Chapter Text
Childe heaved an exasperated sigh as he rested against the pier's pole, arms folded across his chest and legs crossed at the ankle. A tedious expression adorned the young man's visage. Not far behind him, one of the Fauti agents was projecting persistent stares in his direction, the agent's foot-tapping rhythmically on the pier's wood. Childe turned a blind eye.
Lacklustre eyes were far too busy scanning the crowd.
The harbour's streets were brimming with the hustle and bustle of the merchants and dockworkers, no matter what time of day. The pungent smell of fish filled the air. A gust of wind full of repulsive odour tarried. The golden sun-kiss rays illuminated the water, showing off their watery wonderland. Fishes danced to a silent melody beneath the surface, teasing the fishers' lure. Boats bobbed and lolled in the soothing, rolling waves. You could hear merchants' loud and boisterous chatter from the far side.
Childe was going to miss hearing all of these sounds.
"Lord Childe, we should get going—"
Childe's hand fired up, cutting the agent off. The harbinger darted over his shoulder, and an apologetic smile lingered.
"Give me a few extra minutes. Mister Zhongli should be here soon."
God, that sounded so pathetic.
Childe was grateful for the agent's simple nod as the man strode back to pass on the message. Childe's gaze roamed once over the dock. He tidied his collar, flustered at the recollection of the bite marks from last night's affair.
------Last night-----------------------------------
Liyue's late nights were often humid, with clear skies and haze of the moon.
Silk bed sheets draped across Childe's hipbone as he nestled against Zhongli's bare chest. Zhongli sat upright, eyes closed with his head resting on the pillow supported against the bedboard. A book lay on the floor, forgotten.
The man's slender, decorated arms wrapped around Childe's frame. The hold wasn't firm. Just enough to allow the other man to move around. The pair's shallow breathing mingled, the only sound to merge from this ecstasy siesta.
And when Zhongli's hands began to move. Childe shivered from the warmth radiating from the man's fingers as the digits caressed Childe's scarred, pale skin. Every stroke held so much tenderness that Childe felt he could melt any second. He allowed himself to lay in the bed for another few minutes before deciding he needed a bath. The morning wasn't far away.
Childe had just swung his legs onto the floor when he felt Zhongli's grip constrict around his waist. Childe's head spun to find amber eyes lazily gazing at him.
"Don't mind me. I'm going to take a bath", Childe justified, unhurriedly prying the arm off, except it was a vain effort as Zhongli's arm snaked around once more. "Zhongli", Childe drawled with a little more sentiment. The man made a soft hum. Golden eyes glistened with delicate merriment. Childe almost lost himself in the hues of yellow. Zhongli remained unmoved, but a small smile did briefly grace his features.
"At this hour?" Zhongli answered groggily, allowing a yawn to escape.
This time, Childe had more success with Zhongli's arms, so he hopped off, seizing the neglected robe; slipping the garments onto his frame.
"The ship departs around late morning—"
"What ship?" Zhongli's curt voice cuts Childe off. The man had adjusted his position and was now giving Childe his undivided attention. Childe raked his fingers through his ginger hair. With a sigh, Childe continued to stride toward the bathroom. Childe heard the rustling of sheets and the sound of hasty footsteps. Zhongli's bathroom was surprisingly simplistic in design. The bath was a reasonable size which pleased Childe. While the tub was filling, Childe began packing his items away, ignoring the inexpressive figure in the doorway. Steam had filled the bathroom by then and fogged all the mirrored surfaces.
The water was gloriously hot when Childe stepped inside. He settled in one of the corners of the tub with a towel behind his head. The silence wasn't going to last long; Childe knew that. He had planned on telling Zhongli about his departure; he just didn't know how to bring it up. Talking about his feelings upfront wasn't Childe's forte. It was a social skill he hadn't deemed necessary when joining the Fauti.
That was until he met Zhongli. If Childe had ever wanted to convey how he felt, it would be either through sparring or eliminating the nearest hilichurl camps.
It was easy to get caught in the excitement of it all. With Zhongli, however, Childe felt more than that. The facade of Tartaglia he had worked years to build: was beginning to crumble. As the layers peeled away with each passing day: he spent with the other man. Childe felt like a child again, in awe of his surroundings. Keen to listen to Zhongli's documented descriptions of Liyue's history. Free entertainment when the man would continuously forget his wallet during their outings at the markets. It made Childe wonder if the Consultant even had a wallet in the first place.
There were many things Childe had come to love about Zhongli.
Then came the betrayal. Zhongli's callous treason and discovering his true identity did hurt a little at first.
That was a lie.
Childe's heart wept for days. His mind was a mess. Over time, Childe eventually learned to deal with Zhongli's actions. The two years betrayal was water under the bridge now. Zhongli and he was now more intimate than ever. Childe couldn't be happier.
Of course, nothing lasts forever.
Childe knew the day would come when his chapter with Zhongli would come to a close. The day he would be called back to his homeland.
"Where are you going this time, Childe?" Zhongli's low voice asked, bringing harbinger out of his recollections. Zhongli's voice was steady and gentle, but his questioning was strict. Hinting, he was expecting an answer. Childe glanced up from his position and sighed.
"Snezhnaya."
He waited. Letting his words sink into the room.
Zhongli's expression soured, and he exhaled sharply.
"For how long?"
Another pause. Childe lifted his right leg, watching the droplets fall. As he lowered it down, droplets sprinkled onto the floor.
"It's a one-way ticket".
"I see..." Zhongli said slowly. The man sounded way too calm to Childe's liking.
"Aren't you mad I'm telling you this now?" Childe's inquiry lacked confidence. A smile adorned Zhongil's lips. He pushed himself off the frame and ambled to Childe's side.
"Should I be?" Zhongli replied, head titled sideways and crouched down. Meeting Childe's gaze. "Thank you for telling me. I really appreciate it, Childe". When the other man remained unconvinced, his face facing away. Zhongli sighed finally and planted a kiss on the man's cheek, "Do believe my words." Zhongli leaned again, ready to shower Childe with more fondness. Childe gave up and playfully prodded the man in the chest, not hiding the smile on his lips.
"Will you see off?"
Zhongli made a considering murmur. Childe slapped his chest lightly, pouting. Zhongli laughed at the silliness and pecked the man's lips.
Childe took the motion as an affirmative. As Zhongli withdrew, amber eyes wandered down Childe's' body and dipped below the waterline.
Childe snorted at the act.
"Eyes up here, you leering dragon."
Zhongli beamed, endeared to Childe's playful insults. "How can I not stop staring? You're beautiful". Zhongli had an engaging way of saying the most unpretentious things about the harbinger's appearances sometimes. Childe flushed at the remark. He shouldn't have made the water so hot.
"Should I wash you?" Zhongli proposed, hands already reaching for the bottle of soap sitting on the washbasin. He switched his position to kneel at the bath's top end. Childe humoured him, knowing Zhongli would carry out his offer even if he complied. No harm in making as many memories as possible. Zhongli uncapped the bottle and found it smelled pleasantly of the silk flower.
He turned back to Childe, who was already dunking his head under the water and managed to splash the other as he came back up again. The man grinned brightly when he saw Zhongli's' annoyance.
"Stop splashing", came the chastised tone".
The couple drifted into a lenient discussion regarding the method of keeping in touch. Childe recommended letter exchanging since it was one of his favourite pastimes during his travels. Zhongli approved with a brief nod.
The man worked his fingers from the back of Childe's neck up to the crown of his head and back down again. The soap lathered the ginger locks. He heard the younger man mutter something about too much soap. Once satisfied with the ginger's hair, Zhongli's focus shifted to Childe's body. Zhongli caught a dollop of foam beginning to slide down the man's forearm and pushed it off. He made slow, lazy circles over Childe's skin, admiring the sight of Childe's composed expression.
If Childe had his eyes open, he would have seen Zhongli's hand hover moderately over his abdomen for a good ten minutes.
------Present----------------------------------
As the last cargo load boarded the ship, Childe's heart sank. Still, no sign of the man and time was up. He brushed past the agent, pretending not to see the look of pity. He overheard another member talking about how a storm was brewing not far out from the coast. Best to leave now.
Childe had walked halfway up the ship's ramp when he heard a shout. He whipped around, and Childe's eyes widened as they landed on the figure of Zhongli. The absolute sway of Zhongli's ponytail and the coat's tails swished side to side. Childe tried to remain professional as he made his way toward the man, but he ended up sprinting midway.
"Zhongli!"
Despite having fast-walked through the Harbour's city, Zhongli looked miraculously put together. His silk attire, the fancy long brown-and-gold coat, remained completely wrinkled free and pristine from the wind.
"I apologize for my tardy arrival", Zhongli breathed out, clutching the sack of items tucked safely under his arm. Childe spotted various things, ranging from books to Liyue's trinkets. Heck, was that a mini Rex lapis figurine?
Childe's breath got caught in his throat. Guilt washed over him when he realized the valid reason for Zhongli's late absence. And he had fallen prey to the notion that Zhongli had merely forgotten. Childe was undeserving.
"For you", Zhongli declared with a proud smile; the sack thrust into Childe's arms. Childe had no words. The pair walked at a rhythmical pace towards the ship, arms linked. Childe took his time admiring the mementos.
He picked each one up and turned them over in his hands, letting his eyes roam freely. He peered over to Zhongli, who had that look in his eye, caught between pride and uncertainty.
Before the man could speak, Childe raised his hand to the Consultant's face, touching lightly.
"I love it," Childe replied; his answer fused with sweet sincerity, and he had no reason to lie. Zhongli's shoulders drooped as if Childe's voice had expelled all the built-up tension.
"I've glad to hear that."
"However, I have one burning question".
Zhongli seemingly frowned at the comment. Childe took his quietude to continue.
"How on earth did you pay for all of this?"
These gifts were no doubt expensive.
A curl of lips and a light chuckle was Childe's' answer.
"The funeral director was kind enough to lend me some funds."
Childe arched a brow at the apparent tale, and Zhongli did some occasional sideways glances. Childe huffed.
Well, it was too late now to ask for a refund.
They embraced a final time, a mixture of murmurs and kisses. Childe had slipped his arms around those broad shoulders as Zhongli's voice murmured against his earlobe.
"The best gift is yet to come", came the cadence whisper. It left the ginger a little puzzled at the implication of it.
As the ship began to leave the dock, Zhongli remained still. Hands clasped behind, and head held high. Amber eyes never broke contact with Childe's own. The backdrop of Liyue's architecture truly matched those Cor lapis eyes.
Time slowed down. And all Childe could focus on was Zhongli. A man who carried numerous titles under his belt, a man once Liyue's glorious, devoted Archon. Now he lived among his citizens, content with his attained mortal life. The retired man gave only a few a glimpse at his true self.
Childe was one of them.
The memory stayed fresh in Childe's mind as the harbor and the silhouette of Zhongli faded to nothing more than a speck in the distance.