Thoma walked through the bustling streets of the town, his arms full of groceries and household items. He wore a smile on his face, greeting familiar faces and exchanging polite pleasantries. Yet, deep down, a gnawing sense of loneliness tugged at his heart. Lord Ayato and Childe were always busy, travelling around Teyvat for business and meetings, leaving Thoma to navigate his days alone.
Sometimes, Thoma would create vivid, albeit imaginary, scenes in his mind where Childe walked beside him, their hands brushing together as they shared a quiet conversation. But since the incident at the tavern, confronting Childe had become an insurmountable challenge. Thoma was a kind and gentle soul, the type who wanted to devote himself entirely to the people he cared about. But now, even starting a conversation with Childe felt impossible.
As Thoma wandered down the street, the vibrant energy of the town did little to fill the emptiness he felt. He missed Childe's presence, the way they used to laugh together, and the simple joy of sharing moments. The thought of watching the first bloom of sakura without Childe brought a pang of sadness to his heart.
"There's nothing I can do, huh?" Thoma snickered to himself, recognizing how pathetic he must seem, talking to no one in particular. Trying to be tough wasn't enough anymore. He had tried to fit in, but he couldn't shake the feeling that he was a burden.
From a distance, Kise noticed Thoma wandering alone. Sensing something was amiss, he decided to approach his friend.
"Thoma, my friendo!" Kise called out, snuggling his arm around Thoma's shoulder with a broad grin. Thoma jumped slightly at the unexpected contact but quickly relaxed when he saw Kise's familiar face.
"Kise, it's nice to see you again," Thoma beamed, his genuine smile returning for a moment.
"Wandering alone?" Kise asked, glancing around. "Where's your lovely overprotective lover, huh?" He teased, nudging Thoma playfully.
"Um, he's busy," Thoma replied, his voice tinged with a sadness that Kise instantly noticed.
Kise winced inwardly, realising he had just stepped on a sensitive subject. "Ah, I see," he said, trying to shift the conversation. "Well, why don't we hang out for a bit? It's been ages since we caught up properly."
Thoma nodded, appreciating the offer. "Yeah, that sounds nice."
As they walked together, Kise kept the conversation light, skillfully avoiding any mention of Childe or Ayato. They soon found themselves at a small café, ordering some tea and choosing a cosy spot by the window where they could watch the world go by.
"So, what's the problem you've been dealing with alone?" Kise asked, his tone shifting to one of genuine concern. "And don't you dare say 'What do you mean?' mister," he added with a mock sternness.
Thoma chuckled at Kise's predictable yet endearing complaint. "Well, it's nothing big, you know?" he said, fidgeting with his fingers as he stared into his teacup.
"Thoma," Kise said softly, leaning forward, "if it's bothering you, it's big enough. Talk to me."
"I miss him," Thoma sighed, the weight of his emotions evident in his voice. Kise knew exactly who Thoma meant. It was clear he was talking about Childe. Thoma had been so happy when he first shared about their relationship, especially the moments during the festival where Thoma was supposed to help him on the stall.
Kise leaned in, giving Thoma his full attention. "Tell me what happened," he urged gently.
Thoma took a deep breath, gathering his thoughts. "It all started so wonderfully. During the festival, Childe and I spent a lot of time together. We laughed, talked, and it felt like everything was perfect. But then, as time went on, things began to change. Childe got busier, and I felt more and more alone. I tried to understand, to be supportive, but it was hard."
