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From the moment Zhongli has been old enough to form coherent thoughts, he has been aching to see Childe again. His parents have told him countless times about how, as a toddler, he used to babble endlessly about that imaginary friend of his. Except that he now knows, deep down, that his memories of Teyvat, of his time spent with the Harbinger, are too vivid to be imaginary.
It is real, all of it, he is certain of it, even if he never voiced it out loud so it would not bring him trouble. He remembers all too clearly his last moments in that other reality, too. If he closes his eyes, he can still see himself holding Childe tight in his arms, as they promise in hushed voices to see each other again, right before an attack strong enough to annihilate a god hit them.
The fear, the desperation of that moment, but also the unconditional love, those are not emotions his mind could have just made up, he is certain of it. So, these last few years, he has done everything to keep true to his promise, to look for Childe, hoping with all his heart that he has also been reborn in this world under a new name.
So it comes as quite the shock when he meets him not during one of his thorough searches, but simply while crossing the street. He stays frozen in place, wanting nothing more than to run to him, but a familiar apprehension stops him. What if Childe doesn't remember him? What if Zhongli is the only one to be blessed – or plagued, sometimes he isn't sure which one it is – with the memories of their past life? What if Childe takes him for some kind of weirdo and it ruins his chances with him forever?
Thankfully for them both, Childe is too spontaneous to take the time to think about all this.
“Zhongli!” He all but screams as he runs up to him.
The former Archon barely opens up his arms in time before a very eager ginger crash into them. The sensation is so familiar it almost makes him tear up. It is real. Childe is finally here, with him.
“I have missed you so much,” He chokes up, unsure if he'll ever be able to let go.
“I know, me too,” Childe breathes against his skin.
For a long while, they just bask in their regained happiness. There are a thousand things they need to tell each other, but at the moment, their throats are too tight from emotion. People on the street are giving them weird looks, but they couldn't care less. They have dreamed about their reunion too many times to let others ruin it.
It feels just as perfect as Zhongli imagined, that is until Childe's face suddenly turns pale.
“Oh shit, this isn't good.” He mumbles “I have a student loan I need to pay back. I won't be able to afford your expenses this time around.”
His own cheeks redden slightly from embarrassment, as he is reminded of that bad habit of his.
“There is no need for you to be concerned. I can cover my own costs, do not worry about it.”
“Do you have your wallet on you?”
“Of course, I...”
Zhongli's voice falters as he slips a hand into his pocket, only to find it empty. Childe raises an eyebrow and gives him an unimpressed look. That is all it takes for Zhongli's certitudes to shatter. In their previous life, their lifestyles fitted together perfectly, but what if it isn't the case in this one? Even if he retains all of Morax's memories, he is the farthest thing from an Archon in this world.
What... What if this isn't enough for Childe? What if he isn't enough?
He looks down at the ground, unable to bear his stare any longer.
“If... If my presence in your life is a hindrance to you, we... we do not have to stay together. I do not wish to become a burden for you.”
“Wait, no! Don't start thinking like that! Fuck, I feel so stupid now... We made a promise to be together again, didn't we? A contract, if you prefer. You know I would not dream of facing the wrath of the rock.”
His light, teasing tone does nothing to soothe Zhongli's anguish.
“The exact terms were that we would see each other again, which we have already achieved. So you have no obligation to...”
Before he can end his sentence, Childe puts a gentle hand on his cheek, leaving Zhongli no choice but to look at him.
“I don't see this as an obligation, and you are not a burden or a hindrance to me either. I don't know how to get it into that thick head of yours, Xiangsheng, but... Ever since the day we... we died, I've been longing to be with you again. I'm sorry for running my mouth off earlier. Even if money is an issue, we will find a way to work around it. There is nothing we can not solve, now that we're together again. Please, do not walk out on me now. I... I have waited too long for this...”
As Childe rambles, Zhongli can not ignore the sheer love burning in his eyes. Oh, how he has yearned to experience this again. It turns his doubts into ashes, then scatters them into the wind, leaving nothing but joy and contentment in his heart.
“I won't.” He promises “If anything, please let me apologize for allowing my fears to get the best of me.”
“It's alright. I will be there to reassure you every time you will need me.”
This time, Zhongli does not hesitate. He closes the distance between him and Childe, kissing him slowly. His lips feel just as soft as he remembers them, although the hand that moves to rest on his nape isn't as calloused as in his memories.
This Childe isn't a warrior, he realizes, just like Zhongli himself isn't a god of war in this life. But maybe it is a good thing. Maybe it means they will get to have a peaceful life and grow old together. Maybe they will get to taste the happiness the 11th Harbinger and the Archon Geo were deprived of.
Slowly, Zhongli closes his eyes and loses himself in the kiss. The rest of the world disappears from his mind. Nothing matters but Childe, pressed against him, his body firm and warm and so, so real. In this little pocket of time, only the two of them exist.
Childe is right, he realizes. So long as they are together, they will be able to overcome any challenge this new world throws at them.