𝐋𝐢𝐧𝐞 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐭 𝐚 𝐡𝐨𝐨𝐤 [ 𝐓𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐚𝐠𝐥𝐢𝐚. ]

Chapter 20: Her brother

"Can you walk? Is there something broken inside of you?" You asked as you twirl him around to see if he was still bleeding somewhere. Knowing that it's just on his head, you sigh in relief. 

Childe nervously laughs, "I'm fine, (Y/n). Now, let's find a way to get back to mondstadt okay?" He said as he gives you a smile. It looked forced as you can see him flinch in pain as he walks on ahead. You bit your bottom lip in worry. 

"Maybe we should call out for my friend!" You said in worry as you help him walk. Childe looked at you as his expression soften knowing how close you are to him. 

Your warmth, Childe wanted a hug from you, yet something inside him stopped him from doing so. You're so close, yet, he couldn't have the courage to give you a comforting hug. You looked so worried, let alone tired, and Childe didn't like seeing you in that state. He wanted to see you smile, he wanted to make you smile, but inside him, inside his thoughts, everything seemed off and different. He prayed that it wasn't his delusion taking a toll on his feelings...

Childe snapped away from his thoughts, "Who?" He asked.

"Venti," You replied as you try to give him a comforting and assuring smile, but Childe knew that you were forcing it to make him feel better.

Childe took a deep breath, it was sharp and immediately sting pain on his chest. Is he gonna die? No, he can't die. But this delusion of his is giving him some motives. Childe bit the inside of his cheeks. You're gonna call out for the Anemo God, what if he brings along your brothers? What is he supposed to say? He's a harbinger, he belongs to the organization that kidnapped you. Knowing Diluc, He will probably want his head to be rolling down on the ground. But, Childe did what he could to protect you. Who knows what kind of horrid things Dottore would've done to you if he hasn't gotten you out of the place. 

You noticed his sudden silence, "Childe?" You called out as Childe seemed to snap out of his thoughts and looked back at you. 

He chuckled, "Yes, we do need help. Just make sure he doesn't kill me, I'm already dying here," He said as he laughed. 

You glared at him as you sigh, taking a deep breath you called out for his real name. The wind shifted its favor as a growl can be heard in the sky, one moment you saw Dvalin. The dragon and servant of Barbatos. Childe gaze in awe as he looked up. 

Venti with a bright smile jumped down from Dvalin and immediately run up to you. "Took you long enough! Your brother is dying to see you in worry!" Venti said with a smile. Though, that smile faded when he looked down at Childe who was staring at him. Venti looked back at you and smiled once again, "He needs help! he looks injured! let's get him back somewhere safe!" Venti said. 

It disgusts Childe how this god can fake his enthusiasm, but who is he to judge? Childe's running thoughts were interrupted when he saw Diluc. His eyes widened when he saw him approaching the two of you. Childe gently let go of you as Diluc pulled you in a hug. It put a worry in Childe's chest knowing that he has the peering eye of the Cavalry Captain of the Knight of Favonious. 

"(Y/n)! What happened? What did the Fatui do to you? Did HE do something to you?" Diluc frantically asked. Childe was confused whether it was him that he was pointing to or Dottore himself.