synopsis: Teucer can’t wait for his brother’s return and you happily volunteer to accompany him to the docks.
pairing:Childe x fem!reader ft Teucer
tw: pure fluff, established relationship, usage of Childe’s real name
word count:1.3k+ words
“Look, look, it’s coming!”
You softly smile at the boy perched in your arms. Teucer has one arm wrapped around your neck, the other pointing forward, at the ship from Liyue approaching the docks. His cheeks and the tip of his nose are rosy from the cold, as you’ve been waiting here for some time - the boy was too excited to be the first one to greet his older brother.
Initially the plan was to wait for Ajax at home, since it was quite the frosty afternoon, and you came over to help his parents and siblings with preparations. His mom and dad absolutely adore you and are always happy to have their eldest son’s girlfriend over. It wasn’t once or twice when you stayed with them and watched after the kids. It was actually really comforting to you, playing with them and listening to different stories about your lover (doesn’t matter that some stories have been told for the 10th time, you still loved them like the first). Ajax is away a lot, unsurprisingly, given his occupation as the Fatui Harbinger, and sometimes you can’t help but feel lonely. His family is more than glad to help you cope with that.
But he doesn’t forget about you: he always makes sure to send at least one stack of letters a week, so there is always a letter to each of his family members, you included.
Thus, when the last letter came in which he notified you about his return to Snezhnaya, Teucer wouldn’t stop talking about how excited he was (of course Tonya and Anthon were thrilled too, they haven’t seen Childe for a couple of months, but to Teucer big brother seems to have such a special place in heart, for which he always gets teased by his sister). That’s why the ginger-haired boy nearly cried when his mom said he couldn’t go to the docks since both her and dad would be busy with the preparation, and there was no way they’d let him go unsupervised with a chance of a blizzard coming.
Your soft heart ached by one look at two eyes, so similar to your boyfriend’s, on the verge of tears. So you offered to accompany and watch him, assuring the worried woman that he’d be completely safe with you. Always was and always will be.
For a couple of moments she was reluctant, but seeing the hopeful look in those big bright blue eyes, she gave up. She made him wear layers upon layers of warm clothes though. You too, of course, and for that you are very grateful.
The wind seems to pick up and you carefully bounce the happy child in your arms to warm both of you with at least some movement. His gleeful laughter makes you smile, hand reaching to readjust his scarf. From the corner of your eye you see the big ship come closer and closer.
“Big sis, big sis, are you excited!?” Teucer turns to you, eyes wide and shining. “Oh, your cheeks are so red! Like a bullfinch breast!”
You chuckle. True, the cold has been biting on your skin for awhile, and now it hurts to smile widely. You have no idea how Teucer manages to still do it.
“Yours too, baby. Like a ripe ashberry,” the boy scrunches his nose and shows his tongue.
“Ashberry is bitter!”
“But bullfinches loooove ashberry,” you reason, pressing a kiss to his scrunched nose. “Just like I love you. Maybe I should get a bite!”
“Nooo!” hands in mittens dart to cover his nose and you both giggle. Ah, he is too adorable for his own good. You wonder if Ajax was the same when he was little: lively, giggly and absolutely cute.
A loud sound draws your attention back to the ship. While you two were busy being dorks, it has finally docked and anchored. As a ramp is being arranged for passengers to get off the ship, you make your way closer. Legs protest a little after being stuck in one place out in the cold, but you make them move by your own excitement bubbling in your chest.
A moment passes, people start to step onto the wooden boards, the last thing before they can finally stand on solid ground.
Another moment passes, Teucer stirs impatiently. People go and go but you don’t see the oh so familiar mop of ginger hair-
Ah, you finally spot it. Its owner doesn’t rush, as he doesn’t expect anyone to meet him before he reaches home. Alas, he should have more faith in his brother.
Teucer twists and turns in your arms and you finally lower him on the ground.
“Please, don’t run, you can slip!” but he doesn’t listen to your words, already sprinting right to the tall lean figure clad in a thick grey warm coat.
“Biiiig broootheeeer!” at first Childe doesn’t understand what hit him in the legs as the commotion is too sudden to register the nearly battle cry. When he does understand his eyes first widen, then crinkle a little at the corners, arms dropping his travel bag and reaching down to scoop the boy up.
“Teucer! Isn’t it my cute little brother? I sure missed your face!”
“Big brother!” throwing his arms around the young man, the boy buries his face in his neck, tightening the hold.
“Oof, easy, easy. Now, tell me, did you run again from home alone?” even if he makes sure his voice is teasing and is not laced with worry he is worried. He still isn’t over that story when his little brother came all the way to Liyue just to see him.
To his great relief Teucer shakes his head a no.
“Mama didn’t want to let me go! But then big sister Y/N said she’d come with me and mama agreed!” at the mention of your name, Childe’s heart skips a beat. Deep blue eyes start searching for you in the crowd and when they land on you, warmth spreads through his whole body. He missed his family, a whole lot missed, but without you by his side it was even more awful. Going to sleep and waking up without you by his side felt colder in Liyue than doing so with you in Snezhnaya. Going on and about his day without your soft scolding or teasing at times felt wrong, and lacking your affection… god, was he touch-starved.
Securely holding Teucer with one arm, he grabs his bag with the other and makes his way to you in long fast steps.
Before he can realize it you wrap yourself around him, mindful not to crush the boy. Childe is grateful he still has his face pressed to his neck, because the man can’t control himself at the moment.
Lips connect in an almost desperate kiss and the ginger tries his best to maneuver the bag onto his wrist to wrap an arm around your waist. He nearly forgot how soft and warm you were, he nearly forgot what home really felt like.
“Hey there, wifey. I missed you,” he grins when the ‘too-forward’ petname, as you call it, flusters the hell out of you. But what can he do? He doesn’t see anyone except you as his 'partner for life’ candidate, you better start getting used to it.
“Missed you too Ajax,” oh your sweet angelic voice, he’s gonna make your talk a lot this evening; his stories can wait, he craves to hear more of that melodic sound.
“Aw, not gonna call me your hubby?” he laughs at your poor attempt to punch his shoulder. “Okay, okay, Ajax would suffice. Now,” he lets you take the bag, a now free hand wraps yours in a secure hold as you stand by his side ready to go, “let’s go home. It’s cold and I missed you all.”
