[ at first, rafayel carries on with a certain degree of ignorance. truly none the wiser for any other thoughts zhongli would be having in a… theoretically very family friendly environment. rafayel raises a brow slightly, but there’s a hint of something almost indiscernible on his features. as with most things, rafayel oscillated between pushing and pulling, always measuring each interaction and deciding how to proceed.
… and now he’s made his choice. he gives zhongli a small smile. ]
Oh, yeah? Then… [ he looks him in the eyes, and he feels incredibly warm all of a sudden, but that doesn’t prevent him from continuing. ] what are you looking at if not the emperor angelfish? Maybe the mandarinfish?
[ he says with a hint of challenge to his voice. clearly it isn't direct enough for him, at least. he also squeezes his hand and draws it towards himself, his eyes establishing contact with zhongli's gaze for a second, before he focuses back to the tunnel overhead of them. ]
You should turn around before you a miss a good one.
[ is he going to be immature and try to poke zhongli's cheek, yeah. yeah he is. ]
[ His cheek is poked and he allows it with a fond smile, squeezing Rafael's slim hand with affection as Zhongli is led into the tunnels. He likes them well enough, admiring the angles overhead of the fish and the prettiness of it all. Rafael is limned in blue light as they wander through the aquarium, an avid listener at his behest whenever Rafael speaks: he is very pretty, more so than their surroundings.
He likes to watch him, but even more so to learn from his cute would-be lover. ]
[ honestly, he half-expected that zhongli may have pulled away from his touch. then he could have went all-in in hassling him. but, maybe a larger part of him is secretly glad he doesn't. maybe this showed that there was more trust between the two of them than he really had time to ponder over.
his finger lingers on his cheek for a second before drawing back. instead, he decides to behave as they walk through the blue tint of the fish tanks; just savoring the feeling of their joined hands. rafayel could have easily made a joke. maybe, even have chimed in for zhongli not to "interrupt him," but essentially— the archon had always been an adept listener. so instead, he enjoys the peace for a just a moment. ]
Do you still think the fishie next to you is a guppy? I'd say you caught something a lot bigger.
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no subject
… and now he’s made his choice. he gives zhongli a small smile. ]
Oh, yeah? Then… [ he looks him in the eyes, and he feels incredibly warm all of a sudden, but that doesn’t prevent him from continuing. ] what are you looking at if not the emperor angelfish? Maybe the mandarinfish?
no subject
A little guppy, perhaps.
[ Teasing him, he squeezes the hand in his. ]
no subject
[ he says with a hint of challenge to his voice. clearly it isn't direct enough for him, at least. he also squeezes his hand and draws it towards himself, his eyes establishing contact with zhongli's gaze for a second, before he focuses back to the tunnel overhead of them. ]
You should turn around before you a miss a good one.
[ is he going to be immature and try to poke zhongli's cheek, yeah. yeah he is. ]
no subject
[ His cheek is poked and he allows it with a fond smile, squeezing Rafael's slim hand with affection as Zhongli is led into the tunnels. He likes them well enough, admiring the angles overhead of the fish and the prettiness of it all. Rafael is limned in blue light as they wander through the aquarium, an avid listener at his behest whenever Rafael speaks: he is very pretty, more so than their surroundings.
He likes to watch him, but even more so to learn from his cute would-be lover. ]
no subject
his finger lingers on his cheek for a second before drawing back. instead, he decides to behave as they walk through the blue tint of the fish tanks; just savoring the feeling of their joined hands. rafayel could have easily made a joke. maybe, even have chimed in for zhongli not to "interrupt him," but essentially— the archon had always been an adept listener. so instead, he enjoys the peace for a just a moment. ]
Do you still think the fishie next to you is a guppy? I'd say you caught something a lot bigger.