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[ as the both of them fall asleep childe starts manipulating the dream - sending them back home, to teyvat, and stepping into the windblume festival in mondstadt. there are all sorts of beautiful decorations hung around the city, which is currently bustling with life. ]

How’s this, [ he gives his hand a squeeze, never having let go since they fell asleep together. ] I’ve heard good things about Windblume, and it seemed fitting for a first date.

[ he doesn't know if it'd work properly otherwise, so he's also using his dream amulet to be aware during this, but he's not manipulating anything. He looks around and he seems surprised to see Mondstadt, of all places ]

Windblume, hmm ...

Yeah. I have never been, and have only heard things, but I do know it’s pretty special. [ he’s already trying to think of a flower to give scaramouche. ] And it’s been a while since I’ve come to Mondstadt. Not to mention I figured you probably wouldn’t want to spend the day in Snezhnaya. [ because fatui. ] But I would like to take you ice skating sometime. Although I guess there’s nothing stopping me from changing things around later.

Spending time with you is the most important thing besides.

... Snezhnaya is fine. It's not like I was kidnapped, I spent my time there willingly. Everything I did, everything that was done to me while I was a Harbinger — it's all things I agreed to and wanted.

But the weather isn't good for a date in there.

…mm, I know, but we can always get caught in storm some other time. [ he starts leading along the street, soaking in the atmosphere. ] Haha, so you’re not going to let me drag you ice skating at some point?

What do you know about Windblume?

That it's a festival for couples. Or at least it's the perfect excuse to tell someone you love them.

H- Hahaha. [ turns a little red. ] It, ah, yeah, has romantic undertones, sure, but it can be used to strengthen bonds… and then there’s the flower, the Windblume, which is generally given to somebody special, …you, in this case. [ he’s not sure why he’s fumbling over his words so much, probably because he feels the need to justify everything. ]

[ red petals get kicked up in the breeze as childe gives his hand a nervous squeeze. ] But you’ll have to wait until later for that.

[ oh, he's cute when he blushes. He squeezes his hand back and smiles at him ]

Should I think of a flower for you too?

If you’d like to. [ he leads him through Mondstadt and out the gate on the east side, a small picnic with assorted dishes from the different nations spread out on the blanket. there’s also a lyre. ] A nice sunny spot overlooking the water. [ he makes a motion to it with a smile. ] Abd I thought I could play you a little something.

[ somehow refrains from making a comment about how he’s exceptionally good with his hands. ]

[ he's going to sit down, looking at the lake and humming as he takes it all in ]

Is this what you'd organize if you could take me out in Teyvat, then?

[ childe joins him in sitting and reaches over, trying to tug him into his lap. ] Yeah, something like this. Just… away from most things, the bullshit, where we can just be ourselves. Not to mention most people wouldn’t bother us here, at least I don’t think so.

And during Windblume I could drop cheesy lines like, although the flowers are beautiful there’s someone that outshines even them. [ and he’ll give his cheek a kiss, chuckling to himself. ]

[ it's embarrassing how effective this is. He'd brushed off having a "date" when it came up with Nanako but, wow. This actually feels nice. He's dragged into his lap but after the words he's just frozen, his face red as he tries to think of something to say back ]

...

...

You're cute.

…thanks. I do think the ears and the tails are to blame for that though. [ he reaches to take his hand in his, brushing the spot on his wrist that has his hydro mark. ] But it’s true, you know, how beautiful you are… both on the outside and the inside. I enjoy spending time with you, no matter what we end up doing. Even if it’s something as simple this. [ he looks out onto the lake. ]

[ There's a shiver running down his spine as he brushes against the mark, not just because they're together and it's the riptide effect, but for the word he says too ]

... Can you really say that so confidently? Just because things are different now doesn't mean I'm not still an ugly mess inside. In the end I'm just as ugly and disgusting as anyone else.

Because it’s my own opinion, and beautiful of any kind is subjective. I happen to appreciate that ugly mess, and it’s what I’m falling for, so why would I want anything else. Besides, you have to admit that normal is boring. You probably wouldn’t find me half as interesting if I wasn’t the way I am.

But I care about you, mess and all.

[ It's a little touching. Part of him wants to take the compliment, and another wants to push back. But Childe's definition of beauty is bound to be different from the norm - he just said that normal is boring. So maybe even as he is, it's fine to accept it's not just his face that's beautiful ]

What a brat. What am I supposed to say to something like that? ... you're a beautiful mess too.

You don’t need to say anything. [ he gives him another kiss. ] But thank you… although I like to think of myself as more of a hot mess. [ chuckles. ] Feeling hungry? I chose all of these foods just for you.

I don't need to eat ...

[ His face is red and he's looking back at the lake, because he's still embarrassed. But he does still reach for some of that food, and ends up eating anyway ]

You promised me a performance.

I know, but you can still taste and enjoy food, even if you don’t need it to live. But yes yes yes. [ childe grabs the lyre and gets up, going to stand in front of scara, the lake to his back. ]

[ he plays and he’s not half bad, although it’s clear he’s self taught. the melody he plays is slow to start, but it’s as if he’s trying to depict a battle through music. the notes swelling into something more full and boisterous, before eventually dying down and coming to an end. ]

[ he's stuffing his mouth full, one thing after the other, because focusing on eating is easier than focusing on his feelings right now. He's listening to the performance and watching Childe, of course, but he's also just never-end eating ]

[ …so much for not needing to eat, fffs. as soon as he finishes he gives him a bright smile, his tails starting to flip back and forth, because he’s pleased with himself, although he’s certainly waiting for some praise. ]

What did you think?

... It was decent. You got some skills after all. And here I thought it was just filled with thoughts of battle and sex.

[ it's a blatant lie, because he knows Childe has many talents beside that — and they've already discussed Childe's tendency to perform when he's able and he visits plays. It's just easier to not admit that since the performance was just for him, it hits him a little harder than it normally would have ]

[ that earns a laugh. ] It had been a song about our fight, if you couldn’t tell, and [ he strums a little obnoxiously now, clearly not playing anything specific. ] I did omit the sex part that followed. [ grins. ] But I don’t think I’m capable of putting that to music, not yet anyway.

[ give him a moment he's grabbing more food before he can say anything else ]

Maybe I can make you moan a bit more to add to it then, mm?

I may need a bit of a reminder. You know, inspiration and all that. [ he goes back over and sets the instrument down. ] Did you leave any food for me? [ he reaches to swipe a stray crumb from the corner of scara’s lips, leaning in to give him an affectionate little kiss. ] Everything’s good, I take it?

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