Noble Views

Chapter 14: Warm Tea

"Could you take care of her for a couple of hours, please" Ajax seemed to have been begging the man for a few minutes trying to convince him to take you in, "uh… childe it's fine, I could just sit somewhere close and wait for you. It really isn't a big deal, I promise." 

The man gently began to blow on his cup which had steam rising from it, you weren't sure what was in it but its aroma was floral with a tinge of sweetness. The aroma was calming as you watched the well-dressed man's eyes drift in your direction, you weren't sure where to look as you nervously looked to the ground as his presence was overwhelming for some reason.

"What is the young one's name?" You nervously fiddle with the hem of your shirt, his voice was deep but smooth it was a surprise to hear such a voice. "Uh right, her name is Y/n. I've known her since we were kids so I trust and treat her like family."

You couldn't help but smile at ajax's comment, at least he thought of you as family and not a burden that you thought you were. "Is she part of the fauti?" Ajax shook his head, he nervously rubbed the back of his neck as he kept giving you quick side glances.

Something wasn't right, he did this when he was trying not to lie to you but at the same time hide the truth. "Ajax" your voice was stern as you crossed your arms in front of your chest, "what are you hiding this time?"

"Haha, nothing just… I might have brought you here without informing anyone…" you couldn't hide the surprised look on your face, watching him hesitate before slowly walking towards you.

"Y-you… ajax…" the disbelief in your voice was so clear that he had taken a step back, "that's literally intervening with nobles and… that's treason for archon's sake!" Your mind was racing with thoughts of his siblings, with ajax getting hurt because of you, and with you not being able to go back if they found out.

"Y/n, please calm down. I can explain if you just let me." You wanted to hear him out but that familiar ringing in your ears starts as your throat begins to feel dry, 'no no not again, stop you stupid fear, I want nothing to do with you!'

Your hands instinctively cover your ears as if to block out the ringing but you knew it wouldn't make it better, it is constantly taunting your every sense. Your whole body trembled, unsure of how to respond to your panicked mind, "Child, close your eyes and take deep breaths." 

You could barely make out his words but you did as you were told, closing your eyes to the colorful world around you. The empty void of black seems weirdly calming as you proceed with taking slow breaths, slowing down your heart each time.

"Y/n? Are you okay?" You silently nod as you stare at the floor questioning these attacks, you didn't have them this bad or this frequent. You started to question if scara had something to do with your attacks at this point but how could he… he wasn't even here.

"Childe, could you help her toward the seat over here?" Your whole being was enveloped into a warm embrace,  "Y/n remember I'm always here for you, no matter what, family sticks together."

"Ajax… tell me what did you do?" He weakly smiled as he guided you toward the empty seat next to the man. It was interesting since this man didn't make you feel uncomfortable in any way, he almost made you feel safe. "Young one before he tells you anything, please have this tea to calm your nerves."

"Thank you, sir" your hands wrap around the teacup, the warmth reminding you of the times you would drink hot cocoa with ajax and his siblings. You couldn't help but breathe in the floral aroma, imagining yourself in a field of flowers as the breeze blew gently.

"So Childe, I know her name and yet you haven't introduced me to her yet ?" You looked over at Ajax sighing in defeat which made you giggle, watching your friend get all embarrassed in front of someone else. 

"Right, Y/n this man is Mr. Zhongli, I know him because he is one of the contacts we use for the fatui" you just nodded in a sleepily way as you took another sip of your tea. Your eyes were feeling heavy as the conversation continued, it all sounded gibberish as sleep consumed you.

— — — — — — —

The girl was in a deep slumber, she seemed peaceful as the young harbinger sighs, "I'm sorry about what happened early Mr. Zhongli, I didn't know one of her attacks would happen." 

"It's fine Childe, but it seems this child has gone through some difficulties." The young man couldn't help but bite his inner cheek as a way to calm the inner rage just thinking about what Y/n parents let their daughter go through. "Yes unfortunately she went through a bunch of things without relying on anyone… except for one person." 

The bitterness ajax was feeling toward Scaramouche was annoying in his eyes, that bastard knew what he was doing when he kissed y/n right in front of the other's face. Ajax couldn't get it out of his head, the way she enjoyed every moment bothered him to no end.

"So Ajax that's a nice name" the young man's eyes widened looking toward his sleeping friend before looking toward the other man, "w-what… Did you just call me?" 

A deep chuckle was his simple response as the man just smiled, ajax wasn't sure how to feel as his face began to burn. "Mr. Zhongli stop teasing me" he was trying to sound bothered but sounded more like a timid puppy instead.

"Alright, alright but you can do what you need to do at the bank now since she's asleep at the moment" Childe composed himself as he walked toward the young woman sleeping, he pets her head gently sighing again before leaving the area.

Zhongli watches silently, his mind wandering to old memories as he takes a sip of his tea. "It seems Ajax was the name you were hiding from huh Tartaglia," the man couldn't help but smile at the events that transpired.

A/N

At this point I'm just taking my time writing these chapters, also I am rewriting chapter 1 of this story but I won't publish it until I get at least 20 chapters on this book.

I will rewrite all the chapters but for now gotta get to 20 chapters before I can officially begin publishing the rewritten chapters.