Tags and Trigger warnings: emetophilia, sickfic, Angst and hurt/comfort, Angst with a happy ending, Windblum festival, Venti being wiser than he seems, Tartaglia being an idiot, Zhongli & Venti friendship, One scene of Zhongli being feral

Summary: In which Childe attempts to keep the fact that he is sick secret from Zhongli so that he doesn't ruin their special date, it does not go well for him.

Posted to Ao3: May 29th 2021

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Childe had woken up that morning feeling like absolute shit, his head pounding and his stomach churning but none of that mattered.

Especially not when Zhongli basically invited him on a date to Mondstadt. He was set to go back to Snezhnaya in a week or so, so he desperately wanted to make the most of the time he and Zhongli had together since he didn't know when they'd get another chance to go on a date like this again.

"Zhongli, when was the last time you were actually in Mondstadt?" Childe sighed as he lowered his bow, once the Mitachurl that had been charging at them lay dead at his feet.

Multiple arrows stuck in its chest.

Zhongli gave a soft hum, a slight scowl on his face. "Six hundred or so years ago, I last traveled here to visit Barbatos for a brief period. Why do you ask?"

Childe chuckled as he stretched, it was a sunny day with beautiful clear skies. Any other he would've loved the feeling of the sun on his face but at the moment it felt way too hot, blazing almost and the light from the sun was making his eyes ache. "Cause I think we may be lost. Doesn't Xiao come here to visit often?"

As he spoke his eyes scanned the area, they'd passed a building called Dawn Winery awhile back, close to the Mondstadt, Liyue border. Childe recognized it not only from the Traveler's descriptions but also from the enormous sign in front. Apparently, its owner wasn't too fond of the Fatui, but Childe had also promised Zhongli he'd be on his best behavior, so he didn't risk going back to find out. And Childe was pretty sure that a promise was considered a contract where Zhongli was concerned.

Now though they appeared to be in a chasm-like area, with a large cliff bridging the gap overhead. This chasm had also been rife with hilichurls, and normally fighting them would've just been a warm-up for Childe but his condition definitely wasn't helping things.

Swallowing hard, and ignoring the way his stomach flipped inside of him, Childe looked back at Zhongli who was still looking around the area with a scowl. "Yes, Xiao does come here quite often. Although he believes I am unaware of that fact, and I do not wish to pry unless he tells me. He and Barbatos are quite close, however. Wolvendom should be in this vicinity as well."

At that, Childe perked up, he had heard of Wolvendom from the traveler too. Including the absolute behemoth of the wolf spirit that lived there, a creature that wielded frost and ice with incredible ease Lupus Boreas.

Even with his head killing him, Childe could not help but wonder just how amazing fighting that beast would be. Yes, his hydro vision may be useless against it, but he had an electro delusion for a reason.

Noticing the look on his face, Zhongli frowned. "Childe, you are still aware of what you promised me correct?"

There was a slight warning in Zhongli's voice, and Childe was incredibly tempted to see what would happen if he ignored that warning. But instead, he just sighed and continued walking, he'd promised to be on his best behavior, and ruining this date was the last thing he wanted to do.

"I know, I know, don't cause trouble," he muttered, running a hand over his face. He was pretty sure he was sweating and not just from their fight with the hilichurls either. "What is Barbatos like?" He asked after a moment, both to keep himself distracted and because he was genuinely curious having never met the archon before.

Zhongli gave a soft hum, a slight smile spreading over his face. "He is a drunkard and a public nuisance."

Childe made a strange noise, something between a choked-off laugh and a splutter. That was definitely not the answer he'd been expecting. "I see..." he muttered. "He won't be mad at me for what La Signora did right?"

While Childe wasn't really one to care if those he wasn't close to thought the worst of him, it came with the job, after all, this was different as Barbatos and Zhongli seemed to be quite close friends. Plus he'd like a heads up if he was gonna get attacked by the Anemo Archon on sight.

"No, he is one to take most things in stride, although he does not know how to be quiet so he may insult and tease you. He lacks discipline and respect towards his elders," Zhongli chuckled.

Childe slowly nodded, growing even more baffled. How in the world had Barbatos ended up with Xiao of all people then? Maybe he was different whenever they'd first met years ago?

"So this is where you two are!"

Childe looked up although a little too quickly, causing his head to swim for a second. Taking a deep breath he focused, looking up as the traveler fluttered down towards them from the overhead cliff, their glider extended behind them.

"Traveler, it is a pleasant surprise to see you once more, are you completing commissions," Zhongli said, a grin on his face.

The traveler gave a soft huff as they landed their glider closing once they were on the ground. "Something like that, Venti asked me to help find you since he figured you two had gotten lost. Something about...that old buffoon would lose his head if it weren't attached to his shoulders. Xiao wanted to come looking for you but Venti told him not to."

If Childe had not glanced over at Zhongli at that moment he would've missed the way one of the man's eyes had twitched slightly for a second. His grin seemed slightly more forced. "I see well then please, lead the way if you will."

"Nice to see you today too," Childe said, giving the Traveler his usual smile.

The Traveler nodded, giving a soft hum. "Same to you, just please don't cause any trouble. Today is the Windblume festival so it's a special day."

"I won't, I won't I already promised Zhongli I'd be on my best behavior," Childe huffed. Why did everyone act like he'd go raise another Osial if he was left to his own devices for a few moments?

The Traveler nodded again, a relieved smile on their face. "Good, also if you see a man with red hair and red eyes just pretend he's invisible. Don't talk to him, don't even look at him. Stay away from a building called Angel's share too."

Rolling his eyes, Childe sighed. "Yeah, okay fine. I get it," he grumbled. The fact that everyone was acting like he needed to be babysat was annoying, and definitely patronizing because he was the youngest one here at the moment despite the Traveler's misleadingly youthful appearance.

Seemingly satisfied, the Traveler began to lead them to Windrise where Venti or rather Barbatos was waiting with Xiao. Although they did stop in the small town of Springvale momentarily, which Childe was grateful for because he needed a moment to catch his breath.

He'd drunk some water during their stop, and it seemed to sit heavily in his stomach causing it to ache a bit. His eyes widened when he saw the large stone walls and towering windmills of Mondstadt in the distance not too far from their intended destination. Compared to Liyue's near open city it was definitely a bit jarring to witness.

The enormous walls were adorned with many colorful flowers native to Mondstadt's region and blue festival banners, more than likely because of the windblume festival.

"Windrise is right over there," The Traveler said, pointing towards an enormous tree in the distance, with what looked like a statue of the seven at its base.

It was fairly close to Mondstadt, in fact, they would've arrived at Mondstadt before Windrise from what Childe could see. Why did Barbatos want to meet here instead?

Zhongli chuckled. "It is just as I remembered, thank you, Traveler." As he spoke he looked upon the large tree with fondness recalling a memory Childe was sure was centuries old.

"No problem, I'm probably gonna hang around Mondstadt and take part in the events. So if you need me, then just follow the event guide or ask Katheryne where I've gone since she usually knows," The Traveler told him with a grin.

They waved goodbye, as they turned around and began walking into the city of freedom.

~~~

The enormous tree at Windrise was a lot larger up close than Childe had thought, its rich brown branches and lush leaves reaching high up into the sky.

The gentle cool breeze smelt slightly sweet and felt amazing on Childe's too hot skin.

Zhongli stopped before the statue of the seven looking in the direction that the breeze was coming from. "Barbatos?"

Childe heard soft giggling from overhead and looked up to see a small boy clad in green practically floating down from one of the branches.

The boy didn't have a glider open, in fact, the wind seemed to almost gently carry him down.

"So you're Barbatos," Childe said after a moment, his eyes roving over the god in front of him. He was admittedly surprised, he was taller than Barbatos and the archon seemed to radiate an almost carefree aura.

When compared to Zhongli the difference was like night and day.

"And you're Morax's or rather Zhongli's human, please call me Venti," Barbatos told Childe, giving a large grin.

Childe scowled slightly, although he did really like the sound of being Zhongli's human as Venti had called it. Swallowing hard he ignored the wave of nausea washing over him and gave Venti a smile. "So you've heard of me, call me Childe or Tartaglia. Either works."

"It is nice to see you as well, we would've arrived sooner but Mondstadt's landscape has changed quite in the last few years," Zhongli said as he grinned at Barbatos.

The boy rolled his eyes. "I figured that you got lost. Why do you think I sent the Traveler to retrieve you? Should've just traveled in your dragon form you would've been here in minutes."

Instantly Childe looked at Zhongli, while he had never seen his dragon form he did remember what the Exuvia looked like. He'd asked Zhongli if he could see his true form many times but the man had yet to show him, seeming almost embarrassed about it.

Ignoring the near pleading look Childe was giving him Zhongli sighed. "Where is Xiao? I do not sense him nearby."

"Sir?"

Childe jumped slightly, a movement that only made his stomach flip and his joints feel as though they were creaking. Xiao appeared seemingly out of nowhere beside him, as he always did, at least to Childe's knowledge, although he appeared to be holding an apple in his hand for some reason.

Turning to Venti, Xiao practically thrust the food into the Archon's hand. "Here," he huffed, crossing his arms.

Venti took the item with a large grin, his green eyes practically glowing. "Thank you," he said cheerfully.

Childe saw the way Xiao looked away with a huffed, a light blush coating his cheeks, and opened his mouth to tease him only to stop, closing his eyes for a moment as he thought better of it.

His best behavior, he'd promised Zhongli he'd be on his best behavior, he really didn't want to disappoint the man. Plus if he did start a fight with Xiao, he was pretty sure he wouldn't have the energy to keep it up especially with the way his head was pounding.

For a moment Childe could've sworn he saw Venti glance at him, an odd look in his glowing eyes as for a brief moment the knowledge behind them seemed way too old and otherworldly for the youthful form he was inhabiting.

But then Venti giggled. "Shall we be going? The festivities in Mondstadt are in full swing."

Childe said nothing, simply choosing to let his eyes wander around, as he followed after the three immortals, choosing to keep pace with Zhongli.

He couldn't help but wonder if Barbatos know he was sick? He thought he was doing a good job of hiding it, especially so far. Both Zhongli and Xiao had keen eyes and neither had said anything yet, which was good.

He had no doubt that if Zhongli knew he was sick, especially how sick, he would immediately turn around and practically drag Childe back to Liyue even if he had to carry him. Not only would it be embarrassing, but it would waste what little precious time they had left together and Childe absolutely couldn't have that.

Childe was quiet as they returned to Mondstadt choosing instead to take in the sights. While he was used to traveling Teyvat, he frequently didn't stay in a place long enough to get to know its inhabitants. And he especially didn't stay long enough to start dating them, what had happened in Liyue between him and Zhongli was an extremely rare case.

The inside of Mondstadt's walls was incredibly lively, people milling about enjoying themselves and the air was heavy with the sweet scent of flowers from the multiple flower pots lining the cobblestone streets.

Any other time, Childe would've loved the scent of flowers but the sweetness was too thick practically overriding his entire sense of smell. He glanced away swallowing back the bile that tried to climb up his throat, no he could do this. He didn't know how long this festival was but he could do this, at least for a day or two.

He jumped slightly, drawn out of his thoughts when Zhongli laid a hand on his shoulder. "Childe? Are you alright? I was calling your name for quite some time now."

Childe grinned. "Yeah, I was just wondering if the Traveler would take me with them next time they sparred with Lupus Boreas." It's a lie, but a convenient one that thankfully Zhongli does not question.

Venti gave a snort, glancing at him as they stopped in the plaza. "They might, they didn't seem too upset that you dropped a whale made of water on them last week."

Childe froze his eyes going wide for a second. "You...okay first of all it was a narwhal, there is a difference. Two, we were sparring," he said as though that explained everything.

Just what was Traveler telling people? Did they tell Venti about the incident Tecuer as well?

Venti giggled. A grin spreading over his face as he glanced over at Zhongli, before looking back at Childe. "Ah yes, getting nearly crushed by tons of water in the shape of a narwhal rather than a whale really makes a difference."

Childe rolled his eyes, opening his mouth to speak but stopped when he noticed some nearby Fatui soldiers watching the exchange as though they're witnessing a historical event.

Right, in his slight fever and headache-induced haze he briefly forgot about the Fatui still stationed in Mondstadt's Goth Grand Hotel. Childe was getting sloppy in his current condition and he absolutely despised that.

"I'll be right back, go on ahead without me," he told Zhongli briefly before making his way over to the soldiers.

Childe knew that his words were being ignored because he could practically feel all three staring at him as he left Zhongli's side momentarily. He was also pretty sure they could all hear him as well, not like he was going to say anything horrific but it was part of his ever-present reminder that he needed to be careful.

"Sir?" Both Soldiers said about to bow as he got closer.

"Stop, be at ease. I'm here for leisure not work," Childe sighed, running a hand through his hair. He was exhausted, his head was killing him, he was nauseous and the day wasn't even over yet.

"Lei...sure?" One of the soldiers echoed slowly as if they'd misheard him.

Childe gestured to one of the nearby blue banners strung up on the buildings. "The windblume festival," he said dryly. How stupid were these soldiers if they were forgetting something so obvious?

"I see, do you need anything from us, sir?"

Childe sighed crossing his arms, it was too hot and their stupid questions were starting to aggravate his headache. The scent of the flowers were wreaking hell on his stomach. But he absolutely had to hold it together.

"Just...have fun and don't cause trouble," he told them, ignoring the completely baffled looks they gave him.

He started walking back to Zhongli but stopped when one of the soldiers spoke once more. "Mistress La Signora said to be alert and on the lookout."

Childe froze for a moment, his hands in his pockets before he slowly turned to look at the two soldiers. He hated La Signora especially after what happened in Liyue although he did have a somewhat begrudging respect for her combat ability but that was neither here nor there at the moment.

"Tell La Signora I said, YA nadeyus' ona umret v ogne," he told them, ignoring the shocked looks on their faces and Venti's laughter as he returned to Zhongli's side with a huff.

"What did you tell them?" Zhongli asked with a scowl as he watched Childe carefully. While Zhongli did know a few phrases of the Sneshnayan language, he was not what one would call fluent at least not yet anyway.

The slight weary look in Zhongli's eyes definitely stung a bit to Childe, although he was sure he deserved that considering everything he'd done at this point.

"He said he hopes she dies in a fire," Venti said in between bouts of laughter as he practically clung to Xiao's arm.

He'd been latched on to Xiao's side since the moment they'd stepped inside Mondstadt as if he was afraid Xiao would run off the moment he let go. And considering the slight blush still coloring Xiao's face he probably would've out of embarrassment.

Zhongli chuckled, looking slightly concerned. "Are you sure that's alright Ajax?"

Childe shrugged trying to stretch his stiff and aching joints a bit. "She took the first boat back to Snezhnaya after getting your gnosis. I don't go back until next week, besides it wouldn't be the first time we started fighting in the streets. As long as we don't kill each other it's fine," he reminded Zhongli.

A second later he stumbled as Venti leapt up and slung an arm around his shoulders pulling him down a bit to his eye level. The motion made his stomach flip and his head spin for a moment and Childe prayed to the Tsaritsa that he didn't look as pale and sick as he felt.

Barbatos looked at him glowing aqua green eyes regarding him with an odd sudden seriousness, blinking slowly Barbatos gave a soft hum as he searched Childe's face for a few moments.

"Can I help you?" Childe asked nervously. He had no idea why the archon was doing this, but Childe really wanted him to stop in case Barbatos realized he had a fever.

Giggling Venti finally stepped back letting him go. "I like him, so you do have good taste, you old blockhead," he said looking up at Zhongli. Unspoken words passing between the two.

Xiao rolled his eyes, while Zhongli smiled looking slightly relieved. He chuckled, glancing at Childe, "Of course I do, he's mine after all."

Zhongli's words made Childe grin. Love and fondness for the other man flowing through him, giving him a momentary reprieve from his churning stomach and aching head. He had no clue what was going on but if Zhongli was happy then so was he.

"Don't worry, I'm not going to steal him. Besides I already have Xiao," Venti said playfully as he grabbed Xiao's hand, causing the blush on Xiao's face to only grow.

"Now then, let's have some fun, shall we? It's Windblume after all, there's plenty to do!" Venti said grinning as they began walking again.

~~~

Despite his cheerful praises and words of liking him, Childe was pretty sure Barbatos was out to kill him. Either that or he knew Childe was sick and was just trying to get the man to crack as revenge for La Signora taking his gnosis so violently.

Between the drinking, the Floral free fall event, and all the walking Childe admittedly just wanted to pass out by this point at least then the nausea and dizziness would leave him alone.

Giggling, Venti stopped walking, Xiao reaching out to steady him when the archon stumbled a bit tipsy from all the alcohol he'd been drinking.

"Be careful," Xiao huffed, sounding slightly annoyed although the small smile that briefly crossed his face said otherwise.

They'd been walking for a little while now, with Venti saying the last event on their stop was gonna be a surprise, and no matter how many times Childe had asked him the archon had simply grinned. Never answering his question.

Venti chuckled, stopping before as they approached a large cliff with a large wooden tower standing tall. And by the tower was one of the rather large wooden signs that were found at many of the Windblumes event spots.

This sign's poster had an odd drawing on it, of what looked like red and orange balloons with rabbit ears.

Childe scowled as he read the sign through the haze of the fever and alcohol. "Bullseye Balloon?" He muttered as he read the sign aloud.

Venti nodded, turning to him with a wide grin. "From what Xiao and the Traveler told me, you are absolutely awful with a bow and arrow so I wanted to see if you've improved. Plus you could always use the practice."

Childe sighed as he glanced briefly at Zhongli before looking back at Venti. "Of course they did, and this is really one of the events?" He asked his words slurring a bit whether from the dizziness, nausea, or alcohol he couldn't tell.

Zhongli grabbed his arm, looking slightly concerned when Childe swayed a bit. "Perhaps we should retire for tonight, the event will still be here in the morning," he suggested.

Out of the four of them, he and Xiao were the least intoxicated, with Childe being the most then Venti.

"No! I'll do it," Childe huffed, ignoring the pleading look Zhongli sent him as he began climbing the tower.

Knowing that stopping him by force would only make Childe even more stubborn and insistent, Zhongli sighed, biting his lip as he watched Childe nervously. The other man looked a bit pale under the moonlight, a red blush on his face but that was more than likely from the alcohol.

Giggling, Venti detached himself from Xiao's side, walking over to the side of the tower where a strange contraption sat.

Kneeling down beside it he hummed to himself allowing a blast of anemo to flow into the device before quickly pressing the button, freeing a horde of colorful balloons.

Although they stopped in mid-air some lazily floating in the Anemo current Venti had created. "Okay," he called up to Childe. "Shoot all of the Balloons except the red ones, you have three minutes!"

Returning to where Zhongli and Xiao stood he grinned. "Startttttting...now!" He called out again.

Surprisingly Childe was a lot better with a bow than Venti had thought, especially considering the man's condition right now.

Zhongli glanced down at him with narrow eyes. "Was this really necessary? He's drunk and can barely stand up straight at the moment," Zhongli muttered.

Barbatos hummed his attention entirely, on Childe. The man was truly, stubborn he'd give him that, slightly stupid as well. A perfect match for Morax through and through. But it looked like Childe's stubbornness was reaching its limit and so was his body.

Venti was convinced he was the only one out of the three immortals here that was actually paying attention to what was going on around him. So when Childe stopped shooting arrows and simply stood there for a second or two swaying before slumping forward and falling from the tower, Venti was ready.

Easily wrapping a current of Anemo around the man and gently guiding him to the ground.

"Ajax!" Zhongli called out raw worry and concern, layering his voice as he rushes to Childe's side.

Xiao also seemed stunned looking between the tower and the unconscious human as he slowly blinked.

Venti sighed walking over to the couple but Zhongli didn't look at him. His gaze entirely on Childe as he knelt down placing Childe's head in his lap, his fingers brushing the man's hair from his face.

"Darling? Can you hear me?" Zhongli froze for a moment, a frown covering his face as his fingers brushed over Childe's forehead.

Then Zhongli was removing one of his gloves before placing his hand back on Childe's forehead, his eyes going wide, as he looked up at Venti, the concern and panic clear in his eyes. "He has a fever," Zhongli whispered.

Childe jolted making a strange noise as a though he was choking, while Zhongli says nothing merely staring down at Childe in shock and horror Venti reaches out feeling Zhongli staring at him the whole time as he swiftly turns Childe on his side just as he choked up a thick wave of vomit, his face pinching in pain.

Some of it gets on Zhongli's clothes but he can care less at the moment glowing amber eyes darting up to Barbatos as Childe convulses and heaves in his grip.

The Anemo archon sighed. "Yes I know, I'm surprised he held out this long he's as stubborn as you are."

Morax moves swiftly before Xiao can, his hand darting out and smacking Barbatos on the head. "You knew, he was sick?" He growled amber eyes filled with barely contained rage as scales the color of cor lapis bloom across his skin.

Antler-like horns glow under the moonlight, Barbatos hissed softly rubbing his slight injury. Looking back at Xiao, who stood a few feet away nervously looking between his master and his lover.

Giving him a grin Venti chuckled. "Please give us a moment, would you Xiao?"

Slowly Xiao looks at Morax who meets his gaze as he briefly looks up from Childe giving the Adeptus a small stiff nod. Xiao wastes no time disappearing swiftly in a small burst of Anemo.

With a soft sigh, Barbatos turns back to Morax who is staring down at the quiet, burning listless form in his lap. "Calm down, before you open up the very land beneath our feet. I quite like this mountain, you know."

Morax shakes his head, taking a deep breath. As much as he hates to admit it Barbatos is right. "How long have you known he was sick?" He asked although the words come out more like a demand.

Barbatos stretches yawning, any of his tipsiness having long vanished. "Since I saw him in Windrise, I had an inkling but it was confirmed when I grabbed hold of him in Mondstadt."

Morax nodded slowly. His gaze returning to Childe, his worry only growing. "I should've known. He's always so talkative but I believed he was just disappointed he could not cause mischief as usual," he whispered, carding his fingers through Childe's hair. He hates how still the man is in his arms, his ragged breathing gives him little comfort.

"No," Barbatos sighed, climbing to his feet. "I should've spoken out earlier. He is your human, of course, I should've expected him to be as stubborn as you."

"Still I'm usually-"

"Enough," Barbatos huffed, rolling his eyes. "I keep forgetting you and Xiao haven't spent as much time with humans as I have. Not to mention you're a brute and a fool, I can't expect you to understand about humans what took me months. I'll take the blame for this one. Next time I come to Xiao I'll bring some good wine, okay?"

Zhongli nodded the scales and horns receding despite the worry in his eyes remaining.

Venti grinned. "Good, we should probably get him back to Mondstadt, plus Xiao is probably worried about us as well."

~~~

When Childe begins to wake up, the first thing he notices is that it's way too hot. Although he sighs with relief when he feels something cool brush across his face.

Opening his eyes slightly the first thing he sees is a wooden ceiling, frowning he turns his head to see Zhongli sitting at his bedside, a book in hand. Although the man looks a bit strange and it takes Childe a few moments to realize why.

"Why, are you wearing those clothes?" He asked softly, his voice coming out rough and raspy. His throat is aching and raw. The clothes Zhongli is currently wearing coupled with the fact that the man had his long hair out truly make him look as though he belongs in Mondstadt. Casual and relaxed even if not for the worry in his eyes.

He looks good. Childe thinks despite his feverish haze.

Immediately Zhongli looks at him, a warm smile full of relief on his face. "The clothes I wore are being washed, you got sick on them but it is fine. How do you feel?"

Childe gives a soft hum frown as he tries to recall what had happened. He remembers trudging through some forest with Zhongli, Venti, and Xiao, something about balloons and a tower then nothing.

As he becomes slightly more aware he also notices his horrible headache and the waves of nausea crashing over him.

He clamps a hand over his mouth as his stomach flips, and he struggles to sit up. He glances up trying his best to swallow back bile when Zhongli places a bucket in his lap.

"It's alright, I have you," Zhongli murmured gently, rubbing Childe's back as he wetly retched into the bucket, a hollow strangled noise that sounds like it's clawing its way up from the pits of his stomach.

Childe whimpers and Zhongli winces as a wet burp brings up another wave.

Childe groaned, gagging and coughing, he feels like he's dying. He's dizzy, nauseous, everything is too hot and he just wants the pain to stop.

At least when he was unconscious he wasn't aware of all this.

"Where are we?" he whispered when his stomach had stopped turning itself inside out for a brief moment. The organ is still upset and hitching with every breath he takes so Childe doesn't bother letting go of the bucket.

"The Goth Grand Hotel, Barbatos suggested bringing you here once the young deaconess had examined you," Zhongli told him, still rubbing Childe's back.

The man was the picture of misery, his skin pale nearly ashen only covered by the feverish blush on his cheeks, his eyes are wet with tears and glazed over giving his usually sharp blue eyes a glazed appearance, his clutching the bucket in his lap in a death grip a thin string of saliva dangling from his lips.

Childe just gives a soft groggy hum at Zhongli's words.

"Barbatos and Xiao went to Starsnatch cliff," he informed him. "How long have you been sick Ajax?" He asked after a moment.

He winces when Childe gives a dry retch into the bucket. Waiting for his stomach to calm slightly, Childe spoke after a moment. "Since last night, I could feel it coming on but...it got worse this morning," he whispers, knowing there's no longer any point in hiding it when everything's already ruined now anyway.

This is the way things always were, Childe ruined everything he touched.

Zhongli sighed. "Why didn't you say anything?"

"Because I didn't want to ruin this. I'm going back to Snezhnaya next week, and we don't know when we'll see each other again. I want to make the most of it," he whispered.

His eyes feel warm like everything else, but he knows it's not from the fever. Zhongli is silent for a few moments, his eyes closed, and Childe can't help but wonder just how badly he's screwed up.

So his eyes went wide in surprise when Zhongli wrapped him in a tight, yet gentle hug. "Please, never do something like this again. The fear I felt when you fell took eons off of my life span," he said softly pressing his forehead to Childe's.

Stunned and confused, Childe blinks slowly. "You're not mad?" He asked hesitantly.

"I'm quite angry with myself for not realizing your condition sooner, but I am not angry with you especially not something such as this."

Childe continues to blink slowly his feverish mind slowly processing Zhongli's words. "And you're not breaking up with me?"

"No, of course not Ajax."

Childe grinned, chuckling softly as an almost euphoric wave of relief washed over him. Although he said nothing as exhaustion began tugging at him once more, now that the weight had been lifted from his shoulders.

He feels Zhongli take the bucket from him, setting it aside, as he guides Childe back to the bed once more, running his fingers gently through Childe's hair.

"Rest, Ajax, when you wake up once more I'll still be here," Zhongli assured him softly.

"Love...you," Childe mumbled softly before allowing sleep to claim him once more. His mind, finally at ease.