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The sunlight blankets the bedroom like a cloak, light seeping through the large tinted windows. The light makes it pass his closed eyes and Zhongli furrows his eyebrows. Being a light sleeper he had always been, he stirs awake.
He blinks, shaking off the sleepiness and he comes into terms with a rather firm hold around his waist, warm chest pressed against his face.
Oh. Right. Zhongli looks up just to catch sight of a certain Harbinger, still sleeping soundly, face relaxed.
He had slept over last night, coming to the consultant’s chambers mumbling something about missing him. The man was slightly drunk too, and Zhongli didn’t quite catch what he said but it was along the lines of orders from Tsaritsa demanding him to return to Snezhnaya.
Of course, Zhongli knew he had to return sometime but he wasn’t expecting so soon. Then again, the Harbinger didn’t have any more business to deal with in Liyue.
He had prompted him a few times previously, asking when would he return back to his hometown but the ex-god only gets Childe gazing at him with an unreadable expression. He merely brings their interlocked hands up to his face, pressing a fleeting kiss on the knuckles of his hand.
The man chooses not to disclose anything, only opening his mouth to smoothly suggest they go to Liuli Pavilion for dinner.
He was staying in Liyue to spend time with him, casually defying whatever his status of being the 11th of the Fatui Harbingers should ought to be doing. No one could tell him otherwise in Liyue anyway, the Fatui organisation in Liyue was literally under his orders.
Childe didn’t really seem to care about his supposed return trip, or that he didn’t care at all, actually. He has been too preoccupied lately, with a certain Wangsheng parlor consultant.
This was the first time Childe had finally mentioned about returning to Snezhnaya. Not that he had been looking forward to it but he had been worried, considering a prolonged stay in Liyue may cause false… rumors to arise.
He drapes himself over Zhongli like a child seeking warmth, face buried into the other’s neck. The ex-god doesn’t question his behavior and instead takes him in his arms gingerly, not forgetting to shut the chamber’s doors behind them.
One moment Childe was grumbling about needing to go back, complaining that he wants to stay with him more and the next moment Zhongli finds himself being pressed against the doors of his room, hot breath dragging across the span of his neck.
“C-Childe…”
“Since I’ll be leaving soon, shouldn't we make the most out of the remaining time, Xiansheng ?”
They’ve done this too many times, and so Childe immediately goes for the places where he knows Zhongli would tremble, flush a pretty red, all from his doing. He mouths at the base of his lover’s neck, taking his time to litter hickeys over pretty collarbones.
As if that wasn’t enough to have him putty in his hands, Childe decides to run his gloved hands over the other’s ass, giving it a light squeeze.
Zhongli lets out the slightest moan, hand reaching to clutch on the back collar of Childe’s usual grey attire and the man looks up, heavy gaze with want that burns quietly in his blue eyes.
The ex-god already looked like a mess, a pretty mess , Childe thinks. He grins lazily, and closes the gap between their faces, giving him a kiss, gentle in contrast to the rough pull on his waist, pressing their bodies utterly close.
It often ends up with him having Zhongli pressed in the sheets preferably beneath him, hushed hot whispers against his ears containing exchanges of “Mine” and “Always yours.”
-
A long night passed and now, Zhongli’s frowning slightly at the Harbinger sleeping peacefully whose hold on him still refuses to budge. He gives up after a while, letting out a small sigh. Zhongli settles on staring at the man instead.
Afterall, he has to leave soon. (The thought of not catching the other roaming the streets of Liyue leaves a heavy feeling settling in him. Perhaps, seeing Childe everyday has become something Zhongli had looked forward to.)
At times like this, Childe looks adorable. Funny thing to say when people often back away in fear when he roams. That was how Childe is in their eyes, but Zhongli would beg to differ.
Childe isn’t always looking for a fight (although he does challenge him to spar with him). In fact, he realises the Harbinger also enjoys a good cup of tea and book, very much interested in the history of the regions other than his homeplace.
While he is indeed fearless on the battlefield, he shows a whole new side of him when he’s with Zhongli. Childe may be known to be a heartless, killing puppet devoted to Tsaritsa but it was he who had shown him what warmth truly felt like.
A warmth that Zhongli has never quite experienced before even after all the past lovers he has had. There was something different when it came to Childe and it comes close to feeling like home.
The unwavering gazes in blue hues of his eyes, their intertwined hands and the smile on Childe’s face against the orange sun setting was enough for the consultant to find warmth in the man standing right in front of him.
Childe reaches to tilt his chin, pressing his lips against his. It was a kiss so light at first but yet it turns rough when it gets hot and heavy with tongues and it leaves Zhongli breathless after, face red.
The Harbinger chuckles, a satisfied smirk on his face.
Zhongli realises Childe bears the same expression in the mornings after sex, when his eyes latch on the blooming marks on his body, places where he had bit and suck on.
Marks on his chest, and several scattered on his thighs. There’s one on his inner left thigh which mark was much darker than the rest. He knows just how sensitive he is in these places.
To think that a god- an ex-god could be reduced to such a state… no one else has ever made Zhongli like this, not that he had allowed it anyone to- but Childe.
Perhaps, the different sides of Childe that he has seen and felt was what made him fall in love with this very mortal.
Noticing that the man was still not waking up, Zhongli decides to prop his head on the other’s chest instead, effectively head butting his chin playfully.
“Childe, wake up.”
“Childe.”
A grunt and the man attempts to turn towards his side. Zhongli gets pushed off as well, now laying right next to him.
He runs his fingers through his lover’s orange tousled hair, dropping a kiss on the crown of his head.
“ Ajax. ” Zhongli calls him tenderly, voice accentuated with fondness despite wanting to wake him up. It does the job though, because the man flutters his eyes open, deep blue meeting the amber-like eyes which he often gets lost in very much especially during the first few times they have met.
Zhongli’s eyes were a fiery amber, and Childe finds himself liking how it reflects against his whenever they have their intimate moments. It’s a calm cackling flame, never ceasing but never rising as well amidst the constant raging blue tides in his eyes.
The anchor that he needs.
“G’morning love,” a sluggish greeting escapes past his lips, pushing his face into the crook of Zhongli’s neck because the sun is too glaring.
“It’s already almost noon… but good morning,” Zhongli smiles, hand cupping Childe’s jaw so he gets a good look at his lover. He’s going to miss seeing this rare but very much dashing sight of him ( only for him to see) every time he wakes.
Childe must have thought he had wanted to kiss him because he’s leaning in so instinctively, easily capturing Zhongli’s lips into a soft lazy kiss.
The kiss gradually gets deeper, although still sloppy. It throws Zhongli off-guard because suddenly the Harbinger has both hands pressed by his sides, caging him and he feels like he’s being swallowed whole, hot tongue chasing his.
Childe ghosts his fingertips across the small of Zhongli’s back but before he goes any further, it seems like something clicked in his want induced mind because he draws back from the kiss, only thumbing his lover’s now spit swollen lips.
Pressing their foreheads together, Childe closes his eyes.
“I’ll be leaving for Snezhnaya today.”
It had been anticipated, so with a seal of a promise to return, Zhongli nodded. He only hopes no suspicion towards his lover would arise. Things would get complicated, if that was what to happen.
Knowing Childe, he wouldn’t hesitate to do whatever if it was to see Zhongli again, even if it was going against his own god. That, is what frightens Zhongli for what Tsaritsa can do to him. Snezhnaya was her region and afterall, he is her weapon to use or destroy.
-
That afternoon, Childe leaves, footsteps brisk and quiet after gathering his items. He washes up, dresses and tucks his red mask in the side of his orange locks.
When it came down to his Harbinger duties, he was back to being Tartaglia. Void of expression, calm and always ready for any misalignments , he supposes.
The ex-god sends him off till the Harbor, trailing behind him. Just when Zhongli thought he was really leaving without any final farewells, the Harbinger comes standing in front of him after having loaded his items on the ship.
Before Zhongli could speak to question, Childe merely takes his hand in his, kissing the back of his hand, locking his gaze with his. A gaze so deep that it sends a shiver down the ex-god’s spine.
A gaze so full of want and desire to protect, anyone could tell.
“Don’t worry, love. Once I settle things there, I’ll soon see you again.”
As much as Zhongli trusts his lover’s words ( because he trusts him with all his heart) , he isn’t sure why a knot of unsettledness forms in the back of his mind as his figure gets smaller in the distance.
Strings of undesired foreseen fate seem to tangle together and the hands which have been clasped together behind Zhongli’s back clenches ever so slightly into fists.
-
Something’s… off . He just knows.
The moon shines bright above Liyue Harbor, specks of yellow emitting from boat lights scattered among the deep blue waters looking like stars in the ocean. It’s a scenic sight to soak oneself in as the warm lantern lights begin lighting up in the city harbor, indicating the beginning of night.
The Wangsheng consultant had just gotten off work, strolling along the balconies connecting several services. Idle chatter surrounded the city harbor, in restaurants, along the streets beneath him where children gush and giggle among themselves, excitement evident in their skips and jumps.
It’s moments like this that makes him miss Childe dearly. The beginning of nights were always also the start of their everyday dates. He’d write him a note, place it on his desk and when Zhongli returns from meeting with clients in the afternoons, a small smile graces his lips.
Seven by the balcony facing the center of the harbor. I’ll be waiting there, Xiansheng!
“What got ‘cha smiling like that? It must be your lover boy, Zhongli!” A chirpy voice bursts the consultant’s forming bubbles of thoughts for the anticipating night, Hutao popping just over his shoulder to catch a glance at the crisp note.
At this point, everyone working at Wangsheng Parlour already knows about their… rather close relationship. Save Hutao for being the only one who is actually aware of them being lovers.
All because of the huge bouquet of flowers he had sent declaring his love oh so discreetly with the reddest of roses and an “I love you” card in the middle. Thankfully at that time Hutao had been the only one there besides himself.
Zhongli reminds Childe to never again do that, and although flowers are a pretty gift, he would much love the finest of jades and stones carved into accessories. They were more bearing to wear and they wouldn’t stand out.
That certainly had appeased both him and his lover because the next week, Childe gifts him a necklace. It looks like a simple fine necklace at first glance, a thin gold chain with a circular jade pendant settling in the center.
However, one closer look would definitely give away its high value. It was a custom made necklace, a chain so fine and malleable that it would be able to rest easy on the nape of the wearer and the pendant, while small, was striking.
The pendant’s shine glimmered without a hint of dullness, and carved in it, was a dragon.
Behind the pendant lies a solid gold backing, with four simple letters engraved.
AJAX.
Childe had offered to wear it for him upon gifting it to him and the moment where Zhongli saw the engravement on the back of the pendant, was the moment where it had been clasped around his neck, with a firm click of a sound.
The ex-god would be lying if he didn’t feel a warmth akin to love coursing through his being.
Childe was claiming what was his, clearly, in a way where only both of them know and that drives him crazy. The fact that the object of symbolisation is in plain sight for everyone to see, but only for him to know.
Maybe Zhongli visibly shivers at that thought, or maybe it was the gradual stir in the air but Childe encircles his arms around his waist from behind anyway, humming a low sound of approval when he stares into the mirror which happens to be laid opposite them.
“It looks pretty on you, Xiansheng,” Comes a quiet but fervent whisper. Soft lips brush against his bare shoulder. He was in an undressed state, having just woken up.
This time, Zhongli is sure he shudders because he’s meeting Childe’s gaze in the mirror, eyes like a dark blue ocean that he’d drown in but Childe wouldn’t let him.
Instead, he doesn’t let down that gaze of his. His stare is fixated on Zhongli through the mirror, intense as he drags his lips from the juncture of his shoulder towards his jawline. It’s agonizingly slow, and Zhongli’s face burns from the stretch of time.
Childe doesn’t give him any time to process what was about to happen and he’s diving in, licking, nipping and marking the pale smooth neck of his.
He leaves a noticeable hickey, sucking on it rougher compared to the feather kisses he had pressed along Zhongli’s neck. It leaves Zhongli quivering, hand gripping the mirror desk shakily and Childe smirks.
My Zhongli.
Zhongli shakes his head, turning away from the balcony they used to often meet at. Just where in the world was Childe at right now? He reached Snezhnaya safely, right?
A week has passed and there was still no news of him. He had clearly told Zhongli he would write to him once he had settled back in his hometown but still, nothing.
Maybe he was right. The odd feeling that he felt when Childe had left. Something must have happened. Childe has never not kept his word.
Worry continues to fill his clouded mind the next day and it leaves Zhongli with no choice but to set off for Snezhnaya. Seeing him would be the only way to set his heart at ease.
He fears he might be right, that Childe has fallen into some sort of a predicament. That they had found him guilty to have defected from the Fatui.
“Director Hu, I’m afraid I won’t be here… for a day or two. My deepest apologies.” Zhongli says quietly as he starts packing his desk, ready to get off work.
Hutao whips her head towards the consultant desk where he sat, a grim look cast upon his face.
It’s definitely a surprise. Zhongli has never taken a leave of absence. Something of importance must have happened for the consultant to be looking so… serious.
Sensing it to be a situation where she shouldn’t pry into by the look of his expression, Hutao simply nodded.
“Sure thing! I’ll catch ya again when you’re back,” She smiles at him, and Zhongli manages a polite smile in spite of the suffocating distress building up inside of him.
He’s gone, out of the doors then and Zhongli prays to whatever god out there, to himself, for Childe to be safe.
- 1 week earlier
“Lord Tartaglia, welcome back. Her royal highness wishes to see you this instant.”
The Harbinger barks out an empty laugh. He had only stepped a foot into the Zapolyarny Palace.
“Not wasting a second, huh.” He says under his breath, gritting his teeth in slight annoyance.
The grip on his bag of belongings tightens. Of course, he would have known this would happen.
He was just going to figure out along the way he guessed, as to how he was going to come out of this alive.
Childe was not a fan of precise pre-planning. He prefers charging right in, letting his skills paired with his hydro blades decide whatever his fate was going to be.
The outcome was typically in his favor, anyway. However, now when he’s dealing with his own god… perhaps he should have thought through things a little.
Tsaritsa is furious . At him, for obvious reasons.
Oh, he could imagine the expression on her face. Having seen that look so many times to intruders who dared to come crawling into the palace. He hadn't seen the intruders again the next morning.
This time, it was going to be him to suffer the same fate as those intruders did but somehow, Childe didn’t feel the need to fear.
In fact, this thrills him. The situation was his to play, to wreak havoc. And boy, will he.
Ever since meeting and falling in love with Zhongli, it’s almost certain that his beliefs and values are deemed to have been… shifted.
Now, he’d do whatever it takes to protect his lover, his Zhongli. Whatever that comes in their way. Childe doesn’t stop nor would his thoughts waver until what is to be done is done. That was how things work in his eyes.
The grip on his bag slackens. He flashes a merry smile at the Fatui messenger, passing by with a wave of a hand that he would head to the throne hall after settling his belongings.
His expression drops flat once he enters his room and a sheet of darkness looms over his face.
-
“What do you have to say for yourself, Tartaglia? You were in Liyue when your duties were supposedly done three weeks ago. Some of the Fatui have even reported to me that you were seen with… the Geo Archon.”
He was right. Tsaritsa was not pleased. Not pleased is an understatement.
The Harbinger stood in the center of the throne room where pure white walls surround and guard its Queen.
He doesn’t have anything to say for himself really, and Childe has no intentions to lie either. He came back only so Tsaritsa would stop sending men over to Liyue, demanding him to return.
Lying was for the weak, he thinks and he’s far from that. He chooses to stare up at the high ceiling of the room instead, as if something was so interesting about the pristine shine of the surface that had made the room exude a sense of royalty.
“Tartaglia?” The tone laced with hesitance makes the Harbinger lower his head to look at his god, whose facial expression seems to be more of hurt than anger.
Childe suppresses a smile.
Oh your highness, Tsaritsa… you’re too kind as always.
She was probably furious not because he had disobeyed her but rather, the fact that he might have betrayed her for another god.
He was one of the best she has too, and Childe guesses if he’s gone, it’s one less skilled Harbinger to protect her.
“I have nothing to say, Your Highness. Do what you must but what the Fatui members have seen are indeed true. I was with Zhongli Xiansheng mostly during my stay there.”
“Zhongli… Xiansheng? Have you really betrayed me?”
Tsaritsa gasps, eyes widening in absolute disbelief.
She obviously did not expect Childe to still remain so composed and nonchalant about it. Now, she might really lose him. She clears her throat, deciding to brush away his casual remark as if it wasn’t an indirect indication of disloyalty.
She gives him one more chance before the execution of what should be done to a defected rests upon him.
“One week. Think about it and I’ll listen to what your final say is. I trust, that will be your most right decision.”
The Harbinger didn’t need a week at all, frankly speaking. He’d still want to go back to Zhongli, to be by his side for the rest of his life but he guessed Tsaritsa wished not to give up on him.
The one week wasn’t for him to think about his decision, but for her Royal Highness to prepare to do what she never had expected to her own trusted followers.
“You will be placed under supervision for now. No leaving your room unless necessary. Food will be served to your room.”
Ah… I have to write and send a letter to Zhongli though. Guess I do need this time to think about getting out of here. Zhongli won’t be happy if I return all bloodied.
Childe barely acknowledges, only bowing to her out of mere habit before he leaves. He has already decided to leave, leave behind everything here. His years of loyalty, dedication toward his God or his God then, for he has found a new purpose.
He has never felt like this before, but now it was as if he had found… a home. For as long as he could remember, the Fatui was never like a home to Childe. It was more so like any other business organisation, a military force.
He never truly had a home, besides his family of course but now his times spent with Zhongli felt like home. Perhaps, that made him rebel, he didn’t want to be under the Fatui anymore.
His desire for bloodshed by no means has diminished, but instead he wants to relish in its pleasure by supporting Zhongli, or some sort.
To be able to protect the ones whom he loves most is what Childe stands for.
I want to see him soon.
- 1 week later
“You have defected from me, and the Fatui. I hereby say, I no longer have the use of you. You shall be executed by dawn.”
Least to say, Childe hadn’t thought of any way out without causing a massive scene (which probably will be a scene of red) and he might just be in trouble now.
His lips curled into a sinister smile, Hydro energy already coursing through his veins. Nothing of this feared him, really. He was made to fight against anyone, if he deems them worthy enough and oh how he’s literally up against his Fatui subordinates-
Clunk.
It seemed Tsaritsa already knew he was going to put up a fight ( of course) because Childe hadn't even moved, but the Fatui guards were already holding him down, and they had cuffed his hands behind.
The handcuffs must have been specially made because they were cold, infused with Cryo energy and no matter how many times Childe had burst out his Hydro blades, they just wouldn’t budge.
In fact, they just got sturdier from the elemental reaction, and he’s unable to break free from them.
Fuck.
“Take him away.”
It couldn’t be more perfectly timed because right then, the large tall doors of the throne room flung open and someone strides in. His footsteps were light but firm in every step and it wasn’t long until Childe recognised the familiar figure.
“Zhongli?” It comes out more as a question to himself than calling out to him, because he hadn’t expected to see him.
Zhongli? Here in Snezhnaya? Was he dreaming?
Several men followed right after him, it was the Fatui chasing after him but Zhongli summoned his pillar before he approached where Childe was being held down. The Geo energy travelling from the pillar towards the ground throws them back, and they don’t get close to the ex-god.
Clearly, no one stands a chance against an ex-god.
The guards holding him down charges forward at the intruder but with a wave of a hand, Zhongli puts up his hardly unbreakable Geo shield. No matter how many times they attack, the shield stays, protecting the man.
With a few strikes of his spear, the Fatui members slump on the ground, blood pooling around their bodies. This was not unfamiliar to Zhongli, for he has witnessed scenes far worse than this decades ago.
The last guard fell, and it was time. Time for the fight between gods. Or between an ex-god and god.
Zhongli’s stance softens when he sees Childe and he opens his mouth, about to say something but large spear shaped ice comes striking him and he backs off, reinforcing his shield.
“ Morax … how dare you come storming into my territory!”
Tsaritsa rose from her seat, clearly agitated.
Zhongli faces the Cryo archon head on, and his Vortex spear materialises in his hand. He wears a cold hard expression, one that Childe hadn’t seen before.
His golden eyes which always held safe warmth, similar to a fireplace in the cold winter were now replaced with burning crossfires with controlled anger, orange red blending together.
Oddly enough, it was exhilarating to see Zhongli like this. Childe had always been curious about how he was when he was Morax during the Archons Wars. He knew Zhongli was someone to never mess with, already sensing his strength from when he had first asked him to spar with him.
It has been long since then, and in the small disagreements he had encountered, the ex-god had hardly used violence to solve them.
This side of Zhongli was a sight to see. His mighty stance, the clear power he holds in his very hands and the burning fire in his eyes, now a blazing fury.
“How dare you lay your hand on Childe.”
Tsaritsa lets out a laugh from how ludicrous that statement was.
Her laughter dies down, and she speaks with sheer mockery.
“How dare I? Tartaglia is under me, of course I dare.”
“Not anymore. I won’t allow it.”
With that, the ground began to rumble, and it happened before Childe’s eyes. As Zhongli plunges the end of his spear into the ground, the impact sends vibrations through the ground towards where the Cryo Archon stood, so great that the ground splits, debris scattered.
It seems Tsaritsa managed to dodge it, a spark of blue appearing in the midst of the dust and smoke due to the debris and it dealt a large blow to Zhongli but it was fruitless.
While Zhongli summoned a meteor, Tsaritsa rained down thousands of icicles on him but clearly, she was no match for him. The power the ex-god holds has far exceeded how much Tsaritsa can withstand.
The Geo shield remained strong, and Zhongli walked forward, advancing towards the Cryo Archon who had taken a huge blow from the meteor. He took calm and calculated steps, a stark contrast to Tsaritsa, panic written all over her face.
The attacks continued, even freezing the ground beneath the ex-god but Zhongli shattered the ice that formed so easily.
One more step, and he’s right in front of Tsaritsa. Looking closely, it was obvious she was trembling. Her eyes were fixed on the Vortex spear in his hand.
No doubt anyone would fear this weapon, more so its rightful wielder. The spear that once defeated worldly monsters, that was capable of impaling anything.
Zhongli points the spear right at the fallen Cryo Archon chest, tip just an inch away from stabbing the flesh.
The state palace was far from recognition by now, geo pillars destroying its walls and the meteor summoned had caused a huge hole in the middle of it all.
“It's over, Tsaritsa.” A grave tone wrapping around every word enunciated.
“I'm taking Childe back with me.”
Nothing good would come out from challenging the Morax, even if he had chosen to live as a mortal now.
Tsaritsa doesn’t object, clear defeat in her eyes.
Looking at how Zhongli’s attack had a direct hit on her, she wouldn’t be able to move anytime soon. That ensured their safety and he had dealt with most of the Fatui outside so Zhongli rests his spear, knowing it had come to an end.
The once cold expression on his face shatters, spear dispelling from his grasp. Instantly, he rushes towards Childe who was leaning against a pillar, hands still binded.
Zhongli releases Geo energy from his hands onto the cuffs and the Cryo infused cuffs solidify into rock form, before crumbling into fine dust.
“Thank Celestia, I made it in time. Are you okay, love?” Zhongli murmurs, concern in his eyes.
He reaches out and his hand carefully cups his cheek, letting out a sigh of relief at the comforting contact.
Childe looks into his lover’s eyes, and gone is the rage, only a soft orange glow remains. The difference between Morax and Zhongli left him utterly stunned, only nodding dumbly.
He was so used to seeing a smile on the ex-god’s face, and he hardly got worked up. In fact, Childe himself got mad for Zhongli at times, when there were careless passing remarks about Morax among the people.
For Zhongli to become this mad and to cause such chaos in the palace that isn’t even in his region… nothing else could prove his love for the ex-Harbinger.
Childe was so used to protecting, to sacrifice and uphold his loyalty but now that he’s being protected and saved, by no less than his beloved, it makes him all warm inside. There’s something alluring about it as well.
He has always hated being helpless or protected but witnessing the power Zhongli held, so well controlled like solid gold, Childe thinks he could see his lover spar all day.
Hell, was he hot.
He relishes in the fact that no one could possibly bring Zhongli, Morax down, unless it’s him but he’d take Zhongli down in a way where he’s beneath him, splayed on the sheets moaning his name.
“Let’s go home now,” A soft smile forms on the ex-god’s face, hand taking Childe’s.
It breaks his thoughts, and he grins. That simple phrase never felt so deep before, and as if a weight had been lifted off his chest, Childe never felt so light.
“Yeah, home.”
On their way out, Childe witnesses the devastation bestowed upon his land. The kingdom he had sworn his loyalty to but funny enough, he doesn’t feel much remorse about it. His heart was already in Liyue, or wherever Zhongli was.
They didn't say much on their trip back to Liyue, Zhongli seemingly silent about the whole matter in Snezhnaya and it was only when they got back to his chambers that Childe brought it up.
“Zhongli, that was-”
“I’m sorry, but I couldn’t bear to lose you.” He blurts out hastily, exasperation pulling on every word of his.
Confusion swirls in Childe’s eyes, eyebrows furrowing.
“What? Wait, what are you talking about?”
“Witnessing what I have done, and what I am capable of… aren’t you upset?”
Childe stills, and he lowers his hand that was halfway to touching Zhongli’s hand because the man had stepped back, face contorted into a difficult expression.
Oh dear. He’s clearly mistaken.
It seems like Zhongli was getting way too ahead of what Childe is thinking of him, and he could sense a thousand thoughts (wrong thoughts) running through his lover’s mind but before he could do anything to stop it, Zhongli breaks.
He visibly swallows, eyes casting elsewhere other than facing Childe. He was too ashamed to face him. Zhongli did what he had to, to save his one and only. He had unleashed a side of him he had vowed to himself to never show again. More than that, he destroyed a part of his hometown.
“Do you… detest me now?” His lips were wobbling, mind in a whirl.
And that was in fact, the last thing Childe would ever do or no, he would never do.
“Oh Zhongli, love, I don’t detest you. I love you, for Celestia’s sake.”
Childe knows if he doesn’t make it clear now, it’s going to be hard so he surges forward, grabbing Zhongli’s arm to pull him into his embrace.
The ex-god makes a sound of surprise, but he doesn’t respond back, only choosing to ramble on.
“But the palace, your land, what I have done to it-”
“Yeah, and that was so hot .” Childe says flatly, head casually tilting to nip the other’s ear.
“W-Wait Childe, what are you say-” Zhongli is terribly lost, but very much flustered at what his lover had said.
Childe throws his head back, letting out a chuckle and when he looks at Zhongli in the next moment, his blue eyes are filled with a crave of hunger, one that could only be satiated by no other than who he was looking at.
“You know what? Fuck it. You’re my new god to please and I, can solemnly swear my loyalty to you, Morax.”
“But I am no longer Morax, Ch- Ah!”
He doesn’t wait for Zhongli’s response, tightening the grip his hands have on his lithe waist as Childe goes in for a searing kiss.
His hands travel upwards, tugging Zhongli’s coat and inner layers off just so he could attach his mouth on his neck, re-marking the places where he had last marked. Childe wished the lovebites he gave wouldn’t fade, they make his lover look extra pretty with marks, his marks decorated on him.
“My god is so gorgeous , isn’t that right, Xiansheng? ” Childe murmurs teasingly, knee nudging Zhongli’s legs open as he shoves between his thighs. It accidentally brushes his clothed cock and the ex-god lets out a choked moan, body melting against the other. Childe only holds him closer, head tilting further down for his lips to latch on his dark nipples, tongue swirling around it.
Zhongli jerks as a tingle of pleasure shoots through him, hands scrambling to clutch on Childe’s shoulder. His breathy whines fill the room, all from Childe’s ministrations and by the time Childe’s mouth leaves his nubs, it’s red, teeth marks around it.
A satisfied smirk settles on his lips, and Childe maneuvers them towards the bed, dropping Zhongli lightly on the sheets, limbs spread out. Such a sight causes a stir of heat in his pants but Childe holds onto it.
Today, he wants to please and reassure Zhongli, show him how loyal he can be towards his god, his lover, how much he loves him.
His hand slips into the waistband of his pants, holding the half hard cock in his hand. Zhongli instantly curls at the touch, but Childe presses down his thighs, keeping them open while his thumb presses the tip of his cock and the ex-god lets out a frustrated cry.
“ Childe …” It comes out strained, and Childe looks up to Zhongli, red flush painting his cheeks.
He cocks an eyebrow up in question, obviously teasing the other.
“Yes, Xiansheng?”
He removes the pants on Zhongli, pulling off his clothes too in the process. It wasn’t long till his deft hands were on Zhongli’s cock again, stroking it ever so slowly and it made the ex-god squirm.
“ Childe p-please.. touch me,” He manages to speak in between ragged breaths, cock now fully erected from the light touches.
“I am touching you though?” Childe replies, mirth in his voice as he wraps his fingers around the length of his girth, giving it a small squeeze to see the tip leaking out pre-cum.
The ex-god releases a high-pitched moan, hands fisting the sheets. He’s frowning, and Childe found it rather adorable, actually.
He proceeds to place a hand over his thigh, littering kisses on his inner thigh knowing full well it will cause the man to shiver at the tenderness. It seems like Zhongli was attempting to suppress his moans, arm draped over his face but Childe coaxes him out of it, hot breath around Zhongli’s aching cock and it twitches .
He couldn’t control it then, soft needy whines slipping out of Zhongli’s pretty lips as more pre-cum dribbles over his own cock, and Childe licks them up readily.
“Ajax…”
By now, Zhongli no doubt looked like he was on the edge for him to do something, anything . His teary eyes and swollen lips from biting back his moans tells Childe he’s way strung out, pleasure almost too overbearing.
However, this wasn’t beyond what he could handle, Childe knows from the hands that fly up to hold onto him, legs which were interlinked together around him, refusing to let him go.
Lovely.
Needlessly, he gives Zhongli what he wants after. He quickens the pace of his strokes, pumping his cock as the other hand rakes up the side of Zhongli’s torso, across the sensitive part of his lower back.
It wasn’t long until the built up tension tethers close to his limit, close to snapping as Zhongli cries out, stimulated for far longer than he was used to. The tentalising hot friction has him chasing his release, hips bucking up into Childe’s hand.
Childe gives it one last harsh tug that sends Zhongli into a frenzy, white flashing across his blurry vision from his tears as he gasps.
“Come for me, Zhongli.”
Zhongli is so pliant, so obedient and that brought him over, spilling all over Childe’s hands. He doesn’t realise he was still breathing out tiny whimpers until Childe hooks a finger under his chin, bringing him close for a sweet kiss.
The kiss calms him down, grounds him as his mind clears and when they part, Childe doesn’t forget to tell Zhongli again.
“My heart is always with you, Xiansheng. Above all, it’s only you whom I will devote myself to. My god. ”
Zhongli smiles, a little bashful. For his lover to still call him a god as much as he has thrown that title away, it’s endearing.
“I love you,” He whispers and Childe reciprocates an equal amount, gleam in his blue eyes expressing a never-changing love but it dissipates into a cheeky expression.
He takes the ex-god’s hand, placing it on his still clothed hard cock.
“Now, will you take care of this for me, love?”
Zhongli laughs, mildly embarrassed for leaving his lover in such a state. He shifts down, until he’s face to face with the bulge in Childe’s pants.
He catches the zipper between his teeth, pulling it down when he feels a hand caressing his nape before it gently guides his head closer as Childe takes his length out.
“This, I will,” Zhongli is so earnest, and he gestures, mouth opening. He looks up at him like that, peering through his long lashes.
Oh, how he absolutely has no idea what effect he has on his lover in times like these, but that’s okay. Childe would never want to waste an opportunity to fall in love with Zhongli again, and once more. Or forever more.