Archon Quest: Custom Night [FNAF/Genshin]

Chapter 20: I Promise

After he tucked Teucer into bed, Childe walked like a corpse into the living room. His eyes felt like they were being pulled down by the bags under them, and his back ached to the point of slouching. When he entered the living room from the hallway, he saw Michael asleep on the couch, and the two children sleeping in chairs opposite of each other. Kaeya glanced up at the man from where he was leaning against the back of the couch.

"Oh, hey," he whispered as he stood up straight, "Don't you look excitable?"

Without saying anything, Childe rested his head on the man's shoulder. Kaeya rubbed his back slowly, drawing circles into his skin.

"Is everything okay?"

Childe closed his eyes, "I feel like a fraud. I don't feel like Ajax anymore, but I think that's how everyone wants me to feel. But I'm happy with Childe, I'm happy with who I am now. It feels like three different people: Ajax, Tartaglia, and Childe. Right now, I want to be Childe."

"I get it. Childe is the part of you that's healing from Ajax and Tartaglia's lives. You're growing into someone new for the third time," Kaeya leaned his head on his boyfriend's as he stroked his hair.

"Right. I just don't know how to tell my family. They'll probably get mad at me if I say I just want to be Childe, not Ajax. Ajax was so sad and so scared."

"He's still a part of you, though," Kaeya pulled Childe's head away from his neck and held his chin, "Maybe you could change your view on Ajax. Maybe when they say Ajax, they mean the vulnerable side of you, not necessarily the little boy who was scared. Perhaps in being Childe, you should learn how to accept Ajax and Tartaglia as things of the past as well as parts of you now."

He smiled, "You're so smart."

"Be quiet," Kaeya kissed his forehead. Childe followed his lips, standing up straight to give him a proper kiss. While Childe wrapped his arms around Kaeya's waist, Kaeya put his hands on the man's chest, pushing him away.

"Can we go to bed now?"

"So whiny," Childe snickered, "Yeah, let's go. We can sleep in my room."

The two men turned in for the night, a shadow staring at them from outside the window.
***
The next morning, Michael groggily lifted himself from the couch. He rubbed his eye, hearing a few voices in the kitchen. Though it wasn't too loud, the noise was different from any kind he heard in Liyue or on Earth. It sounded as though the house was filled with memories and relationships. If he had to give his honest opinion about it, he would call it uncomfortable.

He stretched out his arms, leaning against the back of the couch. As his eyes adjusted to the light, a man came out of the kitchen.

"Oh, good, you're awake," the man he recognized as Timur spoke, "I have to leave for work, but my mother is making syrniki in the kitchen."

Michael tilted his head and furrowed his eyebrows.

He rolled his eyes, "It's like cheese pancakes. If anyone has an issue or an allergy, just let my mother know. See you guys later."

As Timur rushed out the door, Michael walked over to where Elizabeth was sleeping. He shook her softly, and she stirred.

"Go away," she groaned, which made Michael frown.

"C'mon, Liz, we gotta get up and eat. We're starting our search for Childe's friend today, remember?"

"Ugh, he can choke on a screw."

"Liz!" he scolded quietly, "I know you're still mad at him, but you can't say that in his house! If we screw this up, we'll be cold and alone somewhere we've never been before. Does that sound appealing to you? 'Cause if it does, then feel free to keep this up."