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"I love the ocean."
Zhongli looks up, away from the shore and into Childe's eyes, waiting for more. The sun is starting to set around them; Guyun Stone Forest seems to be lit on fire by the warm, golden glow. It's peaceful.
Childe's eyes sparkle with light for once and his smile is soft, directed at Zhongli. It's a sight he commits to memory, wishing to preserve that smile for eternity, if he can. They walk side by side along the shore. A spontaneous afternoon stroll that had been Childe's idea and which had led them out of the city.
The wet sand is soft under Zhongli's bare feet.
"I mean, you could say of course I love the ocean," Childe goes on. He drifts closer where he'd been away before, distracted by a starconch that had caught his eye, only to now fall back in step with Zhongli.
His hand is warm when their fingers tangle together.
"It's my element, after all. Blah, blah, that sort of stuff. But I don't like every body of water just because I got a Hydro Vision."
His words mingle with the waves lapping at the shore, creating a unique melody that Zhongli could listen to forever. He's content to do exactly that while they walk together. Soon the sun will fade away behind the mighty mountains surrounding Liyue and the coolness of the night will engulf them.
Maybe they won't return to the Harbour. It wouldn't be the first time they set up camp out in the wild, sleeping under the stars.
"The ocean is different than, let's say, a lake. I like the unpredictability of it. One moment the sea is calm, and in the next you're braving a storm that might sink your boat." He turns to Zhongli and the grin he flashes him, knife sharp and beautiful , lights up his whole face.
"It's thrilling, don't you think?"
Zhongli actually ponders these words for a moment. He has heard sailors talking about the ocean in the same way as they would talk about a difficult woman - moody and fierce and dangerous, but also gentle, sweet and loving.
Zhongli himself has to admit that he is not a big fan of the ocean at all. Too many ancient threats lay at the bottom of it, pinned by his own stone spears and unable to rise again for now - but immortal nonetheless, seething with rage, ready to return and lay waste to Liyue Harbour and its God.
Osial is only one recent example. Beisht another.
Zhongli shudders when he thinks back even further, to when he personally rid the houses of his people of the slimy little abominations infesting them.
"I can see the appeal that you're talking about," he answers, amber eyes cast towards the horizon. The blue of Liyue's afternoon sky has long since faded into soft pinks and glowing orange hues. "But as for myself, there are many places I would prefer to be instead."
Childe, knowing of the particular encounter that made Zhongli hate seafood with a passion, predictably starts to laugh. But his grip on Zhongli's hand tightens and the gesture softens any sting that this reaction may have caused.
"You have to make new memories then," he says simply. When Zhongli stops and turns to look at him, the evening sun mixes fire into the dull blue of Childe's eyes. "Easy as that. I love the ocean because I have a lot of good memories linked to being here!"
Zhongli finds himself momentarily distracted, counting the freckles scattered on Childe's cheeks and across his nose instead of paying attention.
"Oh?"
Childe softens. His smile loses its sharpness, becoming as gentle as the waves caressing the shore, as loving as the breeze that tugs on their hair. He steps closer, his forehead resting against Zhongli's shoulder for a moment.
"Have I told you my favourite memories?," he asks. Zhongli turns his head and closes his eyes, focusing only on Childe and his voice.
"When I first came to Liyue, you waited for me by the docks. Sure, that was all official business but I still like to think of that moment. An afternoon just like today and you were painted in gold. I thought it was fitting."
"Then the first time you took me here, just so I could find some starconches because otherwise my siblings would never stop complaining. And the first time we returned, after you told me who you really were and I was so angry and hurt and we fought here."
There's still a hint of bitterness in his voice when he speaks of the circumstances of how he learned of Zhongli's true identity, and Zhongli wonders, heart aching, how long it will take Childe to forgive him for that.
"That fight is a favourite memory of yours?," he can't help but ask. In many ways, it had been good for them to fight; a way to communicate without actual words. Even so, every single furious strike from Childe had been screaming accusations.
A conversation held with weapons.
There's a soft laugh and Childe squeezes his hand. "It was a good fight. It helped . I don't think either of us could've talked it out otherwise - do you?"
Zhongli doesn't answer. It's true and they both know it and therefore there is nothing he needs to say in response.
"But theres one more reason why I like that memory," Childe mutters after a beat of silence. "Cause you kissed me after. Remember that?"
How could Zhongli ever forget that? It is a moment that has been burned into his heart: the image of Childe, defeated and bloody and still wired so tightly as though he might snap any second now. Frustrated and angry, words spilling from his lips, far too honest.
It had been a revelation for Zhongli. A revelation that he was being loved, still loved, despite the betrayal. And that he loved Childe just as much.
He remembers being too weak to resist and how he had grabbed Childe by the collar, kissing him desperately in a truly uncharacteristic show of emotions.
They both fall quiet, lost in thoughts. Zhongli puts his free arm around Childe, holding him close.
"I will make you love the ocean again," Childe says eventually, breaking the silence. This time when he looks up, his eyes are dull as always but gentle; his lips curled into a smile. "I already have a plan."
Zhongli feels himself smiling back. He has doubts about the success of that plan but at the same time, he is genuinely intrigued to see how Childe will go on about it.
"Is it a contract?," he wants to know.
Childe grins, kissing him briefly.
"A promise."