[ He forces out a tired chuckle. ] I know. I won't do anything. [ for whatever reason he has to desire to get to Aether intimately in such a way. It's strange considering how he acts towards everyone else, but... it's a good thing for now because it helps him commit to his words. ]
Ha, I feel better already! Really. I just get tired so easily no matter how much manna I get. I'm guessing it has to do with the recovery process here.
[ Aether is so warm and real and solid. Right now, he wants to keep him in his arms forever. ] Are you sure you're okay like this with me? I can let go if it's uncomfortable for you. [ he knows Aether isn't very great at affectionate contact and Childe himself is overly indulgent, so he attempts to make sure one more time. ]
Of course you won't... [Aether wouldn't let him! Or so he thinks. The dream where Childe kissed him still lingers in his mind, so he has to remind himself that reality and dreams are two different things. Childe is not the same as the one in his (absolutely outrageous) fantasises.
...Though now that the harbinger is holding him so close, being so warm and caring about his comfort, Aether wonders if the gentle and kind Childe is actually real.]
You were hurt quite badly. [He says with a soft sigh.] I'm not surprised it's taking its toll on you... but hopefully you'll be better soon.
[He closes his eyes, trying to relax more against the other.]
We... both need to recover some more. But I'm fine like this. I'm fine as long as I'm not hurting you more.
[A soft sigh. ] Oh, Aibou, you're the only thing that could never hurt me. [ that would probably be worth elaborating on, but he doesn't. It's rather unsettling in its explanation, most likely, anyway. ]
That... isn't much of answer. Is this not helping you? What do you need? Tell me, and I'll give it without hesitation.
[When Childe says that, Aether opens his eyes and blinks slowly. He doesn't know what exactly Childe means by that, but he knows he's absolutely capable of hurting him.]
You sound so sure... [Is all he whispers, but doesn't ask for clarification. Instead, he tries to catch Childe's hand in his own and sighs a bit.]
I... don't need anything. I want to take care of you and make sure you recover properly.
[He'll squeeze Childe's hand if he's allowed.]
You sure like giving... but would you really give anything without hesitation?
[He's not asking because he has something specific in mind. He's just curious... That's all, really. He promises.
Either way, it doesn't matter, because Aether doesn't want to get anything. He wants to give everything instead. Since Childe is hurt and tired, he deserves to be spoiled at least a little.]
I am. [ He lets Aether squeeze his hand, gently squeezing it in return for reassurance. Childe hums softly at that question. ] I could answer that, but the only real way to find out would have you need to ask for it, now wouldn't you?
Besides... I wonder if you should be asking that question to yourself, instead? Hmm...?
You're far more giving than I am. I only like giving to you and xiansheng, anyway.
[ Childe shifts from squeezing Aether's hand into manipulating the teenager's fingers to be able to lace their fingers together. He still hasn't moved his head from resting on Aether's own as he rests his cheek against him now, idly watching from the edge of his vision their hands together as he does so. He likes the feeling. ]
You're taking plenty care of me, but if you aren't sure to take care of yourself, as well, how will be able to keep doing so?
[He lets Childe lace their fingers together, looking at their joined hands with an odd feeling welling up in his chest. He tries to not think much about it, but he can't hide some fondness from his gaze or tone.
He laughs softly.]
So I'm special? [Well, he and Zhongli are, apparently.] I'm taking good care of myself, promise.
[He tries to look confident. His thumb gently runs against Childe's skin as if in reassurance.]
And I... really don't need much anyway. You could say that being able to help someone is something that gives me a lot of satisfaction.
[Obviously, as long as he doesn't feel used. Possible rewards are nice too, but he's not as greedy as Paimon!]
You are extremely special. And all right, I trust you. [ Few are as greedy as Paimon.
He's well aware of Aether's selfless nature. ] It's easy to help in this place if you're willing without much self-sacrifice. Which I'm glad for because I don't want you helping others at your own expense every which way possible. The only thing I can think of that is beneficial to you right now is giving you manna and that's already happening. So until you decide you want to synchronize at a different level, I'm happy to provide this for you, too. I like your company, so it's extra helpful to me, heh.
Are you sure you don't have other plans, though? I'm happy to keep you too myself for the rest of the day, but...
In any case, you deserve to be rewarded sometimes, too.
[He blushes when Childe calls him "extremely special". He blushes more when he talks about "synchronizing at different level". It reminds Aether of Venti, but not the one that attacked him - about Venti when Aether visited him earlier today. The boy got a kiss to the cheek and a silly smooch on the lips from the archon, but he wonders if one day it'll become normal to him. He's more than sure that Childe would kiss him without a moment of hesitation, but how would that go?
Would it be anything like in the dream?]
A-actually I... [His voice dies in his throat and Aether closes his eyes for a moment. The blush that grows on his cheeks is almost damning.]
You can reward me once your injuries heal. [He managed to say firmly.] And I already said I'd stay here with you until Mister Zhongli is back.
[He's not planning to go back on his word.
But it's... it's nice that Childe cares so much about him. Everybody keep saving him in one way or another, so sometimes it feels like he's not giving back enough.]
[ lucky for Aether, Childe can't see that blush from his position. He does perk a little at the mention of rewarding him once he's healed, though. ]
You promise, aibou~? [ he's not a fox currently, but if he had those tails they would be wagging like a puppy's. Funny since he isn't the one getting the reward, but hey! He's super curious now. ]
Ah ha, I'm glad to hear this! Will you stay for dinner with us, too, then?
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Ha, I feel better already! Really. I just get tired so easily no matter how much manna I get. I'm guessing it has to do with the recovery process here.
[ Aether is so warm and real and solid. Right now, he wants to keep him in his arms forever. ] Are you sure you're okay like this with me? I can let go if it's uncomfortable for you. [ he knows Aether isn't very great at affectionate contact and Childe himself is overly indulgent, so he attempts to make sure one more time. ]
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...Though now that the harbinger is holding him so close, being so warm and caring about his comfort, Aether wonders if the gentle and kind Childe is actually real.]
You were hurt quite badly. [He says with a soft sigh.] I'm not surprised it's taking its toll on you... but hopefully you'll be better soon.
[He closes his eyes, trying to relax more against the other.]
We... both need to recover some more. But I'm fine like this. I'm fine as long as I'm not hurting you more.
[In the end it's all about the other.]
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That... isn't much of answer. Is this not helping you? What do you need? Tell me, and I'll give it without hesitation.
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You sound so sure... [Is all he whispers, but doesn't ask for clarification. Instead, he tries to catch Childe's hand in his own and sighs a bit.]
I... don't need anything. I want to take care of you and make sure you recover properly.
[He'll squeeze Childe's hand if he's allowed.]
You sure like giving... but would you really give anything without hesitation?
[He's not asking because he has something specific in mind. He's just curious... That's all, really. He promises.
Either way, it doesn't matter, because Aether doesn't want to get anything. He wants to give everything instead. Since Childe is hurt and tired, he deserves to be spoiled at least a little.]
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Besides... I wonder if you should be asking that question to yourself, instead? Hmm...?
You're far more giving than I am. I only like giving to you and xiansheng, anyway.
[ Childe shifts from squeezing Aether's hand into manipulating the teenager's fingers to be able to lace their fingers together. He still hasn't moved his head from resting on Aether's own as he rests his cheek against him now, idly watching from the edge of his vision their hands together as he does so. He likes the feeling. ]
You're taking plenty care of me, but if you aren't sure to take care of yourself, as well, how will be able to keep doing so?
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He laughs softly.]
So I'm special? [Well, he and Zhongli are, apparently.] I'm taking good care of myself, promise.
[He tries to look confident. His thumb gently runs against Childe's skin as if in reassurance.]
And I... really don't need much anyway. You could say that being able to help someone is something that gives me a lot of satisfaction.
[Obviously, as long as he doesn't feel used. Possible rewards are nice too, but he's not as greedy as Paimon!]
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He's well aware of Aether's selfless nature. ] It's easy to help in this place if you're willing without much self-sacrifice. Which I'm glad for because I don't want you helping others at your own expense every which way possible. The only thing I can think of that is beneficial to you right now is giving you manna and that's already happening. So until you decide you want to synchronize at a different level, I'm happy to provide this for you, too. I like your company, so it's extra helpful to me, heh.
Are you sure you don't have other plans, though? I'm happy to keep you too myself for the rest of the day, but...
In any case, you deserve to be rewarded sometimes, too.
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Would it be anything like in the dream?]
A-actually I... [His voice dies in his throat and Aether closes his eyes for a moment. The blush that grows on his cheeks is almost damning.]
You can reward me once your injuries heal. [He managed to say firmly.] And I already said I'd stay here with you until Mister Zhongli is back.
[He's not planning to go back on his word.
But it's... it's nice that Childe cares so much about him. Everybody keep saving him in one way or another, so sometimes it feels like he's not giving back enough.]
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You promise, aibou~? [ he's not a fox currently, but if he had those tails they would be wagging like a puppy's. Funny since he isn't the one getting the reward, but hey! He's super curious now. ]
Ah ha, I'm glad to hear this! Will you stay for dinner with us, too, then?
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I promise. [Still... he's not quite sure what he'd ask for his reward. He sighs a bit, pressing his head a bit more against Childe's chest.]
And I guess I can't say no if you're inviting me to dinner... but are you sure I won't be intruding or anything?
[He's just making sure!]
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Hm... In that case, I'll be helping you with cooking. You shouldn't be moving too much with those wounds.
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It's fine, we'll just order in and you can get the door. Sound good? [ he doesn't want to hear it from Zhongli if he tries making dinner, anyway. ]
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[All to keep Childe in one place, so he could recover properly!]