After the sun has risen, Zhongli woke up to an empty place beside him. Panic rising, he started looking around the place. With no sign of Childe still being there, he could only continue the rest of his day hoping he was alright.
----
Some days have passed and Zhongli was feeling a bit futile. He decided to go out for a walk, hopeful of meeting Childe and having a talk with him. He starts walking towards one of the shops, looking at every trinket he finds interesting.
The corner of his eye jumps from the shine of the jewelry to a familiar silhouette, and as he lifts his head up he realizes it was the person he was looking for. Putting all the things down he walks towards, looking him up and down and being emotionally stabbed by every bruise and wound he saw on the pale skin of Childe's, his ripped clothes and tired expression.
"Childe... What happened to you.."
Childe lifted his view from the ground and looked at the worried figure talking to him.
"Nothing much... No need to worry.", he answered hastily.
The brunette gently took the other's hand and looked at the way it was injured, then carefully started to wipe the blood away.
"You don't have to... I'm fine.", Childe says, not wanting to trouble anyone.
Zhongli gives him a disappointed stare while picking him up and forcefully piggyback-carrying him to his house where he could finish taking care of the wounds. He took everything needed and sat on the floor, starting to heal all the injuries.
Childe was nervously staying in silence while paying attention to the other's actions. He left off a painful sigh and sat up.
"Thank you, but I have to get going no-"
"No, you have to stay until you completely heal. And you also have to tell me how did you even reach this bad of a state."
"I can't th-"
"You can."
"How? Do you know my schedule? I have to go-"
"I know you're lying, Childe. Are you trying to avoid me? Where did you go without saying anything, I was worried. Did I do something that made you uncomfortable?", Zhongli questioned, concerned.
"No, no, it's none of those I just had an important thing I had to take care of... I apologize, although I really don't see a point in you being worried about me. You know I can take care of myself too."
"No you c-" Zhongli tried to prove him wrong but Childe just continued to talk.
"I know how to heal my own wounds. Now I'm really leaving."
As he was about to get out the door, Zhongli pulled him by the arm:
"I just want to take care of you..." he uttered with a begging manner, looking straight into Childe's eyes, "...Please."
Tartaglia paused for a few seconds then looked away and broke eye contact abruptly. He turned his head back for a second just to meet those puppy eyes on Morax's face that made him break eye contact again.
Eventually, he sighed and gave in:
"...fine."
Zhongli grinned with a feeling of victory. Childe slowly turned his head and locked eye contact again. His heart was pumping his blood... faster than usual? His thoughts were interrupted by Zhongli's hand tightening on the grip then dragging him in bed. Zhongli made him cozy and then left to make some tea.
"What did I get myself into.." Childe whispered to himself and covered his face with the blanket.
A few minutes after, Zhongli has returned with the tea.
"Here you go, Childe."
"Thanks.." he whispered as he took a sip of the warm beverage in his hands.
"You're welcome." And he sat besides Childe.
"..."
"..."
An awkward and deep silence fell in the room. You could hear their heavy breaths and heartbeats, it was like they just met... why was everything so different, nothing much has changed from their usual relationship.
The silence vanished when Childe let out a soft yawn and laid in bed, covering his whole self with the blanket and closing his eyes.
Some time passes, and Childe suddenly turns around to face Zhongli. He grabbed his arm and pulled him in bed closer to him.
"Ah--"
Childe put his hand on the other's mouth cutting his words.
"Shut up and sleep, I'm too tired for this." Tartaglia said with a soft sleepy voice then immediately fell asleep. Zhongli didn't have anything to do other than make himself comfortable at this point, so he turned around to face childe and closed his eyes in the hope to fall asleep.
----
They were both hibernating into each other's arms, connecting their heartbeats into a unique rhythm that was echoing in the tall ceilings. The silence was so loud...
AY NEW CHAPTER SOMEONE KILL ME ಠ_ಠ
ok but fanfic writing is a mf addiction help(●__●)
