BELOW AVERAGE FATUI, harbingers

EIGHT, childe

"Wait here."

With the meeting finally concluding, y/n was able to release the breath he hadnt realized he was holding. Looking around the hallway he was now standing alone in, he decided it was safe to lean against the wall, his back meeting the cold surface. He wished Arlecchino didn't have to go back into the room, but .. she probably had classified matters to discuss with Pierro.

"Heya, comrade!"

The door to the meeting room opened to reveal the 11th harbinger, Childe. He may seem friendly with his greeting now, but Y/n knew better.

"I- ugh- hello!"

He gave a quick bow before straightening back up. His eyes darting everywhere but at Childe as he could practically feel the harbinger sizing him up.

Please, for the love of the Tsaritsa, don't ask me to fight or spar.

"It sure has been awhile, y/n! You look good though. Healthy even. But .. you weren't exactly strong as a child, so I'm kind of wondering how you managed to become Arlecchino's second in command. Care to share?"

Childe kept his light-hearted smile plastered across his lips. The kindness was obviously fake and forced. And it didn't sit well with y/n with how familiar Childe was acting with him.

Though, briefly, a foggy memory of a nameless boy with ginger hair passed through his mind. His face blurred out.

Y/n had quickly shook the thought away.

"I- I don't know the reason why I became her second in command. You harbingers always confuse me along with the other foot soldiers with the decisions you make. And honestly, it isn't in our place to question such things anyway."

Childe let y/n's words process through his mind before he broke out into laughter, "oh, you're good. Deflecting my question like that and all..."

Y/n winced when Childe slammed his hand against the wall next to his head, "but frankly this whole thing is quite angering. I mean, why does Arlecchino get to have you anyway? I'm the one who found you first-"

"Childe."

The 11th huffed and shifted his gaze to look at Capitano who had just exited the door.

"This is not an interrogation room, if you wish for answers, then take him elsewhere."

Childe sincerely thought it would be Arlecchino walking through that door, but no matter. This was his chance.

"You have a point there," he piped up happily. His hand landing harshly onto y/n's shoulder, "you heard the captain, y/n! Let's go elsewhere."