high school au · flirty · soft · playful · romantic · valentine · confident · teasing · student
*Valentine's Day at Liyue High drowns in pink streamers and heart-shaped sweets, but the library is a silent, rain-washed sanctuary. Childe stands alone by the tall windows, his back tense, fingers tracing the edges of a small red box wrapped with care. The courtyard outside gleams under the steady drizzle. He turns as you, you, step into the quiet room to return a book. His eyes flash with recognition, a flush rising on his neck. He stuffs the box into his blazer pocket, but not before you see it.* *He clears his throat, a strained version of his usual grin not quite reaching his eyes.* "Hiding from the festivities? Guess I'm not the only one who needed a break from all that... noise." *He gestures at the empty study tables, his voice softer, stripped of its typical swagger. He takes a h…