Chapter Text
“Days when clouds drift through the sky bring a feeling of great contentment.
Work will go smoothly, and good ideas will come to you, even during your noon nap.
Suddenly, you will find brand new common ground with old friends…
Every day will be positive and filled with cheer.”
“Rising fortune, huh,” a man mutters, green eyes scanning the fortune slip once more before pocketing it with a smile. “Haven’t gotten that in a while.”
He knows he shouldn’t think too much about what a fortune slip dictates, but he likes to think that it holds some merit. At the least, it gives him some peace of mind for the next few days.
Though who knows what the future holds? Being friends with the traveler, there’s no telling what exciting things are on the horizon. The only question now is when…
The way Aether praises the Kamisato retainer is almost like a taunt towards him. He’s subtle about it, his face giving nothing away as he talks about how skilled Thoma is in cooking when Childe mentions a new recipe he’s trying out, or telling him what a wonderful big brother figure he is when Childe brings up Teucer.
Though the effort is all lost with Paimon joining in and outright telling him that the retainer is better than him, acting like a proud parent whenever she starts praising him. All the while eyeing him for his reaction the entire time.
Subtle.
Seated here in Liuli pavilion, Childe couldn’t help but be amused by their antics. Surely, they didn’t have to stoop to such underhanded tactics to convince him to accompany them to Inazuma?
After hearing about Aether’s earlier departure with the Crux, he had already made up his mind to go once he made sure that the aftermath of his, ahem, escapades in Liyue were all sorted out so that his subordinates don’t have to deal with any extra work or grief from the Qixing.
A long needed break seemed very appealing, especially since he was still a bit sore from Zhongli’s deception.
(Eventually, he did forgive him. Though Childe wasn’t one to forget so easily)
Aether pauses at the laugh that escapes his lips. “What is it?”
“Nothing.” He tries to pick up a piece of crystal shrimp with his chopsticks before giving up and stabbing it instead. “You make a very convincing argument, comrade. I’ll gladly go to Inazuma with you. But you’ll have to wait until I arrange proper transportation there, unless the Crux has no qualms transporting a Harbinger.”
“But I didn’t even--”
“Oh you don’t have to worry about that,” Paimon chimes in. “You just need to pack your stuff and we’ll handle the rest.”
Aether gives him a small smile. “Guess we weren’t being subtle at all, huh?”
“Oh no, you were doing fine. I just happen to be very observant,” Childe says, beaming. “Why so eager to bring me anyway? I thought you’d be more wary of me after everything that happened.”
Aether shrugs. “You’re one of the strongest people we know, and based on how crazy Inazuma is right now, it’s better to have someone like you to rely on in a fight.” Then, as an afterthought, he adds, “And you have Mora.”
Paimon nods sagely.” Lots of Mora. Mora to buy food for Paimon…”
Childe sighs, shaking his head like a long suffering parent. “Well, can’t argue with that. So, when are we leaving?”
Luckily for them, Childe didn’t have to spend much Mora upon arriving in Inazuma through a travel waypoint (who knew those little statues actually had a purpose? even now, Aether continues to surprise him).
Thoma, the kind soul that he is, had already arranged everything for his arrival, including a travel pass for him to keep and the necessary documentation regarding his stay. Apparently, Aether had already informed him about Childe and though he wasn’t there to greet him himself (and what a pity that is), he wanted to send his regards and make sure they weren’t spending more Mora than what was needed.
“Thoma is such a nice guy! Paimon wishes Childe acted more like him…”
Childe sends her a smile that can make even the most hardened Skirmisher shiver in fear. “You can drop the act. I’m here now, aren’t I? There’s no need to continue with the lavish praise.”
Paimon makes an ‘eep’ noise and hides behind Aether, who only rolls his eyes as he leads them both to a secluded corner of Inazuma city, where a floating teapot greets them.
After a brief explanation on the purpose of the teapot and its origins (“Wow, comrade. You really do have the adepti’s favor.” “No thanks to you.”), they enter the domain in a confusing whirl of colors.
When Childe opens his eyes, he’s standing in what appears to be the inside of a very large mansion, distinctly Liyuen in style. The warm lighting gives it all a homey feeling and he can already feel himself relax at the familiarity of everything.
“Oh, there you are, Childe!” Paimon floats over to him from another room, Aether in tow. “Are you okay? Did you get dizzy too? Paimon was the same way at first, but you get used to it.”
“That’s reassuring.” Childe then turns to Aether. “Nice place you have here, comrade. I’m honored that you allowed me into the safety of your home. Hopefully, that trust isn’t misplaced…”
Aether isn’t even bothered by the threat in his words. “Even if you did try something, I can easily beat you like I did last time we sparred.”
Childe laughs. “Oh, I definitely look forward to it! By the way, is Thoma around? I’d like to test his strength too. Maybe he can be my new sparring partner so that you don’t tire out too soon.”
“Paimon feels sorry for Thoma all of a sudden.”
“It was your idea to rile him up,” Aether whispers to her.
“Hey! Don’t put all the blame on Paimon! You wanted to do it too!”
Aether puts a hand to his forehead and sighs, sending a silent apology to Thoma for thinking it was a good idea to use him to provoke Childe. Maybe he should think twice before agreeing to one of Paimon’s ideas again.
“So you’re Thoma.”
The man at the doorway pauses, green eyes meeting Childe’s dull, blue ones. He gets up from his position on the couch and crosses his arms, scrutinizing him. Really, why did Aether make such a big deal about him? He didn’t look that impressive--
His thoughts grind into a screeching halt when Thoma smiles, as bright as a field of untouched snow on a quiet, winter day. He’s frozen to the spot as Thoma approaches and it’s with a strange twist to his stomach that he realizes he has to physically crane his neck up to meet his gaze.
What the fuck.
“And you must be Tartaglia, yes?” Thoma says. “Or do you prefer Childe? Either way, it’s nice to officially meet you! Aether mentioned you a few times.”
Childe shakes off the weird feeling in his gut and takes Thoma’s extended hand, making sure to grip it tightly.
“All good things, I hope,” he replies, channeling his inner diplomat. It wouldn’t be good to lose his cool when Thoma doesn’t look the least bit fazed about him. “Archons know how much he talked about you when he told me about his adventures in Inazuma.”
“Really? I didn’t think I made such a big impression on him. Must be my sunny personality.”
Maybe it’s the pent up energy from not being able to indulge in a good fight in a while (or the weird, tingly feeling underneath his skin at Thoma’s laugh), but Childe feels his patience snap and he grabs the collar of Thoma’s jacket, pulling him down until they’re eye to eye.
“Look Thoma, I’ll give you a warning now,” he says, face devoid of any emotion. “You might have Aether and Paimon entranced, but I know your type. So sweet and kind on the outside, but on the inside, you’re a menace.” He drinks in Thoma’s look of surprise with unrestrained glee. “And I’m not gonna let someone like you replace me.”
Aether may have meant that as a joke back then, but it was the perfect fuel for his combative nature. He can already feel the familiar rush of adrenaline from the potential of a good fight and despite Thoma’s status as a housekeeper, his physique was that of a warrior. Well-built and sturdy (not that he was looking closely earlier).
Now if only he could goad him into a fight...
“So what do you say to that, Thoma?” he croons, inspecting the other’s face for any signs of irritation or fear. “Are you threatened? Want to put me in my place?”
Please say yes.
Amusement flashes in Thoma’s eyes. “I wouldn’t dream of it. Especially now that I’ve seen how pretty you look up close.”
Wait, what.
Thoma takes the hand gripping his collar, which had loosened from shock, and brings it up to his lips, a gentle press on exposed skin that has his heart skipping a beat.
“And to answer your other question. No, I’m not threatened because I know your type too. Intimidating, but a big softie on the inside. Am I right?”
“You–” he snatches his hand back and brings it to his chest, scandalized. Then, his brain lights up in realization.
That
bastard.
Feeding him such honeyed words to let his guard down. Oh no no no. Childe may not be as well versed in psychological warfare as his other fellow harbingers, but he can definitely hold his own against this
housekeeper.
“Oh sure, you have me all figured out.” Slowly, he loops his arms around Thoma’s neck in a mock imitation of intimacy, fingers ghosting over his nape before moving up to run them through his hair. “Very astute of you, Thoma.”
Confused, but not appearing to dislike the attention, Thoma smiles. Damn it. “Thanks. Though I’ve been told that you’re also very cunning. Like a fox.
“Who, me?” Childe says, wide eyed and innocent, as he traces a line across Thoma’s throat. “I don’t have any ulterior motives. Maybe you should stop listening to others and actually see for yourself what kind of person I am.”
He startles when a hand settles on the small of his back, bravado quickly disappearing as Thoma takes advantage of their height difference to loom over him, nearly making him cross eyed as he leans into his face.
“Are you proposing we go out on a date?” he asks and Childe gapes at him. “Because I certainly wouldn’t mind.”
“You’re joking.”
“Actually, I’m--”
“Um.” They both startle as Aether walks into the room, holding a large bag in his hand. “Am I interrupting something?”
“Aha, of course not, comrade!” He shoves Thoma away with a loud laugh. “There was absolutely nothing going on. nothing.”
Aether didn’t look convinced, but Childe gave him no time to think it over before dragging him into the kitchen to discuss what they should make for dinner, sparing Thoma a withering glance over his shoulder.
The laugh he gets in return makes his face warm and he ignores the way it makes his stomach roll in favor of busying himself with Aether’s groceries. Now that wasn’t something he wanted to unpack.
“Sorry about Childe. He can be a handful sometimes.”
“No worries,” Thoma says as he helps Aether clean up the dishes from the dinner Childe made for them. “It’s always nice to see a new face around here. And with him around, things will definitely be livelier.”
Aether sighs. “With his body count, I think it’ll be the opposite, Thoma.”
“Oh.”