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In the side of an alley nests a quaint little bakery. It’s homely and welcoming, as though it had always been there. Childe goes about dusting the display cases, arranging the furniture and wiping the French window panes. It’s just his daily routine after he finishes preparing all the pastries and what-not. As the owner and sole employee, it’s not a stretch to say that Childe literally runs a one-man show around here. While he has been advised to get an extra pair of helping hands, with what few customers the store receives, he doesn’t see the point in it, other than having someone to while away the time with. As it stands, Childe’s content with the way things are.
As if on cue, the bell on the door jingles just as Childe raises his head from the register. He flashes a smile at the entrant. That is one person Childe definitely would not mind spending some time with.
It’s not often that the bakery sees new customers. Even rarer, someone as good-looking as this man standing by the entrance. With his navy hair tied into a loose ponytail, he’s decked out in a clean, white collared shirt, paired with fitting leather pants and a matching biker jacket. And if that wasn’t enough of a look, the top few buttons of his shirt are undone, most innocuously revealing his well-defined collarbones. Childe can only glue his lips together and maintain a smile, physically resisting the urge to whistle right there and then.
“Morning,” the mystery man greets with a voice laced with charm. “I’ll have an apple tart and a cappuccino, double shot. Dine-in, please.”
“Sure,” Childe smoothly replies, ringing up his order. “Name, please–,” he says out of reflex, only to realise his mistake. “Ah, I’ll bring them over to you, have a seat first.”
Unaffected, the other man only smiles. “Kaeya,” he responds, before walking to a table at the corner, next to the window. All Childe wants to do is to stare at how the sun rays fall perfectly on his skin but alas, he has a drink to prepare.
Kaeya has a laptop pulled out when Childe walks over to deliver his order. There is but a fleeting moment of acknowledgement before Kaeya fully diverts his attention back to his screen. His curiosity piqued, Childe subtly attempts to take a peek – only to realise that it’s near impossible to do so without being obvious because of the privacy filter.
The jingle of the doorbells, followed by footsteps on the wooden floorboard signal to Childe that he has better things to do. Leaving Kaeya to his own devices, Childe returns to the counter. Most uncharacteristically, there’s a steady stream of customers that keeps him occupied. He appreciates the business, although it’s not like he needs it either. After all, running the bakery is just a hobby of his, a retirement job of sorts. (No, Childe has not reached the statutory age of retirement yet.)
It’s not until lunchtime that the store quietens again. All this while, Childe has been consistently observing Kaeya. Based on his hunches, he has come to two possibilities – one, this man is up to no good; two, this man is trying to catch those up to no good. Seeing that Childe once belonged to category number one, there’s a relatively high chance that Kaeya’s probably the latter. Interesting , he thinks at the end of his deduction, the corners of his lips curling up.
“I’ll have another cup of cappuccino and a mushroom quiche too,” Kaeya orders at the counter once again, breaking Childe’s idle train of thoughts.
“No double shot this time?” Childe playfully teases in response. Looks like someone’s planning to stay a while , he mused. At least Kaeya has the manners to order more food.
Kaeya laughs lightheartedly. “I’ll pass on that.”
Once again, Childe prepares Kaeya’s order, and then brings it to him. Except this time, Childe takes the opportunity to pull up a chair across from him. There’s no one else in the store anyway, so he’s free to do whatever he wants to. Chin resting on his palms, he merely observes Kaeya typing away at his laptop.
“You’re an interesting fellow,” Childe starts. “Waiting for anyone?”
Kaeya smiles mysteriously. “Something like that.”
“It looks like they aren’t showing up anytime soon.”
Kaeya stops typing and brings his gaze up to meet Childe’s. “And I’d suppose you’d know, Mister Eleventh Harbinger of the Fatui?” Kaeya responds smoothly, essentially confirming Childe’s theory. In hindsight, perhaps Childe should’ve covered up his tracks better back then, but he was never one for secrecy. It’s a wonder he survived this long (not really, he’s just that good).
Tilting his head to the side, Childe gives Kaeya his most innocent expression possible. No doubt Kaeya already has his hands on key information pertaining to him, but there’s no harm in toying around. “Why, I’ve no clue what you’re talking about. You’re talking to Ajax, humble owner of this bakery, that’s all.”
Kaeya scoffs. “Yes, yes, Ajax, Childe, Tartaglia… Shall I go on? Tell me, what should I call you?” He asks with a knowing smile.
Childe laughs. “Childe will do, good sir.”
“I thought you looked familiar when I entered. Who knew it’d actually be you.”
“Oh? Is my handsome face plastered all over the halls of the nation’s secret service?”
“You wish,” Kaeya retorts and sips his coffee. “Though you’re not exactly lowkey either, so it wouldn’t be wrong to say that you’re our best lead. But seeing as you’re running a bakery like this… I suppose you’ve broken off with them?”
Childe hums, his fingernails tapping the wooden table as he looks directly at Kaeya. “I simply decided to pursue the sweeter things in life.”
Kaeya gives Childe a thoughtful look. “I don’t suppose there’s any way to gain your assistance on this matter, Tartaglia?”
Oh the nerve of him, Childe thinks as Kaeya calls him by his past title. Despite that, he outwardly chuckles. “My finances are already well taken care of, kind sir.” He pauses, a sly expression appearing on his expression. “But whatever it is you’re doing, it sounds like fun. So why the hell not, I’m in. But on one condition,” he ceremoniously ends and raises an index finger.
“And that would be?” Kaeya raises an eyebrow.
Forget carpe diem , Childe lives life by the minute, letting his instincts guide him wherever and however. This very situation here, ladies and gentlemen, is the prime example of that.
“You’ll have to take me out after this, pretty boy,” Childe says, satisfaction spreading all over his countenance.
“Like on a date or with a gun? Because I can certainly do both.”
“Most preferably on a date. What do you say?”
Childe gets himself a deal.
***
Kaeya brushes his hair aside as he looks up at the restaurant’s signage. Barton’s Kitchen… It was just about the most famous high-end restaurant downtown, well-known for its classy interior and exquisite cuisine. Who could have guessed that such a place was one of the Fatui’s bases of operation?
“What do you mean we’re going in from the front?” Kaeya frowns while leaning back into his seat, his arms folded together.
“Trust me, it’ll be fine. You’re new, aren’t you? They won’t notice a thing.”
Kaeya clicks his tongue. He didn’t like being reminded that he was still considered as fresh blood in this particular division of the secret service. “Fine, what about you? You really think you can go waltzing back in after leaving?”
“Oh, I know I can,” Childe replies confidently, teetering at the edge of arrogance. “Those people on the ground can’t hold a candle to me even if they tried.” A dangerous glint flashes across the ginger’s eyes and Kaeya is reminded that he is indeed dealing with an ex-Harbinger.
“Besides,” Childe leans forward, fiddling with the artificial flowerpot on the table. “If they really wanted me dead, they would’ve done it long ago.”
Truth be told, Kaeya hadn’t really thought things through when he struck the deal with Childe. Call it an impulsive decision.
Take down the entire organisation? Please. Kaeya knew the fastest way of settling things with the mafia was to bring the big bosses in. With the higher-ups gone, the grunts were sure to disperse after that. So when Childe told Kaeya that he could be granted an audience with the current Harbingers, he certainly was not letting that chance slip by.
To reach his goal, Kaeya had prepared himself to use any means necessary. Taking a guy out on a date wasn't what I had in mind, but it’s definitely better than anything else.
Adjusting his sunglasses, Kaeya follows Childe as they walk in through the front door.
“Hello. Do you have a reservation with us?” The receptionist politely greets them with a tablet in her hand.
“Let Signora know that the Eleventh has returned,” Childe says with an air of grandiose.
Unexpectedly, the receptionist only smiles in response. “I’m sorry sir, I’m not sure what you’re talking about.”
Childe sighs and places his hands on his hips. “It’s me, Tartaglia.”
However, the receptionist still wears a confused expression. Side-eyeing Childe, Kaeya remains silent but raises an eyebrow questioningly.
“You must be new,” Childe smiles, conveniently disregarding Kaeya’s judgemental look. “No matter, I’d like a room for two, with a serving of golden pine tea.”
It is only then that the receptionist shows the briefest of recognition, which does not go unnoticed by neither Kaeya nor Childe’s trained eyes. “Certainly,” she replies. “Would you like your tea hot or cold?”
“89.3 degrees with ice on the side,” Childe responds in kind.
The receptionist politely bows. “Please follow me, esteemed guests. I will show you the way.”
As the receptionist leads them to the upper level of the restaurant, Kaeya whispers to Childe. “That’s it?”
Childe nods, a grin forming on his countenance. “Told you so.”
Still, Kaeya cannot help but keep his guard up. There was no way capturing the Harbingers was going to be this easy. That being said, walking into the enemy’s lair without any backup support? Not the best decision he’d ever made.
As if he had sensed the tension in the air, Childe slings an arm over Kaeya’s shoulders, leaning in towards him. “Don’t worry, they’re not the best marksmen, and even worse fighters.”
“Is that so?” Kaeya gives Childe a wry smile. “This should be fast then.”
“This is your reserved room, esteemed guests,” the receptionist cuts the duo’s conversation short as she shows them to the entrance to a private dining room. “I will take my leave now.”
Kaeya takes in the layout of the dining room as he enters. There is but a sole round table in the middle, but its surroundings are adorned with lavish furniture, fit for receiving royalty. Or the head of a mafia ring, in this case. He watches Childe pull out a chair and make himself comfortable.
“What? Might as well sit while waiting for them,” Childe says in response to Kaeya’s look.
Before Kaeya can make a quip at him, the doors to the room are flung open, catching their attention.
“Should I applaud your nerve to come back here? Or are you just dumb as hell?” A man with a slender figure enters the room – or more accurately, storms into it.
“Couldn’t you at least say hi first, Scaramouche?” Childe waves a hand, not the least bit affected by the other’s outburst. “Still a foul-mouthed pipsqueak, I see. Can’t believe Signora left you alone here.”
“She left me in charge here,” Scaramouche corrects him. “I’ll have you know that I’m more capable than you’ll ever be,” he continues with a sneer that only has Childe rolling his eyes. “Who’s this?”
Kaeya smiles. “Just a friend,” he says, casually placing his hands in his pockets. He feels the cold metal of the pistol in his right hand, ready to act at any moment’s notice. Scaramouche, Sixth of the Fatui Harbingers , he mentally notes. There was little information on him in their case files, which could only mean that he was of no threat... or extremely dangerous. Kaeya wasn’t about to take any chances.
“My friend here would like to have a word with you,” Childe helpfully adds on with a wave of his hand.
At this, Scaramouche narrows his eyes, having caught on to their ploy. “You’ve always been a pain, but I didn’t think you’d become a traitor, Tartaglia.”
Childe only laughs, a smirk forming on his lips. “Don’t take it too personally, I’m just here for the show.”
Kaeya pulls out his handgun and points it at Scaramouche. “I don’t like threatening kids, but you’ll have to be a good one and follow me.”
Scaramouche’s expression darkens. “I’ll make you regret ever calling me that.”
As if on cue, an explosive sound resounds through the second floor. Smoke fills the room and Scaramouche’s figure starts to disappear from Kaeya’s vision. Hastily, he swaps the sunglasses for his eyepatch and makes his way towards Childe, calling out for him.
“I’m here!” Childe’s voice echoes from the doorway. “Quick, before he gets away!”
There was a part of Kaeya that had suspected Childe – what if, all along, this has been part of their plan? What if Childe had never intended to help him? But his heart tells him that there’s no way Childe would deceive him like that. I’m in too deep , he chides himself. Look at him, defending a Fatui Harbinger (albeit a retired one) after only knowing him for a day or two.
Still, it’s not like Kaeya has much of a choice right now.
Childe and Kaeya race down the doorways, catching an occasional glimpse of Scaramouche’s silhouette. “Slippery little guy,” Kaeya curses as they run after him.
“That’s Scara for you– Oof!”
“Childe?” Kaeya immediately halts his pursuit.
Childe is on the floor, wincing as he holds his ankle. “I might’ve sprained it. Hurry on, before he gets away.”
Kaeya kneels down, examining Childe’s injury. “It’s fine.” He might not be able to catch Scaramouche today, but at the very least he had learnt what he looks like. Some progress is better than none.
“Besides, I can’t leave a ‘humble bakery owner’ in the middle of this mess, can I?” Even now, Kaeya can’t help but joke around. “Can you stand?”
As Kaeya watches Childe struggle to do so, an idea forms. Without even considering its appropriateness, Kaeya swoops Childe off his feet and carries him bridal-style, leaving the man in his arms in a dazed state.
“Excuse me?” Childe laughs after recovering from his initial shock.
“It’s faster this way,” Kaeya explains as he looks at Childe, a strange sense of fondness blooming within him. Since meeting Childe, his days have been a rollercoaster. But it is the unpredictability that Kaeya enjoys so perhaps, striking a deal with Childe isn’t too bad after all.
“What a pity. Looks like the date’s got to wait,” Childe says, as though he had read Kaeya’s mind.
Humming while striding towards the exit, Kaeya replies with a smile. “Don’t worry, it’s not like I’ll disappear on you.” He goes silent for a while, before continuing, “I suppose one date is too little for the help you’ve provided. How about two, for your effort?”
Childe laughs heartily. “Three’s fine too, if you’re up for it!”
Kaeya doesn’t reply, but the wide smile he wears on his face is enough of an answer.