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The Windblume festival was in full motion. The streets were covered in flowers and other assorted decorations. With the dimming light of the sky, the lanterns that were shaped like air balloons lit up the bricked streets of Mondstadt. After a long day investigating into the mysterious riddle, the Traveler parted ways with their friends with promises of meeting up at Angel's Share and continuing their search tomorrow.
"Paimon is starving!" Paimon groaned, "Are we getting food soon?"
The Traveler let out a tired chuckle, "Yes, Paimon! We're heading straight to Diluc's place. I'm pretty hungry after today, too."
The streets were filled with laughter, people already inebriated in celebration. So, of course, Angel's Share was packed. A bunch of visitors from around the world here for the festival. The regulars were there, too, as Kaeya waved Traveler and Paimon over as soon as he spotted them coming in. A couple glasses already decorated his and Rosaria's table.
"Well, well, well, what a pleasant surprise," Kaeya purred before taking another sip of his wine. Rosaria gave the duo a little head nod before returning her eyes back to the small group of people trying to make the limited open space in the bar a dance floor. Diluc's voice could be heard behind the bar stating, "This isn't that type of establishment". That didn't dissuade the group at all, though. The Traveler happily took an available seat, ready to get off their feet after a long day. Paimon continued to float beside them, thinking out loud of the many dishes she wanted to order.
"I don't think I've ever seen this place this crowded!" The blonde looked around in awe at the different groups, recognizing only a couple of people.
"It always gets like this for Windblume. Really giving the bar owners a run for their money." Kaeya placed his head in his hands, gazing at the traveler before him. "Speaking of which, would you care for a drink? My treat~"
The traveler sighed happily, "Please! I would love that. Just uhh... something fruity perhaps?"
"Something fruity," the cavalry captain breathily laughed, "Coming right up."
Kaeya rose from his seat to approach the bar. It was obvious Diluc was annoyed with seeing Kaeya asking for another drink. The table couldn't hear what they were saying over the noise, but there was a brief bantering between the two before Diluc turned back around to start reluctantly pouring the new drinks. The Traveler glanced at Rosaria for a moment and decided to follow where she was people-watching. To much their surprise, they spotted Lisa taking Jean by the hand and dragging her to the "dancefloor", both of them drunkenly giggling. It was great to see them break loose a little, they both are always working hard.
"--For my next song, I will be... Will be, uhh... where's my wine... Oh! Here's an oldie, but goodie!"
A familiar tune filled the bar, causing the patrons to cheer and clap along. Traveler couldn't help but smile. Paimon realized who was causing the uproar and gasped happily, "Tone-deaf bard!?"
Of course Venti would be here, too. The traveling pair began to clap along with everyone else to the song. The atmosphere was so light and fun, the two almost didn't notice Kaeya had returned to the table with some drinks and appetizers.
"Heh, this place is so lively already. The night has only just begun." Paimon's eyes turned to stars as she dug into the food immediately, thanking Kaeya after getting a couple bites in. The Traveler's drink was pink and had an orange slice on the glass, adorned with a little umbrella. It definitely was cute and something the Traveler definitely needed.
"Thank you, Kaeya! This looks so cute."
The blue-haired man smiled at the blonde. "Not as cute as you," he attempted a wink with his uncovered eye, but it just looked like he was blinking. The Traveler playfully shushed him before taking a sip of their drink. It was so sweet and cold, just what they needed after a long day of running around. They took another sip, not paying attention to a clapping patron approaching the table.
"Even I've heard this song before! How lucky are we that we get a live show?"
The blonde glanced at where the voice was coming from and almost spit out their drink upon realizing who it was.
"CHI-"
"Childe! What a pleasant surprise. Come sit with us."
"Don't mind if I do~"
The Traveler looked back and forth between Kaeya and Childe, disbelieving the interaction.
"You two-- You guys know each other??"
Childe had taken a seat between the traveler and Rosaria. "You seem surprised," Kaeya smiled mischievously. Traveler floundered with their words, still in shock. Paimon was also surprised, shouting incoherent questions between bites of food.
"Yeah! Kaeya and I go way back. I'm honestly surprised you two know each other!" Childe laughed taking a swig of his drink. From the looks of it he had ordered the traditional Snezhaya drink "fire water".
"B-But, wait, Childe. What are you doing here??"
The redhead leaned closer to the traveler, placing his arm on the back of their chair. "For the festival, of course!"
The blond was skeptical, eyeing him up and down, trying to ignore their face heating up from the closeness. "... And nothing else?"
Childe's smile faded a bit as he lowered his eyelids, "... Perhaps. But, that's for me to know," he brought his face closer to the traveler's, whispering loud enough for them to hear over the noise, "And for you to not worry about, sweetheart."
The table was frozen for a moment before Kaeya started cracking up following with Childe dropping his serious facade to laugh along with him. Rosaria sighed and shook her head, "You're going to break the kid." Traveler comically frowned before covering their face to hide, "I haven't drank enough for this."
"I'll toast to that," Rosaria flatly said before raising her glass. The rest of the table followed along, even Paimon holding up a fried chicken wing. The table erupted into a hardy, "Prost!" Everyone taking a big gulp of their drink (Paimon taking a bite out of her chicken), and sighing happily. As the table set their drinks down, getting ready to continue conversating, a figure approached them.
"Hey there, cutie~ It's great to see you made it to the party!"
It seems Jean and Lisa were done dancing together and now Jean was up at the bar stumbling a conversation with a blushing Diluc. The poor man seemed like he couldn't get a word out to save his life. "I hope you all don't mind, but I need to steal the cavalry captain for a bit." Kaeya raised an eyebrow.
"Oh? And what do you need me for, beautiful?" He playfully questioned as he finished off his drink.
"You're being summoned to the dancefloor, sugar," she winked at him.
He chuckled a bit before standing up and presenting his hand to Lisa.
"Lead the way~"
She giggled and took his hand. They both waved at the table before disappearing into the crowd. They both were very flirty people, but traveler couldn't help but voice their thoughts.
"... So, are they just joking or..?"
Rosaria shook her head and breathed out a "Heh."
"I think Lisa would go for it, but I don't think Kaeya could handle her. He's not as experienced as everyone thinks he is."
Traveler tilted their head at the statement. Childe's eyes widened before he briskly took a drink.
"What do you mean by--"
"He's a virgin."
Childe choked on his drink, covering his mouth as he went into a coughing fit. Traveler sat there in shock, and Paimon still looked puzzled. "What's a v--" "Now, now--COUGH-- let's not gossip about the man," Childe interrupted. Rosaria couldn't help but chuckle before shrugging and going back to people-watching. Paimon was still confused, but flew down to sit in Kaeya's old seat.
"Okay, well, whatever the case, Paimon thinks she's going to just rest her--SNORE." The flying traveling companion had passed out.
"Oop," traveler looked over at her, "that food coma will getcha."
Childe covered his face with one hand to contain his laughter, his other hand still on the back of Traveler's seat. He let himself calm down a bit before finishing his drink. Traveler continued drinking their sweet drink, feeling a slight buzz coming on. They turned to Childe, a smile back on their face.
"Are you enjoying the festival? I hate to admit it, but it's really great to see you again, Childe." He couldn't help smiling back at them.
"'Hate to admit it'? Oof, you wound me. But, yeah! I'm having a great time. Definitely worth the trip." He kept eye contact with them for a moment before looking at the door.
"Say, would you possibly want to join me outside? I need some fresh air. Those couple of drinks are catching up to me."
The Traveler eyed him suspiciously.
"... No tricks, I swear. Consider me off duty."
Traveler kept squinting at him but reached for their drink to finish it off.
"Honestly, I could use some air, too. It's uncharacteristically stuffy in here." Childe continued to smile at them, standing from his seat. The blond started to rise too, but looked over at the sleeping Paimon.
"Do you think she'll--"
"I'll watch over her," Rosaria cut in. Traveler raised an eyebrow, "You sure?" Rosaria began waving them off. "Go get fresh air, she'll be fine." The Traveler made quick praying hands at Rosaria, "Thank youuu!" She just responded with a 'hmph' before carrying on with her people-watching.
"Well," Childe put out his arm, "let's get away from this crowd."
Hesitantly, the traveler took his arm in their's. They reasoned with themselves that it would be easier to get through the crowd this way. As they pushed through, they tried not to think about how nice it felt to be this close to him. The cold spring night hit their faces and they felt some relief leaving the crowded bar. There were a couple tables in the back that were occupied, but the two managed to grab a free one. They sat silently for a bit, taking in the air and gazing at the decorations surrounding them. It wasn't awkward, but Traveler couldn't help to feel like Childe had something on his mind the way he wasn't smiling.
"... Hey, Childe. Sorry to ask, but--"
Childe snapped out of whatever deep-thought he was in and directed his attention at the blond. "Oh, uh, sorry. What's up?"
Traveler's eyebrows turned up and they smiled at him. "Are you really here just for the festival?"
The man sighed and shook his head, "I told you I'm off duty."
"No, I mean--I get that. I was just--"
"Are you trying to ask if I'm here for you?"
The Traveler was silent. Childe's expression was unreadable. They felt bad about asking and began to backtrack.
"I'm sorry, never--"
"Because I am."
Traveler's heart sank. Their ears began to tune out the crowds around them and their hands began to sweat.
Were they going to fight here in the city? The comfort they felt seeing Childe again turned into alarm sounds.
"Can we just... take this outside the city, please? I don't want anyone to get hurt."
Childe's eyebrow raised, he seemed confused. "Don't want anyone... Are you? I'm... Wait, do you think I meant I'm here to fight you?"
Now Traveler was confused. "Isn't that what you meant? You're here for me??"
The redhead started laughing in disbelief. "Oh my god... This was a mistake. I'm sorry." He got up and started to walk away. The Traveler was even more confused, but reached out from their seat and grabbed his sleeve.
"You can't just leave again. What's going on, Childe?"
He was fast. He turned on his heels, towering over the traveler, sending them back into their seat. One hand on the back of their chair and the other on the table. He was so close to them, his hot breath hitting their face.
"I can't... I want to...I'm..."
"C-Childe, do you need me to get you a water?" The traveler carefully put one of their hands on his chest to steady him. This caught Childe off guard, he made eye contact with them. Searching for something, anything.
"What I want... is for you to come with me."
"... Sure, yeah. Where are we going?"
He shook his head and sighed, sitting back down in his chair. Traveler was worried, but kept their distance, confused as to what was happening. The harbinger turned to look at them with a sad smile. "Come back with me... to Snezhnaya. I can't... keep myself away from you anymore."
The Traveler remained silent, processing what he was saying. Suddenly, they were overcome with embarrassment and covered their face with their hands.
"You don't want to fight me, do you?"
The man chuckled. "Nah... At least not today."
Still trying to process a multitude of emotions, Traveler kept their hands on their face. Childe shifted in his chair, clasping his hands together and rested his elbows on his thighs.
"Traveler, I don't know how to say what I'm feeling. So, I'll just say: the fatui don't know I'm here tonight. I could go anywhere I want in the world, but tonight... Tonight I wanted to be with you." He gestured to the decorations, "The festival was just my excuse. And maybe the drinks are hitting me. And maybe I'm tired. But you were never a 'maybe' for me. Since we met I can't stop thinking about you."
The Traveler slowly started removing their hands from their face. Disbelief was an understatement.
"Childe, you know we can't--"
"Come meet my family."
"I don't think--"
"Stay with me."
"Childe--"
"Be with me."
"This is too much!"
They abruptly stood in front of Childe, fists at their sides. Their face was red and their eyes slightly glossed over. The man looked like a wounded puppy underneath Traveler's glare.
"You can't just come into my life, mess with my feelings, and leave again! Like you always do!"
Childe flinched a bit at their words. He looked away from them. Traveler's breathing was ragged and they were shaking, continuing to stare down at the man.
They didn't even notice when he reached out one his hands to grasp their fist. No one spoke a word as his fingers softly weaved together with theirs.
"... I won't leave this time," his deep blue eyes looked into their piercing yellow ones, "I promise."
The blond shook their head.
"Promise you'll never leave again."
They reached out their other hand to cup his face. Shock struck his face, but he quickly melted into the touch, using his other hand to keeps their's on his face.
"Never again," He whispered, "I promise."
Both of them stared into each other's eyes, neither able to look away. Traveler wanted to believe him. Childe's eyes told them they had to believe him. If this was ever to work they needed to trust each other. But it was so hard when they're both on separate sides. Traveler knew how much Childe's country meant to him. Would they ever be able to measure up to it in his heart? If something were to happen, would Childe leave everything behind for them? And they still needed to find their sibling, they knew they weren't going to stop until they did.
Maybe... in a different life they could be together. Travel together for a while. Take on all of Teyvat together. Settle down when they're older. Start a family. Hold each other until they're grey and gone to this world.
Traveler knew this couldn't work, but did Childe know as well? Was this just the drinks talking and in the morning he would be gone again? What is a broken promise to someone like Childe? They knew he could care, but how much?
They brought their face closer to his.
Tonight it might be able to work, though. Closing their eyes they placed a chaste kiss on Childe's lips. He didn't respond at first, but as soon as his brain caught up to him he let go of the hand he was holding and placed it on their face. Bringing them closer to him. The world around them was silent as their lips met. He pulled them down to sit on his lap as they continued to kiss.
Breaking apart, hot air hit each other's faces. Traveler couldn't look him in the eye, so they wrapped their arms around his neck in a tight embrace. He followed through and wrapped his arms around their back. They sat like that for a few minutes, their hearts beating as one.
"... Will you be mine, Childe?"
Traveler's voice was shaking and filled with worry.
"Oh, darling... There has never been a day I haven't been yours."
They couldn't hold back the sob they've been holding in. Childe ran a hand through their hair in an attempt to calm them. The world continued to seem a million miles away from the two.
"Let's... go back to the party. And if you are still here tomorrow, I will believe you."
The man chuckled melancholically, "You still don't believe me?"
"... I desperately want to."
Childe slowly started to nod, understanding where they were coming from.
"If I'm still here tomorrow, you have to elope with me. Let's go someplace the world can't find us. Someplace we can be together without worry."
Traveler choked back a sob as they smiled, "I hope you know where this magical place is." They pulled away from him and wiped their tears off their face. Standing up, they walked over to a bush with small flowers on it and plucked some leaves off it. Childe tried to see what they were doing from his seat.
"Let me see your left hand, Tartaglia."
He raised an eyebrow in confusion, but placed his hand out anyway. They turned around and slipped something on his ring finger. It was a little leaf ring. Traveler gave him the other one.
"Now you put mine on me."
It finally clicked what was happening and he couldn't hold back a cheesy grin. Gently taking their left hand, they slipped the other leaf ring onto the Traveler.
"These are promise rings. They're pretty fragile, so we need to be careful with them. It's kind of symbolic in a way." They smiled down at Childe.
"I'll be careful," The redhead softly spoke.
They shared another kiss, this one more passionate than their first. Their lips savoring the other's taste in desperate movements.
But it was time. They were gone for a while and their friends would probably be looking for them. They pulled away just in time for Traveler to see Albedo, Sucrose, Tighnari, Cyno, and Collei enter the Angel's Share. They arrived just as they promised earlier.
The two smiled at each other as Childe stood.
"I guess it's time to go back in. The night is still young, after all."
Traveler laced their fingers with his.
"Now there's even more to celebrate."
Childe tried to contain his giddy chuckle.
"... But, you should probably go easy on the drinks, let me catch up with you at least."
"Babe, I admire your spirit, but I don't think that's possible."
"Hey! Just you watch!"
"I'll watch alright. Watch for a healer."
The two laughed and kept pushing each other playfully on their way back to the bar. They were positively glowing. Their rings holding on through the night.