Chilled Grip (a chaeya fanfiction)

Chapter 3: Superconduct!

Childe sat up in bed, once again waking up alone. He threw on one of Kaeya's shirts, glad that he was allowed to steal them. Yawning, he trudged into the kitchen, surprised to see Kaeya leaning against the counter, once again.
Walking over to where the Kaeya was, Childe bear hugged him from behind.
"G' morning Kae." He said sleepily, kissing the top of his head.
Kaeya set his book down to look at him.
Saying nothing, the blue haired man simply reached up to softly caress Childe's cheek. Leaning into his touch, the harbinger placed a soft kiss on the back of Kaeya's hand.
"Would you like me to make breakfast?" Asked Childe.
Shaking his head, the bluenette returned to his book.
Rolling his eyes, Childe made sure to make enough for both of them. After he had finished cooking the eggs, he sat in the chair across from Kaeya.
Surprisingly his fork didn't get taken.
Childe snorted.
"You're not going to make me eat this alone, are you?" He teased.
Kaeya said nothing, only opening his mouth expectantly.
You've gotta be kidding me. Thought Childe.
Sure enough, Kaeya was waiting for the ginger to feed him. Unbelievable.
Fuming slightly, Childe gave him a bite of food.
"Spoiled aren't we?" He grumbled.
"Not spoiled, just owed a favor since I could barely walk this morning." Reminded the knight
"I blame you for that, I was trying to be gentle!" replied Childe.
"Mhm hmm, whatever you say Ajax." Hummed Kaeya.
Pissed off, the harbinger pulled the plate away from Kaeya.
"I guess I'm eating the breakfast that I cooked alone then." Mused Childe, hoping to get a reaction.
Sure enough, he heard the loud thump of the book hit the table.
Staring at him with a betrayed expression, Kaeya had his mouth wide in dissatisfaction.
Immediately feeling guilty, Childe pushed his plate in front of him.
"I was kidding, no need to look so sad about it."
He said.
The second the plate was put in front of him, the sad act melted off of Kaeya's face, replaced with a smug smile.
Childe's eyes widened in realization.
"Traitor!" He said accusingly.
Kaeya laughed devilishly, eating slowly to piss him off.
"This is utter betrayal, I can't believe you would pull such a thing. I ought to tell Jean." Said the harbinger with mock sadness.
Kaeya snorted.
"Okay, and have fun explaining what you were doing at my house."
Childe winked. "It's simple. I got drunk, I stayed over." He glanced shamelessly at Kaeya's backside.
"You ought to hide your limp though, as it'll give us away."
Kaeya glared.
"I'm not limping, asshole."
Childe grinned at him from across the table.
"You like me, admit it. I'm just too charming." He teased, fluttering his eyelashes.
Childe took the fork back.
Kaeya glared at him.
"Put that fork down, or I will freeze every fluid in your body."
Childe blanked.
"You wouldn't." He stated.
"I would." Replied the bluenette.
Grumbling under his breath, the harbinger handed the fork back.
Taking it, Kaeya laughed.
"Don't look so sad, you could always ask for some." He said, shoulders shaking with laughter.
Glaring at him, Childe resisted the urge to stick out his tongue.
"I don't want it anymore."
"Oh don't be a child, just have a bite." Insisted Kaeya, holding out the fork.
Childe shook his head.
"Mm, okay. More for me then." Stated Kaeya.
Sipping his coffee, Childe stared at him.
"What?"
"Nothing, you're just nice to look at," commented Childe.
The way he said it so nonchalantly, it was obvious he was getting too close, too fast. Relationships had always been hard for Kaeya, and keeping distance was important.
It seemed like everytime he took 2 steps back, Childe took 3 steps forward. Kaeya couldn't find a way out, and he knew that it would be the same as always, he would lose interest in the game.
We're fuck buddies, that's it. Nothing else.
He reminded himself.
The true question was whether Childe knew it.
Unsure of how to bring up the topic, Kaeya mulled over several statements in his head.
Saying it flat out felt too harsh, and he didn't want to hurt Childe's feelings.
He cleared his throat.
"What- where are we.. relationship wise?" He inquired hesitantly.
"Ah- well I thought we were friends, but the way you said that makes me feel like.. it's not- well-"
Childe faltered, looking embarrassed.
Kaeya simply held up a hand.
"Good. We aren't best friends, and we aren't dating. I don't want to be approached while I'm at work." He affirmed, staring directly at Childe.
Expression going through several different emotions at once, the harbinger simply averted his eyes.
"Alright." Was all he replied.
Ah, shit.
"I mean- no what I meant was-"
Childe cut him off.
"No. I get it. I- yeah- I understand completely."
Standing up, Childe grabbed his coat, sliding it on over Kaeya's shirt. He opened his mouth as if to say goodbye, but thought better of it. Closing the door behind him, he was gone.
Kaeya rested his head on his hand.
I'm an idiot.