Velvet Café [Childe x reader]

+ 27 : Barista blues +

  
Awfully chilly was the wind that brushed against (Y/n)'s skin as she stood outside of the café for fresh air.

"Thinking about Childe?" Kaeya had followed her a few minutes after. It was his last day at the café so Qiqi had decided they hold him a goodbye party. After all, he was still a good employee and without him she'd need another barista for the café.

"No. What good will it do me thinking about him." (Y/n) frowned. It has been days since she has gone to Childe's mansion only to find out he left without a word.

"I really wish I could help you."

Kaeya sounded genuinely concerned, and always had been ever since Childe started ghosting everyone. It infuriated him, almost making him want to cancel his flight and take one to where the orange haired ghost is.

(Y/n) turned to look at Kaeya, gazing into his deep lilac blue eyes. "I'm ruining your final day here aren't I... Being all gloomy."

"It's not your fault. It's that moronic carrot head that decided to literally fly away from his problems." The male crossed his arms. "I can't wait to punch him the moment I see him. Even if it's 50 years from now, both of us old and complaining our back hurts."

"Pfft, I doubt either of you would even admit your backs are in pain." (Y/n) laughed. Seeing that her mood has improved, Kaeya's lips curled into a smile.

"I see you're in a better mood now, why don't we go back inside?" He suggests.

"Mmm. Sure."

The two head back inside the café where music was blasting, Barbara was singing and Noelle was clapping along.

"Oh (Y/n) there you are!" Xiangling who dancing to the music stopped after she took notice of the two. "I was going to ask you to join me since you seemed really down, but it looks like someone else already dealt with that." She grinned cheekily.

"I take great care of (y/n) no? If she'd pick me over Childe then she'd be crying a lot less." Kaeya replied humorously and (y/n) glanced at him unable to react.

"I'm just kidding. No need for you to look so tense."

"... Yeah."

The thought of having someone that isn't Childe by her side threatened to bring back the gloomy mood of hers.

"(Y/n)! Come on and sing with us! You are my dancing queen! Young and sweet only seventeeen!" Barbara approached the three while singing with the mic in her hand.

"Dancing queeeen, feel the beat from the tambourine oh yeah!" Noelle continued.

"You can dance, you can jive, having the time of your life." Kaeya sung the next line and held his hand out beckoning (y/n) to grab it. The girl's eyes widened in surprise, she didn't think Kaeya could sing, but his voice was pretty good.

"Oooh, see that girl, watch that scene, diggin the dancing queen!" The three sang in unison, and after moments of hesitation she took Kaeya's hand.

While the group was singing the dancing queen, Zhongli sat by one of the tables with Baizhu and Qiqi who was enjoying her coconut milk. He silently watched the other group while pondering what Childe was thinking when he just left.

Not too long ago he recieved a text from Childe which said "Left the country. Tell (y/n) to forget about me. Don't worry about your debts, thanks good friend."

"You seem to be preoccupied." Baizhu comments on Zhongli's distant expression.

"Hmm, I don't have anyone to borrow money from now."

"Money is it?" Baizhu chuckled. "You do a fine job with your work, perhaps I'll consider giving you a raise."

"Hey that's for me to decide!" Qiqi put down her glass of coconut milk. "But Zhongli is good employee, Zhongli can get a raise."
 
  
 
  
  
The music promptly switched from upbeat to slow dance music. One hand held onto (Y/n)'s, the other wrapped around her waist.

It felt really weird for her, but if it would keep her mind off of Childe. Perhaps it's alright, just for now.

"You know when we're like this I can only think of wholesome things." Kaeya says while looking at her intently.

"So you're implying when we aren't like this you get all sorts of thoughts including ones that aren't wholesome?" (Y/n) narrowed her eyes.

"Maybe."

"You idiot!" Barbara facepalmed. "Great way to kill the mood. Hmph! Noelle come with me and let's go dance together. I don't want to witness more of the half-witted eyepatch man's short comings!" The blonde took Noelle's hand and went off.

"What about Xiangling?" Noelle asks.

"Xiangling again!?"

"Sorry about that." Kaeya smiled sheepishly. "You don't need to force yourself to do this by the way."

"What do you mean?"

"Right now, you and I."

"It's fine really." (Y/n) forced a weak smile. "What time is your flight by the way, do you want me to accompany you to the airport? If it doesn't bother Diluc though..."

"No." Kaeya frowned. "If you came with me to the airport... I'd almost definitely miss my flight to stay with you." He leaned in closer and rested his forehead on (y/n)'s shoulder. "You should know what it feels like, right?"

"Yeah, I guess." Because she was on the verge of wanting to risk everything to bring Childe back.
 
  
  
  

+ barista blues +