Divinity in mortal | Childe x Zhongli

A New Star Approaches

Childe and Zhongli headed to Knockout in the Third Round. As usual lately, there were several free tables. It looked like business was dropping off. The two of them took one of the free tables and, right away, the owner approached.

"Good evening, what can I serve you?"

At that moment, Zhongli asked thoughtfully, "Is there no storyteller today?"

"We can't afford to pay him the working hours every day anymore. Business is not going well. We are considering introducing new products such as dandelion wine so that we can attract more customers and cope with the costs," explained Degui, the owner.

"Oh," Zhongli replied. Surely he was one of the people in Liyue who was impatiently waiting for Rex Lapis' predictions. Zhongli couldn't help but feel guilty, he really liked this place. He would send a dream to the owner after the Rite of Descension to help him with some of his predictions.

They both ordered a couple of alcoholic drinks - there was no more duty for the day - and some dishes of Liyue's cuisine for dinner. The tavern owner already knew them, they were regular customers, so he brought Childe a fork. It took no time at all to serve them their food, it was the good part about the fact that business at the place had slowed down.

"Hmm, Zhongli," Childe said after tasting the squirrelfish dish. Zhongli was tasting the Jueyun chili chicken and looked up at his watchful friend. Childe couldn't help but blush as he looked into the amber eyes. "When I was waiting at the Funeral Parlor I saw a book about forging, I guess it's yours, it doesn't really suit Hu Tao though you never know...".

"Right. It's a book I bought from a small traditional bookstore outside Liyue," Zhongli commented.

"Do you know how to forge weapons?" asked Childe excitedly.

"I did learn how to do some forging works. Mostly spears. It's an art I have always admired."

Spears! Childe couldn't help but widen his eyes in surprise and admiration.

He had never thought Zhongli possessed such a facet. He felt a jolt in his stomach. After the events of the past few days he had already assumed his feelings, even if he didn't want to accept them. He had never made time for love, romantically speaking, but he supposed that was how it felt.

In any case it had come at the worst time: the most important mission he had ever had so far as part of the Fatui. He couldn't be distracted and would have to learn to live with the butterflies in his stomach. Not that Zhongli was making it easy for him either. Each time he got to know him better, he discovered more attractive qualities, reinforcing his feelings. At times he even wondered what he was lacking, other than financial stability.

He was perfect.

However, a part of him - his more Tartaglia self -, thought it was a temporary crush because of the closeness Zhongli had provided him in his relocation to Liyue. It was a feeling that had arisen from the loneliness of being away from home. And, even if he was the troublemaker in the family, he supposed he should be attracted to women, so would his family accept Zhongli? Then he thought surely yes, for one person who cared about him, they were not going to scare him away from his side. They would even see it as a miracle and feel grateful.

"Fascinating!" replied Childe. Zhongli smiled at his excitement.

"I can teach you someday," Zhongli suggested.

"After the Rite of Descension and... some duties," he said mindlessly. Zhongli was caught off guard by that answer but he supposed he was busy with the whole Gnosis matter. Though as far as he knew, he had it pretty much under control. Childe laughed nervously and redirected the conversation, "I like to fight with spear. Though lately I'm using the bow more often because it's the only weapon I haven't mastered and I want to learn." Zhongli watched him intently which made him keep his blush, he could feel the heat in his ears.