Tags and Trigger warnings: Emetophilia, vomiting, overstuffing, dom/sub, Tartaglia being a little shit, self-indulgent, aftercare, sub Tartaglia

Summary: In which for one special day, Zhongli decides to test Childe's limits rather than his own.

Posted to Ao3: July 9th 2021

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Zhongli has always found himself fascinated by humans.

They persevered and pushed on no matter the trials and tribulations they faced.

A true testament to their strength and stubbornness, Zhongli found it absolutely amazing and from time to time he enjoyed watching them test their limits.

So it was no surprise to anyone really that he ended up dating Childe of all people.

A young man who was stubborn and intent on not only pushing his limits but surpassing them. And that was one of the things Zhongli loved most about him.

"Why do they only have chopsticks, " Childe huffed with a scowl, as he struggled to pick up one of the dumplings in front of him.

Zhongli merely smiled as he used his own pair of chopsticks to pick up one of the dumplings. "Here you are, " he muttered, bringing the piece of food to Childe's mouth.

The other man gave a huff as he took the food, being no stranger to Zhongli feeding him off of his chopsticks like he usually did when they had dinner together.

Grumbling under his breath Childe glanced up when he realized Zhongli was just staring at him. "Enjoying yourself?" He asked once he'd swallowed the piece of food.

He'd caught Zhongli staring at him more than a few times, especially when he was eating. It was as if any other thought the consultant had seemed to vanish.

Zhongli nodded, a smile on his face. "Quite a bit, yes."

"That's good, " Childe said with a grin.

He's aware of Zhongli's eyes on him as he struggles to pick up another dumpling.

Why in the world was this so difficult? Childe needed to remember to bring a fork and spoon with him next time they ate out somewhere.

He looks up again when he sees Zhongli holding out another piece of food for him to eat.

There's a strange yet familiar glint in Zhongli's eyes as he watches Childe eat.

And Childe smirks once he's eaten the piece of food. "If I didn't know any better I'd say you like watching me eat, " he chuckled. It's stated less like a joke and more like a fact.

One that they both know is true, it's not surprising to Childe either considering they've done kink stuff before and Childe knows that Zhongli wouldn't do it if he didn't enjoy it as well.

Zhongli gives a soft hum. "Perhaps I do, " he said after a moment. As he speaks he grabs another piece of food, bringing it to Childe's mouth.

Childe gave a small snort. "Perhaps he says."

Zhongli merely shrugged, although his eyes zero in on Childe's mouth as he watches him chew. "The answer is yes then, may I ask why you are bringing it up at the moment?"

Zhongli knew that Childe typically only brought it up when he was in the mood. And he couldn't help but feel excitement buzzing in his veins just below the surface. His attention was completely captured by Childe.

Childe gives a soft hum, crossing his arms. "Why am I asking, " he said almost thoughtfully, his usual teasing tone lacing his words.

Zhongli sighed knowing he'd have to ask outright when Childe got like this. He glanced around the restaurant, more out of reflex than anything, knowing that it was already empty due to Childe having reserved it entirely for him and Zhongli.

"May...I ask why you are bringing up our bedroom activities now?" Zhongli asked after a moment, his eyes glancing back down to the plate of food in front of him.

Childe smirked when he saw the slight red blush on Zhongli's face. Seeing him flustered even slightly was always a treat. Childe gave a soft hum. "I was just wondering if you want to have some fun later?" Childe asked, leaning forward a bit to peer into Zhongli's face.

"I would need time to prepare, as usual," Zhongli told him, his tone almost thoughtful. Although he looks slightly confused when Childe gives a soft laugh.

"What I mean is, would you like to take the reins this time?" Childe asked him. "It would be a nice departure from what we usually do."

For a moment Zhongli is quiet merely thinking about what Childe had just said, then it clicked and Childe laughed when Zhongli looked at him, amber eyes practically glowing.

"Childe, Ajax...do you truly mean that?" Zhongli asked him, his full attention on Childe. Excitement hummed in his veins, leaving him feeling as though he had too much energy at the moment.

Childe grinned, he couldn't help the sense of pride that flowed through him. "Yes, we just need a date and place to do it though. I'll let you choose since it'll be your special day."

Zhongli merely nodded the gears in his turning, he knew exactly what he wanted. It was something he'd thought about often but was unsure of how to bring it up as well as worried that Childe wouldn't enjoy the idea, from the almost beaming grin Childe gave him though Zhongli realized he'd been completely wrong.

"Just tell me what you want to do so I can prepare ahead of time, I don't mind surprises but it'd probably be best," Childe said as he tapped a finger almost absentmindedly on the table.

He smirks when Zhongli's eyes glance down at the food in front of him before glancing back up his eyes on Childe's lips. "I...would like to test your limits," he said softly, seemingly choosing his words carefully.

Childe chuckled. "If you want to spar with me all you have to do was say the word."

He laughs when Zhongli gives an almost exasperated-sounding sigh. "Childe..."

"I know, I know, you wanna feed me until I can't take it anymore huh?" Childe said his tone was light and teasing, a smirk on his face as he took one of Zhongli's hands in his own.

Zhongli sighed again, his gaze on the food in front of him, a slight red blush on his face. "Please do not phrase it like that but yes," he admits softly.

"There we go, now we just need a date and location. Both our apartments could work," Childe said, giving a soft hum as he closed his eyes lost in thought.

"There...is a location that would be suitable for what we intend to do. I have also been meaning to take you there at one point," Zhongli told him after a moment.

"Good now we need time, you'll need time to cook and I need time to prepare..." Childe murmured. He reached out, grabbing his glass of wine and taking a sip.

"I will retrieve you when the preparations have been made," he said, clearing his throat. He felt as if he couldn't calm down, and if the almost mischievous glint in Childe's eyes was anything to go by it was the same for him as well.

~~~

Childe was admittedly a bit antsy and riled up but he couldn't help it. He was practically bursting with excitement waiting for Zhongli to come get him so that they could finally have fun.

Battle did help quell the urge slightly and kept his hands busy, but his mind still wandered which left him feeling warm, almost feverish, all of his senses on edge. Hell, he could barely focus on the paperwork in front of him.

"Sir, perhaps you should find Mr. Zhongli," Ekaterina suggested at one point, as she watched Childe reread a piece of paperwork in his hand for the third time.

"I'm fine, besides he's supposed to come get me when things are ready," Childe sighed, setting the paperwork aside to look at her.

It'd been half a week since he'd last spoken to Zhongli, and he had no idea where the man had gone considering Childe had not seen him around Liyue harbor lately as well. Wangsheng funeral parlor was the first place Childe had looked but Hu Tao had told him that Zhongli was busy, she didn't say with what, but Childe knew.

That hadn't succeeded in calming him down, however, even slightly. If anything his anticipation grew, as his imagination fueled it which now led to his current predicament.

"Right, of course, sir," Ekaterina sighed, sounding completely unconvinced and she had every right to be considering Childe looked about five seconds away from pacing his office like a caged animal.

Childe took a deep breath trying to calm himself down a bit, when it didn't work he got to his feet. "I'll be back soon, need to take a walk," he muttered, grabbing his bow as he headed for the door.

"Liyue won't need any protectors if you continue slaughtering every beast within a 20-mile radius." He hears Ekaterina mumble under her breath.

Childe ignores her as he makes his way outside. By the time he makes it a good ways outside Liyue, a different kind of excitement replaces the arousal that had been nearly consuming him. His thoughts are clear and focused.

He's just finished slaughtering a group of hilichurls when a large shadow fell over him, he glances up briefly only to do a double-take when a large serpent-like creature lands in front of him.

For a second all he can do is stare, taking in the rich brown scales the color of earth, the glowing amber antlers the color of Cor Lapis, the fluffy mane of fur around the creature's neck. It shakes itself slightly before glowing cor lapis colored eyes gaze down at Childe. If the beast was actually a threat to Childe he'd be dead by now considering how long he'd been simply staring in awe.

But it's not, it is known as the Exuvia, although Childe knows it as something or rather someone else

"Z-Zhongli..." Childe manages to get out as he stares with a mix of wide-eyed awe and shock.

Zhongli gives a soft huff and Childe thinks he grins, at least it seems like he does.

Moments later an amber glow cloaks his form and when it disappears Zhongli is standing there in his human form blinking slowly.

Childe rushes over to him practically leaping into his arms as he slung his arms around Zhongli's neck. "Finally, do you know how long I was waiting for you?"

Zhongli merely smiled, his hands on Childe's waist. "I apologize, I needed time to prepare everything. However as promised I have come to retrieve you, shall we be off?"

The excitement of battle leaves him, and Childe nods almost frantically.

~~~

"So this is your domain...I figured you have one," Childe muttered as he looked around the area. Childe had a feeling that Zhongli would take him to Jueyun Karst although he hadn't known where exactly.

Zhongli merely gives a hum, not acknowledging Childe as he continued to lead him down the twisting hallways. And Childe grinned licking his lips.

This was going to be a lot of fun, and a little painful but it wasn't anything Childe hadn't asked for or didn't want. He welcomed it in fact, eager to see just how Zhongli would go about this.

"Here we are," Zhongli murmured as he opened one of the large doors in front of him.

Childe's eyes widen and a low whistle leaves his mouth when he sees what's inside the room. A large dining table piled with a near buffet of food, he could recognize a lot of it as Liyuean cuisine but a few others seemed to be recipes from Mondstadt, Inuzuma, and even Sneznahya.

"Oh wow, no wonder it took you half a week to come get me, did you prepare all of this by yourself," Childe asked, slightly surprised. Although he honestly shouldn't have been considering how much he knew about Zhongli.

"Yes, that is correct. I wanted this moment to be special, most of the dishes were created using recipes by memory," Zhongli explained.

Childe merely hummed nodding, Zhongli always did seem to have a near-perfect memory so he's not surprised that he knows all these recipes practically by heart.

Zhongli turns to him and takes a deep breath. "Are you still sure that you want this Childe? I will not be upset if you have changed your mind."

Childe gives a soft snort. "Do you know how excited I've been for this? I could barely think straight let alone get any work done," he muttered.

Zhongli smiled. "Yes, I am aware of the lack of monsters near Liyue harbor." He gives a soft hum, "Which word shall we use in case you've had enough."

Childe smirked. "Can't believe you're giving up on me already. I thought you knew me better than that," Childe teased, then he smiles, that genuine smile full of warmth that Zhongli loves so much. "Let's use your name this time, your real name."

Zhongli nodded, closing his eyes for a moment, and when he opened them his eyes were glowing. He looked at Childe, his expression blank, almost as if a switch had been flipped. "Have a seat," he told him, gesturing to one of the chairs, his gaze on Childe the entire time.

It is not a question, nor is Zhongli requesting that Childe take a seat, it is an order plain and simple. That combined with the inhuman almost ethereal appearance of Zhongli's eyes has a shiver of pleasure running along Childe's spine.

Taking a deep breath Childe walks forward, it feels like stepping into a different world entirely once Childe crosses that doorway.

He stops in front of one of the chairs feeling Zhongli's eyes all the while, that all-knowing gaze practically boring into him.

He takes his time sitting down in the chair, a frown appearing on his face when he notices no utensils in front of him, only an empty wine glass and plate.

"Where are..." he begins looking up as Zhongli walks over to the chair right beside Childe.

"Since you use chopsticks with the same efficiency that you do a bow, I can not trust you to not eat like an uncivilized beast.," Zhongli explained, his tone cold, almost detached, and clinical.

And yet Childe can't help but feel like he's talking down to him, there is an almost condensing layer beneath Zhongli's words.

Childe gives a snort rolling his eyes. "Do you really think not having chopsticks is gonna stop me," Childe chuckled as he leaned forward.

He reaches across the table to grab one of the dumplings off of one of the nearby plates with his bare hands, he knows it's bad manners but he doesn't care. If Zhongli was going to talk down to him like he was some unruly brat then he was gonna act like one.

Childe jumps slightly, eyes wide with surprise when Zhongli's hand shoots out wrapping around Childe's wrists. His grip is tight, just enough to send a slight pleasurable sting across Childe's skin but not enough to break the limb and Childe knows he's going to have bruises there later.

Zhongli digs his thumb into Childe's wrist with enough force that his hand opens, dropping the food back on the plate. "And what is it that you think you are doing," Zhongli asked calmly, his eyes staring Childe down.

Childe took a deep breath, shuddering breath, licking his lips not bothering to hide his smirk when he saw Zhongli staring at them. "I was getting something to eat, what does it look like. Not everyone can have the patience of an old-" Childe's eyes go wide as Zhongli cuts him off by using his chopsticks to shove a dumpling into Childe's mouth.

Zhongli gives a soft huff, ignoring Childe's stunned gaze as he grabs the plate in front of him and begins putting food on it.

"Be quiet, you talk too much," Zhongli said, not sparing Childe another glance. His tone makes it sound like an inconvenience or an annoyance.

Childe simply blinks slowly as he chews, the food definitely tastes amazing. Before he can say anything though Zhongli brings a piece of food up to Childe lips for him to take, his head tilting to the side as he merely watches Childe eat, those glowing amber eyes feeling as though they're pinning Childe in place.

"Now, I would like you to behave yourself and enjoy this meal with me," Zhongli told him in that same detached tone.

Childe smirks finally getting his bearings once more, his heart feeling like it's racing a mile a minute. "And if I don't behave myself? What are you going to do about it huh?"

Zhongli's eyes snap up to his, as the other man looks at him, his gaze empty as if he's looking at nothing. "Then your punishment will increase, I do hope that you are not thinking you can go against me, Tartaglia ."

Childe gives a small chuckle a shiver of pleasure running up his spine. "What do you think? I doubt you can break me."

Zhongli does not show it at the moment, but he absolutely loves that spark of defiance in Childe's eyes as he stares Zhongli down. Challenging a literal God, many would call Childe stupid or foolish for this, but seeing Childe fight him tooth and nail, resisting at every turn made him happy, proud almost.

"We shall see," Zhongli muttered a slight smile on his face.

~~~

The food is delicious, absolutely amazing and every time Childe takes a bite Zhongli watches him with an almost intense focus. Childe takes a deep breath leaning away unconsciously when Zhongli brought another piece of food to his mouth.

Zhongli had been feeding him for a while now and Childe couldn't help but feel a bit full, his stomach felt as though it were slightly stretched. It wasn't painful or aching but definitely becoming more noticeable.

"I did not say you could stop Tartaglia," Zhongli said as he slowly blinked. "Giving up so easily? You disappoint me."

Childe gave a small snort, his eyes narrowing. "I didn't say I was giving up now did I, you overgrown lizard. I just need a minute."

Childe is prepared for a lot of things, the smug almost condescending smile Zhongli gives him is not one of them, he can't but look wide-eyed and stunned as Zhongli reaches out and grabs his face tightly with one hand, using the other to bring the chopsticks to Childe's lip he practically shoved the food into the man's mouth.

"No," Zhongli told him simply as he watched Childe slowly chew. It's a single word but it said with such absolute authority that a shiver of pleasure runs along Childe's spine.

He hadn't even known that Zhongli could make a face like that but it is doing all the right things for him.

Zhongli can't help the slight smile that crosses his face when Childe stares at him, that flame of defiance clear in his eyes, like a raging wildfire.

When Childe swallows the food in his mouth he winces, his stomach giving a soft gurgling noise as it begins to ache a bit.

Zhongli chuckles as he glances down at it, then he's reaching out giving the area a slight pinch, his fingers sinking into the slightly bloated flesh there. Childe jolts slightly at the unexpected action eyes wide for a moment as if he's startled.

"Your stomach is as noisy and talkative as you," Zhongli muttered as he began filling another plate with food.

Childe's eyes narrow as he ignores the slightly angry-sounding growling noises his stomach is making, instead choosing to look at the literal buffet of food in front of him. He could do this, it wouldn't be the first time Childe pushed himself, it was just like training or a sparring session he could do this and he would, simple as that.

His eyes snapped up to Zhongli when the other man brought another piece of food to his mouth. A smirk crawling across his face. "Disappointing you huh? I'll show you, let's do this. I can take it."

Zhongli grinned as Childe took the piece of food with a huff. He reached out with one hand cupping Childe's cheek, his thumb gently brushing across it as Childe practically glares at him, eyes full of defiance.

"You are doing well, darling, " he told him gently as he brought another piece of food to his lips.

As Childe took it Zhongli didn't miss the way Childe winced nor the way his hand brushes across his stomach as it gives a low gurgling noise.

The sight had a rush of excitement running through Zhongli's veins, humming just beneath his skin.

~~~

Full, oh Archons was Childe way, way too full. His stomach felt tight and bloated, nearly stretched to the breaking point by the mass of food Zhongli had been feeding him.

The mass of food in question sits heavily in his gurgling stomach, as if he'd swallowed a rock. Every little movement sent a dull ache shooting across his stomach, that had Childe's bloated abdomen hitching slightly.

He had gone quiet a few moments ago, his eyes squeezed shut, as he tried his best to focus and breathe around the overwhelming waves of nausea crashing over him and the painful tightness in his stomach.

It had him swallowing hard when he felt and tasted bile bubbling at the back of his throat. His stomach is gurgling and sloshing so loudly that the noise almost seems to fill the room, he has no doubt that Zhongli can hear it.

Zhongli is merely watching him, his gaze so focused on Childe that it feels as if the world around them fades away. He admires Childe's pale, almost ashen skin.

The slight glassy, almost dazed look in those dark blue eyes Zhongli loved so much, the small almost hush panting breaths Childe takes as he swallows thickly, trying his hardest to keep his stomach contents in place.

Zhongli absolutely adores all of it. He reaches out running a gentle hand through Childe's hair, a warm smile on his face when Childe leans almost unconsciously into Zhongli's touch. "You look gorgeous, Ajax, " his tone is gentle, almost soothing.

Childe swallows hard as he glared at Zhongli although he lacks the strength to put any actual malice behind it. "D-don't patronize me, asshole, " Childe manages to grow in between his panting.

Zhongli merely stares at him for a moment. Then he smirks his hand leaving Childe's hair and going to his bloated stomach instead, he lays a hand on it taking a moment to admire the way he could feel it gurgling beneath his hand.

His fingers sinking into the bloated flesh, and Childe gives a soft hiss, his eyes squeezing shut as pain streaked across the area Zhongli was touching.

Zhongli gave a soft hum of what sounded like fascination and curiosity as his hand moves across Childe's stomach, gently rubbing it almost.

It feels nice honestly, Childe can't help relax into the touch chasing some form of relief from the ache in his gut and the nausea nagging at him.

Then his eyes snap open in surprise and he jolts when Zhongli suddenly taps on his stomach with a single finger, almost methodically. "Humans are incredibly fascinating, " he muttered, sounding as if he's talking more to himself than Childe.

Childe groans low in his throat, his body jolting again, a loud wet burp leaving his mouth when Zhongli touches an incredibly sensitive spot. Childe's stomach hitches along with his breathing, as a dizzying wave of nausea washes over him that leaves him drooling and swallowing rapidly, his eyes widening when a small amount of bile splashes into his mouth.

Zhongli's hand swiftly covers his mouth, his eyes narrowing. " Swallow it , " he ordered. "Your punishment shall worsen if you fail to heed my words."

Childe closes his eyes, trying to breathe around the enormous mass of food in his stomach and focus. Bile coats the inside of his mouth, along with the barely digested remnants of his lunch and he can feel Zhongli's eyes boring into him as he forces himself to swallow hard, forcing back the contents of his stomach.

He shuddered, giving a small groan as the mass of food and bile seemed to plummet into his stomach and sit like a rock causing the irritated organ to cramp and emit an audible gurgling noise.

He's panting and drooling when Zhongli removes his hand from his mouth, the bitter aftertaste only making his nausea worse and it takes everything he has not to gag on every breath he takes.

Zhongli smiles at the tears of exertion in Childe's eyes and the way he's trembling with nausea. His skin coated in a light sheen of sweat.

"You're doing incredibly well, Ajax, " Zhongli assured him.

Childe slowly opens his eyes, shooting Zhongli a glare. "Fuck you, " he hissed.

Zhongli said nothing, merely blinking slowly for a moment as if he can't believe Childe spoke to him like that. Then he reaches out, tapping Childe's bloated stomach twice, looking incredibly pleased when panic flares to life in Childe's eyes and he swallows rapidly, what little color he has left in his face seems to drain away.

"Would you stop that, you fucking overgrown lizard, " Childe snapped his eyes wide.

Zhongli smirked at his words as he picked up the chopsticks once more. "If you continue to behave like an unruly brat then I shall treat you as such, " he told Child as he picked up another piece of food. "We shall see how long that stubbornness lasts."

Childe gives a small exhausted-sounding chuckle. "Yeah...we'll see."

Smiling, Zhongli brought the chopsticks up to Childe's mouth, a jolt of excitement running through him as Childe took the food, still glaring at him the entire time the defiance clear in his eyes.

~~~

Childe gave a low whimper as he rested his head in his hands, his stomach was absolute agony and way, way too full.

He felt as though he could barely breathe around the enormous mass of food in his stomach and he had to keep swallowing back the bile burning at the back of his throat, it's incredibly hard to do so since he's struggling not to gag on every breath he takes.

Zhongli merely watches him for a moment, a smile on his face as he takes in Childe's appearance. His eyes were glassy and glazed over with tears making his usual sharp blue eyes appear dazed. His face streaked with sweat and he was panting softly, a slight amount of drool trickling from the corner of his lips.

Zhongli reached out, gently carding his fingers through Childe's hair. "You're doing so well for me, Ajax."

Childe merely gives a loud groan, swallowing thickly when a soft hiccup threatens to bring something else with it. The nausea has left him dizzy and weak, his body trembling with the effort of holding everything in this long. His stomach will not shut up, practically screaming at him as it gurgles loudly.

While Zhongli loves Childe's more defiant side, he absolutely adores his softer, more quiet side as well. It was a nice change of pace, from what Childe normally shows him. So he can't help but merely admire Childe at the moment, after all, Childe was his.

He reaches out and gently rubs a hand over Childe's bloated stomach being extremely careful. He can feel the organ hitching beneath his fingers, as Childe struggles to keep himself from throwing up everywhere.

He brings another piece of food up to Childe's mouth and Childe takes it almost reflexively at this point. Zhongli continues rubbing Childe's stomach as he picked up another piece of food.

And that piece of food is the straw that breaks the camel's back, Zhongli leans away as Childe's stomach hitches practically convulsing as he suddenly retched.

His body giving no other warning that as a thick wave of partially digested food leaves his mouth, it splashed into Childe's cupped hands the thick, lumpy sludge overfilling them almost immediately, the excess splashing on the half-filled plate in front of him.

Zhongli watches him through half-lidded eyes, an almost morbid look of fascination on his face.

Childe gasped, shaking his head slightly then he's lurching forward with a loud wet burp, the noise getting choked off as another thick wave of vomit splatters onto the table and his lap.

It's warm, sticky, and strangely heavy, Childe can feel it soaking into his clothes, the sharp sour scent of bile filling his nose, as the bitter taste of bile mixed with the salty rancid taste of the foods he'd been eating coat his mouth.

He feels Zhongli place a hand on his stomach, he isn't applying any pressure to it, in fact, his fingers are barely ghosting over the sensitive skin there. What he is doing though is marveling at how he can literally feel Childe's bloated stomach steadily deflating beneath his hand, as Childe retches up wave after wave of vomit.

It is getting everywhere, on Childe's clothes, the table, the floor but that doesn't matter and it'll be only a minor inconvenience to clean for Zhongli.

He stands up, approaching Childe once the other man eventually sits back with a soft groan, soft hiccups still leaving his mouth as he rubs his stomach.

Childe's stomach is sore, his throat feels raw and he's covered in his own vomit but he feels amazing. Refreshed even, he's panting trying to catch his breath when he feels Zhongli cup his face in his hands and Childe smiles up at him.

Zhongli is quiet as he gently strokes Childe's lips with one thumb.

While Childe would absolutely love to go another round, he can feel exhaustion crashing down on him heavily now that his body had gotten rid of everything in his stomach, the only thing keeping him from falling asleep right now is the excitement buzzing in his veins.

"Hello there Morax , " Childe said giving Zhongli a grin.

Zhongli closes his eyes for a moment and his entire body seems to shudder. When he opens them the glow is gone, warmth in his eyes as he looks at Childe, a small smile on his face. "You did incredibly well Ajax. How are you feeling, do you need anything, " Zhongli asked softly.

"Some water would be nice, " Childe said, clearing his throat. He chuckles as he looks down at the mess. "Wow, it really got everywhere didn't it? Maybe we should've put an old blanket on the floor or something."

Zhongli merely gives a soft hum as he leaves to get Childe the water he asked for when he returns with that and a wet washcloth, Childe is in the middle of removing his gloves and jacket, which had gotten most of the mess.

"Thank you, sorry I called you an overgrown lizard," Childe chuckled smiling slightly as he took the glass of water. It feels amazing on his sore throat.

Zhongli merely shakes his head, a smile on his face as he began to clean Childe's face. "You called me an old man, as well but I know that you did not mean it," he reminded Childe.

"You're six thousand, that is beyond old by human standards," Childe said but his tone is light and teasing.

Zhongli chuckles. "Hush, you talk too much."

Childe gives a small snort at his words. "It must really be a lot if I'm hearing that from you of all people."

For a moment or two a comfortable silence falls between them, Childe merely sipping the glass of water as Zhongli continues his task. "By the way, did you enjoy yourself this time," Childe asked after a moment. He yawned, stretching doing his best to keep his eyes open despite the soft almost dream-like haze slowly enveloping his thoughts.

"Yes, this was quite nice. And you, I imagine that it was not an easy task," Zhongli said, speaking from experience.

Childe yawns again. "I did too, it's fun and not too bad, pretty exciting. I definitely wouldn't mind doing it again. But right now I just wanna take a bath with you and go to sleep."

Zhongli set the washcloth aside once he was finished with his task, a warm smile on his face. "Then that is precisely what we shall do."