insurmountable | you hide your face with your disguise // 'cause someone filled your head with lies

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you hide your face with your disguise // 'cause someone filled your head with lies

[It had been a few days since the hunt for the Great Mujina Youkai had come to an end, having to say goodbye to the kids and to Yoimiya too. The ship that was to take him back to Snezhnaya would be arriving a bit later in the day, and Childe sighs as he sits back in his chair in the tent he's occupying in one such hidden Fatui camp. He had a great time in Inazuma. The country was beautiful, rich with a new culture to learn and all sorts of places to explore and fight new and more exciting enemies. All his things were in order- the gifts that he'd bought to bring back to his family, Teucer's Onikabuto in a little bug box with some food to keep it alive during the trip back- all he'd have to do is wait for the ship and he'd be on his way.

He tells himself that he'd return to the country one day, once tensions between the Fatui and the Shogunate calm down. It was a miracle that he was able to stay as long as he has, evading the Tenryou Commission. He has some people to thank for that, and he won't forget what they did for him while he's been here. Some gifts would be in order for them upon his return.

The Harbinger idly plays with a writing utensil between his fingers. He'd like to bring something from Snezhnaya for Yoimiya, too.

There's a sharp rap at his door, and Childe sighs. He doesn't really want to deal with work right now, perfectly happy reminiscing on the time he's spent in Inazuma before he leaves, but answers with a bored tone to his voice:]

Come in.

[An agent enters, bowing and standing at attention.]

Sir, we've captured a Tenryou Commission spy that was found sneaking around. We've taken her into custody and are awaiting your orders on how to deal with her.

[Childe's eyebrow raises. It should have been hard to find this camp, even by the Shuumatsuban. Somehow, doubt creeps into his mind, but stands from his chair.]

Alright, I'll deal with it myself. At least I can have one last bit of fun before I depart.

[The agent only bows once more, to lead Childe towards the prisoner. He knows better than to argue with the Harbinger, but feels sorry for the spy. The two cross the camp to another tent, the agent stopping him right before lifting the flap for his senior commander.]

She claims to be from the fireworks shop, but we've seen Tenryou soldiers stop frequently at it.

[Before he can answer, the flap is lifted to reveal a certain girl that he'd met not but a few days ago...]

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[He's sure that she's feeling a lot better than before they had their spar. The giggles definitely give it away, and he's glad she's not in such a bad mood anymore, so he'll capitalize on it and keep his Yoi in a good mood.]

I'm not sure, few have managed to recover after an attack like this...

[Tartaglia hunches over her shoulder, nuzzling his cheek against hers as he laughs mischievously...]

Perhaps the only remedy is to throw you right in the lake. It could be the only way to wash this stink away. That is, until the moment you leave it...I'll just catch you again.

[ So scary, first the whale and now Ajax's stink attack? Maybe she should be counting her blessings that she made it out unscathed today... she thinks to herself while giggling. She can tell he's trying hard to keep her in a good mood by acting silly and it's working. There's no way she could stay mad as he cutely nuzzles his cheek against hers.

It's so sweet. She's more than happy to reciprocate by leaning her back and snuggling against him. ]

Oooh, relentless, aren't ya? Sounds like your stench will be all over my body forever. [ a beat ] Unless...

[ She looks over her shoulder with a grin tugging at the corners of her lips. ]

Why don't we hop into a lake, together? I hear it's really pretty at night with the moon shining down upon it.

[Childe is definitely shamelessly enjoying Yoimiya's reciprocated snuggles. He gives the side of her head a little kiss before he adopts a grin of his own- what a naughty, dirty girlfriend he has.]

I didn't know you were open to skinny dipping.

[But he's not surprised. Not in the slightest.]

Sounds delightful. Shall we?

[He's definitely ready to leave the training area, now that his mind is wandering in a different direction from fighting. Besides, when was the last time they actually bathed since they got to Vanaranara?]

[ The kiss to the side of her head is sweeter than her beloved candied apples. Giggling, she relishes in his affections, and seeing him openly enjoying her snuggles makes her want to spoil him even more for being such a sweet boy. She nuzzles her cheek against his to soak in his warmth and it's then, her dirty boyfriend hits her with a suggestion that's pleasing to her ears. ]

Oh? When did I say anything about skinny dipping? [ She with a sneaky grin, totally feigning innocence. ] I think you're more naughty than me.

[ As much as she wants to stay in this position, duty calls! And now that she ponders on it... yeah, they do kind of stink. She places a soft kiss on his cheek before untangling herself from him. ]

Let's go! After today, we could use a nice soak in the crystal clear water.

[ With their fingers intertwined, she takes his hand and leads him to the silapna's entrance. ]

[He's got the urge to turn that around on her, but it's better to be patient and strike at the perfect, precise moment- so he laughs a little under his breath instead. Yoimiya leads them to the exit of their training ground, and as they exit, the village comes back into view but with far less Aranara milling about. Good for them, they can sneak off without someone following them out of curiosity.]

If I recall, there's a small lake right outside of the village this way. If there's monsters, I'm sure we can dispatch them quickly.

[Looking around, Tartaglia makes sure they aren't followed, tugging on her hand to head over to the little lake. Large vegetation surrounds it just like in Vanaranara, but the moment they leave the dream, he can feel reality sink back into their bones. The moon hangs closely overhead, giving everything a milky-white hue, and eliminates any need for a light source.]

I hope you don't mind if the water is a bit cold. You can fix that though, right?

[ After taking on that monster whale, taking on a few fungi and stray hilichurls will be like a walk in the park. She gives his hand a gentle squeeze as she peers around the vicinity, their two companions aren't in sight, no doubt they're probably still cooking up dinner for the two of them. But that works in their favor, they should hopefully have some time to themselves while their Aranara counterparts are hard at work in the kitchen.

Stepping out of Vanarana will always feel so surreal to her, almost like they've woken up from a long dream. She takes a short moment to soak in the environment, taking in a deep breath as the cool night breeze whisps across her skin. ]

Of course. I have plenty of tricks up my sleeve to ensure the water is nice and toasty for us.

[ Is it another goldfish? Probably. It's always goldfish when it comes to her.

Hand-in-hand, Yoimiya guides him through a grassy path leading to an alcove nestled in the middle of the tall leaf-like trees. Every so often, she finds herself glancing up at the sky to admire the milky-white moon above them. The moonlight shining down on the forest is stunning, she's able to clearly the signs of a lake just ahead of them. ]

Don't forget, Arajax and Aramiya are preparing dinner for us. We shouldn't keep them waiting too long.

[Sumeru has proven to be a really interesting, beautiful place to visit. Even little spots like these where they can find refuge in a small alcove is just another proof of its splendor, and as they reach the water he takes a moment to take it all in. If only their adventure were to allow more serene moments like this between the fighting and the tension...though in some ways, he wrestles with himself over the fact that others whom he loves are getting roped into these battles.]

So you're saying I can't keep you all to myself tonight? I suppose I'll relent and allow it...

[Laughing, Tartaglia takes his boots and socks off first, so he can dip a toe into the water. It's maybe a little cold for his liking, but then it's definitely not the coldest water he's ever plunged into.]

Mmmmm, this might need your touch to be comfortable for us tonight. If you could.

[Meanwhile, he'll just start stripping while she does that, looking forward to a nice little bath with Yoimiya out in the middle of nowhere ;)]

[ He supposes he'll relent and allow it..... she swears, she's got the silliest boyfriend in all of Teyvat. Poor Arajax and Aramiya catching strays like this, but truthfully, she feels the same way. If she could, she'd love to have him all to herself and spend every waking second with him.

But nevermind them, she's more interested in watching her hunk of a man strip. Her eyes are practically glued to him as he removes his boots and socks. But, it sounds like her lovely boyfriend is cold and there's no way she can stand for that. ]

I got just the thing to keep you warm.

[ With a snap of her fingers, Yoimiya summons a cute little firey goldfish familiar that will follow them around to provide them with warmth. She gently motions her hand to guide to Ajax, acting like a mini furance and providing some light for him to see.

Yeah, she purposely sent a light his way so she can watch him strip. HUFFS. ]

That lil fella should keep you warm and toasty. If that ain't enough, let me know and I'll make another one since you're being sweet.

[ As she lets her blonde hair fall to her shoulders, she sends another wink his way and begins stripping out of her clothes as well. The first thing to go is her geta and hair accessories until eventually, she's down to unwrapping the sarashi around her chest and hips. ]

[He can feel her eyes on him, and inwardly he's got to laugh- Yoimiya isn't hiding that she's liking what she's seeing. He tosses his clothing into a pile on the shore as the goldfish warms him and illuminates his skin in the night air...he sees what you're about, Yoimiya.]

Are you sure you wouldn't want to send another one my way just for yourself?

[He smirks at her, now completely naked in front of his girl as he watches on while she undresses so they can get in the water. He walks over, slipping his hands around her middle, unabashedly feeling her body up a bit as she unwraps the sarashi.]

Or, perhaps, I can give you a hand?

[Showing Yoimiya a little love is overdue since their escape from Sumeru City- and he's missed it.]

[ Oh, she fully understands the assignment. They're like minded all the way down to their admiration for each other's bodies, it wouldn't be fair if she only got to see his majestic body underneath the light. ]

Hmmm, how about both?

[ With another snap out of her fingers, Yoimiya summons another firey goldfish to do her bidding, in the form of illuminating the space for Ajax to get a good look at her body wrapped in sarashi. As soon as his arms are around her, she shamelessly leans in for him to touch her to his heart's content. ]

I could use an extra set of hands to help me out. Aaaaand if you're gonna assist, you'll need some light too.

[ Sneaky sneaky yoi. ]

That would be much appreciated.

[His eyes are all over her now, reaching to help unwrap her while also making sure that his hands brush her in all the right places ❤]

Perhaps when we return to Snezhnaya, I'll get you some undergarments that better stave off the cold~ Then, you won't have to wrap yourself in this thinner material...plus, you know I'd make it worth your while.

[Childe places slow, deliberate kisses to Yoimiya's skin, trailing from her neck down to the very top of her breasts, only stopping to tease her a little from going all the way down to her nipples.]

Appreciating you is one of my favorite things to do, after all.

[ Yoimiya giggles, imagining the idea of going underwear shopping with her own boyfriend. It's not hard to guess that part of it is for his own gratification, she appreciates he's being so sweet and considerate of her needs. ]

Oh, I know you'll make really worth my while. Since appreciating me is one of your favorite hobbies, I have a feeling you'll pick out undergarments that really enunciate my body.

[ Just like he's doing right now in the way he appreciates her body to the fullest. Every kiss feels like a pleasant flame to her skin, drawing needy mewls out of her. But even though it feels good, he's still being a huge tease by refraining from her nipples! Meanie!!! Well, two can play that game. She knows how much he loves having his head touched and she's happy to entice him by bringing a hand to the top of his hand to thread his ginger curls around her fingers. ]

And if we get something more comfortable than sarashi... I imagine it will be easier for you to remove.

Haha, you've already found me out.

[He grins mischievously at her, as that was definitely part of the reason (if not most of the reason) why he suggested it. He continues to help remove the sarashi from her body until it's finally in a nice little pile on the ground, enjoying those lovely fingers in his hair. He's never going to cut his hair short, it feels so nice having her play with it to her heart's content.

Childe presses his head into her hands, inviting her to play with his hair all she wants while they prepare for their bath.]

Think your goldfish can warm up the water a bit? We can enjoy the moonlight's glow while we bathe that way.

[ Busted! Not that his intentions were difficult to ascertain.

Now that her sarashi is finally gone, they can get onto business. Since he's naked she's been dying to get into the water and feel his soaked chest and abs. ]

Oh, definitely These little puppies will make us feel like we're back at the Aisa bathouse. [ She turns to the goldfish in question. ] Get along lil fellas!

[ Like a ~~cowboy~~ herder beckoning her animals to move, the firey familiars listen to her command and swim over to the water. The pair float just above the water's edge to where they don't get wet but enough for them to warm the water underneath them. ]

Ready? I hope you don't mind their company too much, haha.

[ Hope he enjoys having goldfish stare at them while they bathe. Not that familiars have a mind of their own. ]

[The wonderful memories of having sex in Aisa Bathhouse come back to him, all the way to destroying the roof over their heads...he hopes that maybe one day, they can have wild sex like that again uninhibited. No, hope isn't the word- he can't wait until they do, because they will.]

I don't mind at all.

[They're just a couple of familiars. He doesn't care if they watch. Maybe he'll like that they're watching.

That being said, he steps into the water where the fish were floating to warm it up, thankful now that Yoimiya is a pyro vision holder- it makes it all the more pleasant. He wades in until the water is up to his waist, knowing that it might be a little deep for her if he goes out any farther.]

Haha, can you come out this far? I didn't take into consideration how much shorter you are than me, [he says with a wink.]

[ Neither one of them are beating the voyeurism accusations. Except it's two fish watching them....

Regardless of Ajax's funny kinks, the water is primed and ready for them to hop in! Yoimiya is thankful he suggested warming the water up, she can't imagine how cold it would have been just to dip in her toes. She easily jumps in and begins following him deeper into the water. But it's then she realizes why he suddenly stopped before going any further...

This guy is showboating his height!!!! ]

Ooh, look at you Mr. Tall and Handsome. Don't make fun of us short folk. Remember, I might be tiny but I can certainly reach your groin.

[ She wrinkles her nose at him, unamused that the water is right below her breasts while he stands there from the waist up.

They might have been blessed with visions but Naganohara Yoimiya was not blessed with height. ]

Hey, now!

[The threat to his nuts was uncalled for! He feels like he should cover them with his hand to ensure he doesn't take a critical hit from Yoimiya for running his mouth.]

You leave them alone. That's considered a cheap shot on the battlefield, and is pretty dishonorable as far as I'm concerned.

[So he takes a step back, the water coming up closer to his chest. This should ensure his safety! He'd like to see her kick or punch him from here!]

Hey, you're the one who started it. Making fun of us short folks for something we can't control is even more dishonorable.

[ Not that she's actually gonna kick him in the nuts but she's tempted to see him sweat as retribution. He's making it even easier for her to poke fun at him as he steps deeper into the water to where she can't reach him. Rude! She won't stand for this short-person slander.

If she can't get to him, she knows a pair who can. She huffs, turns her attention to her goldfish familiars and points in his direction. ]

Get him!

[ Upon command, the goldfish are after him like a moth to a flame. They swim in circles around his head, they're close but still keeping their distance so his hair doesn't get lit on fire. With any luck, she hopes her beloved goldfish can knock this tall brat down a peg or two. ]

[Childe's eyes immediately snap over to the goldfish that chase after him and swim around his head. They're...really not doing anything other than that, so they're more like warm little fireflies swimming around him more than anything. They're pretty, much like Yoimiya, bright and brilliant in the midst of the night.

But he can't just let her get away with it! He has to come up with a plan to escape her fishy friends, and there's really only one way out.

Tartaglia lowers himself down, disappearing underneath the water and pushes himself forward in the shallow end here to grab both of Yoimiya's ankles!]

Wahahaha, take that!

[ She's having the time of her life watching her little fire familiars swim around his head like little nuisances. But of course, she knew he wasn't going to stand there and take it. There really is only one way for him to escape and it's diving into the water.

He's gone an instant. Together with her goldfish, Yoimiya peers down into the water to surmise his location. Surely his ginger hair will stick out like a sore thumb. In the midst of her investigation, she hadn't realized Ajax has already moved to the swallow water. Suddenly, the next thing she feels is a pair of hands grabbing her ankles. ]

EEEK-!

[ Her scream is so loud it could wake up the Aranara village. And it's then she falls face-first into the deep water below her. ]

[The next thing that happens is unexpected. He hears her squeak, and before he knows it, she's falling face first down into the water- where he is.

There's a soft WHUMP as she lands on him, and he realizes now where his plan has gone horribly wrong. Small bubbles escape from his mouth as he takes the hit and half gasps in surprise and half laughs at the silliness of it all. Tartaglia moves swiftly to position himself from out beneath her, his head emerging from below to gasp for air while he grabs for her to pull her into him so at least her head is above water.]

Goodness! So jumpy! If I'd of known you were going to fall right over...

[He laughs, leaning forward to see if she was alright.]

[ Amid her screeching, Yoimiya didn't realize she'd be falling right on top of her tall boyfriend. She collides into him with a THUD as soon as she hits the water, thankful that his body saved her from falling deeper into the water. Obviously, there's no way for her to see underwater but the feel of his bare skin against her own tells her everything she needs to know, she's found herself a Tarupillow! Small bubbles float to the water's surface as she gasps and swims to the top. She needs a moment to catch her breath but when it's all said and done, she's laughing like no tomorrow. ]

Hahaha, looks like your plan backfired on you, mister.

[ She'll take falling into the water like a fool if it means taking Mr. Tall down with her. ]

How does it feel to get taken down by a shortie?

[ And two small goldfish! Can't forget them ofc. ]

Haha, the only person who was taken down here was you~!

[Not him taking it literally, but he laughs all the same. His plan did kind of backfire- he hadn't expected her to fall on him. He just wanted to startle her a little bit.]

No matter- I've got you right where I want you now, so I can't say that I really lost anything, now did I?

[The feel of her body is nice against his, pulling her in closer to him underneath the full moon in full view. He looks up at it, feeling at peace for maybe the first time in a while, before nuzzling Yoimiya.]

Taking in the beauty of the night sky is more relaxing than I realized. I'm happy to share this moment with you.

[ The comment earns him an incredulous look before she flicks water at him. Not that it matters because he's already wet but details. It makes her feel better and that's what counts. ]

Yeah! Both of us should feel like winners since we get to enjoy each other's company.

[ Now that they are in each other's arms, she takes this chance to give him a peck on the lips. The moon shining down on him and illuminating his body is stunning, she feels so incredibly lucky. ]

The moon sure is pretty... coming out to bathe here was a great idea.

[After all the stress of their lost battle earlier, the plans they've had to make to save Aralauka and Avin, and then the training in the Aranara's special realm...he's ready to just relax in this water and enjoy Yoimiya's presence. They can wash themselves in a bit- right now, he just wants to sit, and with her in his arms already, he does just that. Adjusting her as he sits, Childe puts Yoimiya in his lap, just so the water comes up to around their shoulders.]

Let's admire it for a while before we go. There's no rush.

[Snuggling with her in the water, letting her goldfish heat the water up around them so it's nice and comfy, he gazes upwards as he nuzzles her. It really is pretty, and in that moment, the world around him starts to get fuzzier and fuzzier, like he's falling into a trance...

When his eyes focus again, he's sitting in the water, with her, but he's somewhere else. Someone else. The dawn is threatening to break over the horizon, but this is the only time he gets to see his lover, and he places a kiss to her cheek and smiles.]

It really is a shame that I'll have to wait another day to see you again.

[But that's how it's been for a millennia, if not longer. A cycle that never ends, and yet he looks forward to the coming night all the same. The celestial bath that he and his lover here share glows in the moonlight, the heavens painting the sky with colors never seen by modern day Teyvat, revealing galaxies and star systems light years away.]

Have I ever told you how much I love you?

[Alnair's grin couldn't be wider- he's said it trillions of times, but he'll always remind her of the deep love he has for her.]

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