little secret • childe

duo

Tartaglia, or Childe, like pretty much everyone in his clique called him, was presumably one of the most popular guys at Archon High. He had the reputation of a rich party guy who didn't give a damn about his grades. A mass of girls were constantly ogling him, talking about him or just straight up harassing him, the way you saw it. But it looked like he didn't mind rejecting the same group of girls every other week of his number.

Before this moment, you couldn't care less to even form an opinion of him, as your social circles didn't mix the slightest bit and he wasn't all that active in class. But now he might bare witness to your confrontation and ultimately demise.

Ningguang seemed to have been lecturing Childe right before Beidou's interruptance, at which she turned red. She took a deep breath, before her scolding took another direction.

"Mrs Beidou, do you not remember talking about barging into my office before? How many times do i have to repeat myself?" now she seemed even more annoyed than the ginger boy, who at the sight tried to contain his laughter.

"Sorry, sorry, love, but... uhm... y/n has such a calming... uhh aura, was it?, that i completely lost myself talking about you, mi amor! And now that i'm once again reunited with you, i just couldn't hold back and knock, seeing you is more important than any gesture of courtesy!" the tall woman explained in her defense, stretching out her two arms towards her wife. Her words and body language resembled a serenade.

Ningguang blushed, and Childe turned to take a look at the fore mentioned y/n.
You returned his gaze, wondering which out of his many wrongdoings had brought him here today.

The principal cleared her throat, and turned to you "Hello, y/n, please take a seat, as i'm almost finished with Ajax."

You found yourself dumbstruck at hearing the name. Ajax? Was she talking about Childe? Or Tartaglia? Thinking about it, you realized just now how many different names that ginger had. But judging from Ningguang's serious composure, you knew this wasn't just another nickname.

So his real name was Ajax, huh?

You sat down on the cushioned chair, diagonally of the tall guy. While you walked past him, you could tell that he now stood a tad bit more stiff. His eyes were at the floor.
Does he not like his real name being brought up?

You decided not to delve in, considering it was most definitely his personal business.

"Where was i? Oh yes, your eventual progress" The white haired lady dragged. "If you do not find a way to improve your grades until the end of the june, i'm afraid you'll be held back a year and ultimately unable to graduate along your subordinates." she paused, waiting for the student's reaction. When he remained silent, she continued.

"Look, i am not trying to be harsh, but this is your only way out. Usually most students in your situation give up at this time of the year, but i'm aware of your capabilities to some point, and i know you're better than this." she sighed. "You can go back to class now."

Childe/Tartaglia/Ajax muttered out a quiet "thank you" and left. Or so you thought.

"Now then, Ms y/n, i've called you into my office to ask about Mrs Willis's wellbeing. How is she doing?" a now more relaxed Ningguang asked.

So that's what they called you in for. Thank the Archons, you sighed mentally in relief.

Thankfully, you could somewhat lie about the rabbit still being alive. You threw in that it did take an unusual interest in tomatoes as well, which was not a lie. After five minutes of you babbling and the principal lady asking some surface questions, you were also free to go.

Beidou gave you the task of notifying your classmates about class today being cancelled. She remained in the office.

You quickly left, not wishing to stay any longer in there. The moment you closed the door behind you, you let out an exasperated sigh. You took out your water bottle and drank for good ten seconds.

But it didn't end here.

Your eyes widened the moment you saw him. Childe (as you decided to keep calling him in order to respect his privacy) was leaned on the wall next to you with his arms crossed. Feeling your eyes on him, he turned to you with a smirk on his face.

"Were you... eavesdropping?"

"Depends on what you call "eavesdropping"."

"You know what i mean."

"Okay, ma'am." he chuckled and raised his hands as if he was giving up. What a bother.

"Eavesdropping, for me, at least, is intentionally listening on a conversation you're not a part of. But in my defense, i simply... overheard." he finally admitted. His eyes met yours.

"Okay then, Mr Sneaky, do whatever you want with the information of Mrs Willis's favourite food and shit places." you put forth in an annoyed manner, and walked past him, headed to the gym.

"Okay then, Ms Bunny Expert, in that case i'm assuming you'd be alright with me telling my friends of how you killed the school rabbit by feeding it tomatoes?"

You froze in place.

"What did you say?"

author's note
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