Death of Me [Tartaglia]

chapter 20

Childe stood up from beside me. His blue eyes scan over me, causing my cheeks to flush and for me to bow my head once more. 

"Are you ok if I leave?" he asks. 

I scoff, "Yes. You're not my babysitter."

Despite my tone, a pleased smile crosses my lips. His concern makes my heart flutter. 

"Alright, I have a couple of things I'd like to get done today," he trails off. "Do you want me to come back when I'm done?" 

I look up at him, a little surprised. He probably read my confusion. His face pinkens slightly and he combs a hand through his hair. Aw, he's embarrassed. I smile up at him. 

"Sure, I'd like that." 

The grin that flashes across his face is beautiful, "Awesome, I think I'll be done around 9:00. Sound good?" 

I nod, although my mind wanders. Come over at 9:00? That's a little late. Does he want to stay the night, again? Is this going to be a thing now? 

"Alright, see you then comrade!" 

I laugh at the nickname, "Bye, Childe." 

He slips out of my room, leaving me alone. I flop back, lying down to stare at the ceiling. A small smile dances on my lips. He really seemed to care about me. I sit up again, deciding now would be a good time to shower. 

I undress as the water heats up, slowly watching my mirror fog over. I smirk to myself thinking about how Childe had done the same thing only a few hours earlier. My eye catches on a small area in the corner of the mirror, not fogging. 

Trust me, is written there in a rushed, messy hand writing. I glance around the room before smearing it away with my palm. Childe? Was he just trying to be friendly or did that mean something? 

I find my fingers digging into my palms again as the hot water streams down my back. It's probably nothing, I reassure myself again, but I know it isn't. What if this has something to do with the gnosises? Oh, for archons sake, fuck this. 

I step out of the shower 20 minutes later. The mirror now completely fogged, no hint that h the message was ever there. I brush through my hair and put a series of creams into my face, all the while staring at my fogged mirror. 

I change back into my usual uniform before strolling to the small library. I summon my small bird, staring at it's cocked head before speaking. 

"If I don't get back to you assume the worst, I think-" I trail off. The little parrot flaps its wings like it's ready to take off, but I force it to stay. "I think I fucked up," 

Then the bird leaves. Saying my suspicions out loud makes them seem more real. I know I let my guard down. I left him alone in my room, I let him know too much about me, I fucking let him kiss me! Trust him? No. He's just playing with my head to turn me in.  

My fingers linger over my vision as if touching it will bring me good luck. I hear the door creak open. My fingers fly away from my vision and towards a random book. I flip to a random page and read. 

I hear healed footsteps approaching. My eyes dart across the pages, I don't take in any of the words, archons save me. The footsteps stop within feet of me. 

They clear their throat. I glance away from the book, moving my eyes to look at the person. Number 8 stands there towering over me. 

"Servant Yn, I presume?" she practically scoffs.

"Yes, my lady," I say giving her a bow and staring at my feet while my heart sinks to the floor. 

"Her majesty would like to see you," she sneers. "I recommend you come quietly."  

"Of course," I say obediently. 

I walk the familiar route to my archon's chambers. I hesitate outside of the heavy wooden door. I can feel Number 8 watching me. 

"Go on," she taunts. "Innocent people have nothing to fear." 

I grimace, they know. He told them. They know. I'm going to fucking die here just like Mother. All of this for nothing. I want Diluc. I want Mondstadt. I want to be away from here. I can't die. I'm scared. 

She gives me a harsh shove sending me forward so I hit my head against the door, "Go, brat. I don't have all day."