Work Text:
“Ah, Mademoiselle Navia, it’s good to see you again.” Childe greeted from his seat at the head of the table. “It’s been quite awhile since I’ve seen you.” Speaking so formally felt wrong, he was used to addressing people as ‘comrade’ or mister or miss, but as a new Fontainian, he was expected to get used to their customs.
“Please Monsieur Tartaglia, the pleasure is all mine. I even brought some macaroons.” Navia raised a plate of macaroons, setting them on the table before taking her seat again. “Please, take some. I’ve made far more than I can eat. And do tell me what you think of them!” Childe reached over to take two, raising two fingers to silently call over his favorite blonde maid.
“Here, Lumine. You’ll join me, won’t you?” Navia watched as the maid came closer to him, reaching a hesitant hand out.
“Th-thank you Monsieur Ajax.” Childe lifted his own macaroon, tapping his pastry to the girl’s before both of them took bites from them. “W-Wow-! This is really good!” Navia smiled at the bright look on the maid’s face, then down at the man chewing his own pastry.
“You’re right. You’ve outdone yourself, Mademoiselle." The smile on her face broke into a grin at the compliment.
"Believe me, I've had plenty of practice." Lumine finished her pastry, taking a few steps back to return to her post by the door.
"I would believe so." Childe wiped at his mouth. "I believe you came to talk to me about something? Did you get Mademoiselle Clorinde to agree to a duel?" Childe would've preferred to reach out to her on his own, but Clorinde hadn't returned his messages, nor did she seem even REMOTELY interested in fighting him again. He'd hated how easy it was to defeat her, but she'd been holding back, that was clear.
"You don't need to fight h-" Lumine bit down on her tongue. She should be the one the harbinger was excited to fight, not Clorinde. But she was just a maid in the presence of her high ranking boss and this Navia.
"Excuse me? Girlie, you should mind your tongue in the presence of your superiors." Lumine's face burned red, barely taking note of the smirk on Childe's lip. He enjoyed that outburst. Did he know she was jealous?
"Yes, well she did say she wasn't interested, but she'd humor you for a real fight next week." Childe grinned with excitement, while Lumine's fists clenched in jealousy. "But that's not why I came here. In fact, I came here to understand you better. Afterall, we helped you get a lighter sentence, why, we should be much closer friends!" Lumine huffed where she stood, fidgeting with her skirt.
"We should? Ah, excuse me for not knowing the customs. I am Snezhnayan born, I haven't figured all the gestures and words out." Childe really didn't see how that equated to them being friends. It had been an act of kindness, but if Navia insisted on befriending the fatui, well, he wouldn't say no to more allies.
"Please, this is a rather informal meeting. I just wanted to congratulate you on your engagement!" Childe blinked as he looked up at her, surprise on his face.
"You know about that?" He was dying to know what the papers said about them.
"Of course. It's all over the news! 'Snezhnaya's handsomest man off the market?!’ Ah, I rushed over as soon as I heard it!” Navia leaned forward on her elbows. “So who’s the lucky girl who managed to steal your heart? Hm? The media is going to tear her apart for stealing someone like you!” Navia smiled wide, watching him as he shifted under her gaze.
“You’re curious huh? Are you jealous?” Childe teased, earning a hardy laugh from the woman across from him.
“Please, no offense, but you aren’t exactly my type. A little too aggressive and proud for my tastes.” Even Childe had to admit that sounded like him. He was always looking for a fight, and he was sometimes a little proud of himself.
“Well,” Childe gestured over his blonde maid, raising an arm up to allow her to sit in his lap. “This is the girl I’m crazy about, this cute little Mondstadt maid.” Childe held her close as she settled in. “Mademoiselle Navia, please meet Miss Lumine.”
“Oh? She sure is a cute one.” Navia’s smile sparkled as she looked at her. “I see how you managed to steal this one’s heart! You better be careful or his fans will shred you.” She let out another laugh as the other girl looked at her frantically.
“Wh-what? J-just for marrying Ajax?” Lumine looked between the woman and her fiancé.
“Of course! There’s plenty of crazy women out there. Just make sure Monsieur Tartaglia is there to protect you.” Navia winked at the maid, leaning back in her seat.
“Oh that’s not necessary. Lumine is quite capable with a sword on her own, but I’ll be there to back her up.” Lumine blushed at the praise, smirking a little.
“I’ve always been skilled with it, my brother and I learned with some of the knights.” This caught the Fontainian’s attention.
“Really? Well please,” She pushed the macaroons closer to the couple. “Have some more snacks and tell me about it, I’ve been dying to hear more about you!” Childe watched as the blondes talked between each other, relaxing back against his chair with Lumine in his lap.