The next several hours of Amber's life were the most awkward and nerve-wracking she had ever had the privilege of experiencing. It would have been just wonderful if the Geo Archon could have just opened the ground below her feet and let her fall into the middle of the world. Anything would be better than her current situation.

Teucer seemed to be completely oblivious to the sudden tension in the air. When the younger boy had finally reappeared finding the two of them in the grass Childe had jumped off of Amber as if her flesh had burned him. Not even sparing the Outrider a second glance Childe had rushed to Teucer's side making sure every bit of the ten-year-old was still in one piece, leaving Amber on the ground, confused, shocked, and to top it all off modified. Thankfully Teucer must have missed the knife Childe had pressed against her throat.

Speaking of Childe. Amber glanced up looking that the said man's back. He was walking nonchalantly ahead of her, curtails of the jacket swaying behind him. His face was turned ever so slightly turned to the side mouth moving as he spoke to Teucer who was leaning on the older man's every word. She couldn't make out what they were saying head too full of other thoughts to make her ears focus. Here she was mind a mess and there he was acting like everything was sunshine and roses. Amber didn't even know where to begin on how to process everything. Every inch of her felt emotionally drained. She was beginning to second think if coming to Liyue was a good idea to begin with.

Amber shook her head giving herself a hard pinch to her arm. No, she thought digging up some reserved determination. She was absolutely not turning around now. Not after coming this far. Childe or no Childe, she was going to see this journey to the end.

She had to.

"You okay Big Sister?"

The Outrider felt the little boy's hand pull on her sleeve bring her back to reality. Amber realized she had slowed down falling more behind than she had intended, and as if sensing it Teucer had slowed down too till he was next to her. Up ahead Childe kept on walking making sure to keep several feet between them. He was completely ignoring her, and for some weird reason, that bothered Amber more than she was willing to admit.

"Oh, I'm fine." Amber ruffled the boy's hair. "Just a little tired. You gave us quite a scare this morning."

Teucer pouted sticking his lower lip out. "I'm sorry," He muttered staring down at his feet as he shuffled them along the dirt road. "I was just trying to get us breakfast."

Amber sighed. She couldn't stay mad at the boy for long. In hindsight, Teucer had just been trying to do a nice thing, even if it had ended up with Amber in one of the worst situations she had ever found herself in. Getting mad at the child would be pointless. Besides, Amber thought, nothing that had happened was his fault.

The only one to blame was herself.

"I'm not mad," Amber reassured the younger boy. "But it's very dangerous for you to go off on your own like that. You have to promise me from now on you'll be more careful and stay with your brother or me."

Teucer beamed at her. "I promise!"

Amber laughed leaning down to extend her hand pinky adjusted outwards towards the boy. "Well let's make it official then."

Still beaming Teucer wrapping his smaller pinky around hers and gave her hand a good shake. "I swear on the name of the Tsaritsa! Pinky promise!"

Amber laughed giving Teucer's hand a tight squeeze before letting go and straightening back up. They continued to walk, Teucer swinging his hands back and forth as he marched down the road to Liyue Harbor next to her. Talking to the boy had made Amber's head more clear. The day was already looking better.

"You know," Teucer whispered leaning towards Amber hiding his mouth with the back of his hand. "I'm really happy your Big Brother's girlfriend."

Amber nearly choked on her own spit.

"I," the Outrider sputtered mind cartwheeling. "What?"

Teucer had the gall to just smile at her showing big white teeth. "Don't worry Mama and Papa are going to really like you. And sister Tonia is going to love braiding your hair."

"I…you…" Amber was at a complete loss for words staring down at the ten-year-old in horror. "We…" She started before trailing off shooting a glance forward at Childe. From the way his shoulders had stiffened and the way he was walking a little straighter, he could definitely hear the nonsense his younger brother was spewing.

Teucer must have finally sensed something was wrong smiling face turning into a frown. "What's wrong? Do you not like your hair braided? Sister Tonia is really good at hair buns too."

"Teucer," Amber snapped voice coming out a little more harsh than she had intended. "Your brother and me are NOT dating."

The ten-year-old frowned looking confused. "You're not?" He asked staring up at her with questioning eyes. "But then why were you and Big Brother making kissy-face this morning like sister Tonia does with her boyfriend?"

That, that was what the Teucer thought the two of them were doing this morning? Amber didn't know if she should laugh or throw up. Out of all the ways the boy could have deciphered what he had witnessed earlier this had to have been the worst possible one. How in the name of the seven Archons was she suppose to explain her way out of this when she was pretty sure her face was the color of a tomato right now.

"Your brother and I were having a fight." Amber tried, struggling to keep her voice even. "We were not making kissy faces."

"A fight?" Teucer looked genuinely worried. "Tonia and her boyfriend have fights all the time. She'll get all mad and call him all kinds of bad names, then he leaves and comes back with flowers and begs her to forgive him. Should Big Brother get you flowers?"

Please somebody end her. "No," Amber replied. "Your brother does not need to get me flowers."

"So you'll forgive Big Brother?" Teucer asked looking at her with his biggest puppy dog eyes. "I really hope you will. I'm pretty sure Big Brother really likes you."

Lord Barbatos please guide her soul to the gates of Celestia, because Amber was pretty sure it had just left her body.

"Teucer I just met you brother," Amber tried again. "When a girl and a guy become boyfriend and girlfriend they usually know each other more than a day."

Teucer scrunched his face up and Amber could see the little gears spinning in his head. "So…" He finally started looking up at her. "What about next week?"

Oh, for the love of-

"Would you look at that!" Childe's voice immediately gained his brother's attention saving Amber from having to continue with their current conversation. Staring off in the distance Childe had his hand over his eyes shielding them for the afternoon high sun stopping in the middle of the road. Perking up Teucer immediately jogged up to his brother's side mimicking the older boy as he looked off into the distance

"What? What?" Teucer's voice was full of excitement looking left and right. "Is it a Mr. Cyclops?"

"Look at those ruins over there!" Childe exclaimed pointing to a patch of gagged rock walls off in the distance. "I bet there's a treasure over there. How about we go take a look?"

Teucer bounced up and down with excitement. "Yeah! Treasure! Come one big sister let's go check it out!"

Amber sighed. As much as she wasn't keen on taking a detour right now, anything was better than having to keep her previous conversation going. Letting Teucer take her hand the smaller boy pulled her after him toward the small patch of ruins. Glancing over her shoulder Amber saw Childe following behind them, and for a brief second, she thought she could see a faint blush on his face.

Must have been the heat from the sun, Amber thought and let Teucer pull her along faster.

:.

Luckily for everyone involved the ruins had been completely unoccupied as Teucer ran around them looking into every nook and cranny. The boy had been depressed when he had found no treasure, but then quickly turned their treasure hunt into a game of hide-and-seek. Amber played along knowing they were losing good daylight, but she just didn't have the heart to ruin the child's fun. Plus, Childe seemed completely content to let his brother do whatever he wanted.

By the time Teucer had become bored with his game, the sun was already setting and Amber politely motioned for them to start making camp. Childe excused himself for a while the reappeared with freshly killed game roasting it on their open fire. Amber didn't want to admit it but it was pretty good as she dug into her meal and she was more than a little jealous of Childe's ability to cook. She couldn't figure out what Childe did that was so different from her cooking, yet every time she has tried to roast meat it came out half-cooked even if she had followed the directions to a T.

Sitting around the campfire Childe entertained his brother with Liyue ghost stories making shapes against the stone wall with the light from the fire, until the boy was finally yawning, head nodding up and down. With a little coaxing Amber was able to get the boy to lay down tucking the blanket around his small frame, before returning to her spot. Sitting down she picked at the rest of her meat suddenly losing her appetite. The silence that hung in the air could have crushed her.

"So," Childe's voice startled Amber making her finally look up at him. "About this morning…"

Across the fire, Amber couldn't quite make out Childe's face from the shadows. She had been hoping she could avoid this conflict altogether, but knew deep down that was an immature wish to have. Amber honestly had no idea what she was supposed to say to him. In all respect, she had kicked him and slapped him, so she could understand why he had reacted the way he had, but the rage and the ferocity of his attack still made Amber uneasy.

Childe coughed into his hand taking in her silence. "I guess," he started scratching the back of his head. "I guess I owe you an apology."

That was not what Amber had been expecting. She blinked registering what Childe was saying. The outrider had expected to be questioned not apologized to.

"I also owe you an apology," Amber replied, recovering. "I acted in a way that is not becoming of a knight and I'm sorry as well."

If it wasn't for the shadows guarding Childe's face, Amber would have said the man almost looked embarrassed. "Listen," he started before sighing and running a hand through his hair. "I know you don't trust me and after what happened, I can understand why. It's just…I have a lot of people that would love to take advantage of my weaknesses. Teucer is my little brother and he's way more trusting than he should be. When it comes to my family, I have a tendency to overreact."

"I think we both might have overreacted a little," Amber replied. She didn't want to trust Childe but right now he seemed to be extending an olive branch, and she understood. Family was family. Even if they weren't related to her by blood Amber considered her fellow knights family and she would do anything to keep them safe.

Still trying to slit her throat seemed like a little over the top, and the way Childe had moved in combat…something just didn't add up with this picture.

Childe flashed her a warm smile. "So, you're looking for your Grandfather then?"

"I told you it's personal." Amber felt her face flush. Why did he have to bring that up now? She was still embarrassed from her outburst earlier.

"Hey, hey," Childe raised his hands smile never wavering. "I get it. You don't trust me yet. How about this then? Why don't we have a little informational exchange? You ask me a question, I ask you a question. Deal?"

Amber frowned. It didn't seem like a bad idea, but something in her gut was twisting making her feel uneasy. Childe must have seen it on her face because he sighed lowering his hands.

"Hey, I'll even sweeten the deal." Across the fire, Amber thought saw Childe's eyes glimmer. "You get to go first and you can ask me two questions to start. How about that?"

Information is more often than not worth its' weight in Mora. Amber heard Kayea's words ring in the back of her head. If the sword wielder was here he'd already would have been dancing around Childe with his words. Taking a deep breath Amber steeled her nerves. She wasn't a little girl anymore. She was full fledge knight and it was time she started acting like one.

"Fine." Amber took a minute thinking about what she should ask. "First question, how did you learn to fight like that?"

Childe looked at her before giving a shrug. "When I was younger my old man enlisted me in the Fatui ranks in hopes it would knock some sense into me."

"You're Fatui?" Amber's mouth nearly hit the ground. "Aren't you suppose to be a toymaker?"

"Hey, hey," Childe shook a finger at her. "That's three questions, but I can answer both. My Fatui foot soldier days are long behind me. I've moved up in the world and now do quick and plush business in Liyue. Now my turn. Why are you looking for your Grandfather?"

Amber gulped. There was no way to avoid it any longer.

"My grandfather disappeared four years ago leaving Mondstadt. I don't know why he left but I…I miss him."

How long had it been since Amber had said those words out loud? I miss him. She could still feel the cold feeling in the pit of her stomach she had felt that day when she had walked into her Grandfather's office only to find his outrider jacket thrown over the back of his chair. Bow discarded on his desk. There had been no note, no warning. Just…one minute he was there and the next…he wasn't.

Amber's eyes felt wet. Rubbing them she looked up. It was her turn to ask a question.

"How old are you?"

Childe blinked obviously surprised by her question. "Twenty." He replied. "Did Varka give you orders to bring Teucer to Liyue?"

"No," Amber replied back. "Grand Master Varka is not currently in Mondstadt. I'm acting under orders from the acting Grand Master Jean. Why are you so interested in if Grand Master Varka sent me or not?"

There was an audible pause from Childe before answering. "Working in Liyue can be very cutthroat and my background doesn't make anything easier. Sometimes my business dealings have to be discrete and well…we've been trying to branch out to the Mondstadt, but your city is well known for its checkered past with the Fatui. I was worried you were sent to sabotage me by the Knights of Favonius."

"Well for your information," Amber snapped suddenly anger. "The Knight's of Favonius would never resort to such underhand tactics, and two all trade is welcomed in Mondstadt you just need to go through the proper, legal, channels to do so."

Childe raised his hands in defense. "Easy, easy. Everything I do business-wise is completely by the books. Now, my turn. Does this Acting Grand Master now the real reason you're helping my brother?"

Amber felt her whole face go red. Even in the dim firelight, she knew Childe could see her look of shame.

"No," the Outrider was finally able to blurt out. "Jean does not know I'm looking for my Grandfather."

Childe hummed only making Amber feel worse. This whole time she had been able to convince herself she was doing this for Teucer. She was going to Liyue Harbor to get Teucer back to his family and the fact that her only clue to her Grandfather's location was in the same spot was just killing two birds with one stone, but that was a lie. Amber knew it was a lie. She was using Teucer to get what she wanted. An excuse to push her own wants and desires. It went against everything she swore as an oath as a Knight and Amber felt ashamed of herself. If Jean was here, Amber could just imagine the older women's look of disappointment.

Amber looked down and her feet. She didn't know what she was supposed to say.

"Hey," Childe's voice was soft, much softer than Amber thought possible. "If I were in your shoes I would have done the same thing."

"It doesn't make it right though." Amber could feel tears prickling her eyes and she blinked them away. "I…I lied."

"Everyone lies" Childe shrugged giving her a level look. "You shouldn't get all hung up on it, besides it's your turn to ask a question."

Frowning Amber stared down into the fire. She really didn't feel like playing this game anymore, but Childe seemed to bent on asking her more questions, she might as well find out more about her traveling companion.

"How long have you been in Liyue?"

"Four years," Childe answered. "How long have you been a knight?"

"Since I was fourteen," Amber remembered the day she had been officially sworn in. Her Grandfather had looked so proud, as she officially dawned her Outrider gear in a crowded room and took her official oath to serve Mondstadt and uphold its virtue of freedom. The memory seemed so far away now, hazy and blurred.

"What a minute." Childe frowned looking at her more closely. "How old are you?"

"Nineteen." Amber hated people asking her age. They always assumed she was younger than she really was. "And that was two questions so I get a bonus correct."

Childe frowned before sighing. "Sure." He said with a wave of his hand.

"How old were you when you joined the Fatui?"

"A few months short of my fifth-tenth birthday," Childe answered. "And your second question?"

"How many siblings do you have?"

"Five, my turn." Childe laced his fingers together and placed them under his chin sitting his elbows on the edge of his bent knees. "How would you be interested in a proposition?"

Amber narrowed her eyes leaning back. "What kind of proposition? It's not something illegal, is it? Because as a Knight I refuse-"

Childe laughed. "Easy, easy it's completely legal. Listen," Leaning forward Childe lowered his hands. "If you haven't had a chance to noticed Teucer can be a bit of a handful."

Amber tried not to snort and failed.

"My proposition is this," Childe continued. "I'll let you come with us to Liyue as a protector of sorts and all you have to do is babysit my brother while I deal with my business. That way you can be keeping your word as a knight and as a bonus I'll use my connections in Liyue to help you find your Grandfather."

In all respects, it did sound like a good deal. Amber already felt guilty as it was about everything thus far, but this way she official could escort Teucer to Liyue Harbor and look for her Grandfather. Something about it made Amber nervous though.

"I have one question." Amber raised her hand. "Why do you need me to babysit Teucer if you're just a toymaker? I didn't know that profession was so dangerous."

Childe nodded as if he knew she was going to ask him that. "Remember I said business and Liyue was cutthroat. I've stepped on a lot of toes in the past and have made quite a few enemies. There are plenty of unscrupulous individuals in Liyue that would be happy to take advantage of my naïve ten-year-old brother. I would have a hard time focusing on my work if I have to constantly keep an eye on him."

It made sense, Amber thought. She cupped her chin trying to see the disadvantage of agreeing, and failed. Right now Childe was her best option to get to Liyue Harbor.

"Fine." Amber stood up and walked around the fire, extending her hand towards Childe. "I Amber, Outrider of the Knight of Favonius hereby agree to your terms."

Childe took her hand giving it a firm shake. "Pleasure doing business with you."

Amber wasn't really sure if it was the firelight or just her imagination but she could have sworn she saw a flicker of amusement pass over Childe's eyes before he flashed her a blinding smile. She probably just needed to sleep. Tomorrow was going to be a whole new day.

:.

Half-truths. That's all Childe had to tell the Knight across the fire to string her along. Childe quickly realized that Amber wasn't naïve in a sense, just simply willing to take what Childe told her at face value. She was a glass-half-full person and that made her easy to lie to. Though it wasn't like he was necessarily lying. Childe had just left some key details out.

It was the truth he had left his Fatui foot soldier days behind him a long time ago. He had just been shy of his fifth-tenth birthday when Pulcinella had discovered him and folded him into the Fatui higher ranks. He had surged through the line of command, basking in the blissfulness of the battles and fights until his Tsaritsa had blessed him with his delusion and he had become the eleventh Harbinger.

Childe frowned. He didn't care one bit for this cloak and dagger nonsense that the other Harbinger's seemed to love, but right now he was bound by his circumstances. He couldn't have Teucer learning about his real job. His brother was young and naïve and Childe wanted it to stay that way for as long as possible, and as for the Knight… she could very much become of use.

The Harbinger peaked over at the girl's form. Amber had curled up on her side again, snoring away peacefully. Childe was surprised at how easily she had fallen asleep in his presence. Then again it seemed to fit her personality.

With the knight around Childe could keep Teucer's wandering curiosity at bay. The older brother had already made sure they had taken the long way to Wangshu Inn to avoid Fatui patrols, and lucky for him neither of the other two in the party had seemed to notice. Plus, it was just an added bonus if Childe could get the girl to trust him and get some of Mondstadt's inner workings from her. The temptation to get the drop of La Signora after she had embarrassed Childe with the Rex Lapis situation was just too good to pass up. So, Childe would continue with his half-truths and lead Amber on.

Besides, Childe remembered the look in her eyes when they had fought in the woods. Amber had looked determined and proud ready to take him on and Childe would be lying if he said hadn't enjoyed it at least a little. It surprised Childe a little that she was only a year younger them him. She looked so small and dainty but he knew first hand that didn't mean she couldn't throw a punch. Childe absentmindedly rubbed his cheek where Amber had struck him earlier. He had to admit he admired her fiery spirit. It matched her vision well.

Closing his eyes Childe shifted his weight and crossed his arms over his chest letting sleep fog his mind. Even if Amber was annoying, he thought before falling fully asleep, at least little knight might prove to be an amusing distraction

:.

The next morning was uneventful, a marked improvement from the previous one Amber thought. They had packed up camp the moment the sun broke over the tree line continued their journey south. After last night Amber felt lighter. She hadn't realized how guilty she had really felt about coming to Liyue until she had to spill the truth, and now she had a clear conscious heading toward the answers she wanted for four years. Everything finally seemed to be falling into place and the feeling was making each of Amber's steps lighter.

Childe on the other hand seemed to be giving her a wide breadth, which Amber wasn't surprised about. Given Teucer's line of reasoning yesterday the less they spoke to each other the better. It was better to not feed the ten-year-olds wild imagination.

By Noon Amber could finally noticeable see the Wangshuu Inn coming closure. If they kept their pace they would make it there by mid-evening. The thought of a bed and a warm meal made Amber's mouth water. She could already feel the softness of the pillow below her head the sensation of a well-cooked meal melting in her mouth. Her stomach must have been listen because it gave an audible rumble causing Amber to blush.

"Are you hungry big sister?" Teucer pulled on her sleeve staring up at her with his blue eyes. He was so innocent it made Amber's heart want to explode. She still couldn't understand how he and Childe could be related by blood.

"Maybe we should stop for lunch." Childe offered, stopping and looking at her over his shoulder. "What you say Teucer want a snack."

Teucer beamed pointing to a tree not too far off in the distance a few apples dangling from its' upper branches. "Yeah! Big Brother I want those!"

Amber sighed moving to walk around the boy. It wouldn't take her too long to climb up there and pick them, plus Teucer was right an apple right now sounded divine.

"Be right back," Amber said before she felt Childe's hand grab her elbow. It surprised her how warm his hand felt through his glove.

"No need," Childe told her. "I'll just shot them down and go pick them off the grass."

"Shoot?" Amber looked at him confused. "You use a bow?"

Without bothering to respond Childe summoned an ornate-looking bow. Amber was shocked. Not only was he a long sword and dagger user, but he was also a bow user too? And from the look of it, his bow was top quality something that made Amber extremely jealous. Except…

Childe pulled the quiver back and squinted one eye shut. The Outrider bulked.

"What are you doing?"

The man froze before lowering his bow and looking at her. "What?" Childe didn't even hide his annoyance.

"That's not how you shoot a bow." Amber sighed before stepping forward and grabbing his arm. She felt him stiffen under her touch then relax as she moved him into a better stance.

"You're putting way too much strain on your wrists." Amber continued grabbing hold of his bow. In the name of Barbatos how much did this thing way. It felt like a solid chunk of rock in her hand. Was it made of metal?

Childe scoffed shaking her hand off. "I know how to use my bow." He said in a flat tone before shifting back to his original stance and closing one eye.

"Don't close your eye!" Amber was exasperated. "How in the world do you even aim right?"

"My aim is perfect." Childe snapped back.

"I doubt that." Amber crossed her arms over her chest. "I've seen hilichurls have better posture than that."

Childe lowered his weapon, obviously visibly irritated now. "Well, I'm so sorry my way of doing things isn't all up to standard, miss high and mighty knight."

"Hey," Amber scowled at him. "I'm just trying to help you. You'll hurt yourself firing like that. I should know. I've been using a bow since I was six."

"Well good for you." The sarcasm dripped off Childe's voice. "I'm Amber and I use my flimsy little bow to shoot pretty daisy at my enemies in hopes they'd get scared and run away."

"Uh-Hey!" Amber's voice ticked up a notch. "You don't need to be such a jerk! I told you I'm just trying to help."

"I'm just trying to help." Childe mimicked back. "Well for your information I'm perfectly fine with the way I shot my bow. Your little dainty chicken arms probably couldn't even pull the quiver back."

Amber felt herself go red. "I'm not dainty." She snapped back. "And I bet I could outshoot you any day."

"Oh really?" Childe lowered his bow and summoned an arrow to his hand. Turning he hurdled the arrow and the apple tree. With a loud snap, the branch shattered letting the limb with the apples fall down to the ground with a loud thunk.

Amber's mouth dropped open. "Did you just…did you just throw your arrow."

Childe smirked at her. "Ha, I'd like to see you do that."

"Why are you even using a bow?" Amber stared at Childe in clear disbelief. "That's not even considered aiming!"

"Pft! Says you." Childe walked up to her till he was leaning down to look into her eyes. "You're just jealous I'm better than you."

Amber face formed a scowl but didn't back down. "As if."

"Uh, Big Sister."

"Hey," Childe leaned back waving his free hand around. "Maybe if you ask nicely I'll even give you a few free lessons."

"Uh, Big Brother."

Now Amber was annoyed. Why did Childe have to act like he was better than her all the time? It was like he liked to push all her buttons. It made Amber want to smack that smug look off his dumb handsome face.

"I don't need lessons from you." Amber rolled her shoulders back placing both hands on her hips making herself tall under Childe's towering frame. "I'll have you know my Grandfather was renowned as the best bow user in all of Mondstadt and he taught me everything I know. I could out bow you any day."

Childe leaned down till there were inches separating their faces. "You want to fight and find out?" He hissed eyes flashed like they had the day before.

"Uhhhhhh!"

Teucer's voice finally seemed to reach Amber's ears as she turned away from Childe. Why did the boy suddenly sound so worried?

Amber felt the shadow fall over them blocking out the sun. She felt a chill run down her spine as she and Childe slowly turned their heads the other way. The smell of earth and rock hit Amber's nose in a wave of hot air as a Stonehide Lawachurl stared down at her breathing directly into her face.

:.

If you guys haven't realized yet, I love Tuecer. He's the captain on this ship.

As a side note, I'm going to try to keep up my one chapter a week push but my supervisor just came back from vaca, and well my writing time just became way more cramped especially now when I"m also trying to grind my way up to AR 50 before Inzuma drop. :D So please bear with me if I have to have a two-week interval for a while. Especially now that this is where the more meaty parts of the story start.

Anyways keep the reviews coming, they fill me with such delight and make my day so much better. I love all of them!

-Pawna