[ he's looking at childe as he reacts to the question and thoma feels an instant moment of regret as he takes in the look on his face. even as the look fades, even as his hand is squeezed, he can't help feeling like he's touched on a topic that he shouldn't have. and so soon, too.

as they continue to walk, thoma's attention regularly flits back to childe, the cold going almost unnoticed thanks to both the haori and the distraction of reconsidering any questions he's thought about.

when he gets an actual answer rather than an attempt to move on from it, thoma pulls childe's hand up and briefly brushes his lips against the back of it. it's an apology of sorts, affectionate just because he wants to be and he finds himself incredibly comfortable with that with childe. ] You mentioned teaching your younger siblings to skate. A lot of my time when I got here is a blur, but meeting you sticks out in my memory.

[ it's why he's found himself so happy to see childe each time they've run into one another. and why he hopes it will continue to happen.

with that in mind, and as he lowers their joined hands to go back to lightly swinging between them, he watches the way childe tilts his head back with a smile. ] I know you answered anyway, but I apologize if that question was too personal.