Zhongli shakes with nervous energy.
Childe reaches out and presses a hand against his knee, stilling it without a word. It's the morning. Zhongli has cooked a decent breakfast and Childe sits there, reading the paper. His fingers are warm against his leg, even through the fabric of Zhongli's pajamas.
It is bliss.
The months have ticked by so quickly that it nearly slipped past Zhongli.
Childe's eyes dart to him. "You okay?"
"I'm—yes, I'm… It's nothing."
The newspaper drops to the table, Childe neatly creasing it down the middle. He turns his chair, leaning closer until Zhongli's face is the only thing that he's focused on. He takes Zhongli's hands into his own. Kisses each one sweetly, nuzzling the ridge of Zhongli's knuckles with his soft cheek.
"You sure?"
It should be easy to say but Zhongli's words are thick in his throat. He finds himself gagging on them, choking on what he wants to say. Nothing bad, he'd never. Quite the opposite.
Why is this not easier?
Commitment comes naturally. Zhongli and Childe are each other's beginning and end. They complete each other in a way that so few get to know. Childe knows something is off instinctually. He rubs circles into the backs of Zhongli's hands, waiting patiently for an explanation.
"A year ago we signed the papers."
That makes Childe pause. He sits straighter, head tilted, his mouth forming an 'o'. Thinking. High alert as he awaits Zhongli to continue.
"It was never… a means to an end, for me. You know that, Ajax. I've always meant our marriage, but… A year has passed. One year, we've been married. It hasn't been a game to me, or a ploy to keep you here. Ajax, tell me this has been real for you."
Childe's gaze softens. "Gods, you're an idiot," he says. He pulls away. "Give me a moment. I'll be right back."
Zhongli starts as he disappears into the bedroom but just as promised, Childe is only gone for a moment.
"I was waiting until dinner tonight but since your lizard brain is overthinking shit—" Childe unfolds a plastic dime bag and Zhongli's gaze narrows.
"Ajax, is that weed—"
It is not weed. Childe dumps the contents into his hand, revealing two plain, golden rings.
"I bought these almost a year ago. Literally. A month in and I knew." Childe sighs, dragging his hand through his hair. "Look, I know I'm a mess. You're a mess. We're busy, we've got school, and there's so much that we need to figure out. But, one thing's for sure—I don't want a future without you."
The ring fits perfectly. Childe slides it on and it sits there snugly, right between Zhongli's second and third knuckles. It is not fancy. It is plain gold, thin, and expertly crafted. "I know a guy who knows a guy," he says with a shrug.
Then, Zhongli slips Childe's ring on.
Suddenly, it feels real. Zhongli's chest bursts with how much he loves this man. He surges forward, grabbing Childe by the cheeks, and kissing him passionately. "I love you," he says against his mouth. "Ajax, I love you so much."
Their kisses turn feverish soon after. Childe laughs, nipping at Zhongli's lips until he's lifted onto the table. Plates clatter as they are shoved to the side to make room. Zhongli kisses him all over, sucking trailing freckles and scars, marking up every patch of skin. Opens up Childe on his fingers until he's begging for more.
Zhongli fucks him on the table, whispering sweet nothings as Childe cries from overstimulation. He can't stop looking at their rings, glinting underneath the kitchen lights, adorning their fingers as though they're meant to be there.
Perfection. Childe gasps, flush pink to his chest, writhing on the table as Zhongli fucks him deep.
And later, they laze about in bed, whispering their love for each other, tattooing it into sweaty and heated skin.
"From the moment I saw you," he says, flicking at one of Childe's nipple piercings. "And these damned things." He tugs at one gently, which makes Childe shiver in pleasure. "Love at first sight."
"Yeah," says Childe.
Zhongli hangs over him, just watching. He could watch him forever, take in every freckle and it will still not be enough. "Happily ever after," he murmurs, tracing those spots with his fingers. "Or something like it."
Childe loops an arm around his neck, pulling him closer. "Yeah," he says again, laughter bubbling from his chest.
Zhongli, in turn, grins like a fool.