leaveofabsence | Imeeji Inbox

[ 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 ]

[ childe moves the tree into the living room and sets it up, a task much easier than the previous, so when zhongli returns he can find childe attempting to shake out the remaining pine needles that are stuck in his tail. ]

Did you find them, Xiansheng? Do you think we need more?

I did.

[ And he comes back to press a kiss to Childe's cheek, arms full of ornament boxes. He might have a slightly mischievous look in his eye. ]

Now if I recall correctly, you promised my a cup of hot cocoa to ward off the cold.

...ah! right right. [ he smiles at the kiss and leaves the tree to zhongli as he heads into the kitchen. he's going to be making homemade hot chocolate, so it'll take a bit longer, but it'll be that much better. ] Do you think I should add some booze into the mix? Not too much~ but it'll spice it up for sure.

Yes. Do add whatever spirits you like.

[ Calls Zhongli from the other room as if he wants to keep Childe out of the living room for as long as he needs to finish whatever he's doing. ]

[ SUS! ]

[ childe continues making the hot chocolate, deciding to add a splash of amaretto to the both of them. he considered something minty... but this seemed more subdued and if they're going to eat at any point he doesn't want mint mouth. he takes the both of them and heads out into the living room. ]

What are you doing out here, Xiansheng? I got your hot chocolate.

[ A palm presses over his eyes. Careful with those drinks now! ]

I am not quite finished. Will you keep your eyes closed for me?

...oh, ah, sure! [ he just stands there holding them. ] Do you want to set them down somewhere? Or... should I keep holding them?

[ With a hand at the small of Childe's back, Zhongli gently leads him to the couch and helps him sit down. ]

Please make yourself comfortable.

[ childe takes a seat with zhongli's help, scooting to the edge of the seat, so he can feel around for the table and set their drinks down. ] How much longer, Xiansheng?

Not much longer.

[ And true to his word, there is only a minute or two more of branch rustling before he comes back to press a kiss to Childe's forehead before settling next to him on the couch for snuggling. ]

You can open your eyes now.

...alright. [ he smiles, setting his hands on his knees and drumming as he... well, stares at the backs of his eyelids. as soon as he feels the couch sink in and zhongli settle in beside him he shifts, turning toward him and looping an arm around his middle. he opens his eyes and, first, looks at him, giving him a quick kiss, and then he turns his attention on the tree. ]

[ To the best of his ability, Zhongli has taken the gold and brown ornaments to write the word good fortune in Liyuen. The blue and silver ones read happiness in Snezhnayan. With all of the other ornaments tastefully organized to highlight the two scripts.

He picks up his cup of spiked cocoa to warm his still chilled hands. ]

Happy Krsnik Noc, Ajax.

[ childe blinks in sheer amazement and wonder at the beautifully decorated tree sitting in his living room. he gets up off the couch to walk a circle around it, smiling as he notices what zhongli's written on some of the ornaments. ] Zhongli Xiansheng... [ as he gets back around to the front he reclaims his seat, winding his arms around him and squeezing tightly. ] Happy Krsnik Noc Zhongli. I love you so much.

I love you, too.

[ And now he picks up Childe's drink ]

Now drink this before it gets unpleasantly lukewarm.

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