Chapter Text
It was as if the world had gone silent for a moment.
Childe stood at the front of the slightly ajar door with his soon-to-be roommate holding it open. Red locks cascade messily down his shoulders, framing a beautiful face. A visible mug of coffee in his other hand.
"You—" the man holding the door squints, scanning the ginger head up and down. He noticed the bags then without hesitation slams the door shut.
"Wrong door!" The muffled yell came and Childe's jaw drops.
"Wrong door sure looks correct with my matching number!" he tries to reply but no response came so he knocks again.
"Diluc, let me in! I know we got off wrong at the start during highschool but I can explain—"
"You have no right to explain" came the immediate response.
"I'm not afraid to break down this door"
"I'm not paying."
Childe whines, aggressive knocking growing louder and obnoxious. "Diluc, please!"
An audible groan resounded from the other side, footsteps coming his way and Childe steps back.
The door swings open.
"What?"
Childe opens his mouth, formulating whatever he wants to say but leaves a dead tongue. "I'm your new roommate"
Again, Diluc gives him that look of utter disgust before leaving the door open and walking off. The ginger head's eyes sparkle, picking up his bags and hurrying into the apartment.
The place is relatively spacey, enough room for more than a few people especially when guests are expected. A simple 2 bedroom, 1 bathroom with a huge kitchen and living room.
"The room to the left is mine. You are not allowed inside" Diluc says from the couch, laptop on his... lap.
Childe gave a resounding grunt accompanied by a nod as he dragged his bags, turning the knob and hoping to the Archons that it was a pretty decent room.
In which, he heaves a breath of relief when he sees the clean and fixed bed. The neutral colors were evident all around from the simple gray walls to the white pillows and the muted blue blankets. The cabinets were also pretty spacious.
Perfect.
He settles his things down, closing the door behind him and starts to unpack.
It was just one year living here... What could go wrong?
One year living here seemed too long especially with the constant unwelcoming look Diluc would give to him in the morning. The usual silence that flooded the entire apartment due to this unknown tension also haunted Childe daily.
The unanimous rule of, Don't meddle with my affairs and I won't mess with yours seems to have been established long before Childe could even do something to drag Diluc along with him.
One thing that got him going easy was the fact that despite the usual toxicity in the area, they wouldn't have to deal with seeing each other everyday.
Diluc worked at a business company for wine production and other alcoholic and non alcoholic products. His job usually lasts from seven in the morning until four in the afternoon while Childe worked as a host, stationed in the city for his time being. His working hours: six in the afternoon until four in the morning.
They occasionally spent their days in the living room, not communicating at all with Diluc on the dining table with his laptop while Childe often lounged on the couch watching Netflix.
Really, they just... Lived with it but that was only until some time a little later.
Childe is in the lounge room, fixing his clothes and eating his dinner when Lumine walks in. "Didn't you move in recently?"
"Mm? Yeah, why?"
Lumine settles beside Childe, leaning against his shoulder. "How'd you find a place so easily? This place is usually packed" she scans his food before taking one piece and popping it into her mouth—Childe defeatedly sighing.
"Kaeya told me that I could room with someone"
"Ooh~ so you have a live in partner?"
Childe took a bite. "Kind of"
Lumine scrunched her eyebrows together, confused. "Elaborate"
"He's not uh... How do I say this..." he packs his dinner into his bag, clasping both hands together as his mind ran through the many possible phrases he could say without indirectly offending the guy.
"He's not very... Sociable...?"
Good job, Ajax. You ruined everything
Lumine stared at Childe's unsure expression then something shone in her eye. "Oh... I get it... You're hiding us from him because you two are dating—"
Childe nearly spills his water.
"—don't worry, I'll make sure that secret is safe with me" she winks but the door opens with a bang and Kaeya walks in. "You're dating who now!?"
Childe whines-groans as he sinks into his seat. "I'm not dating anyone!" he yells.
"Denial is most definitely the first stage!" a short petite boy, innocent looking as can be walks in and Childe wanted to cry just about now.
"Venti's correct!" Lumine says, nudging on the victim of their teasing.
Childe straightens up, standing as he placed both hands on the table. "I am not dating anyone and most especially, I'm not dating my roommate"
The three simultaneously gasp. Childe looks at them in bewilderment. "I just told you the truth why do you seen so shocked!?"
"It... could it be?" Kaeya places a hand on Childe's shoulder before looking straight into the latter's eyes. "You're... dating my brother?"
"Good, archons—NO!" Childe pinches the bring of his nose, thinking of a way to stop all this misunderstandings but knowing these three, he was at a dead end. Still, he did his best.
Lumine frowns, followed by Venti and Kaeya. "This is so sad" Lumine starts.
"If his words we're the truth, what would love know of youth? Such agonizing pain, only to be wrought by one's disdain..." Venti sang. The rest nodded.
"Sometimes I worry that at your age, you may never find a girlfriend... What a shame, Childe" Kaeya taps his shoulder a few times, earning a slight glare.
"At this point, this single pringle is most definitely hopeless" Lumine adds.
Childe tries to formulate words but gives up. "Alright, you had me"
Three pairs of eyes sparkle at the response, knowing well that their plan worked.
"Isn't it supposed to be your shifts already?" their co-worker peered from the door and the group apologized.
Just as Childe was about to leave, Kaeya gripped onto his shoulder. "I'm happy for the two of you" As a response, Childe rolls his eyes—disgusted at what just happened.
The dreadful day came when Childe and Diluc were both present at the house. As usual, there was a thick air of silence weighing down on both of them.
Childe breathes. He shifts around the seat, glancing at his phone. He shifts again—followed by another breath then moves once more—
"Why the fuck are you acting like a restless worm?" came Diluc's stern voice. Childe knee that would work.
"Diluc, I have a favor to ask of you"
"I stopped listening at favor" the laptop snaps shut as he makes his way to leave for his bedroom but Childe pulls onto his arm. "Let go—"
"Listen to what I have to say first!"
With an exasperated breath, Diluc went back to his station at the dining table, opening his laptop and continued his typing.
"I know we hate each other's guts but can you... be my boyfriend for like a month?"
Diluc practically gags on his coffee, fingers stopping his typing as he stared at the ginger headed fluff of madness who sat on his couch.
"I'm sorry... what?" Diluc rubs his temples, "Did I hear that correctly?"
"Like act as my boyfriend" Childe corrects himself. "For a month..." he adds, "or so"
An audible sigh rang through the apartment as Diluc finishes his coffee. He runs his fingers along his ponytail before rubbing both eyes then staring back at the man as if he had lost his mind.
"Fuck no"
"Please!" Childe claps both hands together, practically begging Diluc at this point. "I—I'll cook you meals and clean the place and even do your laundry—"
"—Don't do that—"
"—and even do some other chores. I can buy you stuff and—please just don't reject me! You're the key to the constant teasing!"
Diluc narrows his eyes at Childe, observing how those ginger-orange locks bounced with nearly every movement he made.
Luckily for Childe, Diluc was a kind soul so with a simple word, "Fine" Childe grew ecstatic, like a dog wagging his tail from approval. "But we set rules."
"Yes, of course. Go list them"
"One, absolutely, no kissing, touching or any of those disgusting things"
Childe nods.
"Two, only us two and your friends or whoever knows. Keep it simple, do not spread this information. I don't want news about a scandal"
Childe acknowledges with a hum.
"Lastly, even if you'll cook and do the chores for me, you are extremely prohibited from entering my room. Also, no nicknames."
Simple, three rules that Childe has to remember. "Noted! So... are you free tomorrow afternoon? My co-workers kind of wants to invite—"
"No, I am not free tomorrow."
Childe whines. "I'll tell them that then."
From now on, Childe was no longer a hopeless single pringle or at least... Temporarily. It'd all go into shambles later on and he knew that but... better to enjoy it while it lasts right?