it's probably testament to the nature of their relationship - all the easy little half-truths, the subterfuge and the deceit they'd both utilized with each other (less maliciously on Zhongli's end, though that's still debatable) - that Childe doesn't question him nor does he ask for him to elaborate. if the former Geo Archon had any consequential plans after the Osial incident that revolved around the protection of his precious city, it was probably something that he wasn't going to go to any great lengths to execute.
of that, he was pretty certain. even if their previous interactions had all been a farce, enough of Zhongli's personality had bled through enough he'd like to think he had a good read on him.
that still didn't mean they were friends. no matter that it was Childe who had brought it up first.
it isn't as if there isn't anything there - a begrudging respect, only enough to be deemed appropriate for an Archon that he hadn't sworn loyalty to and who had come out of the war with a good number of kills tucked under his belt (victories, kills, whatever) - but Childe isn't going to go out of his way to deepen anything between them, either.
still, old habits die hard, and falling into step beside the old man as he makes his rounds about the casino is something he'll have to try hard to shake. even being away from Liyue for so many months hadn't completely quashed what had become instinct by this point. ]
That's not much of an apology, you know. You didn't even say sorry.
[ it's hard to tell whether he's joking or being serious. with the straight-faced manner that he delivers the next line, perhaps it's a bit of both, the corner of Childe's lips curving into a wicked, crooked smile. ]
But if you really want to make it up to me, I won't say no to a fight.
no subject
it's probably testament to the nature of their relationship - all the easy little half-truths, the subterfuge and the deceit they'd both utilized with each other (less maliciously on Zhongli's end, though that's still debatable) - that Childe doesn't question him nor does he ask for him to elaborate. if the former Geo Archon had any consequential plans after the Osial incident that revolved around the protection of his precious city, it was probably something that he wasn't going to go to any great lengths to execute.
of that, he was pretty certain. even if their previous interactions had all been a farce, enough of Zhongli's personality had bled through enough he'd like to think he had a good read on him.
that still didn't mean they were friends. no matter that it was Childe who had brought it up first.
it isn't as if there isn't anything there - a begrudging respect, only enough to be deemed appropriate for an Archon that he hadn't sworn loyalty to and who had come out of the war with a good number of kills tucked under his belt (victories, kills, whatever) - but Childe isn't going to go out of his way to deepen anything between them, either.
still, old habits die hard, and falling into step beside the old man as he makes his rounds about the casino is something he'll have to try hard to shake. even being away from Liyue for so many months hadn't completely quashed what had become instinct by this point. ]
That's not much of an apology, you know. You didn't even say sorry.
[ it's hard to tell whether he's joking or being serious. with the straight-faced manner that he delivers the next line, perhaps it's a bit of both, the corner of Childe's lips curving into a wicked, crooked smile. ]
But if you really want to make it up to me, I won't say no to a fight.