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The first time Zhongli laid his eyes on him, the young man had been clad in the finest silk, his face adorned with a gentle smile and sparkling blue eyes. It took all his will power not to stare at him, and yet there was something about him that drew his attention. His hair, the foreign color of ginger, looked as soft as velvet but still held its own beauty. He was thin but well built, and even from afar he could see that the man possessed an aura of elegance and dignity.
Prince Ajax of Snezhnaya.
Him, King Morax of Liyue.
Such is their brief introduction, before the morning bird delivers devastating news: a messenger has arrived bearing word that Snezhnaya has fallen, and the prince has perished along with it.
His hands tremble so much that he cannot read the letter until later in the evening, a lone tear falling onto the parchment as the ink drips out.
Yet now, a few years after the bitter revelations, Zhongli finds himself once more in the company of the prince of Snezhnaya. This time, however, he is no longer the boy he met so long ago, nor does he wear the clothes of a royalty. Instead, he donned the garb of a Sumeru dancer, dressed in a white cloth woven from cotton and decorated with gold thread, tied around his waist by a simple belt made of dark blue string. He is no longer the same boy whose eyes shine like sapphires, who is eager for new experiences and full of life, but rather a graceful young man with gazes dulled by sorrow, haunted by nightmares of a past he had escaped from.
Childe, a member of the Sumeru Dancing Troupe.
Morax, the King of Liyue.
That was how their second meeting began, with the man dancing in the middle of the hall, his toned stomach and slim figure exposed while the silk draped over it danced around with every movement, the light reflecting off his hair like liquid fire. He moves with such grace, Zhongli thinks, almost like a fairy straight out from the forest itself, and his heart skips a beat when he catches sight of those beautiful eyes looking directly at him from across the room.
He can't stop staring.
The man notices; his eyes flicker over to where Zhongli sits, then back up again, this time filled with curiosity and surprise. They lock eyes; he sees them widen slightly, and wonders if the other man knows who he really is, wonders if he's even aware of the longing affection that has grown within him, the one that threatens to spill forth the instant he recognizes that gaze. But Childe continues to move, gliding across the floor as though his feet are never touching the ground. And Zhongli stares, transfixed, unable to look away as the dancer's arms raise above his head, as though beckoning him to come closer.
"...I heard that man is the newest member."
Zhongli is snapped out of his reverie by the voice of two men conversing not far from him. They weren't speaking loudly, only barely audible amidst the hubbub of the party, but the lecherous looks directed towards Childe are unmistakable. Especially when their comments were accompanied by obscene hand gestures and lewd laughter.
Zhongli can feel his chest tighten, his fists clenching around the edges of his cloak. He wants to tell the men to mind their own business, to not covet what aren't theirs to begin with, to keep their lustful stares and filthy mouths to themselves, but he knows better than to say anything.
Not here. Not now.
So, instead, he turns away, choosing to focus his attention on a glass of osmanthus wine that had been provided, which he takes a large swig of. The alcohol burns its way down his throat and settles warmly within his belly, loosening his muscles and calming the tension deep inside. He sighs softly as the burning sensation subsides, allowing his shoulders to relax.
By now, the performance has reached its climax. Everyone in the room has gathered together, watching with rapt attention as the young man finishes his dance. Zhongli watches in silence as Childe takes a bow, the thin fabric wrapping around his legs as he slides smoothly to the floor and rises to his feet. His gaze meets Zhongli’s for just a moment, and Zhongli feels his heart skip a beat. Then, he walks away without another word, leaving the courtiers in a daze behind him.
"Did you see how lovely he was?"
"Of course I did! He was so beautiful!"
"No one would ever be able to resist those ginger locks…"
"And his skin…"
"And those eyes... Such a wonderful shade of blue…"
The crowd erupted into a mix of applause and murmurs of excitement, all of them enthralled by the young man's performance. Each of them starts sharing their thoughts regarding the dancer; some praising his skill, others dismissing his talent as being too mediocre or lacking in inspiration. But none of them disagree with one thing: the young man was incredibly attractive. Zhongli listens to their opinion for a little while, taking occasional sips of his wine before deciding that he had spent enough time here. With renewed vigor, he downs the rest of his drink before standing up.
"Moon Carver."
He called out to his attendant, beckoning him forward with a sweep of his hand.
"Yes, Your Highness?"
"Tell Miss Nilou that I will be requesting a personal performance from one of her members tonight."
There is a slight pause as Moon Carver processes the words, before responding.
"Your wish shall be my command."
Zhongli nodded, satisfied with the answer before turning away to return to his chambers.
Far too long he had been longing for this moment, yearning for the chance to meet the love of his life again.
Now that it is upon him, he would be damned to let it slip away.
Tonight, Liyue shall finally have their queen.
Childe...doesn't know how to feel about his current predicament.
Moments after he had returned to his shared quarter with the other dancers, Nilou had approached him with a grim expression painted upon her pale features, her usually soft aqua eyes hardened with purpose.
"I'm sorry," She said, her voice low and apologetic. There is a trembling edge to her words, betraying the pain she must be suffering inside as she speaks of the unfortunate news. "The king...he wishes for your presence tonight."
Ah, so that's why she's so upset.
Nilou, always the caring and kindhearted woman that she is, had been trying to shield him and the other members of the troupe from the harsh reality that comes along with being a performer. Countless times Childe had watched her rejecting offers from men looking for more than just a dance, or worse, a bed companion. Some men, he figures, think that a hefty pocket and power are enough to get them a night of pleasure, and Nilou had always tried her best to protect the members from their unwanted advances.
This time though, she was unable to do anything, powerless against the king's order.
"Nilou, it's alright. It wasn't your fault," Childe replies, hoping to put her at ease. But he can see that it isn't working, her face twisting into a frown as she shakes her head.
"No, it's not alright... I promised you I would protect you and I failed." Her gaze drops down towards her feet, a small sob escaping her lips before she quickly covers it up, refusing to allow any further tears to fall. "If only I had known.."
Childe's eyes soften at this. He reaches out and puts his hand on her shoulder, a gesture she seems grateful for as her eyes flutter back up to meet his.
"You did nothing wrong," He assures her as she begins to wipe the moisture from beneath her eyes. "Besides, you know what they say about the king, right? That is the reason you agreed to perform here in the first place."
Nilou nodded, her smile slowly returning as she looked up at Childe with a bright gleam in her eyes, the sparkle back there making him smile too.
"So don't worry too much, okay? I'm sure things will turn out alright!"
... Or that's what he said, before he was escorted to the royal chamber by one of the attendants, only to be left alone with the man himself.
He has changed out of his kingly attire for something more casual, revealing his toned form underneath the silks. The man sits on the couch, reclining on it as though he was made to fit there, his long legs crossed as he idly plays with a glass of wine between his fingers, his gaze trained upon Childe with an almost hungry intensity.
Just from his intense stare, Childe feels his face go warm.
"..."
For a while, there is only the sound of his breathing, along with the faint rustling of fabrics as the king shifts slightly in his seat. Childe stands motionlessly in front of the king, his eyes fixated on the marble beneath his feet, his hands folded neatly in front of him as he waits for the king to address him.
He doesn't have to wait long.
As soon as he realizes that Childe hasn't moved or responded to his stare, the king speaks.
"Childe, yes?" His tone is smooth and calm, but it sends chills up Childe's spine nevertheless. Strangely, there is a faint trace of tenderness lingering in his voice as he asks.
Childe blinks in surprise, realizing that the king actually knows his name. He doesn't expect that the most powerful man in the country would remember the name of a passing performer like him, especially considering the circumstances surrounding their meeting. Nevertheless, he nods nonetheless, giving a short reply in response.
"Yes, Your Majesty."
There is a frown tugging at the corners of the king's lips as his gaze becomes more intense.
"... Zhongli. Call me Zhongli."
It wasn't a request, nor was it a suggestion. It was more of an order, a demand to call him by his first name, and Childe finds it difficult to refuse such an order.
"Well then, if you insist… Zhongli."
Childe tries not to let his voice trembled as he says his name, but even so, he thinks he can detect the faintest hint of amusement lurking in the depths of the king's golden eyes.
"That's more like it," Zhongli says, smiling faintly as he sets his wine glass down onto the table beside him.
He raised himself from the sofa, crossing over towards where Childe stands still. The young dancer stiffens once more when he gets close, unsure what he is supposed to do. He isn't sure what sort of action he should take, given that this is the first time someone has ever requested a private dance from him. However, before he can decide whether he should go with the flow, Zhongli has already stopped in front of him, gazing up at him through heavily lidded eyes, sending another wave of heat coursing through Childe's body.
He swallows thickly, forcing himself to keep eye contact with the man as the king extends his arm towards him, offering him his own hand.
"May I have this dance?" He asks, his voice barely above a whisper.
"Y - yes...of course."
He stumbles over his own words, completely taken aback by the sudden offer.
Zhongli chuckles lightly as he takes his hand, holding it in his as he pulls him closer toward the center of the room. Childe doesn't resist, instead allowing his body to move naturally with the movements of the man before him, following his lead without hesitation. Their steps echo against the polished marble floors as they circle each other, both pairs of eyes fixed onto each other intently.
When he places his other hand around Childe's waist, the dancer can't help but notice just how well fitted the king's hands are, fitting perfectly within the space created by the curve of his waist. They seem to fit together as though they had been designed specifically for each other, and Childe has to fight hard to suppress the flush of excitement rising in his cheeks.
"Is something wrong?"
The question caught him off guard, his blush deepening slightly as he looked back at the king.
"Your face is red. Are you feeling unwell?"
Childe was almost, almost convinced that the king is truly concerned with his well-being if he doesn't notice the way the king's lips are curved up in a small smirk as he glances at Childe.
The nerve of this man!
Childe scoffs, trying to hide his embarrassment behind a forced smile. Two can play at this game, he supposes, and although his heart may not have been entirely ready for this yet, his ego could certainly use some encouragement.
"Of course not, Your Majesty," He replies as calmly as possible. He relished the surprised look that appeared on Zhongli's handsome face at the sudden use of his title, his chest swelling with pride. "I am just wondering if the rumors hold some merit after all, given that the only thing you ask of me is my company for a dance."
Zhongli raises an eyebrow, and for a moment Childe thinks that perhaps he was too bold in his response, but then, the older man's expression softens, the corner of his mouth quirking upwards teasingly.
"Do you think that rumors are true, Childe?" He asks, a coy glint appearing in his golden eyes. Zhongli grabs his wrist, pulling him forward, forcing Childe's body closer to his own. "Even if I do this?"
The older man leans in closer, his lips brushing against Childe's ear as he whispers the next words. "Even if I asked you to lie on my bed tonight, will you still believe in the rumors?"
Is he saying... Does he want...
Childe inhales sharply, suddenly aware of their position, aware of the heat radiating off of the king. The thought comes to mind unbidden, and his heart pounds violently against his ribcage. The desire is evident in the king's voice, clear as day, and Childe has never felt so strongly about anyone in his entire life.
A deep sigh escapes him as he closes his eyes, a small smile curving his lips, his breath mingling with the king's.
"I would have to see them myself, wouldn't I?" He murmurs, opening his eyes as he turns his head slightly to glance at Zhongli.
"Take me then, Zhongli."
"Mmm... "
Childe doesn't know exactly how did he managed to end up on the king's bed, tangled up in silk sheets, panting softly into the man's neck, his fingers tracing the skin under his jawline, the king's strong arms holding him close as he continues to kiss him hungrily, their tongues dancing in a slow rhythm as he moans into the other's mouth.
The king breaks away for a brief moment, his warm breath fanning across Childe's face, before closing in again and taking him into his mouth, nipping at his lips before sucking on them gently, leaving marks in their wake. There is no pain, no discomfort, nothing except the overwhelming sensation of desire coursing through his veins.
He arches his back, a low moan escaping him as the king takes advantage of his distraction. He can feel a pair of lips trailing down his throat, the king's tongue flicking against the sensitive skin there, eliciting a whimper from him. Then, Zhongli pulls away, leaning down to press his lips gently against the base of his exposed stomach, pressing soft little kisses there.
"You are beautiful, Childe," He mumbles, his voice sounding hoarse. "So beautiful…"
Childe shivers.
He isn't used to compliments, much less ones as sweet and sincere as the one that came from the king's lips. In fact, he doesn't think he has ever received such praise ever since he had shed his old self. For a brief moment, it almost feels surreal that the king is telling him such things; almost like a fairy tale.
Almost.
"...Thank you, Your Majesty," He whispered, unable to stop the slight quiver in his voice. His face feels hot as Zhongli's tongue traces patterns over his navel, the king's hot breath tickling the skin underneath.
"Ah... Your Majes--Ngh!"
Childe yelps as the king sucks on his inner thigh, causing him to arch his hips upward instinctively, desperate for more than just a touch. His legs open automatically, and a sharp intake of breath leaves his throat when Zhongli's hands reach out to grip his thighs tightly, his thumbs caressing circles into the soft skin there.
Since when did Zhongli...?
"I believe I told you to call me Zhongli," Zhongli murmurs, his lips grazing the underside of Childe's left leg, his voice coming out in between heavy breaths.
"Remember, Childe..." His fingers curl beneath Childe's bottom, drawing a gasp from the dancer. "...Zhongli. That is the name you shall scream as you come for me."
He wants to reply to that, to say something witty or biting in return, but Zhongli was quick to shove two fingers into his mouth, effectively silencing him before a single word can slip past his lips. His expression is fierce, his gaze dark and hungry as he slides his fingertips slowly inside Childe's mouth, stroking along the sensitive bundle of nerves inside his throat, his thumb circling idly around the tender flesh at the back of his throat.
Then, the fingers withdraw, sliding out of him only to feel it slip down Childe's inner thigh.
"Ngh...!"
Childe bites his lower lip, a small groan coming out of his mouth as one slender finger enters his body, stroking slowly back and forth until finally resting firmly against Childe's entrance, rubbing against the soft tissue, making him squirm. It wasn't long before a second finger entered him, stretching and filling him with warmth as Zhongli began to push them further inside, the movements beginning to make his body tense, his muscles clenching, as he fought desperately to hold off the wave of pleasure threatening to overwhelm him.
"Ngh... Zhongli... Ah... Ah..."
His voice trembles with the effort that he is exerting as his body bucks beneath the touch of the king, his breath coming out in short pants, the taste of sweat already coating his lips and his tongue.
"That's right, call my name..." Zhongli growls, the vibrations of his voice sending a jolt of electricity through the dancer's body, "Keep calling my name..."
Childe whines in protest, his body tensing even more as a third finger enters him.
"Zhongli...."
"Call for me more," Zhongli urges, continuing to thrust the fingers into Childe's body while he pumps in and out at a steady pace. "Let me hear your voice."
There was no mistaking the raw lust in the king's voice, the hunger hidden underneath the surface of his tone. It made Childe ache for release, for the feel of those powerful fingers pushing against him as Zhongli took him to the edge.
Yet before he could give into the urge, before he could let go completely, Zhongli stops moving, the hand that had been thrusting inside of him stills, and Zhongli's breathing grows labored, becoming ragged and uneven. Suddenly, Zhongli pulls his hand out from inside of Childe's body, leaving the younger man gasping for air, and the momentary loss of pressure causes a sharp pang of emptiness.
"Flip over, Childe," Zhongli commands, and like a faithful servant, Childe obeys instantly, turning his back toward the king. He hears the sound of clothes rustling behind him, a couple of buttons being undone, and then, he feels Zhongli's warm fingers on his skin again, running over his waist, over his hip bone, caressing the skin there tenderly, before coming to rest against his buttocks.
"Mmmm.... "
"This might hurt at first," He hears the king murmur, his breath ghosting over the side of his neck, "But I promise it will feel good afterwards."
And suddenly, Zhongli's weight presses against him, his erection nudging at the base of Childe's entrance, and Childe gasps, his body trembling at the sudden intrusion.
"Ah, Zhongli!"
He screams out in delight, his entire body tightening against the invading force. The king pushes inside of him slowly, teasingly, and Childe lets out a quiet gasp as Zhongli begins to move, a gentle rocking motion which soon becomes a steady thrust that sends Childe into a new state of arousal.
The sensations were dizzying, the pleasure was unbearable. They continued to move in tandem, creating a symphony of pleasure that filled the room with an unspoken promise.
"Zhongli.... Zhongli!"
"You sing my name as well as you dance." The king growls into Childe's ear as he thrusts into him faster and harder, causing him to throw his head back and let out another gasp as the waves of ecstasy crash over him.
"Ah... Zhongli!"
"I love hearing your voice, Childe."
With each thrust, each stroke, Childe feels himself getting closer and closer to the edge. He aches to come, desperately craving the feeling of ecstasy he feels with Zhongli inside him, and he knows, without a shadow of doubt, that the king is feeling the same way.
"Zhongli... I... Ngh?! ♡"
Childe gasps out as the king thrusts deep inside of him, at the same time as his hand moves to pinch Childe's nipple through the fabric of his robes.
Zhongli is rewarded with a sharp cry from the dancer, his eyes rolling back into his skull, his head tilting backward slightly, giving the king easier access to his chest, his hips jerking helplessly against the cock inside him, trying desperately to get closer to that point where the world turns black.
"Ah, ah, ah! Zhongli!♡"
At this point, Childe doesn't care if his voice is shaking and he sounds like a broken record. He didn't care if the servants outside heard him, if they knew about what he's doing with their king, and he sure as hell didn't care if they knew that the king is fucking his brains out of him. All that mattered to him now, all that mattered in that very moment, was the overwhelming feeling of pure bliss coursing through his veins.
"Come for me," Zhongli growls into the dancer's ear, his hips moving faster, his movements growing wilder. Childe clenches his teeth together, his nails digging into the sheets as he struggles to keep from screaming at the top of his lungs. "Come for me, Childe."
"Ah! Ah! Zhongli!!"
As he starts to cum, Childe feels the king's hard cock pressing against his ass, his own juices spilling freely over the sheets below them. He's vaguely aware of the sounds of his name echoing throughout the royal chamber, but none of it registers in his mind as he comes again and again, his whole body trembling from head to toe.
"Ah... Ah~ Zhongli~! Zhongli!!!♡"
He screams out the king's name over and over again, his moans getting louder when he feels the king's cock begin to twitch inside of him, sending a burst of hot liquid spurting inside of him. It fills every inch of his body, every nerve ending, and he feels his entire body shuddering as he comes yet again, his legs twitching uncontrollably.
His knees buckle as he collapses onto the bed, and just as he thought that he would be able to catch his breath once more, his body gives out on him once more, his body going limp atop the bed, the mattress sinking beneath his weight.
For a brief second, he considered closing his eyes and enjoying the feeling of complete relaxation and happiness that washed over him as he lay on the bed, listening to the soft sound of the night wind passing by outside, lulled to sleep by the soothing rhythm of the king's heartbeats. But then he remembers that he was nothing more than a bedding partner, a temporary toy in the hands of the King of Liyue. A mere concubine who was used to please him, nothing more.
He should leave.
Childe has been educated enough to know that a one night of passion should ended with them voluntarily going out of their client's room, a last ditch attempt to save their dignity before said client kicked them out in the morning. It is, afterall, a passing comfort that they are seeking, not a long-term commitment that lasts practically forever. So why should they allow themselves to become emotionally attached to someone who will never return their affections? That was what the older members in the troupe, the one with enough dark experience beyond what Childe can ever imagine, had taught him.
Yes, he should leave. He can't fall asleep here. He mustn't stay here. He had to walk out from the king's chamber, before the king took it upon himself to send him out. It would be the proper thing to do...
Yet suddenly, there is a warm hand stroking through his hair, followed by the king's soft whispers in his ear.
"Stay here, Childe." Zhongli tells him softly, and Childe's heart thumps in his chest. Stay here? With Zhongli? With the king? Is it possible?
"Rest here. I promise it will be fine."
Childe hesitates for just a few seconds before finally allowing himself to relax, letting the warmth of the king surround him, pulling him deeper into its embrace, tucking him gently against the king's chest. He closes his eyes, resting his head against Zhongli's chest, listening to the sound of the king' heart beating steadily against his ear, the strong thrumming feeling settling comfortably within his soul.
For the first time after the fall of Snezhnaya, Childe feels safe.
"Good night... Zhongli."
A light chuckle resonates around him before a strong arm wraps itself around his waist. Childe smiles as he feels a gentle kiss pressed against the crown of his head, yet as he starts to succumb to the sweet darkness of sleep, he can hear Zhongli whispering something softly in his ear.
"Good night, Ajax."
Ajax...?
It's his name. His true birth name. The very name he had cast aside the moment that he had been robbed of everything that he held dear...
Why did the king...?
Childe wants to ask Zhongli, to know how did the king learn of his real identity; but his consciousness is quickly fading away, and soon all he can remember is the tenderness of the king's arms holding him close, the sound of his own breathing in his ears.
In the end, he falls into peaceful slumber, the sound of the king's heartbeat keeping him calm, and eventually, he drifts off completely, no longer feeling a need to struggle against the grip of sleep.
I will ask him tomorrow, he thinks as he finally falls into the world of dreams.
Unfortunately, by tomorrow, the thought to ask the king about his true identity had already been pushed far to the back of Childe's mind, given that he had woken up only to find a perfectly crafted golden ring placed on his finger, along with the sudden announcement of him becoming the Queen of Liyue.