[ 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.
... [ 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.
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?
[ 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. ]
[ 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. ]
[ 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... ]
[ 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. ]
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. ]
[ he thinks he’ll have some time to himself, to unscramble the thoughts filling his head, but then zhongli is trying to join him! ] I- I bet the soup is fine, Xiansheng. It’s just been a few short minutes. [ backing up he bumps into the door, hand pawing haphazardly for the knob as he laughs to fill the silence. ] And I can check on it.
[ his hand finally catches the knob, but instead of simply turning it, throwing the door open, and running for dear life... he lingers, a mixture of cowardice, embarrassment, and shame coloring his face red. ]
I don’t know. [ ruining what they have at a chance at something else has him... terrified. what if zhongli doesn’t feel the same, whatever that is, because he can’t figure it out, but... but then he’ll have nothing and no one again. ]
[ Zhongli stops at the foot of the bed, wondering if Childe is going to bolt out of the dorm entirely.
And then he bends down to scoop up a whale plush from the floor, turning slightly toward the new shelving so it's clear his intention is not to follow. ]
I am sorry. It was not my intention to startle you with such a question.
You do not have to answer it now or ever if you so choose. I will wait until you are ready.
...i- it's alright. I mean, you're... not wrong. [ he keeps himself pressed against the door, watching as zhongli picks up the plush to set onto a shelf. ] I just... I wouldn't mind... [ averts his eyes. ] Have you liked the extra attention?
[ childe takes a step off the door to move a little closer to zhongli. ] At least this room will let you be a little closer to home... it's not perfect, but... [ he sets a hand on the plush zhongli keeps moving. ] And I really enjoy your company too, Xiansheng. It's always meant a lot to me. [ ... ] I, ah, ...maybe we could... would you ever consider dating?
...alright. [ he is MUCH CONFUSE. dating shouldn't be this complicated??? right??? m- maybe... ] You can start. [ because he legit has no idea where to begin. ]
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leaveofabsence) wrote2025-03-14 08:34 am
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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.
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Yes. At least that felt a little closer to his feelings right now than words. ]
Is that a fair exchange? I wonder. . .
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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.
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Perhaps I do not say it often enough.
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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?
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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. ]
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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?
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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
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. ]
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Perhaps he had read Childe's advances wrong. Zhongli was never skilled at understanding human emotions anyway. ]
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[ And he also slips off the bed to follow. ]
I should check on the soup as well.
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[ his hand finally catches the knob, but instead of simply turning it, throwing the door open, and running for dear life... he lingers, a mixture of cowardice, embarrassment, and shame coloring his face red. ]
I don’t know. [ ruining what they have at a chance at something else has him... terrified. what if zhongli doesn’t feel the same, whatever that is, because he can’t figure it out, but... but then he’ll have nothing and no one again. ]
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And then he bends down to scoop up a whale plush from the floor, turning slightly toward the new shelving so it's clear his intention is not to follow. ]
I am sorry. It was not my intention to startle you with such a question.
You do not have to answer it now or ever if you so choose. I will wait until you are ready.
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[ He sets the plush down, picks it up, tries a different spot. Rinse and repeat. ]
It is very comforting. To have someone warm and familiar nearby. I have never stayed away from Liyue for such an extended period of time.
But it is not just that---
I've always enjoyed your attention. Your company. Selfishly so.
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[ 💡 ]
Oh.
You wish to enter a contract with me?
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1/2
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Perhaps we should just determine the major clauses first.
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This includes gifts and spoiling, though they may not be material in nature.
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