┏━━━°⌜ 𝗡𝗢𝗧 𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗢𝗡𝗟𝗬 𝗢𝗡𝗘 ⌟°━━━┓
❝... ❞
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" what if she's here?!?" You pace around your changing room, visibly upset
" she couldn't have" Childe stood up, trailing around you so he could hold you still
" then why would she leak those photos!?! Maybe she bribed the reporters with my money...what if-" you began to be hysterical
" hey [y/n]!" Childe caught your arm, pulling you close to his chest
" there's no way. I assure you" Childe placed his hand on your head. You were flabbergasted. You didn't expect him to hug you
But...It calmed your nerves
" okay. Are you okay now?" Childe pulled away, leaning down to eye level with you
" yes.." you murmur, collecting your thoughts calmly, " I hope she isn't using all this to her advantage..." you sat down slowly
" how could she use our relationships status to her advantage" Childe frowned, not knowing your mother enough
" there's lots of things, false rumours and more." You cup your forehead, having harsh sighs
" I just...don't want to face anyone" you stare at the ground, sensing Childe in front of you
" well for now..we have to act the part" Childe kneeled down to you, smiling
" 'act' huh? You know that we are together right? You can be all lovey dovey now" you sneer to Childe, crossing your arms
" perhaps... let's go" Childe stood up, offering his hand to you
You stare at his hands, they were still bandaged but chuckling a bit, you held it gently
L A T E R
You stare into the night sky after a long day. The more you breathed the more fog came out your mouth
" I'm here" you stare downwards, kneeling down to an arced stone
You pat the grave. You haven't been visiting often and you felt bad for not doing so
" I've been busy...I'm sorry" you start to apologise sincerely
You waited for a response. You knew you weren't getting one but your heart longed for one, it still had a glimpse of hope
You clutch your jacket, it was thin and you wished you wore a thicker one as the breeze cooled you
" it's cold out here" you heard a voice behind you. You turn around, frightened to say the least
" god!" You sweared, standing up and looking at the person
" it's just me" Alhaitham rose his hand, not meaning to alarm you in any way
" what are you doing here?" You inquire, watching Alhaitham stand next to you
" to visit someone. You look like you are too" Alhaitham looked at the name engraved in the tombstone
" I am" You shyly respond, having a reminder of your purpose here, " who is this may I ask?" Alhaitham tried small talk with you
" oh ...well" you smile, holding your hands together
" it's my father ...he passed away when I was little" you reveal, your tone soft
" he must of been a good father" Alhaitham observed the light smile you had on your face
" he was, he told me to always follow my passion...after he passed...my mother turned...more moodier" You explained, sighing gravely as your smiled turned into frowns , " sorry I don't know why I'm telling you all this" you look back at Alhaitham, feeling embarrassed
" it's fine. Although the rumours are true right?" Alhaitham didn't give context to his speech
" what rumours?" You had to ask for some clarification
" you and Childe are dating...sorry not rumours, it's true" Alhaitham looked away after observing your reaction once more
" oh that...yeah it's true.." you cross your arms, feeling silence reach between you and him
" well...then I wish you guys a happy relationship...you suit each other" Alhaitham sternly congratulated, turning around
" I'll leave you and your father to talk alone" Alhaitham waved, walking into the darkness
You wave even though he wouldn't see your byes. The encounter to you was short but turning back around, you kneel down to the grave
" sorry about that."
L A T E R
walking into your home, your feet dangle out of the shoes that trapped your feet. You were beyond tired and pondered what take-out you were going to order
You were met with a warm aura. It was weird because you hadn't turned the heater on and it certainly wasn't automatic
" welcome home!" You heard a cheery voice
You were beyond startled, thinking the voice was Thoma but it wasn't. You were shocked to learn that it was Childe in an apron.
" you scared me" you pat your heart lightly, travelling over to Childe whose food scented the whole place
" Thoma was here not long ago, he let me in." Childe explained his presence
" is that so" you chuckled, sliding the purse you held on the chair, " what did he say?" You sorted out your scrambled desk
" he said he didn't want to disturb you and placed the scripts for the next podcast in your recording room" Childe explained, the sounds of sizzling accompanying the silence
You hummed in response.
" ...why are you home so late?" Childe looked at the time. He assumed you were home after filming together
" I made a quick stop.." you walk to Childe, looking at the food he was stirring up, " your food actually looks...eatable" you express, a bit shocked
" eatable!?! Are you assuming that I would poison you?" Childe sneered, staring at you with teasing eyes
" maybe" you tease, watching him move to cutting the vegetables, " here let me help" you intervene, grabbing the knife off Childe
" okay" Childe smiled at your gestures, " let me know if you get tired, your boyfriend is here for your leisure" Childe shared an innocent wink to you
" as if..although you look nice in an apron" you scoffed at his confidence
" I do! Right?" Childe was satisfied with your response
" yeah...were you not busy tonight?" You looked at the time, chopping the vegetables into a bowl
" I was...but I heard you were tired so I came here to keep you company" Childe nodded, his smiles making your heart flutter
" you didn't...have to do that" you tried to sound sincere, your heart pounding
" anything for you" Childe placed a gentle hand on yours when you placed the knife down
" I will stab you..." you threaten, putting the knife in front of Childe , not knowing how to respond to his caring words
" hey now, don't be so cruel, let me help you" Childe offered, placing his hand on yours as he guides you on cutting the vegetables
You slowly gulp, having glimpses of Childe's focused face
B O N U S
" how dare you!" The tv echoed through the living room. Childe decided to watch a movie while you worked on your podcasts to keep you company
Childe ate another popcorn. He assumed you were writing the scripts. " she's so oblivious of course he cheated" Childe commented, having another popcorn to his delight
Childe didn't hear a response from you and leaned forward, amongst this, there was a sound of a soft thud.
Childe peeked at your slouched position. Smiling to himself uncontrollably when he saw you sound asleep.
Childe rested his head on the table, burying his head in his crossed arms, having a view of your sleeping face.
" why do I always catch you like this" Childe murmured, gently putting aside your loose hair
" I can't believe you are my pretty [y/n], my only one." Childe laughed a bit, resting his head in his arms.
He was just Admiring you...just for a bit of course
N E X T D A Y
" you look like you had a good rest"
Keqing smirked to you, nudging you. " yeah I almost slept on my desk" you murmur, rubbing your eyes
" me too, I have panda eyes, look!" Keqing showed you her obvious dark circles
" yeah you might have to conceal it today" you cup her face, smiling a bit
" right" Keqing sighed, crossing her arms as you walked into the studio
You felt eyes on you as you entered. It was deafening and painfully obvious to you as people whispered amongst each other
You heard every rumour, every comment good and bad. You didn't want to care but it was hard not to, especially if Childe was involved.
You frowned. It felt like a crime after you were confirmed to be dating Childe. Was it? At this point you didn't even know yourself
" hey...lighten up, you two are perfect for each other" Keqing sensed your darkened mood as your shoulders dropped to your side
" thanks...although it feels like a crime to date huh" you sighed again, ranting to Keqing
" it's not a crime, these people are just jealous" Keqing patted your shoulder, consoling you as much as she can
" hey [y/n]" you heard another voice call out for you.
Sensing a hand on your shoulders you had to turn around
It was oddly familiar and when you turned to your side, your eyes lit up
" YELAN!"
T O B E C O N T I N U E D