68: Jamais Vu

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Don't mind me here.

Soleil hasn't said a word all on the way back with Childe. They shared a single waverider in Childe's hopes they would talk, but Soleil was visibly distancing herself, telling him that she wasn't open for conversation.

Although they had a disagreement the last time they talked, Childe thought it was crucial they tried to speak.

They returned to Tsurumi and returned to Soleil's office uneventfully. Childe thought it was a chance.

"So it was Dottore's doing. Did he do anything to you?" Childe asked.

"No."

Soleil's reply was curt. "I see," Childe muttered, "He told me he was going to leave the men he brought with us. He said it was a 'gift'."

"Right."

Childe's patience was tested, and he began to frown at Soleil's short replies.

"Aren't we going to do anything about it?" he asked. "I don't care about them. They're your men, not mine," Soleil said nonchalantly.

Childe's eye twitched. That's it.

"You know, I don't like this attitude. If anyone should be getting upset, it should be me. You left without even telling me and proceeded with your reckless plan, got your informant caught, and I had to go out of my way to pick you up from Yashiori Island while you were joining Dottore for tea time. A little thanks wouldn't hurt," Childe said in disapproval, "There must be a reason he had to speak to you personally. You could at least tell me that."

"Okay, first off, I was faring well from start to finish. Should I really be thanking you for doing your job of dealing with Harbinger-to-Harbinger business that I was just pulled into without my permission?" Soleil scoffed, "And why should I be telling you about things that are my business?"

"Faring well? Luna got captured because of your recklessness! You could've used her abilities but you just had to ditch her at the enemy's territory, didn't you?" Childe's eyes narrowed, "Or are you too proud to admit you made a mistake?"

"Luna and I had a plan. I don't need you to make a comment about how things will proceed," Soleil said icily. Childe laughed sardonically.

"Won't you look at that? I'm the one who has been covering your back since the moment you planned for this war to happen, but you chose to make a plan with someone else and left me out of it," he smiled sarcastically.

"I know I was the one who tagged along and I never tried to stop you from enacting your schemes. Not ever," Childe crossed his arms, "I was hoping you'd be seeing me as your equal. Not just a pawn to be sent to the battlefield to your leisure."

His brows creased. "I thought we were starting over. I thought we were beginning to trust each other. But it seems we're back to square one," he said grimly, "Back to keeping secrets from each other."

"You're one to talk. You would dare talk to me about trust when you've been the one acting suspiciously," Soleil sneered.

"What are you talking about?" Childe frowned. "When were you planning to tell me that you've been trying to investigate me that time you went to Sumeru?" Soleil asked coldly, "You did that behind my back, and you even left Teucer to me all the while deceiving me."

"How did you... Dottore," Childe gritted his teeth and looked back at Soleil, "I had my reasons for doing that."

"I don't care. My friend told me all about it. But if I didn't bring it up now, you would never admit to it, would you?" Soleil glared.

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