Centimeters [Childe/Tartaglia x reader]

Chapter 21

Word Count: 960
In Y/n's POV

It was the night before graduation. Calm before the storm, as some would put it. Ajax was brushing his teeth while I had just finished changing into my pj's.

"Are you sure you didn't wanna go drink with Zhongli and the others? He said it was on him-"

"-which really means "can you guys pay for me? I seem to have forgotten my wallet again." That's what you were gonna say, right?" I chuckled softly as I pat down my shirt to get rid of any unwanted creases.

"I... guess you're right. Maybe it was better that we just stayed in tonight after all," mumbled my boyfriend as he gurgled in between a couple words. "Besides..." he trailed off after turning off the light in the bathroom and walking over to me. "now we have the entire night to ourselves."

"Put it back in your pants. I'm tired," I said as I rolled my eyes and stretched a bit before climbing into bed.

"Boo, you're no fun, girlie," the ginger chuckled out as he did the same as well.

"Oh well, guess you just gotta deal with a boring significant other."

"I would still fight to the ends of Teyvat to be with you though... boring or not. You're still the person I love the most," he said, grabbing my hand and placing a chaste kiss on my knuckle.

"God, you're insufferable."

"That's a weird way to say, 'I love you, Ajax.'"

"Goodnight, Ajax..."

"Goodnight, girlie."

The next morning was hectic, but we eventually made it to the graduation venue. Seeing familiar faces all around us made Ajax and I feel a bit more at ease... or at least for me, it did.

"In just a few moments, we're gonna be college graduates...! How're you feeling, (Y/n)?"

"A little nervous... but thankful it'll be over soon."

"Expected of you."

The ceremony went on until the early evening and so once we stepped out of the venue, it was sunset already.

"Well would ya look at that? It's your big brother, Ajax!" a deep voice called out.

Looking up, both our eyes landed on Ajax's father. To his sides were the rest of his immediate family.

"Ma? Dad? All you guys came?"

"We wouldn't have missed this for the world, darling," smiled his mother, her eyes beaming with adoration for her son.

"Big brother Ajax is done with school! Yay!! Does that mean you'll come back home?" cried out Teucer, tugging on his older brother's robes.

"Teucer, as much as I would love to move back in with you guys, I have a life of my own now," explained Ajax as he messed with his hair. "and I'd like to start a new one with (Y/n)."

"You what!?" I exclaimed, my face flushed a bit.

"What? Did you think you were just my Uni girlfriend or something? This," he said motioning towards the two of us. "we're for-lifers, girlie."

"Ohh, you two are so cute... Hah, young love... Doesn't it remind you of us, darling?" Ajax's mother sighed out, patting her husband's shoulder playfully.

"I suppose so..." was all he mumbled back as a reply.

After we all said our goodbyes, Ajax and I left for our shared apartment. After changing out of the graduation robes and into some casual clothing, Ajax started on his way to the kitchen to make dinner.

"You must be starving, right (Y/n)?"

"Mm, yeah, I could definitely eat."

"I asked Zhongli if he knew any traditional Liyuen recipes, and he gave me something for Bamboo Shoot Soup? It looks and sounds good... I just hope I can make it without fucking up, haha."

"I'm here to help you however I can."

"It's a nice gesture, but I'd like to do this myself."

"Uhh... okay then. If you need me, I'll be in our room."

All he did was nod before I left him to make the soup.

Whilst waiting for dinner to be ready, I reorganized my desk, the closet, and then eventually just ended up watching some video before falling asleep. It wasn't until Ajax woke me up for dinner that I realized that I had knocked out for some time.

"Dinner's ready, girlie."

As I groggily trudged my way to the bathroom to wash my hands, I then soon made my way to the dining table. The Bamboo Shoot Soup looked and smelled delicious. As we talked and laughed our way throughout dinner, Ajax seemed a bit more... nervous than usual?

"Ajax, is there something wrong? Is the soup too hot or something?"

"No... it's not that... I just... ahem. Nothing- nothing is wrong."

"Alright then..."

"Oh, make sure you finish the soup. All of it."

"Why? You don't want your cooking to go to waste?"

"Well, duh."

"Don't worry. I'm not big on wasting food. So, you can relax, okay?"

"Good. I worked hard on it."

"I offered you my he-"

"(Y-Y/n)? Are you okay?"

I must've choked on a piece of bamboo shoot while finishing the soup. It was hard.

"A...Ajax... c-can't... k- k- h...help...!"

As he scrambled over to my side to perform the heimlich maneuver, a small ring came out of my throat. Oh for the love of-

"Did you try proposing to me via soup!?" I spat out, trying to catch my breath.

"... surprise...?"

"Oh my god, I'm in love with an actual idiot."

"So... is that a 'yes'?" chuckled the ginger.

Grabbing him by his collar, looked him dead in the eyes, and said, "Sure."

Our lips. They were centimeters apart again. He was the one who closed the gap this time.

"You taste like metal," hummed out my boyfriend.

"I wonder why..." was all I mumbled out.

A/n: I literally have no more inspiration to write anything sooo uhhhhh really cheesy ending ur welcome also uhhhh that's it. Ty ly bb :)