Work Text:
Childe remembers when he first saw him in the hallway.
He was tall. Taller than him (even if it was just by an inch or two.) He had long hair that was tied back into a ponytail. It almost seemed silky? It probably was silky. His build was lean, but he had muscle. He could tell he did some kind of sport. (He would later find out he played baseball.)
His eyes were gorgeous. They were a color that resembled cor lapis to a T. They were absolutely stunning. Childe felt like he could stare into them for hours without getting bored. In general, his whole face was nicely shaped. It was as if the Archons themselves descended from the Heavens to personally sculpt this man’s face.
Oh.
Oh, that smile. That God forbidden smile. That smile could easily trick anyone into doing anything if not everything for you. Oh, that gracious smile. Truly. Who was this man? Childe needed to know and fast. He wanted to talk to this man. No. He needed to talk to this man.
He’s so fucking cute.
”What? Who’s cute?” Hu Tao’s voice brought him out of his thoughts. Shit. He forgot she was next to him.
“Oh. The guy we just walked past. Nothing important.” Childe sheepishly shrugged her off.
(Childe would later find him on Instagram (Thanks to Ganyu) and follow him. To his surprise, he got a follow back.)
Childe would later come to find out that Hu Tao took a picture of the man he thought was cute. “We can now ask around if anyone knows him! You should thank me.” Is what she said. He knows she meant well, but still. What the fuck.
Now. He was following her advice. Which she should be happy about. He never does what she advises. He went around asking some of his friends if they knew this mysterious man by any chance.
Luck was not on his side. At all. This man was quite literally a nobody. No one knew him. He even went and asked Kaeya. Fucking Kaeya. That man knows everyone and everything. How did this man get past Kaeya?
Ganyu only knew his name. She mentioned how she had a class with him, but she didn’t know anything about him. Which sucked. He was expecting more than just a name. Something is something though.
“What’s got you so gloomy?”
“Go away, Venti.” Childe didn’t bother looking up from his phone. He already recognized that voice—he could probably pick it out from miles away, carried by the wind itself. (At least that’s what Venti always says.)
“I’m being serious! I’ve never seen you like this before. I’m quite curious on whats going on,” Venti added quickly.
Childe sighed. It wouldn’t hurt to tell Venti. “I’m trying to shoot my shot with someone. Yet no one seems to know him.” He gestured for Venti to sit across from him, and Venti obliged.
“Maybe I can help. Do you have a picture of him?”
Childe nodded, pulling up the photo Hu Tao had taken for him and handing over his phone.
Venti glanced over the picture before saying, “Oh. That’s Zhongli. He’s a junior. Plays baseball.”
Childe blinked. “What the hell? How do you know him?” Of all people, Venti knew him? But not someone like Kaeya?
Venti grinned. “We’re childhood friends. But that’s not important. What do you want to know about Zhongli?
“Is he single?” Childe asked. He really hoped Zhongli was. If not, well he’d obviously back off—but that would be a bummer.
“I’m not sure, but we can find out. Let me text him.” Venti pulled out his phone and started typing away.
Childe watched anxiously as Venti’s fingers flew across the screen. A few moments later, Venti’s phone buzzed, and he looked up with a grin. “You’re in luck. He said he’s single.”
“Wait. Really?! Let me see!” Childe tried to take a peek, but Venti quickly pulled his phone away.
“Hold on, give me a moment,” Venti said, still typing.
Childe frowned. “What are you doing?”
“Wait,” Venti replied far too casually.
A few minutes later, Venti finally turned his phone around.
Venti
heyyy so quick question are you single?
Zhongli
I am. Why?
Venti
oh cause my friend thinks you’re cute and wanted to know if you were or not
Zhongli
Who’s asking?
Better not be a freshman.
Venti
@/childeajax
ohhh…
Zhongli
Hell no.
Tell him to get away from me.
Venti
damn
Childe felt his soul leave his body.
“Venti! What the fuck?!” he shouted, which resulted in a room full of startled stares. He forced an awkward smile and mumbled an apology before turning back to Venti.
“Why would you do that?!” He whispered yelled.
Venti blinked at him, confused. “What? Is that not what you wanted? For me to help you?”
“Help?! I asked you to check if he was single, not snitch on me!” Childe hissed.
Venti tilted his head. “It’s not that bad though?”
“It is though! I basically just got rejected before I even had a chance! That’s embarrassing! I’d rather have just thought he was cute than be rejected like this!”
Venti stared at him for a long moment.
“…Oh.”
Childe groaned, dragging his hands down his face.
(Note to self: Never trust Venti.)
Childe had been drowned in work all afternoon long. He hadn’t had time to even pick up his phone. He had to finish a one pager by dinner. The only problem was that he decided to combine six pages to make one.
However, it was now all complete. He knew he would get the grade that he deserved. He went above and beyond but also followed the rubric. He was quite proud of himself.
Childe went over to where his phone was charging and sat down on the living room couch. He started looking through all the notifications he had received while he was busy working.
[childeajax] Zhongli
Ay my bad for saying that
[childeajax] Zhongli
And you took it the wrong way
[childeajax] Zhongli
Just that Venti told me that you got sad and it looked like you wanted to cry and shit and I lowkey felt bad
Was he reading this right? He had forgotten about that little fiasco from earlier and now the cause for the problem texted him. Just his luck.
The real question here is: who the fuck seemed sad? Because it certainly wasn’t him. Just what exactly was Venti telling him?
In the end, Childe just told Zhongli that it was fine and that he didn’t need to worry about it. He wasn’t offended by it and that he understood that it was joke. He also made sure to clarify that he was not sad just embarrassed.
All he had got in reply from Zhongli was “Oh ok.” He decided to then leave him on delivered. There was nothing else to say.
He had also received a message from Venti saying, “Zhongli said to text him.” When he went to reply to the message, Venti had already unsent it.
Interesting.
Childe was in bed, casually scrolling through his social media. He was at peace, waiting for it to be time to go to sleep. That was until he got a notification.
[childeajax] Zhongli
Bruh if you just said that to get Diluc jealous you could’ve just said that
Okay now what the fuck? Who the hell is spreading lies about him. Because one thing that someone isn’t going to do is spread misinformation on his name.
Zhongli
Bruh if you just said that to get Diluc jealous you could’ve just said that
Childe
??? what does Diluc have to do with this
Zhongli
Someone said something about using me to get Diluc jealous
Childe
oh wth 😭 well whoever told you that is lying cause i’m not trying to make anyone jealous
Zhongli
I mean I believe it
Or at least that you would want Diluc
Childe
if you don’t believe me then that’s fine i don’t expect you to since we don’t know each other
Zhongli
Nah I believe that you didn’t use me
But I’m saying I know you wanted Diluc
Childe
ohh okay well i’m not going to lie i did like Diluc 😭
Zhongli
No yea he told me how you went to our playoff game and you were cheering for him
Not for me apparently
Childe
oh yeah i just went for community service
Zhongli
community service to just watch a baseball game?
Childe
yeah
i know you guys lost but it was a good game
Zhongli
It was but it makes sense on why we lost
They’re a good team
I didn’t really do good either
Childe
i mean everyone knows their potential but you still tried
Zhongli
How are you so positive
Ive never seen a person this positive
Childe
I don’t know I just am
i like to see the brighter side of things
Zhongli
Damn Venti wasn’t lying
You’re sweet and lowkey chill
Childe
thats good to hear
well im going to sleep cause i have a test tomorrow
goodnight
Zhongli
Goodnight
You reacted with 💗 to Zhongli’s message
It had been two days since Childe last spoke to Zhongli. Two days. And in those two days, he had gone insane.
“Why won’t he text me?” Childe whined for what had to be the one hundredth time.
“Childe, honey, please. Shut up.” Signora replied as she filed her nails.
“Is this really how it ends?” Childe lamented dramatically. “Just ‘Goodnight’? Really?”
“If you don’t want it to end like that, text him.” Signora suggested, switching to her other hand.
“But what if he doesn’t want me to text him? What then?” Childe countered with a small pout.
Signora sighed, finally putting down her nail file to glare at him like she was about to bore holes into his skull. “Childe. He texted you to apologize. He texted you the next day. He flirted with you. Venti said he thinks you’re pretty. And you never know unless you try. Ever heard of that one?”
Childe huffed. “Okay. You know what? Fine.” He grabbed his phone and opened the most recent chat log.
Childe
heyyy
The second he hit send, panic set in. “What did I just do?! Take my phone!” He shoved the device into Signora’s hands. If he didn’t get the reply he was hoping for, he knew he would regret this.
“Everything is going to be fine,” Signora assured. She kept glancing at the screen and then, after a few moments, she smirked. “Well, would you look at that? He already replied.”
Childe grabbed the phone from her hands. He could hear his heart hammering through his ears. His eyes grazed the screen and there it was. The notification he had been waiting for. For two days. Two fucking days.
“Don’t keep him waiting. Reply,” Signora said, a knowing smile spreading on her face.
(Little did he know, hitting send on that next message would bring way more trouble than he bargained for.)
May
Childe
do you just fw frank or what
Zhongli
Nah
Sza
Daniel caesar
Drake
Childe
um that’s like my music taste
Childe
this is random but i lowkey didn't expect you to continue texting me after what Venti told you
Zhongli
What do you mean?
Childe
well didn’t Venti tell you i thought you were cute
Zhongli
Well yea
I don’t really care though
Childe
yeah i know i dont know how to stfu
i js yap
Zhongli
Frrr
Its funny though
And entertaining
Childe
nah i can’t be that funny and entertaining
Zhongli
What do you mean?
Childe
like i know i’m funny but not too much
i js yap i don’t know how you can find that entertaining
Zhongli
Cause you don’t run out of shit to yap about
Childe
i don’t know what shoes to get
Zhongli
I feel like you should get the white ones
I feel like they would suit you
Childe
tbh i feel like id probably have a lot of icks
probably because idk how to shut up
Zhongli
Like you of someone else or like of you
Childe
they'd think that of me
but who knows
Zhongli
I don’t know
Whats one of yours??
Childe
not knowing what you want
like mixed signals yk
Zhongli
Like not knowing if you want to be friends or date??
Childe
yeah cause it feels like a waste of time and like you're just leading someone on in a sense
Zhongli
Yea I know what you mean
Childe
mm
what else is there to say
oh it's almost 3 am
Zhongli
Oh damn
I didnt notice
June
Childe
can i ask u smth
Zhongli
Whats up
Childe
what do you want from me
Zhongli
What do you mean?
Childe
what are we
straight up
Zhongli
I don't know
Childe
wdym you don't know
that's why I'm asking
Zhongli
I always thought we were friends
Childe
oh alright i guess i thought wrong
Zhongli
What did you think we were
Childe
i thought you liked me
like romantically
Zhongli
I like you but like im too old for you
Childe
[attachment: 1 external audio | age ain’t nothing but a number]
aren’t i hilarious
but fr does it matter that much?
Zhongli
To me it does
I’m going to be 17
Childe
it’s two years what are you afraid of
Zhongli
It’s not really the age just the grade since i’m already going to graduate
Childe
to me it’s not bad
but even then if you knew that then why did you keep talking to me
Zhongli
Well cause I thought we were friends
Childe
okay so let me reword myself
do you actually like me or are you leading me on cause i'm stressed out cause idk what you want
Zhongli
I don’t know anymore
Childe
wdym
Zhongli
I dont know i just dont know what i want anymore
And you said that was your ick
Childe
i've been gate keeping this one
i like u by niki you liked the other song by her so
Zhongli
So like is that supposed to be a hint or smth
Childe
let a guy be mysterious
just listen to it i think you'll like it
like seriously
Zhongli
Hold up im still looking for mine
Childe
hurry up
Zhongli
Una linda mujer by nivel
I give the song an 8/10
I like songs with secret meanings
Childe
yk my stomach hurts
Zhongli
Why
Childe
i’m not sure
Zhongli
Omg I gave you butterflies
Zhongli
Then go to sleep
Ill go to sleep too if it makes you happy
Childe
you just said you can't sleep
Zhongli
Well i can try
Childe
it's fine
i can stay up a while longer
Zhongli
No you cant just go to sleep
Childe
i'm fine
Zhongli
Are you sure
Childe
yes
Childe
go to sleep please
Zhongli
Ok
Childe
no actually it's 4:21 now
Zhongli
Ok then ill go to sleep
Childe
are you tired?
Zhongli
Kinda
I know you are so you should go to sleep
Childe
i can go till like
5
Zhongli
I can go all night
Dont try me
Childe
boy
this isn't a competition
Zhongli
Yes it is
Childe
just go to sleep
please
Zhongli
Like right now?
Childe
yes
right now
Zhongli
Ok then
I told you i could if you wanted me to
Childe
ur probs js gonna go play cod rn
Zhongli
No im not
That was a one time thing
Childe
js go to sleep
please and thank you
Zhongli
You can’t boss me around
But ill go to sleep
Not cause you said so
Cause I want to
Childe
you don't make sense
you just said you were gonna play cod
Zhongli
I was kidding
Childe
wtv js go to sleep
good night
Zhongli
I didn’t sleep last night
Childe
i thought you did?
Zhongli
I felt bad keeping you up
So i just said i was gonna go to sleep
Childe
that's nice of you
i knocked out i was so tired
Zhongli
You see i told you
Childe
nah i could've gone till like 5
Zhongli
No you couldn't have
Childe
but i could've
i'm staying up till 5 today
Zhongli
No you’re not cause im sleeping early
today
Zhongli
What is the best thing thats ever happened to you
Childe
hmm
i think the best thing that's ever happened to me is when my dad bought me this pillow that's supposed to be a plushie for my early christmas present when i was a little kid
i was so happy that he bought me it because he didn't want too and i remember the store was going to close soon and it was just a last minute decision on his part thank god he did buy me it because i still use it as a pillow and im not throwing it away ever
i sound stupid
Zhongli
No you dont
Its cute how you still love the pillow that your dad bought you when you were little
Childe
atp we're pulling an all nighter
Zhongli
Im down
Childe
if i dont get tired
Zhongli
Oh wait really
I thought you were gonna say no
Childe
you're still probably gonna pull one without me
so might as well keep you company
Zhongli
No im not
I can go to sleep right now if you want
Childe
no not yet
i was going to start yapping again
Zhongli
Finally
Zhongli
I’m playing a horror game with my sisters
I wanna stop playing it
Childe
then stop
Zhongli
I’m not
It’s fun
But so scary
We should play it later
Zhongli
Are you actually tired
Childe
yeah
Zhongli
Ok then lets go to sleep
Childe
im sorry i was trying to stay awake
Zhongli
Its ok
Ive been tired for so long
Childe
omg why didn't you tell me??
Zhongli
Cause I didn't wanna leave you alone
Childe
but i don't wanna leave you
Zhongli
Its ok
Ill go to sleep too
Childe
no you wanna stay up
Zhongli
Nooo
Go to sleep
Childe
what game do you wanna play?
Zhongli
No
Sleep
Childe
can we just talk
i’d rather talk than play anything
Zhongli
Are you sure?
Childe
yes
Childe
when i listen to a dream with a baseball player i think about you
Zhongli
You’ve told me already
Childe
oh
Zhongli
Yeah
It’s a good song
Childe
i put you on cs i told you i think about you when i listen to it
Zhongli
Thats cute
Wait cause of the lyrics or the name
Zhongli
Well i’m sorry someone didn’t text me all day
Childe
you were literally playing games all day
Zhongli
No i wasn’t
Childe
like half the day
and i expected you to be busy with your family
Zhongli
I was but I still texted you
Even with slow wifi
Childe
i want chips
Zhongli
Then go buy some
Childe
everyone is asleep rn
Zhongli
Go walking
Childe
who's gonna be working the cashier rn
Zhongli
We live near 24 hour stores
They aren’t that far
Childe
im gonna get robbed
Zhongli
Ill go with you
Childe
they’re gonna rob us both
Zhongli
You really got no faith in me
Childe
are you a daniel caesar song
Zhongli
Yea
Childe
because you’re just as beautiful as one
Zhongli
10/10
July
Childe
what about you then
ur js gonna play cod??
Zhongli
Yea
Its not like you talk to me cause youre always dry either way
Childe
omg i do wanna talk to you that's why i'm still up
you just wanna play cod
Zhongli
Well yea cause someone doesn't talk to me
Childe
okay how was your day?
Zhongli
No now you’re just trying to make up for not talking to me
Nevermind i should just shut up
Youre already mad
Childe
gts
Zhongli
If you don't wanna talk to me anymore just say that
Childe
honestly i feel like sometimes you don't wanna talk to me
Zhongli
I guess i dont
Childe
alright i'll let you be
Zhongli
Bruh i was being sarcastic
Or i don’t know how to explain
But i do like talking to you
Childe
i have a question
Zhongli
What is it
Childe
wanna play roblox
Zhongli
I’m going to play cod for 10 mins
Childe
that's fine
Zhongli
What are we gonna play tho
Childe
i don't know you can pick
-
Zhongli
Hold up a lil longer
Im almost done with my battle pass sorry
Childe
shut up i'm always rizzing you up
i put in the effort and the creativity
Zhongli
And i didnt have to put effort and you fell for me sooooo
I win
Childe
so did you so it's a tie???
Zhongli
Yea but you actually had to try
I didnt
August
Childe
you've just been playing
Zhongli
Yea
Its boring af
Childe
you don’t even talk to me anymore because you’re always playing
and you play until like 3 am
Zhongli
Noooooo
Buddy you leave me on delivered for hours
Childe
bruh that's you
Zhongli
Cap
You say you have a crush on me then leave me on delivered
Childe
you leave me on delivered for hours so i take it as i'm not wanted
but i do answer
Zhongli
Check the times we texted each other
Childe
okay i was busy since the morning
and i slept mostly the entire day
Zhongli
Excuses
Childe
don't flip it on to me
you play games almost all day and i'm on delivered
Zhongli
Well i cant be focused on you the whole time im playing
So when i can i text you
Zhongli
Idk
Childe
oh so i'm right then
you aren't playing all day
Zhongli
I do
But you don’t believe me
Childe
it's not that i don't believe you it's just that i think something is going on with you
cause you don't act like this
am i wrong or right
Zhongli
Idk
Childe
bruh ts makes me feel bad
Zhongli
For
Childe
i feel shitty because i'm tryna talk to you about how i feel and you just don't care
Zhongli
Its not that idc its just that idk
Childe
just answer me this are you actually playing all day or do you just not wanna talk to me bc if it's that i'd rather not be lied to
Zhongli
Bruh im telling you i play all day
But wtv
Childe
i don't want you pissed off either
i just felt like i was being ignored this entire week
Childe
are you leading me on
Zhongli
What does that mean
Childe
you making me think you like me romantically when you don't
because i do like you but sometimes im just like confused with you
Zhongli
How tf did i make u think that
Childe
idk that's why i'm asking if you are or not
Zhongli
Umm no
Childe
you sure cause i feel like your dry and then you barely reply
Zhongli
Cause i sleep??
Or im just tired idk
Childe
okay wtv
Childe
don't even start with me
we both rizzed each other up if anything
Zhongli
Cappin btw
Childe
so im a liar now?
Zhongli
Mhm
Childe
don't make me pull out a screenshot
Zhongli
I hate you
Childe
you love me
Zhongli
Other way around
Childe
im gonna find that screenshot
Zhongli
I have one too
Dw
Zhongli
Im good
You’re already in love with me
Childe
and you aren't with me
Zhongli
No
Childe
let's not lie
there's a screenshot
Zhongli
From like 3 months ago
Childe
boy didn't you just tell me saturday you aren't leading me on
Zhongli
I didnt say that
Childe
i had asked and you said no...
Zhongli
Nuh uh
Childe
why are you always lying omg
you're so difficult to like understand
Zhongli
Im not lying
Childe
bro hold up
ima find that message and screenshot it to prove i'm not making this up
Zhongli
Im telling you rn
Childe
so you are leading me on
Zhongli
Yea ig
Childe
so you basically made me think you liked me deadass this entire time
Zhongli
Buddy i told you in the beginning
Im not dating a freshman
Childe
yet you continued to talk to me
and said you liked me
but now you're saying you wouldn't date me because of a two year age gap
Zhongli
Exactly
Childe
???
what are you even talking about
are you gonna explain yourself or be weird
Zhongli
Zhongli replied to you
but now you're saying you wouldn't date me because of a two year age gap
This
Childe
honestly idk why you think it's so bad
Zhongli
I just do
Childe
yet you told me you liked me and continued to talk to me
so then why are you switching up now
Zhongli
Cause you kept talking to me
Its not like ima ghost you
Childe
what im getting out of this is if i was older you'd date me??
Zhongli
Umm yea ig
Childe
bruh ig?
idek why you care sm cause ik other ppl won't
Zhongli
Idk
Im not catching a case
Childe
it's not a case it's two years
yk what is a case anything that's bigger than four
Zhongli
Its cause lowky in high school its weird
Like 2 years is crazy
But like after its not
Childe
bro trust me it's literally just you cause it's pretty normal
idk i just really like you if i haven't made it obvious enough
Zhongli
Idk
I dont think so
Childe
nah idk tho
ur confusing and difficult
Zhongli
And you like me
Childe
and you fw me
Zhongli
Yup
Childe
did you ever like me
Zhongli
Huh?
Childe
you said you liked me before but like did u lie or smth
got me questioning everything
Zhongli
Nah
Childe
oh okay
well idk what to say other than it's literally two years and ur tripping and i just embarrassed tf outta myself
Zhongli
How bruh
I literally just told you i used to like you and you’re embarrassed now
Childe
cause your saying past tense and i'm saying that i still like you
ur tripping over nothing and im tripping over a lot
Zhongli
It’s not like im going to tell anyone
Childe
im like 99.9% sure you'll go tell ur hbs
Zhongli
Im not
Childe
wait okay let me like get this straight so you don't like me bc like i’d make you fall in love ykyk
Zhongli
Youre delulu
Childe
nah you're just tripping over two years like trust me no one cares at all
Zhongli
I do
Childe
ur weird and difficult
Zhongli
And you still want me
Childe
but i'm not giving up
i'll admit i do want you
Zhongli
At least you have hope
Zhongli replied to you
i'll admit i do want you
Really
I couldn't tell
Zhongli
It means i wont quit at stuff
Just like how you don't stop trying to make me fall for you (not talking shit)
Childe
in parenthesis is crazy
Zhongli
Cause you get pressed
Childe
no cs you laugh at me not with me
Childe
i don't wanna seem as if i just get mad at you all the time
Zhongli
You do
Its my fault but you do
Childe
out of curiosity
if we were to stop talking what would be the reason
Zhongli
I don’t know
Childe
oh so then there's no reason for us to stop talking
Zhongli
Basically
Zhongli
Why do you think i was being nice
Cause i wanted to
Childe
oh
Zhongli
Idk why youre tripping
Childe
cause you make me trip
September
Childe
bye i said you're so playing me and he's like i am and im like fuck you and he just laughs and i just repeat what i said and he's like it doesn't even mean anything anymore since i say it every day and i just said im a dumbass for staying here tbh
Childe
oh and i said what do you even get out of this and he's like idk
bye now i asked why he's playing me and he keeps saying idk
but yeah he is playing me
Aether
boy what the hell?????
Childe
he said he's still talking to me bc he's giving me a chance to make him fall in love w me
like i'm done
now he's being stupid
saying that he's giving me an opportunity to
GET A TIME TRAVELING MACHINE
TO WHEN HE WAS 15
AND THEN I WAS LIKE BRO
HOW ARE YOU GIVING ME A CHANCE IF U DONT WANNA BE SEEN W ME
NOOOOOO
Lumine
childe what do you even see in him
Childe
you love me
Zhongli
Erm
Childe
i know you do
Zhongli
Erm
Childe
ok
Zhongli
Im not gonna admit it if i did
Childe
yeah i know you do tho
Zhongli
Erm
Childe
omg shut up with that
Zhongli
Ok
And what if I did like tf
Childe
i almost fell off the couch
i was gonna die
Zhongli
Can we call
I dont wanna text
Childe
i explained to him why i act like how i do which was how i like him fr and i just don't wanna be like there w him while he's talking to a billion other people like i js don't wanna be the second option and he said
what if i was the main and there was others would that be okay and shit
it had me like ????
Lumine
childe… what the actual fuck????
Childe
and then he asks if it's better
to tell someone that they're talking to someone or not and i said yeah tell them and he's like if someone texted me id tell you and he was js yappin abt that and stuff
Aether
now.
we know damn well.
Childe
he said that he won’t accept but if i graduate yes like and then he said a lot can happen in two years so i said oh so ur gonna marry someone and he said maybe if they have money and i said okay fuck u and he said nah i’d have them and then u on the side
Aether
HELLO?????? what is this
Childe
so like basically that happened
and i was like okay so hypothetically you would fw me if i graduate
and he's like yeah probably
and i'm like okay bet ima wait
and he's like bro stfu
and i'm like nah like i dont have hoes so might as well wait and he said a lot can happen in two years
Lumine
idk how you can be so dedicated to him when you can do sm better
Childe
and i'm like yeah and then he said if he's nice and shit ima fall in love and i'm like i am and then he said ill be more in love and i said i physically can't but okay and then basically im so nonchalant cause he said how can you say that so casually
and then uhm we kinda were arguing and he's like yeah no way im waiting two years for this
and he just kept saying that
like ima wait two years for this hell no
BUTTT
HE JUST KEPT SAYING THAT SO HES SAYING HE WILL?
but at the end he did say smth abt how i would wait two years and he said he's gonna go to colorado and shit and he's gonna move there and i'm like okay bye fuck u and he said i can be ur gaurdian and shit
and then he said i should run away and i was like im not running away with you
Aether
this can’t be real
Lumine
i don’t know that to say anymore
Childe
he said if it's alright to fuck around with people but then lock in with me in two years and i said how do i know you won't lock in with them and he said cs i'm fucking telling you i won't
Lumine
he can lower down that tone tf
Childe
he's basically saying
he's gonna fuck around with people not now but like later i guess idk
and then he won't lock in with them like
and he said he's gonna lock in with me in two years fr
and i was like crashing out and like how idk why im here and he said cause u loveee me and i said and youre gonna lock in w me in two years and he said
so
like help
and that i can still call him and talk to him
and that if they ask him to unfollow me
and stop talking to me he isn't gonna
listen and he's not giving ppl his insta acc
Aether
CHILDE BLOCK HIM PLEASE
Childe
i asked what makes him so sure that we're gonna make it and he said cause he has like hope since a lot can happen in two years
and then i asked how is he so like sure to wait and he said honestly cause i fuck with you and i said thats lowkey sad and he said no like i fuck with you sm i'm willing to wait for you
Aether
ima be fr
this gotta be manipulation
Childe
and i asked smth which brought up like how guys describe ppl and he said he doesn't like say "oh yeah this bitch wants me so bad" he js shows ppl the acc and asks if they're pretty
which brought up the fact that ppl know abt me cs he started yappin abt how i never took him out to get food and i was like bitch im a secret and you don't wanna be seen with me what do u want me to do like go to your house and eat food there like no tf
Lumine
yeah
this MIGHT just be manipulation
Childe
am i too much for you
Zhongli
Nah you just dont stfu
But i like it
Childe
yeah you love me
Zhongli
You see why i cant say shit
Childe
sorry
Zhongli
Exactly
Childe
you still love me
Zhongli
So what
Zhongli
Why godzilla
Childe
first thing that came to mind
Zhongli
Why am i not the first thing on your mind
Childe
shut up and go home
Zhongli
What’s up with your note?
Childe
cause i don’t wanna be in love with another even in another life
heavy by the marias???
Zhongli
Thought it meant smth else
Childe
what
you have to say it now
Zhongli
Why not about me huh
Childe
ohh you wanted me to say it was about you
Zhongli
Ofc not
Childe
mmh that's not what you just said
Childe
i hate you too
i hope you lose every time on mlb to bots
Zhongli
I hope we make the 2 years
Childe
bro what
Zhongli
What
Just trying to lighten the mood
Childe
what if you find someone else and you leave me
Zhongli
Im not
Childe
right
Zhongli
🤙
Pinky promise
Childe
what if you're crossing your fingers
Zhongli
Both of my hands
🤙🤙
Childe
mmh
fine
Zhongli
Ig dont believe me
Childe
i do but what if you change your mind
Zhongli
I still talk to you everyday
Im not gonna change my mind
And if i do you kill me
Childe
um what the heck
Zhongli
What
Childe
you said it you aren't changing your mind
don't go back on ur word or the pinky promise
Zhongli
Yea no shit
Im not gonna say that just to say it
Childe
so you aren't locking in
Zhongli
With you yea
Childe
bro what?
Zhongli
Autocorrect
With work yea
Childe
bro stfu
ur pissing me off
Zhongli
Ok bruh damn
Childe
you can't even see that you're acting stupid
Zhongli
Im not
Idk what you’re talking about
The locked in thing??
Childe
yes youre just putting words in my mouth
and you wanna be funny abt it
Zhongli
I wasnt trying to be funny
Im saying like we’re locked in but we’re not yk??
Childe
how was the nap
Zhongli
It was nice
Im still so tired
And i slept 12 hours which is crazy
Childe
i slept
7 or 8
Zhongli
At what time did you sleep wtf
Childe
close to 4 am
idk
Zhongli
Wth whyd you gts so late??
Who were you talking to
Childe
the neighbor
Childe
that doesn't answer anything
am i just a joke to you
Zhongli
You take everything too serious
Childe
idk if you're joking that's it
Zhongli
But you say smth its funny like what
Childe
when do i say things like that
Zhongli
Everyday
But wtv
Childe
okay i'm sorry
if i can stop you can too
it js makes me feel like shit
Zhongli
Bro its cause alot of the stuff you do its like double standards
And it pisses me off
Childe
so do you
but ill stop doing that
if it pisses you off i will
Zhongli
I don’t want to talk about it anymore
Childe
So i'm dead to you or what
Zhongli
Basically
Childe
what did i do damn
Zhongli
Nth i just dont wanna talk
Childe
bruh why
are we not friends
Zhongli
Nah nth
I just dont wanna talk
Childe
but are we not friends
Zhongli
Idk are we
Childe
i think we are but idk about you tho cs if im being fr you were just fine like last week now your switching up so idk what ur thinking and i can't be guessing with you
Zhongli
Yea idk
Childe
what do you mean by that
Zhongli
Yea idk
Childe
are you being fr
is that all ur gonna say to me
Zhongli
Yea
Childe
bro
do u not wanna deal w this or do u not know what to say
Zhongli
No its just that idk what i want
Childe
and you just decided to tell me this now rather than before
Zhongli
There has been some evidence that has surfaced
Childe
evidence??
what r u on abt
Zhongli
Idk ive just always wanted to say that
Nah but my friends helped me realize that i dont need anyone
Im always happy by myself so idk
Childe
what does that have to do with anything
Zhongli
Because its what you want
Childe
how does you being happy by yourself mean that you don't need someone
that made me laugh thank you i needed that today
Zhongli
Its cause you dont get it bruh
Childe
then make me understand
Zhongli
I just wanna be by myself
But i say that and you get mad and call me
Childe
have i called u
Zhongli
Idk im tired
Childe
tired and dry
Zhongli
Ye
Childe
why r u so dry
Zhongli
Goodnight
Childe
bruh really ur gonna be like that now
Zhongli
Im telling you im tired
Childe
i think you just want me to stfu atp
but goodnight sleep well
Zhongli
Goodnight
And if i wanted youu to stfu i would tell you to stfu
Childe
are you trying to be distant and dry
Zhongli
Nah im just tired
Childe
alright how was your day
what did you do
Zhongli
Can we just call
I dont wanna move
Zhongli
I was
Childe
so you were waiting for me to text you
Zhongli
I was
Childe
boy you can text me too
Zhongli
I can not
I am incapable of speaking to people
Childe
yeah you think i'm stupid and down bad
Zhongli
Kinda
Childe
nah fr can i js know what you think
Zhongli
What
Childe
like about this
that im still talking to you
ik i look stupid and you do too
Zhongli
Youre crazy
Childe
that's all?
Zhongli
Youre crazy for still talking to me
Zhongli
Im really not
Childe
but you are
if you weren't i wouldn't be saying anything
you’ve been like this for days
Zhongli
Youre crazy
Im acting completely normal
Childe
idk man i know you like to talk shit but my feelings are just getting hurt atp
Zhongli
Its how i am with my friends
Childe
no cause you never acted like this before
Zhongli
Ig im just acting like myself
Childe
idk it's as if it's a drag to talk to me
Zhongli
I meannnnnn
Childe
ah
yh that makes me feel shitty thanks
Zhongli
I fw you but like fakk like i dont wanna
Childe
why not
Zhongli
I just dont
October
Childe
is it official
Zhongli
Is what official
Childe
your two man
Zhongli
What about it
Childe
i saw yall walking tg
Zhongli
Yea so what
Childe
js asking
Zhongli
I mean rn im not taking her serious cause people say shes a hoe
Childe
so you're gonna take her seriously later
Zhongli
Idk
Childe
you break my heart
Zhongli
I know
Childe
and your proud of it too
laughing and shit
Zhongli
Im really not tho
Childe
i’m telling you i like you just to see you with another girl
how sad, truly
Zhongli
I know
Im sorry
Childe
don’t act as if my feelings matter to you
Zhongli
I do tho
Childe
you say that but you’re with another girl and i’m here like an idiot
Zhongli
Villian arc coming up??
Childe
yeah you don't care
Zhongli
I do but i act serious and you don't believe me so whats the point
Childe
you say you care just to say you're probably gonna take her serious later
Zhongli
Ok then
Childe
what
i really don't wanna argue
Zhongli
Ima take a nap
Childe
oh fuck you
Zhongli
Idk wtf you want me to say
Childe
am i stupid for saying how much i like you to the point that im willing to wait for you just for you to brush my feelings off
nvm i answered my own question
Zhongli
You dont get it
Im waiting for you too
But you dont understand that
Childe
are you really?
Zhongli
Yes but you dont fucking get that and it pisses me off
Childe
why are you complaining
turn the tv off and go to sleep
Zhongli
No cause im talking to someone
Childe
thought you were forced into it and just doing it for Azhdaha
Zhongli
Not her
Childe
ohh okay so the neighbor then
Zhongli
Yes
Childe
who is it
Zhongli
the neighbor
Childe
im being for real
who is it
are you talking to yourself
Zhongli
Me too dumbass
Childe
you just wanna get on my nerves
Zhongli
Goodnight
Childe
you aren't gonna gts
Zhongli
No
Not talk to you
Yes
Childe
oh my god bro
whats the whole point in telling you smth if you aren't gonna take me seriously ever
then you get mad when i can't get shit through my head
Zhongli
If you’re so mad then stop talking to me
Childe
it's not that i'm mad it's just frustrating
i want this to work out is it that hard to understand
Zhongli
And iiiii
Want to gts
Childe
and there you go again
ignoring what i have to say
Zhongli
Yippers
Childe
do you enjoy doing this to me or smth
Zhongli
Nahhhh
Childe
then why do you treat me like this
Zhongli
Cuz
Childe
you can’t even give me an answer
Zhongli
Nahhhh
Childe
and you think it's funny
Zhongli
Nahhhh
Im just nonchalant
Childe
your attitude towards me makes me feel like shit idc if ur being nonchalant
Zhongli
Just how i am
Childe
you were never like this idk what's gotten into you
Zhongli
Im just nonchalant now
Childe
wonder why
you know i mean what i say towards you not that you even care since you're nonchalant or wtv
but i do
Zhongli
Im a nonchalant dreadhead
Childe
take me seriously i'm not asking for much
yk it sucks to see you walking w another girl smiling and shit knowing i have to deal with your nonchalant behavior knowing a few days before you said you were waiting for me too
i like you i really do that's why i'm waiting and i wish i knew what you were thinking
Zhongli
Ill take you serious but im nonchalant now
Idk why but i just dont care about stuff
Childe
i wonder why deadass
i just really want this to work out and i hope you do too cause that's why im waiting
Zhongli
Ummm idk what to say
Childe
did you mean it when you said that you cared abt my feelings and that you were waiting for me too
Zhongli
Idk
Childe
i thought you didn't say anything you didn't mean
Childe
do you not have anything to say for
yourself
you say you're waiting then to say you don't know knowing i like you like am i just a game to you
Zhongli
Ummm idk
Childe
is that all your gonna say to me
Zhongli
idk
Childe
you don't know what you want
you do one day then you don't
your indecisive
Zhongli
Yup
Childe
i hate this nonchalant attitude of yours
id say be honest but what's the point
tell me it yourself rather than me guessing
Zhongli
That idk what i want
Childe
there we go and i don't think i'm asking for a lot when i say can you not be as shitty
Zhongli
Maybe
Childe
really
maybe?
Zhongli
Yea
Childe
it's a surprise
you can see tomorrow
Zhongli
No tell me
Childe
it's a surprise
Zhongli
No tell me
Childe
i don't wanna
Zhongli
Ok im ghosting you
Childe
you think your funny don't ya
it's a surprise you can catch it tomorrow
Zhongli
No
Childe
it's a surprise
i think you can guess it tbh
Zhongli
Idc tell me
Childe
how demanding
Zhongli
Tell me
Childe
you’re forgetting smth
Zhongli
Please??
Childe
you seem unsure about that
Zhongli
Please
Childe
i haven’t told anyone tho
so it’s cheating
Zhongli
Omg
Childe
why are you still up
i thought you’d be tired from practice
Zhongli
Byeee
Im ghosting u
Childe
why is lil bro so mad
don't take it to heart babe ur js gonna laugh at me
Zhongli
Stfu
Childe
do you wanna know?
Zhongli
No shit
Childe
i js dyed my hair
that's it
Zhongli
Shitty ah surprise
Childe
ah
i knew you weren’t gonna care
Zhongli
What
Childe
yh you don't pay attention to me
Zhongli
I dont
Childe
mb for trying to make things go back to normal
Zhongli
Its ok
Childe
???
I genuinely ask myself what the fuck happened to you
Zhongli
Idk
Childe
i honestly wish we could go back to how it was in the summer when you actually cared and you weren't such a complete dick
Zhongli
Ummm yesss
Childe
nvm you don't even know yourself you never do you have me here like an idiot when you’re with a girl you’re “forced” to talk to
Zhongli
Yea
Childe
yea to what
Zhongli
That idk myself
Childe
i wish you could fucking know smth for once
Zhongli
I really cant tho
Childe
that's why i said wish dumbass
Zhongli
Ohhhh
Makes sense
Childe
u still watching movies?
Zhongli
Kinda
Childe
wym
Zhongli
I’m watching a show
Childe
ohh
we’re still playing
Zhongli
W
Childe
?
Zhongli
Idk
Childe
could tell
Zhongli
Nah
That was the last time they spoke.
The following Monday, Childe would come to find out that Zhongli had been caught walking around with a cheerleader from the opposing school.
They had been caught by Kaeya and Xiangling who happens to go to the opposing school.
They were caught walking around the stadium during halftime. Once halftime was finished, Zhongli went back to the home side and sat next to his friends as if nothing had happened.
Xiangling, (grace her for being his undercover agent), found out that after the game Zhongli texted Guizhong with, “not even a kiss or anything.”
Not even a fucking kiss or anything.
Xiangling
Childe
Pls stop talking shit abt Guizhong
Someone already told us u were saying stuff so pls
You know it's not her fault
Childe
i'm not ??
who's saying that
i haven't said anything about her
i told u i don't hate her it's not her fault this happened
Xiangling
they overheard u
and told Guizhong
Childe
baby let me
explain
idk who's telling you that i'm talking bad about her because im not and i don't appreciate when ppl lie on my name the only thing i will admit to is being petty to Zhongli but that shit was between me, Hu Tao and Signora you can ask both of them what we did and they'll both say that we js said really loudly "not even a kiss or anything" when Zhongli was near us but that's ITTT and that was all yesterday
Xiangling
[attachment: 1 image | Zhongli is telling Guizhong that Childe is talking shit about her.]
Childe
he got that shit so twisted
Xiangling
idk guys
Childe
baby we were being petty to HIM not her ask my friends
you know they wouldn't lie
Xiangling
[attachment: 1 video]
Childe
send it again
i couldn't hear it
-
Childe
Xiangling i don't like how things are tense between us but i don't hate Guizhong you can tell her that because i truly don't hate her it's not her fault this happened i have nothing against her we were js being petty to Zhongli to get a laugh out of it and it made me feel better but this was all yesterday
Xiangling
no it's okay Childe
don't worry about it
it's not ur fault
I js don't wanna get in the middle of things
BC yk u both are my friends
But i am gonna tell u rn
So u don't find out yourself later
knowing that I knew
He asked her to be his gf
Childe
no i get you don't worry about this anymore because i don't care about what he does
trust me all i really needed was like a breaking point to get over him and if she said yes to being his gf then good for her i hope he treats her well bc i know he made me wanna kms
Xiangling
idk if she said yes or not
but
I'll let u know
BC what he's doing is so fucked
Childe
baby i was js so scared that you were gonna drop me bc of this like i was actually scared cause how i told u we didn't do anything bad i wasn't saying anything bad abt ur friend and neither were my friends so for him to tell her that is so wrong cs i look like the jealous bitch and plus he told her a day AFTER not the day of
Xiangling
I would never drop u Childe. l've known u longer than her and even though that doesn't matter but I know u would never talk shit about a girl u barely know. And when I had heard the voice messages I knew it was bs.
Childe
but srsly like it is what it is now like what he did to me is fucked up especially cs it was half a damn year but if she said yes then i hope he treats her well
Childe replied to I would never drop u Childe. l've known u longer than her and even though that doesn't matter... more
wait what did he even say???
i couldn't even hear what he said cs my phone was connected to the car and when i tried to disconnect it the video like stopped
js summarize it
Xiangling
[attachment: 1 video | Yeah. He said that I downgraded and I defended you and said that I upgraded. He also said that he was going to come my house and fight me. But don’t worry, I’m defending you.]
if ur gonna confront him js don't like show him this screen recording
Childe
oh baby no im not confronting anybody especially him not bc im scared but bc knowing him he js wants my reaction and he's js gonna be like "idk" "yes i did so what" its like talking to brick wall im not tryna waste my time w that
NO WAY
THE LAST TIME I TALKED TO HIM
WAS LIKE A WEEK AGO
Xiangling
yes, it's all worthless. And I'm lowkey js disappointed in Guizhong cause she told me she didn't want to date him bc he was a senior.
Childe
[attachment: 1 image | Childe and Zhongli last spoke on October 27.]
Xiangling
NO WAY
oh hell nah
Hold up
Have yall talked in person??
CAUSE LOOK
[attachment: 1 image | Guizhong says that this was all said in person. Source: Zhongli]
Childe
dude
i was a bigggg secret
Xiangling
omg no way...
what was I gonna say
Guizhong is asking if he like
Ever asked u to be his bf
Which im assuming is a no
Childe
no
he didn't
Xiangling
Karma is gonna get him and her trust
Especially Guizhong after kissing the guy she’s been obsessed with and can’t let go while her and Zhongli were tg bro
Just like that. Six months flew by. Childe spent six months with Zhongli. He didn’t spend them with him physically, he spent his emotional health on him.
By the end of it all, Childe had been so drained from Zhongli. He never believed a person could drain the life out of another person. Yet, here he was now. Living it.
He could notice that the life in his eyes had been lost. Zhongli had slowly drained the spark out of them. Everyone had noticed months before and he was the last one to take note.
The first few days Childe had felt numb. He didn’t know what to do without Zhongli. Not that he was dependent on him, but rather he had built a routine with Zhongli. He would text him in the morning before school, after school, all through the afternoon, and finally call each other until eventually one of them fell asleep.
This routine had been built over the course of six months, and on a random Sunday, everything had crumbled. He didn’t expect it to end like this. He never expected it to end at all.
Childe then cried. Silently, of course. His family couldn’t know he was crying over a man. A man that he just spent six months with. He cried until his eyes were puffy and swollen. He cried until he couldn’t breathe. He cried until he fell asleep. He cried until there was a puddle on his bed sheets and a mess on his shirt.
Childe had held onto every promise Zhongli had told him, every word that would come out of his mouth, Childe would believe it and hold onto it like a lifeline. How is he supposed to get over the fact that Zhongli seemed so confident in waiting for him?
Or the fact that Zhongli was now doing everything he wanted, everything he begged for, with Guizhong. It’s silly. To have raging jealousy for a person he’s never met. Maybe Guizhong is a sweet person, maybe she’s sweet, kind, pretty, and caring. But what good does that really make? Childe is just the same, what difference is there between the two of them? Not to mention, they were in the same year. The only difference; she was a year older. What was the reason that Zhongli decided to choose her instead of him? Why her and not him? He had spent all his time and energy with him and she just came and swooped him off his feet. She didn’t go through six months with Zhongli, he did. So why? Why her and not him?
But that wasn’t the part that hurt the most. Childe was more hurt about Zhongli changing. The Zhongli that ended everything with him wasn’t the same Zhongli he started talking to back in May.
Maybe it was Childe’s fault for holding onto a version of Zhongli that had long been dead. But how couldn’t he hold onto the best version of Zhongli? All he had been shown by Zhongli recently was hate, anger, and frustration.
Childe wanted to hope, wanted to believe, that version of Zhongli was still there. The caring, loving, and gentle Zhongli. The person that he had become wasn’t the person that he had fallen in love with.
He couldn’t recognize the man that made him so willing to wait two years for him. Two years without pursuing anyone. Two years of focusing on his studies. Two years of just being Zhongli’s, no one else’s.
Why couldn’t he get a proper answer? Why did Zhongli do the things he did? Why did he make him believe that it was going to be him? Why did he continue talking to him if he knew it was never going to be him? Why was he promised all these false promises? Why?
Now, it’s been months. Childe had moved on from Zhongli. He doesn’t think about him. He doesn’t talk about him. He doesn’t look at him. He doesn’t care about Zhongli. He’s in the past now. It’s almost going to be a year since he first started talking to Zhongli.
Yet, in fleeting moments. Moments where he’s vulnerable. Zhongli somehow invades Childe’s thoughts. He doesn’t think about him willingly, it just sort of happens. Like Zhongli is waiting for the opportunity to strike at him even now that he’s gone.
But could you really blame Childe? Zhongli was a big part of his life, for six months to be exact. How couldn’t these moments exist? He wouldn’t be human if they didn’t happen.
Zhongli was his best friend. Yes, he liked him. But that didn’t take away from the fact that Zhongli was still his best friend. Childe cared about Zhongli. He wanted him to achieve everything he had ever talked about to him. Becoming a welder, going to Colorado to go work, get his parents a better house.
Zhongli and Childe had been best friends. They talked every single day for six months nonstop. They called every night and talked. There was never a dull moment between them. Maybe in the end there was, but in the beginning, before everything went tragic, there were sparks flying left and right.
The day Childe had a bad day at school, he had to stop himself from texting Zhongli to tell him about it. He was so used to their easygoing routine that he had forgotten that they weren’t on speaking terms anymore.
During these moments, Childe can’t help but miss Zhongli. He can’t help but think, “What would Zhongli say?” or “Zhongli would find this funny.” Because it’s true. Zhongli would always say the dumbest things to him. Yes, he never took anything seriously, but that was the fun part about him. He never knew what would come out of his mouth. Zhongli was the only one who truly understood him. They just clicked like that. There’s no words to describe it. The connection he had with Zhongli was, is, unique. It can’t be replicated with anyone. They were two sides of the same coin.
Childe truly did love Zhongli. Even though he couldn’t ever say an outright, “I love you.” Only just implications that were far too obvious, he truly did love Zhongli. In the end, he believes that he loved Zhongli so much that he couldn’t leave him. He couldn’t leave him despite the way he was being treated. He had a problem with it, yes, but he truly believed that Zhongli could change. He just needed time and someone to have patience with him.
Childe knows he shouldn’t say it or think it of all things and he hates himself for it, but he’s still up for waiting two years for Zhongli. He knows he shouldn’t even be thinking of wishful thinking moments, but he can’t help himself. There are so many what-ifs in his mind that he just can’t seem to stop himself from falling down a rabbit hole.
What if Zhongli is just with Guizhong for right now and then in two years he’s going to be back with him? Just like how he always said? What if Zhongli liked him so much that he had to go and spread rumors? Isn’t that what they say? If a guy liked you that much they’ll block you and hate you? What if Zhongli still thinks about him in moments like these? What if Zhongli ever gets an “I miss Childe” moment? Whether romantically or platonically, does he? Is he consumed by these thoughts just like how he is? Is he regretting his decisions now? What’s going on in his mind?
It’s silly. It’s silly and it’s dumb and it’s stupid but he just can’t help himself. Zhongli is with someone new and he respects it. He does. It might seem like he doesn’t, but he does. He’s not a home wrecker, he’s not the other woman. He can respect a relationship, (even if it’s quite wonky, but he digresses.)
Knowing that, Childe should stop having these reminiscent moments of Zhongli. It’s not healthy. He doesn’t want to be living in a constant state of remembrance for Zhongli. He wants to be free from that. He wants to move forward and forget everything and anything that involves Zhongli.
But, Childe can’t. Not because he doesn’t want to, but because he can’t. Zhongli was a big part of his life, for six months. He can’t forget about Zhongli, ever. He can move on from him, but he won’t forget about him. He won’t forget about the big life lesson that Zhongli taught him; don’t cross oceans for people who won’t cross puddles for you.
Even then, Childe is grateful that he met Zhongli. He’s grateful that they met and Childe got to spend his entire summer with Zhongli. Even though their love didn’t last and bloom until the spring, rather it thrived and wilted with the change from summer to autumn.
Zhongli was the best thing that had happened to Childe. Even though in the end, Zhongli had become completely unrecognizable, Zhongli was the best thing that had happened to Childe. Childe will always be honored that Zhongli walked into his life.
Things didn’t end well between them and Childe likes to believe that things could’ve been different, maybe with Zhongli being more mature and less prideful, they could’ve still been talking. But everything happens for a reason. At least that’s what he’s been told. He’s slowly starting to believe it or maybe he’s just convinced himself of that.
Childe is still longing for the day that he can call Zhongli and say he misses him. The day that Zhongli texts him and says that he missed him. The day he can hear Zhongli’s voice again. The day he can hear Zhongli’s laugh. The day he can see Zhongli’s beautiful smile. The day that he can receive Zhongli’s song of the day. He yearns for Zhongli. His presence, his voice, his smile, everything. Right now, he would’ve been on the phone with Zhongli while he played COD or MLB, Childe would just talk his ear off.
Those days are now over. Childe had to accept that. He accepts that, he does, he has accepted it a long time ago. But in these moments, the progress he had made just vanishes in a matter of seconds. It feels like shit. He feels like shit. Why does Zhongli have so much power over him even now?
In a couple of days, Zhongli’s impact will fade away and Childe will go back to being how he was. He will go back to hating Zhongli. He will go back to not caring about him. He will go back to achieving peace and leaving Zhongli in the past.
But right now, Zhongli could come back and Childe would be right back in like for him. It’s sad. It really is, but it’s just for right now. Childe will always be here for Zhongli. No matter the time or the place. If Zhongli texts him or calls him, Childe would answer in a heartbeat. He’ll always answer. Always
But that’s not healthy. He recognizes that. Which is why he needs to let go of Zhongli. He needs to let go of the old Zhongli. The good Zhongli. The bad Zhongli is the same Zhongli as the good Zhongli. It’s sad but it’s true.
He can’t keep holding onto someone that doesn’t exist anymore. He can’t keep holding onto memories that long have been stuffed into a box. He can’t keep holding onto sleepless nights of trying to get Zhongli to understand him. He can’t keep holing onto false promises that kept him alive.
So, Zhongli, thank you.
Goodbye, love.