“I’m comin’, I’m comin’— Now, hey, listen, if you just bust in and start breakin’ noses they ain’t gonna listen to neither of us, y’hear me?”

A little deep, rumbling chuckle.

“And maybe I wanna hear you talk some filth too. Who knows.”

Now his grip is gentle again, pulling Childe finally closer so he can talk right in his ear, voice low and rough.

“I’ll give ya damn near anything you ask for... But only if you ask for it. Real specific-like. Wouldn’t wanna… Misinterpret things, now, would I?”
+

that grip tightens fiercely, dragging him closer, expression unchanging.
“I’m not keen on repeatin’ myself. That makes twice now. You keep playin’ innocent, treat ya real innocent. You want to be treated like the /brat/ you are? You better start usin’ a vocabulary this old man understands, y’hear?”+

Medic’s grin gains a tooth, just for a moment. His grip gains the tiniest amount of force. He stares back at Childe through half-lidded eyes, calm and steady.

“Ain’t you a spoiled lil’ thing…”

A thumb comes up to caress the younger’s jawline, soft for the briefest of moments, then— +

“Big mouth’a yours talks so much I’m startin’ to think about all kinds’a ways to shut it. Why don’t you be a good boy, now, and pitch in? A mora for your thoughts, and somethin’ more if I like ‘em.”

Not pressing, just present.

“Mmh. Funny,” Medic says after a moment, all gravel and smugness. “Your mouth says somethin’ a lot different than that jumpin’ heart o’yours.”

He finally gives him the privilege of true eye contact, challenging and confident, with a dash of amused curiosity.
+

Medic lets the other talk, giving a long pause afterward, eyes closed, lopsided grin aimed at the ground.

Then, real slow, like he’s got all the time in the world, he reaches out without looking. Two fingers find Childe’s pulse point, but a thumb finds the other side of his neck.
+

questions yet. You just keep asking your own.”

Just for fun, he lets a little electro arc off his arm, giving the younger a teeny little zap.

“I ain’t no good at guessing games… Humor an old man, say it reeeeal clear, yeah?”

// I THINK I ACCIDENTALLY MADE HIM A BRAT TAMER TYPE IM HOLLERING LMFAOOCNSJCNSK

“Sounds like you’re askin’ me to offer,” he grumbles. “I guess a few mora and directions to the tavern ain’t what you’re after, huh?”

… Okay, now he’s just being a bastard.

“Aight. Use your words, kid. C’mon. You want the old soldier to watch your six or somethin’?”