𝙰 𝚆𝚒𝚜𝚑 𝙱𝚎𝚝𝚝𝚎𝚛 𝙻𝚎𝚏𝚝 𝚄𝚗𝚜𝚊𝚒𝚍 - 𝚇𝚒𝚊𝚘 𝚡 𝙵𝚎𝚖!𝚁𝚎𝚊𝚍𝚎𝚛

𝙵𝚊𝚕𝚕𝚒𝚗𝚐 ~ 𝙲𝚑𝚊𝚙𝚝𝚎𝚛 𝟸𝟼

Your POV

The bustling and clatter of the inn patio begin to drown out my thoughts. I've never seen Xiao peculiarly. He's not exactly an open book, but he makes an effort to communicate his emotions once in a while.

"Y/n!" a recognizable voice calls turning my head to them. He's definitely better dressed than I had imagined. Childe is wearing a white dress shirt underneath a warm grey suit and adorned with a silk flower in his chest pocket. I smile politely to greet him back. They never bothered me in the past, the intrigued and gossiping stares of nearby pedestrians but now, I've never felt more uncomfortable and self-conscious. 

"Childe! It's wonderful to see you on this even lovelier evening," I state cheerfully. 

He smirks his usual playful smile before adding. "It's only lovely because you're here." I cringe beneath my facade of a grin and giggle. 

It's only a one-time situation, it will be all over after this; I can go back to training with Xiao afterward and then return to my home. 

He appears satisfied with his cheesy flirt and takes a hand out of his pocket gesturing for me to walk forward. "Shall we?" 

"Thank you" I step ahead of him and make my way to the outdoor receptionist. I say a small prayer thanking the Archons. She doesn't seem to recognize me or Childe, I really want to avoid any questions from people who do know us. "A table for two please-"

"In a bit more secluded area as well" he adds before snaking an arm around my waist, painting me completely red. I stiffen while attempting to regain my composure. "T-that-" I take time in the pause to kick Childe in the shin, then say, "will not be necessary." The poor lady helping us looks at us awkwardly.

"Erm- Yua will be your server for today." The young lady passes a glance to a raven-haired female. When she sees us, she welcomes us brightly. "Good evening! My name is Yua! As Misa already said, I'll be your server today! Please follow me this way!" 

The kind waitress leads us through a maze of bamboo tables until stopping at one with two chairs and enough utensils for two customers as well. I'm about to sit down but Childe pulls my chair out for me instead. 

No- no- don't feel bad for him- don't feel guilty for kicking him Y/n-

He smiles genuinely when I sit down and tucks the seat gently back. 

Yes. I feel very guilty now-

"Thank you, Childe,"

"Don't mention it-"

Yua looks in awe and fangirl shrieks. "Oh my GOODNESS- you are such a gentleman!" She puts a hand to the side of her mouth as if to cover it. "I ship y'all." Then Yua winks. Childe lets out a low chuckle but I begin to stare at my hands, fidgeting with each finger uncomfortably. I know she means well and I can't hold what she said against her. After all, I am the one here who accepted his invitation to come out for a date.

"Y/n?"

I whip my head towards the ginger-haired male. "Yes?"

"Did you want an appetizer or should we just order the main course?" He asks while holding the familiar Wangshu Inn menu. We settle on two orders of Adeptus' Temptation but I feel my appetite slip away when I read the name. Childe's conversation with me varies from miscellaneous topics to the weather of this past week. I can hardly pay attention to anything he says though as I take a spoonful of my soup. 

What does Xiao think of me now?

Is he upset with me because I'm skipping today's lesson?

He's already done so much for me, including saving my life and Xiagling's. What have I ever done in return to him?

What if he thinks I am selfish and ungrateful?

I must have stopped eating because Childe is calling my name repeatedly to snap me out of my trance of thoughts. "Y/n? Are you fine?" He sounds concerned but a tone of slight annoyance seeps through his comment on my demeanor. "You've been zoning out this whole time-"

"Just tired, that's all," I say hurriedly and he doesn't appear convinced. I can't blame him. I'm really not acting like myself. I take up another spoonful of the warm orange liquid until Childe cuts me off. "C'mon, I have somewhere I want to take you." He gets up and so do I. "What about the food?-"

"Don't mind the food, I'll pay." He grins, already passing Yua a bag of mora with an incredibly large tip making her eyes light up. 

He takes my hand and we quickly skip off the patio, searching for the nearest teleportation point. After finding it, the ginger stops us from moving any further. "You have to close your eyes." I raise an eyebrow at him questioningly which causes him to roll his eyes. "I'm not going to kidnap you Y/n. Just please do it."

"Fine, but I better not wake up in some random van after this." He laughs lightly before taking both of my hands and leading me somewhere. The first thing to register in my mind is the fresh spring water scent. Then there is the mere rustling of trees and the occasional echoing of cicadas. He leans into my ear whispering. "Now open them."

The moment I do as he says, my breath escapes me. It's- extraordinary. We stand at the top of a hill overlooking Luhua Pools. I've only seen photos of this place but they could never do it justice. "On a scale from one to ten, how much do you like that dress?"

"Eh, maybe a 6 or 7? Why-" He suddenly pulls me down the hill and we are rolling down together, laughing. Out of nowhere, I feel enlightened. Between Childe's arms isn't where I want to be right now. He isn't the one I want to nuzzle against when I'm cold or fall into by accident. A rush of heat overtakes me as I realize who I would want to do all of that with. 

I feel an abrupt sting against the back of my neck and curse whatever twig or stone just hit me. I become even more flustered as I realize that we've stopped rolling down the hill like children and that we're placed in a much less innocent position. Childe is on top of me.