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Liyue is glowing, bathed in the warm light of the setting sun. The rooftops and walls look like they've been painted gold and Childe thinks it's fitting. Everything is the colour of Geo.
When he steps off the ship and onto the wooden planks, Childe gets the rare sensation of inner peace. Like he's coming home .
He chuckles to himself. Zhongli once said that those who come across Liyue tend to stay a while, and it's true. Even Childe, who's always on the move, never really settling, has made it a habit to spend weeks on end here, if given the chance.
He makes his way through Liyue's streets, as familiar to him by now as the streets of Snezhnaya, greeting people as he goes. All the while, Childe scans the crowd and looks for Zhongli. At this time of the day, Zhongli is usually out for a walk, the day's work done.
Childe finds him amidst the many vendors offering curiosities from around Teyvat.
Zhongli stands out without even meaning to, his tall build making it easy to spot him. The air of wisdom and mystery that clings to him does the rest - even Childe, used to it in every way, finds himself unable to look away.
He walks over and taps Zhongli on the shoulder. To his immense disappointment, however, the former Archon doesn't turn around, just smiles.
"Hello Childe," he greets him without looking up. Childe pouts.
"You knew I was here?"
Amber eyes turn to him, shimmering golden in the evening sun. It takes every bit of Childe's self-control not to lean in and steal a kiss. Zhongli's smile is warm and pleased.
"Let's say the earth carried news of your arrival," he says easily, cryptic as always. But that's just who Zhongli is and Childe loves him for it.
"Welcome back," he adds and those golden eyes soften for a moment, shining with affection that's only reserved for Childe.
Childe really wants to kiss him now. He's only been away for two months but it's too long.
Still, he restrains himself and instead settles for stepping closer until he can feel Zhongli's warmth against his side, peering at the offered goods. If the other man has any reservations about Childe being so close, he doesn't say.
"Anything caught your eye?," Childe asks after a beat. The answering hum vibrates right into him.
"There are some trinkets that hold a certain amount of elemental energy," Zhongli replies quietly. He's got that thoughtful expression on his face that means he's close to getting lost in his own head - so Childe makes a quick decision.
The vendor is gaping at him, jaw almost on the floor, when Childe pays for all of his wares, takes the bag and reaches for Zhongli's hand to lead him away.
"It was not necessary to buy everything ," Zhongli remarks a bit later, when they're standing up on the terraces, overlooking the harbour. His hand is still in Childe's, fingers linked together. "But I appreciate the gesture."
Childe winks. "I just wanted you all to myself. I'm selfish like that."
He grins at Zhongli and then finally, finally , leans in to get that kiss. It's soft and sweet and Zhongli whispers welcome home into the space between their lips when they part for a moment. Childe feels warm all over.
"Besides," he adds softly, shivering when Zhongli's hand slides into his hair. "I have something else for you. I've been searching for the perfect gift and I think I finally found it."
The hand stops and Zhongli raises a brow, curiosity in his eyes. Childe smiles against the sudden nervousness that pumps through his veins and pulls out the little box he's carried all the way here from Snezhnaya.
Inside, nestled in between dark red velvet, is a ring.
One might call it simple but it's made from gold and topped with the purest piece of Cor Lapis that Childe could get his hands on. A colour as rich and warm and beautiful as Zhongli's eyes.
Suddenly his heartbeat is louder than the waves lapping against the shore.
"That is a ring," Zhongli says after a beat, carefully diplomatic. Or at least Childe hopes he's being diplomatic and not just dense. He clears his throat and takes the ring out of its box.
"I'm aware it's a ring," Childe shoots back, hiding his nerves behind a smile and reaches for Zhongli's hand once more. He pulls off the leather glove, exposing black skin and gold-tipped fingers. The only clue revealing that Zhongli isn't human.
"It's yours now."
He's only slightly shaking when he slides the ring onto Zhongli's finger - a perfect fit, like he knew it would be.
Zhongli's eyes are softer than ever when Childe finds the courage to look up.
"Does this ring mean what I hope for it to mean?," Zhongli asks quietly.
Childe has faced ruin guards on his own , yet somehow he's more nervous right now than he was during that. He closes his hand around Zhongli's, ring and all.
"It can mean whatever you want," Childe answers, trying and failing to hide the shiver in his voice. "But personally, I'd like to ask you to marry me. Stay with me for the rest of my life?"
He's met with a kiss, and warm fingers that intertwine with his own. Familiar and grounding, soothing away the nervousness he's felt.
" Yes ," Zhongli answers.