Chapter Text
Tartaglia aka Childe aka the most annoying man you have ever met is a nuisance. Unfortunately for you, he’s also your boss. It wasn’t your first choice to be placed under him. It wasn’t your first choice to be a Fatui at all, yet here you were, three years into the job and two years under the battle-obsessed psycho.
There was a mission. It was supposed to be a simple in and out transaction securing some much needed information. It was a direct order from Pierro, the head Harbinger. He decided it was a two person job but instead of choosing another more than capable harbinger, Childe chose you . To be fair, he didn’t really get along with his coworkers.
“I cannot believe you trashed the place!” You hissed, leaning away from him.
Tartaglia sighed. “Stop moving. I need to clean the cut.”
“I wouldn’t have a cut if you decided to keep your cool.” You stopped fidgeting. “What are you going to tell Pierro?”
“Nothing.”
You scoffed. It might be easy for him to do that, but not you. One wrong move, and suddenly you’ve been relocated and never heard from again. You end up dead. That couldn’t happen. You had a family to take care of, as did most of the people who joined the Fatui did. If Childe decided to do this, he had better have the best plan ever that would guarantee your life.
“Ok. Suppose we did do that,” You took the bandage he was holding out and wrapped it around your hand. “How do we go about paying for the destruction? Or for the information we lost?”
“I can handle it.”
“How?!”
***
You should’ve known that whatever plan Childe came up with was going to be insane. What you didn’t expect was for him to drag you to a Harbinger meeting. You stood awkwardly behind him, watching with cautious eyes at everyone conversing. No one had seemed to pay any close mind to you yet. It didn’t quell your nerves. They should’ve noticed a random lowly Fatui lurking around a confidential meeting. You tried not to listen too closely to what they were saying. Knowing too much information always led to a bloody ending.
“Childe,” Pierro’s voice was deep and demanding. It sent shivers down your spine as he glanced over towards you and him. “How was the mission?”
Childe smiled, tilting his head and crossing his arms. “A success, of course.”
That brat.
“And the information?” Pierro turned his attention back to his papers.
“I will have it all compiled in a report by the end of the week.”
“Good.”
If you weren’t in front of the most dangerous people in Teyvat, you would’ve slapped the bright red color right out of his hair. Instead you bit your tongue and slithered backwards as the attention shifted to another topic. If you were careful enough, you could sneak out of the meeting without being caught. It seemed your boss had this all handled anyway. You weren’t needed here and you didn’t want to be here.
You didn’t know how Tartaglia would get the information he lost. You didn’t care, either. You just wanted to go home. This was all so tiring. He treated everything like a game. He could afford to do that. He was strong and powerful. You were just you. Maybe if you left now, the worst that would happen is him having you pay for the next meal. Just as you were about to open the door, you felt a hand on your shoulder.
“Comrade!”
You sighed and turned around. “Do you need something?”
“Why are you leaving?” His smile and light tone was so infuriating.
“Because,” You shrugged. “You seem to have everything figured out.”
He pointed over his shoulder. “I need you to talk to him for me. Get some cash.”
You looked to where he was pointing. Pantalone . He was the ninth of the Fatui Harbingers and acted as the funds for everyone. He was no doubt the richest among all of them. Him giving another Harbinger money was no problem. Him giving you, a Fatui member he didn’t even know, money? That was more difficult. You scowled and turned towards Tartaglia with your arms crossed.
“You’re trying to kill me, aren’t you?” You accused.
He shrugged. “I think it’s about time you get to know the Harbingers.”
“ Why? ”
“Because you’re my right hand man. And I think it’ll be entertaining to see you squirm under their intensity.” He let out a short chuckle.
You frowned. “Tartaglia, please. Act your age for once.”
“Are you insulting your boss?”
“Maybe.”
“You do know I’m a Harbinger, right?”
“You do know you’re a really annoying harbinger, right?”
“And who won the last time we fought?”
“You did. But I had to spend three days caring for your wounds because you’d decided to pull out your delusion.”
“Just go talk to Pantalone before I get mad.”
“Fine.”
He would never get mad. He rarely does. What he really means is “go talk to Pantalone before I force you to train for an unreasonable amount of time”. With your previous tactics not working, you decided it was best to just listen to him. You slowly walked over to the ninth Harbinger, your hands clasped in front of you. Pantalone was talking to Dottore, one of the Harbingers Childe told you to avoid. You gulped nervously. Their attention turned to you.
You felt small in their presence. You weren’t necessarily short, but it felt as if giants were staring down at you, their eyes burning holes into your heart. There was no way you could do this. They were way too intimidating. Dottore let out a laugh, leaning forward.
“Hello, little mouse. Are you lost?”
“N-no..Dottore, uh, sir.” You sunk into yourself. “Um. I was wondering if I could talk to Mr. Pantalone?”
“Me?” The man in question chuckled and patted your head. “Will do. Dottore, let’s continue this conversation later.”
“Goodbye, little mouse.”
“Now then,” Pantalone smiled. “Care to introduce yourself?”
You bowed slightly, trying not to make eye contact as you introduced yourself. “I work under Childe.”
“I see. Well then,” Your name rolled off his tongue sending a jolt of electricity down your spine.”
As you explained the situation, you saw him grow more amused. You didn’t quite like feeling this small. It was evident how powerful and intimidating he was just by how he was staring you down and you felt nothing but fear. HIs features seemed soft and kind, his smile gentle and understanding. His eyes, however, seemed to be staring into your being. As if he was trying to find out everything about you.
“So you need help fixing Childe’s problems.”
You went to defend your boss but found you couldn’t. Instead you sighed and nodded. Pantalone hummed and gently lifted your chin with his fingers. You felt your face immediately combust into a bright red as he gazed at you from under his glasses. He tilted your head from side to side and he clicked his tongue.
“Poor thing.”
“Wha-“ You felt your voice break. You coughed and tried again. “What do you mean…uh, sir?”
“Is that man putting you to good use? It seems like you’re just dealing with his antics.”
“I wouldn’t say he’s-“
“Work for me?”
“Huh?”
The gloved hand that held your chin so gently moved up to caress your cheek. He had a bemused smile on his face as he watched your brain malfunction at the excess use of touch. If this was a tactic to get you off your guard and to his side, it was almost working. A rich, handsome, smooth talker wants you to work for him? And he has a higher position than that redhead with no charm? It’s as if it wasn’t a competition.
“I’ll give you the money. More, if need be. What do you say?”
“Mr. Pantalone-“
“They decline.”
A hand grabbed Pantalone’s wrist, and an arm wrapped around your waist. You let out a small help as Tartaglia pulled you to him and pushed the other Harbinger away. You looked to see his face twisted in a scowl. Shit . This was not something you wanted to deal with or be in the middle of.
“Now, now. Let’s play nice. No need to manhandle them.”
“There’s no need for you to try and recruit my workers.”
“Uhm,” You pushed away your boss. “I think we need to-“
Pantalone’s smile stretched out. “Childe, I don’t think you’re in the position to have an attitude. Your lovely assistant here tells me that not only do you need money, but you need to gain the information that you lost. You’re supposed to turn in the report by the end of the week, yes?”
“You told him that?!” Tartaglia turned to you and hissed.
“You never told me what to say!”
“It seems that he’s causing you trouble, my dear. Aren’t you tired of it?”
“That’s enough . We’ll figure this out ourselves.” He grabbed your hand tightly. “We’re leaving.”
He dragged you away. You tried turning to bow but was tugged along instead. You have never seen Tartaglia act like this and you weren’t exactly sure why he was. He was the one to have you talk to Pantalone in the first place. If he was upset for that, then you were upset to even be put through this in the first place. After you unwillingly followed him to the side of the building, he turned towards you.
“What were you thinking?!”
You snatched your hand away from him. “What were you thinking?! You just humiliated me in front of the richest man in Snezhnaya! Not to mention, one of the most powerful.”
“You were about to go to his side!”
“There are no sides, Tartaglia! And frankly, I would probably feel much better under him than I do with you!”
A growl left his lips as he grabbed your shoulders and slammed you against the wall. You blinked once and then huffed, trying to keep your composure. Fear was making your heart pound but you tried to not let it show. You glared up at Tartaglia as he leaned down, his breath brushing against your face.
“I think you’re forgetting who you’re talking to.”
“Am I?”
I am a Harbinger . I have more power than you can ever fathom. You are not Pantalone’s plaything. You don’t belong to any of the Harbingers. You only belong to me . Is that clear?”
You clenched your jaw. “Yes.”
“Say it. Say you belong to me.”
You wanted to kill him about right now. But you were also terrified. You wish you could’ve just run away when you had the chance. Now you were stuck in something that was going to end in nothing but bloodshed. So you did what you always do. You complied.
“I belong to you, Tartaglia.”