leaveofabsence | Imeeji Inbox

[ While Zhongli's idea of "leisure wear" is still more akin to a three piece suit than anything comfortable--- that. That.

Well.

Let's just say, he is very appreciative of this art.

Fingertips brush carefully along Childe's arm, careful not to wrinkle the fine material. ]

You look exceedingly handsome today.

Perhaps I should also have dressed up as well.

[ childe chuckles. ] ...and this [ reaches for zhongli's own arm. ] isn't dressed up? Xiansheng, I think you look great. [ he leans over to peck him on the cheek. ] It *is* a special day though... something I believe is called 'white day'. I thought we could do something special to celebrate.

Ah yes.

[ And he slips his arm in Childe's - even if they only have as far as the car to go. ]

That's an Inazuma holiday - is it not? A day to return favor and affectionate to that which was expressed on Valentine's day.

[ nods, linking arms with zhongli and setting a hand atop his. he'll bring him to the car, stepping away only to open the door for him. ] Of course you'd be familiar with it. I figured we could go to the restaurant we had one of our first dates at. [ but, before that, he's going into the back seat to grab something. ]

[ there are a couple of wrapped items, but childe opts for a small black box tied with a golden bow. he offers it to zhongli. ] I think it's also customary to make the chocolate, so... I made these for you. [ in the package is a caramel infused milk chocolate in two separate shapes - a dragon and a whale, the two of which make a lopsided heart. the 'figures' themselves are also an 'interesting' work of art, but he did his best. ]

[ He takes the package carefully in both hands, thumbs stroking over the golden bow on top. ]

Childe...

[ And he leans in to press a soft kiss against his cheek. ]

Something to be enjoyed after our meal then? Or it is customary in Snezhnaya to open a gift once it is received?

We can enjoy the contents after the meal, but I'd like you to open it now.

[ He does indeed meticulously open the package, holding up each piece of chocolate at it is a precious gem that must be appraised from every angle. He hums thoughtfully as he sets the dragon back down carefully into the box. ]

Childe.

Did you mold these yourself?

[ he gets a little bit nervous as zhongli goes over the entire thing with a fine tooth comb. ] I did, yeah, which is why it’s a little… unique. And I wanted it to look like you too. Not just be some generic dragon.

I see you have chosen a higher quality chocolate that requires tempering and is thus much more difficult to work with. Choosing a lighter milk chocolate only enhances that difficulty.

A darker chocolate could have give you better results if presentation had been your main focus.

But it is far more endearing that you went for the most challenging route possible to sacrifice neither appearance nor flavor.

[ He wraps the bow around the now closed box and places it in his pocket for safekeeping. ]

Just as I would expect from someone who will conquer the starts someday.

Thank you, Ajax. They are beautiful. And I am sure they will taste so as well.

...real glad you like it, Xiansheng. I decided to go all out. [ he couldn't NOT for something like this. zhongli xiansheng is worth that and so much more. ] I made a bunch of different batches, but I think I finally got the ratio perfect, so it should be really good. [ and another peck. ] We can save it for after dinner.

[ He smiles fondly at the press of lips to his, used to it by this point but also still somehow always wanting more. ]

We can save it for after.

[ He glances back at the car ]

Do you wish to drive?

Yes. All you have to do is enjoy, Zhongli Xiansheng. [ he goes over to the car to open the passenger door for him. ]

[ Takes a seat in the passenger seat and oh so casually places his hand on Childe's thigh when he drives. He saw this in a romcom with Hurricane. ]

Oh, I have no doubts I will do just that.

[ he keeps one hand on the wheel, because ofc, but he sets his other hand atop zhongli's, interlocking their fingers as he takes the long ( scenic ) route there. ] I brought the chopsticks you bought for me too. [ because he's absolutely giving that another shot. ]

Did you?

Well that narrows down the type of restaurant we are going to.

[ He rubs his thumb across the side of Childe's wrists. ]

You do not have to impress me anymore. I am already impressed. But also endeared by the fact that you never give up.

...maybe not, but it's still something I'd like to master. [ or at least be able to do without dropping more than half the food on the table, himself, or the floor. ] I'm hoping to get good enough to feed you eventually. [ since zhongli has fed him time and time again. ]

Hmmmm.

I feel like such a feat is deserving of a reward. Do you not agree?

What kind of reward? [ consider his interests piqued. ]

Whatever you want within reason. Or -- whatever you want done to you.

Your preference.

I’m going to have to start thinking about it then. [ he’s trying not to get too excited, since he has yet to successfully use the chopsticks, but this is even more incentive not to fuck it up. ]

[ he keeps zhongli’s hand in his own the entire ride, though as soon as they reach the restaurant he takes it back. ] You remember this place, right? [ it’s the first restaurant they visited together. ] I thought it might be nice to come back…

I do. If I recall, I was still very cautious around you. Old wounds had yet to mend.

[ He says, stepping out of the car and reaching for Childe's hand again when he has done the same. ]

Time is a very fickle thing.

That seems like much longer ago than it actually was.

Hopefully the new memories made here today can overshadow the old. [ he squeezes zhongli’s hand, stepping closer and moving his bush of tails around him. ]

Childe--

[ He reaches out to pet each and every one, stroking them from base to tip. ]

You know how much your tail distracts me.

Good. [ chuckles. ] I do like when you pet them. [ they flit about happily. ]

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