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[leaveofabsence]

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[leaveofabsence]

[ Zhongli brushes a thumb along Childe's jawline. ]

I thought the whole purpose of coming here was to get clean.

Though I do have something in mind if you will allow me an indulgence.

[childeishly]

...huh, [ tilts his head in mock innocence. ] was it, because it seems like I've already forgotten.

[ childe smirks at zhongli, eyes becoming hooded. ] Now why in hell would I say no to that. Go ahead, Xiansheng, indulge~

[leaveofabsence]

[ He takes one of Childe's hands, lacing their fingers together before tugging him in the direction of the bath. ]

I think perhaps I will then.

[ He continues to lead Childe around the onsen until he finds the most optimal place where they can sit to enjoy both the warmth of the water and the view. ]

[childeishly]

[ falls into step alongside zhongli as he's lead to the onsen. he takes a seat and moves his tail around zhongli, leaning into him and closing his eyes for a moment. ] Silver was right... it's great in here, though I think my company may be making it infinitely better. [ snickers. ]

[leaveofabsence]

You flatter me endlessly.

[ He laughs as he takes one of Childe's hands by the wrist and turns it palm up before beginning to carefully massage the knots and stress out of the muscles. ]

But it is your company that makes this special.

[childeishly]

...y- yeah, well, Xiansheng just makes me so happy and [ leans in, brushing his lips over the shell of zhongli's ears. ] And seeing you smile and hearing you laugh is one of my favorite things.

[ sits back, watching as zhongli starts massaging his hand. ] Ah. [ blinks, mind wandering to whether or not zhongli is going to take this massage elsewhere. ]

[leaveofabsence]

[ Zhongli absolutely is by the way he pulls and strokes at each of Childe's fingers to moving down toward the wrist.

There's another laugh (more breathless this time) at the touch to his ear and he hunches his shoulders slightly. ]

Yes. You're very kind.

Please allow me to return the favor.

[childeishly]

...of course. I haven’t said no yet, have I, h- Hah. [ he laughs, himself, watching as zhongli works his hand. ]

So I’m guessing you learned to do this from a book?

[leaveofabsence]

Yes and no.

[ He shifts his grip to extend Childe's arm out fully so he can start working up to the elbow and shoulder. ]

This became a very popular method of--- well, I dare not say healing but how to say the soothing of injuries a few centuries back. I took a mortal guise to observe a master of the craft on more than one occasion during that time.

You'll still find aspects of it interwoven into the modern medicines of Liyue.

[childeishly]

...took a mortal guise. [ snorts at that. imagines morax shapeshifting into some pretty little thing to sit on in on some master of the craft to get tips, tricks, and pointers on how to do this sort of thing. ] It does feel really nice. [ tries to relax on his own, since he's normally just 10% of tense. ]

Oh? I don't think I ever encountered anything like this back in Liyue, but, then again, most people wanted nothing to do with me, so perhaps that isn't all that surprising.

[leaveofabsence]

[ Zhongli does not comment on any lingering tension in Childe's frame. He just simply carefully places the one arm back under the warm heat of the water when he is finished and moves to pick up his other wrist. All while not moving too much to not jostle Childe's tail. ]

An oversight on my part. It was always you securing a table at the Liuli Pavilion on our behalf.

Next time you visit, allow myself to be the one to gain us entrance to some of the more exclusive parts of the harbor.

[childeishly]

I never minded putting in a reservation Xiansheng. Mora talks... and because of that some people could sort of look past the fact that I was a Fatui Harbinger, though that didn't stop the dirty looks, h- hah. They just let me enter their establishments with minimal shit talk behind my back. [ a bit of self degrading laughter. ] I would like that though... getting a chance to see more things.

[leaveofabsence]

[ He hums thoughtfully at that, working at the knots and tension of Childe's other arm. ]

Why did you decide to become a Harbinger? Besides your obvious battle prowess, of course.

[childeishly]

...because I had become a bit of an, ah, troublemaker, my father brought me to the Fatui and I had almost immediately been conscripted. Not exactly a surprise given my ability and I guess I'm not really complaining. As far as becoming a Harbinger I piqued the interest of the 5th and the Tsaritsa seemed to agree. As for joining... I believe in her and what she's doing. Tensions might be running high now, but I do really believe there to be a light at the end of the tunnel, and she's leading us there... slowly but surely.

[leaveofabsence]

While I cannot condone all of the actions of the Tsaritsa and her Harbingers...

If you believe her cause to be just, then I hope you and her as well -- find what you seek at the end of your journey.

Liyue will forgive and forget. With enough coin to smooth the edges, I'm sure. Personal feelings are secondary to the contracts between people. Especially when concerning commerce and goods.

[childeishly]

...you must believe in what she's doing to a degree too, Xiansheng. I might not know the details of the contract made between the two of you, but giving her your gnosis...

I guess we'll see what happens as her plan continues to unfold.

[leaveofabsence]

[ Zhongli just gives a noncommittal shrug at that as his fingers slide up between the junction of Childe's neck and shoulder and begin to work at the muscles there. ]

It was my time--- Rex Lapis's time to leave the stage. A funny thing: time. Eventually it comes for us all.

But perhaps you're right. Maybe it is her time now. We shall just have to wait and see.

. . .

Could you turn around for me please?

[childeishly]

... [ he falls silent and just nods, turning as he's asked to. he'll keep his praise of the tsaritsa to himself. it IS her time. ]

[leaveofabsence]

[ Just don't destroy the world while you're at it, Childe. He wants to enjoy his retirement.

But it seems like Zhongli is already distracted away from the topic as he starts humming to himself and working out knots in Childe's lower back. ]

[childeishly]

[ too bad. maybe you should have retired earlier if you wanted to enjoy yourself, xiansheng! childe is going to ensure that chaos continues to reign supreme. ]

[ shuts his eyes and lets out some sort of sound and zhongli’s hands dip and he starts massaging his lower back. ] Ah, you’re really good at this.

[leaveofabsence]

[ He just laughs at the compliment as he starts working up Childe's spine. ]

I have to spoil you in return somehow. Otherwise it wouldn't be fair.

[childeishly]

...just spending time with me is plenty. Just like back home. [ shoots him a look from over his shoulder. ] But I’m definitely not going to complain if this is, ah, [ breathes out a sigh. ] how you want to repay me. [ this has no right to feel this good. ]