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[leaveofabsence]

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[leaveofabsence]

[ Survey says it's an oversized beige sweater for all those times Childe is going to drag Zhongli to a winter wonderland.

He looks at Childe with a raised eyebrow and a quirk of a smile. ]

It's lovely. Thank you, Caeli.

[ And he drapes it carefully over the back of a chair so that he can shuck off the current coat that he is wearing. ]

[childeishly]

I think you’ll find you’re going to need it sooner rather than later. [ chuckles and starts removing the ingredients for the soup from the backpack, organizing them on the counter for when zhongli is ready to start cooking. ]

Do you think we should get started on your soup, since it takes about half a century to make. [ flashes him a cheeky grin. ] And then we can just enjoy your tea in your room until it’s ready.

[leaveofabsence]

It does not take a century.

[ He huffs as he puts the sweater on over his dress shirt. Whatever. It works. ]

And there is no need to rush such a refined process.

[childeishly]

[ slips his arms around zhongli’s waist from behind, resting a chin on his shoulder as he smiles. ] Oh, you’re right, ... two centuries.

[ chuckles, turning his head to give his cheek a kiss. zhongli’s phone will beep at some point, letting them know ( well, childe anyway! ) that the dorm upgrade has been processed. ]

[leaveofabsence]

[ Zhongli doesn't notice. He is too busy looking slightly offended as he starts preparing the ingredients of the soup and starting to simmer them in a pot.

And yet he does not move to remove Childe's arms from around his waist. ]

[childeishly]

Don’t make that cute, pouty face, Xiansheng. [ shuts his eyes and lets him work mostly unimpeded. ] I know how important this sort of thing is, [ chu. ] I’m just messing with you. Your soup is delicious besides. Probably one of my favorite things to eat. [ hums. ]

Let’s go back to your room when you’re finished prepping it. I forgot to show you something else I bought you...

[leaveofabsence]

[ That causes him to look over his shoulder, pausing in his stirring for a moment. ]

Something else? On top of everything else.

Childe. . .

[childeishly]

Mm. [ hums, cracking an eye open. ] This was, perhaps, one of the most important things though... c'mon. [ takes a step back and gently takes zhongli's wrist to lead him back to his own room. ]

Go ahead and have a look see. You can't miss it.

1/2

[leaveofabsence]

[ Zhongli glances at Childe for a long moment. They only left his room a few minutes ago, and it is so sparsely decorated how could he have missed something. Something worth labeling the best even though he's already been spoiled so much already today.

But if Childe would like him to look again, then look again he shall.

And so Zhongli opens the door to his room--- ]

2/3 I lied

[leaveofabsence]

[ Oh.






Oh that is definitely not how they left the room a few moments ago, is it? Zhongli's eyes go wide as he starts to slowly circle everything, still tugging along Childe with one hand while the other runs over the edges of each and every new surface of his now very Liyuen style room. ]

[leaveofabsence]

[ And eventually he turns back to Childe ]

I---




[ For once, his eloquence for words fails him as he just stares at everything (Childe included) in wonder. ]

Thanking you would be a dreadful understatement of my gratitude.

[childeishly]

[ he follows zhongli dutifully! his smile broadening as he opens the door to reveal his new ( and improved! ) room. ] I thought you might enjoy this, Xiansheng, since your old room had been pretty dreadful. [ chuckles. ] Now you can feel right at home... in your own home!

Don't worry about trying to thank me. Seeing the look on your face when you saw the room was payment enough, making this absolutely worth it and then some.

[leaveofabsence]

[ Zhongli huffs out a laugh, pulling Childe into a warm affectionate hug. Something like what Guizhong would have done. Tried to teach him to do.

Yes. At least that felt a little closer to his feelings right now than words. ]

Is that a fair exchange? I wonder. . .

[childeishly]

... [ he circles his arms around zhongli, squeezing him tightly as a smile spreads the width of his face. ] I’m glad you like it, Xiansheng. And I think so. I really do love seeing you smile.

[leaveofabsence]

You spoil me.

But hmmmm.

Does this mean you'll be staying over more often? On days where you feel nostalgic for Teyvat.

No offense to your foxhole, of course.

[childeishly]

Is that an invitation, Xiansheng? Do you want me to stay over more?

[leaveofabsence]

I always treasure your company, Childe.

Perhaps I do not say it often enough.

[childeishly]

I do like hearing it.

If I could stay over everyday I’d be permanently lounging on your bed, Xiansheng. [ guides him over to it. ] Why don’t you see if it’s as comfy as you remember?

[leaveofabsence]

[ He carefully moves to sit on the bed, hand pressed against the frame and the blanket and the cushioning underneath as if testing each piece for suitability.

Appeased, he shifts to sit with his back against the headboard, like one might longue while reading in bed.

He pats the spot next to him for Childe to join him. ]

[childeishly]

[ he could be good, probably should be good, but instead of taking the spot beside zhongli he sets a knee to the bed and crawls overtop him, joining their lips together for a chaste kiss. ]

[leaveofabsence]

[ Zhongli pressed forward into the kiss, but also keeps it chaste. Even if it would be so so easy to get swept up into the hurricane that is one Harbinger. ]

Childe. Your advances have not gone unnoticed or unwelcomed by me. I was going to wait until we had a moment to catch our breath, but---

It seems that we will not be given such an opportunity here. Have not had much peace for many weeks now. So might I ask.

[ He reaches up to draw his fingers along Childe's jawline... ]

What exactly are you looking for?

[childeishly]

[ he stills at the question. c- couldn’t he just leave well enough alone-! who has time for words, or to put their mess of feelings to words... is such a thing even possible?! childe sits back, retreating a bit as his lips become a tight, thin line. ] ... [ he doesn’t know how to answer that. or, hm, no... he kind of does, but isn’t interested in doing so? it’s easier to neither confirm nor deny this sort of thing. ]

I think the tea’s getting cold. [ as are his feet - womp - so he’s going to try to hastily get off the bed and head back to the kitchen. ]

1/3

[leaveofabsence]

[ Well.

That wasn't what he was expecting. And there is a half-hearted attempt to catch Childe's arm before he retreats that just ends up with Zhongli grasping at nothing but air. ]

[leaveofabsence]

[ But ah.

Perhaps he had read Childe's advances wrong. Zhongli was never skilled at understanding human emotions anyway. ]

[leaveofabsence]

Of course.

[ And he also slips off the bed to follow. ]

I should check on the soup as well.