Savior (Childe x Medic Reader) Ch 10

After Tartaglia’s confession, you spent the next few weeks together. On slow days and days off, Tartaglia would take you all over Liyue, from Mt. Tianheng to Qingce Village. He would take you to see the most incredible places during the day, telling you stories about how he’d found the place or retelling what he remembered about what Zhongli said. Every now and then as you were marveling at the views Tartaglia would sneak in a comment.

“If you love seeing new places you should come to Snezhnaya.” “This lake is beautiful. You know in Snezhnaya when it gets cold enough we skate on the lakes. I’ll teach you when you come to visit.” “The view is lovely. You’ll love the views of Snezhnaya in the winter. When everything is frozen, covered in snow and ice the trees sparkle and gleam. It’s incredible.”

At night, you would often eat in Liyue Harbor. Tartaglia liked to take you to the most renowned restaurants in Liyue: Luili Pavilion, Xinyue Kiosk, and Wanmin Restaurant were common. He always insisted on paying stating that it was his treat. While you had tried to protest and at least split the bill, you were never successful and he would often swipe the bill when you were distracted.

Days when he was busy with work, you would travel around with Anya and sometimes Zhongli. It was on one of these days that you were having dinner with Anya at a restaurant that Zhongli had recommended called Third-Round Knockout. It was a tavern located in Chihu Rock just across the bridge into Liyue Harbor. Third-Round Knockout was located in a fairly large building with outdoor seating. The building had multiple eaves and gables and green tile roofing. Zhongli had recommended it particularly because of the storyteller Iron Tongue Tian, but you and Anya were excited about the reasonable price for a good meal. Sitting at a table outside, you were telling Anya about an adventure with Tartaglia to Minlin to collect Qingxin flowers. As there was a lull in the conversation Anya spoke up.

“You really do like him don’t you?”

You nodded with a soft smile. “I do.”

Anya gave a wry smile “He’s at least treating you well. After all, how many times has he taken you to Luili Pavilion and Xinyue Kiosk?”

“Anya!” You rolled your eyes at your friend as she giggled.

“But in all seriousness, Have you spoken with him about what happens when you leave? We’re get back on a boat in two days.”

Your smile dropped. Two days? It was that soon? Honestly, you had lost track of time. Which meant you hadn’t even told Tartaglia how soon you were leaving, let alone discussed what would happen when you did. Anya could read your thoughts on your face.

“You haven’t talked with him yet have you?”

Biting your lip, you nodded solemnly. “I… hadn’t even thought about it myself…” You needed to speak with Tartaglia. Anya brought her cup carefully to her lips and took a sip of her tea before replying.

“Well, are you seeing him tomorrow? If not, you’d better find him, unless you want him to think you’ve disappeared.”

Anya was right. Tomorrow you will find time to speak with Tartaglia.

…..

The next day you were standing in Northland Bank hoping to find Tartaglia. Suddenly, two fatui soldiers stopped in front of you.

“Oh you’re Lord Tartaglia’s lover!”

Your head shot up to look at the two men who you soon recognized as the soldiers you spoke with when you returned Tartaglia’s jacket.

“Are you here to see Lord Tartaglia? Unfortunately he’s not here right now, but we can inform him that you’re looking for him.”

You smiled at the two men. “Thank you. I’ll wait for him here.”

The two soldiers left you with a wave. You waited for another few hours before a pair a black boots stopped in front of you.

“Ah so you really did wait here. Two of my subordinates came to find me and told me you were waiting here for me.” Tartaglia smiled down at you. “How about we head to Luili Pavilion for dinner? My treat since you were so kind as to wait for me.”

The walk to Luili Pavilion was short but you were filled with dread knowing that you were about to inform Tartaglia that you were leaving in less than twelve hours. Worse it seemed Tartaglia was starting to pick up on how quiet you were being. As the two of you sat down, he gave you a serious look.

“What’s wrong? You’re remarkablely quiet today.”

You sighed deeply. “We… need to talk…” The look on Tartaglia’s face hardened as he looked away from you.

“You don’t want to see me anymore.” You jumped at that conclusion.

“No! That’s not it at all!” Your outburst drew looks from the patrons around you. You cleared your throat before continuing.

“I don’t want to leave you…. But I have to return to Sumeru… tomorrow.”

Tartaglia’s eyes widened in understanding. “You’re leaving tomorrow.”

“Yes. I meant to talk to you sooner, but I lost track of time. I was having so much fun, I didn’t even think about leaving. I want to keep seeing you. I really like you.” You cut your rambling off as you watched Tartaglia lean his face on his hand smiling at you. He reached his other hand out to hold yours, running his thumb over your knuckles in a soothing manner.

“I’ll find a way.”

He didn’t elaborate any further, but he spoke with such conviction that you naturally found yourself trusting him. For the rest of dinner, you both spoke as if nothing was going to change until Tartaglia walked you back to your inn for the final time.

You didn’t want to part from him. Your affections for the harbinger had only developed further the more time you spent with him. You had slowly grown to love this man that you had risked your life to save just a few months ago. So when he stopped in front of the inn to wish you good night you couldn’t contain yourself. You threw your arms around his shoulders and held him close. Tartaglia slowly returned your embrace, wrapping his arms around your waist and pulling you closer. You rested your head in the crook of his neck. Both of you stood silently, enjoying the feeling of being in one another’s arms under the stars and lantern lights of Liyue Harbor.

…..

The boat back was leaving early so you would not have time to find Tartaglia again before departing from Liyue. You and Anya had brought your trunks to the docks to be loaded onto the ship. Anya glanced back at you.

“Sad to be leaving? It’s written all over your face. You miss him already don’t you?”

You gave a solemn sigh and forced smile then nodded.

“Hey, maybe he’ll come to the docks to see you off.” Anya’s attempts to cheer you up were appreciated but not quite helping.

As the captain gave the signal to board, you could hear heavy footsteps running on the docks.

“Wait!”

You knew that voice. You turned just in time to see Tartaglia before he pulled you into his chest.

“Don’t go. We can petition the Akademiya to have you stay here and continue your work. I can get you accommodations here, you wouldn’t have to leave.” You looked up to see Tartaglia’s eyes pleading with you. He continued. “I have some time off coming up. I was planning to go home to Morepesok, you can come with me. You’ll get to meet my parents and siblings. They’d love to meet you. I know they’ll adore you!” You could feel Tartaglia’s grip tighten as you considered his offer. “I know it’s a lot to ask. But..” He locked eyes with you pausing for a moment. Tension was rising as you waited with baited breath for his next words.

“I love you.

I love you so much and I don’t want you to go.”

And you loved him. You didn’t even stop to think. Without a moment of hesitation, you brought your lips to meet his. The kiss was soft but full of your feelings. Tartaglia froze for a moment before his hand came up to the back of your head and tangled in your hair deepening your kiss. You pulled apart slowly and Tartaglia beamed with pleasure.

“Does this mean you’ll consider staying?”

You were cut off before you had the chance to reply.

“I’m going back. I’ll help petition the Akademiya and inform them that you’ve chosen to stay here to continue with your research.”

Both of you whipped your heads to Anya at her offer. You were quite startled.

“You mean… you’ll help us?”

Anya crossed her arms and gave you a knowing smirk.

“If you came back with me now you’d be miserable. And while I don’t particularly like the fatui, it’s clear that he strongly cares for you and that you return his feelings full force. I’m not heartless enough to ruin my best friend’s happiness due to my grievances. However…” Anya turned to Tartaglia. “If you hurt her, I will come down on you with all the force of a Snezhnayan blizzard. Understand?”

Tartaglia nodded and grinned. “I promise I’ll take good care of her and keep her away from Snezhnaya’s darker sides.”

Anya gave a single nod. “You’d better.” If looks could kill, Anya’s glares could take out an entire army. She turned to the stevedore and requested that your trunk be unloaded. Soon the ship was off with one less passenger. You waved to Anya as the ship embarked on its journey to Sumeru.

….

The trip to Sumeru had been calm except for Anya’s swirling thoughts. She knew it was the right decision for you to stay in Liyue, but how would she explain to everyone else that she’d left you in Liyue in the care of a Fatui Harbinger? A harbinger who was now your lover. Everyone would lose it! Especially Jean-Pierre. Anya had her suspicions that Jean-Pierre’s feelings for you were a bit stronger than friendship. And the fatui had practically ruined his family. If there was one person in the world who would take this news the worst, it would be him. Monika wouldn’t be too pleased either. Mondstadt might have been political allies with the fatui on paper, but Mondstadters did not like the fatui. Anya had not idea how she was going to explain the situation to them without them immediately getting on the next boat to Liyue in an attempt to bring you home.

As the ship docked in Sumeru, Anya’s fears began to manifest. Both Jean-Pierre and Monika were waiting at the docks for you. This would be fun. As Anya disembarked and approached the two Jean-Pierre was the first to speak.

“Where’s Y/N?”

Anya could sense herself begin to fidget with the strap of her satchel.

“S-she chose to stay in Liyue to continue her research.”

Jean-Pierre’s jaw dropped and Monika spoke up.

“You let her stay there alone?”

Anya fumbled for a good answer.

“She’s not alone… you know the man she saved in Mondstadt? Turns out he works in Liyue.”

Jean-Pierre recovered but was quickly growing enraged. He and Anya never got on well at all.

“You mean you left her with some guy?!”

Anya was also getting annoyed with him.

“He’s not some guy. They’re… close now. Besides, he’s far more powerful than any of us. If anything he’d be able to protect her better than we could.” Monika raised an eyebrow at this.

“A powerful man from Snezhnaya?”

The instant those words left Monika’s mouth Anya knew she had messed up. Badly.

“Who exactly is this man?” Jean-Pierre seethed through gritted teeth.

Anya searched for an answer, any answer, as another researcher stepped off the boat.

“Oh are you talking about the harbinger?”

Everyone froze. Anya could feel the cold sweat running down her back. This was not good.

Jean-Pierre spoke up. “Harbinger?”

“Yes. I overheard and assumed you were talking about the other researcher that stayed in Liyue with the Eleventh Harbinger.”

Anya had lost all colour in her face as Jean-Pierre and Monika took in this new information before turning heated glares to her.

“Did Y/N stay back in Liyue with a Fatui Harbinger?” Jean-Pierre’s eyes were deadly cold.

“S-She saved his life. He’s completely devoted to her. He won’t harm her.” Anya could sense that she was only digging a deeper hole.

“Devoted…. You said they were close… How close?” Monika had crossed her arm and while she was slightly calmer than Jean-Pierre, her jaw was clenched tightly.

“I-I—”

“Forget it. I’m going to Liyue and I’m bringing Y/N back. I’ll kill that bastard if I have to.” Jean-Pierre had started walking away with his statement.

“Wait! You can’t just leave! You’d have to petition the board for permission!” Anya called after him in a desperate attempt to stop him. Jean-Pierre slowly turned his head to look over his shoulder at the two women. His eyes were steely and cold.

“Watch me.”

With that he turned on his heel and was gone.

under the seven stars of liyue lies one brighter than celestia. (part ii)

Savior (Childe x Medic Reader) Ch 10