Paint my red roses gold(oneshot)

Chapter 1/1

The Lantern Rite Festival was one of colour. It's attractions were well known to the people of Liyue and were thoroughly enjoyed by all, all except a certain aristocrat who looked out at the glimmering city from the red railings at Wanwen Bookhouse. It was quite unlikely, for a gentleman like Zhongli, to be consumed by thought on such a delightful and boisterous occasion. Yet here he was, an untouched book in his hand and his head among the clouds. Glimpses of ginger hair and the lingering looks from a certain pair of cerulean eyes replayed in his mind like a moving picture. He was knowledgeable in all fields from geology to war tactics, but affection and longing was not something that resonated with him as easily. A heavy sigh left his lips catching the attention of the ever astute Jifang.

"A penny for your thoughts Mr Zhongli? I may be of assistance," she remarked in a tone of worry.

"I thank you for your concern Mrs Jifang, but it's truly nothing of importance," he said smoothly, in stark contrast to the unorganised chaos that ran in his head. "I must get going now. I thank you for your hospitality," with that he left the unread book on the counter and made a beeline for the stairs. As he floated down the crimson steps he admired his bustling city full of life.

Lost in his reverie, as he entered the walkway, he failed to notice a certain Harbinger running full bolt down the paved streets of Liyue. The running man crashed into Zhongli, just as the latter whipped around to face him. Immovable as always he stood his ground while the familiar stranger hit the pavement with a small 'oof'.

"My most sincere apologies si-" the words died on his tongue as ocean blue met gold. Shaking himself out of his thoughts he offered the harbinger a hand.

"Goodness Xiangsheng I never expected you to be the clumsy one!" the ginger remarked, amusement evident on his face. Before the consultant could so much as reply to the backhanded compliment, the man was on the run again a pathetic goodbye called out after him. He never seemed to catch the ginger at the right time. He sighed for the second time that day as he made his way toward Wangshang Funeral Parlour.

When the consultant finally reached his destination, he was surprised to find Hu Tao missing. He stepped inside, suspicious of the unusual silence that drowned the building. As he entered his pristine office a girl jumped out from behind the door and in a childish voice shouted "boo!". Zhongli looked down at the younger female unimpressed by her antics.

"Oh come on Mr Zhongli at least pretend to enjoy yourself" she pouted, wiping off the fake blood with the napkin placed on Zhongli's work table.

"I am not in the mood for your unintelligible pranks director," he complained, taking a seat and cleaning off the splatter of red on his desk, as he arranged the paperwork that needed to be done into neat piles. Hu Tao looked at him baffled, she had expected a lecture or advice, on how she needed to respect other people's personal space, not silence! Choosing not to say anything she settled for a hug, wrapping her arms around the consultant's tense figure. He reciprocated by patting her on the head. Getting off of him she made her way toward the door, sparing him one last concerned glance before she left.

Zhongli began his paperwork, moving quickly, so that he would not be late for the appointment he had that evening. His mind had been wandering the whole day, so he was grateful for his unbreakable focus when it came to the never-ending paperwork of Wangshang.

The ring of a doorbell broke his unwavering focus, "Zhongli it's for you, your boyfriend is here~" Hu Tao's voice rang out teasingly. 'Boyfriend?' he wondered, silently ecstatic (though he would never admit to it), as he stepped out of his spotless office, only to be greeted with the bashful smile of a certain ginger-haired man. "Childe, I thought our plans were not for another hour?" He masked his excitement with a pretence of calm. The man now known as 'Childe' nervously replied," I'm aware Xiangsheng but something came up, I didn't want to cancel our plans so I thought we could finish earlier."

"I see, well, if it's alright with the director I am more than willing to oblige-"

"Of course, go have your fun old man," she chirped, an amused grin on her face.

With a roll of his eyes, he offered his hand to Childe who happily accepted. They made their way out of the parlour, a conversation dying on the tips of their tongues as they walked down the Liyue streets, illuminated by the lanterns that shone in the evening sky.

"Is it always this beautiful?" Tartaglia inquired, knowing entirely well it wasn't the lanterns that were being spoken about.

A gentle smile made its way onto Zhongli's face, "I don't believe it is, it changes depending on how people around it behave," he said, his expression torn between fond and beguiled.

"Will I get to see all its phases then?"

"I hope that you do," he concluded, with bittersweet pangs, at the heartfelt invocation. 'I really hope that you do,' he thought.

They made their way to Yujing terrace to get a better view of the glittering lanterns that cascaded across the night sky. The brunette looked over at his mesmerised partner, taking in the ethereal glow the lanterns cast across his freckled face. Childe was gorgeous, messy ginger hair caressed by a gentle breeze, Cerulean eyes that seemed lifeless lest they be viewed in golden light, everything about this man made his heart flutter. He could only dream of possessing him, to wake up in the morning and be greeted with the sight of the ginger snuggling into his chest, body heavy with sleep. To be taught to cook Sneznayan delicacies to perfection by the Harbinger, while in reality all they would do was goof around in the kitchen. He tore his gaze away from Childe unable to stare any longer. Instead he looked up at the dazzling night sky. Liyue had always been breathtaking but the lanterns truly did the city justice. He felt a genuine smile tug at him lips as he admired his city and all the citizens in it.

"Xiangsheng, what's on your mind?" Ajax asked his face illuminated by the golden laterns.

"Is that truly what you should be focusing on, on such a delightful evening Childe?" He replied, concealing his brewing anxiety.

The Harbinger glared at him, eyeing him with suspicion. Wordlessly, he grasped the consultant's chocolate coloured coat as he leaned in. Zhongli gasped inaudibly at the action, pushing the younger away in a fruitless attempt to keep their lips from touching. As their lips met the God felt himself melt into the kiss, circling his arm around the ginger's slim waist, he pulled their bodies flush against each other. Both of them melted into the passionate kiss, clinging onto one another like this was the last time they would see each other. Was it not for the lack of oxygen Zhongli would have kissed those tempting lips forever.

"Childe," he panted, as the ginger tried to connect their lips again "that's enough."

"I could never get enough," the Harbinger mumbled greedily. Zhongli offered him a bashful smile, interlacing their fingers. A warm head of hair snuggled into his shoulder, as he gently ruffled the ginger fluff. His words of affection went untold that night and Childe would never hear them as long as he lived, for the Harbinger belonged to another, was loyal to another, Zhongli would not get in the way of that.

These feelings were undecipherable, a mystery wrapped in pretty red roses and now the thorns began to hurt him. 

Disclaimer: images used do not belong to me [found them on the Internet]