*crawls through window* the entire Liyue arc and Osial plot getting derailed because Foul Legacy refuses to

*crawls through window* imagine…

the entire Liyue arc and Osial plot getting derailed because Foul Legacy refuses to fight.

you’re a friend of the Traveler, someone who offered to accompany them on their journey around Teyvat to have an adventure and meet new people- despite your lack of a Vision, you’re determined and good with a weapon and like helping the Traveler fight, so they and Paimon allow you to come with. you also happen to be acquainted with some of their allies, like Zhongli and Baizhu and particularly Childe, who quietly confesses to the Traveler that he’s been trying to win your heart for some time.

unfortunately you’re wary around the Fatui, like the rest of the Harbor, and try to keep the relationship more formal despite how much you secretly like his company.

you take the reveal of his betrayal quite hard. from the outside you look angry and steeled for a fight, but internally your delicate heart is crushed, knowing you were just another pawn for him to play with. he looks almost sad when his gaze lands on you, eyes softening slightly and fingers twitching like he wants to reach out, but soon the battle commences and you’re left with Paimon on the other side of the burning hot barrier.

bitterly you scold yourself, muttering that you shouldn’t have become involved with a Fatuus, much less a Harbinger, in the first place, but your stomach still twists into cold knots when you think about it. it’s your fault for staying, for hoping you could actually befriend him, and you despise yourself for it.

then the floor gives way and crumbles, leaving you to fall painfully into the belly of the Golden House, hurting you physically as much as you’re hurting mentally. you groan in pain and pull yourself to your feet, head sparking with aches.
there’s no barrier anymore. nothing between you, the Traveler, and Childe, who has transformed into a wretchedly beautiful, otherwordly form, and you know you’re probably going to die here- there’s no way someone like you can survive lashing lightning and waves.

at least you got to see something wonderful before you left.

but the battle never starts. when you manage to look up, the Traveler’s standing still as stone, watching Childe, unmoving, watching you. the creature he’s turned into tilts his horned head, almost like he’s curious, piercing you with an intense stare. it’s cute, in a way, but you’re also terrified to your bones and freeze in your tracks as Childe observes you with a crystalline blue eye until you muster up the courage to speak.

“…Childe?”

the lilac fur around his neck suddenly poofs, his azure eye lighting up, and Childe swiftly darts across the arena and scoops you into his much-larger arms, pressing you against his chest and making purr-like sounds. you yelp in surprise, hastily clinging to his cloud-soft fluff to keep from falling as Childe spins you around in midair, seemingly overcome with joy. your eyes screwed tightly shut, you only feel him lower and sit on the ground, then an odd sensation, like something pushing into your hands, and when you open your eyes you’re greeted to the sight of Childe insistently nudging his head against your raised hands.

hesitantly, you settle your palms on his plated cheeks and feel the purring noise rumble throughout his entire body as he melts into your touch, even emitting soft chirps and coos every now and then. this isn’t happening- this can’t be happening- is all you can think, but Childe confirms reality by leaning his head forward and plonking it on your shoulder, trilling blissfully when your hands start trailing up his horns and under his chin.

some tiny, miniscule part of Childe is protesting, reminding him of the Fatui’s plan and the false Sigils of Permission and the Overlord of the Vortex waiting, but he dismisses that thought with a hiss, because who cares about the Fatui and the gods and Liyue when he’s with you, more precious than mora, battle, and even all of Teyvat?