Chapter Text
For as long as the ginger man could remember, he had been in a colleagues with benefits relationship with Dottore, Pantalone and Capitano. Sure he loved the sex and the four never crossed boundaries nor had any… “feelings” that could be obtained. It was ridiculous to Childe’s mind. Him? Falling for any of those three brutes? Ridiculous. He admired and held the captain in reverie and that was it. The other two were just furniture in his life. Furthermore, his own lover was the one who presented the peculiar idea of his superiors being integrated into their romance although they didn’t really hold an actual part in it.
Ajax loved Zhongli, that was a fact. And he’d never give up his old sexy dragon ex-Archon boyfriend to anyone, let alone let any of his superiors even near his boyfriend whenever they had one of their “sessions”.
And today, there was an appointment for one of the “sessions”. Except, Childe had been acting strangely since the morning and Zhongli was starting to get concerned. Not only had his lover paced around zoning out and fidgeting ever so often, he seemed to stare into random empty spaces and somewhat forget that he ever did it. With a heavy sigh, Zhongli heaved himself off his seat, his brows tightly furrowed and showing a small wrinkle on his forehead as he walked over to his lover.
“Ajax, are you alright? You seem distressed”. Gently taking the gingers hands and leading him to the couch. Awaiting a response felt like eternity, yet Zhongli did not rush, he merely rubbed soft circles over the back of Childe’s hand as he waited for him to return. A small twitcher appeared at the corner of his eye and his consciousness returned, a small gasp left his lips as he blinked and shook his head, clearing away the invisible fog in his eyes. “Wha- who- huh??” Was all he stuttered out. Then his gaze focused on Zhongli, his state slowly returning to normal again. “Sorry what were you saying?” A wry smile and awkward glance, face flushing slightly at how distracted he had been the entire day.
“Don’t worry about it, Ajax. Just tell me what’s wrong and I’ll fix it.” A gaze so patient Childe nearly zoned out again- but instead to stare at him rather than get lost. “I-I’m fine… I don’t know why I keep- why I keep zoning out… just a bit tired I suppose”.
“We can cancel the session if you’d like to rest.”
“No!- that’s be inconsiderate-“
“Ajax.” Was all Zhongli said to get Childe to shut his mouth. Truly the wonderful authority of what an archon should have. He was stern, yet gentle. Firm yet patient. What a jackpot of a boyfriend he had won himself.
“Yes…?” He replied slowly.
“If you are tired, stay home and rest. I will cancel the arrangement and future ones if required. I will stay for as long as you need and care for you, so long as not a single one of your hairs as much as nails are harmed. The other Harbingers may be in this for intercourse but I value you and do not wish to see you uncomfortable nor in pain”.
Childe blushed at the dutiful words his boyfriend just released from his mouth. What a smooth talker and he wasn’t even flirting. Pushing those thoughts aside, he reached his scarred hands up and clasped Zhongli’s face in his clothed hands, grinning with his usual cheeky smile. “I swear I’m fine Zhongli xiansheng! Besides, wouldn't want to disappoint, you know?” he winked and planted a large wet kiss onto the older man’s cheek before hopping off the couch. “See? I’m all good! I survived the abyss, I can survive a little zoning out. So, shall we go?”.
And that was a lovable aspect of Childe’s personality, something that attracted Zhongli further to be entranced by a mere Snezhnayan boy who only loved to fight when he had first met him. Then tried to drown his city but that was beside the point. He had this enthusiastic energy that was always so perky it threw him off guard most times than not although he had grown slightly more accustomed to it by now, his lover still managed to surprise him everyday. Seeing such an elated expression and flurry of movements, he could not help the small twitch of his lips as he stood and took Childe’s hand.
“Alright then. Whatever you say my dear.”
A snort and chuckle escaped his lips.
“love you too old man”