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Since the beginning of Childe and Zhongli’s relationship, they’ve shared too many experiences to count. Zhongli has taken Childe to the shores of Guyun Stone Forest and to the peaks of Minlin. In turn, Childe has shown him Snezhnaya, in all its frosted glory, and ice-fished with Zhongli until their fingers were blue and the only warmth they could find was in each other.
Fond memories rise unprompted into Zhongli’s mind at all hours of the day. He finds himself looking forward to the times they’ll share in the future.
There was, however, the matter of their sexual intercourse.
Zhongli values fairness above all things. He’s not one to make unwarranted judgements or cast aspersions on others, especially those he loves. That being said, the extent of Childe’s libido was frankly concerning. It was almost astonishing - every evening they stayed together, Childe would fuck him, and every morning, Zhongli would wake up to Childe rutting between his thighs, kissing his eyes open and ready for another round.
It wasn’t as if he didn’t enjoy their nights together. In fact, Childe had introduced him to all manner of sensations he had previously dismissed as pointless. He’d been under the impression that the purpose of mortal sex, first and foremost, was procreation. But Childe had shown him that pleasure could be its own potent motivator. Sometimes, when Childe had been called away by the Tsaritsa, Zhongli found himself filled with a strange, frustrated yearning, hands roaming his own body in an attempt to alleviate the discomfort.
But as much as he appreciated Childe’s touch, he was not about to brush off potential dangers to his lover’s health. The kind of sexual appetite that Childe was displaying couldn’t be natural.
Zhongli finally makes up his mind to look into the worrying phenomenon when it begins to interfere with his work. During the previous week, he had been interrupted three times at the Funeral Parlour by Childe, who had sheepishly pulled him into one of the quieter offices and coaxed him to his knees.
When Zhongli met with clients later that afternoon, he had found their eyes glued to his lips. It was rather puzzling. He couldn’t figure out the cause of their fascination.
That evening, when he looked in the mirror, he got his answer. His rendezvous with Childe had left his mouth swollen and pink - and obviously used. No wonder his contacts had been distracted; it was a miracle they had been able to keep up with the conversation at all, with such a flagrant breach of etiquette in front of them.
Something had to be done about this affliction of lust that was plaguing Childe, before it spawned worse consequences.
He wasn’t sure who to question on the subject. He disregarded the Adepti as a possibility due to their lacking knowledge of humans. There was also little point turning to scholars or academia on the subject - written accounts of sexuality were notoriously unreliable due to human notions of shame and prudery. He would rather rid Liyue Harbour of oceanic parasites again than consult Hu Tao on the matter, and endure endless weeks of ridicule.
That left only one person he could ask: Childe himself.
He broaches the subject over dinner. The way Childe goes scarlet and chokes on his food clues Zhongli into the fact that he maybe should’ve waited until they were in private. To his credit, he’d lowered his voice and phrased it delicately. He doesn’t see why Childe is staring at him like he’s grown an extra head.
“Zhongli.” Childe whispers, leaning closer. The way his shirt falls open at the collar, revealing inches of blushing skin, is rather distracting.
Zhongli blinks, fingers tensing around his chopsticks. “Yes?”
“What in the name of Celestia are you talking about?” Childe’s face is pinched into a grimace, and he’s darting nervous glances around them. “You think I have a sexual disorder?”
Zhongli reaches for Childe’s hand, apology on his lips. “I’m sorry if I made you uncomfortable. I just wanted to ask you if intervention was necessary.” He squeezes Childe’s fingers comfortingly, where they limply dangle against the table. “I’m willing to offer my full support if your libido refuses to be curbed and you need to see a doctor.”
“Zhongli-xiansheng.” Childe takes a deep breath, seemingly caught between laughter and mortification. “My libido is fine.”
“It’s not though, Childe.” Zhongli interjects, frowning softly. “From my perspective, the level of incessant sexual interest you’ve shown in me seems very abnormal.”
Childe puts his head in his hands. “You don’t think that’s expected for people in a relationship?”
“To an extent, yes. But your desire borders on pathological.” Zhongli clears his throat. “I don’t mean that in a negative way.” He adds when he notices Childe’s downtrodden expression. “I’m speaking from a place of concern… I just fail to understand what could be derailing your mind so much, apart from a lustful ailment of some kind.”
Childe lays his hand on top of Zhongli’s, threading their fingers together. “Alright.” He begins calmly. There’s a new determination to his words, but beneath that is a spark of humour. “If I can show you what’s causing my completely natural preoccupation, will you drop with this disease thing?”
Zhongli nods. “Certainly.”
Childe stands immediately, signalling to the waitress to bill the meal to Northland bank. “Come on, then.”
Zhongli tilts his head. “Where are you going?”
“We’re going back to my apartment.” Childe responds, lips quirking into a smile. “You told me once that the best method of persuasion is practical evidence, right?”
“That is correct.” Zhongli remains seated, suspicious. There’s a familiar twinkle in Childe’s eyes. “Is this just a ploy to get me into bed again?”
Childe grins and his teeth gleam in the late-afternoon light. “Would that be so bad?”
Zhongli sighs, mouth pursing. “From my own perspective, it’s a favourable outcome. You know I enjoy our intercourse.”
“Well, it’s always nice to hear you confirm it.” Childe quips, receiving a disapproving tut for interrupting. “Why don’t you want to?”
“I feel that doing so would just indulge your affliction, and therefore harm you. That, I cannot tolerate.”
Childe’s hands twitch, exasperated. Then he reaches up, cupping Zhongli’s face in his palms. “It won’t cause any harm, I promise.” He murmurs, fondly frustrated. “Come home with me. I’ll show you that I’m fine - more than fine. And we’ll soothe your worries, okay?”
Zhongli considers the proposition. On one hand, it seemed that this could only end one way - with their limbs tangled together and grinding against each other on Childe’s double-bed.
On the other hand, Zhongli had no other leads and if Childe could prove that this addiction of his was truly no cause for concern... It would certainly calm Zhongli’s mind.
He gives a short nod, ignoring how Childe subtly punches the air. “Very well. I will give you the chance to prove your point.”
“Oh, I’m going to prove my point so thoroughly and so deeply that you’re not going to be able to think of anything except my point for days.” Childe gets out, before smothering a laugh and grabbing Zhongli’s hand in his.
Zhongli brushes off the ridiculous, clumsy innuendo with all the grace of an ex-Archon, and lets Childe guide him towards the restaurant’s exit.
When Childe kicks the door to his apartment shut, he surprises Zhongli by not immediately trying to undress one of them.
Instead, he darts around the corner to his bedroom with an instruction for Zhongli to wait where he is, remarkably still clothed. This kind of restraint strengthens Zhongli‘s faith that Childe can overcome his sexual ailment. With sufficient resolve and support, humans can achieve anything.
After a minute or two, Childe pokes his head around the doorway and beckons Zhongli. Zhongli follows, scanning the room with apprehensive curiosity. He’s spent cumulative hours in this space and seen it from every angle - from flat on his back, bent over the chest of drawers, face-down on the ground, pressed against the wall... Regardless, this means he has a very clear grasp of the arrangement of Childe’s bedroom.
Because of this, he notices immediately what has shifted. Childe has managed to haul the mirror that usually slants against the far corner of the room into the centre. It’s propped rather precariously against the chest of drawers, tilted in the direction of the bed. Childe has even rubbed the dust from it, though grimy traces and fingerprints remain on the outer edges.
Zhongli steps forward, rounding the mirror. After ensuring that it’s not going to unbalance and shatter, he regards his reflection thoughtfully. Behind him, he sees Childe sit down on the bed, toeing off his boots.
He turns. “How does this relate to your evidence?”
Childe tosses his shoes to the side. “You’ll see.” He answers cryptically, fingers resting on his belt buckle.
Zhongli crosses his arms, frowning. When it becomes clear that he’s not going to accept that explanation, Childe pouts, flopping back on the bed. “Can I ask you to just trust my methods?” He requests before Zhongli can voice his protests.
Childe is very lucky that Zhongli is generous with his patience. “Alright.” He responds, tilting his head. “What do your methods require me to do?”
Childe beams, shucking his own trousers down his hips. “Strip.”
“Childe.” Zhongli exhales, exasperated. If he was less well-mannered, he might roll his eyes at the brazen request.
Childe rises up on his elbows, waiting for Zhongli to comply.
Slowly, Zhongli undoes the clasps of his coat and folds it, placing it on the chest of drawers behind the mirror. He doesn’t make any effort to tantalise or arouse with his movements, but Childe groans nonetheless, palming himself through his underwear.
Next comes his tie and shirt, unbuttoned with steady fingers. The only time he falters is when he reaches his waistband. He can already sense himself stirring, just from the hungry way Childe is watching him. It feels like revealing the evidence of his enjoyment will implicate him in Childe’s sexual problem. He doesn’t want to be accused of yielding to Childe’s issues, or encouraging his addiction. But he clears his throat, summoning as much dignity as he can, and perseveres.
Childe watches raptly as Zhongli crouches down, stepping out of his trousers. His gaze flicks to Zhongli’s tensed face and half-hard cock, then to the mirror. Zhongli knows his bare back must be reflected there, along with the lovebites Childe left on his shoulders a few days prior. He resists the urge to glance backwards.
Childe holds out his hand, ushering Zhongli away from his position in front of the mirror. He lets himself be pulled into kneeling on top of Childe’s thighs. Childe, predictably, begins rolling down Zhongli’s underwear, laying kisses across his chest.
“Just trust me, okay?” He murmurs again, tugging Zhongli into a deep kiss. “You’ll understand in a moment.”
His fingers dip lower, using both hands to pull Zhongli’s ass apart. Zhongli pitches forward at the insistent touch, gripping Childe’s shoulders to steady himself.
He sighs, long and low, when Childe ghosts over his hole, rubbing at the furled rim.
Then, Childe lets go. Zhongli looks down questioningly, brows knitted together.
It’s at that moment that Childe raises his hand and slaps Zhongli hard across the ass.
The yelp that escapes Zhongli is humiliatingly loud. He claps a hand over his mouth, jolting with the impact as Childe hits him again, this time on the inner thigh. “What is the— Ah! Childe! What is the meaning of this?” Zhongli bites out, voice hitching. He begins to climb off Childe’s lap, ass throbbing, and Childe tips to the side so they both fall onto the bed. Gently, he massages the red prints he left across Zhongli’s flesh.
They’re so close that Zhongli can feel Childe’s ragged breathing against his face. Childe’s erection presses into his hip, and he knows his own dick is hard against Childe’s stomach. As if hearing his thoughts, Childe reaches down, cupping his hand around Zhongli’s cock. The slow, even strokes are just enough to distract him from the soreness of his ass, but not enough to provide any real satisfaction. The sexual frustration is not wholly pleasant and Zhongli bats him away.
Childe notices that his mouth is downturned and draws him into a kiss.
“I cannot just allow you to act as you please.” Zhongli mutters against Childe’s lips. “That would be irresponsible. It would defeat the entire purpose of this exercise.”
Childe nods, not paying attention, busying himself with stroking Zhongli’s lower back and the swell of his ass. Despite himself, Zhongli lets out a quiet moan when Childe brushes the skin between his balls and his hole, torturously close. Childe gulps at the noise and his dick twitches against Zhongli’s stomach, betraying his desire.
In a sudden rush of movement, Childe is above him, nudging his thighs apart. There’s no need for preparation - they slept together just yesterday - but Childe leans over Zhongli all the same, groping for the lubricant on the bedside table.
He rises with the bottle of oil in his palm, grinning. Zhongli watches as he drizzles the lube across his fingers, pressing them against Zhongli’s hole.
Two sink inside, stretching him open. It’s a familiar sensation but he inhales all the same, grinding down on Childe’s fingers.
A third digit coaxes its way inside and Zhongli feels his own want blooming into needy arousal. He’s loath to admit what Childe does to him, but the bucking of his hips speaks for itself.
When he looks up, Childe is smiling. “Good?”
“My enjoyment is irrelevant.” Zhongli asserts, hand clenched around Childe’s shoulder. “And I don’t see what this method of yours is supposed to prove, in regards to your possible disorder.”
Childe’s eyes widen, then screw shut as he laughs. He has the sheepish expression of a man who had forgotten what he was supposed to be doing. “Oh. Right. That.”
The short, embarassed sentences are the only warning he gets before Childe tugs his fingers out. Zhongli gasps, hole spasming at the rough carelessness.
Childe lays a quick kiss against Zhongli’s forehead in apology, flipping him over so he’s face-down on the bed.
Zhongli should dislike Childe throwing him around like a rag doll. In days long past, showing such disrespect to an Adeptus’ dignity would warrant severe punishment.
But the precum smearing against the sheets betrays his want. Childe treats him like he’s completely, utterly human and it’s intoxicating.
He braces his hands against the sheets when Childe folds himself over Zhongli’s back, hot skin against skin. His cock bumps against Zhongli’s thigh, then his balls, until it finally rests against his hole. Childe’s hips chafe against the tender, pink flesh of his ass, and he hums in protest, shifting away.
Childe stops him with a hand hooked under his stomach. He grasps the base of Zhongli’s dick and uses it to pull him flush against Childe’s front.
Zhongli tips forward as Childe slowly breaches him, pushing the head of his cock into Zhongli’s ass. He rests there for barely a second, before shoving further, thrusting himself fully inside Zhongli.
Zhongli groans, tossing his head. Through the haze of lust, he remembers that Childe is meant to be proving something to him.
As if hearing his thoughts, Childe leans down, sliding his fingers up Zhongli’s side. He drags Zhongli up, until he sees the reflective glint of the mirror, a few feet away.
“Look.” Childe instructs. His soft, teasing tone contrasts with the rough hand around the back of Zhongli’s neck. Rather than the force, it’s the tenderness in his gaze that pins Zhongli in place, allowing Childe to hold him up. “Do you see now? Do you understand what’s kept me so hooked?”
Zhongli glances up at the mirror and suddenly, he does see what has been fixating Childe. The reflection is blurry, his eyes only half open, but he focuses at Childe’s request.
He sees himself, spread out and barely keeping upright on the bed, ass tilted upwards and reddened by Childe’s palms. His lips are open in a constant gasp of arousal and his eyeliner has smudged across his cheek, leaving a thin red trail.
Behind him, Childe rotates his hips, grinding deeper into Zhongli’s ass, and Zhongli’s arms shake. There are almost no human pleasures that are unknown to him, but the way Childe fucks him feels brand new every time. It’s futile for him to try and control the pace of their love-making, or to temper Childe’s desires. Childe takes and gives as he pleases and Zhongli allows it all, because the sensation of being under Childe’s hands is one of the greatest pleasures he’s ever known.
Childe watches him gazing at himself, massaging slow circles into the flesh of Zhongli’s thigh.
“Gorgeous. So fucking tight.” he whispers, leaning forward to bite at Zhongli’s shoulder. The movement shifts his cock, and Zhongli huffs as it grazes over his prostate.
Childe withdraws gradually, maintaining eye-contact with Zhongli in the mirror. His red hair is slicked to his temple with sweat and there’s a fierce quality to his smile. Zhongli feels the moment the head of Childe’s dick pulls free from his ass.
Then, without warning, Childe shoves his hips forwards, forcing his dick inside Zhongli in one push.
Zhongli’s head ducks despite himself as he jerks at the force of the thrust. Childe tuts fondly and tightens his grasp in Zhongli’s hair, tugging him upwards.
Zhongli tracks Childe’s motions as the fingers dig into his scalp, ponytail knotted around Childe’s fist. His mouth falls open and he chokes on a gasp when Childe uses his hair to pull him backwards. His ass slaps against Childe’s thighs, back arched under Childe’s firm guidance. His ass aches, from the harsh slaps earlier and the rigid shape of Childe’s dick drilling into him.
A tingling sensation is beginning to build at the base of his spine and his hole tightens around Childe’s cock, rim fluttering. Every time he sees himself jerk in the mirror, moaning, it grows. His hands cling to the sheets, looking for something to ground him in the face of such overwhelming pleasure. Humiliation, at seeing himself so exposed, and white-hot arousal twist inside of him. “Childe...” He cries out, pushing back into the thrusts.
Childe groans, grinning at Zhongli’s flushed face in the mirror. “There we go. You understand now, xiansheng? It’s you - not some stupid disease.” His lips glisten with sweat and Zhongli feels a drop of it fall from Childe’s jaw, landing on his back. “How am I supposed to keep my hands to myself when you look like this?” He whispers, barely audible.
Zhongli can offer no response, panting and clawing at the sheets. Childe is scraping against his prostate mercilessly, keeping him teetering on the precipice of release.
Childe chuckles, holding him up. “Don’t look away.”
And Zhongli accepts Childe’s charge. His eyes remain locked on the mirror, watching his body quiver as Childe’s erratic thrusts jostle him against the bed. His left arm gives out, and he topples forward, resting on his elbow. With his other hand, he reaches down, stroking his own dick in time with Childe’s movements. His vision of the mirror blurs.
A long, piercing cry bursts from Zhongli’s mouth. Orgasm races through him like an earthquake, shaking him down to his core. He shivers, finally losing sight of the reflection as his head falls onto the bed. He feels cum splatter across his stomach and chest as he rides out the last waves of aftershocks.
Childe swears behind him, hips pumping harder. “Fuck, Zhongli.“ He moans, clutching Zhongli to him as his thrusts stutter. Vaguely, Zhongli registers that he’s clenching, tightening around Childe’s cock. His legs shake as Childe buries his face in Zhongli’s neck, pushing as deep as he can.
He moans and Zhongli feels the familiar gush of heat, warming him from the inside. Childe lurches forward, pulling out as the fluttering of Zhongli’s ass around him edges into the discomfort of overstimulation. The last of the cum drips down his leg in a slow trail.
Childe shifts on the bed behind him, running a possessively hand across his stained thighs. Everything feels wet and heady and humid. When Zhongli glances up, he finds that the mirror is covered with a fine sheen of fog.
Childe notices and rises from the bed, smearing wet hands across the glass. Zhongli comes into view with each wipe and it dawns on him how dishevelled he’s become. His ponytail is loose from Childe’s tugs and his abdomen is flecked with white. His cheekbones and neck are tinted red and his chest gleams with sweat.
Childe smiles proudly at him. “You look good.” He offers, arms folded. His own hair is mussed and there are marks on his shoulders from where Zhongli grabbed at him.
Zhongli nods in acknowledgement, gesturing for Childe to stop staring at the mirror and join him on the bed.
Childe does so, although he immediately starts palming at Zhongli’s ass, running his fingers through the cum. “So.” He kisses Zhongli’s jaw, tonguing at the bitemarks he left there. “Would you say I proved my point? Can you see why I’m so interested in you now? And stop worrying about possible afflictions?”
Zhongli takes a deep breath, gasping when Childe taps at his swollen rim. In a second, he has Childe’s wrist in a vice-grip and pinned against the bed, away from his sensitive behind. Childe chuckles, holding his hands up in surrender.
Zhongli releases him, clearing his throat. “Yes. You’ve proven your point. I’ll cancel the appointment I made with Bubu Pharmacy.”
Childe’s jaw drops. “You had an appointment booked?” He grasps Zhongli’s face with sudden urgency. “Did you tell them what it was for? Please tell me you didn’t.”
Zhongli’s lips quirk upwards. Now that he’s no longer worried about Childe’s health, he can see the humour of the situation. “I’m afraid that I did have a brief discussion with Doctor Baizhu about your... sexual disorder.” Zhongli coughs delicately. “Which has now been disproved, I suppose.” He adds when Childe groans, covering his eyes.
“He had better uphold patient confidentiality, or I’ll...” Childe trails off, clearly imagining all the atrocities he would subject Baizhu to, should the doctor spread this news. “The last thing I need is your citizens gossiping about my supposed disease.”
Zhongli pats Childe’s shoulder comfortingly. “If they could forgo holding the incident with Osial against you, then I think they will forgive you for your sexual abnormalities.” He draws Childe into a kiss, carding his fingers through his tousled hair. Gradually, Childe relaxes, sinking into Zhongli’s embrace.
“I’ll be certain to reassure them that I am taking care of your urges, if they do ask.” Zhongli whispers into Childe’s mouth.
A thought occurs to him and he pulls back, regarding Childe with a stern look. “But no more interrupting me at work, understand? I will not jeopardise my livelihood for your wanton impulses. You are hereby forbidden from setting foot in the Funeral Parlour, unless you require funereal advice.”
“Aw. I can’t believe you’d ban me from your services in my time of need.” Childe pouts, resting his head against Zhongli’s chest. “What if I did have a sex addiction? Could I fuck you at work then?”
“No.” Zhongli responds firmly. “In fact, you would be prohibited from sleeping with me until you began a serious course of treatment.”
“Well! It’s a good thing I’m perfectly healthy then.” Childe reassures him, fingers drumming nervously.
“A fact that I am endlessly happy to discover.” Zhongli replies, dry tone hiding the sincerity underpinning his statement. He’s genuinely relieved to find that Childe doesn’t require medical attention.
A beat of tense silence passes, before Childe begins snickering. Zhongli cracks a smile as Childe’s laughter vibrates against his skin.
“I love you.” Childe gets out between giggles. “And I’ll rein in my libido, if it’s troubling you. But I think I could make the case for you owing me an apology. The only issue here is you being too sexy for your own good.”
“For that, I am truly sorry.” Zhongli responds wryly. “I can change my form into one that better reflects my age, if you’d like; something more like Madame Ping.”
“Nope, that wouldn’t work. You’d still be hot.” Childe mumbles, curling around Zhongli’s lax body. “In any form. It’s not your appearance…” He stabs at Zhongli’s forehead with his finger, earning a frown for his trouble. “It’s you.”
Zhongli stifles an affectionate smile. Childe can be very, very sweet when the circumstances allow it.
Inescapable fondness fills his chest, thrumming in the cavity where his gnosis used to sit. He kisses Childe again, letting his actions speak for him. Every time his tongue skims over Childe’s lips and their teeth click together, the reciprocal words echo inside his head. “I love you, too.” He murmurs, again and again, until it’s more breath than sound.