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[childeishly]

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[leaveofabsence]

[ Luckily, Zhongli does not make him wait minutes.

Nor does he let him get out one or two of those words before he places a finger to Childe's lips to shush him and reply in very archaic Snezhnayan: ]

ya tozhe tyebya lyublyu.

[childeishly]

[ someone call pep!pep!, because there has been a MURDER! ]

[ his brain has completely stalled out at this point, a surge of feelings he didn’t even know he was capable of having encapsulating him and shaking him to his core. his chest burns, because what is remembering to breath, a stunted gasp sucked in through clenched teeth as he looks aside and continues to turn fifty shades of red. ]

[ w- why. why does zhongli… him? what! ]

[ he’s just going to shakily reach for his mask and move it in front of his face, because he’s feeling overwhelmed and his eyes may have grown a bit misty. is this real? it doesn’t feel real. ]

G- Gēn nǐ zài yīqǐ de shíhou hǎo kāixīn… [ squeezes zhongli, tugging him a little bit closer, so he can pretend they have a bit more privacy. ]

[leaveofabsence]

[ Childe, you brought this upon yourself. And he pulls Childe close. Luckily, Zhongli being in his lap means he can place his chin on top of Childe's head and hide him away from the rest of the world.

Seems he took more damage from his own attack than anyone else. ]

You are completely reckless. You know that, don't you?

[childeishly]

[ he really did. he threw them into a tailspin, but as terrifying as it had been to start he’s finding he doesn’t mind as much as he thought he might. it’s not the first time he’s considered the root of all of these feelings… but it sure is the first time he’s decided to acknowledge them to *this* degree - putting them to words and saying them aloud. ]

H- hahaha, but you already knew that. [ since zhongli is helping him to hide he moves the mask aside, quirking his head to the side to look at him through a mess of orange bangs. ] I think it’s one of my charm points, yeah?

[leaveofabsence]

[ In all honesty, Zhongli never thought too hard about what Childe meant to him outside of the fact he was an important part of his life, and that Zhongli wanted Childe a part of his for as long as time and duty allowed.

But so bluntly asked if he did love him? Well, the answer is obvious.

Of course he loves Childe. As he loves Guizhong. And as he loves Azhdaha. And to some extend, as he loves Liyue.

Was Childe worried about that? ]

Yes, I do believe I would call it one of your charm points. Though it is a little unfortunate that I am limited to responding with only words instead of actions based on our present situation.

I must ask that you repeat that again behind closed doors.

[childeishly]

...later, m- maybe. [ if he can pull himself back together. ] I hope you know I'm not letting you go back to Heart. I'm taking you back to Wild City with me.

[leaveofabsence]

You mentioned something similar when you had fallen ill as well. How you wanted some of my time.

[ And he tucks a lock of hair behind Childe's ear. ]

Have I somehow mistakenly given you the impression that my time is not yours That I generously and genuinely offer it to you.

[childeishly]

If you'll allow me to be greedy I'd like *all* of your time. [ h- hey! cut that out. ] No, it's not that, ...

[leaveofabsence]

Hmmmm... No? Then what is it?

[childeishly]

...it's still a bit hard to believe that people want to spend time with me. [ he turns to face the spread of food. ] And that things could ever get to this point. It feels so surreal, especially since I hadn't had a chance to experience anything like this. It's nice, but a part of me has to wonder if it won't last. Not through any fault of your own, Xiansheng, let me be clear! [ it's him, he's the problem! ]

[leaveofabsence]

I cannot predict what the future holds or even say how long we will have each other's company here since the production seems to add and take people at a whim. But what I can tell you is that you will always be important to me. And I will keep you in my memories and in my heart always.

But while we are both here, if you wish me to provide in either word or action how much I enjoy spending time with you, I can do so.

You are no longer a foreign diplomat in a place that distrusts members of your organization. There is no political agenda. No intrigue. Everyone that is here right now is choosing to be here with you because they want to be.

[childeishly]

...mm. [ a slow nod as he looks from dish to dish to dish; trying to keep his focus on anything but the conversation at hand, since he's not sure he'd like to think all that much about it. it's not just his association with that fatui that made things difficult for him back in teyvat, though that certainly had a lot to do with it. ]

[ moving on: ] We should probably figure out what we're going to write to send up with the lantern...

[leaveofabsence]

Caeli...

[ He traces his fingertips down Childe's jaw, trying to get him to look at him if only for a moment. ]

Have I said something to upset you?

[childeishly]

[ he lets him, flashing him a small smile when their eyes finally meet. ] No, but we should probably avoid talking about stuff like that... talk about a mood killer. Now, c'mon, help me think of something to write. We should let it go before the others drift too far off.

[leaveofabsence]

[ He smiles gently at Childe in return. ]

I must admit I feel a little selfish. Seeing as I've already had one wish granted today.

[childeishly]

Heh, that makes two of us, Xiansheng, so there’s no need to feel selfish. [ brushes his bangs aside to drop a kiss on his forehead. ] Let me hear what you want.

[leaveofabsence]

One does not speak aloud of what they write on the lanterns. That is for the eyes and ears of the adepti who encounter the wish.

But.

[ He taps Childe on the nose. ]

I do have one.

Do you?

[childeishly]

Going to let me read it then? Or will it simply stay a secret forever?

Mm, I don’t know~, I’m sure I can think of something.

[leaveofabsence]

I suppose I could let you read it. Though once you have, you will know it's no secret.

[childeishly]

Oh? consider me even more curious. [ he moves the lantern sitting beside them aside and takes a piece of paper and pen, offering it to zhongli. he circles his arms around him lazily, head quirked, as he fingers the ends of his ponytail. ] Let’s see what you’ve got.

[leaveofabsence]

[ And so he writes in Liyuen:

That the country of Liyue and all its people - those in the harbor, those that dwell in the villages, its protectors, and its visitors - come to know the peace and happiness I have experienced today.

]

[childeishly]

[ reading upside down is difficult, but he manages. his wish isn’t surprising in the least, but he supposes liyue is his baby, in a sense. ]

…the happiness that you experienced today, huh? [ chuckles, his hand sliding up zhongli’s back and brushing at the tufts of hair on the back of his neck. ]

[leaveofabsence]

[ He leans into the touch, holding the paper for Childe to take and add his own wish. ]

Yes.

You make me happy, Caeli.

[childeishly]

...ah, I'm... I'm real glad, Xiansheng. [ takes the paper. ] Let me just think of something...

[leaveofabsence]

[ Oh.

He's really putting Childe through the emotional wringer here.

Zhongli shifts so that he can sit beside Childe instead of on his lap and rests his head calmly on his shoulder, one hand on Childe's knee. ]

Of course.

Take all the time you need.