a r t i f i c i a l // scaramouche x reader // modern au

seven. more questions

"Oh, it's getting late, I should go home" I said, noticing the darkening sky. I remembered my promise to Childe which I broke, but maybe I would get home before him. I wasn't in the mood to argue.

At that moment a boy appeared behind Aether, squatting down next to him, their shoulders touching. "I was looking for you" he said simply, ignoring mine and Lumine's presence.

He was even shorter than Aether, his hair was dark with teal undertones and golden eyes. He wore a sleeveless black top, shoving off his tattoo on his right arm.

Aether blushed softly. "We were about to leave"

"Hello to you too Xiao" grinned Lumine, gently hitting the short boy's shoulder.

Aether cleared his throat, looking at me. "(Y/N), this is Xiao" Xiao looked at me momentarily, acknowledging my presence, nodding slightly. I nodded back with a smile.

"I... think I'm leaving now" I smiled and stood up, placing my bag on my shoulder. We said goodbye to each other then I started heading home.

I couldn't even reach my apartment when I saw Childe walking towards me with furrowed eyebrows. He obviously looked mad.

Ah shit, here we go. I sighed.

"Where the hell were you?" He questioned with an upset tone. "Your class ended at four, no? You should be at home now, as you promised!"

I closed my eyes momentarily, I tried to not snap at him, I did make a promise that I broke. But the reason I broke it was very important.

I continued walking home, Childe was following, waiting for my answer.

"I was talking with Lumine and Aether" I said eventually.  "And I didn't notice the time passing"

He went silent. "Oh" he said. "About what?"

"About Scaramouche" Childe's eyes widened. "Let's get home and I will tell you everything. And sorry... about breaking the promise. But I was safe"

He just nodded, obviously surprised that I actually apologized. I did feel a bit guilty for worrying him.

When we got home I started telling him the story I heard from the twins. I didn't tell him about the twins' origins, as I promised them I would keep it a secret.

"So, you're not the only one who remembers. You're not crazy" he chuckled lightly.

"You laugh, but until now I wasn't hundred percent sure. Now I have proof" I shrugged.

"But you don't look satisfied" he pointed out.

"Of course not" I shook my head. "I have more questions now. I want to know what the experiment was about and why he erased himself. And he seemingly hates me"

"Was he nice before?" he asked as he took the bowl of chips from the table and started eating it.

"No, but... at least he talked to me back then?" I shrugged.

Childe just hummed. "He basically used to be your subordinate" he pointed out. "Maybe he only talked to you before because he had to"

"Ouch" I frowned. I didn't like this theory. "So, you're only talking to me because you're ordered to?" I smiled bitterly.

He shook his head. "Nah, I consider you my friend. You're cool when you're not rude as fuck"

"I am never rude"

"Yes, you are"

"No"

"Yes"

"Lumine gave me cookies" I folded my arms with a smug smile.

"Can you introduce me to her?" Childe asked with puppy eyes.

"No"

"Why?" he pouted.

"I don't want to ruin my friendship with her" I said.

Childe stared at me blankly. "I hate you"

I grinned as a response.

"If you want anything with her, use your charm" I shrugged.

"But I can't just walk up to her like 'Hey girlie, wanna go out?' This is not how it works!" he complained.

I sighed eventually. "I am not really close to her yet. If I will meet with them again, you will most likely be there too. You will have plenty of chance"

He grinned. "Oh and I will take the chance"

I rolled my eyes. "Just don't come crying to me when she rejects you"

"How are you so sure that she will reject me?" He exclaimed loudly.

"I mean, you're not ugly but she's another level" I shrugged.

"Wanna bet?" He held his hand out for me. "If I get a date from Lumine, I can copy all your homework until the end of this semester and the next one"

I shook his hand. "But if you don't, hmm" I mused, wondering what should I ask from him. "You know what? I will figure out, when I win"

"When?" he chuckled. "More like if"

"We'll see about that" I grinned.

After the bet was placed I went to the kitchen to make dinner. I was making a tomato soup with some frozen savory pastry that I put in the oven. I didn't ask Childe if he wants to stay for dinner, but I made extra food just in case.

"What are you doing tomorrow?" he asked as he was scrolling through his phone.

"I want to finish my essay and do some other homework" I answered.

"Boring" he rolled his eyes.

"Why, you have other suggestion?" I asked, ignoring his comment.

"We could go out somewhere in the evening. You know, living the average college student life" he suggested.

"Sure, why not" I said as I was stirring the soup.

"There's this place where many students go from our year, I overheard some conversation" he said. "Maybe you can ask the twins" he winked.

"We're not that close" I said.

"This is why you have no friends" he stood next to me poking my shoulder.

"First of all, I grew up in a castle with no kids around. Second of all, I have you, I often talk to Faruzan when we meet, and now I am getting close with the twins. That's already four"

He just laughed at me. "Can I stay for dinner?"

"Freeloader"

"That's part of the payment for being your bodyguard" he smirked.

I rolled my eyes as I started to serve the food. "I am pretty sure my mom pays you well"

He placed his index finger in front of his mouth and winked. "Maybe"

I sighed and sat down to eat dinner with him, he left right after that.

Finally some peace and quiet.