A Wild Cowboy's Love! ~ Zhongchi AU.

Chapter One.

It was a bright, warm sunny day in the wild west. The county Sheriff, Zhongli, rode on his steed, swinging his lasso in the air, amber eyes fixed steadily on something ahead of him. That 'something' was actually a 'someone', the famous Outlaw, Tartaglia, also known as Childe in people's eyes.
"That as fast as you can go, pretty boy?"
Childe called out to Zhongli, glancing behind him with a sly smirk. The Sheriff let out a low grumble, before lunging his lasso at the ginger male. To Childe's surprise, the rope wrapped around him and forced him off his horse. With a yell, he tumbled to the ground, wrapped up in Zhonglis lasso.
"Ah, you got me, Sheriff! Whatever will i do?"
Childe called out in a sarcastic, teasing voice.
Zhongli hopped off his horse and walked over to Childe slowly, the sand crunching beneath his brown boots. He stood over the male, glaring down at him. The brunette leaned down slightly as he gripped the lasso in his leather glove, narrowing his eyes at the ginger on the ground. He let out a small huff in annoyance, rolling his eyes.
"Stop with your antics, outlaw. This time, you're really coming with me. Got that?"
The Sheriffs voice was low and gruff as he spoke, clearly annoyed at Childe's teasing. Tartaglia only grinned at these words, though, raising an eyebrow and tilting his head up at Zhongli. He enjoyed getting a rise out of him, always glad to see the other males reactions to his jokes and flirting.
"Oh? I'm coming with you? I sure do hope it's to a motel room, Sheriff."
The Outlaw spoke with a smirk, letting out a soft chuckle at his own joke. His blue eyes widened as Zhongli pulled at the lasso, pulling him in so the two were face to face. Well, clearly Zhongli didn't appreciate what he said.
"Listen here, Tartaglia. No matter how much you try and flirt, i won't fall for you like all those women you try and get in bed with do."
Zhongli spoke with an attitude, leaning in close to Childe, his bright yellow eyes glaring intimidatingly into the other males aqua eyes.
"That's such a wild way to say you love me, Mr Zhongli. Well i do accept your confession!"
Childe snarked back in retaliation, that sly grin still on his face. At this remark, Zhongli only sighed and rubbed his temples in frustration. How much longer would he have to put up with this nonsense?
As the Sheriff looked back down, he was surprised to see Tartaglia no longer within his grasp. He looked around frantically for the criminal, only to see him riding off into the sun on his mighty steed. He groaned in annoyance, sitting down on the red sand in defeat.
"That damned Outlaw always manages to sneak out of my grip like some sneaky fox."
Zhongli groaned, taking his hat off and fanning himself with it.
"Another let down to the county."
He sighed, as he stood back to his feet once more, dusting himself off and placing his hat back on his head. He couldn't stand that criminal. He was all bark, no bite. The only reason Childe wasn't in jail or dead yet was because everytime he was caught he somehow managed to slip from Zhonglis hands. It was a mystery to him as to how he did it everytime, without fail.

It was a few hours later, and it was dark out now. It was, say, around 11pm and Zhongli was sat in a saloon, sipping from a small glass of whiskey. He couldn't get his mind off Childe, and his many failed attempts to catch him. You could say it kept him up at night. The Sheriff turned around as he heard the saloon doors being pushed open and heavy footsteps entering. To his horror, his amber eyes set upon a familiar figure with ginger hair and pale face lined with freckles. The famous wanted outlaw Tartaglia, sauntering inside the building with a smug look on his face. He seemed to pretend he only just noticed Zhongli, his eyes widening and him letting out a dramatic gasp.
"Oh my! Sheriff Zhongli, i never would've expected you here!"
As Childe drew closer, Zhongli instinctively reached for the gun in his holster, only to find nothing. He looked back up at the other male, only to find him swinging his revolver around his finger.
"You lookin' for this thing, partner? I may have snagged it off you earlier when you were busy broodin' over me flirting with you."
The ginger said with an amused grin, sliding the revolver back in one of his own holsters. Zhongli let out a grumble under his breath, his grip tightening on the whiskey glass in his hand. Noticing The Sheriffs usual grumpy face, Childe put his empty hands up in the air as if to signify his 'innocence'.
"Woah there, Sheriff. I was just thinking we set aside our differences for one night and have a drink or two together. How about it?"
Childe spoke softly, taking a few more steps toward the unarmed brunette. Though, against the idea, Zhongli was also intrigued as to what the criminal may have to say to him, if it wasn't just more flirting and such. His gaze softened slightly as he waved over the ginger, who happily sat at the stool beside him with a cheesy grin. He ordered himself a glass of whiskey, the same as Zhongli had in his hand.
"So what is it then, Tartaglia? You clearly had something to speak to me about so go on."
The Sheriff said in a deep, but smooth voice. Tartaglia just shrugged, sipping from his whiskey with a smile. He just seemed to be happy to be there.
"Well, i don't know Sheriff, i was just hopin' you and i could get to know each other a lil' more, guns down, hm?"
Childe said, leaning in toward Zhongli with an eyebrow raised. A hint of flirtatiousness could be sensed in his soft voice as he spoke. Zhongli leaned back in response, crossing his arms over his chest.
"I'm not in the business of making friends with criminals, Childe."
He replied, his brows furrowed as his expression was clearly not amused. Upon hearing this, Childe frowned and pouted.
"Aww, cmon' Zhongli! I think we'd make a pretty good team, don't you think?"
The ginger said in a whiny voice as he leaned into Zhongli once again, his hand creeping up the brunettes knee slowly.
"I don't think a criminal and a Sheriff would be the ideal duo. I'm not going to ruin my reputation because of some lowly ginger who can't keep his hands to himself."
Zhongli groaned, though inside he found Childe's jokes a bit humorous at times. Not like he'd admit that anyway. It would only boost the criminals ego even more. The two males sipped from their glasses, finishing their whiskies in those few moments of silence after Zhongli spoke.
"Well, as much as i do enjoy your company, Sheriff, i suppose i should get goin'. A man needs his beauty sleep."
Childe sighed dramatically as he took a stand from his seat at the bar, turning his back to Zhongli and walking away. Though, he stopped at the swinging doors to the saloon, turning back to Zhongli for a moment to throw him his revolver. The Sheriff caught it, checking the barrel, to see his bullets missing.
"Sorry 'bout that, Mr Zhongli. I was runnin' low!"
Childe called out from the opposite side of the saloon, before shooting the brunette a wink and once again turning his back to leave, pushing the doors open and disappearing into the night.
"What an interesting character."
Zhongli muttered as he, too, stood from his stool, throwing some notes on the bar and exiting the saloon. He decided he should call it a night, so the next day he could be up early once again hunting Tartaglia down. He stretched his arms as he made his way slowly through the dark streets of the small, dusty town, heading to his home.