~^ Wait for me ^~ Childe x (Fem)Reader { Short Story }

{ Irony of the Archons}

   You were staring at the ginger-haired man with glimmering eyes of Nostalgia and sadness. You felt wetness on your hands as you realized you were crying.
"Y/n! Are you okay? Why are you crying? Is it because of this weird guy?" Paimon quickly asked, panicking that her companion was suddenly bursting into tears.
   You chuckled a bit, looking back at the man who was staring at you with an empathetic gaze.
"No no, I honestly don't know why I'm crying either... Perhaps my mind remembered something..." You trailed off, your last sentence you murmured under your breath.
   He steps towards you and squatted down. His hands gently caressed your cheek as he put his thumb on your eyes to wipe the tears away. His gaze not dropping for a second. A soft, sorrowful gaze. One with so much emotion that you could see the sparkle in his eyes. He was almost staring but in a mesmerizing way. The way someone would look at a painting. Your eyes were clouded with tears, but you could make out that he was smiling at you. Letting out a small exhale of relief.
    Paimon was trying to pry him off of you, complaining that he was the reason for your gloom. Paimon threatened she would give him an ugly nickname if he didn't leave you alone.
   You on the other hand were only able to stare into his eyes, encapsulated on his loving gaze.
   You felt warm and fuzzy, it felt like home. It felt familiar. You, then, let out a small sigh of happiness.
   Like a distant childhood memory that began to fade away through time, through a nostalgic event it soon came rushing back. Rushing back like a tidal wave, hitting everything in its path with terrifying swiftness and strength.
   This warm and fuzzy feeling only grew stronger as you basked in each other's presence, unsure of what to say to each other. Your tears never stopped flowing, as another wave of emotion just flew over you.
   Childe gazed at your crying, yet slightly adorable face. His smile of pity still retaining its emotions and never wavering. He hadn't seen you in years, three agonizing years he was separated from you. Your touch, your scent, your presence. Oh how much he wanted to just hold onto you forever and never let you escape.
   Though, he knew he would probably be punched. And oh how much he missed that endearing smile. The one with such hidden sadness behind it, but the one you would do, even if forced, the one that would light his day. Even after a long exhausting day at work, he would look forward to that smile. Your warm greetings, your kindness. The one he thought he would never receive. You're his sun. His bright flashlight shines through the darkness.

   It relieved him greatly that you had remembered him. Well.. your body, and a part of your mind anyways. It responded to his touch just like all those years ago.
   His enthusiastic smile only slowly began to fade as he recalled those horrid memories. His betrayal. His blinded Loyalty towards his job has cost you your life. His Job had killed you. He had killed you. With no questions as well. He didn't question anything for the sake of his job. He was so blind.
He wouldn't let it happen again. He simply just couldn't. But he wondered...

How far really was he willing to take it for you?

   You noticed that the male's smile had dropped, his cheerful expression fading away. You could see his face twist with agony, reminiscing over what you understood as some pretty horrible memories. His hand remained on your cheek, but you felt his grip loosening as his hand slowly fell from your face.
   You lifted your hand over him, securing the warmth of his hand. This snapped him out of his thoughts. Almost like instinct took over. Something in you screamed to comfort him. So you allowed your brain to say whatever it wanted.
"Hey... Don't think like that"
   His eyes shot towards you with a surprised expression plastered over his face. His eyes widened as he shifted his hand to grip your hand, tightly.
   You were a bit confused at the sudden change of emotion, but you ignored it and continued.
"Whatever happened... It must have been bad. I can see it in your face." You remarked. The words falling from your tongue so naturally. You knew a part of you knew this man. Some part of you... Cared for him. Deeply.
   Pulling his hand off your cheek, you sandwiched his hand with yours. Enveloping his hand in your tenderness.
"Whatever happened... I forgive you for it..." You raised your head down to stare at his hand sandwiched between yours, and you smiled.