[Zhongli just looks at him at that comment, with that imperious, knowing gaze of his. Indeed, they both know that the foreigner's test has changed immensely since his arrival, and still more these last weeks, when reluctance slowly turned into acceptance such to allow Childe the visceral, wanton view he now has.]

... yes, it is. Normally, I would ask it to be written, in fact.

[but... nothing has been normal for him for quite some time, has it? Slowly, shakily, Zhongli climbs to his feet with stubborn certainty.]

I will bathe now, unless there remains a pressing negotiation.

[There he pauses again, legs... sticky and a little cold in the open air, ever chilled by the howling winds of Snezhnaya. Part of him remains glad that he's evidently an unnamed spoil of war, so far as her majesty is concerned - power sealed though he is, the man has his pride.]