#OOC: моя звезда means my star in russian or so Google Translate states

[eternalspiderlily]

Childe laughs almost bitterly at his questioning. “When am I not reckless, моя звезда? Really? When I can, I take up the fight. It’s rare I need Foul Legacy. You were the first in a very long time.” He chuckles and places a hand over the heavy wound on his chest. Ow. These were always so much worse after he destransformed. He lays his head back with a sigh. 

“You know as much as I do that we needed Foul Legacy.” He smiles. “I wouldn’t have used it if I didn’t need to, same as when I fought with you, моя звезда.” He doesn’t have much hope of help arriving. There was almost no way of him making it out alive, but hey, not a bad way to go out. He has his star near him, even if they weren’t together Aether was always a star, burning bright in Childe’s life. 

His smile turns bittersweet at the reminder of his family. “Yeah, I did. I’ve made a lot of promises. But my biggest promise was to protect them. I’ve done my best to do that. I think I accomplished it. Teucer shouldn’t have to know my true job just yet, though. He’s still too young. I want him to think of me fondly.” He chuckles, just as bittersweet. “Besides, I can count on you, моя звезда, to take care of them for me.” Childe looks at him with adoration and some semblance of comfort knowing that. 

It wouldn’t be forever, he knows that. Aether just wanted his sister, then they’d leave. He had no ability or want for a relationship, Childe knew that. So it stays all locked inside, but now that he is dying? What did it matter? He didn’t bother to look at the scarves that were soaked with his blood, one softer than the other. It was odd not seeing Aether with it on and seeing him so distressed. You’d think it was his sister dying rather than a fatui member. 

He chuckles again, wincing at the pain this causes one of his wounds, looking back up. “There is no need to lie to me, моя звезда. It’s a comfort, but not needed. I’m glad you enjoyed our time, моя звезда. But I won’t live forever. I’m trying to stay. I won’t go down without a fight.” He chuckles once more into a sigh. The adrenaline would wear off soon. He knows it’s the only thing keeping him alive at this point, but he won’t tell his distressed comrade that. “I hope you get to find your sister soon. I know how much you miss her, and want to get out of here.” He looks back at Aether with a soft sad smile. Selfishly he reaches out and places his other hand on Aether’s cheek, keeping the smile. “You’re still моя звезда.”

we have been loving each other in secret, thinking the love is unrequited, but i am dying and you are confessing your love, begging me to stay, but i refuse to believe you because no one is able to love a monster like me ~🐋Childe to Aether

Prompt from here:

Dammit! He just had to go and use Foul Legacy, didn't he?! Aether cursed internally, seeing the shape Childe was in now. This was unfair! "Why did you have to go and be reckless?! We would have been fine without Foul Legacy!" There's a shudder as Aether tries to fight back his emotions, which are already out of control. Help was on the way, sure, but what good would it be if they didn't get there in time? "Just, just hold on! Okay? You've got to. You've still got to make it back home to your family. Your siblings. Especially Teucer. Remember the promises you've made to them?"

The scarf had long been removed to help keep pressure on the bigger wounds, Aether clearly hanging by a thread of keeping his composure. "I need you to stay. You have to. I- I love you, okay?! Since the time we've met, I've never enjoyed sparring with someone like i have with you, and getting to you as the real you.. I love you. So I need you to stay! Even if you don't believe me, I have no reason to lie, so please.. please.. stay. Stay awake just a little longer. I can't lose you.. not you.. not you too.."