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One of the best parts of being the consultant’s friends is that he gets to have unlimited Zhongli time.
He gets to be very close to the other man, he even knows his secret and their conversations tend to be very sincere. In fact that incident just caused them to become closer as they made up. And Childe could never be mad at the other for too little long.
The worst part is that you also get to see him upset over other men. Men that he chose to date, yet decided to betray such an angel that they will never deserve.
He takes the man out for drinks after each break up, consoling him as best as he could. Making sure that the ex archon knows that he’s not in the wrong, reassuring him that he is ‘normal’.
It makes his blood boil because each time it’s always a different type of worse. ‘Who do they think they’re , laying their hands on you like that? Tell me where he is.’ “Who does he think he is having the right to hit you. I’ll find that asshole who dared hurt you.” “Its that fuckers fault for cheating. Infidelity is a choice not something accidental.”
He knows that Zhongli is a strong man. But he also sees that the man can be hurt just as much as anyone else.
And for some reason it’s harder for him to control himself today of all days. He’s more visibly upset than Zhongli and drinks a lot more too, thank god today they are at Childe’s home for drinks.
He hiccups as he feels Zhongli supporting him to stand up. The other man giggles as they both sway, the effects of the drinks seemingly kick in. He asks why Childe is crying and honestly he himself doesn’t know. The last time he cried was literally after the stupid Osial incident and it’s been more than a year since that. He’s never been the emotional type, opting to seek thrills and stick to his duty. Yet the tears drip endlessly, even as he is made to sit in the corner of the bed with Zhongli sitting beside him.
Childe has been clenching his teeth for a while now, he knows Zhongli’s latest boyfriends had to be the worst one by far. A rich asshole who just wanted to date a doll apparently. His controlling behaviour really fucking got on Childe’e nerves each time
Like who did he think he was telling Zhongli to eat less and talk less and not dilly dally around as he enjoys to do.
Zhongli is holding his hand as he makes Childe turn towards him. He smiles sweetly as he asks,
“Why are you crying?,”
And it was like a damn was broken as Childe pulls the man into a tight hug, breathing in his scent. He smells like silk flower perfume, the scent sweet and gentle just like the man.
“I like you,”
And Zhongli laughs as he pulls away to kiss him.
“I like you too. Happy 520 my love!”
They’re drunk. But happy. He had finally confessed.