The One-Armed Swordsman (Genshin x Male OC)

Chapter V : Departure

(The subject of addressing would switch back to Nate from here on out, permenantly) 

(Also, a few hours timeskip) 

"Your stuff should be done in an hour or two. I'll send my apprentice to notify you by then." Wagner said in his usual grumpy voice, whilst focusing on his usual forging work. Nate nodded curtly and heads off toward Good Hunter's once again, expecting to finish his breakfast, now probably lunch peacefully before his five-days-long trip starts. Yet, Celestia might've cursed him with bad luck today. Probably because he had been slacking off when it comes to Archon duty.

"Nate! Look who we found!" Paimon shouted excitedly, waving her little hand at the Pyro Archon's direction. Fate must've been tantalizing him today.

"Well, if it isn't my cute little swordsman." Eula said almost in a flirtatious manner, though it was very out of character for her to do so. She must've sought out for Lisa's advice, which is, of course, always a bad idea considering how horny that librarian can be sometimes. 

"...How did you...?" The one-armed man muttered in disbelief. How can she possibly be here when he just collided with her merely an hour ago!??

"I did say that I will enact my vengeance upon you, no?" She replied, a satisfied smirk plastered on her lips. Eula doesn't care if he's an Archon, she'll love him until her death. And not even he can stop her, as last night was a living reminder. Nate took in a deep breath to calm himself down, knowing that he can't keep up with the facade anymore. It's time to be honest, but that doesn't mean he can't be a bit tsundere-ish. 

"I-It's not like I enjoy it at all... Adding to that, you even have the nerve to violate me?" He whisper-yelled while pointing an accusing finger towards Eula, whose smirk remained the same despite his futile attempts.  

"Aww don't pay attention to what he says, he's just acting like a tsundere." Aether said jokingly whilst snickering, and those words felt like an arrow that shot through Nate's heart. Betrayed by my own brother, he thought as a gloomy aura began to envelop his body. The civilians walking by witnessed his reaction, and they all stood there watching with a deadpan expression. 

"So, I heard that you're going to Liyue? Exploring places beyond this city of Freedom, or just there for vacation?" She spoke with seriousness imbued in her words, whilst pondering about ways that she could convince him so that she can tag along with her cute Archon.

"I'm looking for one of mine and Venti's old comrade, and beat some Fatui Harbringers to a bloody pulp while I'm at it." Nate replied in a more collected and calm manner, though in his mind he is very excited to bring the legendary Tartaglia to shame. He can't wait until he can vaporize that stupid horned whale of his, or breaking that famed Foul Legacy armor to shreds. 

"Then... can I join you on this trip? I-I'm not forcing you or anything, nor do I want to!" Eula flailed her arms in a tsundere-like way, though her hoping smile betrayed that sheepishly cute action of hers.

"...Meet me and Venti before night fall. Make sure your Knight duties won't intervene with this journey of ours, as I don't want any job-related foes to intervene." The Pyro Archon lightly sighed in defeat, giving in to Eula's request to join him with no effort because he had tried to suppress her once, and he won't retry because : 

A. This woman is just too adorable for him to even think of doing it the second time. (though supressing her again would just be point out useless)

B. His eyes would deterriorate more than it should be. 

C. It'd be lovely with her joining on their little excursion. 

"Hey! Wagner requested me to get you. Your blades are all set." A young man approached their table, gasping uncontrollably. He's probably his assistant, coming here to notify Nate about his new weapon. 

"Thanks, tell him I'll be there in a moment." Nate replied in a bored yet respectful manner, which earned him a nod from the young assistant, who returned to inform the blacksmith about his upcoming presence. To be honest, it'll be a little bit unfamiliar to use different swords, but he'll keep his current blade in dormant when not used. 

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(Mondstadt's Gates, 5PM)

"You're right on time, Eula." Nate spoke up with a small smile adorning his semi dried-up lips, which was the result of him not drinking properly - a small habit ever since he was younger and still a regular human. The Spindrift Knight was actually punctual, carrying a small bag on her shoulders. She was also seen wearing an exotic pair of earrings, which has the Pyro symbol shape coated in a bright red color palette to match its meaning.

"How would I dare to be tedious, when I get the chance to experience actual freedom?" She replied excitedly, and Nate felt guilty for rejecting her feelings not long ago and sealed away every piece of information about him in her mind. He won't repeat that same mistake he once did. As formally as he can, he grabbed her gloved hand and gently put his lips on it, making her cheeks bright red. 

"I... love your new trinkets." He muttered, his cheeks also tinted with pink spots from embarrassment. It isn't a lie, he loves the sight of her wearing jewelry, but the Pyro piece just makes it even better. She looks gorgeous, he could've said. 

"Th-Thanks... I like yours too..." Eula replied bashfully whilst twiddling with her fingers once again, implementing about Nate's snowflake trinket - which he got from Jean as a little decoration on his new piece of clothing. 

"Hey, can you love birds hurry up!? Time to hit the road now!" The bard shouted frustratingly at their direction, hoping for them to cut the flirt and just take off towards Liyue. For Celestia's sake, he missed his old drinking mate! They hadn't talked in centuries!

"Don't make me tell her what you and Baal did before our meeting that one time- OOF!" Nate was interrupted rather rudely by a devastating strike to his stomach, which was surprisingly painful despite Venti's small size. As for the Anemo Archon, he was seen with a blush that could rival Eula's new pair of accessories. 

"L-Let's just go already!" Venti stuttered a little, which caused a light-hearted chuckle to escape from Nate's lips. Yet, what seems to be their upcoming destination caused his insides to stir. He predicted Zhongli giving away his Gnosis, and they'll have to fight Childe once Aether gets there but... he felt like not only Liyue's Geo Archon will be waiting for them... 

"Shall we proceed?" The bluenette besides him asked gently while giving his hand a reassuring squeeze. This caused Nate's cheeks to redden a little, but he nodded curtly as a response before interlocking their fingers. He didn't know what made him so anxious, nor about his current relationship with Eula. Despite that, he'll embrace them all with determination, and maybe allowing himself to soften up a little when it comes to her. 

'This will be fun...' 

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Sorry for not being on schedule, yesterday I was out and didn't have time to polish the script. And I maybe won't have time these upcoming days, due to some jackass's idea to force us do our midterm exams at school (unlike most schools in the vicinity) so I have to injure my own head with Literature, Math and Physics. 

So, you can expect less updates from me for a while. And I'm sorry if this is short, I just wanna post this before trauma encounters. Bye for now!