Before the story begins, I want to give a huge thank you to @Its_yaboiichildeee for being such a fun person to collaborate with! He is a very talented writer and I urge you to check out her stories! Anyways, without any further delay, enjoy!
Zhongli wobbled upon a seemingly unsturdy stool, reaching over to attach a streamer to the wooden wall. Upon hanging the ornament on the wall, he climbed down the support stool to haze at his preparations in all their glory. "Phew...all this hard work is deserving of a small drink..im quenched..." Zhongli sighed in accomplishment.
"Good job Mr. Zhongli! I was afraid you were going to fall a couple of times but I'm glad you didn't!" Hu Tao said.
"Thank you for the concern, Hu Tao. That's very sweet of you." He said, filling up a cup of water before guzzling it down.
He turned to see Xiangling, Xiao, and Gouba all making food. "Oh? What are you guys making?" He asked. "Calla Lilly sea food soup." Xiao responded calmly. "Mr. Tartaglia mentioned it being his favorite dish so we decided to make it!" Xiangling smiled.
Zhongli smiled. He wanted this to be Childe's most special day. Ningguang walked in with Beidou. Ningguang was hiding something behind her. "We brought Childe a gift. I know for sure he's going to love it." She said, before stepping aside to show Teucer. "Hi Mr. Zhongli!" The small boy ran straight into Zhongli's arms, giving him a hug.
"Why hello Teucer! My! Look how much you've grown!" Zhongli exclaimed in a unusually chipper voice. Teucer fit live a glove natrually in Zhongli's arms. And while Zhongli had no custody over the kid, he was like a second father to Tuecer. Zhongli quickly spun his attention back to the two distinguished ladies ,a grateful smile following. "You two have really outdone yourselves, I'm confident that Childe will be more than thankful for your efforts!"
The lady with the ash Grey hair simply nodded in amends. Meanwhile, the roudier woman standing opposite to her began to roar with livley laughter. "Agh don't mention it! Just be sure to treat us to some of that famous Ousmanthis wine later! Why it's only fair ain't it?" Beidou shouted ,filling the room with an unmatched atmosphere of joy and fun for all to enjoy.
"Of course, Beidou." Zhongli said. He walked over to the oven and smiled. The cake was ready. He grabbed the oven mitts from the counter and slid them on his hands. He walked over to the oven and carefully opened the door. He pulled out the tray and took out the pan. He set the pan down on a wooden plaque. He pulled the mitts off below turning to Teucer. "Once the cake is done cooling, would you like to help me decorate it?" He asked. "Yes please!" Teucer said. Ningguang and Beidou went to the living room with Hu Tao to help finish setting up the games and activities.
In the meantime, Zhongli and Teucer went along and talked about a pattern to do. "Big brother likes to make toys! Maybe we should put a Mr. Cyclopes on the cake!" Teucer suggested. "That sounds like a wonderful idea Teucer. Let me get the frosting out, and we can start." Zhongli said.
He pulled out a child's apron from when he babysat Qiqi and gave it to Teucer. He put his on and tied his hair back. He and Teucer started to decorate the cake. It was turning out very well with Teucer getting some frosting on his face or hands. Once the two finished icing the enticing cake, Zhongli finally took Tuecers dissary into notice.
"Teucer ,you've made quite the mess there mister! Go get yourself cleaned up now! We wouldn't want big brother to see you all messy on his birthday party would he?" "Oh..your right Mr.Zhongli! I'll be right back okay! " Teucer realized, running off to find a sink to wash his face and hands in.
"That kid is so sweet..." Zhongli chuckled to himself wiping his hand throughly with a towel to ridden any icing stains. Zhongli glanced over at a nearby clock, checking the time cautiously and with a purpose. "Damn it...at this rate I'm going to be late.. I need to hurry up and change so I can go get Childe and bring him to the party.." Zhongli wondered, swiftly removing his dusty apron.
Zhongli hurried into his room and dressed himself into his usual suit. He rushed out the door to go meet Childe. Childe was standing near Bubu pharmacy, looking at the lotus heads. "Childe!" he called out. The ginger haired man turned around and smiled brightly.
"Xiansheng!" He said, running over. "How are you today, Childe?" Zhongli asked. "I'm doing great. Why'd you ask to meet up here?" He asked.
Childe was excited. It was his birthday today, and hoped Zhongli had remembered."I wanted to invite you over to my home for some tea." Zhongli spoke.
"I'd love to Zhongli." He said, smiling. Childe was a bit down for the fact Zhongli didn't seem to remember but he was more than happy to drink some tea with him. They talked for awhile, walking a good ways out, passing the Gold house. They reached a quaint, medium sized home.
As the two friends approached the unparticularly exiting residence, Zhongli passed a subtle smile Childe's way, and grabbed his hand suddenly. Shocked, Childe attempted to jolt his view in Zhongli's direction. Alas, it was too late, Zhongli had already pushed open the door,and shoved him inside along with him. As they entered the previously dark room, lights of all different colors splashed against the walls. Many of Childe and Zhongli's friends peeked from their hiding spots and shouted in unison,
"SURPRISE!!!" In awe, Childe took a step back. This was his first surprise party, so natrually it came to him as an astoundment. Before he had any time to process anything ,Teucer approached him rapidly, and embraced him lovingly. "Big brother!! Happy birthday! I missed you a ton! " Teucer shouted.
Childe had no idea what to think. He just hugged Teucer tightly. He then looked at the decorations. It was all so beautiful to him. All of his friends were there, and so was his younger brother. This was the best possible birthday ever. A couple of tears dropped from his eyes. Zhongli cupped the side of Childe's face, whipping away his tears.
"Childe? Is it not to your liking? We can always-" "No, Zhongli. It's perfect..more than perfect. I cant even describe how amazing this is. I'm so happy." Childe said, smiling. Zhongli smiled and pulled him into an embrace. "I'm glad. I want this to be the best birthday you've ever had."
"Yeah! So no more crying! Let's get this party rolling!" Beidou yelled, pulling Childe into a sideways hug. Ningguang rolled her eyes, but she smiled. They all started to chat and play some games, eating some of the soup and just laugh. Even Xiao was laughing.
The cake was set down in front of Childe and the lights were dimmed. Everyone gathered around and started to sing. Childe smiled as everyone stopped singing. "Make a wish, big brother!!!" Teucer said. Childe nodded and thought before he blew out the candles.
While Zhongli took great notice into the hesitance Childe displayed, he paid no mind to it, and chose to ignore it ultimately. "Now, Childe, do you want to do the honors?" Zhongli asked patiently. "Of course Xainsheg! " Childe announced, grabbing the knife and carving out a thick piece of cake out of the round pastry.
After a while, everyone was stuffed. No longer could anybody force another consumable down their throats. Everyone that is, except for Childe and Zhongli."Xiansheng, you've yet to eat a single peice of cake this entire time! There's one peice left too! Indulge yourself from time to time!" Childe pleaded, allowing Zhongli to finish his birthday cake."Actually, I think you should have another peice of cake. You ate but a single slice...Don't you think that's quite the little amount for the birthday boy." Zhongli offered as a reply."Nope! I insist! You deserve it for all the hardworking you've done!" Childe resisted.
"Ugh..you two are helpless.. How about you just share the slice? " Ningguang inturupted impatiently."Oh!" The now flustered boys gasped in sync.
"W-well! You heard the lady Xiansheng! Grab yourself some chopsticks!" Childe suddenly agreed, as if he was somehow exited. "Agh...I see..Alright." Zhongli said, restraining himself from blushing too hard.As the two finished, Zhongli observed the bit of cake Childe had stuck on his cheek."Here, let me help." Zhongli offered, then wiping the crumb away with his gloved hand.
Childe blushed. Zhongli pulled his hand away, to Childe's disappointment. The sky was soon dusting with a purplish haze. Everyone was inside and having a blast. Childe would be right there with them, but he was out on the balcony. He enjoyed the silence, and admired the stars.
He saw a blue streak fly by and he wished. As soon as he finished, he heard a door click open. Zhongli looked at Childe and smiled. "Why are you out here all alone, Childe?" Zhongli asked. "Just wanted a breath of fresh air." Childe said, tracing his fingers against the smooth stone. Zhongli nodded and walked closer. "Would you mind if I were to stand here with you?" Childe shook his head. "Stay as long as you'd like. It's your house anyways." Childe said. Zhongli smiled and stared at the stars as well. He found them peaceful.
He looked down at Childe and smiled. "Xiangsheng! Look! A shooting star!" Childe yelled, grabbing onto his arm. Zhongli looked up and there was a golden star wizzing by. "Make a wish." Zhongli said. He watched as Childe closed his eyes. Childe reopened his eyes and gently nudged Zhongli's heel with his foot. Zhongli smiled and wished too. They both reopened their eyes and looked at one another.
"What did you wish for?" Zhongli asked. "If I told you, it won't come true!" Childe said. "I'm an archon, I'm pretty sure I can make anything happen." Zhongli offered. "Okay...well, I wished for it three times now so it's worth a shot." Childe said. Zhongli watched him inquisitively, as Childe cleared his voice.
"I want a kiss." He said.
Zhongli's eyes widened, nothing quite like this had ever happened to him before. He nervously chuckled."Ugh..from who? " Zhongli asked ,doubting the odds of his name being the next word to slip out of Childe's mouth.
"You really wanna know?" Childe playfully teased him,his face beginning to redden.
"Close your eyes Xiansheng. Trust me, it'll all male sense once you close your eyes." Zhongli followed Childe's sudden orders, unexpecting a vaunrable to what was to come next.
Childe leaned in ,cupping Zhongli's cheek, and gently stroking it with his thumb. He smiled, and took his chance. Childe's lips met Zhongli's, softly, but noticeably. Calm and collected on the outside, yet both of them where internally freaking out.
Zhongli's lips tasted like tea. He smelt like the ground. His lips were smooth like a rock. Childe's tasted like a sea, and he smelt like wood. Deep rich wood. His lips were very hydrated. Childe grabbed hold of Zhongli's shirt, deepening the kiss. Zhongli laid his hand down by Childe's hip.
Childe let go of Zhongli's shirt and wrapped his arms around Zhongli's neck. Childe had practically ran out of air, breaking off the kiss, and started to lightly pant. He rested his head near Zhongli's throat. He regained his breath and looked at the amber eyed man. Zhongli just simply smiled at him, to which Childe blushed more. "Were you satisfied with your wish?" Zhongli asked. Childe pretended to think. "I think I'll need another one to be sure." Childe teased. Zhongli smiled at him and leaned towards him again. Zhongli's lips were right ontop of Childe's.
"Chop chop lovebirds! You still have gifts to open up!" Beidou yelled. Childe pulled away, flustered, looking at Beidou who had a very smug look on her face. "Beidou!" Childe whined, to which Zhongli just laughed at. "Come, we should open your gifts." Zhongli said, letting go of Childe and grabbing his hand, leading him inside. Once Zhongli's hand drifted away, the area of skin that was once covered became vulnerable to the chilly wind.
Although disappointed, Childe followed Beidou and Zhongli back into the brightly lightened indoors. Everyone was gathered in the living area ,all scooted close together and cramped like sardines. Suddenly Childe was reminded that Zhongli's comfort wasn't the only form of love he was supposed to be focused on tonight. He approached a bunch of gifts with a curious demeanor. Some gifts where wrapped in glossy ,colorful coatings of paper ,finished with a perfectly tied bow on top. Some gifts lay sitting at the bottom of floppy paper bags ,waiting to be undressed from their containers.
"Childe? Are you alright?" Zhongli asked worridly,vividly observing how memorized he appeared. He rested a hand upon his shoulder in attempt to comfort him. "O-oh! I'm doing just superb! I mean..look at all these gifts! I have such good friends it's honestly overwhelming!" Childe giggled. "I see." Zhongli mumbled, removing his hand from Childe's body once again.
After opening the majority of the gifts, including Teucers, who offered him a poorly made clay instructed 'Mr.Cyclopes',Childe found himself with a single gift left to reveal from its taunting wraps. Zhongli's gift. It was wrapped quite neatly, the box was a reflective golden, completed with black and brown accents. Somehow, this was the one gift Childe was hesitant to open. With shaky hands he lifed the top of the box reavleing a small braclet.
"A...bracelet?" Childe questioned, pleasantly surprised by the homemade gift. "Yes it is a bracelet, but look a bit closer." Zhongli requested. Childe squinted his eye's ,peeling apart all the miniature details of the bracelet. It was a simple gray string, a gold diamond attached ,and a blue water droplet symbol attached right next to it .Simple red beads lined the rest of the charm,along with a white feather dangling off of it.
Upon gazing back in Zhongli's direction, he took notice of his earing. Childe gasped once realizing the purpose of the jewelry. "It's a matching charm! Xiansheng thank you so much!" Childe celebrated, pulling Zhongli into a warm hug. Zhongli accepted the hug. "I'm glad you like it, Childe." Zhongli said. "Like it? I don't like it, I love it!" He said. Zhongli smiled at him. "I hope you had an amazing birthday." Zhongli said. "I had a stupendous birthday."
Childe said.
The party soon came to an end, with Zhongli and Childe thanking everyone for coming. Childe put Teucer to bed, since it was well past 11, and helped Zhongli clean up. "You don't have to help." Zhongli said.
"Nonsense. It was my party so I own the responsibility of helping you clean up." He said. Zhongli sighed but nodded. They finished cleaning up together and sat down on the couch. Zhongli felt a weight on his shoulder and looked to see Childe, asleep. Zhongli smiled, resting his head ontop of Childe's. "Happy birthday Childe, I love you."