♡ One-Shots ♡

Courage (Tartaglia x Reader)

🌸ART CREDITS: GUMILKX🌸
‼️⚠SPOILER + CONTENT WARNING⚠‼️
Childe's real name, his past, blood, brief mention of violence, and animal death

What if Childe didn't run away and fall into the abyss at the age of 14?

The biting cold was no match for two Snezhnaya natives like Ajax and myself. It was early evening, and we were lying out in the always-present snow, staring up at the darkening sky.

Ajax sighed. "I'm so bored with our town. I'm ready to run away."

I rolled my eyes. "Uh-huh, and what good would that do for you? You'd die from the cold, starvation, or the wolves would get you."

"I'd bring a sword and food, of course. I'm not stupid," he retorted.

"Are you sure about that?" I teased. "I doubt the wolves would feel too threatened by a skinny 16-year-old boy. Especially a courageless one like you."

"That's the point. I have three younger siblings, yet I'm pathetic. All I do is fish all day or do whatever to support my family. I want to get stronger so I can protect my family..." he trailed off. "To protect you."

I burst out laughing. "What makes you think that you need to protect me? Although I do appreciate the gesture." I stole a glance at him, noticing his red cheeks. I couldn't tell if it was from the cold or embarrassment.

He was suddenly hovering over me, pinning me between his arms. "Trust me, you need me."

I packed a snowball and threw it at his face. "I-Idiot."

"What the hell!" he complained. However, he quickly recovered; still atop me, he smirked. "Was that a stutter I heard?"

"Yes, it was," I answered. "Purely due to the cold."

Ajax wore a pout. "Are you sure it isn't because I make your heart race?"

"Hell no. I get that you have a crush on me, but you need to let go."

His face once again grew red, securing his embarrassment from before. "I don't have a crush on you."

I brought my dominant hand up and brought his face close to mine so that we were almost kissing. "Are you sure?" I rubbed my thumb against his cheek.

He glanced at my lips before gripping my hand. "E-Enough, Y/n."

"I was almost gonna say you weren't a total coward, but I guess that can't be true." I pushed him off of me and walked off. It had begun to snow, and that's where that day left Ajax and me. He didn't call after me, but why should I care?

Once I returned home, I was met with my parents cooking in the kitchen.

"Y/n, dinner's almost done, sit at the table when you're ready," Mom said.

I took my seat at the table, and Dad was putting down the plates. "Honey, what's wrong? You look mad."

"It's nothing, Dad," I replied.

I heard Mom sigh from the kitchen. "Well, if there is anything, we're here for you."

"Thanks, I appreciate it."

Dad took his seat across from me. "You were hanging out with Ajax, right? How was it? How is his father?"

I grimaced at the mention of the ginger's name. As to not set off my father, I gave basic answers, for I didn't want to go into detail nor be honest about the time spent with my friend.