𝐎𝐓𝐇𝐄𝐑𝐖𝐎𝐑𝐋𝐃𝐋𝐘 𝐓𝐎𝐔𝐂𝐇 | Tartaglia x Reader | ON HOLD

Chapter 3

(Narrative POV)

You woke up alone once again, it was a saturday. Though it certainly didn't feel like one. Everything felt like a dream to you. Childe's presence was just a fantasy you dreamt of... right?

A quiet crystalline tear rolls down your cheek as you get off your bed. Searching for your phone, there was no sight of it.

"Huh?" you murmured under your morning breath, desperately searching the bed for your phone.

That's when you knew Childe was in fact, real. You saw his vision sitting still, the resin coat glazed with sparkles coated all over it.

"meow!" Mae purrs, kneading your toes as you tearfully hold the vision in your hands. It still has that ocean glow, the same one Childe has. Which meant-

"Wait.. what's that on you Mae?"

You inspect your cat further, she stays still. You spot a large FAT SLICE OF CHEESE ON HER BACK.

"meow?" she meowed curiously, her swaying tail indicating she may have been cheese-slapped by childe.

"Comrade! Breakfast is ready, come over when you're good to go!" Childe's chirpy voice fills the cavern of your ears. That sweet voice..

Although, you had business to take care of.

"CHILDE WHY THE FUCK DID YOU THROW CHEESE ON MY CAT"

-

"Okayy childe, this is a mall!! We're gonna go shopping for your clothes!"

You parked your car, his eyes glued onto the building.

"It looks quite modern, more advanced than what I have back in snezhnaya.. wow, what can we get here besides clothes?"

He questions, not taking his eyes off of the building and reading every single ad that came on.

"Well, let's just wait and see okay?"

You say, unbuckling his seatbelt as if he was a little child. He happily gets out of the car in his white shirt, denim jacket, skinny ripped jeans and checkered shoes. The same outfit your ex wore before he passed.

You smile endearingly at him. wearing your little cinnamoroll backpack and bringing him inside the mall.

Once you both stepped foot in the mall, Childe got lots of different stares from women. Obviously because of how unordinary he looks.

He locked his arms with yours, feeling insecure about how he looked. He usually felt confident back in Teyvat, though this was a completely different world, and he only felt safe with you.

"He looks really cute! Why don't you try to get his number girl?" a girl whispered to her best friend, making her best friend flush.

Childe clears his throat and stops in his tracks. Using his hydro vision to quickly and quietly create rings around both your ring finger and his.

"I'm engaged. Don't even try." he whispers, his tone aggravated while he spoke to both girls.

Walking away, he brought you along. You couldn't help but blush, hiding your face away as Childe quietly regresses his anger.

As you both walk further away from the crowd, you pant.

"What was that for?! Are you crazy? We-"

"Shh, let's pretend we are the role we're playing in this little story of mine." his deep voice whispering into your sensitive ears as shivers get sent down your spine.

He pecked your lips and smirked. He knew damn well you liked being teased and left on a cliffhanger.

"Speaking of which, let's go browse for some clothes. I'm awfully excited to see if they have my size in stock!" Childe happily states, pulling your arm and dragging you to the men's section at H&M.

Oh my oh my. The duality of this man was truly insane. How is he capable of doing this?

-after some time-

"Childe, are you done adjusting that suit? It's been 10 minutes.."

You groan, growing impatient for him to come out and show you how he looks in it.

"I'm almost done comrade, loosen up a little. Won't take any longer, I promise"

Then, he comes out of those red curtains in a stunning maroon suit which hugged his shoulders and broad chest perfectly. The suit complimented his entire physique, you just had to take it.

"Yup.. since this is the last piece of clothing we need for you in case of special events we're taking it haha!!" you say, flustering as you end your sentence with a nervous laugh.

"Like what you see, comrade?" he asks, nudging his arm to your shoulder. His eyes were narrowed, a playful smirk plastered on his face.

"That's none of your goddamn business" you mumbled, trying to sort the clothes in the shopping basket. He chuckled, sighing and shaking his head as he headed back inside the changing room.

After he had changed back to his normal clothes. You both were set to go home. Though, Childe had other plans.

"Let's go to whatever that is! That looks exciting." he says, pointing enthusiastically at the arcade while holding your hand, wrist full of shopping bags.

You sigh, while his pleady eyes beg. It was clear he wanted to try out new things but not at a time like this.

"Maybe next time okay Childe? I'm really exhausted today" you suggest, childe whining like a little baby in response.

He crossed his arms and huffed, helping you carry the shopping bags to the car.

One thing that you've noticed about him is that he has not once taken off the fatui mask off his head, it was odd really. Since you'd often get weirded out glances from people because of it.

"Can we atleast go for a meal? I'm quite starved. Although the choice is yours, of course." he smiles grimly, his stomach rumbling.

You cracked out a small giggle, making him blush in embarrassment. Agreeing at his suggestion as you lock up your car and head back inside the mall with Childe.

Once you and Childe began eating, he took off his face mask (which he used as soon as people kept creeping glances at him.).

Some girls were whispering as he dug into his meat rolls wrapped in rice. You felt jealousy consume you, and you tried your best to ignore it.

"Hey um, may i get your autograph mr cosplayer? You look really similar to my favorite character, Childe."

'Oh fuck'

"Why of course, though. I'm currently eating with my wife. Is it possible for you to wait?" Childe answers fondly, plastering a fake smile.

You could see that the girl's heart shatter just by the look in her eyes, and that you could see she recognized his voice very well.

"Oh, um.. alright! I'll wait at the table nearby, thank you sir!"

Childe nods, continuing his meal as he snaps his fingers in front of your face.

"Comrade, hello? Are you okay? You're spacing out." he mentions, you snap back to reality and apologize. To which he replies with a calm "it's okay dear"

Once you both finished your meals, he signed an autograph and both of you headed to the car.

"How did you handle that situation so well, Childe?" you mention, adjusting his seat belt.

He sighs, exasperated. Sitting properly before he answers you.

"Back in Teyvat, everytime I'd come home from Liyue. Alot of fans would ask for pictures with them or autographs, even if I didn't understand what 'cosplay' meant. I still manage to get through it because of that daily obstacle." he explains thoroughly, you nodded. Finally understanding why he handled it so well.

Then, you entire ride home was silent.