S e c r e t

Chapter 27- Orders.

"Y/N!" You heard a familiar voice yell out your name.

You turned in the direction to see your favorite little boy running at you full speed.
You crouched down onto your knees and opened your arms, "Teucer!"

The little boy flung himself into your arms, giggling. You stood up and spun him around the air, "My, how I've missed you!" You set him back down.

You heard Childe whine besides you, "Teucerrrrrr, what about your big brother?"

Teucer stared at his brother, not taking his arms off of you. He gave a cheeky smile, "I missed you y/n!" He hugged you once again.

Childes mouth gaped open out of betrayal, his hand shot up to his chest, "Agh! My heart! Not even my own little brother wants to see me!"

Teucer lept out of your embrace, facing his big brother. He hung his head and slowly walked over to Childe, giving him a hug.

"I'm sorry, big brother. I missed you too." He apologized, tightening his grip on Childe.

He ruffled his little brother's hair, "I'm just joking, Teucer. I would be excited to see y/n too." He said, stealing a glance at your flushed face.

Teucer's face lit up, "Did you bring me presents?"

"Of course I did! Why wouldn't I?" He chuckled, removing his bag from his shoulder, pulling out a few small Liyue toys.

Teucers eyes sparkled, "Woah!! Thank you big brother! You're lucky you get to see these as a toy salesman!" He jumped up and down, hugging the toys his brother had gifted to him.

You cocked an eyebrow, "Toy salesman?"

Childe sweat dropped, "W-Why yes, of course! For I am the greatest toy salesman in Snezhnaya!" He clapped. 

Teucer jumped for joy, "Yay! Brother is the best in the world!"

You crossed your arms, smiling. You found it cute how Childe didn't wish to spoil his childhood.

Teucer walked up to you, "C'mon! Mama and Papa are waiting for you! So is sister Tonia and brother Anthon!"

"O-Oh okay! Let's go! Childe and I will follow behind you." You gave him a closed eyed smile.

"Okay!" He pranced ahead of you, admiring his newest toys.

Childe walked up to you, a light smile on his face.

You gazed at his ocean blue orbs, "I find it amazing how much you care for your siblings. Who knew Childe was such a softie~" you cooed.

He rolled his eyes, "I can't let him know what my actual job is. My other siblings understand, but I can't spoil his childhood." He crossed his arms.

You tilted your head, "You're a wonderful brother, Childe. If only my siblings were like you." You blurted out, immediately regretting it.

He turned to you, "Siblings? You had siblings?" He inquired.

You bit your lip, "Y-Yes. I had two."

You still felt you weren't ready to tell him about your past.

"Had...? What happened?" He leaned in closer to you, worry clouding his dull eyes.

You fiddled with you fingers, "They... They... passed away." You looked down.

You felt his hand clutch yours, his thumb rubbing circles on your thumb, "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to pry, girlie."

You looked up at him, remorse in your (e/c) orbs.
"Don't apologize... It was... m-my fault anyways." You felt your heart start pounding.

You tried to quicken your pace, attempting to drop the subject, "I'll explain someday, I promise."

Childe nodded his head, matching your pace.
"Take your time."

Little did you know, Childe already knew. He wondered why you decided to keep it from him. Were you afraid he would hate you? Leave you? Turn against you? Call you a murderer?

Those were your exact fears.

You hated your family with all of your heart, yet you still felt remorseful for killing them so mercilessly.

You didn't want Childe to view you any differently. You didn't want to lose him. As a friend, and your lover.

The three of you reached the house. You plastered a fake smile on your face, preparing to enter the house.

"Mama and Papa are inside!" Teucer smiled as he opened the door.

The three of you walked into the house. It felt so warm, compared to the harsh cold that lingered outdoors.

"Mama! Papa! Ajax is home! And we have miss y/n!" Teucer's high pitched voice echoed.

You felt nervous, what if his parents didn't like you?

You heard a set of footsteps approaching, "Oh my dears! Ajax, your back! What a surprise!" His mother engulfed him in a hug.

She was a shorter lady, who seemed very fragile. She radiated positive energy. She seemed like such a caring mother.

"I'm home, mother." Childe huffed back.
He was much taller than her, she was still a little taller than you though.
"Have you been staying safe? Have you been eating well? You haven't been stressing too much?" She fired a number of questions at her son.

Childe chuckled, "Yes, yes, and no." He pulled out of her embrace. He inched closer to you, snaking his arm around your waist, pulling you closer to him.

"Mother, this is y/n." Childe introduced you, a huge smile on his face, "My toy selling assistant," he winked.

His mother's hands clasped together, her ocean blue orbs sparkling, "Oh my goodness! It is a pleasure to meet you, y/n! We've heard so much about you!" She gave you a hug.

Your ears turned red, "Heard m-much about me?" You asked, flustered.

His mother chuckled, "Why yes, my dear. Our little Ajax has mentioned you a lot through his letters he has sent to us."

"M-mother!" Childe stammered, "I told you not to tell her that!"

"Ohoho, well my dear, welcome to our abode. From now forward, you are considered family." His mother clutched you hand, a bright smile spread across her lips.

You felt like you could cry, you've never been welcomed into a family before. Is this what having a loving family feels like?

Tears pricked your eyes, "Thank you!" You hugged her.

Childe was slightly surprised to see how you were taking just a simple introduction. He understood that you never had a proper family, or was ever shown affection. Seeing you so happy made his heart skip a beat.

He was going to have to report this to her majesty. Slight guilt clouded deep in his chest. If you knew that he was doing this for her majesty, you would feel crushed.

All of his doings were under her orders, except for the entire Scaramouche ordeal. Her highness only assigned the two of you together to get further information on y/n. He knew he had to leave you soon, to betray you. He had to ruin every little tie of trust the two of you had created between each other. He was dreading the day when goodbye had to come. That was all an order.

But loving you wasn't an order.
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Chapter 27- End.