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Leaning against the twisted trunk, you allowed yourself a moment to catch your breath and try to slow your thudding heartbeat. The lights of the city below began to twinkle as the sun set over the water, giving Liyue a warm pink and red glow against the encroaching night.
You had never seen the city from a distance - it was beautiful. The lights called you home, like a moth to a flame. From here, it didn’t seem like anything could go wrong in the warm embrace of that glowing light. But you knew that wasn’t true, knew you couldn’t stay any longer.
Turning your back on the only home you had ever known, you continued up the steep, cobblestone path. Craning your neck, you could see the boulder overhead, held precariously in the grip of two protruding fingers of Mount Tianheng. You couldn’t suppress a shudder of unease at the thought of the rock faces shifting just enough to send the boulder crashing to earth.
The glint of moonlight off water caught your eye and you paused again to survey a small pond filled with lotus flowers and golden fish. A rock jutting out of the water bore wooden wishes. Wishes for prosperity in Liyue, for welcoming weary travelers, for safe journeys. You silently added your own wish, letting it float into the cool night air like a lantern.
“How goes it, traveler?”
The loud voice startled you and you spun around with a shout.
“Sorry, sorry,” the voice said hastily, “Up here.”
You looked up to the wooden platform nestled against the rock face and were relieved to see a yellow uniform. It was just a Millelith soldier.
“I’m quite alright,” you called back, “Thank you.”
“Oh, miss,” he sounded a bit flustered upon realizing you were a woman, “Are you out here alone? The passage can be rather dangerous at night.”
“Yes, but I’ll be alright. I’m only trying to reach Wangshu Inn. I can take care of myself,” you lied, hopefully convincingly.
It didn’t seem to work. “Hold on a moment. I’ll be right down.”
You shrieked as the man leapt off the platform. At the last minute, a golden glider snapped open and caught the air, slowing his fall and buffeting your cloak.
“Sorry!” He cried once more, clearly not realizing how badly he would frighten you, “Uh, don’t tell my commanding officer I did that. The stairs are just so far away.”
Despite the way your heart was pounding in your throat, you couldn’t help but smile at the man’s chagrined face. He was young, only a few years older than you.
He snapped to attention and greeted you with a formal bow, “Zhenxiang, ma’am.”
You gave him your name and a bow in return.
“You said you were headed to Wangshu Inn?”
“Yes, that’s right. Do you think I can make it there tonight?”
Zhenxiang looked at you dubiously, “Maybe if you move quickly and have good luck. Here, follow me.”
You did as he bid and let him lead you around the pool and to the top of a short stairway. Standing next to you he raised his arm and pointed, directing your gaze to an impossibly large tree tufted with golden leaves.
“Is the inn by that tree?” You asked, biting your lip nervously at the obvious distance.
Zhenxiang laughed warmly, “The inn is the tree. Have you never been there before?”
You shook your head in defeat, your charade of being well-traveled and able to defend yourself crumbling around you.
He looked you over curiously, clearly wanting to know what brought you from the city alone at this time of night, but he kept his questions to himself. “You know,” he began slowly, “It’s been pretty quiet around here the past few weeks. If you’d allow me, I could speak to my superior about escorting you. At least through the Guili Plains, it’s full of hillichurls and Treasure Hoarders.”
You hesitated. Zhenxiang seemed earnest and honest. Your concerns were for his well-being rather than yours. It would be selfish to involve him in your troubles.
He miss-read your reluctance, “Of course I don’t want to intrude on your journey. I am merely concerned for your safety.”
“You know what, I would greatly appreciate the escort, Zhenxiang.”
He looked relieved, “Wonderful. Commander Fugui is just at the bottom of these stairs. Probably on his fourth cup of tea. Oh,” he paused and turned to you, “And don’t mention the glider, okay?”
You laughed, feeling somewhat relaxed for the first time in days, “Not a word.”
Trailing after Zhenxiang, you took the opportunity to examine your surroundings. A few small huts clustered around the road. Empty road-side stands bore signs promising sweet refreshments for weary travelers. The faint blue gleam of a statue caught your eye.
“What’s that?” You asked Zhenxiang.
“A statue of the seven. Here in Liyue, they all depict Rex Lapis,” his face twitched into the briefest gesture of grief, “Until recently they were dilapidated, nearly falling apart. But rather mysteriously they have been completely restored. Most people are crediting a mysterious traveler from Mondstadt, but I don’t really see why someone from Mondstadt would take the time to repair statues of the geo archon.”
Your stomach clenched at the mention of a traveler from Mondstadt, but you tried to keep all traces of recognition off your face.
You had heard about this traveler, all right, from La Signora no less.
It seemed like much longer than a week ago that you had come home to find the eighth harbinger sitting in your living room, well, Childe’s living room. The grin on her face at your arrival still made you shiver.
“Ah, you must be the one Childe has gone through such lengths to hide away,” she purred with a chuckle that did not reach her eyes.
“I- I’m sorry, I don’t know-”
“Signora,” she provided, “I’m a…coworker of Childe’s.”
You knew this must be true, the Fatui guards wouldn’t have let her in otherwise.
“Can I offer you any refreshments?” You said automatically, your manners kicking in despite the strange circumstances.
“Well, aren’t you polite?” She mused, “No, I’m not staying long. I am curious, though, how a native of Liyue can justify being with someone like Childe.”
“Excuse me?” There was a bit more steel in your voice now. How dare this stranger come into your home and question your relationship.
She smiled coldly, “Surely he’s told you of his, well, our plans?”
“What are you talking about? Childe is a diplomat. He doesn’t have any plans.”
Signora laughed again, “Oh, sweet one, I’ve always found Childe rather easy to read, too easy really. Don’t tell me he has you this fooled.”
“What-”
She cut you off, “He hasn’t told you anything? About the Tsaritsa’s plans? About Rex Lapis? About the traveler from Mondstadt?”
Rex Lapis? Rex Lapis was dead. What would Childe have to do with him? And who was this traveler from Mondstadt? Your silence seemed to be all the answer Signora needed.
More laughter, you were really beginning to hate her laughter, “It seems this is hardly a relationship at all. Perhaps I was wrong to be worried.” She rose out of the chair and approached you, “Here’s the address where I’m staying. If you want to know more, you only need to come see me.” She pressed a slip of paper into your hand and headed for the door.
“But, Childe-”
“Silly, I didn’t come here to see Childe.” With that, she was gone.
“Miss? Miss?” Zhenxiang’s voice broke through your reverie.
“I apologize,” you responded quickly, “Lost in thought.”
Zhenxiang bowed his head, “Yes, I understand. We all miss him.”
It took you a few seconds to realize he was referring to Rex Lapis. You were grateful his assumptions hid your bizarre behavior.
Leaving the statue, Zhenxiang continued down the stairs, you close behind, until he reached a small lean to. Another Millelith sat inside sipping on tea.
“Wait here,” Zhenxiang instructed before going to speak to the man, Commander Fugui, you assumed. They went back and forth for a few moments, Zhenxiang gesturing toward you and Fugui frowning curiously. Eventually, Fugui gave a curt nod and Zhenxiang turned back to you with a smile.
“All is in order,” he explained, “I will escort you from here to the Wangshu Inn.”
You returned his smile, feeling that something had finally gone right.
That’s when you heard it. A roar of fury that seemed to ring through the mountains themselves. It came from behind you. From the harbor.
“What the-?” Fugui jumped to his feet and both he and Zhenxiang gripped their polearms tightly.
“I’m sorry, miss,” Fugui said hurriedly, “You’ll need to stay here while we-”
“I can’t,” you gasped in horror. You couldn’t say how, but you already knew who had made that terrible noise, and you couldn’t be here when he came looking for you, “I’m sorry. I’m so sorry.” You babbled, as the two Millelith looked at you in surprise, “It’s my fault. If he comes here. Say you didn’t see me. Please, tell him you didn’t see me.”
Without a further word of explanation, ignoring Zhenxiang’s protests, you gathered your cloak around you and dashed into the darkness, toward the Guili Plains, towards the suddenly impossibly far away inn.
You had thought you’d have more time. He was usually home so late these days. You had thought you could make it to the Wangshu Inn before he even realized you were gone. You had thought you could make it to Qingce Village or, better yet, Mondstadt. You had thought you could slip away and he would hardly notice. You had been an idiot.
The ghostly skeletons of ruins were rising up around you now, appearing suddenly from the gloomy mist as you tried not to stumble over loose bricks that had fallen into the path. You were barely registering your surroundings as they flew past, focusing solely on the next patch of dirt were your feet could safely land, so it really wasn’t a surprise that you ran full tilt into to the broad back of a stupidly large man.
“What the fuck?” he grunted, spinning around more quickly than you would have given him credit for and grabbing hold of your arm.
“Let me go,” you screamed, panic clouding out any coherent thoughts.
“Calm down, archons above, hey!”
You scratched violently at his fist and arms, anything you could reach. He finally managed to wrestle a beefy arm around your torso and pin you to his chest, your flailing arms crushed to your side.
“What’cha got there, Miko?” Three more men appeared from the fog.
“A fucking lunatic,” Miko snapped, still holding firm against your struggles.
“Hey!” One of the newcomers shouted, inches from your face, startling you into stillness.
“That’s better,” another laughed, “Oh, a girl. What a pretty thing. Are you out here alone?” The tone of his voice made the pit of your stomach drop.
“Let me go,” you pleaded, “You don’t understand. He’s coming. He’s coming for me and if you’re here when he finds me-”
“Who’s coming for you?” Miko asked from above you, a hint of concern in his voice.
“Who cares Miko,” one of his companions said lazily, “There’s four of us and one of him. And you’re built like a stone house.”
“You don’t understand,” you were practically hysterical, “You can’t stop him. I need to get away from here.”
“She’s shaking,” Miko said softly.
“She’s making shit up to get out of here, Miko. Use your brain for once, you oaf.”
There was another bone-rattling roar. For a moment the valley was lit by an eerie purple light. A light that flashed from the mountain pass from which you had just fled.
No, no, no, no, you thought desperately.
“What the hell is that?” Miko cried, releasing you. You fell to the ground, already scrambling, crawling to get away.
“Hey,” one of the other men complained, “You let her go.”
“Miko, you’re such a-” the insult was cut short with a gurgle.
“What the fuck? What was-”
It was pandemonium. No one could see properly in the thick fog, but every few seconds a burst of purple light would illuminate the frame of a monster. A monster too tall, too large to be the man you loved.
The men called out to each other and each voice soon turned to shrieks and screams, then quiet sobs, then silence. You curled in on yourself, trying to become as small as possible.
“Where are you?” Every inch of your body turned to jelly, you couldn’t have responded if you wanted to.
“I will tear apart every living creature in this valley if I have to,” the inhuman voice boomed.
You let out a whimper. That was all he needed.
A fist grabbed the front of your cloak and dragged you to your feet. You squeezed your eyes shut, waiting for the pain. For a sword or a claw to cut you open. It didn’t come. Instead, you were pulled into a crushing hug.
“What were you thinking? What the fuck were you thinking?” It was no longer the voice of a monster. It was a voice you knew better than any other in the world. A voice that was broken with anxiety. Childe.
Your adrenaline ran out. You let out a sob and collapsed against him. Strong arms held you up, one hand curled around the back of your head to press you into his chest.
“Why are you out here?” The worry was receding from his voice and you could hear the anger coming back.
You whimpered again and clung to his scarf, but he wasn’t having it.
“I asked you a question.” He pushed you away, slamming your back into the crumbling remains of a stone wall, “I come home early to surprise you and find the house empty. My guards say you left hours ago to go see me. Do you have any idea how scared I was? I thought something happened to you. I was about to start tearing Liyue apart when Signora shows up and says something about you ‘finally wising up.’ What the fuck was she talking about? Why are you out here?”
At this distance you could make out dark splotches covering his shirt and face. You knew there would be bruises on your shoulders from how hard he was pinning you to the wall.
“She told me,” you whispered.
“What?” he growled.
“She told me.” This time you yelled, surprising both of you. And once you started, you couldn’t stop, “Signora. She showed up at the house last week and said- She said all these terrible things about you. And at first I didn’t want to believe it, but then I couldn’t help but notice how strangely you were behaving, so I went to see her. She told me everything, Childe, she-” you cut yourself off with a hysterical laugh, “That’s not even your name is it? She said Childe isn’t even your real name. It’s Ajax. But you also go by Tartaglia. You’re not just a diplomat. You’re a harbinger. You’re a murderer.”
Childe - Ajax, whatever he was called - was silent at the end of your rant. For a minute there was nothing but the sound of your ragged breathing.
“Signora told you all of this?”
“Yes,” you mumbled.
“Hm, well, I didn’t plan on it being like this, but I suppose you would have found out sooner or later.”
His words hit you like a hillichurl club, knocking the wind right back out of you. “So it’s true? It’s all true?” Somehow, some tiny, stupid part of you wanted it to all be a lie.
Childe’s laugh was cruel, “Yes it’s true. What’s amusing to me is that Signora told you all of this and you thought you could run away from me,” his fingers wrapped around your jaw harshly, yanking your head, forcing you to meet his burning gaze, “I always thought you were smart, so explain that one to me.”
“I didn’t think you would come after me,” you said in the smallest voice yet.
“What?” His anger briefly gave way to confusion.
“Why did you?” The question spilled out, the words rushing together.
“What the fuck are you talking about?”
“Why did you come after me?”
He was looking at you like you had grown another head, it would have been rather funny in different circumstances.
“Because I love you,” he said, as if it were the most obvious thing in the world.
You snorted with laughter which caused his face to twist in annoyance, but you couldn’t stop yourself, “No you don’t, Childe. Love is…Love is trust and honesty and communication. Whatever you felt for me, it wasn’t love.”
“I don’t care what you want to call it,” he snarled, his rage pouring back, “Love, lust, desire. It doesn’t matter. You belong to me. And I am going to make sure you don’t fucking forget that.”
Strong fingers snatched at the clasp of your cloak, pulling the fabric away before beginning to tear at your clothes.
“What are you doing?” You gasped in panic, “Childe, stop. Stop, you can’t!”
He responded with a bark of laughter, “I can do whatever I want. If you don’t want to stay with me when I’m playing nice, then I’ll drop the act.”
You struggled in his grasp, finally freeing a hand long enough to slap him across the cheek. The look on his face was manic and rapturous.
“Nothing excites me more than a fight, especially one I know I’ll win.” He wrapped a hand in your hair and pulled your head back, exposing your neck for him to sink his teeth into.
He was rewarded with a gush of blood as well as your screams.
Your head was swirling from his sudden onslaught. Childe had never been so rough. Even in the most passionate moments the two of you shared he had been a gentleman, ensuring you were comfortable and finding pleasure. A monster truly had been released tonight, a monster that he had no interest in reigning back in.
He moved forward, crowding you against the wall. You gasped at the feeling of his length pressing into your stomach.
A dark chuckle left his lips, “Do you see what you do to me? I’ve been on my best behavior for you and you threw it in my face. Let’s see if this is more to your liking.”
Yanking up the skirts of your dress, his fingers found your underwear and quickly shredded them before rubbing along your slit.
“Ahh,” he said with mock disappointment, “Not enjoying yourself?” He withdrew his hand and tapped his fingers against your mouth, which you stubbornly kept shut, jerking your head to the side.
His eyes glittered in the moonlight, “I’m perfectly happy to forgo lubrication if you are,” he warned, “Or I could use blood.” His thumb swiped across his temple, smudging the dark stain there, then repeated the motion against your cheek.
Disgust twisted your stomach and you reluctantly opened your mouth. Your lips had barely parted before he thrust two fingers inside, dragging them along your tongue.
“Suck,” he commanded.
You glared at him, trying to convey every ounce of hatred you felt, but relented, closing your lips around his digits and hollowing your cheeks.
“What a good girl,” he cooed, his voice dripping with derision.
Before you had a chance to think better of it, you bit down on his fingers. This did not have the desired effect. His already wild eyes darkened with lust and he rutted his hips against you.
“And here I am, trying to prep you while you act like an ungrateful brat. Apparently I am still being too nice, I must really have lost myself in this charade.”
He tore open the front of his trousers and yanked your skirts up to your waist. With terrifying ease you were lifted off your feet, the wall at your back used as leverage to align your opening with his waiting cock.
“No,” you hissed in fright, knowing that you had nearly been torn apart by his size when fully prepared and willing, “Childe, please I can’t- Please.”
He pressed his forehead to yours, “I’m going to fuck you. Your level of enjoyment is up to you. If you want me to be kind then beg.”
You bit back tears at the thought of begging for this. But what good was pride in this situation?
“P-Please, Childe,” your voice wavered and cracked as you forced the words out, “Please, I want you to make me feel good, like you always do. No one has ever made me feel as good as you do.” Deciding to sweeten the deal, you leaned your head forward to brush your lips along his neck, nipping lightly at his skin in a way that always made him moan.
He practically purred against you, “How could I possibly say no to my sweet girl when she asks like that?”
Relief flooded through you as he lowered you back to your feet. The feeling was short lived however, his hand was soon back between your legs. Well-practiced fingers flicked against your clit, slowly awakening your arousal despite everything else. Aided by your saliva, he slid one long finger into you.
He groaned as your body fought against his intrusion, “So fucking tight. I don’t know if I’ll be able to wait.”
His words made your stomach lurch and you turned back to the only thing that had worked: begging. You began to babble, “You have to, Childe. Please, for me. I- I wanna enjoy it with you. I’ll be good. I’ll do whatever you say. Please, not yet.”
The twisted grin on his face gave away that you were doing exactly what he wanted. And you hated yourself for it. The finger inside of you curled to press against a spot that made you gasp, your body finally providing enough slick for him to add another finger with ease.
He knew your body too well. His fingers moved quickly, expertly hitting your sweet spot on every thrust. When his thumb began rubbing circles on your clit, your body trembled.
You clung to the lapels of his jacket, burying your burning face against his chest to hide your shame.
“Ah, ah,” he chided, voice crackling with glee, his free hand turning your face toward his, “You begged so prettily. I want to see your face when I give you what you asked for.”
You let out a wail of embarrassment and pleasure as you came around his fingers, his tight grip the only thing keeping you on your feet.
Without giving you time to catch your breath, he hoisted you back up, skirts pushed unceremoniously aside. From here he could kiss you without bending over and he did, hard and violently, his tongue tracing your teeth. The force of the kiss distracted you and it wasn’t until you felt his tip pressing against your opening that you realized his grip had loosened enough to let you slide down the wall. Slide onto him.
Your hands scrambled for purchase, trying to prevent your impalement, but your arms were weak and shaking already. Even with the extra wetness from your orgasm the stretch of him was painful.
Childe laughed at your fruitless efforts. He did nothing to speed or slow the process, only grunting once he was finally buried within you. His eyes fluttered shut and he flung his head back, spellbound by the warmth and tightness of you.
The clutch of his rough hands on your waist brought your panic back in full force.
“Wait!” You cried, grabbing his arms, “I just need a minute.”
A feral grin spread across his usually handsome face, “If you want to stop me, distract me.”
“You’re too big for me, Childe,” you squeaked, trying to sound coy and appeal to his ego, “I can feel how deep you are inside me. It’s-”
“Do better,” he interrupted, pushing his forehead to yours again. It seemed the time for words had passed.
Desperate, you threw your arms around his neck while your legs wrapped around his hips. In this position you could almost imagine you were real lovers, back in his bedroom, giggling at his antics while he made love to you, soft and sweet. It made tears sting in your eyes. You ignored them and kissed him, pulling his bottom lip between your teeth to give it a soft bite before your tongue sought refuge in his mouth.
He moaned into the kiss and your heart leapt when one hand left your waist to cup your cheek before tangling into your hair.
You squealed as the grip on your hair tightened and pulled you back. Crestfallen, you realized none of the ravenous hunger had dissipated from his features.
“I think that’s enough stalling,” he growled.
You were given no time to form a counterargument. Effortlessly he lifted your body until only his tip was nestled within you.
“Who do you belong to?”
“Please,” you panted.
“Wrong answer.”
He slammed you back down, drawing a hoarse scream from your throat. The pace he set was relentless. Your world narrowed to the sensations of stone bricks scraping your back and his cock thrusting into you.
Somehow, miraculously, horribly, the onslaught managed to wring orgasm after orgasm from your exhausted body. None of them slowed Childe down in the slightest. He fucked you through each one until you couldn’t tell where one orgasm ended and the next began. Your screams fell away as your sore throat constricted. Your tears had long since dried up and you could do nothing but lean against him bonelessly, your face buried in the crook of his neck.
Finally, it felt like it had been hours, his pace faltered and he grunted. Sheathing himself fully he came with a mumbled curse, filling your bruised body with his seed.
Lifting your head from his shoulder he forced you once more to meet his gaze, “Who do you belong to?”
“You,” you whispered blearily, barely aware of your surroundings.
Childe hummed quietly to himself as he walked back through the gates of Liyue. He carried you in his arms, pressed to his chest and wrapped tightly in your cloak.
He knew the streets and Millelith’s routines well enough to avoid any prying eyes.
His face twisted as he approached his house and saw the tall blonde leaning against the doorway in place of his usual guards.
Signora sighed as he came closer and she eyed the bundle in his arms, “Poor dear. How far did she get?”
“Not far enough,” Childe snapped, “Be useful and open the door.”
Signora complied and watched the redhead set you gently down on the couch. “You care about her far more than I originally thought,” she mused.
“Then take that as a sign to stay out of my business,” he snarled, slamming the door in her face.
You woke to gentle golden light filtering in through the sheer curtains of Childe’s bedroom.
“My love,” he was by your side in an instant, pressing a cup of water into your hands, “Drink. You’ve been asleep all day.”
You looked up into his wide blue eyes, filled with nothing but concern for you. Had everything from last night been some kind of horrible nightmare? You sat up to take the cup from him and winced at the pain wracking your body. Your back in particular felt rubbed raw.
For a second you thought you saw a glimmer of satisfaction in his gaze, but it was gone before you could be sure.
“You had a rough night, darling,” he cooed, stroking your cheek as you took a sip of water, “I’ve already sent out to Bubu Pharmacy for some medicines.”
You passed the cup back to him with shaking hands and he set it on the table beside the bed.
“But before we worry about that,” the hand on your cheek slipped down to grip your jaw and his adoring gaze turned to steel, “I need to see if you remember who you belong to.”