[kaeya tries to do one (1) nice thing for a pal and it backfires in the most spectacular fashion. or: sorry, childe, but here is a lovely picture at some late, late hour, because you see:]
Shouldn't you take some time off to enjoy yourself? If you don't, I'm afraid I'll have to drink this alone.
[ ...OHH HE WANTS IT, THOUGH? WHAT A PRETTY LOOKING ONE.
he's not out drinking himself, and actually half-asleep at this point when he is suddenly woken up by the text ringtone.
after reading it a few times, he also knows this must be a mistake and is more or less out to simply tease the sender by responding to our at all, but at the same time... who knows? maybe the stranger is willing to drink with strangers. childe will never say no to new drinking partners. ]
oh ho what kind of poor individual would say no to this? They clearly need an intervention. I'll also happily take their place, though, if they insist.
[oh? oh. that sure is an unfamiliar un—and kaeya is confident he isn't so far gone as to make such a mistake, but that just makes this all the more interesting. he does need to make some new connections in this place...]
Some people find it difficult to have fun. A shame, don't you think? But that doesn't seem to be the case for you.
[blows a kiss to the sky for miss jean, who's probably passed out on some paperwork rn...]
[The recent events were hardly pleasant and Aether, as one of the victims, can definitely say a thing or two about it. The suffering was on all sides though - the people who were cursed and attacked others hurt just as much. Aether spent a long time comforting Venti, telling him that it wasn't him, making sure that the archon knows he is forgiven. Aether himself still feels the effects of that night, the fear of being completely overpowered and unable to do anything, the feeling of unwanted touch and kisses. But he's trying to put it behind; thankfully he was saved before anything more could happen, so even though the unpleasant memories linger in his mind, he's determined to move on.
The affections he shared with Venti are a proof that he's on a good path to recovery. Or at least that's what he thinks.
But the rough events make Aether worry also about his companions. This is why the traveler decides to check on each one of them, trying to see who needs help, be it helping with injuries or just some emotional support.
After checking on Venti, the next person on his list is Childe. Aether remembers that the Harbinger, along with Diluc saved him when Venti attacked, but he doesn't know what exactly happened later. This is a good moment to find out... and maybe say a thank you? Aether will think about that last one. Perhaps Childe just really wanted to fight all the monsters he had seen that night.
Truth to be told, Aether was too weak to register exactly how his rescue went. Before he knew it, he was in Diluc's arms and Childe or Venti were nowhere to be found.
"I hope he was fine..." Aether thinks to himself, then discards the worry with "It's Childe. He's always fine."
How silly of him to think anything else. But then again... even a god fell to the curse.
With a shaky sigh, Aether knocks on Childe's door.]
[ It takes a while for someone to answer. Zhongli isn't home, and while Childe hears the door, he isn't feeling like getting up to make his way to the door even if just to tell them the other isn't here right now.
However, he decides to drag himself up from the couch finally and make his way over despite the soreness and the ease that the wounds tend to reopen enough to bleed into the fabric of the bandages and discolor them. He does throw a button down shirt on but doesn't bother to button it, not wanting the fabric to rub against the bandages and agitate the injuries anymore than they are just by him moving about. He's decent enough to open the door and politely tell someone to go away which means it's good enough.
As he opens the door he's already begun to speak before he looks. "Sorry, Zhongli isn't here—"
The Harbinger's voice dies out when his eyes land on Aether. Ah, this is. . . a long way for the Traveler to be out. ] Aibou, shouldn't you be in bed resting still? [ Even so, Childe opens the door fully, welcoming him in. Aether is one of the few people to see him in a weak state before, so what's one more?
He's just glad that Aether wasn't around to see the worst of it. ]
[Aether waits, thinking that maybe no one's home and he should message Childe instead. He's about to do that when the door finally opens, revealing the Harbinger...
...One very much injured Harbinger, that is. Aether's eyes widen as he looks the other up and down, taking in all the bandages and the red stains on them.]
What do you mean I should be resting? You should go back to bed!
[He closes the door behind himself, then hovers his hands in front of Childe, as if he's about to shoo him towards the bed.]
What even happened... No, you'll tell me later. You're going to bed right now and then I'm making you tea.
[And maybe if Childe needs to change the bandages, Aether will help with that too. Never mind that this is not his house so he has no idea where everything is.]
[ Childe blinks once the other is through the door and while this is very sweet of Aether, he's pretty sure guests don't coddle the host. Still, it's hard to say anything and take himself seriously since he's well aware of the condition he's in. Not to mention, help have to hear from Zhongli, too. Who told him not him not to move. (He can't help it, though, he gets too restless. If he's capable of moving he's gonna move. )
Childe's about to protest, but it doesn't come out as he intends it to, lifting his hands slightly as if to attempt and appease the Traveler. ]
Oh, come o—C-Can't... I at least stay on the couch...?
[ PLEASE? He's been in bed for the last few days as is.]
[It takes him a very long time to actually call Childe, but once he's on there's no turning back. He may as well state his business!]
Hi! So, uh... about my "reward"...
[For a moment he wonders if Childe even remembers that conversation, but then again Aether promised and he knows how important promises are for the Harbinger.
The boy is silent for a moment longer before quickly saying:]
Go on a date with me.
[Once those words are out of his mouth he wants to throw his device out the window and pretend he doesn't exist. This is the worst idea he's ever had!]
[Childe will find a small box on his doorsteps. It's wrapped in dark blue paper, with a small ribbon attached to it. Inside, there's a small collection of chocolates, most of them shaped like stars but one seems like it meant to resemble a narwhal. All the chocolates are handmade and obviously, making a shape as unusual as Childe's constellation is a bit of a challenge.
Along with the box, there is a note:]
Thank you for looking after me.
PS. Remember to not get into any trouble.
[There's no name signed anywhere on the box or the message.]
[ It's been a few days to around a week since that dreadful alternate reality. Zhongli is often plagued by the nightmares of it, having turned into something he's not and bearing witness to the fall of Noctium certainly did a number on him. His expression doesn't note such things but it's definitely there with his absent-minded staring that Childe might see every once in a while. He doesn't trouble Childe with those thoughts, but the other's presence is appreciated and needed even if he might not think so.
So there comes a knock on Childe's door one evening after they're both home for the night. ] Childe, are you in?
[ Childe does worry about Zhongli after that. He can't begin to understand what he went through, but considering the raw ugly feeling of despair that had seized him upon seeing Zhongli in that future... well, even Childe knew that there were things not to be discussed. The only thing he knows is Zhongli had it worse and had all those memories as if he suggested through every second of it.
So, he remains docile. He makes sure to curl up next to Zhongli on the couch in silence or on the bed when he catches the other staring off and finds it appropriate to do so. He goes silently about what he was originally doing when it isn't. He asks Zhongli if he's all right, if he needs to get something off his mind from time to time, but never pushes.
He gives the geo-archon space to have his quiet time—just not so much that Zhongli can start stewing in whatever loneliness he surely recalls both from his past and now a future that never came to pass.
When Zhongli knocks on the door one evening to see if he's in his room, Childe makes his way to open it, looking to Zhongli with a slightly exasperated but affectionate expression. ]
You can just ... come in, you know, and check. It's not really necessary with us in a relationship for you to feel you can't enter my space without permission anymore. [ Childe's looks a little bit embarrassed by the end of his words, them trailing off a tiny bit awkwardly, but he of course lets the other in. ]
Ah. Yes, of course. I apologize. I'm still unused to...such things like this.
[ He does frown ever so slightly before he gives Childe a warm smile almost immediately afterward. ]
I was wondering would you be opposed to visiting those hotsprings again but this time alone, just the two of us? They were quite relaxing and with everything that's happened I'd imagine it would be good for us both to go together.
[ True to his promise, Zhongli will get a private bath for the two of them in a hotspring in Primavera. After everything that's happened a respite from all the turmoil would do them both good and it's been some time since they've had a romantic sort of getaway not fueled by some...strange and otherworldly presence. ]
The room they've provided is quite spacious. I hope the private bath is to your liking? I thought it would be more suitable to have one for ourselves.
This is amazing! So much space and a private bath?? [ Childe steps into the room, immediately and going straight to the private to check it out. Ah, it's really a private hot springs outside. ]
An evening in the baths with sake sounds like an amazing way to relax, don't you think?
[ Zhongli is never one to skimp on things like this, so the room is lavishly decorated and the bath is state of the art. He'll smirk with amusement at Childe's excitement coming over to stand next to him as he regards the bath as well. ]
I believe that would be a perfect way to begin the evening. I was about to suggest much the same. Quite the tempting and inviting idea.
![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
(misfire) text; un: darknighthero
Shouldn't you take some time off to enjoy yourself?
If you don't, I'm afraid I'll have to drink this alone.
text; un: fowl legacy
he's not out drinking himself, and actually half-asleep at this point when he is suddenly woken up by the text ringtone.
after reading it a few times, he also knows this must be a mistake and is more or less out to simply tease the sender by responding to our at all, but at the same time... who knows? maybe the stranger is willing to drink with strangers. childe will never say no to new drinking partners. ]
oh ho what kind of poor individual would say no to this?
They clearly need an intervention.
I'll also happily take their place, though, if they insist.
no subject
Some people find it difficult to have fun. A shame, don't you think?
But that doesn't seem to be the case for you.
[blows a kiss to the sky for miss jean, who's probably passed out on some paperwork rn...]
Are you always so friendly? Or am I just lucky?
no subject
maybe a bit of both. nothing wrong with that, yeah?
[action] post event (and sometime after talking to Venti)
The affections he shared with Venti are a proof that he's on a good path to recovery. Or at least that's what he thinks.
But the rough events make Aether worry also about his companions. This is why the traveler decides to check on each one of them, trying to see who needs help, be it helping with injuries or just some emotional support.
After checking on Venti, the next person on his list is Childe. Aether remembers that the Harbinger, along with Diluc saved him when Venti attacked, but he doesn't know what exactly happened later. This is a good moment to find out... and maybe say a thank you? Aether will think about that last one. Perhaps Childe just really wanted to fight all the monsters he had seen that night.
Truth to be told, Aether was too weak to register exactly how his rescue went. Before he knew it, he was in Diluc's arms and Childe or Venti were nowhere to be found.
"I hope he was fine..." Aether thinks to himself, then discards the worry with "It's Childe. He's always fine."
How silly of him to think anything else. But then again... even a god fell to the curse.
With a shaky sigh, Aether knocks on Childe's door.]
no subject
However, he decides to drag himself up from the couch finally and make his way over despite the soreness and the ease that the wounds tend to reopen enough to bleed into the fabric of the bandages and discolor them. He does throw a button down shirt on but doesn't bother to button it, not wanting the fabric to rub against the bandages and agitate the injuries anymore than they are just by him moving about. He's decent enough to open the door and politely tell someone to go away which means it's good enough.
As he opens the door he's already begun to speak before he looks. "Sorry, Zhongli isn't here—"
The Harbinger's voice dies out when his eyes land on Aether. Ah, this is. . . a long way for the Traveler to be out. ] Aibou, shouldn't you be in bed resting still? [ Even so, Childe opens the door fully, welcoming him in. Aether is one of the few people to see him in a weak state before, so what's one more?
He's just glad that Aether wasn't around to see the worst of it. ]
Come on in. You want some tea?
no subject
...One very much injured Harbinger, that is. Aether's eyes widen as he looks the other up and down, taking in all the bandages and the red stains on them.]
What do you mean I should be resting? You should go back to bed!
[He closes the door behind himself, then hovers his hands in front of Childe, as if he's about to shoo him towards the bed.]
What even happened... No, you'll tell me later. You're going to bed right now and then I'm making you tea.
[And maybe if Childe needs to change the bandages, Aether will help with that too. Never mind that this is not his house so he has no idea where everything is.]
no subject
Childe's about to protest, but it doesn't come out as he intends it to, lifting his hands slightly as if to attempt and appease the Traveler. ]
Oh, come o—C-Can't... I at least stay on the couch...?
[ PLEASE? He's been in bed for the last few days as is.]
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
Text; UN: Glimmering.Lumine [October; some time before the fog]
text;
Re: text;
Re: text;
Re: text;
Re: text;
Re: text;
text ▶ action
Re: text ▶ action
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
[voice]
Hi! So, uh... about my "reward"...
[For a moment he wonders if Childe even remembers that conversation, but then again Aether promised and he knows how important promises are for the Harbinger.
The boy is silent for a moment longer before quickly saying:]
Go on a date with me.
[Once those words are out of his mouth he wants to throw his device out the window and pretend he doesn't exist. This is the worst idea he's ever had!]
[voice]
Gladly. Where does my aibou wish to go?
[voice]
We can just... go anywhere. Have a dinner together?
[He didn't really think about it too much, okay.]
On the... 17th. [He needs more time.] Is that okay?
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
no subject
Just a thought.
[ About how she nuked one harbinger already and is going to strangle that other one with her bare hands next chance she gets. ]
no subject
no subject
Extra dead.
I'm gonna rip him apart with my bare hands.
[ She also does not get along with his compatriots, is what she's saying. ]
Is there any of your companions you do get along with? You know, just in case all of the other harbingers are just as insufferable?
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
February 14th
Along with the box, there is a note:]
Thank you for looking after me.
PS.
Remember to not get into any trouble.
[There's no name signed anywhere on the box or the message.]
Sometime after the AU event?!
So there comes a knock on Childe's door one evening after they're both home for the night. ] Childe, are you in?
no subject
So, he remains docile. He makes sure to curl up next to Zhongli on the couch in silence or on the bed when he catches the other staring off and finds it appropriate to do so. He goes silently about what he was originally doing when it isn't. He asks Zhongli if he's all right, if he needs to get something off his mind from time to time, but never pushes.
He gives the geo-archon space to have his quiet time—just not so much that Zhongli can start stewing in whatever loneliness he surely recalls both from his past and now a future that never came to pass.
When Zhongli knocks on the door one evening to see if he's in his room, Childe makes his way to open it, looking to Zhongli with a slightly exasperated but affectionate expression. ]
You can just ... come in, you know, and check. It's not really necessary with us in a relationship for you to feel you can't enter my space without permission anymore. [ Childe's looks a little bit embarrassed by the end of his words, them trailing off a tiny bit awkwardly, but he of course lets the other in. ]
no subject
[ He does frown ever so slightly before he gives Childe a warm smile almost immediately afterward. ]
I was wondering would you be opposed to visiting those hotsprings again but this time alone, just the two of us? They were quite relaxing and with everything that's happened I'd imagine it would be good for us both to go together.
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
The hotsprings part two electric boogaloo
The room they've provided is quite spacious. I hope the private bath is to your liking? I thought it would be more suitable to have one for ourselves.
no subject
An evening in the baths with sake sounds like an amazing way to relax, don't you think?
no subject
I believe that would be a perfect way to begin the evening. I was about to suggest much the same. Quite the tempting and inviting idea.
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)
(no subject)