Inseparable [ Zhongli x Childe ]

4.

It has been a week and a half since Zhongli left. Childe did not get any better mentally or physically as he often would cry or get mad at himself or Zhongli for Zhongli dissapearing. Today is one of the days he would sit in the rental house miserable with a drink in his hand to drink away his sorrows. When Childe stood up to grab another glass of liquor he suddenly stops in his tracks when he feels a presence behind him. "Il Capitano..." Childe spoke lowering his head since he does not look presentable, his eyes red and irritated from all the crying and sleepless nights aswell for that he knows he is weak and has failed the Harbingers

The tall figure just straightens his posture even more and walks to stand infront of Childe to look down at him "most of the Harbringers think you are weak...have lost your ways. They doubt you will make a good asset to the team anymore as some are speaking of leaving you in the dirt"

Childe is not surprised if he would be honest and grabs a bottle filling the glass once more and takes a sip from it "tell them the feeling is mutual " he spoke walking away to go to the bedroom to lay in bed but the captain grabs his hair with force making Childe look up at him while Childe his back is still facing the captain. Childe could feel the man his fingers lace into his hair before his head was janked back causing his back to be pressed against Il Capitaino's chest. Since it came to a shock he dropped the glass that was in his hands as it now shatters on the ground with the liquor spilling everywhere. The grip hurted but he did not fight it knowing he has no fight left in him at this moment. "And what do you think of me hm?"

The captain looks down at Childe moving his other hand onto the other man his troath starting to apply pressure onto his air ways with his thumb on one side and his index and middle finger on the otherside.
"i think the same. You are a miserable sad little boy... weak and lost. You are in love and love brings weakness, Childe is that weakness...we need Tartaglia. " he spoke watching how Childe his lips parted trying to remain strong but he soon would need to gasp for air which Childe did struggling to do that.

Gasping for air while looking up at the other Harbinger with tears starting to fill his eyes Childe tried to speak but it was starting to get harder to do so. "You're words are always so comforting" he spoke sarcastically reaching up before gripping onto the captain his hand that is on his troath trying to pry it away from him.

Il Capitano knows Childe is saying it in a sarcastic way but he found it amusing so he lets out a hum. "Everybody is dissapointed in you. I on the other hand never had expectations so how can you be dissapointed if you never had expectations for that person in the first place..." the man spoke gripping tighter onto the copper blonde hair of the other man janking his head back a little more which would cause Childe having to arch his back. "We will give you three more chances...if you fail we will kill you... understood?"

Childe whimpered when his hair was pulled on tighter but at this point he could not speak anymore from the pain and from his air way being blocked by the pressure the other puts onto it so all he could do is nod. The captain lets go of Childe who had to grip onto the edge of a table to stabilize himself while a few tears roll down his cheeks. Taking a few deep breaths he slowly turns around to look at the other with one last tear falling down "what do i have to do?"

The captain can see the sadness in Childe his eyes still but there also was determination. Seeing that determination he knows his plan worked since Childe often would want to proof himself "kill the traveler. He will cause trouble for us in the future" he spoke and that is all he said before he left, dissapeared.

Childe grew angry at himself for accepting such a thing...but he did not want to die. Sitting down for a moment Childe hides his face in his hands thinking deeply for a moment. How could he possible kill somebody he now considers a friend? Does it really matter? The traveler needed him only for his funds so he hardly could call it a mutual relationship now that he thinks more of it. He did not get anything out of their *friendship* anyways. They had fought before and he knows this would be a challenge...three chances...that is all he gets. Childe lets out one more deep breath, slapping his own knees before he stands up and gets ready to hunt the traveler down.