[Here's the thing--Childe doesn't... touch people.
It's not because he doesn't want to, really. In fact, he's happily tactile under certain circumstances. He'll carry a child on his shoulders with no hesitation, and he claps his agents on the shoulder every now and then, mostly because he finds their reactions entertaining. But for the most part, it's a simple fact of Childe's life that if someone is in his personal space, they're probably trying to kill him. He's spent too long wearing hypervigilance as a second skin to permit anyone, even people like Xiangling or Hu Tao (or Zhongli, for that matter, back then) into his space easily.
To say nothing of intimate touch, though perhaps that's an overdramatic description for what they're doing. Holding hands, leaning close, all simple gestures that normal people do with their partners. Things that, Childe figured, would be easy enough to initiate. He hadn't been lying when he'd oh-so confidently declared that he knew what love looked like, and the sweet stories of his parents that he shares with Zhongli as they wander are entirely truthful. On top of all of that, he does enjoy a good performance--especially a harmless one that he knows he's putting on from the beginning. They were close enough, once, that faking a deeper relationship was supposed to be easy. It should've been fine.
Immediately, it is not fine.
Zhongli isn't the only one who falters when their fingers tangle, which is... unexpected, for one thing. A little embarrassing, for another. It's just handholding. They're both wearing gloves!!! It makes absolutely no sense for him to be suddenly, acutely aware of Zhongli's proximity. He's always admired Zhongli's hands, sure, but that's no reason that finally (finally?) touching one should stir up weird sensations in his chest. What--is he getting embarrassed now? About his own plan? That would be ridiculous.]
Well--[What was he saying? Oh, yes. His parents.]--I hope you don't mind if I'm the one talking your ear off for a change, then.
[Right. Focus. Easy. It'll just take a minute to get used to their roles, that's all. Shake it off, Tartaglia. It'll get easier.]
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1/2
It's not because he doesn't want to, really. In fact, he's happily tactile under certain circumstances. He'll carry a child on his shoulders with no hesitation, and he claps his agents on the shoulder every now and then, mostly because he finds their reactions entertaining. But for the most part, it's a simple fact of Childe's life that if someone is in his personal space, they're probably trying to kill him. He's spent too long wearing hypervigilance as a second skin to permit anyone, even people like Xiangling or Hu Tao (or Zhongli, for that matter, back then) into his space easily.
To say nothing of intimate touch, though perhaps that's an overdramatic description for what they're doing. Holding hands, leaning close, all simple gestures that normal people do with their partners. Things that, Childe figured, would be easy enough to initiate. He hadn't been lying when he'd oh-so confidently declared that he knew what love looked like, and the sweet stories of his parents that he shares with Zhongli as they wander are entirely truthful. On top of all of that, he does enjoy a good performance--especially a harmless one that he knows he's putting on from the beginning. They were close enough, once, that faking a deeper relationship was supposed to be easy. It should've been fine.
Immediately, it is not fine.
Zhongli isn't the only one who falters when their fingers tangle, which is... unexpected, for one thing. A little embarrassing, for another. It's just handholding. They're both wearing gloves!!! It makes absolutely no sense for him to be suddenly, acutely aware of Zhongli's proximity. He's always admired Zhongli's hands, sure, but that's no reason that finally (finally?) touching one should stir up weird sensations in his chest. What--is he getting embarrassed now? About his own plan? That would be ridiculous.]
Well--[What was he saying? Oh, yes. His parents.]--I hope you don't mind if I'm the one talking your ear off for a change, then.
[Right. Focus. Easy. It'll just take a minute to get used to their roles, that's all. Shake it off, Tartaglia. It'll get easier.]