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“Ziaka, time to get up.” A soft voice pulled me out of my pleasant dream, waking me to the dimly lit room, a young fire acting as the only source of light. I knew I had to start the day, but as the cool dawn air pricked at my cheeks, I pulled the plush fur blanket over my head with a groan. A few moments later, I felt the bed dip beside me, and a gentle hand began to stoke the bit of my head that poked out from my cocoon. “If you’re cold already, you won’t last a minute when we actually start our excursion, Ziaka” the voice explained with a chuckle. Hearing this, I pulled back the blanket to face the amused man before me. “I’m not some flower who can’t handle a bit of snow” I said with a pout “but the fact that the sun isn’t out yet certainly doesn’t help.” I was surprised to see that, despite the early hour, Childe was fairly put together, dressed in his wool underlayer and his usual bed head brushed down flat. “Well, while I let you get your beauty sleep, I put some tea on and made breakfast to help you warm up quickly” Childe said as he stood, “so…up you get!” With a sigh, I shuffled off the blanket, leaving the warmth of the bed to face the day. I stepped into my slippers and strolled over to the window to look outside. Through the layer of frost that covered the glass, I could make out the first few rays of sunshine as it shone off the fresh snow and icicles that lay outside. While the view was breathtaking, the cold air that emanated from the seams of the window frame covered me with goose bumps, and I turned to find refuge deeper in the house. Stepping around two giant backpacks that took up much of the hallway, I finally made it to the kitchen, where I found Childe packing the last few food items for our trip, occasionally sipping tea from his favorite sturdy mug. “About time, sleepyhead. Now hurry and eat before your food gets cold.” Childe motioned towards the table, where a steaming bowl of porridge stood waiting, an even hotter cup of tea right next to it. Without another word, I quickly sat to eat, nearly burning my tongue on the hot food as I wolfed it down. Once I felt its warmth radiating throughout my body and the chills of the morning finally letting me be, I slowed just enough to bring my attention back to Childe, eyeing him as he expertly packed the last remaining sacks. “Sorry for not being much help on this trip” I said with a sign, “I feel bad for making you do extra work on your vacation…” “(y/n), for the hundredth time, there’s nothing for you to feel sorry about. I like packing for trips, and frankly, just you being here is enough.” Childe paused as he tightly fastened the last knapsack, tossing it in the pile with the others before sneaking over to stand behind me. Before I would twist around to meet his gaze, he leaned in to drape his arms around me, his arms practically oozing heat from under his wool sweater. “Very few people would have the guts to visit Snezhnaya in the dead of winter, so the fact you agreed to join me on my trip means a lot” he whispered, tickling the edges of my ear with his warm breath. “Well, it wasn’t much of a decision for me. Three days of winter camping with my lovely boyfriend, and no one to interrupt us. Sounds pretty fun” I reassured, bringing my hand up to reach his curly red hair. “You’re amazing, Zaika” Childe grinned, pecking me on cheek before pouring himself another cup of tea, taking a seat beside me as we savored the last few moments at home before our journey began.
“We’re nearly there, Zaika. With this perfect hiking weather, we’ll be at the fishing hole before lunchtime” Childe called, a good few feet ahead of me as he trekked through the heavy snow as if it was the most natural thing in the world. Meanwhile, I felt like a toddler with the amount of layers Childe set me out with, and with my heavy backpack and wide snowshoes, I waddled down the path, trying to step in Childe's footsteps to navigate the thick snow. But besides the stuffy clothing, the Snezhnayian woodland offered the most beautiful sights in all of Teyvat, making the slow passage more than worth it. The naked trees sparkled with frozen water drops and icicles, the odd blue jay and cardinal offering a splash or color in the winter wonderland. The recent snowfall buried nearly all texture from the forest floor, leaving an untouched blanket of white that shined with the rising sun. It felt more like a dream or a storybook setting than real life, especially with the still wind and clear skies making it a picture-perfect scene. Mesmerized by the elegance of the nature around me, I hardly noticed that the slight decline of our path had led us to the shore of a large frozen lake. Childe paused at the shore for me to catch up, staring out at the vast ice field that stood before us. “See that dark speck in the distance, Zaika? That’s one of the public fishing huts people can use for the day. It’s first come first serve, but looking at the untouched snow ahead, I think we’re the first ones out today” Childe explained before stepping onto the frozen lake without hesitation. I, on the other hand, felt far less comfortable with the idea. “Are you sure the ice is thick enough to stand on?” I questioned, hanging back on the shore. “Don’t worry, Zaika! I gave Teucer a bit of homework and had him measure the ice every few days before we arrived in Snezhnaya. The ice has been thick enough to hold up a ruin guard for weeks!” To prove his point, Childe jumped up and down on the ice, the heavy pack still on his back. An echoing thud emanated from the ice as he landed, showing that the ice was plenty thick, but still didn’t reach the lake floor. With a gulp, I softly stepped onto the ice, trying to keep my footsteps light despite Childe’s demonstration. Seeing my reluctance, Childe held his hand out, beaconing for me to take it as he stood a few feet ahead of me. Keeping my eyes on him to avoid looking down at the clear ice at my feet, I made my way towards him, grasping his hand once it came into reach. With a smile, Childe continued to lead us to our goal, slowing to match my beginner’s pace so we could continue hand in hand.
As we approached the fishing hut, I was surprised to see that it was bigger than I imagined. Instead of the tiny square of wood I had pictured, it was reminiscent of a small cabin made with sturdy logs. “These fish huts are set up by the city to encourage winter tourism, but locals end up using them most of the time” Childe said before knocking on the front door. After a few moments of silence, he turned to me with a smirk, “looks like this one’s free.” Pushing open the stiff door, we made our way inside before dropping our sacks with a sigh. My eyes adjusted to the low light inside, and I once again was pleasantly surprised. The hut was somewhat set up with basic but welcome comforts. A simple wood platform covered half of the ice floor, providing a raised area to put distance from the cold. In one corner of the wooded area, a bare twin bed frame hugged against the wall of the hut. In the other corner stood a small shelf to put a few belongings. Scanning the uncovered ice, I realized just then how clear it was. Without the snow and leaves obscuring my view, I was able to see straight down to the bottom of the lake, the light of the day illuminating the water a crystal blue. A metal fire pit sat neatly in the corner by the door, complete with a griddle and poker. It was probably set on the ice to prevent the wood platform from catching on fire. Lastly, a block of wood sat in the center of the ice, looking out of place upon the beautiful surface. “That panel is to keep the fishing hole from freezing over,” Childe explained upon noticing my puzzled look. I let out an ‘ah’ in understanding before crouching down to lift the wood slightly off the ice to peak underneath. Sure enough, a circular hole opened into the calm waters. “I had no idea ice fishing could be so fancy” I expressed, gently dropping the panel back into place. “Usually it’s not,” Childe started, bringing our bags to the wooden platform to unpack them, “most of the times I’ve gone alone, I just bring my tent and fishing rod, and the typical Snezhnayian doesn’t bring much more than that. But because you agreed to come with me this time, I wanted to make sure it was more comfortable for my little Ziaka.” “Why, thank you” I chimed, slipping to his side to give him a quick peck on the cheek, “now, what should I do first?” Taking a few seconds to compose himself, Childe passed me a sack. “A-all of our sleeping stuff is in this bag. If you could set up our bed, that would be great” he explained, turning away as a poor attempt to hide the blush that rose to his face, “meanwhile, I’ll get started on the fire.” Chuckling to myself, I got to the task at hand, pulling out the well packed sleeping pads and blankets. As I made the bed, I found that my smile still lingered on my face. I always found it amusing how Childe, the man who could openly flirt with a stranger with a straight face, managed to get so flustered when the tables were turned on him. It was truly adorable.
“When you’re ice fishing in the day and you can see to the bottom of the lake, your sight is your greatest tool. You have to feel the tugging on the rod as well, but if you can see the fish below, you need to use it to your advantage. Just be careful not to get excited and reel it in too early.” With the fire started and the cabin now set up to be even more comfy, it was time to start fishing. Childe prepared the bait at the end of the rods, dropping the lines into the fishing hole before passing a pole to me. “Still see your bait?” “Yup!” I confirmed, laser focused on the purple-coloured fly as it dangled in the crystal-clear water. “Keep an eye on it and give it a little jiggle every now and again,” Childe continued as he sat beside me on the wooden platform, “and now, we wait.” Silence filled the air as we focused on the water below, with nothing but the sound of bird chirping breaking the stillness.
Unable to see the sun through the small windows of the hut, it was impossible to tell just how much time had passed, but it felt like a whole day had gone by just staring into the open water. Whether it was the plain scenery of the cabin or the lack of fish, time seemed to pass at a snail's pace. I enjoyed fishing around Teyvat, but this was…far more intense than I originally thought. Perhaps I didn’t love fishing as much as I thought I did. Or is it that I overestimated my patience? In my boredom, my eyes began to wander to Childe, who, to my surprise, held an intense expression that hadn’t changed the entire time. ‘At least he’s enjoying himself’ I thought, before bringing my attention back to fishing. It was then that I noticed a dark-blue spotted form in the distant waters. Squinting, I made out the edges of sharp fins and striking eyes that could only belong to a snowstrider fish. Even in the cold depths, I could tell it was giant compared to the ones caught on Dragonspine. “Childe, what do I do?” I whispered, terrified of scaring away the first fish we’ve seen in hours. “Easy…” Childe instructed, carefully observing the fish as it swam around our baits. I silently prayed that if it did strike, it would catch on Childe's line, so it wouldn't fall to me to reel it in. But of course, the fish made a beeline to my bait, setting the hook deep in its pointed mouth and clouding the water with crimson blood as it immediately tried to swim away. After the initial shock of the hit, I jumped to my feet and started reeling in the line as hard as I could, fighting against the fish with all my might. Meanwhile, Childe rushed to gather the net he packed. “You’re doing great, Zaika! Just get it to the surface and I can net it!” “Easier said than done!” I grunted, my arm beginning to strain from how much force was needed to keep the fish at bay. Seeing my arms falter, Childe was quick to drop the net to come up behind me, placing his hands over mine to better stabilize the rod. “I got the rod, so you just focus on the reel,” he instructed, his close presence aiding my confidence, making me feel like we’ll win this battle against this aquatic foe. With a few hard tugs from Childe, and some well-timed rotations from me, it wasn’t long before the tip of the snowstrider breached the surface of the fishing hole. Seeing its head flop onto the side of the ice, I was shocked at how big it really was, its body just a few inches away from not being able to fit through the hole. Despite its size, Childe didn’t hesitate to grab the giant by the gills, pulling it to the deck of the cabin before it recovered enough to escape. “Archons, this thing is big '' he gritted his teeth, struggling to lift the fish even with his years of training. I dropped the rod to join him, hissing to myself as I dipped my hands in the ice water to grab its torso. With both of our efforts, we managed to pull the colossal snowstrider deep inside the cabin where it was absolutely secure. Now in the clear, Childe and I stood in silence for a breath or two, before an inevitable chuckle left my lips. I turned to Childe, an ecstatic smile plastered on his face as he caught his breath. “I can’t believe we just did that!” I cheered, going in for the hug, where Childe was fully prepared to welcome me into his arms, as if he was planning on doing the same. “You did great, Ziaka! Are you sure you’ve never ice fished before?” “I guess I’m just in the good graces of the Archons!” I joked, pulling away from his hold so I could rest my hand on the fish’s head, seeing just how large it was in comparison, “but even so, I had no idea fish this big existed in Teyvat, let alone able to be caught.” “Personally, I’ve only caught a handful bigger than this one, but I’ve been fishing since I could walk,” Childe explained, kneeling down next to me to better examine the fish, before bringing his hands together in a prayer like motion and continuing in a soft voice, “thank you for the battle…” Pulling out a pocket knife from the inside of his coat, Childe expertly plunged it into the animal’s skull, knowing just where to strike to finish it quickly. With a few lingering jolts, the fish went limp against the ice and a steady stream of blood began to flow towards the fishing hole nearby. “Bye, fish…” I whispered to myself, not noticing that Childe was going through the back packs until he found what he wanted. “Hey, Zaika! Let’s commemorate this moment before we get cleaning!” he chimed, waving around the kamera he bought for the trip. As Childe stood steady for the shot, I stepped behind the fallen beast, before pulling its pointed nose upwards. With a grin and a thumbs up, Childe took our photo before showing me the developed result. “Perfect! Now, what happens next?” I asked dropping the fish. “Well, I’m going to start cleaning the fish to eat, while you sit by the fire and warm up your hands,” he explained, taking one of my hands into his. It was only then did I notice just how cold they were, the excitement of the catch having distracted me from just how pale and chilled they’d gotten from the water. “I’m not that cold, I can still-” “Zaika, I will not accept you getting sick from this trip, or worse, frostbite,” he stopped me, his voice stern despite his hands still warming mine gently. With puffed cheeks, I reluctantly let him guide me to the campfire. “Fine, but once I’m warm, I want to be in charge of dinner so you can rest.” “Sounds like a good deal!”
By the time we were done with dinner, it was incredibly dark outside, to the point that I needed to stand by with a lantern as Childe packed the remaining raw fish in snow, the light from the fire barely making its way outside the hut. Even though we ate fish until we were completely full, and even more after that, we had an ungodly amount of meat left over. Childe’s family will make quick work of whatever we bring back, so it put my mind at ease knowing that none of it would go to waste. Of course, we would still have to hike home with all that extra weight on our backs, but it was hard to worry about that in the moment when our stomachs were full of warm food. The fire was down to the ambers as we got ready for bed, gently lighting the hut with a ruby red glow. As we finished packing up for the night, I couldn’t help but eye the small bed in the corner of the room, silently wondering how we’d both fit in it, especially with Childe’s height. “So…How are we going to do this?” I finally spoke my mind as we finished changing into our sleeping clothes. “Cuddling very closely!” Childe chimed with a wink, “it's going to get cold in here without a roaring fire, but I'd rather that than accidentally burning the hut down.” Pushing the bed up against the wall, Childe was the first to hop in, scooting so I had enough room to lay down next to him. Sliding into bed, I had to press myself against Childe to keep from falling off the edge, but the closeness felt like heaven as my back locked with his chest like a puzzle piece. The double layer of blankets sealed us off from the cold air of the night, and with Childe’s furnace like body heat, my worries of a poor night's sleep melted away without a second thought. Once I was properly settled in, Childe's arms found their way around my midsection, permanently binding my body with his. “Warm enough, Zaika? Any chills?” he whispered into the nape of my neck, sending a different kind of chill throughout my body. “I'm nice and toasty, how about you?” “I've never been better~” I felt my way to his callused hands, intertwining my fingers with his to feel his presence even closer. “I had a really great time today, Childe'' I said softly, rubbing small cycles into the back of his hand, “thank you for inviting me…” To my surprise, I felt Childe take in a deep breath, as if he was taken off guard. “You have no idea how happy I am to hear you say that (y/n)” he admitted, somehow pulling me in even closer, “I know ice fishing isn't for everyone, but here you are, bundled up with me and saying the nicest things…” In his brief moment of pause, Childe's lips found the side of my neck, peppering the surface with kisses as if searching for my pulse with his mouth. I gasped with the touch, giving into the surprising contrast of his hot kisses and the chills of the wet spots he left behind. “Thank you for giving me a chance. Thank you for coming on this trip. Thank you for being mine…” He chanted, a kiss ending each sentence like a period. At some point, I turned around enough to properly meet his lips, and as I both attempted to match his starving pace and shower him with gratitude of my own, my words came out in broken fragments cut with breathy moans. “Th- ou fo bein mi-!” Childe hummed in response, understanding what I said crystal clear.