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The bite marks were hard to ignore even for the Traveller. Large wounds peeked out from underneath Childe’s grey jacket, almost the same colour as his red scarf. The redhead doesn’t seem bothered by the extra decoration adorning his body. His movements do not indicate pain or discomfort. The Traveller supposes a weapon of the Tsaritsa and a fighter would have a higher pain tolerance than most people. Having battled Childe at the Golden House just an hour before they made their way to have lunch in the port, the Harbinger was still in fighting shape despite his wounds.
As the two sat opposite one another across the table the traveller's mind wandered to what could have placed the marks on the Harbinger’s neck. It was unlikely the Harbinger had been attacked by an animal while traversing the Liyue landscape looking for a fight, no, Childe was too experienced to let that happen. The traveller doubts there is any other explanation for the wounds, except for a sexual explanation. Someone had done that to him, and by the look of the wounds he had enjoyed, he was clearly showing them off to the residents of Liyue.
The bites were deep and weren’t like normal bite marks, the bite was deeper in four areas where the canine teeth sit in the human mouth. These teeth had drawn blood when Childe was bitten, the wound looked at least a few days old and had already begun to heal. The traveller was not planning on bringing up the marks to Childe after coming to their realisation, so he was resigned to sit opposite the Harbinger and listen to his animated chatter as they ate seafood soup.
Childe had recently visited his family before heading to Fontaine and had lots to discuss regarding his family. His parents were getting older, and his siblings as well, they were no longer completely oblivious to the true nature of his job. At least Teucer was still sucked up in his toy salesman alias. The rest of his family had heard the recent disturbances surrounding the archons in the different nations and had correctly pieced together the redhead's involvement in the schemes. Childe brushed off the comments but Aether could tell their words had wormed into the other’s head and begun to tug on his mind. A question flashed past the blond’s consciousness before he could think to prevent it.
‘Did he see his family with those marks on his neck’
Surely not. There was no way he would see his younger siblings with such a graphic display, it would probably scare them. Despite having never seen the other’s true form, one could imagine what fangs a dragon would have.
Zhongli enters the restaurant and immediately approaches the trio sitting, and one hovering, pulls up a chair to sit next to his two friends. Before sitting down a gloved hand brushes the back of Childe’s neck, subtle but enough to confirm Aether’s previous theory. The redhead smiles up at the older man, his eyes forming crescents as he beams. A small smile pulls at Zhongli’s mouth as he returns the greeting.
Aether’s previous discomfort was nothing compared to being situated next to the couple. Zhongli had pulled his chair closer to Childe when sitting down leaving the two side by side opposite from the traveller and Paimon. Zhongli was too polite to have done it on purpose, which meant he had unconsciously placed himself next to the Harbinger. The awkwardness soon dissipated as Zhongli questioned the traveller about their travels and what history they had uncovered.
“Traveller, how have you been? It has been a while since we have last shared a meal,” Zhongli says politely.
“I have just returned from Fontaine, where I ran into Childe.” The traveller keeps a smile on his face as he watches Zhongli send Childe a warm look.
“I hope Childe didn’t give you too much trouble in Fontaine.”
Childe’s voice raises as he exclaims, “Xiangsheng, don’t you have faith in me.” His grin grows even wider. “All of my plans work out eventually.”
Zhongli huffs and shoots the redhead a disbelieving expression. Childe responds by knocking their shoulders together playfully. The traveller has to fight to keep his mouth from dropping open, he has never seen Zhongli be so touchy with another person except for maybe HuTao however she is friendly with everyone. Zhongli leans into Childe’s space even more, they are so close their shoulders are touching firmly.
“Is there something you two want to tell us?” The traveller looks over at Paimon in shock, her arms are on her hips as she stares down the two men.
“Ah, it would be wrong to withhold such news from close friends,” Zhongli answers in a level tone. “Childe and I have entered into a less than platonic relationship.”
“We got together a few years ago after the whole Liyue almost drowning incident.” Chillde shoves a piece of octopus into his mouth as if he hadn’t just dropped a huge piece of news.
“Yes, however, we have only decided to come public recently,” finishes Zhongli.
“Is that why Childe’s has some new decoration on his neck?”
If Aether could physically kill Paimon, she would already be dead.
“Ah. that was Childe’s idea” Zhongli doesn’t blush but he does look slightly bashful at being caught so quickly.
“That wasn’t what you said when I asked you,” Childe teases.
“Well, I wasn’t expecting it to invoke certain feelings and was unprepared at the time.”
“Aww, Xiangsheng don’t be embarrassed.” Childe has turned away from his soup to fully dedicate himself to teasing Zhongli. He leans close, whispering “I liked it then and I like it now.”
Zhongli doesn’t react but there is a glint developing in his eyes. He stands abruptly, pulling the ginger up with him. Childe laughs as the other begins to drag him out of the restaurant.
“Hey, you said it was your treat,” Paimon yells before the duo can exit, Zhongli doesn’t stop before pulling Childe’s money bag out of his pocket and tossing it back to their table. The bag lands perfectly on the table in front of the traveller and Paimon as they watch their lunch company leave together.
“Well we might as well finish the food,” says Paimon.
~~~
Outside of the restaurant, the two men have begun walking side by side, their shoulders touching as they walk.
“That was rude Zhongli,” Childe states “I didn’t think you could be so abrupt.”
Zhongli sighs, “I’ll have to apologise to the traveller and Paimon another time. I have missed you the past few months, it is only natural I want to spend time with you.”
“We’ve spent so much time together this past week, I’m surprised you aren’t sick of me yet.” Childe’s voice doesn’t change but there is a darkness clouding his eyes that wasn’t there before.
“Childe, you know I wouldn’t feel that way,” Zhongli’s tone is sincere. “Hu Tao has already tested the extent of my patience and has been unsuccessful.”
Childe smiles at the ground, his ears taking on a light red hue.
“Come on xiangsheng let's go home.”
The two men walk further away from the port, stopping at a house back from the funeral parlour. Childe pushes open the door and leads them inside. The house is decorated in traditional Liyue style decorations, dark wood lines the interior with green and gold accents. A green rug covers the entrance floorboards, the couple take their shoes off before walking inside.
Childe spins around, hands grabbing Zhongli’s as he pulls the dark haired man into the kitchen.
“Why don’t we have something to eat? I’m still hungry after someone took me away from my lunch.”
“I can cook something,” Zhongli’s voice is tinged with guilt as if only now realising how abruptly he had pulled the Harbinger away from the lunch.
“I was thinking something more….. exciting.” Childe grins at Zhongli, head slightly tilted down as he looks through his eyelashes.
Zhongli hums quietly before leaning in and pressing his lips to Childe’s. Childe’s arms come to rest on his partner’s shoulders as he draws him closer. They are pressed chest to chest, Childe can feel the lines of Zhongli’s coat as he presses him into the kitchen bench. Childe flips them, picking Zhongli up from his thighs and depositing him on the bench. Zhongli is slightly taller sitting on the bench so Chile tilts his head up to chase the kiss. Wasting no time Childe deepens the kiss, his hands sliding up Zhongli’s back and coming back down to hold the man’s slim waist.
Zhongli whines slightly as Childe’s tongue creeps into his mouth, Zhongli’s tongue is slightly pointier than his own as it meets his.
Zhongli’s hands rest on either side of Childe’s head as they kiss, neither one of them moves with haste. They are content with basking in the other’s presence in the comfort of their home.
“I love you,” Childe whispers breaking the kiss but not pulling away from the other’s mouth. It isn’t the first time he has said it and it won’t be the last. He says it because he needs to, the build-up of emotions in his body is nothing like the rush he gets from fighting. It isn’t let out with bloodshed and victory, instead, it builds and builds until Childe is so full of desire and love it leaks out in every exhale of breath.
Zhongli’s lips are slightly red from kissing, his cheeks slightly flushed which darken more from Childe’s declaration.
“I love you too,” Zhongli answers in a whisper.
Childe lets out a short laugh with a huff of air at the man’s words. “The bite marks affected you more than I thought they would. Look at you being soft with me and saying I love you back.”
Childe’s hands reach down to Zhongli’s hips and pull the other man off the bench, hands catching him before he drops. Zhongli’s legs automatically wrap around the other’s hips to steady himself. Childe walks to their bedroom falling onto his back on the bed, Zhongli comes down on top of him sitting on Childe’s hips.
Childe pouts and tugs on Zhongli’s coat trying to pull the man down to kiss him. Zhongli doesn’t budge from his upright position. Instead, his gloved hands pull Childe’s jacket aside, exposing the bite marks. His brows furrow as he uncovers more marked skin. There are hickeys in between the bigger bites, giving the illusion that the bites themselves had bruised.
“Come on Zhongli, you can mark me some more. Maybe not my neck but I’m sure we can work something else out.” Childe’s voice is whiny now, his impatience growing as Zhongli inspects his neck.
“I hurt you, it shouldn’t happen again.” Zhongli’s voice is sombre as if only now realising how deep his teeth had sunk into the younger man.
“Zhongli, if you truly hurt me I wouldn’t have allowed you to do it,” Childe says softly, reassuring the other man “I want you to do it again.”
Zhongli’s finger brushed up against the other's neck, the palm of his hand resting on the other’s trachea with his fingers splayed out. The rough material of his gloves presses down on the wounds when Zhongli applies pressure. Childe lets out a moan at the feeling, his eyes flickering closed as the wounds ache. Childe had known pain turned him on before Zhongli, soldiers weren’t known for their delicate bed manners. However, Zhongli brought out a whole new side of Childe, just knowing the other man was older and more powerful than he could imagine was enough to send all of his blood south. He could already feel his dick hardening under Zhongli’s firm ass.
Zhongli pulled back his hand slightly, he hadn’t been choking Childe but his wounds were still healing and the brunet didn’t want to reopen them. Childe’s eyes opened as his hands immediately went for Zhongli’s jacket buttons. Tugging the jacket and waistcoat off, leaving the man in his undershirt which was soon unbuttoned as well. Zhongli had to stand up slightly to get his pants off, Childe wasted no time pulling him back on his lap this time wearing nothing but his shirt. Childe mouthed the other’s neck before peppering kisses down his chest. Zhongli worked to free Childe of his clothing until his hands met the redhead's solid chest. Zhongli unzipped Childe’s pants, unable to remove them due to their current position. Instead pulling his dick out and began stroking him in long strokes. Childe moans at the feeling, his hands travelling down Zhongli's body to squeeze his ass.
“You want to be on top this time?” Childe is always blunt when it comes to sex, he doesn’t waste time with flowery words. It was a trait he picked up in the Fatui, if you weren’t clear people took advantage of you.
“Yes, I left the oil in the top drawer,” Zhongli replies breathlessly, pausing to allow Childe to move.
Childe reaches over to open the drawer, pulling out the glass bottle without dislodging Zhongli from his lap. As he stretches across the bed, Zhongli can’t help but appreciate the lean muscles that stretch across Childe’s body. Childe’s athletic fighting style has left him with a slim build and incredible flexibility. Zhongli’s own body is slightly wider, his shoulders broader than the redheads. Unlike Zhongli’s own crafted vessel, Childe’s body is a finetuned instrument each muscle built from years of training. On top of his skin rests countless fine scars, crossing over one another like fine silver spiderwebs. Some of the larger scars are raised as Zhongli runs his hands across the other’s sides, feeling the sinew and bones that stretch under the Harbinger’s skin. Childe turns back to face Zhongli, reaching up to give him a quick kiss before emptying some of the oil onto his hands. Fingers lightly skimming Zhongli’s hips, crossing under his shirt and across his lower back before dipping lower. Childe kisses him again, this time deeper to distract Zhongli as he pushes his first finger in.
Zhongli makes a small noise, almost like a squeak that spurs Childe on as he works him open. Their connected mouths muffle most of the noises but Childe’s sharp hearing catches them anyway. Childe is in no hurry, languidly pushing his finger in and out before lightly rubbing against Zhongli’s prostate. Zhongli’s hip jerk forward, rubbing against Childe’s still exposed dick. Zhongli resumes his previous ministrations, stroking Childe in time to the fingers moving inside him. Childe takes Zhongli’s hardening cock in his other hand stroking lightly to tease Zhongli even more. Zhongli rocks into his hand, his dick growing to full size, heavy in the redhead’s hand. Childe loses some of his patience as Zhongli’s voice begins to increase in volume, letting out moans and grunts as he attempts to prompt Childe to move faster, the redhead picking up on the hint and adding a second finger.
Neither of them is looking at their hands, too busy moving their mouths in tandem against one another. Slowly another finger is added and Zhongli picks up his movements to match Childe’s increased pace. They are both completely hard now, their dicks brushing against one another as Zhongli wriggles on top of Childe. Childe breaks away from the other’s mouth to look up at the dark haired man above him.
“Are you ready?” Childe’s eyes track Zhongli’s face, searching for any discomfort.
“Yes.” Zhongli’s answer is brief as he tilts his head back.
Childe grabs Zhongli’s hips pulling him above his dick before lining himself up, his hand coating himself in oil. Zhongli doesn’t need any encouragement before he sinks down, Childe’s prep allowing his ass to meet Childe’s hips in one single movement as he takes the other’s length in. Both men moan in tandem as they bottom out. Zhongli is the first to move, his hands pressing against Childe’s chest to steady himself. Childe lays down to give Zhongli more space to move, hands resting on either side of Zhongli’s strong legs on the bed. Zhongli pulls himself up and drops back down again, Childe lays there patiently waiting for Zhongli to move at his own pace but once the older man begins to slow down, Childe moves to take over. Gipping Zhongli’s hips with firm hands, Childe thrusts his hips up before Zhongli can sink back down.
A loud moan slips out of Zhongli’s mouth, causing Childe to thrust into him faster. The force causes Zhongli to bounce in Childe’s lap fingers scrambling to find purchase on the younger man’s chest. Childe’s hands holding him tight enough to leave bruises. Zhongli’s mouth has fallen open and his eyes are almost closed as he tilts his head back.
“Xiangsheng, I want you to bite me.” Childe’s voice is breathless as he continues thrusting into Zhongli’s ass.
“No.” Zhongli’s voice is gruff as he tries to respond. “Too soon.”
“Come on, it isn’t” Childe whines but slows down slightly to give the other a reprieve for a moment. “I’m nearly healed.” Childe is lying, the wounds are still sensitive and nowhere near healed but his whining stirs something in Zhongli.
Zhongli blinks his eyes open as he glances down at Childe, his orange hair is sticking to his forehead, and bright blue eyes looking up at him with desire and Zhongli’s resolve crashes as his possessive nature takes over.
From Childe’s eyes, Zhongli truly looks like a god in this position. His hair is still in his usual ponytail but the strands around his face have come loose and stick to his sweaty skin. His eyes are ever so slightly glowing in the afternoon sun that falls into the room from the window. His eyebrows furrow as he looks down at Childe, his expression thoughtful as he makes his inspection of Childe’s neck.
“If I hurt you, you have to tell me to stop,” Zhongli says in a grave voice, leaving no chance for Childe to protest. The redhead grins in response, waiting no time before moving his hips up in a sharp thrust. Both men moan in unison as they fall into a well traversed rhythm with one another. Zhongli’s body is a heavy weight on Childe’s hips, making his stomach flex every time he pushes up against the other man. Childe’s body begins to feel the burn as he speeds up to match Zhongli’s pace as he chases his release, Childe’s hands reach up to the man’s neck tugging him down to connect their mouths once again. Zhongli moves down Childe’s face and onto his neck, teeth catching his skin in a light bite. Childe pants as he pushes his body as his orgasm overcomes him, the feeling of Zhongli’s fangs elongating and pricking his neck only spurring him on. Childe reaches for Zhongli neglected cock as he strokes the other’s hard dick, a loud moan cutting through the room as Childe feels Zhongli’s teeth sink into the junction between his shoulder and neck. The new wound rips open the older wounds, causing fresh blood to well up on Childe’s shoulder.
His vision goes white as he feels Zhongli’s hole tighten around his own and the older man’s dick jerk as they come at the same time. Childe can distinctly feel Zhongli’s cum splatter on his chest mixing with the blood pooling there. Zhongli’s teeth hold them in place as they ride out the orgasm, only releasing when he slides off Childe and lays down next to him.
Childe’s chest rises and falls as he catches his breath, Zhongli takes his shirt off to wipe Childe clean and tosses the soiled material of blood and semen on the floor. Childe pulls Zhongli to his side, arm circling his shoulder to pull the man’s head onto his shoulder on the opposite side to the newest bite. Zhongli tucks his head under Childe’s chin as they both catch their breath, Zhongli breathes in the other man’s scent. Childe doesn’t have a strong smell thanks to his hydro vision, so the faint smell of sweat and blood is only picked up by Zhongli’s sharp nose.
Childe’s hand comes to rest on the other’s head, slipping through his hair and pulling out the man’s hair tie, letting Zhongli’s hair pool around them on the bed. Zhongli’s hair is always like silk between Childe’s fingers, Childe has never found a knot in the other’s hair no matter how dishevelled he makes the other man. Childe cherishes moments like this in their home. Zhongli never lets his hair down in public, if he did Childe would have gone public with their relationship way earlier. He never could keep his hands to himself when it came to Zhongli’s hair, it flowed like water and softened his features.
“You are beautiful like this.” Childe’s eyes are fixed on Zhongli, who has his eyes closed as he rests. His eyes blink open as he matches Childe’s unwavering gaze.
“You are too,” Zhongli’s voice is gruff, “You have no idea how much you have entrapped me.”
“No matter what happens in the future, I don’t think I will love anyone more than I love you” Childe’s smile falters as his eyes dim. “I want you to remember that when I’m gone.” This isn’t a conversation they have had before, now that the traveller knows about their relationship it won’t be long before everyone else finds out. Childe is slightly worried about how the adepti will react, a part of him hoping they ask to duel him. It had been a while since he last fought a notable opponent apart from the traveller.
“I will Childe, you have my word.” Zhongli sits up on his elbow so he can look Childe in the eye. “I will love you till the last breath exits your lips and beyond.”
Zhongli seals the confession with a kiss, it is slow despite the couple's inevitable lack of time. Their hearts lay bare as they lay together basking in the afternoon sun, maybe it wouldn’t last forever but for now, what they have together is more than enough.