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Childe wasn’t one for letters, but the art was beginning to rub off on him.
The first letter he ever wrote was at age fourteen, only a few days after his father enlisting him into the Fatui. It was brief, with its key contents being hastily scribbled onto the page: “I think I’m going to love it here.”
As the years passed, Ajax began to put more detail into them. A few lines turned into perhaps a few paragraphs. As Tartaglia, those paragraphs spanned pages.
He didn’t see much of a point in letters, until one battle left him between the thin veil of life and death, with his family almost worlds away. If he were to die in the way that he wanted, there would be no words left to say for those who loved him. His parents, his siblings, they would tear Teyvat inside out just to know the details of his last breath.
Once the thought crossed its mind, it never left. So when he regained consciousness, with a hot streak of pain still burning his side, Childe wrote about everything.
He would write of the people he met in great detail, the wildlife, how the cities outside Snezhnaya looked, and even how impossible the Liyuean contraption of “chopsticks” are to use.
Sealing the envelope with a specialty whale-designed crest, Childe handed his latest letter to the first Fatui member he came across. With any luck, its contents would reach his family in the coming months.
Pushing past the doors of his temporary residence, Childe’s attention is brought away from the warmth of Snezhnaya to the bustling streets of Liyue. Today, he arranged to meet a friend at Liuli Pavilion. It was in his best interest not to be late.
Crowds of people bartered for jewels and food alike. His ears caught the sound of someone claiming to own a cup that Rex Lapis drank from himself.
Ha, if only catching an archon was as easy as inviting them to a drink.
One particular vendor put their heart into promoting their chop suey, with a line of curious people falling in behind them.
Slipping through the meandering crowds with well-practiced ease, Childe finally arrived at the entrance of Liuli Pavilion. Without even a mention of his name or reservation, one of the waiters led him back to a reserved table.
He was surprised to see both chairs empty. Normally, his guest would be the first to arrive, with Childe always somehow being on-time-yet-late. Childe glanced at the waiter, who seemed almost as miffed as he was.
Ah, well, there was always a time for firsts in Liyue. He gave the man a well-sculpted smile, before taking a seat.
Sometime after their arranged meeting, his guest finally arrived.
“Excuse me, there were certain duties I had to attend to back at Wangshen,” the man announced, taking his proper seat.
Childe glanced up, meeting amber eyes.
“No worries, the change is nice for once. Can’t have you waiting on me all the time.” Childe leaned back in his seat, letting stiff muscles finally relax.
Zhongli, Consultant for the Wangshen Funeral Parlor. The business’ relationship with the Fatui was what introduced the two of them, though it wasn’t what compelled them to constantly meet up like this. In Childe’s opinion, there was no better guide to Liyue than Zhongli himself, a man aware of ancient traditions in such detail that one might think he was there when they were founded. In a sense, Zhongli helped Childe… acclimate to Liyue’s distinct culture. In a sense, they were friends.
“I agree. As time passes, nothing can truly stay the same. Liyue, and its numerous changes, is living proof of such.”
Childe felt like Zhongli was talking about something else, but their relationship was one of enjoyment rather than confiding in one another. Zhongli had plenty he kept quiet on, and Childe wouldn’t dare speak of his more… private matters concerning the Fatui.
“That’s a lot of words for an excuse,” Childe teased.
“I was merely repeating what you told me,” Zhongli replied, in a way that left Childe unsure if he was being genuine or teasing. Likely the former.
“Ha, I suppose so. I’ll let you go for once then.” Childe picked up his glass, taking a sip of the water provided to them. “I already ordered what we typically have.”
“Excellent.”
After setting down his glass, Childe realized that both had gone quiet. Normally, Zhongli would be the one to start conversations, with Childe adding a quip in here or there. But, the man seemed enamored with the design of the table.
Is something on his mind?
It wasn’t that he was uncomfortable with silence, Childe’s not one to let himself get eaten away by his own thoughts. It was more so that the behavior was uncommon for the consultant. Thinking that he could ignore the odd silence, Childe took another sip from his glass.
“Have you partook in any relationships of the romantic nature recently?”
Suddenly, there was water covering the table, and Childe realized moments later that he had been the one to spit it out. His lungs burned, trying to get the water out, and he began to cough so hard that he was forced to put the glass down. He used that arm to balance himself on the table, sitting upright.
“—Sorry, I didn’t catch that,” Childe managed to get out. Certainly, he heard wrong.
“I see. I was merely inquiring about the status of your current relationships.”
Nope. He heard right.
“I… What?”
“Hm… I suppose I should be more direct.”
“No, wait—“ Childe can feel his face burning, faintly hoping that Zhongli doesn’t realize it. “I got it. I’m just. Confused, I guess.”
“Was my question too vague?” Zhongli asked, eyebrows knitted in something that almost looked like concern.
“No…” Archons, how he wished it was vague. “Why are you interested in something like that?”
Zhongli’s eyes widened as if he realized just how out of place the question was.
“My apologies. I shouldn’t have been so forward.” Zhongli takes a napkin, wiping the table. “In normal courting rituals, there is a brief period of flirtation," he corrected.
Zhongli has always been a man with a large vocabulary, a walking history book one might say, but never before has Childe been gut-punched by so many words at once. Courting? Flirtation? He’d be certain this is some type of prank with anyone else, but Zhongli?
“Ahem… Well.” Childe has never been the most elegantly speaking harbinger, but this was just pathetic. “That’s true.”
He was struggling like a fish out of water, wiggling its gills hopelessly.
Zhongli nodded, setting aside the used napkin. Ah, he was waiting for Childe to respond.
“If you don’t mind me asking… What brought this on?” Finally managing to get control of his reddening face, Childe tried to regain some semblance of normality by leaning back in his chair.
“It has been brought to my attention that you possess numerous qualities that would justify courtship,” Zhongli told him, in a tone that sounded all too business-like. “In order to move forward with such advances, I would have to ensure that you were not already taken.”
Childe could only wish that the Geo archon appear before him and have the ground swallow him whole. He won’t even fight the archon for his gnosis, he’d gladly allow such a death over being in this situation. Childe opened his mouth, only to close it again. Zhongli was being selective with his wording… just who had put this idea in his head?
Zhongli stared at him patiently, finally pushing Childe to give an answer.
“Well…” He coughs. “No. I’m not. I haven’t given much thought to a relationship here.” In a futile attempt to distract himself, his fingers drum on the table.
“Thank you for the clarification. Correct me if I’m wrong, but are you saying that you’re opposed to the idea of courtship currently?”
An interrogation. Childe knew what an interrogation felt like, it was part of his training as a member of the Fatui. Never before had he been in such a hellish interrogation than this.
Unable to look Zhongli in the eyes, Childe turned his attention to a window.
If he gave more thought to it… he wasn’t exactly opposed to a relationship. With his line of work, it would certainly be difficult, but Childe knew about making sacrifices. Concerning Zhongli… he was an attractive man. His eyes shone like cor lapis hidden in the deepest mountains, his voice was deep yet smooth, attracting attention but not demanding it, and his honest personality was something Childe admired. Zhongli wasn’t the type to meddle with lies and corruption—he was a sincere man who spoke his thoughts whenever prompted.
Zhongli cleared his throat, leading Childe to the realization that he still hasn’t answered his question. At least he was polite about it.
“No—“ Wait, then was that a yes? Hell if he knows. “I mean…” Something, anything, he needed a distraction. “In Snezhnaya, we have a tradition.”
It doesn’t feel too great to lie to someone like Zhongli, but Childe is gasping for air because of the vicious onslaughts.
“A tradition?” Zhongli asked, his eyes almost shining at the prospect of taking part in a ritual. An entirely fake ritual Childe just now made up.
“Yes,” Childe nodded, loosening his already slack scarf from around his neck. “In Snezhnaya, when you want to court someone, you have to first best them in combat.”
It was the perfect non-answer. Zhongli was aware of Childe’s status as a member of the Fatui, so he certainly knew of Childe's fighting ability. Though Childe had never seen Zhongli fight, he sincerely doubted the man has many capabilities for it. If anything, a conflict with a group of bandits would end with Zhongli using (Childe’s) Mora to help set the poor misguided souls on the right path, for the sake of promoting Liyue’s bustling economy. He seemed to be a man of words rather than the blade and given his occupation, it was unlikely he would ever even fight much.
“That tradition certainly aids in the decision for a perfect candidate.” Zhongli nodded, completely buying the story. Great, now he will give up and— “When and where do you wish for this battle for your hand to occur?”
“Huh?” Childe blinked. Did he just accept those terms?
“Though you are in Liyue, it is only proper that I honor the customs of Snezhnaya. That is the land that raised you and molded you into what you are today.”
… Alright, he didn’t see this one coming. That was a trend today.
“Haha, Zhongli…” Able to collect himself just for a moment, Childe donned a face of bravado as he leaned forward in his seat. “Certainly, you’re aware of who I am, right? I won’t go easy on you, and I’m certain we both know who would win.”
“Even if that was the case, I stay true to my convictions, no matter how unfavorable the position. I expected you to have some faith in me, Childe.” It sounded as if Zhongli was scolding him.
Even if…
Perhaps, Childe missed something in his analysis of Zhongli before, but he saw the man for who he is now. Fighting talk… a grin found its way onto Childe’s face. Liyue continued to surprise him.
“Since that’s the case… I do know a place.”
A few days ago, a group of bandits had become Childe’s warm-up practice. They were hiding up in an area not far past Liyue Harbor and were causing some interference in the business of the Fatui. With the camp cleared out, there was ample room for a spar.
Childe and Zhongli planned to have the fight the day after their talk at Liuli Pavilion. Though, now the harbinger was beginning to get cold feet.
After taking the time to think about Zhongli’s proposition, Childe came to a few conclusions. He wouldn't necessarily hate the idea of courting Zhongli, even given his status in the Fatui. Zhongli had many qualities about him that Childe enjoyed, and even his faults with Mora still kept Childe amused. By now, the two had already been meeting regularly, even when their respective organizations did not require it, so a romantic relationship was only another step forward. There might be some trouble down the road after Childe steals the gnosis from Zhongli’s beloved archon… but they can get to that in the future.
But Childe had already made his bed. If he allowed Zhongli to win, surely, word would get around. The Fatui live in secrecy, leaving no stone unturned. Additionally, he’s never been one to half-ass a battle. Only in the smoldering heat of intense battle does one’s soul bare their true colors, and that is what he craved. He could go easy on Zhongli, for the consultant’s sake… but Childe’s ego got in the way of letting the man win.
He could admit that he lied to Zhongli, but that would surely make the consultant lose interest in Childe as a “courting candidate.”
It was a double bind.
Having come to this conclusion, Childe waited in the area of his own choosing, lamenting his own shortcomings with words. Within a few hour's time, maybe he and Zhongli would still go out for dinner like they normally do if Childe doesn’t utterly ruin their relationship.
Catching sight of the man of the hour, Childe stood from his sitting place on a rock.
“It’s not too late to quit,” Childe taunted, hiding his intentions behind his usual hunger for battle.
Zhongli clicked his tongue, almost looking annoyed. It was an expression that caught him off guard. Childe was about to laugh before the man summoned a polearm to fight with.
Somehow, he almost expected Zhongli to wield a claymore. A heavy weapon built for someone as sturdy and principled as him. But upon seeing this, that polearm fit him quite well.
Childe picked up his bow from the ground—yes, he decided he would go a little easy on the man.
“Alright, alright. Let’s begin this.” Childe stretched, his movement still rather lackadaisical.
As soon as he finished the sentence, Zhongli moved, and the polearm had cut only slightly into his neck.
A warning strike.
Childe’s eyes widened, coming face to face with an amber hue that was familiar yet completely foreign at the same time.
He jumped back to avoid the next swing, feeling the cut along his neck begin to bleed. It was only then he realized that Zhongli wasn’t wielding the polearm at all. He was directing it.
“Hahaha, you’re certainly full of surprises…”
He dropped the bow, there was nothing that weapon could do for him against this. Forming two hydro blades, Childe launched his counter-attack without holding a single thing back.
The swing of his blades crossed with the polearm, each time close but not close enough to even strike the man. No matter how Childe moved, Zhongli was a step ahead of him. Only after a quick succession of strikes were reduced to nothing did Childe realize it—Zhongli was toying with him. He had gone defensive if only to see what Childe could do. He had chances to attack but didn’t take him. Childe gritted his teeth together.
The nerve…
Childe brought the blades together, a simple spar turning into a battle to the death as he aimed for Zhongli’s throat. The consultant jumped back, but this time went on the offensive, with a flurry of polearms following his dash. Childe managed to leap out of the way, only given milliseconds before Zhongli attempted to knock him off his feet.
But he was a harbinger for a reason—damn the man’s secrets. He rolled out of the way of the polearm, only to break his own weapon into blades once more and aim another killing blow. This time, Zhongli wasn’t quick enough, as the side of his arm was gashed—his suit, normally pristine and elegant, now having a noticeable hole.
Childe didn’t have time to celebrate his small victory, as Zhongli’s eyes narrowed. Childe saw through his action, diving out of the way as the man kicked his polearm directly at him.
There’s something running down his cheek, but when Childe touched it, expecting sweat, he’s met with blood.
He didn’t expect to be met with someone who could match his strength, but he’s extraordinarily grateful for the opportunity Zhongli has provided. Hell, he would be more than happy to buy the Jade Palace for Zhongli once this is over!
But a battle is not a wise place to get lost in. Childe only narrowly avoided getting himself crushed by a Geo pillar that erects itself not far from where he once stood. He could feel the intense waves of Geo energy coming off from it.
“Not bad, not bad at all,” Childe praised while glaring at Zhongli. The man hadn’t spoken at all during this fight, but Childe respected his skill enough to forgive that.
He lunged again, sending himself headfirst into the battle. His only regret was he couldn’t use his full strength out in the open here—he wanted to see if Zhongli could handle the Foul Legacy Transformation. (Though, if he was thinking even the least bit clearly, it would not be a good idea to show that form to someone who wanted to court him).
Zhongli met the lunge with eager enthusiasm, blocking and pushing back against Childe’s attacks. Their dance continued only briefly. Childe felt those waves of Geo again, falling into Zhongli’s trap too late, as the man swung and knocked him directly into the pillar. The impact was enough to turn Childe’s weapons back to flowing water, and even though Childe wished to push himself further—he can still take more—the tip of a polearm pointed at his neck.
A loss. Even though this chipped away at his pride, Childe still grinned, the after-effects of a well-fought battle like fire in his veins.
“Only in the smoldering heat of intense battle does one’s soul bare their true colors,” he repeated, a phrase he held closest to heart.
“Childe of the Fatui, you’ve been defeated,” Zhongli announced, before pulling back his weapon. The Geo construct faded, its power no longer wreaking havoc on his bones. "According to Snezhnayan customs, I have earned the privilege to pursue a romantic relationship with you.”
From the corner of his eye, a piece of paper caught Childe’s attention. On it, a distinct seal in the shape of a whale.
Childe closed his eyes. He then recalled the series of letters little sister Tonia sent to him, inquiring about “the handsome man at the funeral parlor.”
Suddenly, the world made sense.
“But, I would still like to have your approval, before continuing any further,” Zhongli finished, holding his hand out to help the Fatui harbinger up. Childe looked up at him—a face he thought he could read word for word, yet he didn’t know at all.
There were plenty of things he could say. He could give Zhongli some sappy answer, he could confirm his suspicions about Tonia, or he could ask for a rematch…
But it was much more satisfying to take the consultant’s hand and pull him down into a kiss.