Five times Zhongli tried

“Zhongli said we should talk.” Childe admits, shifting now after a moment or ten of silence. Xiao was content with it just staring the increasingly twitchy mortal down. “Did he?” “Yes.” The ginger straightens now, eyes locked on him, Xiao hates how tall he is. “I— I really like your dad Xiao—“ “What!??“ “What?” Childe blinks, face going from serious and firm to anxious and confused in a second. “He is not my…father.” Xiao doesn’t know why saying that irritates him so much why everything feels eerily delicate and useless. “Oh.” Childe blinks. He looks surprised. “I- really? Does he know that?” “Zhongli is aware he is not my father, what is this line of questioning!?” “I-“ Childe stops. Shaking his head after a moment, a truthful smile on his face. “He really cares about you, that's all. Sorry if I offended you.” “I’m not offended.” Xiao bristles. “What was it Zhongli wished us to discuss?”