{Zhongchili} what doesn't kill me makes me stronger, right?

i love you. i'm glad i exist

It's been a couple of days now that he's been waking up by Zhongli's side, but Childe's heart still flutters when he opens his eyes in the morning.

Zhongli is quick to lean in expectantly when he sees that Childe has awakened, and Childe is quick to learn that he likes being kissed then, even if Childe has morning breath.

Zhongli holds him close, bringing their foreheads together. The gesture is sweet, serving both the purpose of bringing them together and checking Childe's temperature. Zhongli peers into his eyes and hums in satisfaction when he sees that his pupils are at a healthy size.

There isn't an ache in Childe's body as he rolls out of bed to join Zhongli for breakfast. Birds chirp cheerfully outside, and his vision is clearer than ever.

He's gotten better, hasn't he?

"You seem to be doing quite well," Zhongli confirms as they put the dishes in the sink. "Perhaps it is time for you to head back to work."

Childe frowns. It's been some time since he's had to worry about his job and when he'd see Zhongli next. But he supposes he can't stay in this little bubble of security forever.

He sighs. "I guess so."

They wash the dishes together, as they have gotten used to doing before returning to their room to get dressed for the day. Childe watches as deft fingers tie Zhongli's tie, unable to take his eyes off of Zhongli, but that's nothing new.

Childe stops the god absentmindedly as he reaches to tie back his hair. He's found that he likes very much to watch him do it, but he thinks he'd like it even more to be the one running his fingers through his hair.

He gestures towards the hair tie in Zhongli's hand. "May I?"

Zhongli's smile is as soft as a newly blossomed flower. His eyes crinkle in that fashion that Childe has come to love so dearly. Childe can't help but press a kiss onto Zhongli's face. How could he not, when he looked at him so sweetly?

Zhongli's hair is as smooth as silk in his fingers. It shines as it flows like ink in his hands. He's played with Zhongli's hair plenty of times in the last few days, but it never failed to strike him with just how soft it was.

He combs his fingers through it, unsure whether to be surprised or not at the absence of tangles. He takes care sectioning it; Tonia would always whine about him tugging too hard on her hair when he braided it for her. He tries to be gentle now, so Zhongli won't have anything to complain about.

Zhongli hums quietly as Childe braids his hair, as he always seems to do when he's pleased. Childe takes it as a good sign. He fastens the cor lapis hairpiece at the end of the braid and steps back to admire his handiwork.

No words could ever hope to depict the serene glory Zhongli held then. He looked every bit the god he was, eyes golden and glowing with majestic beauty. He looks at Childe with an impossible amount of fondness, and Childe thanks the stars he's his.

Zhongli takes the braid in his hand, running his fingers over the interwoven strands. He nods in acknowledgment.

"I did not know you had an aptitude for hairdressing," he jests.

Childe beams. "I braided my sister's hair all the time back home."

At least, before he fell into the abyss.

Zhongli hums again. "Your sister is very lucky to have a brother like you."

If only his parents thought the same, he thinks. But there was no need to ruin such a nice moment with thoughts like these.