Genshin Impact: Various x Reader

•Ch. 29•

When I was eventually removed from the round basket, the light was so bright that it temporarily blinded me. As I sat on the frigid tile, I realized that I had returned to Northland Bank. "Comrade! Ah! I'm relieved that you're ok. I apologize if the ride was a little jarring." A well-known figure spoke, obviously referring to Childe.

I remarked, "This is an attempted kidnapping."

"Hey, no need to act hostilely about it...Yes, I kidnapped you, but I was only trying to help." Childe spoke with a slightly offended tone. "Anyway-"

"I really had to be kidnapped for the first time by Ed Sheeran..." I groaned and finally stood up from the ground.

"Ed Sheeran? Again? Like I said before, I never heard a man in that line of work before." Childe laughed. "Jokes aside, I really didn't think you would fall for a trap so simple like that, I just found those things while I was looking for some things to do in Liyue."

"Those things, are really important to people like me. Useful for so many things, especially for making wishes." I scoffed.

"Wishes?" Childe laughed again. "Ahahaha!! Hahaha! Aahh that's really funny... Hahaha, but seriously though, you can wish all you want but wishes don't really come true, Only little kids believe in wishes and the adults just make things happen for them so they believe it until they are old enough to know the truth."

"...Well damn who hurt you, dude," I said and crossed my arms before shaking my head. "Anyway, why did you set that trap for?"

"Ah... Well... I saw the travel carrying them earlier..." Childe said bashfully. "So I-"

"So you wanted to kidnap Aether and try to convince him to let you join him in his travels?" I interrupted him. "...yeah no," I added bluntly. "You may have saved us earlier but I can't trust you as such... At least, not now."

Suddenly, my stomach rumbled with hunger which caused me to blush from embarrassment. I cleared my throat to ignore it. "Erm..."

Childe chuckled a bit. "Well... How about I treat you to lunch? The way to a girl's heart is through their stomach no~?" He added a small wink.

I had an unamused look on my face... Such a queasy flirt...

"...fine," I mumbled as I could tell Childe was having a mental victory cheer in his mind.

"Alright! Oh! I know just the place we can go to! I have a good friend waiting there already. Come on, I'll introduce him to you!" Childe said as he tossed the basket to the side, hitting a Fatui guard on standby on purpose.

Before I can reply, he takes my hand and gently tugs me with him as we both exit the Northland Bank. I looked down at his gloved hand holding mine... Hmm... His hand is warm and gentle... Despite the feeling of eeriness radiating from him.

At Third-Round Knockout...

Childe took me down to the main plaza as the sun was shining and the breeze was perfect for a walk around Liyue Harbor. 

"Here we are!" Childe smiled as he walked up a few of the steps and sat down at a reserved table, there was already someone there, waiting, drinking tea, and listening to the storyteller's folklore stories. "Ah Mr. Zhongli, what a surprise!" Childe gave the man a smile. His back was facing towards me. The man had a low long ponytail as he was in conversation with Childe. "Oh, how rude of me! Mr. Zhongli, you probably know who this girl is already, but let me introduce her! This is Y/n, Y/n, this is Mr. Zhongli."

"Ah, it's a pleasure to meet-" Zhongli began before turning around and facing me. We made eye contact in silence. His eyes were as bright as the ember Cor Lapis. "...you..." He finished his sentence, his tone growing rather quiet. 

"Erm... hi... It's nice to meet you too.." I said awkwardly.

...

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A moment of awkward silence...

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...

"Ahem! Oh wow, huh, so you two know each other!" Childe said pretending to just be oblivious. I just squint my eyes at him as Zhongli sighs. 

"Of course not!" I said first before Zhongli could say anything. "I've never met this man in my life..."

Zhongli looked at me with an expression of hurt, but he hid it completely. "Ah...yes... yes this is the... First time I met this fine and beautiful lady." Zhongli added.

Childe only scratched his head in confusion... For sure they would know each other... "Really..? You two aren't pretending right?"

Zhongli and I said nothing.

"Ah...Alright then." Childe blinked. He didn't push further as he took his seat after he pulled the chair for me like a gentleman. The two men began to converse with each other, Childe taking the initial action to speak and talk most of the time. Childe ordered food and drinks ahead of time as I took a sip of my tea in silence. From time to time, I would catch a glimpse of Zhongli stealing a few glances at me in between conversations. "Oh wait, I forgot to pick up something from a shop!" Childe said realizing something he forgot during a conversation and topic about jewelry. "You two eat first!" He added as he checked his pocket and wallet before hurrying off.

I watched Childe leave as I sighed. Of course that Ed Sheeran excuse of a man would do this... The awkward atmosphere lingered in the air between me and Zhongli once more. I looked over to Zhongli, whose attention was on the storyteller's speech. I moved my gaze down to my reflection on the small teacup.

"Are you another illusion... in the form of a mortal..?" Zhongli muttered.

"...? Pardon..?" I said and looked back at him. Zhongli moved his gaze down to the table for a moment before looking back at me. His gaze was solid, serious...and cold.. almost as if life in his eyes just flashed unwanted memories before him. 

"Why must you haunt me still..." He said. 

For a moment, the people, our surroundings, disappeared leaving only us two in the presence of each other. 

"Whatever trickery or illusion this is... I want no part of it... Please... Just fade away. Like you always do." Zhongli added.

I looked at him for a moment... not knowing what to say to him... instead blurting it out as I always do. 

"....Well.. Hello to you too, Morax..." I mumbled, crossing my arms a bit. I flinched at the sound of wood cracking and breaking. Zhongli had his grip on the edge of the table... now there was a huge chunk of wood missing. "..." 

I can't decide whether to laugh or to cry at this situation...