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One sunny day at Celestia Daycare, the bell rings for recess and the children are quick to escape their prison. The daycare staff chuckles hearing the little ones' cheers and cries for freedom, finding them adorable as always. Still, they are mindful enough to remind the children to not run in their haste to go outside.
However, there was one child who remained inside the room reading his book: Zhongli.
While it wasn’t unusual for Aether to see the boy with a book in his hand day and night, he is curious as to why he wasn’t joining the other children. He sits next to him and asks prompting Zhongli to raise his head and blink his golden eyes once.
“Oh, because I promised Childe I would wait for her.” Zhongli answers, glancing at the clock.
Aether recognizes the name immediately.
Childe belonged to the room next door under his twin sister, Lumine, watchful eyes. Per her stories, and his limited interactions with her, Childe is surprisingly well-behaved despite her rambunctious nature. The only flaw she has is her tendency to act before she thinks, leading to a few scuffles with her peers.
This is the first time Aether heard Zhongli and Childe being friends.
Ready to question further, they were interrupted by the door slamming open.
“Zhongli! I’m sorry for being late! Miss Lumine was being a big meany!”
A bundle of ginger runs past Aether, tackling Zhongli into a hug. He lets out a soft grunt in response but otherwise remains composed as ever. Childe nuzzles her face into his neck as he lifts a hand to pat her fluffy head.
“Um…Childe? I think you can let go of Zhongli now.” Aether pointed out but adds quickly when her lifeless cerulean eyes look at him. “I’m sure he needs his space!”
“Eh? But Zhongli doesn’t mind! Am I bothering you, Zhongli?” Childe whines, pulling away to give the boy the most pitiful puppy eyes she can muster.
Zhongli tilts his head and answers, “No. I like Childe.”
For a kid like Childe, his response meant everything to her. Even Aether had to admit such a genuine and direct answer is sweet. The girl squeals in delight, hugging Zhongli together if possible. Yet, he doesn’t seem to mind it and resumes patting her head.
“I like you alot too, Zhongli! When we’re grown up, let’s get married one day!” Childe exclaims excitedly.
Wait what?
They’re just children, Aether reasons. They don’t understand what marriage exactly entails. At most, they understand the equivalence of marriage is forever. So, Childe most likely meant she wanted to stay friends with Zhongli forever. Maybe things might change when they’re older and have a better grasp of it, but he wasn’t going to think that far ahead.
It was adorable seeing their friendship bloom.
“Okay, I can be Childe's wife then.” Zhongli said casually, unaware of Aether's brain screeching to a halt.
“Yay! I’ll be the best husband you’ll ever have!” Childe cheers, clearly finding nothing weird about switching their titles.
“WaitWaitWait- Shouldn’t it be Zhongli is the husband and you’re the wife, Childe?” Aether questions, trying to understand the pair logic.
The girl looks confused, if not mildly irritated, at him. Lips turning to a pout, she clings tighter to Zhongli, “Why can’t I be the husband and support Zhongli? And Zhongli can look after the house!”
Aether turns to the boy pleadingly for an answer.
Zhongli merely shrugs and says, “I like being Childe's wife.”
Aether wants to tear his hair off of his head and scream, “That’s not something a child should say!”
“See? Zhongli agrees, you big meany. Come on, Zhongli! Let’s go play!” Childe sticks her tongue out at him before tugging the boy out of the room with her.
Nodding, Zhongli waves at him as he leaves the room with her. They run past Lumine, who pauses to blink and watch the pair head outside. Then she peeks her head into the room to find her twin hunched over with his head in his hands.
“What are you doing, Aether?” Lumine asks, raising a brow at him.
“Haha…Nothing, Sis. Just realizing the kids are growing up faster than we can say ‘Emergency Food!’” Aether said sheepishly, straining a laugh.
“Okay?”
Lumine didn’t understand what he meant, but she shrugs it off and leaves it at that. Later, she’ll interrogate her twin over dinner after work with Dainsleif and Paimon.
Outside, Childe and Zhongli are playing house again.
“We’ll always be together, right?” Childe smiles, holding her pinky out.
“We are. I want to be together with Childe forever.” Zhongli smiles faintly, connecting their pinkies together to seal a promise.
Unaware of what their future will be like, they’re content living in the present and believing they’ll remain in each other's lives for as long as possible.