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For the record, Childe never signed up for this.
When he agreed to go out with Zhongli, he expected to have the sex-on-legs, wise and chastising hot as fuck boyfriend he had a huge crush on years ago.
Well, Zhongli was all that, and much, much more, but he also loved morning jogs.
Childe loved soft quiet nights droning off to the sound of his favorite romcom－ while Zhongli liked bright mornings and a fresh new jog to start the day.
He should’ve expected this, really; Childe was a delinquent, Zhongli was a conformist. Childe slept during class, Zhongli took his notes for him. Childe always made sure to bring his wallet, and Zhongli－ … well.
Childe loved Zhongli, and Zhongli loved the mess that was him.
They were polar opposites, so it shouldn’t be a surprise when Zhongli coaxed him into his shoes to go out on a jog on a Saturday morning.
Absurd! Saturdays were the best! Knowing you still had Sunday to sleep in and staying up at a questionable hour re-watching some random c-drama was a wonderful feeling!
And Zhongli had taken that away from him! He's lucky he's irresistible with his morning voice! How is he able to sound that hot with his voice ten times deeper than usual anyway?!
The sun was shining bright as fuck, the birds were screeching like they’re planning to file a divorce, and there’s the occasional creep that ties his dog’s leash to the bicycle he’s speeding on.
It’s an absolute nightmare, and Childe wonders how Beidou manages as a delivery woman. Especially on Saturdays.
Childe makes his thoughts very, very vocal as they’re in a convenience store.
“You know－” pant , “－ that just because I’m part of the track team－” pant , “－doesn’t mean I like morning jogs, right?”
“Have some water.”
Childe gladly downs the entire bottle.
“And how are you not sweating?! You told me to fetch you your papers because it was across the room and－”
“Breathe.”
“－… and you couldn’t even bother to get up and get them!”
“Do you want chocolate or mint?”
“Chocolate, and seriously, I know you have this humongous abs, but that could mean you just work out regularly! That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t tell me you jog, much less force me into it!”
“… Ajax, I forgot my wallet.”
Childe fishes his out from his pockets and slaps a twenty dollar bill on the counter.
“Is this where you get your stamina from? No wonder, you stupid old pervert! I thought you- you were experienced!”
“We’re the same age.”
“I thought, hey, maybe you were actually amazing at sex because you had a facade, because some people are apparently into it? Am I into it?”
“Your ice cream is melting.”
“Fuck! And what other things do you like to do? Are you actually part of the mafia－”
He’s shushed by a finger on his lips. When he looks up, Zhongli has a grin that Childe knows is only reserved for… special occasions
“You, of course.”
Childe turns beat red and swats the finger away. “Bastard.”
“Mm.”
“I still object to this entire jog thing. Do not take me out on Saturday mornings again.”
“Mhm.”
“… You’re thinking about it, aren’t you.”
“… Mhm.”