Morning was coming to Liyue. As the road would still be long, and it had been late the day before, they decided to spend the night at the inn. None of them objected to the idea, after all, they had not had a proper rest for several days.
Under the dawn lights and the fresh breeze brought from the sea, the city of contracts offered a unique view for anyone who stopped to appreciate it. But that was not the case for Childe, the orange-stranded Childe just wanted to reach his destination as soon as possible.
A month had passed since they set out in search of Aether. At first, he was reluctant to leave Liyue, he wished to stay and give his help to stop the attack of the Fatui and the members of the abyss in the cross battle, even though he knew that his strength was still too low compared to a certain person who had been watching over the safety of the city for hundreds of years. And the main problem was not those two sides; the real danger was in the other Gods.
The goal of the Abyss and the Fatui was always the same, but each one used a different method to achieve it: to bring down Celestia. Unfortunately, this plan had too many consequences.
From the mouth of the navy guarding Mondstadt, he had heard that the wrath of some gods fell on the lands of several nations, among them, Liyue was included. The young man only thought of arriving quickly and checking that he was well, had the lack of his gnosis affected him during the battle? He couldn't know for sure, and it didn't matter that his strength was overwhelming, having fought gods in the past, for a mere mortal like him it was impossible not to worry.
Even more so when he knew that things would not be simple this time around, especially when Zhongli had sent him so far away with the excuse of "taking care of Lumine", when the former archon was the one he wished to keep safe, away from the wrath of the other gods.
─ We have arrived!
Paimon's voice was heard ahead of them, getting them to speed up their steps a little more.
A sigh of relief was heard from more than one, as they expected the battle to leave more havoc; contrary to that, the damage in the city was very light and residents could already be observed coming and going back and forth repairing the damage.
─ It's good to see that everything seems to be okay. ─Lumine watched Childe out of the corner of her eye, trying to relax him a bit.
Xinqiu and Chongyun, for their part, stopped their steps to better appreciate that panorama they hadn't indulged in for so long.─ I didn't think something as trivial as this could bring so much peace. ─The dark-stranded one closed his eyes letting the breeze caress his face, his companion observed him momentarily and nodded.
─ It's good to be home.
Aether, for his part, watched in fascination. On many occasions he had had the opportunity to wander around here and there, but he had never taken the time to calmly appreciate things. He was aware that he had missed a lot, but now he wanted the chance to make up for every moment lost.
─ Well, I've done my part.─ The major observed Lumine.─ I guess we'll part ways for now. Being only a defector from the Fatui, I owe nothing to the knights of Liyue, my presence won't be necessary.
The blonde nodded.─ Thank you very much for your help. I hope we can soon meet once more.
Childe smiled, placing his hand on the young woman's head and gently ruffling her hair.─ Don't doubt it. ─Then he turned to the rest and waved goodbye.─ Take care, we'll see you soon. ─The others mimicked his action.
The former fatui was still not entirely welcome in the city, for that reason he had to go around a mountain to reach the area where the former archon's residence was located. He was grateful for that, since Zhongli liked quiet areas, he had chosen a place away from the bustling city.
Nerves invaded the younger man; the strange feeling in his stomach made him hesitate. It had been so long since they had last seen each other, he really wanted to get there as soon as possible, but he didn't want to look so desperate either.
He sighed heavily, trying to calm his racing heart, when the former archon's abode came into view. An involuntary smile came to his lips and he felt foolish to think that, in the eyes of others, he must look like a child in love. But no one could blame him, after living for so many years with the sole purpose of serving the tsarina; as a fighting machine, he never or very rarely had anything like love in mind; much less that he would end up surrendered by another man.
If before arriving in Liyue with the mission to get the gnosis of the geo archon someone had told him that he would end up in love with him, Childe would probably have killed him on the spot, but now he even found it ironic. He knew that in the eyes of many a relationship between two people of the same sex was somewhat immoral, but he didn't care. Zhongli had won his heart with selfless and simple actions; a touch of hands, trivial talks, an intense look; soft caresses, passionate kisses and his name being pronounced by that man could drive him to madness.
When he was young and still possessed the freedom to live based on illusions, he had always had the idea of meeting a pretty girl from Snezhnaya and forming a life there, far away from all the problems, but now....
The blue-eyed one let out a chuckle, chagrined at his own thoughts. His gaze scanned the place for a few seconds and finally made the decision to enter.
It wasn't the first time he paid the other man a visit, he had the habit of stopping by his residence several days during the week and only the two of them knew of all the secrets they shared together.
When he had one foot inside the house, Childe's countenance changed as he remembered the odd behavior Zhongli was having weeks before things in Teyvat took a turn for the worse. The elder had been more distracted than usual and most of the time seemed to be sad, his gaze lost to some point inside or outside the house. There would be times when he would linger past a window, staring off into the distance or others when, in between dreams, he would stir uncomfortably, his brow slightly furrowed, as if he were having a nightmare.
Many times I wish I could talk to him to find out what was happening to him, but the older man didn't seem to make a big deal out of things.
He hoped that after all this time apart and after the problems that had happened, Zhongli would have a chance to clear his mind and go back to his old self, was he expecting too much? Maybe, but a part of him longed for things not to change for the worse.
When he arrived at the room they shared on more than one occasion, he noticed it was empty. He didn't think it strange, after all, the major must have had unfinished business in the city.
Childe took the opportunity to take a shower, dressed in one of the other man's garments and plopped down on the soft bed. He was exhausted, he didn't know when was the last time he took a real rest, even the night before anxiety wouldn't let him do it. His eyes closed, wanting to sleep for a moment, not realizing that time passed faster than he would have imagined.
As soon as he awoke, he rubbed his eyes with the back of his hand, and as he opened them he was greeted by the soft light emitted by one of the lamps in the room. He sat up quickly, noticing that his body was now covered with a thin blanket, and then his gaze collided with the imposing figure of the man who once ruled Liyue.
Zhongli had his back to him, watching the full moon through the window.
─ Sensei?
Receiving no answer, the younger man pouted his lips a little and left the comfort the bed offered, quickly approaching the opposite and hugging him from behind, gently rubbing his cheek against the other's back and finally letting his head rest on his shoulder. Zhongli was startled, turning his face to the side to look at Childe.─ You're awake.
─ I was calling for you, but you weren't answering.
Zhongli smiled and turned his body to get a better look at the younger boy.─ Sorry, I was thinking about some things.
─ When did you arrive?
─ Not long ago. You looked too exhausted, so I decided to stay here for a moment, I was afraid that occupying the bed might wake you up.
Childe looked up, staring directly into those eyes of such a beautiful and peculiar color.─ If it's you, I could never be bothered.
The elder let out a soft laugh and deposited a short kiss on the former fatui's lips. Seconds later, his countenance changed and he quickly said.─ I had forgotten.
Childe watched him with confusion.─ Forgotten what?
After a few seconds in silence, Zhongli replied, with great tenderness reflected in his eyes.─ Welcome home, Ajax.
The younger boy's heart fluttered, and happiness filled him inside. He laughed, and that laugh was beautiful, much more natural in comparison to those the elder had heard when he first came to Liyue with a single mission in mind.─ I'm back, sensei.