Chapter Text
It doesn't feel like he needs a special occasion to present the gift, not when they meet almost everyday. In fact it might even be better that he doesn't arrange something elaborate and get Zhongli's hopes up, in the very real event that his measly attempt of gift making falls short of the Consultant's expectations and make it an altogether awkward situation. Childe can't ruin things with Zhongli. He'd very much rather run himself through a Ruin Hunter's blade than to make him glance at him with anything approaching disappointment. Genuine friendship is tough like that, and he wants to keep it for as long as Zhongli will have him.
The more he thinks, the more he's tempted to fling the box into the sea. But Zhongli, leaning serenely against the railings beside him with the sea breeze gentle in his hair, will definitely notice. He is presently talking at length about the historical inaccuracies he'd noticed in the shadow puppet show they had watched at one of the terrace tea houses. While Childe would normally be delighted to know that Rex Lapis did not, in fact, fling a mountain at Barbatos in one of their Archonly disagreements (it was actually a very small hill), he is currently vibrating with enough restless energy to punch through a mountain himself.
"So, xiansheng." He clears his throat when Zhongli's narration comes to a natural lull.
"Yes, Childe?" Zhongli's eyes slide over to him with a small smile. The evening sun leaking through the crevices between the roofs behind him shoots his hair through with gold. It makes Childe feel like doing something stupid and reckless like lean into his infernally handsome face and make a scene.
"Have you found a replacement for your jewellery box?" he asks casually, as though he wouldn't immediately destroy his gift the moment that Zhongli moves to nod his head.
"Unfortunately not. Nothing has caught my eye in the markets so far, not even the new piece from Xigu's Antiques that features a sixty-two faceted Noctilucous jade stone on its lid." For some reason, Zhongli gazes contemplatively into his eyes as he speaks. "I suppose I've come to appreciate a more lightless shade of blue."
Right right right. No pressure or anything.
"Have you happened on any fetching ones? As a present for your sister, perhaps?" Zhongli tilts his head, the way he does whenever something catches his interest.
"Uhh, not exactly. I mean…that is…"
Childe inhales deeply through his nose. And then he brings out his gift from behind him, presents it to a wide-eyed Zhongli, and speaks all at once.
"I made this for you. I know it doesn't look like much, but I thought that you might like the material I used for its Rex Lapis motif. I got it from, well, Rex Lapis himself. I was lucky to see him flying overhead while I was at the outskirts, and the scales that fell from him were one of the most beautiful things I have ever seen. It took me a while to find one, though. Long story."
Zhongli blinks quickly, his lips parting as though wishing to speak, but Childe presses on. He needs to get it all off his chest before he loses his nerve.
"I know you said that your jewellery box is near irreplaceable, but I thought that maybe an Archon's scale could be just as precious. Would you accept it?"
Zhongli says nothing, but he removes his gloves before taking the box from him. Childe fidgets on the spot as he watches Zhongli feel the woodgrain with the pad of his fingers, before they slide upwards to trace the pearlescent edge of the dragon emblem. He reaches down to unlock its silver clasp, lifting the lid with the care of a historian handling a precious artefact. The box opens to reveal an interior padded with maroon silk. Nestled within its folds are two pieces of Cor Lapis and Noctilucous Jade that Childe had found during one of his mountainous excursions, and it elicits a tremulous smile from Zhongli.
Still silent, Zhongli gently shuts the box and returns to tracing the dragon emblem on its lid thoughtfully. Childe breaks out in cold sweat. It's hard to decipher what Zhongli could possibly be feeling. Does he dislike it? Does he hate it? By the Archons—does he think it's so hideous that he no longer wishes to associate with him?
"To think that this is what you've done with it…" Zhongli muses, half to himself. "Do you truly feel that this old piece of scale is beautiful?"
The emotional equivalent of a thunderbolt lances through Childe. He closes his eyes for a few seconds, momentarily overcome over by regret. He needs to do damage control. He needs to laugh it off, call this whole thing off as a prank, anything to redeem himself in Zhongli's eyes. But there's little he hates more than lying.
"I do," he says, and Zhongli looks floored. He quickly reaches for the box in Zhongli's hands. "I get it. It's fine really, you don't have to feel obliged to accept it if you don't like it—"
But Zhongli sidesteps his advance with a speed that impresses even Childe. What is a funeral consultant doing with that kind of reflexes?
Zhongli cradles the jewellery box protectively in the crook of his elbow, brows furrowed as though Childe had suggested something extremely offensive. "Absolutely not."
Childe falters. Zhongli takes the chance to close the distance between them, and gather Childe's hands between his own. Suddenly Zhongli is close enough that his sandalwood cologne perfumes his entire mind, and the warmth of his palms bleeds through his gloves, furnace-hot. Childe's head spins. What is happening?
"I do like it." Every word that Zhongli speaks pins him in place with the pressure of its sincerity. In each blink, Childe thinks he sees the afterimage of Rex Lapis flicker in the red of his eyelids, and he wonders if the Geo Archon is somehow witnessing this scene from somewhere above the clouds.
But Zhongli doesn't let him dwell on this for very long, because he presses in even closer as though he can see his mind wandering. Childe's lower back begins to twinge as he leans back as far as he can without moving his feet, in order to desperately put a modicum of space between them. "I adore it, Childe, and I will cherish it for the rest of my days. Let my promise be as solid as stone. Have I made myself quite plain?"
"Yes sir," slips out of him, and the mortification of it makes him bite the inside of his cheek.
Zhongli however, looks pleased. "Good." He draws back slightly, and Childe has only begun to mourn the loss of his proximity before soft lips press gently against the side of his temple. He stops breathing.
"Thank you, Childe. Thank you for such a beautiful, thoughtful gift. Thank you for painstakingly putting it together. Thank you for thinking of me. While we may not have known each other for long, you have become more dear to me than you can imagine."
The words make the edges of his eyes prickle and sting. Childe pulls away and desperately blinks away his emotions, aghast that he could lose his composure so easily like this. Zhongli's eyes never left his face, and he wonders what he had seen there to be looking at him so softly now.
Childe clears his throat, looking away. "You're welcome."
"May I be so selfish as to make one more request?"
"Not at all. I understand completely, Mister Zhongli. You're right—the jewellery box looks far too empty. Go on. Pick what you like from Chihu Rock." Childe lowers himself into a mock princely bow, his intended smirk quickly falling apart into a giddy laugh.
Zhongli chuckles with him. "Childe, you're as fond of jokes as ever. I must warn you that I will certainly take you up on your offer later."
"Luckily for you, I had the foresight to fill up my Mora pouch nice and heavy this morning." Childe touches his forehead with a dramatic sigh, then straightens himself. "But on a serious note, ask away. If it's within my power to grant, I'll think about it."
He's usually careful not to offer favours to anyone who knows of his position as a Harbinger, because they tend to ask for the same few things. Stage a killing, the grislier the better, fan rumours that can ruin a life overnight, exchange intel that can cripple a nation, or give them a taste of riches amassed from bloodied hands. While he can't imagine Zhongli asking him for such things, a part of Childe has long suspected that there is more to the consultant than he is willing to reveal. Unconsciously, his jaw tenses as Zhongli begins to speak.
"If there ever comes a day where I make you very cross with me, to the extent that you no longer wish to speak to me, do you swear to give me a chance to explain everything?"
All of Childe's thoughts and wariness disperse like seeds in the wind. He blinks. "Huh?"
Zhongli stares straight at him, his expression surprisingly terse. There is a pause. Childe tries to search on his face any evidence of this being an elaborate prank, but there is none and he feels quite lost.
He shifts his weight between his feet and knocks one heel against the tiles restlessly. "Haha, that's very unlikely, and sounds more like something I would do."
"Do you swear it, Childe?"
He scratches his head. "Is that really all you're asking for?"
"Yes." Zhongli is completely serious.
"…if you're sure. Alright, I promise. Scratch that, I'll pinky-promise you." He holds out a hand, and with some confusion on Zhongli's part, manages to hook their littlest fingers together. "You make a pinky-promise, you keep it all your life. You break a pinky-promise, I throw you on the ice. The cold will kill the pinky that once betrayed your friend, the frost will freeze your tongue off so you never lie again."
He pulls back with a laugh, certain that Zhongli would be taken aback by his hometown's infamously macabre children's song like so many others. But Zhongli looks a little starry eyed, and gazes down at his own pinkie as if it has been imbued with some mysterious power.
"This song…it not only lays out the terms and penalties of our contract in a manner that is easy to understand, but also memorable to both parties. And to amplify its impact with a symbolic act of binding, how remarkable. Were you the one who came up with such an ingenious method of contract forming…Childe? Where are you going?"
"All this talk about contracts is reminding me of my paperwork, so I'm leaving."
"Ah, I apologise. I did not mean to dredge up unpleasant memories. Before we part ways for the day, would you like to have afternoon tea at Xinyue Kiosk? It's my treat, or at least, it's what I wish I could say, for my wallet has once again mysteriously vanished from my person. Childe? Did you not like that either?"
When the time came for Zhongli to call upon his favour, Childe had been so overcome by rage and betrayal and grief that he had half a mind to stab his Hydro blades into the Archon's chest before fleeing from Liyue on the next available boat. But unlike a certain someone, he dislikes being dishonest. And that makes him honour-bound to keep his promises, no matter how painful they may be.
Hearing Zhongli out had led to a scuffle. Weapons drawn, the glow of their Visions blurring in the darkness of the meadow, tears streaming from Childe's eyes. Then that scuffle had led to a kiss, desperate and hungry and begging for something from the other with equal passion, Childe flat against the grass while Zhongli pinned his wrists above him. He had scowled and thrashed and bit down on Zhongli's tongue, and thought he tasted gold as Zhongli kissed him deeper. It finally led them tumbling into the bed in Zhongli's apartment, where Childe could then scarcely think of anything else.
In the morning, he is awoken by a kiss pressed against his temple. He stirs, but makes no effort to get out of bed, for his limbs are still heavy with languor. He wants to sink himself in the softness of Zhongli's obscenely luxurious silk bedding until he slips back into sleep, all responsibilities be damned. So he buries his face into the downy pillows and continues dozing to the sound of running water in the shower, until the bathroom door opens and bare feet pad lightly across the floor.
"Ajax, baobei," Zhongli asks while towelling his hair, "Are you awake? How do you feel? Shall I make you a cup of tea?"
"Mmmrghhhm," says Childe intelligibly.
Zhongli laughs and leaves another kiss on the curve of his shoulder. It makes a funny feeling somersault within the pits of Childe's stomach. "Later then."
One of his hands, still warm and soft from the shower, finds a stubborn knot between Childe's shoulder blades and works it loose with firm pressure. Childe melts beneath his touch and makes more happy noises.
"Mmn, how precious you are," Zhongli's voice is almost a purr. "Rest for as long as you'd like, my dear. We have the whole day to ourselves."
Childe opens an eye just in time to see Zhongli settle before his vanity. He has pulled around himself a fawn-brown robe, his damp hair knotted into a loose braid. He reaches for a jewellery box that Childe didn't recognise at first, because it looked as though it had always belonged there, in the neat row of Zhongli's antiquated paraphernalia. He smiles to himself. Looks like his choice of wood to give the box a slightly weathered feel was the right one.
Zhongli unclasps the lid. What is revealed first is a pressed leaf bookmark taped to its underside. It's easy to recognise, for the Gingko trees that line Yujing Terrace shed them hourly. He and Zhongli must have walked beneath their honeyed shade hundreds of times.
Zhongli's hands reach into the box and draw out a small pot and a thin brush. Uncapping the pot, he swirls the brush into its contents and flicks the stem against the porcelain rim to dust off the excess. With a practiced hand, Zhongli lifts the brush to his lower eyelid and paints it red in a few precise strokes. Childe raises his head from the pillow to get a clearer view, because Zhongli is so very beautiful and endearing like this, dressed down and damp from the shower and still in the midst of getting ready for the day. How lucky Childe is to see this. He wants to witness Zhongli's morning routine for the rest of his life. Wait. Isn't that marriage?!
Once done with his other eye, Zhongli replaces the lid on his cosmetic pod and stows it and the brush neatly back into the box. From a side compartment, he fishes out his tassel earring and diamond hair-tie, taking the time to affix them neatly in place. When he is satisfied with his appearance in the mirror, Zhongli shuts the jewellery box carefully, and traces the iridescent dragon crest on its lid with a small smile. And that is when Childe realises.
"Oh. My. Gods."
He flings the blanket away, stumbling out of bed. He remembers too late that he is unfortunately still in a state of total undress, and fumbles for the clothes he remembers throwing onto the floor last night. But they've been picked up and put to wash most likely. Whirling about on the spot, he finds a navy blue robe folded neatly on the foot of the bed, and hurriedly pulls it on with the last of his dignity.
"Oh my gods, Zhongli!" Childe wrests the jewellery box out of Zhongli's hands, and blanches at the dragon motif on his lid. The same one which he had made from Rex Lapis' scale? The very scale which he had begged from Rex Lapis, stuck into a box, and then unknowingly gifted it back to Rex Lapis himself? Oh he's in pain. In pain and agony.
The god responsible for his suffering looks up at him curiously. "Ajax, whatever is the matter?"
"I! I, I…you!" He runs a hand through his hair before stabbing a finger at the jewellery box. "It's this! This is the matter! You know why!"
Zhongli blinks once, twice, then his eyes crinkle at the corners and his lips start to twitch. He conceals the bottom half of his face behind his hand, but Childe knows that he is hiding a laugh.
"Zhongli, you bastard! Stop laughing!" Childe tackles him from the back, but Zhongli only pulls him atop of his lap and seats him there, gazing up at him with adoring eyes. The tips of Childe's ears flame.
"Aha, my apologies. I have lived for a long time, but admittedly, receiving a gift partially crafted out of myself is a first for me. It is novel, and rather exciting."
Childe groans, hiding his face into Zhongli's shoulder. He feels rather than hears the chuckles in Zhongli's chest.
"Don't be embarrassed, my heart. You were very kind to me, to have complimented my beauty when I was feeling most unsightly."
"Unsightly?" Childe echoes, incredulous. "When?"
"I was moulting when you first met me in my dragon form. Do you remember? I had no idea you were pursuing me so valiantly across the plains until you shot that silly Hydro construct into my face."
"Of course I do," Childe huffs, making himself comfortable on Zhongli's lap. He tilts his head up to give Zhongli better access as he nuzzles his throat. Holding him close, he kisses the top of Zhongli's head. "Getting up close with a dragon, and an Archon no less, is not the kind of thing you'd forget."
"You flatter me with your words. You did it before as well; all dragons feel unsightly during their moult, and yet you wanted one of my old scales," Zhongli murmurs. "I'd thought you needed one for your mission. For a spell, or alchemic research, perhaps. To think that you turned it into a gift, because you thought it beautiful…"
His purrs increase in intensity, and in his next blink he sees a pair of golden antlers crowning Zhongli's head, and his dragon tail curling upwards to wind around Childe's waist.
"You made this old god very happy, Ajax. And now he would very much like to keep you forever."
"You'd shut me up in your dragon den and hoard me like one of your dusty treasures?" Childe teases, threading his fingers through the soft fur at the end of Zhongli's tail. He doesn't know what he'll do if Zhongli says yes. From past experience, he doesn't have the best track record at staying obediently put in one place for long. Perhaps if Zhongli asks nicely enough, he would, but…
"Of course not. I will never keep you from your freedom or your duties—I know it will not make you happy, Ajax." Zhongli steals one of his hands to kiss the back of it. Childe sags slightly with relief, and marvels over how lucky he is that Zhongli knows him so well. "All I ask is that you know you have a home here, with me, and for your safe return whenever you grow weary from your travels."
"You make me sound like an absent spouse who hates the idea of home." Childe pouts. He gathers Zhongli's hands and cups them around his own face, hoping that Zhongli will know that he's happy right where he is. "Of course I'll come back. In fact, I'll be back so soon that you won't even notice I'm gone. You aren't getting rid of me so easily, Mister Zhongli. I might end up in the Abyss again, or heck, even the moon, but I'm still finding a way back to you—woah! What're you—"
Zhongli stands suddenly and sweeps Childe up into his arms with him. Caught off guard, he almost thrashes out and socks a fist across Zhongli's jaw, but Zhongli's hold around him is steadfast and unwavering and Childe has never felt so grounded all his life. He calms, looping his arms around Zhongli's neck instead and pressing their cheeks together.
"I am convinced. But just to be sure, let me give you plenty of reasons to stay," says Zhongli, like it's a challenge he knows he will win. They roll back into bed together, Childe's barks of laughter silenced by Zhongli's unrelenting kisses, and fine—Childe will admit his defeat this time. Again.