About: You’re isekai-ed into the world of an otome game as the antagonist, who’s due for a bad end in most of the routes! The protagonist (MC) still hasn’t entered the game however, which means you have time to turn your fate around!
Diluc, the crown prince; often busy with his studies and training, you recall he was one of the most popular characters within the fanbase.
In the game’s route, the first meeting was in the gardens at night, where Diluc was taking a walk to clear his head and found himself talking to the MC.
However here… yours was a bit different.
Diluc almost attacked you at first, thinking you were an enemy tracking him - he was strolling in the gardens, yes, but it’d been to ponder over things related to his darknight hero character; created to investigate the kingdom without restrictions from status.
He recognised you, seeing as you belonged to an influential family. Diluc initiated safe conversation that you were thankful for, even if its purpose was to deter from prying questions.
The next times you met were coincidences as well, but you did find something endearing with how Diluc wasn’t as polished or experienced as he was in the game. There were still a few years before he’d grow even more capable - thus you took the time you had to leave an amicable impression.
…After all, the villain in his route faced harsh retribution. You’d prefer to avoid something as unsavory as that.
How convenient would it be if you managed to befriend him for real? He was to be a ruler in the future, and that kind of power was something that could be much to your advantage.
…Besides, in the moments you managed to catch him off-guard, Diluc was kind of cute. He was quite competitive as well, as you’d learn later on.
“I’m starting to think you just like sitting on rooftops.”
“I could say the same for you,” You raised a brow. Diluc’s face was hidden beneath a mask and hood. You had to pretend you weren’t aware of his real identity, lest it roused suspicion from the prince. “Were you on a mission of some sort, Darknight Hero?”
“It’s nothing I can disclose.” He said neutrally, pausing at your disappointed sigh. “Is that what you hope to find out when coming out here?”
“What I hope for is something interesting.” You gave Diluc a sardonic smile. It wasn’t untrue, even if your hidden intention was to leave an impression on him. “Would you be able to tell me something like that, at least?”
To your surprise, he does move to sit a little bit away from you. “I’ll see what I can do.”
Growing up as the adopted son of the royal family, Kaeya was no stranger to feeling like he didn’t belong.
What was curious is how you seemed to be feeling the same way.
Why was that? You’ve been a noble all your life, and even flourished as a formidable individual in social circles.
Kaeya wasn’t one to believe rumors of all things, but he’d at least expected to see some semblance of that when he first met you.
The way he carries himself is as suave as ever. Knowledge of his insecurities and troubles was private, and knowing how secretive Kaeya can be, it was quite safe to say that he kept his charming, confident mask on at all times to deter unwanted trouble.
The time Kaeya properly meets you was during a hunting event, where you went to a quieter area to collect your thoughts - unknowingly entering the dangerous side of the forest.
He finds and escorts you back since you weren’t armed with equipment or signed up to hunt (modern skills usually don’t include things like archery on horseback) - he could have travelled faster, but chose to take a longer route and stay at a leisurely pace to get to know you better.
…Which was another way of saying “try to ease your secrets out of you” - Kaeya observes the way you fiddle with your hands or glance around. There was something odd about it; as if you were worried about survival - and not in the economical way most nobles did.
After that day you were sent a flower and note from the prince - something lyrical about how interesting your meeting was, and how he hopes you’ll continue to hold him in good graces.
At least you knew from there that Kaeya didn’t deem you an enemy. You’d even replied with a flower in return, one that held a more subte meaning compared to the popular blooms that were normally used.
Kaeya couldn’t help but smirk at what you sent him; arguably the shortest he’s even gotten in reply to his pretty words, and with a small note hidden on its back:
‘Though honestly speaking, I think I’d have better chances facing off with a bear than with you. Your words make quite the sharp blade, my prince.’
He twirled the flower in his hand. Your speech could be cold, but the thoughtfulness of the bloom suggested sincerity.
How intriguing indeed…
‘A cursed child from a fallen, forgotten kingdom.’
‘Look at that golden eye! The king and queen were blinded by kindness when they took him in!’
‘Shh! They’ll hear you!’
It didn’t take long for a child to start and believe those rumors, even if just a little.
‘What?’ You laughed, as if it was the silliest thing in the world. ‘I’ve seen monsters, Kaeya. And you’re certainly not one of them.’
Sometimes he wondered if your words were empty ones - then he remembers the look in your eyes, the kind that’s as desperate as him to live in peace.
…Maybe he’ll let himself believe in words like that, just this once.
Childe was a foreign nobleman that visited your kingdom often. Granted, not many knew of his reasons for being here, but the money in his pockets and friendly smiles were more than enough to win them over.
Your home was no Snezhnaya, but the glow of the marketplace in winter was quite reminiscent of his snow-covered memories. That’s where you bump into Childe, who was there in hopes of finding souvenirs for his siblings.
You were simply there to enjoy the day and nice weather, so when the man offers to treat you to lunch in exchange for a bit of local expertise, who were you to deny him?
Childe was aware that part of your motives was to see if he was a potential ally. But he didn’t mind that in the least - considering how he was doing the same. Eventually Childe deems you worthy of befriending, and invites you to an event his ‘friends’ were hosting on the weekend.
You soon find out it’s not like any social event you’ve attended before
So this was what Childe’s been up to… tracking down criminals from his home that were stirring trouble elsewhere.
Childe likes how you’re not afraid to lie and cheat to get things done. The more ruthless you are when faced with a situation, the more blatantly Childe would brag about your friendship with others; there’s a nice balance between regular fun and Childe inviting you to help with his other work.
The inclusivity surpasses that of his route in the game, which only gave the MC a brief idea of his underground life and limited the player’s actual contributions to help. There, Childe hadn’t wanted to put them at risk. Here, you were his teammate.
You once found yourself in a very illegal, incredibly hidden casino. (With disguises, of course). You spent the night collecting intel and keeping track of people of interest, but much to your surprise the casino erupted into a fight from an argument, resulting in Childe defending you from getting hurt.
(Okay, so maybe he was just itching to join too - it’s not often he gets to fight hand-to-hand)
“Do you want another drink?” Childe asked as he clinked his glass against yours. “They seem to have quite the menu.”
“You seem to be having fun with this,” You deadpanned. “Thank you for the offer, but I’m fine. I’d much rather we figure out how we can catch that man.”
“We could join his table. I’m quite curious as to how well you can play, comrade.”
“…I’d probably lose all your money.”
He barely batted an eyelid, having the nerve to smile as he passed you a heavy pouch. “So is that a yes?"
Xiao was one of the best swordsmen that worked for your family. In about a year’s time, he would be promoted to become a royal knight, and the game would begin soon after.
You’d planned to avoid him for the most part - if you simply didn’t antagonize him or the MC when they arrived, you were quite sure there were no repercussions to be faced.
But that was hard when he lived and worked at your manor, and you find yourself encountering Xiao many times; some ended with a simple greeting and glance, others involved formal events where you were actually being escorted by him.
Now, Xiao’s not one to really care for what others think of him, but seeing as you were one of the people he’s meant to protect and you seemed wary, Xiao starts to pay closer attention to you.
He promised Zhongli before that he’d strive to do his job well and make him proud, so it was only logical that Xiao doesn’t let this go until he figures out what’s wrong.
Were you receiving threats from unknown sources? Was he simply too intimidating that even you had started to avoid him? If he wanted to be a knight, Xiao had to be reliable and trustworthy enough that you’d come to him for help, so he tries a few times to initiate conversation when he’s off-duty and bumps into you.
It was definitely an uphill battle, but you eventually gave in one day and resigned yourself to the fact that you could not in fact avoid him.
From there a friendship starts to develop! Because Xiao isn’t the type to push (unless it’s related to your safety), you find yourself more comfortable around him than any of the others (they were all nobles, after all. And while your character was one as well… you originally weren’t, so it’s only natural that it starts to become stressful, living in such a foreign world while feigning familiarity.)
You grew hopeful that when the MC of the game does enter this world, Xiao would still be in your corner like he assured you he’d be.
…Yet you remembered how he was one of the most loyal in the game’s route, and a bittersweet feeling blooms in your heart at the idea that one day, he might leave you for real.
“Hey, Xiao.”
“Yes?”
“Remember the promise you made? To always be there when I called?”
“Of course.” He met your gaze.
“You don’t have to worry about that anymore,” You played with your hands. “I wouldn’t expect you to, seeing as you’re not bound to our house any longer.”
Silence followed, before finally: “I wouldn’t mind keeping that promise.” At your surprised look, Xiao merely shrugs. “What kind of knight would I be if my loyalty was that cheap? While it may not be my job to continue to guard you, I’d still come if you needed me.” A pause. “I’d like to think I’m not that shallow of a person, at least.”
That was the day you formally became friends and would address one-another as such. The insecurity in your heart lessened bit by bit. You never took Xiao as one to send letters, but he did every few weeks just to keep in contact with you.
It was fun. You looked forward to the next time you’d meet; even if the player may be in the picture by then.
Right, Xiao’s loyalty isn’t that cheap.
You chose to believe in those words as you started to write a reply to him, the parchment crinkling under your touch.
About: A soulmate AU where a word is written on your wrist, describing your soulmate’s love for you! Concept taken from this postby@xiaowhore
Characters: Xiao, Kaeya, Xingqiu, Kazuha
CW: A bit of angst (mostly Kaeya’s)
Gently. Despite his work as a yaksha, he treats the one he loves as if he was afraid to harm them in even the littlest way. His nature is one that brings soft touches, tender words, and the slightest distance kept between you at the start.
Though this gentleness is enveloped by you, who loves him invincibly, willing to battle the stars and heavens if it would result in his happiness.
Xiao often traced over the word on his wrist contemplatively, wondering how brightly you must shine to be able to love someone like him like that. Though when he sees ‘gently’ on yours a part of him weakens, for it has been far too long since he’s been described with that word.
Tentatively. Kaeya treats love like something that might escape his grasp at any moment, not for a lack of faith in his soulmate but rather in judgment of himself. Would you want to love him even after knowing all he’s done?
That’s why when the word on his wrist reads ‘unquestioningly’, Kaeya feels both relief and an even deeper chord of fear– was he really deserving of a love as unconditional as that? Would he be able to accept that love, deep down?
Kaeya finds favors in the way his gloves cover up his soulmark. It’s odd, but there’s something about how it’s concealed and blanketed with only him knowing what it says that comforts him. Like a secret that he can tuck away to revisit once he feels ready.
With clarity. Xingqiu’s love is one that is transparent; if he tried to hide it, it would still speak through the subtle ways he treats you. It is also clear as water, and he reaffirms it in an almost righteous way to wittingly drive away your insecurities.
In return, the word on his wrist is ‘fiercely’. Despite how he acts, Xingqiu happens to try not to believe in things that sound too good to be true. His rebellion against the path his family offered leaves him to walk a new road alone, and with that comes the loneliness of independance.
Which is why when you show affection so unapologetically, it’s as if another fish has joined his little pond. It really is lovely, isn’t it?
Nostalgically. Regardless of when you’ve actually met. Kazuha’s love is one that learns and commits you to memory, to the point where it might as well be that he’s known you forever.
It’s a delicate thing where he notes all the things he finds endearing about you, which is a list that could stretch on for miles. He’s a free spirit and wanderer, but in terms of finally settling somewhere it’s obvious that his home would be you.
One may think that his affections are over-the-top, but that’s only because of what is written on his own wrist; ‘eternally’, a promise of forever. Sometimes when you’re together he likes to link your pinkies– as if he was making a promise to you in return.
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.
SUMMARY:who knew a little gossip would lead to taking your stepbrother’s virginity.
PAIRING: kaeya alberich x fem!reader
WARNINGS:stepcest, virgin!kaeya, corruption, semi-public sex, clothed sex, switch!kaeya, mentions of alcohol and smoking,its one big game of chicken okay,oral (m!recieving), cum swallowing, pet name (princess), unprotected sex, multiple orgasms, full body orgasm, creampie, lowkey baby trapping
Summary: Nieblina was just a stop along your journey. This, your friends didn’t know.
Word Count: 3,600
Warnings: arguments, fighting, crying
Mayb’s notes: Wrote this in two days? After spreading out chapter 8 within several months??
Kaeya was restless.
Even if the day had been long, even if his feet ached, even if he laid in the swimming comforts of your bedsheets.
He could hardly close his eyes. So, he busied himself with planning.
“We’re leaving tomorrow.” You say for the umpteenth time, “I’ll pick up Nyx and Raph at the stables and you’ll go around asking for information. We’ll meet by the entrance. I won’t be taking longer than five minutes. The wait alone won’t be hard.”
He sits with one leg up and the other laying across the length of the bed, his torso resting against a pillow. Clearly he wasn’t going to be sleeping anytime soon. He stares to the side, at the stars and the moon of the sky.
“Or?”
“We can get them together.”
“Right.”
Kaeya can make out the sound of your amused laugh at his side. You’re laughing at him, he knows, at his request for unnecessary repetition and his restless shuffling and impatience. The night was still young and he needed to rest, else he spends the rest of it paranoid under the bright moonlight.
“What of your friends?” He asks, now; a new question.
Regardless, you don’t see the need for him to ask. “What of them?”
“Will they be alright with your sudden departure?”
You think about it but for a moment. You’re sure they would be fine. After all, you were far from a settler. They knew you traveled often and they knew you’d be back sometime. This, you were sure of. “Of course they’ll be.”
“Are you sure?”
Although, were you really? “Yes.” You hoped so.
“What of Morden, then? He doesn’t quite seem the type.” Kaeya, tonight, was full of doubts, as he was the past week and the past month; ever since the misterious plague had arisen. This was a feeling he hadn’t felt in a long while, not for eight years, and he certainly hadn’t missed it.
“And he isn’t the type. A single day of reconcile will not be enough for him, that is certain, but he will have to understand as he always does.”
“Always?”
“Always.”
Kaeya frowns to himself, staring down at his hands only illuminated by moonlight. He then turns and meets your eyes.
You’re staring at him, half smile on your face, head leaning against the fist you’ve propped up on an elbow. There’s a tiredness in your droopy eyes, and he can tell you’re only staying up because of him. Him and his doubts.
“You’re sure of it?”
You laugh again, “Yes, darling, I am.”
He lets his gaze drift away to the young night sky again. But… even with the reassurance, he was sure of something different than you were. Despite knowing the man for nought but a day, he felt like he knew how he would react. “He wouldn’t convince you to stay? With him?”
“With him?” You chuckle at the idea and begin to speak again, if not for your realization. “Are you jealous?”
“What?” His gaze snaps to you again. “No.” He replies, all too gruff and quick.
“Areyousure?”
He scoffs, “Yes. Yes, I am.”
His eyebrows are furrowed and, quite clearly, you can see his irritation. Though, this was another thing you were sure of, his jealousy; and so, you continue to prod him open. “Then what is causing the doubts about him? About me staying with him?”
Kaeya purses his lips, having been finally caught. His jealousy hadn’t been apparent to him, not in a clear way. It had only been feelings, frustration he hadn’t quite decyphered. Iamjealous, he realizes.
But he does not admit it.
He leaves the question unanswered, though his silence clearly proves your point. You smile, though he only sees it through his peripheral. Even if you would usually flaunt your triumphance, tonight was not the time. You were too tired and you were sure he was too, even through his uneasiness.
“We’ve discussed our plan twice over, and then some.” You announce with flair, arms splayed out to silently ask him to come to you. “So come here, let your mind rest. It’ll be fine. We’ll be fine.”
Kaeya sighs. He hoped you were right. For now, he should listen to you.
When he finally relaxes in your arms, back against your chest and hands holding yours as they intertwine in front of you, you feel as though you’ve gained a victory. “‘Sides, Morden’s place is messy.”
The knight laughs, forgetting his worries but for a second. He’ll allow himself to, instead focusing on you and your embrace.
The next morning, unlike the one before, he wakes with you.
“Hey.” You greet, a small, groggy smile upon your lips.
“Morning.” He replies.
Sometime in the night, he’d shifted to face you. His head still lays upon your pillow, and yours upon your fist, just like the night before.
The strip of your hair that hangs just shorter than the rest stands out in the morning sunlight. He tucks it behind your ear. You notice this, of course, and smile. He smiles sheepishly too. You take his hand, which couldn’t help but linger, in yours and push it to your cheek. Kaeya traces his finger along your cheekbone, feeling the warmth of you. “What time is it?”
“Just after sunrise.” You chuckle, “You missed the view.”
He notices you’re about to speak again, but of course, he knows what you’ll say. “Of me, right?”
You give him only an amused smile, “You know me well.”
The moment only lasts a little while, and in that time, he almost forgets what is to come in the day ahead. His realization comes with a groan as you pull yourself to sit up. “We should start our day, else we run late on our plan.”
“We should.” He agrees, though he stays in his position for a little more time, watching you wake up for a second time that day.
He watches intently as you rub the sleep out of your eyes with a yawn, then stretch your arms and legs as far as you can. He can almost feel how nice they feel himself. Afterwards, you turn back to him, “You were saying?”
“Right.”
The morning, nor the planning of the night before, hadn’t done anything to put him at ease. Soon, he would be out in the wild with nothing but travelers’ hearsay of plague to follow; back in the fogged forest, then whatever came afterwards. He wasn’t used to wilderness; Mondstadt’s walls were all he knew, if not that, then the fields of its outskirts.
It was as though his own Grand Master wanted to keep him within Mondstadt when he took all the horses at the Cavalry Captain’sdisposal.
But, for the moment, he had to think about something else. He had to distract himself, thus he did so with work. It came to you as a bit of a surprise when he decided not to fetch the horses with you, though it was quickly covered up by joy. His attachment to you in a 'dangerous’ place like Nieblina was apparent, so it was nice for him to step out on his own. It showed you he understood that the people weren’t bad.
Kaeya’s first stop was the 'Ducklings Dung’ bar, which was the name he’d missed the day before. Before stepping in, he takes a deep breath. He does stuff like this all the time, that is, activating his charming side in the hopes of athering information. This time shouldn’t be all too different.
The bar wasn’t all that full this morning, but that wasn’t a problem. The bartender, he knew, held the most secrets. “Never did catch yer name. You’re not here with (y/n)?”
Kaeya shakes his head and leans against the bar counter.
The bartender notes his stance, how he doesn’t sit, and already knows what is to come. The stranger wasn’t going to be here for long.
“It’s Kaeya.” With those words, he pulls down his hood.
The bartender snickers just at the sight of him, “Ye look just like Morden.”
He offers a nice, small smile, “I’m aware of that. But, I can assure you, I am nothing like him.”
“That’s good!” She exclaims in return. “We don’t need two no-gooders livin’ in this bar. So, what can I get ya? I see it’s not drink fer sorrows you seek.”
“That’s right. I’m looking for information.” He prepares himself to ask the hardest question, “Do you have a price?” A woman like this bartender wouldn’t take too kindly to it. She was too headstrong, ever, to accept even bribes for valuables. Those things couldn’t be paid for with currency.
She gives him an apprehensive stare up and down, “Depends.” Her mood changes entirely from good spirits to serious and careful.
“Do you know of a plague?”
“Sure,” She busies herself with cleaning a pint cup, “I know of plenty. You mean ongoing ones, though?” Kaeya nods. “Then it’ll be the 'Blood Parade’.”
His interest was piqued. “Tell me about it.”
“I have a price.” He hums in agreement, so she continues, “All I need is to know what you need this information for. I’d apologize for being nosy, but you’re a new face around here. Rumours say you’re not staying for long, either.”
Rumours? They’d already formed about him? He shakes his head, “I hope you won’t speak of this to anyone else?”
She nods, “My lips are sealed.”
“Then, I’m trying to find its origin in the hopes it’ll help me find a cure.”
The bartender’s face immiedately scrunches up. “I know one that has done this before, and you do too. I suggest you ask them about it, but the search was long, and the results barren. You do not want to do this.”
“This plague is affecting my city.” Kaeya insists, “I have to do this for them.”
“Then you’re a fool.” For a moment she pauses, though Kaeya stays to see if she’ll continue. Noticing his persistance, she sighs. “But the price has been paid. I’ll tell you of the Blood Parade.”
Then, he spoke with different vendors. Specifically, those who sold wares that originated from nations allied to Mondstadt or were of those nationalities. The problem, however, was that they often varied. Some held disdain for their previous home, others only gained their information from travelers, and the rest did not know of strife within their hometown.
The King of Mondstadt had held the news of plague under wraps, in fear of news spreading of the kingdom’s momentary weakness. He did not need his (dishonest) powerful reputation being stained. Perhaps allied Kings knew of the problem, but it was evident that the citizens did not; especially if they were citizens no more.
In some occassions, he knew about their former nation more than they did.
“You want to ask me of Fontaine?” The vendor snickers, knocking her hook hand against her table as if it were funny. “I barely know 'er. Been exiled since I turned the ripe ol’ age of sixteen. Sorry, boy, I’ve got nothin’ to tell ya.”
Kaeya can’t stop his exclaim of surprise, “Really?”
“As real as the stars.” She smiles sullenly, eyes drifting off to her wares; the only thing that connects her to Fontaine anymore.
“How do you cope with that?”
Her lips press into a thin line, “Some days I sit by the docks and admire the water. Fontaine was often described as the City of Oceans, right? I can’t quite remember anymore.” She laughs drily, “Some other days, I simply cannot. Being freshly sixteen and leaving your hometown, your parents and your friends… It’s not easy to deal with.”
Kaeya sympathizes, gloomy frown of his own spread across his face. The vendor notices this and asks, “Left your town too, have you? For good?”
“Not for good, no.” He scoffs, “But I have not left it for longer than a week since I’d arrived, I was only a kid. You can imagine the attachment I have for it, Mondstadt.”
She chuckles lowly to herself, “I don’t have to imagine. Well, uh- What’s your name?”
“Kaeya.”
“Well, Kaeya,” She clasps her flesh hand on top of his shoulder reassuringly, “You’ll get over the homesickness. You’ll come to accept the bitterness of it all. Eventually, you’ll feel whole again. Leaving is hard, but life goes on. You can’t stay behind, 'else you’ll get dragged down below surface by the waves of your sorrows.”
He nods appreciatively, “That’s good advice, miss..?”
“Not miss, nor missus.” She declares indignantly, “Just call me Vyra.”
“Thank you, Vyra. I visited Fontaine just over a month ago, by the way.” Vyra’s face lights up. “She is still the City of Oceans you remember, and she is doing better than ever.”
“That’s good to hear, Kaeya.”
The last people to seek information from were travelers. A great many people were travelers, and in Mondstadt, he’d only have to find a new face to identify one. But he was new here too, so he didn’t know the faces of new nor old differently. He would need your help for this one.
When he meets you at the rendezvous point, you’re waiting for him; evidently bored as you create random, purely aesthetic sparks of color in front of you. The horses are already packed up and ready to go, all that was missing was him.
“Took your sweet time.” You remark light-heartedly with a smile. “You ready to leave?”
“Not quite.” He ignores your little sigh, “I’ve asked vendors and I’ve asked bartenders. I have info on what we’re looking for, and traces. All we’re missing though, is the travelers. They don’t stand out for me.”
You shrug, “Okay, makes sense. But tell me about what you know first.”
“Well,” He starts, “The plague we found in Mondstadt is widely known as the Blood Parade. You know what that reminds me of?”
“The ball music.”
“That’s right. The plague parades through town, quickly infecting everyone in its path. Parades are signs of celebration, and this ball clearly is too. What nation is celebrating with a ball soon?”
You search through your mind for hearsay you might’ve heard throughout your travels.
There’s Mondstadt’s own festivals, though you were sure the King (being a puppet) wouldn’t be capable of invoking an entire plague.
Then there’s Sumeru’s festivals, but Sumeru didn’t have any areas for balls, giving away all large enough spaces for libraries or laboratories.
Finally, there was Fontaine. Fontaine was fond of their classical music and ball dances, and their Queen’s liking for grandeur certainly fit the need for 'perfect musicians’, as you’d heard when examining the plague-ridden corpse.
“Fontaine.”
“We have a suspect.” Kaeya declares. “Anyway, most bartenders told me what we knew already, as well as places ridden by plague. They’re mostly fairly small Kingdoms –though they can handle plague better than Monstadt’s King– currently struggling through sickness. It’s safe to assume they’re not causing it, nor do they have a cure.”
“Worth a visit anyway, right?”
Kaeya analyzes your hopeful look, pleading eyes, raised eyebrows, downcast face… He couldn’t say no to you, but it was extremely dangerous. “We can’t guarantee protection, a way to help them, nor our own safety.”
You sigh, “It may help us find traces. I do agree that we cannot guarantee our safety, but we also cannot guarantee we’ll find clues in places were the plague isn’t prominent.”
“Then it shall be our last resort.” That, you could agree on.
“What about the vendors, then?”
“Unfortunately, most were disconnected from their former lands. Those that did know something had nothing to say of the plague. If the other powerful nations hid the plague as well as Mondstadt did, then it’d be even harder to get information over here.”
You nod. It made sense. Nieblina was isolated and the people were outcasts. Perhaps it was only wishful thinking. “Then off to the travelers, yeah?”
“Travelers?” The both of you turn towards the entrance of the stables, were Lorelai stands, seemingly shocked.
“Lorelai?”
“(Y/N).” Almost as instantly as shock paints her face, anger comes. Her eyebrows furrow and she frowns deeply, “You’re leaving.”
“Why…” You deflect her statement, “why are you here?”
“Lester said I’d find you here.” The bartender… Kaeya realizes she told Lorelai, and possibly Morden too.
He hadn’t thought of the possibility, but if he had, he wouldn’t think it much of a problem. Clearly, he was wrong, and so were you. You’d lied to him. Your friends were certainly not going to take this lightly, and it was already taking effect with Lorelai.
“You’re leaving.” Lorelai says again.
You quickly find an excuse, “I’m merely attending to my horse.”
Her eyebrows furrow even deeper as she analyzes the saddle and bridle on both your horses, meaning they were ready to leave. She knows you’ll lie, so she turns to the stablehand, “How much longer are you keeping the horses?”
“I was told to keep them for a mere two days.”
“When?”
“The night before yesterday.”
“You’re leaving.” She repeats, “Stop lying to me.” Her eyes, as wild as they’d seemed the night before, seem much different now.
There was no more denying. “I’m leaving.” You confess.
Her eyes seem sad.
Lorelai’s nose scrunches up, “Why? Why are you leaving?” She doesn’t give you time to respond, “You’ve only been here a day, and you’ve been traveling for a month prior. There’s no reason for you to leave. You don’t have debts to settle. You’ve seen the world twice over. You’ve found your old lover boy. So why?”
You move to speak, but she interrupts, “It better not be what Lester told me.”
You shoot him a look and he can only manage an apologetic one. “What’d Lester say?”
“You’re chasing another plague.” She stalks forward, heels digging hard into the stable’s dirt floors. “This one’s going to kill you, (y/n).”
This one?
“Lorelai-”
“Don’t deny it.” She stabs her accusatory finger against your chest, “Don’t deny me.”
“Lorelai, I’ll be fine.” You assure, placing your hands on her shoulders so as to soothe her in a way, “I’m not doing this alone, and-”
“Why are you leaving us?” Lorelai interrupts. Her eyebrows furrow and raise and suddenly her eyes find it hard to keep themselves open, “Why are you leaving me?”
“I’m not leaving you.”
“You are.” She cries out, “You are!”
“What’s going on?” Morden bursts into the stables, Zero close behind. He takes sight of your furrowed brows and deep frown, the tears streaming down Lorelai’s conflicted face, and Kaeya by the corner.
“(y/n)’s leaving for another plague.” Zero fills him in.
Immediately, Morden’s face falls. But instead of just blaming you, he’s coming down hard on Kaeya. “It was you, wasn’t it, pretty boy? You’re convincing (y/n) to do this?”
While Lorelai’s anger had morphed into sadness, Morden’s anger was going to stay angry. “You don’t know how the last time went, how hard (y/n) tore himself apart. It was a madman’s search and you; you, Kaeya, are a madman.”
Kaeya raises his hands in surrender, “I’m only trying to protect my nation-”
“And it’s the one that betrayed (y/n), but you’re stringing him along.”
“Shut up Morden.” The man quickly snaps his head to you, “Shut it. I’m following along on my own will. I’m leaving.”
“Are you listening to yourself?” He asks in disbelief.
“Yes.” In a quick motion you turn away from Lorelai, who almost doesn’t stop herself from falling forward as you do. She reaches out to grab you by the shoulder but you’re quick to deflect her.
“The people need help, Morden. Zero, I know you understand. Lorelai, as I once helped you, I have the instinct to help others.” You beckon Kaeya to follow with the gesture of your hand. “Nieblina is an isolated town. You have no idea how bad it is out there; out where the plague marches through town like it’s nothing but a pile of hay.”
“What we do have an idea of is how hard you put yourself into your work!” Lorelai shouts. “This’ll be the death of you.”
As you grasp the saddle, ready to mount up, Morden puts a hard hand atop your shoulder. This one, you can’t shake off. “You can’t spend the rest of your days searching in the wake of death. We tried to help you last time, but you shook us off. If you’re going to the same thing again, then… then we’re not going to try anymore.”
Kaeya has a view of your face, but they don’t. He can see how hard you’re taking this, he can see your closed eyes and gritted teeth. But he knows you, and he knows you’re going to stand your ground.
You don’t offer anymore words. Instead, you mount up in silence. Kaeya does nothing but follow your lead.
As the two of you leave the stables, you don’t so much as spare a glance. He does, though, a final one. He stares at your friends: Lorelai in her tearful anger, Morden in his rage, and Zero in their silent conflict.
It made him feel all wrong. It reminded him of how Diluc left him that night after he’d used his newfound cryomancy against him for the first time. It reminded him of how he left Mondstadt, how he left his best friends and knights.
“Are you coming?” You ask, and he can hear your frustration as clear as day.
Summary: There’s a couple more errands you need to run before you inevitably leave Nieblina, one of them includes meeting your ‘loose’ friends. And Kaeya? Well, you couldn’t just leave him behind.
Word Count: 5,555
Warnings: swearing, alcohol consumption, suggestive mentions, mentions of violence
Mayb’s notes: It’s been four months I’m sorry :c
Rustling, outside his—your bedroom door. What could that be? With how tense he was right before drifting off, the sound of creaking wood panels, even if slight, woke him up.
It was most likely you, of course. Who else would it be?
Still, paranoia was creeping into him. He’s never actually slept outside Mondstadt or the reassurance of his colleagues’ presence. The only comfort he can find here is that he’s in your bed, but even that comfort is scarce after what happened beforehand.
Regardless, whoever’s making those footsteps isn’t being careful; in fact, it seems they could care less if they were making noise. That seemed an awful lot like you, didn’t it? With a relieved sigh, he settles back into the sunken shape of his body in the matress.
You only seem to think of him once you’re in the room. Your steps would be nearly completely silent if it weren’t for the fact he knew you were there.
Kaeya remains silent, trying his best to bask in the void that is sleep; Regardless of his wishes, he can’t, knowing you’re here yet not knowing why.
Then he hears more footsteps, and suddenly, the moonlight he just barely registers from behind his eyelids ceases to shine almost entirely.
He opens his eyes to see you sitting on the window sill. “Can’t sleep?”
His voice is calm, you note; despite the fight you had earlier. It’s the calm after the storm, if there is such a thing.
“Not exactly.”
Then it clicks. There was the last room by the hall, your bedroom, and one room to the right, the bathroom, he surmises. You didn’t have more than one bedroom, after all. Still, it doesn’t seem to answer why you’re here. Had you forgotten that he was sleeping here? He thought you more clever than that.
Kaeya sighs again, not in relief nor in annoyance, but disappointment. How could you have let him have the only bed in the house?
“Come here.” And, he thinks, you’re the only person he can rely on right now. He pulls back the blanket to let you in and pats the spot next to him.
You shake your head and huff out a pitiful laugh from your nose, “You sure?”
“Barely. Get over here before I change my mind.”
You shake your head at him once more before climbing in next to him.
Kaeya thinks it’s cold, despite feeling completely fine earlier with the exact same covers and matress and howling wind. The only new thing is you. Then he realizes it’s not cold, no, it’s emptiness. “Could you.. scoot over?”
“One more inch and I’m falling off the bed.”
“No, no,” He laughs in an attempt to ease his nerves, “towards me.”
“Oh” He can’t tell if that is a shocked declaration or a teasing question; not that he cares, since the result is what he’d craved for anyway.
“Better for you?”
“In a bit.” He says, almost in triumph. He wraps his arm around you and feels that his craving is fulfilled and space no longer empty. “Better.” He proclaims, satisfied.
Kaeya drifts off.
The next morning when he wakes, you’re not beside him on the bed. He feels it is reasonable, though, with your fight the night before and his strange ask for intimacy just moments after. He wouldn’t be able to stand sleeping without his arms around you, not with you being so close yet so far, and not after years of doing so—even if they were around eight years ago.
He finds himself surprised when you’re not at home, though; not in the kitchen, adjecent living room nor bathroom—he did check. Your home, cluttered as it is, feels empty without its owner.
His surprise to that wears off when you come stumbling through the door moments later (the stumbling part comes from his remaining bitterness, you were walking just fine), though the irony of you stepping in gives him a new surprise for a newer reason.
You cease up in your step, body almost entirely stiff, when your eyes land on him. “Kaeya,” Your voice seems shocked, even. “you’re up!”
“Yes,” He clears his throat and himself from surprise. “it appears so.”
You resign yourself to ignore the hint of sass you’d caught in his voice. So you clear your own throat awkwardly, shrinking under his observant gaze and loosely crossed arms, and say, “I’ve brought you a cloak.”
His gaze softens and –which you’re grateful for– shifts to the bundle of cloth in your arms. “Oh.”
It seemed rather irrational now, to bring him a concealing cloak, after he’s renounced his knightly armor. A part of you wants to forget that, to hope that he picks up the steel again and keeps it on; it reminds you of the past, back when you used to be so happily young and in love, and somewhat keeps you distracted from the grim of what’s to come after you… finish your pursuit. The other part of you wants him to keep that knight’s armor off altogether, never to let its metal cradle his skin again, to spite the Knights of Favonius and their two-faced morals; and, perhaps, so you can keep him all to yourself and not the knighthood… Scratch that.
Kaeya snaps you out of your thoughts when he takes the cloak from your hands. He lets gravity unravel it for him, and soon enough, the bottom of it is dragging on the floor.
It’s a navy blue, the hero realizes. Good, a nice good color. If you had the terrible forethought to get a black one, you would’ve been matching. Kaeya doesn’t know if the idea is pleasant or not, and he rather not think about it.
“Thanks.” His voice is low, and for the first time it grazes your ears meekly. Huh, meekly. You don’t want that adjective to ever describe him again.
“Yeah. No problem.” You’re not sure what possesses you to bring up the following topic, “Hey, about last night?”
Last night. Kaeya bites his lip, and lets go, slowly. The slight pain of it doesn’t bother him, he’s too distracted to even register it. “Yeah?”
“Let’s forget about it.”
“Yeah.”
The two of you’ve always shared a lot of attributes. In this way, you were similar. But as you and the years drifted by and apart, you grew to be different. At the moment, you didn’t feel similar in any way. The differences outweighed the similarities. Yet, this was something you both had in common, this was something you’d agree on, if you spoke of it:
No matter how hard you tried, you’d never be able to forget that fight.
Silence, awkwardness, soreness, each equally intolerable. Together? Insufferable.
At the very least, Kaeya thinks, he’s not getting stared at. The cloak had worked, inevitably, and his silhouette could be easily forgotten now that the armor wasn’t there to stand out. He’s glad to no longer be a sore thumb… the hero in a crowd of villains. Felt like the plot of a book, didn’t it?
You still had a couple errands to run, things to buy that were only offered in the waking hours of the morning (for they sold fast) or later in the afternoon (for well off vendors who could very well slack off), as was the same with the night market items of the day prior.
He would’ve felt better like this, just watching over you, not engaging in much at all except the sights of the market, if it weren’t for the day before.
The streets are crowded, he can’t move much without invading someone else’s personal space. Every once in a while someone brushes against him, and staring’s all he can do as they quickly move out the way. Their eyes trace over him and the dark bits of facial features they can spot behind his hood, then eventually go back to their mundane shopping—or as mundane as it can be here in Nieblina.
Still, he thinks, if he wasn’t always thinking about being in a foreign place, that he wouldn’t be able to tell the difference between Nieblina and any other town. People out here were just living their lives… just like in Mondstadt.
“That’s for special customers only, I’m afraid.” A voice from the side, a clerk’s, catches his attention and breaks his train of thought. “Not for some no-face like you.”
“Try again.” You pull down your hood.
“Ah, (y/n)! Why didn’t you just pull down your hood in the first place?” What was once a disgusted sneer becomes a delighted grin as the clerk’s eyes find yours.
“To be fair, Mag, you should be memorizing my hood by now.”
“Ah come on! You barely show around here in the first place!” Mag’s all too happy to hand over whatever you were asking for earlier, “On that note, who’s this bloke?” He points a stray thumb towards Kaeya, who finds himself frozen on the spot.
“Oh, him?” Your eyes linger on him for a while, up and down his indistinct bodily features. The smile of yours fades, slightly, but he catches it anyway. “Some amateur I’m showing 'round.”
“Got a protégé, or something?”
“Not at all. I wouldn’t want someone to follow me down my path. Mag, this is Kaeya.” Fondly, you place a hand on Mag’s shoulder and veer him towards the knight, like an old friend. “Kaeya, this is Maggot.”
Maggot’s expression turns sour. “Formalities, formalities.” He waves off your hand, “Call me Mag, everyone does, less they’ve got a death wish.” At this, he turns to give you a glare. “Like this fucker right here.”
Kaeya would snicker if he was sure Mag wouldn’t impale him on the spot, but he wasn’t. In sympathy, he begins, “Terrible name to receive from your-”
“Equally terrible parents, yeah.” The clerk’s got this faraway look on his face as he mentions them, which he quickly shakes off. “Anyway, off you go. Got other better customers to attend to.” With that, he pushes you away.
“Right, right, many honorable people in the business of maggot tails, I’m sure.” Maggot what now? Was that what you were buying? “Hope you have a nice day, Maggo-”
“Mag. Have a nice day too, delusionist.”
You roll your eyes somewhat fondly, Kaeya thinks, before walking off.
It’s only now, and after this interaction, that Kaeya realizes you’re somewhat (in)famous around these parts. You can’t even pull your hood back down because the next clerk sees you and shouts out your name, a tone of familiarity on his tongue.
“(y/n)!”
Soon enough, every vendor’s –and sometimes random passerby– greeting you warmly, as if you were one of their own. Although, all things considered, you were. Many of these people have had their family ripped from their hold. To fill that empty void, they found their closest friends became their family.
Hmph, a chosen family; what Kaeya wouldn’t give up just to have that!
Kaeya may not look out of place, but he certainly feels like it.
After morning shopping, you duck into a bar named something along the lines of “Duckling” –Kaeya doesn’t care to engrave it in his mind– as you wait for afternoon vendors to set up shop and all.
“(y/n)! What’ll you be havin’?”
“My regular.” You sideglance him, “Make that two.”
All the people in here know you, and considering your order, you’re probably frequent this Duckling place often.
“Alchoholic?” The bartender asks. It’s both a question and a doubt.
“Hmm,” You hum as you think, “you’re right. Non-alcoholic.”
A little drink in the morning never hurt anybody, certainly not Kaeya –drinker, he was– of all people. Though, he supposes, it’s probably not a good idea to peruse merchandise with liquor loosening your mind and judgement.
You move on ahead. Tables and chairs were crowded close together –despite the tavern being a bit empty– leaving enough walking space for one. Kaeya takes your lead, having nothing else to do.
You were in your element here; he could tell that perfectly clear. There’s a pep to your step and a confidence to your motions. He watches you again, watches you interact with the already drunk morning drinkers, warm smiles, firm pats on the shoulder, familiar remarks and all.
When’s the last time he’s been in a similar situation? The elders’ bingo night meeting as far back as Mondstadt? Hmph, sounds about right.
As you steer away from the agglomeration of furniture and near a staircase, you suddenly turn to him.
Kaeya slids to a stop in front of you, too close in front of you. You’d be able to feel his breath if he hadn’t held it. If you notice, you don’t say anything about it, “I’ll wait for our drinks. You head on up upstairs.”
His gaze follows the direction you nodded to, and then he nods in return. “Sure.” His voice comes out meek and he hates it.
The upstairs is rather nice, empty too; makes him feel like a V.I.P, which certainly you are by the looks of it. There’s a paned door leading to a balcony outside, a collection of mismatched seating in a nook of the room, and a door to his immediate right. The floor plan’s all messed up, he notes. The door probably leads into an apartment and-
It does.
…lead into an apartment.
“Who are you?”
He’s suddenly face to face with another man, bit taller than him, with an eyepatch mirroring his (that is, just like a mirror; Kaeya’s eyepatch is on his right eye, this man’s is on his left).
Without a care in the world, he flicks the hood off of Kaeya’s face, then his own scrunches up as if Kaeya was a pile of shit.
He’s got no time to think of any fake names or anything, “Kaeya.” The man raises a brow, but he does not reply with a last name. “You?”
“This is no charity, Kaeya. Get off me floor.”
Kaeya thinks—knows that nothing in the world could convince him to do the opposite of what this man just told him to. Despite only being something along the lines of five centimeters taller than him, Kaeya is entirely shaken off by him. The mysteries of his eyepatch (How’d he lose his eye? Did he even at all?), his hulking figure, his alerted stance, his furrowed brow… everything about him was unsettling.
When the cryomancer turns on his heel, he meets your eyes. For one, he’s glad to see a familiar face; for two, he’s glad to see a pair of eyes.
“Relax, Morden, he’s with me.”
Morden seems to relax at this. It’s rather funny to see it, actually, to watch his chest deflate and his heels actually plant on the floor. He hadn’t realized it earlier, but the man had actually been standing slightly on his tiptoes. The thought of it makes Kaeya relax too.
“Next time you send someone up here, alone, who I don’t know, I’ll cut off their head without question.” With those threteaning words spoken, he makes his way over to you, shoving Kaeya aside without a thought.
His threat is not followed by a punch, as Kaeya thought it’d be. Instead, it’s followed by a hug, seems a big one too, if your hands weren’t occupied.
Right, you had more than family here; friends, too.
Suddenly, he doesn’t know what to do with his hands, or his feet for that matter. The right thing would’ve been to take the drinks off your hands, but he didn’t think of that, either. He didn’t think of much, really.
It seems you exchange a couple words before you part, ones that leave you chuckling and ones that he can’t hear.
“This for-” (me?)
“No,” You snap your hand away from him, making the drink in that tall tavern glass slosh and fall on the ground, not that either of you seem to mind. “greedy bastard.”
Morden rolls his eyes, “I’ll grab one of my own then, hoarder; and I’ll call for Lorelei and Zero, too.”
“You don’t-” You start, except he’s already going down the stairs. You sigh, instead, and turn, finally, back to Kaeya. You’re about to start talking again, but are interrupted yet again.
“Who was that?”
“Morden. You can take a seat, the big guy doesn’t own these couches.” You say casually, as if he’d understand, then remember. “Ah, yeah. Wanted killer, o’ course, convicted thief, accused arsonist; all the works.” And to top it all off, you say, “He’s a nice guy.” as if it made sense.
“Yes, of course.” Sarcasm practically drips off his tongue, and while it was bitter, your face seemed to light up at the fact he was showing some bit of emotion.
You roll your eyes at him, “ 'Villains’,” He takes note of the tiredness in your pronunciation of villain, “find their second chances in Nieblina, Kaeya. He may still be out of his mind, and that accusation of arson may be true, but he’s a good man.” He has a feeling there are a lot more 'but’s to take note of, “Everyone here, you’ll find, has done something wrong in their life. Their nation didn’t give them a chance at redemption or the time for an explanation, but Nieblina did. That’s what’s good about this place, and that’s what’s good about the people, flawed as they and it may be.”
“Right.” Is all he can offer in response.
He was speechless, sure; at any rate, he was far from empty-minded. He pondered your words, pondered their validity for a mere second before determining that you were right. Of course you were right, and not because you were right a lot of the time.
Villains, the people of Nieblina were, in name only and in the eyes of their former neighbors only. It was time he saw the town this way.
He thinks of it now, actually. You both view your titles of hero and villain in a tired way; tired in that you’ve heard it all before. For him, it’s the praise people bring to the table simply because of that title, or the novelty of them knowing a hero to the point of their strengths, not their value as a friend. For you, it’s the blame for all that is wrong, the instant hate, and the inability to do many 'regular day in society’ things.
“…how about the other two?” He says it as if venturing out of a comfort zone, which he was to a certain point.
Knowing he’s more interested in their convictions, you say, “Lorelai is as equally annoying as she was a petty thief. Equally petty is the reason for which she was to be hung. She has murdered, but only to get out of an unfavorable situation.”
Kaeya wonders how many situations she finds unfavorable, and how many she’s able to tolerate before knives go flying.
“Zero’s story is entirely on them to explain or not. They’re not fond of it, of course, so refrain from asking. All I can say is that you needn’t worry about them. Their first wrongdoing was not even their own.” Curious, had they been framed? “They’re the warmest person I’ve ever met, personality-wise, though you’ll only find it to be that way once you’ve worked for their hard-gained trust.”
He wasn’t all too concerned about Zero. Despite their name being quite threatening, he doesn’t think he’ll stick around long enough to gain their trust. At the very least, he hopes Zero is a kind of passive person. If he doesn’t bother them, they won’t bother him.
So the two of you wait for the rest. Kaeya doesn’t want to meet them, but what else was there to do? He wouldn’t dare to venture out all on his own, that was out of question.
Even if your friends weren’t entirely bad guys, he didn’t like the thought of it for a reason he wasn’t aware of. There was a deep anxiety in his chest for what was to come.
Don’t judge a book by its cover. Being a knight with an eyepatch and a reputable silver tongue meant he knew that best. People were wary of him at first glance, but they would all eventually fall for his charm and realize that Kaeya was not a bad guy.
He knew the phrase to be true, yet he didn’t apply it now. He was not the wanted murderer, after all.
When Morden comes back, an arm around a woman he presumes to be Lorelai and a boulder of a person behind him he presumes to be Zero, he feels even more anxious.
Lorelai fixes him with a mischevious grin and wild eyes. Kaeya hadn’t formed a proper expectation in thought, but this was the kind of woman he was subconciously expecting. She had unruly hair and an equally messy outfit, heels the length of a nice dagger (which actually did seem like daggers stuck in a shoe) and a full length utility belt stuffed to the brim with who knows what. She was young, he can tell, something around just about of age.
First, she greets you. “(Y/N)!” Then, just as quick, she points at him. “Is this first place?”
Without even waiting for an answer, she shakes off the arm around her shoulder and comes stumbling over to him. “Lorelai, it’s nice to meet you!” She doesn’t wait for Kaeya to extend his hand, only takes it in her own without permission and shakes it vigorously. “I’ve heard a lot about you.”
“…may I ask what competition we’re supposedly participating in?”
“Who’s most annoying!” She rolls her eyes as if he was supposed to know that.
Kaeya turns to you, an eyebrow raised. You give him a shrug that’s intended to say you don’t know, but it looks more like 'I do know, I just don’t want to take the blame’. After all, who else would she have heard about him from?
“So it's that Kaeya?” Morden asks, eyebrows just about shooting up in his hair.
“Must be.” Zero grunts.
“Don’t seem so annoying so far.” Lorelai remarks cheekily, “Hmm, (y/n) when’s the last time you saw this guy?”
“About six years ago.”
She doesn’t seem phased in the slightest at that revelation, if it even was one. Perhaps she’d only forgotten. “Must-a aged, bummer.” She shakes her head and exclaims after a sigh, “Disqualifieeed. Technicality first place, but, oh well.”
You glance over at him for a second, maybe more. To him, it looks like you’re debating whether or not to say something; though in the end, you don’t say anything. (You were debating whether to say “He still can be.” but you didn’t want to hurt his feelings in the end, not after what you agreed not to speak about.)
“Congrats, then. You’ve only increased in annoyance for the past two years. So much for aging.”
Lorelai rolls her eyes and shrugs, “If I’m not old enough to like raisins, I’m not old enough to be aging yet. I’ve told you, time and time again! When are you going to-”
Seemingly tired of Lorelai’s antics, much to her dismay, Morden interrupts her, “It’s been a long time since you were in town.”
“A month!”
Morden chooses to ignore that statement, “Any stories to tell?”
“What mischief have you pulled?” Lorelai pipes in.
“I hope not much.” Zero says, sitting down on one end of the couch. It’s the end farthest from Kaeya, but he still feels the cushion on his part of it sink down a little. Morden and Lorelai follow suit, with Morden boldly squeezing right between the two of you and Lorelai taking an (quite roughed up) armchair.
And so, you begin. Kaeya finds himself listening in too.
Apparently, you’d learned to cover up your tracks. Kaeya’d only known you were at that bar by Mondstadt because of your reputation and hearsay from bar patrons, as well as the fact Mondstadt was his so called “domain”. Had he not been actively searching for you, of course, he wouldn’t have found you.
To Zero’s dismay and Lorelai’s amusement, you’d caused plenty of mischief. Though you’d argued that “Mischief is drawn to me, not I to it.”, Zero was far from convinced. From messing with dwarves’ heights, casting illusions of food to fool halflings, and outpranking goblins, perhaps it really was attracted to you; or maybe that was Kaeya’s city walls Mondstadter life speaking.
“So what’d you do, then?” Morden asks, a residual twinkle from full belly laughs sparkling in his eyes.
“Why, I stuffed it up his nose, of course!”
Morden laughs again, his ugly rat laugh that he only pulls when he’s so loose. “Atta boy!” He clinks his pint against yours, causing your drink to slosh dangerously around the rim. “Although, if I was you, I’d have aimed lower and back-er.”
“You try stuffing a splintered staff up a gnome’s arse, then!” You exlaim with a quick chuckle, “I woulda gladly done it if I was able to reach low enough.”
“I thought you liked to keep a low profile.” Kaeya remarks. Well, that’s what he’d assumed, anyway.
“If my bounty’s high, well,” You shrug and take a swig of your drink. To fill in the blank is easy, but you continue anyway, “I do what I need to. If I’m basically unknown there, a rare treat I know, I have my fun. I’d bring you, he- Kaeya, if I knew where to go.”
Kaeya takes note of you acommodating to his boundaries, avoiding the nickname hero, and smiles to himself.
“But you wouldn’t bring me?” Morden raises a brow.
“That is debatable. You and I…” You grimace, “would be getting up to more trouble than mischief.”
Morden takes a sloppy gulp of his drink and wipes the rest of it off his cupid’s bow, “Gotta agree to that.”
Kaeya raises an eyebrow at the “trouble” (whether that or that) but he remains quiet; knowing he wasn’t going to know your friends for long, and he figured he didn't need to know them either. This was all going to be a bygone nightmare soon enough.
Although, he had a feeling Morden was staring at him out of the corner of his eye. He couldn’t quite tell, what with his and Morden’s blind spots (eyepatches) facing each other. He wouldn’t doubt it, anyway. Morden had placed himself between the two of you for a reason, and he was fairly sure he knew it.
“Well, anyway, pertaining to that 'mischief’: I managed to get myself in jail. I-” You seem to stop in your tracks at the sight of Zero’s raised eyebrow. “Alright, yes, I guess you can call it 'trouble’. Regardless, I’m here now, yes? It doesn’t matter all that much. I-”
You’re interrupted again, this time by an alarm. Kaeya jumps in his spot, but looking around him, he notices you all seem quite at rest. The clock’s 12 pm alarm had been spouted by a (rather realistic) bird, who’s tune was not birdsong, but rather awful sirens. Morden laughs at his alarm, but he chooses to ignore it.
“The afternoon market must be set up by now.” You stand, much to the others’ dismay. Disappointment paints their faces in an unflattering light. “Coming along, Kaeya?”
“Nice of you to give me an option.” The knight remarks, “But I was going regardless.”
You chuckle at that, and he has a feeling you already know why he’s coming with.
It certainly felt blatantly obvious.
“So, what is it that has your hair standing on end?”
Kaeya’s lips purse. “I’m sure you know.”
“I do.” You announce unceremoniously, “Just, maybe I was wrong, you know? Plus, I wanted to give my friends the benefit of the doubt.”
“Your 'loose’ friends?” He can’t help but snarl, “The murderers?”
Your smile shrinks, he notices, but you continue in a careless tone. “Yes.” Perhaps he was dampening your mood. Well, no, he certainly was. But he knew you couldn’t deny that you were contradicting yourself: Villains formed loose friendships, right? Those friends seemed far from loose. “I do let myself get carried away with them.”
Your smile shrinks until it is no more, and finally, he realizes he’s fucked up.
“Sorry…” He mutters it, looking down at the dirty cobbled street ground and his leather shoes and his studded bracelets. He mutters it in shame. He adds more to it than apologizing for the comments of your friends; He adds an apology for the night before. Then he realizes his quietness and repeats, “I’m sorry.”
“For?”
He raises his head and stares ahead, at your tilted head and your furrowed brows and the hanging, short strip of your hair (that he wants to tuck behind your ear); and surmises you’re curious. But there’s a hurt in your eyes, somewhere in there. He remembers the look. “Doubting your friends… hurting your feelings.”
And, against all odds, you smile. It’s a nice smile, a smile of amusement. He’s missed this kind of smile, especially on you. With the shake of your head, that which it entrances him, you say, “Apology accepted.”
“I do understand. Morden’s accusations, Lorelai’s craziness, Zero’s build… But,” There’s a twinkle in your eyes; the eyes that he’s memorized a long time ago, aged as they may be now. He can still see it from the side as you stare down at the products in your hands. “they wouldn’t harm me, nor you. And if they do…” You chuckle, “We both know what I can do about that.”
Light-hearted as it may be, Kaeya lets it reassure him, and it works.
“They’re not bad people.”
He agrees.
“The guards had been patrolling the area. I knew that from the footsteps outside the jail cell window.”
As soon as you came back, your story continued in full swing. It turned out to be quite the long one, too. By nightfall, you’d just barely gotten to the climax.
“It was a foolish mistake to only keep two guards outside. In fact, it was foolish of them to wait to transport me. Had the large bounty not taught them a lesson?”
Kaeya had to admit, you were good at theatrics. Morden and Lorelai’s lips had been seemingly sealed shut as they listened intently to your story, only parting slightly to gasp or add comments.
“It didn’t much matter to me. All I knew was that I had to take advantage of their mistake. I knew there were two ways to do this: stealth or guns blazing.”
“Tell me you went out guns blazing!” Both of your rowdy friends exclaim.
“Who would I be if I picked stealth?” You chuckle, “Guns blazing, all the way.” Kaeya, a man of grace, would’ve picked stealth; but in the end, this wasn’t his story. “There were wards surrounding the cell, of course they weren’t stupid enough to forget those. Though, I am a powerful magician, so-”
“Doubt that statement.” Morden smirks.
You roll your eyes and continue, “It hardly affected me. I was able to undo the wards, and everything came easy after that.”
Lorelai snickers, “You kill everyone, yada yada-”
“Aye, well, that’s where you’re wrong.” She scoffs at your dramaticism. “Two guards it was, yeah? No. It was two guards walking. Apparently, they had stationed plenty right outside my window. They were expecting me to blast out, which I had done. I will say, explosions are fun to produce. So I did explode that cobbled wall. Did also end up exploding a couple guards along with it.”
Zero purses their lips. They knew this was going to happen.
“As fun as explosions are, they are much harder to control. It’s kind of what makes them so fun. I was far enough from the blast, though.”
“…plot armor.”
“I’d taken a good third with the blast. The rest were a piece of cake. Summoning daggers, random spells…”
“Yada, yada.” Lorelai finishes.
You’ll have to agree with her this time, “Yada yada. But, after all that? I didn’t regret getting drunk the night before. 'Twas one of the best nights of my life.”
“Are you sure you weren’t still drunk?” Morden remarks with a swig of his drink. “Rather reckless of you.”
“I know you would’ve gone guns blazing, and I know you said so earlier.”
He raises his arms in surrender.
With your story finished both in word and mind, you take in your surroundings. “Oh. It’s evening already.” You’d eaten your dinner earlier, only because Zero brought something from the bar for all of you. You hadn’t registered it was your actual dinner. “I should-”
“Stay.” Morden interrupts. “You can stay here.”
Kaeya frowns at that, and he’s not quite sure why. He corrects that frown quickly when you glance at him from your peripheral.
“No.” It’s simple, yet the movement of your lips mezmorizes him. More than the movement, but the answer too. You were good friends, he knew. Why did you deny his offer?
“The walk home isn’t far, and you only own one bed.”
hello everyone! i’m clover and i’m going to be writing headcanons and matchups for those in genshin impact! there may be the occasional ship and character analysis, and maybe personal opinions on characters! please read the following for each category so we can all have a good time here!
Rules
✦ i willnotwriteromantic headcanons for qiqi, klee, diona, and yaoyao. i do wish to keep this blog as lighthearted and safe as i can, so the darkest i’ll go is (character) as a yandere.
✧ nsfw headcanons will only be included in a character analysis for characters over 18. so far, requests for nsfw are not accepted. this may change
✦ i will notdoromanticmatchupswithqiqi, klee, diona, and yaoyao being results
✧ i will not write for ganyu or keqing
✦ for a ship analysis i will not be doing any ship with qiqi, klee, diona, and yaoyao
✧ for a matchup, please include myers briggs type, sexuality, basic likes and dislikes, a hobby or two, a bit about who you are as a person, and specify whether you want a platonic or romantic matchup. please do not tell me every single detail and go into deep trauma. i’m still a person on the other side of the screen and i am not equipped to be anyone’s therapist.
✦ i’ll occasionally write full fics for ships and possibly x readers but those may end up on a separate account. i’m unsure if i could keep up writing full fics, so there will be no requests accepted for anything that isn’t headcanons or short scenarios
✧ i will do team incorrect quotes and headcanons! can also include unreleased characters like the harbingers, baizhu, collei, and any of the upcoming characters (cyno, varka, lynette + lyney, etc). no harbinger is off limits
✦ ship headcanons are allowed and i will take requests for those! i will not be doing anything dark for these as well. nothings nsfw so far, but perhaps in the future i’m okay with it as long as it’s a legal ship between adults. please just don’t send in ships with qiqi, klee, diona, yaoyao, ganyu, and keqing.
✧ do feel free to talk to me about builds and units and just lore in general! my askbox and dms are always open for game discussion~ or just discussion in general too!
if you ship kaeluc. you are not welcome here. we do not support incest. the excuse “but kaeya’s adopted” is just you saying you don’t think adopted kids can be in a family and feel at home. it did not get lost in translation
if you ship qiqi, klee, and diona with anyone romantically
if you like starting discourse over the twin’s ages
and the basic, if you aren’t racist/homophobic/transphobic etc
tw:fluff, a little bit suggestive at the end, established relationship, people try to hit on your husband.
word count:1.5k+ words
author’s note:Dilf Kaeya was sitting in my head for weeks now, I just want this man to have a daughter…
Dilf Kaeya who aged like a good wine both in looks and personality. The man many didn’t believe would ever start a family, yet here he is, happily married and with a child, a sweet princess with his blue jay hair and your pretty eyes. The girl, whom adores the whole Mondstadt from the common citizens to the knights at the Favonius headquarters.
Dilf Kaeya who often takes her with him to work whenever she misses him too strongly, and lets her roam the building with the promise she won’t bother busy people much. He is so proud when Lisa tells him his daughter helped her in the library or when Jean praises her for organizing some papers in her study. He himself is always happy if she decides to stay with him, climbing into his lap and curiously watching the quill in his hand moving across the papers.
Dilf Kaeya who carries her home in his arms if she falls asleep, her head resting on his shoulder, looking like an angel. Who carefully passes her body into your arms and watches you kiss her forehead, softly smiling and murmuring how hard she must’ve worked.
Dilf Kaeya who brings you closer into his side with an arm wrapped around your waist as you two quietly close the door to her bedroom. His lips touch your temple and you giggle at the affection turning to him and kissing him properly.
Dilf Kaeya who laughs embarrassed when you remind him of a story from the times your girl was but a baby and tried to latch onto his chest in search of milk. His chest did become bigger and wider as the years passed, adding to him being freaking hot, and becoming an object of your teasing jokes of him actually being the mom. He always argues, saying he’d never be a better mommy than you, starting a playful banter with you no matter where you can be.
Dilf Kaeya who draws attention to himself even more now, looking all ravishing and sexy as a grown man, though his own flirting has decreased considerably from the moment he married and started a family with you. However, there are suitors that still try to catch his eye and some can be really… persistent.
Dilf Kaeya, who finally has his horses back in stables and can take his princess out for the rides. Sometimes you join the two, but often you let them have father-daughter bonding moments. Kaeya is thrilled to have the alone time with her, especially after almost a week of being swarmed with paperwork and neverending patrols. Her small body is pressed firmly into dad’s chest and she keeps her hands on top of his arms as the man holds the horse’s reins. He can tell she is having great fun, turning her head from side to side.
Dilf Kaeya who gets concerned when she points to the left and says she sees hilichurls surrounding someone. His first instinct is to ride away to assure her safety, but he is a knight, he ought to help people. So, he leaves the horse hidden in the bushes and asks the girl to wait for him, to which she nods in understanding, promising to not move an inch from her position. He is so lucky, the Cavalry Captain thinks, as he smooches her cheek and rushes to help whoever is in trouble.
Dilf Kaeya who gets hit on the moment the young woman is saved. The man smiles through her blubbering of ‘thank you’s and ‘you are my hero’s, not batting an eye at her attempts to flirt with him. He literally offered her a hand, the one with the wedding ring on it, to help stand up, clearly it should be enough to show he is taken.
Dilf Kaeya who again and again tells the woman he is not interested, as he turns around and tries to walk off and back to his daughter, ignoring the offers of the woman’s company who is following him all the way back to the place where he left the horse and the girl.
“Daddy, is that a woman you saved?” she asks curiously, playing with the braid you made her in the morning. Kaeya gives her a loving smile, brushing his own thicker and longer braid over his shoulder. The manloves matching with her.
“Yes, my lily, and she is leaving already. Wanna go home to mommy?”
The girl hums, brushing her fingers through the stallion’s mane, pondering his offer over.
“I want to, but can we ride for a little bit longer?”
“Of cour-”
“Oh, that’s great! She can go and have fun, while we have ours!” Kaeya almost forgot about the other human’s presence, that is until she wraps her arms around his and squeezes it to her chest.
Dilf Kaeya whose eye turns icy cold as he glances to the side, piercing the stunned woman with a glare. What? Does she really believe he’ll take her offer and decieve you? The woman who accepts his past and his imperfections, the woman to whom he willingly gave his heart and received her in return, the woman who loves him to the point of accepting his marriage proposal and having a cute little girl? And all of that just to hook with someone he barely knows? Does she think he is an idiot? No one has ever been this bold and something inside the ever patient and collected man snaps. He is annoyed now.
“Lady, I tell you once again, I am not interested. And please, be appropriate, my child is right here.”
His voice is very calm but alarmingly chilly, the touch is firm and freezing when he pries her from around him and grabs the horse’s reins, ready to leave.
“The fact my wife isn’t present doesn’t mean you have a chance and right to hit on me. This,” he lifts his hand and shows his ring “is here not for fancy, it has purpose. Now, since I can clearly see you have no other issues, we’ll excuse ourselves. Goodbye.”
Dilf Kaeya who doesn’t pay much attention to the situation, only glancing at you the moment your daughter mentions the strange encounter in her description of the walk. Busy with tending to her, brushing her hair and listening to her stories curiously, you only hum and say that her daddy is a real hero and that you are very proud of him. No further questions, comments or worries.
Dilf Kaeya who kisses you deeply, silencing your sinful moans which he himself is drilling out of you with his cock. It’s the dead of the night, he can allow himself to relax, holding your trembling body in his embrace. Kaeya is aware there are people who could think of him being unfaithful, but he is also aware they are dead wrong. He knows you know he is devoted to you and only you in the sense of heart, body, mind and soul, however damned they can appear to be.
Dilf Kaeya, who takes your hand in his and kisses the back of it, not halting the thrusting of his hips for a moment. Smooth lips brush over your lovely fingers in a soft murmur.
"Thank you for trusting me, love.”
To which you breathlessly chuckle, giving his hand a squeeze and bringing the other to cup his check.
“You’ve been nothing but loyal to me, Kaeya. Of course I do trust you. I married an amazing man after all.”
Amazing, huh? Hearing your speak so fondly of him and gazing at him with nothing but adoration in your eyes, he knows, it’ll be okay. You always call him brilliant, smart, beautiful, lovely, handsome, sexy, witty, sometimes crazy, pouty, irresponsible, silly, in recent years you even picked up after Lisa and started to call him a dilf in a teasing manner, and honestly, your words are the only opinion he takes and considers in regards to your relationship. He knows you know he is all of the things you name him and you equally adore each part of him and he feels the same about you.
Dilf Kaeya whose fingers intertwine with yours in a comforting manner, whose lips meld with yours in a passionate dance, whose body presses incredibly close to yours in the deepest form of intimacy. There is no way he’d ever abandon what he has with you, you give him too many things to treasure, the greatest ones wrapping around your ring fingers in the form of golden bands and one more soundly sleeping in her own room.
Dilf Kaeya is the man who has always been desirable in the eyes of others. He is aware that many people find him alluring now specifically because they view him as a sexy dad. Does he care about having the appeal of being a hot parent? Not really, but it does become irritating when people get too handsy. After all, he is reserved only for his wife and daughter and for you two he does care.
