"No, no, don't go! Zhongli," Childe wakes up, startled. "Gosh, you scared me," Thoma says, surprised. Childe furrows his brow. "Where's Zhongli? Where did you lock him up?" Childe grabs Thoma's hand tightly. "Childe, it hurts," Thoma groans in pain. Childe releases his hand. "Sorry, I -," Childe says, placing his hand on his head. He still feels a sting on the back of his head. "That's okay. You should rest up here for a while. I'm going to talk to a doctor outside," Thoma says, smiling, and shuts the door. Childe looks at Thoma, feeling sad after he leaves. He wants Thoma to stay by his side. "Ugh, why did I call for Zhongli?"
Rattle...
"Hello, sorry for interrupting your rest time," a girl opens the door, carrying a plate of apples. Childe looks at her and finds her familiar. "Hi, I'm Yoimiya, the girl you saved earlier," Yoimiya smiles.
"No wonder you felt so familiar."
"Sorry?"
"Nothing, is there anything you want to say?" Childe asks Yoimiya. "I just want to say thank you for saving me earlier. You got shot because of me," Yoimiya says, feeling guilty. "That's okay, it's just a scratch," Childe laughs it off. "But your shoulder got shot!" Yoimiya panics. "Well, I can still eat the apple," Childe says, biting the apple in front of him. "Luckily, Thoma is around! I'm so scared," Yoimiya sighs. "Huh, why is Thoma around? Did he get shot?" Childe asks. "Oh, no. I mean he's the one who brought you here. You didn't notice it because you were already passed out," Yoimiya smiles. "Oh," Childe looks away. "Thoma always cares about others. Sometimes I feel like a burden to him whenever I get into fights when I was a child," Yoimiya says. "You surely like to fight. How about we spar if you have time in the future?" Childe asks. "Sure, I would love to!" Yoimiya smiles.
"How about no?" Thoma crosses his arms. They both turned to the Thoma's vice. "But Thoma... I'm pretty sure I can handle it this time. I won't bother you. I promise!" Yoimiya cries. Childe feels oddly happy when he sees Thoma's face after those painful dreams. "I won't let other people's chicken coop get burned because of you like last time. I'm advising you, " Thoma sits next to Yoimiya, facing Childe. "At least, you are having fun after that incident," Yoimiya pouts. Thoma chokes on his water while Childe looks a little confused. "What accident?" Childe asks Yoimiya. "Ouh-" Thoma covers Yoimiya's mouth. "Oh, it's nothing. Get some rest, I will bring you soup later. Yoimiya, we need to talk. Privately," Thoma says, leading Yoimiya out of Childe's room. Yoimiya and Childe glance at each other. "Sorry, I had to take my leave, but thank you for saving me!" Yoimiya shuts the door, leaving Childe alone with his left-injured shoulder.
Several minutes later, Childe hears a knock on his door. Thoma carefully places the soup on the table. "Eat it while it's hot," Thoma says, looking at Childe, who keeps staring at him. "You surely have many secrets, huh?" Childe teases him. "I surely do," Thoma says, sitting comfortably next to Childe. "So, you don't want to tell me?" Childe asks. "It's surely depressing, and I don't like it. Besides, we are strangers," Thoma says, sipping the tea he bought for himself. "It hurts when you say that we are strangers. I thought we were more than strangers after we slept together," Childe pouts. Thoma laughs. "It surely did. I won't bring any strangers to my favorite spots too," Thoma says. Childe feels shy after hearing Thoma laugh. "So, you really do love him so much," Thoma teases. Childe looks confused. "When you were calling for Zhongli, I felt a little embarrassed in front of the doctor," Thoma explains. Childe just chuckles. "Well, what can I say? He leaves us hanging without any explanation. Of course, I want to know why," Childe looks depressed. In his dream, he sees that Zhongli is happy. Back in Liyue, he frequently asks Xiao about Zhongli. Xiao said that Zhongli is doing fine, and he also joined some mahjong club. It's pretty funny because Childe never knew that he liked mahjong. Or did he leave me because I'm too controlling?
"I see. Well, what can I say? We are both stuck in this kind of relationship," Thoma laughs again. "I did call Lord Ayato about your accident, so he gives you permission to stay until you feel comfortable to leave," Thoma says, sipping another tea and getting up to get his blanket and pillow. Childe's eyes follow every movement that Thoma makes. "You know, you seem to stare at me too much these days. What's wrong?" Thoma asks him. "So, I can stay with you forever?" Childe ask Thoma. "Nope, it won't ever happen" Thoma says it casually.
Let's break the promises that we made," Childe says. Thoma is shocked. "What, why? Is it because you already fell for me?" Thoma chuckles, expecting what he says is satire. "Yes," Childe answers shortly. "Pardon?" Thoma asks for confirmation. "I already fell for you," Childe says, looking at Thoma with pain in his expression. "I want to break up the agreement that we made, and I want to fall in love with you properly."
I can't comprehend what's happening. Did he play tricks on me? I mean, why does he say that with a serious face? Did he really mean it? Or, I'm just too naive to think he is just playing around?
"I can see that you are pretty shocked by what I said," he sighs. "I need a little rest, go sleep in the kitchen room," he lies down on the mattress and wraps himself with the blanket. "But... this is my room?"
Thoma opens the kitchen room. 'Thank god, the guards are going on a trip with Lord Ayato,' Thoma monologues to himself. As he sits on the bed, he still thinks about what Childe said to him. "There's no freaking way he would say that. Probably he got confused with the medicine I gave him earlier earlier. I think that's the reason why he said that! He doesn't mean it!" Thoma tries to be positive by himself alone. "What makes him say that? Was he in trouble? It's just the two of us until Lord Ayato's one-month business trip. In two weeks, anything can happen," Thoma sighs to himself. "Come on Thoma, he probably wants to mess with you. Get down to earth," Thoma slaps himself.
That night, Thoma can't bring himself to sleep. His expression looks troubled. He runs a hand through his hair, clearly lost in thought. Thoma's mind whirls with conflicting emotions. His heart had soared, only to crash moments later as he recalled their history of disagreements and tense moments. He pulls the blanket up to his chin, but sleep eludes him. His thoughts continue to circle, a whirlwind of confusion and uncertainty. He gets up, paces back and forth across the room, trying to shake off the unease that grips him. "What makes the change of heart?" Thoma flushes. His heart thunders in his chest, echoing in the silent room. "I wish tomorrow wouldn't come so soon," he sighs.
