and Xinyue Kiosk, fully booked for the holiday, the harbinger is forced to order the couple’s standard fare of dishes from Wanmin Restaurant. Xiangling approaches the despondent man, his head flat on the table in discontent, and sets his take-out order beside him.
“Here you go, Mr. Childe! We’re very busy today preparing for the ceremony tonight, but we’ll always have time to make your and Mr. Zhongli’s dishes. After all, you’re both our favorite customers!” She exclaims while brushing some loose flour off her apron.
Childe groans as he rises from his seat.
“Thanks, Xiangling,” he sighs dramatically. “It seems everyone knew about Rex Lapis’s birthday except me.”
The girl chuckles at the pouting man.
“Oh, don’t feel too bad! Rex Lapis only passed a year ago, so this is a new holiday even for us! I’m sure you had your reasons for not being aware,” Xiangling tries to console, but her words only plant guilt in the harbinger’s gut.
What excuse could he have for not knowing his own boyfriend’s birthday? How did he neglect to glean this information from him sooner?
Childe sighs aloud.
It doesn’t matter. Now that the food has been obtained, it is time for the next part of his birthday plan.
BEST BIRTHDAY EVER OBJECTIVE TWO: Take Zhongli Somewhere Special
Zhongli answers the funeral parlor door after only one knock, and Childe blushes at the sight of the consultant dressed in an elegant black hanfu with a gold, dragon-detailed coat upon his shoulders. The flustered man swallows at a loss for words at the beautiful sight, and his cheeks flush as he realizes this is possibly the most dressed-down the consultant has ever been in public.
Zhongli smiles beneath slightly flushed cheeks.
“Good afternoon, Childe. I hope you do not find my style of dress too shocking,” he states, lifting his arms to show off the elongated sleeves also embroidered with dragon designs. “Hu Tao insisted I wear something special for the holiday, especially after I told her you and I had plans for the day.”
Childe silently thanks the parlor director for her foresight.
“You look…stunning,” he forces out, clutching the take-out bags tightly in his grip.
Zhongli smiles warmly at the beguiled man.
“Thank you. Now, shall we get going? You said you had somewhere special in mind?”
Childe shakes his head to return to reality.
“Y-yes! It’s not too far, so we can walk if you’re alright with that?”
The ex-archon nods.
“I may be older today, Childe, but I am not feeble. Please, lead the way.”
Arm-in-arm, the pair set out from the harbor and make their way up the Liyuen mountainside until they finally approach an isolated hilltop overlooking the harbor and the ocean beyond. Childe leads Zhongli up the grassy hill and to a picnic blanket spread out at its peak. He runs up to it to set down the take-out bags.
“Zhongli, this way! Take a seat here!” He shouts excitedly, and Zhongli picks up his pace to do as instructed. He seats himself on the blanket, neatly tucking his legs under his hanfu’s skirt, and watches as Childe enthusiastically sets up their meal.
Soon, a multitude of tiny take-out boxes are spread along the blanket, filling the air with the scent of spiced meats and sautéed vegetables. Zhongli hums in appreciation at the welcoming aroma.
“This looks wonderful, Childe. Thank you for going through the trouble to get it.”
The harbinger stifles a frown.
“It was no trouble, Zhongli. I actually had other plans in mind, but I’m glad you are happy. I really wanted to make today special for you.” Childe settles himself on his knees and gives Zhongli a pair of chopsticks before splitting his own pair. “If you’ll let me, I’d like to say a few words before we eat.”
Zhongli nods and sets down his chopsticks, folding his hands neatly on his lap with undivided attention paid in his lover’s direction.
Childe swallows to steady his nerves.
“Zhongli. I think it’s no secret that I really and truly adore you. Even though the circumstances of us meeting was built on secrecy and deception, I never want to lie to you now that we’re together.” He reaches his hands out to place them on Zhongli’s. He stares into Zhongli’s golden eyes, his own blue irises reflecting back in its radiance.
“I…never thought I deserved such happiness in my life,” his eyes trace Zhongli’s face; his hair; his lips, “and I want to keep it for as long as you’ll allow. That is, if you’ll have—”
Then Childe’s eyes catch something else:
A hilichurl’s mask pokes out from over the hilltop and a shrill shriek is all the warning he gets before a flaming bolt is fired in their direction. Childe grabs Zhongli’s head and ducks it as the projectile whizzes by, narrowly missing them.
The harbinger grits his teeth in annoyance.
“Stay here, Zhongli. I’ll take care of this pest,” he seethes as he hops off the blanket and summons his hydro daggers. He dashes towards the lone hilichurl only to find the rest of his patrol further down the hill rushing up to meet him. His blood races in anticipation for the fight ahead, but also with the rage of a man disturbed during his love confession.
He swiftly slices away at his foes, taking down a shielded hilichurl with an agile slide to his backside and well-placed stab in its spine. He continues to systematically take out his aggression on each monster when a golden shield forms around him, protecting him from the charged attack of an angry mitachurl. Childe spins around to see Zhongli standing beside the picnic blanket, arms folded and nodding to him with permission to continue as he was.
Childe needs no more consent than that.
He weighs back into the fight, dancing around the lumbering mitachurl and slicing at his exposed limbs until the giant creature falls to the grass in defeat.
Only one left, Childe thinks to himself, eyeing the last hilichurl aiming its crossbow at him.
The creature has the harbinger in its sights, lighting a flaming bolt, and firing it at him. Childe nimbly dodges the projectile and slides behind the hilichurl, and with a single slice, lobs the creature’s head from its shoulders with a victorious grin.
Childe stands up and revels in his victory before he hears Zhongli shout from afar.
“Childe! The blanket!”
Childe whips around to spy the picnic blanket aflame from the hilichurl’s errant fire bolt. He curses to himself and summons his bow, notching a hydro arrow and firing it in the flame’s direction. With a splash, the fire is put out.
He sighs in relief and climbs back up the hill to meet with Zhongli at the blanket, but his relief transforms to dread at the sorry sight of their meal.
What he thought was a good idea at the time, turned out to be the worst as his flame-snuffing arrow unintentionally soaked both the blanket and their food through, turning the entire site into a sopping mess. Childe deflates immediately.
“I’m sorry, Zhongli. I ruined our meal.”
The ex-archon approaches and rests a hand on the man’s sagging shoulder.
“It is alright, Childe. No harm done. Look,” he points at the dishes on the blanket. “The containers we had yet to open are safe. Come, let us gather them and sit on the dry grass over there.”
Zhongli steps forward to gather said take-out boxes and hands each to Childe, who stands by visibly upset. The older man leads them to a dry patch of grass and sits down, patting the spot beside him. Childe sits, opening up the boxes and spreading them once again, before begrudgingly digging in. The redhead continues to pout as Zhongli fills the silence with stories, seemingly unaffected by the change in plans. As the sun starts to set and with stomachs full, the pair pack up and head back down the mountain towards the harbor.
As they make their way back, Childe resolves that the night is not yet over. He still has one more major step in his birthday plan.
BEST BIRTHDAY EVER OBJECTIVE THREE: Give Zhongli the Perfect Present
The night prior, after finding out Zhongli’s birthday was merely hours away, Childe went in search of a present suitable for the retired archon. He spent hours perusing shop after shop of glittering gems, fine woodcrafts, beautiful textiles, and alluring perfumes on the hunt for something befitting a god’s 6002nd birthday.
Then, he saw it.
Nestled between rows of gaudy jade baubles was a golden, cor lapis brooch in the shape of a diamond, and inlaid within the gem was an etched three-dimensional carving of a dragon—Rex Lapis—in his Exuvia form. The amount of skill necessary to carve such an intricate design in the dense jewel must exceed that of any artisan Childe has ever seen.
It would look beautiful on Zhongli.
The harbinger rushes up to the market stall and cups the gem in his hands, feeling out its weight and eyeing its quality. The stall owner quickly hops to his side to make the sale.
“Ah, you have a good eye, sir! I see you appreciate only the finest!” The bespectacled man praises. “Are you interested in purchasing that cor lapis brooch? For a lover perhaps?”
Childe nods eagerly, not even trying to hide his infatuation with the gem.
“Yes, it’s perfect. How much for it?”
“For you, good sir? 400,000 mora. A bargain, I assure you.”
Childe’s lip twitches at the outrageous price, but his heart is already set on the accessory.
For what does price matter when the love of his life is involved?
The harbinger digs into his pocket and thumbs out the requisite bills. He hands over the large sum and the merchant thanks him profusely with multiple exaggerated bows.
“Oh, thank you, sir! Thank you for your patronage!”
Childe nods to the kowtowing man and rushes off to search for a suitable box to fit it in.
Back in the present…
After their failed dinner, Childe leads Zhongli to a quiet section of the city. Nestled high above the rooftops and away from the bustle of the crowds in the streets below, Childe takes up Zhongli’s hands in his and lowers to a knee. The consultant’s face flushes at the intimate act but he remains silent, waiting for the harbinger to speak.
“Zhongli, I was trying to say this earlier, but I really want to show you how much I care for you. You changed my life and made me believe in something other than myself, and I want you to feel that you can rely on me as your mate.”
He digs into his pocket and produces the small box housing his gift.
“I hope when you wear this and look at it, it will remind you of me and my promise to take care of you and love you for as long as I live.”
He places the box into Zhongli’s hands and the older man opens the lid with a warm smile. Childe waits patiently for words of thanks or praise.
But Zhongli is strangely silent.
Blue eyes study the older man’s face as a slight frown forms on his lips. Zhongli looks…displeased.
“Zhongli?”
Childe’s voice breaks the adeptus’ concentration, and Zhongli regards him apologetically.
“Childe, I am sorry, but…you have been swindled.”
…Huh?
Childe’s mouth hangs open.
“What…do you mean, Zhongli?”
“I mean this gem; it is a counterfeit. It is glass dyed with a golden hue to resemble cor lapis. Also, the dragon design—while seemingly carved—was simply pressed into the glass form through a molding process. The grooves were fabricated intentionally by the mold.”
Something within Childe snaps.
The harbinger suddenly stands, hands balled into fists, and shoulders shaking in a growing rage. Anger and embarrassment wash over him and his body heats up from the pressure building within him.
That merchant is going to DIE tonight.
Childe turns on his heels and steps off, ready to start his manhunt, when Zhongli grabs his arm.
“Childe, where are you going?” He asks with genuine concern in his voice. The harbinger does not turn to look at him, his mind singularly set on taking out his frustration of the night’s events on the lying stall owner.
“I am going to make things right,” Childe responds through gritted teeth. “I’ll be back, so don’t—”
“No, Childe. I do not want you to hurt anyone tonight. Let it go.”
Childe pulls from Zhongli’s grip, but it is stiff as iron. He wheels his feet to drag himself forward, but the ex-archon’s hold on him prevents any progress.
“Let me go, Zhongli,” he seethes. “I can’t let that bastard’s act go unpunished. He dared to insult one of the Tsaritsa’s harbingers, and he must pay.”
Zhongli shakes his head.
“No, Childe. I know what you plan to do, and I do not support it. Please, stay here with me.”
Childe rejects Zhongli’s plea and digs his heels into the ground, pulling hard to be set free. He struggles with angry grunts in futility until geo energy suddenly pulses at his feet, lifting the stone platform and molding over his boots as bindings. Childe tugs at the stone shackles, but they refuse to budge.
Finally realizing that he is literally stuck in place, his misery overtakes him. He bows his head and cries. Hot tears pour from his eyes as the frustration of the day’s events bubble up to the surface.
“Zhongli. You have no idea how terrible I feel. I am the absolute worst,” he sobs amongst angry tears. “Today was supposed to be perfect. Your perfect day, and nothing—absolutely nothing—went right. I failed as your boyfriend. I failed as your mate.”
Childe continues to sob in frustration, his balled fists digging nails into his palms.
But Zhongli leans against Childe’s back, wrapping his arms around the distressed man’s waist.
“Childe, do not be upset. I had a lovely time. Simply being with you made this day special, as is any day I am able to spend with you.”
Childe does not believe him.
“You’re just saying that to make me feel better,” the redhead bemoans.
Zhongli rubs his head against Childe’s back, his body warmth slowly dissipating the younger man’s rage.
“I assure you; I am telling you the truth. You are the most precious person in my life, and each day with you is a gift. You need not feel obligated to prove your love, as I already feel it in your actions.”
The ex-archon releases the harbinger and steps around him to meet the man face-to-face. He raises his hands to thumb away the tearstains on the redhead’s rosy cheeks and smiles affectionately.
“I feel your love in the way you look at me; the little ways you touch; and…the way you kiss me.”
And with those words, Zhongli tilts Childe’s head to do just that.
Their lips lock and the pair share a sweet, affectionate kiss that seems to steal away all of the hatred and rage in the harbinger’s heart.
Then, a distant pop and a flash of light pulls the pair away to look towards the sky.
Fireworks.
The official celebration of Rex Lapis’ birthday has begun.
Crowds of citizens and tourists alike bustle about with joy and laughter at the ceremony site at Yujing Terrace. Childe and Zhongli enter the area to see children running about with golden sparklers, couples sharing mora meat with a dragon sear mark in honor of the god, and merchants peddling all manner of Rex Lapis paraphernalia. Large lanterns hang above them with gold and auburn streamers swaying in the evening breeze, making the entire location appear vibrant and alive—an endearing tribute to the life the late Geo Archon granted to the people of Liyue. Zhongli pauses to marvel at his peoples’ work, his arm looped with Childe’s squeezing just a bit tighter, and the harbinger grins proudly.
Good work, Keqing.
Then a girl’s voice shouts above the din: “Put those vases over there!”
Speak of the devil.
Childe and Zhongli turn to see the Yuheng barking orders at workers carrying large potted flower arrangements off a wagon—their pale blue buds bobbing with the movement.
“So! I see you went with the glaze lilies!” Childe chides as they approach her.
Keqing silently curses under her breath before turning around to face the harbinger, but immediately brightens at the sight of Zhongli.
“Oh! Mr. Zhongli, you came!” She shouts, totally ignoring the redhead.
Childe pouts as Zhongli raises a hand to cradle a glaze lily from a nearby pot.
“Lady Keqing, these flowers are beautiful. They are of an admirable quality.”
Keqing beams proudly.
“Thank you, Mr. Zhongli. It was quite a feat finding a florist capable of providing these arrangements last minute, but I assure you that they were harvested in a humane and environmentally-friendly fashion.” The girl rests a hand on her chest as a pledge. “The elder of Qingce Village informed me that these were already used for their own ceremony held earlier in the day, but they graciously donated them to ours this evening. No glaze lily fields were carelessly reaped for tonight’s event.”
Zhongli nods at the dutiful girl.
“I am glad to hear this. I appreciate your diligence and care for our nation’s fauna. Someday, I hope to one day see glaze lily fields return to our lands as they once did in Rex Lapis’s time.”
With this, he tugs the single flower from the vase and turns to Childe. The younger man freezes in place as the ex-archon slips the bud behind his ear. Zhongli draws back and pats Childe’s chest softly with a smile.
“Beautiful,” he compliments, and Childe can only stare in love and awe.
Keqing wavers bashfully before excusing herself from the lovesick pair. She bows slightly and scurries off to resume managing the flower arrangements when Childe follows her to grab her arm.
“Keqing, wait.”
Then Childe produces an object from his pocket: the standee. The small item appears carefully mended with only a thin sliver of transparent glue indicating that it had ever been broken before. He places it in Keqing’s hands.
“Wh-what’s this for?” She asks, confused.
“It’s to thank you,” Childe responds with a grin. “For inviting us and for making his day special.”
Keqing turns the figure in her hands and her eyes sparkle with fondness for the gift. Then realization at her extended silence pulls her back and she clears her throat, regaining her typical composure.
“Y-you seem to have an odd obsession with our nation’s archon, Lord Harbinger.”
A blush flushes Childe’s cheeks as he scratches the back of his neck.
“Ah—well, it takes a very dedicated fan to appreciate the work you’ve done for this event, so…I appreciate you too.”
Keqing exhales and tries her best to hide the smile creeping onto her face, then whispers quietly, “Thanks.”
“Childe.”
The redhead turns to see Zhongli beckoning him from afar.
Childe bows one more time to Keqing before leaving her to hop to his boyfriend’s side. He approaches Zhongli to see him looking up at a tall altar in the center of the terrace surrounded by lanterns and incense burners, and atop the grand platform is a dark stone carving of the Liyuen’s late god: Rex Lapis.
Zhongli bows his head and prays, and Childe follows suit.
After a silence, Childe opens an eyelid to peek on Zhongli still bowing reverently in prayer.
“Uhh, Zhongli? Isn’t it a bit narcissistic to pray to…yourself?”
Zhongli huffs a sigh. “No, Childe, I am saying farewell.”
“Farewell? To whom?”
“Not ‘who,’ but ‘what,’” Zhongli corrects. “I am bidding farewell to an old life. One that shaped me and ultimately led me to this wonderful future—”
He opens his eyes and straightens, turning to the listening man, and offers a hand.
“—with you.”
Childe flushes. “Ah.”
The harbinger places his palm in the ex-archon’s hand and is instantly pulled against him. Zhongli’s black hanfu is so thin compared to his normally layered suit that Childe can feel the man’s chest rise and fall with his breathing, and the faint thump of the adeptus’ heart sets his own racing. The pair stand there, locked together, before the altar as if the celebration—nay, the very world—around them simply does not exist.
Zhongli finally regards him with love in his eyes.
“Rex Lapis had to die for Zhongli to live. That is worth thanking, is it not?”
Childe chokes on the dryness of his throat, too stunned with the forwardness of this man—this archon—who holds him like he is the center of the universe, ignoring the curious stares from the eventgoers around them. He nods slightly, and with it, Zhongli’s lips spread into a warm smile that melts Childe’s heart.
“Then let us offer our prayers and be on our way. There is still much to see.”
The pair separate, bowing their heads and offering thanks to the deceased god. Childe leaves a few mora coins on the mantle as an offering, then, hand-in-hand, the couple wander the plaza to peruse the many stalls. Friends, old and new, greet the harbinger and consultant and many stories are shared over food and drink until the sun has long settled and only the lamplighters pad the now-empty terrace.
Zhongli and Childe lean against a banister overlooking the sleeping harbor, the chill of the night prompting them to rest shoulder-to-shoulder for warmth. Neither need it, truth be told—the Snezhnayan man more suited to his snowy country and the old god well-acquainted with Liyue's chilly nights—but the pair still commit themselves to the act as an excuse to close the gap between them.
Then, Zhongli tips his head against Childe’s shoulder, linking their hands together in serene silence.
And Childe smiles, likewise resting his head upon the retired god’s, and sighs out lovingly:
“Happy birthday, Zhongli.”