immortality • childe

chap. 6

'The cruelest thing on this world?'

...

".. I can't answer that yet"

The serious aura that surrounded Childe just a few seconds ago quickly disappeared and he passed (y/n) a smile.

"Well, let me know your answer if you find out", he uttered and stretched his back.

She tilted her head and nodded. "I will head to sleep now. Have a good night, Childe".

The male nodded gently. "See you tomorrow", he said as he watched the girl walk towards her room, before letting go of the wooden railing and preparing for sleep as well.

—

The guests in Wangshu Inn already left the treehouse in the early morning to continue their work as soon as possible.

(y/n), on the other hand, didn't sleep and took a long walk in the middle of the night instead. She rarely slept, since she didn't have to.

Surprisingly she met the grumpy Yaksha during her stroll..

———

"(y/n), what are you doing here?", a male voice appeared behind her.

The girl turned around and greeted the Adeptus with a closed-eye smile. "Xiao, what a surprise to meet you here", earning a low grunt as response.

"I was just going on a walk", she added and let her eyes wander around. Lanterns decorated the street nearby, leaving a faint glow in the distance.

The wind blew gently, making the grass sway around. There were no clouds in sight, just thousands of stars and the moon.

Xiao sighed quietly. "I can see that, you know. I mean what are you doing here with a mortal? You usually never leave your home"

The female shrugged her shoulders, causing the Adeptus to scrunch his nose.

"I was on my way to Mondstadt and he insisted on going with me", she then answered.

The Yaksha stared at her with his golden eyes and kept quiet. He never admitted it, but he liked (y/n) more than the other Adepti and Zhongli.

Zhongli would just talk about history all the time and the other Adepti didn't really like to speak with other creatures.

Not that Xiao did either. But he sort of liked the way (y/n) sometimes told him stories and laughed at his stubbornness.

She was an immortal being as well and could protect herself if needed, so he allowed himself to open up to her. A little bit at least.

"Are you coming to the Lantern Festival?", the girl asked Xiao, although she already knew his answer. It was always the same.

"I don't like crowded places"

A short laugh escaped her lips. "You really remind me of an old grandpa, you know? Never in a good mood, hating everything and everyone"

He looked at her with furrowed eyebrows. "I don't hate you. And you're older than me"

(y/n) hummed quietly and gazed at the night sky.

"You should really visit the Lantern Rite in Liyue Harbor, Xiao. It is quite.. enchanting"

The male just shook his head and squinted his eyes. The female sighed, giving the Yaksha a tired look.

"You're so stubborn"

"You're not my mother"

(y/n) huffed quietly and looked back at the Inn. The sun was already starting to rise.

"I better get going now. Take care". The male responded with a firm nod before vanishing.

———

"Oh (y/n), there you are!", Childe's voice approached her from behind. The female hesitantly smiled at the boy and apologized.

"I'm sorry if I worried you, I just took a walk around the Inn", she informed, earning a stern look from the Gingerhead.

He shook his head and looked (y/n) in the eyes.

"Nevermind, forget about it. Did you have breakfast already?". The girl responded with a nod. He smiled warmly.

"By the way", Childe started with a happy voice.

"The Fatui told me that I can have a few days off from work", he said in an exited tone and smiled.

"Oh, congratulations", the female answered soothingly. She looked into the distance and hummed to herself, not expecting the male to say anything else.

"So, I have been thinking.. how about I accompany you to Mondstadt?"

—