Archive of Our Own

It was lazy evening. A wide double bed with a burgundy canopy was in the bedroom. Geo Archon is on it. The Eleventh Harbinger lied on top of him, leaned on Archon’s hot chest. He was pull to warmth and affection, but he will never admit it on his own. They were not yet asleep, but at the same time they were just quietly enjoying their solitude, closing their eyes, only the crickets playing their night song outside the window. Zhongli stroked the soft, fluffy flames on the boy's head.

“When did everything go wrong in my life?” the young man whispered quietly before falling into a sleeping giant.

 “Are you talking about how you ended up in the same bed with the Rex Lapis himself and at the same time were romantically linked with him?” but the man's words were not destined to be heard. Soft, cute snuffling disturbed the silence of the room.

Instead, Morax lovingly hugged the boy to him, covering him with a blanket. He rewarded Childe's head with a light kiss, as if fenghuang¹ was sitting down.

***

“Ha-ha, Mr. Zhongli! It's so kind of you...” The Eleventh Harbinger accepted the box containing the chopsticks from the consultant's hands, “I heard that these symbols mean something important.” Childe commented, looking at the cutlery. Zhongli only smiled at this. Nothing has changed since they first met. Tartaglia remained a tourist who knew nothing about the symbolism and traditions of Liyue. It was a sin not to use it.

“This is my gratitude to you for the pleasant company and for paying for dinners,” the consultant smiled, “and it's just a wonderful gift. Did you know that gifting chopsticks is a common thing at Liyue? And here are depicted a phoenix and a dragon, these symbols mean wealth, grace and happiness.” however, Rex Lapis values ​​relationships more than mora. He decided to keep silent about the other meaning of these animals. He also kept silent about the fact that he gave this gift a different meaning. Not to mention the fact that despite the attempt to provoke a friend, the man will not refuse at all if the young man learns about the other meaning and agrees to the proposal.

“You talk so much sometimes! I don't envy your future wife, I even sympathize her.” the young man laughed, and Zhongli only smiled enigmatically at that.

Childe is quite funny and atypical boy for his region. Ajax, unlike the other men of Snezhnaya, was incredibly masterful and pure. His room, which was rented by the Harbinger (Zhongli had been there more than once), was always neat and tidy, and the young man also loved to cook and often talked about his meals, which he prepared for his comrades. However, Tartaglia was also sharp-tongued – he always had some sort of taunt at the consultant, mainly because of his attitude to money. This touched Morax's pride a little. Somehow, but he was still an Archon and did not really want to tolerate such treatment. Knowing how good boys, like Childe, are treated in Snezhnaya, the revenge plan did not take long: to make a gift with a double meaning, one of which is an offer of a hand and heart to a girl. It seemed like the perfect idea, but…

***

“You may have taken the Gnosis of Morax, La Signora, but he gave me gifts himself! Like these chopsticks.” Tartaglia flaunted, showing Kunikuzushi and Rosalina the same, above-mentioned, utensils.

“No, listen, you'd better not tell him that, or he'll flood us here with his crocodile tears.” put in his two mora in an Inazum accent, and then Scaramouche burst into a hideous laugh, recognizing these symbols.

However, the woman did not obey.

“Yeah.” said The Fair Lady calmly. “I took his Gnosis, and you, it seems, his real heart and a hand to boot.” a crooked smile appeared on the face of The Eighth Harbinger.

And then the young man couldn't laugh. He suddenly changed his cheerful mood to worried and became serious.

“What?” Childe wanted to clarify.

“Oh, Tartaglia! You... Well, I just can’t! Going on a mission, and did not interest in the traditions of that country, nor in banal symbols, and even in Geo Archon himself!” she clapped her hands emotionally.

“I'll explain for the stupid ones,” called out the foreigner sharply, “that's what is written there – a phoenix and a dragon – symbols of wealth and so on. But this is also given to the bride. The fact that Morax values ​​relationships more than mora is a well-known fact. We put two and two together and it turns out: «watch your ass, the youngest and strongest of the Eleven Harbingers»!” he laughed even more.

Both of them left Tartaglia alone with his thoughts in the recreation room of the Zapolyarny Palace. He looked thoughtfully at those devil chopsticks and remembered his walks with Zhongli. He... Does Zhongli really like him in such a vicious way? The boy felt dirty, as if a bucket of laundry had been dumped on him.

***

The main hall of the Tsaritsa's Palace. All Eleven Harbingers sat at the long table in their seats, awaiting Her Majesty's orders. Everyone discussed the recent events and what to do next, not without comments from Kunikuzushi, of course.

“Entrust a new mission to our youngest,” said the doll, “at least let our homosapiens to do something.” looked at the redhead, specially emphasizing the first two syllables of the last word.

“Стули пельку, а то ща в мене в зуби получиш!”² threatened Tartaglia with his fist. The only thing he lacked here was the fame of a homosexual.

Tsaritsa rubbed the bridge of her nose. Once again, these two clinched. She should really give them a mission. However, for Childe, it was planned in advance. He needs to learn how to complete tasks without chaos around him, using diplomacy and communication.

“Everyone be quiet!” quickly reassured the ruler with a threatening intonation. “Balladeer and The Fair Lady – you both go to Inazuma. Get ready and then follow the details.” they calmly got up from the table. Tsaritsa planned to dismiss everyone so that she could speak to Tartaglia face-to-face, as the subject was very sensitive. Rather, a scheme they wanted to pull off with Pulcinella, and Morax so fittingly joined in with his request.

And that's it. They are alone. Tsaritsa would often let go of her cold ruler image as soon as she was alone with one of her Harbingers. Especially with Tartaglia, who was almost the most loyal of all. The woman treated him as if he were her son. She remembered him as a small boy, it was difficult not to attach the Goddess of Love to a child among the cruel Fatui.

Cryo Archon walked around the table, approaching the frightened Childe. As much as she did not communicate with him tete-a-tete, and his respect and submission to her almost bordered on fear and insecurity.

“Ajax,” she said in a crystal-clear voice, “I demand an explanation. What the hell have happened?”

The man awkwardly turns his head away, trying to hide his eyes behind his bangs.

“Young man, when the Tsaritsa Snezhnaya asks something, she gets answered. What kind of disobedience is this?” her tone became colder and harsher. The boy was shaken by this, but he still obeyed.

“Your Majesty,” The Eleventh Harbinger called quietly, “you see, our Scaramouche decided that he is an incomparable joker, a jester, if you will, so...”

“And I don't want to hear it. I am interested in the reason of that.” the ruler continued to direct Tartaglia. “You two are biting like a cat and a dog. I already told you that I will not tolerate such a thing among the Harbingers. Say what happened this time.”

“It's all that damn Morax...” Tartaglia sputtered.

“Morax?”

“Morax.”

“More details. I can't read thoughts.” the woman was not famous for her patience, and besides, she was curious about what the Dragon had done so extraordinary. Lately, he has been somewhat strange: he wanted Tartaglia on the mission and no one else, finding out about the Tsaritsa's desire to make him not only a warrior, but also a diplomat, Zhongli offered his help. Of course, the Goddess of Love knew what it was all about, she was open to all people's connections: past, present and future, but he was so persuading when things come to this red-haired young man... The ruler almost wanted to watch the development of their relationship.

“He gave me chopsticks.” Tartaglia breathed out, and then took a break, gathering his thoughts. “They depicted a dragon and a phoenix. Morax told me that they were symbols of wealth, and I was...” the boy stammered. He did not want to be a braggart in the eyes of the one to whom he had sworn in loyalty.

“And you, as always, decided to brag to others. I know you as I know my own ten fingers. Tell me more.” the woman rubbed the bridge of her nose from such nonsense. How could her strongest Harbinger be such a naive child? Although, what did she expect from a young man who had just come of age of an adult not so long ago?

“Well, Baladeer said something about giving such chopsticks to their girls.” Tartaglia turned, closing his eyes. He will not bear this shame.

Tsaritsa silently approached the boy, placing her surprisingly warm hands on the young man's shoulders as a sign of support. Childe turned to the ruler, and she pressed him to her chest.

“Ajax,” she began, “it's just chopsticks, calm down. There is nothing wrong with that. Cryo Archon smiled gently, but her smile was not seen. She only held this child tighter. “Scaramouche doesn't get along with everyone, it's not news for you. You and him would drown each other in a spoonful of water if you could.”³

The Harbinger buried himself in her big chest and did not make a sound, fearing to somehow anger the goddess.

“Okay, my boy, pick up your snot and listen,” the woman moved away, but still held Tartaglia by the shoulders, “no matter how I treat you when we are alone, work is work.” she started from afar, “You're one of the... No, you're the strongest Harbinger of all. I in no way want to belittle your abilities and skills, but... I would like you to be not only a skilled warrior, but also a diplomat. Not all problems are solved with fists, but your skills in negotiating in an official environment... Hmm, they wish for the best. That is why I want you to go back to Liyue, make friends there, and reconnect with this country after everything what happened. Do you think you can handle it?”

The boy looked at the Cryo Archon in shock. She just... Did she say she wasn't satisfied with his work? Is she dissatisfied with his role in the organisation?

“Yes, I understand, I am asking too much of you. But I want you to understand how important it is.” the woman escorted the young man to the exit from the great hall. “And not to return without making friends with Zhongli.”

***

“Mr. Childe,” called Ekaterina in the Northland Bank; the bored boy looked up at her, not showing any interest. He didn't even stop drawing something on the paper with his pen, “I ask you to forgive me, but Tsaritsa Snezhnaya herself asked us to control you in order you not to stay here on a business trip, therefore, if your grace...”

“I got it. I got it.” grumbled the Harbinger. To be honest, he wanted to stay here for a month and then return home with nothing. He didn't want to see Morax at all. And after the revelation with the chopsticks, it was simply embarrassing and awkward to catch on his eye.

With incredible reluctance, the young man left the building.

For now, Tartaglia decided to take a walk where Zhongli would definitely not be, and these are, most likely, expensive and hard-to-reach places. Nothing came to mind, except for the Pearl Galley, which is difficult for even wealthy people to get to. It is thanks to the fact that the beautiful lady Ningguan turns a blind eye to the work of this... For a nominal fee, the ship does not shy away from extorting additional funds for the passage «without unnecessary questions and checks». But mora is not a problem for the Harbinger. All in order to postpone the moment of their meeting.

A ticket to the Pearl Galley costs a lot of mora. During the day, it is an ordinary civilian place for entertainment and relaxation: traditional Liyue opera on stage, delicious drinks and snacks, pleasant atmosphere and intelligent conversationalists at the next table. However, as soon as the sun sets, it is a place of debauchery and other vicious and illegal pleasures. It is because of this that a visit to this establishment results in a lot of mora for the client (part of this income goes into the pockets of Lady of the Jade Chamber and she skillfully turns a blind eye to lawlessness). Everyone knew about it. Everyone except tourists.

It is because of this local secret Childe now is sitting red-faced like a lobster in the evening, and cannot take his shocked eyes away from the magnificent forms of the dancer on the stage. A girl, but possibly a woman (there was so much make-up on her that Tartaglia can't say her age for sure), vulgarly spilled her buttocks, which were barely covered by a miniskirt. It was so dirty that it made the innocent Ajax sick. Tartaglia drained a glass of fire water with a volley. After a couple of minutes, the guy downed another alcoholic drink, turned away from the half-naked «beauty». At the neighboring tables, people talked loudly, got drunk, lit cigarettes, and played gambling. Some men threw mora to half-naked worker on stage. Tartaglia seems to have returned from such an atmosphere to the ranks of Fatui of lower ranks. It's not that Ajax didn't like it, it appealed to him immediately. He was not brought up like that, in Snezhnaya such debauchery would not be allowed. Young man continued to blush like a beet, watching this shameless chaos. Next time he will choose a different place for playing truants. But there are advantages to all this bacchanalia. There will be no pedantic and perfect ritual bureau consultant here, according to all the laws of the universe.

But in the laws of the universe there is also an exception in the form of the laws of meanness.

“Good evening, Childe Tartaglia,” suddenly, out of the blue, sounded a low male voice over the boy's ear, “of course, I knew that young men of your age do not refuse to visit such... places... But I was very surprised to see specifically you here.” the man smiled kindly, placing his large palms on the other man's shoulders.

“О Царице!” Tartaglia suddenly turned in his direction, slightly frightened. “Пане Чжун Лі, ви наче Пилип з конопель вискочили!⁴ You can't sneak up on people like that, I almost had a heart attack.”

“Pylyp? What a «Pylyp»?”

Child threw the Archon's hands off him. And only then did the thought creep into his head that he was actually trying to hide here from this man. Cheeks became even more puffy remembering the reason to avoid him at all. And what the hell is Zhongli doing in such a vulgar place?! How did he manage to get here without having a mora left in his pockets (okay, he had it, but he often forgets it) and what did the consultant here forget at all? It always seemed to Childe that the Archon didn't really approve of such... entertainments. It is necessary to counterattack. As they say, the best defense is offense.

“I happen to be here at such a time. I didn't even know what it was like here at night. What about you, Mr. Zhongli?” the boy quickly picked himself up, leaned his elbow on the back of an oak chair. “I thought that a respectable, serious consultant of a funeral home does not visit brothels.” Tartaglia mentally praised himself for holding on well.

“There is nothing wrong with enjoying art. Even erotic, Childe.” Zhongli sat down at the table next to him. “However, I agree. There were better performances.” the man sighed, looking disappointedly at the dancer. “And brothels... Well, I attended them a couple of times, just in order to check the mortal body. Nothing more.”

“I doubt that people work here of their own free will. I wouldn't do such a thing in their place.” commented the young man, imagining himself in their place for a second. Hands envelop him all over, reaching for a thin neck covered with moles, for a narrow waist, milky small buttocks, slender long legs were spreading and... Even the thought of something like this without coercion and for a loved one caused him not just an ordinary shock or revulsion, but panic wild fear. And it's good that he has a high pain threshold, but what about others?

“Mora and contracts work wonders, Childe.”

“Don't I know it, Mr. I-forgot-my-wallet-again.” Harbinger snorted angrily at the Archon.

Zhongli carefully took the other's palm with both hands. His golden eyes peered mockingly into the indigo eyes. The God of Contracts already knew how handsome Tartaglia was, but only now he realised it. Freckles decorated not only his young face, but also reached his neck (the man was sure that there were freckles on his shoulders as well, and maybe even below). He wanted to touch each of them, connect them into bright constellations. Flaming hair barely covered his eyes. He wonders if it is also as hot as it looks? For a moment, Zhongli thought that he liked Tartaglia as an oddity for Liyue's region, that a dragon personality buried deep within had played a wicked joke on him. The man reached out his hand to the young man's thin face to gently caress his cheek.

“What are you doing?!” the Harbinger was so scared that he jumped up. Here he remembered the chopsticks, and the mockery of other Fatui, and the words of the Tsaritsa. All this put so much pressure on him. This is so wrong. “I... I have to go.” the boy turned around and quickly ran to the exit, just to avoid seeing this Morax. It seemed to the young man that for the first time in the last four years he would burst into tears from the emotions that suddenly flooded him.

Morax was not in a hurry to catch up, he would find Tartaglia in any case, and the Harbinger needed to cool down a bit. This is Childe, after all. He is not embarrassed by anything, except a warm attitude towards himself. Judging by his conversations and behavior, he hadn't ever had a romantic partner.

“It's time.” the Archon thought and calmly decided to find Fatui.

Rex Lapis was actually a dragon after all, so it wasn't hard to find the red-haired boy by the scent of adrenaline he left behind.

Walking calmly, he came across a narrow street that was formed by two neighboring houses standing very close to each other.

“Childe, are you here?” Zhongli's voice rang out, but no one answered, only something inside this alley stirred. This did not go unnoticed by the Adepti's sensitive ears. “I know you are here. How are you?”

The man approached the Harbinger, who was leaning against the wall and looking at the strip of already starry sky that was visible between the two roofs of the houses.

“What do you want? I'm not much like those stage girls if you think you can get on me. I am not saying that homosexual connects is a sin.” the young man turned away, but there was a high wall on that side as well, he is trapped, there is nowhere to retreat.

“Well...” the Archon began, when he was suddenly interrupted.

“I'm not a gay, did you understand?!”

“Boy, be quiet. You will wake everyone up now, and they will come running here. Do we need it?” the Archon stepped even closer. With a wave of his hand, he pressed the young man closer to him, to his broad chest.

Tartaglia flinched, but did not try to interfere in any way. He only clenched his fists on the man's shirt. It was so embarrassing that he was ready to burst into tears right now. It shouldn't be, he should recoil in disgust, swear and run away and never meet him again. And also, to fail the task given by Her Majesty with a bang, to give slack, showing that he is not able to complete such an easy mission.

“This is not, as you called it, a sin,” began the Archon, sitting parallel to the Harbinger, leaning against the wall, “in fact, having the honor of visiting Celestia, I can assure you – the gods don't care what do you do here and how you live, as long as it does not threaten them. No one will punish you for anything from there.” Zhongli reassured the boy, and caressed his fiery naughty vortices with his hand. He seemed to purr quietly, to which the funeral director smiled. Still, the formidable Eleventh Harbinger is actually pretty cute. Like that red kitten that thinks it's scary like a tiger. “No one will drive you out of Fatui. In the worst case, you tell me, I have leverage so that this does not happen. It is not in the interest of the Goddess of Love to fire you from the organisation because of a relationship. Did I reassure you at least a little?”

The boy in the Archon's arms hunched over and pondered. In fact, it's not to say that he hates it all as much as he shouted about it (in fact, it's just the opposite). The sight of this man almost made Ajax's legs buckle, and he didn't know what to do about it. It scared him. He spent the first fourteen years of his life in the village, where there was no time for any nonsense, because you have to help your parents cope, and the boy spent the other four in Fatui, where he knew nothing but training, training and more training. There were, of course, meetings with other privates, with whom they talked about various topics, but it was through them that Tartaglia realised that what he feels now in relation to Morax is wrong. The boy is shaken slightly, but he wants to check something.

“Can I...” Childe started talking, but stopped, wondering if he should start at all. “Ca-can I...” his fingers only touched the corners of Zhongli's lips with the tips of his fingers. “M-m-m...”

“You can, my dear, you can.” the Archon smiled, realising what Tartaglia wanted from him, and he himself placed his hand behind the back of Childe’s head, carefully tugging at his short hair, to which Tartaglia himself hummed softly.

The boy, without raising his eyes, quickly buried himself in the Archon's lips and pulled away just as sharply. He looked at the man from under his forehead again, checking his reaction, and not meeting anything against it, then repeated the kiss once more, this time lingering on his lips, savoring them. It wasn't as skillful (this is actually his first serious kiss! Before that, he was only poked on the cheek by his mother and Tonya! And teacher Skirk on the forehead before going to sleep), as he wanted, but it didn't spoil the overall picture of the feeling. Zhongli himself held the boy's head close to him, and grabbed his lower back with the other. Morax decided to do nothing, letting the young Harbinger have his own way, he knew it was important to try himself first and draw his own conclusions. Red-haired Fatui softly moaned into the kiss, puckered the Archon's lips a little (he did it as he understood from the conversations of his colleagues), his hands reached for the brown hair of the Geo Lord. The young man closed his eyes and his long lush eyelashes trembled funny.

At first, Tartaglia felt how ashamed he was to do such a thing, and only then did he understand that he actually liked it. He would like to continue, but all good things come to an end. The soothsayer moved away from the man's face. Hands trembled, ruddy lips trembled, everything trembled, and with them the voice:

“Haha,” a nervous laugh, “confessing one's feelings to someone like this... is so thrilling.”

“And don't even say that, my little one.” at this, Zhongli himself smiled kindly.

“Are you shaking? Because it was as if I sank into the icy water during Vodokhreshche⁵.” the boy looked at his palms laughing. “Do you see?” he showed them to the Archon.

“I see, I see.” holding a gentle smile, the man lowered his hands. Then he caressed Tartaglia's flaming hair, combed the long strands behind his ear, and the boy turned away, blushing like a lobster. After all, he realised his sympathy only recently, and before that he could not even imagine himself in a relationship with a man.

“And can you... Kiss me?” Childe called quietly. Still, Zhongli was incredibly surprised by this side of the Harbinger. Tartaglia is not the kind of guy who will be ashamed of something, embarrassed or half-whispered and trembling and afraid of something. Could he have been like that before some turning point in his life? (The Archon lived too long not to notice that the young man's life was divided into «before» and «after»).

Bright blue eyes peered into the hot gold of other eyes, waiting for the next move. But Morax decided to tease: “What-what? Honey, I didn't hear, repeat please.” the man hugged the little Harbinger closer to him even more.

The redhead fell silent, thinking. Almost for the first time in his life, he feels so insecure and ashamed. That's almost how he felt when Skirk scolded him and gave him the straps. But Skirk also taught him to always get his way, to be more determined.

“I'm telling you to kiss me!” sounded too sharp and menacing.

“Well, if that's what you're asking for...” Geo Archon pressed his lips to the boy's forehead, and then moved away. Still teasing.

“More! Kiss-kiss-kiss!” the young man rehearsed, laughing.

“As you say, my sunshine.” and Zhongli doesn't mind.

The Dragon quickly left little kisses on his face to Tartaglia's infectious laugh. The Archon hit wherever he could, but not the Harbinger's lips. So airily and funny, the boy has never been happier. Tears of laughter appeared in his eyes, but this did not prevent him from leaning more.

“More! More! More-more!” demaded the young man, no longer controlling his body or himself as a whole. He just forgot about it.

“So, it turns out, you are soft boy?” Archon smiles even more. “The formidable, strongest Eleventh Harbinger turned out to be so fond of simple warmth and love. Cute.”

It was as if cold water had been poured over the Tartaglia. He opened his eyes sharply and stopped flattering himself. He suddenly realized everything that had just happened and tried to push away from the wide chest of the Geo Lord, but he was held tightly – it did not work.

“Wh-what did you say?” he asked in shock.

His cheeks flushed, he embarrassed himself even more. He can't be cute! Girls and animals are cute, but not men like him! And in general, what is he doing here?

“I'm saying I like the real you.” the lips of the demigod touched the snub nose, at which the redhead closed his eyes. “Do not be ashamed of it with me.”

Tartaglia squinted: branchy horns appear on Zhongli, accompanied by a dazzling golden light, and a heavy tail fluttered somewhere behind Childe, waving a fluffy bone measuredly. The boy became suddenly serious, grabbed the horns-branches, and then suddenly approached Morax's face, kissing him on the mouth. Later, the young man tried to stick his tongue inside (as he heard it from the conversations of Fatui's privates), but the Archon did not give in.

“Honey, it's too early for you to do such a thing,” smiled Rex Lapis, caressing Tartaglia's hair. “I will teach you, but definitely not here.” a light laugh swept through the alley. The boy glared at him indignantly. “Don't sulk like that. I just don't want you to be scared of my... Hmm...” the man turned away, clearing his throat. Morax wanted to be as human as possible, so he was ashamed of his forked snake tongue and beastly behavior.

They did not stay for a long time and went home.

***

“Sir, you are glowing with happiness today. Are you making progress on Her Majesty's errand?” Ekaterina commented, placing strong black tea with raspberry jam on a stand next to the Harbinger's hand.

Today is a new day, just dawn, and Tartaglia was already sitting in his office, signing papers, having previously checked the numbers on the forms. He raised the pen to his mouth, trying to bite it, but immediately Ekaterina interrupted him. The boy glanced at her.

“Huh? Yes, there are developments.” he returned to his work smiling. “I even think that I overdid it.” he grunted quietly, and then stretched. “It will be necessary to «consolidate the result» today, but it is okay.”

Tartaglia flashed one of his biggest smiles and stood up to leave the Notherland Bank. He was supposed to have his first official(!) date with Zhongli today. Hot tea slowly ceased to be so.

***

It's a good thing that Childe decided to go pick flowers in the mountains of Liyue this morning for a bouquet for his boyfriend. He just had time to make his gift of rare wild glass lilies and silk flowers (he remembered that the man liked the smell of the last plants), while collecting cor lapis crumbs, he decorated a flower bag with them, and inside, between the plants, the boy put small shells Tartaglia had no experience in composition, so he did everything as he felt. He could have easily bought a bouquet himself, but as a child he was always told that the best gift is the one made with his own hands.

Putting on a sincere smile, the boy hurried to the restaurant where he made an appointment with Zhongli. His chest was pounding, but his appearance did not show it. Tartaglia understood the expression «butterflies in the stomach», because he was feeling it right now. He had never felt so joyful yet anxious, elated yet fearful. He was overflowing with feelings full of contradictions. It seems that this is what he read in the light novels of a certain Yae found on Tony's shelf.

Once inside, Tartaglia examined a small «room» created by screens. Zhongli was already sitting at the table, sipping fragrant tea, until then he looked at the young man, who was standing as if buried with a lush bouquet of various flowers. The man smiled at him, nodded, flashing his dove eyes, inviting the boy to join him, but Childe still stood and stared at Morax like a ram at a new gate.

“Come here, Ajax,” the Archon called the Harbinger. Tartaglia himself shuddered at being called by his real name: it was unusual for someone other than his family to call him like that. “It is not good to stand in the aisle and let the food cool down. Join me for a meal.”

“Ah-ah-ah... Yes-yes! Of course!” the boy quickly nodded and winked at Zhongli, until he suddenly remembered that, after all, he had a bouquet in his hand. “Ah... It's for you.” the boy turned away, scratched the back of his head awkwardly. For the first time in his life, he was so worried that someone may not like something.

“Silk flowers and glass lilies... I must admit, you are very perceptive and attentive. I am very pleased to know that you remembered my favorite flowers. Thank you.” the man carefully examined the bouquet, separating the stems from each other in order to examine everything. Childe melted from warm words: he was too worried, because he knew how fussy and picky Geo Archon was. “Glass lilies are the oldest flowers in Liyue. I once planted them all over the country, but despite their unpretentiousness, they could not survive numerous battles, and therefore are rarely found in the wild.” Morax took one out and held it to his nose to inhale the aroma. “It smells. Currently, the cultivated species have no smell, but the real, wild ones have the ability to convert the memory of the earth into smell. I dare to assume that you did not just put together this bouquet yourself, you also looked for something to fill it with. You are so diligent, Ajax.” the Archon, as always, started his lectures, but he, despite this, did not skimp on compliments and sincere praise, because he knew how important it was for Childe to know what a good man he was (you could guess this simply by the way the young man tried to complete the task perfectly, but Tsaritsa could not help but tell the God of Contracts about it). “And these beautiful fragrant silk flowers. Extremely useful. In addition to the fact that they make high-quality clothes, and various oils from the seeds, not so long ago in Mondstadt, parts for some wagons were made from pressed waste. And then the cattle chewed it successfully.” the Archon thoughtfully unfolded the bouquet further, inspecting the things that caught his eye. Suddenly he took out a cor lapis crumble, about a hundred carats, and a small starconch and smiled. “Ha-ha, I appreciated your attempt at symbolism. I doubt that you chose this particular mineral because of its popular name «heart of the stone», and therefore considered its formation from the Geo element, and I am a former Geo Archon. However... To be honest, I don't really understand why the starconch. Is it because they are the same color as your sea eyes? Is it because they also come to the shores of Liyue from distant waters, just like you from a distant land?”

During this monologue, Child had already managed to sit opposite Zhong Li and listen to all his comments, because in the midst of his long conversation, praise in the direction of the young man jumped out, then it only attracted attention, however, getting used to the fact that he only listens, he was not able to answer immediately.

“Conches? Oh, yeah. I just collect them. I live in a village near the sea, hence its name - Morepisok, and there the tide often throws out all kinds of interesting trifles. I like to walk and collect beautiful shells. My sister Tonya also makes bracelets and necklaces from them.” Zhongli looked at him reproachfully after this pause before answering, and the boy understood what was the matter. “I'm sorry, I'm not used to listening so much and do nothing! I have, as they say, a needle in my ass.⁵”

“The only real luxury is the luxury of human companionship, Childe. Only after living a long life you’ll begin to understand it.” the man gulped down a Maotai⁶, grimaced a little from the taste of alcohol, but in general it did not spoil the picture for him from the consumption of food.

“You are just like my mentor. You always manage to teach me in the middle of long stories.” Tartaglia folded his hands on his chest and turned away, showing that he was also offended in general.

“Then your teacher is really an incredible woman: combining several different things, including raising a little spark plug, is not for everyone.” meanwhile, the Archon set down a bowl of bamboo shoot soup, trying to slowly change the subject so as not to spoil the Harbinger's mood for the following day. “No matter how much I try to be human, I still have a hard time understanding human souls. As much as I'm ashamed to admit it, but... I still haven't figured out what your favorite dish is.”

“A favorite flower is first of all a rejection of all other colors.”⁶ out of habit, the young man wanted to take a spoon, but there were only bamboo chopsticks. In his mind, Childe praised himself for the same ability to beautifully scatter words and give the appearance of such a «philosopher». Zhongli only raised an eyebrow, because he did not understand what the Harbinger was talking about. “I mean, I don't have a favorite dish, but something meatier and more nutritious I like. A warrior should not be picky about food, and I got used to all kinds of food during my life in a poor rural family.” with these words, he began to dine under the smile of God.

***

“Why am I finding out that you can dance only right now? Huh, Childe?”

“Because you’ve never asked, Mr. Zhongli”"

They are back on the Pearl Galley. Right now, the evening of dancing was taking place here.

One, two, three.

One, two, three.

The Harbinger led a slow waltz, pulling the man by the waist to him, and he, in turn, put his hand on Tartaglia's shoulder (only because Ajax himself demanded it). Tartaglia took the first step «from the heel», turning the foot to the right. Unnoticed by the Archon, the Harbinger calculated the length. The young man's movements were polished, perfect and coordinated, but in no way «grinded away». As someone once said: «Tous ses pas étaiten des sentiments»⁷. Fatui carefully circled with his partner. This dance had an elegance and lightness that was not characteristic of a warrior, which the young man was. Seeing the surprise in the golden eyes of the God, Childe was encouraged that he still had something unusual to show this old Dragon, so he spoke softly in his ear:

“You know, Mr. Zhongli, when a ball is held in the Snezhnayan capital, I am an enviable gentleman there.” this sentence was accompanied by laughter from the redhead.

“Should I be getting jealous, Mr. Childe?” the man's low husky voice answered with hints of sarcasm.

The two of them smiled quietly, mentally laughing at their role-playing and «whooping». They had discarded all formality in communication back in the days of the Eleventh Harbinger’s task in Liyue, but now they decided to play along with each other.

“In fact, the dances are no different from the Inazuma kata⁸, which my teacher taught me. Kata and dance – are just a combination of movements, nothing complicated.” said Tartaglia, not realising that both in battle and in the waltz he was pouring out a part of his soul. The fight is the meaning of his existence, and the dance is an attempt to convey his feelings. He did all this from the bottom of his heart, listening to it, but not because he just memorized certain movements. Unlike a young man without life experience, the Archon understood the true reason for such skills. He used to be the same.

Childe continued to lead leisurely, smoothly, without passing the initiative to the man. This did not fit into the image of a quick, lively boy. “It is woven from contradictions. What else is interesting about you, Childe Tartaglia?” thought Zhongli. The Harbinger, although he looked like the Geo Archon in his youth, still remained a mystery, and the Dragon wanted to master this puzzle even more.

***

“What are you writing, Ajax? Go to bed, you have to get up early tomorrow and go to Snezhnaya.” Zhongli let out a long yawn, flashing his large fangs. The Dragon went to bed early and got up late and really didn't like it when his Childe didn't go to bed with him. The man reflexively tilted his head back, but slammed his branchy horns against the wall, still not used to using his half-human form.

“Be careful.” the boy smiled at this sound, not taking his eyes off his letter. “Well, I am writing a report to Tsaritsa about my mission. You must have guessed that I don't just hang out in Liyue. “Tartaglia finished, putting the pen in the inkwell, took the letter itself in his hand and mentally read it:

« Dear Your Majesty Tsaritsa Snezhnaya! I have carried out your assignment with incredible success, however, I hope that you will not be too angry to find out that I slightly overdid it (as usual). We would like to discuss the details that may interest you during a personal meeting. I have to go.

Sincerely, the Eleventh Harbinger Childe Tartaglia »

Of course, Zhongli «guessed» what Tartaglia’s mission was, because the Archon tipped the Tsaritsa off about the favor.

Throwing off the blue hanfu that the boy had acquired to walk the streets of Liyue (however, as it turned out, no one has worn such clothes for a long time) and was now putting it on himself, he approached Zhongli, sitting on his lap. Geo Archon couldn't help but grab his thighs, which got him slapped on the hands. Morax brought his hands up to his waist. After all, Tartaglia was not used to such intimate things yet.

“Do you know how we kiss in Snezhnaya?” despite the above, Childe breathed it straight into the Dragon's lips.

“And how?” already anticipating Tartaglia's further actions, Zhongli covered his eyes.

The young man covered his eyes himself, and then touched the man's nose with his own nose, rubbing it. He quickly climbed onto his part of the bed and covered himself with a thin blanket.

Morax did not answer this: there was nothing to give the boy any more reason to be embarrassed. However, instead of a sweet snort, a disgruntled, sad moan was heard.

“What happened, honey?” Zhongli turned his body towards the redhead, running his fingers through his hair.

“I sympathise with myself.” Tartaglia turned his face, furrowing his brows offended. “Трясця!⁹ It turns out that your wife is me!”