Chapter Text
Childe found himself alone, sitting on the step of the front porch of his home. Everyone else had already wandered back inside, it was getting late out.
He sighed, his breath forming a small cloud in the chilly air. Leaning back, he looked up, watching as the stars faded into view. The sky was a gorgeous color, rich gold along the horizon fading into a deep dark blue. It was a lovely view, yet that gold color, he couldn't help but start thinking of her again. The pitfalls of being left to his own thoughts, they always seemed to come back to her.
Her eyes were always shining, such a brilliant color that he could always get lost in. He could still picture the day he first saw her in Snezhnaya, how she glared at him as he laughed at her. But how could he not, she was shaking so much from the cold, wrapped in a not nearly thick enough jacket. The way she leaned into him when he wrapped her in a hug, muttering how it was just cause she was a little cold and he shouldn't get used to it before getting cut off by a sneeze.
The memory brought a small smile to his face, she was always adorable no matter what she was doing. Whether it was slaughtering monsters or, oh he couldn't even express just how much his heart melted when he brought her to his home and saw her with his family.
Teucer already adored her and Anthon and Tonia were quick to follow. And she loved them back, how he could just watch them all day. His parents took to her quickly too and she just fit into their home so easily.
He'd walk into the kitchen, see her making dinner with his mother. In the living room, playing games with his siblings or out in the backyard, letting his father ramble on and on as he explained the techniques of ice fishing. In his room, waiting for him on his bed. Greeting him with a smile, a kiss. Falling asleep so easily in his arms. Her rhythmic breathing was always so calming, putting him at ease. How he missed the way she clung to him, nestling into his side for warmth.
Warm memories made the chill of the night air all the more biting. Childe rubbed his hands together, trying to keep them from going numb. He wanted her back, back by his side. He wanted to fight next to her again, watch her gracefully cut down the enemies in her path. He wanted to cook alongside her, watch the way her face lit up as she ate her favorite foods. He wanted to lie next to her, whisper into her ear, tell her everything she meant to him.
But even then he knew he wouldn't have her forever. That eventually they'd find themselves parting. He could still hear her voice from that day, clear as if it had just happened.
"Ajax." His name sounded so nice whenever she said it.
He looked at her, not able to return a smile. "So you're going."
Her smile fell and she cast her eyes downward. "Yeah. It's time for us to leave."
It was always bound to happen. She'd never been able to answer him before about where they would be after everything was over. Or maybe, she could answer, but didn't. To spare his feelings. But that could only stall for so long.
She stepped closer, looking into his eyes. "You know I'll never stop loving you. But Aether, he can't stay here anymore. And I can't let him go by himself."
And Childe knew he couldn't say anything to change her mind. Even if he could, would he be avle to? After all, family first, right? But he wanted her to stay, he wanted to keep her here, and he felt so horrible for wanting to do so, but she was what his heart desires, she was the one he would give the world to.
And since he loved her so much, he had to listen to her. He had to let her go.
He brought a hand up to her face, gently touching her cheek. "Do you think you'll ever come back?"
She opened her mouth as if to say something, before pausing. With a sigh, a slight shrug of her shoulders, she answered, "I don't know."
He could only nod.
The two stood there for a while, not saying anything, just enjoying the others' presence while it lasted. A few more kisses, some final hushed whispers and then she left. She was gone. No dramatic farewells, just a sweet goodbye.
And maybe that was for the best. He could always look back on their time together fondly. Though it hurt how much he missed her and it would probably never stop. How he wished he could just look up and see her there waiting for him, hear her say his name one last time.
"Ajax!"
It wasn't her, of course it wasn't. But he could hear his mother calling him again from inside, joined by shouts from his siblings.
With one final look at the stars, he offered a wave to the sky before getting up and heading inside.