Something is off about Zhongli.
Well, not off, but different. It's subtle. In the way that he holds himself, looser than his usual strictness. More casual in his touches, leaning close with everything that he does. In public, Zhongli isn't the sort to give into displays of affection, but, as of late he seems to have forgotten such convictions.
It is not a hot afternoon, yet Zhongli shoves a finger into his collar, tugging at it. His cheeks are flush and he squirms— squirms?
Childe hesitates before asking, "Are… you okay?"
"It is warm."
It really isn't. Even Childe is comfortable in his gloves and sleeves. There's enough of a breeze to raise gooseflesh on his stomach where his shirt splits. Zhongli stares at the slip of skin with a slitted, dragon-eyed gaze.
"Zhongli—"
He seems to realize just where his gaze was trained. Zhongli shakes himself off, a full body thing more animal than not. "Apologies, Ajax, I am merely distracted."
"...Distracted," repeats Childe in a slow drawl. Anymore distracted and Liyue Harbor might just realize that Morax isn't actually dead. He leans close, pressing his hand against Zhongli's forehead. He's burning to the touch. "Zhongli, you're—"
"It is normal, I assure you." There is nothing normal about this but there's no arguing against Zhongli's stone-like gaze. He sighs gently, pulls Childe's hand to his mouth, and kisses his knuckles. "Patience, baobei. I will explain later."
"That doesn't make me feel better— Zhongli, you can't distract me with a kiss!" Zhongli's mouth is a hair's breadth away when he pauses, seemingly unaware he'd even slipped that close. "Actually, this is odd too. You never…" Zhongli is private with their affection, kissing in the shadows, or in the comfort of their shared home.
Those on the streets of the Harbor stare at them, caught by the sight.
"I mean, I'm not complaining," says Childe. "You know that I don't care."
Zhongli pecks his mouth and pulls back. Another finger into that collar of his. Sweat beads along his brow, trickling down his temple. Childe has never seen Zhongli sweat the entire time he's known him. "I merely lost myself," says Zhongli quietly. A tug at his lapels that don't straighten his jacket, leaving it lop-sided and awkward.
He says that Childe shouldn't worry. Zhongli doesn't seem worried, just a little out of sorts, humming softly as he mops his face with a handkerchief.
Childe lets it slide for now.
#
He does not let it slide for long.
The longer they spend in the market, the further Zhongli seems to slip. His touches turn almost possessive in nature. His palm, constantly pressed into the small of Childe's back. A hand on his thigh as they eat lunch at Wanmin. It isn't until he snarls at Xiangling for accidentally brushing hands with Childe that he pulls Zhongli aside.
"Ajax—"
"No," snaps Childe. Xiangling has leant them the storage room, away from prying ears. "Now, Zhongli. Explain."
Zhongli is red in the face. "I—" Strangely tongue-tied for a man so well-versed in speaking. "Ajax."
Childe drags a hand through his hair. "I'm worried. You aren't acting like yourself. You aren't poised. You're barely standing straight. Hot, like you're with fever and I'm concerned. Fuck, Zhongli, I just want to make sure that you're okay—"
Zhongli moves so quickly that Childe gasps as he's pressed against a spare prep table. The wooden edge digs into his ass as Zhongli boxes him into it. His face is buried into Childe's neck where he inhales deeply. Zhongli then licks across the skin there, slowly. Deliberately. Tasting every pore, every bead of sweat.
"Zhongli," reprimands Childe as if his cock isn't already half-hard in his trousers.
"It's my mating season," says Zhongli, his voice pitched low and gravelly. He nibbles at Childe's neck, fangs teasing as they drag over his skin.
Oh. Oh. Childe swallows at the revelation. Zhongli is heavy against him, unable to be moved. He's hard too, grinding his length against Childe's obvious erection. They both moan. Zhongli's breath is hot against his neck.
"It has taken everything in my power not to bend you over out there, Ajax. Or, to make you fuck me. I'll do anything at this point."
"Not here— not here."
It's too late, of course. Zhongli's hand has already slipped between them, fingers teasing the length of Childe's aching cock. Childe glances at the storage door. No lock. Xiangling can walk in at any moment.
"Quickly," says Zhongli, fingers sinking into the waistband of Childe's trousers, smoothing over the hard expanse of his stomach. "It's the least you can do."
"That I can do? This isn't my fault!"
"It isn't?" Zhongli's claws dig into Childe's bare side. "I'd had to stare at this all day. I've had to keep myself from touching, from tasting, from taking you right where everyone can see."
When Zhongli undoes his trousers, he doesn't stop him. Zhongli frees Childe's cock and then his own, sliding their lengths together. He spits in his hand and squeezes them tight, rutting into his palm, his cock dragging against Childe's.
Childe groans, his head slamming back against the stone wall of the storeroom. "Gods."
Zhongli snorts. "I'd prefer you cry out to me, at least."
He'll do no such thing. Not here, at least. "We're in—"
"Yes, yes. Quiet. " Zhongli takes Childe's chin and slips a thumb between his lips, tamping his tongue down. "Just like that," he murmurs.
Another thrust into the tight grip of his hand. Childe's cock twitches against his, precome dribbling from the tip. He moans around Zhongli's thumb, suckling at it.
"Quickly, as I promised. Just to take the edge off." Zhongli pulls his thumb for Childe's mouth and buries his face against his nape, inhaling again.
"Zhongli." A punched whisper as Childe's hips lift, fucking into Zhongli's hand.
Zhongli moans. He bites at his neck, teeth sinking in to suck a mark. Then another, and another, purpling marks that easily show his claim. It is intentional. Zhongli latches onto his skin to stake his claim. Hot, wet gasps with every punch of his cock.
Childe hisses. It's still too dry, but gods, it feels good. He soaks up the feel of Zhongli's hand, the heft of his cock against his own, and the way that Zhongli gasps into his neck. He seems desperate. Lost in his lust. Those old and ancient eyes glow gold as he pulls Childe's jacket open to suckle and nip at fresh skin.
"Later," says Zhongli, "I'll take my time with you. Open you up until you're writhing. You'll beg for me, and you'll do it so sweetly."
"Gods, I'm—"
"I'll fuck you everywhere in the house. And you'll fuck me too. Celestia above, Ajax. I need you. I need you like the earth needs water."
Childe spills abruptly into Zhongli's palm, utterly caught by the filth that he's promised. Zhongli uses his come to slick his fingers. He fucks his hand faster, swallowing up Childe's overstimulated cries as his cock twitches alongside. Zhongli kisses him. Practically swallows Childe's tongue down with his moans. Their teeth clash, knocking together until Zhongli's tongue runs across those too, mapping every inch of Childe's mouth as if he never has before.
Zhongli comes violently with shaking thighs and a shout that's hidden into Childe's neck. He's tense. He shudders, come spilling in thick ropes from the tip of his cock. Unending. Childe watches in fascination as Zhongli's cock doesn't waver or flag one bit.
Childe drags his pointer finger down Zhongli's length which is still hard against him. "To take the edge off," he says, echoing Zhongli's earlier sentiments. "Did it help?"
Zhongli looses a soft whine. That would be a no. Childe pets his hair, chuckling softly. "Okay, okay, let's get you home."
Childe means Zhongli's modest apartment in the Harbor, but Zhongli is quick to speak. "Too far. That's too far." A quick snap of Zhongli's fingers procures his beloved old teapot.
"We won't be fooling anyone, even if we tuck that teapot onto the shelf."
"At the moment, I don't care."
"Zhongli—"
"Ajax." Zhongli sounds like he's about to die, and clings to Ajax as though he will.
Childe presses their foreheads together. "My old, affectionate lizard," he sighs, which makes Zhongli huff, offended. Childe kisses his forehead and waves to the teapot. "Alright then, laogong. Take me home and ravish me."
Husband, he's just called Zhongli. A new word he recently learned. Zhongli looks at him through pupils blown wide and round. Everything tilts suddenly. When the air around them swirls, Childe just laughs as they go with it.