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"I didn't get to see your family"
Childe ceased his panicked frenzy in order to get a good look at the dying God. The man's golden eyes are turning muted, more of his blood flowed into Childe's gloved hands. The gold veins in his rock-like arms aren't glowing anymore. He doesn't know what to do. Childe is fucking breaking down over his only love dying and the man is wasting his breath on recalling his family. Ridiculous.
"We can- I'll call-" Childe choked on tears, everything felt raw and fast. But slow and torturous.
"I could've gotten along with them. I think" The once smooth voice now mimicked the grinding of rocks. Hoarse and gritty. Forceful.
"I-I" Childe finally lets himself sob. He sees Zhongli trying to raise his arm to wipe the tears but he didn't have the strength. Childe pulled the hand there himself.
"Tonia would've- she- she'd love your stories" Childe whimpers, pushing his forehead against Zhongli's. He heaves, trying to get more oxygen in his lungs that he knows he didn't deserve. He did this. He killed Zhongli. He couldn't do anything. He doesn't know what to do.
"She would" he hears Zhongli gulp and take in a shaky breath. "You look lovely as ever"
"So do you. So do you my love" Childe's lip quivers as his hands shake.
Childe mushes their lips together. Zhongli's skin was cold. His chest aches, he doesn't want to breathe anymore. He just wants Zhongli.
"I'm sorry I'm so-"
"None of that. I love you Ajax"
Childe wails. He didn't care who heard or saw. He hugs the limping body underneath him.
"I love you. I love you" Childe chokes out.
A final glimpse of Zhongli's smile was all that he got before the body turned fully limp. Childe shouts his name. All of his names. Every variation in every language of Tevyat. His only love, lifeless in his arms.
He doesn't know what to do.