Centimeters [Childe/Tartaglia x reader]

Chapter 13

Word Count: 874
In Y/n's POV:

As I went to go get changed in the back, I could hear Zhongli and Childe talking very faintly.

"Are you her personal chauffeur now, Childe?" chuckled the brunette as he wiped down the counter top.

"Haha, no... but it does give me some extra time to spend time with her. I think... I never thought that I would find her again."

Find me...? Was he like stalking me or something after he left for Fatui Uni?

"I'm assuming that you have a special place in your heart for her?"

"Ayaya, what are we talking about, men?" chimed in Hu Tao as she jumped atop the counter to sit on it.

"Oh, we were talking about (Y—"

"—just someone special," finished Childe as he cut off the older man.

Folding my clothes and packing them into my bag, I returned to the front to see 3 pairs of eyes all on me.

"Ahem... so... Ready to go, Tart?"

"Thought you'd never ask."

"Goodnight Mr. Zhongli, Hu Tao," I said as I waved goodbye to my co-workers.

"Have fun!"

"See you next time, Miss (Y/n)."

As we got into his car, the drive home was a bit on the quieter side apart from the soft tunes coming from the radio.

"You tired?"

"Hm? No, why?" asked the ginger as he flashed his eyes between me and the road.

"You're not usually this quiet..."

"Can't a guy just enjoy the view and stay silent?"

"Well, yes... but—"

"—then don't worry about it, you worry wart."

"Ajax..."

"Did you want me to drop you off at your place or...?"

"Mm, I don't mind either way. Why?"

"Just asking."

We eventually ended up at Childe's place and had dinner as well.

"You know, it sorta feels like we're an old, married couple at this point. The only thing left to check off the list is to go shopping for groceries together and move in together, haha."

I didn't hear a response from my childhood friend.

"Childe...?"

Looking up from my dinner, I saw him playing with his food with his head down.

"Ajax, you good?"

"(Y/n)..."

"Hm?"

He then suddenly stood up from his seat and pinned me against the wall.

"Ah—"

"Why must you tease me..."

"Uh... A-Ajax..."

His grip on my wrists was starting to hurt.

"My wrists... Your grip is too..."

Childe then realized this and eventually let go of said wrists.

"Sorry, I just... something came over me."

"I'll uh... wash the dishes."

"N-no, wait, you're the guest. I'll wash them. You can go get ready for bed... unless you wanna leave."

"You're letting me stay the night?"

"Why not? No one's occupying the spare room now."

"Ah, right, the spare room..."

As I trudged to the bathroom I rubbed my wrists in the process, the sound of running water from the other room. By the time I got out, I saw that Childe had set out a pair of old clothes on the bed for me.

"Childe?"

"Hm?"

"Thanks for lending me some clothes to sleep in..."

"No prob... lem..."

Upon looking up at me, I could've sworn that I saw some red flush across his face. Because this idiot was so tall, his shirt looked a bit more like a dress. Sure, it wasn't the first time that he had lended me some of his clothes, but that was before we had felt certain emotions for one another.

"So, uh, the guest room is all set up and..."

"Ajax?"

"Uh, yes, (Y/n)?"

"Could I... sleep with you tonight?"

Before I could say or do anything else, my childhood friend hoisted me into his arms and, practically, ran to his room.

"No outsies- got it, girlie?"

"I wasn't planning on running away so you're good."

"Good," smiled the ginger as he kissed my forehead.

The night was peaceful for the most part as Ajax and I spooned until we fell asleep at around midnight or so.

When I awoke, I was wrapped around in Ajax's warm arms. Once my vision had settled in, I noticed that his bare chest was in front of me.

Had he always been shirtless?

Looking up to see the owner of said bare chest, I saw him still sound asleep.

"May the gods above strike me down for this, but... I think... Ajax, I love you," I whispered into his chest, hugging him tightly as if I were to let go, I would fall off a cliff.

Having my face smushed against his chest kinda felt nice. Sure, it was firm, but it was warm nonetheless. It felt like one of those memory foam pillows.

"(Y/n)..."

"Hm? Y-yes?"

"Mmm..."

"A-Ajax...?"

"You're so silly... that's not how you... use a polearm..." was all he yawned out.

"What an idiot."

Just as I was about to get out of bed to get ready for the day, I felt a pair of strong arms grab me, pulling me back toward the bed. One of his hands started to roam my chest area and ended up massaging the right one a bit as I felt his lips on the nape of my neck.

"A-Ajax..." was all I mutter out of embarrassment.

A/n: i tired I go to bedge now 😪