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[leaveofabsence]

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[childeishly]

[ 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. ]

[leaveofabsence]

[ 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.

[childeishly]

...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?

[leaveofabsence]

I have.

[ 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.

[childeishly]

[ 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?

[leaveofabsence]

Dating?







[ 💡 ]

Oh.

You wish to enter a contract with me?

[childeishly]

[ but wouldn’t a contract be more akin to... marriage??? ] Dating is just... dating, Xiansheng, but, ah, sure?

1/2

[leaveofabsence]

Then of course I would be amendable.

[leaveofabsence]

Ah, but do not think you have to figure out what you want immediately. We can take some time to figure out the finer details.

Perhaps we should just determine the major clauses first.

[childeishly]

...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. ]

[leaveofabsence]

Then the first item is being able to give you extra attention in equivalent amounts as you have been giving me.

This includes gifts and spoiling, though they may not be material in nature.

[childeishly]

I had kind of thought something like that would be an, ah, given? Isn't that just something that happens as a result of liking someone? I don't think I need a contract to tell me to spoil you, and I'd hope you don't need one to know you can spoil me. [ scratches at his cheek. ]

Xiansheng, have you ever dated anybody before?

[leaveofabsence]

[ He closes his eyes and tilts his head to one side, considering this question for a long time. ]



Never a mortal.

And certainly never one when my duties to Liyue and its people did not overshadow everything.

[childeishly]

...so this is new for us both then. [ he takes another step closer as he reaches for zhongli's hand. ] How about a promise, then, instead of a contract... at least to start. [ because dating contract has him feeling a touch overwhelmed-! ] I promise to do what I can when I can to make you happy. [ brings his hand to his lips for a kiss. ] ...whether that's buying you stuff, cooking you things, or just smothering you in attention and affection. I just want this to make you happier.

[leaveofabsence]

[ He tangles his fingers with Childe's after the kiss, but doesn't look any less confused than before. ]

Do we not already do that...?

[childeishly]

[ he’s no dating expert, so... enjoy the moment of silence, because he’s not sure how to respond. ] Ah, yeah, of course, but... [ somehow this is the most complicated thing he’s dealt with recently. zhongli WHY. ] now it’s official??? [ he legit has no clue. ]

[leaveofabsence]

Now it's official.

[ Repeats slowly, as if trying to bring meaning to words he does not understand. ]

Alright.

[childeishly]

... [ cups zhongli's cheeks and squishes. ] If it'll make you feel better we can make a little contract. Nothing crazy though, alright. The last thing I want to do is face the wrath of the rock. I'm sure you'll find some way to drop a boulder on me should I accidentally misstep.

[leaveofabsence]

[ Makes a face at the cheek squish.

Sir! ]

I do not require a contract. If my word and promise are sufficient, then I will also be content with yours.

[ The last thing either of the need is any boulders from the sky - intentional, accidentally, or provoked. And consider the two of them, any of the three are equally likely. ]

[childeishly]

[ but accidental sky boulders could ( and would ) be hilarious. also inevitable. ] ...perhaps if I ever wish to make Xiansheng my bride I'll get a chance to make a contract with him. [ kisses his nose. ] But promises are contracts to me... perhaps a bit less formal, but I do think they have a certain weight to them. [ shuts his eyes. ] ...so from this moment forward Xiansheng is my boyfriend and I am his boyfriend.

Shall we seal it with a kiss? [ so much for not making this like a contract. ]

[leaveofabsence]

[ With his eyes closed, Childe cannot see the small smile that plays on Zhongli. So much for not making this like a contract. ]

Then we shall settle for the less formal promise.

[ And he reaches forward to cup Childe's face in both palms. ]

Sealed and signed as your preference.

[childeishly]

But one day, perhaps, ... [ cracks an eye open and smirks at zhongli. ]

What you do to me isn’t fair. [ it’s just a joke. ] A kiss then.

[leaveofabsence]

[ Pardon, what?

He pauses while still leaning in towards Childe ]

What is not fair exactly?

[childeishly]

[ /// ] I just never expected to feel this way... about anybody... s- so you make me feel things, a lot of things, and they’re not bad, they’re good, just kind of confusing, I guess.

[ wat. ]

[leaveofabsence]

So the unfairness stems from the unexpectedness of it.

Hmmm, yes. I can understand that. My feelings are also rather unexpected and sudden.

[ "Sudden" for someone who has lived for millennia anyway. ]