♥♡𝔸𝕕𝕠𝕣𝕒𝕥𝕚𝕠𝕟♡♥ (𝙶𝚎𝚗𝚜𝚑𝚒𝚗 𝙸𝚖𝚙𝚊𝚌𝚝 𝙾𝚗𝚎𝚜𝚑𝚘𝚝𝚜)

❤ Childe x Reader ❤

another request from my friend, female reader <3 (jsyk, I always write my xreaders as an INTP/INTJ)
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You wandered around the Wanwen Bookhouse, picking up various books that piqued your interest. The small clouds drifted slowly in the sunset above as a light breeze rustled your clothing. It was a spring night, a night you had all to yourself since you didn't have any commissions. You started flipping through some of the books you were thinking of buying, a sigh of satisfaction escaping your lips as you felt the fact that this was finally going to be a relaxing night all to yourself. A time just for-

"Hey girlie." The familiar pattern of footsteps and the voice made you jolt out of your thoughts. I guess you weren't going to have a peaceful night after all...

"I've already told you not to call me that." You continued to flip through the pages, ignoring the ginger beside you as your fingers gracefully turned each page.

"Too bad." Out of the corner of your eyes you could see Childe smirk and lean against the railing next to you. "So, what brings you here?"

"I was hoping  to have some relaxation all to myself, but I guess not." You closed the books and went to the checkout counter, hoping he would leave you alone. He followed you, however, and watched as you bought a few books.

"Oh, don't be like that. Besides, you can still have a relaxing day with me, can't you?" He smirked and elbowed you gently.

You looked at him with an indifferent expression before shaking your head and walking away towards the staircase. "Why aren't you hanging out with Zhongli?"

Childe followed you, again. "Busy."

"What about the Traveler?"

"Out of town." He smirked, crossing his arms as he continued to walk beside you. "Why, am I really that annoying?"

You stayed silent, not really sure how to answer. Was he annoying? Yes. Would you rather be alone? Yes. But did you like it when he was around? You felt conflicted about that one.

Childe chuckled as he moved a bit closer to you, your arms brushing against each others while you walked. "You didn't say no."

"I didn't say yes, either." You continued walking down the stairs. Your destination was near the docks, so you could read in peace and look at the stars. "What are you doing, anyways?"

"I was just walking around town, thinking of you~" He smiled as he glanced over to see your reaction- or rather, your lack of one. He was always such a damn flirt... he had dozens of girls in Liyue wrapped around his finger by his appearance alone. "And now I've found you! I guess it worked out."

"Sure." You said sarcastically, as the sound of small waves hitting rocks started getting closer.

"You don't believe me?" He said, in mock-offense. "I'm wounded, Y/N, wounded."

You rolled your eyes as you walked down the docks. "Wow... I don't really care." You could see Childe chuckle a bit at this one. Why did he always talk to you, after you showed no interest every time? He knew you meant it, right? And you knew he knew you meant it. Or did you know that he knew that you-? 

That's enough thinking for now... You sat down at the edge of one of the empty docks, dangling your legs off the side as you placed your books beside you. The feeling of another body sitting down close to you was the only thing that kept you from overthinking again.

You didn't open a book, you just stared at the water, your mind racing with thoughts about Childe. Why? You didn't know.

His voice broke the silence. "What do you think of me? Truly, behind that facade of thinking I'm 'annoying' and a 'pest.'"

You thought for a second before speaking. "You're annoying, and you pester me a lot, but you're a strong ally and a good companion. Although I don't think our personalities don't mesh well."

Childe sighed before leaning a bit closer to you. "What makes you say that? I think we get along just fine. We don't argue, do we?"

You hesitated, but didn't back away. "...No."

"Exactly." He smiled, looking up at the stars as you did the same. "I think we make a pretty good team."

You two stayed like that for a while, sitting next to each other and staring at the stars, occasionally talking about the constellations.

You wouldn't admit it, but you enjoyed his presence.