Chapter Text
Earlier on 6.00 am morning in Liyue,
Zhongli wake up and get ready for today meeting because Hutao, the Director of the Wangsheng Funeral Parlor, deliver a message from Ningguang to ask Zhongli become a representative from Liyue. Zhongli well known as Wangsheng Funeral Parlor's mysterious consultant. He very handsome, elegant, and surpassingly learned that make all people respect to him. Though no one knows where Zhongli is from, he is a master of courtesy and rules. From his seat at Wangsheng Funeral Parlor, he performs all manner of rituals. But all people don’t know that Zhongli is in truth the latest mortal vessel of the Geo Archon, Morax, also known as Liyue's overlord and protector: Rex Lapis. By now he wanders the streets of Liyue, as he "ought to be here to witness its rise and fall.
The person knows his identity as Geo Archon one of them is Tartaglia/Childe. He is Fatui as one of the Eleven Harbingers and now people know him as Zhongli’s partner. Their first meet is at Wanmin Restaurant when both of them want lunch together. Since then, they always seen together in the Restaurant for lunch and dinner. People also call him “Zhongli’s wallet” because every time Zhongli forgot his mora, Childe always show up and pay on his behalf. It makes people thinks that both of them have special bonding toward each other. After the incident happened in Nothern bank which is Childe see Signora and Zhongli and known as Morax Geo Archon for whole drama happened and about the gynosis, Childe feel that Zhongli tricked him. After one week, Zhongli feel lost without Childe and he finally meets Childe at Harbor, prepare to go back Snezhnaya. Zhongli try to persuade Childe to stay and forgave him. Then Zhongli confess to Childe that he likes him and want Childe to be his partner in his mortal era. At first Childe hesitate and scared that he will get tricked against if he believes what Zhongli said in future. Then, Childe agree to give second chance to Zhongli with one condition, which is he wants to fight Zhongli. He wants the partner of his life stronger than him and able to dominate him.
Then, Childe transform into his Delusion form meanwhile Zhongli fight him as Morax. Childe sees the Dragon form of Zhongli and his strength make him fall deeply to Zhongli. Previously, he may had crush on Zhongli when first met in Wangmin Restaurant. A handsome, charming and tender looking like Zhongli really make Childe fall in love. When he heard Zhongli talk about history of Liyue, his husky voice melt Childe’s ear and he wishes Zhongli could be him one and only.
Since that accident between him, Zhongli and Signora, he really heart-broken and his trust toward Zhongli is disappear but still at bottom of his heart, he hopes all things happened just now is all dream and he will wake up soon. Unfortunately, it’s not happened. At time when Zhongli begging him to stay and confess to him. He really wants to jump into Zhongli’s arm but he wants Zhongli determination to get him.
After the fight wish is Zhongli won easily, both of them always see together back and then Zhongli propose Childe to marry him with a pair of dragon-and-phoenix chopsticks as a wedding gift. Childe really overwhelm with this surprise from Zhongli and he agrees to marry this man. Now, both of them are happy marry couple living in Liyue.
In meantime…
After Zhongli done, he goes to kitchen to prepare the breakfast for his partner and his son, Zi Rui. Zhongli and Childe actually plan to have picnic together and spend time together with his son. Since the emergency request from Ninguang, Zhongli apologies to Childe and Zi Rui to postponed their family time. At first Childe feel sad about it since he very excited for today event because he already prepares lots of thing together with Zi Rui, buy matching clothes for them, cooking stuff and food.
At that night Zhongli amend his partner by having time together for whole night (having sex for many time). As much Childe satisfy and explaining, Zhongli feel happy know that his partner already forgive him and he can go to meeting today.
When Zhongli prepare the food, he can feel the someone give a death glare to him, and he knows who give that look, none other than his son, Zi Rui.
Zi Rui, 8 years old son of Zhongli and Childe, he may really look like Zhongli but his personality and his eyes are copy carbon of his Mom, Childe. He really brave and an adventurous person. He really like to explore the new area especially in every mountain in Liyue. There are some accidents happened when he was 6 years old try sneak out from his house and not come home for a week. Then his parents thought someone kidnap him, and Childe turn into mad man for whole week. At the End, Venti from Mondstat inform Zhongli that his son at Tarven with him. Venti said that Zi Rui plays together with Klee, Razor and Bennet in Mondstat together.
He never scared of anything, even when slime try to catch him, he fights the slime using the stone. Zhongli keep worry about his son meanwhile Childe so proud of him to know that his son can fight. Zi Rui also like spend time with his uncle, Teucer, talk about toys and his mother adventure life. Beside that, he is one of child in Liyue have a great knowledge since Zhongli always make sure Zi Rui know about Liyue and all history. Zi Rui really grateful have both of his parents.
Zi Rui always has soft spot toward his mother. At the age of 7, he noticed that Zhongli always go meeting and cancel their family’s time. Even tho Childe said he not mind and he is okay, but Zi Rui knows his mother always have sad expression whenever Zhongli cancel it. Childe knows he needs to be supportive toward his partner but at same time he misses his husband too. There is another time, Childe just mad at Zhongli, so he goes out for whole day and kill some monster to release the anger. Then Zi Rui sees his mother comeback to home with blood at his body and smile innocently. That make Zi Rui come and outraged his father for his problematic attitude. Since that, every time Zhongli make Childe sad or unhappy, Zi Rui will step up to protect his mother.
“Already told your Mom about it. He is okay.. No need stare to me like that.” Zhongli rubbing his temples, informing to his son. He knows that he will receive lots of complain from it.
“How do you know Mom is okay. I already told you; Mom never shows to you if he is sad or anything. You should know it Dad” He is angry crossed arms watch every movement his father in kitchen.
“I ask him many times last night, how he felt and let it out if he bothered with the decision. Then he truthy agree with that.”
“But…”
“Good morning my sunshine, why you so grumpy this morning. Hey! Show me your sweet smile to you Mom. Hahaha. I smell food and I’m so hungry. Let’s eat together! Zhongli I want tea and pancake too. Come here Rui, eat with me” Childe with messy hair, delight smile and small jumpy go to Zhongli to give peak kiss on cheek and sit at table.
“Told you already, he is okay. Come to table and breakfast together before I go” Zhongli patted his son’s back because he sees that his son stunned his mother behaving like that.
As Zi Rui sit together, “Rui today you will spend time with me okay. We will wear the shirt we brought together and I’m planning to go Nothern Back for a while. You coming with me okay!” Childe talk with his full mouth with pancake that Zhongli cook for him. His son just smiles while look how cute and chubby cheek his mother tries to talk to him. Fully doted son
“ I need to go first because to find Ninguang for more information. Childe, I already told you the meeting’s location. Anything urgent happen just come to that place and inform to staff there. See both of you this evening.” Zhongli take his stuff and kiss childe forehead and hugging his son. Then he already out from their house.
Zi Rui gives skeptical look to his mother, while drink the milk that his dad prepares. Suddenly, “LETS GO TO THE MEETING RUI. LET’S MAKE THAT PLACE RUIN. HAHAHAHA. HOW DARE THEY TAKE YOUR DAD AFTER WE PLANNED FOR WHOLE MONTH TO HAVE PICNIC. LET’S PREPARE A WAR” Childe stand at chair with fist up and yelling with full mouth of food (again). His son just holds the chair to make sure his mom not fall.
“ Haaaa….I thought you are okay. Anyhow I like those ideas. Let’s go mom!” smile look at his mother spirit back. He does love when his mother talk about his adventure around Teyvart. Love to see those enthusiasm from his mother.
Both of them wear full suit with weapon and go to location of the meeting. Some Liyue’s people see this family’s goofiness as routines of the day. All of them thinks Zhongli are lucky have a beautiful and happy family. All of them pray for their happiness, “Zhongli and Childe’s relationship”.
When both of them arrive, Zi Rui wears a mask that cover his nose and mouth (his mom design for him) and Childe with bow attach at his back, they see Zhongli talk to staff with serious handsome face.
“Why your dad looks so handsome even when he is thinking. Lucky that man is married, or else I need to fight those women that near to your DAD!. That’s why I hate when he has lots of meeting. All women will attract to him!” Childe complain at his son while Zi Rui just giggle listen to his mother.
“So what is your plan Mom. Are we try to ambush Dad and tie his arm and leg?” said in soft and menacing voice.
“No my sweet Rui, what we do is I will hug your Dad and bring him inside to meeting and announced that I will take this man as hostage! HAHAHHAHA... NO ONE CAN FIGHT ME, THE FATUI MEMBER!” Childe chuckling with dangerous tone voice.
With signal, Childe fire his bow and there is line wrap along Zhongli’s body then Zi Rui throws the rope at his dad leg. All staff and people shocked with sudden arrow appear but Zhongli just have calm face with sigh. He no need to worries because the only person can do this in public none other than his Childe and small crime partner, Zi Rui. Then as per Childe plan, he runs into Zhongli and hug him while his son follows Childe behind.
“What are you doing Childe, I thought you going to Nothern Bank with Rui. And coming here for urgent, and I don’t see any urgent happen right?” give side look to Childe while his partner try to carry him inside.
“No! we planned to get you out from here and have picnic! I will talk to people in meeting that I kidnapping you and they need find new replacement for that!” Childe fuming and blabbing his idea to Zhongli,
“Hey, I thought you are okay with this. That why I agree to attend today. Why don’t you tell me if you disagree with this Childe.” Zhongli see that Childe look down and his son give ‘I already told you am I’ looks.
“ It.. it it just not FAIR YKNOW. I understand you with these stuff but WE ALREADY PLAN THE WHOLE PICNIC DAY FOR WHOLE MONTH THEN, its over because of the meeting” Childe said loudly and Zi Rui just ease his mother back.
“Hey, Hey look at me Childe. I’m so sorry for this happened and I’m sorry not notice that your feeling about today. I will make our picnic day happen again. I promise that. And actually, I have surprise you and Rui after the meeting but since you here… hmmm” Zhongli cupped Childe face gently and while look at his son.
“WE WILL WAT FOR YOU!. Don’t worry Zhongli. I will stay here and waiting for your surprise! You okay stay here Rui?” he asked his son while Rui still give ‘that’ look at his father.
“I'm fine with anything as long Mom not sad anymore! I can play at park there.” He smiles sweetly toward his mother, want his mother feel okay and not worry about him.
“YEAY… OKAY ZHONGLI WE ARE HERE AND HURRY UP FINISH THE MEETING! I CAN’T WAIT FOR THE SURPRISE!!!” Childe cheer so happy to know his husband care at him. Zhongli feel relief after see Childe back with his energetic mood. He does feel guilty for awhile when Childe told what he feels just now. He has to make sure Childe will be happier when he sees the surprise later.
“So Childe, my dear, wait for me for a while. I love you so much. I need to go first” then he kisses him.
“Rui, I know you are upset with me, but please look up your mom for a while, then you can scold me later okay. Thanks son” he hugs Zi Rui. His son nodded his head and send farewell to his father.
All staff and people there just watch their family’s interaction. Some of them known that Zhongli family and mostly they just ignore them. But for new people, they just awe and giggle because they thought the family are cute.
“Rui my son! Thank you because you can wait here for a while. If you want anything just tell me OKAY! Let’s go have a sit first!” Childe want to take empty spot chair and suddenly he sees a guy and small kid drinking boba which is not from Liyue because he knows that outfit belongs to Inazuma. Childe being a good extrovert person, love to interact with new people. So, he chooses to go that table since there are 2 empty spots for him and his son sit and waiting for Zhongli.
Thoma just buy drink and snack for Shuji around that area, with one staff show him where to buy those food. Maybe with these food Shuji will comfortable while waiting for Ayato. Suddenly there are a guy and small kid behind him approach them. This guy just makes a chaos just now because his husband has meeting. Maybe they are representative from Liyue as per Ayato mentions since he sees the small kid wear something looks like Liyue and the guy wear war suit with some symbols he had seen it when stroll at market this morning with Ayato.
“Greeting! Are you from Inazuma. Welcome to Liyue. My name is Childe. What are you doing here?” Childe beamed and greet Thoma with handshaking.
“Hello there, nice to meet you too. Yes, both of us from Inzauma. We travel here because my partner have a meeting in Liyue, so both of us agree to wait for him here” Thoma explain to Childe.
“OH GOOD! SAME AS ME. My son and I also waiting for Zhongli too. Zhongli is my husband, he also have meeting here and we plan to stay here until he finishes. May I sit here with my son.”
“oh sure, It will be fun have someone to talk about, since only me and Shuji here. The staff look busy and I'm not dare to have conversation with them. By the way, my name is Thoma and this is my son, Kamisato Shuji” Thoma chuckled a bit because he may feel bored a bit.
“Kamisato Shuji, nice to meet you sir Childe.” Shuji greet Childe and Zi Rui
“Oh Ma god, so polite are you. I see, so your father must be the head of the Kamisato Clan and the Yashiro Commissioner, Kamisato Ayato. Greeting too Shuji, this one Zi Rui.” Childe introduce his son to Shuji and Thoma
“ Hello, Im Zi Rui, 8 years old” Zi Rui greet Thoma and Ayato.
“ohh,, such a handsome boy are you Zi Rui. You have same age as Shuji. Why don’t you be friends together?” Thoma give smile look to his son, to be befriend with someone outside from Inazuma people. Shuji just nodded his head and Zi Rui also get approve from his mother to be friends with Shuji.
“Man, how long you already wait here, I might get bored if I were you” Childe start the conversation after sees his son interact with other kid.
“ just 15 min I guess, I do might feel bored a bit but I like to see the decoration here. Its really stunning me. You know, when you travel to other place, there are lots new thing we can experience.”
“Agree with you, I had been lot of places before marry with Zhongli, it really enjoyable indeed.” Childe replies to Thoma.
Both of them have a great conversation until they heard loud laugh….