If someone made his daughter cry, oh, he’ll make them regret it.

“And what if it was other children?” Zhongli asked.

Well, Childe was definitely going to have some WORDS with their parents, he answered his husband. 

Childe scooped his daughter up, “What’s the matter princess?”

“Well, Lulu’s baba got her a storybook from Fontaine…”

If Childe’s daughter wanted a storybook from Fontaine, or from any other nation, he’d buy and give her one in a heartbeat. 

“We read the book it a while ago…” she continued, “And… and…”

“And…?”

Tears started to form at the corner of her eyes, as she let some of her adepti features appear. Two small amber colored horns materialized at the side of her head at the same time, a long brown scaly tail with a soft puff at the tips similar to Zhongli’s very own, wrapped around Childe’s arm like a snake. 

Childe wanted nothing more than to ease whatever problem his daughter was having.

“I don’t want to be a bad dragon and I don’t want to eat other people!” She shouted then tucked her head on the side of her father’s neck. 

“…Huh?”

—

Meiling then told him about what they had read about on the storybook. How the dragon kidnapped the princess, ate the people and reigned terror on the town until a brave prince slayed the dragon, saved the princess and the town. 

“But my Baba said dragons are friends and they protect the people!” She told her friends. 

“Not in Fontaine, they’re not. They have evil dragons that eat people!”

Then her friends started to role play the story and that had made her a lot more upset so she ran back home. 

—

Childe was scratching his head after his daughter recalled the events that afternoon. But at least, she looked calmer now.

“Is me and Dimi gonna eat people someday?” She asked in a small voice, looking at her father, worry evident on her eyes. 

Now, Childe knew he wasn’t a bad father at all, but THIS was Zhongli’s forte. He would know how to explain to their daughter about her own adepti heritage, how different and similar she (and her baby brother) was with other children her age in a way a child could easily understand. 

But Zhongli was currently asleep in their room after nursing their infant son. Dimitri had been fussy all night. He told Zhongli he’d take care of it, but his husband insisted that Childe just go back to sleep as the baby was probably just hungry again. Although, he was pretty sure Zhongli would definitely not mind to be awakened for this scenario.

No. He doesn’t want to bother his tired husband. Childe can do this. He had listened to Zhongli’s lessons about the nature of Liyue’s dragons to at least soothe his daughter’s concerns. 

“Baba is a dragon too… just like you and Dimi, isn’t he?”

She nodded.

“Liyue’s dragons are different from Fontaine’s. They’re… special!” Child said, “They’re very kind, very gentle and they protect the people they love.” He tapped Mei-Mei’s nose with his index finger, “Just like Baba, you and Dimi.”

Mei-Mei sighed, “I wish I have a storybook about dragons being friends with people.” 

“A storybook, huh…” The Traveler once mentioned making a story for the Yuheng so she’d pause being a raging workaholic for the Lantern Rite. Maybe…

—

One day, a handsome knight came across a large castle. He said, “Oh! This is the place the townsfolk where talking about! Now’s my chance to save the Princess and finally fight a worthy opponent!” So he bravely marched inside, sword on hand.

The castle was gorgeous and was decorated in gold and red, but was totally empty! With no other people on site to talk to, the knight continued his search inside and around the castle. When he finally reached the big courtyard, there it was… the dragon! It was finally the knight’s chance to fight it! But sadly, the large dragon was sleeping soundly and the knight thought it wasn’t very knightly of him if he attacked it while sleeping. 

The knight walked towards the sleeping dragon, “Hey! Mister Dragon! Wake up and let’s fight so I could save the princess!”

The dragon woke up with a big yawn and stretched its long body, “Oh, but Mister Knight, there are no princesses here, but…” The dragon glowed gold and when the bright light disappeared, there was a very beautiful prince on its place instead! The knight fell in love at first sight and decided to stay so that the dragon won’t be alone anymore. 

One night, the knight and the dragon noticed that the town was glowing orange… it was on fire and was being attacked! They quickly went to the town and defeated the bandits trying to burn the whole town down. 

And that was when the townsfolk realized that the dragon was actually really kind! They thanked the dragon and the knight for saving them all and haled them as heroes. 

—

“And that’s how the story goes!” Mei-Mei finished her story with a large grin on her face, blue eyes shining brightly. 

Zhongli chuckled and kissed his daughter on the forehead before tucking her in bed, “Its a beautiful tale, my dear. I’m sure your friend would love it.”

The girl beamed, “I hope so! Papa said its from Snezhnaya! I’m so excited to tell it to them tomorrow…. Do you think Dimi would love it too?”

“I’m sure he’ll love it as well.”

“Goodnight Baba, I love you.”

“Sweet dreams, I love you too, dear.”

—

“The Knight and The Dragon, hmm?” Zhongli sat beside Childe on their bed.

Childe rubbed the back of his neck feeling a little bit shy now that he heard his made up story from his daughter, “Ahahaha, I swear, I could’ve done better if there was more time.” His daughter did put him on quite a spot after all. 

Zhongli shook his head, “No need to be embarrassed, Ajax. It was very creative, in fact, I enjoyed it. You have a talent for storytelling.”

“Eh,” He shrugged, “I did something similar for my younger siblings when they were still little.” 

The two silently relaxed on their bed cuddling, enjoying their alone time and basking on each other’s presence.

Hmmm…

“So… for the story continuation… what if the knight and the dragon decided to make little princesses and princes, what do you say?”

Zhongli raised a brow.

“I’m just kidding!” 

His older brothers loved teasing him too much and although he adored his younger siblings, they were still too little to play with. And Zhongli… Ajax glanced at their maid, was always with his older brothers. Maybe because he was the same age as them? Ajax scowls when he sees his brother place an arm on Zhongli’s shoulder. 

He was always happy being with Zhongli. When the older boy wasn’t busy with his tasks and duties, he was always willing to spend his free time with Ajax. And never had called him bothersome. 

Ajax sighs. He should be training to be a knight instead of doing stupid like having tea time. Unfortunately, the head of the knights told him he was still too small and too young to handle a weapon… well, at least they let him watch the others train. 

He was bored, and his brothers were still hogging all of Zhongli’s attention! Ajax looked around the place they picked for a picnic. There seems to be a forest near them… maybe he could go exploring just a little. With no one paying much attention to him, he easily sneaked out and went to the entrance of the forest. 

—

He shouldn’t have done it.

His mother was going to kill him for sure, Ajax thought. He was lost and was pretty sure he was going around in circles. He saw the same tree twice or thrice now and he couldn’t find the way out. He wanted to cry… but no. No, he wouldn’t. He doesn’t know how long he had been walking around the dark forest. The trees were so thick, the sunlight could barely go through. Ajax hopes his family had noticed him missing.

 Ajax stopped dead on his tracks when he noticed a large lone wolf just a few feet in front of him. He was too busy looking for a way out that he didn’t even notice the animal! It was looking at him, sharp eyes focused on him, teeth bared, and growling. 

He should run. He was going to be eaten. His heart was beating fast and his feet refused to move, too afraid. Then without any warning, the wolf lunged at him. He could only close his eyes and scream. 

“AJAX!” That voice…

Ajax felt a body collide into him, pushing him on the side. They fall on the ground with the person on top of him. He  

He hears a loud snap then a pained cry and feels something wet and warm drop on his face. Ajax slowly opens his eyes. Zhongli was on top of him holding a bloody dagger… but his other arm was bent strangely and was bleeding. The animal was gone.

“Ajax, are you alright?”

“Zhongli your arm!” 

“I’m… alright.” 

“No, you’re not!” 

And Ajax starts to cry.

What happens next was a blur but Ajax stayed by Zhongli’s side throughout until his mother and the doctor forces him to leave. This was all his fault. 

Kagami quickly jogged towards the crowd, initial reason for going out that morning temporarily forgotten. He was meant do some groceries, but there was no way he could just walk away from what he was witnessing. Upon reaching the back of the crowd was when Taiga realized how the blue haired teen was able to gather quite an audience.

Kuroko was singing as well.

And for a moment, Kagami forgot how to breathe. He had a nice voice, Taiga noted belatedly. No wait… nice was understatement. Kuroko’s voice was beautiful. And his best friend looked so at ease with what he was doing… so natural. 

Kagami stood at the back, concentration usually given only to basketball, now focused at Kuroko and his one man show. He could see the other teen’s lips move, how nimble fingers gracefully glide and how Kuroko’s eyes once in a while quickly sweep over at his audience, then immediately goes back looking at his own fingers moving over the fretboard. He vaguely remembered hearing the song Kuroko was singing on the radio. But his voice… it was so different from his usual deadpan. 

Taiga was sure, this would forever be committed to his memory for the rest of his life.

The crowd erupted in cheer and applause when Kuroko’s voice finally stopped and he had strummed the last note of his song. The teen then stood up and gave a curt bow to his still cheering audience.  

“Thank you everyone.” Kuroko said, voice a bit breathless and had become coarse. Had he been singing there for a while now? Kagami thought. But otherwise, it was back to its normal, unemotional state, Taiga was used to hearing. If didn’t witness Kuroko perform, he wouldn’t have believed his partner was musically talented at all. 

“All proceeds and donations will go to the animal shelter. If you are also interested in adopting, helping out or just interested at looking at the animals, please do not hesitate to call and inquire.” Kuroko then gave them the the shelter’s flyers.

Oh. So that’s why he was busking. Kagami smiled, of course it was for the animals. That was just the kind of person Kuroko was right? A compete softy for animals. 

Kagami watched as the audience dropped paper bills and coins inside the empty case the teen had set up on the front. Some of them even asking Kuroko what the shelter needed and how to sign up to become volunteers which the teen answered with enthusiasm.

When the audience completely dispersed, Kuroko set his guitar on the wall behind him, bent down and started collecting his earnings. He wasn’t able to spot Kagami yet, good. He had decided to move further to the side instead during the middle of Kuroko’s performance to avoid being seen. He then silently approached the busy teen.

“Oi, Kuroko!” Kagami called out. Pleased when he saw the blue haired teen jump, eyes widening in surprise at seeing him before schooling his face back at his usual deadpan. Hey, sometimes, Kuroko needed a taste of his own medicine. But he was getting distracted. “Never would’ve thought you’d be musically inclined.”

Kuroko looked away from Kagami, tip of his ears red, “Ah… you saw all that?”

Taiga scratched the back of his head, did he just made Kuroko embarrassed? Well now. “Not all of it, just the last song. You do this often?”

“Hmm… actually, this is the first time I’ve done something like this.” Kuroko kneeled back in front of his case and continued to collect his money.

“It doesn’t seem like it.” Kagami said, sincerely. Or he hoped he sounded sincere. First time, really? With that much level of confidence and ease? No way.

Kuroko gave him a look then returned back to his task, “I usually just sing and play for the animals at the shelter. Well, for the staff there in extension as well.”

“Animals?” What?

The blue haired teen explained that he read somewhere that playing music for the animals soothed them. That he’s been volunteering as a helper for the animal shelter whenever he had free time and they needed money for an operation for a senior dog. One of the staff suggested he tried busking. 

Kuroko pocketed all his earning, seemingly happy with what he got. He returned his guitar back to its case and looped the strap over his head. 

“You’ve been playing for long?” Taiga asked. 

“A while.” Was Kuroko’s vague answer.

He was okay with music in general. He liked listening to pop songs and sometimes, sang along when the mood strikes (he’d never admit that to anyone though). He was aware his voice wasn’t exactly singer quality though. But learning to play an instrument? He liked the idea and it looked kinda cool, but he figured he’d never have the patience for it. He’d probably get bored and abandon it without even reaching half way. 

Kuroko though… it never occurred to Taiga that his partner could’ve had other talents aside from his basketball. He was just so… unassuming. Then again, he wouldn’t have been Kuroko Tetsuya if he didn’t hide something amazing and surprising under his low presence and deadpan stare.  

Kagami ended up accompanying Kuroko. The blue haired teen gave all the money he earned to the ecstatic manager of the shelter, while Taiga stayed at the corner, jumping at all the noises the dogs made. When Kuroko gave him an amused smile, Kagami grabbed the other teen’s head and messed it up until the blue haired teen gave him a jab on his side. Kuroko helped him buy and carry his groceries in return.

It should’ve been the end of that. Kagami should move on and think about what’ll cook for dinner instead. Many people could play a musical instrument and sing at the same time. Some loved flaunting their talents, some don’t. He personally loved flaunting his own talents with basketball especially if any of the Generation of Miracles were present. Kuroko seemed to be part of the second category. He was never the cocky type. And Kagami felt like, the only reason he was able to know about Kuroko’s music talent was because he caught him in the act, trying to earn money for a sick dog, no less.

But it wasn’t the end of that. Kagami’s brain wouldn’t want to end it. He can’t get it out of his mind. He wanted to hear Kuroko sing again. He wanted to watch him play, watch his fingers elegantly glide and move.

“Hey, Kuroko…” Taiga said, breaking the comfortable silence that had settled between them as they made their way to his apartment, “Uhh… when you go back to that shelter to sing, can I come with you?” Never mind he doesn’t even like dogs! But he just wanted to watch Kuroko again.  

Kuroko tilted his head, eyes glinting in barely concealed amusement and Kagami had to look away from those blue orbs, “Very well Kagami-kun. I will inform you the next time I’ll come back to the shelter.”

Okay. Cool. Kuroko didn’t make it awkward.

But then Taiga heard his companion chuckle, “If Kagami-kun wanted a private concert, he should just say so. I would do it for free food and vanilla milkshakes.”

Kagami sputtered and felt his face burn, “You’re such a little shit!”