what a fool your love has made me

in the bar of fools, he showed no trace of extravagant happiness when it comes to enduring such a different environment. the laughter, the loud conversations, a normal atmosphere that doesn't suit blade's taste or style. leaning against the wall, he waited for one of his companions to arrive to discuss an important matter. however, while patience allowed him to endure the noisy stimuli, a certain person wouldn't stop staring at the hunter. he had noticed it since he entered and found a more solitary corner. what he couldn't tell was whether it was a bounty on his head or simple curiosity, but either way, it was unsettling.

     Familiar faces are abound everywhere in the tavern. Eros has been here enough times to know near everyone at least in passing. While none of them get names save for a select few, the faces are all known to him. Except for this one. An unknown face, and one with such a dour expression, is a rarity. A near impossibility it feels like. So there he sits at the bar, one leg crossed over the other as he takes a moment - or several - to simply take it all in. Whether he is spotted or not matters little to him - not when this is his stomping ground more than this mystery man's. Not when he could just disappear… or utilize his mask if need be. Still, there's something that bothers the smaller. Something that reaches and beckons for his attention. Something squirming that wants to be acknowledged and he isn't quite sure what it is. 

"Oh - thank you." Big, blue eyes met with amethysts as 𝔖𝔢𝔯𝔞𝔭𝔥𝔦𝔫𝔞 froze in place for a second. Damn, those shoes really were trying to break her neck. She was used to high heels, but maybe these ones were a little too much to properly walk in; and on these streets.

Clearing her throat, she stood straight and ran her hand through her red locks, smiling at the stranger a little embarrassed. "I'm fine, thanks." Looking more closely, she apparently picked a really good person to run into - a little smaller, but exceptionally pretty. She couldn't help but stare for a few seconds. Luckyyyyy~

     His eyes scan her for a moment, gaze lingering on her shoes as she speaks. Does she… have trouble in those? Part of him wants to laugh. Free hand moves immediately to cover his mouth and the budding snicker just waiting to spill out. No, no… the streets in the Underworld can cause a bit of incident for those unused to them. He shouldn't laugh because her heels have done her in. He just has more experience walking these particular streets in heels as high as his are.

     “ Tha's good. I'd hate f'er somebody's first experience on our planet t' be landin' face first in concrete, ” Eros chuckles softly. He adjusts his cloak once she stands on her own and glances back up at her face. Her staring is incredibly obvious… it's a good thing he thrives on attention.

"Yeah. I'm done training for the day ~ Sorry for getting carried away and hurting you. Am I forgiven? If so, lets do something you want to do, how about that?"

     When he sits down, they move to crawl into his lap, tail starting to wag absently. At least he understands why it had upset them. Why it had hurt. Some people wouldn't, though they don't even know that Eros is the Sovereign of Geo. At least Childe tries his best.

     “ Mm… yeah. Eros isn't mad. Something… I want? Um – hm. I want to go… for a nice walk and find frogs! ”

"Her own way is probably buttering me up. She treats me like a time bomb, that's what." Fu Xuan walked by his side, noting that their route wouldn't be quiet and secluded as before, and that they would certainly stand out in the bustling district.

     “ I don't see it. Maybe ‘m jus’ not lookin' at it th' way that y'do. ” Eros shrugs absently, tail swaying back and forth as they walk. Their last walk was much calmer than this - the streets hadn't been as bustling. Not that he minds, of course, but he worries she might get bothered after just getting away from work.

"Oh, y-yeah, of course! Erm, have fun, you two lovebirds!" Qingque gleefully noped out of there, as is tradition.

I'm going to pretend that I didn't hear that. "It's impressive how she manages to find the most inopportune moment to be diligent. How would she know that I didn't take a break when she spends half the shift hiding..." Fu Xuan folded her hands behind her back and swiveled on one foot. "I should apologize. I...

     “ I think tha's th' first time she's left bein' near me with a smile on her face, ” he laughs, hands moving to his pockets as he starts in his walk with her.

     “ I'd assume she cares about ya in her own way. If she didn't, she wouldn't be checkin' t' make sure y'er takin' breaks. ” A shrug as his own amethyst gaze drifts back over to her. Eros shakes his head, that soft smile spreading across his features once more.

( 𓌜 ) EROS'S WORDS DO so much for her. the warmth that filled her body rather than the base cold it gave off was almost overwhelming -- yet she didn't wish for it to stop or not have happened. her lips press against her beloved's again , deepening the kiss immediately as she brought her closer than before.

INTOXICATING AS EVER , castorice hardly wanted to leave her side or be apart from her ever again , a stuttered breath escaping the maiden upon eros pulling away to speak. ❝ ABSOLUTELY .. IT FEELS good right now .. right ?   ❞ it didn't seem like she was hurting her at all yet she wished to be sure.

     Her hands move on near instinct to Castorice's waist, holding onto her as their lips meet. Tongues exploring each other's mouths as she feels her own body heating up - more so than it usually did. This sort of heat is different - engulfing. Exciting. This feeling they'd been denied for so long is easily becoming addicting.

"Y-you again?" Qingque froze up when she saw Eros.

"Where are you going?"

"Umm... home? Our shift's over."

"Tch—" Fu Xuan huffed. "You didn't have to say that out loud..."

"You don't even take breaks, Lady Fu."

"I do."

"You've been here ten hours and every minute I've seen you in the main room or at the Matrix of Prescience Ultima."

Fu Xuan facepalmed. "You say the worst things at the worst possible time..."

"I... fail to see what the problem is."

She looked at Eros again. "Okay, fine, you caught me. I may as well visit Aurum Alley."

"Wait a minute... are you two..."

"Shut your mouth."

     Think of Qingque for even a second and there she was. His head cants slightly as he looks between her and the Master Diviner. 

     “ So what ‘m hearin’ is I was right and a certain Lady Fu was wantin' t' jus' send me off? Y'er no fun, here I thought we really bonded th' other day. ” He fakes a pout as his arms cross over her chest. And yet there comes that ‘okay.’ And again his tail starts to wag.