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The arrival of the young, handsome Harbinger to Liyue Harbor caused quite a stir, but the dangerous reputation that followed him was enough to deter many - the exception being the equally handsome funeral parlor consultant, yet another man with a reputation odd enough to discourage suitors. The two had become quite a pair within the harbor: the Harbinger’s mora pouch flashed for every outing to the point that some started to believe the young foreigner was courting the consultant. Other than admiring from afar, the people of Liyue kept their distance; those two were like the sun and the moon - beautiful, yet so out of reach.
That is until one day it was decided that maybe it was possible to reach for the moon after all.
It wasn’t a special day by any means. Zhongli and Childe were taking their daily stroll through the shops as the sun set, sparkling over the ocean. It was a little more crowded than usual, but Childe had overheard that a new shipment of Inazuman imports had arrived, which could very well be the cause for a ruckus today. The sun’s glare off the ocean and the crowd of people was a simple mixture for what could have been a disaster. Luckily, Childe was around, and it was easy enough to catch the baby from where it had jostled out of the stroller towards the ground. The baby’s mother didn’t have time to let out a shriek before Childe was cradling the baby in his arms, peering down at watery eyes.
“Hey there, buddy,” Childe cooed as the baby let out a cry, eyes crinkling as tears fell. “Must have had quite a scare, huh?” The baby wailed, little hands fisted up as he threw a tantrum over the fright. “Shh, it’s alright now, no harm done, see?” The Harbinger wiggled a finger into one of the baby’s fists, drawing the attention of small, brown eyes. Above them, water shimmered into being in the shape of a round whale, glittering in the sunlight. The whale swam down to the baby’s face, a tiny spout of water jumping into the air from its head. The baby had calmed, short, hiccupy breaths evening out as the Hydro whale stole all of his attention.
Childe rocked the baby for a moment, fishes joining the whale in an ocean of flowing water. The baby’s hand gripped his finger tightly, now dry eyes entranced by the show above. “Hehe, all better now, huh?” With his eyes watching the child, the Harbinger stepped toward the baby’s mother, looking up at her once he was near enough to hand the baby over. “It was a bit of a scare, but I think he’ll be alright.”
The woman stared back at Childe as he passed the baby to her, the child’s eyes following the swimming sea life. Her face was flushed, dark eyes wide. “T-thank you, sir. Thank you so much for saving my baby.”
Childe smiled at her, eyes dropping down to the baby safely cradled in her arms. “It was nothing, really. I’m glad he’s safe.” And he waved at her as he turned back to his companion.
His eyes searched for Zhongli, but dozens more peered back at him from pinkened faces, hoping to catch his eye instead. With such a simple action, Childe had suddenly become the center of attention for many once again, this time with a ferocity that wouldn’t be put out easily.
The Harbinger, though, only cared to continue his stroll with the consultant, whose own face was stony with the exception of ears tipped pink.
. . .
After the events of their last outing, Childe swore there was a sudden influx of babies and children in need - maybe he was just beginning to notice how erm, unattentive the people of Liyue could be with their children? Regardless, it was in his blood to care for children, and so time and time again Childe found himself reaching for a stroller that had gone astray, or searching for a daughter that had hidden herself around the backside of a building, or calming down a little boy that was mad he couldn’t get a second kite when the one he had at home was perfectly fine. Each event led to Childe speaking with the parents, who seemed to flush red with embarrassment at needing aid with their children.
“Thank the Archons you were there to catch her. The Millelith must do something about these uneven slopes, they’re such a hazard.” A middle aged mother complained as she fussed over her baby, who seemed perfectly fine in her stroller that had run off by itself. “Please, allow me to thank you - perhaps with something from the stall down the road?” Childe was neither hungry nor in need of thanks.
“Please forgive me, sometimes they can be such a handful and I’m only a single father,” a dark haired man that stood taller than even Childe nervously chuckled, both his hands grasped between two twin boys. His daughter was at Childe’s side, peering up at the Harbinger with wide eyes.
“No worries at all, my own siblings are just the same."
“Please, allow me to thank you -”
“Oh, no, really, that isn’t necessary. I’m just glad I could help!”
The little girl began tugging at her father, pulling him away from Childe. The man smiled weakly at her, feet heavy to step away. “Ah, apologies, Little Ming wants to leave… But if you would ever like to speak some more, we frequent the shore by the great gates!” The man waved at Childe as he turned to follow his daughter, the back of his neck pink.
“Daddy,” Little Ming not so quietly whispered, “that man was really pretty. I want an earring just like his!”
“Ming!” the father hissed, shoulders curling as he rushed his children away.
“What kind of kite do you have at home?” Childe knelt in front of a little boy whose cheeks were bright red in anger, puffed out as tears rolled down. The boy huffed as he cried, swollen eyes going from his mother to the Harbinger. A small fist rubbed at his running nose.
“B-burd,” the boy stuttered out between heavy inhales, eyes going back to the kites on display. “B-but I want a - a… dwagon.”
Childe peered at the childish kite fashioned after the Exuvia, a smile curling his lips as he thought of Zhongli, who stood by watching them.
“Ah, that dragon is quite cute… but it doesn’t have wings.” The child turned his attention back to the Harbinger, his cries calming to hiccups. With a soft glow from his vision, two creatures appeared on both sides of Childe’s head: a sharp, long winged crane and a pudgy round dragon. The crane flapped powerful wings that sent sprays of glitter with each bat, while the dragon floated with only a shimmer of watery dots around it. “See how strong the bird is? It can cut through powerful winds like nothing.” On cue, the pudgy dragon went tumbling back, as if blown by a gust of wind, while the crane flapped on.
The boy watched in awe, eyes locked onto the crane, before turning to his young mother, hands reaching up in the air. “Mommy, I wanna go home! I want my burd!” His mother lifted him up into her arms, eyes turning towards Childe.
“You’re like a miracle worker,” she breathed, looking away when Childe met her gaze.
“My, are all youngsters this good with children these days?” the older lady besides the boy's mother chuckled, taking a step towards Childe. “It’s rare to find such handsome young men with the patience to care for children.” The woman peered up at Childe, eyes curling with her smile. “Maybe you could take my daughter here around the harbor one day - she needs a break from this wily little one. I’d be more than happy to watch Little Jian in the meantime.”
“Mother!” the young lady cried, face flushed bright red. She grabbed at her mother with her free hand, beginning to drag her away. “I’m so sorry, she’s always like this - Mother please, can’t you see he has company too? Thank you so much for the help, we must be going now!”
The older woman croaked a laugh, waving as they walked away. “Oh Yan, if only I was still young and beautiful… you children these days are so lucky.”
“Oh Mother, you’re still…”
Childe watched them walk away for a moment before turning back to Zhongli, who was as stone faced as ever when these situations happened. The consultant stared at him for a moment before taking a glance at the Exuvia kite.
“It is common knowledge that the Exuvia was aerodynamic in design and actually quite more efficient than birds in travel. Your depiction of the Exuvia was also quite inaccurate - perhaps you would like to see some recorded imagery of it for next time?” Zhongli began walking away, ponytail fluttering in the wind. Childe grinned as he caught up, reaching to give a slight tug to that tempting hair.
“What, you didn’t think my Exuvia was cute?” The water dragon appeared once more, floating up to Childe’s face where he raised a hand to rub it under the chin. “Much more appealing than that old dragon, I would say.”
Zhongli didn’t respond, instead turning his head away, cheeks burning as his scalp tingled and heat rushed through his chest.
. . .
It was understandable that watching the handsome Snezhnayan work so well with children was attractive - but that was increased tenfold knowing just how dangerous the man was. How could such a powerful man be so gentle with the younger generation, many wondered. Many hoped to have a taste of that in their life, to the point that a “baby fever” had started up in Liyue Harbor. Recently, most of the overheard gossip now was about how “that baby was so cute, oh my Archons!” or “can you imagine a little ginger baby with dark brown eyes?” followed by excessive hushed squealing.
Zhongli spent much time people watching after work and so these new whispers reached his ears immediately. They were everywhere - in the streets, on the docks and in the restaurant Zhongli currently sat in.
“Oh, look!” The hushed cry of a woman pulled the attention of the two others seated at the table, but four gazes zeroed in on a strong back and fiery hair.
Childe entered the restaurant, placing an order at the front.
“This is it! This is the perfect time, Bai!” the woman who had spoken out squealed to the other. “He’s alone, and about to eat, you have to!”
“No, no, he won’t even give me the time of day,” the darkest haired woman named Bai spoke, cheeks flushed with embarrassment.
“You’re crazy,” the third woman huffed, eyes locked on Childe’s back. “You look just like the guy he’s always hanging around. There’s no way he’ll ignore you.”
Bai’s pale yellow eyes sparkled as she stared at Childe anxiously, wringing her hands. “I can’t, I don’t even know what to say - Hua, what - !”
The first woman, Hua, stood and approached Childe, steps confident. She stood beside him to catch his attention and started up a conversation. Bai hid her face in her hands while the third woman in their group watched with bated breath. Childe had turned to glance at the pair at the table, smiling politely. He tilted his head once before turning to grab his order - a simple drink, it seemed - and seat himself. Hua returned to her table and whispered to Bai, who leapt up from her seat and rushed over to Childe, legs stiff. She asked for permission to sit, and Childe spoke first, demeanor relaxed and open. They didn’t speak for very long - Childe finished his drink and bid her farewell, and Bai returned to her friends.
“Ohh my Archons, how did it go?”
Bai hid her face in her hands. "Oh, I couldn't! It was too scary!" She shook her head, flustered. "I asked him if his outfit gets hot here in Liyue, and how it compares to Snezhnaya." Bai sighed deeply, raising her head to reveal burning red cheeks. "Then he said he needed to head back to work. Oh, I didn't want to bother him any longer…"
The three women continued whispering about Childe, mentioning the idea of finding an opportunity for a second chance to have Bai approach the Harbinger. They even spoke of how cute they thought his children would look.
Zhongli finished his food soon after (and no, he didn't have an image of dark haired children with wide blue eyes in his head, how preposterous) and returned to work with the thought that he should invite Childe out to lunch together more often (starting tomorrow).
. . .
The next time a woman almost jostled her baby out of a stroller, Zhongli intervened before Childe had a chance.
He placed a gentle hand against the baby, stabilizing the stroller. Golden eyes checked the infant for signs of distress before looking up at the mother from where he knelt.
"Oh, thank you so, so much!" she exclaimed, hands anxiously playing with the front of her blouse. "Goodness, I'm so sorry, truly -"
"Do not worry yourself," Zhongli cut her off as he stood up, satisfied that the child was alright (a child that could have dark brown hair streaked with fiery locks and bright golden eyes.) "These roads can be quite bumpy," he turned away, brushing past Childe before speaking back, "so perhaps better securements are necessary to prevent further accidents."
The woman stuttered out an agreement, face enflamed as Childe sent her a wave and quickly caught up with Zhongli.
The incident was forgotten until dinnertime, when the two sat down for a late night take out meal.
"You are quite adept with children," Zhongli brought up as he stared out towards the ocean over his cup of rapidly cooling take out tea. Childe chuckles at the statement, setting down his chopsticks.
"Ah, yeah, I do have some experience. I grew up with three younger siblings after all." The Harbinger follows Zhongli's gaze, staring at the water that was as depth less as his own eyes. "Before I left for the Fatui I did care for them quite often."
Zhongli hummed, taking a mindless sip of his tea before casting a glance at Childe. "It is quite a rare skill to have for someone as young as yourself. Your actions recently seem to have many swooning for you."
From the corner of his gaze he can see Childe's lips quirk up. "Is that what that is.. I thought maybe there was a baby curse flying around." His expression tells the truth - he knew what was happening.
"Indeed. It seems as if some wish to even provide you with children of your own," (small, ginger furred children with tiny claws and glowing yellow eyes) Zhongli states evenly, bringing his gaze back to the crashing waves. Besides him, Childe is quiet for a moment.
"That's quite a thought, although I don't think I'm ready to make Tonia an aunt yet, heh."
Zhongli looks back to the Harbinger, whose gaze stares longingly at the ocean. Those blue eyes shift to him a moment later, leaving Zhongli to suck in a sharp breath. Blue and gold hold for each other for a heartbeat, before Childe looks down to reach for his chopsticks again.
"As entertaining as the advances have been, I'd rather not see more children get in trouble."
Zhongli agrees, watching Childe finish his food as he takes the final sip of his tea.
. . .
"Please, help me!" a woman cries frantically, pushing aside others as she scans the surrounding area. Zhongli and Childe are at her side immediately, questioning. Her young toddler has gone missing after he threw his toy to the side and slipped his hand away from his mother's as she went to grab the toy. It was only a moment and the child had disappeared behind the crowd of people.
With reassurances that they would search while the Millelith arrived, the pair split up. It didn’t take long for their searching to lead them to the underside of the docks.
“Childe,” Zhongli had called from the beach below, “I believe the child is nearby.”
The Harbinger quickly joined him, hoping the toddler was safe from the water. Sniffles were heard faintly through the crashing waves, and rounding the corner of the beachside, they came across a relieving sight.
A chubby toddler sat in the sand, face crumpled as he sniffled and rubbed at his face with a tiny balled up fist. Childe rushed to kneel next to the kid, eyes scanning for injuries.
“Hey little guy,” he murmured in a soothing tone, waiting for the child to look at him. The kid’s eyes squinted open, full of tears. “The water’s a little cold, isn’t it? Maybe we should take a break from the beach.”
The toddler simply stared up at Childe, watery sniffles escaping him.
“Poor child,” Zhongli approached, taking in his state. The kid was half soaked - perhaps a stray wave had caught him as he walked the beach. “It is not advisable to leave him with those wet clothes.”
Childe agreed. He stretched a hand out to the boy, smiling down gently. “Do you wanna go find your mama? It’s going to get chilly soon.”
The kid stared back for a moment, eyes wide. Then, stubby arms reached up. Childe scooped the kid up effortlessly, standing up straight as he stabilized the toddler on his hip. He ruffled the kid’s hair and wicked the water away from his skin.
“His clothes will have to be changed. Do you mind?” Childe asked, handing the boy over to Zhongli. The consultant held the kid to his side, watching quietly as Childe removed his jacket, wrapping it around the boy after Zhongli handed him back.
“What do you have there, child?” Zhongli asked, focusing on the tiny fisted hand which had yet to release its grip. Then he gave pause. “Ah, the small child, not you, Childe.”
Childe laughed, bouncing the boy up and down. “Ajax.”
Zhongli blinked. “Excuse me?”
“Just use Ajax when we’re alone.” Childe’s eyes dropped to look at the boy, finger coming up to wiggle against a tiny fist. “It’s my name.”
Ajax. Zhongli’s cheeks warmed - how many more had Childe confided in with his true name?
“Ah, some star conches, huh? That’s a good pick.” Childe smiled down at the boy, letting his small fist close around his prize once more. The sniffles had stopped.
“Come, little one,” Zhongli murmured, rubbing his thumb over the chilled skin of the boy’s hand, “Ajax and I will return you to your mother.”
And the consultant turned away to hide his blush at using Childe’s name, missing the way Childe’s lips curled up fondly.
The mother was beyond relieved, crying tears of joy at having her son back in her arms. She thanked the pair profusely before the Millelith escorted her home, the boy clutching to the souvenir from his little adventure.
Childe’s jacket had absorbed quite a bit of moisture from the boy, so he slung it over his shoulder instead to dry. Zhongli pointedly tried to ignore looking at him during his time (and his eyes definitely didn’t wander to the peek of muscular abdomen, or the rolled up sleeves that sat right above his bare forearms).
He allowed Childe to lead them to a stall for a snack before returning to the beach, this time on a strip that was quiet and alone.
“You know,” Childe began, slowing his pace, “I can’t really imagine myself with children.” Zhongli glanced at him inquisitively, pointedly ignoring the impressive physique that was always hidden below gray jackets.
“My line of work allows little time for family,” the Harbinger explains, eyes trailed on the sand. “And even then, I don’t think I’d be a good influence long term.” He chuckles mirthlessly. Zhongli opens his mouth to rebuttal his statement, but Childe continues. “But still, I can’t help but imagine what my children would look like.”
Zhongli almost pauses, taking in a breath to keep his face neutral (he was a millenias old being and he would act like it).
“Would they take after my mother, perhaps? I have been told I have her eyes,” Childe hums, gaze on the stars now. “Maybe they would look like little Tonia and Teucers, but without the blue eyes. Back in Snezhnaya, some have green eyes.” (And what about golden eyes -)
Zhongli huffs out quietly, feeling his cheeks start to burn. “However they look, I’m sure they will be wonderful.”
Childe then stops and turns to Zhongli, smiling teasingly. “And what about you? Have you imagined little brown haired children - dragons? Can you even have babies? Surely, considering there are adepti hybrids.”
Zhongli was quiet, averting his gaze to the ocean as his cheeks burned red and thoughts of little dragons with blue and golden eyes filled his head.
"I have not - er, thought about such a thing…" Zhongli managed to murmur out, pushing away the ideas that formed in his head. "You are correct though; as an adeptus, I can change my…" His eyes widened and met blue as Childe came closer, hand reaching for the hair that hung next to Zhongli's cheek.
"Would they look like little Exuvias?" Childe questioned with a small smirk, fingertips pulling at Zhongli's hair. "Or maybe a different sort of adeptus? A crane, perhaps." Surely Zhongli wasn't imagining the way Childe's eyes dropped lower before returning to meet his gaze? (His head had begun to reel though, so perhaps he was not in the best shape to pass judgment.)
"You could get little babies with bright yellow hair like the people of Mondstadt and Fontaine." A step closer. "And green eyes like those from Natlan." Childe was so close, his breaths warm against Zhongli's skin. The ocean crashed around them, uncaring of the words they spoke.
"A-Ajax," it slipped from his lips, a whisper of a sound. Childe's smile dropped, his fingertips pulling away from Zhongli's hair, leaving his knuckles to caress his cheek for just a moment.
"Or maybe," he breathed, voice quiet, "little orange furred hatchlings with bright blue eyes."
The heat curling in Zhongli's gut was instant and he wanted so desperately in that moment that he's surprised his legs didn't give out. The words lingered in the air between them for a moment before Childe pulled away, taking all of Zhongli's breath with him.
"With a face like yours, Mr. Zhongli, it would be no trouble at all to find someone to give you the cutest babies." Childe's voice was light and teasing once again, but Zhongli couldn't match that quick change in demeanor. The consultant's face burned, his pants suddenly constricting against the hot desire in his belly.
Ginger furred hatchlings.
He ached for them.
. . .
Childe treated Zhongli to dinner after their stroll on the beach. They parted as they always did, but Zhongli's return home was no longer the same. All he could imagine (against his will) were strong hands and arms, blue eyes as dark as the moonless night, and orange and brown furred dragons purring together in their sleep.
His body burned with a need he had never felt before.
It didn't help that Childe began to give extra attention to little brunet and ginger children.
Parents continued to need aid with their children while Childe was around, and though most of the time he would walk away soon after he helped out, the little ones with hair as dark as chocolate or as bright as the sun would receive some extra long moments with the Harbinger. It was beginning to drive Zhongli insane, watching Childe coddle and coo at these little ones with such familiar features (and how easy was it to imagine that those children Childe smothered with attention had little horns and tails that they had yet to learn to hide completely).
It was starting to go so far as to affect Zhongli's mood. The consultant found himself holding back low, rumbling growls when parents came too close to Childe - when they touched his arms and shoulders with fleeting hands, as if Childe (didn’t belong to him)...
Zhongli turned away from the latest scene where Childe had been speaking to a fairly young parent about child calming methods, hip carrying their toddler, little whales floating around him. The consultant couldn’t help but see a child with bright blue eyes following those little Hydro whales, a wild tail thumping against his father -
“I hope that helps! See you around,” Childe’s voice approached Zhongli, who turned to catch sight of the Harbinger waving away the parent and child pair as he came to walk beside Zhongli. “Sorry for the wait, he was their first kid and so they just wanted some tips.” Zhongli hummed in response, not in the mood to talk. He wished to dig his claws into Childe and show everyone who he just wanted to get seated and order his tea. His senses were on high alert and the people around him were becoming irritable. (Thank goodness they were approaching the restaurant now.)
It came as a surprise when he felt a soft tug to his ponytail. Zhongli cast a side glance to Childe, who was smiling at him smugly. “Come on now, Mr. Zhongli. Soon you’ll have little dragon brats of your own.” And then Childe quickened his pace, approaching the head of the restaurant to request seating.
His words caused Zhongli to pause, frozen in his spot as warmth bloomed across his face and through his body. Three little Exuvia-like hatchings with warm brown and bright orange fur fluttered about him, leaving Zhongli in a daze.
(He’ll be the death of me.)
. . .
The surprise of what he woke up to the morning after could not be put into words. As an adeptus, Zhongli could take any form he pleased. Typically, though, he had to consciously choose to change his body. The slickness he felt between his legs was not something he had thought to bring into being, and yet here he was, washing the sticky substance from his skin. It would take a few days to revert what his body had seemingly willed into existence on its own, something that Zhongli found as a slight annoyance. He was not prepared to allow his body to bear children, nor did he want to at the moment (regardless of how his instincts clawed at his insides, insisting that yes, he did want those little blue and golden eyed hatchlings).
It was especially uncomfortable when around Childe - his body insisted on releasing as much slick as possible when the Harbinger was near, a very embarrassing issue that Zhongli had to constantly go to the bathroom to clean. By the end of the day, the consultant was worried that his trousers would stain dark with it.
“Are you sure you’re ok?” Childe questioned as he walked Zhongli to his door. He had noticed how frequently Zhongli took breaks to the restroom and found it concerning. If only he knew the reason behind it.
“Certainly,” Zhongli reassured, unlocking his door. “There is nothing to worry about. Please, get some rest.” Before going inside, Zhongli turned to face Childe, smiling warmly. “Thank you for the wonderful night,” he paused for a moment, “..Ajax.”
Childe grinned back at him - it was the first time Zhongli had used his given name since the incident with the child at the beach. The Harbinger leaned in close, his hand coming up to brush against Zhongli’s bangs, a habit he seemed to quite enjoy.
“It was my pleasure, Mr. Zhongli.” His voice was low, as if only meant for Zhongli’s ears. The consultant’s eyelids fluttered, warmth swirling low in his stomach. Before he could make a decision he would regret, though, Childe pulled back, sly smirk on his face. “Dream of cute little baby dragons for me, okay?”
And then Childe was gone, and Zhongli was left pressing his legs together desperately. He would have to take a cold bath tonight and run some laundry in the morning.
. . .
Zhongli couldn’t stand how close that woman was to Childe (was she trying to take the air from his lungs?). It didn’t take more than a moment for Zhongli to capture Childe’s attention with a blink of his eyes as he stared the Harbinger down. As the woman chatted on, Childe tilted his head in question. Zhongli simply turned to leave, satisfied to hear Childe explain to the woman that he had to go now. His footsteps quickly caught up to Zhongli, who realized now that he wasn’t even sure where he was going. He just wanted to get Childe out of there.
Childe didn’t question him, walking alongside Zhongli quietly as the crickets chirped a song into the night. Zhongli’s head was too full of thoughts, too dazed thinking about the handsome man beside him to realize his footsteps had led him home.
“Finished already, Mr. Zhongli? The night is still young,” Childe hummed.
“No, no, my apologies,” Zhongli shook his head, attempting to clear his mind (he would not let his stupid body get the better of him). “My thoughts are just a little muddled - would you like to join me for some tea?” (He could get through this.)
Childe smiled, stepping forward, and Zhongli let them into his home. It wasn’t the first time Childe had visited, but it was the first time his visit made Zhongli’s heart leap in his throat. He asked Childe to have a seat as he prepared the tea, something that would hopefully sooth his frazzled nerves. He had removed his coat as he waited for the tea to steep, feeling much too restricted by it. When he returned to the living area, Childe had settled on the couch in a relaxed position, legs spread slightly and head propped on his hand as he stared out of the window.
“We can give it a moment to cool,” Zhongli murmured as stepped past Childe’s feet to place the tray on the side table next to Childe. He really should get another one.
What Zhongli couldn’t expect were the strong hands that pulled his body forward, knocking Zhongli off balance and forcing him to place a knee on the cushions, hands gripping the back of the couch. Arms wrapped around his waist and Zhongli found himself caging Childe in, face to face with him.
“Ajax - !” Zhongli felt his face burn red in an instant, hyper aware of every point of contact he had with Childe. The Harbinger just smiled, still relaxed.
“Something has been up with you, Mr. Zhongli. You’ve been acting odd.” Childe tugged Zhongli closer, his breath warm against the consultant’s face and sweet from the desserts they ate before coming here. “If I had to guess, it began after all that talk about babies…”
Childe placed a solid grip on Zhongli’s ass and tugged, bringing Zhongli's other knee up on the couch so he was now straddling Childe’s leg. The consultant was almost trembling, his body a livewire ready to set off with a single touch. He dropped his head beside Childe’s, too embarrassed to look him in the eye.
“I-I don’t know -” A hand tracing the waistband of Zhongli’s pants quieted him for a moment, breath held. He wanted, he wanted, he wanted so bad, but the slick between his legs made him panic. What would Childe think -
The Harbinger’s hand slipped underneath Zhongli’s pants, roaming down, down until his fingers brushed between the consultant’s cheeks. Zhongli sucked in a breath, fingers digging into the couch as Childe silently swirled around the slick.
“Oh, Mr. Zhongli…” a hushed whisper.
“It’s just a natural reaction,” Zhongli finally got out, voice pitched higher than usual. “For dragons, t-the body preparaaah -” his voice was reduced to a whine as Childe’s finger rubbed slippery against his hole. "Oh, Ajax -"
"Is this all for me?" Childe murmured into his neck, lips searing against Zhongli's skin. His brain had shut down, filled with foamy noise as Childe's finger continued its gentle motions, pressuring Zhongli's hole curiously. The consultant didn't understand the question - he didn't understand why Childe didn't question it. His embarrassment kept his lips sealed, fingers digging into the couch.
"I didn't know all this talk about babies could affect you so strongly."
Zhongli felt his hole pucker at the mention of children (brown haired blue eyed toddlers with little horns -), pressing closer to Childe's body in embarrassment. Childe hummed below him, his finger pausing.
"Aha, so you are interested in having children?" His finger then began a motion of pressing into the dip of Zhongli's hole before sliding down towards his perineum, then pressing back up. Again and again, as if Childe wanted to pull the slick out of Zhongli's ass and simultaneously edge him on.
Childe's breath was hot against Zhongli when he spoke. "So wet and eager…" And Zhongli didn't realize his breath was coming out in hushed huffs, his hips rolling in sync with the slight movements of Childe's finger. "Tell me, what are you thinking of, Mr. Zhongli?" (How much he wanted Childe to do something, anything, inside of him.) "It has you so sticky down here, it's cute." Childe hummed, his lips pressing a whisper of a kiss against Zhongli's neck. "I wonder what you look like from…" and then his hands were pushing Zhongli to his feet, but the consultant's knees were weak and he trembled, hands reaching for Childe's shoulders to stabilize himself.
Childe wore a small smile, dark eyes focused on getting Zhongli's pants to his ankles. He didn't bother attempting to pull them off further, yanking Zhongli back on top of him. The consultant's ankles were bound by his trousers, knees pressed to the side of Childe's hips, seated once more in his lap but this time completely bared.
Zhongli's face burned. The slick was surely rubbing off on Childe's pants, and his erection was painfully obvious, pressed against Childe's stomach. He felt delirious with embarrassment.
"Ah, you're wet over here too," Childe exhaled with a soft, shaky laugh. His fingertips grabbed at Zhongli's drooling cock, rubbing the precum over the tip. Zhongli jolted, a breathy moaned "oh" leaving him. His arms came up to wrap around Childe's shoulders as Zhongli leaned forward to dig his face into the couch, humiliated.
He felt Childe press his lips against his temple, soft. The Harbinger's hand then slid between his legs, rubbing the inside of his thigh before returning to its place teasing Zhongli's fluttering hole. The consultant's breathing picked up, his cock twitching at the touch.
"What do you imagine, Mr. Zhongli? Blond hair with blue eyes?" Zhongli sucked in a breath. (Blue eyes, most certainly.) Childe chuckled against him, his finger teasing Zhongli's rim. "Or maybe they'll take after your gold eyes. If that's the case, then maybe blue haired babies." (No, no, that isn't right..) The finger that rubbed against his hole was persistent, a tease of what Zhongli could have. It refused to penetrate him, which was beginning to drive Zhongli mad.
"If they have lovely brown hair like you, though…" Childe's free hand gripped at Zhongli's hip, the feel of his fingers digging into his flesh addicting. "Perhaps green eyes. They would have quite a stunning combination."
The sudden sensation of Childe's lips against the heat of his neck had Zhongli huffing out a moan, fingers sliding to press into Childe's shoulders for dear life. His lips felt like soothing relief.
"Would they have little horns and tails?" Zhongli whined (yes, yes of course), pressing down against Childe's finger, but the Harbinger refused to give him his satisfaction. "Would they hatch from little eggs you lay?" (Only if I want them to.)
Childe's lips trailed up, kissing at his neck, his jaw. "What do you think about… little dragons with brown fur like yours…" His hot tongue against the soft underside of Zhongli's jaw had him squirming. "With blue eyes…"
Zhongli keened, hips humping Childe's stomach. "Please, Ajax, please," he panted, delirious with the thought. Childe's finger stilled against him, his tongue dragging up, lips stopping below his ear.
His voice was a hoarse whisper. "Let me give you dragon babies, Zhongli."
He knew it wasn't possible, not with his anatomy as it was now, and he knew neither of them truly wanted children at the moment, but Zhongli still whined out a desperate "Yes please yes Ajax please please please -"
And then Childe was sinking his teeth into Zhongli's neck, breathing ragged. Zhongli tensed, a strange noise leaving him, his senses overwhelmed. He needed, he ached, it left him an utter mess. Zhongli exhaled heavily into the back of the couch, grinding down, attempting to force Childe's slack finger into him. He needed, he needed -
"Ajax," Zhongli managed to get out between his desperate pants of breath, "please, please inside please, I need -" Zhongli turned to bury his face in the Harbinger's neck, rutting mindlessly. Childe let out a soft huff, his finger returning to its stroking. The slick between Zhongli's legs had increased, almost dripping off of him.
"So needy," Childe breathed, pressing his finger against - finally - Zhongli's hole, slipping in with no resistance. But no, no, it wasn't enough, Zhongli could take more, he needed more.
"Ajax more," he voiced, struggling away from the Harbinger's finger. Childe hummed questioningly, allowing the consultant to pull away. "It's not necessary - more -" And he began pulling at Childe's belt and trousers, hands trembling against the buttons hiding away what he desired so desperately.
He heard Childe's breath hitch, his cock straining tight against his clothing, firm and big. "Zhongli, are you sure?" He questioned, hands coming to lay over Zhongli's. "I don't want to - ah.." he trailed off as Zhongli rubbed a hand against the bulge, feverish desire spiking.
"Yes," Zhongli almost hissed, failing to grasp those damned buttons, why were they so small and tight -
"Here, let me." Childe gently pressed Zhongli's hands away, fingers working his pants open in an instant. Zhongli took over once again, fingers sliding under the waistband of his underwear. He felt Childe shiver against him as Zhongli struggled to slide the restrictive clothing down to free his cock. It took Childe lifting his hips up for the fabric to finally follow Zhongli's command.
Childe's cock sprang free, hard and red, dripping a little itself. Zhongli didn't wait to rub a hand against it, almost purring at the feel of its firmness. Childe let out a breathy moan, his fingers clenching on Zhongli's thighs.
Zhongli couldn't wait a moment longer, he refused to. He sat up on his knees and pressed up against Childe, squeezing as close as possible. With how hard Childe was, it was easy enough to rub his length against Zhongli's hole without help, the wet sound of their fluids loud in the quiet room. Childe's hands tightened further.
Zhongli straightened his back, pressing his chest against the Harbinger's face as he caught the head of Childe's cock against his rim. It took one, two attempts before Childe was sliding in, and
"Oh," Zhongli couldn't think beyond Ajax Ajax Ajax, his legs going weak. In one smooth go, aided by the excessive slick, Zhongli sat on Childe's cock. "Oh Ajax please."
Childe had thrown his head back, lip pulled between his teeth. "Fuuuck," his voice came out breathy, almost whiny, "fuck, Zhongli, oh -" And for a moment they simply sat there, chests heaving in sync.
It was Childe who began moving first, hands sliding around to the back of Zhongli's thighs, spreading his legs apart further. And then he was bouncing Zhongli up and down with his hips, and Zhongli -
He was a mess. A complete and utter wreck with a few thrusts of that cock.
"Ajax, oh Ajax, A - Ah - oh -" he began to babble, curling over Childe's body as he was fucked into again and again and again. His face was pressed into Childe's neck, muffling his moans as he rolled his hips down in tandem to Childe's thrusts. Childe slid in deep, his cock firm inside Zhongli in a way that made the consultant think he would never forget the feel of it. The room was full of their moans and the sound of wet fucking.
"Gods Zhongli," Childe breathed, raising his head to look down at their bodies with dark eyes. He attempted to pull Zhongli closer, fuck up into him deeper. Zhongli moaned long and quiet against the couch. "So perfect, like you were made for me - fuck -"
One of the Harbinger's hands came up to grasp at Zhongli's face, turning him away from the couch. Zhongli knew he was flushed red, he couldn't let Childe see him like this -
Their eyes met and Zhongli's breath caught. The way Childe looked at him with those depth-less eyes, as if he wanted to devour him… it made Zhongli feral.
Zhongli leaned forward, eyes lidded heavily as he swiped his tongue over Childe's lips. It was a wet lick, meant to do nothing more but give Zhongli a taste. He felt Childe's fingers tighten on his face and then the Harbinger's lips were on his in a messy, open mouth kiss. Zhongli breathed out a soft whine, tongue meeting Childe’s. It was less kissing and more a disgustingly lewd dance of their tongues lapping at each other. It shouldn’t have, but the way their tongues slid against each other hotly left Zhongli reeling, almost more than the fucking. Everything about Childe and Zhongli was so close - their mouths, their bodies, their breaths - it felt like in that moment, they completed each other.
Childe pulled away from Zhongli’s mouth, panting. His eyes sought out Zhongli’s, faces still pressed in close.
“How many?” he questioned, and Zhongli felt his body tense up. Childe breathed out a sharp sigh, his pace studdering for a moment. “I’ll give you as many babies as you want, Zhongli.”
The consultant released a heavy breath, brows furrowing as he attempted to hide his face, but Childe’s firm grip on his chin prevented that. “Ajax -”
“Cute little eggs that hatch even cuter little dragons,” Childe’s pace picked up, drawing a long moan from Zhongli, his eyelids fluttering, “and they’ll be all ours. Proof of this.” He emphasized with a particularly harsh thrust into Zhongli’s prostate and Zhongli jolted, almost sobbing out.
“Yes Ajax, ah yes -”
Childe’s pace was relentless. “Gods, you tightened up so much,” he hissed out. “You want me to fill you with hatchlings that desperately?” And all Zhongli could do to answer was nod his head, frantically trying to match Childe’s pace.
“Heh, you're taking me so well," Childe breathed hot against Zhongli's lips. The pleasure in Zhongli's gut was cresting, burning and delicious (more, he was so close, just a little more). "Tell me Zhongli, tell me how much you want it."
He wanted, so, so desperately, couldn't Childe tell? How could he even begin to respond -
"Oh," Zhongli moaned out, tipping his head back as Childe thrust against his prostate again and again. "Ohh, Ajax."
"Zhongli," the Harbinger whispered against his lips.
He was there, he was so close, he just needed - just needed -
"Ajax please, please, inside," Zhongli pleaded, squeezing Childe as tightly as he could. Childe groaned against his lips, his cock pulling out in long strokes and slamming back in ruthlessly.
"You want me to cum inside?" Childe managed to breathe out, dark eyes searching Zhongli's face. The consultant whined in response, fingers digging into Childe's shoulders. "You want me to give you cute little dragon babies? I'll give you - fuck - I'll give them to you -" The Harbinger exhaled heavily, hand sliding to grip the back of Zhongli's neck.
"Fuck, Zhongli, oh fuck, gonna fill you up so good -" and then Childe was heaving gasping breaths against his lips, movements jerky. The sudden warmth inside Zhongli was all he needed to cry out, static filling his head as his orgasm came to its peak in full force. Stuttered noises left his lips as he spasmed on Childe's cock, delirious for every last drop of cum.
Zhongli had to lean onto Childe's body for support, trembling. They had finally paused, only the sound of their heavy breaths filling the room. The feel of Childe still so solidly full inside of Zhongli almost made him purr.
The consultant's face was buried against Childe's neck again, and the Harbinger brought up a hand to Zhongli's hair, leaning his head against Zhongli's. Childe pressed a kiss to his temple, breath warm over his ear.
"Is the dragon satisfied with his breeding?"
Heat poured hot in Zhongli's gut at that, and he turned to sink his teeth into Childe's neck (he needs to claim him back, make him his.) Childe breathed out a loud moan and Zhongli felt the way his cock twitched inside. Zhongli moaned in return, lapping at Childe's skin as he began to shift his hips, fucking himself on Childe's cock languidly. The thought of fucking Childe's cum deeper inside of him left him feeling flush with desire.
"Gods, Zhongli," Childe hissed between his teeth, hands gripping the consultant's ass cheeks tight. Despite having just cum, Childe was still rock hard inside Zhongli, something that pleased him greatly.
"We must make sure it takes," Zhongli murmured against Childe's skin, rocking on his lap. Childe began matching his slow pace, nuzzling Zhongli's hair.
"Whatever you desire."
. . .
Nothing was said about their changing relationship after that night (nor the following morning, when both had awoken to get ready in the same home, only for Childe to press Zhongli back into bed right before they left, leaving him a moaning mess while still fully dressed), but they found themselves waking in the same bed together more and more often. And, if a parent needed assistance from Childe, Zhongli would afterwards take him home so they could stake their claims on each other (every single time).