Centimeters [Childe/Tartaglia x reader]

Chapter 2

Word Count: 2351

In Y/n's POV

"That's all for today's lecture... oh! And don't forget that your book reports on whatever book you chose is due on Monday! Have a nice weekend." said our professor before she started to erase the whiteboard.

"Hey (Y/n), wait up!" called out Childe as he tried to clean up as fast as he could. I, unfortunately, stayed behind for him to catch up.

"What do you want, A-"

"It's Childe, got it?" he smiled. A forced one at that.

"Er... right... Childe..."

"Also, I wanted to know if you had any other classes today?"

"Nope. I kinda wanna use the least amount of brain cells on a Friday. Besides, I have to go to the café and help out Mr. Zhongli." I explained as I walked to a nearby vending machine to get a quick snack. Digging through my pockets, I tried to find some mora but I had seemed to leave my wallet in my other jacket... in my apartment. Great.

"Looking for a bite to eat?"

I turned around to see Childe towering over my shorter stature.

"Uh..."

"Did you forget your wallet?"

"... something like that."

"If you'd like, I could loan you some mora. It's only a couple." said Childe as he started to pull out a small pouch of coins.

"N-no no! I don't need your Fatui money- I wasn't that hungry anyways..."

The silence between the two of us was then broken by my stomach growling. ... goddammit why does this world hate me.

"Your stomach says otherwise... C'mon, I'll treat you." he said as he stuck his hand out.

"I'm not holding your hand. ...but I'll take the free meal. Can't really buy anything in my situation right now anyways..."

I reluctantly followed the ginger to wherever it was he was taking me. About a five or so minute walk later, we ended up in a small park area next to the University; a couple food kiosks were set up along with a few pieces of playground equipment for kids.

"In the mood for some grilled tiger fish?" asked Childe, looking back at me.

"Um... yeah, sure... Whatever sounds good, I guess..."

After Childe bought two grilled tiger fish, he handed one to me before walking towards a bench to sit down and eat.

"Why are you being so nice to me...? What's the catch?" I asked, hesitant to begin chowing down on the snack.

"What? Is it so bizarre that I'm treating my old friend to something?"

Friend? We're... after all this time?

"You still see me as a friend?" I blurted out. God I wish I would just shut up for once.

"I know we left off on a low note all those years ago, but how about we just forget that ever happened and just enjoy this?" he said, motioning to the two of us.

"Forget, huh?" All I think about was how he tasted like salt and a pinch of fresh sunsettias that Teucer and I picked just before dinner that very evening. Albeit, not the most exquisite taste, but it was Childe we were talking about... He was... something else.

"Are you gonna eat that or are you just gonna stare at it?"

Childe's voice was the thing that brought me back to reality.