Work Text:
They said spring is the new beginning and a perfect time to get married, so that's why Childe and Zhongli pick this season to tie a knot and exchange vows. In front of the cathedral standing Zhongli a thirty one year old college professor was currently wearing a expensive white tuxedo that complements his eyes and the amber shades on the tips of his hair, he was holding a bouquet of roses mix with peonies and standing next to him, is his older sister Guizhong who will walk him down to the aisle and who appears to be struggling to hold back tears.
Zhongli eyes her "Jiejie you'll ruin your makeup, you can cry later"
Guizhong have half a mind to elbow him "Bah! My makeup be damned. My Didi is going to get married today to his childhood sweetheart. Your love story is straight out of a goddamn fairytale, of course I'll be crying my eyes out"
Zhongli just chuckle and pat her shoulder.
"If only mother and father were here, I'm sure they would be ecstatic, it's a shame they leave this world suddenly"
Zhongli had to swallow the lump of his throat, sometimes Guizhong never fails him to make him cry, he can still vividly remembers his sister frantically calling him and break the bad news that their parents had been killed when a sleep-deprived truck driver hit their car as they driving all the way to his apartment. The sudden death of their parents made him so upset that he had to take a vacation leave because he was spiralling, Childe the godsent he is, hold him throughout his crying and depressive episodes, he also suggest and ask if Zhongli wants to see a therapist to help him cope with grief, he agrees and sessions after sessions plus the neverending support of others, the fog and pain lift.. Zhongli finally felt everything was so bearable and manageable.
They had no idea he had been engaged or that he was getting married. Zhongli can't help but wistfully thinking that they're here "I'm sure jie..that they're happy and watching us above also they have a soft spot for Ajax, I'm sure they approved"
Oh Ajax.. generous, strong-willed, and protective man. Zhongli fondly recalls how Childe always called him the most beautiful and elegant person he ever laid his eyes on when they were kids. He was even asking if he was an angel. Zhongli was taken aback for a bit and then just laughed it off. He found it amusing, and since that encounter, they have been joined at the hip. Ajax would hang out with him, study with him, fend off his suitors and bullies, and feel jealous when someone flirts with him. Ajax would also make him home-cooked meals for lunch every day and sometimes dinner when he would stay in their million-dollar house for the night. The moment Zhongli expressed his aversion to slimy creatures like octopus, Childe's expression morphed into a dejected puppy, yet he respected Zhongli's wishes. Though from time to time he got physical threats from Xiao if he mistreated him.
It doesn't stop there Childe would often treat Guizhong, his parents and give him money, buy him anything such as foods, expensive gifts, vacations, trinkets, and otherwise spoil him rotten, which would make anyone go, "WTF?" Zhongli realised that Childe's love language is gift-giving.
So just as soon as Childe gives another expensive hair pin and books.. Zhongli could only scratch the side of his cheeks, feeling appreciative at the same time. This is too much "Childe I appreciated your gifts..really.. It's just it's too expensive?"
Childe shakes his head "I know..It's fine, don't worry Li, you know my parents has always been away for their jobs, Pa owns a huge business while Ma is an engineer, since they rarely partake in family activities, instead they give us lot of money"
Zhongli sigh...In other words Ajax's family is filthy rich. It's hard to refuse him.
In exchange for everything Childe has done to him, Zhongli patched him up, when he and Scaramouche got into trouble, looking out for him so he won't aggravated his injuries after fights, helping Childe on his other subjects, answered his math assignments, cooked his signature bamboo shoots for him, and offered him unwavering support when he made important decisions.
Guizhong occasionally shoots them knowing smiles and giving thumbs up to Ajax when he subtly courts Zhongli, though Guizhong wants to bang her head in the nearest wall or shake him cause her didi is so dense, she did cure his money spending problem but not his obliviousness and unmovable like a rock.
In their second year highschool, there are rumours circulating around the school that Childe is a terrifying playboy sadist, and no one should oppose him but jokes on them he's loyal and faithful to one guy. Zhongli learned later that after Lumine and Aether kicked Childe's ass in their spar, apparently his cousins gave him the talk and encouraged him to take actions, AKA confessing his undying love for him then the twins laments that his pining at Zhongli aged them by sixty years.. no exaggeration, if Childe didn't say anything, Retuo (Potential rival of Childe, one of Zhongli's close friends) would grab that chance and make his move. Childe listens, takes their encouragement to heart and refuses it to happen.
So by the time the Lantern Rite festival came, Childe gathered his courage and sheepishly asked if he wanted to go to the festival and watch the fireworks. Zhongli accepts and he informs Guizhong that will attend. His sister lit up like a christmas tree and scrambled her legs to raid his closet, finding the best clothes to wear for the festival.
Upon seeing Zhongli in a new outfit that perfectly hugs his figure, Childe blinks and his jaw hangs slack.
"Childe? Is there something wrong?" He asked, embarrassment crept to his voice as Childe keeps staring at him
Childe snaps out of his reverie "Nothing Li.. You look stunning in whatever you wear"
"Flatterer" Zhongli mumbles without making eye contact, he could feel the warmth of the blush as it crawled up his neck.
Childe grins, relishing the moment he broke Zhongli's usual composure.
"We should go, or else we're going to be late"
—
The plaza was bustling; kids were laughing and running around as they squeezed between crowds to find the best spot to watch the fireworks; lights were being set up so that the entire Liyue was brighter than ever; and there were street vendors filling the sides and overall very animated.
"The festival is lively as ever" Zhongli comments while looking around the stalls
"Yeah..Come one Li. We can watch the fireworks on the second floor, let's go.." Childe glances at Zhongli then grabs his arm and slowly makes their way to the second floor terrace where Childe made a reservation for them..
Before the show starts, the two lean on the railings of the balcony, basking under the moonlight, a few seconds past Childe pulls Zhongli closer to him.
Childe averted his gaze to Zhongli and looked back at the sky "The moon is beautiful isn't it?"
"Yes, it is true, isn't it?.." That caught off Zhongli, he jerked his head back, stared at Childe, his amber eyes widening. "I-" he began, then looked down, "It's true, isn't it?
Zhongli won't never forget that time Childe confess his feelings, insecurities with so much sincerity
"Li.. you mean too much to me, I would be the happiest guy in this world if you say yes to being my boyfriend"
"Oh Ajax..Yes I would love to be your boyfriend"
Childe steps into Zhongli's personal space, with a genuine smile and his eyes impossibly warm, he wrap his arms around him then kissed his forehead "Thank you for giving me a chance Li, I swear you won't regret it"
—
Once Tonia, the flower girls, and Teucer, Childe's baby brother, the ring bearer had done their thing and walked down the aisle, the cathedral starts to play the wedding song they had chosen, and Zhongli placed his arm on his sister's arm, followed the tempo of the music, and begin walking with Guizhong.
Heading towards the altar, where his husband was waiting for him, and Zhongli was a hundred percent sure Childe was already crying.