Work Text:
A typical Liyuen summer afternoon consists of two things. One of them is the incredibly blistering heat while the second being the immense workload and paperwork the bank still insists to dump on him.
Childe groans. The words on the paper are getting harder and harder to read, sweat drips down his forehead, and he feels glued onto the intricate, beautifully crafted wooden office chair.
He gently rubs his temples, letting out a sigh. I won't be able to get anything done in this heat, huh?
Childe tears his eyes away from the treacherous papers and takes a look at his surroundings. The small office he had made for himself is looking pretty good. Small but practical, with an adequately sized desk made form high quality sandbearer wood and a large bookcase of the same material right behind him. A couch is placed across from him, at the other side of the room, right under the Liyuen style window, wide enough to fit two grown men. Pots of various plants have their place at the corners of the room and beautiful ornaments adorn the walls here and there.
A small space, but lovely in its own way.
The window is closed however, and the room silent. As is the rest of the house. Zhongli had been out working at the parlor the entire day. Apparently an urgent matter came up and his presence was requested since early in the morning. He didn't specify when he would be coming back but it was almost time for dinner, and Childe had requested a Snezhnayan themed meal. That was mainly due to him being rather homesick as of late, and also trusting Snezhnayan cuisine to be more refreshing than any other jueyun chili infused dish the locals were so fond of making. Liyuen people loved their spice. Even in this scorching heat no less.
Childe groans again, the thought of jueyun chilies warming him up significantly more. He neatly gathers his papers in a pile and stretches his aching muscles, earning a loud 'pop' from his back. He decides to ignore the workload for the time being and makes his way to the bathroom in hopes that a shower will cool him off.
After spending a significant amount of time in there, almost not wanting to get out, he dries his hair in a towel and makes a beeline to the master bedroom.
Upon entering his eyes immediately fall on a particular oval shape in the middle of the bed, nestled between the fluffiest of blankets and pillows. Childe cracks a smile at the sight of it as he picks something more comfortable to wear. A simple shirt and loose pants will do.
A flock of children pass by their house, their laughter reaching his ears thorough the open window. Childe smiles again.
He looks back at the egg in the middle of the bed and carefully picks it up and cradles it in his chest. It's rather heavy but he never minded the weight. Weird as it may seem for some, he had developed a habit of keeping it close to him, making it as warm as it could be. He didn't know why, couldn't understand it and he'd rather not think about it.
Even if it had technically been months since he learned the news and had also delivered it, the whole concept was still new and somewhat bizzare to him. But even still, Childe couldn't deny the fondness and love he had developed for this unusual egg.
In hindsight, he never expected things would turn out this way. He never expected to be involved romantically with a God, specifically the oldest God in Teyvat. He found it hard to believe it could even be a possibility for them to work out, taking his job, and also the obvious fact that Zhongli had kind of used him to achieve his goal, into account.
But hardly any of that mattered anymore.
In a way only they know, they managed to find a way to make this work out for the both of them. Of course, their apparent differences, both in character and culture, occasionally made themselves evident and even proposed arguments and minor conflicts, but even then, the love they nurture for each other is far more important and dominant than those differences.
Whenever they're facing issues they always make it a priority to discuss them. Their troubles always come forth on the table and they never get neglected. They sort their problems, talk them out and move on forward more renowned than before.
And they are honest. As much as they can be excluding their most personal and private affairs concerning their jobs, or in one's case, their contracts.
But honesty is the most important factor in their relationship. They keep nothing from each other, no matter how insignificant, and they always make sure that the other is heard and satisfied. In every aspect of their relationship.
So, thinking back when Childe first heard the news about his pregnancy, he was concerned about probable dishonesty. How could someone so old, not know that something like that was in fact able to occur. Even as bizarre as it is.
Zhongli has been alive for millenia. How could he not know that he was able of reproducing? No matter the gender of his partner apparently. How could he not be aware of his own biology? There was no way that happened accidentally.
Childe could hardly believe him back then. He was put in a vulnerable position for the third time in his life. He felt scared and oddly humiliated. Something like that was not supposed to happen. Not to him as a man and especially not to him as a Harbinger. Someone of his stature should never be put in this situation.
But it did happen, and it took some time, with plentiful arguments from his side along with explanations and severe disheartened apologies from Zhongli, for Childe to finally trust him and believe that this wasn't another scheme on hid behalf.
Childe had placed his trust in his partner wholeheartedly the moment he decided to take him as his lover. And thus seeing Zhongli drowned in dismay, worry and adorning a terrified expression on his face when he delivered the news was a sight Childe never wanted to see again.
It was apparent that none of them expected this outcome and they could do nothing to prevent it. But once they decided to keep going with the situation at hand, Childe slowly managed to accept it.
It was by no means an easy feat. But having Zhongli next to him at all times, having him being so caring with him, talking him out of his worries, reassuring him that things could work out, that they would make it work out together, helped the most during the few months he felt the most unable to do anything. He treasured having Zhongli there to aid him during his most painful days and help him through the inevitable changes in his body and mind.
But not being able to spar and run around like he always did was the hardest feat of all. Some days it drove him almost insane, the battlelust pumping hotly through his veins, his hands itching to grasp a weapon or manifest his hydro blades and find a formidable opponent.
It took a lot of convincing from Zhongli to keep his head down and stay put for as long as it would be necessary. And if Childe were truly honest, he didn't want to harm himself or the child that was steadily growing inside of him. If anything happened to either of them, he couldn't bear to see his lover torn with distress.
And as the months passed, he became accustomed to it, as much as he could.
Some days he could hardly believe that it was happening. That the fact that he would soon become a father was slowly becoming a reality.
And in the end, he did become a father. Well, sort of. He knew they were not going to have an actual child right away. He knew the egg was part of the deal, but that still didn't shake off his awe and bewilderment when he first layed eyes on it.
Considerably bigger than normal eggs, with a soft amber hue and intricate patterns was the egg, the child, that pestered him and immobilised him for two months.
Childe could not believe his eyes. The main reason being the plain fact of how could this possibly even materialise inside me? The second being the sheer and immense pain of getting it out of his body. Truly an experience he doesn't want to go through again.
And now, for a almost a whole month, they have been housing and taking care of an immovable, non responding egg that assumingly contained their child. Their child.
And that was the last thought he found hard to believe was true. His own child with Zhongli. Definitely something he could never see coming.
But as the weeks passed and as his thoughts and daydreams of joyful future days accumulated, he started to accept it more and more with each day. He never believed he would become a father, not with how his job is, how demanding his Archon could be, and lastly, with how he himself is.
Childe is not delusional. He knows what he seeks for; raw power, anything that could make him stronger, battles to be fought and won, bloodshed and victory. A never-ending quest to conquer the world. And all that in accordance with the power grandly bestowed onto him by the Abyss.
All those things he fights tirelessly to keep away from his little brother, from his family as a whole; how could he keep them away from his own child? How could he starve it off with plain lies just to keep them happy?
And would Zhongli even accept it? The former Archon, the God of Fairness, could this man ever accept blatant lies being thrown directly in the face of his kid?
No, he couldn't and they talked about it. Childe promised he wouldn't keep his job a secret, at least not the entirety of it. But all the other burdens he carries will still be with him regardless of his job.
What will their child think of him when almost everyone in Liyue still gives him the cold shoulder and stares at him with underlying suspicion? What would their child think about the rumors that follow him everywhere he goes, along with the fact that most of them are absolutely true? What would they think of him and his absences for work? What would they think of his monstrous deeds and his favorite Foul Legacy?
Would they even love him? Truly love him?
His little siblings love him because he spoils them rotten and feeds them with lies. Because he is unable to spend enough time with them, long enough for them to bear witness to his restlessness. What would they think of him if he was to stay at home for a considerably longer amount of time? What would they think every time he returns back home covered in blood that is not his?
But despite all that, he wants to stay with his child when they are born. He wants to spoil them as much as he spoils his siblings and more. He wants to be there for them, to teach them all the good things he knows, to even teach them how to fight if they desire to learn.
He wants to teach them his mother tongue, his cultural heritage along with Liyue's, to tell them stories of his land and to sing them Snezhnaya's most favorable songs. He wants to put them to sleep with lullabies his own parents used to sing for him. He wants to cook for them and teach them his favorite dishes like his mother once taught him. To comb and braid their hair like he does Tonia's. To play with them and let them win deliberately because he knows that that would make them happy.
He wants to trap them in his arms and never let them go. He wants spend time with them, as much as he never could with his siblings. He wants to be there to watch them grow up.
But will his child be happy? Will they ever be happy with him? He knows, he believes, he is a good brother but could he ever be as good as a father?
Outside, the flock of children returns on their street, filling in the silence of the bedroom with distant laughter and Childe tears himself away from his treacherous thoughts.
It's highly uncommon for him to feel this way. Self consciousness and judgement of character was never something he actively put his mind into. He never had time for it anyway, nor he had ever thought of himself as someone who needed reprimanding, unless it was Zhongli who actively did it for him whenever it was necessary.
However, his mind had been put in a very strange place since the egg had been born.
Childe strokes the hard amber shell and gently rocks it into his arms. His gaze softens as he looks at it. The amount of love he harbors for this yet unborn child is immeasurable.
Even with all his worries he still can't wait to meet them. What will they look like? Will they be a boy or a girl? Will their hair be bright ginger like mine or dark brown with amber tips like Zhongli's. Would they share my blue eyes or will they have an intense golden hue like Zhongli's? Will they look human or not? Zhongli said there was a possibility they could be born with draconic features. Will those be permanent or not?
And lastly, even though he doesn't think of it as often; Will they have a problem with me not being an adeptus?
He knows there are other half adepti children in Liyue, even in Liyue Harbor, but he has no clue on how they personally view their relationship with their parents. He knows that some Adepti resent mortals and completely avoid them unless being summoned to protect them.
But how do half-adepti fair? Are they closer to the adeptus or the human parent? Would they even have a preference? Will they consider their human parent incompetent and insignificant because of their lack of divinity? Will-
"I can see the cogs in your mind turning forcefully. What has you lost in thought again?"
The deep baritone voice is unmistakable and Childe mentally kicks himself for not noticing Zhongli entering the house, walking up the stairs and even standing in the doorway where he's currently leaning against.
Childe adorns his brightest smile and turns to him, the egg still in his arms, his unusually deprecating thoughts at bay.
"Ah welcome back, lyubimiy. How was work? Did you guys sort everything out?"
Zhongli smiles back just as brightly, the fond endearment always seems to make glow in delight. "Yes, it all got sorted out in the end. We managed to address the issues regarding the funeral of an important merchant, with ties to the Qixing apparently. They needed me to resolve some problems regarding several old customs, but it was nothing troublesome."
"That's good." Childe hums, an instant thought comes to mind. "Ah yeah, did you get the groceries I told you about in the morning?"
Zhongli nods. "I did get everything, yes. You should be able to cook that Snezhnayan meal and entries you wanted for dinner." He finally walks up to him, his bright smile instantly shifting into a worried frown. "Still, you haven't answered my question, what is wrong Ajax?"
The man in question contemplates between continuing to look at Zhongli or to stare down at the egg in his arms. He opts for the latter.
"It's nothing. I'm fine I promise." A sigh leaves his lips. "I'm just impatient and I have a lot of things on my mind. Also this heat is unbearable." He chuckles lightly. "But it's nothing you need to worry about." Childe hopes the smile he adds will convey his feelings. (And the fact the he prefers to keep his worries to himself. No need to bother Zhongli with them.)
Apparently it doesn't. Zhongli is never that easily deterred.
"Hmm, it feels like you are holding back the truth. But no matter. You can talk to me whenever you feel like it. I'll be more than happy to listen and, help you, if you want me to."
Zhongli stands right in front of him, close enough that the egg is trapped between them, and leans forward, a hand comes over and cups his cheek, the thumb stroking him gently.
"I am here for you, baobei." He says it with such fondness, his eyes seem like two pools of honey and Childe cannot help but melt under their gaze. "If anything troubles you, I want nothing more than to lend a hand in taking the worry off your shoulders."
Childe's smile doesn't falter. He leans towards the hand on his cheek and his face feels suddenly warm.
"I truly am fine, my love. It's just the things I talked to you about the other night. The worry of... well, everything basically."
Zhongli hums in acknowledgement, the frown of worry never leaving his face. "And what spurred this on again?" His hand continues to rub him gently.
Childe hums. "Nothing in particular. I'm just thinking too much. I suppose it's because the days are closing by and they will soon be here."
He looks down at the egg. A child is going to emerge from there. Zhongli had told him the incubation period lasts for a month or a month and a half. However, judging by its size, theirs is soon closing towards hatching. That alone has put them both in an agitated state during this past week.
Zhongli takes his hand away from his cheek and carefully places it on top of the shell. A small fond smile grazes the corners of his lips. "They will indeed be here in not too long now."
His hand instantly glows, veins of gold forming intricate geo patterns run along his fingers and towards his shoulders that are currently hidden underneath his shirt. His hand glows and pulshes a soft amber light between his palm and the surface of the egg. A form of harmless crystallisation. A form of protection.
The first time Zhongli did it, Childe asked him what it meant, and what how it was affecting the child. Zhongli said that he didn't really know but simply felt the need to do it. It was probably instinctual, he said, similar to when mothers sing for their unborn children in hopes they will be able to hear and acknowledge them.
He then figured out that it was probably a form of communication between him and the child inside the egg. A way of letting them know that there are people out there who are patiently waiting for them. That they are safe, warm and protected. Yet again another Adeptus thing Childe could never be a part of.
"Do you feel it Ajax?" Zhongli asks him suddenly, stripping him away from his thoughts.
"What am I supposed to be feeling?" He wasn't feeling anything. Zhongli was just touching the egg that still lay rested in his arms and did that geo reaction. He didn't feel anything out of the ordinary but then-
"Don't you feel them moving?" Zhongli inquires, staring at him with his bright amber eyes. "They seem restless." He lets out a laugh. "I suppose that is trait they will share with you."
Childe was speechless. It was the first time he ever felt anything other than a stiff hard shell. The egg felt as it it was shaking, such a subtle movement but a movement nonetheless. Like a child in their mother's womb trying to kick upwards. He always assumed their child was in there but he never felt them responding. Except for now.
"H-How is this happening? I thought the shell was too hard to feel anything from the outside." Childe stutters, his eyes wide open.
"It is probably a sign that they are close." Zhongli explains. "They have gotten big enough to reach the sides of the shell. And their size makes up for the subtle sifting we can feel right now." He adds fondly, love and care unmistakable in his eyes and at the tone of his voice.
Childe stares at the egg in awe. The time was approaching at last. They were soon going to meet them after so long. After so much dread and uncertainty. He knew he should be feeling delighted, absolutely excited and impatient but-
"It will be alright, baobei." Zhongli says softly. Apparently he noticed. How couldn't he.
Childe only sighs. "I know. I just-"
"You have every right to worry. And it is, by no means, strange or an offence to them. This happened so suddenly and unexpectedly that neither of us had enough time to prepare, both mentally and physically."
Childe rolls his eyes. He knows Zhongli is right but that still doesn't put him at ease. He also knows that it isn't like him to dread and to worry. Ever since he came back from the Abyss he never felt fear of anything, he never dreaded and, for a fact, he was never deterred.
He is Tartaglia. A warrior. A strong weapon, capable of mass destruction. A name the weak and courageous alike fear in the battlefield. No, Childe was never scared. He was fluid like the water he weilds, easily adapting to every demanding situation.
But even water can freeze upon meeting the cold.
Getting impregnated by the eldest of the Archons, learning that not only his body adapted to the situation, but also getting ready to carry, not a just child, but an egg. Coming to terms with not being able to satisfy his urges for battle. And in the end, realising that he will soon be a father. All of that were capable of stopping his ever fluid motion in his tracks.
"That is true but still, I- I want to this to work out as best as it can be." He sighs. "But how could it work when I already have so much on my plate? I keep thinking about all the things I've been doing wrong with my siblings. About the times I could been spending with them and didn't because I was always summoned away." Childe says bitterly and downcasts his gaze.
"But then again, what difference would that make? And I keep thinking that it is afterall for the best that I am always away. That I spared them the burdens I carry and cannot always hide. And I can't help but believe that they, my whole family, would be dissapointed if I were to stay there for too long-"
Zhongli immediately frowns, his previous calm demeanor vanishing in an instant. "Ajax-"
"My little siblings would be disappointed if they saw me itching to fight and spill blood whenever the deepest parts of my brain demand it. So how can I possibly raise a child, Zhongli? How can anyone expect of them to be happy and satisfied if they bear witness to all those things that I do, that I need to do."
He's rumbling, he knows. But the dam has broken and somehow he can't help but spill the words.
"I want to be here for them, Zhongli. I really, truly do. But I don't know if I am competent enough to be their father." A bitter laugh escapes him and he quickly averts his eyes from the man in front of him. "I was never supposed to be a father the moment I fell in there." He trails, voice wavering.
Zhongli doesn't respond immediately and Childe doesn't dare to look at him, or at the egg for that matter. He focuses on a random button on Zhongli's shirt. A very nice and pristine shirt. The buttons look well crafted, each one embedded with the standard geo symbol. Definitely very Zhongli-like. He wonders who made them. Was it the tailor Zhongli always went to, or maybe it was-
A pair of glowing hands frame his face and lift his gaze from the buttons towards two twin, red rimmed, very worried golden eyes. He suddenly feels smaller under that gaze.
"Why didn't you tell me you were feeling this way? I dared not pressure you to talk but seeing this much worry on you deeply concerns me." And here goes the worried expression Childe never wanted to see again. He tries not to look Zhongli in the eyes.
"I should not trouble you when you too have your own worries." He knows it is childish. Something an insecure teen would say. But it is indeed true that neither Zhongli is spared the worries of becoming a father. Why should it be him who needs pampering and reassurance? He is not weak. He is just-
"We are both afraid, Ajax." Zhongli says sternly, his hands feel warm against his face. "We might even be terrified by the prospect of this becoming reality. But please, never disclose your worries away just because I also have mine. We have agreed to speak our minds and to help each other whenever we deem it necessary. And right now it is more than necessary."
He is right. Of course he is. But Childe is stubborn, and afraid.
"Even if I lay my fears out in the open, I don't see a way were the situation could be improved. I know how I am, how I act. You know this too, better than anyone I should say. So how could they possibly be okay with that?"
Zhongli takes his hands away from his cheeks and gently grasps his arms. "All this time we've been talking, and presumably long before I came back home, you've been holding them. You never once let them go and even grasped them tighter when you were voicing your worries just now."
Had he? He didn't take notice. He may have because his knuckles hurt a bit. "Yes but-"
"You keep repeating that they will not be happy with you. That you are an all too horrible person who's only best trait is loving the people he cares about from distance."
Zhongli grasps him tighter, his eyes looking at him intensely. It feels as if they could puncture two holes through his scalp.
"Yet I have been living with you, sharing a common space with you for a few years now. I see you everyday, I pay attention to the ways you move around the house, the routines you follow, the ways you work. Even the battlelust you need to satisfy."
Childe winces and clenches his jaw. But before he could open his mouth to retort, Zhongli continues on.
"I have visited your homeland with you. I have seen you with your siblings, how dotting you are on them and how much they value and love you, even if they indeed don't see you as often as they would want to."
Childe sighs and tries to walk away but Zhongli doesn't let him go.
"I have seen you with children unrelated to your family. With random children in the streets that adore you even if their parents pester them to keep a distance from you. Yet they seek you out whenever you happen to walk by when they play." Zhongli smiles at that, possibly from a memory he conjured in his head. One that Childe doesn't share. He looks at him fondly and Childe still wants to tear his eyes away. He doesn't deserve it, this amount of fondness, not right now at least. Not now when he's spiralling like this.
"And all the countless times when you joined them in their games even if the adults around you were scolding. I have paid attention to the way you told them jokes. To the way your laughter was contagious and to the way you fondly ruffled their hair and bid them farewell when it was time for them to return home."
Childe could do nothing but stare at him wide eyed. Had the other man really payed attention to all the impulsive things that he did? And did they really matter at all in the end? No, they possibly couldn't. Playing with children doesn't necessarily make you a good parent. Children who adore you wouldn't necessarily choose you as their caretaker.
Childe frowns but Zhongli continues on.
"You have a way with children that I do not share. Even if you argue that simply playing with them is barely scratching the surface of being a good parent, then I will disagree."
Zhongli gently rubs his arms, their faces mere centimetres apart and Childe can feel his heartbeat pounding faster. "You are an excellent brother, you would do anything for your siblings and you always come to aid helpless children in the streets. And when you show love, Ajax, you show it wholeheartedly. You dedicate yourself to your family and you provide them with everything they could ever want or need. And that is truly and admirable trait." Zhongli's stare softens, a meek smile grazes his lips. "Purely based on these facts, it's safe to say that you will make an excellent father." He finishes fondly.
Childe stares up at him, millions of thoughts crossing his mind, and after a small pause he finally takes the courage to reply. "While everything you said it's true, I still don't think that counts for good parenting. I may be playing with random kids in the streets and I may be giving my siblings gifts, and telling them lies to keep them happy, but all those things still don't make me a good parent." It doesn't matter if he just heard it. Childe is still not convinced.
Zhongli frowns once more. "What children want, baobei, is love. They need love and attention and this is something I have learned from you. And from all the people that I know and had the pleasure to meet in these later years of my life, you have the most love to give to the people you cherish."
Love. What is love if not a big overused word. Sure he loves his family, he loves Zhongli. He knows they all love him back. In their own ways. But was it love that made his mother terrified at him whenever he came back home covered in the blood from various helpless woodland animals? Was it love that made his older siblings avoid him like an illness and ignore him as if he wasn't there? Was it love that made his father send him to the fatui, and was it love that made his mother agree?
He also loves the Tsaritsa, but was it love that made her disclose important information from him and condemn his role in this, assumimgly, bigger and most important operation of his life?
And lastly, even though he despises thinking about it, was it love that made Zhongli lie to him and use him as a pawn his grandiose retirement plan?
How is he any different? How could he be any different from the people he loves? Who can tell him his child will not be disappointed in him as he had once been at his own parents, at his own father? At the people he admires and loves?
That the love he is capable of giving them will ever be enough.
"How can that be enough, Zhongli? I can give it to them plenty. Love and attention. But I cannot be certain that it will be enough. It certainly wasn't enough for me on occasion. If my family, if my own father wasn't enough for me, how could I ever be?"
Maybe it's the bitter way he says those words, or the fact that he truly doesn't know what else to say, but Childe feels a headache coming on. And even though he changed into more comfortable clothes to avoid the heat, he feels like burning all over, sweat slowly trickles down his back.
And he knows he's spiralling. He doesn't make any sense and for certain he's not thinking straight. He really wants this conversation to be over. He doesn't want to think anymore. He knew that he was never supposed to become a father. Not when he's this afraid even before he has laid eyes on his child. They truly don't deserve someone like him.
Zhongli sighs and begrudgingly takes his hands away. Childe instantly misses their warmth and the feeling multiplies tenfold when his lover also takes the egg away from him.
Zhongli carefully places it back to the makeshift nest, as he called it, and gently tucks it in among the fluffy blankets and the pillows. It's own small, special space saved for it on their bed. A way where they can keep it close and safe
Childe feels empty. He stands in the middle of the bedroom barehanded. Another small treacherous thought comes to mind, that maybe Zhongli took it away from him because he can feel the loads of his uncertainty.
That maybe he suddenly deemed him underprepared and ill fitted to father his child. That maybe all of his worries were in fact proved to be true by the man who matters the most.
But the thought quickly dissappears. Not because he wished for it but because his lover engulfs him in a strong embrace.
Zhongli's arms curl around him, holding him as if he will suddenly fade away and he rests his head at crook of his neck. Warm puffs of air tickle the hair at the base of his neck and Childe feels lips close to his ear.
"You are enough."
Zhongli's voice sounds loud and clear. It reaches through his ear towards his brain and makes its impact deep in there where his deprecating thoughts lie.
A statement, a testament, a valid command.
Childe doesn't know if it is the way Zhongli said it or the deep tone of his voice, but his eyes widen and start to sting with the promise of tears.
"You are more than enough and there is no one else that I would rather share this experience with than you."
Childe shivers, his eyes get glassy.
"You are not your father. You are Ajax and that is the only thing that matters. You have nothing in common with your father, for you love so openly and wholeheartedly without a doubt. Unlike him, you have an abundance of love to give."
Zhongli holds him a tad more tightly, his voice is strong and it feels heavy.
"You will love them and they will love you. And that is a promise. You will be an excellent, an incredible father and they will cherish you as much as you already cherish them."
Tears are now falling unbidden from Childe's eyes. His shivering arms find their place around Zhongli and he holds him just as tightly as his lover does. He rests his head at the crook of Zhongli's neck and burries his face at the soft skin there. Childe closes his eyes and the tears continue to drop.
"-They will not care about your past deeds, about the burdens you carry. About your connection to the Abyss or the fact that you serve the Fatui. They will love you unconditionally because you will give them everything they will ever need. All the love they could ever ask for."
Childe starts to sob, his firm hold on Zhongli tightens. Zhongli replies in earnest.
"-And even if you need to be away for a while, when your job demands you to, they will miss you. They will wait patiently for you to return. And when you finally come home they will jump straight into your arms and cling onto you so tightly that you will never leave again."
Zhongli gently holds his head and softly kisses his mop of hair. Childe simply melts.
"-They will love you, my treasure. They will absolutely adore you as much as I do. And that is a promise, solid as stone."
Childe feels his tears staining Zhongli's shirt but the latter doesn't seem to mind. He keeps holding onto Childe as if his life depends on it and Childe quietly thanks Celestia or whichever higher power blessed him with a man like Zhongli.
His lover's words slowly settle in his mind. He can almost picture it; A young kid smiling at him with a big toothy smile that is missing two teeth. A kid running towards him on the docks as he comes off a ship, jumping straight into his arms and hugging him tightly. A kid telling him how they have missed him and then sloppily kissing his cheek, exactly like his siblings always did.
The same kid looking up to him with such love and fondness, enough to reduce him to a putty.
Childe smiles through his tears and he's sure Zhongli can feel it, as the latter continues to gently pat his head.
He doesn't want to say anything. He feels content in their embrace. The fog has cleared and his mind is mostly at ease.
"-So please, stop worrying now, my darling." Zhongli adds after a few moments, his voice thick with emotion and heavier than usual.
Childe sobs one last time and tucks himself further in Zhonglis neck. A faint lick of shame trickles the back of his mind.
"I'm sorry." He says after a pause. "I-I don't know what came over me." His voice trembles.
"It's alright, baobei. I'm glad you let it out. I wouldn't want you to keep tormenting yourself." Zhongli replies instantly and moves away from Childe's neck.
Childe misses the contact but Zhongli makes it up with a warm smile that reaches the corners of his eyes. A smile so bright and reserved only for him. Childe's heart does a flip in his chest.
"-Afterall, it is an oath I took to bear your burdens, to ease your thoughts and to help you move forward. Whatever lover would I be if I weren't here for you?"
And this is the reason why the worry never stays too long in his mind. The reason why Childe has found a steady ground in foreign land full of people who still give him the cold shoulder him. A footing to build a life, a home with a man, a god, who has shown him more love than any other apart from his family. And everytime he is being considerate and caring, and looks at him like he does right now, with such immense love and care in his eyes, Childe can't help but fall in love all over again.
Childe smiles sheepishly at him, with a smile that rivals the sun in brightness and beauty as Zhongli had once described. He feels warm but for once he's not going to blame the heat.
He slumps forward and rests his head on Zhongli's neck again, closing his eyes and inhaling that strong earthy scent mixed with tones of silk flowers and sandalwood. The scent he has associated with home.
"I love you." He whispers against warm skin.
He feels more than hears Zhongli chuckle without malice, along with the steady up and down motion his hands trail on his back.
"I love you too, my treasure."
Childe shakes his head. "No you don't understand. I love you. I love you so much I might burst."
He clearly hears Zhongli laugh now. A hearty laugh that resonates through him and shakes his insides. And Childe loves it.
"Well we wouldn't want that now, would we? I don't think I'll be able to handle a newborn on my own, much less survive these newfound changes without you."
Childe huffs. "No, I think you'll figure it out. You have survived for so long afterall." He trails. "I doubt a newborn will be the Great Morax's demise." He instantly perks up, tease easily slipping into his tone.
"I think Morax has met his demise long ago." Zhongli nudges him and Childe finds his chin being lifted upwards, his eyes meeting two bright golden ones.
"Hmm, that is one bold accusation, Mr Zhongli." Childe coyly retorts.
"It may be but it's entirely true." The smugness in Zhongli's voice is unmistakable. He cups Childe's cheek with one hand and gently rubs away the remnants of tears around his eyes.
"Are you feeling better, my darling?" He gently asks.
"Yes I-" Childe shakes his head. "I'm fine, I promise. I just had a lot going on lately and it somewhat burst out I guess."
Zhongli's eyes go warm. "I'm happy you let it all out then. It simply wouldn't do if you kept it all within your chest." The arm around his waist moves to rub over his heart, as to emphasise his point.
Childe sighs fondly, his own hand clasps Zhongli's. "I'm fine now, don't worry. I'm all better." He says as he gently leans forward to press a small kiss on his lover's lips. "See? Good as new." He whispers against him, eyes lidded, glancing at the other man coyly.
Zhongli hmms a low sound and eagerly kisses him back before Childe has any time to react.
He closes his eyes shut and melts in their embrace.
It's so warm. So delightfully warm. Zhongli kisses him slowly, sweetly. It feels as if he's trying to convey all his love and affection within a kiss and all childe wants is more.
But before he could suppress a light moan and take things where he suddenly wants them to go, Zhongli slowly pulls away, leaving Childe to chase after his lips.
"Hmm, as much as I'd love to continue this I believe it is time for us to have dinner. Don't you think, baobei?" He says rather huskily, his breath warm against Childe's lips.
The latter only tilts his head in a slight invitation. "Are you sure about that? I could eat what's right in fron-" A loud growl from his stomach stubbornly interrupts him.
Zhongli heartily laughs, his eyes crinkling at the corners. "Well I believe your body just decided what it needs, my darling. Afterall, crying does increase one's appetite as much as I know of."
"Save me some decency, zolotse." Childe sighs with his eyes closed.
Zhongli laughs quietly. "You have nothing to be ashamed of, least of all crying in front me."
Childe only sighs again and beckons them to move. "I know, I know, I just want to let all of that go for now and finally eat something I've been craving since last night. Let's go cook, lyubimy."
"Alright then." Zhongli says with a smile and takes his hand.
But as he moves them away from the bedroom and past the doorstep, Childe stops in his tracks.
"Is everything alright, my love?" Zhongli instantly worries.
Childe nods. "Yes, you go ahead and light the stove. I'll join you in a few minutes." He quickly glances back at where their egg is still resting.
Without needing to say a word, Zhongli understands. He kisses Childe's forehead and walks down the stairs.
Once being left on his own, Childe sighs fondly.
What did I do to deserve this man?
Leaving his fond thoughts of his lover aside for later, he turns around and slowly walks towards the egg.
It's position hasn't changed, it's still nestled between its blankets and pillows. Blankets and pillows that will soon be wrapped around a small newborn.
Childe stares at the egg fondly. He tentatively reaches out and caresses its smooth surface.
"Don't be too long now, okay?" Love dripping out of his voice like honey. "Papa and baba can't wait to meet you."
In an instant he feels a faint pulse against his hand.
Childe's eyes widen. "It seems you can't wait to meet us either." He chuckles and without wasting a single thought he leans down and places a soft kiss on top of the smooth surface. "Be good now and be strong to break out of there soon."
He caresses the egg a little more. Thoughts of a not too distant future dirft through his mind and he can't help but smile. But his joyous thoughts come to a halt when a loud growl in his stomach reminds him that he should be joining Zhongli downstairs.
He quickly rearranges a few pillows and tucks the egg further in the makeshist nest. He knows that it won't make any difference since the baby is very well protected within its shell but... He supposes he has some parenting instincts as well.
As he's about to walk down the stairs, Childe looks at the egg once more from the open bedroom door. The sunlight hits its surface just right from the drawn curtains, making it glow like a most precious piece of gemstone.
Childe cracks a smile and he thinks that maybe, just maybe, everything will be alright afterall.