[ Favorite ] - Tartaglia/Childe X OC

⌺---Prologue---⌺

"Huff, huff..."

"Felin, you know too well that I'd still find you wherever you go, right? Have you missed me so much that you've decided to play hide and seek? Very well. It'll be my pleasure to play with you once more, m'lady."

Quick yet silent footsteps from a sylphlike silhouette aimlessly turns each streets and corners, in hopes to shake off her pursuer. Even though she knew that she almost has no chance of escaping him as it has already been years since she tried to conceal her presence, she was still a little hopeful that he would not find her.

However, she simply knew that the chance of him finding her was higher than the highest point of Qingce.

That 'he", unfortunately, was still aware of her presence and he seemed to be quite pleased with himself on chasing the frantic woman. He was certain that she already knows that he'll catch up, but he chose to enjoy the long night.

Even though its been years since they've played the game of hide and seek, they know each other's thoughts and movements like the back of their hands. They can communicate better than anyone else, be it fighting together or just simply judging others. Including the way they talk, they laugh or smile, or be it the scent they have, how many moles they have and how many scars the hid. They all know it too well.

In summary- they knew each other inside out.

This was the main reason the woman, Felin, almost immediately knew that he was around as soon as she spotted that ginger hair of his. If only their eyes haven't met back then, if only she didn't stare at him in longing and regret for too long. He couldn't have noticed her back then.

But she was too overwhelmed by her longing that her stares probably alerted the said ginger-haired male, making him stare back at her in surprise.

As if time has stopped, their eyes locked onto each other as wind gently blew around them. With the female's superb smelling ability, nostalgia hits her like a brick of rock. That, together with the bright smile the ginger gave her as soon as he snapped out of his trance, made her freeze in her spot.

This made her certain, that choppy ginger colored hair of his, that invigorating and calming scent of his that reminds him of the fresh water, and the way he adorably smiles at her. How could she forget it all- especially when we are talking about her Favorite person?

If only she could hug him and tell him how much she missed him all this time. How sad and lonely she was this whole time that they were apart from each other. If only she could tell him her day after their work was done- just like in the past.

But then, that was in the past. The sprinting woman could only look back and mourn at what she did that resulted to this mess she was in.

That's right. The real reason she's trying to run away is because she had committed a huge sin. She betrayed everyone- No. She betrayed the only God she trusts and worships. She betrayed him. How could she have the guts to face her favorite person that she betrayed?

Felin turned into a desolate corner that was hidden by the buildings' shadow, finally deciding to come into a halt and hide there as she catch her breath. She tried her very best to blend in the shadow, with her almost black outfit helping her out in the little predicament she was in. Even if she managed to somehow trick him or divert his attention to something else, she knows it won't be long before he manages to catch up to her.

This is the eleventh Fatui Harbinger we're talking about here. The cunning and unpredictable Tartaglia.

This is why she needed to think and act as fast as she can.

Almost as if fate was mocking her futile attempts in escaping, a slender pair of arms wrapped around her in a gentle manner, making her come in an abrupt stop.

"Didn't I say that I'll find you wherever you go, m'lady? You know me, I always keep my word."

Even if she didn't turn her head and look at the person behind her with her own pair of eyes, his nostalgic scent and familiar voice that she couldn't ever forget made her unconsciously quiver. As if his comforting hug acted like a blocking stone that was removed from the stream of river, her emotions flowed out of her like the water that was hindered by the rock. She was quickly overwhelmed by all sorts of emotions.

Happiness, longing, hesitance, regret. All of these seen and felt by the man who turned Felin around to meet her trembling teary eyes.

"C-Childe..."

"Speaking of which, m'lady. Is it just me or you've gotten rusty? Or you just decided to become the sneaky mouse instead of the sly and cunning cat? Or...perhaps- is it just because you've missed me so much that you started to panic? Haha, don't worry. I won't be going anywhere anytime soon." 

⌺-End of Prologue-⌺