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Childe and Zhongli had recently decided to cool off with regard to their relationship. But Childe was so used to having someone warm beside him on bed that he can’t sleep peacefully at night anymore. When he told this problem to a friend (or maybe frenemy was the right term, Ajax thought), said friend told him to just grovel back to Zhongli and ask him to take Childe back again, but at that time, the argument was still fresh so groveling was out of the question.
“So go look for someone to sleep with.” He answered.
Childe couldn’t make himself do it.
Said friend scoffed at him, “Then don’t bother me with your problems.”
And that was the end of that.
On the fifth day, Childe couldn’t take it anymore.
He drove to Zhongli’s apartment on his pajamas, swallowed his pride and knocked.
When Zhongli opened the door, Ajax immediately blurted, “Can I sleep with you?”
“Ajax, what…?”
“I can’t sleep. I need some sleep. Please, I just want to sleep.”
—
Zhongli too stunned and shocked, opened the door and let the other man enter his apartment. Childe went directly to Zhongli’s bedroom, the brunet silently following behind, still too bewildered at what was happening. Childe plopped down to his usual side of the bed and was looking at him pleadingly. In a normal circumstance, Zhongli would’ve laughed and would’ve told Ajax he looked like a sad puppy, but the whole scenario was like those weird dreams he always had when he was too stressed out.
Still, the brunet followed Ajax and laid on the bed beside him. Immediately, Zhongli found himself being pulled and engulfed in a warm embrace, with Childe pressing his body to Zhongli’s back, spooning him. He tucked his face on Zhongli’s neck, inhaled deeply. And just like that, he was out like light — a few more minutes later, was lightly snoring.
Zhongli stayed there, trap in Childe’s tight embrace, silently basking. If Childe had not been in his sleep deprived mind, he would’ve noticed how pale and tired he was, and how he too, had dark circles around his eyes.
Zhongli sighed and pushed himself closer to the warmth behind him. He and Ajax had a lot to talk about in the morning… but right now, he too slept.
—
Childe blinked slowly against the morning light and stretched. This was the best rest he’s had after days of sleeplessness. He looked around the room and his mind short circuits. This was not his room.
This was Zhongli’s room.
Oh yeah, he couldn’t stand another cold, sleepless night and under his exhausted state of mind, came to Zhongli’s apartment. And that was when he finally noticed the body curled underneath the blanket. Childe slowly lifted the blanket and there was Zhongli, curled up like a cat, as beautiful as ever. He slowly reached out and gently ran a hand on the soft, long hair.
Ajax traced his sleeping form with his eyes, committing everything to his memory. He had almost forgotten that they had an argument almost a week ago and Childe wished for nothing else but to fix this.
Zhongli finally stirred. His expression was relaxed and full lips parted slightly.
“I can feel you staring.” Zhongli said, eyes still shut.
“I’m sorry for being a bother,” Ajax answered, “I couldn’t sleep. I miss you so much.”
Zhongli finally opened his eyes to meet Childe’s gaze, amber eyes shining bright with affection. And that was when Childe noticed the dark circles under the brunet’s eyes, a stark contrast against his bright eyes.
“I miss you too. I wasn’t able to sleep as well.” Zhongli admitted.
This was his fault, Childe thought, “I’m sorry I was too stubborn. I—“
But then Zhongli reached out, cupped Ajax’s face and gave him a kiss, “Let’s eat breakfast, then let’s talk?”
Ajax leaned in to the touch, “Yes. Yes please.”