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Childe shortly returned from his visit to the Feiyun Commerce Guild. Wondering if at points they sounded anything like the two momentarily. A slight lick to his top lip as his pace quickened. Had he not promised time with the other man, he would have stuck around to tease the two. However he would rather worry about his own love life than those two's. Especially sense he tended to be by Zhongli's side more often since the other day. When he had realized his gnosis was being used against the archons rather than just cutting off their power supply. His thoughts turning darker momentarily as he remembered who it was that caused them so much grief. Sure he was an ambitious man who always was looking for a fight, and perhaps would have done the same before meeting Zhongli... His thoughts stopped for a moment as his stomach twisted with guilt. Footsteps stopping as well as he glared down at the ground. Realizing, he definitely would have done the same thing if ordered to by the Tsaritsa...
"Damn it... Why does one or the other always have to be right...?"
Both Zhongli and Aether had joked about his change of heart before. Teasing him on some days as they journeyed together. What the man had never realized though was truly how much, or who for until then. Sure, he had a fling with the other man. A subtle flirt here and there. Some teasing and harsh groups with rough handling at other times. But he always viewed it as more so playful then a full fledge attraction. Even if, his subconscious knew, as shown by the way he would act around him. Or protect the man during combat.... Alright for the biggest flirt of Snezhnaya, he was truly clueless when it came to his own actual feelings. Zhongli, aware this and was all to patient with him. Until recently that is. Childe remembering how Zhongli seemed to be more disheartened than annoyed, putting it together with his request.
Almost like a school girl with a horrifically big crush, he jolted down the street heart racing. Wondering if Zhongli was going to confess first? Yes, they have had their dates and quite intimate time together, but neither had professed to any actual feelings. However, the ex-harbinger raced towards the area they were to meet. Now wanting to say so first before the other.
...
As Childe neared the destination, he could tell Zhongli's silhouette anywhere. Always standing tall and looking out at the horizon as if reminiscing. At seeing him he couldn't help but slow down, during his usual smile. Taking a breath as he practically sauntered over there. Going to stand by his side before finally speaking.
"Hope I'm not running too late! I wouldn't eant to disappoint you too much on our little rendezvous." He practically hummed as he looked up at him. However to see such a peaceful gaze, and a soft smile on his lips he couldn't help but chuckle a bit. "Are you truly that infatuated by me that you have to look so smitten?" He tried to tease, only to find himself becoming rather flustered at his response. "I am." And that stare, the way those golden eyed would practically sear into him as if to expose every single secret or thought he had. As if the man already knew he himself was smitten, and couldn't control his own heartbeat. "Are you..?" That deep voice, that he knew all too well would send a chill down the ginger's back. Childe unable to response for a second as he got his own mind under control. Stopping it from moving darker than it already has before.
"Come now, you promised me a walk and I expect as such." With that the man turned ever so gracefully on his heel. Almost looking as if he were floating as he made his way down the path. Childe admiring him for a second before grinning as he followed after almost like a puppy. "Of course! I wouldn't go back on my word!" He chimed up, only for the other to let out a chuckle at him. Childe looking up at him a bit confused. "Oh? And what's so funny?" "You are simply, captivating... No, that is not quite the word I'm looking for... Perhaps adorable..?" Childe scoffed at that, betraying the pink on his cheeks. "I am, no such thing! I prefer, devilish, dashing, handsome, rugged, or striking even!" He feigned offended. "Mmm, I'm not quite sure you qualify as devilish. Mayhaps childish." Chidle stared at him for a second. Partially in disbelief, because Zhongli was, smirking. "Did you just...Make a dad joke..?" "I have no idea of what you are asking." He stared at him for a moment more before chuckling a bit. "You made a dad joke."
The two continued on like this for a while. Carrying on with their idle banter and jokes. Childe completely forgetting about his theory as well as why he rushed there in the first place. The two enjoying their time together until Zhongli had paused momentarily. Stopping in his tracks as he looked down at Childe. Who only stopped with him to raise an eyebrow.
"Ajax..." There was his name, a name that only a few knew. One that would make his heart skip a beat when the other said it like that. "Can I-" "Zhongli, how many times do I have to tell you, you don't have to be so polite with me!" He complained yet tried to make it sound joking. However at those words, Zhongli would wrap hands on the other's waist. Childe chuckling as he pat the other's chest before pulling on their collar slightly. "Much better." "Indeed..." The archon couldn't help but smile at his words. Going to begin to speak again just for Childe to remember why he wished to be with him so soon. "Nope, I'm talking first." He stated, in turn making Zhongli raise an eyebrow. "Be my lover." It was, not a question, rather than a questionable statement. Which actually made the great and mighty morax blush as he began to chuckle. "Ah, were we not..? Perhaps I should remind you whom you belong to." Yet another statement rather than question. Spoken in such a low voice that it made the a chill go down Childe's back. Hands furthering up as they wrapped around Zhongli now. "Oh will you~?" He chuckled a bit, but only for Zhongli to lay a harsh yet passionate kiss on Childe. That alone was quite the reminder indeed. Yet easily not enough as he leaned further into the kiss to deepen it. A snake like tongue even slithering into the other's mouth. Earning a satisfied moan at the sensation. Only for the archon to shortly pull away, that same tongue slithering along his neck as he felt rather firm lips brush against his skin until they were at his ear. The ginger's grasp tightening as he felt his lover's tongue slowly move across it until there was another kiss. A low raspy breath against his ear. "Don't you have someplace to be..?"
.... Childe just about threw his plan out the window right there and then. Feeling himself become putty under the other as his grip tightened. However he did always say he liked a challenged so with that he smirked, his eyebrow twitching as he pulled himself together. "If I didn't know any better, I would say you're trying to get me to stay..." "You can not criticize my actions for wanting to keep such a treasure to myself..." There it was, the hot breath over his ear did not help as the other's hands traveled further down. Childe's smile turning to one of irritation as he tried to hide his true feelings once more. Especially since Zhongli seemed to be so smug about it. "Well, you're right. I do have a place to be, and you have a deal to uphold. So-" Childe was basically prying the other's hands away from his bottom then. Only for sharp nails to sink in making him inhale sharply. "I loathe it when there is a chance of my treasure being mutilated..." "Yet, you still agreed..?"
Zhongli went quiet for a moment then. He had meant to have this walk with Childe for a different purpose. One he was going to cover up once again since Childe assumed he knew why they were going out. But as the other caught on, calling him out on such contradicting ways, he couldn't help but feel a bit guilty. Every second he felt the life drain from his body. It was harder and harder to even keep his human form as it took more energy to transform. Yet here he was, avoiding the subject once again and entertaining Childe's thoughts. As if he were perfectly fine, and did not feel his age finally.
"I, wish for not only you, but Xiao, Ganyu, The Qixing and Adeptis to be able to live their own life. I am no longer the archon everyone looks up to. Merely Zhongli a simple consultant. And so I wish to be treated as such is all." Yet he could not find it in his heart to tell Childe. This response instead earning an eyeroll. "I know, I was there you know. Or is your memory like little Ganyu's?" He teased slightly, smirking up at him. However he frowned then becoming quite serious. "Have I ever treated you like an archon..?" "Thankfully no-" "Hey-" "So had you known I was Morax, you would not have ripped my gnosis out at the time..?" They took turns interrupting one another until he made Childe become flustered. Pursing his lips together as if busted already. "Now I wouldn't." Which only earned an amused chuckle and a quick peck to the withdrawn lips. "Exactly, now I believe I have one last contract to uphold." With that he let go of Childe, who begrudgingly and almost as if he were pouting, followed along as he sunk his head down and crossed his arms.