The 12th Fatui Harbinger

New Encounters

*Warning* Very small references to explicit content. Recommended BGM -- Charlotte Lawrence, Slow Motion

"Maybe... it'll be better for us to start seeing new people." Yuria whispered.

Childe paused as he looked at her wordlessly. It was true he hadn't seen anyone else since he met Yuria. Childe hadn't really been in a serious relationship with someone before. He simply wasn't interested. After falling into the Abyss, his single determination in life was to become the strongest warrior. Yes, he also had needs and satisfied himself with a chain of partners-- but he ultimately felt like women would never understand his bloodlust and passion for battle. Except for Yuria and maybe the traveller, Childe had never really given girls the chance to stick around longer. He was also constantly on the move himself as a Harbinger, and above all, Childe was dedicated to ensuring a brighter future for the people of Snezhnaya. No matter the costs. There definitely weren't many women who could understand that.

In fact, Childe didn't know if he could find another woman that would understand him as well as Yuria did. Childe was always horrible about thinking ahead. He usually did whatever he wanted-- whether it be following the heat of the battle or chasing the newest thrill. But Yuria wasn't wrong. Childe knew they were heading into dangerous territory. The two of them simply didn't have a future together. Even if they weren't ready to end things, perhaps new partners were what they both needed to close this chapter in their lives.

Childe was way too many drinks in. He lost count as the pile of empty glasses beside him kept snowballing. He could feel the stares of interested women digging into his back, but none of them held a flame to his Yuria. Ugh, he really needed to stop that.

"I'll take one of whatever he's having." A familiar voice said as she sat down next to him.

"And put it on his tab!" A shrill annoying voice added.

Childe looked toward the voice, his eyes blurry from the alcohol. There was a familiar blonde woman in front of him. "Traveller?" He croaked.

She laughed. "It's still light outside. What's got you so down in the dumps, Childe? It's been awhile since we've last seen each other."

"I'm here too." Paimon harrumphed.

Childe was glad to see her. He gave her the biggest drunk smile, and the traveller chuckled at how much of a boy... he looked like today. He didn't have the dangerous aura of a Harbinger that always surrounded him. Or the annoying toxic masculinity that annoyed her. He just seemed like... a regular man.

"Paimon, you should go order us some food." She said as she looked at her companion. She handed him his card from his wallet, knowing he wouldn't care.

Paimon's eyes went wild with greed. "A-are you sure, traveller? I'd have to leave to the other part of the bar to get us food!"

Lumine nodded. "We'll be here."

As soon as Paimon faded from her sight, she crashed her lips into his.

"I missed you." Lumine moaned against his neck.

Childe wanted to tell her the same thing. He had missed her. But when truth be told, Lumine hadn't been on his mind since he met Yuria.

"How have you been, girlie?"

His drunk breath washed into her-- and she could smell the citrus on his breath. Childe could feel her leading him into the bathroom.

"I heard you and Signora--"

Lumine cut him off by undoing his pants. She started palming him. "Less talking." She said firmly as she got down to business.

Childe knew he was in deep shit when he couldn't stop thinking about Yuria when he was having sex with another woman.