Work Text:
i.
the sound of footsteps padding through the concrete ground echoed through the narrow alley accompanied by labored pants. the sun shone impeccably bright, and the humid air enveloped the town like a cocoon protecting its pupae. seconds felt like minutes and minutes felt like hours. childe felt like he had been running for eternity, yet he had not manage to find a way out. his vision started to blur and his legs ached as he ran. exhaustion was taking over the little body of his but he persisted.
the weather in this area and the one over at his hometown were polar opposites-one as cold as the antarctica whereas the other as warm as the sahara. throughout the years, childe had been slowly starting to get used to the hot weather here, but with all the running, it was definitely unbearable.
after what felt like eternity of sprinting, the fox finally saw the end of the long and narrow alley entering his vision. he was almost there. so close, but so were the footsteps behind him. the sound of heavy boots clumping against the ground grew louder by the second, followed by incoherent shouts childe could not make out.
ii.
the day was particularly warmer than any other days in liyue. it seemed like someone had offended the gods up there as the sun heave no mercy to the town underneath. despite the burning heat, the village was bustling as usual. merchants standing in their stalls, tens of cargo ships pulled up at the harbor, and children running and laughing around in the streets.
zhongli had his hair tied in a high ponytail, something he had never done before. his bangs perfectly shaped his face and his bronze colored highlights at the tip of his hair glistened under the sun. his thin white button-up had the first few buttons undone, letting the collars ripple in the light breeze that occasionally came and went.
with a book in one of his hands, the male was going around town for a walk, a habit he does at least twice a week, rather than being confined in his office twenty-four-seven. out of all the other days he could have chosen, he surely picked the warmest day to go out.
“good day, zhongli xiansheng! it’s great to see you outside!” an older man by the vendors chimed, holding a hand up at zhongli.
“good day to you too.” zhongli waved at the man as he continued his stroll, the humid air hitting his face.
what he did not expect to happen during his walk, however, is a little orange creature jumping into his arms as he walked past an alleyway. taken aback, he froze as he stared at the creature curled in his arms. a little orange fox. his head whipped toward the sound of footsteps thudding and several men with rakes in their hands came to a halt when they saw him.
“a-ah, zhongli xiansheng!” the one standing in front of the pack spoke nervously, sweat dripping down his temples, whether from the heat or anxiety.
“what were you doing with all those equipment in your hands? moreover chasing after a baby fox?” zhongli questioned.
“w-well.. you see..”
“leave it alone.” his tone was icy.
with that small command, the group bid him goodbye and went off in the other direction.
zhongli looked down at the bundle of fluff in his arms, protectively curled up and quivering.
iii.
the crisp morning air blew into the inner chambers through an open window. the man was sleeping on his stomach, half his face buried into the soft pillows and his long luscious hair spread across his back and onto the silky white sheets. his eyes shut and torso softly rising and falling with each breath.
in the midst of his slumber, zhongli suddenly felt something fuzzy nuzzling into the side of his cheek.
“hm..?” he made a sound of acknowledgement, opening one of his eyes as it focused on a bundle of orange fluff standing on the bed beside his face, its four little paws dipping the bed. it tilted his head.
the half-awoken male chuckled at the sight. he reached out and gently rubbed the top of its head as it purred in response.
“give me a few more minutes, hm?” he mumbled before closing his eyes once again.
zhongli was then about to fall into a slumber once again before a voice called out to him.
“xiansheng..” his eyes snapped open.
“yes, childe?” his eyes focused on a large figure standing by the bed. a white robe loosely draped over his shoulders. orange hair that dropped to his waist and a pair of orange-furred ears sat on top of his fluffy hair. the ears twitched slightly at the call of his name.
“wake up? i made breakfast.”
“it’s going to get cold.” zhongli felt the other side of the bed dipped as childe sat down beside him. he leaned in, nuzzling his nose into the side of the brunette’s cheek.
“you made breakfast?” zhongli repeated, starting to wake up. his hand reached out to cup the other’s cheek as childe nuzzled into it, leaving a kiss on the palm.
“childe..” zhongli called out after a moment of silence. the pair simply basking in each other’s warmth.
“yes? what is it?”
“i had a dream.”