°Yandere Zhongli x Fem! Reader°

- Chapter 7 -

'What -'

Y/N felt her blood turn to ice as she fell into a chair, her eyes widening.

'Y/N - Didn't... you know? How did you not know -'

Hu Tao stared at Y/N, blinking her tears away.

'E-exactly. Hu Tao's right. You should - you should have known. What's wrong? Why -'

Lumine silently waited for Y/N's response.

'I'm sorry. I - forgot about it, then it all came rushing back to me - but I did know. It's just... Venti was such a great person -'

Hu Tao nodded, smiling slightly. Lumine did not look convinced.

♥︎           ~               ♥︎            ~              ♥︎          ~            ♥︎           ~              ♥︎            ~       ♥︎             ~            ♥︎           ~      

The school day ended, without much else happening. As Y/N got ready to exit the school gates, she paused. Where's Zhongli? Should I... run home? Could I? Whatever. Let's just do it!

Y/N began running out the gates, sprinting home as fast as she could. She was terrified of everything, especially him. She ran down the roads, not stopping to do much at all. After around fifteen minutes, Y/N was exhausted and out of breath. She paused at her doorstep when she arrived. How did I get here so... easily? Isn't he going to do anything? Is he following me? It's fine. I'll just think about that later.

Y/N took a deep breath then rang the doorbell. She waited. A minute passed. Two. No one answered. My parents should be home - did something happen to them? Shit, I should check -

The girl squinted into a window but everything inside was pitch black. What do I do? I don't have my keys on me either - they were in my old uniform! Does that mean Zhongli has the keys to my house?

After a few minutes of panicking Y/N decided to go to Childe's house. He'll know what to do.

She ran once again although she was already exhausted and rang the boy's doorbell. Please answer please answer please answer, please -

'Y/N? What are you doing -'

'Childe!' Y/N ran into him and gave Childe a hug.

'What are you doing here? Are you okay? Come inside.'

Y/N stepped into Childe's house, the one which she knew so well. It looked the same as ever and Y/N felt comfort and relief - feelings she hadn't felt in ages. 'So, why are you here?' Childe looked at the girl anxiously, as both of them sat down on the couch.

'Uh, I just wanted to see you. I haven't seen you in ages, right? So, I thought -'

'Oh. Okay, if that's what it is.'

Y/N nodded as Childe looked at her again. 'Y/N, are you sure you're okay? I'll be here for you. Anytime. We're... best friends, right?'

'Yup! I can tell you anything, Childe!'

Y/N and Childe smiled then slowly pulled each other into a hug.

I'm sorry.

Y/N begged to stay the night, which Childe didn't mind at all. There was school tomorrow, but Y/N wasn't sure if she wanted to go. She didn't care about school anymore, it suddenly felt like it barely mattered. The two of them talked, then baked cupcakes and watched shows together, having fun and laughing half the time. A mess of frosting in the kitchen. Blankets and pillows piled on the couch. Too much ice cream. Shrieking at a jump scare on the TV. Bursting out laughing afterwards. This is just like me and Zhongli... except this is genuine. This is what it's meant to be like.

'That movie was great! It's only eight, do you wanna do something else?' Childe turned to Y/N.

'Hmm... I'm not really sure -'

'Then... Can I tell you something?'

'Huh?'

'Y/N, hear me out. Please. You are... an amazing person, and I know we have been friends for years. You mean the world to me, and I love you so much. So can we... be more than friends?'

Y/N froze in shock.

'I like you, Y/N.'

♥︎            ~           ♥︎             ~            ♥︎             ~               ♥︎               ~         ♥︎           ~            ♥︎             ~            ♥︎         ~        ♥︎

Y/N stared at Childe for a split second, the began gathering her emotions. Okay, what. I ... don't know if I'm ready for this yet. I have a lot on my plate right now. Shit. I don't want to reject him either - What do I do?

'I... Childe, I don't... know -'

Childe didn't say anything, but his smile faltered, and Y/N could practically see his heart shattering. His eyes lost their shine and Childe was just staring blankly at Y/N for a few seconds. 'Why? I... That's... that's fine. I'm sorry, Y/N.'

Now I feel like an asshole.

'Childe, I'm sorry. I love you it's just -'

'You... love me? Then, please! Let's be together! I love you so much, Y/N.'

'I don't know... I have a lot of stuff on my mind right now -'

'Okay. That's... fine too! You're not ready yet! You love me, and that's enough for me!' Childe grinned.

'I'm so sorry. Childe... We'll be together in the future, okay? I just need to get my life together first -'

'You promise?'

'I promise.'

'Thank you, Y/N.'