Actions

Work Header

Tricks of the Trade

Chapter 25: Honeymoon

Notes:

(See the end of the chapter for notes.)

Chapter Text

It had been a grueling ship journey from Liyue to Snezhnaya. Childe hated ships. Sure, his element was hydro and all… but he got seasick every time he made the trip. Which was horribly embarrassing normally, but since this particular jaunt across the pond was made with his new wife their being sequestered away in their cabin was chalked up to marital bliss instead of him puking his guts out.

His wife. Childe liked the sound of that. He never in his wildest dreams imagined he’d wind up married. Least of all married to someone he actually liked. It was a nice surprise. In the moments of the journey he hadn’t spent worshipping at the porcelain throne he liked to just be near you. Holding your hand, playing with your hair, tracing idle circles against the smooth skin of your neck… he was shocked you hadn’t snapped at him about it yet, even he could tell he was being clingy… but you seemed to like it. Or, well, at least tolerate it.

He did decide to tone down the PDA once the ship docked, though. He was a Harbinger after all, and there were plenty of people that wouldn’t think twice about using his loved ones against him. You’d insisted you were adept at hand-to-hand combat, and since you’d gotten your Anemo Vision you’d become more than proficient with a catalyst… but he still didn’t really want to chance it. Thankfully you’d picked up on the change in mood, nodding slightly at him the first time he’d gently removed your arm from his waist. He didn’t like the distance, but thankfully his parent’s home wasn’t far from the docks. 

“What should I call your mother?” Your question broke him from his thoughts. 

“Oh… um Mamochka works fine. You can call my father Atyets. My sister’s will introduce themselves by name, so you can count on that, but no one in my family speaks much Liyuean except for my little brother—I’m sorry,” he knew the two days you’d spend with his parents and siblings would be awkward because of the language barrier, but there wasn’t much getting around it. You nodded, a thoughtful look on your face. You scooted closer to him on the carriage seat and he let his hand rest briefly on your upper thigh. 

“Do you think they’ll like me?” No, probably not… but he wouldn’t tell you that. The only good thing about your not sharing a common language with his family is that you wouldn’t understand the inevitable criticisms lobbed your way by his mother. 

“They’ll love you,” he lied, brushing a reassuring kiss against your temple. You hummed your pleasure.

“Are we almost there? My butt is going numb,” you made a face and he couldn’t help but laugh. The roads around here weren’t the best by any stretch of the imagination. 

“Mmhmm Meelaya, we are. See that?” He pointed up the road and towards a small path marked by a faded sign. “We’re walking from there. It’s not far,” you sighed, but said nothing in complaint. As the carriage driver slowed to a stop Childe turned to you to button up your coat. 

“Thanks love,” you smiled at him, and the warmth of it eased the knot of nervousness in his stomach. The two of you exited the carriage, grabbing your bags before waving the driver off. Childe looked down at you, watching the lines of your face smooth over into a mask of placid amicability. “Well?” You met his gaze. 

“Showtime,” he grinned, grabbing your free hand. 


The path was narrow but well traveled. His childhood home was the only thing at the other end of it, and generations of his family had worn away the underbrush of the surrounding forest. The walk truly wasn’t a long one (compared to how long it took to get to the market, or the temple, or the docks…) but his home was in the countryside, so ‘not long’ really meant almost an hour. That you had been silent nearly the entire way was a bit concerning, but he knew you could handle yourself. 

The trees began to thin and the path opened up, a few more yards and the two of you stood at the mouth of a small clearing, his family home sitting proudly in the center. It was a small affair for as many people as there were living in it—only two stories and a basement—but with the extra money he’d sent home his Atyets had built another wing on the back to accommodate. It was the first time they’d been able to have separate rooms, and his siblings loved it. The two of you approached the home and Childe suppressed a pleased smile at the look of wonder on your face. It was rather quaint, he had to admit. Autumn had just arrived, and the trees bloomed red and gold, their leaves painting the ground the color of a sunset. In the mid-morning light the white paint of the house made it seem a bit bigger than it really was, the gentle breeze carried with it a slight chill that made him grin in pleasure. 

Ajax! ” A small, feminine voice yelled from inside the house. Childe dropped his bags and opened his arms wide as the small form of his youngest sister barreled out the front door and leapt towards him. 

“Zasha!” He swung her in a circle before setting her down gently.

We’ve missed you so much!” She enthused, face buried in his jacket. Childe ruffled her hair, grin widening as the rest of his family trickled out the front door. His older sister held Teucer by the hand, his parents hung back a bit as the siblings said hello. It had been a very long time since he’d last visited. 

Thought you’d never come back,” Edita snarked, her harsh tone belied by the twinkle in her eye. 

Good to see you too, Ditka,” she grimaced at the pet name, one he’d called her since he’d learned to talk. 

“Big brother, who is she?” Teucer pointed at you, stumbling a little over the Liyuean. As Childe was about to answer you leaned down, holding one hand out. 

“I am your new sister-in-law,” you smiled. When he didn’t accept the gesture you settled for an awkward pat on the shoulder. 

“Oh,” he replied simple, glancing back at his parents. Their stoic faces betrayed nothing. 

Mamochka, Atyets, this is my wife, [y/n].” You straightened up and waved, having heard your name. Childe’s mother frowned. 

She’s too skinny. You’ll never give us grandbabies with hips like that,” she grouched. Atyets pulled her closer against him.

You should have had the ceremony here,” he admonished. “Your Mamochka was very disappointed to have missed it.” Childe shrugged, doing his best to look contrite. 

The heart wants what the heart wants,” he said by way of explanation. It was for the best that the details of your relationship be left to imagination. State secrets, and all that. 

Well, best get yourselves inside, it’s almost dinner time,” his mother turned on her heel to return to the home, leaving her husband and children in the front yard. 

“I forgot how early we take dinner,” Childe sighed, letting his arm snake around your waist. You smiled up at him, face pleasant.

“I guess I’d better go help with that, huh?” You wormed your way out of his grasp and followed his mother through the front door. Childe frowned, worried about how that would turn out, but pushed the thought away as Edita grabbed his wrist.

Come on, you owe us a story! Your letters have been frustratingly vague,” she complained, a pointed nod towards [y/n] emphasizing her request. Childe picked up Tuecer, settling the boy on his hip as he trailed after his family. He was almost too big for him to carry like this… Childe would miss it. 

“Big brother, is [y/n] going to live with us now?” The boy leaned his cheek against Childe’s shoulder. 

“No Tuecer, we have to go back to Liyue. Why are you talking like that?” The Harbinger slipped seamlessly into his mother tongue to pose the question. 

“Mama and Papa can not. She will feel lonely if she can not talk,” he explained, in the most simple of terms. A warm smile came to Childe—Tuecer was such a kind, considerate child. He wanted to preserve that for as long as possible. 

“That will make her very happy. Thank you,” he said sincerely, ruffling the boy’s hair with his free hand. His sisters settled into the well worn furniture of the salon, crowding him against the couch. His Atyets sat in his chair—the most comfortable in the home, and one he had built himself—and stared at his oldest son with a hard, blank gaze. 

Well? ” Zasha tugged at Childe’s coat. 

Well what? ” He teased in return. 

How did you meet the girl? ” His Atyets cut in. Childe turned his gaze to the older man, trying to decide how much of the truth was safe. 

My… friend, Master Zhongli knew [y/n] as a child. She now works as a cultural liaison; he made our introduction over tea when I stumbled on them by chance,” it was an entirely truthful account (if highly editorialized). 

A cultural liaison? What sort of job is that? ” Edita’s tone was derisive. 

She arranges parties, attends government functions, sometimes works as a translator… Her dance company takes up most of her time, though,” he elaborated. Truthfully he wasn’t entirely sure what all your cover job entailed, the two of you hadn’t actually spent much time talking about it. He hoped he hadn’t said anything too off base. 

She’s a dancer? ” Zasha’s eyes lit up at that news. Snezhnaya was known for its ballet (among other things); being a dancer in his homeland meant something very different than being a dancer in other countries. It was a prestigious and demanding job, one that was highly valued and highly sought after. 

Not exactly. She owns the dance company. Like the director, or boss… ” he struggled to explain. It struck him then that he didn’t actually know for sure if you owned the company or not. He knew you worked most often with the dancers above other performing artists of Liyue, but… well he’d never actually asked. 

A respectable position,” his Atyets grunted. Childe beamed—that was high praise coming from him. 

It is,” he agreed mildly. “[Y/n] is very well known in Liyue Harbor. The Tianquan has taken it upon herself to plan a wedding celebration when we get back,” name dropping was really rather vulgar, but seeing the way his family’s expressions morphed into surprise and esteem he decided it was fine this time. 

And will your family be invited? ” Edita grinned. Childe rolled his eyes. 

“Yes, you are all welcome. Your passage will be paid, of course, and when we know the date I will send word so Atyets can make arrangements,” he sighed, already apprehensive about having his whole family in Liyue. Edita and his parents knew his real position, but Zasha and Tuecer were still under the impression he sold toys for a living. Maintaining that particular ruse would prove even more difficult than his most recent foray into the world of espionage, he was sure of it. The sound of the door creaking open drew Childe’s attention, and he watched as you entered the room with a heavily laden tray. 

Vodka?” You queried, setting a glass down in front of his Atyets. Childe’s brow rose at your correct pronunciation of Fire-Water in his mother tongue, but he said nothing. 

“Thank you,” the older man nodded towards the glass, and you filled it. You arranged the tray on the small table, pouring more Fire-Water for Edita and himself. For Tuecer and Zasha you had brought juice, and you handed the children the full cups cautiously.  

“Thank you!” Tuecer chirped, and you grinned at him. 

“Your Liyuean is very good! How did you learn?” You leaned against the sofa Childe was sitting on. 

“I went to Liyue to visit big brother and I learned on the ship!” The boy’s voice was brimming with pride. 

“What he means to say is that he stowed away on a ship and eavesdropped on the sailors,” Childe corrected, and you stifled a laugh. 

“You must be very smart to learn like that,” the complement made Tuecer’s smile widen.

“I am,” he said simply, no hint of modesty present. He was very much like his big brother in that regard. 

“Dinner is almost ready, will you help set the table?” You turned your attention to Childe, who nodded. 

I’m going to help [y/n] set the table, you lot go help Mamochka with the dishes,” he stood, letting one hand rest at the small of your back. As the siblings clamored into the kitchen, Childe’s eyes met his Atyets’. The man was always hard to read, as stoic as he was… but Childe liked to think he saw a glimmer of approval just then. 

“Getting along alright?” Childe questioned quietly as the two of you set upon the plates and cutlery. You gave a half shrug. 

“Sure, sure. Learning a lot. We made Czernina,” you remarked idly. Childe grimaced, it was just like his mother to make something like fowl blood soup for his new wife. It was a very Snezhnayan dish, one that most foreigners detested

“That’s… great. She’s been nice?” He questioned hesitantly. 

“I received a truly Snezhnayan welcome,” you smirked. Childe groaned; that was no. 

Ajax! Ajax, we get Czernina tonight! ” Zasha crowed, setting the dish down in the center of the table as the other siblings brought their own dishes in. 

Yes, yes, we all know it’s your favorite, ” he teased his youngest sister, slapping her hand away playfully as she reached over to sneak a taste. “You know better, wait for Atyets,” he admonished, with no real heat. The little girl rolled her eyes, but took a seat regardless. The family made their way to the table, the cacophony of voices and clattering dishes music to his ears. He had missed this. 

Where is the vodka? Your girl forgot the vodka in the salon,” his Mamochka tsked, her voice judgemental. She made to rise, but Childe beat her to it. 

I’ll fetch it,” he quickly retrieved the tray, bringing it over to the kitchen sideboard. He took a moment to refill drinks before sitting back down next to his wife. 

How shameful, for you to be doing a woman’s work,” she shook her head, a frown on her face. 

“It’s alright Mamochka, she helped with dinner,” he soothed. 

Helped! Ha. The girl can’t even make pierogies right,” she glared at the dish over laden with the pastries. To his eye they looked perfectly cooked, but he said nothing. 

Mama, [y/n] is a famous dancer, did you know? ” Zasha piped up. Childe mentally filed away a reminder to send her extra candy in the next care package. 

She’s not a dancer, she owns a dance company. It’s different,” Edita corrected. His Mamochka laughed. 

That makes sense, she doesn’t have the physique of a dancer. Too skinny, no muscle,” she remarked, taking a moment to pile more food onto Tuecer’s plate. Childe frowned, but held his tongue. The last thing he wanted to do was get into a fight, especially when you most likely didn’t even know there was something to fight over. 

I was the principal dancer. Now I own it.”

The room was deadly quiet as everyone turned to look at you. 

Pass the vodka, please? ” You requested in perfect Snezhnayan. Edita wordlessly handed you the bottle. “Thank you,” you smiled at her, without a trace of an accent to color your appreciation. 

I… you…” Childe’s Mamochka looked stricken. The color had drained from her face and while the Harbinger should be more concerned than amused, he was barely holding his mirth in. 

“I only know a few phrases, but don’t tell her that,” you winked at Tuecer who looked positively delighted at being included in the joke. He nodded his agreement and the two shared a conspiratorial grin. 

How?" Childe managed to choke out, pleased that he was able to keep a straight face. 

Dmitri,” you shrugged. The smile that you gave the matriarch of the family was a pleasant one, full of kindness and admiration. It was also totally false. 

Enough of that. [Y/n], give me the ladle,” Atyets commanded, pointing to the dish in the center; you hesitated for only a moment before passing the whole bowl over. 

The rest of the dinner passed quickly, with the siblings filling the gaps in conversation with inane chatter and easy to answer questions. For your part you spoke rarely, choosing instead to defer to Childe (a move that he was sure his Mamochka begrudgingly respected). Now, whether that was a choice born from actual marital deference or your lack of Snezhnayan vocabulary who could say. (He could say. It was not deference.)

As time wore on the rays of the setting sun painted the dining room walls in hues of gold and red. By his estimation it was probably around six in the evening. As dinner wrapped up Childe glanced over at you; your posture was straight and your expression arranged into a neutral smile, but the tension in your shoulders betrayed your fatigue. 

I think we ought to retire early tonight,” Childe broke into the conversation between his sisters. “It’s been a very long day and we could both use some sleep,” his gaze slid over to you, and you nodded in agreement. 

But it’s so early! And we haven’t even gotten to play with [y/n]!” Zasha protested. Edita laid a hand atop her younger sister’s.

You can play later Zashenka,” she soothed. “Ajax and [y/n] are tired, they need to go to bed,” Childe shot his sister a grateful smile, one that you mirrored. 

Fine,” Zasha’s tone was petulant. 

If you help Mamochka with the dishes tonight maybe [y/n] will teach you some Liyuean tomorrow,” Childe suggested. His youngest sister’s face brightened and she turned to the Harbinger’s wife.

Really? Would you?" You smiled beatifically at the girl and nodded. You obviously had no idea what you were agreeing to. “Okay!” Zasha wasted no time in piling everyone’s dishes up, struggling only a little to lift the heavy load. Your hand reached out, obviously concerned, but Childe took you gently by the wrist. 

“She’ll be fine. Come on, let’s get to bed,” he tugged you up and made excuses for the both of you before dragging you to the back of the house. The newly added room was normally occupied by Edita, being the eldest child, but she’d relinquished its use and opted to bunk with Zasha for the night (after a strongly worded warning against ‘defiling her bed’). As soon as the door shut behind him Childe lifted you up, easily twirling you around in a tight hug.

“Stop it!” You squealed, the protestation belied by laughter. 

“You are brilliant, you know that?” Childe stopped spinning, but did not set you down. He nuzzled into the crook of your neck, peppering kisses against your clavicle. 

“I am aware, thank you. But really it should be Dima you’re praising, he’s one hell of a school master,” as his grip loosened Childe let your frame slide to the ground, keeping his hands firmly on your waist. 

“He’s getting a sizable bonus,” the Harbinger promised absentmindedly as his fingers snaked their way under your blouse. 

“What happened to being tired?” Your voice was breathy in its teasing. 

“Not tired enough,” Childe quipped, backing you up until your thighs hit the bed. “But I think there might be a solution to that…” he hummed, gently pushing you back onto the feather stuffed mattress. You went without protest, simply propping yourself up on your elbows to have a better view. 

“A solution, you say? Well then we must try it out!” Your hands tugged at the Harbinger’s cloak and he let you pull him down next to you. You brushed a kiss against the corner of his mouth, then another against his cheek. He pulled you in to him, relishing the feel of your warmth. 

“[Y/n]?” You stilled at the sound of your name, turning your full attention to the Harbinger’s expression. “Never stop surprising me,” he whispered, pressing his forehead against yours. 

“I’ll do my best,” Childe felt, rather than saw the smile on your face.

Notes:

Well y'all, it's been a good ride, but I think this might truly be the end. Thanks for sticking with me, and for those pulling on the Childe banner, good luck!