leaveofabsence | Imeeji Inbox

[ While Childe is fetching the axe, Zhongli goes to the closest to get their coats and gloves and scarves. When Childe comes back with the axe, he pulls him close and starts to bundle him for the weather outside. ]

I'm afraid I am rather unfamiliar with this custom.

Will you let me know what are the qualities of the tree best suited for this celebration?

[ childe chuckles as zhongli starts bundling him up. ] You don't need to worry about me, Xiansheng, I don't mind the cold. But let's make sure you're nice and warm, since I don't know how long it's going to take to find a suitable tree. [ he's going to go fetch zhongli a hat to go along with everything else. ]

It shouldn't be *too* hard to find one... at least I don't think, but we'll need a fairly big on that's, ah, thick, since we're going to want to put lights on it and ornaments on it. Does that make... sense?

[ Unbeknownst to Childe (or perhaps it is very obvious) Zhongli is more interested in being able to freely touch him even if they are platonic rather than the careful distance he has been keeping since the game ended. He places lingering touches on Childe's hands and the inside of his wrist when Childe bundles him up in return. ]

Ah, so you are looking for something aesthetically pleasing but also sturdy enough to handle all of your decorations.

[ childe does kind of catch on as zhongli's fingers brush the inside of his wrist, and then he's taking his hand and holding it with no intention of letting go. he manages to affix the hat on his head with one hand, a kiss given to the tip of his nose before he nods and turns toward the door. ] Exactly. I'm sure you'll have a good eye for this sort of thing. You ready to head out?

Yes. I will do my best not to disappoint.

[ And Zhongli too places a kiss on the tip of Childe's nose before squeezing his hand and out they go into the snow.

Not really knowing what tree is best, he lets Childe at least lead them to wherever in this snowy forest he thinks they might find a good tree. ]

[ childe is going to keep a firm hold on zhongli's hand and lead him into the dense forest that's right beside the cabin. most of the trees look like they could be good contenders, but childe keeps looking, because there's got to be that one special tree. ]

We need a full looking one, so it can hold all of the decorations we want to put on it. And it should be big too!

[ Cute.

How is Childe so cute? ]

Big enough to scrape the ceiling in your cabin?

I'm sure that can be arranged.

[ Eventually Zhongli will point out on like so. ]

Something like this?

Haha, perhaps a little bit smaller than that, because I'd like to put a star on top, but pretty damn close! [ as soon as zhongli points out that tree he hurries over and starts circling it. ] Oooh, this one looks great! [ steps back and looks up, trying to get a feel for how tall it is compared to his house. ] I think this should be just shy of the ceiling... what do you think, Xiansheng? And do you want the honors? [ hefts the axe up. ]

How about you cut it down and I'll bring it back?

[ He leans over to ruffle Childe's hair. Can't deprive his boy of a little violence - even against an inanimate object. ]

We can divy up the work that way.

[ his tail instantly starts wagging like crazy. ] Okay! I can do that. [ he's going to turn toward the tree and go to town, cutting it down with ease, because wild city super strength! ] Xiansheng - watch out! - tiiiimber~! [ and down it goes. ]

[ One dragon catches it in its mouth and claws before it can hit the ground while Zhongli looks on, clapping. ]

Excellent work. This shall make a very fine centerpiece for your cabin.

It's going to look even better decorated. [ he slings the axe over his shoulder and heads back over to zhongli, holding a hand out to him. ] Are you ready to head back? I can make us some hot cocoa and we can begin.

[ Zhongli takes Childe's hands, lacing their fingers together and leaving the lions share of carrying the tree to his aibou outside of steadying the load occasionally. ]

I believe so.

Do we not require anything else for the decorations? Or is that something we should purchase upon our return.

I bought a bunch earlier... but if you think we're missing anything, then we can certainly just order more. I doubt there can be too many ornaments on a tree! And I want this to be the perfect mix of the both of us, so... buy away! [ squeezes his hands, moving his puff of tails around zhongli. ]

[ Childe... ]

I respectfully believe that it is possible to have too many ornaments on a tree. It is a magnificent sight by its own merit so completely covering its splendor would be its own kind of misfortune.

However---

[ Zhongli uses his free hand to wrap himself up in those tails to ward off the chill as they make their way back to the cabin ]

I look forward to complementing your current set of decorations with those I find aesthetically pleasing.

[ And baaaaaack to the cabin they go with their ginormous tree]

[ childe chuckles. he knows he's going to go overboard and that zhongli is going to have to make a conscious effort to keep him from drowning the tree in ornaments. ] I bought a bunch of different ornaments in colors I thought complimented the both of us. [ like browns, golds, reds, blues, and things of that nature. ] But I do look forward to see the sorts that you're going to purchase.

Oh! Oh!! Maybe we could get a little dragon and a little whale ornament. [ as soon as they reach the cabin childe freezes, because, uh, how the hell are they going to get it inside. ] ...I didn't think this part through.

[ Oh... ]

Perhaps we could fit it in through a window.

[ And aren't those easier to replace than doors? ]

But aren't the windows even smaller than the doors? We might have to take the door off its hinges and kind of... ease it in, and then put it back on. It's probably going to take some finagling, but we should be able to manage... eh heh. I can't believe I didn't think about this.

I will trust your expertise then. Shall I remove the door and you can attempt to shove in the tree?

[ "expertise". ] Ah h- hah, yeah, let's uhm... just see what happens. I'll try to be careful with the tree, but if you don't mind taking the door off, let's start with that.

[ Well, it's not too difficult to pull out the hinges with his Heart Weapon.

There you go, Childe, try to stuff the tree into the house ]

[ childe is going to take a moment to scope out the no door situation and then he's going to move the head of the tree towards the door and pull it inside. as soon as he gets a third of the way down he opens the window and hops through. ] Hey Zhongli... you want to help me press the branches in, so I can more easily slide it inside?

Of course.

[ As he moves into positions to flatten the branches. ]

Shall we do it on three?

One, two, ---

[ S H O V E ]

[ nods. ]

On three! and... three!

[ shove. ]

[ the tree is shoved inside, but not without shedding some of its pine needles. it's nothing major though, and childe grins proudly. ] We did it. Now let's get this big boy set up! I can take care of that if you'd like to get the decorations. I put them in that hall closet.

[ He tilts his head to the side thoughtfully as he starts picking pine needles out of Childe's tails. ]

Yes. Let me go fetch them.

[ And off he goes to get the various decorations that Childe has purchased ]

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