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If someone had asked Childe about Valentine’s day even just one year ago, he would have laughed: wholeheartedly. gutturally, unrestrainedly.
He is the eleventh of the Eleven Fatui Harbingers, for the Tsaritsa’s sake. He can’t ― or, better, shouldn’t ― focus on swooning for someone else or giving chocolates due to a holiday he has never quite grasped the meaning of.
Albeit, in Snezhnaya, it is quite the important day. Yes, even Snezhnaya, the territory where the only one thing the eye can fathom is the perpetual state of Winter, of cold, of ice, becomes warmer, in a way. The chilly atmosphere all around melts and mellows whenever there are couples around manifesting their love through the simple language of gifts. The raging storms outside suddenly are less terrifying, just for a second, but enough to let a heartwarming feeling linger there, making itself memorable.
To be completely fair, putting these few occasions aside, Childe had never thought about love that much to begin with, until now. The romantic type, at least, since he can say he has always resonated with the feeling of ‘love’ whenever his dear family or the bloodthirst that comes with the battle are concerned.
Thing is, Liyue is the problem. Yes, he blames it all on this new city, because it has been a breath of fresh air. Not that ‘fresh’ he has got accustomed to near Zapolyarny Palace, the one which seeps into every pore of his bones without mercy. It is the freshness of that Autumn-like atmosphere, of those colors as warm as the sun that paint the whole landscape, of this artistic minimalism spottable in every corner, of the welcoming people, of the peculiar food, of the fuses of excitement that can be found everywhere, if someone knows where to look at.
The cause is there to pinpoint, because he eventually got attached to someone, which shouldn’t have been possible in any single way. The new atmosphere changed him too somehow, shaped his heart, allowing it to have a chunk of space under the ‘Romantic love’ label available.
Childe, Ajax, Tartaglia… he has always considered all parts of him to be set on a single goal, on that peculiar bloody desire of fighting, of achieving that world the Tsaritsa desires to shape, kill after kill and loss after loss, while challenging himself again, again and again.
And yet, here he stands, with a heart-shaped box of chocolates, made by Childe’s truly ― he has always regarded himself as quite the keen cook ― before the door of Zhongli’s studio at Wangsheng Funeral Parlor. The ribbon neatly tied around the gift makes him think that he is being tangled too by an invisible rope called ‘affection’, and he still isn’t sure whether he likes it or not.
He is one of the Fatui, an unpredictable, cunning, finely honed weapon. Already caring that much about his family can morph into a weakness, truth be told. He can imagine how even more dangerous being so enamoured of someone that isn’t even a Snezhnayan can become for him.
And yet, he doesn’t despise completely how such a sentiment is making him feel. This distinctive recurrence he chose to call ‘infatuation’ seems to be troublesome, quite a bother, demanding, but also challenging, and that’s what he is the first to look forward to. Because if there is one thing clear to everyone about ‘Tartaglia’, no matter how arduous it can be to decipher his true intentions, is that he never backs down from a fight. Be it literal or figurative.
For this same reason, he opens the door, after noticing it’s actually unlocked, a dim and warm light welcoming his first few steps across the threshold. A remarkable aroma of incense further emphasizes the calming aura of the place, while a blanket of silence coats the room. Childe has never been an appreciator of such a stillness ― he prefers being surrounded by noise, by rackus, because complete silence oxymoronically is too loud for his ears to bear. However, what he recognizes there is a calming atmosphere, akin to the one he senses whenever he is taking shelter under the colourful branches of a tree at Nantianmen, recovering after a battle as he catches the fallen leaves grazing his occasionally-raised palm.
The man sitting there doesn’t seem to notice the presence of the new guest at first. His golden eyes, witnesses of the immense knowledge of their owner, are now closed, his hands steadily holding a cup whose upper edge his lips enclose with a calculated finesse. The Harbinger waves ― even if that ends up being unseen ― voicing a hushed ‘hi’.
That little sound manages to catch the other’s attention. Zhongli lifts his eyes, hues of brown and gold fixing on Childe’s figure at once.
“Good morning, Childe.” the first salutes, gesturing for the other to take a seat beside him. “To what do I owe the pleasure of this surprising appointment you set up for the two of us?”
If there is one reason the Fatui member can pinpoint regarding why he has grown so fond of the calm consultant is how he understands the Harbinger, way more than probably any other person Ajax has ever met. So, Childe is aware, from the light tilt of Zhongli’s head and the lilt of his voice, that the man already has a suspicion concerning why the other is visiting him.
Childe is glad he has a chance of surprising him this time, at least minimally.
“Happy Valentine’s day, xiansheng!” the Snezhnayan answers, a warm smile gracing his features. “I handmade you some chocolate.”
Zhongli’s gaze falls on the gift, a surprised frown setting for a fleeting second as from his lips a heartfelt ‘thank you’ is emanated.
A pair of gloved hands reaches over to lay hold of the extended box. That’s what Childe can only unironically describe as ‘calm excitement’: Zhongli isn’t the type to manifest boisterously his feelings, but the corners of his lips lifting just slightly, and his eyes scrutinizing the object for a second too long are enough indicators for the other to know Zhongli is at least curious, and probably content of such a heartfelt gesture. That makes him feel a strange sort of warmth inside.
“I put all my love into it. Open it now!”
At the declaration, Childe can positively affirm the other is beaming ― in his own, tranquil way ―, deciding at last it’s time to reveal the sweet content of the gift.
So, Zhongli does. After this, Childe can totally affirm he has just made the consultant speechless, if his eyes lingering on the package for quite some time by now are enough of a confirmation.
Aside from the copious amount of chocolates carefully encased in golden wrappers, inside the box there is a little note sitting prettily on top of them.
In capital letters, it reads ‘FIGHT ME TICKET’.
Childe is now smirking a little. After all, besides their hangouts to eat together, one of his favorite pastimes shared with the consultant are their occasional sparring contests.
Approaching the other, he swiftly and smoothly flips over the sheet of paper, his tone betraying his sly mirth.
“Well,” he adds, turning his back to the other while displaying a mischievous smile. “I hope you look forward to it.”
Zhongli stares at him for a moment, consequently sighing good-naturedly at Childe’s antics, the latter’s peritwinkle eyes lingering on his figure amusingly. Ajax knows the consultant prefers their tranquil meetings at his studio or at Liuli Pavilion, but he is also aware Zhongli is not someone who doesn’t appreciate a challenging fight from time to time. So, why not take full advantage of it?
Just when Tartaglia begins stretching, humming a teasing ‘Aight, let’s see how long your shield lasts today’, Zhongli lowers his head again, acknowledging a new message written on the piece of paper the other has just turned over.
‘If you win, I’ll grant you one wish. If you win, that is!!’
Childe starts looking at him again, a ghost of a grin still remaining on his face. He can only define as a blessing the way Zhongli’s lips quirk up noticeably, while a hand is put over them seconds after to cover a soft laugh. Ajax is pretty sure he has just felt a certain kind of warmth seeping through his chest area and a burning desire to make the other giggle again.
“Yes, I’ll look forward to it.” Zhongli declares, eyes crinkling just like Childe’s.
🔶💧🔶
Mount Tianheng, to others, might be an almost untouched natural landscape, where fauna and flora reveal themselves at their most wild and innate state; truly a place worth visiting, if travellers are well-equipped to hike and fend off for themselves there.
However in these specific occasions, the mountain gets to be the witness of an authentic spectacle, namely, two genuine forces of nature colliding. A duel in which preciseness and roughness meet together in a showcase of strength for which an outsider would find impossible picking up an unquestionable winner.
Droplets of sweat drip down their temples, leaving wet paths on the duo’s cheeks and flowing at the rhythm of the clashing of their weapons. Zhongli’s shield has been broken many times by now, but his reflexes persistently allow him to spare enough time to set another after a while. However, fatigue is now taking a toll on him too, certified by the way his breath is ragged and his movements are slowly losing their previous rapid pace.
And that’s precisely why Childe is still proud of his fighting abilities even as the other at last manages to pin him down, Zhongli’s left knee weighting on his chest. His spear sits plunged at the right side of Tartaglia’s head, locking him into place even further.
“So, your win, my loss, xiansheng.” he whispers, his voice feeble due to his mouth giving in to the need of gasping for air. His daggers made of pure water still remain there, but limp in his hold.
A pair of amber pools of knowledge and wisdom are now fixed on his countenance, making Childe feel even more grounded. Their faces are mere inches apart and Ajax is not too sure if his feels hot just for the exertion now. He realizes Zhongli’s cheeks are flushed too and Childe can sense his stomach doing backflips, his blue eyes choosing to engrave the image in his retinas and preserve it for at least a few months to come.
His breathing pattern already regular, the consultant stands up, nodding and smiling, as a gloved hand takes another one, helping Childe to get back on his feet.
Ajax feels as if he has touched one of those electro-filled crystals. Or as if he was gliding.
“That was truly an entertaining duel, Childe. You sincerely are a force to be reckoned with.”
“Well, I must admit, you are quite strong too, Zhongli. Next time, I am going to win, though. Each one of our duels makes me stronger, after all.” he proudly states, recovering quickly enough not to slur his words anymore. Being sincerely complimented by the other is more than worthy as a consolation prize.
“I am compelled to say, your proposal spurred me a good amount too. Would it be insensitive of me to ask you to grant my wish this early?” Zhongli questions, as Ajax’s grin finds its way back on his face.
“Not at all. Your wish is my command .” he affirms, a playful ― borderline flirty ― tone adorning the last bit of his answer.
💧🔶💧
Zhongli isn’t sure if he should have considered himself unlucky when Childe didn’t realize his gift of that pair of chopsticks held quite the meaning. Not to mention, he only later took Mora into consideration, acknowledging that Childe paid for everything, including the gift. Alias, the very same reason why the consultant opted to have dinner at Wanmin Restaurant with the Harbinger in the first place, utilizing it as his wish his sparring partner happily fulfilled.
Actually, Childe was surprised too when he requested something that would have required just a ‘minimal’ financial effort, not different from the usual, but Zhongli felt content enough.
After all, they have already set another date to eat together, and Zhongli is aware of a certain ‘White Day’ festivity thanks to which he might be able to pay Childe back in full.
Also, the Harbinger still has yet to become adept with chopsticks. And Zhongli is more than willing to teach him how to use them correctly, may it take a small amount of time or not.