This isn't real

Comfortable

When the dinner ended, Zhongli asked his kids to go back first and they both waited until it was just them alone in the dining room. At last, Zhongli could appreciate the beauty of this room without being terrified of people. He remembered the seats set in gold lined with red velvet, the table with painted gold ornate legs. Above him was a missive chandelier decorated with diamonds that looked like falling icicles. A presence near him, however, snapped him out of his daydream.

"So, are you comfortable?" Childe stood next to him. He was desperate to at least get Zhongli to trust him before they got married. Even if it was all fake, he didn't want to bed someone who was terrified of him.

"A bit. You're not going to hurt me, right?" Zhongli stared at the floor, scared at what those ocean blue eyes might show him.

"Of course not. What reason do I have to lay a finger on you?" Childe was taken aback by this but brushed it off, not wanting to startle him further with questions.

"You're right. It's my fault for being paranoid." Zhongli dared not to look up still. Then, he felt a gentle finger rest on his chin before turning his face upward to meet the ginger's handsome one, which was still quite a distance away.

"It's no one's fault. I apologize for my behavior when you first came." Childe tried his best to sound comforting but it was still as cold as it was before. "We'll do this together, alright?"

"...Ok." Zhongli hesitantly answered the ginger. Childe cautiously stepped towards him. When he was right next to him, he extended his hand. Zhongli got the message and slowly took it. He could feel the finger calloused with battle experience gently graze his much softer and more delicate hand. It felt strangely cold, like he was holding an ice bucket, but unlike an ice bucket, there was some hidden warmth beneath.

"I know this must be hard for you. But if you don't want to be romantic, we can be friends." Childe used his dead ocean blue eyes at Zhongli's golden amber ones. He gently squeezed his hand in affirmation and comfort.

"Friends...would be nice. Thank you Childe. I appreciate the offer." Zhongli softly smiled at him and the two walked hand in hand to the ginger's room. Childe was greeted by many servants as they passed but no one acknowledged Zhongli's presence. Just the way he liked it. They went to a part of the castle unfamiliar to the brunette, most likely the Tsaritsa and her successor's quarters. It was colder here, a seemingly permanent draft blowing on them wherever they went. When they finally reached Childe's room, Zhongli sat on his bed.

"Feel free to lie down on it." Childe stepped to the side as he saw the brunette lay down on his side. And that's when Childe saw that ass peeking through the skirt. It was unlike any he had seen before (not that he had seen a lot but this one was the best). It was round and plush and somehow...fluffy looking. He immediately turned red and suppressed the urge to squeeze it right then and there.

"I know what you're thinking." Zhongli mumbled from the bed, turning slightly red himself. Not at the fact that someone was staring at him, that happened loads of times. More so at the fact that he was surrounded by the musky scent of the Snezhnayan. It smelled like the salty ocean water and white roses. Now that was unexpected.

"Sorry, sorry." Childe looked away, blushing madly at being caught.

"No need. Do you have any spare clothes?" Zhongli sat back up.

"Wait. You're staying here for the night?" Childe was surprised. They had only met last week and he was already suggesting sleeping in the same bed.

"Something feels different about you. Like...we've met before. And I feel a lot more comfortable with you than most." Zhongli stood up and walked to him. Childe noticed that he was slightly shorter than him, reaching up to his eyebrows. He had to tilt his head up to make eye contact, which he found quite cute.