I did not mean to write this but my friend a_sharee993 from Insta shared a Studio Ghibli ambience audio with me after work, and this is what happened. Anyways, I hope you all are doing well, and enjoy this!

Here's the link to the audio if you'd like to check it out: watch?v=238769dQLnc


Childe did his best not to stumble as he rose from the chair in his office to answer the knock at the door. He didn't even bother checking the clock as he walked past. He knew it was long since past when he was supposed to be done, but every time he thought he was done, he found more work that needed to be done. Granted nothing was all that difficult, but it had definitely piled up. With his skilled set, he was constantly deployed to the front lines, but that didn't change the fact that he was currently the only Harbinger deployed in Liyue, which meant that all of the administrative tasks were part of his duties as well.

"Yes?" Childe asked as civil as he could manage. It was really anyone's fault that he was behind so biting someone's head off probably wouldn't be the best move.

"I've compiled last month's budget reports for you to review. Also, I have this months and the month after budgets for you to look over and approve." Elektrina informed him, completely unfazed by his slightly disheveled appearance. She knew he would rather be anyone else than here right now and she was kind enough to not bring it up.

"Great. I'll get right on that." Childe forced out through his teeth. He took the stack from Elektrina and kicked the door closed after a quick goodbye. He slid the stack he had been working on over as he knew the budget took priority as it was already a week into the new month. Pantalone was going to kill him if they went over their budget without giving him a reason, but he would do something much worse if he discovered that they went over budget without Childe even realizing it due to being behind.

He signed in relief as he realized that they were perfectly in the middle of the range they predicated for last month, which meant that not only did they not go over, but they also even had a little left over to spare. This paperwork reminded him that he needed to go over his own financial records, but that could wait for another day. He always kept a running total of his expenses in his head and knew he was okay. Contrary to popular belief, he didn't use any of the Northland Bank's budget for any of his personal spending. All of those expenses came out of his personal allowance he received monthly due to his status as a Harbinger. It was a generous allowance put in place by the Tsaritsa to ensure that all of the Harbingers would be able to afford whatever they needed to complete their missions or to keep themselves sane and ready for anything.

His mind drifted as he thought about those "personal expenses" he had made recently. In all honesty, there was nothing he particularly used the money for. His clothes were issued and replaced for him whenever he needed it, his weapons were constantly inspected and repaired without him doing anything, his meals and housing were all provided by the Fatui so there was never really anything he needed to spend his money on. Recently it had been different though. He had been encouraged to not be as strict in his personal life and actually enjoy his rare time off. He started eating at the local restaurants from wherever his missions sent him, he would buy more of the unique things he'd come across in stalls instead of just admiring them and moving on. Not only that, but he also started buying more gifts. He would secretly send a dessert over to the child eating at the table across from him, cover the difference if someone came up short from something they wanted, he would buy random trinkets and send them back to his family.

This change in his personal life did wonders for his mental state. He got to see the smiles of the random strangers he helped, and he could see the happiness in his siblings' letter when they told him what they were doing with the most recent gifts he had sent. He never thought he would see that love and happiness in the world again after having fallen into the Abyss. Everything after the Abyss seemed so dull and twisted. He stopped trusting people. He stopped caring. He hadn't even realized it until one day someone saw the large walls he had up, and patiently waited by them each morning. They never tried to force through them, they never tried to climb them or go around the walls. They simply walked up and waited.

When Childe finally let down his walls slightly for this person, he was immediately smitten by their smile. They never lost their patience and care, but now Childe could see their smile as they went to lunch together, as they exchanged stories from their eventful lives. Sure, sometimes they fought, they yelled at each other with a passion that only two people who really love each other could muster, but every time, this person would come right back to those walls and wait, and Childe would always let him in. He was too weak for that smile.

It wasn't the small smile reserved for greeting people, or the friendly smile when talking to a staff member at a restaurant, it wasn't even the smile given when a funny story was told. It was a smile that lit up the world, one that made the eyes crinkle with mirth and hand to come up to the month to prevent a too-loud laugh from escaping. One that was carefully restrained in public but would turn into a hearty laugh or a teasing quip to follow when away from prying eyes. Childe sighed as he saw that beautiful smile shine in his mind. He still had a lot of work to do, but now he felt refreshed enough to finish it. At least to see that smile once more.

It took another few hours before Childe could actually see the dent in the stack of paperwork start to increase. His completed pile was finally larger than his to be done pile. He could feel his eyelids start to get heavy and figured this was as good of a spot to stop for the night as any. So, he scooped the paperwork into his arms and started his rounds of dropping them off at the correct places. He grumbled as the papers were surprisingly heavy to his tired limbs and went as fast as he could. Barely saying anything as he shoved the documents into each person's hands and officially making it someone else's problem now.

"Elektrina." He called as he entered the lobby of the Northland Bank. "He's the budget reports, I'm leaving now."

"Thank you, have a good evening, Master Childe." She replied with more energy than Childe thought possible given the hour. He waved goodbye as he tried not to let his exhaustion show in his steps. He didn't even think about where he was going, he just let his feet guide him on muscle memory alone. He didn't actually mean to go this way, but one thought of the smile again was enough for his body to overpower his mind and before he knew it, he was standing in front of the door of a certain consultant.

As much as he wanted to enter, he hesitated for a moment. What time was it? Would he really be okay with Childe barging into his home at this hour? Zhongli had always said that Childe was welcomed in his home whenever he wanted, but this would be the first time he actually took Zhongli up on that offer without talking to him first. What if he started him awake? What if he was busy doing work of his own? What if he was too tired for company? Childe wasn't sure how long he stood outside of the door, but the mere thought of walking away broke his heart and made his already heavy limps feel like lead.

Childe pulled the key he was given out of his pocket and slipped in the door as quietly as he could so as to not wake the man he assumed would be sleeping. If he was given his own key then this had to be okay, right? He resounded he would just sleep on the couch, and he could leave in the morning so he would intrude all that much when you thought about it.

Childe silently closed the door and started to pull his boots off to ensure he didn't track any dirt in when his own stomach growling almost scared him out of his skin. He flinched violently and prayed that it was louder to him, but still quiet enough to not disturb Zhongli. Considering the hour, since Zhongli wasn't in his normal reading chair, it was safe to assume he was asleep.

Childe knew the way to the kitchen by heart and decided to search for snacks. He could always replace anything he ate before Zhongli even noticed anyways. Not daring to open any of the cupboards as he knew they would creak slightly; he went for the jar of nuts left on the counter. Childe eyed them for a moment as it was unlike Zhongli to leave something out of place but decided he didn't care all that much when his stomach growled again. He was met with a second surprise when he sat down at the nearby table and conveniently found an apple placed in front of him. Again, it was unlike Zhongli to leave a single apple out, but Childe couldn't resist the promise of the sweetness of the apple to complement the salt and crunch of the nuts.

"I see you found the snacks."

Childe actually did jump out of his skin that time as he shot up from the chair with enough force to send it toppling over as hydro blades formed in his hands.

"Zhongli?!" He gasped as his eyes adjusted to the dim light.

"Why are you surprised to see me in my own home?" Zhongli teased, completely unfazed at the blade pointed towards his chest.

"Well, I didn't think – I mean I thought you would be…. What are you doing?" Childe stuttered.

"I knew you would be working late so I left food out. I heard you come in, so I came to make sure you were eating," Zhongli stated as if it was the most obvious thing in the world. His voice was still a little deeper since it was slightly dry after sleeping.

"You left the food out?" Childe released his blades as surprise flashed across his face. "For me?"

"Of course. I figured you would get distracted and forget to eat again. It wouldn't be best to eat a full meal before sleeping, but you still need to eat, Childe."

Childe didn't know if it was the lack of sleep, or the pure love the laced Zhongli's words and shone in his eyes, but Childe felt his eyes start to sting as he realized what was done. Zhongli didn't even know if Childe would even go to his apartment after finishing his work, but he still intentionally left food out for him just in case. All because he cared for him. All because he knew him well enough to know what Childe would need without even seeing or speaking to him the whole day.

Childe felt his chest swell at the realization. Zhongli took one look at his face before moving forward to wrap his arms around Childe's shoulders. Childe's hands snuck around to grip at the back of Zhongli's nights shirt as he buried his face into his chest. Only a couple of tears escaped from his eyes in the privacy of that chest, but his whole body started to shake. Partly from exhaustion, and partly from the strain of the emotions that threatened to explode out of him. He wanted to thank Zhongli, but he couldn't get any words out, so instead he clung tighter in the hopes it would convey his message.

Zhongli hadn't exactly planned the sudden hug, but as he felt Childe cling to him, he had no intentions of ever letting him go. Even when Childe pointed his hydro blades at him Zhongli could see the slump in his shoulders, and the slight shake of his hands as he forced his body into action once again. He knew something was wrong as soon as Childe didn't hear him approach and was startled by his voice. Zhongli hadn't intentionally disguised his footsteps, so normally Childe would have been able to hear him without a problem.

Zhongli knew that Childe struggled with affection due to his more violent past but seeing his reaction to the simply act of leaving food out made Zhongli's chest tighten. He wanted so much more for the man in his arms, and it warmed his heart as it looked like Childe was finally starting to realize that he deserved that too.

"Ajax." Zhongli called as he slid his hands up to gently hold the sides of Childe's face.

Childe didn't know how long they had been standing there, but at the mention of his real name, and the gentle guiding of the hands on his face, he looked up. Oh, this was a sight he would never forget. Already he could feel the image planting firmly in his mind. Childe's body stopped shaking but his eyes started to water again as he looked at the expression on Zhongli's face. Zhongli eyes were a little watery himself, but his face broke into a huge smile as Childe looked up at him. It was a soft smile that conveyed the love and happiness that Zhongli felt in his heart.

Zhongli's chuckle at Childe's own expression broke Childe out of his trance. Childe shook his head to try and get a grip on his emotions as he cupped Zhongli's face with his own hands. There was no resistance as Childe gently guided him down as their lips could meet. The kiss was soft and unhurried, much there how their love was.

"I love that smile." Childe said as they broke apart.

"It's brought on by you, Baobei." Zhongli laughed. It wasn't the first time Childe had told him he loved his smile, but if Zhongli was being honest, he didn't believe him at first. It had been a long time since he had given so many genuine smiles. He had been through so much in his long life that his real smiles were one of the first things he lost, but Childe always seemed to wiggle his way into his heart and pull a genuine smile from him.

Zhongli thought about teasing him some more, but he felt more than saw the increased slump in Childe's posture as the long day's events started to catch up to him now that this body realized he was safe. Zhongli let his hands linger for a moment longer, before reaching for Childe's hands to slowly guide him back to his bedroom.

Childe gave him an almost nervous look as he was afraid that his insomnia wouldn't allow him to sleep yet which would then cause Zhongli not to be able to sleep, but Zhongli silenced that thought with a shake of his head.

With deft fingers he undid the buttons on Childe's jacket so he could finally slip it off. His shirt quickly followed. To Zhongli's credit, he did not get distracted as he undid Childe's chest and thigh straps, but it was a close call for a minute as he ran his hands under them. Childe hissed as the cool air hit his slightly aggravated skin on his chest but relaxed a second later when Zhongli ran his hand across his chest.

"You can heal?" He asked amazed as he watched the red marks start to fade behind Zhongli's hand.

"To a point. It was never my strong suit." Zhongli admitted a little sheepishly. It was easy enough to create Geo constructs to stabilize bones and the like, but to heal something as delicate as skin was a different matter. In the war, he saved that for the designated medics. Healing wasn't what he was needed for as an Archon, but he was glad he had taken the time to learn the basics. Especially now that he had a partner with an incredible habit of getting into trouble, whether intentionally or not.

"Mmmm, feels nice." Childe slurred his words slightly as his balance became unstable. Zhongli rolled his eyes at him but wrapped a hand around his waist to secure him all the same. The weight on Zhongli's shoulder increased as he gently maneuvered Childe to step out of his pants and gave the same treatment to the angry red lines on his thighs.

"Come on." Zhongli coaxed. When Childe didn't seem to understand, Zhongli gave up and just hooked an arm under his knees instead. He carefully carried Childe the few steps over to the bed and leaned over it to deposit him. Childe groaned in protest when he felt Zhongli start to pull away from him.

"Hang on, my love." Zhongli tried to convince him; when that didn't work an idea crossed his mind. Childe had a firm hold on his shirt, so Zhongli undid the two top most buttons, before sliding it over his head while Childe still held onto it. The leftover warmth and scent of the shirt was enough to appease Childe's sleepy mind enough to allow for Zhongli to slip out of the room.

He silently grabbed the forgotten snacks and some water. Childe might be too out of it now to eat, but Zhongli suspected that after he slept for a bit he would be starving, but neither one of them would want to get up to do something about it. The former archon safety placed the items on the bedside table before sliding into the bed himself.

Childe immediately rolled onto his side and tucked himself into Zhongli's side. Childe heaved a sigh as he felt Zhongli wrap his arms around him once again. Despite how tired he was, Childe realized that sleep was still evading him. Before he could voice his frustration, he felt the hands on him move. One moved to gently trace lines up and down his back that would send shivers through his body while the other moved to scratch at his scalp. Childe could practically roll his eyes back at the pleasant sensations.

Childe shifted one last time as he finally felt sleep pull at his tired body. He cracked one eye open and glanced at Zhongli. The last thing he saw before he fell asleep was that smile he loved so much gracing the face of the man he adored with his whole being.


I didn't think this would be that long, but it was super fun to write. If you have an extra second, please give a like or a comment as they really help me to improve and stay motivated. Consider checking out my profile for even more ZhongChi. Thank you all so much for reading. See y'all next time! ~Kiera540