Chapter Text
Childe slammed the door behind him with a loud bang. The shouts of merchants and the murmurs of the crowds were drowned out by large thwacking of footsteps echoing throughout the apartment. A few strands of light peeked through the closed shutters, letting the rest of the room be submerged in a dusky black. Childe flung his mask at the floor with a trembling clatter before sitting and curling into himself.
He clenched his unkempt ginger hair with tight fists as he let out a shuddering breath. His stiff arms trembled with broiling intensity. His shoulders closed in on himself. The toes in his boots curled into him as his flushed forehead grazed his knees.
Zhongli- no. Morax deceived him. This entire time Childe was being used by a god to meet his own selfish desires. None of it was real. For once, Childe thought that maybe, just maybe, he finally had a friend. Somebody who treated him as an equal. Somebody who he could trust. But no, he was wrong.
When Morax handed over his gnosis, everything became clear. They had never been “friends.” Childe was simply a pawn to that god in this game of chess. He was to be made into the villain that everyone would hate for centuries to come. He was to be sneered at and glared at everytime he walked down the streets. He was to be discarded and left in the mud when his job was done, and that was exactly what Morax had done.
Zhon- …Morax didn’t look back as he left Northland Bank. As he left Childe. He had simply shoved the knife in Childe’s back and left without a hint of remorse in his face. Now, Childe was alone. Those days of sunlight, laughter, and a forgetful funeral consultant were over now.
Wait. It would be inaccurate to describe those days like that. Those days were in actuality filled with bitterness that was never realized. Morax never laughed with Childe. He was laughing at how gullible and stupid this mortal was. Laughing at how easy he had deceived them. He was laughing at Childe.
Morax had never cared…
So why should Childe care?
After taking several more long drawn out, quavering breaths, Childe glanced around his apartment. Knick-knacks and trinkets Zhongli had “gifted'' him littered the room. Elegant Liyuen ink paintings hung off of slender, reedy strings while a Jian sword reflected the dusty beams of dull light. A burn out stick of incense stood in a sand-filled bowl. The basil twisted green vase perched silently at the edge of the mantle piece.
There was so much. So much that reminded Childe of…
..of…
Childe realized something in that moment. If he truly did not care about that god, then he had no reason to keep the memories of them. Everything had to go.
Childe stumbled up from his bed with the clumsiness of a crazed, drunk man. Childe’s eyes narrowed with a bright intensity as they scanned over everything in the room.
With the elegance and efficiency of the eleventh harbinger, Childe took anything and everything in the room that reminded him of Morax. The clay bowls, the swords, the paintings, the books, anything. All of it was shoved into a drained, lightless room that was left to dust.
When Childe was sure that everything he hated was in that dead room, he locked the door and ambled away. He softly chuckled to himself as he quietly observed how abandoned the apartment felt.
He really had Childe wrapped around his little finger, didn’t he?
Childe’s smile grew wider as he realized that his entire life in Liyue was just a comedy show.
___
The stilted days crawled by endlessly. Childe went through the same routine over and over again with slight differentiations. It usually consisted of something like this though: wake up, go to the bank, work, work some more, kill some hilichurls, go home, and sleep.
Childe hadn’t seen Morax since what happened at Northland Bank. Honestly though, good riddance. Perhaps Celestia finally decided to cut Childe some slack for once in his miserable life. That was unlikely though. Celestia giving one of the people they hate most a blessing sounds just absolutely absurd.
And Childe would never pray to Celestia for a blessing anyways.
A courteous knock on the door roused Childe from his thoughts. He was currently sitting in his office at the bank where he was supposed to be doing work instead of swimming in his thoughts.
Childe sighed before putting on his best smile. Couldn’t let anyone see what a mess he was after all.
“Come in.”
“Master Childe.” Ekaterina closed the door behind her.
“Ah, Ekaterina! What brings you here?” Childe gave a falsely warm grin.
Ekaterina’s brows scrunched together as she assessed the man in front of her. If Childe had to guess, she was probably trying to see if there were any cracks in him. Knowing Ekaterina, she would be able to see them.
“Sir, have you had lunch yet?” Childe could feel the knowing look she was giving him behind that mask.
“Um… well I did have some-”
“I see.” Ekaterina was quick to cut him off. “I’ll order something from Wanmin. Is there anything you’d like?”
Childe knew this wasn't a battle he couldn’t win. Ekaterina could be so stubborn sometimes. “Fine, I’ll have some Black-Back Perched Stew with some fried radish balls and rice buns.”
“Alright, I’ll be back soon.”
And back soon she was. No less than 30 minutes later she came back with what he had ordered. Childe should probably give her a raise considering just how much she does for him.
Ekaterina placed his food on the desk before crossing her arms giving him a look. A look that said “Alright, now tell me what’s bothering you.” Childe, being Childe, stubbornly refused and only glared back with a wide grin plastered to his face.
Ekaterina’s eyes kept boring into him though. Kept prying at any little crack they could find. Every little hole that Childe thought he had covered up, those eyes could see. Childe could hide nothing from those eyes, but that didn’t mean he wouldn’t try. Those eyes didn’t need to know anything about Childe, nor did Childe want those eyes to know anything about him.
The standoff lasted for several moments longer, before Ekaterina sighed and moved her gaze away.
“I’ll let you off the hook this time, but do know I won’t let this topic be pushed to the side.” Ekaterina made her way out of the room, but stopped in the doorway and looked over her shoulder. “Also, please take better care of yourself. I’m not the only one who is worried about you.” With that she left.
So people were starting to notice that Childe wasn’t doing well. Just wonderful. Now all his subordinates knew what a fucked up mess he was. They knew that he was weak. He’d have to fix that. First step: start eating properly.
Childe took his order out of the box and set it in front of him, watching the steam float out towards the ceiling. Xiangling seemed to have the courtesy to leave a fork knowing how much Childe struggled with chopsticks. Everyone and their grandma in Liyue probably knew Childe couldn’t use chopsticks properly. Not even the multiple lessons he a had gotten from Zh-
Nope. Ending that train of thought right there. Childe needed to focus on anything except him. He never cared, so Childe shouldn’t care.
With that thought in mind, he took a bite of the black-back perch stew, and he couldn’t stop it. He couldn’t stop the memory of eating at Wanmin with Zhongli for the first time from resurfacing in his mind.
___
Childe had been steadily reading over the menu deciding what to eat. He had little experience with Liyuan cuisine, so he had no idea what he would like. How was he supposed to know what “Jade Parcels” were going to taste like? He eventually set the menu down and leaned back in his chair with a sigh.
“Have you figured what you would like, Master Childe?” Zhongli was patiently waiting for him with steady, cor lapis eyes.
“Yeah, I think I’ll just have you decide,” Childe carelessly shrugged.
Zhongli’s eyebrows furrowed in confusion. “Would you care to elaborate on that?”
“Well-” Childe gestured towards the menu- “I’m not sure what I want. I’ve never been to Liyue before, much less had any food from here, so I’ve decided to entrust you with ordering it. You know a lot about Liyue, so you should know what tastes best!”
Zhongli thought it over for a moment before nodding. “Your reasoning is firm. Hopefully, the food will live up to your expectations.” He then waved Xiangling over.
“Finally figured out what you two want?” the girl pulled out a little notebook with a little bounce, ready to write out their orders.
“Yes.” Zhongli gave a calm nod. “We’ll have one of everything.”
“Alright, one of- WAIT WHAT!?” Xiangling’s mouth stood agape for the entire world to see. It would’ve been a hilarious sight to see if Childe wasn’t doing the exact same thing.
“We’d like one of everything.” Zhongli didn’t somehow didn’t notice their shocked expressions. He was acting as if an order like this was completely normal.
“A-are you sure about this Zhongli Xiansheng? You’ve never bought this much before.” Xiangling still stared wide eyed at him.
“Yes, I am quite certain,” the man answered.
“A-alright then.” Xiangling then quickly scribbled down their order before scurrying off with a worried look in her eyes.
Childe began reassessing the man in front of him with a childly suspicious stare. He didn’t see anything out of the ordinary, which only made everything before him more confusing. Why would an average man buy one order of everything at a restaurant for two people?
After Zhongli finished taking a sip of his tea, he noticed the look on Childe’s face. “Is something the matter?”
Childe looked over once, maybe twice more. Still, there was nothing out of the ordinary. While Zhongli did dress rather elegantly and carried himself with grace, that still didn’t mean anything. If anything, it probably pointed towards him being a well-mannered and polite gentleman.
“Master Childe, are you alright?” Zhongli asked once more with a slight furrow to his brows.
Childe awoke from his stupor and straightened his posture. “I’m sorry, I’m just really… shocked, I guess you could say.”
“At what, may I ask?”
“Well-” Childe leaned forward with his elbows on the table- “What made you order everything? I doubt the two of us would really be able to eat it all. Can you even afford this?”
Zhongli took another sip from his steaming cup of tea before setting it down on the table with perfect coordination. “I didn’t wish to be presumptuous. I have no idea what would appeal to your tastes, so I thought it best for you to try everything at this establishment. That way, I wouldn’t order something you wouldn’t like and so you can be exposed to Liyue’s gastronomy.”
“Huh, guess I can’t argue with that reasoning.” Childe leaned back in his seat with his arms behind his head. “What if we aren’t able to eat everything though?”
“Do not worry, we can simply ask for Xiangling to package up what is left over for us to take home.”
“And I’m guessing you can afford all this. I have to say, I’m impressed at how prepared you are.”
“I am pleased that I have exceeded your expectations. Give me a moment to prepare for the expenses of this meal.” With that Zhongli reached into his pocket to pull out what was probably his wallet.
“Wait, at least pay for part of the meal. I don’t want you spending all your money- Mister Zhongli? Is something wrong?” Childe turned towards the other man at the table. His skin had turned paper white as his eyes slightly widened and stared into the air in front of him as though it contained all the answers he had been searching for.
“Mister Zhongli–,” Childe waved a hand in front of his face. “Are you in there?”
“I apologize-” Zhongli quickly shook himself out of his daze- “I wasn’t listening.”
“I was asking if something was wrong. You went really pale there for a second,” Childe pointed out.
“Ah, well…,” Zhongli coughed into his fist as he averted his gaze away from Childe. A light pink lightly dusted his cheeks as he began to speak. “I… appear to have left my wallet at home.”
Childe stared at Zhongli with wide eyes before the message registered in his head. He had forgotten his wallet at home… and ordered everything at a restaurant. This elegant, completely perfect man, forgot his wallet at home. Childe heaved over the table with raucous laughter. Zhongli, the noble, wise Zhongli, was a complete scatterbrain.
“You’re… laughing?” Zhongli slightly tilted his head to the side.
“Sorry, sorry, sorry-” he kept laughing- “I-I just didn’t expect a guy like you to forget his wallet… and then proceed to buy everything at a restaurant.”
“I see?” Zhongli said in a tone that meant he completely did not see. “Still, we are in a bit of a predicament.”
“Oh, don’t worry about it! I can just pay for it,” Childe grinned.
“I couldn’t burden you with my own shortcomings. I will head-” Childe cut Zhongli off.
“No, please. Let me pay for it. Consider it thank you for keeping me company as well as giving me a good laugh. It’s been a while since I’ve laughed like that.” Childe smiled with that statement. Genuinely smiled for what felt like the first time in years.
___
Childe stared at the food in front of him as a knife was twisted in his gut. He quickly shook his head and put it back into the box before pushing it back to the side. This was no time for reminiscing over what he thought were good times. He had work that needed to be done.
He made a quick note in his head to tell Ekaterina not to get him any food from Liyue and instead have someone in the Fatui cook for him. Childe could just tell her that the food made him sick and wished for the taste of home or something like that. That would hopefully keep her from trying to interrogate him.
Childe began scratching down some letters with an ink pen. The taste of the food still lingered on his tongue though.
___
A rapt knock at the door made Childe turn his head away from his work. Ekaterina walked in without waiting for his response. If she noticed the plain dark circle under his eyes, she didn’t say anything.
“Mr. Zhongli wants to see you.” Ekaterina blankly told him. “I suggest you let him come in.”
Childe merely sighed as he rubbed his temple. “Tell him I’m busy.”
“Master Childe-” Ekaterina gave him a pointed look- “when will you not be busy?”
“I don’t know.” Childe continued staring at the paperwork in front of him with a look of annoyance.
Ekaterina clearly wasn’t going to take that for an answer. “Sir, you’ve been busy every time Mr. Zhongli comes here to see you.”
“Well-” Childe began with an irritated smile on his face- “after the whole Osial incident, people have been blaming the Fatui. This of course has created many problems for the bank with unpaid debts and the Qixing breathing down our necks.”
“Master Childe, there are plenty of people here who can cover for you. Besides-” Ekaterina frowned as her eyes narrowed behind her mask- “you’ve been overworking yourself and could use a break.”
“I’m fine.” Childe glared at the woman in front of him.
“Childe, do not try to lie to me,” Ekaterina looked down at him from where she was standing.
“I’m not lying.”
“You’re avoiding Mr. Zhongli.” That wasn’t a question. It was a statement. “I don’t know what’s going through that thick head of yours, but know this: you can’t hide the truth.”
“Fine!-” Childe shot out of his chair as he began making wild gestures with his hands- “You want to hear the truth? Well here it is: I never want to see that man again for the rest of my life!”
Ekaterina stalked toward him. “That may be what you want, to avoid the problem, but life has a way of throwing your problems right back into your face,” she seethed.
“Really,” Childe sarcastically said as he crossed his arms, “I guess I’ll just have to throw the problem right back at life’s face then.”
“Childe, everything always catches up to you.” Ekaterina gave him one more final glare before whipping her head towards the door and storming out of the room.
After Ekaterina slammed the door behind her, Childe sank into his chair and grumbled some curses under his breath. To hell if his problems caught up with him! Nothing but a couple slashes from his blades could fix that. If he had to avoid Morax for the rest of his life then he would. He never wanted to see the person who used him and made him the villain.
Childe was always the villain. Every single goddamn time.
The silent pitter patter of rain against the window awoke Childe from his thoughts. He turned towards the sound. He couldn’t remember when the rain first started, but it took him back. Back to that quiet day with Zhongli.
___
“You’ve never had tea before?” Zhongli stared at Childe in what seemed to be absolute horror.
“Well, what can I say? I’ve simply never been interested in it.” Childe his shoulders as he leaned back on the couch. Both men had got caught in the rain on one of their walks, so they decided to take shelter at Zhongli’s home. Well, it would be more accurate that Zhongli forced Childe into his room despite Childe saying that he could just go back to his own place. “Besides, the idea of drinking leaf juice just doesn’t sound too delightful to me.”
Zhongli was definitely horrified now at what he just heard. His eyes widened greatly as his eyebrows knit themselves into a knot. Those lips parted slightly. Zhongli’s posture became as stiff as rock beside Childe. It was… rather worrying.
“What? Did I say something wrong?” Childe tilted his head to the side in innocence and slight concern for the other man’s back. He hadn’t even moved an inch. “Zhongli Xiansheng?”
With that, Zhongli’s appalled face morphed into one of firm determination. He stood up from the couch and walked by Childe towards the kitchen. Childe’s eyebrows started furroying with worry.
“Zhongli Xiansheng?!” Childe started getting up from the couch to follow the man but was quickly stopped.
“Master Childe, stay there. I will be back soon,” he said without even turning around.
“O—kay?” Childe sat back down with his back as straight as a rod. Did he offend Zhongli? Oh archons, was the man mad at him now?!
Childe quietly had a panic attack on the couch for several minutes before Zhongli came back with a tray in his hands. Once Childe saw it, he noticed that there was a steaming teapot with two finely polished cups, some pineapple buns, egg tarts, and tea bags on it. Zhongli meticulously set the tray on the coffee table in front of them before sitting beside Childe once again.
“Um… are you preparing tea for me?” Childe questioned.
“Yes,” Zhongli answered with a firm tone to his voice. “I am not certain what has made you equate tea to… ‘leaf juice,’ as you put it, but I have decided to fix this injustice at once.”
“Oh, I see…” Childe did not see. Wasn’t tea just basically leaf juice?
“I have brought you three flavors that I believe you may like.” Zhongli gestured to the tea bags on the tray. “The first one is a mix of finely ground cecilias from Starsnatch Cliff, dandelion seeds from Windrise, and valberries from the Stormbearer Mountains. It is a popular alternative for dandelion wine in Mondstadt. Although the flavor isn’t the exact same as its alcoholic counterpart, it is still quite appealing to the tongue. Its tastes can be described as a warm, tart breeze among a field of dandelions.”
Zhongli always somehow had a way to describe anything in a poetic sense. Although what he had said didn’t exactly make sense to Childe, he had to guess it was an accurate description and that it tasted good.
Zhongli tapped a gloved, slender finger on the second packet of tea. “This one is made from some of the finest mint and sweetflower I have tasted. It is also mixed with violet grass and qingxin that have been gathered near Jueyun Karst. The bitterness of the violet grass and qingxin is balanced out by the gentle touch of mint and sweetflower. It is almost similar to passing through the mist clouds that flow through the skies of Jueyun Karst. It is a personal favorite of mine.”
Again, Childe didn’t understand what the heck passing through mist was supposed to taste like, but he supposed he’d just have to find out. Of course, he wasn’t going to act rude by being utterly confused, so he nodded along like he knew exactly what Zhongli was talking about.
“The last one I was lucky to get my hands on,” Zhongli noted as he observed it. “It is made from ingredients from Inazuma which seldom leave the country, much less the finest ones. The tea is made from cherry blossoms gathered from Mt.Yougou, amakumo fruit from Seirai Island, and dendrobium flowers from the shores of Nazuchi Beach. Its taste reminds me of lightning. Striking hard and fast before leaving just as quickly, but you can still taste what lingers of the electro in the air.”
“Hm, interesting.” Childe carefully studied each tea packet in fake contemplation. Honestly, he forgot most of what Zhongli said. It wasn’t that he was bored, but rather was listening extremely intently that he forgot to remember. “I don’t think I can choose between all three judging by your descriptions. How about you choose?”
“Master Childe-” Zhongli to turn and stare at the man in question with stubbornness in his eyes- “you always leave such decisions like this to me. I know you lack experience in this field, but I wish for you to have an input of your own.”
Input of his own, huh? When was the last time Childe really got to make a decision of his own. Certainly not when his father signed him up for the Fatui, that was for sure. The same also applied to the Tsaritsa. It wasn’t like he could just go up to her and say “Hey! I don’t want to work for the Fatui anymore!” or “Sorry, I don’t really feel like heading to Liyue right now.” The Tsaritsa’s word was law, and if he went against the law, then he would experience a fate perhaps worse than death. He made what he could out of being in the Fatui though, such as the amount of battles he got to be in.
Childe stared back at the tea packets again trying to remember what Zhongli said about each one. All he could really remember though was that the first one was a favorite in Mondstadt, the second one was a favorite of Zhongli’s, and that the last one was difficult to get. He weighed his options before saying his answer.
“I guess I’ll have the second one,” Childe shrugged. It was Zhongli’s favorite, so might as well make him happy with his favorite leaf juice.
Zhongli nodded as he started prepping the drink. The man took the packet and emptied it into a tea strainer over the uncovered teapot. He then set the strainer in the tea so that the water could get in, but the tea leaves couldn’t get out. Zhongli let it sit like that for about five minutes while noting how making tea is a delicate process and is an art form of itself.
“It should be done now,” Zhongli told Childe as he took the strainer out and set it on a porcelain plate. “I suggest having some sugar with it since this is your first time having tea.”
“How does having tea for the first time have to deal with whether there should be sugar or not?” Childe tilted his head as he looked towards Zhongli for an answer.
Zhongli took a spoonful of sugar out of a small jar and stirred it into the teapot. “Tea tends to be more bitter to people who have it for the first time. That is why it is recommended for such people to add sugar into their tea.”
“Oh.” Childe watched with fascination as Zhongli continued stirring the tea in succinct, even movements. He eventually stopped to tap the spoon against the teapot in a clear clink several times to get the last few droplets off before setting it on a small plate to the side. Zhongli placed the lid back onto the teapot as Childe wondered how somebody’s hands could look so captivating while making tea.
The consultant poured the tea into the two cups with the expected elegance of a prince. Childe started wondering if the man in front of him actually came from a prestigious family from Liyue. It would certainly explain a lot.
“Here, I hope you enjoy it, Master Childe,” Zhongli said as he handed Childe his cup of tea.
“You know, you don’t have to call me ‘Master’ Childe-” Childe took the cup from the consultant’s hands delicately- “We’ve known each other for a while now, so I doubt we really need the titles anymore.”
“Well, if that is so-” Zhongli picked up his own cup of tea with deft fingers- “then you may call me Zhongli as well.”
“Zhongli…” Childe rolled the name off his tongue, testing the sound of it. “It feels nice to drop titles, doesn't it, Zhongli.” Childe gently elbowed the other man.
“I suppose you are right, Childe.” Zhongli smiled just slightly as he said his name, not even moving an inch at being elbowed.
Childe felt something inside him when he saw that smile. It felt good, but not in the same exhilarating and addicting way he felt while in battle. While Childe wasn’t all that poetic, if he had to put the feeling in him into words, he would have to say that it was a warm happiness that swirled inside him, but suffocated him at the same time. It was strange. To be suffocated by a good feeling.
“I suggest you start drinking your tea before it gets cold,” Zhongli commented before taking another slow sip of his tea.
Childe shook his head out of the clouds and looked at the tea. He brought it up to his nose to give it a couple sniffs. All Childe could say was that the aroma was heavenly. It smelled flowery, but surprisingly sweet like fresh cookies. He brought the rim of the cup to his lips and took a slow sip from it like Zhongli did. Might as well be polite, right?
Childe’s eyes widened as looked at the tea in his cup that was still pressed to his lips. Whatever Zhongli said about how the tea tasted like mist clouds and mountains, he was completely right. How the heck did he know the exact words to describe the taste of some tea? Either way, it was no wonder as to why Zhongli loved this tea so much.
“Is it not to your liking?” Zhongli tilted his head with his eyebrows knitted in concern. “I can provide you another beverage if you do not like this one.”
“Not like it? Zhongli…” Childe turned towards the man in question with a look and tone of someone who found the answers to everything. “I love this.”
“Oh… well, I’m pleased that you’re enjoying it.” Zhongli gave a small smile as he sipped his tea once more. “If you are willing, I could introduce you to other flavors of tea.”
“I’m on board with it!” Childe leaned closer to Zhongli. “I’ve been missing out on this leaf juice for my entire life!”
“I’m glad that you are open to having more tea in the future, but-” Zhongli glared at Childe with pure displeasure and ire- “never call tea ‘leaf juice’ ever again.”
___
Childe stared at the reflection of his indignant expression in the window. For Celestia’s sake, why was this happening!? Childe accepted the betrayal by shoving that loathsome god out of his life! So why did his memories keep bringing him back? Why?
Childe got out of his seat with righteous irritation to slam the shutters shut. Hopefully, without the sight of that pitiful rain, he could continue with his work. Continue with accepting the way things were. Continue ignoring Zhongli.
He slumped back into his chair and put a hand to his temple. Despite how gentle the rain was, every single drop Childe heard pounded in his head. It hurt. It hurt so much.
___
Ekaterina wasn’t going to get a raise anymore. Hell! Childe wasn’t going to give anyone at the bank a raise, not with their outright act of insubordination! He was not overworking himself this time. In fact, he was actually working slightly less than usual, but Ekaterina and all of his workers kicked him out of the bank on a forced vacation anyway! What kind of maniac would make their boss go on a vacation?
With the lack of anything to do, Childe simply trudged around Liyue Harbor with his heavy feet scraping against the ground in a slow rhythmic pattern. Honestly, there really wasn’t much of anything to do around here. It made his skin crawl for a fight to release him of this mundane existence. Unfortunately, the Millelith weren’t too trusting of him since he did kind of release Osial on Liyue. That, of course, made him a rather villainous character in their eyes, so coming back soaking in blood wasn’t a good idea. That meant Childe simply had to fight the urge. Usually, he’d simply distract himself with a pile of work. Of course, he couldn’t work at the bank anymore now could he?
Stupid subordinates.
Childe trembled with a barely controlled fire. He was itching to do something other than walk around with pent up energy. Usually, Childe would go on walks around Liyue Harbor with Zhongli whenever he had time. Somehow, listening to his voice made the boiling energy inside him suddenly disappear. Childe had never found anything other than battle to quench his bloodlust. How strange.
He rounded a corner and landed himself on another street. A familiar street. The same street Childe and Zhongli would often walk down on lazy days such as this. Children would be giggling as the wind brushed through the bushes and ginkgo trees. Often, there would be a merchant selling some well pottery or jewelry that would catch Zhongli’s eyes. Those beautiful cor lapis eyes. Childe remembered those walks with Zhongli.
___
Zhongli had been going on a long analysis of the Adepti after Childe had asked them what they were like. Childe was asking for personal reasons of course. Personal reasons that may or may not have involved plans to take down Rex Lapis.
Zhongli had been going for a long while now and Childe absorbed every single drop of his voice like a parched man desperate for water. Luckily, it proved very useful as the harbinger learned many interesting details from the consultant, such as that human medicine had little to no effect on the Adepti. This meant that Adepti usually treated themself unless they had severe injuries or a terrible illness. If that were the case, then they’d typically seek out a fellow Adepti to help them.
With this in mind, all Childe had to do was make sure that the poor Geo Archon was nowhere near his companions as the harbinger incapacitated him. Once Rex Lapis was weakened enough (or dead, either one works), Childe would simply rip the gnosis out of his chest and hand it over to his beloved Tsar-
Childe was interrupted from his thoughts when he saw something a ways down the lantern lit road. It was a dog. A big, fluffy, and cute dog with lonely, watery eyes. That meant that Childe had to rush down the street and give that precious angel all the love he deserved, and that was exactly what he did.
Zhongli was lost in his own musings when Childe left him, because Childe had a one track mind at that moment and it was to make that puppy the happiest thing on earth. Once the funeral consultant noticed his companion’s disappearance, Childe was already halfway towards his target and only getting faster the closer he got. Zhongli, being the loyal man he is, followed after the harbinger with long, swift strides under the night sky.
Once the ginger haired man got close enough to the little pupper, he crouched down and held out his hand for him to sniff. The dog approached cautiously one pawstep at a time. When the cutie finally reached Childe, they sniffed his outstretched hand curiously. Childe made a steady movement to pet the dog. He started with slow, rhythmic strokes along their scruff before giving them a nice good scratch. The dog’s eyes quickly brightened up at the attention and ferociously wagged his tail and gave the man an ecstatic yip.
When Zhongli finally reached Childe, his companion was laughing with a careless grin on his face as the stray dog kept attempting to leap on top of him with love. Childe’s heart felt clear of the gunk and worry that it was often clogged up with. The harbinger could breathe, and honestly, it felt nice to him. Childe kept having that free and airy feeling in his chest more and more often ever since he came to Liyue.
When the Tsaritsa gave Tartaglia the news that he was to head off to another country to steal their archon’s gnosis, he couldn’t help but feel reluctant to go. After all, he had never been away from Snezhnaya for so long before. Tartaglia would miss the relentless cold, his siblings, the food of his people, and so much more. He didn’t refuse the mission though. All he had was the Tsaritsa. She was the one who gave meaning to his life despite being a monster not even his family would want.
Tartaglia would do anything for the Tsaritsa just to pay off his debt to her. She took him in when nobody else would, and he would spend the rest of his life making it up to her. To make himself meaningful to her. That was his reason for living. That and his younger siblings.
But being licked to death by an euphoric dog was also another good reason to live.
Zhongli stood to the side with a smile of amusement on his face. Childe was probably imagining things, but the consultant’s eyes seemed to softly glow in content under the light up the lanterns. He seemed content and at peace. Of course, Childe wasn’t going to let the man off with just that.
“Oh Zhongli~!” Childe dramatically put the back of his hand against his face and laid on the ground like a damsel in distress. “You must save me from this adorable little monster!”
“I believe you are perfectly capable of saving yourself, Childe,” Zhongli huffed. Wait. Was that actually a laugh from the ever stoic funeral consultant, Zhongli? If it was, then Childe ought to keep going.
“But Zhongli! I am not able to defeat this beautiful creature on my own.” The dog barked joyfully at Childe’s words before continuing its slobber attack. “The only way they can be defeated is if they are given love from two people. As you can see, I am only one person.”
Zhongli gave a low, rumbling chuckle. The sound of it made Childe’s heart flip flop in a pounding motion. His breath got stuck in his throat as he looked up at the consultant in wonder. When did the man before him become this beautiful? His beauty even rivaled that of the Tsaritsa’s.
“Alright then, Childe,” Zhongli gave a smile that radiated the warmth and beauty of the heavens. “I’ll save you.”
The funeral consultant leaned down by the dog and started scratching them by the scruff of their neck. The dog barked in glee as he turned towards Zhongli and attempted to reciprocate their love through big, fat licks on the face. Zhongli laughed in response as he closed his eyes and gave a divine, open smile.
Childe stared at the piece of art in front of him, trying to burn this image into his mind. To see Zhongli so open and carefree was odd, yet right. The harbinger couldn’t help the small smile that came to his face. Childe wanted to see that smile forever.
Maybe… just maybe Tartaglia could be selfish and give himself a reason to live. To live to see that smile over and over again. But Tartaglia couldn’t be selfish. He was enough of a monster already, and it wouldn’t do to make himself an even worse one. Besides, Celestia would smite him down where he stood.
“Childe.” The harbinger was shook from his thoughts at the deep, familiar voice. “I cannot defeat this beast on my own. Two people must give them their love if they wish to win.”
“Right, right,” Childe chuckled as he scratched the back of his head. “Let us begin!”
The harbinger dove in and began to furiously scratch the dog’s face as Zhongli continued petting it contentedly. Honestly, how could anyone ignore such an adorable little animal? A thought occurred to Childe.
Where would this dog stay? The harbinger couldn’t take him in since his stay in Liyue was only temporary, and the bank had an anti-animal policy. But of course, it was out of the question to simply leave the little angel out on the streets to fend for itself. Childe’s concern must’ve shown on his face, because the funeral consultant seemed to notice.
“Is something wrong, Childe?” Zhongli questioned.
“Yeah..,” Childe mused with knit eyebrows. “I’m just worried about this dog. It doesn’t have anywhere to go, and I can’t just leave them all alone on the streets.”
“It would be most unfortunate if they were to continue to fend for themself. Hm.” Zhongli brought up his free hand to his chin in deep concentration.
Childe proceeded to do the same thing. Perhaps he could ask around to see if anyone would be willing to take the dog in? Maybe Xiangling would like him. She did, after all, have that… bear thing. Surely another animal wouldn’t hurt. The dog could act as a mascot, but then again, dogs and restaurants didn’t seem like the best combination.
“I have an idea,” Zhongli spoke up, back into his usual stoic persona.
“Shoot,” Childe indicated for the funeral consultant to continue.
“I believe the funeral parlor can take him in. We often have many clients that are distressed or grieving, and I believe that this dog could help bring them some comfort,” Zhongli explained. “There shouldn’t be anything that this dog can get in the way with that training couldn’t fix.”
“Hey, that’s a pretty good idea, Zhongli!” Childe chirped. “But would Hu Tao Xiaojie be happy with a dog?”
“I’m sure she’ll probably use them as a marketing ploy, such as a mascot.” Zhongli closed his eyes and rubbed his temples, probably imagining the scene.
Childe couldn’t blame him. Hu Tao would probably do that from what the harbinger has seen. Zhongli kept getting terrible migraines from her antics.
“Welp, it seems we’ve got ourselves a plan,” Childe spoke to the dog as he kept scratching their fluffy cheeks. “We’re going to need to name you though.”
“Hm, I believe Yanhuo would be a fitting name. It would fit his bright and excitable personality. What do you think?” Zhongli asked.
“Yanhuo, Yanhuo…,” Childe repeated several times under his breath to see if it sounded right. “That’s actually a really good name! Alright Yanhuo, let's get you to your new home.”
Childe got up and stretched his hands up to the stars in the sky. Zhongli raised himself up to a standing position with the usual grace and elegance, but it was different this time. The golden light of the lanterns shone on the side of Zhongli’s face, pronouncing his sharp chin and cor lapis eyes. It was beautiful. He was beautiful.
Maybe Childe could be selfish and have something for himself. Give himself that reason to live.
___
Who was he kidding? Childe only had one purpose in life and that was to be the Tsaritsa’s weapon. To be her tool and nothing more. It was the only thing he had. That and his siblings, and that is how it will always be. Nothing could change that.
Blood dripped down from Childe’s tightly clenched fist. Why were these memories coming back to him? Was this a punishment from Celestia because he tried to take more than he could give? Because he was selfish? A monster?
Childe brought his hand up to his face and laughed at himself. What a comedy show his life was! A kid growing up and dreaming to become a hero, only to become a monster hated by everybody, including his family. He couldn’t be a hero. HAH! All he could be was a weapon used to mercilessly slaughter all who came in the way of the Tsaritsa’s ideals. A weapon couldn’t have anything for itself. A weapon could only do as it was told and drench itself in blood.
So why did this weapon want something? Why did he want something? Why couldn’t he have anything?
How hilarious!
With that, Childe started a brisk pace towards his apartment. He needed to revel in the tragedy that is his life. To look at every line of the show to see the joke. Every single damn joke.
In the distance, Yanhuo’s joyful barking could be heard.