Childe x Zhongli "A Servant to the King"

Chapter 12 || Noctilucous Jade ||

The pair left the building, walking to the castle's exquisite garden.

Childe held his hand above his head, shielding his eyes from the blinding light. As it was morning, the sun was in full display over the clear blue sky in Liyue.

The ginger felt a hand slip around his waist, Zhongli's hand rested on Childe's torso as he leads him to the garden.

The god and humans continued on the stone path underneath them. Feeling at peace, Childe was able to finally appreciate the landscape. Liyue is the complete opposite ofSnezhnaya. Warm, no true purpose, and he felt like an outsider.

Zhongli noticed Childe's expression grow gloomy. He sat the both of them down on a stone bench.

"Would you like to hear a tale, Childe?"

The other man responded with a nod.

The brunette began his story, Childe put his right elbow on top of his crossed legs. His arm supporting his head.

As Zhongli continue to ramble, Childe was captivated by the god's beauty as he slowly tuned out. He saw the movements of Zhongli's lips but heard no words. In the natural lighting of the sun, Morax somehow looked even more attractive than before. His brown bangs flowing in the wind,

For Celestia's sake, Rex Lapis had to be the most handsome person in all of Teyvat, the ginger thought to himself.

Bringing himself back to reality, he found himself slowly falling asleep. His head resting on the god's broad shoulders.

Childe dreamt of being back in Snezhnaya. Opening the door to his home, only to be bombarded by his siblings, hugging him so hard he fell back onto the snow outside. Going out to the lake to ice fish alongside his father, making traditional Snezhnaya cuisines with his family. Everything felt perfect, back home with everyone he loved, but was it, everyone? Something felt amiss in Childe's dream, someone or something was missing. He didn't have an ounce of a clue who this invdiaual may be. Was it someone he knew now, or a future partner....

Childe woke up from his dream, his question unanswered. He looked to his left, he saw Zhongli with his eyes closed.

"Your awake Tartaglia?"

God childe would never get used to Zhongli saying his name

"I want to show you somewhere. If you're still feeling tired can carry you"

In a bit of a daze, Childe accepted. Zhongli gently wrapped his arms around Childe, he carried the other man bridal style.

Childe was so close to him, he could hear the other man's heartbeat. Zhongli smelt of tea leaves and tobacco, or perhaps he smelt more like home. 

 Childe closed his eyes taking a short nap

"We're here"

Zhongli carefully let Childe out of his arms.

The harbinger opened his eyes to the entrance of a maze, the entrance was an arched hedge.

Childe gave Zhongli a puzzled look

"There's a surprise in there," Zhongli whispered into his ear

"I'll meet you when you solve this"

With that Zhongli vanished behind Childe.

"A challenge it is then"

Childe dashed into the maze, he ran into multiple dead ends. Usually, he never partook in these activities, despite that he knew the purpose of a maze. The air rushed through his hair as he sprinted deeper into the puzzle.

The thought of Zhongli going out of his way to give Childe a surprise ate away at him. He was desperate, he needed to find out what it was.

After many attempts, Childe made it, he caught his breath, holding onto the wedges. He laid his eyes on Zhongli.

The brunette was sitting in the palms of a geo construct shaped like two hands. Geo crystal flies fluttered around the God, leaving a trail of gold specks behind.

Rex Lapis was wearing his signature attire.

A white sleeveless cloak that was embroidered with his diamond and gold. It is said that the god of contracts, slaughtered many in this robe.

He approached the archon. The ground underneath him shook and then elevated Childe up. This caused him to tumble into the brunette's lap. A small smile formed from Rex Lapis's lips. He reached for something in his pocket,

"Here's your surprise"

Zhongli held a small brown box, fading into gold, there was a satin bow at the top. Opening the box, childe saw a Noctilucous jade earring, it was almost identical to the one he already owned.

"Please try them on"

Childe unclipped his current earrings and replaced them with the gift

"It matches your eyes as expected"

Zhongli lean in closer to childe's neck examining his gift on his servant

"Is there any reason you got this for me?"

"These are no normal Noctilucous jade, they have special properties to them"

"You'll find out about this soon"

Zhongli caressed childe's cheek

In the archon's eyes, Childe was stunning, he hadn't fallen for anyone because of *him*.

But as soon as he saw childe, the flame in his heart ignited once again

Childe saw Zhongli looking at him with such loving eyes

He took the opportunity and pulled him closer. Their lips touching once more

"Your beautiful Childe"

"Not compared to you, Lord Morax~"