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The snow is unforgiving. It's always been like this. It doesn't care for anyone who gets stuck in it or who dies on it, it's uncaring. It's nature. It's a part of life, it was never meant for saving anyone.
It can be beautiful. But beauty always comes with a price. That's what Childe knows best. But it doesn't stop him from needing to do what is asked of him. As he will always follow the Captain's orders.
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Anyone normal person would fear being out in the cold this time of year. Unfortunately for Childe, he is anything but normal. He was the only man up for the mission, so he didn't really mind it. He was used to the cold anyways, as if he had been born in it. So it hardly touched his bones with all of the heavy clothing he wore over his body.
When he arrived back at the Captain's base, he didn't stop for anyone. Instead, he went straight to Capitano to give him his report as quickly as he could. It's what was expected out of him. Quickness and loyal to the Captain that he would do anything that was asked by him. No task was too big when it came to him, as he always accepted it.
He took his time to get to the Captain though, not out of necessity but to get used to his surroundings once more. It was less cold than the outside of the storm that he went through, but he felt slightly more cramped with the men that remained at the camp. He didn't let it get to him though as instead he steadied his spear into the frozen ground and controlled his breathing, before he saw Capitano walk up to him to tower slightly over him.
“What's the report, Childe?” Capitano asks, his voice is like rough iron striking through stone. Yet, also was calm and measured, something that was common and comforting from someone like him. It's what Childe liked about him. How even when others saw him as an intimidating guy that was unreadable, it made him feel like he was an equal to him. Maybe even more.
That's what Childe liked to think of at least. He could only grin at the Captain's stance. He was always looking so serious but to him, he was just a reserved person. Someone that he respected so much with how he saw Capitano.
“The target has been neutralized, sir. The resistance was heavier than anticipated. But hey, at least we got what we came here for in the first place.” Childe stated proudly, his breathing finally calm. He saw that the Captain's armor was pretty scuffed up, probably having to protect the base to the best of his abilities. It was pretty darkened with the frost and soothing that had been collected from their stay.
“You deviated from the plan, Childe. How is that any good?” Capitano said, his face hidden within the shadows where any sane person would probably be terrified to not know what he was thinking. That didn't bother Childe at all, as instead he took it on as an invitation to be playful. He had been through much worse anyways.
“The plan worked anyways, didn't it? What's the big deal, Capi? Aw, are you afraid for me? How touching.” Childe teased as he winced a bit in pain. Of course the mission caused him some injuries.
Was it really his fault anyways? He knew the risks, he always did, but he didn't care. All he did care about was getting the job done. But from what Childe saw, the Captain did seem to care for ginger in his own way. His helmet tilted a bit, just a bit though and yet Childe noticed it right away.
If it were anyone else, they probably wouldn't have seen that. Childe did pay attention to details like that all the time. Even if he was reckless, he could still notice details like that.
“Hmm… You still managed to sustain avoidable injuries from the mission though. How come you didn't attempt to keep yourself safe during it?” Capitano spoke as Childe watched him carefully. He shrugged a bit to him.
“Eh, it's part of the job, ain't it? Occupational hazards and whatnot.” Childe said calmly. , making the Captain step closer to him. Snow crunched beneath his very boots, making Childe feel the pressure of his very presence before he could really feel anything else before him. Such as how gravity decided to double its pull towards them.
“You seem to prioritize the thrill of combat over mission integrity, do you? You like being able to chase that thrill to a completion. That is a major flaw. I hate to see you end up getting killed due to your reckless behavior, since I worry about you. I care about your well-being and don’t want to see you hurt like this.” Capitano stated, both as out his order of being the Captain and concern for the ginger.
It was kind of odd for Childe, at the very least. Out of all people, he didn't really expect his commander to show such compassion and support for him. The number one Harbinger was like this to him? He wasn't anything special, but to him, it sounded so serious as if the Captain cared for him.
“Funny, I thought you of all people would appreciate a good fight. You always tell me how I'm so skilled in battle. So, why's now anything different, hmm?” Childe laughed, his voice was sharp and rather breathless. It wasn't easy to make him listen to feedback that was useful to him. He cared more for fighting after all as it gave him the rush and energy that he craved so often.
“I appreciate efficiency, Childe. Not reckless behavior from your behalf. I thought you knew better that it's crucial that you remain unharmed as best as possible. Not just you going into battle whenever you feel like it. You do realize that when you do that, you end up wasting precious resources on making sure that you recover from any possible injuries you may end up sustaining. That is why it's crucial that you don't just jump into unnecessary fighting.” Capitano stated, with now having his arms folded across from his chest.
Childe rolled his eyes in slight annoyance. Another lecture from his mentor was always a great time. “And I appreciate not being bored to death. Come on, what’s really the big deal, Cap?” He questioned, crossing his own arms. The silence seemed to stretch between them with his questions, making the air feel as heavy as falling snow.
Thick tension between them, it wasn’t really a rare occurrence. But Childe didn’t feel the need to back down in this situation as he felt like he was in the right. They were both pretty stubborn in their own ways. The only thing that really seemed to annoy Childe more was the dulling pain that throbbed at his side, where his blood had stained his heavy coat.
“Sit down, Tartaliga,” Capitano orders in a calm manner. He was getting serious now, but not stubborn. It made Childe arche a brow out of curiosity. “Aw. Is that concern I hear, dear Captain? Didn’t know you could be so kind.” he snorted.
If the Captain was annoyed at this point at Childe’s behavior, he made no direct notion out of it. Instead, he just spoke calmly. “It is a command, Ajax. If need be, I can report you to the Queen herself of your actions. I’m sure that she would love to hear how you have constantly gone out of your way to cause harm to yourself. Do you even think about how much that could actually result in you seriously getting hurt?” he says, all still sounding calm.
That was the thing about Capitano, he always did manage to remain calm despite going through something heated. Childe considers pushing back, just to see what happens. Instead, he exhales and drops onto a half-buried stone, rolling his shoulder to ease the ache. “Y’know,” he says casually, “most people yell at me when I mess up. You just…loom.” he continued.
Capitano kneeled in front of him, his movement was rather controlled, deliberate. Such as like a knight would lower himself before a king, though Childe knows better than to think that’s what this is. He knew better than that. Capitano removed a gauntlet from himself, showing how his hands are scarred. He remained steady though.
“This will hurt,” he said, looking up at Childe. That got a kick out of him. “Oh, I’m counting on it.” Childe said with a smile forming at the corner of his mouth. Capitano does not dignify that with a response. He works quickly, efficiently, binding the wound with practiced precision.
His touch is firm, impersonal, but it was not careless. It wasn’t rash like Childe was used to feeling. Childe watches him through half-lidded eyes.
“You don’t hesitate,” Childe murmurs. “Ever.”
“Hesitation kills.” Capitano states.
“Sure,” Childe says. “But so does recklessness.” he continued with a snort. Capitano pauses as he slowly looks back up.
“You are not wrong,” he says. “That is why you are still alive.” he murmured. Childe blinks. “Wait, seriously?” he questions a bit.
“You survived because you adapt,” Capitano continues. “Because you are relentless. Because you do not retreat, even when you should.” he states, not looking back at the ginger. Instead, he was focused on treating Childe’s wounds.
“Wow,” Childe says softly. “Didn’t think I’d get a compliment tonight.” “It is not praise,” Capitano says. “It is an assessment.” he states as a matter of fact. That just makes Childe smile anyway. It still felt like a compliment to him and he was going to soak in it for as long as he could. When the binding tightens, Capitano finishes and withdraws his hand.
“For someone who claims efficiency,” Childe says, “you could’ve let the medics handle this.” “They were delayed, unfortunately.”
“And you didn’t want to wait.” Childe says as he smirks. Capitano stands back up. “I wanted it done correctly. If I hadn’t patched you up as I did, you probably would have gotten some sort of infection or worse.” the Captain says as he watches Childe closely now. Childe pushes himself to his feet, swaying for half a second before steadying. Capitano does not move to help him quite yet, as he knows that Childe doesn’t like to be coddled. But yet, he doesn’t turn away either.
“Do you ever get tired, Cap?” Childe asks suddenly. Capitano’s head turns a little with a little tilt. “Of what.”
“Of being unbreakable,” Childe says. “Of always having to be the wall everyone leans on.” he continues. Snow gathers on Capitano’s shoulders. He does not brush it away though since it doesn’t really bother him anyways.
“Tiredness is irrelevant, duty remains. It doesn’t bother me,” he says. Childe snorts. “You’re impossible.”
“Yet, I am still effective.” Capitano says coolly. Childe steps closer, lowering his voice. “You know… most people are scared of you.” he states.
“That is intentional. Never have given the impression that I’m not.” Capitano claims. Childe grins at that. “Now, me? I think that you’re just fascinating.” he chuckles. Capitano regards him in silence as he continues to watch him. Finally, he speaks up once more.
“You challenge death as if it were an equal,” he says at last. “That will end you. You do realize that, Ajax.”
“Maybe,” Childe replies. “Or maybe it’s what keeps me alive.” He continues more. Capitano turns away, scanning the horizon for threats that no longer exist. Away from the smiling ginger.
“You walk a blade’s edge, Ajax,” he says. “One day, you will fall. You should be more careful.” Capitano says in a calm manner. There was no seriousness to his tone, only, more so.. Sincerity. Childe’s voice softens, “Then perhaps you should be there to catch me.”
Capitano freezes. The wind howls as snow swirls between them. “…Do not make promises you cannot guarantee,” Capitano says. Childe chuckles more at that little quip of his. Always so serious with this guy, but it was interesting to see the Captain soften at his words and give him this little friendly banter of his own.
“Funny. I was thinking the same thing about you.” he says as they stand there a moment longer. They were both warriors carved from different philosophies, bound by the same bloodstained banner. Both so different and the same all together, it was definitely an odd pairing for sure.
“Now, let's head back, Cap. Before I end up freezing solid unlike you. I still can feel the cold and it's telling me to run away,” Childe says. Capitano only nods, not really laughing but still feeling rather sympathetic for the ginger. “Stay close to me then, Childe,” he says in a quiet voice.
Childe falls into step beside him, grinning easy again. Something felt much more steadier now with how Childe saw the Capitan. He saw him as an equal, someone that he could actually look up to. Perhaps even a little more.. His smile fades as he remains silent for a moment. That is until he decides to say one last thing between them before they arrive back to camp. “Hey, Capitano?” he asks quietly.
“Yes, Ajax.” Capitano responded, not looking down as they continued to walk forward. “Next time,” Childe adds, eyes bright, “let me know if you’re planning to save me. Okay?”
Capitano does not answer but he doesn’t exactly slow his pace either. He only nods in silent agreement, making Childe stay right by his side.