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Arriving to Mondstadt didn’t feel particularly exciting. Childe was meant to stay here for a completely unidentified amount of time, and was specifically told not to “cause any trouble”.
That soured his mood greatly, as it definitely implied seeking a new sparring partner was off limits.
Still, spending time in a new region could have been good for him. While waiting for proper orders from Tsaritsa he only had to keep things civil between Snezhnaya and Mondstadt, as well as try and gain something out of his stay.
It was a nice challenge.
Besides, who knows, maybe mingling with Mondstadt people would help him learn something useful for Fatui?
For the time being, however, Childe decided to take things slow. While he wasn’t going to keep his presence a secret, after all it was borderline impossible with his track record and lack of anonymity. He had no intention of going straight to the Acting Grand Master or whoever, and offering explanations. He assumed his higher-ups have taken care of all the formalities for him already.
So, now, after getting situated in his hotel room, he simply strolled around the streets, trying to find anything that could entertain him for a while.
It wasn’t long before he came across a tavern, Angel’s Share.
It didn’t seem to be bustling with life, at least based on the few drunken people idly chatting outside the tavern. However, before he could reconsider, Childe walked in.
Angel’s Share was… cosy. Nothing he would consider fancy, or particularly interesting to observe, yet still an objectively lovely place to get completely wasted at.
Giving the bartender a greeting, he easily ignored the mild change in the man’s face as well as surprised looks from the couple sitting in front of the bar.
Surely, tourists weren’t that uncommon here?
Although, again, it’s not like Tartaglia was a completely unknown character in Teyvat, could it be that his fame reached some tavern? Would Knights of Favonius really go this far and warn the locals about him the day he has arrived? Or is it how alert people should be in the presence of a stranger, especially the one covered in scars and wearing unmistakeably snezhnayan clothes?
Ah, it barely mattered. Even if he caused some uneasiness, the bartender still treated him all the same. Kindly answering all of his overly-interested questions about the weather and suggesting him a drink.
Sure, maybe Childe was acting a little too cheerful even for a “tourist”, but as far as he knew it should have helped people feel more comfortable in his presence.
Now having something to drink, he promptly decided to find a different place to indulge himself in local alcohol. The bar would be fine, if not for the still alarmed couple clearly wishing to stay undisturbed.
Childe, took it as an opportunity to see what kind of other characters he could come across in a tavern like this one on this fine evening and-
…
Only a few steps into the depth of Angel’s Share Childe’s eyes fell on him.
Quite frankly he had hard times imagining anyone missing a presence like this one.
Sitting there, alone, clearly lost in thoughts was Kaeya Alberich.
Well. It had to be him. Tartaglia gathered enough information about the place he would have to spend weeks at, so naturally he had to be aware of all the important figures. And…
Now hold on.
This was confusing.
Not Kaeya Alberich being here, not him fitting the general description that he was given, no, his- Childe’s reaction. That was odd.
He just stopped in his tracks, completely frozen. There was this genuine shock that he felt as he simply glanced at Kaeya’s face. He could have sworn his heart picked up a pace, but… why.
It felt so weird, so wrong.
Looking at someone, enemy or friend, never caused him to nearly drop his drink.
Did his stay at Fontaine caused him to lose his grip? It was plain stupid, why would he act this way just by looking at someone, and why on Earth was it nearly impossible to look away from the Calvary Captain?
It took a moment to process that what he felt was, thankfully, not fear. It couldn’t have been that anyway, Childe was a good enough fighter not to feel intimidated by anyone, let alone some… person in a bar…
Kaeya slowly looked up, as if feeling that someone’s eyes were currently drilling through him.
When their eyes locked Childe had to suppress the violent desire to look away, act like he was going somewhere, to hide.
No. Absolutely not. Childe couldn’t act this way towards anyone, even a very pretty stranger.
Ah. That what was the problem. As Childe’s brain finally processed that small detail, things fell into place quickly.
Keeping Kaeya’s gaze he walked over, as confidently as he could.
While his body felt slightly stiff and his heartbeat entirely too loud, Childe had a moment to ponder on the situation.
Kaeya Alberich was beautiful. Very beautiful. Probably the most beautiful person he’s ever seen. And that made little to no sense, especially considering how Tartaglia’s whole being reacted to it.
Childe hated that, genuinely. But even more he hated that he could see amusement in Kaeya’s eye, as if he could tell that something just happened within him.
Still, he had no reason to give up just now. He had a reputation to uphold and, maybe Kaeya hasn’t even realize who he was dealing with? Tartaglia certainly could bring back his sense of normalcy as well as control of the situation.
“Hello there, comrade! Drinking alone?” something in the way his words lacked former confidence irritated him. Why everything felt so… nerve-wrecking right now?
Kaeya chuckled.
Oh.
Then he gave him a small smile.
Oh dear Archons.
He put his drink down, before leaning in slightly, looking up at Tartaglia from his seat with evident curiosity.
“If so, do you care to join?”
Oh this was the end of him.
If before he thought the raging heartbeat was too much, now it was becoming deafening. What kind of physical response it was to a mere invitation? A clear joke no less?
But Childe couldn’t focus on that at all.
Coming closer was a mistake.
Horrible mistake.
The tavern’s dim lighting was an unexpected blessing, hiding just how striking Kaeya’s beauty was.
Now Childe had to stare at him up close, and really take it all in.
He couldn’t even pinpoint a single thing, the main reason why he found the man in front of him so pretty. His hair were long, dark, falling down his shoulders almost flawlessly. The eye that held his gaze looked like a gem, blueish or purplish in color, he wasn’t even sure. It was beautiful either way. Soft features, long lashes, relaxed posture. Childe was blessed he couldn’t see much of Kaeya’s body, but even his shirt somehow was pretty. Well, what under it was- No. It was just that, it looked nice, and elegant, and the way the man had it open to reveal some of his chest was… also nice. Childe refused to check though, keeping his eyes glued to Kaeya’s.
Hold on. He was meant to say something to this. Fuck. He just froze there and stared, leaving an awkward pause. What was happening? It’s not like Childe couldn’t handle some stupid banter?
Even worse it was very clear that Kaeya didn’t miss this odd reaction to the question.
He smiled even wider, laughing a little, before leaning back on his chair.
“Was that too forward? It’s just rare for strangers to come over like this for no reason after all…”
Whatever excuse Kaeya found for Childe’s behavior clearly made it seem like he reacted at least somewhat normally. That was good. Right. Childe wishes he knew what this excuse was.
“Ah, sorry, comrade, I am just overwhelmed by the hospitality of this region.” he gestured vaguely around himself. “While things aren’t too different back at home, you never know how it will turn out elsewhere!” Childe smiled like he always would, with only a little extra effort to keep it more genuine. While his ability to lead the conversation for some reason left him, this was still good enough for a response. Sure, the way his voice came out felt forced, but he hoped to get over that soon.
“Do sit down if you wish, my evening was becoming entirely too boring anyway.”
Kaeya nodded at the chair across him, and Childe did just that immediately, alarming himself with the lack of any hesitation in this action.
As the ginger wanted to ponder on his new companion’s words, Kaeya continued:
“Did the trip from Snezhnaya go well? Or were you taking other stops on your journey?”
Ah. So… no pretending, Tartaglia’s identity was obviously known the moment they saw each other. Right.
Honestly, he nearly forgot that was something he could have played into, but he felt a weird sense of relief that after all of these strange reactions, he at least didn’t have to keep up with some made-up identity.
“You are quite observant, Calvary Captain!” He laughed, a bit relaxed now. Placing his own drink on the table, he adjusted himself in the seat. He could do this, just chat and drink with one of the Knights of Favonius, maybe learn a thing or two about the region, or … whatever. Yeah, yeah, this was doable and fine. Something he has done before. Certainly nothing to have his hands sweating about.
“It’s hard to mistake you for anyone, mister…” Kaeya trailed off tilting his head, an amused smile doing things to Childe’s heart again. “Now how should I refer to you? Childe? Tartaglia?”
Ajax - his brain supplied.
“Childe. Just Childe.” he hurriedly answered.
“Mister Childe, then.” Kaeya smiled wider, clearly entertained by whatever Tartaglia was doing.
And that was bad. His opponent shouldn’t be “entertained”, they should be scared, uncomfortable, or if needed - joyously happy just to be around him. The strange dynamic happening here was wrong , but what was worse to Childe it felt right.
Like something very simple in his head went “pretty man enjoys my company - good!”, and that genius thought process ended right there and then.
Now, he really needed to get a grip.
Childe cleared his throat, before mentally willing himself to get back into his more cheerful and normal persona.
“So, uh, you are drinking alone… Any reason why?” He wanted to set himself on fire, this was not good at all.
Kaeya didn’t give him much of a reaction, keeping the same pleasant expression.
“Hm. Do I need a special reason?”
He didn’t. It made sense. Because the question was stupid. Childe wanted to slap himself across the face.
Before he could say anything more odd, Kaeya spoke up again.
“What about you, mister Childe? Any particular reason why you are in Mondstadt?”
“...Suppose you can call this a vacation.” In a way it was, at least for Tartaglia.
“Ohh…” Kaeya nodded, as if evaluating the answer. Was it something he expected? Assumed? “Well, then I believe you are quite lucky to spend it here. Plenty to enjoy.”
“Anything you would recommend then, Cavalry Captain?”
“Just Kaeya is fine…” Childe’s stunning companion said before pausing and thinking about the question a little.
Now this was a decent conversation, all thanks to Kaeya, obviously.
Childe took the brief silence as an opportunity to come back to reality. He still felt so off about everything. But it wasn’t bad. In fact whenever he would catch Kaeya’s gaze or see another small smile it felt really good. Exceptionally so.
However, he isn’t here to impress some Cavalry Captain. He shouldn’t worry about how he comes across to him, and be that happy to know they are on the first name basis.
All of this was just. Weird.
The seconds of quiet were broken by Kaeya speaking up - he stared talking about some places worth visiting in the region.
However, Childe quickly realized he couldn’t focus. He managed to act engaged at least, nodding along, making some sort of approving noises, and asking one worded question to keep his gorgeous companion talking.
As he spoke, Kaeya leaned forward once more, putting his chin on his hand and swirling his drink with another. He talked casually, looking up at Childe every now and then. And somehow this was about the most mind-blowing visual that graced this world for Childe.
But why? Why? He really couldn’t get it. Sure, he knew some people to be beautiful. But it was never such a big deal.
All the girls his peers had crushes on, local celebrities and such. Childe has seen them, they were fine. He never really cared. It never made him nervous.
But it was obviously because he had other things to worry about, his true love was the thrill of the battle. When the time came he would find one of those pretty girls, fall in love and uh… be a family? Quite frankly the plan was a bit hazy in his head, he just knew this was the expectation, and he didn’t think it was that hard to follow. All girls seemed fine, he could get with anyone who was fun to hang out with, right?
However, what happened tonight in Angel’s Share was going against all Childe knew. What he felt was eerily similar to what he heard real crushes to be… but it couldn’t have been that, right? Kaeya was a man which… at this point Childe barely cared about. Yes, he has only ever considered his future with a woman. But currently he was having a realization that his indifference to them was akin to the one he felt towards men too. What was that even supposed to mean now?
Nothing he could think of could explain why Kaeya Alberich had such a strong effect on him.
Luckily for Childe, his spiralling self-discovery was cut short by the end of Kaeya’s kind recommendations.
“I suppose that is about as much as I could suggest. If anything, you could always ask Katheryne for a proper sightseeing list.”
“Thank you! Although I prefer asking locals about such things, it feels far more insightful.” Childe’s voice wavered ever so slightly. Gods he needed to get it together and move this conversation somewhere.
Kaeya hummed in response, really analysing Tartaglia’s face before his expression turned less pleasant in a moment. It looked like confusion, and maybe … concern?
“Are you alright?” a simple question, but it caught Childe completely off guard. Was his inner turmoil showing? Did he do something odd?
He fidgeted his seat trying to find a more comfortable position.
“Oh? Yeah! Sorry, comrade, the road must have been more tiring than I imagined… Perhaps, I didn’t sleep well.”
“Maybe your drink could remedy that?” Kaeya chuckled. Oh. Tartaglia hasn’t touched his drink ever since he got it. Right.
“Your lovely tales must have distracted me!” Childe laughed, a little too forced maybe, but he hoped him downing the drink would cover any oddities in his reaction.
Luckily the way alcohol burned his throat did actually provide some clarity.
“Why thank you, I try my best to please.” Kaeya took a sip of his drink before placing it back down on the table, much more graceful compared to Childe.
“Now, that we established that, and you finally got to drink something… care to tell me more? About your vacation, maybe what you are planning to do besides sightseeing, or perhaps why you chose my company tonight? It’s not often a harbinger is around.”
“You really cut to the chase, huh, comrade?” despite the initial surprise he tried to sound relaxed.
“Why waste time?”
Kaeya appeared far more serious now, looking at Childe expectedly with his arms crossed. It shouldn’t have been as beautiful as it was.
Now while Childe was hoping the political nature of everything he did would be just ignored, it was obvious no one else would share this sentiment. And what’s even worse Childe didn’t even have anything to say about it.
“Right, of course. Ah… That, I… Quite frankly all of this is pure luck. I mean, your company…” he gestured towards Kaeya awkwardly, losing any confidence in the things that came out of his mouth.
Kaeya’s eyebrows raised in confusion.
“Luck?”
“There isn’t really a reason for this , I swear.” Now this was a bit too honest, and it seemed like Kaeya thought so too, keeping silent and letting Childe word-vomit. Perhaps local alcohol had a quick enough effect?
“It’s just- I only have been here for a day. I was simply looking for a good way to spend the evening, and this tavern seemed promising enough. I certainly didn’t expect to come across anyone from Knights of Favonius so early on during my vacation, but … you did invite me here yourself, comrade, I wouldn’t dare to decline. Besides… uh… if I were to truly start some sort of mission, which I don’t have by the way, uh, I’d be kind enough to wait until tomorrow…” he laughed a little, hoping his weird slip up in the end could be considered a joke.
He said too much.
Plain and simple.
But it wasn’t anything Kaeya’s hasn't assumed about him already... probably.
Kaeya’s face stayed neutral taking the information in. Childe felt even worse now. Not because he failed to think of a good story, not at all. Without his beautiful companion’s smile, he felt like he was failing… failing something. He didn’t know what.
Waiting for a response made him feel jittery, he clenched his fists involuntary.
While starting his relationship with one of the Knights badly wouldn’t have been that hard to imagine, maybe something Childe would even expect. In this specific case, he just really didn’t want to deter Kaeya from continuing the lovely chat.
“I see…” Kaeya’s light laugh brought him back to reality. “Well, then. A harbinger on a vacation? With at least today completely off?” He looked like he found the information to be ridiculous but believable enough. It made Childe nearly sigh out in relief.
Tartaglia nodded, a bit too eagerly, but it didn’t matter because Kaeya snickered at that and continued:
“Sure. I will take that. Then, if you wish, I can entertain you some more…” he finished his drink, and Childe had to deal with the genuine delight he felt at the prospect of staying in this gorgeous company.
“Anything you’d like to ask?”
Oh, so many things, such as if men- snezhnayan men in particular were Kaeya’s taste- Dear Gods , Childe was losing his mind. The stupid excitement made him entirely too giddy to think straight.
“I’d be honored… but, for now, I feel like you need another drink… well, so do I. Perhaps you could order for us?”
“Ohh… letting a stranger pick your beverage in a foreign land, how brave.” Kaeya’s shook his head playfully. “Although, I did witness you downing your drink and having no reaction. Did I get myself a formidable drinking partner for tonight? I guess, it’s not just you who got lucky, huh?”
Kaeya’s teasing smirk and words got him bad.
Childe felt like he just won at life. His out-of-this-world stunning companion just pointed out his drinking abilities. Childe could have drunk 10 more of the… whatever he had before. Goodness, he wasn’t even paying attention. The genuine happiness he felt just now from seeing Kaeya’s content smile left him unable to chime in. He just sat there, watching Kaeya call over the bartender and naming a few beverages. It seemed like Kaeya was a regular, and on good enough terms with the man… but it barely mattered. Childe was much more eager to be done with this interaction and get back to talking to Kaeya alone.
Once the drinks were there, and the bartender left, Kaeya smiled at Tartaglia again.
“Do not worry, I put your drinks on my tab, you can enjoy the wonders of local alcohol freely.”
“Thank you…” Childe instantly decided he will pay for it all himself. Somehow. Paying for a pretty man seemed good, something a gentleman would do. And hopefully something Kaeya would consider impressive.
“Now back to what we were talking about.” Kaeya, sipped on his drink, watching Childe again. He paused for a moment.
“Hm… I thought I got you to relax already, but you seem all tense again.” he almost pouted. Childe found it cute, it hurt his brain.
However, he wasn’t wrong. Childe was very tense. His hands were locked in front of him on the table, and his entire body seemed to be straightened as if he was in a class or something. He couldn’t even tell at which point he got this… nervous.
“Sorry, comrade…” Before he could give an excuse, Kaeya shook his head.
“Kaeya.”
“...Sorry, Kaeya?” even saying his name out loud felt like a lot.
“There we go.” Calvary Captain nodded in approval. Childe felt delighted. He started seeing a pattern in all of this.
“But haven’t we established that tonight is merely your day off? Drink away, I promise I don’t bite.”
While Kaeya’s chuckled at his own teasing comment, perhaps truly thinking he got Tartaglia worrying about his “mission”, Childe didn’t know how to get over how handsome his companion was even while actively messing with him.
Tartaglia decided to focus on his drink at least for a moment. He took a swing, and oh, that one burned way more. He liked that. A false sense of clarity was there again, giving him a mild confidence boost.
Sure he walked into all of this like a mess, but the pretty Calvary Captain still wanted his company? So… so… Childe had no idea what it meant. He just knew he really wanted Kaeya to be happy with him. The reason why mattered less and less, all he knew for certain is that Kaeya’s attention felt quite incredible, and he would prefer to keep it all to himself for as long as this night allowed.
Perhaps this was the challenge he was seeking?
Putting the drink down Childe spoke up with a smile. “Oh, this is a strong one, huh? I like it.”
“I knew you would.” Kaeya’s alluring smile was there, meaning Childe’s reaction was good enough for it.
“Is that so? You got a talent for that?” Childe tried. The question felt a bit off, but as long as Kaeya’s demeanour didn’t change, it was fine.
“Mhm… Perhaps, but in this case you are just easy to read.”
A statement like that should be alarming, especially for a harbinger. But Childe only felt curious, and somehow hopeful.
“Oh? And what are you… reading..?” Oh, dear Archons, could he worded it in a more lame way. “I mean, what did you find- what do you think-”
His attempt to explain was stopped by Kaeya’s laugh.
“Now, now, dear Childe, I can’t be showing you all of my cards like that.” He leaned in, placing his arms on the table. “How about you start first. What do you think of me so far?”
Kaeya’s smirk clearly indicated all of this to be a joke… At least some sensible part of Childe’s brain suggested that. But Tartaglia couldn’t work with that all, when his racing mind only brought back the truth as the answer.
What do I think? That you are the most beautiful man in the whole Teyvat. I think we should meet tomorrow, and the day after, and the after that too. I think that your smile is pretty, and that your voice is very nice. I think I might need to kill any man that looks in your general direction. Actually wait-
“Are you single?” Childe blurted out. Shocking himself.
The pause after it nearly killed him. If his face burned before (oh… it did. This entire time it did), it was on fire now. Why did he say that?! It wasn’t even the answer to Kaeya’s question. And obviously this wasn’t smooth, or impressive. It was a complete disaster. He wanted to blame the alcohol, but he didn’t even drink enough to act this stupid.
Kaeya seemed just as stunned, looking at Tartaglia in shock, processing the question. Then his face changed, an emotion Childe couldn’t name replaced the surprise, before he laughed a little.
“Oh my… Well, as a matter of fact. I am.”
“Oh, I see. Cool.” He said quickly, holding back his relief, trying so hard to pretend it was a casual thing to bring up all of a sudden.
Kaeya laughed again, properly this time, body shaking, eye scrunched up from how hard he smiled, hiding his face behind his hand in a weak attempt to contain the reaction.
It was beautiful.
Childe stared. He knew he did. He couldn’t help it.
Even if he was embarrassing himself, he thought it was fine as long as his pretty companion was this amused.
“Wait, is that your answer? I mean I could see how asking about my relationship status would give me some insight on what you think of me…” Kaeya’s barely recovered from the previous laughing fit, some of it still bleeding into the words. “But are you sure, this is what you are saying?”
How kind of Kaeya to give him an out like this. Was it truly an out? Who cares. Childe wasn’t done digging his own grave. Apparently as long as Kaeya was expecting an answer he was willing to say whatever came to his mildly drunken brain.
“Don’t know what you are assuming, co- Kaeya. But I simply find your company very…captivating.” That didn’t feel too exposing, at least compared to the level of emotional discoveries Childe had tonight so far. It gave him the boost needed to continue talking.
“You are generous enough to offer a stranger a drink as well as indulge one’s interest in.. uh, local culture. It’s hard not to find that very enjoyable. And besides you are uh…” he paused, pathetically, feeling his face burning anew, every word that came to mind would be too much, he should have stopped after the first sentence- “... rather charming…”
Childe instantly took another swing of his drink finishing it. He tried to make everything sound “totally casual” but he clearly failed. Who would even talk this way to a pretty much stranger? Childe thought he wasn’t the type, but tonight was full of discoveries.
He stared at his empty glass as he placed it back on the table, forcing his brain to come up with some smooth joke and apology to turn this in a teasing match, and not him baring his soul.
“Oh.” Like a dog, Childe looked up at Kaeya, bringing his thought process to another abrupt end.
He saw a smile. Kaeya smiled.
But this smile was new. There was something different about it. Like he discovered something fascinating in Childe’s answer.
Childe liked that smile even better.
“I am very flattered, thank you…” Kaeya’s voice sounded like a purr, Childe no longer regretted being an idiot.
“However… As much as I enjoy your company as well, don’t you think this is a bit too soon for such sweet words? You don’t know me beyond whatever others could have told you.”
Kaeya looked at him with half-lidded eyes, pure satisfaction written all over his features. He was toying with the harbinger now, he got Childe in his grasp completely, and Childe loved every second of it.
The ginger swallowed, his mouth became so dry, from pure anticipation of Kaeya’s response.
While he still felt more tense than usual, the alcohol finally kicked in, making him lean on his chair and unclench his fists.
He nodded, what Kaeya said was true, but…
“I’d like to know you more then.”
Kaeya’s smile grew, Childe felt himself mirroring the expression.
“Alright. I suppose, that can be done.” Childe felt victorious.
Kaeya wanted to continue talking, he was clearly pleased, he smiled very beautifully, the way he looked up at Childe was mesmerizing- It was incredible. Defeating a mighty enemy never felt quite as good as this simple thing, although it certainly was much easier to accomplish.
“Now, I gave an opportunity to ask me questions before… Perhaps, you wish to continue?”
Childe just nodded, eager as ever, earning himself a chuckle from the gorgeous deity in front of him.
“Go on then.” Kaeya tilted his head. “Nothing about work though… Let’s say we are both on vacation tonight.” Childe nodded once more, although he realized genuinely couldn’t care less about Kaeya’s job or the entirety of the Knights of Favonius right now.
His mind was racing, he made a fool of himself several times already, it’s not like asking another ridiculous question would hurt, in fact maybe it would make Kaeya laugh, which would be wonderful. Still, Tartaglia wanted to actually get something out of this. Ask something at least mildly meaningful, that would allow him to grasp Kaeya as a person better. The little bits and pieces he gathered so far were curious, but mostly left him wanting more. He really didn’t know how this evening turned into him actively confessing having an interest in a man that barely shared a thing with him.
“Um… You… What do you like?” Childe didn’t even know how to elaborate, he only knew that Kaeya’s preferences would be nice to learn.
His pretty companion snickered. “Like? What do I like? In general? Or are we talking about food, drinks…” he suddenly smirked, “or maybe people?”
Childe swallowed. “All of that actually…” His voice was unnaturally quiet. Somehow the mere idea of getting all of that, especially the latter , filled him with determination. Everything was working out perfectly.
“Hm…” Kaeya dramatically put a hand to his face, thinking hard, before smiling at him. “Alright. I can do that for you.”
Childe was ecstatic.
The next minutes… hours? He couldn’t tell…were filled with him asking what kind of preferences Kaeya’s had in pretty much every aspect of life, from food to colors, from places to times of the day. Each bit of information as meaningless as it may have seemed was now stored in Childe’s brain. Naturally all of this wasn’t just him learning about his beautiful companion, it was ammunition, something he would be able to use later in this challenge of getting more of Kaeya’s attention.
It was exciting too, just hearing about small and mundane things, like his favorite flowers. The terrible urge Childe had to run out immediately and find wherever those Calla Lilies grew.
Kaeya, however, was showing some interest as well, occasionally throwing in “and you?” after his own response. Although Childe genuinely tried to dismiss those, and give less detailed answers, Kaeya’s pout would quickly make him reconsider. Meaning in one evening alone Childe managed to explain half of snezhnayan cuisine and for the first time decide what his favorite color was just for his lovely companion’s amusement.
But soon enough Childe’s brain was overwhelmed and overworked. He couldn’t think of anything else to ask, and Kaeya clearly could tell, quietly snickering to himself.
As he genuinely tried to come up with something new, he suddenly recalled that he was yet to ask the most important thing.
Childe opened his mouth helplessly, but Kaeya shook his head.
“Now, I fear we reached limits of this conversation… If you are to ask any more you would know me too much. ”
“B-but men… what kind of men, i mean, people you like?” he still blurted out, no longer ashamed of his own forwardness.
Kaeya was seemingly caught off guard, perhaps he too forgot about this teasing suggesting among the rest of trivial questions.
“Ah that… Hm. I think I will let you know later.”
“Later?!” Childe was confused. Part of him felt defeated just by not receiving an answer, the other was hooked on the possibility of “later”.
“It’s quite late isn’t, it?” Kaeya ignored the question altogether with a knowing smile on his face. “Our date tonight was lovely, but I still have work tomorrow sadly… And I am sure you have things to attend to as well, yeah?”
Kaeya got up, Childe stared at him helplessly trying to process his words. He hated that this had to end, but- hold on- he said date? Oh. His heart was beating so loud again, he felt dizzy.
Seeing Childe’s reaction, Kaeya only chuckled.
“So shall we go?”
Childe got up immediately, nearly knocking off one of his glasses.
“Right. Right, we should.” Tartaglia was still hung up on that “later”, trying to figure out a way to ask about it again.
However, now he had difficulties thinking not only because he spent the entire evening drinking, but because he now got to see Kaeya’s entire form, pretty outfit and all. It was very captivating. Enough to make him nearly miss his stunning companion’s goodbyes to the bartender.
Childe sobered up ever so slightly, quickly reaching for his bag of mora. He knew for a fact this was more than enough for tonight’s drinks, hell maybe this could cover a week of drinking. Didn’t matter though, as he fulfilled one of his little goals and placed the bag on the counter, giving the bartender a quick smile and a “thank you”.
He walked towards the exit then, hoping this would deter Kaeya from trying to argue, and also to hold the door for him.
As Childe turned to Kaeya, to allowing him to exit he felt weak in his knees.
Kaeya stared at him in… disbelief? Surprise? It was positive, though...
He looked impressed.
And it was beautiful.
Childe was addicted to the feeling of accomplishment it gave him immediately.
“Why thank you…” Kaeya purred, as he brushed past Childe into the chilly night air of the street.
Childe followed suit unable to contain a stupid smile on his face.
Calvary Captain paused for a moment, before facing Tartaglia again.
“I suppose that’s where we end the night?”
Childe’s smile faltered.
“Do you mind me walking you home?”
Kaeya gave him a gentle expression but shook his head. “You are quite a gentleman, but not tonight. I live in the other direction from your hotel, perhaps another time?”
Childe was quite overwhelmed from all the emotions he was experiencing so far.
“A-another time?”
“Mhm… Maybe if this harbinger doesn’t cause a havoc in Mondstadt, I just might find time for another evening like this one in my schedule… What do you think?” Kaeya was standing so close to him, looking up at him with his beautiful eye. Dim lighting of a tavern, or cold moonlight, he looked stunning no matter what.
“Yes… Yes, I’d like that.”
“Great!” Kaeya started walking away, and Tartaglia felt another wave of sadness coming over.
“W-wait.” Kaeya looked over his shoulder, his not-quite-surprised gaze landing on Childe who still stood in the exact same spot. “Can I see you tomorrow?”
Kaeya smiled. He looked content, like that was something he expected and wanted to hear.
“Sure…” he gave Childe a small nod, chuckling lightly. “See you then, Childe.”
“See you!” Tartaglia was triumphant. And somehow out of breath from this interaction alone.
He watched Kaeya’s silhouette disappear into the darkness, but still couldn’t bring himself to move towards his hotel room.
Childe looked up at the sky, a smile still not fading away.
He was always good at finding challenges for himself, but this time he outdid himself.
Out of all trials and tribulations he attempted, this had to be the most beautiful one.