Chapter Text
“Happy birthday Аякс!“ His mother exclaimed, holding a small cake towards her youngest son. The boys eyes widened and a squeal of joy escaped from his lips as he snatched the cake from his mothers hands, munching on it like he had been starved for long. Which, wasn't exactly a lie either, as the boy was just skin and bones.
“Tha'k yo' mama!“
The words were muffled as the kid spoke, mouth full of the sweet treat. A few pieces of crumbs flew out of his mouth as he spoke but the mother only smiled softly and grabbed a napkin. One finger under the boys chin and he lifted his head up, letting his mom press the napkin gently at the corner of Ajaxs mouth. “Hush now child, do not speak with your mouth full” his mother berated him, with no real fever behind her words as she pinched the slightly chubby cheeks of her 6 year old son.
Ajax obediently swallowed before offering a toothy grin. “Will papa take me ice fishing today? Im six now! Im a big boy! Pretty please?“ the childs fingers tangled into his mothers cheap dress. She shook her head, equally exasperated as she was fond. Reaching down, she picked the child up, laying him on her lap while she ran her hands through his tangled hair.
“A big boy would brush his hair everyday like his mama taught him to”
His mother told him, amusement dancing in her eyes. The kids cheeks puffed out at the womans words. “Sorry mama!“ he sniffed, pushing back his tears. The mother cooed at her son, brushing a strand of ginger hair from his face to plant a kiss on his forehead. “None of that now. You said you're a big boys, tell me, do big boys cry na~?“
“No mama....“ the kid sniffed, wipping his eyes with his sleeve. The mother shook her head, a small smile playing on her lips, almost blue from the cold, even inside the house. “How about this, if you help around the house for a week, I might be able to convince papa to let you go with him and your older brothers” his mothers eyes twinkled, warmth filling them. The boy squealed in joy. “You promise?“ the kid asked hopefully, bouncing exictedly in his mothers lap.
“I promise” she laughed at his antics. The kid didn't seem to believe her as he showed her his pinkie, a look of fierce determination settling over his young features. She smiled softly and interlocked her pinkie with his, forever sealing the pact.
“You make a pinkie promise,
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.“
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“If your absence doesn't affect them,
Your presence never mattered”
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“Wa-”
“He isn't-
“Be qu-”
“-okay?“
His head literally felt like it got split in two at that point. All he could see was eternal darkness and the voices weren't helping either. Why were they so loud? Why couldn’t they shut up? His head hurt. His ears were ringing. He wanted to go home. Where was home? It was too loud. Everything was too loud. Just- shut up... Why was he even mad in the first place. Was he home? Where was he? What was home? Home was waiting for him- he needed to get up. Go home-
There was no home.
Like a water bucket having been dropped on him, his eyes snapped open, a startled gasp leaving his lips as the sudden light was too much for his fuzzy brain to comperhand. He closed his eyes again tightly, a full shiver going through his body. The voices finally grew quiet and he could finally breathe again. His body relaxed into the mattress, a sigh escaping his lips as he nestled back in his bed, comfortably.
Before hands grabbed him by clothes and started pulling. He opened his eyes again, irritation sparking inside him. “Who-!“ he turns around to yell at his aggressor only to snap his mouth shut as he was met face to face with Zhen Yi. And ho.... She looked VIVID.
“Good morning aunty....“
He mumbled, quietly, gulping. Wait- why was he even scared? He was a harbinger for goodness sake! He could literally murder her with his hands only! Though that wouldn't really be something to brag about as she looked like a slap could send her 6 feet under. How old even was she? “You DEMON! You don't know just how much trouble you are in right now.... Embarrassing me in front of their highness, running away from my house and making me look like an incompetent caretaker- fainting in the middle of a conversation after going absolutely crazy, Lady Guizhong even asked if I was feeding you enough!“
Zhen Yi practically threw a tantrum, and not even Childe could take her serious at this point, as he stared at her weirdly. Has she finally lost her mind? About damn time.... The old woman, having picked on his disintrested behavior, flushed red, looking like she was barely holding herself back from slapping the hell out of him. “But you don't care do you!? After all, you are just a sick sick, bed ridden boy, who couldn't give a shit about the world around him! It's like you're completely detached! You fainted. FAINTED. In front of an ADEPTUS. Do you even know what that is!? That's a being higher than us lowly humans! They protect us! And you just embarrassed yourself and ME in front of one. Imagine if word goes around town.... Oh my lord....“
Childes eyes widened as Zhen Yi went on a full panicked rant, almost ripping her gray hair out. Truthfully, he had never seen her like that. And it freaked him out, more than it should've. What was the big deal anyways....? He had literally almost dated an adeptus once. That adeptus also being a literal GOD. And they could've dated. He dated him, in his mind but he could never feel the same about somebody as beneath him as Childe. Nevermind that Childe also belonged to another god. And great, just thinking about Morax already made his mood drop.
Zhen Yi seemed to pick on his sudden mood drop as well because she shut her mouth, for a second looking conflicted even if Childe didn't see that as he was looking at the floor with a blank expression. The old woman shook her head, clearing her throat and shaking some unwanted feeling of concern that washed over her at the youngsters expression.
“Finally feeling remorse? Good! Maybe think of your actions better next time! Wouldn't have been in this mess if it weren't for you....“ she snapped at him, though her tone lack its earlier disgust, and Childe picked up on that fast. He willed the thoughts of Zhon- MORAX away before offering his charming smile “Of course aunty! I'll be extra careful next time!“ he exclaimed, his tone cheerful and instantly making Zhen Yi regret ever being nice to the kid.
“You are a grannys worst nightmare.“ she grumbled, looking at him in contempt. He shrugged at her words instead, feeling a twinge of annoyance. His grandma loved him very much thank you- well as much as somebody with dementia could love another. “No, I'm not” he chirped, indignated.
She huffed at that, clearly not buying it. “Oh are you now, you ball of sunshine?“ she mocked him and Childe inhaled deeply, unconciously twitching his hand. Was she provoking him on purpose? Did this granny not have anything better to do with her life? “Yes, I can assure you, I have a lovely family back home, that loves me very much” he replied back, a sharp smile on his lips.
She remained silent at that, either because of the smile that freaked her out or because of.... What he said. His smile slowly faded from his face as her expression became unreadable. “You. ... Have a family?“ she asked carefully, after having cleared her throat. Childes brows furrowed now. He had never heard her like that. She was always angry, mean, panicked but this.... What was this? The emotion on her face? He couldn't place it, even as his eyes searched her face, doing a double take.
He opened his mouth to respond before closing it. Did he have a family? They dont even exist yet. Did his parents even see him as family? Or were they still desperately searching for their little boy Ajax. Long lost, cold, all alone, found in the woods, covered in blood- Childe wasnt their child. They didnt see him as their kid. No- he was.... He was just a demon that replaced their son.
The sudden realization made him flinch, even if it was just a small muscle spasm. His family didnt love him. And that wouldnt change even with all the money and honour he bought to his name. Childe shook his head as it dawned on him. He had yet to respond to Zhen Yis question. He looked back at her face, that was watching him with that same unreadable stare, silently, patiently. Something she never did, which he found very odd. Once again.
Drawing in a sharp breath, he finally decided on an answer. “I do, they'll realize eventually” he said, allowing a small smile to slip on his face. A sincere one, not the annoyed ones he usually reserved for the woman. Because at the moment, something overtook him. For the first time, he didnt see her as an annoyment, a disturbance to his peace. For once, she was something. Not a friend.... Just somebody, whom he knows.
Zhen Yi straightened at that, the silence suddenly uncomfortable. “So I see” she muttered, even if Childe could hear her confusion perfectly. The ginger looked to the side, the atmosphere really sucked in here. And it was problably his fault that it was like that. Should he add something? Change the subject? He would do anything at this point to get her to stop staring at him like he was an exotic animal.
But.... Wasn't he? He had ginger hair, something he hadn't seen anyone else have. Pale skin, unlike the sunkissed skin of Morax's kids, freckles, something he also realized they lacked. And many other things. Could they notice the aura surrounding him? Pick up on his dead eyes? Scarred skin?
For a moment, the first time in many year, he felt anxious with his features. It was easier in his timeline, when everybody already knew who he was, a mad dog of her majesty, where he didnt have to fake it all. But here, it was different, here, they didnt even know how or why to judge him because they problaby never came across somebody like him. He always felt out of place but this just took the cake.
To add to his problems, he never cared of being judged. He was different, but that was a good thing. Why should he be normal? Normal was boring, the world needed diversity and he could bring that to Teyvat. Judging was just hidden jealousy. Because he was better. Better than anyone would ever be! Yet, why did he feel anxious when Zhen Yi would give him that cofused stare of hers, like she couldnt understand what he was doing- what even was he.
She was just like Zhongli and his mother- and he despised it with all his being. Because she didnt judge him, she only tried to figure it out, like he was a puzzle she needed to solve, to fix. He didnt need fixing! He was already just right. How he was supposed to be. She just couldnt understand it. Not like his mother and certainly not like Zhongli.
.... Why wouldnt she understand it...?
“Stop digging your nails into your skin” Zhen Yis dissaproving voice cut through his train of thoughts, leaving him startled. Glancing down, he realized he had indeed been digging his nails into his skin, long enough to even leave red marks. Luckily, no blood was drawn. He'd hate to explain why his blood was a purplish colour anyway. Too much trouble with too little understanding.
His eyes hardened though at her commanding voice. Why did she think she could order him around? After all, she wasnt her majesty, she had no right to command him! “What are you still doing here?“ he huffed, glaring daggers at her, even if his eyes lacked their usual heat. Her eyes widened at his words before an irritated expression soon replaced her surprise. “What am I still doing here? This is my house, insolent child!“ she snapped at him, her tone fierce.
Childe stared at her unimpressed, his lips pressing into a thin line. “Yet this is my room. So out you go, I need my privacy” he crossed his arms, determined not to back down, not to show her that she can boss him around like that. Because she wasnt his boss, she was even weaker than him! He should boss her around instead!
“Youre walking on thin ice” she warned him, her voice suspiciously calm. Childe raised an eyebrow, leaning forward, his head resting on his palm. “Thats funny, I dont seem to be walking and nor do I see any ice in this room” he remarked, cheeks puffing out. Zhen Yis eye twitched before the ginger was forced to lean back, avoiding a book thrown his way.
“Never in my 58 years of existence-”
“Cough 1000 or more…. Cough cough”
“HAVE I EVER SEEN SUCH AN INSOLENT KID”
She finished her sentence, her tone elevated. The ginger groaned at her words, feeling anger replace his annoyance. “AND IM NOT A KID! STOP TREATING ME LIKE ONE!“ He argued back, glaring at her fiercely. That seemed to stop her, as her mouth opened and closed like a fish out of water before she ultimately gave up on trying to get the words out. Now she simply frowned his way, not in disgust, not in fear, not in anger- it was that look again. Confusion. Like she was trying to understand. He hated it. He hated itHehatedithehatedithehatedit- HE HATED IT.
He took a deep breath. He wasnt a puzzle! Why? She looked at him like- like.... He was misguided child. He wasnt either! Why couldnt she understand!? He didnt need her looking into his personal stuff. He was weird! So what!? He was not just an object she could study. And neither was he a broken child that didnt know what to do so he hides from the world! Why couldnt his mom and Zhongli unders- wait. When did this become about the.....
“Get out!“ he snapped at her, feeling panic rise inside him. She looked frustrated but she didnt fight back, simply raising from where she was seated and walking out of the room, leaving him to his own thoughts. He exhaled shakily, leaning back on the uncomfortable bed, the material creaking under him. Why did he think of the two people he hated the most when he spoke with Zhen Yi? Did he hate her so much that it just came naturally to think of her together with the other two? Or was she just as similar to them that he mistook her?
He huffed at his own thoughts, rolling to the side. She wasnt similar, not by a milestone. His mother cared, thats why she always tried to figure him out. But Zhen Yi didnt care. And Zhongli was a freak, obbsesed with puzzles, with knowing everything. Pity he couldnt solve the bell of all puzzles. Hah. But Zhen Yi... She.... Didnt care. She has never intrested her in intelectual stuff. Zhen Yi was just.... Zhen Yi. She didnt care about peoples opinions because she already knew her own worth and her own icks. She was always fierce to defend the truth, to argue about her own point of view. She never let anyone walk over her- always quick to judge-
Wait....
Doesnt that sound familiar? Why....
'Is she so similiar to him?'
The gingers brain shortcircuired at that. Blinking dumbly, staring at the wall for a few seconds before he could finally register it himself. Similiar to him? Yeah right. He rolled his eyes. Unlike her, he was a reasonable and understanding being- he frowned, scratching that thought away. She did... Sound like him in a way. Confident. Fierce. And that bothered him.
Maybe thats why he disliked her so much.. Because she was a reflection of himself. In her, he could see all his flaws, his own personality clashed with hers because they were both too proud to ever let the other talk them down. He closed his eyes, his fingers clenching around his forearms as he curled up into a ball. Just what he needed at this point. To have an exact copy of himself.
He was tired. He didnt want this. Yes, he wanted revenge, he wanted to hurt Zhongli, he wanted to hurt the Tsaritsa, he wanted to hurt the world, show it how unfair it was but he was tired. Tired of hating Zhongli, tired of feeling bitterness towards everybody who had it better than him. And he was tired of hating. Tired of pitying himself. He didnt want this... He wanted to go home. Where was home? Wanted to feel the snow melting on his hands, to feel the breeze sweep through his hair. And he wanted to feel the ocean, smell the salty air, run his fingers through the sand, listen to the melody of shells.
He wanted to hug Teucer again, compare his height. He wanted to sing songs with Tonia, tell her stories at the fire. He wanted to tease Anthon, share his advice with him whenever he'd want to talk about his crush. And.... He wanted to hear Zhonglis voice for one last time, telling tales of old, seeing his small smile whenever recalling a fond memory of his....
Childe closed his eyes tightly, willing himself to sleep, hoping to at least escape this reality that he never wanted to be apart of anyway...
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“Sic itur ad astra”
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Zhen Yi exited the room, that belonged to HER house! Excuse her! Closing the door behind her, having half a mind to slamming it off its hinges. Her anger was justified after all. Imagine how she felt the day the two deities that protected this village showed up at her house, with a frail boy slumped over the geo gods shoulder. The boy looked half dead! And.... Very... Strange. Unusual. You name it. All she could think was... 'What was that creature?'.
Imagine that much to her surprise, the goddess of dust herself wished for her to house the creature. She who had no children. She who lived in isolation. She who seeked the mutter of the wind, with no disturbance to her peace. But how could she, poor frail mortal, possibly refuse offering her hand in nursing the creature, for her gods ask her to do as such, and she is but a lowly being, with no saying in this matter. Thus of course, as any sane person would do, she accepted it with grace, thanking her gentle, loving gods for entrusting her to care for such a being. For she was only human....
And surprisingly so was the creature after she had gotten to know it. Peculiar thing it was, a bit too proud for Zhen Yis liking. Always quick to argue, with no manners what so ever! But again, she had a job to do, and she couldnt let her own emotions get in the way, dissapointenting the beings of stars. Even when it was being insolent, or showed bad will. Even when it insulted the only reason it had a place to stay right now. Because of course Zhen Yi would notice, the way the creatures lips twitched downwards at the mere mention of Moraxs name, its distaste for the god clear.
And Zhen Yi hated him for it. How come such a lowly being, even dare to express ill thoughts on its savior! Disgraceful, thats what it is. Though a part of her couldnt help its curiosity, of what couldve possibly happened between the two to ignite such a fire from the redhead. Could it be that he just simply shares a deep hatred for gods? But how could that be the case, in a way, he does signal a slight dislike towards Guizhong, but it could also be simple indifference. But whatever it was, hatred or pettiness, he had no right to do such a thing.
And imagine this, the people of the village even had half a mind to calm him something higher than a human, when his place on the podium wasnt justified, lower than an animal should he be. There was nothing about it that screamed godly. It was but a demon, with those dead eyes of its, and that murderous stare of his. Why did he even hate her so much? She did make a few comments here and there, yet he shouldnt have been so pissed off at the person housing him! So ungrateful.
She grumbled under her tone as she walked through her house, moving to prepare dinner. The creature usually only ate once a day, something she at least felt grateful for, as supplies were running low since the cold days were approaching. But allas, Lady Guizhong had requested her to make meals in bigger proportions with lots of meat and vegetables, saying something among the lines of 'he needs to gain fat'. Why did poor, old Zhen Yi have to waste her last bits of food on such an ungrateful dog... Only the Gods knew- literally speaking.
She rummaged through the drawers, her back bent making a small crunch noise whenever she'd move. Even if she hated to admit it, she was growing old, she wasnt in her prime anymore. Zhen Yi sighed as she raised with 2 bowls in her hand before she heard knocking on her door. Confusion came first as it was a rather late hour. But ultimately, she shrugged it off, at least if anything happened to her, to blame would be that creature living rent free in her house.
Stumbling a bit, she hurried to answer, her bones already protesting at so much movement. The door swung open as she offered a smile to the newcomer “Can I help yo-” she trailed off upon noticing two DEITIES. TWO. AT HER HOUSE! Oh gosh.... Was she having an ASMA right now....? “Greetings my lord, my lady-” Zhen Yi hurried to bow, wincing as her spine cracked loudly at the sudden movement. She was grateful that at least her hair hid her view of the two, so she couldnt see their faces.
“Please, do raise my child” Lady Guizhong was the first to speak of the two, like always. Zhen Yi hesitated before raising to her full height, dying inside as she realized she was taller than the god of dust, which felt like an insult towards the gray haired woman. “There is no need for such formalities” Guizhong added, with a small smile playing on her lips. Morax for his part, kept shifting around, looking to his side like he'd rather not be there.
“My apologies for overstepping but what could this lowly being do to have possibly attracted your lord and ladys attention?“ Zhen Yi asked humbly, trying not to seem too curious to not come off as noisy. Morax cleared his throat “We were just passing b-”
“Actually, we are here to check if there are any more spots avaliable at the table” Guizhong cut him off, her smile slightly sharper than before as she tugged on their interlocked hands, something only now did Zhen Yi pick up on. The older woman blinked slowly as it registered to her. They wanted to have dinner at her house? Oh, were the stars blessing Zhen Yi?
Zhen Yi tried to stop a huge smile as she replied smoothly. “Of course, do come inside please” she bowed down one last time, moving out of the way for the deities to make their way inside. Guizhong stepped in cheerfully, dragging behind her an unwilling Morax. The two quickly made themselves comfortable at her couch while Zhen Yi hurried up the stairs, glancing one last time at them before she basically sprinted, at her own speed of course, up the stairs, towards the creatures lair.
Zhen Yi opened the door, mindful of how much sound she made before she spotted the redhead sitting on his bed, tapping on his leg. “Hey!“ she whisper-yelled to catch his attention. Him, for his part, didnt seen surprised, only annoyed. “Archons, was knocking not invented in your era?“ he groaned, falling back on his bed. The old woman chose to ignore his strange way of wording that sentence.
“The lord and lady are here” she replied back, sneaking her way inside, closing the door behind her. Her words finally seemed to catch his attention as he pearked up. “Morax and Guizhong?“ he questioned curiously. Zhen Yi choked on thin air at his words. “You idiot! You must not refer to them with their names, have you got no respect?!“ she chided him harshly, moving to grab at his clothes, pulling on them.
“Oi! What the hell?“ he protested, swaying her hands away with no strain. She huffed at that, pulling harder, yet careful not to snap the silky material. “Get up! Theyre staying for dinner! You must go out and buy some food, for we dont have enough for a feast” Zhen Yi had half a mind to beg at that point but Ajax seemed to get the memo, only shaking her hands off with a scoff and a glare. “Archons- fine fine, calm down woman!“ he mumbled, rearraging his hanfu, pulling it to cover his shoulder once again.
Zhen Yi gave him space, for at least once in his staying here. She crossed her arms watching as he stood up from the bed, running a hand through his already messed up hair. “So... What do you need?“ he asked her, yawning, clearing not stressing about the situation as much as Zhen Yi was. She rolled her eyes, muttering under her breath before answering. “Everything and anything that is edible” the woman instructed him, walking around the room.
Childe, on his part, simply stared at her, eyebrow raised. “And you can't do it yourself because....?“ he trailed up, clearly expecting her to tell him the actual truth. And as much as it was embarrassing, Zhen Yi knew that if she weren't to be honest, he wouldn't do jack shit, so swallowing her pride, she answered. “They cant know that I'm lacking supplies, my.... Dignity couldn't take it” she mumbled the last part, but somehow, the redhead had heard.
“More like ego....“ he muttered to himself with a small huff before going silent, clearly in thought. Zhen Yi waited with a bated breath, ready to even order or threaten him but much to her surprise, his reply was something else entirely. “Sure” he shrugged, like it was as simple as that, leaving Zhen Yi shocked. “Wait really!? That easy?“ she gasped, dumbfounded, thinking she mustve misheard. But Ajaxs answer remained the same. “Well, I dont exactly see why not”
The woman blinked a few more times before shaking her head and going for the door. “Okay, hurry up, and DONT leave through the main door! They must not see you sneaking out!“ she warned him, before she stopped for a moment, her hand resting on the handle as she stood conflicted. “... And thank you” Zhen Yi added, leaving a surprised Ajax behind.
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“Tempus edax rerum”
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How had his day gone from rotting away on a rock (not literally of course... Though it did feel like it was made of stone) to hyping himself to jump out a window for a second time that week. Childe inhaled deeply, hyping himself as he bounced on his legs, moving his weight from one leg to another. Glancing one last time at the door that Zhen Yi walked out of just a few minutes ago, he finally made up his mind.
Rolling his neck to the side, he broke into a sprint, eying the open window facing him before he took off flying, easily jumping out. Though now, he kind of regretted all his life choices as gravity clinged to him, pulling him to the ground and forcing him to roll into a position where it was less likely to break a bone in his body. Well... Other than possibly his leg but who cared. He landed with practiced ease and luckier for him, the street was also deserted, meaning he didnt have to trouble himself with coming with an excuse for jumping out a window.
Raising himself from his crouched position, he limped his way towards the stalls, hopping that they didnt close yet. And luck really seemed to be on his side today because he found that they were still open, a few lanterns hanging on the stalls to illuminate them and their impressive displays. A small smile found its way on Childes lips as the view brought him a feeling of peace. It was so similar to Liyue it hurt....
He sighed, his smile dying as bitterness followed after. Continuing to limp, he reached that stall from days ago, and thankfully, Wei Tian was there, looking ready to close for the day. “One moment!“ Childe called out, speeding up, even if not by much, as his limping was quite visible. Wei Tian glanced up confused before his eyes widened and he bent into a bow. “My lord!“ he gasped, peaking a bit under his hair.
The ginger panted, resting his body against the stall. Heaven has he gotten weak ever since coming here.... He should start training again. “Is everything alright, my lord?“ Wei Tian questioned, concern etched into his tone. Childe nodded his head, holding a finger up to show the man that he needed a moment. “We-were you about to close?“ Childe asked, looking at Wei Tian, fatigue evident on his face. Wei Tian, on his part, quickly denied that. “Not at all, my lord! With what could I serve you?“
Wei Tian moved behind the stall. The ginger shook his head, taking a deep breath before straightening. His eyes scanned the ingredients laid out in front of him before he came to a rather quick decision. “Everything.“ he answered. The man tilted his head to the side, confused and surprised. “Im sorry?“ he wondered out loud and the ginger grinned. “I want everything” he clarified, trying to hide his smugness.
“R-right away, my liege!“
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“Dum spiro, spero”
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“Is this truly necessary, Guizhong?“ Morax grumbled, his whole body tense as he waited on the mortals couch. Of all the places to be in such a calm day, had it to be here? It reeked of the redhead, the scent bitter and not at all pleasant. Guizhong just smiled his way, busy admiring the humans room. “They have really come a long way!“ she squeaked exicted, bouncing a bit on the couch, making it creak under her.
The geo lord sighed, straightening his back and throwing a glance at the door that led to the exit. It still wasnt too late to make a run for it... He was really starting to regret agreeing to try bonding with that godling. Actually, he wasnt even sure anymore at that point. Was he human? Was he a god? What was he? Too many misteries for Moraxs liking. He was snapped out of his thoughts by a hand grabbing his, fingers interlocking and forcing him to glance up at the other, who offered him a reassuring smile.
“What's with the tenseness? You are only here to bond with Ajax, not to ask his hand in marriage” she laughed at his expression, seeing his eyebrows furrow before he cleared his throat. “That wouldn't make sense. Two people of the same gender can't be together” he explained to her, not even sure why she would consider such a thing. After all- he was quite sure males couldn't reproduce. That would make no sense if they wished to be together.
Lost in his thought, he failed to notice the way Guizhong squeezed his hand, her eyes losing focus before she shook herself out of it, looking uncomfortable. “Why not? Love is love after all! You can be able to love whoever you want!" She tried to subtly press on the matter, hoping to understand why Morax had that type of mindset. Sure- between humans, the topic of loving the same gender as you was unusual, and not all that appreciated but they were gods! Weren't they supposed to have different points of view? Especially considering that they could be both male and female!
Morax eyes darkened in thought, his eyes darting to focus on a wall stain while he considered an answer. He.... Didn't really have a problem with it. It was just unusual. “Well indeed you can. But humans were created by the stars like that. A female to continue their race, and a male to provide a child. That's how nature works” he explained briefly, even if he felt like his words didn't really have the effect he wished they did. Guizhong blinked surprised at that before squinting her eyes suspiciously. Morax never cared about race- so it was weird for him to suddenly do.... Unless….
He wasnt against same gender couples- he was against the idea of change. He was scared of change.... He didnt like the idea of dating the same gender because it was unusual. It was a change, in view and even life. She shook her head with a small sigh. Her poor dragon....
Morax, on the other side- like something finally clicked in the rock inside his head- turned his head to the side to stare at Guizhong, confusion etched in his eyes. “Why are you being so insistent on this topic?“ he questioned, no sugar coating, just straight up, with no filter. After all- if he didnt like a topic, she would usually avoid mentioning it again, to not make him uncomfortable. Guizhongs eyes widened at that, her mouth opening and closing before she burned red at that, making Zhongli tilt his head to the side, further confused.
“No reason.... Just wanted to know what you thought” she forced the words out of her throat, her hand slipping out of Moraxs hold. He forwned at that, looking down at his now empty hand with a dissaproving stare before he shrugged it off. Why was she even lying to him? Did he do something wrong? “Why are you lying?“ he asked bluntly, not willing to beat around the bush, and seeming to baffle Guizhong once more with his no filter.
“Really Zhongli, its nothing.“ She insisted, a small frown settling on her beautiful features, and making something inside of him clench painfully. He gave her a dissaproving look but didnt insist on it. She was always so patient with him, so he should try doing the same, even if it meant hurting. Instead, he only shifted closer to her- he didnt know why- but it just felt right.
She turned her head to the side, surprised, then confused, before a fond look crossed her face and she leaned on his side, one of her hands moving to run through his wild mane, making him practically melt against her, a feeling of belonging washing over him. One of his arms sneaked to wrap like a snake around her waist in a protective grip, burrying his head in her hair and inhaling her scent deeply.
Yeah.... He didnt feel as nervous now.
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“Vita somnium breve”
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“HOW LONG HAS THE SOUP BEEN BOILING FOR!?“
“I DONT KNOW OKAY!? DID YOU CUT THE CARROTS YET?“
“No? THAT WAS YOUR JOB!“
“NO IT WASNT! I HAD TO DO THE SALAD!“
Chaos. Total. Chaos. Running around, bowls in hands and yelling at each other in the kitchen. It has already been 30 minutes and they already had a whole feast but of course Zhen Yi wasn't satisfied with such and wanted more. Demanded more. Like what did she want? To feed an entire army!? Scrap that! Not even in the army was there so much food provided by the cooks! Not to mention she looked close to having a mental breakdown with how much she tried to keep her voice quiet, constantly glancing at the door leading to the living room, where the gods were situated.
He panted softly, swiping the sweat forming on his forehead before he added the finishing touch to his favourite dish of all times. His famous calla lily seafood soup! Sure.... He had to improve a bit in the ingredients as there were no calla lilies in any of the shops- he had asked around everywhere and none seemed to even know what he was referring to. That could either mean that it had a different name or it wasnt found in Liyue at that time. Which- truthfully sucked! He had to mix around ingredients that he normally would never add to his dish in any circumstance just to get the taste right....
Oh how it hurt him inside. But alas, it was finally done, and if any of them even tried to comment on the taste as it was remotely bad.... Well, he missed having a good fight anyway. He thought to himself, eyes darkening before a self satisfied smile graced his features. He couldn't taste it yet- not without a spoon. Because SOMEBODY didn't have spoons in that era. And he said that with a glare in Zhen Yis way, that was frantically cutting tomatoes and throwing spices around in dishes.
When she approached him, preparing to add some spice to his signature as well though, he jumped back, pulling the dish close to his chest with an offended stare. Thou shan't poison his food no further after all! She did give him a nasty side-glance before just moving on further. Yet he found that the perfect moment to take a break. Today was wild after all- a rollercoaster of emotions that he hadn't even had time to process. Though there was a small nagging part inside his brain that urged do differ, accusing him of consciously ignore these feelings, bottling them inside of him until he couldn't no more- until he snapped, just as it happened many times, especially in his younger years.
'Coward' his mind supplied, startling him. That.... Was his thought? It didn't feel like it- there was something.... Odd about it.. Childe felt a full body shiver run through him as he shook his head, resting it on his palm. Slowly, he was going crazy wasn't he? He really really needed a good fight to unwind, he had too much pent up energy and emotions.
“Hey aunty- I think that's enough food” he called out after the grandma that was already moving to create another dish. Now don't get him wrong- he'd love her to make another dish, save him time to prepare mentally to meet Morax- face to face, maybe face his fury, hatred (for what....?), not to justsee him stalking him. But now he also found out that if he didn't interact with another being outside of Zhen Yi, he would never be the same again, and that wasn't said in a good way.
“Yeah yeah, youre right- I already made them wait long enough-” surprisingly, Zhen Yi was quick to agree, already throwing the chili back into the mix of salades anf flowers. Childe jumped back on his feet, stretching his arms above his head. The woman made her way to peak ovwr a whole in the door, something she did constantly while they were cooking, to check on the divone beings, always fretting whenever they were feeling okay, if everything was to their liking and what not. And Childe- he didnt mean to judge, really, it would be pathetic to do such when he knew damn well he was too like this when it concerned her majesty. But this just... Felt off, like she was trying to hard to actually please them, harder than what was considered healthy, and he felt like that should worry him.
But alas, it wasn't his place to question as he picked up as many plates as possible, silently praising himself for his extraordinary balance. Zhen Yi took a deep breath, running her hands through her hair to further 'fix it' before she quickly dusted her clothing, which, mind you, was already immaculate. Control freak much? “Ready?“ he sent a crooked grin her way with the question, and she just nodded, looking like she had trouble even breathing. That was
.. That was not normal nor okay....
She opened the door and Childe made his way inside the living room, an eye closed smile on his face, his arms full of food. He opened his eyes to glance at Morax and Guizhong before time seemed to slow down and his smile, against his resistance, slowly faded from his lips as he saw them. They were... Cuddling? Curled up against each other, barely any space between them. But if that wasn't enough, because of course, you could never stab someone without twisting the knife after... Zhongli (Morax damn it!) looked content- no no, not content. He.... He was happy. He was never happy! Never with Childe! Never never never nevernevernevernever-
It was.... It was UNFAIR! WHY- Childe took a deep breath, confused by the own sudden aggression of his thoughts too. Yes- he would sometimes get jealous- but.... Not to this level? He was really starting to get freaked out. Clearing his throat , he closed his eyes, choosing to ignore them, for the better of his sanity as he made his way to the table, setting the dishes down before quickly hurrying to bring the other ones- or maybe to escape the tense atmosphere that seemed to surround Morax the moment the ginger stepped foot inside. (Unfair)
Not to mention how he was staring at him like he was.... A nobody ( Unfair....). It hurt- he hated pain- so why would Zhongli hurt him, Zhongli cared for him, Zhongli loved hi- this wasn't Zhongli. And not like Zhongli cared either. He basically ran inside the kitchen, ignoring the confused stare at Zhen Yi as he made his way to the counter, resting on it with his head bowed low. He couldn't breathe.... He needed to calm down, his chest hurt, everything burnt, his eyes burnt-
“Hey....“ came a voice behind him before his whole body flinched when a hand came into contact with his shoulder, forcing him to throw a panicked look over his shoulder, coming face to face with..... That ginger again? He was staring at him, his face confused. Childe really hated that expression.... Why did he look like him? Childe blinked and just like that, the ginger was gone, and in his place stood Zhen Yi, who frowned down on him, her fingers twitching on his shoulder.
“What's wrong with you?“ she asked him, but her voice lacked the warmth of concern. No- that felt.... Judging but not actually judging. How could he explain that tone....? “Nothing.“ he frowned at her, internally thankful to the gods that his voice was stern and calm- even if it sounded a bit snapped. Zhen Yi searched his face closely before scoffing. “Nothing my ass, you look-....“ she trailed off, her eyes squinting as she stared at him before she snapped her mouth closed and shook her head. “Finish bringing the other plates” she instructed, her voice quieter than usual as she turned her back on him and walked away with no further question.
And he knew he should feel grateful for that- he really really should, as she didn't try to dig in his personal business but she basically showed that- she didn't care. She didnt care what he was going through or what was wrong with him because if she did, she wouldn't be so quick to let it go with no further explanation. And Childe didn't know how to feel about that.
He took a deep breath, shaking his head before running a hand through his hair over his face. Why was he sweating? He frowned, looking down on his now sweat coated hand. Weird. He grabbed the other plates left, momentarily stopping to hear the chatter going on the other side of the door, where Zhen Yi was together with the divine ones before he grabbed his heart in his teeth and opened the door, ignoring the stares that fell on him and the silence that followed. Setting the plates down, he bowed his head and turned to leave quietly, knowing he couldn't bear to look at Morax and his lover (?).
And his plan would have worked- if it weren't for a hand suddenly grabbing his forearm, the hold gentle yet still restraining. He paused, looking at the staircase he was walking towards just now before his eye twitched, a sudden surge of anger willing him to act out on the unwanted contact. But he kept his emotions in touch, simply turning his head to glance at the person.
Guizhong. Standing right besides him, clearly worried. And that somehow pissed him off even further. “Hello?“ he said, with a small frown, waiting for her to tell him what she wanted so he could leave already. Her eyes softened, seeming to pick up on his irritation as she took a step back, a small smile gracing her already beautiful features and making his heart clench. No wonder Zhongli would love her.... She was everything you would want in a lover. Gentle, patient, understanding, beautiful, delicate...
He swallowed back the bile building in his throat, barely noticing his eyes stinging. “Would you like to have dinner with us?“ she asked, softly, her eyes staring right into his. It wasnt a demand, it wasnt a request either, it was.... Just a question. Waiting to be asked. He took a small inhale, weighting his options. No, no he didnt. This was the last place he wanted to be in, clearly hated by 2 people in the room while 1 pitied him. But- it wasnt fair for the goddess, it was clear she was trying to form a bond and he was just.... Pushing her away, locking himself inside, distancing himself. Why? Because she was better than him? A woman of Zhonglis dream? Always his first option? No- he was better than that. He wont let his emotions get in the way, it is something he had learnt a long time ago, and something he should never forget.
“Sure” he responded, forcing any emotion in his voice away, leaving behind a mechanic response. But she didn't judge- she just smiled at him softly, her hand lowering to interlock with his fingers before she gently tugged his hand, willing him to follow to the table. Like a lap dog. His mind supplied bitterly. He ignored both the disapproving stare sent by Zhen Yi and the glare burning holes at his head by Morax. Yet he also failed to notice Guizhongs glare at Morax, silently telling him to stop, to which the god just grumbled something under his tone, looking away from the ginger.
It didn’t take long before they all started eating, a more comfortable atmosphere washing over them. Childe could vaguely hear Guizhong talking to Zhen Yi in the background, too busy sulking in his own misery and trying to pick up bits of crab from his soup, with little to no succes as his hold on the chopsticks was wobbly. His hand slightly trembling as he tried to hold them, making him frown in confusion. It always happened whenever he'd try holding the chopsticks, even when he tried to actually take his time to aim his arrows, there was nagging feeling that there was something wrong, one that he has already ignored many times when it happened.
He sighed, setting his chopsticks down and looking around. Guizhong was pointing at some furniture in the house, talking about something that he could bother trying to translate to his language while Zhen Yi seemed to be imprinting every word said by her into her brain. Childe turned his head slightly before immediately stopping as he saw Morax staring at him. And intensely too... He frowned slightly, feeling awkwardness wash over him. Why was he staring at him like he offended his entire family?
Looking away, thinking that maybe if he just ignored him, he would stop, he want back to staring at his food, before trying to discreetly glance at Morax, to see if he was still staring. He blinked away quickly when he saw him still looking straight at him, unmoving as a rock. Seriously, what was his deal!? Childe shook his head with a sigh before steeling himself. He could do this.... It was just Zhongli he was talking to, nobody else. “Can I help you?“ he asked Morax with a small smile, slightly sweet dropping as he didn't answer, instead continuing to stare at him. “Hi?“ he tried again, trying to stop his eyebrows from twitching in a frown even if he knew he was making a ridiculous face doing that.
“Your pronunciation is off, yet it is notable that you have learnt quite a lot of my language” Morax finally answered after an eternity and Childe would have sighed relieved if it wasn't for the internal conflict he had at that moment. Was that a compliment? Was that an insult? Why did he have to sound so suspicious? His mind basically screamed at him. “Aha.... Thank you comrade” he decided to go with the first option, of it being a compliment- which, he really hoped it had otherwise he'd look like a complete idiot. Morax just hummed softly, clearly disintrested in him now after his answer as he took a sip of his tea, before glancing back at Guizhong.
Ouch.... Nice knowing he wasn't as interested as the other huh.... He thought exasperated, glancing back at his dish. He lost all appetite, to be quite frank. Maybe he could.... Sneak away? Yeah- not like anybody was paying him any mind.. With that in mind, he looked around, to see for any exits. He could crawl under the table, exit between the gap of Guizhong and Zhen Yi, make his way into the kitchen, out the window there, run a lap to the front of the house and climb up to his window. Yes, solid plan, he nodded satisfied. Throwing a glance both ways, making sure nobody was watching, he slowly sank to the ground, crawling under the table and careful to avoid the legs of his comrades. Peeking his head through the other side, noting Guizhong and Zhen Yi were still having a heated conversation and Morax was looking out the window, he crawled from under the table, running into the kitchen silently, glad he had no shoes on, otherwise that would've been a plan failed.
He could still hear the conversation going on in the other room but he failed to notice a pair of amber eyes staring straight at him from the living room. After climbing out the window, something he realized he has been doing a lot recently, he made the lap around the house, jumping a bit every time his naked foot would step on something sharp, an insult flying past his lips. He even had to crawl down underneath the windows to not be spotted by the ones he was running away from and not to mention how painful it was to climb to his window with an already bad leg.
But it was all worth it as he was closing the window, a relieved smile on his face as he turned around and- his smile faded. Right there in his room, stood Morax, staring at him unblinking. They both stared at each other before- surprisingly- Morax was the first to break the silence. “What are you planning?“ he demanded to know. It was... So strange- it felt like talking to Zhongli but... He wasn't Zhongli, he could never be Zhongli. Zhongli was never this.... Bossy.
“Why should I be planning something?“ without even realizing it, he used a hostile tone to match the others, and that was clearly the wrong thing to do because Morax clicked his tongue displeased. “I shall not question it again, godling, what are you planning?“ he ordered Childe once more and even if he didnt make any movement, Childe still took a step back, feeling like a prey under his deadly gaze.
What the hell.... “I'm not planning anything okay!?“ he snapped at the god, exasperated and frustrated. This day already sucked and now he had to argue with this fake rip off of Zhongli- but was he the rip off or was Zhongli? How could he know Zhongli was the real one- no no, stop! He shook his head, snapping his eyes closed before he glanced back at Morax, just in time to jump back and dodge an attack. Okay, double WHAT THE HELL. “Hey! What was that for!?“ he exclaimed, feeling the windows shelf dig into his lower body as he pressed into the wall. But when he looked at Morax, his eyes were cold and unforgiving, clearly intending to kill. What did Childe even do? Come on think, think, think, think- 'Morax was quite a brute in his younger years, often preferring to use blood to solve problems and quick to anger-' Zhongli once said, and Childe could really kiss him right now if Zhongli also wasn't trying to kill him because now he needed to beat him. How was he even supposed to fight him!?
There was a reason Zhongli never accepted a spar with him! He had seen first hand how he obleriated his enemies! If the years mellowed him down just as he had described, than this version of him was just like Childe trying to move a mountain! Impossible! But he had to think quick- especially with the way Morax seemed to grow angrier at his dodge and already readying his polearm to strike again.
And Childe didn't have enough time to think of something other than jump to the side when he saw the god jump, his eyes closing and readying for a blow- that never came. His eyes snapped open just in time to see a surprised Morax crash through the window, sending shards flying and forcing Childe to duck as to avoid them. The ginger looked surprised before running to the window, seeing Morax crash right into the ground.... Ouch. He winced.
But Morax seemed alright as he got up on his feet, before glancing up at Childe, for once not looking angry, which the harbinger was really glad for because he wouldn't have guarantee his survival if Morax wouldve understandably been pissed. But he instead, stared at the ginger surprised, and almost- embarrassed? No that couldnt be it.... Even if he did felt a strange satisfaction run through him at the thought. He really outsmarted him like that.... Without even trying. Laughable, really. But that was for another day. For now, he just waved at Morax and quickly shut his curtains closed, moving to pick the shards up before Zhen Yi came rushing in.
Lived to see another day, with a memory he will tell his children, just out of pettiness of course....
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“Not yet corpses,
Still, we rot”
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A sudden crash startled both Guizhong and Zhen Yi out of their heated conversation, making them both flinch. Looking around, only then had they realized that both Ajax and Morax were missing which meant- oh shit. They both jumped on their legs just as Morax came inside the house from outside, a gash in his head, quite nasty too, but he didnt seem to mind or care about it. Guizhong paled before quickly running towards him, ushering him back outside and apologizing profoundly to Zhen Yi, but the womans mind was somewhere else.
They were both missing, a crash, a wound. Her blood ran cold. What. In. The. Stars. Did. That. Creature. Do. Her eyes slowly trailed to the half finished dinner before looking at the stairs, her mind spiraling. If it wasn't clear enough already. He was a monster. She allowed a monster in her house.... Oh gods....