Thread by @shire_zc

#ZhongChi #鍾タル Actor!Zhongli x Idol!Childe fic. Thanks for anon who requested this!

Childe has been crushing on a certain actor for a very long time now. Ever since they filmed a variety show, he couldn’t get the brunette out of his head.

He didn’t understand how a person

could be so perfect. Zhongli was handsome, charming, kind, everything a girl or a guy would want in a partner. The brunette treated him really nice when they were filming that show. They had lunch and dinner dates, sometimes they’d go home together. Childe thought he had a

chance.

That hope was quickly extinguished when the news were going on about how Zhongli seemed to be dating someone by the name of Guizhong.

Childe was heartbroken, but he supposed that was part and parcel of life. It’s not possible for him to get everything he wanted. So he

tried to move on.

Zhongli also felt the same attraction towards Childe, but never had the guts to confess. He knew since Childe, as an idol, had his career hinged very much on the fact that he was single.

He was almost sure he’d be rejected, so he avoided confessing at all.

It was better that they could remain as friends.

He’d ask Childe to go out on lunch dates and what not even after the filming of the show was over.

Those dates became rarer as they became busier, but they’d find time to do something fun together ever once in a while.

Zhongli largely ignored the rumor about him dating another person. Guizhong was his friend, almost like a sister. She was certainly not his girlfriend and both of them knew it.

But when Zhongli caught wind of people shipping Childe with another male idol, he started digging for

more information. He was jealous at how the other guy got to spend so much time with Childe. The jealousy turned into a form of loathing.

It should have been Zhongli to be with Childe. Not this wannabe idol.

But of course he kept this all a secret. He never once brought it up

whenever he talked to Childe.

However, he could only hide his feelings for so long. Even the most well controlled man would find himself slipping under the influence of alcohol.

Childe and Zhongli went to a quiet bar outside of town. They drank, they laughed and they talked.

All was fine until another show with Childe and that other idol was played on the small television screen.

Zhongli scowled, rolling his eyes visibly as he looked away from the TV. Going as far as to cover his ears so he didn’t hear his voice.

“Zhongli..?” Childe was confused by

the behaviour. Then he gulped when Zhongli glared at him.

When Zhongli checked the TV to see if the show was still playing, he became furious as he saw that idol hugging Childe. “How dare he touch you like that.” Zhongli hissed, banging his fist on the table.

Childe was glad

that there weren’t many people around to witness Zhongli in the state he was in.

“Who touch who?”

“That person! That Kaeya.” Zhongli growled. “It should have been me.”

“What?” Childe wasn’t sure if he heard that right, or if the alcohol was getting to him.

“It should have

been me.” Zhongli repeated as he turned to Childe. “I want to be the one hugging you. I want to kiss you. I want to be your boyfriend. I want you to be mine. And only mine.”

He leaned in close to Childe, grabbing his collar so the ginger had nowhere else to turn to.

“Haha…

You don’t know what you’re saying. You’re drunk, Zhongli.” Childe said, though it sounded more like he was convincing himself.

“No I’m not. Well, maybe, but I know what I’m saying.”

“Ah…” Childe’s brain was overloading as Zhongli moved closer and closer. They were so close

that if they moved any more, they’d be kissing.

Childe’s flustered, lonely and horny brain couldn’t take this.

“Don’t you like me, Tartaglia?” Zhongli asked, “I hope you do, because I really like you.”

“I’ve liked you ever since I saw you. I’ve been your fan since the very

beginning. And I fell in love so hard when I met you that I can’t get over it.” Zhongli confessed, spilling everything he wished to say for a very long time.

“And then I wanted to kiss you, bring you home and make you mine. I wanted our lunch dates to become real dates.”

“Okay, stop, Zhongli. Stop for a bit.” Childe pressing a finger on Zhongli’s lips, effectively silencing him for a moment.

Childe’s intoxicated brain couldn’t fully process what was going on. He couldn’t believe that Zhongli was being honest.

The award winning actor in love

with him? A small idol seeking to make a name for himself? He wasn’t too bad himself, but Childe always thought he was out of Zhongli’s league.

If it was possible for him to turn any more red, he would have when Zhongli kissed his finger. His lips were soft and warm, but Childe

retracted his hand quickly out of shock.

“Please, Childe, be mine.” Zhongli pleaded, “don’t be his.”

“There’s nothing between me and Kaeya. We’re just from the same company, that’s all.”

“Even better, I don’t have any rivals.” Zhongli smiled.

“A-Are you sure you’re not just

drunk, or if you even know what you’re saying?” Childe asked, desperately buying time before he had to give his answer. He wanted to say yes. He wanted to give in really badly but he didn’t know if it’d be right.

“Of course, Baobei, of course.”

Childe was holding himself back

by just a thread. But he gave in when Zhongli kissed him on his lips.

Zhongli’s soft lips were even more intoxicating than the alcohol they had. Childe couldn’t get enough of it. And judging by how hungrily Zhongli was kissing him, he probably felt the same way.

Zhongli lifted the ginger onto his lap. His hands slipped under Childe’s shirt and roamed his body. His fingers caressed every bit of his body, eliciting all sorts of gasps and moans.

They took a cab to Zhongli’s home that night. Where Childe woke up to find his body littered

with hickeys.

Even though they went to the bar outside of town, someone recognised them, and rumors about them spread like wildfire.

Childe seemed a little nervous about it, but Zhongli was very happy. At least people now knew that Childe belonged to him. And only him.

As Zhongli had a massive fanbase and most of them were supportive of their relationship, he could easily sway his fans to support Childe as well.

The ginger became one of the most popular idols overnight. He couldn’t be fired even if the company wanted to. Childe was generating

the most revenue.

If Zhongli knew things would turn out like that, he would’ve confessed earlier. And in a much more dignified manner. But it was no matter, he was happy with how things turned out anyway.

[END]

Wee, I wanted to write angst but I decided not to because I didn’t want to make myself sad before I went to sleep.

Hope y’all enjoyed! And goodnight yalls, I’m heading to bed.