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“Zhongli and Childe are officially the losers!!” Venti announced, placing a hand down on the Genius Invokation TCG board. Zhongli frowned as his dice were scattered around the table.
He was good, but not good enough to beat Lumine, who was, and seemingly always would be, the top player of their TCG club.
They had these meetings every Friday, where the club had its own elimination-style tournament. Childe and Zhongli couldn’t exactly be a ‘team’ in a 2-player game, but they were lumped together anyway.
Childe always made it to the semifinals before either Lumine or Zhongli defeated him and the two would square off - every single week. Still, it was more about hanging out with friends than who won or lost, so it never really mattered that Childe always lost.
Definitely didn’t matter to him. Not at all. He really, really didn’t mind that he could never win against those two, no matter how many times he changed up his deck, or looked up strategies online, or…
Nope, he may have been competitive but he was not a sore loser. He could still beat either of them in other things, after all! Lumine couldn’t handle as much spice as he could, and he could drink Zhongli under the table.
Like he had been doing ever since he lost that semifinal against Lumine, but it wasn’t because he lost, it was simply because Venti had brought alcohol and he wasn’t one to pass up a glass or two.
Or three. Or four.
Regardless, he was not upset about his loss. And he was not upset about the bet he and Zhongli (mostly Childe, though) made, that whichever one of them made it to the finals would finally defeat Lumine.
Yet another loss for the night. He took another swig of his drink.
The other members of their little club - those who had stayed this late into the night at least, more than usual because of the bet - leaned forward to see what Lumine would request. It was the prize, after all: One request that the other party must follow without question.
“Lay it on me,” Childe said, leaning back in his chair. “What must we do, O Great Champion, Queen of Invokations?”
“Gay chicken,” she said instantly. Like she had been thinking about it all night. The gathered crowd collectively ‘oooo’ -ed, while Childe scoffed.
“Really? This again? We aren’t dating.” Childe glanced at Zhongli, who appeared as stoic as ever, not even blushing at the request. Unlike Childe, who knew his face was already getting ruddy pink.
“I know,” Lumine said, leaning back and crossing her arms. “That’s exactly why you must play. Someone has to intervene in this will-they-won’t-they.”
Childe scoffed, again. “Isn’t your cousin here?”
They all glanced at Aether and Lumine’s little cousin, Paimon, who was dead asleep next to the near-empty snack table. It was far past her bedtime and she had eaten herself into a food coma.
“It’s fine,” Lumine said, waving it off. “She’s a heavy sleeper. Besides - you aren’t going to be noisy, right? Because you aren’t into each other. So obviously, the game will end quickly.”
“As if!” Childe exclaimed. “You might have beat me in TCG, but don’t underestimate my abilities!”
Lumine raised an eyebrow. “Your impeccable abilities at being bisexual?”
“...Yes!”
He glanced at Zhongli, who had yet to say anything, not even congratulating Lumine on her victory as usual. He was already looking at Childe, expression still inscrutable.
It wasn’t as if Zhongli was shy, or easily flustered. But Childe still doubted the man had done anything like this before. It was just a vibe he seemed to give off - not only did he seem intimidating to others, but there were few who would stay to listen to his stories and lectures even after trying to get to know him.
Even Venti and Lumine would politely excuse themselves after a while, and Zhongli’s expression never changed, but Childe had no doubt it had to hurt. At first Childe was the same as them, but stayed to listen to make up for Zhongli losing his audience, and they just spent more and more time together as a result. It didn’t take long for Childe to grow to enjoy listening to him talk, and he felt he had learned more from Zhongli’s rambling than anywhere else.
Which had, eventually, led to Lumine and their other friends’ insistence that they were either secretly dating or had a mutual pining thing for each other. Childe would deny this strongly, while Zhongli typically ignored the teasing. It never really affected their friendship, so it wasn’t a big deal regardless.
He really didn’t think Lumine would go this far, though. Zhongli’s apparent inexperience - they were close enough that he definitely would have mentioned it to Childe, right? - would definitely make this awkward.
…Not that he thought Zhongli would last long in their game, though, for that exact reason. And it’s not like Childe planned on having sex with him or anything. Even he wasn’t competitive enough to let things go that far.
He took another swig of his drink.
Before he could say another word, however, Zhongli responded. “We accept.”
Childe nearly choked.
“She could have asked for worse,” Zhongli explained. “We agreed to do whatever she asked, after all. I find this to be reasonable compared to what else she could have planned.”
…Lumine did like to tease. It’s just that… Childe didn’t expect him to agree so readily.
Maybe it was Childe who was going to be the awkward one here. He swallowed heavily. “Alright. Uh… isn’t this gonna be weird for the rest of you, though?”
No one seemed to agree. Lumine kept up her smug smile and her raised eyebrow. “Go on. I didn’t mean tomorrow.”
Right. Childe and Zhongli turned to face each other on the old couch they shared, crossing their legs. The longer he looked at Zhongli, the warmer his face got. Or maybe it was just the alcohol putting a flush on his cheeks.
“You’re blushing,” Zhongli said, narrowing his eyes just a little. The tiniest of smiles on his face. “Is facing me really so intimidating?”
Ah. So the game had already begun.
“Hardly. You’re just too pretty, how’s a guy supposed to look you in the eye?”
That was definitely true. Zhongli is one of the few people who could objectively be considered gorgeous. It was part of why people were scared to talk to him - that, and the resting bitch face. He was really a softie underneath, though.
But his long, slender legs, piercing golden eyes, silky hair that framed his pretty, almost androgynous face - anyone would kill to have the guy in their bed, no doubt.
Not to mention–
Childe leaned forward, putting a hand on Zhongli’s knee to support himself, and grabbed his tiny waist. He hovered over Zhongli, their faces very, very close.
Clearly, Zhongli hadn’t been expecting such a bold move so early on, based on the way his eyes widened at the action. As with most things, Childe started off strong and fast. This wasn’t the game he was expecting to play tonight, but god damn it, he was going to win.
He was tired of losing to Zhongli. He’d kiss the guy for a victory tonight.
Instead of getting flustered at all, Zhongli narrowed his eyes to half-lidded and practically purred, “You knew exactly where you wanted to go - have you been planning this, Childe?”
He reached up and put a hand on the ginger’s face, the touch so tender, so unlike anything he had ever actually experienced before.
Childe’s heart began to race. Still, he kept his cool demeanor as he responded lowly, “So what if I have? Does that make you excited?”
“Very much so.” A thumb rested over Childe’s bottom lip, and it seemed Zhongli’s attention was now focused there. “Are you going to kiss me, or do you think I will give in simply because you got a little close to me? It will take more than that, Childe.”
He got so close that Childe could feel his breath on his skin. Looking right into the ginger’s eyes with that unnatural amber gaze he said, “I am looking forward to it, after all.”
It almost sounded sincere. Zhongli was too good at this game. Way too good.
But Childe refused to back down. The hand resting on Zhongli’s knee slowly crept its way up his thigh - the brunette didn’t even flinch. “You want this game to end so soon?”
“No,” Zhongli said, “But I do wish for a victory, and I believe this is the quickest way to get you to chicken out.”
Oh - no way in hell was he going to take that. Those were fighting words, and Zhongli wasn’t one to tease like that. This was something different entirely, a cocky, self-assured confidence that the usually humble man never showed, and Childe was absolutely determined to win now.
Childe closed the distance between them, expecting just a peck on the lips before one of them pulled away, but Zhongli did not - and of course, neither would Childe. In fact, Zhongli deepened it immediately, pressing his lips tenderly to Childe’s own. So he had to respond in kind, wrapping the hand at Zhongli’s waist against the back of his neck and pulling him even closer.
He really didn’t know who started it, opening their mouth and pressing a tongue into the other’s - maybe it was a collaborative effort - but he got into the rhythm quickly. Neither of them were actually very experienced in kissing, and it was all teeth and spit and… desperation.
Zhongli carded his fingers into Childe’s hair, keeping him near. Childe moved forward, breaking from the kiss for a moment to take a breath as he sat on Zhongli’s lap, and then leaned the man back onto the couch so he was straddling his hips.
And then the kiss continued, and maybe Childe was grinding on him a little but it was just a game, and so what if he was a little hard from kissing Zhongli. Anyone would be, he was beautiful and smart and gentle and had so many interesting things to say…
Childe vaguely heard Lumine say, “Okay, that’s good, it’s a draw!!” but pretended he didn’t. This would not end in a draw. Childe would win.
Though Zhongli was certainly giving it his best effort, wrapping his arms around Childe’s waist, balling his shirt in his fists. He rolled his hips up, and - oh, fuck, he was just as hard.
Zhongli turned his head slightly, breaking the kiss. He said breathlessly, “It seems we’re at an impasse.”
“Seems that way.”
The room was a whole lot quieter than it was before. Childe glanced up.
“...Oh, they left.”
Zhongli laughed, something he rarely did except around Childe. It made his heart skip a beat - it always did. And when he looked back down he saw those amber eyes softened at the edges as he gave a real smile, and a light blush on his cheeks, and Zhongli rolled his hips up again just to get a reaction, and –
Childe had a feeling that he would not be winning this - if he could even manage to drag himself away.
Zhongli put a hand to the back of Childe’s head and pulled him in, whispering low into his ear, “First to cum loses.”
A shiver ran through Childe’s body, but he barely felt it, because he was way too busy pinning Zhongli back down and sticking his tongue down his throat. Zhongli moaned into the kiss, low and deep and smooth as his voice, and Childe barely held back a whimper.
Fuck. Lumine was right.
But he still had no intention of losing. Zhongli would cum first.
He questioned that confidence immediately when hands began fumbling at his belt, Zhongli multitasking quite skillfully as he both kissed him and undid Childe’s pants. He was definitely rubbing his hands on the tent in the ginger’s pants way more than necessary.
“Get off me,” Zhongli murmured, and Childe just did whatever he asked willingly, climbing off his lap. He stood to the side of the couch and Zhongli wasted absolutely no time in pulling down his pants, then his boxers, and before Childe could even begin to feel embarrassed the man was already holding his cock and drawing his warm, wet tongue up the underside.
“Fuck, Zhongli, I-I can’t… Mmnggh–”
He bit his lip but it still didn’t hold back the moan he let out when Zhongli put the tip in his mouth and gently sucked on it. With an exaggerated pop of his lips he pulled away and swallowed, like the precum he tasted was a delicacy.
“Can’t what?” he asked, making eye contact. “Can’t last? Surely, if you desire to win, this will be little challenge for you.” He leaned back in and circled his tongue over the tip, making Childe’s knees weak.
“Hahh– N-no, I can’t– How am I supposed to win if- if I’m the only one getting touched?”
Zhongli took his cock between his lips, deeper into his mouth than before, and worked his tongue over it. Then pulled away again, making Childe want to whine at the loss. He had to keep some shred of his dignity. Some.
“I assure you,” Zhongli murmured, “This will be as enjoyable for me as it will be for you.”
Childe put a hand over his mouth to muffle himself, but Zhongli had no such shame as he took his cock all the way to the back of his mouth, just before he would have gagged on it, and moaned.
God, it was so low and deep. Then he started moving, bobbing his head while making eye contact the entire time, and Childe couldn’t hold back the noises he made either.
It occurred to him in that moment that they were still in the campus’ student center, where anyone could walk in on them, and there was definitely a camera in the corner, but he found it hard to care when he was getting sucked off like this.
Zhongli stopped for a moment, then started trying to take his cock even deeper into his mouth. Childe started to wonder if the man had more experience than he thought, until his throat tensed and he choked painfully.
Childe pulled him away by the hair, forcing Zhongli to come up for breath. He already looked like a mess, lips slick and red, cheeks flushed prettily.
“I’m okay,” he breathed. “Let me try again.”
“You sure?” Childe loosened his grip, allowing Zhongli to do as he pleased. He nodded and licked his lips, focusing his eyes and attention on the dick in front of him instead of on Childe.
He missed the eye contact, but seeing Zhongli concentrate so hard just to please him, trying to do something he had never tried before - it was hot. It felt sincere. It made Childe’s heart squeeze.
“Zhongli,” he started quietly, watching the brunette look up at him once more. “Do you… are you into me?”
“What gave it away?” He smiled softly, before putting his mouth around Childe again. He breathed through his nose, visibly relaxed his throat, and tried again.
He still gagged on it, eyes squeezing shut, but didn’t pull away. Childe ran a hand through Zhongli’s fringe and tried to hold it out of his eyes. When his grip tightened, Zhongli whined around him.
“Fuck… You liked that, didn’t you?”
Zhongli obviously could not respond, but his reaction said everything. Childe kept his hand laced in silky brown hair and gently started to push him forward. “Hit me if you want me to stop.”
Zhongli choked again, but he breathed through his nose and kept himself as relaxed as he could. Slowly he took all of Childe into his throat until his nose was pressed to his pubes.
It was so fucking hot, Childe thought he might blow his load right then and there. All thoughts of winning their game were gone from his head at that point, but still, it would be embarrassing for him if he came just from that.
Zhongli’s nails gripped Childe’s thigh, but he had yet to indicate he wanted to be done. After a moment of adjustment he swallowed, making another choking sound, and once again Childe couldn’t hold back a moan.
“Holy shit, that- that feels so good, oh my god–”
Zhongli did it again, and again, and once more, before finally slapping Childe’s thigh to let him go. He pulled back only until his throat was clear, took a deep breath, and went back in.
Swallowing around him like he was dying of thirst. Like he couldn’t live unless he tasted Childe’s cum. The ginger felt like he was having a religious experience in that moment. He tried hard to focus on Zhongli, the nails leaving marks in his thigh, the feeling of his soft hair between his fingers, but it was impossible. Not like this.
“Fuck, Zhongli.”
He pulled back for air again, letting out a soft sigh. Eyelashes fluttered to blink away tears, which streaked red makeup down his face. He looked wrecked with thick spit dripping from his mouth and swollen lips stretched around Childe’s cock.
Another deep breath before another round. This time Zhongli didn’t swallow, but instead started to bob his head again, fucking his mouth on Childe’s length. Before he could realize what he was doing, Childe tightened his grip and helped Zhongli with the effort, pushing him with every bob and thrusting at the same time.
Still, the brunette did not signal to stop, so he didn’t.
“Fuck, fuck, Zhongli, that’s– oh my god–”
The sounds Zhongli made every time his throat was penetrated were downright obscene, and so loud, but neither of them cared in the slightest. It didn’t take long at all for Childe to get close to the edge, pressure building deep in his gut. Not even long enough for Zhongli to need air again.
Then, the game was over, because Childe was holding Zhongli over his entire length and cumming deep into his throat. Zhongli swallowed around him, milking every drop from his cock and drinking it down.
Until he hit Childe’s thigh, and pulled away with a gasp.
Childe was entranced.
Zhongli was gorgeous like this, even more so than usual. Sweat-soaked strands of hair stuck to his forehead. His eyeliner was utterly ruined, staining his flushed cheeks with deep red lines. Drool and cum dripped from his lips. Childe couldn’t help but kneel down and kiss it off him.
Zhongli, breathless and dazed, hardly reciprocated - but he tried.
“I think I lost,” Childe muttered, not really caring. Zhongli huffed out a laugh.
“No,” he said, voice hoarse. “You won.”
“No way. You can’t cum from getting facefucked.” Childe pressed his palm against Zhongli’s crotch - they were far beyond boundaries at this point - and found his pants soaking wet. “No way.”
Zhongli swiped a thumb over his lips, catching the last bit of saliva from the corners and licking it off his finger. “I came when you started fucking my mouth,” Zhongli confirmed. Softer, he said, “The fact that it was you likely helped.”
A finger rested under Childe’s chin, tilting his head up, and he was given a tender kiss. “The game is over, but I don’t think I want this to end.”
“Let’s go on a date,” Childe said quickly. “An actual one.”
The smile Zhongli gave him was so sweet, so sincere, that they validated all of Childe’s newfound feelings. “Come back to my place right now,” he offered. “I have lube. And, uh, we can order pizza.”
“That seems like a very good date to me.” Zhongli kissed him again, and Childe felt that was going to become a very frequent habit.
Not that he minded at all.