Desire, that makes us Hide Away - Desire, that makes us Open Up

Chapter 1: A fateful encounter

Muffled voices surrounded him as he felt his body moving in a fast frenzy. His fists met with hard muscles and bones but triumphed for his opponent could only stagger backwards until he fell over. Still unsatisfied he kicked the other in the side, to get him to stand up once more. But there were only scared, whimpering sounds heard from the man on the ground, that already looked like an undefined, bloody mess. „ What a disappointment..." The dulled sounds around him became louder and louder as he felt himself getting pulled back into reality. Aaaah this had been so not enough... Why did they all have to be so weak? „ Is that everything you all got?!?", agitated Tartaglia yelled at the roaring crowd, hoping that this has not been the last fight this night. But sadly he only got laughed at, seeing at as no one had the courage to actually stand up. „ May I try my best?" A faint, amused voice caught his attention, which made him swirl around, locking eyes with a young man, approximately his age, with seemingly soft blue hair and a black eyepatch over his right eye. He had a rather slim body, with minor defined muscles. Interesting... So this would most likely be a battle of endurance as they both played on agility. Though he still should be stronger... Aahhh what kind of moves would he present him? Grinning Tartaglia beckoned him forth. Glad that their fun hadn't ended yet, the crowd exploded once more with excited cheering. „ I think I will get myself a Death After Noon after this little exercise, care to join me?~" Cheerful the other approached him until there were only a few meters between them. „ Maybe~ I don't know how many matches there will be today." „ Fair enough, comrade." The last word was almost drowned by the impatient mass around them, but Tartaglia heard it more than clear and it immediately shattered his joy into little pieces. Why? Why did he have to say that? „ Oohhh please~ Let's have fun, there is no need to hold back, comrade!" With a fake smile he lowly growled at the other, who looked at him with false pity. „ Don't worry, I won't." With few, deliberate steps they withdrew from each other, eyes locked. Then from one second to the next they bolted forward. Their wrists harshly met, when Tartaglia led a blow dedicated to his neck aside, which made the other run past him, except that Tartaglia swirled around to kick the others leg, so that he fell to the ground. But the blue haired was sharp enough to twist his wrist, that had met Tartaglia's, so that he could grab onto Tartaglia's and with his momentum given by the fall and a kick from his side, he took him down with him. Not exactly surprised Tartaglia rolled over his shoulder and quickly both of them where up on their feet again. Anew they approached aiming at each others chests with clenched fists. The blue haired was fast! Really fast! But also quick to retract, which left Tartaglia hungry to chase after him. Aaahh his grin was most provocative, but it really made Tartaglia's heart lighten up in passion. With his fist above he aimed onto the others shoulder. Awaiting him he didn't budge. Wonderful! Wonderful! Before he even reached the other, he punched with all his might in the air and with his momentum given he jumped in a pirouette, so that he could kick the other, who was surprised from his change in approach, powerful in his side. The blue haired weakly tried to protect his ribcage and instinctively blocked the kick with his arm. But because of his hesitation he still fell backwards, while Tartaglia swiftly came back to the ground almost directly darting forward again, eyes set on his prey. A faint grin appeared on the lips of his fallen opponent and he quickly rolled on his stomach. Pressing himself up with his arms he mustered enough strength to roll over his neck, throwing his legs upwards, so that he kicked Tartaglia in his chest. Gasping for air he stumbled backwards, as the blue haired came back on his feet. Heavily panting they looked at each other. This was good! This was so good! Tartaglia could see the amused fire in his opponents eye, that so much resembled the fire he felt in his chest! Aaaaah it was the best. Slashing down onto the other he saw in the corner of his eye, a hit towards his solar plexus, which he averted by gripping the others wrist and guiding it away. His own wrist though was also gripped, misdirecting his energy so that they swung around, their hands above their heads, their backs pressed against each other. Gathering his strength Tartaglia pulled the other flush against him, then bending forward, lifting the other in the process up. Suddenly the grip around his wrist tightened and he felt the weight on his back disappearing as the other rolled over his shoulder and kicked him with his knees in the face. With a flip he landed safely on his feet, while Tartaglia stumbled backwards, holding his hurting nose, the taste of blood eventually reaching his mouth. Sloppily he whipped a good amount of it from his nose before going into defense as his opponent was already back in offense. Slowly he felt his body moving on his own as he was pulled in by the speed of their attacks, leaving him in a dull trance. It has been some time since he had enjoyed a fight this much. Not only was the one eyed highly skilled, but he also shared the same passion as Tartaglia for this battle. It was oh so delightful. How much more tricks had the blue haired up on his sleeve? How long would he last against him? How would he look at him, when he lay below him defeated and in blood? How... „ Now, now... Let's calm down a bit, comrade." Comrade... it was as if someone had pierced a needle through his heart, which stopped him completely in place. Right... This wasn't a fight... He couldn't let himself go... In his moment of realization paralyzed, with his defense down, it was the easiest for the blue haired to sent him flying with a powerful punch in his chest. Painfully he hit the ground, which finally made him snap back to reality. He saw a kick flying at his side, which had been easy to dodge, but he mustn't. This was not a fight he was allowed to win. Groaning in pain he rolled over as his opponent landed his attack. At least the other was evenly a mess as he was. Mhmm it had been a long day. And this last fight had exhausted him beyond his limit. „ Ay comrade..." Questioning the blue haired looked at him, his whole composure screaming exhaustion. With a last grin he weakly raised his middle finger, which made the both of them almost laugh. Then he let his hand fall beside him as he closed his eyes trying to regain his strength.

This chapter is more of prolog, so it's not very long. Don't worry the next ones will be longer. About POVs in this ff: I will try to write in all four of our mcs, but I think most of the time it will be Childes or Kaeyas, than Diluc and at last Zhongli. Zhongli is really hard for me to write at times, while Childe and Kaeya are flowing really well for me. Diluc is a mix of both so I can write his POV  quite okay, but I don't think I will use his too often. That all aside, since most of the events need Childes or Kaeyas thoughts for explanation or understanding their actions/emotions, the story needs their POV. Oh and before I forget it again: There will be occaisonal other ships, like Beigguang and Ayathoma. Anygays I hope you are all hyped up for this story! Prepare for the next chapter for meeting our beloved Sensei! <3  

Signing  Off Lesley