Zhongli and Childe spar in Jueyun Karst, only for Zhongli to bust out the glowing dick.

CW: Contains Smut

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It is surprisingly easy to goad Zhongli into a spar. It is harder to talk him into stepping it up a notch because Zhongli seems to think that Childe cannot handle himself.

"I don't want to hurt you." It's the same thing that he says every time.

Childe snorts. "You do more damage in the bedroom—" Zhongli's face burns red with embarrassment at that. "Oh, don't give me that look." Childe clicks his tongue. "Now, are you going to come at me again, or what?"

Zhongli does, throwing himself across the space. Childe dodges, dropping and whirling around, and thus begins their well-known dance. By now, Childe knows the way that Zhongli moves and anticipates his every twist and turn. He gets close, his hand just barely grazing Zhongli's cheek.

Only fists this time, no weapons. There's something about hand-to-hand that feels feral, like Childe's stepped back down to those old instincts he knows pulls at Zhongli's being. Zhongli jerks away in the nick of time, eyes narrowed as he returns the hit.

The punch is pulled when it collides, Zhongli's palm hitting Childe flat against the gut. "Ajax—" he hisses, annoyed that Childe didn't move to dodge, but the moment his name spills from Zhongli's mouth, Childe strikes out, fingers curling around Zhongli's ponytail to yank.

It's a dirty move that makes Zhongli hiss. His nails dig into Childe's wrist to pull at him, grunting as his head jerks back. They are locked in a hold, Childe grinning wide, thinking he has the advantage.

"Ajax." Zhongli's nostrils flare.

"Annoyed?"

"So reckless. So willing to harm yourself—"

"You said that you wouldn't harm me. Was that a lie?" Childe knows he's poking a hornet's nest.

Zhongli's expression turns cool then, narrowly slit. When he speaks next it's around a mouthful of fangs. His eyes glitter dangerously, and for a moment, Childe feels triumphant. Zhongli fell right into his perfectly placed trap. "Pesky thing, aren't you? So quick to test my temper."

He doesn't have one, as far as Childe has seen, infuriatingly calm even during the few arguments they've had, passive to Childe's quick-tempered and heated words. Childe always wants a fight, be it on the field, or when annoyed with each other, and all Zhongli ever says is, "Are you done? Will you listen to me now?"

But here, vexation rolls off of Zhongli in thick waves. He squeezes Childe's wrist sharply enough that Childe hisses, dropping his hair. Then, Zhongli moves, lightning fast, bodies pressed close as he latches onto Childe's waist and tosses him.

Childe falls to the ground but rolls through it, light on his feet. He's always been an agile thing. When he rights himself, his hip hurts, but he's no worse for wear.

Zhongli looks more ruffled than Childe has ever seen him. Loose strands of hair have been pulled from his tie and hang limply around his face. His stance is tense, lacking the liquid calm he usually has. High alert. The moment Childe moves, he'll move, which makes Childe's chest roar in anticipation.

It's been too long since he's had a good fight—and it isn't about the bloodlust, it's just that he's a soldier through and through, a military brat raised in the hands of the Fatui. Childe's routine has always been exercises and drills, but ever since he's come to Liyue he's been particularly lazy. He traded mid-day runs for lunches with a handsome stranger, and well—

Childe laughs, rubbing the dirt from his face. Zhongli's nostrils flare as he watches, that gilded gaze of his tracking every smear of soil.

When they meet next, it's a flurry of hits, feet tripping, hands knocking the other away, pushing and pulling as they trek over the ground. Childe gains feet and Zhongli loses them; Childe loses feet and Zhongli gains them.

They are not evenly matched—Childe isn't a fool enough to think that—but Zhongli has finally decided to meet him at his own game and lets the hunt fill his veins. There's something different about his gaze, something predatory. When Zhongli slides close, his hits are hard but teasing, fingers scraping over soft skin as he chuckles into Childe's ear.

"A fool," he says, "to think you stand a chance."

"You're the fool, going easy on me."

"I am playing your game, Ajax. You asked for a spar, not a fight."

True, true. "I'd like to see some effort."

The next hit against Childe's chest is hard enough to send him staggering. There'll be a bruise later, he just knows it, and that's the sort of thing that gives his dull eyes a sort of fire. When they lock their eyes, Zhongli watches him back like a hawk.

"Better." It comes out as a wheeze. "But—"

"Ajax, I will not—"

"A little more. A smidge. You're an old god, Zhongli. You've fought in wars, you've laid waste to countless enemies. Indulge me."

Zhongli tilts his head. He shrugs out of his jacket before tossing it to the side where it lands in a wad. Next, he undoes the cuffs of his shirt sleeves, rolling them up to the forearm. Then, Zhongli does the unthinkable—he unbuttons not one, but the top two of his undershirt, allowing his collarbones to peek out from the white linen.

Childe's mouth goes dry. "Y-you're trying to distract me!"

"You flatter yourself. It is merely easier to move when less restricted." Zhongli's eyes flicker to meet Childe's face. "If that was my intention, however, is it working?"

Yes. And Zhongli knows that, judging by his curling grin, just a half-formed thing that tilts his lips. He's amused. Indulge me, Childe asked. He wonders if he should regret it now.

The air glitters, gold stretching through the space, heavy in the atmosphere. Zhongli is toying with him. He stands there, adjusting his cuffs there they rest around the crease of his elbows. Zhongli's mouth is tugged to one side. Playful.

When Childe sees that look on his face it's usually right before he's pounded into the bed, ass spread wide around Zhongli's cock. Sweet words in his ears, the bed creaking underneath them—Childe swallows thickly as he tries to ignore his quickly growing erection.

The next time Zhongli moves it isn't even a blur, he is just gone. Childe expects a hit, not to be upended entirely, thrown onto his back and immediately pressed into the ground. A knee to Childe's groin, pressing against his hard length. A soft chuckle as he shifts.

Zhongli's breath is hot against his neck as he leans close and inhales. "Ajax, you smell—"

"I know how I smell!" snaps Childe, annoyed and embarrassed in one go. "I can't help it, I can't—"

"Oh, but I love it." Zhongli's teeth graze the soft skin underneath Childe's jaw, too-long fangs itching to sink in. "That I can do this to you, that all it takes is a look and you're—" He sneaks a hand down Childe's side and squeezes his erection right through his clothing.

Childe stills, relaxing against the ground. Zhongli is woefully distracted, so maybe he can—

"This fight is over." Zhongli's voice cuts through his thoughts.

"Zhongli—"

"I do think that I've been patient, you rascal."

Oh. Childe's mouth falls open as Zhongli's palm grinds against his cock. Damn the trousers that are in the way. Damn the two of them being out in the open, sparring at Jueyun Karst and not inside the teapot. It was Childe's insistence. When they spar there in secret feels cheap, and disadvantaged, but here—

"Ajax?"

"We're in public!"

Zhongli draws back at that. His expression is amused. "When has that ever stopped you?"

Never. Childe is the menace in this way be it dragging Zhongli into alleyways, or the one time he sucked him off during the Moonchase festival with Xiao watching, or that Yuletide Party at the Wangshu Inn—

"Ajax," says Zhongli sweetly, taking his chin in his hand and tugging Childe's face to meet his.

"This place is like... sacred." It'd taken more than a year for the other adepti to even let Childe visit and he isn't so sure about letting Zhongli fuck him when Cloud Retainor might be lurking about.

Zhongli is a persuasive bastard when he wants to be. All it takes is for a sweet kiss to Childe's brow, his nose, down the length of his jaw, and the sight of Zhongli's mortal guise being shed for his resolve to be gone. Zhongli's arms are black and glittering. Ghostly, half-formed antlers grace the top of his head. Almost there. Not quite yet. Still.

Childe becomes pliant under him, legs spreading eagerly as Zhongli pulls the shirt from his trousers. "We are alone," he says, licking across Childe's abs, tasting the salty sweat that has collected there. Zhongli moans, a deep sound that has Childe's gut twisting.

"What is with you?" hisses Childe. "You're never like this. You're, you're—" Unfairly handsome. Divine. Childe can feel the weight of Zhongli's power as he crowds him against the ground, face pressed against Childe's hip.

"A menace," Zhongli says, his fingers pulling at Childe's trousers. Childe moans when his cock is freed and Zhongli pumps it once. "When you want to be. Goading me into a fight knowing you'll get off on it. And that I'll get off on that."

Okay, fair point. Childe gasps when Zhongli licks his palm, leaving his hand wet when he touches his cock again. This time it's slick. He thumbs at the head, sweeping over the slit, chuckling at the way that precome dribbles so readily.

"That's—Zhongli?" Zhongli moves, dragging himself down the length of Childe. "Zhongli, what are you—oh. Oh, gods."

Zhongli swallows his cock right to the root, the tip of it burrowed into his throat. He hums and drags his tongue along the underside, and Childe can't help but buck into the tight heat of his mouth. Childe braces his feet against the ground and holds the back of Zhongli's head, fingers curled into his hair.

Antlers glow slightly, pulsating. Childe drags his fingers over the soft velvet of them. Zhongli has gone and fully lost himself, judging by the way his too-long tongue swirls around Childe's cock. Childe fucks his mouth with uneven movements as he writhes on the ground. "Fuck, fuck."

Maybe they should fight more if this is the result. The sounds that Zhongli makes are unbefitting of a god; the soft hums and grunts, how Zhongli chokes every time Childe's cock slides deep. It's wet, messy, and fevered. Zhongli swallows Childe's dick as if he'll die if he doesn't. Prostrate before him, Childe's cock lodged in his throat on what could be considered holy ground.

If Cloud Retainer could see Morax now. Childe both hates and loves the way his dick twitches at the thought.

"Zhongli, I'm going to—If you don't stop, I'm going to—"

Which, of course, Zhongli doesn't stop. He redoubles his efforts, intent on dragging Childe past the edge. Childe groans, head thunking against the hard ground. His hand moves to curl around Zhongli's antler which makes him pause. A moan bubbles from his throat, around his cock, and oh, Childe is just—

He spills so easily into Zhongli's mouth, his come trickling from the corners of his lips. Zhongli pulls back and a wad of Childe's spend lands in his palm, his fingers sweeping through the puddle to collect it. Childe's face burns red as those fingers reach between his asscheeks with the intent to use his come as lube.

Embarrassing. Even more so when Zhongli slips in a finger all too easily. Childe is still loose from the night before when they made love slowly and lazily. This is different. Zhongli bites at the insides of his thighs as he curls that finger, fangs dragging over the soft, sensitive flesh.

And that tongue. Rougher and serpentine as Zhongli laps at Childe's balls. A rare treat—all of this, from the spar to Zhongli's teasing, to the way his mortal guise has entirely slipped away. He fucks Childe open on two, then three fingers. He nips at his skin, the points of his teeth sinking in enough to make Childe squirm. Marks for days, purpling things that show off his claim, that'll catch their eyes as they wander casually.

Zhongli is both cruel and kind. He is gentle—more so than Childe would think he would be when so desperate, but perhaps Zhongli is just savoring the moment. He looks down and sees Zhongli's nostrils flare, how he licks across his skin, how he reels back to watch his fingers sink in. But cruel in the way that they rub at his prostate until Childe's toes are curling in his boots, until he's trying to hold his cries back because he doesn't quite trust Zhongli's insistence that they are alone.

"Zhongli," murmurs Childe, tugging on his hair. He's answered with a soft chuckle and a sweet kiss to the crease of his groin. "Zhongli." This time he yanks at an antler hard enough that Zhongli grunts.

The movement between his legs pauses. Zhongli leans back and spreads his fingers, testing the looseness of Childe's hole. "So needy," he teases. "And so perfect for me. Were we anywhere else I'd watch you come undone on my fingers over and over—"

"Please just fuck me. Just—please." Childe is quick to shove off his boots and trousers, freeing his legs.

Zhongli's gaze is sharp. His pupils are blown wide. He drags a hand down Childe's front with his spare hand, tracing his freckles and scars. "I've always wanted to fuck you here."

Fuck, he said. Zhongli never fucks Childe, he always makes love—his words, which he insists upon. But here, in Jueyun Karst, it is not just Zhongli that leans over him; it's Rex Lapis, too, Morax, and whatever other names he's held through the eons.

Zhongli purrs as he dips close to drag his fangs across the length of his neck. "This is one of my domains. There is power here, and—" He inhales, sighing at Childe's scent before kissing his skin there. "I desire to show you off at times—"

"Zhongli." Childe isn't sure which is more embarrassing—Zhongli voicing his desires so clearly, or the way Childe's cock twitches at the thought of being watched. He was teased earlier about it. Their more public shenanigans are usually spurred on by Childe.

"Indulge me." Zhongli asks politely. He kisses down the length of Childe's neck, mouthing at his skin, leaving mark after mark. "For once, this old dragon wishes to have his way, which I deserve after you tormented me."

Childe snorts. "I've already asked you to fuck me. And we've—" He swallows. "You've never..." There is something about this time that feels different. Zhongli's power bleeds through the air, heavy, swirling around them. Childe can taste the tang of dirt on his tongue. Everything smells like earth, tinged with gold at the edges.

Zhongli's eyes are narrowly slit and serpentine, pupils thin as he rears back to look at Childe. "Darling," he says then, fingers ghosting across the front of his own trousers, tented with his thick erection.

Childe's eyes instantly hone in on it, tracing its length. Zhongli undoes his trousers swiftly and slides them down his thighs. His cock slips out, deliciously large, dripping at the tip, glowing golden—

Glowing golden?

"Oh," mutters Zhongli. He palms himself, thumb over the tip, teasing it. "I didn't realize I'd—"

"It can glow?"

For a moment, all of Zhongli's bravado dissipates and his cheeks glow pink in embarrassment. "It is something that I tend to keep a tight hold on, but with you spread out before me here in Jueyun Karst... I find that those more composed parts of myself have slipped away due to—"

"Are you done rambling? How long are you planning on making me lie here because the ground is hard and your dick is perfect, and I need it in me now."

Zhongli huffs at that but shuffles closer. "Impatient." He leans back over Childe, his voice gravelly.

Childe reaches between them and grabs Zhongli's cock. Hefty. Even his precome shimmers golden as it drips from the tip. Childe spreads it around to slick up his grip. "To think you were hiding this," he says. "How many times have I told you that I love these parts of you?"

"Ajax—"

"I mean, I'd have preferred in private, maybe."

"That's it though—" Zhongli's mouth drops until it's next to Childe's ear. "The entire reason I'm like this. Ajax, the things you do to me, and I to you—I want them to see."

Childe turns his face. "You said we are alone."

A soft scoff of annoyance. "We are. Regrettably. Still, the thought of it—" Zhongli hisses as Childe's palm twists around the tip of his cock. "Alright, alright." Zhongli hikes Childe's legs up and around his waist. He takes hold of his cock, brushing Childe's fingers away. "A menace," he says, affectionately. "My menace. Always mine—mine."

Hydro pools in his hand at Childe's behest. He watches Zhongli stroke his golden dick, groaning softly as he presses the tip to Childe's hole. He sinks in quickly with one swift thrust.

"Gods. Oh, you're—" Bigger. Zhongli's cock is definitely bigger, a smidge thicker, the tiniest bit longer, enough so that Childe feels split open in the most delicious way. His gut curls, pleasure creeping through it.

Zhongli wastes no time. He hooks Childe's knees over his arms, bending him in half. His thrusts are just this side of rough, sliding through Childe's insides, hitting every perfect spot. Zhongli's claws dig into his skin, pricking it. The slick slap of skin on skin is too loud. Zhongli grunts, sweat beading along his brow as he fucks Childe earnestly.

And Childe—Gods, it's too good. His toes curl. He keens in the dirt, clinging on to Zhongli, raking his fingers down his back. He's still half-clothed, his shirt hanging loosely on him, the linen open around his collarbone, showing off the edge of where his skin bleeds into charcoal black. Childe would prefer his skin, prefer to feel his nails dig into the soft give of it, to hear Zhongli's moan at the marks he leaves.

Zhongli presses in deep, grinding against him. "Perfect," he murmurs. "So, so perfect. Look at how well you take me."

"Why didn't you—gods, you're big. So full. So, so—" Childe moans, head dropping against the dirt as Zhongli laughs at how he squirms.

"Ajax, look." Zhongli cups Childe's chin, forcing his gaze between them. The bulge of Zhongli's cock settled deep is obvious, a slight swell prominent underneath his navel. Zhongli drags his fingers over it and Childe realizes the glow of his cock can be seen through his skin.

Oh. Childe's throat goes dry, his eyes locking there as Zhongli begins to thrust again. That bulge wriggles, the glow of Zhongli's cock carving through him with every rut. Zhongli leans back and spreads his ass cheeks to watch how easily his cock slides in and out.

"Fuck." Childe's cock is so wet at the tip, it's like a fountain. "Yes, yes—"

It is particularly feral. Zhongli looks like a god before him, the air tinges gold as his power swirls around them. Zhongli grabs Childe's balls and squeezes them. Smooths a thumb down the smooth skin underneath where they hang before tracing the edge of Childe's slick rim.

"Divine," says Zhongli then, as if he's not the divine one with a cock like molten gold. He watches Childe like he's a precious metal, eyes raking over every inch of his being. Zhongli's gaze glitters with affection, with love, which makes Childe cry out.

"Zhongli." Childe's voice is raspy with want. "Zhongli." He feels like he's on fire, every vein alight with arousal. Zhongli watches him with a ruddy, lost gaze, face flush down to his sternum. His shirt gapes as he leans over close. He nips at Childe's mouth, still holding his chin.

They kiss passionately, mostly teeth and tongues. Childe moans as Zhongli plunders his mouth.

"Zhongli, I'm—"

Childe's voice cuts off as Zhongli's hand sweeps low to curl around his cock. He looses a choked moan as Zhongli strokes his length in time with every roll of his hips. "They would worship you if they saw you like this. And I worship you now. Ajax."

The glow of Zhongli's cock through his stomach is mind-numbing. Their earlier fight lingers in the background of Childe's brain, and all he can think of at that moment is how full he is, how tightly Zhongli strokes him, and that damned golden tint to his abs.

Another time he'll swallow Zhongli's cock down and taste that glittering precome. Another time, he'll beg to have his mouth fucked until tears leak from the corners of his eyes, and his voice is shot. Childe wants to drown in Zhongli; in his scent, the taste, the feel of him. Even now, Childe is drunk on his power and the sight of those golden lines that trace his forearms.

"I love you." Words that are usually saved for moments in private. "Zhongli, I love you, I love this, I love all of you." Childe slides a hand down and lays his palm flat against the bulge of Zhongli's cock, pressing the heel of it down.

They both moan. Zhongli curses, burying his face in Childe's nape as his thrusts take on a frenzied, stuttered rhythm. A deep inhale. Zhongli's breath, hot against Childe's ear. "You smell—Ajax."

Childe cries out as Zhongli's cock nails his prostate. "There, there, there—" It takes only a few more strokes of Zhongli's deft fingers for Childe to spill all over his stomach. He groans, back arching from the ground. One arm curls around Zhongli's neck to hold him close.

Zhongli kisses his face; eyebrows, cheeks, the curve of Childe's jaw. "You feel so good," he growls. Zhongli fucks him with heavy, hard thrusts that send Childe sliding across the ground.

Childe's cock twitches against the dim glow of his stomach. It's a sight Childe isn't likely to forget or feel. Zhongli can't just pull out a bigger dick and expect Childe to go back to normal. Overstimulation curdles the arousal in his gut. It's good—so good. Childe drowns on the fullness of Zhongli's cock bullying his insides.

Zhongli comes shortly after with a grunt, painting his insides with a rush of heat. Several more thrusts as he rides that wave of pleasure, and Childe swears that it's wetter than normal, that there's more. Full to the brim. Drowning in Zhongli's spend.

The fullness of Zhongli's cock is gone far too soon. Childe whimpers as Zhongli pulls out and spreads his asscheeks, watching his come spill from Childe's wrecked hole. "Darling," he says sweetly. "If you could see..." His thumb is soft as he prods at Childe's slick rim.

There is another distant thought—that there might be adepti around, watching. Come leaks from the tip of Childe's cock. He wants more, he wants to be wholly claimed. Their spar still burns brightly in his blood. "Another. Zhongli, I want another. Please."

Zhongli chuckles. Smooths Childe's hair back with a gentle touch and kisses his forehead. Then he coaxes Childe onto his hands and knees. "Who am I to deny such a request?" His cock is still hard. He drags it over the cleft of Childe's ass before settling the tip back to his sopping hole.

This time, Zhongli thrusts into him sharply, punching a moan straight from Childe's gut. "Oh gods," hisses Childe, legs spread wide, knees smarting against the hard ground. "Fuck. Fuck—"

Zhongli fucks him fast, hands curled around Childe's waist to pull him into every thrust. The sounds are obscene, Zhongli's come bubbling around his dick. Childe's cock leaks onto the ground, hard again, straining for a second release. He aches—Celestia, above, he aches— from the thickness of Zhongli's cock, to the way his prostate stings with overstimulation.

Perfect, though. Childe keens and moans, face pressed against his forearm as Zhongli pounds into him from behind.

Zhongli leans closer. An arm wraps around his front, hand against Childe's stomach. The bulge of Zhongli's cock is a dangerous thing for both of them, and Zhongli growls at the feel of it. Childe's hand covers his, lacing their fingers together as they cup the bulge of Zhongli's cock which carves through him.

Childe wonders what other tricks are up his sleeve. Surely there is more than just a golden cock and glittering antlers and a tail? He'll ask later once he regains his thoughts, but for now, he loses himself to this.

When Childe comes a second time, it's in a thin, watery trail. He collapses against the grass, his ass held up by Zhongli's strong hands. There will be bruises. He'll be purple around the waist and stare at the marks for days, pleased in the aftermath. And Zhongli will too, sliding behind him to touch, dragging his knuckles over his claim.

"Ajax." Zhongli's tone is pinched. A soft growl as his thrusts slow into a languid crawl as he grinds deep. Childe aches, but in that dazed, pleasant sort of way as Zhongli just thrusts over and over into him. "Ajax," he says again. "Ajax, Ajax—"

They are a sloppy mess. Zhongli spends himself for a second time into Childe's awaiting heat. The rush of warmth leaves Childe lax against the ground, thighs shaking, shoving his hips back. The seconds tick by. All Childe can hear is his heartbeat raging in his ears and Zhongli's heaving breaths.

Zhongli palms at his ass, rubbing circles into the meat there. "Hah, you're..." Even Zhongli is at a loss for words. He pulls out and Childe turns, looking over his shoulder. Zhongli's cock flags, the glow of it dimming. Incandescent come drips from the tip, as well as Childe's ruined ass.

Childe rolls over and flops against the ground, exhausted and wrung dry. He groans, resting a forearm against his face.

Zhongli pulls up his trousers with a sigh, then crawls across the space between them. He hangs over Childe with a grin, and asks, "Have I wasted you so thoroughly?"

Childe cracks open an eyeball. Zhongli's shirt hangs loose, damp with sweat. His edges are still blurred with Geo. Childe reaches up and drags his fingers across the line of Zhongli's collarbone. "You're still all..." He trails off, dropping his hand to trail along Zhongli's forearm. He traces the golden lines that branch across Zhongli's skin.

"Ah." Zhongli leans close, loose tendrils of his hair framing his face. "You should know how easy it is to lose myself in your presence. Even now—"

"Ease off, big guy. I'm beat."

Zhongli chuckles and kisses Childe's brow. "Later then, when I can have you all to myself."

Childe's gaze narrows. "All to yourself? You said—"

"A tease." Zhongli's tone is light-hearted. "Though, knowing your penchant for showing off—"

"You'll be the death of me," grouses Childe, rubbing his face. Everything aches. He'll feel it for days. His gaze flickers to the opening of Zhongli's trousers, still undone and low-slung on his hips. "By the way, explain."

"Explain?" Zhongli has the gall to look confused.

Childe pokes at the base of Zhongli's now soft cock. "I forgot you can make it bigger but it can glow? Just how many things are you keeping from me?"

Zhongli rubs at his neck. "Ah, that's... Ajax, there are parts of myself which—"

"I'll love, no matter how weird and... Morax-y they may be. Remember when I found out about the tongue? I love the tongue." Childe tugs on his shirt to pull Zhongli closer. "How many times do I have to say it for you to believe it?"

They share a kiss, short and sweet. "I do," says Zhongli, his voice quiet against Childe's lips, "but that does nothing to quell the occasional embarrassment of these... lesser instincts. You wanted a spar and I—"

"Played right into my hand. Isn't that what annoyed you earlier?"

Zhongli huffs. "My point, exactly," he replies dryly.

Childe tugs at a loose lock of Zhongli's hair. "Get up. I'm a mess and there's a pool of water over there—"

"You will not clean yourself off in it. That is a sacred pond in which the adepti cleanse themselves from the wastes of the world."

"And our wastes?"

"Ajax—"

"I'm covered in my come. Stuffed full of yours—also, which glitters?"

"You are impossible—"

"And you have antlers and a glowing dick."

Their banter is natural and affectionate. Zhongli pulls off his shirt—to which Childe exclaims, "No, don't, I'll just stare." —and uses it to wipe Childe's chest and stomach clean. When Childe rights himself, he groans, Zhongli's come splattering to the ground.

Zhongli stares long enough for Childe to snort, nudging his arm. "Let's get back home. I want a bath."

"Home, then," says Zhongli sweetly, cupping Childe's cheek. "I will take care of you?"

"Take care of me? Or 'take care of me'?" A waggle of Childe's eyebrows makes Zhongli snort softly.

Zhongli pulls him to his feet, eyes darkening at the way his spend drips down the insides of Childe's thighs. He helps Childe dress himself, fingers sliding over his hips, dragging over the sharp jut of the bone there. "Whichever you prefer," he finally says, leaning over to knock foreheads together, soaking up Childe's radiant warmth.

Later, when back at the teapot, Childe really does just want a bath. He sinks into the water and melts against Zhongli's hands as oil is rubbed into the line of his shoulders. It is chaste. They laugh and kiss, and laze about in the steamy air, the earlier tension of their spar easing away.

In bed, Zhongli is still caught in the middling stage of his, fingers blackened and glittering in the dimness of the room.

Childe lays on his side, watching as Zhongli shuffles about the room, tidying before he fully turns in. "So," he says, chin resting in his hand, "hypothetically—if we get stranded somewhere without candles or light, we could use your dick to light the way."

"Ajax."

"Or if it's like late at night, and you're too lazy to light one and want tea, you can just whip it out and—"

"Ajax."