"Not Really a Toy Maker" Childe Angst and Zhongchi Fluff

"I'm... really sorry for doing that."

"I told Teucer- you remember him?" Zhongli nodded. "Well I told Teucer I needed to go do some toy selling and once he walked off I went to a Treasure Hoarder camp.. and.... Teucer..."

His grip tightened on his cup of tea as he bit back tears. Zhongli had a look of sympathy as Childe began to continue his story. "Teucer watched me kill them Zhongli. He's probably going to tell my family and of course, they would believe him... his face had so much fear on it." Tears exploded out of his eyes as Zhongli comforted the Harbinger by patting his back.

"I'm sorry." He croaked out, feeling guilty for dumping all his problems on the ex-archon. "Hey, it's okay. Breathe." Zhongli comforted him, pulling Childe into an embrace."I'm a monster Zhongli." Childe babbled on about how he was horrible and a monster, Zhongli wiping away the ginger's tears from time to time.

"You're not horrible Childe, you did what you had to." He comforted the Harbinger, who eventually fell asleep in Zhongli's arms. His ginger hair was messy and knotted, his closed eyes red and puffy as tears stained his face. Zhongli picked him up gently, carrying him to the spare bedroom. He placed Childe on the bed, turned off the lights, and closed the door quietly. Zhongli fixed his hair before going to read a book on the couch.

A Few Hours Later

Childe let out a yawn, his eyes stung and his throat burned, he felt his surroundings, feeling soft sheets and a comfortable mattress. He stood up, walking out the unfamiliar door. "Ah, good to see you awake." Zhongli smiled, closing his book and placing it to the side. "You passed out after you cried, so I let you rest in the spare bedroom." Childe remembered why he was there now. "I'm... really sorry for doing that."

He apologized, rubbing his red eyes. "It's okay, I understand why you felt so upset and I'm glad you didn't bottle it up." Zhongli gestured to the couch, and Childe sat down next to him. "If you ever need to talk over some tea you can always come here." After a moment of silence, Childe blurted. "Can I move in with you? My family definitely won't let me stay with them."

Zhongli chuckled. "Of course you can Childe." Childe stared at the book. "You should get some rest, Childe." Zhongli stated as Childe reluctantly went to the guest or now his room. His spine shuddered as he remembered all of the blood and.. Teucer. Tears rolled off of his face, his innocent 6-year-old brother, witnessing all of the murder his older brother had done.

A few minutes later Childe stood up, shaking tremendously. "Where are you going Childe?" Zhongli asked as he watched the harbinger dash to the door. "I have to do something." He whispered, and then he ran and ran. But then, blood littered the ground, and Childe couldn't help but follow it. His heart dropped.