𝘼𝙜𝙖𝙞𝙣 [ 𝘼𝙐 𝙕𝙝𝙤𝙣𝙜𝙘𝙝𝙞 +18 ]

15: My Moon

Zhongli hugged Childe, pulling him into his arms. He didn't know if the redhead had understood the meaning of his gift, but from his reaction, he could deduce that he hadn't. And he didn't blame him, it was something in Liyue's culture and Childe probably hadn't had much time to delve into it. Childe allowed himself to be hugged, resting his head on Zhongli's shoulder as he closed his eyes, allowing the brunette to stroke his ginger hair. Yes, Zhongli was sure that he had fallen in love with Childe... But perhaps it was too soon to declare himself so directly. He gave him the apple as an indirect, but he probably wouldn't have understood.

"How did it go with Teucer?" Zhongli asked, still rubbing his hair lovingly. Childe stirred a little, sighing tiredly.

"Good," Childe yawned. "He liked the song," Zhongli could notice the smell of alcohol coming off the redhead, and it reminded him of the situation Childe was in. Zhongli He didn't like that Childe had gotten drunk, he could have called him after he got out of the children's home and he would have gone looking for him. Anyway, Zhongli didn't say anything, that wasn't the time to argue, and he wasn't the one to tell Childe what he could and couldn't do. "Then I met Thoma at the bar, and he brought me here," Zhongli hummed, continuing to massage the orange strands. "And you?"

"Fine," Zhonlgi whispered, closing his eyes. "They've had quite a bit of alcohol, although coming from Venti's family I'm not surprised. Xiao tries to moderate himself, so I've been talking with him after dinner," he explained, noticing how Childe was drifting off to sleep.

"I'm sorry I drank," Childe said sleepily. "Thoma told me not to do it, but I ignored him."

"It's fine."

"He also said something about the Osmanthus wine." Zhongli looked at the blue eyes, noting how the eyelids were about to close. He smiled, letting Childe lean against him again.

"It's a smooth wine, and I like the taste," he explained, Childe's hands sliding up his back slowly, closing the space between them. "It's the only alcoholic beverage I drink from time to time."

"Hm..." Zhongli smiled, reaching for the light switch, turning it off. Childe had fallen sound asleep, his breathing calm, his expression relaxed.

The brunette continued to stroke his hair, running his fingers through the ginger strands, closing his eyes. He was tired too, and he wanted to sleep. But it was still Christmas Eve, and he couldn't help but have memories of his mother. He missed her, especially this time of year, and he was sure Childe missed the rest of his family as well. But they couldn't do anything, just remember them as they moved on, they shouldn't get stuck in the past; no matter how much it hurt.

Zhongli pressed a little closer to Childe, being able to feel his breathing and his heartbeat. He didn't seem to be having any nightmares at the moment. He liked being able to be that way with him, it felt too intimate an action, and the only thing he could do was notice how his heart jumped with happiness. Childe trusted him enough to allow himself to be like this, cuddled up in his bed, allowing Zhongli to touch his hair. What more could he ask for? Even if Childe didn't want him back, he would settle for being able to have his friendship. He didn't know if there was a place for Zhongli in the redhead's plans, and if he said that didn't cause him some uncertainty, he would be lying.

Zhongli wasn't going to clip Childe's wings, even if his paths weren't meant to be together. He would set him free, he would not be another obstacle for him. If Childe was happy, Zhongli would be too, and that was what mattered most to him.

He wasn't sure when he realized his feelings for Childe, or if it was right to love him, but as confused as he was; he was sure that he loved him and would help him even if his feelings weren't reciprocated. He wanted to help Childe because of the problems he had because he had promised him... Not because he had suddenly realized that he was in love and that was his only motivation.