[COMPLETE]Memories of Soothing Water

Chapter XIV

ITS BEEN OVER 10 DAYS BONE WHERE IS OUR CHAPTER
It's here I'm sorry I had to travel and exams so I couldn't write for these days, and life just hits stuff at me when I decide to update this story lol
Anyways, I decided to make this chapter a continuation?? Of chapter XII Since nobody falls in love with someone who flirted with them for 10 minutes while making them sign a contract
Here is chapter 14~
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The dappled sun showered the sky with its radiant light as dawn arose.
Childe walked out into the broad daylight with Zhongli. Having accomplished his undertaking, all the man had to do now was apologise profusely to the brunette.

"Well, at least you're exempt from Archon duties.." He chanced an exchange with the agitated man.

All the answer Childe got was malicious silence.
He sighed and murmured under his breath words not even he could understand.

"D'you honestly think that you'd get to keep to gnosis permanently? Oh! How absurd."
He snickered vehemently, much to Zhongli's irritation.
At this point, Zhongli was a ticking time bomb, and Childe was hastening the process.
Even if the ginger male was well aware of the situation, he continued afflicting Zhongli until he snapped.

"Oh~ Zhongli! What shall I name you? I always give special people nicknames...What would yours be I wonder~?" He smirked with disastrous purpose.

The brunette gritted his teeth so harshly he felt as if they would break under the burden.
After a while, Childe clapped his hands together in enthusiasm.

"That's it! Xian-"
"Would you please QUIT CHATTERING?!"  Zhongli exclaimed amidst Northland Banks premise.
Childe was taken aback by the abrupt shout and shut his mouth in dismay.
Zhongli too was also surprised by what was said by him and covered his mouth with his hands.
A few inconvenient moments passed before a word was proclaimed.

"My apologies, I acted a bit too sharp." Zhongli blurted out to Childe.

A low whine was heard from the ginger.
"So...You forgive me for stealing your gnosis, and also snapping you off?" He lifted his head and gazed at the man adjacent to him, pristine amber eyes staring back at him.
Zhongli groaned in defeat and nodded.

"So, in that case, you love me?"
"What?! I just said I forgive you!"

***
The two agreed to have a break at a small eatery near the suburbs of Liyue.

"So, Mr Zhongli, how did you end up in the Fatui's hands~?" He asked the brunette.
Zhongli looked away in remorse, he didn't want to say anything in the matter.

"I guess I'll never know.." Childe sighed and brushed off his doubts.
A waitress arrived at the table, inquiring about their order.
Zhongli glanced down at the menu comprised of fine paper.
There were various food options, but the price tag on them was quite distracting.
Childe, on the other hand, was untroubled by price and mora, he cheerfully ordered SquirrelFish and other supplements.
Zhongli stared uneasily at the menu, his fingers fumbling silently in his pockets, a yearning that mora would appear.
Childe caught sight of Zhongli's dismayed expression.

"What's wrong?" He asked, looking straight at the other man.
Zhongli promptly looked up to Childe.

"N-nothing of the sorts.." he reassured the ginger.
Childe squinted his eyes in scepticism, he didn't believe Zhongli one bit.

"I say, Mr Zhongli; have you ordered anything yet?" He smirked.
Zhongli was caught.

"Well, I, uh...." His voice faltered with every line he spoke.

He refused to tell the truth, after all, it would flaw the prestige for someone of his calibre.
But alas, Childe kept on persisting of his order.
Deep down, Zhongli knew that Childe would presumably realize that he indeed had no mora, despite being Morax.

"Do you like soup?"
Childe's voice unexpectedly broke the dim silence.
Zhongli nodded sheepishly, having been unnerved by his thoughts.

"What about this, Bamboo Shoot Soup?" Childe pointed to the menu, his fingers on the dish's name.

"I guess it wouldn't hurt." He said.
"But, what's the price? Your finger is covering it..."
Childe burst into fits of uncontrollable laughter.

"You? Paying? You must be dreaming! Take it as my treat." He assured Zhongli.
Although the brunette was exempt from his trouble and inability to spend when Childe was the one paying, he had to refuse as a mark of independence.
But, once again, the ginger man shut down his rejection and compelled Zhongli to let him pay.

After the two finished their lunch, Childe suggested a few landmarks he found in a newsletter to visit.

"Might we watch the sunset together? I admire spending my time with you.." He invited Zhongli.

Zhongli glanced at the newsletter which Childe was clasping, it displayed a stunning view of Liyue, even Zhongli had to appreciate the landscape.
****
As they left the shop, the rain gradually began to pour down.
It wasn't particularly forecasted to rain, nor was it indicating the slightest bit of downpour, so naturally, Childe and Zhongli weren't expecting this sudden alteration in weather.

"This damned weather..."
Zhongli cursed under his breath.

Childe looked over to the now freezing man and couldn't help but snicker at his expression.
Unlike the brunette, Childe had a jacket that sheltered him from harsh weather.
All Zhongli had on was his white collared shirt. (Something that is highly advised not to wear in rainy conditions, as rain seeps through the white shirt-and everyone know what happens next.)
Slight sniffles emerged from Zhongli.

"Do you want my jacket? I'm quite used to this weather-and wearing white while it's raining can show your...."
Childe halted his sentence midway.

"I am sure I can go on."
He rejected the offer, as to not sever his dignity, he had already let Childe pay.

"Come on! You don't want the world-or me to see your chest, do you?" He taunted Zhongli.

The storm had already soaked Zhongli's clothes, revealing some of his skin.

"Look, you're a Liyue citizen, and people from Liyue can't stand this weather, unlike people from my country, who love it!" He proclaimed.

Zhongli could not find a way out of Childe's persistent proposals, so he gave in once again.

Childe, now ecstatic, hastily took off his jacket-which was somehow dry, and placed it in Zhongli's hands.

"But now you only have a collared shirt.."
Zhongli mumbled as he looked at Childe's maroon shirt.

"At least it's not white!" He exclaimed in defence.
Zhongli hesitantly wore the silver-lined jacket.
He was quite set aghast by how comfortable the insides were, it was warm, Zhongli guessed it was made with the finest quality of fur.
The only drawback was how the sleeves were just a size too big.

"Oh my.. This jacket is quite comfortable."
He commended.

"Told you! My home town's products are all satisfaction-guaranteed! Nothing there has been put to shame!" He rambled on and on about the 'brilliant' merchandise that was sold in his country.
As Childe kept on gossiping, Zhongli buried his nose in the soft undercoat of the jacket.

"Aww, you're totally lovable for an Archon who's skilled in warfare!" He smiled as he glanced at Zhongli's flustered face.

"You know, maybe we should get together, you like war, I love murdering people, you like the sea animals, I love seafood..."
Once again Zhongli was engulfed with Childe's mindless discussion.

———-

When you when you when y°°°u
Once again author strikes and uploads at unholy hours of the night because they don't sleep
I always thought childes jacket would be very fluffy on the inside,,,
Edit: OH MY GOD I FORGOT IT WAS XIV A ND NOT XV IM SO DUMB