// Childe x Zhongli Short Oneshots // Genshin Impact

[MAU: Society]

Children were playing in the playground behind the orphanage, loud chatting, and playful screaming. Two boys were in a corner, having some kind of role-play.

'Prince Zhongli! Will you marry me?' A child with ginger hair asked, one knee on the ground,

'Oh, yes I will, my beloved Ajax!' The other child who was a brunette exclaimed,

'Haha... Silly children! Boys can't marry boys!' One of the workers laughed,

'But...' The ginger muttered,

'You two are supposed to find beautiful girls to marry, and have a child, and be happy together!' The worker said,

'We're already happy together, miss!' The brunette whined,

'Don't worry, once you two grow up, you'll understand!' The worker smiles, 'Come along now children! Some parents want to see you~'

All the children went into the orphanage, as ordered. The lovey-dovey couple walked in and looked at all the children with awe.

'Oh my goodness! You all are so adorable! It's a shame we'll be choosing only one...' The woman said,

'Hmm... How about that one?' The man smiled, pointing at the ginger,

'Oh! Good choice, that's Ajax Tartaglia.' The worker explained,

'Then it is settled, we'll adopt Ajax!' The man smiles,

'Amazing! Now Ajax, go pack up your things and say goodbye to your friends while your new mommy and daddy go sign some paperwork, alright?' The worker tells the child,

'U-Uhm... Okay...' Ajax said, worriedly looking at his best friend who was looking back at him,

'Come on Ajax... I can help...' The best friend said, looking sad,

'But Zhongli...' Ajax looks down on the floor,

A few minutes later, the boy was done packing up his things. He gives his friend, Zhongli one last hug.

'I promise you, Zhongli. I'll come back, and we'll marry each other, and live our happily ever after, just like we dreamed of.' Ajax swore,

'Are you sure...?' Zhongli muttered softly,

'I'm very sure! I'll come back and save you, my prince.' Ajax smiles,

'Goodbye... Ajax, my beloved saviour.' Zhongli said, not wanting to let go of the hug.

__________________________

That was 12 years ago... Time passes by quickly, doesn't it...

Ajax, who is now 18, thinks to himself. They were so young back then... If Ajax remembers correctly, his "beloved prince" should be 20 by now...

'Sir, you've arrived at your destination.' The driver said,

'Thanks, I'll be back.' Ajax said as he gets off the car.

He looks at the building. This was the old orphanage alright. He walks into the building and was met by a receptionist.

'Hello, by any chance do you know a person named-' Ajax was about to finish his sentence but made eye contact with a certain someone.

'...Ajax?' A worker who passed by said,

'..Zhongli...?' Ajax replied,

With that, they both fall into each others' embrace.

'Ajax! You kept your promise...' Zhongli said, with tears in his eyes,

'Of course, I always keep my promises, Zhongli.' Ajax smiles,