- childe || rivalry

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ೃ⁀➷ childe x gender neutral reader

SPOILERS FOR THE LIYUE ARCHON QUEST
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Exhaustion, sadness, betrayal. Those horrid emotions flooded your mind as you faced who you thought was your friend, Childe. His cunning smirk appeared as he landed a hit on you. Trickles of blood seeped through your cream white clothes. Aside from the sweat and blood that dripped down your face, tears fogged your vision. "Did that hurt? Surely that alone didn't make you cry." He laughed.

You stared at him, hurt by his words. Was this person the very same who called himself your friend? The same who introduced you to Zhongli, brought you around Liyue and accompanied you at the harbor? The sound of an arrow zipping past you snapped you out of your thoughts. You yelped, throwing yourself back as Childe lunged at you.

This wasn't the same person. It couldn't be.

Blow after blow, you both dealt heavy damage to each other, each hit stronger than the last. You coughed up a bit of blood, struggling to hold your sword up. You were at your breaking point.

It was clear that Childe had the upper hand, as he seemed the least exhausted and emotionally affected. As for you, however, you were a sobbing and bloody mess. You trembled, weak and heartbroken by the circumstances. "Tired already?" Childe taunted as he toyed with his hydro blades. You didn't dare to respond and charged at him. He hummed and swiftly dodged the attack, with only a scratch on his cheek inflicted. "Why are you doing this to me?" You yelled out, clutching the torn fabric of your robe in pain.

The harbinger rolled his eyes and flung a hydro-infused arrow at you, barely missing your arm. His smug expression was still there. You wanted to just tackle him and watch it disappear, beat him unconcious and chuckle at his state. But you couldn't. And wouldn't. The monster before you was sadly the same man you had grown close to for the past few weeks. It beckoned the question ㅡ were you giving this battle your all? Or were you holding back for his sake? The question echoed in your mind for what seemed like hours.

Attack. Dodge. Charge. Retreat. Repeat.

It felt like an endless battle with the viscious cycle of blades colliding, arrows zipping by and blood decorating the once polished, golden floor. "Why? Are you really asking me why?" He scoffed, his aura changing into something darker. Something darker. Your eyes widened as he changed form, electro energy radiating from him. 'An electro delusion?' You wondered frantically. The only time you had heard about delusions was when Master Diluc, the owner of the Dawn Winery had a heartfelt discussion of your pasts. "I'm doing this because I'm the eleventh harbinger! Don't you get it yet?"

You weren't weak, that's for sure, but seeing Childe ruthlessly attack you, going so far as to using his delusion to inflict harm shattered your heart into pieces. His intentions were clearly to take the gnosis from the Exuvia, however, it just so happened you stood in the way. Conflicted thoughts scattered through your mind. Who's fault was this? Perhaps coming to Liyue was a mistake. Even meeting Childe. It was all a big mistake. Your grip on your sword loosened. You felt broken. Childe paused, seeing your wobbly composure. But in a matter of seconds, your grip tightened once more. "I won't let you take the gnosis." You breathed out, stepping back and fixing your stance. "Even if it means you have to kill me."


"You-" Childe exhaled, taken aback by your words. A long blade fashioned by pure hydro appeared in front of him. "You better keep your word."

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ׂׂૢ word count : 622

finallyy a childe chapter ! thinking of razor next ,, but im also thinking of bennett

should i do both <//3 im so indecisive haha..
plz help me LMAO

thank you for reading ! please vote and comment if you'd like to see more ♥️

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