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[childeishly]

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[leaveofabsence]

Yes. I can start the bath.

[ Combining how expansive and luxurious the bath is alongside how particular fussy and particular Zhongli himself is, don't mind him as he seems to be adding an array of salts and oils and checking the temperature multiple time until it is perfection.

As he's laying out various bottles and soaps to use, he glances over to take a peek at what Childe is doing. ]

[childeishly]

[ he’s looking through an assortment of candles and picking out the scents that go together nicely. once’s he’s finished that he’s setting them around the bathroom to ensure the entire room will smell heavenly. he catches zhongli looking in his direction and so he smiles, ] I hope you enjoy the scents I’ve chosen, Xiansheng. [ all relaxing scents like lavender and camomile. perhaps a pop of freshness with something earthy/woody. ]

[leaveofabsence]

[ Zhongli presses a kiss to Childe's hair, nosing at it slightly as he reaches around from behind to start undoing whatever unnecessary belts, buckles and accessories that he is wearing today.

Beautiful to look at but always getting in the way.

(As if he was one to talk). ]

Mmmm, I do.

But this is the one I enjoy the most.

[childeishly]

[ aaaand #dead. he flushes, and thankfully it might be a *bit* hard for zhongli to see that at the moment, but childe swiftly turns to cup his cheek and kiss him deeply. ] Such a smooth talker, Xiansheng. [ he'll help him shed all of the unnecessary clothing, because there's a lot of it. ]

[leaveofabsence]

I learned from the best.

And you seem to be weak to your own brand of flirting.

[ The clothes (Zhongli's included) are neatly folded and left on the counter before Zhongli reaches for an elaborate hairpin (probably also purchased by Childe) to put up his hair. ]

Shall we?

[childeishly]

I am not! [ he so is. ]

[ as soon as zhongli puts in the hairpin childe smiles, reaching for his arm and tugging him flush against him. ] Mm. But first... [ a couple more kisses because he can't help himself. he finds it a bit hard to completely pull away... so he doesn't-! instead leading zhongli to the bath so they can climb in together. ]

Do you want to sit opposite each other or would you like to sit up against me, Xiansheng?

[leaveofabsence]

I want to be closer to you. If you will indulge me.

[ It seems Zhongli also has no interest in being separated from Childe at the moment. He climbs into the tub once Childe has settled himself in the tub and presses as close as he can to him ]

[childeishly]

… [ that sobers him a little, so as soon as he’s settled into the tub he moves his arms around zhongli and holds him as close as space allows. tangles their legs together and dots a couple of kisses along his shoulder. ] How could I deny you, Xiansheng. Shut your eyes and try to relax. I’m not going anywhere.

[leaveofabsence]

[ He relaxes back against Childe with a content sigh, fingers running over the now scar-less obsidian like skin of his arm. ]

You really are too good to me.

[ And he tilts his head to press a kiss against Childe's cheek before doing as asked and closing his eyes. ]

[childeishly]

I think I’m just as good as I need to be. [ returns the kiss and sets his chin on zhongli’s shoulder, closing his own eyes as he listens to his breathing. ] I love you, Xiansheng. Never forget that.

[leaveofabsence]

How could I possibly forget? You remind me in word and deed almost everyday.

[ He threads their fingers togethers and settles them over his stomach, idly tracing the mark there that he doesn't need to be able to see to find. ]

I am unbearably fond of you, too, Ajax.

[ A quiet laugh that might be more of a yawn as he settles deeper into the embrace. ]

But today has been quite exhausting.

[childeishly]

[ childe activates the mark so it blows brightly beneath their fingers. ] Tell me you love me, Xiansheng. [ going to press a bit more firmly to try to make zhongli squirm. ]

Rest then, and I'll make sure you get to bed. [ trails a few kisses up and down his neck. ]

[leaveofabsence]

[ Well. Squirm he does - both at the touch to activation of the mark as well as Childe's firm touch against it. Though he doesn't have much room to maneuver as tangled as the two of them are in the tub. ]

Ch-Childe!

This is not the ---

[ He huffs out a laugh through his shifting as Childe's fingers brush a sensitive spot. ]

Proper way. To negotiate.

[childeishly]

...no? It kind of seems like it might not be all that bad. [ he continues ghosting his fingers over the mark. ] Are you ticklish, Xiansheng? Who knew a rock could squirm so much. [ he kisses his cheek, or tries to, probably missing the mark a few times. ] Go on, Xiansheng, I'm waiting. Say it~

[leaveofabsence]

[ CHILDE!

He writhes some more in his grip, fumbling to catch Childe's wrists and keep his wandering fingers away from the mark. Mind the flailing elbows. ]

S-stop. And I will.

[childeishly]

[ if zhongli wasn’t so tired he’d probably try to kiss and lick the mark, but that’ll just have to be saved for another day. he fights back just a little bit, trying to evade capture, but there’s not much room and zhongli eventually grabs his wrists. childe chuckles, kissing his cheek. ] You got me, Xiansheng. What are you going to do now?

[leaveofabsence]

[ He spins under the captured arm, twisting to settle himself very comfortably on Childe's lap before leaning up close to him. ]

Tell you I love you, you silly boy.

Your methods are brash, unorthodox and completely undignified. Yet I feel more at ease here with you than anyone else.

[ He leans in more to place a firm kiss against Childe's lips. ]

But do know that I believe in fair and equivalent exchange. So be careful in your choice of methods for one day they will be turned against you.

[childeishly]

…maybe I just enjoy hearing it. [ he makes no comment about his chosen methods, instead indulging in the kiss as he wraps his arms around zhongli to hold him in place against himself. ] Be careful, he says, like I’m not interested in the challenge. [ brushes his lips over zhongli’s cheek. ] I dare you to turn them on me sometime. Let’s see if you’re anymore effective with them.

[leaveofabsence]

[ Zhongli response by barnacle-ing himself to Childe, wrapping his arms around him just as tight and settling his chin in the crook of his shoulder so he can press kisses against his jaw and the shell of his ear. ]

Hearing it is one thing, Ajax. And a desire I am all too willing to indulge.

But.

Let me also show you how deeply I care for you.

[childeishly]

[ childe shudders… half because of the affection zhongli is giving him and half because of the use of his name. it never gets old. he blushes, the color trailing down his neck and up to his ears; his own hand coming to gently brush at zhongli’s cheek. ] Go ahead then, Zhongli, I’m all yours.

[leaveofabsence]

All mine?

I do believe I like the sound of that.

[ He presses a kiss against Childe's lips, firm but languid as he maps out the inside of his mouth with long sweeps of his tongue.

And then his own hands start to wander, pads of his fingertips pressing against the skin of his hips, his waist, his lower back. Searching for pockets of tense muscles that he can work over with the help of the warming water. ]

[childeishly]

[ childe smiles as soon as their lips meet, eyes becoming lidded as zhongli explores the intricacies of his mouth. a soft and subtle moan spills out, his grip on zhongli tightening as he tries to drag him impossibly closer. ]

[ he is (un)surprisingly tense all over. ] ...that feels real good, Xiansheng. [ he can't remember the last time he got a massage, but that's probably because this is one of the first. ] Mmm~, you're going to make me melt if you keep this up.

[leaveofabsence]

And if that is my intention?

[ He drinks in that sound like a fine whine, chasing it with another kiss. ]

You're beautiful.

[ He sighs warmly as he fingers press into the dip below Childe's shoulder blades. ]

All the time, of course. But even more when you are so open with me.

[childeishly]

[ his laughter is muffled in the next kiss, and even after that one concludes childe is going in for another and another and another. ] …the same could be said for you. I’m glad you trust me enough to drop your guard shield, Xiansheng. [ and one more kiss. ]

[leaveofabsence]

[ He accepts each kiss with grace and poise and his own brand of enthusiasm as Childe peppers his face in them.

But also---

Zhongli is not to be deterred from his original goal which is to map the heated contours of Childe's skin and muscle and start painstakingly work over every knot until he is left with a pile of relaxed Harbinger putty in his hands. ]

You have given me no reason to do otherwise.