Thread by @shire_zc

#Zhongchi #鍾タル fluff fic post osial.

It was late at night, but Zhongli couldn’t sleep. Not all alone, his bed cold and his arms empty.

He missed Childe more than anything else. More than he would let on. Zhongli regretted his actions dearly. Perhaps he should have told

Childe from the beginning. But the contract…

It had been more than a year since Zhongli last saw Childe. Although the ginger had returned once for lantern rite, he could tell that there was a distance between them.

The ginger might’ve been all cheery but he could tell things

weren’t the same anymore. Childe was still angry. Or at least bitter about what happened.

But at least they didn’t properly break up. Zhongli took that as hope that maybe they could patch things up.

He’d wait for as long as it takes. Lost in his thoughts, Zhongli’s body worked

on auto pilot, bringing him to the very bridge that they spent the lantern rite.

He gazed out into the ocean, wondering how Childe was at the moment. Was he well? Was he safe?

He prayed silently to Celestia to protect his lover. Zhongli never really liked them, but he’d do

anything to make sure the harbinger was safe.

With a flick of a wrist, he manifested two peace lanterns. Only if Childe was there to release them with him.

Zhongli lowered his hand and the lanterns were set free. Slowly rising up into the sky.

“Mm, odd time to release lanterns. I think you’re a month or two too early.”

Zhongli’s eyes widened in surprise. That voice. He recognised that voice. He spun around to see the ginger, standing a couple of metres away, waving a hand at him.

“Hi, xiansheng, long time no— oh—“

Zhongli rushed over to him, hugging him tightly. He didn’t know how to put his emotions into words so he held onto Childe tightly, hoping that it might convey his feelings.

Childe gently wrapped his arms around the funeral consultant and rested his chin on his shoulder.

“I missed you.” Zhongli said quietly.

“I missed you too.”

[Will continue when I wake up]

“Can I kiss you?” Zhongli asked.

Childe was surprised by the question and then laughed softly as he pulled Zhongli’s collar.

The brunette kissed him like there was no tomorrow, he wouldn’t pull away until Childe was starting to feel lightheaded.

“Gods, xiansheng, it isn’t the

end of the world yet.” Childe chuckled as Zhongli continued showering him with kisses.

“I just missed you so much. Where have you been?”

“Well, you know, here and there, completing missions.” Childe shrugged.

“Ah, so you’re here on a mission?” Zhongli asked.

Childe nodded and the brunette couldn’t help but feel a little disappointed. It meant that Childe would leave again once he’s done with whatever he has to.

“But guess what? I’ve been told to stay here permanently until they call me back. The Tsaritsa wants some Fatui control in

Liyue.”

Zhongli brightened up, “really? You’ll stay?”

“Yeah.”

Zhongli smiled, relieved that he didn’t have to watch Childe leave anytime soon. He could try to fix things. “I’m glad.”

“Also, I want to say sorry. I overreacted during the whole Osial thing. It was business, I

shouldn’t have let it get to me. Forgive me.” Childe said genuinely. He felt ashamed to have held a grudge against Zhongli because of such a petty thing. Trickery was part of Fatui’s business. He has done similar things to others so he figured that it’d be wrong to be so furious.

Zhongli shook his head, “no, Childe, I know I hurt you deeply. You were right to be angry. Business or not, I tricked you and I was wrong for that. Let me make things up to you.”

Childe’s blue eyes met the amber ones. Zhongli had said something like that before one they first

patched things up, but Childe left before Zhongli could do anything.

“It’s okay, Zhongli—“

“I insist.” Zhongli cut him off firmly. He felt the need to do it in order to properly fix things.

Childe sighed quietly, “well, if you insist then… fine, we have a lot of time.”

“I promise I’ll make things up to you.” Zhongli said, happy to get a second chance.

This wasn’t what Childe had planned to talk about. In fact, the ginger simply wanted to forget about it completely.

But part of him felt relieved. Soothed even. The part of him that felt

bitter seemed to have vanished. And his heart was glad that Zhongli was so insistent on facing the problem rather than avoid it.

It felt much better knowing that it was okay to be angry. To have his feelings acknowledged.

The couple slowly made their way to Zhongli’s house,

chatting happily about their adventures and catching up with each other’s lives.

Childe had once dreaded to be deployed back to Liyue for so long.

But now, he only looked forwards to living a life with Zhongli.

[END]

This was kind of inspired by my wishing ritual for my c6 Childe LOL. Hope y’all liked it!