childeishly | 🐍 serpent horizon inbox.

Mochi: I want to see you

Caeli; Did you miss me?

Mochi: I was worried

[ oh. ]

Caeli; I’m okay. A lot more resilient than I look.

Mochi: Just give me a location pin, I'll come get you.

[ drops a pin. ]

[ mochi can find him sitting beside a now dead plant covered in goo and blood, though the blood is from his endeavors back home. he has six tails now, and he’s still got those cute furry ears. ]

[ he's going to nyoom there so fast. but once he sees him he's. a little surprised ]

—How'd you get like that in a plant?

[ he looks up at Mochi and then down at himself, giving a tired laugh. ] I went back to hell and everything’s over now, they shut it down. [ he shakes a hand out, trying to get some of the goo off. ] And I even went back home.

[ childe certainly pings a little bit differently now. his energy is more stable, and he’s no longer human. ]

[ is that a good or a bad thing ... he's not sure yet. But he will offer him a hand so he can fly him away ]

Are you okay?

[ it's all a matter of perspective. ]

[ childe shakes his head. ] I don't want to move. Not right now. I need a few minutes. [ or hours. ] ...just to catch my breath. [ maybe a little more. ] But you didn't answer my question, [ he finally takes his hand, but only to tug him down beside him. ] did you get hurt in the game? I can tell something happened. My taboos are going wild.

[ he lets him tug him down, and then even leans in to rest his head against his shoulder, not caring about the blood and goo ]

Last game involved taking body parts from other people. I let a few take mine.

[ he's not surprised snail lost, but as far as mochi... he tells himself not to get upset, because mochi can do whatever he likes, but knowing he let himself be harvested weighs heavy in his chest. ] But you're okay now?

I have some minor injuries. Nothing that won't get better soon enough.

[ a pause, then he adds ]

I won't be too destructive about it. But it will happen again. Pain is something I enjoy.

I know. It never ends. [ murmured under his breath. he makes no comment about how much he likes pain. he doesn't want to think about what all went on during that disaster, but it had to have been recent. he takes out his phone to see how many days have passed, ...four. he snorts, setting it down and shutting his eyes. ] I guess it hadn't been that bad then. [ he buries his thoughts and feelings as he tries to get up, but he wobbles, eventually slumping into a tree. ]

I didn't offer my body parts for pleasure. But I am telling you because you were upset about Haruki.

[ he doesn't believe that mochi didn't get off at least once during this entire ordeal. ] He didn't do it for a game. He did it because he wants to leave a mark on you and make you his, but... it's none of my business. [ he raises a hand, because he can't raise both. ] It's done me no good to get upset. [ and it makes even less since now that they've broken up. ] I'm just glad you're feeling better. [ and he'll leave it at that. ]

[ he did in fact absolutely get off during the entire ordeal. But he's quiet for a moment at his words ]

...

Do you still want me?

[ HE KNOWS YOU MOCHI. ]

I feel like I should be the one asking you that...

I'm pretty sure you dumped me.

I know.

It just felt like too much at the time.

And now?

It still feels like too much.

But I was really scared I lost you.

...feelings are always going to feel like too much, but I don't want you to do something that you don't want to do. [ and mochi seems to like being free, so tethering him into a relationship feels... weird, even if it's something he wants. ] I don't think Tsukiakari wouldn't mind as much as I thought. I bet you could even get along. [ he smiles for half a second. ] He's traveling now... [ and childe is still not sure he could convince him to stay in teyvat, but maybe he doesn't have to. not anymore. time isn't as important of a factor now. ] But it's you decision. I like you, Mochi, and I do want something more, but... if you don't feel the same, then that's... that's fine.

I can't be yours alone. And I can't handle having to balance those sort of expectations. Haruki is important to me too. And there are others I sleep with, that I will keep sleeping with.

But I do want to be yours.

I know. I'm not expecting that. [ since he has other people too. ] ... [ no comment on haruki. he can take a long walk off a short bridge for all childe cares. ] I guess I should ask if you're going to keep on expanding your, ah, [ man, this is awkward. ] sleeping circle.

I don't know.

[ a pause ]

... There is someone I made arrangements with after the last game. Jamil, on Salamander.

But if someone is interesting and I think it could be fine, I'm generally for it.

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