Frozen Promises

Kaeya Alberich x GN!Reader (Platonic), no pronouns used for reader

WC: 6180—Angst with a Happy Ending

In which Kaeya made a promise he didn’t keep.

In Khaenri’ah, they worship no god.

There is no watchful gaze cast upon them. No loving deity, no wrathful and vindictive god, no indifferent yet almighty being.

The people of Khaenri’ah live in a lonely exile, their anguished cries reaching the ears of no one but each other. Most dare not dream of redemption, of salvation from their dark and dreary corner of the world.

In Khaenri’ah, they dream only of dreaming.

A few, though, let their thoughts wander to better times and places. Better circumstances for themselves and those they love.

“Where would you go,” you whisper, “if you could go anywhere?”

Kaeya hums from his spot next to you. The two of you are lying on the hard ground outside, staring up at the inky black sky. There are no stars to light up the sky—only a few shining gems embedded in the ceiling above—and though you both know that there is an end to the vast firmament above you, you cannot help but stare at it in wonder. Being underground never was enough to suffocate your dreams.

After a moment, Kaeya turns to you and gives you a big grin. “If I could go anywhere… I would take you anywhere you wanted to go!”

Your chuckle only makes him smile more. “Well,” you say, “I guess we’re just going everywhere, then! Because I want to see it all.”

-

“Where are you going?”

The Cavalry Captain is snapped out of his thoughts by the stern voice of the Acting Grand Master. Just his luck to be noticed by the one person he was trying to avoid.

He spins around, giving Jean an innocent smile. “Why, I was just going out for a bit of air. Archon only knows what would happen if I stayed locked in my office all day.”

She levels him with an unimpressed stare, but Kaeya holds his ground. She breaks first, heaving a sigh and waving him off. “Fine. As long as you get your paperwork turned in by the end of the week, I don’t mind.”

“You know I always do,” he chuckles. “Would you like anything while I’m out? Perhaps a treat from Good Hunter?”

Jean smiles but shakes her head. “No, no, that’s alright. If anything, I could alsouse a bit of a break.”

“Well, then, why don’t you join me? I had planned on heading to the tree at Windrise.” The offer is a genuine one, concern for the Acting Grand Master shining through unintentionally.

Kaeya knows how hard Jean works—her tireless efforts are one of the few things that keep Mondstadt running like a well-oiled machine. But, she hardly ever takes a break, so he isn’t holding out too much hope that she will take up his offer. Even more so now, with Lumine being a day or two’s journey away in Liyue. Jean has had a lot on her plate, even with the various captains taking some of her workload.

He is pleasantly surprised, though, by the falter in her resolve. “I… well, I suppose I could go out for a while. Just today, though, and not for long; I wouldn’t want to get too far behind on my work.”

“Of course.”

And so they go to Windrise.

The air is clear there, crisper than in the city proper. The various shops and houses tend to muddy the air a bit, at least when it’s not particularly windy out. Kaeya appreciates the breeze’s almost sweet taste in Windrise, with the gentle swish of the leaves brushing away the anxieties that perpetually haunt his mind. He can’t help but wonder how long it will last.

The two of them stand silent in front of the grand tree until Kaeya can find it in him to speak up.

“Can I ask you a question, Master Jean?”

“How many times have I told you to just call me Jean when we’re not at work?”

“Very well then, Jean,” Kaeya laughs, “may I ask you a question?”

She nods, motioning for him to continue.

Kaeya lets his gaze drift out to the mountains in the distance. “Do you have any regrets?”

“Doyou?” She asks quietly. The question is not meant to be harsh, yet Kaeya has to fight the urge to flinch at the words hanging heavy in the air.

The breeze at Windrise has never felt so suffocating.

Jean takes a few steps towards the statue of Barbatos, sitting at the base of the grand sculpture. “I don’t mean to pry,” she amends, patting the empty space next to her. “But I imagine if you’re asking me, you have a few of your own.” Her blonde hair floats in the wind, the light angling off of it in a way that makes her glow. The dark sadness in her eyes seems out of place.

“Of course, I have regrets, Kaeya. I don’t believe a single person out there can truly say they are without anyregrets. In fact, I think they make us… not stronger perhaps, but wiser. As long as I can keep moving and trying to be better… well, what else is there to do?”

“I see.” He avoids her burning gaze by watching a crystalfly glide on the wind, disappearing into the lush branches above. “Thank you.”

“If I may ask—” Jean presses on even as Kaeya’s expression quickly becomes guarded— “what is it that you regret?”

Kaeya’s eyes turn icy. An open book Kaeya is not, and one might think that he never will be. “Forgive my rudeness, but the details are not something that concern you.”

Jean smiles a bit and shakes her head. “Nothing to forgive. I shouldn’t have pressed.” Jean breathes deeply as she takes one last look at the tree she loves so much. “I believe I should be getting back to work. Thank you, Kaeya, for inviting me out. May Barbatos guide you.”

He can’t help but feel himself shrink a bit.

“And Kaeya,” Jean turns to look at him as she leaves, “for what it’s worth, I hope things work out for you. Really.” The words are warm, just as Jean always is. Always looking out for her friends.

He feels sick.

He doesn’t say anything.

-

“Make sure you keep us a secret, ok?”

Kaeya’s head tilts in confusion. “What do you mean?”

You wring your hands, too much nervous energy buzzing inside of you. “I mean everything. Khaenri’ah, me, all of it. I heard our parents talking and… they said people don’t like us. I don’t want you to get hurt, Kaeya.” You chew on your lip, almost like the words hurt to get out. “So don’t tell anyone, ok?”

“But… I can’t keep you a secret! You’re my best friend!” Kaeya nearly yells at you, and you hunch in on yourself a bit. His voice softens in response. “I can’t just pretend you don’t exist. I’m gonna miss you.”

“I’m gonna miss you too, Kaeya.” You whisper. His father tells the two of you it’s time to say goodbye. The coldness of his voice only makes you that much more desperate to keep Kaeya here with you, but you know that it’s a hopeless endeavor. So you settle for asking, “Will I ever see you again?” Your voice trembles, terrified of what you might hear in return.

Kaeya’s blue eyes burn with determination. “Of course you will! I’m not just leaving you here! I’ll come back for you. I promise.” His pinky interlocks with yours, and as such, your fates are sealed.

“You better.”

Tears blur the last glimpse you ever get of your best friend.

-

The last ten or so years have been quiet.

So quiet, in fact, that you can hardly recall what your best friend sounds like. His absence haunts you, as does the promise you two made all that time ago. The ghost of his smile, his laugh, his everythingplagues the back of your mind, filling you with a maddening need to be anywhere but the desolate hell-hole you call home.

You think of the young boy who left you behind and wonder if he ever actually planned on coming back for you. You can’t help but wonder if maybe his promise, like the jewels embedded in the rock above your head, was nothing more than a shimmering illusion of hope.

With a shake of your head, you push those thoughts from your mind. You can’t afford to let go of him, not after all this time.

But maybe it’s time to take matters into your own hands. After all, Khaenri’ah has no god for you to call upon for answers or assistance. Which means the only person you have left to rely on is yourself.

And so you pack your things, leaving behind the only home you’ve ever known.

You don’t look back.

-

The way out of Khaenri’ah is dark and gloomy. Not at all like the cavernous space you grew up in, the walls of the tunnel creep ever closer to you, and you have to fight to make it to the soft light emanating from the end of the trail. The glow is different from the lights underground. The gems in the cave twinkle but provide no substantial light; you all rely mostly on torches to light your everyday life. Your eyes burn at the sunlight greeting your retinas for the first time, and you bring an arm up to shield your face.

“Oh wow,” you whisper. Slowly bringing your arm down, you are mesmerized by the hues that seem to color every inch of the world in front of you. The blues, the greens, it all seems so… bright. Suddenly the idea of returning home feels almost impossible.

(You wonder if maybe this is why Kaeya never came back for you.)

Shaking yourself out of your daze, you press forward in your search for your old friend.

After traveling for a few days, you stumble across what seems to be a statue of some sort of deity. An archon, if you had to guess, though you had never actually heard much about the Seven.

The elders of Khaenri’ah didn’t often talk about the Seven Archons, but what they did say was bitter and cold. They blamed the Seven for Khaenri’ah’s downfall and its current bleak state. You weren’t quite sure you agreed with that assessment, but could never find it in yourself to speak out against the popular view. Not that it mattered much now, though.

Based on the little you know of the current Seven, you’re pretty sure that this has to be a statue for the Geo Archon.

“It’s a beautiful statue, isn’t it?” A voice comes from behind you, causing you to jump with a start. You clutch your bag tightly and step away from the person, who seems to be a short blonde woman with a little… floating friend?

“Woah, hey,” she tries again, holding up her hands to placate you. “I didn’t mean to scare you! My name is Lumine, and this is Paimon.” The little fairy smiles brightly as she waves at you.

You give them your name a bit hesitantly. She looked nice enough, but you didn’t think it would be safe to let your guard down quite yet. “Um, about the statue,” you divert the topic back to the Archon looming over you, “it’s the Geo Archon, right?”

The woman’s floating companion answers for her this time, “Yup! Here in Liyue, most people call him Rex Lapis, but you might know him better as Morax!”

You nod in thanks, and Lumine returns your question with one of her own. “So, where are you from?” She raises her hands again when she sees the skeptical look on your face. “If it makes you feel better, I’m not from Liyue either. Actually, I’m not from anywhere near here at all.”

“How do you know I’m not from Liyue?” You’re sure you must seem highly suspicious but you simply can’t bring yourself to be particularly friendly at the moment.

Lumine glances at Paimon briefly before shrugging. “It’s your clothes.”

“My… clothes?”

“Your clothes are… well, they don’t look like they’re from Liyue, but also not completely out of place. Almost like, they could fit in anywhere, but also nowhere…. Sorry! That probably doesn’t make any sense,” she says, an embarrassed flush covering her face.

“No… It’s, um, fine, really.” You understand her logic, and to be honest, it’s not that far off from the truth. Your clothes were plain— understated and unassuming. But there was a unique sort of flair to them, little details that made them different from the rest of Teyvat’s fashion. You supposed that was to be expected. “So, where are you from, then? You said earlier that you’re not from Liyue either.”

Lumine shuffles awkwardly for a moment before coming to some sort of silent agreement with Paimon. “I’m a traveler; I don’t really belong to one nation or another. So far, I’ve been to Mondstadt, Liyue, and Inazuma. There’s… been a lot going on recently.”

“Oh, like what?”

Surprise grows on her face but Lumine quickly tamps it down. You instantly know you made a huge blunder, but resolve yourself nonetheless. “I’m surprised you haven’t heard,” she says, before continuing, “I’d be happy to tell you all about it! But, this might not be the best spot….”

Paimon speaks up, and you startle a bit, nearly forgetting the fairy was there. (Or did she disappear for a moment and only just now reappear? It’s hard to say.) “Why don’t we head back to Liyue Harbor! We can show you around, and you can even try some of the local food! Oh, Paimon loves Wanmin Restaurant! What do you say?”

You can’t help but smile a bit at Paimon’s obvious love for food; her eagerness is contagious, and despite your reservations, you accompany the pair to Liyue Harbor.

-

Liyue Harbor is nothing like you expected. The golds and reds scream for your attention, and the smell of cooking food invades your senses. You can smell the spices a mile away, the strong aroma trying its best to lead you to the various stalls. Music floats through the air, from where exactly you can’t tell, and you nearly stop in your tracks just to hear more of it.

Everything is just so different from Khaenri’ah. You like it.

Paimon earnestly rushes you and Lumine over to Wanmin Restaurant, and the three of you quickly order your food, eager to eat the steaming dishes. The chef on duty, who you learn is named Xiangling, gladly serves you up a variety of traditional Liyuean dishes—with her signature flair, of course. Lumine leads you to a more secluded seating area near the building, not too far from the main plaza but quiet enough to chat comfortably.

“Thank you for bringing me here,” you say. “I really appreciate it.”

Lumine waves off your thanks, not unkindly, and smiles. “It’s no problem! Besides, you seem pretty nice, and I’d like to get to know you better.”

The two of you eat quietly, only the sound of Paimon’s chatter filling the silence. The food is hot, both in temperature and spice. You can feel it warm you from the inside out.

“Xiangling is a master at spice, isn’t she?” Paimon says cheerfully. You nod in agreement, and you’re sure your excitement shows on your face. It wasn’t often you got to eat anything that wasn’t potatoes or some other starch or root vegetable, so you’re certainly savoring the moment.

“This is probably the best thing I’ve ever eaten!” You grin at the two companions before returning to your meal. “Though, I was a little scared to try the slime candies she offered us.” You shiver a bit at the memory of the various candies she had shoved in your hand, most of which you would guess to be inedible. You had ended up shoving them in your pocket for later. Though, you would probably end up tossing them to some birds or something. Archons bless whatever animal was brave enough to eat them.

“Don’t mind Xiangling’s… ah, experiments. She’s a great chef, but most people know to stick with her more tried-and-true dishes,” Lumine laughs.

Once the food is finished and plates returned to the restaurant, the three of you set off towards the harbor. As the sun begins to set, you marvel at the orange blaze of the sky above you. Lanterns flicker around you, and their soft glow reminds you of the torches your people used to light their homes. Fire was not as commonplace in Khaenri’ah as it seemed to be here, where the light surrounds you on all sides. It makes you feel both safe and incredibly out of place.

After living so many years in the dark, you aren’t quite sure what it means to live in the light.

“Hey, Lumine?” You catch her attention at the top of the grand staircase at Feiyun Slope. Lumine and Paimon are a few steps below you, but you still hold her gaze as you ask, “Could I ask you for a favor?” She tilts her head in a silent cue to keep talking. “I was wondering—since you’ve traveled so many places—if you might be able to help me find someone. I… I’m looking for an old friend. Someone I haven’t seen for many years at this point. And I know it’s presumptuous of me to assume that you might know him or have even heard of him during your travels, but I thought it might be worth asking.”

Something in Lumine’s face softens at the mention of your search, and the genuine distress on your face makes her response come with no hesitation.

“Of course, I’ll help you. I can’t make any promises, but I know what it’s like to look for someone you hold dear. I probably understand it better than anyone.” Her resulting chuckle sounds bitter, but you can’t blame her. “So, tell me whatever you can about him, and I’ll see what I can do!”

You thank her as you continue your journey, telling her whatever you can about Kaeya. Recognition begins to flicker in her eyes the longer you talk about him. It spurs you on in your descriptions, even slipping in a few childhood memories in your excitement.

“There was this one time we were pestering a really tall blonde guy who would come visit the village occasionally, and he was getting really annoyed with us. Pretty sure we tried to snag his mask at one point, but obviously, it didn’t work since he was like, at least a foot and a half taller than us!” Your laughter rings out, and Lumine can’t help but smile at your joyful expression. “Oh man, and then Kaeya tried to climb him, but he almost pulled the poor man’s pants down! I’ve never seen the two of them look more mortified!”

You don’t notice Lumine is no longer at your side until you go to start another story and see that you’re alone. Turning around, you see her standing there with an excited smile. You quickly calm your nerves and take a few quick steps to rejoin her.

“Did you just say your friend’s name is Kaeya?” Paimon beats Lumine to the punch, but she doesn’t look at all upset about the interruption from her friend.

“Oh,” you pause, only slightly unsettled by their eagerness. “Yes, I did. Did I not mention that before?”

“Nope!” Paimon continues. “But it’s a good thing you did! Because now we know exactly who you’re talking about!”

“You do?”

Lumine grins and slings an arm around you. “Looks like we’re going to Mondstadt next!”

-

Leaves crunch under your feet as you approach the gates of Mondstadt. The journey was faster than you expected, though, after your initial trip out of Khaenri’ah, you think most others would feel easy. Lumine and Paimon stand a bit ahead of you, having asked them for a bit of space to think. They kindly obliged, Lumine nudging the small fairy away from you and the obvious dark cloud hanging over your head.

Your bare forearms press into the gritty stone of Mondstadt’s bridge. The rough texture is the only thing keeping you grounded as your thoughts threaten to pull you back to the dark confining walls of Khaenri’ah. The morning sunlight bouncing off the water is not enough to chase away your dark thoughts, but it certainly helps.

While you’re ecstatic that you managed to find someone who knows Kaeya, you feel yourself growing nervous at the thought of meeting him again. You still don’t understand entirely why he never returned. You had never expected him to return for good, or even very soon, but you had always hoped that he would show up one day and take you away with him. Those hopes were obviously in vain.

You can’t even be sure he’ll recognize you. Will you recognize him? Or will ten years of separation render you nothing more than strangers who share a homeland?

“Hey, Lumine?” You call out.

She turns to you, responding, “Everything ok?”

“How well do you know Kaeya?”

Lumine pauses for a moment, thinking. “I’d say I know him pretty well at this point. Why do you ask?”

The cool breeze coming off the lake rustles through your clothes, and you shiver a bit. “Will he want to see me? I can’t say I know him very well anymore, and I don’t know what I even want his reaction to be when he sees me.”

“What exactly happened between you two?” The question is a simple one, yet you still feel at a loss for words. The answer lodges in your throat, burning like a lump of hot coal.

“I don’t know,” you finally manage to whisper. “He made a promise. But that doesn’t matter. Not anymore.”

Lumine’s eyebrows furrow in concern, Paimon looking nervous as well. “What did he promise you?” The pure grief in your eyes startles Lumine. You look… broken.

“He promised he would come back.”

Two pairs of warm arms envelope you as your tears fall and mix with the freshwater of Cider Lake below you.

-

“Hello, dear brother.” Kaeya saunters into the tavern, an unsurprising sight for Diluc at this hour.

“Kaeya.” Diluc gives his brother a short nod, sliding him a Death After Noon.

If you ask anyone in Mondstadt, Diluc and Kaeya are like cats and dogs. Never getting along, never able to work together. And they would be right. Mostly. For, despite all their misgivings about each other, they are still brothers. And even the most vicious of words would not deter them from keeping a close eye on the other.

Which is precisely why, when Lumine shows up in his tavern with a mysterious “friend,” Diluc does not immediately direct them to where his brother sits on the second floor.

“Diluc!” Lumine waves as the three of you walk into Angel’s Share, and you take in the lively atmosphere. People are drinking and singing, presumably having just gotten off of work and letting off some steam. A bard performs in the middle of the room, riling up the crowd with every strum of his lyre. The energy is almost magical. You manage to pull your attention away from the scene and introduce yourself to Diluc. At the mention of your name, his grip on your hand tightens slightly before quickly retracting back to his side.

“It’s you.”

You look at Lumine, but she has no answers. “Um, I’m sorry, but I’m not sure I know what you mean.” Your brows furrow slightly in confusion when he doesn’t immediately answer.

“Lumine,” Diluc turns to your new friend, “would it be alright if I borrowed them for a moment? Feel free to mix a drink while you wait; it’ll be on the house.”

She simply nods, and you hesitantly follow Diluc out the back door of the tavern. He pulls out a chair for you at a small table on the side of the building. You sit across from him, patiently waiting for him to say something.

“May I ask why you wanted to speak with me?”

“You’re from Khaenri’ah.” His words are not accusatory more than they are a simple statement. His face gives away nothing, but you don’t feel all that threatened by him.

“And so what if I am? Will that be an issue?”

Diluc crosses his arms, studying your face. “It’ll only be an issue if you make it one.” After a moment, his face softens. “I know you and Kaeya were friends. He talked about you often when we were kids.”

You curse your friend under your breath. “He promised me he wouldn’t. It was foolish of him to go telling people things like that.”

“You don’t need to worry about his ability to keep a secret. He seems to have a real knack for it.” He sighs. “Besides, my brother isn’t really known for his openness. I highly doubt he’s mentioned you to anyone else.”

“Wait a second,” you sit up straight in your chair, interest piqued. “What do you mean by ‘brother’? Kaeya doesn’t have any siblings, and if he did, they certainly wouldn’t look like you.”

Diluc smiles. “I don’t imagine you know much about his life in Mondstadt?” He raises an eyebrow at you, and for a moment, it reminds you of Kaeya.

“No, I don’t.” You fail to keep your bitterness contained at the reminder that you no longer know your best friend. Your only friend.

“Forgive me; I don’t mean to offend,” Diluc says. “Let me catch you up to speed.”

You listen to his story quietly, unable to picture everything but intrigued nonetheless. You laugh at their childhood antics, and you weep silently at the death of their father— a kind man who seems to have treated your friend better than his birth father ever had. Anger bubbles up in your heart at the tale of Kaeya and Diluc’s falling out. You can’t help the glare that you give Diluc, though you know that you won’t be able to stay angry at him. He clearly cares for Kaeya, his brother holding space in his heart despite everything that has happened.

Diluc finishes his story with a sigh. “Kaeya should be upstairs. But if he doesn’t want to talk to you, then I ask that you leave him be.”

“Sure.”

-

It’s obvious Kaeya doesn’t recognize you. Or, if he does, he’s doing a damn good job at hiding it. His one icy blue eye is tracking you as you make your way across the upper floor of the tavern. Your old friend sits in a shadowy corner, out of view from the rowdy patrons below and away from the more sullen patrons lingering nearby.

He makes no objection when you motion to the chair opposite him, and he sends you a smile that is both unnerving and charming all at once. It feels fake. It feels so unlike the bright kid you once knew—the kid who would run around the caverns with you, playing silly pranks on the elders and sneaking a little extra food to share at night. And you know that kid is in there somewhere; the spark you remember so well is surely still present. Maybe it’s hiding behind his eyepatch, or maybe it’s under the layers of leather, feathers, and fur that he adorns himself with, but you know it’s in there somewhere.

It has to be.

“First time in a place like this?” His question catches you off guard, your attention snapping away from his flashy outfit and up to his face. You situate yourself in the worn wooden chair, the creaking beneath you just a bit concerning.

You’re not sure what to say to Kaeya now that he’s right in front of you, so you settle for a half-assed, “Yes, it is. My first time in Mondstadt, actually.” The ensuing silence is uncomfortable, but you imagine Kaeya isn’t put off by it in the least.

Minutes pass. Nothing is said; you simply watch him, and he watches you in return. Your drink only does so much to help you pass the time. You would give anything to know what he’s thinking right now, but you can’t bring yourself to ask for some reason. You don’t even know where to begin.

“What do you know about Khaenri’ah?” You’re surprised when the silence is broken before realizing you were the one who spoke. You don’t know why that question, in particular, escaped you, but it’s too late to take it back now.

“Khaenri'ah, huh? Now that’s a question I don’t hear often.” Kaeya raises an eyebrow at you, his icy blue eye pinning you in place. “The legacy of Khaenri'ah is long gone; the sinners are all that’s left, and they’re not worth mentioning.”

Your heart drops, and you can’t help the disappointment and betrayal that shows on your face.

“I see.” Even with the confusion and sadness gnawing at the back of your mind, you feel a bitter laugh rip its way out of your throat. “I suppose I should plan on visiting the Cathedral, then.”

“Why?”

Mouth set in a tight line, you reply, “I’m a sinner; you said so yourself.”

Liquor runs over the table, dripping onto the floor. The unsealed wood turns dark under your fingers, and you quickly grasp the fallen ceramic cup, placing it gently on the now-stained table.

Kaeya sits still. His breathing is even but light; you might not even notice it were you not watching him so closely all this time. “You,” he starts, his voice a raspy whisper, “you’re not supposed to be here.”

And doesn’t that just break your heart.

“I can go if you’d like.”

“No!” He grabs your wrist as you start to stand, pulling you ungracefully back down into your chair. His hand shakes, though his grip is iron-clad. He runs colder than you remember.

Seems like a lot has changed since you last saw him.

-

Kaeya is not often at a loss for words. He’s known in Mondstadt for his sweet-talk— honey-coated words carefully picked and crafted into flattery that would lower anyone’s guard. The Cavalry Captain can talk his way out of any situation, even if he would prefer to just fight it out at times.

So it’s an unsettling feeling when everything he wants to say—everything he needs to say— feels wrong.

“I’m sorry, I just”—he reluctantly lets go of your wrist—“I didn’t mean it like that.” He stares at you, the silence growing heavy. He realizes you must be waiting for him to say something, so he grasps for words to give you, inadequate as they may be. “I’m happy to see you again,” he says.

Your brows furrow slightly, and he worries you don’t believe him. “I am… happy to see you too, Kaeya.” You look away from him. “Mondstadt is a beautiful place. I can see why you would want to stay here.”

And he knows what you’re really saying. He hears the unspoken question masked by your friendly words. He knows what you’re asking him because he’s asked himself the same question a million times over the past few years.

Why didn’t he ever go back for you?

“It is.” He says lamely. “I really do love it here.” He moves, and his clothes clink quietly, the metal accessories glinting softly in the dim tavern light. Sounds of music float up from below, Venti somehow managing to keep the crowd’s attention all this time. He’s sure the bard has probably had one too many drinks tonight. Kaeya looks at his spilled drink in dismay; he could really use some liquid courage right about now.

“Do you really think of us that way, Kaeya?”

Your question catches him off guard. “What? Think of you how?”

A dry chuckle escapes your lips. “Of course, you already forgot.” He can see you gripping the sleeves of your coat, wrinkling the worn fabric. “As sinners. You said we were sinners and not even worth mentioning. Is that really how you think of us?”

His silence is more telling than anything he could’ve said.

“I see.” He reaches for your hand again, but you pull it out of reach. “No, it’s— it’s fine, Kaeya. I get it. Really, I do. You got out. You were the one who got to leave, and even with all the shit you’ve had to go through out here, it’s still better than whatever was waiting for you back home.” You shrink into yourself as you continue, “I know we weren’t enough—that I wasn’t enough—to make you want to come back, and that’s fine. I’m not—I’m not mad, Kaeya. I promise you that much. But I just need to know”—your voice breaks, and with a start, he realizes you’re crying—“if you even missed me.”

Your words sting as if he’s been slapped, and his stomach churns in a burning sickness. “Of course I missed you! How could I not?” His chest feels tight. “I can’t ever go back home. I can’t do it. Mondstadt is where I belong now. I have a life here; I have family. I couldn’t just leave all of that, and besides,” he sighs, “I had a mission. You know that. And I don’t care about it anymore; believe me, I don’t. But after a while, it just felt… wrong to go back. Do I even have a place there anymore?”

You cut him off with a slam of your fist. “Of course, you have a place there! You always did! And even if you didn’t want to stay, you know I would’ve left with you! So I just don’t understand why you broke your promise!”

“I’m sorry.”

“No.” You take a breath. “No, it’s okay. I’m just a little confused, I guess. I don’t really know how I’m feeling right now.” You grab Kaeya’s empty cup just to have something to fiddle with. “It’s been ten years, Kaeya. And I still remember you as that happy kid who used to run around with me, just being stupid and having fun. Neither of us stayed the same, and that’s not a bad thing. That’s just life. But I missed you. I still miss you.”

This time, when he reaches for your hand, you let him take it. He holds it gently as if you might shatter and disappear if he’s not careful. “I don’t have a lot of regrets.”

“Kaeya, it’s—” You try to interrupt, but he presses on.

“No, listen to me.” He holds your gaze as he continues, “I don’t have a lot of regrets, but I will always regret not going back for you. You hear me? I never once forgot about you. And even if I was too much of a coward to face you again, I am happy you found me. You did what I never had the guts to do.”

He feels your warm tears drip onto his hand. He hopes that they can wash away the mistakes of his past.

“I just missed you so much,” you cry, pulling his hand closer to you. He stands, quietly reassuring you he isn’t going anywhere. Kaeya crosses to the other side of the table and pulls you into his arms. Neither of you care about the lingering looks the other tavern goers are giving you; none of them matter in this moment.

The only thing that really matters is right in front of him. And this time, he’s not leaving you behind.

-

One Week Later

“So, you’re staying in Mondstadt?” Lumine asks. It’s a sunny day; the breeze is steady, and the clean air is refreshing.

You smile brightly, a new coat on your shoulders, courtesy of one Cavalry Captain. “I am. Kaeya and I have a lot to catch up on, after all!” You seem a little sad when you say, “Our relationship isn’t the same as it used to be. It’s been a long time, and as much as I’d like to pretend that nothing has changed, that’s simply not true.”

Paimon floats up to you. “That’s not a bad thing, though, is it?” Her eyes shine with worry, and you pat her head to comfort her.

“Don’t you worry about us. We’re both working through things, but we’re doing it together. I know it’s not going to be easy, but I’m ready.” You look around at the shops lining the street and notice Kaeya waiting for you at the top of the steps at Good Hunter. He waves to you, and you raise a hand in return. “And who knows”—you look amused—“maybe I’ll even get Kaeya to visit home with me.”

Lumine is relieved to see you so happy. She knows what it’s like to be separated from someone you love, and it gives her some hope to see you as you are now.

Because you really are happy. And Kaeya is too.