The 12th Fatui Harbinger

Apology

A/N: Recommended BGM: By My Side - Junny

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Yuria awoke with a damp towel on her forehead in the pitch darkness of night. She slowly sat up and winced in pain as her head spun in circles yet again. She switched on the lamp next to her, gasping in surprise when it suddenly illuminated a sleeping Childe by her bedside.

He promptly rustled and opened his eyes.

"Yuria...?" He called out sleepily.

Had he been taking care of her all along? She didn't know how to feel about this. There were dark circles under his eyes and he was smiling at her like some lovesick puppy.

"Hi." she squeaked softly.

He held her hands in his. His hands were really warm. With his other hand, he immediately checked her temperature.

"Why don't you lay back down, you still have a temperature." He gently laid her back down as he changed the towel on her head.

"What happened...? How long have I been out?"

"Almost a week." Childe said as he got up and stretched. "You had a fever to begin with and the transformation left you almost completely drained." He trailed off as he remembered panicking as he realized Yuria's forehead was burning hot after she passed out.

"It's completely normal for people to feel dizzy or quaint, as it does take a lot out of you to transform to the last stage. Which is exactly why I said you shouldn't push yourself on that day." Childe chastised as he put his hands on his hips. "I would have stopped you completely had I known you were sick."

Childe handed her a glass of water to drink, helping her up again. Yuria looked around the room. There was a bouquet of beautiful blue flowers by her nightstand. "Who brought these?" She asked aloud as she sniffed them. They reminded her of some flowers in her homeland and the scent vaguely resembled that of fresh mountain rivers and springs.

Childe sheepishly scratched his head. "They're from me. I just thought you might appreciate them when you wake up. They're glaze lilies imported from Liyue."

Yuria looked at them. They were almost the same exact shade as her eyes. "Thanks, they're beautiful." She blushed slightly.

The natural peach on her cheeks turned pinker as she blushed deeply as she glanced happily at the flowers, and his heart hurt just looking at her. The moonlight coming in through the windows made her look ever more ethereal, highlighting her soft features. She was just so perfect.

"You did great for your first transformation, but don't push yourself like that, okay?" He repeated. "You really can die if you overexert yourself."

She clutched his hand as he was about to leave. "Where are you going?" She said as her big doe eyes sparkled.

"I'll be back, I'm going to fix you something to eat." He grinned as he ignored his racing heart.

Yuria didn't know how to process everything. Had he really been here a whole week to take care of her? What kind of trick was this? But her head started to spin again, so she quickly fell back into slumber.

She felt someone shaking her gently as the smell of food wafted in the air.

"I know you want to sleep sweetheart, but you should really eat something." A voice said.

Her eyes slowly opened, and she saw Childe with a tray of soup. He helped her sit up and her vision refocused on the bowl. What the fuck was that. She rubbed her eyes to make sure she wasn't hallucinating.

Childe laughed nervously. "I swear it's not as bad as it looks."

Nope, she wasn't seeing things. The bowl of soup held octopus legs, egg yolk and various spices. It looked like a kraken in a bloody bowl. She gulped. He had made the effort to cook it for her, so she slowly brought the spoon closer to her lips, expecting it to taste as absolutely horrifying as it looked.

"Hey, wait, this isn't so bad." She said as she slowly chewed.

Childe grinned triumphantly. "I told you. It's my specialty dish. Normally I would catch the seafood myself, but I've been here in the palace answering duties and taking care of you."

"You fish?" Yuria questioned incredulously.

"Hey, ice fishing and combat follow the same principle. Patience and decisiveness are key." He stated defensively, not wanting to look lame in front of her. "Plus it's a great opportunity to be alone and reflect on my combat techniques and train my endurance."

She giggled quite enthusiastically. "I can't quite imagine you sitting still and waiting for a fish... I feel like you would be screaming at the ice like 'you stupid fish, come out now and feel the wrath of my skills!'" Yuria exclaimed as she held up her tiny little fist in imitation of him.

Childe scoffed. "I'm going to let you off on that one because you're cute and you're sick."

Yuria froze again. Of course he wouldn't actually like her if she wasn't pretty. She would have never caught his eye otherwise. What's to say her face alone would be enough to keep him at her side? He was a harbinger. He was quite handsome. She was sure he could pick any girl he wanted once he tired of her. They wouldn't work out to begin with. He would probably fit better with some quiet housewife type of girl anyway. She just happened to momentarily catch his interest.

Misunderstanding why she suddenly clamped up, Childe put his hand to her forehead. "Are you not feeling well again? Should I call for a doctor?" He asked dotingly.

She pushed his hand away and shook her head. "No, I'm fine." She replied curtly.

Childe sighed internally. She was so hot and cold. He could never tell what was going on in her head. Was it about their recent spat?

"Am I still not forgiven?" He asked softly. "I took care of you for a whole week..." He said as he looked at her lovingly.

Yuria had almost forgotten about that, but the embers of rage still sparked in her heart. "I don't like you thinking of me as something to own." She responded firmly. He must have taken care of her because she was his responsibility. There was no absolute way he was serious about her.

"I know, and I'm completely sorry about that. I meant to say this earlier, but I didn't want to stress you out. I let my temper get the better of me." Childe trailed off as he scratched his head. "I'm not on great terms with Scaramouche, and I was being hot-headed. I didn't realize he was your family, and I apologize."

For years, she'd tell herself she'd rather be alone than have to deal with someone she loved abandoning her again. Her father and past lovers were enough. She couldn't hurt if she didn't love right? But they had never apologized like Childe did. They sought to blame whatever was wrong in their relationship on her, never acknowledging their own faults---and being the stupid girl in love she was, Yuria had let them define her worth.

So she sat there, speechless, not sure how to deal with his apology. It seemed earnest. It seemed real... and too good to be true.

"I'm not sure..." Yuria trailed off. She did in all honesty love that he took care of her. She wanted him by her side, but she didn't want to have to fear the one day he would leave. She clung onto his sleeve.

"Can't we just be... friends?" She squeaked.

The way she looked so hurt, and so wounded as she timidly clutched the corner of his sleeve as if he would leave at any moment, pained his heart deeply. Childe's eyes softened. "I'll be whatever you need, sweetheart." He cooed as he gave her a soft hug.

His embrace felt so nice. He was warm, and Childe smelled like the fresh ocean breeze that she so very much missed. Yuria could feel his hand patting her hair gently, and she was soon lulled back to sleep in his arms.