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Childe had always had odd dreams.
It started when he fell to the Abyss, as everything did. Darkness, violence, and blood was something he encountered frequently, and it made sense that it would seep into his unconscious and suffused into his dreams.
Things changed the day he unleashed Osial into Liyue. Despite his claims, he didn’t want to unleash Osial’s full power and risk hurting so many people in Liyue, most of which were lovely people he had come to know. He’d managed to alter the seals upon Osial’s grave instead and summoned only his vestiges, a fraction of the god’s power, and he could feel Osial’s wrath turn and latch onto him in return.
He’d begun dreaming of a beast in a cage, after that.
“Let me out, boy,” the beast would purr, “and I shall let you taste power beyond mortal comprehension.”
Childe may be gullible enough that Zhongli could trick him easily, but he wasn’t stupid enough to fall for that. And so he spent his dreams watching as the beast eyed him, writhing in his cage, gaze filled with a mix of hatred and hunger.
Things changed again the day Teucer came home, with his body and mind drained dry of energy and willpower, the Abyssal hold wrecking him from the inside out, made worse by the fact that he hadn’t recovered fully after his stint in Golden House. Childe had managed to drag himself back to his apartment in Liyue, somehow, and threw himself to bed with a dire need to rest and recuperate.
That night, the beast watched him from the cage, grinned, and broke the bars apart with scaled hands that gleamed in moonlight.
“I must say I have to be thankful of your recklessness and desire to keep your little brother happy,” the beast said. “For so long I have longed to break free, and now you’re finally weakened enough for me to succeed.”
“What do you want?” Childe asked. Despite the fear running down his spine, he forced his voice to remain deviant.
“Simply to break myself free in the living world,” the beast said. “And you are the singular key for it. I offer you the same as I have before; release me, and I will let you taste power beyond mortal comprehension.”
Childe shook his head. “No.”
The beast chuckled. “You misunderstand me. You have no choice here but to accept.”
Hands and tendrils took Childe, breaking him apart in waves of torturous pleasure. They reached down and wrapped his dick and pumped as something slithered into his ass and pushed in and out. The beast claimed him and took his lips into his own, sharp teeth nipping at his skin, a grin forming at the moans Childe couldn’t contain.
“Sleep, dear vessel,” the beast murmured against his ears. “Sleep, and forget. You do not need to remember any of this.”
The memories drowned in darkness.
Zhongli thought things were getting better with Childe.
He had drifted away after Zhongli revealed his identity as Rex Lapis. That, he could understand. He had used the Harbinger, contracts aside, and even if Childe had decided that he was to be used as a weapon by his sworn goddess the experience must have hurt him deeply. Zhongli had crossed a line, broken his trust. He would have been hurt, too, if he had been in Childe’s place.
But Childe had slowly started growing closer to him again. The chasm between them was still large, a gap too big to be crossed easily, they were slowly rebuilding the bridge. Zhongli had been sure that they would soon meet again in the middle and patched the cracks in their broken bond, but then Childe’s little brother visited and went back to Snezhnaya and Childe just… drifted.
Zhongli would be lying if he said he wasn’t scared Childe wanted to just pack up and go away. But he could still feel the Harbinger’s presence in Liyue Harbor, and people still caught glimpses of him. So he was still here. He just… never crossed paths with Zhongli again, for some reason.
Well, Zhongli had decided that he wanted to spend more time with Childe. It wasn’t like him to simply disappear without word, so there must be a reason why he hadn’t been around. With that in mind, Zhongli made his way to Northland Bank with a lunch invitation in mind.
Ekaterina greeted him as usual, but unlike usual, she gave him an apologetic smile. “I’m sorry, but I’m afraid Master Childe is out of the office today.”
Zhongli blinked at her in surprise. “He’s out? Do you know where I can find him, then?”
Ekaterina hesitated.
“I simply wanted to invite him for lunch,” Zhongli explained immediately. “If he is busy, then I will come another day.”
“No, um, he might not be in anytime soon either,” Ekaterina said. “It’s… hm.”
“Miss?” Zhongli prodded.
Another moment of hesitation, then Ekaterina leaned forward, gesturing for Zhongli to do the same. Once he did, she spoke lowly, hurriedly, into his ear. “Master Childe has not been well. We’ve been trying to take care of him, and he sometimes go out to keep up appearance that he’s okay, but he’s been like this for days. He probably doesn’t want you to know this, but… I know you’re connected to the Adepti somehow, Mister Zhongli. Would it be possible for you to check on him and see if what’s ailing him is of… ah, supernatural nature, so to speak?”
Zhongli straightened. “It would be possible, yes,” he said, and watched as relief flooded Ekaterina. “Where is he?”
“He’s staying in his apartment,” Ekaterina answered readily. “Do you know where it is?”
“I do. I’ll make my way there immediately.”
“Thank you, Mister Zhongli. When you get there, just say that I sent you. The guards will let you in.”
And so Zhongli made his way through the harbor to reach Childe’s apartment. Childe had somehow found an apartment at a corner of Feiyun Slope, at the topmost floor overlooking the sea, where one could hear the waves pushing and pulling at the wharf when quiet descended upon the harbor and sleep washed into the streets. Apparently, the Fatui and Qixing had prepared a lavish apartment in one of the suites at Yujing Terrace. It was one of the best, Zhongli knew, and mostly prepared for diplomats from abroad, which Childe was. If stories were to be believed, Childe had taken one look at it, wrinkled his nose, and decided he wanted something more humble. It had drawn Ningguang’s ire at the time, but she was mollified when he later clarified he wanted something with a better kitchen, as the suites at Yujing Terrace were only equipped with small kitchenettes.
It would have been surprising, but Zhongli had since learned how well Childe performed in the kitchen. He would be disappointed at a small stove with barely any space to chop vegetables, too, if he were Childe.
Two guards stood at the entrance to Childe’s apartment – Zhongli didn’t recognize them. As Ekaterina said, they let him in when Zhongli told them she sent him.
As usual, Childe’s apartment was cluttered – obvious signs that it was lived in – but it was a lot messier than normal. There were a few takeout boxes laid out on the floor, and empty glasses and cups sat on the coffee table. Shoes laid haphazardly by the entrance, and Zhongli sighed, tidying them up. Childe must feel really bad if he was being this messy. He was normally much more organized.
“Childe?” Zhongli called, taking off his shoes and walking into the dim apartment. “Miss Ekaterina sent me to check on you. Are you well?”
There was no answer. Now that he had walk deeper into the apartment, Zhongli could smell the faint smell of sweat and… something that he knew he should recognize. The air tasted stale upon his tongue. He wondered when Childe last opened the windows to let fresh air in.
“Childe?” Zhongli called again. Again, there was no answer.
Odd. Childe was normally a light sleeper. The sound of Zhongli opening the door should have been enough to wake him. With a soft murmur of excuse me, Zhongli stepped into Childe’s sleeping area – a small block sequestered off with bamboo and silk partitions depicting the mountains of Liyue. His eyes fell on Childe’s form and he froze.
Childe was buck naked, clearly out cold. The blanket he used had been kicked off to the floor. Sweat made his skin sticky and his hair pressed against the flushed surface, and there was a small frown marring his otherwise lovely features. One of his hands clutched the pillow as he laid on his side.
His other hand held his dick limply, with spent coating his fingers.
Belatedly, Zhongli realized the scent he had been smelling was Childe’s cum.
He bent and covered Childe with the discarded blanket so Childe would wake with a semblance of dignity. He moved to shake him awake, but Childe was already stirring, eyelids fluttering as he drew in a deep breath. He blinked and looked up, dazed blue eyes meeting Zhongli’s gold.
“Zhongli…?” he called softly. His voice was low and husky, and Zhongli would be a liar if he said it didn’t stir something into life in him.
He put it away. This wasn’t the time and place. “Miss Ekaterina sent me,” he said instead.
Childe frowned. He lifted his cum-covered hand to his face but stopped halfway, staring at his fingers and letting out an utterly confused noise. Then, slowly, understanding dawned in his eyes and red flushed over his face. He squeaked and pushed his hand back down to hide it under the blanket, only to get even more confused, blurting, “Why am I naked?”
Zhongli coughed awkwardly. “Perhaps you should take a shower,” he suggested. “I’ll open the windows to get some fresh air while you do.”
He left what little privacy the partitions gave Childe to do just that, breathing in the fresh air that carried the faint whiff of salt from the ocean and basking in warm sunlight, then proceeded to tidy up the room. As soon as the water in Childe’s bathroom began running, he wondered if Childe even remembered having masturbated in his sleep.
It took a while until Childe emerged from the bathroom, dressed in simple shirt and slacks. His hair was damp and jutted out everywhere. Now that it was brighter, Zhongli could see that he was paler than usual, though there was still a flush of pink that dotted his cheeks.
“Thanks for checking in on me,” Childe said as he flopped down to sit on a sofa, closing his eyes and breathing out. “You didn’t have to.”
“I wanted to,” Zhongli assured. “I wanted to ask if you wanted to join me for lunch and Miss Ekaterina told me you have been unwell. How long has this persisted?”
“A few days?” Childe breathed. His eyes were still closed. “Less than a week, I think, but… noticeably long. I’m not usually sick this long.”
“And… what sickness is this?”
“Dunno. I’m just… tired.”
“Hm. Perhaps some food would help. Come join me for lunch? Or breakfast, perhaps, in your case. Did you really just woke up?”
Childe didn’t answer. His breathing had evened out.
Concerned, Zhongli placed a hand on his shoulder and shook gently. “Childe?”
Childe’s eyes fluttered open. He hummed questioningly.
With a purse of his lips, Zhongli allowed his energy to reach out and probed. There was Abyssal energy clinging to Childe in a larger quantity than usual, but it was dormant – likely, he had used his Abyssal ability and the last stains that clung to him hadn’t had the chance to cleanse itself. But Childe’s own energy – the raging sea, the blade that cut with incredible precision, the horned ocean beast that swam in the starry skies – was worryingly low.
It was a split-second decision and not a hard one to make. Zhongli pushed his own energy into Childe and allowed his mountains and steady earth to feed the narwhal and watched as Childe visibly regained clarity. For an instant that was almost too quick to catch Childe’s eyes flashed a horribly familiar bright aquamarine. They turned back into dull ocean blue and Zhongli wondered if he had imagined it.
Childe blinked a few times. “What did you do?” he asked as he straightened up and marveled at his lack of lethargy.
“I gave you some of my own energy,” Zhongli answered. At Childe’s alarmed look, he lifted a placating hand. “It’s not nearly enough to incapacitate me, don’t worry. I only gave you enough so you can stay awake for a few hours, at least to have something to eat. You won’t recover if all you do is sleep.”
“I guess that’s true.” Childe rose to stand and stretched. “Oh, that feels good. Should we go to Wanmin Restaurant? I’ve been stuck inside for so long, I think I’ll go crazy if I don’t move around for a bit.”
Alarmed, Zhongli grabbed his wrist. “I hope you’re not planning to run off and fight a camp of hilichurls. I don’t think I gave you enough energy for that.”
Childe actually rolled his eyes at that. “I know, I know. Who said anything about fighting? I’m not reckless enough to fight after days of no exercise. But I think I can manage a walk to Wanmin and back.”
Reluctantly, Zhongli let go of his wrist. “If you’re sure, then. I’ll wait for you to get ready.”
Somehow, the mortification of having been caught sleeping naked – and covered in his own cum? What? – didn’t kill him on the spot. Instead Childe received some of Zhongli’s energy and was finally, finally awake and connected enough to leave the apartment for the first time in days.
He forced the mortification to the back of his mind and focused on his outing. The bright sun! The gentle breeze! The swaying gingko leaves! Man, he missed being outside.
His excitement must have shown, because Zhongli chuckled as he fell into step by Childe’s side. Childe sent him a sheepish smile and they made their way to Wanmin Restaurant in content, comfortable silence.
They were in luck; Xiangling was in when they got there. She took one look at them, dragged them to their preferred seats, and immediately began fussing.
“Mister Childe, you’re back! Have you recovered well?” she asked. “I was so surprised when the workers from the bank began making purchases for you. I’m so glad you’re up and about again now.”
“I’m better now. Thank you, Xiangling.” He grimaced. “I didn’t mean to worry you. Sorry.”
“Oh, don’t be! I’ll worry anyway. I wouldn’t want one of my favorite customers to get sick.” She squinted at him. “You still look a bit pale. Are you sure you’re okay?” Without warning, her hand struck out and felt his forehead. “You’re not running a temperature, at least. Wait, but you’re a bit cooler, does that mean you’re still unwell?”
Childe swallowed his surprise and gently pushed her hand away. “You have a Pyro Vision, Xiangling. You run warmer than most people.”
“Hey, that’s over-generalizing! And Chongyun has Cryo Vision but he’s warmer than you!”
Zhongli let out a soft cough, probably to cover his laughter. Childe gave Xiangling a deadpan stare. “I think you might be comparing me to the wrong person here,” he said. “Besides, you’ve been working by fire all day. Of course you’d think I’m cooler.”
Xiangling rocked back on her heels. “I guess that’s true. Still, you really do still look a bit pale. Okay, I have just the thing for you, so sit tight, okay? I’ll be back with your food in just a bit!”
Childe and Zhongli watched as she disappeared back to the kitchen. Childe shook his head fondly. “I swear, she’s fussier than my own sisters sometimes.”
“I can’t blame her. You do attract trouble often.” Zhongli lifted his hand and laid the back of his hand against Childe’s forehead. “And she’s right. You’re running cooler than usual.”
Childe hummed against the comfort of the touch. “I’m sure some food will help.”
“Of course.” Zhongli pulled back, and Childe swallowed his disappointment over the loss of touch. “Let us wait what Xiangling will bring out. Her selection has never disappointed, before.”
They didn’t have to wait long. Soon Xiangling was back out, serving chrysanthemum tea, then darting back to the kitchen and back out again with a tray of food in her hands while Guoba tottered behind her with a ceramic serving pot on his head. The smell made Childe’s mouth water instantly even though he had no idea what he was smelling.
Zhongli, though, clearly did. “Ah, excellent choice. The soup would be helpful in helping the body heal.”
“What are we having?” Childe asked.
As Guoba put the ceramic pot on the table, Xiangling answered, “This is herbal chicken soup! I added extra ginger for more warmth. I also added just a little pork bone broth for richer flavor and added collagen. I’ve shredded the chicken for you so you can eat more easily, too! Here’s some rice to go with that. Oh, and also some garlic green beans stir fry for your veggies!” Once all the food was deposited on the table, Xiangling nodded in satisfaction, putting two smaller ceramic bowls and spoons for the soup. “I’ll refill the soup as many times as I need to. Eat lots so you recover well, okay? I’ll bring some Almond Tofu for you later once you’re done.”
“Thanks a lot, Xiangling,” Childe said. He reached out to take a serving of the soup, but Xiangling slapped his hand lightly.
“Uh-uh! I’m serving you right now! Your job is to eat and rest and heal up.”
“Yes, Ma’am,” Childe answered, pulling back his hand with a smile. He couldn’t help but find Xiangling endearing. He waited to be served and sipped the soup as the chef and Zhongli both watched intently. The two relaxed when Childe let out a contented sigh, sipping more of the soup and practically melting in his seat. “It’s so good,” he breathed.
“I have more simmering in the kitchen, so don’t hesitate to have seconds,” Xiangling said. “I have to go cook for the other customers now, though. Enjoy your food!”
Guoba took the chance to pat Childe’s knee before trotting back after Xiangling. Childe barely acknowledged it, too immersed in the richness of the broth and the warmth that spread out to his limbs. He didn’t realize how cold he was until he had the soup warming him from the inside out. a part of him tried to puzzle the ingredients of the soup, but they were unfamiliar to him.
“Good?” Zhongli’s voice snapped out of his soup-induced stupor.
Childe licked his lips as he nodded. “It’s great. It’s so warm. What’s inside this? Xiangling mentioned ginger, but I don’t recognize the rest.”
Zhongli leaned forward and lifted the ingredients with the ladle as he pointed them out to Childe. “The main flavor comes from the chicken, usually the thigh if not cooked whole. There are various herbal roots common in medicine, such as Astragalus and Codonopsis roots. They are both excellent for replenishing energy and combatting fatigue. This one here is dried yam – it also aids the body in regaining energy and alleviating weakness. The small red ones floating about is Goji berries; they’re good for your liver and helps improve eyesight. They are also good source of vitamins. The big red fruits, on the other hand, is jujube. It’s also an excellent source of vitamins and can help you improve your muscle strength. The last one… ah, I believe that is dried longan. Another excellent source of vitamins.”
“And then everything is garnished with sliced green onions,” Childe murmured. “I have no idea who the madlad who first thought it’s a good idea to throw fruits and roots together with whole chicken into soup, but I commend them.”
Zhongli hummed. “This soup is often served to sick people, mothers recovering from labor, the elderly, or patients recovering from medical procedures. Xiangling chose well for you.”
Childe snorted. “Sick people eat so well in Liyue. I mean, I guess they do everywhere, but this soup is really tasty so it feels like I eat better than usual.”
“You can eat even better.” Zhongli pushed the rice and green beans at him. “Eat.”
Childe snorted again. “Yes, Mom.”
They spoke softly as they ate, soft murmurs of everything and nothing between sips and chews. Zhongli served Childe two more bowls of soup despite Childe insisting that he could serve himself and should be the one serving Zhongli, but the archon insisted. By the time the soup was gone, Childe was warm and full and content, and his eyes had begun to grow heavy again.
He laughed softly. “You’d think I’d have slept enough.”
“Ginger and chicken have that effect on human biology,” Zhongli said as he took Childe’s bowl and put it aside, stacking it together with his. “And medicinal soups such as these are made so the consumer can get as much nutrients as possible and then rest immediately afterwards. Would you still like to have the Almond Tofu, or would you like to go home to rest?”
“I wouldn’t be opposed to dessert, but I don’t think I can finish a whole serving by myself.”
Zhongli hummed. “Let’s share, then.” He rose to tell Xiangling about it, and soon she was back with two plates of half-servings of Almond Tofu. By the time they were done with dessert Childe was just about ready to curl back up into bed.
Zhongli nudged him to his feet. “Come then. I’ll walk you home.”
“The bill – “
“Wanmin knows to charge the bill to the bank,” Zhongli cut in gently, “and Xiangling has assured me she and her father will take care of it. Come now.”
The hand holding his elbow squeezed gently, and Childe could feel steady rocks and mountains suffusing into him, feeding him energy to stay awake just a bit longer. He blinked himself back to awareness and allowed Zhongli to lead him home. The guards Ekaterina assigned at his entrance let them in and Zhongli immediately sat Childe down on his sofa.
He felt like floating. Sleep had slowly creeped in again, and in his growing stupor Childe could hear Zhongli rummaging around in his sleeping area. He decided he didn’t care enough about it and that he trusted Zhongli enough to be in his house anyway and curled into the sofa to sleep.
“Childe? I’ve changed your sheets, you can move back to bed… ah.” A quiet sigh and shuffle, and warm, strong arms gathered him into a steady hold, then gently deposited him onto cool, fresh bedding. He sighed comfortably when a warm hand brushed his hair out of his face and he canted into the touch.
“Rest,” Zhongli’s voice rumbled gently. “I’ll come again tomorrow.”
He was out like a light before the meaning truly registered.
Zhongli watched as Childe sunk deeper into slumber. As much as it relieved him that Childe was at least resting, it also sparked worry into his gut.
With the amount of energy he had fed into Childe earlier, he should be awake longer. At least until sundown. And yet here he was, already spent once more, sleeping deeper than Zhongli would have thought.
Something was wrong. He probed again but didn’t find anything incriminating aside from the horribly low energy. He could try giving Childe some more, but he wouldn’t want to accidentally make Childe reliant on his energy. No, Childe needed to replenish his own on his own terms.
“I’m sorry I can’t find out what is wrong soon,” he whispered softly. “I’ll have to stay my hand and see what will happen. I need to find out more.” He petted Childe’s head and gently pulled a blanket over him – a soft and thin cotton blanket that Childe preferred. “See you tomorrow, Childe.”
He will find out, and soon.
There was a sort of mastery that came with repetition. Familiarity bled into limbs until one could move with no thought, until the muscles could execute something with uncanny precision without the brain’s conscious input.
Apparently, the same could be said about dreams and its realms. When he awoke, Childe couldn’t remember anything that had transpired. But when he was asleep, he remembered.
“Get off,” he snarled at the beast – Osial, he had soon learned.
Osial laughed. “I’ve said this before. You don’t have a choice.”
The first few times this happened, Childe couldn’t really fight. He was too confused, too addled by the pleasure Osial kept him in, to truly fight back. Now that some of Zhongli’s energy mingled with his own diminishing power, he had enough to at least kick back.
“How… refreshing, really, that you’re fighting back now,” Osial said as Hydro-made tendrils wrapped around Childe’s limbs and pulled him down to the ground. “It’s alright. I like my toys better when they can bite. It’s so much more rewarding when they’re finally broken properly.”
“I’m not your – “ Childe cut himself off with a cry when Osial pushed his face to the ground, his other arm twining around his hips and pulling him up, forcing his ass to stick up.
“You’re not my…?” Osial prodded teasingly as his slick thumb fingered Childe’s rim. He didn’t even remember ever taking off his clothes. “You forget, vessel. Your body is mine. I’m only taking this long because I need to suck you dry so my physical body can break the cage you have helpfully weakened.” Instead of the fingers, another tendril breached in and Childe bit his lip to stop himself from making any noise. “And I’m doing this because you are a delicious little morsel, and despite everything… I do need you as a vessel. Much as I loathe to admit it, my current physical body is too frail. Yours, however… it will do nicely.”
“I’m not going to let you do this,” Childe gritted out. He gasped when the tendril pressed against a sensitive spot. “You won’t – hnngh – you won’t take me.”
“I’m already taking you,” Osial pressed that spot again and chuckled when Childe jolted. Bastard. “The only way to stop this now is if another god claim you thoroughly and override my claim.”
Childe thrashed against his bindings but the tendrils held fast. He panted as Osial took out his the tendril from his ass, only to curse inwardly when he felt the tip of his cock pressing in. “Stop,” he snarled. “I’m already the Tsaritsa’s.”
“You’re not hers the way I’m claiming you,” Osial said simply and pushed in without warning.
Childe couldn’t stop the cry that ripped out of his throat. Osial was big, and he pushed in without care if Childe was ready or not. Any sort of pleasure the experience might have offered was taken over by excruciating pain. “Stop,” he managed to grit out. “Zhongli – “
“Oh?”
Childe choked when Osial thrusted in violently, then flipped him around – still with his impossible girth embedded deep – so Osial could see his face. The bright, sharp aquamarine eyes narrowed dangerously at him.
“You know, I find it hilarious that the man that released my seal is the very same one Morax is vying,” Osial said, far too casually for it to not be a trap. “And for him to feed you some of his energy, too? He will help me break free and he does not even know.”
Childe squirmed. Osial dragged him deeper into his cock, and Childe found himself losing all energy in his limbs, drained with pain as Osial rocked his hips and stirred his insides.
“How funny, that you would prefer him, as well. Would you be more willing in letting me remake you if I look different?” In a flash, Osial’s appearance shifted. Dark blue hair with aquamarine tips turned dark brown that tapered into gold. Gleaming fish scales disappeared. Colors shifted from ocean to earth. The only thing that didn’t change was the eyes – the aquamarine stayed instead of shifting into warm gold.
It made Childe bubble with rage all the same, and he kicked with newfound energy as hot anger rushed through him. “Don’t you dare,” he snarled. “Don’t you dare use that appearance.”
“Why?” Sweet Tsaritsa, he even sounded the same as Zhongli. “Do you not like Morax? Does this new form not please you?”
“You’re not him,” Childe said. “You will never become him.”
“For you, dear vessel,” Osial, still wreathed in Zhongli’s appearance, dipped in and licked Childe’s ear, rumbling pleasantly when Childe shivered despite himself, “I will become your god.”
This isn’t Zhongli, Childe repeated again and again as Osial drilled into him relentlessly. He stared into aquamarine eyes and reminded himself, again and again, It’s not gold. This isn’t Zhongli.
He lost himself in the aquamarine gaze all the same.
Childe still slept much more than is normal despite Zhongli giving him some of his energy every now and then, and Zhongli was nearing the end of his wits. He could tell Childe’s situation was getting worse with each passing day.
It was hard to keep the fact that he was unwell in wrap. People were bound to find out, when his appearance in public dwindled and the few times he appeared he almost always ended up dozing. After Zhongli stopped an open attack in the streets with his shield, the Qixing practically assigned people to shadow Childe – likely unwilling to let a diplomat die even if they found him abhorrent to avoid international incident – and Ekaterina deemed him the only person she trusted to keep Childe safe other than fellow Northland employees. They only went to Wanmin, Liuli, and Xinyue to eat because they were the only places Ekaterina trusted to keep Childe’s food safe for consumption.
And, since he visited Childe’s apartment to check on him daily, he had come to the conclusion that Childe practically masturbated every night and woke up unaware of it – at least until he noticed his cum-covered fingers. There was the same look of confusion in his eyes as he stared at his fingers every time he woke.
No amount of energy Zhongli helped provide could return Childe’s own to healthy level. No amount of healing soups or medicine or herbal drinks could help. Like clockwork, Childe would succumb to sleep only hours after Zhongli shook him awake.
And the window of time in which he remained awake kept narrowing.
Here, now, staring at Childe’s slumbering form in growing frustration, Zhongli knew this wasn’t something he could do on his own. He had tried on his own to help, but he had exhausted his options. Perhaps the only way to know for sure how to fix this was to delve into Childe’s dreams and investigate.
Zhongli was capable of doing it, but dreams were delicate and his domain was never in it. But Xiao once sustained himself in nothing but dreams and nightmares. Perhaps he could help.
He decided to shake Childe awake and ask him about letting Xiao in later. For now, he had to make sure Childe had something to eat.
“Childe,” Zhongli called softly as he shook Childe awake and allowing his energy to seep into him. “Hey. Wake up.”
Worryingly, it took longer for Childe to rouse. A part of Zhongli was seized with fear that he would soon sleep and never woke up again.
But today, slow as it was, Childe woke. Bleary blue eyes blinked against the light streaming into the room, then looked up to meet Zhongli’s gaze, and –
Childe flinched back violently.
Zhongli froze. “Childe?”
Childe blinked a few times, the sleep finally fading from his gaze. He breathed, looked at Zhongli tensely, then seemed to recognize something as he slumped into his bed in obvious relief. “Gold,” he mumbled. He lifted his hand to tug at his hair and smeared cum all over the rust-red strands.
The knowledge that Childe was naked under the cover Zhongli threw at him before shaking him awake and that he was covered in his own cum would never stop being – embarrassing? Arousing? It shouldn’t be but there was no denying the fact that Zhongli’s dick stirred at the thought of Childe coming undone, especially if it was under his ministrations. But right now it all seemed unimportant. “What’s wrong?” he asked instead.
Childe shook his head. “Sorry, sorry, it’s nothing. I thought… sorry.”
Zhongli gave him a moment to gather himself and asked, “Would you like to shower before we go out to eat?” Zhongli would prefer to cook something or get takeout, but Childe had always insisted on eating out, wanting to get fresh air.
Instead of slowly rising like Zhongli expected he would, Childe burrowed himself deeper into bed. “Can’t I just sleep instead…?”
A spike of fear struck deep in Zhongli’s gut. “You need to eat, Childe,” he said, somehow managing to keep his voice level. “Come now. Xiangling and Chef Mao are waiting. We’ve reserved seats for today.”
“Five more minutes,” Childe said instead. His voice petered out with each word he spoke. “I’m so… tired…”
“Childe? Childe, wake up.”
Childe remained unresponsive.
The fear coiling in Zhongli’s gut reared, and he moved before he was fully aware of what he was doing. He gathered Childe into his arms and let him lean into him, patting Childe’s cheek lightly. “Childe. Open your eyes. Please wake up.”
Childe’s head lolled and thumped against the soft of Zhongli’s arm.
Fear gripped him like vice. Without thinking of what would happen to any of them, Zhongli drew as much energy as he thought a mortal body could hold and fed it straight into Childe. Mountains and earth as steady as stone rushed to seek the narwhal navigating the stars, finding it beached and weak, and pushed and empowered it until it could leap and breach.
Childe’s eyes snapped open with a gasp, body tense. He blinked a few times as he stared unseeingly at the ceiling. His eyes were the deep ocean blue Zhongli had become familiar with, but the pupils were an unmistakable brilliant gold. Awareness slowly coalesced into his gaze and he shifted his stare to Zhongli. “Zhongli…?” he asked, a little breathless.
“I – “ Zhongli frowned when he realized his voice cracked. He cleared his throat. “I fed you some of my energy so you can stay awake.”
“This is so much more than usual,” Childe said with the same breathless cadence. “I feel like I’m hopped up on ten pots of coffee and an unholy amount of sugar. I can jump to the moon.”
Zhongli winced. “My apologies. I might have overdid it.”
“It’s… it’s okay. It just takes some time to adjust is all.” More blinks, and Childe slowly sat up, peeling himself from Zhongli’s hold. “I think I’m going to take a shower while I try not to knock everything I have. I don’t want to go out and accidentally smack some townsfolk. I feel like I can fling them into the wall.”
“It should settle soon,” Zhongli said as he averted his gaze and allowed Childe to move to the bathroom with as much privacy as he could give.
When Childe emerged from the bathroom, he was clean, hair jutting out, and his eyes were back to the dull blue though Zhongli could see a faint dot of gold in his pupils. He looked the most awake Zhongli had seen him in days and relief flooded his chest. With a fond smile, he reached out and combed Childe’s damp hair with his fingers, wondering if he could get away with holding Childe the rest of the day.
Childe laughed and batted his hand away. “I can deal with my hair on my own.”
“I want to do this for you,” Zhongli admitted openly, and Childe allowed the fingers to comb again, chuckling lightly. “Get dressed soon? We have seats reserved in Wanmin Restaurant.”
“Of course! I wouldn’t want to miss more of Xiangling’s cooking.”
Zhongli’s fingers lingered as Childe moved away, lightly brushing against skin; arm, wrist, knuckles. The warmth left and Zhongli watched as Childe slipped to the privacy of the partitions, listened to the rustle of fabrics and the soft humming of a Snezhnayan nursery rhyme. He breathed out a breath he had been holding when Childe emerged back to his sight. He had forgone his usual uniform for casual wear.
Childe stood by Zhongli’s side and bumped the back of their hands together. “Shall we?”
Zhongli took the plunge and followed his heart’s lead. He wasn’t so sure about openly holding Childe’s hand, but he twined their gloved little fingers together. “Let’s.”
But Childe paused, staring at their twined fingers, and smiled. “Aw, Zhongli. Are you trying to make a promise to me?”
“Perhaps I am. I promise to keep you safe and healthy to the best of my ability,” Zhongli said as he lifted their entwined hands. “Would that be satisfactory?”
“Mmm. And what do I do for you in return?”
“I will be content simply with you keeping yourself safe and healthy to the best of your ability.”
Childe let out a soft, breathy laugh and met Zhongli’s eyes. His dull gaze almost seemed to sparkle like this. “You make a pinkie promise…” he prodded.
Zhongli had heard it enough, known enough about contracts in all its forms, to be able to recite the rhyme easily. “…you keep it all your life. You break a pinkie promise, I throw you on the ice. The cold will kill the pinkie that once betrayed your friend, the frost will freeze your tongue off so you never lie again.” He paused, then added, “Alternatively, there is also the Wrath of Rock.”
“Oh no, to endure Her Majesty’s limb-freezing cold and Rex Lapis’ Wrath of Rock at the same time? What fate,” Childe said mockingly as he pulled Zhongli to the door. “I guess I have no choice but eat well, exercise, and get good rest, then.”
“Don’t worry, I’ll help,” Zhongli assured.
Usually their walks around Liyue was filled with Zhongli’s lectures, but for once, Zhongli was the quiet one. He listened as Childe chattered, pointing out things he noticed was new, the colors of the leaves, even the shape of a drifting cloud. Zhongli listened, watched, and committed to memory how Childe was still here, well, alive.
They reached Wanmin soon enough, and Xiangling greeted them cheerfully. “You’re here!” she said. “Welcome, welcome! Aw, Mister Childe, you still look a bit pale.”
“I’m better, promise! Mister Zhongli is taking good care of me,” Childe said.
“As he should! Honestly, who even stays sick as long as you do?” Xiangling chided. “Here, sit, sit! What do you want to eat? I’ll get your order out in just a blink!”
“Perhaps something light and easy to digest,” Zhongli hummed. “Perhaps Noodles with Mountain Delicacies? Or a simple egg fried rice.”
“I like the sound of fried rice. And maybe Stir-Fried Filet?” Childe suggested.
“Okay, so Egg fried rice and Stir-Fried Filet. Anything else?” Xiangling asked as she jotted the orders down.
“Sautéed Matsutake might be good,” Zhongli said. “And tea, of course.”
“Of course,” Xiangling nodded sagely. “Well, sit tight then! I’ll be back out with your orders in just a bit!”
As Xiangling slipped into the kitchen, Zhongli turned to Childe. “Childe… I’ve been meaning to ask you this, but I never got to. Since when does the sleepiness start?”
“Honestly, I don’t know for sure? I just know that it’s been a while.” He sighed. “At first I didn’t think much about it. When Teucer visited I was super tired, and I needed a lot of rest, so I didn’t think much about needing more sleep. I don’t know if it started then or sometime after.”
Zhongli frowned. “Why would you be so tired you need more sleep after your brother visited?”
“Oh. Um.” Childe ducked his head a little and lowered his voice. “Did the Traveler ever told you about the Abyssal power I have?”
“Yes.”
“I had to use it.” Childe sighed. “It gives me a huge power boost, but it… wrecks me, afterwards. It forces my body to change and the transformation drains me. So I always need more rest after I use it.”
“And it persisted,” Zhongli concluded, but to his surprise Childe shook his head.
“It’s a different kind of tiredness,” he said. “I don’t know how to explain it. I just know it’s different.”
Zhongli pursed his lips. He reached out and brushed Childe’s hair out of his eyes. His hair was short, but it had grown long enough for Zhongli to tuck some strands behind his ear. “I just worry, is all. It doesn’t seem like anything works to help you stay awake.”
“You do,” Childe pointed out as he leaned into the touch.
“I might not always be here to help you.”
“Aw, Zhongli. Forgotten our pinkie promise already?”
Mirth danced within him despite himself. “Never. But I still worry. Do you remember what you dream of?”
“These days? Not really, but that’s common when I’m sick. Why?”
“Hmm. Would you mind if I ask one of the Adepti to look into your dreams? There might be some clues as to why this keeps happening.”
“Mmm… give me a moment to think about it.”
Their conversation was interrupted when Xiangling came back with their food. Like usual Guoba waddled behind her to help bring out the orders and took a moment to pat Childe’s knee before trotting back to the kitchen.
The meal was… peaceful. They talked again about everything and nothing, the previous topic of Childe’s condition ignored. Not forgotten, but shelved away for now. Worryingly, Childe’s energy slowly dwindled again though it was nowhere near critical like before. By the time Xiangling was back out with two servings of Mint Jelly, he was nodding off, each time awoken again when his chin hit his chest.
Xiangling hissed in sympathy. “Are you sure you’re okay? I’m sure Doctor Baizhu could help if you asked him to examine you.”
“Already did. Didn’t find anything wrong,” Childe said. He rubbed his eyes and shook his head in an attempt to clear his head. “Alright, alright. I’m okay.”
“Here’s your desserts,” Xiangling simply said. “Go back home as soon as you can, okay? I think you still need more rest.”
“Sure, sure.”
Zhongli had kept an eye on Childe, but it genuinely worried him how quickly Childe seemed to lose the battle to keep himself awake. He gave a jolt of energy and watched as Childe blinked back to awareness. “Childe,” he called carefully. “Can you remain awake?”
“Yeah… yeah, of course.” Again, Childe shook himself awake. His eyes were fully dull blue by now, made even duller by the lull of sleep weighing his limbs. “I’ll stay awake until we got back to my place. Let’s finish up.”
They finished quickly enough, and before they left Xiangling pushed a bag into Childe’s hands. “Here,” she said, “Triple-Layered Consommé, Bamboo Shoot Soup, and some ginger milk, to keep you warm. They’re on the house.”
“Oh – Xiangling, you don’t have to – “ Childe started, pushing the bag back, but Xiangling persisted.
“I want to! Eat lots and get well soon, okay, Mister Childe?” she asked. “You’ve been unwell for so long. It’s hard not to notice. Please get well.”
Zhongli could see the exact moment Childe’s resolve crumbled. He’d always been weak to children, but he’d never realized that it extended to teenagers, too. “Alright,” Childe said to Xiangling with a small smile. “Sorry I keep worrying you.”
Xiangling squeezed his hand and let go. “I won’t keep you here. See you soon, Mister Childe, Mister Zhongli! I’ll make sure the next meal will be extra tasty, so Mister Childe needs to be on his top form by then, okay?”
“I’ll see to it, Xiangling,” Zhongli said. His hand found Childe’s elbow and he led the younger man away. “See you tomorrow.”
“Thanks again, Xiangling,” Childe called out as he waved goodbye. He turned to walk away and glanced down at the bag of food, smiling with fond exasperation. “She really didn’t have to,” he said softly.
“She worries,” Zhongli said. “People care about you, Childe.”
“Yeah. It’s still hard to believe sometimes. I thought people wouldn’t like me because of the whole Osial debacle…”
His words trailed off. Alarm jolted up Zhongli’s spine and he turned to look at Childe, just in time to see his eyes flash into the horrible, horrible bright aquamarine, before they rolled back as he went slack and fell.
“Childe!” Zhongli cried as he caught the man, dragged down to the ground in an attempt to break his fall. The bag of food fell from Childe’s hand. The containers had broken and the food splashed onto the stone roads, soup and meat and vegetables soiled instantly. The ginger milk had been packed carefully in a bamboo cup, and it had spilled, the cup itself rolling down the sloping road and clunking loudly as it went.
People yelled around them – Xiangling and Chef Mao asking what was wrong, the foreigners from Mondstadt yelling for medics, passersby clamoring in confusion. Zhongli paid them no mind, instead probing to feel Childe’s energy. It had once again depleted, despite having been stable only seconds ago. He ignored the fact that he was out in the streets and jolted a spike of energy into Childe. His eyes snapped open with a gasp, energy rising, but again it drained and he slumped back into Zhongli’s hold. Dark miasma bloomed around him.
“Zhongli…?” Childe mumbled, exhausted, barely aware.
Fear. Panic. Childe was dying and he had no idea what to do.
It was all in his dreams. It must be.
Logic had left him. The urgency of the situation drove his thoughts out, and he could only move because of his desperation to keep Childe alive. Keeping a steady stream of energy trickling into Childe, Zhongli yelled, “Xiao!”
More confused shouting as the Yaksha appeared in a flurry of Anemo. Zhongli leveled him a desperate gaze, cradling Childe close into his chest. He extended a hand to Xiao and said, “Help.”
Despite the alarm in his eyes, Xiao grabbed Zhongli’s hand and teleported all three of them away.
Xiao was resting at Jueyun Karst, under the shade of a big tree just above Taishan Mansion while the Traveler and her floating companion fussed over the late afternoon snack they wanted to cook, when he felt Morax call for him.
“I have to go,” he announced and teleported away to Morax’s side. He didn’t know what he expected, but it wasn’t to appear in the middle of busy Liyue Harbor street while Morax held the harbinger close to his chest. It certainly wasn’t the desperation and fear in Morax’s voice when he asked for help.
Knowing this was best resolved in private, Xiao took Morax’s hand and teleported all three of them away, back to Jueyun Karst where the Traveler and Paimon were still sitting by the fire. They immediately stood in alarm when they appeared, closing in immediately.
“What’s wrong? Is Childe hurt?” Paimon asked.
“I’m not sure what’s wrong,” Morax said, words tumbling out of his mouth in a rush. “He’s been lethargic for days. He sleeps much more than is normal, his energy stays low even when I give him mine, no matter how much I give him. I think, to be able to discern what is ailing him I will need to see into his dreams.” He looked up to meet Xiao’s eyes, standing over them. “I need your help, Xiao.”
Xiao pursed his lips. “My lord… he released Osial and nearly drowned your harbor.”
“It is a role I forced on him through a contract I made with the Cryo Archon,” Morax pointed out. “And by allowing him to stay in Liyue, the Cryo Archon trusts me to keep him alive. It is not a binding contract, but I do not wish to break it all the same.” He pursed his lips. “And if the trouble stemmed from the role I forced on him in the first place…”
Xiao’s gaze dropped to the harbinger. The dark miasma around him thickened, and the boy tensed, letting out a small whimper. He sighed. “I will help.”
“Do you need to set up something?” Lumine asked. “Incense, candles?”
“If it’s just diving into his dreams, I can do it without any help.” Xiao knelt by the harbinger’s side. “I will be quick.”
He placed his hand over the harbinger’s forehead and dove in.
He immediately knew this wasn’t a normal dreamscape.
Xiao may not be the God of Dreams, but he had eaten and entered enough dreams to know when a dream was unusual. Dreams were often blurry, details focused on only one thing, whimsical and scattered.
This dream was sharp and focused. The stone walls and ceiling were detailed, each blade of grass looking as real as the grass in the waking world. In the middle of it all was Childe, laying on stone floor, and above him was –
Xiao recoiled. Above him was Morax, hair splayed down like waterfall. Both men were naked and Morax was currently pushing into Childe, who was kept down with tendrils of Hydro, pinned even though he squirmed to be free.
Was this what the accursed mortal was dreaming about? This was what had him weak and exhausted?
Dream-Morax turned his attention to Xiao and smiled. Something about him was wrong. “Ah, Little Yaksha. I would have done something if I knew someone was visiting.”
Childe squirmed and turned. When he saw Xiao, his eyes widened.
Hydro energy rose and released. A large narwhal appeared above the two men and dropped mercilessly, and Xiao managed to see that Childe created a thin Hydro shield to withstand the impact. Dream-Morax sputtered and fell back, and Childe scrambled to his feet, Hydro tendrils that kept him down long since disappeared. He crashed into Xiao and held him, eyes wild. “I need your help.”
Xiao bared his teeth. “Why should I help you?” he snarled. “You dream indecently of my lord, and you have made him so disgraceful – “
“That’s not him!”
Xiao stopped. “What.”
“That’s not Zhongli,” Childe pointed. “Look at his eyes.”
Belatedly, Xiao realized that instead of the striking gold the eyes were a bright aquamarine. The energy here was messed up, with Childe’s own weak waves struggling to gain purchase while Morax’s steady mountains try to strengthen it, but there was the pressure of the deep sea swirling around them, forming a vortex.
“Osial,” Xiao realized.
“He calls me his vessel. I don’t know what he wants but I know it’s not good. He tells me I’m the key if he wants to come back. I can’t tell anyone because I don’t remember when I’m awake.” Childe took a deep breath. “I want you to get out and kill me.”
Xiao flinched. “What?”
“It’s probably the only surefire way to make sure he stays sealed. If he wants me to be his vessel and the body is no longer useable – agh!”
Hydro tendrils had appeared and wrapped around Childe. Somehow, Xiao managed to evade capture as Osial, still in Morax’s form, curled around Childe and sneered possessively. “Neat little trick you have there, little vessel. I will make sure you cannot use it again.”
Childe struggled against his hold. Drops of dew gathered in his hands, Hydro energy readying up, but Osial dipped his head into the crook of Childe’s neck and the Hydro dissipated immediately as the harbinger went slack with a weak moan. The swirling vortex rose as the waves staggered and the mountains crumbled, absorbed into Osial’s own energy. Xiao’s hand twitched, unsure if he should jump in and drag Osial away. He didn’t want to risk getting captured himself.
Osial lifted his head and fierce aquamarine gaze that was ill-fitted in Morax’s face glared at Xiao. “As for you, intruder…”
Xiao didn’t waste any time getting out. Someone needed to tell Morax, and he wouldn’t be able to do it if he was stuck.
He managed to pull out of the dream just before Osial’s Hydro tendrils reached him. His physical body tumbled back, and Lumine quickly caught him and helped him up. He paid her no mind and stared at Childe, still cradled in Morax’s hold, still receiving a steady stream of energy that dissipated the moment it entered. He pursed his lips and bowed his head at Morax. “My lord. I’m ready to report my findings.”
Morax straightened. His hold on the harbinger tightened. “Speak.”
“A fallen god plagues the mortal’s dreams,” Xiao began. He saw immediately how dread grew in Morax’s golden gaze. “It is Osial. He takes your form though he cannot change the color of his eyes. According to the mortal Osial has taken to call him his vessel. Likely, he takes the mortal’s energy for himself and it is why the mortal needs more sleep than is normal.” He coughed uncomfortably. “Osial… forces himself on the mortal to do this.”
Morax’s eyes narrowed. “In my form.”
“Yes.” Xiao hesitated, then added, “The mortal… asked me to kill him.”
Morax flinched, but it was Paimon who immediately shrieked, “What?!”
Xiao kept his eyes at the sleeping harbinger, at the blooming miasma around him. “He is sure that if Osial wants him to be a vessel, then I should render said vessel unusable.”
“And your thoughts, Xiao?” Morax asked. “I am aware that you might be most familiar to this ritual due to your time with… your old master.”
Lumine’s head whipped to Xiao. Her eyes were wide, alarmed.
“It’s not as extreme as this,” Xiao assured. “My… old master did not try to drain my energy the same way. He kept me in his bidding along with several others, but in the end… if his body was to fail him, he would take over one of us, drain us dry, and use our body. Unfortunately, it is the same situation that the mortal is currently facing. However, Osial is attempting to drain him as fast as he can.” He glanced at Childe. “And… I suspect Osial finds him a perfect vessel. They both use Hydro, though they use it differently. The mortal’s appearance is… a close enough match. They’re both male, which some gods can be picky about. And the mortal has Abyssal powers, and that’s not too different from corrupted Deep Sea that Osial has.”
A moment of silence passed, then Paimon broke it. “Then… what should we do?”
Xiao closed his eyes. He didn’t like this. “The mortal is correct, unfortunately. The fastest way to make sure Osial would never be revived is to destroy the vessel he is trying to occupy.”
“That’s out of the question,” Morax refused immediately.
Xiao kind of already expected that. His lord’s obvious affections aside, Morax was never the type to let an innocent bear the brunt of someone else’s crime. He sighed. “Then… it would be best to destroy Osial’s physical body. His soul has not yet able to claim the mortal’s body, and his old body is already frail. If we managed to destroy it before he succeeds in claiming the mortal – “
“Then what? I’m already here.”
The dark miasma bloomed farther. It intensified, thick enough to choke the light of the sun. Childe turned in Morax’s hold and sat, blinking, and instead of the dull blue his eyes were that horrible shade of bright aquamarine.
“You are already too late.”
Before any of them could do anything, Lumine darted out with a low growl. Her hand reached and she shone like a falling star, bright enough to rival the sun. Childe – Osial – let out a pained scream before falling silent as the miasma dissipated.
When the light show was gone, Lumine stumbled back and Xiao caught her shoulders to balance her. Meanwhile Childe whined in pain, once again in Morax’s hold. He blinked a few times. Blue, Xiao couldn’t help but note.
“Fucking ow,” Childe spat.
“Childe? You’re back with us?” Morax asked.
“Yeah? Why wouldn’t I be?” Childe looked around. “Where are we? And why does my head hurt so much? Did I hit my head or something?”
Xiao decided that telling him bluntly would be for the best. “Osial is using you as a vessel and is currently trying to occupy your body. Once he has succeeded in draining you dry of your energy, he will use you as a vessel.”
Childe coughed. “What.”
“You asked me to kill you so Osial cannot use you as a vessel,” Xiao barreled on. “I refuse.”
“Wait, slow down. What do you mean I asked you to…” he trailed off, brows furrowing as he dug his fingers into his scalp. “…I… asked you to kill me.”
“Are you remembering?” Morax prodded.
“Not… not clearly.” Childe visibly swallowed. “But there are bits and pieces, now that I’m told what’s happening.”
“Do you know how long this has been happening?” Morax prodded.
“Days. Weeks? It… might have started the night Teucer went home.” His fingers curled at his scalp and gripped at the strands of hair.
Lumine gasped. Paimon cried, “Childe, that’s almost three weeks ago!”
“I wouldn’t have expected any mortal to last so long against an old god,” Xiao admitted with a frown. “How did you survive?”
“I’m still surviving,” Childe pointed out. His brows furrowed. “I think… oh.” He turned to Morax. “It’s you.”
Xiao kind of wanted to gag.
“Yes?” Morax looked lost. “I’m me.”
“No, I mean. You’ve been giving me energy. That’s what’s keeping me alive.” He furrowed his brows. “But Osial also takes that. He said something like… you unknowingly assisting in releasing him? I’m not sure, it’s all fuzzy.”
“The way I see it, the only way to make sure this ends is to destroy Osial’s physical body completely,” Morax said. His hold against Childe tightened. “That way, there is no way for him to try to latch onto you again, or anyone else. We should go to Guyun Stone Forest soon.” His gaze turned apologetic. “Unfortunately, you likely will not be able to join the fight. Osial most likely will drain you in order to keep himself alive and fight back.”
“I kind of figured. It sucks, but I don’t think I can fight even if I want to.” Childe blinked and melted a little into Morax’s hold. “He’s… still draining me. Even as we speak. I imagine it will only get worse.”
“My lord,” Xiao spoke up, suddenly realizing something. “If we simply fight Osial, he might just drain the mortal dry and succeed in turning him into a vessel anyway.”
“So the challenge would be to destroy Osial’s physical body and keeping Childe alive at the same time?” Lumine asked quietly. “I can help with fighting, that’s for sure.”
“As I will,” Xiao said. “But the task of keeping the mortal alive… it must fall on your shoulders, my lord.”
“I’m afraid I do not understand, Xiao,” Morax said. “You are more familiar with the process of turning someone into a vessel for a frail god. Explain.”
“It’s not really complicated. The main point is that Osial will drain him, and when the mortal’s own energy is depleted he can start pouring his own into the empty vessel and occupy the body. The mortal’s soul will…” He paused, swallowing. “In the case of my old master, the soul would either be destroyed or be chained into eternal slavery even without a physical body.”
“So how do we prevent that from happening? Cause I don’t want to end up like that, thanks,” Childe interjected immediately. He looked like he was starting to struggle to remain awake. Morax sent a wisp of energy into him and he blinked back into awareness.
Well. And here was the awkward part. Xiao felt heat climb up his neck when he spoke. “Well. There is a way for an Adeptus to share energy more efficiently with their… partner. And it will… likely leave something… physical. In their partner’s body. Which will also exude energy. It won’t stop Osial from taking the energy from you, but it will keep you alive longer.”
Childe tilted his head quizzically, though Morax’s eyes had widened in understanding.
Xiao kind of wanted to drop dead. “It is an… intimate process.”
Lumine coughed. Understanding dawned in Childe as he burned a brilliant red. Even Morax looked flustered.
Paimon, evidently, hadn’t understood. “Huh? What kind of process would that be? Paimon can’t imagine anything that would fit that description.”
Lumine coughed again. She refused to meet anyone’s eyes. “Paimon, it… might be better if you’re not here for this discussion.”
“What! Why?”
Childe let out a noise like a dying whale.
Paimon stared at him, then at Morax, then her eyes darted to Lumine and Xiao before turning back to Childe. And then, suddenly, her gaze dropped to Childe’s crotch and she stared for a solid three seconds.
Then she shrieked shrilly and disappeared in a flurry of stars and sparkles.
Despite everything, the accursed mortal still had it in him to curl to his side and laugh so hard only wheezes came out. But the severity of the situation made itself known when he slumped again once he was done, spent.
Xiao cleared his throat. “I won’t be able to do it because even if I want to – and I do not – my energy is not steady enough to keep another person alive. And my karmic debt may end up killing him instead. As for Lumine…”
“Absolutely not.”
“Yes, and I imagine you do not have the… correct appendage even if you want to.”
“No. Please stop talking about me.”
“And since you have been giving him your energy and his body is already accustomed to it… my lord…” Xiao trailed off.
Morax looked embarrassed. Xiao wished he could erase this memory out of his brain. He watched as Morax sighed and admitted, “I… would not be opposed, but… Childe, would you be alright with this?”
Childe’s eyes were already fluttering close. “Wouldn’t it just… be easier if you kill me?”
“No one here will kill you, Childe. And if you try killing yourself I will confiscate your Vision,” Morax said sternly.
The only response Childe gave was a tired hum.
Morax tightened his jaws and turned to Xiao. “Do you need us to be close when you destroy Osial’s body?”
“It might be for the best,” Xiao said. “It… likely would not be the most comfortable for you, but it’s easier to break the connection between the targeted vessel and the god if they’re closer. Somehow, the connection is more tangible that way. And we’ll know if Osial tries to slither in and hide within the mortal somehow.”
“Very well.” Morax gathered the mortal into his arms, and Childe curled in reflexively. “Let us depart for Guyun Stone Forest.”
Lumine teleported them to the domain nestled in the thick of the pillars. The cave-like structure allowed some shelter from the wind and the sun, and if they picked a good spot they would be far away from prying eyes.
Zhongli frowned. “The seal is already breaking.”
“We have to be quick,” Xiao said. “Traveler, what element do you currently carry?”
“I can switch around,” Lumine said. The green in her dress switched to violet then back to green. “Let’s see how Osial deals with getting a Dendro Core blowing up in his face.”
The two of them left, and Zhongli laid Childe down on the cold stone floor. Crystalflies fluttered away from them as he studied Childe’s face, blinking blearily at him.
“I’m sorry that this has to happen this way,” Zhongli said softly, reaching out to unbutton Childe’s clothes. “If it were up to me, your hand would not be forced.”
Childe reached out to cup his cheek. His smile was beatific despite how tired he looked. “It’s okay,” he whispered. “I trust you, Zhongli.”
Zhongli took a deep breath and felt Childe’s warmth through the glove. He blinked his eyes open, watching Childe’s tired gaze as he laid. “I’m sorry I couldn’t make it more comfortable for you,” he said again. “May I?”
“Please.”
Softly, gently, Zhongli took off Childe’s clothes – just enough to get access to his bare chest, to let his still-limp cock out, to allow his shapely ass to rest on the ground. He watched as Childe shivered at the cold and took off his own coat so Childe could lay on top of it. “Is this okay?” he asked again.
Childe only hummed. Zhongli had wanted to prod more, but then there was a loud crack and the distinct feeling of a seal being broken. Storm clouds gathered as Osial rose from the depths – smaller this time, weaker, physical body already taken a beating, but still there, still powerful enough. Zhongli could see the moment Childe’s energy was taken when his eyes rolled back into his skull and the distinct feeling of the leaping narwhal slumping into the shore.
Biting back a curse, Zhongli bent and spread Childe’s legs apart. He had wanted Childe, but not like this, never on these terms. But he had to make the best of the situation, because it was either he took Childe here and now or lose him forever to the whim of a god that deserved to rot in the bottom of the ocean.
“My apologies, Childe,” he said, even though Childe was practically unconscious by this point. “I’ll make it up to you somehow.”
He dove and situated himself between Childe’s legs. Long, draconic tongue slithered out of his mouth and he licked Childe’s rim, coaxing it open. Childe moaned unrestrained as Zhongli managed to push himself in, little by little, feeling Childe squeeze his tongue. He might have been taken advantage of in his dreamscape, but his physical body was clearly unused to penetration. Zhongli would have preferred to use oil or some kind of lube to ease his entrance, but he would have to make do.
Perhaps he should be grateful that Adeptal biology worked differently from a human’s. At least his spit was much slicker than a human’s and could work as lube in a pinch.
And his tongue had done the work for him. Spit had covered Childe’s rim and painted his inside as Zhongli’s tongue slithered in, searching. Once he slid his own member in, it should slide in with minimal pain.
The tip of his tongue brushed against a spot that made Childe moan. He quickly stimulated the spot, feeling the sponginess and hoping that he could coax pleasure into Childe, and was rewarded when Childe’s dick sprung up with need.
Zhongli pulled himself away and situated his own hardening cock to slip into Childe. He put his hand on Childe’s hips and pulled down lightly, dragging Childe into his dick. “I hope this will at least be enjoyable, despite the situation,” he muttered.
He pushed energy into Childe as he breached in. Childe moaned, eyes fluttering open, bleary with sleep, but he clenched painfully around Zhongli with a hitched cry when he saw Zhongli’s face.
Zhongli cupped his face lightly, gently. “Childe. Childe, Dear. Look at me. Look at my eyes.” As their eyes met, Zhongli brushed his thumb on Childe’s cheek. “It’s me, Childe. It’s Zhongli.”
“Zhongli,” Childe repeated, calming. “Gold eyes. It’s you.”
“It’s me,” Zhongli agreed. Childe had loosened again as he calmed, and Zhongli carefully pushed in again. “Tell me something he doesn’t know, Childe. Tell me something so you can tell it’s me.”
Childe let out a noise between a whine and a sigh as Zhongli pushed deeper and deeper, finally bottoming out. His eyelids fluttered with obvious pleasure as he managed to stay awake with the constant stream of energy Zhongli pushed into him. “Ajax,” he sighed.
“Ajax?”
“Ajax. It’s my name.” Childe reached and looped his legs and arms around Zhongli and pulled him closer. “He only ever calls me his vessel. Call me by my name.”
“Of course… Ajax,” Zhongli murmured against Childe’s – Ajax’s – ear. Not for the first time, he wished this was happening under better circumstances. But Osial had soiled Ajax’s experience with what should bring him pleasure, and he intended to rectify it no matter what. He peppered kisses along Ajax’s jawline as he pushed in and out, sending in pulses of energy as he did. He could feel Osial taking it away as soon as he gave, but Zhongli would give however much he had to give. As long as Ajax would be safe, he was willing to give up however much he had to.
“Zhongli… you can go faster,” Ajax mumbled.
“Are you sure?”
“Yes.”
With another kiss at the edge of Ajax’s lips, Zhongli thrusted in, then again, then again, going faster as per the human’s request. The tired sighs turned into keening moans, high and needy. Zhongli aimed his next thrust to hit Ajax’s prostate and was rewarded with a shuddering wail, weak but genuine, as Ajax arched up and pushed his chest against Zhongli in pleasure.
Zhongli found himself planting more kisses on Ajax’s face as he kept up with the thrusting and the steady stream of energy. He murmured Ajax’s name in between kisses like a prayer and wished upon the stars that Ajax would soon be alright. Underneath him, Ajax writhed and pushed himself deeper against Zhongli’s cock, as best as his weakened body would allow. His eyes grew hazy with lust, and Zhongli decided it was a much better look than the tiredness before.
Zhongli straightened up. It created distance from Ajax, though he still kept his rhythmic thrusting. Ajax whined at the loss of contact and flailed feebly, but in the end his arms fell around his arms as he watched Zhongli watching him.
“Look at you, Ajax,” Zhongli purred. “You’re a work of art.”
A blush bloomed across Ajax’s cheeks. “You – you can’t just say something like that.”
Ah. He’s embarrassed. Zhongli chuckled and caressed Ajax’s cheeks. “I will say it as many times as I need. You’re beautiful, Ajax. The most beautiful thing I’ve ever laid my eyes upon.” His smile dropped. “If it were up to me, no one else would have touched you. No one else would have sullied you. You’d be mine, fully, thoroughly.”
Ajax took his hands in his. Slowly, he pried Zhongli’s gloves away, then his own, and let their calloused skin press against each other. “But I’m already yours,” he said. “It doesn’t matter than Osial wanted me as a vessel. No one else has touched me physically, and that’s all that matters, isn’t it?”
A surge of warmth ran through Zhongli’s veins. “I shall make it so,” he vowed. He kissed Ajax’s fingers.
Away, thunder boomed across the sky. There was an unholy shriek of a creature, the slashing of weapons, the sounds of Dendro Cores exploding. And then, for a moment, silence.
Then Ajax let out a confused noise as he slumped bonelessly to the ground. Zhongli felt immediately that Osial was sucking up as much energy as he could from Ajax.
Rage filled him up. Almost with no thought, he drove his own energy into Ajax with a thrust, then pistoned, in and out and in and out and reveled in the keens Ajax let out. He was quiet, quieter than Zhongli expected, but his face had relaxed into pleasure once more as he took in Zhongli’s energy. Zhongli could feel himself approaching release this way, and he chased after it. He clumsily wrapped his hand around Ajax’s cock and pumped as he drove in again and again, wishing to reach orgasm together.
Ajax came before he did. He spurted cum all over Zhongli’s hand with a keening wail, clenching around Zhongli, and the sight of Ajax coming undone because of him drove Zhongli to his own release. His body tensed as he filled Ajax up, and Ajax’s eyes fluttered open, blinking unseeingly. Gold flashed across his eyes as Zhongli’s energy filled him up.
It disappeared almost as soon as it appeared, the energy stolen away as soon as it was received. Ajax’s lust-flushed face grew pale in record time. He stared at Zhongli helplessly and shuddered, letting out a sob.
Zhongli tried sending more energy, trying to make up for the loss, but Osial took it as soon as it was given. He growled in frustration.
“Stop,” Ajax whispered.
“I will not. I won’t allow you to become his vessel,” Zhongli rumbled. His voice had dropped in pitch. His body felt different, his head heavier. A part of him wondered why.
“Zhongli,” Ajax said again. His hand lifted to cup Zhongli’s face. “You’ve shifted. You don’t look fully human anymore.”
With a start, Zhongli realized it was true. He felt heavier because his horns had grown out of his skull. A large tail lazily swished across the stone. He could see patches of scales along his skin. He knew suddenly, that his dick had also grown bigger – he was bigger in this form. He wondered if the stretch gave Ajax pain.
“You can’t even keep ahold of your own form,” Ajax said. He had that exhausted look in his gaze again. Zhongli hated it. “That probably means you’re also running out of energy, right? I don’t want to drain you dry, Zhongli. I don’t want to drag you down with me.”
“Ajax,” Zhongli pleaded. “I won’t let you die. Not like this.”
“It’ll be easier to deal with this way, won’t it? And you can be sure Osial won’t try to hide within me.”
“I’m not letting you die, Ajax!” Zhongli growled. He grabbed Ajax’s caressing hand and he canted into the touch, inhaling Ajax’s scent. “I won’t let you die.”
A trickle of tears escaped Ajax’s eyes. “I don’t want to either,” he admitted, “but I can’t be the reason you fall, Zhongli.”
“I will not,” Zhongli vowed. An idea coalesced in his mind. He tapped into the dormant energy of the earth, feeling the Geo energy that flowed in abundance in this domain and taking it for himself, using it to fill himself up and transferring it to Ajax. “I’ll keep us both alive yet. And have faith in Xiao and Lumine, Love. They’ll sort this out in just a bit.”
Zhongli fucked Ajax relentlessly. The tenderness was thrown out the proverbial window – what they needed right now was a way to keep Ajax alive no matter what. If Zhongli had to be as rough as Ajax’s human body would allow, then he would. He would simply kiss each wound better once he was able, heal each cut and treasure the fact that Ajax was alive.
He had to keep Ajax alive.
Adeptus biology was different from a human’s. With Geo energy flowing around him and deferring to his greedy demand, it was easy to keep his stamina up, to come again and again if he needed to. His energy filled Ajax up and soon he was back to gazing unseeingly with lust-filled eyes, lost in the pleasure, face flushed and alive as he moaned and keened. By the third time Zhongli came inside Ajax, his cum had bloated Ajax from the inside out and he could feel his own cum slicking Ajax’s hole further, dribbling out as he pistoned. Gold had taken over Ajax’s eyes, the blue no longer visible.
Ajax arched against him again. Cum dribbled weakly from the tip of his dick. Zhongli wasn’t sure how many times he’d come. He hadn’t counted.
And then the energy spiked up suddenly as Ajax jerked, gasping. His eyes were wide.
“Ajax?” Zhongli called.
“He doesn’t like it.” A slow grin began to overtake Ajax’s face. “The Geo doesn’t mix well with his Hydro. He can’t attack as easily. Lumine and Xiao might be having a grand time beating him up right now.”
Zhongli hummed. He could feel it vibrating across Ajax’s chest. “Then perhaps we can assist them.” He resumed rocking his hips against Ajax’s ass. Any reply Ajax wanted to give was soon swallowed by his moans.
“When this is all done and you’re safe,” Zhongli grunted, “I’ll erase everything Osial did to you.”
Ajax’s grip on his shoulders turned desperate. His fingertips dug into Zhongli’s too-warm skin. “Do you mean that?”
“Perhaps I cannot erase your memory of it, or the pain. But I can try painting over what he has painted. I can try to put my marks over what he has put on you.” He brushed his fingers over Ajax’s hair. “I can try.”
Ajax pulled him down and planted a kiss on his lips. It was far more tender than he expected, but there was an undercurrent of anticipation and desperation in it. “I’ll hold you to it,” he breathed when he let go.
Zhongli responded by claiming his lips once more and sliding his tongue in.
It became a mindless dance, to keep pulsing energy into Ajax while pushing deeper, hitting the sweet spot that made him moan. Outside, Xiao and Lumie cried, loud, feral. Something boomed loudly and splashed.
Ajax gasped and tensed. His eyes, now fully gold, stared deep into Zhongli’s. “He’s coming.”
“Ajax – “
Ajax’s head whipped aside. For the first time in so long, he looked fully awake, alert. He scrambled away from Zhongli’s hold and groaned when Zhongli’s cock slid out of him, eyes zeroing on something –
An arrow manifested in his hand and he stabbed down with a cry.
Zhongli stared. Too late, he realized he was heady with Geo energy that he had been drawing out. Osial had been beaten down, ground to the barest little thing still capable of existing. And Ajax, perhaps through the connection Osial had formed between them, had sensed the fallen god approaching and stabbed him down with nothing but an arrow.
The remnants of Osial’s existence writhed. It looked like a mix of a hydra and an octopus. Zhongli resisted the urge to puke.
Ajax glared at the twitching creature at his arrow. Then, with a cry, he lifted the arrow and stabbed again, and again, and again, until what remained of Osial was just a puddle of Hydro mass incapable of holding its own form, breaking apart at the slightest gust.
With a final stab, the last vestiges of Osial’s existence disappeared.
Ajax slumped like a puppet with its strings cut, and for a moment Zhongli was once again seized by fear. He scrambled to catch Ajax before he could hit his head on the stone floor. Relief rushed through him when he felt Ajax breathing, breathing, then slowly letting out a laugh.
“Ajax?” he called.
“I’m going to make seafood soup after all this,” Ajax declared.
Zhongli found himself laughing despite it all. He gathered Ajax in his arms and maneuvered him so they were face to face.
Ajax’s grin was blinding. His eyes were still gold. He reached out to touch Zhongli’s horns. “Are you going to shift back, or are you staying this way?”
Zhongli hummed. “I’ll have to wait until the energy settle first.”
“Oh, good. You look good this way.”
“Are you telling me I don’t usually look good, Love?”
“No, I’m just saying it’s different!”
A rustle, and Ajax squeaked, grabbing blindly for the coat Zhongli laid him down on. It was soiled with dirt and their combined cum, but it was just enough to cover their nudity from prying eyes. And just in time, too, as Xiao and Lumine made their way to the cave.
“Zhongli? Childe?” Lumine called. “Sorry to disturb you, but we think Osial is – holy mother of – I’m sorry for intruding I’ll come back later – “
Ajax folded himself into Zhongli’s chest to hide and let out an embarrassed giggle that soon turned into wheezes. Zhongli could feel his cheeks burn as Lumine openly fled the scene. Xiao didn’t, but he had looked away, and the pink tinge at his neck and ear was visible even so far away.
With a thought, Zhongli produced his teapot. “Xiao? Can I – ah, you do not have to look if you don’t want to.”
“Thank you, my lord.” Xiao sounded so sincerely grateful that Zhongli almost felt bad.
“May I ask you to bring my teapot here to my residence later? Or bring it to Hu Tao, at the parlor?” Zhongli went on to ask. “Considering our current states, I believe it would be better for us to rest inside for now.”
“Wait, what? Teapot? Inside?” Ajax pulled away from Zhongli’s chest and stared at the pot. Then back at Zhongli. “I don’t think we’ll fit,” he said matter-of-factly.
“Brace yourself,” Zhongli warned instead.
“Brace? For what?”
Zhongli activated the teapot’s latent magic and allowed the two of them to be transported inside. As usual, the sensation was unpleasant, and he wasn’t surprised to hear Ajax shriek.
In his defense, Childe was under a lot of stress lately. So, even if it filled him to the brim with embarrassment, he could admit that yes, the sudden lurch of feeling like he plummeted freely from the highest peaks of Qingyun while being swirled around like a spoonful of sugar being dissolved into tea was more than enough to make him faint. Just a little bit.
His consciousness returned in waves as he felt the cold tiles underneath his naked skin. He groaned.
“Apologies, Ajax. Please bear with it just a little bit more.”
Zhongli’s voice was soothing in his ears. Childe sighed. “How long was I out?”
“Not long. Only a few minutes. Forgive me, I underestimated how disorienting transporting into the Serenitea Pot can be.”
Childe snorted. “That’s a cute pun.”
“Ah, I also took the liberty to… get rid of the come inside of you. I hope it’s alright with you.”
“It’s fine. Thanks, Zhongli.”
He opened his eyes and observed his surroundings. He was still undressed, and the tile was cold, but Zhongli – still horned, still tailed, still scaled – was drawing a hot bath. Steam rose from the tub and Childe found himself reaching for it.
Zhongli lifted him easily and lowered him into the water. “Careful now,” he whispered softly.
Childe simply hummed in response, finding bliss in the comfortable bath. His eyes fluttered close as he sighed and leaned back in the tub.
“Comfortable?” Zhongli rumbled.
Childe opened his eyes and smiled at him. “I feel like there’s hope for me to get clean again. Come here, join me.”
Zhongli studied the tub. “I don’t believe it would fit.”
“Aw, come on. We can make room. It might be a tight fit but we can work it out if you hug me.”
“Hm. Is this only your ploy to get hugged?”
“Maybe.”
“I finished inside you, Ajax. If you want a hug, you need only ask.”
Childe sputtered as he felt heat in his cheeks. Any reply he wanted to give was gone when Zhongli slid into the tub and gently moved him. His arms circled around Childe’s frame as he pressed his chest against Childe’s back and sighed into Childe’s neck.
Something in Childe’s stomach curdled. He swallowed it down as Zhongli took his arm and scrubbed gently, having already mixed soap into the water. It smelled faintly of silkflowers. When he finally turned his attention to Childe’s scalp, the shampoo he used smelled like cecilias. The two created a surprisingly nice floral combination.
When he was done, Zhongli pulled at him gently. “Let’s rinse everything off,” he said. Childe followed his lead and found himself breathing easier at the sight of golden eyes. He found himself quiet as Zhongli rinsed him clean and dry him off, gaze darting back to golden eyes every so often, pliant and silent.
When Zhongli sat him down on a soft bed, Childe stared as he turned around, humming, “I seem to have a few robes that might fit you. I believe I have a few glaze lily blue robes from high quality silkflowers someplace here. Let me fetch that for you… ah, Ajax?”
“Huh?” Childe blinked. When Zhongli pointedly looked down, he realized that somehow, he had taken Zhongli’s tail and was gripping the damp tuft of hair. He released it immediately. “Oh. Sorry.”
Zhongli stared at him. He slowly approached Childe, movements measured and open, and knelt in front of him. Scaled hands took Childe’s own, and he noted distantly how reptilian scales felt different from a fish’s. “What’s wrong?” Zhongli asked softly.
Childe stared back into golden eyes. “You said you’d paint over what Osial did to me.”
“I will try,” Zhongli vowed quietly. “May I ask what he did to you?”
He looked away. “It was never really… comfortable,” he said. “And I can’t remember much, but…” He took a deep breath. “He’d do it on stone floor. Much like the cave, earlier. But there’s nothing underneath me, so the stone just… cut into my skin sometimes. He’d pin me down by my wrists and ankles with Hydro tendrils. He’s use them to… enter me, too. He’d jerk me off sometimes, but it’s more like tugging, really. And he’d… enter me, too, with his… dick. It was always painful, because I was never ready.” A pause as he breathed. “He took your form after you started giving me energy. But he can never change his eye color. Everything was so similar to you, even his voice. It’s always the worst when he took me from behind and I can’t see him, because sometimes I can’t tell if it’s him or you.”
Zhongli stared quietly as he spoke. The more words spilled out of his mouth, the angrier Zhongli became. By the time he was done, Zhongli had turned away, his breathing heavy as his nostrils flared.
“Zhongli?”
A slow exhale, and Zhongli gazed back at him, looking much calmer. He lifted Childe’s hands and overturned them so the palms faced up, and then slowly, tenderly, kissed each wrist with the same tenderness as a lover kissing his beloved’s lips.
Childe’s heart fluttered as he felt Zhongli’s lips against his veins. He found himself speechless, watching Zhongli slowly rotate his hands and pepper kisses all over the wrist, then down to the palm, the fingers. Then, just as slowly, he placed his hand over Childe’s chest and gently pushed him down to bed. Childe allowed it, following the silent guidance, and watched as Zhongli lifted a leg and pepper his ankle with kisses the same way he kissed Childe’s wrists. When he was done with it, he switched to the other ankle, and then his kisses climbed up Childe’s leg. As he reached Childe’s knee, he pushed the legs apart and kept peppering kisses over Childe’s inner thigh. Just before he reached Childe’s crotch, he stopped.
Childe’s face was burning hot by this point. “Zhongli?” he breathed.
“Is this okay?” Zhongli asked softly. “If it’s not, I can stop here, Ajax.”
Childe’s heart fluttered again. He wasn’t Childe here. He was just Ajax, just a boy being taken by a god’s gentle hands. He nodded and answered, just as softly, “It’s okay. Please go on.”
“I do not want to force you,” Zhongli said again. He still looked unsure. “You’ve gone through something you should never gone through. I would not want to add to the stress.”
A laughter, soft and light, broke out of Ajax’s lips. “I’ve wanted you for a long time, Zhongli,” he said. “Even before the Rite of Decension. The circumstances isn’t ideal right now, but… I do want you.”
That answer was enough for Zhongli, apparently. He resumed kissing, and his hands kneaded and spread Ajax’s ass apart, letting him gain access to his rim. But he did nothing, simply kissing, and slowly the kisses climbed to Ajax’s hardening cock. Ajax found himself arching, gasping, as Zhongli’s lips brushed against his length and his tongue swirled at his tip.
Zhongli planted one last kiss at his tip and pulled away. Ajax let out a needy whine despite himself, but before he could get properly embarrassed, Zhongli let out a rumbling chuckle and lifted him again, only to put him at the center of the bed. He reached into the drawer of the bedside table and took out a bottle of oil.
“Any time you want me to stop, I will,” he said. “Is it alright for me to enter you, Ajax? With my fingers, my tongue, and my penis?”
Ajax swallowed. “Please.”
Slick, oiled fingers kneaded his ass again, then it slowly breached into him. Ajax’s breathing grew heavier as he felt Zhongli’s long digit pushing into him. It brushed against a spot that made stars bloom across his sight, and he found himself crying out in surprise.
Zhongli paused immediately. “Ajax? Should I stop?”
“N – no. Please keep moving,” Ajax panted.
“As you wish, Love.”
Slowly, the slick finger turned into two, into three. Then Zhongli announced, “I’ll eat you out now,” and, upon Ajax’s express agreement, proceeded to do just that. His lips pressed against his rim, sharp teeth brushing against the sensitive skin, and his tongue breached in.
Oh, Celestia. Ajax knew that Zhongli was good from that little bout at the cave, but having Zhongli between his legs while he was fully conscious like this was so much different from when he was half asleep with chronic, magical fatigue. Everything felt heightened, like it was so much more.
Zhongli pulled back from him and Ajax whined from the loss. He gripped Zhongli’s horns desperately, wanting to pull Zhongli back in.
“Ajax, I wish to turn my attention to your cock,” Zhongli said patiently. “May I?”
Greedy, greedy. Ajax wanted Zhongli all for himself. He nodded fervently. “Please.”
The moment the warm mouth enveloped his cock, all thoughts fled the premises and Ajax groaned as he bucked his hips involuntarily. Zhongli hummed in response, and the thrum of his voice against Ajax made him whine. If he wasn’t already rock hard, he would have sprung up proudly.
Zhongli sucked him with effectiveness that made Ajax want to cry – in a good way. The pleasure built, and he gasped again and again as he felt Zhongli’s forked tongue slithering around his dick. He blinked rapidly at the blurring ceiling as the inevitable crash neared.
“Zhongli – I’m – I’m so close – “
Zhongli’s response to that was to take him as deep as he could and bury his nose into Childe’s lower stomach.
Ajax released with a cry. He found himself astonished that he could still cum at all after all that fucking at the cave, but he wasn’t protesting. Zhongli took everything he gave and swallowed, though a drop or two of cum escaped his lips. As he released Ajax’s still twitching cock from his mouth, he brushed the cum off with his thumb and licked it up.
He climbed up and pushed his face closer to Ajax’s. “May I kiss you?” he asked.
Ajax blinked. His sight was slightly darkened, but he was still fairly lucid. “With your mouth full of cum?” he blurted.
Zhongli smiled. “It’s alright if you don’t want to,” he said. He smelled like Ajax.
“No, no. I was just surprised.” Ajax looped his hands behind Zhongli’s neck and pulled him down, initiating the kiss, opening his lips and allowing Zhongli’s tongue to breach in. He didn’t taste the same as when they kissed at the cave. He tasted like cum and lust.
He tasted obscene, and Ajax decided he wanted more.
When their lips parted away, Zhongli let out a rumbling chuckle and pressed his forehead to Ajax’s. There was no word to be said, but here, underneath Zhongli and his half-lidded eyes staring down at Ajax with so much love he could drown, Ajax decided to take the leap.
“Can you fuck me?” he asked.
Zhongli blinked. “Would it be alright for you?” he asked back. “I’m bigger in this form. I would not wish to hurt you.”
“I think… I think I’m ready,” Ajax said. “I already had you anyway, so I know what to expect. And we have oil, and you’re… considerate.” He licked his lips. “And you said to paint over what he did.”
“I did say that, yes,” Zhongli said. “I would try to shift back, but it seems my energy has not settled.”
“It’s alright. I like you this way.” Ajax’s fingers trailed over Zhongli’s horns.
“I shall do as you wish, then.”
Zhongli slicked his dick with oil, and Ajax took in a deep breath when he felt Zhongli’s knuckles brushing against his balls. When he was done, Zhongli lined his cock against Ajax’s entrance. It stayed there, tip kissing the rim, but he did not breach, not yet. Instead his hand reached up, gathered Ajax’s wrists, and held it above Ajax’s head. “Would this be okay?” he asked.
Ajax stared again into golden eyes. He thought of the cold, unfeeling Hydro tendrils keeping his limbs in place and compared it to the warm fingers pinning his hands, but gentle enough that they would release him the moment he pulled away. Realization dripped into him like ink in water, that he would gladly let himself be bound and bundled away if it was by this god.
Dangerous. Greedy. Ajax swallowed and answered, “Yes.”
The hand tightened the grip and Zhongli leaned down. “I’ll enter you, then. And I wish to kiss you again. Can I?”
“Yes. To both.”
Zhongli bent and pressed his lips to Ajax’s the moment he pushed in. Ajax found himself gasping at the sensation of being filled, lips parting to gulp air, and Zhongli took it as an invitation to slide his tongue in. Ajax let Zhongli twine his tongue against his as he tried to adjust to the sensation of something filling him up, and he knew Zhongli hadn’t even truly entered him fully.
Zhongli pulled back to study Ajax’s face as he kept pushing in. It was slow, and careful, and any pain the experience might have caused was taken over by incoming pleasure. Zhongli was big, but he was patient, and careful, and the attention he paid to ensure Ajax’s comfort made him swell.
“I’m halfway in,” Zhongli said, and a part of Ajax wanted to laugh because he was already so impossibly full. But he was greedy, greedy, and he wanted more, and he was never one to deny himself and so he asked for more. With another soft kiss, Zhongli obliged.
When Zhongli finally bottomed out, Ajax closed his eyes and simply breathed, letting himself adjust to the cock inside him. “You’re so big,” he mumbled, and a part of him marveled at how dreamy he sounded.
“Should I pull out, then?” Zhongli asked.
“No… no. I want you to move.” He opened his eyes to gaze at Zhongli. “I want you to fuck me.”
Carefully, Zhongli did. Warmth suffused into Ajax as pleasure bloomed, the sensations taking over him. Ajax sighed, and when Zhongli brushed against his prostate, he began to buck.
Zhongli still kept his hands pinned above his head, and with nothing else to convey his wants, Ajax spread his legs farther apart and canted his head up for a kiss. Zhongli dove, but instead of his lips, he planted kisses along Ajax’s jawline, nipping lightly at his ear, and sucked marks at his neck, asking for permission each time and getting it at every turn.
“Faster,” Ajax whined. Zhongli nipped his jaw and complied.
“May I finish inside, Ajax?” Zhongli asked.
“Yeah,” Ajax managed to answer, the word forming around a moan.
As he promised, Zhongli picked up his pace. Soon Ajax was standing at the line of it all being too much and not nearly enough at all, keenly aware of Zhongli sliding in and out of him, hitting his prostate over and over and scattering stars across his vision. Warmth pricked at his eyes and things blurred, and it took his tears escaping his eyes for him to realize that he was crying.
“Ajax?” Zhongli slowed to a pause. “What’s wrong? Should I stop?”
“No,” Ajax shook his head. He pulled his hands down and Zhongli released him immediately. “It’s okay. Everything’s good.” He smiled through his tears at Zhongli. “You’re so good, Zhongli.”
Zhongli studied him and cupped his face in his hands, bending down. “May I?” he asked, lips millimeters away from his wet cheek.
Ajax nodded. “Yes. And please move again.”
Zhongli resumed as he kissed Ajax’s face, pressing his lips at his eyelids, taking away the tears. He took Ajax’s lips in his and swallowed each moan Ajax let out. The kisses continued even as Ajax’s moans turned into keens, into wails when the pleasure built, built, built, as his vision blurred with tears and his eyes refused to focus at anything whenever Zhongli hit that spot again and again.
“Ajax,” Zhongli panted against his cheek, “I’m close.”
All Ajax could do to answer was keen, buck himself closer, desperate, and dug his fingertips into Zhongli’s skin in hope that his touches alone would be enough for Zhongli to understand his need.
The rhythm Zhongli kept stuttered, the steady hit falling out of the anticipated beat as Zhongli grew ever harder inside Ajax. He came with a groan, filling Ajax with liquid warmth, and that was enough to tip Ajax over. Pleasure ripped across him like flash-fire and his jaw dropped in silent scream. He could feel his own cum shooting weakly out of his cock, dirtying his skin – and Zhongli’s. They both laid there, lost in the ecstasy, riding their climax. Zhongli still pistoned even as he came, though his movements stuttered and slowed. Ajax’s whole world narrowed into his cock and ass as he rode the last waves of his climax and felt everything so much more clearly with his nerves being lit up, including the way Zhongli’s cock rubbing against his oversensitive walls.
Awareness came back to Zhongli before it did to Ajax. Slowly, carefully, he pulled himself out of Ajax and laid next to him. Ajax curled into him and buried his face into the crook of Zhongli’s neck before he fully realized what he was doing.
“Was that satisfactory, Ajax?” Zhongli’s voice rumbled. This close to him, Ajax could feel him thrum around him.
“It was amazing. You’re amazing,” he sighed. He looked up to meet Zhongli’s eyes and paused. “Ah. You’ve shifted back.”
Zhongli, now looking fully human, glanced down at where his tail would have been. “It appears I have.”
“What makes you shift like that? Other than the whole losing energy thing,” Ajax asked.
“It could be a matter of losing focus. It’s been so long that I’ve roamed in this form that I do not need to constantly focus on it, but it does need me to focus, so to speak. So if there is something else that takes away my focus…”
“Can we fuck so hard you lose focus and shift?” Ajax asked.
Zhongli paused. “Perhaps. You are beautiful, and the sight of you waiting for me to claim you truly makes me want to mark you.”
Oop. Ajax would prefer to skirt around that compliment right now, thank you very much. Not enough braincells to properly process that right now. “Maybe we can do that. And I’d like to taste you, too.”
“Mmm. Would you like to do that next time? If,” Zhongli added, “there is a next time.”
“Next time sounds good,” Ajax shighed into Zhongli’s skin. His eyelids had started to feel heavy again. “I’m not sure I can go on today. It’s annoying that I still need to rest after all that sleeping.”
“You do need to rebuild your energy, and having mine inside you has messed up the equilibrium,” Zhongli pointed out. “Resting should be good for you. Shall I leave so you can rest?”
“Hnnn. No. Stay with me?”
“As you wish.”
For the first time in a long while, Ajax didn’t resent feeling sleep dragging him in. With Zhongli’s arms keeping him warm and safe, he allowed himself to drift away.
The sun shone warmly above the peak of Mt. Aocang, and Zhongli reveled in the warmth. The sounds of Lumine bickering lightly with Paimon drifted to him and he smiled at the sight of the two making their way to the stone table under the tree, where he was already seated with Xiao.
“Hello Zhongli!” Paimon greeted loudly. “How have you been?”
“I’ve been good, thank you,” Zhongli answered. “My apologies for the sudden summons. Ajax wished to present you with something.”
“Ajax?” Lumine blinked.
“He means me,” Ajax said as he walked nearer, balancing bowls on his arms. He allowed Zhongli to help him put the dishes on the table as he winked at the two. “Keep it down, please? It’s not a name I share with just about anyone.”
“And we have the privilege of knowing it?” Lumine asked, lifting her brow.
“Well, you helped keep me alive. I figured if anyone has the right, it’s you.” Ajax pushed a bowl to Lumine and Paimon each. “And this is a thank you meal, by the way. Eat!”
Paimon stared at the bowl. “Uhhh… why does it look like you’ve taken Osial and killed him then put it into the bowl?” she asked. The bowl was filled with seafood soup, using fresh calla lilies to balance the taste. Instead of simply putting shellfish in there Ajax had put a whole octopus – a small one – and placed it in the middle of the bowl.
“Catharsis!” Ajax answered easily. He drove a fork into his own portion and stabbed the octopus hard enough that the fork clinked against the ceramic.
“That’s fair,” Lumine said and took a sip. Her eyes grew wide immediately. “Oh, that’s good.”
“Thanks, Comrade!”
“How do you even manage to make something that tastes so good look so much like a bloodbath?!” Paimon complained even as she scarfed down the soup. Ajax simply laughed.
“My lord does not eat seafood,” Xiao said disapprovingly. He was sitting rigidly at his seat.
“I know, I eat meals with him regularly,” Ajax countered. He slid a plate of Jueyun Chili Chicken to Zhongli. “Don’t worry. I take care of everyone that I cook for.”
Xiao paused, then said, “I don’t eat any of that either.”
“Oh, don’t worry about that either! I came prepared.” Ajax plopped a plate of Almond Tofu in front of Xiao. “Zhongli told me you like this. Try it!”
Xiao glanced uncertainly at Zhongli. He gave an encouraging nod, and Xiao took a bite. He blinked at the plate, then said begrudgingly, “It’s passable.”
“I’ll take that!” Ajax declared.
Zhongli took a bite at the chicken and smiled at the taste. It was nothing as exquisite as Xiangling’s cooking, but it would be unfair to compare a home cook like Ajax to a seasoned chef like Xiangling, even if she was much younger than him. Ajax had put the effort and care into the dish and that was what mattered the most.
He glanced at Ajax. Even days after the whole fiasco had passed and the energy within him had settled, his pupils remained a deep, lustrous shade of gold that contrasted with the dull blue irises. Perhaps their energies had mingled so much that the gold would never disappear. Surprisingly enough, Ajax had looked at himself in the mirror, shrugged, and said that he didn’t mind.
Hm. Maybe he should contact the Tsaritsa to explain it. She could be quite the jealous god and dislike the obvious way Zhongli clung to Ajax. A proper explanation should hopefully quell her wrath.
“Zhongli?”
He hummed as he looked up to see Ajax staring at him, gold ringed with blue, as he poured tea from a pot to multiple cups. With great care, he put one into Zhongli’s hand.
“I’m simply lost in thought,” Zhongli said. He lifted the cup in a brief salute and sipped it.
Ah. While his cooking was satisfactory, Ajax’s tea making skills still had room to improve.
“All good things, I hope,” Ajax said.
“All good things,” Zhongli promised. “Thank you for cooking, Ajax.”
“My pleasure.” Ajax beamed at him, and Zhongli stared into the blue and gold in his eyes, and decided that for now, he was content.