"My Lord, what are you doing here?" Thoma walked towards Lord Ayato like a little duckling. Childe watches Thoma walking towards what is his so-called 'Lord'.
'Ouh, he got some type. I thought it's going to be an old man who's already about to die' He chuckled.
"Thoma, I was searching for you this morning. Where did you go?" Kamisato Ayato brushes Thoma's cheeks softly and makes Thoma's heartbeat fast. "Ouh, um, I-"."Thoma! Where did you go?" Childe nestled his head under Thoma's right neck and gripped his waist tightly, shocking everyone, especially Thoma. He shouted as Childe acted inappropriately in public, in front of his crush, Lord Ayato. Ayato furrowed his eyebrows, seeing Thoma flustered and uncomfortable. "Hey," Kamisato Ayato intervened, pulling Thoma away from the tactless foreigner who hug Thoma suddenly. "Eh, who's this dar-" Childe was cut off by Thoma before anyone, especially Lord Ayato, could think they'd been intimate.
Ayato pulled Childe away from Thoma and shielded Thoma behind him. "I don't know what your deal is with my acquaintance, but for things to go smoothly, I suggest you back off. I hope you understand," Ayato said with a cold tone, fixing a sharp gaze on the stranger creating a scene. Thoma blushed, realizing Ayato was protecting him.
'He is protecting me' He smiled a little. Childe scoffed, looking at Thoma hiding behind Ayato. "And you must be his 'Lord'?" Childe smirked at Thoma. Damn, this guy never thought of Thoma as his crush, just an 'acquaintance.' I mean what did I expect.
"Yes, I am. Why?" Ayato became more suspicious as the stranger chuckled. "Nothing much. I just love being in this kind of situation," Childe said, eyeing Thoma. "It's such a waste that he chases a love he can never attain."Thoma snapped, feeling attacked by Childe's words. He grabbed Childe's hand and led him away from the crowd. "Thoma," Ayato called out, but Thoma assured him, "That's okay, my Lord. I'm going to have a conversation with him. We will meet up later." Thoma smiles and continue to disappear with Childe. Ayato glanced at Childe, their eyes meeting. He sensed Childe secretly enjoying bullying Thoma.
They reached a quiet spot up the hill, and Thoma released Childe's hand.
"What do you think you're doing? Aren't you ashamed? We just met, yet you have no manners!" Thoma scolded Childe. Childe was taken aback. "Oh sorry. I just wanted to tease a little to see his reaction. I know I overstepped, but isn't it fun?" Childe little annoyed. He glancing at Thoma, "Hey, I said I'm sorry"
Sniffles echoed. "Hey!" Childe moved Thoma's hands from his face and saw Thoma crying because of his earlier behavior. 'Ugh, this guy is actually crying. I admit it it's my fault, but I never thought I'd upset a stranger. What is he, a baby?'
"I'm sorry. Can you please stop crying? It bothers me," Childe said, furrowing his eyebrows as he tried to console Thoma, feeling increasingly anxious.
"I love him"
Childe looks at Thoma. 'Huh?'
"I don't care if he only thought of me as his acquaintance, worker or something else but I wish I could stay beside him longer. else. As long as I can be next to him, that's why I keep to myself. I don't care if he's going to marry soon."
'Soon? Wow, this guy is really interesting. I mean I can't believe that this guy can trauma dumping to a stranger. Must he really loves him, lol'
"As long as he's happy".
"But, how about you?" Childe asked.
Thoma looked at Childe slowly, wiping his tears. "Me? As long—" "I'm asking about you, not him," Childe interrupted, approaching Thoma. "I can make you happy if you want," Childe said, touching Thoma's cheek. Thoma smirked, "So, you can forget your ex-lover easier?" Thoma challenged Childe, causing him to pause for a moment,' this guy...I'm trying to comfort him'. "Isn't that selfish too? Asking strangers questions as if you know everything? Fix yourself first before asking those kinds of questions to me. Even if you have problems, don't act so self-important." Thoma smirked, challenging Childe.
If Thoma's aim was to hurt Childe's feelings, he succeeded. "Hey, I just wanted to tease you, pretty guy. Do you think your face can make people fall in love? Your face won't make me fall for you! My ex-lover is prettier and has better manners than you," Childe retorted. Thoma smiled.
"Oh, really? Then prove you're different. Prove you won't fall for my pretty face," Thoma challenged. "Why should I accept? We're strangers. We're different people. That's why you need a bodyguard; you're an easy target. Poor Lord Ayato must be tired of your behavior," Childe taunted. Thoma felt a surge of anger but refrained from acting out in front of passing kids. "Are you going take those challenges or what?" Thoma crossed his arms. "If I win, what's the prize?" Childe asking him. Thoma look up as he trying to search an answer, actually he never expected to have this kind of conversation. Childe chuckle. "If you win, I can help you have your way with your Lord Ayato". Thoma shocked, "That's not nice!" Thoma shouted. "Talk to the person in front of me. I bet on Celestia, that you will take this offer." Childe teased, "And I win, you need to do whatever I want you to do". Thoma growled. "Wanna test yourself? Hurry up, time is ticking. I can actually have a beard if you left me hanging".
As if he's going to accept this ch—'
"You'll help me make Lord Ayato fall in love with me if I win the 'Who Falls First' challenge, right?" Thoma asked. Childe grinned. "Yes, and you'll do everything I say if you lose". "Why set these challenges?" Thoma inquired. "For me to move on fast. I'm tired of being nice and still getting dumped. Still want to challenge yourself?" Childe taunted annoyingly. "I agree," Thoma replied quietly. "What, I can't hear you?" Childe teased. "I SAID I AGREE!" Thoma shouted. Childe smiled, taking Thoma's hand gently. "It will be my pleasure to be your rival, your highness," Childe said, kissing Thoma's hand.
Smack!
"Gross!" Thoma ran off, leaving Childe rubbing his cheek. "He's definitely going to lose first," Childe chuckled.
