#alexa play this love by taylor swift | Explore Tumblr Posts and Blogs

wexhappyxfew · 5 months

Text

stray bullets

(a/n): it's been a long time coming, but.....i am beyond excited to share this piece. focused on some early days with kennedy x bucky, i wanted to dig into kennedy and her character (and her fun internal monologue) and introduce exactly how she's connected with bucky - because let's be honest, even she doesn't know how it happened. please enjoy!! :D (also...it's a bit of a long one - i was having some fun haha!)

The silence around the interrogation table was enough to mess with any person's head; whether they were the command pilot, like Lieutenant Bradshaw, or a tail gunner, like Marianne Salinger, they all seemed to sit in reserved quietness as they festered in the happenings of just an hour ago.

Sweat trickled down the sides of her face as she leaned against the wooden table, picking at pieces that were peeling up, trying to keep her eyes away from the maps sprawled out, and that big leather-jacket notebook where Bessie kept all her notes, coordinates and documentation for what planes had gone down - when and where. The other tables were much more lively - louder, chatty, a bit of yelling even. The Silver Bullets table was quiet, and they were all sure it had to do with the notable lack of their flight engineer, who was currently at the Med-Bay, bloodied and unconscious.

Margie Harlowe was on all of their minds it seemed.

And the thought of having to recount the events leading up to that point, made Kennedy want to vomit. The hit had come just as they were on the 90 degree turn to get the bombs ready to drop. Achterberg had taken control of the plane, with Bradshaw and Montez working to guide the B-17 swiftly to the side, as the onslaught of flak and bullets sprayed from the German fighters swinging around above them.

Kennedy remembered the yelp and anguished cry of pain that had come from her headset, the blood-curdling scream for help that had Kennedy forgetting about her .50 cal and racing towards where the top turret was. She couldn't get that look on Margie's face out of her mind; sobbing, horrified, the blood covering half her face, Stagliano trying to calm Margie down the best she could, while waving off the sad excuse of help that Kennedy had been. Freezing up like that, what was she thinking?

"Sergeant Farley." Kennedy's head snapped up - she didn't realize she'd blanked out, staring at the dried blood on her hands, shoved up underneath her fingernails, and had her name being called all at once. She met the eyes of the interrogator and swallowed.

"Lieutenant Bradshaw said you were there when you got Sergeant Harlowe out of the top turret." the interrogator started, "Can you recount that for me?" Kennedy stared at him, suddenly feeling the eyes of everyone at the table and some of the surrounding upper brass, on her.

Colonel Harding had stood in the background, hand nervously resting on his upper lip, eyes masked in worry as the group had come in - it seemed whenever something happened to Silver Bullets, he was always at interrogation, especially their table. Making sure wrongs were righted and that whatever was going on, was fixed. He looked out for them.

"I was, sir," Kennedy managed out, shifting a bit, as more sweat dripped down her face, briefly catching the worried look from Judy just a few people down. Her eyes caught on Vivian's gaze opposite her own. She then found Francis watching her, and tried to avoid her emotions that she felt as she noted the ones in their co-pilot's own. The only thing keeping her steady was Lieutenant Bradshaw's presence beside her.

In some innate way, having Lieutenant Bradshaw there kept her from losing it.

"It was quick," Kennedy said, "I figured flak or….something from one of the fighters. German fighters. Bullet spray." Kennedy saw Paulina nod her on encouragingly.

"Sergeant Ratcliff was manning her post….so, I went to Sergeant Harlowe," Kennedy said, her eyes filling with tears, her voice breaking, "I got her out of there. As quick as I could. I…I laid her down. There was blood…..everywhere…." Kennedy trailed off. She was staring at her hands again, covered in blood. Margie's blood.

"I was able to stop the bleeding from both the side of her face and her shoulder. Took what bandage was there and wrapped her shoulder. Set it in a splint." Paulina said quickly, her words firm and much more logically-backed and confident than Kennedy's would ever be, "I ensured that there weren't blocked airways and she could breathe. It was a joint effort, Sergeant Farley and I, to ensure her safety." Kennedy looked to Paulina and gave her a slow nod of thanks, to which Paulina nodded back. Because that's what they did for each other; having each other's backs like this.

"Alright," the interrogator said, making a few extra notes before clearing his throat and looking towards Lieutenant Bradshaw, who was sat there stoic and quiet, "we lost Browning and Alder. How many chutes….?"

Kennedy watched in a reeling bit of slow motion as Judy sat there and recounted the number of chutes she had seen, Marianne and Francis chiming in with their own recounts and visuals. How many more chutes would they have to count, planes going down all around, before this would be over? Before this nightmare would end?

Kennedy looked to the empty chair where Margie would've sat and felt her heart sag and her throat tighten with emotion she had been forcing herself not to feel. It was eerily similar to when Captain Faulkner had taken the hit. When she had died. They still had sat around this stupid interrogation table, having to talk about that mission, about what had happened, with Captain Faulkner's chair left open, her presence highly gone. They all remembered that. It hurt.

Whether it was the fact she was sat at that table, or was used to a constant presence of eyes, she glanced upwards and found, from the middle opening space where some of the brass would linger in times like this, Major Egan watching her, his hands placed on his hips, and his eyes seeking out her own.

Kennedy had never been wrapped up in any sort of long-winded conversation with Major Egan - their differences in rank and formalities were already a larger factor than needed when it came to talking to him and she didn't want to incite any sort of inappropriate ideas past that. They'd debated about baseball a few times - her, a raging Red Sox fan, him a stupid Yankees fan - and they'd even had a few conversations that were outside that realm. But it was never anything much more than that. And she intended to keep it that way. Yet, something in his gaze made her not want to look away from his face, from his eyes, from his presence stood there in the center of the room.

"Sergeant Farley?" She snapped her head away from his eyes and back to the table - many of which of the Silver Bullets girls were currently watching Kennedy with sorrowful and worried expressions, while Lieutenant Bradshaw eyed her curiously.

"Sorry?"

"The number of chutes from Browning. That you saw?" the interrogator asked. Kennedy righted herself and straightened her back.

"Right."

When they were dismissed, after Kennedy had been sat, blanked out for a greater portion of her time there in the seat, Lieutenant Bradshaw had caught her before she could run away, pulling her to the side, with a warm hand on her shoulder and a soft look in her eyes.

"You should go visit her," Annie said quietly, "I can tell by the look in your eye that you won't change out of these clothes or eat until you do." Lieutenant Annie Bradshaw did know her rather well in that sense.

"Yes, ma'am, I will," Kennedy said firmly, reaching up to wipe at the beads of sweat still trickling down her face - whether from the stress still circulating her body or the idea of Margie there on a cot, unconscious, she wasn't sure, "you do the same." Annie watched her with a smile before reaching up to squeeze her shoulder.

"I will, Farley," she said, before patting her shoulder, "and wash up. A few of the girls were planning on heading to the flying club tonight. Destress and all." Kennedy smiled softly and nodded.

"Will do." she said and Annie smiled before turning and heading off - leave it to Lieutenant Annie Bradshaw to instill what comfort they all needed after something like that. Birdie used to do much of the same - Annie even had the same look in her eye as Birdie usually did after a mission. Kennedy smiled slightly.

"Sergeant Farley." The achingly familiar voice struck her system and she turned to her left to find Major Egan walking towards her, as she watched him approach with that slow, even and swaggering gait, his crusher cap a bit lopsided on his head, sweat dropping down the sides of his face, as he wore that stupid, beige sheepskin jacket that she had offhandedly made fun of him for that one time (and proceeded to rub in her face ever since).

"Sir." she said, saluting him quickly as he came to a stop in front of her and shook his head, reaching up to bring her arm down from the position she'd taken up.

"Nah, nah, don't worry about that bullshit," he said and she raised her brows, "Harlowe. Sergeant Harlowe - is she good? Is she alright?" Kennedy stared at him, her heart pulsating inside her chest in a way that made her unable to get her breathing entirely under control. She watched him, tilting her head to the side and then managed to find her footing.

"Not entirely, but she's alive," she said firmly, with a nod, "flak hit up top. Or….stray bullets. Either way, she was hit and knocked out. But she's fine now." Kennedy watched him as she spoke, his eyes refusing to leave her own as he stared down at her, his larger-than-life presence soaking up every part of the view in front of her, the worry in his eyes, covered with that joking nature a slight surprise and the deep breaths he was taking enough to make her fail at controlling her own.

"And yourself?" he asked her, the corner of his lips poking upwards, a smile fighting to be on his face.

"Me? Sir, I, uh, I'm fine," she said quickly, sputtering a bit like a small child, "I'm fine seriously-"

"Good, good," he said quickly - they were pretty quick with whatever they seemed to be talking about here, "just…..when the planes came back and Harding said something about Silver Bullets taking a hit, I thought…..thought the whole goddamn plane had gone down from the way he was fucking talking so." She stared at him. He stopped talking and then stared at her, before running a hand over his face and nodding to her. She stared back at him, unsure of what to say.

For probably the first time in a long time, looking at him, she did not know what to say. This panicked approach to this sudden stillness and quiet. There were voices all around them, nurses bustling about with medics and doctors, and pilots with their crews meandering away from interrogation like limp horses, dragging gear that was nothing but a pile of garbage behind them. And the smells - like gasoline, smoke and death wafted through the air, enough to make a person want to vomit. She needed to go see Margie, and she was beyond sure that Major Egan had somewhere better to be as well. Kennedy wanted to move her feet, but she couldn't. No part of her was moving or even ready to move. Major Egan was stock-still in front of her as well.

"Is there….something else, uh, sir?" Kennedy didn't know what to do with Major Egan sometimes - call him sir, but he told her not to bother? Call him sir because he was the one who held rank? Major Egan continued to watch her and then ran a hand down his slightly sweaty face and shook his head.

"No." he said quickly, firmly, "You should get a check on Sergeant Harlowe. Make sure she's alright when she wakes up." If she wakes up, Kennedy thought, but that sour idea in her mind disappeared as Major Egan nodded to her. She stared at him for a moment longer, before she slowly nodded to him, turning away from him. She took a few steps before she could hear his footsteps and feel the placement of his hand wrapped around her elbow.

"Farley," he said, his voice quieter, as she stopped her paces and turned, her eyes searching his own as she looked at him, "seriously, you alright?" She stared at him, slightly surprised at the way his voice had grown softer, his eyes less vibrant than normal.

"Yes," she told him, but as he tilted his head towards her, she felt her heart race a bit faster than normal and couldn't help but take a shaky step back from him, "it was just a lot today that's all. But it's a lot every day. Nothing new. Can't complain." Major Egan watched her, like he was trying to diagnose whatever the fuck was currently wrong with her, acting like she didn't just watch their flight engineer and closest companion almost die.

"You like the jacket?" he asked her quietly, and it didn't take long for what stress she had in her mind and heart to roll back into that violent ocean crawl of waves and a small laugh to leave her lips.

"Is that why you came waltzing over here?" she asked him, her voice low, as she crossed her arms, "Because if that's all this was about, I'm just going to head to the Med-Bay now." Major Egan let out a dry chuckle and looked to her.

"And if I told you it was?"

"I would happily discard that jacket for you, even start a bonfire." she said, "We could get real fancy." She stared at him. "It looks ridiculous."

"You sure about that?" he said, popping up the collar, which made her roll her eyes, "I think it fits me pretty well."

"I would beg to differ," she said, "seriously, an A-2 would do you one better."

"You going sweet on me, Farley?"

"Since when did that idea get into your head?"

"You like me in my A-2, admit it."

"It would look better than that shitty thing."

"C'mon, Farley, don't leave me hangin' now." She raised a brow at him as she crossed her arms across her chest and smirked his way.

"Goodbye, John." she said, with a grin, turning away, only to have him placing his hand on her shoulder and turning her back around. She looked up at him.

"For someone so hellbent on making his rounds, you sure seem to like hanging around me." she said quietly, with a small smile, watching as his eyes seemed to twinkle in the hazy afternoon sunlight.

"Consider it a compliment." he offered her.

"A compliment?" she said with a small smile, "Didn't know you handed those out. And for free?"

"Farley…." he said with a slight groan in his voice that made her laugh as she reached forward and nudged his shoulder.

"It's okay to admit that, Margie says I'm a grand friend to have anyway," she said, watching his gaze soften at her, "it means a lot, truly."

"Friend's a word." he said with a shrug, his face tensing up slightly as she stared at him.

"Yeah." she said, with a nod, "And so is goodbye." He stared at her and she smiled up at him.

"I'm only kidding," she said, before her face fell a bit, "seriously, you okay? You weren't even on the mission and you look seriously fucked up." Kennedy had hoped that keeping up with this banter, this light-hearted, dare she call it flirting, maybe would lift his worrisome and lonely spirits, but he seemed drawn into himself and concave again and she wasn't sure what more to say.

Hey, even going as far to compliment his physique's correlation to an A-2 was pretty nice of her!

And something she wasn't actually lying about - not like she had spent too long staring at his broad shoulders over breakfast the other day (but no one except her knew).

"Didn't know you handed out compliments with a side of self-degradation, now huh?" he said and she let out a scoff and crossed her arms to look at him again.

"Seriously, John, what's wrong?"

"You can call me, Bucky, remember?"

"John."

"Nothing's wrong. Nothing, just…." he looked around, that lazy smile on his face, and looked back at her, hands rested on those hips of his again and looked to her, "does anything have to be wrong when I come to talk to you?"

"Usually there is something wrong."

"Kennedy-"

"Alright, look," she said, "if you don't budge, I'm gonna head to the Med-Bay, check in on Margie." She was playing her emotions really well, so well she had almost forgotten the mission altogether.

"So, you gonna tell me what's wrong, or am I going to have to decode it from you myself? Beg on my hands and knees? Don't make me look that pathetic." Major Egan watched her with a slight smirk and she shoved his shoulder again.

"Stop looking at me like that."

"Like whattt?" he said as she rolled her eyes with a laugh, "Oh, c'mon, Kennedy, I'm supposed to hear that Silver Bullets took a hit and not think about you?"

Kennedy's smile dropped and it seemed the realization hit Major Egan at the same time and for a moment, they were just standing there, staring at each other like deer in headlights. She couldn't look away from his eyes, because for the first time there was something more than besides his usually flirty, joking self. Hell, that was just how he normally was - no stake in the ground with a soul, moving with the wind, taking him where the Lord put him, all that bullshit. For a second, she almost thought she wasn't hearing him straight and was going to leave it at that. But no, he'd said that and she was sure her face matched the color of her dirtied ginger hair and her strawberry-blonde ends.

"Egan!" The two turned from each other, in what had been a…rather intense stare down and found Crank coming towards him, "Harding needs us!"

"Give me a fucking second, Crank! I'm talking here!" Major Egan yelled back before turning to her and gulping, before parting his lips as if to speak. She stared at him still, unable to find the words that would amount to much of anything.

"Don't give me lip, Bucky - look, we gotta go!" Major Egan turned.

"Just a minute, Crank, seriously." Major Egan called out before turning to her still stood there.

"You really should go." she finally said, her voice somewhat hoarse as she did so, like she couldn't get the words out right, "Colonel Harding-"

"I don't care what Harding thinks right now," he said firmly looking at her, "look, Farley, I-"

"It's fine." she said quickly, plastering on a smile quickly and a nod, "I'm fine." Major Egan looked far from convinced in that moment. Because she wasn't convinced herself.

He had heard Silver Bullets took a hit and suspected immediately it was her?

That's why he had looked at her like that?

In interrogation?

She wasn't much to him, so she thought, at least - what…the few conversations they'd share? She'd practically egged him on into conversations about baseball where it was less of a discussion and more of a debate. If anything, he should've heard Silver Bullets and suspected about Annie or Francis.

"Go on," she said, shoving down her feelings and emotions, offering a small smile, "Colonel Harding sounds like he really needs to talk to you. Plus, if you must continue to talk about your stupid sheepskin, I'll be at the flying club later. Maybe I'll even beat you in darts. Again." Major Egan stared at her, for the first time, a little wordless and nodded.

"Kennedy, I-"

"It's fine." she said, convincing herself the very same - if she acted like she didn't hear it from his lips, then it never happened. He never said those words, never looked at her like that, never even bothered to tell her he was worried about her after hearing about Silver Bullets getting hit. If she ignored it, it wasn't what had happened.

And it was better that way.

"Bucky-"

"A second, Crank, please!" Major Egan yelled over his shoulder again, before looking at her and sighing, jabbing a thumb behind him.

"I gotta…." he started, his words fading as he managed a weak smile at her.

"Yeah, yeah," she said quickly, with a nod, and a forced smile.

"Let me know how Harlowe is…?"

"I will." she said as he began to backpedal backwards, his eyes holding hers still. Then, she watched Crank come up to Major Egan's shoulder and spin him around before pointing and frantically talking. Then they were walking away and disappeared. Kennedy stood there like the wind had just been taken out of her sail. Why'd she act like that?

"Hey! Kenny!" Kennedy turned and found Judy coming up to her, with Bessie and Carrie behind her, splitting a few cookies in their hands, "Here you are. We thought we couldn't find you." Kennedy stared at Judy, who came up beside her, with bright eyes, before looking to Bessie and Carrie, who shared a look before looking at Kennedy.

"You alright, Farley?" Bessie asked her, glancing in the general direction of where Major Egan had wandered off to, "What'd Bucky want?" Kennedy snapped into her usual collected self (which took far more effort today than usual) and ran a hand over her hair, cringing at bit at the smell of oil and grease that followed - which undoubtedly Major Egan had smelled - and sighed.

"Heard about Margie." she said firmly, cooly, kind of quick at that, like she couldn't get the words out fast enough to cover her ass, "He knows we're close and wanted to check in. Make sure things were okay."

"Always sticking his nose into all our bullshit," Carrie muttered, crunching off a piece of the sugar cookie and shaking her head, "you know I heard the other day he was trying to ask Bradshaw for a tour of Silver Bullets. Next thing you know, I'm tearing into him, telling him he touches my area, my shit, it's over for him-"

"He just wanted to make sure she was okay, Bergie," Kennedy said with a shrug, "guess it just gets old, hearing about losing people. Over and over."

"Especially someone from Silver Bullets." Judy finished for her, "Bucky's always been sweet as peaches to me, anyway. It's mighty kind of him to come and check up on you. Knowing how close you two are. He's got an awful soft-spot for Silver Bullets."

"Some soft spot." Carrie said with a slight chuckle and smirk, glancing at Kennedy, who rolled her eyes, ignoring the looks, and glanced back to the direction of where Major Egan had gone.

"Let's go to the Med-Bay," Judy said, "I'm sure Margie would want to see us when she wakes."

"What this face?" Carrie said, "We all look like sorry excuses for circus clowns."

"At least a little flak never scared off that charisma, Bergie." Bessie said as she wrapped an arm around her shoulders, and the whole group burst into chuckles as they headed towards the Med-Bay, sharing cookies and smiles.

But all that was on her mind, until the hit the Med-Bay doors was that Major Egan had thought of her, when Silver Bullets was said to have gotten a nasty hit.

Her.

55 notes · View notes

yoimix · 2 years

Text

𝐦𝐢𝐬𝐛𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐞𝐯𝐞𝐫 | 𝐤𝐚𝐞𝐲𝐚

series: yoimix christmas event !! (๑ᴖ◡ᴖ๑)

pairing: kaeya x reader

synopsis: even if you’re only joking that kaeya could flirt his way through teyvat, you really wish he’d start with you. and christmas is all about granting wishes, right?

prompt: kaeya + mistletoe kiss + f2l

genre: fluff, very slight angst (you have to squint), f2l

wc: 3.1k

warnings: language, kaeya cringe flirting, not proofread

a/n: sorry for the delay on this one :c hope you guys have fun reading nevertheless!!

“So, Mr. Knight of Favonius, care to tell me why we’re at a tavern on Christmas Eve?”

“Well, dear civilian, the Favonius party is simply the worst holiday party I’ve ever attended.”

Kaeya shrugs despite the confusion on your face.

“You mean to say you’d rather skip a party with the best food in Mondstadt? Jean never misses with the selection.”

He rolls his eyes. “Food isn’t everything, (name).”

You place your hands on your hips. “So what is?”

Kaeya takes a deep breath. “I’ll tell you everything that isn’t.”

The moonlight falls in waves over Kaeya’s hair as he walks with you downtown. A look of mild distaste colors his expression, soft lips pressed together as he looks forward. The tapping of his heels against the cobblestones isn't the only sound, however. The whole of Mondstadt is abuzz, walking through the winter-hued streets with loved ones arm-in-arm. A tree stands tall at the city center, shimmering with lights and ornaments handpicked by the people. The houses are lit bright way past the usual bedtime, and you can’t help but feel a sting of wanting.

Warmth is elusive and you crave it more and more each passing winter night.

Kaeya’s sigh pulls you out of your thoughts. With fingertips as cold as ice, he has a surprisingly warm tone of voice.

“First of all, there’s no wine. Can you believe it? A Mondstadt party without wine?”

A spark of annoyance flickers in Kaeya’s eyes.

“Well, last year you got so drunk you cuddled a barrel of wine at Diluc’s winery. And then Diluc made me stay the night to take care of you.”

Kaeya pointedly ignores your remark. It’s not so often he lets all loose like that—in fact, most of Mondstadt couldn’t possibly answer if they’ve ever seen the cavalry captain quite so intoxicated. In a strange, twisted way, it makes you feel special.

“Two, it’s in the Favonius Headquarters—the very same workplace I spend every day at, see and converse with the same coworkers at. Is that even a party? I’m being asked work questions, (name). Isn’t that too cruel?”

You purse your lips at his rant. “That’s fair.”

“Thirdly, if one more person asks me about the horses, I will stab my own guts out.”

You giggle. “Well, are the hors—”

Kaeya presses the tip of his index finger against your lips, shaking his head. A dead serious look takes over his eyes.

“No.”

You hold back a laugh. It’s not easy for ordinary folks to notice but—fatigue settles often in the eyes of the cavalry captain. Luckily, he looks much fresher tonight.

Handsome, even.

You mentally slap yourself. That’s not allowed, you’ve told yourself repeatedly. You can’t look at your friend, your first friend in Mondstadt, that way. You sigh, and Kaeya moves his finger away as though you blew it away. Chuckling, he steps forward and holds the door to Cat’s Tail open for you.

“Shall we?”

You sigh, entering the tavern. You’ve got a long night ahead of you.

Kaeya makes it faster though, by skipping straight to tequila. You nearly gag at the scent of how strong it is, offering him a dubious look as he downs the shot with a group of strangers he seems to be well connected with. The interior of Cat’s Tail is just as toasty as you expected—but it looks like Kaeya’s determined to raise the heat to the maximum.

“It’s not like you to have alcohol straight,” you say, concerned. “Are you alright?”

“Of course I’m alright, (name),” he laughs before turning to you. “Unless you plan to nag me for the rest of the night. Then neither of us will be having fun.”

“But you hate it when it’s bitter,” you mumble, watching him down another shot.

Kaeya places the shot glass on the counter, grimacing. The bartender offers you a look of pity and you return a pursed smile.

“You’re right, that was horrible,” he groans. “I just… I can’t stand the cold.”

You giggle. “Despite your vision?”

“Sometimes because of it,” he chuckles, resting his cheek against his palm. The alcohol has already flushed his skin red and he plays idly with a coin of mora.

The music is festive inside the tavern, and maybe that’s what keeps your hopes up. The cats snore in some corner, largely ignoring the crowd of people celebrating the holidays with friends and family. Kaeya alternates between chatting up the crowd, the flush on his cheek spread to his ears, and telling you details he’s picked up from them. If you’re being honest, he’s unbearably cute when he talks about others with fascination. People watching has always been a favorite activity for the two of you.

“Ugh, my tongue tastes bitter,” he groans, sticking it out as though trying to prove his statement. “What a pity Diona couldn’t join us.”

“Let the girl enjoy Christmas Eve with her father.” You click your tongue. “Besides, it’s only your fault for choosing shots.”

“How else am I supposed to enjoy a night so joyous?”

You wave at the bartender, ordering a sweeter cocktail for Kaeya before he drinks anything else insane. With the unsolicited lessons on wine he’s given you, it’d be shameful to not remember something from the list.

“My, aren’t you sent from the Anemo Archon himself?” Kaeya remarks, a smile playing on his lips. “I’m blessed.”

The cocktail is placed on the counter with a soft clink.

“Get your drink and stop hogging the counter, Captain,” the bartender chides, sending you an almost pleading look. Apparently, you’re Kaeya’s assigned babysitter.

“Boy, I thought you were Diluc for a moment,” Kaeya chokes. “But I would’ve sensed the brooding from a mile away.”

The bartender responds with a hearty laugh. “You’re funny, Captain. But I gotta do my job.”

Kaeya places a hand over his heart in mock hurt. “Come now, have I not increased revenue? Isn’t Margaret proud of me?”

“Madam Margaret has specifically told you to pay your tab.”

“Oh.”

You hold back a laugh, grabbing the drink in one hand and Kaeya’s arm in the other before you thank the bartender and leave to occupy a more cozy corner of the tavern. Sitting Kaeya down on a cushy chair, you hand him his drink like handing candy to a child. His eye sparkles, and you admire how pretty it is even under the miserly lights of the tavern. You take a seat beside him, watching as the crowds celebrate, the thought of warmth bringing a smile to your face. It’s always nice imagining the reasons behind smiles. Festivities boost the emotion.

To be honest, you were getting uncomfortable at the center of the crowd. Kaeya may be talented at blending in, but you get too awkward for exchanges. It’s funny because he’s the one with the eyepatch. However, you’ve always been better at watching from a distance. It’s troubling that Kaeya nearly manages to close it between the two of you every time.

You have to remind yourself that you’re not special.

“Death in the afternoon,” he sighs. “A delectable concoction. It’s a shame you refuse to drink with me.”

“Well, who’s gonna drag you home and stop you from cuddling barrels?” You roll your eyes. “What would you do without me?”

You breath hitches in your throat when you turn towards him, the smug smile wiped off your face. He’s so close you can feel his breath, warm as candlelight. As cheeky as he can be, you can’t help the rush of blood to your arteries when he looks down at your lips and back at your eyes. Kaeya Alberich. Your demise and your dawn.

“Ah-ah,” he whispers, the tone warning. “You should watch what you say, dear.”

“And what did I say?” You reply softly.

“Nothing but the truth.” His smile grows wider. His voice drips of gold and you are not immune to treasure.

Before you can find yourself leaning in, you look away and an obnoxious laugh follows. He’s always extra flirty when he’s drunk.

You’re not special.

Then, can he stop making you feel that way?

“You do feel something for me,” he states, pleased with his conclusion.

“What makes you say that?” You refuse to meet his eyes.

“Just a hunch,” he answers before a dry laugh befalls his lips. “Or maybe hope. You understand, don’t you?”

“The only thing I understand is that you reek of alcohol,” you chide, placing your hand against your hip.

“Can I tell you a secret then?” He sighs, defeated.

You tilt your head, awaiting an explanation.

Much to the shock of your poor heart, he leans in to place his lips right by your ear.

“You know I’m never really that drunk, right?”

“Huh?”

A giggle follows. He sounds like a child gleefully explaining that he did the exact thing his parents warned him not to do.

“Gosh, you’re just so cute I… I truly am sorry.”

Kaeya stops himself, pursing his lips. You’re not sure what holds him back. But you know it must be something of grave consequence. No word of the Cavalry Captain has been offered in vain. Even if they’re chock full of fluff, they work like clockwork under Kaeya’s careful planning.

“Can you hold me please?”

His request is quiet. You can barely process it when he picks up your hands and places his cheeks between your palms.

“I’m sorry I never seem to be able to say it,” he hums. “I end up worrying more often than not.”

“Worrying about what?” You lean in. The chatter of the tavern seems to have died down, but you know for a fact it’s the blood rushing to your ears.

“I’ve spilled enough secrets, haven’t I?”

“You’re so cryptic,” you huff. “I never know what you’re plotting.”

“Oh please, it’s all from the heart,” he pouts. “I don’t plot.”

“Yeah, right. You scheme like a criminal. If you weren’t a Knight of Favonius, I’m sure you’d be swiping shit left and right.”

“I’m offended you think I’d be a lowly thief.”

“A robber then?”

“Why do you want me to steal things so bad? Only your heart could get me to do that.”

You gag, curling your lips. “I can’t believe you said that out loud.”

Kaeya laughs out loud, leaning in a bit when he does. The glow over his cheekbones, only brightens under the dim tavern lights, and you swear you can count the lashes on his eyes, plenty and long. It’s embarrassing to admit how he lights up your heart. You manage to pry your hands out of his and shove them inside your pocket. He makes a whine of protest but doesn’t chase after.

“Seriously, Kaeya, all your flirting will land you in trouble.”

“I am serious. When it comes to you, more than anything.”

You scoff. “There you go again. Is it part of your grand plan to flirt Teyvat into submission? Hell, you almost made me fall for you the first time we met.”

“Oh? What stopped you?”

“The fact that you’re a filthy liar.”

You’re only joking but Kaeya purses his lips, a deep frown lining his features.

“Would you have fallen if I let fate run its course?”

“Huh?”

“I can’t trust the stars and planets to align just for the two of us,” he hums, looking out the window. “But I choke over my words trying to line the dominoes. So much for effortless.”

“Is this another scheme I’m unaware of?”

“Mhm. I’m afraid you’d hate me if you were aware.”

“Nothing could get me to hate you.”

Kaeya snorts. “Gosh, fate is a funny thing. It’s not my friend yet it landed me here—and even then, I can’t bear to look at your lips.”

A rush of blood warms your face.

“But I must confess…” He continues, eyes distant. “As a sinner must.”

You finally understand what he’s getting at.

I don’t deserve love. Kaeya acts flirty, dips his words in liquid gold and lines his smile with diamonds—but not for once, has he ever believed in words of kindness. He’s not the wide-eyed boy you heard about from Adelinde; but he’s not so jaded he’d break your heart without second thought. Kaeya is a hard man to read—but with the way he melts against your touch, you can’t help but feel he longs for the same warmth you do.

“I stand by what I said,” you respond quietly. “I wouldn’t hate you no matter what.”

“Even if I'm Machiavellian scum that lies every other sentence? Even if I want you so desperately, I’m willing to deceive you? Even if- even if—”

“It’s alright, Kaeya.” You press your index finger to his lips, his eyes widening in surprise. It makes you giggle.

He sighs. “It’s not bad practice to question every blessing in my life.”

A teasing smile tugs at your lips. “Is that why you interrogate me so often?”

Kaeya shakes his head, and you remove your finger. He reaches out an arm, placing his hand on your head as though in a comforting pat, but instead he messes all your hair up.

“Hey!” You yell, his laughter following as you try to reach for his head and fail, blocked by the rapid reflex of his arms.

“You’re so annoying,” you snap. “Come here, you- you rascal!”

Kaeya’s laughter only grows, as though he’s being tickled. In a way, he might as well be—your scrunched up face and angry insults have the same effect. The atmosphere lightens just like that. In a last attempt, you try to sneak in your hands as fast as you can, only for gloved ones to clutch them, effectively stopping any movement.

“You won’t win against me,” Kaeya whispers, leaning in.

A rush of blood to your head snaps you to reality, in focus of the lack of distance between the two of you. Kaeya’s lips are soft, glossy even and you know from the scent it’s the same strawberry lip balm you gifted him. How unfortunate for you that it smells delicious.

“Oh my god, of course they’re flirting under the mistletoe.”

What you didn’t expect were the tall figures of the Acting Grand Master and the winery owner himself standing by the tavern door with their arms crossed. A certain outrider covers her blushing face behind them, eyes wide with whatever wild imagination she’s trying so hard to tame. A few other knights stand scattered around them, already easing into the party atmosphere of the tavern. You’re not sure what prompted a visit from the whole Favonius crew.

Jean giggles before Kaeya can retort with anything. “So this is where you sneaked off to.”

Diluc looks disgusted for the most part but goes along with Jean. Amber, on the other hand, looks like she’s holding back laughter.

“Oh dear, what brings our busy bees to Cat’s Tail?”

“The afterparty,” Jean answers, biting back a smile. “Which you would know if you joined us.”

Amber giggles behind her. “We had mistletoes at the headquarters too, you know?”

“You can’t keep Kaeya away from wine,” Diluc mutters with distaste.

“And you can’t keep him away from (name) either,” Jean adds, laughing. “Sorry for crashing your date.”

“I’m surprised you’re not snogging each other’s faces off,” Amber chirps. “I wish Eula was here… Not- not for the mistletoe, of course.”

“That, I did not plan,” Kaeya turns to you before anything else, pointing upwards. He looks genuinely caught off guard though he tries his best to mask it.

“So? Where’s the kiss?” Amber teases.

“That’s enough, Amber,” Jean laughs, shaking her head. “This is the first time I’ve seen Kaeya teased to a loss of words.”

You’re not sure which one of them gave Kaeya the final push. Maybe it was you.

Warm lips press against yours in a heartstopping kiss, the hands of the clock stopping all at once. Time holds nothing against the two of you—and Kaeya swears your own name against your lips.

When he pulls away after what felt like far too little, your fingers fly to your lips and you can barely register your audience. Jean is flushed fully red despite her teasing remarks and Diluc covers Ambers eyes while she waves around comically. However, the crowd erupts into cheers, with a loud chant of “Fucking finally!” from one of the knights.

Kaeya knows how to please people, even if he doesn’t choose to.

“Let’s go,” Kaeya whispers in your ear, when the spotlight befalls other couples in the tavern. You’re not sure what chain reaction Kaeya’s lighted, but you’re glad to have an excuse to leave.

The cold air hits you harsher than you expected. But it’s the same old Mondstadt, same old comforting walls.

“Sorry” is the first thing Kaeya says.

“Why?” You hold your breath.

“Because as much as I want to say I did that to get us out, I enjoyed it far too much.” Kaeya frowns, unable to meet your eyes.

“You never heard me out,” you whisper.

He finally looks up, awaiting your explanation. He’s even prettier under the midnight moon. He’s too pretty to look this way, torn between his ways and what’s right.

“I know you refuse to listen to me no matter what,” you breathe. “Is it so hard to believe I’m in love with you?”

Kaeya blinks. “But… but it’s my fault, isn’t it? I laid the groundwork- and- and I set the scene—I did this to you.”

“You say that like it’s a bad thing.” You giggle. “Doesn’t that mean you care?”

“But- but… I- I could be using you! How could you trust me so easily?”

You take a step forward. “What could you gain by using me, silly? It’s okay to admit you want to be loved, Kaeya.”

Kaeya lets himself get pulled in by you, resting his chin on your shoulder. How long has it been since someone’s hugged him this way? He’s engulfed by your scent, unable to think straight.

“But that’s when terrible things happen,” he mumbles against your skin.

“That won’t stop me,” you declare. “You could be a criminal, a sinner, a heathen—and I’d still hold you when you want me to.”

His walls are crumbling.

“You deserve better.”

“Mhm. But it’s you I’m holding.”

Kaeya finally gives in, wrapping his arms around your waist tighter. His breath is warm against your neck and though the faintest smell of alcohol wafts from him, you run your fingers through his hair. It’s finally warm enough.

“Shall we?” You whisper. It’s time to go home.

“Is this a scheme of yours?” Kaeya chuckles softly, recovered.

“Only because I care,” you answer, smiling.

191 notes · View notes