Can't Stop Loving You | Childe x Zhongli | Genshin Impact [COMPLETED]

Arc 2: Chapter 22: Primo Geovishap

Childe could really only dodge and try to shoot from afar, but his arrows didn't do much against the creatures tough hide. He tried to grab some herbs, but he was too busy trying not to die. The creature was relentless, attacks came quickly and with its area of effect, dodging around took a lot of stamina.

By the time he decided he had to go, it was already too late. Tartaglia was cornered and there wasn't anywhere to dodge to. The creature advanced, eyeing Childe and taking its time, like it knew it had already won. As much as Childe hated it, it was true. Still, he didn't back down.

He nocked an arrow and let it fly into the creature's face. It didn't do much apart from annoy it. It raised its claw, ready to shred Tartaglia into pieces. He braced for it, flinching when he saw it starting to swing downwards. Then he heard a loud boom, like something just exploded but he felt no pain.

Childe opened his eyes to find himself on an elevated earth pillar. The creature had slammed into the sides of the pillar. Immediately, he knew who had came.

"Zhongli!" He cried out. The creature was already distracted, snarling at the figure standing at the entrance of the cave. He plunged down, stunning the creature and releasing a powerful shockwave. A golden, translucent shield formed around him as he advanced on the creature.

Childe couldn't help but feel excitement from the fight. Now that he thought about it, Zhongli was most definitely holding back when they had fought.

But there was only so much a person could do against such a large and powerful thing, especially one that was poisoned and near dead. Tartaglia could tell Zhongli was getting tired. His strikes grew weaker and he was only barely keeping up.

The creature suddenly seemed to charge up for some sort of ultimate move and Childe had a bad feeling about it. He screamed for Zhongli to move, but it didn't seem like he was listening. Instead, he did the exact opposite. He stood his ground and closed his eyes, crossing his arms. Tartaglia was confused, he was going to go down and grab the man but the it seemed like the sky had split open. A golden earth boulder appeared from the sky. Childe had to look away because it was too bright and he could feel the sheer heat from it. The boulder crashed into the creature with a deafening boom, sending dust fly everywhere.

Childe looked away, shielding his face with his arm and coughing slightly. After that, there was no other sound. That got Tartaglia worried.

He slipped down from the pillar and walked through the dust cloud, calling out for the Ex Archon.

Then he saw a human figure a distance away and saw it collapse. Childe broke out in a run and slid over next to Zhongli, carefully resting his head on his lap.

Zhongli's eyes took a while to focus and when he saw Tartaglia, he couldn't help but smile slightly. His entire body was burning, like it had been dipped in lava, but seeing Childe made everything feel a little better. Every breath he took didn't seem to bring him any air and he was shaking in Tartaglia's arms.

"I— Uh— UH—" it was the second time Tartaglia had ever felt so helpless and clueless. His mind went blank, unsure of how to help Zhongli.

"F... flower..." Zhongli managed to get out.

"O— Okay—" Childe placed him down on the ground and sprinted over to the plants that gave off a soft, yellowish glow. They were the only plants that looked remotely like what he thought a Golden Flower would look like. He plucked out as many as he could and rushed back over. "Now what?"

"Water." Zhongli breathed out.

Childe conjured some water with his vision. He over shot a little and some of the water with the herb spilt out. He tried to keep his hands from trembling so much but he was simply too afraid of losing Zhongli. He was only barely keeping himself from breaking down. Tartaglia held out the water cupped in his hand for Zhongli, using the other to support his head so he could drink it.

The effects were instantaneous. Zhongli seemed to relax a little, his body turning limp against Childe's. His breathing even out slightly and it felt like he was dipped in hot water instead of lava.

Tartaglia nearly freaked out when he saw Zhongli closing his eyes and not moving at all, but then he saw his chest rising and falling. Relieved that it seemed to have worked, he sat down next to Zhongli, carefully placing his head on his lap.

Next thing he knew, water droplets fell onto Zhongli's cheeks. He was crying without realizing.

Zhongli's opened slightly and he saw Tartaglia sobbing quietly over him. He smiled slightly, "I'll be fine."

"Why... Every time I try to help you, you end up getting hurt instead. Why can't I be the one protecting you?" Childe asked in between sobs. He had been holding it all in because he didn't want to burden Zhongli anymore, but now that he was okay, everything came flooding out.

Zhongli patting Tartaglia's thigh weakly but comfortingly. "It's okay. It's not your fault. I... I just need some rest now..." His voice grew softer and his eyelids were too heavy.

-

Childe took care of Zhongli for the rest of the day and night, similar to what Zhongli had done for him. He felt like he was going to go mad from worry. While Zhongli's condition was gradually getting better, he just couldn't help but still feel extremely worried and anxious.

When Zhongli woke up, he found himself sleeping in a sleeping bag and Childe sitting crossed legged, his head drooping slightly as he dozed off. By then, the herb had already completely neutralized the poison and healed his body. Zhongli had never felt something so physically painful ever in his entire life and he learnt to appreciate being in good health. He sat up next to Childe and pulled his head over to his shoulder, allowing him to rest. Tartaglia didn't even seem to find anything wrong and immediately fell asleep.

Zhongli moved him a bit so the fatui harbinger was sitting in between his legs and leaning against his chest. He figured it'd be more comfortable than only leaning against his shoulder. Tartaglia nuzzled gently against chest, curling up into a ball and pressing himself against Zhongli. He liked the familiar, earthy scent and the warmth. The rhythmic and calm beating of Zhongli's heart was soothing.

Zhongli smiled, wrapping his arms around Tartaglia. He placed a few gentle kisses on his head while he was asleep. He was only able to show his affection when Childe was sleeping, the only times when he couldn't push him away. The thought made him sad but Zhongli cherished every moment of the orange head sleeping in his arms.

"I— How long have you been awake?" Childe asked, shocked to find himself in Zhongli's arms, leaning against his chest as he slept.

"A couple of hours, not too long." Zhongli replied, gently ruffling his hair, "thank you."

"... I should be thanking you." Tartaglia said as he got up. Zhongli didn't exactly stop him, but he also didn't exactly let him go either. Childe went to grab some of the herbs and stuffed them into his bag for Irina's mother. "I think we should head back. Irina's waiting for us."

Ah, Zhongli had forgotten about them while he was sick and in pain. Hearing that name irritated him slightly. Sadness quickly came after it, Childe still had to get married... He quickly shook it off, it wasn't time to be petty, someone's life needed saving.

They teleported and found their way back to Bubu pharmacy. Thankfully, they made it in time and Irina's mother was saved but Herbalist Gui made it clear she wasn't cleared and still had to take care of her health.