Love A Forgetful Dumbass

Childe +14 (Redone)

"Mmm... want food and primos..."
———

"Oh, good morning. Did you have a good rest?" Zhongli greeted.

"Huh? Sir Zho? You're here? Did I fall asleep outside? How long did I sleep?" (M/N) asked.

"Quite a while but the tea is ready. Try some." Zhongli offered.

"But I like water..." (M/N) softly protested.

"I suggest you try it. It'll help wake you up." Zhongli smiled.

Tiredly, (M/N) got up and moved over to Zhongli where he greeted him by rubbing his face against the side of Zhongli's neck. His rough hands took the smooth tea cup from Zhongli's own soft hands before drinking it, sipping slowly. He was very quiet and his eyes remained closed even though he tried to will himself awake.

It took a few minutes before Zhongli started witnessing (M/N) wake up, his eyes started gleaming as they blinked away the tiredness. A long stretch backwards with cute huffy sounds made Zhongli want to coo at the cuteness before (M/N) smiled at the fact a new day was starting. Zhongli was still wondering if (M/N) wanted to die since it is rare for people to be getting coffins so early in advance.

"Do you wish to die?" Zhongli asked, confused on where the boy stood with the topic of death.

"Me? Hmm, I wouldn't mind but I hope I can find a good partner at least before then. I'd also like to eat more food and see my friends grow and mature." (M/N) said.

Zhongli wondered if his guardians ever taught (M/N) much. His ideals seemed too carefree even for a person from Monstadt. He never bothered asking these questions in case he was rude. By the time he looked back, (M/N) was done with his cup. A bit of tongue sticking out from burning his tongue which Zhongli found to be a tad bit careless of the other. He was given back the cup with a smile but he wasn't expecting a kiss to the check. Was the new generation these days so bold or was it just (M/N)?

"Thank you, Kaeya said if you liked someone's food or drinks and you're either greeting them or saying goodbye then it's alright to kiss them. He only says not to do it with Diluc because he doesn't deserve it." (M/N) said.

"Do you kiss your partner a lot then?" Zhongli hummed softly after asking his question.

"He's not my partner, he's my roomie. He doesn't necessarily like me, he prefers the men he brings home sometimes I think, they get along well in the bedroom. I like him a lot though. They stopped coming around though... Why did you think that he was my partner?" (M/N) asked.

"Kissing is something special, it can hold a lot of emotions behind it. Yours towards me was one of gratitude. Even between roommate and acquaintances, it usually is rare to kiss them unless you do come from a culture that is open in nature. Here in Liyue, we rarely do that unless its for people you can consider family." Zhongli advised.

"Do you have people that you consider family?" (M/N) asked.

"I do, some have passed and moved on. Some have disappeared but I still remain. They will always have a place within my heart." Zhongli said earnestly.

(M/N) remarked mentally how sad that sounded, bittersweet. Hopefully, Zhongli would still find solace in his memories and in his current family. (M/N) understood how painful it must be to lose people precious to you even if he didn't outright see them pass on. It stayed in the back of his mind where painful memories shall be forgotten. He smiled before moving his hand to ruffle Zhongli's hair, which was very smooth compared to his own. He hoped Zhongli would be alright even after everything he had been through, not that he knew off.