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The excitement of the Lantern Rite had Liyue alive with lights and music and throngs of people. There were stalls set up along the city’s main thoroughfare, and the night sky was filled with rising lanterns, each light a wish for the future and a beacon to guide lost souls home.
Childe’s eyes sparkled with an innocent curiosity as he took in the sights, and Zhongli was happy that all the recent happenings and machinations had not soured Childe on Liyue’s wonders. The Fatui’s reputation in Liyue had taken a steep dive, and though Childe bore the brunt of the public’s ill will, he had still agreed all too easily when Zhongli had asked him to accompany him around the festival.
For Zhongli, the festival was a great affirmation that Liyue’s future was in good hands. He was free to step back and pursue his own life and interests. And right now, he wanted nothing more than a pleasant night in Childe’s company. Well, that wasn’t strictly true: he had been noticing happy couples enjoying the Lantern Rite all night, and the desire to hold Childe’s hand had become increasingly more distracting.
For the last few millennia, he had been preoccupied with Liyue and its prospects, and though he had forged many bonds with adepti and humans alike, personal and social relationships beyond contractual obligations were never his strong suit. His friendship with Childe had come frighteningly easy, but this new development was puzzling at best.
Zhongli had thought quite a lot about Childe’s hands before. Childe was an expressive speaker, and when he would tell stories of his escapades in foreign lands, of harrowing battles, of his childhood in Snezhnaya, his gestures grew large and expansive. He had long, slender fingers, but they were by no means delicate—as much as he was an enthusiastic storyteller, he was also a hardened fighter, and Zhongli had seen the roughened calluses on his palms, the deep scoring of an old scar that cut across the back of one hand.
But for some reason, under the glowing sea of lanterns, Zhongli kept thinking about Childe’s hand in his. He was sure he would be able to feel the warmth of Childe’s palm even through their gloves, but he wondered if Childe’s grip would be tight and possessive or perhaps just a casual entanglement of the fingers.
The festival was in full swing around them, but Zhongli was too absorbed in his thoughts to appreciate the music that echoed loudly in the night or the plentiful wares for sale, however well-crafted they might be.
“Is something wrong?” Childe asked suddenly, setting down the mask he’d been examining at the latest stall. He had always been able to read Zhongli’s expressions too easily.
“Ah, no,” Zhongli said, trying not to stare at Childe’s hand where it rested innocently at his side. “It’s nothing.”
“If you’re hungry or something, just say so.” Childe lit up, his hands clasped before him. “Actually, I saw a stand selling candied apples earlier. Do you want to try one?”
Zhongli shook his head. “I am quite all right. But do not let me stop you. Perhaps I will take a break from the crowds for a time. I’ll wait for you down by the water.”
Childe agreed easily enough, though he kept throwing glances over his shoulder as he walked away. Zhongli hated the idea that he was causing Childe worry, but he needed to clear his head.
He headed down towards the harbor, hoping the relative quiet of the waterside would help him with his thoughts.
The crowds thinned greatly as he moved away from the stalls, and he breathed in the fresh air swept in from the sea. Even as Liyue grew and changed around him, some things remained comfortingly familiar.
He made his way down towards the shipyards where the docks were all but deserted, though it seemed someone else had had a similar idea. A lone figure sat on a crate halfway along the dock, and Zhongli had to blink in surprise when he recognized Xiao.
“Adeptus Xiao,” Zhongli said as he approached, the wooden dock creaking under his feet. “How unusual to see the Conqueror of Demons so close to human society. I did not think you were interested in human celebrations.”
Xiao turned to look at him briefly. “I’m not interested, of course.” His eyes softened with uncharacteristic timidness, and his cheeks flushed pink. “But Aether invited me.”
“Ah,” Zhongli said, nodding. “It is hard to say no to such an earnest face.” He gazed out at the sea and the flickering reflections of lanterns dancing in the waves. “But I am glad you have a friend like him.”
Xiao scoffed. “Is this what friendship is? I find myself compelled to entertain his frivolous requests.” He shook his head. “I have...I have duties I should be attending to, and yet…”
“There is more to existence than the fulfillment of duties. If you find someone to remind you of that…” An image of Childe came to mind, and he trailed off momentarily, a faint ache in his chest. “They are worth holding on to,” he finished quietly. He curled his hand slowly into a fist, thinking yet again of holding Childe’s hand.
Xiao frowned, and he opened his mouth to respond, but just then, quick footsteps sounded behind them and Aether dashed onto the scene, a broad smile on his face.
“Xiao!” he cried out excitedly. He stopped, hand on his hip as he tried to regain his breath. “You actually came! I’m so happy!”
“Well, that’s...” Xiao said stiltedly. “I’m glad you’re happy.”
“Oh! And Zhongli!” Aether said, noticing him for the first time. “I hope you’re enjoying the festival.” He scuffed the ground with a foot. “I was planning to take Xiao up to Mt. Tianheng to watch the fireworks…”
Zhongli smiled in understanding. “Of course. I won’t keep you, then. I’m actually waiting for someone.”
Aether tugged on Xiao’s arm with seemingly no fear of his reaction. “Let’s go! I’ve already scouted the perfect spot.”
Xiao gave no real protests and allowed Aether to drag him back towards the upper streets.
As they were leaving, Childe reappeared with two candied apples, one of which he offered to Zhongli. Zhongli had to smile at that; Childe loved to spoil him, even when he himself did not realize he wanted something.
“That was Aether, right?” Childe said, twirling his apple idly. “What’s he doing with that Yaksha guy?”
Both he and Zhongli watched the pair continue on their way. Aether’s gaze was fixed on his companion, a smile on his face. He reached up and poked Xiao playfully in the cheek before throwing himself at Xiao’s side, holding tightly on to his arm.
Zhongli’s chest tightened, and he imagined himself doing the same to Childe. It seemed an impractical way to walk, but he liked the idea of being so close together with Childe.
Childe clicked his tongue. “He’s a little old for Aether, isn’t he?”
Zhongli glanced at him. “By that logic, I would be a little too old for you.”
Childe laughed, shaking his head. “I hope that’s not a lead in for you propositioning me.” He smirked. “I was expecting you’d be much more romantic about it.”
Zhongli frowned. “Propositioning?” he repeated in confusion. “I was talking about friendship.”
“Oh.” Childe sighed. “I should have realized. But are you seriously going to tell me you think Aether wasn’t flirting?”
Zhongli tilted his head questioningly. Was that not friend behavior? Was he missing something?
Childe rolled his eyes. “Are you sure you’re actually six thousand years old?” He sighed again. “I would’ve expected someone who’s spent this long observing human behavior to pick up on social cues a bit better.”
He wandered over to the edge of the dock and sat down, his legs dangling over the edge as he ate his apple. After a few moments, Zhongli joined him, sitting close enough that their arms brushed together slightly.
“I’m sorry,” Zhongli said. “It is true I sometimes have difficulties reading people.”
“You don’t have to apologize.”
They sat in silence, and Zhongli bit into his apple hesitantly. It was overly sweet, the coating sticky on his lips, and he knew the taste would forever remind him of this moment: the cool sting of the salty air on his face, the muted sounds of the festival at his back, Childe’s warmth at his side.
The ache was back in his chest. He felt he had disappointed Childe in some way, but he was at a loss. He wanted to make things right. He wanted to be close to Childe forever. He wanted...
“What are you thinking about?” Childe asked him.
“What I want from you,” he answered honestly.
Childe laughed. “Oh? Is my mora not enough for you?”
“It’s not that,” Zhongli said, trying to find the right words. He felt he was close to an answer. “I want you to stay by my side.”
Childe smiled fondly. “Of course. You know I’ll do my best.”
Zhongli’s heart stuttered, but it wasn’t painful. In fact, there was an oddly pleasant, fluttery feeling in his chest, and his face grew warm. And, oh, maybe he understood now.
He breathed a sigh of relief. “I want to court you,” he said, proud to finally name it.
Childe was silent a moment before breaking into soft laughter. “Oh yeah? And what exactly does courting entail?”
Zhongli considered the question. “Well, I suppose spending time together. Going out to eat, catching the occasional opera, taking long walks along the coast.”
Childe smiled, jostling his shoulder. “We already do all of that anyway.”
“I suppose we do,” Zhongli said. His face grew warmer still, and he turned his palm up between them. “But we could also hold hands.”
Childe’s hand fit perfectly in his, their fingers intertwining easily. “I’ll take it,” he said. “You know, you’re surprisingly pure.”
Zhongli squeezed his hand playfully, happy to have finally gotten his wish. “Anything more than this would be publicly indecent.”
“Ugh, so old fashioned,” Childe said, but he was smiling. “Should we go somewhere less public, then?”
“After the fireworks,” Zhongli promised.
Silence fell again, but there was nothing strained about it. After a small internal debate, Zhongli rested his head on Childe’s shoulder. That seemed like appropriate couple behavior.
Childe stiffened momentarily before relaxing and leaning into Zhongli.
“I thought you might not have been interested in this sort of thing,” Childe said.
“In what?”
“Well...intimacy,” Childe said. He rubbed the back of Zhongli’s hand with his thumb. “I thought you might be touch averse.”
Zhongli considered that. “It is true I am not accustomed to such...familiar contact. It has been more years than I would care to count since I have been this close with anyone or desired this closeness.” He smiled. “But I like when you touch me.”
Childe laughed darkly. “Careful what you say, Zhongli. I might push my luck.” When Zhongli made a questioning noise, he added, “Don’t worry about it. I can be a gentleman when the need arises.”
There was a hissing whistle out over the harbor as the first firework of the night ascended. It exploded in a blossom of color, and Childe sat up, leaning forward in excitement.
“It’s louder than I expected,” Childe said, voice barely audible over the display. “But wow. This is…”
The fireworks crackled and popped, bursting in the air in showers of color.
Childe reached over and pulled Zhongli close, pressing their lips together in a kiss.
“Sorry for the indecency,” he said, “but the mood just seemed right.”
“I…” Zhongli was lost for words. The fireworks continued over the harbor, but he could not tear his eyes away from Childe’s face.
Childe kissed him again, deeper and more demanding. He nipped lightly at his lip before leaning back.
“I hope you realize what you’ve gotten yourself into,” Childe said, flicking his gaze back to the fireworks display. “I’m not letting you go any time soon.”
Zhongli nodded. “I’ll hold on to you for as long as you’ll let me.”
He gripped Childe's hand tightly, determined not to let go.