time5kip | INBOX 2

[ well that forces him to actually try to process what he just said. He's quiet but he does bring his hand to his head to pet him and scratch behind his ear, mostly because he's thinking.

It took childe a lot to admit he had feelings for Zhongli, at least out loud, so he doesn't think he's just saying now or that this is easy for him. If anything pretending nothing was going on might have been his initial choice, like it was for him.

Though the confession certainly puts what he said during his accidental one in perspective ]

... What do we do now?

[ pretending it had been nothing was how he was coping with the number of things he felt for five. if he didn’t acknowledge it, then it didn’t exist… but then five had to confess to him and that made things difficult. emet didn’t help either, but keeping something like this from five did seem a little cruel… they were adults and they could figure this out. ]

I don’t know.

[ nailed it. ]

Well I'm still shocked you actually do like me that much but I'm trying to respect your feelings instead of dismissing them.

... Do you think things can just stay the way they are now? Or do you want something to change?

…don’t be a fool, sensei. I think it’s been pretty obvious, but we both didn’t know how to proceed. It wasn’t fair for me to keep it from you, especially after you made a point to tell me how you felt.

I don’t want anything to change. You have Emet and I have Zhongli… but I don’t know if things will be able to stay as they are. It’s not like we can control our feelings.

I don't know, maybe with a certain amount of denial ...

[ he sighs ]

Alexander is going to be so smug about this.

...

I don't want things to change. But I don't want to stop this either, whatever it is, however temporary.

He’s the one that told me to tell you several times… I would probably kept trying to deny it otherwise.

Same. I like what we have, sensei. [ changes back and boxes five in with his hands on either side of his head. ] Just as much as I like you. [ gives him a quick kiss. ]

[ he shouldn't be surprised that emet encouraged him and yet he is, but he doesn't even have the time to react to it because then Childe is giving him a soft kiss.

He's quiet, but he does wrap his arms around him ]

Well. It does feel nice to know, after I confessed especially.

…it didn’t feel right to keep it from you, and he let me know that. I guess I had been worried about making things even more complicated. [ moves off him and takes a seat beside him. ]

But, ah, after this maybe we can get a drink instead of going to the aquarium. [ he needs to calm his nerves, since he’s feeling all sorts of frazzled from the confession. ]

Well considering I'd planned on not telling you anything it isn't as if I would have gotten offended.

But a drink does sound good.

…no, maybe not, but Emet said that people have kept you in the dark before, and I don’t want to be one of those people. It’s not like I don’t trust you, and this is something that’s probably best put out in the open.

My father mostly. A bad habit I managed to pick up despite the limited amount of time we spent together. Who would have thought. Childhood years really are formative.

[ is he stalling with irrelevant information? Maybe. ]

But he is right. Not knowing would probably hurt in the long run. Though knowing, well. Makes things awkward. A little embarrassing considering I am far older than you.

[ sets a hand in between both of five’s legs and leans in, bringing them nose to nose. ] Don’t be embarrassed, sensei, I have a type, and I like older men.

[ oh. That's cute. ]

Well I was more talking about my awkwardness to this, but I'm glad to hear you admit it out loud.

Though Zhongli doesn't seem that much older than you.

No need to be awkward around me. I’m not going to judge you… tease, absolutely, but I won’t judge you.

Heh, yeah, he looks good for his age. [ over 5000. ]

[ Really looks good for his age! ]

That's not much better. ... Alexander said he'd help. I told him about what you said, about dying—

I realize I should have kept it to myself but the fact I made you a promise like that was the biggest indication that I do have ... feelings. For you.

Sure it is. [ chuckles. ] …ah, I’m surprised he didn’t mention that when we spoke, but… [ /// ] that’s very sweet of the both of you. I’m not sure what you’ll be able to do, but the thought alone means a lot.

[ gently bonks their foreheads together. ] I don’t know when I developed feelings for you, probably because I kept telling myself, no, it’s fine, it’s nothing, …

[ finally gets up, offering five a hand. ]

[ He'd like to keep his cool but if he's entirely honest the more he thinks about it the more terrifying it gets. What if it gets worse. But at this point he's already going to get heartbroken when they inevitably part ways in any case so it's not like it's going to change.

He'll take his hand, though ]

Sounds like we're both emotionally well adjusted.

[ squeezes it! doing his best to be reassuring. ]

H- Hah... I think we're going better than most given our lack of experience.

... Fair enough.

Come on. You promised me a drink.

I have a bar back in the dorm now. I want to show it to you. [ starts heading back inside. ]

[ he's not going to let his hand go so good luck enjoying the walk back with handholding ]

Didn't think that'd be in your style.

[ he doesn't seem to mind, and in fact tugs five closer and loops his tail around his waist. ]

What? A bar? [ steps into the elevator and hits the wild city button. ]

Yeah. I mean, I know you like to drink, obviously. That's how this whole thing started to begin with. But getting a bar in your dorms didn't seem like something you'd care about.

I think you’ll see why as soon as you see it. It’s not your typical bar. [ brings five into his room and grins as he approaches the door. ] It also came with a delightful pet. [ pushes the door open and motions for him to step inside. ]

Well that explains it a little better.

[ he's going to take his time to admire the place, maybe a little awestruck ]

It does suit you.

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